The nonconformist's plea for lay-communion with the Church of England together with a modest defence of ministerial nonconformity, and the exercise of their ministry / by Mr. John Corbet ...
         Corbet, John, 1620-1680.
      
       
         
           1683
        
      
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             The nonconformist's plea for lay-communion with the Church of England together with a modest defence of ministerial nonconformity, and the exercise of their ministry / by Mr. John Corbet ...
             Corbet, John, 1620-1680.
          
           30, [1] p.
           
             Printed for Thomas Parkhurst ...,
             London :
             1683.
          
           
             Advertisement: p. [1] at end.
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
             With: The remains of the reverend and learned Mr. John Corbet, late of Chichester. London : Printed for Thomas Parkhurst ..., 1684 -- An account given of the principles & practices of several nonconformists / written by Mr. John Corbet ... London : Printed for Thomas Parkhurst ..., 1682.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Dissenters, Religious -- England.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           Nonconformist's
           PLEA
           FOR
           LAY-COMMUNION
           WITH
           THE
           Church
           of
           ENGLAND
           .
        
         
           Together
           with
           a
           Modest
           Defence
           of
           
             Ministerial
             Nonconformity
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Exercise
           of
           their
           Ministry
           .
        
         
           By
           Mr.
           
             JOHN
             CORBET
          
           ,
           late
           of
           CHICHESTER
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             Thomas
             Parkhurst
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Bible
           and
           three
           Crowns
           in
           Cheapside
           near
           
             Mercers
             Chappel
          
           .
           1683.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           AN
           ADVERTISEMENT
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           HERE
           thou
           hast
           some
           Remains
           of
           the
           Reverend
           and
           Learned
           Mr.
           Corbet
           late
           of
           Chichester
           ;
           Those
           that
           knew
           him
           say
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           a
           man
           endued
           with
           the
           wisdom
           that
           is
           from
           above
           ,
           that
           is
           first
           pure
           ,
           and
           then
           peaceable
           ,
           gentle
           ,
           (
           meek
           ,
           moderate
           ,
           )
           and
           easie
           to
           be
           intreated
           ,
           full
           of
           mercy
           and
           good
           fruits
           ,
           without
           partiality
           ,
           without
           hypocrisie
           ;
           therefore
           it
           is
           conceived
           that
           any
           thing
           which
           he
           had
           designed
           for
           publick
           use
           ,
           may
           be
           well
           accepted
           of
           ,
           by
           all
           those
           that
           desire
           to
           follow
           after
           peace
           with
           all
           men
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           is
           consistent
           with
           purity
           :
           Whether
           the
           design
           of
           these
           Remains
           of
           his
           be
           not
           to
           vindicate
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           to
           promote
           purity
           first
           ,
           and
           then
           peace
           ,
           is
           left
           to
           thee
           to
           judg
           after
           thou
           hast
           impartially
           perused
           and
           considered
           them
           in
           the
           
           fear
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           if
           in
           any
           measure
           they
           conduce
           to
           so
           good
           an
           end
           ,
           it
           is
           hoped
           thou
           wilt
           be
           thankful
           to
           God
           for
           the
           benefit
           which
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           therein
           thy
           felf
           ,
           mayst
           receive
           by
           the
           use
           of
           them
           .
           Thou
           hast
           them
           just
           as
           they
           were
           left
           under
           his
           own
           hand
           ;
           if
           himself
           had
           lived
           to
           publish
           them
           ,
           thou
           mightest
           possibly
           have
           had
           them
           in
           some
           better
           method
           :
           but
           it
           is
           not
           thought
           sit
           that
           any
           other
           person
           should
           take
           upon
           him
           to
           alter
           any
           thing
           in
           them
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           The
           Nonconformists
           Plea
           for
           Lay-Communion
           with
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           NOtwithstanding
           my
           Nonconformity
           ,
           and
           the
           exercise
           of
           my
           Ministry
           in
           that
           state
           ,
           I
           am
           inclined
           upon
           the
           following
           considerarions
           to
           have
           communion
           with
           Parish-Churches
           in
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           at
           those
           times
           in
           which
           our
           own
           Congregations
           do
           not
           require
           my
           presence
           therein
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           own
           Parish-Churches
           ,
           having
           a
           competent
           Minister
           ,
           and
           number
           of
           credible
           Professors
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           for
           true
           Churches
           ,
           and
           the
           Worship
           there
           performed
           ,
           as
           well
           in
           the
           Liturgy
           or
           Common
           prayer
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           preaching
           of
           the
           word
           ,
           and
           prayer
           before
           and
           after
           Sermon
           ,
           to
           be
           in
           the
           main
           sound
           and
           good
           for
           the
           substance
           or
           matter
           thereof
           .
           And
           I
           may
           not
           disown
           the
           same
           in
           my
           practice
           by
           a
           total
           neglect
           thereof
           ,
           for
           my
           judgment
           and
           practice
           ought
           to
           be
           concordant
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Tho
           I
           judg
           their
           form
           of
           Worship
           to
           be
           in
           many
           respects
           less
           perfect
           than
           is
           to
           be
           desired
           ;
           yet
           I
           have
           found
           my
           heart
           spiritually
           affected
           and
           raised
           towards
           God
           therein
           ,
           and
           more
           especially
           in
           the
           receiving
           of
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           .
           I
           judg
           that
           this
           form
           may
           be
           used
           formally
           by
           the
           Formal
           ,
           and
           spiritually
           by
           those
           that
           are
           Spiritual
           .
           It
           is
           my
           part
           to
           make
           the
           the
           best
           of
           it
           ,
           being
           the
           Established
           Form.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           I
           am
           desirous
           of
           joining
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           I
           may
           ,
           with
           all
           Congregations
           worshipping
           God
           in
           Christ
           ,
           out
           of
           my
           high
           regard
           to
           all
           Christian
           Worship
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           my
           love
           to
           the
           communion
           of
           Saints
           universally
           ,
           and
           a
           desire
           to
           testifie
           that
           I
           am
           a
           truly
           Catholick
           Christian.
           
        
         
         
           4.
           
           Tho
           I
           am
           constrained
           by
           force
           of
           conscience
           to
           be
           among
           those
           that
           dissent
           from
           the
           enjoined
           Conformity
           ;
           yet
           my
           design
           and
           business
           is
           not
           to
           advance
           a
           severed
           party
           as
           such
           ,
           but
           true
           Christianity
           or
           godliness
           among
           all
           that
           profess
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           ,
           and
           what
           in
           me
           lies
           to
           keep
           up
           a
           Reverend
           esteem
           of
           Gods
           Ordinances
           celebrated
           among
           them
           all
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Tho
           I
           have
           reason
           to
           have
           a
           very
           tender
           regard
           to
           those
           that
           own
           and
           accept
           my
           Ministry
           ,
           for
           their
           edification
           and
           satisfaction
           ,
           yet
           by
           ways
           of
           love
           and
           concord
           I
           am
           to
           seek
           the
           edification
           of
           others
           also
           ,
           while
           I
           lay
           no
           stumbling-block
           before
           the
           one
           or
           the
           other
           sort
           .
        
         
           
             Against
             the
             putting
             of
             this
             intention
             in
             practice
             ,
             I
             meet
             with
             these
             Objections
             .
          
           
             Obj.
             1.
             
             I
             may
             seem
             a
             contradiction
             to
             my self
             ,
             and
             to
             justifie
             what
             I
             disallow
             ,
             having
             refused
             to
             give
             my
             assent
             and
             consent
             to
             all
             and
             every
             thing
             contained
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             Common-Prayer
             .
          
           
             Ans.
             1.
             
             The
             denying
             of
             assent
             and
             consent
             to
             all
             and
             every
             thing
             contained
             in
             that
             Book
             ,
             doth
             not
             gainsay
             the
             lawfulness
             of
             partaking
             in
             that
             Worship
             ,
             it
             being
             sound
             for
             the
             substance
             in
             the
             main
             ,
             and
             the
             mode
             thereof
             being
             laudable
             in
             divers
             forms
             and
             orders
             ,
             and
             passable
             in
             the
             most
             ,
             though
             in
             some
             offensive
             ,
             inconvenient
             ,
             or
             less
             perfect
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             chief
             matters
             for
             which
             I
             refuse
             to
             declare
             an
             assent
             as
             is
             enjoined
             ,
             lye
             not
             in
             rhe
             ordinary
             Morning
             and
             Evening
             Prayer
             ,
             but
             in
             other
             parts
             ,
             as
             the
             Order
             of
             Baptism
             ,
             Confirmation
             ,
             Burial
             of
             the
             dead
             ,
             &c.
             and
             in
             certain
             Rubricks
             or
             Rules
             to
             which
             I
             cannot
             subscribe
             .
          
           
             Obj.
             2.
             
             It
             is
             to
             countenance
             a
             more
             defective
             and
             inconvenient
             way
             of
             worship
             ,
             and
             it
             tends
             to
             the
             rooting
             of
             others
             in
             their
             formality
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             encreasing
             of
             their
             number
             .
          
           
             Ans.
             1.
             
             My
             partaking
             in
             any
             Divine
             worship
             which
             is
             holy
             and
             good
             for
             the
             matter
             ,
             and
             allowable
             or
             passable
             for
             the
             mode
             in
             the
             main
             ,
             doth
             not
             involve
             me
             in
             the
             blame
             of
             some
             sinful
             defects
             therein
             ,
             to
             which
             I
             consent
             not
             ,
             and
             which
             I
             cannot
             redress
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             I
             do
             not
             acquiesce
             in
             this
             Form
             of
             worship
             only
             ,
             nor
             do
             I
             by
             my
             example
             induce
             others
             so
             to
             do
             ,
             seeing
             in
             other
             Congregations
             I
             both
             dispence
             and
             attend
             upon
             the
             word
             and
             prayer
             in
             another
             ●●rm
             ,
             and
             judg
             it
             necessary
             for
             me
             so
             to
             do
             .
          
           
           
             3.
             
             It
             is
             to
             me
             indubitable
             that
             this
             form
             is
             so
             far
             profitable
             and
             edifying
             ,
             as
             that
             meerly
             for
             the
             defects
             found
             therein
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             cause
             of
             renouncing
             it
             ,
             or
             the
             Communion
             of
             the
             Churches
             for
             its
             sake
             ,
             especially
             while
             other
             prayer
             and
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             word
             is
             not
             there
             by
             excluded
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             3.
             
             It
             is
             against
             our
             engagements
             for
             reformation
             .
          
           
             An.
             1.
             
             I
             am
             engaged
             to
             indeavour
             reformation
             only
             according
             to
             my
             power
             and
             calling
             ,
             and
             this
             practise
             doth
             not
             gainsay
             my
             indeavours
             of
             the
             same
             within
             those
             limits
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             My
             engagement
             to
             indeavours
             of
             reformation
             ,
             doth
             not
             necessitate
             me
             to
             unwarrantable
             separation
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             My
             engagement
             to
             indeavours
             of
             reformation
             ,
             doth
             also
             ingage
             me
             against
             Schism
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             4.
             
             It
             will
             offend
             (
             that
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             displease
             )
             many
             of
             my
             own
             side
             .
          
           
             An.
             1.
             
             They
             have
             no
             reason
             to
             be
             more
             offended
             with
             me
             for
             practising
             according
             to
             my
             principle
             ,
             than
             I
             am
             offended
             with
             them
             for
             practising
             according
             to
             theirs
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             It
             is
             a
             trouble
             to
             me
             to
             do
             any
             thing
             in
             Religion
             ,
             displeasing
             to
             those
             that
             are
             seriously
             religious
             ,
             and
             more
             especially
             to
             those
             that
             own
             my
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             suffer
             under
             the
             same
             impositions
             under
             which
             I
             do
             ;
             but
             I
             may
             not
             sin
             for
             their
             sakes
             by
             a
             renouncing
             of
             true
             Churches
             ,
             or
             by
             a
             perpetual
             neglect
             of
             communion
             with
             them
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             5.
             
             It
             may
             prove
             an
             occasion
             of
             raising
             a
             greater
             enmity
             against
             those
             that
             cannot
             be
             satisfied
             to
             partake
             in
             this
             worsh●p
             ,
             yea
             ,
             it
             may
             stir
             up
             a
             greater
             severity
             against
             them
             .
          
           
             An.
             This
             objection
             (
             if
             that
             which
             is
             suggested
             in
             it
             be
             true
             )
             is
             of
             great
             mdment
             ,
             for
             I
             must
             have
             a
             tender
             regard
             to
             conscientious
             brethren
             and
             must
             not
             use
             my
             liberty
             to
             be
             an
             occasion
             of
             their
             suffering
             .
             But
             to
             this
             I
             say
             ,
          
           
             1.
             
             The
             moderate
             judgment
             and
             practise
             of
             some
             (
             who
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             have
             maintained
             their
             plea
             for
             reformation
             ,
             and
             exercised
             their
             Ministry
             according
             to
             their
             capacities
             and
             opportunities
             )
             hath
             been
             advantagious
             to
             the
             general
             interest
             of
             Nonconformists
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             If
             so
             bad
             a
             consequence
             should
             indeed
             follow
             ,
             as
             is
             objected
             ,
             I
             would
             for
             that
             season
             forbear
             the
             said
             use
             of
             my
             liberty
             ,
             and
             p●●take
             with
             my
             brethren
             in
             their
             sufferings
             .
          
           
           
             Object
             .
             6.
             
             It
             may
             weaken
             my
             own
             party
             ,
             and
             make
             many
             of
             them
             more
             indifferent
             towards
             reformation
             .
          
           
             An.
             1.
             
             I
             disclaim
             being
             of
             a
             party
             as
             such
             :
             I
             confine
             not
             godliness
             to
             any
             peculiar
             way
             narrower
             than
             mere
             Christianity
             .
             If
             any
             among
             us
             place
             their
             Religion
             in
             being
             of
             a
             party
             ,
             they
             deceive
             their
             own
             souls
             ,
             and
             it
             behoves
             me
             being
             a
             Teacher
             among
             them
             to
             let
             them
             understand
             so
             much
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             While
             I
             use
             my
             liberty
             ,
             and
             shew
             my
             moderation
             and
             charity
             towards
             all
             true
             Churches
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             shew
             an
             indifferency
             towards
             all
             opinions
             ,
             and
             forms
             ,
             and
             constitutions
             ,
             but
             by
             word
             and
             deed
             I
             manifest
             a
             desire
             and
             indeavour
             of
             the
             best
             constitution
             ,
             that
             hath
             the
             greatest
             tendency
             to
             make
             the
             best
             Christians
             ,
             and
             to
             advance
             holiness
             and
             peace
             in
             the
             Churches
          
           
             Object
             .
             7.
             
             It
             may
             raise
             suspiti
             on
             s
             that
             I
             may
             proceed
             further
             in
             Conformity
             ,
             and
             that
             I
             am
             but
             a
             lukewarm
             Nonconformist
             .
          
           
             An.
             1.
             
             The
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             stands
             not
             either
             in
             Conformity
             or
             Nonconformity
             as
             such
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             I
             desire
             that
             my
             zeal
             in
             the
             matter
             of
             Nonconformity
             may
             be
             proportionable
             ,
             that
             is
             neither
             more
             nor
             less
             than
             the
             thing
             it self
             requires
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             I
             am
             not
             willing
             to
             stand
             at
             a
             greater
             distance
             from
             others
             than
             I
             needs
             must
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             How
             ready
             soever
             I
             am
             to
             pursue
             peace
             and
             concord
             ,
             I
             am
             not
             like
             to
             conform
             ,
             till
             the
             grounds
             of
             my
             Nonconformity
             ,
             which
             are
             with
             me
             of
             great
             weight
             ,
             be
             removed
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             8.
             
             Hereby
             I
             may
             lose
             or
             lessen
             my
             reputation
             and
             interest
             among
             those
             of
             my
             own
             side
             .
          
           
             An.
             1.
             
             My
             reputation
             and
             interest
             among
             men
             ,
             must
             give
             place
             to
             the
             pleasing
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             keeping
             of
             a
             good
             conscience
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             To
             me
             the
             most
             valuable
             benefit
             of
             reputation
             is
             an
             advantage
             thereby
             gained
             of
             being
             acceptable
             and
             successful
             towards
             men
             in
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ;
             and
             that
             which
             is
             most
             advantagious
             hereunto
             ,
             is
             the
             reputation
             of
             integrity
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             all
             things
             advisedly
             ,
             honestly
             ,
             peaceably
             ,
             without
             partiality
             ,
             hypocrisie
             and
             felfishness
             ,
             is
             the
             best
             means
             of
             such
             reputation
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             9.
             
             It
             will
             not
             please
             those
             of
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             unless
             I
             absolutely
             conform
             ;
             and
             it
             may
             be
             some
             of
             them
             will
             despise
             and
             hate
             me
             the
             more
             .
          
           
           
             An.
             1.
             
             My
             design
             is
             not
             man
             pleasing
             ,
             and
             I
             think
             it
             looks
             not
             like
             such
             ;
             I
             were
             very
             ill
             advised
             indeed
             ,
             if
             while
             I
             venture
             the
             displeasing
             of
             my
             own
             ,
             I
             should
             aim
             at
             the
             pleasing
             of
             a
             different
             party
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             In
             reference
             to
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             my
             design
             is
             not
             to
             please
             them
             ,
             but
             to
             convince
             them
             ,
             that
             what
             in
             me
             lies
             ,
             I
             follow
             after
             Church-peace
             and
             concord
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             cause
             of
             the
             divisions
             that
             are
             ,
             lies
             not
             on
             my
             part
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Tho
             on
             the
             Conforming
             side
             there
             may
             be
             some
             ,
             who
             hate
             those
             most
             that
             come
             nearest
             to
             Conformity
             ,
             if
             they
             are
             not
             thorow
             therein
             ;
             yet
             there
             be
             others
             ,
             who
             are
             more
             valuable
             ,
             that
             are
             of
             a
             better
             spirit
             ,
             with
             whom
             my
             moderation
             may
             have
             good
             effects
             .
          
           
             Ob
             :
             10.
             
             It
             may
             hazard
             a
             breach
             in
             our
             own
             congregation
             ,
             and
             the
             dissolution
             thereof
             ,
             as
             things
             now
             stand
             with
             us
             ,
             and
             consequently
             hinder
             the
             good
             of
             souls
             ,
             that
             is
             now
             gained
             by
             the
             word
             and
             prayer
             .
          
           
             An.
             1.
             
             Indeed
             such
             an
             evil
             is
             carefully
             to
             be
             avoided
             in
             this
             time
             of
             our
             difficulty
             and
             danger
             ;
             but
             I
             rationally
             hope
             that
             it
             will
             not
             so
             fall
             out
             :
             Our
             friends
             are
             not
             ignorant
             of
             the
             latitude
             of
             my
             principle
             ,
             and
             the
             practise
             here
             propounded
             will
             '
             be
             no
             great
             surprisal
             to
             them
             ,
             it
             being
             no
             more
             than
             what
             I
             declared
             that
             I
             did
             before
             I
             came
             to
             my
             present
             station
             among
             them
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             I
             shall
             keep
             a
             watchful
             eye
             upon
             this
             concern
             ;
             if
             I
             see
             any
             distemper
             that
             threatens
             a
             breach
             arising
             upon
             this
             occasion
             ,
             I
             will
             for
             a
             while
             suspend
             my
             liberty
             ,
             and
             I
             wil
             proceed
             herein
             no
             otherwise
             than
             they
             can
             bear
             ,
             I
             will
             be
             calm
             and
             gentle
             towards
             them
             ,
             and
             not
             carry
             it
             peremptorily
             in
             any
             wise
             .
             And
             this
             I
             shall
             do
             not
             for
             my
             own
             private
             ends
             (
             the
             Searcher
             of
             hearts
             knows
             )
             but
             sincerely
             for
             their
             good
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             I
             will
             by
             degrees
             insinuate
             into
             them
             the
             equity
             of
             their
             bearing
             with
             me
             in
             my
             perswasions
             ,
             as
             I
             bear
             with
             them
             in
             theirs
             ,
             and
             of
             allowing
             me
             the
             liberty
             of
             my
             own
             acts
             in
             things
             that
             concern
             my self
             alone
             ,
             when
             in
             such
             acts
             as
             concern
             the
             society
             ,
             I
             do
             nothing
             without
             their
             consent
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             If
             it
             should
             come
             to
             pass
             that
             they
             will
             impose
             upon
             me
             what
             is
             not
             fit
             for
             me
             to
             comply
             with
             ;
             in
             that
             case
             ,
             I
             will
             not
             violently
             break
             from
             ,
             nor
             stay
             to
             make
             breaches
             among
             them
             ,
             but
             quickly
             withdraw
             my self
             .
          
        
         
           
           
             The
             Sum
             of
             the
             Matter
             .
          
           
             I
             consult
             not
             my
             private
             interest
             in
             the
             case
             ,
             but
             am
             sincerely
             solicitous
             to
             know
             and
             do
             herein
             what
             is
             my
             duty
             to
             do
             .
          
           
             I
             would
             do
             what
             I
             can
             ,
             to
             justifie
             my
             Catholick
             principle
             and
             spirit
             ,
             and
             I
             would
             abstain
             from
             the
             appearance
             of
             unwarrantable
             separation
             .
          
           
             I
             would
             give
             no
             occasion
             to
             any
             of
             disowning
             or
             reproaching
             a
             form
             of
             Divine
             Worship
             which
             is
             found
             in
             the
             substance
             thereof
             ,
             and
             accepted
             of
             God
             from
             the
             sincere
             ,
             tho
             it
             be
             less
             perfect
             in
             divers
             material
             points
             ,
             and
             less
             convenient
             for
             the
             mode
             .
          
           
             I
             would
             in
             all
             things
             be
             a
             faithful
             guide
             to
             the
             people
             to
             whom
             I
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             I
             would
             lead
             them
             in
             the
             way
             of
             peace
             and
             concord
             ,
             and
             be
             free
             from
             giving
             them
             an
             occasion
             of
             withdrawing
             from
             the
             established
             worship
             more
             than
             is
             necessary
             .
          
           
             I
             would
             shew
             my self
             a
             freeman
             governing
             my
             own
             acts
             according
             to
             my
             conscience
             ,
             and
             not
             subject
             to
             the
             opinions
             and
             affections
             of
             others
             ,
             or
             the
             imagined
             interests
             of
             a
             party
             .
          
           
             If
             I
             cannot
             mollfie
             them
             that
             seek
             to
             suppress
             me
             ,
             I
             would
             render
             them
             more
             inexcusable
             .
          
           
             I
             would
             testifie
             ,
             what
             in
             me
             lies
             ,
             that
             Nonconformists
             are
             capable
             of
             an
             accommodation
             ,
             and
             silence
             them
             that
             gainsay
             it
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           A
           Defence
           of
           my
           Endeavours
           for
           the
           Work
           of
           the
           MINISTRY
           .
        
         
           
             THAT
             I
             might
             not
             be
             wanting
             to
             my
             just
             Vindication
             in
             this
             Cause
             ,
             I
             hold
             my self
             obliged
             to
             present
             the
             aforesaid
             Defence
             to
             the
             consideration
             of
             all
             impartial
             Readers
             :
             it
             takes
             its
             rise
             from
             the
             several
             heads
             of
             the
             Bishops
             charge
             against
             me
             ,
             all
             which
             were
             owned
             by
             himself
             before
             many
             Witnesses
             ,
             and
             are
             here
             set
             down
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           forasmuch
           as
           I
           did
           not
           exercise
           the
           Ministry
           in
           subordination
           to
           the
           Bishop
           ,
           and
           as
           regulated
           by
           him
           ,
           I
           transgressed
           against
           the
           nature
           of
           my
           Office
           ,
           as
           not
           being
           the
           Office
           of
           a
           Pastor
           mentioned
           Eph.
           4.
           11.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           I
           violate
           my
           oaths
           and
           promises
           which
           I
           made
           at
           my
           Ordination
           ,
           to
           obey
           the
           Bishop
           or
           Ordinary
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           I
           trespass
           against
           the
           Right
           of
           the
           Bishop
           ,
           upon
           the
           account
           of
           exercising
           the
           Ministry
           where
           he
           is
           the
           Pastor
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           That
           I
           make
           a
           Schism
           in
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           That
           I
           violate
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           .
        
         
           To
           these
           particulars
           ,
           the
           several
           Heads
           of
           my
           Defence
           following
           ,
           are
           a
           direct
           Answer
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           
             That
             I
             have
             received
             from
             Christ
             the
             Office
             of
             a
             Pastor
             mentioned
          
           Eph.
           4.
           11.
           
             and
             that
             I
             am
             bound
             in
             my
             present
             state
             to
             fulfil
             it
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           
             That
             I
             am
             not
             obliged
             either
             by
             the
             nature
             of
             my
             Office
             ,
             or
             by
             any
             oath
             or
             promise
             ,
             or
             by
             being
             under
             the
             regulation
             of
             Authority
             ,
             to
             exercise
             my
             Ministry
             no
             otherwise
             than
             as
             in
             subordination
             to
             ,
             and
             as
             authorised
             and
             regulated
             by
             the
             Bishop
             of
             the
             Diocess
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           
             That
             I
             invade
             not
             the
             Right
             of
             the
             Diocesan
             Bishop
             in
             exercising
             the
             Ministry
             where
             he
             claims
             the
             right
             of
             being
             the
             Pastor
             .
          
        
         
         
           4.
           
           
             That
             I
             do
             not
             violate
             any
             true
             bonds
             of
             Church-Unity
             ,
             nor
             in
             any
             respect
             cause
             divisions
             and
             offences
             .
          
        
         
           5.
           
           
             That
             I
             do
             not
             violate
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             Civil
             Magistrate
             .
          
        
         
           
             §
             1.
             
             That
             I
             have
             received
             from
             Christ
             ,
             the
             Office
             of
             a
             Pastor
             ,
             mentioned
             ,
             Eph.
             4.
             11.
             
             And
             that
             I
             am
             bound
             in
             my
             present
             state
             to
             fulfil
             it
             .
          
           
             THE
             Ministry
             that
             I
             have
             received
             ,
             is
             the
             sacred
             office
             of
             Presbyterate
             ,
             to
             which
             I
             am
             ordained
             according
             to
             the
             form
             of
             Ordination
             that
             was
             established
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             That
             this
             office
             is
             of
             divine
             right
             ,
             I
             take
             for
             granted
             ;
             and
             that
             according
             to
             the
             Scripture
             it
             is
             the
             office
             of
             a
             Pastor
             ,
             mentioned
             Eph.
             4.
             11.
             
             I
             thus
             prove
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Wheresoever
             this
             office
             is
             set
             forth
             in
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             it
             is
             set
             forth
             as
             the
             office
             of
             a
             spiritual
             Pastor
             or
             Bishop
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             feed
             the
             Flock
             of
             God
             by
             teaching
             and
             ruling
             it
             :
             And
             a
             Presbyter
             who
             is
             a
             sacred
             Officer
             of
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             but
             not
             a
             Bishop
             or
             Pastor
             ,
             is
             no
             where
             mentioned
             in
             Scripture
             .
             If
             it
             be
             said
             ,
             that
             this
             Office
             is
             otherwise
             set
             forth
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             or
             that
             a
             Presbyter
             ,
             who
             is
             a
             sacred
             Officer
             of
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             yet
             no
             Bishop
             ,
             is
             there
             mentioned
             ,
             let
             the
             Assertor
             shew
             the
             place
             or
             places
             .
          
           
             If
             it
             be
             said
             ,
             that
             this
             Order
             of
             Presbyterate
             may
             be
             of
             divine
             inst●tution
             ,
             yet
             not
             defined
             or
             expressed
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             I
             desire
             satisfactory
             proof
             from
             some
             other
             Authority
             ;
             both
             of
             its
             being
             of
             divine
             institution
             ,
             and
             what
             its
             nature
             is
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             To
             have
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             keys
             of
             binding
             and
             loosing
             ,
             of
             remitting
             and
             retaining
             sins
             in
             Christs
             name
             ,
             as
             his
             commissioned
             officer
             ,
             is
             to
             have
             Episcopal
             or
             Pastoral
             Power
             ,
             and
             this
             Power
             belongs
             to
             the
             said
             Office
             of
             Presbyterate
             .
          
           
           
             Forasmuch
             as
             some
             distinguish
             the
             Power
             of
             the
             keys
             into
             that
             which
             is
             in
             
               in
               foro
               interiore
            
             ,
             or
             the
             Court
             of
             Conscience
             within
             ,
             and
             that
             which
             is
             
               in
               foro
               exteriore
            
             ,
             in
             the
             exterior
             Court
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             that
             of
             the
             Church
             ;
             the
             former
             of
             which
             is
             said
             to
             belong
             to
             the
             Bishop
             and
             the
             Presbyter
             ,
             and
             the
             latter
             to
             the
             Bishop
             only
             .
             I
             further
             inforce
             my
             argument
             ;
             1.
             
             The
             Scripture
             makes
             no
             such
             distinction
             ;
             and
             where
             the
             Law
             distinguisheth
             not
             ,
             we
             may
             not
             distinguish
             .
             2.
             
             The
             distinction
             in
             this
             case
             is
             vain
             ,
             for
             all
             power
             that
             belongs
             to
             the
             Pastors
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             purely
             respects
             the
             Conscience
             ,
             and
             it
             respects
             the
             Conscience
             as
             having
             the
             conduct
             of
             the
             outward
             man
             ,
             and
             that
             in
             reference
             to
             Church
             communion
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             other
             matters
             .
             3.
             
             If
             Presbyters
             may
             in
             the
             name
             of
             Christ
             ,
             bind
             the
             impenitent
             ,
             and
             loose
             the
             penitent
             as
             to
             the
             conscience
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             greater
             and
             primary
             binding
             and
             loosing
             ,
             then
             by
             parity
             of
             reason
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             advantage
             ,
             they
             may
             bind
             and
             loose
             as
             to
             Church-communion
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             lesser
             secondary
             and
             subsequent
             binding
             and
             loosing
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             That
             Officer
             is
             a
             Pastor
             or
             Bishop
             ,
             that
             hath
             a
             power
             of
             Authoritative
             declaring
             or
             judging
             in
             Christs
             name
             ,
             that
             this
             or
             that
             wicked
             person
             in
             particular
             is
             unworthy
             of
             fellowship
             with
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             of
             charging
             the
             congregation
             in
             Christs
             name
             ,
             not
             to
             keep
             company
             with
             him
             ,
             as
             being
             no
             fit
             member
             of
             a
             Christian
             society
             ;
             &
             also
             a
             Power
             of
             
               authoritative
               declaring
            
             or
             judging
             in
             Christs
             Name
             ,
             that
             the
             same
             person
             repenting
             of
             his
             wickednes
             ,
             and
             giving
             evidence
             thereof
             ,
             is
             meet
             for
             fellowship
             with
             Christ
             and
             his
             Church
             ,
             and
             of
             requiring
             the
             congregation
             in
             Christs
             Name
             again
             to
             receive
             him
             into
             their
             Christian
             fellowship
             ;
             for
             these
             powers
             are
             no
             other
             than
             the
             powers
             of
             Excommunication
             and
             Ecclesiastical
             absolution
             :
             Now
             the
             Presbyter
             hath
             apparently
             the
             said
             Powers
             ,
             as
             he
             can
             undoubtedly
             declare
             ,
             and
             judg
             ,
             and
             charge
             as
             aforesaid
             ,
             touching
             this
             or
             that
             person
             or
             particular
             ;
             all
             particulars
             being
             included
             in
             the
             general
             ,
             he
             hath
             undoubtedly
             a
             Power
             of
             applying
             the
             Word
             in
             Christs
             Name
             as
             well
             personally
             as
             generally
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             For
             the
             further
             clearing
             of
             what
             is
             already
             argued
             ,
             let
             it
             be
             considered
             ,
             that
             an
             Authoritative
             Teacher
             in
             the
             Church
             commissioned
             by
             Christ
             ,
             is
             also
             a
             Pastor
             ;
             for
             the
             government
             of
             a
             Pastor
             is
             only
             by
             the
             Spiritual
             Sword
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ;
             and
             the
             discipline
             which
             he
             exercises
             ,
             is
             no
             more
             than
             the
             personal
             application
             of
             the
             same
             word
             to
             judg
             the
             impenitent
             ,
             and
             to
             absolve
             the
             penitent
             in
             Christs
             Name
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             Authoritatively
             teaches
             
             in
             Christs
             Name
             (
             as
             the
             Presbyter
             doth
             )
             can
             do
             so
             much
             in
             the
             personal
             Application
             of
             the
             Word
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             The
             Pastoral
             Authority
             of
             Presbyterate
             is
             further
             cleared
             by
             many
             passages
             in
             the
             publick
             forms
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             touching
             that
             order
             .
          
           
             In
             the
             very
             form
             of
             my
             ordination
             according
             to
             the
             ancient
             use
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             I
             received
             the
             office
             of
             a
             Pastor
             and
             Successor
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ;
             I
             mean
             not
             in
             their
             Apostolick
             but
             Pastoral
             office
             :
             The
             form
             was
             this
             ,
             Receive
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             ;
             whose
             sins
             thou
             remittest
             ,
             they
             are
             remitted
             ;
             and
             whose
             sins
             thou
             retainest
             ,
             they
             are
             retained
             ;
             and
             be
             thou
             a
             faithful
             dispenser
             of
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             Holy
             Sacraments
             ,
             in
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Son
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             Amen
             .
             Now
             the
             former
             part
             hereof
             is
             intirely
             and
             compleatly
             the
             form
             of
             Words
             used
             by
             our
             Saviour
             ,
             Joh.
             20.
             22
             ,
             23.
             towards
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             expressing
             their
             Pastoral
             Authority
             ;
             and
             the
             latter
             part
             ,
             Be
             tbou
             a
             faithful
             dispenser
             ,
             &c.
             is
             no
             derogation
             or
             diminution
             from
             the
             Power
             granted
             in
             the
             former
             part
             .
             If
             the
             Presbyters
             are
             not
             the
             Apostles
             successors
             in
             the
             Pastoral
             Authority
             ,
             how
             could
             they
             have
             right
             to
             that
             form
             of
             ordination
             ?
          
           
             In
             the
             form
             of
             ordering
             Priests
             or
             Presbyters
             in
             one
             of
             the
             prayers
             after
             the
             mentioning
             of
             Christs
             sending
             abroad
             into
             the
             world
             ,
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             Prophets
             ,
             Evangelists
             Doctors
             ,
             &
             Pastors
             ,
             there
             follows
             thanksgiving
             to
             God
             for
             calling
             those
             that
             were
             then
             to
             be
             ordered
             Priests
             ,
             to
             the
             same
             Office
             and
             Ministry
             of
             salvation
             of
             mankind
             .
             Whence
             it
             appears
             ,
             that
             this
             Office
             is
             the
             same
             with
             some
             of
             the
             forementioned
             kinds
             .
             And
             what
             can
             it
             be
             but
             that
             of
             Doctors
             and
             Pastors
             ?
          
           
             This
             Church
             did
             before
             the
             last
             alteration
             made
             Anno
             1662.
             in
             solemn
             form
             of
             words
             require
             the
             Presbyters
             ,
             when
             they
             were
             ordained
             ,
             to
             exercise
             the
             discipline
             of
             Christ
             as
             the
             Lord
             hath
             commanded
             ;
             and
             this
             Realm
             received
             the
             same
             according
             to
             the
             commandments
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             And
             that
             they
             might
             the
             better
             understand
             what
             the
             Lord
             hath
             commanded
             therein
             ,
             this
             Church
             did
             appoint
             also
             ,
             that
             at
             the
             ordering
             of
             Priests
             there
             be
             read
             for
             the
             Epistle
             that
             portion
             of
             ,
             Acts
             20.
             which
             relates
             St.
             
             Paul's
             sending
             to
             Ephesus
             ,
             and
             calling
             for
             the
             Elders
             of
             the
             Congregation
             ,
             with
             his
             exhortation
             to
             them
             to
             take
             heed
             to
             themselves
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             the
             flock
             ,
             among
             
             whom
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             hath
             made
             them
             Overseers
             ,
             to
             rule
             the
             congregation
             of
             God.
             Or
             else
             1
             Tim.
             3
             ,
             which
             sets
             forth
             the
             Office
             and
             due
             qualifications
             of
             a
             Bishop
             .
             These
             portions
             of
             Scripture
             this
             Church
             appointed
             to
             be
             read
             to
             the
             Presbyters
             ,
             as
             belonging
             to
             their
             Office
             ,
             and
             to
             instruct
             them
             in
             the
             nature
             of
             it
             .
             And
             afterwards
             the
             Bishop
             speaks
             to
             them
             that
             are
             to
             receive
             the
             office
             of
             Priesthood
             in
             this
             form
             of
             words
             .
             
               You
               have
               heard
               ,
               brethren
               ,
               as
               well
               in
               your
               private
               examination
               ,
               as
               in
               the
               exhortation
               and
               the
               holy
               lessons
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               Gospel
               ,
               and
               the
               Writings
               of
               the
               Apostles
               ,
               of
               what
               dignity
               ,
               and
               of
               how
               great
               importance
               this
               Office
               is
               whereunto
               ye
               are
               called
            
             —
             That
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             the
             Messengers
             ,
             the
             Watchmen
             ,
             the
             Pastors
             and
             Stewards
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             to
             teach
             ,
             to
             premonish
             ,
             to
             seed
             ,
             to
             provide
             for
             the
             Lords
             Family
             .
          
           
             I
             acknowledg
             that
             the
             passages
             here
             alledged
             are
             taken
             out
             of
             the
             old
             Book
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             that
             was
             established
             in
             this
             Church
             till
             the
             late
             alterations
             made
             Anno
             1662.
             if
             those
             alterations
             signifie
             another
             meaning
             about
             the
             several
             Holy
             Orders
             than
             what
             was
             signified
             in
             the
             old
             Book
             ,
             then
             the
             sense
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             in
             these
             times
             differs
             from
             the
             sense
             of
             the
             same
             Church
             in
             all
             times
             preceding
             the
             said
             Alterations
             ;
             but
             if
             they
             signifie
             no
             other
             meaning
             than
             what
             was
             signified
             in
             the
             old
             Book
             ,
             my
             citations
             are
             of
             force
             to
             shew
             what
             is
             the
             sense
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             as
             well
             of
             the
             present
             as
             of
             the
             former
             times
             about
             this
             matter
             .
          
           
             Here
             I
             must
             take
             notice
             ,
             that
             in
             opposition
             to
             part
             of
             what
             hath
             been
             alledged
             ,
             it
             was
             asserted
             ,
             That
             that
             part
             of
             1
             Tim.
             3.
             which
             contains
             the
             office
             and
             qualification
             of
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             was
             read
             at
             the
             Ordination
             of
             Presbyters
             ,
             not
             because
             it
             belonged
             to
             their
             Office
             ,
             but
             because
             it
             was
             joyned
             with
             that
             which
             follows
             touching
             the
             office
             of
             a
             Deacon
             ,
             then
             likewise
             read
             as
             properly
             concerning
             the
             office
             of
             a
             Presbyter
             ,
             pretended
             to
             be
             no
             other
             than
             the
             Deacon
             there
             mentioned
             .
          
           
             To
             this
             I
             answer
             ,
             If
             the
             Presbyter
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             be
             indeed
             no
             other
             than
             the
             Deacon
             spoken
             of
             ,
             1
             Tim.
             3.
             it
             see●●
             strange
             that
             this
             Church
             ,
             yea
             and
             the
             Universal
             Church
             ,
             should
             so
             miscall
             an
             Officer
             ,
             as
             to
             give
             him
             a
             name
             ,
             
               viz.
               Presbyter
            
             ,
             which
             the
             Scripture
             always
             appropriates
             to
             another
             Officer
             (
             as
             is
             pretended
             )
             and
             to
             neglect
             the
             Scripture
             name
             of
             this
             Office
             ,
             viz.
             Deacon
             .
             It
             is
             strange
             that
             an
             Officer
             said
             to
             be
             no
             other
             than
             the
             Deacon
             there
             spoken
             of
             ,
             should
             have
             the
             power
             of
             the
             keys
             ,
             the
             same
             form
             of
             Ordination
             which
             Christ
             used
             towards
             his
             Apostles
             .
             If
             it
             
             were
             so
             ,
             it
             is
             likewise
             strange
             that
             the
             qualifications
             of
             the
             said
             Deacon
             should
             be
             appointed
             to
             be
             read
             at
             the
             Ordination
             of
             a
             Presbyter
             ,
             as
             properly
             belonging
             to
             him
             ;
             and
             also
             at
             the
             Ordination
             of
             a
             Deacon
             inferior
             to
             a
             Presbyter
             ,
             as
             properly
             belonging
             to
             him
             ,
             the
             former
             part
             of
             the
             Chapter
             touching
             a
             Bishop
             ,
             being
             omitted
             .
             Besides
             all
             this
             ,
             the
             new
             Book
             of
             Ordination
             puts
             the
             matter
             out
             of
             doubt
             ,
             and
             evidently
             refutes
             the
             aforesaid
             evasion
             .
             For
             in
             it
             the
             latter
             part
             of
             1
             Tim.
             3.
             beginning
             at
             verse
             8.
             touching
             the
             Office
             of
             Deacon
             ,
             is
             appointed
             to
             be
             read
             at
             the
             ordering
             of
             Deacons
             ;
             and
             the
             same
             is
             not
             appointed
             to
             be
             read
             at
             the
             ordering
             of
             Priests
             ,
             but
             another
             portion
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             viz.
             Eph
             4.
             7
             ,
             &c.
             
             Furthermore
             ,
             if
             the
             Deacon
             mentioned
             in
             Timothy
             be
             no
             other
             than
             the
             subject
             Presbyter
             ,
             I
             would
             know
             in
             what
             place
             of
             Scripture
             the
             Deacon
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             ,
             inferior
             to
             a
             Presbyter
             ,
             is
             set
             forth
             .
             And
             be
             it
             noted
             ,
             that
             the
             Deacon
             of
             this
             Church
             is
             not
             so
             much
             the
             Deacon
             of
             Tables
             ,
             as
             of
             the
             Word
             ;
             and
             therefore
             a
             Presbyter
             must
             needs
             be
             degraded
             in
             being
             made
             no
             more
             than
             a
             Deacon
             of
             the
             Word
             .
          
           
             Hitherto
             I
             have
             insisted
             on
             the
             nature
             of
             my
             Office
             ,
             and
             have
             proved
             it
             to
             be
             the
             Office
             of
             a
             Pastor
             .
             Now
             I
             proceed
             to
             prove
             ,
             That
             in
             my
             present
             state
             I
             am
             bound
             to
             fulfil
             it
             .
          
           
             Being
             dedicated
             to
             this
             Ministry
             ,
             I
             stand
             under
             a
             perpetual
             obligation
             to
             fulfil
             it
             ,
             according
             to
             my
             ability
             and
             opportunity
             ,
             and
             as
             the
             necessity
             of
             souls
             requireth
             of
             me
             .
             And
             whatsoever
             some
             think
             ,
             the
             thing
             is
             most
             evident
             ,
             That
             the
             souls
             of
             men
             cry
             aloud
             for
             all
             the
             help
             that
             can
             possibly
             be
             given
             them
             by
             those
             whom
             Christ
             hath
             qualified
             and
             called
             to
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             wheth●r
             Conformists
             or
             Nonconformists
             .
          
           
             This
             apprehension
             reflects
             no
             dishonour
             upon
             conscientious
             Conforming
             Ministers
             ,
             for
             whose
             ability
             and
             industry
             I
             bless
             God.
             But
             the
             number
             of
             them
             is
             not
             so
             proportionable
             to
             the
             people
             of
             this
             Land
             ,
             as
             to
             make
             the
             labours
             of
             those
             that
             are
             cast
             out
             ,
             to
             be
             needless
             .
             The
             harvest
             is
             great
             ,
             and
             the
             labourers
             are
             too
             few
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             this
             City
             ,
             in
             which
             are
             six
             Parishes
             within
             the
             Gates
             ,
             besides
             two
             in
             the
             Suburbs
             ,
             I
             leave
             it
             to
             the
             consideration
             of
             those
             that
             know
             the
             state
             thereof
             ,
             whether
             there
             be
             sufficient
             care
             taken
             for
             the
             preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ;
             when
             as
             there
             is
             no
             setled
             preaching
             on
             the
             Lords
             days
             ,
             or
             week
             days
             ,
             in
             any
             of
             the
             Parish
             Churches
             .
             The
             Parish
             in
             which
             I
             dwell
             ,
             hath
             for
             many
             years
             had
             
             no
             Minister
             at
             all
             ,
             and
             the
             two
             Parishes
             without
             the
             Gates
             for
             many
             years
             have
             had
             neither
             Ministers
             nor
             Churches
             ,
             in
             one
             of
             which
             is
             the
             house
             that
             was
             licensed
             by
             his
             Majesty
             for
             our
             meeting
             .
             The
             only
             setled
             preaching
             is
             at
             the
             Cathedral
             ,
             performed
             sometimes
             by
             the
             Superior
             Clergy
             ,
             but
             mostly
             by
             a
             greater
             number
             of
             others
             in
             their
             courses
             ,
             who
             generally
             living
             at
             a
             distance
             ,
             cannot
             be
             so
             well
             known
             to
             the
             people
             as
             their
             appointed
             Teachers
             ought
             to
             be
             ;
             and
             let
             them
             that
             know
             the
             place
             of
             preaching
             consider
             and
             judg
             ,
             whether
             it
             can
             contain
             the
             inhabitants
             ,
             if
             all
             should
             repair
             thither
             .
          
           
             I
             pass
             not
             to
             be
             despised
             or
             judged
             by
             them
             ,
             who
             make
             slight
             work
             of
             the
             cure
             of
             Souls
             ,
             for
             whom
             Christ
             hath
             given
             himself
             a
             ransom
             :
             Certainly
             they
             are
             more
             precious
             than
             to
             be
             exposed
             to
             perish
             for
             lack
             of
             sufficient
             instruction
             and
             exhortation
             ,
             rather
             than
             preachers
             authorized
             by
             Christ
             ,
             if
             silenced
             by
             men
             ,
             when
             not
             disobedient
             to
             any
             ordinance
             prescribed
             by
             his
             word
             ,
             should
             speak
             to
             them
             that
             they
             might
             be
             saved
             .
             The
             necessary
             means
             of
             saving
             souls
             ,
             such
             as
             is
             the
             due
             publick
             preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             together
             with
             personal
             instruction
             ,
             is
             incomparably
             more
             valuable
             than
             the
             maintaining
             of
             uniformity
             in
             little
             opinions
             ,
             and
             ceremonies
             ,
             and
             other
             accidental
             forms
             and
             orders
             .
          
        
         
           
             §
             2.
             
             That
             I
             am
             not
             obliged
             either
             by
             the
             Nature
             of
             my
             Office
             ,
             or
             by
             any
             Oath
             or
             Promise
             ,
             or
             by
             being
             under
             the
             regulation
             of
             Authority
             ,
             to
             exercise
             my
             Ministry
             no
             otherwise
             than
             as
             in
             subordination
             to
             ,
             and
             as
             authorized
             and
             regulated
             by
             the
             Bishop
             of
             the
             Diocess
             .
          
           
             THIS
             Head
             hath
             Three
             distinct
             Branches
             to
             be
             distinctly
             proved
             ,
             whereof
             the
             first
             is
             ,
             That
             I
             am
             not
             obliged
             by
             the
             Nature
             of
             my
             Office
             to
             exercise
             my
             Ministry
             no
             otherwise
             than
             in
             subordination
             to
             ,
             and
             as
             authorized
             and
             regulated
             by
             the
             Bishop
             of
             the
             Diocess
             .
          
           
           
             1.
             
             The
             Nature
             of
             this
             Office
             doth
             not
             require
             it
             either
             in
             reason
             ,
             or
             from
             the
             declared
             will
             of
             Christ
             :
             first
             not
             in
             reason
             ,
             for
             there
             is
             evidently
             no
             reason
             in
             the
             nature
             of
             the
             office
             ,
             beng
             the
             office
             of
             a
             Bishop
             or
             Pastor
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             be
             exercised
             but
             in
             subordination
             to
             a
             Diocesan
             Bishop
             :
             if
             any
             say
             that
             there
             is
             ,
             let
             him
             shew
             it
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Christ
             who
             is
             the
             Author
             and
             only
             proper
             giver
             of
             all
             spiritual
             authority
             in
             the
             Church
             ,
             hath
             not
             either
             by
             himself
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             Mediation
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             so
             defined
             or
             limited
             the
             aforesaid
             office
             of
             Presbytetate
             ,
             as
             that
             it
             can
             be
             exercised
             no
             otherwise
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             aforesaid
             subordination
             .
             If
             any
             one
             affirm
             that
             Christ
             hath
             so
             defined
             or
             limited
             it
             ,
             it
             rests
             upon
             him
             to
             make
             proof
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             If
             it
             be
             urged
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             no
             power
             but
             what
             I
             received
             by
             the
             Ordainers
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             a
             power
             of
             administring
             only
             in
             the
             aforesaid
             subordination
             .
             I
             answer
             ,
             1.
             
             I
             have
             already
             proved
             that
             by
             the
             very
             form
             of
             my
             ordination
             I
             received
             the
             office
             of
             a
             Pastor
             and
             Successor
             of
             the
             Apostles
             in
             their
             Pastoral
             office
             .
             2.
             
             Tho
             Christ
             give
             the
             ordinary
             spiritual
             power
             ,
             and
             particularly
             that
             of
             Presbyters
             in
             some
             respect
             by
             the
             mediation
             of
             men
             ,
             yet
             he
             gives
             it
             not
             by
             them
             as
             giving
             the
             power
             ,
             but
             as
             instruments
             either
             of
             designing
             the
             person
             to
             whom
             he
             gives
             it
             ,
             or
             of
             the
             solemn
             investiture
             of
             that
             person
             ,
             as
             the
             King
             is
             the
             immediate
             giver
             of
             the
             power
             of
             a
             Mayor
             in
             a
             Town
             Corporate
             ,
             when
             he
             gives
             it
             by
             the
             mediation
             of
             the
             Electors
             ,
             not
             as
             giving
             the
             power
             ,
             but
             designing
             the
             person
             to
             be
             invested
             with
             it
             ,
             or
             by
             the
             mediation
             of
             some
             officers
             as
             instruments
             of
             the
             solemn
             investiture
             3ly
             ,
             For
             asmuch
             as
             the
             ordainer
             or
             ordainers
             that
             designed
             me
             to
             this
             office
             of
             Christs
             Donation
             ,
             could
             not
             by
             any
             act
             of
             theirs
             inlarge
             or
             lesson
             it
             as
             to
             its
             Nature
             or
             Essential
             State
             ,
             or
             define
             it
             otherwise
             ,
             than
             it
             is
             stated
             by
             Christ
             in
             his
             word
             ;
             in
             case
             such
             words
             were
             pronounced
             out
             of
             the
             Book
             of
             ordination
             (
             I
             say
             not
             that
             they
             were
             ,
             but
             in
             case
             they
             were
             )
             as
             import
             a
             lessening
             of
             the
             office
             in
             its
             essential
             state
             ,
             they
             are
             void
             and
             null
             .
             If
             a
             Minister
             ,
             that
             joyns
             a
             man
             and
             woman
             in
             Marriage
             according
             to
             the
             true
             intent
             of
             that
             ordinance
             ,
             shall
             add
             other
             words
             that
             forbid
             the
             husband
             the
             government
             of
             his
             wife
             ,
             that
             addition
             is
             a
             nullity
             .
          
           
           
             2.
             
             I
             am
             not
             obliged
             by
             any
             Oath
             or
             Promise
             ,
             to
             exercise
             my
             Ministry
             no
             otherwise
             than
             as
             in
             subordination
             to
             the
             Bishop
             of
             the
             Diocess
             .
          
           
             I
             acknowledg
             that
             when
             I
             was
             ordain'd
             ,
             I
             made
             those
             promissory
             Answers
             to
             the
             Bishops
             Interrogatories
             ,
             which
             are
             contained
             in
             the
             Book
             of
             Ordination
             that
             then
             was
             .
             But
             ,
             1.
             let
             it
             be
             considered
             ,
             that
             if
             the
             said
             interrogatories
             and
             answers
             ,
             or
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             superinduced
             any
             limitation
             upon
             the
             Office
             ,
             that
             takes
             away
             any
             thing
             essential
             to
             it
             ,
             (
             I
             say
             not
             that
             they
             did
             ,
             but
             in
             case
             they
             did
             )
             they
             were
             nullities
             .
             2.
             
             The
             promise
             then
             made
             to
             obey
             my
             Ordinary
             ,
             and
             other
             chief
             Ministers
             to
             whom
             the
             government
             and
             charge
             over
             me
             is
             committed
             ,
             concerns
             me
             only
             as
             a
             Presbyter
             standing
             in
             relation
             to
             the
             Bishop
             ,
             as
             one
             of
             the
             Clergy
             of
             the
             Diocess
             ,
             which
             I
             now
             am
             not
             ,
             being
             cast
             out
             of
             that
             relation
             ,
             and
             made
             uncapable
             of
             it
             ;
             and
             consequently
             the
             said
             capacity
             ceasing
             ,
             the
             obligation
             c●aeth
             .
             3.
             
             The
             said
             promise
             must
             be
             understood
             either
             unlimitedly
             ,
             or
             with
             limitation
             ;
             if
             unlimitedly
             ,
             it
             was
             a
             sinful
             promise
             in
             the
             matter
             thereof
             ,
             and
             therefore
             void
             ;
             if
             with
             limitation
             ,
             as
             in
             things
             lawful
             and
             honest
             ,
             then
             I
             have
             not
             broken
             it
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             not
             lawful
             nor
             honest
             for
             me
             to
             desist
             from
             fulfilling
             the
             Ministry
             that
             I
             have
             received
             ,
             if
             the
             Ordinary
             so
             require
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             Nor
             am
             I
             obliged
             as
             aforesaid
             by
             being
             under
             the
             regulation
             of
             Authority
             .
             I
             Treely
             acknowledg
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             exercise
             of
             my
             Ministry
             I
             am
             not
             exempt
             from
             the
             Regulation
             of
             any
             just
             Superior
             Authority
             in
             the
             Church
             (
             as
             for
             the
             Civil
             Authority
             ,
             it
             is
             after
             wards
             to
             be
             spoken
             of
             )
             whether
             it
             be
             by
             way
             of
             government
             ,
             or
             of
             agreement
             .
             And
             I
             had
             much
             rather
             live
             under
             a
             Regulation
             ,
             than
             not
             .
             But
             it
             cannot
             be
             supposed
             ,
             that
             any
             Superior
             Authority
             can
             limit
             me
             to
             the
             prejudice
             of
             Christs
             Authority
             and
             interest
             ,
             and
             the
             obligation
             that
             he
             hath
             laid
             upon
             me
             to
             discharge
             the
             Office
             with
             which
             he
             hath
             intrusted
             me
             .
             My
             Office
             is
             a
             Trust
             received
             from
             Christ
             ,
             to
             be
             accounted
             for
             to
             him
             .
             I
             am
             his
             ,
             and
             not
             the
             Bishops
             Minister
             .
             Let
             it
             be
             supposed
             ,
             tho
             not
             granted
             ,
             that
             the
             Bishop
             of
             the
             Diocess
             were
             my
             rightful
             Superior
             to
             Repulate
             me
             in
             my
             Office
             ;
             yet
             for
             him
             to
             ●o●bid
             me
             to
             discharge
             my
             Office
             ,
             and
             for
             me
             thereupon
             to
             desi
             〈…〉
             to
             the
             prejudice
             of
             Christs
             Authority
             ,
             who
             would
             have
             me
             now
             to
             discharge
             it
             .
             Christ
             chargeth
             me
             ,
             among
             the
             rest
             of
             his
             Ministers
             ,
             in
             those
             words
             of
             St.
             Paul
             ,
             Col.
             4.
             17.
             
             
               Take
               heed
               to
               the
               Ministry
               that
               thou
               hast
               received
               in
               the
               Lord
               ,
               that
               thou
               fulfil
               it
               .
            
             If
             any
             shall
             say
             ,
             That
             Christ
             hath
             
             now
             forbidden
             me
             to
             exercise
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             or
             discharged
             me
             from
             it
             ,
             it
             behoves
             them
             to
             prove
             it
             ,
             and
             I
             am
             ready
             to
             receive
             and
             consider
             any
             proof
             of
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             §
             3.
             
             That
             I
             invade
             not
             the
             Right
             of
             the
             Diocesan
             Bishop
             in
             exercising
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             where
             he
             claims
             the
             Right
             of
             being
             the
             Pastor
             .
          
           
             HERE
             lest
             my
             sense
             of
             Episcopacy
             be
             mistaken
             ,
             I
             judg
             it
             necessary
             to
             premise
             ,
             1.
             
             That
             I
             fully
             own
             the
             Scripture-bishop
             ,
             or
             Evangelical
             Pastor
             .
             2.
             
             That
             I
             do
             not
             disown
             the
             Episcopacy
             that
             was
             of
             ancient
             Ecclesiastical
             custom
             in
             the
             time
             of
             Ignatius
             ,
             yea
             or
             of
             Cyprian
             .
             3.
             
             That
             Bishop
             Ushers
             Model
             of
             Church-government
             by
             Arch-bishops
             and
             bishops
             ,
             with
             their
             Presbyters
             ,
             was
             offered
             to
             his
             Majesty
             by
             the
             Divines
             of
             the
             Presbyterian
             persuasion
             (
             as
             they
             were
             called
             )
             for
             a
             ground-work
             of
             accommodation
             between
             the
             Bishops
             and
             them
             .
             And
             I
             assent
             to
             the
             offer
             which
             they
             made
             .
             4.
             
             After
             the
             same
             manner
             I
             assent
             to
             the
             state
             of
             Episcopacy
             as
             described
             by
             K
             Charls
             the
             first
             in
             his
             discourse
             touching
             the
             differences
             between
             Himself
             and
             the
             Two
             Houses
             in
             the
             point
             of
             Church-government
             ,
             in
             these
             words
             :
             
               That
               he
               is
               not
               against
               the
               managing
               of
               the
               Episcopal
               Presidency
               in
               one
               man
               ,
               by
               the
               counsel
               and
               consent
               of
               many
               Presbyters
               ;
               but
               that
               he
               had
               offered
               to
               restore
               it
               ,
               as
               a
               fit
               means
               to
               avoid
               those
               errors
               ,
               and
               corruptions
               ,
               and
               partialities
               ,
               which
               are
               incident
               to
               any
               one
               man
               ;
               also
               to
               avoid
               Tyranny
               ,
               which
               becomes
               no
               Christian
               ,
               least
               of
               all
               Church-men
               ;
               besides
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               a
               means
               to
               take
               away
               that
               odium
               and
               burden
               of
               affairs
               which
               may
               lye
               too
               heavy
               on
               one
               mans
               shoulders
               ,
               as
               he
               thought
               it
               did
               formerly
               on
               the
               Bishops
               here
               .
            
          
           
             But
             I
             do
             not
             as
             yet
             discern
             the
             divine
             Right
             of
             Episcopacy
             in
             the
             state
             and
             priviledges
             thereof
             here
             following
             ,
             wherein
             I
             desire
             information
             ,
             and
             would
             gladly
             receive
             satisfaction
             ,
             if
             there
             be
             such
             divine
             Rights
             indeed
             .
             None
             can
             be
             justly
             offended
             with
             me
             for
             examining
             in
             my
             own
             defence
             that
             Right
             which
             I
             am
             accused
             to
             have
             invaded
             .
          
           
           
             do
             not
             discern
             that
             a
             Bishop
             
               infimi
               gradus
            
             ,
             I
             mean
             one
             that
             hath
             none
             under
             him
             but
             Parish-Ministers
             ,
             who
             are
             pretended
             to
             have
             no
             Episcopal
             governing-power
             ,
             I
             say
             I
             discern
             not
             that
             such
             a
             Bishop
             can
             by
             divine
             Right
             challenge
             to
             himself
             alone
             the
             Episcopal
             Authority
             over
             hundreds
             of
             particular
             Churches
             .
             For
             every
             particular
             Church
             should
             have
             its
             proper
             Pastor
             or
             Bishop
             .
          
           
             And
             particular
             Churches
             with
             their
             proper
             Pastors
             ,
             are
             so
             evidently
             of
             Divine
             Right
             ,
             that
             some
             eminently
             learned
             men
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             have
             declared
             their
             judgment
             ,
             That
             no
             Form
             of
             Church-government
             besides
             the
             meer
             Pastoral
             Office
             and
             Church-assemblies
             ,
             is
             prescribed
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             may
             be
             various
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             various
             condition
             and
             occasion
             of
             several
             Churches
             .
          
           
             Neither
             do
             I
             discern
             ,
             how
             it
             is
             possible
             for
             one
             man
             to
             do
             the
             work
             of
             a
             bishop
             towards
             hundreds
             of
             Churches
             ,
             I
             mean
             the
             work
             of
             a
             bishop
             
               infimi
               gradus
            
             ,
             under
             whom
             there
             are
             no
             subordinate
             Bishops
             or
             Pastors
             .
             For
             the
             work
             of
             such
             a
             bishop
             is
             to
             oversee
             all
             the
             Flock
             ,
             to
             preach
             to
             them
             all
             ,
             to
             baptize
             and
             confirm
             all
             that
             are
             to
             be
             baptized
             and
             confirmed
             ,
             to
             administer
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             to
             all
             ,
             to
             bless
             the
             Congregation
             ,
             publickly
             and
             privataly
             to
             admonish
             all
             as
             their
             need
             requires
             ;
             to
             excommunicate
             the
             impenitent
             ,
             to
             absolve
             the
             penitent
             ,
             and
             that
             upon
             knowledg
             of
             their
             particular
             estate
             .
          
           
             If
             such
             a
             Diocesan
             bishop
             saith
             ,
             it
             sufficeth
             that
             he
             perform
             all
             this
             to
             the
             Flock
             by
             others
             ,
             namely
             by
             the
             Parish-Ministers
             as
             his
             Curates
             ,
             and
             by
             other
             Officers
             his
             Substitutes
             ;
             it
             is
             answered
             ,
             1.
             
             That
             the
             Pastoral
             Authority
             is
             a
             personal
             trust
             .
             2.
             
             It
             is
             desired
             that
             he
             shew
             his
             Commission
             from
             Christ
             the
             Prince
             of
             Pastors
             ,
             to
             do
             his
             work
             by
             others
             ;
             for
             I
             am
             now
             inquiring
             what
             is
             of
             divine
             ,
             and
             not
             of
             humane
             Right
             .
             3.
             
             None
             but
             a
             bishop
             can
             do
             the
             proper
             work
             of
             a
             bishop
             .
          
           
             But
             if
             it
             be
             said
             ,
             That
             the
             Parochial
             Congregations
             are
             not
             Churches
             ,
             but
             only
             parts
             of
             the
             Diocess
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             lowest
             particular
             Church
             :
             I
             desire
             proof
             from
             Scripture
             ,
             That
             such
             Congregations
             as
             our
             Parishes
             ,
             having
             their
             proper
             Presbyter
             or
             Presbyters
             invested
             with
             the
             power
             of
             the
             keys
             ,
             are
             not
             particular
             Churches
             properly
             so
             called
             .
             The
             reason
             of
             my
             desire
             of
             this
             proof
             is
             ,
             because
             the
             Scripture
             is
             a
             perfect
             Rule
             for
             the
             Essential
             constitution
             of
             Churches
             ,
             tho
             accidents
             there
             unto
             belonging
             may
             
             be
             regulated
             by
             humane
             prudence
             .
             2.
             
             It
             is
             most
             evident
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             a
             particular
             Congregation
             of
             Christians
             ,
             having
             their
             proper
             Pastor
             or
             Pastors
             ,
             Presbyter
             or
             Presbyters
             ,
             are
             Churches
             properly
             so
             called
             :
             And
             a
             Parochial
             Minister
             I
             conceive
             to
             be
             a
             Pastor
             or
             Elder
             according
             to
             the
             Scripture
             .
          
           
             Moreover
             if
             a
             Diocess
             containing
             a
             hundred
             ,
             two
             hundred
             ,
             five
             hundred
             ,
             or
             a
             thousand
             Parishes
             (
             as
             somewhere
             it
             doth
             )
             do
             constitute
             but
             one
             particular
             Church
             ,
             and
             those
             particular
             Parishes
             be
             not
             properly
             to
             be
             accounted
             Churches
             ,
             but
             only
             so
             many
             parts
             of
             that
             one
             Diocesan
             Church
             ,
             why
             may
             not
             ten
             thousand
             ,
             yea
             ten
             times
             ten
             thousand
             Parishes
             be
             likewise
             accounted
             but
             one
             particular
             Church
             ,
             and
             brought
             under
             one
             man
             as
             sole
             Bishop
             or
             Pastor
             thereof
             ?
          
           
             In
             all
             this
             I
             have
             not
             argued
             against
             the
             right
             of
             an
             Arch-Bishop
             ,
             or
             Overseer
             of
             other
             Bishops
             ,
             such
             as
             Titus
             must
             needs
             be
             ,
             if
             he
             were
             Bishop
             of
             Cr●te
             ,
             where
             Bishops
             or
             Elders
             were
             to
             be
             ordained
             in
             every
             City
             .
             If
             either
             Scripture
             ,
             or
             Prudence
             guided
             by
             Scripture
             ,
             be
             for
             such
             an
             office
             ,
             I
             oppose
             it
             not
             ,
             and
             nothing
             here
             spoken
             makes
             against
             it
             .
          
           
             If
             our
             Diocesan
             Bishops
             be
             in
             very
             deed
             Arch-Bishops
             or
             OOverseers
             of
             inferior
             Bishops
             ,
             to
             wit
             ,
             Parish-Ministers
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             here
             argue
             against
             it
             ,
             but
             only
             say
             ,
             that
             in
             their
             ,
             Archiepiscopal
             Diocess
             or
             Province
             they
             cannot
             exercise
             their
             authority
             any
             otherwise
             than
             according
             to
             the
             rules
             of
             Gods
             word
             for
             the
             edification
             and
             peace
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             that
             they
             cannot
             discharge
             the
             inferior
             Bishops
             from
             their
             obligation
             to
             Christ
             ,
             whose
             immediate
             Ministers
             and
             Stewards
             they
             are
             ,
             and
             to
             whom
             they
             are
             immediately
             accountable
             .
          
           
             Moreover
             I
             do
             not
             discern
             that
             any
             Bishop
             can
             by
             divine
             right
             so
             challenge
             or
             claim
             such
             a
             circuit
             of
             ground
             for
             his
             Diocess
             (
             as
             for
             example
             the
             County
             of
             Sussex
             )
             as
             that
             thereupon
             he
             can
             by
             the
             said
             right
             prohibit
             all
             other
             Pastors
             whatsoever
             to
             do
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Ministry
             in
             any
             case
             without
             his
             licence
             within
             such
             a
             circuit
             of
             ground
             ,
             or
             that
             such
             a
             measure
             of
             ground
             is
             related
             to
             his
             Episcopal
             office
             as
             a
             propriety
             for
             government
             Ecclesiastical
             ,
             like
             as
             certain
             territories
             ,
             and
             dominions
             are
             as
             a
             propriety
             in
             reference
             to
             Civil
             government
             ,
             related
             to
             the
             temporal
             Soveraingty
             of
             a
             Prince
             .
          
           
           
             The
             partition
             of
             one
             Church
             from
             another
             by
             local
             bounds
             ,
             is
             not
             of
             divine
             institution
             ,
             but
             of
             humane
             prudence
             from
             the
             convenience
             of
             the
             thing
             ;
             I
             say
             convenience
             ,
             not
             absolute
             necessity
             ;
             And
             the
             state
             of
             things
             may
             be
             such
             as
             to
             compel
             to
             vary
             from
             it
             in
             some
             particulars
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             supposed
             by
             learned
             men
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             Apostles
             times
             there
             were
             several
             Churches
             at
             Rome
             under
             their
             several
             Bishops
             or
             Pastors
             in
             the
             same
             local
             bounds
             ,
             as
             one
             of
             the
             Circumcision
             ,
             and
             another
             of
             the
             Uncircumcision
             .
             And
             if
             it
             were
             not
             so
             
               de
               facto
            
             ,
             I
             think
             few
             will
             deny
             but
             that
             it
             lawfully
             might
             have
             been
             so
             .
          
           
             If
             upon
             the
             aforesaid
             diversity
             of
             condition
             in
             the
             persons
             ,
             namely
             ,
             as
             being
             of
             different
             nations
             and
             languages
             ,
             there
             may
             be
             several
             Churches
             under
             several
             Bishops
             or
             Pastors
             within
             the
             same
             local
             bounds
             ,
             why
             not
             also
             upon
             other
             diversity
             of
             condition
             ,
             which
             may
             render
             them
             as
             uncapable
             of
             being
             of
             the
             same
             particular
             Church
             ,
             as
             if
             they
             were
             of
             divers
             nations
             ?
             One
             instance
             may
             be
             an
             unmovable
             diversity
             of
             persuasions
             about
             points
             of
             Religion
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             example
             ,
             Why
             may
             not
             Lutherans
             and
             Calvinists
             of
             the
             same
             nation
             ,
             town
             or
             village
             ,
             have
             their
             several
             Churches
             under
             their
             several
             Pastors
             ,
             and
             live
             in
             peace
             ?
             Nothing
             could
             hinder
             the
             said
             peace
             ,
             but
             want
             of
             Christian
             Humility
             and
             Charity
             .
             And
             consequently
             ,
             why
             among
             us
             may
             not
             Christians
             that
             have
             invincible
             diversity
             of
             persuasions
             in
             matters
             of
             Church
             Government
             live
             peaceably
             within
             the
             same
             precincts
             in
             their
             several
             Churches
             ?
          
           
             Besides
             all
             this
             ,
             if
             the
             local
             bounds
             assigned
             for
             one
             mans
             immediate
             Pastoral
             charge
             be
             so
             vast
             ,
             and
             the
             multitude
             of
             Souls
             therein
             be
             so
             great
             as
             to
             render
             it
             impossible
             for
             any
             one
             man
             to
             fulfil
             that
             charge
             towards
             them
             ,
             can
             it
             be
             judged
             an
             usurpation
             against
             dwine
             right
             ,
             if
             another
             Pastor
             without
             license
             from
             him
             should
             perform
             ministerial
             service
             within
             those
             bounds
             ?
             Likewise
             let
             it
             be
             〈…〉
             ered
             what
             may
             or
             may
             not
             be
             done
             ,
             in
             any
             circuit
             of
             gro
             〈…〉
             ●here
             the
             inhabitants
             are
             destitute
             of
             competent
             provision
             for
             their
             Souls
             ,
             and
             lie
             neglected
             by
             such
             as
             claim
             the
             Pastoral
             ch●●ge
             over
             them
             .
             Is
             it
             an
             intrusion
             or
             usurpation
             ,
             if
             in
             that
             case
             one
             that
             is
             dedicated
             to
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Ministry
             shall
             endeavour
             without
             licence
             from
             the
             said
             neglecters
             ,
             by
             preaching
             and
             other
             ministerial
             service
             to
             save
             souls
             that
             are
             so
             exposed
             ?
             
             Furthermore
             ,
             let
             it
             be
             considered
             how
             any
             Clergy-man
             can
             be
             the
             proper
             pastor
             of
             a
             people
             ,
             that
             doth
             not
             the
             work
             of
             a
             pastor
             towards
             them
             ,
             which
             work
             I
             have
             before
             set
             forth
             .
          
           
             Lastly
             ,
             I
             cast
             in
             this
             consideration
             also
             ,
             how
             any
             Clergy-man
             can
             be
             the
             proper
             pastor
             to
             a
             people
             against
             their
             wills
             .
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             a
             people
             may
             sin
             ,
             yea
             ,
             greatly
             sin
             in
             not
             receiving
             a
             pastor
             duly
             offered
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             so
             they
             may
             as
             greatly
             sin
             by
             receiving
             such
             a
             pastor
             as
             may
             be
             imposed
             on
             them
             .
             But
             how
             any
             one
             can
             actually
             bear
             the
             pastor
             al
             relation
             to
             a
             people
             ,
             that
             never
             consented
             to
             that
             relation
             ,
             I
             would
             be
             better
             informed
             .
          
           
             Thus
             it
             hath
             been
             examined
             ,
             whether
             I
             am
             culpable
             by
             trespassing
             against
             the
             divine
             right
             or
             rights
             of
             a
             Diocesan
             Bishop
             in
             exercising
             the
             Ministry
             where
             he
             claims
             the
             right
             of
             being
             pastor
             .
             And
             it
             hath
             been
             examined
             in
             that
             form
             ,
             which
             the
             matter
             being
             a
             tender
             point
             is
             capable
             of
             .
             As
             for
             his
             humane
             rights
             ,
             they
             are
             his
             preeminence
             and
             jurisdiction
             under
             the
             King
             as
             Supreme
             ,
             and
             to
             which
             he
             is
             intituled
             by
             the
             Law
             of
             the
             Land.
             Now
             I
             am
             no
             usurper
             against
             this
             ;
             for
             I
             claim
             no
             such
             preeminence
             ,
             I
             exercise
             no
             such
             jurisdiction
             .
             As
             for
             my
             obededience
             to
             his
             jurisdiction
             as
             an
             officer
             subordinate
             to
             the
             King
             ,
             it
             shall
             be
             spoken
             of
             in
             its
             own
             place
             .
          
        
         
           
             §
             4.
             
             That
             I
             do
             not
             violate
             any
             true
             bonds
             of
             Church-Unity
             ,
             nor
             in
             any
             respect
             cause
             divisions
             and
             offences
             .
          
           
             THE
             Case
             of
             Schism
             now
             in
             controversie
             is
             not
             to
             be
             hudled
             up
             ,
             but
             well
             stated
             ,
             whereunto
             many
             considerations
             are
             prerequisite
             .
             Those
             that
             are
             set
             down
             ,
             I
             take
             to
             be
             of
             moment
             :
             but
             the
             express
             application
             of
             them
             ,
             I
             forbear
             ,
             and
             doubt
             not
             but
             the
             considering
             and
             impartial
             Reader
             will
             excuse
             me
             therein
             ;
             and
             judg
             that
             he
             himself
             can
             easily
             do
             that
             part
             with
             more
             convenience
             than
             I
             can
             in
             this
             writing
             .
             Church-Unity
             is
             not
             to
             be
             built
             upon
             the
             doctrines
             and
             ordinances
             of
             men
             ,
             but
             upon
             the
             foundation
             of
             the
             Apostles
             and
             Prophets
             ,
             Jesus
             Christ
             being
             the
             chief
             corner
             stone
             ;
             and
             none
             are
             to
             be
             shut
             out
             from
             the
             Communlon
             of
             the
             
             Church
             ,
             or
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             whom
             Christ
             hath
             not
             excluded
             ,
             but
             qualified
             and
             called
             thereunto
             according
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             which
             are
             the
             rule
             of
             admission
             and
             exclusion
             from
             the
             said
             priviledges
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             unity
             of
             the
             spirit
             ,
             which
             we
             are
             charged
             to
             keep
             in
             the
             bond
             of
             peace
             ,
             is
             not
             concord
             in
             external
             forms
             and
             orders
             without
             participation
             of
             the
             same
             new
             nature
             ,
             and
             walking
             in
             the
             same
             holy
             way
             .
             It
             is
             said
             Eph.
             4.
             
             One
             body
             ,
             and
             one
             spirit
             ,
             and
             one
             hope
             ,
             one
             Lord
             ,
             one
             faith
             ,
             one
             Baptism
             ,
             one
             God
             and
             Father
             of
             all
             ;
             but
             not
             one
             ceremony
             ,
             one
             posture
             of
             body
             ,
             one
             garb
             of
             Church-ornaments
             ,
             one
             habit
             of
             vestments
             ,
             one
             ritual
             and
             unity
             of
             assent
             to
             all
             opinions
             and
             formalities
             :
             An
             holy
             fellowship
             in
             the
             spirit
             of
             grace
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             life
             of
             faith
             and
             love
             ,
             is
             far
             more
             excellent
             than
             the
             greatest
             complyance
             in
             ceremonies
             and
             unnecessary
             doctrines
             of
             doubtful
             disputations
             ,
             and
             consequently
             ,
             is
             far
             more
             regardable
             in
             that
             estimation
             and
             reception
             of
             persons
             either
             for
             Church-Communion
             ,
             or
             the
             holy
             Ministry
             .
          
           
             Touching
             Schism
             ,
             let
             this
             be
             noted
             :
             It
             is
             not
             Secular
             power
             and
             interest
             ,
             that
             of
             it self
             can
             constitute
             a
             true
             Church
             or
             Pastor
             ,
             no●
             can
             it
             excuse
             those
             that
             are
             born
             up
             by
             it
             from
             Schism
             when
             they
             act
             Schismatically
             ,
             and
             do
             all
             that
             they
             can
             to
             continue
             the
             snares
             of
             division
             ;
             neither
             are
             all
             they
             without
             more
             a
             do
             to
             be
             accounted
             Schismaticks
             who
             are
             destitute
             of
             Secular
             power
             ,
             and
             who
             cannot
             in
             all
             points
             observe
             the
             commandments
             of
             men
             ,
             or
             neglect
             to
             give
             their
             necessary
             help
             in
             Christs
             service
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             forbidden
             of
             men
             .
          
           
             Schism
             is
             the
             causing
             of
             divisions
             in
             or
             from
             the
             Church
             ,
             as
             the
             Apostle
             sets
             it
             forth
             Rom.
             16.
             17.
             
             Mark
             them
             that
             cause
             divisions
             and
             offences
             contrary
             to
             the
             doctrine
             that
             ye
             have
             learned
             :
             And
             let
             them
             be
             marked
             indeed
             whosoever
             they
             are
             .
             The
             guilt
             of
             it
             lies
             as
             much
             upon
             those
             that
             make
             unwarrantable
             separations
             ;
             and
             they
             are
             most
             culpable
             that
             are
             the
             chief
             causes
             of
             the
             division
             ;
             and
             such
             are
             they
             ,
             who
             impose
             unlawful
             terms
             of
             Church-Communion
             and
             M●nisterial
             liberty
             ,
             and
             they
             also
             that
             rigorously
             impose
             such
             terms
             thereof
             ,
             as
             Christ
             and
             his
             Apostles
             never
             warranted
             them
             to
             impose
             ,
             either
             expresly
             or
             by
             consequence
             .
          
           
             Let
             the
             case
             of
             such
             as
             are
             cast
             and
             kept
             out
             of
             a
             Church
             by
             wrong
             sentence
             ,
             or
             by
             imposition
             of
             unlawful
             terms
             of
             communion
             ,
             or
             unnecessary
             terms
             ,
             that
             are
             unlawful
             to
             them
             by
             unremovable
             doubts
             of
             conscience
             ,
             be
             considered
             ,
             for
             such
             a
             case
             may
             be
             :
             
             What
             shall
             they
             do
             ?
             Must
             the
             unrighteousness
             of
             others
             be
             a
             perpetual
             bar
             to
             them
             against
             the
             injoyment
             of
             those
             priviledges
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             have
             a
             right
             before
             God
             ?
             Why
             may
             they
             not
             lawfully
             injoy
             Gods
             ordinances
             in
             distinct
             assemblies
             ,
             if
             they
             hold
             them
             peaceably
             and
             charitably
             ?
          
           
             Let
             the
             case
             of
             such
             Ministers
             as
             are
             cast
             and
             kept
             out
             of
             the
             Ministry
             by
             the
             imposition
             of
             unlawful
             terms
             ,
             or
             unnecessary
             terms
             that
             are
             unlawful
             to
             them
             by
             unremoveable
             doubts
             of
             conscience
             ,
             be
             considered
             ,
             for
             this
             case
             also
             may
             be
             :
             What
             shall
             they
             do
             when
             they
             are
             under
             an
             obligation
             to
             Christ
             to
             fulfil
             their
             Ministry
             ;
             and
             when
             the
             necessities
             of
             fouls
             make
             theirs
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             others
             ministry
             to
             be
             necessary
             ,
             and
             when
             all
             the
             help
             that
             can
             possibly
             be
             given
             both
             by
             them
             and
             by
             those
             that
             dissent
             from
             them
             ,
             is
             little
             enough
             ?
             Every
             pastor
             tho
             he
             be
             under
             the
             publick
             judgment
             of
             Superiors
             ,
             hath
             a
             judgment
             of
             discretion
             also
             (
             that
             is
             to
             say
             ,
             a
             right
             of
             discerning
             )
             about
             his
             own
             call
             a●d
             obligation
             to
             this
             service
             .
          
           
             Let
             it
             be
             here
             also
             considered
             ,
             whether
             the
             necessary
             means
             of
             saving
             souls
             ,
             such
             as
             is
             the
             due
             preaching
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ,
             be
             not
             incomparably
             more
             precious
             than
             uniformity
             in
             matters
             of
             opinion
             and
             ceremony
             ,
             and
             accidental
             order
             .
          
           
             There
             is
             a
             great
             difference
             between
             inimical
             segregation
             ,
             like
             sedition
             in
             a
             Commonwealth
             ;
             and
             a
             going
             severally
             upon
             weighty
             reasons
             ,
             and
             without
             breach
             of
             charity
             :
             And
             among
             other
             weighty
             reasons
             this
             may
             be
             one
             ,
             That
             all
             Christians
             of
             sound
             faith
             and
             good
             life
             ,
             that
             are
             dissatisfied
             about
             some
             humane
             injunctions
             and
             orders
             in
             a
             Church
             ,
             may
             not
             for
             lack
             of
             tender
             regard
             towards
             them
             ,
             be
             utterly
             abandoned
             and
             exposed
             to
             be
             led
             aside
             into
             the
             errôrs
             of
             the
             wicked
             ,
             as
             to
             heresie
             ,
             apostacy
             or
             a
             course
             of
             irreligion
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             in
             the
             power
             of
             Rulers
             to
             grant
             this
             Indulgence
             to
             such
             Dissenters
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             not
             in
             the
             power
             of
             Dissenters
             to
             change
             their
             Judgments
             .
             And
             this
             is
             not
             to
             set
             up
             Church
             against
             Church
             ,
             or
             according
             to
             an
             ancient
             manner
             of
             speaking
             ,
             Altar
             against
             Altar
             ,
             but
             only
             either
             occasional
             and
             temporary
             Assemblies
             ,
             or
             at
             the
             most
             but
             divers
             Churches
             distinguished
             by
             their
             several
             places
             of
             Assembling
             ,
             as
             one
             Parish-church
             from
             another
             ;
             and
             by
             diversity
             of
             External
             Order
             ,
             as
             the
             allowed
             Congregations
             of
             Foreigners
             in
             London
             from
             the
             Parish
             churches
             .
             The
             same
             true
             Religion
             for
             the
             substance
             thereof
             ,
             is
             exercised
             ;
             and
             the
             same
             holy
             ends
             
             are
             pursued
             in
             the
             one
             and
             the
             other
             .
             And
             there
             will
             be
             no
             opposition
             between
             them
             ,
             but
             what
             an
             unchristian
             Enmity
             proceeding
             from
             Worldly
             lusts
             and
             interests
             will
             produce
             .
          
           
             If
             any
             object
             the
             inconveniencies
             that
             may
             follow
             the
             permitting
             of
             Church-Assemblies
             besides
             those
             of
             the
             established
             Order
             ,
             I
             have
             this
             to
             reply
             :
             1.
             
             Our
             Rulers
             may
             so
             provide
             ,
             if
             the
             Clergy
             would
             ●ot
             gainsay
             ,
             that
             few
             may
             stand
             in
             need
             of
             that
             permission
             ,
             in
             comparison
             of
             those
             that
             now
             do
             ;
             and
             the
             way
             is
             to
             fix
             the
             terms
             of
             Church-communion
             and
             Ministerial
             Liberty
             ,
             so
             as
             to
             comprehend
             all
             sober
             Protestants
             ;
             and
             this
             is
             done
             by
             requiring
             no
             more
             as
             necessary
             to
             the
             one
             or
             the
             other
             ,
             than
             what
             Christ
             hath
             made
             necessary
             thereunto
             .
             2.
             
             After
             such
             Comprehension
             setled
             ,
             the
             Toleration
             of
             all
             tolerable
             Dissenters
             within
             such
             limits
             as
             will
             secure
             publick
             peace
             and
             safety
             ,
             is
             more
             agreeable
             to
             the
             wisdom
             and
             clemency
             of
             Rulers
             ,
             and
             the
             charity
             of
             Christians
             ,
             than
             the
             Rigorous
             constraining
             of
             the
             said
             Dissenters
             to
             what
             they
             cannot
             bear
             ,
             and
             the
             restraining
             of
             them
             from
             the
             liberty
             of
             serving
             God
             according
             to
             their
             eonsciences
             .
             3.
             
             But
             if
             the
             present
             state
             of
             things
             must
             continue
             ,
             the
             inconveniences
             that
             may
             follow
             the
             present
             practise
             of
             the
             Protestant
             Nonconformists
             ,
             are
             far
             less
             than
             what
             will
             follow
             the
             deserting
             of
             their
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             the
             neglect
             of
             fouls
             in
             so
             great
             a
             need
             of
             their
             help
             .
          
           
             The
             considerations
             aforegoing
             I
             submit
             to
             the
             judgment
             of
             impartial
             Readers
             ,
             in
             reference
             to
             the
             case
             of
             Protestant
             Nonconformists
             ,
             of
             whom
             I
             am
             .
             Moreover
             ,
             I
             judg
             it
             necessary
             to
             give
             some
             account
             of
             my
             own
             principles
             and
             practice
             .
             I
             have
             not
             wilfully
             forsaken
             my
             Ministerial
             station
             in
             the
             established
             Order
             ,
             but
             am
             driven
             from
             it
             .
             I
             am
             ready
             to
             make
             Oath
             before
             any
             that
             have
             power
             to
             administer
             it
             to
             me
             ,
             That
             my
             conscience
             is
             not
             satisfied
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             lawful
             to
             observe
             all
             the
             terms
             that
             are
             imposed
             .
             Let
             it
             be
             noted
             ,
             That
             I
             do
             not
             affirm
             the
             unlawfulness
             of
             the
             terms
             ;
             but
             that
             they
             are
             unlawful
             to
             me
             in
             regard
             of
             my
             conscience
             ,
             and
             I
             am
             ready
             to
             render
             Reasons
             of
             my
             dissatisfaction
             .
             It
             hath
             been
             alledged
             .
             That
             so
             much
             hath
             been
             written
             for
             Conformity
             ,
             as
             may
             satisfie
             any
             that
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             be
             satisfied
             :
             But
             I
             profess
             in
             his
             sight
             ,
             who
             knows
             my
             heart
             ,
             That
             I
             have
             a
             mind
             to
             be
             satisfied
             if
             I
             knew
             how
             .
          
           
             I
             set
             up
             no
             Faction
             or
             severed
             Party
             against
             the
             common
             interest
             of
             Religion
             ;
             but
             according
             to
             my
             mean
             ability
             I
             seek
             the
             edification
             ,
             peace
             and
             concord
             of
             all
             Christians
             of
             all
             persuasions
             ,
             and
             the
             
             encrease
             of
             true
             godliness
             among
             them
             all
             .
          
           
             I
             renounce
             not
             Parochial
             Churches
             as
             no
             true
             Churches
             ;
             I
             have
             not
             forsaken
             the
             communion
             of
             such
             Churches
             ,
             nor
             encouraged
             others
             to
             forsake
             them
             ;
             but
             have
             communicated
             with
             them
             in
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             so
             shall
             do
             :
             and
             this
             my
             principle
             and
             practice
             I
             am
             not
             sparing
             to
             declare
             to
             my
             friends
             that
             are
             of
             another
             mind
             in
             this
             particular
             .
             Nevertheless
             where
             a
             Parish
             Minister
             is
             utterly
             unmeet
             for
             the
             charge
             of
             souls
             ,
             I
             cannot
             encourage
             any
             to
             commit
             the
             charge
             of
             their
             souls
             to
             him
             .
             But
             as
             for
             all
             conscientious
             and
             faithful
             Conformists
             ,
             I
             highly
             prize
             them
             for
             their
             works
             sake
             ,
             and
             seek
             to
             promote
             their
             Reputation
             ,
             and
             the
             success
             of
             their
             Labours
             .
          
           
             I
             will
             thankfully
             accept
             the
             liberty
             of
             Ministeral
             imployment
             in
             the
             said
             Churches
             ,
             when
             it
             shall
             be
             granted
             me
             .
             And
             for
             the
             obtaining
             of
             my
             liberty
             ,
             I
             am
             ready
             to
             submit
             not
             only
             to
             whatsoever
             is
             
               in
               specie
            
             or
             particularly
             injoined
             in
             Gods
             word
             ,
             but
             to
             whatsoever
             is
             necessary
             
               in
               genere
            
             ,
             and
             left
             
               in
               specie
            
             to
             humane
             determination
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             determined
             according
             to
             the
             general
             Rules
             of
             Gods
             Word
             .
          
           
             I
             have
             given
             an
             account
             of
             my self
             according
             to
             the
             latitude
             of
             my
             own
             principles
             ;
             but
             I
             have
             not
             done
             it
             to
             the
             prejudice
             of
             others
             that
             are
             of
             sound
             faith
             and
             good
             life
             ,
             but
             of
             narrower
             principles
             touching
             Church-government
             ;
             for
             by
             the
             considerations
             here
             propounded
             ,
             their
             due
             liberty
             is
             provided
             for
             .
          
        
         
           
             §
             5.
             
             That
             I
             do
             not
             violate
             the
             Authority
             of
             the
             Civil
             Magistrate
             .
          
           
             I
             AM
             licensed
             by
             the
             King
             to
             be
             a
             Teacher
             ,
             and
             to
             teach
             in
             any
             place
             licensed
             and
             allowed
             by
             him
             .
             His
             Majesty
             hath
             declared
             the
             same
             to
             be
             grounded
             on
             his
             Supremacy
             in
             Ecclesiastical
             Affairs
             .
             In
             the
             last
             Law
             against
             Conventicles
             it
             is
             provided
             ,
             That
             neither
             that
             Act
             ,
             nor
             any
             thing
             contained
             therein
             ,
             shall
             extend
             to
             invalidate
             or
             avoid
             his
             Majesty's
             Supremacy
             in
             Ecclesiastical
             Affairs
             .
             Of
             my
             License
             granted
             by
             his
             Majesty
             ,
             there
             hath
             been
             no
             Revocation
             that
             I
             know
             of
             .
             If
             upon
             Reasons
             of
             State
             it
             hath
             seemed
             good
             to
             hi●
             Majesty
             to
             grant
             no
             more
             Licenses
             since
             such
             
             a
             time
             ,
             I
             do
             not
             see
             that
             it
             follows
             thereupon
             that
             he
             hath
             made
             void
             the
             Licenses
             that
             he
             hath
             granted
             .
          
           
             His
             Majesty
             hath
             graciously
             declared
             ,
             
               That
               he
               had
               seen
               better
               effects
               of
               one
               years
               Indulgence
               ,
               than
               of
               many
               years
               severity
               before
               that
               time
               .
            
          
           
             Tho
             the
             Parliament
             were
             dissatisfied
             in
             the
             way
             of
             the
             Kings
             granting
             the
             Indulgence
             ;
             yet
             they
             approved
             the
             thing
             it self
             ,
             and
             accordingly
             passed
             a
             Bill
             for
             the
             grant
             of
             it
             ;
             tho
             by
             occasion
             of
             their
             speedy
             Recess
             it
             passed
             not
             into
             a
             Law.
             
          
           
             It
             appears
             that
             the
             Parliament
             hath
             the
             matter
             of
             Indulgence
             ,
             or
             Liberty
             to
             Dissenters
             ,
             still
             under
             consideration
             ,
             by
             the
             Bill
             of
             Comprehension
             ,
             which
             at
             their
             last
             meeting
             was
             voted
             in
             the
             House
             of
             Lords
             ,
             with
             the
             concurrence
             of
             divers
             Bishops
             ;
             but
             their
             Prorogation
             hindered
             the
             compleating
             thereof
             .
          
           
             Now
             when
             this
             is
             the
             sense
             both
             of
             King
             and
             Parliament
             about
             this
             matter
             ,
             I
             humbly
             hope
             that
             our
             Superiors
             will
             take
             it
             into
             their
             prudent
             consideration
             ,
             and
             be
             favourable
             to
             honest
             and
             peaceable
             people
             under
             their
             Jurisdiction
             .
          
           
             But
             supposing
             ,
             tho
             not
             granting
             ,
             that
             my
             License
             is
             not
             in
             force
             ;
             I
             proceed
             to
             some
             other
             considerations
             .
          
           
             I
             acknowledg
             the
             Kings
             Supremacy
             in
             all
             causes
             ,
             and
             over
             all
             persons
             Civil
             and
             Ecclesiastical
             .
          
           
             As
             the
             power
             given
             to
             Spiritual
             Pastors
             ,
             is
             declared
             in
             Scripture
             to
             be
             given
             for
             edification
             ,
             and
             not
             for
             destruction
             ;
             so
             the
             power
             given
             to
             the
             Civil
             Magistrate
             in
             matters
             Ecclesiastical
             ,
             is
             given
             to
             the
             same
             intent
             .
          
           
             As
             in
             Naturals
             ,
             the
             inferior
             subordinate
             causes
             have
             no
             power
             of
             acting
             against
             the
             efficacy
             of
             the
             Superior
             ;
             so
             in
             Morals
             the
             inferior
             Ruler
             hath
             no
             authority
             against
             the
             Superior
             .
             Therefore
             if
             Magistrates
             ,
             being
             all
             of
             them
             subordinate
             to
             God
             ,
             shall
             command
             any
             thing
             contrary
             to
             his
             Law
             ,
             such
             their
             command
             cannot
             beget
             an
             obligation
             on
             the
             subj●ct
             to
             fulfil
             it
             ,
             tho
             the
             subject
             must
             not
             Resist
             their
             power
             .
          
           
             The
             Civil
             Magistrate
             ,
             notwithstanding
             his
             Authority
             in
             Ectlesi●sticks
             ,
             cannot
             discharge
             any
             Minister
             of
             the
             Gospel
             from
             the
             exercise
             of
             his
             Ministry
             in
             those
             circumstances
             wherein
             Christ
             commands
             him
             to
             exercise
             it
             .
          
           
             The
             Civil
             Magistrate
             is
             to
             judg
             what
             laws
             are
             fit
             for
             him
             to
             enact
             and
             execute
             about
             Ecclesiastical
             matters
             ,
             and
             the
             Ministers
             of
             the
             Gospel
             have
             a
             right
             of
             discerning
             ,
             which
             is
             called
             a
             judgment
             of
             
             discretion
             ,
             about
             their
             own
             pastoral
             acts
             ,
             what
             they
             ought
             ,
             and
             what
             they
             ought
             not
             to
             do
             ,
             according
             to
             Gods
             word
             ,
             otherwise
             they
             must
             be
             held
             obliged
             to
             a
             Blind
             ,
             Popish
             ,
             Brutish
             Obedience
             .
          
           
             But
             whatsoever
             the
             Ministers
             discern
             to
             be
             their
             duty
             to
             do
             ,
             they
             ought
             to
             do
             the
             same
             only
             in
             such
             ways
             as
             are
             consistent
             with
             their
             Loyalty
             to
             God
             and
             the
             King.
             
          
           
             The
             Bishop
             hath
             no
             external
             jurisdiction
             in
             his
             publick
             Courts
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             derived
             from
             the
             King
             as
             Supream
             ;
             and
             the
             Ecclesiastical
             Laws
             ,
             by
             which
             the
             Bishop
             is
             to
             proceed
             ,
             are
             the
             Kings
             Ecclesiastical
             Laws
             .
             Consequently
             no
             Minister
             ,
             that
             lives
             under
             any
             Bishops
             Jurisdiction
             which
             is
             but
             derived
             ,
             can
             be
             obliged
             to
             obey
             the
             Bishop
             proceeding
             in
             his
             Court
             ,
             any
             further
             than
             he
             is
             obliged
             to
             obey
             the
             King
             ,
             who
             hath
             the
             supreme
             jurisdiction
             under
             God
             and
             Christ
             ,
             and
             that
             is
             no
             further
             than
             is
             consistent
             with
             obedience
             to
             God.
             
          
        
         
           
             I
             
               Presented
               this
               clear
               and
               open
               defence
               with
               desire
               and
               expectation
               of
               his
               Lordships
               answer
               in
               writing
               according
               to
               his
               promise
               ,
               (
               as
               I
               apprehended
               )
               but
               he
               refused
               to
               receive
               it
               .
               I
               trust
               through
               the
               grace
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               I
               am
               ready
               to
               renounce
               any
               error
               ,
               whereof
               I
               shall
               be
               convicted
               ,
               and
               to
               receive
               any
               truth
               that
               shall
               be
               made
               manifest
               to
               me
               .
               And
               I
               give
               this
               account
               before
               men
               in
               the
               sense
               of
               that
               great
               account
               which
               I
               must
               give
               to
               the
               Chief
               Shepherd
               and
               Bishop
               of
               Souls
               ,
               who
               searcheth
               the
               hearts
               and
               reins
               ,
               and
               will
               give
               unto
               every
               one
               according
               to
               his
               works
               .
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Several
           Tracts
           not
           yet
           Printed
           ,
           prepared
           for
           the
           Press
           ,
           and
           left
           under
           Mr.
           John
           Corbet's
           own
           hand-writing
           ,
           intended
           shortly
           to
           be
           published
           ,
           are
           as
           follows
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             THE
             true
             State
             of
             the
             Ancient
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             present
             Ecclesiastical
             Government
             ,
             compared
             with
             the
             Ancient
             Episcopacy
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             A
             Consideration
             of
             the
             present
             State
             of
             Conformity
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             A
             Discourse
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             Ministry
             thereof
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             A
             Tract
             of
             Certainty
             and
             Infallibility
             .
          
           
             6.
             
             Of
             divine
             Worship
             ,
             in
             three
             parts
             ;
             1.
             
             Of
             the
             Nature
             ,
             Kinds
             ,
             Parts
             ,
             and
             Adjuncts
             of
             Divine
             Worship
             .
             2.
             
             Of
             Idolatry
             .
             3.
             
             Of
             Superstition
             less
             than
             Idolatry
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             Matrimonial
             Purity
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           Those
           already
           lately
           Printed
           of
           Mr.
           John
           Corbet's
           ,
           are
           ,
        
         
           
             1.
             
             Kingdom
             of
             God
             among
             men
             ,
             with
             a
             A
             Discourse
             of
             Church-Unity
             and
             Schism
             .
             80.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Self-Imployment
             in
             secret
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             An
             Account
             given
             of
             the
             Principles
             and
             Practises
             of
             several
             Nonconformists
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             An
             humble
             endeavour
             of
             some
             plain
             and
             brief
             Explication
             of
             the
             Decrees
             and
             Operations
             of
             God
             about
             the
             free
             Actions
             of
             Men.
             More
             especially
             of
             the
             Operations
             of
             Divine
             Grace
             .