The censors censured, in a brief discourse to which is adjoyned the authors letter to an anti-episcopal minister concerning the government of the church : written in the year 1651, but not printed till now.
         Edmonds, Hugh.
      
       
         
           1661
        
      
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             The censors censured, in a brief discourse to which is adjoyned the authors letter to an anti-episcopal minister concerning the government of the church : written in the year 1651, but not printed till now.
             Edmonds, Hugh.
          
           [6], 14 p.
           
             Printed for Phil. Stephens ...,
             London :
             1661.
          
           
             "To the reader" signed: Hugh Edmonds.
             Reproduction of original in the Sion College Library, London.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Church of England -- Government.
           Church of England -- Apologetic works.
           Episcopacy.
           Presbyterianism -- Controversial literature.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           CENSORS
           CENSVRED
           ,
           IN
           A
           Brief
           Discourse
           :
           To
           which
           is
           adjoyned
           the
           AUTHORS
           LETTER
           TO
           AN
           Anti-Episcopal
           Minister
           Concerning
           The
           Government
           of
           the
           CHURCH
           .
        
         
           Written
           in
           the
           year
           1651.
           but
           not
           printed
           till
           now
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Phil.
          
           Stephensat
           the
           
             Kings
             Armes
          
           over
           against
           Middle
           
             Temple
             Gate
             in
             Fleetstreet
             ,
          
           1661.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           READER
           ,
        
         
           
             Courteous
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           ALthough
           the
           many
           Books
           which
           have
           been
           already
           printed
           in
           defence
           of
           Episcopacy
           ,
           may
           seem
           not
           only
           to
           forestal
           the
           credit
           ,
           but
           to
           evacuate
           the
           use
           of
           future
           Impressions
           ,
           about
           the
           same
           subject
           ;
           yet
           considering
           the
           messe
           of
           Confederate
           Brethren
           ,
           who
           are
           sworn
           to
           oppose
           it
           ,
           which
           (
           being
           an
           Oglio
           of
           all
           Sects
           )
           is
           of
           far
           greater
           dimension
           then
           the
           defendant
           party
           .
           I
           presumed
           it
           would
           not
           amount
           to
           the
           reckoning
           of
           a
           vanity
           to
           enter
           with
           my
           unkeen
           weapon
           into
           the
           same
           field
           :
           which
           (
           though
           unworthy
           to
           be
           mustered
           with
           those
           forces
           of
           wit
           ,
           that
           fight
           for
           victory
           )
           may
           serve
           (
           like
           
           the
           attendants
           
             of
          
           an
           Army
           )
           to
           face
           the
           enemy
           .
           It
           is
           the
           fate
           of
           truth
           for
           its
           naked
           simplicity
           to
           be
           as
           little
           known
           ,
           as
           trusted
           ,
           with
           earthly
           inhabitants
           :
           whereas
           errour
           ,
           clothed
           with
           glosing
           variety
           ,
           finds
           not
           only
           acceptation
           ,
           but
           maintenance
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           most
           .
           What
           Gangrenes
           of
           Heresies
           ,
           and
           fretting
           sores
           of
           schismatical
           opinions
           have
           infested
           the
           body
           of
           our
           National
           Church
           ?
           since
           Bishops
           (
           the
           ministerial
           preservers
           thereof
           in
           soundnesse
           of
           Doctrine
           )
           were
           first
           divorced
           from
           their
           office
           ,
           as
           the
           History
           of
           former
           ages
           can
           yield
           no
           examples
           to
           parallel
           ,
           so
           (
           being
           by
           Satans
           subtilty
           heightned
           to
           an
           exquisite
           degree
           of
           wickednesse
           )
           the
           possible
           corruption
           of
           succeeding
           times
           ,
           will
           want
           invention
           to
           excel
           .
           Such
           was
           the
           sudden
           growth
           
             of
          
           greedy
           innovations
           in
           the
           black
           art
           of
           enmity
           ,
           against
           their
           ancient
           guides
           ,
           that
           experience
           hath
           proved
           them
           to
           be
           a
           true
           exception
           to
           the
           Philosophers
           saying
           ,
           
             Nemo
             repente
             fit
             turpissimus
             .
          
           And
           if
           their
           master
           ,
           who
           raised
           them
           to
           the
           pinacle
           of
           preferment
           ,
           had
           not
           thrown
           them
           down
           headlong
           by
           a
           timely
           temptation
           ,
           they
           would
           have
           all
           turned
           conceited
           Monarchs
           ,
           and
           not
           lookt
           over
           ,
           but
           for
           the
           Kingdomes
           of
           the
           earth
           .
           It
           will
           be
           as
           much
           shame
           hereafter
           to
           report
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           now
           grief
           to
           remember
           
           the
           fiery
           generation
           of
           those
           meteors
           o●
           men
           ,
           which
           (
           rising
           by
           the
           fall
           of
           our
           great
           stars
           )
           have
           vapoured
           from
           the
           Regions
           both
           of
           pulpit
           and
           presse
           ,
           into
           the
           houses
           of
           the
           honourable
           ,
           and
           musty
           Cottages
           of
           the
           basest
           people
           ,
           deluding
           them
           into
           such
           a
           lamentable
           deviation
           from
           their
           right
           principles
           ,
           that
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           them
           (
           like
           benighted
           Drunkards
           )
           are
           not
           yet
           able
           to
           finde
           the
           way
           home
           .
           The
           consideration
           whereof
           doth
           offer
           us
           so
           much
           occasion
           ,
           to
           pity
           the
           dangerous
           estate
           of
           their
           diseased
           souls
           ,
           that
           I
           could
           wish
           no
           better
           successe
           to
           attend
           this
           work
           ,
           then
           that
           ,
           by
           detecting
           the
           malignant
           distemper
           of
           their
           faults
           ,
           it
           may
           become
           a
           direction
           for
           their
           recovery
           .
           But
           knowing
           that
           habituated
           Crimes
           will
           not
           readily
           yield
           to
           a
           seperation
           from
           the
           subjects
           that
           possesse
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           custome
           in
           sin
           ,
           (
           holding
           reason
           in
           bondage
           to
           the
           dominion
           of
           sense
           )
           doth
           seldome
           nauseate
           the
           sinner
           to
           a
           detestation
           thereof
           .
           I
           am
           disposed
           to
           doubt
           ,
           that
           the
           event
           will
           be
           unanswerable
           to
           the
           scope
           of
           my
           desire
           .
           However
           the
           chiefest
           Part
           of
           this
           Book
           being
           written
           in
           time
           of
           persecution
           ,
           when
           Tyranny
           had
           stated
           the
           Tribes
           of
           all
           honest
           men
           in
           a
           fitter
           capacity
           of
           receiving
           wrongs
           then
           giving
           reasons
           ,
           I
           shall
           not
           now
           disown
           
           the
           exposing
           thereof
           to
           publick
           view
           ,
           though
           it
           happen
           to
           make
           a
           fermentation
           of
           humours
           in
           the
           cholerick
           stomacks
           of
           our
           English
           Pharisees
           .
           For
           being
           set
           forth
           with
           the
           same
           intention
           wherewith
           it
           was
           first
           penned
           ,
           more
           to
           declare
           my
           willingnesse
           to
           approve
           ,
           then
           ability
           of
           mind
           to
           defend
           the
           right
           of
           Episcopal
           Government
           .
           It
           may
           not
           be
           coujectured
           to
           be
           composed
           with
           confidence
           to
           confute
           those
           that
           deny
           ,
           but
           out
           of
           love
           to
           confirm
           them
           who
           believe
           the
           same
           .
        
         
           To
           thee
           therefore
           ,
           Gentle
           Reader
           ,
           whosoever
           thou
           art
           of
           this
           number
           ,
           do
           I
           principally
           dedicate
           this
           my
           labour
           ,
           wherein
           if
           thou
           apprehend
           nothing
           deserving
           thy
           condemnation
           ,
           but
           the
           truth
           of
           my
           affection
           to
           the
           welfare
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           applause
           enough
           to
           satisfie
           the
           expectation
           of
        
         
           
             Thy
             well-wishing
             friend
             ,
             HUGH
             EDMONDS
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           CENSORS
           CENSURED
           .
        
         
           AS
           in
           natural
           ,
           so
           in
           bodies
           Politique
           ,
           there
           are
           no
           distempers
           more
           smartly
           afflicting
           ,
           than
           those
           which
           invade
           the
           most
           noble
           parts
           ,
           and
           amongst
           the
           many
           causes
           ,
           which
           work
           a
           solution
           of
           unity
           ,
           in
           a
           civill
           constitution
           of
           government
           ,
           the
           corrupt
           humours
           of
           a
           brain-sick
           clergy
           are
           the
           most
           intrinsecal
           .
           The
           Truth
           whereof
           ,
           though
           we
           have
           by
           the
           sad
           experiences
           of
           our
           own
           past
           miseries
           been
           better
           taught
           to
           bewail
           ,
           than
           dispute
           ;
           yet
           being
           farther
           instructed
           by
           the
           present
           discovery
           of
           their
           propagated
           mischiefs
           (
           notwithstanding
           the
           bountiful
           rayes
           of
           mercy
           diffused
           amongst
           them
           from
           our
           
             Englands
          
           Sun
           )
           we
           cannot
           but
           account
           it
           a
           pitifull
           folly
           to
           commiserate
           them
           ,
           who
           think
           it
           a
           virtue
           to
           be
           cruel
           to
           themselves
           ;
           for
           they
           ,
           whom
           neither
           the
           sense
           of
           their
           own
           sin
           ,
           nor
           apprehension
           of
           the
           Kings
           pardon
           can
           reform
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           not
           onely
           the
           
           
           charity
           ,
           which
           submitteth
           to
           the
           worst
           of
           Governours
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           be
           justly
           feared
           ,
           that
           no
           true
           concordance
           will
           inhabit
           the
           centre
           ,
           whilest
           such
           Heteroclites
           are
           left
           to
           lurk
           in
           the
           circumference
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           who
           will
           rather
           professe
           themselves
           St.
           
             Peters
          
           animals
           by
           standing
           out
           in
           their
           own
           conceit
           ,
           than
           St.
           
             Pauls
          
           souls
           in
           stooping
           to
           the
           authority
           of
           their
           lawful
           superiours
           ,
           neither
           can
           they
           be
           well
           thought
           fit
           Trustees
           for
           the
           securitie
           of
           the
           Gospels
           treasure
           ,
           who
           having
           once
           shipwrackt
           their
           Allegiance
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           are
           still
           bankrupt
           of
           faith
           and
           honesty
           .
           Those
           are
           the
           old
           stocks
           ,
           whereupon
           Satan
           hath
           graffed
           the
           variety
           of
           Sects
           ,
           which
           hath
           been
           the
           shame
           ,
           and
           is
           yet
           the
           grief
           of
           
             Englands
          
           Church
           ,
           whose
           first
           non
           conformity
           to
           Canonical
           orders
           ,
           hath
           been
           the
           very
           originals
           ,
           whereunto
           the
           many
           copies
           of
           obstinate
           Fanaticks
           ,
           that
           are
           now
           extant
           ,
           have
           their
           true
           reference
           ,
           who
           following
           the
           tracts
           of
           St.
           
             Judes
          
           murmurers
           ,
           in
           admiration
           of
           some
           mens
           persons
           for
           advantage
           sake
           ,
           do
           dissociate
           themselves
           from
           the
           community
           of
           Saints
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           opinion
           ,
           but
           practise
           ,
           than
           which
           nothing
           can
           be
           more
           destructive
           to
           the
           concord
           and
           peaceable
           unanimity
           of
           spiritual
           Congregations
           ;
           for
           as
           in
           physical
           Compositu●s
           ,
           a
           violent
           disunion
           of
           Integrable
           parts
           breeds
           a
           more
           dangerous
           shisme
           in
           the
           body
           ,
           than
           a
           humerous
           distemper
           ;
           so
           in
           Ecclesiastical
           corporations
           ,
           an
           actual
           seperation
           from
           the
           Catholick
           fellowship
           of
           beleevers
           in
           Gods
           service
           is
           a
           greater
           pandor
           to
           confusion
           ,
           than
           the
           scandal
           of
           a
           speculative
           distraction
           .
           It
           is
           time
           therefore
           for
           our
           Seminary
           Presbyters
           ,
           who
           have
           been
           the
           Protoplastiques
           of
           a
           Rebellious
           generation
           ,
           both
           in
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           to
           make
           a
           confession
           of
           their
           past
           faults
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           their
           present
           faith
           to
           the
           King.
           They
           are
           now
           sufficiently
           read
           in
           the
           book
           of
           their
           own
           consciences
           to
           know
           ,
           
             nemo
             periculosius
             peccat
             ,
             quam
             qui
             peccata
             defendit
             ,
          
           to
           Apologize
           for
           sin
           is
           more
           damnable
           ,
           than
           to
           act
           it
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           retract
           inexcusable
           
           errours
           ,
           doth
           as
           much
           unqualifie
           a
           delinquent
           for
           mercy
           ,
           as
           the
           perpetration
           thereof
           can
           adapt
           him
           to
           justice
           .
           Repentance
           ,
           though
           it
           may
           be
           too
           soon
           ended
           ,
           can
           never
           bee
           too
           late
           begun
           ;
           he
           ,
           that
           lives
           like
           St.
           
             Lukes
          
           judge
           on
           the
           bench
           ,
           neither
           fearing
           God
           ,
           nor
           regarding
           man
           ,
           may
           have
           the
           grace
           to
           die
           like
           the
           
             Jewes
          
           theef
           on
           the
           Crosse
           ,
           with
           profession
           of
           both
           ;
           for
           that
           power
           which
           expresly
           denyeth
           forgivenesse
           to
           one
           sin
           onely
           ,
           doth
           implicitely
           conceede
           a
           possibility
           of
           pardon
           to
           all
           others
           .
           On
           this
           consideration
           it
           would
           be
           worth
           their
           paines
           to
           translate
           their
           Petition
           for
           Presbytery
           into
           a
           Suit
           for
           Indempnity
           ,
           and
           publickly
           to
           acknowledge
           his
           Majesties
           Declaration
           which
           is
           the
           proof
           of
           his
           grace
           ,
           to
           be
           an
           argument
           of
           their
           guilt
           ,
           who
           (
           like
           cunning
           fencers
           ,
           that
           aim
           at
           the
           legs
           ,
           when
           they
           intend
           to
           veny
           the
           pate
           )
           under
           a
           reformative
           pretence
           of
           destroying
           those
           revenous
           beasts
           ,
           which
           worry
           the
           people
           ,
           begg'd
           leave
           of
           their
           master
           to
           hunt
           the
           kingdome
           ,
           which
           being
           granted
           ,
           they
           took
           liber●y
           of
           themselves
           to
           make
           him
           their
           chief
           game
           :
           for
           it
           is
           well
           known
           from
           
             Dan
          
           to
           
             Beersheba
             ,
          
           that
           the
           credit
           of
           their
           false
           doctrine
           was
           the
           very
           leaven
           wherewith
           the
           people
           were
           first
           moulded
           into
           a
           sowre
           lump
           of
           armed
           malice
           against
           their
           Sovereigne
           .
        
         
           And
           I
           may
           truly
           say
           ,
           it
           was
           the
           unlucky
           Boutefen
           ,
           which
           not
           only
           yielded
           smoak
           to
           smother
           all
           Treaties
           into
           a
           nullity
           of
           successe
           ,
           but
           that
           gave
           light
           also
           to
           clear
           the
           way
           for
           more
           active
           instruments
           then
           themselves
           to
           take
           off
           the
           Head
           of
           our
           eternally
           renowned
           Saint
           
             Charles
             ,
          
           together
           with
           the
           Government
           from
           his
           soulders
           ;
           for
           although
           they
           entred
           not
           the
           Stage
           with
           those
           miscreants
           that
           personated
           
             Pilate
          
           in
           the
           fifth
           Act
           ;
           yet
           because
           they
           appeared
           with
           others
           who
           playd
           the
           parts
           of
           
             Annas
          
           and
           
             Caiphas
             ,
          
           in
           the
           first
           Scene
           of
           the
           Tragedy
           ,
           we
           may
           justly
           christen
           them
           the
           Grandfathers
           in
           law
           of
           that
           bloudy
           fact
           ,
           which
           being
           unmatchable
           in
           humane
           
           stories
           ,
           may
           be
           in
           some
           sort
           compared
           to
           the
           crafty
           complement
           of
           the
           cruel
           wolfe
           in
           the
           fable
           ,
           who
           told
           the
           sheep
           ,
           
             Da
             mihi
             potum
             ,
             &
             ego
             mihi
             dabo
             cibum
             ,
          
           meaning
           to
           eat
           him
           up
           for
           his
           courtesie
           .
           A
           fact
           ,
           which
           as
           former
           ages
           have
           not
           been
           so
           learnedly
           wicked
           to
           invent
           ,
           so
           I
           hope
           the
           future
           will
           be
           more
           honestly
           wise
           than
           to
           imitate
           ;
           A
           fact
           ,
           which
           may
           schoole
           our
           Kings
           of
           
             England
          
           into
           a
           use
           of
           the
           
             Italians
          
           prayer
           ,
           to
           be
           delivered
           from
           their
           friends
           whom
           they
           trust
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           from
           their
           enemies
           whom
           they
           fear
           ,
           and
           inform
           the
           people
           with
           the
           
             Spaniards
          
           soul
           ,
           rather
           to
           sheath
           their
           swords
           in
           one
           anothers
           bowels
           upon
           private
           quarrels
           ,
           than
           to
           draw
           them
           against
           their
           Sovereign
           in
           open
           war.
           
        
         
           But
           ,
           if
           the
           Recognition
           of
           such
           an
           execrable
           murder
           be
           not
           caution
           enough
           for
           subjects
           to
           restrain
           them
           from
           Rebellion
           ,
           let
           the
           memorable
           example
           of
           the
           
             Amalekites
          
           punishment
           be
           their
           exhortation
           to
           obedience
           ,
           2
           
             Sam.
          
           1.
           13
           ,
           14.
           who
           (
           though
           a
           stranger
           to
           
             Sauls
          
           kingdome
           ,
           and
           by
           them
           requested
           to
           conclude
           his
           pain
           with
           the
           inference
           of
           death
           )
           was
           by
           
             Davids
          
           command
           for
           touching
           the
           Lords
           anointed
           ,
           instantly
           condemned
           to
           loose
           his
           life
           .
        
         
           If
           Kings
           lives
           then
           are
           so
           precious
           in
           Gods
           account
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           not
           be
           touched
           in
           the
           heat
           of
           proclaimd
           hostility
           ,
           what
           a
           cursed
           sin
           must
           that
           be
           ,
           which
           justifieth
           those
           who
           take
           them
           away
           in
           cold
           bloud
           ?
        
         
           By
           these
           animadversions
           I
           hope
           the
           whole
           host
           of
           spirituall
           officers
           ,
           who
           have
           fought
           against
           the
           Regiment
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           will
           be
           victoriously
           fens'd
           into
           a
           unanimous
           Iudgement
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           far
           better
           for
           them
           to
           have
           the
           Apostles
           doctrine
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           then
           the
           
             Scots
          
           discipline
           in
           their
           hands
           ,
           to
           be
           content
           with
           that
           estate
           wherein
           they
           have
           been
           ,
           then
           to
           covet
           that
           wherein
           they
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           ,
           to
           submit
           to
           the
           King
           in
           causes
           Ecclesiastical
           ,
           rather
           then
           by
           calling
           his
           power
           in
           question
           ,
           to
           
           abuse
           their
           own
           authority
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           to
           give
           
             Caesar
          
           his
           ,
           will
           be
           no
           substraction
           from
           their
           due
           ,
           had
           not
           our
           Saviour
           paid
           for
           himself
           and
           
             Peter
             ,
          
           it
           might
           be
           doubted
           ,
           whether
           the
           Clerks
           of
           this
           age
           (
           like
           the
           old
           
             Egyptian
          
           Priests
           )
           would
           not
           plead
           their
           estates
           untributary
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           their
           offices
           unsubj●ct
           to
           the
           King.
           
        
         
           With
           what
           tenure
           of
           spiritual
           power
           they
           are
           invested
           
             Jure
             divino
             ,
          
           none
           but
           those
           Laicks
           whom
           the
           Popes
           Mandate
           hath
           screen'd
           from
           the
           Sun-shine
           of
           Gods
           word
           ,
           can
           be
           ignorant
           .
        
         
           The
           officious
           Acts
           of
           
             Jehoiada
          
           to
           
             Jehoash
             ,
          
           and
           
             Nathan
          
           to
           
             David
             ,
          
           are
           not
           only
           presidents
           to
           warrant
           the
           right
           ,
           but
           boundaries
           to
           limit
           the
           extent
           of
           their
           claim
           ;
           they
           must
           instruct
           Kings
           as
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           may
           reprove
           them
           as
           the
           other
           did
           ,
           which
           was
           not
           executed
           by
           an
           excommunicative
           scourge
           to
           make
           
             David
          
           do
           pennance
           for
           his
           offence
           ,
           but
           with
           the
           monition
           of
           a
           meek
           spirit
           ,
           to
           give
           him
           a
           penitent
           sense
           thereof
           ;
           for
           as
           the
           act
           of
           reproof
           argued
           the
           King
           to
           be
           Gods
           subject
           :
           so
           the
           mode
           of
           reproving
           maintain'd
           him
           to
           be
           the
           Proph●ts
           Sovereign
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           I
           believe
           
             Azariah
          
           withstood
           
             Vzziah
          
           by
           no
           other
           force
           ,
           save
           that
           of
           the
           tongue
           ,
           whose
           aim
           was
           to
           strike
           at
           the
           fact
           ,
           not
           the
           person
           of
           the
           King
           ,
           to
           induce
           him
           into
           a
           consciousnesse
           of
           his
           fault
           ,
           not
           to
           require
           his
           submission
           to
           punishment
           ,
           which
           ,
           because
           immediately
           inflicted
           of
           God
           ▪
           supposeth
           him
           priviledg'd
           not
           to
           receive
           it
           from
           man
           :
           so
           that
           
             rebus
             sic
             stantibus
             ,
          
           our
           ministerial
           Guides
           have
           little
           reason
           ,
           and
           lesse
           grace
           to
           pride
           themselves
           in
           their
           Ghostly
           authority
           of
           reb●●ing
           Kings
           ,
           such
           verbal
           Reprehensions
           being
           no
           more
           then
           religious
           servants
           (
           not
           adventuring
           beyond
           the
           sphear
           of
           their
           calling
           )
           may
           lawfully
           practise
           towards
           their
           
           ungodly
           masters
           ;
           for
           as
           it
           is
           the
           Resolve
           of
           Divines
           ,
           that
           in
           case
           of
           neccessity
           
             Quil●bet
             Christianus
             est
             sacerdos
             ,
          
           so
           it
           is
           not
           only
           the
           liberty
           ,
           but
           the
           duty
           of
           every
           one
           in
           Gods
           case
           boldly
           to
           reprove
           an
           offending
           brother
           ,
           as
           I
           think
           my self
           bound
           to
           tell
           the
           associated
           brethren
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           highly
           wronged
           the
           Majesty
           of
           God
           &
           the
           King
           ,
           both
           by
           their
           orall
           and
           manual
           prolusions
           to
           introduce
           a
           new
           fangled
           government
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           &
           that
           it
           will
           be
           more
           safe
           for
           them
           to
           observe
           the
           duty
           of
           looking
           into
           their
           own
           ,
           then
           the
           false
           commission
           of
           overseeing
           their
           superiours
           actions
           ,
           the
           performance
           whereof
           might
           happily
           make
           that
           saying
           
             ex
             culpa
             sacerdotum
             ruina
             populi
             ,
          
           to
           be
           as
           well
           known
           to
           themselves
           ,
           as
           felt
           by
           others
           ,
           and
           convert
           the
           hypocrisie
           ,
           which
           some
           do
           ,
           into
           the
           sincerity
           of
           obedience
           ,
           which
           all
           should
           professe
           ;
           for
           though
           none
           of
           them
           be
           puritanized
           into
           Donatisme
           ,
           but
           can
           protest
           it
           their
           necessary
           obligation
           to
           reverence
           the
           Kings
           person
           ,
           yet
           most
           are
           so
           far
           sublimated
           from
           the
           drosse
           of
           superstition
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           without
           defiling
           their
           consciences
           vaile
           to
           the
           train
           of
           his
           ceremonious
           Titles
           ,
           they
           can
           easily
           concoct
           supream
           Governours
           ,
           dryly
           swallowed
           ,
           but
           with
           the
           sawce
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           causes
           it
           quite
           nauseates
           their
           stomacks
           ,
           and
           the
           name
           of
           head
           is
           more
           offensive
           to
           their
           palates
           ,
           then
           perfumes
           are
           to
           the
           nostrils
           of
           those
           that
           are
           grieved
           with
           an
           Histerical
           passion
           ;
           a
           monstrous
           straw
           for
           such
           mighty
           men
           to
           stumble
           at
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           put
           in
           the
           same
           ballance
           with
           that
           of
           their
           schismatical
           Predecessours
           in
           the
           conference
           at
           
             Hampton
             Court
             ,
          
           who
           were
           scandalized
           with
           the
           word
           absolution
           in
           the
           
             Liturgy
             ,
          
           but
           well
           content
           with
           the
           Term
           
             Remission
             of
             sins
             .
          
        
         
           What
           difference
           there
           is
           betwixt
           supream
           Governour
           and
           Head
           in
           a
           notional
           acception
           ,
           is
           more
           fit
           for
           Grammatical
           
           Criticks
           ,
           then
           politick
           Christians
           to
           inquire
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           complicated
           in
           one
           subject
           ,
           and
           determined
           to
           a
           constant
           onenesse
           both
           of
           action
           and
           end
           ,
           they
           must
           by
           the
           rules
           of
           honesty
           as
           well
           as
           Art
           ,
           be
           construed
           Synonymous
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           promiscuous
           manner
           adjudged
           to
           contract
           their
           literal
           variety
           into
           an
           identity
           of
           sense
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           we
           cannot
           deny
           but
           the
           Title
           of
           supream
           Head
           was
           first
           given
           to
           King
           
             Henry
          
           the
           Eight
           by
           the
           Pope
           ,
           who
           being
           by
           his
           own
           institution
           in
           the
           world
           (
           as
           the
           soul
           is
           in
           the
           body
           by
           Gods
           Creation
           )
           
             Totus
             in
             toto
             ,
          
           and
           not
           onely
           
             singulis
             ,
          
           but
           
             universis
             major
             ,
          
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           to
           part
           with
           a
           piece
           of
           himself
           but
           for
           his
           own
           ends
           ;
           yet
           we
           conceive
           it
           no
           trespasse
           against
           any
           Canon
           ,
           either
           of
           Scripture
           or
           reason
           ,
           to
           convert
           that
           to
           a
           good
           use
           ,
           which
           was
           first
           bestowed
           to
           an
           ill
           purpose
           ,
           but
           for
           Presbyters
           to
           take
           that
           away
           for
           the
           better
           esteem
           of
           their
           own
           authority
           ,
           which
           was
           given
           by
           the
           Pope
           ,
           to
           disgrace
           the
           Kings
           jurisdiction
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           is
           no
           lesse
           unreasonable
           to
           devise
           ,
           then
           irreligious
           to
           practise
           .
        
         
           That
           great
           Bulwark
           of
           objection
           ,
           (
           Christ
           is
           the
           sole
           Head
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             ergo
          
           no
           other
           can
           have
           the
           Title
           )
           which
           hath
           been
           presumed
           too
           strong
           for
           an
           army
           of
           Schoolmen
           to
           beat
           down
           ,
           must
           necessarily
           yield
           upon
           terms
           to
           our
           side
           .
           For
           although
           as
           the
           Church
           is
           internally
           considered
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           kingdome
           of
           Grace
           ,
           and
           our
           Saviour
           Christ
           as
           Lord
           thereof
           ,
           by
           right
           of
           Redemption
           ,
           ruling
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           faithful
           by
           his
           spirit
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           subjection
           allowable
           ,
           nor
           headship
           to
           be
           attributed
           but
           to
           him
           only
           ;
           yet
           as
           he
           is
           King
           by
           right
           of
           Creation
           ,
           loving
           an
           Imperial
           Sovereignty
           over
           all
           his
           creatures
           ,
           and
           the
           Church
           in
           a
           militant
           condition
           ,
           which
           (
           by
           reason
           of
           an
           inseperable
           commixture
           of
           good
           
           and
           bad
           ,
           and
           common
           relation
           of
           the
           inward
           and
           outward
           man
           )
           doth
           necessarily
           require
           an
           external
           policy
           to
           maintain
           a
           uniformity
           and
           order
           in
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           so
           he
           hath
           ordained
           his
           Vicegerent
           on
           earth
           to
           whom
           both
           Clergy
           and
           Laity
           must
           be
           subject
           .
        
         
           And
           in
           this
           qualification
           of
           sense
           Kings
           may
           be
           truly
           stiled
           supream
           Heads
           in
           causes
           Ecclesiastical
           ,
           within
           their
           Dominions
           ;
           Thus
           
             Samuel
          
           called
           
             Saul
          
           the
           Head
           of
           the
           Tribes
           of
           Israel
           ,
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           15.
           17.
           which
           
             in
             eodem
             signo
             rationis
          
           doth
           imply
           all
           persons
           ,
           as
           well
           Ecclesiastical
           as
           civil
           in
           that
           Commonwealth
           ,
           to
           be
           his
           subordinate
           members
           .
           And
           that
           the
           Priests
           were
           subject
           in
           their
           very
           Offices
           to
           the
           supreame
           power
           of
           their
           magistrates
           ,
           2
           
             Chron.
             8.
             
             Solomons
          
           Acts
           in
           ordering
           their
           courses
           ,
           and
           appointing
           the
           
             Levites
          
           to
           their
           charges
           ,
           (
           who
           in
           manifestation
           of
           their
           duty
           are
           said
           not
           to
           depart
           from
           the
           commandement
           of
           the
           King
           )
           do
           sufficiently
           evidence
           ,
           whose
           authority
           likewise
           to
           punish
           sins
           of
           the
           first
           table
           ,
           that
           refer
           to
           Religion
           as
           well
           as
           those
           of
           the
           second
           ,
           which
           belong
           to
           humane
           society
           .
        
         
           Gods
           own
           prescript
           Laws
           to
           
             Moses
             ,
             Deut.
             13.
             
             Deut.
          
           17.
           
           
             Levit.
          
           17.
           are
           the
           authentique
           seals
           to
           confirm
           ,
           whereunto
           we
           may
           annex
           that
           fact
           of
           our
           Saviour
           Christ
           himself
           ,
           chastising
           the
           
             Jewish
          
           Pedlers
           ,
           by
           vertue
           of
           his
           divine
           Royalty
           ,
           for
           profanation
           of
           the
           Temple
           ,
           as
           an
           exemplary
           proof
           beyond
           all
           exception
           .
        
         
           Having
           pickt
           out
           the
           pith
           of
           their
           Divinity
           in
           the
           former
           objection
           ,
           there
           resteth
           one
           hard
           Argument
           more
           a
           break
           ,
           wherein
           lies
           the
           marrow
           of
           their
           Logick
           ,
           if
           the
           power
           ,
           say
           they
           ,
           in
           Ecclesiastical
           matters
           be
           proper
           to
           the
           supream
           magistrate
           as
           a
           Magistrate
           ,
           then
           it
           should
           belong
           to
           all
           magistrates
           ,
           and
           consequently
           to
           the
           heathen
           :
           the
           definition
           of
           
           a
           magistrate
           being
           one
           in
           Christian
           and
           Heathen
           Princes
           ;
           but
           this
           would
           be
           both
           sinful
           and
           ridiculous
           to
           assert
           ,
           
             ergo
          
           that
           cannot
           lawfully
           be
           maintained
           .
        
         
           Truly
           this
           is
           a
           witty
           sophisme
           ,
           which
           deserves
           the
           Reply
           of
           an
           ingenious
           Respondent
           in
           the
           Philosophers
           School
           ,
           
             salse
             profecto
             ,
             sed
             falso
             quidem
             .
          
           I
           presume
           the
           same
           learning
           which
           qualified
           them
           to
           oppose
           others
           ,
           may
           enable
           them
           to
           answer
           themselves
           in
           this
           point
           ;
           for
           if
           their
           consequence
           be
           good
           ,
           
             Baals
          
           Priests
           had
           as
           much
           right
           to
           the
           service
           of
           the
           Temple
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Levitical
          
           Clergy-men
           ,
           neither
           can
           our
           Protestant
           ministers
           have
           a
           better
           Title
           to
           the
           dispensation
           of
           Christs
           ordinances
           ,
           then
           the
           officers
           of
           the
           
             Romish
          
           Church
           do
           now
           claim
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           if
           they
           will
           honestly
           defend
           their
           own
           as
           we
           do
           the
           Kings
           authority
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           they
           must
           acknowledge
           their
           argument
           to
           be
           contrary
           to
           the
           principles
           of
           art
           ,
           as
           their
           opinion
           is
           to
           the
           precepts
           of
           Religion
           ;
           for
           when
           a
           Restrictive
           Term
           is
           adjoyned
           to
           an
           equivocal
           subject
           (
           as
           magistrate
           is
           )
           To
           argue
           from
           an
           indefinite
           to
           a
           universall
           ,
           is
           an
           illegal
           consequence
           ,
           the
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           what
           is
           attributed
           by
           such
           a
           note
           of
           limitation
           ,
           is
           not
           an
           absolute
           but
           a
           comparate
           propriety
           ,
           which
           doth
           
             convenire
             subjecto
             mediante
             alio
             ,
          
           as
           the
           power
           of
           the
           King
           in
           c●uses
           Eccl●siastical
           is
           not
           proper
           to
           him
           ,
           simply
           
             secundum
             naturam
             ,
          
           but
           Relatively
           as
           he
           is
           a
           true
           Christian
           Magistrate
           ;
           according
           to
           which
           univocation
           ,
           if
           their
           Argument
           had
           been
           formed
           ,
           the
           consequence
           would
           be
           logically
           true
           .
        
         
           But
           as
           we
           do
           appropriate
           this
           power
           onely
           to
           Kings
           truly
           Christian
           ,
           So
           I
           must
           acquaint
           them
           that
           the
           Heathen
           subjects
           had
           such
           a
           Reverend
           respect
           to
           the
           authority
           of
           the
           supream
           magistrate
           in
           matters
           of
           their
           idolatrous
           Religion
           ,
           that
           
             Aristotle
             ,
             
             Polit.
             l.
          
           3.
           could
           say
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           .
           The
           King
           is
           Lord
           and
           Ruler
           of
           things
           that
           pertain
           to
           the
           Gods.
           
        
         
           To
           conclude
           ,
           I
           wish
           those
           men
           ,
           who
           (
           like
           the
           first
           matter
           have
           an
           indifferency
           to
           all
           forms
           ,
           and
           are
           so
           unfixedly
           disposed
           ●n
           Religion
           ,
           ●hat
           they
           can
           be
           content
           with
           the
           
             Sichemites
             ,
          
           to
           ●e
           circumcised
           for
           their
           advantage
           ,
           would
           (
           not
           for
           wra●h
           but
           for
           conscience
           sake
           )
           give
           a
           seasonable
           Testimony
           of
           their
           obedience
           by
           a
           willing
           conformity
           to
           the
           Kings
           power
           in
           Ecclesiastical
           causes
           ,
           that
           the
           Church
           may
           be
           no
           longer
           grieved
           with
           the
           rapine
           of
           forreign
           wolves
           ,
           or
           〈◊〉
           of
           〈…〉
           ,
           but
           that
           sound
           doctrine
           may
           flourish
           within
           her
           gates
           ,
           and
           true
           discipline
           be
           established
           in
           her
           borders
           ,
           to
           which
           end
           the
           Lord
           send
           us
           a
           speedy
           Restauration
           of
           our
           ancient
           Government
           by
           the
           hands
           of
           
             Zerubbabel
          
           and
           
             Joshua
             ,
          
           the
           King
           and
           the
           Bishop
           ,
           that
           as
           we
           are
           baptized
           in
           one
           faith
           ,
           so
           we
           may
           be
           subject
           to
           one
           Rule
           ,
           &
           as
           we
           are
           of
           one
           body
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           all
           of
           one
           mind
           ,
           to
           worship
           God
           both
           in
           the
           purity
           and
           beauty
           of
           holinesse
           ,
           and
           to
           preserve
           the
           unity
           of
           the
           spirit
           in
           the
           bond
           of
           peace
           .
           
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .