friend The Answer returned Junii 5. WOrthy Sir Although my Letter written as I conceive on a very just occasion and in a friendly manner to Mr. Helm be not yet vouchsafed any answer yet have I this fruit of it that you upon sight thereof have been pleased thus far to shew your love to the Writer as to give me your Advice Advice led in by so favourable an elogy of your undeserving friend that were the Admonition sharper than any point of my letter yet should I think my self bound to take it well Monere Moneri you know the rest I do not only not take it ill but heartily thank you for it and will obey it preferring your judgment herein before mine own For truly when I consult with my self give me an ingenuous liberty to speak a little boldly with you I can see no cause but I may write more such letters That letter hath two parts one defensive of many Ministers for their life and learning well approved the other admonitory desiring a revisall of some points deliverd by that Preacher my friend In the Defense I have certainly said somewhat that cannot be refuted by silence nor as I think by words And in my Admonition I have touched that which ought to be retracted or at least excused Why am I not answered by letter if I am wrong to be reduced or informed if I am right to be confirmed To give no Answer in such a case I confess I cannot reconcile with the Rules of humanity which I have learned and which I did believe my friend would not transgress The true use of a letter is thereby to understand the writers mind and so to give him answer what other use may be made of it as you say truly I know not but I esteem it not worthy to be seen by Superiours against whose command I am so far from contending that I will not publickly condemn what they publickly commend But to speak to your second it hath been esteemed heretofore very conscientious to contend against some things tolerated by the Magistrate So did many zealous Preachers contend against sports on the Lords day tolerated once and so do some still contend against Usury tolerated yet And for Forms and Discipline the Old way you know was preached down when the Laws and Magistrates did endeavour to uphold it These preachers I cannot defend but would say something for them if it had been a Form tolerated only and not establisht For we look upon a Form tolerated as a thing not approved by the State but winked at for a time and dispenst with to content a party or side A Form tolerated is at most but for triall and so long as it is put to the triall it may be contended against not by force but by argument and disswasion Nor is this to oppose the State or cross their Intention for til they declare their Mind it is presumption in a private man to intrude into their Counsells And therefore while things are under Consultation as now it cannot be justly called opposition of the Magistrate if one dispute in a familiar letter against that which they tolerate Nay the liberty of familiar letters you know is of greater extent For my part there is none gives more to the Magistrate in matters of Religion that I do none is more ready to submit to laws in all things not cleerly contrary to the Highest Law And for the present Toleration although I think I may safely take the liberty is not this also a part of the Toleration to discourse of such matters either by letter or otherwise yet I will obey your Advice as I said and I cannot chuse but commend your Moderation in not judging any man scandalous for not being of your Form Though out of Form I am really Sir your Servant in Christ Another to the same not long aster GOod Sir Having not the leasure at present to attend you at Stow I send my letter to to salute you and your good company I have considered upon your Argument yesterday taking advantage from the rubric in our Service-Book That Catechizing and Confirmation must go before the Sacrament of of the Lords Supper Therefore your New Covenant The Antecedent is in the rubric after the Form of Confirmation And I cannot defend the former neglect of Confirmation in the Bishop nor any present neglect of Catechizing by any Minister But seeing there is now none of that Confirmation to be had a great want in the Church I think what if the Minister do his part in instructing people in the Catechism and the people not only make Confession of Faith but profess Repentance Charity Obedience nor hath the Minister any assurance no nor just ground of suspicion that they are not sincere shall he not admit them to the Lords Table I would not presume to condemn all the pious and learned Ministers of the Church of England that have administred the Sacrament upon such tearms When we cannot have all done we would we must be content with what can be done as the case standeth Well Confirmation I grant is commanded as convenient and profitable not so necessary but that in case it be wanting the Sacrament may be administred Now to the sequel How your Covenant can serve in place of Confirmation I do not yet understand It consisteth only of the Confession resolution and promise of the Covenanters whereas Confirmation or laying on of hands is an act of the Bishop to certify the person confirmed of Gods favour and gracious goodness towards him and it is joyned with prayer and benediction wherwith the party is thought to be strengthned and encreas'd in grace Your Covenant I grant is somewhat like the Answer in our Catechism where the Catechized undertaketh the Baptismall vow made in his name and promiseth by Gods help to perform it And surely that is done by all that come with us to the Lords Table And approaching to it in the quality of such as repent them truly of all their sins are in charity with their neighbours and intend to lead a new life they do renew their Covenant and in taking the Sacrament have the seal thereof as t is very requisite nor do I yet see how Ministers can refuse to give it Sir shall I be bold in secret to ask you what great deliverance is the ground of your Covenant I doubt of it because upon the late deliverance from the Scotish Invasion all hopes were cut off of reforming this Church according to the pattern of Scotland which unless I am deceived was one end of the Scotish Covenant receiv'd in England I deny not great Deliverances but I take advantage from the Scots Covenant and say that the Friends thereof instead of Deliverance have had a totall overthrow Give me a little light in this and reconcile the Covenants in the religious part of them for I meddle not with temporals That which you said as I take it of peoples having
man of a different way and to make good his cause to appoint a time place and some discreet persons to be witnesses and I would wait on him Let him shew you my Note I never heard of any good order at any late-publick popular disputes and it is against my peaceable disposition and Studies to engage my self to the noise factions of such meetings 'T will be better sure first to corfer in private I will meet Mr. Helme at Mr. Freemans house if he will The sooner the better Let him chuse some seâ—ect friends of judgment and I shall be glad to have both of you present to keep us within the Laws of Academicall Disputation Upon which meeting if we can agree upon any publick orderly way of Tryall that may tend to a good effect with leave of Superiours I shall God willing be ready and either answer or oppose so far as it concerns me I most desire to confer by letters with any sober Divine Nec quenquam fugio Your very humble Servant C. B. That same week was sent to Mr. H. a paper conteining three false Doctrins to be confuted at Gods house in Winchcomb by some neighbouring Ministers Novemb. 9. with an Epigram to the erring Brethren Papists look one away c. See it immediately before the Dispute Mr. H. to Mr. B. October 31. 53. SIR There was a nameless paper sent to me with three questions and a Libell at the end of it directed to the erring brethren the Messenger said it came from you I desire to know who those erring Brethren are The question I propos'd takes in the substance of what is in difference between you and me And I shall be ready the day and hour appointed viz. 10. of the clock on the 9. day of November next at the Meeting-house at Winchcomb which you Idolatrically call God's House to justify through Grace that assertion I sent to you and I do desire your positive Answer whether you will be there or not to answer as you first proposed my opposition Your friend so far as you are for truth C. H. Mr. B. to Mr. H. November 1. 53. SIR I am very prone of my self to wait on you either privately or publickly but you know I think or may know that my Intention was for a private meeting I am assured by some judicious friends that no scholastic Order is to be hoped for at your publick Meeting Wherefore I may without any injury to my Cause decline it being ready to answer either by word before some discreet witnesses or by writing as you shall please to propose your Arguments But pray let them be Arguments not ill words as Libell Idolatry Murdering and other the like elegancies of yours In all wayes that become an ingenuous man and a Christian I am your servant All-Saints-Day Mr. B's Reply to Mr. A. P. Octob. 31. 53. DEar Sir Si judicas cognosce My self am best able to inform you both what my Thoughts are and what my Actions are Ever since I was initiated into Holy Orders which was above twenty years since it hath been my Design in preaching with sincerity and simplicity of heart I thank God though with much weakness to commend unto my Hearers both the Form and the Power of Godliness not one without the other but Both Quae Deus conjunxit I could never approve of those that pretending to set up the Power cry down the Form that is all decent and comely Rites and Ceremonies ordained by the Church nor of those that while they were zealous for Rites and Forms neglected the Power The Church of England I have always reverenced I mean in respect of the excellent constitutions and Laws of it as for corrupt practices of Officers or Ministers therein I can be sorry for them I cannot defend them And now since the late obstinate Disorders of our people I am more in love with the Beauty of the Church appearing still in the said constitutions Till I find a better Church I must have leave to continue in the communion of this A causeless separation from it I cannot excuse from the crime of Schism In the Ministration of the Sacrament I indeavor to follow the Rule so far as I can and after the best preparation I can use admit only those that joyn with me in holy professions and serious and solemn engagements to lead a Christian life If I be enformed of any particular that scandalously breaks his Vow I will take heed how I admit him again without satisfaction But where things are doubtful I encline to the more favourable part Private Conference either by word or Letter I much desire with any of your Temper Publick I refuse not if it may be quiet and orderly Your Letter I much thank you for I will study it and give you Account This general Answer I scribled and sent you this next morn after the receit of yours that you may know I have kindly taken it and that I heartily am SIR Yours C. B. His fuller Answer to Mr. A. P. Dear Sir THe Zeal that sparkles all over your Letter of the 26. of Octo. which I have now had leasure to read so often that I can read it perfectly calls for a more particular Answer than I gave you on Monday last Expect only a few brief notes upon it till I have the opportunity of a friendly meeting You say you do not find but Mr. H. proceeded according to what I proposed to him My note shews that I offered a meeting at the place he would appoint in the presence of some discreet Auditors What place can be understood but a private place or house as I also explaned my self to the Baylif that received of me the Paper mentioning his house or Mr. F's so that it is no receding from my offer but a refusal of an unreasonable demand if I come not among the confused multitude Peruse a passage in Hookers Preface concerning publick Conferences or Disputes and consider whether Mr. H. his publike meeting will admit of any such Rules You say You are grieved to hear of me as an Opposer of Reformation c. If you would make it appear to me that the work at Winchcomb is a work of true Reformation Oh how glad should I be to contribute my best aid to it But I administer the holy things you say to Prophane Wretches the haters of Godliness who the next hour c. We confess our selves to God miserable and wretched sinners but we trust in his mercy that he will accept us in Christ not weiging our merits but pardoning our offences I shall use the best means I can to find out those you characterize and deal with them accordingly but after all care there may be false Professors and Revolters in the truest Church I countenance none in their corrupt and loose waies but on the contrary shew the danger of such looseness and exhort unto all Gospel-Order nor do I know any of my Company that do
them not to come together nor doth he check the Minister and forbid him to offer the Sacrament but saith he Let a man examine himself and so Neither doth the unworthy eat damnation to the Minister or any other but only to himself Nor is the Cup of blessing turned by the Minister into a Cup of poyson God forbid such language of yours but the unworthy Receiver of the cup of blessing loses the blessing through his unworthiness 8. As the word becomes the savour of death to the unworthy so are their prayers abomination yet you both receive them to the Word and joyn with them in Prayer and you sing Psalms with them namely the 100. Psalms We are his flock he doth us seed c. 9. As the Word is a quickning Ordinance so the Sacrament is a quickning Ordinance For it is always accompanied with the Word Nay without the Word 't is no Sacrament If the Word without the Sacrament may quicken those that were dead much more may the Word with the Sacrament Christ is the Bread of life both to give life and to maintain life 10. You do I suppose admit Children of all Christian parents upon their desire and profession to the one Sacrament why do you not admit the parents themselves likewise to thè other 11. You have no power to receive accusations and proofs of Witnesses without which you cannot give sentence and will you condemn and suspend or excommunicate before you have tryed or upon hear-say Quis erit innocens 12. You say you make a separation in the Church not from the Church as if it were lawfull to make a separation in the Church A separation in the Church is a rent of the Church is offensive and saddens the heart of many pious discreet and charitable persons that however they like you otherwise cannot joyn with you in your by-way 13. We must not deny the worthy and keep from them the means and pledges of grace because of the unworthiness of some 14. As we offer the Covenant to all so must we offer the seal to all that do outwardly submit to the Covenant Sir I will add no more at present these Arguments thus briefly set down you may consider of impartially I have left a margin for your Annotations and desire you to note what you allow and what you dislike and so return my paper that I may endeavour to satisfy you so far as it becomes one that is a friend to you and to the people among whom you are Minister I must not end till I have as I think it my duty admonisht you to review the Meditations you delivered yesterday and in your second thoughts judge whether it he right and charitable to preach 1. That the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church were heretofore imposed as necessary or equall to Gods Law See to the contrary in the preface to the Liturgy of Ceremonies why some are retained 2. That a Church of Saints might fifteen years ago best be gathered out of excommunicate persons 3. That God will add to your separating Church such as shall be saved as if salvation were not to be had elswhere 4. That Liturgy hath done much hurt among the people Remember the fallacy of non causa pro causa 5. That the Ministers that joyn not with you harden people in their sins and favour their wickedness 6. That the Apostle speaking of withdrawing from disorderly walkers forbids to eat the Sacrament with them though they were not excommunicate They might eat familiarly with Infidels not with the brother offending 1 Cor. 5. Herein I cannot subscribe to your doctrin though in any office of love I am your servant Postscript YOU were a little troubled me thought with that Text 1 Cor. 5. concerning not eating with the offending Brother and you held it lawfull to eat familiarly or at the common Table with him but not at the Holy Table Your reason because it was lawfull so to eat with Infidels Sir you are twice mistaken for it was clearly permitted to keep company and eat with Infidels though not with the brother Read the place And the Apostle doth not speak of eating the Sacrament but common bread A Christian must be so far from familiar converse with such a brother that he must not so much as eat with him No not to eat He must avoid his familiar company lest he partake in his sin whom he knows to be covetous a railer a drunkard c. But if they both chance to meet at the Lords Table the offender being not under publick censure of Authority there he may accompany him in that good Action and not be polluted by him for the Action is good and the inward unworthiness is his own guilt and hurts not another The end of this Aversation from the offending brother is for his good for his conversion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Th. 3. 14. That he may be ashamed The end of my Admonition to you is that you may not be ashamed but in the most hansome way you can amend your error and no longer rail ††Humfryes of Free Admiss p. 78. My Brethren there are some touches of the Law and Superstition on you You know what a sacred thing was made of the Communion-Table when the Rayl was about it Now I pray think how you refine and spiritualize your old superstition by putting a spiritual rail about the Sacrament when you debar poor sinners from coming thither Let us take heed there will be something of the Pharisee in these spiritual-proud hearts of men there will be setting a rayl stil about the Communion-Table about the Holy Table and fright the people from it Mr. Barksdale expected Mr. Helme should now shew himself an example of meekness in accepting brotherly Admonition which he had commended so much in his Sermon but found it otherwise for neither was the paper returned according to his request nor any Answer at all but the letter was shewed to his party and from one of them Mr. Barksdale received this loving Advice following A Letter of Mr. Tr. to Mr. B. Junii 1. 52. GOod Sir The good respect I ever bore to your industry learning peaceableness and integrity makes me having seen a letter of yours savouring of some sharpness to be bold to give you advice worth gold 1. That you would write no more such letters you know not what use may be made of it If you had the letter again I think you would never send it 2. That you will not think your self ingaged in conscience to contend against any particular form or disciplin tolerated by the Magistrate especially seeing I and the rest do by no means judge any man to be scandalous because he is not of our form but desire all brotherly love and fellowship with you and them Good Sir consider of this mine advice and if you cannot take it well yet do not take it ill because t is the advice of your assured loving
Juramentis in every Month unless the day be upon some exigent 11. De Pietate De Charitate changed and every one in his turn shall provide a Latin Lecture 12. De Patientia De Spe. to be read at the appointed place immediatly before dinner not exceeding half an hour Huc spectant fere omnia upon two Heads of Theology according to the order of the Catalogue †4. That Lecture shall yield matter of Discourse pro and con and for the more variety of Conference every Fellow of this Society shall bring some pocket-volume or some new Tract to be communicated to the rest and considered in the By. And moreover They shall impart what Intelligence they have De Rep. literaria 5. That the Society may be the better furnished for their private Studies they shall give each other a Note of such Books as they can lend in exchange for other and the mutuall returns shall be made within the month That none may be a loser some record is to be made hereof 6. In this Meeting nothing shall pass that may either be offensive to the Common-wealth or injurious to the good Name of any private person living or dead And every one shall use all Gentleness and Condescention of the other remembring who hath said He that is greatest among you let him be servant of All. Qu. 1. Whether it be not the Duty of the lawfull Ministers to shew some extraordinary zeall and care in preserving people in the Unity of the Church when so many unordained men are so zealous and diligent to draw them into separation 2. Whether Communions ought not to be celebrated at least thrice a year according to the Rule of the Church and to that end the People to be duly prepared by Catechizing and where need is by particular Conference 3. Whether the lawful Ministers for their mutual encouragement and furtherance in the work of their Calling ought not to associate themselves and at certain appointed times of meeting perform some Exercise by turns Mr. T. to Mr. B. Aug. 30. 53. My Dear Friend YOur's I received on Friday that and the afterday was ingag'd in the service for the third day On Monday I communicated the enclosed which now I return to D. We do so exceedingly approve it and the compiler of it that we heartily desire you who are so prudent a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the young society either to bring the same Paper with you on the first Tuesday of the next Month or another Paper with Additions as you shall think fit though in point of Laws as in Cases of Conscience the excess of determinations may be offensive to be communicated to New College so contrived that to prevent any possible exception we may impart the view of it to him that sits at the Helm and if not desire yet give way for his concurrent society in the innocency and industry of the design We think when we do hunc lapidem movere we do amoliri omnem God direct and prosper you and us It was not long after this time when Mr. B. having celebrated the Holy Eucharist at Sudeley Mr. H. as his manner had been before crys out Murder in his Pulpit and withall makes shew of a readiness to confer with any body and make good his charge Which news was brought Mr. B. by one of the Baylifs and by the same hand a few lines were presently sent by Mr. B. signifying to Mr. H. that he was glad to hear now of an offer of Conference and that he would be ready to wait upon Mr. H. at his time and place before some discreet Auditors of his choice to answer his charge and give him account of his doings at Sudeley To this note after three weeks interval had Mr. B. answer brought him to his house in these words of Master H. to Master B. Octob. 19. 1653. MAster B. I received your Chalenge which you sent by Baylif T. and am willing to answer it in the strength of God and because you give me liberty to choose time and place and Auditors Sir I do choose Nov. 9. next following for the day and the publick meeting house of Winchcomb for the place where I shall not fail God assisting to be ready to prove That such a mixed Administration of the Sacraments that is usually practized in the Parishes of England is unlawful in the Administrators in giving and the People in receiving As for the persons before whom this Conference shall be held I shall choose my despised Brethren who are Pastors of the Churches and those simple Disciples as you call them over whom the Holy Ghost hath made me Overseer You have the liberty to choose what sober persons you please Sir if you resolve to maintain this unchristian practice in your self and others you shall meet at the time and place aforasaid an opponent of Your loving friend C. H. Your chalenge is so triumphantly reported about the Country by your friend that I believe here will be many Godly persons of the places adjacent Master B. to Master H. Octob. 20. 1653. SIR THat which you are pleas'd in your military language to call a challenge which yet you have been so wary as to answer after three weeks space was indeed a friendly Civil request that I might wait upon you at your appointed time and place in the presence of some discreet witnesses that is in some neighbours house as the bearer could and did assure you to answer your charge against me for my Ministring at Sudeley Your publick meetings I do not approve they tend to faction in the Church and perhaps will end in sedition against the State if you be not the wiser See Sleidan's Commentaries of the disorders of Germany But Sir if you please to meet me on the Lords da next at night at Mr. F's He was waited for in one quarter of an hour 's but he came not discourse possibly we may contrive some way for your satisfaction Your servant C. B. Mr. B. to Mr. P. Mr. Tr. Oct. 20. 53. WOrthy Friends I have some reason to think that you are misinform'd by Mr. Helme concerning me wherefore I trouble you with these few lines to assure you that I am so far from despising you that I do not use to mention you sine honoris praefatione and in my heart do much value your learning and piety yea I do reckon you in the number of my honor'd friends Non eadem sentire bonos de rebus iâ—sdem Incolumi licuit semper Amicitiâ That first Next whereas I am required to answer at the publick meeting place at Winchcomb Novemb. 9. before a confluence of those that are called by my opponent the Godly and am named the Challenger I truly profess unto you that in my note to Mr. Helme about three weeks agoe I only desired him in humble manner grounding my request upon what the bearer told me of his readiness to conferr with any
sentences and judgements upon our Christian Brethren yet we preserve the practice of our Religion at home and sometimes partake of the publick Ordinances abroad and are in readiness to submit our selves either to the present Minister when he shall approve himself our lawful and Orthodox Pastor or to some other duly to be placed over us 2. I am a Member of the National Church of England which we acknowledge a true visible Church of Christ though somewhat clouded now and defaced by the modern innovations to which yet there are many thousand professors that have not bowed And the Communion of this Church we will not forsake but pray that Government agreeable to the word of God may be restored to it 3. I am a Member of the Church Catholick into which I was received at my Baptism and I desire to joyn with any peaceable Christian in the whole world in the profession of that Faith which was once deliver'd and in such forms of Worship which agree therewith And we pray that by the means of Christian Princes a Free General Council may at length be assembled to reconcile the Differences and guide the Affairs of Christendom to the good of Souls and the Glory of our Common Saviour TO THE MINISTERS HIS OPPONENTS 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 THE report of our Dispute being spread abroad and as it happens in other fights Victory being cry'd on both sides I thought it reasonable to publish this Account of it that the impartial Reader may judge Another reason is that our selves my brethren this compellation you will not disdain for Jesus sake may in cold blood review what hath passed and either I may come to you or you to me as Truth shall require The first honour is to Defend the Truth the second to Yield unto it If any of you will write remember those words of the Grave Hooker There will come a time when three words uttered with Charity and Meekness shall receive a far more blessed reward than three thousand volumes written with disdainful sharpness of wit If you please to hold an other personal meeting it is fit you answer our Arguments against you concerning what you delivered at Winchcomb Nov. 8. in disgrace of our Ministry and Parish-Churches but if you go on to decline answering and are only good at opposing I do not refuse to appear again in defence not only of our ministring the Sacrament but of the other two Theses That your new Churches are not the only true Churches And That Christ was truly Preached before these late years Upon which in conformity to the old Vniversity fashion I take leave to adde here not any Libel as one of you called it but my sad Epigram Papists took one away but you combine To rob the People both of Bread and Wine They blame us ' cause we have not Rites so many But you condemn us more ' cause we have any They will not call us Catholicks you can Scarce yield us the first name of Christian Poor English Church thy enemies from Rome Were cruel more unkind are these at home Your servant in the Truth Clement Barksdale Oxon. Nov. 16. 1653. Disputandi Sobrietas Ecclesiarum Medicina A true Account of a Dispute at Winchcomb-Parish-Church November 9. 1653. Written by a careful Observer November 11. and Printed with Licence November 16. for the satisfaction of the People at and neer Winchcomb Great is the Truth and it will prevail UPON the ninth of this November between nine and ten in the Morning Mr. Barksdale Minister at Sudeley the Respondent having waited a while for the comming of the Opponents first enters Mr. Helm Minister at Winchcomb immediately after him enters Collonel Aileworth Justice of peace Mr. Tray Minister at Oddington Mr. Wells Minister at Tewksbury Mr. Chaffy Minister at Naunton and some other 1. After they had taken possession of the Ministers Pue all together the Respondent ascends a Pue ex opposito which he had caused to be erected for the purpose his friend Mr. Towers Minister at Toddington and some other Orthodox Ministers taking up a lower seat next unto him on the right hand where first falling on his knees after a short ejaculation he shews himself and saluted his Opponents and after some little Pause the Question was proposed Whether it be lawful to Minister and Receive the Holy Sacrament in Congregations called mixt Or in our Parish-Churches Aff. The prior Opponent Mr. H. desired to begin with prayer Take your liberty said the Respondent who after the Preface wherein like a good Orator the Opponent told the people that Truth must look for opposition and that the Respondent was a native of the place and himself a stranger and the prayer done spake thus You will now give me leave also to speak three words 1. To God 2. To the Hearers 3. To the Opponents 1. To God I make my humble address and intreat you to lift up your hearts with me that he would be pleased to open our eyes that we may see the Truth to open our Hearts that we may embrace the Truth and to give us courage to confess the Truth and to hold it fast unto the end for Jesus Christs sake to whom be glory for ever 2. To the Hearers my earnest desire is that you would lay aside all prejudice and partiality and listen to what shall be said on either side with silence and patience And because I am a man of a slow Tongue of a tender Forehead of a frail Memory of a weak Judgement I have the more cause to beg of you my friends your secret assistance by your mental prayer that God would support me so far as I defend his cause For I declare in the presence of God the searcher of hearts that I do verily think that to be true which I maintain and that I am not willingly an enemy to true Reformation or the work of God in this place as I have been grievously charged nor am I a friend to any thing that can justly be called Popish or Antichristian God knows I detest and abhor it 3. Lastly to these Gentlemen my Opponents my request is that you would deal with me fairly and Scholar-like Take you your turns and give me mine to speak come you on one after one and let me have liberty to repeat to deny to distinguish to explain what I say so far as is needful And to conclude if we cannot agree in our opinions let us yet I pray be one in Affection and preserve amongst us that Christian Peace and Charity which is the mark and the honour of the Disciples of our gracious Lord and Master The Respondent in one of his papers afore this exercise had called the publick Meeting place as they term it the House of God But one of the Opponents Mr. W. put forward and omitting the Question began in a light velitation about that Appellation after this manner W. The House of God it is Superstition to
the particulars in my frail memory I mentioned not Now Sir for the proceeding against me at Winchcomb the last week which together with a very frivolous report about the D. of Y. in the inquiry whereof methinks the Religion of an oath was made cheap was the business of the three Justices I must tell you what good people say That the new-saints there discover what they are by their pride and spightfulness That they procured warrant to fetch in some of my neighbours to swear against me for using the Common-Prayer-Book who are not so Book-learned that they can well tell when I use it when not That they some of them gave this false evidence that on the Monday sollowing the Dispute when Mr. Helme would not appear I had drawn to the Church a company you were one of lewd persons That the Justices have not obliged me by any humanity or charity toward me suffering me to be accused by such fellowes in my absence that But no more of this now To conclude this scribble I would have all know that I do forgive my Adversaries whom I have assayed to cool by kind letters and that I do not fear them that I am well affected to all Goverment by which I am protected and that I am so well opinioned of the present Governor that I believe he will at least tolerate that Religion wherein himself as well as we were once baptiz'd C. B. to Mr. G. December 24. 1653. SIR I have seriously considered both what you writ to me and what you said You said Let Ministers preach at home and take heed of Meetings It is good to be wise and wary but to omit the means and opportunity of doing good in our Callings even when there is some shew of perill to our selves I doubt will argue rather a timorous deserting of our Cause than a prudent wariness Ministers must not only labour single and in their own Cures but by a brotherly union and mutual assistance advance the work of their Master and procure the peace of the Church When so many unlearned new Teachers both single and united shew such zeal to make proselytes shall we that have gone through the Schools to S. Maryes and through university degrees have ascended the Pulpit and by a regular mission are employed in our stations shall we I say let the people lose the fruit of our long studyes shall we be cold and heartless and suffer our sheep to wander as if they had no shepheards You writ to me That the Truth and our Cause did not suffer by my Dispute but my friends fear is that I in my estate may suffer in defense thereof Truly Sir the grave judgment of you and other friends that I have done some service to a good Cause doth more comfort me than your fears of my suffering can discourage me I think upon the Psalmists words Trust in the Lord and be doing good I think upon Gods words to Paul Be not afraid but speak and hold not thy peace For I am with thee I think upon Paul's words to the Philippians To you it is given not only to believe but to suffer I think upon Christ's words Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you for my sake Rejoyce and be exceeding glad I need not comment upon these passages nor apply them Assure your self I am not afraid to suffer as a Christian My estate indeed is but small if it were great God forbid I should love it more than a good Conscience I am in hope to keep both safe and my hope is confirmed since I hear that at the very same time when our Adversaries were contriving to undo me and other of my worthy brethren The Generall was declared Protector who is said to be of a moderate and a gentle and obliging Disposition From whom I may justly expect such a preservation in my place whereby I may be able which is all my ambition to breed up my five little Boys to fear God to love their Countrey and to obey their superiours C. B. to D. C. December 30. 1653. MOst dear Sir I have born a loss which will make all that can happen seem but light unto me ô passi graviora so that the danger threatned moves me not But truly upon the late change which I hope will turn to the general good as well as mine I wrote to you that the danger I conceiv'd was past and therefore you might burn the letters No wonder that in the delivery of my papers to that man you receiv'd vile words and threats against me Such are the Civilities of some new-Saints that have sound out a Religion of another temper from His who as himself is meek and lowly so requireth all his Disciples to be like him and that are of another spirit than that whose fruits are long suffering and gentleness 'T was well you ventur'd not to deliver the other letter having had such experience Now Sir to answer your Question where I am prosecuteed I cannot only I conjecture I shall hear of my Adversaries at the Sessions and there I may hope well of the equity of the other Justices As for the Articles against me it seems by what I have learned concerning the examinations they will run thus 1. That he said he would out Mr. Helme though I think when they sought false witness to prove this they found none And indeed I do not use to threaten 2. That he hath sometime used some part of the Common-Prayer-Book Themselves use not the Directory and the Order of the 12. of November last protects all Assemblies but Popish 3. That he Christned such a mans child with the sign of the Cross in token that he should not be asham'd to confess the faith of Christ crucified 4. That he dined at an Ordinary with the D. of Y. at Winchcomb About whom there hath been much a doe among those Justices to the exposing of themselves and their office to much contempt among the people Terrible Articles But since the Dissolution the Men are not terrible so that I may banish them from my studies and return unto my Grotius or rather use the words of the Psalmist Return unto thy rest O my Soul for the Lord hath been good to thee The Lord taketh my part against my adversaries The Lord shall give his people the blessing of Peace To his gracious providence I commend you and all yours Testimonies pertinent to severall passages in the Letters and Dispute Collected out of Protestant Divines as they came to hand to be referred to their proper places by the diligent Reader Dr. HAMMOND Of Binding and Loosing Pag. 74. THey quite deform the primitime Institution of Excommunication who deny the Sacrament to Whole Congregations at once without any charge laid to all or any part of them save only that they are a mixt Congregation wherein there are some evill men which yet is not legally proved neither and they also who deny it to