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         Walwyn, William, 1600-1681.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A97108 of text R200561 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E319_15). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A97108
         Wing W692A
         Thomason E319_15
         ESTC R200561
         99861278
         99861278
         113409
         
           
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         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 113409)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 52:E319[15])
      
       
         
           
             Tolleration iustified, and persecution condemn'd. In an answer or examination, of the London-ministers letter whereof, many of them are of the synod, and yet framed this letter at Sion-Colledge; to be sent among others, to themselves at the Assembly: in behalf of reformation and church-government, 2 Corinth. II. vers. 14. 15. And no marvail, for Sathan himself is transformed into an angell of light. Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers transform themselves, as though they were ministers of righteousnesse; whose end shall be according to their works.
             Walwyn, William, 1600-1681.
          
           [2], 15, [1] p.
           
             [s.n.],
             London, :
             Printed in the year, 1646.
          
           
             Attributed to William Walwyn by Wing.
             Annotation on Thomason copy: "Jan: 29th 1645"; the second 6 in imprint date crossed out.
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Religious tolerance -- England -- Early works to 1800.
           Church polity -- Early works to 1800.
           Religion and state -- England -- Early works to 1800.
           Great Britain -- Church history -- 17th century -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A97108  R200561  (Thomason E319_15).  civilwar no Tolleration iustified, and persecution condemn'd.:  In an answer or examination, of the London-ministers letter whereof, many of them are of Walwyn, William 1646    8378 196 0 0 0 0 0 234 F  The  rate of 234 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with  100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 
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           THE
           LETTER
           OF
           THE
           LONDON
           MINISTERS
           TO
           THE
           Assembly
           of
           DIVINES
           at
           VVestminster
           ;
           against
           TOLERATION
           ,
           mildly
           examined
           ;
           AND
           The
           mistakes
           thereof
           friendly
           discovered
           ;
           As
           vvell
           for
           the
           sakes
           of
           the
           
             Independent
          
           and
           
             Separation
             ,
          
           as
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           COMMON-WEALTH
           .
        
         
           WHen
           I
           call
           to
           minde
           the
           generall
           oppression
           (
           before
           the
           Parliament
           )
           exercised
           upon
           good
           people
           ,
           conscientious
           in
           the
           practice
           of
           their
           religion
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           Presbyters
           did
           not
           onely
           suffer
           as
           much
           as
           any
           therein
           ,
           but
           exclaim'd
           ,
           and
           labour'd
           as
           much
           as
           any
           there-against
           :
           It
           is
           a
           wonder
           to
           me
           ,
           that
           now
           that
           yoke
           is
           removed
           ,
           and
           a
           blest
           opportnnity
           offered
           by
           Almighty
           God
           ,
           to
           the
           people
           and
           their
           Parliament
           ,
           to
           make
           every
           honest
           heart
           glad
           ,
           by
           allowing
           a
           just
           and
           contentfull
           Freedome
           ,
           to
           serve
           God
           without
           hypocrisie
           ;
           and
           according
           to
           the
           perswasion
           of
           conscience
           :
           That
           one
           Sect
           amongst
           us
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           Presbyters
           ,
           that
           have
           been
           yoke-fellowes
           with
           us
           ;
           should
           not
           rest
           satisfied
           with
           being
           free
           as
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           but
           become
           restlesse
           in
           their
           contrivances
           and
           endeavours
           ,
           till
           they
           become
           Lords
           over
           us
           .
           The
           wonder
           is
           the
           same
           ,
           as
           it
           would
           have
           
           been
           ,
           had
           the
           Israelites
           ,
           after
           the
           
             Aegyptian
          
           bondage
           ,
           become
           Task-masters
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           Canaan
           one
           to
           another
           ,
           but
           that
           is
           more
           in
           them
           who
           have
           been
           instructed
           by
           our
           Saviour
           in
           that
           blessed
           rule
           ;
           of
           doing
           unto
           others
           ,
           what
           they
           would
           have
           others
           doe
           unto
           themselves
           .
        
         
           To
           discover
           the
           severall
           policies
           the
           Presbiters
           have
           used
           to
           get
           into
           the
           chayre
           they
           have
           justled
           the
           Bishops
           out
           of
           ,
           whose
           example
           they
           have
           followed
           in
           many
           particulars
           ;
           as
           especially
           in
           the
           politick
           and
           graduall
           obtaining
           the
           Ordinance
           for
           Licencing
           ,
           upon
           a
           pretence
           of
           stopping
           the
           Kings
           writings
           ,
           but
           intentionably
           obtained
           ,
           and
           violently
           made
           use
           of
           against
           the
           Independents
           ,
           Separation
           ,
           and
           Common-wealths-men
           ,
           who
           either
           sees
           more
           ,
           or
           something
           contrary
           to
           the
           designes
           of
           the
           Licencer
           .
           To
           signifie
           to
           the
           People
           ,
           how
           the
           Presbiters
           have
           laboured
           to
           twist
           their
           interest
           with
           the
           Parliaments
           ,
           as
           the
           Bishops
           did
           theirs
           with
           the
           King
           ,
           how
           daily
           and
           burdensomly
           importunate
           they
           are
           with
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           to
           establish
           their
           Government
           ,
           (
           which
           they
           are
           pleased
           to
           call
           Christs
           )
           and
           back
           it
           with
           authority
           ,
           and
           a
           compulsive
           power
           ,
           (
           which
           by
           that
           very
           perticular
           appeares
           not
           to
           be
           his
           )
           To
           lay
           open
           their
           private
           juncto's
           and
           councels
           ,
           their
           framing
           Petitions
           for
           the
           easie
           and
           ignorant
           people
           ,
           their
           urging
           them
           upon
           the
           Common
           Councell
           ,
           and
           obtruding
           them
           upou
           the
           chusers
           of
           Common
           Councell
           men
           ,
           at
           the
           Wardmote
           Elections
           ,
           even
           after
           the
           Parliament
           had
           signified
           their
           dislike
           thereof
           ;
           to
           sum
           up
           their
           bitter
           invectives
           in
           Pulpits
           ,
           and
           strange
           liberty
           they
           take
           as
           well
           there
           ,
           as
           in
           their
           writings
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           separation
           and
           Independents
           odious
           by
           scandals
           and
           untrue
           reports
           of
           them
           ,
           in
           confidence
           of
           having
           the
           presse
           in
           their
           own
           hands
           ,
           by
           which
           meanes
           ,
           no
           man
           without
           hazard
           shall
           answer
           them
           ,
           to
           lay
           open
           the
           manner
           and
           depth
           of
           these
           proceedings
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           intention
           of
           this
           worke
           ;
           I
           only
           thought
           good
           to
           mention
           these
           particulars
           ,
           that
           the
           Presbiters
           may
           see
           they
           walke
           in
           a
           net
           ,
           no
           't
           is
           no
           cloud
           that
           covers
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           may
           fear
           that
           in
           time
           they
           may
           be
           discern'd
           as
           well
           by
           the
           whole
           People
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           already
           by
           a
           very
           great
           part
           thereof
           .
        
         
           The
           London
           Ministers
           Letter
           ,
           contriu'd
           in
           the
           conclave
           of
           Sion
           Colledge
           ,
           is
           one
           of
           the
           numerous
           projects
           of
           the
           Clergy
           :
           not
           made
           for
           the
           information
           of
           the
           Sinod
           ,
           but
           the
           misinformation
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           to
           prevent
           which
           is
           my
           businesse
           at
           this
           time
           ;
           I
           will
           only
           take
           so
           much
           of
           it
           as
           is
           to
           the
           point
           in
           hand
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           Tolleration
           .
        
         
           
             Letter
             ,
          
           
             
               It
               is
               true
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               different
               lights
               ,
               and
               different
               ▪
               sights
               among
               Brethren
               ,
               there
               may
               be
               dissenting
               in
               ,
               opinion
               ,
               yet
               why
               should
               there
               be
               any
               seperating
               from
               Church
               Communion
               .
            
          
           
             
               Why
               ?
               because
               the
               differences
               in
               opinion
               is
               in
               matters
               that
               concerne
               
               Church
               Communion
               :
               you
               may
               as
               well
               put
               the
               question
               ,
               why
               men
               play
               not
               the
               Hypocrites
               ?
               as
               they
               must
               needs
               do
               if
               they
               should
               communicate
               in
               that
               Church
               Society
               ,
               their
               minde
               cannot
               approve
               of
               .
               The
               question
               had
               been
               well
               put
               ,
               if
               you
               had
               said
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               different
               lights
               ,
               and
               different
               sights
               ,
               there
               may
               be
               dissenting
               in
               opinion
               ,
               yet
               why
               should
               our
               hearts
               be
               divided
               one
               from
               another
               ?
               why
               should
               our
               love
               from
               hence
               ,
               and
               our
               affections
               grow
               cold
               and
               dead
               one
               towards
               another
               ?
               why
               should
               we
               not
               peaceably
               ,
               beare
               one
               with
               another
               ,
               till
               our
               sights
               grow
               better
               ,
               and
               our
               light
               increase
               ?
               These
               would
               have
               been
               questions
               I
               thinke
               ,
               that
               would
               have
               pusled
               a
               truly
               conscientious
               man
               to
               have
               found
               an
               answer
               for
               .
            
             
               That
               which
               next
               followes
               ,
               to
               wit
               ,
               the
               Churches
               coat
               may
               be
               of
               divers
               colours
               ,
               yet
               why
               should
               there
               be
               any
               rent
               in
               it
               :
               is
               but
               an
               old
               jing
               of
               the
               Bishops
               ,
               spoken
               by
               them
               formerly
               in
               reference
               to
               the
               Presbiters
               ;
               and
               now
               mentioned
               ,
               to
               make
               that
               which
               went
               before
               ,
               which
               has
               no
               weight
               in
               it selfe
               ,
               to
               sound
               the
               better
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Letter
             .
          
           
             
               Have
               we
               not
               a
               Touchstone
               of
               truth
               ,
               the
               good
               word
               of
               God
               ,
               and
               when
               all
               things
               are
               examined
               by
               the
               word
               ,
               then
               that
               which
               is
               best
               may
               be
               held
               fast
               ;
               but
               first
               they
               must
               be
               knowne
               ,
               and
               then
               examined
               afterward
               .
            
          
           
             
               I
               shall
               easily
               concur
               with
               them
               thus
               farr
               ,
               that
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               is
               the
               Touchstone
               ,
               that
               all
               opinions
               are
               to
               be
               examined
               by
               that
               ,
               and
               that
               the
               best
               is
               to
               be
               held
               fast
               .
               But
               now
               who
               shall
               be
               the
               examiners
               ,
               must
               needs
               be
               the
               question
               ;
               If
               the
               Presbiter
               examine
               the
               Independant
               and
               seperation
               ,
               they
               are
               like
               to
               find
               the
               same
               censure
               the
               Presbiters
               have
               already
               found
               ,
               being
               examined
               by
               the
               Bishops
               ,
               and
               the
               Bishops
               found
               from
               the
               Pope
               :
               Adversaries
               certainly
               are
               not
               competent
               Judges
               ;
               aga
               ine
               ,
               in
               matters
               disputable
               and
               controverted
               ,
               every
               man
               must
               examine
               for
               himselfe
               ,
               and
               so
               every
               man
               does
               ,
               or
               else
               he
               must
               be
               conscious
               to
               himselfe
               ,
               that
               he
               sees
               with
               other
               mens
               eyes
               ,
               and
               has
               taken
               up
               an
               opinion
               ,
               not
               because
               it
               consents
               with
               his
               understanding
               ,
               but
               for
               that
               it
               is
               the
               safest
               and
               least
               troublesome
               as
               the
               world
               goes
               ,
               or
               because
               such
               a
               man
               is
               of
               that
               opinion
               whom
               he
               reverences
               ,
               and
               veri●y
               believes
               would
               not
               have
               been
               so
               ,
               had
               it
               not
               been
               truth
               .
               I
               may
               be
               helpt
               in
               my
               examination
               ,
               by
               other
               men
               ,
               but
               no
               man
               o●
               sort
               of
               men
               ▪
               are
               to
               examine
               for
               me
               ,
               insomuch
               that
               before
               an
               opinion
               can
               properly
               be
               said
               to
               be
               mine
               ,
               it
               must
               concord
               with
               my
               understanding
               .
               Now
               here
               is
               the
               fallacy
               ,
               and
               you
               shall
               find
               it
               in
               all
               Papists
               ,
               Bishops
               ,
               Presbiters
               ,
               or
               whatsoever
               other
               sort
               of
               men
               ,
               have
               or
               would
               have
               in
               their
               hands
               the
               power
               of
               persecuting
               ,
               that
               they
               alwayes
               suppose
               themselves
               to
               be
               competent
               examiners
               and
               Judges
               of
               other
               men
               differing
               in
               judgement
               from
               them
               ,
               a●d
               upon
               this
               weake
               supposition
               (
               by
               no
               meanes
               to
               be
               allowed
               )
               most
               of
               the
               reasons
               and
               arguments
               of
               the
               men
               forementioned
               ,
               are
               supported
               .
            
             
             
               They
               proceed
               to
               charge
               much
               upon
               the
               
                 Indepe●dents
                 ,
              
               for
               not
               producing
               their
               modell
               of
               Church-government
               ;
               for
               answer
               hereunto
               ,
               I
               refer
               the
               Reader
               to
               the
               Reasons
               printed
               by
               the
               
                 Independents
                 ,
              
               and
               given
               into
               the
               House
               in
               their
               own
               justification
               ,
               which
               the
               Ministers
               might
               have
               taken
               notice
               of
               .
            
             
               I
               proceed
               to
               the
               supposed
               Reasons
               urged
               by
               the
               Ministers
               ,
               against
               the
               Tolleration
               of
               
                 Independency
              
               in
               the
               Church
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Letter
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             
               Is
               ,
               because
               the
               Desires
               and
               endeavours
               of
               Independents
               for
               a
               Toleration
               ,
               are
               at
               this
               time
               extreamly
               unseasonable
               ,
               and
               pre
               :
               properous
               For
               ,
            
             
             1.
             
             
               The
               reformation
               of
               Religion
               is
               not
               yet
               perfected
               and
               setled
               amongst
               us
               ,
               according
               to
               our
               Covenant
               .
               And
               why
               may
               not
               the
               Reformation
               be
               raised
               up
               at
               last
               to
               such
               purity
               and
               perfection
               ,
               that
               truly
               tender
               consciences
               may
               receive
               abundant
               satisfaction
               for
               ought
               that
               yet
               appeares
               .
            
          
           
             
               I
               would
               to
               God
               the
               people
               ,
               their
               own
               friends
               especially
               ,
               would
               but
               take
               notice
               of
               the
               fallacy
               of
               the
               Reason
               :
               They
               would
               have
               reformation
               perfected
               according
               to
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               before
               the
               Independents
               move
               to
               be
               tollerated
               :
               now
               Reformation
               is
               not
               perfected
               according
               to
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               till
               Schisme
               and
               Heresie
               is
               extirpated
               ;
               which
               in
               the
               sequel
               of
               this
               Letter
               ,
               they
               judge
               Independency
               tobe
               ,
               that
               their
               charity
               thinks
               it
               then
               most
               seasonable
               ,
               to
               move
               that
               Independency
               should
               be
               tolerated
               after
               it
               is
               extirpated
               :
               their
               reason
               and
               affection
               in
               this
               ,
               are
               alike
               sound
               to
               the
               Independants
               .
               Their
               drift
               in
               this
               ,
               indeede
               is
               but
               too
               evident
               ,
               they
               would
               have
               the
               Independents
               silent
               ,
               till
               they
               get
               power
               in
               their
               hands
               ,
               and
               then
               let
               them
               talke
               if
               they
               dare
               ,
               certainly
               ,
               the
               most
               seasonable
               time
               to
               move
               for
               tolleration
               is
               while
               the
               Parliament
               are
               in
               debate
               about
               Church
               Government
               ;
               since
               if
               stay
               bee
               made
               till
               a
               Church
               Government
               bee
               setled
               ,
               all
               motions
               that
               may
               but
               seeme
               to
               derogate
               from
               that
               ,
               how
               just
               soever
               in
               themselves
               ,
               how
               good
               soever
               for
               the
               Common-wealth
               ,
               must
               needs
               be
               hardly
               obtained
               .
            
             
               And
               whereas
               they
               say
               ,
               
                 Why
                 may
                 not
                 Reformation
                 be
                 raised
                 up
                 at
                 last
                 to
                 such
                 prity
                 and
                 perfection
                 ,
                 that
                 truly
                 tender
                 consciences
                 may
                 receive
                 abundant
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 for
                 ought
                 that
                 yet
                 appeares
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Observe
                 ,
              
               1.
               
               That
               these
               very
               Ministers
               ,
               in
               the
               sequel
               of
               their
               Letter
               ,
               impute
               it
               as
               Levity
               in
               the
               Independents
               ,
               that
               they
               are
               not
               at
               a
               stay
               ,
               but
               in
               expectation
               of
               new
               lights
               and
               reserves
               ,
               as
               they
               say
               ,
               so
               that
               a
               man
               would
               thinkf
               they
               themselves
               were
               at
               a
               certainty
               :
               But
               t
               is
               no
               new
               thing
               for
               one
               sort
               of
               men
               to
               object
               that
               as
               a
               crime
               against
               others
               ,
               which
               they
               are
               guilty
               o
               themselves
               :
               though
               indeed
               but
               that
               the
               Presbiters
               use
               any
               weapons
               against
               the
               Independant's
               ,
               t
               is
               no
               crime
               at
               all
               ,
               yea
               't
               is
               excellency
               in
               any
               man
               or
               woman
               ,
               not
               to
               be
               pertinacio●s
               ,
               or
               obstinate
               in
               any
               opinion
               ,
               but
               to
               have
               an
               open
               eare
               for
               reason
               and
               argument
               ,
               against
               whatsoever
               he
               holds
               ,
               and
               to
               imbrace
               or
               reject
               ,
               whatsoever
               upon
               further
               search
               he
               finds
               to
               be
               agreeable
               
               to
               ,
               or
               dissonant
               from
               Gods
               holy
               Word
               .
               It
               doth
               appeare
               from
               the
               practises
               of
               the
               Presbiters
               ,
               and
               from
               this
               Letter
               and
               other
               Petitions
               expresly
               against
               Toleration
               ,
               that
               unlesse
               the
               Independants
               and
               seperation
               will
               submit
               their
               Judgements
               to
               theirs
               ,
               they
               shall
               never
               be
               tollerated
               ,
               if
               they
               can
               hinder
               it
               .
            
             
               Their
               2.
               
               Reason
               is
               that
               it
               
                 is
                 not
                 yet
                 knowne
                 what
                 the
                 Government
                 of
                 the
                 Independent
                 is
                 ,
                 neither
                 would
                 they
                 ever
                 let
                 the
                 world
                 know
                 what
                 they
                 hold
                 in
                 that
                 point
                 ,
                 ●hough
                 some
                 of
                 their
                 party
                 have
                 bin
                 too
                 forward
                 to
                 challenge
                 the
                 London
                 Petitioners
                 as
                 led
                 with
                 blind
                 obedience
                 ,
                 and
                 pinning
                 their
                 soules
                 upon
                 their
                 Preists
                 sleeve
                 ,
                 for
                 desiring
                 an
                 establishment
                 of
                 the
                 Government
                 of
                 Christ
                 ,
                 before
                 there
                 was
                 any
                 modell
                 of
                 it
                 extant
                 .
              
               Their
               3d.
               Reason
               ,
               is
               
                 much
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 purpose
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               answer
               ,
               1.
               
               That
               the
               Ministers
               know
               that
               the
               Independent
               Government
               for
               the
               Generall
               is
               resolved
               upon
               by
               the
               Independents
               ,
               though
               they
               have
               not
               yet
               modelized
               every
               perticular
               ,
               which
               is
               a
               worke
               of
               time
               ,
               as
               the
               framing
               of
               the
               Pres●●terian
               Government
               was
               .
               The
               Independents
               however
               have
               divers
               reasons
               for
               dissenting
               from
               the
               Presbyterian
               way
               ,
               which
               they
               have
               given
               in
               already
               .
               And
               though
               they
               have
               not
               concluded
               every
               perticular
               of
               their
               owne
               ,
               but
               are
               still
               upon
               the
               search
               ,
               and
               enquiry
               ;
               yet
               it
               is
               seasonable
               however
               to
               move
               for
               toleration
               ,
               for
               that
               the
               ground
               of
               moving
               is
               not
               because
               they
               are
               Independents
               ,
               but
               because
               ▪
               every
               man
               ought
               to
               be
               free
               in
               the
               worship
               and
               service
               of
               God
               ,
               compulsion
               being
               the
               way
               to
               increase
               ,
               not
               the
               number
               of
               Converts
               ,
               but
               of
               Hypocrites
               ;
               whereas
               it
               is
               another
               case
               for
               People
               to
               move
               for
               establishing
               of
               a
               Government
               they
               understand
               not
               ,
               having
               never
               seene
               it
               ,
               as
               the
               London
               Petitioners
               did
               ,
               that
               is
               most
               evidently
               a
               giving
               up
               of
               the
               understanding
               to
               other
               men
               ,
               sure
               the
               Presbiters
               themselves
               cannot
               thinke
               it
               otherwise
               ,
               nor
               yet
               the
               People
               upon
               the
               least
               consideration
               of
               it
               .
               Besides
               ,
               the
               London
               Petitioners
               did
               not
               only
               desire
               ,
               as
               here
               the
               Ministers
               cunningly
               say
               ,
               an
               establishment
               of
               the
               Government
               of
               Christ
               ,
               but
               an
               establishment
               of
               the
               Government
               of
               Christ
               (
               a
               modell
               whereof
               the
               reverend
               Assembly
               of
               Divines
               have
               fram'd
               ,
               which
               they
               never
               saw
               )
               so
               that
               herein
               ,
               the
               People
               were
               abused
               by
               the
               Divines
               ,
               by
               being
               put
               upon
               a
               Petition
               ,
               wherein
               they
               suppose
               that
               Government
               which
               they
               never
               saw
               ,
               to
               be
               Christs
               Government
               .
               If
               this
               be
               not
               sufficient
               to
               discover
               to
               our
               Presbyterian
               Lay-Brethren
               ,
               the
               Divines
               confidence
               of
               their
               abilitity
               to
               worke
               them
               by
               the
               smoothnesse
               of
               phrase
               and
               Language
               to
               what
               they
               please
               ,
               and
               of
               their
               own
               easinesse
               ,
               and
               flexibility
               to
               be
               so
               led
               ,
               I
               know
               not
               what
               is
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               The
               Ministers
               urge
               
                 that
                 the
                 desires
                 and
                 endeavours
                 of
                 the
                 Independ●nts
                 for
                 Toleration
                 ,
                 are
                 unreasonable
                 ,
                 and
                 unequall
                 in
                 divers
                 regards
                 .
              
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 Partly
                 because
                 no
                 such
                 toleration
                 hath
                 heitherto
                 been
                 establisht
                 (
                 sofar
                 as
                 we
                 know
                 )
                 in
                 any
                 Christian
                 State
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Civill
                 Magistrate
                 .
              
            
             
             
               But
               that
               the
               Ministers
               have
               been
               used
               to
               speake
               what
               they
               please
               for
               ●
               Reason
               in
               their
               Pulpits
               without
               contradiction
               ,
               they
               would
               never
               sure
               have
               let
               so
               slight
               a
               one
               as
               this
               have
               past
               from
               them
               :
               It
               seems
               by
               this
               reason
               ,
               that
               if
               in
               any
               Christian
               State
               a
               Toleration
               by
               the
               Magistrate
               had
               been
               allowed
               ,
               it
               would
               not
               have
               been
               unreasonable
               for
               our
               State
               to
               allow
               it
               :
               The
               practice
               of
               States
               ,
               being
               here
               supposed
               to
               be
               the
               rule
               of
               what
               's
               reasonable
               ;
               whereas
               I
               had
               thought
               ,
               that
               the
               practice
               of
               Christian
               States
               is
               to
               be
               judg'd
               by
               the
               rule
               of
               reason
               and
               Gods
               Word
               ,
               and
               not
               reason
               by
               them
               :
               That
               which
               is
               just
               and
               reasonable
               ,
               is
               constant
               and
               perpetually
               so
               ;
               the
               practice
               of
               States
               though
               Christian
               ,
               is
               variable
               we
               see
               ;
               different
               one
               from
               another
               ,
               and
               changing
               according
               to
               the
               prevalency
               of
               particular
               partees
               ,
               and
               therefore
               a
               most
               uncertain
               rule
               of
               what
               is
               reasonable
               .
            
             
               Besides
               ,
               the
               State
               of
               Holland
               doth
               tollerate
               ;
               and
               therefore
               the
               Ministers
               Argument
               ,
               even
               in
               that
               part
               where
               it
               seems
               to
               be
               most
               strong
               for
               them
               ,
               makes
               against
               them
               .
            
             
               Again
               ,
               if
               the
               practice
               of
               a
               Christian
               state
               ,
               be
               a
               sufficien●
               Argument
               of
               the
               reasonablenesse
               of
               a
               Tolleration
               ,
               our
               State
               may
               justly
               tollerate
               because
               Christian
               ,
               and
               because
               they
               are
               free
               to
               do
               what
               ever
               any
               other
               State
               might
               formerly
               have
               done
               .
               But
               I
               stay
               too
               long
               upon
               so
               weak
               an
               Argument
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Partly
               ,
               Because
               
                 some
                 of
                 them
                 have
                 solemnly
                 profest
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 cannot
                 suffer
                 Presbitary
                 ,
                 and
                 answerable
                 hereunto
                 is
                 their
                 practice
                 ,
                 in
                 those
                 places
                 where
                 Independency
                 prevailes
                 .
              
            
             
               'T
               is
               unreasonable
               it
               seems
               to
               tollerate
               Independents
               ,
               because
               Independents
               would
               not
               if
               they
               had
               the
               power
               ,
               suffer
               Presbyters
               .
               A
               very
               Christianly
               argument
               ,
               and
               taken
               out
               of
               the
               5.
               of
               
                 Matthew
              
               44.
               
               
                 Love
                 your
                 Enemies
                 ,
                 blesse
                 them
                 that
                 curse
                 you
                 ,
                 do
                 good
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 hate
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 pray
                 for
                 them
                 which
                 hurte
                 you
                 ,
                 and
                 persecute
                 you
                 :
              
               What
               ,
               were
               all
               our
               London
               Ministers
               forgetfull
               of
               t●eir
               Saviours
               instructions
               ?
               Does
               their
               fury
               so
               farre
               blinde
               their
               understanding
               ,
               and
               exceed
               their
               piety
               ?
               Which
               seems
               to
               be
               but
               pretended
               now
               ,
               since
               in
               their
               practice
               they
               would
               become
               Jews
               ,
               and
               cry
               out
               
                 an
                 eye
                 for
                 an
                 eye
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 tooth
                 for
                 a
                 tooth
                 .
              
               Whosoever
               meddles
               with
               them
               it
               seems
               ,
               shall
               have
               as
               good
               as
               they
               bting
               :
               Was
               ever
               so
               strange
               a
               reason
               urg'd
               by
               a
               Sect
               of
               men
               ,
               that
               say
               they
               are
               Ministers
               ,
               Christs
               Ministers
               ,
               Reformers
               too
               ,
               that
               would
               make
               the
               world
               believe
               they
               are
               about
               to
               reduce
               all
               matters
               Christian
               ,
               to
               the
               originall
               and
               primitive
               excellency
               of
               Christ
               and
               the
               Apostles
               ,
               and
               yet
               to
               speak
               and
               publish
               to
               the
               world
               a
               spleenish
               reason
               ,
               so
               expressely
               contrary
               to
               the
               precepts
               ,
               to
               the
               practice
               of
               Christ
               and
               his
               followers
               .
               To
               Christ
               I
               say
               ,
               that
               bids
               us
               love
               our
               enemies
               ,
               that
               we
               may
               be
               the
               children
               of
               our
               Father
               which
               is
               in
               heaven
               ,
               who
               makes
               the
               Sun
               to
               shine
               on
               the
               evill
               and
               the
               good
               ,
               and
               sendeth
               rain
               on
               the
               just
               and
               on
               the
               unjust
               .
               The
               Ministers
               should
               be
               like
               the
               Master
               ,
               what
               a
               dispro●ortion
               is
               here
               ?
               As
               if
               the
               title
               were
               taken
               
               up
               for
               some
               other
               end
               ;
               we
               know
               the
               Apostle
               speaks
               of
               Ministers
               that
               could
               transform
               themselves
               ●s
               though
               they
               were
               the
               Ministers
               of
               Righteousnesse
               ;
               I
               pray
               God
               our
               Ministers
               do
               not
               so
               ,
               I
               would
               willingly
               suppresse
               those
               fears
               and
               suspitions
               ;
               which
               ,
               doe
               what
               I
               can
               arise
               in
               me
               ,
               from
               their
               words
               and
               practice
               .
               Sure
               they
               had
               approved
               themselves
               better
               christia●s
               ,
               if
               upon
               the
               discovery
               of
               so
               bad
               a
               spirit
               in
               any
               of
               the
               Independents
               ;
               as
               to
               persecute
               ,
               had
               they
               power
               (
               though
               I
               beleive
               ,
               there
               are
               not
               any
               such
               )
               I
               say
               ,
               it
               had
               been
               more
               Christ-like
               in
               our
               Ministers
               ,
               to
               have
               disswaded
               them
               from
               s●unmanly
               ,
               so
               much
               more
               unchristianly
               a
               vice
               ,
               then
               to
               have
               it
               made
               an
               argument
               for
               practice
               in
               themselves
               .
               They
               might
               by
               the
               same
               rule
               ,
               be
               Jewes
               to
               the
               Jew
               ,
               or
               Turke
               to
               the
               Turke
               ,
               Oppressours
               to
               the
               Oppressour
               ;
               or
               doe
               any
               evill
               to
               others
               ,
               that
               others
               would
               doe
               to
               them
               :
               if
               other
               mens
               doing
               of
               i●
               ,
               be
               an
               argument
               of
               the
               reasonablenesse
               thereof
               .
               But
               I
               hope
               ,
               our
               Ministers
               will
               be
               so
               ingenious
               ,
               as
               when
               they
               see
               their
               weaknesses
               forsake
               them
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               both
               more
               comfortable
               to
               all
               other
               sorts
               of
               men
               ,
               and
               in
               the
               end
               more
               happy
               for
               themselves
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Again
               ,
               I
               suppose
               your
               suggestion
               to
               be
               very
               false
               ;
               namely
               ,
               that
               the
               Independents
               if
               they
               had
               power
               ,
               would
               persecute
               the
               Presbyters
               :
               though
               let
               me
               tell
               you
               of
               all
               s●cts
               of
               men
               ,
               those
               deserve
               least
               countenance
               of
               a
               State
               that
               would
               be
               Persecutors
               ,
               not
               because
               of
               their
               consciences
               in
               the
               practice
               and
               exercise
               of
               their
               Religion
               ,
               wherein
               the
               ground
               of
               Freedome
               consists
               ;
               but
               because
               a
               persecuting
               spirit
               is
               the
               greatest
               enemy
               to
               humane
               society
               ,
               the
               dissolver
               of
               love
               and
               brotherly
               affection
               ,
               the
               cause
               of
               envyings
               ,
               heart-burnings
               ,
               divisions
               ,
               yea
               ,
               and
               of
               warres
               it selfe
               .
               Whosoever
               shall
               cast
               an
               impartiall
               eye
               upon
               times
               past
               ,
               and
               examine
               the
               true
               cause
               and
               reason
               of
               the
               subversion
               ,
               and
               devastation
               of
               States
               and
               countries
               ,
               will
               I
               am
               confident
               ;
               attribute
               it
               to
               no
               other
               ,
               then
               the
               Tyranny
               of
               Princes
               ,
               and
               Persecution
               of
               Priests
               .
               So
               that
               all
               States
               ,
               minding
               their
               true
               interests
               ,
               namely
               the
               good
               and
               welfare
               of
               the
               people
               ,
               ought
               by
               all
               meanes
               to
               suppresse
               in
               every
               sect
               or
               degree
               of
               men
               ,
               whether
               Papists
               ,
               Episcopalls
               ,
               Presbyters
               ,
               Independents
               ,
               Anabaptists
               ,
               &c.
               the
               spirit
               of
               Domination
               ,
               and
               Persecution
               ,
               the
               disquieter
               and
               disturber
               of
               mankind
               ▪
               the
               offspring
               of
               Satan
               .
               God
               being
               all
               Love
               ,
               and
               having
               so
               communicated
               himselfe
               unto
               us
               ,
               and
               gave
               us
               commands
               to
               be
               like
               him
               ,
               mercifull
               ,
               as
               he
               our
               heavenly
               Father
               is
               mercifull
               ;
               to
               bear
               with
               one
               anothers
               infirmities
               :
               neither
               does
               reason
               and
               true
               wisdome
               dictate
               any
               other
               to
               us
               ,
               then
               that
               we
               should
               do
               unto
               others
               ,
               as
               we
               would
               be
               done
               unto
               our selves
               ;
               that
               spirit
               therefore
               which
               is
               contrary
               to
               God
               ,
               to
               reason
               ,
               to
               the
               well-being
               of
               States
               ,
               as
               the
               spirit
               of
               Persecution
               evidently
               is
               ;
               is
               most
               especially
               to
               be
               watcht
               ,
               and
               warily
               to
               be
               circumscribed
               ,
               and
               tied
               up
               by
               the
               wisdome
               of
               the
               supream
               power
               in
               Common-wealths
               .
               I
               speak
               not
               this
               to
               the
               disgrace
               of
               Presbyters
               ,
               as
               Presbyters
               ;
               for
               as
               such
               ,
               Isuppose
               they
               are
               not
               Persecutors
               :
               forasmuch
               as
               I
               know
               ,
               some
               ,
               and
               I
               hope
               there
               are
               many
               more
               of
               them
               ,
               that
               are
               zealous
               and
               conscientious
               for
               that
               form
               of
               Government
               ,
               and
               vet
               enemies
               to
               a
               compulsive
               power
               in
               matters
               of
               Religion
               .
               But
               for
               this
               end
               only
               ,
               namely
               to
               beget
               a
               just
               and
               christian
               dislike
               in
               all
               sorts
               of
               men
               ,
               as
               well
               Presbyters
               ,
               as
               others
               ;
               of
               forc●ng
               all
               to
               one
               way
               of
               worship
               ,
               though
               disagreeable
               to
               their
               minds
               :
               which
               cannot
               be
               done
               ,
               without
               the
               assistance
               of
               this
               fury
               and
               〈…〉
            
             
             
             
             
               3.
               
               
                 And
                 partly
                 to
                 grant
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 to
                 other
                 ▪
                 Sectaries
                 who
                 are
                 free
                 ▪
                 born
                 ●s
                 well
                 as
                 they
                 ,
                 and
                 have
                 done
                 as
                 good
                 service
                 as
                 they
                 to
                 the
                 publick
                 (
                 as
                 they
                 use
                 to
                 plead
                 )
                 ▪
                 will
                 be
                 count●d
                 injustice
                 ,
                 and
                 great
                 partiality
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 grant
                 it
                 to
                 all
                 ,
                 will
                 scarce
                 be
                 cleared
                 from
                 impiety
                 .
              
            
             
               To
               the
               former
               part
               of
               this
               argument
               I
               gladly
               consent
               ,
               that
               Sectaries
               have
               as
               good
               claimes
               to
               Freedome
               ▪
               as
               any
               sorts
               of
               men
               whatsoever
               ;
               because
               free-born
               ,
               because
               well-affected
               ,
               and
               very
               assistant
               to
               their
               country
               in
               its
               necessities
               .
               The
               latter
               part
               of
               the
               argument
               is
               only
               an
               affirmation
               ,
               without
               proof
               ;
               the
               Ministers
               think
               sure
               it
               will
               be
               taken
               for
               truth
               because
               they
               said
               it
               ,
               for
               such
               a
               presumption
               it
               seems
               they
               are
               arrived
               to
               .
               In
               the
               mean
               time
               what
               must
               they
               suppose
               the
               people
               to
               be
               ,
               that
               do
               imagine
               their
               bare
               affirmations
               ground
               for
               the
               peoples
               belief
               ▪
               I
               would
               the
               people
               would
               learn
               from
               hence
               to
               be
               their
               own
               men
               ,
               and
               make
               use
               of
               their
               own
               understandings
               in
               the
               search
               and
               beleif
               of
               things
               ;
               let
               their
               Ministers
               be
               never
               so
               seemingly
               learned
               or
               judicious
               ,
               God
               hath
               not
               given
               them
               understandings
               for
               nothing
               ;
               the
               submission
               of
               the
               mind
               is
               th
               most
               ignoble
               slavery
               ;
               which
               being
               in
               our
               own
               powers
               to
               keep
               free
               ,
               the
               Subjection
               thereof
               argues
               in
               us
               the
               greater
               basenesse
               ▪
               but
               to
               the
               Assertion
               ,
               that
               it
               will
               be
               impiety
               to
               grant
               it
               to
               all
               Sectaries
               .
            
             
               I
               answer
               ,
               First
               ,
               that
               the
               word
               Sectary
               is
               communicable
               both
               to
               Presbyters
               and
               Independents
               ,
               whether
               it
               be
               taken
               in
               the
               good
               sense
               for
               the
               followers
               ▪
               of
               Christ
               ;
               for
               such
               ,
               all
               Presbyters
               ,
               Independents
               ,
               Brownists
               ,
               Anabaptists
               ,
               and
               all
               else
               ,
               suppose
               and
               professe
               themsel●es
               to
               be
               :
               or
               in
               the
               common
               sense
               ,
               for
               followers
               of
               some
               fewmen
               more
               eminent
               in
               their
               parts
               and
               abilities
               then
               other
               .
               And
               hereof
               the
               Independents
               and
               Presbyters
               are
               as
               guilty
               as
               the
               Separation
               ,
               and
               so
               are
               as
               well
               Sectaries
               .
               Now
               all
               Sectaries
               ,
               whether
               Presbyters
               ,
               Independents
               ,
               Brownists
               ,
               Antinomians
               ,
               Anabaptists
               ,
               &c.
               have
               a
               like
               title
               and
               right
               to
               Freedome
               ,
               or
               a
               Toleration
               ;
               the
               title
               thereof
               being
               not
               any
               particular
               of
               the
               Opinion
               but
               the
               Equity
               of
               every
               mans
               being
               Free
               in
               the
               State
               he
               lives
               in
               ,
               and
               is
               obedient
               to
               ,
               matters
               of
               opinion
               being
               not
               properly
               to
               be
               taken
               into
               cognisance
               any
               farther
               ,
               then
               they
               break
               out
               into
               some
               disturbance
               ,
               or
               disquiet
               to
               the
               State
               ▪
               But
               you
               will
               say
               ,
               that
               by
               such
               a
               toleration
               ,
               blasphemy
               will
               be
               broached
               ,
               and
               such
               strange
               and
               horrid
               ▪
               opinions
               ,
               as
               would
               make
               the
               eares
               of
               every
               godly
               and
               christian
               man
               to
               tingle
               ;
               what
               must
               this
               also
               be
               tolerated
               ?
               I
               answer
               ,
               it
               cannot
               be
               just
               ,
               to
               set
               bounds
               or
               limitations
               to
               toleration
               ,
               any
               further
               then
               the
               safety
               of
               the
               people
               requires
               ;
               the
               more
               horrid
               and
               blasphemous
               the
               opinion
               is
               ,
               the
               easier
               supprest
               ,
               by
               reason
               and
               argument
               ;
               because
               it
               must
               necessarily
               be
               ,
               that
               the
               weaker
               the
               arguments
               ,
               are
               on
               one
               side
               ,
               the
               stronger
               they
               are
               on
               the
               other
               ▪
               the
               grosser
               the
               errour
               is
               ,
               the
               more
               advantage
               hath
               truth
               over
               it
               ▪
               the
               lesse
               colour
               likewise
               ,
               and
               pretence
               there
               is
               ,
               for
               imposing
               it
               upon
               the
               people
               .
               I
               am
               consident
               ,
               that
               there
               is
               much
               more
               danger
               inn
               small
               ,
               but
               speciously
               formed
               error
               ,
               that
               hath
               a
               likenesse
               and
               similitude
               to
               truth
               ,
               then
               in
               a
               grosse
               and
               palpable
               untruth
               .
            
             
               Besides
               ,
               can
               it
               in
               reason
               be
               judged
               the
               meetest
               way
               to
               draw
               a
               man
               out
               of
               his
               ●●ror
               ,
               by
               imprisonment
               ,
               bonds
               ,
               or
               other
               punishment
               ?
               You
               may
               as
               well
               be
               angry
               ,
               〈…〉
               
               ●●ripes
               or
               bonds
               to
               recover
               his
               sight
               how
               pr●posterous
               would
               this
               〈◊〉
               Your
               ho●per
               ●nd
               mee●
               way
               ●u●e
               is
               to
               apply
               things
               〈◊〉
               to
               his
               cute
               .
               And
               so
               likewise
               to
               a
               man
               whose
               understanding
               is
               cloud●d
               ,
               〈…〉
               and
               imperfect
               whose
               mind
               is
               so
               far
               mis-informed
               as
               to
               〈…〉
               or
               the
               Scripture●
               (
               for
               we
               instance
               in
               the
               worst
               of
               errors
               )
               ●a●
               B●●lam
               or
               the
               Fleet
               reduce
               such
               a
               one
               ?
               N●
               certainly
               ▪
               it
               was
               ever
               found
               by
               all
               experience
               ,
               that
               su●●
               rough
               〈◊〉
               did
               〈◊〉
               the
               error
               ,
               not
               remove
               i●
               nothing
               can
               doe
               that
               but
               the
               〈◊〉
               and
               〈◊〉
               power
               of
               found
               reason
               and
               argument
               ▪
               which
               ,
               〈◊〉
               to
               b●
               doubted
               ,
               they
               are
               〈◊〉
               furnisht
               withall
               that
               use
               other
               weapons
               ▪
               Hence
               have
               I
               observ
               ▪
               d
               that
               the
               most
               weak
               &
               passionate
               men
               ,
               the
               most
               unable
               to
               defend
               truth
               ,
               or
               their
               own●
               opinion
               are
               the
               most
               violent
               for
               persecution
               ▪
               Whereas
               those
               whose
               minds
               are
               establisht
               ;
               and
               whose
               opinions
               are
               built
               upon
               firm
               and
               〈◊〉
               grou●d
               ●eare
               no●
               what
               winds
               blow●
               fear
               not
               to
               grapple
               with
               any
               e●ror
               ,
               because
               they
               bo●●d
               ●n●
               they
               〈◊〉
               overthrow
               it
               ▪
            
             
               3.
               
               Independency
               is
               a
               Schisme
               ,
               and
               therefore
               not
               to
               be
               tollerated
               .
            
             
               The
               principall
               argument
               brought
               to
               prove
               it
               ,
               is
               this
               ▪
               
                 Because
                 they
                 d●part
                 from
                 the
                 Presbyter
                 Churches
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 true
                 Churches
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 confost
                 to
                 ●o
                 〈◊〉
                 by
                 ●he
                 I●depend●nt●
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               answer
               ,
               that
               this
               Argument
               only
               concerns
               the
               〈◊〉
               because
               they
               only
               acknowledge
               them
               to
               be
               true
               Churches
               .
               Whether
               they
               are
               still
               of
               that
               opinion
               o●
               no
               I
               know
               not
               ,
               't
               is
               to
               be
               doubted
               they
               are
               not
               ,
               especially
               〈◊〉
               they
               have
               discern'd
               the
               spirit
               of
               enforcement
               and
               compul●ion
               to
               ●aig●
               in
               that
               C●ur●h
               ▪
               the
               tr●est
               mark
               of
               a
               false
               C●urch
               .
               I
               believe
               the
               Independents
               have
               ●●●ng'd
               their
               〈◊〉
               ●
               es●eially
               those
               of
               them
               whose
               Pastors
               r●●●ive
               their
               Office
               ●nd
               Mi●is●try
               〈◊〉
               the
               election
               of
               the
               people
               or
               congregation
               ,
               and
               are
               not
               engag'd
               to
               allow
               so
               much
               〈◊〉
               the
               Presbyters
               ,
               because
               of
               their
               own
               interest
               ▪
               as
               deriving
               their
               calling
               from
               the
               Bis●ops
               and
               Pope
               ▪
               for
               the
               making
               up
               a
               supposed
               succession
               from
               the
               Apostles
               ,
               who
               se●
               their
               own
               sakes
               are
               enforc'd
               to
               acknowledge
               the
               Presbyter
               for
               ●
               true
               Church
               ,
               〈◊〉
               the
               〈◊〉
               are
               necessitated
               to
               allow
               the
               Episcopall
               and
               Papist
               Church
               ,
               true
               o●
               valid
               fo●
               the
               substance
               ▪
               as
               they
               confesse
               in
               the
               ordinance
               for
               Ordination
               ,
               because
               they
               have
               receiv'd
               their
               Ministery
               therefrom
               ,
               without
               which
               absurdity
               they
               cannot
               maintain
               their
               succession
               from
               the
               Apostles
               .
               But
               that
               the
               Independents
               are
               not
               a
               schism
               ,
               they
               have
               and
               will
               ,
               I
               believe
               ▪
               upon
               all●occa●ions
               sufficiently
               justifi●
               ▪
               I
               shall
               not
               the●e●or●
               ,
               ●ince
               it
               concerns
               them
               in
               particular
               ,
               〈◊〉
               thereupon
               ▪
               〈…〉
               to
               the
               supposed
               mischiefs
               which
               the
               Ministers
               say
               will
               ●nevitably
               fo●low
               upon
               th●●
               toll●r●tion
               ,
               both
               to
               the
               Church
               and
               Commonwea
               the
               First
               ,
               to
               the
               Church
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               
                 Causelesse
                 ●nd
                 unjust
                 revol●s
                 from
                 our
                 Ministery
                 and
                 Congreg●tions
                 .
              
            
             
               To
               this
               I
               say
               ,
               that
               i●
               argues
               an
               abundance
               of
               distrust
               the
               Ministers
               have
               in
               thei●
               own
               abilities
               ,
               and
               the
               doctrines
               they
               pr●●ch
               ,
               to
               suppose
               their
               ●uditors
               will
               for●●k●
               them
               if
               other
               men
               have
               liberty
               to
               speak
               .
               'T
               is
               authority
               it
               seems
               ●ust
               〈◊〉
               thei●
               Churches
               ,
               and
               not
               the
               truth
               and
               eff●a●cy
               of
               their
               doctr●nes
               .
               I
               j●dge
               it
               ●or
               my
               pa●●●●ufficient
               ground
               to
               suspect
               that
               for
               gold
               that
               can't
               abide
               a
               triall
               .
               It
               seems
               our
               Ministers
               doctrines
               and
               Religion
               ,
               are
               like
               
                 Dagon
              
               of
               the
               P●ilistins
               ,
               that
               will
               fall
               to
               pie●●s
               at
               the
               appearance
               of
               the
               Ark
               .
               Truth
               sure
               would
               be
               more
               confident
               ,
               in
               hope
               to
               app●●●
               〈…〉
               
               glorious
               ,
               being
               set
               off
               by
               falshood
               .
               And
               therefore
               I
               do
               adjure
               the
               Ministers
               ,
               from
               ●hat
               lovelinesse
               and
               potency
               that
               necessarily
               must
               be
               in
               Truth
               and
               Righteousnesse
               ,
               if
               ●hey
               think
               they
               do
               professe
               it
               ,
               that
               they
               ▪
               would
               procure
               the
               opening
               of
               every
               mans
               mouth
               ,
               in
               confidence
               that
               truth
               ,
               in
               whomsoever
               she
               is
               ,
               will
               prove
               victorious
               ;
               and
               ●ike
               the
               Suns
               glorious
               lustre
               ,
               darken
               all
               errors
               and
               vain
               imaginations
               of
               mans
               heart
               .
               But
               I
               fear
               the
               consequence
               sticks
               more
               in
               their
               stomacks
               ,
               the
               emptying
               of
               their
               Churches
               being
               the
               eclipsing
               of
               their
               reputations
               ,
               and
               the
               diminishing
               of
               their
               profits
               ;
               if
               it
               be
               otherwise
               ,
               le●
               it
               appear
               by
               an
               equall
               allowing
               of
               that
               to
               others
               ,
               which
               they
               have
               labour'd
               so
               much
               for
               to
               be
               allowed
               to
               themselves
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 Our
                 peoples
                 minds
                 will
                 be
                 troubled
                 and
                 in
                 danger
                 to
                 be
                 subuerted
                 ,
                 
                   Acts
                   15.
                   24.
                   
                
              
            
             
               
                 A.
              
               The
               place
               of
               Scripture
               may
               concern
               themselves
               ,
               and
               may
               as
               well
               be
               urg'd
               upon
               them
               by
               the
               Separation
               o●
               Independents
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               urg'd
               by
               them
               upon
               the
               Separation
               and
               Independen●s
               ;
               namely
               ,
               that
               they
               trouble
               the
               peoples
               mindes
               ,
               and
               lay
               injunctions
               upon
               them
               ,
               they
               were
               never
               commanded
               to
               lay
               .
               And
               't
               is
               very
               observable
               ,
               the
               most
               of
               those
               Scriptures
               they
               urge
               against
               the
               Separation
               ,
               do
               most
               properly
               belong
               unto
               themselves
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 Bitter
                 heart-bur●ings
                 a●ong
                 brethren
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 foment●d
                 and
                 perpetuated
                 to
                 all
                 posterity
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 I
                 answer
                 .
              
               Not
               by
               ,
               but
               fo●
               want
               of
               a
               Tolleration
               :
               Because
               the
               State
               is
               not
               equall
               in
               its
               protection
               ,
               but
               allows
               one
               sort
               of
               men
               to
               trample
               upon
               another
               ;
               from
               hence
               must
               necessarily
               ●rise
               heart-burnings
               ,
               which
               as
               they
               have
               ever
               been
               ,
               so
               they
               will
               ever
               be
               perpetuated
               to
               posterity
               ,
               unlesse
               the
               State
               wisely
               prevent
               them
               ,
               by
               taking
               away
               the
               distinction
               that
               foments
               them
               ;
               namely
               ,
               (
               the
               particular
               indulgency
               of
               one
               party
               ,
               and
               neglect
               of
               the
               other
               )
               by
               a
               just
               and
               equall
               tolleration
               .
               In
               that
               family
               strife
               and
               heart-burnings
               are
               commonly
               multiplied
               ,
               where
               one
               son
               is
               more
               cockered
               and
               indu●g'd
               then
               ●nother
               ▪
               the
               way
               to
               foster
               love
               and
               amity
               ,
               as
               well
               in
               a
               family
               ,
               as
               in
               a
               State
               ,
               being
               ●n
               equall
               respect
               from
               those
               that
               are
               in
               author●●y
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               They
               say
               ,
               the
               
                 Godly
                 ,
                 painfull
                 ,
                 and
                 orthodo●
                 ▪
                 Ministers
                 will
                 bee
                 discouraged
                 und
                 d●spis●d
                 ▪
              
            
             
               
                 Answ.
              
               Upou
               how
               slight
               foundation
               is
               ▪
               their
               reputation
               supported
               ,
               that
               fear
               being
               despised
               unlesse
               Author●●y
               forces
               all
               to
               Church
               to
               them
               ?
               Since
               they
               have
               confidence
               to
               vou●h
               themselves
               godly
               ▪
               painfull
               ,
               and
               orthodot
               ,
               me thinks
               they
               should
               uot
               doubt
               an
               ●udience
               .
               The
               Apostles
               could
               empty
               the
               C●urches
               ,
               and
               Jewish
               Synagogues
               ,
               and
               by
               the
               prevalency
               of
               their
               doctrine
               convert
               3000
               at
               a
               Sermon
               ;
               and
               doe
               our
               Ministers
               f●are
               ,
               that
               have
               the
               opportunity
               of
               a
               Church
               ,
               and
               the
               advan●age
               of
               speaking
               ●n
               h●●re
               together
               without
               interruption
               ,
               that
               they
               cannot
               keep
               those
               Auditors
               th●y
               h●ve
               ;
               but
               that
               they
               sh●ll
               bee
               withdrawn
               from
               them
               by
               men
               of
               ●eaner
               〈◊〉
               (
               in
               their
               esteeme
               )
               by
               the
               illiterate
               and
               under-valued
               lay
               Preachers
               ,
               that
               ●r●
               (
               as
               the
               Ministers
               suppose
               )
               under
               the
               cloud
               of
               error
               and
               false
               doctrine
               ?
               Surely
               they
               suspect
               their
               own
               Tene●ss
               or
               their
               abilities
               to
               maintain
               them
               ,
               that
               esteem
               it
               a
               discouragement
               to
               bee
               opposed
               ▪
               and
               feare
               they
               shall
               be
               despised
               if
               dispu●●d
               withall
               .
            
             
             
               5.
               
               They
               say
               ,
               
                 The
                 life
                 and
                 power
                 of
                 godlinesse
                 will
                 be
                 eaten
                 out
                 by
                 frivolous
                 disputes
                 and
                 vain
                 janglings
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Answ.
              
               Frivolous
               disputes
               and
               vain
               janglings
               ,
               are
               as
               unjustifiable
               in
               the
               people
               as
               in
               the
               Ministery
               ,
               but
               milde
               and
               gentle
               Reasonings
               (
               which
               authority
               are
               onely
               to
               countenance
               )
               make
               much
               to
               the
               finding
               out
               of
               truth
               ,
               which
               doth
               most
               advance
               the
               life
               and
               power
               of
               godlinesse
               .
               Besides
               ,
               a
               Toleration
               being
               allowed
               ,
               and
               every
               Sect
               labouring
               to
               make
               it
               appear
               that
               they
               are
               in
               the
               truth
               ,
               whereof
               a
               good
               life
               ,
               or
               the
               power
               of
               godlinesse
               being
               the
               best
               badge
               or
               symptome
               ;
               hence
               will
               necessarily
               follow
               ,
               a
               noble
               contestation
               in
               all
               sorts
               of
               men
               to
               exceed
               in
               godlinesse
               ,
               to
               the
               great
               improvement
               of
               vertue
               and
               piety
               amongst
               us
               .
               From
               whence
               it
               will
               be
               concluded
               too
               ,
               that
               that
               Sect
               will
               be
               supposed
               to
               have
               least
               truth
               in
               them
               ,
               that
               are
               least
               vertuous
               ,
               and
               godlike
               in
               their
               lives
               and
               conversations
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               They
               urge
               ,
               
                 That
                 the
                 whole
                 course
                 of
                 religion
                 in
                 private
                 families
                 will
                 be
                 interrupted
                 and
                 undermined
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Answ.
              
               As
               if
               the
               Independents
               and
               Separation
               were
               not
               as
               religious
               in
               their
               private
               families
               ,
               as
               the
               Presbyters
               ,
            
             
               7.
               
               
                 Reciprocall
                 duties
                 between
                 persons
                 of
                 nearest
                 and
                 dearest
                 relations
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 extreamly
                 violated
                 .
              
            
             
               
                 Answ.
              
               A
               needlesse
               fear
               ,
               grounded
               upon
               a
               supposition
               ,
               that
               difference
               in
               judgement
               must
               needs
               occasion
               coldnesse
               of
               affection
               ,
               which
               indeed
               proceeds
               from
               the
               different
               countenance
               and
               protection
               ,
               which
               States
               have
               hitherto
               afforded
               to
               men
               of
               different
               judgements
               .
               Hence
               was
               it
               ,
               that
               in
               the
               most
               persecuting
               times
               ▪
               when
               it
               was
               almost
               as
               bad
               in
               the
               vulgar
               esteem
               to
               be
               an
               Anabaptist
               ,
               as
               a
               murtherer
               ,
               it
               occasioned
               dis-inheritings
               ,
               and
               many
               effects
               of
               want
               of
               affection
               ,
               in
               people
               of
               nearest
               relations
               ;
               but
               since
               the
               common
               
                 odium
              
               and
               vilification
               is
               in
               great
               measure
               taken
               off
               ,
               by
               the
               wise
               and
               just
               permission
               of
               all
               sects
               of
               men
               by
               the
               Parliament
               ,
               man
               and
               wife
               ,
               father
               and
               son
               ,
               friend
               and
               friend
               ,
               though
               of
               different
               opinions
               ,
               can
               agree
               well
               together
               ,
               and
               love
               one
               another
               ;
               which
               shews
               that
               such
               difference
               in
               affection
               ,
               is
               not
               properly
               the
               effect
               of
               difference
               in
               judgement
               ,
               but
               of
               Persecution
               ,
               and
               the
               distinct
               respect
               and
               different
               countenance
               that
               Authority
               has
               formerly
               shewn
               towards
               men
               not
               conforming
               .
            
             
               8.
               
               They
               say
               ,
               That
               the
               whole
               
                 work
                 of
                 R●formation
                 ,
                 especially
                 in
                 discipline
                 a●d
                 Government
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 retarded
                 ,
                 disturbed
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 danger
                 of
                 b●ing
                 utterly
                 frustrate
                 and
                 void
                 .
              
            
             
               It
               matters
               not
               ,
               since
               they
               mean
               in
               the
               Presbyterian
               discipline
               and
               Government
               ,
               accompanied
               with
               Persecution
               ;
               Nay
               ,
               it
               will
               be
               abundantly
               happy
               for
               the
               people
               ,
               and
               exceedingly
               conducing
               to
               a
               lasting
               Peace
               (
               to
               which
               Persecution
               is
               the
               greatest
               enemy
               )
               if
               such
               a
               government
               so
               qualified
               be
               never
               setled
               .
               The
               Presbyters
               I
               hope
               ,
               will
               fall
               short
               in
               their
               ayms
               .
               ●
               .
               'T
               is
               not
               certain
               that
               the
               Parliament
               mean
               to
               settle
               the
               Presbyterian
               Government
               ,
               since
               they
               have
               not
               declared
               that
               Government
               to
               be
               agreeable
               to
               Gods
               Word
               ;
               although
               the
               Presbyters
               are
               
               pleas'd
               ,
               in
               their
               expressions
               ,
               frequently
               to
               call
               their
               Government
               ,
               
                 Christ●
                 Government
                 .
              
               Howsoever
               their
               determination
               (
               which
               may
               well
               be
               suppos'd
               to
               be
               buil●
               upon
               their
               interest
               )
               is
               not
               binding
               ▪
               They
               are
               call'd
               to
               advise
               withall
               ▪
               not
               to
               controul
               .
               2.
               
               In
               case
               the
               Parliament
               should
               approve
               of
               that
               Government
               in
               the
               main
               ,
               yet
               the
               Prelaticall
               and
               persecuting
               power
               of
               it
               ,
               we
               may
               well
               presume
               (
               since
               they
               themselves
               may
               smart
               under
               it
               as
               well
               as
               the
               rest
               of
               the
               people
               )
               they
               will
               never
               establish
               .
            
             
               9.
               
               
                 All
                 other
                 Sects
                 and
                 Heresies
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 ,
                 will
                 be
                 encouraged
                 to
                 endeavour
                 the
                 like
                 tolleration
                 .
              
            
             
               Sects
               and
               Heresies
               ▪
               We
               must
               take
               leave
               to
               tell
               them
               ,
               that
               those
               are
               ●ermes
               impos'd
               
                 ad
                 placitum
                 ,
              
               and
               may
               be
               retorted
               with
               the
               like
               confidence
               upon
               themselves
               .
               How
               prove
               they
               Separation
               to
               be
               Sects
               and
               Heresies
               ;
               because
               they
               differ
               and
               separate
               from
               t●em
               ?
               That
               's
               no
               Argument
               ,
               unlesse
               they
               can
               first
               prove
               themselves
               to
               be
               in
               the
               truth
               ?
               A
               matter
               with
               much
               presumption
               suppos'd
               ,
               but
               never
               yet
               made
               good
               ,
               and
               yet
               upon
               this
               groundlesse
               presumption
               ,
               the
               whole
               fabrick
               of
               their
               function
               ,
               their
               claim
               to
               the
               Churches
               ,
               their
               preheminence
               in
               determining
               matters
               of
               Religion
               ,
               their
               eager
               persuit
               after
               a
               power
               to
               persecute
               ,
               is
               mainly
               supported
               .
               If
               the
               Separation
               are
               Sects
               and
               Heresies
               ,
               because
               the
               Presbyters
               (
               supposing
               themselves
               to
               have
               the
               countenance
               of
               Authority
               ,
               and
               some
               esteem
               with
               the
               people
               ,
               judge
               them
               so
               :
               The
               Presbyters
               by
               the
               same
               rule
               were
               so
               ,
               because
               the
               Bishops
               once
               in
               authority
               ,
               and
               in
               greater
               countenance
               with
               the
               People
               ,
               did
               so
               judge
               them
               to
               be
               .
            
             
               And
               whereas
               they
               say
               ,
               
                 That
                 Sects
                 and
                 Heresies
                 will
                 be
                 encouraged
                 to
                 endeavo●r
                 the
                 like
                 tolleration
                 with
                 the
                 Independents
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               answer
               ,
               that
               't
               is
               their
               right
               ,
               their
               due
               as
               justly
               as
               their
               cloths
               ,
               or
               food
               ;
               and
               if
               they
               indeavour
               not
               for
               their
               Liberty
               ,
               they
               are
               in
               a
               measure
               guilty
               of
               their
               owne
               bo●dage
               ▪
               How
               monstrous
               a
               matter
               the
               Ministers
               would
               make
               it
               to
               be
               ,
               for
               men
               to
               labour
               to
               be
               free
               from
               persecution
               .
               They
               thinke
               they
               are
               in
               the
               ●addle
               already
               ,
               but
               will
               never
               I
               hope
               have
               the
               reines
               in
               their
               hands
               ▪
            
             
               Their
               10th
               .
               feare
               is
               the
               same
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 They
                 say
                 the
                 whole
                 Church
                 of
                 England
              
               (
               they
               meane
               their
               whole
               Church
               of
               England
               )
               
                 in
                 sh●rt
                 time
                 will
                 be
                 ●wallowed
                 up
                 with
                 di●traction
                 and
                 confusion
                 .
              
            
             
               These
               things
               are
               but
               laid
               ,
               not
               proved
               :
               were
               it
               not
               that
               the
               Divines
               blew
               the
               coales
               of
               dissention
               ,
               and
               exasperated
               one
               mans
               spirit
               against
               another
               ;
               I
               am
               confidently
               perswaded
               we
               might
               differ
               in
               opinion
               ,
               and
               yet
               love
               one
               another
               very
               well
               ;
               ●s
               for
               any
               distraction
               or
               confusion
               that
               might
               intrench
               upon
               that
               civill
               peace
               ,
               the
               Laws
               migh●
               provide
               against
               it
               ,
               which
               is
               the
               earnest
               desires
               both
               of
               the
               Independen●●
               and
               Seperation
               .
            
             
               
                 2.
                 
                 They
                 say
                 ,
              
               Tolleration
               will
               bring
               divers
               mischiefes
               upon
               the
               Common-wealth
               :
               
                 For
                 ,
              
            
             
             
               1.
               
               
                 All
                 these
                 mischeifes
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 will
                 have
                 their
                 proportionable
                 influence
                 upon
                 the
                 Common-wealth
                 .
              
            
             
               This
               is
               but
               a
               slight
               supposition
               ,
               and
               mentions
               no
               evill
               that
               is
               like
               to
               befall
               the
               Common-wealth
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               They
               urge
               
                 that
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 will
                 be
                 wofully
                 weakned
                 by
                 scandalls
                 and
                 Divisions
                 ,
                 so
                 that
                 the
                 Enemies
                 both
                 domesticall
                 ▪
                 and
                 forraigne
                 will
                 be
                 encouraged
                 to
                 plot
                 and
                 practise
                 against
                 it
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               answer
               ,
               that
               the
               contrary
               hereunto
               is
               much
               more
               likely
               ,
               for
               two
               Reasons
               .
            
             
               1.
               
               There
               is
               like
               to
               be
               a
               concurrence
               ,
               and
               joynt
               assistance
               in
               the
               protection
               of
               the
               Common-wealth
               ,
               which
               affords
               a
               joynt
               protection
               and
               encouragement
               to
               the
               People
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               There
               can
               be
               no
               greater
               argument
               to
               the
               People
               ,
               to
               venture
               their
               estates
               and
               lives
               in
               defence
               of
               their
               Country
               and
               that
               government
               ,
               under
               which
               they
               enjoy
               not
               only
               a
               liberty
               ,
               of
               Estate
               and
               Person
               ,
               but
               a
               freedome
               likewise
               of
               serving
               God
               according
               to
               their
               consciences
               ,
               which
               Religious
               men
               account
               the
               greatest
               blessing
               upon
               earth
               ;
               I
               might
               mention
               notable
               instances
               of
               late
               actions
               of
               service
               in
               Independents
               and
               Seperatists
               ,
               which
               arising
               but
               from
               hopes
               of
               such
               a
               freedome
               ,
               can
               yet
               scarce
               be
               paraleld
               by
               any
               age
               or
               story
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 They
                 say
                 it
                 is
                 much
                 to
                 be
                 doubted
                 ,
                 lest
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Magistrate
                 should
                 not
                 only
                 be
                 weakned
                 ,
                 but
                 even
                 utterly
                 overthrowne
                 ;
                 considering
                 the
                 principles
                 and
                 practices
                 of
                 Independents
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 their
                 compliance
                 with
                 other
                 Sectaries
                 ,
                 sufficiently
                 knowne
                 to
                 be
                 antimagistraticall
                 .
              
            
             
               An
               injurious
               ,
               but
               common
               scandal
               ,
               this
               whereof
               much
               use
               has
               been
               made
               to
               the
               misleading
               the
               People
               into
               false
               apprehensions
               of
               their
               brethren
               the
               Seperatists
               ,
               to
               the
               great
               increase
               of
               enmity
               and
               disaffection
               amongst
               us
               ,
               whereof
               the
               Ministers
               are
               most
               especially
               guilty
               :
               Let
               any
               impartiall
               man
               examine
               the
               principles
               ,
               and
               search
               into
               the
               practises
               of
               the
               separation
               ,
               and
               he
               must
               needs
               conclude
               that
               they
               are
               not
               the
               men
               that
               trouble
               England
               ,
               but
               those
               rather
               that
               lay
               it
               to
               their
               charge
               :
               the
               seperation
               indeede
               and
               Independents
               are
               enemies
               to
               Tyranny
               ,
               none
               more
               ,
               and
               oppression
               ,
               from
               whence
               I
               beleeve
               has
               arisen
               the
               forementioned
               scandall
               of
               them
               :
               but
               to
               just
               Government
               and
               Magistracy
               ,
               none
               are
               more
               subject
               ,
               and
               obedient
               :
               and
               therefore
               the
               Ministers
               may
               do
               well
               to
               lay
               aside
               such
               obloquies
               ,
               which
               will
               otherwise
               by
               time
               and
               other
               discovery
               ,
               turne
               to
               their
               own
               disgrace
               .
            
             
               In
               the
               last
               place
               they
               say
               ,
               't
               is
               
                 opposite
                 to
                 the
                 Covenant
                 ,
              
               1.
               
               
                 Because
                 opposite
                 to
                 the
                 Reformation
                 of
                 Religion
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 Word
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 example
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 Reformed
                 Churches
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               answer
               ,
               1
               ,
               That
               the
               example
               of
               the
               best
               reformed
               Churches
               is
               not
               binding
               ▪
               further
               then
               they
               agree
               with
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               ,
               so
               that
               the
               Word
               of
               God
               indeed
               is
               the
               only
               rule
               .
               Now
               the
               word
               of
               God
               is
               expresse
               for
               tolleration
               ,
               as
               appea●es
               by
               
               the
               Parable
               of
               the
               Tares
               growing
               with
               the
               wheate
               ,
               by
               those
               two
               expresse
               and
               positive
               rules
               ,
               1.
               
               Every
               man
               should
               be
               fully
               perswaded
               of
               the
               t●uth
               of
               that
               way
               wherein
               he
               serves
               the
               Lord
               ,
               2.
               
               That
               whatsoever
               is
               not
               of
               faith
               is
               sinne
               ;
               and
               3.
               by
               that
               rule
               of
               reason
               and
               pure
               nature
               ,
               cited
               by
               our
               blessed
               Saviour
               :
               namely
               ,
               whatsoever
               ye
               would
               that
               men
               should
               do
               unto
               you
               ,
               that
               do
               you
               unto
               them
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               
                 They
                 say
                 it
                 is
                 destructive
                 to
                 the
              
               3.
               
               
                 Kingdomes
                 nearest
                 conjunction
                 and
                 uniformity
                 in
                 Religion
                 and
                 Goverment
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               answer
               ,
               that
               the
               same
               tolleration
               may
               be
               allowed
               in
               the
               3.
               
               Kingdomes
               ,
               together
               with
               the
               same
               Religion
               and
               Government
               ;
               whether
               it
               shall
               be
               Presbiterian
               ,
               or
               Independent
               ,
               or
               Anabaptisticall
               :
               Besides
               that
               I
               suppose
               which
               is
               principally
               intended
               by
               this
               part
               of
               the
               Covenant
               ,
               't
               is
               the
               Union
               of
               the
               3.
               
               Kingdomes
               ,
               and
               making
               them
               each
               desensive
               and
               helpfull
               to
               the
               other
               ,
               which
               a
               tolleration
               will
               be
               a
               meanes
               to
               further
               ,
               because
               of
               the
               encouragement
               that
               every
               man
               will
               have
               to
               maintaine
               his
               so
               excellent
               freedome
               ;
               which
               he
               cannot
               better
               do
               ,
               then
               by
               maintaining
               them
               ●ll
               because
               of
               the
               Independency
               they
               will
               have
               one
               upon
               the
               other
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               
                 'T
                 is
                 expresly
                 contrary
                 to
                 the
                 extirpation
                 of
                 Schisme
                 ,
                 and
                 whatsoever
                 shall
                 be
                 found
                 contrary
                 to
                 sound
                 doctrine
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Godlinesse
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               answer
               ,
               That
               when
               it
               is
               certainly
               determined
               by
               Judges
               that
               cannot
               err
               ,
               who
               are
               the
               Schismaticks
               ,
               there
               may
               be
               some
               seeming
               pretence
               to
               extirpate
               them
               ,
               though
               then
               also
               no
               power
               or
               force
               is
               to
               be
               used
               ,
               but
               lawfull
               means
               only
               ,
               as
               the
               wise
               men
               have
               interpreted
               it
               ;
               that
               is
               ,
               Schisme
               and
               Heresie
               ,
               when
               they
               appeare
               to
               be
               such
               ,
               are
               to
               be
               rooted
               out
               by
               reason
               and
               debate
               ,
               the
               sword
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               not
               of
               the
               Flesh
               ;
               arguments
               ,
               not
               blowes
               :
               unto
               which
               men
               betake
               themselves
               upon
               distrust
               of
               their
               own
               foundations
               ,
               and
               consciousnesse
               of
               their
               owne
               inability
               .
            
             
               Besides
               ,
               as
               the
               Presbiters
               judge
               others
               to
               be
               a
               Schisme
               from
               them
               ,
               so
               others
               judge
               them
               to
               be
               a
               Schisme
               from
               the
               Truth
               ,
               in
               which
               sence
               only
               the
               Covenant
               can
               be
               taken
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               
                 Hereby
                 we
                 shall
                 be
                 involved
                 in
                 the
                 guilt
                 of
                 other
                 mens
                 sinnes
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 be
                 endangered
                 to
                 receive
                 of
                 their
                 plagues
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               answer
               ,
               that
               compulsion
               must
               necessarily
               occasion
               both
               much
               cruelty
               and
               much
               Hypocrisie
               :
               whereof
               the
               Divines
               ,
               labouring
               so
               much
               for
               the
               cause
               ,
               which
               is
               persecution
               ,
               cannot
               be
               guiltlesse
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               
                 It
                 seemes
                 utterly
                 impossible
                 (
                 if
                 such
                 a
                 tolleration
                 should
                 be
                 granted
                 )
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 should
                 be
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 name
                 one
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                   3.
                   
                
                 Kingdomes
                 .
              
            
             
               I
               suppose
               they
               mean
               by
               that
               phrase
               ,
               it
               is
               impossible
               that
               our
               iudgements
               and
               profession
               should
               be
               one
               ;
               so
               I
               believe
               it
               is
               ,
               whether
               there
               be
               a
               Tolleration
               or
               no
               .
               But
               certainly
               the
               likeliest
               way
               ,
               if
               there
               be
               any
               thereunto
               ,
               is
               by
               finding
               out
               one
               truth
               ;
               which
               most
               probably
               will
               be
               by
               giving
               libetty
               to
               every
               man
               to
               speak
               his
               minde
               ,
               and
               produce
               his
               reasons
               and
               arguments
               ;
               and
               not
               by
               hearing
               one
               Sect
               only
               :
               
               That
               if
               it
               does
               produce
               a
               forc'd
               unity
               ,
               it
               may
               be
               more
               probably
               in
               errour
               ,
               then
               in
               truth
               ;
               the
               Ministers
               being
               not
               so
               likely
               to
               deal
               clearly
               in
               the
               search
               thereof
               ,
               because
               of
               their
               interests
               ,
               ar
               the
               Laity
               ,
               who
               live
               not
               thereupon
               ,
               but
               enquire
               for
               truth
               ,
               for
               truths
               sake
               ,
               and
               the
               satisfaction
               of
               their
               own
               mindes
               .
            
             
               
                 And
                 thus
                 I
                 have
                 done
                 with
                 the
                 Argumentive
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 Letter
                 .
                 I
                 shall
                 onely
                 desire
                 ,
                 that
                 what
                 I
                 have
                 said
                 may
                 be
                 without
                 prejudice
                 considered
                 :
                 And
                 that
                 the
                 People
                 would
                 look
                 upon
                 all
                 sorts
                 of
                 men
                 and
                 writings
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 themselves
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 represented
                 by
                 others
                 ,
                 or
                 forestall'd
                 by
                 a
                 deceitfull
                 rumour
                 or
                 opinion
                 .
              
            
             
               In
               this
               controversie
               concerning
               Tolleration
               ,
               I
               make
               no
               question
               but
               the
               Parliament
               will
               judge
               justly
               between
               the
               two
               parties
               ;
               who
               have
               both
               the
               greatest
               opportunity
               and
               abilities
               ,
               to
               discern
               between
               the
               integrity
               of
               the
               one
               side
               ,
               and
               the
               interest
               of
               the
               other
               .
               That
               the
               one
               party
               pleads
               for
               toleration
               ,
               for
               the
               comfort
               and
               tranquility
               of
               their
               lives
               ,
               and
               the
               peaceable
               serving
               of
               God
               according
               to
               their
               consciences
               ,
               in
               which
               they
               desire
               no
               mans
               disturbance
               .
               That
               the
               other
               that
               plead
               against
               it
               ,
               may
               (
               I
               would
               I
               could
               say
               onely
               probably
               )
               be
               swayed
               by
               interest
               and
               self-respects
               ,
               their
               means
               and
               preheminence
               .
               I
               make
               no
               question
               but
               the
               Parliament
               ,
               before
               they
               proceed
               to
               a
               determination
               of
               matters
               concerning
               Religion
               ,
               will
               as
               they
               have
               heard
               one
               party
               ,
               the
               Divines
               ,
               so
               likewise
               reserve
               one
               ear
               for
               all
               other
               sorts
               of
               men
               ;
               knowing
               that
               they
               that
               give
               sentence
               ,
               all
               partees
               being
               not
               heard
               ,
               though
               the
               sentence
               be
               just
               (
               which
               then
               likely
               will
               not
               be
               )
               yet
               they
               are
               unjust
               .
               Besides
               ,
               the
               Parliament
               themselves
               are
               much
               concerned
               in
               this
               controvers●e
               ,
               since
               upon
               their
               dissolution
               they
               must
               mixe
               with
               the
               people
               ,
               and
               then
               either
               enjoy
               the
               sweets
               of
               freedome
               ,
               or
               suffer
               under
               the
               most
               irksome
               yoke
               of
               Priestly
               bondage
               :
               and
               therefore
               since
               they
               are
               concern'd
               in
               a
               double
               respect
               ;
               first
               ,
               as
               chosen
               by
               the
               People
               to
               provide
               for
               their
               safety
               and
               Freedome
               ,
               whereof
               Liberty
               of
               conscience
               is
               the
               principall
               branch
               ,
               and
               so
               engag'd
               by
               duty
               :
               secondly
               ,
               as
               Members
               of
               the
               Common-wealth
               ,
               and
               so
               oblig'd
               to
               establish
               Freedome
               ,
               out
               of
               love
               to
               themselves
               and
               their
               posterity
               .
            
             
               I
               shall
               only
               add
               one
               word
               more
               concerning
               this
               Letter
               ,
               which
               is
               this
               ;
               That
               't
               is
               worth
               the
               observation
               ,
               that
               the
               same
               men
               are
               part
               of
               the
               contrivers
               of
               it
               ,
               and
               part
               of
               those
               to
               whom
               't
               was
               sent
               ;
               Mr.
               
                 Walker
              
               being
               President
               of
               Sion
               Colledge
               ,
               Mr.
               
                 Seaman
              
               one
               of
               the
               Deans
               ,
               (
               observe
               that
               word
               )
               and
               Mr.
               
                 Roborough
                 ,
              
               one
               of
               the
               Assistants
               ,
               all
               three
               Members
               of
               the
               Synod
               :
               who
               with
               the
               rest
               framing
               it
               seasonably
               ,
               and
               purposely
               to
               meet
               with
               the
               Letter
               from
               Scotland
               ,
               concerning
               Church
               Government
               ,
               may
               w●ll
               remove
               the
               wonder
               and
               admiration
               that
               seem'd
               to
               possesse
               one
               of
               the
               Scotch
               grand
               Divines
               in
               the
               Synod
               ,
               
                 at
                 the
                 concurrence
                 of
                 Providence
                 in
                 these
                 two
                 Let●ers
                 :
              
               of
               the
               politick
               and
               confederated
               ordering
               whereof
               ,
               he
               could
               not
               be
               ignorant
               .
            
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
    

