A DIALOGUE BETWEEN Timothy and Titus ABOUT THE Articles and some of the Canons OF THE Church of England WHEREIN Super-Conformity is Censured and Moderation Recommended With a Serious Perswasive to all the Inferiour Clergy of that Church By one that heartily wisheth UNION amongst Protestants Non recipit mendatium veritas nec patitur religio impietatem D. Hillar Non temerè dico sed ut affectus sum ac ut sentio non arbitror Sacerdotes multos esse qui salvi fiant sed multò plures qui pereant Chrys Hom. 3. in Act. Apost Neque enim aliorum salutem sedulò unquam curabit qui suam negligit Calvin Which may be thus Englished Religion not the least Impiety Allows much less of damn'd Hypocrisie I speak not rashly 't is my serious thought More Priests are lost than to Salvation brought His little care of Souls is plainly shown Who takes no care at all to save his own LONDON Printed and are to be sold by Richard Janeway in Queens-head Alley in Pater-Noster Row 1689. A DIALOGUE BETWEEN Timothy and Titus About the Articles and some of the Canons of the Church of England Titus REverend Tim well met I have thought long for a little serious discourse with thee and now opportunity favours me Come here 's a convenient Arbour let 's sit down and enjoy one another one quarter of an hour Tim. Enjoy one another prithee I can't enjoy my self Tit. Bless me What dost mean Tim. I mean I can't I won't talk Tit I confess you have some ill symptoms upon you are you not well Sir Tim. No not so well as I would be Tit. Why who or what would you be Tim. I would be a Bishop Dean Archdeacon or a fat Pastor at least Tit. I commend thee Tim as mad as thou art I see thou wilt wish no harm to thy self And though I never reckoned thy Stars so lucky as to exalt thee to a Bishoprick or Deanary yet were it not that thy thread-bare Cassock and superannuated Beaver suit it not I should have thought a lusty Parsonage or plentifully endowed Vicaridge had been thy lot long ere this Tim. No in truth no such plumbs will fall in my dish Tit. Where lies thy misfortune Tim. In my Conformity which is too scanty yet I know not any punctilio required wherein I have fail'd Tit. Fail'd no thou art so perfectly innocent in this matter that if thou wilt call me before the Bishop I will witness for thee Tim. Witness what will you witness Tit. That which if any thing will do you a kindness and help you to your desired preferment Tim. What 's that Tit. In short I can testifie verbo Sacerdotis that thou art so far from being defective that thou art redundant out-doest the Act for Conformity it self in Practice and many of the Thirty Nine Articles in Doctrine Tim. Good Mr. Titus you make my heart leap within me I should begin to be proud of my self if you would but explain your meaning Tit. Nay not too proud Tim. neither for you are not the only man doth this there are many too many such Conformists besides you Tim. Good still The more the merrier Tit. True but the fewer the better cheer Tim. Well but your meaning You say I and some others out-do the very Act of Conformity in Practice and many of the Thirty Nine Articles in Doctrine Your meaning now Tit. That is in plain English you use those Ceremonies which the Act for Uniformity enjoyns not and Preach such Doctrines as the Articles of our Church the standing Rule next the Scriptures for our preaching allow not This do you and many more of our Brethren in the Church Tim. 'T is easily said but how do you prove it Tit. The thing proves it self only by having recourse to the Act and to the Articles and comparing what you do and say with these touchstones But before we meddle with proof let me ask thee a question or two Tim and prithee answer me seriously come here 's no body hears but thee and I. First didst thou ever peruse the Act of Uniformity Tim. Never in all my life what need I I know my duty without reading the Act. Tit. Huge well no doubt Next did you ever for you never yet were possessed of a Benefice though you often possess the Pulpit for half an hour or so did you I say ever seriously read and consider the Articles of our Church Tim. No neither Tit. But you have subscribed them have you not Tim. Yes Tit. And not read them Tim. No. Tit. A hopeful youth I wish you were single subscribe you know not what and this makes you preach you know not what rise a note beyond Ela and to out-do all your sober brethren preach down the Doctrines of the Church you ought to maintain and destroy with your tongue what you have subscribed to preserve with your hand This makes our enemies on both sides laugh in their sleeves to see so many profound Drs. some for ignorance sake some for interest sake rend in pieces our very foundations preach and write contrary to each other as if the only contest were not who shall be the honestest and most conscientious but the greatest Church-man For go to this Congregation and there Dr. Socinus preaches to that there the Reverend Arminius holds forth to a third and there the much admired Calvin is reading a Geneva Lecture yet all of the Church of England and all subscribers to her Articles This is fine indeed don't you think so Tim. I shall think nothing till you come to prove something Tit. Well remembred First then I am to prove that you and many more of your Crew use some Ceremonies which the Act of Uniformity doth not enjoyn and consequently do more than you need or shall have thanks for from our Law-makers Tim. Ay that prove that Tit. Thus then Tim That Act requires the use of no more Ceremonies than are contained and prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer if therefore you use any Ceremonies not contained and prescribed in the The Act for Uniform Caroli 2d 14. Book of common-Common-Prayer you use more than the Act requires Tim. What are those Ceremonies contained and prescribed in the Liturgy or Common-Prayer-Book Tit. The Surplice the Cross in Baptism and kneeling at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Tim. Goodman Ninny and do I use any more than these Tit. Yes Goodman Confidence and more besides you too Tim. Which be they Tit. What think you of bowing at the name of Jesus and bowing to or towards the Altar Are not these as much and as great Ceremonies as either of the former Tim. Granted and as innocent too Tit. That 's not the case but are they enjoyned For if saying this or that is an innocent Ceremony will justifie the making and use of it we may quickly have as many as the Church of Rome her self and then what 's become of our Reformation for all her
he would have his Disciples and those that succeed them proceed to it with all caution and care endeavouring first by all other means to gain the Offender to Repentance Would to God all our Excommunications were always for such Causes and proceeded with such Cautions and Endeavours It would render both the Sentence more formidable and our Church more honourable Tim. I am fully of your mind for I perceive 't is a thing of weight Tit. 3. That is the next particular the Sentence it self Excommunication carries no less in it than the Apostles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 5. 5. and 1 Tim. 1. 20. a delivering to Satan Or it is a depriving the Offender of those daily means which Christianity affords and ordinarily Hammonds Annot. on 1 Cor. 5. 5. useth to eject Satan and the power of his Kingdom out of the heart Such are 1. The Prayers of the Church 2. The publick use of the Word and Doctrine of Christianity for he that is under Cerem nec docet nec docetur says the Jews and in the antient Christian Church they that upon Repentance were received in again were first amongst the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hearers in the Porch 3. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper Now certainly such a Sentence as this which deprives a man of all the Ordinances of God and delivers him over to the Devil is not to be passed against a professing Christian out of pet and humor upon light and trivial occasions but for just Causes and with greatest deliberation and consideration and for right Ends not for revenge or filthy lucre or barely to shew a Dominion and Power But to keep the Church pure by cutting off corrupt Members and to reclaim the obstinate and impenitent by this means when all other proves ineffectual Thus you see Excommunication though an heavy Censure is a Gospel Institution and is appointed for high and excellent ends and is a proper medium to those ends where 't is not abused And I must needs say 't is better used in our Church at this time then it was some Years past Which I hope will make it more valuable than it hath been Many men heretofore being so far from dreading it as a punishment that they sought it as a priviledge as it excluded them from our Church Tim. You have given a full answer to my request and great satisfaction to my mind in this matter which I never before so well considered Tit. I am glad I can gratifie you in any thing Proceed for it grows late Tim. I will. ARTICLE 34. It is not necessary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one or utterly alike for at all times they have been divers and may be changed according to the diversity of Countreys Times and mens Manners so that nothing be ordained against Gods Word Whosoever through his private judgment willingly and purposely doth openly break the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church which be not repugnant to the Word of God and be ordained and approved by common Authority ought to be rebuked openly that others may fear to doe the like as he that offendeth against the Common Order of the Church and hurteth the Authority of the Magistrate and woundeth the consciences of the weak Brethren Every Particular or National Church hath Authority to ordain change and abolish Ceremonies or Rites of the Church ordained only by mans Authority so that all things be done to edifying Tit. I need not ask your thoughts of this having had your opinion of the 20th Article not much different from this So that you may read the next ARTICLE 35. Tim. The second Book of Homilies the several Titles whereof we have joyned under this Article doth contain a godly and wholsome Doctrine and necessary for these times as doth the former Book of Homilies which were set forth in the time of Edward the 6th and therefore we judg them to be read in Churches by the Ministers diligently and distinctly that they may be understanded of the People The Names of the Homilies 1 OF the right use of the Church 2 Against peril of Idolatry 3 Of repairing and keeping clean of Churches 4 Of good works first of Fasting 5 Against Gluttony and Drunkenness 6 Against excess of Apparel 7 Of Prayer 8 Of the place and time of Prayer 9 That Common Prayer and Sacraments ought to be ministred in a known Tongue 10 Of the reverent estimation of Gods Word 11 Of Alms-doing 12 Of the Nativity of Christ 13 Of the Passion of Christ 14 Of the Resurrection of Christ 15 Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament of the Body and Bloud of Christ 16 Of the Gifts of the holy Ghost 17 For the Rogation days 18 Of the state of Matrimony 19 Of Repentance 20 Against Idleness 21 Against Rebellion Tit. These Homilies I suppose you are well acquainted with Tim. Truly no I don't know that ever I saw them I remember that some of our Rubricks sometimes appoint if there be no Sermon an Homily shall be read but understand not what is meant by Homily Tit. It had not been amiss you had informed your understanding better before you subscribed because of the high Commendation the Article gives of them which you consent to examine by your subscription Tim. True the Article saith they contain godly and wholsome Doctrine and do they not Tit. That question comes a little too late from you yet I answer they do The Books of Homilies are I may call them Sermons or Methodical Writings composed on sundry necessary Subjects as you see here by godly and sober men and were of good use in those times saith the Article being read distinctly to the People Tim. But why were they Composed Tit. For the benefit of the Clergy few of whom were able to Preach in those times or doe any more than Read. Tim. How long ago was it or in what times were they Composed Tit. The Article tells you one Book was in Edward the 6ths time the other about 1604. Tim. But why are they in use still what are they better Sermons than are usually Preached in these times Tit. I think not but far short of what many of our Reverend and Learned Clergy Preach weekly Therefore they are rarely enjoyned now but with this Proviso if there be no Sermon Whereby our Church saith no more than this better an Homily than nothing And I think our Governours in the Church shew their wisdom in not requiring the constant use of them For though as 't is said here they contain wholsome Doctrine yet they are not so suitable in these times as in those wherein they were framed Honest B. Lattimer's Sermons contain in them wholsome Doctrines yet if one of them should be read in our Churches it would rather be matter of Ridicle than Edification to most of the Hearers Tim. It is very true for most Persons stand affected to their Sermons as they do to their Garments nothing will please them
but the newest Fashion Tit. And I can assure you that 's no good humor for Truth is the same in any dress though I confess old Truths in a new dress look somewhat better than new Truths in an old one But I admire you never saw the Homilies since the Canon requires every Parish should have them Tim. There you have them Tit. Yes I caused my Church-Wardens to buy them and have diligently perused them and my advice is you doe the same they are worth your reading if it be but for this reason because you have approved them by subscription to this Article Tim. As you say upon that consideration I may doe it when I can light on them but I shall not be at the cost to purchase them my self Tit. As you please for that but I hope you will read the next Article which will be no charge to you Tim. I will. ARTICLE 36. The Book of Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops and Ordering of Priests and Deacons lately set forth in the time of Edward the 6th and confirmed in the same time by Authority of Parliament doth contain all things necessary to such Consecration and Ordering neither hath it any thing that of it self is superstitious and ungodly And therefore whosoever are Consecrated or Ordered according to the Rites of that Book since the second Year of the aforenamed King Edward unto this time â—r hereafter shall be Consecrated or Ordered according to the same Rites we decree all such to be rightly orderly and lawfully Consecrated and Ordered Tit. This Article you and I and every Minister of the Church must heartily own else he must dissallow of his own Orders Therefore we need spend no time here nor much about what follows ARTICLE 37. The Queens Majesty hath the chief Power in this Realm of England and other her Dominions unto whom the chief Government of all Estates of this Realm whether they be Ecclesiastical or Civil in all Causes doth appertain and is not nor ought to be subject to any Forreign Jurisdiction Where we attribute to the Queens Majesty the chief Government by which Titles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended we give not to our Princes the ministring either of Gods Word or of the Sacraments the which thing the Injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen do most plainly testifie but that onely Prerogative which we see to have been given always to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself that is that they should rule all Estates and Degrees committed to their charge by God whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal and restrain with the Civil Sword the stubborn and evil doers The Bishop of Rome hath no Jurisdiction in this Realm of England The Laws of the Realm may punish Christian men with death for hainous and grievous Offences It is lawful for Christian men at the Commandment of the Magistrate to wear weapons and serve in the Wars Tit. No man can refuse to subscribe this Article that hath taken the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy as I know you have Tim. Yet if I mistake not this is one of the three Articles the Dissenters would expunge from the thirty nine and I wonder for what cause Tit. Because it makes the King Supream in and over all persons and things Ecclesiastical as well as Civil which most of Dissenters thought was no better than to make him a Pope Yet some of them I think have better considered it since for they have lately taken the Oath of Supremacy and I know not if understood aright how any man can refuse it that is not a Papist Tim. Then this Article may stand now as it is Tit. Yes and with approbation too no doubt for swearing is every whit as bad as subscribing and he that will doe the one cannot reasonably refuse the other Tim. But do they swear as we subscribe ex animo Tit. Who can say that I hope they do being great pretenders to Conscience and sincerity But their Practice will be the best indication of this which I would gladly believe will prove answerable to their Oath and Obligation by it Tim. I wish interest and designs be not at the bottom I suspect them really Tit. 'T is time and Patience must give you satisfaction whether 't is so or not and that 's all the answer can be given at present Tim. You say well and for this reason I shall watch their water And if they don't act and walk according to the Ecclesiastical Laws to which they have now obliged and subjected themselves they shall hear of it on both ears Tit. And I think it is not amiss to remind you that you walk and act according to your Oaths and Obligations least your reprehensions of them be returned with the Devil rebukes Sin. Tim. I hope I shall give them no cause for such Repartees having now a better understanding of things than I had And my knowledg being bettered I trust my practice shall be answerable Tit. Well resolved 't is the best way saith the Apostle by well doing to put to silence ignorant and foolish men Tim. In troth more Knaves than Fools I doubt Tit. Judge Charitably Tim. and as becomes a Christian think the best till you see just ground to alter your opinion And let the consideration of your own infirmities make you bear the more with your Brethrens Tim. Nay for Love and Charity I believe there is not much lost between them for mine would serve me to see them subdued and theirs to see the Church destroyed Tit. I perceive by your eyes your Choler begins to rise in your Stomach and therefore we must leave this and proceed to the next Article and so to a close in a few words Tim. Why have we so near done Tit. Yes there is but two more and they not long neither Tim. I am glad of it for I am almost weary Tit. But I hope you don't repent of your pains Tim. No no I 'le proceed ARTICLE 38. The Riches and Goods of Christians are not common as touching the Right Title and Possession of the same as certain Anabaptists do falsly boast Notwithstanding every man ought of such things as he possesseth liberally to give Alms to the poor according to his ability Tit. You are no Leveller are you Tim Tim. No. Tit. Nor do you believe and hold that Dominion and Right as to Worldly Riches and Possessions is founded in Grace Tim. No more than I do a World in the Moon or that Dr. O. hath a right to the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury Tit. But you believe and teach That all Christians ought to be Charitable and Rich in good Works and I hope you are so your self Tim. Yes I so teach and so do according to my abiâ—ity for I am not ignorant of the Divine Commands to this Duty the many gracious promises made to those that doe it and severe threatnings breathed forth against those that neglect it