A second discourse of the religion of England further asserting, that reformed Christianity, setled [sic] in its due latitude, is the stability and advancement of this kingdom : wherein is included, an answer to a late book, entitled, A discourse of toleration.
         Corbet, John, 1620-1680.
      
       
         
           1668
        
      
       Approx. 94 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 27 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         Text Creation Partnership,
         Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :
         2004-11 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).
         A34543
         Wing C6263
         ESTC R23042
         12062470
         ocm 12062470
         53300
         
           
            This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of
             Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal
            . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
          
        
      
       
         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A34543)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 53300)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 865:11)
      
       
         
           
             A second discourse of the religion of England further asserting, that reformed Christianity, setled [sic] in its due latitude, is the stability and advancement of this kingdom : wherein is included, an answer to a late book, entitled, A discourse of toleration.
             Corbet, John, 1620-1680.
          
           [2], 49, [1] p.
           
             [s.n.],
             London :
             1668.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
             Attributed to John Corbet. cf. BM.
             Table of contents: p. [1] at end.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.
         Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors.
      
       
         EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.
         EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).
         The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.
         Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.
         Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.
         Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.
         The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.
         Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).
         
          Keying and markup guidelines are available at the
           Text Creation Partnership web site
          .
        
      
       
         
         
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Perrinchief, Richard, 1623?-1673. -- Discourse of toleration.
           Church of England -- Customs and practices.
           Dissenters, Religious -- Great Britain.
           Church and state -- Great Britain.
           Reformation -- England.
        
      
    
     
        2004-08 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2004-08 Aptara
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2004-09 Judith Siefring
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2004-09 Judith Siefring
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2004-10 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           Second
           Discourse
           OF
           THE
           RELIGION
           OF
           ENGLAND
           :
           Further
           Asserting
           ,
           That
           REFORMED
           CHRISTIANITY
           ,
           Setled
           in
           its
           Due
           Latitude
           ,
           is
           the
           Stability
           and
           Advancement
           of
           this
           KINGDOM
           .
           Wherein
           is
           included
           ,
           An
           ANSWER
           to
           a
           late
           Book
           ,
           ENTITVLED
           ,
           A
           Discourse
           of
           TOLERATION
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           ,
           Printed
           in
           the
           Year
           1668.
           
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
         
           A
           Second
           DISCOURSE
           OF
           THE
           RELIGION
           of
           ENGLAND
           .
        
         
           SECT
           .
           I.
           
        
         
           
             Of
             the
             Foundation
             of
             our
             Peace
             already
             laid
             in
             the
             Religion
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             and
             the
             Structure
             thereof
             ,
             to
             be
             perfected
             by
             the
             Vnity
             of
             that
             Profession
             .
          
        
         
           COncerning
           Religion
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           there
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           still
           are
           great
           thoughts
           of
           heart
           ,
           and
           the
           troubled
           state
           thereof
           hath
           much
           disturbed
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           Human
           Affairs
           .
           Doubtless
           ,
           Religion
           it self
           is
           not
           in
           fault
           ,
           which
           in
           its
           right
           and
           sound
           state
           ,
           being
           an
           Institution
           holy
           ,
           just
           and
           good
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           of
           great
           efficacy
           to
           compose
           and
           quiet
           our
           minds
           ,
           and
           to
           heal
           and
           settle
           the
           Nations
           .
           But
           that
           which
           in
           it self
           is
           Excellent
           ,
           is
           by
           the
           Errors
           and
           Corruptions
           of
           men
           ,
           made
           subject
           to
           much
           vanity
           .
           And
           the
           Adversary
           
           of
           Mankind
           being
           not
           able
           to
           raze
           out
           the
           deep
           impressions
           thereof
           that
           are
           in
           our
           Nature
           ,
           hath
           made
           it
           his
           Master-piece
           so
           to
           corrupt
           or
           discompose
           it
           ,
           as
           to
           disorder
           the
           Passions
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           the
           Affairs
           of
           the
           World
           about
           it
           .
        
         
           Concerning
           the
           Cure
           of
           these
           Distempers
           ,
           and
           the
           Redress
           of
           the
           Evils
           thence
           arising
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           cause
           of
           Despair
           or
           Despondency
           ,
           if
           Men
           cease
           from
           their
           high
           Provocations
           ,
           and
           God
           from
           his
           righteous
           Indignation
           .
           The
           most
           effectual
           means
           of
           Reconciliation
           between
           the
           Disagreeing
           Parties
           ,
           is
           ,
           For
           all
           of
           them
           to
           be
           reconciled
           to
           God.
           Then
           would
           that
           Spirit
           of
           Perversness
           ,
           which
           by
           the
           Divine
           Displeasure
           hath
           been
           mingled
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           us
           ,
           be
           controled
           and
           vanquished
           ;
           and
           Offences
           and
           Prejudices
           being
           removed
           ,
           we
           might
           discern
           the
           Way
           of
           Peace
           .
           God
           forbid
           that
           Sentence
           should
           pass
           upon
           this
           Generation
           ,
           
             Destruction
             and
             misery
             is
             in
             their
             paths
             ,
             and
             the
             way
             of
             peace
             they
             have
             not
             known
             .
          
        
         
           Next
           ,
           under
           the
           Divine
           Favour
           and
           Blessing
           ,
           our
           Help
           standeth
           in
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Piety
           of
           our
           SOVEREIGN
           and
           His
           PARLIAMENT
           .
           But
           this
           Grand
           Affair
           is
           acknowledged
           to
           be
           full
           of
           difficulties
           ,
           caused
           by
           the
           Passions
           ,
           Prejudices
           and
           Interests
           of
           the
           several
           Parties
           .
           Nevertheless
           ,
           the
           Prudence
           and
           Patience
           of
           those
           that
           sit
           at
           the
           Helm
           of
           Government
           ,
           is
           able
           to
           Master
           it
           :
           For
           ,
           the
           Ground-work
           of
           Peace
           is
           laid
           to
           their
           hands
           ,
           in
           the
           Religion
           of
           the
           Nation
           ;
           and
           the
           Impartial
           may
           descry
           the
           opportunity
           of
           such
           a
           Settlement
           as
           may
           accommodate
           all
           those
           Parties
           in
           which
           the
           Nation
           's
           Peace
           is
           bound
           up
           .
        
         
           The
           true
           Interest
           of
           Soveraignty
           ,
           is
           the
           self-same
           with
           that
           of
           the
           Universality
           ,
           or
           whole
           Body
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           founded
           in
           such
           a
           Common-Good
           ,
           as
           belongs
           to
           all
           sorts
           of
           men
           ,
           by
           whom
           the
           Publike
           Weal
           consists
           .
           And
           where
           there
           are
           ,
           and
           inevitably
           will
           be
           different
           Perswasions
           among
           them
           ,
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           the
           Government
           is
           to
           contract
           
           and
           lessen
           their
           differences
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           it
           is
           possible
           ;
           but
           ,
           howsoever
           ,
           to
           prevent
           or
           heal
           divisions
           ,
           and
           to
           hold
           them
           united
           among
           themselves
           ,
           in
           the
           common
           Benefit
           ,
           and
           all
           of
           them
           necessarily
           dependant
           upon
           the
           State.
           This
           is
           a
           firm
           Basis
           of
           the
           perpetual
           stability
           of
           Empire
           ,
           as
           also
           of
           the
           Subjects
           Tranquility
           and
           Prosperity
           ;
           and
           the
           present
           Discourse
           rests
           upon
           this
           Principle
           as
           its
           sure
           Foundation
           .
        
         
           Now
           in
           this
           Realm
           ,
           the
           joint
           Stock
           of
           those
           several
           Parties
           ,
           for
           matter
           of
           Religion
           ,
           is
           
             REFORMED
             CHRISTIANITY
          
           ,
           for
           which
           they
           are
           all
           jealous
           ,
           even
           unto
           discomposure
           ,
           upon
           any
           Encroachments
           of
           the
           Popish
           Party
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           this
           Government
           ,
           to
           remove
           or
           lessen
           the
           Differences
           ,
           and
           to
           cure
           the
           Divisions
           which
           now
           disturb
           and
           divide
           the
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           to
           hold
           them
           united
           among
           themselves
           ,
           and
           all
           of
           them
           in
           firm
           dependance
           upon
           this
           State
           ,
           and
           consequently
           ,
           to
           give
           them
           all
           their
           due
           encouragement
           ,
           not
           indeed
           in
           loose
           and
           irregular
           wayes
           ,
           but
           in
           a
           ruled
           Order
           ,
           consistent
           with
           stable
           Polity
           ,
           and
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Government
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           The
           Ground-work
           being
           already
           laid
           in
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           general
           and
           grand
           Interest
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           the
           Structure
           and
           Fabrick
           of
           the
           Unity
           and
           Peace
           of
           this
           Realm
           ,
           is
           more
           or
           less
           perfected
           ,
           as
           the
           Unity
           of
           this
           Profession
           ,
           and
           the
           Peace
           and
           Concord
           of
           its
           Professors
           ,
           is
           more
           or
           less
           acquired
           .
           And
           now
           this
           great
           Question
           lyes
           before
           us
           ,
           
             Whether
             the
             Vnity
             of
             Religion
             be
             obtained
             by
             requiring
             a
             Conformity
             of
             Judgment
             and
             Practice
             in
             matters
             of
             perpetual
             difference
             from
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             Reformation
             unto
             this
             very
             day
             ;
             or
             ,
             by
             permitting
             a
             latitude
             of
             Opinion
             and
             Practice
             in
             those
             points
             ;
             and
             that
             not
             infinite
             and
             inordinate
             ,
             but
             limited
             by
             the
             Publike
             Rule
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           SECT
           .
           II.
           
        
         
           
             The
             Good
             of
             the
             several
             Parties
             is
             best
             secured
             by
             common
             Equity
             ,
             and
             the
             good
             of
             the
             Vniversality
             .
          
        
         
           HOw
           happy
           might
           the
           disposition
           of
           Human
           Affairs
           be
           ,
           if
           that
           were
           acknowledged
           in
           mens
           Practice
           ,
           which
           is
           most
           clear
           and
           obvious
           to
           Human
           Understanding
           ,
           
             That
             things
             of
             common
             Equity
             and
             regard
             to
             all
             sorts
             ,
             who
             are
             necessarily
             included
             in
             the
             Publike
             State
             ,
             be
             preferred
             by
             each
             particular
             Party
             ,
             before
             great
             Advantages
             to
             themselves
             apart
             ,
             with
             disregard
             of
             all
             others
             .
          
           For
           ,
           all
           particular
           Interests
           which
           are
           uncorrupt
           ,
           and
           will
           hold
           firm
           ,
           are
           imbarked
           in
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           Universality
           ,
           and
           must
           sink
           or
           swim
           therewith
           :
           Whereupon
           ,
           not
           onely
           the
           Commonwealth
           ,
           but
           the
           more
           appropriate
           Concernments
           of
           men
           ,
           are
           better
           secured
           for
           continuance
           ,
           by
           this
           Moderation
           and
           common
           Equity
           .
        
         
           There
           lye
           before
           us
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           the
           true
           Primitive
           Christianity
           )
           and
           the
           Ancient
           ,
           Equal
           and
           Happy
           Constitution
           of
           the
           Government
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           .
           The
           Conservation
           and
           Advancement
           of
           both
           These
           ,
           are
           infinitely
           more
           valuable
           than
           the
           prevalence
           of
           Parties
           ,
           by
           all
           true
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           true
           English
           men
           .
           A
           publike
           Spirit
           is
           that
           which
           is
           truly
           pious
           and
           generous
           .
           But
           ,
           over
           and
           above
           this
           Noble
           and
           Christian
           Consideration
           ,
           this
           also
           should
           be
           very
           prevalent
           ,
           That
           those
           Two
           great
           things
           before
           named
           ,
           in
           which
           all
           do
           share
           ,
           and
           by
           which
           all
           subsist
           ,
           are
           the
           Basis
           even
           of
           the
           more
           private
           and
           contracted
           Benefits
           of
           the
           several
           Parties
           ;
           and
           by
           disturbing
           these
           ,
           they
           weaken
           their
           own
           hold
           ,
           and
           disturb
           their
           own
           safety
           .
           Those
           that
           hate
           Moderation
           ,
           and
           follow
           Extremes
           on
           either
           hand
           ,
           consider
           not
           the
           true
           state
           of
           England
           .
           It
           is
           an
           unhappy
           Error
           when
           divided
           Parties
           ,
           who
           when
           all
           is
           
           done
           ,
           in
           their
           divided
           state
           ,
           can
           be
           but
           Parties
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           Whole
           ,
           shall
           so
           act
           in
           their
           turns
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           took
           themselves
           to
           be
           the
           whole
           Body
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           or
           equivalent
           thereunto
           .
           And
           it
           is
           a
           calamitous
           aversness
           ,
           when
           such
           as
           must
           live
           together
           either
           as
           Friends
           or
           Enemies
           ,
           shall
           refuse
           lawful
           and
           safe
           terms
           of
           mutual
           agreement
           .
        
         
           As
           for
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           its
           high
           Concernments
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           guided
           by
           that
           
             Wisdom
             which
             is
             from
             above
             ,
             which
             is
             first
             pure
             ,
             then
             peaceable
             ,
          
           it
           puts
           in
           no
           caution
           against
           the
           healing
           of
           this
           breach
           :
           For
           ,
           Order
           and
           Peace
           may
           be
           obtained
           upon
           terms
           not
           repugnant
           to
           the
           Principles
           of
           either
           Party
           .
           His
           Majesty's
           Wisdom
           hath
           rightly
           comprehended
           this
           matter
           ,
           in
           His
           Declaration
           concerning
           Ecclesiastical
           Affairs
           ,
           where
           He
           saith
           ,
           
             
               We
               are
               the
               rather
               induced
               to
               take
               this
               upon
               Vs
               ,
            
             (
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             give
             some
             determination
             to
             the
             matters
             in
             difference
             )
             
               by
               finding
               upon
               a
               full
               Conference
               that
               we
               have
               had
               with
               the
               Learned
               men
               of
               several
               Perswasions
               ,
               That
               the
               Mischiefs
               under
               which
               both
               Church
               and
               State
               do
               at
               present
               suffer
               ,
               do
               not
               result
               from
               any
               formed
               Doctrine
               or
               Conclusion
               which
               either
               Party
               maintains
               or
               avows
               ;
               but
               from
               the
               Passion
               ,
               Appetite
               ,
               and
               Interest
               of
               particular
               persons
               ,
               which
               contract
               greater
               prejudice
               to
               each
               other
               by
               those
               Affections
               ,
               than
               would
               naturally
               arise
               from
               their
               Opinions
               .
            
          
           It
           is
           apparent
           ,
           that
           the
           avowed
           Doctrines
           on
           either
           side
           ,
           could
           not
           set
           the
           Parties
           at
           this
           distance
           ,
           if
           their
           Spirits
           and
           Interests
           were
           reconciled
           .
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           III.
           
        
         
           
             What
             may
             be
             esteemed
             a
             good
             Constitution
             of
             the
             State
             Ecclesiastical
             .
          
        
         
           AS
           concerning
           the
           publike
           Order
           ,
           it
           imports
           exceedingly
           to
           discern
           and
           make
           a
           difference
           between
           things
           desirable
           ,
           but
           morally
           impossible
           ,
           or
           extreamly
           
           improbable
           ,
           and
           things
           necessary
           and
           attainable
           .
           Perfect
           unanimity
           about
           matters
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           a
           harmony
           of
           Opinion
           in
           all
           Theological
           Truths
           ,
           is
           very
           desirable
           ;
           but
           it
           was
           never
           yet
           found
           in
           any
           Age
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           among
           those
           that
           owned
           the
           same
           Religion
           ,
           and
           consequently
           it
           cannot
           be
           necessary
           in
           all
           those
           that
           ought
           to
           be
           comprehended
           in
           the
           same
           Church
           ,
           or
           Religious
           Communion
           .
           For
           which
           cause
           ,
           a
           precise
           Uniformity
           in
           matters
           of
           meer
           Opinion
           ,
           will
           hardly
           ever
           pass
           with
           general
           satisfaction
           :
           Neither
           is
           it
           of
           that
           importance
           ,
           that
           some
           make
           it
           to
           be
           ,
           for
           Peace
           and
           Edification
           .
           There
           is
           another
           thing
           not
           onely
           desirable
           ,
           but
           the
           indispensable
           duty
           of
           all
           particular
           persons
           ,
           which
           is
           Brotherly
           Love
           among
           all
           that
           receive
           
             the
             common
             Faith
             once
             given
             to
             the
             Saints
             .
          
           This
           is
           of
           far
           greater
           consequence
           than
           the
           former
           ,
           and
           more
           largely
           attainable
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           a
           Catholick
           Disposition
           ,
           and
           the
           right
           Spirit
           of
           true
           Christianity
           ;
           and
           indeed
           ,
           the
           failing
           hereof
           is
           lamentable
           and
           reproachful
           .
           Howbeit
           ,
           this
           excellent
           Christian
           Vertue
           is
           commonly
           much
           interrupted
           and
           impaired
           in
           many
           ,
           by
           prejudicate
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           depraved
           Affections
           ;
           and
           it
           must
           not
           be
           expected
           ,
           but
           that
           Animosities
           and
           Jealousies
           may
           remain
           between
           men
           of
           different
           Perswasions
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           the
           corruption
           of
           man's
           nature
           ,
           and
           the
           infirmities
           of
           the
           best
           of
           men
           .
           Aud
           therefore
           the
           foundation
           of
           a
           solid
           National
           Settlement
           ,
           must
           not
           ,
           and
           need
           not
           be
           laid
           in
           mens
           good
           dispositions
           and
           inclinations
           :
           For
           ,
           although
           the
           distemper
           of
           many
           minds
           continue
           ,
           yet
           publike
           Order
           ,
           and
           steddy
           Government
           ,
           is
           in
           no
           wise
           impossible
           .
        
         
           Things
           are
           necessary
           ,
           either
           as
           the
           End
           ,
           or
           the
           Means
           .
           The
           things
           here
           considered
           ,
           that
           are
           necessary
           as
           the
           End
           ,
           are
           ,
           The
           Advancement
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           England
           ,
           the
           Tranquility
           of
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           and
           the
           Security
           of
           all
           sound
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           good
           
           Subjects
           .
           That
           which
           is
           necessary
           as
           the
           Means
           ,
           is
           the
           Publike
           Rule
           and
           Standard
           by
           which
           these
           blessed
           Ends
           may
           be
           obtained
           ;
           that
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           remainder
           of
           mens
           Perversness
           ,
           the
           common
           high
           Concerns
           of
           Reformed
           Religion
           ,
           and
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           ,
           be
           not
           disturbed
           ,
           impaired
           ,
           or
           cast
           back
           by
           the
           Altercations
           that
           may
           chance
           to
           arise
           between
           men
           of
           different
           private
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           different
           partial
           Interests
           .
           The
           high
           Importance
           and
           Necessity
           of
           a
           stated
           Rule
           of
           such
           Force
           and
           Efficacy
           ,
           evinceth
           the
           possibility
           thereof
           :
           For
           ,
           so
           Noble
           and
           Necessary
           Ends
           ,
           cannot
           be
           destitute
           of
           all
           possible
           Means
           leading
           thereunto
           .
           Evil
           Dispositions
           and
           Manners
           are
           the
           rise
           of
           Good
           Laws
           :
           And
           Law-makers
           ,
           that
           are
           subject
           to
           like
           passions
           with
           other
           men
           ,
           have
           the
           Wisdom
           to
           limit
           themselves
           and
           others
           ,
           for
           the
           Universal
           Good
           ,
           wherein
           the
           good
           of
           every
           Individual
           is
           secured
           .
        
         
           The
           Publike
           Rule
           being
           to
           be
           framed
           to
           the
           proportion
           of
           the
           People
           that
           are
           to
           be
           setled
           under
           it
           ,
           the
           chief
           regard
           must
           be
           had
           to
           their
           fixed
           and
           unmovable
           Perswasions
           and
           Inclinations
           ,
           lest
           They
           should
           break
           the
           Rule
           ,
           or
           the
           Rule
           break
           them
           .
           In
           a
           Nation
           whose
           Active
           Part
           is
           zealous
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           able
           to
           discern
           ,
           and
           addicted
           to
           discourse
           the
           Grounds
           thereof
           ,
           the
           Order
           of
           Things
           ought
           ,
           in
           the
           first
           place
           ,
           to
           be
           directed
           to
           the
           satisfying
           of
           the
           Just
           and
           Reasonable
           Demands
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           which
           being
           troubled
           ,
           is
           a
           restless
           thing
           ;
           and
           then
           to
           the
           outward
           Incouragements
           of
           Piety
           and
           Learning
           ,
           and
           withall
           ,
           to
           the
           bridling
           of
           Ambition
           ,
           Avarice
           ,
           Faction
           ,
           and
           all
           depraved
           Appetite
           .
           It
           must
           be
           expected
           ,
           That
           divers
           Obliquities
           and
           Deficiencies
           may
           remain
           ,
           and
           Troubles
           will
           arise
           :
           but
           if
           that
           which
           is
           Wholesom
           and
           Good
           ,
           be
           so
           predominant
           as
           to
           Master
           the
           Evils
           ,
           though
           not
           to
           extinguish
           them
           ,
           it
           is
           to
           be
           esteemed
           a
           Good
           Constitution
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           SECT
           .
           IV.
           
        
         
           
             The
             Comprehensiveness
             of
             the
             Establishment
             ,
             and
             the
             Allowance
             of
             a
             just
             Latitude
             of
             Dissents
             ,
             is
             the
             best
             Remedy
             against
             Dissentions
             .
          
        
         
           THere
           was
           lately
           published
           a
           Discourse
           for
           a
           due
           Latitude
           in
           Religion
           ,
           by
           Comprehension
           ,
           Toleration
           and
           Connivence
           ,
           directed
           to
           this
           End
           ,
           That
           the
           occasions
           of
           those
           Discords
           which
           divide
           the
           Members
           ,
           and
           distract
           the
           whole
           Body
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Profession
           ,
           might
           cease
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           common
           Concernments
           ,
           wherein
           the
           disagreeing
           Parties
           have
           a
           large
           joint
           Stock
           in
           things
           of
           greatest
           moment
           ,
           might
           be
           pursued
           .
           This
           is
           encountred
           with
           an
           adverse
           Discourse
           ,
           which
           is
           here
           to
           be
           examined
           ,
           and
           the
           state
           and
           reason
           of
           the
           aforesaid
           Latitude
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           further
           cleared
           .
        
         
           Toleration
           being
           commonly
           understood
           of
           the
           permission
           of
           different
           ways
           of
           Religion
           ,
           without
           the
           Line
           of
           the
           Approved
           Way
           ,
           
             A
             Discourse
             of
             Toleration
          
           doth
           not
           hit
           
             the
             Discourse
             of
             the
             Religion
             of
             England
             ,
          
           in
           the
           main
           thereof
           ,
           whose
           chief
           Design
           is
           the
           Extension
           of
           the
           Established
           Order
           ,
           and
           the
           Moderation
           therein
           required
           ;
           and
           then
           Toleration
           is
           treated
           of
           analogically
           ,
           with
           respect
           not
           only
           to
           common
           Charity
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           Safety
           of
           the
           setled
           Polity
           .
           It
           is
           no
           less
           besides
           the
           mark
           ,
           to
           argue
           from
           the
           Mischiefs
           of
           a
           boundless
           and
           licentious
           Toleration
           ,
           against
           that
           which
           is
           Limited
           and
           well
           Managed
           ,
           and
           hath
           for
           the
           Subject
           thereof
           ,
           nothing
           that
           is
           intolerable
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           if
           under
           this
           Name
           be
           comprehended
           also
           the
           Permission
           of
           diversity
           of
           Opinion
           in
           the
           same
           Established
           Order
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           considered
           ,
           Whether
           any
           ample
           Polity
           can
           consist
           without
           such
           Permission
           .
           For
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           thing
           utterly
           unknown
           ,
           and
           seems
           morally
           impossible
           ,
           for
           any
           
           numerous
           Society
           of
           Inquiring
           men
           ,
           to
           be
           of
           the
           same
           judgment
           in
           all
           points
           of
           Religion
           .
           And
           though
           the
           
             Sons
             of
             the
             Church
          
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           called
           ,
           agree
           in
           those
           points
           wherein
           they
           all
           differ
           from
           the
           Nonconformists
           ,
           yet
           they
           differ
           among
           themselves
           in
           far
           weightier
           Matters
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           have
           caused
           great
           Schisms
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           the
           subjects
           of
           the
           Debates
           and
           Determinations
           of
           some
           Synods
           in
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           .
           Now
           if
           Charity
           among
           themselves
           ,
           and
           their
           appropriate
           Interest
           ,
           dispose
           them
           to
           this
           mutual
           forbearance
           ,
           a
           more
           extensive
           Charity
           ,
           and
           the
           common
           Interest
           of
           Reformed
           Christianity
           ,
           should
           incline
           them
           to
           a
           forbearance
           in
           those
           other
           matters
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           yet
           a
           greater
           Error
           committed
           about
           
             the
             Subject
             of
             Toleration
          
           ,
           which
           the
           Answerer
           ,
           by
           mistake
           ,
           will
           have
           to
           be
           
             Dissentions
             in
             Religion
          
           ,
           but
           is
           nothing
           so
           in
           the
           design
           of
           that
           Discourse
           to
           which
           he
           pretends
           an
           Answer
           .
           And
           this
           hath
           brought
           forth
           a
           large
           Impertinency
           ,
           which
           takes
           up
           more
           than
           a
           third
           part
           of
           his
           Book
           :
           For
           ,
           those
           whose
           Liberty
           He
           seeks
           to
           withstand
           ,
           are
           not
           touched
           with
           that
           which
           he
           writes
           at
           large
           of
           the
           nature
           of
           Dissentions
           ,
           with
           their
           Causes
           and
           Consequences
           ,
           and
           the
           Magistrates
           duty
           concerning
           them
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           right
           or
           wrong
           ,
           setting
           aside
           the
           injurious
           application
           thereof
           .
           And
           all
           that
           labour
           had
           been
           spared
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           put
           a
           difference
           between
           Dissention
           and
           Dissent
           ,
           words
           that
           are
           near
           in
           sound
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           ,
           sometimes
           ,
           promiscuously
           used
           ;
           but
           in
           their
           strict
           and
           proper
           sense
           ,
           far
           distant
           :
           For
           ,
           Dissention
           is
           no
           sooner
           presented
           to
           the
           mind
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           apprehended
           as
           something
           either
           culpable
           and
           offensive
           ,
           or
           calamitous
           and
           unhappy
           :
           But
           Dissent
           is
           of
           a
           better
           notion
           ,
           and
           is
           not
           necessarily
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           either
           a
           Fault
           or
           a
           Grievance
           .
           But
           if
           this
           Author
           means
           by
           Dissentions
           ,
           no
           more
           then
           dissents
           or
           differences
           of
           Opinion
           ,
           with
           what
           truth
           and
           justice
           can
           he
           charge
           them
           all
           (
           as
           he
           doth
           )
           with
           such
           execrable
           Causes
           
           and
           Effects
           .
           Dissentions
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           remedied
           ,
           and
           their
           fuel
           being
           taken
           away
           ,
           those
           flames
           will
           be
           extinguished
           :
           But
           diversity
           of
           Opinion
           seems
           in
           this
           state
           of
           Human
           Nature
           ,
           to
           be
           irremediable
           .
           It
           is
           therefore
           hoped
           ,
           that
           the
           state
           of
           this
           Church
           and
           Kingdom
           is
           not
           so
           deplorable
           ,
           as
           to
           want
           a
           Settlement
           while
           these
           Dissents
           remain
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           there
           are
           private
           dissents
           between
           particular
           men
           ,
           within
           the
           latitude
           of
           the
           Publike
           Rule
           ;
           and
           there
           are
           dissents
           that
           may
           be
           called
           Publike
           ,
           as
           being
           from
           the
           Publike
           Rule
           ,
           or
           some
           parts
           thereof
           .
           Now
           the
           broader
           and
           more
           comprehensive
           the
           Rule
           is
           ,
           the
           fewer
           will
           be
           the
           Dissenters
           from
           it
           .
           And
           the
           permission
           of
           private
           diversities
           of
           Opinion
           ,
           in
           a
           just
           Latitude
           within
           the
           Rule
           ,
           is
           the
           means
           to
           lessen
           Publike
           Dissents
           ,
           and
           consequently
           ,
           Dissentions
           much
           more
           .
           And
           this
           was
           the
           main
           scope
           of
           the
           first
           Discourse
           .
        
         
           The
           great
           importance
           of
           
             Vnity
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           is
           acknowledged
           and
           contended
           for
           as
           much
           on
           this
           side
           ,
           as
           on
           the
           other
           :
           Howbeit
           ,
           we
           do
           not
           believe
           that
           Christ
           our
           Head
           hath
           laid
           the
           Conservation
           and
           Unity
           of
           His
           Church
           ,
           upon
           unwritten
           and
           unnecessary
           Doctrines
           ,
           and
           little
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           Sacred
           Rites
           and
           Ceremonies
           of
           meer
           Human
           Tradition
           and
           Institution
           .
           But
           He
           hath
           set
           out
           the
           Rule
           and
           Measure
           of
           Unity
           in
           such
           sort
           ,
           as
           that
           upon
           Dissents
           in
           those
           things
           ,
           the
           Members
           of
           this
           Society
           might
           not
           break
           into
           Schisms
           ,
           to
           a
           mutual
           condemnation
           and
           abhorrency
           .
           The
           imposing
           of
           such
           things
           (
           except
           in
           those
           Ages
           whose
           Blindness
           and
           Barbarism
           disposed
           them
           to
           stupidity
           and
           gross
           security
           in
           their
           Religion
           )
           hath
           been
           ever
           found
           to
           break
           Unity
           ,
           and
           to
           destroy
           ,
           or
           much
           impair
           Charity
           ,
           Goodness
           ,
           Meekness
           and
           Patience
           ,
           which
           are
           Vital
           Parts
           ,
           and
           chief
           Excellencies
           of
           Christianity
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           SECT
           .
           V.
           
        
         
           
             Whether
             the
             present
             Dissentions
             are
             but
             so
             many
             Factions
             in
             the
             State.
             
          
        
         
           ONE
           grand
           Objection
           is
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Dissentions
             among
             us
             ,
             are
             but
             so
             many
             several
             Factions
             in
             the
             State.
          
           But
           ,
           meer
           dissents
           in
           Religion
           ,
           are
           no
           State-Factions
           at
           all
           ,
           but
           proceed
           from
           a
           more
           lasting
           Cause
           ,
           than
           particular
           Designs
           ,
           or
           any
           temporary
           Occasions
           ,
           even
           from
           the
           incurable
           Infirmity
           of
           our
           Nature
           .
           And
           if
           it
           were
           granted
           ,
           That
           the
           Dissentions
           were
           State-Factions
           ;
           yet
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           so
           originally
           and
           radically
           ,
           but
           by
           accident
           .
           Some
           may
           take
           advantage
           to
           raise
           and
           keep
           up
           Factions
           by
           them
           .
           For
           this
           cause
           ,
           take
           out
           of
           the
           way
           the
           stumbling-block
           of
           needless
           rigors
           ,
           and
           then
           Dissentions
           will
           cease
           or
           languish
           ,
           and
           consequently
           ,
           the
           State
           Factions
           (
           if
           there
           be
           any
           such
           that
           are
           kept
           up
           by
           them
           )
           will
           come
           to
           nothing
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           so
           evident
           ,
           that
           Toleration
           ,
           which
           came
           not
           in
           till
           after
           the
           breach
           between
           the
           Late
           King
           and
           Parliament
           ,
           
             did
             not
             open
             the
             avenues
             to
             our
             Miseries
             ,
          
           that
           one
           may
           wonder
           any
           should
           say
           it
           did
           .
           But
           ,
           meet
           Indulgence
           to
           all
           sound
           Protestants
           ,
           is
           the
           likeliest
           means
           of
           stopping
           such
           avenues
           .
           And
           ,
           
             if
             it
             be
             for
             the
             Interest
             of
             England
             to
             have
             no
             Factions
             ,
          
           the
           best
           way
           is
           to
           remove
           those
           burdens
           ,
           which
           ,
           like
           a
           partition-wall
           ,
           hath
           kept
           asunder
           the
           Professors
           of
           the
           same
           Religion
           :
           Then
           
             the
             Masters
             of
             our
             Troubles
          
           (
           whosoever
           they
           be
           )
           
             cannot
             have
             that
             advantage
             by
             their
             Eminency
             in
             their
             Parties
             ,
             to
             drive
             on
             their
             Designs
             in
             the
             State.
          
           Factious
           Spirits
           are
           disappointed
           ,
           when
           Honest
           Minds
           are
           satisfied
           and
           secured
           .
        
         
           This
           Author
           relates
           the
           Aims
           of
           several
           Parties
           on
           this
           manner
           :
           
             The
             Papists
             are
             for
             the
             Supremacy
             of
             the
             Bishop
             of
          
           Rome
           ;
           
             some
             of
             the
             other
             Sects
             are
             for
             a
             Commonwealth
             ;
             
             others
             are
             for
             the
             Fift
             Monarchy
             .
          
           But
           ,
           if
           the
           true
           state
           of
           the
           Nonconformists
           be
           well
           considered
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           found
           ,
           that
           in
           Them
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           any
           others
           ,
           the
           King
           and
           Kingdom
           is
           concerned
           ,
           and
           the
           good
           of
           Both
           promoted
           .
           It
           is
           not
           with
           them
           ,
           as
           with
           the
           Popish
           Party
           ,
           who
           have
           such
           a
           severed
           Interest
           to
           themselves
           ,
           that
           the
           State
           is
           little
           concerned
           in
           it
           ,
           save
           onely
           to
           beware
           of
           its
           Incroachments
           .
           But
           the
           Protestant
           Dissenters
           ,
           are
           such
           as
           do
           much
           of
           the
           Business
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           have
           not
           their
           Interest
           apart
           ,
           but
           in
           strict
           conjunction
           with
           the
           whole
           Body-Politick
           .
           Yea
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           possible
           means
           of
           ensuring
           their
           Interest
           ,
           but
           by
           Legal-Security
           obtained
           from
           the
           Higher
           Power
           ,
           and
           by
           comporting
           with
           the
           general
           tranquility
           both
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           State
           of
           England
           .
           They
           cannot
           flye
           to
           the
           Refuge
           of
           any
           Foreign
           Prince
           or
           State
           ,
           (
           as
           the
           Papists
           have
           done
           frequently
           )
           they
           acknowledg
           no
           Foreign
           Jurisdiction
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           a
           Principle
           of
           the
           
             Popish
             Faith
          
           )
           but
           all
           their
           Stake
           lies
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           they
           can
           have
           no
           sure
           Hold
           that
           is
           aliene
           from
           the
           Happiness
           of
           the
           King
           and
           Kingdom
           .
           An
           Impartial
           Observer
           cannot
           but
           discern
           this
           .
           If
           it
           be
           lawful
           to
           name
           a
           thing
           so
           much
           to
           be
           abhorred
           ,
           as
           a
           Change
           of
           the
           Ancient
           Laws
           and
           Government
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           be
           happy
           ,
           nor
           do
           their
           Work
           by
           such
           an
           unhappy
           Change.
           Experience
           witnesseth
           ,
           That
           their
           Interest
           is
           not
           for
           hasty
           and
           unstable
           Victory
           ,
           or
           unfixed
           Liberty
           ;
           but
           ,
           for
           a
           state
           of
           firm
           Consistence
           and
           Security
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           cannot
           hold
           their
           own
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           common
           Safety
           both
           of
           Prince
           and
           People
           .
        
         
           The
           summ
           of
           this
           Matter
           is
           ,
           That
           a
           Party
           not
           onely
           comporting
           with
           the
           good
           Estate
           of
           this
           Realm
           ,
           but
           even
           subsisting
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           therefore
           firmly
           linked
           unto
           it
           ,
           should
           not
           be
           cast
           off
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           SECT
           .
           VI.
           
        
         
           
             Whether
             the
             NONCONFORMISTS
             Principles
             tend
             to
             Sects
             and
             Schisms
             .
          
        
         
           SOme
           Reasons
           were
           offered
           to
           shew
           ,
           That
           Indulgence
           towards
           Dissenting
           Protestants
           ,
           did
           much
           concern
           the
           Peace
           and
           Happiness
           of
           this
           Realm
           .
           And
           the
           Prudent
           will
           judg
           Arguments
           of
           that
           sort
           to
           be
           of
           the
           greatest
           weight
           in
           the
           Affairs
           of
           Government
           .
           There
           is
           no
           need
           to
           reinforce
           the
           cogency
           of
           those
           Reasons
           :
           The
           Adversary
           hath
           wrested
           them
           to
           an
           odious
           meaning
           ,
           contrary
           to
           their
           manifest
           true
           intent
           ;
           but
           whether
           he
           hath
           indeed
           evinced
           them
           to
           be
           of
           little
           or
           no
           moment
           ;
           or
           ,
           whether
           they
           stand
           in
           full
           force
           ,
           let
           judicious
           men
           consider
           .
           The
           whole
           reasoning
           in
           that
           particular
           ,
           rests
           upon
           this
           Maxime
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           the
           SOVEREIGN's
           true
           Interest
           ,
           to
           make
           his
           divided
           People
           to
           be
           one
           among
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           them
           all
           in
           dependance
           upon
           Himself
           ,
           as
           the
           Procurer
           of
           their
           common
           safety
           .
        
         
           The
           Prejudices
           that
           have
           been
           conceived
           ,
           and
           the
           Calumnies
           that
           have
           been
           raised
           against
           the
           Nonconformists
           ,
           gave
           occasion
           of
           resolving
           this
           Question
           ,
           
             Whether
             they
             be
             of
             a
             judgment
             and
             temper
             that
             makes
             them
             capable
             of
             being
             brought
             under
             the
             Magistrates
             Paternal
             Care
             and
             Conduct
             ,
             to
             such
             a
             stated
             Order
             as
             will
             comport
             with
             this
             Church
             and
             Kingdom
             ?
          
           This
           ,
           by
           the
           Answerer
           ,
           is
           termed
           
             a
             Dialect
             of
             Canting
          
           ,
           and
           is
           wilfully
           wrested
           into
           a
           Question
           of
           another
           nature
           .
           Whether
           he
           had
           occasion
           given
           him
           to
           speak
           so
           scornfully
           ,
           let
           any
           judg
           that
           understand
           sober
           language
           .
           But
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           appear
           uncapable
           of
           a
           Comprehension
           ,
           he
           sticks
           not
           to
           affirm
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Principles
             of
             Presbyterian
             Perswasion
             ,
             do
             not
             admit
             of
             any
             stability
             ,
             but
             may
             be
             drawn
             out
             to
             patronize
             the
             wildest
             Sects
             that
             are
             or
             have
             been
             .
          
           And
           his
           
           main
           proof
           is
           taken
           from
           the
           bare
           word
           of
           Two
           of
           their
           Eminent
           Adversaries
           .
           He
           might
           have
           remembred
           ,
           That
           the
           same
           Reproach
           is
           cast
           upon
           the
           Principles
           of
           Protestantism
           ,
           by
           Romish
           Writers
           .
           One
           may
           well
           ask
           ,
           Where
           is
           the
           Truth
           and
           Candor
           of
           those
           men
           that
           write
           after
           this
           manner
           ?
           Consider
           the
           
             French
             ,
             Dutch
             ,
             Helvetian
          
           Churches
           ,
           how
           intire
           they
           keep
           themselves
           in
           Orthodox
           Unity
           ,
           from
           the
           Gangrene
           of
           Sects
           and
           Schisms
           .
           The
           Church
           of
           Scotland
           ,
           whilst
           it
           was
           Presbyterian
           ,
           was
           inferior
           to
           none
           in
           the
           Unity
           of
           Doctrine
           and
           Church-Communion
           .
           Did
           Prelacy
           ever
           effect
           the
           like
           Unity
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ?
           And
           shall
           the
           Sects
           that
           now
           are
           ,
           or
           lately
           were
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           be
           charged
           upon
           Presbytery
           ,
           that
           was
           never
           setled
           among
           us
           ;
           and
           against
           which
           the
           Sectaries
           had
           the
           greatest
           indignation
           ?
           Though
           that
           Way
           never
           obtained
           in
           England
           ,
           nor
           was
           favoured
           with
           the
           Magistrates
           vigorous
           aid
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           very
           untrue
           ,
           
             that
             the
             first
             admirers
             and
             friends
             thereof
             ,
             grew
             sick
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             hissed
             for
             the
             other
             Sects
             to
             affront
             ,
             reproach
             and
             baffle
             it
             .
          
           It
           is
           well
           known
           ,
           that
           it
           received
           those
           disgraces
           from
           another
           sort
           of
           men
           .
        
         
           The
           asserting
           of
           this
           Government
           ,
           is
           far
           from
           the
           design
           of
           this
           or
           the
           former
           Treatise
           ;
           yet
           it
           may
           be
           lawful
           to
           vindicate
           it
           from
           unjust
           aspersions
           .
           The
           Answerer
           is
           pleased
           to
           stile
           it
           ,
           
             No
             other
             but
             a
             Sect.
          
           I
           hope
           he
           doth
           not
           intend
           to
           make
           the
           Foreign
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           but
           so
           many
           Combinations
           of
           Sectaries
           .
           If
           his
           meaning
           be
           ,
           that
           is
           no
           better
           than
           a
           Sect
           in
           
             England
             ,
             because
             another
             Government
             is
             established
             by
             Law
             ,
          
           let
           him
           tell
           us
           ,
           Whether
           Episcopacy
           would
           be
           a
           Sect
           ,
           if
           it
           should
           appear
           in
           those
           Countries
           where
           Presbytery
           is
           the
           Legal
           Government
           ?
           No
           less
           will
           follow
           ,
           if
           the
           Notion
           of
           Sect
           be
           extended
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           to
           fetch
           in
           whatsoever
           dissents
           from
           the
           Order
           by
           Law
           established
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           SECT
           .
           VII
           .
        
         
           
             Of
             their
             Principles
             touching
             OBEDIENCE
             and
             GOVERNMENT
             .
          
        
         
           ANother
           great
           Prejudice
           taken
           up
           against
           the
           Nonconformists
           ,
           is
           ,
           That
           they
           are
           inconsistent
           with
           any
           Regular
           Government
           :
           And
           this
           Author
           reports
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           common
           Maxime
           among
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           
             That
             an
             Indifferent
             Thing
             becomes
             Vnlawful
             by
             being
             Commanded
             .
          
           But
           let
           the
           World
           hear
           them
           speak
           for
           themselves
           out
           of
           their
           
             Account
             to
             His
             Majesty
             concerning
             the
             Review
             and
             Alteration
             of
             the
             Liturgy
             .
          
        
         
           
             We
             humbly
             beseech
             Your
             Majesty
             to
             believe
             ,
             That
             we
             own
             no
             Principles
             of
             Faction
             or
             Disobedience
             ,
             nor
             patronize
             the
             Errors
             or
             Obstinacy
             of
             any
             .
             It
             is
             granted
             us
             by
             all
             ,
             That
             nothing
             should
             be
             commanded
             us
             by
             man
             ,
             which
             is
             contrary
             to
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             :
             That
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             ,
             and
             we
             know
             it
             ,
             we
             are
             bound
             not
             to
             perform
             it
             ,
             God
             being
             the
             Absolute
             Universal
             Sovereign
             :
             That
             we
             must
             use
             all
             just
             means
             to
             discern
             the
             Will
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             whether
             the
             Commands
             of
             Men
             be
             contrary
             to
             it
             :
             That
             ,
             if
             the
             Command
             be
             sinful
             ,
             and
             any
             through
             neglect
             of
             sufficient
             search
             ,
             should
             judg
             it
             Lawful
             ,
             his
             culpable
             Error
             excuseth
             not
             his
             doing
             it
             ,
             from
             being
             sin
             :
             And
             therefore
             as
             a
             reasonable
             creature
             must
             needs
             have
             a
             judgment
             of
             discerning
             ,
             that
             he
             may
             rationally
             obey
             it
             ;
             so
             is
             he
             with
             the
             greatest
             care
             and
             diligence
             ,
             to
             exercise
             it
             in
             the
             greatest
             things
             ,
             even
             the
             obeying
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             saving
             of
             his
             Soul
             :
             And
             that
             where
             a
             strong
             probability
             of
             a
             great
             Sin
             and
             Danger
             lieth
             before
             us
             ,
             we
             must
             not
             rashly
             run
             on
             without
             search
             :
             And
             that
             to
             go
             on
             against
             Conscience
             where
             it
             is
             mistaken
             ,
             is
             sin
             and
             danger
             to
             him
             that
             erreth
             .
             And
             on
             the
             other
             side
             ,
             we
             are
             remembred
             ,
             
             that
             in
             things
             no
             way
             against
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             Commands
             of
             our
             Governors
             must
             be
             obeyed
             ;
             but
             if
             they
             command
             what
             God
             forbids
             ,
             we
             must
             patiently
             submit
             to
             suffering
             ,
             and
             every
             soul
             must
             be
             subject
             to
             the
             Higher
             Powers
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
             and
             not
             resist
             :
             The
             Publike
             Judgment
             ,
             Civil
             or
             Ecclesiastical
             ,
             belongeth
             only
             to
             publike
             persons
             ,
             and
             not
             to
             any
             private
             man
             :
             That
             no
             man
             must
             be
             be
             causlesly
             or
             pragmatically
             inquisitive
             into
             the
             reasons
             of
             his
             Superiors
             Commands
             ;
             nor
             by
             Pride
             and
             Self-conceitedness
             ,
             exalt
             his
             own
             understanding
             above
             its
             Worth
             and
             Office
             ;
             but
             all
             to
             be
             modestly
             and
             humbly
             self-suspicious
             :
             That
             none
             must
             erroneously
             pretend
             to
             God's
             Law
             ,
             against
             the
             just
             Command
             of
             his
             Superiors
             ,
             nor
             pretend
             the
             doing
             of
             his
             duty
             to
             be
             a
             sin
             :
             That
             he
             who
             suspecteth
             his
             Superiors
             Commands
             to
             be
             against
             Gods
             Laws
             ,
             must
             use
             all
             means
             for
             full
             information
             ,
             before
             he
             settle
             in
             a
             course
             of
             disobeying
             them
             :
             And
             that
             he
             who
             indeed
             discovereth
             any
             thing
             commanded
             ,
             to
             be
             a
             sin
             ;
             though
             he
             must
             not
             do
             it
             ,
             must
             manage
             his
             Opinion
             with
             very
             great
             care
             and
             tenderness
             of
             the
             Publike
             Peace
             ,
             and
             the
             honour
             of
             his
             Governors
             .
             These
             are
             our
             Principles
             :
             If
             we
             are
             otherwise
             represented
             to
             Your
             Majesty
             ,
             we
             are
             mis-represented
             :
             If
             we
             are
             accused
             of
             contradicting
             them
             ,
             we
             humbly
             crave
             that
             we
             may
             not
             be
             condemned
             before
             we
             be
             heard
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           sound
           speech
           that
           cannot
           be
           reproved
           .
           Wherefore
           if
           the
           Clemency
           of
           their
           Superiors
           shall
           remit
           those
           Injunctions
           that
           may
           wellbe
           dispensed
           with
           ,
           and
           unto
           which
           they
           cannot
           yeeld
           conformity
           for
           fear
           lest
           they
           sin
           against
           God
           ;
           their
           Principles
           will
           dispose
           them
           with
           an
           humble
           and
           thankful
           acquiescence
           ,
           to
           receive
           so
           great
           a
           Benefit
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           SECT
           .
           VIII
           .
        
         
           
             Of
             placing
             them
             in
             the
             same
             rank
             for
             Crime
             and
             Guilt
             ,
             with
             the
             PAPISTS
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           Answerer
           hath
           not
           feared
           to
           set
           the
           Papists
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Protestant
             Dissenters
          
           ,
           upon
           the
           same
           level
           ,
           in
           the
           guilt
           of
           Rebellion
           ,
           Cruelty
           and
           Turbulency
           .
           For
           a
           high
           Charge
           having
           been
           made
           good
           against
           
             Popery
             ,
             That
             it
             disposeth
             Subjects
             to
             Rebellion
             :
             That
             it
             persecutes
             all
             other
             Religions
             within
             its
             reach
             :
             That
             wheresoever
             it
             finds
             encouragement
             ,
             it
             is
             restless
             ,
             till
             it
             bear
             down
             all
             ,
             or
             hath
             put
             all
             in
             disorder
             :
          
           He
           comes
           and
           tells
           the
           World
           ,
           That
           the
           
             Nonconformists
             are
             no
             more
             innocent
             of
             the
             same
             Crimes
             .
          
           Can
           men
           of
           sound
           minds
           and
           temperate
           spirits
           ,
           believe
           this
           ?
           And
           what
           greater
           advantage
           can
           be
           given
           the
           
             Popish
             Party
          
           ,
           then
           that
           a
           
             Protestant
             Writer
          
           should
           declare
           and
           publish
           ,
           that
           so
           great
           a
           part
           of
           Protestants
           are
           equally
           involved
           with
           them
           in
           those
           heinous
           Crimes
           with
           which
           the
           Protestants
           have
           always
           charged
           them
           ?
           And
           that
           such
           a
           one
           should
           tell
           them
           ,
           
             That
             it
             will
             seem
             unequal
             to
             deny
             a
             Toleration
             to
             them
             ,
             and
             grant
             it
             unto
             others
             that
             are
             here
             pleaded
             for
          
           ;
           which
           is
           in
           effect
           to
           say
           ,
           They
           have
           as
           good
           reason
           to
           expect
           an
           Indulgence
           from
           this
           State
           ,
           as
           others
           that
           maintain
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           yea
           ,
           such
           as
           communicate
           in
           her
           publike
           Worship
           .
           Is
           there
           no
           better
           way
           of
           exalting
           Prelacy
           ,
           and
           disgracing
           its
           supposed
           Adversaries
           ,
           then
           by
           this
           Reproach
           and
           Damage
           done
           to
           the
           whole
           Protestant
           Profession
           ?
           Yea
           ,
           he
           so
           far
           extenuates
           the
           guilt
           of
           Papists
           ,
           and
           brings
           it
           down
           so
           low
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           it
           common
           to
           all
           other
           Sects
           .
           In
           which
           one
           would
           think
           he
           should
           have
           been
           more
           wary
           ,
           who
           in
           one
           place
           stretcheth
           the
           notion
           of
           Sect
           so
           far
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           its
           reason
           to
           lye
           in
           being
           different
           from
           the
           Established
           Form
           of
           Church
           Government
           .
           Now
           
           for
           matter
           of
           practice
           ,
           he
           imputes
           the
           same
           guilt
           to
           all
           other
           Sects
           ;
           
             And
             if
             the
             Papists
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             have
             any
             Doctrines
             which
             countenance
             those
             Practises
             ,
             that
             is
             to
             be
             accounted
             as
             the
             issue
             of
             their
             insolency
             in
             their
             own
             greatness
             .
          
           And
           he
           implies
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           onely
           the
           want
           of
           strength
           ,
           that
           other
           Sects
           are
           not
           so
           bad
           as
           they
           for
           such
           kind
           of
           Doctrine
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Practice
           .
           Such
           passages
           falling
           from
           a
           Protestants
           Pen
           ,
           may
           do
           the
           Papists
           better
           service
           than
           their
           late
           Apology
           .
           But
           why
           doth
           he
           say
           ,
           
             If
             the
             Papists
             have
             any
             such
             Doctrines
             ?
          
           Doth
           he
           not
           know
           they
           have
           ?
           The
           Church
           of
           England
           was
           assured
           of
           it
           ,
           when
           concerning
           the
           Adherents
           of
           Rome
           ,
           she
           used
           this
           expression
           in
           a
           publike
           form
           of
           Prayer
           ,
           
             Whose
             Religion
             is
             Rebellion
             ,
             and
             whose
             Faith
             is
             Faction
             .
          
           We
           wish
           their
           eyes
           were
           open
           ,
           who
           cannot
           see
           more
           permanent
           and
           effectual
           causes
           of
           the
           aforesaid
           Crimes
           peculiar
           to
           that
           Religion
           ,
           and
           rooted
           in
           the
           Principles
           thereof
           .
           The
           evidence
           hereof
           given
           in
           the
           former
           Discourse
           ,
           is
           not
           needful
           to
           be
           rehersed
           in
           this
           place
           .
        
         
           This
           Author
           (
           as
           others
           that
           oppose
           the
           wayes
           of
           Amity
           and
           Peace
           )
           loves
           to
           grate
           upon
           a
           string
           that
           sounds
           harsh
           ,
           To
           renew
           the
           remembrance
           of
           the
           late
           Warr.
           Those
           distracted
           Times
           ,
           are
           the
           great
           Storehouse
           and
           Armory
           ,
           out
           of
           which
           such
           men
           do
           fetch
           their
           Weapons
           of
           offence
           ;
           and
           the
           great
           Strong-hold
           ,
           unto
           which
           they
           always
           retreat
           when
           they
           are
           vanquished
           by
           the
           force
           of
           Reason
           ,
           and
           then
           they
           think
           they
           are
           safe
           ,
           though
           therein
           they
           contradict
           the
           true
           intent
           of
           the
           Act
           of
           Oblivion
           .
           Some
           of
           those
           that
           now
           so
           importunately
           urge
           the
           Injury
           and
           Tyranny
           of
           those
           Times
           ,
           did
           then
           suf●iciently
           comply
           with
           Usurpers
           ;
           and
           left
           Episcopacy
           to
           sink
           or
           swim
           ;
           and
           did
           partake
           of
           the
           chiefest
           Favours
           and
           Preferments
           that
           were
           then
           conferred
           .
           And
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           such
           as
           they
           upbraid
           ,
           and
           are
           now
           Sufferers
           ,
           did
           as
           little
           comply
           with
           those
           that
           subverted
           the
           Government
           ,
           and
           did
           as
           zealously
           appear
           
           for
           the
           rescue
           of
           our
           late
           Sovereign
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           restitution
           of
           His
           present
           Majesty
           ,
           as
           any
           sort
           of
           men
           in
           the
           Realm
           .
           But
           to
           intermeddle
           in
           the
           Differences
           of
           those
           Times
           ,
           and
           to
           repeat
           Odious
           Matters
           ,
           and
           to
           use
           Recriminations
           that
           will
           disturb
           the
           minds
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           tend
           to
           a
           perpetual
           Mischief
           ,
           is
           aliene
           from
           ,
           and
           opposite
           unto
           my
           Pacifick
           Endeavours
           .
           As
           for
           his
           charging
           the
           Nonconformists
           with
           certain
           Doctrines
           and
           Positions
           by
           him
           there
           mentioned
           (
           which
           I
           know
           none
           that
           maintains
           )
           and
           other
           Accusations
           and
           Reports
           relating
           to
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Warr
           ;
           the
           Truth
           or
           Falshood
           ,
           the
           Equity
           or
           Iniquity
           ,
           the
           Candor
           or
           Disingenuity
           of
           his
           Testimony
           in
           those
           things
           ,
           is
           left
           to
           the
           judgment
           of
           the
           Righteous
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           Impartial
           Men.
           
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           IX
           .
        
         
           
             Whether
             their
             Inconformity
             be
             Conscientious
             or
             Wilful
             .
          
        
         
           ANother
           part
           of
           the
           Proceeding
           is
           very
           Unrighteous
           and
           Presumptuous
           .
           The
           Dissenting
           Ministers
           appeal
           to
           God
           ,
           That
           they
           dare
           not
           Conform
           for
           Conscience
           sake
           .
           This
           Author
           hence
           inferrs
           ,
           
             The
             force
             of
             the
             Argument
             is
             ,
             There
             is
             a
             Necessity
             of
             Toleration
             ,
             because
             they
             Will
             not
             conform
             .
             Is
             a
             Cannot
             for
             Conscience
             sake
             ,
          
           of
           no
           more
           force
           than
           a
           bare
           
             Will
             not
          
           ?
           But
           who
           best
           knows
           their
           hearts
           ,
           themselves
           or
           their
           Adversaries
           ?
           He
           would
           make
           the
           world
           believe
           ,
           that
           not
           Conscience
           ,
           but
           Obstinacy
           and
           Faction
           ,
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           their
           holding
           out
           ,
           
             and
             that
             the
             greatest
             part
             were
             trapann'd
             into
             Nonconformity
             .
          
           That
           trifling
           story
           of
           their
           being
           trapann'd
           ,
           is
           not
           worthy
           of
           serious
           discourse
           .
           It
           is
           so
           evident
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           denied
           ,
           That
           about
           the
           time
           the
           Act
           of
           Uniformity
           was
           to
           be
           put
           in
           practice
           ,
           there
           were
           motions
           and
           overtures
           of
           Indulgence
           from
           the
           King
           and
           some
           of
           the
           great
           Officers
           of
           State
           ,
           who
           were
           known
           to
           have
           high
           affection
           and
           esteem
           for
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           yet
           did
           approve
           
           and
           promote
           those
           Overtures
           as
           the
           best
           Expedient
           for
           the
           setling
           of
           this
           Church
           and
           Kingdom
           .
           But
           to
           let
           that
           pass
           ,
           Can
           men
           of
           Understanding
           and
           Candor
           think
           ,
           that
           so
           many
           serious
           persons
           ,
           who
           as
           well
           as
           others
           ,
           may
           be
           thought
           to
           love
           themselves
           ,
           their
           Families
           and
           Relations
           ,
           should
           continue
           such
           egregiously
           obstinate
           Fools
           ,
           as
           to
           refuse
           the
           Comforts
           of
           their
           Temporal
           Being
           ,
           for
           a
           Humor
           ,
           and
           remain
           in
           a
           state
           of
           Deprivation
           ,
           into
           which
           they
           had
           been
           meerly
           trapann'd
           ?
           As
           for
           the
           objected
           
             unprofitableness
             of
             their
             returning
          
           ,
           how
           doth
           it
           appear
           ?
           What
           hinders
           their
           Capacity
           of
           gaining
           Benefices
           ,
           yea
           and
           Dignities
           ,
           if
           they
           could
           Conform
           ?
           Why
           should
           they
           not
           find
           as
           good
           acceptation
           as
           others
           ,
           in
           their
           Preaching
           and
           Conversation
           ?
           It
           may
           be
           they
           would
           enter
           too
           fast
           ,
           for
           the
           good
           liking
           of
           some
           ,
           into
           those
           Preferments
           ,
           who
           therefore
           would
           set
           such
           Barrs
           against
           them
           ,
           as
           they
           should
           not
           be
           able
           to
           break
           thorough
           .
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           X.
           
        
         
           
             Of
             their
             peaceable
             Inclinations
             ,
             and
             readiness
             to
             be
             satisfied
             .
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           late
           Times
           of
           Usurpation
           ,
           there
           were
           apparent
           predispositions
           in
           this
           sort
           of
           men
           to
           Peace
           and
           Concord
           .
           The
           longing
           desire
           and
           expectation
           that
           was
           in
           them
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           in
           any
           others
           ,
           of
           a
           National
           Settlement
           ,
           and
           general
           Composure
           ,
           did
           accelerate
           His
           Majesty's
           Peaceable
           Restauration
           .
           Surely
           they
           were
           not
           so
           stupid
           as
           to
           imagine
           that
           great
           Turn
           of
           Affairs
           ,
           without
           the
           thoughts
           of
           their
           own
           yeilding
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           they
           hoped
           would
           be
           effectual
           with
           those
           of
           the
           other
           Perswasion
           .
           Their
           early
           and
           ready
           Overtures
           of
           Reconciliation
           ,
           which
           are
           publikely
           made
           known
           ,
           will
           testifie
           their
           Moderation
           ,
           to
           the
           present
           and
           future
           Ages
           .
           Their
           Offers
           of
           Acquiescing
           in
           Episcopacy
           Regulated
           ,
           and
           the
           Liturgy
           Reformed
           ,
           was
           on
           their
           part
           ,
           a
           
           good
           advance
           towards
           Union
           .
           His
           Majesty
           hath
           given
           this
           Testimony
           of
           them
           in
           His
           Declaration
           :
           
             When
             We
             were
             in
          
           Holland
           ,
           
             We
             were
             attended
             by
             many
             Grave
             and
             Learned
             Ministers
             from
             hence
             ,
             who
             were
             looked
             upon
             as
             the
             most
             able
             and
             principal
             Assertors
             of
             the
          
           Presbyterian
           
             Opinions
             ,
             with
             whom
             We
             had
             as
             much
             Conference
             as
             the
             multitude
             of
             Affairs
             which
             were
             then
             upon
             Vs
             ,
             would
             permit
             Vs
             to
             have
             ;
             and
             to
             Our
             great
             Satisfaction
             and
             Comfort
             ,
             found
             them
             persons
             full
             of
             Affection
             to
             Vs
             ,
             of
             Zeal
             for
             the
             Peace
             of
             the
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             and
             neither
             Enemies
             (
             as
             they
             had
             been
             given
             out
             to
             he
             )
             to
          
           Episcopacy
           or
           Liturgy
           ,
           
             but
             modestly
             to
             desire
             such
             alterations
             as
             without
             shaking
             Foundations
             ,
             might
             best
             allay
             the
             present
             Distempers
             which
             the
             indisposition
             of
             the
             Time
             ,
             and
             the
             tenderness
             of
             some
             mens
             Consciences
             had
             contracted
             .
          
        
         
           I
           wonder
           at
           the
           confidence
           of
           that
           Assertion
           in
           the
           
             Answer
             ,
             That
             it
             is
             sufficiently
             known
             ,
             That
             none
             of
             the
             present
             Nonconformists
             did
             in
             the
             least
             measure
             agree
             in
             the
             use
             of
             those
             little
             things
             ;
             and
             though
             desired
             by
             the
             King
             to
             read
             so
             much
             of
             the
             Liturgy
             as
             themselves
             had
             not
             exception
             against
             ,
             and
             so
             could
             have
             no
             pretence
             from
             Conscience
             .
          
           For
           it
           is
           well
           known
           ,
           that
           some
           of
           them
           did
           in
           compliance
           with
           the
           Kings
           desire
           ,
           read
           part
           of
           the
           Liturgy
           in
           their
           Churches
           .
           As
           for
           others
           that
           did
           not
           ,
           perhaps
           for
           the
           prevention
           of
           scandal
           they
           might
           use
           their
           liberty
           of
           forbearance
           till
           some
           Reformation
           were
           obtained
           .
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           the
           Concessions
           on
           this
           side
           have
           been
           abused
           ,
           to
           the
           reproach
           and
           disadvantage
           of
           the
           depressed
           Party
           ;
           and
           from
           their
           readiness
           to
           yeild
           so
           far
           as
           they
           can
           ,
           for
           the
           common
           peace
           sake
           ,
           a
           perverse
           inference
           is
           made
           ,
           That
           they
           might
           yeild
           throughout
           ,
           if
           Humor
           and
           Faction
           did
           not
           rule
           them
           .
           Is
           there
           any
           Justice
           or
           Charity
           in
           such
           dealing
           ?
           May
           not
           men
           of
           upright
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           peaceable
           Inclinations
           ,
           forbear
           the
           insisting
           upon
           some
           things
           to
           them
           very
           desirable
           ,
           and
           give
           place
           to
           some
           things
           not
           approved
           by
           them
           as
           the
           best
           in
           that
           kind
           ,
           
           if
           so
           be
           they
           might
           obtain
           their
           Peace
           and
           Liberty
           ,
           by
           Indulgence
           granted
           them
           in
           other
           things
           ,
           wherein
           Conscience
           binds
           them
           up
           that
           they
           cannot
           yeild
           ?
           Moreover
           ,
           some
           Concessions
           made
           by
           particular
           men
           of
           very
           Catholick
           spirits
           ,
           in
           the
           earnest
           pursuit
           of
           Peace
           ,
           have
           been
           wrack'd
           and
           wrested
           to
           a
           sense
           beyond
           their
           true
           import
           ;
           and
           then
           they
           that
           so
           handle
           them
           ,
           triumph
           in
           their
           own
           conceit
           ,
           over
           them
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           given
           up
           the
           whole
           Cause
           .
           Certasnly
           they
           are
           ill
           employed
           ,
           who
           from
           their
           Brethrens
           yeelding
           offers
           ,
           raise
           Opposition
           against
           them
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           to
           set
           them
           further
           off
           .
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           XI
           .
        
         
           
             The
             propounded
             Latitude
             leaves
             out
             nothing
             necessary
             to
             secure
             the
             Church's
             Peace
             .
          
        
         
           TO
           set
           forth
           the
           propounded
           Latitude
           in
           the
           particular
           Limits
           thereof
           ,
           is
           not
           agreeable
           to
           a
           Discourse
           of
           this
           nature
           :
           For
           it
           were
           presumptuous
           both
           in
           reference
           to
           Superiors
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Party
           concerned
           in
           it
           .
           And
           it
           is
           unnecessary
           ;
           for
           Prejudices
           being
           removed
           ,
           and
           the
           Conveniency
           of
           a
           greater
           Latitude
           being
           acknowledged
           ,
           the
           particular
           Boundaries
           thereof
           will
           easily
           be
           descried
           :
           And
           indeed
           ,
           the
           generals
           that
           are
           expressed
           ,
           are
           a
           sufficient
           indication
           thereunto
           .
           His
           Majesty's
           Declaration
           concerning
           Ecclesiastical
           Affairs
           ,
           hath
           mentioned
           particular
           Concessions
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           and
           that
           Harmony
           of
           Affections
           therein
           ,
           He
           calls
           excellent
           Foundations
           to
           build
           upon
           .
           The
           Moderation
           and
           Indulgence
           there
           specified
           ,
           would
           do
           the
           work
           ;
           I
           mean
           not
           so
           as
           if
           all
           Dissenters
           would
           instantly
           be
           thereby
           brought
           in
           ;
           but
           that
           our
           wide
           breach
           would
           presently
           be
           healed
           in
           great
           part
           ,
           and
           be
           in
           the
           surest
           way
           for
           a
           total
           and
           absolute
           healing
           ;
           and
           so
           much
           would
           be
           gained
           at
           present
           ,
           as
           might
           be
           able
           to
           conquer
           the
           remaining
           Difficulties
           .
        
         
         
           The
           former
           Discourse
           had
           this
           position
           ,
           That
           the
           Ends
           of
           Church-Discipline
           do
           not
           require
           a
           Constitution
           of
           narrower
           bounds
           ,
           then
           things
           necessary
           to
           Faith
           and
           Life
           ,
           and
           Godly
           Order
           in
           the
           Church
           .
           The
           Answerer
           saith
           ,
           That
           
             this
             Establishment
             is
             not
             enough
             for
             a
             Settlement
             ,
             because
             it
             doth
             not
             secure
             the
             Peace
             .
          
           And
           to
           shew
           the
           insufficiency
           thereof
           ,
           he
           giveth
           two
           instances
           of
           Discord
           between
           the
           Parties
           ;
           First
           ,
           about
           
             the
             Persons
             to
             whose
             care
             the
             great
             things
             of
             Christianity
             should
             be
             intrusted
             to
             see
             them
             conveyed
             unto
             Posterity
             ,
             whether
             they
             shall
             be
             a
             Single
             Person
             ,
             or
             a
             Consistory
             ,
             or
             each
             single
             Congregation
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
           About
           
             the
             means
             of
             conveying
             those
             things
             ,
             the
             Worship
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             Circumstances
             thereof
             .
          
           From
           hence
           he
           draws
           this
           Conclusion
           ,
           
             Therefore
             to
             preserve
             Peace
             among
             her
             Members
             ,
             the
             Church
             had
             need
             to
             determine
             more
             then
             the
             great
             things
             of
             Christianity
             ;
             and
             to
             injoyn
             more
             then
             what
             is
             barely
             necessary
             to
             Faith
             and
             Order
             .
          
           Verily
           ,
           it
           may
           much
           amuse
           one
           to
           think
           what
           that
           thing
           should
           be
           in
           the
           Ecclesiastical
           Polity
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           necessary
           to
           Christian
           Faith
           and
           Life
           ,
           and
           godly
           Order
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           yet
           necessary
           to
           secure
           the
           Church's
           Peace
           .
           And
           if
           the
           aforesaid
           Instances
           of
           discord
           between
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           and
           the
           Dissenters
           are
           not
           necessary
           to
           Faith
           or
           Order
           ,
           what
           reason
           can
           be
           rendred
           of
           the
           inexorable
           Imposition
           thereof
           ,
           upon
           dissenting
           or
           doubting
           Consciences
           ?
           Can
           it
           be
           necessary
           to
           the
           Church's
           Peace
           ,
           to
           exclude
           or
           deprive
           men
           for
           such
           Differences
           in
           which
           neither
           Faith
           nor
           Order
           are
           concerned
           ?
           Or
           is
           this
           the
           
           Answerer's
           meaning
           ,
           That
           the
           Church's
           Peace
           consists
           in
           the
           exclusion
           of
           the
           Nonconformists
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           necessary
           use
           of
           some
           Injunctions
           ,
           stands
           in
           keeping
           them
           out
           ;
           so
           that
           not
           their
           Conformity
           ,
           but
           their
           Exclusion
           is
           the
           thing
           therby
           intended
           ?
        
         
           The
           Comprehension
           doth
           not
           suppose
           (
           as
           it
           is
           mis-reported
           )
           
             That
             Presbytery
             should
             be
             permitted
             or
             encouraged
             .
          
           All
           
           intermedling
           with
           the
           Form
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           was
           declined
           ;
           only
           the
           prescribed
           Uniformity
           was
           considered
           .
           Besides
           ,
           for
           the
           exact
           Presbyterial
           Form
           to
           be
           comprehended
           in
           Episcopacy
           ,
           is
           contradictory
           ;
           yet
           that
           something
           of
           Presbytery
           should
           be
           included
           in
           it
           ,
           is
           not
           repugnant
           .
           And
           such
           a
           Comprehension
           is
           approved
           in
           His
           Majesty's
           aforesaid
           Declaration
           .
           Likewise
           King
           CHARLES
           the
           First
           ,
           in
           His
           Discourse
           touching
           the
           Differences
           between
           Himself
           and
           the
           Two
           Houses
           ,
           in
           this
           point
           ,
           declares
           that
           
             He
             is
             not
             against
             the
             managing
             of
             the
             Episcopal
             Presidency
             in
             one
             man
             ,
             by
             the
             joint
             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
             Christians
             ,
             least
             of
             all
             Church-men
             .
          
           But
           neither
           this
           nor
           the
           former
           Treatise
           ,
           interposeth
           in
           this
           Matter
           ,
           but
           leaves
           it
           to
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           our
           Superiors
           .
        
         
           The
           desired
           Latitude
           leaves
           not
           the
           Concernments
           of
           Church
           or
           State
           
             to
             the
             Ingenuity
             of
             Men
          
           ,
           nor
           casts
           out
           any
           Injunctions
           that
           are
           means
           of
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           ;
           yea
           ,
           or
           of
           that
           necessary
           Decency
           which
           the
           Apostle
           requires
           ;
           only
           of
           Rites
           and
           Opinions
           long
           disputed
           ,
           it
           would
           take
           in
           no
           more
           then
           needs
           must
           ;
           and
           not
           meerly
           because
           they
           have
           been
           long
           disputed
           ,
           but
           because
           they
           are
           also
           of
           little
           value
           ,
           (
           and
           here
           confessed
           not
           to
           be
           necessary
           to
           Faith
           and
           Order
           )
           yet
           are
           matters
           of
           endless
           Controversie
           in
           this
           Church
           ,
           and
           occasions
           of
           great
           separation
           from
           it
           .
        
         
           It
           being
           asserted
           ,
           That
           the
           indisputable
           Truths
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           the
           indispensable
           Duties
           of
           Life
           ,
           are
           the
           main
           Object
           of
           Church-Discipline
           ,
           the
           Answerer
           demands
           ,
           
             What
             are
             those
             indisputable
             Truths
             ,
             since
             there
             is
             scarce
             any
             Truth
             of
             Faith
             that
             hath
             not
             been
             disputed
             against
             ?
          
           What
           manner
           of
           arguing
           is
           this
           ?
           Because
           All
           Truths
           have
           been
           disputed
           ,
           doth
           it
           follow
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           no
           indisputable
           Truths
           ?
           That
           
           is
           called
           Indisputable
           ,
           that
           cannot
           reasonably
           or
           justly
           be
           disputed
           ,
           though
           men
           of
           corrupt
           minds
           ,
           and
           reprobate
           concerning
           the
           Faith
           ,
           will
           call
           the
           greatest
           Truths
           in
           question
           ,
           and
           resist
           the
           clearest
           Evidence
           .
           When
           the
           Apostle
           mentions
           matters
           of
           doubtful
           disputations
           ,
           he
           implies
           there
           be
           matters
           that
           are
           indubitable
           .
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           XII
           .
        
         
           
             Of
             acquiescence
             in
             the
             Commands
             of
             Superiors
             ,
             and
             the
             proper
             matter
             of
             their
             Injunctions
             .
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           former
           Treatise
           this
           Argument
           was
           used
           .
           The
           Church
           doth
           not
           claim
           an
           Infallibility
           ,
           therefore
           the
           cannot
           settle
           the
           Conscience
           by
           her
           sole
           Warrant
           ,
           but
           still
           leaves
           room
           for
           doubting
           .
           The
           Answerer
           makes
           this
           to
           be
           either
           a
           piece
           of
           ignorance
           ,
           or
           
             of
             portentous
             malice
          
           ,
           and
           an
           Assertion
           
             that
             would
             disturb
             all
             Government
             both
             in
             Families
             and
             in
             the
             State
             ,
             that
             would
             confound
             all
             Society
             ,
             and
             extirpate
             Faith
             and
             Justice
             from
             among
             the
             sons
             of
             men
             .
          
           But
           this
           his
           strange
           Inference
           rather
           is
           portentous
           .
           That
           the
           Church
           cannot
           settle
           the
           Conscience
           by
           her
           sole
           Warrant
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           a
           Principle
           maintained
           by
           all
           Protestants
           in
           opposition
           to
           the
           Popish
           implicit
           Faith
           ,
           and
           blind
           Obedience
           ?
           But
           is
           this
           person
           consistent
           with
           himself
           ?
           For
           after
           he
           hath
           a
           while
           expatiated
           in
           his
           imaginary
           hideous
           Consequences
           ,
           he
           comes
           himself
           to
           deny
           that
           the
           Church
           bindeth
           the
           Conscience
           by
           her
           own
           Authority
           .
           And
           yet
           it
           is
           a
           lesser
           thing
           to
           bind
           the
           Conscience
           ,
           than
           to
           
             settle
             it
             ,
             and
             leave
             no
             room
             for
             doubting
             .
          
           For
           Conscience
           may
           be
           obliged
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           not
           setled
           .
           And
           if
           the
           Church
           cannot
           oblige
           ,
           doubtless
           she
           cannot
           settle
           the
           Conscience
           by
           her
           sole
           Authority
           .
           How
           then
           could
           a
           man
           of
           reason
           draw
           such
           hideous
           Inferences
           from
           that
           Position
           ?
           If
           I
           may
           give
           way
           to
           conjectures
           ,
           I
           suspect
           that
           he
           might
           take
           check
           at
           the
           word
           Infallibility
           ,
           by
           
           which
           I
           intend
           no
           more
           then
           Infallible
           Direction
           ;
           and
           I
           fear
           not
           to
           own
           this
           Assertion
           ,
           That
           whosoever
           have
           not
           Infallible
           Direction
           ,
           or
           the
           certain
           assistance
           of
           an
           Infallible
           Guide
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           be
           exempted
           from
           all
           error
           in
           what
           they
           propound
           for
           Belief
           or
           Practice
           ,
           cannot
           settle
           the
           Conscience
           by
           their
           sole
           warrant
           .
        
         
           I
           still
           aver
           ,
           That
           in
           prescribed
           Forms
           and
           Rites
           of
           Religion
           ,
           the
           Conscience
           that
           doth
           its
           office
           ,
           will
           interpose
           and
           concern
           it self
           .
           And
           it
           is
           matter
           of
           astonishment
           that
           a
           Learned
           Protestant
           should
           say
           ,
           this
           Position
           must
           needs
           be
           false
           .
           For
           Conscience
           guided
           by
           the
           fear
           of
           God
           ,
           will
           use
           all
           just
           means
           to
           discern
           his
           Will
           ,
           and
           cannot
           resign
           it self
           to
           the
           dictates
           of
           men
           in
           the
           points
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           .
           If
           the
           Judgment
           of
           Discerning
           ,
           which
           makes
           men
           differ
           from
           Brutes
           ,
           be
           to
           be
           exercised
           in
           any
           case
           ,
           it
           is
           chiefly
           requisite
           in
           these
           matters
           wherein
           the
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Saving
           of
           the
           Soul
           is
           so
           much
           concerned
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           granted
           ,
           That
           to
           maintain
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           obedient
           to
           the
           Higher
           Powers
           in
           those
           things
           which
           are
           proper
           matter
           for
           their
           Commands
           ,
           are
           most
           strictly
           injoined
           Duties
           .
           But
           the
           Injunctions
           here
           considered
           (
           though
           to
           the
           Imposers
           they
           are
           but
           things
           Indifferent
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           neither
           Commanded
           nor
           Forbidden
           of
           God
           )
           in
           the
           Consciences
           of
           Dissenters
           ,
           are
           Unlawful
           .
           To
           instance
           in
           some
           controverted
           Ceremonies
           ,
           They
           think
           that
           God
           hath
           determined
           against
           them
           ,
           though
           not
           in
           particular
           ,
           yet
           in
           the
           general
           Prohibition
           of
           all
           uncommanded
           Worship
           .
           And
           they
           reply
           ,
           
             Whether
             it
             be
             right
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             to
             hearken
             unto
             men
             more
             then
             unto
             God
             ,
             judg
             ye
             .
          
           To
           restrain
           that
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             He
             that
             doubts
             is
             damned
             if
             he
             eat
             ,
          
           only
           to
           things
           wherein
           the
           Church
           hath
           not
           interposed
           her
           Authority
           ,
           is
           a
           false
           gloss
           ,
           and
           a
           begging
           of
           the
           Question
           .
           What
           human
           Authority
           can
           warrant
           any
           one
           to
           put
           in
           practice
           an
           unlawful
           or
           suspected
           Action
           ,
           or
           to
           make
           profession
           
           of
           a
           known
           or
           suspected
           Falshood
           ?
           As
           concerning
           the
           Rights
           of
           Superiors
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           Church's
           Duty
           and
           Honour
           to
           teach
           and
           command
           her
           Children
           to
           do
           whatsoever
           Christ
           hath
           commanded
           .
           And
           it
           is
           the
           chiefest
           Glory
           ,
           and
           most
           proper
           Work
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           ,
           who
           is
           Gods
           Minister
           and
           Vicegerent
           ,
           to
           be
           
             custos
             &
             vindex
             utriusque
             Tabulae
          
           ,
           To
           incourage
           and
           inforce
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Divine
           Laws
           ,
           whether
           written
           in
           the
           Bible
           ,
           or
           imprinted
           in
           our
           Nature
           ;
           and
           in
           subserviency
           thereunto
           ,
           to
           have
           power
           to
           determine
           such
           things
           as
           are
           requisite
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           particulars
           are
           left
           undetermined
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           ordered
           by
           Human
           Prudence
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           general
           Rules
           of
           Gods
           Word
           .
           But
           things
           indifferent
           in
           their
           nature
           ,
           and
           either
           offensive
           in
           their
           use
           ,
           or
           needless
           and
           superfluous
           ,
           are
           not
           worthy
           to
           be
           made
           
             the
             proper
             matter
             of
             his
             Commands
             .
          
           It
           is
           a
           grave
           and
           weighty
           saying
           of
           a
           Learned
           man
           (
           of
           whatsoever
           Perswasion
           he
           were
           )
           
             If
             the
             special
             Guides
             and
             Pastors
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             would
             be
             a
             little
             sparing
             of
             incumbring
             Churches
             with
             superfluities
             ,
             or
             not
             over-rigid
             ,
             either
             in
             reviving
             obsolete
             Customs
             ,
             or
             imposing
             new
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             far
             less
             cause
             of
             Schism
             and
             Superstition
             ;
             and
             all
             the
             inconvenience
             that
             were
             likely
             to
             ensue
             ,
             would
             be
             but
             this
             ,
             That
             in
             so
             doing
             they
             should
             yeeld
             a
             little
             to
             the
             imbecillity
             of
             their
             Inferiors
             ;
             a
             thing
             which
             St.
             Paul
             would
             never
             have
             refused
             to
             do
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           XIII
           .
        
         
           
             Of
             the
             alledged
             Reasons
             of
             the
             Ecclesiastical
             Injunctions
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             Reformation
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           Answerer
           relates
           at
           large
           the
           proceeding
           of
           this
           Church
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Reformation
           .
           The
           sum
           of
           the
           Relation
           is
           ,
           
             That
             there
             being
             Two
             sorts
             of
             men
             ,
             
             one
             that
             thought
             it
             a
             great
             matter
             of
             Conscience
             to
             depart
             from
             the
             least
             Ceremony
             ,
             they
             were
             so
             addicted
             to
             their
             old
             Customs
             ;
             the
             other
             so
             new-fangled
             ,
             that
             they
             would
             innovate
             all
             things
             ,
             and
             nothing
             would
             satisfie
             them
             but
             that
             which
             was
             new
             ;
             It
             was
             necessary
             for
             the
             Church
             to
             interpose
             for
             Peace
             sake
             ,
             and
             casting
             off
             neither
             Party
             ,
             to
             please
             each
             to
             their
             edification
             ;
             and
             also
             to
             injoyn
             some
             things
             to
             the
             common
             observance
             of
             all
             ,
             and
             therefore
             she
             took
             away
             the
             excessive
             multitude
             of
             Ceremonies
             ,
             as
             those
             that
             were
             dark
             ,
             and
             abused
             to
             Superstition
             and
             Covetousness
             ,
             but
             retained
             those
             few
             that
             were
             for
             Decency
             ,
             Discipline
             ,
             and
             apt
             to
             stir
             up
             the
             dull
             mind
             of
             man
             to
             the
             remembrance
             of
             his
             duty
             to
             God.
          
           We
           have
           good
           warrant
           to
           call
           in
           question
           the
           truth
           of
           his
           Narration
           in
           things
           of
           the
           greatest
           weight
           .
           First
           ,
           It
           is
           not
           true
           that
           
             the
             Party
             that
             were
             for
             Ceremonies
             ,
             comprehended
             all
             those
             who
             staid
             at
             home
             ,
             and
             did
             not
             flye
             in
             the
             time
             of
             Queen
          
           Mary's
           Persecution
           .
           For
           such
           as
           dissented
           from
           the
           Ceremonies
           in
           the
           time
           of
           that
           Persecution
           ,
           had
           their
           Assemblies
           for
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           in
           this
           Land
           ,
           and
           indured
           among
           others
           ,
           in
           the
           Fiery
           Trial.
           And
           we
           can
           find
           but
           little
           zeal
           in
           the
           Martyrs
           of
           those
           days
           for
           this
           kind
           of
           Conformity
           .
           Likewise
           it
           is
           not
           true
           
             that
             the
             Party
             that
             were
             against
             Ceremonies
             ,
             were
             but
             small
             ,
             as
             being
             but
             some
             few
             of
             those
             that
             fled
             beyond
             Sea
             :
          
           There
           is
           clear
           evidence
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
           An
           Historian
           zealous
           for
           Conformity
           ,
           even
           unto
           bitterness
           ,
           reports
           in
           his
           
             Ecclesia
             Restaurata
          
           ,
           That
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           Queen
           
           Elizabeth's
           Reign
           ,
           many
           that
           were
           disaffected
           to
           Episcopacy
           and
           Ceremonies
           ,
           were
           raised
           to
           great
           Preferments
           .
           Besides
           ,
           those
           that
           were
           in
           Ecclesiastical
           Dignities
           ,
           he
           observes
           ,
           That
           the
           Queens
           Professor
           at
           Oxford
           ,
           and
           the
           Margaret
           Professor
           in
           Cambridg
           ,
           were
           among
           the
           Nonconformists
           .
           For
           the
           multitude
           of
           Dissenters
           in
           those
           dayes
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           notable
           testimony
           of
           a
           Friend
           of
           Prelacy
           ,
           in
           his
           Letter
           to
           Mr.
           
             Richard
             Hooker
          
           ,
           about
           the
           writing
           of
           his
           
             Ecclesiastical
             Polity
          
           ,
           
           in
           these
           words
           :
           
             It
             may
             be
             remembred
             ,
             that
             at
             the
             first
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             the
             Learned
             in
             the
             Land
             ,
             were
             either
             eagerly
             affected
             ,
             or
             favourably
             inclined
             to
             that
             way
             ;
             the
             Books
             then
             written
             ,
             savoured
             for
             the
             most
             part
             ,
             of
             the
             Disciplinary
             stile
             ;
             it
             sounded
             every
             where
             in
             the
             Pulpits
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             common
             phrase
             of
             mens
             speech
             ;
             and
             the
             contrary
             Part
             began
             to
             fear
             they
             had
             taken
             a
             wrong
             course
             .
          
        
         
           There
           is
           as
           little
           Truth
           and
           Justice
           in
           that
           report
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Party
             that
             were
             against
             Ceremonies
             ,
             caused
             the
             Troubles
             at
          
           Frankford
           ,
           
             and
             brought
             a
             Dishonor
             to
             the
             Reformation
             ,
             and
             Infamy
             upon
             our
             Nation
             .
          
           The
           English
           Congregation
           at
           Frankford
           ,
           was
           setled
           after
           the
           Discipline
           of
           the
           Foreign
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           and
           enjoyed
           much
           Peace
           ,
           till
           certain
           eminent
           men
           ,
           zealous
           of
           the
           English
           Forms
           and
           Rites
           ,
           came
           among
           them
           ,
           and
           by
           a
           high
           hand
           brought
           in
           the
           Liturgy
           ,
           and
           brake
           them
           to
           pieces
           ,
           and
           forced
           away
           the
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           those
           Members
           that
           were
           in
           the
           first
           forming
           and
           setling
           of
           that
           Church
           .
           Afterward
           ,
           they
           that
           remained
           and
           received
           the
           Liturgy
           ,
           continued
           not
           long
           in
           unity
           ,
           but
           in
           a
           short
           time
           an
           incurable
           and
           scandalous
           Schism
           brake
           out
           between
           the
           Pastor
           ,
           and
           almost
           the
           whole
           Congregation
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           There
           is
           a
           great
           mistake
           in
           the
           main
           business
           of
           the
           Narrative
           ,
           in
           representing
           things
           as
           setled
           by
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Queen's
           Reign
           ,
           to
           please
           each
           Party
           in
           the
           abolishing
           of
           some
           ,
           and
           the
           retaining
           of
           other
           Ceremonies
           :
           Whereas
           at
           the
           reviving
           the
           Reformation
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           the
           Ceremonies
           then
           abolished
           were
           offensive
           to
           all
           Protestants
           ,
           and
           nothing
           appears
           to
           be
           done
           in
           favour
           of
           the
           Anticeremonial
           Party
           ,
           about
           the
           points
           in
           difference
           .
           But
           things
           were
           carried
           to
           a
           greater
           height
           against
           their
           Way
           ,
           than
           in
           King
           
           Edward's
           time
           ,
           whose
           Reformation
           was
           thought
           to
           incline
           more
           to
           that
           which
           was
           afterwards
           called
           Puritanism
           .
           For
           which
           
           cause
           the
           Historian
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           hath
           written
           ,
           
             That
             that
             King
             being
             ill
             principled
             ,
             his
             Death
             was
             no
             infelicity
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           The
           truth
           of
           the
           matter
           is
           ,
           That
           in
           the
           first
           Times
           of
           the
           Queen
           ,
           whose
           Reign
           was
           to
           be
           sounded
           in
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           the
           State
           intended
           chiefly
           the
           bringing
           over
           of
           the
           whole
           Body
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           and
           to
           settle
           them
           in
           that
           Profession
           ;
           and
           therefore
           thought
           fit
           to
           make
           no
           more
           alteration
           from
           their
           old
           Forms
           ,
           then
           was
           necessary
           to
           be
           made
           .
           Care
           was
           taken
           ,
           that
           no
           part
           of
           the
           Liturgy
           might
           be
           offensive
           to
           the
           Papists
           ,
           and
           they
           accordingly
           resorted
           to
           our
           Divine
           Service
           for
           the
           first
           Ten
           years
           .
           Also
           the
           retaining
           of
           the
           Ceremonies
           ,
           was
           a
           matter
           of
           condescention
           to
           the
           Popish
           Party
           ,
           the
           State
           thereby
           testifying
           how
           far
           they
           would
           stoop
           to
           gain
           them
           ,
           by
           yeelding
           as
           far
           as
           they
           might
           in
           their
           own
           Way
           .
           Now
           long
           Experience
           hath
           shewed
           ,
           That
           what
           was
           done
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           Peace
           of
           former
           Times
           ,
           and
           reconciling
           of
           Papists
           to
           Protestants
           ,
           is
           become
           an
           occasion
           of
           dividing
           Protestants
           from
           one
           another
           ,
           without
           hope
           of
           converting
           Papists
           .
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           XIV
           .
        
         
           
             The
             alledged
             Reasons
             ,
             why
             the
             Ceremonies
             are
             not
             to
             be
             taken
             away
             ,
             Examined
             .
          
        
         
           DIvers
           Reasons
           are
           alledged
           to
           prove
           a
           continued
           necessity
           for
           these
           Ceremonies
           ,
           as
           ,
           
             Because
             they
             that
             are
             for
             the
             Church
             ,
             are
             unwilling
             to
             have
             them
             taken
             away
             :
             To
             revoke
             them
             ,
             is
             to
             comply
             with
             those
             that
             will
             never
             be
             satisfied
             :
             Imputations
             have
             been
             laid
             upon
             the
             Things
             injoyned
             ,
             as
          
           Antichristian
           ,
           Idolatrous
           ,
           Superstitious
           :
           
             A
             Warr
             was
             undertook
             to
             remove
             them
             :
             And
             it
             is
             a
             reproach
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             whose
             Foundation
             is
             upon
             the
             Truth
             ,
             to
             be
             various
             .
          
           Hereunto
           we
           make
           answer
           :
           Whosoever
           delight
           in
           the
           use
           of
           the
           
           Ceremonies
           ,
           may
           enjoy
           their
           liberty
           ;
           but
           let
           it
           suffice
           them
           to
           use
           it
           ,
           without
           laying
           a
           stumbling-block
           before
           others
           ,
           or
           intangling
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           or
           hindring
           all
           of
           a
           contrary
           Perswasion
           from
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           from
           teaching
           School
           ,
           yea
           ,
           and
           from
           taking
           any
           Academical
           Degree
           .
           With
           what
           soberness
           can
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           the
           Dissenters
           will
           never
           be
           satisfied
           ,
           when
           hitherto
           they
           were
           never
           tryed
           with
           any
           Relaxation
           or
           Indulgence
           ,
           although
           they
           have
           given
           evident
           proofs
           of
           their
           unfeigned
           desires
           of
           Accommodation
           ?
           They
           do
           indeed
           esteem
           the
           Ceremonies
           an
           excess
           in
           the
           Worship
           of
           God
           ;
           but
           suppose
           that
           some
           have
           been
           immoderate
           in
           disparaging
           those
           Rituals
           ;
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           shall
           their
           value
           be
           so
           inhansed
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           thought
           more
           worth
           then
           the
           Church's
           Unity
           ,
           and
           the
           exercise
           of
           mutual
           Charity
           among
           its
           Members
           ?
           May
           not
           the
           Church
           salve
           her
           Honour
           ,
           by
           declaring
           ,
           That
           in
           remitting
           these
           Injunctions
           ,
           she
           meerly
           yeelds
           to
           the
           infirmity
           of
           weak
           Consciences
           ?
           As
           St.
           Paul
           declared
           concerning
           abstaining
           from
           meats
           ,
           who
           had
           as
           much
           power
           to
           make
           a
           Canon
           ,
           as
           any
           sort
           or
           number
           of
           Ecclesiastical
           persons
           can
           now
           pretend
           unto
           .
           As
           concerning
           the
           late
           Warr
           ,
           it
           is
           easier
           said
           then
           proved
           ,
           That
           it
           was
           undertaken
           to
           remove
           the
           Ceremonies
           ;
           and
           it
           was
           not
           so
           declared
           by
           those
           that
           managed
           it
           .
           But
           if
           it
           were
           so
           indeed
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           here
           suggested
           ,
           let
           this
           Argument
           be
           well
           weighed
           ,
           A
           dreadful
           Warr
           that
           had
           a
           dismal
           issue
           ,
           was
           undertaken
           to
           remove
           certain
           Ceremonies
           that
           at
           the
           best
           are
           but
           indifferent
           ,
           therefore
           let
           them
           never
           be
           removed
           ,
           but
           still
           inforced
           to
           the
           uttermost
           upon
           Consciences
           that
           disallow
           them
           .
           As
           for
           the
           reproach
           of
           the
           Church
           by
           the
           appearance
           of
           being
           various
           ,
           we
           conceive
           the
           controverted
           Ceremonies
           are
           no
           Foundation
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           nor
           any
           substantial
           part
           of
           her
           Religion
           ,
           and
           do
           therefore
           hope
           ,
           that
           some
           Indulgence
           therein
           will
           not
           fix
           upon
           her
           any
           brand
           of
           Inconstancy
           .
           
           It
           is
           objected
           ,
           That
           the
           Popish
           Priests
           would
           hereby
           take
           advantage
           .
           It
           seems
           then
           ,
           that
           greater
           care
           must
           be
           taken
           that
           the
           Papists
           ,
           who
           are
           implacable
           Adversaries
           ,
           be
           not
           offended
           ,
           then
           that
           many
           thousand
           honestly
           minded
           Protestants
           should
           be
           relieved
           .
           But
           the
           strangest
           Reason
           comes
           up
           last
           .
           
             Dissentions
             about
             things
             indifferent
             ,
             have
             necessitated
             the
             Church
             to
             make
             these
             Injunctions
             :
          
           That
           is
           ,
           say
           the
           things
           are
           but
           indifferent
           ,
           yet
           great
           dissentions
           have
           risen
           about
           them
           ,
           and
           are
           like
           to
           continue
           without
           end
           ;
           therefore
           the
           Church
           hath
           been
           necessitated
           to
           impose
           them
           with
           great
           severity
           upon
           multitudes
           who
           esteem
           them
           unlawful
           ,
           and
           all
           for
           this
           end
           ,
           That
           dissentions
           may
           be
           removed
           .
           We
           are
           astonished
           at
           this
           Argument
           from
           the
           Pen
           of
           a
           Learned
           man.
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           these
           alledged
           Reasons
           have
           more
           of
           Animosity
           in
           them
           ,
           then
           of
           Equity
           ;
           Charity
           ,
           or
           good
           Advice
           .
           Indeed
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           ,
           
             Mark
             those
             that
             cause
             divisions
             and
             offences
             contrary
             to
             the
             Doctrine
             that
             ye
             have
             received
          
           ;
           but
           he
           doth
           not
           so
           brand
           those
           that
           scruple
           unwritten
           Traditions
           ,
           and
           needless
           Ceremonies
           ,
           but
           adhere
           to
           the
           intire
           Doctrine
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           all
           Divine
           Institutions
           .
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           XV.
           
        
         
           
             Of
             the
             diversity
             of
             Opinion
             and
             Practice
             already
             permitted
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           Moderation
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           in
           the
           Articles
           of
           
             Predestination
             ,
             Divine
             Grace
          
           ,
           and
           Free-will
           ,
           being
           urged
           against
           the
           rigorous
           imposition
           of
           the
           controverted
           Orders
           and
           Ceremonies
           ,
           this
           Answer
           is
           made
           ,
           
             That
             the
             case
             is
             not
             the
             same
             ,
             for
             that
             those
             points
             are
             so
             full
             of
             difficulty
             ,
             that
             they
             ,
             and
             questions
             of
             that
             nature
             ,
             have
             been
             matter
             of
             dispute
             in
             all
             Ages
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             Religions
             ;
             but
             about
             the
             Orders
             and
             Ceremonies
             ,
             this
             is
             the
             only
             thing
             to
             be
             resolved
             ,
             Whether
             the
             Church
             hath
             power
             to
             injoin
             an
             indifferent
             Ceremony
             ?
          
           
           But
           there
           is
           no
           such
           difference
           in
           the
           case
           .
           The
           Question
           of
           things
           Indifferent
           ,
           hath
           been
           mistaken
           for
           the
           
             Grand
             Case
          
           of
           the
           Nonconformists
           ;
           for
           those
           points
           which
           are
           the
           main
           reason
           and
           matter
           of
           their
           inconformity
           ,
           are
           by
           them
           accounted
           not
           indifferent
           ,
           but
           unlawful
           ,
           and
           therefore
           not
           to
           be
           admitted
           in
           their
           practice
           ,
           till
           their
           Consciences
           be
           better
           satisfied
           .
           And
           it
           is
           not
           irrational
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           serious
           doubtings
           may
           arise
           in
           sober
           minds
           about
           some
           parts
           of
           the
           injoyned
           Uniformity
           ,
           and
           particularly
           ,
           about
           those
           Ceremonies
           which
           seem
           to
           draw
           near
           to
           the
           significancy
           and
           moral
           efficacy
           of
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           thereupon
           may
           appear
           to
           some
           not
           as
           meer
           circumstances
           ,
           but
           as
           parts
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           and
           their
           Consciences
           may
           be
           struck
           with
           Terror
           by
           the
           sense
           of
           God's
           Jealousie
           about
           any
           instituted
           Worship
           which
           Himself
           hath
           not
           prescribed
           .
           Moreover
           ,
           these
           Orders
           and
           Ceremonies
           have
           been
           matters
           of
           dispute
           in
           all
           times
           since
           the
           beginning
           of
           Protestant
           Reformation
           .
           But
           under
           the
           degenerate
           state
           of
           the
           Christian
           Churches
           ,
           by
           the
           great
           Apostacy
           of
           the
           later
           times
           ,
           there
           could
           be
           no
           occasion
           of
           disputing
           these
           things
           ,
           when
           Will-worship
           was
           generally
           exalted
           ,
           and
           the
           grossest
           Idolatries
           had
           prevailed
           .
        
         
           I
           question
           the
           truth
           of
           that
           Assertion
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Dissenters
             cannot
             name
             one
             Church
             besides
             ours
             ,
             in
             which
             there
             was
             a
             Schism
             made
             for
             a
             Ceremony
             .
          
           For
           a
           great
           Rent
           was
           made
           in
           the
           Christian
           Church
           throughout
           the
           World
           ,
           about
           a
           Ceremony
           ,
           or
           as
           small
           a
           matter
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           the
           time
           of
           celebrating
           the
           Feast
           of
           Easter
           .
           But
           whensoever
           a
           Schism
           is
           made
           ,
           let
           them
           that
           cause
           it
           ,
           look
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           lay
           it
           to
           heart
           .
           
             Wo
             to
             the
             world
             because
             of
             offences
             ,
             and
             wo
             to
             that
             man
             by
             whom
             the
             offence
             cometh
             ▪
          
           But
           we
           still
           insist
           upon
           this
           Argument
           ,
           That
           these
           Rites
           being
           at
           the
           best
           but
           indifferent
           in
           the
           opinion
           of
           the
           Imposers
           ,
           the
           observation
           of
           them
           cannot
           in
           reason
           be
           esteemed
           of
           such
           importance
           to
           the
           substance
           
           of
           Religion
           ,
           as
           the
           different
           Opinions
           about
           the
           Articles
           aforesaid
           are
           .
           And
           who
           knows
           not
           with
           what
           animosity
           and
           vehemence
           the
           Parties
           that
           are
           called
           Arminian
           and
           Antiarminian
           ,
           have
           fought
           against
           one
           another
           ;
           and
           what
           dreadful
           and
           destructive
           Consequences
           they
           pretend
           to
           draw
           from
           each
           others
           Opinions
           ?
           Now
           put
           case
           the
           more
           prevalent
           Party
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           should
           go
           about
           to
           determine
           those
           Controversies
           on
           the
           one
           side
           ,
           or
           the
           other
           ,
           (
           and
           truly
           they
           were
           sometimes
           determined
           by
           a
           Synod
           in
           His
           Majesty's
           Dominions
           ,
           namely
           by
           that
           of
           Dublin
           in
           the
           year
           1615
           ,
           also
           by
           the
           greatest
           Prelates
           ,
           and
           most
           eminent
           Doctors
           in
           England
           ,
           in
           the
           Lambeth-Articles
           ;
           and
           what
           hath
           been
           ,
           may
           again
           come
           to
           pass
           )
           would
           not
           that
           side
           against
           whom
           the
           Decision
           passeth
           ,
           be
           ready
           to
           cry
           out
           of
           Oppression
           ?
           Yea
           ,
           how
           great
           a
           Rent
           would
           be
           made
           by
           it
           through
           the
           whole
           Fabrick
           of
           this
           Church
           ?
           Furthermore
           ,
           in
           Ceremonies
           publikely
           used
           ,
           and
           matters
           of
           open
           practice
           ,
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           hath
           thought
           good
           to
           indulge
           Dissents
           ,
           as
           in
           that
           of
           bowing
           toward
           the
           Altar
           ,
           or
           the
           East
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           required
           by
           the
           local
           Statutes
           of
           particular
           Societies
           .
           And
           in
           this
           the
           Sons
           of
           the
           Church
           do
           bear
           with
           one
           another
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           direction
           of
           the
           Canons
           made
           in
           the
           year
           1640.
           
           Unto
           which
           may
           be
           added
           ,
           That
           the
           Mode
           of
           Worship
           in
           Cathedrals
           ,
           is
           much
           different
           from
           that
           in
           Parochial
           Churches
           .
           Likewise
           some
           Ministers
           before
           their
           Sermon
           use
           a
           Prayer
           of
           their
           own
           conceiving
           ;
           others
           onely
           (
           as
           the
           phrase
           is
           )
           bid
           Prayer
           .
           If
           these
           and
           other
           Varieties
           ,
           be
           no
           reproach
           to
           our
           Church
           ,
           will
           it
           reproach
           her
           to
           suffer
           one
           to
           Officiate
           with
           a
           Surpliss
           ,
           and
           another
           without
           it
           ?
        
      
       
         
         
           SECT
           .
           XVI
           .
        
         
           
             Men
             differently
             perswaded
             in
             the
             present
             Controversies
             ,
             may
             live
             together
             in
             Peace
             .
          
        
         
           IT
           is
           no
           vain
           speculation
           ,
           
             to
             think
             we
             may
             have
             peace
             ,
             if
             men
             perswaded
             in
             their
             Consciences
             that
             the
             controverted
             Ceremonies
             are
             superstitious
             ,
             or
             at
             the
             best
             but
             Trifles
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             Liturgy
             and
             Ecclesiastical
             Polity
             ,
             need
             some
             Reformation
             ,
             should
             be
             joined
             with
             men
             far
             otherwise
             perswaded
             .
          
           And
           the
           preserving
           of
           Peace
           in
           that
           case
           ,
           doth
           not
           suppose
           or
           require
           
             that
             all
             these
             differently
             perswaded
             men
             ,
             will
             be
             wise
             on
             both
             sides
             to
             content
             themselves
             with
             their
             own
             opinions
             :
          
           But
           it
           supposeth
           the
           State
           ,
           and
           the
           chief
           Guides
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           be
           wise
           ,
           (
           as
           it
           is
           always
           requisite
           they
           should
           be
           )
           and
           that
           many
           of
           Reputation
           and
           Eminency
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           will
           be
           prudent
           and
           temperate
           ,
           and
           examples
           of
           Moderation
           to
           others
           ,
           (
           and
           not
           to
           suppose
           this
           is
           to
           disparage
           and
           debase
           our
           present
           Age
           )
           but
           above
           all
           ,
           it
           supposeth
           the
           Publike
           Constitution
           so
           well
           stated
           and
           setled
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           able
           to
           curb
           the
           Imprudent
           and
           Unsober
           ,
           and
           to
           encourage
           the
           Modest
           and
           Well-advised
           .
        
         
           Surely
           all
           Dissenters
           upon
           Conscience
           ,
           
             will
             not
             be
             prevailed
             with
             by
             the
             same
             Conscience
             ,
             to
             endeavour
             the
             propagation
             of
             their
             own
             way
             in
             these
             differences
             ,
             to
             the
             depression
             of
             others
             .
          
           If
           some
           offer
           to
           disturb
           the
           Peace
           ,
           can
           no
           Rule
           of
           Government
           restrain
           them
           ?
           It
           is
           a
           deplorable
           case
           indeed
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           no
           remedy
           but
           for
           those
           that
           are
           favoured
           by
           the
           Higher
           Powers
           ,
           utterly
           to
           exclude
           and
           reject
           those
           that
           want
           the
           like
           favour
           and
           countenance
           .
        
         
           At
           this
           day
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           by
           Her
           present
           Latitude
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           Connivence
           ,
           keeps
           peace
           among
           Her
           Sons
           of
           such
           different
           Perswasions
           ,
           as
           formerly
           stirred
           up
           great
           Dissentions
           in
           this
           Church
           .
           Who
           is
           ignorant
           of
           the
           
           Contentions
           raised
           about
           the
           Arminian
           Controversies
           in
           the
           several
           Reigns
           of
           Queen
           Elizabeth
           ,
           King
           James
           ,
           and
           King
           Charles
           the
           First
           ?
           But
           in
           the
           present
           Times
           ,
           the
           mutual
           forbearance
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           but
           chiefly
           the
           Church's
           Prudence
           ,
           hath
           lay'd
           asleep
           those
           Controversies
           ;
           whereas
           if
           one
           side
           presuming
           upon
           its
           Power
           and
           Prevalency
           ,
           should
           go
           about
           (
           as
           formerly
           )
           to
           decry
           and
           depress
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           to
           advance
           and
           magnifie
           themselves
           ,
           and
           ingross
           the
           Preferments
           ,
           doubtless
           the
           like
           flames
           would
           break
           out
           again
           .
           For
           there
           is
           a
           great
           dislike
           and
           abhorrency
           setled
           at
           the
           Heart-root
           of
           both
           these
           Parties
           against
           each
           others
           Opinions
           ;
           and
           a
           sutable
           occasion
           would
           soon
           draw
           it
           out
           to
           an
           open
           Contestation
           .
           Now
           if
           the
           Church's
           Peace
           and
           Unity
           be
           already
           maintained
           in
           such
           seemingly
           dangerous
           diversity
           of
           Opinion
           among
           her
           Members
           and
           Officers
           ,
           and
           those
           not
           of
           the
           meanest
           rank
           ,
           why
           should
           her
           Prudence
           and
           Polity
           he
           suspected
           as
           insufficient
           to
           maintain
           Unity
           and
           Peace
           in
           the
           indulging
           of
           the
           differently
           perswaded
           in
           the
           now
           disputed
           Rites
           and
           Opinions
           ?
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           XVII
           .
        
         
           
             Of
             DISSENTERS
             of
             Narrower
             Principles
             ,
             and
             of
             TOLERATION
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           Latitude
           discoursed
           in
           the
           former
           Treatise
           ,
           is
           unjustly
           impeached
           ,
           as
           providing
           onely
           for
           the
           Presbyterians
           ,
           and
           relinquishing
           all
           other
           Dissenters
           ;
           for
           it
           comprehends
           within
           the
           Establishment
           ,
           those
           of
           all
           sorts
           that
           are
           of
           Principles
           congruous
           to
           stated
           Order
           in
           the
           Church
           ;
           so
           that
           no
           sort
           is
           excluded
           ,
           whose
           Principles
           make
           them
           capable
           .
           And
           was
           this
           Capacity
           any
           where
           restrained
           to
           the
           Presbyterians
           ?
           Some
           Nonconformists
           are
           for
           Moderated
           Episcopacy
           ,
           after
           the
           form
           of
           the
           Ancient
           Churches
           ;
           and
           
           divers
           others
           ,
           as
           to
           particular
           forms
           of
           Government
           ,
           are
           Latitudinarians
           ;
           and
           others
           there
           are
           besides
           these
           ,
           who
           would
           live
           peaceably
           under
           the
           present
           Hierarchy
           ,
           might
           they
           be
           spared
           from
           the
           personal
           profession
           or
           practice
           of
           some
           things
           which
           they
           think
           unlawful
           or
           doubtful
           .
        
         
           Moreover
           ,
           beyond
           the
           Established
           Order
           ,
           the
           Latitude
           includes
           a
           Toleration
           for
           those
           that
           are
           of
           sound
           Faith
           ,
           and
           good
           Life
           ,
           but
           have
           taken
           up
           some
           Principles
           of
           Church-Government
           less
           congruous
           to
           National
           Settlement
           .
           I
           cannot
           yeeld
           to
           that
           position
           ,
           
             That
             only
             Necessity
             can
             give
             colour
             to
             Toleration
             ,
             for
             that
             it
             is
             by
             the
             confession
             of
             all
             ,
             one
             of
             those
             things
             that
             are
             not
             good
             in
             their
             nature
             .
          
           I
           suppose
           that
           Christians
           bearing
           with
           one
           another
           in
           tolerable
           differences
           ,
           is
           a
           branch
           of
           Brotherly
           Love
           ;
           and
           therefore
           Charity
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Necessity
           ,
           may
           plead
           for
           this
           Way
           of
           Indulgence
           .
        
         
           
             But
             it
             is
             objected
             ,
             That
          
           we
           want
           an
           instance
           of
           the
           safety
           of
           Toleration
           ,
           in
           any
           Nation
           where
           the
           Supreme
           Governour
           had
           not
           a
           standing
           Army
           to
           circumscribe
           and
           confine
           the
           Heats
           of
           Dissenters
           in
           Religion
           ,
           to
           their
           own
           breasts
           ,
           and
           keep
           off
           the
           destructive
           Effects
           of
           Schism
           .
        
         
           Let
           me
           reply
           ,
           That
           this
           Maxime
           ,
           That
           no
           Toleration
           of
           Dissenters
           ,
           howsoever
           regulated
           ,
           can
           be
           safely
           granted
           by
           the
           Supreme
           Governour
           that
           hath
           not
           a
           standing
           Army
           ,
           makes
           little
           for
           the
           Safety
           and
           Liberty
           of
           true
           Religion
           .
           The
           Protestants
           that
           live
           under
           the
           Princes
           of
           the
           Roman
           Faith
           ,
           are
           little
           beholding
           to
           one
           that
           publisheth
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           That
           those
           Princes
           can
           with
           safety
           tolerate
           them
           no
           longer
           then
           they
           keep
           up
           a
           standing
           Army
           to
           keep
           off
           the
           destructive
           effects
           of
           that
           which
           they
           call
           Schism
           .
           One
           may
           see
           by
           this
           and
           other
           instances
           ,
           what
           bias
           the
           Judgment
           hath
           ,
           by
           the
           Zeal
           of
           a
           Party
           ,
           and
           how
           it
           is
           brought
           to
           assert
           such
           things
           as
           may
           expose
           the
           true
           Religion
           to
           the
           danger
           of
           Suppression
           or
           Extirpation
           in
           many
           Countries
           .
           
           But
           hath
           the
           French
           King
           less
           assurance
           of
           the
           Loyalty
           of
           His
           Protestant
           Subjects
           ,
           then
           of
           the
           Roman-Catholicks
           ?
           Would
           a
           Necessity
           be
           laid
           upon
           Him
           to
           maintain
           constant
           Forces
           to
           keep
           the
           Protestants
           in
           obedience
           ,
           when
           he
           could
           rule
           the
           rest
           of
           his
           People
           without
           such
           Terror
           ?
           Or
           is
           Toleration
           the
           reason
           of
           a
           standing
           Army
           in
           the
           United
           Provinces
           of
           the
           Netherlands
           ?
           In
           this
           Latitude
           no
           other
           Toleration
           is
           pleaded
           for
           ,
           then
           what
           can
           be
           made
           safe
           and
           secure
           by
           the
           ordinary
           ways
           of
           Legal
           Government
           .
        
         
           Both
           Duty
           and
           Interest
           obligeth
           all
           sorts
           to
           proceed
           as
           far
           as
           it
           is
           possible
           in
           complying
           with
           their
           Superiors
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           uncontrolable
           Power
           of
           Conscience
           inforce
           them
           to
           lye
           without
           the
           Pale
           of
           the
           Established
           Order
           ,
           they
           should
           deem
           that
           Exclusion
           their
           great
           Unhappiness
           .
           But
           so
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           Prudent
           and
           Pious
           men
           may
           be
           of
           exceeding
           Narrow
           Principles
           about
           Church-Order
           and
           Fellowship
           .
           Christian
           Charity
           pleadeth
           for
           Indulgence
           towards
           them
           ;
           and
           we
           hope
           Political
           Prudence
           doth
           not
           gainsay
           it
           .
           For
           although
           their
           Way
           may
           fall
           far
           short
           of
           setling
           a
           Nation
           ,
           yet
           they
           may
           have
           Spirits
           and
           Principles
           very
           consistent
           with
           Publike
           Tranquility
           .
           And
           their
           Indulgence
           may
           be
           obtained
           by
           a
           good
           Understanding
           and
           Confidence
           between
           Them
           and
           the
           Higher
           Powers
           ,
           the
           Clemency
           of
           the
           One
           shewing
           Favour
           in
           that
           extent
           which
           the
           Publike
           Order
           may
           safely
           tolerate
           ;
           and
           the
           Humility
           and
           Discretion
           of
           the
           Other
           ,
           causing
           them
           to
           prise
           the
           Favour
           ,
           and
           to
           use
           it
           rightly
           .
           That
           such
           Condescention
           and
           Clemency
           should
           be
           used
           on
           the
           One
           side
           ,
           and
           such
           Humility
           and
           Modesty
           on
           the
           Other
           ,
           why
           should
           it
           seem
           impossible
           ?
           For
           the
           One
           may
           see
           ,
           that
           by
           granting
           some
           Limited
           Liberty
           ,
           the
           Protection
           of
           Christs
           Flock
           ,
           and
           the
           Satisfaction
           of
           well-minded
           Subjects
           may
           become
           more
           Universal
           :
           And
           the
           Other
           may
           likewise
           see
           ,
           that
           a
           smaller
           Party
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           Narrow
           Principles
           ,
           are
           of
           
           themselves
           in
           no
           wise
           proportionable
           to
           the
           State
           of
           this
           Nation
           ;
           and
           therefore
           that
           they
           cannot
           well
           subsist
           ,
           but
           in
           conjunction
           with
           ,
           and
           subordination
           unto
           an
           Establishment
           more
           commensurate
           to
           the
           whole
           Body
           of
           the
           People
           .
           This
           necessary
           Subordination
           ,
           may
           beget
           a
           mutual
           Confidence
           and
           Security
           .
           If
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           The
           Tolerated
           Party
           may
           become
           Dangerous
           or
           Suspected
           ,
           it
           is
           always
           supposed
           that
           they
           stand
           by
           their
           Good
           Behaviour
           ,
           and
           the
           Rulers
           Favour
           .
           But
           they
           are
           not
           like
           to
           prove
           Dangerous
           ,
           if
           the
           Establishment
           be
           large
           enough
           .
           For
           the
           Narrowness
           thereof
           makes
           the
           Dissenters
           numerous
           ,
           and
           still
           encreaseth
           their
           Number
           .
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           XVIII
           .
        
         
           
             It
             is
             the
             Interest
             of
             the
             NONCONFORMISTS
             to
             prefer
             Comprehension
             before
             Toleration
             ,
             where
             Conscience
             doth
             not
             gainsay
             .
          
        
         
           IF
           it
           can
           be
           made
           evident
           ,
           That
           the
           Nonconformists
           should
           embrace
           a
           Comprehension
           as
           the
           surest
           means
           of
           their
           particular
           Good
           ,
           it
           will
           conduce
           exceedingly
           to
           evince
           ,
           That
           the
           Favour
           of
           Rulers
           will
           not
           be
           in
           vain
           towards
           them
           ;
           and
           that
           their
           Petitions
           ,
           Discourses
           ,
           and
           other
           Instances
           for
           Moderation
           ,
           were
           not
           feigned
           ,
           because
           grounded
           on
           their
           true
           Interest
           that
           cannot
           lye
           .
        
         
           Were
           they
           united
           among
           themselves
           ,
           and
           did
           the
           Times
           highly
           favour
           them
           ,
           even
           then
           it
           were
           their
           Wisdom
           not
           to
           insist
           too
           far
           upon
           their
           own
           Perswasions
           ,
           but
           to
           comply
           with
           such
           moderate
           Order
           as
           is
           most
           passable
           in
           the
           Nation
           ,
           (
           their
           Consciences
           not
           gainsaying
           )
           much
           more
           doth
           it
           now
           behove
           them
           ,
           by
           Moderation
           and
           Submission
           to
           dispose
           themselves
           for
           the
           Favour
           of
           their
           Superiors
           .
        
         
           They
           should
           chuse
           rather
           (
           if
           it
           be
           possible
           for
           them
           )
           to
           be
           Comprehended
           in
           the
           Approved
           ,
           then
           to
           be
           Tolerated
           
           in
           a
           Severed
           Way
           .
           For
           there
           is
           not
           so
           much
           lost
           thereby
           in
           point
           of
           Liberty
           ,
           but
           as
           much
           or
           more
           is
           gained
           in
           point
           of
           Safety
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           a
           happiness
           to
           be
           secured
           from
           dangerous
           wanderings
           ,
           perplexities
           ,
           breaches
           ,
           and
           manifold
           inconveniences
           ,
           into
           which
           they
           may
           be
           led
           that
           are
           wholly
           left
           without
           the
           Line
           of
           the
           Established
           Order
           .
           Those
           persons
           that
           by
           their
           Wisdom
           and
           Learning
           can
           the
           better
           defend
           themselves
           from
           the
           aforesaid
           Evils
           in
           a
           severed
           State
           ,
           cannot
           be
           ignorant
           how
           precipitate
           and
           unadvisable
           many
           of
           their
           Number
           may
           be
           ,
           and
           not
           so
           easily
           to
           be
           governed
           by
           their
           more
           prudent
           Guides
           .
           Men
           of
           discerning
           and
           stable
           judgments
           ,
           would
           do
           their
           uttermost
           to
           preserve
           the
           more
           inconsiderate
           people
           from
           falling
           into
           a
           full
           and
           absolute
           Separation
           from
           all
           Christian
           Societies
           that
           are
           not
           of
           their
           Perswasion
           .
           For
           they
           may
           easily
           apprehend
           into
           how
           great
           and
           dangerous
           Errors
           that
           Vortex
           may
           carry
           about
           those
           that
           fall
           into
           it
           .
        
         
           They
           that
           are
           best
           able
           to
           govern
           themselves
           ,
           do
           see
           most
           need
           of
           a
           Publike
           Government
           ,
           and
           how
           necessary
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           both
           People
           and
           Teachers
           be
           under
           the
           Regulation
           and
           Influence
           of
           Authority
           ,
           for
           the
           avoiding
           of
           many
           and
           great
           Inconveniencies
           .
           And
           there
           are
           many
           and
           great
           Benefits
           ,
           by
           being
           comprehended
           in
           the
           Approved
           Order
           ,
           not
           otherwise
           to
           be
           obtained
           .
           Their
           Peace
           is
           better
           insured
           ,
           their
           Influence
           is
           more
           diffusive
           ,
           their
           Instances
           and
           Motions
           for
           the
           Common
           Good
           ,
           will
           be
           more
           regarded
           .
           They
           have
           a
           larger
           scope
           for
           imploying
           their
           Masters
           Talent
           in
           the
           Publike
           Service
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           they
           may
           speak
           with
           more
           Authority
           ,
           and
           better
           success
           among
           all
           ranks
           and
           sorts
           of
           men
           ,
           who
           will
           look
           upon
           them
           as
           theirs
           ,
           when
           they
           hold
           their
           Publike
           Stations
           .
        
         
           Unto
           all
           this
           may
           be
           added
           ,
           That
           the
           Ancient
           Nonconformists
           earnestly
           opposed
           the
           Separation
           of
           the
           Brownists
           ,
           
           and
           held
           communion
           with
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           in
           its
           Publike
           Worship
           .
        
         
           And
           doubtless
           it
           is
           the
           Ministers
           Interest
           ,
           not
           to
           have
           their
           Subsistence
           by
           the
           Arbitrary
           Benevolence
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           live
           in
           continual
           dependance
           upon
           their
           mutable
           dispositions
           for
           a
           Maintenance
           that
           is
           poor
           and
           low
           in
           comparison
           of
           the
           Publike
           Encouragements
           .
           Hereby
           one
           may
           partly
           judg
           ,
           whether
           Learned
           and
           Prudent
           men
           be
           Nonconformists
           by
           the
           pleasure
           of
           their
           own
           will
           ,
           or
           the
           constraining-force
           of
           Conscience
           .
        
         
           Now
           their
           Consciences
           may
           be
           relieved
           ,
           if
           they
           be
           not
           made
           personally
           to
           profess
           or
           practice
           any
           thing
           against
           the
           dictates
           thereof
           .
           And
           retaining
           their
           own
           private
           judgments
           ,
           they
           may
           well
           hold
           to
           this
           Catholick
           Principle
           ,
           That
           in
           a
           Church
           acknowledged
           to
           be
           sound
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Substance
           or
           main
           Parts
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           and
           not
           defective
           in
           any
           vital
           part
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           they
           are
           bound
           to
           bear
           with
           much
           which
           they
           take
           to
           be
           amiss
           in
           others
           Practice
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           do
           not
           personally
           bear
           a
           part
           themselves
           ▪
        
         
           As
           concerning
           a
           Form
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           and
           Rule
           of
           Discipline
           ,
           Men
           that
           understand
           their
           own
           Interest
           ,
           cannot
           for
           self-ends
           (
           as
           they
           have
           been
           upbraided
           )
           couet
           the
           Power
           of
           such
           a
           Discipline
           as
           inevitably
           procures
           envy
           and
           ill-will
           ,
           without
           any
           temporal
           profit
           or
           dignity
           .
           And
           if
           the
           Higher
           Powers
           will
           not
           admit
           such
           a
           Form
           ,
           (
           I
           deliver
           my
           own
           private
           judgment
           ,
           without
           prejudice
           to
           other
           mens
           )
           this
           may
           tend
           to
           satisfie
           the
           Subjects
           Conscience
           .
           That
           Ecclesiastical
           Government
           is
           necessarily
           more
           directed
           and
           ordered
           in
           the
           exercise
           thereof
           ,
           by
           the
           Determinations
           of
           the
           Civil
           Magistrate
           ,
           in
           places
           where
           the
           true
           Religion
           is
           maintained
           ,
           then
           where
           it
           is
           persecuted
           or
           disregarded
           .
           And
           they
           that
           have
           received
           the
           Power
           ,
           must
           answer
           to
           God
           for
           it
           :
           They
           that
           
           are
           discharged
           from
           it
           ,
           shall
           never
           account
           for
           that
           whereof
           they
           have
           been
           bereaved
           .
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           XIX
           .
        
         
           
             It
             behoves
             both
             the
             Comprehended
             and
             the
             Tolerated
             ,
             to
             prefer
             the
             common
             Interest
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             setling
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             before
             their
             own
             particular
             Perswasions
             .
          
        
         
           AS
           those
           Dissenters
           ,
           whose
           Consciences
           will
           permit
           ,
           will
           best
           comply
           with
           their
           own
           good
           ,
           by
           entring
           into
           the
           Establishment
           ,
           if
           a
           door
           be
           open
           for
           their
           access
           :
           So
           they
           of
           Narrower
           Principles
           ,
           that
           cannot
           enter
           into
           it
           ,
           will
           be
           safest
           within
           the
           Limits
           of
           such
           Indulgence
           as
           Authority
           would
           vouchsafe
           to
           grant
           them
           ,
           with
           respect
           to
           the
           Common
           Good.
           Men
           of
           all
           Perswasions
           should
           rather
           chuse
           to
           be
           limited
           by
           Publike
           Rules
           ,
           with
           mutual
           Confidence
           between
           their
           Governors
           and
           Themselves
           ,
           then
           to
           be
           left
           to
           the
           liberty
           of
           their
           own
           Affections
           ,
           upon
           terms
           uncertain
           and
           unsecure
           .
        
         
           Besides
           the
           Concernment
           of
           their
           own
           Peace
           ,
           there
           is
           this
           great
           Perswasive
           ,
           That
           this
           Advice
           is
           a
           compliance
           with
           that
           state
           of
           things
           which
           will
           best
           satisfie
           and
           settle
           the
           Nation
           ,
           and
           maintain
           Reformed
           Religion
           against
           Popery
           ,
           and
           Christianity
           against
           Atheism
           and
           Infidelity
           .
        
         
           True
           Englishmen
           ,
           and
           Lovers
           of
           their
           dear
           Countrey
           ,
           which
           is
           impaired
           and
           reproached
           by
           these
           breaches
           ,
           should
           yeeld
           as
           much
           to
           its
           Wealth
           and
           Honour
           ,
           as
           their
           Consciences
           can
           allow
           .
           Loyal
           Subjects
           and
           good
           Patriots
           should
           consider
           what
           the
           Kingdom
           will
           bear
           ,
           and
           prefer
           such
           bounded
           Liberty
           of
           Comprehension
           and
           Indulgence
           ,
           as
           tends
           to
           Union
           ,
           before
           a
           loose
           ,
           though
           larger
           Liberty
           ,
           that
           will
           keep
           the
           Breaches
           open
           ,
           and
           the
           Minds
           of
           People
           unquiet
           and
           unsetled
           .
           And
           it
           is
           not
           of
           little
           moment
           to
           mind
           this
           ,
           That
           the
           high
           Concerns
           of
           Conscience
           cannot
           
           be
           better
           secured
           then
           in
           the
           Peace
           and
           Safety
           of
           the
           excellent
           Constitution
           of
           this
           Kingdom
           .
        
         
           For
           the
           Amplitude
           of
           Reformed
           Religion
           ,
           all
           true
           Protestants
           should
           promote
           an
           ample
           Establishme●t
           thereof
           ,
           both
           for
           the
           incompassing
           of
           all
           that
           be
           sound
           in
           that
           Profession
           ,
           as
           also
           for
           the
           more
           capacious
           reception
           of
           those
           that
           may
           become
           Converts
           thereunto
           .
           And
           not
           onely
           the
           encrease
           and
           glory
           thereof
           ,
           but
           its
           stability
           in
           these
           Dominions
           ,
           is
           promoted
           by
           such
           an
           ample
           Establishment
           .
           Witness
           our
           great
           Defence
           against
           Popery
           ,
           by
           the
           common
           zeal
           of
           all
           Protestants
           of
           the
           several
           Perswasions
           ,
           for
           Protestancy
           in
           general
           .
           By
           this
           concurrent
           Zeal
           ,
           the
           insolencies
           of
           the
           Papists
           have
           been
           repressed
           ,
           and
           their
           Confidences
           defeated
           .
           Could
           the
           
             Protestant
             Conformists
          
           or
           Nonconformists
           ,
           either
           of
           them
           upon
           their
           own
           single
           account
           ,
           if
           one
           should
           exterminate
           ,
           or
           utterly
           disable
           the
           other
           ,
           be
           so
           well
           secured
           against
           Popery
           ,
           as
           now
           they
           are
           by
           their
           common
           Interest
           ?
           And
           to
           imagine
           by
           rigor
           to
           compel
           the
           depressed
           Party
           to
           incorporate
           with
           the
           Party
           advanced
           ,
           so
           that
           one
           should
           acquire
           the
           Strength
           of
           both
           ,
           would
           in
           the
           issue
           be
           found
           a
           great
           Error
           .
           By
           such
           proceeding
           ▪
           indeed
           ,
           a
           Party
           may
           be
           wounded
           and
           broken
           ,
           and
           rendred
           unserviceable
           to
           the
           common
           good
           ,
           but
           shall
           never
           be
           gained
           as
           an
           addition
           of
           Strength
           to
           those
           who
           have
           so
           handled
           them
           .
           But
           an
           Accommodation
           would
           make
           both
           to
           be
           as
           one
           .
           And
           seeing
           in
           their
           present
           divided
           state
           ,
           the
           concurrent
           Zeal
           of
           Both
           hath
           been
           so
           formidable
           ,
           as
           to
           dash
           the
           hopes
           of
           the
           Popish
           Party
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           in
           a
           state
           of
           Union
           ,
           might
           their
           Strength
           increase
           against
           their
           common
           Adversaries
           !
           Wherefore
           ,
           the
           One
           should
           open
           the
           Way
           ,
           and
           the
           Other
           should
           readily
           come
           in
           upon
           just
           Terms
           .
           This
           should
           be
           the
           rather
           minded
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           because
           the
           Considerate
           Nonconformists
           will
           never
           promote
           their
           own
           Liberty
           by
           such
           ways
           and
           means
           as
           would
           bring
           in
           a
           Toleration
           
           of
           Popery
           ;
           yea
           ,
           they
           would
           rather
           help
           to
           bear
           up
           the
           present
           Ecclesiastical
           state
           ,
           then
           that
           Popery
           should
           break
           in
           by
           Anarchy
           ,
           or
           the
           Dissolution
           of
           all
           Church-Government
           .
        
         
           Moreover
           ,
           an
           ample
           ,
           fixed
           state
           Ecclesiastical
           ,
           is
           necessary
           to
           uphold
           and
           encrease
           true
           Religion
           ,
           as
           well
           against
           Infidelity
           ,
           as
           against
           Popery
           .
           The
           loose
           part
           of
           the
           World
           would
           turn
           to
           a
           weariness
           and
           contempt
           of
           Divine
           Institutions
           ,
           and
           Christianity
           it self
           would
           be
           much
           endangered
           in
           a
           state
           of
           Ataxy
           and
           unfixedness
           .
           By
           what
           ordinary
           means
           hath
           the
           Doctrine
           and
           Institution
           of
           Christ
           been
           propagated
           and
           perpetuated
           in
           large
           Kingdoms
           and
           Nations
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Universe
           ,
           but
           by
           incompassing
           under
           its
           external
           Rule
           and
           Order
           ,
           great
           Multitudes
           that
           may
           fall
           short
           of
           the
           Life
           and
           Power
           thereof
           .
           And
           it
           doth
           not
           root
           and
           spread
           in
           any
           sort
           considerable
           ,
           in
           a
           Region
           ,
           where
           the
           external
           Order
           is
           set
           by
           the
           Rigid
           and
           Narrow
           Principles
           of
           a
           small
           Party
           ,
           and
           the
           general
           Multitude
           lyes
           open
           as
           wast
           ground
           ,
           for
           any
           to
           invade
           or
           occupy
           .
           Let
           considerate
           men
           judg
           how
           much
           the
           ample
           state
           of
           a
           meer
           Orthodox
           Profession
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           preferred
           before
           Infidelity
           ,
           or
           Popery
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           Sect
           of
           the
           Christian
           Name
           ,
           that
           is
           Idolatrous
           or
           Heretical
           .
           There
           be
           few
           Converts
           to
           the
           Power
           of
           Godliness
           ,
           from
           Infidelity
           or
           Popery
           ,
           or
           any
           Heresie
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           generally
           made
           out
           of
           the
           Mass
           of
           People
           of
           an
           Orthodox
           Profession
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           the
           will
           of
           God
           that
           one
           must
           suffer
           for
           the
           Cause
           of
           Religion
           ,
           it
           is
           more
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           Christianity
           to
           suffer
           from
           Infidels
           ,
           then
           from
           Papists
           ;
           likewise
           it
           is
           more
           for
           the
           Honour
           of
           Reformed
           Religion
           ,
           to
           suffer
           from
           Papists
           ,
           then
           from
           Protestants
           .
           And
           if
           it
           were
           at
           ones
           own
           choice
           ,
           One
           should
           much
           rather
           
             (
             caeteris
             paribus
          
           )
           suffer
           in
           defence
           of
           the
           main
           Truths
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           then
           for
           refusing
           a
           Ceremony
           ,
           or
           for
           any
           other
           part
           of
           Inconformity
           .
           
           For
           this
           cause
           a
           Union
           is
           so
           desirable
           ,
           that
           these
           Bitternesses
           ,
           Reproaches
           and
           Scandals
           ,
           might
           cease
           from
           among
           us
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           Whatsoever
           Enlargement
           we
           have
           granted
           by
           the
           Favour
           of
           our
           Lawful
           Superiors
           ,
           we
           have
           it
           in
           the
           best
           way
           ,
           and
           a
           Blessing
           is
           in
           it
           .
        
      
       
         
           SECT
           .
           XX.
           
        
         
           
             EPISCOPACY
             will
             gain
             more
             by
             Moderation
             ,
             then
             by
             Severity
             in
             these
             Differences
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           Answerer
           enumerates
           many
           Reasons
           why
           
             a
             Form
             of
             Church-Government
             should
             meet
             with
             many
             Difficulties
             in
             its
             return
             after
             a
             proscription
             of
             Twenty
             years
          
           ;
           and
           concludes
           
             it
             must
             be
             a
             Generation
             or
             two
             ,
             not
             seven
             years
             ,
             that
             can
             wear
             out
             all
             those
             Difficulties
             .
          
           On
           the
           other
           side
           he
           saith
           ,
           
             Presbytery
             languished
             almost
             as
             soon
             as
             it
             had
             a
             being
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           I
           perceive
           Presbytery
           is
           a
           great
           Eye-sore
           .
           Peradventure
           I
           may
           be
           reckoned
           a
           Presbyterian
           ;
           and
           to
           say
           the
           truth
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           ashamed
           of
           their
           company
           that
           are
           commonly
           called
           by
           that
           Name
           ;
           yet
           I
           have
           no
           pleasure
           in
           such
           Names
           of
           distinction
           .
           I
           am
           of
           a
           Perswasion
           ,
           but
           not
           of
           a
           Party
           ;
           and
           whatsoever
           my
           Perswasion
           be
           ,
           it
           is
           Moderate
           ,
           Catholick
           and
           Pacifick
           .
           Neither
           my
           Design
           nor
           my
           Principles
           engage
           me
           to
           maintain
           the
           Presbyterial
           Government
           .
           Nevertheless
           I
           cannot
           but
           take
           notice
           with
           how
           little
           reason
           the
           intrinsick
           Strength
           of
           Prelacy
           ,
           or
           Weakness
           of
           Presbytery
           ,
           is
           argued
           from
           the
           duration
           of
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           in
           this
           Kingdom
           .
           Had
           Presbytery
           the
           Strength
           of
           the
           Civil
           Power
           ?
           Or
           was
           it
           ever
           formed
           in
           England
           ?
           Was
           it
           not
           crush'd
           while
           it
           was
           an
           Embryo
           ,
           by
           the
           prevailing
           Potency
           of
           its
           Adversaries
           ?
           Look
           into
           those
           States
           where
           it
           hath
           been
           Established
           ,
           if
           you
           would
           judg
           aright
           concerning
           it
           .
           On
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           hath
           not
           Prelacy
           
           had
           all
           the
           Strength
           of
           Law
           and
           Power
           engaged
           in
           its
           defence
           ,
           by
           the
           Encouragements
           of
           Worldly
           Grandure
           for
           its
           Favourers
           ,
           and
           by
           Severities
           inflicted
           on
           its
           Impugners
           for
           above
           Fourscore
           years
           ?
           In
           which
           space
           of
           time
           ,
           none
           could
           appear
           against
           it
           without
           the
           hazard
           of
           utter
           undoing
           ,
           or
           great
           Suffering
           .
           And
           though
           it
           were
           thus
           born
           up
           ,
           not
           for
           Seven
           years
           ,
           but
           almost
           a
           Century
           ,
           yet
           we
           do
           not
           find
           that
           it
           had
           worn
           out
           the
           Difficulties
           of
           those
           Times
           ,
           which
           were
           not
           so
           Many
           and
           Great
           as
           this
           Author
           reports
           its
           present
           Difficulties
           to
           be
           ,
           in
           its
           return
           after
           a
           proscription
           of
           Twenty
           years
           .
           But
           there
           is
           a
           more
           excellent
           and
           surer
           Way
           ,
           which
           ,
           it
           is
           hoped
           ,
           may
           attain
           to
           a
           happier
           End
           in
           less
           time
           then
           a
           
             Generation
             or
             two
          
           .
           If
           the
           Distemper
           of
           Minds
           were
           healed
           ,
           and
           Unchristian
           Enmities
           laid
           aside
           ,
           then
           Moderation
           being
           sincerely
           begun
           ,
           would
           hold
           on
           ,
           and
           make
           the
           Disagreeing
           Parties
           to
           be
           still
           more
           yeelding
           ,
           and
           mutually
           obliging
           ;
           those
           Provocations
           and
           Prejudices
           would
           then
           cease
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           have
           been
           mutually
           alienated
           ,
           and
           hurried
           into
           such
           Hostilities
           ,
           and
           they
           would
           not
           be
           tempted
           in
           their
           own
           Defence
           (
           as
           they
           think
           )
           to
           strengthen
           themselves
           by
           Evil
           Advantages
           .
        
         
           If
           Episcopacy
           yeeld
           to
           a
           Moderate
           Course
           ,
           why
           should
           any
           prudent
           Dissenters
           go
           about
           to
           molest
           it
           ?
           For
           in
           so
           doing
           they
           would
           but
           perpetuate
           their
           own
           trouble
           and
           unquiet
           state
           ,
           seeing
           that
           diversities
           of
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           occasions
           of
           Discord
           are
           like
           to
           continue
           about
           Forms
           of
           Church-Government
           ,
           until
           Forms
           shall
           be
           no
           more
           .
           On
           the
           other
           side
           ,
           Why
           should
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           dread
           that
           Moderation
           that
           would
           render
           Episcopacy
           more
           generally
           inoffensive
           and
           acceptable
           ,
           and
           put
           some
           end
           to
           the
           hitherto
           uncessant
           struglings
           against
           it
           ?
           Are
           they
           jealous
           that
           the
           Structure
           of
           their
           Government
           may
           be
           weakned
           ,
           and
           at
           length
           dissolved
           ?
           They
           might
           rather
           apprehend
           it
           might
           gain
           Assistance
           and
           Reputation
           from
           many
           that
           
           now
           either
           by
           constraint
           and
           necessity
           ,
           or
           by
           provocation
           and
           prejudice
           are
           made
           its
           Adversaries
           .
           Who
           so
           searcheth
           to
           the
           root
           of
           the
           matter
           ,
           shall
           find
           ,
           That
           not
           so
           much
           the
           Species
           of
           Government
           ,
           nor
           the
           Forms
           that
           are
           used
           as
           weightier
           matters
           ,
           have
           been
           the
           chief
           stumbling-block
           ,
           and
           the
           occasions
           of
           the
           greatest
           disgust
           and
           aversation
           .
           Neither
           the
           Episcopal
           Office
           nor
           Habit
           ,
           doth
           affright
           this
           sort
           of
           People
           from
           hearing
           a
           Bishop
           preach
           to
           their
           Edification
           .
        
         
           The
           right
           and
           sure
           way
           to
           establish
           Episcopacy
           in
           a
           Land
           where
           
             Reformed
             Christianity
          
           is
           established
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           urge
           precise
           Conformity
           in
           Opinions
           and
           Orders
           ,
           and
           doubtful
           things
           of
           meer
           human
           determination
           ;
           but
           to
           encourage
           soundness
           in
           the
           Faith
           ,
           Ability
           and
           Industry
           in
           the
           proper
           Work
           of
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           a
           Conversation
           becoming
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           and
           to
           discourage
           Pluralities
           ,
           Nonresidencies
           ,
           Licentiousness
           and
           Idleness
           in
           all
           sorts
           ,
           who
           serve
           not
           Christ
           ,
           but
           themselves
           ,
           in
           their
           Sacred
           Functions
           ,
           and
           whose
           End
           is
           onely
           to
           live
           in
           Pomp
           ,
           Wealth
           and
           Pleasure
           .
           Will
           the
           Church-Governors
           say
           (
           as
           it
           hath
           been
           answered
           )
           
             they
             are
             bound
             up
             by
             the
             Laws
             ;
             and
             if
             Patrons
             present
             unworthy
             persons
             which
             have
             the
             Qualifications
             the
             Law
             requires
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             must
             not
             reject
             them
             ;
             nor
             can
             they
             turn
             them
             out
             at
             their
             pleasure
             ,
             but
             must
             give
             an
             account
             to
             the
             Laws
             .
          
           To
           this
           I
           reply
           ,
           If
           the
           Admission
           and
           Permission
           of
           unworthy
           Ministers
           ,
           comes
           to
           pass
           not
           by
           the
           Bishops
           Administration
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           defectiveness
           of
           the
           Laws
           ,
           why
           hath
           not
           their
           Zeal
           excited
           them
           in
           the
           space
           of
           so
           many
           years
           ,
           and
           several
           Princes
           Reigns
           ,
           to
           endeavour
           the
           obtaining
           of
           Laws
           effectual
           on
           that
           behalf
           ,
           as
           it
           hath
           to
           procure
           and
           make
           ,
           from
           time
           to
           time
           ,
           stricter
           and
           stricter
           Injunctions
           about
           Conformity
           and
           Ceremonies
           ?
           For
           we
           know
           no
           reason
           why
           as
           full
           and
           vigorous
           Laws
           may
           not
           be
           made
           against
           Ignorant
           ,
           Negligent
           and
           Scandalous
           Ministers
           ,
           
           as
           against
           Nonconformists
           .
           Conscience
           ,
           Honour
           and
           Safety
           ,
           obligeth
           the
           Episcopal
           Clergy
           to
           turn
           the
           edg
           of
           their
           Discipline
           the
           right
           way
           ,
           and
           to
           shew
           its
           energy
           and
           vigor
           ,
           not
           about
           Ceremonies
           ,
           but
           the
           great
           and
           weighty
           matters
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           .
           And
           I
           believe
           that
           many
           worthy
           Ministers
           of
           the
           
             Church
             of
             England
          
           ,
           are
           so
           perswaded
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           in
           the
           former
           Discourse
           I
           cast
           no
           evil
           reflection
           upon
           the
           Latitudinarians
           ,
           or
           any
           moderate
           persons
           ;
           nor
           represented
           them
           
             as
             conforming
             not
             sincerely
             ,
             and
             as
             becomes
             the
             Ministers
             of
             Christ.
          
           They
           may
           sincerely
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           Principles
           ,
           submit
           to
           these
           Impositions
           ,
           and
           yet
           not
           like
           the
           Imposing
           .
           The
           expression
           of
           their
           
             lukewarmness
             in
             Conformity
          
           ,
           signified
           no
           more
           but
           this
           ,
           That
           they
           set
           a
           rate
           upon
           these
           Matters
           according
           to
           the
           value
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           bear
           but
           an
           indifferent
           respect
           to
           things
           that
           at
           the
           best
           are
           but
           indifferent
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           objected
           against
           me
           ,
           That
           
             having
             provided
             a
             place
             of
             rest
             for
             my self
             and
             my
             Party
             ,
             in
             the
             stated
             Order
             ,
             I
             am
             little
             sollicitous
             for
             others
             .
          
           I
           do
           here
           solemnly
           profess
           ,
           That
           I
           am
           chiefly
           sollicitous
           for
           the
           Tranquility
           and
           Rest
           of
           a
           troubled
           Nation
           .
           As
           for
           my
           own
           Concernment
           ,
           my
           Deprivation
           is
           an
           Affliction
           to
           me
           ;
           and
           I
           would
           do
           any
           thing
           that
           were
           not
           sin
           to
           me
           ,
           to
           recover
           the
           liberty
           of
           my
           publike
           Service
           in
           the
           Church
           :
           But
           if
           it
           cannot
           be
           ,
           I
           submit
           to
           His
           good
           pleasure
           ,
           by
           whose
           determinate
           Counsel
           all
           things
           are
           brought
           to
           pass
           ,
           and
           am
           contented
           to
           remain
           a
           Silenced
           Sufferer
           
             for
             Conscience
             towards
             God.
          
           Yea
           ,
           I
           should
           much
           rejoice
           in
           such
           Enlargement
           of
           the
           Publike
           Rule
           ,
           as
           might
           give
           a
           safe
           entrance
           to
           others
           ,
           though
           I
           my self
           by
           some
           invincible
           strictness
           of
           Apprehension
           ,
           should
           remain
           excluded
           ;
           for
           I
           have
           no
           Faction
           to
           uphold
           ,
           and
           by
           others
           Gain
           I
           am
           nothing
           lessened
           .
           And
           in
           my
           opinion
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           no
           dividing
           of
           the
           Nonconsormists
           ,
           or
           weakning
           of
           their
           Interest
           ,
           if
           a
           part
           of
           them
           might
           close
           with
           the
           Approved
           
           Order
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           enlarged
           to
           the
           latitude
           of
           their
           judgments
           ,
           when
           others
           of
           streighter
           judgments
           are
           left
           without
           .
           Indeed
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           a
           Faction
           ,
           they
           might
           lose
           or
           lessen
           themselves
           hereby
           :
           But
           Reformed
           Christianity
           is
           their
           Grand
           Interest
           ,
           and
           their
           main
           Cause
           lyes
           not
           in
           any
           avowed
           difference
           of
           Doctrines
           between
           them
           and
           the
           
             Episcopal
             Protestants
          
           ,
           nor
           in
           any
           Secular
           Advantages
           to
           hold
           to
           themselves
           in
           a
           divided
           state
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           Advancement
           of
           Gods
           Kingdom
           by
           the
           encrease
           of
           true
           Christian
           Faith
           and
           Piety
           .
        
         
           The
           Answerer
           hath
           used
           many
           hard
           speeches
           against
           me
           ,
           and
           charged
           me
           with
           Malice
           in
           divers
           passages
           ,
           which
           I
           answer
           not
           in
           particular
           ,
           because
           the
           innocence
           and
           inoffensiveness
           of
           my
           words
           will
           clear
           it self
           ;
           and
           because
           I
           would
           not
           make
           this
           Discourse
           tedious
           ,
           by
           replying
           to
           things
           impertinent
           to
           the
           main
           scope
           .
           It
           shall
           suffice
           me
           to
           add
           ,
           That
           I
           have
           written
           these
           things
           ,
           as
           knowing
           that
           
             the
             Judg
             standeth
             before
             the
             Dore.
             
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           Contents
           .
        
         
           
             Sect
             1.
             
             OF
             the
             Foundation
             of
             our
             Peace
             already
             laid
             in
             the
             Religion
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             and
             the
             Structure
             thereof
             ,
             to
             be
             perfected
             by
             the
             Vnity
             of
             that
             Profession
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Good
             of
             the
             several
             Parties
             is
             best
             secured
             by
             Common
             Equity
             ,
             and
             the
             Good
             of
             the
             Vniversality
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             What
             may
             be
             esteemed
             a
             good
             Constitution
             of
             the
             State
             Ecclesiastical
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             The
             Comprehensiveness
             of
             the
             Establishment
             ,
             and
             the
             allowance
             of
             a
             just
             Latitude
             of
             Dissents
             ,
             is
             the
             best
             Remedy
             against
             Dissentions
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             Whether
             the
             present
             Dissentions
             are
             but
             so
             many
             Factions
             in
             the
             State.
             
          
           
             6.
             
             Whether
             the
             Nonconformists
             Principles
             tend
             to
             Sects
             and
             Schisms
             .
          
           
             7.
             
             Of
             their
             Principles
             touching
             Obedience
             and
             Government
             .
          
           
             8.
             
             Of
             placing
             them
             in
             the
             same
             rank
             for
             Crime
             and
             Guilt
             ,
             with
             the
             Papists
             .
          
           
             9.
             
             Whether
             their
             Inconformity
             be
             Conscientious
             or
             Wilful
             .
          
           
             10.
             
             Of
             their
             peaceable
             Inclinations
             ,
             and
             readiness
             to
             be
             satisfied
             .
          
           
             11.
             
             The
             propounded
             Latitude
             leaves
             out
             nothing
             necessary
             to
             secure
             the
             Churches
             Peace
             .
          
           
             12.
             
             Of
             acquiescence
             in
             the
             Commands
             of
             Superiors
             ,
             and
             the
             proper
             matter
             of
             their
             Injunctions
             .
          
           
             13.
             
             Of
             the
             alledged
             Reasons
             of
             the
             Ecclesiastical
             Injunctions
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             the
             Reformation
             .
          
           
             14.
             
             The
             alledged
             Reasons
             why
             the
             Ceremonies
             are
             not
             to
             be
             taken
             away
             ,
             Examined
             .
          
           
             15
             ▪
             Of
             the
             diversity
             of
             Opinion
             and
             Practice
             already
             permitted
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
           
             16.
             
             Men
             differently
             perswaded
             in
             the
             present
             Controversies
             ,
             may
             live
             together
             in
             peace
             .
          
           
             17.
             
             Of
             Dissenters
             of
             narrower
             Principles
             and
             of
             Toleration
             .
          
           
             18.
             
             It
             is
             the
             Interest
             of
             the
             Nonconformists
             to
             prefer
             Comprehension
             before
             Toleration
             ,
             where
             Conscience
             doth
             not
             gainsay
             .
          
           
             19.
             
             It
             behoves
             both
             the
             Comprehended
             and
             the
             Tolerated
             to
             prefer
             the
             common
             Interest
             of
             Religion
             ,
             and
             the
             setling
             of
             the
             Nation
             ,
             before
             their
             own
             particular
             Perswasions
             .
          
           
             20.
             
             Episcopacy
             will
             gain
             more
             by
             Moderation
             ,
             then
             by
             Severity
             in
             these
             Differences
             .