Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	church_n	true_a	visible_a	7,129	5	9.3865	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A78217	Ichnographia. Or A model of the primitive congregational way: wherein satisfaction is offered, by unfolding (according to the Scriptures) what the right order of the Gospel, and way of the saints in the visible worshipping of God is, in the dayes of the New Testament. And how the saints in these dayes may walk up to it, notwithstanding their present hindrances. Together with the maine points in controversie, touching the right visible church-state Christ hath instituted under the Gospel, with the extent of church-officers, and power of particular visible churches, and continuance of divine ordinances and institutions under the defection and apostasie of Antichrist. By W. Bartlet, Minister of the Gospel, at Wapping.	Bartlet, William, 1609 or 10-1682.	1647 (1647)	Wing B986; Thomason E381_17; ESTC R201418	140,788	175

the power of government within particular Churches themselves without standing in subordination to others 42. Eight Impedime●ts that stand in the way of the Saints and hinder them from comming into the right order of the Gospell discovered and removed 112 Indepency a terme most pro●er to God 27. in what sense Divines give that term to particular Churches 41 margent foure things that discover those of the Congregationall way not properly Indep●ndents 27. Why they are so stiled 28. they allow of civill government and reverence and yeild rea●y subjection thereunto in the State 137. God will cleare their innocency ibid. K. Five things that concerne the Knowledge and practice of those that enter into a right visible Church-state and Gospel order 107. to 112 L. Lawes and Ordinances of Christs visible Churches and how they are to be administred 97 98 L●berty of particular Churches where in it consists 1●9 110. M. Magistra●es duty in and about the matters of Religion and worship of God set forth in five things 22 23 24 25 Mar●inus a french Bishop against punishing errou●s with death 26 Matter of true visible Churches De j●re only such as are godly 30 31 Men the best of them in●ufficient for ordering the spiritual matters of Christs church 12 13 14. No power to bind the conscience not so much as in things that are indifferent and of a lesse concernment 17 Proper meanes by which the true visible churches of Christ are gathered 96 Ministers Multitudes of th●m without either learning or godlinesse in the church of England 118. f●w have the teach●ng of the Spirit ●bid few renounced their Antichristian Ordination 119. what makes a true and lawfull Minister of the Gospel 121 Extraordinary gifts of Miracles not necessary to church officers now 92 93 94 N. A Nationall politica●● church-state not instituted by Christ under the Gosp●l 51 52 O. O●jection touching the power of greater assemblies in Classes and Synods over particular churches fully answered in foure particulars 46 47 48 Order of the Gospel according to Christs ap ointment what and wherein it consists 102 1 3. ●04 Ordinances of Christ to be administred to Bele●vers as united together in a church-state and not otherwise 8. they best subsist in a church-state 9 Ordination of church officers by imposition of hands not of absolute nec●ssity 107 108 Ordination of Ministers by the Prelats in former tim●s to be renounce now and the reasons why 119. objection to the contrary answered 120 P. Parish-Churches defective in the essentials of their constitution 56. 1071. their false constitution not to be allowed of nor continued in though conversion and salvation may be had in them 116 117 Master Parker for the power of particular churches within themselves 40 Master Perkins for the power of particular churches within themselves 40 41 Power of church-government within each single congregation without standing in su●jection and subordination to the classes or Synods proved by Scripture testimony of learned men and argument 36. to 50. 98. Presbyterians found to confesse the power of government within particular chu●ches six wayes and so yeeld the cause to the congregationall party 45 46 Presbyterians in the Preface to their late Booke styled Jus Divinum R●g m. E cles found in a manifest untruth touch ng the Independents 4● ma●g Greatest Powers on earth bound to submit themselves to the Lawes Christ hath already made touching his visible church and order of worship and not to make new to themsel●es or others 17 Some Promissory engagement necessary to church union 106 Corporall punishments for mentall evils a pernicious invention 26 Purity to be preserved in the churches of the Saints and by what means 109 Q. A Question worth debating in these times of Reformation touching the visible church-state of the Kingdome of England in Epist Ded. marg R. Practice of Re-baptizing altogether without warrant 70 71 72. not necessary when Beleevers are to enter into church fellowship having beene baptized formerly though the manner of externall administration corrupt 105 Master Robinson for the power of particular churches within themselves 43 Reformation of England from the very beginning onely in point of doctrine not in their Antichristian church state and order of worship and government Epist D●d no ground for comfort to those that reforme evils in the chur●h when they proceed meerly out of subj●ction to the commands of men and not out of a particular hatred of those evils and respect to the honour of God 114 136 S Saints have a liberty given them from Christ to refuse whatsoever is not agreeable to the word of God 17 Scriptures sixte●ne wayes give the authority power of appointing a visible Church-state with Officers Ordinances and worship sutable thereunto to Christ only excluding the creature wholly 15 to 18 Nine wayes they take away from us whatsoever may be thought to ●e a warrant to us from men to worship and serve God by 17 They are for the power of particular churches exercising government within themselves 35 36 37 Separation twofold 121. Congregational men separate not from the doctrine of faith is received in England but from their false church-state and order of worship government 122. Englands separation from Rome only in matters of doctrine Ep. Ded. Se kers under a great sinne in leaving Church-fellowship 60 85. 86 87 Doctor Sibbs for the Power of particular churches within themselves 44 Submission to the order of the Gospell proved lawfull from the practise of the Saints in the Primitive times many other wayes 88 89 90 Synods and Councels the very best of them since the Apostles dayes subject to errours and seldome or never of any good use 23. of little account amongst the most illuminated and choicest servants of Christ for learning and godlines 23 24 T. Temple of God usually understood in Scripture for his visible Churches 79 Tolleration of all Religions not allowed of by them of the congregationall way 124 125 126 V. U●ion of Saints in church fellowship set forth by nine resemblances and from many words in the originall Text. 32 33. An excellent helpe against temptations 8 Universall visible politicall church no such instituted by Christ under the New Testament 51 W. Doctor Whitaker ten things that he observes concerning Councels and Synods 23. For the power of particular churches within themselves 43 Wicked persons no fit matter for a true visible church 31 to 104 Will of God revealed in the Scriptures the only rule to the Saints in worshiping of God 34. Not to be departed from in the matters of Gods worship upon pain of Gods highest displeasure 18 Five things to be observed in the right order of Gods visible worship by those that enter into church-fellowship 106 The Heads of the Treatise Chap. I. That there is unde● the New Testament a sacred visible Church-state order and polity instituted and appointed by Jesus Christ and him onely to the observation of which Beleevers are every where bound

must needs be granted to be in the Church But the sentence administred by the Church of a particular congregation is ratifyed by Christ in heaven as Mat. 18.18 19. ergo And thus now by the assistance of Christ I have gone through all the parts of this second Proposition whereby the meanest may come to have insight into the reality and excellency of the Congregationall way and be able not only to satisfy themselves about it but others also and see sufficient ground to suffer for it as for a principall p●rt of the will and mind of Christ if ever they should be called unto it Now then this being so that the Church to which the Officers and administration of the Seales is limited under the New Testament is an ord●nary congregation of Saints having power of government within it selfe under Jesus Christ 1. Inference from the former Proposition their head and King then it will follow 1. That there is no ground or warrant in Scripture for an universal visible Church with Officers government correspondent a universall visible Church militant on earth is not denyed but the question is of a universall visible politicall Church with Officers and Administrations sutable that is universall Pastors universall Elders universall Deacons universall Seales and censures universall Lawes and rules of Government for such as the Church is such must her Officers O●dinances and Government be But this we cannot find th● Scriptures to hold out in the least to us but are altogether silent and little do men know how much they contribute towards the keeping of the Pope in his chaire by pleading so much as they do for such a universall visible Church subject to government for if there be such a Church of divine institution then it will necessarily follow that there must be a universall ordinary Pastor of that Church and then the Papists will thanke them And to speake truly let us but once grant that particular Churches are not entire in themselves nor endowed with the power of government immediatly from Christ but are parts and dependants of one whole universall Church visible ministeriall or politicall then it will follow that we must referre our selves in matters of Religion and Government to that one body visible whereon we professe our selves to depend and what this leads to those that have but halfe an eye may discerne The just extent therefore without doubt of a true visible Church under the Gospell is no other then what we have before shewed to wit one ordinary Congregation or society of Saints that can meet together in one place to worship God 2. Then it will follow also that there is as little ground for a Nationall Diocesan and Provinciall Church And to speak truly there is lesser shew and ground for these in the Scripture then for the other we spake to before and are therefore justly condemned by diverse jud●cious and learned men in their writings vide Jacob. Reas for Reformation p. 5 6 7 8. c. Burrough Vindication against Edwards p. 23. his words are these I said that we are freed from the Pedagogie of the Jewes and now there were no Nationall Churches by institution as the Jews were mentioning three things 1. There are no Nationall Officers as they had 2. No Nationall worship as they had 3. It was not sufficient now to make a member of the Church because one is by birth of this or any other Nation as then it was because one was born of the Nation of the Jewes and is this saith he a doctrine that will not go down with a Presbyterian Surely it must be a Prelatical Presbyterian who cannot digest this I am confident all the Presbyterian Churches in the world will acknowledge what I said here to be true That wee may call the Church in England a Nationall Church because of the many Saints in it who are the body of Christ I deny not nor ever did neither do I know any of his judgement or practise that do but that it is by the institution of Christ formed into one politicall Church as the Nation of the Jewes was this is no Independency to deny Where are any particular men standing Church Officers to the whole Nation by divine institution What Nationall Worship hath Christ instituted Doth our birth in the Nation make us members of the Church These things are so palpably plaine to any that will understand that t is tedious to spend time about them so also Cottons Keyes p. 31 32. 3. It will follow also that the ruling power of Synods and Classes over the particular Churches which is now so much pleaded for not the counselling power for that is granted by us is not Jure divino but a meer usurpation and such a way and practise as Christ will never own nor prosper For what he hath said Mat. 15.13 shall certainly come to passe which is That every plant which is not of his Fathers planting shall be rooted up such a government possibly may stand for a time as the Prelaticall did having the power of the Prince to support it but doubtlesse it will being so neare of kinne to it share in the like destiny And that which moves me to believe and expect it is not only the non-Scripturalnes of this high Classicall way of Government but the unreasonablenes and sinfullnes of it which will easily appeare from these ensuing particulars which are the naturall issues of this government and by which you may understand from whence it takes its originall Severall sorts fruts that ●owes upon ●●e lofty Tree high Pres●●terie and derives its pedigree 1. This high Classical government makes one ordinary Pastor or Elder to undertake the rule of more Churches and Flocks then his owne perhaps twenty or forty if not more and so brings in a burthen too heavy for the ablest Minister to go under for if one Flocke be worke enough for one Shepheard to watch over he hath little reason to take the care of twenty on him wise men judge it the safest course to meddle with no more worke then they can comfortably go through especially such worke as the care of soules which is of greatest and highest concernment and the rather considering that of the Apostle 2 Cor. 2.16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who is sufficient for these things 2. It makes the church which is the body of Christ and hath all parts and members suted to her condition to be lame and defective having no power of discharging her own offices viz. of receiving in and casting out members but by anothers leave that is inferiour to her 3. It refuseth to have matters heard and determined in that place where they are done and acted then which what more unreasonable it was condemned in Cyprians dayes as Doctor Reinolds proves against Hart in his conference with him p. 570. and Cyprian himselfe saith lib. 1. epist 8. That it is not fit that those over whom the holy Ghost had made

creature when would his great name be hallowed when would his kingdome come or when would his will be done this way 2. In that there is much rubbish to be cast out that stands in the way of building and setting up this work of the Lord as there was at the building of the wall of Jerusalem Neh. 4.10 a kingdome within us as well as without us to be subdued bef●re this worke of the Lord can take place What 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what strange holds of carnall imaginations and reasonings are there in the hearts of men against this worke of the Lord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 places of defence of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 safe as the Apostle calls them 2 Cor. 10.4 5. How doe men love the reliques of Baal long after the flesh-pots of Egypt their old superstitious wayes of worship they have been accustomed unto how doe they to this day mourne for Tammuz T is no easie matter to prepare the hearts of the people to meet the God of their Fathers and before this be done it will be hard to build this house and Church of God and to doe this the arme of the eternall God must appeare or else all is in vaine as the Psalmist hath it Psal 127.1 Except the Lord build the house they labour in vaine that build it So here especially this house of God that cannot be set up before the hearts of men be prepared Doe not we see by sad experience to this day that people look upon the right order of the Gospel as a light vaine novell thing those too that pretend to great knowledge Now this very opinion of novelty that men have touching this way of Christ is such a hindrance to this work that unlesse the Lord put forth his power on the spirits of men t is not all the men in the world are able to bring them to embrace Reformation and therefore doubtlesse this is Christs work and not the creatures Gods and not mans 6. Lastly to adde no more to what hath been laid down for the clearing of this truth take this onely That the Scriptures do wholly exclude and shut out the Creature from having a hand in this businesse and attribute all to the Lord and this I shall make out I h●pe very plainly and to abundant satisfaction 1. It is evident that the Scriptures never speake in the plurall number of Heads over the Church primary and secundary but only in the singular number of one Head viz. Christ who hath absolute and sole power ju●isdiction and authority in the matters of R●ligion and Worship as Ephes 1.22.5.23 Col. 1.18 2.10 19. and therefore they speak onely of one Law-giver James 4.12 and the government on his shoulders onely and not on any other with him Esay 9 6. 22.21 22 23. 2. It is evident that the Scriptures deny all headship and Lordship to any other besides Christ in the Church 1 Pet. 5.3 Psal 45.11 3. Our Saviour himselfe forbids it to his Disciples and Apostles that were to follow him Mar. 10.42 Luk. 22.25 Mat. 23.8 to 13. Mat. 28.20 4. The Apostles themselves after his departure who had most right of all other to this power altogether disclaim it 2 Cor. 1. ult professing their work was meerly a service and ministery Act. 1.17 not a Lordship as we have noted before And therefore when you meet in reading the Scriptures with such places as these as I ordaine and as I give order in the Churches you are not to understand it of any absolute but onely a derived power from Christ to establish in the Churches what Christ commanded and gave them in commission nothing of their owne but as 1 Cor. 11.23 that they received from the Lord that they delivered to the Saints 5. The Scriptures in an expresse manner forbid Beleevers to be the servants of men in this point as to bow our consciences to their injunctions in the matters of Worship 1 Cor. 7.23 in Civil things we may and ought but not in divine and spirituall things there Christ alone must have active obedience Psal 45.11 and hence it is that the Scriptures doe charge us not to serve God after the traditions doctrines and commandements of men let them pretend never so much holines and zeale for the glory of God Mat. 15.9 Col. 2.7 8 20 21. the reason is because God will be worship●d after his own mind and will revealed to us in the Scriptures and not after the wisdome of men 6. The Scriptures reprove and sharply rebuke such as stoop and bowe their consciences to the precep●s and commands of men in serving and worshipping of God as Hos 5.11 Esay 29.13 Gal. 4.9 10. 7. The Scriptures hold it forth as matter of commendation to the Saints when they have withstood the authority of men in the matters of Gods worship and rather suffered their bodies to die then their consciences to be defiled by ye●lding to their humane injunctions as the three Children Dan. 3. Revel 3.4 14.4 8. The Scr●ptures hold it forth as a property and character of Antichrist to make Lawes and impose them on the consciences of m●n 2 Thes 2.4 and so Rev. 13.16 17. 9. The Scriptures take away whatsoever may be thought to be a warrant for us from men to worship God by besides which Jesus Christ hath left us a rule to walk by in his written Word 1. They take away the wisdome of men as a warrant for us in the worship of God as 1 Cor. 3.20 Coloss 2.20 21 22 23. 2. They take away whatsoever seemeth good in our own eyes Deut. 12.8 Esay 66 3. 3. T ey take away mens traditions and customes Mar. 7.9 Colos 2.8 Act. 21.21 Deut. 18.9 Levit. 18. ult Jerem. 10.3 and whatsoever inventions of men as Psal 1●6 29 39. Ps 99.8 Deut. 4.2 12.32 Prov. 30.6 4. T ey take away the very will and commands of men as Hos 5.11 Amos 4.4 Mat. 15.9 Mar. 7.7 Col. 2.22 Tit. 1.14 Esay 29.13 5. They take away whatsoever word or doctrine comes from Ministers or any other which cannot be resolved into the written word of Christ as in Ezek. 13.3 7. Esay 8.20 Gal. 1.8 9. 1 Cor. 4.6 6. They take away all good intentions of men in this businesse as ●o 2 Sam. 6.7 1 Sam. 13.9 10 13. 1 Chro. 15.13 2 Chro. 26.16 7. It takes away all examples of men though never so eminent Ezek. 20 18. 1 Cor. 11.1 8. It rebukes the counsels of States for their boldnesse this way and layes it as a blot on t●em shewing that by this means people have been brought to Idolatry as 1 King 12.26 27 28 29 30. 2 Chron. 25.16 Jer. 19.5 7. Mich. 6. ult 9. It takes away from men all power to make Lawes to binde the Consci●nces of Beleevers so much as in things that are indifferent * Vid. M. Burr Heart-Divisions p. 159 160 161. where he discourseth excellently to this point For

Asia as it is plaine had power of government within themselves And a little after pag. 84. Hence it is that the Governours sc of the Church are in many things of greater moment to take the consent of the people with them Seventhly Master Jacob Jacobs Treatise call●d An Attestation of many learned godly and famous Divines c. a man that was excellently qualified for the worke of the Ministery and sometimes Pastor to a gathered Church in London how many Treatises hath he in print to prove the point in hand but above all other that treatise called An attestation of many learned godly and famous Divines Lights of Religion and Pillars of the Gospell justifying this doctrine viz. 1. That the Church Government ought to be alwayes with the peoples consent 2. That a true Church under the Gospell containeth no more ordinary Congregations but one In which Treatise he holds forth these two points First from Testimonies of many particular late Writers largely set downe as Beza Calvin Viret Zuinglius Luther Bucer Pet. Mart. Musculus Bullinger Gualter Vrsinus Daneus Tilenus Junius Piscator and Chemnicius 2. From the consent of many publique Churches as the Bohemian Helvetian Genevian Belgick c. 3. From testimonies and practice of the best Antiquity as the practice of the Church of Jerusalem immediately after the death of the Apostle Iames Anno 70. of Christ from Ignatius to the Church of Philadelphia Anno 112. so the practice of the Church of Rome Anno 240. mentioned by Eusebius The practice of the Church of Carthage Ann. 250. in Cyprians time So at Antioch An. 273. 4. From Councels 1. The Councel of Nice An. 330. So from the Councel of Carthage Anno 420. So the Councel of Constantinople An. 682. 5. He sheweth ●he intollerable inconveniences that follow the denying this truth 6. He answers the chiefest objections are brought against it 8. So M. Robinson and Ainsworth men without exception for their learning and godlines what large Treatises have they in print to cleare this point we have in hand some of which have not to this day been answered as that of M Robinsons Reasons discussed Ainsw guide to Sion Robinson Reas discuss●d 9. Doctor Ames Ames Med. Theol. l. 1. c. 37. sect 6. in his Medulla Theologia lib. 1. chap. 37. sect 6. hath these words Potestas hujus disciplinae quoad jus ipsum pertinet ad Ecclesiam illam in communi cujus membrum est peccator ad illos enim pertinet ejicere ad quos pertinet primo admittere c. that is The power of this Discipline in respect of the right of it belongs to that Church in common of which the offender is a member for it belongs to those to cast out whom it concernes first to take in c. And so in his Cases of Conscience he hath much to this purpose And M. Peters in his last report of the English Warres saith this of him That he left his Professorship in Freezland to live with him because of his Churches Independency at Rotterdam and charged him often even to his death so to looke to it saying if there were a way of publique worship in the world that God would own it was that 10. Doctor Fulke against the Remists Fulkes Notes on Remists test on 1 Cor. 5. Sect 3 the authority of Excommunication he saith pertaineth to the whole Church although the judgement and execution thereof is to be referred to the Governours of the Church which exercise that authority as in the name of Christ so in the name of the whole Church whereof they are appointed Governours to avoid confusion which is no other then Paereus Musculus Zanchy and Calvin have spoken in their writings with many others as can easily be produced 11. Doctor Whittaker hath much to this purpose in his learned workes as de concil quest 5. p. 178 179. Whitak de concil q. 5. p. 178 179. where he shewes that Ecclesiasticall power and authority belongs princ●p●lly primarily and essentially to the whole Church to each Bishop or Minister only accidentally secondarily his words are these Haec quidem authoritas ecclesiastica singulis episcopis convenit sed accidentaliter et secundariè et minus principaliter ecclesiae autem primariò principaliter et essentialiter competit And he illustrates this from a rule in Phylosophy Cum virtus aliqua duobus inest uni necessariò et essentialiter alteri contingentur et accidentaliter principalius inest ei cui necessario essentialiter inest quam ei cui contingentur tantum et accidentaliter convenit ut calor magis principaliter igni quam aquae inest quia inest aquae gratia ignis So de Pontif. Rom. 9. q. 1. c. 1. Sect. 1. his words translated are these We say plainly that the Churches in the primitive times were so governed of their own Pastors that they were not subject to others either Bishops or Churches without them the Church of Colosse was not subject to the Church of Ephesus nor the Church of Philippi to the Church of Thess nor these to the Church of Rome nor the Church of Rome to any of them Sed pares omnes inter se juris e●lent i. e. They were all of equall power among themselves 12. To these we might adde Doctor Reinolds in his conference with Hart Doctor Willet in his Synops Papis Doctor Tailor in his Commentary on Tit. But I shall produce only one * See Doctor Sibbs more that was famous for his Gospell-anointings and litle thought by the most men to have been of this judgement And yet you shall find in a litle Treatise of his printed before these troubles brake forth in England called A breathing after God that he speaks fully to this purpose h●s subj●ct leading him to discover himselfe herein being as I suppose a little before his death his words are these p. 91. speaking of Gods house House saith he wee take for the persons that are in it and persons that are ordered or else it is a confusion and not a house it is a company of those that are voluntary they come not by chance into our house that are members of our society but there is an order there is a Governour in a house and some that are under gov●rnment and there is a voluntary conjunction and combination so the Church is a voluntary company of People that is orderly some to teach and some to be instructed and thereupon it is called a house And a litle after p. 94. speaking of the Tabernacle in Davids time before the Temple was built he saith If we apply it to our times that that answers the Tabernacle now is particular visible Churches under particular Pastors where the meanes of salvation are set up Particular visible Churches now are Gods Tabernacle The Church of the Iewes was a Nationall Church there was but one Church but one Place and one Tabernacle but now God hath erected

want of good principles and sound hearts at the first If their ends had been good at first and their hearts upright they had never gone out to crooked wayes of their own or others but as the Apostle saith 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us because they were not of us so such as fall away from the truth to the embracing damnable heresies do therefore fall away because they were never properly of the truth certainly when men venture on the pure and sound wayes of God with unsound and base ends the Lord justly suffers them to fall such as have not the glory of God but themselves in their eye the Lord shall in just judgement lead such forth with the workers of iniquity Psal 125. last verse 6. Though this way of the Lord may have such evill weeds to grow up in it yet it doth not allow of them but labours either the reforming or casting of them out when they are discovered as a sound Constitution doth those distempers it lyes under as Mat. 18.11 1 Cor. 4.4 5. 2 Thes 3.6.14 Rev. 2. and as a learned Author saith What flaming Sword is there in the hand of a classicall Presbytery to keep men out of errours which may not be in a congregation In one Congregation there may be as many Presbyters as from many Congregations make a Classis and why then may they not do the selfe same acts their offices office is the same therefore the promise of assistance is the same and if the councell and advice of other neighbour Churches be required a Congregation may have that as well Anatomist Anatomised p. ●0 and perhaps sooner then a Classis can which must stay for a Provinciall Synod 7. Lastly let it be considered that there have been as the former Author observes as great defections both of Ministers and people unto errours under Presbyteriall Government as under any other as is cleare in the Low Countryes where so many Ministers and People have turned Arminians Papists Socinians greater errours then the denyall of Paedobaptisme and yet those of the Presbyterian way here are not free of that as is well known besides other evils of more dangerous consequence as might be named Impediment 6 6. Another impediment why the godly do not enter on this way of the Gospell is because they s●y this way cryes up toleration for all sorts of Religion and liberty of mens consciences and so every man may do as he list and what confusion and destruction will this soon produce in Church and state For the removall of this impediment let these few things be considered 1. That this is a great untruth and so nothing but a slander and an evill report that some evill Spyes give out upon the view they have taken of this holy L●nd from some base private ends its much to be feared of their own which the Searcher of all hearts will in due time reveale and discover And that it is so is evident from the workes of some of no mean abilities for learning and godlines that have been in the Congregationall way 1. That late precious servant of Iesus Christ M. Ier. Burroughs who was eminent for his Gospell annointings in his Heart Divisions chap. 7. pag. 41. where he spends most of that chapter to this purpose pag. 42 43 44. and at last towards the end of the chapter pag. 45. he hath these following words And consider now my bretheren whether the Congregationall way be such as if it be suffered there will be no helpe to reduce an erring or hereticall church but all Religions Arianisme Mahumetisme any thing must be suffered Surely men do not deale fairely in raysing such mighty accusations upon such poore and weake grounds This great aspersion and huge out-cry that these men would have all Religions suffered and in their way there is no helpe against any hereticall Congregations moulders and vanishes away before you So likewise in his Sermon before the House of Lords November 26. 1645. pag. 45. where speaking to them excellently in the behalfe of the Saints that have been faithfull to them in the trust committed to their charge though they could not come up fully in some things to them they have published to the world and therefore desires them not to listen to any who should whisper such suggestions or vent such things as tend to he exasperating of their spirits against those deare servants of Christ he hath these words There is a great out-cry against the Toleration of all Religions and we are willing to joyne against such a tolleration But that which fils the mouthes of many in this is the heate of their spirits against those that differ from them in any thing that they might with the more strength be able by this to strike at them suffer not your power to be abused to serve mens designes be faithfull with God encourage those that feare him and God will take care of your honours c. 2. Master Thomas Goodwin of whose worth without flattery speake it the Kingdome is not ignorant in that notable Sermon of his before the honourable House of Commons called The great Interest of States and Kingdomes p. 53. where pressing that Honourable House to looke well to their interest meaning the Saints that are in England to maintaine and preserve them and make provision for them as they meant to preserve the Kingdome he hath these words to our purpose If any man thinke I am a pleading for a liberty of all opinions of what nature and how grosse soever I humbly desire them to remember that I only plead for Saints and I I answer plainly the Saints they need it not The Apostle tels us there are damnable heresies 2. Pet. 2.1 2. and they will soon un-Saint men there are errours that are Capitall not holding the Head Col. 2. Do but distinguish these from others and let this be one foundation laid for this union 3. Master John Goodwin whose innocency and integrity in the cause of Christ and great worke and labour of love to Christ and his Churches I doubt not but in due time shall be cleared and rewarded abundantly In his Reply with another Brother to A. S. 2. Edit pag. 24. whose words to our purpose are these Nor on the other hand do I speake this to intimate that I approve a toleration of the broaching of all opinions or any toleration of some practises And that men might see what he sayes if they will not shut their eyes wilfully against the light he reduceth his discourse to 3. Heads 1 The least venting of any opinion against Fundamentals as Judaisme denying Christ to be the true Messiah Arianisme and Socixianisme opposing the Deiety of Jesus Christ Arminianisme that quest●ons the person of the Holy Ghost Papisme that holds justication by works or that Anababtisme that denyes the derivation of Adams originall corruption to us c. the venting of these and the like opinions he acknowledgeth to be

suppressed and much more the practise of Idolatry pag. 25. 2. The spreading and practizing of opinions that apparantly tend to Libertinisme licentious ungodlines ought not quietly to be permitted pag. ibid. 3 And then shewes what opinions are to be tolerated to wit such are not against Fundamentals nor lead to licentiousnesse but tend only to the beating out of truthes pag. 26. 4. Master Sprigge my quondam colleague in the University of Oxford whose fruitfulnesse in the grace of the Gospell hath not a little rejoyced my soule In his judicious Treatise called the Ancient bounds or liberty of Conscience stated chap. 1. pag. 4. whose words are these Nor do we question whether the Magistrate may not to this negative discountenance adde positive viz. to declare against errors as well as the Ministers to convince and exhort against them Nor whether amongst us errors of manifest scandall and danger to mens soules and consciences as Arianisme Socinianisme Familisme c. ought not to be restrained by the Christian Magistrate and the Assertors and maintainers of them interdicted under penalties the divulging or spreading of them by publique preaching or printing with much more to this purpose So that this being so cleere and manifest from the published writings of these precious Saints of Christ it can appeare to be no other then a grosse untruth and apparent scandall and slander that is cast upon this way of the Lord and those he hath risen and stirred up to assert and maintaine it 2. If by a tolleration of liberty of mens consciences men understand it of things that are doubfull only in controversy amongst the godly then what hurt can follow though there should be a declaration of difference of judgement and practice And doubtlesse if there should not be a forbearing one another in such things as are not cleare but dubious all the world as M. Burroughes truely saith in his Heart-Divisions Chap. 9. pag. 55. must needs be quarrelling and he in that Chapter shewes the lawfulnesse hereof not onely from the judgements of many Protestant Writers but also from eight as I conceive unanswerable and ungainsayable Arguments and considerations from pag. 57. to pag. 66. which are too large to transcribe but are very worthy the godlies serious looking into and search after See also M. Sprigs Ancient Bounds c. 4. p. 17. 3. But if by a tolleration of liberty to all mens consciences we understand it simply of the things of the mind and judgement as opinions and not of the externall practices of men What hinders but that it should be granted without the use of any externall waies of compulsion to force men from them For my owne part I am so farre from seeing any reason or Scripture for using externall violence to force men from their present judgements though erroneous suppose the worst of errors as Papisme Arrianisme Socinianisme Turcisme Judaisme c. as that I judge such a course both against Scripture and Reason as I shall endeavour to make out in these following particulars though in so doing I shall crosse and it may be displease two sorts of men 1. Such as would give to the Civill Magistrate a coercive and compulsory power to enforce men from their present opinions in the matters of Religion and to change their minds and alter their judgements by the use of externall violent wayes and meanes as Imprisonments Mulcts Fines Whippings banishments 2. Such as give to Ministers met together in a Classis or Synod an absolute power not onely of judging and determining in matters of Religion but of imposing their conclusions on the consciences of people to be obeyed and in case of non-obedience ipso facto to cut them off from enjoying the priviledge both of Church state Now to shew my reasons against both of these for the better confirming of my former answer I shall speake to each of them apart 1. To those that cry up compulsion in matters of Religion to force men by externall violent meanes from their present judgements and opinions they are of as proper to the civil Magistrate and a part of his office I cannot allow of it for these reasons ●sons against ●pulsion of 〈◊〉 science in ●ters of Re●on 1. Because for any man whatsoever to take such a course as coercive and compulsory wayes to force the minds of men positively to act contrary to their principles conscienciously held is to act beyond their commission and contrary to the rule of Christ laid down in the word which is to winne men by instruction and not to force men by destruction ●id The ●ly of the 2. ●heren to ●S p. 23. 24. as Mat. 28.20 Luk. 9.54 55. 2 Cor. 10.4 5. 2 Tim. 2.24 25. and 4.1 2.3 2. This course were for poore weake creatures to encroach upon the Prerogative of God himselfe whose worke and in whose power alone it is to change mens minds as is apparent from Scripture as 2 Cor. 10.4 2 Tim. 2.25 1 Pet. 1.22 1 Cor. 3.6 7. Ioh. 16.8 and the reason is because the subject to be wrought upon is too high for any but God alone humane power may reach to the bodies of men to the outward man but not to their inward to their soules and consciences poor weake man cannot make as Christ saith one haire white or black they may restrain from practise by outward meanes but convert and change they cannot No not the glorious Angels that are faire above man for power and strength and for sutablenes to the Spirits of men to whom they can in a more easie and familiar way apply themselves then one man can to another and yet these blessed Spirits cannot effect this worke This they can do they can present things to the fancy and affect the mind many times but it is not in their power to make those things they present to the understandings of men to take effectually so as to worke that for which they present them without the Almighty power of God go with them they are all but ministring Spirits but as instruments in the hand of God as men are so that this is proper only to God to convert and change the minds and consciences of men and not in the power of any creature and therefore as they incroach on Gods prerogative so they lose their labour in all those violent wayes they take unlesse the Lord concurre with them which we cannot expect he should do because it s not a meanes of his ordaining but contrary thereunto as we have shewed before 3. Because such wayes and meanes of externall violent compulsion are against the very nature of the mind and conscience the one being spirituall and rationall and the other carnall and therefore they must be either spirituall or morall and rationall wayes at least that must be used to worke upon the minds and consciences of men What saith that judicious Minister M. * In his Sermon before th● ho. House of Parl. and Cit● on a day