for pardon and Salvation but in a pretended sinless perfection they deny any necessiy of the Special grace of the Spirit to Conversion and Sanctification saying I charge not every particular quaker with all these Errours for many understand not what they hold But mention what I finde asserted in their printed Pamphlets the Light within them is sufficient hereunto and scoff at them that pray for more bidding them heed that only and it will lead them from sin to God Sabbath and Sacraments and all instituted Worship they cast off the great Doctrines of the Resurrection Last Judgement Heaven and Hell they turn into Allegories c. These and other things considered it appears that they plainly overthrow the foundations of Christianity therefore Christians can have no Communion with that way Thus where differences are in Points destructive to the Foundations of Religion and against the Essentials of Faith worship and obedience There can be no closure and agreement but a total withdrawing is necessary so far as civil Relations and Offices will permit We come next to consider these other Perswasions and Parties among us that agreeing in all the necessary points of Salvation yet differ in things that be less necessary though some be of greater and some of less moment then others These differences be either in Points of Doctrine or â—n matters of Worship and Discipline In Poiâ—ts oâ— Doctrine we have Arminians Antinomians c. In matters of Worship and Discipline we have Anabaptists I mean such as be sound in the main Doctrines of faith but err only in the point of Baptism Independents Presbyterians c. Now about these differing wayes Take these brief Directions sutable to those generall Rules before lay'd down 1. Account them all as Christians if they be serious in the matters of Religion and their lives answerable let not any evil representations of their opinions or waves or odious and invidious consequences drawn from their Principles but disowned by them so far alienate your hearts from them as not to account them Christians Brethren seeing they retain the Fundamentals of Christianity and hold the head Christ though they build on the precious Foundation Wood Hay Stubble Who is in all things free from Errour What Church or person upon Earth 2. Have the greatest respect and the most intimate friendship for those in whose Principles is greatest purity that come nighest the rule and who most follow after peace holinesse and lay out themselves more to promote the greatest truths of the Gospel and the power of Godlinesse then their private perswasions But as for them who with the Wilde fire of their Zeal will set the Church on a flame and are more for making Proselytes for their own way then for seeking the welfare of the Church and the edification and Salvation of souls avoid them 3. If God cast your lot into these places or Countreys where those Professions or Wayes are set up you cannot enjoy that way of serving God that you approve as most pure it s an unqueâ—â—inable duty to hold Communion there in France Holland with the Presbyterians in Germany with the Lutherans in other Countreys with those other perswasioÌ„s before named provided the condition of thy communion be not to give thy allowance to any thing that is evil but in that particular thou mayest be forborn Communion with such Churches where many corruptions and abuses are if the foundations of faith and essentials of worship be preserved ought to be maintained with a due care to keep our selves only from the sins of such a Church else the Apostle would have enjoyned separation from the Church of Corinth for the corruptions found there and the Novatians Donatists and others in the antient Church were unjustly taxed for withdrawing from her Communion for laxness of Discipline or other corruptions which they apprehended to be therein This duty our Church of England hath taught by her own practice who hath ever owned the reformed churches beyond Sea for Sister-Churches given them the right hand of Fellowship though differing from her in some matters of an inferiour nature CHAP. VIII Wherein the great controversies of Communion with or Separation from the Church of England is discussed A view of what is therein praise-worthy and what is disallowable in the judgment of those that scruple Communion Directions suted thereunto WE have spoken of those different wayes and perswasions found amongst private persons without and against the owning and approbation of Authority and given advice in reference to them We are next to consider of that proâ—ession publickly set up by Authority and â—hat hath the civil Sanction of the Laws of â—his Land No sober person can gainsay But this deserves a most serious and impartial consideration partly in respect of that Duty we owe to those in Authority to whom God hath committed the care of Religion and the settling of it in their Dominions in such a way as they think most agreeable to the Rule of the Word and hath injoyned us obedience to them in the Lord partly in respect of our own welfare who may else suffer the penalty of the Laws and had need to see to it if we obey that we do it with a good Conscience and if we suffer that we suffer for the Truth and not as evil doers And partly in respect of the peace and welfare of the Church that we do not groundlesly make a Rent therein and thereby as much as in us lyeth to procure the ruine thereof for all Division tends to Destruction It would therefore seriously be inquired Whether it be a duty for Christians to hold Communion with the Church of England according to its present state and administrations or Whether Separation from it is warrantable and necessary and how far For the Resolving of which Question we shal take an Account of those things that are commendable in the said Church in the judgment of those that scruple Communion with her and also of what things they disallow and dislike in her And then cast up Whether it will warrant separation or how far according to the same Rules of Concord we have proceeded upon with those of the other Professions before named And first it will not be denyed by all Dissenters that have understanding and sobriety in them But that here is to be found 1. A clear profession of all those Fundamental points of Faith which are accounted amongst Christians necessary unto Salvation yea such a poor Confession of other points of a Secondary and more inferiour Nature as that there 's scarce any other Church in the World that God hath blessed with a greater purity in point of Doctrine then the Church of England 2. Here also is the Christian Sabbath imbraced with much greater honour then in many other Reformed Churches Homily of time and place of Prayer Part 2. the publick Ordinances of preaching Prayer Sacraments administred and all the Substantials of
rejected The Christian Religion is evidenced to be the only true Religion Page 23. CHAP. 5. Further directions how to chuse the right and safe way amongst such diversities of Sects and Opinions as be amongst Christians A Discovery of the Fundamental Doctrines of Faith and practical duties of Godliness generally embraced by all Christians in all times and places with advice in reference unto them Page 30 CHAP. 6. Other directions in Points of a Secundary Nature that are not so clearly laid down in Scripture nor unanimously received by all Christians but are Problemaical and yet there is a necessity to be of the one or other Perswasion how to make a right choise in such a Case 4. Rules about this Page 41 CHAP. 7. A closer application of the foregoing discourse to the present State of the Church in England with particular advice in reference to the different Wayes and Professions found amongst us Pag. 50. CHAP. 8. Wherein the great controversie of Communion with or Separation from the Church of England is discussed A view of what is therein Praise-worthy and of what is disallowable in the Judgement of those that scruple Communion with her Directions suited thereunto Page 81 CHAP 9. Wherein are laid down some general Rules of Caution to preserve Christians from rash and unjust Separation The Conclusion of the Discourse Page 89. CHAP. 1. Religion the grand concernment of Man in this World great differences about the necessity of a wise and deliberate Chusing ones Religion The counsel of Joshua to the Israelites applyed to us A proposition laid down which is the Subject matter of the following Discourse THE business of Religion is the grand concernment that all of us are sent into the World to mind and therefore God hath in the very framing of mans nature laid so deep an impression thereof in us that there 's no Nation so barbarous and inhumane but doth place this amongst the greatest matters that they judge themselves to be interressed in insomuch as some observe Religion is more proper to man then reason All men and only men have a smatch of Religion whereas some shew of reason is found in many Beasts Lactant. de ira Dei Solus home sapientia instructus est ut Religionem solus intelligat hac est hominis atque bruterum vel pracipua vel sola distantia But as it is a thing all do profess themselves interessed in so there 's nothing in all the world men are at greater differences about some taking up one Religion and some another as pleases themselves best yea each Nation almost have chosen a peculiar Deity as we find in Scripture one serving Baal another Dagon others Moloch or Ashtaroth c Some worshipping the Sun others the Moon or Starrs and almost every Creature whence they received any benefite and some have not been wanting that have adored the Devil himself How greatly then doth it behove every one to make a wise choise of that God he intends to serve and of that Religion he means to profess in the World and to live and die in That he may first chuse the true Religion and true God and then cleave to him with full purpose of heart as Barnabas exhorts Acts 11.23 And the rather because of the great importance thereof Mans eternall happinesse or misery depends on the right knowing and acknowledging God and serving him or his mistake about it according to the witnesse of Christ himself Iohn 17.3 This is life eternall to know so as to acknowledge unto godliness Thee the only true God Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent We read in the story of the Israelites the vanity of mans nature in matters of Religion though no Nation under the whole Heavens had greater discoveries of the true God then they had both by his Word and Oracles instructing them from Heaven and giving them his Law on Mount Sinai and teaching them by his Prophets the infallible interpreters of that Law as also by his mighty works bringing them out of Egypt by his out-stretched Arm working signes and wonders dividing the Red-Sea giving them water out of the Rock and bread and Flesh from Heaven in a Wildernesse and guiding them by a Cloud of smoake and a Pillar of Fire yet how apt were they to turn away from God and to worship other Gods even of the Egyptians and Canaanites whom God cast out before them A pregnant instance whereof we have in the business of the Golden Calf though but forty dayes before they heard the Law proclaimed in the greatest solemnity that ever was even by the Ministry of Angels with Thunder Lightning and Earthquake which wrought such plyableness in their Spirit that they professed whatever the Lord should speak to them That that they would doe Deut. 5.27 Yet when Moses was but a while withdrawn from them upon the Mount they quickly turned and made them a Calf to worship after the manner of Egypt This being observed by Joshua his Successour he became jealous over them with a godly jealousie and being fearfull that when he was gone from them they should do the like He indeavours to establish them in the true Religion and to bind them to the Lord in the strongest bonds Josh 24. He bids them verse 15. Chuse deliberatly what God they would serve directing them by his own example and then when they had deliberately chosen Jehovah for their God he binds them unto him by a solemn covenant verse 25. And sets up a lasting remembrance of it These things are written for our instruction and do shew what a Spirit there is in us even an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God as well as in them formerly as the Apostle shews Heb. 3.12 Though we have as full discoveries of God as they had and greater means of knowledge by Gospel-light to know God and Jesus Christ Yet our hearts are equally fickle and ready to forsake God and the true Religion and as the Apostle taxeth the Galathians to turn to another Gospel and another Christ then we have received yea to another God the World our Lusts or Satan to serve them more then the true God Therefore this counsel of Joshua may be as seasonable to us now as to them formerly viz. To chuse deliberately and seriously what God we will serve and then to resolve to cleave unto him for ever or wisely to chuse that Religion we will professe in the World and venture our salvation upon and then to labour to be established and fixed therein so as by no storms of temptation we be removed The urging of this Counsel upon unsettled and wavering Souls being the intendment and design of this discourse suited to these fluctuating and shaking times It may be contracted into this insuing proposition which shall be more fully dilated on in the following Chapters viz That it is a great point of wisedom for a Man to make a right Choice of that Religion he means to take
matters which yet are disputable amongst the wise and godly and you shall be necessitated to be of the one or the other perswasion or way Then let every one do that which he is fully perswaded in his own minde to be best and most pleasing to God nor daring to go against the dictates of his own Conscience See Ames Cas l. 1. c. 5 q. 1. Sanders Lect 3. de juram Sect. 10. which God hath set up as his Vicegerent in the Soul nor subjecting himself to the judgment or Authority of any other as Lord of his Faith I say Believe and imbrace that opinion and walk in that practice But yet to this 1 Humbly with a due sense of your own weakness and ignorance not proudly censuring and contemning such as differ from your perswasion but ever ready to hear what shall be offered for your conviction especially if it be from the wise and learned and those which by Gods providence are in place of eminency in the Church being rather matter of Affliction to you then of exalting your self that you should differ from them 2 Peaceably and without all Faction and Schism not making parties for you and renting from the Communion of those with whom you agree in the most weighty and necessary Doctrines of Salvation and so disturbing the peace of the Church where you live The evil of which can never be repaired by a violent contention for any truth or practice not fundamental and necessary unto Salvation Here the counsel of the Apostle is seasonable Rom. 14 If thou hast faith have it to thy self and Phil. 3. Whereto we have already attained let us walk by the same rule let us minde the same thing if in any thing any be otherwise minded God wil reveal even this unto them In all those principal points of faith and practice wherein is such perfect harmony it 's a manifest duty to hold communion only forbearing the same in these lesser matters wherein according to the present apprehension the sin and error lyeth 3 Chearfully and confidently not troubling and perplexing your selves about such a perswasion and practice with fears arising from a scrupulous Conscience which are like Stones in the shooe troubling the Feet of him that walketh But with a comfortable perswasion that God is well pleased with you seing you do the utmost you are able to find out the minde of God in such a particular and therefore if you be in the right he will accept it or if through weaknesse there be a mistake yet he will graciously pardon it and in his good time reveal even this unto you For if even earthly Parents or Masters when their Servants or Children do their utmost to know their minds and to do their business so as to please them will accept their indeavours and take all in good part though in every punctìlio they have not done what was expected much more will the gracious God accept of his Children and Servants that desire to please him and pardon what is amiss in them And indeed if not no flesh living could be saved for who is there of the highest form of Christians that are ascertained that in every particular Doctrine and Practice in those things controverted amongst the godly and wise that they be in the right seeing the best of men are imperfect and may and do err offend Therefore go on chearfully with full assurance that the Lord accepts you This Rule the Apostle fully layes down Rom. 14 upon occasion of controversies about points not necessary to Salvation viz. Meats and Drinks and Dayes He bids let every one be fully perswaded in his own mind and act accordingly not judging and condemning others nor breaking the peace and then he should be accepted of God approved of men Thus have we a safe Conduct to lead us in the right way in matters circumstantial controverted amongst pious and wise Christians in points less necessary unto Salvation as well as in matters of Fundamental and of absolute necessity thereunto CHAP. VII A closer Application of the foregoing Discourse to the present State of the Church in England with particular Advice in reference to the different Wayes and professions found amongst us HAving given a more generall advice sutable to all times and conditions of the Church in all places It will be expedient next in behalf â—f those for whose benefite this discourse is principally intended to apply the former directions to the present state of the Church here in England and those many different Perswasions and wayes that are amongst us We are a people that generally do profess the Christian Religion which hath been of long time transmitted down to us from our Ancestors wherein we are deeply ingaged by Education the Laws of the Land and manifold Obligations But it is much to be desired that the Common sort of Christians were better instructed in the grounds and Reasons of the entertainment of this Religion rather then of the other three before mentioned Heathenism Mahometanism and Judaism and that they might gain a clear and distinct knowledge of the great and fundamental Articles thereof and be throughly grounded in the certainty and excellency of it A thing which is much wanting in the vulgar sort through their too great negligence and carelesnesse about things spirituall but of exceeding dangerous consequence to their Souls as exposing them to profaneness and Error if not to totall Apostacy And therefore this duty though before hinted deserves to be reinforced with the strongest perswasions But although we all be Christians in profession We are sadly crumbled into such Diversities of Sects and perswasions occasioned much through the licentiousnesse of War relaxation of Government amongst us of which occasion Satan and our corrupt natures have made too great improvment That is it most difficult for weak and ignorant persons to find out the right and safe way amongst them and to joyn themselveâ— unto This temptation having led very many into errors by-wayes pernicious and others into Atheism We shall therefore attempt to give some directions what course to steer herein what opinions and Sects to shun and avoid and what people and principales we should close withal For it would greatly conduce to the peace and welfare of the Church and to the safety of mens souls to be duly informed What Christians or Societyes of Christians they be with whom communion may be held and how far as also who they be that are utterly to be avoided it being usual with the vulgar sort of Christians who sometimes abound in zeal but are much wanting in knowledge to close with the most pernicious Principales and Wayes where any stronger temptations insinnate themselves then with those that are far more sound and Orthodox if they have taken up a prejudice against them and so have the faith of Christ with respect of persons We shall therefore take a Survey of the different perswasions wayes amongst us which may
Worship owned viz. That God only is to be Worshipped no Creatures Saints or Angels That he is to be Worshipped only in and through Christ as our only Mediator and Advocate that he is to be Worshipped in Spirit truth to be Sanctifyed of them that come near unto him 3 As for Fundamental Duties and Points of Practice here is a Profession of Faith in Jesus Christ alone for Salvation of Repentance from dead works and love to Jesus Christ and to all that are his and obedience to the Moral Law of the Yen Commandements Here is a professed Renuntiation of the Devil the World and the flesh with all their sinful works and Lusts All these call for an ingenuous and candid acknowledgment How would our fore-Fathers that lived in former times of Popery have rejoyced to have seen such things in England We should bresse God that hath vouchased such a mercy to us Honour our Defender of the Faith under whose protection this Profession is made and shew more Reverence to the Church then many do who will pettishly slight all this because they have not all they would have Secondly we are next to consider those things that are disliked by such as scruple Communion which are especially reducible to three Heads 1. Government and Discipline which though it be various in the Reformed Churches yet notwithstanding they hold mutual Communion with each other as Sister-Churches and many particular wise and godly Members of those Churches hold Communion in the Ordinances of God administred in the Churches of different wayes occasionally when they reside amongst them 2. Forms of Prayers and Ceremonies concerning which some disallow all set and imposed forms whatsoever others only dislike the form by law established accounting it inconvenient disorderly and defective and rejecting the Ceremonies yet wise and sober persons generally Non-Conformists as well as Conformists reckon external forms and modes of Divine Service not of the Essentials of Worship but adjuncts thereunto belonging Ames Cas l. 4. c. 14 c. 17. Prestons daity Exercise E. G. The Essence of Prayer lies in lifting up true desires to God in the name of Christ for things agreeable to his will in the elevation of the heart or mind to God c. Words are but the outward clothing of these desires and holy affections or the Chariot wherein they mount up to Heaven And for the Ceremonies used in England they are utterly denied to be any parts of Worship and declares only circumstantial appendants thereunto see the Preface to the Common Prayer and Canons c. 3. Corruption in manners and that both in People and in Ministers which when found in the latter makes the offence far greater as when the Sons of Eli were wicked they made the offerings of the Lord to be abhorred These things premised We shall now offer our advice in this great Controversie and annex such Reasons thereto as shall evidence it both safe and profitable We lay it down in three particulars 1. To beware of a Total withdrawing from the publick Assemblies in the Church of England and the worship of God therein whilst the Fundamentals of Faith and essentials of Worship are therein maintained because you apprehend therein some corruptions defects additions or errors which are circumstantial This advice though it might be urged with manifold arguments yet the Brevity I intend in this Discourse requires me to give but a few 1. If you will make the Scripture your Rule herein you may see so clear a Beam of Light all along through the same witnessing hereunto That it is a wonder any should be found to Question this duty Consider the Prophets and people of God in the time of the Old Testament did they separate from the true Worship of God in the Jewish Church or teach any to do it when there were very great defects corruptions therein There was at some times a defect of some Solemn Ordinances for a long time together as Circumcision the Passeover c. Some Monuments of Idolatry remaining amongst them and the People many of them defiled therewith Very great corruptions of manners not only in the People but in the Priests as in Eli's Sons c. Yet whilst the true Worship of God was continued amongst them there 's neither precept or practice to be found of total withdrawing therefrom Indeed the godly Levites People did withdraw from the Idolatrous Worship of Jereboams Calves leaving their dwellings and going to Jerusalem 2 Chro. 11.14 16. but no mention is made of withdrawing from the true Worship of God for such causes as were before named About the time of our Saviour Christ and his Apostles the State of that Church was greatly corrupted by many degrees more then any sober person can judge the present Church in this Nation now to be The Interpreters of the Law had taken away the Key of knowledge and that little knowledge that remained was miserably corrupted not only with the Leaven of the Pharisees but with the damnable Heresie of the Sadducees The Worship of God much prophaned and the Temple polluted and made a Den of Theeves A multitude of Superstitious Ceremonies introduced that were a burden too heavy to bear The power of godliness subverted whilst small things were exactly minded the weighty things of the Law as Judgment and the love of God were neglected a general over spreading of sin not only amongst the Vulgar but the Priests themselves and that in their Ministration and calling as well as in their Lives c. Yet did not the Godly withdraw from the Communion of that Church for the same We read that Simeon Anna and Others continued in the Temple Worshipping God daily Holy Zachary forsook not his Priestly Office but Ministred in his course in the Temple And Christ himself was circumcised and presented to the Lord in the Temple with the accustomed Sacrifices offer'd for him according to the Law of Moses he kept the Passeover and other Feasts of that Church was frequently in the Temple and in the Synagogues with his Disciples allowed of the hearing of those that sate in Moses's Chair only gives caution against their Errours and bad lives sent divers to the Priests to Offer their accustomed Offâ—rings required in the Law Nor did he in the dayes of his flesh wholly forsake the Communion of that Church nor his Disciples after him untill the Jews did contradict and blaspheme the Truth obstinately refuse to owne the Lord Jesus for the Christ and persecute to death the Professors of the Name of Christ In the Churches of Corinth Galatia c. We read of great and dangerous Errors in Faith grievous pollutions in Worship sad miscarriages in Manners yet concerning withdrawing from these Churches we find not a word but many reprehensions of their Schisms and Divisions In the Churches of Asia there were several things they were blamed for as well as some things commended in them But no hints of Separation from
those Churches for those evils found in them So that the Scriptures give no countenance to total withdrawing from such Churches where many corruptions are whilst the essentials of Religion are preserved Some Scriptures iâ—deed are very impertinently alledged for this practice which may be cleared from the undeceiving of the weak in a few words such as 2 Cor. 6 14 15 16 17. Which speaks of separation from Infidels and Idolaters in their Idolatries and ungodly fellowships not of withdrawing from Christian Assemblies in the true Worship of God So also 1 Cor. 5.11 and 2 Thess 3.6 14. Which Scriptures shew it a duty to withdraw from private persons living in notorious scandalous sins for shaming the offendors and preserving the Churches but speak not a word of withdrawing from the true Worship of God in the publick Assemblies of the Church because of controversal practises yea for some real evils therein for this will tend to the destruction of the Church which is contrary to the end of all Church-censures being for Edification not for destruction 2 Cor 10.8 As for that Scripture Revel 18.3 Come out of Babylon c. It may warrant a withdrawing from the Idolatrous Worship of Rome and the Abominations of Popery from which we before shewed it 's the duty of every good Christian that loves his Salvation to depart but it 's grosly abused when it 's made to plead for Separation from any of the reformed Churches where through the mercy of God the Fundamentals of Faith and essentials of Worship are maintained so that we see the scriptures will not warrant such Separation 2. Or if you will Reverence the general suffrage of the Christian Church and of the most eminent Saints and Martyrs living therein ever since Christs time to us which surely however some slight yet there 's no smal weight in it else the Apostle would not plead 1 Cor. 11.16 We have no such custom nor the Churches of Christ The most eminent Servants of Christ in in all Ages have constantly held and practised Communion with those Churches where they lived although very often there were far greater corruptions therein then can be found this day amongst us as those that are acquainted with Antiquity know well and have ever blamed those that have left the Churches Communion for such causes as were above named witness the Censures past against the Novatians Donatists Audaeans c. As for our Separation from Rome our Protestant Divines plead the Fundamental errr found therein and gross Idolatries which they must necessarily communicate in if they withdraw not persecution c. and not lesser matters Did not those hinder they profess a readinesse to communicate with her and that they depart from her no further then she departs from Christ 3. Will you regard the judgment of the most eminent Divines of almost all perswasions amongst Protestants that have lived in this and the former Age speaking expresly concerning Communion with the Church of England Then know 1. That all forraign Divines of other Reformed Churches have approved of Communion with her and been ready on all occasions to give their fullest Testimony of their dislike of rigid Separation from her 2. All former Non-Conformists who did dissent in some smaller matters of Ceremonies c. desiring a forbearance as to their practice in those things yet have fully declared against Separation from the Church of England witness the writings of very many of them worthy a serious perusal at this day viz. Cartwright Hildersham Bradshaw Bayne Ball many Others and witness their practice formerly and at this day 3. Independents See Apol Narration of the five dissenting Brethren page 5.6 Who fully testify against the practice of the Brownists or rigid Separatists whose fatal miscarriages and Shipwrack they call Landmarks to forewarn of those Rocks and Shelves they ran upon And declare their sincere profession to God and the World that all that consciousness of the defilements they conceived to cleave to the true Worship of God in the Congregations of England or of the unwarranted power in Church-governours exercised therein did never work in them any other thought much less opinion but that Multitudes of the Parochial Congregations were the true Churches of Christ and the Ministry thereof a true Ministry much less did it ever enter into their hearts to judge them Anti-Christian for so they say they could not but see they should also condemn the Churches of Scotland Holland c. as no Churches which to imagine was an horrour to their thoughts Yea that they always professed and in those times when the Churches of England were the most either actually overspread with defilements or in the greatest danger thereof and when themselves had no hopes of ever visiting this Land in peace that they would hold a Communion with them as the Churches of Christ And yet they add further Besides this profession as a real Testimony some of them after they were actually in the Congregational way did Baptize their Children in the Parishional Congregations and occasionally admitted to the Lords Supper in their Churches some visiting them in their Exile upon that relation fellowship and Commembership they held in the Parish Churches in England It may be some will say they have more light now then those eminent Divines had in former times But they bewray herein too great ignorance and arrogance this point having been far more dissensed in former then in these present times in which the prejudice of most is such they have scarce considered what hath been said against their opinions 4. If you withdraw totally upon this Account you should then separate from all the Churches that now are or ever have been in the World for what Churches are so pure but they have some defects errors or corruptions For the Primitive Church even 1260 years agone and upwards there were as great corruptions in it as any you can finde here and greater also For the Churches of your own perswasion do you think them altogether perfect Wise and understanding men are able to finde some things amiss yea some of your selves have acknowledged all things are not according to their desire so as if you will bear with nothing but reject all parts of Communion because you cannot close in some things you must separate from them too and so turn Seekers or become Hermites or Anchorites and live alone and at length separate from your selves also because some things will appear blame-worthy in you also whither will this lead you 5. Have you no more love to and care of the publick solemn Worship of God then to cast off all publick Ordinances because you dislike some things in the Churches where they are administred It 's the greatest glory God hath in all the World to be solemnly Worshipped in the publick assemblies But if all should withdraw from them for such offence what publick worship should God have in this Nation seeing other perswasions are not permitted to meet nay
where would it be found in the whole World seeing there 's no Church on Earth but hath some corruptions 6. Let it be considered how unchristian it is to depart from the solemn Ordinances of Gods worship in those Churches where the presence of Christ is yet continued in them have you any warrant to leave them before Christ leave them when God was greatly provoked by the Jewish Church so as he was about to remove from his Sanctuary and stood at the Threshold ready to leave them we finde many godly ones mourning for the abominations of the times but none hastening to depart from that Church before the Lord departed Now can you deny the presence of the Lord in the Assemblies of the Church of England wherein as before was shewed the essentials of Faith and Worship be preserved if God should be as unmerciful as man is uncharitable then wo to all the Churches of Christ throgh the World nay wo to your selves But I question not but there are thousands can seaâ— to the presence of Christ in the Congregations of England at this day as well as in former times wherein the same Corruptions at which so much offence is taken now were urged to plead for a separation then Let such as cry out so much of Popery in others beware of that miserable Popish error they restrain the Church and the priviledges thereof the presence of Christ and Salvation c. to their own Sect and Party and in the mean time casting off the far greater part of the Catholick Church that maintain all the Essentials of Faith and Worship 7. I might enumerate the many great mischiefs that follow upon such unwarrantable Separation It plainly tends to the dishonor of Christ and the reproach of the Christian Religion so the hinderance of the success of the Gospel and the Salvation of Souls so overthrow the Worship of God and to open a Gap to Atheism and prophaness to Heresie and Popery c yea to the utter ruine of the Christian Church Mat. 12.25 But it may seem needless to spend more words in so clear a case nor should I have said thus much had not I been compelled thereto by the uncatholick nay I confidently call it unchristian practice of many well meaning people through their too great prejudice in other Temptations who do totally withdraw themselves from the publick Congregations in England and the true Worship of God therein 2. Having given my advice to hold Communion with the Churches of England in the True Worship of God notwithstanding the corruptions supposed to be therein I do next advise on the other hand not to communicate with her nor with any Church in the World in any evil but if any thing professed or practised therein be found really sinfull which may be supposed of any Church upon Earth in that thing to withdraw and have no fellowship in it to keep your selves pure from the same yea I shal add further if there be any thing that shall but appear sinful to thee thy Conscience after humble and diligent searching of the Word telling thee this is sin then to suspend thy consent or practice in that particular till it appear otherwise to thee I would be here so far from urging any to do that act that a truly tender Conscience upon probable grounds may scruple as sinful that I would rather perswade such to suspend their acting therein till they be better convinced of the lawfulnesse of it * Sanders de Juram p. 84. The dictate of Conscience whether right or erroneous ever bindeth not to act against it and supposing it be a thing not in its own nature necessary but among things disputable and tolerable I would rather become an humble Suitor to Authority could my intercession any whit avail herein for Indulgence in such a case then to be a violent inforcer of any by Terrours or Punishments of the Law to go against their Consciences to please men 3. Yet because Conscience may be deluded and my call that sinfull which is lawful and a duty and so induce men to withdraw in such Acts of Communion as neither the Law of God nor men will allow them to withdraw from for possibly the Devil may get into the Consciences of men and delude them And the Conscience may tell one he must separate from Baptism because Infant-Baptism is Anti-Christian Another he must withdraw from the Lords Supper because of mixt Communion therein A third from the hearing of the Word because the call of Ministers is Anti-Christian A fourth he must cast off Sabbaths yea Scriptures and all Gospel Ordinances because abolished All this we have too sad experience of in our times Let therefore every good Câ—â—istian labour for a due information of his Conscience in such points as he Scruples Communion in and not think his bare plea of Conscience wil warrant his total neglect of any duty Though his suspending his own actings till he may satisfie Conscience about them may be granted yet possibly a total neglect in some things will not be granted Impune by the Law of God or man * An erring Conscience cannot discharge any from a duty being not a Law-maker but subject to the Law Parisiens Now here it may be expected I should offer my help toward the satisfying Conscience in such Scruples as commonly do occurr this day to those that withdraw in whole or in part from the Communion of the Church of England in its present State and Administrations But to do this fully would too much disproportion this part of my discourse to the other parts aforegoing I rather chuse to send them to those Treatises of such eminent Non-Conformists as have written fully on this subject-especially to Mr. W Bradshaw's Book of the unreasonableness of separation prefaced to published by Dr. Ames and to Mr. Jo. Ball his tryal of the grounds tending to separation * only recommending a few general Rules which being observed may be useful in order thereunto and so conclude my Discourse * The Reader is Advertised that there is Published in Print an Aswer to that part of Mr. Ball 's Book which is a Discourse of the lawfulness of a stinted Liturgy and set forms of Prayer under the name of Mr. Jo. Cotton The Answer is highly valued by some but by comparing the Discourse and the Answer together it may be seen that great injury is done to Mr. Ball and to Mr. Cotton both and also that the Reader is grosly abused by it for it is not that Discourse Printed at Cambridge 1640. which is therein answered but probably some imperfect Notes before that was published which is evident not only because the number and order of the Arguments answered do differ from those laid down in that Discourse But especially because the principal things given in answer by Mr. Cotton are so fully spoken to by Mr. Ball herein by way of reply to Johnson Greenwood and others that formerly objected the same
Mass Book the truth is this there are several Prayers of Antient Fathers used before Popery was in the World which the Papists corrupting and abusing in their Mass our first Reformers purged out what corruptions the Papists had brought in and did retain those antient Prayers according to their Primitive Institution All this will be readily acknowledged by them that judging this book unnecessary and inconvenient do desire a Reformation therein and is there any thing in all this that shall so affright good Christians out of the Church Concerning the charge of Antichristianism it is so common a word in the mouths of all that list to rayle that it s no scandal to any till the thing be fully proved if Bishops and Ministers c. be judged by any to be Anti-Christian I shal send them to that most excellent piece of Dr. Moore his Mystery of Iniquity where they may see the Idea of Anti-Christianism opened and thence be informed whom this censure best befits IV. Take heed of pretending to greater purity and strictness about Church Communion and Administrations then the Word of God commends or the examples of Christ and the Apostles and the Primitive Church do commend nor be so extremely rigid as not to bear with things that they have Tolerated It is an observable rule laid down by wise and eminent Divines that too much strictnesse and severity often doth injury the Church more then profite it it s the way to overturn Churches not to reform them especially this severity is unbecoming private Christians who having no Authority yet complain such persons and such things are defilements they must separate from them they must not touch the unclean thing such should take heed that they be not righteous over much and not dare to be wise above what is written lest their too much affected purity and misguided zeal hurt more the Church of Christ and their own Souls then the corruptions they so much complain of Calvin adv Anab. Art 2. Cum sub specie studii perfectionis imperfectionem nulam tollerare possumus tune Diabolum nos tumefacere superbia et hypocrisi seducere moneamur V. Have publick Spirits and look not so much on such things as are most desirable in your eyes and conduce to your interest as on what tends to the furtherance of the Gospel and the good of the Church in generall There have been very few in our unhappie dayes but have been so eagerly contending for their private opinions and wayes that the publick interest of the Christian Religion and of the Churches peace and welfare hath been almost forgotten by them from whence have come in such an inundation of Errours Heresies Profanenesse and Atheism that the Church hath been almost ruined thereby In vain do we contend about the greater purity and perfection of the Christian Religion when the verie being and life of it by our contentions and divisions is indangered what will become of our contests for greater reformation in Discipline Worship c. If the Christian Religion it self be lost They are the best and wisest Christians that have most indeavoured that the main Fundamental Doctrines and duties of Religion may be preserved though in the mean time they yield in small matters that concern the beautie and perfection thereof waiting in a wise and peaceable manner til the Lord will grant them their desires therein also in his own way and time VI. Take heed of running into manifest sin and evil upon fears of what is only supposed to be so viz. Of casting off Ordinances neglecting of the publick Worship of God breach of the peace of the Church c. Upon pretence of supposed evils in Communion The commands of God for his Worship and Ordinances the Church peace are clear and cogent the matters excepted against are dark and disputable points of controversie and the far greater part of the Churches of Christ on earth have approved of them therefore be afraid while you would shun an evil supposed you run not into another that is a real and far greater evil A truly tender conscience should fear evil on either hand and on this side rather then that VII Charge not on your selves other mens sins but look to your own wayes and duties If you judge Superiors to sin in their impositions or Bishops in any Command or Ministers in their Conformity if you find sin in laxnesse of Discipline in loose admissions to the Ordinances c. It 's not your sin who still Communicate in the Ordinances of Christ provided you do your parts and Office It were sad living in any Church in the World if the sins of others should be charged on such as have neither calling not power to reform them fitter it is by far to mourn and pray for Redressing of such evils then to run out of the Church for them VIII Take heed of that great and common mistake that nothing is to be admitted in and about the government and administration of the Church of Christ in the least Circumstantials thereof but what is particularly and clearly held forth in the Scriptures This mistake hath occasioned many needless scruples in the minds of weak Christians and much promoted groundlesse separation It is a Rule laid down by a whole Assemblie of Divines Assem Conf. of Faith c 1. many of them not much affected to the present establishment That there are some circumstances concerning the Worship of God and Government of the Church common to humane actions and Societies which are to be ordered by the light of nature and Christian prudence according to the general Rules of the Word And the same is practised among all those that are most averse to the communion of the Church of England who retain amongst themselves many things that they can produce little true-Scripture-proofs for but only practise them prudentially as best conducing to the welfare of their Churches and as they judge to the Order of Gods Worship therein and some have ingeniously acknowledged as much If you search the Scriptures impartiallie concerning Church-government you will finde therein little besides the main Essentials of it as that the Church is to be Governed and that by its proper Officers and directions how they should be qualified and set apart for their Office what the severall duties belonging to their Office are and some general directions about the management thereof All which may sute with the several forms of Government that have been competitors amongst us wherein the power of Christs Officers is further extended or more restrained Stillingf iren pt 2. c 4. c 8. wherein some act in a superior others ina coordinate way and therefore very many learned and godly men have judged that no one form of government was prescribed as necessary in the Church but it 's left to be suted to the condition of those Kingdoms and Nations where the Church shall be planted The like may be said concerning Gospel Worship The main