n: 1028i Liturgy, a CoiLEcnoy OF Teacts ox the REFOEMATION of THE LITURGY, aud on the Episcopate, including the rare first edition of the Puritan Prayer Book, 1644, with remarks on it, printed at Charles Ps press at Oxford, 1G45, aud a number of other rare pieces, from 1G40 to 1711, all in excellent sound preservation, bound in 4 vols. sm. 4to. Cambridge calf, £10. 10s 1640-1711 CoNTiiXTS: — Certaine Considerations touchiug the Pacification of tlie Church of England, ICiO ; an humble Eenionstrance to the High Court of Parliament, 1640 ; Answer to '• the humble Kemonstrauce," 1641 ; R. ISaylr's Parallel of ihe Tiitnrgy with the l\rq.va-Rook, and other Komish Eituals, 1661 ; -L. \\ emockc s Beaten Oylc for the Lamps of tffe Sauctuaric, 1641 ; The Bishop of Armaghe's Direction in 1642, concerning the Lyturgy. and Episcopall Government, 1660 ; Certain Grievances, or the Errors of the Service Book, 1643 ; Directory for the Publique Woiship of God, 1644, Mrst Edition of the Puritan Prayer Book, 'rare, fine copy ; View of the New Directory, and vindication of the ancient Liturgy, Oxford, Lichfield, 1645 ; Advice of the Assembly of Divines ou a Confession of Faith, 1647 ; Peai-son"s Xo Necessity of Reformation of the Public Doctrine of the Church of Englaml. 1660 ; The Old Nonconformist, touching the Common Prayer, 1660 ; ^TaucleiiT'Considcrations touching the Liturgy, 1661 ; T. Bolde's Rhetorick Resb'am^a, or Gauden's Considerations considered, 1660 ; tlie Liturgical Conside- rator considered, a view of Ganden, v:ith Epistle hy Z. Crofton, 1661 ; Discourse ou the just Antiquity aud Pedigree of Liturgies, 1661 ; Freeman's Reasonableness of Divine Service, 1661 ; V. Powell's Common Prayer-Book no Divine Service, 1661 ; Grand Debate between the Bishops and the Presbyterian Divines, .Commissioners for the review and alteration of the Common Prayer, 1661 ; Petition fcir Peace, with the Reformation of the Liturgy, presented lij- the Divines, 1661 ; W. Prynne. on some Ceremoniall Appurtenances to the Common Prayer, 1661 ; Ci5mmon Prayer- Book Devotions, Episcopal Delusions. 1666 ; Argiuuents for Concessions in the Common Prayer and Rites of the Church of England, 1630 : Vox Cleri concerning alterations in the established Liturgy, with an account of the present Convocation, 1690 ; Answer to the Vox Cleri, 1690 ; A^indication of two letters relating to-Cm^r vocation and alterations in the Liturgy, 1690; Answer t) Scots Cases agaaojl.ijfo- senters, 1700 ; Irwin's Discourse concerning Publick Prayer, 1711 ; anjiCo^fe. r '^ 2 .a 55s ^^ a oT E o 3 Q ° --3 s ° 9 s li .3 S a ^ .s.Bfi.r ^o w o^ i »3 %i :-S.-"3 -T ^ O ?I - - _j \a !c^ s S a M • ^ .2 S § ,- : = -63 a J « -J c-n 5 i^aiiiliii 3a I hOQ ^0=^: PF PfiW^ ^Te^-ts on and by Non-Conformists, and on the Oath of Allegiance, etc^ 1 vol. sm. 4to". old calf, 36s . , . ^ ^°^i, , Contents : Z. Crofton St. Peter's Bond abide : a consideration otJssMm^ cence of the Covenant, relating to Episco]jacy^l660-Uueries concerning _Ti hes l1t§t=Ji^ii3VroMiFconfuted: 1660-^obert's Character of a Commumcatmg Church'^I^SrEerrieso— Bakewell's An.swer to the Anabaptists, 1649--the Arraigne- ment of Persecution, by yongue Jlartin .Mar- other.controversial pieces. 't^/Y tt/^.*-^ /«t,«t«X<^ ^ ; rit4^ ^^t^O-^ ^ Ui'U.,:'.^^J'.'' ll.'tVMch thitijs -the. ~^ngils defire to Wok& into-i^M.i^ TMf ^yiv:DeJKsrtr.^XviMLv-^^-^ '^•^■^ ng. ^y (ffisroZs .:■ Mml prukti^^^^^ £t'^K0P^tIi:Sj^^m^^eam7lTieUc- M^tv^^^^MAT^^ESVS C^SsUlPSj ^M^irusti^:ecc!: Landcm 't'rintedfor^nAtYit' Qt^oke.. 1 6^ j iX^o.Qr^s Sctdpfit . lERASPISTES: vJ DEFENCE by way of APOLOGY FOR THE Miniftry and Miniflers OF THE CHURCH of ENGLAND: •HUMBLY PRESENTED To the Confciences of all thofe that excdl'm VI RTVE. By f 0 H ^ G AV D E K D,D: and MINISTER of thatChurch ^ txtBOCKING in ESSEX, Af12t.i8.T9. Goe ye thereforc,and teach all NntionSj feaptizing them, &c. zo. Andioe, 1 am with you alway, even to the end of the world. T«.T.J. That thou (houldft ordain Presbyters in every City, as I had appointed thee. Heh. 13.17 They vntch for yoiir fouls, as they that muftgivean account, Sfc. '"Enff^iv'iJt.Sv Iv 7^'iJ)'q>iayuav IvyMai^eiTZii ^u. » h-tt'tm tf,'c-^f«OT< tbTs t^A'Xfiti w down to Mammon ; the >f^ir niuft become captive to D^Jfw 5 piety turn page to ava-. rice? and Religion be onely entertained zsa. lackey for Am- bition-, Where there are fuchabafings,diftortings and de- formings of the beauty and redituHe of Chriftian Religion, Cfowringthe»/»^of Primtti-ve z'erity^Gmplkity^znd charity, with the o'/^^sr^'*'' of world ly jcalouficjCraft and cruelty) what can be expe^td, as to any tiling written, in behalf of Reli- gion, and its holy ir/fiitutions^ with a plain, free, and upright genius, but onely fuch fate and doome^zs the fcvcrall humors, parries, prejudices , and worldly interefts of men will af- ford < which being fo divided, and thwarting each other, it Will be hard to pkafe any one , without difpleafing many. '. The Author thercforeCwho writes as addiilcd to no fadion:> nor perfonally iniured,ot ol>Ifgedh.y any novel partics,but ftu- dying only todifcharge a good confcience,as to men,fo chiefly toward God, (the affiftance of whofc /^fro/V* &prit,znd free grace he humbly begs through all this work) neither fceks , nor hopes to plcafe any men , whofc paffionate adherence to znyftdings either in civill or religious concernments, leffc inclines- thenfi to that calm, judicious, and charitable temper, Vfhich is Script»ral/^ Catholick^OinA-txxAy Chripan^ This he onely ftudies, this he preacheth, for this he prayes, this he commends, this he admires : Not doting upon any ruji or drop, which ancient and vtncrzhkEfifcopucy might in marry hundred of years eafily contraft •, and from whichit may as cafily be cleared, if men impartially fought the things of ' / Jetus To the Reader. Jcfus Chrift, and his Churches profpcrity, without gratify- ipg any paflioninthcmfclvcs or others. Nor yet doth the Author any whit admire thofe rigid Reformations , which fonic rafli, envious, or ambitious Presbyters drive on ; who know not how to {have ihcir Fathers beards without cutting their throats 5 nor to pair their nailes without cropping off their hands. They arcunskilfuilChymifts,who cannot re- fine from drdflc without confuming what is precious: And they ace pitiful! Empiricks, who cannot purge without caft= ing into Bloudy Fluxes. Nor in the laft place doth this Afo- logijt fo fartemporife,asintheleaftkindctomagnifiethe'y/- eient hreakifigs^ and hotter meltings of any bolder Indepen- dents 5 who make Religion and Reformation run to any new inouldSjWhicK they farury.^to Sepjiyjitin^^ to Seeking, to Sha- kingt xo nothing ^ibni&NXiCi any Ordinance, order, publiquc cftabliflimencjGhriftian communion, or holy profcflicm^ be- ing wholly lefolvcd intothcfc two principles •, the pleafingof themfelves, and the confounding of others. Amidft thcfe fad diftraAions and various confidences of men in their opinions^ and ar/dertakings^ihcrc is no wife man, butdifccrns the />«//? of mans Ambition equally beating in fprits Monarchical!, Ariftocraticall, and Democraticall : as in c'.vtll policies^ fo aUb in reUgtom admmiflrations 5 fomc arc (or primacy andpiiority, others for pauciiy and parity, a third fort for popularity and vulgarity ; where as indeed the bcft conltitution in any government, is rather from the har- monious temperament and proportionate mixture of all three, than from the fredommame of any one , fo as to oppreffe the other two. Men of eminent parts are prone to affed to govern alone ; without any Jlatnefje or allay from infcriours : Men of OT)»,and deform the hmty of Chriftian Religion 5 , That* To the Reader. That many, if not moft Chriftians, doenotondy rtAd^ and bear -, write^ and dtffute 5 fray^ and f reach •, but they believe, and r/rpMrj love, or hate ; daraPjOr fave ; commttmcatemih, or excemmunicate one another, moft- what, out of their natu- rail confiitutions^ as they are of moic.calm and chokrick tem- fers-^ or OUtof thofc frejudices and prcpoffeflions , which cufim and educatioft have formed in them •, or from adhe- rence to ^mks and tawzuaW agitations, whereby they hope to drive on fome worldly and fecular concernments •, rather than from true and impartial! frineifles of right reafon, Scriptu^ rail frecep, and Ecclefiafticall fraSiife -, which threefold cord,twifted inioone,is noteafily broken: And wh;ch,bcyond all difputcs, affords, both in dodtrinc and difcipline, in opi- nion andpraAife_, as to inward piety, and outward folity, the fureft mcafures ot Religion,and bounds of confcience -, which are then moft fure and unhlameatle, when they look direft- ly to thofc great defigncs and ends of every wife man and Vood Chriftian , tj?e glory of God , the honour of Chrift, the peace of the Church, and Soules eiernall welfare 5 with- out any finiftcr [quintings to fecular ends, or warnings to worldly defigncs, which are the mcths of Religion, the pefts of fociety, the overlayings of charity, and the Ifjctdajjes of Confcience; eafily feifingupon Chriftians of weak judge- mcnts, and ftrongpaffions^forwhichwe need not goc far 10 fee many and unhappy /»/^«fW- .„. ^ , For what ferious and well advifedChriuian fees not •, how vehem*ent drawings and impulfes in matters of Religion are made upon men by weak, and at firft fcarfe perceptible, byaffes of opiniens, and hopes of advantages : How, want oifohdi- ty or fincerity is the greateftmCrion of violent affections In moft men : How, the Icffe they weigh thofe things, they call Religitn znd Refermatien^ the^morc eagerly they purfue and cxtoUthem^ ( The moft wife and gracious men being al- "vvayes the moft grave and calm,thc moft ferious and conitant) Tulgar-devotion and /'Mf^,Uke weak fircs,and dubious flames, are ufually kindled by light fetvell, and fomented with fear materials •, Bl«zingi like <:oniets, the more prodigioufly, ;t;r "7 ^ (a aj ^ »% To the Reader, hy how much they have . more of groflc and earthly va- pours. Hence, not onely the gloiy of mwardfucceps, and world- ly frcff critics J attending the number, policy, or prevalency of any fa(flion,make$ many Chriftians, (ere they arc aware of it ) turn Turkes, and fcaetly fubfcribe to Mabumetdnifm 3, (which for many cejitmes hath outvived Chriftianity in poiat" cf viSiorioftsfrogreffes^ military advantages, and latitude of Empire) The current of worldly fX'f>7/j, like quick-tides^ eafiiy and undifcernibly carrying many Chrillians from that courfe of pious Bniine^e^ and confcientious exa^ne^e in truth, juftice, and charity, which they ought alwayes to fteere without any variation, according to the clear and fixed Word of Gedin Scripture^ and not according to hiS dark perraiffions, or unfearchable rvorktrigs \nfr evidence^ which are alwayes juft and to be admired , as from the divine wifdome and juftice*, but not alwiyes to be approved or imitated , as from mans wickedneffc ar^d folly •, which Uke poyfonous drugs arc in themfelves deadly and to be abhorred: however the skill ofthe great and good Phyfician,God, knows how to attemper and apply them as Phyfick and Thciiacals, to purgc,orpuni(liitocurc,or correifl the diltempers of his Church and people. Nor is it this Temptation oncIy of ^-y w/j, ( in which is a Jlre/Jg delufiof)^ able , if jophU^ to deceive the very &?, foj t^cirijlaitinciTe, or coftlineflc; :■ ;■ - .^■;" -'\-' '~- ■■ - - for To the Keaief. iot thcff novelty, or Antiquity : yea in the length, or rtiort- neffc 5 in the laying out , or hiding of their hdir : Hence their ccnfures , Icandals, or approbations of others; their confidences, and oftcntationsofthemfelvcSjCvcn asto/'itf^jTj furity , and haline^e ; ( which are indeed feldome fecn in rufjUnlf and di^olutefajbions ; yet, often in thofe proporti- ons of ekg4»cy znA decency, as to the outrvarA garh^znAi^i- Aiion, which fome mens rufticity, feveriry, or flovenlinefs cannot bear:) Becaufcthey doe not iinderftind, that, in things of this kindc, not Scripture^ but Nature gives rules to the Religion oi them; which is their ufefulneffe and their comelineffc, i 0^11.-3,14. And this, not by any moratl innate j/rinciples, but by thofe ( mores gentium ) cujiomes of- Countrics, and dilates of /(Sf/'f^ nature^ which not by writ- ten Lawes, but by tacit confent and ufe doe for the moft part prefcribe what is agreeable to humanity, modcfty, and civility-, which cuftomary meafures and civill rules of orna- ment and outward fajb ions in any countrey, are not fcrupuloujly . to be quarrelled at 5 nor cynically neglcdcd , nor merofely retained 5 but may mth freedome , and ingenuity be afed^ and altered^ according tothe ^^;s;«if of all things, of ex- tern mode and fifhton ^ 3iS dozthmg, drclfing, building, planting, fortifying, fpcaking, &c. which depend much up- on the fancies of men 5 and fo are mutable ^ without any fin, or immorality j as all things arc, within the compaflc of mortality.'" ^^'' How many mens JLeligionlks in their 4//W of forae mens perfons, giftSj piety, ahdfuppofcd zeal, in their being of his fcft, way, kdy^ fraternity, and confederacy f when yet many times they hive but an Idol for their God , though they glory to have a Levite to be their Priejl: Able men may have great infirmities ? and learned men groflc errors • foUl difeafes oft attend fair faces : Doting fedlaries will wor- i[-i\^xht ptdenda of their Priefts, and magnific what is moft- diftioncft, and uncomely in their ringleaders. Yea, many filly fouls wc fee are every where much taken with other mens ignorance, fct offracQtly ■w'uhiff'ffdence; where the want of To the Reader. of all tfUe worth for ability and authority isattttidcd with the wantof aliy^/iw/^ a-ndmoatfiy', Fadious fpirits in poor peo- ple makes them content to have their Reltgion hatcht under the wing zndkaxhcrsoiiny fooh^l) arid ftficle4?thir J. In how many Chriftians is their Religion l>lctvn up, ( as the paper kites of boyes ) meerly with their own hreath, or other mens applaufes •, fetting off all that is done in their xvaj. with the Epithites of rare^ fretieui^ holf^gncietu^fpirita-) aU^fnieet^di'uine,Siiim-hke^^c. when yet wife mcff, that weigh their hoajlings^ evidently finde, much of thefc mens Religion to be deformed with Mimicallajfe£}Atiens of words and phrafes, with ftudied tones^ fcurrilous exfreffiom^zn- tick] gej^ures^ and ridiculous behaviours'. Much in them is fulfome by the length, lowdnefle, tumultuarinefle, unprcpa- rcdneffe and confufednclTe even of thofe ^in/esy which they count religious, holy, and fpirituall : which are fo far fcan- dalous, and fufpedled to fober Chriftians , as they findc them not onely full of fadion , but alfo delfitute of that common fenfe, order, ccraelineffe, gravity, difcret;on,reafon and judgement, which are to be found in others: from whom they feparate not out of fcruplc fo much as fcorn j not out of confcier.ce, but pride and arrogancy j when yet they, bring forth, after all their fwelling and tympanies, nothing comparable to what others in an orderly way have done, either for the /, which makes them conquerours over the lufts in themfeves, and their love of the world 5 whence flows the greateft peace both to Churches and States : but in that extern worldly power and policy which enables them to rule others after the fame bloudy arts and cruel methods of government', v/hithZimri, otUerod^Qt Alexander ^ or C<«/irexcrcifed: and not the Lord Jefus Chrift, who was meek and lowly , as one that fcrvcd and obeyed. And herein not ondy the weak, illiterate andfanatick vulgar are oft obfervcd to a) fhecics To the ReaJerl plucks found to their tune^ and to be for their party and cpinion-, though r.cvcr fo novcll, fmali and inconfidcra- Ue : Nothing is more eafily abufed even by eafie wits, than Prcbhetick er/,bUfnes^ and allufions, which like- fofr waxe are capable of fcverall (hapes and figurations, by whichj no dcubr, the Sfint of God aimed at xht generaU afp(^ and grAnd frofortioiis of the Cathoiick Church in its viiible pro- fcifion and outward cftate: for whofe ufe all Scripture is written, snd to whofe elevation, or depreflionj either in the Grihodoxie, or corrup:ion ofdoftrinc? in its integrity, or fchifmcs-, in its peace, or perfecucion, prophecies are gene- rally calculated •, and in no f Jit to thofe IcfTcr occafions, ob- fcurer events, or alterations , incident to particular per- fonSj countries^ or Churches. It is hard to difccrne the Star ef Fnfhecy fo over any one man, or place, or time, as that was ever the houre where Chrift was in £^/i&/«/&?«» , Hence many meteors^ falling Stars^ and fatuous fires, arc frequently difcovercd in the writings of fancifuU and fafti- ous men*, as if all they did, ordcfired, or approved, were evidently foretold and commended in the ReveUtha 5 In whofe Vifions one fees this Princcfs-, another fees that learned man^ a third, that State or Kingdorae-, a fourth, that Commander and Conqueror , &c. according as men 1ft to fancy themfelves, or flatter others •, whofe fparksarc far extind, and their glory prefently vaniflieth, as no way proportionable to that fixed light and ample glory, which the fpirit of prophecy holds forth, chiefly to the Chriftian world , in oppofition to Heathens, Jews, or Antichrifts. After the \v3iy of zhc[c Prcphetlck fancies^ zad pa^ionate me- thods of fome mens mifinterpreting, and mifapplying Prophecies-^ great Religion, we fee, hath been placed by fmall mindes, in pulling down and extirpating the anci- ent order and government of Epifcopacy , ( which was in all Churches, as here in England, from the firft plantation of Chriftianity : ) Alfo in fetting up the [ttpremacy of an headkfle Elder flVp and Presbytery . or in dafliing both of them [titofieards , and fmall pieces by the Imle Jlone oila- dependency % I'otbe Reader, ieftndeHcj : How doc fome glory in their dividing and dcftroying the ancient goodly frames of Churches , that they may new modetl them to their popular way of calling, chufing,and ordaining of Jtf/»//?tfrji^Manybo3ft much in their forfaking the calling and communion of all former Mini- fters and religious affcmblies 5 in their defpi/ing and de- iMolifhing the very places of publique meeting to fcrve God ; (which, not confciencc of any divine particular precept , but common reafon and civility have prefented Chriftian Religion withall, for its honour and its profeflbrs conve- nicncy.) Some, here with us in England^ (a place whofc Cenim much difpofeth people to frofhecies, novelcies, and varieties) arc fas Pygmalion with his Image) foinamoured with their ■( Corpufculo's ) the little new bodies of their gathered Churches 5 that they deny any Natiomll Church in any larger n^ocUtings of Chriftians, by harmonies of confeflion, and peaceable fubordinations ; yea , and many will allow no Catholtck Church 5 nor any religious fenfc to that articie of our Creed '^ denying any true Church at all to be now in the world. Some place all Church fewer in paucities, in parities, in popular levcllings, and Independencies ; o- thers contemn all thofe broken bodies^ as fchifmaticall pps • having nothing in them of that goodly beauty, ftature, ^rength, and integrity, to which the Church of Chrift was wont to grow; and wherein it flouriflied and conti- nued confpicuous fo many hundred of years ^ before thefe novelties were broached or brewed, either in England^ or any other countrey. The height of fome mens Religion and Keformationis, to have neither ^//io/i/, nor M/niJters^of the ancient autho- rity^fuccefton, and ordination 5 Others rcfufe thefe alfoof the new P,rtsbpman Jlamf ^ ( which is not much older here in England^ than the figure and fuperfciip. ion of ihcUfi coin) A third will have no Minifier , but fuch as the common , people fliall try, chufe, confccrate, and judge. Some will have no Miniftcr at all, by office, or divine miflion : others (b 2) will To the Keaderl: will have any manaMinifter or Prophet that lifts to make, or call himfelf one. In like manner fomc will allow Baftifm to no Infants 5 others to none but fuch, whofc parents they judge tolft Saints; a third baptize the children of all that profeffe they bckive the truth of the Gofpeir^ a fouith fort deny the ufe of any ivater Baptifm at all; By a Catahfti- Jlicall holdneffe, or blindcneflc, magifterially contradi(fling, and fophiftically difputing, againft the exprefle letter of the Scriftttrci agaxn^ zhccommxad of ^efus C^riji -J againft the fraffije of all the Apoftlcs-, and againft thecuftbmofall Chriftian Churches : Pretending, as a rare and tvArm i»- 'uention-j that the Baptifme of fire And of, the Sfirit^ fwhich they no.v at laft hold forth) willboth fupply and explode that colder ceret»or.y of fprinfeh'ng or dippingin wa- ter.. It is ftrange thefe Rdlies and Matters in Ifrael{hovld be fo ftlly, as not to know, that long befrae their brain brought forth any fuch blafphemous brood againft baptizing by water, all judicious Chriftians ever efteemcd baptifm by water to be an^ extern fign and mednes^ by which the wife- dome of Chrift thought fit to adminifter to his Church on earth , not onely that diiHnSiive mark of being his Difciples , but alfo the reprefcntation of his bleud^ fhed for their redemption , anji the ebftgnation of that Saptifmall irace, which his Spirit confers on thofe that are his.by the clcanfing of thie confcience, and renewing of the inward man : iP^/. 3.21. Chriftians, rauft not after thc.ftibrt and more compendious methods of their fancies, therefore neglc«a the fign or ceremony, becaufe they prefume of the thing figni- ficd •, but rather with humble obedience doe the duty and ufe the meanes divinely- inftituted , that they may obtain . the grace offered. On the fame grounds, all outward J//- - Mirations among Chriftians may be defpifed and abolilhcd, by thofe that pretend to the Spirits inward efficacy^ which is never in any man that doth not obey theGofpell in its o«tward mandates, as well as the Spirit ki its inward mo- tions :Proud,.idle and ignorant fancies are dayly finding ihortcr wayes to heaven than the wifdome of Chrift^hath ~ ~ ' laid. To the Keaier, kid out to his Church 5 in following of which no good Chriftian can judge, that there is dther piety, peace, or iafety. Some boaft much of their popular and plaufibic gifts , for knowledge, utterance, prayer, &c. others flight all,biu /»- ivard grace, and the Spirits dwellmg in them. Some dote much upon thclt feleif fraternities and covenanting congregations ; others arc onely for private illuminatitns, Solitary feckings, fublime raptures, and higher affurances. Some admire them- felvcs in their tedious firi£ineQ'es , and feverer rigors , by which they gird. up the loins of their Religion fo ftrait, that it can hardly take civill breath, ot the air of common courtefie .• others joy, as much, in the Liberty they fancy themfclves to have attained both of opinions and a<5tions. Some make every thing a fin and errour, which they like not ; others count nothing a fin, to which they have an impulfe, and are /rtff as they call it. Some tolerate all waycs of Religion in all men, till it eom-es to be private Atheifme, and publiqiie confufion-, others crack all/r/'«g-/, which will not be wound upto their pitch 5 damning and deftroying all, that arc not of their particular 'mode and herejie, though never fo novel, and differing not onely from the Catholick- praftifc of the primitive. Churches, but alfo from the^expreffe rule of the SeriptureSi Whom would not xhdcmonftersef novelties^ varieties, , and contradichihnt Jgues^ ^nddc^^vaic Apoplexies among ns •, which threaten utterly to kill all piety, to de- flroy all Chriftianiry, to extirpate all -charity , and dif- folvc all fociety both as men, and as Chriltians: while neither morals^ nor rituals of Chriflianity are obferved -, r.eithcr the fupsrflrudure of Catholick GuHomes , nor the foundation of Scripture commands 5 neither .truth,nor peace^ things of p ety, or Chriflian polity, are inviolable-: but all old ihings mufl be dilTolved and paffe away , that fomc men may.fliew their skill to create nerv heavens and »^»v mths^ in which, not order and righreoufneilc, but all inju- Tioufnclfe andconfufionjnufl dwelK Secondly, befides this innate fondnefe of men , which is alwayes finding out new (evill, orvain) ?»'yf»//<'«^, (as unwholefome bodies are ever breaking out) there arc al- fo crafty colourings^ and ^gUtick affeSiations ^f piety ^ which grow as fcifrfe 'Ot fcakfyOVQt thofe prurient^ novelties of o- pinion: by which unwonted formes (as with fcverall vi- \Ards and plaifters) hypocrifie feekes as toamufe the vul- gar, fo to cover, and hide \x.s cnnning^ zn6. cruelty -, its a^ :)ivay.ice^amiifiiif»y revenge, sind'fimledge: flill avoiding the - •'. i ; 'j,- difcoveiics To th Reader- i difcoverics of its deep plots and mckeJ defjgaesyhy fpsd- ous prctenfions of ferving God in feme more accepMc way, and better manner , than others have done 5 when in- deed cvay txuc faff ionifi, who is Maftcrofhis Art, atlaft, winds up the thread of that Religion he fpins, upon his own bottomy fo as may beft ferve his own turn-j nor is he ever fo modcft, fo mortified, or fo ftlf-dcnying, w.thhis pious novelties^ but that he will poflefTc himfelf, and his party of any places for worldly profit, power or honour, to wliich he can attain-, though it be by the violent and unjufif ruining and outing of others : which is no very great fympiem of an amended or heightnedChriftian., . ,:^,J^. Laftly, fobcr Chnftians doe, and ought to corjfidcr thofe jufi jfnigentents of God ^ either. as difeafes^ or medi'. einesy ufuaily falling upon Chriftians, (as here in England) when they are jurfeited with peace and plenty 5 c/^yfi with preaching and praying; wantonly weary of wonted duties, and wholefomc formes of found religion^ though never fo holy, and comely ; Burchened with the weekly and daily importunities of Miaifiers dodlrine, and examples, (where the fin and mifery was:-, not that people had no true light^ or no true church ^ ancTno true M/niJiers ^ bill thxi^ bavi»g all thefe, ihcy rejoiced not in them ^ they negleded them, and finned the more provokingly againfl them ^ ) Hence it is, that fqueamiih, naufeating, ,and gktted ChrtfiMs^ ca- fily turn, as foul ftomachs- arid wanton appetites, all they rake, (though never io whole fome) hxo pcccmt and mor- bifique humors, to pride and paflion -, to felf conceit, and fcornof otiiers-, to ambitious lufts of difputing, contend- ing, and conquering in matters of Religion 5 endeavour- ing to deftroy all, that they and their way may alone pre- va.l and govern: which is the laftrcfuk of all unwarran- table and unjuftifiable commotionsin Church or State. Nor doe men ever intend that fmch vidories (which begin with the toKgue or psfi, and end in the haf?d and fvord : com- mencing with piety and religion , but concluding withfo- vcraignty and dominion )| fliall.be cither inglorious or frui:- . Icffc^ To the Readers - leffe •, Seditious and fchifmaticall Chamflens for Religion will be fure (as foonc as they have power ) to carve out their own crorvns and rewards 5 the determination of fcruplcs in confcicnce, and differences in opinion , muft end , not cnely in im^erieus denying others, the Itberties of confci- cnce (at 'firft craved or contended for ) but in the outing others of different mindes, from their places, callirrgs, pro- fits, and enjoyments: which is very far from that taking up the croffe of Chrift and following him ^ from being crucified to the world in its lufts, pride and vanity, as be- comes thofe that wll be Chrifts Difciples, in verity, ju- ftice, and charity : To fuch mountains ef changes and mighty vpfrepons doc little mele-hils in Religion ufually fwcll , when the juftice. of God fuffcrs piety to be both poyfon- ed with policies, and Religion perverted with humane paf- fions. Little differences \n Religion, (like Crocodiles egsj bring forth fredtgies 5 which arc ever growing greater, till they dye •, adding fury to fadlion •, paffion to opinion ^ cru- elty to novelty 5 Self -inter efts to Confcicnce: Divine -ven- geance oft punifhing fin with fin 5 extravagancies of judge- ments, with exorbitancies of deeds 5 fuffering the greater luft, or ftronger ftftion (like pikes in a pond; to devourc the leffer ; and one error to be both executioner and heir to another-, Bccaufemen obeyed not theTruthinlove ^ nor praiflifed what they knew, with a pure heart, in an humble, meek, and charitable converfation , which alwayes chufeth rather to fuffer with ^eacefull and holy antiquity^ than to triumph with turbulent and injurious novelty. "From which have rifcn thofe many Church-Tragedies ^ns of ancient, fo of later times, which make the ^/(7»^ of Chri- ftians , (yea of Jefus Chrift too) fo cheaf and vile in one anothcrs eyes: Hence x\\q(c unftanched effuftons -, thofe un- clofed wounds 5 thofe irrcccneilable fervds ; thofe intradla- ble fores ^ thofe wide gaping gulfhs of fadion anddivifion, malice and cmidation, war and contention, which are en- larged and deep like heli, threatning to (wallow up and exhauft whole kingdomcs, flourifhing Nations, and famous I Churches : To the Readen Chorches-, fometimes profcifing chrifiiau, and reformed Religion, with order, peace, and truth. Where now fo«;?- treymen^ and neighbors, kindred and brethren, Minifters and people , teachers and difciples, arc fo far from that charity^ fymfathj and comfaffton becoming beleivers in ^efas Chrifi, ( fo as to weep with tkofe that weep , and to rejoice with thofe that rejoice') that contrarily, there is nothing almoft to be heard or feen, butfuch z face of crttehj andconfufion^ as a (hipwirack, a troubled Sea, or Scarefire is wonted to prefcnt: The teares of fome mingled with their owne, or others bloud 5 the cryes and ftg^es of fome with the laugh- ter of others : fmiles with forrowcs, hopes with defpaires , joyes with terrors, Lamentations oi fome with the triumphs of others. The infolcncy of any prevailing fadlion hardly enduring the underling or fupprcifcd party, to plead their Gaufe,cither by law or prepofleffion: to deplore their lofIes,dc- feats,povertics,and oppreflions^which they cither feel or fear | nor yet to enjoy the liberty of their private confciences: And all this ftrugling, fury and confufionborhin Church and State meerly to bring forth , or to nourifh up fome Phare^ov Efau', fome opinion or fadion, which muftcome in by a breach, and prevaile by violence. After this hor- rid fceae and fafhion , and on fuch Theaters (of mutuall maflacrings, fightings and wars) are divided Churches, broken faftions, and uncharitable Chriftians always ready to a(fl their fad and fangumary parts of Religion 5 (if there be not wife and powerfuU Magijlrates, to curb and reftrain them.) Some mens fpirits are ever dancing in the circ/es of Reformations j trampling on the ruines ot Churchesand States, of charity and.peacc 5 loft in endleffe difputes ^ and wearied with refle(fe agitations 5 ftarting many things, and long purfuing nothing : Ever hunting for novelties , and following with eagernelTe and lowdnefTethe ^4w^they laft fprang, or putup,till they lighten another: Stillcaftmga- way all that is old, though never fogood and proper, for any thing that is new, though never fo ^4^ and impertinent: being better plcafcd with a fooles coat of yefterdayes (c) making To the Reader» making, though never fo fantaftick and ridiculous • than ^vkh the ancient rc^« of a wife and grave Counfellour, never fo rich,and comely •, preferring a rent or piece of Chrift coat before the whole and entire garment. ThuSj ever learning, fancying , cavilling , contending , difputins, andj if they can, deftroying one another for mat- ters of religion, poore mortals and confumpienarj Cbri- fiians tear others, and tire out themfelves, untill ( having thus wafted iht fervor of their fpirits, and more jouthfuli aftivity of their lives ) at length the dulneffe of age^ or the burthen of infirmities, or the defeat of their defignes , or the decline of their fa^ion, or the wafting of their eftatcs, or the confciencc of their follies, or the fttmmons of death, fo difpirit and appale thefe fomecimcs fo great s^alots and fiicklers^ for what they call Religion , that they appcare like very Chefis^ and Carkafes of ChrifiiAns ; poor, bUnde, naked, withered, deformed, and tattered in their Religion, both zs 10 Conference comfort, and credit 5 Far enough l,God knowes) from that foundneffe of judgement, that fetledneflc in the faith, that fobernefTe of ^eal^ that waf mth of charity^ that conftancy of comfort^ that hnccrity of joy, that faint- like patience, that blefled peace, and that lively &ope, which becomes and ufually appcares in thofe, that have been, and are fincerely religious and truly gracious-, that is, know- ifjg, feriotuj and confciemious Chriftians^ who have, a long time, been entertained , not with fplendid fancies , and fpecious novelties, wrefted prophecies, and rare inven- tions 5 touching government of Churches , modelling of Religion, and Saints reigning : but with the trea-fures of divine wifdeme ; with the rivers of fpirituall fleafnres ; with the fulneffe of heavenly jeyes ; with the fweetneflfc of ■ Chrifs love, and Ghriftians communion: with the fcafts i^ faith unfeigned', mihxht banquets of vfeXi grounded hope, with the marrow and hincSc (^ good vf oris ; of anufe- fuU Koly life : which are to be had not in fAntafiqae novelties, and curious imperti»encies , in uawarrantable aad felf:COndcmning pra(fUfcs J but in the fcriousftudy of the. To the Reader, the Serif tares % in the diligent attending on the Minlftryof the Word, and all other holy duties •, in tervent and frequent frayers ; in Catholick communion with charity towards all that profcfle to be Chriftians-, in a patient, meek, order- ly, juft, and honeft converfation toward all men whatfo- cvtr. From which, whoever fwcrves,though with never Co fpeci- ous and frccejfefuil aberrations^ which vulgar mindcs may think gay and glorious novelties oC Religion, like the fly- ing oi Simon Magu^^ox. Mahomet s eKtafies 5 yet they arc to be pitied,not followed, by any children of true mfdome j which is from above, both pure and peaceable,5^4?». 3.17. Whgfe lawful progeniCjChe profefTors oifure Religion^ and undcfiled, have in all times been, as in worth far fuperiour, fo in number and power oft inferiour to the [furious ilTues, and b-j-hlewes oC faSiionznd. [uperBitiont, which, as cafily fall into fra£fures among themfclves , as they naturally con- federate againft that onely true and legitimate ^jf-Z/r/wf of Heaven , True Religion : which is ( as the Poets feigned of Pallas) the daughter of the Divine minde ; the defcent and darling of the true God •, For, as it hath been rvon- derfnlly brought forth, fo it hath aUvayes been tenderly brought up, by that prver^ tvifdome, and love^ which are in thofe eternall relations, infinite perfections, and effenti- all endearements , wherewith the Divine Nature everlaft- ingly happy, recreates and enjoyes it fclf 5 which are fet forth to us under the familiar names, yet myfterious and adorable Perfons of Father^ Son^ and Holy Ghofi •, in whom is an holy variety with an ha^py Unity • a rcall diverfity, yet an clTentiall identity : Who have taught the Church true Religion in a few words: Know and doe the will of God : Beleivc and repent 5 Live in light^ and love 5 in verity and charity-, in righteoufneife and true holintffe: without which all Religion is vain •, either fanftaticall, or hypocriticall; un- profitable ,or damnable. From which plain paths and grand principles of true Chriftian Religion the Author of this defence, having ob- ( c 2 ) ferved I'd the Readers fcrved the great and confufed varimons of many Chnfti" ans, as in allagcs, fo never more than in this; his intent in this work muftbc, and is, fas he faid ) Not to gratifie^ any fide or fadion, never fo /«>(?/« with plaufiblc preten- fionSj with pleafant fancies, with gainfull fuccefles-, oro- vergrown with fpleniticlc /f -y^mw , 3.ndtneiaiich0lydi(con- tents: but onely to make good by the mpartialuyof clear Scripture^ found Reafofi, and purcft Antiquity, thgtjiatioffy and effce , wherein the providence of God hath placed him, (and many others, far his betters) in the fublique Miniftry of that Religion, which as Chriftian and reform- ed, was cftabliflied and profefTcd here in the Church of England. Which, of any Reformed Church , hath ever fince the Reformation had the honor, of being, both much admired^ and mightily oppofed: So that its miraculous -peace, and profperity for fo many years paft, as they were the cffcds of Gods- indulgence; and of the great wifdome of governours in Church and State ; fo they were alwaycs fet off and improved by thofe many and /mart oppofiti- ons, both forain and domcftick , which were made againft it, both as to its truth and peace, its dodldne and di- fcipline. All which, men of excellent learmng^ and lives in this Church, have valiantly fuftained, and happily repelled; to the great advancement of Gods glory, the profperity of this Nation, the honour of this reformed Church, and the comfort of all judicious Chriftians ; And this was chiefly done by the able and accurate /"fw of the godly and /c4y;?fi Miwfierst, who needed (in- thofe times) no other defence on their part,, either for order, government, maintenance,, Miniftry or dodrine; All which were then preferved from vulgar injuries and infolencies by the fame power and fword, which defended thofe civill fau^ions: and lawes, which eftabliflied and preferved all things of //i- cred and Ecdefajtickj as well as of civill Sindfcfular con- cernment. ULntilithefe hUfatall times, which pregnant with civill wars: To the Reader. wars and diffenfionSj have brought forth fuch great reve- lations and changes in Church and State j wherein Scholars and churchmen, in ftead of pens and bookes^ have to contend ' with (words zwd fifiols. Which weapons o^ carmll warfare^ were unwonted to be applyed either to the planting, propa- gating, or reforming of Chriftian Religion 5 onely proper to be ufed for the prefervation of what isbylaw eftabli/tTr cdj item feditioHs and fchtfrnatiaill perturbations -, (For it was not the vinegar, but the oil of Chriftian Religion •, not ' its ficrinelfc, but its meeknefle-, not its force, but its pati- ^ence, that ever made its way through the hzvdii\ rocks, and hearts, ) And by thefe ftrange Engines, thefe new armes of fiejh, we have hitherto onely feen aded and fulfilled with much horror, mifery and confufion , thbfe things in this Church and Nation, which were forefecn and foretold by two eminent, and learned perfons, yet of different opinions, as to the extern matters of Ecclefiafticall polity,' Mr. Ri- chard Hooker, and Mr. Thomas Brightman-, the one in the pre- face to his Ecclefapcall polity: xhe other in his comment on the third chapter of the i?^Wrf?/^;?j. Who many yenrsa-- goe in times of peace, and fetlcdnelTe in this Church of £»g-- hidfereuU^noi by any infallible fpirit of prophecy^ (for then the Uttr of them would not have been fo much miftaken in the fate o£ his dc^iv Philadelphia of Scotland) buc raeer- ly out of prudence, conjedluring , what was probable to come to pa0e^according to the fears of the one, and the hopes of the other: in cal€ the then fpreading , though fuppref- fed differences and parties in Religion , ( which they then faw made many ^aloujly & boldly difcontcnted) came to ob- tain fuch power, as eveiy fide aims at, when they pretend to carry on matters of Religion, and Reformation 5 wherein, . immoderation being ufually filled '{eal'^ and moderation, . hkewArmne([e.', it was eafiefor fagacious mento foi-efeeand foretell, whar exce(fes, the tranfports of inferiours wojld > in all probability urge viipon fuperiottrs -^ if ever thefe w<<^/f- ged pcrver fo weakly and unadvifedly, that any ^//'/r/w^^ and > difcontcnted farty might come to gain/cjvifr, in a way noc Cc5) ufualls , To the Readerl ■ ufuall ^ which at the very firft rupture and advantage , would think it felf eafily ahfehed from all former ties of obedience, and fnbjedion to governours in Church or State 5 without which liberty and ab!blution, it is not po^}- hle to carry on by force any Novelties and pretended amend- ments of Religion contrary to what is cftabliftied in any Church or Nation. Indeed, we fee, to our fwart and forrorv ■ that the deluge .'foretold would break in, hath fo overflowed this and the neighbour Churches^that not only Mr. Brightmam blear-ey'd Z-M^, his odious Pf//^/ , which weremofl excrcifed with the hammer, or file of heriticall pravity, 01: fchifmaticaU fwj.) If To the Reader.. If it be the wending^ and not the ending 5 the reformation] and not xht extirpation oiyWnxikzts^ which their fevere cen- furers andoppofcrs feekfor: why fliould not time of rrw// be given 5 and all honeft induftry ufed to improve thcfe well grown and flourilliing fg trees^ before they be herved dervn ^ndjluhbed up -, which heretofore have no; b:en cither barren or unfruitfull to God and man i If either Papal), or Anabaptifticall and Levelling ene- mies muft at length after feverall windings' and turnings be gratified with their utter mine and deftrudion, (which God Ibrbid) yet while Minifters have leave and liberty to pray, to preach, to print, to doe well, and worthily, God for- bid they ftiould fo farre injure God, good men, and fo good acatife, as not Chriftianly to endeavour its defence -^ which at WOrft is to be done hy comely fnffering : And who knowS but that when thdc tvitneffes both againft fuperftition and confufion in the Church fliall feem tobeflain, caftout,and buryed , they may live again , to the aftoniihment both of friends and enemies ^, dying, and felf deft roy- ing generation: If we muft at laft ferifl) and fall^ with our whole fundion and fraternity,after all our ftudies, char- ges, labours, and fufferings: Yet, it \sfit\omQ. of us (and the more the better, left our flence may argue guilt) give the world both at prefent, and in after ages feme ac- count 5 why, and how in fo learned^ valiant, wife, and re- ligious a Nation as this of England hath been , wee as MiniJlers.haxQ flood fo long-, whit pious frauds, and holy (d) arts To the Readeri 'arts we had, whereby to //w/o/ffo many hundreds of years upon fo many ivife Princes ^ fo many vetjerable ParlUmems \ fo many pious frofe^ors of Chriftian and reformed Reli- gion : And laftly, upon fo quick and high fprited a feeble , as thefe of £wf /^^^^generally are 5 neither fo grofle, as to be eafily deluded^ nor fo bafe^ as patiently to fuffer themfelves in fo high a nature to be abufcd. That fo, at leaftif the world canlcffe difcern, for what caufc the Miniftry and Minifters arc now to be deftroycd , they may fee upon whacgroundsofpietyjOr policy they were fo long preferved in feace^ fkntj, and honour : And for what reafons they now feek (as their pious predecelTors did) to maintain not their /J^^/i'wfo much 5 as i\x\.t office and funftion, in its due order and authority 5 that fo they might have tranfmitted it in an holy and miblame&bU jucee^on to pofterity 5 as that, which in their confciences they ve- rily think to be a moft divine and ChriBia» Infiitmion : Beneficiall for the good ofthc Church, and ofallmankinde 5 which in former ages , was ever efteemed the glory , and blelTing of this, or any other Nation 5 The fetter forth df the light f vvifdome, power , and love of the eternall God in his Son Jcfus Ghrift for the falvatio» of finners; and which thoufands of Chriftians in all ages and places have experienced, and approved to be to their foules the Sa- vour of life mto Itje^ the mighty power of God to falva- tion. The Author eafily obferves the prcfent fAce of our hea- •, but for beating all down, with the grearelt ftir, and clamoiir they can make; All is for demolilhing Schools and Umverfities • for defpi- fing all learning and yf/^;?£"f-f •, for taking away all order, fo- ciety, larger communion, fubordination, and government in the Church; for caftingaway all ancient Ordination, and authoritative MiniHry -, that we may be left in the next age, like the Tohn and Bohii of the Chaos , void of light .and full of confufion ; without good learning or true Reli- gion, To the Reaierl gioii, without any form, or power of godlineJTe ; So far are thofe lines, which the Antmimjlenall fury and Ml'^ , drawcs, from running faralleUo piety, or Chriflianity, to right Reafon or true Religion ; that they arc moft diamc'^ tricaHy o^yefite to all civility, prudence, policy, fenfe of ho- nour, and principles of humanity: Of which deformities and dcfcdsnone are lelTcp-itienttohear, than they that are moft guilty-, whoCe prepofierons a ffivity, rather than fie ftill, ■ muft needs imploy it {c\i m fulling all down -, which is in- deed the work of plebeian hands, and f ragmatic^ II {pints ^ but to l>iiild or repair either Church or State , is the bu- fineffc oncly of rvife and tvell advifed perfons-^ fuch as ha- ving publiquc and generall confent,to deliberate of fuch things, may alfo have an univerfall influence in the reafon and authority of their determinations : But fuch able men are hardly found in Coimtrey crowds, and illiterate heaps ; nor are they very forward to obtrude themfelves upon publiquc works, without a very fair call from God , and man 5 which they doe not think to be the either countrey- mans tvhijlle^ or the armed mans trumpet. From neither of which, as this Author hath any invlta-, tion to this work •, fo he hath no temptation in it, to cap- tate favour with the giddy' and u»certamva/gar; byfeem- ing to adore their Diana's, or admire their many nstv r»a- fiers, and th^n rarer gifts-, which make them worthy indeed of fuch/e/> and fequacious d/fciples. Nor yet hath he any defign to ingratiate wixh [Hpercili- otts , znd(elf-fHfpe6iing greatne^fe-, or to comply with the more folemn errors, and graver extravagancies of thofe, who ftudy fitfety, more than piety •, who think to flatter Magiflratcs by crying down Minifters, being more afraid of that fword, which can but kill the body; than of that, which proceeds out of the mouth ofchrijt, and is able to flay both foul and body. He befpeaks no men further, than the truth, juftice, and merit of this caufe of the Evangclicall Minifliryj made good by Scripture, Antiquity, and good experience amon^ us ( e ) There / To the Keader] Iicre In T.hghrJ^ may perfwade them to look favourably, and friendly on the Authour and his endeavour : where- in, aJbeit every one, that ownes himfelf to be a Chrifti- an in this Ghurchj is highly concirnei-^ yet the underta- king feemes to have very little tempting in it. or inviting to it 5 as (now) the face of the Mhaftry of the Church of BfJglantd ktmcs to appear kfmeared^ and difgui fed within- finite odious afperfionsj loadra with unmerited injuries and indignities V a. tvsffder to its emmies andfrisnds ; afadfpc- dacle to all good men and good Angels ^^ fwhom it can- not but afflift to fee thofe that are the Brethren of An- gtls in heaven, i^f^'e/. ip. lO. and the fathers of Chriftians on earth, i C<»r. 4.1.5.) thus treated and threatnedby fome men, v,ho have thi^ onely oi poprt',onzxi^iqmt'j\xixSxt'a\y^ .topurfue the greatefl'vertues^Wix.hxhigrekteJi hatred. The Apologift therefore hath purpofely declined tobring the odiu?n or envy of Dedication upon any one particular perfon-, left this if/^w(? Ibould feeme like a^/d^/«^5f4r, threatning with malignant influence any mars greatncflc,, and honour, either of ancient or modern edition •, which may be jealous , left the p4tranijiffg, or pleading for the diftrefled, and defpifed Miaiftry^ fhould be the next way to their din:i>;utiG?i •, left the cuft snd rcMidge of the fo much battered and defaced Clergy^ lliould deform or bury fhcra. Befides, he thought it in vain to fingle out any one PAtronio this book, and its Subjed; For firft how. few perfons of moxt ■in\^\&condk{ons, fplendider fortKneSy and higher quality in civill cftiraation, doe much lay, to heart the efpiriof?soiih.tk ^offhs, godiy Miniftcrs and good fcholars : Moft .ire intent to their policy, froft^ or pleafuie; or totheirfuifVrings, revenges, and reparations: Nothing cofts a. grcife fpiritedGentlcm.iH^ Xvho lives hke a great, earth-worm in a fat dunghill, kiTe, either as to his Vttrfe^ or his^.;;-f, than the .'?J?^/f/?/ f Ltarningor Religiont, Theignoranceanddifiolutencil'^ of many mak s them in- different, if not enemies to piety and good eduction-, as lights that reproach xhtir deforfmtus^ or bonds that reftrain ' \ ' ' their To the Reader. their e)i/>rhit4ncies ' Some arc bed pleafed when lead vaQ\t^tAhy iTiy ntordl ot graeieui imprtunities : cfteeming thofe their beft friends, who fufFer them to degenerate to i^aHs^ Or to devils 5 or to both, at once, in being Hyf6- crites or Jtheiftsx whohavetheftupidne(reofthebeaft,and the malice of the devill. Not that I \Vould diminilh the honour of the Nobility and Gentry of this Nation, the good and gallant fort of whom none in the world exceeds for civility, fidelity, ju* ftice, conftancy, and piety. Though fome be the (hame of honour , and the ftain of Gentry, as bags of chaffe", pufTcs of airy vanity , illiterate vice , infolcnt ignorance , and folly well fed : who have nothing to boaft of but empty rames of reproached anceftors and undefcrved titles, which are comely when infcribcd on the Efcucheonofvertues, but deformed and ridiculous, when ufurped by pultroones , and fuch , whom no worth redeems from being vile and de- fpicable to wife and fcrious mindes. Yet there are not iL few eminent perfons of true hmeurarxd reall worth (which confifts in juji valour, judicious piety, ufefuU -virtues, both to private and publique relations") whofe purfes have been is crufes, znd their houfes (m5iuaries to many godly and learned men in the diftrefles of thefe times. Yet infteadof paying a refped and honour to any of thefe truly noble and generous perfons it might be but an injury to fingle out a- ny one of them, in the cloud and jealoufies of thefe times , to be as a publique refuge and jfjlum to this work and its caufe ; which carries with it fomething more immenfeand fenderoui, than ordinary occurrences in the world: And befides its high concernment to Church and State 5 to the tempordl nnd etermll good of men ^ it hath vaft difficul- ties attending it -, rough oppofitions, implacable odiums, and incorrigible malices to contend with : In the midft of all which there muft needs be a very great dcadnefle, and al- moft defpair, for any one man never fo worthy and well- affeded,to advance beyond honeft defireSj and/wfr^, but ineffe^uall endeavours. (ez) Fur- To the Reader^- '■ -Furthermore to take aright fcantling of thiftgs • what 'one mans flioulders, 1 befeech you, how potent foever,can, bear the hurthemy which arc now caft upon the Miniftry and Minifters of this Church of England c" What hands can- raife their declined Jtate •, what arms can fupport , or ftay their tottering and threatning ruJnes < Alas, what prwate 7wJ?ii^fwe can be fo benign , as to overfway , or eounrer- poife that malignity^ which fome men pretend to difcover, not onely in the mindes of men on earth , but even in the vcvy Stars and confielUtions of heaven, which, fome fay, fight againft the Miniftry now, as they fometims did a- gainft Stfem ? If thefe Weftern wife men (who feem to he ©fa different ftrainand way from thofe Eaftero M^giiXh^t. came to worihip Chrift in the Manger, with their perfonSy and frefents) if I fay they had not daily intelligence from heaven^ and fat neer to the Cabinet Councell of that High Court; truly good Chriftians would hardly beleevc, or re- gard their reports ^ It being very improbable,thatthc5f4rj, either fixed or planetary, fliould be enemies to thofe^ who bear their name in the Church-, as Minifters doe, being- called both Stars and Angels, jRei/el. 3. i. And who have ever been, as much brighter in their light, fo more necelTary to the Church , and more dear to God , thaa thofe are in the Firmament ot vifible heavens ; by how- much the intelle(ftu3ll and eternall light of mens foules exceeds that which is onely fenfible and momentary to their eyes: by how much reajon and truth are above the. beamesand luftre of the Sun -, which is infinitely fhorj of the divine •^/W)' ^/ C'&r//? , and, thofe fpirituall benefits , v.fhich by his healing wings- ( the Mimjlers and Miniftrations of his . Church j are derived to the world . Although theftudy, and knowledge of the 5#/.f, to, his Bapifm^ his Faith, his Graces, and Sacraqientali feals to his fpirituall comforts, his hopes of heaven^ to his very being being a C^y/y?/Wff, or true mem- ber of this , or any other found part of the Catholiek (:hmh : Enemies alfo to his friends, and pofterities etern- all haffine^fe; The means of which will never be truly •found in any ChurchijOr enjoyed by any Chriftians, under ! : i i. This makes the Jut hour not defpaire to meet with fomc Patrons and Frote^ors of this Defence in Semtes , Couh' eels. Armies^ and on the houfs top, no lefle, than in clo- fets, and private houfes 5 To whom it cannot be unaccep- table to fee thofe vmny fUufibk pretenfions y and fotentep- pefitions made by fome men againft the Divine authority^ and [acred office, and peculiar calling of the Miniflry , fo; difcovercd, as they fhall appeare to be not more ffecioHs^ and fubtill, than dangerous and deftrud:ivc, to the tensfo- rail and eternall welfare of all true Irotejimts , fober Chriftians, and honcft hearted £z?f///S men; who, certain** ly, next the f leafing ef Gad, and the faving of their fouls, have nothing of fo great concernment to themfelves and their pofterity, as tms, The preferring, and encouraging; of a true and authoritative Mimjiry^ which is the great hnge on which all learning and civility , all piety and charity, all gracious hopes and comforts , all true Religion and Chriftianity it fclf depends, as much, as the light, beauty^ regular motion, and falety of the body, doth upon its having eyes to fee. i But if this freer and plainer, Befence fliould neither me- rit nor obraine fuch ample mei'-Jure of favour, and publiqiie acceptance in thefightofj«i/f/(i«ji?f4iaf^rj, as it is ambitious of, and (atlcaft):nay/^«i;;!ii«f^iof; yet hath the Authon the comfort of endeavouring with all uprightPiefil' of heart to doe his dtttj, though he be but as. aa mpropdle:- fejc'- vant. And (poflihly) this great and nohk Stterje^, iIiq necepty, . dignity, and divine -aut-h&rity oi xht Minffiry ^f the Church of Eiiglar.d, fo far carried on by this B^^ty- (which fets forth, 1 . 1 he Scripnire grounds cftablifhed by the authority of Chrifl: and his Apoftfes. 2. Tire Catholickconfent and pradlife of the Cliurch in all ages and plac:s. 5.Thecon- fonancyy To the Reader, : fonancy to reafon and order obferved by all Nations in their Religion, and fpecially to the Inftituies of God among the Jewifh Church. ^4. /The Churches conftant want of it, in its plantation, propagation, and perfcdion. 5. The bene- fit of it to all mankinde, who without an authoritative Mi- n.ftry WDuld never know whom to hear with credit and refped:; or what to beleive with comfort. 6. The great bkffings flowing from this holy fundion to this Church and Nation, in all kindes 5 j Thefe and the like grand confide- i:?>tions and fair afpedts which this fubje^ affords to learned , judicious and godly men, may yet f revoke fome no- bler pen, and abler perfon to undertake it with more gratc- foll ivnd fueceflefuir endcavoiirs : whofe charitable eyes finding the fometime /(^w^o^ znd flour iJhingMimfiry of this church, thus eixpofed in a weeding , floating , and forlorn cjondition^ 10 xhc mercy of Nilm ^ and its Monfters, (the threatning, if not overflowing ftreames of modern violent errors ) may take pity on it , and from this Ark efBul- rujhes, which is here fuddenly framed, may bring ic up to far greater ftrength and publique honour, than the pa- rent of this CMofes could cxped from his obfcurer gifts and fortunes. - To which although he is very confcious , as being of Iiimfelf altogether unfuffcient for fo great a. work, and fo good a word ^ yet the confidence of the greatfjejife and good- neji'e of the caufe •, the exferience of Gods, and (generally) all good ChrifiUns^AtteJlmon to it, in all former ages of the Chupch : The hopes alfo of Gods gracious ailiflance, in a work defigned wi;:h all humility and gratitude wholly to his glory, and his Churches fetvice ; Thefe made him not wholly refraBAry, or obflinate againflthe//7/rw?/>Joffome perfons, whofe eminent merit in all learning, piety, and vir- tue, might incourage by their command fo great wfnf-fici- encies to fo great an undertaking : Which is not xo fire a 3eacon of fadion or contention 5 but to eflablifh a filUr cf Truth, and certainty •, Alfo to hold forth a Shield of defence and faftfy ; fuch as may direct and frete^ , flay and To the Reader, and fccurc the raindcs of good Chriftians in the midft of graying, backpdmg ^ and Ap0stitt!:{ing times, wherein many feek to ir wrj God, his Miniftcrs, and all men but thcmfelveSjWith their varUting wickcdn£(fe. The weight and worth of this grsat Suhjeci , the iV//«/- slry of thiSj and fo of all true Churches, in wiiich, as in No- ahs Ark all that we caXl Religion^ all that is (acnd^ Chri- ftian, and reformed, is depofited and embarqued , would have (indeed) required a more proporticnae ajfertor: who might, out of the gocd treafure of bis hsart , have Q^\\xn more ftrcngth, and ornament to fo divine and necelfary an Institution. But who fees not the 7nethods and choices of Gods wife- dome and power ; who { dft-times ) makes his ligiit and glory to (hine cleareft through the darkcft Lanterms •: He appears in a bit^^ when he purpofed the great: redemption of his Church out oi Egypt: The skilfulU^W of C^/can write as well with a Gooje quill^ as with a Swans or Eagles. The felf-demonftrat'ng beams o^acred Truths need no bor- rowed reflexions : By foft and eafie breathings the Lord hath oft difpelled the groffefi fogs3in^ in her face 5 {^iXduWy fcratching her, wanonly ^rending her, cruelly wounding her, and raoft fcornfully destroying her, as 'i£([icyicve an iTnpure prostitute, a moG: abhorred ^4ulterc(fe^, ^vhen indeed fliee was, and is, a fair Daughter of heaven, and the fruitfuU Mother of rts all : luftly cftecmed by all learned, fobfr, and godly men, l>oth at home, and abroad , as rvife , grave, chajt, and venerable a Matron, as any, in all the Chriftian, or reformed world. Nor doth fliee ceafe to be comely, though flie be now black and fcorched; There ap- pearcs beauty amidft her af)es, and lovelincffe amidft her fcratches; the Spirit of ^i^/f^ryfhincs through her Sackcloth; ftill meriting, and therefore not dcfpairing of the love, fa- vour, pity, and proteftion of all worthy pcrfons who are confiderabk c To the Reader. confidcrable either for counfcl or in power, and eomrnen' dable cither for honefty or Religion: Suffering indignities, and dayly fearing more from none but thofe that are ene- mes, as to all learning, order , and religion , fo to all ho- nefty, modefty, and humanity vHer fad, deplorable fate and (by fuch men thrcatned ) if this Author cannot hinder or help to recover,ycthe {hall,with ^eremie^ heartily pity,deeply lament,and moft paffionatcly fraffor her^ and her ehiidref)^ fo long as he lives j as thou wilt (O Chriftian and comfafismtt Reader) if thou beeft of. his mindCj who bids thee Farcwdl. ,«ffi9^tW9^«0» id^a^ydlK ,j3i£2^^55>i5'rjB;5.- - ' JisSjif 1',;: ■-'-^.'^'■-■' BY'WAY 6'J;:^^; ^'^Z^^^^; i-^(- II II-, [ ••'■ ;_ , I .'''-'f:!:^'^' T-- ■ bifitjs Miniftry and Minilters OF THE zr,iaJni C H tl R 0 H i Humbly Prefented , . To the Confciences of all thofe ^ that excel in Virtue.,'! j:^ Am neither afraid', norafiiamed toprefent to x, your view and patrociny, in whom is a more T'he ^d- Excellent Sprit, this uifalvgy ; iFofwhich , dre^s. as I have no ertcottragementr, foJ. tx-^zSt no Dan.tf.ai MceptaKce , or thanks from any men , who cany on other defigns, than thole of Glory to ' God , Peace to their own Confciences , wel- fare to this Nation , and Love to this and , ., , , other Reformed Churches of r/jr»y?. I know, ThztSecul(tr-Proje5ts, and Amhitiotti Policies, have ( for the ipoll part) fuch jealoufies, partialities, and unevenneffcs in their Counfels and Motions,as can hardly allow or bear th^i* Generous Integrity and ^xft®" y fr«|<^idjl■ This teiflg the -nrft adventure of fome mens imfu- dent Imfiety, attempting at once to annii], and abrogate, the whole Funftion and Office, the Joftitytion and iiniiiterrupted Succefsion of the Evangelical J^inifiry : Which prodigious attempt, noantitnt Hcretieks ,. :^o Sphiinp^ificks , none that eyer owned .the name of ChriftianSj were foguiky of, -aa fome now feem to be : So that iiow,if ever, you are 'eix^^ed, both byGod, and good men, to appear -worthy of your felves, and your holy Profeision, either in Piety to God.andZsal to the Name of your5v4wo«!;^ Jef^s Chrifi- or in jufiice and gratitude to thofe your true Minifters, who have Preached to you the tru.;ew(iy of eternal Ji§e -^ or in Pity and Charity , not lb much to t-hem, a:s. to your felves indeed, and your pofterity (theineahs of whofe. Sanation isdifputed, and endangered ;) or in any other Chri- '2. jftia-nAffeiStions, and hermck' Motions 5 iiich as are comely for thofe 7rHe Saints that are filled wi^h holy Humanity ; being therefore the beft of men, CharaUers. \)ec^vi&^h.Vjhz\z \nthtm the mafi of Saints. • 7S vk£i a"''" . Saints, I fay. Not beoaufe great, but good men ; not as applauded mcSi »«»■» by-jpen, but approved of God ; not as Arbitrators of outward, buterk- T™ ^i '^ f' joyers of inward Peace ; not becaufc ConC[uerors of others, by the ^Tpitl.u armofflefh, butmorethan * Conquerors of themfehes,hythcGnces Kom. g/ of Gods Spirit ; not as violent Rulers of others, but' voluntary fub- t duers ducrs of therafelves ■ not becayfe profjJerey nnoft 'Usi-'^ excel 3 cqyeting npthiflg fo miichy is t©b[e ri6thing in their orwii 'eyei; « to enjoy Chrift in and above all things ; to abound in every gockl ■word and -work ; to be humbk in heights ; poor in plenty j juft in prevaiencies; moderate in felicities ; coitpaflionate td others in cala- n^ity 1 Ever moft jesllous of tliemfeJVes, lefl profperity be thejr fnare, ' left they grow blackeft under the hottett Sun-fbine leA they flioilH have their portion and reward^in this vVorld ; Hft ihey fhould not ttrtn iecular advantages,; to Spiritual Improvements, to holy Exaiiiples, secmdn res a-* to the ornament of Religion, to the good of others, to the peace and crwikua fiimth welfare of the Church of Ghrift. 'rff-T'*^ Such li-ving and true Saiitts , 1 indy humbjy and eameftly fup- ^1^' * plicate (without any Superftition) who afted;! leaft, but merit moil, ' ' ,.v>;i that title upon Earth j who are Gods vifible Jewels.; the Darlings of Mal.j. I7« jfeffts Chrifi; the Lights and Beauties of the World ; the regenerate « Honor of degenerate Humaiife Nature ; the rivals and competitors with Angels, Y^^^^^^Xf^^re a/id charge ; the candidates of Eternal Glory, Heb.i.r4i and Heirs of an Heavenly Kingdom ; the crown and rejojciKg of every pyi, 4. 1 . true Minifter ; the Blefled Fruit of their Labors, and iappy ?f arvert of ' their Souls :. The high Efteemers, the hearty Lovers, the liberal Re- lievers, the unfeigned Pitiers, the faithful Advocates, andtheeameft Interccflors, for the dillreffed Minifters ; the fo much deipighted, and (bymany) delpifedMiniftry of this Church. YoujinwhornistbeiS"/)/- Rom.8-.ji.' rit of the moft- Holy Cod, fliining on yoiif iw/We^ , -^ivith-the/if^/asi"^^".- '.^. ,• 7WJ',;-exaA Equity, ,! : ■ comelyOrder, hdly Policy, dndCkillianlteiitylj from ill: pj-op^^^i sTfm.i.t*. Movtlties ; feditiouS Extravaganciess liceiiticfHs iLibbrti<^s , fanatick Bl/3lS^lt( ktnti- Enthufia!lms,pragmatick Fa&«!/»»«- are ftrengthned with all holy and! hunible, Rfeialiitions, which become '^' the fobericolirage,. and c%lt9 nia^iiurqityofc tHeChriftians, citfie* u B z to tofpfeakahddo, wfeat honeftly you may , for Chrift and his Church, Jieb.il. jf. foj his and your true Minifters, or elle to chufe with tjiiofes, rather to- fuffer with them, than to be any way afsiftant to, rejoycioo in ■or compliant with, the ruine of them j that fo in aJJ things' you Tit. a, 10. may adorn the doUrtKc of Chrifi , and honor the true Retormed 0, Chriftian Religion, eftablifhed andprofeffed in this Church- of England. ' • : ,. To your judicious Zeal, fincere Piety, unbyafTed Charity, holy -Dircretion, which have no leaven of (inifter ends, or unworthy poli- • cies , (being got above the vain hopes, fears, diffidences, and defions b£ meer men,). I do in all Chriftian Charity and Humility, prelent -this Afology , in the behalf of thofe Pearls, thttrue Mmifters of •,.- =.,\s;-\vy,> this Church of England, whole worth is not abated , though their -Ma^h.r.'ii. .lufbe be obkured ; nor are they lefs precious when trampled by Swine '%iM.z.i^.:. ' under their feet ; nor lefs Stars in Chrifts right hand , and fixed in ' ' 'rr^iiri '^^^ Firmament of the true Church, when they are clouded by thefe Kcr.p. i. ■ " .Fogs and Vapor5, which, afcend from the Eakb, or from the bottom^ r- '.!?Mii?p,.p/f, flrom the fnalice and rage of men or devils, Qodlj Mi- :~ ^Nothing more adorned and perfcfted Chrifts divine Perfon, and '/lifters ^fJ\- meritorious Patience , than his being blinded, buffetted, fcourged, ferings, Are moclied ,. reviled, ftripped, crowned with Thorns, and Crucified j the^r Glory:. *nor'*vas he \t{s ^ i<^ing and Saviour , vihen his Purple Kol>e was Heb.f.j. tiktno&i mrd leas own Garments divided among the foldiers.- He &i. 10. \N3Lsnot\eisthe CMeJfi-as, thefent, zndanointedof God , the Great * ^JnzlerU & P^^'^''^^^> ^ndfalfiUer of Righteoufnefs, when he was xhefeorn and defermes ojje otitcafi of men ; nor a lefs precious Foundation , and corner Stone , ?io!f.p0£umus^' -when refufed hyfoolifh builders,, who dafhed themfelves againtt him,. 5OT««5«j»()rfojjjfl-eadofb.uildingandj-efting by Faith upon him. *" vi. -ic> n edchrfftiima- • j^ j^j^^, f^^^^ the fr»e Minifters of this Church, ( ^^'hom■ tht mamttr'^cii]H5 P"'^^ ^ri'^ wantonnefs of fome men glories to account, 2iS the filth vmquamritagu and off-scouring of all things , to ipeak and do all manerof evil tnitHit glmia againft themfalfly and injurioufly ; ) if they may be fo far bleft of ^'^"'Qt^fff^God, and honored, 2iStofnfer- after Chrifts exzmple.,.zndto mdks vibicibu'^ofi^' ^f( to their meafure) theremaimer ofthe fu ferings of Chrifi in his- tbatw. Chrj[. Body, the Church' ; there is no doubt, but the Spirit of Glory vi\\& Ifai.yj. more reft upon them, the power of Chrift be more perfected in them^' * Pet.z.tf. jijjj the light of Gods countenance be more ftiining on them, thait Matth*? ^^' v^hentheaCorn,awilVine,.andOylii;creaSed; their faces; will then Phil.i. 25. ' appearmofti >as .Angels of Gbd ,:when with Saint StefheK, they aris: CoJ. i! 24.- _ befetwithj?'*^^ efflones- overwhelmed with all manerof harJ> iPec.4.,i4, , j(j(,^^f^fr^ and ritde indignities , ■ Thusit becomes the:pj-J4ud and petu* Aft f-frfpofinans difpleafure, they may then yieM the nobleft , juyce, and moft generous expreffipns of their Ze^J , Courage, and Conftancy. ' • ' ', Wherefore I have adventured, although the -weakeft and unwor- thiertamong many of my Fathers andBrethren, the Minitters of this •■ '" • Church of England, fo tar to iatisfie the worlds curiofity , as to give them fome prpfpeft, and vievs? of the Miniilers oi England, in their prefent diftrefles, fears, and affli£lions j thatmen may fee, ■with how fiedfafi countenances , they can look upon their advcrfaries , while Aftstf.if. theyfioj) their ears againft thcm,gnjjjh their teeth at them,and threaten utterly to deftroy them ; that their caufelefs and imflacable enemies may behold, with what divine comfort and affurance, they can walk, both cheerfully and uprightly amidft then fiery furnaces ; into which Dan.4. they are therefore caft, becaufe they will not fall down and worfliip, *thofe Jdol-Jhepherds, ihoie Fal[e-p-ophets, thofe Meer-images ^^*'t^'^l'\'^'r Minifiers, which have let up themlelves zs gods in the Church of ^^g f^jf^ ' , God ; fuch, as neither they, nor their Fore-fathers, nor any Church Teachers , of Chrift for One thoufand fix hundred yeers, ever knew,or heard of ; DoloteSffrtm- who were ever bleffed, and thankfully contented in all times, either ''''"'. ^"^f"* of perfecution, or peace, with thole true Minifiers , who in a right Ji„^ii^ls may of due Ordination , defcended fiom, and liicceeded in the place, E^l^'^^J^ and ordinary power of the Apoflles, and the other Dilciples which r"~it^t>^%i«^ were firft fent and ordained by Chritt : Which the true Minifters of Mordi't. Res ■ the Church o{ England, being confcious to themfelves, (as I fiiall ];J*'^™ ' after prove) that they have rightly received, they have this con- And Jefus'or* fidenceftill, That they are neither fo /or/"^)^f» of God, nor deftitute dainedcwelvcj of good Confciences, nor delpifed by good men, nor do they defpair, 'hat they but that they may have leave, be able, and permitted, with juft free- ||?°"'° j"?"" dom, arid modeft courage, to plead their caufe, before any Tribunal [,£ might fend of men ; not doubting, but they may have fo fair an hearing, as Sc. them foiih to Paul (their Great Predecefl'or, both in Preaching and Sufferings) Preach. )ioped ixom Felix, Fefius, Arrippa, oxdefar: Of whole piety the ^'^' ''M'' A /ii 1 • i- /- u i_ • LI f- J Totoca/ad(- Apoltle having no great perlwaiion ^ yet he charitably prelumed to n^^i ^^^ v g„g, finde fo much equity, and common humanity in them, as not to he rari & dtjpsra- condemned by them, being unheard j or to be acquitted, as to any »'«■ crimes falfly laid to his charge • if he had but the favor of a fair Tri- —r^^^ confcia al, and impartial Hearing. So hard it is for a aood man ever to de- '^[TL;„., jpatr tn a good cattle. And^howevcr my confidence be juft, and wel-grounded, as to the - j^ 'H jnent of that Caufe vyhich I have (by Gods help) undertaken ; yet Reafon of^ fvybeivl cpnfider myftrength, which is fmnll^ my infirmities, which this Ad-r \ -^rC; m^ny } my defcils, which are manifert ; my intereft with men of drefs., ■place and power, which is very little; and the prejudice, againft whatever I, ojr any otjier Minifter can do in this kinde (which may ..'s jri be ■ ■ '• ' .^«#rf*e^M- begrttttandjiiahy) I have (as it'M^Crmmes, cohfcious to their tViuiyhibtnt ^eaintfs, are woiit ' to db ) fled to the r^/^s^tf and afstfiance, firft of ca»«te. Gods grace (which is lu§cient for me, and which in the midft oi ^^j j__ threatnings, ftorms, and fhipwrack,bids me he af good chear,} Next, to that of ybfir fheitiiitiih, ( Oexttlliht SMi ); ^ho are fevery ^?<)h^r^ difperrediii this Nittdn j ^\Mt faiihd^ifi- of mnde,ind ttncif^rMt^^ fiefs of mancrs (yet Kiiiainiftg ) hath hitherto pfeferVed this Vack^ jlidtng znA fifiptvorj age from iitter rottenness 3.nd ptttrefaElion .- Poifi- ^ bJy your mediation hiay lb far prevail among all eftates of men, as to rfllay thoffe afpeiritits, abate thole aniiiiefities, fembve thoie prejudices^ fatisfie thoie jealoufies, under which, the Mmlfleirs and Miiiifirf of this Churth, do now life in inariy niehsmindtS; and, it may be, in fome of theirs, v?ho are becbme men of power and rekotpn:, JJumble Whole eminencj, I hope, will not be offended, if I humbly put Munition to them in mihde, That their glory and greatnefs is not more evident thofe in ^° others ( who are prone to meafure their hopes and fears, by the To4er beams br fhadoWs which they caft upon thein) than iiioft of allto be ln[ubtitnltaie ferioufly confidered by themfelves ; hnee, from thole rmtitSi on wSieh pfitii taw rff- they are raifed, and from that /'«^^f, to which they are exalted, they /«»jf«j gK«« niay eafily look down, and learn, in how fiipperj a ftatioii, and how '^^^-^^^mc tottering a pofture ill, humane glory, and excellency doth confift. ^nui y? guoA That, the trittmphs of fuch poor mortals carry their own deaths after ttmiHi quam them, as VveH as.other meni before theiii ; thatj as hiihMes, they have guo^jliceat. the faine prrinciples of frailty in t'lem, by which others have iuddehlv ./I". difappeared , who lately fwelkd as big, and fwam as hisrh above the OTt'r-n* (unwi. waters, as theienowdo. Allrejigious experience tells the molt jmtiie Ckryf. and elated Jpirits , the prvfoiindefi fro'eBors , and the mo^ potent , attors , That they can have but a fliort time here, rnay ha-Ve a iuddcn change or period, and muft give 2. \evere account bfill actions they do, and all advantages they enjoy, in this pfefent vvorld : Of all \ which, they fhall carry no more coir.fort with them, thaii they have Hiadfe confcience tb do the work^ of God, according to his will, ie- -'■V'^ vealed to mankinde in the jftre and [acred Oraclks of his vi'ritteii ■•>'A ■ Wbrdi' . .V ■■- • zgch. XI. It 'S mairifeflr. That fome men have hetn ■3. fiaf of Bonds hi Gods left hand, to punifb the fins, or exerciie theGfaces of many in *i Chro.ii.8. thefe three Nations ; whether they fhall be a fiaff of Beauty in hi^ Thou fhaic j-ight hand, for the lupport of Piety, Peace, Order, and true Religion, »,\i?to''m" the event wijibeft ffiew. They h^ve afted iniiif thiB^i':a4-^f», Nlmc,b°Gaufe"«*-'ith great policyand power- it is tibwexf ^fed, tfeey flibtild sii^' ai tSiou hs(t traly Refcrmed and wifely Kiforming Chrijfiaits, Wtih Piet^ alfd Hied much ChaHty; (if, at Icaft, that niay be hbped in the filhe 'of the GbfiJeJi eke°EardiTn ^^'^^"^^ "^^^ denied to Davids z^ealunSci the Law : That lUch as have Houfe ©f God :) Peradventure they may be mea.ft«, if not to r^p^lr i^s great dpcayes, yet to hinder if from that total iwiie, ^nd ytter y^%- tion, which by many and bad men are thrcatned; but, vve hops by mojfeand better men (with Gods help) will be preveijij^d. And truly, if I knew, how I might moft acceptably make my Ad- drefs, and fairly plead my excufe ■yvith men in yUce a.nd, ppwfr j if I underftoed what might motl merit to Apologi?e before M gi'eat, good, and ingenuous men, for the boldnefs of jjow publiftiing xhis^foio^, I would in the moftfoftwords,and comely terms,befpeak their favor ,and deprecate their oftence, for fo it becomes Candidates and Petitioners 3 But my integrity is beyond all oratory j and my flainnefs beyond all «'*» uin eg;ifi»in^ of Wifdom , and that reverence I i^rmt ff^»ut'i ow to my felf, and my Profeffion , asaCbriftian, and a Minifter, ''''X""'«,»n'"w<' whom nothing lefs becomes, than the badge and livery of Paflion ; ^'^ ^^* or the jaundice of Chokrick^ Dijfufions, evident in the face of their writings. I love not (if they were fafe) affeitations of Language, which power may interpret Seditious, Turbulent, crTrealionable : I . have leai'ned to be patient under hard things , thankful for moderate, hopeful for better ; Nor do Idifdain tobefeech mans favor, whofe fury God can re fir ain, znAturntheremainder of vrath, to his p raiic and his Churches good. . Let others complain of their Civil £»rt i-ens, " ■ V/keh (■which I feel, as well ^ as they. ) Let them agitata [ec^lar iKtere^s X ■which never want their viciflttudes, crofTes, and defeats : My /e»/i zndaddre^s in this Apology, is chiefly for thole things which concern the true Miniftry, and the Reformed Religion eftablilhed inEngland ; (In which, not cuftom, and education, but judgement and confci- ence,.I hope, hath confirmed me by Gods grace,) Andfor thofe men jefpecially, whofe office and duty I tbmkitis, by Preaching, doing and iuffering, as Chrittlan Miniflers, according to the Will of God, to vindicate and prelerve true Chriftian Religion , and to tranfmit ifc as Reformed, in an unblemifliied, and unqueftionable fucceflion to ■ Potterity. . ;] ._,■■ 4-/", , -■: ' Your f^/rz-^o^f £A-«//g«^c/>/, upon whofe favor, chiefly, I have iiiij in-nay adventured this Addrefs, to the view of the fupercilious , and more oj'Afology. untraftable World, are Dotionorantvvhztmi/le Precedents maybe alleged for my writing in this maner of Apology, (which is or ought * Apohietlcum to be a * twifting;of Logick and Rethorick together ; a Checquef- ■^ff'^v* ^^"'^ work of Arguments and Oratory ; ftudying to cloth the Bones and aladamorato- Sinew's ofSyllogifms, with the fmoothnels and beauty of Eloquence ) Vai difpiuamti leeking at once, both to convince the Undcrftanding, and to excite the & DialeBi'cl Affeilions" : For befidcs thofe lefler and obfcurer pieces recorded by the ^pyecantM. Antients, of Arifiides, Me lit o, * Quadrat Uf, Apollinaris, Methodi- '^^^'uadratus ^' Jo^^''''^^^ Gram. Themiftius, znd ApoUonim ; (this laft, being 'Apoftokrii Dif- vl Roma>iSenztor, Wrote and recited in the Senate, his Apollogj forth'e cipulum Aihc- Chrifiia»s, and was after crowned with Martyrdom ;) We havcalfo Ktenfs Ponrifex extant thole famous ^po/Sf/ej of Jnfiine Jkfartyr,- viho dtdic^Ltcd his ^odi^x, Adii- £^|^ ^g ^^ Roman Senatc,aild his fecond to Antoninus Piui Auguftw ; librimfiyo chri- ^hb ^h^t of Tertullian, who in the time of Sever tis the Emperor,fee- fiiana Religione ing Chriftians perkcuted onely /or f /)f * Tv^^^w;^, as a llifficient crime, lardidit.Ettan- (as many Minifters now are by fome men) wrote his Learned,- large, tteadmmtmis ^^^ accurate ^po/o^rjdedicatingittothe Emperor and his Son.. SainC 'umficJioam Hilary alfo, wrote a Defence for the Orthodox, a^ainfl: the Arrians, graviffimam prefenting it to Co»/feam in many Readers eyes ; or like a dead Fly ready to viciate the fweeteft Confeitions, made by any Minifter in this kinder As if all were done, onely for that livelihood and eftate which their Chmch-Livings afford them , that any Minifters fo ftickle, and contend to uphold th?ir Fun*JKfi^idr;;^^ confeffed,-'/ chaiitdi'i confef- have fiyiKed agaififi the Lord, but he heard that gracious reply;' The f'i>'i'^ ^'''■''"^^'-* Lord hmh. pit away t^. CfK'.rioo'ASalt tts^ : , .r jupplui ■ ern. ^^^ ^|^^ .^^^^^ place, thi-s [or certain we may conclude i; That it is \ " "' not the galling and ftinging of Lhele.J??/^7i/e/, (now am Irttfie mid Veccatorctlmdo bitter :ef}e mi es-ro£ ihz Anti,--m!>:(flr,:'ai{3.&\oTx) that finfLbronghtrthis mnfacit nefcl- \oxt and ravsTtds up^nlus ; rbut '.it Is fdme firal and cmtupt humor «»>, at cciifi- £-0111 within u,s, whidi- ffrft-rforakcwuL M)duch- putrified fores and '^"/"In" '""' wounds , which have -rnYit-id rhoie to fdaft upon our ulcers and de- Aug. formiciefe.-. . n ';>.. ...,..: ... .... . :.■ - . ,;:...- ,v:-:iJ-C- . .In -a matter, thbn saoft rfit ibr deep .aadferivus te^ntisigs:,: i .irKft** Conftjfi'j fjBix not i>€.;'fe fd^erf^alii'akicmk haT?:etceOi->\lboiitkie.Lap-s\'ings,rcrjr fenciilofior cli q^vtloudeft, - w^hcnfurthdfc.frmmtheii-'.'Nefls ;' being&vere x:eiifi|rers TblimTdifm- of all men,!biit therafeft'es.'.:5;itthrto:fee.Tand'confels rheir bofom fim , "ho.'^-No^nuB 6r ,:to- owjt the deformitids of their darlings ; hardly perfwaded to "dolofaconfcSiont caft 'away totlit * Motes znA B'ms (toithe dark^nddefofmedaewcf" (t fubtiiiiis de- }-Jeretied: novelties,\.znd±c]^fiiin'.ref.l opito tlj?n^vei S.S Divine. "'. ' I Ai Ij ivniojU: tii ^ylod'id f/orrAl'ti: 2. Sure, it.is but a verypoorandpitiM-account-f-the preduit of 4 For!?2erdxe pafltDn= not of Reafon) which, ibrfte meii:;giye-;.:wiiile cbey, with a ■• Co;fforn:ftj, ^^.j^.^r v^hemexcyt- actuieiaJl ohsGiaJ^iiMJl^rJfierjiiiihE^glttiid not 2;'^f/»^f fortheir former conformities and];/^/H«j;?/.tffiiAuthcJary; ii?i thmgs the Clergy. ■ ,.^., ■" - ;> ' to to ibtne men difputable for their nature and ufe j Jft, tlieftjaccofding- * ii'i^ ' i 3'-»Vi to Law -y that is,, approved, efl:abli&ed> and ehyofne4'by iht * pv.h-*lli-^M»!mtiiP lick coi^l'ent, wifdom, and. piety of ail efta'tesj io this' Cljurc'h and "''f p.atiiU'^'^ State. And which chinas, very k»Jy and learnedmen c^eneraHv^ufed • ^«'f '"■"''»'»'- . 1 ■c\. u 1 1 r ■ -r 'jia, nips popKlt accounting them, it burthens to weaker conjetemes, yet to i./ji? an-d d civil influittn,- firciitgeT' me«^ as lawilil(as ifc¥'as;4'6r-''^Sc.''.P<««/ xoJ[iA\n/ihtfKif^lmiijmimpo-\ , whole fign V\5'j7?.CVucified, -although thii''* nails of the of ther^is^ns Crofs had beenirmchfl^arper and heavier, than any thing' was in the precifc com- ■ ftabJiflied Order and Miniftry of the Church oi England ', which ™^"'^- few Churches fince the firft hundred years, wherein' the' ApolHes ^° ' Cor.io. lived, .ever enjoyed with more Punty, Order, and Simplicity, ^s to Mafter Koobef the iT^ain, chan the Rtfeytiied CHui^h hiK.mEytHaM^ii^f ^u.ji.-j^ {i yxjimnn^t^. . :..: ■:r.L-:-;\: ':, ...'■.■ ■■''' '''• n • ,^ .7 DjE.f. :;nfT r1-.7Mrv> t^^^j inl^ls ILcelefiaWital Polity i wi'th incompawble Learning, andgravitj' of Judgement, . hath beyond any Reply , vindicated both the integrity of his own ConfciencCj ard the honor of this Church in things ef extern order , lAigm mtflat v^^. * /p/a Kutatio cefifueifid'm'^ etiam qua.adjuvat militate tmtaitptniabat. h\ij^\\&._e^,i9. J,^, ■ ' . . i ■ svnri (Esanlq b.-i£ a^g;: lie cii ^irA-na [ \ \\ ■'...•.,.) : ■• ■"'^ ■' ■ ■ cUnqJoitcdt- vnirit; ,^ued enlm nej,j contra fidtn,..liC;gk c^ntr/t bancs mou.mjimgitin; indifferctiKr cfl babrndiim, & j>'^| eoyumiriter quos vivttur facictatefervandim tfi. Auguft.cp. 1 1 8.ad Jan. Catcndum e[l Ht^tc>rp>(late mtmfiotih famhas cbaritalis obmliilttur. Auguft. cp.Stf. ;^f;ajijuj; q 2 mercies. 14 of Mimp;ers former Cihj^rmitf* Hm in beUa mercies, we then, had ^ inft:ead of that regret and ejuerulom infpati- civlliapytecipl' ence, which was to loth to bear any i'uch defeits or burthens, asibtne tamitr, qmd men imagined ; wherein (for the moft par:) ignorance, or eafinefs> mdammon or vulgarity of mlndes and maners, made * or eater out-cry es, and nmmm cave- ° ,■ i -v ir-j ^ j r c u WW. Eraf. aggravations, than either truth of judgement, or tenderneis of well- *jg«i inWi- informed Confciences. The after-inftabihty in ibme men mindes,, bui a. quoiidU- and ftupidneis of their maners, fkews thtfertigo and Lethargy of KM lecidtt con- j^^^jj. Brains : For m.any men, who, when it began to be in fefhioni Haznus licet ftrained at thoic g»ats, which formerly for many years, they had vtrfitcertdian- digelted , yet afterward made no bones to i'wallow Camels ofgrojfer turn horis ittum innovations, fuch as no diftinilions can mince or chew Imall enough faperinnris, . for a good Conlcience. And it is confeffed by thofe, that have now eiulara. attained their -a/fer-TC/'rj, thit tho'it former conformities enjoynedhy Law, were but motes, in comparilon of thoie beams, which now threaten to eclipfe the lights of this Englijh fVorld , and to put out the- very eyes of the Seers and Watchmen of this Church. .i 41 '■.-■•■ Many excellent -Minifters, for Learning, Piety, and Ihduftry, ■ (befides innumerable other Chriftians) did in former times, grow up,' to great thrift in found knowledge, and all beauties of holinefs, even amidfl thofe fo much lufpefted and decryed weeds of Conformity • which if they were not, as Iweet Marpram, veiy ia'vory ; yet fure, they were not as {mors in olio) C oHoqttintidM. ox Hemlcck^, yery hurtful, or death in the pot ; being judged by the wifdom of the Church and State here, and by the molt learned Divines abroad, to be within the liberty and compafs of thofe things, of Order anJDe- e-JX".^'"*' '^ '■? ce^cy , which by that one grand charter, 1 Cor.i/i^.^o. are allowed 7B?»» •-^^'^ '" by God to be ordered by the prudence of any paiticular National At an Army Church ; And in which, all Churches, in all ages and places, have with Banners, efteemed theirfeveral Cufioms,zsLaws to them , without any breach in Rant and ^f Charity, or prejudice of Chriftian Liberty, or blemifh of the Faith j ' Pile, where ^^^ never (perhaps) without the offence of fome particular Members, be deformed i" t^e Churches , whole fancies eafily finde fault with any things, by being dif- whereof themfelves are not Fathers, or at leaft Gofflfs. Humble orderly. Chriftians will thank God for moderate enjoyments ; nor are they bound to contend for what they think beft,to the pcrcurbance of the publick Peace. Patience is a remedy always near, eafiie, and fafe j noris it likely, that the ftate of any Church on Earth will cv-er be fo happily compleated, as to have nothing in it, which may difpleafe Cats optirri fen- ^j-,y good man , or which may not exercil'e his tollerancy, and cha- tttffd nocttjv--^ ^i^ich are generally more commendable and unfufpeibed -vir" ficif. Tacit. tvx':, thzni\\o[t 01 ^eaio-M actirtty,.zna-piiblick^ojifolttMn , wnicn ,. .' ~ ■ . commonly draw fomewhat upon the dregs of [elf , either as toPafli- Et muttis little on or Tnterett , Party or Concernment : For, who is fo qibrtiiied, helium. Luc. ^j^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ j^gp^ ^p g^.. fometbing of credit, profit, or honor, by adhering of MtMifiirsfornttr Conformity i^ adhering' to any fide or new fa(5tion , againft the former fctr, lings ? . , •• How many learned and godly men are, and ever will be (till better grounds be produced, from Scripture, Realbn, and pradtife of the Primitive Ghurcb) unfatisfied with the parity and novelty , yet pretended Divine Right, p£ the fole-headleJ?-'Tresi>ytery • -which chalenges to it felf, as from Chrifi, fuch a fupreme power, as is ex- dufive and de&iuS^ive o{ zU. Spifcopacj ; that is, of the conftant Prefidency of one, among other H^reshyters ; fo placed by their own choice and confent? And no lefs unfatisfied are thoufands of learned, and good Chrir^ ftians, with that power of Lay Elders ; (for lb they are beft called, fbr diftinition lake ; and not Ruling Elders j lelt by that title of Ruling, they fliould fancy and ufurp the ^ole power oirule to them- felves J which undoubtedly, is equally, if not eminently due to the ; Freachixg Slders, who labor in the Word and Doftrine :) Touch- ing which point of Lay Slders in the Church , I have read two^ Books written above thirty years fince , by a very learned, godly,, and impartial Divine, Msiikix Chihald oi London.- Inthenrftof which, he proved thefe Lay Slders to have no place, office, ufe, Mr7 chlhaldf power, or maintenance ^fligned them by Scripture • nor ever in any two Books of Church of Chrift; which hedemonftrates in tht fecoiid Book (which ^"J £W«''^- is foil of excellent reding) as to the Fathers, Councils,and Hiftories - of the Church : Jkl none of which he findes them to have anyfoot- ing, as to ofike and power, upon any Divine Right, ever owned in the Church : nor can they now have in every little Parifh, or pri- vate Congregation ; where the Country plainnefs may afford care- ful Over-^eers for the Poor, and Church-wardens ■ but not fit men 10 match with the Minifter, and to fit as Rulers to govern their other Neighbors ; who will hardly believe they have authority from Hea- ven to rule them, unlefs they lee more abilities in them, than uiually can be found. What ufe may be made of fuch Elders, in the way of Prudence among greater Reprelentations of the Church, as in Synods ■ and Councils, he leaves to the wifdom of thoie, that have power in • fuch Conventions to call and regulate them : But he denies any thing, as oi Divine Right, belonging to them ; fo, as to binde every ■ fariflj or Congregation to have them, which would be ridiculous,and moft inconvenient. Both thefe Books being feven years fince com- naittcd to the hands of Mafter Coleman, zs then a Licencer, were un- happily,, either fmothered and embezzled, or carelefly loft ; to the great detriment of truth in that particular : For, truly, in my beft judgement, and in other mens of far better, to whom I imparted - them , never any thing was wricten, of thatfubjeil, more learnedly, more uprightly, more copioufly, or more candidly ; clpccially, con- C 3 hdcring J4 of Mimfiers forrHtr Cmfaimity, fidering the Author was one tha.t fejujjuled fome thio^ otCrn^ formity. In like rrianer, ):io^ ■it of the Eaw Wei^e-in foTm'er-times j where, if there Cluirch)abouc ^,^5 jgjj j-j^gj^y ^y the rcjftraints, v^hkh men l.:.d by i^?**'/ lard oil 3000. ^.u ■. -^j-) grpf elves ; Y^^ there wa-salib- far 'left' ignorance in iiiindes," 'fewer ^ errors in judgements, blaiphemi'es in opinions,. - hrokeimefs in afFeSi- Or/ifr'wf.3ii'ns,'cliftphitiops in diia'pl^ic,-' undcccr/ties \\\ faded Sditfiniftritiohs, co'^]cEtmes and iicentiouiriefs ' in theBrdiharf mattftsbf ifteffi^' Sb^thhtlf-thbi^ of tke caii(es Vime^ were not the golden' aVe'cf'^z -ChtWcb,- ; f&e 'gref^^araiot b'raf »f/J//>/7?"(?rj'tpi3ebeypnd thezVo^, or-i^r.i^/»^ ' '■' ^f^'---^ "■' i'nn r.K-^ ■,:. t abating in , No lels fuperfJcial and"'imVcrffChing cCre'thofa "Gonjeiftures'dr their honor. -C.enfv-Ves ^ which a late Wi-Wrtaa'kcs'of -Mimftn-s'ofteat&iofrtof " ' " -y • ■ - reading, Cmjntf MintfitrsUffe. 'j.j readiwg, and humane karaing in their Sermons, (of ■mhhch,. many men cannot be guilty, unlels it be of making fliews of more tlian in- deed they have :) AUb, he aljegeth, as an occasion of Miuil-ler'S lapfe ill their love, and refpe6t among th^-^zo^lc, t\\t\vfma[lreg{ird,znd fira»geKefs to godly people .• : When iiis evident, many men? and wor irtsaij^Mimp, brings iwth now no better fruit, than, firft,quarreiA .Zir.noiul ing with ; then neglez' ^>'/«^f ; to expofe by Jesuitical engines 'I andmachinatfons, the learned znd godly Jl,„ll • ', " "^J P'^^P^^e us, both for M% Tl *' u™'8?' ' Both .rt ready ,„ be ftvV «„futm" of tags, £ ftS'feLd^ anrs::bfot^:"tr' °^?'" *■""; '^•« -«- ls:sr;b:?c5Mz,£ f?7^ in fomethines more blfml M. !u^ ' ^^^" themlelves were effi debet **«- •■ • You then, O excellent Chriftians, know On aeneraD Thar .11 ''"P**"- tues and Oiaces, by which men are, or appear liVpft m n^^ ,u »"'"• truly good and ufeful to others : From God W hla U '' ''' ^"" '^''^ - . men, is a tcftifyina before men nnfnL. A ^^e^^wcd on any ^. pi«o dc approbation o&et^^^^^^^^ neereft to that refembFance of the dZZZ/J, tdtlteT t T ^l" "' IS lively fet forth in the Word of God \n7fC T-^'r^i"'-^ Chrift .; who i, the vifible .x;.i L.,,;/,/. Ll '7^' "V ^^'"^ gracious imnation of which glo/y. S^Lt,?^^^^^^^^ ^^ t^e w .•^',^ lomthing of the divme • and 1?^, liJ T / ^"^'"^ ^"^ partakes «m™v ^,. I and .mners ^afS and//LTn rf r'^^"'"^''^ bothofminde H^-i. .. both Chri«iarMlSt?e"'fnd^^^^^^^ *""•'- ways, cannot fail by fincere honwinf of r !^ ^ "'^ f "^ P^^'* whichC7.^/w^,.J. J^vvt ch SJ ?JrJ°!"^.'" ^^"-^-'- i.?-'-^- Pl»r. ** beco,«, iw;.::uS «^Si4:t;;'crj;2:fe-^: , ** according it LMhlfitrsleffer failings. according to the clear will of God in his Word • which gives both precepts and paterns of all true excelk'^cies. The robes q£ trne honor are not made of the flight and thin Cob-webs of popular opinions "andpraftifes , but are ( f e/i craffwre ) of more folid and iubftantial virtues, zsGonfalvo faid. Worthy ai^ions do always, not onely joy the foul j ca-lm the confeience , and ftrengthen the heart ; but alio they make the face of good men to fliine ; conciliating fuch a ma- jefiy lovirtne, and fuch beamy to true holinejl , that even thofe who hate, and peifecute- them, (as to the interefts of their worldly lufts) cannot in their judgements, but approve, reverence, and efteem them, ■ Phil. I. »9. evm in the midft of their fufferings ; which do not leis honor and £->-. ixttiSm; adorn them, than their wel-doings : For nothing difccuntenanceth a To yuu ic IS Chviftian, but the confeience of vile oBions, and Gods dilflea^are. In favor'- noc'^ ^^^ judicious and conftant way of holy walkiug,and honorably f^jfer- onely to be- ''^'^^ n7 isfefifS-/ of Minifters, either ry, failings of in. gifts or induftry , proper to their calling ; Although ( God Miniflers^ knows) even herein too many of us-may be julilyblamed, and with- not the cauCe out injury delpifed ; as either wanting thofe minifhnial abilities , of their which we might by prayer and ftudy attain ; wherewith competently favfe. to difcharge, and adorn that facred Work, and redeem it from vulgar invafion, which brings the higheff contempt of it. The ignorance, idlenefi, indiligence, and needlejl non-re ftdency of fome of us, from our charges, is- not to be concealed. In others, the ncgjeftof our ftudies, both in Divinity, and in all kindes of good learning , by iTim.4. ly. -which om pr-ofiting-mightap^earto all men, is to be deplored : It is not expeitjble,- that Minifters fliould increafe \n favor irithGodand Luls^i, ji^., man , unlefs (as Gh ift did) they grow in wifdom too, as well as in aoe or ftature : And alas, what f uit of honor to Minifters, or glory tp Godi or 'good to mens fouls, can be reaped, either from thofe that Preach Preach and Pray, chiefly for appjariie and popular air, talking much Zonovum Ingtni- pains to little ornopurpoiej or,y?i from that tontr'ary defcending "'""''"i^S^'^^/if of others iu their preacl-.i.;.g tofucha pop«/.^r^«f»*jrj;; -which ftretchec'h ^his't'inm l-" forth deadfermohi, znd jpiritlej? prayers ,mQerlY to an cxceffive length, marcnon -verba, (as if the Pulpits were their ^offi"^ j) with lo much infipidr^c^, vain Augufl, repetitions, vulgar flatter)', {en^eteji oratory ; yea, and fometimes ^l^>'^'*'" ff^i^, with ftrange figures of Hl.ffhemies , which maner of feme mens 3«««^ /''"*/«'«• preaching hath given (we Its;) the vciy meanettfort of hearers (who heretofore were wonted to' more ttfefttl, and vaortfober preaching and praying ; ) if they have any thing of parts, or pragmaticahcf in them , not fo much a presumption, as a ]tift confidence , that they can both preach and pray, as well or better, than inch laz.y, fapine, ^Hpcrfiicial, and empty Mmift^ers y whole duller plainnefi, and ruder fervency, is not that demonfiration of the (birit , which lets forth di- * Cor, 4.4. ■' . -^ , ■ ■ . V- ■ r I- L • 1 • t • CoMionn fucrie vine truths wiimiY native Scrifttrre-fin-fplicity I which is their great- fucrudesefli eft ftrength and beauty ( as the Sun's, when it fliines fieeft from all de!'e?ir, nee de- mills and cloudings;) Nor aie thole mens rci^ajl and deforn/ed heats , iuatx,nec cin- that iudiciow ^'»'*• and ejnotions, either tor voice orgelture; but all the whole Fagean- zmch. Orac. /rj of fome mens preaching i«, oncly, a gratifying, their own fancies sermiwvu& and paffions, or eli'e a miiera'ble way oi mocking Gdd, and cheat- "^'"i^ vtht- ing the poor peoples iouls ; who (Ibme of them) areas well con- '»«"«»"«*»- tenr with chaff, as with good com, or the breadof life ; and if the *' Z""™^^ 'f-^ flflU be ftiU going, they ca_re;not whatgvift arifeth : Others thiift- Lmm\futildo\ Ing fcr the pUiC and wholefom waters of life , the idlenefi znd poveky sttniein caihe- of thefe men> gives them to drink, 6ncly of that' ('"di)? «^y Suqxk) dramtranjlaiie. water, which is at their doors ; , in the fhalJow plafhes arid fg-j-, th^_S<;ripim-es - ■'A'hich chifefty af- vfft'g^ndit ve- ^ound demon fl^r fit ion sjettr us d- Arguinp, ■^eriowcontiiStifins, -in^mnf- cabneways oiexpre(Jh(^:i:S\K)i^^\kQcmsthiBrda^^ % Cor.y.io. don of (jod toman, r. i.-- ■..'■:... -.'• ..-..-.'' But, asnot t\\da Mitiijherra'l dcfeEts, in'theii' peculiar f«>'/^'i'»'''; fo wcithcv arc they x)ns. private inmtoraiitits of their lifes ( which D a uiiially ao Themsinedufeof Mmflersldffe, ufually attend the negligence of their calling, and bring many fcan- dals upon both thek perlons, and their function. Thefe are not the (pots, or that kinde of lefrofte , which could have thus made the v/holc body cf their profeffion to be efteemed by many as unclean : For under cKefe perfonal failings and deformities, ( wherein fome, and xc may be too many of us , have been blamable in all times, ) yet ftiil, that abilitie, foundnefs, and diligence, which was found in many other worthy Minifters, both as to their learning antl fiety, was fumcient to preierve the dignity and venerablenefs of the funfti- ' on, from general obloquy, and contempt ; nor ever was it brought to that frecifice, where now it feems to ftand, both as to diiirefpevt", and danger. 8; Until, thatthofe thicf^clouds, 2.nd groffer valors (heretofore un- The main known among Vrotejtant Ministers in England!) lite a Scotch mifi, cattle, as ox Egyptian darkne^ , came over the whole Firmament (almoft) of ^ome con- this Church ; darkling, and tHrning into Blood, even many of thofe ceive, . Stars of the fecond and third magnitude, at leaft ; which formerly fhin°d, without blemifti, in the loundnefs of their judgem.ent, wel- guided zeals, meeknefs of their fpirits, and dilignce in their places, to all exemplary holinefs; who (good men) probably did not know, while their nails were pared , and kept fhorc , by the Laws and Government above them , how much they could fcratch (even till the blood came) if once the liberty of times fuffered them to grow fo long, that fome mens fecular projefls might ufe them, as the Ape did the Cats paw. Then indeed it foon appeared, that though 3//- nifters might be well-gifted, and well-affeEted men , as to the Re- formed Rekgion, to the Laws, and all publick Relations , yet they were hut men • yea, though they were able and ufeful, while fixed in i\\t\r Ecclefiaflical orb and I'phere ; yet when they csme to be ■planetary ■s.nAexcentrich^x.o t\\ii.'i dutY ^LnAmriiie.^, which the Laws of God and man moft exaiblo6ch warfare : This forward- nefs in languinary motions, rendred Atinifiers vile, and contemned, even to thole, who were content to ule their uncomly activities. The found of Trumpets, theclalTiipg of Swcrds, fhe thundring of Canons, were net a newer and greater terror to mens ears in England, than were thofe bold Pbilippckj , thole bitter Orations, thcfe fharf In- >,Sj q^ x^«sim- "veiiives, thofe cruel Railings, ufed by fome Minirters, even in their "o '<'x>i';«t )& Prayers and Preachings, againi't thofe, to whom they formerly fhew- '^W ^»/-^M'- ed a fair compliance and lubjedion: Who, if they had deferved ew7 ^„%^*/. ^* '"'" language, and ratling accujattons, yet ot all men thele did not become the mouths o( Afinifiers • who fhould in publick appear, as the Angeli of God ; with fuch modefty, light, and beauty, as fets them fartheft off from any paffionatedarkrttfs of minde, or deformity of maners, or undeccncy of expreffions. Since Chrift hath commanded rhem moil eminently to blels thofe that curie them • to pray for thofe that perfecutethem, &c. After thefe, followed othtr vials of wrath, (poured forth from thofe, who fhould have been onely Pitchers with Lamps, filled with Judges/, io: holy ojl, and fired onely with /;o/j' /jrf,) (Irange and new prodigies of opinions, m doElrine, government, znd maners ; ftidden and violent changes (like wilde-fire) running even to all extremes j greater jea~ loupes and impatiences of fuferings, than of fnning : Fie-rceneJ? to be revenged upon any, by whom they fometimes thought themfelves injured in the lc?-ft meafure, when it may be, it was not the man , as the Law, by which they ft ftcrcd. Yea, when fome Minifters -were gratified with fuch meafures of revenire, as might move even envy it fclf to pity thofe perfons, who fiiffered indeed juftly from God for their fins ; yet from man, they chofe afflidtion, rather than fin : Yet ftill many Minifters followed with fevcre cenibres, and harlli deelamings , even the miferies of thofe their Brethren, or Fathers ;j,(yi'ho were in all true worth, equal to them, and in many things, as well as in zntnv'izd authority, above them; ) Yet in thole pz/i ri'i?^es of iome learned, grave, zud godly men, they feemcd to g^/flrj' ; csR'mg faggots of calumnies into their fires; fhewing lb little pity, and lb much feverity to them in c'g- 9. lijh heart, will read it,without grief and fliame, That I have lived to The di^oncr lee that verified and fulfilled in too great meafure, which * Campian, cafi by fame an Elocjttentrailer, fomctunes wrote (not with more malice, than ap- upon the parent falfity, at that time, when t\\zfiate of the MiKiflry in England Miniflers ef had not more of publick^fuvor, than of true honor and merit, both England. iox learning, piety, znAord.er,) Toothing (iaith he) ii more p'ttid and * Camfian. cdntemptible, than the Englifh Clergy. O that this reproach were l^'if^^^"' with truth now to hecontradiEied, or cor.fnted ; which hath fo heavi- u^nnopntidm ly befain us, and lb juftly ; fince too many Minitters became fo }rag- matick_, fo impertinent, io unfaccejiful in Sta:e policies, m worldly prc- jeils, m [ecular agitations, m counsels and. anions oi mar and blood, which they have agitated more intenfively, than Church affairs and matters properly rf/^^^/o;^. How odious muft it needs be, when they are publickjy feen lb vaRly differing from thit Spirit of ihcGofjiel , which they Preach ? So dilguifedintheir /:f^?^/f ? fo degenerating firom their Calling ? lo dift'erent from the rule and example of the Lord Jefns Chrijl , ot ththoly Apofiles , of the blejfed Martyrs , of the primitive Bifhops , Presbyters, a; d Confejfors ? Thefe might be leen (^^offxhly) zhev the Tp^tcrnof their SavicKr,r!di>7g metkj;' on an AJI , or, 3.5 Ignatius, on {ome vile bead, to be crucified; but they were never met, on red, and pale, and bLck^horfes -^ thrcaining blood, and Rtv. doies non ■'^, . ,-. j ,i i i- i i ,- i- < tcf/ 7*- iWa«« Who canmake conicience to deltroy thole, that make lo little, to faces & titiencs confume and devour one another? And this, at length, with the nonEvangelii gieater odium, becaufe wich the gi'cater deteat : Honeft meaning kmma; cme- Chriftians expedting nothing lei's than iuch conclufions from the 'teits'& diva fp-clous premifes of zeal for Religion, and a through Pif-rmatien • emina ; non when it is too evident, how much, not onely the mindes and miners JlelU fnlutans of rr.en, but the general form and face of the (fhrifii^n and Reformed chriflxmfra- ^eligio;:, was never tending to more dtformity, either in Dipfrr/wf, mncmiesi Government, ox true Difci fine, than now it is ; as other where, fo in England, through the milcarriages of many Mimfiers, as well as fiople. Mimjiers duty in civil dij[entiom, a 5 people. No wonder, if ordinary men (who naturally^ love not a Mini- ller of Gods truth) do eafily difefieem thofe, who lb little reverence themselves, and their holy FanBion .- No marvel, if men make lb little confcienceto hear, or believe them, whofe anions fo contradidt, arid palpably confute, their former doilrine and maiiers : Yea, many now raikzcoK^ciencetonegleB, deifije, forfake, and Jei>arat e £xom them ; yea, fome feek utterly tp depole and deftroy them ; not onely as ufe~ lej?, but as dangerom znd pernicious creatures, who feemto have more of the Wolf and Fox, than of the Sheep and Lamb. Thus from jUinifiers of Gods truth, peace, zndfalvation, they are too much fain tohe cAeemcd zs State-firel^rands, and by fome zs vejfels of ivrath, onely fitted for deftruition : What was fomctime cryed up as a com- mendable zeal ( and who but Phinehas with his Javelin, was then thought fit to be a Priefi to the Lord /) is now looked upon, as either ntiferable folly, or deteftable fpiry. And certainly, (in the calmell reprefentation of things) if fome '°- warmth of natural zeal, and t'parks of humane affeil:ions,were allow- ^''^ifie^^ able to Minifters (who are flill but men) in civil and fecular affairs ; '^**^y '" '■^'^'i^ relating (as they thought) to the good and fafety of their (7o?^»fr)',their diffenttons^ Lares, Religion, Liberties, Ejlates, zndGovernors ; yet fliouldthefe warmer gleams m Minifiers hearts, rather have vented themfclves infoft dercs and [vceet fhoTvres, thzn in lightfiings and hot thunder- bolts, ox coals of fire : Tht'ir politicl^Preaching, thc'iv ear nef} Pray- ers, their unfeigned Tears fhould have attempered, both their own' and other mens paflionate heats and propenfities to civil flames : ^/^^ jogl i_ y_ They fhould, as * the Priefis of the Lord, have ftocd and wept be- 3,1 0,11,13, tween the Torch and the Altar ■ crying mightily to Heaven, that ^c. God would fpare his Church, and people ', And with men on Sarth, ^* '7- I-" they flrould have interceded, that they would pity thcmielves, and Mln^ften'of one another. Miniflrers of all men, fhould have /^ijW, preached, the Lord prayed, wept, zudfajfed, all forts and degrees of men in this Nation, weep : Let (who were ib many ways neerly related to one another) into calm- ''^=™ ^^V' nej?, moderation, Chrifiian temper, fnrbearings, mutual condi(cend- f 'ql 'd"" ings,zx\d proneneflto reconciliation : If this would not do, they iliould ^/. ' have * flood in the gap , or lain proftrate (as Cxcina did) in the un- *Ezek.ii.3o. happy breach , and rather chole to be trodden under the feet of Ifnightfora Armies, Men, and Horfes, than to fee the wcfulday, in which their ™'" among King, and Country-men, and Fellow Chriflians, and Brethren, fhould fhoiddma"eup rufli \nx.o znunnatunrl war, to cut one anothcrs throats. thehe<*g , and This I fayi godly and tender-hearted Minillers fliould rather ft'nd in the have done, than in the leaft kinde, have kindled or fomented fuch ?'P |'=^9''^ ""= for the Land, that I fliould nor deftroy it, but I fdund none. Cxcina ciim miHtei, ntc autoritaie, nee precibm, ncc manit mimre pjftt, projtSia m limine, miferathne demm,qim per Icgati corpus eundim pat, Uaufit warn. Tack. An. J.I. •?'.-'.;.r E umatural t& Minifiers deportment in civil trouble f. unnatural flames, and tinclorijiian fewdf ; rudely intruding them- ielvcs into all Councels; full of lettlds fticklings , State agitatings, politick plottings, cunning infinnatings, putid flatterings, fecret whifpeiings, evil lurmifingSjUncomly clamors, and rude exai'peratings of fears to fewds, of jealoufies to enmities, of raifapprehenfions to jrieconcilable diftances, efpecially in matters wherein their proper interefts (as in thofe of Church-Government and Difcipline^ might feem any llop or difficulty lo peace, or anyoccafion to war : Who concludes not, that in fuch violent deeds and demands, Minifters forgat and forfook the greateft honor and duty of their Fun&on ! Macth.f." 9. "which is, to be ble^ed peace-makers^ to beseech men to be reconciled 1 Cor. J. »o. to God^ and_f(?r Chrifis f^ks to one another ; by whole pretious blood, they, above all men, fhould fhew they are redeemed from thofe flerce wraths, znd cruel angers , which cannot but be curled ; and merit to be [eyioufly and deeply repented, left for them, Minifters be Gcn.49. ?. divided m. Jacob, andfcattered in Israel. And however, many hotter fpirited Minifters, might have honeft hearts to God and man ; yet it appears they had but weak heads, and were not aware , That /f- V cular policies and worldly interefts, though they begin never fo plau- fibly, and afcend like vapors from fair grounds , yet they prefcntly thicken like mifts into black clouds, drawing on jealoufies and fears like ftrong winds :Thele drive men to newcounl'ejs ; after they 'T A 1 ?^^^^ nceeflitiesj and from necefllty obtain what indulgences and" deChriftianis'. difpenfations ibever, either prol peri ty, or adverfir^'^ require, in order csp.j?. Omnia to that great Idol Sei'f-prefervation ; which even in the Church of ■vtftra imptevi- Chrift exalts it fclf above all that is called God ; far dift'erent from » fetuttumjforum, numbers. All which holy Chriftian arts , by the unnccefTary dc- cS"c. £t tamen |^„^-jj precipitant counfels, and rafh adventures, of ibme palTionate, mur. Et Cap. "^veak, or lelt-leeking men, are ott lorced to vale, and give place to ^e.' Vrecntes that, which is fallly czlkd Reafon of State ^ which loves not to be fuvuts fmfcr too ftrai'^ht-laced with any ties of true Oind {elf-denying Religion •, po mnibas vv'hofe paffivenels is the beft prelervativc, both of the Church, and of ^et m ^» ^j^y j^^jg j^ijriif^cj- ,,vhatloever. J J All true and wife Minifters teach, (and fo they fhould pra£tile) tJMinifters Tbat it is better patiendy to fufer * ibme deformities in Church , iiKUch mv to and prep-ires in State, than to be violent aSlors cf any new ones, as. then: f.'lvcs a means to reform the old. And fince the .mindes of men are gene- yij^yi^^j^f^ rally prone to mealure counfels, andpurpofes, by the events, they "MnltaiaUc- do eafily conclude , That God never leaves a good cauie (wherein - imns qua nan his 9).ovj, and Churches good were laid to be lb highly interefled, lb pcbammA^g' jn thelois and hpi\,) (as no-,Y the Tresbyterian caul'e feems to be,) unleis MinlfiersindifiemhnHnfncceJifiil. .47 ufikfs it were earned on by tmmre hearts, or Hnwfl^^en handi- cither hypocrifie levening the end , or iniijuity defiling the nfeans : Truly it is leldom, that God -waters good flants with lb i^h fir cams, as he hath done that, which ibme Minifters lough: (o refolutejy x.o plant in the Garden of this Chmch , what fams or perils foeter it coft them, or the publick . So that the prefent dan^rs, diftreffes, and cornplaints of many Minifters feem to moft people to be, bur as the juft retributions of vengeance upon the rude fi-owardnefs, and factious forwarduefs, of many of them iacivil troubles, which was far different from the ten- der and wile charity of the good Samaritan. For thefe men finding ^'*''' ^®- 5'** this Church and State much wounded, as it was going from the Jericho of Ibme grievances , to the Jerufalem of a through Reformat son, (as was pretended) were too liberal of t\\€\r vinegar, andtoonigardly of their dyl ; by rafh infujions, \ij tindi^creet and unskilful fear ching the wounds, they made them deeper, wider, more feftred and incurables ( Clergy-mens hands ufually poyfoning thofe light hurts in State, which they touch, or undertake to cure, with negleft of their ip/r^f^^iif cures and callings.^ Thusjuftly, and ufually there follows the black (h^dow ofjhame and confufion, when Minifters of the Church had rather appear r»K- ing aStive Statefmen, than honefi quiet Churchmen ; ftudying matchi- avel, more than the Golf el; as if they wereafliamed of the ftill * voice zv\A quiet jpirit of Jefu-s Chrifi ; which defcended upon his » Mst.is. t4, Apo files , not in the fhape of flaming and dividing fwords, but oft" He fhalJ not * fiery cloven tongues : And this, not to let the world on fire, or to flrJvejP.or cry, fcorch and burn men , butfoftly to eiJighten them ; and by variety '*'™^'^ ^*'^ r r 1 r 1 1 I /• >^ I ■'i any menhfisi of gifts and graces, iweetly to warm them to a love ol God, and |,i, voice in mutual charity : Which is far from bringing in, either Chnfiian Re- the ftrects. ligion, or any Reformations, with wilde-pres , whirl-winds , and Afts z. z. earth-quakes ; wherein Chrifiians had rather quite caft off the crofi * ^*W* ^■- of Chrtfi from their Ihoulders , than bear it with any thing, which 1\tm itni^T they count a civilburthen ; and wherein the mtzwz'^ Minifiers are &moUijfmo' more ambitious to wear a peece of the Popes Triple Crown on their Jer-vtie, potin- heads, in an imaginary parity of powfr, than either that of thorns, [" '^Kf"'^'"'^ or that of olive branches ; the one an embleme of then patience, the '^(y^rmt de- other of thchpeaceablenef .■ When the very Kl^ovices and Beardlef ^^c„tis gc fhiplings, in the Miniftry, which have but lately been manumitted mo:ts htminxm. from the rod ;xnd ferula, are more eager to rule and govern all in an ^'''g- abfolute community, and Country parity , than cither able to rule themfelves, or patient to be ruled, even by thofe thatare worthy to be their Fathers , as everyj way their Elders and Betters ; whom jige and Nature, (fuftom. Law, Reafon, Religion , all order and polity among men, would have fet as over-leers over them; (howfoever, £ 2 to »8 Minifiers dmbitiirt^nfofieromi to fome uTes and ends, thofe, che yonger Preachers, may befit tc be fet over others, as ZJfhers of lower Forms .-) When the pailions and exorbitancies of iome Mtnifiers, fhall punifli other mens failings and fins, v/ith greater of their own ; and exceed what was moft blamable in others, by fuch defects of charity, or excefl'es of cruelty, asare moftcondemnable in Inch as hold forth the /o^'e «if Go^, and mercies of (^hrifi. to the World. What liability can be hoped in mens efteem and love, to fuch as are of fo variable temfers, that Jaoi.ti 8, they are not double, but treble minded men ? fometimes Efifcopal, then Fresbyterian, zitex Independents, next nothing at all, unlefsit be fomethingof an ^c^//;?^ £r^_/?y/r»; who nms like a Badger, with variating and unequal motions, yet fi:ill keeping where the ridg of fecnlar power goes highett ; who is afhamed, not to feem a Chrifiiav, but yet afraid tobeM^^^^r znd governed, a.s Chrifiians ^Mtre in pri^ mitive times , when they had not the fupport oi Civil Jldagijhates-, whofe proteUion in Government and duties religious, the Church willingly and thankfully embraces ; hut it cannot own the deriva- tion of either its Inftttutions, or its Difcipline, from fecular Towers and Laws. 13. ■ • -Not, t\\2Lt SlW mutation is the companion o£ folly or we al^nefl ; Of changes there are happy incon/lancies,- and blefj'ed Apofracies ■ from£?Tor to in Mini- Truth ; from Herefe and Schifm,ioP'eritj a.ndCatholike unity ; from Jiers. faHiopti pride, to obed.ient humility ; from im-potent dejires oi govern- ing, to patient fubmijfions nnitx due. and ietled Government j from *A ca^rADU- * t\\tDevils camps, to Gods Tents. But then truth, zndnot f.icl ion i bolt aid Dei ten- n!ety,2.nd not zp^zrent felf-intrrejl j a change of maners to thebet- lonny Felix ter,aswell as oi: Jide, and pr.-//r/p/fj,\'? ill follow; and not the leaftap- hmuiZdU- pcai'ance once cf et'/7.From \^'h\ch, M;nifiers of all men,mufl: abftair, Hata.Luth. ■ There mutt be no fliew or fliado\yof worftings3nddecaysin/:'c//;ifJ?; I Thef.j.12. of "reater indifferencies in Religion ; of any licentioufncis and im- Phil.j. I?. moralities m maners ; any of which, dilcover their ^f//«r, crthis TTorld, to be their god, more than JefnsChrift, or the trre God. And (which is moft ridiculous andintolleiable.) imuy A.'ifiers m thdx "rezteR ramblngs zndfkifiKgs, znd prarfiiirgs hem them- felves, and from all gravity, m'der, and mcdeJJ-.y ; Jelening theii former Station, Minifrry, and Ordination ; or taking it up upon ;ome fanciful new way ; fome eafie account of popular caili.-g to any place; yet ftill they are many times f.rg-er «i:c/;.'»:-r'.f sgaii^ft oeSj znd Schifn.s, Here pes and Separations, Errors snd corrupt Opinions, ■ &c. that is againft all that are not of then parr^, irar., and fiction : Not confiderin^, that like Ge ha z..f , the, It'^rof^ of, thofe Syr.iajis , cleaves to many of their own foreheads, who cany their heads full high. Now after all this, (which I reckon up, net in bitternef,.}iut in Mimfleri rmverf, ap in charity, not for a reproach *, but for a motive to repentance, In * Dum peccau my felf, or any other , that may be guilty of any thing, unworthy "''**'*"' ^''''^" and fcandalous to our koly Profeffion •^) It cannot feem ftrange, '^^ p'tm^nec'lT- Minifters are generally looked upon, as naked and ajhanied of them- ferb'e 'mcrepo, felves ; fince many of them, have ■wantonly/;'/;?^^ themfelves out of fed lugco ; df that ifinocefjcy and ^roieSlicK (together with that /»^'«■, reffefr, efiate, dam aliiim fiei and honor ) which formerly they enjoyed • when fublicks Laws Xmbr'^d^^'** and Authority compaffed them about ; keeping them, as in ^Hbjecli- pcen. "l.i. c. 8. emnddfte obedience, fo in flenty, f^ifety, love, and relfe^t. Which Nif<©- ;ts'»i» laft, (preferving them from irreverence, affronts, and vulgar info- '^' "j «■*««« lency) is eafily obtained, when once the common people fee that ™' '^'^'"^«' Power ftands Centinel, and C/vU Favor keeps a Guard, on any Men, or any Calling. Indeed, with the common fort of people, it matters not much, what firaw and cUms the Scare-crow be made of, lb it be fet upon a To/f . By t\\c(e lecnlar and worldly tempatiom, hath the Dicidere in and rugged paxh of »'0^'«/ opinions. State projects, znA fectilar an>bi-^^''''''''P^^P^f''^ ttons ; wherein they fee they have loft themfelves paft all recovery, fir7'v^"' "' ■without ingenuous retraliation and fpeedy amendment ^ The rafh- pojtguam agnt- neis and obflinacy of iuch ZJz.:z,ahs, is not fit to ftay the tcttertno verujcomuma- Ark^, who have almoft quite overturned it ; nor ever will they be f^''^- Salvia, able to bring back the pnfline honor of the Adiniftrj, or the ma]efly "*' of the Reformed Reigwn : Their penitence, publicly, real, and as hold as their fin and error, will more recover and recommend them, than all thofemiirmurings and complaints, by which they fcratchone anothcrs zVc/) J and confirm each other in jheir errom-oits obflinacy, and defeated novelties. * Ingenuous confeflings and forfakings of ^"'^ P^^: their follies, facilities, ftiperflitiojts heats and immoderations, will malumm'o a bell reconcile them, not cnely to God and man , but alio to them- qulm faluiu,' felves: Who can have little peace, while they are pertinacious in 'i^^W'/'tesfi their encrs, arid rre impatient to recant any thing, either in opinion ^.uguft. orpraitile, although never fo much amiis and blafted, both by the disfavor of God and mm. This opiniativenefs and reftivenefs in extern Forn s of Religion, is likc'y to be the greateft cbfirn^ion, which will hinder the recovery of , c^^^w^/fir/ to unity , order, and honor; which wrs ever greatefl:, when for their painfiJ preaching, and peaceable Lvir^g, they were perlecutcd by others. Heathens, or Heretickj, or Sch f;:^atickj ; who never wanted will to vex the Orthodox Chriftians, whenever they hsd power j were their begin- E 3 ings 1^ The humble cmft4ni;;j of fme Miniftcrs] iiigs never fo gentle, and their pretenfions never folpecious ; But then is th^ regard to Miniftersleaft, or none at all, when they mxnPrag- mafickj inftead of Preachers ; Persecutors inftead of Peace-niakers • zndfiickjers for, and with the world, rather than lufferets with, and for Chrifi. Since, teing Minifters of Je{tii Chrifi, the Laml> llain for the fins of the World, they are more coitily on the rack^, and at the flake ; in the fi^i\on and dungeon^ with bolts and chains, with wounds and hrawds for Chrifts fake , than with Buff-coats and Belts, and • }init^ Sure, it is hard for Minifliers of the Goipel, to pick out Ler/^er^ cf ■n" i" °* xih^' Mart from the Gofpel, or to have any Commiffion-x.o kill and flay, A,7!^fMr TTwn- from Je^tts Chrifl ; in order t6 reform Religion, or to plant any of his \St «Ji» -f ifu- cleareft Inftitutions;much lefs to pull down any antient goodor^er^in liesK iuxw. ^he Church, or to fet up any new ones ; w hich have fo much of mans • "^' vanity and fajjion, that they cannot have any thing of Chrifts divine appointment, Nor is this meek and paiTive temper, requifit in a true Minifter, any loftnel's and cowardile, but the greateft valor and magnanimity • which, having leaft of revenge, paffion, felf-feekjng, humane faclion, and worldly inierejh , (which are always dubious in their riie, and prone to be exorbitant in their progrefs, and moil injurious in their luccei's) have moft of Love, Patieitce, Mid Chriftian Charity ^ which Pfal.i J. 4. ; are indiiputably commendable in the Chrif-lian, though they be to the mans own hinderance. It will not be asked of MiuiFters of the Golf el, at the lafl: ac- count , who fought, and flew, andfpoiled, cJ'f. but who fafted and prayed, and mourned, for the fins and judgements on the Nation, ana Church ; nor will they eafily be found in Gods Bookjof Aiartyrs, ^vho died upon difputable quarrels in Civil ^r/v,while they ncfletled the indifputable duty o&their Oj^rf and Mini fiery. Lcvit.19. 19. (JV;w^fr J never reap lefs crops of love or refpedt from men. Thou (hale than when they fow that forbidden mijlane • the Tares and Cockle not fow thy ■ of paffionate novelties, unproved opinions, and civil diffentions, ^='^*"j™"" among the feeds of Religion, and effays of Refo-mation .- From %canpiiimnon which mixtures, thofe MiniflerSjwhofe^g^r^TOYv, wifdorri ,znAhfimility, fTobat mlxtu- have moft withheld, or iooncft withdrawn their hearts and hands, rem Dens, & are the likclieft men, by their p/«i', moderation, fatience, znd con- *?*"'''* Jf^^*" fla-icy, in holy and [ufti fable ways, to recover and reftore the dignity plnitite tpii- °^ ^heir Calling ; Who in the midft of thofe great and wide inrodes, mus. Au^uft. which have much broken down the fence, and occaficned the letting in all fcrts of wilde beafts upon the Lords I^inerard of this Church • while others, ViVt dead flakes, formerly making a great fbew in the hedg,zxt found rotten^weakjand uniound : Thefe are evidenced to all tnie Mimjiers reparation. 31 nue Chrlftians, to be as living fiandards ; well rooted in their pious principles, and not eafily removed from tha.t fiedfafinej?, and }neekne(i of their prattiles in ways of judicious confia^cy ; which they have hitherto with patience maintained, in the midft of thole tempefts , which have notfo utterly overwhelmed them,but that in many places they appear fixed and unmoved \nt\i€\r pons integrity, and patiefit ' charily ; which makes them looked upon with tome eye of pity, love, and honor, by all ingenuous fpe»Slators ; while yet, they gene- rally refleil: with I'corn and laughter, on many others ; who in the fuhlic\fiorm, thought themlelves gallant ^ailen and skilful fieerfmen j yet having made great wade of their patience, obedience, and discre- tion, they feem alfo much crackt mtht'w conscience, credit, znAre- ■pHtatiori', For feeking, inconfiderately, to pull down, or to poffefs thcmlelves of others Cabins, (who as "Tilots had a long time fafely fleered the Ship) they havealmoft fplit, and llinkthe whole f^ejfel, wherein they and others were embarqued : Nor will they anyway be able to buoy it up agahi, or flop the daily increafing, and threat- ning leaks, till forlaking thofeioft and iliameful compliances with ' fadtious novelties, and immoderate ways of vulgar reformings, they -1 return to that primitive frmneJS, and indifftttable Jimflicitj of the Antient (which were the pureft and beft formed) Churches, both as to DoElrine, Di[ciplirie,j.na Government I vihich no learned a.nduK~ fajfionate man needs go far to finde out, either in Scripture paterns, or in the Churches after-imitation • by which the dignity oi' the UMinifiry, and Holy Afyfieries of the Go^e/, always preferved them- fclves, amidft the hotted perfecutions, both in the love, and obedience of all found zndfober ChriFtians . So that in my judgement, who know 'how hard it is to play an ■ after-game in point of Reputation , and who have no defign but a Publit\^x\d Common good, (writing thus freely, as" under the favor, fo without the offence, I hope, of any good man) The CMin/Hrers of this Church will never be able to Itand before thofe men of Ai, their many adveri'aries j who are daily fcattering them into many feeble factions, and puriuing them every where (lb divided) with fcorn ; andaffliifting them with many affronts and injuries j until having taken a ferious review of their late extravagancies , and making a ferious fcrutiny into their confciences ; and finding (as they needs muft, if they be not wilfully blinde, or obftinate) fome accur[ed thing, i'ome Baby lonifh garment, zndtvedgof (jold -^ fome- thing wherein proud, or ambitious, or covetous, or revengeful, or injurious emulations, or other more venial errors have tempted them to offend ; they call them quite away ; and fo humbly re'ally thera- felves, to that Primitive Harmoriy, thac Excellent Difcipline, Order, and Cjovernment , wherein was the honor, beauty, and confiftency of ■ ^% ^ Vulgar mvAfionmtheMmjlrj. of the Church and Chriftian Religion, even when leaft protefted and mott oppoled by fecular powers : Of whom Chriftian Bifhops, Minifters, and People, never asked leave, either to believe m J<:j/« ChriFt, or to live after that holy form and ^iiblit\ order , wherein JeJHJ Chrift, and the i>lejfed A^oUles after him, elkbliftied and leff them, which obtained universal imitation, and life in all Churches, for many hundred of years, from true Chrifiians , both T^y?orj and Teofle, in the midft of perfecutions. V^* Out of which o/^ and good way o( Primitive ZJnity, Order, Thus Taith the government, Di^cif line, and holy CMjnifir at ions, \i t\\oit immora- Lord, Stand //tw be kept, (as they may moll ealily) to which (we fee) the lufts in the ways and paflions of men are prone to run, even in all * novel ^orms and and fee, and jfiyefjtjgfjs (pretend they never io much, at firft, to olortons Refor- asfcfortheold v xt l- l r . J r • n ■ piths vihctch'^^^^"^^^ i) Nothmg can be a more prelent and loverein refiorativc the go d way, for this Church, and the true Reformed Religion, to fettle with truth, and walk ther- and peace among us ; both to the comfort of all able Minifters, and Hjjand ye fhall jj^g fatisfaAion of all fober Chriftians ; who ftudy the truth, and vour fouls. ^'^iiy of the Faith , not the fower and prevalency of zny faUi on .: * Noudaturre- We need not go far to leek the root and fource of our miferies pre- ditm ad unita- fent or impendent, which have brought forth io bitter fruits ; where- timniji pefve- \^y Qq^ ^j qj^^.^ vvould Ihew andfatisfie vain men with their own ^^HuZ'.l^i;'^/; delttfions ■*. In which, heady and high-minded men, truftin^ more to vematem mji / . ^ , < * r n n ■ i • • i fer vetiiMem; their own wits or tongues, and to the * arm of pejh, in politick ma- ^um iUudeft chinations, than to the living God, in holy and humble ways of truth antiguiSlmm, and peace , have foon found them to be, both vain and CHr{ed guod verify- ^^ mum. Cypr. ■=> ''Ifai.^6.4- *Jere.i7.f. Curfed be the man that trufteth in man, anuaiakech fleflihis artUj and whofe hcarc departcth from the Lord. As it is evident at this day in the fad fate, which fome Minifters folly, prefumption, and precipitancy, together with other finful frail- tiles, and exceffes, have brought upon theinlelves and their whole Funilion in this Church. Who, firft defpifing, then deftroying the yintient and Catholikc cond.uits of their Order and' Miniflry, (which, derived from f/ir/i?, by his e^pw%j ; went on in an after conftant iucctKion'oi true xJ[iinifierial Tower znd Ai-nhoritj,') ha.yt digged Jere. 2.13. to ihem-^clves, empty , broken ci ft ems, of novel -and divided ways, ]udei2,- which can hardly hold any water ; hvx l^f / of the true Adinifier^, who are rightly caviled and or drained in the Church j whofe learned labors, and patient jaffcrings in all ages, from the Apo files times, have undoubt- edly planted, watered, propagated, and (under God) prefervtd the true Chrifiian Religion; either from Ueathenifo ignorance. Idolatry, Atheifm, Trophanenefi and Ter [edition, on the one fide ; or from Antichrifiian Errors ^ Superfiitions, (forruptions and (fonfufions, oil the Other. :n« .js: • 1(5. t> - fYet are there rioSw, not onely fecret underminings, but open en- Tolitickjtnd gines ufed, by which fome men endeavor utterly to overthrow thele Atheififcal great boundaries, firm fupports, and divine conftitutions of Chrifliian Engines u[cd -Religion ; the Authority, Office, Power, and Succeflionof the true by [ome a- Minifiiers, and Miuiftry of the Gofpel : Which plots and pradtifes gainfi the can be nothing elfe, but the devils high-way, either to utter Atheijm, KjMimfirj. Irrel'.gioKy and Trophanenefi ; or to the aid gr offer Topery,Error,ziid Buperjlition; or, atbeft, to thole deteflable and damnable f:/rmalities in matters of Religion , which our late Seraphick^Sadduces, or, OHatchiavellian (^hriftians have learned, and confidently profefs. _ Some of whom (like Jez^ebel, that made her felf a Trophetefi, or ' "Irenxusl'j. like the old * C?;io/?/f;Q', C^tontanifis, OHaniches, (^aryocratians, c. jf, '-'(fircumfellians, f^alentifiians, znd the like Tzhhle o£ wretches) have Carfocfatu & xhen -wilde [peculations, beyond what is written in the holy Scrip- Gnofltcorum ^y^i^s, or ever believed and pra£lifed in the Churches of Chrift : who dsarma, pit ^ ' fidm &operatmtmfnlvm homines ; rcll^iia indiffmntia fecitndktn opinlonm hommm bma aut mala voenrsj cum nihil vaturamalimfu. '- ' Politick and Athdftical f lots ;againfi the true 2l4imfiry , '35! teach mai to ihink, lay, and -write. That God^ ^hriB JeftM, the holy Spirit, good Angels 2iXiA1)e-jils ^ tht Script ttres. Law, and Coffel, ijilifiiflrj and Sacraments ; the Souls immortality and eternity ; the Ke[nrre5tiofi z.nd J nd^gemeiii to come ; aJl Virtae and Vice ; Good^nAEvil ; Heaven and Hf//, all are but mcer fanciful forms of words , fabulous imaginations, feigned dreams , empty names ; being nothijng without us, or above us. That all this, which men call Religion, is nothing elfc, but the ifl'ues of humant inventions I which, by the ibnning of fome, Lhecvedulity of others, andthecuftom of moftmcn, ferves, -where Icconded with power, to fcaie and amufe the world, foas to keep the vulgar in fomeaw and lubjeilion. ' Tifoj ,■.w=-?,C•''"■•^■ J\^din their befl: and fobereft temper, they hold, Tba't no Reli- gion is, or ought to be other, than a l-ichej and dependant, onftr/i- Ur power '^ that p/efy muft \)t [ub ordinate to policy -^ that there the people ferve God well enough, where they are kept in fubjeition to thofe that rule them : From whofe politick difpenfations and allow'- ances, they are humbly and contentedly to receive what Scriptures, Law, znAGa.^el, . holy Jnfiitttticns, (J/vtiniftry,3.nA Religion, thofe, •who govern them, think fitteft, whereby to prefevve themfelves in power, aild others in peace under them. That, where the principles of (^hrijhtan, or Keprmed Religion ( which hath fo far obtained credit in thefcWeftern parts of the World) do cmis, or condemn the defigns, and interefts of thofe ui Sovereinty , T how unjuftifiable foever they are for righteof/fnej? or true holinej? ■) yet are they, by Reasons of State, and the [uppofed Laws of Neceffity, firft to be dil- penfed withall, and adlually violated : Next, by lecret warpings, variations , connivencies, and tollerations , they ai'E to be ravelled, weakned, discountenanced, and decryed. Thus gradually, and flily introducing new parties znAfaB:ions in Religion ; which, cryed up by men of loofer principles, profaner wits, and flattering tongues ; alfo let off and fweetned with novelty, profit, and power, will foon bear down, and caftout, with ipecious fliews, of eafier, cheap- er, freer, and fafer modellings, all true Rebgton^ and the true Mtnip-ry of it ; and all the anticnt, (if they feem contrariant ways) though never fo well fctled, and approved, not onely by the beft and holieft of men ; but, as to their conftant prefei-vation, even by Godhim- felf. ^ , . . Indeed,, all experience tcacheth us. That no paffion in thefoul of a^, !'■ mm is lefs patient of fober, jufl:, and truly religious bounds, than j^^ w . 't * Ambition ; which, will rather adventure, as it were, to c^j^W^r- ^ r. ;■ ■_ mand, ^indaver-rffle God l^mfelf, than fail to rule over man. Nor^^ ^ 'Lu^anter&a^rifert hmana aabit'tQ cbrifii juf^uw, aiitDfilmpmum; nfc libentef crucmie^m qui feeptra caftm & cliidmatA aiicupantur. Parifienf, Fa hath 35 ■ Ambifionthefejtof true $^cUgion. hath any thing caufed more changes, toflings, and perlecutions, iu the Church, th^n x.):i\s ioxcmgreligiou^ reEittudes, and xhe i mrKKta- ble rules oi divine Tmtky Order, and holy Inftttti^-CKs, to bend to, " ciipiio JoaU and comply with, the * crockednefs of ambitious worldly ^ intererts. ■aandi-isaUii Inibmuch, thzt vtry Refermat;ofts pretended, and by well meaning aff<^- tJiM as- j^ t>.':end.ed , have oftentimes degenerated to great deformities • mmxium, Ta- , i i • j ■ j ^ r u r l - cir. An. I.ij. through the immoderations, and tran* ports ot thole, who cannot in "* Kiinmii tan- region of State (as they pretend) fubje6l chemielves to, or continue fa ■u'lola.jdum to u!e thcfe fevcrer iiiles of r/^/jrVc; J»(^; or follow thofe primitive titjui, cieterts examples of holy Difcif line zn& Rel:giom orders,, which Chrift and TurCaeC Suet*, his Church hath let before them ; but they muft lo far wrelt and in- novate i^f//^/o^, formerly eftablifhed, znirtmcvtWit ami ent Land- fffarkij, which their forefathers cbicrved, as they finde, or fancy ne- celTary to the intereft of that party or pow'er, which they have under- taken. * Pope P»'« Hence inevitably follows by thole t quodjibi the of -[co-muz cUnthms,s (i Cor. A. ^0 ^^nd zs u4ivc.>} fait fit '^*«» *''''**' tobe caft.ontlie duughiU (Aiatih: 5. 13.) Whuc there are lo many j^^^n^^j^ * ha fry intruders, <(nd confident undertaket;s of the work of theJqroOi F 3 Miniftjy, ■Mmiftrf, yet ehe beft and ableft of us ajl, defw before the irajefty ^ of God, in all humility to c^iifefs, That we are /fj? thg.n tFe leafi of his mercies ; that none of us, are, zst,oGods exaElnej?, or the wcipht 4 Cer.t. i^._ of t-he work, ^afjciem for liatfzcredCffce and Mtmfi;-j. z!Coi:.4. 7-1 ' v: > .m Yet fince this hfdvenly tre/^fiire hath been duly committed to .i{c»ihe(amttt- fjjch eaj'thfn vepls , who have wholly devoted, even from their voT^^'ctdvas y°^^^' ^^^^"' ftii'^ies, lives, and labors, to the fervice of Chrifi, and his decoratur the- Chmch, in this work of theMiniftiy ; fince the p/^^//C(^w^^e^ and fiu4fa. Profp. rewards for that holy fervice , have by the order of hnfnane Laws-, by the piety, bounty, andjuftifc, of this Chnfiiar. JV^iio:-?, been hitherto conferred upon them, and they rightly pofleffetl of them- I ■ cannot but pveient to the coiifidei-aticns,of all men, that h^ye' fiety, equity, or humanity in them , That there are no objeils of fity and compaffloK, more ptifallj calamitous and difirejfed, than thofe many learned and modeli men , the godly and fatthpd Afinijl-ers of this Church of England, either are already, or are fhortly like to besif the malice of their adverfaries_ be permitted to rim in its fullfcopt and ftream againft them ; which will be like that flood,, which thfe ReViii. ly. oldSer^enr, and orczi red Dragon, call out of his mouth after the woman, (the Chitrch) which would carry away both ^f^r/jifr and- childe,^ old3.ndyong, ihe (ons with the fathers, true pieiy with the 'vfholt profeffioa ; the -preient MmiB^ers v^nh. Vill future Sttcceffim, as to any nght-,4athortty, and lawful OrArnation or Oi'tiJJim.l: jg What I pray you (Q( excellent r/3rz/?-/<«».f,- aliwhcfe other ex- 77^^ (.^;j;j,>;fl cellencies are moft excelled in your Ghriifian pity and compaffion) and cruelty' ^^^ ^^ more deplorable, than to fee fo many perfons of ingenuous of Come a- education, good learning, honfil: lives, diligent labors, (after ia crainft the '""^uch time devoted chiefly to ferve God, their Ccuntiy,- and the Xj^iini/iry. Church of Ghrifl, and the fouls of their Brethren, v>-ith their Studies, Learning, and Labors) to be tiu'oed, or wearied out, of their konefi 3iX]d holy e'Mplaym/^nt • to be io cafl: out cf their houi'cs.snd homes, together with all their neareil relations ; to be forced to begin feme new methods oiUfe, in forae mean imploymeut or dependancc ; and this in the -declining and infirmer age of many ? whereijti they muft cithcrwam their bread, or beg; it 5 . or, atbefl , with'Siuch contention, X Prov.»4. 34- ■againfl; thz arm.ed man , Poverty, \i\ labor inAforroiv, night zn6.day, they muft mingle their bread ^r it h afhes, and their djrinkjivith r.^eesina^ • vthcn 't'hey-flmll be dep.ivcd of all thofe publickj^tvcards andfetled ;. ■ ' :.\\-"' i^f oifr-agements, ( vvliiclA God knows, were neither vexy liberal in -*'A!atth'.»4'. Tiibft'places; lior much to be envied, if * charity: did not grow cold; it- i^i^^i'if'wff*^^'?*^^^) wherewith the w'hole labor ofl tlffiir lives, their Veficiente' cba- ' mm nece^ efi aiutid^rt titqultUm, quumnon aiifermtur Imqnitatu llei-cora nifi per charitatis fiuenta, & mentem, &genum, & rimpbl'icam, & ecckpam vxL'tdiffimt purgatuia. Au£uft. Tepoilt cbaiiCaHi fcivoiefnge/ciatt& rt^fmnttxifiimtU, Bern. ; learning. OftrMMmfierswmh4ndnfe, 3> learning, and chargable ftudies, befides their induflry, humility, and other vertues, wcie but meanly, yet, to them, contentedly retem- pcnlcd, by tho{cLzvl!ck^fiety 3.nd mffK:ficefice I v/hicb in- vefted Minifters in their places and livings, after the lame * tenure ^ for life, and good behavior, that any man enjoys his free-hold in houfe jjavc'the^fa -» or land;, keeping himfelfwiishiiii^hecdmpafs of th&Law. ; ' Right to Wieir . . . ■; : ;♦!;,'> ' ■:--• ^ -.ir, ,. . ■ ■ Ecclefiaftick eftates by Atngna. Charta, as others have to tkcir Tcmpoiilitics..C0ficeJJt>>7iii quod Ecclejiu- Muglica-da libera fit in perpctuum, & hsbeat omnia jura fua inte^fa, &■ omits libertates'fuas iUaf^i. Magna Charta, c. i. Sec the Statute ot i. Edw,6. and 19^, fortreble damages in cafe of not paying Tithesj where due. 1 37 .;j : ■ , : ■. ■ • ■:; -^.'i ■:!< 'vir.i'U .Y-r .> .'-■. io , u- '^lavti j\;ti, /> KnAx\\^tth^hArbalmty■i'impetJt^i>»:%6nibme, or threaten xifccrw) adtiiia oihzi true Minijhrs in this (^hnrch,) muft be attended with the black^ludlbiia, utfe- "Jhadem's of all evil fpeakj^g and reviltnq^ ; fuch as was ufed to their 'f^'^^ '"'S*^ urent. mafier and infiitmor leim Chrik : when he was to be thus '^»»""'.'f' ."'« crucified with contempt, lefi tke Rom.ms come and defiroy the (^i'ty f(y,t & ubidt' (though there was nothing found in him, by his Judge, worthy offeoijjU dits in death. ) That fp the proud mockers of the Miniftry, may fay with "f""J noi^imii fcorn , Behold, thefe men of God ; thefe that pretended to p-e^r.ch Ul- '"*?'"* f "*"' u I u J J .- 1,-1 r '""''■ urebantui: vat ton to others, kt them now come down, and lave thcmlclves from jac. An. l.ij. that Jef^itick^, Socinian, and mcchanick Cto^, to which they are with Luke 13. 34, all cruel petulancy, either now, or fhortly (as their malicious enemies Jo''"ii.4*> hope aiidboaft)tol)e fixed. & 18.38. O what would the enemies o£ this ReforfKedChm-ch and State, 20. whatever they are, have wifhed more to crown their envious defires, ^"^ ithacm and confummate their malicious defigrs ; than to fee, that tvoftdl day, "^^ ''' ^ ""^"9 whercin this abomtnatton (which threatens to maJce the Ke formed ^^g^-^i,.^^ Religion defolate, in this Church of England,) being fet up, the whole Fpintiion and Succeffion of thctrtie and lawful Mtniflry here, fhould be queftioned, calliiered, triumphed over, and trampled upon, by the {ooto? Ignorance, Error, Popery, Jefuitrfm, Atheism, PrpfaneneJ?, and all forts of diforderly mindes and maners ? • ; • All which heretofore felt the powerful reftraints , the mighty chains, the juft terrors and torments calf upon them, by the convin- cing 5frwoa/, \t2imzd Writings, frequent Tw^^r, ahd holycA-^w- f/i?Jofmany fucdltwt Mi nijiers wEngl'fid; before w~hcm the i^e- vih of ignorance, error, profanenejs, fchif?K,' andp!ferlhtion,-^Nt\c ,^.^ }V^ ' wont to fall as lightning to the gi'oiuid , frb'm 'their /^r;>kf?c)^ Hea- luceHastelJit vexs. ' ' ' ''' '■^/'■[' fiilgnris coru- Have all thcie Sons of Thunder and c/tCbnfeldion too , (who fcatio, tenore ■were elleemed heretofore by all Reformed Chriftians in this Church, '^£\ffr'l'^l"' to be as /Angels of God, Embajfadors from Heaven, Friends efChrifi, chryfoft * the 40 " Mimjiersfmall temptations^ A»d great fainr, _ the Bridegroom of their Souls ; wore p-etiotu than fine Gold ^^ .dearer, . to httmble and holy men, than their right eyes ; the beauty of this Church, and buffing of this T^ation,) Have they all been hicherw, d but as Mahfimetanjfiglers, or Melfcugers of Satan, cr Priefis of Baal, or as the cheating Pontifs of the Heathen gods and oracles ? Have they all been found lyers for God, and bcm falfe witnefs a- gainftthe Truth, and Church of Chrift ? Have thsy arrogantly and * Nutrb.1^.3. falfly* taken too much ufon them, in exalting themselves aboie their ■Ye take too line and measure 7 Oi mz^ify'ing then Off ce and Aitnifiry, above much upon 1}^^ common degree or fort of Chrtjfians ? you, finceall i j j j • theCongregaiLon is holy, ercry one of tlicm, &c- Wherefore lift ye up your felves above the Church of rheLerd^ Thus l^arui; and his company againft"ii«/ei and ^-J^t^. And why all this art, fra(id,indir^!probit_y cf lahor in Minifiers ? (Sure, w' th the g eater fin and fhame learned and kl'oiving men iliould ^uePi'uicrtfn- '"'^^y fhemfelves in thcii init^uity, when they hzdio little tempi a- tetioto ma]f!s tir/i to he, either fali'e or wicked, in io high a nature : ) Alas, Foj ficcitim. A. -v^'bat hath been, and is, all this pen.yotts fains, and hypocritical ■S"*""' fiveat of ji-hnifl-ers ? Is it not forlomepo(?r living, for the inoftpart ; for ■z.\orry[:wffff'ence, a d.rj morsel, a thred.-bare coat ,-3. cottagely con- dition? In comparifon ot thztf I entj, gallanfry, faverf.t'.ity , jplendor, and honor , wherewith other callings (which require far lels ability or pains) have invited and entertained then profeffors in this plentiful Judges S.^ Land ? Are not the gleanings of the graces of Ephraim, better tl at * Memo a ft- the vintage of AbieZer ? Are no: the fiperfluities * of anyjngenucHS '"t"'t*«"S'' <^'^'%^ beyond the neceffanes of moft ^//«//?fr.c? Andallthis, that lucre & pa- after infinite lludies, pale watchings, fervent prayers, frequent tears, trie fuperamitr, daily cares, and endlels pains,eshaufting their Tl'i^^e, Spiri s, Sfiates, geum ctlefiui and Health, they might, through mznyvnlgar (lightipgs ,-'-ep-oaches, & ate-na i ^s\d conte?fipts , with much patience condeimi themfelves and their onfieexpi a- j-^j^j-^qj^j^ f|j.[:|. ^^^ * poverty ■ which is no light burden, where a good Jcron. conlcience js wantmg, or an evu one attendirg ( as m this cale "GiivstfipaH- malice Aothiu^^o^t.) ft-.iatuonusH- j\jid, now at hft, (after mo'e than One thcufand five hundred cmfamtUli- y^^^^ ' ^^'^ °^^ Certury and half fmce the Re frfnation) in all imm;aua '>'*'h'ch time this Nation hath more cr lels enjoyed the ineftim.able fubUveHte grd- blefTuig (for fo our pious Ancefrors efteemed the hghrs ofthk World, ■vsfch nihil , the true Afinijiers of the Church, in their Prayers, Preaching, V/ri- qiidulcmt tires, holy Offces, and Examples, ) they fhould by fome'men be Parach. ' thought unworthy of any further pubUcl^favors or iwfloyruenr, and * Rom 8. t6. to have merited to be counted as Jheep for the /laughter *, in their For thy fake perfons : And as-totheir f^'wS/owor ^^^///^^(v^'hichwas ever efteem- are wc count- ed as fheep tw the flauohter, and k'lled aUtlieday loi^; lanitna diahoft Chri^i vi^imt. Leo. They are Chrifts LaiHbs, whom ttit Devil delights moft \o ' atcher. ed '• Auguft. til {act n, fine . mtndotoD'tv'movHmixima virtus defitit; cumillovelmkimavAlefcit. Jcron, - G 2 ' them ; ^4 of Pretenders to the Mimfirj, them; yea, rather they provoke the /rc^ o/;^c^'f/f/, and increafe the leproftifcurjf of obfiinacy ; by which men refufe to be healed, and *Levit.io. I. glory m their deipifing, and conquering all remedies : * Strange fires TheyoiFered '^rg J^now (of old) would burn, as well ^sholj, in a natural force ; ftrange hre 1,^^ it was neither ^jccfprrf^ /if , norp/i? to beuled \nt\\z[olemn fervice Lord. "f G"^ ; ^^^ ^^^ i^ consume the Jacrifice I'o much, as * kj^die the V. r. And wrath of God, toblafi znddejhoj the frefumptno^a offerers: How- there wenc out ^^gj. ^ good men might uie it lawfully in their private hearths and I.ord°and'de- ^^''«I"» Y^' "°^ ^^ ^^^ Tuhlwk^* Mars, or in the Tmp/f. voured them. * lllorupi temiritas ira dl-vlna mmto caftigJiur, quorum autmitas fam otdieenen cea- /((rattir. Augoft. ^Tiuiueliinpnvatis (tdsbus fittatii& charitatiiignh; quonec rite nee tuto in pub- HeitDei opciis iili po^umHS , quia nonfineftccato , &ideo mn Jinepeceato, qid.t Jim 'Dei mMdato^ 2anch. • • • So that indeed we cannot hope, that thole whom the Lordhath wf/i?»t by his authority (which hath been commited to, and derived always by the hands of the Governors and Tafiors of his Chmxh) either can, or will take care to guide, or keep us and our children,- in Kom.ii. 1. that fr»e, holy, znd. good tva-y oi reasonable and accept, -b le [erving X5>i»» ij fiiin Qg^ . £j^(-e themfelves are (for the moft part) fuch unreasonable per- * *"*' !"««/ ; of io filly, hlinde, fveak^ wandnng, vain, 3.1)6. vari otfs jpir its ; abounding in nothing fo much, as in their ignorance, pride, confidence of themselves, znd conten-ipt of others : And what they pretend to do, as to any holy iyviiniflrations, is not, as of any duty, confci- a Coti?. i^. ence, neceflity, (as St. Paul, (who applies that) Wo to me if I preach ytsnegligenti yiot the Goffel, Crc.) but m.eerly, as of co-urtefie ; as arbitrary and effimm,quod ipoj^ianeous ; as of novelty and curiofity, when, where, what, how, "cmti 'quo A non and as far, as their ownludden fits, humors, and interefts ; or others ^d)uit, Bern, flatteries and vulgar applaufes move them ; while the novelty, curi- ofity, and admiration of thefe mens bo! dnels, mor^ than of their ra re a Tim. 4.3. ^'ff-f, works upon the itching ears, not the humble hearts of their They will not aapif-'/r, ox fiddy hearers. ensure louna Snch J vj znd Country (farlanis, as thefe men hangout in their after theVr private Cells and Conventicles ; or in their more TublickJFairs and own lulls fliall T^'J'er;?^' ; are no temptations to us, to think their i:nieafoned ;^;fB' tVeyfeeap I'P bottles ; o: their, fiat no lu andmrrefnedv/i/ies, (which have fumed I'o to themfelves jj,m-|j ^-^^q tj^^jj. o\vn,and their auditors weak heads, that many of them vine itchir.B e'very where reel and ftagger, and vomit ouv^-their own lliame, and cars. wal'ow in their fi'thinels, like drunken meny are any way compara- *'Matth.9.i7- b'c to puro/^i'orre/j-, * 2.ndvetera::elV!Mes -^ which are fcuJ7.d, iweet, Vttii* ■n'mum ■ well-refined, and full of Ipirits. Nor wi'l thefe nerv patches of aifed, piulfolonge de- ^jy^ unord.aineA Vrer.chers, ever be luitab'e with, or comparable to our facM.is , if 1^ ^^^1 jj^„^ ^..-i-j * j.Vj [gamed, ordained, zndrrue CAiini Iters, either giifliffuaviuSy •:> ' ' ^-' J , >- &Jl.i'itx Imus, & letete moU'ui, & fmiitatefahtbrius, & cerelrum minus mevit, & cof- magis reficifr. Qieg. ^Matthj.itf. Ecclelne lefiem (ordimmfciticet & decorantpc-Utiam) & dcformisautate late- rer.t, & twfitcr Ucermdo magis defo^pun'. vcvalori:. Prideaux-. for of unordeiiied Mimfiers^. • ' 4T for durabknefs, comlinefs, or comfort ; being heavier in the Summer of proiferitj, and colder in the Winter of <«,!^-yfr/?r_j' ; So that they are rather a fhame, an oppreflion, and deformity to us, to our re- formed Chriftian Religion, and to our Church, and Nation • as if ■we had chofe, rather to be clothed -with a nd'iculons p^l/ald fools-coat , or:i beggars cloaks, checquered WithinRnkc re»ts and patches, than with that hoi)/ ^nA comly Garment. oi order znA nnity ^\\ic\\.Chrift . left to his Church and d^'.inifiers (like his own) wkhoHt any. rent or John i^.S;?. feam : That is, An mtiform, compleat, confiant way, and order of 7^^'^„f^£*, holy Mini flerial power, derived in a right and iucceffive Or«?/>«2f/o» .• ^^^ inconjijfa Thei'e nevi floor t jumps of unordained Teachers, are to the Churches talis tjji debet and Religion s proportions , like the coats of Davids Meffengers , eeclt^K eonjlans 2 Sam. X0.4. when thev had been fhamefuUy andfpightfully treated <"'<^'' ^ P"'"'"" by ungrateful Hanun ; expohngmueca our i\_ation^ and our Reltgton, Auguft. to all.* reproach and [corn • when all round about us fhall fee fuch * Snantum feeble and uncomlj farts, as indeed theie gifted men,for the mofi: part, deeft auttritaii, are, in the body of our Church, thus discovered, which were far better ^"^'"'^ «*/*. concealed and hidden. . ; ;, ; - ^^aZUt^T' Vlhil enlm impudentm, qiiam m\ujfum munm, mt o^icio cuicunqm fefe immhiere. Gerard. Yea, although they may (with truth) in fomethings juftly tax 24. " andreprove, ibme failings, or faults in fome, yea, all our Minifters ; Boldnejiof yet we do not think prelently they are to intrude into their places, unord.eined and Miniftry ; no more than Balaam' % Afs might prefume to become. Teachers. prefently, a Prop^e^ ; becaufc itfometimcs ipake and reproved its Nuhmi.zS. mafters madne^. Nor do we lee any reaibn, that men fliould wait j Pet.i.itf. upon the lips of [uch animals for InftruStion- , who cannot juftifie their fpeaking without a miracle ; no more indeed, than thefe new Teachers can their chalenging the publick place, and conftant offce of Chrifis mUnifiers , to whkh. they have no ordinary Call or Jl-^iffion. Indeed wc haye rather caule, greatly to fufpeft thefe intruders, as for many other things, io {or thdxboldnej? and for^vardncj? .- Since, fuch as have been ablefifor that great fervice , have always been ,° ^'''"'■^'"' * Modefily flow, and humbly referved : That theie mens undefircd £5^fj(; promptitude is like that malicious readine^ of Satan, who, uncall'd, * St. j'crmi pvefents himfelf among the/o«J«/'Goi;^* ; fo are the minifters of Satan tells of NcfO' moft prone to transform themfelves by their hypocrifies, into angelsof Pf'"'^ ' y"'?>' I'ght ; in order to advance hellifh darl^ijef?, and damnable do^rines. ^^^1,^^ ^l^jif. And the times are much injured by reports, ^f it be not in fome de- num, fugUbat, greetrue, That many of theie Mafhroom Minifiers, the inoi\ for- dam paptilut ward Teachers of this new race and mechanich extraBion, arc fuch ^''^^^^f i ftraSat mvidUm. Ep. adHeliod. So Socrates of .^mmeains, when he wa* fouglic to be made a Paftor of the Church. Lib.S. c^o, " 30b i. 6. &i.i. iCor.ii. 13. ■ G 3 perlbns, 4^ T^epraffifes fif PreUnders] mnqttam ptri- petfons indii'guilesof vulgar plmjKeJ?, zndfimftcity, vifho have had cHkfiiis faBit both their learning and their errand from the vig Jant SemiKuries be- taebrajum & yond Sea : Out of which Giilliles can come little good to our Re- ""^^""'Him .t?'"'^^^ Church and T^attoyi. Satan is not lels a Devil, when he wiH eiim'f^ lucii I'^^m a- Do[lor ; nor more a dangetous temvter, than when he would &■ veiitacii appear a zealous teacher. Whence ibever they are, lure we are. That fpecie deliteUit. manyofthefe, who arelb iuddenlv rtarted up into Pidpits, are not Jeron.'. : afliamed to vent by word and writing , inclitran^ceKdem hlasfhe- mies ; That they teach whatever they think oi' &y, of the JULtjefiy of God, of Chrifi, of the holy Sprit, of the Divine T<{atiire, though never io irreverent, p-ofaae, and ridtcnlotM , yet it is no hUisfhemy, So?rf»<«s,l.i. but fub limit y 5 no' ^frofaaefiej?, but getting above, and out of all 7^«*^. de prr. ^^^^^ . Whatever they contradiil of the clear literal ieule, and ra- Aiidmdehsv. tional icope of the Scriptures, thsugh it ieem, and be never logrofs &de unitate a lie and error, in the common lignificancy of the words, yet it is a £cclef. C.16. truth ifzthe (pirit • Whatever they aft, never fodiforderly, brutifh. Tells us of the horrid, obl'cene and abominable , yet it is nofv, but a librrtj, which ^Hgml^m^.-^ God, and Chrift, and the Spirit esercife in them , who cannot Nor is this the leaft caule we have to fuipefl, beware of, and abhor thefe ftew (JllodeUers and Levellers of the Miniflry ; That, how different foever their faces and fatlions are, one from another, (tliough they go one Eafi, and the other J-Vefi ; whether they fepa~ rate, or ram, orfeel^, or (haks,) yet ftillthey meet in this one point. No Ordination, no FunBion, or peculiar Calling of the Mimfiry : The Serpents tail meets with his head, that he may iurround truth I?ihsc mlfor- with a circle of malice • As HerodandFilate, they agree tocrucifie ms ejfe fgleat Chrift; as S art; fofzs Voxes , though their w/'/j-j^je^iJ look feveral enant'.um de- -ways, yet their filthy' tails carry common fire-brands ; not onely to Hatfemmm ^^'^ ^^ ^^ thefomctime well -tiJl'd and fruitful Field of .this Church ; 'odio haben:. but alio to coniume i\itvtX'^ laborers -arA hiisbarJ.me». Th.tixejes Auguft. and hands are generally bent againft the beft and ableft Minifiers ; and their /^'/r.'f J mofl: bitterly inconfiftenr, with that holy Mimflry, "TV'hich Chri^ or.ce delivered, by the AfOstles, to the Church j and which, by the./7(if/;>7 of his Church, hath been derived to us ; of ■which, we and all the true Churches of Chrtsl, have in all ages Irad fo prear, and good espeiience ; which no malice of devils, orper- lonal inhnnities of men, have been hitherto able to to hinder, as wholly to interrupt • much lei's fo to corrupt it, that it Ihculdbe, tither juft, or any v/ay necefiary to abolifh it , according to thole traoical clamors, 2nd tyraKmck, pK, ot pay any reipeil (fuch as the pride and vanity of ibme men expcil) to thole high and lelf-exalting gifts, whereto their Antimtnijhrial adverfari es pxeKnd ; and which theyfeek to cry up in their «8'«r/»_^j and fcrtblings ; with which they fay, (and onely fay) They are di- vinely called, and moxe immediately infpired, ncit oneiy 2ihov£ithefr "' /f/Zon'j ^nd /Jrirr/i/re;? (who are ftiU modeftiy exercifed in their firfl ,. ;..;,.■[,„• mechanick^ occupations') but even above thofe, that are much their ' '^" ~ ' ' bettas, eyeiyway; and, who merit to have been, (and poffibly have been to many of them ) as Firr^^rj in Religion ; by whole ' pains and care, with Gods bleffing, the true Chriftian Religion in all ages hath been planted, propagated, and preferved, or (where '' need was) reformed, and reftcredto its effential lufire znd primitive ^ dignity. So that the cruel contrivances and defperatc agitations, carried ^^ on by fome men againft the true Minifters and Miniflry in this Sober mens Church, (like the looks of the great red Dragon, n'pon the IVoman of p.^^,^^^^ the Revelation^ have a mo/l dire and dreadfnl afpelt ; not onely up-T^^/j on 2.11 good learning ixnd^ivility , but alfo upon all true Religion, R,cvcJ,it. ^^ both as (^hrifhian, and as Reformed. Threatning at once .to devour the very life, foul, beauty, honor, \oy, and bleffing of this Nation ; on which we may well write Ichabob, the glory is departed f-om our j Sani.4. ii," Jfrael • foibon as the fury of thefe men hath broke the hearts and necks of our Elies , the Evangelical Priefis of the Lord , the true Aiiniflers of Chrifh , who are as the chariots and. horfmen of our Ifrael. « Civil changes ^nd fecular opprejjwns ha.\e the'iv limits , confined within the bounds of things mortal and momentary , with which, a « , wife and well fetled Chriftian is neither much pleafed nor difpleafed, ^^r'bomsTi became, not much concerned, nor long : ( For no wind from the four tmnem fortumt corners of the Earth, can blow fo crofs to a good mans fails, but \\t jaliim tsqut- knows how to fleer ajheddy courfe to Heaven, according to the com- ^^ 'ft ^ i*^* tali of a (rood Conscience. ) But what relates to our {ouls eternal rvel- ^.^r' .•?"'(> r I. ■ a- 1 1 / 1 rr c r ^ 11 ■ ttti Tanto fattus tjl jare, to the iKejttmableblejjiKg or present times and pojrertty • What effe chriSiiaoum more concerns us in point of being true Chriftians, (that is rightly quamhom'mtm^ inftmEied, duly baptiz.ed, ^r\d conf^mied in zn holy way) than any ^"'""''/'fT/'*' thing of riches, peace, honor, liberty, or the very being men can do ; VJL^"'^ '■!'* (for without being true Chriftians, it had been ^^e(?<^ for w^f, "^^ ^'^^non&tfecbii' never been men ;) \vh3.t evidently ponends, and loudly proclaims ^anflw, Bern. Darknefs, , ^% ■ ii The vhiefefl enemies u true 2dinift€rs, Darknefs, Error, Atheifm,Barbarity,Profanenefs, or all kinde of v^»- tichriftian tyrannies and [Hperfiitions, to come upon us and our chil- dren ; inftead of that favhig trath, [weet order, and blejfed feace ; inftead of thofe unbreakable comforts, and holy privileges, which we formerly enjoyed, from the excellency of the true knowledge of our Lord Jefus ChriB, declared to us by the labors of our true znd faith- ful Minifters : We hope it can offend no good ChriiHaiis to fee us, SanBi & /<«- ™°^^ pioufly paffionate, and more commendablj tmfdtient againft dabilu ejtin re- thofc who feek to deprive us of all thofe di^iine bleffings, than Micah iigionis negoiio was againft thofe, who fiole away his gods, and hts Priefis ; in as impatientia. much as our true God, znd true Saviour, and true Jl^inrFters, infinite- Tu"^ti't»>'ft- ^ggffijfjg ljl;eyty of every ones exercifing hts gifts, in Preaching and EX vm dolm Profhecjing,thtix eyes fhould behold the true and living chtlde of Re^ ■verus amor dig- ligi on reformed, cruelly murthered and deftroyed, under pretence of mfdcur. Fi^i- equable dividing it ; to gratifie thereby the cunning defigns of an tm&mtietri- impudent and cruel Harlot. Itisthe leaft,that we as true Protefiants "nht^imm. in tbis Church of Englandczn do, earneftly by frajers to contendwith fantm d'mdi. God arid man, for the faith once delivered to the Saints - that we may Greg, . neither craftily be cheated^ nor violently rc^bed, of that onely hea- Jude 1, venly treafure of our fouls ; nor of thofe earthen vejjels, which the 2C.er. 4. 7. Xor^ hath chofen and appointed, both to preferve it, and difpenceit to US; namely, the truly ordained and authoritative AfiniBers ; the ; ," • original of whofe ojfce and power, as of all Evangelical InBitutions, '■': is from pur Lor^ 7fJ?«f"/??'/H-, and not from the will of man, in any wanton, arbitraiy, and irreligious v\'ay. 26. Thus then may your FrrtuousJExcetlenciestzCily Tptrce'ive, That iVho are the it is not as mine, or my Brethren, the Miniflers, private fenfe alone,. Antimtni- but it is as the pK^/.'c4.ffc^o of that united voice , which with fad fterial ad.- complaint and doleful found, is ready to come from all the holy htlls verfoTfies of Zion ; from every corner of the Qity of God in our Land ; through moft, and the prayers andtears, fighs and groans, of thofe many thoufands yfhy. judicious and gracious Chriftians , who are as thcremnant that yet hath escaped, the blafpemies, extravagancies, feduiflions, pollutions, and confufions of theprefent world ; occaiioned by thofe, who nei- , , , ther fearing God, nor reverencing man, fecm to have fet up the de- luct mmmm ^g^ ^nd trade of mocking both.-Kont bear the true Mmiftry with lefs ni^itoqui'tetie- patience than they, whofe deeds will leaft endure the touch-ftoneof irarum epera Gods IVord : Whofe violent proje6ts r'gainft this Church and State, ejsramur.Aug, (being wholly inconliftent with any rules of righteoufnefs and god- linefs) The chief efi emmiesu true Minifier's, 4^ linefs) makes them mort impatient to be any way cenfured, croffed, or rettrained, by tlioi'e preeepts and paterns of juftice and holinels, which the true CMinifiers ftill hold forth out of Gods Word, to their great reproach and regret ; no more able to bear that freedom of truthjthan the old world could hzzx Noahs, ox Sodom Lofj preaching of righteoufnefs. To theie mens alliftance comes in (by way of cla- moring or petitioning, or writing icandaloufly againft the Minifters, and Miniflry of this Church) all thofe forts of men, whofe Ucentiom indifferencj , profane ignorance, and Atheifiical malice , hath yet nevei taftcd , and fo never valued the bleffings oi t\it learned la- bors and holy lives of good Miniflers ; both theie forts are further feconded by thzt [ordtd andfelf-deceivinir covetoufnej?, which is in the earthy and illiberal hearts of many leeming 'Pr«/--fjff^ and cooked (now), than they were m groffer times; yetftill they are thought (and moft juftly) both tin[avorji and urnvhol^ome, to thoi'e ferious and founder Chriftians , who have more accurate palates, and Si cthomcafum more retbrmedftomachs : With whole judgements and con^cieKces, Scriftuitrnm^ nothing will relifh, or down, as to doEirine', and rule of Faitk , or eumiutt qiiii- Sacramental AdmimBrations, and dmies in Religion, which hath tfw ullndubi- ^°^ Scripture for its ground ; to which, no doubt, the primitive and tatime credtn- f^refi Antiquity did conient : To whofe holy rule and patern, this dum e/2 : AM Church of England in its rellitution or reformation of Religion, did vtro te(libiati- j^q£^ exaftly,and with greateft deliberation, feek to conform both its^ nmtredcnlice^^^^^'^ and holy Miniflrations, \xC\ng liberties oi latitudes oi pru- tt. Auguft. ep. dence, order, and decency, no further, than it thought might beft c. II. _ tend to ths edification ^.riA re ell- governing of the Church, iCor. 14. Hocpriuscrcdi- ^Q^ Wherein it had (as all panicular ^^f /o»;?/ C^»rc^f j have) an ultr^Saimras allowance from God, both in Script ure,iind in Reafon. quod credere debeamvj. Tertul. de prs. ad Hae l.J • SaCiU Scripturis mn hquentibus quid loquemr ? Ambi. voc. Gen. !■ ^, 27. But, as if nothing had been reformed and fetled with any wif- Things of dom, judgement, piety, or confcience in this Church, nor hitherto lb "Religion carried on by any of the true and ordained Aiintftersoi '\t ^ infinite ought fir fl: calumnies, injuries, and indignities , are daily caft upon the whole and mofi to Church, and the beft Minifters of it : The cry whereof (no doubt) be confidered as it hath filled the Land, lo, it hath reached up to Heaven, and is by Chrijlian come up to the ears of the moft high Cod. %uUrj. And therefore, I hope, it will not feem rude, unftafonable, or importune to zny excellent perfons of \\h3.t piety or power {oever, if it now preffeth into their pretence ; who ought to remember, that they are but as Bees in the fame Hive ; as nyints on the fame Mole-hill ; and as Worms in the fame clcds of Earth, with other poor inferior Chriftians, whom they have far lurmounted in civU andfecularre- fpedts. The fwarms and croxids of worldly couniels and defigns, we hope, have not (as they ought not) overlaid or fmothered all thoughts, care, andconfcience of preferving, reftoring, and eftablifh- ihg, truth, good order, and peace, in matters of 'Religion : Which are .' • never by thofe publick perfons, who pretend to any thing of true Christianity, to be fo far defpii'ed and negleiled, that thofe above all other matters of publick concernment, fhould be left, like jcattered fkeaves, to the waftings and trampling^ upon by the feet of the Mtf'to a. Deo BeaBs of the people ; ungathered attd unbound by any civil fan~ nKligtitur g:il Eiion and power, agreeable to holy order, divine method, Chrifiian resDsifecula- ^j-t^yify znd prudence. PolTibly it had fared better with all eftates juiotns cZ" "i ^^i^ Church and State, if they had learned and followed, that ■ ■ ' divitis Matters of'Religim mift confiderMe, $1. divine direElion^ and grand principle m Chrifiian politicks , FirFh n imtn u srfte feek^the Kingdom of Heaven, and the right eoufneJS thereof , and all 't^f'. Primum thefe things fhall he added to yoH: The negka of gods houfe, (.t\,c <¥jod rM&im, Chmch) and its heauty, holy order, andminiftry, hath been a great i^jtJj,^,j^ caule of overchrowing {o irnny Jeiled houfes, which weie covered Hag. i, 4. with Cedar, and decked with Vermilion and Gold. ^s 't time fw Certainly no men employed in publick power or counici, liave y°" '° "'*'.,„ ,--■'-. i J i r . J . jn your ceiJec any buhnels or 10 great concernment , or or lo urging and crying jjoufes and neceffity as this , The pre fer vat ion of the true Evangelical Miniflry ,x\Cii houlilic in its due power and authority j Upon which, without any dii'pute wafte. among fober and traly-wife men,the very life, being, weight, honor, ^- ^V 7. » and fucceflion of our Religion doth depend, both as Chriftian, and ^^g Loj-j of " as reformed: For it is not to be expelled, that the ignorant prating, hofts, confidcr znd confident hoafiing of any other volnntiers, will ever js^er// ^- your ways. dorn, ox folidly maintain our Religion, which hath fo many very elo- '* ^•»«/!t"*«- quent, learned, znd fuhtile enemies, befides the rude znd /"'"f'*'^^'' phaiaom.* rabble, befieging it ; both learned and unlearned oppofe true 'Kjligi- on, as the right and left-hand of the Devil ; the one out oi ignorance, the other out of crookednejl ; the one as dark^, the other as depraved j the one cannot endure its /j!^/'<', nor the other its /?r^«V»^. Againft neither of them can thefe afford help, any more than the confuted Anfemm pat^ cackjing of a company of Geefe, could have defended the %oman ^'"'' '^^P'tfii Cabitol : Which noife is indeed, but an alarm to fober and good Pro- '^MmniucapiU' teftants, intimating the approach or aflault of enemies ; and fliould immfmugnat excite the vtgilancy and valor of all rvorthy (.^agiftrates, confcien- GaUos detur- tiotts Soldiers, and ivife Chrillians of this Reformed Church, to re- *"'' *^'' ^^^'* fifl the invading danger ; , as by other fit means, fo chiefly by elfa- ^^^•^' ^« J* hlifhing and incour aging a fucceffion of learned, godly, and faithful Minivers. * Ecclef. f . 8. Norin any reafonof State, or of Confcience, fliould thofe whoj^^''^"'* cxercile Magiiiraticl^ power in this Church and State, fo far neglc<5l ih^h^phefl" him, who is Higher then the highest * j by whom all power is dif- gardcth j and penced ; or fo fargratifie the irreligious rudenefs, the boifterous igno- there behi^h- rance,and violent profanenels of any, (who ai-e but Gods executi- "than they. oners, the inFiruments of his wrath, and minifters of \\\svenaeance ;) w" ''* ' fj/j, as for their fakes, and at their importunity, to deipife and opprefs have nopower, thofe who are by Chrifl; and his Church appointed to be Ministers except it were oi Gods grace, and conveyers of his mercy to men : The meancft of R'^^" 'li^e whom, (that do indeed come in his name) the proudcfl: mortal may I'j5"^^''''p7 not fafely injure or defpife ; becauie not without fin and reproach , cor^^i i i. to Chrifl: and God himfelf. For he that bearethyou, heareth me-, iPec.4.10, ' and he thatdeififethyou, deffifeth me, and him that fent me- is Stewards of fignally and diftin(ftly fpoken in favor to true Minivers, and for ''^^ manifold Jtgyjor to thofe that are prone to offer infolency to their worldly f^^^^g "^j^® ■ ; , Hi weaknefs. |i ^»fi cmfts »f compUinU •wea'^nefs, and meannefs. Such as delpile and oppofe the Miniflers of Chrift, are more rebellious than the devils were ; for of thefe, the feventy returning teftifie, Lw;^ 10.17. Lord, even the devils are ^ub- jeB to us in thy Name, ■ If then -we have immortal fouls ( which fome mockers now queftion,) fure they are infinitely to be prefeired before our carkafes- i Cpr.i. 11. and the inftrtime'/Jts which God hath appointed, as means to jave IcpIeafedGod them, are proportionably to be cfteemed beyond any, that are oft the by the foolifli- ^jfroyers, at beft, but the preservers oi mens hdies, and otttward nefs of preach- ri ' ing, to fave ^^'^^es. them that be- Who can diffemble, or deny , Thzt t\\t hankj of equity , fiety, lievc. modefiy, znd charity, yez, of common humanity, are already by fome men much demolfjked, through thcpride, frefumption, ip[olence,[cur- rtlity, and profanenejiofiomtjpirits, who are fet againft the Reform- ed Religion, tht Alimfiers and Miniftry oi t\\\s Cknrch 7 Who fees with honeft and impartial eyes, and deplores not, to behold ; hovf the deluge of Ignorance, Atheifm, Trofanenefi, and Sottijhnefl ■ ' aifo of d,amnable Errors, d^z'iltfh DoBrines, and Tofiijh Superstiiions ■ to^cthex with Schifmatical fury ,znd turbulent FaEHons,zrt much pre- vailed (of lateryears) both in Cities andCountreys herein England : C audet in melii hnd this, iince mzn oi Antiminifterial tempers, have fhidied to ail n<){trtsAkbohii, x.]xe. 'Devils (Remedy, and tins (^hurches Tragedy; endeavoring to '^"^^■^1 ''"^'■^** render, notonely the able, godly, andpainful Miniliers, hutthQ. whole "mutii'^ dt' Minifiry it felf , and all holy MiniJb-ations ( rightly performed by lc6iiitur 'angori- its Authority) defpifed, invalid, decry ed, and dj^countenanced : In bit!, triumfbat many places affronting fome, vexing and oppreffing others, menacing r/«B6. Bern. 2.11 every -^hcie, With total extirpations : For, they who pretend to have any man a Minifter— that lifts , intend to have none , fuch as fliould be ; (As they that would have eveiy man a Mafter or Magi- ftiate, m.ean to have none, in a Family or State ;) but onely, by (peciom fhadoves of T^few Teachers and 'Prop/^erx, they hope to de- prive us of thofeffibFlances.hoth of true reformed Religion, and the true Miniftry ; which we and our Forefathers have fo Idng happil;^ enjoyed, and which we ow to our pofterity. ,. ^°' Nor is this a feigned calumny, or fictitious grief, and out-cry: The ^f eat Your piety (O excellent Chriftians) knows, That the ^/Wfj of too md urgent j^^j^y t^^^i, are fo deiperately bent upon this defign againft the Fun- caujes of ^ ton of the (jAiinifiry ; that they notonely breathe out threat nings complaint, againflr^all of this tvay (the duly ordained (JMinisrers ;•) but daily do (as m.uch as in them lies) make havock^of them ; Snd in them, of all good maners and reformed Religion ; while lb many people, and whole T arises are void and dcfolate of any true Miniiier, refiding among them : I leave it to the judgements and consciences of all good ^/.r;f?M«j ta confitfev i io-W aGceptaWe fuch projefts and V S : pradifes JVlfAt perfoits moft jfiy in Minifiers fufferhgs', fi pra£^ifes aajiU be to any lober and moralized pre/fjl/or ; lozrq gr^ci- om and true Chrifiian ; to any reformed (^hurch, or to Ckrtft, (the Irifiitutor of an attthoritntive and fuccejffional {JHinifiry ) or, Jail of all, to God, whofe mercy hath eminently bleflcd this Church and 'Ration, in this particular, oi able znA excellent C^HmFlrers ; fo that they have not been behinde any Church under Heaven ; That fo exploded Speech then, Stupor mundi derm Anglicanns , The Mini- fters of England were the admiration of the Reformed World, had not more in it of crack and boafting , than of fober Truth, if rightly confidered ; onely it had better become (perhaps) any mans mouth, than a (JHinifiers of this (^hurch, to have faid it j and any others, than believers of this (^hurch, to have contradi(5kd and fleighted it : Since to the EnglijhMinifiers eminency, in all kinde, fomanyforein Churches, and Learned Men, have willingly fubfcribed ; as to Treaching, Traying, Writing,T)ir^MtiKg, and Living. On the other nde. How welcome the dilgrace of the Miniftry will be to all the enemies of Godstrmh, of the Reformed Religion, and of zWgood order in this (^hnreh and State, it is eafie to judge, by the great contentment, ^^z zm'^le jiatterings,t\ie\ii\?e\^ned gloryings, the large and ferious triumfhings , which all thole that were here- tofore profeffed enemies to this (^hurch and our Reformed %jligion , (either fuch as are factious and politick FaUors for another Supre- macy and Tower ; orfuch as carry deep brands of Schifm and Herc- fte on their foreheads ; or fuch as are profefledly Atheifts, profane, idle, znd dijfolme mindes') diico\er, in this. That, they hope, they fhall not beany more tormented by the prophecyingof thefewitnejfes , Revel, ii.io^. the true and faithfui^inifters of the Church of £Kgla»d ; Than T''^,'[ '''*^ whom, none of that order, in any of the late Reformed Churches, , °j? '„ J .- r L ^ L ■ . / i earth, ihall and icarce any or the Antients, have given more ample, clear, and reioyce fovcr confiant tefiimony, to the glory of God, and the truth and purity of the dead, and the (joffel, by their TVriting, 'Trenching, Traying, Sufferings, and "pburied bo- holy Examples, Living, 2.nA Dying ; which I again repeat, and jufti- '^' ^ ^ ani fie againft thofe, who fwell with difdain, and are ready to burjl with make merry, Crivy, againft the real worth, and undeniable excellency of the ijliini- becaufe ihefc fhers of the Church of England. two Prophets All which makesme prefume. That you (O excellent Chriftians) '?™^"i, can neither be ignorant, nor unfatisfied in this point of the Evangeli- ^y^^i^ on the 1 0,1 Mini flry, both as to this, and all other C/i«rr/'(f/ ufe, benefit, and earth, 'neceffity ; as alio, to the divine right of it , by Chrifts inftitution, the Apoftles derivation , and the Catholi^ Churches obfervation, in all times and places ; as to the main fub fiance of the duties, the power, and authority of the Function ; however, there may be in the fucctflion of fo many ages, fome Variation, m fome Circumfiamials : The peculiar offce, zna Ipecial power, were feldom, (as I have faid) • ' H 3 if 54 Abfurd malice agdnft the Mitilftersl if ever queftiofl^ed, among any Chiiftians, until of late ; much lefs, fo fliaken, vilifi^, and traduced, as now it is by the ungmtefttl van- tonneji, ^n^ frof ant mrvnorthineji oi iovns ; who, not by force of rea- fon, or arguments of truth , but by forcible fophiftries, armed cavil - ings, violent calumnies, and arrogant intjufions, have (like fo many pf I 9 tvtlde Bores) fought to lay ma^e the Lords Vineyard j Pretending, TheBoarouc "^^^^ ^^^'"^ brmi^ confidence is beyond the bsR drejjers skill ; that t)f the wood their irregular rootings are better than the carefnllefi diggings ; that doth wjfte it, their rude cro^pngs znd tearings are beyond my orderly prnningSjOt r" /> f 'u'*^^ Tvary weedings ; that their fordid wailotvings , and filthy coKfttfions, field dothde- ^"^^ before zny feafonal>le ma.nurr/tgs ; that there needs no skilful Hm- vour it. bandmen, or faithful Ldborers of the Lords fending , the Churches Etatroces infi- ordaining, o: thz faithful ]>eojiles approving • where fo many devout dimes, & a- fy^jne, and holj hogs, will take care to plant, water, dreis, and propa- ^BccleHmdiva- ?P"^^ ^^^ ^'"^ °^ ^"^^ ^^"^ Chrifiian Reformed Religion ; to which, flare cornea- the hearts of men are naturally no /rA-<7f/f/o/« /oj/. Nor is the event, dtin!,tam marie as to the happinefs of this Church, and its Reformed Religion, to be ^waMflrtf. Aug. expected other (without a miracle,) (if once thoCe unordeined, un- Pra" ^th ^* '^^^'^^■> ^nd untriedjpirits, be fuffered to poffefs the Pulpits, and places Lord of the of true and able (JMiniJhers) thanfuch, as befel thofe forenamed harveft.that cattel, when once f^n/i?- permitted the devils to enter into them : he would fend All truth, order, piety, peace, and purity of Religion, together with fnto\Sar" ^^^ Funiiion of the Miniflry , will be violently carried'' into, and ye£^, - choaked in the midll of the Sea, of moft tempefiuoui errors, zndbot- Match. 8. 3 1. tomlefi confuftons. The whole iierd of fwine ran violently down a fteep place Into the Sea, and perlflied in the waters. ia»- mundi illi Minlllfi, &inordixatiDo£iores,pcrignorantia, ttmaitatis ,& fHptrbig pracipitiaferitntiir in (•ns ^a'Sii TO TOra»£) prefitndka'es S atonie (Apoc t.m.)inenoruvi, blijfpbemlarim, & confufionum mmm abyJJUm, Chemnit. 29. The impious abfurdities, enormious bablings,znd endlefi j.'tnglin^s, ' Abfurdities whereby fome men endeavor to difhonor, and deftroy the whole Fun- ^ion of the reformed and eftabliflied Miniftry in this Church; and to furrogate in their places, either Romifh yigitators, or a ragged Re- I King.ij.jj, ^'«;f»/- of new and neceflitous •J'o/«»f2'Vrj, (whofoevcr lifts, not to Jerobiammiit confecvate, but defecrate himfelf, by an execrable boldnefi ; or elfe i* *f^^'*'"'^ft elefledand mifovdainedby thzz x^ealous fimplicity, fchifmaticalfury, Pr'efh^^who- ^T^dpopular madnefS after any novelty, which is ever, in any meaner focver would fort of people.) Thele no doubt are fufficiently known to you, to- he confecrated gether with thole learned lolutions, thofe fober, and to wife men, him, and he fatisfadory anfwers, A'hich have by many worthy Pens, both long ^r^i-ft"'°^ fince, and lately been made publick, both as to the calumnies of the V. 34. And this thing became fin to the houle of Jerebaam, to cut it off and dcflroy it from the face of h; earth. .' . aaverfarics. Mlnlfiers cafe not yet heard. 5 j adverfaries, and the vindication of this Church, and its Mlniftry ; Which is confovm, not onely to our wife, exceJIent, and antient Laws; but to all right reai'on; common rules of order and policy ; diftates of humane nature ; pradile of all Nations : Alio, to the Precepts, Inftitutions, Paterns, and Cuftoms of God, of Chrift, of the Apoftles, and of all the Churches ; and ever was^ fo efteemed and reverenced, until the four znd ttfifavory dregs of thefe perilous, laft, tXiaj. j, u and worft times, came to be ftirredand drawn forth : Wherein, under pretencesof (Iknow not what) jfecial calliKg, gifts, znd privileges, (but really to advance other f'uits, than thofe that ufe to grow from the Spirit of truth, peace,, holinej?, and order,) fome men are refolved to afcend to that defpcrate height of impiety, which counts nothing a/^, a (hnme,. or a confufion. I fhall not io far diftruft 'Cos, knowledge, memory, oxconfciences, 30. of rvife and rvorthy ChriFtiaus ; as to abufe their leifure, by a large, Minijlers cxa£l, and punftual difputing every one of thofe P articular s, Argtt- ttnheard, merits, and Scriptures, which have been well and learnedly handled ought not to by others ; who have put the heady rabble of their opponents, to fo^^ condemn-- great diforders ; as from Arguments, to threaten Arms ; from fhews ^^. of Reafon, to flie to Pajfion ; from fober Speaking, to bitter Railings, ^odratim- Scoffings, and Barkings at that Light, which they fee is fo much above fyiH""^ 0^"' them< glint; defici- Onely I cannot but fuggeft in general, to all good men, That it mlbiufcnptu- feems, not to me onely, but to many, much wifer and better than my "^ fuccurrant felf, a very firange precipitancy, which no Chriftian wife Magiftrates 2 r' I will permit, (^moielWuQ tumultuary rajhnej^, and jchifmatical violence, lunam e calo ' thzn either Chrijlian z,eal, or charitable calmnefy That the whole qmm non pof- Order and Funftion of the Miniftry of the Goffel in this Reformed /"a^ deducere. Church , fo long owned by all good men, both at home and abroad ; 'j^"'*"^ W- fo long, and largely profpered here with the effeils and feals of Gods ^"* grace upon it ; fo elleemed neceflary to the veiy Being of any Church, and Chriftianity it felf, by all fober andferiousChriftians j (For, there can be no true Church, where Chrift is not ; who pro- mifed to be with his Minifters to the end of the World : So, that "where no true Miniftry is, there can be no prefence of Chrift, as to outward Ordinances, CMatth.^%. zo. which is ipoken to thofe that were fent to Teachznd Baptiz,e, &c.) Laftly, This Calling fo never oppofed by any, but erroneous, ("editious , licentious , or fanatick Ipirits of later times ; That (I fay) this antient, and holj FnnEtion, mould without any folemn pul>lick,conference, impartial hearing, or fair consultation, even among Profeffors of Reformed Chrijlianity , be at noon day, thus vilified, routed, and fought to be wholly outed ; by perfons, whole nveavers beams, or ruflickjiumbers, and clamorous crouds ; not their reafon, learning, piety, or virtue, renders them,', either 5* Mimfiers cafe not yet hurd. eitlier foj-midable, or any way conliderable ; further, chauto beob- jefts of vviier, and better mens, pity, and charity, or fears, and re- ftraints. Is it that there are no Mimfiers of the true and good old rvay^ worthy to be heard, or comparable to thote plebeian pieces, who Et a-brss & de- by a moft imprudent apoitacy, htcomiug haters 3.nddejeyto7-s of their ft'tersi fnio/- {ovmQi holy orders, znd authority Mfn:fierial , have taken a new dinis. Sulp. CommilTion upon a popular account ? Are none of t\\tantien!: Mini-' ^^' fters fit to be adviled with, or credited in this matter, which concerns not themielves ib much, as the publick good, both of Church and State ? Are they all iuch friends to their own yrivatei>jtere(is (ibme poor living, it may be) as to have no love to God, to Chriil, to the Truth, or to the Souls ot men ? Have they no learning, judgement, modefl:y, or confcience, comparable to thole, who being farties, and cfiemies againftthcm, hope to be their onely judges, and to condemn them ? Is wildom wholly perifhed from the wife, and underi'land- ing hidden from the p-:\ident ? Is Religion loft among the Learned ; and onely now found among fimple ideots ? Or rather, are not the Aittiminifie-rialadverfaries, io conicious to {at true Aiinifiers lear»- f^ p;>y, and their o\\nirf!fsid,em ignorarxe, that they are loth, and afliimed to bring the one or other, to a publick teft and fair trial j drcamceWmves refolving with x.\\q CircamcelUoHS with more eaie to drive them, than jrto'D9M(i3*f rodifputc them out of the Church ; aiming not to iatisfie any by fvioptrres, cm j-^gj^ leafon, but tofacrifice all to their paffion, if they can get power? c "^"S /■/' ^^^° doubts, but that if the leaned and godly (JMimslers in this votiubmt, jt'A fometime lb famous and flourirhing Church of Erigb.ad , who feem faf^jov.neivcr- now in the eyes of their enemies, (as if they hadbeen taken by T/- tenuifecer-doti. ,-^i-gs or Piearoorns') onely fit to be fo thruft under Hatches ; not fl**' % fh^^i "^'•'"^''^^y ^° b° fpoken with, to appear, to be trutted or regarded, if they zi^i infeitbm', might have fo much fubbcl^ favor, ( which they delpah-not of, and tmU diiipi'.n- do hu ml? ly ifstreat) zs hj [olefKfi try al ■z.nd dispute, to a jfert thtiT tesi&c.CcLkim Station ^nd FunEtion , againft their ^^t^erf^ryej- , (as ibme have in cumaato in . -^j^^g ^ jo^e ,) Who doubts, (I fay) but by Gods affiftance, v:zmbsnt.Ti.i. (whole mercy hath not, will not, ever torlake them) they would Auguft. c g.* make the halting and ungrateful teazle of this Church, to fee , 1 KJng.iS^-U. whether the Lordcr Baalht God ? Whether (I fay) the Trmiti-ve Order, and DiviKe CoKfiitut.ians of Chrisi • ( which have on them, the Seal of the Scripture, the Stamp af Authority, and carry with them all the beauties of holine^ : For right re^ifoyi, due order, decen- cy, oeaceabtenc^, and proportionablene^, to the great ends of Chriftian Rel-gioK ; together with their real nfefahef?, confiimed by the happy experience of the Trimitive times, the purefi Saints, the be/} Chrifii- Ans, the confiaKtefi Confeffors, holy Marty s , and moft flourifliing Churches ',) Whether (I fay) thefe Hiould continue in their place and Therefore this Aplogetlck defence. 17 and power, wherein God hath let them, aud our picus Predcceflbrs have maintairted them in this Church and Nation ; ox thde yefterdaj - novelties , the politick^ Tnhimfcp, and Je^Mitick^inventinhs oi lomc heady, hur. heart UJ?-m en , fhouid ufurp and prevail \at\\\s Church, after fixteen hundred years prefcription againtl them ; and which are already found to have in them (befides their wt'*'/^;,) fuch cmpti- ncl's, flatnefs, vanity, dilordcr, deformity, and unproportiorablenefs to the great end of right ordering Chrijtian [ocieties , orfavingcf fouls, by edifying them in frrah and love ; that they have beenal- Eph.4. 10,11 , ready productive of iuch dreadful effeEts, both hi opinions and prachi- i*jI3" fes , that they make the Pro'tefiant and Reformed Churches ftand Mirabatur &• amafed, to fee any of their kinde bring forth I'uchMonfiers of Re- ^2,""*" f^f - ... ' ,- -, , . . ^ . 3 , - . -^ , jV-, , Je tarn Clio pert bgion , as leem rather the rrmt or lome Incuom, lome Jculanamtny _^,ia>iKm'. ]e- Ipiiits, deluding and oppreffing this Reformed Church, than of that ron, com. Lu- hlejfed and promised Spirit , whofe power, whofe rule, whole ler- cif. vams, have always been the moft exaftly and conftantly, holj,^ufi, ^l"Z*' '/' andp«rf. For any true Chriftians then, to allow andfofter fuch ^^ even the prodigies of Protejhnt Religion , as lome are bringing forth, fecms Spirit of no lefs prepofterous , than if men flrould refolve, to put out their Trnth,lie ftiall eyes, and to walk both blindfold and backwards ; or to renverfe *'' ^^ •'"h you the body by fetting the feet above the head : Indeed it is putting the °'^^^^' Reformed Religion to the Strapado , and crucifying Chrifi again , as they did Saint TeZ-i??-, after a newpofture, with his head down- wards ; As if in kindnels to any men, they fliould take away their fouls, and make them move (like Puppets) by fome little fprings, •wyars, and gimmers ; or by the Sorcery of fome Demoniack pof- For Want of the favor of fuch a puhlick^ try at and vindication of the i^inijiry , I have adventured to prefent to the view of all Ex- Therefore cellcnt Chriftians in this Church, this apology j By which I have this Apoloa-v endeavored to take oS iromtht Jofsphs and Jo'fedeckj of thisChmxrh, endeavors tho^t p-ifons 2.nd filthy garments, wherewith fome men have fought ;/,^ Mini- to deform them ; and towalhoff from their grave '^o^*^^^'^^-*"-'^! ■> (lersdefefce and angelike afpeHrs, the chiefeft of thofe fcandals and afperfions , Ctn. 41 14. ' under which (for want of folid reafons, or juft imputations againft Zach.j.'4. their perfons and calling) by fome mens unwafhen hands, an?v, anlwerable to their places and power, do not refcue and t^:- Proceathem. ftdunonni& animarumdeceptoiemdamitabant; & ut lupiim occidtndum; & tnkfacmm pirpetranh itmiljitnempucatirfum oivmmum. Poflid. vie. Auguft. 3.2. )^at If in any thing, as weak and finful men, any of the true Mini- JUiniflers I fiers o£ this C'/j^rr/j, are (indeed) l'ia.b\e to juji- reproaches, either of plead for. ignorance, or idle»ej?, fa^iouffiejs, fedhio^, zny ' mm oraliiy, ox ^can- z. Ct.r.1. 17- dalo us living, (and what Church 0'^ Chriji can hope to beabfolutely Not at many clear, when even in Chrifis family, and xhe Afojiles iixnzs, there- the'word of^ was dro^ and chajf'm the floor, by "judas, and Demos, Simon Aiagm, God. fal[e Apojtles, deceitful workers. Mini ft ers of Satan, &c ^^ I am fo- i Cor. II. ij. far from excufing, or pleading for them (as to their perfonal errors- Tit. 3. 10, ^nc} diforder-s) that I fliculd be a xt\o&. feverc advocate againft them,. SStT"" C'^ "^^ ^^'°- °^ ^^^^^ admonitions , they fhould .be found ineorri- claudicmte -^ g'ble.) quiniiniequii& And this, upon the lame ground, on which now I write this ■iiSlis ptdibus Apology-^ namely, in behalf of the honor of the Q off el, the dignity SS'ck? oi ihctrue Minijhy , and the glory of the mo^f acred name oi the P/«i defirii'it Chriftians God, and.Saviour • v^'h'ich, idle, evil, unahle, ziidunfaith- Jivifimpmv^ fnl BJfljOps, znAMiitifters, beyond all men, caule to be hlaffhemed j ■vittc,qua.ma' when they pull down move with the left hand of frofanenefs, than pitit dextra j.|. (juild with the ricrhthand of their preaching- ; betraving thrift ■gjj.i^ With their k^fjes, andimitmg the Lhrtjtian Refrrmed Religion under Nmconfundmtthe ffr rih, when they feem with great refpcift tofalute and embrace opitatuaftxrno- it. Confuting what they fay, by what they do ; and hardning mens i^mtimm. hearts toan unbelief of that doftrine, which they contra di£t by the LiedicL' ^olecifm of their Ures znAmaners ; either rowltng great ft^nes-u^^'^ torts chriffi, the mouth of the Fountain • or poyioning the emanations of living qit'ibiufa^ii waters-^ O" perforating the mi;.-J.es ^znd.coKf ciences of theit hearers,,. deftientibHi to {\xc)\ Ub en i:rs a.nA i:)pocriJtes , that they retain no move of tfue- JcrbradNe'' Religion, and ferious holinefs, ths-h ft eves can do of w^f^r -• :As por,' Nifi prafles cjiiod fradicas mcndacium von EvangeUum videbUur. Laft- Inft. lib.j. «p. i^^. Exemplumppcru efi leiraovivus & efficacijfimui'. Bern, u fuwtnti cibum & non di^eienti pamc^ojufn elt ; Ua datmi & nm facknti, pcccarur/i ell. Id. Axlmata viniti e[i gtia faliis homflaliir '. Cada- ■ vers fa, qua vevbu tamum msccfdi. Leo, ^Ixflerhim. Thaicuht n$n ui oUm Philofephiit.birVa. t>>ntitpt ' & paUia cikbtatHi '. Sed dcBrime fimtMe& %tte [urSitme, Laft, .-.■'■jfi'! ■■^bim:,'-^ >--.•». ivii. I Salvian, ^haumr 0f good MhipH, Salvor,, Ub. 4. d, Cjnb. ibiijetimes complained' oF freach^, and Trofegors too in his time. :/ t\h '''"''"^' ^"^ F,^^ ^ ^,,.j^ No I beleech you to believe, That I am the mofl ri-id cxaAor t u"T" iLf cJten r^?£ f°;? ^'f^rs^o,.M degveeObeyXirotS r'^''^^^^' Lard fhould have no blemffhfiom heM to foot, Levit.^T 17 1 8 i o 'P''"- J"°".=>d , N^hcr defeAive in intellcduajs, nor defo, md in morals • fo inH t P^"^'""'"- dotlrme, facred in deeds • thew-nr o? ,„ht '"^"^'^^ 1°""'^ '" ^t^domt EHn,.chs,L.vit.^r. 20 ) fo b dden "o ierve bS ' Tr^i^'™' ^""^ ^nft^^pr.. fi, e^^ tk : I ■' '^"^°'"'^^" ro lei^ve berore the Lord ; as iin- emu, fimavk ft for *,™«; „„„,„ Th.tthcybear on thtir brcfts befcreS '"'»;'* vent love, both oi God and man. For I ^^^ell know, That not ondv ^"f T'^^' £, f T"^ I ^ ' ' '^^'*'- ^- ^7- '^ft be avoided ; but the verv Gub. scitL Pes of common fratlt,es, muft be kept off from their LcriTes (I, ^"^"^ '"'''' '^• fr^ham d.d the for.ls of the air(rL his .^/<*..>„/ gC 1 7 i tN IM c^uln. And as the 7m/ affirm, ThatnatuMl flip,, ,.,= ' ,-' -^ '^"^''h l^oi^ SLsoftheS.!/ ifv V^'Z^'^'f^"' whichinfefted another »«-««^,/iW- 1 empies ot tht Be eUehuh, ^ods of flies. Miniflers motes as well '''«' ^^ */P'- as beams muft be kept out of the worlds eyes ; which are'pronrto f^"""'^"^-'.' "^^^SST^^T^ cenforioufn;fs,rMS- %.^^ This ^ing^e of ^^^t;^^:^.: tSJ"^^^^^^ S^S^ miny ftnfHlfratlt,es, which eafily befct us, we have-is m.m.lr ^X '^'^"d"- cc„urers ; which may help to keep us in a aJe.'erex 'Cf \ U '"' ^"^ '^- betoreGod and man : In ^4ofeacc4unt. L.wS ■ n^^^^^^^^ in all men iso fin . in n^;. a ■ .■ '■\"'' "'^■Kt^'^eii and not, which from beine n TkIT r ' ^"^'/^'^^' 'sas lacrilege : Ralli and vaiii oaths Bifhops and T. t M r''. ''-'^ "''."y P'''J"^''" •• A^y P^°f^"er levity in cm i P[«^>'"*' a^the blaipheming that God, whofe Word they P each 21 "^"^"^ ''^" Name they mvocate, whofe holy Myfteries thevcel^S.Vp' ^^ °^.^ "'"^^t »- ^Ihteratenels. is barbarity,and .L^^'^ thJI^^Sh^^JS ^"S'^^oP •^ their caiJing, 'f^^f'rdufy.rbe»dJ.i.e.zS.h'o»!i,t,umurmair»gn'd7,i...m.j, r- j r, ^ and exaancfj Morchmuchm.Ramb.v,. Ambr. cfEc 1 i/cT& c i?\ ?, < ^^^ ;>/«V^ /)*«/«w i« ^^0«« a faardote fa^ileilum Chrvr P^»;, ?,' ■«• ^' ^''.^^Jw'e People. £i'i«*f i» q^Cvu luke..,.. WhycilyereLr^^7nddr3c\httut;?^^^^^^ ^^"^^'-- ^"«- - fury •• go ChardSferof goodMiniJlers. fury in fccular motions, is fuch a madncfs of pride, and vain-gloiy, as pofleffed him, who in all things elle very obfcure, let the Tempe a Tim 1. If. ^^ Efhe{tt6 on fire; that he might be remembrcd for fomething; Stitfly to (hew their lazinefs and negligence in their ftadies and f reaching, is lupine riw felf a flothfulnefs, and finful flovenlinels ; while they content themfelves woi;kraan,that ^\i\^ any rasp and extemvorary hudlinfs ; in which, is nothing of needs not to , , / . j c j a • l i • ■* beafiiamed holj reajomngs, una ^crtptnre aemonjtrations, mightily convuicing ; Nommpuden'tem nor of right method, duly difpofing ; nor yet of any grave and pa- vult, utnen thetick oratory, fweetly convertbg, and Iwafively applyii^g ; but erubefitt ; fed onely a rttdenej?, and rambling next dpor to raving ; which hath /a'^Wifrj"" P^'^'^'y occafioned (indeed) fo many ffew undertakers to nreach ; mereMur vtn. who, thinking iome Minitters- ftocks of divinity quite broken and cundari. Amb. ipent, by their fo little trading and improving in any good learning , 1 TJna.^.ij. or [olid freaching ; have adventured to ferve the Country credulity aminiii&i. ^\i\^ i\^q\j; pgi^iars fackj, 2Lndim3.llwares ; not defpaiiing to preach wholly to chefe and pray, at that [orrj rate, and ajfeBated length , which they hear' things, that from fome that go for Minillers ; rclblving (at worft) to colour and thy profiting cover over thofe real defeils of farts or findies , to which they can- miy appear to ^^^ j^^^ ^^ confcious, by exceffive confidences, Ibud noifes, immoderate, cren ; o i • pfoli.xi:ies, and theatrick fhews of x.ealons aEiivity ■ (even as rofin- 4i«o longiHi try F idlers are wont to do , when they play molt out ot tune, ) A- flfecflsf, ftf t»£' bufing the vulgar fimflicitr, with their bold,- yet unharmonious hcmeatm agl- melody. tjmtMr. Aiigiift. vv'^hat can be morefulfora and intolleiahle, even to the worft, as well asthe belt of.Chriftians, than tolee r/er^;?wf» fludy more the gain and pomp , than the /' e and power of gadlinej? ? To con- tent themfelves, and delude others with the /i^/^ anajheHsoi Re- Sicitfuanima- ligion ? What more unreafonable, than for Shepherds loOtzrve, or rm. Naz. or. tear and worry il-icflockj ? For Phjficians to infect tWir partents, hy - *!"''■. not healing themfelves ? for £////^erj to pull down the holy Fabrick dlie 0 itavic of 'l''^''t''^ and Charity ? or to buiid with xat untempered morter or - Tiue Ks^tifHc'i Taffion,FaKcv, 3.nd FaSiiox? Vor Emhajfadors, either through idle— dyJ^TQ', nefs to ncleit, or through bafenefs to corrupt, or through cowardife ■mt Slit Sti i(si- jj^j to dare to declare and afl'eit the meflage and honor of their So- ■amva^Hc, , ^gj.^f^„ f^j^^^j. } which fhould with alt courage, fidelity, and con- Pel^TT'zofi'- ftancy, be dilcharged, even to utmoft perils ; fo as to be tea'dy with men. profano St. Pa>/1, not onely to be bound for Chrift, but to lay down his life Prcibytero. ^^^^ AEi s lo. ' •. I know that in (^i'finifters any fpot of pride, levity, affeBraticn, Vmcus ^'f^^^^'i^Tippttlaritj, pragr/}aticalr.ej?,.tirnoroufnef?, cr other undtcencies, below ^nl-wi. miHi ^ '^'f^' ^-"h' g^^"^^^ confiant tetnfer, and carriage of a worthy minde, ff e«>fl. Chtyf. „ , ,./.r.i.-,- le.vic.4.3,14. ThcfacrlficefortbefinoftkePrieftj is as much as for the fin of the whole Con- fireeaiion. Werthj UimfiersimoceNC J f leaded. Ci is a foul deformity, a putid futility, a pucril vanity, Icarce avcnia' madricfs ; fo much the \\crie in them, by bow much the contaniQn of thcir/^'/// is prone to infeft all thatlook upon them • iaxr^z^Ltgne ^^<»tf(>lumipfe aiid lefrofie of a (J^Unifters life , cannot be kept within his private ^^.>" ""'l'^,"^'^ ■walls. There is nothing mere delicate and abhorring all finful fcrds, ^^amfuum than the Ermine of Chrifiian Religion , and its true Mmifiry, which hd'gnepndit. fets forth the Lamb ofCjod, without ipot or blemifli , who came to Ambr.de Ss. takeaway tfee finful Itains of mens fouls, by the effufion of hisp?v-pK" tioHS blood. The care of all good Minifters, is fo to live, as fhall not ■Juiaimitlrl need the impotent leverities of thde Reformers, who joy as much to obfequii genus finde faults in others, as to mend none in themfelves, and are always ^''<^««f m (ce- eloquent againtt their own fins in other men. Allow us onely to be , '"" ^"^'''^'fs as (Jliinijhrs of the Goff)el ior ihtChurches apod, we defire no in- ^f^^,^^^!j^' '' dulgences, farther than the duty and dignity of our Calling doth al- vive/ent. Laft. low, and the ftrifteft Coyfcierce may bear : No men fliall more lift. l.y. welcome mens favors, thart we fhall do their jad feveritie-s • nor do \fe defire greater tcflimonies of mens loves to us, than fuch, aswe ufe for the greateft witnefs of ours to them ; by x\eyexfuffering them to fin, through our filence or flatteries. "Let the righteous fmite m, and it fliall be a kindnefs ; let them reprove us, and reform us, and it fhallbe a balm, which fhall not break our heads ; but our prayci- P^*'- ^4' f. fhall ever be , That wc may not tafie of the new dainties of thofe- ftipercilioM cenfurers, and enviotu reformers of rJMiniftsrs ; who are their enemies, becaufe they tell them the old truths ; and make" them offenders for a word , becaufe they wijl not forbear to reprove ifii.ij. n; their wickednefs ; who heretofore i'eemed td hear them gladly,, till they touched their Herodiajfes. Mark f. 20. The lei's fcandalous Miniflers are , the more that Hypocritical generation (v^ho have fet themfelves againft them) are bent to deliroy Eo acriorts fuxe them: I intercede onely for fuch, whoi'e greatefi offence is, Thzt odti caufle qub ' they give lefi offence to any good ChriiVians, and do ftiofl: good to this '""I'f i'tiqi*. Ghurch ; preferving ftill the purity and honor of their Calltng, and Tacjc.An.i. , the %eformed %eligion , againft the many policies of thofe, who lie in wait to deftroy it ; who are honored with , and are an honor to the Funftion of the Miniflry ; whofe competenc,and (in fome) ex- cellent learning, and holy lives, makes them (till appear like bright ^? irat'iorilH' _/?^rj-ina dark and flormynight, amidfl the thick and broken clouds ^'"'' V'°fp*C- of envy and calumny, which rove far beneath them \ however they jg^c "' '"' are fometime darkned by their interpofing. If, as to thefe mens holy FunElion, Ordination, and Authority, I may be happy to give you (O excellent Chriftians) or any others, any fatisfatftion ; as a Calling ufeful, and necelTary to the Church j , as of Divine Inftitntion, and Catholiks praElife in all fetled Churches, I fhall then leave it to any men of good confcience to infer , how I 3 barbaroHt 6i Mimfiers infirmities abrogAte not their Amhority, barbarctu and Antichrifiian a defign it is j how bad and bittsr carp- j'eijne?ices it inuft needs produce, by any arcs and ways of humane fovper and pc/rr/, to deftroy and exautorate theie men , and their Miniftry ; in whofe lives and labors, the glory of God, the ho?ior of Jefm Cl^rifi, and the good of mens foul; are fo bound up , that they cannot without daily miracles be feparatcd, or feverally pfefcrved. And for theperfons of the UW/w/Z-erj, which I plead for, I hope to make it appear, That for their catting thus into the fiery fmnace of mechc.mck^^corn, and fanatic k^ fnr)! ; or into the Lyons den of ftib- lichydium and disfavor, there v/ili be found, by impartial Traders Afts4. 18. of this Apology, no more cauie, than wasagainftP^^wV/, or the three Gal. 4. i6- children ; no more than for beheading John Baptist, or ftoning St. Am I there- Stephen- for beating and imprifoning the Apo files, and charging fore become ^.j^^j^ fg (p^al^ no more in that T>{ame of Jeftu ; or for the GaUrians becaufcTtell hating St. Tanl, or the Beatts (laying the witnefes • or the Jews you the truth, feeking to (lone, and after crucifying the Inird Jefm Chrifi. . , Not, but that the very beJtMini fiers of this r^i«rc,6 own them* Minifl-'ers ^^^ves ftill to 6e but poor finful men ; and i'o not firnngers to the infirmities ^"'^^"n pajfions and infirmities of humane nature .- Men muft not be do not abro- ^"§''7' '^'^^'^ Minifiers are not Angels, or llich Seraphins and flaming (rate their )'''*•''? ^s admit no drofiox defeE^ts, incident to finful mortality : Thoigh Z^uthority '■^^Y °^^ ^^^^' ^^ ™^"' V^^ ^^^^ '■'^^Y "°^ forfeited tlie Authority of or Office their Calling as Minifters ; though they have difpenced the Goffel in wcakneis, as earthen veffels , yet hath the Treafure of Heaven, 'i.xid Fower of God, been manifefted by them, and in them : Take them with all their perfonal failings , yet they will hardly be match- ed, or exceeded by any order of men, or any Clergy in any Church under Heaven ; for they have not been behinde the veiy chiefeft of true Minifiers ; and far beyond any of theie new pretenders : Info- much, That I have oft been afhamed to lee the neceffity of this ^po- Prodefenfiohe ^"D ' ^"*^ ^"'•^ ^'^^ Vindications of the Miniftry, which ungrateful fadiie licita e(l and impudent men extort from the ^iinifters of England ; when in- huiprnpia. deed (as St. Taul pleads for himfelf ; inftead of thus being compelled Re|. Jac. ^Q ^^ unwelcome, yet )uik glorying') they ought rather to have been comTnendedzTidencouragedhy others. Truly, it is to me a great trouble to finde out by any of their con- fui'ed Pamphlets and obicure Tapers, what theie Modellers of a nerv Miniftry would be at, in any reafon of piety or p-udence, more to the advantage of this Church, oy the ReformedCkri fii an Religion, thzn hath been heretofore, and may ftill becft'eSted and enjoyed, hj the true znd antient Minifhy : Would they have better 5cW/«?'j in all kindes of good learning ? Acuter D'ffutants in controverjiesf Clearer In- terp-eters in Commentaries upon tlie Sacred Texts f Better Linguifls ? More [olid Preachers ? M '^"i- modto( FamilifiicihaJhes,uidSocinians {Quelques chores) ^'^^'^k- 'fX°J'ciZ% jhoes ; by more plain and popular hands, than thole of the learned y'^J,j^.. i?)^,}^ Minifters.- They would have ageneiaticn of Teachers rile vp un- iUud pnlcTo- forvn, c\it oi thz duft ; ^Nhoie father fkould i^e corruption, and whofc ""»«»' ?«o<^ w- Jifi-er,confujion : More vulgar, fubmifs, precarious, facile, dependent ''''^"^'' '^ Preachers ; who fhould more confider an adl or ordinance of man,, Zl^iJa^'tfjiifn, than a command of Scripture, or di«ilate, and llroke of Confcience ; ^jn/,,,. Xcrc be more fbeered by the events and various fucceffes of Providence, io^Ums'Mxti' than by the conllant precepts and oracles of Gods written Word : f"'^' Avi^^Tte/u Whoic common prices of divinity muft fit any Eutopian Common- '■'P'^'^^' wealth, what ever iiiiy power and policy fliall form to their new fan- cies,2.nd interefl's ; whole Preaching and rraying,(^3.\\ make C^rift^ and the Scriptures, and the Sacraments, all holy things, and the Miniftry it felf of the Church , meanly fcrvile and compliant to any State deftgn, and fecular pro'elis ; Juft as the lorry Almanack^ makers do, who command the i'w^, and ^ow, zxid Stars, and the ■whole hpft of Heaven, to aflift any party whom they lift to flatter, or hope to feed upon : Such planetary Preachers , all true Minifters abhor to be ; and fuch their enemies deferve to have, or to be ; who obferving the winds of worldly and State variations, fliall never low EccJcf.ii.^; the^ofli^ feed of true Religion ; nor ever ferve the Lord, while they flaviflily and finfully ferve the times : Not, but thatall good Minifters know. 54 M'mifiers digaity Atnidfi their hjirmities. know, as wife and humble men, how to be content in what i'/'rffff foever they are ; and to be lubjeft to civil forcers in all henefi Phil,4.ii. thiyigs, with gratitude and due reipe£l ; yet not fo, as to proftrate Rom. 13. J. Q^j^ to level Chrill, to fubjcft Confcience, to deb&le the glorious Gofpel , its due 'Kj for mat ion, and its true Miniftry, and divine Au- thority, iot\izbo!iKdi€Ji lufis, and efidleJS dejtgf2s o{ violas viodreji - I'Ji miytdes. Againft all which, and chiefly againft thofe fhts and praBrifer which aim to overthrow the Reformed Chriflian Religion of this Church, and its Miniftiy , I defire this Afclogy may be as a Pillar and Monument to pofterity of my perfect abhorreyxj , That when I am dead (if it hathany Ipark in it of an /»;?»orf^//^/y/f, or living geniuf) it may teftifie for me, and my Brethren, the Minifters of my Luke 15. JO. minde, in after ages ; that, as Jojeph of Arimathea, we neither gave counlel, nor confent to thole wilde or wicked projeits, which the ages wiH afterward lee, attended with moll fad and deplorable effects; eitherof Atheiim, Profanenefs, Ignorance, and Barbarity ; or of li&pifTi I'uperftitions, Heretical opprcflioiis, and Schifra^tical confufions, which will follow the alteration and rejection of the anticnt, true, and Catholike Miniftry of this Reformed Church • which cannot but be attended with the iubvcrfion of many fouls, as to allftability or Ibuudnefs in true Religion; with the unfatis- fadtion of many, and v^ith the unfpeakable grief and fcandal of all thole good Chriftians , who love and wifh the profperity of this Church ; which I fhall now endeavor to prove to be ofamcft Chri- fiian and Evangelical constitution ; chiefly by anlwering what is alleged by thofe, who look upon both Church and Miniftry as repro- bate ; and would fain have power to djtmn them both, without re- demption : And this they eadeavor with as much ]iifitce and truth, z$ Job !• Satan accufed Joi^ , and would have provoked God to deftroy him without a caufe. OBJECT. oftrueReligiMfrofeJfeditttiKChrehofEngknd, 6$ OBJECTION I. ThAt m have no true Minifirji beedttfc n$ true Church-way /■» England. IFinde there are many and great things obje ^ed, by the ^uti- minifierial party, through ignorance, vpeak^ep, miftake, or malice • not onely againft the Ministers, and the peculiar office of the MLni- ftiy ; but alio zgamR the whole frame of our Eeligion, efpecially as to the extern focial maner of our ^o/y Adminijirations .• Some of them deny us to be any true JUinifiers, becaufe not in any way of a trae Church ; not having any trtte Religion owned or ellablifhed, and exercifed among us, in any right (^hurch-'way, as they call it. So that it is not onely the main pilars of Chrifiianity, the learned and godly Afinifiry, which they would change : But the whole model of our Church, zxid frame oi our Religion, is that, which thele men would remove , cither pulling it down by force , or undermining by fraud: Therefore, I have thought it neccflary, in thefirft place, to countermine againft thefe Moles , and to eliablifh againft thefe Shakers, and SKbverters of the very foundations of our Church and Religion, Here I muft crave leave of you, to vihok favor I have dedicated -^"l^- ^• this work (whofe highefi excellency is your Chrijtian %£ formed Re- ligion- who efteem \t your greatefr glorj^ with the Emperor 77jf(7- doJiMf, That you are Members of this %jformed Church, and in this o( the true CathoUke Church,) to give the{e fanatick^, znd cavilling diffuters againft our Minifrry, Ibme account of that Religion, which weprofefs; and of that fo much difputed, and by Ibme defpifcd Church-way, wherein we take our lelves to be ; as upon furer grounds, of divine truth, fo with much more order and decency, as to antient patern and prudence, than themielves : That fo, as good Chriftians may be comforted and confirmed in then holy Profefflon, fo the world may fee. That we are neither ignorant our felves, nor winii:g!y de- ceivers of others, in fo great a matter as i?f//(^/o« is, which we pub- /^r „ licklv have profeffed and nrenched in this Church, both with fcience , ■ I r ■ \ ■ J 1 • l!(rt«n, zna conjcience, Yiahjudgement and' ^'tegr/ty. t^era {I i' '• Firft then , We tfteem Trr-/^ ^eltiriin to he the right perform- gu*umve>(>' ' ancc of thofe duties, which we ow to the OhC onely true God ; or tc 2>fopm aicidit. Bradvrard, i^riettr^ J^X'f «F«* *^** ' J^'tu®- aci^n*. Greg. N.f. to of true KelipM, 6f to attain that knowledge of the dpvifjeTvifdo;n, and that fruition of the divine love, which unejy can make it truly , and eternally haypj. For true Religion, thus fcated in the foul of man, is nof bareiy 2. a (pecttlattve k^toroledge of God, according to what his wi'dom hath TtMe Reli- revealed of himfelf, in his workj, ^ndword ; As, that he is ; what he g'Oft not is not, as to any defects ; what he is, in all pofitive excellencies in bi-trelj (pectt- himfelf, (which yet is a great and divine light, iTiining upon mans /-'«f''i'^, ^«^ underftanding from experience, and from the hifl:orick parts of the alja fracii- Scripture.) But further, it alio fli?.w us, what God is to its, in Na- cat. tnre, Grace, Law, Gofpel, Workj, Word, Creation, and Chrifis Incar- xr>**'ains and induftry iupplied : Or elfe they place their Religion, in ^'' f ;^"?'"*_ the adhering to Ibme party znd faction • m popular and ^ecious in- ^/J, ^ t^ „-, finuations, znd pre tenjioi-^s ; or in admiration of mens peribns, and ':«»©• «A«A«- gifts ; or in the prevailencies of power and worldly fuccejfes ; or in "* t^vm^iTft ttn'ulh gain and facrileffiotts thrift • or in Z'^eztx^ealotries for fome ^'I"""'. ^ • new form and may ot constituting , di\ctpltntng , and governing j^ ^' ^ -,, <_ Churches- or in ^<»/^»^j? to affirm, to deny, and to do any thing-; or ^i*^ CI. Al. in meer verbal affurar.ces, and loofe confidences of being eleEled and s?»» i- predefltnated to happine^, of being called to be Stunts, and Treach- ^*{ (i»litift ersy and Prophets, in a new and extraordinary way ; to advance crm'habmw fuch opinions and fra^tfes, asno. holy men of old, ever knew, afted, ptmoi, invit- or owned for Religious ; or laftly, in railing upon, defpifing, znAtatasjmtegras i feeking todeftroy allthofe, th^t approve not, or follow not thofe ^'^*"{'"^*''le,fober, exalt, and conftant tyes of Confcience, o.nd duties of K 3 true jo^ ¥mAtiekffite»€$i u Relipm, we w/# and emftf, true ReVgion •, by ■v.'hich holy men and women, in all ages, have s> Pec. I. lo. ^^^^ ^'1 iiUgence to_ make their catii^g atiA eleEtiott- [fire, to work^ Nan efi vera out their fahatiofi Tfith fear and trentbling ; by hearing, readin?, amfirma eeni- fearching and meditating on the Scriptures ; by repenting, fafting, tttda glmte,fme ■ ■ ' - • ■ ■ . . . o Chcyf. cefsful aflicns. Thus hYriortif.catipn and Jelf-deKiai, coming to the Pkil.j. IS. (^ri>fio( ChriS-; taking it up • bearing it, and faflning themielves ta I Cor, 15. 3-1. jj^ as to zWjufi Jh set fief es, holy fez'grities, znd patient [ujferiKgs ; T^e't cbriJi'i'm ^^^^ endeavoring to abound in all exad^nefs of jfffitce, chanty, meek^ fegui, eft omm'^^f' temferance, znd ifiKocefrcy, before God znd man. Thus going perieti, inAits with lome holy agony, through many difnculties the narrow way , crHc't^£i,ytgir true Chriftians (having (^ij»e ^//) emti-'m at the Jhoff-gate, whivh fp«^';P^°^F-7^^^rr./,_f^,andarefcarceIy laved. :- I Pet'. 4'. 1*8. Thei'e were harder difcijrtif.es, and rougher Severities of fiety, ?{e>i vkU Den* than our delicate Hoveltjh • our gentle Enthujiafis ; our fmiling ucdeUcaioiti- Serofhickj- our triumphant L.'^em^i?/ • oui" fofter 5rfr»fj can en- iien ad celim j^^^ . which ma/kes tbem io impatient {as Ahah to Eliah, and Teton -'' * ' Micaiahy to hear, andbear the words-of faithful and true Mimfiers ;■ Aiit hacncHefl which feem as hard feyings j w-hen they recommend and urge thefe ivmgelium Script firals and A^orals of trmh and holine^,-f(fi:!ce,raevcy,andlmmi~ ""^^^-"'"^f'*^ licy, JUicah 6. 8. to be the onely reals of Religion : In which, the Lucb*^^ '"* duty, rule,end,ccrafort-,and crown of true Religion, do confift j whole VanieUuligia grcateftandiurctt enjoyment, is felf-defiiai 5 bringing the loft fcul,to. guie fctUrtih- Hnds it klf loft, and' to leek after Gcd ; and having f&und hifti, to cintfacit. -^^ follow him with all obediential love ; with a pious,impatient, fatit- J' fl,.j;«;n'»f and fA/r/?/»^ after happinels in him, by the ways of holinefs : mavtramn zs mymgftonetfi J-ieavcK or Earth com-parabk to foin} ■^ Ixul earnett- t^ ; net vtra ly preflTmg toward him ; as always, and onely wanting him, in the ejfepotell fiili- fulleft enjoyments of all things here; unlaticbly tetisfied with his t(ytAftt,&-pr- m^fyj-fetting-lweemeis- j ever filled with him, yetcver Jonging more 'b'Us ' &^ fibi to partake of him : The foul in this its exceffivethirft, and Ipiritu- kwpo- cvnfimi, al leaver, being confident, it can drink up that Jordan ; that ocean of '& in omnibus divine fidnejl ; which alone, it fees, can giv.e it an happy ferisfailioiv «««. Tertul._ ^Q eternity. Hoc pfumi'tntT' ' . , , ^ vmmns, qmd perditiffimi j'mus ^ iucmft^tiiermoT3enm[4vaif(jf>tmT. Aitguft. A , . .The devout and fioMs Soul, thus intent to God, itid content with The Sopfls him, is not always /ffp^/VW/ywandring in endlefs mazes and laby- {sarch af. er, rinths of Religion ; either groping in obfcurities, or gueffing at un=» 'and difcovc- cenzinues, or grapling with intr'-eate difputes, or perplej^ed with riesofGod. various opinions, or fhifting its parties, oy doubting its profeilion, or confounding it^moraJs, or dazeling its jntcIkiHial eye, by looking loiroffeB-s of immenjtty, zr\d oh /Sts of eternity ^ (which are f© y€- jnose Th Sotih kmwkdge tfGtd. y ^ mote from it, and far above it, that it onelylees this, Tiiatitcan fee sis, ^, \:-9tfi- nothing of that transcendent Good, ■\\'hich we call Ged. ( Who is »7@'_io;a. indeed, i]\ztf(ifere-xcellent excellency, -which we can Icaft know as ^""^y^- '.' he is ; and can no way comprehend in bis ineffaidt effeore v aiwl ^eam-^itnmii' mcft incomprehenfible perfeilions.) 'i^'^-.'iCj- , ''-■.. '_■■., 'uj:.;, idDemdui^'' But, the Soul in its religious ftavch after, and devout applica- mui. Aug. Re- tions to, this jffpreme ^ood, which itefteems, as its God, .ftayes and '"d. - '■' \ iolaces it fclf (as Miners do, who fl:ill follow andchiefly intend the richeft Vain) with thofc lefler grains and [parks of divine gojidne^ and beauty , which it findes every where katteted in its paiTagg among tlie Creatf^ies^y'whith are'as little e'ffa'ysvi'jpiedge*, and tokens of that divine a^ldry and e.^fce'/Z^wc/, whiclimiift-tiieedisibc infinitely more admirable, and delcijtable in God himfelf. ' . The pons (which is- the onely wife and well adviled) Soul, do Habavcuitc- loon as ever it feriouflyfearcheth after God, findes him in iamc kinde fti>'>'»»^ 'o'-""' or other, every where prefent; andin everything lovely, yea, admii- ^^1" j.!"/"."^ rable, both within and without it ielf ; yet' Rill it conceives. Jiini to ;»„5_xerc. l.i. be infinitely above it felf, and all things. Something pf God it dif- adv. Mar. covers,, and accordingly admireth, adorcch, praiieth, loveth, and ex- P'a'.i'i. i. alteth him, in the order, goodnefs, greatnefs, beauty, variety, and q^." coilftancy df his works, which are every day vifible; fomething it y,,^;^^;^^^''^;, perceives of his /wfeA^f/? and deie^ableneji m the fobar , moderate, ricula,co»fueia and holy delegations, which our ieilteS' afford Us, wben they en joy ^''^A^n;. Aug. thofe objefts, which arc convenient, and fitted for th<*m; fomething ^°"'''. io- it obiervesof liiwW wijdom, power, benignity , znA jti-(hce, in the experiences of Gods providence, boetntf, znd patience, which the hifto- ries of all times afford ; fomething it difcerns ofGod,iFi thole common beams and principles of reafon, -^'hich fhine in all mensmindes, and are evidenced in the co^fent of all "Hations. Sometime alfoin the^'"pliJF'>''> reflexions, tertors, or tranquilities of its own, and other mens c«>;- "'"''.''^ f"** fcicnces ; which, are as the firft Heaven or Hell, rewarding the good, uicm'mdie or punifhing the bad intentions and aEiions of every man : More fuJ- nciu &c. lyil; fees God in the >w^«Vyr /?/?/■ wwj of the divme tfhrd ; in the ex- . — PnwM eft afthefs of the Moral Lari> -^ in the -/kles of 'y»//cv'giventoaU men ; b/;/■ j Natural, Moral, and Evangelical ; by all which, \.\\t Soul, as the £7 f, fees fcmew hat of the ^?f/Wd'^/orj of that />- yifihle Sun, in the defcents, fcatterings, and aptitudes of its he ants • whofe infinite, and intire hrightne^ it cannot, without injury to it felf, fully, and immediately, behold. Exod.jj.i^ So that herein (we (ee) true and lolid Religion, both by its light and holine'is, its truth and prailife, abundantly difcovers, thep^'c/- fulnefi, levity, pride, vanity, fondnef^, zndfittility, of all thole (nddy opinions and preten(ions, by which ibme menfeekto amufe the world, and to abufe honefl hearts : And alfo it fliews its own real worth, beauty, digtiity, fulnefs, ufefulnels, wii'dom, and power ; by all which it fits and fills tht Souls various f.iculties znd vafj- capacity : And in fo doing it gives the devout Soul, thegreateft evidences and furcfl demonflrations of its own immortality, beyond what any nr- Malimtlmpli gumciits drawn from ordinary reafon and phi'oibphy can do : All *^"^^*'r5F"*'* which the z^tkeijlical impudence of (cme mQU eafilyc'ude, having p^j^-^j^'['p^j] no experimental knowledge of God ; and living without God in the Souls im- world, they are content to imagine an utter extiu6lion of their mortality ^°"^s. , • difcoveredin Whereas the p««ff;/i^<^5ff,'// concludes, and glories in its immor- true Reliixi- tiilit^ • .which it endeavors to improve to a blcffcii eternity ; when it g^^ L confide rs Y^, Souls Immortditj, Mans improvement , confiders ferioufly, and alone ; -whence can thole high and holy cn- iar(rem€nts, dejires, znd dejigftj zi'iic, lo fax above, and beyond all ■worldly ohieEts and enjoyments ? whence that un^atiojiedneji, which caiiies the loul of man, with ambitious impatiencies, to this height of Rom. i.7. coveting after a blelTed«'/"£'rwf/, and the iupremeGi?^^, Godhlepifor ever ? Whence this magnetick tendency and divine traEticn of love to God, ^nd to his irfinive goodm^ ; but onejy from the Fitther of our fpirits, and Fonmatn of cur iouls, God ? And why all thefe medi- t at sons, de fires, and motions, planted in us by io good andw«/i?a Creator, if never to be enjoyed by us, in tho(e fat iifafrions, which onely can flow from fome ^/w>je znd perfeStive cb-eH ? Sure it is all one to omnipotent goodnef?, to fill us with the pe^pSl good defired ; as to endue us with the defires o£ that good- which are but our rer- f/^ents and imperfeEiions, if never to be in completion : Our vtiy de- fires of Heaven, would elfe be our Hell ; and our longings after hap- p!nefs,ourmil"ery. Nor is it agreeable to. the methods of divtnewif- ■ dom ^ndgoodnej?, to plant f-tifraneous and vain defires, or Tantalifintr tend-encies m mans nature , which he hath done in no other Crea- ture ; who attain "whatever they naturally covet, or have innate prc- penfities to. The fame -eat and all- ivije Creator, in his fonnation of man : All other Creatures rifing up, as babbles on water, lo toon as the forraaiive JVord. of God, in its feveral commands, fell like diftinA drops from Heaven, on the f^e of the great deep, the Chaos, or Ah','2; But man, as a f'gnet or (eal, was graven by a Ipccial hand, and deliberate method of God, with the markj and chiraEiers of his own holy image, 'mjpintuali:)-, vrifdom, righteoufnifi, puriry, liberty, eternity, and a proportionate capacity to enjoy whatever felicity he can underltand and defire. 5. - , ,That, if we raife man to the highest glory and pcrfeftion, which >^.ans itn- be covets, and is capable of in this woia of vanity znd mortality ; brovemeM, wc fhall fee lomething in him oi a /// tie god, like the figure of a great monarch exprefled in a fmall vriodel av figvet .- For, bring him from Tj'/ujcy ?ao> tit' the Jords of his nativity, from his i^f.-.m iicfirmities, from his childifh hfmmf «Ti ^Ki' ftm.pl i cities, from his youthful vanities ; redeem him, by the politui^c P^^^* of good education, from his rnjh'xkjgnorance , h\schivni(}i confidences, Stolida faede. his hrtitifh dalnef, his country [oluk-de, his earthy ploddifigs, his bcg- Taf. g*'^// rnd'gences^ or covetom necefftties ; rack him off further, and ref.r/e re^ne him from che lees of [enfttal znd inordinate lufis , (torn [welUng and fifrh pr:-u, from ^"jV and mean dejigns, from immod.era.te ajfeSli- '^n^»f^n If ons -vt/ikru M/lisKs, unt'eafo^Me imi>u!fes,^.nd depraved temptatiofis, "' *'^*''3"3 * from -wichiu or wichcut : Tnen turmlh him with health, p-ocerity, ^^^^^ ^- ^ and/'M.'-t/; fDrtine him -with competcri; ,'?rif,?^-t/>, both fingle and ffSBTCi. Plac. focial ; endue him with all wifdom, both divine and humaxe, which de Cupiditac. the minde of man is capable of ; compafs him with all fujnels and plenty; invefthim with that publick honor, which (as beams of the Sun. ccuientred in a Burning- glals,) arifing from the er, offonir/iity, and p/;?«'e to do good ; \:}c\oi.zrealzn6.M\eful graces, thofe charitable and ctt-nmnnicAiive virtues^ which enlarge the nobler {oi'.l, to a love of che ftiblich^good, and. a z..eal for the common welfa-re of mankinde, in works of humanity, gentleacjl, fity, patience, fortitude, jtifiice, nurcy, benignity, aiid niumficer.ce : What can more lively exprefs •' ifiii'it j^f to us a terrene vi^bl-e *Deity ? -whom we may (without Idolatry^ •»|e>>»tc ir «» own and reverence fo far, as, without blaffhemy, we may call fuch cie^AIex* a man a God ; while he wifely teacheth' znA infiruEleth others (a cMenandio. 1 work worthy of a Tarent, a Prince, a God;) or he powerfully pro- How goodly a te5ts, or he bountifully ^^''^^'^•f, or mi\]y funijheth, or mercifully "^*'"''?.P, * J I • n ; / .u ■ J • 1 • i_ • n man, while he pardoneth, or gracioully /oz'f/-« others, and rejoyceth m their wf/t- continues a doing a.r\d happinejl , without any defign or interefl: of his own. Yea, man? what do we ordinarily wifh, andexpeft, or fancy more from God, Rxod.ii.i8; than all theic excellencies (of which, we lee there are {oms jfarkj and P'a'-Si. ^« beams, even novi mrmns no.tmc') ffiblimated to i?} finite per feBions ; M,p-fl.?lAs and extended to us, with eternal derations ^ is not this, that eftate of are called fnll en-jOymcnt, which we c^W Heaven ? Wherein we hope never to gods. want thofe divine and immediate communicatings, w'ith the all- Pttmitimejt fufficient bounty, and unenviopu benignity of God, is, as well able ; ^m ""'"'^' fo, no Icfs, well pleafed, to impart to the ioul, than its necefTities do u,,^ ,a, require, and itsdefires ambitioufly, andunfatiably covet to befuppli- Emtudoifl h- edby them: Notone'y in order to this natural and politicly Bepig ; tcm'mabilis which as men we have with men,for a moment (which is daily prels- *''ifJ? r cd upon with the fatal and inevitable necefficy of dying, which is a ^•''^■"' " ceafing to enjoy God, by the mediation of the (freatures, in this vifi- ble world) but alfo, in reference to thixt rational, religiom, fpiri'.ual, (irncioui, pcrfeS}-; and unchangeable Being, whereto wc naturally afpire ; (for, who would not be ever happy ?) by enjoying hir,:[elf, in the wifdom, ftrength, beauty, fulnef?, love, and fweetnef?, flowing for c\eT(tom the excellencies o( theCreator : The fruition of whom, is onelyable to exclude a''l defeBs, and ^ears ; to fatisfie all de fires, to L 2 reward fjS Internd Religion inflates in the Church. l>e\vavd all duties, to requite zWftiferihgs, to compleat all hap-pine^, to crown and perfe6t all true Religion ; which in Heaven fhall be no other, than what v^e defire it to be here on Earth ; that is, a » right knowledge, and a willing performance of that duty, which the reasonable creature (Man) ows for ever to God : Firft, as his Crea- tor, Conservator, and Redeemer, by Je^Pii (^'hriFt. 6. This then we look upon, a.s the 'Kjligion^ fiame znd temper of True 7^- a reasonable Soul, in its internal di^ofitions and private devotions ligion inter- toward God, it felf, and others : By which it is daily preparing for a nal inflates gloriom 2.nd blejfed immortality ; of which holy fame, it felf onely the Soul in can he confciousj with God ; and the greateft evidence is, That fin- ChriFl, and cerity of heart, which hath no other rule, but Gods Word ; no other in the true end, but Gods glojy ; and no other comfort, but in the conftancy of Church, this difpofition ; which is the fruit of Gods holy Spirit in it. Cer- iCor.s.io, lainly, fucha 5<7?f J, which we call The Church of Chrijt on Earth. And this indeed is that Church properly , which is called out of the World ; which as men, we may dil'cern ; and of -.vhich, both in elder and later times, fo many diff)utes have been raifcd, which we may defcribc to be. An holy company or fraternity of Chriftians, who being called by the Minifiry of the Cjoffel, to the knowledge of God in C hriFt, do publickly profefim ^11 holy ways and orderly inflitutions, that inward fcnffrof ^»f/ znddevotion, which they ow to God, by believing and obeying his Word : Alfo that chanty, which they ow to all men, e- . ^ fpecially to thofe that profefS to he Chrifts Difciples, and hold com- munion with his Body, the (fathoUke Church. Herein I conceive, Th^t the focialoutivardprofe0on of 'Religion, j, as it is he'd forth in the PVordof God, in its Truths, Seals, Duties, Of the and Minijlry, makes a true Church a rnong men : And the tme (fhurch as a Church as Catholike, yea, any part or branch of this true Catholike vifblefocie- Church, ( whofe Head, Toundittion, %Jtes, Seals, Duties, and ty of Pro- Minifhry, are for the main of the fame kinde, in all times andpla' feffors be- ces,) cannot but make a right p-ofefjion of true 'Religion ; as to'Hevin^ in the main effence and fundamentals ^ which confifts in truth, holine^, Phrift. and charity .■ However there may be many variations, differences, Eat^ cnthollca and deformities in fuperftruitures, both of opinion zndpraBife : For ''f^'f/^j qu(t u- howcver particular Churches, which have their limits of time, ^nd'Hf^i^Jf'^ I AC f ■ a 1-1 n- -1 ■ r I atrnjempero' pLice, 2^nd per\ons, {^ctrcumlrances which necernxny circum^crtbe ^f^iq^f (i^(,„ i„ all things in this world) are ftill, as diftinft arms and branches of a chriliavtram great Tree, ifl'uing from one and the fame root Icfus fl.rij} .^-Sciptwit * ^ -» J t. -' > f„^ii-uam pro- ftetiir.V'm. Lyrin, Eph.2.9. As Fellow-Citizens of the Saints, and of the houfliolJ of God ; Y9 are built upon the Foundation of the Apoftles andProphct«j Jeliis Chrift btiijg the chief corner ilonCj &c. L 3 and -f% of tkeCh(trch,asvifiHe4fid CAthdike, i Car.j.is. a^^ have the iamepp eif truth and life conveyed In fome meafure to b^'W^u^on '■^^'"^ ^y ^^^ ^"^™^ ^^'^y °^' ^^^ ''^^'^ Mtmfiry of the ?rer^, S<;cra~ ■ tWs foundati- ^"^^^-^j and5p/r/f, (fo that intheie refpeits, they are all of one and ongold,d^£. the lame r^f/jo//%^Bo^^, commumofi, de[ce?mnA de-rivation •^) yet, ftubWcj cj-t. as thefe have their external iijbinB:ions znd fever i^j^s in time, place, ^ 'if' \ ^* perfons, and maners j or any outward rites of frofefflon, and ri'tfr- he ftiall icki'tj^'? ; ^° th^y i^iiually have dijiirM denominations, and arcfubjeit to lofs, but he different accidents, as well as froportiom : Some branches of the timfelf IhaU fame Tree may be withering, fwoffj, cancred, peeled, broken, and befaved. ^^rre;^, yea, almoft dead ; yet,old, and great, and true : Others, may There'i^'one be more flourifhing, fruitful, clean, and entire , though of a latter Body,and one /!^^or?'«^ for time, and of a lefler extenjion foi' num.ber and place j Spirit, one yet flill of thefame Tre« j fo far, as they have really, oronelyfeem- Lord, one ingly, and in the judgement ot c/^^^rsV/, com^munion with, relation Baptifm &c. ^°' and dependance on the Root and bulk; being neither quite V. i^. The broken off, and dead, hy Heretical Apofiacies, denying the Lo-rd. whole body is that bought them, or darfinable errors, which overthrow tbt Faith x fitly joyned j^q^ y^^ jlivered and rent, by Schifmat'ical unckar/'tablenejs, proftd, or cofdiDe^to'th" T^^'^'^f^ rents and divifions : Which laft, although they do not cfFeftual ' wholly kj;ll, and cop off from all comr,iunion with the Church of working in Chrift ; 3^et they fo fair iveahen and wither Religion, in the fruits and thenieafureef ^j^^-^j^fj of it | as each i'r/j/fw pares off from its [eti znd fa^ion, CTcryparc, ^^_^^^ Rinde and ^^?^ (as it were) of Chriftian love, and mutual uni'tiVcui unam charity, through which (chiefly) thepp, and ]fsyce of true Religion, fidem f/adidit, with t\\t graces and comforts of it, are happily arid moft thrivingly mam ccckp.m conveyed to every living branch of the ^athiUke (fhmch -, \o as to «/« orae djfii- ^^^ j^^ -j. j- ^.^^ ^^ \tz9c, and bring forth fome good fruit, however it be cii 'banc Ml-' notl'o ftrong, fair, and ample, as others maybe : As the Church _ of pt, banc d' fen- Sardii-, which had 2.* nafne to live, and was dead in fame fart and dit: ^olibet protortisn ; yetishid to watch, zndflrengthenthztlimgs that remain, fe^u'fjuevo. vvhich are ready to die, ^-c. nnnetegat,Ji ■' huic fwn focictuT tiliemie^,^'hat!cimfugnetmmicuieft, Orof.7. c.jy. Job. rf. 2. Every branch In methatbearcthnctfiuic, my Father taketh away. aPer.r.i. z Tim.r.ig. i Cor.ii. if. That there fliould be no fchifrn in the body, a Joh. 9. Whoroevertranfgrefleth and abidcth not in the doftrine of Chrift, hath not God : He chat abidech is the doftrine of Chrift, hacb the Father and the Son. 'Rev. 3.1. 8, In this point then. Touching the true Church of Chrifi:, in re= Of the gard of outward prof effion, and vifiWe communion (to the touch of Chmch, ai which part, my dcfign thus leads me) I purpofenot fofar to gi-atifie calledCathc- the endlefs, and needleis janglings of any adverfarics of this Church /'4f. ci Einoland ; as to plunge my ielf, or the Reader, into the wide and See learned troubled Sea of co»f"o-z/(fr/?f, concerning the Church ; Confideving, ^''ch-"'°h ^^'^^ many good Cbriftians have been, andftillare, in the true Catho- re»,..-t ^> Jf'tf /'^^^'^«'''f^,bypfoft{Iionof tha'tf?-«^jvz/fZ-', and holy obedssvce, v^Hch «>,^,. ■ " uruEe of the Churchy at Catholikel f^ unite to the HeaA, Jefu. i r. ij. The Church of the firft borri fi/t at tanta ccdtjix mi efl iUaab Al'oftolis prima, ex qiiaomnfs, Ternxi. de pio!,aS Hx. c. JO, Eph.j-io.n. &<.i3- Clnift the Head of the Church, and rhc Saviuur of rhcBooy. V. 31. Chrift and the Chuich. Col. 1.18. Chrift' the Head of the Bjdy, the Chiitch. 1 Cor.iz. The Body is not one Mcmbgr, but mM)y,&c. vide. but So y of A Nati Offal Chttrch. Ecclefiain Kw-fcut in zmyJherioHs and religious communion with the fame God lii^inmt ^y ^^^ ''^'^' Mediator Jeius Chrift ; and to this Mediator Jefus nam dnmam Chrift, by tlie lame Word and Spirit, as to ih^ internal -part of Re- hahicans, umm Ugion ; alio by profeffion of the fame Truth and common Salvation, ammim & car joyned with obedience to the fame Cjolfel, and holy Minifiry^ with r" "^ r"*- charity, and comly order, as to the external. Eph-ViV'^' ^^ ^^^^ ^° ^■'^^'^ ^^ Article of our Faith, I need notbeftow my Jude 1." ' pains, finceit is lately handled very fully, learnedly, and calmly, by muxit ii M ;^t. a godly Miniftcr of this Church of England *, to whole Book I re- «■/ '"reaomf, _ fer the Chriftian Reader. OS fua 'iu^./u'a «iuttj«j«, -K. fjk'a iniAiisi», Juft. M. Dial. cUBi Tryphotte. ' Mr. Hudfen of the Catholike CFiurch" Tot & testtt ecel^fiie una tfl iUa ab Apofttla frima, dum mam emnes f/iebent veritatem. Terr, de prx' 9. This name of Church, being evidently given to the unhier^ality Of a l>{ati- of thole , who by the Altniflry of the Goffel, are called out of the ' onal Church, yjzy of the World ; and by proltirmg of it, axid fubmitting exter- or d.'/rinEi nally to its holy Jidinifiry, Order, %ules, Duties, and Infiitutes, are and larger diftinguifhed from the reil of the World : It cannor ht hard for any fart of the foberundeiftanduig to conceive, in what aptitude of fenle, any part Catholick^. of this Catholike Church, is alio called a Church ; with fome additi- onal dittincfions,and particular limitations, vifible and notable among men, and* Chriftians ; by which lome are fevered from others in ttn/e, .fUce, person's, ox any other civil drfcriminations oi' policy znA jcciety : Which give nearer and greater conveniences, as to the en- joyment and exercile of humane and civil ; io of Chriftian communi- on, and the offices or benefits of religious relations. 1 Cor 1. 1. Xhe Spirit of God m the Scripture gives fufficient warrant to this T.°^^^^. r ftile,and language ; calling that a Church (2.S of Rome, Epheffif, God whchis^"'^"'^'^'-'' J^^'^'^f^''^^'*'-' A>-itioch,' &c.) which conlifted of many Con- at cerinth. gregations, and Presbyters in a City, and its Territory, or Province : Afts i^. I. So the Apoftle Paul in his Epiftles to feveral Churches, diftinguifh- The Chu ch ^j}^ them by the civil and hw/Kune difiinflijns of pLrce, and Magi- «.f Artioch ^ ^^^ ^ ^ .^.^ ^f Qs^^.^^ ^Q ^j^g ^//^f/riChurches , calleth Afts 14. ij. each a Church dutmctly , which v^'erein great aiiociations, of many Tir.i. 5. faithful, under many Presbyters : And thefe under fome chief Prf- i»T^m\u, jldcnts, Apojlles, Angels, or Bifhops, rcfidmg in the prime or Mother Kev.2. &j. r;|[jg5 where Chriftianitv was firft planted, and from whence it utimnanrgne ip^'edto the Tevr.tcnes, or Provinces about. I'ivitaim cm- One would think, hcMzs, common ffeech, among all Chriftians, didci-iint ^po- (which is fufficient to juftifie, what word is uled to exprels curmean- ^oiiquihM ings to ochers,) That this were enough to confute the /i^^pZ/firy or ^icm'mldt- P^^'^'J^^^/cif thofe, who, to carry on new pro je£b, dare aver, That ■ fi'i'-tc c/, than either pious aatiijuitj, or the Scriptfires : Hoping by fuch grofs and luiexpeilcd ah^urdttics, ( which would fain appear very fliie and fcrupulous in language) to colour over Shifmatical and Anarchical defigns; and uuderfuch fig-leaves to hide the fliame and folly of their factious agitations and humors ; which makes them unwilling to be governed by any in Church or State, witliout themfelves have an oar in the Boat,anda fliare in the Government. This poor coneernment of fome mens fmall ambitions, makes them difown any Church, but (v,c\\->i conventicle oi parcel as fome men fancy to ftf//<'ff and c<^/?; which they infeil with the fame fancies of foleand full Churchfhip, and feparate Power. Whereas the Lord Jefm Chrifi always firft called men by his Miniflers to his Church ; and by Baptifm admit- ted them ; and by meet Governors, whomhep»? and ordained, ruled them, as his flock, in greater, as well as lelfer parties ^ ^sjacoh di6Qta,$m^ his diftinit flocks in the hands of his fons. By the fame Cynical Severity, thefe men may deny, they have re- lation to any other men , being themfelves compleat men ; or at moft that they arc to regard none, but their families where they • live; andfocaftoft' all obfcrvance to any g eater Societies in Towns, orCities, or Commonweals ; yea, and all lenle of humanity to the generality of mankinde , whom they fhall never fee together, or be acquainted with. Who doubts, notwithltandiiig this morofe folly, but that, as in all right realon, equity, and humanity, every man is related by the common nature to all mankinde ; foalfo, to particular politics and focieties of men, greater or fmaJlcr ; according to the diftinil combinations, into which providence hath catt him with them, either in Cities, or Countieys ? With whom, to rcfufe com- munion, and diibwn relation, is to fin againfl: the common prit.ciples commmtfoc'u' of Society, order, ■i.n^ government, which are in mans nature ; which ta'iiwnculum God hath implanted, Realon fuggefls, and all wile men have ob- *^'''""^ indigtn- lervcd, for the obtaining of an higher znd more common /rood, by ^"'' the pul^lick^s.nd united inpience of the counicl, ftrength, and autho- rity of many, than can be obtained, in fcattered parcels, or [mall and weaker fraternities. Inl'ikc mzner, to he in znd of the Church, is not oncly to be a true believer {which giycs internal and realunionto ["hriHr, and to M all tx of A NAtlond Chttrch, MccUpj unatfl all true Chriftlans in the Church Catholikj,) of which, no man can qugitttnuUU judge, becaule he cannot difcern it, lave onely in the judgement of '■"cnmmto'r*'- <^^^^'^y ) ^^^ ^^ implies alio to have and to hold, that profeffion of 'cuttdUatti tx- Chriftian Religion, in luch external polities, and vtfible communion teaditur. Cyp. -with others, as the providence of God, both offers and requires of deEcd. unit. US; according to the time, place, and opportunities, wherein he lets I Cor. 1. II. £-Q ^j ^g jji^y jjjofj. pjomote the common oood : Which lludv What man '. . i , ' . j °- r ■ ^, ■ knoweth the ^^'i "^^Y '^^ '^^i'' ^^ humayntj,^s men, and more in charity, as Chri- thingsof a iVians to any Church, or lociety of Chriftians ; Towhomcurcoun- m»n, faircthc fd and power, or our confent and fubjeiStion, may adde a further au- 0"^^'' °\ ™*" thovity, a more harmonious and efficacious influence, than can be Ljjj^ from ivazWox ununited ■parcels : So that a T^aiional Church, that is, fucha Society of Chrifiians, as are diftinftby civil limits znd relati- on, {rom other Nations, may not onely own, and accordingly aft, as they are men related in things civil ; but alio as Chriftians,they may own and wifely eftablifh luch a Church power, relation, and affocia- tion in matters of ^e/<^/o>7, asmaybeft preferve theralelves in true Doftnne, holy Order,: Chtillian peace, and good manersi by joynt counlel, and more vigorous power; The neemeji which they have, affording greater opportunities to impart, and enjoy the benefit of mutual counfel and charity, and all other communicable abilities, to ^nobler meafure, and higher proportion,, than can be had in leffer bodies ov combinations. This joynt, publick^ zndunitedauthortiy o( any Church, in any Nation ox Kingdom, is fo far from being flighted, as fome cayncious mindes do, that it is the more to be venerated and legarded by all good Chriftians ; who.know, ihzt dut^ enlarges with relations • and a greater charity is due from us to greater row w««/- tJes, both of men, and of Chriftians. OdiaquB ini- The greateft vexation of thefe new A(5! vvith thole new and Tmaller Incorforatiorts, which count themielvcs the oictj- true, znd properly lo called Churches; pretending more abloliste Church-power, movQ tx^A confiittitio-zi, mtd more cornf hit Scrip- ture-Reformat iof7, th3.n uny ai-Jtient,Tsl^atiofia/, dilated, and confede- rated Churches could, or ever did attain too. Herein, there is a ttrong excels on both fides, both Papal and i. By the Topuiar .- Firll, Tlie Romanifis extend the cords of then- Churches Romay)ifis._ power, and its header chief Bifhop,fofar,as if it were properly Catho- Baron. Anna like, and Oecumenical • that is, oy divine appointment invelted with Clmfti 4^. fovereign Authority, to extend and exercifc Ecclefiajlical polity i^],luicim efje and dominion over all other particular Churches, in all ages, andin qui 2 T^omaii* all parts of the World : So that it is (lay they) necejfary to falvation cithedra cogi- to be under this %pman jnrifdi^t'ion, &c. Whereas it is certain. That ""inme diVt(M the Roman Church, antiently was, andftillis (properlvfpcaking) v''t, ,, . j-n- rLL- u • 1 11 A\ ^ ■■ 1 P"^ !>o Bellarm.de diftmct from others in place, as well as name, and had antiently its Ko.-n. Pom.. limited power, zndjfirifdi£tiofi , extending to tVzfuhurbicanian fro- 1. 1. it. vtnces ; which were Ten, fcven in Italy, and three in Sicily, Corfica, f^etufta conjite- and Sardinia : According to thole (like) bounds , which occafionally '"f^ZZ^'lf ' ' from civil tides, both named and difiinguifhcd all other Churches p^jSj^^w^^ from one another ; in both the Aftaes, in Africa, and in Europe ; as mbicaniatum the Gallican', German, Britifh, ^d Nor bath -ever any thing, *'^f^/'»>'*«/»/i- either of Reafon, or Scripture, been produced by any (more than of r'^^'^l^a"!* true Anti^U'it^) whereby to prove. That we are bound to any com- j c.g^Concil^ inunioii (that is; (in the true meaning of proud a.nd politick^Reman- Niccn. >fis) to that fub'eUion to the Pope, and his party ; which may be jmoff for his and their honor and profit ) with the Church of Rome, further, than the rule of r/)?-//?/*?// charity obligeth every Chriftian, and every part of the CathoUke Church, to communicate in truth •and love, with all thole, that in any judgement of r^^r/Vj, are to be counted true Chriftians , lb far, as they appear to tis, to be lueh. \m' ■■ Nor is it Ids evident, That many Churches and Chriftians have fcarce ever known, much lefs owned, any claim of ^/ibetJion upon them, by the Roman Church : Which, however they had antiently a priority of order and precedency, yielded to it, and its chief Bifliop, for the eminency of the City, the honor of t4ie Empire, and the excel- lency of the reputed Founders and Planters, Saint 'Peter, and Saint Pnul; alio for tlic renown of the faith, patience> i\-]d charity of that Qhusih, vvhkh-wzs famous in all the PJ-^orld I Yet, tW this Primacy Rora.i. 8. M 3 or. Sfiptatio» to vih'ich, the holy ziid hfimble ^l^r^emt'fi-^'^^f^^^ i?o»*e. were- fver jealous of, and avoided; eipeciajly 'univirfalm fa-G^^g.o^y the Great ; -wiowasin nothing move worthy of that title, cerdotem, vtl than in: this. That he fo greatly detefted, protefied againft, and re- Efifcopum vo- fyfeJ the title of Vni'verjal Bijhop, when it was offered to him by je/'^r""" ^^^ Councel of (^halcedon .- Which both name and thuig v\'as in eUtione 'fua ^ft^'^ times gained and chalenged by the fride, policy, eovet osifxej?, Antichn^um and ambition, of thofe Bijhops of Rome , who by fome of their own prtecurrit ■ quia f^^gg Cenfeffion (as * Baronipu, * Genebrard, and others) were fuffi- pferbitHdofe ^jernly degenerated from that Primitive humility and fanEHty , 'Sl^Dccyria^ ^j^-^^ ^^^^ eminent in the firfl Bifkops of Rome, in thofe purer and CO ' confianti- primitive times ; who never thought of any one of thofe Three nop. Epiftop'i Crowns, which flatterers in after ages have fully hammered, and huncffivoli fg^ on the heads of the BiJJiops of Rome ; in a Supremacy, not of ^"'bt^m&m Order, but of Tower, zndplenarj JurifdtHion, above all Chriftians, «^eA* Jc. or Churches, or Councils in the Chriftian Wor'd ; which hath juft- Greg. M. 1 4- ly occafioned fo many parts of the Catholike Church, in that regard, ep. 3i, le. to make a neceffary feparation (not from any thing that is Chriftian *Baronms,an. ^jj^gng them , but) from the ttjarpation, tjrarinj, and fupersiition of Vadi/jiffia nunc thole Bijlops of the Roman Church, and their Faction, who un- ■ Jlomante cede- juftly claim, and rigoroufly exercile dominion over the Gonlciences ,^afacies,atm and Liberties of all other Churches, and Chriftians : With whotr, , Rom« domina- i]^^ Roman pride now letufethto hold ilich^pe.aceableccaiiiijunion, a-s rcHf«>'/'o «'#- oyohtuniveifally to be among Chriftians, (in refpeil; of order, ^nd flme me/cmus. charity ) unlels they wiJi all iubmit to that tyranny and:.i{jmfation, * See Gene- which bath nothing in it, but i'ecular pride, vain ;pomp, and worldly brard. ad Sec. dominion : Yet ftTll thofe of the Reman Church know. That all the 10. Vontifices ^^^^^^^^^ Churches, zs well as we of £»^^/^«^, ever did, and do hold, ivimte °ma. a Chriftian communion in charity with them, fofar, as by the Word jmumjrorfKs of God we conceive . they hold with the head or root of the Charfh, defccemnc. rhrist Jc^us ; with the jrcw;?^ and rule o£ Faith, tht Scriptures ^ •and ?with, all thole hdy.jP-rofeffhjs , ,hi- the purefi and primitive Churches : Of whole faith, lives, and deaths, having fome ^o»^- mentskk us, by the writings of eminent Bifhofs , and others ; wc - judg?, what was the tenor both of the Faith, Maners, and Charitf of: :tholc |'««y^/«^.ef,iW)3i^b:wq highly, y.eijeTate, and ftiivetoimi- Poflibly we might now fi'bfcribe to that Letter, which the .jibbot znd Monkj(ii Banger fent to Aufiin, (whom fome report to be OfinfAtlibiUtjifttheChurehJ #7 be a proud and bloody Monki) when he came to this 1v(^j((it Pt- fort : If indeed, theBifhop oi Rome, and thofe learned men about '11^'^/' '"^7 f' , . ,, ., r n ■ n •/■ 1 r ,r . n ■ oilitattm, fed him, would, without jaction, flattery, partiality, 3.najelf-tnterejt-, joyn pauh vtritaik their learning, counfels, and endeavors, in common, to reform the affenori ceffie 5 ;ptionSf I ' . ■ " and St True MimfirjwithoHt InfAllibiUty fufficient. and MapfteriiU determiTiations of any fraij, and finful men, who Mignim hge- may be as fallible, as himlelf : For, \vhcreas they may exceed him nium nwm m gifts oi kyiow ledge, they may alio exceed him in p;t///VKj, (elf-ift- 0^r"'& x't ^^*'^fi-'' P^'^^ ^^ P"^'^'' ; ^° ^^^^ he may not iafely tmft them on Vin.Lirinf * '^^eir bare Word, and affercion ; but hemuft feek to build his faith on I Cor. 8.7. the more fute Word of God, which is acknowledged (by all fides) Knowledge to be the lureft director, what to believe, to do, aiid to hope in the puttech up. ^^,jy q£ j^eiigioK, Nor may any private ChrilKans MrAetieredne^, fli$linefr\h'f '-hat cannot read; or his weaker intelleiV, that cannot reaion and Rom.e. 17. * difpute ; or his many incumberances of life, that deny him leifurc to Ye have obey- read, ftudy, compare, meditate, err. Thelemay nordifcourage him, ^d from the as if he v'^'ere a ^r/ «f f , and could neither bear, nor reap any fruit forln^ofd*- oi Cbrtft-ian RettgioH, becaufe hi h&ih no nif^lUble guide, ox ^ttdge : ftrine which Since the mercy of God accepts earnest endeavors, and an holy life , wasdeli^ered according to the power, capacy, and means a man hath; alio he par- te you. Aons t(mviUi?!g errdrs, when there is an obedierce from the heart, to A>*si^' ^^"' ^he truths we know ; and a love to all truth, joyned with hurftiltty, «>'t,.° -naAeharity.- v.\ aThcf.i.io. In order therefore to relieve the common defeFrs ct rr.en, as to Becaufe they the generality of them, both in Cities and in Countrcy Villages received no: ^,,vhere there is little learning by the Book, or Letter ; and great dul- truth that "^'"^ Wnh heavy labor) the Lord of his wij'dom and >f>-ercy hath ap- they might be point d that conftantW/ ordero^ the Mi m fir y, to be always con- faif^4. tinued in the Chtrtch ; that fo lear-/ied, fiudioMs, and able men, himp duly trjed,aj:proved,znd ordained to be Teachers and Pafiors-^ may by their light, knov;ledge, and plenty, iupply the dark^efi, (im-plicity, and penury o( comtmn feope -^ v^ho mnfi every rtian heft-iHj f erf waded inhu OK>>!minde, Rom.i^."^. in matter's of confcicncc ; and be able to give a reafonof thzt faith and hope which is in him, beyond the cre- dit of any meer mar), or the opinion of his infallibility, i Tet. However they may with comfort and confideKce attend upon their lips, whom in an W7 /»/£•«//?(/» of Minifiry, God hath given to them, as the ordinary and fufficient means of Faith ; And how- ever a fUin-ioearted 2.ndfirftple Christian may religioufly wait upon, and reft facisfied with thoic hcty means and myflmes, which are fo diipenced to him by true Minifiers, (who ought above all, to be both able and faithful ; to know, and to make known the tmth, a^ it is i)t Jefiu ;) Yet, may he not favingly; or conlcientiouil)' relie, in mat-> tevs of Faith, nor make his laft reiuit,upon.the bare credit, or perfon-i ai veracity of the Af/w/r^>' ; but he mutt coniider arxl believe every triitb, not becaufe the Minifler laith it, but bccaui'e it is grounded on the Word of God ; and from thence brought him by his AUnifter ; ^'hich ^^r/»f he judgeth to be true, not upon . the intaJIihility of any True Minifirj^withoHt InfaUibilitj^fuffisieftt. 8p any Teachers ; but upon that certainty -which he believes to be in the Scripture ; to which, Mforts of (^hi-iftians do conl'ent ; And to which, the Grace and Sfirtt of God lb draweth and enclineth the heart, as to clofe with thorei^mw^ fr^^j, to believe and obey them ; not for the authority of the Minift-cr , but of God the Reveater j whole excellent wpiow, rr«f/j, and /o-z'f , it diicerns in thofe things which are taught it by the Miniftry of man. So that, ttijl the fimpleft Chrirtian doth lavingly believe, and confcientioufly live, according to what himfelf judgeth, and is pevfwaded in his heart, to be the Will of God, in his JVord; and not after the diSlates o{ 2iny mzn : Which either vnritten, or jpoken, have no more authority to command or perfwade belief, as to "RjUgioK, than they appear to tVe believer, (and not to the (peal^er onely) groimded on the lure fVord of Cjod , and to be his minde and mill to mankinde. And as it is not abfolutely neceflfary to every Chriftian, in order - to Faith and Salvation, to be able with his own eyes to read, and fo to judge of the Letter of the Scriptuie ; lb it is the more ncceffary., that the reading and preaching of the Word fliould be committed to i TJm.i. s. able a»d faithful men; not, who are infallible, but who may be apt '^'''''"""' "s to teach, and worthy to be believed : Of whom, the people may 'i'^"^'' have great perfwafion, both as to their abilities, and due authority, to teach and guide them in the ways of God. We read in Irenaus,lttnxat,l.^', that in One hundred and fifty years after Chrift, many Churches of ^•4« . Chriftians, toward the rrfi^/^« Sea, andEattward, were very found in the Faith, and fetled againftall Heretical oi[ Schifmatical infinua- iions ; when yet they never had any Bibles or Scriptures among them J but onely retained that Faith which they at firft had learned, and were ftill taught by their Orthodox Bifl7ops,^nd Minifters ; which they never wanted in a due fi/cceffion:Oi vihoic piety, honcfiy, and cha- rity, they were foaflured, as diligently to attend their dotlrine, and holy miniFtrations ; with which the bleffing of God (opening their harts, as Lydia's) ftill went along ; lb as to keep them in true faith, love, and holy obedience. ,. Since then, no man or men can give to others, any iuch fure proofs, and good grounds of then ferfonal infallibility, as the 5(7r;^- r«rf/ have in themfelvcs, both by that more than humane Ittfire o( divine truths in it ; which let forth moll excellent precepts, paterns, and promifcs ; excellent morals andmyrtcries ; excellent rules, ex- amples, and rewards, beyond any Booh^ whatfoevcr : AUb, from that general credit, regard, and reception, which they have, and ever had with all (and moft with the beft) Chriftians, in all ages; as thf Oracles of God, delivered by holy and honefi- men ; for a rule oi faith, ^nd holy life; alfo for a ground of eternal hope : Since that from hence onely, even the Pope, or any others, that pretend to any N tKfaMilitj, 5ro^ Trm Mittifirf he^vndf minded InfaUibUitf^il^rUiffkAtions^ infallibility, oxin^irations, dofirftfeek to ground chole their pre<-f»j?- oHs, of which,every one that will be perfwaded,muft firft be judge of - thereajons or j'roaWj alleged to perfwade him j It is neceflary,that the (aj/cw^a) infallihibty of the Scriptures, muft be firft received, and believed by every Chriftian j in order to his being aflured of any truth, which thence is urged upon him to believe, oi- do ; Which great principle fetling a believer on the certainty ox ififalUbility of the Scriptures, as ix divide rpile of Faith and Life, is never to be gained upon any mens judgements and perfwafion (be they either idiotick^ox learned) unlefs there be fuch an authoritative Minijtrj, 3.ndiuch Mmifiers to preach, interfret, open, and .^pp/y the 5m^- ttires, byftrong and convincing (^e;wo;?/?r^r/o»/ , .which may carry credit and power with them. The face eJfio>-i then of rightly ordaiifed ■ JUiniJters is more neccflary to the Church, than any luch Tapal in- - ' fsilltbility ;. in as much, as it is more neceffary to believe the Scrip- fares authority, than any mans teftimony, which hath no credit but from the 5mpf0r(? .• Which while the Pope, or ethers, do feek to ' -wreft to their own I'eculir advantages and ends, they bring men at length to regard nothing they fay ; nofatall to confider, what they endlefly wrangle, and groundlefly dil^ute about trtie Religion, or the ' ' true Chitrch . . J25.ixny:U>;v.So abfolutely neceffary and fuiticlem in the Way of ordinary 'An able li^eans, is a right and. duly ordained Minifiry,. which (T /jr/'if hath ap- and rioht pointed to continue, and propagate true Chriftian Religion ; which Mini^ry is ever builds true Faith , and the true Church upon the Scrtptfires ; beyond any That, as there is no infallibiltty of the Pope, or other man ^ evident ■pretended by any %eajon, Scripture, or Experience, fo there needs none, to Infallibility, cai'i'y °^ '^'^^'^ S"^^^^ '^"''^ °f '""^"^ lalvation ; which Will then fail in any Church and Nation, when the right Miniftr'y fails, by foi'ce or fraud : If we can keep our true Chriftian Miniftry, and holy Miniftrations, we need not ask the Romanics, or any other arrogant Monopoliz.ers oi theChurch, leave to ovjnpm lehestme Chrifiians, and a part of the true CathoUh^e Church of Chriji- ; which'cannot be' but there, where there \saprofejfion of the Chrifiian R'eii^ivn, as to the main of it; m its Truths, Sacra»ie»ts,'P-dly ^imfir/fion's'zni Miniftry, rightly ordained ; both for the ability of the ordained^ and* the authority of the ordainers y although all fhouid bte accompanied' with fome humane failings. ' •'^^- .^"'•'"'"i,"'^'; Where the now Roman Church then, doth (as we ccmcei've) either in their do6lrinejorpra6Vri"e,varyfrom that Catholikely received rule the Scriptures,- wJaich are the onely infallible, certain, and clear ouide in th'mgs fundamental ; as to ftith, or m-aners 5 we are forced fo fATjjufilyandnecefarilf to leave them, and their infallible fallibility in both ;- yec charitably Hill , fo as to piny their crtol's j. to pray for yl their x\):^\'i enlightning, their re pe>itanc.e and pardon, whichwe hope fof t Where no niabce or corrupt lufis makes the additional efrors perni- cious • and where the love of truth makes them pardonable , by their eonfciencious obeying what they know, and defire to kno\'- & fchifmattm j^^ions,) and afterward to overthrow the very /o^w^/oot of f(«/>^ tur leron ia * ^^■'"^ ^''^'^■' ■' -^^ thofe every where did, who at any time corrupted Tir. ' any part of the Church, ajfe^ing Jingularities , and chofing rather to fall, hy (landing alone in a Reparation of Opinion ox Cj overnment^ than to feem to have any fupport by the ajfociation with others, in a mott puilick^way of common relation, unity, and fubjeBion .- Which undoubtedly carry the grcatcfl: ftrength andfafety with them, both in Ecclejiaflical, and Civil polities ^ twifting many fmallcr firings \nx.o one cord, and many cords into one able ; which will bcfl: preferve the Ship of the Church, as well as the State, from x.\ioif:^orms and difirejfes, which are prone to fall upon it, in Uffcr bottoms. The good cfttvils of which larger communion among men, and Chriftians,' allreafon and experience demonftrate to us in civil fccieties, which are the conservatories of mankjnde, by way of. mutual ajfiftance \n pnhlick^combinations ; while fingle peribns, which alone are feeble, and expofcd to injuries, grow ftrongby making oncfamily, and many families grow into a ViIIagc,Town,orCity : Many Vil'ages,Town«, tLndCitits, ank to onz wx.tntTriy:cipality ctCommvn-^vealth; which as a threefold cord, is not eafily broken. It js in all Church Hifiories moftevidcnt , That, asfocaasthe el to the Countreys about, as to prelerve Religion once plant- ed, in peace, unity, and order. Nor did thole particular Congrega- tions in Cities or Villages, turn prefently Acepalijh or Independents ; nor let up any (o'lcnxfaTia) heady or headlefi bodies, in every corner ahd meeting-place : For, however Clirifliansift-lbme places, might at ^r/? amount to but I'ol mall a number, as would make but one convenient Society, or (Congregation, under one Bijhop, or Presbyter, with the 1>eacans ; and I'o' might for a time continue in private boxnds, not correfponding with, or depending on any other company of Chriftians , as to lefler concernments , which might eafily be managed among them : Yet, where the number of believers increafed, as in Antioch, Jerufalem, Ephefta, Corinth, 'P^me, &c. both in the Cities, and their Territories ,. all Hiltories of the Church aver j That, as by thole dilates of religions Reason, which fiift guided the Apofiles or Apofi-oHke-fnen, to caft themlclVes and believers, into fuch lejfer bodies, and difiinB: focieties, as might belt ferve for the con- venience oi meeting together in one place , according as neighbor- hood invited them : So ftill (as growing parts of the fame body, and increafing branches of the fame Tree) they preserved the firft, great, and common relation, of descent and extraiiien, from the Mother City ■ So as to correlfond with, to watch over each other ; yea, and tohefubjeS (in every particular Congregation,zs well as families) to thofe, who were the original of their infirttBion and converjion^^ and who by a kinde o( paternal right, together with Apofiolicalzp^- poiiument, and common confent of Chriftians, hzd xhe chief power and autkority for InfpeAion and Government over them, within fucH precindfts and bounds ; yea, all Chriftians were thus fiibjeiftcd, and united in greater and ditfufed Churches, not by any civil aecejjlty • liich as compels men by the fwordand force ; but by that necefftty of gratitude, fenje of priority, prudence and charily ; which bound by love, humility, and wisdom, particular Chriftians firft to one Society cr(Convention : And thefe particular Congregations to ^rf^f«- frater- nities ; and thefe to a more ample and Catholtks communion ; for the mutual pei^.ce , and good order of the whole Church of Chrift ; which ibiight to prcferve it felf, even in the eye of the world, as one entire body, under one head, Chrifi Jefits. iCor. ji. 25, So that the imaginary pat em in t he Mount, the primitive praftiie ^^' ^ N 5 which ^ '^'*' * ^4 Qf Chu¥chisinl^§t(;S0f$'* which fome men love to talk of ( by which they .>voukl foi-ct aJl large and a mpliated Churches, (which have now received (as they did at firft ) diftinitions and denominations by the Cities , Civil Jurildi£tions, Kingdoms, or Nations, wherein they are ) to thole leffer Forms , wherein they fancy (and not unhkely) a lingle Con- gregation of Chriftians, in any place, at firit enjoyed themielves un- der fome -^po/?/^x 01 ont(>i A fofioLks appointmeni, who was their BilhoporOverfeer over them,) This, I fay, feems to be fo childiflia fancy, fo weak, arid unreafonable an imagination, That i: is aJl one, as if they would needs reduce themielves to then i>:f^:ffi coats, now they- are grown men. '■..:.■ . .. - ■ -( - Arid what I pray doth hinder (fav« onely '):he>«"ye/ o^fiioits iand j&;;i»ior/ cf thefe men,) that, Chriftiaii Religion (which p»S«y^ej reason, to ferve God and the Church, in all comely ways) may not ufe thofe princifles and nt-les, for order ^Mfiity , peaie],3ind mutual [a^e- tj of Chnliians, in their multiplied ««»/"^fr^.and/w/>f/>j 5 which we are rauglit, and allowed to uie in all ctyil ,njfaciario»^s /■,, Yea.and not; onely allewed, - but enjoy ned to obferve in ; Eeclef.afi-icay folity and Go'vernmeKt, by that gre.%t and fsind^.meKta-l Cahoti of the Afo- 1 Cor. 14. 40. /^^r Lej, all thiiigs be done decently, afd in order ; which muft hold;,^ ViCX. Qxxt\^'\xi ^ri'vatezmdle^er -parcels, but La the more i^Jr^e and «'«- fe^ralpartsoftncClyfirchoiChriJt., . .^ ,•■ ' .. t Bnt Keafoii then , and^»ons, which arife ftv^rtl tbaj; Ciurekr dividing andlCharity-deJhoying principle of I>id'epenicnt-'Cor.p-ega- Rom.r^.J. " tions ; which was never uied in any times of the ChKreh,. further Greet tlie jj^^n the minor iiy and /^/» to^^hat part whence :^h€ydelices'ded,. andio which of England they related ; - and they\were notas Celprji.^s m S'ips, Ip.triinfplaut- rot bli?-,' able ^^^^^^^"^^^^^^^ astogi'ow Independtnth of themfelves, apart irom r ^^^ ^^_ all others : Oiw' hich, there is no example, in Scripture or Antiquity. tion.-'l com- ^^ fcllovvs then'. That what was fetJed in this or other like Chriftian Churches, was no whit blamabJe, as any thing, oi.pfeer ■ ■ . . hy^niaae T^e church of EfigXznd, MNMmd. pjj' humane invention, or any fnperfluoKs and corruft ^Mition to any precept, pat em, or confiitutioti, either of Chrifis or the Apofiles ; who never prohibited the ordering of Churches in larger ajfociatiom or Governments ; extending to Cities, and their Territories, to great Diocefies, Provinces, and Nations • Since there is no precept di" praitife, limiting Churches power, and ioclety, to private and fingic Congregations : Yea, there are fuch genera! directions, aftd examples in the Scripture, as command, or at leaft commend rather than con- demn thole analogous or proportionable applyings of all orderly and prudential means for union and communion, according as the various ttate, and times of the Church may reqmre j ■which ttill aym at the fame end, the peace and welfare of the Church, both in the kjfer and d^ •. thtlarger exients;-vi\yvc\y are juftly fo carried on by the wife Governors '' ■-■'■■ "' and ProteEtors of the Church, according to the general principles s.nd rules, or patents of piom and charitable prudence, fet down in the Scriptures ; beyond which, in this cafe of the Churches outward (?r«/f7" . and polity, there neither is, nor needs, other direilions ; no more, than on what Te.vf and Su-hjeSl ; or in what method- and place j or how long time, and how often a t^Jnifier muft pray, or preach ; and people muft hear Sermons, or attend /»»/>' duties. That antient and excellent frame then, of this Church in Eng- land, which in a National union, by civil, religious, zn^ [acred bonds, was fo wilely built,' and for many ages compaited together, and which hath been lately fo' iintietmiif ed, lb hackt and hewn, with p'a0- anate writings, znddiffutings, and actings, that it is become notone- ly a tottering, but almoft a quite demolijhed and overthrown frame • This Church, I fay, hath fufFered this «^r^ /^/,.than forany, either mifchief, deformity, dcfefts, orAntichriflian excefs in tire way and frame it felf, as to its grounds and conftitutions : Which vverc fetled and long approved by very ii ?/f , holy, and learned men • carrying with them, (as much, as any Chriftian, or Reformed Church did) the linedments, feature, beauty and vigor, of thofe famous Primitive Churches; which in the itiidft of herejies and per fecui ions kept thcmfelves fafe, as to truth and charity, not by the fhreds of Independent Bodies, but by the ft:- tlires'of Chriftian Aflbciations ; m Provincial, National, zndOecu- menical enlargements : Such ample and noble platforms of religious leafon, and faniftified wifdom, asnot ^w^/V/'(?wjw//'c^, hut ChrJfiia» charity, and prudent humility, embraced"; which, as our new models and projeElions will iitver mrnd, fo they much commend thofc antient happy gg Seekers and Scef ticks, models, and patcrns, by thole multiplied mischiefs cnfuing inevitably upon the prifumptious of pofierity ; which have raflily adventured thus to remove and change the antient limits, markj, ^x\A orders of the ^hurch , which Primitive Fathers and Afoftles had recom- mended and lecled, I ^. , , .Which temerity of thus mincingi.nA crumb It fig, or teari>7gznf Seekers Church NatJoKal (being the iffue of no Synod, or Council m the thence. CWf A, but onely of private fancies, and moH-vjhatmechanick^ad- Thc Eiciycbian ventures) hath, we fee, made fome poor fouls turn Scefttckj and Hereticks re- Seekers zitzx true Religion, s.ndz true Church ; being wholly un- f*^"!? "h r^' ^^^^^^^y either with the abolition of the old way, or the various m* tholike Faith" ventions of »ew ways. Thefe profeis, whether out of wenks'^JS, pure confirmed by * ignorance, paffion, or policy (God knows,) That they are Chrtftians the Council no further, than to fee , that all (^hrijlian Churches are now, and ^^ u^A^y!^'"* ^^"^^ been, ever fince the Apofiles times, adulterous, impure, deform- felves a!™"/. *'^' znA Antichrijlian-', That, they are wholly to /Vfi^ for any rr/