Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	according_a	holy_a	word_n	2,175	5	3.9389	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91309	Truth triumphing over falshood, antiquity over novelty. Or, The first part of a just and seasonable vindication of the undoubted ecclesiasticall iurisdiction, right, legislative, coercive power of Christian emperors, kings, magistrates, parliaments, in all matters of religion, church-government, discipline, ceremonies, manners: summoning of, presiding, moderating in councells, synods; and ratifying their canons, determinations, decrees: as likewise of lay-mens right both to sit and vote in councells; ... In refutation of Mr. Iohn Goodwins Innocencies Triumph: my deare brother Burtons Vindication of churches, commonly called Independent: and of all anti-monarchicall, anti-Parliamentall, anti-synodicall, and anarchicall paradoxes of papists, prelates, Anabaptists, Arminians, Socinians, Brownists, or Independents: whose old and new objections to the contrary, are here fully answered. / By William Prynne, of Lincolnes Inne, Esquire.	Prynne, William, 1600-1669.	1645 (1645)	Wing P4115; Thomason E259_1; ESTC R212479	202,789	171

reason all their Lawes Canons Edicts should be obeyed as just and good but such wherein there is apparant errour and pregnant contrariety to the Scrip●●re 4. All determinations of men not immediatly directed by an infallible spirit ●ven in Church-affaires ought not to be condemned but submitted to since Paul resolved some things of his kind by his owne private spirit vvithout the spirit of God especially inspiring him to which yet we all submit as is clear by 1. Cor. 7. ● 11 to 40. For that clause concerning the holy Ghost I shall give you a very full answer to it First it is cleare by Acts 15. 6. 7. 12 13. 22 23. that those who used this expression It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us were not only Apostles indued with in infallible spirit but likevvise the ELDERS BRETHREN AND WHOLE CHURCH OR Synod then assembled at Ierusalem Now Brother you cannot say nor prove that all the Elders Brethren and whole Church of Ierusalem were infallibly inspired yet they all used this Language then as well as the Apostles therefore by the self same Reason Parliaments Synods Councells may do it now especially where they ●arnestly seck to God for the Holy Ghosts direction assistance ayde by fasting and prayer Secondly God hath commanded all Christians earnestly to pray for and hath promised to give the holy Ghost and his Spirit to those that ask him yea the Scripture is expresse that the Holy Ghost and Spirit doth not only sanctifie comfort live dwell and abide in the hearts soules of Christs Ministers and people for ever but avers that their very bodies are the Temples of the holy Ghost which dwelleth in them that he shall lead his Church and people into all truth why therfore they may not now say when Assembled in Parliament or a Synod with sincere hearts desirous to reforme and settle Church-government as near as may be to the Scripture It seemes good to the Holy Ghost and us especially when they have found an extraordinary providence and assistance from Heaven which they have importuned in the work as well as the Apostles Elders and Brethren then since we and they have all one and the self same spirit though in a different measure by which spirit we are all Baptized into one body and have all been made to drinke into ONE SPIRIT I cannot discerne Thirdly all Christians are expresly commanded to pray in the Holy Ghost to pray in the Spirit and sing in the Spirit in which duties the Spirit helpeth our infirmities yea the Scriptures are direct that Christians are not only Regenerated quickned sanctified by the Holy Ghost and Spirit of Christ and receive the earnest and first fruits thereof but that they are lead by the Spirit Walk in the Spirit live in the Spirit worship God in the Spirit speak and blesse God in the Spirit yea it is the great promise under the Gospel that God will powre out his spirit upon all flesh that they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and be filled with him whence we read that Steven and sundry others who were not Apostle● were filled with the Holy Ghost full of the Holy Ghost partakers of the holy Ghost and I hope Brother you and all other godly Ministers do both pray and preach in through and by the Holy Ghost and spirit of Christ yea I doubt not but you inform your new Proselites Members how by the spirits direction you gathered your Independent Church prescribed them your new Covenant Discipline Government that you exhort teach instruct comfort wounded soules and resolve their scrupulous consciences doubts by the assistance and guidance of the Holy Ghost else all you doe say prescribe resolve is to little purpose and the work of your Ministry wil be very unprofitable disclaim but this and all your new Congregation will soone disclaim you for their Minister they and we accounting all those who either do or cannot pray and preach in and by the spirit of God with some good evidence and demonstration thereof unsavery ●alt fit for nothing but to be cast out and trampled under 〈◊〉 of all men as many hundreds of such have been so served of late If then all this be undenyable Scripture and experimentall Truth why a Parliament of Godly Religious Lords and Commons with an Assembly of Reverend Divines now assisted with the prayers of all godly people to settle a Church-Government Discipline Worship according to the will and word of Christ in all things may not engrave this Motto It seemeth good to the Holy Ghost and to us to order and settle things thus c. on all their determinations resolutions as Councels have usually done in former time from this very Te●t you cannot re●der the least dram of reason If you alledge which is all that can be Objected that perchance all or the greatest part of the Parliament and Assembly are not i●dued with the sanctifying spirit of God therefore they cannot use this Language I answer First this is onely known to God not you who onely kn●weth who are his and hath made you no Iudges of their hear●s whose persons for the most part I dare say you do not ●●miliarly know Secondly admit there may be some few among them who have not Gods sanctifying spirit yet I doubt not but very many if not the major part of them have as their zealous actions and proceedings evidence to all the World in despite of all jealou●ies or 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 or a great part being such they may now as wel use this expression 〈◊〉 the Apostles Brethr●n and whole Synod of Ierusalem whom you dare not ●ver to be all reall Saints endued with the infallible and sanctifying spirit of God So as Brother you might well have forb●rn that sco●●e you put upon our Assembly and Parliament A Cardinall in the C●●clave at Viterbium after almost 3. yeers agitation As many yeers AS WE HAVE BEEN ABOVT TO SET VP A REFORMATION AND THE FOVNDATION NOT YET LAID each Cardinall ambitiously aspiring to be the Pope one of them r●se up and said Domine c Let us uncover the roos of this chamber seeing that the Holy Ghost cannot get in unto us through so many Tiles which I will not aggravate Thirdly it is your own Dogmaticall Resolution That in the Synod at Jerusalem onely the Apostles were guided by the Holy Ghost and an infallible spirit not all the Elders Synod and Brethren who did but give their consent to those Decrees as Softines Tychicus Timothy and other Brethren joyned with Paul in his 〈◊〉 Therefore because the Apostles who had the leading Votes were thus guided and they consented they all joyned in this Language It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and us If then the Major or leading part of the Parliament and Assembly be now indued with Gods Holy Spirit they may all by like reason joyne in the

direct Scriptures and fundamentall Truths never formerly questioned They nullifie and slight Examples of the Old Testament in all things that make against them and yet cry them up againe when they make for them especially in the point of their Church Covenant which they confesse hath no ground at all in the New Testament but onely in the Jewish Church under the Old Which yet they will not admit a sufficient Proofe of a Nationall Church Seventhly They intricate gain-say things which are cleare take things for granted that are either false or doubtfull confound things in generalities which they should distinguish deny things that are apparently true yea which is worst of any not only affirming but beleeving most things with a reserve according to their present light to the posture of their present Judgement as they are yet informed with a liberty of altering or varying to morrow from what they affirme or beleeve to day upon new light discovered Which is in truth to bring a meere Skepticisme into Religion to play fast and loose with God and our owne Consciences to doubt all things firmely beleeve nothing to set up Opinion in the Throne and Place of Faith and in conclusion to introduce flat Atheisme Eightly They refuse Church-Communion with those who are not of their Way and Churches excluding them from the Lords Table and their very Children from Baptisme in their Churches if they submit not to their Covenant and Way judging them all professed Enemies to the Kingdome and Government of Christ and so visibly without the Covenant of Grace though never so Pious or Religious Ninthly Their very Principles teach disobedience to Parliaments Synods Princes Magistrates and all other Superiors in all their just Lawes and Commands which concerne the Church or Religion dissolve all Relations all Subordinations and humane Society it selfe as I have here fully manifested Tenthly They exceedingly magnifie their owne Way Ministers Writers Opinions Conceits despising and under-valuing all others in a kind of Pharisaicall manner not deeming them worthy their Church-Communion Eleventhly They have high conceits of their owne transcendent holinesse and under pretext of being more pious pure living more holily and serving God more exactly than others they doe without sufficient Grounds quite sever from all other Churches just like Popish Monkes Hermites Anchorites Nunnes Jesuites and other Religious Orders who separate themselves from others under this very pretence of being more holy and living more devout than others Twelfthly They pretend themselves the greatest Enemies of all others to Papists Arminians Anabaptists Socinians Sectaries and yet concurre with them in their Opinions Practices Policies fighting against us with their very weapons Of all which I thought good to advertise thee kind Reader lest thy good opinion of the Piety and dignity of their Persons worthy all due honour and respect should make thee swallow downe their dangerous Principles and Opinions without strict examination Whereas good mens Errors are most infectious pernicious and so more carefully to be observed avoyded How farre they have swerved from Verity and Antiquity in sundry Particulars how fallacious and weake their principle Proofes and Arguments are I have here in part discovered and shall in due time if God say Amen put a Period to the other Part which is yet behinde In the mean time beseeching God to prosper these my impotent Endeavours to thine and the publike good which I have principally published for the satisfaction of the Learned and such who most seduce the Ignorant I shall dismisse thee with this wholesome Councell of God himselfe Ephes 4. 14 15 16. Henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lye in wait to deceive But speaking the truth in love grow up into him in all things which is the Head even Christ From whom the whole Body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the Body unto the edifying of it selfe in love Farewell Errata Faults escaped in some Copies pag. 5. lin 14. read Regis p. 22. l. 24. Constitutions r. Consistories p. 25. l. 21. premissis p. 61. l. 12. actaque p. 65. l. 32. necesse l. 34. receptat r. refrixerat l. 46. dele to p. 69. l. 5. Turlstan p. 75. l. 31. inhibit l. 34. resist desist p. 85. l. 22. the. p. 26. l. 31. ch 1. p. 101. l. 1. servus l. 12. universa p. 108. l. 9. issue p. 169. informe p. 116. l. 36. Ministers masters p. 120. l. 9. 35. l. 24. with his his owne p. 135. l. 45. clear p. 131. l. 22. Fourthly Fifthly l. 31. Foure Five Margin p. 66. l. 21. 22. r. Incarnationis Anno. p. 119. l. 1. Rom. 13. 1. p. 124. l. 3. 11. r. 18. Truth triumphing over Falshood Antiquity over Novelty c. AS it is an unspeakable griefe and corrosive to my very soule to enter into publike contestations with any of my Christian brethren who professe the selfe-same faith together with me so it would be a far greater heart-breaking and much sorer affliction to my spirit to behold upstart groundlesse Errours triumphantly insulting over ancient orthodox Verities and dragging them captives after their domineering chariots This makes me once more take up the Sword and Buckler not of Polemicall School-divinity but Historicall Antiquity to encounter those Adverse forces which have taken up offensive armes and waged open warre in many new-printed Pamphlets against the lawfull Jurisdiction and soveraign authority of Christian Princes Magistrates Parliaments assisted with the advice of Reverend Synods and Councels in matters of Religion church-government Ecclesiasticall Lawes Canons Discipline all which through Gods assistance I hope totally to rout and dissipate in such sort that they shall never be able to make head againe by this short suddain onset which I have yet neither vacancy nor time sufficient through the multitude of other publike avocations to prosecute to the full I shall marshall my subitane collections of this nature under distinct Positive propositions which I shall propound and prosecute in order Sect. 1. Of the power of summoning Councels and Synods 1 FIrst I affirm that the right and authority of calling or summoning Ecclesiasticall Assemblies Councells Synods whether Generall Nationall or Provinciall to settle matters of Religion Worship Church-government or constitute Ecclesiasticall Lawes belongs not to Bishops Ministers or private Independent Congregations but to Princes or supreme temporall Magistrates and Powers This Proposition militating both against Papists Brownists Anabaptists and some Independents I shall ratifie by Scripture and historicall presidents in all ages as well forraigne as domestick with brevitie and perspicuitie 1. For Scripture-presidents and Authorities we have Precepts to and Presidents of Moses the prime civill-Magistrate among the Israelites Num. 10. ● 3 4. c. 8. 9. c. 20. 8 10. Exod. 35. 1 4.

' inchoat ' 1. Decem. 1384. contin ' ad diem Lunae prox ' post festum corp ' Christi Convocat ' inchoat ' 6. Novem. 1385. contin ' ad 7. diem Decem. An. praedict Convocat ' inchoat ' 5. Novem. 1386. contin ' ad 3. diem Decem. An. praedict Convocat ' inchoat ' 26. Febr. 1387. contin ' ad 4. diem Martii sequent Convocat ' inchoat ' 17. Octob. 1388. contin ' ad 22. diem Octob. praedict Convocat ' inchoat ' 17. Apr. 1391. contin ' ad 21. diem Apr. praedict Convocat ' inchoat ' 5. die Febr. 1394. contin ' ad 18. diem ejusdem mensis Convocat ' inchoat ' 6. Maii An. Dom. 1460. contin ' ad 15. diem Julii An. praedict Convocat ' inchoat ' 6. Julii An. Dom. 1463. contin ' ad 18. diem Julii praedict Convocat ' inchoat ' 21. Martii 1480. contin ' ad 15. diem Novem. 1481. Convocat ' inchoat ' 13. Febr. 1486. contin ' ad 27. diem Febr. praedict Convocat ' inchoat ' 14. Ia●●ar 1487. contin ' ad 27. diem Febr. praedict The Presidents since these being more obvious and infinite I pretermit Indeed I finde some Convocations and Synods summoned without any speciall Writs yet extant which perchance are lost however though they were summoned without speciall Writs yet it was alwayes by the Kings licence privi●● and assistance first obtained or by former adjournments and not by virtue of any summons from the Pope Arch-bishop of Canterbury or any other Prelates without or against the Kings command as some of the ensuing Presidents manifest in direct termes Convocatio inchoata absque brevi mense Julii An. Dom. 1295. Convocatio inchoata absque brevi die alia dominica qua cantabatur officium laetare eodem Anno. Convocat ' inchoat ' absque brevi die S. Hillarii An. Dom. 1297. Alia absque brevi pro defensione Ecclesiae cont ' Scotos die S. Edmundi Regis eodem Anno. Convocat ' inchoat ' ad instantiam Regis regressi à Flandriae inchoat ' festo Nativ ' S. Johannis Baptistae An. Dom. 1298. Convocat ' Concilii provincialis absque brevi inchoat ' 16. Maii An. Dom. 1356. Convocat ' Cleri Provinciae Cant ' ad supplicationem dom Reg. inchoat ' die Mercurii proxim ' post dominicam qua cantatur officium misericordia Domini in Ecclesia S. Brigittae Londin An. Dom. 1356. Convocat ' inchoat ' absque brevi die Jovis prox post festum S. Georgii Martyris 24. April An. Dom. 1371. Convocat ' inchoat ' absque brevi 1. die Decemb. An. Dom. 1373. Convocat ' inchoat ' absque brevi 8. Febr. An. 1576. Convocat ' inchoat ' absque brevi 5. Novemb. An. Dom. 1377. Convocat ' inchoat ' absque brevi 9. Maii. 1379. Convocat ' inchoat ' absque brevi die Sabbat proxim ' post festum Purificationis S. Mariae Virginis An. Dom. 1379. Convocat ' inchoat ' absque brevi 1. Decemb. An. Dom. 1380. Since this time I finde no Synod Councell or Convocation ever summoned or assembled but by the Kings speciall Writs yet extant among our Records the particularizing whereof being superfluous I shall here omit Secondly our Acts of Parliament expresly resolve that our Convocations Synods Councels ought to be summoned onely by the Kings Writ Hence the Statute of 8. H. 6. c. 1. recites That all the Clergie are to be called to the Convocation by the Kings Writ and thereupon enacts That they and their servants shall for ever hereafter fully use and enjoy such liberties and defence in comming going and tarrying as the great men and Commonalty of England called to the Kings Parliament doe enjoy Hence the whole Clergie of England in their submission in Parliament 25. H. 8. c. 19. 27. H. 8. c. 15. made this acknowledgment Whereas the Kings humble and obedient subjects the Clergie of the Realme of England have acknowledged according to truth THAT THE CONVOCATION OF THE SAME CLERGY IS ALWAYES HATH BEEN AND OUGHT TO BE ASSEMBLED ONLY BY THE KINGS WRIT c. And thereupon these Statutes among other things enact according to this submission and Petition of the said Clergie that they ne any of them from henceforth should make promulge or execute any new Canons c. in their Convocations in times comming which ALWAYES SHALL BE ASSEMBLED BY AUTHORITY OF THE KINGS WRIT c. A cleare confession and resolution that Councels Synods and Convocations here in England alwaies have been are and for ever hereafter ought to be called and summoned not by the Popes or Prelates authority and citations but by the Kings royall authoritie and Writ Hence the English Clergie in most Bills of their Subsidies since as in 27. Eliz. c. 28. 29. Eliz. The Act of one Subsidie granted by the Clergie 31. Eliz. c. 14. 35. Eliz. c. 12. 39. Eliz. c. 26. 43. Eliz. c. 17. 3. Jacobi c. 25. 7. Jacobi c. 22. 21. Jacobi c. 32. 1. Caroli c. 1. 3. Caroli c. 6. have inserted this clause in the prologue of their Subsidies Vestrae serenissimae regiae Majestati or sublimitati per praesens publicum instrumentum sive has literas nostras testimoniales significamus notum facimus quod Praelati Clerus nostrae Cantuariensis Provinciae IN SACRA SYNODO PROVINCIALI SIVE CONVOCATIONE VIGORE ET AVTORITATE BREVIS REGII VESTRI IN EA PARTE NOBIS DIRECTI in domo capitulari ECCLESIAE VESTRAE CATHEDRALIS divi Pauli London vicesimo quarto die mensis Novembris Anno Dom. c. inchoata celebrata to testifie that their Synods Convocations are and ought to be summoned and held only by virtue and authoritie of the Kings Royall Writ and why not then their Visitations being in truth Convocations and Synods Thirdly the whole Church of England in the 39. Articles of Religion ratified by Parliament and all Clergy-mens subscriptions to them as also by our present Soveraigns Declaration prefixt before them Anno 1628. Artic. 21. and the whole Church of Ireland in their Articles of Religion Anno 1615. Artic. 76. unanimously resolve as an Article of Religion not to be questioned That generall Councels and by the selfe-same reason Nationall and Provinciall may not be gathered together by Popes Prelates or any other persons without the Commandement or will of Princes Therefore the sole right of summoning them belongs not to Popes or Prelates but to Princes and other supreme temporall Magistrates And as these Articles so the learned Writers of our Church as incomparable Bishop Jewell in the defence of the Apologie of the Church of England part 1. c. 9. Divis 1. p 52 54. part 6. c. 12. Divis 2. p. 58● to 592. Reply to Master Hardings answer Artic. 4. Divis 19. and 26. p. 193. 212 213 214. Bishop Alley in his poore mans Library Tom. 2. Miscellanea Praelect 1. f. 18 19 20. Bishop Bilson in his true difference between Christian subjection unchristian rebellion passim Doctor William Whittakers

such Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions as they shall thinke necessary fit and convenient for the honour and service of Almighty God and quiet of the Church and the better government therof c. And our present Soveraign King Charles in his Declaration printed before the 39. Articles of the Church of England made by the advise of so many of the Bishops as might conveniently be called twice printed by his speciall command An. 1628. resolves in these very words this point of his royall Prorogative derived from his Predecessors That We are supreame Governour of the Church of England and that If any difference arise about the externall policie concerning Iniunctions Canons or other Constitutions whatsoever thereto belonging the Clergy in their Convocation not the Bishops in their Consistories Visitations or high Commissions is to order and settle them having first obtained leave under Our broad Seale so to do and We approving their said Ordinances and Constitutions provided that none be made contrary to the Lawes and Customes of the Land What power our Kings have excercised in Convocations to direct and limit them in all their proceedings determinations Canons in former ages especially since 25. Hen. 8. c. 19. will appeare First by the forme of our Kings Writs for summoning a Convocation of which I shall give you onely one late president agreeing in forme and substance with all former Writs of this kinde CAROLVS Dei gratia Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae Rex fidei defensor c. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri ac fideli Conciliari● Nostro Gulielmo eadem gratia Cantur A chiepis totius Angliae Primati Metropolitano salutem Quibusdam arduis urgentibus negotiis Nos securitatem defensionem Ecclesiae Anglicanae ac pacem tranquilitatem bonum publicum Defensionem regni Nostri subditorum Nostrorum ejusdem concernentibus Vobis in fide dilectione quibus Nobis tenemini rogando mandamus quatenus remissis debito intuitu attentis ponderatis universos singulos Episcopos vestrae Provinciae ac Decanos Ecclesiarum Cathedralium nec non Archidiaconos Capitula Collegia totumque Cle●um cujuslibet diocesios ejusdem Provinciae ad comparendum coram vobis in Ecclesia Catholica sancti Pauli London decimoquarto die Aprilis proximè futuro vel alibi prout melius expedire videritis cum omni celeritate accommoda modo debito convocari facias ad tractandum consentiendum concludendum super premissis aliis quae tibi clarius exponentur tunc ibidem ex parte Nostra Et hoc sicut Nos Statum Regni Nostri ac honorem utilitatem Ecclesiae praedictae diligitis nulla tenus omittatis Teste meipso apud Westmonast vicesimo die Februarii Anno regni Nostri quintodecimo Secondly by the forme of the Kings royall License commonly granted to the Convocation before they may or can debate of any thing particularly the forme whereof you may discerne in this subjoyned directed to the last Convocation 1640. CHARLES By the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these presents shall come greeting Whereas in and by one Act of Parliament made at Westminster in the five and twentieth year of the Raigne of King Henry the Eighth reciting That whereas the Kings humble and obedient Subjects the Clergie of this Realme of England had not onely knowledged according to the truth that the Convocation of the same Clergie were alwayes had bin and ought to bee assembled by the Kings Writ but also submitting themselves to the Kings Majesty had promised in verbo Sacerdotii that they would never from thenceforth presume to attempt alledge claime or put in u●e or enact promulge or execute any new Canons Constitutions Ordinances provinciall or other or by whatsoever other name they should bee called in the Convocation unlesse the said Kings most Royall assent and license might to them be had to make promulge and execute the same and that the said King did give his most Royall assent and authority in that behalfe It was therefore enacted by the authority of the sayd Parliament according to the said submission and Petition of the said Clergie amongst other things that they nor any of them from thenceforth should enact promulge or execute any such Canons Constitutions or Ordinances provinciall by whatsoever name or names they might be called in their Convocations in time comming which alwayes shall bee assembled by authority of the Kings Writ unlesse the same Clergie might have the Kings most Royall assent and license to make promulge and execute such Canons Constitutions and Ordinances provinciall or Synodall upon pain of every one of the said Clergie doing contrary to the said Act and being thereof convict to suffer imprisonment and make fine at the Kings will c. Know ye that We for divers urgent and waighty causes and considerations Vs thereunto especially moving of Our especiall Grace certaine knowledge and meere motion have by vertue of Our Prerogative Royall and supream authority in Causes Ecclesiasticall given and granted and by these presents do give and grant full free and lawfull liberty license power and authority unto the most Reverend Father in God William Lord Arch-Bishop of Can●terbury Primate of all England and Metropolitan President of this Convocation for the Province of Canterbury and to the rest of the Bishops of the same Province and to all Deans of Cathedrall Churches Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges and the whole Clergy of every severall Diocesse within the said Province that they or the greater number of them wherof the said President of the said Convocation to be alwayes one shall and may from time to time during our will and pleasure propose conferre treat debate consider consult and agree upon the exposition or alteration of any Canon or Canons now in force and of and upon such other new Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions as they the said Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury President of the said Convocation and the rest of the said Bishops and other the Clergie of the same Province or the greater number of them wherof the sayd Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury President of the said Convocation to be one shall thinke necessary fit and convenient for the honor and service of Almighty God the good and quiet of the Church and the better government thereof to be from time to time observed performed fulfilled and kept as well by the sayd Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury the Bishops and their successors and the rest of the whole Clergy of the sayd Province of Canterbury in their severall callings offices Functions Ministeries degrees and administrations as also by all and every Deane of the Arches and other Iudges of the sayd Arch-bishops Courts Guardians of Spiritualties Chancellors Deans and Chapters Archdeacons Commissaries Officialls Registers and all and every other Ecclesiasticall Officers and their inferiour ministers whatsoever of the same Province

then Heresie or hereticall Doctrin by such extravagant inferences and incoherent Arguments for fear you dishonour both your Master and your self 3. Though Christ hath left no absolute exact forme of Church-Government in Scripture for all Churches and Ages yet he hath left his Word to be a light to the feete and a Lanthorne to the pathes of all his Saints and Churches and said downe such generall Presidents rules and directions therein as may serve for ordering directing and regulating of all Churches herein yea he hath given us some more particular rules for some things which concerne the Government of his Churches The Scripture hath generall Rules for our faith life manners thoughts words actions apparell eating drinking praying preaching receiving the Sacrament c. applicable to all particular cases and occurrences concerning them though not particular punctuall rules for deciding all those cases of conscience and controversies that frequently arise concerning them yet Christ is not unfaithfull because he hath left his Church sufficient rules and meanes of salvation in generall or particular to bring it safe to heaven 4 The providing of godly and faithfull Ministers Magistrates and Governours of the Church to put good Laws Disciplin and Government in execution is a great part of Christs charge and care as well as providing his Word and a Government for his Church Will you charge Christ then with negligence and leaving his Church to six and seven because every Minister of Christ hath not the selfe-same measure of gifts and endowments to discharge his Ministery or because some Ministers are more negligent in their places then others and some sheep are left oft-times without a Shepheard or committed to a Iudas a Thiefe or to Wolve● false Teachers Seducers which teare and devoure instead of feeding them or because he set not up and maintained this forme of Church Government you now contend for as his and none else beside in all Churches for so many hundred yeares together but reserved this honour in this latter age to some of you or rather to the Anabaptists and Brownists your Predecessors herein to advance it Brother you may easily discerne by this where your owne pretended inconveniences and inferences will drive you at the last if you rely upon them I beseech you therefore as a loving Brother to forbeare them for the future 4. Whereas you object We should have a mad world of it if Civill States Magistrates Kings and Parliaments should set up such a Government 〈◊〉 they conceived to be agreeable to Gods Word and the good Lawes and Customes of their Realmes I answer 1. That it is your own position that every particular man and Church ought to walke according to the rule of their own consciences and judgement not anothers Christ only being Lord of their consciences If then a whole Kingdome Parliament Church or Realme shall conceive and be perswaded in their consciences that such and such a Church Government is most consonant to Gods Word most suiteable to their condition and therefore shall upon solemne debate after much seeking of God by Prayer and Fasting make choise of this government before another as by electing a Presbyteriall rejecting an Independent way What madnesse or inconvenience meer slavery tyranny humane inv●ntions superstitions or corruption will this introduce Shall they be Hereticks presently for such a choise as you define them Shall private men have more liberty of choise or conscience then whole Nations Synods Parliaments or more wisedome temper knowledge discretion conscience then they Indeed I have read of one Parliament stiled the Mad and another the unlearned because there were no Lawyers in it and no doubt both Parliaments Councells Synods generall Assemblies may and doe sometimes erre and that grosly as well as private persons or congregations But doubtlesse all reasonable men will and must acknowledge that two are better then one a whole Court of Iustice lesse liable to errour and corruption then a particul●r Judge a whole Parliament then a Committee an whole Synod then a private Conventicle or congregation Then tell me in sober sadnesse good Brother whether your Independent Assertion That every particular Minister hath power to gather and set up a Church of his owne Independent from any other and to choose such a Discipline Government to themselves as they CONCEIVE to be most suiteable to Gods Word though in truth it be not so but a meer CONCEITE as I feare your New way is That particular Christians have power to unite themselves into a Church and elect a Minister and Government of their owne choise most agreeable as they thinke to the Word And that every Sect and Person ought to have free liberty of conscience in the exercise of what they beleeve Or my Position be likely est to produce more madnesse in the world or mischiefes in the Church Certainely it will be a madder world and Church too indeed when every private Minister and Christian may follow their owne opinions fancies crochets waies every Sectary set up his owne congregation sect and vent his owne erronious schismaticall Opinions without control when every man shall have priviledge to doe What seemes right in his owne eyes as if there were no King in Israel no Parliament in England when every Anabaptist Enthusiast or brainsick Melancholico shall not only build Churches in the ayre different from all others but set them up openly in our Cities Counties Kingdomes without impediment in contempt of Lawes Parliaments all Civill or Ecclesiasticall Authority as too many I feare doe now and I hope the High Court of Parliament will remedy it in due time because they deem their owne fancies Gospel their owne Juventions Christs Oracles Certainly the world and Church will both be mad in good earnest when such a licentiousnesse shall be proclaimed under the Notion of Christian Liberty every mans own private way christned with the Name of Christs Kingdom c. though it hath small affinity with it The God of peace order of his infinite mercie preserve us safe from this Maniaca Insania this deadly madnesse into which we are running and hath already desperately seized upon the Braines and hearts of many My Brothers sixth Objection is this That Parliaments Councells Synods are not now infallible but subject unto errour many of them having erred and that grosly in former and late times That neither Parliament nor Assembly can now say as that Synod Act. 15. 28. It seemeth good to us and to the Holy Ghost they being not endued with an infallible spirit Therefore they can make no binding Determinations Lawes Canons Decrees in any Ecclesiasticall matters to oblige any particular Churches or christians Good Brother writes he for all your punctuall quotations of that Scripture Acts 15. you doe not all this while tell us that which is the maine of all which we finde in the 28. verse IT SEEMED GOOD TO THE HOLY