A brotherly and friendly censure of the errour of a dear friend and brother in Christian affection, in an answer to his four questions lately sent abroad in print to the view of the world. Published according to order.
         Walker, George, 1581?-1651.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A96917 of text R212426 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E265_4). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         ESTC R212426
         99871050
         99871050
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             A brotherly and friendly censure of the errour of a dear friend and brother in Christian affection, in an answer to his four questions lately sent abroad in print to the view of the world. Published according to order.
             Walker, George, 1581?-1651.
          
           [2], 10 p.
           
             Printed for Nathaniell Webb,
             London, :
             1645.
          
           
             Attributed to George Walker by Wing.
             A reply to: Prynne, William. Foure serious questions of grand importance (Wing P3959).
             Annotation on Thomason copy: after brother in title: "Mr Prin"; "By Mr George Walker"; "Sep: 20".
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Prynne, William, 1600-1669. -- Foure serious questions of grand importance.
           Presbyterianism -- Early works to 1800.
           Lord's Supper -- Early works to 1800.
           Excommunication -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A96917  R212426  (Thomason E265_4).  civilwar no A brotherly and friendly censure of the errour of a dear friend and brother in Christian affection,:  in an answer to his four questions lat Walker, George 1645    7171 13 0 0 0 0 0 18 C  The  rate of 18 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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        2007-07 Angela Berkley
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           A
           Brotherly
           and
           Friendly
           CENSURE
           OF
           THE
           ERROVR
           Of
           a
           dear
           Friend
           and
           Brother
           in
           Christian
           affection
           ,
           IN
           
             An
             ANSWER
             to
             his
             four
             Questions
             lately
             sent
             abroad
             in
             print
             to
             the
             view
             of
             the
             world
             .
          
        
         
           PROV.
           27.
           5
           ,
           6.
           
        
         
           Open
           rebuke
           is
           better
           then
           secret
           love
           .
           Faithfull
           are
           the
           wounds
           of
           a
           friend
           ;
           but
           the
           kisses
           of
           an
           enemy
           are
           deceitfull
           .
        
         
           Published
           according
           to
           Order
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           
             Printed
             for
          
           Nathanael
           Webb
           ,
           1645.
           
        
      
       
       
         
           To
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           CHristian
           reader
           ,
           I
           will
           take
           it
           as
           a
           great
           favour
           from
           thee
           ,
           if
           in
           reading
           this
           my
           Answer
           thou
           wilt
           judge
           me
           to
           be
           ,
           as
           indeed
           ,
           and
           in
           truth
           I
           am
           ,
           an
           adversary
           of
           the
           cause
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           the
           person
           .
           He
           who
           is
           commonly
           reported
           to
           be
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           foure
           questions
           in
           hand
           ,
           is
           one
           whose
           person
           I
           have
           ,
           from
           my
           first
           knowledge
           of
           him
           ,
           dearly
           loved
           ,
           honoured
           ,
           and
           admired
           ,
           for
           his
           excellent
           parts
           ,
           profitable
           paines
           for
           the
           publike
           good
           ,
           and
           his
           unwearied
           labours
           ,
           and
           patient
           sufferings
           in
           the
           cause
           of
           Christ
           .
           If
           he
           hath
           but
           once
           in
           all
           his
           life
           stumbled
           upon
           a
           bad
           cause
           ,
           and
           pleaded
           for
           it
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           a
           common
           ,
           and
           in
           some
           sort
           a
           necessary
           evil
           ,
           hardly
           to
           be
           avoided
           by
           men
           of
           his
           vocation
           :
           )
           let
           not
           this
           blemish
           his
           great
           learning
           ,
           nor
           his
           judgement
           ,
           sound
           in
           all
           other
           points
           ,
           and
           least
           of
           all
           his
           approved
           piety
           and
           zeale
           for
           true
           religion
           .
           His
           name
           ,
           which
           was
           happily
           concealed
           ,
           and
           not
           annexed
           to
           these
           foure
           questions
           ,
           shall
           ever
           be
           precious
           with
           me
           ,
           and
           I
           hope
           with
           all
           Gods
           people
           also
           ,
           who
           truly
           feare
           the
           Lord
           ,
           long
           for
           the
           peace
           of
           Zion
           ,
           and
           unfeignedly
           seek
           the
           reformation
           of
           Christs
           Church
           ,
           in
           all
           these
           three
           Kingdomes
           .
           It
           is
           no
           small
           griefe
           to
           me
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           compelled
           to
           move
           my
           pen
           in
           writing
           against
           any
           paper
           ,
           published
           by
           an
           hand
           so
           deare
           to
           me
           :
           But
           in
           the
           cause
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           point
           so
           prejudiciall
           to
           the
           peace
           and
           pure
           reformation
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           Who
           can
           be
           silent
           ?
           The
           nearest
           relations
           of
           love
           which
           one
           Christian
           can
           have
           to
           another
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           must
           not
           hinder
           us
           ,
           nor
           stay
           our
           hands
           ,
           tongues
           or
           pens
           from
           performance
           of
           any
           duty
           ,
           in
           which
           we
           all
           stand
           obliged
           to
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           our
           Redeemer
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           Church
           our
           deare
           mother
           .
           And
           wherein
           can
           we
           be
           more
           necessitated
           to
           shew
           our
           duty
           to
           both
           ,
           then
           in
           resisting
           with
           all
           our
           power
           whatsoever
           tends
           to
           the
           common
           and
           continuall
           prophanation
           of
           the
           holy
           Sacrament
           of
           Christs
           body
           and
           blood
           ?
           which
           cannot
           possibly
           be
           avoided
           ,
           if
           the
           power
           of
           the
           keys
           ,
           which
           Christ
           hath
           given
           to
           his
           Apostles
           and
           their
           successors
           ,
           with
           a
           promise
           to
           be
           with
           them
           to
           the
           end
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           be
           taken
           ,
           under
           any
           pretence
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           Pastors
           and
           Presbyters
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           no
           power
           left
           unto
           them
           to
           put
           by
           any
           sinners
           ,
           openly
           scandalous
           and
           impenitent
           ,
           from
           the
           holy
           Communion
           nor
           to
           exclude
           such
           spirituall
           lepers
           ,
           most
           loathsome
           and
           infections
           ,
           from
           the
           sacred
           meeting
           at
           the
           Lords
           holy
           Table
           .
           Who
           doth
           not
           see
           that
           the
           maine
           cause
           of
           the
           Schismes
           and
           separations
           of
           divers
           godly
           and
           zealous
           Christians
           from
           our
           Communion
           ,
           is
           the
           mixture
           of
           the
           prophane
           among
           the
           pious
           and
           godly
           ,
           and
           the
           admission
           of
           persons
           openly
           scandalous
           to
           the
           holy
           Sacrament
           ?
           This
           is
           that
           which
           hath
           moved
           many
           out
           of
           their
           blinde
           zeale
           to
           proclaime
           our
           Church
           ,
           a
           whore
           a
           strumpet
           ,
           a
           Synagogue
           of
           Antichrist
           ;
           and
           our
           faithfull
           Ministers
           ,
           Baals
           Priests
           ,
           and
           limmes
           of
           the
           beast
           .
           All
           true
           Christians
           ,
           and
           most
           of
           all
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           are
           bound
           to
           put
           to
           their
           hands
           and
           shoulders
           for
           the
           removing
           of
           this
           stumbling-block
           and
           rock
           of
           offence
           out
           of
           the
           way
           :
           And
           I
           especially
           more
           then
           others
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           that
           singular
           love
           I
           bear
           to
           this
           deare
           brother
           erring
           in
           this
           point
           ,
           and
           least
           I
           should
           offend
           against
           that
           commandement
           ,
           
             Lev.
          
           19.
           17.
           
           Thou
           shalt
           not
           have
           thy
           brother
           in
           thine
           heart
           :
           thou
           shalt
           in
           any
           wise
           rebuke
           thy
           neighbour
           ,
           and
           not
           suffer
           sin
           upon
           him
           ,
           or
           bear
           sin
           for
           him
           .
           His
           paper
           is
           gone
           forth
           in
           publike
           ,
           private
           rebuke
           will
           not
           hinder
           the
           hurt
           which
           it
           may
           doe
           :
           It
           hath
           given
           such
           publike
           wounds
           ,
           as
           cannot
           be
           cured
           but
           by
           a
           publike
           remedy
           .
           The
           Lord
           ,
           the
           great
           healer
           of
           soules
           ,
           give
           a
           speedy
           cure
           to
           the
           maladies
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           all
           our
           soule-sicknesses
           :
           to
           him
           be
           praise
           for
           ever
           and
           ever
           .
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           brotherly
           and
           friendly
           Censure
           of
           the
           errour
           of
           a
           dear
           friend
           and
           brother
           in
           Christian
           affection
           ,
           In
           an
           Answer
           to
           his
           foure
           Questions
           lately
           sent
           abroad
           in
           print
           ,
           to
           the
           view
           of
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           
             The
             Inscription
             .
          
           
             Four
             serious
             
               Questions
            
             of
             grand
             Importance
             ,
             concerning
             
               Excommunication
            
             and
             
               Suspension
            
             from
             the
             
               Sacrament
               ;
            
             propounded
             to
             the
             
               Reverend
               Assembly
            
             and
             all
             
               Moderate
               Christians
               ,
            
             to
             prevent
             
               Schismes
               ,
            
             and
             settle
             
               Vnity
            
             among
             us
             ,
             in
             these
             
               divided
               times
               ;
            
             by
             a
             
               lover
            
             both
             of
             
               Peace
            
             and
             
               Truth
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             The
             Answer
             to
             the
             Inscription
             .
          
           
             WHen
             I
             did
             first
             meet
             with
             this
             paper
             of
             foure
             serious
             questions
             ,
             fleeing
             abroad
             in
             print
             into
             every
             Book-sellers
             shop
             in
             
               London
               ,
            
             and
             ready
             upon
             the
             wing
             to
             take
             flight
             into
             all
             parts
             of
             the
             land
             ;
             That
             flying
             toll
             ,
             which
             appeared
             to
             the
             Prophet
             
               Zecharie
            
             (
             presently
             upon
             my
             viewing
             of
             the
             matter
             and
             scope
             thereof
             )
             came
             to
             my
             minde
             ,
             which
             is
             said
             to
             be
             a
             curse
             going
             forth
             over
             the
             face
             of
             the
             whole
             land
             ,
             
               Zech.
            
             5.
             3.
             
             For
             as
             that
             was
             a
             curse
             to
             punish
             ,
             cut
             off
             and
             consume
             even
             to
             the
             timber
             and
             stones
             of
             the
             houses
             ,
             into
             which
             it
             entered
             :
             So
             I
             feared
             this
             would
             be
             a
             corrupting
             curse
             in
             the
             heart
             ,
             house
             and
             family
             of
             every
             one
             that
             entertained
             it
             with
             approbation
             ,
             and
             did
             welcome
             it
             with
             applause
             ,
             seeing
             it
             proclaims
             liberty
             for
             all
             sinners
             ,
             though
             openly
             scandalous
             and
             impenitent
             ,
             to
             come
             boldly
             to
             the
             Lords
             supper
             ,
             and
             to
             eat
             and
             drinke
             their
             own
             damnation
             ,
             without
             controll
             of
             the
             Pastors
             and
             Presbyters
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             whom
             Christ
             hath
             ordained
             to
             have
             the
             rule
             over
             them
             ,
             and
             to
             watch
             for
             their
             soules
             ,
             
               Heb.
            
             13.
             17.
             
          
           
             And
             whereas
             the
             questions
             are
             by
             the
             Author
             professed
             to
             be
             serious
             ,
             and
             of
             grand
             importance
             ,
             propounded
             to
             the
             Reverend
             Assembly
             ,
             for
             the
             setling
             of
             unity
             among
             us
             ,
             in
             these
             divided
             times
             :
             First
             ,
             I
             must
             professe
             that
             I
             am
             much
             grieved
             ,
             that
             any
             learned
             Christian
             brother
             should
             seriously
             urge
             such
             arguments
             ▪
             so
             weak
             ,
             so
             fallacious
             ,
             and
             of
             so
             little
             strength
             ,
             to
             maintaine
             so
             bad
             a
             cause
             as
             this
             ,
             even
             the
             opening
             of
             a
             wide
             gap
             to
             Libertinisme
             ,
             and
             prophanation
             of
             the
             holy
             Sacrament
             of
             Christs
             body
             and
             blood
             ,
             and
             giving
             this
             liberty
             to
             carnall
             and
             prophane
             men
             ,
             of
             dissolute
             and
             scandalous
             life
             ,
             that
             they
             without
             repulse
             may
             intrude
             themselves
             among
             godly
             Communicants
             ,
             to
             the
             just
             offence
             and
             scandall
             of
             the
             whole
             Congregation
             :
             which
             they
             may
             have
             opportunity
             to
             doe
             at
             severall
             times
             ,
             before
             the
             sentence
             of
             Excommunication
             ,
             can
             in
             a
             way
             of
             orderly
             proceeding
             (
             especially
             when
             there
             are
             appeales
             made
             to
             higher
             Consistories
             one
             after
             another
             ,
             by
             obstinate
             and
             contentious
             offenders
             )
             come
             forth
             against
             them
             ,
             and
             be
             put
             in
             execution
             .
          
           
           
             Secondly
             ,
             I
             hope
             it
             will
             be
             made
             to
             appeare
             by
             this
             ,
             and
             other
             Answers
             of
             more
             able
             brethren
             ,
             that
             here
             is
             no
             matter
             of
             grand
             importance
             in
             these
             questions
             ,
             except
             encouragement
             of
             men
             to
             live
             in
             scandalous
             sins
             ,
             without
             feare
             of
             suspension
             from
             the
             Lords
             table
             ,
             and
             to
             intrude
             boldly
             thereunto
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             power
             of
             grand
             tyranny
             ,
             and
             oppression
             of
             the
             Consciences
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             may
             in
             any
             but
             an
             evil
             sense
             ,
             be
             called
             a
             matter
             of
             grand
             importance
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             I
             wish
             with
             all
             my
             heart
             ,
             though
             now
             too
             late
             ,
             that
             these
             questions
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             title
             is
             pretended
             ,
             had
             first
             been
             propounded
             to
             the
             venerable
             Assembly
             .
             For
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             they
             then
             should
             have
             received
             such
             a
             solid
             and
             satisfactory
             Answer
             ,
             as
             would
             have
             staid
             the
             publishing
             of
             them
             in
             print
             ,
             and
             prevented
             the
             infection
             of
             the
             mindes
             of
             the
             vulgar
             people
             of
             weak
             judgement
             ,
             and
             saved
             us
             the
             labour
             of
             composing
             Antidotes
             against
             them
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             I
             pity
             the
             Author
             ,
             in
             that
             he
             hath
             so
             erred
             from
             his
             intended
             scope
             of
             these
             questions
             :
             for
             his
             handling
             and
             carriage
             of
             them
             ,
             is
             so
             farre
             from
             preventing
             Schismes
             ,
             and
             setling
             unity
             among
             us
             in
             those
             divided
             times
             :
             that
             on
             the
             contrary
             we
             finde
             by
             experience
             to
             our
             griefe
             ,
             that
             they
             worke
             strongly
             in
             corrupt
             and
             perverse
             mindes
             ,
             to
             the
             breeding
             ,
             and
             increasing
             of
             Schismes
             ,
             to
             the
             disturbance
             of
             the
             desired
             reformation
             ,
             in
             a
             point
             of
             greatest
             concernment
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             raising
             up
             of
             divisions
             and
             dissensions
             ,
             not
             onely
             among
             others
             ,
             but
             also
             betwen
             the
             Parliament
             and
             Assembly
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             strange
             practice
             ,
             in
             a
             lover
             of
             peace
             and
             truth
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               The
               Preface
               .
            
             
               
                 The
                 businesse
                 of
              
               Excommunication
               
                 and
              
               Sequestration
               from
               the
               Sacrament
               ,
               
                 &c.
                 
              
            
          
           
             The
             Answer
             to
             the
             Preface
             before
             the
             questions
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             businesse
             appeares
             plainely
             to
             be
             of
             no
             difficulty
             ,
             unlesse
             men
             will
             be
             difficult
             ,
             and
             through
             their
             owne
             averseness
             ▪
             hardly
             perswaded
             to
             grant
             and
             establish
             that
             which
             Gods
             Word
             expressely
             holdeth
             forth
             and
             commendeth
             ,
             and
             which
             we
             hope
             ,
             and
             humbly
             pray
             ,
             that
             the
             Honourable
             Houses
             of
             Parliament
             will
             be
             willing
             to
             doe
             without
             difficulty
             .
             You
             your selfe
             doe
             quote
             divers
             texts
             of
             Scripture
             which
             establish
             Excommunication
             ,
             and
             you
             presuppose
             it
             ,
             in
             this
             your
             paper
             severall
             times
             ,
             where
             you
             say
             none
             is
             to
             be
             suspended
             from
             the
             Sacrament
             but
             such
             as
             are
             excommunicated
             ,
             and
             in
             your
             Excommunication
             (
             for
             which
             you
             cite
             
               Tertullian
               ,
            
             Schoolemen
             ,
             and
             Canonists
             ,
             )
             you
             are
             more
             rigorous
             then
             any
             Presbyterians
             ,
             whom
             you
             closely
             intimate
             to
             be
             indiscreet
             ,
             passionate
             ,
             oversevere
             and
             revengefull
             :
             which
             is
             a
             point
             of
             unchristian
             jealousy
             ,
             and
             uncharitable
             surmise
             .
             For
             they
             dare
             not
             by
             excommunication
             exclude
             obstinate
             offenders
             from
             all
             ordinances
             ,
             but
             suffer
             them
             to
             heare
             the
             Word
             ,
             though
             not
             in
             communion
             as
             members
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             as
             infidels
             may
             doe
             ;
             or
             else
             what
             hope
             can
             we
             have
             of
             an
             illiterate
             person
             excommunicated
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             ever
             repent
             and
             be
             restored
             ?
             As
             for
             suspension
             from
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             thing
             more
             easy
             ,
             in
             it selfe
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             done
             orderly
             with
             lesse
             labour
             then
             excommunication
             ,
             and
             with
             great
             ease
             and
             facility
             ,
             and
             more
             frequently
             ,
             and
             with
             good
             successe
             is
             practised
             in
             all
             the
             best
             reformed
             Churches
             ,
             which
             also
             our
             late
             abolished
             liturgy
             did
             allow
             largely
             to
             all
             Pastors
             and
             Church-wardens
             :
             and
             it
             had
             
             been
             more
             easy
             to
             them
             that
             were
             godly
             ,
             and
             also
             more
             usuall
             in
             our
             Congregations
             ,
             if
             the
             proud
             Prelates
             ,
             fathers
             of
             prophanenesse
             ,
             had
             not
             taken
             that
             power
             wholly
             to
             themselves
             :
             Which
             intolerable
             usurpation
             of
             theirs
             ,
             we
             hope
             is
             with
             themselves
             quite
             taken
             away
             :
             but
             not
             the
             power
             from
             the
             Church
             ,
             nor
             the
             lawfull
             exercise
             of
             it
             according
             to
             the
             rules
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Whereas
             you
             make
             no
             
               medium
            
             between
             prophanation
             and
             scandall
             on
             the
             one
             side
             ,
             and
             Arbitrary
             ,
             tyrannicall
             ,
             papall
             domineering
             over
             the
             Consciences
             and
             spirituall
             Priviledges
             of
             Christians
             on
             the
             other
             ,
             herein
             passion
             and
             partiality
             seem
             to
             blinde
             you
             :
             For
             there
             is
             a
             plain
             open
             way
             between
             the
             two
             extremes
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             the
             lawfull
             power
             which
             Christ
             hath
             given
             to
             Ecclesiasticall
             rulers
             ,
             Pastors
             and
             Elders
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             which
             all
             godly
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             all
             orthodox
             members
             of
             the
             Assembly
             stand
             ,
             plead
             ,
             and
             petition
             for
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             be
             backed
             and
             confirmed
             to
             them
             by
             civill
             sanction
             ,
             even
             power
             to
             prove
             and
             try
             who
             are
             fit
             ,
             and
             who
             are
             unworthy
             to
             come
             to
             the
             Lords
             Table
             ,
             and
             by
             admitting
             the
             one
             ,
             and
             puting
             back
             the
             other
             ,
             after
             strict
             triall
             ,
             and
             due
             proofe
             and
             examination
             ,
             prophanation
             and
             scandall
             may
             easily
             be
             prevented
             ,
             and
             Arbitrary
             ,
             tyranicall
             ,
             papall
             domineering
             over
             the
             consciences
             of
             Pastors
             ,
             and
             godly
             Christian
             people
             shall
             have
             no
             place
             in
             Gods
             Church
             ;
             Scandalous
             proud
             impenitent
             sinners
             shall
             not
             come
             desperately
             to
             out-face
             Christ
             and
             his
             Ministers
             at
             his
             own
             table
             ,
             nor
             have
             an
             action
             against
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             out
             of
             tender
             conscience
             ,
             and
             fear
             of
             God
             ,
             refuse
             to
             reach
             to
             them
             judgement
             and
             damnation
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             partake
             with
             them
             in
             the
             guilt
             of
             Christs
             body
             and
             blood
             ;
             The
             Congregation
             of
             the
             godly
             shall
             not
             be
             scandalized
             ,
             nor
             tyrannically
             forced
             either
             to
             countenance
             and
             harden
             the
             impenitent
             in
             their
             open
             wickednes
             ▪
             by
             communicating
             with
             them
             ,
             or
             to
             separate
             from
             our
             Congregations
             ,
             and
             abhor
             the
             ordinance
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             as
             men
             did
             in
             old
             
               Eli's
            
             daies
             ,
             when
             his
             wicked
             sons
             made
             them
             to
             abhor
             the
             offering
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             1
             
               Sam.
            
             2.
             17.
             
             But
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             let
             scandalous
             ,
             obstinate
             sinners
             have
             liberty
             to
             intrude
             and
             come
             boldly
             to
             the
             Lords
             table
             ,
             and
             the
             Pastors
             and
             Elders
             have
             no
             power
             to
             keep
             back
             from
             them
             the
             holy
             signes
             and
             scals
             ,
             which
             belong
             not
             to
             them
             ,
             this
             is
             more
             then
             arbitrary
             ,
             tyrannicall
             ,
             papall
             domineering
             over
             the
             consciences
             of
             Pastors
             ,
             Elders
             ,
             and
             godly
             people
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             But
             here
             me thinks
             you
             speak
             very
             untowardly
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             offence
             of
             all
             godly
             people
             ,
             against
             all
             Christs
             Ministers
             and
             ecclesiasticall
             rulers
             ;
             for
             in
             these
             words
             (
             
               If
               it
               fall
               into
               indiscreet
               ,
               over-severe
               ,
               ambitious
               ,
               passionate
               ,
               or
               revengefull
               hands
            
             )
             you
             either
             suppose
             that
             generally
             the
             hands
             of
             Ministers
             and
             Elders
             of
             Christs
             Church
             are
             such
             ,
             and
             therefore
             they
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             trusted
             with
             power
             of
             Suspension
             and
             Excommunication
             ;
             which
             if
             you
             do
             ,
             your
             heart
             is
             not
             f●ee
             from
             malignity
             against
             their
             holy
             calling
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             Christ
             ,
             who
             hath
             trusted
             them
             ,
             will
             finde
             you
             out
             .
             Or
             else
             your
             meaning
             is
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             in
             the
             daies
             of
             the
             Papacy
             and
             Prelacy
             ,
             so
             now
             it
             may
             again
             under
             Presbyteriall
             Church-government
             happen
             ,
             that
             some
             of
             the
             rulers
             Ecclesiasticall
             may
             act
             with
             such
             hands
             .
             What
             then
             ?
             Do
             you
             infer
             thence
             that
             all
             of
             that
             high
             calling
             are
             to
             be
             abridged
             of
             that
             power
             ?
             A
             desperate
             inference
             ,
             striking
             at
             the
             prerogative
             and
             power
             of
             Parliaments
             ,
             and
             all
             civil
             Judges
             ,
             and
             Courts
             of
             Justice
             .
             For
             upon
             the
             same
             grounds
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             because
             under
             the
             Papacy
             ,
             Parliaments
             made
             Laws
             for
             suppressing
             true
             religion
             ,
             and
             establishing
             
             Idolatry
             and
             superstition
             ,
             you
             may
             go
             about
             to
             abridge
             them
             .
             And
             under
             the
             late
             domineering
             Prelacy
             and
             tyranny
             ,
             Judges
             wrested
             laws
             to
             take
             away
             the
             Subjects
             birth-right
             and
             liberty
             ,
             and
             to
             maintain
             oppression
             ,
             and
             they
             made
             (
             you
             know
             whose
             )
             will
             and
             lust
             ,
             law
             .
             And
             Lawyers
             soothed
             them
             ,
             and
             you
             know
             when
             ,
             not
             one
             (
             in
             all
             the
             bunch
             )
             could
             be
             found
             ,
             nor
             hired
             to
             plead
             in
             the
             just
             cause
             of
             an
             innocent
             .
             And
             even
             then
             many
             Presbyters
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             persons
             stood
             out
             couragiously
             ,
             and
             feared
             no
             persecutions
             ,
             bonds
             or
             losses
             ,
             in
             the
             cause
             both
             of
             religion
             and
             justice
             .
             Why
             then
             will
             you
             not
             take
             away
             all
             power
             also
             of
             judging
             from
             Judges
             ,
             and
             of
             pleading
             and
             expounding
             the
             Law
             from
             Lawyers
             ,
             and
             leave
             all
             civil
             government
             in
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             common
             people
             ?
             Take
             heed
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             you
             be
             not
             partiall
             and
             unequall
             to
             one
             side
             more
             then
             another
             .
             
               Aretius
            
             hath
             given
             you
             a
             very
             good
             caveat
             ,
             not
             to
             strive
             so
             earnestly
             against
             this
             point
             of
             Christian
             discipline
             ,
             in
             those
             words
             of
             his
             by
             you
             cited
             (
             
               impossibile
               praesentibus
               moribus
               colla
               submittere
               ejusmodi
               disciplinae
            
             )
             which
             words
             tell
             us
             ,
             That
             the
             corrupt
             manners
             and
             profane
             lives
             of
             men
             desperately
             bent
             ,
             in
             these
             evil
             times
             ,
             to
             continue
             in
             their
             lewd
             and
             scandalous
             courses
             ,
             make
             it
             impossible
             to
             bring
             them
             to
             submit
             their
             stiff
             necks
             to
             this
             discipline
             of
             Excommunication
             ,
             and
             Suspension
             from
             the
             holy
             Communion
             ,
             which
             is
             Christs
             light
             yoke
             to
             tractable
             Christians
             .
             If
             you
             proceed
             to
             take
             part
             with
             such
             refractory
             opposers
             (
             which
             ,
             I
             hope
             ,
             your
             religious
             heart
             will
             not
             permit
             you
             to
             do
             )
             and
             spend
             your
             strength
             in
             so
             unworthy
             a
             cause
             ,
             in
             hope
             by
             justifying
             these
             Questions
             ,
             to
             prevail
             against
             the
             votes
             of
             your
             best
             friends
             ,
             and
             most
             faithfull
             lover
             which
             you
             have
             in
             this
             world
             ,
             who
             truly
             honour
             you
             ,
             and
             wish
             all
             good
             to
             you
             :
             I
             trust
             in
             God
             ,
             you
             shall
             fail
             of
             your
             hopes
             ,
             as
             
               Aretius
            
             did
             in
             his
             judgement
             ,
             where
             speaking
             of
             this
             discipline
             set
             up
             by
             some
             in
             the
             Churches
             of
             
               Germany
               ,
            
             he
             seems
             to
             deride
             it
             in
             those
             words
             by
             you
             rehearsed
             ,
             
               Cecidit
               in
               spongiam
               ridiculus
               mus
               ;
            
             For
             now
             this
             despised
             mouse
             is
             become
             an
             high
             mountain
             in
             all
             the
             best
             reformed
             Churches
             of
             
               Germany
               .
            
          
           
             4.
             
             As
             for
             your
             addresse
             to
             the
             Assembly
             ,
             whom
             you
             charge
             unjustly
             with
             falling
             into
             extreams
             ,
             and
             indeed
             calumniate
             them
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             seemed
             to
             affect
             a
             great
             lording
             power
             over
             the
             consciences
             and
             priviledges
             of
             their
             Christian
             brethren
             ,
             which
             of
             right
             belongs
             not
             unto
             them
             ,
             usurping
             that
             to
             themselves
             ,
             which
             they
             vehemently
             declaimed
             against
             ,
             and
             caused
             to
             be
             taken
             quite
             away
             from
             the
             Pope
             and
             Prelates
             .
          
           
             To
             this
             I
             answer
             ,
             that
             you
             utterly
             mistake
             the
             matter
             .
             For
             they
             abhorre
             all
             affectation
             and
             usurpation
             of
             lording
             power
             over
             the
             consciences
             of
             any
             Christians
             ,
             but
             have
             condemned
             it
             in
             the
             Pope
             and
             Prelates
             ;
             and
             their
             humble
             Petition
             to
             the
             Houses
             of
             Parliament
             is
             ;
             That
             none
             may
             usurp
             lordly
             power
             ,
             as
             the
             proud
             Prelates
             did
             ,
             over
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             people
             of
             their
             flock
             ,
             compelling
             them
             either
             against
             their
             consciences
             ,
             and
             with
             great
             offence
             and
             scandall
             to
             the
             godly
             ,
             to
             admit
             scandalous
             sinners
             to
             the
             Lords
             table
             ,
             and
             to
             profane
             the
             Sacrament
             of
             Christs
             body
             and
             blood
             ,
             by
             giving
             the
             seals
             thereof
             to
             them
             ,
             or
             else
             to
             decline
             the
             administration
             of
             that
             holy
             ordinance
             ,
             and
             their
             Ministerie
             ,
             chusing
             affliction
             rather
             then
             iniquity
             .
             In
             plain
             truth
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             lordly
             tyrannicall
             power
             over
             their
             consciences
             ,
             and
             the
             iron
             yoke
             which
             you
             in
             your
             Question
             seek
             to
             lay
             on
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             After
             the
             Preface
             answered
             ,
             I
             proceed
             to
             your
             Questions
             ;
             The
             first
             of
             which
             is
             ,
          
           
             
               Quest
               .
            
             1.
             
             Whether
             those
             places
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             
               Matth.
               18.
               16
               ,
               17.
               
               &
               1
               Cor.
               5.
               5.
               11.
               
               &
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               20.
               
               Joh.
               9.
               22.
               32.
               
               &
               12.
               42.
               
               &
               16.
               2.
               
               &
            
             ●Thess
             .
             
               3.
               14.
               
               &
               2
               Joh.
               10.
               11.
               
               &
               Joh.
               3.
               10.
               
               &
               Numb.
               12.
               14.
               
               &
               Deut.
            
             23.
             1.
             be
             properly
             meant
             of
             Excommunication
             ,
             which
             you
             take
             upon
             you
             to
             prove
             from
             Fathers
             ,
             School-men
             and
             others
             ,
             to
             be
             an
             exclusion
             from
             all
             ordinances
             ,
             or
             of
             Suspension
             from
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             onely
             .
             The
             first
             you
             hold
             ,
             and
             we
             will
             grant
             it
             to
             you
             .
             The
             latter
             you
             deny
             ,
             and
             I
             affirm
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             here
             also
             meant
             inclusively
             ,
             but
             not
             only
             .
             The
             first
             place
             you
             seem
             to
             weaken
             and
             enervate
             ,
             by
             intimating
             that
             our
             Saviour
             speaks
             of
             private
             personall
             trespasse
             between
             man
             and
             man
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             publike
             scandalous
             sins
             against
             the
             Congregation
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             censure
             is
             private
             not
             publike
             ,
             because
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             
               Let
               him
               be
            
             (
             not
             to
             the
             whole
             Church
             and
             all
             others
             ,
             but
             )
             
               to
               Thee
               ,
               as
               an
               Heathen
               man
               and
               a
               Publican
               ;
            
             and
             you
             quote
             ,
             
               Luk.
            
             17.
             3
             ,
             4.
             to
             prove
             that
             such
             private
             trespasses
             must
             be
             forgiven
             ,
             if
             seventy
             times
             seven
             :
             which
             no
             man
             will
             deny
             ,
             if
             the
             trespasser
             repent
             ,
             as
             often
             as
             he
             offends
             .
             But
             now
             suppose
             be
             stand
             out
             and
             persist
             in
             his
             sin
             ,
             and
             scorn
             private
             admonition
             ;
             yea
             ,
             when
             he
             is
             convented
             before
             the
             Church
             ,
             he
             will
             not
             hear
             nor
             obey
             publike
             admonition
             ,
             doe
             you
             not
             think
             that
             this
             is
             publike
             scandall
             against
             the
             Cong●egation
             ,
             and
             deserves
             Excommunication
             ?
             Surely
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             not
             so
             ,
             our
             Saviour
             would
             not
             have
             passed
             against
             it
             that
             dreadfull
             censure
             of
             Excommunication
             ,
             saying
             ,
             
               Let
               him
               be
               to
               Thee
               as
               an
               Heathen
               man
               and
               a
               Publican
               .
            
             And
             if
             to
             the
             private
             person
             for
             his
             private
             wrong
             ,
             much
             more
             to
             all
             others
             in
             the
             Congregation
             ,
             for
             publike
             contumacy
             and
             scandalous
             obstinacy
             in
             his
             sin
             against
             the
             Church
             .
             It
             is
             a
             dangerous
             doctrine
             to
             teach
             any
             private
             person
             to
             censure
             and
             judge
             a
             brother
             to
             be
             in
             the
             state
             of
             an
             Ethnike
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             Publican
             ,
             for
             a
             private
             trespasse
             ;
             if
             for
             his
             contumacie
             against
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             and
             obstinacie
             in
             that
             sin
             ,
             the
             sentence
             of
             Excommunication
             be
             not
             by
             the
             Church
             publikely
             given
             against
             him
             .
             Whereas
             you
             make
             it
             a
             branch
             of
             your
             Question
             .
             What
             warrant
             there
             is
             in
             Scripture
             for
             Ministers
             to
             suspend
             men
             from
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             only
             ,
             and
             not
             from
             the
             Congregation
             ,
             and
             all
             other
             publike
             ordinances
             with
             it
             .
             I
             answer
             this
             very
             easily
             :
             That
             because
             Suspension
             from
             the
             Sacrament
             is
             a
             step
             ,
             yea
             the
             next
             degree
             to
             Excommunication
             (
             as
             reason
             ,
             and
             the
             practice
             of
             all
             the
             best
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             doe
             teach
             us
             )
             the
             Scriptures
             which
             warrant
             Excommunication
             ,
             do
             also
             warrant
             it
             as
             a
             profitable
             and
             necessary
             means
             ,
             either
             to
             prevent
             that
             dreadfull
             sentence
             by
             bringing
             the
             sinner
             to
             repent
             and
             be
             ashamed
             ,
             or
             to
             make
             his
             impenitency
             more
             evident
             and
             notorious
             ,
             and
             to
             justifie
             the
             more
             the
             Excommunication
             of
             him
             .
             But
             I
             marvell
             ,
             that
             you
             should
             thinke
             it
             so
             strange
             and
             unwarrantable
             a
             thing
             to
             suspend
             a
             man
             from
             a
             Sacrament
             ,
             who
             hath
             communion
             in
             all
             other
             ordinances
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             seeing
             it
             was
             the
             practice
             of
             all
             the
             ancient
             Churches
             to
             exclude
             the
             Catechumeni
             from
             Baptisme
             ,
             till
             by
             catechising
             and
             hearing
             the
             Word
             publikely
             preached
             they
             were
             better
             instructed
             .
             And
             how
             dare
             you
             dispute
             against
             that
             which
             is
             resolved
             in
             this
             present
             Parliament
             ?
             To
             wit
             ,
             That
             ignorant
             ,
             and
             some
             scandalous
             persons
             shall
             not
             be
             admitted
             to
             the
             Lords
             table
             .
          
           
           
             
               Q●
            
             .
             Your
             second
             Question
             is
             the
             same
             which
             you
             propounded
             last
             before
             as
             a
             branch
             of
             the
             first
             :
             belike
             you
             are
             well
             pleased
             and
             affected
             with
             it
             ,
             and
             have
             some
             thing
             more
             to
             say
             in
             urging
             it
             .
             I
             omit
             what
             I
             have
             answered
             before
             ;
             and
             here
             I
             doe
             first
             adde
             ,
             That
             Christian
             compassion
             ,
             and
             moderation
             in
             dealing
             with
             perverse
             men
             is
             commended
             and
             commanded
             in
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             2
             
               Tim.
            
             2.
             24
             
             ▪
             25
             ,
             26.
             
             &
             
               Jude
            
             22
             ,
             23.
             
             And
             this
             is
             a
             maine
             point
             of
             compassion
             and
             moderation
             in
             Ecclesiasticall
             rulers
             ,
             to
             try
             all
             inferiour
             meanes
             ;
             whereof
             suspension
             from
             the
             Lords
             Table
             is
             one
             ;
             before
             they
             proceed
             to
             the
             last
             and
             greatest
             censure
             of
             excommunication
             .
             Though
             the
             Popes
             and
             Prelats
             excommunications
             ,
             which
             belike
             doe
             still
             runne
             in
             your
             minde
             ,
             were
             brutish
             thunderbolts
             thrown
             out
             upon
             every
             small
             occasion
             presently
             ,
             and
             like
             the
             fooles
             dagger
             which
             is
             out
             to
             stab
             ,
             at
             every
             crosse
             word
             ,
             and
             makes
             but
             a
             word
             and
             a
             blow
             :
             yet
             Gods
             Word
             teacheth
             godly
             wise
             Pastors
             and
             Presbyters
             more
             meeknesse
             and
             gravity
             ,
             in
             proceeding
             to
             the
             utmost
             censure
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             first
             to
             reprove
             ,
             admonish
             and
             rebuke
             ,
             and
             if
             those
             more
             gentle
             meanes
             doe
             not
             prevaile
             ,
             then
             to
             suspend
             from
             the
             Sacrament
             ;
             which
             by
             experience
             is
             often
             found
             to
             humble
             stubborne
             offenders
             ,
             and
             bring
             them
             to
             repentance
             ,
             and
             so
             prevent
             cutting
             off
             from
             the
             Congregation
             ;
             And
             all
             godly
             Christians
             doe
             here
             see
             a
             double
             warrant
             of
             divine
             Authority
             .
             First
             ,
             from
             Gods
             Word
             :
             secondly
             ,
             from
             his
             blessing
             of
             this
             proceeding
             with
             good
             successe
             .
             This
             is
             my
             first
             answer
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             to
             your
             bold
             assertion
             ,
             That
             in
             the
             Old
             Testament
             we
             reade
             of
             no
             circumcised
             person
             ever
             debarred
             from
             the
             passeover
             by
             the
             Priests
             ,
             that
             was
             desirous
             to
             eat
             it
             .
             I
             Answer
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             as
             void
             of
             truth
             ,
             as
             full
             of
             boldnesse
             :
             For
             
               Levit.
            
             22.
             3.
             
             &
             
               Numb
            
             9.
             5.
             and
             divers
             other
             places
             .
             Every
             circumcised
             person
             who
             was
             legally
             unclean
             ,
             is
             forbiden
             to
             eate
             of
             the
             passeover
             ,
             or
             any
             holy
             thing
             ,
             under
             pain
             of
             being
             cut
             off
             ,
             and
             might
             not
             eat
             of
             it
             till
             he
             was
             cleansed
             and
             rightly
             prepared
             as
             appeares
             ,
             2
             
               Chron.
            
             30.
             3
             the
             very
             chapter
             by
             you
             quoted
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             expresse
             words
             of
             the
             law
             ,
             
               Numb.
            
             9.
             11.
             
             And
             therefore
             much
             more
             ought
             baptized
             persons
             ,
             now
             under
             the
             Gospell
             ,
             who
             are
             manifestly
             unclean
             with
             the
             spirituall
             defilement
             of
             scandalous
             sin
             ,
             be
             suspended
             from
             the
             more
             holy
             Sacrament
             of
             Christs
             body
             and
             blood
             ,
             untill
             he
             be
             cleansed
             by
             repentance
             .
             Thirdly
             ,
             to
             the
             instance
             of
             Judas
             whom
             our
             Saviour
             knew
             to
             be
             a
             devil
             and
             a
             traytour
             .
             I
             Answer
             first
             ,
             that
             Judas
             was
             not
             admitted
             to
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             for
             Judas
             went
             out
             before
             the
             Supper
             was
             ended
             ,
             immediatly
             upon
             his
             receiving
             of
             the
             sop
             ,
             
               Joh
            
             13.
             30.
             
             But
             our
             Saviour
             did
             not
             ordaine
             this
             Sacrament
             till
             after
             Supper
             ,
             
               Luk.
            
             22.
             20
             
             When
             he
             had
             supped
             ,
             1.
             
               Cor.
            
             11.
             25.
             
             Secondly
             ,
             if
             Judas
             had
             been
             admitted
             ,
             it
             makes
             nothing
             to
             the
             matter
             ,
             for
             Judas
             professed
             faith
             in
             Christ
             ,
             and
             in
             his
             outward
             conversation
             appeared
             so
             unblameable
             ,
             that
             when
             our
             Saviour
             told
             them
             ,
             that
             one
             of
             them
             twelve
             should
             betray
             him
             ,
             they
             did
             not
             suspect
             Judas
             more
             then
             themselves
             ,
             but
             every
             one
             asked
             ,
             saying
             ,
             Master
             ,
             is
             it
             I
             ?
             And
             indeed
             let
             a
             man
             be
             an
             hypocrite
             ,
             traytor
             or
             devil
             inwardly
             ,
             the
             Minister
             is
             not
             to
             judge
             of
             such
             secret
             things
             which
             belong
             to
             God
             ,
             but
             to
             looke
             to
             the
             outward
             profession
             ,
             life
             and
             conversation
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             deal
             with
             them
             .
             Fourthly
             ,
             S.
             
               Pauls
            
             admonishing
             of
             the
             Corinthians
             of
             the
             great
             danger
             of
             unworthy
             receiving
             ,
             namely
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             eating
             damnation
             to
             themselves
             ,
             and
             making
             them
             guilty
             of
             Christs
             body
             and
             blood
             ;
             and
             thereupon
             enjoyning
             a
             strict
             examination
             
             of
             every
             one
             before
             he
             eat
             of
             that
             bread
             ,
             and
             drinke
             of
             that
             cup
             ,
             doth
             sufficiently
             instruct
             the
             elders
             ,
             to
             put
             back
             all
             such
             as
             did
             outwardly
             appeare
             to
             be
             scandalous
             impenitent
             sinners
             ,
             and
             so
             most
             unworthy
             to
             receive
             the
             holy
             signes
             and
             seales
             of
             the
             Lords
             body
             and
             blood
             .
             Fifthly
             ,
             To
             that
             question
             of
             yours
             ,
             Whether
             a
             Minister
             hath
             not
             discharged
             his
             full
             duty
             and
             conscience
             ,
             if
             he
             doth
             admonish
             his
             flock
             of
             the
             danger
             of
             unworthy
             receiving
             ,
             and
             seriously
             dehort
             such
             as
             he
             deemes
             unworthy
             ,
             from
             receiving
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             till
             they
             become
             more
             fit
             to
             participate
             ,
             under
             paine
             of
             eating
             and
             drinking
             their
             own
             damnation
             and
             other
             judgements
             ?
             I
             answer
             ,
             that
             this
             is
             no
             full
             discharge
             ,
             neither
             doe
             those
             Scriptures
             which
             you
             quote
             ,
             
               Ezek
               ,
               33.
               1
               ,
               2
               ,
               &c.
               
               Act.
            
             20.
             16.
             or
             ours
             and
             French
             Liturgies
             prove
             any
             such
             thing
             in
             this
             case
             .
             For
             they
             who
             suspend
             scandalous
             persons
             ,
             doe
             also
             admonish
             all
             others
             to
             examine
             themselves
             ,
             and
             mention
             the
             danger
             of
             unworthy
             receiving
             ,
             that
             none
             unprepared
             may
             presume
             .
             It
             is
             a
             discharge
             of
             a
             Ministers
             duty
             ,
             when
             he
             admonisheth
             onely
             of
             the
             danger
             of
             a
             sin
             ,
             in
             which
             when
             it
             is
             committed
             ,
             the
             party
             admonished
             hath
             onely
             an
             hand
             :
             But
             here
             the
             Minister
             is
             partaker
             of
             the
             sin
             ,
             and
             as
             much
             guilty
             by
             giving
             ,
             as
             the
             other
             by
             receiving
             .
             I
             pray
             you
             tell
             me
             ,
             Sir
             ,
             if
             you
             have
             a
             cup
             in
             your
             hand
             which
             will
             poyson
             and
             kill
             a
             sick
             distemperd
             man
             if
             he
             drinke
             of
             it
             ,
             will
             you
             give
             it
             unto
             him
             if
             he
             desires
             it
             ?
             and
             doe
             you
             thinke
             it
             enough
             to
             admonish
             him
             that
             it
             is
             deadly
             poyson
             ?
             and
             first
             dehort
             him
             from
             drinking
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             then
             immediatly
             reach
             it
             to
             him
             ,
             with
             intent
             ,
             that
             he
             shall
             drinke
             of
             it
             ?
             I
             perswade
             my selfe
             ,
             that
             as
             he
             shall
             perish
             ,
             so
             his
             blood
             shall
             be
             required
             at
             your
             hands
             ,
             and
             that
             you
             shall
             as
             guilty
             hold
             up
             your
             hand
             at
             the
             barre
             for
             it
             .
          
           
             
               Quest
               .
            
             3.
             
             The
             third
             Question
             intimates
             that
             you
             conceive
             unworthy
             hearing
             of
             the
             Word
             to
             be
             as
             great
             ,
             as
             dangerous
             ,
             as
             damning
             a
             sin
             ,
             as
             unworthy
             receiving
             of
             the
             Sacrament
             :
             That
             Ministers
             are
             no
             more
             partakers
             of
             other
             mens
             sins
             ,
             not
             more
             guilty
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             of
             giving
             holy
             things
             to
             doggs
             ,
             and
             casting
             pearles
             before
             swine
             ,
             by
             giving
             the
             Sacrament
             of
             Christs
             body
             and
             blood
             to
             unworthy
             receivers
             who
             are
             openly
             scandalous
             ,
             then
             by
             preaching
             the
             Word
             to
             unprofitable
             hearers
             ,
             to
             whom
             he
             is
             the
             favour
             of
             death
             unto
             death
             .
             And
             hereupon
             you
             would
             inferre
             ,
             that
             Ministers
             may
             as
             well
             refuse
             to
             preach
             the
             Word
             unto
             their
             people
             ,
             lest
             it
             should
             not
             profit
             them
             ,
             as
             they
             may
             refuse
             to
             give
             the
             Sacrament
             to
             scandalous
             persons
             ,
             who
             eat
             their
             own
             damnation
             .
          
           
             To
             this
             I
             answer
             ▪
             that
             there
             is
             vast
             difference
             between
             these
             two
             ,
             preaching
             the
             Word
             to
             unprofitable
             hearers
             ,
             and
             giving
             the
             Sacrament
             to
             persons
             openly
             scandalous
             ,
             impenitent
             and
             prophane
             receivers
             .
             First
             a
             Minister
             preacheth
             the
             Word
             to
             many
             that
             are
             unprofitable
             hearers
             ,
             not
             knowing
             them
             to
             be
             such
             ,
             and
             in
             hope
             to
             convert
             and
             profit
             them
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             any
             such
             in
             the
             auditorie
             ,
             and
             so
             also
             he
             gives
             the
             Sacrament
             to
             some
             unworthy
             receivers
             ,
             unwillingly
             ,
             not
             knowing
             them
             to
             be
             such
             :
             and
             in
             such
             cases
             he
             is
             blamelesse
             :
             but
             if
             he
             gives
             the
             holy
             seales
             of
             Christs
             body
             and
             blood
             to
             scandalous
             impenitent
             persons
             ,
             he
             knowes
             that
             he
             gives
             them
             damnation
             to
             eat
             and
             drink
             ,
             and
             he
             is
             halfe
             sharer
             with
             them
             in
             the
             sinfull
             act
             .
             And
             therefore
             though
             the
             sin
             of
             unworthy
             hear●●●
             of
             the
             Word
             is
             as
             dangerous
             and
             damning
             ,
             as
             unworthy
             receiving
             of
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             to
             the
             hearen
             and
             receivers
             :
             yet
             to
             the
             Minister
             in
             the
             
             one
             ,
             to
             weet
             ,
             preaching
             without
             knowledge
             of
             the
             hurt
             which
             some
             receive
             by
             it
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             fault
             ;
             but
             in
             giving
             to
             the
             scandalous
             receiver
             he
             wittingly
             acts
             and
             partakes
             of
             the
             profanation
             of
             the
             holy
             ordinance
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             The
             Lords
             holy
             Table
             in
             the
             holy
             communion
             ,
             is
             for
             the
             time
             a
             place
             of
             Gods
             more
             speciall
             presence
             then
             the
             common
             Auditory
             ,
             and
             there
             we
             come
             neerer
             to
             God
             ,
             and
             receive
             with
             the
             word
             and
             promises
             particularly
             applyed
             to
             us
             ,
             the
             seales
             of
             our
             communion
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             of
             our
             right
             and
             interest
             in
             him
             and
             all
             his
             benefits
             .
             But
             preaching
             to
             a
             common
             Auditory
             ,
             is
             only
             a
             generall
             propounding
             of
             the
             word
             and
             promises
             to
             all
             ,
             not
             a
             particular
             applying
             of
             it
             to
             any
             ,
             especially
             that
             hear
             unprofitably
             :
             for
             that
             were
             giving
             holy
             things
             to
             doggs
             :
             therefore
             there
             is
             more
             danger
             and
             greater
             sinne
             in
             admitting
             unworthy
             receivers
             to
             the
             Lords
             Table
             .
             A
             small
             errour
             in
             such
             an
             holy
             ordinance
             doth
             provoke
             the
             Lord
             to
             wrath
             ,
             who
             will
             be
             sanctified
             in
             them
             that
             come
             neere
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             appears
             in
             
               Aarons
            
             two
             sonnes
             ,
             
               Levit.
            
             10.
             
             ●
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
             &
             
               Vzza●
               ,
            
             2
             
               Sam.
            
             6.
             7.
             
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             Preaching
             the
             Word
             to
             such
             as
             are
             openly
             knowne
             to
             be
             scorners
             of
             the
             Gospell
             ,
             and
             persecutours
             of
             the
             Preachers
             ,
             and
             doe
             more
             rage
             and
             are
             hardened
             thereby
             ,
             is
             a
             prophanation
             of
             an
             holy
             thing
             ,
             and
             a
             casting
             of
             pearles
             before
             swine
             ,
             which
             our
             Saviour
             expressely
             forbids
             ,
             
               Matth.
            
             7.
             6.
             
             &
             
               Matth.
            
             10.
             14.
             
             Bids
             his
             Apostles
             turne
             from
             such
             ,
             and
             shake
             off
             the
             dust
             from
             their
             feet
             ,
             as
             a
             testimony
             against
             them
             ;
             and
             so
             
               Paul
            
             and
             
               Barnabas
            
             did
             ,
             
               Act.
            
             13.
             51.
             
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             In
             preaching
             the
             Word
             ,
             the
             Minister
             of
             Christ
             propounds
             the
             truth
             to
             many
             wicked
             men
             generally
             ,
             but
             doth
             not
             particularly
             apply
             any
             word
             of
             comfort
             ,
             or
             promise
             of
             blessing
             to
             any
             but
             profitable
             hearers
             ,
             and
             upon
             condition
             of
             repentance
             :
             But
             in
             giving
             the
             Sacrament
             to
             known
             impenitent
             persons
             ,
             he
             preacheth
             most
             palpable
             lyes
             against
             his
             own
             conscience
             ,
             when
             he
             saith
             .
             The
             body
             of
             Christ
             was
             broken
             for
             you
             ,
             and
             his
             blood
             wasshed
             for
             you
             :
             And
             therefore
             the
             points
             urged
             in
             this
             Question
             are
             very
             dangerous
             ,
             and
             divers
             Scriptures
             herein
             quoted
             ,
             are
             wrested
             and
             grossely
             perverted
             .
          
           
             
               Quest
               .
            
             4.
             
             The
             fourth
             Question
             (
             upon
             that
             received
             truth
             ,
             That
             
               God
               only
               knows
               the
               secrets
               of
               mens
               hearts
               ,
            
             which
             Ministers
             doe
             not
             ,
             but
             mistake
             hypocrites
             for
             worthy
             receivers
             ,
             and
             more
             honest
             simple
             weak
             men
             ,
             for
             unfit
             Communicants
             )
             would
             inferre
             ,
             That
             Ministers
             ought
             not
             to
             have
             power
             to
             judge
             or
             censure
             .
             I●
             which
             reasoning
             ;
             First
             ,
             I
             finde
             grosse
             absurdity
             :
             for
             what
             can
             be
             more
             ridiculous
             then
             to
             argue
             ,
             that
             because
             Ministers
             know
             not
             secret
             things
             which
             belong
             to
             God
             ,
             therefore
             they
             know
             not
             revealed
             and
             manifest
             things
             ,
             as
             open
             scandalous
             sins
             ,
             and
             impenitency
             professed
             in
             the
             face
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             by
             consequent
             may
             not
             judge
             and
             censure
             them
             by
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             doth
             plainly
             reveal
             their
             wickednesse
             to
             them
             and
             the
             whole
             Consistory
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Observe
             how
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             which
             forbid
             rash
             judgement
             concerning
             mens
             estate
             before
             God
             ,
             which
             is
             secret
             ,
             or
             concerning
             mens
             last
             end
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             ,
             as
             
               Matth.
               7.
               1.
               Luk
               6.
               37.
               
               Rom.
            
             14.
             4.
             are
             wrested
             to
             overthrow
             all
             judging
             and
             censuring
             in
             generall
             ,
             both
             civil
             and
             ecclesiasticall
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             How
             vainly
             the
             power
             of
             God
             is
             abused
             ,
             to
             prove
             that
             he
             will
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             a
             profane
             wicked
             act
             change
             notorious
             sinners
             hearts
             in
             a
             moment
             ,
             which
             
             if
             he
             should
             doe
             ,
             how
             shall
             these
             sinners
             manifest
             their
             repentance
             in
             a
             moment
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             offended
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             he
             admitted
             orderly
             ,
             and
             not
             rashly
             without
             just
             ground
             or
             satisfaction
             ?
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             The
             breaking
             of
             a
             bruised
             reed
             ,
             and
             quenching
             of
             smoking
             flax
             ,
             is
             most
             miserably
             applied
             to
             the
             suspending
             of
             proud
             ,
             refractorie
             ,
             impenitent
             sinners
             from
             the
             holy
             Sacrament
             ;
             between
             which
             two
             sorts
             of
             persons
             and
             actions
             there
             is
             as
             vast
             a
             difference
             as
             between
             heaven
             and
             hell
             ,
             light
             and
             darknesse
             .
             For
             the
             bruised
             reed
             signifies
             men
             of
             broken
             heart
             and
             contrite
             spirit
             ,
             groaning
             under
             the
             burden
             of
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             fleeing
             to
             Christ
             for
             ease
             :
             And
             smoking
             flax
             signifies
             such
             as
             have
             a
             weak
             but
             true
             faith
             ,
             which
             like
             a
             spark
             in
             flax
             sheweth
             by
             smoking
             that
             there
             is
             fire
             ,
             striving
             to
             break
             forth
             ,
             and
             to
             shew
             light
             of
             holy
             life
             .
             Now
             how
             contrary
             these
             are
             to
             proud
             ,
             scandalous
             impenitent
             sinners
             ,
             let
             reasonable
             men
             judge
             ;
             the
             first
             are
             such
             as
             the
             Publicans
             and
             sinners
             ,
             who
             came
             to
             Christ
             repenting
             and
             confessing
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             by
             him
             were
             received
             ,
             cherished
             and
             comforted
             ;
             the
             latter
             are
             like
             those
             trees
             which
             brought
             forth
             no
             good
             ,
             but
             bad
             fruit
             ,
             unto
             the
             root
             of
             which
             the
             axe
             was
             laid
             ,
             to
             hew
             them
             down
             ,
             and
             cast
             them
             into
             the
             fire
             .
             The
             not
             breaking
             nor
             quenching
             the
             first
             is
             a
             point
             of
             mercy
             ,
             and
             a
             work
             of
             Christ
             ;
             the
             tolerating
             of
             the
             other
             and
             cherishing
             and
             encouraging
             them
             in
             their
             scandalous
             sins
             ,
             by
             admitting
             them
             to
             the
             holy
             Communion
             of
             Christs
             body
             and
             blood
             ,
             is
             a
             point
             of
             great
             impiety
             ,
             and
             a
             diabolicall
             act
             of
             profanation
             .
             Here
             therefore
             the
             Scriptures
             are
             dangerously
             abused
             and
             wrested
             ,
             where
             scandalous
             ,
             impenitent
             and
             refractory
             persons
             are
             confounded
             with
             humble
             penitent
             sinners
             ,
             breathing
             after
             comfort
             and
             communion
             with
             Christ
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             Here
             is
             a
             strange
             supposition
             ,
             that
             all
             ,
             bearing
             the
             name
             of
             Christians
             ,
             even
             scandalous
             ,
             impenitent
             sinners
             ,
             are
             invited
             to
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             and
             are
             bound
             to
             come
             and
             receive
             it
             under
             pain
             of
             sin
             and
             contempt
             .
             I
             am
             sure
             the
             French
             and
             our
             Liturgies
             before
             cited
             doe
             admonish
             all
             impenitent
             persons
             to
             abstain
             ,
             lest
             they
             eat
             and
             drink
             their
             own
             damnation
             .
             And
             the
             Scriptures
             here
             quoted
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             11.
             
             &
             
               Heb.
            
             10.
             29.
             do
             shew
             that
             unworthy
             wicked
             sinners
             doe
             by
             unworthy
             receiving
             count
             the
             blood
             of
             the
             Covenant
             an
             unholy
             thing
             .
             Therefore
             to
             inferre
             that
             no
             Minister
             in
             point
             of
             conscience
             can
             refuse
             to
             give
             the
             Sacrament
             to
             such
             ,
             is
             to
             conclude
             ,
             
               quidlibet
               ex
               quolibet
               .
            
             But
             whereas
             it
             is
             added
             ,
             that
             Ministers
             may
             not
             refuse
             any
             Christian
             ,
             not
             actually
             excommunicated
             ,
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             if
             he
             desires
             to
             receive
             it
             ,
             in
             case
             he
             professe
             sincere
             repentance
             for
             sins
             past
             ,
             and
             promise
             newnesse
             of
             life
             for
             the
             time
             to
             come
             :
             this
             we
             embrace
             with
             all
             our
             hearts
             ,
             and
             if
             he
             obtrude
             on
             us
             no
             other
             but
             only
             such
             ,
             we
             will
             not
             be
             so
             uncharitable
             as
             to
             judge
             them
             unworthy
             ,
             neither
             need
             we
             fear
             to
             partake
             of
             their
             sin
             ,
             or
             suspect
             their
             unworthy
             receiving
             .
             For
             our
             rule
             is
             to
             proceed
             with
             men
             according
             to
             that
             which
             manifestly
             appears
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             in
             truth
             or
             in
             hypocrise
             ;
             if
             any
             so
             professing
             doth
             eat
             unworthily
             ,
             he
             eats
             damnation
             to
             himself
             ,
             not
             to
             the
             Ministers
             ,
             who
             therein
             doe
             nothing
             against
             their
             consciences
             ,
             but
             proceed
             according
             to
             the
             judgement
             of
             charity
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             bear
             his
             own
             burthen
             .
             The
             Ministers
             act
             of
             administration
             to
             them
             who
             professe
             sincere
             repentance
             ,
             is
             an
             holy
             and
             divine
             institution
             ;
             but
             to
             open
             scandalous
             impenitent
             persons
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             manifest
             profanation
             ,
             and
             they
             are
             partakers
             in
             the
             guilt
             and
             punishment
             .
          
           
           
             The
             Conclusion
             being
             the
             result
             of
             the
             former
             arguments
             ,
             which
             are
             plainly
             shewed
             to
             be
             weak
             and
             of
             no
             strength
             ,
             doth
             of
             it self
             fall
             to
             the
             ground
             and
             vanish
             .
             For
             I
             have
             shewed
             ,
             that
             unworthy
             hearing
             and
             unworthy
             receiving
             are
             equally
             sins
             in
             the
             hearers
             and
             receivers
             ;
             but
             in
             the
             Preachers
             of
             the
             Word
             and
             the
             givers
             of
             the
             Sacraments
             it
             is
             farre
             otherwise
             :
             the
             Preacher
             doth
             onely
             propound
             the
             Word
             generally
             ,
             and
             not
             falsely
             apply
             the
             promises
             of
             blessing
             and
             life
             to
             any
             particular
             scandalous
             persons
             ,
             but
             upon
             condition
             of
             their
             beleeving
             repentance
             and
             obedience
             .
             If
             he
             knows
             any
             in
             the
             auditory
             ,
             who
             are
             scorners
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             haters
             and
             persecutours
             of
             him
             and
             his
             doctrine
             ,
             he
             denounceth
             a
             curse
             from
             God
             against
             them
             ,
             and
             desires
             them
             to
             keep
             away
             ,
             and
             holds
             himself
             guilty
             of
             sin
             ,
             if
             he
             should
             cast
             the
             pearl
             of
             the
             Gospel
             before
             such
             swine
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             alone
             and
             separated
             from
             other
             hearers
             :
             he
             will
             not
             wittingly
             be
             to
             any
             the
             savour
             of
             death
             unto
             death
             .
             But
             the
             Minister
             who
             gives
             the
             Sacrament
             to
             open
             scandalous
             sinners
             in
             their
             impenitency
             ,
             doth
             wittingly
             profane
             Gods
             holy
             ordinance
             ,
             and
             lyeth
             against
             his
             conscience
             in
             saying
             that
             Christs
             body
             was
             broken
             ,
             and
             his
             blood
             shed
             for
             them
             ,
             and
             makes
             himself
             guilty
             of
             their
             blood
             ,
             while
             he
             gives
             them
             wittingly
             to
             eat
             and
             drink
             their
             own
             damnation
             ,
             as
             is
             before
             shewed
             .
             Whatsoever
             power
             takes
             from
             Christs
             Ministers
             the
             lawfull
             and
             necessary
             liberty
             to
             exclude
             from
             the
             Lords
             table
             scandalous
             sinners
             openly
             impenitent
             ,
             that
             is
             such
             a
             transcendent
             arbitrary
             ,
             unlimited
             power
             ,
             as
             lordly
             Prelates
             sometimes
             exercised
             ,
             and
             no
             lesse
             then
             tyrannie
             and
             oppression
             of
             the
             consciences
             both
             of
             Ministers
             and
             their
             godly
             people
             .
             And
             therefore
             here
             the
             Divines
             of
             the
             Assembly
             are
             charged
             most
             unjustly
             and
             calumniously
             ,
             who
             have
             humbly
             desired
             ,
             by
             way
             of
             Petition
             to
             both
             the
             honourable
             Houses
             of
             Parliament
             ,
             that
             their
             consciences
             may
             not
             have
             this
             yoke
             of
             oppression
             laid
             on
             them
             ,
             which
             will
             force
             them
             either
             to
             profane
             the
             Sacrament
             of
             Christs
             body
             and
             blood
             ,
             by
             giving
             it
             to
             unworthy
             persons
             ,
             or
             to
             decline
             their
             Ministery
             and
             administration
             of
             that
             holy
             ordinance
             ,
             chusing
             affliction
             rather
             then
             iniquity
             .
          
           
             FINIS
             .