NOAH'S DOVE, OR, AN EPISTLE OF PEACE, DIRECTED To his entirely affected Brethren, The Presbyterians, and independents. As a probable means, for their Agreement and union. From Sir James HARINGTON, Knight. Imprimat. JOSEPH CARILL. LONDON, Printed by T. W. for ED. HUSBAND, Printer for the Honourable House of Commons. 1645. Noah's Dove, or an Epistle of Peace, directed to his entirely affected Brethren, the Presbyterians, and independents: As a probable means, for their agreement and union. Sincerely Beloved, I Read of two Children contending in the womb of their Mother, Gen. 25. 22. the one beloved, the other hated, Malach. 1. 3 but ye are both jacob's, both the Israel of God. O far be it from such Brethren to rend and lacerate their mother's bowels, or to fall out in the way. Gen. 45. 24. Eph. 4. 4, 5, 6 Rom. 12. 1. 1 Cor. 13. 4. Galat. 5. 22. Are we not one Body, and have we not all one spirit, one Lord, one Faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all, I beseech you by the mercies of God, by the excellent effects of Charity, by the Fruits of the spirit, Math. 11. 29. John 13. 34, & 35. by the examples and command of the Lord Jesus, and the character of his Disciples, be meek and lowly, and love one another; so shall the plots of Rome and Hell be prevented, and all Malignants shut their mouths. 1 Cor. 6. 5, Why should it be spoken to our shame, 6. that there is not a wise man amongst us? No, not one that is able to judge between his Brethren: but Brother asperses and declaimes against Brother, 7. and that before the Antichristians. Now therefore there is utterly a fault amongst you, 10. know ye not that Revilers shall not inherit the kingdom of God? But some will answer, that they have received a new light, O be cautious that novelty eclipse not truth, since the last days foretold and forewarned of by our Saviour, are at hand, wherein iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold, hence, Math. 24. 12. Father against son, and son against Father, betraying one another, and hating one another; verse 7. 10. Hence the judgements of Famine and Pestilence; Nation rising up against Nation. So that the whole world seems to be on fire before its time; These days not I, but the Lord Jesus, the great Prophet of his Church, dictates and points out to be the time, when many false Christ's, Vers. 11. and 24. and Prophets (or teachers of Christianity) shall arise; who by their applause, excellency of parts, and external holiness, by which they shall show forth, as it were, signs and wonders, and gather a multitude of Disciples, declaring that in such a meeting, Vers. 26. and 24. be it in woods, or deserts, or in secret chambers, the true way of Christ is to be found, deceiving if it were possible, the very elect. Our Lord teaching us from hence, how near a similitude, these new Doctrines shall have to truth, and true holiness. But be they as Paul, Vers. 27. Gal. 1. 8. 2 Cor. 11. 13. or Cephas in the Church, or as Angels from heaven, believe them not; for as the lightning comes out of the East, and shines even to the West, so shall also the glorious coming of the Son of man be; that is, (as I humbly conceive) that his gospel which at first broke out like lightning in the East, shall in this last age, upon the ruins, and through the clouds of spiritual Babylon, dart itself, and shine gloriously in our Western Churches even to the Indies; that th'other parallel prophecy may be fulfilled, by the subjecting, and uniting the kingdoms of the Earth, unto the kingdom of the Lord, and of his Christ. Rev. 11. 15. Let us not then be carried about with every wind of Doctrine, Eph. 4. 14. but hold fast the gospel delivered to us by Christ, and his Apostles, in the unity of the spirit, Eph. 4. 3. 1 Cor. 3. 11. Rom. 14. 23. and the bond of peace, since other foundation can no man lay, it being a sin, so much as to doubt, much more to defend, that the fundamentals of our Religion, some of which are mentioned by the Author to the * Heb. 6. 1. Hebrews, and received by the Church in all ages, are not to bind, as de futuro, 2. as having a possibility upon new notions, to be nuld or changed, which is to make God a liar, to undermine his Church, and to pull down the pillars thereof; For if the foundations be destroyed, what shall? * Psal. 11. 3. Nay, what can the righteous do? Wherefore my humble suit unto our master Builders is, to keep the Foundation unmovable, not permitting a resurrection to ancient heretics before their time, 1 Cor. 3. 12. that so whatsoever men build thereon, whether it be gold or stubble, may be brought to the Test, in this Fiery trial. Stand fast therefore Brethren in that liberty, wherein Christ hath made us free, Gal. 5. 1. & 13. not making your liberty a cloak for maliciousness, not for an occasion to the Flesh, but by love serve one another, judging thus of one another that he that loves his Brother, abides in the light, but * 1 Joh. 2. 9 1. he that hates his Brother (whatsoever he may boast of new discoveries,) walks in darkness, and knows not whither he goes, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes, and that whosoever seems to be religious, and yet bridles not his tongue, he deceives his own heart, and his Religion is vain. * Jam. 1. 16. But that I may not only persuade, but offer my Mite, I shall in all humility propose a medium, which if found agreeable to the word of God, may through the blessing of the Almighty make up the Breach, and reconcile your greatest difference. I conceive you both agree in these particulars. 1 Cor. 14. 34. 1 Tim. 2. 11. 1 Cor. 5. 11. 2 Cor. 6. 14. 17. That all that shall be Members, and have right to Vote in your Churches, (from which Votes Women are excepted) shall not only be free from just scandal, that is profaneness, and the impenitent practice of any known sin, but be endued with a sufficiency of knowledge, to which end (since you accord in the Principles of Religion) I hope there will speedily be set forth, and established one short catechism for information, and examination. Next in condescension to the independents, I hear it is mutually resolved, that the government of their respective Members, reconciling of inferior differences, and ordering their conversations, even as far as Ordination, and the censure of Excommunication, (respect being had in Appeals to the advice and results of the Classes and provincial Synods, and saving to the Presbyterians their right) be ordered by their paricular Congregations. Thus far we are knit together in one spiritual building and temple of God. Ephes. 2. 21. The great difference if I understand it, is in the Tegument and covering, which is indeed, the ornament, coupling, and strength of the whole edifice: As where shall rest (as to us) under the same sceptre, the determinative and concluding power, the end of Appeals, the regulation of that unlimited Plea, and overmuch extended liberty of conscience, Joh. 17. 21. that so we may be one, as Christ and his Father are one; this, some of you fix in a general assembly, others, limit to a particular Congregation; The first pleads not only Scripture analogically, but prudence for preserving union, and preventing of Tumults, as also antiquity, from the parallel in general counsels and Parliaments, affirming that the other way, hath no grounds in Scripture: since Churches were necessarily independent, no State being then Christian that this way (by reason that our corrupt nature hath no check) is destructive to the unity of Religion. Since according to the number of the Congregations will be their opinions, as also pernicious to commonwealths; their being no feuds so bloody and irreconciliable, as those that break out about points of Faith, instance, in the wars between the Turk and Persian, Papists and Protestants, in the Lutheran contestations, and Arian persecutions. Lastly, they conclude an inconsistency in this way, with relations and callings, disaffection and departure from Bed, Board, Families, and employments, being experimental consequences of Religious differences. On the other side, the contradicting party affirm, that a general Assembly differs but in name from a Conclave of Cardinals, or prelatical Synod, that every member of the Church is free, and ought not in matters of Faith, to conclude himself by proxy, that no Church hath power over another, or Brethren (since the Apostles,) have Dominion over the Consciences of their Brethren, that their platform of Church Government ought to be, and is jure divino, that the eaungelicall Scripture sets forth theirs, and no other. Now dear Brethren, give me your pardon and leave with Moses, to step in betwixt your Combatings, with his and Abraham's words, Exod. 2. 13. Gen. 13. 8. why do ye contend being ye are Brethren, it may be God giving a blessing, and each of you in his hand, I shall in my Proposition be a medium to unite you, (only despise not my endeavours,) since the Lord hides many things from the wise and prudent, Mat. 11. 25. and reveals them to Babes. But to proceed, I observe neither of you arrogate to yourselves an infallibility but piously seek, an Orthodox and prudential way of Government, for the attaining and preserving, God's truth; blessed are your endeavours, yea they shall be blessed. Wherefore I ask the Presbyterians why do ye extol and lift up a general assembly, above the rest of the flock of Christ: To the independents I say why do ye prefer the judgement of one particular Congregation, before the joint votes of all the refined Christian Churches of the kingdom, surely the first will yield to me, that where most of God's People are in their judgement, there is the greatest measure of his spirit, and to such Assemblies principally, and to their votes, are made all those gracious promises (I need not coat the places) concerning Christ's spirit and presence I mean to such a Multitude not of Men only, but of purged and visible believers. The other I presume both from grounds of Scripture and reason, will grant, that could the votes of all the reputed and received Members of Christ, of their several Churches, be jointly taken and in one place, they must be accepted, and are but as the vote of one great Congregation, which though it have an increase of Ministers and Elders, yet according to a true definition for essence is a Church, and that more eminently, though not more truly than the particular Congregations of whom it consists, even as an Assembly made up of many Families, called by the * Colos: 4. 15. Rom. 16. 5. Apostle Churches of God, is more excellent, than its subdivisions. But that I may make good by Scripture, this incorporating of Churches, conjuncture and union of votes, I shall remember you of those three chief proofs, and lights of Church Governmrnt, both for Doctrine and manners. The first shows the Primitive and Apostolic way, of ending controversies in Doctrine, by the summoning of that great Assembly, of the members of the Churches of Jerusalem and Judea of which Churches, read. Acts. 11. 1. and Galat: 1. 22. Therefore called a Multitude. Acts. 15. 12. in which the Apostles, (although endued with an infallible spirit,) and the Elders of the Churches did not alone vote, and decree matters (though that in many cases, wherein the People consents, such votes, may be and are necessary expedient & lawful) but the whole Church. verse 22. which compared with. Acts. 2. verse 41. Wherein three thousand are said to be converted, and with Acts. 4. verse 4. Wherein five thousand, were by one Sermon converted, clearly demonstrates, that this Assembly was composed of many Congregations, as further appears from the Apostles teaching and preaching in every house. Acts. 5. 42. How else could eight thousand Men, besides Women and Children, be taught and edified. The like is proved, from the election and choice of the seven Deacons by the vote of the Multitude. Acts. 6. 5. Where the Apostles, and Elders also were present, yea those whom the holy Ghost. Acts. 2. 47. Calls a Church in a national respect, he calls Churches. Acts. 9 31. In a congregational consideration, And lastly in Corinth there more than probably appears to be many * Compare Rom. 16. 16. with the postscript of that Epistle. Congregations, else whence or where, were these dissensions, and divisions some saying, I am of Paul: others I am of Apollo, of Cephas, 1. Cor. 1. 12. All the Members of which were commanded to meet in one Assembly for the excommunication of the incestuous person 1. Cor. 5. 4. Where note they were to meet, to whom the Epistle was directed, & who are admonished to mourn: But the Epistle and exhortation was directed to the whole Church of Corinth, and not to the Elders only▪ ergo the whole Congregation, when they shall desire it, have a right to vote, and censure. Having thus fully proved by Scripture, that in Cities and Provinces, and consequently in Kingdoms, the Members of particular Congregations may and were by command to meet for the deciding of any great difference, yea the Apostles though of an infallible spirit, did not contradict, but give both approbation and institution to that liberty. Acts 1. 15. 23. Act. 21. 22. I shall with humblest submission, offer this following Proposition, as a right and fit medium of reconciliation. That in all great scisms and heresies, over spreading whole Churches, if the breach cannot be made up by advice, argument, and subordinate discipline either congregational or presbyterial; an appeal be made to a general Assembly, who after the stating, disputing and voting, such points in difference together with the merit of the offence (the recusant Church or Churches, notwithstanding continuing unsatisfied) that then the Assembly adjourn that sessions for three months, in which time, the Assembly, members of each Congregation, to be ordered after fasting and prayer, to state the Question and declare the Arguments and Judgement of the general Assembly to their particular Churches, and so accordingly at that meeting receive, and bring up each church's vote and sentence with the number (because of the disproportion of Parishes) summed up of those that affirm, and those that descent, that so at the next Session the Question may be decided and concluded, by the Major vote, both of Churches and Members which Scripture way will not only by a religious Policy from time to time discover the temper, pulse, & inclination of the whole kingdom, and consequently administer a great help and direction to Government, but will give full satisfaction to all, (Unless to obstinate heretics) as being the judgement and vote (even by the pole) of all the visible and individual Christians of the kingdom politically united, as in one Congregation, yea the disobedient will be left without excuse, and justly liable to their sentence of excommunication. But put the Question a considerable number of the Churches in the kingdom, give in their vote with a new opinion, hazarding a rent and division in the Nation. I answer, that upon so sad an occasion our Church (in imitation of the ancient callings of general Counsels, upon the over flowing of heresy,) ought to desire the judgement and assistance, and that by additional votes (if it may be) of all the reformed Churches in the world, which comes nearest to the judgement of the holy Catholic Church, the body of Christ, to which he hath promised his presence, and spirit of truth to the end, Math. 28. 20 and therefore must as to each particular State or Church, though not infallibly, yet prudentially, end and conclude by obedience either active or passive the discenting Churches, whom the civil Magistrate after the church's excommunication, is to order by banishment or lesser punishment, according as their doctrines, shall be more or less prejudicial to the State, wherein they live. 2. Chro. 15. verse 12. 13. 14. Which since they suffer as evil doers, is (as to that commonwealth) a civil and necessary act of preservative Justice, not an enforcing of Conscience or persecution. Matthew. 18 verse. 17. Thus fervently beseeching the blessing of the all-wise God, upon my poor and weak endeavours, trusting that in the bowels of love, and charity, I have in sincerity and plainness declared unto you the mind of Christ, in all humility I conclude. The unworthiest of the servants of the Lord Jesus. J. H. FINIS. Imprimatur Joseph Carill.