divine they begin the question with the power of Calling confirming presiding in and adnulling Councels and ended in dethroning Emperors They who undertook the contest were wise and able and though they opposed a powerful yet it was a devout Emperor and shaken with homebred and intestine afflictions frequent in the decaying estate of the Empire this was heightened by what was then called zeal for Gods Altar after that branded for spiritual pride and accounted the highest step to Antichristian error opening the way to what ever followed with ease placing an especial sanctity in ordination from the Deacon to the Patriarch and so to the Pope gradually and in him not onely to primacy but supremacy so that what was before evidenced by faith and holy conversation was now solely attributed to imposition of hands this was a holy unction an indelible Character marking who were Christs God left not himself without witnesses against these growing errors in the several Ages wherein they were propounded to the world which gave some stop but one error ushering in another strengthened themselves so that at the last they shut truth out of doors But to speak of the particular errors upon the Quaeries arising among Christians First concerning the written Word of God and word in general of the written Word how we are to finde out the sense and know which is the true letter whither it may be translated and whether a fit Judge of controversie Secondly if not who concerning traditions and the way of knowing them which are Apostolical Thirdly the properties office and marks of the true Church And so Fourthly of the ground of faith upon all which with many more necessary and useful matters the whole frame of unnecessary superstitions vain sinful nay damnable doctrines arising in future time was founded I cannot at present at least intend any discussion nor may it take so well with the generality of men to have one whose study and profession was the Law though a Christian which general profession I esteem a full liberty to Quaery any so called Ecclesiastick or Church controversie but that indeed being not the main of my intention I shall apply my self to what is the scope of my undertaking in that way The God of heaven whose aid I implore shall direct my spirit The Bishops of Rome now labour an addition of believers in all Countries and not onely France and Almaine but even the remotest Ilands of Britain receive the truth the Church was to be universal there was a word of truth for it But as the Emperors and Princes of the world had by several experiences found out the best and quaintest waies of stretching their subjects purse-strings without cracking to be the gains and in-comes of sutes and controversies which being the vents either of malice in prosecution or victory in the issue and the party overthrown though miserably complaining were alwaies remediless generally unpittied for it was done by Law the rule of Justice The Bishops of Rome now begin generally to challenge to themselves not only for the honor but for the necessity of order special government by way of judicatories at first only of matters arising within the precincts of his government as Bishop of Rome but after it extended by way of supremacy the great injustice of all Princes giving colour thereto to pluck away causes from the remotest parts of the world after the Bishops had settled their powers and by them courts in any kingdom realm or nation And from particular controversie between person and person Bishop and Bishop he at last became the umpire of the controversies of Kings and by vertue of the necessity of a final appeal he gave away kingdomes as he pleased as the annals not only of Germany but of France and England do specially commemorate and now the name of universal Bishop would not suffice nor these large temporalities bestowed upon them by Princes but they seise the Cities of Romandiola Ferrara and Bononia and much more in the vacancy of the Empire nay the little Horn would not rest so contented but the Emperors oppose the Popes now produce the grounds of their actings partly from reason partly from Scripture yet both agreeing in the substance the necessity of an umpire in the Christian Churches that this absolution must rest in the Church whereof Christ was the head Peter his Vicar and the Pope his that all the kingdomes of the world were now the Lords and his Christs that he gave them to whom he would that this his Vicar was the most fit person yea the only fit if not designed for he was the common father of souls had the care of the Churches good upon him that not only all were alike to him but he bound alike to all the obligation too the Church only excepted This wrought conscientiously in many but actively in most though suspected of self-seeking in some covetize and avarice being the common error of great enjoyers especially in high and ambitious spirits whereby the Pope was not without his Champions against all opposers and as most pretenders do they did some justice extraordinary at first but when the notion of infallibility was accepted who could oppose now the Church was in its ruff and now the whole world turned religious and all Nations especially in Europe were become so great admirers of Christian profession that they erected Monasteries Frieries Nunneries and men and women were engaged on all sides all worldly obligements neglected for the service of their Saviour husbands forsaking wives and wives husbands Children and Servants leave Parents and Masters nothing so secret which confession could not unlock there was ease and plenty so that the Popes chair having so many feet it was in no great fear of falling but least the people should discern this the foundation of all is laid upon the indubitable word so called of God of which they are the sole Expositors and this by way of anology or similitude betwixt the old and new law Therefore they hold forth that as among the Priests one was cheif under the law so also under the Gospel and as the Priests so their lips must preserve knowledge as there was a bloody so here was an unbloody sacrifice and as there was a Temple so here another Church inferior Churches as the Synagogues the times of sacrifice are called Canonical hours and all the officers and offices of the Jewish frame are now brought into the Church and though acknowledged ceremonial in themselves and so passed away yet the mystery of them opened and the end relating to the service of God and his Christ now as before to God under his name Jehovah was allowed as necessary for his better service and as the glory of the second Temple was to exceed the glory of the first so the maintenance of the ministers of Christ and the outward lustre of service was to exceed it but that they might fulfill the measure of iniquity they bring in the use of
otherwise received by the vulgar and multitude The Independent so called being burthened both by Bishop and Presbyterian with all calumnies as the Presbyterian being envied much by the Bishop being as his Opponent and by all their followers and that just as the Papists had in the first Reformation branded the Church so called of England governed by Bishops but denying the Supremacy of the Pope and therefore cursed by them as Hereticks Schismaticks Adulterers yea Heathens for by their rule we had no Ministry no Sacraments and so consequently no Church because not holding of their head the Pope And in the word of a Christian so doth the consequence of the Episcopal and Presbyterian Doctrine brand the Congregational way for they say no Ministry but so derived as by Succession from the Apostles and that admitted they must hold none have power to administer the Sacraments They all differ also about Government in the Church the Bishop and Presbyterian much what alike both indeed making the officers of the Church the Church as Rome doth so as the Church taking the Government solely into themselves count all other Christians as Lay-men they had as good say Heathens if throughly scanned and they onely the Clergy the Priests of the living God so indeed claim a magisterial power by the same Rules Order Arguments and Distinctions and Differences as Rome doth yea over the Supream Magistrate making him their rod of iron to thresh the Nations that is all opposers of their Classical Edicts These men gave the Magistrate no more power then the Pope for as he so they were the Church the holy ones the Saints at least representative To these men at first gave great regard but many wise Heathen Lay-men feared these mens unskilful lording it over the Lords Inheritance for they presumed these rash Novices in civil Discipline would drive higher then the Bishops who had gone before them Surely if the Bishops men trained up at the Courts of Princes after they came out of the Halls of Lords for the Chaplains of great men came generally to Episcopal Thrones or Chairs and so had still had a reflection upon the order of civil Government and had undoubtedly improved their natural as well as so called spiritual Talent if they had lost themselves and ruined Government through error in Judgement c. or dependance what would these who came but from the Pedantical Tyranny of the Universities and foolish idiotisms of puer-putes I intend this to meer Scholars and give them but their own language which I presume they cannot but apprehend These considerations made the Parliament at Westminster while yet unshattered otherwise then by defection base unworthy defection they should as men have had resolutions worthy their trusts but their cause it seems gave no courage at first to declare against these powers of Parishional Presbyteries to this effect that they did not intend to raise nine thousand odd hundred Seats of Judgement or Judicatories that is so many as there were Parishes of England the least of which should have more power then the Parliament of England And I think few men knowing but will agree that the name onely of Bishop should have been suspended or extinguished but the same power yea that so called by the Presbyter unjust being exercised by the Bishop the preheminence being now in the Presbytery the same had been allowed and indeed it pleased God so farto give way that these men were throughly tryed for the Parliament did not seeing all at once constitute Elderships to be chosen and improved some men whether intentionally as supposing that Discipline best or so called politickly to discover their temper I determine not But these men presently fall hot upon the work and what had but just before ruined their predecessors the Bishops and been their stumbling stone namely the Non-Conformity of the now called Presbyter becomes the Presbyters rock of offence against the so now called Independents And to assure this after the manner of the Apostate Church they call for the secular power or the power of the secular Sword and an Act was said to be prepared they talked much of it That Non-Conformists should have a liberty to bear office either in Church or Commonwealth It is truth the rigidity of some its probable seeking not onely the Supremacy of power but an addition of wealth for by them also were sought outward honor riches Lay-power so called and what else was of the old Babels trash to adorn the Church and by them called the Churches Rights bounding it to the so called Priesthood was by these as much eyed as by the veriest Babylonian in the world and the Commonwealth of England still made the Stalking-horse to their lucre and the base men of a rout of people so called also Cleri or Clergy men in whom if St. Paul left the Qualifications right set down were rather the Priests of Bacchanals if not of Bacchus then Pastors of rightly constituted Congregations and these altogether take advantage of an Ordinance made for Tythes to give the denied treble damages they also upon the same grounds get Acts Orders or Ordinances for uniting Parishes and could inform untruths for advantage which appearing the union is for malice not conscience of the complainer dissolved for could the persecutor have had his Tythes but for half value all had been whist but the Priest saw not where such agreement would rest he might undo the Church that is his Successor by that means Wills Probation fixed as they were under an incertain irregular way and illegal till established they continued the Marriage of persons as a Sacrament to be the proper work of the Priests Baptizing Infants the eighth day held if not by the wisest yet by the most of necessity to salvation Yea some held That the Sacrament of the Lords Supper was a converting Ordinance and so to be administred to all to whom the Gospel was to be preached namely the most prophane of any This to many seemed rather an allowance Politick then Religious to gain a party then to give forth a principle untill some leaders were found publickly to avow the Tenent but this licentiousness lost them the best and most considerable party I shall not further wade in these Controversies nor had I gone thus far could I have otherwayes well cleared what is to follow Namely that the Magistrate eyed these Tenets as sorting with or against his interest and accordingly seemed to allow or disallow The Presbyter struck so high at the root of Magistracy making them their meer Executioners and bringing by Text of old Law what was given to the Priests more imperiously into the Cleri and on the other side the so called Erastian giving all to the Magistrate not as of the Church or in the Church but meerly from the Civil Jurisdiction and totall subjection of the whole course of so called Priests unto the meer will of the Magistrate either by doing or suffering not allowing an
Christ was and laid The same the Disciples Apostles and others use and build with and upon and in the same way according as they received light which was not all at once I pray observe that they had the spirit all but all nor any of them had all the Spirit they had their portion the grace as Paul saith which was given some in one kinde some in another therefore they first apply themselves to the Jew our saviours rule while he lived was Into the Cities of the Gentiles enter you not but go you first to the lost-sheep of the house of Israel but after a time God manifests by the vision of Peter so God taught him first after by pouring the holy Ghost upon the faithful house of a Gentile that they might be baptized and now after a disputation and satisfaction from Peter of these things they that were infallible in particulars which the spirit gave them were not knowing and sometime erred in what God yet revealed but to Peter I pray note this but now freely they preach to the Gentiles and zealous Paul of a persecutor I say no more made a preacher he goes especially to the Gentiles and with much labor and travile and with many dangers preachers Christ but the Divel is as busy as may be he feared not these men who had received the holy Ghost and had abundance of the spirit he throws his stone and hath Agents enough to roll it now the Gentiles are admitted without dispute the question is if they be not bound to Moses law I finde no question of the moral the scruples are concerning the judicial and ceremonial the first question was concerning some that taught the brethren circumcision was needful to salvation this controversie which hath filled the world so called Christian so full of controversie from that time to this present day as namely whether we be saved only through the righteousness of Christ apprehended by faith or have need also as to salvation to observe the Law that by the Jew was meant of the visible law ceremonial by the Christian moral c. The wits of the world saw not then the evidence of the spirit nor would acquiesce in the resolutions of the very Apostles themselves so that the congregation at Antioch being hereby in great disturbance were enforced to send Paul and Barnabas to congregate the rest of the Apostles at Jerusalem this upon a full meeting was to receive its end and determination where being recieved of the church Apostles Elders and brethren who were called together and the matter publiquely debated before them the result of which Peter declares to the Church or multitude of believers evidencing by the letter of scripture and that of the old Testament which surely is one of Gods witnesses That the Lord in calling the Gentiles who were uncircumcised which before was the visible condition of salvation declared and testified That salvation was in Faith without any Oblation to the Law But mistake not I intend not here as if the Question were of abrogating Moses Judiciall but that Salvation was not tied to the obedience to that or the whole Law but only through the grace of the Lord Jesus which being allowed by James he gives his sentence that the believers of the Gentiles be not yet till further instruction tied up too close to the severity as their vain liberty will account it of the Jewish rigor but in those things which will cast too great an odium upon us with the Jew as participating in Idoll Sacrifices whoredome the great and ordinary delight of the Gentile and in eating any thing strangled or bloud as being a precept highly esteemed with them le ts in these write to them that they abstain to which all agreeing it seemed good to the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send this their resolution in letters by certain of the Church at Jerusalem together with Paul and Barnabas the stile phrase and order of which holding sorth still the pattern of Christ their Master and Teacher's meekness gentleness and lowness the Lamb dumb before the shearer and testifying their unity in Christ their head take notice of in the parts the Inscription whereof was The Apostles Elders and Brethren unto the Brethren not the Elders nor Officers but Brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antiochia Syria Cilicia send greeting in the body Forasmuch as we have heard that certain of the Church of Jerusalem or Jews have troubled and cumbred your minds saying you must be circumcised and keep the Law to whom we gave no such commandment to testifie which we send eminent men in the faith to you for it seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us to lay no more burthen upon you then these necessary things that to the end no offence be given to the Jew you abstain from things offered to Idols bloud things strangled and from fornication from which if you keep your selves you shall do well fare you wel Here was no charging willing and commanding from the sacred Synod no Authorrity of the Church urged more then the note of intimation that what was done was by them who had received the holy Ghost The issue is also considerable for these Commissioners of the Churches both of Antioch and Jerusalem comming now to Antioch I pray consider their carriage they assemble whom the Elders or Preachers no they would not tie the people to believe implicitely therefore they assemble the multitude all the believers and there they deliver the Epistle which is read with joy for the consolation This done Satan is at work again raising strife and contention betwixt Paul and Barnabas so that they parted company wherein I pray note the children of God nay the chosen vessels yea consecrated by the actual operation of the Spirit are subject more or less to humane frailties consider further Paul after this decision of that great controversie at Jerusalem yet by and by he circumcises Timothy to give content to the blindness of the Jew and was never called to account for it either at Jerusalem or Antiochia and though himself at the same time delivered the decision of the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem to those converted to the faith of Christ in the Cities about as they travelled to establish their minds in case either the controversie concerning the Laws necessity were there raised already or might right rise afterwards by this humane Wisdom labouring to prevent a further increase of that controversie And if it be queried why they did not miraculously do it as well as heal diseases and such like Know O man that it was contrary to Gods Ordinance he appointed preaching to convert the world and miracles were Trumpets to call the people together and prepared them to receive the Word and with the Word God gave grace as he pleased and that this must be so is plain for all that saw the miracles attended not to the Word and all that did both were not
converted Thus you see the devils beginning he presently raises up controversies in the Church and also persecution without the Apostles are imprisoned but for magnifying Christ one condemned to death as a traytor an enemy to Caesar See it was the doctrine of Righteousness was opposed but Treason is charged how many Christians have played fast and loose for this cause with Christ for could they have suffered as Martyrs and had the point of Controversie been the main of their charge they would have stood it out to the last but that being but by the by and Treason or Disobedience to Powers the chief they faltered but the Apostles and Disciples through good report and evil report went on in the Work and great wonders were every day done confirming the believer and astonishing the opposer so that now in the greatest Cities of Asia Greece and Italy the Gospel is preached wherein the believers of all sorts have the same rules laid down which Christ delivered to his Apostles clearing still the righteousness of the Law but not placing Salvation in obedience to it as is manifest in all the writings of the Apostles and by them as by our Saviour urged by the Letter of the old Testament declared by the Prophets against unnatural lust idolatry coveteousness maliciousness envy murder debate deceit frowardness extortion pride boasting idleness haters of any good doers of any wrong inventors of any evil disobedience to any power ignorance breakers of Covenant without naturall affection unappeaseable merciless and that these are worthy of death he appeals to the Laws which if he meant of nature to the unconverted Gentile whose morall strictness was most admirable then surely to the converted he much more intended the Law of God given by Moses unto his people according to an everlasting Covenant being of generall necessity and convenience under the Gospel as during the Law and by those Laws he saith the offender deserved death and surely that particular cruelty was universal mercy and in and through all the writings of Scripture there is urged not onely a necessity of having but of obedience to the Law but for civil benefit not as saving but as found general in those whom God had elected as St. Paul argues strongly in shewing the nature of the Covenant with Abraham to be universal to all believers so that it was a Covenant of Faith and if I be not mistaken it is plain the Covenant is though called double yet not liable to that distinction of Works and Faith but that which was through the veil which was then upon the profession of the Law placed in the obedience onely to the Law and so called of Works was now unveiled and declared to be onely by Faith but withall evidenced that that faith which was not still working was dead and the testimony of our faith to the Church was our works and I see not but that the outward promises or promises of outward blessings are still the rewards of legal obedience and for the reward of faith I see no promises but of eternal bliss and though the faithful keep the Law yet they rest not now upon the promises of the Law but the glad tidings of the Gospel sound in their ears and they are fixed upon the Allelujahs of eternity Out of all which we may gather That the Law not only Moral but Judicial being not absolutely and necessarliy proper to the Jew onely as being either Ccermonial or alluding some way thereto was the obligation of common or civil and also of Christian equity to the whole Church believing in Christ whether Jew or Gentile which is plainly manifested through both the Testaments but now all the Ceremonial Law being Typical of Christ that was abolished so that as the shadow vanishes when the substance appeareth the proper Priestly function service sacrifice rites and all are buried and will God now leave no Rule of Faith no worship no day no order no government no maintenance Let us see the way for this First Christ taught then his Disciples then each Christian instructed one the other and upon this ariseth Sects and Divisions even in the Apostles times some were of Paul some of Apollos some of Cephas so that now what was the Church of or in a Province was or might be divided into several Congregations and that either differing in a Circumstance yet holding all the head in one Communitie of worship upon occasion and so onely a Sect or differing in opinion in things not plain but doubtful or else in matters which were counted of such value or so nighly concerning the principal points of faith that they did as it were rent from the Head and would not admit admixtion which were the producers of Schism and this was or ought to be as was at first supposed onely in heresie things or opinions inconsistent with the rules of Christianity which either did appear or it was declared would appear in Pauls time Now how doth Paul deal with these Truly what power he had concealed that he either used not or pretended not unto is not possible to judge of but what he used was according to the nature of the Covenant explained which was of faith for the works of the Law in literal obedience man may enforce obedience but Grace is the onely gift of God and therefore he onely useth the sword of the Spirit which was the Word powerful indeed in a right and skilful hand and no other he informs and labors to enlighten them that Christ was the head and if a member were divided from the Head it was no longer a member and tells them plainly that Christ was the foundation and who ever laid other however wise in the sight of the world whether of worshipping of Angels mediation by Saints abstaining from meats forbidding to marry observing of daies and all such like though they had a shew of wisdome in voluntary humility and beating down the flesh yet they were will worship the gate for Sathan to enter by and by carnal seeming wisdom to build with hay and stubble and daube with untempered morter yea to change the truth of God into a lye through the decieveableness of the flesh for these precepts of men being admitted first as explaining the will of God were then accompted helps then necessary then matter of faith and this prophesie who is so blind that hath not seen fullfilled therefore he advises to beware of vain humane wisdome or philosophy which was bewitching and tells that this mystery of iniquity began to work and would work and that there would spring Heresies yea that it was necessary but from the Gospel no one must depart no not though preached by an Angel from heaven and least the people of God should be discomforted by the afflictions and persecutions of the Apostles and other disciples and professors it is often plainly declared they must look to tread the trace which their blessed Saviour had done who was the high Priest of
they do and go unpunished be assured the Magistrate is in the greatest fault he is or loose or lazy or both So for maintenance in this way the Magistrate may clearly setle it and ought and that onely from a publike maintenance for otherwise his people will grow pure beasts in the form and shape of men and to these he ought to setle a maintenance competent for humane industry is capable of humane satisfaction this as Teachers but as Pastors let the additionall maintenance be as Christian duty requires Now to setle it as Tythes were the What and how and where and when and to whom well setled it cannot be unlawfull that is to give a tenth but to admit it as of duty to the Minister as to the Priest to plead customes of and for Tything as well as to deny customes of not Tything are all equally absurd if throughly scanned A maintenance and that onely is agreed due by all to them that Labour in the word and Doctrine but the whole Ministery hath with us been so Generally corrupted that not onely men have made or pretended conscience to pay any Tythes to such wolves in sheepes Cloathing but from the vanity wickedness and perversness of these men of corrupt minds have questioned whither a ministry be Here is a hard task for the Magistrate for he hath been necessitated to take that power into his hands which at first himself questioned whither it were lawfull for him or not but attempting and finding no danger present the fear is now least he should not let go his hold I presume this is clear he may and will declare if he have any Religion which he approves this is most naturall that he will establish what he consents not to who can perswade himself of it all that I can say is if he be a Christian let him with all meekness and in the evidence of truth by all Christian means labour to win all but to enforce none but the wicked and disobedient to just and righteous Lawes The want of which is the great disgust of all good men but I shall not enlarge here of that The Churches power then consisting principally if not wholly in things plain and evident it is most certain that the Magistrates Power in ordinary ought not to stretch so high much less exceed that is to help where that with humane thoughts seems to come short as the Church hath hitherto held Now in this I shall speak one word to the great and weighty consideration of the Supremacy of power and whither and how there be or may be Two Supreams which will a little clear up the way for amity amongst so called Christians of all opinions First we must consider the rise of the controversie is from the word of God in all the new Testament wherein all words of saving knowledge are directed soly wholy and onely to the Elect Saints at least by calling and profession which in their season some think nay beleeve shall govern the world and at these as called out of the way of the world to a more holy and spirituall serving of him Now some suppose this was to be done onely in a Church way which both Papist Greek Church and Protestants of all sides agree that is that the Magistrate Ruling among Christians in ordinary ought to be a Christian Now saith the Church of Rome and all as a Christian he must be a member of some visible Church if so he must be subordinate to the Pope and a generall Councell saith the Pope to a generall Councell and Fathers of the Church lay the Biblers of old To a generall Councell and the Kirke say both the Lutheran and Calvinistical Divines All which place the Power of the Church Authoritatively in the Officers or Officer Supream Now those of the Congregational way of all sorts distinguish as the rest do First in that the Supream Magistrates are men and so members of Churches they are Subject to the Discipline of the respective Congregations and Churches but as Magistrates they are distinct Officers in the world for the good of all men and the peaceable and quiet Governing of those committed by God to their charge Now as a member he is inferior to the whole And as a man he is Subject to Ordinances But as a Prince he is not Subject to the Church for as the Prince cannot as Prince perform the Offices of a Pastor So neither can the Pastor Officers of one or more Churches intermeddle with the ruling power of the Prince as a Pastor or Church Officers in any of their opinions Now for Supremacy they who are Christian Princes and Pastors will not strive for the Supremacy of Power but keep their fixt places All Saints are now the Kings Priests and Prophets of the most High God But more especially the chief Magistrate in Ruling represents the Kingly Office of the Lord Christ and the Pastors and teachers the Priestly and Prophetical The Prince Governs the Commonwealth according to the Judiciall Law of the Almighty God the Law of pure righteousness laid forth in both the Testaments And the Pastors and Teachers and Elders Govern the Church in dispencing the Ordinances and Rules of the Gospel the Pastor principally if not only in Preaching of the Doctrinall part of Christianitie the brethren appointed to teach in opening the practicall part of Christianitie I know that some hold that all ought to come under the pure notion of Church Government and all Magistrates to Rule as Church Officers I allow it fit to be Queried but I presume it is the wickedness of our present age blinds our eyes that we see not all that all of them who pretend to sinceritie desire And I see not notwithstanding our variety of opinions but that all that have not the mark of the beast shall sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven By this it is plain there is in the Church of Christ the Lord Christs Substitutes in Governing the Nations by the materiall sword according to a Law of righteousness and Justice which man may comprehend And there is the Lord Christs Substitutes in holding forth to the severall Churches the Gospel of Love the one hath the sword of Justice the other that of the Spirit In the order of Government the Pastors and all the Saints must submit to the Supream Magistrate as to Christ the King As a Christian the Magistrate must submit to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of Christ as a member of that body whereof Christ is the head as a member a Christian subject to the Ordinances of the Gospel As a Prince ruling justly those committed to his charge It will be thought that this admitting of the Prince subject as a member will make his power subservient to the end of that particular Congregation to which he is associated And this will breed Emulation and at last division Now let this throughly be considered in the cause
to the Mill as the ministers glory was to have a multitude of Auditors no matter how few Christians they would but scan his Doctrine question his life and unless he were more worthy scruple adding more to his former abundance So these mens honor was to have their courts packed with sutors that the several practiser from the Judge to the dore-keeper might have his Fee from these shifts grew the so called prohibitions consultations c. And the poor Sutor was undone while the Courts admitted First with ease the Quaere and then eagerly prosecuted their own dues and rights before his could be determined which was ever slow paced enough This evidences the necessity of setled Fees in all places and that from the supream Magistrate This also clears the case that the supream Magistrate must admit but one Law in practice and proceeding nor one sort of Lawyers he may for the advance of learning order the study of it in Latin and all the exercises But the practise all ought assuredly to be in the vulgar tongue of the Nation and in that tongue to be constantly printed and also all precepts and processes of the Courts whatsoever for the pure executing of justice is more to be eyed then humane learning For as in the Ecclesiastick State when the ordinances of men and unction of men are preferred above and justle out the ordinances and unction of the Lord the Church is Apostate So when interests overtop justice and justice and righteousness are become Nominal Topical heads Hypocritical Colours to wilder the people the State is also Apostate and as long as either of these work in Church or State the Apostacy the fatal ruining Antichristian Apostacy reigns Therefore all the Courts of a well constituted Nation a Nation that seeks the welfare and freedome of her people indeed must have a body of Law proper to the Nation and this must as before be so setled that every Subject may in due just and evident way partake the benefit of it therefore it must all be common and keep that name that weak ones may not be offended what law soever be setled for it is most properly belonging to the Community Lastly admit as little form as may be yet I would settle the habits of Judges and practizers in all Courts but by way of honor for I intend but this one word the glory of form is lost where form is made Common Scarlet the ornament of Judges is the guard of a Groom in these daies Whither offices may be put to sale IN a word this is the plain inlet to all corruption admit this and your setlement must totter to distinguish betwixt judicial places and other is but to hook in a liberty to unlawful things by degrees for all are officers tending to the execution of Justice and it is unjust to pay too much and to stay too long for justice as well as to be denied justice or have false justice Admit such practises and all evasions of Law will be not only studied but practised one evill admitted a thousand follow That just and honest and wisemen have done it and do it is not worth the while the short answer is there is no man but errs And soonest in matters of interest much more where custome signes the lawfulnes of it but a word to what makes it seem lawful Suppose the place be eighteen hundred pounds per annum accompted as the Chancelours was in the late Kings time and Sir John Finch pay so much annually viz. Two thousand pound to Duke Hamilton Two thousand to Lord Au. and at last hath four or five thousand pound a year only to himself So the Prothonotary of the Common Pleas to pay eleven thousand pounds for his place and have eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen hundred or two thousand pounds a year had he not better have had it freely and only five hundred then if he had died within a year left his only daughter a beggar and his Friends engaged only to purchase a more then necessary allowance I could set down who had this money how it was shared unless wise and honest men then misinformed me By this it is clear that there may be a sufficiency to settle the interests of the supream Magistrate if they have wise and honest men to carry on the work upon foundations of certain Justice and pay every officer and the Supream Magistrate to be a gainer however no looser but the people to be surely advantaged in the just procedure and Issue of their litigations Now for the choice of Officers it is setled before both in the qualification honest and skilled and in due manner approved and in places of many Officers where aptness is by the course of succession if no objection bee is most plausible but not to be tied to it Now the way to have good Officers is to settle eminently just Judges and to gain them is not to have too many and in yong States or beginnings this is of absolute neeessity for without it ruine is unavoidable The necessity of educating Sea-men and the way of breeding them and from that of the Politique Law to restrain eating of Flesh THis quere is of great concernment to This Nation and Island God is our support but the means which the Lord affords us are not to be neglected Therefore in the first place we shall look at the way of encreasing and breeding Mariners I suppose it is clear to most intelligent men that by the fishery there by long being abroad in stormy seasons and high Seas whither great gain invites them they become not only inured to the Sea but grow hardned and dreadless their experience being much more then either a Merchant or man of War can atchieve So that where they breed one able Mariner a poor North Sea-man breeds Ten. And indeed from these are your great Ships manned I must therefore be the care of the Supream Magistrate especially to provide for even these The first care is that they may fish safely therefore the convoy ought to be sufficient Next when they come home there must be vent for the fish The obstacle is the old superstition of the Lent or the Forty dayes fast the just and prudent Magistrate can easily remedy this by making it Twenty eight or Thirty daies There is an objection or two against the season First religious or so supposed just before Easter and carries the time of superstition setle it to begin upon a certain day of the Month yearly and that scruple is gone The next is Physical then is the return of the year and our bodies which should then receive best nourishment are filled by fish with cold and flatulent nourishment this may seem much to some but it is not worth the while for suppose there were nor flesh nor fish there is variety of meats to live on for a month in England But I suppose two daies in a week truly observed to have no flesh spent were