:79 F AN D _ 1 Perfecutlon condemnd E IN An ANsWER or EXAMINATiON, W H E R E o r, Many of them are of the Synod, and yet framed this Letterat Sion Coll-edge ; to be fcnt among others, A. to themfelves at the AITembly: In behalf or Reformation and Church-government, ‘2 Continual. Vans.14. :5 Amino marvail, for Sathan himfelf is transformed into an An- geli of Light. Therefore it is no great thing, though his Minifitrs transform themfelves, as though they were the MiniPcers - of Rightmufnefle; whofe end fhallbe according to their'wotks. fl; . i ‘ LoNDaN, ., er Pflntcd in the Year 164,6. ” ' i 3;“ ;’memmawwmammmw o F T H E London’Mnifler: Letter ”9 Egg/5 " THE ‘ * ‘r OF THE , LONDON MINISTERS To THE Aiiembly of DIV r we: at VVdiminfler; ; againfi TOLERATION, mildly examined 5 A N D The miflakes thereof friendly d ifcovered s As vvcll for the fakes of the Independent and Separation, as‘for the good of the ‘ COMMON-WEALTH. Hen I call to mimic the generall oppreflion ( before the Parliament) exercifed upon good people , con- fcientious in the ptafiice of their religion; and that 4 the Presbyters did nor onely fufleras much. asany therein, but exclaim’d, and labour'd as much as any there-againfl: It is a wonder to me , that now that yoke is removed , and a 'blefl: opportunity ofi'ered by - " Almighty God, to the people and their Parliament, to make every honelt heart glad , by allowing a jolt and contentfull Free— dome, to ferve God without hypocrifie ; and accordin to the perfwafion of confcitnce: That one Sefi amongft us,that is the Pres yters,that have been yoke-fellowes/with us; {hould not tell fatisfied with being free as their Brethren, but become refllelTe in their contrivances and endeavours , till they become Lords over us. The wonder is the fame; as it would Save A z een (631092 ,. ,gr - . r i ; , a . ' , i ”132:"‘fl _ ,- -( a 3. \ ' . . ‘ g 3 ' been, had the Ifraelites,after the dgptian bondage, become Taskmaflers - if“!!! M dfCM , heater, I. The reformation of Reli ion isnot yet perfedh’d andfetled among/1‘ ’45: according to our Covenant. An Wk may not the Reformation 6e rag/Ed up at lizfl to fuck parity and perfefliorz, thin traly tender oonfcienoerm) receive 24w burden; fat/Bfezfl‘ionfor ought that)” apparel. - I would to God the people, their own friends. efpecially, would but take notice of the Fallacy of the Reafon: They would have reformation peri'eéled according to the Covenant, before the Independents move to be tollerated: now Reformation is not perfected according to the Covenant, till Schifme and Herefie is extirpated; which in the fequel of this Later, they judge Independency tube, that their charity thinks. it then molt lealbnable,to move that Independency lhould be tolerated after it is extib pared: their reafon and afi'eftion in this, are alike found to the Indepen~ dams. Their drift‘in this, indeede is but [00 evident, they would have the Independents lilent, till they get“ wet in their hands, andthen let them t‘alke if. they dare,certainly,the mo feafomble time to move fbr tolleration is while the Parliament are in debate about Church Government; imce if {lay bee made till aChurch Government bee feded , all motions that may but feeme to derogate from that, how jull foever tin themfelveghow, good foever for the Common-wealth, mull: needs be hardly obtained. ,, t . ' And whereas they fay, Wk} may not Reformation be raifidup at lafl‘lto- fuck pit} and perfet'lion, that truly tender confiience: may receive abun- ddnt fatafafiion, for o [at that )6! appear“. ' - Obfir've, 1. That the? very Minillersfin the fequel of their Letter. impute it as Levity in the Independents, that they are not, ata (lay, but inexe- [Deflation of new lights and refervesfis they fay,l'o that a man would thinkf» they themfelves were at a certainty: But tis no new thing for one fort'of men to objeC’t that as a crime againlt others, which they are guilty 0 themfelves: though indeed but that the Presbiteis ufe any weapons at- gainfi the hidependant's, tis no crime at all, yea ’tis excellency in any man or woman, not to be pertinacious, or obllinate in any opiniombut to have an open care for reafon and argument, againfi whatfoever he holds, and to imbrace or reiefl, whatloever upon further {catch he finds . to be agree- SIC]: 4),..._ ‘. :2- “-r.y~.:m“.‘;h . - . able to, or difi'onant. fiom‘ Gods ' holy Word. It doth appeare from the . praetifes of the Prestiitersfind ficom this Letterand other Petitions exprefly agai‘nlt Toleration, that’un'lefi'e the Independants and feperation will {ub- fiutdtheir Judgements to theirs; they ihall never be tollerated, if they‘can in erit. ‘ - - " Their 2. Reafon is that'it it not yet [@2on when the Government of the Independent it, neither Would the} ever let theWorlel know What the J hold in that point,thongh finite of their part hen/e hin too farWtzrd to challenge the Lon- don Petitioner: as led With Hind ohhdience, andpinning theirflmlet upon their. Pref/t: fleet/e, for deflring em eflnhlijhment' of theGot/ernment of Chri/t, he—. fore there WM any model! of it extant. Theit 3d. Reafon , is much to the fame _ .pflrpofe. . I anlvvet, I. That the Minifters. know that the Independent Government for the Generall' is refolved upon by the Independents, though they have nOt yet modelized every perticular, which'is a worke of time, as the fra- ming of the Presbyterian Government was. The Independents however have divers reafons for diffenting from the Presbyterian way, Which they have given in already.And though they have not concluded every perticulat of their owne, but are [till upon the fearch, and enquiry; yet it is feafona-r; ble hOWever to move for toleratiOn,for that the ground of moving is not be- eaufe they are Independents,but bemufekvery man ought” tolbe free in the worfhip and fervice of God,compulfion being the way to in‘creai'e,not the number of Converts, but of Hypocrites; whereas it is anOther cafe for People to move for eitablifhing of a Government they underitand not, ha- Ving never feene it,as the London Petitioners did, that’is‘moft evidentlya \ giving up of. the underl‘tanding to other men, fure the Presbiters them— felves cannOtthinke it otherwife, not yet the People upon the leafi confide: ration of it; Befides, the London Petitioners did not onlydeiire, as herethe Miniiters cunningly thy,an efta'bliflnnent of the Government of Chrifi,but an eitablilhment of the Government of Chri{l(a modell whereof the reve- rend Ailembly of Divines have fram’d, which they neVer faw) lb that here— ’ in, the People were abufed b the Divines , by being put upon a Petition, wherein they , fiippofe that Jovernment which they never faw, to be Chrii’ts Government; If this benot futficient to difcovet to our Presbyte— rian Lay-Brethren, the Divines confidence of their abilitity to worke them by the {moothneffe of phrafe and Language to what they pleafe , and of their own eafineife , and flexibility to be {0 led,Ilmow not what is. ‘2. The Minil’ters urge that. the defire: and endeavour: of the Independent? . fo‘r'Tolerntion, are unrenfontthle , and unequal! in diver: regardt. , I .5 Part!) herdufe nofuch toleration hathheitherto heen eflethlifht ([0 47' M i We Ignawfl in an) Chriji‘inn State, [7] the C i'm'll Magi/hem B _ [It “ ., m ”‘1, “‘4'." :m. 1 w, ‘7' - .. - , , ,- « I .,~ . .- - _ , , ‘ e'VW . : 4.3 " I. ‘ .. ' . - e . 0 r“ ' .a =2”! / ’ ~7" in ‘.- ~ ‘ 7- 7 . -- (/6) - ~ -— i.,‘as~ . _. r" a t - i» s ‘ -- 'Bi't't' that mammals have been died to Fpe'zlie whétih‘eypfea‘féforg ~ ‘Real'on intheir Pulpits‘ without contradiction , they Would Defiégfilrehfii ' let {0 flight a one as this have paltfrom them : It feemsby‘this reaibnjt‘h'a‘t if in any Chriftian State a Toleration by the Magiltrate had been allowed, it would not have been un'reafonable for our State to allow it : The prafiice of States , being here fuppofed to be theMle of what’s reafonable -; whereas [had thought , that the practiceofChrifiian‘Stat‘as is to be judg‘d by the rule ofreafon and Gods Word,aud not reafon by them ,: That which is 'jult and reafonable, is confiant and perpetually fo; the praétice of, States though Chriflian, is variable we fee; different one from another, and Chan- ging according to the prevalency of particular partees , and therefore a molt uncertain rule of what is reafonable. .. _ ~ .- . '. . . . ‘ Befides, the State ofI-‘Iolland doth _ tollerate ; and therefore the Minifiers Argument , even in that part where it 'l‘eems to be moll: l‘trong for them , makes againlt them. " ' ' - . Again, if the prafiice of a Chriflian Rate, be a fufficient Argument of the reafonablen'dl’e of a Tolleration, our State may’juitly tollerate becaufif: Chris- fl'ian, and becaufe they'are free to do what everfan'y other State might for- merly'have done. But I {lay too long upon {0 weak an Argument. . ' 2. Partly, Becaul‘efame of them have [01¢an profift, that the] cannotfuf- fer Prg/hittzr], and anfiwmhle hereunto :45 their pmffice , in tho]? place: Where ' Independent} prevail“. . ' g. _ . : . r ' ’Tis unreafonable it"{Eems to tollerate Wepfindents. ,_ becaufé Indcgcno dents would nor if they had the power, fufl'er’Presbyter's. A very Chum- anly argument, andcaken Out ofthe 5. of'MtzttheW 44. Lwejour Enemies, ‘ 51:1]? them that avfiymflogaadto them that hate yowmdpm] fir them which hurtejau, andpcrfi'cute Jon : What, were all our London Minillers Forgetfull of tneir Saviours inttrueh'ons ? Does their Fury [0. farreblinde their“ under- flandh‘lg,‘ and exceed their piety? Which feems to be but pretended now, fince in their “practice they would become Jews , and cry out an ejefir an, eye; 4nd4 tooth firatooth. Whofoever meddles with them itfeems , {hall have as good as they bring : Wasever fol’trange a reafon urg’d by a Sefi of men, that fay they are Miniller's , Chrills Mnifiers , Reformers too , that would make the world believe the‘yare about to reduce all matters Chris Mango the originall and primitive excellency oFChrn‘t and the Apoflles,and yet to {peak and publilh to the world a f leenifh realon , fo exprtflely cone- trary to the precepts, to the praéh'ce of'é’brifl and his followers. Io: Chrifl; May, that bids us love our enernies ,‘that we may be’t'he childrenof our Pa;- .- ther which is in heaven , who makes the Sun to thine on the evill and.the cood, and fendeth rain on the full and on the unjull. Tht Minillers lbo‘uld l 8e like the Matter,“ what a difproportion is here? As if the title were taken . 5 up up for fome other end 5 we know the Apof’tle {peaks ofMinil‘ters that wild transfer I i themfelves as though they were the Minil’ters of RighteOufilefle ; I pray Godou Minillers do not {0,1 would willingly fupprefie thofe liars and fufpitions 3 which doe What I can arife in me, from their words and practice. Sure they had approve themfelves‘ better chriltians, if upon the difcovery of 1'0 bad a fpirit in any of th- Independents;as to perfecute,had they power (though I beleive , there are not an fuch) I fay, it had been more Chrilt—like in our Minifiers, to have diffwaded the firm fo unmanly, fo much more unchrillianly a vice,then to have it made an argu “ ment For practice in themfelves. They might by the fame rule , be Jewes to th Jew, or Turke to the Turke, Oppreflours to the Oppreffour; or doe any evill to . thers, that others would doe to them : iforher mens doing of "1:, be an argument 0 the real‘onableneffe thereof} ,But I hope, our Minillers will be [0 ingenious, as wh ‘ they fee their weakneflis forfake them, it will be both more comfortable to all other forts of men, and in the end more happy For themfelves. ! 2. Again, I fuppofe your fuggellion to be very falfe; namely, that the Indepen dents if'they had power, would perfecute the Presbyters : though let me tell yo of all fefis of men, thofe deferve lealt countenance of a State that would be Perfe cutor‘s, not becaufe of their confciences' in the practice and exercife of their Religi on, wherein the ground of Freedome confil‘ts; but becaufe a perfecuting fpirit is th greatell enemy to humane fociety, the dillolver ol'love and brotherly affection , th caufe ofenvyings, hearnburnings, divifions, yea, and of warres it felfe. Whobev {hall call an impartiall eye upon times palt,and examine the true caufe'and reafotl / ' of'the fubverfion, and deval’tation oi'States and countries, will I am confident; attri' 'bute it to no other, then the Tyranny ofl’rinces , and Perfecution of Priefts. S that all States. minding their true interells, namely the good and welfare ofthe . ' . ple, ought by all meanes to fuppreile in every feel or de ree of men ', whether P pills, Epifcopalls, Presbyters, Independents, Anabapti 3, ate. the fpirit of Domi nation, and Perfecurionthe difquieter and dilturber of mankind , the ofl’l‘pring . ‘ Satan. God being all Love, and having fo communicated himfelie unto us,and ga us commands to be lilxe him, mercifull, as he our heavenly Father is mercifixll ; t; bear with one anothers infirmities : neither does reafon and true wifdome difia '1 any or ter to us, then that we {hould do unto others, as we would be done 'unto . : ft‘lV'CS; that {pix it therefore which is contrary to God, to reafon, to the wellobei i ofStatts, as the fpxrit ofPerfecution evidently is; is molt elpecially to be watch and y'arily to be circtiiiilcribetl, and tied up by the wifdome of the fuprcam pow in Common-Wealths. ] {peak not this to the ~dil'grace ofPresbyters, as Presbyt if for as fuch,}{uppoie the are not Perfecutorsfomfmuch as I know,fome,and 1 ho there are mun). more 0 them, that are zealous and confcientious for that form 5 Government, and yet'enemies lo a compullive power in matters of Reli ion. B l for this end only, namely to beget a full and chrillian dillike in all forts of men , well Presby ters, as others; of forcing all to one way OfWOl'flllP, though difagre - ble to their minds : which cannot be done, without the allillance of this fury a peltilent enemy to mankind, Perftcution. I proceed to the Minillers third Reafo «v. ~ g s. *5 _ .» . b .9 . _ ‘ ‘ | . . , .r. r, ' ,«z ~. v \ u: A - . _t . i . . ~ . v " aflfl? a“ ”if - .. ’. ' 5v," 255531: j - a ' . at . _. ,. éfifl“ I i ‘ I . ‘ ‘9 _, f.‘ ,. - ~ ~.' (8) I ‘ \Y _ 3,-2 1-9,-..» l7. 5 ;_g/I}i21pdrtl)\ to grant to thhngnd not to other Seflhrie: Who diéfi‘ee-é‘amwfl WE “ti: , and bat): done .15 gags/{fez vice duke} to the publiclg (“they a]? to plead) Will thrower! injzflice, Migrant partialit” bat to giant ~it to all , Willflrarce be elemed llfi?! imPi‘f’JI- . - ' e - ~ ~ - ; ° L_ To the. oriner part of this argument I gladly confent,that Seétaries have as good. ’L 'cl'aitnes' to Freedo;ne,as any forts ofmen whatfoever ; becaufe freeL-born , ,becaufe ;;;well-all'e&ed,and very aflil‘tant to their counrry in its neoelfities. The latter part of wthe argument is only an arfirtnarion,Without proof; the Minifiers think fure it' will lilac taken for truth becaufe they laid it, for meh a ptcfumption it feerns they are at- Lirrived to. In the mean time what mult theyllippole thep . le togbe, that do ima— ': gine their bare athrmations {uthdent ground For thepeoplecfgeliefil would the peo- IWk would leatnfi‘om hence to be their own men ,and make me of theirown under- riflandings in the .fearch and beleif ol'th ings; let their Minillzers be never {0 feemi‘ngly Lgleamed or )udiCious,God hath not given them undetfiandings for nothiig;thefiib- “million of the mind is the molt ignoble {Livery ; which beino in our own powers gfgtokeep flee,the Subjefiion thereof argues in usthe greater bafenellq but to the ;" ettion,that it will beimpiety togrant it to all Seétaries.-- -' E i l I anfiver,Fir&,that the word Seétary is communicable bothto Presbytersiand In- ;é‘vdependents, whether it be taken in the good fenfe For the followers of .Chril‘t; for like all Presbyterandependents,Brownifts,Anabaptifts, and all elfe, fuppofe and iipr ell; themfelvts to be t or in the cmnmon l‘en'fe, for followers of‘mee few men $3.103 eminent in their parts and abilities the.) other. And hereof the Independents - hmdl’resbyters are as'guilty as the Separatio.1,1nd {o are aswell Seétaries. Now all , §;Se&aries,whether Presbyters,Independents,Brownifis, Antinomians, Anaba tilts, 3gp, have a like title and right to Freedome,or a Toleration 5 the title thereo being 3 not any particular of the Opini n,.but'the Equity of every mans being liree in the ‘fitate hcfixesin, and is obedient to , matters ofopinion being not properly to be § .gkeniutocogni fame any farther, then they break out into fome dilturbane‘ep: dil— [qui'ct to the State. But you will fay , that by fuch a toleration,blairphemy will be : o oachcdfind fuch firange and horrid opinions,as would make the cares of every 5' qdly 5'93 chriftian man toringle; what mull this alfo be "tolerated ? I anfwerfir can- ‘3 41363111}, to [st bounds or limitations to toleration,any further then the may of ‘ g - ~ 'ple requires; the more horrid and biafphemous the opinion is, the eaiier lup- - ,by realbn and argument; b. caufe it mull necefl'arily be,that the weaker the an - ents,are on one Moshe llronger they are on the other: the groiler the erronr is, .- inorcadvanmge hath truth over it; the idle colour likewife, and pretence there . 1 got i! ng it “POR “16 Pmplc. 1 am confident‘that there is much more danger tta {m , butlpecioully formed error, that hath a llls’CDt’lTC and limilitude to truth, ‘ enina groileand palpable untruth. L Bchdts, can it inreafon be judged the meetefl way to draw a man out of'his er— , A ,by' rilbnmem, bondstor Other puniihment? You may as Well be, angry, ‘90. item that he an Waive «mam his W a and. We“??? firipfi .> I ..' ‘I i a «r . . ". 4 . l . - ‘ I . i . . - ' . . ((9 I . . .' firipes or bonds to recover his light : hoiv prepofierous would this bee? Your" Pro! . per and meet way fure iS,t0 apply things pertinent to his care. And f0 likewi e. to g a man whof'e underfianding is clouded,whoie inward light is dimn and imperlffl’. 3 whole mind is {0 lar mif—informedas to deny a Deity, or the Scriptures (for wefli infiance in the worllzof errors) can Bedlam or the Fleet reduce l'uch a one? N01; certainly, it was ever found by all experience, that fuch rough courfes did confirme the error, not remove it : nothing can doe that but the efficacy and convincing poo I wer of found reafon and argument ; which, *tis to be doubted, they are fcaroe'fitr-i nilht wit-hall thatufe other weapons. Hence have I obferv’d that the moll‘ weak '6: ' pafi’ionate men, the molt unableto defend truth, or their owne opinions,are the moil violent for pefecution. Whereas thofe whofe minds are eflablifhtfind whofe: opinions are built upon firm and demonfirable grounds,oare not what winds blows a fear not rograpple with any error,becaufe~-they are confident they can overthrow 'it..i 3. IndependenCy is a Schifme, and therefore no: to be tollerated. - - - '» Pi The principall argument brought to prove it, i 3 this ; 1?ch they departfiomtbt Prejhyter (bunker, Which are true [barre/cw, andfo confif} to be 6} the Independent:. i I anfwer, that this Argument only concerns the Independents, becaufe they only acknowledge them to be true Churches. Whether they are {till otfithat opinion or; no I know no'r,’tis to be doubted they are not , eipe'cially iiiic‘eilthey have difcern‘d the f irit of enforcement and compullion to raigni in that Church 5 the truelt mark‘ ofa 'alfe Church. I believe the Independents have chang’d their minde ~, efpecially , thofe of them whofe Pallors receive their Office and Minil’cery from the election of? the people or congrega tion,and are not ez'igag’d to allow {0 much to the Presbytoiésyl becaufe of their own interefh; as deriving their calling-from the‘BiihGpS-atidt-i’omi for the making up a fuppoled {ucceflion from the Apoltlesnvh‘o fbl‘ theme. _ [fa f l,- areenf'orcfd to acknowledge the Presbyter for atrue Church, as the Pres'bytets ailej neceflitated to allow the Epifcopall and Papifl- Church , true or valid For the” Rib!» France, as they confeffe in the ordinance for Ordination, becaufe they have regent!!! their Minillery therefromwithout which abfurdity they cannot maintain their filmy ceilion from the Apolties. But that the Independentsare‘ not a {chifm‘ithey hWe'mll ‘5 will, I believe, upon allloccal-ions futiiciently viuflifie: I-lball'not therefore-Juice it}.f concerns them in particular,"nfill thereupon; but proceed to the fuppofed‘tnikhiefs 7 which the Minitlers fay will inevitably follow upon this tolleration , both tothef Church and Cominomvea th. Firfi, to the Church. ; - . , 1 "' <" ' '- .43. I. («fie/raj]? .wd unjufl' imitafiom our {Muffler} Matron ' drinks? . "ii To this I lay, that it argues‘an abundance of dil’trull the Min ets hairein their. own abilities, afld the doctrines they preach, to fuppole their auditors will forfalr‘ them if other men have liberty tolpeak.’Tis authority it feemsmufl: filltllei'r Chute- ches,and nor the truth and ethaacy oftheir doflrtnes. I judge it for mypart a {nth Cicntground- to fufpefi that for gold that carft: abide a triall. ' .3 t leems our Mindlem doctrines and Religion, are like D450» of the PhllilHns,that will fall topieets at th 1 appearance of the Ath‘ruth lure would be more confident,in hope toappglaf {1101i . . ' " ’ 8 z 0‘ .. 5‘ ' .nAl-m ‘ ,3.ng ‘L‘in'w " i l .1,” AV.’ ‘ 3“ . Q . -- 55: ' 1‘ \ knouth, in confidence 'that truth, in whomfoever iheis, will prove vifiorious ; and gglke the Suns glorious lultre, darken all errors and vain imaginations of mans heart. glut Ifear the confequence {licks more in their fiomacks , the emptying of their Ehrmches being the eclipfmg of their reputatiOns, and the diminifbing oftheir pro. fits; if it be.0therwife,llet it appear by- an equall allowing of that mothers, which ghey have labour’d, R) much for to be allowed tathemfelves. ‘ Mg; 2. Our people: mind: xvi/16: tranbéeddmfiiddnga‘ to hefub'verted, Afl‘s ‘15- 24. f? V- {won them byttht-paration or Independents,as it is urg’d by them upon the Sepa- ration and Independents ; namely,that they-trouble thepeoples mindes, and lay in- . :fhnétiom upon them, they were never commanded to‘ lay. And-’tis very obl‘erva- 511e,the molt of tholl: Scriptures they urge againlt the Separation, do molt proper- ;gv belongunto themfclves. , - _» . 4rd}; . ‘Bitter bartixming: among~ brethren , Wifl be fimnted and perpetuated to all 'f eri! 3;: its protection, but allows 'one fort of men to tramplenpon another -, from hence pier be perpetuated to pofterity, unlelle the State wifely prevent them ,. by taking i- tndneglefi of the other) by a iull and equall'tolleration‘. In that family. 1‘ o ‘ . . (Egandhm . _ A are commonly nuiltipliedmvhereone fonis more cockered ‘nd mdulg’d then another; the way to-foiler love and amity , aswell in a family, {3 an a State, being-an equall refpeét from thofe that are in authority. 3 MW Upon how {light lomdation is their reputadon-{umvortednhat Etar be» 1 defptfed unlefi'e Authority forces all to Church to them 9 Since they have con- ‘ .- to vouch themfelves godly, painhill,and orthodox, me thinks they ihould doubt an audience. The Apoltlescould empty the Churches, and Jewifh 5y»- . ogncsi _Ifld by the prevalency of'their dofirine convert :30Oo at a Sermomand ;, . outhmRers blather have the opportunity ofa Churcnymd the advantage " .{pealurgan houre night? without interruption, that they cannot keep. chore .. tots they have; ’_C that they M bee Withdrawn from them by men ., meme; lgght; (in-their gleam); by, the illiteme and under-valuedlay Prea. 3th“ ave (asthe Nhnil‘ters fupppfe) . millet-the cloud oft-trot and falfe do.- ita dikouragementto he: oppofed. andgfcatc they (hall be delpifed if , . v ’ - .. ‘ 5. They ,. ’. ‘ ‘. »_»’ c 3’ »J'_‘V..-.I -’ -n , __,._. ' (m) ' . ‘ dork-3:; ' fer of? by fali'hood. And therefore I doadiure the Minillers;from '- . a. t lav ’ e and potency that neoeifarfly mul‘t be in Truth and Righteoufneile, if _' ‘ y think they do profell'e it, that theygwould procure the opening of every. mans .- ' 3 A. The place of Scripture may concern thcmfelves , and may as well be urg’d . I «ix/1m. Not by,_bu't for. wantof aroueration : Beanie the Stateis not equall. I {pufi'neoeflatily arife heart—burnings, whichas they have ever been , {0 they will : Wymdflmmmt fomcncs them; namely, (thepattiailarindulgency done ' 1 $3M [835va Codi}, painful, and art/redo.» (fillixifler: Will bee rig/imaged mad Sud! mfiflmml‘m .or their v abilities to maintain than, . n .‘I a _ J I I , . . , _ - it They Qty, The hf: Wp'aWer of'godlznefle Will he "eaten our éjfi'iv‘alomvfil putemml train janglingr. . 7 - ' ,z '1 ' ' ‘ 3 9"" .. Anfw. Frivolous difputes and- vain-janglings, are as unjuitifiable in the pen-i pie as in the Miniflery , but milde and gentle Reafonings (which authority are onely to countenance) make much to the finding out of truth, which dothmoft' ‘ advance the life and power of godlineilh. Belides ,. a Toleration being. allowed, and every Sea labouring to make it appear that they are in the truth , whereof" agood life,or the power'ofgodlinelfe being tin: beft badge or iymptoine ; hence ' will necefl'arily follow, a noble conteftatiOii in all forts of men to exceed in god-- linelTe, to the ear improvement ofvertue and piety amonglt us.- Fromwhence icwill be concEided too , that that Set? will be {uppofed to basic leait truth in» them, that are leafk vermous, and godlike intheir lives and converfations. a .. . . ' _ 6. They urge, That the whale courfe qf religion in pri‘vatefamilie: will be inter-1‘ mpted and undermined. - , . . Aan. As if. the Independents and Separation were not as religious ins their private families, as the Presbytcrs.' . A - . ' .. f7. Reciprocal! duties éetween perfbm of mare}? and {hare}? relation: , M649? extremal] violated. . . _ . - A , : : ; Anfiu. A needlefle fear,grounded upon a fuppofition,that difference in judge- ment muit needs-ocmfion coldnelfe of affeétionwhich indeed proceeds from the. different countenance and prote&ion , which States have hitherto afforded to: men of'difi'erent judgements. Hence Was it, that in the mollperfecutingtimes',‘ when it was almoll as bad in the vulgar efieem tobe an 'Anabaptillfis amutrhe-q rer, it occafioned diiFinheritiiigs,-and many ei’feéls of want of affection, in peak. ple ofneareft relations '; but fince the common odium and v‘iliiication isin great meafure, taken 0&1, by the wife and- full permillion of- all fefts of men by théi - Parliament, man and wife,father and loin-friend and friend, though of different) opinions, can agree well together,and love one another -; which mews.- that fuch; difference in affection, is not properly the cffeft of'difiErer)ce.m judgement ,’ but: . of Perfecution,and the diitinét relpect and different countenance diatrAuthmzity has formerly fliewn‘ towards men nOt conforming. - ' ' *' -. .: . 8. They fay, That the whole workq‘lx’eformution, 'efiweiallj in‘difiipline and inj'ernyent, will be retarded , diflhréed, and in danger. of being utterly fi'ufl'rézfe ’UOI . . . , ' ' ) . It matters nor, ,finoe they mean inthe Presbyterian difcipline and Goren»: ment, accompanied with Perfecution : Nay , it willtbe abundantly happy, for the people, and exceedingly conducing to a lallzing PeaCe ( to which Perl‘ecution. is the grmtdt enemy )if then a govemment fo qualified be never fetlethe Pref-o. bytcmlhopc, will talk {hon-in their Gyms; r."1'is not certain that the Path- merit mean to fettle the Presbyterian Government, fince they have net'declared that Government to be agreeable to Gods Word ; although the Presbyters at; -' t .B 3 bvxi . ‘ tn) .. detheir e {Honsfr and to call their Gommdrtfiiflia'owu. m. Howfo'eirefieir determatioii ( which may wellbe fuppoe’d to be built “P93 wrinthreflc) is' notbinding :They are c'all’d to advrfe .wrthall . no; to Woul. 2. In cafe the Parliament thould approve of that Government in the. j .3 yet the Prelaticall and perfecuting power of it , a we may well prefumc army thehafelves may (hurt under it as. well as thereft of the people) they-- wanna-regattame ¥ - i a - . y 9., eflllorhtr Set}: and Herefle: in the Kingdom! , Will hemoumgedwendm; Mr the like tel/train». i ‘ - -~ Seas and-Heretics I We mul’t take leave to tell them , that thofe are termes . impos’d adpba'itm , and may be retorted with the like mnfidence upon their»;~ l felves. How prove they:Sepamtion to be Seas and Herefies ; becaule they dif-L ferand-feparate From them ?. That’s no Argument, uzilefle they can firfl: prove themfelves to be in the truth P A matter with much prefumption fuppos’d, but never yet made good, and yet upon this groundlelle prfefumption, thewhole n- brick of their fimétion, their claim to the Churches , their preheminence in de-1 retaining cutters of Religion, their eager per-fliit. after a power to perfecute, is mainly lhpported. If the Separation are Seéts and Herefies, bmlh the Pushy-‘- ters ; ( luppofing themfelves to have the countenance-of Authority ,‘ and ionic efleem with the people, judge them ('0 : The Presbyters by the fame rule were {0, beaufe theBifhops enoein authority , and in greater countenance with the Peopk,didfoitkigethemtobe. ' .7 ~ - ~ ' - ‘~ - And Mm: they fayfl'ba: Scflxd.&efiuW‘omd»W tbfilq'tollmnimwitbrhe Indepazdatu '. ' - : . - ' ' , - _ I anl'wer, that ’tis their right, their dueas infily a§ their’cloths, orfoodg and ifthey. indea'vour not for their Liberty, they are in a mealilre guilty of'thei’r' owne homage. How mml‘trous a matter the Minilttrs wouldmake it to' be,for- men- to labour. robe flee from perfecution. They thinke they are in-the fiddle) dndyburwifl new: Ihope have the reines in theirhands. " V ' ' 5 J j'Tbeu 10th. feare is the lame. - - " a. They [a] the whole Clmrcb of England (they meane their whole Church of England) mflm-t rim bid écfwalbmd up with diflméfiwand rconfilfion. ‘ ‘ snide magnum faidumt proved: were it not that the'Divino's blew the males of di ntion, and exafperated one mans lpirit againll another; I am Com“ fidcndy perfwaded we might differ in opinion, and yet love one another very wdlns for any dillraétiou. or contuli'on th'nr might - intre'nch upon that chl' peace, the Laws might provide againll it,which is theearnel‘t dehres both ofthe- thwdqumlon. - is 1- "' ‘ " j“ :‘."“ “E . a.- .Trey lay , Talbrau'ol mu ng'mimg’fflfiefe: upon the CW z, stealth-Fay " ,- ‘* ' ..-.. _ , , ‘ . J S’ ‘ t . ‘0 M. C , {a » i t i a "Wkw'ofi 1 'fi i i u.“ a“); ‘1 ' i' i‘ V >1. . , 'xri- , ‘ - , V-u - . . ~ , u . .. C ' 5 '~ I ~‘ ~ , . ' 1 . . . ‘ ‘ ; I. 214 thefe 'mzj/Ehet'fi‘? it) the thigh 312mm; their proportiohabie influence ‘ up?!” the C ommortowealth. . _ ' ‘. . ' ' ' I - ‘ ". This is but a flight fuppofition, and mentions no evill that is like to befall th’e Common-wealth. " ' ' ~ ' ' ' '- \ 2. They urge that the K ioqdo‘me Will be “tofu/Z] wed/{peel byfl‘andalb and Di- ‘vi/iomlfo that the Enemie: both olomeflimlband formigne will be enemagecl to- plot 41:3 Pméyf e again/t it. . ' ‘ ' ' ' “‘5'" I anfwer, that the Contrary hereunto is much‘more likelyd‘or two Reafons. 1.- There is like to be a concurrence, and joynt afliltance in the ped- teétion of the Common—wealth, which affords a)oynt prOteéfion and en'c'dnl rageinent to the People. a y . . . ' - A - ‘2. There can be no greater argument tothe People, to venture their ella't ‘ andliVes in defence ot'their Country and that government, under * which ting; enjoy not only a libertypf Bit-ate and l’erfon, but a freedome likewife of {'erv’ God according to their conl‘ciences, which Religious men account the great birthing upon earth ; I might mention notable inltances oflate aé’tions ol'fittvice in Independents and Seperatil’ts, whic‘harifing but From . hopes of' {itch a'free1 dome, can yetié‘catce be paraleld by any age or {tor . . g ‘ ' ‘ ‘ ‘ ', 7 3., The} fay it i: mach to be doubted, lefl' th e power of the Lil-’[rtgiflrate flofiwld hot only be Weakgzed, but even utterly overt'hrbwfleg confining the principle: mtg pmfiicet oflndepena'entt, together with their compliance with other Sefier’ierjufih— . '. , - - ) cieml} knollme to be antimgijt7r..rtimll. , ' Animations, but common fcandal, this whereof" much nfe has been made to the milleading the People into falfe apprehenlions -ot'-theit brethteii'the'Sepe-“r ‘ ratifis, to the great increafe of enmity and difaffeé’ti’on amongfi ns, whereof the Minillets are in oil efpecially guilty: Let any impattiall man examine the princi-J ples,and {catch into the praétifes of the fepa ration, and he mull: needs-conclude that they are not the men that trouble England, but [hole rather'Ihat. : it to their charge: the fepetation indeede and Independents are enelnieszto‘ 7: ranny, none more, and oppreflion, from whence lbeleeve has arifen therefore- mcntioned fcandall ot'th't m: but to jail Goverment and Magiftracy, none are ~ more fubjeét, and obedient: and therefore the Minillersmay do Well to lay‘afide ~ fnch obloquies, which will pthetwife by time and Other difcm ery,-tnrne to ~ their own difgrace.‘ - L In the lalt place they fay , ’tis oppofite to to the C otvemmt, I. Becaaflt opptZit: ‘ to the Reformation of Religion, according to the ”ford of Gar/{find example of the e]? Reformed C hm‘chet. ‘ I anfwer, r , That the example of the belt reformed Churches is not bindin filtthet then they agree with the Word ofGod,fo,that the Word of God indt'e Is the only rule. Now the word of God is exprelfe for tolleration,as appeaies by ; "' ‘ ‘ . the .4»? - 15 ~ ' , Iii-Ix casein-es growing with the wheate, by thofe two refl'e‘and 'vfe’ rules, ,1. Every man fhould be fully perfwadedof the truth 0 that “my '3“ :1 . wherein he ferves the Lord, 2. That whatfoever is not offaith is “me; and '3’- .hy'that'rule of reafon and pure nature, cited by our blefl'ed Saviour: namely, whatfoever ye would that men fhould do unto you, that do you unto them. ‘ g ‘2. Thy/21] it it definitive to the 3. K ingdonie: neareji conjnnflionand nnifor. mity in Religion and Govement. - . I anfwer, that the fame tolleratiommay be allowedin the 3. Kingdomes,’ together with the fame Religion and Government; whether it {hall be Presbi« terian, or Independent,or Anabaptil’ticall: Befides that I fuppofe which is princi- pally intended by this part of the Covenant, ’65 the Union of the 3. King- omes, and making them each defenfive and helpfull to the other, which a tol- tion will be a meanes to further, becaufe of the encouragement that every man will have to maintaine his {0 excellent freedome ; which he cannot bet- ter do, then by maintaining them all,becaufe of the Independency they will have one upon the Other. - 3. ’Ti: exprefl} contraryV to the extirpation of Scbifme, and‘wbdtfiever [let/l he found contrary to found doé'trine, and the power ofGodlinefe. .15- I anfwer, That when it is certainly determined by Judges that cannot err, who are the Schifmaticks, there may be fome feemin pretence to extirpate them , though then alfo no power or force is to be u ed , but lawfull means only,as the wife men have interpreted it;that is,$chiline and Herefie,when they appeare to be fuch, are to be rooted out by reafon and debate,the {word of the Spirit, n0t of the Fltfh; arguments, not blowes: unto which men thake them... {elves upon difttui‘t of their own foundations , and confciouiheffe of their owne inabilit . Beiides, as the Presbiters judge others to be a Schifme from them, {0 others judge them to be a Schifme from the Truth , in which fence only the Covenant an be taken. ' 4. Hereb] We fball be involved in the guilt (fat/oer menrjinnet, and thrreéy 5e endangered to receive o f their p14 gnu. ' - I anfwer, that compulhon muit necefllrily occafion both much cruelty and much Hypocrifie: whereof the Divines, labom mg fo much for- the mufe, which is perfecution , cannot be guildefi'e. ' 5 . I! fem: utter!) impojjible (iffuch a tollerationfloonld be granted) that the Lord/bank? be one, and his name one, in the 3. K inga'omel. _ I fix ie they mean by that phrafe, it is impoflible that our iudgemerits and graft: ion fliould be om; fo I believe it is, v. nether tnere be a Tolierationpr no. ut certainly the likelieii: way, rfthtTe be any (hereunto , is by hnding out one 011th; which moft probabiy Will be by givnig liberty to every man to {peak his minde,and produce his reafons and arguments; and no; b y hearing one See! on- . . A , ‘ 1;'C.’¢""’-' A new, \- ,g , A _ :; ';' ‘2 a ; : . ‘ 3 . ~ g t , : 5 “I '1' (3‘7"; ' - . ‘ .F ' ‘ ' I ‘ 5 . ' ‘ 1”" , Rx . I ‘- , . z ' . _- _ . . ' o _ , . . . g - .7 \ . ' . . ,. _ \‘ . - .3...— W "I '. H - ~— - - ‘ - 151’; That if it does produce a forc’d unity , it may be more probably in errour,’ . then in truth; the Minillers being not [a likely to deal clearly in the fearch there- ‘ of, becaufe of their interefis, at the Laity , who live not thereupon , but enquire for truth, for truths fake, and the fatisf'aétion of their own mindes. Att‘dthw I have done With the argumentive part of the Letter; I [hall one!) ole/ire, that What -I havefoid may he Without prejudice con/idered : And that the People would loo/{upon all/ort: of men and Writing: , a; the] are in them- felt)“, and not do they are repnfi’nted 5} other: , orforefla/l’d h] at deceitful! rumour or opinion. In this controverfie concerning Tolleration,l make no queftion but the Parlia- ment will judge juPcly between the two parties 3 who have bath the greatell opv‘ portunity and abilities, to difcern between the integrity of the one fide , and thQ interell of the other. That the one party pleads For tolerationfor the comfort and , tranquility of their lives , and the peaceable ferving of God according to their confciences ) in WhiCh they defire no mans dillurbance. That the other that plead againl’t ir,may ( I would I could fay onely probably )befwayed by interefi: and fel -refpe&s, their means and preheminence. I make no quellion but the Parliament, before they proceed to a determination of matters concerningRe- ligion, will as they have heard one party,the Divines, fo likewife relErve one ear for all orher forts of men ,knowyng that they that give fentence, all partees be- ing not heard, tho h the fentence be juit (which then likely will nor be) yet they are unjull'. B ides, the Parliament themfelves are much concernedin this controverfle, fince upon their diflblution they muit mixe with the people , and then either enjoy the fweets of'ireedome, or fuller under the molt irkfome yoke of Prieftly bondage : and therefore fince they are concern’d in a double refpeét; “ firfi, as chofen by the People to provide for their fafety and Freedome, whereoh Liberty of confcience is the principall branch,and fo engag’d by duty: fecondly, as Members of the Common-wealth, and {o oblig’d to eflabliih Freedome, out of'love to themfelves and their pofterity. ' I [hall only add one word more concerning this Letter,which is this {That ’ tis worth the obfervation , that the fame men are part of the cOntrivers of it, and part of thofe to whom'twas lent; Mr. IVal/{er being I’rehdent ol'Sion Cot- ledge, Mr. Seaman one of the Deans, (obferve that word) and Mr. Rohoroxftg' , one of'the Afliitants, all three Members of the Synod : who with the rel’t r - ming it feafonably, and purpofely to meet with the Letter from Scorland, con- cerning Church Government , may well remove the wonder and admiration that fecmfd to pollefle one of the Scotch grand Divines in the Synod, at the can- cmnce o Prooidence in the]? tWo Let-en: ofthe politick and confederated or- dering w ereof, he Could not be igu Dram. , FIN 15, RARE BV 74 1 .T6 / ' x" .1 V 4 : A132... - “) ELLBSVpC III/ll"!!!III/lWill/"IllWWII/lIII/11111111111”!!!Ill/III!