lives for uniformity Bellarmine disputes to have the Service in the same Language in all the Popes Dominions for uniformities sake and what thing be it ever so absurd but may bee brought into this List Where Councels or Convocations have a minde to bee rid of those of more conscientious and uncomplying spirits tempting them by this means to that which they will call Schisme and separation they may thus easily compass their designes Ob. 6. Wee are bound by Covenant to uniformity in the Worship and Service of God and in particular to an uniformity in Catechising Answ I doe not beleeve the Covenant did or doth binde us to any thing in the Worship of God but what in conscience and prudence we were bound to practice and doe if there had been no Covenant neither are wee bound to any other uniformity but what was but even now mentioned 2 The former part of the Dispute in this Argument must bee refuted before wee can thus reason for if it bee a sinful and unwarrantable addition in the Worship of God besides or against the Word of God The Covenant cannot make a crooked thing strait Eccl. 7.13 or an evil thing good a Covenant brought in so lately cannot make voyd any branch of the Covenant God made with his Church so many hundred years before it And therefore it is added in our Covenant according to the Word of God 3 There is no Uniformity in any administration mentioned there but such as is necessary to such an end as is there also proposed namely that wee and our posterity after us may as brethren live in faith and love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us which certainly will better bee accomplished without such an external mould of conformity then with it There was faith and love and peace amongst godly Ministers when Catechismes were and were used in greatest variety 4 We are bound by the Covenant to no stricter uniformity in a Catechisme then wee are in other parts of Worship now in no part of the Directory or Worship there mentioned are we bound to method and words as appeareth evidently throughout the Directory no nor are wee bound to the Directory further then is explained in the Preface to it for that was stood upon by a considerable party in the Assembly and assented unto by the whole and mentioned in the Committee of Accommodation as a foundation of an agreement p. 4. which Preface professedly holds forth the intent of the Assembly in matters of Uniformity thus Our meaning therein being only that the general Heads the sense and scope of the Prayers and other parts of Publique Worship being knowne to all there may bee a consent of all the Churches in those things that containe the substance of the Service and Worship of God and the Ministers may bee hereby directed in their Administrations to keep like soundnesse in Doctrine and Prayer and may if need be have some help and furniture And yet so as they become not hereby slothful and negligent in stirring up the gifts of Christ in them But that each one by meditation by taking heed to himself and the Flock of God committed to him and by wise observing the wayes of Divine Providence may be carefull to furnish his heart and tongue with further or other materials of Prayer and Exhortation as shall bee needful upon all occasions 5 It is not to an uniforme Catechisme but uniformity in Catechising in the Covenant wee may be uniforme in Catechising though we use not a Catechisme the same for matter and words we may bee uniforme in preaching though we bee not bound to the same Homily the same forme of words nay though not use the same method as to preach constantly by Doctrines Reasons and Uses which is expresly asserted in the Directory for Preaching And such were the Directories of reformed Churches as before was instanced where I hope was Uniformity Yea in Scotland it self the Uniformity stands not in being held to a sameness of words Habemus quidem nos etiam in Ecclesia saith a Learned Scotch-man agendas ordinem in sacris celebrandis servandum Alex. Dâ—â— sed nemo alligatur c. proponuntur tantum ut paradgimata quib precum materia forma quo ad substantialia indecantur non ut eisdem verbis astringantur ministri totos ego tredecim annos quibus functus sum ministerio sive in Sacramenta sive in aliis sacris celebrandis precib aut Exhortationibus quae extant in agenda unquam usus sum sic etiam aliis cumplures omnibus etiam liberum idem facere That this is the use of a Directory in the reformed Churches appears in the words of Mr. Hooker in his Eccl. Pol. Wee hold it much better with the Church of Rome to appoint a prescript forme which every man shall be bound to observe then with them the reformed Churches to set downe a kinde of Directory a forme for men to use if they list or otherwise to change as it pleaseth themselves There was an uniformity in blessing the people yet if you compare Numbers 6.23 2 Cor. 12.13 2 Thess 3.17 18. Heb. 13.20 21. Jude 24 25. together you shall not finde their blessings the same for matter and words no nor in that which you call the Lords Prayer if you compare Matthew 6.9.13 Luke 11.2 3 4. Ob. 7. It may be yet further argued it will be an advantage when the younger sort remove out of one Parish into another as we finde in using the same Grammer and other Bookes it is an advantage when Children remove from one Schoole to another Ans Formes beget a forme but as they have little so work little of the power of godlinesse the scope of Ministerial instruction is not only to fasten in the Memory and accordingly by rote to repeat it thence but to beget a grounded understanding whether wee carry away the words or not if variety of Catechisms and all sound and according to the Analogie of Faith the Doctrine is the same though the words be not and if it be received with understanding wee shall acknowledge truth in what method or form of words soever wee meet with it if it be not the same but another Catechisme containing some few other truthes yet such possibly as are useful and necessary to be known as those in a former Catechisme and so a means to increase knowledge CHAP. V. The second Argument Of Christian Liberty things indifferent the particular Catechisme designed not so desirable for this use and how many wayes our Ministerial Liberty is prejudiced by the imposition of it SUch an imposition of a set Catechisme cannot bee submitted unto and our Christian Liberty preserved This was another Argument brought by our suffering Brethren against former impositions in the Worship of God in the Episcopal times How much wee ought to stand for the preservation of such a Liberty they declare from these following Scriptures Galath
Beames Of Former Light Discovering how Evil it is TO IMPOSE Doubtfull and Disputable Formes or Practises upon Ministers ESPECIALLY Under the Penalty of Ejection for Non-conformity unto the same AS ALSO Something about CATECHIZING LONDON Printed by R.I. for Adoniram Byfield at the three Bibles in Cornhill next door to Popes-head-Alley 1660. The PREFACE CAtechizing which is a plain laying down the Principles of the Oracles of God or of the Doctrine of Christ and is a part of Preaching as saith the late Reverend Assembly It is a part or branch of that great Ordinance by which Faith is wrought the Spirit received and our Souls saved It is such a kinde of instructing or preaching so useful and of such importance as it cannot be omitted if wee desire to edifie our people with more security than a foundation by him that intends an edifice or building The Apostle professeth himself at a stand and that hee could not go on with his people to build them up some stories higher in the Faith and Mysteries of Christ our High Priest because there had been such a woful slowness in learning the fundamentals Heb. 5. Heb. 5. It is in the same place made as necessary to our Infancy in Religion be we old or young as Milk is to children If when Infants wee begin their nourishment with strong meat wee shall either starve them or radicate such distempers as a wearyish sickly frame is likely to be the condition of those persons all their daies I am perswaded the woful distempers of Professors broken out in these latter daies to such a monstrousness and the strange totterings and Apostacy amongst us from the sound Truths of the Gospel hath been hence even the neglect of holding persons in their first institution to plain Fundamental Truths such Heb. 5.12 saith Paul have NEED of Milk and not of strong meat Catechizing is a branch of Preaching as was said Two things there are in it peculiar which eminently commend this course 1 The Subject Matter It is conversant about such Truths as being most necessary to Salvation are so to our hand laid down in Scripture as Milk is in nature which taken in from the breast and with least Cookery and dressing is most wholesome It is our first food and with such truths our instruction must of necessity begin The Church of God in the daies of Adam Enoch Noah c. its first infancy had little other knowledge but of such plain truths Afterwards a further accession of light was brought them by Moses and the Prophets Yet then as David tells us The Ignorant must have of these easie truths for entrance and initiation Psal 119.130 The entrance of thy Word giveth light to the simple There was an Infancy also of the Church after Christ the Apostle in that age of it did for the most part teach the people such fundamentals onely the summe whereof was as Act. 20.21 Repentance toward God and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ and in so doing hee tells them hee kept back nothing that was profitable to them though hee had higher wisdome 1 Cor. 2.6 which hee spake among them that were perfect and more knowing As a wise Master-builder hee laid the foundation this hee did at his first coming to them afterwards by his Epistles hee builds them up further leaving the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ let us saith hee go on to perfection and this will wee do if God permit Heb. 6.1.13 2 The Manner which is so to instruct as to require a personal account of what is understood and remembred by them that are taught whereas in preaching there is liberty for the most part left to the hearer whether hee will heed or not but this kind of Instruction is ordinarily so managed as to leave some kinde of greater necessity in the hearer to attend and observe what is said unto him each person for himself It is incredible how little poor Ignorant souls attend the doctrinal part of a Sermon when in the Application their Morals are dealt with their Adultery Drunkennesse Swearing Sabbath-breaking and the like gross sins possibly there is some little attention at least as they are the sins of others which corrupt nature is pleased as well to hear as to speak of A discourse of Navigation to a company of men whose understanding and profession is to till the Earth will bee little heeded or in the least able to draw their minds from what their present thoughts are set upon But if there bee an acquaintance with the lowest Elements of a Profession wee will of our selves with delight attend to the opening of the higher Secrets and Mysteries thereof There is a necessity therefore in a more familiar way to indeavour that each mans soul in particular under our charge bee brought into acquaintance with the Elements and first Principles of Religion otherwise your most constant and frequent hearers will sit at Sermons as those Ezek. 33.31 Ezek. 33. they sit before thee as my people c. Or if they do attend for want of such praecognita or preparative light they profit little by much and frequent hearing They may grow up in an overlie and ungrounded knowledge bee ever learning 2 Tim 37 yet never bee able to come to such solid knowledge of the Truth as will preserve their souls from the lusts that are within or seducers without Now by how much the more excellent and necessary any Ordinance is found to be by so much the more watchful and industrious Satan his instruments have alwaies been to clog it with some Ceremony or additional of their own that they may be swallowed together as the Apocripha with the Bible which if it had gone forth into the world by it self or with some other book it would never have gained such reverence or so sacred an esteem generally with men so kneeling was added to the Lords Supper the Crosse to Baptism a Surplesse to our publick worship a stinted and limited form of words to our prayers the like attempted in this CASE If any man hereupon scrupling these Formes and Ceremonies withdraw from those excellent Ordinances though upon that account only as many in all ages have done yet shall they suffer under the reproach of despising Sacraments and the unquestionable duties of a Christian The Lord having now by very strange turnings of providence called in to place those Honourable Knights and Burgesses the great Reformers in matters of Religion who have by their care and vigilance done more herein than ever was by any Parliament since Popery hath been rejected The Wonderful Counsellor wee hope in mercy will still guide them and all Parliaments hereafter by their example to carry on this work of Reformation with like moderation as hath been hitherto the progess of it It will prove a great burden and become an endless strife and contention in the Churches of Christ If Magistrates or Synods shall impose with
III. What directions there are in the Scripture for the instructing of others in respect both of matter method means c. NOw that there is no such peculiar way or means as is mentioned in the Case for the instructing of the ignorant either from promise or precept or example warranted in the Word will appear if we consider what direction we have in the Scripture about this part of Ministerial Service and Worship of God namely the instructing our people §. 1. 1 The matter to bee taught Whatsoever Christ hath commanded Mat. 28.20 the Word of the Lord 2 Tim. 4.2 the whole Counsel of God Act. 20.27 c. 2 Method or way Taking some text of Scripture and so preaching upon it as Luke 4.17.21 or expounding the Scripture all along as we read it Neh. 8.8 or occasionally discoursing as Providence offereth matter Joh. 15.1 Acts 10.3 4. 13.16 17. or by Parables as in the Gospels or by reasoning and disputing as Acts 9.29 Mar. 9.34 Acts 17.17 or by resolving Cases or Questions proposed by our Children and such as are desirous to learn 1 Cor. 10.25 Exo. 12.26 27. Josh 4.6 Matth. 19.16 17. 3 The end to give knowledge of Salvation to worke conversion to save our selves and those that hear us Jer. 23.23 Acts 26.18 1 Tim. 4.16 4 For the Gesture and Posture standing or sitting wee have examples of both Nehemiah 8.4 Matth. 23.2 higher than the rest of the people in a Pulpit Nehem. 8.4 5. a chair or seat Matthew 23.2 §. 2. But that wee may come yet neerer to our present Case we have direction also in the Word about the 5 Manner Our instructions ought to be 1 Plaine and to the lowest capacity Neh. 8.8 1 Cor. 14. 2 With authority and command Tit. 2.15 1 Tim. 4.11 In demonstration of the Spirit and not with the inticing words of mans wisdome 1 Cor. 2.4 3 With dexterity and skilfulness 2 Tim. 2.15 which standeth much in dividing the word and respective application to each soul ¶ There is a variety in the capacity and frame of spirit found in those under our charge as simple ones Babes weake in faith others more knowing established of full age perfect there are unruly and scandalous erroneous and gainsayers Hereticks and Apostates Hypocrites and Dissemblers there are also such who are found in the faith sincere and upright spirits without guile c. so also certaine sorts of truth Principles Fundamentals milk strong meat and certaine methods and wayes of applying our selves and truths to such persons respectively there are Doctrines Reproofs Corrections Consolations Rebukes Disputings c. 4 With quick and suitable affections some save with fear others with boldnesse and courage others to bee treated with in tenderness compassion love meekness c. It is a work requires more than ordinary abilities and watchfulness to distinguish the Spiritual state of souls in their great variety to collect and gather fit and sutable matter dividing and cutting out truths to each state and to get hearts and affections sutable In the last place therefore let it be considered the § 3. 6 Means or the helps and provision Christ hath made for his Ministers and what he requires of them that they may bee sufficiently furnished to this great work 1 The Bible a book put into our hands by the Lord himself that hath in it up and down all materials and furniture necessary to this great work 1 Tim. 3.6 holding fast the faithful word that hee may bee able by sound Doctrin both to exhort and convince the gainsayers and 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scriptures are given 17. that the man of God the Minister may be perfect throughly furnished to all good Ministerial works 2 Gifts given by Christ upon his ascention to this end Eph. 4.10.12 knowledge and utterance not onely able but apt to teach having a stock or treasure they have a gift also to communicate it Nature giveth Nipples as well as milk to the breasts And none to be taken into this blessed work according to Christs Directory but such as are so qualified 3 Industry and diligence search the Scriptures attend to reading a giving our selves wholly to the work Truths are delivered in the Scriptures not in such a sorted or methodial way that you may finde the concernments of each Doctrin or each mans condition all together in one place but are let fall here and there in an occasional way as in an Epistle or story or Prophecy or song c. and not onely in gathering together fit and sutable matter but it must bee put into a method and order The Preacher Eccl 12.9 did not only seek out but set in order many Proverbs as the Priests Lev. 24.4 were to order their lamps Peter did not onely search out matter but it s said Act. 11.4 he expounded it in order unto them Luk. 1.3 It must bee a part of our industry also to improve our gift of utterance by searching after fit and significant expressions that the Trumpet may give a certain sound that is intelligent and distinct sweet and pleasant 3 The blessed spirit of God that sheweth us the things of Christ and of God and hath its fruit in words or utterance as well as in knowledge and matter as in that antithesis 1 Cor. 2.4 my speech was not but in c. 4 Stirring affections as before a great help to utterance and elocution where clearness of knowledge a gift of expression in the general matter chosen out and sorted to such and such persons and then affections sutable there will bee a tongue as the pen of a ready writer there will be such a stirring emphasis even in the very words Interior affectus quasi naturali impetu movet linguam and so much of the similitude and likeness of our affectionate hearts as t is impossible in any form of words composed by another or it may bee by our selves at another time or in a cold deliberation to speak in any measure answerable or so edifying who could have taught Paul so wel as his sanctified passion taught him to express himself Phil. 3.18 §. 4. Now for any man to go further that is in any of those particulars to bee more particular When Christ hath sufficiently instructed his scribe and taken off his hand as being able now to form his own work for the Magistrate or a Synod to take him into tutorage to adde more safe and particular rules and Laws for the direction of the Ministers of Christ in their Ministerial imployment what is this but to doe worke after the King Eccles 2.12 wee impose these Lawes upon Ministers such as are approved both for their grace and gifts for their Doctrin and Life as persons fit and able for this work After Christ hath given his Ministers a Book as before the Scriptures and given it to this end that they may be perfect 1 Tim. 3.16 17. and thorowly furnished to all imployments yet others are
not satisfied he must have another Book a Prayer book and another Book an instructing or preaching Book a Catechisme book and to the same end that hee may bee better furnished for his work that by this means it may bee done more perfectly more to edification as the Common Prayer-book formerly There is a precise appointment with what words and sentences Gods Name shall be called upon saith Mr. Hooker that the endless and senslesse effusions of indigested Prayers may not bee Pol. p. 239. and another of them The end of these formes is to bee a meanes to banish utterly out of Christs Church all extemporal invention of unsound prayer Covel against Burgis p. 70 71. So for the other part of our Ministerial work wee have beene furnished with a Homily Book and now a Catechisme Book which some would have imposed upon Ministers utterly to banish out of Christs Church all other Catechismes as also a more particular help and means then any Christ hath furnished his Ministers with for the better understanding of the Principles and for the better propagating the Gospel and preserving men sound in their knowledge which is to like ends as was those set formes formerly imposed § 5. To conclude this Argument our demand is of those that have so zealously stickled for such an imposition and have a mind to bring Ministers to their Books againe from whose necks this yoak hath been and that by a mighty hand of God so lately taken off I demand whether any thing in those reasonings of our suffering Brethren against Apocrypha Common Prayer-books and Homily-books he of any consequence from this topick the bringing of other books into the solemne Service of God besides those of Divine Authority Neither the Levites saith many of our Brethren together in the Abridgement nor Christ Abrid p. 6. nor his Apostles did ever read preach or interpret any other writing for the instruction of the Church but only the Canonical Scripture Againe in the same place It is the proper Office of Christ to be the Teacher of his Church and therefore no writings may bee appointed to bee read in the Congregation for instruction but only such as have been indited by his Spirit Mr. Cartw. in Cat. maketh it a breach of the Second Commandement and against Doctor Whitg about reading of Homilies in the Church hee writeth thus Neither the Homilies nor the Apocripha are to bee read at all in the Church It is good to consider the order which God kept with his people in times past when hee commanded that no Vessel nor instrument either Beesome or Flesh-hook c. should come into the Temple but those only which were sanctified and set apart for that use And hee will have no other Trumpets to call the people together but those only which were set apart for that purpose what should the meaning of this Law bee The matter of other common Vessels and Trumpets was the same oftentimes which theirs was the same forme also and Trumpets able to serve for the uses of sounding c. as well as those of the Temple and as those which were set apart wherefore might not these as well be used in the Temple as others forsooth because the Lord would by these Rudiments teach that he would have nothing brought into the Church but that which hee had appointed no not although they seemed in the judgement of men as good the Homilies be they ever so learned and pithy c. see Parker on the Cross 1 part Doctor Chadderton on Rom. 12. and divers others to the same purpose I demand againe what shew of Scripture there is for any such method or way as prescribed by Christ or Authority left by him to any other person to prescribe any such Utensile or Instrument What warrant hath any man to carry on the Directory for instruction further and more particularly than Christ himself hath thought fit to doe and thus to establish a Humane forme in a setled stated Sabbath-service without Scripture warrant And whether he may not as lawfully collect matter and put it in a set method and forme of words and furnish the Minister with a Booke as a help or means for the better edification of the people in any other or in all other the works and parts of the Ministerial Function as in this and as lawfully impose such Books to bee used by him and no other nor any other thing done by him but what is done by Book If hee may bee by such meanes better enabled for one part of his Ministry he may likewise for another and if for all why should it not be rather chosen CHAP. IV. Divers Objections answered no shew of Scripture for it nor necessity nor requisite for uniformity or obliged to it by our Covenant I Shall now faithfully give an account of whatever I have either read or heard or imagine can be pleaded as a warrant in this case § 1. Obj. 1 The notation of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to teach by voyce from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and this from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 autem sonum sive simplicem sive ex reflexa repercussione geminatum significat and hence wee have our English word Eccho which is as it were an answering againe Ans There is no such distinct meaning in the Scripture use of the word but most ordinarily for preaching or instructing by voyce and so interpreted by our Translators 1 Cor. 14.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that by my voyce I might teach others Gal. 6.6 wee doe not beleeve the Ministers maintenance is to rise from those that learn Catechismes only such as are unmarried and under the age of twenty one years yet the same word there and is translated teaching and the Scripture speaking of such to whom this Catechistical way seems to bee most sutable it expresseth their instruction and teaching by another word Heb. 5.12 You have need that one teach you the first Principles of the Oracles of God the word there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word is used also for a story or any report by hear-say Luke 1.4 Acts 21.21 24. Obj. 2. Those Scriptures are objected that mention Principles Fundamentals which are reckoned up Heb. 6.1 Psal 34.11 Come yee children hearken unto me and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. And 2 Tim. 1.13 a pattern of sound words in faith and love and Rom. 2.20 the forme of the knowledge of the truth is spoken of Ans In none of these Scriptures any set forme for method and words and if so yet not with injunction to bee held to only that principles and lower truthes are to bee taught and to those of a lower capacity in a more familiar and plaine method and way this is confirmed by those Scriptures and is a duty of that evidence from Scripture that the Civil Magistrate may impose and compel Ministers
dead and the inriching the Preacher c. have no great affection to such Sermons Mr. Sherwoods Answer to Doct. Downham Mr. Cartwright amongst other reasons gives this as one being most ordinarily at the Funeral of the rich and not of the poor there is brought into the Church contrary to the Word of God an acceptation of persons which ought not to be and although the Minister may give to one more honour than to another according as the civil Calling or degree requireth yet in his Ministry and that which pertaineth to his Office he ought to shew himselfe indifferent and therefore to preach as well at the death of the poor as the rich and because he cannot well doe both it is convenient to leave both Rep. 1. pa. 101. the like in the Discipline of Scotland Mr. Hildersham as divers others of our Reverend N. C. took order in his will that there should bee no Funeral Sermon at his burial Mr. Clarks Martyr p. 385. it is therefore no new peece of singularity in those that still scruple this practice § 3. 2 By Christian Liberty the liberty of our judgements and liberty of practise to judge of our Ministerial work according to light received and to practice according as we judge every one is to give an account of himself It is an abridgement of this liberty 1 In practice when by reason of Humane Lawes or impositions I am constrained to doe otherwise in the Service and Worship of God then in prudence or conscience I judge my self bound to doe if there were no such precept or imposition of man If what Christ hath left free doth not still remaine as free as Christ hath left it and we yeeld to it and comply accordingly this is not to stand fast in the liberty where-with Christ hath made us free Take an instance in the lowest breach upon this liberty in practise as where a variety of things or Circumstances each whereof necessary in respect of the act or end but in such an equality as in respect to each other there is an indifferency in comparison here now to bee limited to one though it be equal and indifferent in other respects yet it is a bondage for it is not indifferent to me to bee free or to bee limited in a service in which I promise my self from the dignity and excellency of it a perfect freedome There are divers forms of Prayer in the Scripture to pitch upon some one and impose the use of it and in a greater frequency as the Lords prayer This our brethren judged against their Christian Liberty so though the reading of one Chapter in the Bible may be as edifying as another and all Scripture is profitable and ought to be read in publike but to have the chapter for each day imposed to bee read and no other is one reason our Brethren opposed the Common-prayer book 2 In Opinion thoughts are free I may meditate and exercise my Faith and reason to finde out and judge in any Christian practice what is good or evil or good and better Wee are abridged in this Liberty more expresly when it s imposed upon mee to assent or subscribe ex animo to the opinions of other men It is also abridged by evident implication or consequence when in actions lest to mee in respect of circumstances to make choice of such as are most conducible as free and master of my own doings under Christ my Lord I must notwithstanding do otherwise than what I judge is best because some other thing or way is judged better by another as if others judge the Apocripha in some parts of it to bee more edifying than some Chapters in the Canonical Scriptures though I judge otherwise yet this being imposed I must do it This the greatest bondage and most sinful For in performances wherein I ought to do my best and to that end have from Christ both ability and liberty to do better yet to please others in their commands I will comply to do what is worse willingly suspending my own judgement because it seems to be better or best in theirs This is either to sin against light or to do away the liberty of my own judgement and in the most slavish way to become a Servant to men Having thus premised I shall now lay down more distinctly and enumerate the waies wherein such imposition being the same as in our case is against Christian liberty or rather ministerial liberty § 4. In a Ministerial teaching or instructing of others there are these three things to bee heeded and that will engage the conscience of him that instructeth 1 The Matter that it be sound and suitable to the capacity of such who I am to instruct as Milk for Babes c. Fundamentals and first principles to those of a more low and dull capacity 2 Form That for method and words our meditations bee fitly carried forth and easily understood 1 Cor. 12.7 3 That the Gifts and Graces given in their great diversity by Jesus Christ bee exercised accordingly 1 For the Matter 1 There are divers Ministers of piety and worth and such as the present establishment alloweth as publike preachers that cannot teach or urge others to beleeve that infants are to bee baptised There are also some other the like doubtfull and disputable points which we are ingaged to teach or quit our ministry He that hath the charge of soules may not upon any consideration teach another the least matter that hee beleeves not himself Mat. 5.19 so that such have not liberty to instruct and teach what according to their consciences is judged truth 2 Though ever so sound and Orthodox yet it s not made up of principles of first truths or fundamentals though it bee supposed and was to bee enjoyned as such for a man may bee saved that assents not to nor beleeves many particulars laid down in that Catechisme Again do but compare Heb. 5. the latter end with chap. 6. c. where is laid down what is fit doctrin or matter for such instruction you will finde this Catechism nothing according to that directory There are not higher truths and stronger meat through out the whole Epistle to the Hebrews or any other Scriptures than necessarily must bee explained and taught for the understanding this Catechisme which will easily appear if you do but read over the former part of it 3 Though it were both sound and sutable yet it is not Scripture it s not of divine inspiration it s from a private or common gift and therefore not to bee of publike interpretation It is to bring into the solemn worship and service of God the Composures and writings of men to be of standing use there and in the likenesse and similitude of the Scriptures to be received read publikely interpreted and applied Though the gifts I have received from Christ to that purpose bee equal and my own Composures more sutable and usefull yet they must give place and
fit and sutable in that respect then what was done by others So Master Gataker Dr. Hill c. in their Epistles to their Catechismes § 7. If nothing faulty either in the matter or forme of this Catechism yet wee enjoy not that ministerial liberty Christ hath left us and that which hitherto and even in the worst times hath bin enjoyed in this Nation and hitherto we have not beene straightned or narrowed It is true a forme of Catechisme is mentioned in the Common Prayer-book but so as a liberty left and taken to compose or chuse what Catechisme a man judged more sutable to his people for their edification and few Ministers of eminency in the Land but composed a distinct Catechisme there are I beleeve no less then five hundred several Catechismes extant nay men of the Episcopal way and such as were punctual in observing the very hints of what was likely to be pleasing or displeasing to their Lords composed and published Catechismes for matter and method differing from what was allowed by authority as Doct. Hall who was afterwards Bishop Dr. Featly Dr. Chitwin Dr. Hill Mr. Pearston who dedicated his Catechisme to the Bishop of London Mr. Vicars Chap. to Bishop Carlton and many others Neither hath this variety been looked upon as hurtful for if so then holy men would have kept to what they found and have made conscience of increasing this evil by adding to the number I finde saith Dr. Gouge in all ages of the Church Epistle to his Catechisme God hath stirred up many of his Servants to publish severall formes all agreeable in the substance and I observe among many other these two good uses to arise from thence c. which there hee specifieth nay since this of the Assembly composed by a Synod of holy and learned men approved of and commended to the Nation by the Parliament then sitting and received and setled in Scotland yet mens Consciences have not been satisfied in this as the only Catechisme fit to bee used as appeareth in the great number and variety of Catechismes composed and printed since this was published a greater number then in so short a time were ever published before But suppose in all this variety of Catechismes there were no difference no one better but each equally as good and edifying to my people as other that which I now further assert is this that in these Spiritual affaires to impose or limit to some one in such a case is against Christian Liberty and our freedome as Ministers if a man hath obtained his Freedome in any Trade hee is judged fit to set up in any part of the City no man can limit him to any one Precinct though hee might drive his Trade with as much advantage there as in any other place nay if a man shall enter into Bond to his Master not to set up his Trade in such a street or within such a distance from him this Bond is voyd in Law so tender are our Lawes of Humane liberty The Lords Prayer so tearmed is beyond Controversie as edifying as any other Prayer in the Scripture yet our Brethren the N. C. could not subject to such an imposition as gave a preheminence or more stated use of this one Scripture Prayer above all the rest the refusal of such an use of that Prayer was one thing for which Mr. Hooker could not have the liberty of his Ministry with Mr. Paget at Amsterdam when for N. Conformity hee was enforced by the Bishops to make that his refuge It was an Objection against the Common Prayer Book that in the Calender some Scriptures were to bee read every year and some oftner and some part of Canonical Scripture not to be read in publick at all â pari ratione in ordinary gifts to exalt any one work or composition by such a solemn sanction above all that hath been or shall be and limit us from the like publick use of any other though from men of equal gifts and graces is an abridgment of our Liberty ordinary as well as extraordinary gifts are from Christ and for his ends § 8. The third particular by which in such impositions wee are abridged of our Liberty it is in respect of the gifts and abilities wee have received from Christ It is the priviledge of a Minister to have liberty to imploy his owne talent there is an honour and reward in so doing Our labour and study shall not bee lost in the Lord every man shall receive according to his owne work and the talents hee hath imployed the Disciples work hath but a Disciples reward but the Prophets worke a Prophets reward If the Lord Christ hath put into my hand and trust Prophets or Pastors worke and gifts and talents sutable if I bee faithful and put my self out accordingly I shall accordingly be accepted of the Lord if I fulfill my Ministry I shall not come short of a full reward Wee are equally intrusted with the Lambs as with the Sheep with the weake as with the strong and to shew our love to Christ in feeding the one as well as the other wee are upon this account Debtors both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians both to the wise and to the unwise Rom. 1.14 It is laid on us not only to find out fit sutable matter for such instruction but expressions and words to this end Christ hath given gifts of utterance as well as a gift of knowledge and whatsoever gift we have received wee must stir up and use Eccl. 12.9 The Preacher was wise hee taught the people knowledge hee gave good heed and sought out and set in order the Preacher sought to finde out acceptable words so that matter and order and words and all is by Christ intrusted with the Preacher it is not for him to enquire what the State or a Synod hath sought out and set in order The truth is hee who is to be the mouth of God and to whom it is given to speake from him to the people to him belongs the finding out both of matter and words Psal 19.14 hence those to whom to instruct others belongeth are dealt with by the Apostle about the method and forme of words in which that holy duty is to bee managed 1 Cor. 14.9 so likewise except you even you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 you that are to Prophecy to instruct utter by the tongue words significant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word well and aptly signifying how shall it bee known what is spoken saith the Apostle If I had not warrant if it were not my liberty and priviledge to expresse my owne matter in my owne words faylings and faults in expressions would not bee accounted as my sin but rash inapt unsignificant expressions tautologies Word or speech so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. wee finde in Scripture charged upon those that pray or instruct non simplex vox seu dictio sed integra sententia seu rei narratio
very mean men to their Cures partly by the Law of the Land which admitteth of a very mean sufficiency in any Clerk so that if the Bishop should not admit them then presently a Quare impedit is sent out against him But now through the Lords mercy to the poor people of this Nation and by the zeal and care of our Governours it is otherwise the qualifications of persons who are now judged fit for this Function according to what is established by Parliament with the advice of the Assembly are such as imply grace and holinesse so farre as man can judge to be in truth and sincerity Before any man be admitted to the Ministry Ordinance for Ordination c. Novem 8. 1645. there must be inquiry made saith the Ordinance touching the grace of God in him and whether hee bee of such holiness of life as is requisite in a Minister of the Gospel A man for his learning and morals may bee fit for any place or station in the Common-wealth and yet fall short of such a stame in respect of his Spiritual condition as is necessarily required to this sacred calling And the hazard and venture of his education is the greater because this is an accomplishment or requisite of such a nature as is not to bee purchased with mony or attainable by any industry of our own both the will and the deed is from the meer pleasure of the Lord. §. 4. 2 After a man hath entred upon his calling and is comfortably disposed of in the work and hath a support thereby for himself and family yet being a person thus holy and gracious if State impositions in Ecclesiastical matters bee at such a rate hee will be upon terms of great uncertainty for his continuance or any constant settlement in his place and that upon a twofold account 1 His Conscience engageth him narrowly to consider of all the performances his place requireth the businesse and work of his calling being more peculiarly the service of God doth lye more directly and dreadfully in view of his conscience His calling engageth him to search the Scriptures and furnish himself thence with a treasure of what is new and old And hence his apprehensions may possibly and the more holy and consciencious the more likely fall otherwise especially in disputable matters then other mens have done formerly or otherwise then the present establishment which if they happen to doe hee is undone and must bee turned out of his livelihood to beggery or some other way to get a poor support for himself and family Hence it is that some Students intending the Ministry out of fear how their thoughts may fall keep off from the search and enquiry into such concernments until Conscience enforce them Preface to his Ser. at Lambeth Doctor Downham a learned godly man tells us it was thus with him I suspended the study thereof meaning Church matters for a long time and gives this as one reason if I came to the issue of such a study it would bee either the disgrace of my ministry amongst the forward sort if I resolved for Episcopacy or overthrow of my Ministry if I stand for Discipline And when we are necessitated to the setling of our though as in such points Where the heart is sincere and led by Scripture light it is hard to say upon what wee shall pitch at last He further tells us that being in the Ministry hee was necessitated to come to a resolution for one form of Government or other and though no enemy but rather a Friend to the Presbyterian way from a reverend opinion as he saith I had conceived of Master Calvin and Mr. Beza and many other learned men Patrons and Factors of the DISCIPLINE But in studying the Controversie as one that means to be convicted with truth his perswasion fell in with Episcopacy and so hee practised This hath been and daily is the lot of many Ministers of the Gospel especially in these dayes of light and since Popery which captivated mens consciences by an implicit faith in their search after a settlement in these agitated points of Worship and Discipline their perswasions have been fixed otherwise than they possibly expected §. 5. Let it bee but seriously weighed 1 What differences of Judgment there are and alwaies hath been amongst those that are truly godly and of some eminency And then 2 Take the variety of such persons or perswasions rather that are in this or some one or part of an age and accordingly sort them as in a way of succession five ten or twenty years one after another so providence might have disposed And if each in its succession had been imposed under this penalty of ejection if not owned How long or how little time rather could any conscientious man bee likely to have held his Ministry The variety of apprehensions amongst those of the same perswasion the differences amongst Independents as some have made them and how reverend Mr. Cotton now with God contradicts himself as Mr. Caudery would suppose and it might have been more than his supposition As likewise the greater variety amongst the Presbyterians and in greater matters as set down by Bishop Bancroft as also the contradictions of one he mentions with himself and others I could give other instances Is of better use than I beleeve was intended in blasoning the infirmities of godly men namely to confirme this experiment That where the most conscientious search is made there apprehensions may fall various in these smaller matters yea and if a man differ from himself also in respect of his former thoughts it 〈…〉 dishonour while in that state wherein he knows but in part And few there bee that set themselves to a conscientious and unprejudiced search after truth but know comparing what apprehensions they have had at several times and must acknowledge they have differed as much with themselves at times as they differ from other godly men at the present §. 6. IN the second place consider upon what uncertainties also a consciencious Minister is in respect of the great unsetlednesse and frequent changes of the orders and Lawes upon which the liberty of his Ministry depends by the Civil Magistrate especially when reformation-work is in hand and this not only from different apprehensions which are in Governours and Magistrates as well as in Ministers But principally from their coveting to bring Ecclesiastical affairs into a compliance with the Civil Yea such Magistrates as are not with Erastus for the whole frame of Church Government to depend upon the prudential formings of Christian Magistrates yea it would have the Circumstances and such other things as are not of the substance in Church matters so to bee ordered as may rightly joynt what is to be setled with the Laws and government of the Kingdome Ordinance of March 14. 1645. in the Preface the want whereof say they hath caused much trouble in this and other States This was one consideration
Crime of it is most justly charged by our Brethren upon those who were the sole cause of it and not upon those who with much sadnesse and grief of heart left their stations Ch. Go. with peoples consent p. 138 They themselves speaking of the Prelates are the Schismaticks and the makers of the divisions which are now in England All wise men know that not the difference but the cause maketh a Schismatick and more fully afterwards pag. 175. The Superiour over-ruling Minister over many distinct Congregations which the Word knoweth not In truth such a one is the proper cause of dissention and Schisme for hee not willing to submit to Gods Word by his power draweth many with him whereupon followeth dissention and schisme And then he with his Company being the stronger in the world may cry out loudest against those fewer that dissent that they are Schismaticks and Peace-breakers but look to the Word of God and themselves will bee found to be the makers of the Schisme by their traditions De. Pol. l. 1. c. 37. Learned Parker bestowes a whole Chapter in proving that Episcopis non puritanis dissiaium anglicanum imputandum esse And in his Treatise of the Crosse I would saith he our opposites the Bishops were as well able to clear themselves of Schism as we are able who run within that Censure of Augustine Quicunq invident bonis ut quaerant occasiones excludendi eos aut degradandi c. Whosoever saith hee envies those that are good and seeks occasion to exclude and eject them that rather than they will leave their own faults they will devise how to raise up troubles in the Church and drive men into Conventicles these are Schismaticks though they still remain in the Church About seven or eight and twenty years since Master George Walker preached a Visitation Sermon I have cause to remember it being then suspended and put out of my Ministry by the Visitor it was upon 1 Cor. 11.16 If any man seem to be contentious c. hee declared and with much strength and evidence asserted the Imposers who being not necessitated lay such snares and not those that conscientiously shun them are the CONTENTIOUS persons For which Sermon he was articled against and molested long in the High Commission Court §. 6. These penalties and severe impositions are many times laid by the Magistrate when his Conscience is not by any Scripture-light necessitated so to doe The matters which the Scriptures have not determined precisely one way or other nor required any such determination from the Magistrate If such things bee strictly imposed and bound upon us Hee doth not leave that liberty to others though it be every mans right as well as his which hee found left to him by the Lord. And where it is thus what was arbitrary in the Imposer becomes necessary to the persons imposed upon they are necessitated either to submit or leave their places And this puts a great difference as more or lesse blameable in the parties contending when the one can plead little but his will or resolution and the other an apparent necessity Wee doe not said our suffering Brethren separate our selves from the Church Positions Archip. pa. 10. 11. or forsake the Ministry of the Gospel but are thrust from it if men driven by Excommunication out of the Church bee not Schismaticks much lesse Ministers driven by suspension and deprivation If the Prelates cannot prove from the Word the things in question may be prescribed by Authority and yeelded to by the Ministers without sin then are the Prelats Schismatical according to the judgement of the Apostle who beseecheth the Brethren to mark them diligently who cause division and differences besides the Doctrin which they have learned and avoyd them Rom. 16.17 §. 7. Breaches and Divisions secondly are continued and fixed by such impositions upon this account ¶ II. Humble reasonings about matters in difference amongst Brethren if it be with equal liberty to each is the ordinary way to reduce into peaceable union persons of different judgements But opinions or practices having obtained an establishment by Law are thereby exempted from any such Disputings or so much as being questioned in respect either to their lawfulnesse or expedience Ecclesiast Pol. p. 26. Things were disputed saith Hooker before they came to bee determined men afterwards are not to DISPVTE any longer but obey Prudentia say others non obedientis sed imperantis est it is our part to obey and not to bee so wise as to dispute what is established by power and many are the like expressions in Episcopal writings In so much as though our silenced Brethren and those of that party did all along make it their humble sute that they might have liberty and freedom in a modest and Christian way to conferre and dispute with the Prelatical party about the main and principal Controversies and differences that were betwixt them This could not bee obtained by all the friends and interest those poor men could make But upon the like reasons as are before mentioned it was constantly denied them These forms say the Prelates and Ceremonies being established by a Law ought not to bee called in question and disputed of as if they were doubtful It is presumption and arrogancy to reason against what our Superiours have done Answ the Minist of London pa. 17. For a Subject to examine the Law of his Magistrate saith another is to presume and usurp authority above his superiours The Governours themselves have ever been sufficiently against it Proclam 5º Mar. 1º Jacabi King James tells us it is necessary for them to use constancy in upholding the publick determinations of State otherwise it will become ridiculous and that the stedfast maintaining of things by publick advice established is the weal of all Common wealths Hee speaks there of Church Lawes The Canons of 1603. which were confirmed by his authority threaten thus Can. 6. Whosoever shall hereafter AFFIRM the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England by LAVV ESTABLISHED are such as being commanded by lawful authority men may not with a good conscience approve use or if occasion require subscribe unto them let him be excommunicated ipso facto Can. 7. The like for those that owne not Church-Government by Arch-Bishops Bishops c. So that when these lesser or doubtful matters come to bee established by a Law the scruples about them cannot in an ordinary way be brought to any period the one party being forbidden to declare their Consciences under as great a penalty as for the greatest Crime a man can fall into for so is Excommunication ipso facto And if hee escape this Thunderbolt from above there is a gulf provided beneath to swallow up all his livelihood Act for Uniformity the Act for Uniformity which is thus Whosoever refuseth to use the said Common Prayers c. or shall preach declare or speak any thing in the derogation of the
in hazarding their Estates and Lives and for so considerable a time now enjoying the fruit of it can with an easier and quieter mind dwell in a house of bondage again than their predecessors that never had a tast of such manifestations of the Lord in owning his oppressed ones as we have had in these late years §. 12. And it is a mercy of the Lord never to bee forgotten the taking off all such burthens from the Ministry and that a different judgement in smaller matters shall neither keep nor cast out as formerly such as are learned and faithful in their places This is effectually done by the Petition and advice presented to his late Highnesse by the Parliament Anno 1656. a work and favour to the people of God doubtless very acceptable to Jesus Christ And I doe most humbly beseech our Brethren and whomsoever they are that pretend to the furtherance of reformation not to suffer their eye to bee evil because the Magistrate hath been so good but if still we will be so inconsiderate as to be calling for fire from Heaven against those that in smaller matters of Discipline or Worship differ from us the Lord I hope will keep the heart of our Governours stedy to what hath been so happily by themselves established and not easily be prevailed upon by persons of any perswasion that make it the matter of their sute and sollicitations not so much the enjoying of liberty to themselves as the restraining of it from others as holy Orthodox as themselves especially when nothing will serve their turn but such penalties as will utterly ruine those that differ from them §. 13. Doth not this present age look upon the severity of the former age as very strange and unwarrantable If not such a garment such a gesture such a form of words as others shall direct you must out of your Living out of your Ministry It is thought VERY NECESSARY saith the Injunction that no manner of Priest or Deacon shall hereafter take to his Wife any manner of Woman Injunctions of Q. Eli. An. 1559. Injunct 2 9 without the advice and allowance first had by the Bishop of the Diocess and two Justices of Peace next to the place of her abode c. and if any shall doe otherwise they shall not bee permitted to preach the Word or give Sacraments nor hee capable of any Ecclesiastical Benefice doth this seem strange to us now it seemed very necessary in the judgement of our Governours then and why may not the injunctions wee make of so much necessity now as that a Minister shall not without the advice and allowance of others CHVS◠his own words look as strange in the eyes of the godly prudent in an after age and if it should doe so it is but a just recompence of our sluggishnesse in lingring and hanging back on former Customs and letting the present light and manifestations of the Lord so farre out-goe us The truth is whatsoever is adhered to of Human invention let it seem ever so specious and useful in the service of God for the present yet the glory of the flesh is but as the flower of grass 1 Pet. 1.24 25 which will fade away The Word and wisdome of the Lord only is that which will be the same to day yesterday and for ever §. 14. It is a strange unhappinesse that Ministers only of all other persons are found to be of such an unwholsome temperature that their infirmities if such can no way bee cured but igne ferro by abcission no punishment sufficient almost for any fault but silencing ejection and the like Gild. Silvianus pa. 214 I confesse saith Mr. B. if I had my will the man should be EjECTED as a negligent Pastor that will not rule his people by Discipline 2 Others London Petition Mr. P. and Mr. M. in their writings with others if not Conform to the Discipline in particular established 3 There are others on the other hand if they had their will those that doe exercise Discipline and suspend from the Sacrament upon that account should in like manner be punished And in this case those that doe not instruct in a Homily form An Act presented to his late Highness which was refused by him which hath occasioned this discourse should have been ejected as a negligent Minister If in a Civil State there should bee but one kind of punishment and for every Crime a man be made a Felon or Traytor it will argue in such a Common-Wealth there are more people than they can tell what to doe with and their Lawes are bent rather to rid the Country of men than of their Crimes it were uncharitable to think there is such a spirit in all that have thus by Petition or otherwise provoked Parliaments and Magistrates to such a severity yet this we know there was such a Root of bitternesse found amongst the persecuting Bishops in so much as conformity to all their drudgeries would not serve at last but Conformist or Non-conformist if he were a conscientious Minister they would worme him out one way or other And it was the constant profession some of them were not ashamed to make that they hated a conforming Puritan more than a Papist or a Drunkard which shewed plainly they brought in and kept up such penalties to rid themselves of a party which by the dint of truth and reason they could not subdue This Height and Hypocrisie was the evident fore-runner of their fall the Lord in mercy grant wee may be warned thereby I hope it is the spirit of very few if any amongst us nor did this evil disease cleave to all the Bishops some of them did more tender the Gospels progress than to desire the outing of such as differed from them I will conclude this Discourse with the Speech of one of them it being pertinent to our purpose whose moderation and prudence is worthy our imitation It was spoken in the Convocation House May 23. anno 1604. by the Bishop of St. Davids to the rest of the Bishops and it is the sum of what I aime at in this third Argument his words are these I put great difference between Quod liceat and Quid expediat and likewise between them that are Schismatical or open disturbers of the State Ecclesiastical established and them that are scrupulous only upon some Ceremonies and other Circumstances being otherwise learned studious grave and honest men whose labours have been both painful in the Church and profitable to their several Congregations Concerning those Preachers last mentioned I suppose that if upon urging of them to the use of Ceremonies and attire prescribed they should stand out stifly and chuse rather to forgoe their Livings and the exercise of their Ministery and though I doe not justifie their doings therein yet surely their service would be missed at such time as need shall require them and us to give the right hand of fellowship one to
c. but in after times such as met together to fast and pray to repeat Sermons and edifie one another with good conference were these Conventiclers and punished accordingly §. 5. In some Diocesses where the Bishop being mindful of that wholsome exhortation to mercy in his Consecration was more tender to his Clergie Book of Ordination pa. penult there more indulgence was exercised and not such wresting former Injunctions and Articles or perverting them against the godly sober Ministers Hence Visitation Articles and Inquiries were of different strains according to the spirit of the Diocessan which being observed and that there was more liberty given in one Diocess than in another from the inadvertency as his Majesty termed it of some in authority By the ninth Can. of the Synod in the year 1640. It was ordained for the better setling of uniformity in the outward government administration of the Church as followeth This Synod saith the Canon hath now caused a summary of Visitatory Articles and wee doe Decree and Ordain that no Bishop shall cause to be printed or published any other Articles or forms of enquiry c. So that the edge of those former Injunctions which was intentionally set against Popery and Prophaneness by this new Book of Articles and enquiries is fixedly set and without all hope of indulgence from any better-minded Bishop to wound the peace and comfort of the best affected Ministers and People throughout the Nation and for all times to come It being now not left in the power or to the discretion of any Bishop without hazard of a Months suspension ipso facto from his Bishoprick to bee more favourable than another or less severe and rigorous than the major part of that Synod a Synod that mounted their Canons to a greater height against the purity and simplicity of Gospel-Worship than any at any time before them since the reformation FINIS The Contents THe Usefulness of Catechizing and the prejudice to the people for want of it Pref. CHAP. I. A Case With an explication of some terms and the State of the Question Pag. 1 CHAP. II. The first Argument Rites and Forms that have a Stated Use and to Spiritual ends in the Worship of God ought to have Scripture warrant for their establishment p. 16 CHAP. III. What directions there are in the Scripture for the instructing of others in respect both of matter method and means c. p. 29 CHAP. IV. Divers Objections answered no shew of Scripture for it nor necessity nor requisite for Uniformity or obliged to it by our Covenant p. 43 CHAP. V. The second Argument Of Christian Liberty things indifferent the particular Catechism designed not so desirable for this Use and how many waies our Ministerial liberty is prejudiced by the imposition of it p. 61 CHAP. VI. The third Argument Taken from the imposition and penalty the severity and inequality of it p. 99 CHAP. VII Of the prejudice to the Ministry and evil consequences of such an imposition p. 120 CHAP. VIII Schisms and Divisions amongst the People of God occasioned and continued thereby is another fruit or evil consequence of such penalties p. 165 CHAP. IX The fourth Argument It is destructive to that Independency which hath been anciently claimed and professed by our brethren the Nonconformists p. 211 CHAP. X. The fifth Argument It is difficult in Ecclesiastical matters to obtain reformation of what is amiss These things are pressed with greatest severity upon the most conscientious p. 233 Courteous Reader These Books following are printed or sold by Adoniram Byfield at the three Bibles in Cornhil next door to Popes-head Alley THE History of the Evangelical Churches of the Valies of Piedmont containing a most exact Geographical description of the place and a faithful account of the Doctrine Life and Preservation of the Ancient Inhabitants together with a most naked and punctual relation of the late bloody Massacre 1655. And a Narrative of all the following transactions to 1658. Justified partly by divers Ancient Manuscripts written many hundred years before Calvin or Luther by Samuel Monland Esq in fol. Divine Characters in two parts acutely distinguishing the more secret and undiscerned differences between the hypocrite in his best dress of seeming virtues and form of duties and the true Christian in his real graces and sincere obedience by Mr. Samuel Crook in fol. A Commentary upon the three first Chapters of Genesis by that Reverend Divine Mr. John White late of Dorchester in sol An Exposition upon Ezekiel by Mr. William Greenhill in quarto The Humble Sinner resolved what hee should do to bee saved or Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the onely way of Salvation by Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick in quarto The Riches of Grace displayed in the offer and tender of Salvation to poor Sinners by Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick in 12o. The Fountain opened and the water of Life flowing forth for the refreshing of thirsty Sinners wherein is set out Christs earnest and gracious Invitation of poor Sinners to come unto the waters His complaining Expostulation with the ingratitude and folly of those who neglect so great Salvation His renewed Solicitation with all earnestness and the most perswasive Arguments to allure thirsty Sinners to come to Christ by Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick in quarto The Anatomy of Secret sins Presumptuous sins sins in Dominion and Uprightness wherein divers Cases are resolved with the Remissibleness of all sin and the Irremissibleness of the sin against the Holy Ghost by Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick The Plain Doctrine of the Justification of a Sinner in the sight of God justified by the God of Truth in his holy Word and the cloud of witnesses in all ages wherein are handled the Causes of the Sinners Justification explained and applied in a plain doctrinal and familiar way for the capacity and understanding of the weak and ignorant by Mr. Charls Chauncy in quarto The Gospels Glory without prejudice to the Law shining forth in the glory of God the Father Son and Holy Ghost for the Salvation of Sinners who through Grace do beleeve by Richard By field in octavo A Declaration of the Faith and Order owned and practised in the Congregational Churches in England agreed upon and consented unto by their Elders and Messengers in their meeting at the Savoy in quarto Habbakkuks Prayer applied to the Churches present occasion and Christs Counsel to the Church of Philadelphia very seasonable and useful for these times by Mr. Samuel Balmford in 8o. A Short Catechism by Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick Hidden Manna by Mr. Fenner in 12o. Safe Conduct or the Saints guidance to glory by Mr. Ralph Robinson in quarto The Saints Longing after their heavenly Country by Mr. Ralph Robinson in quarto A Sermon at a Fast by Mr. Nathaniel Ward in quarto Moses his Death a Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. Edward Bright Minister by Mr. Samuel Jacomb in quarto A short and plain Catechism instructing a learner of Christian Religion what he is to believe and what he is to practise by Mr. Samuel Jacomb in octo The Hypocritical Nation described with an Epistle prefixed by Mr. Samuel Jacomb in quarto A Sermon of the baptizing of infants by Mr. Stephen Marshal in quarto The unity of the Saints with Christ the head by Mr. Stephen Marshal There is now in the press that long expected book The bowels of tender mercy sealed in the everlasting Covenant by Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick in fol. FINIS