to be Brethren and Members of all the Churches in the world Gal. 3. 26 1 Cor. 10. 16. and 12. 12 Eph. 4. 4. They make them to be Brethren only of those particular Churches to whom those Epistles are directed as the serious reading them will evince 2. Were what he saith true He would reduce the brotherhood to a narroer compass than we either do or dare For if his notion be true only those that are baptized into Christ can be so accounted but Mr. T. thinks that only such as are baptized at years of discretion are thus baptized into Christ Therefore only such are Brethren and then I am sure the Ministers of England are not to be so accounted Thus frequently doth he wound to the heart the cause he undertakes the management of with his own sword We add in S. T. Secondly We cannot as things stand perform the duties of Brethren to them according to Mat. 18. nor will they or can they in the state in which they stand to us What Mr. T. hath answered to Maâ— 18. in his answer to the Preface Sect. 15. we have refuted in the Vindication thereof Sect. and have evinced a Congregational Church is there meant 'T is no Argument of hatred as Mr. T. according to his wonted candor suggests that we cannot perform the duties of Brethren to them 1. They are a Church of such a Latitude that 't is almost impossible we should do so 2. We are in no Church-state together 3. Should we reprove them we could do no more therefore we cannot perform the duties of Brethren required by that Scripture which indoctrinates us in case of non-repentance to bring it before the Church we know no Churth to whom we may complain The Parochial Assemblies have no power to deal with them The Bishops Court is no Church of Christ yet thither must we appeal if any where and we have little encouragement to do so it consisting of persons altogether â—â— vicious and deboyst as those we are to complain of We say further in S. T. Thirdly If we acknowledge the best of them for Brethren we must acknowledge the worst of them For 1. They are all members of the the same Church 2. They profess themselves to be one Brotherhood To which Mr. T. pretends a Reply in a Rhapsodie of words little or not at all to purpose He tells us 1st Of a twofold Communion Private or Publick and that the worst of the present Ministers are to be accounted as Brethren in respect of private Gospel-Communion i. e. we are to restore them as Brethren open our hearts to them according to Gal. 6. 1. Mal. 3. 16. Jam. 5. 16. I industriously omit his Scoffe of Pharisaically minded reputed Saints which he must shortly account for to him who will reckon with men for their hard and reproachful words to his Children And to what may be thought of any moment in this his Answer we Reply Answ 1. His distinction of Private and Publick Gospel-Communion is impertinent as is his discourse of the lawfulness of holding private Gospel-Communion with them 'T is of Communion with them in preaching c. that we are treating which he accounts Publick Communion 2. Not one of the Scriptures produced but condemn what he would have them justifie The Brethren Paul speaks of Gal. 6. 1. were Members of a particular instituted Church Gal. 1. 2. Such as had received the Spirit Chap. 3. 2. The Sons of God by Faith Vers 26. Baptized into Christ putting him on Vers 27. Sons into whose hearts God had sent forth the Spirit of his Son crying Abba Father Chap. 4. 6. Heirs of God through Christ Vers 7. Such as knew God were known of him Vers 9 c. Mal. 3. 16. Speakes expresly concern-such as feared the Lord in opposition to the proud and them that work wickedness such as those mentioned Jam. 5. 16. which Mr. T. knows in his conscience cannot be affirmed of the worst of the present Ministers Certainly the forementioned Characters fit not the drunkards swearers adulterers that are known to be of that Tribe Nor 3. Am I able to make any tollerable sence of what follows that concerning this it follows not if we acknowledge the best of them as Brethren we must also acknowledge the worst of them he having asserted and introduced the Scriptures but now requoted to prove it that concerning this The worst of the present Ministers are to be accounted as Brethren 2dly As touching publick Gospel-Communion he tells us It consists in hearing them praying with them receiving the Lords Supper c. Answ Very well How proves he that with respect hereunto we mâ—y own them as Brethren Why 1. Judas might be heard as an Apostle was perhaps a Communicant at the Lords Supper It 's therefore lawful to hear and joyâ— in the Lords Supper with the worst of the present Ministers Answ 1. Of the case of Judas that is repeated usque ad naâ—sâ—am we shall have occasion to speak hereafter At present we shall only say 2. He was an Apostle sent forth by Jesus Christ which the present Ministers of England are not 3. He was a visible Saint carried it so well that but immediately before his betraying his Lord the Disciples seemed rather to suspect themselves than him which cannot be affirmed of visible Drunkards 4. That he received the Communion is uncertain If he did they were in a church-Church-state he was a visible Saint no actual crime or evil could be laid to his charge so that this instance makes not aâ— all for Communion with the worst or best of the Ministers of England who are not in a Gospel Church state c. He further tells 3dly A mixt multitude made acclamation to Christ yet our Lord justified their joyning together in their praying and praising God Mat. 21. 16. Luke 19. 39. Answ 1. This was but one act 2. Out of a church-Church-state 3. From an extraordinary impulse of Spirit 4. They joyned with the Disciples were not the mouth of the Disciples to God and therefore reacheth not at all our present Casâ— 5. Mr. T. Can never prove this Consequence valid The Disciples sing Hosanna to Christ and others a mixt multitude by an extraordinary impulse of Spirit sing so to Ergo It 's our duty to joyn with the present Ministers as Brethren in praying preaching receiving the Sacrament c. which yet he must make good or confess he hath hitherto proved nothing He adds 4thly 'T is no sin to joyn in the true Worship of God wâ—th any if we have no command to withdraw from that Service because of their presence nor power to exclude them and yet bound to the duties then performed Believers might prophesie and hear it though unbelievers came in 1 Cor. 14. 24. Answ 1. This Animadverter takes for granted what we deny First That the true Worship of God is performed in the Parish Assemblies All praying and preaching is not the true Worship of God The offering
detestandis Idolis The truth of these things is so generally known throughout the Nation that as I am sorry the mention thereof should drive Mr. T. into such a sweaâ—ing passion as it seems to do so can I not but wonder at his confidence in calling those things palpable gross untruths when the whole Nation knows the contrary His Satyrical expressions I omit The visible Lineaments and Characters of false Prophets being instamped upon the fore-heads of the present Ministers they are not to be heard but separated from CHAP. VIII Arg. 6. Sect. 1. A sixth Argument against hearing the present Ministers Saints must not have Communion with Idolaters The vanity of Mr. T. his arguings to the contrary evinced 1 Cor. 10. 14. 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 16 17 18 opened A threefold Idolatry Whether the Idolaters of old worshipped the creature terminatively Of the golden Calf Baal Molech That the Worshippers of them worshipped them not terminatively proved Of Devil-Worship Psal 106. 37 38 explained The Heathen Images dedicated to the true God The Testimony of the Heathens in this matter Of refined Idolatry Worshiping of God in a way not of his appointment is Idolatry The Testimony of Calvin Perkins Ames Pareus Willet Peter Martyr c. to the truth of the Assertion The Romans worshipped the Godds an hundred and seventy years and more without Images A Sixth Argument advanced in S. T. against hearing the present Ministers is this Those that are guilty of Idolatry Saints may not have communion with much less own them as their Teachers but ought to separate from them But the present Ministers of England are guilty of Idolatry Therefore The Major is bottomed upon express Commands from Christ 1 Cor. 5. 11. 10. 14. 2 Cor. 6. 14 18. To which Mr. T. replies 1. The Conclusion is not the same with that which Chap. 1. was undertaken to be defended That it is not lawful for Saints to hear the present Ministers which we may do though Communion with them be unlawful though we are bound not to own them as our Teachers but separate from them Answ Now this I confess I understand not Communion consists in giving and receiving a constant or frequent attending upon any ones teaching especially when by the Prelates instituted and inducted to such a Parish as a Teacher whereof I am a Member is an Argument of my owning him for my Teacher Separation from any one consists in this that I have no Communion with him in that in respect of which I am bound to separate from him That I should with frequency hear a man preach as a Minister of the Gospel and yet be said to have no Communion with him to separate from him is an Aenigma that needs some Oedipus to unravel He tells us 2dly The Major is not true if the Idolatry be in worshiping in any other way than what he hath prescribed or if the Idolatry be secret or if open if by infirmity a man falls into it and repents or be not censured as such or teacheth not such Idolatry nor requires any communion with him in his Idolatry Answ 1. If the Major be not true it follows that its lawful to have Communion with Idolaters for with persons guilty of Idolatry the Major saith we must not have Communion Mr. T. is driveâ— to his shifts indeed when to defend the cause he hath undertaken he is forced to plead for such gross absurdities so contradictory to the Scriptures and the judgment of all sober Christians that ever were in the world 2. If worshipping God in another way than he hath appointed be in Scripture Idolatry and in it we are commanded to abstain from such Worship and Worshippers then though the Idolatry consist therein the Major is true When the Scripture commands us to flee from Idolatry it means that which is so in its own sense not Mr. T 's 3. 'T is true I am not to separate from a person I know not to be guilty of Idolatry till I know he is so but this reacheth not the case of the present Ministers whom we prove manifestly guilty hereof When Ezekiel once came to understand that the Antients of the House of Israel committed Idolatry in the Chambers of their Imagery Ezek. 8. 7 to 13. he might not have Communion with them though they committed it in the dark 4. Repentance restores a man fallen into the same place amongst the Saints he was in before he fell but this is not at all to the purpose the present Ministers justifie their actings would compel aâ—l to do as they do 5. That 't is not our duty to separate from Idolaters till they are under Church-censure is a meer fancy 1st What if they are such as are in no church-Church-state persons without with whom the Church hath nothing to do 2dly What if the so called Church be generally overspread with Idolatry as our Animadverter will confess the Church of Rome is must I wait the Churches censure till I refuse to hold communion with Idolaters Is it ever likely that an Apostate Idolatrous Church will pass sentence upon it self or rational that I hold communion with them till they do So is 6. That 't is not our duty so to do except they teach it and require my communion with them in it For 1. he that practiseth it teacheth it by his practice 2. As it relates to the present Ministers 't is vain and frivolous they both practise and preach it and require my communion with them in it He saith 3dly The Texts do not prove the Major Answ Let the judicious Reader judge for himself whether they do or no 1 Cor. 5. 11. we have already vindicated from his exceptions That 1 Cor. 10. 14. is not to our purpose because the Apostle onely saith Flee from Idolatry not from teachers that are Idolaters is a fond conceit The intendment of the Apostle is to provoke to the greatest circumspection not onely to avoid the thing it self which saith Pareus Was not only the gross Idolatry of the Gentiles but every kind of Idolatry but all the occasions thereof And certainly the hearing or attending on the ministry of persons guilty of Idolatry is no mean occasion thereof 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 16 17 18. commands separation from the Idol Mr. T. grants Now I must profess I know not by what Logick he will prove that though it be my duty to separate from Idols I may so far retain communion with the Idolater as to own him for my Teacher the very repeating these absurdities is confutation sufficient Before we attempt the proof of the minor Proposition we premise in S. T. That Idolatry may be considered under a threefold Notion 1. Most gross and absurd Idolatry when the creature is worshiped terminatively This we say few are guilty of In the matter of the golden Calf Israel was not they worshipped God in it Exod. 32. 5. Maimonides de Idolat 8. 2 3. tells us That through the Idols Idolaters worshipped
such thing 1 Cor. 12. 28. speaks not a tittle to it For 1. The Church vers 28. is the Body of Christ vers 27. This Paul tells them the Church of Corinth they were and every Saint in the Church a Member in particular 2. 'T is such a Church amongst whom a Schism might be vers 25. as in the Church of Corinth there actually was which was the occasion of Pauls writing to them That there should be no schism in the Body But Schism is entirely in one Church amongst the members of one particular Society saith that learned man J. O. in his Treatise of Schism Besides 3. It will be hard to prove that in the Church catholick-visible as such Officers are set and placed as 't is vers 28 29. These were in the Church of Corinth which was founded by Paul Acts 18. 8 9 10. Probably Peter had been there for he intimâ—tes That at least some of them had gloried overmuch in him 1 Cor. 3. 21 22. Cephas i. e. Peter Prâ—â—hets Teachers Miracles Gifts of heaâ—ing Helps Governments diversities of Tongues were found amongst them as is known Some of these there is no question but they relate to a particular Church That the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Teachers here are the same who are elsewhere called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Presbyters Elders and Overseers Mr. T. will not I presume deny Arguments lie near at hand for the demonstration thereof were it needful These are placed of God in particular Churches relate to them as such Acts 14. 23. 15. 2 4 6 22 23 16. 4. 20. 17. 21. 18. Tit. 1. 5. Jam. 5. 14. Act. 20. 28. Nor am I singular in the application of this Scripture to the particular Church of Corinth Pareus hath these words upon the place Et quia c. And because he had said that the Church of the Corinthians was the Body of Christ c. manifesting his consent and harmony with us herein that Paul is not treating of the Church-Catholick-visible but of a particular Church of Christ viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Church of God that was in Corinth Nor can this Scripture be meant of the invisible Church of Christ for in it God hath placed no Officers that I know of nor will the Animadverter say he hath 2dly If by the Universal Church-visible he mean the Elect of God redeemed sanctified justified by the spirit of the Lord and the blood of Jesus These are indeed called by the name of the Church in Heb. 12. 23. Eph. 1. 22. To which we may add Mat. 16. 28. Eph. 5. 25 26. That the word Church 1 Cor. 15. 9. is taken for the visible Church indefinitely I cannot subscribe to Possible by the Church of God he means First The Churches of God by an usual Figure there being in those dayes few or no Believers but were added to one Church or other as might easily be demonstrated Acts 2. 41 42. and Acts 4. 32. The multitude of Believers is a Paraphrastical description of the Church Acts 5. 11. The great care of the Apostles was to reduce them that embraced and believed the Gospel into a church-Church-state or that Order of the Gospel which however oppugned by Mr. T. will be found to be of the Institution of Christ As is evident from the Churches in Jerusalem Acts 7. Samaria chap. 8. Antioch Chap. 14 15. In Syria Cilicia Acts 15. 41. Phrygia Galatia Acts 16. 5 6. Macedonia Chap. 16. Thessalonica Chap. 17. Achaia Chap. 18. Ephesus Chap. 19. Asia Rev. 1. and 2. and 3. Rome Rom. 1. c. planted by them notwithstanding the utmost attempts of the power of darkness or great Red Dragon in the Roman Pagan Empire and of the Children of the Kingdom or the chief Priests Scribes Pharisees Rulers multitudes of People especially of the baser sort fit for any desperate design contradicting blaspheming opposing them herein When once we read of the Gospel preached and mingled with Faith in them that hear it the next news we frequently hear is that these Believers embody together for the worshiping God in the same numerical Ordinances the enjoyment of those priviledges and mutual performance of those duties which in a scattered individual state and capacity they were not capable of Though Secondly By way of eminency he might in that expression and no doubt he did so I persecuted the Church of God have his eye upon that famous Church of Jerusalem in the persecution and dispersion whereof he had it seems no mean hand Acts 7. 58. and 8. 3 4. As for Saul he made havock of Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he laid waste the Church entering into every house halling 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by force and violence dragging them along the ground both men and women he committed them to Prison And the very truth is this is the most considerable instance if not the only one of Sauls Persecuting the Church of God 'T is true Acts 9. 1. 't is said And Saul breathing out threatnings and slaughters against the Disciples of the Lord but that only imports the wrath and fury that was in his spirit against them and resolution to persecute imprison waste and destroy them the usual issue of blind zeal for the Tradition of their Fathers in other places as he had already done at Jerusalem For which end he procures Letters to Damascus to bring men and women disciples bound to Jerusalem that he should find of this Heresie there But Oh the wonder of Love Before he arrive thither Christ way-layes him speakes from Heaven to him converts him and sets him upon preaching up that very way and truth he was thus violently persecuting and setting himself against So that not the visible Church indifinitely taken but some particular Churches of Jesus Christ and in especial and by way of eminency that famous Church at Jerusalem is intended 1 Cor. 15. 9. That which Mr. T. mentions in the 5 th place That the word Church is taken for the Church Topical i. e. A particular Church of Christ or a company of Believers dwelling in this or that place giving no themselves to the Lord and one another according to his will walking to gether in the fellowship of the Gospel and meeting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the same place for the worshiping God in the same numerical Ordinances according to the prescription will and institution of Christ Acts 8. 1. 1 Cor. 1. 1. Ephes 1. 1. and many other places Of which Chap. 4. of S. T. we assent to as true But that we should ever subscribe 6thly To that dictate of the Animadverter That Church in Scripture is taken for a Church of a Country or Nation and then it is put in the Plural Number as the Churches of Asia Galatia Judaea being so dissonant to truth and contrary to the express language of the Spirit of the Lord he could never imagine For the Churches of Asia Christ tells us expresly they were Seven
Sacrifice at Jerusalem was so but not elsewhere These things must be performed in the way appointed by him else they cannot be so accounted 2dly 'T is true bound we are to perform the duties they pretend to perform but according to the Institution of the Lord not mans devising as they are performed in the Church of England Isa 29. 13. Mat. 15. 7. 3ly Though it be no sin to joyn in the true Worship of God yet 't is a sin to joyn with false worshippers in a false way of Worship as praying after the way of the Common-Prayer-Book hearing an Antichristian Minister 4thly Believers 't is true might prophesie though unbelievers came in but it doth not therefore follow that ' â—is lawful for Believers to joyn with Unbelievers or forsake the Way and Institutions of Christ to go to the Assemblies of Unbelievers and hear them Prophesie As the worst of Ministers of whom he is discoursing and the generality of Parochial Assemblies undoubtedly are if a Spirit of prophaness visible debauchery an excess of riot bespeak persons to be such And from such he grants we are to separate by command from Christ 2 Cor. 6. 17. to which may be added Eph. 5. 11. 2 Tim. 3. 5. Acts 2. 39 40. But why talks he of our separating from them when they separate as much from us as we do from them we were never no more of them than they were of us Of Rev. 18. 4. we shall hereafter speak For the present we deny that by Babylon there is meant only literal Rome and expect the proof of his dictate The keeping company and eating interdicted 1 Cor. 5. 11. he tells us must be meant of eating Common Bread Because vers 10. That keeping company which is forbidden to such Brethren is allowed in vers 9 10. to the Fornicators of the world which cannot be Gospel-Communion keeping company in eating of the Lords Supper Answ 1. It seems then that with the Fornicators of the world we may not have Gospel-Communion if so then not with the Church of England for with it we cannot have Communion without holding fellowship with such as these 2dly If it be not lawful to have Communion with a Brother one of the same particular Church for of such an one the Apostle speaks that is a Fornicator or Covetous or an Idolater or a Railer or a Drunkard or an Extortioner so far as to common eating and drinking then a fortiori may we argue it is utterly unlawful to have communion with him in the Worship of God and much more unlawful to have fellowship with one we never walked with in the way of the Gospel according to any institution of Christ 3. That 't is lawful to hold Communion in eating the Lords Supper with Railers Drunkards c. I am sorry to find Mr. T. asserting of which we expect his proof The contrary is evident 1. Persons must be in a Church-state before they are capable of the regular enjoyment of that Ordinance which is a Church-Ordinance and part of Instituted Worship but Persons of such a Complexion are not fiâ— matter for a Church as we before proved Therefore 2. Those who ought to be excommunicated out of a Church were they in we may not have Communion with especially when in a false church-Church-state as is the case of the members of the Church of England But persons of such a character as the Apostle mentions should be excommunicated out of the Church Therefore 3. Those with whom we have Communion in breaking Bread as a Gospel-Ordinance with them we are one Bread 1 Cor. 10. 17. But we may not be one Bread with Drunkards c. Therefore 4. Those with whom we are commanded to have no fellowship with them we may not have fellowship in that Ordinance of breaking Bread But with such as these we are commanded to have no fellowship Eph. 5. 11. That the People of God can scarce ever break Bread with comfort in the best instituted Churches as he tells us from this doctrine is a notoriously false Crimination a meer Calumny His subsequent scoff is such froth and vanity as becomes not his years nor profession we pass it over as beneath us to take further notice of We add in S. T. 3dly That we cannot acknowledge the present Ministers for our Brethren but we must acknowledge the Bishops for our Reverend Fathers for theirs they are but that we cannot do To this Mr. T. adjoyns Sect. 5. 1. They are call'd their Reverend Fathers in respect of their Ordination Answ 1. But we cannot own them as Reverend Fathers with respect hereunto when we assuredly know they are herein usurpers of what doth not appertain to them But 2dly This is not all they own them as such upon the account of their Authority over them and the Parochial-Assemblies in the respective Diocesses who are to give forth Canons and Laws for them to walk by in not a few things relating to Worship as is known Now so we cannot own them as our Reverend Fathers we know no honour or obedience we owe them as such We think the inspection of one Bishop over an hundred Congregations can be proved by no better Arguments than the inspection of the Pope over an hundred thousand That a Diocesan and Oecumenical Bishop are much of the same kind and have their standing on the same foundation We know no Bishop of the institution of Christ but a Pastor of a particular Congregation He that pretends to more must prove his pretensions or we cannot but look upon him as an usurper I would gladly know whether Mr. T. thought it lawful to own them as his Reverend Fathers when he swore to exâ—irpate them with the whole Hierarchy and whether his so doing were an act of filial obedience That they are to be accounted Fathers in respect of their Antichristian Office because the Apostle saith 1 Tim. 5. 1. That an Elder is to be entreated as a Father when they are not Elders but a degree above them not from the Institution of Christ but the Courtesie at the best of Princes he will never prove Of their success in begetting others to Christ I understand nothing Those whom they have begotten may upon the account thereof esteem them as their Reverend Fathers but yet I am apt to think should they not be invested in the Title till then for the most of them at least they would go to their graves without it These are but Figleave-coverings The Animadverter knows they are not upon this bottom so called or accounted but with respect to that Office-power they have in the Church over the rest of the Ministers and Parochial-Assemblies thereof which being a meer incroachment usurpation and innovation we dare not own them as such We further argue in S. T. 4thly We cannot hear them as Brethren because they are if Brethren such as walk disorderly from whom we are bound to separate by express precept Mat 18. 2 Thess 3. 6. That they walk
may put Mr. T. to the blush upon the review thereof He argues further Arg. 25. Schismatical and arrogant conceits that the VVord of God is from them as the only right Teachers or confined to them as the only persons to whom it was communicated and from whom it might be received is condemned by the Apostle 1 Cor. 14. 36. But such conceits and inclosures they have and make who deny the present Ministers to be heard conceiving the separated Churches and Ministers the only right Churches and Ministers to be heard Therefore Answ 1. We deny the Minor we make no such inclosures as the Apostle condemns which are not what are mentioned by this Animadverter There were no Churches of Christ in the world at that day so much as in Name and pretence but such as were separated these were the right Churches and no other no ordinary Ministers but such as were related to and Ministers of such separated Churches This the Apostle cannot be supposed to condemn But if this be not that he condemns What is it Briefly 2. The Church of Corinth was one of the most famous Churches of Christ upon the account of what is mentioned by the Apostle Chap. 12. at that day in the world by reasoâ— whereof they were apt enough to be sweld puft up against other Churches that were as equally the Churches of Christ as they who had not the excellency of gifts they had This the Apostle condemnes in them and gives them to understand that the Word of God came not out from them they were not the first Church to whom it was communicated and from whom it was transmitted unto others nor came it unto them only i. e. other Churches had received embraced it as well as they therefore they ought not to carry it proudly towards them which what it makes against the inclosure our Animadverter mentions I know not The Apostle condemns one Congregational Church for being puft up against another therefore to assert Congregational Churches and Ministers to be the only right Churches and Ministers is condemn'd by him is such a strange consequence as will never readily be imbraced But 3. we make not such inclosures I believe there are hundreds in England that are not of that way who have the Spirit of God and are deservedly to be attended in their Ministration of the Word of Truth That because we deny it lawful to hear the present Ministers we must be necessitated to deny the hearing of all others but men of Congregational Principles is a supposition as monstrously false and absurd as the former We give some special and peculiar grounds of our not hearing those that can be applied to no other He adds Arg. 26. The Apostle Phil. 3. 15 16. presseth such as were perfect or well instructed in the Christian Doctrine of liberty from the Mosaical Laws not to separate from but hold Communion with such as were weak in the Faith and otherwise minded that thought Mosaical Laws were yet obligatory Therefore we may not separate from Christians and Ministers by reason of diversity of judgement about Church-Government and Liturgy and different practice about Conformity and Non-conformity to them which are of less moment than those differences about Meats and Dayes Answ 1. We deny his Consequence That because it was the duty of Saints to hold Communion in a true church-Church-State without altercations about Meats or Drinks therefore 't is our duty to hold Communion with a false Church and a false Ministry our Animadverter can never prove 2. That the business of Church-Government wherein the Kingship of Christ in a great measure lies is of no more moment than the eating or not eating about which the contests among the primitive Believers in the dawning of the Day of the Gospel did in a great measure lie he will not easily demonstrate 3. That the retention for a while of Mosaical Ceremonies whilst the Temple was yet standing to which they were affixed should be a greater ground of separation from a true Church of Christ then the reception imbracement of the Liturgy and Ceremonies of Antichrist in and by a false Church and Ministry from it is as absurd an assertion as ever dropped from the mouth or pen of so learned a person And yet fail he in the proof hereof this Argument is of no moment We attend his next Arg. 27. The holy Ghost hath recorded the prophesie of Balaam Num. 24. 3 4. Of Caiaphas Joh. 11. 51 52. Yea the sayings of Infidel Iâ—olatrous Poets Acts 17. 28. 1 Cor. 15. 33. Tit. 3. 12. Therefore it 's lawful to hear the present Ministers Answ Now I confess if he be able to make good this Argument it will follow that we may not attend the Ministry of the present Ministers of England only but the very vilest and worst of men Yeâ— I think we may righteously deny his Consequence and expect his proof thereof before we credit it The reading of Poets or citation of them is no part of instituted Worship as I remember which we have proved hearing the present Ministers to be He proceeds Arg. 28. The Apostle 1 Thes 5. 20 21. requires Christians not to despise prophesyings but to prove all things and hold fast that which is good And the Apostle 1 John 4. Believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God They make it not sin meerly to hear them that are erroneous if they try them they may hear pretenders prophesying if they prove it much more those Ministers who preach truth Answ 1. Prophesyings are not to be despised all things are to be proved the Spirits to be tried whether they are of God buâ— all this must be done in his own way For persons from hence to take liberty to go to Mass hear the Jesuites frequent the meetings of Ranters is dangerous and a plain tempting of God 2. Why he should accommodate 1 Thes 5. 20. to the preaching of the present Ministers and impose it upon us as our duty not to despise prophesyings who tells us pag. 136. l. 30. That he knows not of any at this day that have the gift of prophesie I understand not 3. 'T is abominable wickedness to violate other commands of Christ upon the pretext of these Scriptures and a plain irrision of Christ when he hath charged us as we have pâ—oved to have nothing to do with such a generation for us upon pretence of trying all things to attend their Ministry and Worship is abominable prophaness not to be justified 4. There are some things so visibly opposite to Christ and his wayes that they need no trial in order to a discovery Whether drunken ignorant Priests the shame and contempt of the Nation be Ministers of the Gospel Whether a formal sapless self-devised Worship and Ministry from the Pope and Bawd of Rome be the Worship and Ministry of Christ are things so palpably and noâ—oriously foreign to the Scriptures that a man need not put them to the
like such a call as the Scriptures mention in the Ministers of Christ 2dly That 't is above the ability of Christian hearers to judge of the Ministers call when 't is so plainly declared in the Scriptures is Mr. T. his mistake an Assertion that he will never be able to prove nor need they to fit themselves herein to spend their time to enquire into their many proceedings in getting Testimonials using means for the obtaining Ordination Institution c. as he talks they have through the great kindness of God to them the Bible in their hands and the holy Spirit dwelling in them to lead them into all Truth they have the qualification of Gospel-Ministers laid down 1 Tim. 32. to 8. Tit. 1. 5 to 10. c. the manner of their call and solemn inauguration into their office where they find persons let their pretences be never so high that are not able to acquit themselves according to those Rules they may judg and yet 't is not they so much as the Spirit of God speaking in the Scripture that they are not the Ministers of Christ But he hath a third Reason In all Governments and Societies the peaceable possessor is presumed to have right till the contrary be evinced Ergo 't is lawful to hear them as Ministers of the Gospel that are not such risum teneatis amici If this be good arguing 't is easie to prove it lawful to hear the Pope yea the greatest Hereticks that ever were in the world He is in the peaceable possession of St. Peter's Chair as they call it The Arrian Bishops once had it generally yet not to be heard I hope as Ministers of Christ The learned Field de Eccl. cites Nazianzen speaking far otherwise Neque qui per vim irrupit successor habendus est c. Nor is he to be accounted the Successor who gets possession by violence but he who suffers violence not he who defends a false opinion but he who is endued with the same Faith unless any one perchance may be called a successor as we say a disease succeeds health darkness light a tempest tranquillity wisdom madness And so we confess the present Ministers are the Successors of the Ministers of Christ and possessors of their room 2dly If by right he mâ—an right to their Parsonage and Vicarage-house and Globe-lands c. a right they have for ought I know by the Law of the Nation as things now stand thereunto If a right of Ruledom over the People of God in the Nation 1. They are not peaceably possest of this right they protest against them as Intruders 2dly These being the People and Flock of Christ they can have no right over them except it be given them from him let us see his Commission whereby they are authorized and we are satisfied 3dly If he suppose that a Patron 's presentation of a sorry thing in black suppose a debauch'd Sir John a Knight Errant of the Popeâ— make with the Bishops institution and induction into a Benefice and he is in the peaceable possession hereof that therefore he is to be heard as a Minister of Christ and would impose it upon others as Truth he must know that he hath to do with such who pitty him because of his folly and expect proof of what he asserts before they will believe him The instances of Paul's speech to Ananias Act. 23. 5. of Caiapâ—as prophesying John 11. 51. Christ's not excepting against him when convented before him are such pittiful stories that I must crave pardon of the Reader whilst I mention them Paul owned Ananias as High-Priest Act. 23. 5. which yet 't is probable he did not but spake ironically Caiaphas prophesied John 11. 51. and so did Balaam Num. 23 24. and Christ doth not object against his Office though both supposed to be unlawful Officers Therefore it 's lawful from Christs and Paul's example to hear them who are not right Officers though neither of them heard these preach nor had they to do with them in any act of Instituted Worship when they peaceably possess the place and consequently it is lawful to hear them as Ministers of the Gospel who are not such rightly called Such non-sequiturs introduced with pomp and state I must profess I never before read in any Author which others it may be take notice of with contempt for my part I heartily pitty him and beg him to consider whether the hand of God be not gone forth against him in stripping him of the parts he once had as well as in other things as a just judgment upon him for his lifting up his hand against his Truths and the Kingdom of his Son in the World Till he prove these consequences of his we are not concerned to take further noâ—ice of them there being indeed not the least shew of Argument in what he doth with so much confidence and pomp of words affirm and declare Sect. 3. The Ministers of England not Ministers of the Gospel They come not in by the Door proved John 10. 1 9. opened Of Petrus Waldo and other Reformers Their contrariety to what Mr. T. attempts to erect Of Ordination by particular Churches The Exceptions of the Animadverter refâ—ted Act. 14. 23. explained The Ministers of England imposed upon the People without their consent Parish-Churches no true Churches of Christ. IN Sect. 3. this Animadverter begins to consider the proof of our Assertion viz. That the Ministers of England are not Ministers of the Gospel The sum whereof is They that enter not in by the Door viz. Christ i. e. by vertue of some authority derived to them from him immediately or mediately are not Ministers of the Gospel John 10. 9. But the Ministers of Engl. come not in by the Door receive no Commission or Authority from Christ either immediately or mediately The first we say will not be asserted The second cannot for they receive no Authority from any particular Church of Christ to whom power is solely delegated for the electing their own Officers Acts 6. 5. 14. 23. What saith Mr. T. hereunto Why after he hath eased his spleen by disgorging himself of that choller that did it seems oppress it in some Billingsgate Rhetorick as he speaketh he tells us 1. That thâ—â— may be urged against the Presbyterian Preachers Answ This is only mentioned ad phaleras populi to take the people But good Sir why may this be urged against the Presbyterian Preachers is it because they disown Particular Congregations or Churches of Believers or because they absolutely deny the designation of particular persons to Offices Ecclesiastical by them But each of these is owned by them at least by some of them He adds 2dly This makes against his gifted Brethren Answ 1. Why his gifted Brethren is Mr. T. become a Scorner of the Brethren or are there none thinks he that have received gifts from Christ for the edification of his Body 2. Why doth it make against these They pretend not to
unchristen themselves The persons I mean that they own as Lords and Governours that have a Law-making power are the Prelates in the Convocation-House That they own these as such to them and their Canons they promise obedience and subjection needs no more proof than the Sun at noon-dayes that it shineth Whether this be a denial of Christs authority rebellion against him let the Reader inform himself from Mr. T. Chap. 4. Pag. 119. of his Theodulia He that ascribes Kingly power to a subject doth make another King than the right King and so doth unking him this he tells us the Papists do when they assert the Pope can make Laws to bind the Conscience by virtue of his authority and I know no more power our Convocation of Bishops have to do so then the Pope Till that be shewed the Animadverter grants our Ministers asserting the same of them in this matter as the Papists of the Pope they really unking Christ Nor 3dly Let him think that he is to deal with such Children that with his drollery will be perswaded that they see and know not what they both see and know 'T is not the calling persons as he doth by what spirit let him judge Diabolical Calumniators Railers and Scolds in Latine and English that now a dayes will be taken for an answer or confutation of what the whole Nation know to be true And they themselves will acknowledge and plead for it A 2d Order and Institution of Christ we mention in S. T. viz. That 't is his will that those whom he hath called by his Word should separate from the World walk together in particular Societies and Churches 1 Cor. 1. 2. and 5. 12. 2 Cor. 6. 17. Rev. 18. 4. John 15. 19. and 17. 6. Acts 2. 40. and 19. 9. Phil. 1. 5. Acts 2. 41. and 17. 4. 2 Cor. 8. 5. This Institution we say the Ministers of England are at open defiance with admitting persons visibly wicked and prophane into their Communion To this Mr. T. replies Sect. 4. 1st He hath read somewhat in Ainsworth Cottons Writings for to them we refer the Reader for further satisfaction But he doth not find in them nor the Scriptures mentioned any such separation as these Authors press Answ The Separation we press is a separation from the visible wicked and prophane cannot the Animadverter find this in the Scriptures nor in the Authors instanced in Let me prevail with him in a sedate frame without passion or prejudice once more to review them and beg of the Lord to open the eyes of his understanding that he may see his mind therein 1 Cor. 1. 2. Phil. 1. 1 5. 2 Cor. 8. 5. Give us an account that those who constituted and made up those particular Churches were visible Saints sanctified in Christ Jesus The like instance might be given of the rest of the Churches mentioned in the Scripture The Disciples of Christ are said to be chosen out of the World John 15. 19. and 17. 6. The Saints in a church-Church-state are commanded not to suffer a Fornicator Covetous person an Idolater or a Railer or a Drunkard or an Extortioner in their Communion though allowed civil commerce with them in the world 1 Cor. 5. 12. In Acts 2. 40. 2 Cor. 6. 17. we find the Apostles pressing and Chap. 19. 9. practising Separation from the wicked World which is also commanded with respect to Antichristian worship Rev. 18. 4. If Mr. T. cannot see such a Separation as we press contained in these Scriptures I cannot but pitty him 'T is said that when this way was more countenanced he practised somewhat not much unlike thereunto 2dly He grants That Separation from the World in respect of Worship is the duty of Saints 2 Cor. 6. 17. but then by the World is meant professed Infidels or at least such as were professed unbelievers as John 15. 19. and 17. 6. Acts 2. 40. and 19. 9. Answ 1. That the word World is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word of various acceptions in the Scripture is known with which we shall not trouble the Reader The Animadverter grants That it is taken for persons living in the World Now these are but of two sorts that I know of regenerate or unregenerate such as walk after the Flesh or such as walk after the Spirit Believers or Unbelievers And when the word World is put in opposition to the Saints it s alwayes taken for the World of unregenerate persons that lies in wickedness or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is in subjection to the wicked one 1 John 5. 19. That men are not of the World because from Tradition Education Compulsion Interest or the like they profess the Name of Christ though they never knew a work of Grace or change upon their spirits is a fiction of this Animadverter that he will never make good If such as these are not of the world they are chosen called out of it let us a little consider whether the Characters of these be found upon them 1. They are said to be Branches in Christ that abide in him and bring forth fruit John 15. 2 4 5. 2dly They are clean through the word that he hath spoken to them vers 3. 3dly They have a mighty power and prevalency with God vers 7 16. 4thly They have the words of Christ abiding in them vers 7. 5thly Are such whom Christ loves vers 9. 6thly His Lovers and Friends ready prēst to do whatever he commands them vers 14 15. 7thly To whom he hath revealed the Mysteries of God vers 15. Chap. 17. 6 14. 8thly They are hated of the world vers 18 19 20 21. and Chap. 16. 2 3 33. and 17. 14. 9thly Keep Gods Word Chap. 17. 6. 10thly To them Christ gives the glory that the Father hath given to him Chap. 17. 22. will have them to be with him where he is to behold his glory vers 24. with much more that might be instanced Elsewhere they are called such as are delivered from the power of darkness Col. 1. 13. Quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins Ephes 2. 1. Called to be Saints Rom. 1. 7. 1. Cor. 1. 2. Are Light in the Lord Ephes 5. 8. have received the Spirit which the World or Men of the world cannot receive and abide such John 14. 17. These are the Characters of those that are not of the world Do we refuse to hold communion with do we separate from persons of this complexion What more false We cry aloud to them woe beseech intreat them as many of them as are yet too much holding fellowship with the carnal wicked world in Worship to come out from them which was one and no small part of our design in S. T. As for others that know nothing of the things mentioned they are yet in their sins though they profess the Name of Christ under the regiment of the wicked one and of the world and therefore to be separated from as this Animadverter grants Of the Apostles going
further Doth the Bishops cruelty arise no higher What means the sighs of the poor and needy who to the ruine of their Families have for many years lain in noysome Prisons for their non-conformity 2. Why pleads he not for the Spanish Inquisition the Stake and Faggots in the Marian dayes he knows they have all the same bottom and foundation 3. Several of the Scriptures produced prove that none but such as of their free will being under no constraint but that of the Spirit thereunto desire to be so were Members of the Churches of Christ compulsion whereunto we are so foolish as to think to be hereunto contrary as Psal 110. 3. a Prophesie of Gospel-times as he grants Acts 2. 41 47. 2 Cor. 9. 13. From whence we argue If it be prophesied of such as are to constitute the gospel-church-Gospel-Church-State that they shall be a willing people and we find only such in the time of the Gospel taken thereinto their subjection of consent or willingness to the Gospel of Christ both with respect to Doctrine and Discipline being what the Saints rejoyced to behold then compelling any by Pecuniary mulcts or otâ—erwise to be Church members is wicked and unlawful contrary to the forecited Scriptures But the first is manifestly proved by them Therefore 'T were easie to manifest that this is a Principle decried by the Primitive Believers with the Witnesses of Christ in all Ages Aâ— Tertullian Clemens Alexand. Lactantius the Council of Sardis of Toledo Chrysostome Epiphanius Ignatius Constantine at first made a Decree That Liberty of Worship ought not to be denied Euseb Eccles Hist lib. 10. c. 5. The noble Lord Cobham in answer to Dr. Walden's speaking contemptuously of Wickliff saith Where do you find in all God's Law That you should thus sit in judgment of any Christian man or yet give sentence upon any other man unto death as ye do here daily no ground have you in all the Scriptures so lordly to take it upon you but in Annas and Caiphas which sat thus upon Christ and his Apostles of them only have you taken it to judge Christ's Members as you do and neither of Peter nor John 'T is some of the sowr leaven of the Papacy yet left amongst us the only prop by which Antichrist's Kingdom hath from the beginning been supported and propagated in the World the same Spirit animating it that breathed in the Roman Pagan Empire to the ruine and destruction of multitudes of Christian Souls Whether Acts 2. 40. 19. 9. 2 Cor. 6. 14 17. prove that wicked and ungodly men are not fit matter for Church-Communion we will leave to the Judicious Reader to determine We add in S. T. 9thly That Women may administer the Sacrament of Baptism is owned by them which is contrary to 1 Cor. 14. 34. 1 Tim. 2. 12. Mat. 28. 18 19 20. Ephes 4. 11. Mr. T. replies This was allowed in the English Church before the Conference at Hampton Court in the Reign of King James but not since Answ 1. Yet the Learned Hooker who is supposed to speak the mind of the Church and Ministers of England as much as another man after the aforesaid Conference pleads for the lawfulness thereof Eccles Pol. Sect. 62. Yea 2. I find no publick renunciation of the foresaid erroneous Principle nor is it any where as I know of expresly and avowedly condemned by them And am perswaded that upon enquiry it will be found that it 's generally owned by them to this very day What he seems to urge for the justification of this practice is trivial viz. Philip had four Daughters that did Prophesie Acts 21. 9. Mention is made of the Woman Praying or Prophesying 1 Cor. 11. 5. Priscilla instructed Apollos Therefore we cannot exclude them from private Teaching of the most able if they be fitted thereunto Which no body that I know of denies but that therefore they may Baptize which should have been his inference is such a non-sequitur that deserves no other answer tâ—an contempt We proceed and in S. T. say 10thly That the present Ministers own that the Lords Supper is to be received kneeling Touching which we affirm three things 1. That the posture of kneeling is opposite to the practice of Christ in his first institution of that Ordinance and so it is if kneeling be directly opposite to sitting which 't is expresly said he did Mark 14 18 22 23. To which Mr. T. Sect. 9. replies The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used Mark 14. 18. signifies lying along on Beds Answ 1. Dato non concesso Yet Kneeling is directly opposite to that posture so that that observation were it true advâ—ntageth not his cause at all 2. The word as it 's known signifies to sit down or to sit down together at Meat Mark 16. 14. Luke 17. 37. 3. 'T is most evident Christ sat with his Disciples in the Administration of this Ordinance 1. So say all the Evangelists Mat. 26. 20. Mark 14. 18. Luke 14. 22. John 13. 12. 2. The Papists themselves confess as much Rex sedet in caenâ turbâ cinctus duodenâ Alex. Alens 3. Most forreign Ministers and Commentators as Aretius Brentius Calvin Beza Deodat Zuinglius Piscaâ—or Danaeus together with our Countreymen affirm as much 4. Till above 1460 years after Christ we meet with no Council or Synod no Rubrick in all the Lyturgies that enjoyn people to kneel in the act of Receiving 5. Our first Reformers in the time of H. 8. in their Treatise touching the Lord's Supper desire that Christian Princes would command and establish a form of administring the Lord's Supper wherein all the Congregation may be ordered to sit round about the Lord's Table as Christ his Apostles the Primitive Christians did Nor is 6. one main end of this Institution viz. our communion with Christ and one with another so fitly represented by the posture of Kneeling as sitting What else he mentions is not worth the reminding Christ sat out of choice in the celebration of this appointment for there was no constraint upon him so to do he might â—ave stood or kneeled if he had pleased That we are rather to subject to Antichrist's Canons â—nd Custom in kneeling than follow Christs Example sober Christians will not be over forwardly to beâ—ieve 1. Paul 1 Cor. 11. 23. omits the gesture because then it had not been in the least controverted 2dly That the posture of Kneeling is opposite to the practice of the Churches of Christ for several hundred years after to the time of the invention and introduction of the Popish breaden God to the judgment and practice of most of the Reformed Churches to this very day The truth of this Mr. T. denies not The sayings of Dr. Burgess the Bishop of Rochester Paybody c. in opposition to the former of these being without the least tender of proof and they themselves sticklers for kneeling is not to be heeded The contrary hath in part already and may be anon more
the hearing the present Ministers to be are not to be subjected to Acts 4. 19 20. 5. 29. Dan. 3. 16 17. 6. 10. We remark the Testimony of August de Verâ— Dom. Ser. 6. in this matter who was fully of the same mind with us Sed timeo inquies He tells us plainly That such as fear to offend â—heir superiours should much more fear to offend God who is greater than all The Emperors and Monarchs of the World threaten us with a Prison if we disobey them The Lord threatens us with Hell upon our disobâ—dience to him To which Mr. T. answers not at all The 9th Objection in S. T. is The Ministers of England are true Gospel Ministers for they convert souls which the Apostle makes the Sâ—al of his Ministry or Apostleship Therefore its lawful to hear them To which we say That the conversion of Souls proves not â— lawful Ministry 1. Paul makes it not 1 Cor 9. 2. singly a sufficient demonstration of his Apostleship 2. Many have converted souls that were not Apostles as ordinary Ministers yea Brethren Women remarkable Providences yet who will say that these last are Apostles or Ministers of the Lord Jesus 3. Should it be granted that Conversion of souls is an Argument of a lawful Ministry Where are the Churches nay where are the particular persons converted by them In answer to which Mr. T. grants That Conversion of souls is no certain sign of a true Gospel Minister whereby he hath discharged this Argument as insufficient from further attendance upon this service In what follows there is nothing but what hath already been replied to in this Sect. that requires our stay The last Objection proposed and answered in S. T. is Our Ministers are removed and we know not where to go to hear would you havâ— us sit at home idle Answ 1. Though we are not against any Ordinance of Christ yet we are afraid that those that know not how to spend the Lords â—ay without hearing do too much Idolize that Ordinance and never knew what 't was to spend that day with him Mr. T. adjoyns That such persons conceive they cannot spend â—he Lords day without hearing is not out of any Idolizing that Ordinance of God but because it is one duty of sanctifying the Lords day not only to exercise themselves in Reading and Prayer at home for that is every days duty but also to frequent the publick Assemblies where God is worshipped Heb. 10. 25. Exod. 20. 8. Acts 20. 7. Rev. 1. 10. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. Joh. 20. 26 29. Answ 1. If by Publick Assemblies he mean the Assemblies of Swearers Drunkards Adulterers Idolaters called Christians where God is worshipped in a way of mans devising by an Antichristian Formal Superstitious and it may be Drunken Priest in opposition to the Private Meetings and Assemblies of the Saints The frequenting such Assemblies is so far from being that wherein the sanctifying the Lords Day doth consist that it is a profanation thereof being rebellion against that solemn Institution of our Lord Jesus enjoyning persons to separate from such Assemblies The Scriptures produced by him totally evert his Figment the most of them preaching forth the duty and practice of the Saints in opposition to such Assemblies And Rev. 1. 10. John was alone on the Lords Day and yet I hope sanctified it according to the will of God 2. I cannot but wonder that People especially men of learning reading should talk so much of Publick Assemblies and Publick Ordinances when they cannot but know that ever since Christianity had a being in the world for the most part the Assemblies of Pagans and Antichristians with their Ordinances and Worship were publick and the Assemblies of the true Church and Worship of Christ retired and private Whence in Rev. 12. 6. when you have the Beast and Whore in their Ruffe and Gallantry the whole World wondering after them Rev. 13. 3. you have the poor Witnesses of Christ prophesying in sackcloth Rev. 11. and the Church flying into the Wilderness a state of solitariness and retirement Rev. 12. 6 14. Might not the Papists in the Marian dayes have pleaded thus against the Protestants Such Publick Assemblies as Mr. Cotton spake of viz. The Assemblies of Believers in a particular church-Church-State we say are not carelesly or willfully to be neglected or forsaken But what 's this to the Parochial Assemblies of England who are not such Mr. Crofton's Argument cited by him is easily answered 'T is this Communion with the Church-visible in Gods solemn Worship is an essential part of the sanctification of the Sabbath an indispensible duty But Communion with the English Church in the Worship by her celebrated is Communion with the Church-visible in Gods solemn Worship Therefore Answ 1. By the Church-visible he must understand a particular instituted Church for with the Universal-Church-Visible of which some talk as such I cannot have Communion in the celebration of Ordinances of the appointment of Christ by Goâ—'s solemn Worship Worship appointed instituted by him to be managed and performed according to his will for otherwise it is not his Worship Iâ— which sense we grant his Major Communion with the Church-visible i. e. a particular instituted Church of Christ in Gods solemn Worship i. e. Worship of his own appointment celebrated in his own way is an essential part of the sanctification of the Sabbath an indispensible duty with this limitation when and where there is any such Church with whom I may meet But then the Minor is most notoriously false and untrue because the Church of England is no such particular instituted Church as we have proved the Worship celebrated by her is not Worship of the appointment of God managed in his own way but of mans devising performed by Antichristian Officers as we have demonstrated We say further in S. T. 2dly You need not sit at home idle you may soon hear of some or other of the Assemblies of the Saints whither you may repair to wait upon the Lord with them Mr. T. is mistaken that such Assemblies as these are not in many places to be found Through the grace of the Lord 't is for the most part far otherwise than he intimates We add 3dly Were it or should it be otherwise yet better be idle than do worse better do nothing than sin against God encourage others in their evil deeds Which he confesseth to be true upon supposition that publick hearing is a sin 't were better be idle than do that Whether we have manifested it to be so let the indifferent Reader judge We add 4thly There is no necessity of being idle if thou knowest not where to hear on that day If thou hast a sight of thy interest in God thou mayst spend thy time in admiring magnifying the rich love of the Lord to thee if not in getting thy interest cleared up unto thee in studying thine own heart getting sin mortified grace quickened strengthened reaching after