ridiculous I grant the cautions subjoined viz that they applied their power alwayes for and not against the truth if made effectual would indeed secure the event But seing they only promise by supposing it and consequently are equally doubtful with it and really such as may recommend the most unwarrantable and improper mean that can be devised it is evident that this empty probability concludeth nothing Let the Pope or some thing worse be set up in the supposition that he do not apply his power to obstruct but to advance what is good and not against but for the truth no question there would thence arise a consequential expedience and advanâ—age But thence to argue for the lawfulâ—esse of such an appointment were plainly to ranverse all reason and righteousness As it is therefore from our Lords own warrant and blessing that we are principally to attend the successe of his ordinances so where these cannot be made appear as in the case of our present Church-government and on the other hand the ensuing of Atheism and profanity cannot be denied the conclusion tâ—at â—hey are to be imputed to the nature of the present establishment is beyond contradiction But our Author sayes That â—hese bad fruits ar raâ—her to be imputed to the schisme made by withdrawing fâ—om the Government For there is not a greater enemie in â—he Woâ—ld to the Power of Religion then the wranglings and bitter contentions that are raised about the external forms of it 'T is answered divisions being in themselves alwayes mutual yea and separation in some cases commanded and necessary to conclude against the thing in common that which is only peculiar to a particular species were grossely to confound the commanded out-coming of the People of God from Babylon with tâ—e most sinful departing of the worst of Hereticks It is not theâ—efore separation or withdrawing in the abstract but in its complexe causes conditions tendency that we are to regard he who in tâ—e fear of God out of a desire to keep himself pure and for a testimony against evil-doers withdraweth from such as walk disorderly from men of corrupt minds destitute of the truth supposing that gain is godlinesseâ— doth no lesse obey the will of God then he who through proud and bitter contention flowing from some carnal principle and design breaking the unity of the Spirit and bond of peace doth wickedly contemn our Lord's new commandment of love Now whether the present Prelats their Dependents who for perfidious breach of Covenant with God man invadingâ— and usurping over Gods House and ejecting persecuting their â—aithful â—rethren are justly disowned and discountenanced of all good men or such who having no encouragement from either the call promise or presence of God do in a tender fear not to partake of other mens sins abstain from the Assemblies of these evil doers be from the former grounds more to be blamed for the present withdrawing let all men judge But as it is not possessionâ— attained by falshood and violence that makes a right and the injurious expeller and nâ—t â—he expelled is certainly the sinful and scismatick divider so that the strange perfidyâ— pride cruelty avarice profanity of the Prelats and their abettors and dependers professing to be the guids of yea and having their livelihood and wealâ—h by Religion and yet for the most part not studying so much as to vail their lewdnesse with a mask of hâ—pocrisy have rendred Religion it self contemptible except with a few who stand at a distance with this horrible thing is undeniable in its own evidence As for the enmity of contentions anent external forms to the Power of Religion if there be really a worth and singular benefite in such forms ordinances that our Lord hath appointed for subservient means to the great end of the Gospel and as visible certain a prejudice and evil influence in mens corrupt novations all-contendings about these matters cannot be implicity censured as bitter wranglings and enmity to the Power of Religion without the just accusation of a luke warm indifferency in the high concerns of the Gospel He who judgeth not the purity and liberty of Gospel ordinances worthy to be contended forâ— will hardlâ— perswade a rational man that ever he will strive for the Faith of the Gospel But 2. We heartily renounce and disown all wranglings and bitter contention it is by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of his patience of our testimony that we hope to overcâ—me if these be accounted contentious it is but a small share of the Lords sufferings compared to these reproaches of rebellion and sedition wherewith heâ— and his followers have been slandered It is rather my regrete that in a time of such backslâ—dingâ— we have not moe saying from the same reason with Ieremiah Wo is us men of strife and men of contention to the whole Earth But the peevish Policy of such who after that by perjury contention and violence they have imposed and pressed their own forms and inventions and by the same practices seated themselves in the possession of what they designed do in effect retain the same peremptory rigor and do only decry contention that they may mock men from anâ— just opposition to their courses doth not merite any further notice He who calmely and impartially considers this whole matter wil easily perceive that it is neither contention separation nor division things in themselves reciprocalâ— of a middle signification that are simply to be condemned But it is from pride perversnesse and other evil mixtures and designes that both their evil and scandal do proceed And on which side these are to be foundâ— a small reflection may satisfy every inquirer But now after all the vehemence we have heard the Authorâ— on purpose to amuse where he cannot prevail Falls a wondering to see wise and good men make so great reckoning of certain metaphâ—sical exceptions against some liâ—tle modes and formaliâ—ies of difference in the Government and seâ— so litâ—le value upon so great a thing as is the peace of the Church â— ' â—is answered The redargution implied in the bosome of this exclamationâ— doth so palpably occurre that I cannot dissemble the Aposâ—les obseâ—vation thereby so obviously suggested viz. That evil men and seducers waxe worse and worse deceiving and being deceived sor while in their deceivings they tell us that not only our reasonings are bare metaphysical exceptions but that even the things contended for are meer words and formalities how do they themselves appear to be deceived who presse theâ—e very â—ordâ— formalitiesâ— more then the weightiest affaires in Religion It being without controversy that if the argument were equally ballanced it wouâ—d begin at home by surceassing the pursuit of such vain trisâ—es thereby most effectually frustrat the contrary defences But the truth is whatever the appearances are neither are we nor the Author mistaken upon the matter A constant fixed Praeses on his
matters of God study his own way if we neglect this sure and excellent ordinance of a self-denyed and lowly Gospel ministrie with these prescriptions of truth humilitie and loveâ— given to us as the remedies against all disorder schisme and heresie and indulge to our own devices where wil we subsist I need not represent the subtilty and presumption of mens delusions specially for promoting that mysterie of iniquitie that worketh in Ecclesiastick aspirings If our blind probabilities were sufficient to authorize the means of peace and order there is no question carnal reason would again insinuat according to the pretensions that raised the Papacie and the frequent suggestions of our times in behalfe of the Magistrat that the proper and assured way to a firme establishment were to resolve either mans beleife or his obedience into the uncontrollable determinations either of the Pope or of the Princeâ— But as the disposiâ—ions of the Soveraign and only wise God are not to be fathomed let be regulat by our narrow and weak capacities so ought we alwayes to revere these peremtorie and seuere restraints where with he hath bounded the darrings of vain reason not so much as to think in these things above what is written specially in the case in hand when not only manifest disappointments as to the ends pretended but the worst of consequences have by a very visible progresse openly discovered both the folly and prejudice of this presidencie under question For evincing whereof I observe .2 that as it is not unto this fixed presidencie as such but unto the more abounding grace of God under these frequent and grievous persecutions wherewith the Church was then exercised that the singular order unity and charity of the primitive times is to be ascribed So the gradual advance of this Prostasia together with the joint and perpetual declines of true knowledge piety concurring increase of pride contention irreligion superstition are very pregnant evidences of its vanity I need not note that the first times to which this presidencie can lay any claime were the purest its first setting up as most acknowledge was in the second Centurie in a simple Protocathedria to the Senior Presbyter Shortly thereafter it turned to a Prostasia given by election and then stil ascending even under the discountenance and persecution of the Heathenish powers and people it did notwithstanding what by wresting the election in many places from the Presbyters and what by usurping the power of ordinantion and censures advance to a very high degree of Prelacie as is aboundantly confirmed by what may be gathered from the Records of these times and especially by good Cyprian his words to his Presbyters Epist. 6. A primordio Episcopatus mei statui nihil sine consilio vestro privata sententia gerere whereby as it were in opposition to the then corrupt custome of other Bishops he plainly insinuateth his contrary resolution Now what under this progresse of the Prostasia still pretending to be a remedy was the growth of the evils both of contentions schismes and heresies specially in the intervals of the Churches sufferings wherewith these several degrees were manifestly attended needeth not to be enforced by many instances That of Victor as to superstition contention and schisme who for a different observation of Pasch a weighty point forsooth did excommunicat the better halfe of the Christian world may stand for a thousand and as for Heresies their catalogues are almost endlesse But though its rise under so great pressures doth very convincingly argue the strong and subtile Spirit working in its elevation yet it was from the time of Constantin's Empire and the rising of the Sun of prosperitie upon the Church that it did yet more evidently begin to discover itself in its proper collours And from this period indeed it was that more and more exalting and explicating its powers it ceased not until through proud and fervid contentions of the prelats amongst themselves for precedencie more dangerous by far then al the pettie contests that could arise among Presbyters and these still varnished with he pretexts of unity peace and apostolick example but really animat by pride and ambition and accompanied with covetousness luxurie neglect of truth abounding of errors superstition and irreligion it at length arrived at the papacie which by its tyrannous infallibility and implicit faith did in the end indeed bring forth in the destroying of true knowledge and conscience an apparent peace and unity most like to that indifferencie in the matters of religion and surrender and abjection of conscience which the abettors of our supremacie do under the same plausible names and pretenses so much endeavour to introduce This being then the growth progresse and product of this Prostasia its lying pretense of remedying preventing schism in effect nothing els then the sutable revelation of that mysterie which at first did more latently begin to work under its lesse discernable appearances what judgment is to be made of it I leave to every mans ingenuity If it be objected that although the ensuing of Prelacie and Papacie and all their evils upon the ancient Episcopacy may give a colour to the premised discourse yet it is easie in such matters to strain observations and these consequences may be only its accidental and not its proper effects 'T is answered not to insist upon the natural and gradual connexion of the things represented more easie to be discerned by impartial reflection then perswaded by superfluous arguing it is very observable First that the great if not the sole reason that from the beginning hath been or can be alledged for the â—ixed presidencie viz. the eare of divisions and prevention of schisme was that which in the righteous judgment of God according to the deceivablenesse of unrighteousness was still made use of for carrying on the Mysterie of iniquitie until that at length it appeared in its own colours and discovered its effects infinitly more pernicious then the evils which it pretended to obviat 2 That in matters Religious the want of Divine institution and consequently of our Lords promise and blessing together with the actual following of bad fruits effects are a sufficient demonstration that the thing questioned is thereof properly productive I need not observe that it is upon this ground that the Popes Primacie and Headship is very justly charged with all Romes Superstitions and abominations If of old I sent them not therefore they shall not profit this People was by the Spirit of the Lord made a sure and firme conclusion shall not then the visible accomplishment I appointed it not and it hath not profited but been attended with many grievous mischiefs prove an evidence equally convincing But it is said admitting that this was indeed the course of its exaltation in these times yet the proposal of it being now made with a manifestly contrary designe and in effect to low and reduce Prelacie the preceeding representation is of
Covenant to close and comply therewith were at least to desert the Lords cause by casting away the word of his patience in this hour of temptationâ— and to give our selves to that detestable indifferency and neutrality which we have by Oath so enixly renounced Ninthly The embracing of this pretended coalition but real suppression of Presbyterian Governmentâ— would not only be a total surrender of that interest unto the will of its adversaries but ingage us into snares contests offences and temptations that may be better foreseen then they can be numbred let be prevented The Authors propone peace as the scope of their overture and yet they know nay do expresly provide a liberty for the differences and protestations that must necessarily ensue What a strange method have we here of composing strife neither by removing the grounds nor separating the parties but plainly by joyning them in their declared opposition and sworne contrary endeavours of the one to mantain and the other to extirpat to exasperate the feuds And is not this one reflection sufficient to redargue the insincerity of this whole project and to informe all men that it is not union but the very extinction of Presbytery that is thereby designed I shall not here note that the Brethren being once brought in to these meetings where there will be infallibly no less discord then inequality it is not to be doubted but the hatred envie and jealousies of the stronger against the weaker would in this juncture so fertile of occasions soon procure the latter to be deposed and ejected And that by a power which they could not so well disowne But this I am sure would in that event fall out so acceptablie to the patient that I shall not at presentâ— reckon it as an inconvenience The evills more to be considered are that as no conscientious man can rationally hold out the smallest benefite or use of edification that can arise to the Church of Christ by this so heterogenious distracted and unequal association so what can be thence expected except either the temptation of continual heats sorrowes and offences or rather according to the present too visible decay the cooling of zeal the declining to luke warmness the ensnaring of consciences conâ—iving at corrupt Acts and practices the partaking of other mens sins and the evill example stumbling and grief that will thereon redound to all the fearers of God and lovers of his righteous cause I do not here make mention of the offence of the people as some do who use it as an argument yea their main one that this Accommodation being displeasing by provoking them to withdraw from such as close with it would defeat its own design No if the thing be righteous and otherwise expedient to indulge to humors is indeed a vain popularitie And I am heartily sorry that good men in so good a cause should have bewrayed so great weakness as by insinuating a false charge of humor against the people to have not only discovered their own pusillanimitie but furnished the adversarie with so faire and plausible an advantage But leaving them in this point to G. B' s correction and him also to his vain illusion as if herein he had overcome a great part of our strength The offence that I fear prognostick from a compliance with this Accommodation is quite of another nature viz. that now in this baksliding time such a bad and influencing example may be of dangerous consequence to remove them from their stedfastness And how tender of the soul concernment of the Brethren and fearful of that wo which even he who is the blessing of all Nations hath denounced against them by whom offences come every sincere Christ an ought in this point to be I hope all interested will seriouâ—ly consider But now it is full time to conclude And therefore I say that â—eeing the termes of this Accommodation are ambiguous defective and sinâ—ul its designe and tendency most pernicious to the true Government of Gods House and the Kingdom of Iesus Christ and its whole fabrick and frame to the conviction of all discerning men only forged out by necessity and Policy and smoothed by delusion and hypocrisy on purpose to catch a small remnant of the Lords faithful Ministers witnesses against the present backslidings thereby if possible for ever to suppresse the restoring of the work of God in the Land I judge it ought to be rejected as a vain ensnaring invention So that although the hatchers should be thereby wrathfully irritat this cockatrice egg should break out into a viper yet better it be crushed for our suffering then sinfully eaten to our death destruction The reproches of ungovernable and unpeacable may indeed be bitter unto ingenuous spirits let be sincere lovers of the Prince of peace and the persecution of men may possibly proceed to afflict and vexe But seing that through Sathan and the world their known enmity against the Lord and all his followers these things are in place of the opprobry become rather the badge of truth Only let our conversation be as becometh the Gospel and let us stand fast in one spirit with one minde striving together for the pure ordinances of Gods house once given unto us nothing terrefied by our adversaries which is to them an evident token of perdition but to us of salvation and that of God for unto the faiâ—hful it is given in the behalfe of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake There is I confesse one temptation which doth more speciously insinuate and that is the losse of the liberty of the Gospel which men may possibly in their displeasure abridge or totally take from us But as this solicitude is not more praise worthy when devolved on our Lord and master then subtilly deceitful when its application is spare thy self So let none of these things move us Neither let us reckon our lives dear unto our selves so that we may finish our course with joy and the Ministry which we have received of the Lord Iesus Let therefore truth simplicity and godly sincerity be our main study and faith entire submission our only establishment knowing and on this resting that not only his peace here shall be our portion and the end everlasting life But that God can as easily of our ashes raise up Ministers to himselfe as of stones Children to Abraham And that he who hath glorified his name will glorifie it again AMEN FINIS The Copy of two LETTERS Commonly repute to have been written by the Bishop of DUMBLANE at least by him communicat to several Friends The first Letter SIR in the late Conference I had with your Friend the sum of what I said was this 1. That Episcopal-Government managed in conjunction with Presbyters in Presbyteries and Synods is not contrary either to the rule of Scripture or the example of the primitive Church but most agreeable to both 2. Yea it is not contrary to
The Case of the ACCOMMODATION Lately proposed by the BISHOP of DUMBLANE To the Non-conforming Ministers examined Wherein also The antient Prostasia or Episcopus Praeses is considered and the Solemne League and Covenant occasionally vindicat Together With a Copy of the two LETTERS Herein reviewed VVhereunto also is subjoined an APPENDIX In Ansvver to a Narrative of the Issue of the Treaty anent Accommodation II. COR. XIII V. VIII For we can do nothing against the Truth but for the Truth Printed in the 〈◊〉 〈…〉 The PREFACE ALthough there be nothing more assured both in the acknowledgement and experience of all then that the most important events of this worlds concernes do much depend upon and are frequently turned by the observation or neglect of certain midses and expedients only yea greatly recommended by this their subservient aptitude and influence yet on the other hand it is no lesse evident that in the matters of God and of our souls everlasting wellbeing even the Ordinances of life by him thereto appointed are for the most part slighted by an abstracting undervalue But as it is beyond all controversie that the full perswasion and just estimation of these high and glorious ends whereunto they are designed would quickly intend our care about all things and circumstances thereunto ordered in an agreeable proportion and also extend our commanded circumspection to a fidelity even in the things that are least so it is only unseriousness and insincerity in the main together with the diversion of other temptations that occasioneth all the indifferencie contempt and mockery wherewith we finde the simplicity meanness of Gospel-institutions commonly entertained and hence it is that not only they are despised and perverted by the vain pretenders to liberty gallantrie decencie civil obedience or the like But also they are all contending for them under the specious affectations of more calme sublime and serene contemplations and the saucy reproaches of hote disputations and bitter wranglings is endeavoured to be eluded and the things vilified into empty formalities and thereby an inlet made in the righteous judgement of God to the delusions of mens inventions How much of these truths may be remarked in the ensuing discourse I shall not here anticipat by an unnecessary reflection the point I aime at is to exhort every one desirous to be faithful to God in the midst of this evill generation wherein the strange variety and opposition of events that vve have seen do suggest such strong temptations and interest hath not more seduced mens mindes unto an irreligious lukvvarmness then their Spirits are most perniciously debauched by vvanton and vvild cavillation to studie in the first place to have the minde enlightned vvith the true knovvledge of the most High soveraignity and most pure holiness of God the most vvonderful love and marvellous condescendence of our Lord Iesus Christ and the great perfection of the holy Law and excellencie of all Gospel Oâ—diâ—â—â—â—ces and next to have the heart established through the grace of God by suitable faith and fear cleaving unto God with the whole soul and strength and hating every vain and false way Surely he that is thus qualified shall never be moved but as he will be of a good sound and quick understanding in all things so in these so much tossed debates vvhereby the most part of this backsliden and light generation at best only seeking therein the gratifications of their own curiosity are many times sadly stumbled unto greater irreligion he will easily discerne and lay hold upon the will and way of the Lord being convinced that the meanest of his matters are not of a lower appearance then of a high and in estimable tendencie To such therefore it is that I recommend and submit the ensuing disquisition if the unconcerned world do laugh if the foolish mock the wicked rage yet I hope my work is with my God its fruit shall be to all the lovers of our Lord Iesus Christ in sincerity being moved by the excessive silence of the one the immoderate boasting of the other of the two parties ingaged in this affaire to interpose for truth thus unequally treated that by this poor essay it may be in some measure vindicat and a check given to the pride and swelling words of the Adversaries is all my aime As for these of our opposites who may finde themselves more nearly touched in the few sheets subjoyned if they think me therein transported to any excesse I do assure them that it is from the ungrateful violence of their provocation and not at all the choise of my own inclination I acknowledge also that there are other Papers emitted by them then the two that I do particularly review and annexe specially a long Letter supposed to be G. B's and written by way of amplification of the former But seing I do fully discusse his Text after trial discover that his excellent noble friend's gold as he speaks is but drosse I hope he will easily pardone my not prosecuting a further fruitless search into what he calls his own ore And thus I dismiss my Reader unto the perusal of vvhat follovves READER Before thou read be pleased to correct with a pen these Errata PAg. 18 Lin. 29. read probabilities p. 19. l. 13. r. it s p. 21. l. 29. r. Rule p. 23. l. 15. r. an p. 24. l. 13. r. preach p. 28. l. 27. r. ordination p. 29. l. 17. r. the p. 52. l. 2. what r. with p. 55. l. 17. with r. which p. 68. l. 31. r. revolutions p. 68. l. 35. this r. his p. 72. l. 30. r. cussed p. 73. l. 30. expressed r. expelled p. 74. l. 25. was r. were p. 79. l. 29. r. wisdome p. 88. l. 6. preserve râ— preferre p. 92 l. 18. he r. the. ibid. l. 28. Masters r. Majestie p. 106. l. 23. your r. their p. 109. l. 18. r. change ibid. l. 29. r. enjoyed p. 114. l. 13. r. piece p. 115. l. 23. pretended r. perpended p. 118. l. 18. r. distinct The Case of the ACCOMMODATION Lately proposed by the BISHOP of DUMBLANE To the NON-CONFORMING MINISTERS Examined VVherein also The ancient Prostasia or Episcopus Praeses is considered and the Solemn League and Covenant occasionally vindicat SUch have been the high and stiff oppositions and no less contrary and important consequences of Prelacie and Presbyterie within this Church that as their Accommodation may be very desireable to all our temporizing pursuers of peace so certainly it doth no less challenge the sincere and strict search of all the followers of Truth Upon which consideration having been induced to a more particular notice of the rise procedure and issue of this affair I am resolved for the impartial vindication of the Lords ordinance of Government in his House and our engadgements thereto and in the conscience of that known precept 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to exhibit my observations upon it with the calmeness and candor suitable to such
part were certainly as little worth all the stir and vexation made about him as the Bishops their insignificant Dignities and Ceremonies were a cause inferior to the late wars which they did mostly occasion And it were a folly insufferable for wise menâ— so desirous of ease to set so little value upon so great a thing as is the peace of both Church and State disturbed by the present Episcopacy and this Presidencie offered But seeing it is evident that the thing designed by this proposalâ— is a compliance with the present establishment not only to the relaxing of conscience and the bonds of former ingagements but to the suppression and extirpation of the true Government of Gods House the acknowledging of and submitting unto the Supremacy more absurdlâ— contrary to the Power and Liberty of the Gospel then its instrument Prelacy which we have expresly and particularly abjured can the Author reasonably find fault if he rencounter in us an opposition commensurat both to the value of the prize and the measure of his own instance If men for poor perishing interests do endeavour at so high a rate to introduce their modes and inventions for no other end imaginableâ— then that by the contrivance and influence thereof they may have the Gospel Ministry and Kingdom of our Lord still in subjection unto their lusts and pleasures Should not the lovers of Gods Glory and of their own salvation the proper and great ends of all Christs institutions more vigourously resist all these their intended corruptions I maâ— not here stand to discusse the specious and flattering pretensions held out by our Adversaries as if meer subtilties were by us opposed to the solid good of the Churches peace Certainly he who remembereth how in the ancient times of the Church Satan was very cunning to set the mystery of iniquity on foot from the smallest and least suspicious beginnings yet thence by more subâ—ile and metaphysical methods then these which our Author undervalued to carry it on to the very revelation of the Man of sin and withal considereth in our own late experience the meen entrie as Kirk-commissioners and constant Moderators with the suddain elevation and corruption of King Iames his Prelats unlesse he do very supinely misregard the intimation of all present circumstances specially that of an al-swaying Supremacie already regnant can neither be ignorant of nor catched by such devices But the Peace of the Church is of great value Thus they who have troubled and overturned the righteous Peace of a wel setled Church are not ashamed to make their possession attained by wrong and violence a plea for their security in their evil way and after that by breaking their Oath and Covenant ranversing the Lords Work and Ministry they have got what theâ— desired and used force and compulsion against consciencious Nonconformists until they are wearied now they come forth to practise by flatteries a few Syrens with charmes of peace canting in Nazianzen's words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to try if these enticings may be more succesful and by a strangely comprehensive spirituality both of truth and error telling us that when one saith he is for Bishops another I am for Presbytery that we are carnal as if the Apostles censure of a divisive respect of persons were equally against the discrimination of things which the Lord himself hath certainly distinguished But as in the competition of peace the heathens saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 might have admonished the Author and seing that that peace is only precious which is founded in designed for truth so when it is meerly pretended for procuring a sinful compliance with an evil course it is but an empty delusion We know whose practice it was to heal the hurt of the Lords People slightly saying peace peace when there was no peace To pretend for nay to pursue seriously after peace without regard to Truth Righteousnesse and Reconciliation with God is only a precipitant error and lying vision But he who stands in the Counsel of the Lord and causeth his People to hear His Words should turne them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings And when the loud and harsh noises of our debates shall be turned into the sweetersound of united mourning and lamenting after the Lord then and not before may we looke that the Lord will return and cause his face to shine on us and restore unto us his favour the fountain and blessing of all other blessings This is the only way to shew our selves real supplicants for peace indeed to remove all the obsâ—ructions that may disappoint its firm enjoyment Nay this is the mean whereby the sincere seekers of the â—ord do even in the midst of tribulation attain to that superexcelling Peace of God which surely establisheth and that joy which no man takes from them But the Author still longing for and hastening to outward peace not that which the Lord left and gave to his followers exhorteth unto a temper recepâ—ive of it and that is great meeknesse and charity and no doubt in their right applicationâ— these are most beautiful graces but as they seem here to be proposed for the preposterous courting of this worlds peaceâ— I feare that they are not only unseasonably recommended in exclusion of the love of Truth and zeal of God incompatible with the Authors evil courses but with an extension of charity to rejoyce in iniquity and meeknesse towards wickednesse beyond their known and just measures It is true whatsoever party or opinion we follow in this matter the baâ—ge by which we must be known to be â—ollowers of Iesus Christ is â—his that we love on another Yet â— must take the lâ—berty to say first that in this point to confound persons and things on purpose to transfer that love and charitie we owe the former to tâ—e latter though never so detestable is but a silly sophisme He who rightly estimateth Christian love will readily acknowledge that oftentimes the wounds of a friend may be faithful when his kisses would prove deceitful Next that though the Author would alleviat our present differences as amounting to no more then opinâ—ons and humours yet I do reallâ— conceive some of them to be o that importâ— as to judge a perverse and stated enemy asserting tâ—e Supremacie to the manifest denyal of Christ's Kingdom and Government in His house not to merite the privelege of one of his Disciples nay that in order to such David's profession Do not I hate them O Lord that hate thee And am not I grieved O Lord with them that rise up against thee I hate them with perfect hatred I count them mine enemies may rather become our duty And thence it is that although this Law of love be inâ—eed of Divine right therefore would not be broken by bitter passion and revilings rooted haâ—reds foâ— things in dispute betwixt us Yet sure I am it doth as certainly admit of the foregoing exceptions as the
by Proclamation cast out both of our places pulpits and parishes and that our former Church-assemblies being all at once in the same manner suppressed we never had any station in these present meetings pretending to the succession this pitiful quibling as if we had extirpate our selves when we was in effect expulsed iâ— but a poor and weak mint at witâ— altogether insufficient to colour its obvious impertinency As to what doth here ensue for proving that the preâ—ent Episcopal-government is not the same with that which by the Covenant we abjured and concerning the acceptation that it would find in England I am sure I have considered it at that length and discussed it upon such evident and certain grounds as neither the Authors reason nor his prejudice his impartiality nor partiality with all the patience he wished us and impatience which he himself often sheweth will be able satisfyingly to removeâ— Whether then the things mentioned in this place by the Author be indeed truths as he alledgeth or grosse errors and mistakes as I have evinced and his discerning in themâ— though the best he hathâ— sound or on the contrary a palpable delusionâ— I willingly leave it to the Readers ingenuity He saith if they be truths â— he is sure they are pertinent truths towards the healing of our sad divisions â—ut when he shall make as much serious search after the cause as he seemeth to be sensible of the effects then I am sure he shall acknowledge them to be not only untruths but most impertinent However if any list to be contentions he wisheth he could say of this Churchâ— we have no such custome And this wish I confesse is very consequent to both the Authors opinion and design For as we have heard him undervalue the Ordinance and Oath of God though most convincingly sealed amongst us by the Lords Power and presence unto modes and trifles to the effect he may gain to a compliance where he can not prevail by his simulat condescendencies so at present supposing them to be as little material as the length or shortnesse of the excrementitious hair he endeavours to enervat all the just opposition of the faithful with the reproach of strange contention But seing the things that we contend for do really merite that immovable stedfastnesse and constant perseverance so much commended by our Lords command and the example of all his followers we hope the custome of perfidious time-serving which the Prelats have so much practised in this distracted Church shall never be able to counterballance it And therefore as these men have by their vain carnal and violent contentions at best for their formalities butâ— in effect for fulfilling their sinâ—ul lusts and affections not only dis-edifiedâ— but destroyed and subverted the Church of God in this Land and disobeyed and disgraced the Prince of Peace whom they pretend to follow so let us as the fearers of the God of truth and true lovers of our Lord Iesus who is the Truth and also our Peace considering his example so much the more endure contradiction despise shame and reproach fight â—he good fight keep the faith and hold fast our integrity that we may attain unto that Crown of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall give at that day unto all that love his appearing And now remaineth the Authors one word which he is sure is undeniable and he thinks very considerable and it is that he that cannot joyn with the present frame of this Church And if yow please to bring the matter nearer with the termes of the present Accommodation could not have lived in the Communion of the Christian Church in the time of the first most famous general Assembly of it the Conncil of Nice yea to go no higher though safely I might sayes he he must as certainly have separated from the whole catholick Church in the dayes of the holy Bishop and Martyr Cyprian upon this very scruple of the Government as Novatus did upon another occasion Whence the Author doth draw his assurance and whereon it is that he would have us to bestow our consideration I wish he had been more explicite That in the times to which he referres there was an Episcopacy well advanced in the Church and consequently a corruption contracted in its government and yet by all quietly comported with I do not deny and to this if it should be repliedâ— that there is a hudge disparity betwixt a corruption contracted in lawful government still holding the head and substance by our Lords authority given to His Church the worst that can be supposed of these primitive times and a Government fundamentally corrupt deriving all its power from him to whom it doth not belong and founded in an Antichristian â—upremacy the certain character of the present constitution I am confident the Author would not be able to make any satisfying reâ—urn But the true account of the matter is that in these ancient times this Prostasia having crept in and from small beginings and under very specious pretenses grown up insensibly in the Church and the mystery therein secretly working not having openly disclosed it self it is little wonder that though by the more discerning the evill might be feared yet never the lesse no remedy offering it was not directly opposed whereas in our dayes this latent corruption with its most pernicious tendency and bitterfruits being fully discovered and thereupon by us solemnly ejected and abjured and now onâ—â— re-obtruded under the guilding of some apparent condescendencies the better to suppresse the true Government of Gods house which we are bound to preserve and for establishing the Supâ—emacy the very consummation of this iniquity Certainly these things do import a most manifest difference I shall not here stand to cleare how that an Oath though taken upon a matter antecedently binding doth neverthelesse in such manner superinduce a â—urther obligation as doth not only more strictly bind to vigilance and circumspection but also to a measure of zeal against defection beyond the opposition to that same material transgression formerly required nor need I to put any in minde how that the sacrificing to the Lord in the high places permitted without reproof to Samuel David and Solomon before the building of the Temple did afterward make an exception from the integrity of succeeding Princes Certainly to judge that the continuance of an evill and a relapse into it are of the same nature and that at this time we may have the same compliance with this episcopal Presidency which once it found in the Church under quite different circumstances were grossly to confound times despise warnings trample upon deliverances and violate the Oath of God nay further to contradict even the principles of these times mentioned and that to that hight that I am assured were the same ancient Christians boasted of on liâ—e to see the sad effects that have ensued upon their well-meaning practices and the patrociny which is thence taken for the