Pattern of order and unity will be the most confused body in the World every body will become his own Lord and Master and will live and do as he lift but how opposite is this to that command of our Saviour If he refuse to hear the Church let him be unto thee as an Heathen man and a Publican and to that of the Apostle obey them that have the Rule over you when at this rate no Man has any other Ruler but his own peevish will Our Saviour therefore to prevent this confusion as he had Authority immediatly from God so he gave his Apostles full Commission to send others with the like power of appointing new Bishops to the end of the World as fast as any should dye or the places become void And to this purpose he says as my Father sent me Joh. 20. that is with power of sending you so send I you with power of sending others And lo I am with you alwaies unto the end of the World accordingly we find Paul and Barnabas ordained by the appointment of the Holy Ghost Act. 13.2 3. and they again when they had received this power goe about ordaining Bishops in every Church where they were wanting Acts 14.23 and then Acts 20. the Apostle exhorts the Bishops to feed the Flock of Christ over whom the Holy Ghost had made them Bishops Thus Timothy was ordained by St Paul and he had power to ordain others but he is charged to lay hands suddenly on no Man 1 Tim. 5.22 Titas also was left in Crete to ordain Elders and set in order the things that were wanting So that Christ he first sent forth his Apostles the Apostles they ordained and sent forth Bishops they were to judge of their abilities and so to give them charge of Souls and the People were to hearken to them and obey them as appointed by the Holy Ghost Act. 20. and so other Priests and Officers that follow their orders and directions 2 Cor. 7.15 What method was observed in appointing Bishops and Governours of the Church after the Apostles dayes 'T IS not to be expected that the Names of all the Persons that were called to be Governours in the Church and the places and bounds within which every Man was to exercise his Authority should be set down in Scripture no more then the Names and Places of Kings and Printes and Civil Governours are The common rules of prudence and order are enough to direct in this as well as the other matters so that all things be done decently and in order and to the edification of the Church Now the Rules of decency and order do require that Persons should be appointed peaceably and therefore no Man must thrust himself into any Government till he be duely called and set apart for that Office neither must any one usurp anothers place and disturb him in the quiet discharge of his duty And then that all may be done to edification t is fit the Persons should be able and well qualified to do their Office so there must be Persons who have power to appoint and judgement to examine and discern the fitness of the Men who are to be called to so high a dignity as to be Teachers and Governours of the Church how they are for life and conversation that Magistrates and People can bear witness to and are allowed to except against ill Men. But whether they are sound in Faith and indued with knowledge and understanding rightly to divide the word of God and discharge their duty that was ever the Office of the Bishops to enquire as also to ordain and appoint them for they must lay hands suddenly on no Man 1 Tim. 5.22 but are to commit this Authority to faithfull Men who are able to teach others also 2 Tim. 2.2 again how shall they Preach except they be sent Rom. 10.15 no Man taketh this honour unto himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron Heb. 5.4 Now that was after a solemn and orderly manner by Gods appointment he was legally consecrated and set apart for that Office Exod. 28. so were the Apostles so were those sent abroad by the Apostles and so Persons were appointed in all ages of the Church being first examined and tryed and then Ordained and sent forth by the Bishops according to certain Canons and the same order is observed at this day in all Churches that stand established in any setled Government And thô there be a dispute in some places whether Bishops and Priests be of the same order and upon that supposition that every Priest is a Bishop and has Originally in him fullness of all Authority and Power some do take it upon them to ordain thô meer Presbyters yet it is upon that principle and supposition that a Presbyter is equal to a Bishop and has Authority from Christ to ordain others by virtue of his Office and so still they maintain that Men must be examined and appointed by Bishops in a Regular manner before they ought to be allowed to take upon them any Office of Preaching and Governing in the Church And suppose a Bishop and Presbyter were one Order and a Presbyter had equal Authority originally to Ordain as well as Bishops which in the judgment of most Churches they have not yet what an unreasonable thing is it to make use of a power of Ordination which was never owned and allowed for 1500 years in the Church and which does create many doubts and disputes and great confusion in the Church when they may have Ordination from the Bishops which all confess is sound and valid and thereby Men may avoid giving scandal to many Churches and raising Scruples in the minds of People at home which all charity does require good Christians to prevent Now this Succession of Bishops down from the Apostles time to our dayes Luther T. 4. p. 6 7 8. Twenty years after his first appearing against the errors of the Church of Rome The Apostles were called by Christ himself the Apostles afterward called their Disciples as Paul called Timothy and Titus Who afterward called the Bishops the Bishops called their Successors and that Call continued to our times and shall continue to the end of the World and 't is a mediate call because it is by Men yet it is Divine and this is the generall call all over the World after the Apostles neither is it to be changed but highly esteemed by reason of some fanaticall Men which despise it and boast of another better call whereby they say they are moved by the Spirit to teach But such impostors lye they are moved by a Spirit indeed but not by a good but a wicked Spirit Wherefore we must not run into another Man's charge as the Devil does stir up his Ministers to run where they are not called has run as clearly and as evidently as the Succession of our Kings in England since William the Conquerour still one succeeding another as any died or
were removed by Ordination and orderly appointment to his Charge But yet farther to keep peace and prevent confusion there must be some Canons or Rules to retain every Man within the bounds of his duty that one might not disturb another or undoe what another had done Now about chusing of Bishops and about excommunicating Offenders Bishops may vary in their opinion as it is known they often have done one may be for this Man and another for that and unless there be some Rule to proceed by there will be endless Cuarrels and Disputes therefore the general Rule of Decency and Order must come in here and we must consider what direction the Scripture has given in this Case also Now besides the Rule of common Prudence that amongst Governours of all Societies if they cannot otherwise compose any difference they must sit down by the Authority of the major part the Apostle tells us The Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets for God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace as in all the Churches of the Saints 1. Cor. 14. much more then particular Bishops and Ministers ought to be subject to the rest of the Bishops Then the general Rule of our Saviour is If he refuse to hear the Church let him be unto Thee as an Heathen man and a Publican not only no longer an Officer but not so much as a member of the Church Now all Bishops being Governours of the Church and Successors of the Apostles one as well as another has right to judge in Cases that concern the peace and welfare thereof but it is impossible they can all meet or be consulted in ordinary Cases and therefore as in the Civil state for better Order and convenience in administration of Justice or preserving Peace the World is divided into Kingdoms Provinces Counties Cities c. And the respective Governours have the certain bounds and limits of their jurisdiction and every one is to take care of all things within his own charge and not to intermeddle or thrust himself into another Countrey or Province So by direction from the Apostles the Bishops did by mutual consent set out the bounds of every Man's jurisdiction according to Cities and Provinces and Civil States have confirmed the same in after Ages Thus St James was Bishop of Jerusalem St Peter at Antioch St Mark at Alexandria St Andrew at Byzantium now Constantinople St Timothy at Ephesus and Titus at Crete c. And after them other single Persons did succeed in their places as we see it is at this Day as one Bishop dyes another is chosen and Ordained to succeed in his Office And as a City with the neighbouring Countries round it did make one Bishops Diocess so several Cities and their adjoyning Villages did make one Province under one Arch-Bishop And all matters that did concern the Church were to be determined by the mutual consent of the Arch-Bishop and of all or the major part of the Bishops of each Province and this was the Order derived from the Apostles confirmed by the general Councils S. Cypr. Ep. 68. can A post concil Nice and generally observed through all Ages of the Church As for the Authority of Patriarchs and of late years the usurpation of the Pope these are all incroachments upon the Church and so are the Assemblies of Presbyters without or in opposition to their Bishops much more the root of all confusion an independencie of every Preacher in each single Congregation and deviations from the Ancient and Apostolical Order S. Cyprian Ep. 55. concil African can 28. The standing and generall Law and Tradition was that which best suits with the rules of Decency and Order that Christians should not be drawn from their own Country should not be put to long and tedious journies but have all Matters ended at home by the Arch-Bishop and Bishops of each Province amongst themselves who best know the state and condition of the People committed to their charge and are bound by interest as well as duty to consult the peace and welfare of their Dioceses 'T is needless to cite the Canons See the 6 gen Councils and particular Councils confirmed by them the case is known to all Schollars that look into the antient Councils and Histories of the Church And according to this universal Order of the Church 't is as easie for every one to know his own Spiritual Governours as 't is his Civil Every Ones charge is allotted and all within such bounds and limits belong to the Spiritual Government of the Bishop of the Diocess and his Assistants and Minister of the Parish where he lives and thus 't is in all Kingdoms and Countries where the Christian Religion is professed and this Order and Authority all sober Divines do own and acknowledge But still it is with this limitation provided they hold the Faith and Unity of the Catholick Church and keep within the Rules of the Gospel For all Bishops and others are members of Provincial Churches and must be subject to the Rules and Order of the Province and all Provinces are members of the Catholick Church and must keep the unity of Faith of Christs mystreal body In rites and ceremonies and private opinions in lesser matters particular Churches may differ one from another and each Province or Nation may consult and provide that which is best for themselves but then as to Faith and other necessary duties that must be the same all over the World and nothing must be done contrary to the Laws of Christian Charity and that mutual Love that we ought to have for all our Brethren in Christ much less ought we to do any thing contrary to that duty we owe to our Spiritual Fathers that are set over us by the Holy Ghost Acts 20. and to the peace and settlement of the Catholick and our own particular Church or Parish Now I cannot see what temptation any rational Man that wishes well to the promoting of the glory of God and advancement of true Religion can have to change this antient Apostolical Order of a Synod of Bishops governing according to the Rules of the Ancient Church and with the assistance of their Presbyters for a Synod of Presbyters only according to the late Modell of Mr Calvin invented at Geneva Or what benefit the People would have by it who must still be left to the Minister of their own Parish neither would they find themselves in a better but worse condition Much less should make a Schism to inforce and bring in such a novelty and invasion upon their Spiritual Fathers and Brethren in Christ or else to destroy all Church Govenment as the Independants Anabaptists and Quakers do who set up Plow men and Thatchers instead of Bishops and Priests All Persons in this Nation are bound to joyn in Communion with their Bishop of the Diocess and Minister of the Parish where they live and the great sin of those that neglect this
easier Terms then all Churches do require of those that are under their respective Jurisdictions So that we are neither the cause nor party in any Division Other Churches that break communion with us deny that Christian Charity that One Member of Christs Body ought to pay to another and those of our own Members that run into Conventicles set up Altar against Altar and divide themselves from our Communion go against the plain word of God which requires them to obey them that have the Rule over them See my Evangel and Cath. unity c. against the constant Order of the Catholick Church and general Councils and contrary to the Doctrine and Command of all other Churches in the World Obj. But are there no Reasons then for Men to refuse the Communion of their particular Church and Bishop and must every private Christian alwayes comply with their Governours whatsoever they say or do Answ They must obey their particular Church in all things Lawfull which are in all things not contrary to the word of God and the Catholick Church Obj. But who shall be Judge in this Case Answ The sense of the Catholick Church in Cases of doubt is to be consulted Obj. But is it not hard to know where she may be consulted and how to understand her Sense in any matter Answ God has promised that the way shall be so plain that a wayfaring Man though a Fool shall not err therein Isa 35.8 1 Tim. 3.15 and for our direction tells us the Church is the Pillar and Ground of Truth And thereupon he has commanded us to hear and obey the Church and there is no doubt it will be an easie matter to understand what her Sense is in all Cases needfull for us to know Obj. But have not Bishops and Scholars themselves many disputes about the Church and about her Sense in several points and how then can People know the Sence of the Church Answ Men of some Judgment and little Reading are willing to despise that Authority which is above their capacity and Men of great Reading and little Judgment do not know how to reconcile the seeming differences in the Church but if you consult your Bishops and Ministers they will satisfie you concerning the Sense of the Catholick Church in all parts of your duty For since God has made it our duty to hear and obey the Churches he will order matters so that all People that are willing to follow her direction may be guided by it for God does not reveal any thing to us that we cannot believe nor command any thing which we cannot perform in the manner it is proposed to us Quest What plain Rule will you give us to go by in this matter for we would willingly know the Truth and hearken to the Church Answ First in all Lawfull and in most doubtfull matters it is your duty to follow the command of your particular Church Quest But what must I do in things that seem to me contrary to the Word of God when such are commanded by my particular Church Answ The second Rule then I would give you is that if you think or are credibly told you ought not to joyn with your particular Church in this or that Doctrine or practice before you make a Schism enquire of learned Men what was the Sense of the Primitive Fathers and generall Councils and what is the generall opinion of other Churches and most learned Divines about it and be sure you have good Reason and Authority before you depart from your own Church in which you live and were Baptized Obj. This is the way to put me upon a tedious endless work more then either I or the Persons I consult will be ever able to go through Answ No no such matter the Sense and Consent of the Scripture and of the Church is so clear in all points of duty that People are concerned to know and practice and the Controversies are so few when rightly stated and understood that want to be decided in Order to your doing your duty that it will be no hard matter to receive full satisfaction for they are either such that have been long agoe decided or the Church is wholly silent about them and there is no evidence of Scripture to oblige you to depart from your particular Church upon that account Now consider in how many matters all Churches are agreed and the Controversies long agoe setled First against the Arrians and Socinians Consess August which are long agoe condemned for Hereticks and the Three Creeds that expound the Catholick Faith See my enquiry into the means of a happy union contrary to their perverse interpretations are generally received by all Churches So likewise the Anabaptists and Quakers who deny Infant Baprism are likewise condemned by all Churches and 't is the constant Doctrine of the Catholick Church and all Reformed Churches that to separate from their Lawfull Bishops upon the account of their requiring of them to joyn in stated Forms of Prayer and for enjoyning decent Ceremonies not contrary to the Word of God and thereupon to set up Altar against Altar and run into private meetings is that Schism condemned in the Holy Scriptures So that not only from the Holy Scriptures but from the interpretation of the Church it is most evident that they hold pernicious if not Damnable errours and in these points it will be an easie matter for every body to find satisfaction and to know the Churches Sense concerning them So that to joyn with such Dissenters and to profess their Doctrines is manifestly to oppose the Catholick Church as well as the Word of God Obj. But if you put us to enquire into the Ancient ways and consult the Sense of other Churches and give us that Rule for our direction in matters of Controversie we fear you have a design to lead us back to the Church of Rome for they talk much of the Church and the old Religion and tell us all the World is on their side Answ That is the great weakness of some to imagine so and by their speaking meanly of hearkning to the Authority of the Catholick Church make many Suspect indeed that the Church of God has been altogether corrupted and lost or else no where to be found for many Ages but in the Church of Rome Whereas if you will inquire of your Bishops and Divines of the Church of England they will tell you that the pretended Authority of the Pope and Church of Rome is contrary to the generall Councils rejected by the whole Church for the first Six Hundred Years and upwards and condemned by the major part of the Bishops and Christian Churches from the Apostles times to this very day nay the Church of Rome is the only Church by Name warned to take heed least she be Cut off from the Body of Christ as the Jews were Rom. 11. So that the Church of Rome is so far from being the Catholick Church that
Duty I Have made it evident beyond all doubt that there are Spiritual Governours appointed by Christ to continue to the end of the World and all Christian People must be under the Authority and Jurisdiction of some or other of those Ministers and that by direction of the Apostles and constant Law of the generall Councils and tradition of all Christian Churches and the Rules of Decency and Order all Countries that own the Christian Religion are generally divided into Provinces and Dioceses c. for the more peaceable management of all affairs Things being thus settled all those commands in Scripture that People ought to bearken to the Church obey them that have the Rule over them besides all those generall precepts Honour thy Father and Mother To know them that are over you in the Lord and admonish you to esteem them highly for their works sake c. do oblige all People here in England to obey their several Bishops and joyn in Communion with their respective Parishes and those that do obstinately withdraw themselves from their obedience do live in open contempt of Christ and manifest violation of his Holy Gospel which does require all Men to maintain Love and Charity especially with their Fathers and Governours and to keep the peace and unity of the Church All such Men that wilfully and obstinately continue in their Schism and disobedience are not only shut out from the priviledges and benefits of the Gospel but bring upon themselves all the curses and punishments denounced against such grievous Sinners for those that are disobedient to parents are reckoned up amongst the most heinous Offenders Rom. 1.30 2 Tim. 3.2 Consider therefore how you will answer it to God in the dreadfull day that do meerly neglect to joyn in the publick Service and Sacraments and thereby disobey your Spiritual Fathers and affront that Government which Christ has set in his Church for your good and as the means to promore his Glory and your Salvation 'T is not Man but God that you reject who gave us this Charge over your Souls and you do despite to the Holy Spirit of grace from whom we receive our Commission Besies the guilt of disobedience and contempl of Christs Ministers you that assemble in Conventicles are guilty of Schism which is a damning Sin and a root of all confusion AS nothing is more agreeable to the Nature of God then Love and Unity so nothing is more odious to his most Holy being then Schism and Division for the nature of Love is to unite all things in Peace and Order but the nature of Schism is to bring all things to misery and confusion Whatsoever therefore Schismaticks may pretend of Zeal for the glory of God their advancing Piety and setting up Religion in greater purity the Scripture calls such courses the works of the flesh and pronounces the Persons that follow them Men of carnal affections Rom. 16. Gal. 5. Those therefore that do not only withdraw from the obedience of their Lawfull Governours but set up separate Assemblies under colour of purer worship do plainly make a Schism in the Church and rend the Body of Christ in pieces and are marked out by the Holy Scrip tures for the grootest enemies of God and true Religion Our Saviour fays he that shall be angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the Judgment and he that says unto him Rache that is empty vain Fellow and so lighting and bringing his Person into contempt shall be in danger of the Gounoil but whosoever shall say thou fools shall be in danger of Hell fire Now if it be so heinous a crime in the sight of God to undervalue our Brother what is it to despise our Spiritual Fathers and contemn their godly commands and admonitions moreover to tear and divide the Church of Christ and instead of Love stirr up animosities and contentions strife and hatred as is too to evident and from thence do genenally follow Massacres Rebellions long and bloudy Wars Murder subversion of Kingdoms and States destruction of Countries and all the cruelties and miseries that Mankind are lyable unto As these things are manifest by experience so Scripture tells us Jude 18 19. they spring from Schism There shall be mockers in the last times who shall walk after their own ungodly lusts these be they that soparate themselves sensual having not the Spirit whereas none glory more of the Spirit then these Separatists whom the Apostle charges with carnal and ungodly Lusts Again Rom. 16.17 Mark those that cause Divisions and Offences contrary to the Doctrine which ye have Learned and avoid them for they that are such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own helly and by good words and fair Speeches deceive the heart of the simple The Apostle pursues the same matter 1. Cor. 3.3 Lor ye are yet Carnall for whereas there is among you Envying and Strife and Divisions are ye not Carnal and walk as Men For while one saith I am Paul and another I am Apollos are ye not Carnall Again Galatians 5.20 reckoning up the works of the Elesh that shut Men out of Heaven he says the worke of the Flesh are manifest which are these he puts down Strife Seaitions or Schism and Divisions Heresies and then adds v. 21. They that do such things shall not in herit the Kingdome of God So that as Schism is an heinous Sin of its own nature so it proceeds from a carnal mind and that is the root of all other Evils and Disorders James 4.1 From whence come Wars and Fightings among you Come they not hence even of your Lusts that war in your members Lust breeds Division and Division breeds War and War brings all other evils with it especially civil and homebred Wars which spring from this root of Schism If none of these temporal evils follow upon Schism which God grant they may not yet Schism brings in Heresie Ignorance and Prophaness DID Men keep to the Rule of Gods word and follow the interpretation of the Catholick Church they would be secure from all danger of Heresie ignorance and profaness and would have a sure direction to lead them into the way of Salvation For all the Schisms Heresies and mistakes that Men sall into come by forsaking the guidance of the Church and wresting the Scripture to their own destruction which St Peter says many of the unlearned and unstable do 2 Pet. 3.16 So that in this case the Scripture may be compared to an Apothecaries shop full of all fort of wholesome Medicines if rightly applyed with judgement and discretion but such as will prove deadly poyson if taken at adventure and misimployed Now our Saviour has given us the Scriptures for our direction which with much study and pains we may understand our selves for our own benefit and instruction yet because few Men who are engaged in worldly pleasures and business c. do give themselves so much leisure as
she is a very corrupt part of it and those of that Communion that amongst us set up separate Assemblies do oppose the constant tradition of the Catholick Church the Canons of the generall Councils and follow a private Spirit and are as proper Schismaticks as any of our Fanaticks and Dissenters Obj. But those of the Church of Rome do not only charge us with Disobedience to the Pope but with Heresie and false Doctrine in rejecting many Articles of Faith and other Ancient practices of the Church Answ But if you will consult your Bishops and Ministers they will make it appear that the Points we reject are so far from being Articles of Faith and ancient practices that they are Moddern errours and corruptions not known to or else condemned by the Primitive Church and this we may see evidently made out by severall late Writings and Disputes Obj. I am glad to hear you say the Catholick Church does plainly condemn the Usurpations and Errours of the Church of Rome as well as the Scriptures which seem plainly against them and we think against many Orders of the Church of England also that are meer Humane inventions if not old Popish Superstitions which we cannot Lawfully joyn withall and therefore are forced to serve God in such a Manner as we can and which we think is better pleasing to Him thô in separate Congregations Answ Humane Inventions and Popish Superstitions are frightfull words indeed but so you must remember are Slanderers Schismaticks Hereticks and disobedient to Parents c. as all those are that accuse the Church and cannot prove what they say Obj. But our Preachers have told us that these Orders of the Church are Popish Anti-christian c. and therefore our Consciences would condemn us if we should comply with them Answ But will you run into so great Sins against the plain Word of God because your Preachers tell you so I thought the Word of God had been your Rule but now I perceive you follow your Preachers against the Word of God and will not obey your Governours according to it Obj. We think our Preachers are Good and Holy Men and Teach us the Truth Answ Why should you not have as good an opinion of your Bishops and Ministers But when the Preachers take upon them thus to draw you into Schism Disobedience and teach you to have uncharitable thoughts of your Governours and to condemn the Church and fellow Christians you ought to suspect if not their honesty yet their Judgment and Discretion for they are Men and may be transported by Passion and Interest or else through errour and mistake and lead you into heinous Sins For why should you think them wiser and better then all other Divines Obj. But I hope still they teach us right Answ But it is not enough to say you hope you must be sure the Governours of the Church are in the wrong or else you are in a most miserable condition to run your selves into so many Sins and dangers by separating from them Obj. But my Conscience tells me I am in the right Answ But 't is not your Conscience will excuse you unless you have some Command of God to build upon Now turn your Bible over and over you will not find any thing in the Scripture against any duty required by the Church Obj. But pray where have you any Command of God for your Common-Prayer and Ceremonies Answ We are commanded in Scripture to make Prayers and Supplications for all Men 1 Tim. 2.1 and to see that all things be done Decently and in Order and since the Words and Ceremonies are not determined in Scripture 't is better the Governours should consider and make Rules and Orders then to leave it to every bodies Fancy so that we have command in Scripture for what we do But pray where have you any command of God for your irreverent Prayers and disorder in Gods service Obj. Why do you call our Prayers and Service irreverent and disorderly Answ Because they are so and cannot be generally otherwise for when every Preacher is to follow his own heated and Rambling fancy and every Hearer is lest to Sit or Kneel or Stand or Lye along to put on his Hat or put it off what can commonly be expected but irreverence and disorder Obj. As for these Modes Gestures and Postures which you call Irreverent we matter not them Answ But thô you matter them not yet the Scripture does require all things should be done Decently and in Order 1 Cor. 14.40 and we find that our Saviour and his Apostles did kneel down and shew all outward Reverence and therefore we think the Church of England has good reason to require People to imitate their examples in behaving themselves Reverently and Orderly when they are in the House of God and not let their Service be more rude there then when they are at their houses at home so that nothing is commanded in this kind but what civility and good breeding would teach Men to observe and for which we have the command of God and the example of Christ and his Apostles and other Holy Men. Obj. Perhaps it would be better if People were more Reverent at their Meetings Answ But how can that be expected when all your Prayers and the whole Performance is left to the Arbitrary pleasure and discretion of every Preacher amongst you who are Men and those none of the ablest neither and may err and be ignorant Obj. But we think they Pray by the Spirit Answ What do you mean by Praying by the Spirit do you mean that the Holy Ghost does put all those words immediately into their Mouths and so they use no other Prayers but what are dictated by the Holy Ghost Obj. We do think so and our Preachers keep us up in that belief Answ But how do they prove this For if that be true all their Prayers are as Divine and Infallible as the Word of God it self For the Holy Ghost is as Infallible now as when he did guide the Apostles to write the Holy Scriptures But it is evident to all the World that these Prayers are often so far from being Divine that they sometimes are such as scarce become a sober Man Therefore you may see what Men your Preachers are that abuse you in this manner and cheat you with false stories if your Preachers are dictated by any Spirit 't is generally by the Spirit of delusion for it is not to be thought that the Holy Ghost will work a Miracle at every Conventicle to inspire every dissenting Preacher when ordinary gifts are sufficient not only for such but much more excellent Prayers And any One that will but attend those Meetings and weigh their Prayers with Judgment will find more of the errour and weakness of the Man then of the least evidence of the Holy Spirit Obj. But we have heard other Men Pray and Preach but could never find so much satisfaction and comfort as