some persons yet it s to be considered whether the introducing of such things doth not destroy the Church not only in her Christian Liberty but in the simplicity and purity and spirituality of her Religion by insensible changing it into Ceremonial and External Service Ibid 325. 81. A Symbolical Right of Humane Invention to signifie what it doth not effect and then introduced into the solemn Service of God is so like the vain Imaginations and representations forbidden in the second Commandment that the very suspicion is more against Edification than their use can pretend to Ibid. 82. Were we so happy but to take off things granted uncessary by all and suspected by many and judged unlawful by some and to make nothing the bounds of our communion but what Christ hath done viz. One Faith one Baptism c. allowing a liberty for Matters of Indifferency and bearing with the weakness of those who cannot bear things which others account lawful we might indeed be restored to a true Primitive Lustre far sooner than by furbushing up some antiquated Ceremonies which can derive their Pedigree no higher than from some ancient Custom and Tradition God will one day convince men that the Union of the Church lies more in the Unity of Faith and Affection than in Uniformity of doubtful Rites and Ceremonies Stillingfleet's Irenic p. 121. 83. It would be strange the Church should require more than Christ himself did and make other Conditions of her Communion than our Saviour did of Discipleship c. Preface to Irenic p. 8 9. 84. Without all Controversie the main In-let of all the Distractions Confusions and Divisions of the Christian World hath been by adding other Conditions of church-Church-Communion than Christ hath done Ibid. 85. And therefore were there that Spirit of mutual Condescention which was most certainly in Ecclesia prmo primitiva in the first and truly Primitive Church in the Apostles times our breaches as to this thing too might soon be closed up and the Voice of Schism be heard amongst us no more Irenic p. 122. 86. What Charter hath Christ given the Church to bind men up to more than himself hath done or to exclude those from her Society who may be admitted into Heaven Ibid p. 8. 87. It cannot but be looked upon as a Token oâ— God's severe displeasure against us if any though unreasonable Proposals of Peace between us and the Paepists should meet with such entertainment among many and yet any faint offers of Union and Accommodation among our selves be so coldly embraced and entertained Ibid. p. 123. 88. The least Peg scrued up too high in the Church soon causeth a great deal of discord and quickly puts mens Spirits out of tune Ibid. p. 47. 89. Nothing should be imposed as necessary but what is clearly revealed in the Word of God Ibid. p. 62. 90. But as for the way manner and circumstances of Worship we are to follow the positive Laws of God Ibid. p. 36. 91. Certainly the Primitive Church that did not charge mens faith with such a load of Articles as now in these latter Ages men are charged with would much less burthen men with imposing doubtful Practises upon them as the ground of church-Church-communion Ibid. pag. 122. 92. Let men turn and wind themselves which way they will by the very same Arguments that any will prove Separation from the Church of Rome lawful because she required unlawful things as the Conditions of her Communion it will be proved lawful not to conform to any suspected or unlawful practice required by any Church-government upon the same terms if the thing so required be after serious and sober enquiries judged unwarrantable by a man 's own Conscience And withal it s to be considered that our best Writers lay the Imputation of Schism not on those who withdraw Communion but on them for requiring such Conditions of Communion whereby they did rather eject men out of their Communion than others separate from them Ibid. p. 120 121. 93. The Episcopal men will hardly find any evidence in Scripture or the practice of the Apostles for Churches consisting of many fixed Congregations for Worship under the charge of one Person c. Ibid. pag. 114 115. 94. From this monopolizing of Churches to Parties hath proceeded that strange uncharitableness towards all who come not up to every circumstance of their way and method Preface to Irenic p. 5. 95. Princes have no right to call or confirm Preachers but to preserve such as be sent of God and give them liberty for their preaching and security for their persons and if Princes refuse so to do God's Labourers must go forward with that which is commanded them from Heaven Bishop Bilson of Subjection p. 236. 96 When we shall come to the Question of Schism I perswade my self that I shall plainly shew that the most vehement Accusers are the greatest Offenders and that they are indeed at this time the greatest Schismaticks who make the way to Salvation narrower the Yoak of Christ heavier the difference of Faith greater the Conditions of Ecclesiastical Government harder and straiter then they were made at the beginning by Christ and his Apostles they who talk of Unity but aim at Tyranny and will have peace with none but with their Slaves and Vassals Chillingworth's Safe way p. 180. 97. Because the use of Sacraments in a Christian Church ought to be the most free from all exception and they ought to be so administred as rather to invite than discourage scrupulous persons from joyning in them I do think it would be a part of Christian wisdom and condescention in the Governours of our Church to remove those Bars from a full Communion Vnreasonableness of Separation p. 82. 98. Heresie and Schism as they are in common use are two Theological Scare-crows which they who uphold a Party in Religion use to fright away such as making an Inquiry into it are ready to relinquish and oppose it if it appear either erroneous or suspicious Hales's Tract of Schism p. 191. 99. In regard of divers Distempers men are subject to Dissention and Disunion are often necessary when either false or uncertain Conclusions are obtruded for Truth and acts either unlawful or ministring just scruple are required of us to be perform'd in these Cases Consent is Conspiracy and open Contention is not Faction or Schism but due Christian Animosity Tract of Schism p. 194. 100. Where cause of Schism is necessary there 't is not he that separates but he that occasions the separation is the Schismatick p. 199. 101. In all publick Meetings pretending Holiness so there be nothing done but what true Devotion and Piety brook why may I not be present in them and use communion with them p. 29. 102. Were Liturgies and Publick Forms of Service so framed as that they admitted not of particular and private Fancies but contained only such things in which all Christians do agree Schism and Opinion were utterly vanished For consider of
preverting the Nation and forbiding to give Tribute to Caesar c. But how shall they prove the Indictment Why that 's the easiest thing in the World it is but looking out and they are always at hand some Knights of the Post some false Affidavit-men catch-Poles and false Evidence and the Sham-plot is perfected the Indictment prov'd and the business done Therefore all heads to work especially the Chief-priests they must be in at a dead lift and Elders and all the Councel sought false witness against Jesus to put him to death but found none Yea though many false witness came yet they found none That was hard but at the last came two false witness And these did the business for which they came for which they were hired and they were Caesar's Evidence and swore for Caesar and swore the matter home and these catchers carried the cause against the greatest Innocence Mighty glad no doubt were the Chief-Priest and Elders and Councel and mightily caressed and much made of were these two sham Evidences and false witness that swore home especially after the former false witness miscarried in the Attempt as not having got their lesson sufficiently by heart They had needs be men of cunning and ability that can swear thorow-stich and cleaverly mixing some Truth and probable Circumstances amongst many and amongst the main Lie There is art in daubing Ibid. p. 23. 68. From a Lion a Tiger a Woolf or a Serpent we may make some defence and provision but this kind of Snake is Anguis in herba no fore-sight no caution no prudence no innocence can defend from the sting of this forked venomous and murdering Tongue except a man abandon all society with Man-kind Ibid p. 23. 69. Men may keep these Snakes and but perhaps neither out of their Bed-chamber scarcely out of their Houses however not out of publick Houses Churches Courts of Judicature Exchanges and publick Assemblies so that if they can but bring good proof of the Circumstances as that they were at such a time in such a Church Assembly Exchange publick meeting in Court City or Country let them alone to swear what they heard there These I say are the great Plague the non-such Pests of all Society the common Nusance no former Age that I read of can parallel ours for improvement of Vice and Mischief What Blockheads were the French-mens Ancestors in the Art of poysoning in comparison of the present skill and dexterity What Blockheads were the Irish the Native Irish in all Arts and Mysteries imaginable in former Ages But now how ingenious though some of them are but Bunglers still and enough to destroy a neat well-laid and well-contriv'd Plot in the management for want of skill in a subtile Intrigue but time and good Tutors may improve them if there be first a willing mind Ibid. 70. The sin of setting Snares to catch men is so common too too common God knows in these days such shamming trepanning that scarce any honest man in England of any Eminency but has or may have cause to say with holy David Every day they wrest my words Ibid. p. 26. 71. Some think our Divisions are so great that they will not have a shorter period than the Wars and Miseries of Greece of the end whereof the Oracle of Apollo being consulted replyed They shall surcease when they should double the Altar at Delphos was Cubique form which is impossible Yet I have other thoughts more faith and better hope that our Distractions will find a happy Conclusion and the depth of Plots and Sham-plots in good time be fathom'd sounded to the bottom and discovered yet truly I think as is said of the Altar at Delphos a period and end of our Distractions is impossible till all Popish Altars Popish hopes and Popish claim by the Pope and his Emissaries to these Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland and the Propagation of his Superstition amongst us be extirpate and rooted out nay root and branch for there always were Popish Plots in the Reigns of all our Kings ever since the Pope's Supremacy and Vsurpation have been rejected and whilst there is a fair prospect and hopes of Redemption of this Golden Fleece though they be but Glimpses there will be Popish Plots and Conspiracies except they Apostatize from the Principles of Popery Ibid. p. 28. 72. Better a thousand times if possible to die a true Protestant and a true English-man by the Sham-plots false Witnesses and Popish Machinations than willingly to enslave a man's self and Posterity Soul Body Honour Honesty Religion and Estate to Arbitrary and Popish sway I put them together for like Hippocrates's Twins they are born and live and die together Ibid. p. 34. 73. 'T is senceless to doubt the being of a Popish-Plot that never ceas'd since Hen. 8. in England But now by Coleman's Letters it infallibly appears that they never had such blessed hopes of converting these Three Kingdoms since the Bon-fires in Smithfield in Queen Maries days as now at this time now that And the more impudently they deny so clear a truth the more cause we have to abominate the Villany of that Religion that hardens men in Lies or Equivocations even to death and the more they deny it after such apparent and manifold conviction the more suspicious and dangerous it is by the combined endeavours to conceal it and to turn the edge thereof upon the Protestants Ibid. p. 35. 74. Indeed no man can deny but 't is politickly and craftily done to endeavour to put out the eyes of those men that are most quick-sighted to discern their dark mysterious and hellish Intrigues Or if they could but be Godfreydiz'd strangl'd hang'd or stabb'd the business would be done as effectually and to all intents and purposes Especially if the Sham-evidences would but be improv'd and manag'd with some Lawyer 's Hackneytongue whose Conscience is so often sold pro con right or wrong for Plaintiff or Defendant who bids most and who comes first prostituted and set to sale when Merchandize is indifferently and equally madeof Truth and Falshood the Snare of catching men would be the stronger and the Feat more currant Ibid. p. 36. 75. A Christian is bound to choose the Communion of the purest Church and not to leave that for a corrupt one though called never so Catholick Sillingfleet's Idolatry of the Church of Rome p. 8. 76. Ecclesiastical Laws must be imposed so as to leave our liberty unharmed Bishop Taylor 's Cases of Conscience p. 301. 77. Laws of burden are alwaies against Charity Ibid. p. 310. 78. Ceremonies oblige no longer than they minister to the end of Charity Ibid. p. 314. 79. Ecclesiastical Laws must ever promote the Service of God and the good of Souls but must never put a Snare or Stumbling-block to Consciences The Authority which the Lord hath given is for Edification Ibid. p. 323. 80. Though significant Ceremonies can be for Edification to the Church in some degree and in
a Parliamentary Session speaking of the Dukes Bill is not so well qualified for Westminster as Bedlam Ibid p. 25. 123. The Doctrine of taking away the right of Succession came from Rome the People had it from the Devil c. Ibid. 124. I bless God I have the Spirit of an English man and uy knoes due to God and the King shall never be yielded up to Usurpers come what will come Hanging Burning or any other or all the Torments that exercised the Patience of the Primitive Christians Ibid. p. 28. Query Query Whether this Blade be not more fool-hardy than valiant 125. Infinite Obligations lieth on us to the greatest thankfulness to our good God for rescuing these Nations from under the Roman Yoke and for these Miracles of Mercy which he hath wrought for us in blasting so many of their deep-laid Designs their late great Conspiracy and late Sham-Plots for the reducing us to our old Captivity Dr. Fowler 's Sermon p. 25. 126. He hath no participation of the God-like Nature and Life which is of a quarrelsom contentious uncharitable spirit Ibid. p. 27. 127. There are too too many among our selves that do little consult our Churches Interest nor consequently the Interest of the Protestant Religion but greatly disserve both by their intemperate Heats and branding all with the names of Fanaticks and Presbyterians who are not come up to their Pitch and in all things just of their Complexion although they be as obedient to both their Civil and Ecclesiastical Superiors as themselves Ibid. p. 28. 128. We ought by Love and Sweetness to encourage Men all we can and not by Sowreness and Censoriousness tempt those to depart from us who would gladly hold communion with us Ibid. 129. Where we find an inclination towards returning in any that have departed from us we should be glad to meet them half way in order to the bringing them over to us Ibid. 130. I do believe if all the Church of England were of this mind it would greatly lessen the number of Dissenters Ibid. 131. There are too too many Debauchees in the Nation who would be thought great Champions for the King and the Church but do infinite prejudice to both by mad and frantick expressions of their Zeal and mighty honour to Fanaticism by charging all with it that run not with them to the same excess of Riot Ibid. p. 29. 132. One would think that these whatsoever they pretend do really design nothing more than to make both the King and the Church as friendless as they are able Heaven help them both should they ever be so unfortunate which God forbid as to stand in need of this sort of People Ibid. 133. Indeed if Huffing and Healthing Cursing and Damning and giving vile Names would do the business then let them alone to protect the King and the Church but former experience hath assured us that those are the best Weapons that most of them can boast of their being good at A Neighbouring King and the Church of Rome may wish God's Blessing on the hearts of these Gentlemen but our own King whom God preserve and the Church of England have little reason to con them thanks for any service they are like to do them Ib. Query Query Whether Heraclitus the Observator and Thompson are then like to do the Church of England so much service as they pretend to And to shew that they act contrary to the King's mind I shall conclude with two passages of His Majesties Proclamation against Vicious and Debauched People We think it high time to shew Our dislike of those against whom We have been ever enough offended though We could not in this manner declare it who under pretence of Affection to Us and Our Service assume to themselves the liberty of Reviling Threatning Reproaching others and as much as in them lies endeavor to stifle and divert their good Inclinations to Our Service and so to prevent that Reconciliation and Union of Hearts and Affections which can onely with God's Blessing make Us rejoice in each other and keep Our Enemies from rejoicing There are likewise another sort of Men of whom We have heard much and are sufficiently ashamed who spend their time in Taverns Tipling Houses and Debauchos giving no other evidence of their Affection to Us but in drinking Our Health and inveighing against all others who are not of their own dissolute Temper and who in truth have more discreited Our Cause by the Licence of their Manners and Lives than they could over advance it by their Affection or Courage FINIS ☞ There is lately Published an ingenious Piece Intituled The Horrid Sin of MAN-CATCHING The Second Part Or further Discoveries and Arguments to prove That there is no Protestant Plot And that the Design of casting a Plot upon them by the Suborned Man-catchers was antecedent to the first discovery of the Popish Plot. Together with some further Discoveries concerning Mr. Booth Humbly Dedicated to the Right Honourable the Earl of Shastesbury Printed for H. Jones and are to be sold by most Booksellers Price Six-pence