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         Marshall, Stephen, 1594?-1655.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A52038 of text R204591 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing M754A). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A52038
         Wing M754A
         ESTC R204591
         99825341
         99825341
         29721
         
           
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         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A52038)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 29721)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1993:19)
      
       
         
           
             An expedient to preserve peace and amity, among dissenting brethren. By a brother in Christ
             Marshall, Stephen, 1594?-1655.
          
           [2], 40 p.
           
             printed for H.R. and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the three Pigeons in Pauls Church-yard,
             London :
             1647.
          
           
             A brother in Christ = Stephen Marshall.
             Caption title on p. 1 reads: An expedient. To preserve peace and amitie, among dissenting brethren.
             Reproduction of the original in the Christ Church Library, Oxford.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Christian sects -- England -- Early works to 1800.
           Great Britain -- Church history -- 17th century -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A52038  R204591  (Wing M754A).  civilwar no An expedient to preserve peace and amity, among dissenting brethren. By a brother in Christ. Marshall, Stephen 1647    17678 121 0 0 0 0 0 68 D  The  rate of 68 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           AN
           EXPEDIENT
           TO
           PRESERVE
           PEACE
           AND
           AMITY
           ,
           AMONG
           DISSENTING
           BRETHREN
           .
        
         
           By
           a
           Brother
           in
           
             CHRIST
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             H.
             R.
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           his
           Shop
           at
           the
           Signe
           of
           the
           three
           Pigeons
           in
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           ,
           1647.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           AN
           EXPEDIENT
           .
           TO
           PRESERVE
           PEACE
           and
           Amitie
           ,
           among
           dissenting
           BRETHREN
           .
        
         
           SEeing
           it
           hath
           pleased
           Almighty
           GOD
           ,
           〈…〉
           ▪
           at
           this
           time
           to
           put
           a
           stop
           to
           the
           effusion
           of
           Bloud
           ,
           so
           prodigally
           powred
           out
           in
           our
           native
           Country
           ,
           and
           thereby
           given
           a
           hope
           of
           speedily
           stating
           the
           whole
           Kingdome
           ,
           in
           a
           firme
           and
           durable
           Peace
           :
           It
           doth
           not
           a
           little
           grieve
           my
           soul
           ,
           that
           this
           happinesse
           should
           be
           clouded
           or
           retarded
           ,
           under
           the
           pretence
           of
           Religion
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           best
           cimenter
           of
           Peace
           .
           But
           herein
           I
           take
           comfort
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           his
           own
           work
           ,
           no
           lesse
           in
           these
           controversies
           ,
           then
           before
           hee
           had
           in
           the
           warres
           ,
           and
           will
           reap
           glory
           out
           of
           both
           .
           We
           must
           neither
           start
           nor
           stagger
           ,
           when
           we
           see
           Schismes
           and
           Heresies
           rise
           ,
           in
           the
           visible
           Church
           They
           are
           the
           Tares
           ,
           which
           the
           envious
           man
           soweth
           ,
           among
           Gods
           Wheat
           ;
           and
           
             Christ
          
           hath
           fore-warned
           us
           ,
           and
           so
           hath
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           that
           through
           the
           rage
           of
           Satan
           ,
           and
           corruption
           of
           men
           ,
           there
           must
           of
           necessity
           in
           all
           times
           and
           ages
           arise
           scandals
           ,
           dissentions
           ,
           and
           Heresies
           in
           the
           Church
           ;
           for
           the
           exercise
           of
           the
           godly
           ,
           that
           their
           faith
           might
           be
           proved
           and
           manifested
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           by
           holding
           their
           ground
           ,
           and
           cleaving
           to
           the
           truth
           .
           Yea
           ,
           the
           very
           Gospell
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           which
           in
           it selfe
           ,
           is
           a
           Gospell
           of
           peace
           ,
           by
           the
           bloud
           
           of
           the
           Son
           ,
           reconciling
           of
           us
           ,
           to
           the
           Father
           .
           Meeteth
           with
           such
           Malignancy
           and
           opposition
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           that
           to
           the
           true
           professors
           of
           it
           ,
           it
           becometh
           ,
           a
           Gospel
           of
           warre
           and
           hatred
           ,
           and
           persecution
           .
           This
           is
           the
           condition
           of
           the
           faithfull
           ,
           to
           be
           alwayes
           in
           outward
           troubles
           ,
           wherein
           were
           they
           not
           supported
           with
           inward
           peace
           ,
           they
           were
           of
           all
           men
           ,
           most
           miserable
           .
           Upon
           this
           ground
           
             Martin
             Luther
             ,
          
           that
           undanted
           champion
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           being
           taxed
           by
           the
           Emperour
           in
           a
           great
           Councell
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           the
           man
           ,
           who
           by
           his
           Doctrine
           had
           disturbed
           the
           long
           continued
           Peace
           in
           
             Germany
          
           :
           Answered
           ,
           that
           what
           others
           thought
           he
           could
           not
           tell
           ,
           but
           it
           rejoyced
           his
           heart
           ,
           to
           see
           that
           there
           was
           divisions
           ,
           about
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ;
           for
           Christ
           came
           not
           to
           bring
           peace
           but
           the
           Sword
           .
           By
           all
           this
           it
           appeareth
           ,
           that
           as
           every
           true
           beleever
           must
           expect
           tribulation
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           so
           hee
           shall
           have
           peace
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           have
           peace
           and
           communion
           one
           with
           another
           ;
           
             Christ
          
           when
           he
           left
           his
           Disciples
           ,
           left
           them
           Peace
           for
           a
           Legacy
           ,
           and
           a
           commandement
           ,
           to
           love
           one
           another
           ;
           we
           are
           also
           frequently
           exhorted
           ,
           to
           follow
           after
           Peace
           ;
           to
           bee
           of
           one
           mind
           ,
           and
           preserve
           the
           unity
           of
           the
           spirit
           ,
           in
           the
           bond
           of
           Peace
           .
           How
           comes
           it
           then
           about
           that
           we
           see
           so
           many
           minds
           ,
           among
           brethren
           ,
           who
           will
           all
           passe
           for
           the
           Disciples
           of
           
             Christ
          
           ;
           and
           that
           from
           the
           diversity
           of
           minds
           ,
           wee
           see
           ,
           so
           many
           rents
           and
           separations
           ▪
           whereby
           the
           bond
           of
           Peace
           is
           broken
           ,
           and
           the
           spirits
           of
           men
           ,
           disunited
           !
           Certainly
           when
           it
           commeth
           so
           far
           ,
           it
           can
           proceed
           from
           no
           other
           root
           then
           from
           our
           lusts
           ,
           which
           war
           in
           our
           earthly
           members
           .
           Otherwise
           difference
           of
           judgement
           ,
           among
           true
           beleevers
           ,
           in
           the
           sincere
           search
           of
           truth
           ,
           may
           well
           stand
           with
           unity
           of
           affections
           ,
           without
           breach
           of
           Peace
           .
           For
           it
           is
           manifest
           enough
           ,
           that
           the
           true
           beleevers
           over
           the
           whole
           world
           ,
           are
           not
           of
           one
           mind
           ,
           in
           all
           things
           that
           concerne
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           .
           Witnesse
           the
           severall
           formes
           of
           outward
           worship
           ,
           among
           all
           Nations
           ,
           no
           lesse
           various
           then
           their
           fashions
           .
           And
           this
           may
           also
           happen
           ,
           among
           the
           faithfull
           ,
           aswell
           in
           the
           same
           ,
           as
           in
           severall
           Nations
           ;
           nay
           if
           we
           consider
           it
           home
           ,
           wee
           shall
           find
           ,
           the
           like
           difference
           in
           our selves
           ,
           that
           we
           need
           not
           wonder
           at
           it
           ,
           in
           others
           ;
           for
           what
           Christian
           is
           there
           ,
           who
           in
           pursuit
           and
           study
           for
           truth
           ,
           observeth
           not
           in
           himself
           ,
           
           degrees
           ,
           and
           diversities
           of
           judgement
           ;
           every
           day
           teacheth
           knowledge
           this
           life
           being
           a
           time
           of
           growth
           ,
           not
           of
           perfection
           ;
           neverthelesse
           ,
           no
           man
           hateth
           himself
           ,
           because
           he
           formerly
           knew
           not
           so
           much
           ,
           as
           now
           he
           doth
           ,
           but
           rather
           praiseth
           God
           ,
           for
           hauing
           revealed
           to
           him
           ,
           a
           greater
           measure
           of
           knowledge
           by
           this
           rule
           ,
           wee
           should
           deale
           with
           others
           ,
           as
           we
           do
           with
           our selves
           ,
           for
           that
           is
           the
           rule
           of
           Charity
           .
           We
           are
           all
           Gods
           building
           ,
           and
           albeit
           ,
           they
           may
           chance
           to
           differ
           among
           themselves
           .
           They
           are
           not
           for
           that
           to
           make
           a
           breach
           in
           the
           building
           ;
           but
           in
           Love
           and
           Peace
           ,
           suffer
           their
           opinions
           ,
           to
           bee
           tryed
           ,
           by
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           making
           that
           the
           decider
           ,
           not
           the
           breeder
           of
           controversies
           .
        
         
           This
           being
           premised
           ,
           I
           will
           proceed
           to
           the
           subject
           ,
           lying
           before
           me
           ,
           and
           take
           my
           beginning
           ,
           from
           the
           beginning
           it self
           .
        
         
           Almighty
           God
           doing
           all
           his
           own
           works
           in
           order
           ,
           was
           pleased
           to
           make
           Man
           ,
           a
           sociable
           creature
           ;
           first
           in
           himself
           ,
           associating
           an
           earthly
           and
           heavenly
           nature
           ,
           that
           one
           might
           guide
           and
           governe
           the
           other
           ;
           and
           himselfe
           receive
           glory
           from
           both
           .
           Then
           by
           ingrafting
           in
           that
           compounded
           nature
           ,
           rules
           of
           spirituall
           and
           humane
           duty
           ,
           whereby
           he
           might
           be
           fitted
           for
           a
           well-being
           ,
           in
           the
           society
           of
           others
           .
        
         
           For
           as
           the
           conjunction
           of
           flesh
           and
           spirit
           ,
           though
           parts
           far
           differing
           in
           nature
           ,
           make
           one
           man
           ;
           so
           the
           conjunction
           of
           many
           men
           ,
           though
           of
           severall
           ages
           ,
           complections
           ,
           humors
           ,
           passions
           ,
           callings
           and
           degrees
           ,
           make
           up
           a
           common-wealth
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           of
           all
           ,
           in
           their
           temporall
           well-being
           .
           Even
           so
           likewise
           ,
           the
           conjunction
           of
           many
           spirits
           and
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           though
           dissenting
           in
           opinions
           ,
           wayes
           and
           strength
           of
           judgement
           ,
           yet
           ayming
           at
           the
           same
           end
           ,
           by
           faith
           in
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           to
           attain
           salvation
           .
           Maketh
           a
           common
           union
           or
           a
           Church
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           of
           all
           ,
           in
           their
           eternall
           wel-being
           .
           Flesh
           alone
           ,
           nor
           spirit
           alone
           ,
           cannot
           make
           a
           man
           ,
           but
           the
           union
           of
           both
           ,
           no
           more
           can
           a
           Common-wealth
           by
           it self
           ,
           nor
           a
           Church
           by
           it self
           ,
           make
           men
           temporally
           and
           eternally
           happy
           ,
           but
           the
           unity
           and
           harmony
           of
           both
           .
           They
           are
           so
           conjoyned
           and
           intwined
           together
           ,
           that
           as
           the
           soule
           is
           in
           the
           body
           ,
           so
           is
           the
           Church
           in
           the
           Common-wealth
           :
           single
           they
           cannot
           subsist
           .
           For
           there
           never
           was
           nor
           can
           there
           be
           ,
           any
           multitude
           of
           men
           ,
           that
           bodied
           themselves
           ,
           
           into
           a
           Common-wealth
           ,
           who
           agreed
           not
           in
           some
           kind
           of
           Religion
           ;
           neither
           can
           any
           multitude
           of
           men
           body
           themselves
           ,
           into
           a
           Church
           ,
           but
           they
           must
           be
           subject
           to
           some
           kind
           of
           government
           .
           These
           two
           cannot
           be
           separated
           ,
           without
           the
           ruine
           of
           both
           .
           Seperation
           destroying
           Society
           ,
           wherein
           consisteth
           the
           happinesse
           of
           man
           ;
           for
           in
           heaven
           ,
           wee
           cannot
           bee
           happy
           alone
           ,
           nor
           on
           earth
           without
           society
           .
           These
           principles
           are
           written
           by
           the
           God
           of
           order
           ,
           in
           the
           tables
           of
           humane
           nature
           ,
           which
           are
           commonly
           called
           ,
           the
           light
           or
           the
           Law
           of
           nature
           .
           But
           sin
           and
           time
           having
           so
           fullyed
           that
           Character
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           scarce
           legible
           by
           posterity
           .
           God
           was
           pleased
           to
           revive
           it
           againe
           ,
           to
           his
           peculiar
           people
           ;
           writing
           it
           ,
           with
           his
           own
           finger
           ,
           in
           Tables
           of
           stone
           ,
           to
           authorize
           and
           moralize
           it
           ,
           to
           all
           generations
           ,
           for
           their
           good
           ,
           therein
           giving
           power
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           to
           take
           care
           ,
           for
           the
           keeping
           and
           preserving
           ,
           of
           both
           Tables
           ;
           placing
           our
           duty
           to
           him
           ,
           between
           our
           duty
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           towards
           our
           neighbour
           ,
           that
           hee
           might
           looke
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           of
           man
           both
           wayes
           .
           Our
           duty
           to
           God
           ,
           is
           contayned
           in
           fewer
           precepts
           ,
           but
           more
           words
           ;
           it
           seeming
           necessary
           ,
           that
           God
           should
           explaine
           himselfe
           ,
           in
           his
           own
           cause
           ,
           leaving
           no
           power
           to
           any
           man
           ,
           to
           adde
           or
           diminish
           ,
           or
           interpret
           his
           Lawes
           ,
           but
           by
           his
           own
           word
           ;
           which
           made
           
             Moses
          
           ▪
           though
           he
           were
           a
           Law-giver
           in
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           yet
           he
           would
           not
           judge
           ,
           the
           gatherer
           of
           sticks
           upon
           the
           Sabbath
           day
           ,
           without
           consultation
           with
           the
           Lord
           .
           Before
           the
           written
           Law
           ,
           every
           father
           of
           a
           family
           was
           both
           Priest
           and
           Magistrate
           ,
           to
           looke
           to
           both
           ;
           and
           the
           greater
           the
           family
           or
           society
           was
           so
           much
           higher
           was
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           and
           reverenced
           with
           more
           honour
           ,
           as
           being
           the
           common
           parent
           ,
           caring
           for
           the
           whole
           Country
           .
           This
           Law
           therefore
           of
           Nature
           ,
           being
           the
           very
           dictate
           ,
           of
           God
           himself
           ,
           may
           not
           improperly
           be
           termed
           a
           divine
           Law
           .
           There
           were
           also
           other
           Lawes
           ,
           which
           God
           prescribed
           by
           his
           servant
           
             Moses
             ,
          
           to
           the
           people
           of
           
             Jsrael
             ,
          
           politicke
           and
           Iudiciall
           Lawes
           ,
           for
           preserving
           humane
           society
           ,
           and
           governing
           the
           Common-wealth
           ;
           and
           Ceremoniall
           Lawes
           ,
           for
           the
           outward
           manner
           and
           forme
           of
           his
           publike
           worship
           ;
           for
           performance
           whereof
           ,
           he
           ordained
           divers
           Sacrifices
           and
           Sacrificers
           ;
           allotting
           maintainance
           for
           them
           both
           ▪
        
         
         
           But
           when
           the
           time
           fore-appointed
           came
           ,
           that
           God
           would
           restore
           man
           ,
           to
           that
           happinesse
           ,
           he
           had
           deservedly
           lost
           ,
           by
           the
           sin
           of
           the
           first
           
             Adam
          
           ;
           he
           sent
           his
           onely
           Son
           
             Iesus
             Christ
          
           the
           second
           
             Adam
             ,
          
           in
           the
           flesh
           ;
           who
           after
           he
           had
           manifested
           his
           divine
           power
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           by
           his
           Doctrine
           and
           miracles
           ,
           did
           by
           his
           last
           words
           on
           the
           Crosse
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           first
           visible
           testimony
           of
           the
           power
           of
           his
           death
           finish
           and
           consummate
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           rent
           from
           the
           top
           to
           the
           bottome
           ,
           the
           vaile
           of
           separation
           ;
           by
           both
           declaring
           ,
           the
           necessity
           of
           types
           ,
           and
           ceremonies
           ,
           places
           and
           times
           of
           worship
           differences
           of
           people
           ,
           Sacrifices
           and
           Sacrificers
           ,
           fixed
           and
           impropriated
           maintainance
           ;
           for
           any
           of
           them
           ,
           was
           no
           longer
           to
           bee
           continued
           strictly
           in
           the
           letter
           ,
           although
           a
           morall
           equity
           shadowed
           by
           them
           was
           to
           be
           perpetuall
           .
           Neither
           did
           our
           Saviour
           in
           the
           constitution
           of
           his
           Evangelicall
           Church
           ,
           revive
           any
           of
           them
           ,
           nor
           ordain
           any
           set
           form
           of
           worship
           ,
           rule
           for
           goverment
           ,
           or
           a
           certained
           and
           speciall
           maintainance
           for
           his
           Ministers
           ;
           but
           only
           repaired
           and
           restored
           man
           ,
           to
           that
           way
           and
           manner
           of
           worship
           ,
           which
           
             Adam
          
           had
           in
           his
           innocency
           ,
           prescribing
           him
           ,
           to
           serve
           God
           the
           Father
           of
           spirits
           ,
           in
           spirit
           and
           in
           truth
           ,
           without
           otherwise
           confining
           him
           to
           time
           ,
           place
           ,
           gesture
           ,
           posture
           ,
           or
           other
           circumstances
           ,
           which
           of
           their
           own
           nature
           ▪
           are
           not
           permanently
           confineable
           .
           In
           like
           sort
           ,
           the
           blessed
           Apostles
           ,
           whom
           
             Christ
          
           sent
           into
           the
           world
           ,
           to
           publish
           the
           glad
           tydings
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           laid
           no
           other
           foundation
           ,
           as
           necessary
           thereunto
           ,
           then
           
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           and
           what
           he
           had
           laid
           himself
           ,
           for
           they
           were
           only
           master
           builders
           ,
           on
           that
           corner
           stone
           
             Christ
             Iesus
             .
          
           What
           they
           declared
           to
           any
           people
           converted
           to
           the
           Gospel
           concerning
           any
           rule
           of
           order
           ,
           about
           the
           outward
           man
           ,
           or
           his
           Christian
           behaviour
           ,
           in
           publike
           service
           ;
           it
           was
           only
           a
           temporary
           advise
           ,
           sutable
           to
           the
           times
           ,
           Countries
           ,
           and
           occasions
           ,
           wherin
           they
           lived
           ;
           not
           universally
           binding
           to
           all
           Nations
           ,
           and
           generations
           to
           come
           .
           In
           their
           dayes
           ,
           there
           was
           neither
           Christian
           State
           ,
           nor
           Christian
           Magistrate
           ,
           nor
           any
           publike
           power
           ,
           to
           countenance
           or
           appoint
           the
           outward
           government
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           in
           default
           whereof
           ,
           it
           was
           necessary
           for
           them
           ,
           to
           make
           such
           orders
           and
           constitutions
           as
           might
           serve
           ▪
           for
           those
           present
           times
           ;
           neverthelesse
           ,
           as
           
             Christ
          
           himself
           ,
           took
           upon
           him
           ,
           no
           civill
           authority
           ,
           so
           ,
           gave
           hee
           
           none
           ;
           to
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           nor
           they
           ,
           to
           the
           Ministers
           succeeding
           .
           For
           when
           
             Christ
          
           was
           required
           ,
           to
           divide
           an
           inheritance
           ,
           betwixt
           two
           brothers
           ,
           he
           asked
           with
           indignation
           ,
           who
           had
           made
           him
           a
           Iudge
           or
           divider
           over
           them
           ;
           and
           when
           the
           case
           of
           the
           Incestuous
           person
           ,
           fell
           out
           at
           
             Corinth
             ,
          
           St.
           
             Paul
          
           inflicted
           no
           temporall
           punishment
           upon
           him
           ,
           only
           advised
           the
           brethren
           ,
           that
           whiles
           hee
           stood
           obstinate
           against
           all
           reproof
           ,
           to
           shun
           his
           company
           ,
           and
           cast
           him
           out
           of
           their
           communion
           ,
           that
           the
           shame
           thereof
           ,
           making
           him
           sensible
           of
           his
           sinne
           ,
           it
           might
           beget
           repentance
           ;
           and
           make
           him
           returne
           ,
           to
           the
           fellowship
           of
           true
           beleevers
           .
           I
           verily
           thinke
           ,
           that
           if
           all
           the
           directions
           ,
           which
           the
           Apostles
           have
           left
           recorded
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           were
           laid
           in
           one
           view
           together
           ;
           no
           man
           ,
           nor
           multitudes
           of
           men
           ,
           how
           learned
           soever
           could
           collect
           ,
           or
           frame
           out
           of
           them
           all
           ,
           an
           exact
           body
           of
           Church
           government
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           parts
           and
           Circumstances
           thereof
           ,
           to
           bee
           imposed
           as
           a
           divine
           ▪
           binding
           ,
           infallible
           rule
           ,
           upon
           all
           Christian
           Churches
           and
           Kingdomes
           ,
           in
           the
           world
           .
           Indeed
           where
           we
           meet
           ,
           with
           any
           Councels
           or
           constitutions
           of
           the
           blessed
           Apostles
           ,
           who
           were
           holy
           men
           ,
           indued
           with
           more
           immediate
           power
           ,
           from
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           with
           a
           larger
           measure
           of
           the
           spirit
           of
           truth
           ,
           and
           consequently
           with
           a
           greater
           certainty
           of
           judgment
           ,
           then
           any
           of
           their
           Ministeriall
           successors
           ;
           we
           may
           rely
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           our
           patternes
           ;
           only
           remembring
           the
           distinction
           of
           times
           ,
           that
           the
           Apostolicall
           Church
           ,
           was
           in
           infancy
           ,
           and
           under
           persecution
           ,
           and
           the
           
             English
             ,
          
           in
           full
           growth
           and
           dominion
           ;
           in
           so
           much
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           framing
           of
           Ecclesiasticall
           orders
           ,
           an
           eye
           and
           regard
           must
           ever
           bee
           had
           ,
           to
           the
           civill
           Government
           ,
           which
           alwayes
           aymeth
           at
           the
           publike
           good
           ,
           both
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Church
           is
           lodged
           .
           The
           Ministers
           doubtlesse
           ,
           have
           power
           by
           their
           office
           ,
           to
           advise
           and
           instruct
           ,
           exhort
           and
           rebuke
           out
           of
           the
           word
           ,
           in
           a
           brotherly
           way
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           as
           doubtlesse
           ,
           that
           the
           power
           is
           in
           the
           Christian
           Magistrate
           ,
           upon
           hearing
           their
           advice
           ,
           to
           constitute
           and
           establish
           ,
           under
           the
           naturall
           notion
           of
           order
           ,
           such
           decrees
           ,
           as
           upon
           due
           debate
           ,
           and
           deliberation
           ,
           they
           shall
           find
           most
           wholsome
           and
           agreeable
           to
           the
           present
           State
           .
           This
           is
           also
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           ought
           to
           take
           unto
           himself
           ,
           the
           office
           and
           honour
           ,
           to
           Minister
           for
           his
           brethren
           ,
           in
           things
           pertaining
           
           unto
           God
           ,
           unlesse
           hee
           be
           lawfully
           called
           thereunto
           ▪
           
             Christ
          
           himself
           ,
           was
           sent
           by
           the
           Father
           ,
           and
           annointed
           by
           the
           spirit
           ,
           to
           his
           heavenly
           office
           ;
           by
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           the
           holy
           Apostles
           were
           sent
           into
           the
           world
           ,
           from
           whom
           they
           had
           their
           immediate
           Commission
           ,
           and
           the
           blessed
           Apostles
           following
           their
           pattern
           ,
           did
           not
           only
           send
           and
           appoint
           Pastors
           over
           all
           Churches
           in
           their
           present
           times
           ;
           but
           also
           lest
           rules
           and
           directions
           ,
           for
           ordaining
           all
           others
           ,
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           ,
           till
           the
           worlds
           end
           .
           I
           make
           no
           question
           ,
           but
           God
           doth
           in
           our
           dayes
           ,
           call
           and
           stirre
           up
           many
           to
           this
           holy
           office
           ▪
           by
           particular
           motions
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ;
           yet
           that
           exempteth
           not
           the
           persons
           so
           called
           ,
           from
           manifesting
           and
           approving
           their
           vocation
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           rules
           left
           in
           Scripture
           :
           where
           we
           are
           commanded
           ,
           to
           try
           the
           spirits
           of
           men
           ,
           whither
           they
           be
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           the
           Spirits
           of
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           peculiarly
           such
           as
           are
           called
           to
           the
           Ministery
           ,
           are
           subject
           to
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           as
           fitting
           to
           be
           tryed
           and
           examined
           by
           them
           ,
           who
           by
           long
           experience
           ;
           and
           without
           reproach
           ,
           have
           conversed
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           dispenced
           the
           misteries
           of
           Salvation
           .
        
         
           From
           this
           brief
           and
           plaine
           deduction
           ,
           I
           shall
           lay
           down
           some
           few
           Positions
           ,
           as
           ground-lines
           of
           the
           discourse
           ensuing
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             
               That
               God
               hath
               by
               his
               Son
               ,
               taken
               away
               all
               ties
               of
               necessity
               ,
               for
               observing
               any
               part
               or
               parcell
               of
               the
               Ceremoniall
               Law
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             
               That
               God
               by
               Christ
               ,
               hath
               restored
               men
               to
               that
               spirituall
               worship
               ,
               which
            
             Adam
             
               had
               in
               time
               of
               his
               Innocency
               .
            
          
           
             3.
             
             
               That
               Christ
               hath
               not
               appointed
               ,
               any
               set
               or
               absolute
               form
               of
               Government
               in
               his
               Church
               ,
               binding
               to
               all
               times
               and
               Nations
               .
            
          
           
             4.
             
             
               That
               whatsoever
               the
               Apostles
               wrote
               concerning
               outward
               Government
               ,
               it
               was
               not
               ▪
               in
               nature
               of
               an
               universall
               Law
               ,
               but
               only
               by
               way
               of
               order
               and
               advice
               ,
               answerable
               to
               these
               Primitive
               times
               and
               occasions
               .
            
          
           
             5.
             
             
               That
               the
               Ministers
               of
               the
               Church
               ,
               as
               they
               are
               Ministers
               ,
               have
               no
               temporall
               Power
               ,
               Iudicature
               ,
               or
               maintenance
               positively
               and
               particularly
               alotted
               them
               ,
               by
               Christ
               or
               his
               Apostles
               ,
               but
               only
               in
               the
               generall
               ,
               that
               it
               be
               sufficient
               and
               plentifull
               ,
               that
               thereby
               they
               may
               be
               examples
               unto
               others
               of
               hospitality
               and
               good
               workes
               ,
               
               learning
               the
               manner
               and
               speciall
               determination
               ,
               to
               the
               Christian
               Magistrate
               and
               the
               Lawes
               of
               the
               Land
               .
            
          
           
             6.
             
             
               That
               the
               Christian
               Magistrate
               hath
               the
               highest
               power
               ,
               of
               ordering
               and
               governing
               the
               Church
               of
               God
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               visible
               company
               ,
               not
               onely
               of
               Ministers
               and
               Officers
               ,
               but
               of
               all
               Beleevers
               ;
               and
               is
               intrusted
               to
               him
               ,
               forasmuch
               ,
               as
               the
               Church
               is
               in
               the
               Common-wealth
               ,
               and
               not
               the
               Common-wealth
               in
               the
               Church
               .
            
          
           
             7.
             
             
               Whosoever
               hath
               a
               Mission
               ,
               to
               undertake
               the
               Ministery
               ,
               ought
               first
               to
               find
               himself
               inwardly
               called
               ,
               then
               undergo
               a
               lawfull
               Tryall
               ,
               and
               receive
               approbation
               ,
               with
               the
               prayers
               and
               benediction
               of
               the
               Presbitery
               .
            
          
        
         
           Now
           concerning
           this
           great
           controversie
           in
           our
           Common-wealth
           ,
           about
           the
           government
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           I
           shall
           from
           these
           Principles
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           small
           ability
           God
           hath
           given
           me
           ,
           unbyassed
           ,
           by
           any
           opinion
           or
           affection
           ,
           to
           any
           kind
           of
           Government
           ,
           nor
           yet
           for
           any
           covetous
           ,
           nor
           ambitious
           desire
           or
           designe
           in
           my self
           ,
           but
           meerly
           ayming
           at
           the
           good
           of
           Gods
           Church
           and
           of
           my
           Country
           ;
           set
           down
           ,
           how
           I
           conceive
           ,
           our
           supream
           Magistrate
           ;
           may
           establish
           such
           a
           Church
           government
           ,
           as
           might
           preserve
           Amity
           among
           Brethren
           ,
           yet
           not
           oppugne
           any
           rules
           Christ
           hath
           left
           behind
           him
           .
        
         
           The
           two
           houses
           of
           Parliament
           ,
           have
           already
           ,
           upon
           ripe
           deliberation
           ,
           passed
           an
           Ordinance
           for
           a
           Presbyteriall
           government
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           limitations
           thereof
           :
           Which
           government
           I
           am
           verily
           perswaded
           ;
           if
           it
           be
           duly
           executed
           ▪
           will
           prove
           the
           best
           Moderator
           ,
           betwixt
           dissenting
           Brethren
           ,
           For
           it
           is
           such
           a
           government
           ,
           as
           taketh
           away
           the
           ill
           and
           exorbitance
           of
           any
           other
           ,
           reserving
           that
           which
           is
           good
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           the
           better
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           liked
           ;
           because
           it
           disliketh
           those
           parties
           that
           oppose
           it
           ;
           for
           surely
           hee
           is
           esteemed
           the
           best
           and
           most
           unpartiall
           Moderator
           ,
           who
           in
           reconciling
           parties
           in
           such
           indifferences
           ▪
           displeaseth
           them
           all
           ;
           yet
           if
           this
           government
           ,
           may
           not
           have
           so
           much
           as
           an
           Vmpires
           power
           ,
           to
           constrain
           obedience
           ;
           or
           else
           putteth
           not
           ,
           that
           power
           in
           practise
           ;
           then
           it
           will
           be
           vilified
           ,
           and
           of
           no
           esteem
           .
           
           Therefore
           that
           it
           may
           not
           prove
           a
           dead
           uselesse
           letter
           ,
           I
           doe
           first
           conceive
           ,
           that
           it
           should
           be
           established
           with
           Penalties
           ,
           and
           put
           in
           present
           execution
           ,
           and
           made
           positive
           ;
           without
           allowing
           a
           limited
           time
           unto
           it
           for
           approbation
           .
           For
           without
           that
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           altered
           in
           whole
           or
           in
           part
           ,
           at
           the
           Judgement
           of
           the
           Makers
           ▪
           but
           with
           that
           ,
           it
           would
           leave
           every
           man
           ,
           doubtfull
           and
           indifferent
           ▪
           which
           will
           lessen
           or
           take
           away
           ,
           the
           true
           value
           ,
           and
           operation
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           place
           ,
           I
           conceive
           ,
           as
           an
           especiall
           wheel
           ▪
           of
           this
           motion
           ,
           and
           a
           strong
           fortification
           of
           the
           Government
           ,
           that
           care
           be
           taken
           to
           keep
           and
           incourage
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           word
           ,
           in
           a
           perpetuall
           and
           constant
           practise
           ,
           of
           their
           Function
           ;
           and
           to
           remove
           all
           occasions
           ,
           which
           might
           any
           way
           divert
           them
           ,
           from
           their
           holy
           calling
           .
        
         
           Howsoever
           it
           comes
           about
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           but
           certain
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           ●●thence
           ,
           the
           Church
           was
           poysoned
           ,
           with
           a
           temporall
           revenue
           and
           carnall
           estimation
           ,
           given
           to
           Ministers
           ,
           for
           their
           masters
           sake
           ▪
           Pride
           and
           covetousnesse
           ,
           have
           predominated
           amongst
           them
           ;
           who
           have
           bin
           ,
           and
           ever
           will
           bee
           ;
           the
           roots
           of
           much
           evill
           ,
           and
           combustions
           in
           those
           States
           and
           Churches
           ,
           where
           they
           have
           had
           any
           power
           ▪
           so
           farre
           as
           forgetting
           their
           calling
           ,
           and
           the
           patterne
           of
           
             Christ
          
           ▪
           they
           have
           ever
           bin
           observed
           ▪
           for
           the
           maintenance
           of
           their
           secular
           pomp
           and
           greatnesse
           ▪
           to
           bee
           the
           chiefe
           hinderers
           of
           Reformation
           to
           the
           purity
           and
           humility
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ;
           knowing
           it
           must
           first
           begin
           at
           themselves
           .
           Therefore
           for
           the
           rooting
           out
           and
           preventing
           ambition
           among
           them
           ,
           it
           might
           bee
           good
           to
           take
           away
           those
           titles
           of
           separation
           and
           division
           ,
           which
           have
           had
           their
           originall
           from
           〈◊〉
           .
           As
           to
           be
           called
           Clergy
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           holy
           and
           the
           people
           prophane
           ;
           or
           Divines
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           all
           heavenly
           ,
           and
           〈◊〉
           formed
           of
           the
           same
           earth
           ,
           with
           the
           people
           ;
           certain●y
           they
           can
           have
           〈◊〉
           higher
           title
           ,
           then
           to
           be
           called
           Ministers
           of
           the
           Gospell
           :
           bringing
           from
           God
           to
           man
           ,
           the
           glad
           tyding
           ;
           of
           reconciliation
           and
           〈◊〉
           ▪
           For
           place
           and
           dignities
           ,
           they
           are
           either
           Officiall
           ,
           which
           are
           〈◊〉
           taken
           away
           ;
           or
           Personall
           ,
           which
           should
           be
           left
           ,
           to
           the
           〈◊〉
           discretion
           of
           every
           man
           ;
           for
           if
           in
           humility
           ,
           they
           strive
           〈◊〉
           behind
           all
           men
           in
           place
           ,
           and
           before
           them
           in
           goodness
           ,
           the
           people
           
           will
           be
           ready
           to
           give
           ,
           even
           their
           eyes
           ,
           in
           testimony
           of
           their
           love
           and
           estimation
           of
           them
           .
           I
           shall
           forbeare
           in
           this
           place
           to
           set
           down
           particularly
           ,
           how
           Covetuousnesse
           may
           bee
           also
           removed
           from
           the
           Ministery
           ;
           because
           the
           remedy
           thereof
           ,
           as
           of
           many
           other
           things
           conducing
           to
           the
           good
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           how
           Religion
           may
           bee
           kept
           and
           perpetuated
           in
           truth
           and
           purity
           ;
           freed
           from
           the
           danger
           of
           relapsing
           to
           Popery
           ;
           how
           the
           Ministers
           may
           be
           for
           ever
           provided
           with
           a
           plentifull
           maintenance
           over
           all
           the
           Kingdome
           ,
           how
           their
           Widowes
           and
           Orphans
           ,
           (
           if
           there
           be
           need
           )
           may
           be
           relieved
           ,
           are
           already
           plainly
           and
           largely
           laid
           down
           ,
           in
           another
           Treatise
           ,
           by
           a
           well-wisher
           ,
           to
           the
           Peace
           of
           our
           Sion
           ;
           which
           wayteth
           only
           for
           a
           fit
           occasion
           to
           bee
           produced
           .
           Wherein
           no
           new
           charge
           is
           laid
           upon
           the
           people
           ;
           but
           only
           part
           of
           the
           pious
           donations
           of
           our
           Ancestors
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           good
           uses
           ,
           are
           rectifyed
           and
           reduced
           .
        
         
           This
           being
           done
           ,
           it
           may
           then
           seeme
           necessary
           ,
           so
           to
           hedge
           and
           defend
           this
           Government
           ,
           held
           forth
           by
           Parliament
           ;
           that
           it
           may
           neither
           receive
           damage
           ▪
           from
           Enemies
           without
           ,
           not
           bee
           uncharitably
           torne
           and
           shattered
           ▪
           by
           Schismes
           and
           opinions
           within
           .
        
         
           It
           hath
           pleased
           God
           so
           miraculously
           to
           blesse
           this
           Kingdome
           ;
           that
           we
           have
           thrown
           off
           the
           yoke
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           which
           neither
           we
           nor
           our
           Fathers
           could
           bear
           .
           The
           Pope
           ,
           and
           the
           Bishops
           ,
           the
           head
           ,
           and
           the
           tayle
           ,
           are
           sent
           back
           from
           whence
           they
           came
           .
           The
           gap
           which
           they
           had
           made
           ,
           is
           by
           Gods
           goodnes
           ,
           and
           care
           of
           this
           Parliament
           ,
           filled
           up
           ,
           with
           a
           moderate
           Presbyteriall
           government
           ,
           sufficiently
           armed
           to
           keep
           out
           the
           wild
           Boare
           ,
           that
           destroyed
           our
           Vineyard
           ,
           and
           that
           common
           implacable
           enemy
           from
           returning
           .
           But
           there
           are
           some
           little
           Foxes
           yet
           among
           us
           ,
           that
           earth
           in
           our
           ground
           ,
           and
           annoy
           our
           Vineyard
           ,
           and
           by
           craft
           or
           rudenesse
           ,
           weaknesse
           or
           wilfulnesse
           ,
           bring
           scandals
           upon
           our
           holy
           profession
           .
           That
           therefore
           ;
           our
           Church
           may
           injoy
           her
           peace
           ,
           and
           bee
           onely
           Militant
           against
           sin
           and
           Satan
           .
           The
           Magistracie
           must
           take
           care
           ,
           to
           preserve
           it
           from
           disturbance
           .
           As
           the
           present
           conjuncture
           of
           our
           Church
           standeth
           ;
           they
           who
           seeme
           most
           to
           distast
           or
           oppose
           this
           kind
           of
           government
           ,
           are
           known
           amongst
           us
           ,
           by
           the
           name
           of
           dissenting
           Brethren
           ;
           which
           are
           of
           two
           sorts
           .
           Rigid
           Presbyterians
           ,
           
           Independants
           .
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           how
           nor
           by
           whom
           these
           names
           ,
           were
           invented
           ,
           but
           I
           make
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           current
           termes
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           are
           distinguished
           .
           Though
           indeed
           ▪
           in
           one
           seeming
           regard
           ,
           disclaiming
           as
           some
           say
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           they
           are
           both
           Independants
           ,
           in
           effect
           ;
           for
           so
           they
           both
           would
           hang
           on
           their
           own
           hinges
           ▪
           nor
           have
           any
           other
           judge
           of
           their
           Religious
           actions
           ,
           but
           themselves
           ;
           a
           thing
           wholly
           inconsistent
           with
           our
           civil
           Governmen
           .
           t
           Of
           the
           rigid
           Presbyterians
           ▪
           we
           may
           account
           ,
           as
           of
           younger
           brethren
           ,
           men
           and
           minds
           ●eerer
           a
           kin
           to
           ours
           :
           yet
           rather
           ayming
           to
           invest
           themselves
           ,
           with
           Will
           and
           Power
           ▪
           then
           ,
           in
           humility
           submit
           to
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           Ordinance
           of
           God
           .
           Yea
           ,
           they
           seem
           to
           bee
           so
           greedy
           of
           this
           absolute
           power
           ▪
           over
           the
           actions
           and
           Consciences
           of
           men
           ,
           that
           rather
           then
           want
           it
           ,
           they
           will
           derive
           their
           right
           from
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ▪
           making
           it
           
             Iure
             divino
          
           to
           be
           in
           themselves
           .
           This
           was
           also
           the
           Bishops
           claime
           ,
           and
           these
           brethren
           seem
           to
           set
           up
           ,
           Episcopacy
           disguised
           ;
           for
           they
           drive
           at
           the
           same
           ends
           ,
           shunning
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           their
           actions
           to
           the
           supreame
           Magistrate
           ,
           and
           subjecting
           all
           men
           ,
           to
           a
           seperated
           government
           of
           their
           own
           erection
           ;
           but
           because
           I
           have
           already
           shown
           ,
           that
           no
           such
           divine
           sanction
           ,
           ratifyed
           by
           
             Christ
          
           or
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           can
           be
           found
           ,
           in
           the
           records
           of
           holy
           Scripture
           ;
           and
           I
           shall
           hereafter
           prove
           more
           at
           large
           ,
           that
           this
           pretence
           ,
           directly
           crosseth
           ,
           and
           supplanteth
           the
           Ordinance
           and
           obedience
           of
           the
           eivill
           Magistrate
           ,
           which
           are
           indeed
           
             Jure
             divino
             .
          
           I
           shall
           desire
           these
           our
           brethren
           ,
           at
           their
           leysure
           ,
           to
           let
           us
           know
           ,
           whither
           
             Christ
          
           did
           ever
           appoint
           any
           thing
           to
           bee
           universally
           received
           
             jure
             divino
             ,
          
           which
           was
           not
           necessary
           to
           salvation
           ;
           and
           whither
           lawfull
           obedience
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           in
           outward
           government
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           neither
           adding
           nor
           diminishing
           from
           the
           precepts
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           necessary
           to
           salvation
           ;
           be
           an
           impediment
           thereunto
           ,
           or
           prejudice
           to
           any
           mans
           Conscience
           .
           In
           the
           meane
           time
           ,
           be
           they
           intreated
           ,
           in
           the
           feare
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           love
           of
           brethren
           ▪
           to
           lay
           aside
           these
           ungrounded
           opinions
           ,
           and
           prefer
           the
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           before
           any
           needlesse
           disputes
           ,
           which
           may
           breed
           a
           rupture
           in
           the
           Common-wealth
           .
           The
           other
           sort
           called
           Independants
           ,
           goe
           a
           degree
           further
           ,
           most
           of
           them
           refusing
           to
           mingle
           with
           us
           ,
           in
           the
           Ordinances
           
           of
           Gods
           worship
           ▪
           and
           Communion
           of
           Saints
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           are
           desired
           to
           shew
           their
           reasons
           ,
           their
           strongest
           plea
           is
           ,
           that
           so
           long
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           not
           convinced
           in
           their
           judgement
           ,
           they
           ought
           not
           ,
           to
           bee
           constrained
           in
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           nor
           forced
           ,
           to
           assent
           to
           that
           ,
           which
           they
           disapprove
           ;
           And
           this
           indeed
           is
           no
           unbrotherly
           plea
           ,
           but
           some
           say
           they
           slay
           not
           there
           ,
           requiring
           further
           a
           liberty
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           be
           subject
           ,
           or
           not
           subject
           ,
           to
           the
           said
           Government
           ,
           but
           to
           have
           also
           a
           toleration
           ,
           to
           set
           up
           another
           government
           against
           it
           ,
           under
           the
           same
           authority
           ,
           that
           disallowes
           it
           ,
           telling
           us
           that
           wee
           ought
           not
           ,
           to
           
             bruise
             the
             broken
             reed
             ,
             nor
             quench
             the
             smoaking
             Flax
             ,
          
           nor
           offend
           our
           weak
           brethren
           ,
           for
           whom
           
             Christ
          
           dyed
           .
        
         
           Whether
           this
           bee
           (
           as
           some
           say
           )
           only
           a
           popular
           flag
           ▪
           to
           call
           in
           multitudes
           ,
           to
           the
           Standard
           of
           liberty
           or
           not
           ,
           I
           shall
           bestow
           a
           little
           time
           ,
           to
           search
           and
           sift
           ,
           this
           point
           to
           the
           Bran
           :
           and
           for
           the
           more
           orderly
           cleering
           thereof
           ,
           I
           will
           lay
           down
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           formerly
           done
           ,
           some
           few
           assertions
           which
           I
           presume
           ,
           will
           not
           bee
           denyed
           ,
           on
           either
           side
           ;
           the
           opening
           whereof
           ,
           will
           discover
           the
           truth
           ,
           wee
           seek
           for
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           objections
           ,
           that
           obscure
           it
           ,
           vanish
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             
               That
               the
               nature
               of
               Conscience
               is
               so
               free
               in
               it selfe
               ,
               that
               it
               cannot
               be
               constrained
               ,
               by
               any
               Power
               of
               man
               .
            
          
           
             2.
             
             
               That
               there
               is
               no
               Rule
               ,
               to
               bind
               the
               Conscience
               ,
               but
               onely
               the
               infallible
               word
               of
               God
               .
            
          
           
             3.
             
             
               That
               the
               Christian
               Magistrate
               judging
               and
               decreeing
               by
               that
               Rule
               ,
               ought
               to
               be
               obeyed
               ,
               for
               Conscience
               sake
               .
            
          
        
         
           FOr
           the
           first
           point
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           be
           amisse
           to
           looke
           into
           the
           nature
           of
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           then
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           from
           whence
           will
           appeare
           the
           unconstrainednesse
           thereof
           .
           Liberty
           in
           generall
           is
           a
           faculty
           of
           the
           Will
           ,
           whereby
           it
           is
           enabled
           to
           accept
           or
           refuse
           any
           medium
           or
           object
           represented
           to
           it
           as
           conducible
           to
           its
           end
           ▪
           This
           Liberty
           is
           taken
           divers
           wayes
           ;
           there
           is
           a
           Naturall
           ,
           a
           Civill
           and
           a
           Supernaturall
           or
           Divine
           .
           Naturall
           Liberty
           wherein
           we
           are
           borne
           ,
           is
           a
           faculty
           of
           willing
           and
           nilling
           ,
           flying
           or
           following
           ▪
           
           chusing
           or
           refusing
           ,
           doing
           or
           not
           doing
           any
           thing
           in
           order
           to
           the
           conservation
           of
           a
           naturall
           State
           .
           The
           subject
           thereof
           is
           properly
           the
           Will
           ▪
           and
           the
           objects
           good
           or
           evill
           in
           order
           to
           preservation
           .
           Civill
           liberty
           is
           a
           freedome
           which
           we
           exercise
           under
           the
           constitutions
           of
           some
           Politicall
           society
           .
           The
           Naturall
           liberty
           of
           every
           particular
           man
           ,
           would
           bee
           the
           greatest
           servitude
           of
           all
           .
           Hence
           happily
           wee
           have
           
             Leges
             a
             ligando
             ,
          
           which
           doe
           not
           permit
           us
           the
           roving
           liberty
           of
           Nature
           ,
           to
           choose
           or
           refuse
           doe
           or
           not
           doe
           what
           naturally
           we
           list
           .
           The
           Will
           cannot
           be
           constrained
           in
           the
           act
           of
           willing
           (
           for
           it
           were
           a
           contradiction
           to
           will
           unwillingly
           )
           but
           by
           a
           Civill
           power
           it
           may
           bee
           restrained
           from
           the
           effect
           in
           some
           penalty
           prescribed
           .
           It
           's
           to
           be
           observed
           ,
           that
           this
           Civill
           liberty
           in
           some
           respects
           ,
           is
           both
           larger
           and
           narrower
           then
           the
           Naturall
           :
           It
           is
           larger
           ,
           because
           in
           a
           Civill
           constitution
           the
           preservation
           of
           all
           men
           is
           better
           caution'd
           and
           cared
           for
           ▪
           And
           it
           is
           narrower
           ,
           because
           many
           things
           which
           wee
           might
           all
           naturally
           doe
           ,
           are
           restrained
           by
           the
           lawes
           of
           Society
           .
        
         
           Here
           is
           therefore
           a
           Liberty
           ,
           but
           still
           under
           some
           power
           coercive
           ,
           or
           rather
           corrective
           of
           Naturall
           liberty
           :
           So
           that
           wee
           may
           well
           say
           ,
           when
           a
           man
           is
           released
           out
           of
           Prison
           ,
           hee
           is
           set
           at
           liberty
           ,
           though
           he
           be
           still
           under
           the
           Civill
           tye
           of
           the
           Law
           ;
           and
           when
           he
           hath
           payed
           his
           debts
           ,
           that
           hee
           is
           freed
           of
           his
           bonds
           ,
           yet
           so
           as
           alwayes
           to
           be
           bound
           with
           those
           of
           civill
           Society
           :
           And
           because
           we
           are
           exempted
           from
           the
           will
           and
           tyranny
           of
           the
           Prince
           ,
           wee
           are
           called
           Free-men
           ,
           having
           the
           liberty
           and
           protection
           of
           our
           Lawes
           ,
           though
           otherwise
           ,
           they
           bind
           us
           to
           obedience
           :
           In
           this
           place
           all
           kind
           of
           Dispensations
           ,
           Pardons
           ,
           releasments
           ,
           absolutions
           ,
           exemptions
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           are
           said
           to
           give
           us
           a
           Civill
           liberty
           ,
           by
           taking
           of
           some
           restraint
           .
           Supernaturall
           liberty
           ,
           is
           the
           restitution
           from
           Naturall
           servitude
           ;
           for
           pure
           nature
           ,
           wherein
           Man
           was
           created
           ,
           had
           a
           perfect
           Liberty
           ;
           but
           nature
           corrupted
           by
           sin
           ,
           fell
           into
           slavery
           ;
           from
           wh●nce
           ,
           it
           can
           onely
           bee
           restored
           by
           Grace
           .
        
         
           Conscience
           ,
           is
           a
           faculty
           of
           the
           Soule
           ,
           which
           fitteth
           in
           the
           throne
           ,
           and
           hath
           a
           superintendency
           ,
           and
           dominion
           over
           the
           whole
           man
           ;
           as
           it
           were
           a
           Lieutenant
           deputy
           ,
           under
           God
           .
           Nothing
           escapeth
           
           ●●e
           Court
           of
           Conscie●ce
           :
           hither
           are
           brought
           the
           errours
           of
           the
           Vnderstanding
           ,
           the
           depravations
           of
           the
           Will
           ,
           the
           tumults
           of
           the
           Affections
           ,
           the
           distempers
           of
           the
           Mind
           ,
           the
           disorders
           of
           the
           Body
           ,
           to
           receive
           their
           doom
           ,
           to
           be
           approved
           or
           disapproved
           ,
           condemned
           or
           acquitted
           .
           She
           is
           furnished
           with
           all
           things
           ,
           concurring
           to
           judgement
           ;
           She
           hath
           right
           to
           accuse
           ,
           credit
           to
           witnesse
           ,
           power
           to
           judge
           ;
           in
           her
           ,
           these
           things
           are
           nor
           incompatible
           .
           When
           she
           accuseth
           ,
           you
           cannot
           implead
           her
           ,
           for
           her
           bill
           is
           good
           in
           law
           .
           When
           shee
           witnesseth
           ,
           you
           cannot
           disprove
           her
           ,
           for
           she
           was
           present
           at
           the
           fact
           ;
           when
           she
           judgeth
           ,
           you
           cannot
           appeal
           from
           her
           ,
           for
           there
           is
           no
           higher
           power
           on
           earth
           .
           Therefore
           let
           us
           take
           the
           Conscience
           of
           man
           ,
           eyther
           in
           his
           estate
           corrupted
           ,
           or
           regenerated
           ;
           we
           see
           all
           humain
           Power
           is
           below
           ,
           and
           consequently
           can
           have
           no
           power
           to
           constrain
           her
           .
           As
           the
           sight
           ,
           cannot
           be
           forced
           ,
           to
           discern
           that
           cloth
           black
           ,
           which
           is
           white
           ;
           nor
           the
           tast
           ,
           to
           judge
           honey
           ,
           bitter
           ,
           which
           is
           sweet
           ;
           no
           more
           can
           the
           Conscience
           be
           any
           way
           compelled
           ,
           to
           allow
           that
           which
           she
           condemneth
           ,
           or
           condemn
           that
           which
           she
           alloweth
           .
           There
           bee
           two
           engines
           ,
           commonly
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           to
           b●tter
           the
           Consciences
           of
           men
           ;
           Sophistication
           ,
           and
           Persecution
           ,
           first
           to
           ensnare
           men
           ,
           with
           deceitfull
           shewes
           ,
           and
           arguments
           ;
           then
           if
           that
           will
           not
           serve
           ,
           to
           fright
           and
           terrifie
           men
           ,
           with
           violence
           and
           torments
           ;
           these
           two
           ,
           are
           exquisitely
           planted
           ,
           and
           practised
           ▪
           in
           the
           kingdome
           of
           Antichrist
           ,
           by
           that
           old
           Engineere
           of
           all
           mischiefe
           ,
           the
           Divell
           .
           Where
           the
           Iesuits
           and
           other
           Emissaries
           ,
           docompasse
           Sea
           and
           Land
           ,
           and
           are
           sent
           abroad
           ,
           like
           Frogs
           and
           Locusts
           ,
           to
           seduce
           and
           captivate
           poore
           Proselites
           ,
           making
           them
           seaven
           times
           more
           ,
           the
           children
           of
           the
           Devill
           ;
           And
           the
           Inquisition
           ,
           that
           Court
           of
           darkenesse
           ,
           and
           antichamber
           of
           Hell
           ▪
           is
           set
           up
           ,
           as
           a
           chief
           piller
           of
           Popedome
           ,
           to
           torture
           mens
           bodies
           ,
           and
           rack
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           drive
           men
           to
           death
           and
           desperation
           .
           Yet
           all
           this
           ,
           can
           goe
           no
           farther
           ,
           then
           to
           force
           and
           afflict
           ,
           and
           kill
           the
           body
           ,
           but
           the
           Conscience
           still
           triumpheth
           ,
           shee
           is
           free
           ;
           though
           the
           hands
           bee
           bound
           ▪
           and
           the
           feet
           be
           fettered
           ;
           this
           was
           well
           known
           ,
           by
           that
           constant
           Martir
           who
           stood
           out
           ,
           the
           brunt
           of
           both
           .
           —
           
           
             Disputare
             non
             possum
             mori
             possum
             .
          
        
         
           Dispute
           I
           cannot
           ,
           but
           I
           can
           Dye
           ;
           and
           so
           refute
           both
           your
           Arguments
           ,
           and
           your
           torments
           .
           Death
           is
           the
           uttermost
           ,
           that
           the
           power
           and
           malice
           of
           Man
           can
           doe
           ;
           and
           no
           man
           ,
           but
           hee
           may
           if
           he
           will
           ,
           as
           well
           dye
           with
           a
           free
           Conscience
           ,
           as
           live
           in
           it
           .
           But
           some
           man
           may
           say
           ;
           have
           not
           many
           for
           feare
           of
           death
           or
           disgrace
           ,
           renownced
           the
           Truth
           ,
           against
           their
           Conscience
           ?
           Many
           have
           indeed
           ,
           but
           in
           doing
           thereof
           ,
           they
           have
           rather
           defiled
           their
           Conscience
           ,
           then
           forced
           it
           ,
           for
           still
           it
           is
           their
           own
           voluntary
           act
           ,
           judging
           by
           a
           false
           ,
           erronious
           light
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           better
           for
           them
           ,
           to
           forsake
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           then
           to
           lose
           their
           estates
           ,
           honours
           ,
           or
           their
           lives
           ▪
           and
           that
           it
           is
           their
           own
           act
           ;
           appeareth
           ,
           by
           the
           punishment
           ,
           which
           the
           justice
           of
           God
           ,
           will
           lay
           upon
           them
           ,
           for
           their
           own
           sin
           ;
           and
           not
           for
           the
           sin
           of
           others
           ,
           who
           went
           about
           to
           constrain
           them
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Neverthelesse
           ,
           the
           Conscience
           sitteth
           like
           a
           Queene
           ,
           i●
           the
           soule
           of
           man
           ,
           commanding
           over
           all
           ,
           and
           uncontrouled
           by
           any
           humane
           power
           .
           Yet
           shee
           vaileth
           and
           submitteth
           to
           the
           higher
           Powers
           ,
           of
           God
           and
           his
           word
           ,
           by
           which
           she
           standeth
           bound
           ,
           to
           give
           full
           obedience
           ,
           under
           the
           fearfull
           penalties
           ,
           of
           Rebellion
           and
           sin
           .
           The
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           the
           word
           of
           God
           is
           infallible
           ,
           but
           the
           word
           of
           man
           ,
           very
           deceitfull
           ;
           any
           thing
           propounded
           without
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           unlesse
           it
           bee
           demonstrative
           in
           it selfe
           ,
           is
           subject
           to
           Errour
           ,
           though
           it
           bee
           never
           so
           well
           meant
           .
           But
           when
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           findeth
           in
           the
           word
           ,
           a
           bottome
           ,
           to
           fix
           ,
           and
           to
           stand
           upon
           ,
           shee
           judgeth
           it
           ,
           needlesse
           any
           longer
           ,
           to
           halt
           or
           hold
           off
           ;
           to
           doubt
           ,
           or
           dispute
           ,
           but
           shutteth
           her
           eyes
           ,
           and
           believeth
           .
           The
           Conscience
           of
           her selfe
           ,
           hath
           in
           every
           man
           ,
           a
           naturall
           light
           ,
           though
           it
           bee
           but
           dim
           and
           clouded
           ,
           this
           was
           never
           quite
           extinguished
           ,
           by
           the
           fall
           .
           By
           which
           divers
           Peoples
           and
           Nations
           ,
           who
           never
           heard
           of
           
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           nor
           had
           any
           glimpse
           of
           the
           light
           of
           his
           word
           ,
           have
           bin
           ble
           to
           discerne
           ,
           not
           onely
           the
           truth
           of
           naturall
           things
           ,
           but
           also
           groped
           after
           supernaturall
           ;
           acknowledging
           a
           GOD
           
           by
           his
           workes
           ,
           tho●gh
           not
           knowing
           ,
           how
           to
           worship
           him
           by
           his
           Word
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           improvement
           of
           this
           light
           ,
           they
           have
           attained
           ,
           to
           many
           excellent
           morall
           Precepts
           ,
           for
           the
           planting
           of
           vertue
           ,
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           to
           admirable
           Lawes
           and
           Constitutions
           ,
           for
           the
           government
           of
           them
           ,
           in
           Societies
           and
           Statutes
           .
           Whereof
           many
           of
           them
           in
           both
           kinds
           ,
           have
           been
           ratifyed
           and
           approved
           by
           the
           light
           of
           the
           Word
           revealed
           .
           Which
           plainely
           declareth
           unto
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           naturall
           light
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           is
           a
           beame
           ,
           and
           remainder
           ,
           of
           that
           divine
           light
           ,
           which
           was
           at
           first
           infused
           into
           our
           Natures
           ,
           afterwards
           obscured
           ,
           by
           disobedience
           ;
           and
           againe
           restored
           by
           Regeneration
           ,
           in
           the
           soules
           of
           all
           true
           believers
           .
           All
           light
           wee
           know
           ,
           transmitteth
           ,
           and
           disputeth
           it selfe
           .
           
             Ad
             modum
             recipientis
             ,
          
           to
           the
           capacity
           of
           the
           receiver
           .
           It
           leaveth
           stone
           Wals
           in
           darknesse
           ,
           but
           shadeth
           it self
           ,
           thorow
           glasse-windowes
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           transparent
           bodies
           ,
           are
           like
           illuminated
           soules
           ,
           where
           
             Iesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           the
           light
           of
           the
           World
           entereth
           ,
           there
           is
           light
           indeed
           ;
           there
           the
           Consciences
           of
           men
           ,
           are
           so
           already
           enlightened
           ,
           that
           they
           can
           judge
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           and
           are
           judged
           of
           nothing
           ,
           forasmuch
           ,
           as
           they
           swerve
           not
           from
           the
           touchstone
           of
           judgement
           ,
           the
           word
           of
           GOD
           .
           Now
           if
           any
           shall
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           word
           of
           GOD
           is
           called
           a
           Law
           of
           liberty
           ,
           rather
           freeing
           ,
           then
           binding
           us
           up
           .
           I
           answer
           ;
           that
           it
           is
           ,
           truly
           so
           called
           ,
           because
           it
           freeth
           us
           ,
           from
           the
           bondage
           of
           Sinne
           ,
           the
           servitude
           of
           Lust
           ,
           and
           captivity
           of
           Satan
           ;
           But
           by
           the
           same
           reason
           ,
           that
           it
           releaseth
           us
           ,
           from
           sinne
           ,
           it
           bindeth
           us
           to
           obedience
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           service
           of
           GOD
           ,
           which
           is
           perfect
           freedome
           .
           There
           is
           a
           friendly
           way
           in
           the
           conversation
           of
           men
           ;
           to
           bind
           those
           ,
           who
           keepe
           a
           loose
           governance
           ,
           of
           themselves
           ,
           from
           hurtfull
           things
           ;
           some
           from
           Wine
           ,
           some
           from
           fruit
           ,
           some
           from
           unwholsome
           foode
           ,
           to
           which
           they
           have
           an
           irregular
           appetite
           ,
           Such
           is
           the
           singular
           love
           of
           GOD
           towards
           us
           ,
           to
           tye
           up
           ,
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           his
           Word
           ,
           our
           unruly
           and
           inordinate
           Appetites
           ,
           
           from
           the
           pursuit
           of
           sinfull
           and
           unlawfull
           things
           ,
           which
           would
           prove
           our
           poyson
           ,
           and
           perdition
           ,
           in
           which
           regard
           we
           have
           great
           cause
           ,
           to
           rejoyce
           in
           these
           bonds
           ;
           which
           are
           not
           irons
           of
           imprisonment
           ,
           but
           bonds
           of
           perfection
           ;
           retaining
           and
           with
           holding
           us
           ,
           from
           relapsing
           into
           sin
           ,
           and
           leading
           of
           us
           ,
           into
           the
           glorious
           liberty
           of
           the
           Sonnes
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           these
           bones
           there
           is
           no
           constraint
           ,
           for
           God
           himselfe
           who
           made
           us
           ,
           by
           his
           word
           ,
           and
           can
           dissolve
           us
           ,
           at
           his
           pleasure
           ,
           will
           not
           use
           his
           power
           to
           constraine
           us
           ;
           he
           delighteth
           not
           in
           a
           forced
           worship
           ,
           but
           onely
           obligeth
           us
           to
           a
           willing
           obedience
           ,
           by
           setting
           of
           us
           free
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           conscience
           therefore
           ,
           unconstrained
           in
           it self
           ,
           yet
           tyed
           up
           by
           the
           word
           standeth
           bound
           ,
           to
           obey
           these
           lawes
           and
           decrees
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           which
           are
           made
           by
           the
           light
           and
           the
           rule
           thereof
           ,
           for
           the
           voice
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           speaking
           according
           to
           Gods
           word
           is
           like
           the
           voice
           of
           God
           among
           men
           ,
           where
           God
           hath
           spoken
           clearly
           and
           expresly
           to
           the
           spirit
           and
           conscience
           of
           man
           there
           need
           no
           other
           lawes
           ,
           but
           his
           owne
           ,
           and
           so
           he
           hath
           done
           ,
           in
           all
           matters
           ,
           that
           concerne
           the
           substance
           of
           his
           owne
           worship
           ,
           or
           our
           salvation
           ,
           but
           in
           such
           things
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           not
           punctually
           determined
           ,
           onely
           left
           them
           wrapped
           up
           in
           generall
           precepts
           ;
           it
           behoveth
           us
           to
           learne
           from
           his
           deputies
           upon
           earth
           asking
           councell
           of
           the
           Lord
           what
           his
           mind
           and
           pleasure
           is
           ,
           and
           such
           for
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           are
           the
           outward
           rites
           ,
           formes
           ,
           and
           circumstances
           of
           his
           Evangelicall
           worship
           ,
           these
           things
           fall
           within
           the
           compasse
           of
           order
           and
           decency
           ,
           which
           are
           rather
           civill
           notions
           then
           devine
           ,
           yet
           as
           Armies
           in
           the
           field
           ,
           easily
           fall
           into
           a
           rout
           ,
           not
           well
           arrayed
           ,
           so
           assemblies
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           Churches
           in
           the
           Common-wealth
           prove
           but
           rude
           ,
           and
           tumultuous
           meetings
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           not
           decently
           ordered
           ,
           a
           lute
           or
           violl
           is
           seen
           plaid
           upon
           ;
           but
           there
           is
           much
           adoe
           ,
           to
           tune
           many
           instruments
           ,
           into
           one
           consort
           ;
           private
           Christians
           may
           dispose
           of
           themselves
           ,
           in
           their
           owne
           houses
           ,
           but
           when
           they
           meet
           ,
           in
           a
           publike
           body
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           tuned
           by
           the
           publike
           Magistrate
           ;
           the
           world
           would
           never
           have
           stood
           ,
           without
           societies
           ,
           nor
           can
           societies
           hold
           without
           government
           ,
           neither
           can
           there
           be
           any
           government
           where
           some
           rule
           not
           ,
           and
           some
           obey
           ,
           all
           the
           question
           is
           ,
           to
           set
           due
           limits
           and
           bounds
           to
           the
           civill
           
           government
           ;
           wherein
           I
           conceive
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           the
           selfe
           ,
           the
           same
           measure
           ,
           betwixt
           the
           Magistrate
           and
           the
           conscience
           ,
           for
           as
           the
           word
           of
           God
           bindeth
           the
           conscience
           to
           obey
           ,
           so
           it
           prescribeth
           ,
           the
           Magistrate
           to
           governe
           ;
           otherwise
           if
           ,
           as
           the
           high
           Priest
           forbad
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           to
           teach
           in
           the
           name
           of
           Jesus
           ;
           so
           the
           Magistrate
           shall
           impose
           any
           thing
           upon
           the
           people
           ,
           contrary
           to
           divine
           law
           ,
           or
           the
           word
           revealed
           ,
           the
           case
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           we
           ought
           to
           obey
           God
           rather
           then
           men
           .
        
         
           These
           rubbs
           thus
           remooved
           in
           our
           way
           ,
           I
           shall
           proceed
           ,
           to
           the
           solving
           of
           such
           objections
           ,
           as
           are
           commonly
           made
           by
           those
           brethren
           ,
           that
           challenge
           a
           liberty
           and
           exemption
           from
           this
           lawfull
           obedience
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           First
           ,
           they
           build
           upon
           our
           owne
           ground
           ;
           alledging
           ,
           that
           since
           the
           nature
           of
           conscience
           ,
           is
           so
           free
           and
           voluntary
           in
           it self
           ,
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           ,
           a
           manifest
           violation
           of
           her
           freedome
           to
           constraine
           her
           ,
           by
           laws
           ,
           or
           penalties
           ,
           or
           impositions
           of
           men
           .
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           we
           must
           remember
           to
           put
           a
           difference
           ,
           betwixt
           the
           constraint
           ,
           and
           the
           restraint
           of
           mens
           consciences
           ,
           no
           law
           nor
           power
           of
           man
           ,
           can
           constraine
           the
           conscience
           ,
           in
           her
           voluntary
           act
           ;
           to
           goe
           against
           her
           owne
           light
           ,
           or
           approve
           that
           which
           she
           condemneth
           ,
           or
           say
           to
           her self
           ,
           conscience
           ,
           I
           lye
           ,
           no
           ,
           she
           may
           and
           ought
           ,
           rather
           to
           suffer
           ,
           then
           undergoe
           such
           a
           constraint
           ▪
           but
           the
           lawes
           of
           man
           ,
           may
           so
           farre
           ,
           restrain
           their
           liberty
           ,
           that
           she
           produce
           not
           the
           act
           ,
           of
           her
           private
           sence
           and
           freedome
           ,
           into
           hurtfull
           effects
           ,
           such
           as
           may
           endanger
           and
           disturbe
           our
           christian
           and
           publike
           peace
           ▪
           it
           hath
           bin
           alwaies
           observed
           that
           it
           is
           as
           naturall
           and
           appetitions
           for
           error
           ,
           to
           beget
           error
           ,
           &
           opinion
           ,
           to
           spread
           opinion
           ;
           as
           for
           one
           kind
           ,
           to
           generate
           and
           multiply
           the
           same
           ,
           insomuch
           ▪
           when
           an
           erronious
           conscience
           ,
           will
           not
           be
           limited
           nor
           contained
           within
           it self
           ,
           it
           may
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           restrained
           and
           inhibited
           from
           infecting
           others
           ,
           and
           dispersing
           the
           contagion
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Secondly
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           againe
           objected
           ,
           that
           although
           it
           be
           granted
           ,
           nothing
           can
           bind
           the
           conscience
           ,
           but
           the
           pure
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           yet
           forasmuch
           ,
           as
           no
           word
           of
           Scrirture
           is
           produced
           ,
           expresly
           confirming
           this
           from
           of
           polity
           and
           Presbyterian
           government
           ,
           
           which
           we
           are
           commanded
           to
           obey
           ;
           it
           will
           plainly
           follow
           ,
           that
           the
           consciences
           of
           men
           ,
           are
           therein
           left
           unto
           their
           liberty
           .
        
         
           To
           give
           a
           full
           answer
           hereunto
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           necessary
           to
           take
           the
           frame
           of
           this
           government
           in
           pieces
           ▪
           as
           the
           Levites
           did
           the
           Tabernacle
           ,
           when
           they
           removed
           their
           Tents
           ,
           and
           then
           bring
           it
           piece
           by
           piece
           ,
           to
           the
           light
           of
           Gods
           word
           ,
           to
           see
           what
           is
           thereby
           confirmed
           ,
           and
           what
           unfirmed
           ;
           But
           because
           this
           is
           already
           done
           by
           divers
           worthy
           brethren
           ,
           of
           the
           holy
           calling
           ,
           I
           shall
           forbeare
           to
           insert
           ,
           their
           volumes
           ,
           into
           these
           few
           sheets
           ,
           and
           shall
           onely
           say
           ,
           that
           this
           kind
           of
           government
           ,
           is
           either
           expresly
           ,
           or
           by
           good
           consequence
           included
           ,
           and
           allowed
           by
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           as
           not
           repugnant
           to
           it
           in
           any
           thing
           :
           Of
           the
           Presbytery
           it selfe
           ,
           where
           the
           government
           is
           inherent
           ,
           I
           heare
           no
           question
           made
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           is
           expresly
           mentioned
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           the
           main
           doubt
           and
           difference
           is
           ,
           whither
           it
           be
           Independent
           ,
           in
           particular
           Congregations
           ,
           subordinate
           to
           Synods
           and
           Assemblies
           ,
           as
           the
           urgencies
           and
           occasions
           of
           the
           Church
           may
           require
           ;
           Those
           Brethren
           ,
           that
           maintain
           Independency
           of
           single
           Congregations
           stand
           upon
           a
           ground
           ,
           feeble
           and
           unfirm
           ,
           saying
           that
           in
           the
           Apostles
           time
           ,
           there
           were
           no
           other
           Churches
           ,
           but
           onely
           congregationall
           ,
           in
           which
           alone
           ,
           all
           government
           was
           confined
           .
           This
           assertion
           will
           hold
           no
           further
           true
           ,
           then
           in
           such
           Churches
           as
           were
           gathered
           whiles
           Christ
           was
           upon
           earth
           :
           then
           indeed
           we
           may
           conceive
           ,
           that
           the
           first
           Evangelicall
           Church
           ,
           consisted
           in
           the
           congregation
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           afterwards
           of
           the
           Disciples
           ;
           but
           when
           Christ
           ascended
           into
           heaven
           ,
           and
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           descended
           upon
           earth
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           multitude
           of
           believers
           increased
           so
           much
           in
           severall
           Cities
           ,
           as
           one
           Congregation
           could
           not
           contain
           them
           ;
           their
           manner
           was
           to
           distribute
           themselves
           into
           severall
           meetings
           ,
           accordinp
           to
           the
           commodity
           of
           their
           habitations
           in
           the
           said
           Cities
           ,
           or
           else
           as
           it
           might
           most
           stand
           with
           their
           safety
           .
           Now
           
           th'Apostles
           themselves
           ,
           and
           their
           coadjutors
           
           th'Evangelists
           and
           other
           Founders
           of
           Churches
           under
           them
           ,
           did
           usually
           constitute
           and
           ordain
           Elders
           in
           every
           City
           ,
           but
           not
           in
           every
           Congregation
           ,
           who
           had
           power
           in
           common
           and
           colle●gially
           to
           teach
           and
           govern
           the
           whole
           flock
           ,
           though
           severally
           congregated
           in
           the
           same
           City
           .
           
           Thus
           we
           read
           of
           the
           Elders
           of
           
             Hierusalem
             ,
          
           of
           
             Antiochia
             ,
          
           of
           
             Ephesus
             ,
          
           of
           
             Corinth
             ,
          
           of
           
             Philippi
             ,
          
           and
           many
           mo
           ,
           where
           the
           numbers
           of
           the
           faithfull
           were
           inlarged
           .
           Whereby
           it
           appeareth
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           Apostles
           times
           ,
           and
           the
           times
           succeeding
           ,
           those
           primitive
           Churches
           ▪
           were
           City
           Churches
           ,
           consisting
           of
           divers
           Congregations
           ,
           and
           not
           congregationall
           ,
           as
           is
           pretended
           ,
           Independent
           within
           themselves
           .
           True
           it
           is
           ,
           the
           City
           church
           was
           commonly
           independent
           within
           it selfe
           ,
           but
           thereof
           the
           reason
           was
           ,
           because
           the
           Cities
           in
           their
           civill
           policy
           ,
           were
           free
           and
           unsubjected
           ;
           otherwise
           the
           government
           of
           the
           City
           Church
           ,
           reached
           as
           farre
           as
           the
           jurisdiction
           of
           the
           City
           .
           If
           all
           this
           be
           true
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           made
           most
           evident
           ,
           by
           the
           unpartiall
           searchers
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           we
           may
           herein
           observe
           a
           pattern
           ,
           though
           not
           a
           precept
           for
           the
           subordination
           of
           Churches
           ;
           for
           if
           in
           the
           Apostles
           time
           ,
           a
           City
           church
           consisted
           of
           many
           congregations
           ,
           by
           the
           same
           proportion
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           increase
           of
           Beleevers
           ,
           a
           Provinciall
           Church
           ,
           may
           consist
           of
           many
           Cities
           ,
           and
           a
           Nationall
           Church
           of
           many
           Provinces
           ,
           and
           the
           Catholick
           Church
           of
           many
           Nations
           ;
           the
           lowest
           step
           was
           laid
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           the
           highest
           step
           is
           a
           point
           of
           our
           belief
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           lowest
           to
           the
           highest
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           passage
           but
           by
           gradations
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           scale
           of
           that
           government
           ,
           now
           held
           forth
           by
           Parliament
           .
           But
           to
           this
           may
           be
           replyed
           ;
           All
           this
           ,
           that
           you
           say
           ,
           is
           but
           conjecturall
           ,
           and
           that
           hath
           no
           power
           to
           bind
           the
           conscience
           ,
           which
           must
           have
           a
           word
           infallible
           to
           rest
           upon
           .
           To
           this
           I
           answer
           ▪
           That
           for
           the
           substance
           of
           this
           government
           ,
           wee
           have
           the
           infallible
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           whereof
           neither
           part
           doubteth
           ;
           for
           the
           frame
           and
           circumstances
           thereof
           ,
           we
           have
           also
           the
           word
           of
           man
           as
           infallible
           ,
           as
           mans
           can
           be
           ,
           for
           that
           we
           may
           take
           upon
           good
           trust
           ,
           to
           be
           morally
           infallible
           ,
           which
           proceeds
           from
           men
           ,
           who
           neither
           deceive
           ,
           nor
           are
           deceived
           .
           Now
           I
           suppose
           ,
           that
           the
           Parliament
           hath
           so
           fully
           declared
           ,
           their
           sincerity
           ,
           and
           discharged
           their
           trust
           ,
           in
           establishing
           this
           government
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           opposite
           thereunto
           cannot
           admit
           of
           such
           an
           unworthy
           thought
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           intended
           to
           impose
           any
           government
           upon
           the
           people
           ,
           which
           in
           conscience
           ,
           they
           thought
           not
           most
           agreeable
           to
           Gods
           word
           ;
           which
           as
           it
           cleareth
           them
           ,
           from
           the
           least
           suspicion
           of
           deceiving
           ,
           
           so
           it
           is
           also
           manifest
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           used
           the
           best
           ,
           and
           most
           approved
           means
           allowed
           to
           mortall
           man
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           deceived
           ;
           For
           in
           this
           waighty
           worke
           they
           have
           begun
           ,
           with
           the
           invocation
           of
           Gods
           infallible
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Author
           and
           leader
           into
           all
           truth
           ;
           and
           have
           assembled
           Learned
           and
           religious
           men
           of
           the
           holy
           calling
           ,
           to
           enter
           into
           free
           deliberation
           ,
           and
           debate
           ,
           of
           that
           kind
           of
           Church-government
           ,
           which
           they
           should
           find
           most
           consonant
           to
           Gods
           word
           ;
           and
           if
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           we
           can
           imagine
           they
           have
           erred
           in
           their
           decrees
           ;
           How
           can
           we
           ,
           without
           presumption
           ,
           conceive
           the
           judgement
           of
           any
           private
           men
           to
           be
           more
           infallible
           .
           Now
           if
           any
           shall
           think
           that
           this
           kind
           of
           government
           in
           every
           part
           thereof
           is
           established
           ,
           with
           such
           a
           perpetuall
           decree
           ,
           that
           it
           can
           never
           be
           changed
           ;
           We
           must
           know
           that
           many
           things
           may
           be
           infallibly
           true
           ,
           yet
           not
           alwayes
           necessary
           to
           be
           continued
           .
           True
           in
           the
           Author
           of
           truth
           ,
           and
           true
           in
           the
           means
           of
           truth
           ▪
           and
           yet
           may
           be
           laid
           aside
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           no
           longer
           usefull
           for
           edification
           ,
           an
           example
           hereof
           ,
           we
           may
           see
           in
           the
           ceremoniall
           Law
           ,
           which
           being
           appointed
           by
           God
           himselfe
           ,
           no
           man
           will
           doubt
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           infallibly
           true
           ,
           and
           being
           abolished
           by
           the
           same
           power
           that
           ordained
           it
           ,
           no
           man
           need
           doubt
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           was
           justly
           removed
           .
           Infallibility
           doth
           not
           alwayes
           inferre
           immutability
           .
           Things
           are
           not
           onely
           continued
           for
           their
           truth
           ,
           but
           also
           for
           their
           goodnesse
           ,
           and
           fitnesse
           ,
           and
           applicablenesse
           to
           present
           use
           .
           So
           long
           as
           the
           Ceremoniall
           Law
           ,
           was
           to
           indure
           ,
           it
           was
           of
           divine
           infallibility
           ,
           needfull
           for
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           Jewes
           ,
           and
           during
           that
           time
           ,
           immutable
           ,
           by
           any
           power
           but
           divine
           :
           but
           when
           the
           Evangelicall
           Law
           succeeded
           ,
           which
           by
           fulfilling
           ,
           ended
           the
           Ceremoniall
           ;
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           became
           more
           spirituall
           ,
           leaving
           the
           decencies
           ,
           circumstances
           ,
           and
           outward
           manner
           ,
           to
           the
           humane
           infallibility
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           set
           in
           authoriiy
           by
           God
           ,
           whose
           decrees
           in
           such
           matters
           ,
           are
           unchangeable
           by
           any
           inferiour
           power
           ,
           yet
           alterable
           by
           the
           same
           power
           that
           decreed
           them
           .
        
         
           Moreover
           the
           Papists
           object
           against
           our
           doctrine
           that
           before
           
             Luther
          
           it
           was
           not
           known
           in
           thy
           world
           ,
           and
           the
           Prelates
           object
           against
           our
           discipline
           ,
           that
           before
           
             Calvin
          
           it
           was
           never
           known
           :
           by
           both
           with
           aspersions
           ,
           they
           think
           to
           disgrace
           our
           doctrine
           ,
           and
           our
           discipline
           ,
           
           putting
           upon
           them
           the
           stamp
           of
           novelty
           ,
           as
           though
           they
           were
           but
           inventions
           of
           men
           .
           But
           as
           our
           doctrine
           hath
           been
           sufficiently
           asserted
           against
           their
           calumnies
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           very
           doctrine
           of
           the
           spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           left
           &
           recorded
           in
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           .
           So
           it
           is
           also
           plain
           ,
           that
           this
           government
           of
           Gods
           Church
           ,
           by
           the
           Presbytery
           was
           known
           and
           practised
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           before
           either
           Popery
           or
           Prelacy
           was
           in
           being
           ,
           both
           which
           are
           indeed
           novelties
           ,
           and
           the
           very
           spawn
           of
           corrupted
           men
           .
           It
           is
           clearly
           demonstrated
           from
           the
           bosome
           of
           Antiquity
           ;
           That
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Evangelists
           knowing
           the
           mind
           of
           Christ
           did
           in
           all
           Cities
           and
           places
           where
           they
           collected
           Churches
           ,
           ordain
           a
           Colledge
           of
           Presbyters
           called
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           with
           equall
           power
           to
           feed
           and
           govern
           the
           same
           .
           This
           form
           of
           government
           continued
           in
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           about
           1500
           yeares
           in
           puritie
           ,
           and
           parity
           .
           Afterwards
           by
           pride
           ,
           and
           contention
           of
           the
           leaders
           ,
           Bishops
           were
           set
           up
           above
           Presbyters
           ,
           and
           when
           that
           equality
           was
           once
           broken
           there
           was
           no
           stop
           .
           Then
           Metropolitans
           were
           put
           above
           Bishop
           ,
           and
           Patriarks
           above
           Metropolitans
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           last
           whereunto
           all
           tended
           ,
           they
           brought
           forth
           that
           man
           of
           sin
           ,
           or
           son
           of
           perdition
           the
           Pope
           ,
           who
           perked
           above
           all
           ;
           and
           hath
           ever
           since
           contrary
           to
           the
           rules
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           maintained
           by
           fraud
           ,
           fire
           ,
           and
           blood
           ,
           a
           prodigious
           tyrannie
           and
           oppression
           in
           the
           Church
           .
           B●t
           there
           is
           one
           testimony
           more
           ,
           which
           we
           can
           produce
           ,
           as
           a
           cleare
           light
           out
           of
           the
           very
           darknesse
           ,
           and
           dungeon
           of
           popery
           ,
           when
           there
           was
           no
           day
           of
           knowledge
           in
           the
           Christian
           world
           ,
           but
           all
           was
           overspread
           with
           Antichristian
           error
           ,
           and
           that
           was
           about
           500
           yeares
           ago
           ,
           when
           God
           moved
           
             Waldo
          
           a
           Citizen
           of
           
             Lions
          
           to
           discover
           the
           impostures
           of
           the
           popish
           Church
           ,
           who
           drawing
           after
           him
           many
           disciples
           were
           persecuted
           by
           the
           bloody
           Synagogue
           ,
           and
           driven
           from
           the
           society
           of
           men
           ,
           into
           mountains
           among
           beasts
           ,
           which
           they
           found
           lesse
           savage
           then
           their
           own
           kind
           ,
           there
           they
           multiplied
           into
           many
           Congregations
           ,
           and
           spreading
           themselves
           into
           divers
           places
           ,
           were
           called
           by
           divers
           names
           .
           Then
           they
           found
           it
           necessary
           that
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           might
           be
           perfect
           among
           them
           ,
           to
           establish
           a
           discipline
           and
           government
           over
           all
           their
           Churches
           .
           In
           which
           deliberation
           they
           had
           no
           pattern
           to
           follow
           ,
           no
           steps
           to
           tread
           in
           ,
           no
           helps
           from
           stories
           or
           records
           of
           antiquity
           ,
           which
           were
           all
           destroyed
           or
           corrupted
           .
           Their
           
           onely
           guide
           ,
           and
           light
           to
           direct
           them
           was
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           the
           world
           was
           never
           able
           to
           extinguish
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           divine
           power
           was
           preserved
           among
           them
           .
           There
           they
           sought
           ,
           and
           there
           they
           found
           the
           platform
           of
           their
           discipline
           ,
           and
           what
           was
           it
           ?
           no
           other
           then
           Presbyterian
           ;
           every
           Congregation
           governed
           by
           Pastors
           ,
           Elders
           and
           Deacons
           ,
           and
           as
           occasion
           required
           by
           a
           combination
           of
           them
           into
           Synods
           ,
           Councells
           and
           Assemblies
           .
           Now
           if
           this
           way
           was
           practised
           among
           them
           ,
           wherein
           they
           were
           onely
           led
           by
           divine
           light
           .
           How
           unjustly
           do
           some
           despise
           it
           as
           a
           novelty
           ,
           others
           reject
           it
           as
           a
           humane
           ordinance
           .
           When
           as
           our
           own
           age
           also
           ,
           searching
           in
           the
           same
           holy
           monuments
           hath
           pitched
           upon
           the
           same
           discipline
           ,
           as
           in
           them
           held
           forth
           to
           the
           Churches
           of
           God
           .
           Me
           thinks
           this
           would
           move
           the
           spirits
           of
           meek
           and
           sanctified
           men
           not
           to
           be
           wise
           above
           sobriety
           ,
           nor
           contest
           against
           such
           a
           cloud
           of
           witnesses
           .
           For
           if
           the
           Primitive
           Apostolicall
           times
           ;
           the
           middle
           age
           of
           the
           Church
           under
           persecution
           ,
           and
           now
           the
           last
           generations
           wherein
           we
           live
           ,
           have
           all
           by
           the
           light
           of
           Gods
           word
           ,
           and
           guidance
           of
           his
           spirit
           ,
           concurred
           in
           one
           and
           the
           same
           discipline
           .
           Why
           should
           any
           combine
           against
           it
           ,
           or
           suffer
           themselves
           to
           be
           perswaded
           rather
           to
           disturb
           the
           peace
           and
           unity
           of
           Gods
           Churches
           ,
           then
           yield
           a
           Christian
           conformity
           thereunto
           .
        
         
           3
           But
           against
           this
           power
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           further
           objected
           ,
           that
           although
           power
           be
           given
           him
           ,
           over
           the
           bodies
           and
           estates
           ,
           and
           outward
           adjuncts
           of
           men
           ;
           yet
           the
           conscience
           is
           the
           peculiar
           Court
           of
           God
           ,
           wherein
           man
           hath
           nothing
           to
           do
           ,
           but
           by
           intrusion
           ;
           when
           the
           body
           lies
           in
           prison
           ,
           the
           Judge
           by
           a
           
             habeas
             corpus
          
           can
           remove
           it
           ,
           but
           when
           the
           conscience
           is
           under
           bond
           ,
           no
           Judge
           can
           send
           a
           
             habeas
             conscientiam
             ,
          
           to
           deliver
           it
           ,
           and
           having
           no
           power
           to
           release
           ,
           he
           can
           have
           none
           to
           bind
           it
           .
           Hereunto
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           the
           Magistrate
           pretendeth
           not
           to
           take
           power
           upon
           himself
           ,
           as
           a
           man
           equall
           to
           his
           brethren
           ▪
           but
           the
           power
           he
           hath
           is
           derived
           from
           the
           supream
           power
           ,
           which
           he
           holdeth
           by
           Commission
           from
           God
           .
           His
           Office
           is
           the
           Ordinance
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           power
           is
           ordained
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           so
           long
           as
           he
           ruleth
           for
           good
           ,
           aiming
           at
           the
           publick
           order
           and
           edification
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           we
           read
           that
           of
           necessity
           he
           must
           be
           obeyed
           ,
           a
           double
           necessity
           both
           for
           fear
           of
           bodily
           punishment
           ,
           God
           having
           put
           into
           the
           Magistrates
           hand
           a
           sword
           of
           justice
           ,
           which
           he
           
           hath
           not
           done
           into
           the
           Ministers
           ;
           as
           also
           for
           conscience
           sake
           ,
           and
           fear
           of
           divine
           punishment
           ,
           for
           men
           that
           make
           no
           conscience
           of
           breaking
           the
           precepts
           of
           God
           shall
           certainly
           not
           go
           unpunished
           ;
           conscience
           therefore
           yielding
           sometimes
           in
           lawfull
           as
           well
           as
           in
           absolute
           necessary
           things
           ,
           this
           obedience
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           is
           not
           bound
           by
           the
           will
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           word
           of
           God
           himself
           ,
           which
           ,
           expresly
           commandeth
           us
           to
           obey
           the
           Magistrate
           for
           conscience
           sake
           ;
           but
           we
           no where
           find
           that
           for
           conscience
           sake
           in
           such
           things
           we
           should
           disobey
           him
           .
           If
           any
           reply
           that
           if
           all
           this
           collected
           and
           spoken
           to
           maintain
           the
           power
           of
           the
           magistrate
           is
           no
           more
           then
           was
           before
           alledged
           ,
           in
           the
           times
           of
           Episcopall
           Prelacy
           ;
           who
           by
           giving
           credit
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           and
           the
           Magistrate
           to
           their
           cause
           imposed
           and
           injoyned
           what
           they
           pleased
           in
           Gods
           worship
           ,
           and
           government
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           I
           confesse
           indeed
           that
           they
           argued
           very
           strongly
           for
           upholding
           the
           authority
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           so
           farre
           ,
           that
           by
           exalting
           his
           will
           ,
           they
           diminished
           his
           power
           ,
           but
           leaving
           them
           in
           their
           excesse
           ,
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           if
           their
           government
           had
           been
           as
           good
           as
           their
           argument
           ,
           or
           had
           they
           stuck
           as
           close
           to
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           framing
           their
           Cannons
           and
           injunctions
           ,
           as
           they
           did
           in
           asserting
           the
           lawfull
           power
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           no
           man
           could
           have
           justly
           been
           grieved
           in
           conscience
           ,
           but
           their
           government
           being
           bad
           in
           it self
           ,
           could
           not
           be
           bettered
           by
           the
           goodnesse
           of
           the
           argument
           .
           But
           it
           may
           be
           rejoyned
           again
           ,
           that
           for
           all
           this
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           doth
           no where
           appoint
           or
           confirm
           this
           Presbyteriall
           government
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           held
           forth
           and
           established
           by
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           therefore
           just
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           men
           should
           be
           left
           in
           liberty
           of
           their
           consciences
           ,
           whether
           they
           would
           conform
           thereunto
           or
           no
           .
           This
           hath
           in
           part
           been
           answered
           before
           .
           That
           it
           is
           not
           the
           mind
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           to
           compell
           any
           man
           to
           conform
           thereunto
           against
           his
           conscience
           ,
           neither
           could
           he
           do
           it
           ,
           although
           he
           so
           intended
           ,
           and
           therefore
           in
           effect
           that
           is
           but
           a
           vain
           ,
           feigned
           ,
           and
           frivolous
           plea
           ,
           to
           pretend
           that
           liberty
           against
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           which
           no
           Magistrate
           can
           constrain
           ,
           onely
           as
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           of
           faith
           about
           indifferent
           things
           ;
           
             hast
             thou
             faith
             ,
             have
             it
             to
             thy self
             before
             God
             .
          
           So
           we
           may
           say
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           hast
           thou
           liberty
           ,
           have
           it
           to
           thy self
           betwixt
           God
           and
           thee
           ,
           till
           he
           shall
           give
           thee
           a
           further
           light
           ,
           and
           a
           liberty
           to
           obey
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           disobey
           ,
           but
           if
           thou
           contentest
           not
           thy
           
           selfe
           with
           this
           sober
           and
           moderate
           liberty
           ;
           but
           whilst
           also
           leap
           over
           the
           hedge
           ,
           and
           withdraw
           others
           from
           their
           Christian
           obedience
           ;
           then
           thou
           runnest
           upon
           the
           sword
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           which
           God
           hath
           put
           into
           his
           hands
           for
           the
           common
           good
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           is
           bound
           to
           restrain
           thy
           inordinate
           and
           offensive
           liberty
           ,
           that
           it
           disturbe
           not
           the
           publike
           peace
           committed
           to
           his
           charge
           .
           To
           this
           may
           be
           added
           ,
           that
           although
           this
           Presbyteriall
           government
           ,
           in
           every
           part
           and
           parcell
           thereof
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           now
           established
           ,
           be
           not
           expresly
           commanded
           in
           Scripture
           (
           as
           likewise
           no
           other
           kind
           of
           government
           whatsoever
           )
           yet
           much
           may
           be
           brought
           for
           the
           approbation
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           shew
           that
           it
           is
           repugnant
           to
           Scripture
           .
           First
           ,
           government
           by
           a
           Presbytery
           ,
           is
           expresly
           set
           down
           in
           Scripture
           ;
           Secondly
           ,
           for
           execution
           thereof
           ,
           some
           generall
           rules
           are
           also
           clearly
           expressed
           ,
           That
           all
           things
           should
           be
           done
           decently
           ,
           and
           in
           order
           ,
           without
           contention
           ,
           and
           for
           edification
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           to
           whom
           can
           we
           imagine
           the
           ordering
           ,
           and
           decencies
           ,
           and
           edification
           should
           belong
           ,
           but
           onely
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           assisted
           by
           the
           advice
           of
           Gods
           holy
           word
           and
           Ministers
           ,
           wherein
           wee
           find
           another
           expresse
           command
           ,
           that
           the
           Magistrate
           so
           judging
           for
           the
           good
           of
           all
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           obeyed
           for
           conscience
           sake
           .
           Bring
           we
           this
           cause
           to
           a
           paire
           of
           scales
           ,
           and
           there
           we
           shall
           see
           it
           decided
           ;
           put
           into
           one
           scale
           the
           judgement
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           into
           the
           other
           the
           judgement
           of
           private
           men
           ;
           put
           into
           either
           ,
           the
           profession
           of
           them
           both
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           word
           of
           God
           the
           rule
           of
           their
           judgement
           ;
           put
           in
           again
           ,
           that
           upon
           search
           therein
           ,
           they
           meet
           with
           two
           severall
           governments
           ,
           neither
           of
           them
           directly
           commanded
           ▪
           nor
           directly
           forbidden
           ,
           nor
           yet
           unconsonant
           to
           the
           Word
           .
           Hitherto
           the
           beam
           goes
           even
           betwixt
           them
           .
           Search
           again
           ,
           what
           is
           to
           be
           put
           in
           more
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           find
           an
           expresse
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           commanding
           every
           private
           soule
           to
           obey
           the
           higher
           powers
           ,
           judging
           and
           governing
           for
           good
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           conscience
           sake
           ,
           put
           this
           into
           the
           Magistrates
           scale
           ,
           and
           it
           must
           needs
           preponderate
           till
           we
           can
           find
           any
           other
           word
           ,
           that
           biddeth
           the
           higher
           power
           be
           subject
           to
           the
           lower
           .
           And
           indeed
           ,
           were
           there
           no
           word
           of
           Scripture
           to
           confirme
           this
           truth
           ,
           the
           very
           light
           of
           reason
           might
           convince
           us
           ,
           for
           if
           we
           allow
           that
           reason
           should
           rule
           
           our
           affections
           we
           must
           also
           allow
           the
           Magistrate
           to
           rule
           the
           people
           and
           when
           any
           difference
           ariseth
           between
           them
           in
           such
           things
           wherein
           they
           pretend
           to
           judge
           by
           one
           and
           the
           selfe-same
           rule
           ,
           reason
           requireth
           that
           the
           determination
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           should
           stand
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           people
           should
           no
           longer
           be
           wise
           in
           their
           own
           conceit
           ,
           but
           be
           wise
           with
           sobriety
           suffering
           their
           judgements
           to
           be
           over-ruled
           by
           their
           Rulers
           ,
           whose
           office
           is
           to
           watch
           over
           them
           for
           good
           in
           the
           order
           of
           such
           things
           ;
           Whiles
           things
           are
           debating
           every
           one
           may
           have
           liberty
           to
           speake
           their
           conscience
           ▪
           but
           when
           things
           are
           determined
           ▪
           the
           liberty
           of
           conscience
           must
           yeild
           to
           the
           duty
           of
           obedience
           ,
           otherwise
           that
           sweet
           harmony
           would
           be
           broken
           ,
           which
           God
           hath
           set
           in
           the
           world
           between
           parties
           commanding
           ,
           and
           parties
           obeying
           ,
           wherein
           alone
           consisteth
           the
           outward
           happinesse
           of
           all
           societies
           .
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           I
           am
           glad
           to
           observe
           ,
           that
           they
           disclaim
           not
           civill
           obedience
           ,
           to
           the
           civill
           power
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           hoping
           that
           in
           time
           they
           will
           for
           the
           same
           reason
           cease
           to
           contend
           against
           this
           government
           ▪
           for
           that
           it
           is
           now
           indeed
           ,
           or
           intended
           to
           be
           made
           a
           civill
           sanction
           ,
           and
           a
           statute
           law
           .
           And
           then
           denying
           subjection
           thereunto
           ;
           Liberty
           of
           conscience
           may
           aswell
           transport
           them
           to
           claim
           exemption
           from
           many
           other
           civill
           lawes
           .
           If
           one
           of
           them
           were
           accused
           of
           murder
           ,
           and
           knew
           in
           his
           own
           conscience
           that
           he
           was
           innocent
           ▪
           and
           had
           beside●
           twenty
           witnesses
           to
           clear
           him
           ,
           yet
           if
           one
           single
           witnesse
           shall
           make
           oath
           against
           him
           ,
           in
           behalfe
           of
           the
           King
           ,
           he
           shall
           be
           condemned
           by
           the
           law
           .
           May
           he
           not
           stand
           upon
           termes
           of
           his
           liberty
           ,
           and
           his
           innocence
           ,
           and
           justly
           plead
           that
           it
           is
           against
           his
           conscience
           to
           obey
           this
           law
           ,
           and
           suffer
           sentence
           being
           innocent
           ?
           Suppose
           another
           had
           lived
           many
           yeares
           separated
           from
           his
           wife
           ,
           in
           which
           time
           she
           had
           divers
           children
           by
           another
           man
           ;
           by
           the
           law
           he
           shall
           be
           injoyned
           to
           father
           them
           all
           ;
           may
           he
           not
           plead
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           against
           his
           conscience
           to
           take
           upon
           him
           the
           fathering
           of
           another
           mans
           children
           ?
           Many
           such
           examples
           might
           be
           brought
           ,
           wherein
           the
           consciences
           of
           men
           seem
           to
           have
           more
           just
           pretences
           ,
           to
           withdraw
           their
           obedience
           ,
           from
           such
           civill
           lawes
           ,
           then
           from
           this
           law
           of
           government
           ,
           so
           fully
           debated
           ,
           and
           ●o
           duly
           established
           .
           Besides
           ,
           inasmuch
           ,
           as
           our
           brethren
           require
           a
           
           toleration
           ,
           of
           their
           own
           government
           ,
           they
           do
           tacitly
           acknowledge
           a
           power
           in
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           to
           gratifie
           them
           ,
           or
           deny
           them
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           they
           may
           also
           acknowledge
           ,
           that
           this
           power
           ,
           is
           either
           lawfull
           ,
           or
           unlawfull
           ;
           if
           it
           be
           lawfull
           ,
           they
           are
           with
           us
           ,
           bound
           to
           obey
           it
           ;
           if
           unlawfull
           ,
           they
           are
           bound
           to
           disprove
           it
           ;
           which
           when
           they
           go
           ●bout
           ;
           godly
           pens
           will
           not
           be
           wanting
           ,
           to
           endeavour
           ,
           to
           give
           them
           satisfaction
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Moreover
           ,
           it
           is
           said
           by
           some
           ,
           that
           whatsoever
           is
           imposed
           by
           man
           in
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           not
           directly
           specified
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           falleth
           under
           the
           condemnation
           ,
           of
           will-worship
           ,
           humane
           traditions
           ,
           or
           inventions
           of
           men
           .
           This
           is
           too
           large
           an
           assertion
           to
           be
           ever
           well
           proved
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           true
           neither
           way
           .
           Neither
           whatsoever
           is
           omitted
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           to
           be
           rejected
           as
           wil-worship
           ;
           nor
           whatsoever
           is
           recorded
           in
           Scripture
           to
           be
           retained
           of
           perpetuall
           necessity
           .
           We
           read
           ,
           that
           the
           first
           administration
           of
           Baptism
           ,
           used
           to
           be
           performed
           in
           open
           rivers
           ,
           which
           with
           us
           would
           be
           thought
           rude
           and
           dangerous
           ;
           The
           Saints
           had
           a
           custome
           in
           the
           close
           of
           their
           holy
           meetings
           ,
           to
           salute
           one
           another
           with
           a
           holy
           kisse
           ,
           which
           in
           our
           Congregations
           might
           be
           thought
           carnall
           and
           lascivious
           ;
           they
           also
           were
           wont
           ,
           after
           the
           celebration
           of
           the
           blessed
           Eucharist
           ,
           to
           bring
           their
           provisions
           together
           ,
           and
           make
           love-feast
           ,
           which
           among
           us
           would
           be
           esteemed
           loose
           and
           luxurious
           .
           When
           a
           Brother
           or
           Sister
           was
           sick
           ,
           the
           Elders
           of
           the
           Church
           were
           sent
           for
           ,
           to
           pray
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           anoint
           them
           with
           oile
           ,
           which
           in
           our
           visitations
           might
           be
           held
           superstitious
           ,
           or
           perhaps
           fitter
           for
           a
           Physitian
           then
           a
           Minister
           .
           All
           these
           customes
           ,
           and
           many
           others
           passed
           with
           edification
           ,
           in
           the
           innocency
           and
           infancy
           of
           these
           first
           times
           ;
           which
           not
           consorting
           with
           ours
           are
           universally
           disused
           .
           On
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           the
           times
           and
           places
           of
           diuine
           worship
           ,
           the
           seats
           and
           gestures
           of
           the
           worshippers
           ,
           the
           manner
           of
           publike
           Praying
           ,
           and
           Preaching
           ,
           of
           singing
           of
           Psalms
           ▪
           of
           collecting
           Almes
           ,
           of
           assembling
           and
           dismissing
           the
           people
           ,
           the
           forme
           of
           administration
           and
           receiving
           the
           holy
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           many
           other
           things
           concerning
           the
           outward
           publick
           communion
           of
           Saints
           ,
           are
           for
           the
           most
           part
           undeclared
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           yet
           in
           full
           use
           and
           practise
           among
           us
           without
           offence
           ,
           that
           therefore
           
           must
           be
           understood
           for
           a
           wil-worship
           ,
           and
           humane
           invention
           ,
           which
           is
           set
           up
           for
           some
           humane
           and
           carnall
           end
           ,
           repugnant
           to
           Gods
           word
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           glory
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           There
           be
           yet
           remaining
           two
           more
           objections
           ,
           arising
           from
           two
           contrary
           grounds
           ,
           one
           from
           pretence
           of
           weaknesse
           ,
           
           th'other
           from
           presumption
           of
           strength
           .
           Those
           that
           lay
           forth
           the
           tendernesse
           of
           conscience
           ,
           forget
           not
           to
           produce
           those
           heavenly
           exhortations
           ,
           whereof
           the
           Scripture
           is
           full
           ;
           that
           we
           should
           not
           bruise
           the
           broken
           reede
           ,
           nor
           offend
           the
           least
           of
           the
           little
           ones
           ,
           nor
           cast
           stumbling
           blocks
           before
           our
           brethren
           ,
           nor
           use
           our
           liberty
           to
           the
           destroying
           of
           the
           weake
           ,
           but
           rather
           spread
           the
           covering
           of
           love
           over
           our
           brethrens
           infirmities
           ,
           to
           raise
           up
           one
           another
           in
           the
           spirit
           of
           meeknesse
           ;
           to
           beare
           with
           the
           weake
           ,
           and
           please
           one
           another
           for
           good
           edification
           ;
           yea
           ,
           rather
           to
           abstain
           from
           matters
           ,
           which
           we
           think
           lawfull
           ,
           then
           to
           compell
           others
           to
           things
           ,
           they
           judge
           unlawfull
           :
           This
           they
           say
           was
           the
           doctrine
           and
           the
           pattern
           ,
           which
           Christ
           ,
           and
           his
           Apostles
           taught
           ,
           and
           practised
           among
           the
           faithfull
           ;
           which
           ,
           because
           I
           intend
           not
           to
           deny
           ,
           I
           shall
           onely
           examine
           ,
           how
           fitly
           they
           are
           applyed
           to
           the
           controversie
           in
           hand
           ,
           and
           whether
           they
           be
           of
           force
           ,
           to
           absolve
           weake
           brethren
           ,
           from
           their
           due
           obedience
           ,
           to
           Gods
           Magistrate
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           therefore
           to
           understand
           ,
           that
           all
           those
           excellent
           rules
           set
           down
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           for
           tendering
           of
           weak
           consciences
           ,
           receive
           a
           double
           limitation
           ;
           First
           ,
           they
           were
           limited
           to
           the
           state
           of
           those
           times
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           condition
           of
           private
           Christians
           ,
           and
           their
           carriage
           one
           towards
           another
           .
           For
           in
           the
           Apostles
           age
           ,
           nor
           long
           after
           ,
           there
           was
           in
           the
           world
           neither
           Christian
           ,
           Kingdome
           ,
           Common-wealth
           ,
           nor
           Magistrate
           ,
           whereby
           these
           Rulers
           ,
           were
           neither
           given
           to
           them
           ,
           who
           were
           not
           then
           in
           being
           ,
           nor
           for
           ought
           we
           find
           ,
           intended
           so
           for
           them
           ,
           when
           God
           should
           raise
           them
           ,
           up
           in
           his
           Church
           .
           The
           contrary
           rather
           appeareth
           ;
           for
           Christ
           himselfe
           comming
           to
           set
           up
           a
           spirituall
           Kingdome
           ,
           in
           his
           Church
           ,
           intended
           onely
           to
           pull
           down
           the
           kingdom
           of
           Satan
           ,
           but
           not
           the
           Kingdomes
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           those
           he
           left
           standing
           ,
           not
           refusing
           ,
           to
           pay
           for
           himself
           and
           his
           Apostle
           ,
           tribute
           to
           
             Caesar
             ,
          
           nor
           yet
           to
           answer
           before
           the
           Courts
           and
           Tribunalls
           of
           the
           Jewes
           .
           
           After
           Christs
           example
           ,
           
           th'Apostles
           were
           very
           carefull
           to
           instruct
           the
           faithfull
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           walke
           with
           circumspexion
           ,
           without
           blame
           or
           reproach
           ,
           lest
           if
           they
           should
           transgresse
           the
           law
           ▪
           or
           commit
           scandalls
           ,
           or
           fall
           into
           divisions
           among
           themselves
           ,
           they
           should
           make
           the
           name
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           holy
           profession
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           undertaken
           to
           be
           blasphemed
           among
           the
           heathen
           ;
           ordaining
           them
           moreover
           to
           make
           prayers
           ,
           and
           supplications
           for
           all
           in
           authority
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           them
           obedience
           for
           conscience
           sake
           ,
           indeed
           the
           Gospell
           is
           called
           a
           law
           of
           liberty
           ,
           because
           through
           Christ
           it
           freeth
           us
           from
           the
           bondage
           of
           sinne
           ,
           the
           slavery
           of
           Satan
           ,
           and
           the
           feare
           of
           death
           ,
           not
           because
           ,
           it
           dischargeth
           us
           of
           our
           Christian
           duty
           and
           obedience
           to
           the
           Magistrate
           ;
           in
           which
           case
           ,
           it
           giveth
           no
           liberty
           nor
           exemption
           .
           From
           whence
           we
           may
           conclude
           ,
           that
           if
           Christ
           and
           his
           Apostles
           subjected
           the
           beleevers
           of
           those
           times
           ,
           both
           by
           their
           precept
           and
           practise
           ,
           to
           unbe●ieving
           powers
           ;
           It
           was
           never
           their
           meaning
           ,
           to
           exempt
           the
           faithfull
           of
           our
           times
           ,
           from
           their
           due
           obedience
           ,
           to
           Chrsitian
           and
           believing
           Magistrates
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           these
           Evangelicall
           rules
           ,
           for
           the
           ease
           of
           tender
           consciences
           ,
           respected
           especially
           indifferent
           things
           .
           The
           Christians
           of
           those
           dayes
           consisted
           of
           two
           sorts
           ;
           the
           converted
           Jewes
           ,
           and
           converted
           Gentiles
           .
           The
           Jewes
           trained
           up
           in
           the
           Ceremoniall
           Law
           ,
           which
           they
           knew
           was
           appointed
           by
           God
           ,
           made
           a
           conscience
           of
           meats
           ,
           and
           dayes
           ,
           and
           other
           rites
           ,
           and
           rudiments
           of
           the
           time
           ,
           as
           yet
           not
           convinced
           that
           they
           were
           abolished
           by
           the
           comming
           of
           Christ
           .
           These
           were
           then
           the
           weake
           Christians
           .
           On
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           the
           Gentiles
           were
           fully
           instructed
           in
           their
           liberty
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           use
           them
           ,
           or
           not
           use
           them
           ,
           as
           they
           pleased
           ;
           They
           were
           then
           the
           strong
           Christians
           ;
           The
           Apostle
           therefore
           ,
           to
           lay
           the
           foundation
           of
           charity
           aright
           ,
           and
           preserve
           these
           dissenting
           brethren
           in
           the
           unity
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           bond
           of
           Peace
           ▪
           giveth
           these
           rules
           about
           indifferent
           things
           ;
           That
           the
           strong
           should
           not
           despise
           the
           weake
           ,
           nor
           the
           weake
           ▪
           censure
           the
           strong
           ,
           because
           whether
           they
           eat
           ,
           or
           eat
           not
           ,
           they
           do
           it
           ▪
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           are
           of
           him
           accepted
           ;
           and
           being
           both
           accepted
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           they
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           condemned
           ▪
           by
           one
           another
           .
           In
           this
           case
           therefore
           ,
           things
           ,
           by
           nature
           indifferent
           ,
           should
           make
           no
           
           difference
           betwixt
           brethren
           ;
           but
           so
           to
           be
           used
           ,
           or
           not
           used
           ,
           that
           now
           and
           then
           ,
           for
           charity
           sake
           ,
           the
           expediency
           of
           them
           ,
           should
           suspend
           their
           lawfulnesse
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Apostles
           doctrine
           ,
           instructing
           private
           Christians
           ,
           about
           indifferent
           things
           .
           Which
           though
           they
           reach
           not
           ,
           the
           Magistrate
           in
           his
           office
           ,
           yet
           they
           do
           ,
           in
           his
           profession
           ;
           having
           given
           up
           his
           name
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           living
           in
           a
           Christian
           society
           .
           And
           hath
           our
           religious
           Magistrate
           transgressed
           these
           rules
           ?
           Let
           us
           see
           what
           he
           hath
           done
           ,
           for
           the
           reliefe
           of
           tender
           consciences
           ;
           many
           grievances
           were
           complained
           of
           ,
           in
           the
           Episcopall
           times
           ,
           which
           the
           Parliament
           hath
           removed
           ;
           They
           have
           taken
           away
           consecration
           of
           dayes
           and
           places
           ,
           the
           superstition
           of
           meats
           and
           drinks
           ,
           Images
           and
           Altars
           ,
           Crosses
           and
           Surplices
           ;
           the
           usurpation
           of
           spirituall
           Courts
           ,
           and
           temporall
           Bishops
           ;
           which
           were
           all
           abused
           with
           a
           danger
           to
           introduce
           Popery
           and
           Idolatry
           :
           will
           not
           these
           things
           ,
           satisfie
           weake
           and
           tender
           consciences
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           take
           away
           Government
           also
           ,
           which
           is
           commanded
           ,
           and
           sanctified
           by
           the
           Word
           ?
           therefore
           we
           must
           know
           ,
           that
           government
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           in
           publike
           Assemblies
           ,
           is
           no
           indifferent
           thing
           ,
           nor
           to
           be
           reckoned
           in
           their
           number
           ;
           God
           is
           not
           the
           Author
           of
           anarchy
           and
           confusion
           ;
           but
           of
           order
           ,
           comlinesse
           ,
           and
           peace
           :
           and
           when
           ,
           the
           manner
           of
           government
           ,
           and
           Gods
           worship
           ,
           in
           the
           circumstances
           thereof
           ,
           are
           rightly
           ordered
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           light
           of
           nature
           ,
           and
           Christian
           prudence
           ,
           deducted
           from
           the
           generall
           rules
           set
           down
           in
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           setled
           by
           just
           and
           lawfull
           authority
           .
           It
           is
           no
           longer
           left
           to
           the
           liberty
           of
           any
           man
           ,
           subject
           to
           the
           same
           authority
           ,
           to
           conform
           ,
           or
           not
           conforme
           thereunto
           ▪
           as
           though
           it
           were
           a
           thing
           indifferent
           ,
           much
           lesse
           ,
           to
           pretend
           ,
           that
           because
           their
           consciences
           cannot
           approve
           thereof
           ,
           it
           should
           be
           permitted
           to
           them
           ,
           to
           set
           up
           another
           government
           ;
           which
           seemeth
           to
           be
           a
           most
           unreasonable
           demand
           ,
           that
           whiles
           they
           deny
           obedience
           ,
           to
           the
           Magistrates
           lawes
           ,
           they
           should
           neverthelesse
           seek
           for
           liberty
           and
           power
           from
           them
           ,
           to
           overthrow
           their
           own
           orders
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           ,
           crosse
           shinns
           ,
           with
           their
           own
           authority
           .
           The
           power
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           and
           liberty
           purchased
           by
           Christ
           ,
           do
           not
           destroy
           ,
           but
           support
           one
           another
           ;
           for
           they
           are
           both
           truths
           ,
           avowed
           in
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           no
           truth
           can
           overthrow
           
           another
           .
           And
           if
           any
           man
           say
           ,
           that
           a
           weak
           conscience
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           in
           an
           error
           ,
           yet
           till
           it
           be
           convinced
           ,
           should
           sin
           ,
           in
           obeying
           the
           truth
           ;
           it
           may
           be
           replyed
           
             à
             fortior●
          
           ▪
           that
           the
           Magistrate
           determining
           the
           truth
           ,
           cannot
           tolerate
           any
           error
           ,
           without
           sinning
           against
           his
           conscience
           ,
           and
           partaking
           of
           those
           errors
           ,
           he
           condemneth
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           But
           the
           other
           objection
           ,
           proceeding
           from
           a
           conceit
           of
           strength
           ,
           marcheth
           with
           more
           assurance
           ;
           for
           some
           imagine
           ,
           that
           forasmuch
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           justified
           by
           grace
           ▪
           and
           freed
           from
           sin
           ,
           and
           heirs
           of
           the
           promise
           ;
           they
           are
           consequently
           in
           a
           state
           of
           pe●ection
           ,
           able
           to
           fulfill
           the
           law
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           delivered
           from
           all
           lawes
           of
           men
           .
           For
           ,
           
             lex
             non
             ponitur
             justo
          
           ;
           They
           have
           no
           need
           of
           repentance
           ,
           being
           secur'd
           from
           falling
           .
           Nor
           much
           of
           faith
           ,
           being
           already
           in
           fruition
           ▪
           they
           are
           a
           law
           unto
           themselves
           ▪
           under
           no
           Magistrate
           ,
           above
           all
           penalty
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           out
           of
           the
           flesh
           ,
           having
           shaken
           off
           frailty
           and
           mortality
           ,
           and
           climed
           up
           ,
           to
           the
           new
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           where
           there
           is
           neither
           sin
           nor
           sorrow
           .
           This
           being
           a
           sweet
           fancy
           to
           them
           that
           are
           possessed
           with
           all
           ,
           will
           hard●y
           suffer
           it selfe
           to
           be
           removed
           ,
           by
           force
           of
           argumentation
           :
           Otherwise
           we
           might
           say
           ;
           That
           never
           any
           man
           ,
           was
           without
           sin
           ,
           but
           Christ
           alone
           ,
           who
           was
           like
           to
           man
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           sin
           excepted
           .
           That
           the
           blessed
           Apostle
           felt
           a
           law
           in
           his
           members
           ▪
           which
           made
           him
           doe
           that
           he
           would
           not
           ▪
           and
           will
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           not
           .
           He
           biddeth
           us
           work
           out
           our
           salvation
           ,
           with
           fear
           and
           trembling
           ,
           not
           with
           surquedry
           and
           presumption
           ;
           when
           we
           have
           done
           our
           best
           ,
           and
           seem
           to
           be
           most
           perfect
           ▪
           we
           are
           but
           unprofitable
           servants
           .
           Many
           such
           divine
           testimonies
           ,
           might
           be
           brought
           ,
           to
           convince
           this
           opinion
           ;
           but
           it
           refuteth
           it selfe
           ,
           being
           contrary
           to
           the
           rule
           of
           faith
           ,
           and
           condition
           of
           humanity
           .
           We
           must
           not
           think
           ,
           that
           the
           grace
           of
           God
           ,
           worketh
           against
           his
           will
           ;
           his
           will
           is
           ▪
           that
           we
           should
           be
           militant
           ,
           in
           this
           life
           ;
           wherefore
           we
           must
           not
           expect
           to
           be
           triumphant
           ,
           till
           the
           warre
           be
           done
           :
           his
           will
           is
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           grow
           to
           our
           full
           stature
           by
           degrees
           ;
           and
           scale
           the
           ladder
           of
           heaven
           ,
           not
           be
           taken
           up
           in
           a
           whirlwind
           .
           His
           will
           is
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           be
           tempted
           and
           buffeted
           ,
           and
           fall
           and
           rise
           ;
           that
           seeing
           our
           frailty
           and
           our
           misery
           ,
           we
           should
           seek
           for
           the
           renewing
           of
           his
           grace
           ,
           and
           every
           
           day
           beg
           ,
           our
           daily
           pardon
           ,
           more
           duly
           ,
           then
           our
           daily
           bread
           .
           Forasmuch
           as
           by
           strength
           of
           nature
           ,
           we
           may
           abstain
           awhile
           from
           food
           ,
           but
           by
           corruption
           of
           nature
           ,
           we
           cannot
           abstain
           awhit
           from
           sin
           .
           This
           error
           puffing
           up
           the
           hearts
           of
           unstable
           men
           ,
           hath
           heretofore
           brought
           forth
           furious
           ,
           and
           pernicious
           effects
           .
        
         
           The
           story
           of
           
             John
             a
             Leyden
             ,
          
           and
           
             Knipperdolling
             ,
          
           and
           of
           their
           phrensies
           at
           
             Munster
             ,
          
           is
           not
           yet
           forgotten
           .
           I
           pray
           God
           our
           times
           be
           not
           pregnant
           ,
           of
           some
           such
           monster
           .
           What
           is
           the
           meaning
           ,
           that
           so
           many
           in
           our
           dayes
           ,
           separate
           from
           their
           brethren
           ,
           as
           if
           all
           others
           were
           prophane
           ?
           Why
           do
           they
           gather
           in
           heaps
           together
           ,
           like
           biles
           and
           ulcers
           ,
           drawing
           the
           corruption
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           yet
           say
           the
           body
           is
           unclean
           ?
           In
           such
           manner
           ,
           began
           they
           of
           
             Munster
          
           ;
           they
           took
           upon
           them
           a
           garb
           of
           simplicity
           ,
           they
           seemed
           grave
           and
           dejected
           ,
           fervent
           in
           long
           prayers
           ,
           full
           of
           revelations
           ,
           lamenting
           the
           fashions
           and
           prophanesse
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           contemning
           honours
           ,
           despising
           money
           ,
           and
           neglecting
           Matrimonie
           ,
           wishing
           ,
           and
           weeping
           for
           reformation
           ;
           by
           such
           hypocrisies
           they
           captivated
           ,
           weak
           and
           wandring
           soules
           ,
           who
           tooke
           them
           onely
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           little
           flock
           of
           heaven
           ▪
           that
           lived
           among
           wolves
           ,
           and
           was
           persecuted
           on
           earth
           .
           Till
           having
           made
           up
           their
           musters
           ,
           and
           assembled
           their
           troops
           ,
           they
           set
           up
           a
           standard
           ,
           calling
           the
           multitude
           ,
           into
           their
           snare
           ,
           under
           the
           promise
           ,
           and
           proclamation
           of
           liberty
           .
           Now
           the
           blessed
           time
           was
           come
           ,
           that
           the
           meek
           ▪
           should
           inherite
           the
           earth
           ;
           that
           the
           Kings
           and
           Potentates
           ,
           and
           
             Adonibezecks
          
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           who
           had
           done
           dispite
           and
           violence
           to
           the
           Saints
           ,
           should
           be
           broken
           with
           a
           rod
           of
           iron
           ,
           and
           dashed
           in
           pieces
           like
           a
           Potters
           vessell
           .
           Thence
           they
           fell
           into
           revelations
           ,
           and
           found
           it
           written
           in
           the
           beams
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           that
           
             John
             a
             Leyden
          
           ▪
           was
           appointed
           by
           Christ
           ,
           to
           be
           King
           over
           all
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           rule
           the
           Nations
           in
           righteousnesse
           and
           in
           power
           .
           After
           this
           ,
           the
           King
           was
           inspired
           ,
           to
           set
           up
           sundry
           Queens
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           to
           himselfe
           many
           wives
           at
           once
           ,
           to
           increase
           and
           multiply
           the
           holy
           seed
           upon
           earth
           .
           But
           this
           imaginary
           kingdome
           ,
           was
           of
           short
           durance
           ;
           for
           the
           neighbour
           Princes
           ,
           finding
           their
           designe
           ,
           joyned
           against
           them
           ,
           as
           against
           the
           enemies
           of
           mankind
           :
           and
           after
           they
           had
           indured
           a
           long
           siege
           ;
           their
           King
           ,
           by
           revelation
           ,
           assured
           them
           ,
           that
           before
           Easter
           ,
           they
           should
           have
           
           deliverance
           .
           But
           when
           none
           appeared
           ,
           he
           told
           them
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           been
           in
           a
           trance
           six
           dayes
           ,
           in
           which
           time
           ,
           he
           had
           ridden
           on
           a
           blind
           Asse
           ,
           and
           that
           God
           the
           Father
           ,
           had
           laid
           upon
           his
           back
           ▪
           the
           sinnes
           of
           them
           all
           ,
           whereby
           they
           were
           set
           free
           and
           delivered
           from
           them
           ;
           And
           this
           was
           the
           deliverance
           he
           promised
           ,
           wherewithall
           ,
           they
           ought
           to
           rest
           contented
           ;
           Thereupon
           the
           Town
           was
           taken
           ,
           the
           deluded
           people
           ,
           disabused
           ,
           the
           King
           impostor
           ,
           executed
           to
           death
           ,
           and
           hung
           up
           in
           chaines
           ,
           upon
           the
           highest
           steeple
           ,
           thus
           ended
           this
           tragedy
           ,
           and
           ever
           tragicall
           is
           the
           end
           of
           such
           follies
           ;
           The
           Apostle
           noteth
           ,
           that
           factions
           and
           divisions
           ,
           are
           signes
           of
           carnality
           ;
           first
           ,
           men
           separate
           from
           others
           ,
           as
           unclean
           ,
           then
           they
           speak
           evill
           of
           government
           ,
           the
           next
           step
           ,
           is
           to
           blind
           the
           people
           with
           revelations
           ;
           from
           thence
           they
           fall
           into
           snares
           of
           the
           flesh
           ;
           at
           last
           ,
           they
           stir
           up
           sedition
           ,
           and
           last
           of
           all
           ,
           their
           end
           is
           destruction
           .
        
         
           Hitherto
           ,
           I
           have
           laboured
           to
           shew
           ▪
           that
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           by
           his
           office
           ,
           being
           an
           ordinance
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           bound
           to
           provide
           for
           the
           Publick
           peace
           and
           safety
           in
           Church
           and
           Common-wealth
           ,
           which
           is
           done
           first
           by
           enacting
           just
           lawes
           ,
           and
           wholsome
           orders
           ,
           consonant
           to
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           secondly
           ,
           by
           using
           his
           power
           ,
           to
           preserve
           them
           ,
           in
           vigor
           and
           execution
           ;
           as
           also
           to
           shew
           ,
           that
           the
           people
           are
           bound
           in
           conscience
           ,
           to
           give
           willing
           obedience
           ,
           to
           such
           Lawes
           and
           orders
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           whose
           duty
           it
           is
           ,
           to
           restrain
           the
           disobedient
           ,
           and
           reduce
           them
           ,
           to
           their
           duty
           ;
           Neverthelesse
           ,
           forasmuch
           ▪
           as
           the
           power
           ,
           wherewithall
           God
           hath
           invested
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           is
           alwaies
           to
           be
           used
           for
           publike
           good
           ;
           and
           requisite
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           a
           due
           distinction
           be
           made
           in
           the
           punishment
           of
           offenders
           ,
           between
           such
           as
           erre
           out
           of
           mistake
           or
           ignorance
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           resist
           ,
           out
           of
           wilfulnesse
           and
           contempt
           .
           I
           shall
           in
           all
           humblenesse
           propound
           some
           few
           expedients
           how
           farre
           the
           Magistrate
           may
           please
           to
           slacken
           his
           power
           ,
           and
           so
           temper
           the
           lawes
           ,
           and
           penalties
           thereof
           ;
           as
           they
           may
           serve
           both
           waies
           ,
           as
           lenitives
           for
           the
           simple
           ,
           and
           corrasives
           for
           the
           stubborn
           ,
           who
           will
           not
           otherwise
           be
           reformed
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           conceive
           ,
           that
           as
           it
           is
           unreasonable
           to
           demand
           so
           it
           would
           be
           dangerous
           to
           grant
           ,
           any
           toleration
           of
           Religion
           ,
           besides
           that
           which
           is
           established
           ,
           for
           such
           a
           liberty
           of
           conscience
           ,
           would
           breed
           
           a
           freedome
           of
           will
           ,
           and
           freedome
           of
           will
           would
           beget
           liberty
           of
           life
           ,
           which
           would
           breed
           a
           fearfull
           Independency
           ,
           when
           every
           one
           might
           do
           what
           they
           list
           ;
           In
           matters
           of
           faith
           ,
           necessary
           to
           salvation
           ,
           there
           is
           but
           one
           way
           ,
           and
           one
           truth
           ;
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           is
           obsiquity
           and
           error
           .
           Therefore
           when
           the
           truth
           ,
           hath
           been
           tried
           ,
           by
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           ratified
           by
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           he
           cannot
           suffer
           any
           falshood
           ,
           without
           being
           accessary
           thereunto
           ;
           Yet
           in
           matters
           of
           discipline
           and
           government
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           greater
           latitude
           ;
           for
           when
           it
           shall
           appeare
           ,
           that
           weak
           brethren
           ,
           agreeing
           in
           the
           same
           confession
           of
           faith
           but
           dissenting
           in
           outward
           forms
           ,
           out
           of
           tendernesse
           or
           ignorance
           ;
           to
           such
           a
           toleration
           ,
           or
           connivence
           ,
           or
           suspention
           of
           laws
           ,
           may
           be
           harmlesse
           and
           charitable
           ,
           till
           they
           be
           further
           satisfied
           and
           instructed
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           whosoever
           living
           under
           the
           subjection
           of
           this
           state
           ,
           should
           be
           so
           far
           destitute
           of
           grace
           ,
           as
           to
           renounce
           Christ
           ,
           or
           speak
           blasphemously
           of
           him
           ,
           or
           any
           person
           of
           the
           Trinity
           ;
           contrary
           to
           the
           faith
           established
           in
           the
           Church
           ;
           he
           shall
           upon
           conviction
           ,
           be
           informed
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           with
           a
           brotherly
           admonition
           not
           to
           divulge
           his
           error
           ,
           to
           the
           corruption
           or
           scandall
           of
           others
           ,
           or
           disturbance
           of
           the
           civill
           peace
           .
           For
           the
           second
           offence
           ,
           he
           shall
           indure
           a
           years
           imprisonment
           ,
           be
           disabled
           in
           his
           testimony
           ,
           put
           out
           of
           protection
           of
           the
           Laws
           ,
           and
           wear
           some
           publike
           mark
           ,
           noting
           him
           for
           a
           Blasphemer
           :
           For
           the
           third
           offence
           ,
           he
           shall
           suffer
           banishment
           ;
           or
           close
           and
           perpetuall
           imprisonment
           ;
           and
           if
           banished
           it
           shal
           be
           capitall
           for
           him
           to
           return
           ,
           without
           licence
           of
           the
           State
           .
           For
           if
           he
           by
           our
           lawes
           deserveth
           death
           ,
           that
           seduceth
           any
           subject
           ,
           from
           the
           allegeance
           of
           his
           naturall
           Prince
           ;
           what
           deserveth
           he
           ,
           that
           seeketh
           to
           alienate
           the
           soule
           of
           any
           Christian
           ,
           from
           the
           dependance
           of
           God
           ,
           unto
           the
           divell
           ?
        
         
           3.
           
           If
           any
           one
           ,
           out
           of
           an
           evill
           heart
           ,
           shall
           break
           forth
           into
           open
           reviling
           ,
           scorning
           ,
           disgracefull
           words
           against
           the
           present
           Church-government
           ▪
           now
           established
           ,
           he
           shall
           not
           be
           connived
           at
           ,
           as
           a
           man
           of
           tender
           conscience
           :
           for
           as
           he
           giveth
           himselfe
           power
           and
           liberty
           to
           dis-joyn
           from
           it
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           also
           in
           his
           power
           ,
           not
           to
           speak
           evill
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           doing
           it
           by
           choice
           and
           deliberation
           ;
           he
           cannot
           fall
           within
           the
           compasse
           of
           weaknesse
           .
           For
           he
           that
           maketh
           no
           conscience
           ,
           of
           giving
           offence
           and
           scandall
           to
           the
           Christian
           Magistrate
           ,
           
           and
           all
           his
           godly
           brethren
           ,
           living
           in
           peaceable
           obedience
           ▪
           cannot
           imagine
           ,
           that
           his
           private
           fancies
           ▪
           though
           covered
           with
           weaknesse
           ,
           should
           be
           more
           tendered
           ,
           then
           the
           publike
           conscience
           of
           the
           Common-wealth
           .
           Such
           a
           one
           therefore
           ought
           to
           be
           punished
           ,
           as
           a
           contemner
           of
           the
           civill
           power
           .
           First
           ,
           by
           reproof
           and
           exhortation
           ,
           not
           to
           disquiet
           ,
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Land
           ;
           Secondly
           ,
           by
           a
           pecuniary
           mulct
           ▪
           for
           some
           publike
           use
           ,
           with
           disability
           of
           his
           credit
           ▪
           Thirdly
           ,
           if
           he
           still
           persist
           ,
           with
           close
           imprisonment
           ,
           till
           ▪
           he
           give
           publike
           satisfaction
           of
           his
           repentance
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Forasmuch
           ,
           as
           no
           man
           ought
           to
           undertake
           the
           office
           and
           function
           ,
           of
           the
           holy
           Church
           Ministry
           ,
           without
           he
           be
           well
           assured
           of
           his
           inward
           calling
           thereunto
           ;
           neither
           can
           such
           men
           conceive
           themselves
           ,
           awhit
           the
           worse
           ,
           or
           that
           it
           might
           be
           any
           prejudice
           to
           their
           spirituall
           gifts
           to
           have
           an
           outward
           approbation
           ▪
           by
           laying
           on
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           Presbytery
           ,
           and
           praying
           for
           divine
           blessing
           upon
           their
           persons
           ,
           and
           giving
           them
           an
           orderly
           mission
           ,
           into
           Gods
           harvest
           ?
           Therefore
           whosoever
           shall
           take
           unto
           himselfe
           the
           holy
           calling
           ,
           presuming
           to
           preach
           the
           Word
           or
           administer
           the
           Sacraments
           ,
           not
           being
           admitted
           ,
           nor
           ordained
           thereunto
           ,
           by
           lawfull
           authority
           ;
           he
           ought
           to
           be
           punished
           as
           the
           former
           were
           ,
           that
           contemned
           the
           civill
           power
           ,
           or
           rather
           more
           severely
           ;
           especially
           if
           they
           be
           found
           in
           their
           publike
           preaching
           ,
           to
           sow
           sedition
           among
           the
           people
           ;
           provided
           ,
           that
           such
           persons
           ,
           Masters
           of
           families
           ,
           or
           others
           ,
           meeting
           in
           their
           own
           houses
           ,
           or
           in
           their
           neighbours
           ,
           to
           repeat
           what
           they
           heard
           or
           learned
           ,
           out
           of
           Sermons
           preached
           by
           authority
           ;
           and
           upon
           that
           or
           the
           like
           occasion
           ,
           worship
           God
           by
           praying
           or
           singing
           of
           Psalmes
           ,
           conferring
           or
           arguing
           ,
           upon
           any
           part
           of
           the
           Word
           preached
           ,
           as
           also
           such
           ,
           who
           being
           required
           ,
           by
           any
           friend
           or
           neighbour
           (
           when
           the
           advice
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           cannot
           be
           had
           )
           to
           open
           or
           expound
           some
           text
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           or
           deliver
           his
           judgement
           upon
           any
           case
           of
           conscience
           ▪
           for
           satisfaction
           of
           the
           parties
           ,
           be
           not
           comprehended
           under
           this
           Article
           ,
           or
           any
           penalty
           thereof
           ,
           because
           we
           are
           commanded
           ▪
           to
           exercise
           the
           gifts
           and
           talents
           ,
           God
           hath
           given
           us
           ▪
           in
           a
           sober
           and
           orderly
           way
           ,
           for
           the
           edification
           of
           one
           another
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Whereas
           out
           of
           all
           doubt
           ,
           many
           things
           are
           contained
           in
           
           holy
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           yet
           fully
           manifested
           ,
           nor
           clearly
           understood
           ;
           and
           we
           know
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           ,
           bloweth
           where
           he
           listeth
           and
           is
           not
           confined
           ,
           to
           time
           ,
           place
           ,
           nor
           person
           ,
           but
           inspireth
           whom
           he
           pleaseth
           .
           If
           therefore
           any
           man
           shall
           pretend
           ,
           to
           have
           a
           new
           opinion
           ▪
           or
           new
           light
           revealed
           unto
           him
           ,
           of
           the
           sence
           of
           any
           part
           of
           Scripture
           ▪
           fitting
           it
           were
           ,
           he
           should
           bring
           his
           knowledge
           to
           some
           godly
           Minister
           ,
           approved
           of
           ;
           or
           to
           the
           next
           Classi●
           ▪
           where
           he
           liveth
           ,
           there
           to
           be
           tried
           and
           examined
           by
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           Prophets
           judging
           and
           determining
           by
           the
           word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           if
           perchance
           they
           neither
           approve
           of
           his
           opinion
           ,
           nor
           yet
           be
           able
           to
           convince
           him
           ;
           then
           to
           refer
           him
           ,
           to
           the
           next
           Nationall
           Councell
           to
           which
           he
           must
           stand
           or
           fall
           .
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           if
           he
           publish
           his
           opinion
           under
           hand
           ,
           to
           the
           breach
           of
           brotherly
           unity
           in
           the
           Church
           ;
           he
           ought
           to
           be
           taken
           ,
           as
           a
           disturber
           of
           publike
           peace
           ,
           and
           subject
           to
           the
           penalties
           mentioned
           in
           the
           third
           Article
           .
        
         
           By
           these
           and
           such
           like
           means
           ,
           the
           power
           of
           the
           civill
           Magistrate
           ,
           may
           be
           preserved
           from
           contempt
           ;
           and
           the
           consciences
           of
           weak
           brethren
           from
           constraint
           ;
           till
           they
           shall
           pluck
           off
           their
           mask
           ,
           and
           discover
           themselves
           to
           be
           obstinate
           ▪
           and
           unsufferable
           ;
           clamouring
           for
           toleration
           ,
           under
           pretence
           of
           weaknesse
           ;
           but
           indeed
           ,
           making
           a
           breach
           and
           separation
           ,
           in
           confidence
           of
           their
           own
           strength
           and
           perfection
           ▪
           disdaining
           with
           supercilious
           eies
           ,
           the
           infirmities
           of
           their
           brethren
           ;
           by
           which
           falacie
           ,
           they
           think
           to
           blear
           the
           eye
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           and
           make
           the
           weak
           ,
           to
           overthrow
           the
           strong
           .
           To
           such
           wolves
           in
           sheeps
           cloathing
           ,
           whether
           they
           be
           Papists
           ,
           Hereticks
           ▪
           Schismaticks
           ,
           or
           whatsoever
           they
           be
           (
           for
           a
           weak
           conscience
           is
           now-adaies
           ,
           become
           a
           cloak
           ,
           for
           all
           shoulders
           )
           my
           meaning
           is
           not
           ,
           that
           any
           indulgence
           or
           connivence
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           should
           be
           extended
           to
           them
           ,
           who
           it
           is
           plain
           enough
           are
           employed
           in
           malicious
           designes
           ,
           working
           under-ground
           ,
           the
           divisions
           and
           ruine
           of
           the
           State
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           to
           conclude
           with
           the
           same
           spirit
           ,
           as
           I
           began
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           spirit
           of
           unity
           ,
           peace
           ,
           and
           love
           .
           In
           the
           fear
           ,
           and
           before
           the
           face
           of
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           bowells
           of
           that
           love
           ▪
           wherwith
           Christ
           Jesus
           loved
           us
           all
           ;
           I
           do
           beseech
           the
           brethren
           ,
           whether
           they
           
           be
           leaders
           or
           followers
           ,
           that
           agree
           with
           us
           in
           the
           same
           doctrine
           ,
           but
           dissent
           in
           government
           ;
           to
           lay
           their
           hands
           upon
           their
           hearts
           ,
           and
           examine
           ,
           what
           they
           would
           be
           at
           .
           Is
           it
           ,
           at
           the
           advancement
           of
           truth
           ,
           the
           practise
           of
           holiness
           ,
           the
           purity
           of
           Gods
           worship
           ?
           Let
           them
           consider
           ,
           whether
           all
           these
           may
           not
           be
           had
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           all
           intended
           under
           the
           present
           government
           ;
           is
           it
           at
           spirituall
           perfection
           ,
           whiles
           they
           are
           present
           in
           the
           flesh
           ?
           Let
           them
           consider
           ,
           that
           the
           perfection
           of
           a
           Christian
           ,
           consisteth
           ,
           in
           humility
           ,
           love
           ▪
           peace
           ,
           meeknesse
           ,
           sobriety
           and
           uprightnesse
           ,
           which
           are
           truly
           spirituall
           ,
           and
           none
           of
           them
           excluded
           ,
           by
           this
           government
           .
           Is
           it
           at
           the
           setting
           up
           of
           the
           kingdome
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           ;
           that
           he
           might
           raigne
           ,
           as
           Lord
           omnipotent
           upon
           earth
           ?
           Let
           them
           consider
           ,
           that
           the
           kingdome
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           is
           not
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           he
           prescribeth
           no
           forms
           ,
           nor
           modells
           of
           civill
           government
           ,
           as
           he
           findeth
           them
           ,
           so
           he
           leaveth
           them
           ,
           where
           he
           is
           received
           ;
           he
           sublimeth
           and
           refineth
           them
           where
           he
           is
           not
           received
           ,
           hee
           doth
           not
           destroy
           them
           .
           Let
           them
           consider
           ,
           that
           this
           present
           governmet
           ,
           doth
           no
           waies
           eclipse
           the
           kingdome
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           ;
           for
           whither
           it
           be
           placed
           in
           a
           single
           Congregation
           ,
           or
           in
           a
           generall
           Assembly
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           last
           resort
           of
           the
           supreme
           Magistrate
           ;
           all
           are
           under
           the
           government
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           who
           ruleth
           among
           them
           ,
           by
           his
           Word
           ,
           whereunto
           ,
           they
           conform
           their
           government
           :
           is
           it
           at
           the
           setting
           up
           of
           any
           other
           government
           ,
           which
           they
           think
           is
           onely
           divine
           ,
           and
           necessary
           to
           salvation
           ?
           Let
           them
           consider
           ,
           that
           by
           such
           assertions
           ,
           they
           do
           not
           onely
           blast
           all
           reformed
           Churches
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           and
           leave
           them
           in
           a
           state
           of
           condemnation
           living
           under
           another
           government
           ,
           but
           also
           condemn
           multitudes
           of
           soules
           departed
           ,
           which
           under
           other
           governments
           ,
           lived
           Saints
           upon
           earth
           ,
           died
           martyrs
           for
           the
           faith
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           are
           now
           triumphants
           in
           heaven
           .
           Or
           els
           is
           it
           at
           no
           government
           at
           all
           ,
           till
           they
           receive
           on
           revealed
           from
           heaven
           ?
           Let
           them
           consider
           ,
           whether
           any
           such
           promise
           be
           made
           us
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           we
           ought
           to
           expect
           ;
           This
           wee
           find
           ,
           that
           God
           is
           not
           the
           Author
           of
           confusion
           ,
           but
           of
           peace
           ,
           order
           ,
           and
           government
           ,
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           setled
           in
           all
           Churches
           of
           the
           Saints
           .
           Or
           lastly
           ,
           is
           it
           to
           set
           up
           an
           infallibility
           of
           private
           judgement
           ,
           taking
           themselves
           to
           abound
           in
           the
           spirit
           ,
           
           and
           be
           able
           to
           judge
           all
           above
           them
           ?
           Let
           them
           consider
           ,
           that
           the
           hearts
           and
           spirits
           of
           men
           ,
           are
           deceitfull
           ,
           above
           all
           deceits
           ,
           a●●
           that
           to
           strive
           and
           contend
           to
           make
           rents
           and
           separation
           for
           these
           things
           ,
           to
           despise
           the
           powers
           and
           ordinances
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           reckoned
           among
           the
           workes
           of
           the
           flesh
           ,
           rank
           and
           carnall
           .
           But
           if
           it
           be
           as
           I
           will
           hope
           it
           is
           ,
           a
           pure
           and
           sincere
           weakness
           of
           conscience
           ,
           arising
           from
           a
           weaknesse
           of
           judgement
           ;
           not
           yet
           seeing
           the
           clearnesse
           of
           that
           light
           ,
           which
           hath
           in
           lightned
           the
           Magistrates
           and
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           greatest
           part
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           .
           Let
           them
           be
           intreated
           in
           the
           fear
           of
           God
           ▪
           to
           seek
           to
           him
           for
           further
           illumination
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           to
           suspend
           their
           opinions
           and
           forbear
           contentions
           by
           Christian
           modesty
           and
           moderation
           ,
           becomming
           the
           Saints
           ,
           to
           maintain
           Christian
           charity
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           bond
           of
           perfection
           ,
           and
           make
           it
           manifest
           unto
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Angells
           in
           heaven
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           not
           led
           ,
           by
           the
           spirit
           of
           error
           ,
           strife
           and
           vain-glory
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           spirit
           of
           truth
           ,
           which
           worketh
           by
           love
           ;
           and
           lowlinesse
           ,
           patience
           and
           meeknesse
           ;
           minding
           the
           same
           things
           ,
           and
           improving
           the
           gifts
           of
           faith
           ,
           &
           grace
           and
           knowledge
           ,
           whereunto
           they
           have
           already
           attained
           .
           And
           in
           other
           things
           of
           lesser
           moment
           ,
           concerning
           the
           formes
           of
           discipline
           and
           government
           ,
           and
           the
           outward
           face
           of
           order
           and
           decency
           in
           the
           publike
           worship
           ,
           whereunto
           perhaps
           not
           having
           yet
           attained
           ,
           they
           may
           be
           otherwise
           minded
           therein
           to
           wait
           Gods
           time
           ,
           with
           quiet
           and
           patience
           ,
           who
           hath
           promised
           to
           reveale
           ,
           even
           that
           also
           unto
           them
           ,
           that
           one
           may
           not
           be
           perfect
           ,
           without
           another
           .
           It
           may
           be
           ,
           they
           may
           thinke
           themselves
           unkindly
           dealt
           withall
           ,
           and
           very
           ill
           requited
           ,
           that
           having
           so
           frankly
           adventured
           their
           lives
           and
           estates
           ,
           and
           done
           so
           valiantly
           ,
           against
           the
           enemies
           of
           God
           and
           the
           Land
           ,
           they
           should
           after
           all
           this
           ,
           be
           denyed
           any
           request
           ,
           especially
           ,
           that
           which
           so
           nearly
           toucheth
           ,
           their
           freedome
           of
           conscience
           ,
           and
           inward
           peace
           .
           Truly
           it
           is
           on
           all
           hands
           confessed
           ▪
           and
           no
           man
           that
           I
           know
           ,
           seeketh
           to
           cast
           a
           vaile
           over
           their
           worth
           ,
           or
           suppressed
           their
           atchievements
           .
           God
           hath
           done
           wonderfull
           things
           ;
           by
           many
           of
           their
           hands
           and
           the
           lesse
           honour
           ,
           they
           take
           to
           themselves
           ,
           the
           more
           will
           be
           given
           them
           ,
           by
           the
           voice
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           Rulers
           of
           the
           band
           ,
           who
           ought
           to
           take
           care
           ,
           that
           their
           names
           be
           
           written
           ,
           in
           the
           Registers
           of
           fame
           ,
           from
           generation
           to
           generation
           .
           But
           what
           will
           our
           dissenting
           brethren
           say
           ,
           if
           Jesuits
           and
           Malignents
           converse
           among
           them
           ,
           in
           sheeps-clothing
           ;
           If
           transformed
           into
           Angels
           of
           light
           ,
           they
           carry
           on
           these
           workes
           of
           darknesse
           ,
           and
           by
           secret
           suggestions
           ,
           and
           insinuations
           of
           the
           Serpent
           ,
           make
           them
           blow
           this
           cole
           and
           widen
           this
           breach
           against
           their
           own
           intentions
           ?
           It
           is
           not
           for
           nought
           ▪
           that
           there
           be
           so
           ma●y
           popish
           spies
           and
           Agents
           among
           us
           ;
           whose
           employment
           is
           ▪
           to
           weaken
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           by
           sowing
           factions
           and
           disobedience
           among
           the
           people
           .
           They
           feele
           their
           blow
           ,
           and
           know
           well
           enough
           that
           their
           form
           is
           broken
           ,
           they
           are
           upon
           their
           last
           gaspe
           ,
           and
           their
           last
           refuge
           is
           this
           ,
           to
           compasse
           that
           by
           trechery
           and
           mischiefe
           ,
           which
           they
           could
           not
           do
           ,
           by
           force
           in
           the
           field
           ;
           If
           they
           can
           divide
           the
           civill
           and
           Military
           power
           ,
           and
           fling
           fire-balls
           of
           division
           into
           the
           tents
           of
           brethren
           ,
           they
           have
           yet
           a
           fainting
           hope
           to
           recover
           strength
           and
           destroy
           them
           both
           .
           Let
           not
           our
           brethren
           think
           this
           ,
           to
           be
           an
           eary
           or
           empty
           admonition
           ;
           for
           there
           be
           men
           so
           finely
           spirited
           and
           rarified
           to
           the
           invisibility
           of
           the
           divell
           ;
           that
           if
           it
           were
           possible
           ,
           they
           would
           deceive
           the
           very
           Elect
           ,
           and
           weave
           their
           hypocriticall
           webbs
           ,
           with
           liberty
           ,
           that
           commonly
           the
           simple
           ,
           and
           many
           times
           the
           circumspect
           are
           involved
           ,
           and
           taken
           .
           Happy
           it
           were
           ,
           that
           by
           some
           marke
           ,
           they
           might
           be
           known
           ,
           for
           then
           they
           were
           easily
           avoided
           ;
           but
           when
           they
           come
           ▪
           to
           strike
           up
           division
           ,
           and
           separate
           the
           hearts
           of
           the
           brethren
           ;
           the
           safest
           remedy
           is
           to
           stop
           our
           eares
           as
           against
           Inchanters
           ,
           and
           Negotiators
           for
           the
           divell
           .
           Return
           then
           ô
           Shulamite
           ,
           return
           ,
           return
           ;
           be
           not
           intrapped
           in
           the
           snares
           of
           division
           ;
           but
           return
           to
           the
           tents
           of
           peace
           :
           what
           will
           ye
           see
           in
           the
           Shulamites
           ?
           we
           shall
           see
           ,
           when
           he
           returneth
           and
           joyneth
           his
           body
           to
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           his
           conscience
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           that
           his
           countenance
           is
           faire
           as
           the
           Moon
           ,
           clear
           as
           the
           Sun
           ▪
           terrible
           ▪
           as
           an
           Army
           with
           banners
           ;
           and
           that
           his
           company
           united
           to
           the
           Common-wealth
           ,
           is
           like
           the
           association
           of
           two
           Armies
           ,
           linked
           together
           by
           one
           heart
           ,
           invincible
           and
           undissolvable
           ,
           by
           the
           powers
           of
           darknesse
           and
           of
           Antichrist
           .
        
         
           Thus
           have
           I
           delivered
           my
           poor
           judgement
           ,
           and
           discharged
           my
           
           duty
           ,
           which
           I
           owe
           to
           the
           publike
           peace
           .
           I
           pretend
           not
           to
           revelations
           ,
           nor
           an
           unerring
           spirit
           ;
           but
           being
           privy
           to
           the
           evennesse
           of
           mine
           own
           heart
           ,
           and
           unbyassed
           intentions
           ;
           my
           conscience
           is
           my
           testimony
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           not
           erred
           ,
           to
           cause
           any
           other
           man
           to
           erre
           .
           In
           regard
           whereof
           ,
           I
           may
           hope
           ,
           that
           all
           men
           ,
           who
           are
           spirituall
           ,
           and
           dis-interessed
           in
           their
           ends
           ,
           will
           acknowledge
           this
           to
           be
           the
           mind
           of
           Christ
           ,
           so
           far-forth
           at
           least
           ,
           as
           it
           aimeth
           and
           tendeth
           to
           piety
           and
           peace
           .
           Neverthelesse
           ,
           if
           any
           will
           be
           still
           contentions
           and
           dissent
           ,
           neither
           I
           ,
           nor
           the
           Churches
           of
           God
           ,
           have
           any
           such
           custome
           ;
           nor
           do
           I
           intend
           ,
           for
           this
           difference
           of
           judgement
           ,
           to
           breake
           charity
           and
           communion
           with
           them
           .
           But
           I
           rather
           beseech
           them
           ,
           for
           a
           close
           of
           all
           ;
           to
           put
           on
           milde
           and
           gentle
           affections
           ;
           and
           whiles
           they
           approve
           of
           our
           faith
           ,
           not
           to
           disapprove
           our
           workes
           ,
           by
           excommunicating
           of
           us
           ,
           or
           separating
           from
           us
           ;
           till
           our
           workes
           go
           before
           us
           ,
           and
           condemn
           our selves
           .
           Leaving
           them
           ,
           in
           this
           assurance
           ,
           that
           when
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           shall
           come
           ,
           the
           Judge
           and
           Master
           of
           us
           all
           ,
           to
           whom
           we
           must
           stand
           or
           fall
           ;
           it
           will
           be
           better
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           for
           us
           in
           that
           day
           that
           he
           find
           our
           hearts
           established
           in
           grace
           ,
           then
           our selves
           at
           variance
           about
           Church-government
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
    

