fFVLL REPLY! *> Tocertainebriefe Jfj J* Obfervations and Anti-Queries Jf |J on ^ of his Name)and his weak grounds for Independency, and Separations modcftly difcovcrcd, <%* rcfcllcd. Jr By William Prjnne of Lincolnes Inne> Efquire* c§* ; : 1 *# Socrates Scholaft icus Ecckf.HiftJ. 5.C20. v *g> * Ecclefia cum femel efet divtfa,^onuHa dtvifione ac^Htevit^fed homines abfe mu- *° <§*§• f#0 4wr/, al er ab alter o denuo fcejferunt ; at a He odes EX 1 G VA M L E~ *8* &£ confociationifque virxuL difruperunt. f^ <§# Mark 9e 50. *g> ^ /fotv fait tn your [elves, and have petce one tvith another* ' $=% J£ , lohn 18.37. .Jjg r* r£/> a*/*** /&>r#, W/*r this caufe come lint* the mrld, that Ifhouldbeare Ilu f xviincfPe unto the truth. W W -rfw / therefore became pur enemy, becoufe I tell jm the truth * f* _ : — _ «$ LONDOX, [ Printed by F. L. for Michael Sfarkt Senior, and arero bee fold at the *¥ Bkw-Bible in Green- Arbmr. 1644. **** A full Reply to certaine briefi Observations i£tc!ef.4^ &;©al.4.t^ IU A full Reply to certainc briefc Ob : fervations and Anti-queries to Mr Trynnes Twelve Qaeftions about Church- Government. F all the vanities and vexations of spirit, enumerated by the roy- all Preacher, this is one of the principal/, [a] That for all travel! p And every right works, a man is envied Cyea, many times hated, oppu ki \ed) by his neighbour* Th is hath been a Iwayes my con- dition heretofore and now ; my befi aElions and pubhks fervices for the common good, have been mifconftrued, traduced, my cen^relTn an'high degree, as evill, by many ; though (blefTed be God) appro- ved, yea gratefully accepted by the beft-afrecied to the fkiicity , tranquiJiiry of Church and State. . i The importunity of fome Reverend friends, lamenting the deplorable difiratti- on* of our Churchy which threaten difunion, arid fo mine to us, in thefe unhappy times cfinteftinewarres, prevailed fo ftrre,as to induce me to compile and publish Twelve confiderableferious quejltons touching Church-government -out of a cordial defire fas much as in. me layj to clofe up,not widen our divifions. Which chough they have given ample fatisfa6tion to manv truely religious, of all ranks and qualities who have returned me Ipeciali thanks ; yet they have found very Sould have returned no Reply but fileneef there being nought in thefe Obfe turn worthy anfwerjbut only to reciifie fome miftakes therm and fliew the op- Dofite party thofe common crrours vvherby they deceive them fejves and others. The firft thin* this namelefTe Refpondent quarrels with,is [c\For my writing by p way ofQiore • To which I anfiver, that I had both Prefi dents and Reafons for it. Trefidents' from our Saviour himfelfc, who both wfiruEted, refuted , con- vinced his oppofites and auditors by demanding QvfKons oneTy^k. 2.4^4>.Matth. ii x toao.c.xa.?,toxj.a^7- 2 9.c-2i-23,to4?. C.22. ib,to2j. ciS.it. prefidents from Philofophers , Fathers, School-men , and all forts of Writers, ancient modern, over-tedious to recite. . . • $ \ Reafons : s. I conceived the Options toucmng church-government were not rightly ftated by m©ft-and that the right Rating of them by way of Qirefti^ •11 would be thebeft ancf fpeedicft meanes to decide them. 2. The Indepen- ' dent party had neither then, nor fincefto my knowledg; dogmatically rcfolvQi or discovered in print, what that church-government is they fo eagerly contend for and pretend to be &> plainly fet down in the Word of God : and therefore I conjectured fech gperics to be the onely meanes to difcover.and refute their ' *" * concealed and Ani-QuztHS to Mr Prynnes twelve £&ejwns^^^^^^^ concealed Platforme. 3. The controverfies concerning church-governmen^ were then and now in agitation in the Synode and high Court of Parliament \ the propereft Indges of them -, therefore I thought it better became me in point of modetty and good manners,to expreffe my opinion of them byway of Queftion 9 then Deafion. Finally, I found all Independents guilty of Petitio principii 3 in their Writing*, Sermons^ Dilcouries, peremptorily concluding their forme of church-government, to [d]be the onely Government inftituted by Chrifl , ^ d Tit iip©fo: ONLT WAY OF GO "D.^vloich hath more of 'God and Chrifl m it then another; gewallNx-/ the Kmgdome, Scepter, and Throne of fori fl himfelfe. and no other way be fide it ; «" on 5 A|r [e] That by the beamy a*d perfctl c on fe nancy of this Government with the Word of A *]£? j" * *> : God, it may very reafonably (yea % and upon higher termes then of reafon ) bee two of theBrtf thought, THAT IN TIME IT CANNOT BVT OVERTHROW ALL thrcn, W itli J SORTS OF ECCLESIASTIC ALL GOVERNMENT, (and I feare civil] others.- too by the felre-fame reafon; AND STAND VP IT SELFE IN THEIR t c ^.*$ !y B oF STEAD ; which they clofe up with a, Faxit Deus &fefiinet: and, that writing or t ^ n to^ s" difputino- aoainfl this Government \or oppofxg it in any kind, yea in thought Js mo leffe p. 1 1 1 # * then [f JVfIGHTING AGAINST GOD yvhichwitt bring certain ruine on our fMafter Iolw Retime in general!, and all private , open oppofers of it : yet not one of them fnor Goo< |wins Hsj this" Refpondent) hath hitherto fully dilcovered to us, what this WA T or Go- **** 4ah vernment is ; nor produced any ©ne Scripture or Reafon to warrant thefe fuper- Jati ve Encomiums of it, b»t we mult take all they fay as Gofpel, upon their own bare words, without examination or difpute : And therefore I propo/ed thefe, -wkfr-t 2 other fubfequent Qu. conference the Government , Difcipline under the Gofpcl is variable , alter* abie too, and Co not fixed, nor immutable. His fecond Argument, That Chrijljbwld neither be faithfull as a hmbandjhead^ nor King of his Church, tfhejhould give others power to order it as they plea fed to their owne civs// Government ; not fett'tng downe his owne Lawes f&r them to walks by, is both a fallacy and abiurdity. There is no man doubts but that Cbrift in the Scriptures (which fbme of you refuic to heareread in our fhurcher, though * pub/ike readingof them be Gods owne ordinance) hath prefcribed to us all necef- * £ xo< j 2 • ; fary Rules and Lawes both far our faith and lives, either in a general] or fpcciall Dcut^i.x i. manner ;but that Chrift hath pun&ually and particularly fet downe any exa& Iofli.8.34. unalterable form of church-government, for all Chrifiiah Nations, Churches to l ^ n S J z2 -*; follow, under pain ofbeingHnfaithfullin aU the former refpeEls ; and that ^he In- ^eh 8°/? &c dependent Modell alone is that very partcme (the onely point in queftion)re- c.?.j,ca$.Y. mains on your part to make good. A man may be a faithrull husband,King,Ma- Ier.jtf: 6.1:024. fier, Father, though heprefcribe not diitinit particular Lawes, to regulate each ** ukc 4* 1 * • particular a&ion of his Wife, Subje&i , Servants, Children : * Let all things be ™*H'*f 3 ** done decently and in order, (a general! rule for church-government)is fufficient to Qo\'±\*6 * ' excufe Chrifl from thefe your prefiimptuous reproaches, and regulate ail partial- 1 iief.M7. iars, though left indefinite* ^ *iCor.i4.4o His third Argument, that Mev.% 1.1,2. we read of a\ meafiringofthe Temple; l^ clike **? and -fo^.21.1,2. of the new Jerufalem comming downe from God out of heaven . tt :db y w ™ ch prepared as a bride adorned for her husband ; Ergo there is a fetled di vine chu rch- wa$ i n( Wn- government univerfally prefcribed ro all ChnfHansin the new Teftament ; is dency. no better a proofe ofthis aflertion, then the Avgtlof the Church of Ephefa, is of our Prelates Lordly hierarchy jure divino* He might as well , yea more pro- perly have concludea thence, That the Altar was meafured as well as the 7>w- ple y Xevelat.i 1 .i. ( referring oneiy to the * Jewffinot chriftian Church, which *E*ech. 40. hath no *Temple nor Altar:) Ergo we ought to have an Altar , yea and one fet * 41* form. ofAkars in all chriftian Churches under the Gofpeii : which I hope you ^q^"/ 1, dare not averre. f l • r ' 9 ' 3> Afterthefe three Independent Arguments ,he pretends my third Qtiere contra- Hcb.7.1 3, di&sthe firft, becaufel fuppoie a church-government may be confonant to Gods Word in the general! , which is toot particularly prefcribed in it ; A pret- ty fancy ! As if nothing could be confonant to Gods Word, which is nor parti- cularized or verbally enjoyned in it : Are not our materiall churches, garments, temporal! Magiftrates, Majors, Corporations , Parliaments, Courts of juftice. Laws of ail forts,yeaFeftivals,Covenants,monthiyFafts,&c.confbnant to Gods Word, becaufe not literally prefcribed in it ? Are your private church-cove- nants, unmixt Communions (as you phrafe them,) crediions of Independent congregations without the licence of temporal! Magiftrates, not confonant to the Word in your owne opinions, though no where extant in it ? If not , then all your divine pretences for them vanifli and you yeeld yourcaufe : Ifyea,you muft then recant this pretence of a contradi&ion , till you are able to prove it better then ye t you lia vc done* t A 3 Having A juU *Refly to certaine briefc Obfertpauens Having played the Logicians and contradictors part fo well, he next betakes himielf to \\\i Anti-Queries to prove a iet church-modell : which are three. 1. If no prefeript forme (of church-government ) in the Word, why not EpifcOm pacy (especially regulated and moderated) as well as presbytery ? Ianlwere, if you meane it of Lordly Epiicopacy , there are abundant preg- nant Texts againft it, to prove it oppolite to Gods Word. If of moderated or regulated Epffcopacy,the iame with Presbytery :if the Parliament by the Synods advice unanimouily ettabiifh it, as mod confbnant to the Sjriptures. and moft agreeable to the civill Government, I mall readily fubmit unto it without op- poiition, and why not you and all others ? 2. If church-government be fssited to State's, whether Politicians are not more fit to confult about eft ab lifting it ^Why is an Affembly of Divines called to fearch the Word abopit it ? I anfwer, that my pofition is, That every church -government ought to be fuita- hie to Gods Word, as likewife to the civill State 5 Therefore Politicians and Statef- men are fit to beconfulted with, to fuit it beft to the civill State; and an Aflem- bly of Divines, to fquare it likewife by and to the Word : the true reafbn why in this our Realme, and all other Chriftian States (as I can abundantly manifeft if need be) Ecclefiafticall Lawes and formes ofgovernment have ever been fetled by Parliaments, with the advice of Synods, Councells, wherein Statef-men and Church-men have jointly concurred in their deliberations and votes, ufing both the Bible and the Law to fettle it, and not throwing either of them afide, as in- compatible, as ignorant or lawleffe perfbns deeme them, but joyning both to- gethei * But very ^° ^ s ^M Anti-quere I anfwer, That it is more reafonable the * State fhoald be umeafonabie f^H € ^ t0 Chrift s rule, then Chrift to its diretlion : But this Quereis quite befides that Chrift, the Queftion, till you prove infallibly, That Chrift hath prefcribed a fet uxaltera- the Church, ble divine government , to which all churches, Nations \ States , mstft neceffarily con- Srate,Synocf $ f orm . ^ clearly manifeft what this Government is in allits particulars. Till this be fhouldte 11 ^ done the fole queftion i$ y Whether chriftian princes, Parliaments States Synods #n- fubjeet to der the Gofpel, have not a lawfull power toprefcribe Eccleftafticall X iwes ami forms of your di&ates, Government, not repugnant to the Word,not to Chrift himfelf, (as you pretend)^ t§ not you to aRparticuLtr churches, congre gations, fnbj 'this under their refpeffive jurifdtcl ions} and whether the whole reprefentativeChurch and State of England in Parliament, have not fufficient authority by Gods law to over-rule and bind all, or any particular members or congregatious ofit, as well as the major part of an Independent congregation^ power ta * This Rule * over -vote and rule the leffer part . ard to order, yea bind any rf their particular mem* aUdifrch- 11 ^ rJ? A trut ^ *" oc * car -- that no rationall man, good Chriftian or Subje&can deny afl'emblies " %lt ' ^ ^ or && i atter P ar t o-*this Q^ere, Thaithe Saints thinly Chrift is King alone Synods, Par- over his Churches, and hath not left them to (ubftitutes, and the politick^confiderati* Jiam?nts 3 ele- ons of mm to begovernedby j Ifhemeanes it onely of matters of Faiths or of in- f^^hf" rerila *i£ overiimentover ^ fouics of men ft may paffe as tolerable ; butifhe focver. L "" i^t^.^itof externall Ecclefiafticall Government, Difcipline\ or order in the Church, or State as Chriftian, heemufl renounce his Oath of Allegeance,his Jate Proteffation , Nationa 1 l Vow and Covenant, and make Rom.13.1, to 6.1. Pet^i.ii^^.Tit.i.i.x 7^.a.i,2;3.tob4pocryphaU;the ConfetfTons of all Proteftant ana ami-*zHiTKS tt>mrrrynues twctV€^ucsuons. Pfoteftant Churches heterodox; and deny christian Kings, Magift rates, and bigheft civill powers, to be Chrifls fub/titutes, Vicars, in point of Government, (to whom Chrirt hath delegated his Kingly power) as truely as Mimiters are his deputies in point of induction, admonition, to whom he hath bequeathed his Prophetical! o trice. 2. In his anfwer to my fecond Qvere, he firft wilfully mifreckes it, then infers , *• f a blind obedience from it to all fuperhurs commands ; be they never fo unjufi or con. Yout P art y . trarytoGodsWordiwhexzzsmy QnefUon fpeaks onely cflaypfull decrees } &c. t y nt who" confonantto Gods Word, and to the civill Laivcs, Government , and manners of the without difco. people; to which every ChrifHan in point ofcon/cienceis bound to fbbmit (with- Vcr y or 'P ro0 ^ out any danger of blinde obedience) by the exprefle resolution of Rom. 13.1, to 6. of "y°«r New- 1/^.2.14,15, 77r. 3 .r. E*r* 7 .i6. 3*fi.t.i6,i 7 rf. ZIM.13.17. If any taaii ^B^ deny this verity, he muft renounce not oneJy his Chriftianity, but his Allegeance fcbmit unto it and Humanity too. Bfttfuppofe (faith he) the whole Parliament and Sy node (ho aid as the onely err e in commanding a Government that is erronious or untrue, mufl we then fubmit w *y of Chrift.' unto it ? I anfwer, rirft, fuch an ovcrfight is not to be preiumed before it becclu- aJJy committed ; and it is neither * chriflian^ charitable, nor anywtyofChrtfljlius * 2 Cor - T 5* to prejudge their refoluttons. Secondly, ifthe Decrees or Government they efta- *' 7 * biifli be not siireclly againft Gods Word, nor pernicious to our fouiesi, though not altogether fuch as we could wifti, yet we ought contentedly to fubmit un- to it without opposition : If contrary to the Word we muft then pafpvely fubmk thereto for the prcfent, and expeel a redreffe in Gods due time. But if it be fuch a Government and Difcipline, under which wemay freely enjoy th^ fincere and powerful! p'eaching of the Word , the due adminiftration of'the Sacraments, andail other Ordinances of God neceffary for curfalvationand edification, (as we may doubtleffe do under a Presbytery, and that government our pious Parli- ament intends to fettle) we ought cordially and cheerfully to fiibmit thereto; yea * 3 ;.h. g >c ; thankfully to embrace and bleffe God for it, and can neither waiwardly oppugne 17. z.fi.*°c. i* tiorrefufefubmilTion to it, without arrogancy , contumacy y and apparent fchifme. * E '« c.i. As for his qU-eftion concealing my owne and fellow-brethrens fujferings 3 (which we Sec m l B « v f - deeme our Honour, not our Shame) I anfwer, that none of us fiirfered for oppo- fal^En- Bi ~ fing, writing, or /peaking againft the Bifliops legall authority, or any ceremo- croachments, nies eftablimed in our Church by At\ of Pariiament ; but onely againfi their pre- &c ThcVnbi- tended divine right to their Epifcopall Lordly power, diametr ally contrary to Scrip- doping of ture, Fathers, Counceis^the befi Protefiant and Popifh Authors, the * Statutes of our Jj™° xh*/?* Realm $ and againft their Innovations in dcclrime, difcipline, ceremonies, canons, &c. r a l ou C * a *~ contrary to the Lawes of the land , Articles , and Homilies of our Chiifcfi ; as thors in aJ] the Parliament hath refblved, yea all our Books demon ftrate, and Dr B*fl- a ? e * concer- »*V^indirecUermes, in the Preface of lus Flagellxm : And therefore it could "-^V^JK* b be neither pride, arrogance, nor fchifme, butmeer confeience and duty in us ; to [^ BUton^ Gppofe them in thefe their ufurpations and innovations only, contrary to the Laws and Presby- of 'God and thtRealme: If he and his would containe themlelves within thefettrv Thcan- our bounds, our Church mould enjoy more peace, their perfons more honour, $"& of tht then now they are likely to gaine, byoppofing, ptejudicatijig both the Padia- ly^l]^^ merits and Synods proceedings, though never fo pious, coniciencious, religious, xhe cl/ncb- 3. His pretended contradictionpf the third Quercto the firft,is formerly an- coale^&c. fivered, 11 * A juU Kqlf to ccrmne bnqc uqervattm fvvered; Khali onelyadde, that things may J>e confbnant to the general! Rules of Gods Word, though not precifelyprefcribed in it: Yea, Independent Ladies and Gentlewomen, (and you I hope,) will grant, that their different rafoions, ha*. bits, colours, attires, are all agreeable to Gods Word, K i£ modeflj and warranted by this generall precept 1 Tim.z.p. Let women adorn themfelvesin modefi apparel, though not particularised in the Text : So may a church-government or Drejfe be confbnant to Scripture,though not precifely delineated ©renjoynedbyir. 4» To the fourth he gives noaniwer at all, but bids me prove it • which I have done already in my Indt pendency examined, tillk bedifproved. ,f . To the fifth, he grants that Independency will overthrow all National! Churches Not a. arid Synods • and the two Independent Brethren affiire us in their Reply to A*S.p. m that in time it cannot but overthrow all other forts of Ecclefiaflicall governments s Is it not then a turbulent, dangerous, fchifmaticall, unquiet (that I fay not infuil ferable) Government, by your owneconfeilions, which will admit no equall nor corn vail ; nor yet any Nationall Church, Synod, Parliament, Prince, or tempo- ral! Magiftrate, to exercile anyJEccleiiafticall , Legiflative, or Magifteriall au- thority over any of their Conventicles, members, perfons, liberties, eftates^ much iefTc tneir consciences, sls they are Chriftians ? Will any Parliament, State, or Na*. tion, (thinkeyoujfufferfucna Government to take root among them, which will un-King , un-Parliament , un-church , un-Nation them altogether , and make each feverall congregation an abfolute Monarchy, Church , Rcpublick, Nation, within it felfe, (Spending on , fubordinate wholly to it felfe, as if it and they were no part or members of the publike ? The Lord prefer ve us from fiich a dividing and overturning Government. As for his invectives againfl the For- mality, Tyranny , and e^flaving of mens judgments in the Presbyteriallway, as inoon- fftent with fpirituaU liberty and State priviledges % they are meere groundiefie ci-r iumhies, to draw an odium on it,(fbmeof your male-contented party proreflin^ they would rather let up Lordly Epifcopacy, which they have abjured , then it) whereas thefe afperfions fait better with your independent modelI,which is more rigid, uncharitable, un foci able , Papail , tyrannical Anti^monarchicall , Atti-fjno- dicall, yea Anti-par liamentall, (as I have elfewhere manife'tedj then any other church-government whatibever. As for my pretended bitter exprcfflms ,they are fo fuirable to the effects and reall confequences of this New way, (as you ilile it) that I could not exprefTe my felfin other language .without injury to the truth : and if any of my befl Friends \ who flood by me in n y fufferings •, deem them- felves injured or reproached by them, (as you pretend, though none of them have yet complained to mej it is (I hope) onely fcandalum acceptum t mn datum ; and * Lev. 19.17 J prelume my Friend? are fo ingenuous,as not to be offended with me for* reproving X;.il,4.ttf.c.i. on iy t [ jeir erYors vv i c h ingenuous freedom, in which I manifefl my felf their^r**-. 13 14. Rev \\ t e fiF r i*»d } bec2cafe I neither (pare nor flatter them in their mistakes : However, 1 1 \ wiil jufti- though I really honour all my Chrifthm Friends^? well Independent zsPresbyteri- ikmc herein. *// fvvhom you mofticandaioufly traduce as Epi/copall and time-fervers here- tofore) yet I preferre the: * truth of God, the peace and fafkty of my Native, IfarimVami- bleeding, dying Church and Coun trey, (now much endangered by ourunhap- ca vcr/tas. * py divifionsj before all Friends or earthly comforts whatibever. As for your pretended unfubje&ion of Pre byterian Synods and Churches to the Parliament in 4nd Jnti^Qucries to Mr Prynnes twelve ghiejiions. in fetling Ecclefiafticall matters, I neither know nor plead for any fuch j and our prefent AfTembly being both appointed, directed by , and fubmitting allv their determinations wholly to the Parliament, (as they are obliged both by Orders, Protection, Covenant , and profefle they ought to doe) armcs me fuifici- ently againft any fuch improbable untrue (urmife. . 6. Tothefixth CWv be returnes ne anfwer,but plainly yeclds.that there was never any Independent Gi&rch in Any age or Nation whatsoever, totally conver- ted to the chrifiian faith, till this prefent ; nor any one Author that maintained it, till Mr Airfworth (a Separating) from whom the Apologifis profefle their dif- fent in Tome things. As for any reverend godly perfons who now contend for this new Model! , though I reverence -their perfons , judgements too in other things, yet I cannot iubfcribc to them in this new danger o its By-path , which is not yet fo beaten as to deferve the name of ChriftsRiad -way, V or the newfuppofed light, dtfcovered in thefe dajes, touching church-government , if ycu meane it onc- ly of your Independency , (which you borrowed from the Brormifts, or Lowicoun- trey Anabaptifis, the firft inventors of this Government) I doubt when brought out to the light, and examined by the word of light , it will for the mo If part prove but twilight, if not dark?ej[e : If you meane it of any other light , that is truely fuch, wcblefle God for it, and defire to walke brotherly and unaniU ,# rnoufiy in it. In the feventh he grants, that the Law of Nature, which infirutls men to unite j r themf elves into one Nationall State, or civill Government, doth likewifc teach them to joine themf Ives into , fubjeCt them* "elves unto one Nationall Church and ta Nationall Synods, Parliaments, ix point of church- government ; in which' every particular man hath his Vote, though not in proper perfbn.(fince all cannot pof- fibly aflemble) yet in their deputies, Knghts, Burgejfes, or felecjed Commfjf oners : andxhou^h it be true that Chrifi hath net given Magi firates fuch abfolute autho- rity over mens confeiexces as bodies, (as you object) yet he hath enjoyned us to be * fubjeEb to the higher powers, and to every Lrufull ordinance of man (not repugnant ^^^ x r r to his Word) EVENT FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE /and THE LORDS 1 ^ uz: { A f SAKE too. For my paffage, That there is no example of gathering independent congregations, not of Infidels but of men already converted to , and fetledin the Cirri fltan Faith, unleffe derived from the private conventicles of Arrians, Nova- tians , Donatifts, and other Hereticks, who yet were not independent among them- themfelves ; it is not a bitter fpeech, (as vou phrafe it) but a true one, and onely bitter to you becaufe undeniable : For as it was the * common praEbice ofthofefe- ± . during Hereti c^s t Sefbaries , to gather private Conventicles of thetr own, and labour to ^^ J **' 1 .. T draw other orthodoxChrifiians from their proper Mini fiers, to incorporate themfelves Socrates »fch©~ Anto their private feyarated congregations , as Hiftorians informe us : So no fuch Uft. EccLhift. practice of alluring and ft ealing away other Paltors fheep from their proper kfrvc*. I. ?.c. Shepheard, who firft coverted them to, and edified them in the faith and l^\ l ^ ,zo>li grace of Chrift,can be produced.but only in thefe Hereticks and Sec-1aries,whofe i lZtl*.c.tfl pradfice your Independents imitate. As for t ho fe private conventicles^ he phra- * Sec 3 j .Elfc feth them) for which he faith I may bleffe God, that / was remembred in them with c.i. tears, when others durfi not name me;zs I do really bleffe God for them. and thofe who xemembred me erreftually in them , fo I dare not flile them Conventicles B in i o J full Reply to ctrtaine br'wfe Observation i T See tt £liz * n an ]ii ^ nie > 1:11CC not T f m ^ by Law y being only livyfoii Aitcmbiies of private c.i. None arc : CiiiiltiaiiS to feek unto GoJ by prayer fie failing upon extraordinary occa/icn% ConvcnticUrs which ill good Chriftians cannot but approve: Lu: .ill theie meetings were farre but Hcrcticks irom being then filled, tcput^d. Impendent Churches, or having any affinity or Schiltna- ^j^ t [ iem . f as c j ]e _, ma » cc nothing for his caufe- wholy*fepcratc To c ^ c **$&& ^ tre * ie S ivcs a n^uve Anfwer , Firft in general! \ next in rhernfeives particular to ibine ?nib.nccs. Firft he grants , that there was a Nationail Church from our pub- (yea Nationail afiembiies, Parjamcnrs, determining church-affaircs ;> ) cf the Jjqoe A(Tea.b- Jswes y but thefe (faith he) cannot be a pattern for us now, becaufe the covenant of l:es cltajlrilitd t J oe C officii is not made with any one particular Nation y as 'with the Jewes 3 but to all V ' Nations that embrace the Gofpel } and beleeve in Chrijl . you have no promife nor prophefis of any Nation to. be holy to God but the J ewes Nation, when they (ball bee called ag.iine. 8 \oi6°c l *" ^° which I l 'zpty> &*> T ^ at; Iiiiep^n'dents have not the Iea# precept or ex*- o^cq 33 8.V9 am P* e *° r ail 7- ^oien^e Covenant made betwixt God and men, to wall>e in yhe I o.Ezra 10.3. wayes of God, &c. but oneiy * in the old Tefiament, and Church of the Israelites Keh.9.38. c» and that no private co gregationall, but pill k^ Nationail covenant , prefer ibed by £o.i,&c. thefupreme tempor all Magi firate and Ajfimbiy, not -by the Priehs or private Sy- nagogues ; yea the principal! precepts, presidents for pnblike or private fafii y fantllfjixcr the Sabbath ,&c you likewiie derive from the old Teiiament ai>j t Pfal. i»8, that Church ; why then mould wot their Nationail Church be a- pattern for u> 9 .Pfaljt. 8* and yCU tQJmitate, as well as their Nationail covenant, fifiing. fabbath-keeptno-l to J 8.Pf. Si.g. t | ic chu ch of God being ail one, (as k is a C hutch) both under the old Tetfar a VL67 » €% i1ramcrrt an ^ n€VY > an 4 Uje P atte , n ? d ^ t n .nder the Law a better peildent for tht ^.'ih.'i'i]. Ghurch under the Goipel. {'of which it was a type and fore-runner) thQn the c'9.xi 9 z$'c'. pattern of the Tabernacle jhewed [in the Mount (fo frequent' in your' Lips ani n.9,to it. Books) a prefidem foryour Independent Modell > to which ithuh no analogy. c *4.i,i,3, c. 2 a -yjjis rca fon is moft rf^/W andfalfi } the. Covenant of the Gofpd extending^* z ** 0**/? f:yatira^ and L-iodicca ; yet the Scrip- c Sec Pauls tiirc exp;ef) v fliles thin v c\thsbody and churches of ' Con ft and reputes inch, mem- znd Jebns^jiu bcis (chough corrupt ones J of thole Churches; who dee not act it all )• ceafs to ^* JChrlto E pi- mcmbeYs wh >en excommunicated or fufpe •ndad fur a feafin, after thry are b affiled, ^ cs to ^^ m * and prof fe the Chnfiian faitfj /nor did an;; fepatatc from thefe cfcurches, though r , Cor. 1 1 1 1 they had fomc corruptions and eviil members. For you trterefoid to leparatc to 34. c lVt from, and unchurch fucli N^tionall or Parochial! churches J which have inch I2 -*7. members in them, is to unchurch ail churches both in the, old and new Tc (la- ment and the world it ieif yea your own churclies too. j> I'he Scripture is ex- prefle, [dj that many arc called^ but few chofen andftved ; that all muft be compel- ted to come into the church, though thy want the wedding- a ar msnt : There never ^ Mar. *4- T 4. was, nor (lull be here on earth, any one vifible church compacted wholly of re- IJf'**' 1 /' alldc&Qd Saints without any mixture of Reprobates, ; iuch a church we fliali & oc : 4 " *| J meet with onciy in heaven. lam fare 3 ou can gather none fuci on ca:th. 4» 24. Are there no corrupt or drunken members in your independent churches i but enely reall vi/ibie Saints ? are there no ufurers, opprefTbrs corrupt dealers, co- vetous proud, malicious, uncharitable, ceniorious peiribns • no apparent hypo- crites or diflembiers ? yea, are there not many fnnes and corruptions in the befi, thechoiceftof all your members; (who cannot depart away, cr quite feparate themfelves rrpm their owne bofeme corruption^) as there is and will be in the beft of men during their mortality ? If your Independent ccngrega- tionsconfiil ofxuch membejs.asthefc, ofmen*fubjec"t to like palfons , fnnes > infirmities as others in Presbyteriall churches, what then is become of this your * J ealbn and principail ground of Independency, or rather, Separation^ or trewnifm, its ancient proper title ? you may Jay it up in Lavaruier for another world, but can make no vie of it in this., where you cannot To much as dream of a church; of reall Saints, without any mixture ofcorruption. 3. For his answers to that of Acts 1 5*. all ages , churches , til! dm prefent, have held it both an exprefle warrant and pre.Gdent for the lawfuineile:, ufcful- neis of Nationall and Provincial] S\ nods .10 detei mine di frcreuces in Religion, (which particular churches, perfons cannot decide) and making ncccffary Ca- non* for church-affaires ; neither can all his fl lifts elude it : To his frfl and fe- cond reafons,or rather evafions 1 aiifvv.er, ir is clear by Atl.x 5. 2. that the fturcji of ' A'-nloch it fclfc could not decide the cueilion, nor Paul nor Barnabas fat.11- factoriiy determine it, fofarre as to c^uie tail parties • and therefore they fen t Delegates to the Affiles and 'Elders at Hi 'erufalem , there to decide it: None is fo ignorant but knowes. that there are many controversies now on foot concer- ning doclrine, diicipline and church-go veinment, which no particular congre- gations, (nay hardly an whole Synod and Parliament together) arc mlficicnt to fettle and determine : therefore there is a kindeofnccehHty of National! 'Sy- nods as well as of Parliaments, whence all ages, churches, have ufed ihc-m . To his third reaion I reply, that it is evident by expreile words vsrf. 1.5. 6. 7. 10.19. 50.24. that the principail end why the A-oflhswentup to Hierufdem , and why this' Synod affcmbled was net to prove the fa 1 , ft Apt fries lyars, fas he amrmeth ) but xo debate andconflder THIS QFESTlQ-N. A Wfi Cfrl ATI ER \whahr the B 2 € mules It AjuU Reply to certaine brujc Obfervatwns Gcntdes ought to be circumcifed ? To His fourth, I fay, that though this meeting was occafionahyet it i > a fuif cient warrant for general! meetings, which are ufu- ally called,only upon fpeciall occafions of momentrln it there was a generall af- fembling of all the Apoflles ,Elders andBrethren at Hierufalem } (where there were then divers particular congregations, as,our Affembly long ilnce re/blved from ^itf/ 2.5.41, 42^45, 47, <. 4.4. r.5. 14 15,15,42^.5.1; r* p. %% to the der a and authority) to; contrcll ir. If any pretend they doe it onely outofcon- <&■$.&-$ li f*fcie*ce 3 if 'they will bur ieri oully g^ge their o\ynt deceitfull hearts y I feare their - r a & confcience will prove but wilfslnejfe, having neither precept , preiident^ nor rea- Nch tnroug ~ ^ to jj^ lt : $ as j mx: true ]y retort his owne calumny againfl me on him- our. c.[in„$. 1 1 • i / . 1 / . 1, • ■ • 1 • , . * i 7. 10 % &, an d his, that hts and thrtr own name will or opinion, is their ontly argument again ft thisjhining truth , which all ages, Churches , have acknowledged , ratified, pra- iilfed, without the lea 11 difpute. 2* To my ninth Q*&re, and arguments in it -,-he returnes nothing worthy Reply, but/Upon this Petitio principii, or begging of the thing\difputcd ;' that the Scrip- ture and, Apoflles have prefer ibed a ft forme of (government in all after fgss for the Churches ofChrifl, which he neither can, nor endevours to prove • and that Churches in the Affiles dajes were Independent, though doubtlefle all Churches were then fubjecl to the Apo/tles Lavves, Orders , Ecli&s , Decinons, though no immediate Minillers or Pailors of them, (as sppeares by their Epiilles to them) therefore not Independent : fo as my arguments liold firme,and his.anfwers Weak. As for his retorted argument, That the Scriptures were writ in the infan- cy, of the Church .-Therefore wifer and better Scriptures may be writ now- it i? a blaf- phemous and abrurd conclufion . they being all writ by the fp'nii and inlpirati- * >>m-\.? 9 } i* on of God him/eife, the very * Aiaentofdycs, who hath' neither infancy nor perfection, as the Church hath. To his /econd, that I would needs make a Nationall Churchy State, more perftl, H.nderfiandivg, and wife, then a congregat:onall : I flare not to averre it, fince your fd\QS. and Anu-Qutms to Mr Prynncs twche Qu&iens. i J &lves muft grant,that the Church under the Law was more perfect then that be- fore it; i he Church under theGofpel more perfect then that under the Law; and the Churches tinder the Gofpcl, at the end of the Apoitles dayes, when fur- nifhed with more divine knowledge , Scriptures , Gofpels , Officers , and rules of* i Cot. xjfi* Faith, Manners y Difcipltne , more compleat and perfeti then at their beginning to 11,^2.0.14, preach : No man doubts, that though a* newborn infant and Chriftian have ail the \°<££\ * t parts and members of a man and Saint , yet they have not fo much perfection, under- j| c j, t j" % ii 1* ftandinr,knowledg judgment, firength of grace, or fpirituallwifdome } as grown men 14, 1 Ioh.z. and Chnftians. An aged, experienced, growne Miniver, Chriflian,is more com- ll ^° l f • , pleat and pei fed their a new converted! Novice, or Babe in grace; Ergo a j^jE^'j! growne and Nationall Church, then one but in the Embryo. Your Indepen- ' * dent Churches, in their primitive infancy, when they had but two or three members onely in them, and wanted both Elders, Deacons, and other neceffary church-orfJcers(as Mr. Sympfws church fall didjl am certain in your own opinion were not 'b complete and mature as you intended to make them afterwards by degrees : a Village is not fo complete a Republike or Corporation as a Cfty, nor a City as a f Kingdom, not a Family as 3 County, nor a Confiftory as a Synod, f Ezck,i£.f £ • nor a court of Aldermen as a common-courcell , nor that as a Parliament • Therefore an Independent lingular congregation not fo complete as a National! church, being oft enforced to pray in the aid of other churches for advice, aiK- iiance &c. (a* your fdves coniefl'e) which an who'e National! Church need not to doe. hr£ne y himfelfi ccpfejfethythat the Apofiles made new rules for govern- ment and difcipline as occajion feived ; andthat*as God fitted occafions^ fo he made knowne new rules fucceffively by degrees y not at once ; and added new Officers, at Evangelicall B flops, Elders , Deacons , VPidowes , Evangelifts 3 Doctors , Paftors, Teacher S } [which fome diftinguifh from presbyters, and define to be fever all offices :) Therefore the infant Church in the Apoftles dayes was not fo compear ■ perfect in all parts as the multiplied and growne churches afterwards. My tenth Q*cre he wilfully mifrecites, as he doth the reft, elfe he had not the id. ■ leaft ftiadow of exception againft it , as I propounded it , and then rcturncs an aniwer byway of dilemma to it : Ta which I reply , . That if the Parlta?wnt and Synod flail by publike confent eftablijb a PresbyteriMl church-government 9 as mo ft confonant to Gods Word, the Lawesand Reiglement of this Kingdom e y Independents and all others are bomd in conference tofnbmit unto it > under paine of obftinacy, fin- gularity, &c. in cafe they cannot really prove it diametrally contrary to the Scrip- tures, and /imply unlawfull in point of confeience, not by fancies , or remote inconfe- ^uences,buthy direct Texts and precepts (which they can never doe; Jand that be- caufeit is thus commanded , eftablifned hy the higher powers , to which in all make more confeience ofthen now you doe. As for his ctoffe Interrogatories, 1 14 oj.i, ■anfiver, 1 . That if the Popes Councels command lawful! things to rhoie who l Cor -7 rf >?• are fubjeel to their powc r they are as well to 'be obeyed as the commands of*hea- * 8 * E P h ^- 22 - then Emperoxrs,Magiftrates' y Parents,Husbavds ,by Chriftian SubjebtsiVive^Ser- **' c ol V^S v.v7ts t livingunder them are, 2.That there is a great difference between matters to 1?. B 3 of 14 J full Reply to vendue kiefe Oifervatiovs o f opinion onely, and ofpra&ife; That his inftau-ced points , whether Lordly Efifcopfiicif be jure di vino ; or their making out prcccjfs under their ovsne Names ■and Scales be rgreeable to the Law of the Land, are matters onely of opinion /im- ply H>thcmfcivcs \ and if a Synod a>nd Parliament: fhould have determined the iint, and^the Tudges rcibived thciad, afHimanveJy, tiicirreickitionsconidnor: binde my judgement absolutely, ib fane -as to (\ ib.'cribc 'their opinions as un-. doubted truths, unlefle they could iatishe my arguments and authorities to the .■contrary ;but yet they moulds on gbt to bind me for the prefent fo far as to fub- mit to their authority & ProceiYe in their own names in things within their le- gal! cognifancc : Soifthe Parliament and Affembly malle/tabli/h any Church- •government, as mod agreeable to the Scriptures and our Lavves , though this -binds not all Independents to be limply of their opinion, un'effe the lei'brs and arguments produced for it beiiiincient to convince their judgments yet it binds ■them in point of pradileand obedience outwardly to fubmit thercto'and not to Separate from kinder pain ofarrogancy^ fa6th» 3 phrfme-Mitkfk they canckarly manifeit it to be abfolutely uniawfull and repugnant to tlie Scripture.As for my + S mr Ca- own °kJ C( ^ed challenge-to the Bifhops & Iudges about thzjttsdivitmm of lord- tilooue &c. iyPreiacy,and BiiliopsProcefiein-their own names; when I made it I was certain The & uabiflio- 2 had both f -Scripture, Fathers, Councels Acts of Parliamciit,the furrrages cfall ping of Timo- fbrraigne Reformed Churches , Writers, and our owne learnedeii Bishops, Au- tkywdptus. t ' ncrs - m a ]j z [ mcs againft the firil 5 a-nd direct Ac-ts 3 Refolutiom of Parliament, an«£ Antfixuhy '^ acents ^ unanfiverabie Law-authorities and Reafons again!! the latter : There- of the EngliOi f° r e a fov Lordly Prelates opinions in their owne caft^or the fubitane, foiccd, Lordly pre- extrajudicial! refolution of the ludgesfnot then pubiimedjeouid no more con- rlude myjudgment,nor make me guilty ofarrogancy,obftinacy,or fchifm then, •than their forced judgments for the lawfulnelfe of Loanes and Ship-money, a- gainlt exprelle Acts and judgments of Parliament, oblige me or orhers,then or now , not to deeme that taxe illegal! : and when you cm produce as many good authorities, Reafons from Scripture, Antiquity, A6ls of Pariament, Wri- ters of ail forts, agakift the lawfuinefie of Presbytery , as I have done againft Lordly Epiicopacy by divine light Bilriopsmaking outProceiTe under their own Namcs,Seais andj-Ship-monvvneither of which were ever ferled by any former Parliament, and have all bin exprefly voted againf: in this ; I mall then excuie you from arrogancy and ichifme,but till this be done,(as I preflimeit will never be; the ^uilt of both theie wil flick fall upon you., if you readily con- . forme not in outward practice to that Government the Pailiament fhailelra- blim. If they mould fettle Indepen Jency , I am certainc you would then write and preach for univerfall obedience to it . (which you now pubiikcly ca.'l for fo eagerly without authority or proof of its Divinity, becaufe thus fctled) without dilpute : therefore by like reafbn you ought to fubmit to a Presbytery, or foch other Government as fhsll berefolvedon bvtboleintrulted witruhr scare. To my 1 1 .Overe he gives only a negative anfver and then declaims againft Presbytery without ground or reafon : But becaufe I have proved the truth of what he denies in rely Independency examined and in feme following pages,I thai net trouble vou with any further prcof,except tbefe two particulars : 1. Phat/«- dcw.drncy i$ m t&iity ireer Separation and Brjwmfm^ lately chriliericd)vitfufcjls ne,y wy f Sec my humble Re- monftrance -againft Ship money. l£ andJnfi~£)U'tries to Mr P ry nil es twelve JQueslions. 1 3 new titkyo rake ofTits odium.-and if Co J doubt net but it Is a nurfery of leuifms, Sectaries, &c. ?. That we findeby woruii experience , what bioudy divifons, wa/res fchiims, the toleration bur of one Religion an J Sect in our Realms con- trary to chat eftablifne-d, (re wir Popery and Papitfs) hath produced in all our Dominions, to their imminent danger, and almofc utter mine ; what then will the free perm itfion of many Independent different forms oTChurches , Sectaries do ? will h nor produce many more troubics.dangers wais/chifms thenwe have hitheito feh. ? Yea,if every man ought to have freedom of confidence , to vent what opinions^ let up what Governments he deems moft conformable ro rhe . Word in his own private fancie. you mult indulge Papiils this- liberty as well as others : and then how foone will they over-run us for the future,how jufily can we take up armes to iuppreffe them for the present ? Consider ferioufly cf thefc and other pubiike miicmeresof your way , and rhar liberty of confeience you •fo much conteit for, (which in tiuth is nothing but meere lawlefneffe, 4 ~*0 B n 9 ' ' centioulnelle, to do * »W ft em s good, in your owne eyes , as if there was no King j u j ' ' l ^ inlfrael, without re/pecl tothc pubiike peaee'or weaie) and then happily you ^11. if. may in time diiceine, recanr yourerrour. To my t.velfth Quere he oneiy aniwers, r-hat I rail a jeering of -my brethren- (a 1 3 palpable untruth J and that I put a nickname on them y to make them odious yto wit y the title of 'Independents , which they dipJaime; not anfwering one fyllabic to the iubrlance of the Qiie/tion. To which I reply :-Fir/c, that the title of Jnde- pendemy (ofwhic i you are now ainamed ) was at fall aifumed , approved by your feives, and many of your party dee flilfowne, though ibme di/claim it, c*f pnrpofc to eva Je the titles of^'paratifls and Br&wnifts, with whom you really - concurre in practice : Beddes . you very well know that this title was impoied on, and o.vned by you long before I writ ; therefore I could not father this brat upon you :Bus if you -be offended with this- name, I defreycu in your uexs Pamphlet to dn'co ver ro us your owne Chriltian name , withthe true title of your parry, and the government you plead for as the only way of Chiiils inlli- tution (all which you have hitherto concealed) and then (God willing) I fhall give you a ratchet anilvcr to this caviil, or retract this title; till then I muf} in- ' forme you that it molt proper for your parry, who will have every of'. your owne private congrea complete abfointe corporation , exempted freir,iuiiiibjecied to jn dependent on any orhet be ir a National] S\ -nodali -Pro- vincial! , Parochial aiiemby, Parliament or Kings thernfel-vcs in' any ■• Chu:ch-atraires : You mull therefore ftili retaine this 'Title, whiles you main- raine inch Paradoxes both in opinion ami practiceas juftly appropriate it to ycv J Convenient rebits nomina fepe full '■ being nevermore exactly- verihed tJ ien in this your futtable name. But you object, firlt, That you are accountable for your aft ions to every neigh- • boar Church, that fall in the name ofChrifl require it. Secondly , That you flan d not independent from, but hold communion with all other Churches , both in the Qr~ dinanses, and in at kina cowtfell and . z d vice mutually. Tcthe firfl I anfvver, 1. That if you are accountable for your actions to every ' pa: ticular neighbour Church, then why not much more to a Synod or Parlk- - "irient/whofe ecclefiaflicall juiifji&ioh over you or y cur- Churches is denied by yGuy ?£ J full Fejtly to cert awe brtefe ObJefXtations you ? Secondly, ifyouare thus accountable to every neighbour Church, doe you intend ic of Parochial! , Epifcopali ., or Presbyteriall Churches, as vveJi as - Independent j or of Independent onely ? If of Independent onely, as I fuppo'e you doe, then you appeaie onely to Churches of your owne partie, frame, judgment, and make one of them lubordinate, accountable to another,but not to any other Churcn ; which is an apparent fchiime, reparation from ail other Churches^ and contradicts your feconci objection : If cf ail other forts of Char- ches as well as Independent , you muft either gram them true Churches of Chrift, and then you have no ground to fever fomrthem ; or if falfe^ or no true Churches of Cfefift, (as you in truth repute them) then by your gyyd prin- ciples they are no competent Iudges of Ecclefialticall anaires^ nor. you accoun- table to them. Thirdly, How (I pray) doe you hold your fdves accountable to every neighbour Church ? by way of fubordination, or correction ? that I am certain you will deny i or only by way of voluntary information and fatiVacti- on, when required, which 1 conceive you mean ? Iffo only, then this is properly no account at all, or but arbirrary at moll:, which you may deny if you pieale ; and if you erre or prove faulty, tk is neighbour Church can but admonilh, not enforce you to correct your errours or injuftice : and fo this will prove but a meere mockery in Head of an account. To the lecond I anfwer, That if you ftand not Independent from other Chur- ches, but hold communion with them in Ordinances ? and in mutuall counfell and ad- ?/V*,Then i. why doe you feparate from them as no true Churches, and oppofe their way of Government with lb much bitternefle ? Secondly, why doe you f Yea, never refute to adminiffer Baptifme and the Lords Supper to thoie who are their more dangc- members, in your Churches, unlefl'e they be profefied members of ibme Inde- r^futed r °riip S - P en( knt Congregation ? Thirdly, why doyou not follow their advice, counfell, preUed'thcn or tne Parliaments , Synodes , and fubmit thereto ; who now earnellly dif- ln the 4.firft fvvade you from your way of feparation, divihen, in thelQ diftra&ed times ? the generaiCoun- end of demanding good counfell and advice being but to follow, not reject it, c* Is J? f 0mc vvhere there is humility, ingenuity,or flncerity in thoie who aske it. You muft tltiiztotDort c h er ^fcfe either difclaime thefe objected conceflions, or- become more trada- a»d ocherPro- ^ e f° r tne frture. 4. You tell us in the next iiicceediflg linos, That neither I t reftanc Synods nor Synods y nor this Synod, are infallible , but as fubjeVt to errours as other s- *' in the Hxrmo- a . K( } t foat never f more dangerous errottrs have been confirmed then by Synods : and P '- . wl t her fore men are not bound in confidence to their decrees up.on penaltie of fmne^rro- therefore they g* w J,& c erron * oUS fy-f at h> and no way of Cririft as well as other vvaies , and you erre where they nerem * vve ^ as Synods in other things ? Why will you have the major vote in confirm appa- y our congregational! decisions to over-rule and bind the reft to obedience, fas rent dange- your practice and opinions intimate ) fince the major part>may poifibly be mif- rous crroun, .taken, as well as the Iqu^c diflenting ? Shall nothing binde in any Churches but there vou ma/ vv j )at j s unanimoufly voted nemine contradicente ? or mail one or two diffenting them when v<> ' ces over-rule the reit, or not be bcund by the molt ? or where ail confent, f xQYcd fuch* ma y «ot ail yet be in an errour, and not difcerne it,, through felfe-love to their owne - Brieje Anmddvetftcns on Mr Iohn Goodwins Theoinathia. 17 ovvne vvayes and opinions, till others of contrary judgements discover and con- vince them of their errour ? Away then wath this fond argument and evaiion ; Synods and Parliaments may erre in fome things. Ergo they muft binde us in no thing : Is this good Logicke or Divinity ? Gcod Ministers may and .doe erre fometimes in fome points of Divinitie, E^go wee will beleevc them in none, no. not in thole things in which they doe not erre. Wiil you throw away all tke Apple becauiejone part of it only *s rotten ?or reject Communion with the beft of men becaufe they have fome infirmities ? Deal then With the Ecclefiafiicall decrees of Synods and Parliaments as in wifdome, in nue e ^^ds confeienee you are bound to doe : Where they are ju.'t, equal),not oppofite to the ota n c p arat i-« Word,embrace, fubmit unto them; when erronious or contrariant to the exprefle ons. Ef a 6us* word (not to your own fencies,inferences or opinions) youmay differ from them l^ulc.i 8.10/0 in judgment,but you muft patiently fuffer under them in point ofpractife & obe- |^" cn ^; dience(ifmeerly practical]) till a further feafbn,and not difturb the Churches peace ^^Ivatiam by oppofition or ichifm .'which h as good 3 as feafonableChriftian adv ice,as tt^at you Doitatijlf, of * conclude with unto me, which I heartily wiih your idfc had rirlt followed, who old: rhe fere* .have more defamed the ways ofChrift and tied more perfonail unchriftian bitter- j* u °^W ^ nefTe then I am guilty of. You wifh indeed, O that afpirit of love were maintained Er ^j S t J cs "j^f -among thofe that are brethren : though they differ in judgment , muft they needs dif- chorites in the fer in affeftion ? I fay the fame.But O then why ieperate you from us,yea paife un- Church of charitable cenfures on us as if we were not your Brethren?One Kingdom one Ci- x**epn& ty,Hou(e,dorh now.on z heaven /hail heareafcer^ontain us both: why not then one |i r /?7 ? r ~ church^overnmen^one Church Militant,** well as one Triumphant ?If youdeem ^iof dicl? not your * felves more holy then ) our brethren or be not fw tiled up wkhfpirituall precluding] ■pride (is your filling your felves j Mm of rich anoynfrng from God/he moft religi- more fan&ity .oujly affected, and be ft confeienced people of the land f he moft precious men, &c. with an< * Kfifintffc your feparation from us, and harm cenfures of us., make moft men fufpecSt) zndfofrvz-' ithen why refufe you torlofe with us now, as you have done heretofore ? Could ring in, &eir cur Minifters^ Churches, when more corrupt 9 convert s regenerate, edifie, lave diffcicw iftIcto bondage , by rejefftng aszdopprefling truth ;■ to conjure aH wens gift % parts in du- the iUadcr, 8c ft^ ,#/,? ^ Synodicall Circle ; and that there is almo ft as little hope of gathering co j i. * * '*** £ r *P es f'°m t homes, or figges of Thiftles/ts of having the joy of our faith holpenytr encrtafed, or any deer cafe , £//£ rather increafe of evills by them ; the refolutions of Councslls, and Synods themfelves upon the matter and juft account j being but the fruits^ or puttings forth of the learning and judgment of a very few men^not alwayes of the moft co-.fienchus &c 1 mall only felecl ibmcfew particulars worthy con- iidcation ; to fill up my vacant Pages. Firit, it may be jnttly queliioned, whether the maine doclrine pro/ecuted in it b Pare j S - 2 C^ ) ' * l * s C ^ e § reate ^ imprudence under Heaven, for any man or ranke of K. aS clfe- ' ' meja whatsoever to appeare,or fo much as to lift up an hand.or thought, agamit f any war, doctrine or pradife whatlbever clayming origination or deicent from * God, i ill we have fecuritie upon fecuritie, evidence upon evidence, yea all the Gamaliel! c kcurkie that men in an ordinary way are capable of, and foundations as cleare Hirefelfc no « as the noone day, that fuch wayes, Do&rines and pra&ifes, only pretend unto Chrffll'n"^ ' ^°^ as t ^ ie Aut ^ or °f them, anc * C ^ at in tral ^ C ^ e y are not a* all from him, but h oaj whofe ' cl ' Lner frommen, or froTi bafer Parentage ; that they are but counterfeits and words you yet * pretenders only, and ftand in no re/ation at all, but that ofemnitie and oppofiti- « a f ;e your text ' on unto God ; and tha ■: we are not to ait the value of one haire of our head a- t&.Gofpclj, 'gainilthem, untill we fee their condemnation written with abeame of the tfcSfeiiTof 1 i°~ * Sunne. ty t ^ ie tin^i of God Himfeife; untill he hath difclaimed or renounced •pinion. ' ^ from Heaven, either by giving fuch wiledome unto men, whereby to deteft * the vanitre of it, or elle hath quite rafed k out of the flem and Tables of the * hearts of his fervants,c£r .Be Orthodox or tolerable ? For thefe enfaing reafons. i o i . Firit,becauie it opens a wide gate to the reviving of all oid,che Spreading and propagating of all new Hereto, Errors, Schifmes,S'e&$. and opinions whatfoeve*, without the lea^ timely opposition or prevention, to the endangering tf infi- * 'See '£/>/>£#. n: " te foules, and didurbance of the Churches, Kingdoms peace. For there is * no */ttj, zafu; Hereticke, S?hifmaticl>e, or Sectary whatfoever s (t hough never fo perniciom,grofTe Juguftw^nd or deteitablej but pretends his tray s doftrin!> pracltfe, opinions to be the way and truth * all the.^Bookes Q j (thrift, clayming their origination and defcent from God, yea* producing perver- afcyHci^ccki tw £ the Scripture it felfe to juftifie*them 9 as the * ^Dsvi/l cited and wreftvd Scrips and 5^a- tare to tempt Chri/t .• yea, our Saviour and the Scripture informe u* y that ma~ jlcs. ny falfe Teachers ftull arife^ and doe greaf Miracles, S.gnes and Wonders, info- * ^ vl ** 6 ' much that they (hall deceive many, yea the great eft part of the World, and if it were i^^rjci' ' pt/pM* f h* wry Elett j * That Sitan and his M'tniftsrs alfo trans forme, themfelves it. zCor.Vi **t° Angels of Lioht / That falfe Teachers ufually come to feduce men in jheepr 1 ? , r 4, T 5- i loth;* g, -iviih alldeceiveabknis and crafams , whereby they lye in watte to deceive ; * ph-i.4.14. anc j a JvJ;e us frequentiy to beware of fuch, and not admit them into our heufesj&C. ]Jv^' Zf9rI0 A n ^ muii vve tbereforenot fpeediy oppo r e,re£ft 5 avoyd, fuppreffe them or any of ■*8. y »iaLa y° ^em nov, becauie they thus pretend they are of and fcom God Himfel'ejbut ftay 1 j . 1 1 j ! we fee their corid.emr.atio * writ! en frith a beam of the fun by the finger of God him* flf\ ar.dtillhe hathdifcivwd. r enounced th em from Heavenly fbme vifiblejfidg- rnsnt o-r d ftruStitm I 'If A pianifiv , PJ-igiamfm: 3 Svcinitwfm , A mbaptifme, or anv Briefe Jmmadvcrjionr. on Mr. IchnGoodvvms Theornachia. any anciently exploded Herefies , or Schemes Ihouid revive and (p out up among Bis (as fome have lately dene) mould wee ufe fuch indulgence as this row ards them, becaufe they pretend their origination anddefcent from nrv n ; and their opinions not dilutable only, but warranted by the Scripture? Alas what con mhon what inundation of herefies, fchifmes, and monltrous opinions would this presently introduce into on: Church to its defiru&ion, ruine, if inch a Paradox were once admitted ? Secondly, Becaufe it is sontrary to thefe expreflc precept and prehdents both z of the Old and New Tefhment, which you 17.18. 2 CV. 11. 13. 14, 1?. GMath. i, 6.7,8, o!io. c. 2.4. to 18. (a noted place,) r . 3.1,2. 3. Epbef.q. 14, 1?. ?/>//. 3.1.2,5. C?/*/. 2,8.18, to the end 1 TfofrAi* iThef. 2.1. to 1 5. r # 3. 6. 7. I Tim.q.l. to 7, chap.T .20. chap. 5. io 21, t2. 2Tim. 2. 16.17, l8, 23, 24,25, 25. r.4.1. to 6. Titus, 1. 9* to 15. chapter 3. 9. 10, 11. 2 />) See iuiU- berty to opinions, new waves, pra&ifes, especially to r\zw Ckurch-govsrnments, ma" ^itV* Schifmes, and Convent:c'es } fwhich he here pleads forjfet uponly by private fpirits in TicS - f+ff* 4 opposition to the pubh'ck eftahlimea Church-regelment. Indeed in fome matters c '*" M ' Uk mearly of opinion which are not dangerous or fchifmaticall, fome iatitude^ay and c " ifmfl: be left to men ; but matters of Government are fuch tender things, as diffe- rences & varieties t her in cannot be tollerated in one and the felfe fame Church and State without infinite incon^eniencies and diff urbances , efpecially where every Church mail be Independent, fubje& to no other Canons, rules, but its own peculiar arbitrary Dictates.. 2 It may be c^e'-ioced, whether the Independent way he there fo earneftly pk&ds * for, be the way of Chritt, or no: ? fince he neither difcovers to us what it is, nor pro- cfuceth any one text to prove it Chrifls own way , nor one example to warrant it in any a*^e : but gives us good grounds to fufpecl: it none ofiais without much £rutiny % 20 Briefs Amwadvcrfic/is en Mr. Iohn Goodwins I'hcmtthfa, ' p I rorrirfi, he conlefleth, {t ) tiiac this way is every wh.re jpckgn againft 3 even,- i ' tyfowctkdt would be thought prime men and pillars in the temple of God*, and infi- l j 5^ t j ic nuaces ; that the Parliament, Affembly and generally ofthe(fQ Minifters and people of Ertdon Mi- the Realm, are bent againfl it ; Therefore being a new way, never yet heard off in .fcers Pcrki- che world in any agejr Church of Chnft, and thus generally oppofed by our whole- ^ Church and State even in thefe times of* Reformation ; we may (l)juftly fufpeel it is I r Cor ' us way of Chrift, till we fee its approbation written in a beam of the Sun with the t 3?* " finger df God tnmfcif, and till he hath juttified and owned it as his, 'from heaven. a He tacitly acknowledged!,/* <* C W J Government fit up by a few private men,not only m) Sec p. 30. without J? at again ft the authority & commands of the Parliament and fttpr earn temporall Magiftratesiy^^bkh not only denyes but oppugnes the temporall Magiftrates,Parl/a~ P-3j4< **• wtxtj 9 Synods directions or coercive power in Eccleftafiicall affairs ; directly con- OEirai/^ tr ary to the Scriptures ^ as I have largely proved by many Texts, in. my (0) Indc- fidency examined. Only I (hall adde, thai not only the Kings and temporall Magi- 4 17 10 14. if rates f "the Israelites ; but even heathen (p) Kings and Princesfzs Cyrus, Artaxerxes, *• t0 I7 IXarius,Nebuchadnez,z,zrj.he King & Nobles ofNineve &c.) enabled good and wholfom iiJ X2 " r » X Laws, fortheworjhip, honor and fervice of the true God y and to further his people in (7i Oiron. the building of his temple \ who thereupon were enjoyned to* pray for their profperity^, \6. i i y r^. as the marginal Scriptures evidence.TVfc, (V)Paul himfelfe even in matters of Religion f ky 44/ *8- pleaded his caufe before Feftus, Felix, King Agrippa, and at Uft appealed unto Qx- Oin. i 19. c,6, fa. an fo eat h ekf Emperor therein ; yea he enjoyns all Chriftians(fJ to pray even for heathen \ I©iuh \ V V Kings Alagiftrates, and to fubmir to all their lawful! commands for conference fake, to 7 * whofe judicature and tribunals ,(t) Chrift himfelfandhis Apoftels willingly fubmitted r?;Tim.i. i, them f elves upon all oc capons when brought before them 3 without demurring to their ju- * C \'a&' 7 * rifdiftrons. Therfore Christian Princes & Magiftrates,who were long fmce predicted 5 i *?& to become nurftng Fathers to the Church under the Gofpel, have much more power Vr 28.2Tira. and ;urifdi«5tion in Church-government and affairs within their own Dominions., Li 0.17. (fj\ 3 For that it appeats to be away that will breed infinite confufions, disorders, i Tim. 2. 1,1. ly confounding(v)the bounds of parifhesjrenting Congregations, families ,and mo ft rela- 3. Rom. 1 3 .r . t j offS ajfexjg,. . & giving w*y to every fetl to chufeMinifters t ereil Churches oftheirown f°) 7 Matt 5 io. without controle ,in point of jo fit ion ( though their pra&ifeoe quite contrary where. i7< j8. ii. c. they have power, they admitting no other kind of government but Independency in Mj *7. New-England^ and excommunicating, or baniming thofe who will not fhbmit unto Ifcmos ml 9. \ t: j a government inconfiftent with Royalty, and the civil! government; and fa ■• MmV*' n o^eof Chri/ts, who never erected any Church- gouernment to clafh with or » 7. to 4! c. 6. controle the civill. •i,/3 c.9! 1, 4 Whereas he pretends^hatfa-J/tfr/^.r of one*fam'dy orparifh may be members offe- a. 5. c. 1 1 . a, verall Char che s ^without any tnconvemence,fchifmeor diftrdciion; as well as members of 3, 4. c.kjt.io. r evera ii companies and trades ; and therefore Independeney is nooccafionof di vifiont. »9 40. c. 18. j anfvver,i»That (y)two cannot walkf peaceably and lovingly together unleffe they \v) Page $%..*re agreed, efpecialiy i« matters of Religion; and thofe who in point of conicience ro 40. * cannot communicate or agree together in one Church, will never qucflionlefTe ac- (^P a g-3°'3i cord well together in one family, bed, parifn, kingdom, as experience manifefts.- [;)Amos 3.3. a i jhere is a great difference between feverall trades and Hills in one City. parifTi, Jcingd©me,.and ieverall formes of Church-govemmenr,in thefe particulars which oc- cafion unity in the one, but fchifmes in the other/ 1. AH trades focieties hold ©ne another lawful!, ufefull,necefla7,agreeable to the Jawcs of Goi and the Realmc without . BriefeJbiimAih'crfonso* Mr .John Good mi\%Thcom*chti. 2/ w ithout diipute;& ib they breed no coatiar ety of ©pinions or dUafFeei ion :but each dtferencChurch deems the otherjunlaw ful,& in no way of Chrirt.ib as they cannot with Ufc conference joyn or communicate together: and therupon they lever one from another. 2.Every feveral trade and fociety,even in their very trade is fubjeft to the general Govcrnmtnt,Laws ofthe City & Realm wheiin they are.to which they appealeand have recourfe upon all occasions ot difference, none craving an exemption ©r. Independency -from the whole Corporation,Parliament or fupream Ma° Titrate in matters which concern their government, but deriving theirCorpo- lations Charters, Laws and 1 privikdges from them: which fubordination keeps them a!j in peace and unity. But Independent Churches deny any fubordination, .fubjeclion to the EcclefiatticaliLawes and Edicts of Parlemcnts, of tempo- ialIMagiitrates-or Synods, and will be regulated , obliged oneiy by their own peculiar Edicts : which muft needs occahon infinite Schiiines. and diforders : therefore the cafes are far different from one the other, Third!y,Chriftians,as Chriftians,are all of one and the ielf-fame fbciety and p;o- feflion, as thofeofone Trade or Galling are; therefore they fTuouId have all but one common Church and governments the/e Trades have.To fet then the com- panion upright ,we muft ftate it thus;Iffome of one Fraternity inZ,0W dren of Parifluoners) for a yeares fpace or more, though they offer to be exa- mined by him ; efteeming them none of his Flocke, ( preaching but feldome to ihem, though he receive their tithes : ) andinftead.thereofto gather an Indepen- dent congregation to hirnielfe, out of divers Parifties and hisowne, to whom hee prefctibes a Covenant ere they be admitted members of it ; preaching , praying, admmiftring the Sacrament to them alone in private conventicles, neglecting his PariiTuoners fwhich hath engendrec[ fuch discontents and rents in his Parifh, « even among the well-affeiled .and rruel^rel.igious, that he muft either defert it or his Independent way. What fchifmes and difcords this New way hath raifed in other Parifhes,is fo well knowne to the World, that I need no other evidence to proveir afchifmaticall #7-/^/& ^and fo no way of Cmft the* Prince of peace,* E&.9.6. who prefer ibes nought ele but precepts of peace and unity to his Churches, S«tT«yt>«clve and is moft offended with their fchiimes. ' Q^eftioas p, Finallie, Icannot thinke this way away cfChrift, becanfelfinde k a Pio- 7 '*' ner and underminer of Parliamentary authority 9 devefting Parliaments of aJI manner of jurifdidion in matters of Religion and church-government ; wjt- nefle the paflage ofthe Two independent Brethren , recited in my Independency examined, p. 3. (which certainly weaves a Maske as yet, f.nccfne never appeared bare-faced 10 the world, not one of her Patrons hitherto preferring us w:ch her ■ ■ " »Ti 2 2 Briefe Ammadverjkns an Mr. Iohn (Jood w in: TheomaehU. in her native colours, or lineamerits) whofe guilt this A ■ jor by his explanati- ons, 49, on, te waik* *t good y rather aggravates thai extenuates. He writes, "Tim aorefldi h c - ' t ^ ie Bret ^ rGn ln ^ e rcrcntioiied period and exprein ins 5, rejected oneiy ripen pr^ftaljat*" ' c hcgeiieralitie of die Land, who acConJiiig to rhe Lawes , yea according to Sermon in Ft- * 6ne principles of ail reafon and equi tie ha e :ne nght of nominating perions kvaryhA, c unto Pariiamentarie tiuft and power, but HAVE NO AVTHORlTY OR Nate. c POWER FROM CHRIST iO NOMINATE OR APPOINT WHO Gamaliell* < SHALL BE THE MEN THAT SHALL ORDER THE AFFAIRES OF ^caL e htvon CCBRrSTS KINGDOME-; OR INSTITVTE THE GOVERNMENT anyfocVAn! OF Hls CHVRCHES : Thefe are that fecular root , out of which the Bre- ci-Parliamen- c chren crnceive AN IMPOSSIBILITY that a fpirituall extraction mould Ury Dotone. 'be made • that ts 3 THAT A LEGITIMATE ECCLESlASTICK POWER 'SUOVLD ACCORDING TO THE MIND OF CHRIST OR ANY 'PRECEPT OR PRESIDENT OF SCRIPTVRE, BEE BY THEM * CONFERRED VPON ANY MAN. And this IMPOSSIBILITY con- c ceivcd by them they onelie illuftrate and declare by that parallel expreffion in Note ( 3°^ * V ^° cm bring a cleane thing out of an unchane ? &c. But to hold, that the * The people c perfons fo elected as hath been laid, have a power by venue of inch nomina- having power ■ tionorVleftton to enact Lawes and Statutes in matters of Religion, and to to eicd Prin- c order under mulcts and penalties how men mail worfnip and farve God, as it i es> Ma M-"- "' ' IS * mear,es t0 av vaken the eye of jealou/ie upon them , and fo is feven times fte!s C Parlia-" J ' m&re deftruftive unto, and Undermining not oniie of their power, but of nients,Svnods c their honour, peace, and fafetie alfo, then any thing that is found in the way have likewile c fo ill intreated;fo it is a fetling of a power upon the dehors offuch per- purhprityno IS a branch of a greater root of power, then the ex- bare au- c ercife of the power that is committed to others in this behalfe: Now though charity ,with- f Iefus Chriit had a power, and was authorized by God to be a Law -giver him- out or agaiaft f felfe unto his Churches and Saints, in their fpirituall Republike , yet it is hard + E W °m* • C to P rc vc ^ at ^ e ever ^ e inverted any other with fuch a power : His Aportles ftrat" Parlfa- ' themfelves wereno Lords over the faith of the Saints , nor -had they anic ment/nnd Sy- c power or authoritie to impofe any thing upon men, as f neceflarie either to nod, have c be beleeved or praftifed, but what they had in expreiTecommiifion and charge power to fhis ^^-^ wori nip/or which they madeZ^crw^/vtf/^j-'notwithftandingthis object : rea- x 12 * t " f* * fon reflects more upon them and their ele£tors,t hen on fuch'who are Chn: ! fans f Twelve con- by excernaJl profeffion. Thirdly , moil GhriiHan Kings .and Magiiirates i/i the pderaBU Qve- Worid, (even thofe who claime to be hereditary, as the")tet continued formes of r j& p-4,?./«- their Coronations and inlialments manifeft) come in b£the peoples election, as J x { e ^f^ y welias fuch members of Parliament who are eligible, yet you cannot without ptl lZt *" difloialty and abfurdity^ny them authoritiein matters ofReiigion and Church- government. Fourthly , your Cd& doe not oneJy grant, but argue, [b] Thatjvs- b Page *f,*i art private man hath, yea ought to have power to eletl and conftitute his ownMtnifier: and no doubt you will grant,that private men have power Jikewife to let up inde- pendent Congregations , which have authority to prefcribefuch Covenants, Lawes, and Rules of Government, Difcipline^Worlhip, as themfelves think moft agreeable to the Word •* If then they may derive fuch an EcclehVHcall authority to in depend :nt Mkiifters and Churches , why not as well to Parliaments and lL Synods Jikewife by the feif-fame reafon ■■? Fifthly, It is cleare by fundry inflan- V ^es in .Scripture ; and your owne Text , that God doth oft times male ule J^qn fan 6ti fled prions,. and the rude multitude, ( whom you ib much under- va- lue^ to advance his glory, propagate his Go'pel, promote his Worfhip, vindicate c Num.2 j his Truth, and edifie his Church : He can poure a fpiritof prophefie upon c a - Baalam,zSanl,a Gamaliel,* perfecting High-Priefi; he can mike a [d\JuMs ^ ! ' ,l - I °- an Apoitle , yea fend him to preach and build his Church, as well as a Peter: Wee 40 j f - !l# * ° c> read in the Evangelists, that none were lb forward as th&vulgar [e] multitule to lo u. beleeve, follow, prof ejfe Chrift, and embrace theGosf el though many of them did it est d loh.6 io % i i effinifier ends. Therefore they may well nave power tocnufe fuch perlbns who ^ ar «^-7.^i 4 fhall and may make Lawes to promote the Go/pel, and Government of the ^^J 1 5 ;• Church of Chrift. .Sixthly, thoie who have no skill at all in Law, Phyfick, or Ar- ^g 3 '***, \ '** chiteel ure, have yet judgment and reafon enough to make choice of the bett £4.14 i? t c. LawyersjPhyiitians^Architecls.when they need their help* Thole who are unfit, M •.?*!* j *t or unable to be-members of Parliament themfelves, (as moit of the electors arc^ 8 > i? ' I °- lll \* have yet had wif iom enough in all ages, and efp?cially at this prefent, to elect th^t'^ )^'^ moil eminent & ableit men forfuch a fervice:Tbo r e who are unmeet to be Kingj^f J, Alar, i 3 . Magiftrares^CommandeM, or Minifters, have yet skill enough tochufeable per- ir,37.t»k.i/ fons for fuch ofikes,&power to delegate to them fuch Parliamentary^oyalljMa. 17x - 18 -43 c. gifieriall , PaftoraU authority, as is neceflary for their feverall ofHces'vvhich thofe i^?' r ****** who elected them never had ad ualiy, bur onely originally or virtually in them, flfcVc.g V 5 80t to ufe.bntderiv'er^emi^to others :\\hy then may not- our fi-ee-hcJjcrs, who Ad.^47/ * This he con- ll_ -vniitAiimt dv&ftMsem Mr Iohn<3oo,„ «r^n "gnranu po,\er.to enact Lawes , Statutes, in the Commie- c'dTwl!i r 8 ? i Y *$? ' ° nt Chu -^-S to e %^ feleft fuWlitute,, which SwSmS fcrmon, fled , n hlmidt£ . tran$fc „ ibfc thn ,. ro ^ ; " »as goer aOuallj Argument? -«'/^W/mraaion,out of a meere popular or .fdrwte root ? or the beft ftm™. «bac ch= f c ; en waters out of the vilelt L e cs ; the riche/1: Minerals oat of the cSert earth Ttl C£ ; „ S^^SSr ^t fe \ Gi '*- »■ one wo^h^S cS^ m ted no" g£ Shnd^rTr^'''' S^S ™ dc this P^meiic, may for ever re- /uriiaaioa *g lhis c , hl,difl ? . r «fon • the corner-ilone of your /*te ptm k»t Lricke ftft onewr.no - f d together wtth independent crochets, unable ro abii the {eft Thei "«««?*£, S £ ■ • L S u > U r y L-° mak - e bind ' n S Uvv s ** glaring church.-wernmUr • not ra J e,„- ^ s > an . d f? r laJin g the purity of Gods worfhip and Religion , not wit hftandlne to! °r the Sf ° JJe £ ^ v VIt „ asmuch reafon^umce, raife, and eltablilh a new cnurc£ £*£?. S°ve ntnent. tuitable to Gods Word and the civil! State , as reforme or repeale £££** SSftSSh ^ £ K rdCRf0me and ^^ «•« ^dependents can mew u . S whol p* f"^ g roun ^again/t it then any yet produced: and informe us, why our whole liament and teprelentative : Cnarch and State Ihonld not of right enjoy and exercte as great o: Ojujch of fearer ecclelia tiical I ;unfd dion, over all particular perfons and Churches who t 8 Sr o ^ - m ?,f° UrChl '; chandRea!rne > as ™y '""^pendent Minilter or Con- on oTflt f^f/' " < f 'f "Seor uf o zkfmli l ves> over their owne Members/this be- «.cu!ar pa; ^ ™Z™; true rtat e ofthe cue«,on,and not nhnb^ope ?mi:K [ a r Church-m- p*r,fk, Churches or l Mh . rVf»^tffrlmitdiai» . «7P^ages,|.amerrallycon t mytoh-, our. their/are- Krtmdl Kwr'Mi Co. ■ SXinSnS^^ . FIN 1 .9.