shall be no replier for me Master Love informed that Honorable Audience no more then the world knowes that you not only snarle and barke at but would bite and reare in peeces all Christian Civill Discipline and Church Regiment if you could Master Love proceeds and tells you as if all were comprehended within the narrow heart of man and very well truly for if every mans heart may passe for his owne acquittance and none should judge and controule our outward conversation and behaviour but our selves men would quickly have the title of the play in their mouthes A mad world my Masters But to this Master Dell replies When the heart is reformed all is reformed from top to toe no such matter Master Dell though the heart be reformed yet all may not be reformed Master Love accuseth you rightly enough yet Master Dell men may observe in these times as bad beleevers and good men namely many Religious and Votaries as they call them in the Church of Roome both men and women divers of them leading most innocent and harmelesse lives and which if the roote from which they spring were right might justly be tearmed holy So on the contrary true beleevers and none of the best livers Some wonderfully I dare say enlightned yea and inspired with the Spirit of God who I will be bold to say had from God a large share of saving Graces I and in whole hearts I write it with confidence the Spirituall kingdome of Christ was certainly by himselfe erected Yet of their living very loose that I may not say scandalous as these men passe downe the streames of this life and in the stearing of their course approach too neare the Anchors or Sands of offence whereby they are in danger to be either split by the one or Swallowed up by the other would not the publicke and visible Boye of discipline established in the Church point unto these men the true Chanell of a righter and safer conversation and shall we bring a Text or two of Scripture to confirme this Our Saviour in the Gospell as touching an obstinate and refractorie brother said to us expresly dic Ecclesiae and in case of refusall to submit in all dutifull obedience unto it whether for admonition or censure according to the nature of the failing Sit tibi tanquam Ethnicus et Publicanus What is this Church but the chosen and selected members the heads of the Tribes as I may so call them men Eminent for pietie and Signall abilities of government and discretion which are constituted and set up by the whole Christian Congregation and Assemblie whether Nationall or Provinciall Ad causas cognoscendas to judge of order direct reforme yea censure too if need so require the exorbitant swarvings of their inferior and younger brethren and what meanes Dic tell but complaine if no other remedy if private admonition will not suffice si longius Serpit malum if he proceedes in detrimentum totius if by his stife-neckednesse others also may or do fall into carelesnesse Why Dic Ecclesiae ut Curet illa ne res-publica Christiana inde damno afficiatur that the sinnews of the Churches body be not thereby loosen'd The Apostle Saint Paul in the close of one of his Epistles gives expresse order to marke such as walked disorderly What meant he by those words marke such Surely some Emphasis some restraining coercive power was in them But doth Master Dell and his Peripatetick Comrade that walking I doe not say Wandering light Master Hugh Peters the miraculous new Gospeller That famous Centaure or Horsebacke Preacher do these two great Pillars of this late forged building the new peculiar people of God presume to say and preach likewise that they have no need of any outward Government they These men have no durt no not upon their clothes they much lesse in their skin Gods chosen amongst whom can be found neither blur nor blot they and then I pray what need of any Church Government on them I mean these Darlings and Favorites of God who have as great an impossibility from erring as the Pope They are so farre in Gods bookes that they can hardly get out Homines omni exceptione Majores they I remember that sometime the Lacedemomans boasted that they had not any Whores amongst them no by no meanes they yet by the Lawes of their State they were permitted Concubitum promiscuum every man to hold his Neighbours wife as deare as his owne and so in honest plaines they were all Whores I will forbeare application at this time Mr. Love infers the racing our the first Article of the Covenant from Mr. Dells positions if they took place and well he might make such an inference for that Article obligeth me besides other things to maintain a Discipline in our Church conformable unto the Discipline of the best Reformed Churches of Christendome and namely to that of Scotland Mr. Dell to this Replies That he had rather the whole Covenant were raced out then the least truth contained in the word of God Mr. Dell by these words seems to have a minde to set Gods word and the Covenant together by the ears as if they were opposita at the least if not contraria that they could not both well cotten and were Mr. Dells power as good as his will I should be loath to trust him foenum enim portat in cornu but God sends hungeing cattle short hornes this game is too strong for Mr. Dell he will give it over there may be danger in it the Fox loves no Grapes not he Mr. Dell bath better remembred himself complies and tels you That he likes the Covenant well enough does he does he I am very glad of it but stay Mr. Dell hath not done yet give him leave I pray to say out his say Mr. Dell doth not like the Covenant absolute simpliciter he hath never a well or well enough for it in that sense how then why marry he likes the Covenant well enough according to the true pretention of it oh now I see the Asses ears through the Lions skin for what I pray was not this a principall intention of the Covenant to linke the new Reformed Church of England in the bend of unity not onely of Doctrine but also of outward Discipline and Government with the best Reformed Churches of Christendome and namely with that of our brethren of Scotland this I confesse aperta fronte to be the intention of the Covenant as it is plainely specified in it Mr. Dell doth he like it according to this intention I fear not Mr. Dell. may give the Covenant some construction apart as well as expound the Scripture a part I mean in a sublime illuminated inspired way never heard of before this day and erect a new people apart if it please him But Mr. Dell must have a Reformation according to Gods Word why is the Reformation setled by Covenant not according to the word and shall not more be
Bishop no King was no Bishop but a King and a King the very Paragon for learning and wisedome of all those this Island ever saw a Prince that was of opinion that the licentious liberty of Sectaries would produce as much danger to temporall Monarchy and State Government as ever could or would the Pontisiciall Tyrannie both agreeing in the pulling downe of civill Magistracie though differing about the manner and let Master Dell be told that the interposition of the civill power or the requesting the assistance of the same in the maintenance of the undoubted faith of Christ or an externall Ecclesiasticke discipline consonant to the same without which it is imposible for the Orthodox doctrine long to consist discipline being the nerves and sinnews by which a Church stands as the doctrine the food by which it is fed and nourished is neither the head nor the toe of Popery And let me be bold to ask Master Dell one question to what purpose tends his large invective against the Presbyteriall Government now erected what to have none I could not be so ill perswaded of tho man whether then marry to withdraw the Parliaments countenancing prorection from the Presbytery and to place it upon them that is the enlarging of the power of Christs Kingdome the exaltation of the Gospell of Christ the propagation of the elect people which I suppose the good man meanes loe then see all well May it please the Parliament to Vote down the Presbytery as the last prop of Papory in this Kingdome for interlacing it selfe with the temporall power and craving its aid and succours against those that would bring in aparchicall confusion first into the Church then into the state and eadem opera let them be pleased to Vote Master Dels chosen flocke the onely Christians and his Government of Gods Church if he knew first himselfe what it were or should bee let the Honourable Houses I say but be pleased to doe thus and behold omnia bene the power of Christs Kingdome mightily enlarged the exaltation of the Gospel wonderfully furthered c. hinc illa lacryma now I perceive what makes the world flocke so fast unto Independency what power or authority soever supports them stands for the enlargement of the power of Christs Kingdome the exaltation of the Gospell the Priviledges of Christs chosen people for the beauty of Saints and what not but let them beware that seek for supportation not onely against them but even by them they are at least but the last prop of Anti-Christ in this Kingdome who would wonder if all the world now turne Independent seeing that one that depends on them may better steale a horse then a man of another minde looke over the hedge but to be more serious the baddest actions have ever made shew of the best pretensions the foulest Heresies have stiled themselves by the most specious titles the Arians would be called by no other name but Catholick although their cursed Blasphemie impugned the mainest point in all Christianity it is an old saying the Devill doth never shew his Cloven-foot at first Schisme is like the Panther whose skin being of a sweet sent and beautifull spotted colour whereby he draws many other beasts toward him which approaching neare are forthwith affrighted with the uglinesse of his head wherefore the better to be master of his prey he discovers not that till he have them in his power it is a truth infallible that Schismes and Faction evermore in their first rising put on the face of woman but in their growth that of a lyon the behaviour of the Anabaptists at Magdeburg in Germany though long since yet by reason of other Sects in these our dayes not much different in opinions and lesse in practice is a fresh revived in our memories good God what Sanctity piety humility simplicity did those Juglers shew at first what charity and contempt of worldly mucke so that they drew the whole Generality of the City after them with the selfsame saying in their mouths which sometime the Samaritans used toward Simon Magus surely these men are the great power of God at length when their poore deceived proselites began to grow numerous they possest them that the power of the civill magistrate was Heathenish and Anti-Christian that Christs true Disciples must be all equall neither were they defective in alleadging Scripture for this their project ill understood and worse applyed Christs Kingdome is not of this world say they he that will be the greatest amongst you let him be as your servant the Kings and Princes of the earth beare rule and exercise power over them but with you not so Doe not rich men trouble you bringing you into judgement saith St. James What conclusions draw they from these texts why surely that all civill Magistracy is Anti-Christian though those that bare it at that time in that towne were known to be zealous maintainers of the Gospell it must have nothing to do with Gods chosen they that did desire to be supported by it in matter of faith or for their better strengthning did request the countenance of the same toward the bearing up of the Church discipline established in that famous City from these infusions what follows The Comminalty riseth against their lawfull Magistrates not onely degrades them but butchers them next the Ministers drinke of the same cup for no other fault but that fearing the storme approaching and advertising the civill Magistracy of its growth and proceeding they besought them for the suppressing of this swelling faction and upholding of the anciently setled Government in that Church but because they sought the maintenance of the lawfull Ecclesiastick Government by the civill sword which then was a toe or a finger of Anti-Christ as it is now therefore they tasted of the same sawee with them but what did the good Anabaptists after this what did they not but to particularise what the History mentioneth they fell afterwards upon their owne proselites cut the throates of them seized not onely the goods of all Citizens but the state it selfe brought a text of Scripture to warrant it though themselves would be thereof the expositors The meek shall inherit the Earth This story wants no application Men must not look so much upon the words and shews as the practices of raisers of factions and as touching Master Dell although thorough the whole course of his Sermon there is great talke of the spirit of meeknesse the spirit of humility obedience and the like and in the close of his Epistle Dedicatory much assurance offered unto the Parliament of his utmost endeavours in relation to obedience to their authority yet see how Master Dell hath thwarted both in his practice he virulently lasheth Master Love twits him in the teeth with his discerning people chargeth him with menaciny of the Parliament in case of desertion from them puts him in the number of the fingers and toes of Anti Christ this action of Master Dell
place is this saith the Oracle That Christians should pray for Kings and Governors that God would so incline their hearts that whilest we live in godlinesse under them your godlinesse is in late sensu Mr. Dell they would suffer them to live in peace you will never live in peace you Mr. Dell is it likely that a Sect which comprehends under it omnium speude dogmatum colluviem a common shore of all what is naught wil ever endure peace and not make us fare the worse in the world for our interest in the kingdom of God Hath no body interest in the kingdom of God but you Mr. Dell have you mor opolized Heaven what mean you by our interest in the kingdom of God so emphatice and exclusive spoken but le ts look a little nearer into this evident sence Mr. Dels familiar hath given of that text 1 Tim. 2.2 why Kings and Governors must indeed be prayed for but how not so much for themselves as for others who are they marry those that have the onely interest to Gods kingdom and who they are or at least whom is meant that they are Mr Dell can tel you better then I but may not Kings and Governors especially Christian that have submitted their Scepters and Powers under the obedience of the Gospel given their names to Christ be meant by the Apostle to inforce godlinesse t is true Mr. Dell to bend the heart to carrie the minde to kindle in the affections a true love of god linesse to make the will strike sail unto it that is beyond all humane reach and onely opus altissimi yet notwithstanding the earthly Powers may and ought to constrain all wilfull disturbers either of the sound doctrine or the externall wholesome discipline of the Church unto an open and outward Conformity with the Generall Assemblie and to provice take such course that if they will do no good they shall do no harm This the Civill Power may do And in so doing doth greatly no question for the welfare of the prosperitie of the Gospel and without all doubt when the Apostle in 1 Tim. 2.2 gives that charge of praying for Kings and all in Authority his meaning was that we should pray that they might use every branch and limbe of their Authoritie to the furtherance not onely of Christs spirituall kingdom but also of his visible and as I may so speak temporall kingdom I meane the company of men openly professing his Name here upon earth That they might exercise their Power directive and prorective toward all that in quiet and humble obedience in all outward appearance strooke sail to the outward ordinance of preaching the Gospel and to the Generall received Discipline as the square of their manners towards the opposers disquieters and open violaters of either of these Kings and Governors should use their power both coercive and vindictive and that so they may do without offence unto Mr. Dels evident sence to the contrary I am perswaded by this text of the Apostle I am both counselled exhorted and warranted to beleeve But yet before I have quite done with this Mr. Dels fift Reply I must dwell a little longer upon his evident sense of that place for to me it appears that Mr. Dell hath evidently shot at his own ends and plaid his own game and that of all his other Sectaries by such a glosse Mark then 2 things mainly considerable in this his interpretation of that place First that Kings and Governours are not to be prayd for gratia sui for their own sakes but onely that those which have an interest in the kingdom of Christ may live in peace and not sare the worse for them as for praying for them any otherwise either for their glorious victorious and prosperous Reign over us for their succeeding posteritie that their Rule may be advantagious to the enlarging the visible kingdom of Christ in the world the better for the erecting the invisible to pray for Kings and Governours in this regard Mr. Dell holds it not needfull neither doth the fore-named Text make for it The second to be observed in his commenting upon that Text is that the meaning is not that the Magistrate should inforce godlinesse but protect us in godlinesse lo you there all that a Civill Magistrate must do must be onely to protect Mr. Dels peculiar people in godlinesse that 's enough for him he needs trouble himself no farther But to stand for any ourward Christian Politie to maintain them that in order to the inward promotion of the Gospel submit to it to suppresse if no other mean will prevail even by the power of the Sword those that to the hazard of Christian unitie and reproach of the very Christian faith tumultuously and seditiously gainsay it for the Civill Magistrate to put his hand to this he doth ultra crepidam Mr. Dell tels us plainly that the Scripture 1 Tim. 2.3 hath another evident sence viz. of protecting men in godlinesse such as every private Conventicle is pleased to set up not the inforcing men unto godlinesse namely to yeeld outward submission quiet obedience and filiall respect unto the Doctrine publick taught and discipline practised in the face of the visible Congregations They have no power for that if Mr. Dell be a friend to the civill power let those be judges whom it most concernes but it is a point of my creed that those that wonld exclude them in one would justle them out of the other laid it in their hands strange it is that order should be commended thorough all the creation order in the vegetive creature for place the elements have their situation according to the noblenesse of their quality order in the sensitive imployed and prized by men according to the valuation of their instincts order in the rationall men having callings some to command some to obey according to the excellencies and advantages of gifts the one above the other order in Heaven there being degrees of perfection and glory given not onely to the Saints by God but even unto the Angels themselves if not above yet beyond their fellows order in all State-Government Monarchicall Aristocraticall Demotraticall yea amongst the Turkes Moores Tartars Indians Persians Muscovites although Infidels or as bad yet even in all their Idolatrous and vaine worship they have some order which they hold and by which they set the compasse of the mistaken and blind devotion nay there is order in Hell that formidable place could not endure without order If Satan be divided against himselfe be cannot stand even in Hell God holds an order in punishing so then shall there be is there an order universaliter thorough the creation and Gods triple Monarchy and onely a Chaos of Anarchy and confusion in the Government of his visible body the Church quis furor ocives quae tanta est dementia secli if God be Deus ordinis the God of order and there can be no order without government let all men see