same from the example of our blessed Lord nor was ever taught by his Prophets Apostles therefore ane unjust and offensive rent I hope this none dar debate that the Scripture is the alone instrument and Rule of Church Government and to this Law and Testimony we must take ourselfes under every debateable case theranent yea that any ministeriall power given to us is only executive and declarative to apply the revealed will of the Lord unto his people by a clear discovery thereof and what is not according to that rule none may admitt though under the patrociny of ane Angell but that for this practise we have no Scripture warrant is most clear 1. From the example of our blessed head himself while he was here upon the earth and that respect he did expresly own to the prescribed worship of the Jewish Church yea that such was his blessed way as no visible rent was by disciples from the publick ordinances even then when the dreadfull declinings of that Church was so great a length 2. We see what both the Prophets and Apostles taught and what was their practise in this case that as on the one hand they sought to keep the people at furthest distance from all idolatry and false worship so upon the other hand did give no warrant but expresly to the contrary as to any departure from the publick worship where it was not corrupted notwithstanding of these sad declinings of the Church otherwise and I crave any to shew ane instance to the contrary 3. Nothing can be more evident then the care the Apostle had to keep the Church of Corinth from dashing on such a rock to such as doe but seriously read and consider these Epistles nor doth our blessed Master to the seven Churches give the least ground or warrant as to any falling of or secession from the publick assemblies notwithstanding of so sad a charge as is there given against some of these Churches but we may see how concerned the Apostle was against this as one of the publick evills and scandalls then breaking up in the Church Heb. 10 25. the forsaking of the assemblies for the publick worship of God as the manner of some was then and Oh! what can it mean thus to rack the consciences of the people and impose such new terms and conditions of Church communion as neither the Scripture nor examples of the purest Reformed Churches since the Apostles time did ever warrant for which I must here humbly challenge any who are otherwise minded to let us see where the signature of one Scripture command is for what they impose or what divine precept is violated by hearing the indulged or if such a cure and remedy was ever taught by the great healer as this practise of admitting no composure and uniting in controverted duties untill there be a full onnesse of judgment among us or thus to break and disquiet a poor Church as though some had no work else almost outwearied with these sad and perpetuall contendings for making void their Ministry which hath been and I hope yet shall be owned of the Lord for his peoples edification II. Ground to demonstrate the unwarrantablenesse of this practise is this that it is expresly contrare to that established order of Christ in his Church as the proper remedy and releife for any publick offences Matt. 18 15. and which is so expresse a rule given in this case as can admit of no alteration as also to that 1 Cor. 14 40. that all things should be done in order and decency nor can there be any hesitation herein whether this practise and way which is thus taken by some does not controll the same thus to withdraw and impose upon the matter so high and publick a censure on others by their private judgment and authority except they will adventure to determine on the rule and these ancient Scripture bounds which are there set to us but as it is sure the things of Christ must be by his warrant only no latitude else given us but to observe he whatsoever commands Mat. 28 last yea that no healing or cure will ever be to the Church but by his appointed means so it is undenyable that to withdraw from Church fellowship in such a manner as this is a most high and spirituall censure Yea not to eat with a scandalous Brother must be understood as ane act of judgment and does suppose some previous tryall else there should be no fixed rule but for each to be his own judge in pulling of his Brother to shame and thus no bounds could be fixed to prevent endlesse breakings and rents in the Church It s true a publick releife is not as formerly now accessible but as there is yet through grace a faithfull Ministry in our Church who hath the authority of Jesus Christ to cognosce and judge of the matters of his house and to whom the power of the keyes both of doctrine and discipline is by his own warrant committ whatever essayes hath been and still are to make such contemptible before the people yea some way I must say no lesse thus to exauctorate them and controll their commission this day then hath been by publick Adversaries So is there also some sutable exoneration that each Christian may have in the case of publick offence when there is not such accesse by the Church to spread forth the same before the Lord to endeavour in their capacity and station how to convince gain and restore such with the spirit of meeknesse and thus use personall freedome and tendernesse in dealing with others wherein I am sure both more peace and advantage to these they deall with should be thus reached then by any such highly disorderly way and unwarrantable severity as is now adventured on by some III. Ground to clear the unwarrantablenesse of this practise is that it is so expresly contrare to that approven and commended practise in the Church Rev. 2 2. that they hath tryed such who called themselfes Apostles and were not but had found them lyars where as it is most clear that this was a judiciall tryall and in a legall and orderly way of such before any declarative sentence and for this end is adduced by the greatest interpreters to prove the necessity thereof but this as I have formerly touched can give no advantage in that case of the Conformists to Prelacy where besides other grounds mentioned the antecedent judgment of our Church hath been so full clear and harmonious there upon whilst I touch this I must cite the words and authority of blessed Mr Rutherfurd in his divine right of Church Government page 378. We grant sayes he that each should eschew false Teachers and all that walk inordinatly but that every one should shun these whom in his private judgment he conceives to be such before he rebuke and labour to gaine and in case of obstinacy then to tell the Church is forbidden Mat. 18. and
breach the envious one waits to sow his tares and how rare is a stop or fixing found in such a current but like the breaking in of waters doth carry many a further length than they ever intended It is known on what grounds that sad breach by Labadie and his party began here in the Belgick Church with whom many went in the simplicity of their heart and by such a designed cure to the offence was then taken by them did but heighten the distemper and occasioned so much prejudice against the power and truth of godliness in this land PROP. II. May we on any safe ground break up Church fellowship and communion so far with those who have accepted the late indulgence as not to hear or receive the publick ordinances from them as being such I must propose this on these grounds 1. That hereby no approbation of the Indulgence can be necessarily inferred and the ground of offence can never be owned such as to pollute the ordinances or make communion with these in the least sinfull to us But it would be adverted on what side the most dangerous and destructive inconveniences are and hazard of the greatest offence hereby to the Church 2. That we must still own these as our brethren what ever be the present difference with whom we are one we hope in Christ and in the great concernes of truth and godliness in the same doctrine and principles of the Church for in these we differ not in Thesi what ever the application hereof is matter of difference yea should be tender to judge in so far as they profess whom we so assuredly know to be both serious and godly in their opposition both to the Prelatick and Erastian Adversary 3. That they are such we must own to be the undoabted Ministers of Christ cloathed with a Ministeriall power to preach and dispense the ordinances ere ever this Indulgence was on foot these being Acts of their office which flowes from no convey or grant of the Magistrat to such places and that be vertue of their office and calling the peoples tey standeth still in force to hear them with respect to that primary relation they were under as Officers of the Church universall 4. That this cannot be made practicable except we take the very Government of the Church off its hinges without a declarative sentence since upon the matter it is to draw out one of the highest censures against so considerable a party of the Ministry yea to exercea critick and juridicall power some way not only over these who are indulged but over must of the whole Non-Conformists who are still free and enforced in conscience to own such in their Ministry 5. That this should be a departing from an union once acknowledged in our fellowship and communion with them in the publick ordinances It hath been hitherto publickly owned that if the whole Church had been so far left as to some sad compliance for a time that way and thus the peoplefixt under the Ministry of such that even on an after discovery of the evil thereof there would not be allowed the same necessity or expediency of separation or for refusall to hear them as there is now in our case for a non-compliance with that party and keeping thus at a continued distance which was a ground had such weight with our worthy Ancestors in the former times of prelacy when it was not brought in at once but by degrees into the Church and thus found it not safe and easy to break up so far as not to have Chruch fellowship in receiving the publick ordinances then from such though a most vigorous opposition to the sinfulness of that way was still followed 6. Because this might quickly tend to a casting off of most if not the whole of the standing non-conforme Ministry now in the Church who have been helped to stand and withstand against Prelacy and to open such a doore for any of the people at their pleasure to quite or turn off the Ministers of the Gospel without any fixed or previous cognition in such a case And Oh! how hard or difficult will it be found to set bounds or fix new landmarks when once the old are taken up may be easily judged PROP. III. Is such a refusall to hear these Ministers who are indulged now owned because it is simpliciter unlawfull or on that ground of its expediency and for edification I would hope none yet dare come to own the first but for the second of expediency in such a present case I must humbly judge such a practice would seem very unanswerable thereunto on these grounds 1. That this sad effect hath so visibly followed thereon to break up that sweet edifying fellowship which was formerly amongst Christians in many places so as these who were wount to walk together and keep Christian converse for building up one another in the truth can now hardly joyn or pray together 2. That none seem to have gained by this late heightned breach except the publick Adversary yea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad a dash to these publick meetings in the fields thus given which here to fore were so eminently blessed whilst thus such open contradiction of late in preaching hath too evidently brought a stumbling to the weak and a reproach on the way of the Lord as we may fear shall not in haste be taken off 3. That thus the prelatick party seems more hardned and to have less reckoning of that heavy charge of perjury and defection from the truth when so great a part of Non-Conforme Ministers they find publickly classed with them who yet are otherwise known to be both able and godly yea which hath been sadly regrated that the edge of that wounted zeal which was against Prelacy and the common Adversary hath been thus blunted in a more hot pursute of the other party 4. The shaking and stumbling of many which I must here write with a sad remembrance of a Christian who I durst not but say but was truely serious who spake to me almost weeping when I was last in our Country of being put to that through this late breach and visible contradictions in publick preaching yea that some had openly declared there were scarce four faithfull Ministers of the Church to be found that they knew not what or whom to credit but like to be shaken in the very foundation And I must humbly judge if this breach should grow I know no gain will ever recompense the Kings dammage herein I mean of our King and head in the edification of his people Yea who are there if not fixt and established by grace that can look on these devouring heats and breakings amongst both Christians and Ministers in this day but are in hazard to take prejudice at the whole of Religion and must needs judge that these cannot be the fruits of the Spirit of Christ 5. I must yet add on this ground of expediency if it would seem to engage the multitude in these
others then such this hath been to known an evill in our Church VI. Ground this practise seemes ane expresse violation breach of Covenant wherein we are so solemnly engaged before the Lord which I know not how any possibly can evade when we are no lesse solemnly engaged there against Schism then either Prelacy or Erastianisme and if this be not ane unwarrantable Schism and renting of the Church I know no such charge could have been given against any since the primitive times and that on these grounds 1. That by Schisme is not to be understood a dividing from the doctrine but from the communion of the Church and that it tends to a disyointing from the body thus we finde even in the most pure times of the Church these put in a peculiar class and looked on with no lesse dread and fear as such who did oppose the doctrine of the Church and it is but to manifest that in all times the most destroying errors hath been still grafted on this stock whilst on the other hand the more near fellowship with our blessed head is keept up and where the life and power of godlinesse is much in exercise the more hath this sad rock been keept of as the more near the lines are to the center the more near are they and close to one another 2. It is clear also from the Apostles dealing with the Church of Corinth and about which he used such sharpnesse that they took a divided way of communicating and going about other duties as tending to make a breach and Schism then in that Church whatever gave the rise thereto se 1 Cor. 11 18 19. yea does thus rebuke them not only that some said they were of Paull and others of Apollos but even these that said they were of Christ so far as this upon the manner was in a contentious and divided way since of him and him alone must the whole Church be named 3. It hath not hetherto been under debate from the Scripture and doctrine of the Reformed Church thereannent to be ane unquestionable Schisme where there is a departure from that union in the publick worship and ordinances of the Gospell in which they had formerly walked and thus a dividing and designed falling off from the same without any just cause or warrant from the Scripture to a publick disturbance of that order appointed by Christ in his house yea contrary to that commanded love tenderness prudence and forbearance so expresly required of Church members towards one ane other and to his blessed authority who has so clearly warranted such a forbearing with these as in some things may be contrary minded upon different apprehensions of the truth so far as both love amongst themselfes the publick peace of the Church may not be thus disturbed it is sure the choisest of the saints doeth carry to heaven with them both errors mistakes and prophesieing in part and some overclouding must still be of the brightest stares while they shine here Oh! if that now which is the present cause of these differences were but once brought to that rule of the word should it not inforce many to be a wonder to themselfes at the strange way they have been upon and whether they have been carried in this deplorable rent of whose seriousness otherwise I doe not question VII Ground this is a practise contrary to most expresse Scripture commands for forbearance and condescendence among the godly in breaking times which we may not only see Rom. 14 3 4 5. Eph. 4 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 9 19. 20. but that it was for this end the Spirit of God doe enjoine the same that there may be no breach or rent in the Body of Christ about which he hath so tender a care and is such a forbearance as we finde expresly commanded in this very case upon a controverted practise of the Church and difference of judgment therein whatever upon the one side might be more culpable herein then upon the other as is clear in that debate about meats 1 Cor. 11. and Oh! what can it mean Whiles both our duty and remedy doth here meet at once yet this should have so litle weight with us at this day for if such a commanded forbearance can have no place among these who are one and agreed in this same principles even in the point controverted and only differ in the application yea are mutually perswaded of others sincerity I know no place then it could have ever had since there was a Christian Church which hath put me to some astonishment what the peremtory way of some can intend and to obstruct ane union in the way of the Lord only fought without ceding in any truth or being put to condemn any thing they judge lawfull or approve what they judge sinfull in the way of others and if this be denyed I would desire then to know what sinfull complyance or yeelding in any concerne of the truth can be herein challenged or if such a suteable essay hash yet been for a tender serious communeing with such they keep so great a distance with to meet and concurre in what are uncontroverted duties in such a day But oh the temper of this time seems more now in passion than argument which is so naturall and pleasing an evill as the most expresse authority of the Scripture is not like to restraine I must adde this further to be considered if such a departure from Church fellowship should be admitdon this head of the late indulgence and the discretive judgment of any which can only be pretended here stretched to such a hight as without the Church to impose this which is of so publik and universal concerne on the conscience of the people these consequences of greatest import must need follow 1. To breake up Church fellowship and communion with most all the Reformed Churches this day yea is a caice and practice under these circumstances it is now stated as will finde no precedent even from such who have formerly most pleaded for separation who did never own this on any such ground as a different practice upon various apprehensions thereof among such who are most intirely one in the same doctrine and principles 2. This also must follow to withdrauw from Fellowship in hearing of the most choice and eminent Non-conforme Ministers now in the Church of England whose liberty they had for a peaceable accesse to their publick meetings some years now past was of that same nature and in al 's expresse termes one with this indulgence Yea it must necessarily tend like wayes to fall of communion in publick with the whole Ministry of the Belgick Church which to the furthest conviction of any who will question this can be demonstrat on clearest ground 3. Nothing can be more evidently contrair then this practice is to the known judgments of the old Non-conformists yea of such who have been most eminent both in the Churches of Old and New-England of
dealing with his people that so straite and wearysome away should be here to an eternity of glory in that life which is to come and no getting there but thorow some degrees of sore breaking and anguish and going through a state of tryall befor that of enjoyment when they consider how unconceiveably great and excellent that state which is above is and their being trained in so sharp a a school of tribulation here shall at length tend to an unexpressible joy and comfort that ever they had such an occasion to prove their love and adherence to Jesus Christ and of crediting his truth against all visible grounds and in having with patience and hope got through such a throng of temptations when they thus see the most bitter grieving and difficult part of their warfare was but to make the victory more full and triumphant 3. Thus we might have a more clear and confirming look of the holy judgment of the Lord in the product of these sad breakings in our Church that when so strange a spirit hath been aloft and a strong affection in some without a humble and deliberat judgment it should at last resolve in a fervor of error and delusion yea to come that length of breaking down what they supposed to be bulding up and to adventure with greatest confidence for engadging the Holy God to a concurrance in these wayes which his word doth expressly testify against whilst so impatient to be touched herein as they have been ready to turne again and tear such who hath with tenderness sought their recovery But tho such sad things should deeply affect us yet there is no cause for stumbling to any pure religion and undefiled is the same this day that ever it was and the redeemed of the Lord are a broken and diseased company whielst here by the way full of sores and Distempers but all under cure which will ere long be perfyted and I hope through grace there is a generation of tender solid and humble Christians yet in our land who shall be owned and accepted at the appearance of Jesus Christ as this day I know on the earth and many much hid there but what is too visible the temper and complexion of this age may cause much fear upon these peculiar hazards professors now seem to be exposed to beyond former times when a forme of knowledge and the theory of practical religion hath so farr outgone tenderness and practice and become so much a matter of art and Invention whilst Christians formerly with a smaller measure of light and in a plainer dresse walked in the love and simplicity of the truth a bold and professing age where a too easy and suddain growth to a forward appearance amongst many hath so visibly out run a solid rooting in the truth and that fear and serious exercise on their own soul about their spiritual state and the soundness of conversion as hath sometimes been an age where it may be feared that not at a common rate many are like to adventure on the furthest hazard of perishing amidst these strange distempers in our Church but with highest pretences seem to out darre all means of conviction even while with greatest tenderness and love to their souls followed yea an age when that dreadful engine of Sathan is now so discernibly on foot and in such different formes and shape by the spirit of error and delusion to turne men off all setled persuasion of the truth and give the credit and interest of the Gospel a sorer wound then the open violence and rage of others hath yet ever done and is not here one sad influencing cause of so deplorable a State of the Church this day that many professing godlinesse in this age are not more taken up with the great and weighty things thereof and in these retired exercises which hath the clossest communication with the vitals of Christianity and so indispensibly necessar to a honourable appearance for the Lord in any publict duty and service of the time 4. What a choise study in so extreme an exigence now of the Church should this be to know and bring near by some more deep reflection thereon how great these things are which a humble and serious Christian hath to converse with and to oppose all his griefs and fears this day even when they seem to presse above measure which this might not only confirme but overcome the heart with unexpressible joy when he but thus alone reasons with himself 1. What ever shaking winds now blow almost from evry airth yet hath he firme and surest principles of trust for a safe founding the rest and peace of his soul and his security here is full though not his enjoyment yea what ever want now be of the certainty of adherence in resting on the truth with such full repose and quiet of minde he is called to yet he knowes thereis no want of furthest certainty of evidence 2. That not in a dream but in the most serious composure of spirit he can retire into the Gospel of Christ and there see how unexpressiblie blessed poor lost man is made by a redeemer on whom he hath choiced to have the exceeding riches of his grace shewed forth to all eternity yea this in so marvelous a way when no possible help could be found in us that the Holy God would take satisfaction to himself by himself not only to save his people but to preserve the rights of justice inviolable yea hath thus brought us under a Law to come and be blessed in his Son to whom he bears record that in him is life and an eternall salvation made sure 3. That the clear intent of this astonishing mistery is not only to save his people from wrath but to make them meet by the spirit of holyness for that state which is above since it is not pardon alone or a heaven without us can make any blessed untill the soul once be framed for it and this first begun and wrought there and now what hath a Christian this day to converse when amidst the multitude of his saddest thoughts he can with such assurance retire into the Gospel and thence look up to an eternity of glory as that which ere long he shall know and enjoy 4. That this is so sure for his confirming that such a signature and Impress of the Gospel in the truth and reality of holiness is to be seen this day in the earth I hope yet in innumereable instances even in these declining times with so visible an assimilation and likness to a higher state herein that if men but exerce reason they might see it is Sure a marvelous transforming power could ever make such a change and that miracles if rightly considered does not this day cease in the Church whilst so great a witness to the power and truth of godliness is continued 5. He thus sees that tho no resemblance of our blessed head hath been left to the Church of his human
in this age I shall but offer some special reflexions now sutable to such a day and of so known publick and unquestionable evidence to the Church that when brought near to our thoughts may let us see how farre the advantage and measure of these confirmations of the truth given in to this generation does exceed that of former times and I should hop such an exercise might be of use and blessed through the Lords gracious concurrence for Christians furthest confirming thus but to reason with themself and have more deep reflectings thereon 1. What ever hight this present assault from popery may come to yet we know how solemne a triumph the Gospel hes had and that surly it is the same truth and cause of the reformed Church for which so great things hath the Lord wrought when that blest revolution once came after Antichristian darkness had overspread the face of the World for many ages so as the full stroak and down fall of that Kingdome seems not more marvelous and above all humane appearances when now at a distance then what we have already seen 2. That it is clear how extraordinare a power did attend this blest work of the Churches rising and that astonishing swift progress thereof as nations seemed to be borne at once and the earth to bring forth in one day Churches was then both planted and confirmed betwixt the Year 1521. and 70. like a new Christian World thus brought forth and setled yea how farre this was above visible means and how little interest instruments had therein as it may be still said let none fear or stager at the promise of God though difficulties in an ordinare way seem insuperable after we have now seen what the Lord hath don these last ages 3. That it is so evident how with the first shining forth of the truth and doctrine of Christ in the purity thereof the life and power of Christianity came also therewith to the world and how this blest light did lead in to greatest tenderness in the walk and practise of Christians which we might see yet as still present before us how extraordinare an effusion of the spirit of God this was which caused then so marvelous a change and lustre on the Church 4. Have we not seen to confirme us of the truth these prodigies of cruelty hath been acted by the popish party such as some immediat power and incitement of the Divell can only answer and hath so farre outgone the ordinare rate of humane cruelty as if Infernall spirits had then come and assumed human shape to act this way yea is evident that no such measures can be found under the heathenish persecution against the Christian Church and in that strange way and manner followed as the French and Irish massacre hath been 5. That such horrid practises also hath been consequentiall to their doctrine and principles so as this hath not only been dispensed with 〈◊〉 by that Church but accounted as highly meritorious that it may be now easy to judge where that spirit and way tends and what might be expected where this long 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fury should but once get a vent 6. Have we not seen also no possible mâ—â—â—… security from such whose greatest strength hath thus been to move still in the dark and by surprise to make their greatest assault yea whose very religion does so evidently subvert all truth and mutuall confidence amongst men 7. But have we not also seen amore excellent spirit and invicible power hath been to bear up against all this cruelty and rage and how great a seal thus hath been to the Protestant â—â—…se and doctrine in these late times by innumerable witnesses who even in their extreamest sufferings did so convincingly evidence a joy unspeakable and undoubted sealing of the comforts of the Holy Ghost on their soul 8. That these likewise were rare examples of the truth and reality of holyness in their day and of humility and subduedness to the flesh yea of tenderness and bowels of compassion to their persecutors whom the Lord did thus call and prepare for such a sacrifice 9. That no precipitancy or stubbornness in the least was in their way but as with great assurance of minde so with a tender humble and deliberat acting their study then was by rationall conviction to deall with the conscience of adversaries in a willing rendering the reason of their faith and suffering with all meekness from the scripture with a reference thereto before the world to be tryed and searched out in what any could object 10. Have we not seen the power and wisdom of God most brightly shine forth in that day in the weakness of means and that no speciall peice of service was then called for but a most surprising and discernible call and excitement of instruments thereto who in the same spirit by which others were helped to suffer was remarkably then carried out to act in defence of the Gospel much above themselves and their ordinare reach 11. Have we not seen also that no great thing was by the Lord then brought forth for his Church but some remarkable hight of trouble went before and how every step of her rise and prevailling over Antichrist hath been still ushered in with some sore conflict and down casting lyke the Pangs and throwes of the birth before a delivery 12. Have we not clearly seen that no humane power since the breaking forth of this blest light of the gospel could yet ever reach its end against the reformed Church though no possible way and chainge of weapons have been left untried but how most visibly the work of their own hands hath ensnared them herein and tended more to the furtherance of the gospel 13. And might it not be confirming what hath been so clear to see the reformed Church of France get so sweet a clam yea fixt in a setled state with outward peace and legal security by the Catholick league there andby such a formidable conjunction as was therein of persons and interests for her utter ruine 14. To see four Kings of France successively taken away in 30 Years all upon the same designe and in a vigorous pursuite to destroy the Protestant interest there and in them that race of the house of Valois wholy extinct of whom two were by a violent death Henry the second and third and this last so remarkably from that very airt with whom he had most concurred and joyned in counsell as particularly with the Duke of Guise for the massacre but both falling and destroyed by other in a short time 15. To see the Netherlands fixt both in a setled state and Church by that bloody engine of the Spanish inquisition set up there and severe cruelty of Philip the II. as the very mean made most subservient thereto 16. To see the Protestant doctrine more effectually promot and rooted in England by the bloody dayes of Queen Mary then the peace full calme of King Eduard who had gone before 17. To see the violence and falshood of Queen Douager and inbringing of the French to Scotland to bear down and destroy the Protestant interest there such an effectual mean and advantage for its rise and further establishment 18. To see the blood and cruelty by Ferdinand the II. in Bohemia in so very short a time most visibly returned on himself to a making Germany almost desolate and for many years to sume in its own blood by the Swedes and their confederats 19. To see that horrid late Irish massacre in a few years after resolved in an utter rooting out almost of that cruel party who had moved therein with such a discernible sunshine of the liberty of the Gospel as did follow after in that land 20. I must here add which may be clear and confirming this day how so strange a falling in with popery hath been now these 20. Years past in Brittaine and what ground that interest hath gained there hath so visibly had its strength from that airt of atheisme ignorance and the getting up of a prophane Spirit which as a prodigie and deluge hath thus broke forth in these lands once blest both with the purity and power of the Gospel beyond most of the Churches and how such hath indeed found it easy to quite the truth who yet never knew it besides the influence and suting of such a baite as this way is to the temper of so licentious a time and for some private interest when that hath been under so favourable an aspect FINIS