to W. R. ‑ R. W. to I. L. ‑ Mr M. to I. M. ‑ Mr L. to his parents c. And threaten us with destruction eo nomine inviting therefore all they can to depart from us as from Babel Ibid. and doctrinally teaching separation from us as a dutie Ans to 32. q. p. 32. And herein some of them are so cruelly kinde unto us that they professe to be grieved that we have here any Preaching or Ordinances at all in our way wishing we had none at all that so we might be forced to fall into their Church-wayes for the enjoyment of them Mr M. to I. M. And what is here said of their opinion of the truth of our Churches the same is for substance to be understood of the truth of our Church Ministerie Object You may as well call the good old non-conformists Brownists as these men who have followed them in these their opinions and practises as their guides Answ In like manner doe the Brownists father their separation also upon the Non-conformists but both forts do it unjustly that the Brownists doe it unjustly he that will may see by Mr Balls book against Mr Canne upon that very point and in good part by another book lately printed called a grave confutation of the errours of the Brownists made long since by sundry Godly Divines which in their times suffred in the cause of inconformitie For my selfe at this time I may not I will not attempt to give satisfaction at large to this objection onely this I say for the present that in such things wherein either the Brownists or these brethren do mainly differ from other the best reformed Churches they have no consent or approbation from the Non-conformists at all nay contrarily by many undeniable evidences from their writings and practises it will appeare that they have ever stiffely opposed and conflicted with all popular and independent government in behalfe of that we call Presbyteriall True indeed some of them especially in their polemicke writings while they had the Prelacie in their eye and no considerable adversarie but that to contest withall did perhaps somewhat unwarily as may befall the best and best learned men in such cases let fall some few things which those brethren make their advantage of As that 1.2 particular Church ought onely to consist of one Congregation 2. That each particular Church hath power to transact all its own matters 3. That this power is seated in the body Many more then these I doe not now remember which are in question between us and these brethren But 1. these things they hold not as now cur brethren doe as if every small company of 7.8 or 9. might make such a complete Church or Congregation to transact all their own businesses independently without assistance of or being accountable unto classicall or higher combinations nor that this power is seated in such a Congregation without their officers or that they can exercise it any otherwayes but by them But if any of them have gone far as it s more then I know so it s more then I will defend But if all these in the Non-conformists sense-were granted it would doe our brethren little good 2. Besides suppose they had the Non-conformists their guides in these three and three more of their Church courses in question yet would not this reach to cover and hide the nakednesse of all the rest Object We see the most of the better sort goe this way now Answ I beleeve not the most by many but if it were so that were no good argument to justifie it 1. Because of those that doe go that way a great number are Anabaptists Familists and Antinomians c. who all willingly choose to fall into the same channell of popularitie and independencie perhaps partly out of designe to make a more considerable I say not sormidable party that so either for favour or feare they may be the more indulged partly because it suites so well with mans proud nature for every man by his good will would rule and no man would willingly depend upon or be obnoxious unto another 2. Most good mens affections are strong when oft their judgements are weake 3. All men are ever apt to run into extremes hence it is that whiles they fly prelaticall tyranny they easily fall into popular Anarchy 4. The noveltie of the course 5. The peoples good opinion of the persons that way siding and drawing 6. And the advantage the said persons have had whereby to screw themselves further and further into the peoples good opinion and affection by being ever imployed in the chiefest work of the ministerie in some of the chiefest of our Churches although they have been so farre from acknowledging themselves ministers as that they doe not so much as acknowledge themselves as members of any of our Churches but as to us according to their own rule altogether without Object This seemes to reflect upon our brethren that come out of Holland but these are not so rigid as the rest what is this Relation to them Arsw It concernes them I grant not so much nor so directly yet in some sort it doth 1. Because sometimes they tell us they are of the same way with the N. E. brethren 2. Both their disputes and practises so farre as they are knowne doe all look that way 3. Their lying so close lockt up and reserved in many things makes them I conceive not without cause the more suspected For truth seeks no corners no cloaks If therefore now by this occasion they would please to put out according to their promise not a mock-Natrative a meere gull such as the last was but as a true so a full perfect and plaine discovery of their opinions in these things from point to point and from end to end I should heartily rejoyce as in the much desired fruit of this my poore labour That so all misunderstandings and mispristons being removed and we rightly enformed of the just latitude of their and our differences we might either more hopefully addresse our selves to satisfie their judgements or else if that cannot be obtained the more willingly condescend to move with them for the favouring of their consciences according to the rules of Pietie and prudence in such things as are capable of toleration and indulgence But lest good Reader I should be tedious to thee I will cease to pursue these things any further at this time And praying the God of peace and truth to send down his Spirit into all our hearts to lead us into both that we with all his may truth it in love and may all serve one God with one heart according to one way even his own will revealed in his Word To him I commit thee FINIS
some things are subject to an harsh construction as where they promise to submit to Christian Discipline without murmuring i.e. as some would thinke without complaining But what if he receive wrong may he not orderly complain either to his owne Church or to the neighbour Churches for redresse Especially that clause seemes to be of a very large extent where they promise to be ready to take their Churches advice for themselves and theirs as occasion shall be presented which will reach if extended to the utmost not only to restrain their libertie of removall from that Church without their consent which yet were too much but also in other things as in marrying a mans daughter changing a mans servant taking a journey making a bargain c. 2. Here are many good duties promised and sins protested against but the most of them are common to all men at least to all Christians not to Church-members only But by the same reason that its needfull and usefull to expresse these particulars ' its needfull and usefull to expresse many more as they protest against oppression idlenesse and earthly cares may they not as justly adde non-payment of debts wastfulnesse by pride apparell and riot in wines and the like 3. The former covenant mentions little or nothing of that for which the Church-covenant is so pressed as essentiall c. viz. Church-fellowship in Church-duties with approptiation to this particular Church And may be as sit at a wedding as at the constitution of a visible Church for ought I know 4. The latter tyes strictly to duties to their own Church but no word of watching over admonishing comforting releeving the members of other Churches or Christians that are no members Charitie they say begins at home but it should not stay there It seekes not its own things only but also the good of its neighbour of as many as possibly it can Doe renue our Covenant in Baptisme and avouch God to be our God 2. We resolve to cleave to the true and pure worship of God opposing to our power all false wayes 3. We will not allow our selves in any known sin but will renounce it so soon as it is manifested from Gods Word so to be the Lord lending us power 4. We resolve to carry our selves in our severall places of government and obedience with all good conscience knowing we must give an account to God 5. We will labour for further growth in grace by hearing reading prayer meditation and all other wayes we can 6. We meane not to over-burthen our hearts with earthly cares which are the bane of all holy duties the breach of the Sabbath and the other Commandements 7. We will willingly and meekly submit to Christian Discipline without murmuring and shall labour so to continue and will endevour to be more forward zealous faithfull loving and wise in admonishing others 8. We will labour by all our abilities for the furtherance of the Gospell as occasion shall be offered to us 9. We promise to have our children servants and all our charge taught the wayes of God 10. We will strive to give no offence to our brethren by censuring them rashly by suspitions evill speakings or any other way 11. Lastly we doe protest not onely against open and scandalous sins as drunkennesse swearing c. but also against evill companie and all appearance of evill to the utmost of our power Per me F.H. 2. The Covenant of the Church of Christ at Salem was renewed to this effect WE whose names are here-under written 5. We have in the latter a particular promise not to be forward in speaking in publike or scrupling By which it appeares that they are allowed when called publikely both to speake that is as I understand it to prophecie and to scruple that is to propound questions make objections c. else what need a law to restrain them from doing it uncalled And if it were not for some such law to restrain them there must needs be much consusion where each member hath equall power if he had equal liberty to exercise that power when he pleased But what differs this law in force from an Ecclesiasticall Canon but that Canons are now grown out of request that Church Covenants may bee the better cryed up members of the present Church of Christ at Salem c. solemnly in the presence of God c. renew that Church Covenant which we find this Church bound unto at their first beginning viz. We covenant with the Lord and one with another and do binde our selves in the presence of God to walk together in all the wayes of God according as he is pleased to reveale himselfe to us in his Word And doe more explicitely in the fear of the Lord professe and protest to walk as followeth 1. We avow the Lord to be our God and our solves his people in the truth and simplicitie of our spirits 2. We give up our selves to the Lord Jesus Christ and the word of his Grace for the teaching sanctifying and ruling of us in matters of worship and conversation resolving to cleave to him alone for life and glorie and oppose all contrary wayes canons and constitutions of men in his worship 3. We promise to walk with our brethren and sisters in this Congregation with all watchfulnesse and tendernesse avoiding all jealousies suspitions backbitings censurings provokings secret risings of spirit against them but in all offences to follow the rule of the Lord Jesus to bear and forbear give and forgive as he hath taught us 4. In publike or private we will willingly do nothing to the offence of our Church but will be ready to take advice for our selves and ours as occasion shall be presented 5. We will not in the Congregation be forward either to shew our own gifts or parts in speaking or scrupling or there to discover the failings of our brethren or sisters 6. In this latter also here is a strict tye or bond of walking together in Church-fellowship and mutuall watchfulnesse one over another But how can they do that that live farre asunder and never see one another but at publike meetings and some of them that live some thousands of miles asunder and perhaps being Ministers of Churches there yet accept of fixed imployments even the charge of soules here How can these watch over one another but attend an orderly call thereunto knowing how much the Lord may be dishonoured c. by our distempers and weaknesses in publike 6. We binde our selves to studie the advancement of the Gospell in all truth and peace both in regard of those that are within and without no way slighting our Sister-churches but using their counsell as need shall be not laying a stumbling block before any 7. We hereby promise to carry our selves in all lawfull obedience to those that are set over us in Church and Common-wealth knowing how wel-pleasing it will be to the Lord c. 8. We resolve to approve our selves to
all which are enemies to the right observation of the Lords day Object They finde no such inconvenience their Churches have few offenders and when they have matters are soon dispatched Answ It may well be now whiles their choice materials romaine and their numbers are so small and inconsiderable but when their Churches shall grow numerous and their materials in processe of time shall degenerate as they must needes will not these inconveniences and many more follow then presence of the whole Societie that so they may be able to give their sentence in faith Apol. p. 31. J. C. printed letter p. 4. which is therefore usually done on the Sabbath day after Evening Sermon Johns plea p. 307. Rob. apol p. 38. 11. Whether matters be carried amongst them by most voyces or no is not so generally agreed upon Some affirme that the major part carries it against the lesser part yea though the officers be in this lesser part and do shew strong reason to the contrary Mr M. to J. M. Others that the whole body must agree else nothing proceeds J. P. to W. R. Ans to 32. q. p. 60 61. Some that things are not carried by voyces at all but by a The question here it not what ought to be done in foro conscientie divino but in foro ecclesie externo It will be granted on all hands that all things in the Ecclesiasticall as civill Court ought to be done according to truth and right But supposing a difference do arise and both sides pretend to truth and right our brethren denying any others to interpose otherwise then by way of advice the question is then Whether nothing shall be done which in the end amounts to little lesse then Anarchy the mother of consusion and this of destruction or that seeing the officers may not the maior part of the people shall corey it in foro externo Reason and the Examples of all other judicatures doe seeme to conclude that the most voyces of the Judges ought to take place truth and right and according to God Ans to 9. Pos p. 72. Ans to 32. q. p. 58 60. Barr. discov p. 78 261. Johns plea. p. 307. Sometimes they grant indeed all things are curried by consent of all but then they explain it thus viz. That if it fall out that any lesser number doe dissent then the greater indeavour to give unto or to receive from them due satisfaction which if it be done then all agree in one vote If the lesser party dissenting neither can give satisfaction to the greater nor will receive satisfaction from them but still persist in dissenting then doe the maior part after due forbearance and calling in the counsell of some neighbouring Churches b Indeed it were much better that the whole Church and every member thereof did consent but to extort and force a consent after this manner seemes not only harsh and uncharitable but also foolish yea destructive too For either the aforesaid admonition may sometime proceed to an excōmunication or not If it may not then ' its vain and of no efficacie to compell consent it may rather occasion contempt If it may then as suppose it be in the case of admission of some member for the gaining of one man and that perhaps none of the best neither 7 10 or 20. may be lost and be cut off from the Church But were it not better to let all things currantly passe by the most voyces then thus by seeking to force an universall consent to expose the Church to such dangers and inconveniences judicially admonish them who being thus under censure their voyce is now extinct and made voide And so the rest proceed to vote which vote is now the vote of all the Church viz. of all that have the power of voting therein Ans to 32. q. p. 58 61. 12. Notwithstanding all this power aforesaid by them attributed to this Church when it is yet young of very small number and without officers too Yet doe they deny unto it though growne never so numerous and well furnished with godly and learned officers and withall strengthened with the consent of other Churches and the Christian Magistrates authoritie c Yet contrary to this Article I beleeve themselves take libertie to appoint some humane observances or which is worse to impose them on mens consciences for divine Ordinances all power to make any particular rules or lawes in things indifferent conducing to the better government of her selfe and more orderly and more edifying performance of Gods worship and use of his Ordinances according to the generall rules of Scripture in such cases provided Ans to 32. q. p. 66. Cott. cat p. 9. R. M. to E. B. p. 9. Barr. discov p. 84 255. Rob. Apol. p. 73. CHAP. VII Of Church membership and admission of more members into the Church thus constituted and erected 1. ALL men are bound say they to become d What if it bee though possible yet for the present very inconvenient and discommodious may they not delay a while No say they yet because that might seeme harsh and heavie therfore to ingage the more and withall to make the ingagement the more easie they allow some to be admitted as members transient for the time onely Apol. p. 20 27. But why may not this favour be allowed to all as well as to some Also how doth this agree with the tenour of the covenant that limits no time and with the sense of it that as they conceive obligeth all the members to aske and take counsell of the Church and not to remove without their consent as is both before and after said setled members of such a particular Church as is before described And whosoever doth not if possibly he can sinneth And whether he can or no yet he remaines for the time without the visible Church of Christ for which they frequently alleadge 1 Cor. 5.12 and in that estate uncapable of any e Yet sometimes themselves consesse that men converted have right to the Sacraments and Church priviledges in their state as beleevers and men converted If there were any that could administer the same unto the … which ordinary Ministers cannot do say they whose power reacheth only to church members These things do not cohere Church ordinance or priviledge though he be not only baptized but also truly converted yea eminent in the profession of faith and practise of holinesse even unto martyrdome it selfe Ans to 32. q. p. 11 30 38. ‑ D. ag P. p. 4. R. M. to E. B. p. 6. Nay he is accounted as one that despiseth Church-fellowship and so unworthy of it yea wicked and prophane Apol. p. 25 26 27 34. Ans to 9. Pos p. 69 62. Ans to 32. q. p. 11 12 21. ‑ J. W. ans to 10. quest Rob. justif p. 56 71 85 86. 2. Persons admitted are either infants or such as are of age 3. When any person of age is to be