〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 must have a double look the first look it must cast on the Rule the second it must cast on the Actions be they either necessary or positive or else it cannot be counted Conscience and from thy agreeing or disagreeing with the Rule so thy Conscience accuseth or excuseth accordingly And now I appeal to any sober mans Consideration since there cannot be contrary Rules justifiable whether there can be contrary Consciences Certainly then we may safely conclude in all Constituted Churches since for Belivers actions there is but one Truth but one true Rule there must be for all such Believers but one right Faith there can be but one sound Conscience SECT III. In such Constituted Societies Vnity of Faith must be signified by an open Vniformity GOD who created man for his glory designed him for Society that what comfort he could not get by separation he might compass by Communion And Communion in the state we are in cannot be maintained but by Externals by Bodily offices As the Communion of the Invisible Church must be maintained by Vnity of Faith so the Communion of the Visible Church or any part that is associated or united in obedience to the Faith must be maintained by agreement in the exercise of Religion and Vnity of Profession And this Unity of Profession is properly called Vniformity which is nothing else but a sensible form of an united Society agreeing in one Profession both in words and actions So if any one should ask What is the sign or mark by which we may know a visible Church by or any associated Company to be a part of it I must properly Answer by Vniformity And Vniformity as the word clearly speaks is an Vnity of the outward form of things or an agreement of visible practice and joynt concurrence in the Exercise of Religion both in wards and actions which ought to be in every Congregation of Believers Preaching of the Gospel and receiving the Sacrament of the People as well as of the Minister being indispensable signs of every one that would be accounted of the Church of Christ And first we will undertake to prove that Vnity of Faith must be signified by Vniformity of words and this is not only lawful but necessary and useful 1. Lawful as declared by the practice of all Nations that had a sense of Religion For if Heathen yet reasonably they agreed in the same Festivals and Solemnities in the same Sacrifices and Gestures in the same forms of Thanksgivings and Devotion which because written of by many and confessed by all it will be needless to cite Authors or any further to insist upon the proof of it no question but they Universally agreed in constituting and maintaining Vniformity amidst their Assemblies in all Religious observances If they were a People to whom God had more clearly manifested himself and the true Religion wherewith he would be well pleased these marks they gave of their associating and uniting into a Church by their Vniversal joynt concurrence in Religious Exercises in all Ages in their solemn Congregations And it is facile to prove that among the Jews they judged the fittest Medium to preserve Vnity was Ecclesiastical Vniformity from their coming out of Egypt till their dissolution in Canaan And in some measure the Jews maintain this to this day in their several Congregations They had their set Forms for Aaroniçal Benediction for hymns and praises and prayers of the People who agreed in one express assent to the Covenant and the Law delivered by Moses in the same Sabbaoths and Festivals in the same Sacraments and Ties of Obedience They agreed in the same Prayers composed by Jewish Teachers for their Disciples St. John the Baptist taught his Disciples to pray And Christ's Disciples in the last dispensation would be taught of him to pray as John before had taught his Disciples And our blessed Saviour not only taught his Disciples a Form but a Prayer which they were to say When you pray say Luke 11.2 Our Father c. To follow him can be no mistake Certainly deliberate Composures of Set Forms from Christs Example receive not only Toleration but sufficient Approbation And that the Apostles and their Successors in Primitive times used this Prayer in all their holy Administrations especially at the Sacraments we have more than probable Authority And that the Church had set Forms after the first Century is beyond all dispute And that Reformed Churches have their set Forms now generally is openly manifest except some Phanatical Schismaticks that out of a Spirit of Contradiction and precise singularity by the neglect of these things wilfully Unchurch themselves and would blot out all appearance of a Visible Church upon the Earth Mr. Calvin from the conviction of this Truth Epist 87. approves it That set Forms of Ecclesiastical Rights might be determined that it might not be lawful for Ministers in their Administrations or the People in their Attendances to vary from them And this he was forced to acknowledge from Example Practice and Reason God who cannot erre prescribes set Forms to the Jews and Christ to his Disciples And it would be a misapprehension yea a sin to think that They would injoyn or command what might be an hinderance to Godliness or a disadvantage to the Exercise thereof And the concurrent Judgment and practice of all Churches must convince any sober person of the lawfulness and expediency of set Forms both in Prayers and Worship which will be furthered by his own Reason if he please to consider Scripture directions 2. I shall prove set Forms lawful and expedient from Scripture St. Paul 1 Cor. 1.11 pathetically beseecheth the Church at Corinth by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that they would all speak the very same thing Verba sunt symbola mentis è consensu verborum colligimus consensum animorum Words are but expressions of our Intentions and from agreement in Words we conclude of agreement of Mind And sure enough it was not required there by the Apostle that the Speeches of the Corinthians in their Religious Assemblies should be of the same sense and meaning only but of the same expression not only contradiction of words is prohibited but diversity if they would grant his suit whle he beseecheth them to speak the same thing And well might this be injoyned in Religious Exercises for Vbi novae phrases ibi nova dogmata A quibus Vna fides ab iis requiritur Vna Confessio Where new phrases are used there will be new opinions And in whom there is expected but One Faith from them there is required but One Confession saith Mr. Calvin And when idolizing of the Gifts and Parts of the Ministers caused Contentions among the Corinthians the Apostle might adjudge it necessary that ostentation of Eloquence and excellency of Speech should be forborn among them even in exercises of Devotion and therefore earnestly beseecheth them to speak the same thing So by St. Pauls
Publick Worship with all the precise method of that Order and Decency that ought to be used in it in which they will pretend to better and transcend the excellency of our Liturgy which is prescribed and used among us Si quid novisti rectius istis Candidus imperti si non his utere mecum And until they can do this their wisdom is to study to be quiet and conform to this till they can find out and propose a better Method of our publick Worshipping of God beyond all exceptions that they will abide by And now I say what Subject of the Church of England can reasonably desert or reject our Liturgy which is visibly the best that is extant to us upon sober Consideration And how can I but stand amazed that the Common Service as prescribed should by so many of our Neighbours not only be neglected but contemned when it can neither be justly blamed nor amended Certainly I am not uncharitable but should be too conniving if I did forbear to declare a want of Religion and Reason in those men that run away to the flocks of our pretended Companions that hold no Uniform Communion that is Visible When no worship of God is evident no practice of the Peoples Devotion no vocal Confession of the Believers Faith no offering any sacrifice of Praise and yet every Christian is bound to Conform in all those things as well as the Minister in every Believing Congregation Why will ye go away from us O ye of little faith we hold fast the words and practice of eternal life Friendly Perswasives to my Country-men COme then my beloved Countrymen since these things are so that an Vniform profession of Faith must be maintained in Believing Societies and fifth by our Liturgy according to Gospel Rules we are ordered and directed to this reasonable Service Let us lay aside all prejudice and partiality all contentious humors Let there be no longer a Spirit of Opposition or wilful Contradiction be found among us Let us follow after the exercise of those things that make for Peace and wherewithal we may best edifie one another Whatever things are honest whatever things are just whatever things are pure let 's think and conclude of the practice of such things Let us endeavour to bend our selves to the quiet of the Church of God and to hold the Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace Let 's evidence the God of hope hath filled us as with all joy so with all peace in Believing There is but One Truth but One Faith among us let there be but One Spirit but One Conscience Let us shew the God of Patience and Consolation hath granted us to be like-minded Let 's not forsake the Assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is but let us hold fast the form of sound words and the profession of our Faith without wavering Let there be no divisions but let us speak the same thing to declare we are perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same Judgment Let there be no divisions among us about Ministers account of them as Stewards of the Mysteries of God and yet your Faith stands not in the wisdom of Men but in the power of God Have their Persons not so much in admiration as if lords of your Faith by Preaching only esteem them highly for their works sake whereby they lead you to the holding fast the Profession of your Faith and the true exercise of right Godliness which hath the promise c. And as in your speeches you declare your Vnanimity in your holy Assemblies so in your Behaviour let there be Uniformity Let your Conversation be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ and let all things be done decently and in order and reverently as in the House and presence of the living God Worship God in the beauty of Holiness so as if an Vnbeliever come among you he may be convinced and fall down and worship God also because he sees verily of a truth God is in the midst of you It is the fit time for Christ to be born in us when Vnity is among us In a calm night the Dew descends to the Earths refreshment and Grace is like to come down to us when we are in the way of Peace Finally Brethren farewel be perfect be of good comfort be of one mind live in peace as directed and the God of love and peace shall be with you AMEN Proposition II. The wilful Omission or Recusancy of any Believing Subjects Conformity to those Rules is an heinous Sin and a dangerous Disobedience I Heartily beg of the Candid Reader so much charity to believe it as true what I publickly declare and avow That I am a Reformed Christian of the Church of England and that I shall never attempt to perswade my fellow Subjects to any practice that is ungodly or contrary to the Rules of the Gospel And be assured whoever thou art that I sincerely desire every man may come to the knowledge and practice of Truth and be saved and therefore I dare not by a flattering compliance or connivance sooth any man in the errour of his way which will lead him securely to his destruction And I dare not daub over Recusancy as some desire with a paint and varnish of a trifling weakness or infirmity or palliate it over with a false pretence of tender Conscience when it will prove if considered an heinous sin and a dangerous Disobedience Give me leave therefore without offence if thou beest willing to be Informed to bring to thy Remembrance what I have formerly delivered and am ready to defend concerning our Canons and Rules of Uniformity prescribed about the Publick exercise of Religion 1. Our Governours as subordinate under Christ do not Rule their Believing Subjects arbitrarily but by Laws subordinate to the Rules of the Gospel 2. All that the power of Governours can reach unto in a Visible Church is to order and direct Externals in the publick exercise of Religion 3. That the right exercise of true Religion is the open profession of Faith 4. Of that open Profession there must be Uniformity 5. Every Baptized Subject of England is obliged to conform to such Laws prescribed For to command or prohibit as the Gospel directs is warrantable And all our Laws to the Common sort of Believing Subjects are according to those Rules If Natural or expressly Evangelical there can be no dispute if a Christian thou art bound to obey And if the Laws be Positive or Humane and not against Nature or Injust thy Obligation is divine and thy Submission is natural being thou art to submit to every Ordinance of man for the Lorods sake SECT I. Let us determine and agree what we are to understand by those Laws and the Conformity to them that the Believing Subject of England is bound to observe THE Governours aim and care is not only at the keeping and diverting from the People what is grievous
AN APOLOGY FOR THE LAWS Ecclesiastical ESTABLISHED That command our Publick exercise in RELIGION AND A serious Enquiry whether PENALTIES Be reasonably determined against RECUSANCY By WILLIAM STARKEY D.D. Rector of Pulham in Norfolk LONDON Printed by T. R. for Henry Brome at the Gun West end of St. Pauls Church 1675 TO THE Right Reverend Father in GOD PETER Lord Bishop of ELY My LORD THere be two Idols set up among our Brain-sick People which must be broken down viz. LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE and TOLERATION Under the Name and Colour of the first many set up their misled Perswasion for a Law and so sin without possibility of any sense of Guilt or Conviction Secondly Under the Name of Gospel meekness gentleness and peacableness they cry up TOLERATION and IMPUNITY and so are without fear to add sin to sin when in no danger of a subsequent punishment These if suffered and countenanced will in time overthrow RELIGION and GOVERNMENT which are the pillars and support of Order and Peace both in Church and Kingdom To encounter and remove these two great obstacles of our Happiness my design hath been in this little Treatise to assert and prove two things 1. That there must be just Laws established in every Society to limit the Conscience of the Christian and Rational man and that whosoever transgresseth those Laws is guilty of sin notwithstanding any plea of Conscience which can give no license for any man to sin 2. That Punishments by Gospel Rules are necessarily inflicted upon obstinate Offenders and that Toleration and Impunity are of dangerous consequence to our King Church and whole Nation The Reasons are many that induced me to dedicate these weak Meditations to Your protection my good Pious Lord as that I might lay hold on the first opportunity of manifesting that just Observance Your worth and dignity as well as your favour have challenged and extracted from me And because honoured with the Title of being Your Son I accounted my self in duty obliged to give you some assurance of the soundness of my Judgment and stedfastness of my Faith and Conscience firmly assenting and adhering to the right exercise of the best Religion and the best Government under Heaven which must tend not only to my own credit but Your content and satisfaction And my Ambition is to give Testimony of some resemblance to be in me to such a Father whose zeal and ability to defend the Church and Government is eminently known to a great part of the World And verily it is but common prudence for my own security to provide such a Patron as You are to assist me in defending a Noble Argument which though full of Truth Loyalty and Necessity fit to be published yet in probability can no sooner be drawn out but it must expect to meet with much opposition Yet this gives me encouragement that while under your Banners though I expect many Gainsayers yet I can fear no Confuters If I should fall it will be honourably yet I dare promise my self to come off victoriously And under Your conduct I cannot but assume fresh Courage if called upon farther to maintain the Faith of the Gospel the uniform Worship of God the Government both in Laws and Penalties justly fixed and executed against Recusancy which will certainly advance the order peace and welfare of our whole Society My prayers and endeavours are intent upon these things and so long as I continue stedfast in those Designs and Attempts I hope You will not account me unworthy to profess my self as the Churches so Your Lordships most obedient Son and Humble Servant W. STARKEY Four PROPOSITIONS offered to Consideration I. The Laws of our English Government that command every Believing Subjects Uniformity in the publick exercise of Religion are established according to the Law of Nature and Rules of the Gospel II. The wilful Omission or Recusancy of any Baptized Subjects Conformity to such Laws is an open Sin and a dangerous Disobedience III. The threatning and determining of Punishments to be inflicted upon wilful Transgressors of such Laws are according to the dictates of Human Reason and the constant practice of the Church of God IV. The inflicting of Punishments as determined is just and necessary for the safety and welfare of our Nation Proposition I. Chap. I. Governours are to be appointed over every Believing Society by the Laws of Nature and Rules of the Gospel and our Governours are so appointed especially Section I. What is conceived must be meant by the Law of Nature Section II. What we are to understand by the Rules of the Gospel Section III. By both these Governours are to be appointed over every Believing Society Section IV. Our Governours are thus appointed over as especially A Serious Apology FOR THE LAWS Establisht in the Exercise of RELIGION SECT I. 1. GOD Almighty who of his infinite wisdom in decent and comely sort hath sweetly ordered and disposed all his works in number measure and weight hath given to every of them a principle form and measure of working to moderate and limit their force and power fit suitable and correspondent to their designed end to some Canon Rule or Law A Law which they cannot pass naturally but moving by that Law according to their several conditions they may come to that acquiescency and content that may render them happy according to their several capacities If they be Inanimate Creatures that move unwittingly and yet constantly as the Heavens and Elements The Sun knoweth its rising and the Moon its going down The Stars keep their courses the Orbes their Rotations according to Gods Ordinance or Decree they all move as the Divine wisdom orders them If they be Animate Creatures that have though weak yet some understanding they move from the most perfect principle they have to seek their content and satisfaction To gratifie their senses is their utmost aim And if they be voluntary Agents that clearly apprehend what they do yet kept they are as inclined in one constant tenure and course of working according to the establishment of Natures law And this innate obedience to the law of Nature as God hath ordered is the stay the ballast of the whole World that Gods Creatures cannot naturally or ordinarily do otherwise than to shew themselves apt and inclineable to this innate Obedience Now MAN that hath a Rational and immortal Soul and so a more noble Principle and hath more excellent endowments and perfections than the rest of visible Creatures must aim at nobler Ends attainable by those faculties and abilities with which God of his goodness hath extraordinarily blest him So that to gratifie the sense cannot be his utmost aim but to content the Spirit which is attainable by light of Reason and her improvements directing him to those Actions that may conduct and lead him the readiest way to the enjoying that Happiness which is intended So that Man acts most naturally when he acts most rationally when by that noble principle