Reasons against the independant government of particular congregations: as also against the toleration of such churches to be erected in this kingdome. Together with an answer to such reasons as are commonly alledged for such a toleration. Presented in all humility to the Honourable House of Commons, now assembled in Parliament. By Tho. Edvvards, minister of the Gospel.
         Edwards, Thomas, 1599-1647.
      
       
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             Reasons against the independant government of particular congregations: as also against the toleration of such churches to be erected in this kingdome. Together with an answer to such reasons as are commonly alledged for such a toleration. Presented in all humility to the Honourable House of Commons, now assembled in Parliament. By Tho. Edvvards, minister of the Gospel.
             Edwards, Thomas, 1599-1647.
             England and Wales. Parliament.
          
           [20], 56 p.
           
             Printed by Richard Cotes for Jo. Bellamie, & Ralph Smith, dwelling at the signe of the three Golden Lions, in Corne-hill neere the Royall Exchange,
             London :
             1641.
          
           
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Sects -- England -- Early works to 1800.
           Religious tolerance -- England -- Early works to 1800.
           Great Britain -- Church history -- 17th century -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A83501  R21753  (Thomason E167_16).  civilwar no Reasons against the independant government of particular congregations::  as also against the toleration of such churches to be erected in t Edwards, Thomas 1641    25942 16 15 0 0 0 0 12 C  The  rate of 12 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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           REASONS
           against
           the
           INDEPENDANT
           GOVERNMENT
           of
           Particular
           CONGREGATIONS
           :
           As
           also
           against
           the
           Toleration
           of
           such
           Churches
           to
           be
           erected
           in
           this
           
             KINGDOME
             .
          
           Together
           with
           an
           Answer
           to
           such
           Reasons
           as
           are
           commonly
           alledged
           for
           such
           a
           
             Toleration
             .
          
           Presented
           in
           all
           humility
           to
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           
             Commons
             ,
          
           now
           Assembled
           in
           
             Parliament
             .
          
           
             By
             THO.
             EDVVARDS
             ,
          
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           
             1
             Cor.
             12.
             21.
             
          
           And
           the
           eye
           cannot
           say
           unto
           the
           hand
           ,
           I
           have
           no
           need
           of
           thee
           ,
           nor
           againe
           the
           head
           to
           the
           feete
           ,
           I
           have
           no
           need
           of
           you
           .
        
         
           
             Rom.
             16.
             17.
             
          
           Now
           I
           beseech
           you
           Brethren
           marke
           them
           which
           cause
           divisions
           and
           offences
           contrary
           to
           the
           Doctrine
           which
           you
           have
           learned
           ,
           and
           avoid
           them
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             Richard
             Cotes
          
           for
           
             Jo.
             Bellamie
             ,
          
           &
           
             Ralph
             Smith
             ,
          
           dwelling
           at
           the
           signe
           of
           the
           three
           Golden
           Lions
           ,
           in
           
             Corne-hill
          
           neere
           the
           
             Royall
             Exchange
             .
          
           1641.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           TO
           THE
           HONORABLE
           THE
           KNIGHTS
           ,
           CITIZENS
           ,
           and
           BVRGESSES
           Of
           the
           Commons
           House
           OF
           PARLIAMENT
           .
        
         
           T
           Is
           not
           unknowne
           to
           You
           ,
           Right
           Noble
           and
           Worthy
           Senators
           ,
           that
           the
           Great
           and
           Present
           Controversie
           of
           these
           Times
           is
           about
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           Church
           Government
           .
           In
           the
           dayes
           of
           
             Luther
             ,
             Zuinglius
             ,
             Calvin
             ,
             Bucer
             ,
          
           and
           the
           rest
           of
           those
           Worthies
           ,
           the
           controversie
           of
           that
           age
           ,
           was
           concerning
           
           the
           Sacrament
           of
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           being
           generally
           stiled
           
             Bellum
             Sacramentarium
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Sacramentary
           Controversie
           ,
           the
           contention
           about
           it
           (
           even
           amongst
           the
           Servants
           of
           God
           )
           being
           so
           sharpe
           ,
           that
           it
           produced
           most
           sad
           and
           wofull
           effects
           .
           The
           e
           was
           not
           any
           one
           thing
           more
           hindred
           
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           the
           free
           passage
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           or
           the
           progresse
           of
           the
           worke
           of
           God
           begun
           in
           the
           Church
           then
           this
           .
           This
           weakened
           and
           wounded
           the
           Protestant
           party
           ,
           their
           weapons
           being
           turned
           each
           against
           other
           ,
           this
           made
           them
           a
           gratefull
           spectacle
           to
           their
           enemies
           ,
           this
           strengthened
           the
           Popish
           side
           ,
           they
           placing
           more
           confidence
           in
           their
           cause
           by
           these
           differences
           than
           in
           all
           other
           wayes
           besides
           .
           This
           Sacramentarie
           controversie
           kindled
           such
           a
           fire
           in
           many
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           that
           it
           even
           burnt
           them
           up
           ,
           and
           turned
           them
           much
           a
           side
           from
           that
           true
           edification
           which
           is
           in
           Christ
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           practise
           of
           godlinesse
           :
           And
           hath
           proved
           such
           a
           lasting
           fire
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           quenched
           till
           this
           day
           (
           although
           those
           Churches
           have
           had
           sword
           ,
           famine
           ,
           and
           Pestilence
           ,
           to
           put
           it
           out
           .
           )
           Now
           in
           our
           dayes
           in
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           the
           chiefe
           question
           is
           about
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           discipline
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           our
           Controversie
           may
           fitly
           be
           tearmed
           the
           Disciplinary
           Controversie
           ,
           which
           however
           it
           differs
           from
           the
           Sacramentary
           
           in
           the
           subject
           matter
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           too
           like
           it
           in
           the
           manner
           ,
           &
           way
           of
           it
           ,
           being
           likely
           to
           bring
           forth
           as
           sad
           births
           and
           fruites
           as
           did
           that
           ?
           What
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           so
           ,
           that
           we
           do
           see
           already
           (
           that
           I
           may
           speake
           with
           
             Hierome
             )
          
           that
           our
           differences
           about
           the
           Church
           
           and
           Discipline
           are
           the
           losse
           of
           friends
           ,
           the
           gaine
           
           of
           enemies
           ,
           and
           the
           publicke
           flames
           of
           Divine
           wrath
           ?
           The
           great
           differences
           in
           this
           Kingdome
           about
           the
           Church
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           are
           one
           of
           the
           saddest
           and
           greatest
           symptomes
           of
           Gods
           displeasure
           against
           us
           .
           These
           contentions
           and
           opinions
           make
           us
           forget
           the
           proper
           causes
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           maine
           building
           up
           of
           one
           another
           ,
           which
           is
           in
           faith
           and
           love
           ,
           so
           crastily
           doth
           that
           old
           Serpent
           
           know
           how
           to
           delude
           our
           ignorance
           ;
           (
           as
           
             Iurius
          
           speakes
           upon
           a
           like
           case
           .
           )
           Oh
           there
           is
           such
           a
           fire
           kindled
           in
           this
           Kingdome
           about
           these
           points
           ,
           that
           unlesse
           the
           Lord
           looke
           downe
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           graciously
           be
           pleased
           to
           quench
           it
           timely
           ,
           it
           may
           hazzard
           the
           burning
           and
           consuming
           all
           .
           Now
           it
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           all
           the
           Sonnes
           of
           
             Sion
          
           to
           endeavour
           in
           their
           places
           ,
           the
           putting
           out
           this
           fire
           ,
           before
           it
           goe
           too
           farre
           ,
           as
           by
           povring
           out
           buckets
           of
           teares
           and
           prayers
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           so
           by
           all
           other
           good
           wayes
           ,
           but
           especially
           of
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospell
           by
           all
           meane
           ,
           both
           by
           themselves
           and
           by
           stirring
           up
           of
           others
           to
           doe
           it
           .
           The
           serious
           consideration
           of
           which
           hath
           stirred
           up
           in
           me
           strong
           resolutions
           ,
           to
           lay
           out
           my selfe
           (
           according
           to
           that
           measure
           of
           the
           gist
           of
           Christ
           bestowed
           upon
           me
           )
           for
           the
           healing
           of
           this
           schisme
           ,
           and
           quenching
           this
           fire
           .
           Now
           the
           first
           borne
           of
           this
           kind
           (
           though
           not
           the
           first
           conceived
           )
           is
           this
           present
           Treatise
           against
           
             Independant
             Government
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Toleration
          
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           I
           here
           humbly
           present
           to
           this
           Honourable
           House
           ,
           submitting
           it
           to
           your
           grave
           Judgements
           ,
           and
           serious
           Considerations
           ,
           
           humbly
           desiring
           your
           Acceptance
           of
           it
           :
           Now
           the
           Reasons
           moving
           me
           to
           take
           this
           boldnesse
           ,
           to
           Dedicate
           this
           Booke
           to
           your
           Honours
           ,
           are
           these
           .
           First
           ,
           that
           great
           and
           generall
           liberty
           you
           grant
           of
           free
           accesse
           to
           your
           Honourable
           House
           ,
           unto
           all
           rankes
           of
           persons
           ,
           in
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           both
           by
           Petitions
           and
           Bookes
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           hereby
           I
           might
           take
           an
           occasion
           to
           testifie
           my
           humble
           duty
           and
           thankefullnesse
           unto
           ,
           together
           with
           my
           high
           thoughts
           and
           estimation
           of
           this
           Honourable
           House
           for
           all
           the
           Indefatigable
           paines
           and
           care
           bestowed
           on
           the
           Publicke
           ;
           Seeing
           that
           by
           You
           (
           under
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Kings
           most
           Excellent
           Majesty
           )
           I
           ,
           and
           hundreds
           of
           my
           Brethren
           ,
           enjoy
           so
           great
           quietnesse
           and
           freedome
           in
           our
           Ministeries
           ,
           Estates
           ,
           Persons
           ,
           (
           after
           so
           great
           a
           storme
           )
           and
           that
           very
           worthy
           deeds
           are
           done
           ,
           both
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           this
           Nation
           by
           your
           Providence
           ,
           we
           accept
           it
           alwayes
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           places
           ,
           most
           Noble
           Patriots
           ,
           with
           all
           thankfullnesse
           ,
           and
           here
           I
           offer
           to
           you
           the
           first
           fruites
           of
           my
           labours
           ,
           as
           a
           lasting
           Monument
           of
           Gratitude
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           that
           by
           presenting
           it
           to
           You
           ,
           both
           my selfe
           and
           Booke
           might
           here
           take
           Sanctuary
           ,
           and
           have
           your
           Protection
           against
           the
           many
           Calumnies
           and
           Reproaches
           which
           will
           be
           cast
           upon
           us
           from
           that
           spirit
           of
           Separation
           .
           Neither
           flye
           I
           to
           this
           Honourable
           House
           ,
           as
           if
           I
           were
           conscious
           to
           my selfe
           of
           any
           crimes
           or
           just
           grounds
           of
           such
           revilings
           (
           for
           had
           I
           not
           Innocency
           and
           Integrity
           in
           my
           actions
           ,
           and
           intentions
           ,
           I
           durst
           not
           present
           this
           Booke
           to
           this
           Just
           and
           Honourable
           House
           ,
           as
           knowing
           well
           
           you
           are
           a
           refuge
           onely
           for
           Innocent
           and
           oppressed
           persons
           ,
           and
           persons
           who
           seeke
           the
           Publicke
           good
           )
           Or
           ,
           as
           if
           I
           were
           not
           fore-armed
           to
           beare
           them
           ;
           I
           know
           whom
           I
           serve
           in
           this
           worke
           ,
           and
           
           that
           therefore
           ,
           whoever
           doth
           willingly
           detract
           from
           my
           name
           ,
           doth
           but
           adde
           to
           my
           reward
           ;
           I
           know
           also
           t
           is
           a
           Royall
           priviledge
           for
           a
           man
           to
           beare
           ill
           when
           he
           hath
           done
           well
           ,
           and
           I
           have
           long
           agoe
           given
           my
           backe
           to
           the
           smiters
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           grace
           of
           Christ
           hope
           to
           beare
           all
           calumnies
           with
           much
           quietnesse
           of
           spirit
           ,
           having
           in
           part
           learned
           that
           lesson
           to
           goe
           through
           bad
           report
           (
           even
           amongst
           good
           men
           )
           as
           well
           as
           amongst
           evill
           men
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           counted
           an
           enemy
           (
           as
           
             Paul
          
           was
           )
           for
           telling
           the
           Truth
           ;
           but
           I
           therefore
           present
           it
           to
           your
           Honours
           ,
           and
           put
           it
           under
           your
           shadow
           ,
           that
           so
           your
           Countenance
           and
           Acceptance
           of
           it
           (
           according
           as
           you
           finde
           it
           )
           may
           counter-ballance
           and
           weigh
           downe
           with
           all
           sorts
           of
           men
           ,
           the
           calumnies
           and
           censures
           cast
           upon
           it
           ,
           to
           hinder
           that
           good
           intended
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           may
           the
           more
           commend
           the
           Worke
           to
           make
           it
           take
           with
           many
           for
           their
           satisfaction
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           I
           take
           this
           boldnesse
           ,
           that
           so
           I
           might
           have
           an
           opportunity
           ,
           to
           move
           and
           stirre
           you
           up
           ,
           most
           Noble
           Worthies
           ,
           to
           put
           to
           your
           hands
           for
           the
           earely
           and
           timely
           compounding
           of
           this
           great
           Controversie
           about
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           Church
           Government
           :
           When
           fires
           are
           begun
           in
           great
           Cities
           and
           Townes
           ,
           or
           Tumults
           raised
           ,
           the
           Fathers
           of
           Families
           ,
           and
           the
           Citizens
           run
           to
           the
           Magistrates
           and
           Governours
           to
           acquaint
           them
           with
           the
           case
           ,
           and
           to
           desire
           their
           helpe
           ,
           who
           having
           
           power
           to
           command
           both
           Men
           ,
           Armes
           ,
           Waters
           ,
           Engines
           ,
           buckets
           from
           every
           quarter
           ,
           the
           fire
           is
           quickely
           out
           ,
           and
           the
           peace
           setled
           .
           Now
           be
           pleased
           to
           suffer
           me
           to
           mind
           you
           of
           that
           which
           few
           or
           none
           doe
           ,
           namely
           of
           our
           danger
           from
           errors
           on
           the
           right
           hand
           ,
           the
           growing
           and
           spreading
           evill
           of
           this
           present
           time
           .
           Every
           one
           minds
           you
           by
           Petitions
           ,
           Sermous
           ,
           Bookes
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Reformation
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           in
           Government
           ,
           Ministery
           ,
           Ceremonies
           ,
           and
           worship
           ;
           and
           God
           forbid
           that
           a
           word
           should
           ever
           fall
           from
           my
           mouth
           ,
           or
           my
           pen
           draw
           a
           line
           ,
           to
           call
           you
           off
           from
           it
           .
           Goe
           on
           strongly
           and
           fully
           in
           the
           worke
           of
           Reformation
           to
           purge
           this
           Church
           thorowly
           ,
           and
           purely
           to
           take
           away
           all
           our
           drosse
           and
           tinne
           ;
           cast
           out
           of
           the
           way
           all
           stumbling
           blocks
           ,
           &
           gather
           out
           all
           things
           that
           offend
           ,
           let
           nothing
           be
           left
           to
           hurt
           or
           to
           destroy
           in
           Gods
           holy
           mountaine
           ;
           Break
           downe
           all
           Images
           and
           Crucifixes
           ,
           throw
           downe
           all
           Altars
           ,
           remove
           the
           High
           Places
           ,
           breake
           to
           peeces
           the
           brazen
           Serpents
           ,
           which
           have
           beene
           so
           abused
           to
           Idolatry
           and
           superstition
           ,
           put
           out
           the
           unpreaching
           and
           scandalous
           Ministers
           ,
           take
           a
           course
           for
           setting
           up
           good
           Pastors
           and
           Ministers
           in
           every
           Congregation
           ,
           and
           in
           your
           great
           Wisdomes
           ,
           and
           zeale
           be
           pleased
           to
           consider
           of
           wayes
           to
           provide
           oyle
           for
           al
           the
           Lampes
           of
           the
           Sanctuary
           ;
           Goe
           on
           Comfortably
           (
           for
           God
           is
           with
           you
           ,
           and
           the
           Ministers
           with
           sounding
           Trumpets
           of
           Ministery
           of
           Word
           and
           Prayer
           ;
           and
           the
           people
           of
           God
           with
           you
           ,
           covering
           you
           all
           over
           with
           earnest
           prayers
           ,
           and
           and
           teares
           ,
           as
           also
           with
           praises
           to
           God
           
           for
           you
           )
           and
           be
           pleased
           to
           remember
           not
           to
           doe
           the
           worke
           of
           God
           by
           halves
           ,
           or
           negligently
           .
           Perfect
           and
           thorow
           Reformation
           ,
           will
           be
           your
           praise
           both
           with
           God
           and
           all
           good
           men
           ,
           at
           home
           and
           abroad
           ;
           and
           your
           zeale
           may
           provoke
           other
           Kingdomes
           ,
           and
           States
           ,
           and
           many
           will
           arise
           up
           and
           call
           you
           blessed
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           Pastors
           ,
           and
           pure
           Ordinances
           that
           they
           shall
           enjoy
           .
           T
           is
           the
           blemish
           of
           some
           of
           the
           good
           Kings
           that
           were
           reformers
           ,
           as
           
             Asa
          
           and
           
             Iehosaphat
             ;
          
           But
           neverthelesse
           
           the
           high
           places
           were
           not
           taken
           away
           .
           It
           was
           the
           praise
           of
           other
           Kings
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           taken
           away
           ,
           as
           of
           King
           
             Hezekiah
             .
          
           Perfect
           Reformation
           takes
           away
           all
           possibility
           and
           hopes
           from
           men
           ,
           of
           bringing
           things
           backe
           againe
           ;
           but
           an
           imperfect
           leaves
           both
           a
           ground-worke
           ,
           and
           faire
           possibility
           upon
           any
           advantage
           or
           opportunity
           to
           returne
           :
           
             Theodoret
             in
          
           his
           
             Eccle.
             historie
          
           relates
           that
           
             Theodosius
          
           that
           most
           faithfull
           Emperor
           ,
           being
           fully
           set
           
           to
           overthrow
           the
           errors
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           he
           made
           Lawes
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           commanded
           that
           the
           Temples
           of
           the
           Images
           should
           be
           puld
           downe
           .
           
             Constantine
          
           the
           great
           ,
           with
           some
           other
           Emperours
           ,
           who
           succeeded
           
             Constantine
             ,
          
           forbad
           all
           Sacrifices
           and
           worships
           to
           the
           heathen
           gods
           ,
           and
           their
           Images
           ,
           and
           forbad
           any
           to
           come
           to
           their
           temples
           ,
           but
           they
           did
           not
           demolish
           the
           temples
           &
           places
           wherin
           they
           were
           worshipped
           ;
           so
           that
           
             Iulian
          
           and
           
             Valens
             ,
          
           Emperours
           who
           came
           after
           ,
           did
           renew
           the
           impiety
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           so
           that
           fire
           was
           kindled
           againe
           upon
           the
           Altars
           ,
           and
           Sacrifices
           were
           offered
           to
           the
           Images
           :
           All
           which
           things
           when
           
             Theodosius
          
           
           understood
           for
           certaine
           ,
           hee
           did
           not
           onely
           shut
           up
           the
           Idols
           houses
           ,
           forbidding
           all
           to
           come
           to
           the
           Temples
           ,
           but
           he
           did
           extirpate
           them
           by
           the
           rootes
           ,
           and
           tooke
           care
           to
           have
           them
           buried
           in
           eternall
           oblivion
           .
           It
           was
           the
           saying
           of
           
             Zisca
          
           the
           famous
           leader
           of
           the
           
             Thaborites
             ,
          
           That
           the
           very
           nests
           of
           the
           Storkes
           are
           to
           be
           puld
           downe
           ,
           lest
           
           they
           returne
           againe
           .
           And
           may
           it
           please
           this
           Honorable
           House
           to
           purge
           us
           thoroughly
           ,
           and
           the
           rather
           for
           this
           ,
           because
           the
           more
           perfect
           our
           Reformation
           is
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           you
           shall
           by
           this
           lay
           the
           better
           and
           surer
           ground-worke
           ,
           for
           healing
           and
           composing
           the
           great
           schisme
           ,
           and
           divisions
           risen
           about
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           Church
           Government
           .
           But
           amidst
           all
           your
           care
           and
           paines
           in
           this
           kinde
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           cast
           an
           eye
           upon
           the
           errors
           and
           evills
           of
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           as
           Anabaptisme
           ,
           Brownisme
           ,
           &c.
           and
           be
           pleased
           to
           take
           into
           your
           serious
           considerations
           the
           meanes
           and
           wayes
           how
           to
           hinder
           their
           growth
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           the
           rather
           ,
           in
           regard
           there
           is
           not
           now
           in
           this
           Kingdome
           (
           things
           standing
           as
           they
           doe
           )
           so
           much
           danger
           of
           errors
           on
           the
           left
           hand
           .
           Popery
           ,
           superstition
           ,
           prophanenesse
           ,
           have
           beene
           so
           discountenanced
           of
           late
           ,
           so
           discovered
           ,
           and
           their
           nakednesse
           laid
           so
           open
           ,
           as
           that
           Altars
           ,
           Images
           ,
           pressing
           of
           Ceremonies
           ,
           and
           prophane
           Ministers
           are
           falling
           of
           themselves
           .
           Satan
           for
           this
           time
           hath
           even
           done
           with
           errors
           on
           the
           left
           hand
           ,
           and
           their
           time
           is
           going
           out
           ,
           growing
           like
           an
           Almanacke
           out
           of
           date
           .
           Any
           man
           who
           hath
           but
           halfe
           an
           Eye
           in
           his
           head
           ,
           
           and
           observes
           the
           course
           of
           things
           may
           see
           that
           errors
           on
           the
           right
           hand
           are
           now
           comming
           on
           the
           stage
           to
           take
           their
           turne
           also
           and
           to
           act
           their
           part
           ;
           the
           Devill
           seeing
           he
           cannot
           effect
           his
           ends
           in
           the
           former
           wayes
           he
           went
           ,
           he
           will
           now
           try
           others
           ,
           as
           
             Theodoret
          
           speaks
           in
           the
           case
           of
           
             Nestorius
             ,
          
           that
           Satan
           
           gave
           over
           moving
           against
           the
           Church
           by
           outward
           &
           manifest
           enemies
           ,
           but
           came
           under
           the
           show
           of
           the
           Orthodox
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           habit
           of
           great
           strictnesse
           bewitching
           many
           &
           drawing
           the
           injudicious
           common
           people
           to
           a
           desire
           after
           him
           .
           Satan
           is
           now
           transforming
           himselfe
           from
           an
           Angell
           of
           darknesse
           into
           an
           Angell
           of
           light
           ,
           and
           though
           hee
           must
           use
           other
           kind
           of
           instruments
           ,
           and
           goe
           other
           waies
           ,
           yet
           t
           is
           to
           bring
           about
           the
           same
           things
           ,
           the
           upholding
           of
           his
           kingdome
           and
           the
           hindring
           of
           Gods
           ,
           so
           that
           he
           will
           now
           labour
           to
           doe
           that
           by
           correcting
           and
           building
           up
           ,
           which
           hee
           did
           before
           by
           persecuting
           and
           pulling
           downe
           (
           as
           
             Luther
          
           speakes
           .
           )
           In
           a
           word
           plainly
           to
           expresse
           my
           meaning
           ,
           one
           extremitie
           (
           as
           many
           examples
           both
           antient
           and
           moderne
           testifie
           )
           
             a
          
           hath
           caused
           another
           ,
           the
           Tyrannie
           of
           Episcopall
           government
           in
           some
           Bishops
           hath
           brought
           forth
           the
           Democracie
           and
           Independencie
           ,
           the
           violent
           pressing
           of
           some
           pretended
           orders
           hath
           set
           many
           against
           all
           
           order
           ,
           and
           Satan
           seing
           hee
           cannot
           doe
           as
           he
           did
           ,
           the
           times
           not
           favouring
           those
           things
           ,
           they
           being
           growne
           old
           ,
           and
           even
           antiquated
           that
           every
           man
           is
           ready
           to
           hisse
           at
           them
           ,
           hee
           now
           goes
           about
           by
           other
           waies
           ,
           and
           if
           he
           can
           but
           effect
           what
           he
           is
           in
           a
           faire
           way
           for
           and
           what
           he
           hath
           begun
           in
           a
           great
           measure
           ,
           he
           hath
           enough
           .
           T
           is
           reported
           of
           the
           Fish
           called
           
             *
          
           
             Polypus
             ,
          
           that
           it
           will
           be
           of
           the
           colour
           of
           that
           stone
           to
           which
           it
           cleaves
           ,
           whether
           white
           or
           blacke
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           :
           so
           will
           Satan
           be
           of
           that
           colour
           and
           that
           temper
           just
           that
           the
           men
           are
           of
           with
           whom
           he
           deales
           ,
           and
           the
           times
           are
           of
           .
           (
           For
           besides
           this
           that
           Satan
           hath
           more
           wayes
           to
           kill
           Soules
           and
           advance
           his
           designes
           then
           one
           ,
           as
           
           when
           he
           cannot
           have
           his
           will
           by
           persecution
           ,
           then
           he
           will
           attempt
           it
           by
           schisme
           and
           sowing
           division
           amongst
           ministers
           (
           as
           
             Nazianzen
          
           sheweth
           :
           )
           Satan
           will
           in
           time
           bring
           about
           the
           same
           things
           though
           in
           another
           way
           ,
           for
           Independancie
           will
           bring
           againe
           what
           now
           it
           would
           cast
           out
           ,
           namely
           libertinisme
           ,
           prophanenesse
           ,
           errors
           ,
           and
           will
           by
           some
           removes
           bring
           many
           men
           to
           be
           of
           no
           religion
           at
           all
           .
           Be
           pleased
           most
           worthy
           Senators
           to
           let
           me
           tell
           you
           that
           the
           greatest
           sort
           of
           erroneous
           spirits
           with
           all
           unstable
           and
           wanton
           witted
           men
           ,
           will
           be
           much
           for
           Independant
           Government
           and
           Tolerations
           ,
           and
           be
           to
           their
           uttermost
           against
           Synods
           &
           setled
           Government
           :
           Socinians
           ,
           Arminians
           ,
           Anabaptists
           ,
           Separatists
           ,
           how
           different
           soever
           in
           other
           principles
           ,
           yet
           will
           agree
           in
           this
           ;
           Independancie
           will
           both
           breed
           them
           ,
           and
           being
           bred
           will
           foster
           them
           .
           And
           however
           in
           many
           men
           
           who
           bee
           principall
           actors
           in
           this
           way
           of
           Independancie
           ,
           the
           dangers
           and
           evills
           may
           not
           so
           appeare
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           there
           being
           many
           things
           in
           most
           of
           the
           Ministers
           lovely
           ,
           which
           the
           more
           commends
           this
           way
           ,
           yet
           wise
           men
           ,
           such
           as
           this
           Honourable
           house
           consists
           of
           ,
           looke
           upon
           things
           and
           judge
           of
           them
           not
           onely
           as
           they
           are
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           but
           as
           they
           may
           be
           hereafter
           ,
           and
           accordingly
           setle
           things
           ;
           that
           being
           the
           great
           principle
           Legislators
           goe
           by
           ,
           to
           presume
           that
           men
           may
           degenerate
           ,
           and
           things
           will
           be
           abused
           ,
           and
           therefore
           so
           to
           provide
           that
           they
           may
           not
           .
           All
           errors
           commonly
           be
           best
           at
           first
           ,
           most
           modest
           then
           ,
           and
           the
           first
           Authors
           of
           errors
           be
           commonly
           the
           best
           and
           fairest
           .
           Ecclesiasticall
           History
           mentions
           that
           the
           
             Novatian
          
           errors
           did
           more
           hurt
           in
           the
           fourth
           Centurie
           then
           in
           the
           third
           wherein
           it
           was
           first
           broached
           .
           The
           followers
           of
           
             Novatus
          
           did
           adde
           many
           other
           errors
           to
           his
           ,
           as
           
             Theodoret
          
           relates
           .
           
             Arminius
          
           was
           more
           candid
           ,
           and
           lesse
           erroneous
           then
           his
           
           followers
           ,
           they
           having
           much
           improved
           the
           points
           ,
           as
           some
           Divines
           have
           shewed
           .
           Be
           pleased
           therefore
           to
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           stirre
           you
           up
           to
           lay
           these
           schismes
           and
           divisions
           to
           heart
           ,
           (
           the
           divisions
           of
           
             Reuben
          
           being
           great
           thoughts
           of
           heart
           )
           and
           in
           your
           great
           wisedomes
           early
           to
           find
           out
           meanes
           and
           remedies
           to
           heale
           the
           great
           rents
           about
           the
           Church
           and
           Church
           Government
           ,
           and
           to
           hinder
           the
           further
           increase
           of
           this
           way
           :
           God
           hath
           called
           you
           together
           ,
           and
           continued
           you
           for
           this
           worke
           amongst
           the
           rest
           ;
           Noble
           Patriots
           doe
           your
           parts
           ,
           and
           what
           in
           you
           lyes
           to
           conclude
           of
           some
           speedy
           
           way
           and
           course
           for
           setling
           these
           differences
           .
           T
           is
           the
           praise
           of
           
             Cyprian
          
           and
           
             Cornelius
          
           that
           by
           the
           helpe
           of
           a
           Councell
           they
           did
           indeavour
           timely
           to
           suppresse
           the
           errors
           of
           
             Novatus
             .
          
           And
           in
           the
           meane
           while
           till
           Church
           Government
           be
           setled
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           not
           necessary
           to
           provide
           by
           some
           meanes
           against
           the
           spreading
           of
           this
           sect
           ,
           and
           the
           meetings
           of
           these
           separated
           Assemblies
           ,
           I
           leave
           it
           to
           your
           great
           wisedomes
           to
           consider
           ,
           lest
           otherwise
           wee
           be
           overgrowne
           with
           Anabaptisme
           ,
           Brownisme
           and
           such
           like
           .
           And
           I
           humbly
           crave
           leave
           to
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           delayes
           in
           this
           kind
           will
           prove
           very
           dangerous
           ,
           many
           falling
           to
           that
           way
           daily
           ,
           and
           others
           by
           continuance
           will
           be
           so
           accustomed
           to
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           be
           harder
           to
           regaine
           them
           :
           Besides
           the
           Independants
           ly
           at
           the
           catch
           and
           advantage
           of
           delaies
           ,
           all
           their
           hopes
           and
           strength
           standing
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           be
           long
           before
           there
           be
           a
           Synod
           ,
           or
           before
           the
           Church
           Government
           be
           setled
           ,
           hoping
           that
           in
           the
           interim
           whilst
           things
           stand
           betweene
           two
           ,
           and
           are
           unsetled
           ,
           they
           may
           both
           gather
           and
           increase
           their
           Churches
           ,
           and
           make
           their
           party
           more
           considerable
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           just
           ground
           to
           thinke
           they
           are
           not
           wanting
           to
           endeavour
           by
           some
           instruments
           how
           to
           effect
           it
           :
           The
           hand
           of
           
             Ioab
          
           is
           sometimes
           where
           t
           is
           not
           dreamt
           of
           .
           I
           could
           present
           this
           Honourable
           House
           with
           a
           sad
           relation
           of
           the
           state
           of
           things
           both
           in
           the
           City
           and
           Countrey
           in
           respect
           of
           errors
           on
           the
           right
           hand
           ,
           as
           also
           bespeake
           You
           by
           the
           teares
           &
           feares
           of
           all
           the
           godly
           &
           painfull
           Ministers
           of
           this
           Church
           of
           
             England
             :
          
           But
           I
           know
           
           I
           speake
           to
           the
           wise
           ,
           and
           to
           them
           who
           are
           deeply
           sensible
           ;
           and
           t
           is
           time
           for
           me
           to
           take
           off
           my
           hand
           lest
           the
           porch
           be
           too
           large
           for
           the
           house
           .
           Now
           the
           good
           will
           of
           him
           that
           dwelt
           in
           the
           bush
           rest
           upon
           your
           heads
           ;
           The
           Lord
           hide
           you
           from
           the
           counsells
           and
           plots
           of
           wicked
           men
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           raging
           diseases
           of
           the
           time
           ,
           making
           you
           more
           and
           more
           his
           hidden
           ones
           ;
           He
           make
           you
           more
           and
           more
           his
           chosen
           &
           sanctified
           ones
           to
           fulfill
           all
           his
           mind
           and
           to
           doe
           his
           whole
           worke
           both
           against
           all
           heresie
           and
           schisme
           ,
           both
           errors
           on
           the
           left
           hand
           and
           right
           ;
           Hee
           double
           and
           treble
           upon
           you
           all
           that
           spirit
           of
           wisedome
           ,
           counsell
           ,
           might
           ,
           and
           unanimitie
           ,
           which
           former
           Parliaments
           ever
           had
           .
           The
           Lord
           set
           your
           feet
           upon
           a
           rock
           ,
           and
           establish
           your
           goings
           ;
           He
           give
           you
           an
           unwearied
           spirit
           to
           goe
           on
           without
           fainting
           ,
           till
           there
           be
           a
           perfect
           setling
           of
           peace
           in
           Church
           and
           Common-wealth
           ,
           and
           till
           the
           worke
           of
           reformation
           so
           happily
           begun
           be
           finished
           .
           And
           the
           Lord
           recompence
           into
           your
           bosomes
           seven-fold
           in
           blessings
           both
           temporall
           ,
           spirituall
           ,
           and
           eternall
           ,
           all
           your
           worke
           and
           labour
           of
           love
           which
           yee
           have
           shewed
           towards
           his
           name
           ,
           and
           towards
           this
           Kingdome
           .
           And
           so
           humbly
           laying
           my selfe
           ,
           and
           these
           poore
           endeavours
           at
           your
           feet
           ,
           I
           rest
        
         
           
             Your
             Honours
             most
             devoted
             servant
             
             Thomas
             Edwards
             .
          
        
      
       
       
         
           The
           Printer
           to
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           Good
           Reader
           some
           sheetes
           not
           beeing
           seene
           by
           the
           Author
           till
           they
           were
           Printed
           off
           ,
           hath
           caused
           more
           Errata
           ,
           both
           in
           words
           and
           points
           ,
           than
           otherwise
           would
           have
           been
           .
           The
           most
           materiall
           are
           here
           Corrected
           ,
           be
           thou
           pleased
           to
           mend
           the
           rest
           as
           thou
           readest
           .
        
      
       
         
           PAg.
           1.
           line
           18.
           for
           elections
           read
           election
           ,
           p.
           2.
           l.
           6.
           for
           v.
           24.
           r.
           v.
           21.
           p.
           5.
           l.
           10.
           r.
           much
           .
           p.
           7.
           in
           the
           margent
           for
           
             quod
          
           r.
           
           
             Ad
             ,
          
           p.
           7.
           l.
           29.
           for
           had
           r.
           have
           ,
           p.
           8.
           l.
           2
           ,
           for
           offices
           r.
           officers
           ,
           p.
           9.
           l.
           6.
           dele
           comma
           at
           Teacher
           ,
           p.
           14.
           l.
           8.
           r.
           commanded
           ,
           p.
           16
           l.
           22.
           r.
           broken
           ,
           p.
           17
           l.
           17.
           read
           gestures
           ,
           p.
           22.
           l.
           36.
           adde
           as
           ,
           p.
           25.
           l.
           12.
           dele
           comma
           after
           power
           ,
           p.
           29.
           l.
           8.
           r.
           combine
           .
           p
           30.
           l.
           4.
           dele
           out
           of
           his
           hands
           ,
           for
           put
           r.
           given
           ,
           l.
           9.
           for
           so
           as
           it
           may
           not
           ,
           r.
           so
           as
           if
           it
           might
           not
           p.
           32.
           l.
           29.
           dele
           the
           ,
           p.
           34.
           for
           Reas.
           10.
           r.
           Reas.
           11.
           p.
           35.
           l.
           13.
           r.
           spring
           .
           p.
           37.
           l.
           26.
           dele
           full
           point
           at
           Reasons
           ,
           p.
           39.
           l.
           25.
           read
           ordinances
           ,
           p.
           41.
           l.
           23.
           r.
           being
           for
           is
           .
           p.
           45.
           l.
           17
           ,
           after
           Church
           ,
           r.
           as
           many
           Scriptures
           show
           .
           p.
           45.
           l.
           22.
           parenthesis
           after
           it
           ,
           &
           not
           yet
           ,
           p.
           45.
           l.
           24.
           one
           r.
           some
           ,
           p.
           48.
           l.
           6.
           for
           heare
           r.
           heard
           ,
           p.
           49.
           l.
           1.
           for
           charge
           r.
           change
           ,
           l.
           3.
           for
           seldome
           r.
           seldomer
           ,
           p.
           50.
           l.
           23.
           after
           body
           dele
           comma
           p
           52.
           l.
           28.
           dele
           the
           ,
           p.
           54.
           l.
           4.
           r.
           apprehensions
           ,
           l.
           6.
           r.
           then
           ,
           l.
           17.
           for
           what
           ,
           r.
           which
           in
           the
           margent
           r.
           
             postremum
             ,
          
           p
           ,
           54.
           l.
           24.
           for
           three
           Reasons
           ,
           r.
           third
           Reason
           .
        
      
       
       
         
           The
           Introduction
           .
        
         
           INtending
           fully
           by
           the
           helpe
           of
           God
           ,
           (
           with
           all
           possible
           speed
           )
           to
           publish
           severall
           Tractates
           against
           the
           whole
           way
           of
           the
           Separation
           ,
           for
           the
           healing
           of
           that
           great
           Schisme
           ,
           sprung
           up
           of
           late
           in
           this
           Church
           ,
           I
           thought
           good
           for
           the
           present
           necessity
           ,
           to
           set
           forth
           these
           few
           and
           short
           Reasons
           ,
           (
           more
           time
           being
           required
           to
           review
           ,
           transcribe
           ,
           and
           Print
           larger
           Treatises
           .
           )
           Now
           that
           which
           first
           moved
           me
           to
           the
           drawing
           up
           of
           these
           Reasons
           ,
           both
           against
           
             Independant
             Government
             ,
          
           and
           against
           the
           
             Toleration
             of
             it
             ,
          
           was
           the
           credible
           information
           given
           me
           of
           some
           Petitions
           drawne
           ,
           to
           be
           presented
           to
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           for
           a
           Toleration
           of
           some
           Congregations
           ,
           to
           enjoy
           an
           Independant
           Government
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           exempt
           from
           the
           Government
           which
           shall
           be
           established
           by
           Law
           :
           Now
           though
           ,
           I
           believe
           ,
           hope
           ,
           and
           pray
           daily
           ,
           that
           God
           will
           keepe
           that
           Honourable
           House
           from
           ever
           giving
           any
           Countenance
           ,
           much
           lesse
           granting
           any
           such
           Petitions
           ,
           yet
           considering
           how
           many
           there
           are
           of
           that
           way
           ,
           some
           Inhabiting
           in
           this
           Kingdome
           ,
           others
           ,
           who
           are
           come
           over
           into
           
             England
          
           
           on
           purpose
           ,
           being
           sent
           as
           Messengers
           of
           their
           Charibes
           to
           negotiate
           in
           that
           behalfe
           ;
           and
           observing
           how
           diligently
           and
           close
           they
           follow
           it
           ,
           by
           daily
           attending
           at
           
             Westminster
             ,
          
           by
           insinuating
           themselves
           into
           the
           company
           of
           sundry
           Members
           of
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           by
           Preaching
           often
           at
           
             Westminster
             ,
          
           the
           more
           to
           ingratiate
           themselves
           and
           their
           cause
           ;
           Printing
           also
           their
           desire
           of
           a
           
             Toleration
          
           for
           
             Independant
             Government
             ,
          
           and
           that
           with
           casting
           of
           dirt
           upon
           the
           Reformation
           and
           Government
           of
           this
           Nationall
           Church
           ,
           what
           ever
           it
           may
           be
           (
           as
           witnesse
           
             the
             Protestation
             Protested
             :
             )
          
           I
           ,
           a
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           a
           Sufferer
           for
           it
           these
           many
           yeares
           last
           past
           ,
           being
           one
           who
           desires
           as
           free
           a
           passage
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           as
           through
           a
           Reformation
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           any
           of
           them
           ;
           have
           thought
           it
           my
           duty
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           discharge
           a
           good
           Conscience
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           to
           Print
           these
           Reasons
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           that
           so
           when
           any
           of
           those
           Petitions
           come
           to
           be
           propounded
           in
           the
           House
           of
           Commons
           ,
           under
           specious
           pretences
           and
           faire
           pretexts
           ,
           there
           may
           by
           these
           Reasons
           appeare
           a
           Snake
           under
           the
           greene
           grasse
           :
           Neither
           speake
           I
           this
           as
           if
           I
           would
           intimate
           ,
           that
           that
           Honorable
           House
           could
           be
           taken
           with
           colours
           ,
           and
           faire
           glosses
           ;
           I
           know
           that
           great
           Body
           is
           so
           full
           of
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           so
           Eagle
           eyed
           ,
           that
           they
           can
           both
           see
           into
           ,
           and
           fore-see
           a
           farre
           off
           ,
           the
           many
           evills
           and
           mischiefes
           of
           
             Independancy
          
           and
           
             Tolerations
             .
          
           But
           I
           suppose
           these
           Reasons
           may
           have
           their
           use
           among
           some
           ,
           to
           furnish
           them
           the
           more
           with
           grounds
           against
           such
           Petitions
           ,
           for
           satisfying
           also
           scruples
           instilled
           by
           the
           Independant
           men
           into
           some
           others
           ;
           as
           also
           to
           demonstrate
           to
           the
           Petitioners
           ,
           the
           unreasonablenesse
           of
           their
           demands
           :
           My
           
           aime
           therefore
           is
           ,
           by
           this
           following
           discourse
           ,
           l.
           humbl●
           to
           crave
           leave
           to
           enter
           in
           the
           Honourable
           House
           of
           Commons
           a
           Caveat
           ,
           both
           against
           
             Independant
             Government
             of
             Particular
             Congregations
             ,
          
           and
           against
           their
           
             Toleration
             ;
          
           and
           to
           present
           to
           the
           House
           a
           Writ
           of
           
             Ne
             admittas
             ,
          
           fetcht
           out
           from
           the
           Court
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           Records
           of
           Holy
           Scripture
           .
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           Reasons
           Against
           THE
           Independant
           government
           OF
           Particular
           Congregations
           .
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             I.
             
          
           
             THE
             Churches
             gathered
             and
             constituted
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             watered
             by
             Evangelists
             and
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             after
             planting
             and
             watering
             ,
             having
             Pastors
             and
             Teachers
             ,
             with
             all
             other
             Officers
             ,
             as
             they
             say
             ,
             set
             over
             them
             by
             the
             Apostles
             and
             their
             owne
             Elections
             :
             Yet
             it
             is
             evident
             these
             Churches
             could
             not
             well
             stand
             nor
             subsist
             of
             themselves
             with
             all
             these
             Officers
             ,
             but
             many
             of
             them
             had
             beene
             much
             indangered
             ,
             and
             subject
             to
             have
             beene
             ruined
             ,
             if
             some
             others
             besides
             
             these
             Churches
             and
             Officers
             had
             not
             upon
             occasions
             interposed
             and
             that
             authorotatively
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             Evangelists
             ,
             and
             Elders
             of
             other
             Churches
             ,
             as
             doth
             appeare
             by
             the
             
               Acts
               of
               the
               Apostles
               ,
            
             and
             by
             many
             Epistles
             ,
             as
             to
             
               Corinth
               ,
               Galatia
               ,
               Colossians
               ,
               Timothy
               ,
               Titus
               :
               15.
               
               Acts
               :
               2.
               Cor.
               12.
               Chap.
               20.
               ver.
               24.
               2.
               Cor.
               13.
               Chap.
               1.
               2.
               10.
               ver.
            
             The
             particulars
             whereof
             I
             shall
             evince
             more
             largely
             hereafter
             .
             Now
             if
             these
             Primitive
             Churches
             who
             had
             all
             the
             officers
             ,
             and
             were
             setled
             by
             the
             Apostles
             in
             all
             poynts
             according
             to
             Christs
             order
             ,
             yet
             in
             those
             times
             could
             not
             doe
             well
             Independently
             ,
             how
             can
             wee
             thinke
             that
             any
             particular
             congregation
             in
             these
             times
             (
             which
             cannot
             be
             so
             setled
             having
             no
             Apostles
             nor
             any
             infallible
             men
             to
             direct
             them
             )
             can
             doe
             well
             without
             dependancie
             ?
             And
             though
             it
             will
             be
             said
             these
             extraordinary
             Officers
             be
             now
             ceased
             ,
             yet
             let
             them
             consider
             whether
             there
             is
             not
             need
             of
             some
             way
             to
             supply
             this
             want
             to
             the
             particular
             Churches
             now
             :
             But
             if
             it
             be
             said
             that
             the
             ordinary
             Officers
             of
             Pastors
             ,
             Teachers
             ,
             Elders
             ,
             with
             the
             body
             of
             the
             Congregation
             will
             suffice
             for
             the
             governing
             every
             particular
             congregation
             Independantly
             ;
             To
             that
             I
             answer
             according
             to
             their
             Principles
             ,
             In
             the
             Apostles
             times
             there
             were
             all
             these
             Officers
             in
             particular
             Congregations
             ,
             and
             setled
             in
             a
             perfect
             way
             ,
             and
             yet
             for
             all
             this
             ,
             particular
             Churches
             needed
             a
             dependancy
             upon
             Apostles
             ,
             Evangelists
             ,
             Prophets
             ,
             and
             Presbyters
             of
             other
             Churches
             ,
             and
             
               Timothie
               ,
            
             and
             
               Titus
            
             are
             set
             over
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Ephesus
            
             and
             
               Crete
               :
            
             now
             though
             some
             of
             these
             be
             ceased
             ,
             and
             so
             this
             power
             may
             be
             ceased
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             in
             particular
             men
             ,
             yet
             that
             the
             Congregations
             should
             not
             need
             it
             now
             in
             these
             times
             as
             well
             as
             then
             ,
             no
             solid
             Reason
             can
             be
             given
             ,
             but
             there
             is
             much
             more
             reason
             for
             it
             now
             ,
             which
             therefore
             must
             bee
             in
             some
             other
             way
             ,
             be
             it
             Synods
             and
             Councels
             ,
             to
             supply
             the
             defects
             of
             each
             particular
             ,
             by
             the
             Conjunction
             of
             the
             whole
             ,
             the
             whole
             helping
             every
             part
             ,
             and
             supplying
             what
             is
             lacking
             to
             it
             ;
             and
             this
             reason
             hath
             the
             more
             
             strength
             in
             it
             ,
             if
             we
             consider
             that
             the
             Churches
             in
             the
             Apostles
             times
             were
             Churches
             in
             Cities
             ,
             it
             being
             all
             one
             to
             say
             in
             every
             City
             ,
             or
             in
             every
             Church
             ,
             1
             
               Tit.
               5.
               14.
               
               Act.
            
             23.
             which
             Churches
             also
             had
             good
             store
             of
             Preaching
             Ministers
             amongst
             them
             ,
             as
             appeares
             by
             
               Acts
               13.
               v.
               1.
               Act.
               20.
               v.
            
             36
             ,
             37.
             
             Compared
             with
             
               ver.
            
             28.
             
             So
             that
             in
             all
             cases
             of
             Doctrine
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             having
             many
             Ministers
             to
             resolve
             and
             determine
             matters
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             carryed
             them
             with
             the
             more
             gravity
             and
             authority
             ,
             they
             might
             have
             subsisted
             the
             better
             Independantly
             ,
             whereas
             most
             particular
             Congregations
             now
             have
             but
             few
             Ministers
             ,
             one
             or
             two
             ,
             nay
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             Principles
             there
             may
             be
             none
             ,
             nor
             no
             Officer
             at
             all
             ,
             and
             yet
             these
             Congregations
             must
             be
             Independant
             ,
             having
             all
             power
             and
             government
             Independantly
             ,
             before
             Officers
             as
             well
             as
             after
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             II.
             
          
           
             THat
             Governement
             and
             power
             which
             causes
             men
             to
             runne
             upon
             the
             manifest
             violation
             of
             the
             constant
             practice
             and
             example
             of
             the
             Churches
             during
             all
             the
             time
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             puts
             Churches
             upon
             practices
             that
             are
             absurd
             ,
             unreasonable
             and
             prejudiciall
             to
             the
             good
             of
             their
             Soules
             ,
             that
             government
             is
             not
             of
             divine
             Institution
             ,
             nor
             to
             be
             received
             :
             but
             such
             is
             the
             Independant
             power
             ,
             and
             government
             of
             particular
             Congregations
             :
             The
             
               major
            
             is
             of
             undoubted
             Truth
             ,
             and
             will
             be
             denyed
             by
             none
             ,
             for
             the
             
               minor
            
             I
             will
             prove
             it
             in
             these
             following
             Instances
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             their
             Independancy
             forces
             them
             either
             to
             have
             Ministers
             and
             Officers
             without
             being
             ordained
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             practice
             and
             examples
             of
             the
             Churches
             all
             along
             in
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             as
             the
             6.
             
             
               Acts
               v.
               6.
               14.
               
               Act.
            
             23.
             
             No
             man
             ever
             being
             an
             ordinary
             Officer
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             without
             Ordination
             ,
             let
             them
             produce
             one
             
             instance
             if
             they
             can
             :
             hence
             the
             most
             learned
             Divines
             in
             reformed
             Churches
             tell
             us
             ,
             that
             no
             man
             ought
             to
             be
             admitted
             
             to
             an
             ordinary
             function
             in
             the
             Church
             unlesse
             they
             be
             lawfully
             called
             ,
             and
             that
             lawfull
             calling
             stands
             in
             Ordination
             as
             well
             as
             Election
             :
             But
             because
             these
             may
             be
             rejected
             by
             them
             ,
             let
             us
             heare
             one
             of
             their
             owne
             ,
             namely
             Master
             
               Robinson
               ,
            
             speaking
             ,
             Thou
             art
             not
             a
             Pastor
             
             but
             by
             a
             lawfull
             Calling
             :
             Thou
             art
             called
             a
             Pastor
             (
             that
             is
             elected
             ,
             and
             ordained
             )
             or
             else
             if
             their
             Officers
             be
             ordained
             ,
             it
             is
             by
             the
             people
             ,
             even
             by
             such
             who
             are
             not
             in
             office
             ,
             which
             is
             expresly
             against
             the
             constant
             practise
             of
             all
             the
             Churches
             in
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             as
             appeares
             by
             the
             6.
             
             
               Acts
               6.
               14.
               
               Acts
               23.
               1
               Tim.
               4.
               14.
               1
               Tim.
               5.
               22.
               1
               Tit.
            
             5.
             and
             it
             can
             never
             be
             showne
             in
             all
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             that
             the
             people
             ever
             attempted
             any
             such
             thing
             ;
             thus
             
               Zanchius
            
             showes
             that
             this
             is
             to
             be
             observed
             in
             Scriptures
             ,
             although
             election
             of
             Ministers
             was
             made
             by
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             yet
             hands
             were
             never
             imposed
             but
             by
             the
             Ministery
             and
             Presbytery
             ,
             this
             is
             
             cleare
             in
             the
             
               Acts
            
             &
             Epistles
             of
             
               Paul
               :
            
             and
             the
             people
             cannot
             do
             it
             ,
             because
             the
             lesse
             is
             blessed
             of
             the
             greater
             ,
             &
             they
             who
             lay
             hands
             on
             and
             make
             Ministers
             ,
             should
             be
             greater
             in
             place
             and
             Authority
             &
             not
             lesse
             ,
             as
             the
             common
             People
             be
             :
             and
             though
             it
             be
             granted
             (
             as
             
               Cameron
            
             speakes
             )
             that
             an
             equall
             may
             make
             and
             ordaine
             an
             equall
             ,
             yet
             he
             who
             is
             
             an
             Inferior
             ,
             cannot
             a
             Superior
             .
             And
             thus
             to
             maintaine
             Independancy
             they
             breake
             the
             Ordinance
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             violate
             that
             Order
             &
             constant
             way
             of
             the
             calling
             of
             Ministers
             Recorded
             in
             the
             Word
             .
             And
             I
             desire
             them
             but
             to
             consider
             in
             the
             feare
             of
             God
             ,
             what
             Master
             
               Robinson
            
             writes
             
             in
             the
             fourth
             Chapter
             of
             his
             Apology
             ,
             and
             I
             know
             they
             must
             forsake
             their
             
               Helena
            
             of
             Independancy
             upon
             this
             reason
             ,
             (
             and
             all
             the
             shifts
             they
             have
             under
             Heaven
             about
             Ordination
             cannot
             helpe
             them
             )
             T
             is
             Religion
             in
             me
             (
             saith
             
               Robinson
               )
            
             to
             depart
             though
             but
             a
             little
             from
             the
             practice
             and
             Institutions
             of
             the
             Apostles
             (
             excepting
             alwayes
             
             extraordinary
             things
             )
             in
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             truely
             
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             though
             never
             so
             small
             ,
             what
             things
             soever
             ,
             by
             whom
             soever
             ,
             or
             under
             what
             colour
             soever
             they
             be
             invented
             :
             Now
             Ordination
             cannot
             be
             held
             extraordinary
             and
             temporary
             ,
             neither
             is
             it
             by
             them
             ,
             and
             t
             is
             held
             to
             be
             an
             Ecclesiasticall
             thing
             also
             ,
             and
             certainely
             none
             of
             the
             least
             among
             Ecclesiasticalls
             ,
             in
             matter
             of
             order
             and
             
               decorum
               ,
            
             there
             being
             not
             any
             one
             thing
             concerning
             matters
             of
             Order
             ,
             that
             hath
             so
             cleere
             and
             constant
             practice
             as
             this
             ;
             I
             am
             sure
             all
             their
             whole
             frame
             of
             Church
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             hath
             not
             so
             much
             ground
             in
             the
             Word
             for
             it
             as
             this
             ,
             namely
             ,
             that
             Ministers
             ought
             to
             be
             Ordained
             ,
             
             and
             that
             by
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Word
             .
             So
             
               Calvin
               ,
            
             although
             there
             be
             no
             expresse
             precept
             concerning
             the
             imposition
             of
             hands
             ,
             yet
             because
             we
             see
             it
             was
             in
             perpetuall
             use
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             the
             so
             accurate
             observation
             of
             it
             by
             them
             ought
             to
             be
             to
             us
             instead
             of
             a
             command
             .
             So
             
               Zanchius
            
             speaking
             of
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             in
             ordination
             ,
             saith
             thus
             ,
             that
             this
             in
             many
             places
             is
             rejected
             ,
             together
             with
             
             other
             ceremonies
             ,
             I
             never
             approved
             nor
             can
             approve
             .
             I
             know
             there
             is
             no
             expresse
             precept
             concerning
             this
             thing
             but
             notwithstanding
             I
             would
             have
             the
             examples
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             the
             ancient
             Church
             more
             to
             be
             esteemed
             of
             ,
             yea
             they
             ought
             to
             be
             to
             us
             instead
             of
             a
             command
             :
             and
             in
             another
             place
             he
             speakes
             ,
             t
             is
             certaine
             ,
             t
             is
             not
             a
             vaine
             ceremony
             but
             the
             holy
             Spirit
             is
             present
             ,
             and
             to
             performe
             those
             things
             inwardly
             ,
             which
             are
             signified
             by
             this
             outward
             Rite
             :
             And
             yet
             if
             Ordination
             were
             but
             a
             very
             
             little
             thing
             ,
             but
             a
             Ceremony
             ,
             the
             essence
             of
             calling
             ,
             standing
             in
             Election
             ,
             and
             that
             but
             the
             consummation
             of
             it
             ,
             nothing
             but
             the
             solemne
             introduction
             of
             the
             Minister
             into
             the
             free
             execution
             of
             his
             calling
             ,
             yet
             if
             Master
             
               Robinson
            
             may
             be
             believed
             ,
             and
             your selves
             in
             other
             little
             things
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             depart
             from
             Christs
             way
             ,
             or
             goe
             any
             other
             way
             ,
             in
             things
             concerning
             his
             house
             and
             Officers
             than
             he
             hath
             directed
             ,
             and
             yet
             behold
             in
             this
             either
             Ministers
             are
             not
             called
             according
             to
             the
             scripture
             wanting
             that
             part
             of
             their
             calling
             ,
             namely
             Ordination
             ,
             or
             
             else
             ,
             if
             they
             be
             ,
             it
             is
             in
             another
             way
             than
             the
             Apostles
             or
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ever
             practised
             ,
             behold
             how
             this
             Independancy
             causes
             men
             to
             depart
             farre
             from
             the
             practice
             of
             the
             Apostles
             .
             And
             I
             desire
             they
             would
             show
             for
             what
             reason
             
               Paul
            
             left
             
               Titus
            
             at
             
               Crete
               ,
            
             to
             make
             Ministers
             in
             every
             City
             ,
             if
             Ordination
             were
             not
             necessary
             for
             all
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospell
             under
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             or
             if
             being
             necessary
             ,
             it
             might
             be
             performed
             to
             Ministers
             by
             the
             people
             without
             Officers
             :
             
               Titus
            
             might
             have
             beene
             imployed
             better
             to
             have
             gone
             along
             with
             
               Paul
               ,
            
             Preaching
             and
             helping
             to
             convert
             others
             ,
             and
             might
             have
             well
             left
             the
             Churches
             in
             
               Crete
               ,
            
             either
             to
             have
             had
             Ministers
             without
             Ordination
             ,
             or
             else
             left
             the
             People
             to
             Ordaine
             them
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             this
             Independancy
             causes
             them
             to
             fall
             upon
             practises
             absurd
             and
             unreasonable
             ,
             as
             namely
             either
             their
             Ministers
             must
             not
             first
             be
             examined
             tryed
             and
             known
             for
             their
             gifts
             and
             abilities
             before
             they
             be
             made
             ,
             which
             is
             contrary
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             1
             
               Tim.
               3.
               v.
            
             10.
             they
             must
             first
             be
             proved
             ,
             and
             if
             it
             hold
             in
             Deacons
             ,
             much
             
             more
             in
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             of
             this
             they
             may
             read
             
               Zanchius
               ,
               Calvin
               ,
               Amesius
               ,
            
             and
             generally
             all
             Divines
             ,
             or
             they
             must
             be
             judged
             of
             by
             the
             people
             .
             Now
             how
             can
             the
             people
             three
             or
             foure
             visible
             Saints
             ,
             or
             more
             ,
             joyned
             into
             a
             Church
             ,
             examine
             and
             try
             the
             learning
             ,
             gifts
             ,
             soundnesse
             of
             men
             for
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             who
             are
             themselves
             ignorant
             in
             all
             kind
             of
             Learning
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             weake
             and
             injudicious
             ?
             it
             is
             against
             the
             light
             of
             Nature
             and
             right
             reason
             that
             learned
             men
             should
             be
             examined
             and
             discovered
             for
             their
             abilities
             by
             them
             who
             skill
             not
             those
             things
             ,
             and
             are
             far
             below
             them
             in
             knowledg
             :
             we
             see
             in
             all
             Arts
             and
             Sciences
             ,
             men
             are
             examined
             and
             tryed
             by
             them
             of
             their
             owne
             Arts
             and
             callings
             ,
             and
             not
             by
             others
             ,
             who
             have
             no
             knowledge
             in
             them
             :
             So
             
               Zanchius
            
             giving
             reasons
             of
             the
             necessity
             of
             examination
             before
             ordination
             ,
             comes
             
             to
             propound
             by
             whom
             this
             examination
             is
             to
             be
             ,
             to
             which
             he
             answers
             ;
             By
             him
             who
             is
             judged
             to
             be
             indued
             
             with
             the
             greatest
             measure
             of
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             having
             also
             other
             Presbyters
             present
             ,
             who
             are
             learned
             and
             pious
             :
             
               Paul
            
             
             would
             therefore
             have
             
               Timothy
            
             to
             know
             them
             well
             who
             are
             to
             be
             ordained
             ,
             for
             examination
             belongs
             to
             the
             most
             skilfull
             ,
             and
             they
             who
             are
             of
             most
             Authority
             .
             But
             these
             visible
             Saints
             ,
             the
             Church
             being
             oft
             times
             weake
             ,
             injudicious
             ,
             meane
             ,
             for
             parts
             and
             education
             ,
             apt
             to
             be
             turned
             quickly
             ,
             and
             taken
             with
             faire
             showes
             and
             good
             expressions
             ,
             may
             and
             doe
             chuse
             ,
             weake
             ,
             ignorant
             ,
             unfit
             men
             for
             Pastours
             and
             Elders
             ,
             whereby
             the
             Church
             may
             be
             led
             into
             errors
             ,
             kept
             in
             a
             low
             estate
             ,
             so
             as
             they
             cannot
             grow
             up
             in
             grace
             and
             knowledge
             ,
             as
             becomes
             a
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ;
             there
             may
             be
             also
             all
             barbarousnesse
             and
             disorder
             for
             want
             of
             gifts
             in
             government
             in
             these
             weake
             Officers
             ,
             all
             which
             tends
             to
             the
             prejudice
             and
             hazard
             of
             the
             Soules
             ;
             hence
             this
             is
             given
             as
             the
             great
             reason
             by
             Divines
             of
             the
             examination
             of
             Ministers
             before
             Ordination
             and
             that
             to
             be
             by
             learned
             and
             able
             men
             ,
             because
             as
             there
             is
             nothing
             more
             profitable
             to
             the
             Church
             then
             good
             Pastors
             ,
             so
             nothing
             more
             pernitious
             then
             bad
             and
             unlearned
             Ministers
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             suppose
             they
             might
             chuse
             well
             ,
             namely
             able
             men
             both
             for
             parts
             and
             soundnesse
             
             in
             the
             faith
             ,
             and
             it
             were
             lawfull
             also
             for
             the
             people
             to
             ordaine
             ,
             yet
             it
             may
             so
             fall
             out
             (
             according
             to
             their
             principles
             of
             a
             Church
             )
             that
             these
             visible
             Saints
             cannot
             Ordaine
             Officers
             ,
             as
             having
             no
             gifts
             of
             prayer
             for
             publicke
             ,
             especially
             not
             able
             to
             conceive
             prayers
             ,
             concerning
             the
             action
             in
             hand
             ,
             namely
             ,
             the
             Ordination
             of
             a
             Minister
             ,
             neither
             had
             they
             any
             gifts
             to
             make
             publicke
             exhortations
             and
             admonitions
             to
             the
             Pastor
             of
             his
             duty
             ,
             nor
             be
             able
             to
             know
             what
             to
             say
             to
             him
             ,
             at
             the
             admission
             of
             him
             into
             his
             Office
             :
             What
             shall
             be
             done
             now
             ?
             shall
             the
             worke
             be
             staid
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             want
             a
             Minister
             till
             she
             be
             able
             to
             doe
             these
             workes
             and
             duties
             ?
             They
             may
             for
             ought
             can
             be
             said
             ,
             be
             long
             ,
             nay
             ever
             without
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             so
             without
             Preaching
             of
             the
             Word
             and
             Sacraments
             ,
             which
             cannot
             but
             be
             very
             prejudiciall
             to
             their
             Salvation
             :
             
             But
             to
             grant
             them
             that
             which
             needes
             not
             be
             granted
             according
             to
             their
             principles
             ,
             that
             this
             Church
             shall
             have
             some
             Offices
             ,
             as
             suppose
             a
             ruling
             Elder
             ,
             yet
             when
             a
             Pastor
             is
             to
             be
             chosen
             ,
             these
             Elders
             who
             have
             a
             gift
             in
             government
             ,
             may
             not
             be
             able
             nor
             competent
             to
             try
             and
             examine
             the
             gifts
             and
             parts
             of
             a
             Pastor
             :
             nay
             yeeld
             them
             to
             have
             a
             Pastor
             ,
             and
             the
             Church
             would
             now
             chuse
             a
             Teacher
             ,
             one
             single
             Pastor
             though
             able
             in
             his
             gift
             of
             Exhortation
             and
             application
             may
             not
             be
             so
             able
             to
             try
             the
             gifts
             requisite
             to
             a
             Teacher
             ,
             whose
             gifts
             must
             be
             for
             exposition
             and
             controversies
             to
             preserve
             pure
             Doctrine
             :
             Hence
             
               Amesius
            
             speaking
             of
             calling
             of
             Ministers
             to
             a
             Church
             ,
             saith
             that
             here
             is
             need
             of
             direction
             and
             helpe
             
             of
             Presbyters
             both
             of
             the
             same
             Church
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             most
             part
             of
             the
             Neighbour
             Churches
             .
             But
             if
             he
             were
             able
             to
             try
             and
             examine
             ,
             yet
             how
             shall
             this
             Teacher
             be
             ordained
             ,
             there
             being
             but
             one
             Minister
             ,
             if
             Ministers
             of
             Neighbour
             Churches
             may
             not
             joyne
             also
             ?
             consider
             if
             they
             doe
             not
             fall
             into
             that
             which
             they
             complaine
             against
             in
             the
             Episcopacy
             ,
             namely
             for
             one
             man
             to
             have
             the
             sole
             power
             of
             Ordination
             :
             So
             that
             by
             all
             these
             particulars
             you
             may
             see
             the
             Assumption
             proved
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             III.
             
          
           
             T
             Is
             not
             to
             be
             thought
             that
             Christ
             would
             institute
             such
             a
             government
             of
             his
             Church
             which
             affords
             no
             helpe
             ,
             nor
             allowes
             no
             way
             or
             remedy
             ,
             no
             not
             for
             one
             time
             or
             
               prima
               vice
               ,
            
             for
             innocent
             persons
             that
             are
             wronged
             ,
             but
             where
             being
             no
             place
             for
             appeales
             the
             parties
             oppressing
             must
             be
             the
             sole
             Judges
             of
             the
             cause
             .
             It
             is
             counted
             an
             unequall
             ,
             unreasonable
             thing
             ,
             in
             governements
             ,
             that
             parties
             should
             be
             judges
             at
             all
             ,
             much
             lesse
             the
             sole
             ,
             and
             that
             there
             should
             be
             no
             way
             for
             persons
             oppressed
             to
             be
             righted
             .
             But
             now
             in
             this
             Independant
             Church
             Government
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             reliefe
             ,
             no
             not
             at
             first
             ,
             
             for
             injured
             persons
             ,
             nor
             way
             of
             appeale
             to
             others
             who
             be
             not
             parties
             to
             heare
             their
             cause
             and
             determine
             ;
             here
             onely
             parties
             are
             Judges
             and
             no
             others
             may
             be
             admitted
             :
             As
             for
             instance
             ,
             in
             one
             of
             their
             congregations
             ,
             the
             greatest
             number
             of
             that
             Church
             (
             as
             it
             doth
             and
             may
             oft
             fall
             out
             )
             is
             against
             the
             Pastor
             or
             Teacher
             ,
             and
             some
             other
             members
             upon
             a
             difference
             in
             some
             points
             of
             doctrine
             ,
             and
             being
             the
             greater
             number
             ,
             the
             Elders
             also
             taking
             part
             with
             them
             ,
             they
             proceed
             most
             unjustly
             to
             censures
             of
             deprivation
             and
             excommunication
             ;
             Now
             if
             all
             the
             power
             lye
             independantly
             in
             this
             particular
             Church
             ,
             so
             as
             there
             may
             be
             no
             other
             as
             Synods
             to
             appeale
             unto
             ,
             to
             heare
             the
             cause
             and
             right
             them
             ,
             this
             Minister
             and
             brethren
             thus
             censured
             must
             lye
             under
             these
             oppressions
             without
             all
             remedy
             ,
             and
             be
             debarred
             from
             the
             ordinances
             of
             Christ
             without
             helpe
             ;
             what
             remedy
             there
             is
             in
             such
             cases
             as
             this
             we
             desire
             them
             to
             shew
             us
             ,
             and
             that
             such
             cases
             as
             this
             may
             not
             ,
             and
             doe
             fall
             out
             ,
             cannot
             be
             denyed
             :
             Now
             that
             Christ
             should
             institute
             such
             a
             governement
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             where
             't
             is
             unlawfull
             for
             any
             but
             parties
             properly
             so
             termed
             to
             be
             sole
             Judges
             ,
             and
             where
             there
             is
             no
             possibility
             of
             redresse
             for
             the
             innocent
             in
             cases
             of
             injury
             which
             may
             and
             do
             ordinarily
             fall
             out
             ,
             is
             not
             a
             thing
             to
             be
             imagined
             by
             reasonable
             men
             ;
             t
             is
             spoken
             of
             by
             these
             men
             for
             a
             strange
             practise
             in
             the
             Bishops
             that
             they
             should
             be
             Judges
             in
             their
             owne
             cause
             and
             give
             votes
             in
             it
             (
             though
             yet
             there
             be
             besides
             them
             ,
             three
             times
             their
             number
             of
             voyces
             in
             the
             house
             of
             Lords
             )
             how
             much
             more
             unreasonable
             may
             they
             judge
             it
             in
             their
             way
             of
             Church
             governement
             ,
             where
             parties
             who
             are
             Judges
             be
             greater
             in
             number
             ,
             so
             that
             I
             may
             speake
             of
             the
             Independancy
             of
             their
             Congregations
             as
             
               Cameron
            
             speakes
             of
             the
             popular
             government
             of
             their
             Congregations
             
               *
            
             .
             It
             is
             not
             credible
             that
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             who
             is
             both
             King
             of
             Righteousnesse
             and
             King
             of
             Peace
             would
             have
             government
             to
             be
             in
             this
             way
             ,
             which
             hath
             no
             meanes
             nor
             way
             for
             Righteousnesse
             nor
             peace
             in
             his
             
             Church
             ;
             besides
             the
             practice
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Antioch
            
             (
             recorded
             in
             Scripture
             for
             our
             example
             )
             is
             against
             it
             ,
             and
             gives
             us
             ground
             for
             appeale
             to
             others
             out
             of
             that
             Church
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             have
             the
             parties
             the
             Judges
             ,
             
               Acts
            
             15.
             1
             ,
             2.
             because
             the
             dissention
             and
             disputation
             was
             betweene
             
               Paul
            
             and
             
               Barnabas
               ,
            
             and
             them
             of
             
               Judaea
               ,
            
             who
             taught
             Circumcision
             ;
             therefore
             ,
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Antioch
            
             thought
             it
             not
             fit
             that
             
               Paul
            
             and
             
               Barnabas
            
             should
             determine
             and
             end
             it
             ,
             but
             sent
             to
             others
             ,
             Apostles
             and
             Elders
             ,
             who
             were
             not
             parties
             against
             them
             of
             
               Judaea
               ,
            
             and
             they
             shall
             determine
             for
             them
             all
             :
             Else
             had
             not
             the
             dissention
             and
             disputation
             beene
             betweene
             
               Paul
            
             and
             
               Barnabas
               ,
            
             and
             certaine
             of
             
               Judaea
               ,
            
             and
             that
             in
             the
             particular
             Church
             of
             
               Antioch
               ,
            
             they
             were
             able
             to
             have
             determined
             it
             without
             sending
             to
             
               Jerusalem
               ,
            
             but
             the
             Church
             judged
             it
             unequall
             ,
             that
             they
             who
             were
             the
             parties
             in
             the
             controversie
             should
             be
             the
             Judges
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             IV.
             
          
           
             THe
             light
             and
             Law
             of
             Nature
             with
             right
             reason
             is
             against
             the
             Independancy
             of
             particular
             Churches
             ,
             dictating
             &
             leading
             us
             to
             dependancy
             ,
             a
             subordination
             and
             a
             consociation
             in
             government
             .
             In
             all
             societies
             and
             bodies
             it
             is
             thus
             by
             the
             dictates
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             it
             is
             found
             necessary
             amongst
             bodies
             naturall
             ,
             and
             bodies
             politicke
             ,
             that
             the
             severall
             parts
             and
             particular
             members
             doe
             joyne
             in
             one
             for
             the
             good
             of
             the
             whole
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             whole
             being
             greater
             then
             a
             part
             ,
             the
             severall
             parts
             should
             be
             subject
             to
             ,
             and
             ordered
             by
             the
             whole
             :
             as
             in
             a
             mans
             body
             ,
             the
             foote
             ,
             though
             it
             hath
             its
             proper
             use
             and
             operation
             ,
             is
             dressed
             ,
             lanched
             and
             ordered
             ,
             not
             by
             it selfe
             ,
             but
             by
             the
             hands
             and
             eyes
             :
             In
             Cities
             and
             great
             Townes
             ,
             though
             there
             be
             severall
             Companies
             who
             have
             Orders
             and
             Government
             among
             themselves
             in
             some
             particulars
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             in
             subordination
             ,
             and
             
             in
             a
             consociation
             with
             greater
             assemblies
             ,
             in
             more
             high
             and
             difficult
             cases
             for
             the
             preservation
             of
             the
             whole
             :
             In
             Common wealths
             and
             Kingdomes
             ,
             though
             severall
             Cities
             ,
             Townes
             ,
             Counties
             ,
             have
             Courts
             ,
             and
             their
             particular
             governments
             ,
             yet
             all
             these
             Courts
             are
             subordinated
             to
             higher
             ,
             and
             all
             these
             joyne
             and
             are
             consociated
             together
             in
             some
             chosen
             out
             of
             all
             ,
             as
             in
             Parliaments
             :
             In
             Schooles
             of
             learning
             there
             be
             severall
             Colledges
             and
             Houses
             who
             have
             Masters
             and
             Officers
             of
             their
             owne
             ,
             yet
             there
             is
             a
             consociation
             of
             the
             chiefe
             of
             all
             these
             ,
             for
             the
             government
             of
             the
             whole
             :
             In
             armies
             there
             be
             severall
             Companies
             and
             Regiments
             who
             have
             their
             distinct
             Captaines
             and
             Officers
             ,
             and
             yet
             upon
             great
             assaults
             ,
             exploits
             ,
             they
             are
             conjoyned
             all
             in
             one
             ,
             and
             have
             a
             councell
             of
             warre
             out
             of
             severall
             Regiments
             ,
             to
             advise
             and
             determine
             upon
             waighty
             occasions
             :
             Particular
             Shippes
             have
             their
             owne
             Masters
             ,
             and
             Pilots
             ,
             and
             provisions
             ,
             and
             yet
             all
             joyne
             into
             one
             Navy
             ,
             for
             the
             safety
             of
             the
             whole
             :
             At
             first
             Families
             had
             all
             power
             and
             governement
             within
             their
             owne
             walls
             ,
             but
             when
             they
             encreased
             (
             though
             Families
             have
             power
             still
             of
             correction
             ,
             food
             )
             yet
             they
             joyned
             to
             be
             governed
             by
             Magistrates
             ,
             and
             ruled
             in
             greater
             cases
             of
             life
             and
             death
             and
             goods
             :
             Why
             should
             not
             this
             hold
             then
             ,
             &
             be
             lawfull
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             in
             greater
             and
             waightier
             matters
             ?
             especially
             seeing
             themselves
             affirme
             that
             their
             Churches
             are
             Bodies
             ,
             Spirituall
             Corporations
             ,
             Cities
             ,
             Families
             ,
             Armyes
             .
             The
             Church
             is
             a
             most
             free
             Corporation
             Spirituall
             :
             
             and
             doe
             inferre
             many
             of
             their
             practices
             from
             this
             ,
             that
             their
             Churches
             are
             bodies
             and
             societies
             ,
             and
             therefore
             it
             must
             be
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             with
             Corporations
             ,
             and
             bodies
             Politicke
             ,
             they
             must
             choose
             their
             owne
             Ministers
             ,
             the
             Ministers
             can
             onely
             Preach
             authoritatively
             in
             their
             owne
             Congregation
             ,
             as
             the
             Magistrate
             of
             
               Leyden
            
             
             can
             onely
             administer
             his
             publicke
             Office
             at
             
               Leyden
               ,
            
             and
             not
             at
             
               Delph
               .
            
             Every
             particular
             member
             must
             enter
             into
             covenant
             with
             the
             Church
             ,
             when
             admitted
             a
             member
             ,
             
             because
             when
             men
             are
             admitted
             into
             a
             body
             ,
             or
             society
             civill
             ,
             they
             make
             not
             onely
             a
             Covenant
             ,
             but
             doe
             often
             adde
             thereto
             an
             Oath
             .
             Themselves
             teach
             also
             ,
             that
             as
             Church
             Discipline
             is
             to
             be
             learned
             from
             the
             plaine
             
             and
             perfect
             Word
             of
             God
             :
             so
             in
             such
             particulars
             as
             are
             common
             to
             the
             Church
             with
             other
             societies
             ,
             it
             is
             to
             be
             directed
             by
             the
             light
             of
             Nature
             ,
             the
             Church
             observing
             alwayes
             the
             generall
             Rules
             of
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             so
             this
             is
             brought
             as
             the
             maine
             ground
             for
             their
             Church
             covenant
             (
             though
             there
             be
             neither
             precept
             not
             practice
             
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             the
             Word
             )
             namely
             the
             Lawes
             and
             rules
             of
             Nature
             which
             doe
             run
             along
             with
             ,
             and
             are
             alike
             common
             to
             things
             Spirituall
             and
             Humane
             ,
             so
             farre
             as
             both
             are
             found
             to
             agree
             in
             one
             common
             nature
             together
             ,
             for
             as
             when
             God
             made
             speaking
             to
             men
             in
             a
             publique
             assembly
             (
             as
             is
             that
             of
             preaching
             or
             prophecying
             )
             a
             sacred
             Ordinance
             instantly
             did
             all
             the
             Lawes
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             right
             reason
             that
             serve
             to
             regulate
             and
             conveniently
             concurre
             to
             all
             orderly
             speeches
             and
             Orations
             of
             men
             in
             publique
             made
             ,
             they
             did
             all
             fall
             upon
             this
             Ordinance
             also
             ,
             as
             to
             speake
             aloud
             ,
             not
             to
             speake
             two
             or
             three
             at
             once
             ,
             &c.
             
             So
             say
             I
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             when
             God
             required
             governement
             and
             Discipline
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             those
             rules
             and
             practices
             of
             governments
             ,
             which
             according
             to
             the
             light
             of
             Nature
             and
             right
             reason
             are
             in
             common-wealthes
             and
             societies
             were
             warranted
             for
             the
             Discipline
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             especially
             the
             Church
             observing
             the
             generall
             rules
             of
             edification
             ,
             order
             ,
             peace
             ,
             &c.
             which
             Synods
             ,
             and
             Counsells
             apparently
             tend
             to
             ,
             so
             that
             I
             may
             affirme
             of
             dependancy
             (
             as
             is
             said
             by
             them
             of
             their
             Church
             covenant
             )
             it
             is
             so
             farre
             from
             being
             any
             thing
             above
             that
             which
             is
             written
             ,
             that
             it
             rather
             comes
             within
             the
             compasse
             of
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             it
             needed
             not
             at
             all
             to
             have
             beene
             written
             1
             
               Thes.
            
             4.
             9.
             
             Ye
             are
             taught
             of
             God
             in
             a
             Law
             Spiritualized
             ,
             who
             also
             hath
             full
             roundly
             taught
             us
             to
             acknowledge
             ,
             if
             we
             be
             spirituall
             ,
             yea
             but
             reasonable
             ,
             such
             dictates
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             right
             reason
             in
             
             things
             wherein
             Divine
             Ordinances
             and
             Humane
             doe
             alike
             partake
             in
             common
             ,
             to
             be
             no
             lesse
             then
             the
             commands
             of
             God
             .
             It
             is
             asserted
             by
             some
             Divines
             of
             
               Scotland
               ,
            
             that
             in
             all
             such
             things
             as
             are
             alike
             common
             to
             the
             
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             Common-wealth
             ,
             and
             have
             the
             same
             use
             in
             both
             ,
             whatsoever
             Natures
             light
             directeth
             the
             one
             ,
             it
             cannot
             but
             direct
             the
             other
             also
             ;
             for
             as
             the
             Church
             is
             a
             company
             of
             Christians
             subject
             to
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             so
             is
             it
             a
             company
             of
             men
             and
             women
             ,
             who
             are
             not
             the
             outlawes
             of
             Nature
             ,
             but
             followers
             of
             the
             same
             .
             
             And
             hence
             it
             is
             
               Amesius
            
             showes
             that
             the
             light
             of
             Nature
             requires
             ,
             that
             particular
             Churches
             may
             and
             ought
             to
             combine
             in
             Synods
             ,
             for
             things
             of
             greater
             moment
             :
             So
             then
             to
             conclude
             this
             reason
             ,
             and
             that
             
               ex
               concessis
               ,
            
             the
             God
             of
             Nature
             and
             Reason
             hath
             not
             left
             in
             his
             Word
             a
             governement
             against
             the
             light
             of
             Nature
             and
             right
             reason
             ,
             but
             such
             is
             the
             Independent
             Government
             ,
             as
             hath
             beene
             showne
             at
             large
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             V.
             
          
           
             THere
             be
             many
             Rules
             and
             Commands
             in
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             besides
             the
             equity
             and
             Analogy
             of
             some
             practises
             
             and
             examples
             which
             doe
             require
             the
             combination
             of
             Churches
             in
             Synods
             ,
             so
             
               Amesius
            
             confesses
             :
             The
             rules
             and
             commands
             be
             such
             as
             these
             ,
             
               Let
               all
               things
               be
               done
               to
               edification
               ,
               let
               all
               things
               be
               done
               decently
               ,
               and
               in
               Order
               ,
               1
               Cor.
               14.
               26.
               40.
               ver.
               Follow
               after
               the
               things
               which
               make
               for
               Peace
               ,
               Rom.
            
             14.
             19.
             
             So
             
               Philip
               .
               4.
               8.
               vers.
            
             Now
             if
             all
             things
             in
             the
             Churches
             must
             be
             done
             to
             edification
             ,
             comely
             ,
             and
             in
             order
             ,
             and
             for
             peace
             ,
             then
             certainely
             Church
             government
             must
             .
             But
             Synods
             are
             found
             to
             be
             for
             edification
             ,
             for
             Peace
             ,
             and
             order
             ,
             as
             things
             of
             good
             report
             and
             just
             ,
             as
             a
             speciall
             remedy
             for
             preventing
             ,
             and
             healing
             divisions
             ,
             which
             is
             not
             ,
             nor
             cannot
             be
             in
             the
             Independant
             Government
             ,
             but
             many
             cases
             fall
             
             out
             where
             there
             is
             no
             other
             remedy
             but
             separation
             ,
             separation
             being
             indeed
             the
             remedy
             of
             Separation
             .
             It
             is
             confessed
             by
             themselves
             that
             this
             is
             a
             safe
             and
             prudentiall
             way
             .
             Now
             a
             thing
             may
             be
             commanded
             by
             God
             two
             wayes
             ,
             either
             by
             vertue
             of
             a
             generall
             command
             ,
             or
             by
             vertue
             of
             a
             particular
             command
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             commanded
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             practised
             ,
             which
             is
             required
             by
             a
             generall
             precept
             as
             well
             as
             what
             is
             command
             by
             a
             particular
             ,
             and
             there
             are
             many
             particulars
             to
             be
             practised
             by
             vertue
             of
             a
             generall
             precept
             ,
             having
             no
             other
             foundation
             ,
             especially
             when
             they
             are
             found
             by
             common
             experience
             to
             be
             so
             .
             The
             practises
             and
             examples
             following
             ,
             are
             such
             as
             these
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               14.
               32.
               
               The
               spirits
               of
               the
               Prophets
               are
               subject
               to
               the
               Prophets
               :
            
             Now
             if
             the
             spirits
             of
             the
             Prophets
             in
             a
             particular
             Congregation
             ,
             must
             be
             subject
             to
             the
             censure
             of
             the
             rest
             in
             that
             Church
             ,
             then
             by
             way
             of
             equity
             and
             Analogy
             ,
             they
             are
             to
             be
             subjected
             to
             a
             greater
             company
             ,
             namely
             ,
             to
             the
             judgement
             of
             all
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             in
             a
             Province
             or
             Nation
             :
             Thus
             
               Paul
               ,
            
             though
             an
             Apostle
             ,
             seekes
             to
             win
             credit
             and
             obedience
             ,
             even
             to
             those
             Orders
             ,
             which
             hee
             established
             by
             the
             example
             and
             judgement
             of
             other
             Churches
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               14.
               33.
               1
               Cor.
            
             11.
             16.
             
             The
             equity
             of
             which
             is
             ,
             that
             the
             Orders
             agreed
             upon
             by
             the
             consent
             of
             many
             Churches
             ,
             are
             of
             great
             force
             and
             authority
             to
             bind
             :
             so
             
               Paul
               ,
            
             though
             an
             Apostle
             ,
             submitted
             to
             the
             practice
             of
             what
             was
             agreed
             upon
             by
             the
             common
             consent
             of
             
               James
               ,
            
             and
             all
             the
             Elders
             of
             
               Jerusalem
               ,
            
             (
             though
             in
             the
             practice
             of
             Jewish
             and
             legall
             ceremonies
             )
             
               Acts
            
             21.
             from
             the
             18.
             
               ver.
            
             to
             the
             27.
             
               ver.
            
             Thus
             in
             a
             case
             of
             great
             dissention
             ,
             and
             disputation
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Antioch
               ,
               Acts
               15.
               1
               ,
               2.
               ver.
            
             Why
             did
             that
             Church
             send
             to
             
               Jerusalem
            
             for
             resolution
             in
             that
             difficult
             case
             to
             be
             determined
             ,
             and
             bound
             by
             the
             decrees
             and
             Orders
             of
             the
             Apostles
             and
             Elders
             in
             that
             Synod
             ,
             and
             were
             not
             bound
             ,
             nor
             determined
             by
             their
             owne
             Church
             onely
             ?
             (
             especially
             having
             two
             such
             excellent
             men
             with
             them
             as
             
               Barnabas
            
             and
             
               Paul
               ,
            
             whose
             
             judgement
             they
             might
             have
             rested
             upon
             )
             Surely
             this
             was
             done
             for
             this
             end
             ,
             to
             teach
             us
             that
             divers
             Churches
             in
             difficult
             cases
             ought
             to
             meete
             by
             their
             Ministers
             and
             some
             choise
             men
             to
             determine
             of
             matters
             for
             those
             Churches
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Word
             ,
             to
             which
             all
             those
             Churches
             should
             submit
             .
             Neither
             will
             it
             helpe
             them
             to
             say
             this
             was
             extraordinary
             (
             for
             what
             Synod
             can
             say
             ,
             it
             seemeth
             good
             to
             us
             and
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             ?
             and
             those
             decrees
             bound
             them
             who
             were
             not
             present
             )
             Not
             to
             answer
             these
             exceptions
             now
             ,
             but
             reserving
             the
             answer
             to
             a
             larger
             Tractate
             upon
             this
             subject
             ;
             grant
             it
             that
             something
             in
             this
             Synod
             was
             singular
             and
             extraordinary
             ,
             yet
             this
             was
             not
             for
             one
             Church
             to
             send
             to
             another
             ,
             and
             that
             to
             their
             ordinary
             Officers
             the
             Elders
             ,
             
               Acts
               15.
               2.
               ver.
            
             to
             this
             end
             that
             by
             common
             consent
             difficult
             cases
             might
             be
             determined
             and
             enjoyned
             upon
             particular
             Churches
             by
             more
             than
             their
             owne
             Church
             ,
             for
             this
             must
             needs
             be
             Ordinary
             ,
             and
             so
             binding
             ,
             being
             an
             example
             founded
             upon
             rules
             of
             common
             equity
             ,
             reason
             ,
             and
             communion
             of
             Churches
             ,
             and
             not
             upon
             temporary
             or
             extraordinary
             grounds
             ,
             and
             that
             appeares
             thus
             (
             for
             unlesse
             it
             were
             to
             teach
             the
             succeeding
             Churches
             this
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             a
             ground
             for
             Synods
             ,
             and
             Dependancy
             in
             Government
             ,
             in
             cases
             of
             difference
             and
             difficulty
             ,
             there
             could
             be
             no
             other
             great
             use
             nor
             end
             of
             it
             ,
             for
             as
             for
             the
             satisfying
             of
             the
             question
             ,
             and
             resolving
             the
             case
             ,
             
               Paul
            
             alone
             being
             at
             
               Antioch
               ,
            
             one
             who
             was
             immediately
             and
             infallibly
             inspired
             by
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             was
             able
             of
             himselfe
             to
             have
             satisfyed
             that
             controversie
             about
             Circumcision
             ,
             much
             more
             
               Barnabas
            
             being
             with
             him
             and
             others
             in
             that
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             VI
             .
          
           
             THe
             Government
             of
             the
             Church
             by
             Synods
             ,
             is
             no where
             forbidden
             by
             God
             in
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             
             nor
             spoken
             against
             ,
             either
             directly
             ,
             or
             by
             consequence
             (
             as
             they
             say
             )
             is
             for
             one
             man
             to
             have
             the
             power
             ,
             
               Luk.
               22.
               25.
               26.
               ver.
            
             For
             though
             no
             one
             Minister
             ,
             as
             some
             say
             ,
             be
             greater
             than
             another
             ,
             yet
             all
             are
             greater
             than
             one
             or
             a
             few
             .
             In
             Synods
             here
             is
             no
             erecting
             or
             appointing
             of
             an
             Officer
             or
             office
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             which
             Christ
             hath
             not
             appointed
             
               (
               which
               is
               the
               exception
               made
               against
               Episcopacy
               )
            
             but
             here
             are
             onely
             the
             Officers
             appointed
             by
             Christ
             and
             that
             forme
             of
             government
             ,
             which
             is
             appointed
             by
             Christ
             in
             his
             Church
             ,
             namely
             ,
             
               Aristocraticall
               ,
            
             here
             is
             no
             varying
             of
             the
             forme
             of
             Church
             government
             from
             Aristocraticall
             to
             Monarchicall
             ;
             (
             as
             they
             speake
             of
             Episcopacy
             )
             but
             the
             government
             by
             Synods
             is
             most
             Aristocraticall
             ,
             whereas
             the
             Independant
             way
             for
             the
             most
             part
             is
             but
             onely
             Oligarchicall
             ,
             having
             but
             a
             few
             Officers
             in
             a
             Church
             ,
             or
             else
             Democraticall
             ,
             if
             put
             into
             the
             body
             of
             the
             Congregation
             :
             now
             where
             there
             is
             no
             Law
             forbidding
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             transgression
             ,
             for
             sinne
             is
             a
             transgression
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             1
             
               John
            
             3.
             4.
             
             And
             such
             actions
             the
             Church
             may
             lawfully
             doe
             ,
             wherein
             no
             Law
             of
             God
             is
             broken
             ,
             as
             is
             confessed
             by
             themselves
             ,
             in
             the
             fifth
             Argument
             of
             
               Syons
            
             Prerogative
             .
             But
             here
             is
             no
             Law
             broke
             ,
             
             this
             never
             being
             spoken
             against
             ,
             nor
             liable
             to
             those
             exceptions
             put
             in
             by
             them
             against
             Episcopacy
             ,
             but
             found
             agreeable
             to
             the
             Law
             and
             light
             of
             Nature
             concerning
             societies
             ,
             to
             generall
             rules
             in
             the
             word
             of
             edification
             ,
             order
             ,
             peace
             ,
             purenesse
             ,
             lovelinesse
             ,
             &c.
             to
             examples
             also
             and
             practises
             in
             Scripture
             ;
             and
             what
             though
             there
             be
             not
             an
             expresse
             precept
             or
             a
             command
             in
             
               terminis
            
             for
             it
             ,
             yet
             not
             being
             against
             Scriptures
             but
             so
             agreeable
             to
             it
             (
             as
             appeares
             by
             all
             before
             said
             )
             no
             sober
             godly
             Minister
             or
             Christian
             should
             refuse
             Communion
             with
             a
             Church
             or
             submission
             to
             it
             ,
             and
             go
             and
             set
             up
             a
             Church
             ,
             against
             a
             Church
             ,
             and
             foment
             a
             schisme
             for
             that
             :
             for
             if
             they
             will
             doe
             so
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             goe
             upon
             generall
             rules
             ,
             equity
             of
             Examples
             ,
             light
             of
             Nature
             and
             reason
             ,
             they
             must
             forsake
             being
             fixed
             members
             of
             any
             particular
             congregation
             ,
             
             and
             forsake
             all
             Churches
             in
             the
             Independant
             way
             ,
             and
             professedly
             joyne
             themselves
             to
             no
             Assembly
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             Instituted
             worship
             ,
             because
             they
             must
             practice
             as
             great
             matters
             concerning
             externall
             government
             and
             worship
             of
             what
             ever
             Church
             or
             government
             they
             be
             of
             ,
             as
             this
             is
             ;
             namely
             the
             Association
             of
             Churches
             .
             Let
             them
             produce
             a
             particular
             word
             for
             the
             order
             of
             Gods
             Worship
             ,
             what
             must
             be
             performed
             first
             ,
             what
             second
             ,
             what
             third
             ,
             what
             fourth
             ,
             and
             so
             of
             the
             rest
             ,
             and
             that
             no
             ordinance
             nor
             part
             of
             Worship
             may
             be
             in
             another
             Order
             ;
             Let
             them
             (
             if
             they
             can
             )
             show
             a
             particular
             Word
             or
             rule
             in
             the
             New
             Testament
             for
             their
             Church
             covenant
             (
             which
             yet
             is
             an
             essentiall
             point
             ,
             namely
             ,
             the
             forme
             of
             the
             Church
             )
             let
             them
             produce
             what
             is
             required
             in
             the
             word
             particularly
             ,
             as
             the
             forme
             of
             excommunication
             ,
             or
             as
             the
             forme
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             let
             them
             set
             downe
             the
             outward
             worship
             and
             gesture
             of
             the
             externall
             reverence
             which
             must
             be
             used
             ,
             and
             no
             other
             way
             ,
             in
             the
             severall
             Ordinances
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             Word
             ,
             Prayer
             ,
             singing
             of
             Psalmes
             ,
             reading
             Scriptures
             ,
             Baptisme
             ,
             Lords
             Supper
             ,
             Excommunication
             ,
             which
             if
             they
             cannot
             (
             as
             we
             know
             they
             are
             not
             able
             ,
             neither
             in
             these
             nor
             many
             other
             things
             which
             may
             be
             named
             )
             let
             them
             then
             learne
             that
             many
             things
             in
             government
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             have
             but
             generall
             rules
             with
             equity
             of
             practices
             ,
             and
             if
             they
             will
             not
             joyne
             ,
             nor
             have
             to
             doe
             in
             Church
             Government
             ,
             and
             Discipline
             ,
             till
             they
             have
             particular
             commands
             to
             walke
             thus
             and
             no
             otherwise
             ,
             they
             shall
             stay
             long
             enough
             ,
             and
             be
             of
             no
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             VII
             .
          
           
             THis
             consociation
             and
             combination
             in
             way
             of
             Synods
             is
             granted
             by
             themselves
             ,
             as
             lawfull
             and
             expedient
             in
             sundry
             cases
             and
             particulars
             .
             As
             that
             one
             Church
             being
             required
             ,
             ought
             to
             give
             an
             account
             to
             
             others
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             content
             that
             matters
             of
             difference
             and
             importance
             should
             be
             heard
             by
             other
             Churches
             ,
             as
             also
             to
             be
             advised
             and
             counselled
             by
             other
             Churches
             ,
             to
             have
             also
             doctrines
             that
             are
             questionable
             ,
             tryed
             ,
             and
             judged
             of
             by
             Synods
             ,
             to
             be
             admonished
             ,
             and
             to
             be
             reproved
             also
             in
             case
             they
             deserve
             it
             ;
             and
             in
             case
             they
             will
             not
             amend
             ,
             and
             reforme
             ,
             upon
             admonitions
             and
             reproofes
             of
             Synods
             and
             Assemblies
             ,
             then
             they
             are
             to
             be
             complained
             of
             to
             the
             Civill
             Magistrate
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             doe
             his
             duty
             :
             For
             this
             see
             Christ
             on
             his
             Throne
             ,
             
               vid.
               pag.
               32.
               examin.
            
             of
             
               Prelat
               .
               petition
               .
               Sions
               Prerog.
               pag.
               63.
               
               Protest
               .
            
             protested
             .
             Now
             I
             desire
             them
             to
             satisfie
             me
             in
             their
             answers
             they
             give
             to
             these
             Reasons
             ,
             what
             grounds
             they
             have
             in
             Scriptures
             for
             these
             Practices
             ;
             for
             Ministers
             and
             Elders
             of
             severall
             Churches
             to
             meet
             together
             in
             greater
             Assemblies
             ,
             to
             heare
             the
             matters
             of
             a
             particular
             Church
             ,
             to
             try
             and
             judge
             Doctrines
             ,
             to
             admonish
             and
             reprove
             ,
             and
             to
             complaine
             ,
             and
             that
             matters
             may
             with
             common
             advise
             and
             consent
             ,
             be
             agreed
             upon
             ,
             for
             those
             Churches
             ,
             excepting
             onely
             generall
             rules
             and
             commands
             with
             the
             equity
             and
             Analogie
             of
             examples
             ;
             so
             that
             if
             these
             Acts
             and
             Workes
             may
             be
             done
             lawfully
             ,
             then
             the
             judging
             and
             determining
             of
             censures
             and
             the
             imposition
             of
             Orders
             and
             Decrees
             ,
             may
             be
             warrantable
             ,
             especially
             considering
             that
             the
             example
             of
             the
             Synod
             at
             
               Jerusalem
               ,
            
             ordained
             those
             decrees
             for
             to
             be
             kept
             of
             the
             Churches
             ,
             
               Act.
               16.
               ver.
            
             4.
             
             So
             that
             there
             was
             not
             onely
             discussion
             ,
             disputation
             ,
             common
             agreement
             ,
             but
             imposition
             of
             them
             ,
             besides
             these
             acts
             (
             which
             you
             grant
             )
             some
             of
             them
             be
             Acts
             of
             Power
             and
             government
             ,
             other
             of
             these
             Acts
             are
             Church
             censures
             ,
             as
             publicke
             reproving
             and
             admonition
             upon
             complaint
             ,
             and
             accusations
             ;
             as
             appeares
             by
             the
             1
             
               Tim.
               5.
               20.
               
               Mat.
               18.
               ver.
            
             15
             ,
             16
             ,
             17.
             
             So
             
               Amesius
            
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             the
             parts
             of
             Discipline
             are
             brotherly
             correction
             and
             excommunication
             :
             neither
             doth
             Discipline
             consist
             onely
             ,
             or
             chiefely
             in
             the
             thunder-bolt
             of
             excommunications
             ,
             
             but
             chiefely
             in
             Christian
             correction
             ,
             and
             
             full
             excomunication
             is
             not
             to
             be
             exercised
             ,
             unlesse
             to
             the
             sinne
             there
             be
             added
             contumacy
             .
             And
             so
             admonitions
             and
             reproofes
             upon
             complaints
             ,
             are
             held
             Church
             censures
             ,
             by
             themselves
             .
             Now
             then
             if
             Officers
             of
             other
             Congregations
             with
             their
             owne
             Officers
             may
             exercise
             these
             censures
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             is
             the
             chiefe
             part
             of
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             if
             members
             of
             other
             Churches
             ought
             by
             the
             Law
             of
             Communion
             of
             Churches
             to
             seeke
             advise
             ,
             helpe
             ,
             and
             to
             submit
             to
             admonitions
             and
             reproofes
             ,
             so
             as
             there
             may
             be
             good
             by
             them
             ,
             then
             also
             may
             they
             submit
             to
             the
             decreeing
             of
             Excommunications
             by
             Synods
             :
             for
             if
             discipline
             may
             be
             lawfully
             exercised
             in
             that
             wherein
             it
             chiefely
             consists
             ,
             as
             admonitions
             and
             reproofes
             by
             Officers
             of
             other
             Churches
             ,
             towards
             members
             of
             such
             a
             congregation
             ,
             then
             may
             it
             also
             be
             exercised
             in
             that
             wherein
             it
             lesse
             consists
             ,
             and
             in
             this
             you
             are
             no
             more
             subject
             in
             conscience
             to
             a
             humane
             Ordinance
             ,
             then
             you
             are
             in
             publicke
             admonitions
             and
             reproofes
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             VIII
             .
          
           
             THey
             doe
             grant
             and
             confesse
             that
             Churches
             of
             such
             a
             Communion
             and
             association
             ,
             if
             upon
             complaints
             of
             false
             Doctrines
             ,
             and
             evill
             Discipline
             ,
             made
             to
             Synods
             and
             Classes
             ,
             the
             Synods
             and
             classes
             convincing
             a
             Church
             of
             their
             errors
             ,
             admonishing
             ,
             and
             councelling
             them
             to
             reforme
             and
             to
             censure
             the
             obstinate
             persons
             among
             them
             ;
             if
             after
             all
             this
             they
             shall
             persist
             and
             goe
             on
             ,
             that
             then
             all
             these
             Churches
             ought
             to
             withdraw
             from
             them
             ,
             renounce
             communion
             and
             fellowship
             with
             them
             ,
             cast
             them
             off
             ,
             and
             declare
             so
             much
             to
             their
             severall
             Congregations
             ;
             Now
             I
             would
             know
             of
             them
             (
             avoyding
             strife
             about
             names
             ,
             words
             ,
             and
             formes
             of
             Excommunication
             )
             what
             is
             excommunication
             ,
             but
             this
             ?
             what
             is
             it
             to
             excommunicate
             ,
             or
             to
             be
             excommunicated
             ;
             but
             to
             reject
             persons
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             have
             communion
             with
             them
             ,
             neither
             
             in
             holy
             nor
             civill
             things
             familiarly
             ?
             for
             proofe
             of
             which
             ,
             see
             these
             places
             .
             
               Matth.
               18.
               v.
               17.
               
               If
               he
               neglect
               to
               heare
               the
               Church
               ,
               let
               him
               be
               unto
               thee
               as
               a
               Heathen
               or
               Publican
               .
            
             Which
             words
             are
             understood
             by
             all
             men
             that
             would
             found
             Discipline
             upon
             this
             place
             ,
             to
             be
             meant
             of
             excommunication
             .
             So
             2
             
               Thes.
               3.
               v.
               6.
               14
               ,
               &
            
             15.
             
             They
             are
             both
             understood
             of
             excommunication
             ,
             and
             they
             are
             expressed
             by
             keeping
             no
             company
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             by
             withdrawing
             communion
             from
             them
             ;
             So
             that
             if
             Officers
             and
             Churches
             may
             doe
             this
             lawfully
             ,
             then
             they
             may
             excommunicate
             members
             of
             other
             Congregations
             .
             So
             
               Tit.
               3.
               v.
            
             10.
             
             Excommunication
             is
             expressed
             under
             rejecting
             :
             so
             that
             our
             Independant
             Brethren
             should
             not
             upon
             word
             or
             names
             ,
             make
             so
             great
             a
             stirre
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             maintaine
             a
             controversie
             ,
             even
             to
             separated
             Assemblies
             ▪
             when
             they
             doe
             yeeld
             the
             substance
             ;
             hence
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             one
             of
             them
             in
             that
             late
             Protestation
             Protested
             (
             meaning
             ,
             I
             suppose
             ,
             no
             other
             than
             his
             fellowes
             )
             plainely
             uses
             the
             word
             Excommunicate
             ,
             which
             was
             not
             without
             a
             providence
             to
             make
             them
             yeeld
             to
             the
             Truth
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             the
             thing
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             very
             name
             and
             terme
             .
          
           
             Many
             other
             Reasons
             against
             Independancy
             I
             could
             subjoyne
             to
             these
             ,
             as
             that
             this
             overthrowes
             Communion
             of
             Saints
             ,
             as
             the
             impossibility
             of
             this
             Government
             to
             any
             Christian
             Common-wealth
             or
             Nation
             ,
             &c.
             
             Besides
             the
             taking
             of
             all
             their
             evasions
             to
             these
             Reasons
             ,
             (
             which
             I
             easily
             know
             and
             foresee
             )
             as
             also
             ,
             an
             answer
             to
             all
             their
             arguments
             and
             reasons
             for
             Independancy
             :
             But
             intending
             this
             onely
             for
             a
             light
             skirmish
             ,
             before
             I
             draw
             up
             my
             Forces
             to
             the
             maine
             Battell
             ,
             and
             sending
             this
             forth
             but
             (
             as
             a
             Scout
             )
             to
             discover
             the
             strength
             or
             weakenesse
             of
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             I
             will
             adde
             no
             more
             ,
             onely
             that
             I
             doe
             not
             feare
             but
             that
             these
             few
             Souldiers
             will
             be
             able
             to
             returne
             againe
             alive
             ,
             and
             unwounded
             ,
             and
             be
             able
             to
             doe
             more
             service
             when
             they
             shall
             be
             joyned
             with
             others
             ,
             and
             formed
             into
             
               Battalio
               .
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           Reasons
           Against
           A
           Toleration
           of
           some
           Independant
           
             CHVRCHES
          
           IN
           ENGLAND
           .
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             I.
             
          
           
             THough
             the
             Scriptures
             speake
             much
             for
             tolerating
             and
             bearing
             one
             with
             another
             in
             many
             things
             ,
             both
             in
             matters
             of
             opinion
             and
             practice
             ,
             as
             these
             places
             testifie
             ,
             
               Rom.
               14.
               1
               ,
               2
               ,
               3.
               5.
               
               &
               13
               ,
               14.
               verses
               .
               Rom.
               15.
               1
               ,
               2.
               7.
               ver.
               Ephes.
               4.
               2
               ,
               3.
               ver.
               Phil.
               3.
               15
               ,
               16.
               ver.
            
             yet
             when
             differences
             come
             either
             to
             heresie
             or
             schismes
             ,
             and
             points
             be
             maintained
             by
             men
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             trouble
             and
             disturbe
             the
             Church
             ,
             then
             the
             Scriptures
             are
             expresse
             against
             their
             Toleration
             and
             sufferance
             ,
             requiring
             them
             who
             have
             power
             ,
             to
             hinder
             it
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             seene
             ,
             
               Rev.
               2.
               20.
               
               I
               have
               a
               few
               things
               against
               
               thee
               ,
               because
               thou
               sufferest
               that
               Woman
               Jesabel
               ,
               which
               calleth
               her selfe
               a
               Prophetesse
               to
               teach
               ,
               and
               to
               seduce
               my
               Servants
               .
               1
               Tim.
               1.
               3.
               
               Timothie
               must
               charge
               some
               in
               Ephesus
               to
               teach
               no
               other
               Doctrine
               .
               Tit.
            
             1.
             10.
             
             Men
             who
             are
             unruly
             ,
             and
             subvert
             whole
             Houses
             ,
             teaching
             things
             that
             they
             ought
             not
             ,
             for
             filthy
             lucres
             sake
             ,
             their
             mouthes
             must
             be
             stopped
             .
             
               Tit.
               3.
               10.
               
               Titus
            
             must
             
               reject
               a
               man
               that
               is
               an
               Hereticke
               after
               the
               first
               and
               second
               admonition
               .
               Rom
               ,
               16.
               ver.
               17.
               
               Paul
            
             presses
             upon
             the
             
               Romans
            
             by
             earnest
             beseeching
             to
             
               Marke
               them
               which
               cause
               divisions
               and
               offences
               ,
               contrary
               to
               the
               Doctrine
               which
               ye
               have
               learned
               ,
               and
               avoid
               them
               ,
            
             (
             which
             is
             far
             from
             tolerating
             them
             .
             )
             So
             
               Paul
            
             writes
             to
             the
             
               Galathians
            
             of
             some
             who
             troubled
             their
             Church
             ,
             affirming
             
               Galath.
               5.
               10.
               12.
               
               That
               he
               who
               troubleth
               you
               shall
               beare
               his
               judgement
               whosoever
               he
               be
               :
               And
               I
               would
               they
               were
               even
               cut
               off
               which
               trouble
               you
               .
            
             On
             which
             words
             
               Pareus
            
             gives
             the
             Exposition
             ,
             
               That
               to
               beare
               judgement
               ,
               is
               to
               be
               punished
               ,
               that
               is
               ,
            
             
             
               troublers
               and
               disturbers
               of
               a
               Church
               and
               people
               ,
               shall
               be
               punished
               first
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               then
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               as
               also
               of
               the
               Magistrate
               ;
               and
               on
               the
               12.
               verse
               :
               Paul
               wishes
               they
               were
               cut
               off
               from
               the
               Church
               ,
               which
               rend
               the
               Church
               about
               circumcision
               ,
               who
               trouble
               and
               disturbe
               both
               the
               outward
               peace
               of
               the
            
             
             
               Church
               ,
               as
               also
               your
               faith
               and
               consciences
               :
            
             So
             
               Calvin
               ,
               on
               these
               two
               verses
               ,
               10.
               
               &
            
             12.
             speakes
             thus
             :
             
               But
               let
               them
               heare
               whoever
               give
               occasion
               of
               troubles
               to
               the
               Churches
               ,
               who
               loosen
               the
               unity
               of
               the
               Faith
               ,
               who
               breake
               peace
               ,
               and
               if
               they
               have
               any
               right
               understanding
               ,
               let
               them
               tremble
               at
               this
               ,
               for
               God
               doth
               pronounce
               by
               the
               mouth
               of
               Paul
               ,
               that
               no
               Authors
               of
               such
               offences
               shall
               be
               unpunished
               .
               They
               teare
               and
               rend
               the
               Church
               about
               Circumcision
               ,
               I
               would
               have
               them
               to
               be
               cut
               off
               ▪
               neither
               can
               this
               be
               condemned
               of
               cruelty
               ,
               as
               if
               it
               were
               against
               Charity
               ,
               for
               if
               we
               compare
               the
               Church
               with
               one
               man
               ,
               or
               a
               few
               ,
               how
               farre
               doth
               that
               outwaigh
               ?
               for
               it
               is
               cruell
               mercy
               ,
               which
               preferres
               one
               man
               ,
               or
               a
               few
               ,
               before
               the
               Church
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             Now
             the
             Toleration
             desired
             ,
             to
             set
             up
             Churches
             independant
             ,
             and
             separated
             from
             the
             Churches
             in
             the
             Kingdome
             ,
             it
             is
             in
             it selfe
             a
             schisme
             ,
             a
             rent
             ,
             and
             a
             troubling
             ,
             disturbing
             
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             so
             it
             will
             prove
             more
             and
             more
             ,
             (
             and
             cannot
             be
             avoided
             ,
             according
             to
             their
             principles
             and
             practices
             hitherto
             )
             a
             daily
             schisme
             and
             rent
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             an
             infinite
             disturbance
             ,
             both
             to
             the
             outward
             peace
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             faith
             and
             consciences
             of
             the
             people
             in
             this
             Kingdome
             .
             The
             Church
             of
             
               England
            
             will
             be
             as
             much
             troubled
             by
             it
             ,
             as
             ever
             was
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Galatia
               ,
            
             which
             will
             appeare
             more
             fully
             in
             the
             following
             Reasons
             .
             And
             therefore
             there
             ought
             to
             be
             no
             Toleration
             ;
             every
             one
             in
             their
             place
             ought
             to
             be
             against
             it
             ,
             the
             Magistrates
             ,
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             People
             .
             The
             permitting
             and
             suffering
             of
             evill
             ,
             with
             the
             giving
             of
             any
             countenance
             to
             it
             ,
             when
             men
             have
             power
             to
             hinder
             it
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             partakers
             of
             their
             sinne
             ,
             1
             
               Tim.
            
             5.
             22.
             the
             second
             Epistle
             of
             
               John
               ,
            
             the
             11.
             
               verse
               .
               Qui
               non
               prohibet
               ,
               quando
               protest
               ,
               jubet
               .
            
             Hee
             that
             doth
             not
             forbid
             when
             he
             hath
             power
             ,
             commands
             .
             And
             let
             me
             aske
             the
             Independant
             Ministers
             a
             question
             or
             two
             ;
             Is
             it
             fitting
             that
             well
             meaning
             Christians
             should
             be
             suffered
             to
             goe
             and
             make
             Churches
             ,
             and
             then
             proceed
             to
             chuse
             whom
             they
             will
             for
             Ministers
             ,
             as
             some
             Taylor
             ,
             Felt-maker
             ,
             Button-maker
             ,
             men
             ignorant
             ,
             and
             low
             in
             parts
             ,
             by
             whom
             they
             shall
             be
             led
             into
             sinne
             and
             errors
             ,
             and
             to
             forsake
             the
             publicke
             assemblies
             ,
             where
             they
             may
             enjoy
             worthy
             and
             pretious
             Pastors
             ,
             after
             Gods
             owne
             heart
             ,
             who
             would
             feed
             them
             with
             knowledge
             and
             understanding
             ?
             If
             once
             there
             be
             a
             Toleration
             of
             Churches
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             thus
             ,
             but
             if
             they
             be
             hindered
             of
             all
             meetings
             ,
             this
             would
             be
             prevented
             .
             So
             heresies
             also
             may
             take
             and
             spread
             in
             those
             separated
             assemblies
             ,
             before
             they
             can
             be
             knowne
             to
             the
             Magistrates
             and
             Ministers
             of
             other
             Churches
             .
             Do
             not
             your
             hearts
             bleed
             within
             you
             to
             see
             and
             heare
             of
             this
             for
             the
             present
             in
             severall
             places
             ,
             and
             to
             thinke
             what
             will
             be
             hereafter
             ?
             O
             mine
             doth
             ,
             and
             thus
             if
             once
             there
             were
             a
             Toleration
             ,
             how
             many
             weake
             Brethren
             would
             perish
             for
             whom
             Christ
             dyed
             ?
          
        
         
         
           
             Reason
             .
             II.
             
          
           
             THe
             toleration
             desired
             will
             not
             helpe
             to
             heale
             the
             Schismes
             and
             tents
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             (
             which
             is
             one
             speciall
             thing
             ought
             to
             be
             looked
             unto
             in
             this
             present
             reformation
             of
             the
             Church
             )
             but
             will
             much
             foment
             and
             encrease
             it
             .
             For
             whilst
             some
             congregations
             ,
             and
             they
             accounted
             of
             note
             both
             for
             ministers
             and
             people
             ,
             will
             not
             submit
             to
             the
             reformation
             and
             government
             setled
             by
             Law
             ,
             this
             will
             breed
             in
             the
             peoples
             mindes
             many
             thoughts
             
               Ex
               natura
               rei
               ,
            
             that
             this
             Church
             and
             government
             is
             not
             ordered
             according
             to
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             is
             unlawfull
             ;
             else
             why
             should
             such
             men
             most
             eminent
             for
             gifts
             and
             graces
             ,
             (
             as
             many
             people
             account
             them
             )
             refuse
             to
             conforme
             to
             it
             ?
             and
             this
             will
             prove
             as
             great
             and
             as
             continued
             a
             division
             betweene
             the
             ministers
             and
             people
             of
             the
             Churches
             established
             by
             Law
             ,
             and
             the
             Churches
             tolerated
             ,
             as
             ever
             was
             betweene
             Conformists
             and
             Non-conformists
             about
             Ceremonies
             ;
             nay
             greater
             ,
             because
             these
             are
             of
             different
             Churches
             &
             Congregations
             ,
             whereas
             Conformists
             and
             non-conformists
             held
             communion
             together
             in
             one
             Church
             ,
             though
             contending
             about
             these
             matters
             ;
             and
             that
             this
             will
             certainly
             be
             ,
             may
             be
             easily
             beleeved
             and
             foreseene
             upon
             these
             grounds
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Because
             many
             of
             the
             people
             who
             yet
             be
             not
             in
             this
             Church
             way
             for
             their
             practise
             ,
             are
             yet
             much
             possessed
             with
             these
             principles
             of
             the
             Independant
             way
             ,
             as
             the
             onely
             way
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             are
             much
             looking
             towards
             it
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             mindes
             of
             multitudes
             of
             the
             professors
             in
             
               England
               ,
            
             and
             especially
             in
             this
             City
             ,
             are
             upon
             all
             occasions
             very
             apt
             to
             fall
             to
             any
             way
             in
             Doctrine
             or
             Discipline
             that
             is
             not
             commonly
             received
             by
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             accounting
             some
             singular
             perfection
             to
             be
             in
             that
             which
             is
             new
             ,
             and
             held
             but
             by
             a
             few
             .
          
           
           
             3.
             
             Though
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Congregations
             tolerated
             ,
             would
             promise
             not
             to
             preach
             of
             these
             points
             in
             publicke
             ,
             nor
             in
             private
             to
             speake
             of
             them
             ,
             (
             which
             yet
             they
             will
             not
             be
             tyed
             unto
             )
             yet
             their
             people
             many
             of
             them
             both
             men
             and
             women
             ,
             are
             so
             strangely
             bold
             ,
             pragmaticall
             ,
             and
             so
             highly
             conceited
             of
             their
             way
             (
             as
             the
             Kingdome
             of
             Christ
             and
             the
             onely
             way
             of
             Christ
             )
             that
             what
             out
             of
             those
             principles
             ,
             and
             what
             by
             vertue
             of
             their
             relations
             in
             friendship
             ,
             kindred
             ,
             &c.
             there
             would
             be
             continuall
             drawing
             of
             many
             ,
             and
             many
             falling
             to
             them
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             prime
             principles
             of
             this
             Church
             way
             ,
             as
             namely
             independancie
             ,
             liberty
             ,
             power
             ,
             of
             government
             and
             rule
             to
             be
             in
             the
             people
             ,
             are
             mighty
             pleasing
             to
             flesh
             and
             blood
             ;
             people
             generally
             ,
             chiefely
             meane
             persons
             ,
             and
             such
             who
             have
             beene
             kept
             under
             ,
             affecting
             Independancie
             ,
             Liberty
             ,
             Power
             ,
             and
             Rule
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             The
             grant
             of
             a
             toleration
             will
             be
             made
             use
             of
             by
             them
             for
             the
             strengthning
             of
             their
             way
             to
             be
             the
             truth
             ;
             and
             will
             be
             interpreted
             in
             this
             sense
             ,
             that
             they
             had
             such
             grounds
             and
             reasons
             ,
             as
             the
             ablest
             Ministers
             in
             the
             Kingdome
             could
             not
             answer
             ,
             and
             therefore
             were
             content
             they
             should
             have
             a
             toleration
             ,
             (
             else
             if
             they
             could
             have
             satisfied
             them
             ,
             what
             needed
             a
             toleration
             ?
             )
             onely
             though
             they
             could
             not
             answer
             their
             Reasons
             ,
             and
             had
             nothing
             to
             say
             ,
             yet
             they
             would
             not
             come
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             this
             will
             be
             spoken
             of
             by
             their
             followers
             ,
             that
             we
             would
             not
             bee
             convinced
             ,
             though
             we
             could
             say
             nothing
             against
             it
             :
             all
             which
             will
             (
             as
             a
             meanes
             to
             encrease
             their
             side
             )
             occasion
             continuall
             strifes
             ,
             divisions
             ,
             heart-burnings
             both
             of
             Ministers
             against
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             people
             against
             people
             ,
             so
             that
             in
             stead
             of
             Union
             and
             peace
             in
             the
             Kingdome
             and
             Church
             ,
             we
             shall
             have
             notwithstanding
             all
             reformation
             ,
             a
             greater
             division
             and
             rent
             succeede
             than
             ever
             before
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Reason
             .
             III.
             
          
           
             THis
             toleration
             will
             not
             onely
             breede
             Divisions
             and
             Schismes
             ,
             disturbing
             the
             peace
             and
             quiet
             of
             Churches
             and
             Townes
             ,
             by
             setting
             them
             who
             are
             of
             different
             families
             ,
             and
             in
             more
             remote
             relations
             one
             against
             another
             ,
             but
             it
             will
             undoubtedly
             cause
             much
             disturbance
             ,
             discontent
             ,
             and
             divisions
             in
             the
             same
             families
             even
             betweene
             the
             nearest
             relations
             of
             husbands
             and
             wives
             ,
             Fathers
             and
             children
             ,
             brothers
             and
             sisters
             ,
             Masters
             and
             Servants
             :
             The
             husband
             being
             of
             one
             Church
             ,
             &
             the
             wife
             of
             another
             ;
             the
             father
             of
             one
             ,
             &
             the
             childe
             of
             another
             ;
             the
             master
             of
             the
             Church
             established
             by
             Law
             ,
             the
             servant
             of
             the
             tolerated
             ;
             one
             brother
             of
             one
             Church
             ,
             and
             another
             brother
             of
             another
             ;
             and
             so
             all
             Oeconomicall
             relations
             and
             duties
             will
             be
             much
             disturbed
             ,
             when
             as
             they
             of
             one
             house
             ,
             and
             they
             in
             one
             bed
             shall
             be
             so
             divided
             ,
             as
             that
             they
             shall
             not
             be
             of
             one
             Church
             ,
             nor
             worship
             God
             together
             in
             Word
             ,
             Sacraments
             ,
             Prayer
             ,
             but
             apart
             .
             O
             how
             will
             this
             overthrow
             all
             peace
             and
             quiet
             in
             families
             ,
             filling
             husbands
             and
             wives
             with
             discontents
             ,
             and
             setting
             at
             variance
             Fathers
             and
             children
             ,
             each
             against
             other
             ,
             weakning
             that
             fervent
             love
             in
             those
             relations
             !
             O
             how
             will
             this
             occasion
             disobedience
             ,
             contempt
             ,
             neglects
             of
             Governours
             from
             the
             inferiors
             of
             the
             family
             ,
             whilst
             the
             Governours
             be
             looked
             upon
             by
             them
             ,
             as
             not
             in
             a
             true
             Church
             !
             O
             how
             will
             this
             toleration
             take
             away
             (
             for
             every
             Saint
             must
             bee
             free
             to
             joyne
             himselfe
             voluntarily
             to
             what
             congregation
             he
             please
             )
             that
             power
             ,
             authority
             ,
             which
             God
             hath
             given
             the
             husbands
             ,
             fathers
             ,
             and
             masters
             ,
             overwives
             ,
             children
             ,
             servants
             ;
             whilst
             that
             they
             shall
             joyne
             against
             their
             wills
             to
             such
             Churches
             ,
             and
             be
             stollen
             from
             them
             against
             their
             pleasure
             :
             nei●her
             can
             the
             Governours
             be
             able
             to
             judge
             of
             their
             pro●●
             in
             the
             Word
             ,
             nor
             be
             certaine
             they
             sanctifie
             the
             Lords
             day
             (
             according
             as
             God
             hath
             
             layd
             the
             charge
             upon
             them
             in
             the
             fourth
             Commandement
             )
             when
             as
             the
             children
             and
             servants
             are
             of
             other
             Churches
             ;
             so
             that
             by
             these
             and
             many
             other
             things
             which
             will
             be
             found
             in
             experience
             ,
             this
             toleration
             will
             pervert
             ,
             disturbe
             ,
             that
             Order
             of
             Gods
             owne
             appointing
             ,
             namely
             the
             relations
             ,
             duties
             ,
             and
             workes
             of
             families
             ,
             which
             were
             there
             nothing
             else
             to
             be
             sayd
             against
             it
             ,
             this
             were
             enough
             ,
             God
             certainely
             appointing
             no
             such
             Church
             way●●s
             is
             crosse
             to
             the
             good
             and
             peace
             of
             families
             (
             one
             orcer
             of
             God
             certainely
             not
             destroying
             another
             .
             )
             Now
             how
             strong
             this
             Reason
             is
             against
             this
             toleration
             ,
             I
             submit
             to
             the
             Judgement
             of
             that
             Court
             ,
             which
             hath
             the
             Legislative
             power
             ,
             they
             knowing
             well
             that
             both
             Churches
             and
             Common-wealths
             are
             made
             of
             families
             all
             issuing
             out
             from
             thence
             ,
             they
             being
             the
             Seminaries
             and
             Nurseries
             for
             both
             ,
             and
             if
             there
             be
             a
             ground-worke
             layd
             for
             disturbances
             ,
             divisions
             ,
             and
             disorders
             there
             ,
             what
             can
             be
             firme
             ,
             peaceable
             ,
             or
             sure
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             IIII.
             
          
           
             THere
             will
             be
             great
             danger
             of
             continuall
             Divisions
             ,
             distractions
             ,
             disputes
             amongst
             us
             ,
             not
             onely
             from
             the
             different
             forme
             of
             government
             and
             worship
             in
             their
             Churches
             and
             ours
             ;
             but
             from
             other
             Doctrines
             and
             practises
             held
             by
             some
             of
             them
             for
             the
             present
             (
             as
             for
             instance
             that
             Saints
             when
             they
             dye
             ,
             goe
             not
             to
             heaven
             where
             Christ
             is
             ,
             but
             they
             goe
             to
             a
             third
             place
             ;
             the
             sitting
             with
             their
             Hats
             on
             at
             the
             receiving
             of
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             ,
             &c.
             )
             and
             others
             that
             will
             be
             dayly
             broached
             ,
             and
             then
             their
             Churches
             being
             Independant
             and
             not
             under
             the
             government
             of
             any
             out
             of
             themselves
             ,
             they
             will
             goe
             on
             without
             being
             hindred
             ;
             and
             whereas
             we
             have
             now
             too
             many
             new
             and
             strange
             doctrines
             ,
             we
             shall
             have
             nothing
             but
             errours
             and
             novelties
             broached
             ,
             and
             so
             greater
             contentions
             and
             breaches
             amongst
             us
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Reason
             .
             
               V.
               
            
          
           
             THe
             most
             eminent
             Ministers
             in
             this
             Kingdome
             for
             parts
             ,
             grace
             ,
             and
             Labours
             ,
             can
             have
             little
             assurance
             of
             the
             continuance
             of
             their
             flockes
             to
             them
             ,
             if
             such
             a
             toleration
             be
             granted
             ,
             for
             they
             will
             draw
             away
             their
             people
             ,
             and
             admit
             them
             into
             their
             Churches
             ,
             and
             even
             gather
             and
             encrease
             their
             Churches
             out
             of
             the
             labours
             of
             the
             best
             Ministers
             ,
             the
             Ministers
             shall
             doe
             little
             else
             but
             spend
             ,
             and
             be
             spent
             ,
             for
             to
             fit
             men
             for
             them
             ;
             when
             Ministers
             have
             travelled
             in
             birth
             of
             children
             ,
             and
             should
             have
             comfort
             and
             joy
             in
             them
             ,
             then
             they
             will
             be
             stollen
             away
             .
             This
             toleration
             upon
             any
             discontent
             taken
             or
             any
             light
             occasion
             of
             demanding
             dues
             ,
             or
             preaching
             against
             any
             thing
             they
             like
             not
             ,
             opens
             a
             wide
             dore
             and
             will
             invite
             them
             to
             desert
             their
             Ministers
             ;
             and
             what
             a
             sadding
             of
             the
             heart
             and
             discouragement
             in
             the
             worke
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             this
             must
             be
             to
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Kingdome
             ,
             let
             all
             judge
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             VI
             .
          
           
             A
             Toleration
             of
             Churches
             to
             bee
             erected
             as
             Independant
             ,
             to
             enjoy
             liberty
             and
             exemption
             from
             the
             estabilshed
             ,
             will
             be
             undoubtedly
             a
             meanes
             and
             way
             of
             their
             infinite
             multiplication
             and
             encrease
             ,
             even
             to
             increase
             them
             30.
             fold
             ,
             so
             that
             if
             the
             Parliament
             could
             like
             to
             have
             more
             of
             the
             breede
             ,
             and
             have
             a
             delight
             to
             have
             multitudes
             to
             be
             exempted
             from
             the
             Ecclesiasticall
             Lawes
             of
             the
             Land
             ,
             (
             which
             Parliaments
             never
             did
             )
             no
             way
             like
             this
             :
             for
             we
             see
             within
             this
             nine
             moneths
             (
             though
             there
             be
             no
             toleration
             of
             their
             way
             )
             yet
             having
             not
             beene
             lookt
             after
             ,
             how
             are
             they
             increased
             and
             multiplyed
             ?
             and
             that
             there
             will
             be
             a
             mighty
             encrease
             upon
             a
             toleration
             (
             to
             say
             nothing
             of
             casting
             a
             snare
             upon
             
             the
             people
             ,
             by
             this
             to
             make
             doubts
             ,
             nor
             nothing
             of
             the
             wantonnesse
             and
             instability
             of
             many
             professours
             ,
             nor
             of
             the
             activenesse
             of
             many
             to
             spread
             these
             principles
             that
             their
             party
             may
             be
             considerable
             )
             this
             may
             evince
             it
             :
             In
             many
             ,
             if
             not
             in
             most
             Townes
             and
             Parishes
             it
             cannot
             be
             helped
             ,
             but
             that
             there
             are
             and
             will
             be
             for
             many
             yeeres
             ,
             men
             of
             no
             great
             popular
             gifts
             for
             preaching
             ,
             who
             also
             according
             to
             their
             principles
             ,
             not
             having
             beene
             brought
             up
             to
             it
             ,
             cannot
             so
             comply
             with
             their
             people
             :
             now
             many
             that
             live
             in
             these
             Parishes
             (
             seeing
             they
             may
             keepe
             their
             houses
             and
             places
             of
             abode
             )
             upon
             the
             newes
             of
             a
             toleration
             ,
             will
             for
             the
             benefit
             of
             more
             powerfull
             ,
             practicall
             ,
             and
             zealous
             Preaching
             ,
             betake
             themselves
             to
             goe
             to
             their
             Churches
             ,
             (
             which
             liberty
             they
             cannot
             have
             in
             the
             Churches
             established
             ,
             for
             the
             Law
             (
             it
             is
             likely
             )
             will
             provide
             for
             men
             to
             keepe
             to
             their
             owne
             Ministers
             ,
             where
             there
             is
             sufficient
             preaching
             )
             and
             so
             will
             fall
             to
             their
             principles
             ,
             and
             so
             wee
             shall
             have
             upon
             this
             grouud
             swarmes
             of
             them
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             VI
             .
          
           
             THe
             Prime
             and
             fundamentall
             principles
             of
             this
             Independant
             way
             ,
             upon
             which
             they
             erect
             their
             Church
             way
             and
             independancy
             ,
             are
             very
             prejudiciall
             ,
             dangerous
             ,
             and
             unsufferable
             ,
             to
             this
             Kingdome
             ,
             as
             for
             instances
             ,
             Saints
             
               qua
            
             Saints
             ,
             two
             or
             three
             of
             them
             or
             more
             ,
             they
             onely
             have
             an
             immediate
             independant
             power
             
             from
             Christ
             their
             immediate
             head
             ,
             to
             gather
             and
             combinde
             themselves
             into
             visible
             Churches
             ,
             without
             expecting
             warrant
             from
             any
             Governours
             whatsoever
             upon
             earth
             ,
             as
             also
             being
             thus
             gathered
             and
             joyned
             into
             a
             Church
             ,
             to
             chuse
             all
             officers
             among
             themselves
             ,
             and
             to
             exercise
             all
             Discipline
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             Government
             ,
             even
             to
             Excomunication
             ,
             without
             and
             against
             the
             good
             will
             and
             consent
             of
             the
             Christian
             Magistrates
             ,
             but
             
             the
             Magistrates
             whether
             Kings
             and
             Princes
             ,
             or
             States
             ,
             they
             have
             no
             power
             ,
             but
             in
             all
             things
             of
             the
             Visible
             Church
             Christ
             is
             an
             Immediate
             Governour
             to
             the
             Saints
             ,
             having
             put
             none
             of
             his
             power
             out
             of
             his
             hands
             to
             any
             Magistrate
             whatsoever
             ,
             but
             though
             he
             hath
             given
             much
             power
             to
             Magistrates
             over
             goods
             ,
             liberties
             ,
             and
             lives
             of
             his
             Saints
             ,
             yet
             this
             Spirituall
             power
             of
             gathering
             and
             making
             Churches
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             power
             of
             exercising
             censures
             and
             Discipline
             so
             as
             it
             may
             not
             be
             exercised
             without
             their
             power
             and
             leave
             ,
             he
             hath
             not
             given
             them
             ;
             so
             that
             I
             desire
             them
             to
             consider
             and
             enquire
             whether
             this
             denying
             to
             Kings
             and
             Princes
             power
             and
             authority
             in
             causes
             Ecclesiasticall
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             giving
             all
             Spirituall
             ,
             Ecclesiasticall
             power
             immediately
             ,
             and
             independantly
             under
             Christ
             to
             the
             particular
             Congregations
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             the
             King
             ,
             be
             not
             against
             these
             Lawes
             and
             Statutes
             of
             the
             Land
             ,
             made
             in
             26.
             
             
               Henry
            
             the
             8.
             
               cap.
            
             1.
             25.
             yeere
             of
             
               Henry
            
             the
             8.
             
               cap.
            
             19.
             and
             the
             1.
             yeere
             of
             
               Elizabeth
               cap.
            
             1.
             where
             it
             will
             be
             found
             that
             all
             Jurisdiction
             ,
             Superiority
             ,
             Spirituall
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             ,
             as
             by
             any
             Spirituall
             or
             Ecclesiasticall
             power
             or
             authority
             hath
             beene
             ,
             or
             may
             lawfully
             be
             exercised
             ,
             for
             the
             visitation
             of
             the
             Ecclesiasticall
             state
             and
             persons
             ,
             and
             for
             reformation
             ,
             order
             and
             correction
             of
             the
             same
             ,
             and
             of
             all
             manner
             of
             Errours
             ,
             Heresies
             ,
             Schismes
             ,
             abuses
             ,
             offences
             ,
             &c.
             shall
             for
             ever
             by
             authority
             of
             this
             present
             Parliament
             ,
             be
             united
             and
             annexed
             to
             the
             Imperiall
             Crowne
             of
             this
             Realme
             .
             As
             also
             that
             no
             orders
             nor
             constitutions
             may
             be
             enacted
             in
             the
             Church
             without
             the
             Kings
             assent
             ,
             and
             hence
             the
             oath
             of
             Supremacie
             was
             appointed
             by
             Law
             for
             every
             Ecclesiasticall
             person
             to
             take
             :
             hence
             I
             aske
             the
             Independant
             men
             ,
             seeing
             they
             give
             that
             immediate
             Ecclesiasticall
             power
             to
             their
             particular
             Churches
             ,
             which
             the
             Papists
             doe
             to
             the
             Pope
             ,
             whether
             they
             will
             take
             the
             oath
             of
             Supremacie
             ,
             or
             doe
             acknowledge
             in
             their
             prayers
             that
             title
             of
             the
             
               King
               ,
               Defendor
               of
               the
               Faith
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             Secondly
             ,
             they
             hold
             that
             things
             lawfull
             
             in
             themselves
             (
             as
             for
             instance
             ,
             set
             formes
             of
             Prayer
             acknowledged
             by
             them
             to
             be
             lawfull
             )
             yet
             being
             enjoyned
             
             by
             Authority
             are
             now
             unlawfull
             ,
             so
             that
             though
             a
             Forme
             of
             Prayer
             be
             lawfull
             ,
             yet
             being
             imposed
             for
             order
             ,
             uniformity
             ,
             that
             alters
             the
             case
             (
             a
             strange
             paradox
             that
             things
             lawfull
             in
             themselves
             tending
             to
             Order
             and
             Peace
             ,
             should
             become
             unlawfull
             when
             commanded
             .
             )
             3
             They
             affirme
             that
             Christian
             
             Princes
             &
             Magistrates
             who
             are
             defenders
             of
             the
             Faith
             ,
             have
             no
             more
             to
             doe
             in
             and
             about
             the
             Church
             then
             Heathen
             Princes
             .
             Some
             of
             them
             deny
             also
             and
             question
             
             that
             received
             axiome
             ,
             that
             the
             Magistrate
             is
             
               custos
               utriusque
               tabulae
               ;
            
             Saying
             of
             those
             Kings
             of
             
               Judah
            
             and
             
               Israel
            
             who
             medled
             in
             the
             Church
             with
             reformation
             and
             establishment
             of
             Religion
             ,
             that
             they
             did
             it
             not
             as
             Kings
             ,
             but
             as
             types
             of
             Christ
             :
             so
             that
             I
             leave
             it
             to
             better
             judgement
             whether
             it
             be
             safe
             for
             a
             Kingdome
             to
             tolerate
             such
             Churches
             who
             maintaine
             and
             vent
             upon
             all
             occasions
             such
             kinde
             of
             principles
             ;
             and
             as
             the
             principles
             ,
             so
             the
             people
             for
             a
             great
             part
             of
             them
             be
             dangerous
             and
             insufferable
             ,
             heady
             ,
             refractory
             ,
             proud
             ,
             bitter
             ,
             scornefull
             ,
             despisers
             of
             Authority
             ,
             who
             though
             but
             a
             few
             comparatively
             and
             the
             Lawes
             standing
             ,
             have
             attempted
             not
             to
             suffer
             the
             publicke
             prayers
             to
             be
             prayed
             ,
             but
             what
             with
             singing
             ,
             what
             with
             clapping
             on
             of
             Hats
             in
             times
             of
             prayer
             ,
             what
             with
             reviling
             and
             threatning
             of
             Ministers
             ,
             have
             laboured
             to
             hinder
             their
             use
             :
             Now
             if
             they
             dare
             attempt
             such
             practises
             and
             things
             being
             but
             a
             few
             ,
             the
             Lawes
             being
             point
             blanke
             against
             them
             ,
             and
             the
             Lawes
             establishing
             the
             other
             ,
             what
             will
             they
             not
             doe
             when
             they
             shall
             be
             multiplyed
             and
             tolerated
             ,
             if
             they
             come
             once
             to
             a
             great
             head
             ?
             we
             may
             feare
             they
             will
             not
             tolerate
             the
             Churches
             ,
             and
             Government
             established
             by
             Law
             :
             but
             what
             insolencies
             and
             mischiefes
             will
             follow
             upon
             their
             toleration
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             Ecclesiasticall
             government
             ,
             but
             in
             Civill
             ,
             I
             leave
             such
             who
             are
             experienced
             men
             in
             matters
             of
             Government
             to
             fore-see
             and
             Judge
             of
             ,
             but
             hereafter
             
             too
             late
             to
             remedie
             ,
             but
             I
             desire
             rather
             to
             pray
             against
             a
             toleration
             ,
             than
             to
             Prophecy
             of
             the
             wofull
             effects
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             VIII
             .
          
           
             THese
             independant
             men
             where
             they
             have
             power
             (
             as
             in
             new
             
               England
               )
            
             will
             not
             give
             a
             toleration
             for
             any
             other
             Ecclesiasticall
             Government
             or
             Churches
             but
             in
             their
             owne
             way
             ,
             they
             would
             not
             suffer
             men
             of
             other
             opinions
             in
             doctrine
             and
             government
             to
             live
             within
             the
             bounds
             of
             their
             patent
             ,
             though
             at
             the
             furthest
             bounds
             ,
             but
             have
             banished
             them
             .
             They
             were
             sent
             to
             from
             
               England
            
             by
             some
             godly
             Ministers
             their
             brethren
             ,
             men
             otherwise
             approved
             by
             them
             ,
             as
             being
             against
             Ceremonies
             ,
             who
             being
             in
             danger
             of
             leaving
             the
             Land
             ,
             sent
             
             to
             know
             if
             they
             might
             have
             liberty
             according
             to
             their
             Consciences
             to
             goe
             in
             a
             Church
             way
             ,
             something
             differing
             from
             theirs
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             this
             Independant
             Popular
             Government
             ;
             to
             which
             question
             you
             may
             reade
             the
             answer
             ,
             they
             could
             not
             grant
             any
             other
             forme
             of
             government
             but
             one
             ,
             seeing
             there
             is
             but
             one
             way
             of
             Church
             government
             layd
             downe
             in
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             that
             unchangeable
             ,
             and
             therefore
             they
             cannot
             yeeld
             to
             it
             .
             So
             others
             of
             them
             will
             nottolerate
             ,
             or
             admit
             into
             fellowship
             the
             godliest
             Christians
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             will
             enter
             into
             Covenant
             ,
             professe
             their
             faith
             ,
             submit
             to
             their
             Church
             Orders
             ,
             though
             they
             would
             be
             of
             their
             Church
             ;
             so
             that
             these
             men
             who
             now
             would
             faine
             have
             a
             toleration
             in
             this
             great
             Kingdome
             will
             not
             allow
             any
             in
             a
             remote
             Plantation
             ,
             nor
             in
             one
             of
             their
             small
             particular
             Congregations
             ,
             for
             feare
             of
             disturbing
             the
             peace
             of
             their
             Church
             ,
             and
             yet
             would
             have
             a
             toleration
             in
             this
             Kingdome
             ,
             never
             caring
             to
             disturbe
             the
             peace
             ,
             and
             good
             of
             the
             three
             Kingdomes
             which
             would
             be
             much
             hazarded
             by
             it
             ,
             but
             thus
             partiall
             men
             are
             (
             and
             you
             may
             observe
             
             it
             )
             t
             is
             ordinary
             for
             men
             when
             they
             are
             not
             in
             place
             nor
             have
             no
             power
             in
             Church
             or
             Common-wealth
             ,
             and
             hold
             also
             Doctrines
             and
             principles
             contrary
             to
             what
             is
             held
             ,
             and
             established
             ,
             then
             to
             plead
             for
             tolerations
             ,
             when
             as
             the
             same
             parsons
             comming
             to
             be
             in
             place
             and
             to
             have
             power
             ,
             wil
             not
             tolerate
             others
             to
             set
             up
             any
             way
             different
             from
             theirs
             .
             And
             I
             beleeve
             those
             present
             men
             ,
             who
             here
             are
             endeavouring
             a
             toleration
             for
             their
             Churches
             had
             they
             the
             power
             in
             their
             hands
             to
             settle
             a
             Government
             ,
             we
             should
             have
             no
             Government
             tolerated
             ,
             nor
             Church
             but
             the
             Independant
             way
             ,
             and
             for
             this
             see
             
               The
               Protestation
               Protested
               ,
            
             what
             he
             thinkes
             of
             our
             Church
             ,
             and
             of
             what
             ever
             Government
             shall
             be
             established
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             IX
             .
          
           
             AToleration
             may
             be
             demaunded
             upon
             the
             same
             grounds
             for
             all
             the
             rigid
             
               Brownists
            
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             and
             for
             all
             the
             
               Anabaptists
               ,
               Familists
               ,
            
             and
             other
             Sectaries
             ,
             who
             professe
             t
             is
             conscience
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             in
             some
             respects
             upon
             better
             grounds
             it
             may
             be
             moved
             by
             them
             ,
             as
             being
             perswaded
             we
             are
             no
             true
             Church
             ,
             then
             for
             these
             Semi-Separatists
             ;
             nay
             whether
             may
             not
             the
             Papists
             petition
             to
             ,
             and
             hope
             to
             have
             a
             toleration
             of
             Religion
             ,
             seeing
             it
             is
             Conscience
             in
             many
             of
             them
             as
             well
             as
             you
             ,
             and
             if
             once
             an
             exemption
             be
             given
             from
             the
             Religion
             established
             by
             Law
             to
             one
             sort
             ,
             why
             may
             not
             others
             thinke
             to
             have
             the
             same
             priviledge
             ?
             and
             therefore
             if
             ever
             the
             dore
             of
             Tolerations
             should
             be
             but
             a
             little
             opened
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             great
             crouding
             by
             al
             sorts
             to
             enter
             in
             at
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             X.
             
          
           
             THe
             granting
             a
             Toleration
             of
             this
             Independant
             way
             whose
             first
             &
             fundamental
             principle
             is
             ,
             that
             two
             or
             three
             Saints
             ,
             where
             ever
             or
             by
             what
             meanes
             soever
             they
             
             doe
             arise
             ,
             separating
             themselves
             from
             the
             world
             into
             the
             fellowship
             of
             the
             Gospell
             ,
             are
             a
             Church
             truely
             gathered
             and
             that
             they
             only
             have
             an
             immediate
             and
             independant
             
             power
             from
             Christ
             their
             immediate
             head
             to
             gather
             and
             combine
             themselvs
             without
             expecting
             warrant
             from
             any
             Governours
             whatsoever
             upon
             earth
             to
             make
             a
             Church
             ,
             doth
             make
             way
             for
             any
             thing
             for
             Libertinism
             or
             for
             any
             
             opinion
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             so
             all
             who
             fall
             into
             any
             Doctrine
             ,
             or
             any
             who
             like
             not
             their
             owne
             Ministers
             and
             Church
             Government
             ,
             either
             because
             they
             restraine
             them
             from
             sinne
             or
             keepe
             them
             to
             Gods
             Ordinances
             ,
             they
             may
             goe
             three
             or
             foure
             of
             them
             ,
             and
             enter
             into
             Covenant
             among
             themselves
             ,
             and
             be
             a
             Church
             and
             live
             without
             Ministers
             and
             Sacraments
             along
             time
             upon
             pretence
             that
             they
             can
             finde
             none
             fit
             for
             them
             yet
             (
             as
             these
             Independant
             men
             doe
             )
             and
             when
             they
             doe
             chuse
             ,
             then
             chuse
             such
             of
             their
             owne
             opinions
             and
             wayes
             ,
             and
             so
             they
             may
             live
             together
             at
             liberty
             in
             ways
             pleasing
             themselves
             :
             neither
             can
             this
             helpe
             it
             ,
             to
             say
             this
             belongs
             onely
             to
             Saints
             ,
             't
             is
             their
             Prerogative
             Royall
             and
             not
             others
             ,
             for
             all
             Heretickes
             ,
             Sectaries
             ,
             or
             Libertines
             will
             count
             themselves
             Saints
             as
             well
             as
             our
             Independant
             men
             :
             they
             may
             be
             their
             owne
             Judges
             ,
             and
             will
             say
             that
             they
             are
             Saints
             as
             well
             as
             you
             say
             ,
             for
             the
             Ministers
             and
             Magistrates
             of
             the
             Kingdome
             shall
             not
             have
             the
             power
             to
             determine
             who
             be
             Saints
             and
             who
             not
             ,
             so
             that
             if
             the
             State
             should
             tolerate
             the
             Independancie
             ,
             they
             know
             not
             what
             they
             tolerate
             ,
             but
             in
             the
             belly
             of
             this
             Independancie
             they
             tolerate
             and
             make
             way
             for
             Libertinisme
             ,
             Heresie
             ,
             and
             what
             ever
             Satan
             and
             the
             corrupt
             hearts
             of
             men
             have
             a
             pleasure
             to
             broach
             and
             fall
             into
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             X.
             
          
           
             I
             Propound
             this
             question
             what
             these
             men
             would
             have
             in
             this
             toleration
             ,
             whether
             the
             number
             of
             these
             Independant
             Congregations
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             have
             tolerated
             ,
             should
             be
             five
             or
             six
             Congregations
             onely
             ,
             and
             no
             more
             ,
             or
             shall
             the
             number
             be
             left
             undetermined
             ;
             to
             
             bee
             free
             to
             multiply
             into
             as
             many
             Churches
             as
             they
             please
             :
             if
             the
             number
             must
             be
             determined
             ,
             this
             will
             overthrow
             their
             principles
             and
             Churches
             quickely
             ,
             as
             when
             one
             Church
             breakes
             into
             two
             or
             three
             ,
             as
             upon
             their
             principles
             it
             must
             ,
             and
             oft
             times
             doth
             ,
             as
             at
             
               Amsterdam
            
             into
             two
             ,
             at
             
               Roterdam
            
             also
             ,
             and
             at
             
               London
               ,
            
             and
             when
             one
             of
             the
             Tolerated
             Churches
             breakes
             into
             two
             or
             three
             ,
             which
             shall
             be
             reckoned
             ,
             that
             that
             is
             the
             Church
             allowed
             of
             by
             the
             State
             ,
             for
             each
             part
             will
             pretend
             to
             it
             :
             but
             now
             if
             they
             say
             the
             number
             must
             be
             left
             undetermined
             ,
             then
             we
             may
             quickely
             have
             halfe
             a
             dozen
             of
             their
             Churches
             in
             some
             one
             Parish
             of
             a
             City
             or
             Towne
             ,
             nay
             two
             or
             three
             Churches
             in
             a
             place
             ,
             sprung
             out
             of
             one
             of
             their
             owne
             ,
             and
             we
             may
             have
             every where
             three
             or
             foure
             men
             of
             an
             opinion
             ,
             differing
             from
             others
             to
             goe
             make
             a
             different
             Church
             ,
             and
             so
             they
             will
             encrease
             
               in
               infinitum
               ,
            
             and
             there
             will
             be
             no
             end
             of
             divisions
             ,
             and
             subdivisions
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           But
           before
           I
           conclude
           ,
           I
           will
           answer
           five
           or
           sixe
           Reasons
           ,
           that
           be
           commonly
           alledged
           by
           them
           ,
           for
           their
           Toleration
           in
           this
           Kingdome
           .
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             I.
             
          
           
             THis
             is
             no
             more
             than
             what
             is
             granted
             to
             the
             
               French
               ,
            
             and
             
               Dutch
               ,
            
             who
             live
             amongst
             us
             ,
             and
             have
             Churches
             and
             Government
             of
             their
             owne
             way
             ,
             exempt
             from
             the
             Government
             established
             .
          
           
             
               Answer
               .
            
             The
             case
             is
             quite
             different
             ,
             and
             that
             will
             appeare
             by
             these
             particulars
             .
          
           
             First
             ,
             Those
             
               French
            
             and
             
               Dutch
            
             Protestants
             have
             nothing
             ,
             nor
             desire
             nothing
             ,
             but
             that
             which
             is
             Originally
             according
             to
             the
             Church
             and
             people
             they
             were
             borne
             and
             brought
             up
             in
             ,
             they
             enjoy
             nothing
             as
             
               Contra-distinct
            
             to
             the
             Protestants
             of
             
               France
            
             and
             
               Holland
               ,
            
             but
             the
             
             Independant
             men
             move
             for
             that
             which
             is
             
               Contra-distinct
            
             to
             their
             owne
             Church
             and
             Nation
             ;
             Yea
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             reformed
             Churches
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             This
             liberty
             was
             granted
             by
             our
             pious
             Princes
             in
             times
             of
             persecution
             to
             the
             Protestants
             ,
             that
             so
             they
             might
             have
             here
             the
             exercise
             of
             their
             Religion
             in
             their
             owne
             tongue
             ,
             when
             they
             could
             not
             enjoy
             it
             at
             home
             ,
             and
             it
             hath
             beene
             of
             great
             use
             upon
             occasions
             in
             this
             way
             ever
             since
             ,
             for
             a
             refuge
             to
             the
             persecuted
             Protestants
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             your
             case
             to
             this
             ?
             you
             may
             enjoy
             the
             Protestant
             Religion
             in
             this
             Land
             ,
             and
             that
             by
             the
             Law
             and
             Authority
             of
             King
             and
             Parliament
             ,
             what
             colour
             then
             ,
             that
             you
             should
             move
             for
             an
             exemption
             of
             your
             Churches
             ?
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             these
             
               French
            
             and
             
               Dutch
            
             Churches
             will
             willingly
             be
             joyned
             in
             Government
             ,
             and
             in
             one
             way
             of
             Discipline
             with
             the
             Kingdome
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             a
             reformation
             ,
             which
             you
             will
             not
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             These
             Churches
             are
             not
             in
             an
             Independant
             government
             ,
             neither
             doe
             they
             hold
             your
             Principles
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             be
             as
             much
             against
             them
             (
             as
             we
             )
             they
             doe
             admit
             of
             appeales
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             businesse
             of
             greater
             moment
             have
             Synods
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             They
             being
             strangers
             amongst
             us
             of
             different
             Nations
             and
             Tongues
             ,
             not
             having
             those
             relations
             of
             Kindred
             and
             acquaintance
             with
             us
             ,
             but
             keeping
             themselves
             ,
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             among
             themselves
             ,
             there
             is
             not
             that
             danger
             of
             drawing
             away
             the
             people
             ,
             nor
             of
             causing
             Schismes
             ,
             as
             from
             you
             that
             are
             of
             our
             Nation
             ,
             and
             tongue
             ;
             neither
             have
             they
             ,
             or
             doe
             ever
             vent
             principles
             against
             our
             Church
             and
             Government
             ,
             (
             as
             you
             doe
             )
             but
             content
             themselves
             with
             their
             owne
             way
             ,
             they
             neither
             can
             ,
             nor
             will
             admit
             ours
             to
             be
             members
             of
             their
             Congregations
             ,
             in
             respect
             our
             people
             understand
             not
             their
             language
             ,
             so
             that
             the
             people
             are
             so
             farre
             from
             leaving
             our
             Churches
             ,
             and
             becomming
             members
             of
             theirs
             ,
             as
             that
             our
             people
             cannot
             so
             much
             as
             resort
             to
             their
             
             Congregations
             to
             heare
             them
             Preach
             ,
             they
             Preaching
             in
             a
             language
             the
             people
             understand
             not
             ,
             all
             which
             is
             quite
             contrary
             with
             you
             .
          
           
             Sixthly
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             great
             reason
             and
             necessity
             of
             allowing
             them
             Churches
             and
             places
             to
             Preach
             ,
             and
             bee
             by
             themselves
             ,
             because
             many
             of
             them
             understand
             not
             
               English
            
             at
             all
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             benefit
             of
             strangers
             of
             their
             Religion
             who
             come
             over
             ,
             who
             else
             could
             not
             enjoy
             the
             publicke
             exercise
             of
             their
             Religion
             at
             all
             ,
             and
             they
             may
             well
             be
             allowed
             some
             Discipline
             among
             themselves
             in
             respect
             they
             maintaine
             al
             their
             own
             poore
             ,
             not
             charging
             the
             Parishes
             where
             they
             live
             with
             them
             :
             all
             which
             will
             not
             hold
             as
             a
             ground
             for
             Toleration
             of
             Independancy
             :
             Their
             meetings
             by
             themselves
             ,
             are
             not
             upon
             your
             principles
             of
             a
             Church
             ,
             or
             Church
             government
             ,
             but
             because
             of
             different
             language
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             II.
             
          
           
             VVE
             seeke
             no
             more
             then
             what
             is
             granted
             us
             in
             
               Holland
               ,
            
             and
             what
             wee
             may
             enjoy
             there
             in
             a
             Countrey
             where
             we
             be
             strangers
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             
               Answer
               .
            
             If
             your
             toleration
             in
             
               Holland
               ,
            
             be
             a
             good
             ground
             for
             a
             toleration
             here
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             doe
             so
             because
             
               Holland
            
             doth
             it
             ,
             then
             there
             should
             be
             a
             Toleration
             for
             all
             Religions
             amongst
             us
             ,
             as
             Jewes
             ,
             Anabaptists
             ,
             &c.
             
             And
             if
             you
             would
             have
             it
             so
             ,
             speake
             out
             plainely
             ,
             there
             are
             some
             of
             you
             have
             whispered
             it
             ,
             and
             often
             spoke
             of
             it
             in
             private
             ,
             in
             the
             answer
             you
             give
             to
             these
             reasons
             .
             Speake
             your
             mind
             ,
             and
             if
             you
             justifie
             a
             Toleration
             of
             all
             Religions
             ,
             I
             will
             discusse
             that
             question
             with
             you
             ,
             and
             take
             it
             up
             against
             you
             as
             not
             fit
             ,
             neither
             in
             Divinity
             nor
             policy
             ,
             as
             both
             against
             Rules
             of
             Conscience
             and
             Policy
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             There
             may
             be
             a
             Toleration
             of
             you
             in
             
               Holland
               ,
            
             with
             much
             more
             safety
             to
             the
             government
             established
             
             and
             peace
             of
             that
             Church
             ,
             then
             can
             be
             here
             in
             this
             Kingdome
             ,
             the
             people
             of
             that
             Country
             not
             understanding
             your
             language
             ,
             having
             little
             or
             no
             relation
             to
             you
             ,
             nor
             you
             to
             them
             ,
             of
             kindred
             ,
             friendship
             ,
             where
             as
             it
             is
             quite
             otherwise
             here
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             That
             people
             of
             the
             
               Hollanders
            
             generally
             are
             an
             industrious
             people
             minding
             their
             businesses
             ,
             profits
             ,
             and
             keeping
             to
             what
             's
             established
             by
             their
             Lawes
             ,
             not
             troubling
             their
             heads
             so
             much
             with
             other
             points
             of
             Religion
             ,
             but
             here
             in
             
               England
            
             and
             especially
             in
             the
             City
             of
             
               London
               ,
            
             and
             great
             Townes
             ,
             many
             Professors
             are
             more
             idle
             and
             busie
             bodies
             ,
             tatlers
             also
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             said
             ,
             1
             
               Tim.
               5.
               13.
               ver.
            
             Very
             wanton
             also
             in
             their
             Wits
             ,
             affecting
             novelties
             in
             Religion
             ,
             and
             liking
             of
             points
             that
             are
             not
             established
             nor
             commonly
             held
             .
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             
               Holland
            
             tolerates
             you
             and
             many
             others
             ,
             but
             it
             is
             more
             upon
             grounds
             and
             necessitie
             of
             worldly
             respects
             ,
             because
             of
             that
             benefit
             of
             excise
             towards
             the
             maintenance
             of
             warres
             which
             they
             have
             from
             them
             who
             live
             amongst
             them
             ,
             so
             that
             they
             are
             paid
             well
             for
             it
             ,
             so
             that
             in
             this
             they
             measure
             things
             rather
             
               Vina
               Mercatoria
               ,
            
             than
             by
             the
             rule
             of
             Scriptures
             ;
             and
             were
             it
             not
             for
             that
             and
             such
             respects
             which
             the
             state
             of
             that
             State
             hath
             put
             them
             upon
             ,
             they
             would
             never
             grant
             tolerations
             ,
             but
             there
             is
             not
             the
             same
             reason
             here
             in
             any
             respect
             ,
             our
             riches
             and
             strength
             standing
             in
             one
             way
             of
             Religion
             and
             not
             in
             tolerations
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             III.
             
          
           
             IF
             wee
             may
             not
             have
             a
             toleration
             and
             a
             liberty
             of
             erecting
             some
             congregations
             among
             you
             ,
             this
             will
             force
             us
             to
             leave
             the
             Kingdome
             that
             wee
             may
             have
             the
             liberty
             of
             our
             consciences
             ,
             and
             if
             you
             doe
             ,
             what
             cruelty
             is
             this
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             
               Answer
               .
            
             There
             is
             no
             need
             of
             a
             Toleration
             for
             you
             ,
             
             and
             yet
             no
             need
             of
             forcing
             you
             to
             leave
             the
             Kingdome
             that
             you
             may
             enjoy
             your
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             that
             will
             appeare
             if
             you
             calmely
             and
             meekely
             be
             content
             to
             heare
             Reasons
             and
             Principles
             which
             you
             your selves
             agree
             to
             ,
             as
             namely
             ,
             you
             hold
             that
             our
             Churches
             be
             true
             Churches
             ,
             our
             Ministers
             true
             Ministers
             ,
             Ordinances
             of
             word
             ,
             Sacraments
             true
             ,
             and
             that
             you
             can
             partake
             with
             us
             in
             our
             Congregations
             in
             all
             Ordinances
             even
             in
             comming
             to
             the
             Lords
             supper
             ,
             provided
             that
             scandalous
             and
             ignorant
             persons
             be
             kept
             backe
             ,
             and
             ceremonies
             removed
             ;
             why
             then
             should
             you
             desire
             to
             set
             up
             other
             Churches
             ,
             as
             different
             from
             ours
             ?
             you
             can
             have
             but
             Word
             ,
             Prayer
             ,
             Sacraments
             ,
             and
             Discipline
             in
             your
             owne
             ,
             that
             you
             may
             enjoy
             in
             ours
             ,
             is
             this
             any
             good
             reason
             for
             you
             to
             leave
             the
             Kingdome
             ?
             I
             pray
             consider
             well
             ,
             some
             of
             your
             Ministers
             at
             first
             comming
             over
             said
             (
             as
             I
             have
             beene
             told
             from
             good
             hands
             )
             they
             could
             take
             the
             charge
             of
             
               Parochiall
            
             Churches
             amongst
             us
             upon
             the
             reformation
             hoped
             for
             ,
             and
             they
             could
             yeild
             to
             Presbyteriall
             government
             ,
             by
             Classes
             and
             Synods
             ,
             so
             not
             enjoyned
             to
             submit
             to
             it
             ,
             as
             
               Jure
               divino
               ,
            
             but
             since
             they
             have
             gotten
             some
             more
             hopes
             (
             I
             know
             not
             upon
             what
             grounds
             )
             they
             are
             now
             very
             hot
             for
             a
             Toleration
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             heare
             of
             growing
             into
             one
             body
             with
             us
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             Seeing
             our
             Churches
             ,
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             Ordinance
             ,
             be
             true
             ,
             for
             you
             to
             erect
             new
             ,
             and
             to
             withdraw
             from
             such
             Churches
             (
             though
             suppose
             they
             were
             in
             some
             things
             defective
             and
             not
             every
             way
             so
             rightly
             ordered
             as
             were
             to
             be
             desired
             )
             I
             know
             can
             never
             be
             answered
             to
             God
             ,
             especially
             you
             having
             not
             the
             power
             and
             authority
             from
             God
             to
             order
             those
             Churches
             otherwise
             ,
             and
             I
             desire
             you
             againe
             and
             againe
             to
             waigh
             whether
             you
             may
             not
             live
             in
             the
             Communion
             of
             such
             Churches
             ,
             where
             some
             thing
             may
             be
             yet
             desired
             that
             is
             not
             ,
             where
             it
             is
             not
             in
             your
             power
             to
             helpe
             ,
             but
             that
             you
             are
             bound
             by
             the
             Command
             of
             God
             in
             such
             cases
             either
             to
             leave
             the
             Kingdome
             for
             that
             liberty
             ,
             or
             else
             being
             private
             
             men
             in
             a
             Land
             where
             true
             Churches
             ,
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             Ordinances
             are
             ,
             to
             goe
             and
             set
             up
             divided
             Churches
             in
             that
             Land
             ,
             both
             against
             the
             Lawes
             of
             the
             Land
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             scandall
             of
             all
             the
             Churches
             ,
             I
             beseech
             you
             thinke
             upon
             it
             what
             is
             become
             of
             
               Fraterna
               toleratio
               ,
            
             and
             of
             giving
             scandall
             ,
             not
             to
             one
             Brother
             ,
             but
             to
             thousands
             of
             Congregations
             of
             Christ
             .
             And
             whether
             nothing
             wanting
             in
             matter
             of
             Order
             ,
             may
             be
             Tolerated
             so
             long
             as
             a
             man
             is
             not
             put
             upon
             the
             practise
             of
             that
             which
             is
             unlawfull
             .
             As
             for
             those
             Brownists
             whose
             Principles
             and
             Consciences
             (
             though
             very
             erroneous
             )
             hold
             that
             we
             have
             no
             true
             Church
             ,
             Ministery
             ,
             Ordinances
             ,
             but
             all
             is
             Antichristian
             ,
             they
             have
             a
             better
             warrant
             to
             set
             up
             new
             Assemblies
             ,
             or
             to
             leave
             the
             Kingdome
             to
             enjoy
             their
             way
             ;
             but
             as
             for
             you
             to
             withdraw
             and
             set
             up
             separated
             assemblies
             upon
             no
             greater
             grounds
             ,
             or
             causes
             ,
             can
             never
             be
             justified
             ,
             and
             I
             shall
             be
             ready
             upon
             that
             point
             to
             deale
             with
             any
             of
             you
             ,
             and
             for
             your
             better
             satisfaction
             for
             the
             present
             ,
             I
             wish
             the
             conscientious
             and
             sober
             Ministers
             to
             read
             two
             pages
             in
             Master
             
               Robinsons
               Apologie
               ,
               Chap.
               12.
               
               De
               Eccle.
               Anglic.
               pag.
            
             86
             ,
             87.
             
             Wherein
             he
             grants
             that
             Churches
             may
             not
             be
             departed
             from
             for
             circumstantiall
             corruptions
             ,
             nor
             for
             many
             inconveniencies
             ,
             affirming
             that
             it
             is
             neither
             Christian
             prudence
             nor
             charity
             to
             doe
             so
             ;
             he
             shewes
             it
             is
             not
             an
             intolerable
             evill
             (
             though
             an
             evill
             to
             be
             lamented
             )
             for
             evill
             men
             to
             be
             suffered
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             nor
             that
             Discipline
             as
             it
             is
             called
             ,
             or
             that
             Ecclesiasticall
             government
             instituted
             by
             Christ
             ,
             is
             neglected
             ,
             or
             violated
             ,
             but
             that
             's
             it
             ,
             that
             the
             plaine
             contrary
             to
             it
             should
             be
             established
             by
             Law
             ,
             and
             so
             he
             goes
             on
             :
             Now
             supposing
             our
             reformation
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             otherwise
             with
             
               England
            
             then
             when
             he
             writ
             and
             the
             most
             that
             can
             be
             said
             (
             supposing
             your
             principles
             the
             Truth
             ,
             (
             though
             that
             's
             denyed
             by
             us
             )
             there
             will
             be
             but
             evill
             men
             suffered
             ,
             and
             not
             men
             of
             the
             most
             profligate
             life
             ,
             and
             Discipline
             instituted
             willbe
             but
             neglected
             or
             violated
             ,
             not
             that
             which
             is
             quite
             contrary
             as
             established
             by
             Law
             ,
             take
             place
             .
          
           
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             You
             your selves
             live
             in
             ,
             and
             are
             members
             of
             such
             Churches
             ,
             and
             thinke
             it
             unlawfull
             to
             forsake
             them
             ,
             where
             ,
             for
             many
             yeares
             together
             you
             beare
             with
             defects
             ,
             and
             want
             some
             parts
             of
             government
             ,
             and
             Officers
             appointed
             by
             Christ
             ,
             more
             materiall
             then
             will
             be
             in
             ours
             ,
             upon
             a
             reformation
             ,
             as
             namely
             ,
             without
             Pastors
             ,
             Elders
             ,
             Widowes
             ,
             many
             yeares
             together
             ,
             without
             Sacraments
             a
             long
             time
             ,
             without
             censures
             especially
             unlesse
             you
             allow
             people
             to
             be
             the
             instruments
             and
             exercise
             Excommunication
             without
             having
             Ordination
             of
             Officers
             ,
             without
             prophecying
             also
             many
             yeares
             ;
             Why
             can
             you
             not
             beare
             with
             some
             defects
             in
             our
             Churches
             ,
             and
             be
             content
             to
             waite
             some
             yeares
             ,
             till
             God
             either
             give
             you
             light
             to
             see
             your
             mistakes
             ,
             or
             else
             till
             we
             have
             more
             light
             to
             perfect
             what
             is
             wanting
             ?
             You
             tell
             us
             that
             some
             things
             may
             be
             omitted
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             as
             Circumcision
             was
             in
             the
             Wildernesse
             ,
             and
             that
             affirmatives
             doe
             not
             binde
             too
             alwayes
             ,
             and
             that
             exercise
             of
             Discipline
             may
             be
             forborne
             for
             a
             time
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             evident
             ,
             it
             will
             not
             be
             for
             edification
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             destruction
             ;
             what
             shall
             hinder
             then
             ,
             but
             that
             you
             ought
             to
             incorporate
             into
             our
             Assemblies
             ,
             though
             something
             yet
             were
             to
             be
             desired
             ?
             there
             is
             nothing
             contrary
             that
             will
             be
             put
             upon
             you
             (
             nor
             quite
             another
             thing
             .
             )
             
          
           
             Fourthly
             ,
             You
             may
             safely
             be
             members
             of
             our
             congregations
             in
             the
             reformation
             of
             us
             ,
             and
             in
             these
             times
             ,
             because
             you
             may
             without
             danger
             shew
             your
             dislike
             and
             speake
             against
             scandalous
             persons
             ,
             and
             against
             the
             fault
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             if
             they
             admit
             such
             to
             the
             Sacrament
             ,
             which
             being
             done
             ,
             your selves
             grant
             you
             may
             communicate
             with
             them
             ,
             so
             a
             Letter
             sent
             from
             
               Roterdam
            
             grants
             .
             And
             I
             have
             heard
             this
             alledged
             ,
             as
             the
             reason
             why
             you
             first
             left
             our
             Churches
             ,
             but
             that
             reason
             now
             ceases
             ,
             seeing
             either
             such
             persons
             will
             be
             wholly
             kept
             away
             ,
             or
             else
             you
             may
             protest
             against
             them
             (
             though
             I
             must
             tell
             you
             ,
             that
             practise
             you
             judge
             your selves
             tyed
             to
             ,
             is
             founded
             upon
             a
             false
             principle
             )
             namely
             that
             the
             power
             
             of
             government
             is
             given
             by
             Christ
             to
             the
             body
             of
             the
             Congregation
             .
          
           
             Fifthly
             ,
             There
             is
             a
             
               medium
            
             betweene
             persecution
             (
             as
             you
             terme
             it
             )
             and
             a
             publicke
             Toleration
             ,
             a
             middle
             way
             betweene
             not
             suffering
             men
             to
             live
             in
             the
             Land
             ,
             and
             the
             granting
             them
             a
             liberty
             of
             separated
             Assemblies
             ,
             so
             that
             there
             is
             no
             necessity
             either
             of
             leaving
             the
             Land
             ,
             or
             of
             enjoying
             exempt
             Congregations
             (
             for
             there
             is
             a
             third
             
               datur
               tertium
               )
            
             as
             for
             Instance
             ,
             Persons
             may
             be
             tolerated
             to
             inhabit
             in
             a
             Land
             ,
             to
             enjoy
             their
             Lands
             ,
             and
             liberties
             ,
             and
             not
             be
             compelled
             to
             professe
             and
             practise
             things
             which
             are
             against
             their
             consciences
             ;
             It
             is
             one
             thing
             to
             be
             forced
             and
             compelled
             positively
             to
             doe
             things
             against
             conscience
             ,
             and
             another
             thing
             ,
             not
             to
             be
             suffered
             the
             publicke
             practise
             of
             some
             things
             in
             separated
             Congregations
             ,
             as
             to
             illustrate
             it
             thus
             ,
             suppose
             the
             Papists
             upon
             their
             petitions
             to
             the
             Parliament
             should
             have
             those
             statutes
             repealed
             ,
             which
             enjoynes
             them
             to
             come
             to
             our
             Churches
             ,
             (
             which
             they
             say
             is
             against
             their
             consciences
             )
             though
             indeed
             they
             are
             bound
             by
             the
             command
             of
             God
             to
             come
             ,
             and
             ought
             by
             the
             Magistrate
             to
             be
             compelled
             to
             come
             (
             as
             Doctor
             
               Davenant
            
             hath
             cleerely
             showed
             )
             yet
             the
             granting
             the
             Papists
             a
             Toleration
             of
             the
             publicke
             
             exercise
             of
             their
             Religion
             ,
             to
             the
             scandall
             of
             the
             Reformed
             Churches
             and
             dishonour
             of
             God
             ,
             were
             quite
             another
             thing
             ,
             insomuch
             as
             the
             Papists
             though
             they
             petition
             the
             first
             ,
             (
             upon
             deepe
             Protestation
             of
             living
             peaceably
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             Lawes
             of
             the
             Land
             )
             yet
             they
             move
             not
             for
             the
             last
             :
             so
             I
             judge
             you
             may
             live
             in
             the
             Land
             freely
             ,
             and
             enjoy
             your
             liberties
             and
             estates
             ,
             comming
             to
             our
             Churches
             ,
             enjoying
             the
             ordinances
             ,
             and
             are
             like
             never
             to
             be
             compelled
             to
             professe
             or
             practise
             what
             is
             against
             your
             judgements
             ,
             the
             greatest
             inconvenience
             is
             but
             the
             forbearing
             of
             something
             you
             would
             have
             ,
             which
             considering
             the
             questionablenesse
             of
             the
             thing
             ,
             and
             the
             many
             other
             evills
             which
             would
             attend
             it
             ,
             if
             you
             should
             enjoy
             it
             ,
             you
             may
             in
             point
             of
             conscience
             
             be
             well
             satisfied
             without
             it
             ;
             so
             that
             consider
             well
             ,
             and
             you
             may
             find
             a
             
               medium
            
             betweene
             leaving
             the
             Land
             and
             enjoying
             a
             Toleration
             of
             exempt
             Congregations
             .
          
           
             Sixthly
             ,
             If
             all
             these
             former
             answers
             satisfie
             you
             not
             fully
             ,
             because
             (
             though
             these
             things
             be
             true
             )
             yet
             besides
             these
             Ordinances
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             you
             must
             be
             in
             a
             Church
             way
             and
             Fellowship
             ,
             as
             now
             you
             are
             ,
             then
             know
             ,
             according
             to
             your
             Principles
             of
             a
             visible
             Church
             ,
             laid
             downe
             by
             Master
             
               Robinson
               ,
            
             and
             by
             your selves
             in
             all
             your
             Manuscripts
             ,
             you
             may
             enjoy
             your
             way
             in
             having
             severall
             visible
             Churches
             ,
             and
             that
             without
             that
             offence
             and
             scandall
             to
             Magistrates
             and
             Churches
             ,
             and
             yet
             neither
             leave
             the
             Kingdome
             ,
             nor
             have
             a
             Toleration
             ,
             and
             
             that
             I
             will
             demonstrate
             thus
             ;
             two
             or
             three
             Saints
             joyning
             together
             in
             a
             Covenant
             make
             a
             Church
             ,
             a
             greater
             number
             is
             not
             required
             ,
             neither
             Officers
             to
             the
             essence
             of
             a
             Church
             ;
             a
             greater
             addition
             of
             company
             to
             this
             two
             or
             three
             ,
             though
             they
             may
             make
             for
             the
             well
             being
             and
             flourishing
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             not
             of
             the
             essence
             of
             the
             Church
             .
             Now
             then
             every
             one
             of
             you
             
             in
             your
             owne
             Families
             ,
             as
             the
             Husband
             ,
             Wife
             ,
             Children
             of
             age
             ,
             and
             Servants
             ,
             who
             are
             visible
             Saints
             ,
             may
             be
             joyned
             in
             covenant
             to
             walke
             in
             Gods
             wayes
             ,
             and
             to
             watch
             over
             one
             another
             ,
             so
             that
             here
             is
             a
             Church
             ,
             and
             every
             Master
             in
             his
             Family
             may
             set
             up
             holy
             exercises
             ,
             and
             exercise
             Discipline
             among
             themselves
             for
             their
             Families
             ,
             and
             thus
             in
             the
             Church
             that
             is
             in
             their
             house
             ,
             they
             may
             exercise
             what
             Discipline
             they
             judge
             is
             wanting
             in
             ours
             ,
             so
             that
             comming
             to
             our
             Churches
             to
             the
             Word
             ,
             Prayer
             ,
             Sacraments
             ,
             they
             may
             serve
             God
             in
             their
             owne
             Families
             among
             themselves
             in
             a
             Church
             way
             ,
             in
             wayes
             of
             admonition
             ,
             reproofe
             ,
             and
             other
             censures
             ;
             nay
             every
             Church
             Family
             ,
             or
             most
             of
             them
             may
             have
             Officers
             also
             amongst
             them
             ,
             the
             Ministers
             Families
             may
             have
             a
             Pastor
             or
             Teacher
             ,
             each
             Minister
             being
             made
             Pastor
             of
             his
             owne
             Family
             ,
             chosen
             also
             he
             may
             be
             by
             
             his
             Family
             ,
             who
             also
             may
             Preach
             and
             instruct
             his
             Family
             ,
             and
             exercise
             Discipline
             amongst
             them
             ;
             great
             Families
             ,
             as
             Gentlemen
             or
             Citizens
             may
             themselves
             be
             teachers
             of
             their
             Families
             ,
             according
             to
             your
             Principles
             ,
             or
             may
             have
             some
             in
             their
             Families
             fit
             to
             be
             chosen
             Elders
             and
             Teachers
             to
             them
             ,
             especially
             such
             of
             them
             who
             keepe
             Schollers
             in
             their
             houses
             ,
             and
             still
             chosen
             by
             the
             Church
             of
             this
             Family
             :
             But
             if
             there
             be
             some
             Church
             Families
             who
             have
             none
             fit
             for
             Officers
             to
             their
             Church
             (
             which
             can
             hardly
             be
             in
             these
             kindes
             of
             Churches
             )
             yet
             this
             is
             not
             of
             the
             essence
             of
             the
             Church
             .
             But
             as
             for
             single
             persons
             ,
             as
             Young
             men
             and
             Mayds
             ,
             who
             are
             of
             your
             judgement
             ,
             if
             you
             aske
             what
             they
             shall
             doe
             ,
             seeing
             they
             have
             no
             Families
             ,
             and
             cannot
             joyne
             two
             or
             three
             in
             a
             Family
             to
             make
             a
             Church
             .
             I
             answer
             ,
             they
             may
             be
             Servants
             unto
             men
             of
             their
             owne
             judgement
             ,
             and
             live
             in
             the
             Families
             of
             their
             owne
             way
             ,
             and
             so
             may
             be
             in
             a
             Church
             :
             And
             thus
             you
             may
             enjoy
             your
             owne
             way
             without
             scandall
             or
             division
             ,
             the
             Lawes
             not
             forbidding
             or
             medling
             what
             men
             doe
             in
             this
             kind
             ,
             as
             how
             oft
             men
             pray
             in
             their
             owne
             Families
             ,
             or
             catechise
             them
             ,
             or
             whom
             they
             shut
             out
             from
             their
             Prayers
             and
             holy
             duties
             :
             But
             if
             it
             be
             said
             ,
             how
             shall
             such
             (
             as
             are
             bred
             Schollers
             ,
             the
             Ministers
             of
             this
             way
             )
             be
             maintained
             ?
             it
             is
             not
             being
             Ministers
             to
             their
             owne
             Family
             will
             maintaine
             them
             ?
             I
             answer
             ,
             I
             have
             taken
             care
             to
             show
             them
             a
             way
             for
             maintenance
             also
             ,
             how
             they
             may
             enjoy
             their
             Country
             ,
             their
             Consciences
             ,
             and
             maintenance
             ,
             that
             so
             they
             need
             not
             be
             forced
             to
             seeke
             a
             Toleration
             of
             Churches
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             be
             maintained
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             thus
             ;
             Supposing
             they
             will
             not
             take
             Pastorall
             charges
             of
             Parishes
             ,
             but
             onely
             be
             Pastors
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             their
             house
             ,
             yet
             holding
             it
             lawfull
             (
             as
             they
             doe
             )
             to
             Preach
             in
             our
             Congregations
             ,
             they
             may
             take
             Lectures
             amongst
             us
             ,
             and
             so
             be
             maintained
             ,
             there
             will
             be
             want
             of
             many
             men
             for
             Lectures
             setled
             by
             gifts
             of
             the
             dead
             ,
             and
             then
             no
             question
             but
             the
             government
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             which
             
             shall
             be
             established
             by
             Law
             ,
             will
             be
             so
             moderate
             ,
             that
             if
             men
             hold
             the
             maine
             points
             of
             Doctrine
             with
             the
             Church
             ,
             be
             pious
             in
             life
             and
             peaceable
             ,
             so
             as
             not
             to
             Preach
             nor
             speake
             against
             what
             's
             established
             by
             Law
             ,
             nor
             doe
             not
             make
             Schismes
             to
             goe
             and
             set
             up
             separated
             Assemblies
             (
             which
             practises
             caused
             troubles
             in
             the
             Church
             )
             they
             may
             enjoy
             all
             liberty
             and
             (
             as
             many
             Scriptures
             show
             )
             freedome
             ,
             though
             in
             point
             of
             opinion
             and
             judgement
             there
             may
             be
             some
             difference
             from
             things
             established
             by
             Law
             (
             for
             I
             suppose
             we
             shall
             not
             have
             subscriptions
             enjoyned
             to
             formes
             of
             government
             and
             Discipline
             )
             but
             onely
             to
             Doctrines
             ,
             and
             that
             also
             in
             maine
             and
             cleere
             poynts
             ,
             so
             that
             by
             all
             this
             you
             may
             apprehend
             how
             without
             a
             Toleration
             ,
             you
             may
             in
             a
             secret
             and
             peaceable
             way
             enjoy
             your
             Church
             fellowship
             with
             maintenance
             also
             .
             What
             ever
             else
             you
             seeke
             for
             by
             a
             Toleration
             of
             many
             Families
             to
             make
             a
             Church
             ,
             is
             but
             for
             the
             more
             comfort
             &
             flourishing
             of
             your
             way
             ,
             but
             not
             as
             that
             which
             is
             necessary
             to
             your
             way
             ,
             now
             in
             a
             busines
             which
             is
             but
             of
             conveniency
             ,
             &
             not
             of
             necessity
             ,
             according
             to
             your
             principles
             ,
             (
             though
             you
             had
             a
             liberty
             &
             priviledge
             to
             enjoy
             it
             ,
             yet
             )
             where
             so
             muchscandal
             may
             come
             of
             your
             liberty
             ,
             and
             it
             cannot
             be
             avoyded
             (
             for
             though
             one
             of
             the
             more
             sober
             and
             conscientious
             Ministers
             and
             people
             could
             use
             it
             better
             ,
             yet
             most
             would
             abuse
             it
             ;
             as
             the
             rigid
             Brownists
             ,
             Anabaptists
             ,
             and
             many
             weake
             Christians
             )
             you
             should
             not
             use
             it
             but
             forbeare
             ,
             so
             the
             Apostle
             teaches
             us
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               8.
               v.
            
             9.
             
             So
             
               Gal.
               5.
               v.
            
             13.
             14.
             15.
             
             Now
             a
             scandall
             is
             some
             word
             or
             action
             ,
             giving
             an
             occasion
             of
             ruine
             to
             a
             weake
             brother
             ,
             which
             practice
             of
             yours
             would
             certainely
             doe
             ;
             now
             to
             the
             avoiding
             the
             scandall
             of
             the
             weake
             ,
             
               All
               those
               things
               are
               to
               be
               done
               or
               omitted
               ,
               which
               may
               be
               done
               or
               omitted
               without
               sinne
               ,
            
             as
             
               Amesius
            
             grants
             ,
             
               lib.
               5.
               de
               Cons.
               cap.
            
             11.
             
             So
             
               Gerson
            
             speakes
             ,
             
               part
               2.
               Reg.
               moral
               .
               A
               man
               is
               bound
               to
               desist
               from
               every
               act
               ,
               to
               which
               be
               is
               not
               necessarily
               tyed
               ,
               where
               upon
               good
               grounds
               the
               scandall
               of
               the
               weake
               is
               feared
               .
            
             Now
             the
             setting
             up
             of
             separated
             Assemblies
             in
             this
             Church
             ,
             may
             be
             omitted
             without
             
             sinne
             ,
             neither
             are
             ye
             necessarily
             tyed
             to
             it
             ,
             as
             will
             appeare
             by
             this
             sixth
             Answer
             .
             Besides
             ,
             considering
             all
             the
             former
             answers
             ,
             wherein
             you
             see
             what
             you
             may
             enjoy
             in
             this
             Kingdome
             in
             liberty
             of
             Ordinances
             and
             Consciences
             ,
             you
             are
             not
             tyed
             for
             some
             matter
             of
             convenience
             ,
             which
             you
             might
             enjoy
             in
             another
             Kingdome
             ,
             to
             withdraw
             from
             this
             Church
             ,
             and
             to
             leave
             your
             owne
             Country
             ,
             for
             your
             satisfaction
             in
             which
             point
             ,
             I
             had
             rather
             Doctor
             
               Amesius
            
             should
             speake
             then
             I
             ,
             to
             whom
             I
             referre
             you
             ,
             who
             in
             his
             cases
             of
             Conscience
             about
             this
             point
             ,
             saith
             thus
             .
             
               A
               man
               may
               keepe
               Communion
               with
               a
               Church
            
             
             
               wherein
               wicked
               men
               are
               suffered
               ,
               and
               good
               men
               depressed
               ,
               and
               that
               upon
               severall
               reasons
               ,
               amongst
               others
               ,
               upon
               this
               ground
               ;
               Because
               from
               such
               a
               Church
               to
               a
               purer
               ,
               there
               is
               oft
               times
               no
               removing
               without
               great
               dammages
               and
               hinderance
               ,
               which
               ought
               to
               be
               avoyded
               alwayes
               (
               as
               much
               as
               may
               be
               )
               without
               sinne
               :
               yea
               such
               dammages
               and
               losses
               doe
               sometimes
               cause
               that
               an
               affirmative
               precept
               ceases
               to
               bind
               .
               A
               man
               may
               joyne
               himselfe
               and
               live
               in
               such
               a
               Church
               ,
               in
               which
               many
               defects
               are
               necessarily
               to
               be
               tolerated
               ,
               yea
               ,
               and
               joyne
               to
               that
               Church
               ,
               where
               the
               power
               of
               removing
               scandalls
               ,
               and
               casting
               out
               wicked
               men
               is
               taken
               away
               ,
               if
               he
               cannot
               without
               great
               prejudice
               and
               hurt
               ,
               goe
               to
               a
               freer
               Church
               ,
               and
               men
               sinne
               not
               either
               in
               joyning
               to
               such
               a
               Church
               ,
               or
               continuing
               in
               it
               .
               But
               yet
               further
               he
               grants
               ,
               a
               man
               may
               be
               a
               member
               of
               such
               a
               Church
               in
               which
               some
               things
               instituted
               by
               Christ
               are
               wanting
               ;
               and
               where
               some
               things
               appointed
               by
               men
               are
               introduced
               .
            
             So
             that
             I
             beseech
             you
             Brethren
             ,
             lay
             all
             these
             six
             answers
             together
             ,
             and
             consider
             sadly
             whether
             God
             requires
             of
             you
             ,
             unlesse
             you
             may
             have
             a
             Toleration
             ,
             to
             leave
             the
             Kingdome
             :
             to
             run
             many
             hazards
             and
             dangers
             for
             Churches
             after
             your
             way
             ,
             when
             as
             you
             may
             enjoy
             so
             much
             at
             home
             without
             a
             Toleration
             of
             exempt
             Assemblies
             ,
             as
             I
             have
             opened
             in
             these
             six
             answers
             .
          
           
             Seventhly
             ,
             If
             notwithstanding
             all
             that
             is
             said
             to
             you
             you
             will
             not
             be
             satisfied
             ,
             without
             setting
             up
             Churches
             against
             the
             Church
             ,
             it
             were
             better
             for
             you
             to
             leave
             the
             
             Kingdome
             ,
             and
             to
             returne
             backe
             to
             your
             charges
             ,
             and
             families
             into
             
               Holland
               ,
            
             and
             others
             of
             your
             minde
             ,
             who
             cannot
             be
             satisfied
             ,
             to
             leave
             the
             Land
             ,
             and
             to
             goe
             to
             
               New
               England
               ,
            
             or
             else
             where
             ,
             rather
             then
             by
             erecting
             of
             Churches
             by
             Toleration
             or
             without
             it
             to
             disturbe
             the
             good
             and
             peace
             of
             three
             Kingdomes
             ;
             and
             this
             will
             be
             no
             great
             harme
             to
             many
             of
             you
             ,
             for
             you
             may
             easily
             returne
             ,
             being
             able
             to
             live
             and
             subsist
             there
             comfortably
             (
             as
             you
             say
             your selves
             :
             )
             and
             for
             my
             owne
             part
             were
             I
             of
             your
             way
             (
             so
             farre
             as
             I
             know
             my
             owne
             heart
             )
             I
             had
             rather
             goe
             to
             the
             uttermost
             parts
             of
             the
             Earth
             ,
             though
             to
             live
             in
             a
             hard
             and
             meane
             condition
             ,
             than
             to
             disturbe
             the
             peace
             or
             good
             of
             three
             Kingdomes
             ,
             as
             you
             would
             doe
             by
             a
             Toleration
             .
             Looke
             what
             is
             commonly
             said
             ,
             
               praestat
               ut
               pereat
               unus
               quam
               unit
               as
               ,
            
             It
             is
             better
             that
             one
             perish
             than
             unity
             ,
             so
             I
             say
             it
             is
             farre
             better
             a
             few
             Ministers
             and
             people
             wanted
             some
             outward
             accommodations
             of
             their
             owne
             Countrey
             than
             that
             the
             good
             of
             the
             whole
             should
             be
             so
             in
             danger
             ,
             neither
             is
             there
             any
             cruelty
             or
             persecution
             in
             it
             ,
             (
             as
             they
             will
             be
             apt
             to
             phrase
             it
             )
             for
             if
             the
             purity
             of
             Doctrine
             ,
             holinesse
             of
             life
             ,
             peace
             of
             the
             Church
             cannot
             be
             preserved
             by
             such
             a
             Toleration
             (
             as
             I
             have
             in
             part
             shewed
             ,
             and
             can
             make
             it
             plaine
             )
             then
             it
             ought
             not
             to
             be
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             speake
             for
             my selfe
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             behalfe
             of
             hundreds
             of
             my
             Brethren
             ,
             painefull
             in
             the
             Ministery
             ,
             who
             have
             borne
             the
             brunt
             of
             the
             times
             ,
             that
             we
             professe
             we
             will
             submit
             to
             the
             reformation
             and
             government
             established
             by
             Law
             ,
             which
             we
             doubt
             not
             but
             will
             be
             very
             blessed
             and
             glorious
             ,
             but
             however
             things
             should
             fall
             out
             ,
             we
             would
             either
             patiently
             tolerate
             what
             is
             not
             in
             our
             spheare
             to
             reforme
             ,
             or
             quietly
             sit
             downe
             in
             the
             Kingdome
             ,
             or
             else
             with
             leave
             betake
             our selves
             to
             some
             other
             Countryes
             ,
             being
             fully
             resolved
             in
             our
             Consciences
             ,
             that
             circumstances
             in
             and
             about
             externall
             formes
             of
             Government
             in
             matter
             of
             order
             can
             never
             be
             sufficient
             grounds
             to
             us
             ,
             to
             set
             up
             Churches
             against
             a
             Church
             where
             true
             Churches
             are
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             prove
             
             meanes
             of
             eternall
             divisions
             and
             heart-burnings
             between
             Ministers
             and
             people
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             IIII.
             
          
           
             I
             But
             if
             these
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             some
             such
             Churches
             be
             not
             tolerated
             ,
             they
             are
             afraid
             that
             in
             time
             they
             shall
             draw
             most
             of
             the
             good
             people
             out
             of
             the
             Land
             after
             them
             .
          
           
             First
             
               Answer
               .
            
             I
             heare
             one
             of
             them
             say
             so
             ,
             but
             I
             suppose
             they
             rather
             hope
             then
             feare
             it
             ,
             and
             this
             plainely
             shewes
             they
             have
             a
             good
             conceit
             of
             themselves
             ,
             and
             of
             their
             owne
             way
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             For
             their
             feare
             ,
             we
             feare
             too
             (
             but
             not
             as
             they
             doe
             )
             but
             this
             ,
             that
             if
             they
             have
             a
             toleration
             ,
             they
             may
             draw
             away
             many
             good
             people
             ,
             especially
             if
             the
             ceremonies
             and
             the
             Liturgy
             stand
             in
             full
             force
             ,
             and
             their
             Churches
             tolerated
             ,
             they
             will
             make
             brave
             worke
             in
             a
             short
             time
             (
             though
             I
             am
             confident
             God
             will
             preserve
             many
             judicious
             ,
             advised
             Christians
             from
             their
             way
             notwithstanding
             :
             )
             but
             let
             there
             be
             no
             Toleration
             granted
             ,
             and
             they
             once
             well
             shipt
             ,
             and
             a
             reformation
             amongst
             us
             in
             government
             ,
             and
             Ministers
             ,
             that
             feare
             is
             over
             with
             me
             ,
             we
             feare
             it
             not
             ,
             that
             many
             will
             follow
             them
             ,
             for
             when
             that
             which
             first
             bred
             these
             men
             ,
             the
             violent
             pressing
             of
             ceremonies
             ,
             the
             casting
             out
             of
             good
             Ministers
             ,
             the
             many
             notorious
             persons
             suffered
             in
             the
             Church
             without
             all
             censure
             ,
             shall
             be
             removed
             ,
             many
             will
             not
             be
             bred
             ,
             and
             others
             will
             be
             satisfied
             ,
             and
             I
             doubt
             it
             not
             but
             that
             the
             godly
             and
             painefull
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
               ,
            
             may
             and
             will
             ,
             both
             out-Preach
             them
             ,
             and
             out-live
             them
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             compared
             with
             them
             for
             all
             excellencies
             ,
             and
             abilities
             :
             for
             my
             part
             I
             shall
             speake
             as
             I
             finde
             ,
             I
             knew
             many
             of
             them
             long
             before
             they
             fell
             to
             this
             way
             ,
             and
             know
             them
             since
             ,
             and
             have
             not
             seene
             any
             of
             them
             better
             ,
             or
             more
             profitable
             
             in
             life
             and
             Ministry
             ,
             for
             their
             charge
             ;
             onely
             this
             I
             am
             sure
             of
             ,
             for
             some
             of
             them
             ,
             whereas
             whilst
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
            
             they
             Preacht
             often
             ,
             now
             seldome
             ,
             they
             goe
             looser
             in
             their
             apparell
             and
             haire
             ,
             they
             take
             lesse
             care
             for
             the
             publicke
             in
             things
             that
             concerne
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             and
             Salvation
             of
             mens
             soules
             ,
             their
             principles
             &
             spirits
             grow
             very
             narrow
             like
             their
             Churches
             ,
             they
             grow
             more
             strange
             ,
             reserved
             ,
             subtile
             ,
             in
             a
             word
             ,
             they
             minde
             little
             else
             but
             the
             propagation
             of
             their
             Independant
             way
             ,
             (
             as
             
               The
               Protestation
               Protested
            
             witnesseth
             abundantly
             )
             and
             I
             shall
             speake
             my
             Conscience
             
             from
             the
             experience
             I
             have
             had
             of
             many
             of
             them
             having
             studyed
             and
             observed
             them
             and
             their
             writings
             and
             never
             saw
             nor
             heard
             of
             any
             men
             who
             fell
             fully
             to
             that
             way
             ,
             that
             ever
             had
             so
             large
             a
             spirit
             for
             good
             ,
             afterwards
             to
             take
             that
             care
             of
             propagating
             the
             Gospell
             and
             preaching
             the
             Word
             to
             men
             without
             ;
             I
             never
             knew
             any
             man
             that
             ever
             God
             honoured
             so
             much
             ,
             after
             he
             fell
             to
             those
             principles
             as
             before
             ,
             though
             the
             same
             persons
             before
             have
             beene
             active
             for
             God
             ,
             doing
             famously
             and
             worthily
             ,
             yet
             when
             they
             fall
             to
             this
             way
             ,
             they
             either
             blemish
             themselves
             ,
             or
             doe
             little
             ;
             and
             the
             truth
             is
             ,
             those
             principles
             of
             separation
             be
             such
             as
             God
             did
             never
             honour
             much
             the
             men
             who
             held
             them
             :
             looke
             what
             is
             sayd
             by
             them
             of
             Episcopacie
             ,
             that
             the
             very
             calling
             of
             it
             hath
             such
             a
             malignity
             in
             it
             ,
             that
             it
             hurts
             the
             best
             men
             that
             are
             placed
             in
             those
             chaires
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             say
             truely
             ,
             of
             this
             way
             ,
             there
             is
             a
             malignity
             cleaves
             to
             it
             ,
             hurting
             the
             men
             that
             fall
             to
             it
             ,
             by
             altering
             their
             spirits
             and
             contracting
             their
             hearts
             ,
             (
             though
             many
             of
             them
             continue
             good
             in
             the
             maine
             .
             )
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             V.
             
          
           
             THis
             is
             no
             other
             but
             envie
             in
             the
             Ministers
             that
             makes
             them
             against
             a
             toleration
             ,
             because
             they
             feare
             
             their
             people
             will
             desert
             them
             and
             come
             to
             us
             ,
             being
             so
             pure
             in
             Ordinances
             and
             Churches
             ;
             and
             thus
             
               The
               Protestation
               Protested
            
             speakes
             ,
             and
             t
             is
             frequently
             in
             some
             of
             their
             mouths
             .
          
           
             
               Answ.
            
             1.
             
             It
             is
             not
             out
             of
             envy
             to
             their
             ministers
             and
             Christians
             ;
             for
             first
             I
             hold
             their
             practise
             sinfull
             and
             unwarrantable
             to
             separate
             from
             our
             Churches
             and
             to
             erect
             such
             Congregations
             ,
             and
             therefore
             I
             speake
             against
             it
             ,
             and
             that
             by
             the
             helpe
             of
             God
             I
             shall
             make
             good
             in
             a
             following
             discourse
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             It
             cannot
             be
             counted
             envie
             in
             Ministers
             to
             be
             unwilling
             to
             have
             their
             flockes
             and
             people
             fall
             from
             them
             ,
             is
             it
             envie
             in
             a
             father
             to
             be
             unwilling
             to
             have
             his
             children
             stollen
             from
             him
             and
             tempted
             away
             by
             strangers
             ?
             I
             aske
             such
             of
             you
             who
             be
             fathers
             if
             you
             would
             be
             willing
             to
             have
             your
             Children
             forsake
             you
             and
             that
             with
             renouncing
             the
             womb
             that
             bare
             them
             ,
             &
             the
             paps
             that
             gave
             them
             sucke
             ,
             throwing
             dirt
             into
             the
             face
             of
             Father
             and
             Mother
             ?
             Now
             this
             is
             the
             case
             for
             Ministers
             ,
             to
             have
             their
             spirituall
             children
             whom
             they
             have
             begotten
             to
             God
             ,
             who
             are
             their
             comfort
             and
             the
             fruite
             of
             all
             their
             Labours
             to
             fall
             from
             them
             and
             to
             despite
             them
             afterwards
             cannot
             be
             pleasing
             ,
             neither
             ought
             it
             :
             looke
             what
             the
             Jewes
             gave
             out
             falsely
             concerning
             the
             naturall
             body
             of
             Christ
             that
             his
             Disciples
             
               came
               by
               night
               and
               stole
               it
               away
               ,
            
             that
             may
             be
             sayd
             truely
             of
             his
             Mysticall
             body
             ,
             Beleevers
             you
             by
             your
             tolerations
             would
             have
             your
             Disciples
             come
             by
             night
             and
             steale
             them
             away
             ,
             and
             therefore
             we
             ought
             not
             to
             sleepe
             ,
             but
             to
             watch
             against
             you
             .
          
           
             
               Answ.
            
             3.
             
             I
             envie
             you
             not
             ,
             but
             pity
             and
             love
             you
             ,
             and
             would
             not
             have
             you
             have
             such
             a
             sword
             as
             a
             Toleration
             put
             into
             your
             hands
             (
             though
             some
             amongst
             you
             perhaps
             might
             use
             it
             better
             )
             to
             hurt
             your selves
             with
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             such
             an
             occasion
             to
             run
             upon
             the
             rocke
             of
             Schisme
             ,
             and
             to
             goe
             out
             of
             the
             way
             dayly
             turning
             into
             errours
             on
             the
             right
             hand
             .
          
           
             
               Answ.
            
             4.
             
             This
             Author
             would
             intimate
             and
             make
             the
             
             world
             beleeve
             ,
             as
             if
             only
             the
             honest
             soules
             were
             with
             them
             ,
             and
             would
             be
             for
             their
             way
             ,
             but
             as
             for
             them
             who
             be
             against
             their
             way
             and
             toleration
             ,
             they
             are
             not
             such
             honest
             soules
             :
             but
             let
             them
             know
             honest
             soules
             are
             not
             onely
             with
             them
             ,
             for
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
            
             there
             ever
             have
             beene
             ,
             and
             are
             as
             honest
             ministers
             and
             people
             that
             have
             rejected
             your
             way
             ,
             as
             ever
             any
             that
             fell
             to
             it
             ,
             nay
             the
             greatest
             Non-conformists
             and
             most
             able
             in
             that
             way
             ,
             have
             writ
             the
             most
             against
             you
             ,
             and
             laboured
             upon
             all
             occasions
             to
             preserve
             people
             from
             falling
             to
             you
             ,
             as
             Mr
             
               Cartwright
               ,
            
             Mr
             
               Brightman
               ,
            
             Mr
             
               Parker
               ,
            
             Mr
             
               Hildersham
               ,
            
             Dr
             
               Ames
               ,
            
             Mr
             
               Bradshawe
               ,
            
             Mr
             
               Ball
               ,
            
             Mr
             
               Dod
               ,
            
             Mr
             
               Baines
               ,
            
             with
             many
             others
             .
          
        
         
           
             Reason
             .
             VI
             .
          
           
             I
             But
             they
             be
             good
             men
             ,
             and
             men
             of
             great
             gifts
             ,
             and
             therefore
             they
             should
             bee
             tolerated
             to
             have
             such
             Churches
             ,
             t
             is
             pity
             they
             should
             leave
             the
             land
             ,
             and
             we
             lose
             their
             prayers
             .
          
           
             
               Answ.
            
             1.
             
             The
             better
             men
             they
             be
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             able
             ,
             the
             worse
             to
             set
             up
             separated
             Churches
             ,
             for
             they
             will
             the
             more
             endanger
             the
             peace
             of
             the
             Kingdome
             ,
             and
             make
             the
             Schismes
             greater
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             For
             their
             prayers
             we
             may
             have
             the
             benefit
             of
             them
             as
             well
             when
             they
             are
             absent
             as
             present
             ,
             and
             some
             of
             them
             have
             sayd
             ,
             they
             pray'd
             more
             for
             
               England
               ,
            
             when
             out
             of
             it
             than
             when
             in
             it
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             They
             left
             the
             Kingdome
             when
             it
             was
             in
             greatest
             danger
             and
             in
             most
             neede
             of
             helpe
             ,
             and
             provided
             for
             themselves
             to
             keepe
             in
             a
             whole
             skin
             ,
             and
             without
             them
             we
             stood
             here
             in
             the
             gap
             ,
             and
             prevailed
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             rather
             than
             to
             buy
             their
             company
             at
             such
             a
             rate
             as
             a
             Toleration
             ,
             it
             is
             better
             to
             want
             it
             ,
             as
             I
             shewed
             before
             ,
             and
             I
             question
             not
             but
             the
             Kingdome
             will
             doe
             well
             enough
             though
             they
             returne
             ,
             and
             the
             better
             unlesse
             they
             
             cease
             sowing
             of
             their
             principles
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             For
             this
             objection
             of
             being
             good
             men
             ,
             I
             shall
             answere
             it
             at
             large
             in
             another
             Tractate
             ,
             wherein
             I
             shall
             minde
             men
             of
             many
             dangers
             that
             may
             arise
             to
             them
             from
             good
             and
             eminent
             men
             ,
             and
             fully
             shew
             what
             little
             strength
             there
             is
             in
             that
             Reason
             ;
             clearing
             also
             many
             things
             in
             reference
             to
             that
             Objection
             .
          
           
             
               Quest
               .
            
             I
             ,
             but
             may
             not
             conscientious
             men
             who
             agree
             with
             us
             in
             the
             maine
             in
             points
             of
             Doctrine
             and
             Practise
             ,
             be
             tolerated
             and
             spared
             in
             some
             things
             wherein
             they
             differ
             from
             what
             is
             commonly
             received
             ?
          
           
             
               Answ.
            
             Yes
             ,
             I
             doe
             in
             my
             judgement
             much
             allow
             of
             bearing
             and
             forbearing
             one
             another
             in
             many
             differences
             of
             opinions
             and
             practises
             ,
             so
             as
             Christians
             ought
             
             not
             to
             judge
             nor
             censure
             one
             another
             ,
             nor
             refuse
             communion
             and
             fellowship
             by
             not
             admitting
             men
             into
             their
             Churches
             and
             to
             the
             Ordinances
             upon
             such
             points
             (
             which
             is
             the
             great
             fault
             of
             the
             Independant
             Churches
             ,
             denying
             communion
             to
             many
             Saints
             for
             some
             differences
             in
             Judgement
             about
             Church
             government
             and
             Orders
             ;
             which
             practise
             of
             theirs
             is
             expresse
             against
             the
             15.
             
             
               Rom.
            
             7.
             )
             neither
             to
             force
             men
             to
             change
             their
             mindes
             and
             opinions
             by
             casting
             them
             violently
             out
             of
             the
             ministry
             and
             Church
             (
             which
             was
             the
             practise
             of
             many
             in
             these
             late
             times
             ,
             and
             hath
             caused
             so
             many
             Schismes
             and
             stirres
             amongst
             us
             :
             )
             I
             approve
             not
             such
             practises
             ,
             but
             desire
             to
             be
             a
             follower
             and
             lover
             of
             all
             the
             wayes
             of
             peace
             and
             Communion
             ,
             with
             any
             who
             agree
             in
             the
             maine
             ,
             and
             have
             something
             of
             God
             and
             Christ
             in
             them
             :
             The
             practise
             of
             
               Anicetus
            
             and
             
               Polycarpus
               ,
            
             with
             that
             of
             
               Cyprian
               ,
            
             are
             infinitely
             pleasing
             to
             me
             (
             and
             I
             wish
             they
             were
             more
             imitated
             )
             
               Polycarpus
            
             and
             
               Anicetus
            
             in
             the
             difference
             about
             keeping
             of
             dayes
             ,
             though
             neither
             of
             them
             could
             perswade
             the
             other
             to
             change
             their
             custome
             ,
             yet
             they
             kept
             fast
             the
             bond
             of
             Christian
             fellowship
             ;
             
               Anicetus
            
             admitting
             
               Polycarpus
            
             to
             the
             Communion
             of
             the
             Roman
             Church
             ,
             and
             departing
             in
             peace
             
             one
             from
             the
             other
             .
             
               Cyprian
            
             (
             though
             he
             erred
             in
             the
             point
             of
             rebaptization
             )
             yet
             he
             would
             not
             condemne
             them
             rashly
             who
             were
             of
             a
             contrary
             opinion
             ,
             nor
             refuse
             Communion
             with
             them
             ,
             professing
             that
             for
             the
             difference
             of
             opinions
             ,
             he
             would
             not
             breake
             the
             Lords
             peace
             with
             his
             Colleagues
             ,
             nor
             remove
             any
             that
             was
             of
             a
             different
             minde
             from
             him
             ,
             from
             the
             right
             of
             Communion
             :
             So
             that
             men
             may
             be
             tolerated
             in
             their
             differences
             of
             opinions
             ,
             so
             long
             as
             they
             keepe
             Communion
             with
             a
             Church
             ,
             and
             submit
             to
             the
             Discipline
             and
             Orders
             so
             as
             to
             be
             peaceable
             and
             not
             to
             speake
             against
             what
             's
             established
             by
             common
             consent
             ,
             nor
             practise
             to
             the
             scandall
             and
             contempt
             of
             the
             Magistrates
             and
             Church
             :
             But
             if
             a
             few
             men
             ,
             halfe
             a
             dozen
             or
             halfe
             a
             score
             Ministers
             ,
             refuse
             Communion
             with
             a
             Church
             ,
             rending
             from
             the
             body
             ,
             by
             setting
             up
             of
             a
             Church
             against
             a
             Church
             ,
             Preaching
             and
             venting
             their
             opinions
             every where
             ,
             to
             the
             disturbance
             of
             a
             Kingdome
             ,
             and
             the
             drawing
             of
             Disciples
             after
             them
             ,
             though
             they
             were
             Ministers
             of
             gold
             ,
             and
             had
             the
             tongue
             of
             men
             and
             Angells
             ,
             yet
             they
             should
             not
             have
             a
             Toleration
             ;
             upon
             which
             subject
             they
             may
             read
             
               a
            
             
               Calvins
            
             last
             Epistle
             to
             
               Farellus
               ,
            
             wherein
             
               Calvins
            
             counsell
             concerning
             
               Farellus
            
             Colleague
             is
             this
             ;
             That
             if
             he
             will
             not
             be
             reduced
             to
             Order
             ,
             the
             Ministers
             should
             tell
             him
             that
             he
             is
             not
             to
             be
             reckoned
             of
             as
             a
             brother
             ,
             who
             doth
             disturbe
             the
             common
             Discipline
             by
             his
             contumacie
             :
             This
             was
             ever
             a
             custome
             in
             the
             Church
             which
             was
             decreed
             in
             ancient
             Synods
             ,
             that
             who
             would
             not
             subject
             to
             the
             Lawes
             of
             common
             Discipline
             should
             bee
             put
             by
             his
             place
             .
             Neither
             is
             the
             authority
             of
             men
             here
             to
             bee
             sought
             after
             ,
             when
             as
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             pronounces
             of
             such
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
               11.
               16.
               
               That
               the
               Church
               hath
               no
               custome
               of
               contending
               .
            
             So
             that
             in
             all
             this
             discourse
             against
             a
             Toleration
             ,
             I
             have
             not
             written
             out
             of
             violence
             of
             Spirit
             ,
             cruelty
             ,
             or
             ill
             will
             to
             the
             men
             ,
             for
             I
             love
             and
             respect
             them
             ,
             (
             though
             for
             the
             present
             in
             an
             errour
             )
             but
             from
             a
             zeale
             to
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             this
             Church
             
             for
             the
             preservation
             of
             purity
             of
             doctrine
             ,
             holinesse
             of
             life
             and
             peace
             ,
             (
             which
             cannot
             stand
             with
             a
             Toleration
             )
             and
             though
             I
             be
             earnest
             in
             this
             cause
             ,
             t
             is
             not
             from
             suddaine
             apprehension
             or
             passion
             ,
             for
             I
             have
             had
             long
             thoughts
             of
             this
             Church
             way
             ,
             and
             I
             doe
             apprehend
             more
             evill
             in
             it
             ,
             than
             men
             doe
             see
             at
             first
             ,
             or
             than
             the
             Independants
             can
             see
             ,
             it
             being
             their
             owne
             cause
             ,
             and
             they
             many
             wayes
             engaged
             in
             it
             :
             O
             that
             the
             Independant
             Ministers
             would
             with
             an
             impartiall
             desire
             of
             satisfaction
             ,
             consider
             what
             hath
             beene
             written
             ,
             and
             be
             perswaded
             to
             lay
             aside
             all
             thoughts
             of
             setting
             up
             separated
             assemblies
             ,
             and
             come
             and
             grow
             into
             one
             body
             ,
             joyning
             in
             one
             way
             with
             us
             !
             For
             which
             end
             I
             will
             commend
             to
             them
             the
             Councell
             of
             
               b
            
             
               Calvin
               ,
            
             given
             in
             a
             like
             case
             concerning
             a
             Minister
             ,
             who
             dissented
             from
             the
             the
             rest
             of
             his
             fellowes
             .
             Let
             him
             remember
             amongst
             other
             things
             what
             
               Paul
            
             requires
             in
             a
             Pastor
             ,
             this
             is
             not
             the
             last
             ,
             
               that
               he
               ought
               not
               to
               be
               selfe
               willed
               ,
            
             that
             is
             ,
             addicted
             to
             his
             own
             proper
             judgement
             ;
             and
             certainely
             this
             is
             one
             of
             the
             chiefe
             vertues
             of
             a
             good
             Pastor
             ,
             so
             from
             the
             whole
             heart
             to
             feare
             contentions
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             never
             dissent
             from
             his
             brethren
             ,
             unlesse
             it
             be
             for
             causes
             greatly
             necessary
             .
             Now
             considering
             what
             they
             may
             enjoy
             in
             this
             Church
             (
             as
             I
             have
             before
             shewed
             at
             large
             in
             the
             Answers
             to
             the
             three
             Reasons
             )
             some
             circumstances
             about
             the
             manner
             and
             forme
             of
             Discipline
             (
             as
             the
             exercising
             of
             it
             Independantly
             )
             cannot
             be
             a
             cause
             greatly
             necessary
             ,
             especially
             if
             we
             will
             beleeve
             
               Calvin
            
             
               c
            
             who
             affirmes
             that
             the
             Scriptures
             expresse
             the
             substance
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             Discipline
             ,
             but
             the
             forme
             of
             exercising
             it
             ,
             because
             t
             is
             not
             prescribed
             by
             the
             Lord
             ,
             it
             ought
             to
             be
             ordered
             and
             appointed
             by
             the
             Ministers
             for
             edification
             .
             Please
             not
             your selves
             in
             your
             opinions
             ,
             be
             not
             so
             addicted
             to
             your
             owne
             judgement
             (
             for
             t
             is
             certaine
             saith
             
               Calvin
            
             
               d
            
             that
             every
             mar
             
             who
             is
             addicted
             and
             wedded
             to
             his
             owne
             judgement
             ,
             so
             soone
             as
             ever
             an
             occasion
             offers
             it selfe
             ,
             will
             be
             a
             Schismaticke
             :
             of
             which
             reade
             more
             in
             that
             place
             .
          
           
             And
             thus
             I
             have
             delivered
             my
             owne
             soule
             ,
             hoping
             that
             either
             our
             brethren
             will
             withdraw
             their
             Petitions
             so
             as
             they
             shall
             never
             be
             read
             in
             the
             Honourable
             House
             of
             Commons
             ,
             or
             if
             they
             should
             ,
             I
             hope
             the
             House
             will
             cast
             them
             out
             ,
             for
             I
             am
             perswaded
             it
             shall
             never
             be
             sayd
             of
             this
             Parliament
             in
             the
             ages
             to
             come
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             the
             first
             that
             opened
             a
             dore
             for
             Tolerations
             ,
             and
             for
             setting
             up
             of
             Churches
             against
             the
             Church
             ;
             which
             if
             ever
             that
             dore
             should
             be
             opened
             (
             which
             God
             of
             his
             mercy
             keepe
             shut
             )
             I
             leave
             it
             to
             their
             great
             wisedomes
             to
             fore-see
             what
             infinite
             evils
             would
             in
             processe
             of
             time
             come
             upon
             this
             Kingdome
             ,
             and
             whether
             the
             succeeding
             generations
             would
             not
             write
             in
             their
             Chronicles
             and
             Histories
             (
             as
             is
             written
             of
             
               Naaman
               ,
               2
               King.
               5.
               1.
               
               Now
               Naaman
               was
               a
               great
               man
               with
               his
               Master
               ,
               and
               honourable
               ,
               because
               by
               him
               the
               Lord
               had
               given
               deliverance
               unto
               Syria
               :
               He
               was
               also
               a
               mighty
               man
               in
               valour
               ,
               but
               he
               was
               a
               Leper
               )
            
             Such
             a
             Parliament
             was
             great
             and
             Honourable
             because
             by
             them
             the
             Lord
             gave
             deliverance
             unto
             
               England
               ,
            
             it
             was
             also
             a
             mighty
             Parliament
             for
             executing
             justice
             ,
             and
             for
             making
             such
             and
             such
             excellent
             Lawes
             ,
             but
             it
             granted
             a
             Toleration
             ;
             whether
             this
             would
             not
             cast
             a
             darke
             shaddow
             upon
             their
             glorious
             light
             ,
             and
             be
             as
             a
             dead
             flye
             in
             the
             Oyntment
             of
             the
             Apothecary
             ;
             I
             humbly
             submit
             to
             their
             judgement
             .
             But
             to
             conclude
             this
             discourse
             both
             against
             Independancie
             ,
             and
             against
             Tolerations
             ,
             the
             day
             is
             shortly
             comming
             will
             try
             all
             ,
             and
             I
             rejoyce
             in
             the
             thoughts
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             regard
             of
             the
             accounts
             I
             shall
             give
             about
             this
             controversie
             of
             Separation
             ,
             nothing
             doubting
             but
             in
             that
             great
             day
             (
             Christ
             of
             his
             rich
             grace
             pardoning
             the
             weaknesses
             that
             have
             ,
             may
             ,
             and
             doe
             cleave
             to
             me
             in
             the
             manner
             of
             managing
             it
             )
             will
             owne
             my
             whole
             worke
             ,
             and
             endeavours
             against
             that
             
             way
             of
             Separation
             ,
             as
             stirred
             up
             by
             his
             owne
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             followed
             all
             along
             by
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             enabling
             mee
             in
             it
             and
             to
             it
             above
             my
             owne
             strength
             ;
             and
             though
             I
             expect
             many
             censures
             and
             reproaches
             from
             that
             sort
             of
             men
             yet
             then
             I
             shall
             have
             prayse
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             reward
             of
             all
             my
             labour
             ,
             for
             truth
             ,
             love
             ,
             peace
             ,
             and
             holinesse
             ,
             which
             I
             aime
             at
             in
             this
             and
             all
             other
             Discourses
             about
             this
             Controversie
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A83501e-210
           
             Melch.
             Adam
             .
             vita
             Oecolamp
             .
             pag.
             53.
             
             Melch.
             Adam
             vit
             Bucer
             p.
             213.
             
             Melch.
             Ad.
             vit
             Tosan
             .
             pag.
             702.
             
             Melc
             .
             Ad
             vita
             Brent
             .
             pag
             441.
             
          
           
             Quid
             ?
             nonne
             vident
             dissidia
             nostra
             esse
             amicorum
             dispendia
             ,
             hostium
             compendia
             ,
             &
             publica
             irae
             divinae
             incendia
             .
          
           
             Junius
             Bi●enu
             .
             Epist.
             land
             Has
             .
          
           
             Adeo
             vetera●●ie
             hic
             antiqu●s
             d●aco
             imprudentiae
             nostrae
             ne
             vit
             illudere
             .
          
           
             Quisquis
             volens
             detrabir
             fama
             meae
             ,
             iste
             nob●●
             addit
             mercedi
             meae
             .
             Augustirus
             Regium
             est
             male
             audire
             cum
             bene
             feceris
             .
          
           
             2
             King.
             c.
             ult.
             v.
             43.
             2
             Chron.
             15.
             v.
             17.
             2
             
             King
             18.
             v.
             4.
             
          
           
             Theod.
             hist.
             eccle.
             .
             l.
             5.
             cap.
             20.
             
          
           
             Diruendi
             sunt
             etiam
             ipsi
             ciconiarum
             nidi
             ne
             redeant
             .
             Lavat.
             in
             Deurer
             .
          
           
             Theod.
             Heret
             .
             Fab.
             lib.
             4.
             de
             Nest
             .
          
           
             a
             
               Nestorius
            
             speaking
             against
             the
             personall
             union
             of
             the
             divine
             and
             humane
             nature
             of
             Christ
             :
             
               Extiches
            
             fell
             into
             an
             error
             contrary
             ,
             confounding
             the
             natures
             ,
             that
             he
             would
             have
             the
             humane
             nature
             so
             swallowed
             up
             by
             the
             immensitie
             of
             the
             divine
             nature
             in
             Christ
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             not
             two
             natures
             in
             Christ
             ,
             but
             one
             onely
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             the
             divine
             nature
             ,
             
               Evag.
               lib.
               1.
               cap.
            
             9.
             
             So
             
               Ofiander
            
             broaching
             that
             error
             ,
             that
             Christ
             was
             our
             mediatour
             only
             according
             to
             the
             divine
             nature
             ,
             
               Stancarus
            
             opposing
             that
             fell
             into
             another
             error
             that
             Christ
             was
             mediator
             only
             according
             to
             the
             humane
             
               Schlussels
               de
               Stancar
               .
               pag.
            
             37.
             so
             
               Flacius
               Illyricus
            
             opposing
             
               Strigelius
            
             who
             made
             originall
             sinne
             to
             be
             but
             a
             light
             kind
             of
             accident
             ,
             he
             to
             aggravate
             the
             monstruousnesse
             of
             originall
             sinne
             ,
             fell
             into
             that
             errour
             ,
             that
             originall
             sinne
             was
             the
             substance
             of
             a
             man
             ,
             
               Schlussels
               de
               secta
               Manic
               :
               pag.
            
             4.
             
          
           
             *
             Polypus
             petrae
             cui
             adhaesit
             colorem
             referens
             .
             Nazianz
             :
             de
             se
             ipso
             .
          
           
             Oreg
             .
             Naz
             ad
             episcop.
          
           
             Theod.
             lib.
             3.
             
             Haeret
             :
             Fabul
             .
             Parvus
             error
             in
             initio
             fit
             magnus
             in
             fine
             ,
             negligenda
             non
             sunt
             parva
             initia
             ,
             ex
             quibus
             paulatim
             majores
             fiunt
             accessiones
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A83501e-1100
           
             Zanch.
             in
             .
             4.
             pr.
             p.
             777.
             778.
             
             Calv.
             Instit.
             lib.
             4.
             c.
             3.
             Sect.
             11.
             16.
             
          
           
             Rob.
             Apol.
             ca.
             1.
             18.
             
          
           
             Zanch.
             in
             4.
             pr.
             786.
             
          
           
             Calv.
             lib.
             4.
             c.
             3.
             sect.
             16.
             
          
           
             Cameron
             dic
             eccle.
             .
             p.
             27.
             
          
           
             Robinson
             Apol.
             c.
             4.
             de
             presb.
             .
             eccles.
             p.
             47.
             
          
           
             Calv.
             Instit.
             lib.
             4.
             cap.
             3.
             sect
             ,
             16.
             
          
           
             Zanch.
             in
             4.
             pr.
             786
             ,
             787.
             p.
             
          
           
             Ames
             .
             lib.
             1.
             cap.
             49.
             
          
           
             Zanchius
             in
             4.
             
             Praecept
             .
             p.
             784.
             
             Amesius
             lib.
             pr.
             medul
             .
             cap.
             39.
             
          
           
             Question
             .
          
           
             Zanch.
             in
             4.
             pr.
             p.
             784.
             quod
             peritiores
             igitur
             pertinet
             examinatio
             &
             qui
             plus
             habeant
             authoritatis
             .
          
           
             Zanch
             in
             4
             pr.
             p.
             784.
             
          
           
             Ames
             .
             lib.
             pr●
             .
             cap.
             39.
             
          
           
             *
             Cameron
             .
             Non
             est
             credibile
             dominum
             nostrum
             Jesum
             Christum
             (
             qui
             non
             est
             perturbationis
             &
             confusionis
             author
             sed
             ordinis
             )
             voluisse
             Judicia
             esse
             penes
             plebem
             ,
             quae
             vel
             ob
             imperitiam
             rerum
             vel
             ob
             affectuū
             perturbationem
             accipere
             debet
             ;
             non
             dare
             leges
             ,
             &
             judicium
             subire
             ,
             non
             ferre
             .
             Dic
             Ecelesi
             pag.
             21.
             
          
           
             
               See
            
             Syons
             prerog.
             p.
             21.
             
             Robinsons
             Catechisme
             .
          
           
             Rob.
             Apol.
             cap.
             1.
             p.
             10.
             
          
           
             Manus
             
               of
            
             Covent
             .
             
               sent
               from
            
             Holland
             .
          
           
             Examination
             of
             Prelates
             petition
             ,
             
               p
               31.
               
               Manus
               .
            
             of
             
               Coven
            
             sent
             from
             
               Holland
               .
            
          
           
             
               Vide
               Assert
               .
            
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               scotland
               ,
               p.
            
             154
             ,
             155
             ,
             156.
             
          
           
             Lib
             pr●med
             .
             Theol.
             cap.
             39.
             
          
           
             Med.
             Theolo
             .
             lib.
             1.
             cap.
             39.
             
          
           
             pag.
             11.
             
          
           
             Amesi
             .
             lib.
             pr.
             ca.
             37.
             de
             Discipl
             .
             Eccl.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A83501e-2670
           
             Pareus
             in
             Gal.
             5.
             
               v.
            
             10.
             12.
             
          
           
             
               So
               Calvin
            
             in
             
               Gal
            
             5.
             v.
             10.
             12.
             
             I
             intreat
             the
             Independant
             men
             in
             the
             feare
             of
             God
             to
             read
             &
             consider
             what
             is
             more
             fully
             set
             down
             in
             those
             two
             verses
             by
             
               Calvin
            
             and
             
               Pareus
               .
            
          
           
             
               Manus
               .
            
             of
             a●●
             Treatise
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           
             A
             Liturgie
             imposed
             is
             Popery
             saith
             the
             
               Protestation
               Protested
               .
            
          
           
             
               Manus
            
             Treatis
             .
             of
             a
             Church
             .
          
           
             Robins
             .
             Apol.
             c.
             11.
             
          
           
             Vide
             
               Ans.
            
             from
             new
             
               England
            
             to
             the
             32.
             quest
             .
             sent
             by
             some
             
               Lancashire
            
             Ministers
             .
          
           
             
               Rob.
            
             Justific
             .
             221.
             
          
           
             
               Manus
            
             Treatis
             .
             of
             a
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           Notes for div A83501e-3720
           
             If
             you
             may
             publiquely
             protest
             against
             such
             as
             you
             know
             should
             not
             be
             admitted
             ,
             and
             declare
             against
             the
             Churches
             faultinesse
             in
             not
             proceeding
             against
             them
             ,
             you
             may
             communicate
             with
             them
             ,
             because
             you
             have
             done
             all
             you
             can
             in
             this
             case
             .
          
           
             Daven.
             determ.
             quest
             .
             2
             7.
             
          
           
             Reb.
             Catechis
             .
             Ans.
             to
             2.
             quest
             .
             Reb.
             Justific
             .
             pag.
             221.
             
          
           
             
               Manus
               .
               Treat.
            
             of
             a
             church
             .
             I
             propound
             these
             things
             as
             being
             according
             to
             their
             principles
             ,
             but
             not
             as
             mine
             .
          
           
             Ames
             .
             lib.
             4.
             de
             cons.
             cap.
             24.
             de
             〈◊〉
             .
          
           
             And
             what
             ever
             Liturgie
             or
             Ceremonies
             or
             Discipline
             are
             left
             to
             accompany
             this
             Nationall
             Church
             Government
             ,
             t
             is
             indifferent
             with
             us
             ,
             so
             as
             we
             may
             enjoy
             our
             Christian
             libertie
             in
             the
             true
             use
             of
             such
             Ordinances
             ,
             and
             of
             such
             Independant
             Government
             as
             Christ
             the
             onely
             Law-giver
             of
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             Lord
             of
             the
             conscience
             ,
             hath
             left
             unto
             us
             in
             his
             Word
             .
          
           
             Rom.
             14.
             3.
             
          
           
             a
             
               Cal.
               Farel
               .
               Epist.
            
             397.
             
             Quod
             si
             pervicaciter
             recusare
             institerit
             ,
             denuncient
             sibi
             non
             esse
             loco
             fratris
             ,
             qui
             communem
             disciplinam
             contumacia
             sua
             perturbet
             :
             semper
             hoc
             in
             Ecclesia
             valuit
             ,
             quod
             veteribus
             synodis
             suit
             decretum
             ,
             ut
             qui
             subjici
             communis
             disciplinae
             legibus
             noluerit
             munere
             abdi●●●●●neque
             hic
             quaerenda
             est
             hominum
             authoritas
             ,
             cum
             Spiritus
             Sanctus
             de
             talibus
             pronunciaverit
             ,
             Ecclesiam
             non
             habere
             morem
             contendendi
             ,
             valere
             ergo
             ipsum
             jubeant
             ,
             qui
             communis
             societatis
             jura
             respuit
             .
          
           
             b
             Fratrem
             vero
             illum
             qui
             hactenus
             a
             vobis
             dissensit
             ,
             obsecramus
             in
             Domino
             ne
             ulterius
             pertinacia
             contendat
             ad
             repugnandum
             .
             Meminerit
             inter
             alia
             ,
             quae
             
               Paulus
            
             in
             Pastore
             requirit
             ,
             hoc
             esse
             non
             postren
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             ,
             nesit
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             ,
             hoc
             est
             proprio
             judicio
             addictus
             .
             Et
             cene
             haec
             una
             est
             ex
             praecipuis
             virtutibus
             boni
             pastoris
             ,
             sic
             exhorrere
             toto
             pectore
             contentiones
             ut
             nunquam
             a
             fratribus
             nisi
             ob
             causas
             maxime
             necessarias
             ,
             dissideat
             ,
             
               Cal.
               Epi.
            
             55.
             
          
           
             c
             Substantiam
             Ecclesiasticae
             disciplinae
             exprimit
             di
             sertis
             verbis
             Scriptura
             :
             forma
             autem
             ejus
             exercendae
             ,
             quoniam
             a
             Domino
             praescript
             non
             est
             ,
             a
             ministris
             constitui
             debet
             pro
             aedificatione
             ,
             
               Cal.
               
               Epist.
            
             55.
             
          
           
             d
             Et
             certe
             omni
             ,
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             ,
             simulac
             se
             occasio
             dederit
             ,
             itarim
             ●et
             Schismaticus
             .
             
               Cai
               in
               Tit.
               1.
               v.
            
             7.