THE NECESSITY Of Adhering To the Church of ENGLAND As by Law established: OR The Duty of a Good Christian, And particularly of PARENTS and MASTERS OF FAMILIES UNDER The Present Toleration. By William Saywell, D. D. of Ely. These are they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit, Judas 19 CAMBRIDGE, Printed by J. Hayes Printer to the University; for Edw. Hall Bookseller there. 1692. Decemb. 23. 1691. Imprimatur, Gabr. Quadring, Procan. Jo. Beaumond. Humf. Gower. Joh. Covel. THE PREFACE TO All in any Authority, ESPECIALLY To Parents and Masters of Families, IN THE ARCH-DEACONRY Of ELY. I Have in the following Discourse shown you the true way to Peace and Happiness upon Earth, and the certain means of Salvation in the World to come, if you will keep yourselves and Families in the Communion of the Church of England, and practise those Rules and Orders which She has required for your Public Devotion and duties of Religion. And also made it evident what danger your Children and Servants are in of being ruined, if you do not make use of that Power and Authority which God has given you over them, to see them duly Instructed in their Catechism, and brought up in a Religious conversation, and constant attendance at the Prayers and Sacraments of the Church. This I have often urged with great earnestness to your Ministers and Churchwardens, as they can very well testify; and this if I had opportunity, I should deliver to your consideration in your several Parishes, and I doubt not, but your Ministers often put you in mind of the same; but my strength and other occasions not affording me leisure to do that, I do send these Books, which you may Read and meditate upon at your spare times: And for your farther direction, besides your Bible and Common-Prayer, I recommend to Your and Their serious perusal, a Book called The whole Duty of Man, where you have Sober and Pious discourses about your particular Duties, and also useful directions about Prayer and other parts of Private Devotion. 'Tis not only Meat and Drink you are to take care of for your Families, as the Beasts do for their young; but you are also to provide for their Souls which are the better part, and therefore see them educated in the true Faith, and Obedience to God, and made useful Instruments to promote the Peace and welfare of their Country. Schism and Heresy will make them enemies to both, and to you to: It will teach them to be stubborn and selfwilled, Proud and Morose, Peevish and ill Natured, False and Treacherous, and common disturbers of the Church and State; all which inconveniences you will avoid if you bring them up in the constant Communion of the Church of England; for She only here teaches them the true old Way, and the plain Doctrines of the Catholic Church, and She is the only particular Church to whom by the Laws of God and Man you are bound to yield submission; and this has been fully made out not only against Papists, but all other Schismatics and Dissenters. This all Godfathers and Godmothers ought to take into their serious Consideration, and where Parents are careless or erroneous, they should use their endeavour to see their God-sons and God-daughters brought up in the Profession of that Faith into which they were Baptised: the neglect whereof, has made the command of the Church herein so much complained off and condemned by the Dissenters, for else no Man in his wits can find fault with the Church's care in this matter. Since beside the Parents, (who have a natural Obligation to breed up their Children in the fear of God) others are engaged to take care to see that done in Case the Parents die or neglect it. Indeed it is every Christians care in some measure, but that it might be more Orderly managed, 'tis laid upon some few to take it into their more especial Charge, and usually left amongst Friends and Relations, which in Reason and Nature will be most careful to see it done. To say it is much neglected, is no more than may be said of too many Parents also: but the custom is very good, and Sureties ought to be more careful to perform the Trust that the Church and Friends lay upon them, and to do what they can by themselves or others, is all that is expected. But it is not only teaching them their Catechism is sufficient, but you ought to see that they lead their Lives according to those Pious Rules and Directions that the Church has taught them, and also carefully to restrain them, and to correct them for their Vices and Debauchery, such as Swearing, Lying, Drunkenness, absenting from the Church, and all other kind of Wickedness: and the better to prevent all these mischiefs, carry them with you at all times to the Church, and take account of them what they have Learned and Observed from the Ministers Sermons and Catechising, and be oftentimes on Sundays, etc. and other Leisure times putting them in mind of their Duty. See Deut. 6.7. This the State as well as the Church does now more particularly require of you, Deut. 11.18.19. during the Toleration; which is not meant to justify Heresy or Schism, or to warrant that they are in a safe condition that separate from the Church, no more than Jews or Heretics who have the like benefit: much less to encourage Ignorance and Profaneness, but only to take off the Temporal Punishment which the Civil State did inflict. Now God does often defer his Judgements, to wait for our amendment, and Parents and Masters do sometimes think it convenient to wink at Offences in their Children and Servants; and so though the State does not at present punish Dissenters, yet it does so far disapprove of their Ways, that all the Obligations in Conscience to Conform to the Church still remain, both by the Laws of the Church and State also. Neither is any Man thought fit to be admitted to any Office or Place of Trust that does not join in Communion with the Church of England. Besides you must consider, though Punishments may be an outward means, yet 'tis voluntary Obedience makes good Christians. If therefore you will discharge your Duty to God, to the Church and State, and the Obligation you own to your Families, you must diligently observe these Directions, and take more particular Care at this time in the educating of your Children and Servants in the Communion of the Church, nay if you expect they should receive any Benefit from any Public employment in Church or State. And I pray God direct you and make you careful herein; and I as I have opportunity shall sometimes come and see, and inquire how well your Parish-Churches and Sacraments are frequented by those who would be accounted hearty Friends and true Sons of the Church of England. For if they are careless herein, how can we expect it from others who would rejoice at our Destruction; and the Papists in the end will reap the greatest advantage by our Disorders. As you therefore love God, love your Country, love your children's Souls, keep them from Conventicles, and be careful in training them up in the constant Communion of the Church of England. God does particularly commend Abraham because he did command his Children after him that they should keep the way of the Lord. Gen. 18 19 And Joshua does not only take care for himself, but says, As for Me and my House we will serve the Lord. Josh. 24.15. And it is the Command of God in the New Testament, Ephes. 6.4. That you should bring up your Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: And what that is I have here set before you, to prevent your falling into the Errors and Confusions of the times. And how can you better spend your Days then in promoting the Glory of God, and Peace and Love round about you, and obtaining happiness for yourselves and Families to all Eternity? God be thanked the Pious Zeal of the Sons of the Church has had so good effect in the City of London, that daily Morning and Evening Prayers, Weekly and Monthly Communions, are Reverently and Devoutly celebrated and frequented in many Churches and Chapels. I hope their good example will stir up People in the Country to change their careless behaviour, to be reverend and constant in doing their Duty, and attending the Prayers and Sacraments of the Church. Calvin. de necess. Reform. Eccles. LET them give us such an Hierarchy, in which Bishops have such a preeminency, that they do not refuse to be subject to Christ, wherein they depend upon him as their only Head, and are referred unto him; in which let them maintain Brotherly Charity one with another, and be united together with no other Bond than of his Truth: Then I will confess there is no Anathema that they are not guilty of, if there be any such, that do not observe it Reverently and with the highest Obedience. Calv. de vera Reformand. Ration. That no Man may raise a Calumny against us, that we are too morose and froward concerning external things, and do so precisely take away all Liberty; I do here testify that I do not contend about Ceremonies, which serve for Order and Decency, or else are Simbols and Incitements of that Reverence which we pay to God. Calv. Ep. 87. Protect. Angl. I do highly approve that there should be a certain Form of Prayer and Ecclesiastical Rites, from which it should not be Lawful for Pastors themselves to discede or vary. 1. That provision may be made for some People's ignorance and unskilfulness. 2. That the consent of all Churches amongst themselves may more plainly appear. 3. That Order may be taken against the desultory lightness of such who delight in innovations. Thus there ought to be an established Catechism, an established Administration of Sacraments, and also a Public Form of Prayer. THE Necessity of adhering TO The Church of ENGLAND as by Law established, etc. I Hope I have made it evident to you that I have a tender regard for the glory of God and the good of your Souls, by the great pains and the charge I was at to send you Books to stir you up, and direct you to the serious practice of the duty of Godliness; for 'tis not hearing all the Sermons and melting discourses in the world can bring you to Heaven, unless you do truly Love God, with all your heart, Deut. 6.5. Matt. 22.37. with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength; which is not done by running now and then into a Conventicle, and sighing and groaning at a passionate expression of the Preacher, but by a constant and steady doing of your Duty. There are in the world many errors in opinion destructive of salvation, and there are more in practice. But of late years, since my coming to this Office, our Churches have been much more filled, and the Holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper better frequented, and the generality of the People seemed to be very well satisfied with the Doctrine and discipline of the Church of England as by Law established, and there need nothing but a hearty conformity to the rules and order of it, to make us all instruments of God's glory here on earth, and happy to all eternity in the kingdom of Heaven. And that I might more effectually persuade you to live in all Christian obedience to the will of God, I thought some motives to the duty of Godliness, with short directions and prayers, would be a means to make you more ready and willing to lead a holy and Religious life This was my real design and intention in sending that little Book amongst you, which if you would often and carefully read over, and observe the directions contained in it, you would and more solid comfort and satisfaction upon your death bed, or when you come to examine into the hopes you have of Salvation, then in all the passionate Sermons that ever you heard in a Conventicle, for than you would do your duty as God hath commanded you; whereas now most men content themselves with hearing only, and that not as they ought to do neither, and so deceive their own selves, Jam. 1.22. Since the coming abroad of that little Book, when I thought I had little else to do but to call upon you to do your duty which you did already own and profess, I am how put upon another care by the change of affairs in the State, in order to the faithful discharge of my Office, that is to endeavour to recall some, and secure others in the unity and communion of the Church; now when you are ready to hear every new Man that sets up in a Conventicle, and read erroneous books to lead you to destruction, I hope you will read and consider what your Spiritual Governors (who have as great a concern for your good as They have a blind Zeal for your hurt) have to say for the truth, and your obedience to the Laws of the Gospel. And 'tis from the earnest desire I have of your peace and welfare, and the salvation of your Souls, that I do now again apply myself to you, and require you as you will answer it at the Day of judgement, when I must give an account how I have done my duty to was do you, seriously to consider how you that run into schism will answer this Charge which I now draw up against you, when the scoffs and jeers of your Leaders, the all I urements and threaten of your companions, and of your friends in error will stand you in no stead, but you must each stand by yourselves to be Judged at the day of your death according to the word of God, which I now offer to your consideration. The pretence of Conscience and being satisfied in their way without assurance from the Scriptures is an unsafe foundation. I Know it is the temper of many of you to say we are satisfied, and you feel a great deal of comfort in the way you take to worship God, and have the testimony of your Conscience that you do act sincerely, and as you think, for the glory or God. But how easily may Men flatter and deceive themselves with such pretences? Do not Jews and Mahometans, all Heretics and Schismatics pretend the same? And are not many of them fully as Zealous and confident in their way, and do they not as much condemn you in their thoughts as you can them? Nay those that killed the Apostles thought they did God service? So that to rely upon an inward satisfaction, Joh. 16.2. the pretence of Conscience, without solid reason and foundation in God's word, is the common mistake that deludes the greatest part of Mankind. If ever then you hope to appear with comfort before God, you must lay aside fancy and persuasion, and examine both your Faith, and your Lives according to the holy Scriptures. If we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel in part or in whole, or neglect any part of This, let him be accursed, Gal. 1.8. When our Saviour began to preach, this was the Sum of his Doctrine, Repent and relieve the Gospel, Mar. 1.15. When he sent his Apostles into the world, it was with this large Commission, Preach the Gospel to every Creature, he that believeth and is baptised shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned, Mark 16.15, 16. St Paul afterwards speaking of the Day of Judgement, Says, God shall Judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel, Rom. 2.16. Again, Christ Jesus shall he revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the Glory of his power. The Gospel does not only contain promises but precepts, duties, as well as rewards. And therefore our Saviour when he is asked what a man should do to be saved, gives this answer, If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandments. Again, if ye love me keep my Commandments. St James says, whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all, Jam. 2.10. This contains all articles of our Creed, and all other Christian duties, we must not think then our Zeal for one duty, will excuse our neglect of another, we must not so much regard what we have done, but supply that we have not done. If through error or mistake, any have lived in Schism, Heresy, Disobedience, or breach of any other command, he must repent and amend, for no confidence and self conceit can justify us before God, while we live in neglect of our Duty. Obedience to Governors and love and unity with our fellow Christians, necessary Duties of the Gospel. AS our Saviour came into the World to reform the errors and vices of corrupt Nature, and teach Men the principles of Peace and Virtue, so in his Gospel he has given most severe commands of mutual love and obedience to his Bishops and Governors, because without it there would be nothing but ignorance and error, quarrels and confusion, and as it was in the Jewish Nation when there was no King in Israel, every one did what was right in his own eyes, so it will be in the Church where there are no Governors, or none that are harkened to or regarded, every man will follow the devices of his own heart. Therefore when he founded his Church, the first thing he does is to appoint Governors with power not only to shut out of his Church, but out of Heaven, all those that contemn their authority and will not be governed by them. Matt. 16.18, 19 Upon this rock will I build my Church, and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it, and I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, whatsoever thou shalt bind on Earth shalt be bound in Heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt lose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven. And though in this place it be promised to St Peter, to show that each single Bishop had that power in his respective charge whilst he lives in communion with and conformity to the Church, yet Matt. 18. it is said, whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven; and when our Saviour actually bestows this power, John 20.23. he gives it equally to all the Apostles, whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted, and whose soever sins ye retain they are retained. Again he says, he that receiveth you receiveth me, he that rejecteth you rejecteth me, and he that rejecteth me, rejecteth him that sent me. And when he was going into Heaven, that he might fully provide for the order and government of his Church, he gives his Apostles authority over the whole World, to rule and to punish them, as well as to teach and comfort them; and this power is to last to the end of the World. All power is given unto me in Heaven and Earth, go ye therefore into all the World, make Disciples all Nations, and lo I am with you always unto the end of the World, Matt. 28. The Apostle Hebr. 13. bids Christians remember them that have the Rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God, whose faith follow, v. 7. again, Obey them that have the Rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch for your Souls, v. 17. And 'tis our Saviour's express command, if he refuse to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a Heathen and a Publican, and then he adds, to show whom he means by the Church, that 'tis the Bishops and Governors of his Church, whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven, Matt. 18.17, 18. So that it is beyond all possible doubt that there are Bishops and Governors sent by Christ to continue to the end of the World, and there is a Church that must be harkened unto, under peril of being shut out of the Kingdom of Heaven. There must be a method and order observed in appointing the Bishops and Governors of the Church, that Men may know whom they ought to obey, and whose punishments they ought to avoid. ALL Men confess in general, that Christ has left Bishops and Governors in his Church, but they are not all agreed who are those who have this Authority committed to them: Now there must be some orderly method for our direction in this as well as other matters, or else the Authority will signify nothing, and not attain that end for which it was appointed. For if every body be left to follow whom he please, than all censures and excommunications will come to nothing, assoon as Men are shut out from one Pastor, they will run to another; if one will not comply with their humour, they will go to another that will, and so the Christian society, which ought to be the Pattern of order and unity, will be the most confused body in the World; every body will become his own Lord and Master, and will live and do as he lift, but how opposite is this to that command of our Saviour? If he refuse to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an Heathen man and a Publican, and to that of the Apostle, obey them that have the Rule over you: when at this rate no Man has any other Ruler but his own peevish will. Our Saviour therefore to prevent this confusion, as he had Authority immediately from God, so he gave his Apostles full Commission to send others with the like power of appointing new Bishops to the end of the World, as fast as any should die or the places become void. And to this purpose he says, as my Father sent me, Joh. 20. that is with power of sending you, so send I you, with power of sending others. And lo, I am with you always unto the end of the World; accordingly we find Paul and Barnabas ordained by the appointment of the Holy Ghost, Act. 13.2, 3. and they again when they had received this power go about ordaining Bishops in every Church where they were wanting, Acts 14.23. and then Acts 20. the Apostle exhorts the Bishops to feed the Flock of Christ over whom the Holy Ghost had made them Bishops. Thus Timothy was ordained by St Paul, and he had power to ordain others, but he is charged to lay hands suddenly on no Man, 1 Tim. 5.22. Titas also was left in Crete to ordain Elders and set in order the things that were wanting. So that Christ he first sent forth his Apostles, the Apostles they ordained and sent forth Bishops, they were to judge of their abilities, and so to give them charge of Souls, and the People were to hearken to them and obey them as appointed by the Holy Ghost, Act. 20. and so other Priests and Officers that follow their orders and directions, 2 Cor. 7.15. What method was observed in appointing Bishops and Governors of the Church after the Apostles days. 'TIS not to be expected that the Names of all the Persons that were called to be Governors in the Church, and the places and bounds within which every Man was to exercise his Authority, should be set down in Scripture, no more than the Names and Places of Kings and Prints and Civil Governors are. The common rules of prudence and order are enough to direct in this as well as the other matters, so that all things be done decently and in order, and to the edification of the Church. Now the Rules of decency and order do require that Persons should be appointed peaceably, and therefore no Man must thrust himself into any Government till he be duly called and set apart for that Office, neither must any one usurp another's place and disturb him in the quiet discharge of his duty. And then that all may be done to edification, 'tis fit the Persons should be able and well qualified to do their Office; so there must be Persons who have power to appoint, and judgement to examine and discern the fitness of the Men who are to be called to so high a dignity as to be Teachers and Governors of the Church; how they are for life and conversation; that Magistrates and People can bear witness to, and are allowed to except against ill Men. But whether they are sound in Faith, and endued with knowledge and understanding rightly to divide the word of God, and discharge their duty, that was ever the Office of the Bishops to inquire, as also to ordain and appoint them, for they must lay hands suddenly on no Man, 1 Tim. 5.22. but are to commit this Authority to faithful Men who are able to teach others also, 2 Tim. 2.2. again, how shall they Preach except they be sent, Rom. 10.15. no Man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron, Heb. 5.4. Now that was after a solemn and orderly manner, by God's appointment he was legally consecrated and set apart for that Office, Exod. 28. so were the Apostles, so were those sent abroad by the Apostles, and so Persons were appointed in all ages of the Church, being first examined and tried, and then Ordained and sent forth by the Bishops according to certain Canons, and the same order is observed at this day in all Churches that stand established in any settled Government. And though there be a dispute in some places whether Bishops and Priests be of the same order, and upon that supposition that every Priest is a Bishop, and has Originally in him fullness of all Authority and Power, some do take it upon them to ordain though mere Presbyters, yet it is upon that principle and supposition that a Presbyter is equal to a Bishop, and has Authority from Christ to ordain others by virtue of his Office, and so still they maintain that Men must be examined and appointed by Bishops in a Regular manner, before they ought to be allowed to take upon them any Office of Preaching and Governing in the Church. And suppose a Bishop and Presbyter were one Order, and a Presbyter had equal Authority originally to Ordain as well as Bishops, which in the judgement of most Churches they have not; yet what an unreasonable thing is it, to make use of a power of Ordination which was never owned and allowed for 1500 years in the Church, and which does create many doubts and disputes and great confusion in the Church, when they may have Ordination from the Bishops, which all confess is sound and valid, and thereby Men may avoid giving scandal to many Churches, and raising Scruples in the minds of People at home, which all charity does require good Christians to prevent. Now this Succession of Bishops down from the Apostles time to our days, Luther T. 4. p. 6, 7, 8. Twenty years after his first appearing against the errors of the Church of Rome. The Apostles were called by Christ himself, the Apostles afterward called their Disciples, as Paul called Timothy and Titus. Who afterward called the Bishops, the Bishops called their Successors, and that Call continued to our times, and shall continue to the end of the World, and 'tis a mediate call, because it is by Men, yet it is Divine; and this is the general call all over the World after the Apostles, neither is it to be changed, but highly esteemed, by reason of some fanatical Men which despise it, and boast of another better call, whereby they say they are moved by the Spirit to teach. But such impostors lie, they are moved by a Spirit indeed, but not by a good but a wicked Spirit— Wherefore we must not run into another Man's charge, as the Devil does stir up his Ministers to run where they are not called. has run as clearly and as evidently as the Succession of our Kings in England since William the Conqueror, still one succeeding another, as any died or were removed, by Ordination and orderly appointment to his Charge. But yet farther, to keep peace and prevent confusion, there must be some Canons or Rules, to retain every Man within the bounds of his duty, that one might not disturb another, or undo what another had done. Now about choosing of Bishops and about excommunicating Offenders; Bishops may vary in their opinion, as it is known they often have done, one may be for this Man, and another for that, and unless there be some Rule to proceed by, there will be endless Cuarrels and Disputes; therefore the general Rule of Decency and Order must come in here, and we must consider what direction the Scripture has given in this Case also. Now besides the Rule of common Prudence, that amongst Governors of all Societies, if they cannot otherwise compose any difference, they must sit down by the Authority of the major part: the Apostle tells us. The Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets, for God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace, as in all the Churches of the Saints, 1. Cor. 14. much more than particular Bishops and Ministers ought to be subject to the rest of the Bishops. Then the general Rule of our Saviour is, If he refuse to hear the Church let him be unto Thee as an Heathen man and a Publican; not only no longer an Officer, but not so much as a member of the Church. Now all Bishops being Governors of the Church, and Successors of the Apostles, one as well as another has right to judge in Cases that concern the peace and welfare thereof, but it is impossible they can all meet or be consulted in ordinary Cases, and therefore as in the Civil state, for better Order and convenience in administration of Justice or preserving Peace, the World is divided into Kingdoms, Provinces, Counties, Cities, etc. And the respective Governors have the certain bounds and limits of their jurisdiction, and every one is to take care of all things within his own charge, and not to intermeddle or thrust himself into another Country or Province. So by direction from the Apostles, the Bishops did by mutual consent set out the bounds of every Man's jurisdiction, according to Cities and Provinces; and Civil States have confirmed the same in after Ages. Thus St James was Bishop of Jerusalem, St Peter at Antioch, St Mark at Alexandria, St Andrew at Byzantium now Constantinople, St Timothy at Ephesus, and Titus at Crete, etc. And after them other single Persons did succeed in their places, as we see it is at this Day, as one Bishop dies another is chosen and Ordained to succeed in his Office. And as a City with the neighbouring Countries round it did make one Bishop's Diocese, so several Cities and their adjoining Villages, did make one Province under one Archbishop. And all matters that did concern the Church were to be determined by the mutual consent of the Archbishop, and of all or the major part of the Bishops of each Province, and this was the Order derived from the Apostles, confirmed by the general Councils, S. Cypr. Ep. 68 can. A post. council. Nice. and generally observed through all Ages of the Church. As for the Authority of Patriarches, and of late years the usurpation of the Pope, these are all encroachments upon the Church, and so are the Assemblies of Presbyters without or in opposition to their Bishops, much more (the root of all confusion) an independency of every Preacher in each single Congregation, and deviations from the Ancient and Apostolical Order. S. Cyprian Ep. 55. council. African. can. 28. The standing and general Law and Tradition was that which best suits with the rules of Decency and Order, that Christians should not be drawn from their own Country, should not be put to long and tedious journeys, but have all Matters ended at home by the Archbishop and Bishops of each Province amongst themselves, who best know the state and condition of the People committed to their charge, and are bound by interest as well as duty, to consult the peace and welfare of their Dioceses. 'Tis needless to cite the Canons, See the 6 gen. Councils, and particular Councils confirmed by them. the case is known to all Scholars that look into the ancient Councils and Histories of the Church. And according to this universal Order of the Church, 'tis as easy for every one to know his own Spiritual Governors, as 'tis his Civil. Every Ones charge is allotted, and all within such bounds and limits belong to the Spiritual Government of the Bishop of the Diocese and his Assistants, and Minister of the Parish where he lives; and thus 'tis in all Kingdoms and Countries where the Christian Religion is professed, and this Order and Authority all sober Divines do own and acknowledge. But still it is with this limitation, provided they hold the Faith and Unity of the Catholic Church, and keep within the Rules of the Gospel. For all Bishops and others are members of Provincial Churches, and must be subject to the Rules and Orders of the Province; and all Provinces are members of the Catholic Church, and must keep the unity of Faith of Christ's mystreal body. In rites and ceremonies, and private opinions in lesser matters, particular Churches may differ one from another, and each Province or Nation may consult and provide that which is best for themselves, but then as to Faith and other necessary duties, that must be the same all over the World, and nothing must be done contrary to the Laws of Christian Charity, and that mutual Love that we ought to have for all our Brethren in Christ; much less ought we to do any thing contrary to that duty we own to our Spiritual Fathers that are set over us by the Holy Ghost, Acts 20. and to the peace and settlement of the Catholic and our own particular Church or Parish. Now I cannot see what temptation any rational Man that wishes well to the promoting of the glory of God and advancement of true Religion, can have to change this ancient Apostolical Order of a Synod of Bishops governing according to the Rules of the Ancient Church, and with the assistance of their Presbyters, for a Synod of Presbyters only, according to the late Model of Mr Calvin invented at Geneva. Or what benefit the People would have by it who must still be left to the Minister of their own Parish; neither would they find themselves in a better but worse condition. Much less should make a Schism to enforce and bring in such a novelty and invasion upon their Spiritual Fathers and Brethren in Christ: or else to destroy all Church Govenment, as the Independants, Anabaptists and Quakers do, who set up Blow men and Thatchers instead of Bishops and Priests. All Persons in this Nation are bound to join in Communion with their Bishop of the Diocese and Minister of the Parish where they live, and the great sin of those that neglect this Duty. I Have made it evident beyond all doubt that there are Spiritual Governors appointed by Christ to continue to the end of the World, and all Christian People must be under the Authority and Jurisdiction of some or other of those Ministers; and that by direction of the Apostles, and constant Law of the general Councils and tradition of all Christian Churches, and the Rules of Decency and Order, all Countries that own the Christian Religion, are generally divided into Provinces and Dioceses, etc. for the more peaceable management of all affairs. Things being thus settled, all those commands in Scripture that People ought to hearken to the Church; obey them that have the Rule over them; besides all those general precepts, Honour thy Father and Mother, To know them that are over you in the Lord and admonish you, to esteem them highly for their works sake, etc. do oblige all People here in England to obey their several Bishops, and join in Communion with their respective Parishes, and those that do obstinately withdraw themselves from their obedience, do live in open contempt of Christ, and manifest violation of his Holy Gospel, which does require all Men to maintain Love and Charity especially with their Fathers and Governors, and to keep the peace and unity of the Church. All such Men that wilfully and obstinately continue in their Schism and disobedience, are not only shut out from the privileges and benefits of the Gospel, but bring upon themselves all the curses and punishments denounced against such grievous Sinners, for those that are disobedient to parents are reckoned up amongst the most heinous Offenders, Rom. 1.30. 2 Tim. 3.2. Consider therefore how you will answer it to God in the dreadful day, that do merely neglect to join in the public Service and Sacraments, and thereby disobey your Spiritual Fathers, and affront that Government which Christ has set in his Church for your good, and as the means to promore his Glory and your Salvation: 'Tis not Man but God that you reject, who gave us this Charge over your Souls, and you do despite to the Holy Spirit of grace, from whom we receive our Commission. Besies the guilt of disobedience and contempl of Christ's Ministers, you that assemble in Conventicles are guilty of Schism; which is a damning Sin, and a root of all confusion. AS nothing is more agreeable to the Nature of God than Love and Unity, so nothing is more odious to his most Holy being, than Schism and Division: for the nature of Love is to unite all things in Peace and Order, but the nature of Schism is to bring all things to misery and confusion. Whatsoever therefore Schismatics may pretend of Zeal for the glory of God, their advancing Piety, and setting up Religion in greater purity, the Scripture calls such courses the works of the flesh and pronounces the Persons that follow them Men of carnal affections. Rom. 16. Gal. 5. Those therefore that do not only withdraw from the obedience of their Lawful Governors, but set up separate Assemblies under colour of purer worship, do plainly make a Schism in the Church and rend the Body of Christ in pieces, and are marked out by the Holy Scrip, tures for the grootest enemies of God and true Religion Our Saviour says he that shall be angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the Judgement, and he that says unto him Rache, that is empty, vain Fellow, and so lighting and bringing his Person into contempt, shall be in danger of the Gounoil; but whosoever shall say thou fools shall be in danger of Hell fire. Now if it be so heinous a crime in the sight of God, to undervalue our Brother, what is it to despise our Spiritual Fathers, and contemn their godly commands and admonitions, moreover to tear and divide the Church of Christ; and instead of Love stir up animosities and contentions, strife and hatred, as is too to evident, and from thence do genenally follow Massacres, Rebellions long and bloody Wars Murder subversion of Kingdoms and States, destruction of Countries, and all the cruelties and miseries that Mankind are liable unto. As these things are manifest by experience, so Scripture tells us, Judas 18, 19 they spring from Schism; There shall be mockers in the last times, who shall walk after their own ungodly lusts, these be they that soparate themselves, sensual having not the Spirit; whereas none glory more of the Spirit than these Separatists, whom the Apostle charges with carnal and ungodly Lusts. Again, Rom. 16.17. Mark those that cause Divisions and Offences contrary to the Doctrine which ye have Learned, and avoid them; for they that are such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own helly, and by good words and fair Speeches deceive the heart of the simple. The Apostle pursues the same matter, 1. Cor. 3.3. Lor ye are yet Carnal, for whereas there is among you Envying and Strife, and Divisions, are ye not Carnal and walk as Men? For while one saith I am Paul, and another I am Apollo's, are ye not Carnal? Again, Galatians 5.20. reckoning up the works of the Elesh that shut Men out of Heaven, he says, the work of the Flesh are manifest, which are these, he puts down Strife, Seaitions, or Schism and Divisions, Heresies, and then adds, v. 21. They that do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. So that as Schism is an heinous Sin of its own nature, so it proceeds from a carnal mind, and that is the root of all other Evils and Disorders, James 4.1. From whence come Wars and Fightings among you? Come they not hence even of your Lusts, that war in your members? Lust breeds Division, and Division breeds War. and War brings all other evils with it, especially civil and homebred Wars, which spring from this root of Schism. If none of these temporal evils follow upon Schism (which God grant they may not) yet Schism brings in Heresy, Ignorance and Profaneness. DID Men keep to the Rule of God's word, and follow the interpretation of the Catholic Church, they would be secure from all danger of Heresy, ignorance and profaneness, and would have a sure direction to lead them into the way of Salvation. For all the Schisms, Heresies and mistakes that Men shall into, come by forsaking the guidance of the Church, and wresting the Scripture to their own destruction, which St Peter says many of the unlearned and unstable do. 2 Pet. 3.16. So that in this case; the Scripture may be compared to an Apothecary's shop full of all fort of wholesome Medicines, if rightly applied with judgement and discretion, but such as will prove deadly poison, if taken at adventure and misemployed. Now our Saviour has given us the Scriptures for our direction, which with much study and pains, we may understand ourselves for our own benefit and instruction: yet because few Men who are engaged in worldly pleasures and business, etc. do give themselves so much leisure as to read through and consider the meaning of the Scriptures, so as to be able to satisfy themselves in all doubts and scruples that cunning Heretics raise to pervert them from the Truth. Therefore Christ Jesus left Pastors and Teachers, and founded a Church, to continue a constant Pillar and Monument, to expound to us all difficult and hard places, and to condemn and censure false interpretations, and stop the mouths of Seducers, from spreading abroad damnable Heresies to the ruin of your Souls, and then that her Authority might not be despised, Matt. 18. The Scripture says, if any one refuse to hear the Church, let him be unto Thee as an Heathen man and a Publican. And for our better encouragement to hearken to her instruction, our Lord has promised that the gates of Hell shall never prevail against it, Matt. 16. And then to direct the unlearned and unstable, he has set Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints, Ephes. 4.11, 12, 13, 14. for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of Faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect Man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we may henceforth be no more Children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of Doctrine, by the sleight of Men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, etc. So that we do not take off from the fullness and sufficiency of the Scriptures if rightly expounded and understood, but for the satisfaction of the unlearned and unstable, which are the greatest part of Mankind, we must remember, that God has kept up a Church and constant succession of Bishops and Ministers in an Orderly way, to teach us the true meaning of his Word, and to keep up Discipline and Order, and so to preserve us from the Heresies and false Interpretations of Schismatics that lead Men unto error and destruction. While Men therefore keep within the City, they are in no danger of being a prey to the wild Beasts, but if they run into a Wilderness, they may easily be destroyed by them. While they keep within the Ship they are secure from drowning, but if they forsake that, and commit themselves to the unconstant Waves, 'tis Ten Thousand to One if they do not miscarry. So while Men keep within the Communion of the Church, and follow the guidance of those Pastors which God has appointed to keep them steady, there is no danger of their Salvation; but if they forsake the Church, and run into Conventicles, Psal. 91.11. they go out of God's way, and so out of his protection, and are exposed to all Heresy and Confusion. If their Teachers do not Sin wilfully and lead them into Heresy, yet they may misled them through ignorance and unskilfulness. WHO can tell how oft he offendeth, nay the Heart above all things is deceitful; therefore 'tis an easy matter for Men that follow the guidance of their own understanding, and neglect the command of the Church, to be deluded by the Devil, who often appears as an Angel of Light, and yet is still busy to seek whom he may devour. Neither can they hope for the blessing of God, and depend upon the promise of his direction, when they go into by Paths and pursue their own devices. How many plain things may such presumptuous Men overlook? how often may they misunderstand some parts of God's word which want more care and attention? Besides. who can be sure that they come with all Languages and other helps to reading them, or take such pains to read and compare all Texts, as not to be ignorant in many duties of great necessity to be observed? And if the blind lead the blind, they both fall into the ditch: And no wonder if People perish for want of vision, when they wilfully run away from the instruction of the Church, and follow such ignorant guides who had need to be taught the first Principles of humility and understanding. Tho' therefore by good Words and fair Speeches they may deceive the hearts of the Simple, and may gather many excellent expressions out of the Holy Scriptures, yet 'tis a great rashness and want of Judgement, for Men to trust their Souls upon the skill and understanding of such private Seducers; who by their ignorance may leave them without that sufficient instruction which is necessary to Salvation. Objections and Questions against Conformity answered. BUT some will Object, that their setting up Conventicles in opposition to the Bishops and Ministers, is no more than what the Bishops did in opposition to the Church of Rome, and therefore if they are Schismatics now, the Bishops were also, by Reforming the Church without the Authority of the Pope and Church of Rome. I answer, By the Council of Nice, and all other general Councils, and the constant Order of the Catholic Church, all Provincial and National Churches have power to Govern themselves, and reform any abuses or errors that have crept into their Communion. And our Bishops and Clergy did in an Orderly way lay aside several errors that are maintained by the Church of Rome, but still retain the Faith and unity of the Catholic Church, and we do also particularly blame the Roman Church for breaking the Order and rejecting the Traditions of the Primitive Fathers and general Councils, but do not at all break the Rule of Christian Charity to the Church of Rome, or any other Church in the World; we leave them to Reform and Govern their own Churches, and do but use the same Liberty over our own Members, which Christ has given, and the Church has ever maintained, which we allow them to use over those of their own Communion, for they ought to Reform those abuses as we have done. Obj. But is there not a plain rent and division made in the Church by this Reformation, and those that were united before in One Communion, are broken into several parties. Answ. That there are and must be Heresies and Schisms in the Church, we are taught by the Holy Scriptures, 1 Cor. 11.19. That they which are approved may be made manifest. But we cannot answer for other Men, it is sufficient we break Charity with no body; we pay all Love and friendship, and all that communion that one particular Church ought to pay to another, but we do not intermeddle with their private affairs, or disturb and embroil their Communion; and if the Church of Rome, and other Churches that hold with her, would keep the same temper that we have and still do, we should quickly see an end of all our Divisions, Can. 30. for we differ from none but where they differ from themselves, and departed from the Primitive purity of those Ancient and Apostolical Churches from whence they had their beginning. And as for that Obedience and Conformity which we require of our own Members, it is no other and upon far easier Terms, than all Churches do require of those that are under their respective Jurisdictions. So that we are neither the cause nor party in any Division. Other Churches that break communion with us, deny that Christian Charity that One Member of Christ's Body ought to pay to another; and those of our own Members that run into Conventicles, set up Altar against Altar, and divide themselves from our Communion, go against the plain word of God, which requires them to obey them that have the Rule over them, See my Evangel. and Cath. unity, etc. against the constant Order of the Catholic Church and general Councils, and contrary to the Doctrine and Command of all other Churches in the World. Obj. But are there no Reasons then for Men to refuse the Communion of their particular Church and Bishop, and must every private Christian always comply with their Governors, whatsoever they say or do. Answ. They must obey their particular Church, in all things Lawful, which are in all things not contrary to the word of God and the Catholic Church. Obj. But who shall be Judge in this Case. Answ. The sense of the Catholic Church in Cases of doubt is to be consulted. Obj. But is it not hard to know where she may be consulted, and how to understand her Sense in any matter? Answ. God has promised that the way shall be so plain, that a wayfaring Man though a Fool shall not err therein; Isa. 35.8. 1 Tim. 3.15. and for our direction tells us, the Church is the Pillar and Ground of Truth. And thereupon he has commanded us to hear and obey the Church, and there is no doubt it will be an easy matter to understand what her Sense is, in all Cases needful for us to know. Obj. But have not Bishops and Scholars themselves many disputes about the Church, and about her Sense in several points, and how then can People know the Sense of the Church? Answ. Men of some Judgement and little Reading, are willing to despise that Authority which is above their capacity, and Men of great Reading and little Judgement, do not know how to reconcile the seeming differences in the Church, but if you consult your Bishops and Ministers, they will satisfy you concerning the Sense of the Catholic Church in all parts of your duty. For since God has made it our duty to hear and obey the Churches, he will order matters so that all People that are willing to follow her direction, may be guided by it: for God does not reveal any thing to us that we cannot believe, nor command any thing which we cannot perform in the manner it is proposed to us. Quest. What plain Rule will you give us to go by in this matter, for we would willingly know the Truth and hearken to the Church. Answ. First in all Lawful, and in most doubtful matters, it is your duty to follow the command of your particular Church. Quest. But what must I do in things that seem to me contrary to the Word of God, when such are commanded by my particular Church. Answ. The second Rule than I would give you is, that if you think or are credibly told, you ought not to join with your particular Church in this or that Doctrine or practice, before you make a Schism, inquire of learned Men what was the Sense of the Primitive Fathers and general Councils, and what is the general opinion of other Churches, and most learned Divines about it, and be sure you have good Reason and Authority before you depart from your own Church in which you live and were Baptised. Obj. This is the way to put me upon a tedious endless work, more than either I, or the Persons I consult will be ever able to go through. Answ. No, no such matter, the Sense and Consent of the Scripture and of the Church is so clear in all points of duty that People are concerned to know and practice, and the Controversies are so few when rightly stated and understood, that want to be decided in Order to your doing your duty, that it will be no hard matter to receive full satisfaction; for they are either such that have been long ago decided, or the Church is wholly silent about them, and there is no evidence of Scripture to oblige you to departed from your particular Church upon that account. Now consider in how many matters all Churches are agreed, and the Controversies long ago settled. First, against the Arrians and Socinians, Confess. August. which are long ago condemned for Heretics, and the Three Creeds that expound the Catholic Faith, See my enquiry into the means of a happy union. contrary to their perverse interpretations, are generally received by all Churches. So likewise the Anabaptists and Quakers, who deny Infant Baprism, are likewise condemned by all Churches, and 'tis the constant Doctrine of the Catholic Church and all Reformed Churches, that to separate from their Lawful Bishops upon the account of their requiring of them to join in stated Forms of Prayer, and for enjoining decent Ceremonies not contrary to the Word of God, and thereupon to set up Altar against Altar, and run into private meetings, is that Schism condemned in the Holy Scriptures. So that not only from the Holy Scriptures, but from the interpretation of the Church, it is most evident that they hold pernicious if not Damnable errors, and in these points it will be an easy matter for every body to find satisfaction, and to know the Church's Sense concerning them. So that to join with such Dissenters, and to profess their Doctrines, is manifestly to oppose the Catholic Church, as well as the Word of God. Obj. But if you put us to inquire into the Ancient ways, and consult the Sense of other Churches, and give us that Rule for our direction in matters of Controversy; we fear you have a design to lead us back to the Church of Rome, for they talk much of the Church, and the old Religion, and tell us all the World is on their side. Answ. That is the great weakness of some to imagine so, and by their speaking meanly of harkening to the Authority of the Catholic Church, make many Suspect indeed that the Church of God has been altogether corrupted, and lost; or else no no where to be found for many Ages but in the Church of Rome. Whereas if you will inquire of your Bishops, and Divines of the Church of England, they will tell you that the pretended Authority of the Pope and Church of Rome, is contrary to the general Councils, rejected by the whole Church for the first Six Hundred Years and upwards, and condemned by the major part of the Bishops and Christian Churches, from the Apostles times, to this very day; nay the Church of Rome is the only Church by Name warned to take heed lest she be Cut off from the Body of Christ, as the Jews were, Rom. 11. So that the Church of Rome is so far from being the Catholic Church, that she is a very corrupt part of it; and those of that Communion that amongst us set up separate Assemblies, do oppose the constant tradition of the Catholic Church, the Canons of the general Councils, and follow a private Spirit, and are as proper Schismatics as any of our fanatics and Dissenters. Obj. But those of the Church of Rome do not only charge us with Disobedience to the Pope, but with Heresy and false Doctrine, in rejecting many Articles of Faith and other Ancient practices of the Church. Answ. But if you will consult your Bishops and Ministers, they will make it appear, that the Points we reject are so far from being Articles of Faith, and ancient practices, that they are Moddern errors and corruptions, not known to, or else condemned by the Primitive Church, and this we may see evidently made out by several late Writings and Disputes. Obj. I am glad to hear you say the Catholic Church does plainly condemn the Usurpations and Errors of the Church of Rome, as well as the Scriptures, which seem plainly against them, and we think against many Orders of the Church of England also that are mere Humane inventions, if not old Popish Superstitions, which we cannot Lawfully join withal, and therefore are forced to serve God in such a Manner as we can, and which we think is better pleasing to Him, though in separate Congregations. Answ. Humane Inventions, and Popish Superstitions, are frightful words indeed; but so you must remember, are Slanderers, Schismatics, Heretics, and disobedient to Parents, etc. as all those are that accuse the Church, and cannot prove what they say. Obj. But our Preachers have told us that these Orders of the Church are Popish, Anti-christian, etc. and therefore our Consciences would condemn us, if we should comply with them. Answ. But will you run into so great Sins against the plain Word of God, because your Preachers tell you so. I thought the Word of God had been your Rule, but now I perceive you follow your Preachers against the Word of God, and will not obey your Governors according to it. Obj. We think our Preachers are Good and Holy Men, and Teach us the Truth. Answ. Why should you not have as good an opinion of your Bishops and Ministers? But when the Preachers take upon them thus to draw you into Schism, Disobedience, and teach you to have uncharitable thoughts of your Governors, and to condemn the Church and fellow Christians; you ought to suspect if not their honesty, yet their Judgement and Discretion, for they are Men, and may be transported by Passion and Interest, or else through error and mistake, and lead you into heinous Sins. For why should you think them wiser and better than all other Divines. Obj. But I hope still they teach us right. Answ. But it is not enough to say you hope, you must be sure the Governors of the Church are in the wrong, or else you are in a most miserable condition to run yourselves into so many Sins and dangers by separating from them. Obj. But my Conscience tells me I am in the right. Answ. But 'tis not your Conscience will excuse you, unless you have some Command of God to build upon. Now turn your Bible over and over, you will not find any thing in the Scripture against any duty required by the Church. Obj. But pray where have you any Command of God for your Common-Prayer and Ceremonies. Answ. We are commanded in Scripture to make Prayers and Supplications for all Men, 1 Tim. 2.1. and to see that all things be done Decently and in Order, and since the Words and Ceremonies are not determined in Scripture, 'tis better the Governors should consider and make Rules and Orders, then to leave it to every body's Fancy, so that we have command in Scripture for what we do. But, pray, where have you any command of God for your irreverent Prayers and disorder in God's service? Obj. Why do you call our Prayers and Service irreverent and disorderly? Answ. Because they are so, and cannot be generally otherwise; for when every Preacher is to follow his own heated and Rambling fancy, and every Hearer is lest to Sat, or Kneel, or Stand, or Lie along; to put on his Hat, or put it off: what can commonly be expected, but irreverence and disorder. Obj. As for these Modes, Gestures and Postures, which you call Irreverent, we matter not them. Answ. But though you matter them not, yet the Scripture does require all things should be done Decently and in Order, 1 Cor. 14.40. and we find that our Saviour and his Apostles did kneel down and show all outward Reverence, and therefore we think the Church of England has good reason to require People to imitate their examples in behaving themselves Reverently and Orderly when they are in the House of God, and not let their Service be more rude there, then when they are at their houses at home: so that nothing is commanded in this kind, but what civility and good breeding would teach Men to observe, and for which we have the command of God, and the example of Christ and his Apostles and other Holy Men. Obj. Perhaps it would be better if People were more Reverend at their Meetings. Answ. But how can that be expected, when all your Prayers and the whole Performance is left to the Arbitrary pleasure and discretion of every Preacher amongst you, who are Men, and those none of the ablest neither, and may err and be ignorant. Obj. But we think they Pray by the Spirit. Answ. What do you mean by Praying by the Spirit do you mean that the Holy Ghost does put all those words immediately into their Mouths, and so they use no other Prayers, but what are dictated by the Holy Ghost. Obj. We do think so, and our Preachers keep us up in that belief. Answ. But how do they prove this? For if that be true, all their Prayers are as Divine and Infallible as the Word of God itself. For the Holy Ghost is as Infallible now, as when he did guide the Apostles to write the Holy Scriptures. But it is evident to all the World, that these Prayers are often so far from being Divine, that they sometimes are such as scarce become a sober Man. Therefore you may see what Men your Preachers are that abuse you in this manner, and cheat you with false stories, if your Preachers are dictated by any Spirit, 'tis generally by the Spirit of delusion; for it is not to be thought, that the Holy Ghost will work a Miracle at every Conventicle, to inspire every dissenting Preacher, when ordinary gifts are sufficient not only for such, but much more excellent Prayers: And any One that will but attend those Meetings, and weigh their Prayers with Judgement, will find more of the error and weakness of the Man, then of the least evidence of the Holy Spirit. Obj. But we have heard other Men Pray and Preach, but could never find so much satisfaction and comfort as we do from these Men. Answ. Perhaps their passionate way of speaking, their Noise, with now and then an affected Sigh and Groan, may stir up a present passion in you, as a good Actor at a Play does, who can make the People cry and laugh when he will; I hope therefore you will not say, that the Actor is moved by the Spirit, and those are all made Godly People, that are thus moved and affected as to burst into Tears; so that if you Judge of the soundness of your Religion by such outward Passions, I fear the Player when he sets about it, will make you believe he is the most Sanctified Preacher. Setting then aside this which is no argument of the working of the Holy Spirit, but an act of the Man, and all the efficacy is lost in an hour or Two, assoon as you come into Company, or are taken up with business and other affairs: You must not therefore Judge of your Religion by a sudden passion, but by your sound understanding, and steady performing all parts of your Duty. Obj. But this cannot be a sudden Passion only in me, but must be a real work of the Holy Spirit, because I find a great change in my Life, I am grown more sober, read and meditate upon God's Word, and mind Religion more than I did before. Answ. But that is no Argament that you are in a safe way, so long as you continue in Schism; for when the Devil did find he could no longer ruin your Soul by open profaneness, he now may tempt you to more secret Sins, to more Spiritual wickedness, which are as heinous in the sight of God, and as dangerous to your Salvation. Obj. We have satisfied ourselves all along upon these accounts. Answ. But you see they are weak grounds to rely upon, for all this while though you are Zealous for some, you may be wanting in many other necessary duties, and you are guilty of Schism, disobedience to Parents, destroy all Discipline and Order in the Church, encourage Atheism and Profaneness, and endanger the safety both of Church and State, merely upon fancies and humours, for I can call it no other, because there is not One good thing that you can learn and observe there, that you cannot as well have and practice in the communion of the Church. Besides you act against the Sense of the Primitive Church, and all other Churches in the World. Obj. If it be so, we are much mistaken, and greatly abused by our Ministers. Answ. It is certainly so, and while you follow such blind and erring guides, no wonder if you fall into destruction. Obj. We have been told by our Preachers, and therefore did verily believe that the Ancient Church were Papists, and when the Divines of the Church of England did talk to us of following the Doctrine and Government of the Ancient Church, we thought it was only with a design to prepare the way to bring us to Popery. Answ. Now I hope you are satisfied that the Church of England is no ways inclining to Popery, but does endeavour to teach you your Duty according to the Holy Scriptures, and further to confirm the Truth and soundness of their interpretation of God's Word, by the Doctrine of the Primitive Church, and the general Councils, and tradition of the Catholic Church. And this you may see if you read their late Writings, they do as hearty maintain against the Church of Rome, as they did before against the other Dissenters and fanatics. Obj. I am very well satisfied now that the Men of the Church of England are far from being Papists, but you tell me that all other Reformed Churches do approve of the Church of England, and are ready to join with her in communion, and condemn those for Schismatics that set up separate Congregations. Answ. Yes I do so, and if you will but advise with your Bishops and Ministers, they will easily be able to prove it to your satisfaction. You may read much to this purpose in my Evangelical and Catholic unity, where you have the opinions of Luther, Melancthon, Bucer and Calvin, in their own words to this purpose. Obj. Then therein I perceive our Teachers have greatly abused us also. Indeed I find many rational and sober Men of the Church of England, and I believe there may be a great deal of Truth in what you say, but yet they are of such a persecuting spirit, that they will let no body live quietly by them that are not of their persuasion, which we think to be a very ill temper, not becoming the moderation of the Gospel. Answ. It is a sad thing that the Church of England, which is the most gentle and moderate, and does disclaim all cruelty and hard usage upon the account of Religion, should now be accounted the greatest Persecutor, as I perceive she is at this time. People strangely forget themselves, and the opinions and practices of their own Party, when they lay such an accusation upon the Church of England, which does disown any power of temporal punishment. Obj. But there were many Statutes that did inflict severe penalties upon Dissenters. Answ. These are made by the State for the security of the Government; for they finding Dissenters generally enemies to the public Peace, and endeavouring changes and alterations by Mutiny and Sedition, saw it necessary by Penal Laws to restrain them from growing too numerous, and to keep them within the bounds of their duty. Obj. But does not the Church of England then allow of Penal Statutes. Answ. In a moderate way she does, to make Men hear and consider, but not to undo them. Obj. But surely Men need not to be used like Children, they have discretion to mind their duty, without being stirred up by punishments. Answ. They should have so, but 'tis plain that they have not, Rom. 13. and therefore God Almighty has placed Governors and Officers to be a terror to evil doers, and a praise and an honour to them that do well and mind their duty. Obj. Yes, if punishments were inflicted on evil doers, we should like that well; but they punish Godly People because they will not go against their Conscience. Answ. Do you account then all the Idle, Lazy people that lie at home and sleep, or else sit drinking at Alehouses in time of Divine Service, and will never so much as take pains to understand their Catechism, and bring their Children to be instructed in the Grounds of the Christian Religion, Godly People. Now 'tis evident these idle and ignorant People, unless they be stirred up by punishment, will never give themselves the trouble to understand and do their duty, and so will ruin their own and their children's Souls. Obj. If you did punish only such idle and lazy. People that did live like Heathens, and require them and their Children to hear and do their duty, no sober Man but must approve of such Discipline, and will say such People deserve to be punished. But you punish Godly People that do read and meditate upon the holy Scriptures, and take pains to know and do their duty, though they do not conform to the Church of England. Answ. The Laws are made in general for all that absent themselves from the public Service, for else all idle People would excuse themselves under that pretence of being Dissenters. Besides many are Dissenters not out of Conscience, but out of Pride, Humour, and for temporal advantage; and so run into Heresy, Schism, and Destruction. It is all the reason in the World that such carnal affections should be restrained, and Men obliged to hear and consider the sober Instruction of the Church; and the design of all punishments is to that purpose, that men might not neglect their duty out of humour and laziness, etc. Obj. You will not allow then, that the Church of England is a persecuting Church. Answ. No, by no means, no body can with any colour say that of Her; she does advise all Magistrates to use that wholesome Discipline which God has appointed, and which all Holy and Religious Magistrates have executed, to oblige People to hear and consider. For as all Parents are bound to teach and correct their Children if they be disorderly, so all Christian Magistrates, as they are common Fathers of their Country, aught to see their Children instructed in the principles of true Religion, and have a right to punish their unruly and disorderly Children: accordingly there are Laws for that purpose, which when executed as they ought to be, bring Peace and Holiness to a Nation; though in the executing them there is great prudence and moderation to be used, which the Governors are to take into their Consideration. Obj. But why do you say the Church of England is the most moderate Church in the World. Answ. Because she like the true Mother, is for correcting and not destroying her disorderly Children. Obj. Surely those that now cry up Toleration, and talk of liberty of Conscience, when and where they had power, were not for putting to death and exterminating those that did differ from them. Answ. Yes, you may read lamentable Stories of the cruelty of the Anabaptists in Germany, and I need not tell of the cruelties and Murders committed by others, who would be representing the Church of England for a persecuting Church. I shall not name particulars, inquire and you will easily satisfy yourselves that the Church of England does but advise such moderate discipline, as Fathers ought to exercise over their Children, when the Dissenters are generally not satisfied but with blood and destruction. Obj. I cannot say, but you speak a great deal of reason in the defence of the Church of England, and I perceive many good Men think it no harm to join with her upon occasion, but they think they may also go and hear a good Sermon in a Meeting. Answ. But is not that to set up a Schism, and plainly to make a fraction in the Church, and it is encouraging Children to think meanly of, and to despise their own Ministers, Parents, and Masters, for what is it but the very case that, St. Paul. blames in the Corinthians, that one was for Paul, another for Apollo's, another for Cephas; for though a Dissenter may Preach well, yet when he does it in opposition to the Church, without any call, and does draw People into parties, it is that Schism which is condemned by the Scripture, and will bring all those mischiefs that I have already spoken of; and does plainly teach People to despise their Governors, Ministers and fellow Christians. Obj. But why do you say those Preachers have no call? Answ. Because most of them have no Ordination, and if they had, they have no Licence and Authority from the Bishops and Governors; and so by the Law of Christ, and the constant Rule of the Church, they have no power to Preach, for how shall they Preach except they be sent? If they were Ordained, they ought not to thrust themselves into another Man's charge. Obj. Tho' they have no outward Call from the Church, yet they are sent by Jesus Christ. Answ. How do you prove that. Obj. Because we find them endned with excellent gifts, and Christ did not bestow such Talents to be hid in a napkin. Answ. Gifts are no Argument that a Man has a Lawful call, for a Heretic or a Schismatic may have Gifts, and use them to divide and destroy the Church. Therefore as none must Preach without a call, so if any that are called turn Heretic or Schismatic, he may be silenced again, Titus 1.10. for besides gifts, there must be a sober and orderly Conversation, sound profession, Obedience to the Orders of the Church; and if this Method were not observed, and Men tied to be Peaceable and Cuiet, and subject to their respective Governors, the Church would be the most confused Society in the World. Obj. I confess Ministers ought to be quiet and peaceable Men, and they ought to promote Love and Unity. Answ. But after this way of running into Conventicles, there can be neither Love nor Unity, nor holiness in the Church, for one Preacher will be setting up in opposition to another, and Sects and Divisions will daily increase: And you see by experience Schismatics differ one from another, as they do from the Church, and then fall a censuring and condemning one another, as much as they did the Church; and thence proceed Hatred, Strife, endless Quarrels and Contentions, and Heresies; Ignorance and Profaneness overspread the Nation, and all these mischiefs come upon us, because Men will not submit to that Order and Government that Christ has set in his Church, but after their own lusts heap to themselves Teachers having isching Ears. 2 Tim. 4.3. Now the Scripture says, Men that thus oppose the Peace and Order of the Church must have their mouths stopped, Tit. 1.10, 11. But if they are not stopped, all good Christians ought to avoid having any thing to do with them, Rom. 16. Obj. Then I perceive you would take away the liberty of Conscience granted by the Act of Parliament. Answ. The Act of Parliament is only to free you from the punishment that might be inflicted upon you by Law on your Body or Estate, and is equally extended to Anabaptists, Quakers, and other Heretics, and almost Persons of all Persuasions whatsoever, and to keep them quiet as to the State under their perverse humours; and therefore was never meant to lead you to the way of Salvation, or to warrant them to be good Christians; and my design is rightly to inform your Conscience, and persuade you not to use this liberty for a Cloak of maliciousness: and to take this opportunity to run from the truth, is the way to bring upon yourselves everlasting destruction, as many do, that forsake the Church of England. Obj. Do you think than we are in such a dangerous condition? Answ. It is not for me to pronounce Sentence upon any One as to the other World; but according to the Rules of God's Word, and the constant Sense of the Catholic Church in all Ages, and of all particular Churches at this day, for Men to set up Altar against Altar, and separate from their lawful Governors without just reason, is that Schism condemned by the Gospel; and that there is no reason to separate from the Church of England, I have sufficiently showed by taking off all the Objections against her Communion. Mr Baxter's Apology pag. 8. I know how unable the Separatists were to answer the many Arguments of the Famous Arth. Hildersham, J. Paget, W. Bradshaw, Brightman John Ball, and other old Nonconformists, for the lawfulness of Communicating with our Parish-Churches, in the Sacraments and the Liturgy. I was exceedingly moved against Separation (truly so called) by considering. 1. How contrary it is to the Principle of Christian-love. 2. And how directly and certainly pernicious to the interest of the cause of Christ, and his Church, and of the Souls of Men, and how powerful a means it is to kill that little Love that is left in the World— 4. I was greatly moved in thinking of the State of most Churches in the World; if I traveled into Ahassia. Armenia, Russia, or among the Greek Churches, I durst not deny to hold communion with them. When I go to God in Prayer, I dare not go in a separate capacity, but as a Member of the Universal Church, nor would I part with my share in the Common-Poayers of all the Churches, for all the World— And having perused all the Foreign and Ancient Liturgies extant in Bibliotheca Patrum. I doubt not but our own is incomparably better than any that is there. And consider what Mr Calvin says in this Case, who does also own Bishops, Liturgies and Symbolical Ceremonies, as ours are, no just Cause of separating from the Church, viz. Institut. l. 4. c. 1. n. 10. I have set down the Preaching of the Word and Administration of the Sacraments, for the signs whereby to know the Church— For where the Preaching of the Gospel is reverently heard, and the Sacraments are not neglected, there for that time is a certain face of a true Church, and 'tis lawful for no Man, without punishment, to despise her Authority, reject her Admonitions, be refractory against her Counsels, or mock at her Corrections, much less may he separate from her and break her unity. For our Lord does so highly esteem the Communion of his Church, that he does reckon him for a Renegado and desertor of Religion, that does obstinately separate from any Christian Society, that does hold the true Ministry of the Word and Sacraments; from whence it does follow, that to depare from the Church, is to deny God and Christ: but how much the more ought we to take heed of such a wicked Schism; for while we go about as much as in us lies to destroy the Truth of God, we deserve that God should thunder against us with the greatest force of his Wrath, to break as in pieces. If some Men of better understanding by their diligence get to a knowledge of the principal parts of their Duty, yet the generality of People, Children and Servants, will be exposed to all Ignorance, Error and Profaneness. IN the constitution of the Church, the very Order of the Service, and the solemn times set apart to bless God for the particular dispensations of the Gospel, such as the Incarnation of our Lord, at the Feast of Annunciation, commonly called our Lady-day, his Birth at Christina's, and so his Passion, Resurrection, Asconsion, sending down the Holy Ghost, the Feast of the Holy Trinity, with other particular Seasons, are a standing Catechism, and with a little help will easily bring even Children to understand and remember all parts of their Duty, and for their fuller instruction and admonition, the Minister is to Catechise in the Afternoons, and to teach those that are ignorant of these things, and to put all others in mind to think upon and observe what they do already understand. So that Persons that live in the Obedience of the Church, must be stupidly careless of themselves, if they want any thing necessary for their edification in Faith and Love, and finally to attain Salvation; and if any generally are ignorant of these things, they are such who run away from their Governors, and either through sloth or faction, would not give themselves the trouble to hear and receive the sober advice of their Ministers, and commands of the Church: Then under the Church's discipline, the admonition of the Bishops, the reproof of their Minister, good Neighbours and fellow Christians, did reform many of these abuses, and stir up others to a diligent attendance upon the public Service. But now all sorts of temporal punishments are in a manner Suspended, if you by running into Conventicles, teach your Children and Servants, your Neighbours and Acquaintance, to despise the Authority of their Bishops and Ministers, and all the Spiritual discipline of the Church, you will be a means to encourage Ignorance and Profaneness, and in a short time our People will fall into Atheism and Infidelity. For many from your example, taught to contemn the reproofs and censures of their Governors, will not only neglect the Communion of the Church, but all sort of exercise of Religion, and so turn Pagans, if not live altogether like brute Beasts. Others that have as yet some sparks of the Sense of Religion in general left in them, yet running up and down from Place to Place, from one Sect to another, will be far from receiving that firm and settled understanding of the Grounds and Principles of Religion, which is necessary to keep them steady in their Duty, and to bulld them up to an Holy and Heavenly conversation. So that you that withdraw yourselves from the Communion of your Bishops and Ministers of the Church of England, besides the great Sins of Disobedience, Schism, and contempt of the Church, and the danger you run of Heresy and damnable error; you do by your pernicious example expose your Children and Servants, and multitudes of your fellow Subjects to Ignorance, Profaneness, Infidelity, Atheism; and so instead of advancing purer Religion, you will bring the greatest part to no Religion at all; and these things we could in a great measure prevent, if you by running into Conventicles, and despising the directions of your Governors, did not give them occasion, and encourage them to run away from the sober instruction of the Church. Let me therefore in the Name of God, (and as I have the general care and charge of your Souls, and shall be ready to give any assistance and direction you stand in need of in your passage to Heaven) prevail upon you to take these things into your serious consideration. Religion is not a politic Engine to be used at pleasure, only to serve men's turns upon occasion, and gratine their humour, and keep up the interest of a party, but 'tis the revealed and unchangeable Will of God concerning our Salvation, and therefore must in all things be carefully performed according to the Rules of his Holy Word; neither must we have an eye only to this or that particular Duty, but have regard to all his Commandments: Now Satan does often appear with strong delusions like an Angel of light, and his instruments do with good words and fair Speeches deceive the hearts of the Simple, and put many cheats and fallacies upon unwary Souls, to bring them into destruction. But there are scarce any more weak and manifest, than those that you have been hitherto abused withal, and many of them now evidently false by your own confession, as that we were all Papists, we did worship Stocks and Stones, were only moral Men, without any dependence upon the Grace of God, and the direction of his Holy Spirit. And now these slanders are fully confuted, they turn to other devices, altogether as groundless and unreasonable▪ as that 'tis indifferent what manner of Governors' Men live under in matters of Religion, so they live Holy lives, and that they in separating from the Church of England, do no more than she did in Reforming from the Church of Rome; as if it were the same to have a public Service that they do understand, with having a public Service they do not, to have the use of their Bibles or not to have them, to worship Images, pray to Saints and Angels, be content with half the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, or not, when our Lord requires the whole. To omit many other errors. And not only our Bishops and Clergy, but Princes and Parliaments did all agree to Reform these abuses, and settle our Church upon the sure foundations of Truth and Holiness, according to the Word of God, and constant Law and Order of the Catholic Church; and there is not one duty of Piety to God, Charity to your Neighbour, and Obedience to the Catholic Church, but you may better practice in the Church of England, then in any other Society or Communion. Deal seriously with your own Souls and Consciences, What can you learn and practice in any Meeting, that you cannot as well observe and be taught in the Church? Will you then merely for Fancies and Humours expose your own Souls, your Wives and Children, and the whole Nation to the danger of all Heresies and Schisms, and bring so great a guilt and distraction upon yourselves and Country? If you are offended at the evil Lives of some of our Members, do you come in and join with us, and give them better example, and by your Holy and Orderly conversation so strengthen our hands to their shame and amendment, that we may all follow Peace and Holiness in this World, and Reign with Joy and Glory in the World to come; but if you still continue obstinate in your Separation, consider how you will acquit yourselves at the great Day, of the guilt of Schism, Contempt of Christ and his Ministers, Disobedience to Parents, and from being the sad occasion of those Heresies, Profaneness and Confusion that have been brought into the Church of God: and that I do not say this as my own opinion only, but that which was the fear and apprehension of Queen Elizabeth, and the Parliament in the beginning of our Reformation, we may learn from their Words, wherein they did as it were by Prophecy, foretell the miseries which since fell upon our Nation, and were chief brought upon us by this Sin of Schism, and neglect of resorting to the Church. All and every Person and Persons inhabiting within this Realm or any other of the Queen's Majesty's Dominions, 1 Eliz. 1. shall diligently and faithfully, having no lawful or reasonable excuse to be absent, endeavour themselves to resort to their Parish Church or Chappel accustomed, or upon reasonable let thereof, to some usual place, where Common-Prayer and such Service of God shall be used in such time of let, upon every Sunday or other days Ordained and used to be kept as holidays, and then and there to abide Orderly and Soberly during the time of the Common-Prayer, Preach or other Service of God there to be used and ministered, upon pain of punishment by the censures of the Church— And for the due execution hereof, The Queen's most excellent Majesty, the Lords Temporal, and all the Commons in this Parliament now assembled, do in God's Name earnestly require, and charge all the Arch-Bishops, Bishops and other Ordinaries, that they shall endeavour themselves to the uttermost of their knowledges that the due and true execution hereof may be had throughout their Dioceses and Charges, as they will answer before God for such evils and plagues, wherewith Almighty God may justly punish his People for neglecting this good and wholesome Law. Tho' the mit ward Penalty be suspended, in some Cases, yet the Duty still remains, and the reason is the same, and we may mind Men of it. But what miseries and calamities our Nation has suffered by the neglect hereof since that time, need not be told the Men of this generation, wish the hinderers of the due execution of this Law formerly, that are left alive, would in time consider and repent. A Postscript to the CLERGY. Reverend Brethren in Christ, THE great business of our Lives, as Clergy Men, is so to instract and Rule our several Charges, that we may be able to say with the great Apostle, I am pure from the Blood of all Men, Acts 20.26, 27. for I have not shunned to declare to you all the whole Council of God; that will require a great deal of Care and Diligence, but it is a Duty ought to be performed with our utmost endeavour, and saw will it be if any should perish through the Minister's neglect: 'Tis true the Spiritual power Christ has given his Church is little understood, and all her Authority is much slighted by too many in this Age, and the many Divisions and Schisms will the rease this disesteem; therefore 'tis more necessary it should be vigoroussy asserted and maintained, and the dangers and mischiess that are like to follow upon it should be discovered and laid open, while in some measure they may be prevented. For though it may seem plausible to some, and that there can be no harm now and then to hear a good Sermon at a Conventicle, as well as in the Church; yet in the end it will prove fatal to Religion, to say no more, what other evils will follow from such a practice, if once espoused by Men of Interest and Quality, as God be thanked commonly as yet it is not. These things I have represented to you my Brethren at our Visitation, and I doubt not but you have often urged the same to your several Charges; but because things Read may be better weighed and considered, and I can with the same pains inform all as a few; I have sent these Papers, the good effect whereof will in a great measure depend upon your further Discourses and Management, in more fully enlarging upon and explaining the several particulars in your Catechising and private discourses, and if you can throughly convince your Parishioners, that they ought to forsake all other Meetings, and join in the Communion of the Church of England, and that they are bound to reverence you as Christ's Officers established by the Catholic Church, as really you are, while you are regularly Constituted, and faithfully discharge your Places, they will easily hearken to you in all other Duties. Many perhaps will read these Papers, that will not look into a Church. But the design of this Discourse is not only to show them the necessity of adhering to the outward, Communion of the Church, but to let them see how much Religion in general, and the public Peace and quiet of Conference is concerned in it, if they will go upon good grounds; also that either through Ignorance or Error they are like to lose the main Principles of the Gospel. My first desire therefore is, that you would take care in Expounding to your Flock those Articles, Rubrics, and Canons which concern Faith, Hope and Charity, and the essential Duties of the Gospel, and then upon occasion, not always dwelling upon Matters of Discipline, let them know, how useful and necessary these things are so preserve the unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace, and in righteousness of Life, and be sure not to neglect those Laws that 〈◊〉 Catechising and Expounding the same, for the instruction of Old and Young according to their several Capacities; and I desire you to consider what weight this Church has laid upon Catechising, as well before as since the Reformation, and see the fundamental Principles seriously imprinted upon the People's minds, which you find * Quilibet sacerdos plebi praesidens quater in anno vel per sevel per alium exponat populo vulgariter absque cujuslibet subtilitatistextura Phantastica, quatuordecem fidei articulos, decem mandata decalogi, duo precepta evangeliis, viz. geminae charitatis, septem opera misericordiae, septem peccata mortalla cum sua progeny, septem virtutes principales ac— gratiae Sacramenta. Idem. de officio Archidiacon. cap. Archid. Archidiaconi— quotiens Presbyteros invenerint— statutis temporibus populo minime [haec omnia] praedicasse sen publicasse, totiens eos arguant: & poena canonica castigando supplere compellant quae temerè omiserunt. Linwood Provincial. lib. 1. de officio Archipresbyteri, c. 〈…〉. And then stir them up to show their Faith by their good works, in frequenting the Public Prayers and Sacraments, and leading Holy Lives answerable to their Profession. For if they really are, or desire to be good Christians, and Members of the Church of England, they must not only rely upon talking, and outward Profession, but sincerely observe the Rules and Orders of the Church, both by themselves and Families. There has been a great outcry made against many Pious and Learned Divines, under the Name of High Churchmen, etc. and others have been magnified as more rational and moderate Men, but all that I could see the Churchmen aimed at was, Jud. 3. earnestly to contend for the Faith once delivered to the Saints, in opposition to Insidels and Heretics, and so to preserve the Purity of the Gospel, and to keep a Decency and Reverence in the worship of God: and I appeal to the experience of the Nation, where the Public Prayers and Sacraments are more devoutly offered up and frequented, and what Congregations show the most Religious behaviour in the Church? And since 'tis the Gospel by which we must be Judged at the last day, there is no other way, Philip. 1.27. to appear with hope before God, then having your Conversation as becomes the Gospel of Christ. Now all these Orders of the Church which are contended for, are only applying the Rules of God's Word, as may most tend to edification, and to direct Men in the particular circumstances of each Ones Duty, and without some such Orders and observance of them, I do not see how Men can keep up a public Worship of God, without being a Scandal to Infidels and Sober Christians, and why the Ancient Rules and Customs of the Church should be thought an offence, I cannot understand, nor how the taking them away can advance Piety in the Nation. These Books I commit to your Hands, and desire you to lend them about in your several Parishes, and make the best use of them you can, for the benefit of those that you have any hopes will be the better by them. And put them in mind to read and observe the Directions in the former Book. FINIS.