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lieati,   de  illias  ad  te  teatentia*  atqae 
authoritate  Scribere  --  Cic,  ,   7,   ?.  ~.   !• 


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,  P.  Robinson,  ?■   mr 
-  P,  Daatoa*     DC  ?C  VI. 


£01  tf  in  you,  uaa  never  veen  juw  i^vi.       ±  u  w  j^^cumu/ 
to  two  fuch  Excellent  Terfonsyas  A/r4  Baxter  and Mr. 

A  2  Boyle, 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2012 


http://www.archive.org/details/reliquibaxterianOObaxt 


T  O    T  H  E 

RIGHT    WORSHIPFUL. 

Sir  Henry  A  flihurft  Bat 

s  i  R, 

I  Am  not  a  little  fenfible  of  the  great  Obligations  you 
laid  upon  the  Reverend  Author  of  this  following  Nar- 
rative, of  which  neither  was  his  Senfe  fmall.  Tis 
Well  kpoivn  to  me  and  others,  how  great  a  Feneration  he 
had  for  your  deceafed  Father,  whom  he  took^  to  be  one  of 
the  liveliest  In/lances  and  Emblems  of  ^Primitive 'Chri/li- 
anity  that  ever  he  was  acquainted  with.  Neither  am  I 
ignorant  of  the  very  great  ReJpeBs  he  defervedly  bore  to 
your  Self  and  Family. 

The  remembrance  of  your  fo  frm  and  generous  adhe- 
rence to  him,  in  the  Day  of  his  I  rial  and  Diflref,  feems 
to  me  greatly  to  juflifieyour  Title  to  the  Dedication  of  this 
Account  of  the  "T  erf  on  and  Labours  which  you  jo  greatly  va- 
lued, fo  publicity  ownd.  He  took^your  refolute  Appearance 
for  him9   as  a  delightful  demonUration  of  your  great  Re- 
(fieEs  to  his  great  Matter,  and  for   the  fame    Masters 
fake  unto  himfelf.     He  ventured  his  All  for  God,  and  you 
exposed  your  Self  for  hirnjo  the  fever  ely  trying  Entertain- 
ments which  he  met  with  in  open  Court,  from  Aden  of 
Tlace  and  Figure  in  that  Day  j  wherein   their  indecent 
Carriages  refleBed  great  Honour  both  on  him  and  you,  thd 
not  a  little  Difreputation  was  thereby  contraBed  to  them- 
felvcs. 

Had  not  the  Reverend  Author  placd  great  Confidence 
in  you,  Jo  great  a  Trust  as  his  lajl  Will  and  Fe/lament  re- 
posed in  you,  had  never  been  your  Lot.  To  be  Executor 
to  two  fuch  Excellent  TerfonSyOs  Mr k  Baxter  and Mr \ 

A  2  Boyle, 


The  Epiftle  Dedicatory. 


Boyle,  fixes  great  Honour  upon  jour  Name,  and  can- 
not but  raife great  Expectations  in  the  JVorld  fromyou,of 
anfwering  that  CharaBer  which  it  appears  you  had  ob- 
tained, with  two  Terfons  of  fo  great  Eminence.  "But 
(Sir)  Give  me  leave  to  tell  you,  that  the  Eye  of  God  is 
upon  you  :  and  that  his  Claims  and  ExpeBations  muH  be 
anfwerd  by  you.  Men  judge  charitably  j  but  God  judges 
of  us  as  We  are  indeed.  God  cannot  be  deceivd  j  Men  may. 
Tar  don  me,   if  I  add  what  he  once  f aid  to  me  concerning 

my  ownfelf;  Sir,  I  think  I  know  you,  but  I  am 
not  fure  I  do.  7  he  Word  came  clofe  to  me ,  and  it 
may  poffibly  beofufe  to  you  :  it  may  awaken  us  both  in- 
timately to  confider,  to  whofe  judgment  we  all  muH 
[land. 

The  Lord  fulfil in  you  and  your  hopeful  Jjfue  ,  all  the 
goodpleafure  of  his  Goodnefi  and  the  JVor\j)f  Faith y  La- 
bour of  Love,  and  Patience  of  Hope  with  power ,  Jo  as  to 
heighten  and  compleat  your  Faithfulnef  and  Figure  in  your 
Generation :  This  is  the  Prayer  and  Hope  of, 


Right  Worrtiipful, 

Yours  Humbly, 

Thankfully  and  faithfully, 
in  the  befi:  Services, 
and  fafteft  Bonds,  whilft 

MATT.  SYLVESTER. 


THE 


PREFACE 


T  O     T  H  E 


READER. 


§  i 

I  Am  very  fenfible  that  this  Memorial  of  Mr.  Baxter,  and  his  Hiftorical  Ac- 
counts of  the  Times  which  went  over  him,  have  been  long  expecled  and 
much  defired  by  the  World.  And  the  greater  the  impatience,  the  more 
feverely  the  delay  is  like  to  be  relented.  But  he  that  well  confiders,  i.  How 
confufedly  a  great  quantity  of  loole  Papers  relating  thereunto,came  into  my 
hands  ;  all  which  were  to  be  forted  and  reduced  to  their  proper  places.  2,  How 
much  other  work  was  then  incumbent  on  me.  3.  How  little  my  inJifpoied  and 
weak  hand  can  write  ;  (not  an  Oclavo  page  in  a  competently  great  character  in  an 
hour).  4. How  many  uncomfortable  Providences  have  fince  diverted  me  ;  and  could 
not  but  do  lb.  5-. How  much  time  the  orderly  difpofal  of  his  bequeathed  Library  to 
young  poor  Students,  according  to  his  Injunctions  on  me,  took  up.  6.  How  much 
time  my  Minifterial  Work  required  ;  together  with  the  unavoidable  removal  of  my 
Habitation  and  Meeting  Place,  and  the  Setling  of  my  Congregation  thereupon. 
He  that  (I  fay)  well  confiders  thefe  things  (and  more  that  I  could  lay  ,  were  it  expe- 
dient fo  long  to  detain  the  Reader  from  the  more  profitable  and  delightful  Enter- 
tainment of  the  Book  it  (elf )  will  at  leaft  abate  his  Cenfures,  if  not  quite  lay  them 
by.  However,  I  muft  and  (hall  fubmit  my  felf  unto  what  Conftruftions  the  Rea- 
der mail  think  fit  to  make  of  my  Apology  for  its  delay  fo  long. 

§11. 

As  to  the  Authour  of  the  enfuing  Treatife,  he  appears  Par  negotio,  as  being  very 
Sagacious,  Obfervant,  Impartial,  and  Faithful.    The  Things  here  treated  on  were 
Things  tranfa&ed  in  his  day,  qtraque  ipfe  vidit  j  Et  quorum  pars  magna  fuit.     Much 
he  knew  and  felt,  and  was  himfelf  a&ively  and  paffively  concerned  in,  and  the  reft 
he  was  inquifitive  after,  obfervant  of,  and  acquainted  with.     And  being  himfelf  an 
hater  of  falfe  Hiftory,  he  gave  the  greater  heed  and  diligence  to  enter   into  the 
depths  and  fprings  of  what  was  in  his  day  upon  the  Theatre  of  Action.    Much  he 
muft  be  inform'd  of  by  others  neceffarily :  and  yet  he  was  greatly  averfefrom  the 
reception  of  things  as  true,  upon  too  loofe  reports.    He  fanned  Intelligence,  and 
was  not  eafily  impofed  upon,  in  things  of  moment.     Credulity  ,  Ra/hnefs,  Partia- 
lity, and  Perfidioumeft,  Ignorance  and  Injudicioufnefs  do  ill   become  Hiftorians, 
Quu  mfcit,  primam  hifioria  Legem  ejfe,  ne  qutdfalfi  dicere  audeat  ?  deinde    ne  quid  -veri 
-non  audeat  ?  Nequa  fufptcio  gratia  fit  in  fcribendo  ?  nequa  {imultatu  ?  Cic.de  Orat.  lib.  1  r. 
and  he  had  reaibn  for  this  thought  in  that  fas  the  Lord  Bacon  well  obferves )  the 
Examples  of  our  Anceftors,  the  Vicijjitudes  of  Affairs,  the  Grounds  of  Civil  Prudence,  and 
Mens  Names  and  Reputations  do  depend  upon  the  Knowledge,  the  Judicioufneis  and 
Faithfulnefs  of  Hiftorians.     Diligent  Searches ,  deep  and  wife  Thoughts,  faithful 
Reprefentations  and  Reports,  with  honeft  Intentions ,  and  generous  Defigns  and 
Aims  at  Publick  Good,  render  Mens  Hiftories  of  Things  and  Perfons  (  as  influential 
upon  othersj  pleafantand  advantageous.    Every  one  is  not  fit  to  tell  the  World  the 
Hiftory  of  his  own  Life  and  Times :  Who  liv'd  therein  :  what  Poft  and  Station, 
Truft  and  Bufinefs,was  their  affigned  Province :  what  Characters  they  bore  through 
their  deportment  therein :  what  were  the  regent  Principles,  the  genuine  Spirit,  and 

b  w 


The  Treface  to  the  Reader, 


"main  End  and  Scope,  of  what  they  did  :  what  they  pretendedly  or  really  def.gnd  : 
what  was  the  Conduce/Tendency  and  Refult  of  their  Confute  and  Anions :  where- 
in they  truly  failed,  and  how,  and  why  ?  Such  things  as  thefe  call  tor  the  greateir 
Clearnefs,  Freedom  and  Sincerity,  Pains  and  Judgment  ;  and  I  may  add    a  great 
Concern  for  Vublick  Good,  which  is  the  lovelieft  Property ,  and  ckareft  Symptom  of  a  Urge 
and  noble  Soul    Hiftory  mould  inform,  admonifh,  inftrucl,  and  reclaim,  reform,  en- 
courage Men  that  read  it.    And  therefore  they  that  write  it  fhould  J>*^»7*  ^Wi^, 
i  e  diicern  things  Excellent  ,  and  thofe  things  in  their  difference  each  from  other, 
and  in  their  importance  to  the  Reader  ;  and  fo  take  care  that  nothing  doubtful , 
falfe  impertinent,  mean,  injurious,  cloudy,  or  needlefly  provoking  or  reflecting  be 
expofed  to  Publick  View  by  them  :  nor  any  thing  exceffive  or  defedive,  as  rela- 
ting to  the  juft  and  worthy  Ends  of  Hiftory.     The  Author  of  the  fublequent  Hifto- 
ry (  now  with  God  )  had  an  Eagle's  Eye,  an  honeft  Heart,  a  thoughtful  Soul,  a 
fearching  and  confiderate  Spirit,  and  a  concerned  frame  of  Mind  to  let  the  prefent 
and  fucceeding  Generations  duly  know  the  real  and  true  ftate  and  lilues  of  the  Oc- 
currences and  Tranfactions  of  his  Age  and  Day  ;  and  how  much  Judgment,  Truth, 
and  Candour  appear  in  his  following  Accounts  of  Things,  the  Candid  and  Impar- 
tial Reader  will  eafily  and  quickly  be  refolded  about.     Scanda!s,arifing  from  Igno- 
rance and  mifreports  of  what  related  to  our  Church  and  State  greatly  affe&ed  his 
very  tender  Spirit ;  and  the  removal  and  prevention  of  them,  and  of  what  Guilt, 
Calamities  and  Judgments  might  or  did  attend  thofe  Scandals,  was  what  induced 
Mr.  Baxter  to  leave  Pofterity  this  Hiftory  of  his  Life  and  Times. 

§  III. 
Memorable  Perfons,  Confutations,  Anions,  and  Events  (  with  their  refpe&ive 
Epochs,  Succeffions  and  Periods)  are  the  Subject  Matter  of  Hiftory  :  Propriety, 
clearnefs  and  vigour  of  Expreffion  is  what  duly  and  gratefully  reprefents  the  Matter 
to  the  Reader.  Accurate  Method  gives  advantage  to  the  Memory,  as  well  as  fatisfa- 
ftion  to  the  Judgment.  The  faithfulnefs,  fulnefs,  and  freedom  of  relation  conci- 
liates a  good  Reputation  to  the  Writer  by  its  convincing  Influences  upon  the  Rea- 
der's mind  ,•  and  thus  it  powerfully  claims  and  extorts  his  Submiffion  to  the  evident 
ci  edibility  of  what  heperufes  :  and  the  weight  and  ufefulnefs  of  the  Things  rela- 
ted makes  the  Reader  lerious,  and  concerned  to  oblerve  what  he  reads  :  for  rinding 
the  Matter  great,  the  Expreffion  proper  and  lively,  the  Current  of  the  Hiftory  or- 
derly and  exad,  and  the  Purpofes  and  Ends  various  and  important  which  the  Hi- 
ftory (iibferves,  he  accordingly  values  and  ufes  it  as  a  Treafure.  And  from  thence 
he  extracts  fuch  Maxims  and  Principles  as  may  greatly  beftead  him  in  every  Exi- 
gence, and  in  every  Station  and  Article  of  Truft  and  Concern,  and  Negotiation. 
Hiftory  tells  us  who  have  been  upon  the  Stage,  how  they  came  into  Bufinefs  and 
Truft,  what  was  the  Compafs  and  Import  of  their  Province,  what  they  themfelves 
therein  fignified  toothers ;  and  what,  others  to  them  ;  and  what  all  availed  to  Po- 
fterity, and  how  they  went  off,  and  lb  what  Figure  they  moft  deferv'd  to  make  in 
the  Records  of  Time. 

§IV. 

He  that  well  confiders  the  Nature  of  Man,  his  Relation  to  God,  God's  governing 
oi  Man,  and  the  ConducT:  of  Providence  purfuant  to  God's  concerns  with  Men,  and 
their  concerns  with  him,  as  alfo  the  Difcipline  and  Interefts  of  the  Holy  War' with 
Satatr,  will  read  Hiftory  with  a  finer  Eye  and  to  better  pur pofe  than  others  can.  To 
covet,  endeavour,  and  obtain  ability  and  furniture  from  Hiftory,  Philology  ,  Divi- 
nityt&e.  to  miniftcr  to  difcurfive  Entertainment,  or  Selfconceitednefs,  Ambition, 
Preferment,  or  Reputation  with  Men,  is  a  defign  (when  ultimate)  fo  mean  in  God's* 
Eye,  io  odious  and  noyfom  to  others,  when  by  them  difcerned,  and  ib  uncomforta- 
ble and  fatal  to  our  lelves  when  at  laft  accounted  for,  as  that  no  wife  Man  would 
terminate  and  center  himfelf,  or  his  Studies  there.  I  have  feen  all  forts  of  Learning 
differently  placed,  uied,  and  iffued.  I  can  ftay  patiently  to  fee  the  laft  Refults  of 
all.  I  have  feen  Learning  excellently  implanted  in  a  gracious  heart :  (  So  it  was  in 
Mr.  Baxter,  and  in  feveral  Prelates,  and  Conformifts  and  Non-conformifts,  and  o- 
thers :  it  is  fo  at  this  day).  I  have  feen  it  without  Grace ;  or  not  fo  evidently  un- 
der the  influehecsand  conduct  of  Grace,as  I  have  greatly  defired  it  might  have  been  * 
and  here  what  Partiality,  Malignity,  Faction ,  Domination,  Supercilioufnefs  and 
/nvc&ivcs  hath  his  Hiftory  and  other  Learning  miniftred  unto!  Indeed  fan&ified 
Learning  ruth  a  lovely  (how:  And  the  Learning  of  gracelefs  Perfons  hath  in  many 
InfUnces  and  Evidences  greatly  befriended  Gods  Intereft  in  the  Chriftian  World. 

Andf 


The  'Preface  to  the  Reader. 


And  the  Knowledge  which  could  not  keep  fbme  from  doing  Milchief  in  the  World, 
and  from  their  being  fitted  lor  Hell,  and  from  drawing  others  after  them  thither; 
hath  yet  helped  others  to  heavenlinels  and  Heaven.  But  he  that  well  conliders  whac 
Man  is  to  God,  and  God  to  Man  ;  what  an  Enemy  degenerate  Man  is  to  God  and 
himfelf  ;  what  a  ftace  and  frame  and  pofture  of  War  lin  hath  put  Men  into,  both 
againft  God,  themlelves,  and  each  other  ;  what  an  Enemy  Satan  is  to  all,  and  whac 
advantages  Sin  gives  him  againft  us;  and  how  Chrift  is  engaged  againft  Satan  for 
us,  as  the  Captain  of  our  Salvation  ;  and  how  he  manages  this  War- by  his  Spirit, 
Oracles,  Ordinances,  Officers,  and  under-Agencs  in  Church  and  State,  and  by  the 
Conduct  of  Providence  over  crowned  Heads,  Thrones,  Senates,  Armies  ,  Navies, 
greater  and  lefs  Communities,  and  fingle  Perlbns ;  in  all  things  done  by  them,  for 
them,  or  upon  rhem,or  againft  them:  how  he  ufes,and  influences  the  Faculties, Acti- 
ons,  Projects,  Confederacies,  and  Intcrefts  of  Men,  by  poizing  them  ,  changing 
them,  and  turning  them  to  his  own  purpoics  and  praile:  He,  I  fay,  that  well  attends 
to  thefe  things  in  his  Hiftorical  Readings  and  Studies,  will  (to  his  profit  and  delight) 
dilcern  God's  Providence  in  and  over  the  Affairs  of  Men  to  be  expredive  of  God's 
Name,  miniftring  to  his  avouched  purpofes,  and  a  great  Teflimony  to  his  Word 
and  Son,  and  to  his  Covenant  and  Servants 

§  V. 
And  fuch  a  Perfbn  was  the  Reverend  Author  (and  in  part  the  Subject  Matter)  of 
the  fublequent  Treadle.  He  was  an  early  Votary  to  his  God:  (o  early  as  that  he 
knew  not  when  God  engaged  him  fit  lb  unto  himfelf.  And  hence  he  in  great  mea- 
fures  elcaped  thole  Evil  Habits  and  Calamities  which  old  Age  ordinal  ily  pays  lo  dear 
for,  though  he  Laments  the  carelelnefs  and  intemperance  of  his  firfl  childifh  and 
youthful  days.  And  if  the  Header  think  it  Itrange  and  mean,  thac  thefe,  and  fbme 
other  pallages  inferior  is  jubfellij  fhould  be  inlerted  amongft  lo  many  things  far  more 
considerable,  wiitten  by  himfif\  and  publijhed  by  me,  I  crave  leave  to  reply,  i.Thac 
Confcience  is  a  tender  thing,  and  when  awaken'd,  it  accounts  no  fin  imall,  nor 
any  Calamity  below  molt  lerious  Thoughts  and  lenfible  and  Imart  Refentments,  thac 
evidently  fprings  from  the  lealt  Mifcarriage,  which  might  fand  ought  to)  have  been 
prevented.  2.  That  the  apprehenfion  of  approaching  Death  made  him  feverer 
in  his  Scrutinies  and  Reflections.  ;.  That  he  thence  thought  himfelf  concerned 
and  bound  in  duty  to  warn  others  againft  all  which  bethought  or  found  lb  very 
prejudicial  to  his  own  Soul  and  Body.  4.  That  as  mean  paffaggs  as  thele  are  to  be 
found  in  Ancient  and  Modern  Lives  and  Hiflories,  which  pals  not  under  rigid  Cen- 
iures.  j.  That  the  Author  wrote  this  his  Hiflory,  ffarfim  &  raptim,  and  it  was  ra- 
ther a  Rhapiody  than  one  continued  Work.  So  that  1  hope  that  the  obvious  ine- 
qualities of  Style  and  Matter,  (or  the  Defects  in  accuracy  of  Method  (much  more 
the  Errours  of  the  Prefs)  will  be  no  fcandal  to  the  ingenuous  and  candid  Readers. 
6.  And  as  to  my  fuffering  fuch  things  to  be  expofed  to  publick  view  ;  can  any  Man 
take  it  ill,  that  I  give  him  what  Mr.  Baxter  left  with  me  to  this  end  ?  and  had  I 
thought  to  have  expunged  fome  things,  and  to  have  altered  others ,  I  could  not 
have  faid  as  he  himfelf  did  (in  his  Preface  to  the  Lord  Chief  Juftice  Hale's  Judg- 
ment of  the  Nature  of  true  Religion  )  c  I  take  it  as  an  intolerable  Piaculum  to  put 

any  altering  band  of  mine  to  the  Writings  of  fuch  a  Man But  to  pafs  by  this > 

His  ferioulhefs  in  and  about  the  greateft  things, and  his  folicitous  care  tofavehis  own 
and  others  Souls,  and  his  great  zeal  for  Holinels,Truth,  Concord  and  Peace  amongft 
all  Chriftians  abroad,  and  in  thefe  Kingdoms,  made  him  (  when  capable  thereof,) 
to  mind  how  Matters  ftood  betwixt  God  and  usj  and  to  enter  into  the  Springs  of 
Publick  Affairs  and  Actions  in  Church  and  State  :  and  to  take  notice  of  the  Origi- 
nals, Inftruments,  Principles,  Progrefs,  Tracts,  Traverfes,  and  Refults  of  Things. 
How  Men  were  placed,  lpirited,  influenced  and  engaged :  and  how  herein  they 
mini  fired  to  the  woes  or  welfare  of  the  Publick,  of  themlelves,  and  of  Poftericy. 
And  very  loth  he  was  that  all  fhould  be  impoled  upon  and  injured  by  partial  or 
falfe  Hiitory ;  and  fo  become  Deceivers  or  Deceived,  and  Scandalizers  or  Scanda- 
lized. He  well  confidered  what  a  faithful  Hiftory  of  his  Times  might  import  to  all. 
And  hence,  having  had  fuch  perfect  underftanding  of  all  the  Things  here  treated 
on,  from  the  firft,  bethought  it  not  amifs  to  write  the  chiefeft  of  them  in  order; 
that  others  might  know  the  certainty  of  things,  to  the  better  inftitution  of  after 
Conduct  and  Deportment :  and  (if  it  may  yet  be)  to  call  the  Guilty  of  all  Parties 
yet  alive,  to  due  Repentance,  and  Returns  to  God. 

b  2  §  VI 


The  ^Preface  to  the  Reader. 


The  following  Hiftory  takes  a  confiderable  compafs  (  from  A.  D.  rfi%  to 1684.) 
anl it  wl U  en  e^in  cheLader  with  no  final!  variety  of  ufeful  and  de .ghifo  Matter. 
«     .        . ,..n:a,.<.,„f^^  ^Am  k nd  and  nowerful  Dealings  with  him- 


which  made  his  heart  to  turn  anu  n<»iu  iww*.^  «««  7  -.. •  1.  • 

and  felicitous  about  his  pardon  from,  fellowftip  with  devotednefs  to,  and  living 
with  God  in  the  heavenly  glory.  Then  God  acquainted  him  with  his  natural,  de- 
generate and  loft  felf,  till  Chrift  by  Grace  befriended  and  relieved  him.  When  ma- 
king towards,  and  brought  to  Chriir,  he  is  prefently  and  fenfibly  engaged  in  fecret 
and  open  War  with  Satan  and  his  own  (elf.  And  here  his  Conflicts  and  Temptations 
are  gradually  and  wifely  ordered  him,  and  let  loofeupon  him ;  but  every  way  luic- 
ed  to  his  ft  rength  and  benefit.  His  Exercifes  were  and  muft  be  fuch  as  (hall  put  him 
to  deep  Thoughts,  clofe  Studies,  ftricl:  Guards  and  Watchings,  fervent  Prayer,  and 
a  quick  fenfe  of  the  Neceflity  of  daily  help  from  Heaven.  And  Satan  is  permitted 
to  attack  him  in  all  the  Articles  of  his  Chriftian  Faith,  and  in  the  Foundation  ot 
his  Heavenly  Hopes.  He  was  fo  feverely  urged  by  Satan  to  Atheifm,Scepticilm,  In- 
fidelity, and  followed  with  fuch  perplexing  Difficulties  and  amazing  Intricacies  a- 
fcout  both  Natural  and  Revealed  Religion,  as  that  he  had  concerned  and  earneit 
breathings  after,  value  of,  and  refolution  for  full  Satisfaction  about  both  the  Foun- 
dations and  Superflruaure  of  Religion.  Slight  Studies ,  precarious  though  confi- 
dent AlTertions,  the  Publick  Vogue  and  Suffrages  of  Men,  Worldly  Intereits,  Popu- 
lar Applaufes,  and  Flefhly  Eafe,  could  fet  no  flints  and  limits  to  his  inquifitive  Mind 
and  painful  Searches.  His  Soul  ever  lay  open  to  Evidence:  His  Eye  was  firft  upon 
the  Matter  to  find  out  that  :  he  then  confidered  Words  as  the  fit  Portrai&ures  of 
Things,  and  Reprefentations  of  Humane  Apprehenfions  to  mutual  Information  2- 
bout  Tilings  and  Words.  And  when  he  obfej  ved  Words  to  he  fo  equivocal,  and  of 
iiich  lax,  uncertain  fence,  he  was  ever  careful  to  give  Expreflions  their  ftricl:  and  juft 
Interpretations,  and  to  be  clear  about  the  fixed  fenfe  of  doubtful  Terms.  And  from 
the  accuracy  of  his  Judgment,  and  finenefs  of  his  Thought,  and  from  the  impetu- 
oufnefs  of  his  Defires  and  endeavours  to  know  Things  clearly,  orderly  and  diftincTr- 
ly,  arofe  that  multitude  and  variety  of  Diftindions,  ( many  whereof  were  thought 
unufual,  though  I  never  thought  yet  any  of  them  ufelefs  and  impertinent  as  impro- 
ved by  him)  which  ufually  accompanied  his  Difcourle  and  Writings.  But  ( to  con- 
clude this  Head)  clear  knowledge  of  the  Name  and  Kingdom  of  God  in  Chrift, 
well  grounded  Faith,  lively  Hopes,  rational  Satisfaction  about  the  Safety  of  his  State 
and  S-)ul,  the  Soundnefoand  due  Furniture  of  his  Inner  Man  in  order  to  his  fulfilling 
afcer  God  and  Chrift,and  an  Exemplary  Holy  Life,an  happy  Death,a  joyful  Refurre- 
&ion,  thefe  were  the  Plcafure,  Ambition  and  Employment  of  his  Life  j  as  alio  to  be 
found  in  Chriff,and  every  way  faithful  and  fruitful  tohim.A.nd  by  what  Inftru men ts, 
otepsand  Methods,  God  brought  him  hitherto,  this  following  Account  of  his,  from 
his  own  Pen  will  tell  you.  As  alfo  to  what  he  ever  had  recourfefor  his  own  Perfbn- 
al  Satisfaction  and  Red reis,  and  how  God  exercifed  and  ufed  his  Parts  and  Thoughts 
herein. 

You  have  here  the  Hiflory  of  his  Minifterial  Self.  God  fet  upon  his  Soul,  as  one 
relolvd  to  qualifie  and  anoint  it  in  no  ordinary  manner,  for  that  Sacred  Fun&ion, 
whereunto  (  after  many  Temptations  and  Attempts  to  fix  him  in  fome  other  Stati- 
on and  Employment,  both  from  others  and  himfelf )  by  the  Call  and  Condud  of 
his  heavenly  Mafter,  he  applied  and  kept  himfelf  at  laft.  God  throughly  made  him 
in  (r  to  know  the  Soul  which  he  had  breathed  into  him,  as  to  its  Faculties,  Capaci- 
ties, Woith  and  Ufefulnefs.     God  made  him  feel  and  mind  that  Body  wherein  this 

.1  of  his  was  lodged  ;  and  wherein  and  how  far  his  better  Part  might  be  helped 
or  hinder'd  thereby  :  and  the  two  Worlds  whereto  both  Soul  and  Body  were  rela- 
ted :  and  v.herewith  they  were  varioufly  concerned.  And  in  this  World  God  ftVd 
him  in  fuch  a  Profped  of  another,  as  made  him  intimately  and  fharply  feel  both 
what,  and  where,  amidft  what  Circumftances,  and  to  what  purpofes  he  laere  abode 
Tn  painful,  exercifed  and  declining  Fiefh.  And  all  this  gave  him  great  Advantages 
and  Inducements  to  deal  more  clolely,  skilfully,  diligently,  and  conftantly,  and  im- 
portunately with  Souls,  about  their  great  Concern?.     And  what  a  Tranfcripc  God 

made  him  of  what  the  Apoftle  fpcaks  asto  himfelf -md  Timothy,  in  Col.  1.3k 29. 

the  following  Hiftory  of  his  Ktdderminfler  (and  other)  Labours  and  Succefles  in  the 
Gofpel,  will  convince  you  to  great  Satisfaction:  as  alfo  of  what  Oppofitions  and 
Deliverances  and  Prefervations  he  met  with  there. 

And 


The  ^Preface  to  the  Reader. 


And  you  have  here  fbme  Tafts  and  Informations  of  his  Thoughts  and  Studies ; 
and  of  his  Books  and  Letters  to  divers  Perfons,  of  different  Stations  and  Quality, 
and  alfo  of  what  Pens  and  Spirits  wrote  againft  him.  He  was  of  fuch  Repute  and 
Figure  in  his  day,  as  that  many  coveted  to  fee  his  Face,  to  hear  his  Voice  ,  and  to 
receive  his  Refolution  of  weighty  Cafes  of  Conscience  propofed  to  him.  And  in  all 
this  you  will  find  that  verified  of  him,  which  the  Lord  Bacon  hath  deliver'd  from 
his  Pen,  viz,.  Much  Reading  makes  Men  full  :  Much  Writing  makes  them  judicious  and 
acute  :  and  much  Converfation  makes  them  ready.  I  have  been  amazed  to  fee  how  ha- 
itily  he  turned  over  Volumes ,  how  intimately  he  underltood  them,  how  ftrangely 
he  retained  his  Reading,md  how  pertinently  he  could  ufe  it  to  every  propofed  Cafe. 
Men  ftayed  not  long  lor  what  they  wrote  to  him  about :  and  what  he  wrote  was 
to  great  fatisfadtion  and  to  the  pui  pofe.  He  wrote  his  Books  with  quick  difpatch  ; 
and  never,  but  when  he  thought  them  needful,  and  his  duty  then  to  write  them. 
And  when  as  the  Reader  well  confiders  his  Apology  lor  his  Books  hereafter  menti- 
oned, let  him  but  ferioufly  weigh  what  is  alledged,  and  accordingly  form  hisCen- 
fures.  His  mentioned  and  recited  Cafuiffical  Letters  and  Books,  favour  at  leait  of 
Thought  and  Pains ;  and  perhaps  the  Readers  patient  and  attentive  minding  of 
both  his  mention'd  Books  and  Letters  will  not  be  lois  of  time  and  pains.  And 
though  through  too  much  hafte  and  heedlefnefs,  fome  few  Efcapes  (perhaps  Inac- 
curacies) in  the  beginning  may  dilfa'fe  his  curious  eye;  yet  a  very  few  Pages  fol- 
lowing will  yield  him  better  Entertainment. 

§  VII. 
But  the  great  things  which  are  as  the  Spirit  of  this  Hiftory,  are   the  Accounts  he 
gives  of  the  Original  Springs  and  Sources  of  all  thefe  Revolutions,  Diffractions  and 
Difaflers  which  happen  d  from  the  Civil  Wars  betwixt  King  Charles  the  Firff ,  to  the 
Reftoration  of  Charles  the  Second,  and  what  was   Confequent  after  thereupon  to 
Church  and  State.     And  here  we  fhall  find  various  and  great  Occurrences  fpringing 
from  different  Principles,  Tempers  and  Interefts ;  directed  to  different   Ends,  and 
refolved  into  different  Events  and  IfTues.     The  Hiftorian  endeavours  to  be  faithful, 
candid,  and  fevere.     Nothing  of  real  ferviceable  Truth  would  he  conceal.  Nothing 
but  what  was  influential  on,  and  might,  or  did  affect  thePublick  Intereft  would  he 
expofe  to  Publick  View.    Nothing  rhat  might  be  capable  of  candid  Interpretation 
or  Allay,  would  he  feverely  cenfure.     Nothing  notorioufly  criminal,  and  fatal   to 
the  Common  Good  would  he  pafs  by  without  his  juft  Refentments  of  it,  and  fevere 
Reflections  on  ir.     As  to  his  immediate  Perfonal  acquaintance  with,  or  knowledge 
of  the  things  reported  by  him,  I  know  no  further  of  that ,  than  as  he  himfelf  re- 
lates.    As  to  what  he  received  from  others  by  Report,  how  far  his  Information  was 
true  or  falfe,  1  know  not.     Indeed  I  wrote  ('with  render  and    affectionate  refpect 
and  reverence  ro  the  Doctors  Name  and  Memory)  to  Madam  Owen  to  defire  her 
to  fend  me  what  fhe  could,  well  attefted,  in  favour  of  the  Doctor,  that  I  might  in- 
lert  it  in  the  Margent,   where  he  is  mentioned  as  having  an  hand  in   that  Affair  at 
TValltngford  Houfe  ;  or  that  I  might  expunge  that  paffage.     But  this  offer   being  re- 
jected with  more  comempruoufnefs  and  fmartnefs  than  my  Civility  deferved,  I  had 
no  more  to  do  than  to  let  that  pafs  upon  Record:  and  to  rely  upon  Mr.  Baxter's  re- 
port,and  the  concurrent  Teftimoniesof  fuch  as  knew  the  Intreagues  of  thofe Times. 
Yet  that  I  might  deal  uprightly  and  upon  the  fquare,  I  have  mention'd  this  (though 
obiter)  to  teftitie  my  Refpe&s  to  him  with  whom  I  never  was  but  once :  but  I  was 
treated  by  him  then  with  very  great  Civility  indeed. 

§  VIII. 

I  cannot  deny  but  it  would  have  been  of  great  advantage  to  the  acceptablenefs, 
and  utefulnefs  of  this  Book,  had  it's  Reverend  Author  himfelf  revifed,  com  pleated, 
and  corrected  it,  and  publilhed  it  himfelf.     I  am  fure  it  had  minilrred  more  abun- 
dantly to  my  fatisfaction  :  for  I  neither  craved  nor  expected  fuch  a  Truft  and  Lega- 
cy as  his  Manufcripts.     Nor  knew  I  any  thing  of  this  his   kind  purpofe  and  will, 
till  two  or  three  days  before  he  dyed.     My  Heart  akes  exceedingly  at  every  remem- 
brance of  my  incumbent  Truft :  and  at  the  thoughts  of  my  Account  for  all  at  laft. 
I  am  deeply  fenfible  of  mv  inability  for  fuch  Work  ;  even  to  difcouragement,  and 
no  fmall  Conlfemation  of  Spirit.     I  want  not  apprehenfions  of  the  Pardon  which  f 
mall  need  from  God,  and  Candour  from  Men,  both  which  I  humbly  beg  for  as  up- 
on the  knea.     I  know  the  heart  and  kindnefs  and  clemency  of  my  God  through  Je- 
fus  Chrift  :  But  I  know  not  yet  what  Men  will  think,  fpeak,  write  concerning  me. 
God  fpeak  to  Men  for  me,  or  give  me  Grace  and  Wifdom  to  bear  and  to  im- 
prove 


The  Treface  to  the  Reader. 


prove  their  Cenfures  and  Reflexions,  if  fuch  dungs  muft  be  my  Difcipline  and  Lot 

Quo  quijque  efi  major  magu  eH  placabilis  ira 

Et  faciles  motm  mens  Generofa  captt. 
Corpora  Magnanimo  fatu  efi  frofirajje  Leom 

Vugna  fuum  finem  cum  jacet  ho  flu,  habet. 
At  lupus  &  turpes  mftant  Morientibus  urfi 

Et  quacuneiue  minor  nobilitate  fera  efi. 

Ovid.  Triit.  Eleg.  iv. 

However  let  the  Reader  bear  with  me  if  I  attempt  to  obviate  what  I  apprehend 
moft  likely  forMen  to  reply  and  urge  upon  me,by  offering  thefe  things  to  ferious  and 
impartial  Thoughts,  relating  to  i.  The  Author,  2.  The  Treatije,  2.  The  Publication, 
And  4.  My  felf. 

Firft  the  Author. 

1.  He  was  one  who  lov'd  to  fee  and  fet  things  in  their  cleareft,    and  moft  genuine 
Light ;  he  well  confidered  what  fort  and  fize  of  Evidence  and  Proof  all  things 
were  capable  of.     Matters  of  Senfe  are  evident  by  their  due  Appulfes  on  the  Senfes. 
Matters  of  Podrinal  Truth  by  Demonttration  5  Matters  of  Hiltory  by  credible 
report :  and  he  could  confider  well  how  Certainty  and  Probability  differed.    Nor 
was  he  willing  to  be  impofed  upon,  or  deceived  through  Prejudice,  Lazinels,  Inte- 
reft,  or  a  fadious  Spirit.     To  lay  he  never  was  miftaken  (  for  undoubtedly  he  had 
his  Errours  and  Miftakes,  fome  of  them  retracted,  and  publickly  acknowledg'd  by 
him  when  difcern'd)  is  to  attribute  more  to  him,  than  any   meer  Man  can  fay : 
and  more  than  any  impartial  and  fevere  Student  will  arrogate  to  himfelf.     I  mall 
never  call  the  Rerradation  of  a  difcovered  Errour  or  Miftake,  a  Fault  j  but  rather 
a  commendable  Excellence  :  and  I  judge  it  better  to  argue  clofely,  than  bitterly  to 
recriminate  or  traduce.     Truth  needs  neither  Scoff  nor  Satyr  to  defend  it. 

2. This  made  him  fo  felicitous  to  leave  behind  him  fuch  an  Impartial  Account  of  the 
Hiflory  of  his  Times,  and  of  his  own  Endeavours  in  his  place  and  day  to  promote 
Holinefs,  Truth  and  Peace. 

3.  He  hence  obferv'd  how  thele  great  Concerns  were  either  promoted  or  ob- 
ftruded  ;  and  by  whom.  What  was  amifs,  or  right ,  either  in  himfelf  or  others, 
&c. 

4  He  wm  concerned  to  prevent  Mifapprehenfions,  Prejudice,  Cenfures  and  Scan- 
dals for  time  to  come  ;  to  call  the  Guilty  to  Repentance ;  to  clear  the  Innocentjand 
warn  the  piefent  and  (ucceeding  Generations  againft  their  being  fplit  upon  the  like 
Rocks ;  to  lay  all  Mifcarriages  at  their  right  Doors ;  and  to  undeceive  Forreign 
Churches  and  Kingdoms,  and  to  deliver  them  from  being  impofed  on,  by  falfe  Re- 
prefentations  of  our  Affairs  at  home. 

5".  He  had  an  acrimonious  pungent  S'.ile  indeed,  contracted  by  his  plain  dealing 
with  obf'Hnate  Sinners ;  which  he  told  me  was  much  feverer  than  his  Spirit  was.  He 
lov'd  to  give  Sins  and  Sinners  what  Names  might  make  themfelves  and  all  Men 
moff  feniible  oft  heir  aggravated  Crimes.  And  yet  he  was  averfe  from  blackningthem 
more  than  there  was  reafbnfor  in  his  judgment :  and  from  concluding  Men  grace- 
lels  or  hopelefs  from  any  particular  Mifdemeanoursor  Defeds. 

6.  He  was  publick  fpirited,  and  valued  not  ('nor  would  he  be  fwayed  by) Parties, 
Names  or  lntcrelh.His  Soul  was  drawn  out  to  a  greater  length,  and  wrought  into  a 
finer  temper  ,  than  to  over-look  any  thing  truly  Excellent  and  Worthy  in  any  one, 
though  or  a  different  Character  and  Perforation  from  himfelf,  as  to  things  of  a  lower 
Nacurc,and  confident  with  the  Spirit  and  great  Defigns  of  Chriliianity.  1  have  heard 
him  great  and  copious  in  his  Commendations  of  feveral  Prelates  and  Conform  iff  s.  And 
let  the  Reader  pardon  me  if  I  tell  him  the  Right  Reverend  the  Archbifhop  of  Canter- 
buryfir.TemJonjhz  Reverend  piefent  Biihops  otWorcejhr  and  £/y,were  exprefly  men- 
tion'd  by  him  to  me  as  Peifbns  greatly  admired,  and  highly  valued  by  him  ;  and 
oi  their  rcadinefs  to  ferve  the  Publick  Interdr,  both  Civil  and  Religious,  he  told  me 
he  doubted  not.  And  for  feveral  of  their  excellent  and  ufeful  Labours,  I  think  my 
4e\i  (amongfr  many  others)  obliged  to  b!e(>  Cod,  and  thank  them  ;  though  I  be 
unknown  to  them,  and  indeed  defervcdly  below  their  NoticeJ  His  great  Concern 
and  vehement  Defire  was  Lr  a  Compiehenfion  fie  to  include  all  peaceable,  ufefuj, 
fober  Perfons.  And  he  thought  it  not  iinpofTible  nor  incongruous  to  fix  upon  Foun- 
ions  large  and  ilrong  enough,  fo  as  to  t:ke  in  all  that  might  fuly  contribute  to 

Publick 


The  Treface  to  the  Reader. 

Publick  Welfare,  into  one  good  Confh'cution  and  Eftablilhmenr.  And  to  my 
knowledge  many  are  animated  with  the  fame  Defires.  May  not  the  Church  or 
England  be  more  evidently  beautiful,  large  and  fafe  hereby  ?  And  though  Authori- 
ty has  not  yet  wrought  us  up  to  this,  I  humbly  judge  that  amicable  Converfation 
amonglt  thofe  that  attend  our  refpecliye  Miniftry,  and  among  us  Minifters  our 
felves,  would  mew  to  all  that  we  are  propenfe  to  Peace  and  Love,  and  to  mutual 
Ufefulnefs  and  Endearments.  It  feems  tome  mod  ftrange  and  hateful ,  that  diffe- 
rent Sentiments  about  difputable  Matters,  fhould  alienate  Affections,  banifh  Civili- 
ties of  Converlation,  and  fcarce  be  enquired  into,  and  debated  about,  without  fcur- 
rilous  Refle&ions  and  enflamed  PalTions.  Rage  and  force  may  produce  Hypocrites 
or  Adveriaries,  but  fcarce  ever  hearty,  ferious  Converts :  13ut  for  Men  tO  be  hired, 
cheated,  frighted  into  a  Change  of  Sentiment ,  is  very  odd  indeed.  Truth  and 
Faithfulnefs  are  very  valuable  things  ;  and  to  me  as  worthy  of  a  Commendation  in 
a  Conforming  as  in  a  Non-conformilr,  &  viceverfii.  Nor  mall  I  count  things  bet- 
ter or  worfe  for  the  fake  of  Peribns  in>u4*om  I  meet  with  them.  Truth  and  Good- 
nefs  make  Men  worthy,  but  what  can  they  derive  from  Men  ?  God  hath  mewed 
them  to  us  in  their  proper  Evidence,  fit  for  Diicovery  by  impartial  Search,  and  at 
our  peril  is  it  to  rejed  them  :  Neither  can  any  Mans  Confidence  or  Paflion, 
change  their  Nature  or  juftifie  our  Refufal  or  Miirakes  thereof.  No  wonder  then  If 
this  Reverend  Author  be  fo  impartially  free- in  both  his  Narratives  and  Characters, 
whiMt  the  Publick  lntereft  was  fo  much  in  his  Eye,  and  lay  fb  preflingly  on  his 
heai  t. 

7.  Whilftfo  devoted  to  the  publick  good  of  Church  and  State,  he  obferved  Per- 
ibns, enquired  into  Things,  ftudied  Expedients,  confulted  God  and  Man,  to  know, 
what  was  the  likelieft  way,  to  heal  the  Wounds,  and  fettle  the  Peace  and  Welfare 
of  Church  and  State  :  and  how  to  do  this  regularly  and  luccefs fully  ,  was  the  fblici- 
tous  Inquelt  and  Endeavour  of  his  Soul:  and  if  he  did  miltake  his  way,  it  was  not 
wilfully,  but  through  infirmity. 

8.  But  his  defeated  Expectations  and  Endeavours  amidft  thofe  many  Revolution? 
in  his  time,  from  which  refiilted  hindrances,  neither  few  nor  mean,made  him  more 
ftriclly  to  take  the  Minutes  of  Proceedings  and  Events,  as  they  occurred;  and  fo 
to  make  fbme  fit  Remarks  thereon.  And  having  thus  furnifhed  himfelf  with  ape 
Materials  and  Memoirs,  he  at  laft  digefted  all  into  this  following  Hiltory ;  which 
you  have  faithfully  from  his  own  Original  ;  abating  fome  corrigenda.  Some 
little  words  fupply'd  here  and  there  which  currente  calamo  were  left  out.  Some  final! 
Chafms  to  be  rill'd  up,  whereto  the  current  Sence  directed  us.  And  in  {owe  Letters 
here  inferted,  not  being  by  himielf  tranferibed,  the  words  being  fbmething  lefs  le- 
gible than  others,  they  mult  be  almolt  guefTed  at.  Though  thefe  were  few  and  no 
way  afFe&ing  the  Sence  confiderably.  And  fbme  Repetitions,  through  the  Au- 
thor's own  forget  fulnefs,  left  out.  But  the  Hiltory  is  entirely  his,  tranicribed  and 
published  as  fuch  from  his  own  Copy,  which  I  keep  by  me  for  my  own  Vindication 
carefully  ;  and  as  a  Memorial  of  himfelf  with  me. 

Secondly,  As  to  the  Hljiory. 

1,  Of  what  Concern  and  Corrfequence  the  Matter  of  it  is,  the  patient  arid  dili  • 
gent  and  judicious  Reader  may  foon  difeern.  Weighty  things,  when  fully  ,  credi- 
bly, and  impartially  related,  do  readily  commend  themfelves  to  the  Reader's  Ac- 
ceptation, and  they  do  as  readily  meet  therewith,  where  Ingenuity  and  Candour  do 
prevail.  What  thefe  things  are  which  the  Hiftorian  mainly  infifts  upon  ,  may  be 
difcover'd  quickly  by  reading  over  the  Contents  thereof ;  whereto  1  would  refer 
the  Reader.  Firft,  Left  the  firft  meet  or  two,  through  their  Graphical  inaccuracy, 
fhould  be  olTenfive  to  him,  and  fb  difcourage  his  progreflive  Reading :  The  Hilto- 
ry takes  it's  rife  indeed  a  leviufculis ,from  meaner  things ;  which  (feeing  the  Author 
feem'd  defirous  and  refolv'd  to  infert  upon  Reafbns  beft  known  to  himfelf  )  indeed 
I  durft  not  blot  out,  Readers  (  and  Friends  to  the  deceafed  )  may  be  of  various 
Appetites  and  Humours ;  and  different  Things  may  have  their  different  Relifhes 
from  varioufly  difpoled  Palates.  Why  may  not  Hiftories  take  their  ftart  fromfmaU 
ler  Matters,  and  lb  proceed  to  greater  •  as  well  as  the  material  Origination  of  the 
Univerfe  from  its  Chaos,  and  of  Humane  Bodies  from  their  firft  Duft  or  Seed  ?  I 
do  indeed  profefs  my  grief  and  fhame  that  they  efcaped  me  Co  inadvertently,  but  I 
was  thenbereav'dof  that  Compofure  in  my  Thoughts  (through  the  tremendous* 
Hand  of  God  upon  me  otherwifey  which  I  will  not  now  relate)  for  otherwile  my. 
Caution  had  been  greater,  and  ib^  thofe  Sheets  and  other  Paifages  more  correct 


.     .  - .-        ■  -  -  •■  —  •■         "     —  "* 

The  Trefaee  to  the  Reader. 


ThaTnS^r  time  nor  ftSntfTto  attend  theSefs,  fo  a  s  to  in  fceftTh  ^JP™^ 
fheet  by  Iheec ;  and  thereupon  I  trufted  to  the  promifed  Care  of  the  Booklellers 
but I  found upon  review  the  Errata  to  be  more  numerous  and  grofsby  far  than  ever 
Iexoeded  Tdf  the  Candid  Reader  will  corred  the  Errata  as  they  are  ren- 
LXo4ible  to  his  view,  I  fhall  think  my  felf  greatly  obliged  to  him.  But  if 
fh ^LTS  nrVH^riealSalutedilpleafe  him,  as  being  much  beneath  h,s  expect- 
ed Entertainment  one  hours  reading  I  hope  he  will  find  to  be  the  utmoft Exer- 
cifeof  his  Patience,  from  the  meannefs  of  the  Matter  at  his  Entrance  into  the 
Book. 

II  As  to  the  Author's  ordering  and  digefting  of  his  own  Memoirs,  a  Rhapfody 
it  now  appears  •,  and  as  to  method  and  equality  of  Stile,  fomewhat  below  what 
curious  Readers  might  exped;  yea,  and  from  what  it  had  been,  had  it  but  palled 
the  Author's  finder  Thoughts  and  View.  Yet  we  (hall  find  the  Hi ftory  greatly 
ufeful,  though  not  exadly  uniform  ;  nor  is  it  fo  confufed,  as  to  be  incapable  ot  ea- 
fie  References  and  Reductions  to  fuch  proper  Order  as  may  beft  pleafe  the  Reader : 
if  the  Delign  be  clear  and  worthy,  viz,,  to  fet  in  open  Light  the  degenerate  Age 
he  lived  in  :  the  magnalia  of  Grace  and  Providence  as  to  himfelf  :  his  Sdf-cenlunngs 
on  all  occafions :  Caution  and  Condud  unto  others:  and  tracing  all  Events  to 
their  genuine  Sources  and  Originals,  the  judicious  Reader  will  improve  fuch  things. 
There  were  feveral  Papers  looiely  laid,  which  could  not  eafily  be  found,  when 
needed.  And  the  defedivenefs  of  my  very  much  declining  Memory,  made  me  for- 
get (  and  the  more  becaufe  of  hafte  and  bufinefs  )  where  I  had  laid  them  after  I 
had  found  them.  And  fome  few  Papers  mention'd,  and  important  here  ,  are  not 
yet  found,  though  fearch'd  after;  which  yet  hereafter  may  be  brought  to  light 
amongft  fome  others,  intended  for  the  Publick  View,  if  God  permit.  The  Reve- 
rend Author  wrote  them  at  feveral  times,  as  his  other  Work  and  Studies,  and  fre- 
quent Infirmities  would  admit  of.  And  he  was  more  intent  upon  the  Matter  than 
the  Method  :  and  finding  his  Evening  Shadows  growing  long,  as  the  Prefage  of  his 
own  approaching  and  expeded  Change,  he  was  willing  (through  the  importunity 
of  his  Friends)  to  haften  the  compleating  of  his  Works  before  he  died.  And  he 
had  rather  that  the  Work  was  done  fomewhat  imperfedly  ,  than  not  at  all.  It  is 
true  indeed,  that  he  hath  left  us  nothing  of  the  laft  Seven  years  of  his  Life,  lave  his 
Apology  for  his  accufed  Varafhrafe  and  Notes  on  the  New  Testament  ,  for  which  he 
was  ib  fiercely  profecuted ,  imprifoned,  traduced  and  fined.  And  though  fome 
prefTed  me  to  draw  up  the  Supplemental  Hiftory  of  his  Life,  yet  the  wifelt  that  I 
could  confult  advifed  me  to  the  contrary  :  and  I  did  take  their  counfel  to  be  right 
and  good;  for  I  well  knew  my  felf  very  unable  to  do  that  uniformly  with  the  reft ; 
and  I  was  not  inclined  to  obtrude  upon  the  World  what  was  not  Mr.  Baxters.  Pre- 
carious Reputation  I  affed  not.  That  Fame  cannot  be  rightfully  my  own  which 
is  not  deferved  by  me.  And  if  this  Preface  and  my  fubjoyned  Sermon  be  but  can- 
didly received,  or  moderately  cenfured,  and  any  way  tributary  to  the  Reader's 
benefit ,  I  Ihall  rejoyce  therein ,  and  not  exped  his  undeferved  Commenda- 
tion. 

III.  I  am  well  aware  (  and  think  it  worth  my  while  to  take  notice  )  of  feveral 
Things  which  may  awaken  Prejudice,  Genfure,  or  Difpleafure  ,  and  occafion  (  if 
not  caufe  )  Objedions  and  Offence,  as  to  the  Treatile  and  my  felf;  which  I  would 
obviate  and  prevent  (  at  leaft  allay  )  if  poflible.    I  neither  love  to  kindle  Flames, 
nor  to  enrage  them,  nor  to  contribute  the  leaft  breath  or  fewel  to  them.    I  am  for 
Faithfulnefs  and  Truth  in  the  fofteft  ftile  and  way  confiftent  with  the  Ends  and 
Intereft  thereof.    Flattering  Titles  and  needlefs  Pungencies  I  diftaft.    What  was 
the  Author's,  is  not  mine.    To  publifh  is  not  always  to  allent.     And  if  Modefty 
and  Self  diffidence  do  make  me  refrain  from  Cenfures  and  Corredions  and  Expun- 
dions,  can  that  be  efteemed  culpable  ?  Efpecially  when  it  is  vel  (ok  Meridiano  da* 
nm,  to  both  my  felf  and  every  Man,  how  much  my  Knowledge,  Parts,  Judgment, 
Holinefs  and  Advantages  to  know  what  he  Reports  and  Cenfures,  come  fhorc  of 
what  his  were.    Molt  of  the  Perfons  (  if  not  well  nigh  all  ;  cenfured  by  him  , 
were  altogether  unknown  to  me  :  Nor  do  I  find  them  all,  or  many,  mentioned  by 
him  as  utterly  ungodly  or  undone.    But  as  far  as  Mifcarriages  or  Negleds  upon  the 
Publick  Stage  did  minifter  to  Sufpicion,  and  ( to  the  prejudice  thereof)  affed  the 
Publick  Intereft  ;  fo  far  they  are  remarked  by  him  with  refentmenc    If  juftfy,  the 
I  quity   will  juuific  the  Cenfure;  and  evidently  fhew  how  much  the  Intereft  of 
Church  and  State  lay  nearer  to,  and  more  upon  his  Heart  than  private  Friendfhip 

or. 


The  ^Preface  to  the  Reader. 


or  Concerns.  But  if  unjuftly,  it  is  the  undoubted  right  and  duty  of  thole  that  can, 
to  clear  the  Cenfured  from  all  their  undue  Imputations  and  Afperfionsj  and  could 
I  do  it  for  them,  my  Obligations  to,  and  value  for  this  quondam  excellent  Hifto- 
rian  and  Divine,  mould  not  prevent  my  utmoft  cordial  Engagements  in  that  matter, 
namely)  to  wipe  of  all  Afperlions  from  the  Innocent,  or  to  abate  and  leffen  them, 
as  far  as  they  are  capable  duly  of  Allays.  But  let  me  meet  the  Reader  with  thefe 
cautionary  offers. 

i.  Perhaps  it  may  be  thought  unmeet  by  fome  that  a  Divine  mould  turn  Htfio- 
rian.  Anfw.  i.  Why  not  as  well  as  Grotiur,  DuPleffit,  LaJJitius,  &c.  yea,  and  King 
James  the  Firft  meddle  with  writing  about  Sacred  Things.  (  2.  )  Mr.  Baxter  was 
neither  ignorant  of,  nor  unconcerned  in,  nor  unfit  for  fiich  a  Work  as  this ;  who 
knew  him  better  than  he  knew  himfelf  ?  or  did  more  intirely  fearch  into  Affairs  ? 
or  lay  under  greater  Advantages  for  pious  and  jufr  Informations?  (3.)  He  had 
no  Advantages,  nor  heart  for  Gain  or  Honour  by  this  his  Undertaking.  It  is  known 
he  hath  refuted  Preferment,  even  by  King  Charles  the  Second,  but  fought  for  none. 
(  4.  )  Writing  of  Hift ories  rather  refer  to  Abilities  than  to  Office.  Men  may  not 
govern  Kingdoms,  Cities,  nor  Societies,  till  called  thereto  by  fblemn  Defignation, 
be  they  never  fo  throughly  qualified  ;  nor  can  they  adminifter  in  Publick  Worfhip 
till  called  thereto  by  Solemn  Ordination,  or  as  Probationers  in  order  to  that  Of- 
fice. But  Men  may  write  for  God  and  Common  Good  if  they  be  able  fo  to  do. 
For  their  Abilities,  Opportunities,  and  Capacity  for  Publick  Service,  area  Call 
fufficiently  and  fafely  to  be  depended  on.  (  *>.)  The  Author's  Modefty ,  Humili- 
ty, and  well  known  Self  denial,  and  evident  Remotenefs  from  all  Pragmaticalnefs 
and  Affectation,  may  well  prevent  Sufpicion  of  his  Exorbitancy  in  this  his  Enter- 
prize.  And  ( 6.  )  his  great  Ability  and  Concern  to  fervc  the  Publick  Interelt, 
when  as  all  poflible  help  was  needful,  requifire  and  grateful,  may  well  implead 
fuch  bold  Retorts  upon  his  Undertaking.  Who  flays  for  a  particular  Commiffion 
to  extinguifh  Flames,  or  to  give  needful  Informations  of  inftant  Dangers,  or  of 
neceffary  Conduct,  when  great  Calamities  or  Mifcarriages  cannot  otherwifebe  pre- 
vented ? 

2.  It  is  not  impoflible  that  fome  will  judge  him  too  impudent  and    unworthy  in 
branding  Perfons  with  fuch  ungrateful  Characters,  as  do  fo  evidently   expofe  the 
Memory  of  the  Dead  and  Living,  or  their  Pofterity,  and  intimate    to   difgrace. 
But  (1.)  Matters  of  Fact  notorioufly    known  are  fpeaking  things   themfelves : 
and  their  Approbation  or  Diflike  from  others  mould  be  as  Publick  as  the  Things 
themfelves.    Matters  of  Publick  Evidence  and  Influence  are  as  the  Teft  of  Publick 
Sentiments,  and  of  the  prevailing  temper  of  thofe   Communities   wheiein  fuch 
things  were  done.     And  can  Civilities  of  Converfation  ,  or  Inttreft  ,  or  Perfbnal 
Refpects  and  Tenuernefs,  be  an  Equivalent  with  God,  to  what  is  expected  by  him 
from  Bodies  Politick,  or  from   his  faithful  Servants  in  them.     (  2.  )  The  Author 
blames  himfelf  as  freely,  and  as  publickly  confeffeth,  and  blames  his  own  Mifcar- 
riages, as  he  doth  any  other.     (  5 .)  He  fpares  no  Man  nor  Party  ,  which  he  faw 
culpable,  and  verily  thought  reproveable  on  juff  grounds.     Nor  is  he  fparing  of  fit 
Commendations,  nor  of  moderating  his  Reprehenfions,  where  he  faw    the  Cafe 
would  bear  it.     (  4.  )  He  was  far  from  Partiality,  and  addictednefs  to  any  Party. 
Good  and  Evil,  Truth  and  Falfhood,  Faithfulnefs  and  Perfidioufnefs,  Wifdomand 
Folly,  Confideratenefs  and  Temerity,  &c.  they  were  reflectively  commended  or 
difpraifed  wherever  they  were  founds    (  y. )  Though  Oliver  Cromwell ,  once  Pro- 
tectou,  Dr.  Owen,  and  others,  feem  to  be  Jliarpfy  cenfur'd  by  him  ,  in  the  thoughts 
of  thoje  that  valued  them  ;  yet  let  the  afligned  Reafbns  be  confidered  by  the  Reader, 
and  let  him  fairly  try  his  own  ftrength  in  either  difyroving  the  Matters  of  Fact,  and 
fo  impeach  the  Truth  of  the  Hiftory  :  or  in  juftifying  what  was  done,  and  fo  implead 
the  Criminal  Charge ;  or  in  allaying  the  Cenfureby  weighing  well  how  much  of  their 
reported  or  arraigned  Mifcarriages  may  and  ought  to  be  alcribed  to  meer  Infirmity 
or  Miftake;  or  by  preponderating  their  cenfured  Crimes,  with  other  worthy  Deeds 
and  Chara£ters,juftly  challenging  Commendations.    For  as  to  Oliver  Cromwell jWhat 
Apprehenfions  and  Inducements  governed  him,  and  what  hold  they  took  upon  his 
Confcience,  and  how  far  he  acted  in  faithfulnefs  thereto,  as  in  defigned  reference 
to  God's  Glory,  to  the  Advancement  of  Religion  ,  to  the  Reformation  of  a  de- 
bauched Age,  and  to  the  Prefervation  of  thefe   Kingdoms  from  Popery,  Slavery, 
and  Arbitrarinefs  (  the  general  Fear  and  Plea  of  thefe  Kingdoms  at  that  time,  ) 
whether  without  or  with  good  ground,  let  others  judge)  is  not  for  me  here  to  de- 
termine.   I  have  heard  much  of  his  Perlbnal  and  Family  Stiictnels  and  Devotion : 

c  Of 


The  Treface  to  the  Reader. 


— 7Tr~7~~ T  l~  rnA  f^r  fhe  Sincerity  of  his  Defigns  and  Heart,  from  fome  who 
?f  ^  A?SLSmaS  i Im^^Mwy  «>ld  "•  »  °f  his  Eiicour^mcnt 
hr^'nnSGoZefs  nd^f  he  great  Difcouragement  which  Irreligion  and  Pro- 
°i  ln2  ?nd  nebiKherv  ever  met  with  from  him.  Thefe  Things  were  good  and 
P  ,  IIS  Swndpte  they  came,  and  by  what  right  from  God  and 
!£n 'th^iK  ReSLvince!  and  to  what  ultimate  End  he  really  did  di- 
^t  rW-  theft T Things  require  deeper  Thoughts  than  mine,  in  order  to  a  fober 
!l  l        ^     1     H  morethan     can  do  o  vindicate  his  Right  to    Govern, 

JUKhe,d  our  Kin*   and  to  keep  out  another but   I  am  alway  glad  of 

and  w.^^.^^^^eGuikof  Men  :  though  I  had  rather  find  no  Guilt 

tenuat or  a^fay  Tt     God  gLt  thefe  Kingdoms  greater  Care  and  Wifdom  for  time 
rcomV^ndyc  ufeus  to  fit  peaceably,  orderly,  obediently,fubmiffively  and  thank. 
fullvTnder  "he  gracious  Government  of  King  WtUiam  our  prefent  rightful  and  law- 
fu  Lveragr ^info  great  Mercy  to  thefe  Kingdoms,  whom  may  the  moft   high 
God  Ion preferve,  conduit,  and  greatly  proiper.    (6.)  As  to  the  Relatives  and 
Side ™t?™T6lL  Crowned  foffer  thefe  things:    i.  The  Author   would  not 
charge  them  with  what  they  never  did.     2.  Their  Disadvantages  through  the  Ex,- 
aencies   Influences,  and  Temptations  of  their  Day  ought  to  be  well  confidered  , 
left  otherwife  Men  be  intemperate  andexceffivein  their  cenionous  Reflexions  on 
them     Things  now  appear  (perhaps)  in  a  far  clearer  Light  than  heretofore. 
2    Inftant  Neceffities  may  admit  of  greater  Pleas :  and  Men  at  a  greater  diftance 
may  not  fo  fitly  judge  of  prefent  Duty  or  Expediency.    And  4.  there  is  undoubtedly 
fuch  a  thing  as  interpretative  Faithfulnefs  and  Sincerity,  which  fo  far  cheers  Mens 
hearts,  and  fpirits  refolution  and  appeals  to  God ,  although   the  Principles  which 
bear  Men  up  herein  may  be,  and  frequently  are  erroneous.,  and  but  meer  Miitakes. 
5  We  know  not  all  that  Men  can  fay,  when  calmly  heard  and   fairly  dealt  with, 
for  their  own  cenfured  Anions,  by  way  of  Apology  or  Defence.    6.  We  muft  con- 
fider  our  own  feJves  as  in  this  World  and  Body  j  and  as  liable  to  equivalent  (  it  not 
the  fame)  Dangers  and  Temptations.    The  fence  and  provident  reach  of  that  Di- 
vine Advice,  Gal  6. 1.  is  vaftly  great,  and  greatly  ufeful ,  and  would  prevent  rigid 
Conftrudions  if  well  attended  to.     7-  ol™er  Cromwell's  Progeny  (thole  that  are; 
yet  alive  )  are  chargeable  no  further  with  his  Crimes  than  they  are  approved  by 
them  :  and  this  I  never  heard  them  charged  with  fince  60.    I  know  them  not :  but 
I  have  been  told  that  they  are  ferious ,  peaceable  ,  ufeful ,  commendable  Perfons, 
and  make  a  lovely  Figure  in  their  refpe&ive,  though  more  private  Stations.    8.  As 
to  Dr.  Owen,  1.  It  is  too  well  known  (to  need  my   proof)  how  great^  his  Worth 
and  Learning  was.    Howfoftand  peaceable  his  Spirit,  for  many  of  his  laft  years, 
if  credible  Fame  bely  him  not.     And  perraro  in  melius  mendax  fama.     He  was  indeed 
both  a£«r»/wgand  a  finning  Light.    2.  As  to  the  WaSingford-Houis  Affair,  and  the 
Do&or's  Hand  therein ;  our  Reverend  Author  confidered  him  and  others  as  to 
what  he  thought  culpable,  and  of  pernicious  Confequence  and  lcandalous  Report 
and  Influence,  as  to  both  the  prefent  and  liicceeding  Ages.    He  had  no   Perfona! 
Prejudice  againft  him  or  others.     But  as  both  Church  and  State  were  fo  diiorderly 
endangered  and  affe&cd  by  what  was  there  confulted  and  done  ;  lb  Mr.Baxter  did 
fo  much  relent  the  thing,  as  to  think  it  fit  to  be  recorded  ,  and  accented   with    fit 
aggravations ;  as  a  Remonft ranee  to  the  Crime,  and  as  a  Warning  to  the  Chriftian 
World.     And  he  is  not  the  only  Perfon  who  hath  believed,  noticed   and  blamed 
that  Matter.     But  that  the  Dotfor  is  in  his  great  Maker's  joys  ,  is  what    our  Author 
hath  reported,  his  very  firm  perfwafion  of,  in  print.     9.  As  to  our  Brethren  the 
Indcpendants,  'tis  true  that  no  mean  Ferment  appears  to  have  been  upon  the  Authors 
Spirit.     But  (1.)  is  he  fharper  upon  them  ,  then  on  the  Presbyterians ,  Anabaptifts, 
Trelates,  where  he  thought  or  found  them  culpable  ?    (2.)  What   Party  did   our 
Author  wholly  fide  with  ?     (3.)  What  bofbm  Friend  did  heeverfpare  wherein  he 
found  him  repiehenfible  ?    (4.)  He  was  fo  intent  upon  Orthodox  Doctrines,  Ca- 
tholick  Union,  Chriftian  Concord  and  Behaviour,  and  Peaceable  Ufefulnefs  and 
Conversion  amnngft  all  Proteftants,  and  upon  avoiding Divifions  amongft  Chrift's 
followers,  as  that  whatever  obftru&ed  thefe  Concerns ,  he  was  impatient  of ,  and 
warm  againft.    Truth,  Peace,  and  Love,was  he  a  Votary  to,  and  Martyr  for  :  and 
hereunto  did  he  devote  moft  of  his  Life  and  Labours.     Dicam  quod  res  eft.     It   is 
lcandalous  that  there  fhould  be  Divifions,  Diftances,  Animofities  and  Contentions, 
amongft  Chriftians,  Proteftants,  Dilfenters,  againft  each  other,  and  in  the  Bowels 
each  Party.     But  much  hereof  arifes  from  unhappy  Tempers,  Self- ignorance, 
Confidence  and  Inoblcrvance,  want  of  frequent,  patient,  and  calm  Conference  and 

im- 


The  ^Preface  to  the  Reader \ 


impartial  Debates  about  things  controverted,  addi&ednefs  to  Self-Intereft  and  Re- 
putation with  our  refpe&ive  Parties^  impatience  of  fevere  Thoughts  and  Studies^^ 
and  of  impartial  Confideration  before  we  fix  and  pais  our  Judgment,  taking  things 
too  much  upon  Truft,  Prejudice  again  ft  thofe  whole  Sentiments  are  different  from 
our  own,  laying  too  great  a  weight  upon  eccentrical  and  meaner  things,  prying  too 
boldly  into,  and  talking  too  confidently  about  things  unrevealed,  or  but  darkly 
hinted  to  us  in  the  Sacred  Text,  and  reprefenting  the  Doctrine  of  our  Ghriltianity 
in  our  own  Artificial  Terms  and  Schemes,  and  ib  confining  the  Intereft,  Grace,  and 
Heart  of  God  and  Chrift  to  our  relpe&ive  Parties :  as  if  we  had  forgot,  or  had  ne- 
ver read  Rom.  14. 17 — 19.  Acli  10.  34,  35".   Gal.  6.  14 16.  and   Epb.  4.  1— (. 

That  Perfon  whole  Thoughts,  Heart  and  Life  /hall  meet  me  in  the  Spirit  and  Reach 
of  2  Pet.  1.  1— —11.  (hall  have  my  hearty  Love  and  Service  ,  although  he  de- 
termine never  to  hear  me  Preach,or  to  Communicate  with  me  all  his  days,  through 
the  Impreffion  of  his  Education  or  Acquaintance ;  though  at  the  fame  time  I 
jhould  be  loth  that  fuch  a  narrow  Thought  mould  be  the  Principle,  Poife  and  Con- 
duct of  my  Church  Fellowship,  Spirit,  or  Behaviour.  God  hath,  I  doubt  not,  his 
eminent  and  valuable  Servants  infall  Parties  and  Perfwafions  amongft  Chriftians. 
An  heavenly  mind  and  Life  is  all  in  all  with  me.  I  doubt  not  but  that  God  hath 
many  precious  faithful  Ones  amongft  the  Men  called  Independants,  Presbyterians,  A- 

nabapmjts,  Prelattcal And  I  humbly  judge  it  reafonable  that  (  1.  )  The  Mif- 

carriages  of  former  Parties  be  not  imputed  to  fucceeding  Parties  who  own  not,  nor 
abet  their  Principles  as  productive  of  fuch  pra&ical  Enormities.  (  2.  )  That  the 
Mifcarriages  of  fome  particular  Perfons  be  not  charged  on  theieft,  until  they  pro- 
fefs  or  manifeft  their  Approbation  of  them.  (  5 .)  That  what  is  repented  of  and 
pirdoned,be  not  fo  received  as  to  foment  Diviftons  and  Recriminations.  (4. )  That 
my  trull  from  Mr.  Baxter,  and  faithiulnefs  to  him,  and  to  Poiterity,  be  not  conftra- 
ed  as  the  Refult  of  any  Spleen  in  me  againft  any  Pe.fon  or  Party  mentioned  in  mis* 
following  Hiftor)'.  ($.)  And  that  we  all  value  that  in  one  another,  which  God 
thinks  lovely  where  he  forms  and  finds  it.  And  6.  O  Utinam  /  that  Wi  form  no 
other  Teft  and  Canon  of  Ghriftian  Orthodoxy  and  Saving  Soundnefs,  and  Christi- 
an Fellowfhip,than  what  the  Sacred  Scriptures  give  us  as  Explicuory  of  the  Chrifti- 
an  Baptifmal  Creed  and  Covenant,  as  influencing  us  into  an  holy  Life,  and  heaven- 
ly Hopes  and  Joys.  I  thought  once  to  have  given  the  World  al«:  fill  * '  ft  ft  of 
Mr.  Baxter's  Doctrines  or  Judgment,  containing  the  Sence  of  what  he  held  about 
Juftification,  Faith,  Works,  &c  and  yet  laying  a  fide  his  Terms  of  Art:  that  here- 
by the  Reader  might  difcern  the  Confonancy  of  it  to  the  Sacred  Text ,  and  to  the 
Doctrinal  ConfefBons  of  the  Reformed  Churches ;  his  Confidence  with  himfelf,and 
his  nearer  approach  in  Judgment  to  thofe  from  whom  he  feems  to  differ  much,  than 
the  prejudiced  Adverfaries  are  aware  of  But  this  mult  be  a  Work  of  Time  ,  if 
not  an  Enterprize  too  great  for  me,  as  I  juftly  fear  it  is.  But  I  will  do  by  him  as  I 
would  do  by  others,  and  have  them  do  by  me,  viz,,  give  him  his  owned  Explica- 
tion of  the  Baptifmal  Creed  and  Covenant,  as  a  fit  Teft  to  try  his  Judgment  by; 
and  if  his  Doctrines  in  his  other  Treatifes  confift  herewith,  others  perhaps  will  lee 
more  Caufe  to  think  him  Orthodox  in  the  moft  weighty  ArticUs,  and  left  to  be 
iufpeded,  notwithftanding  his  different  Modes  of  Speech. 

The  Things  p^ofejfedly  believed  by  him  (  as  may  be  feeu  in    his 

Chriftian  Concord  )  were, 

THat  there  is  one  only  God  :  The  Father  ,  Infinite  in  Being ,  Wifdom  ,  Goodnefi ,  and 
Power  :  the  Maker,  Preferver ,  and  Dtjpofer  of  all  things;  and  the  moft  juB  and 
merciful  Lord  of  All. 

^  That  Mankind  being  fallen  by  Sin  from  God  and  HappinejS,  under  the  Wrath  of  God ,  the 
Curfe  of  his  Law,  and  the  Power  of  the  Devil,  God  jo  loved  the  World,  that  he  gave  bis 
only  Son  to  be  their  Redeemer  :  who,  being  God,  and  one  with  the  Father  ,  did  take  to  him 
cm  Nature,  and  became  Man,  being  conceived  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  in  the  Virgin  Mary,  and 
horn  of  her,  and  named  JESUS  CHRIST:  and  having  livd  on  Earth  without 
Sin,  and  wrought  many  Miracles,  for  a  witnefi  of  bis  Truth,  he  gave  up  bimfelf  a  Sacri- 
fice for  our  Sins,  and  a  Ranjomfor  w,  infuff'ering  Death  on  the  Croft:  and  being  buried,  he 
ts  Lord  of  all  in  Glory  with  the  Father,  And  having  ordained  that  all  that  truly  repent, 
and  believe  m  him,  and  love  him  abovt  all  things,  andjimerely  obey  him,  and  that  to  the 

c  a  Death, 


The  Treface  to  the  Reader. 


Death  (hall  be  Caved,  and  they  that  will  not  JhaU  be  damned ,  and  commanded  his  Mini- 
tiers  to  preach  the  Gofbel  to  the  World :  He  will  come  again  and  raife  the  Bodies  of  all  Men 
■from  Death,  and  will  fit  all  the  World  before  him  to  be  judged,  according  to  what  they 
have  done  in  the  Body  :  and  he  will  adjudge  the  Righteous  to  Life  Everlafhng,  and  the  reft 
to  Everlafring  Pumflwent ;  which  Jhall  be  Executed  accordingly. 

That  God  the  Holy  Gho(t,  the  Spirit  of  tk  Father  and  the  Son,  was  fint  from  the  Fa- 
ther by  the  Son,  to  ivjfire  and  guide  the  Prophets  and  Apoftles,  that  they  might  fully  re- 
veal the  DoBnne  of  Chrift  ;  And  by  multitudes  of  Evident  Miracles,  and  wonderful  Gifts 
to  be  the  great  WitneJSof  Chrift  and  of  the  Truth  of  his  Holy  Word:  And  alfo  ty'Mej 
and  work  in  all  that  are  drawn  to  believe,  that,  being  firfi  joyned  to  Chrift  tbcir 
and  into  one  Church  which  is  his  Body,  and fo  pardoned  and  made  the  Sons  of  God  ,  y 
may  be  a  peculiar  People  fanUifed  to  Chrift ;  and  may  mortifie  the  Fejh  ,   and  the 

World  and  the  Devil :  and  being  zealous  of  good  Works,  way  jetve  Qod  m  Holtnefs  and 
Righteoufnefi,  and  may  live  in  the  Jfecial  Love  and  Communion  of  the  Saints  j  and  in  hopt 
of  Chrift' s  Coming t  and  of  Evtrlafting'Life. 

In  the  belief  hereof  the  Things  confented  to  wereasfolloweth : 


Hat  he  heartily  took  this  one  GOD,  for  his  only  GGD  ,  and  his  chief  Good:  and 

this  J  ES  US    CHRIST  for  his  only  Lord,  Redeemer,  and  Saviour,  and  this 

HOLT  G  HOST  for  his  Sancltfier  :  and  the  DocJrine  by  him  revealed,  and  fiakd   by 


T 


his  Miracles,  and  new  contained  m  the  Holy  Scriptures,  he  took  for  the  Law  of  God  •  and 
the  Rule  of  his  Faith  and  Life :  And  repenting  unfeignedly  of  his  Sins,  he  did  refolve, 
through  the  Grace  of  God,  fncerely  to  obey  him,  both  m  Holinefi  to  God,  and  Right eouf 
nefitoMen,  and  in  jfecial  Love  to  the  Saints,  and  in  Communion  with  them  ;  agawji  aU 
the  Temptations  of  the  Devil,  the  World,  and  his  own  Fle[h  ;  and  this  to  the  Deu.n. 

If  therefore  thefe  things  were  Believed  and  Confented  to  by  him  ;  and  if  thefe 
things  do  effentiate  our  Saving  Chrift  ianity,  and  fo  be  fufneient  to  make  us  all  one  in 
Chrift,  why  fhould  fome  different  Modes  and  Forms  of  Speech,  wnerewith  thefe 
great  Subftantials  may  and  do  confift  ,  obtain  of  Men  to  think  him  Heterodox, 
becaufe  he  ufes  not  their  Terms  ?  And  why  ftiould  fuch  Diftances  and  Di(cords 
be  kept  up  amongft  us,  whilft  we  all  of  us  own  all  the  forementioned  Articles, 
and  are  always  ready  (  on  all  fides )  to  renounce  whatever  Opinions  mall  appear 
to  overthrow  or  (hake  (iich  Articles  of  Faith,  and  Covenanting  Terms  with  God 
and  Chrift  ?  And  I  cannot  but  believe  that  all  Chriftians  ferioufly  bound  for  Hea- 
ven, and  that  are  fixed  upon  thefe  Truths,  are  nearer  each  to  other  in  their  Judg- 
ments than  different  Modes  of  Speech  feem  to  reprefent  them.  Of  fuch  great  Con- 
fequence  is  true  Charity  and  Candour  amongft:  Chriftians. 

3.  The  Reverend  Prelates,  and  the  Miniffers  and  Members  of  the  Church  of 
England,  may  poffibly  dift afte  his  plainnefs  with  them,  and  think  him  too  ievere 
upon  them :  But  1.  they  are  no  Strangers  to  his  profelfed  and  exemplified  Mode- 
ration. Who  valued  their  Worth  and  Learning  more  than  he  did  ?  Who  more  en- 
deavoured to  keep  up  Church  Communion  with  them,  by  Pen,  Difcourfe  and 
Praclife,  though  not  excluhvely  ?  Who  more  Iharply  handled,  and  more  throughly 
wrote  againft,  and  reprehended  total  Separation  from  them  than  himfelf?  And 
what  DilTenter  from  them  ever  made  fairer  and  more  noble  Overtures ,  or  more  ju- 
dicious Propofals  for  a  large  and  lafting  Comprehenfion  with  them,  than  they 
knew  he  did  ?  And  who  more  fairly  warned  them  of  the  difmal  Coniequences  and 
calamitous  Effe6ts  of  fo  narrowing  the  Church  of  England  by  the  ftfi&  Ads  pro- 
cured and  executed  againft  fo  many  peaceable  Miniiters,  who  thereby  were  filen- 
ced,  imprifoned.difcouraged  and  undone?  And  how  many  Souls  and  Families  were 
ruin'd  and  fcandaliz'd  by  their  impofed  Terms,  another  (and  that  a  folemn  and 
)  Day  will  Jhew  e're  long.  2.  Our  Author  never  yet  endeavoured  to  un- 
C!  rarch  thcrti  ,  nor  to  eclipfe  their  Worthies  :  nor  did  he  ever  charge  their  great 
Severities  on  them  all.  He  ever  would  acknowledge  (  and  he  might  truly  doit) 
that  rliey  had  r;reat  and  excellent  Men,  and  many  fuch  amongft  them,  both  of 
their  Lairy  and  Clergy.  5  He  thought  (  what  I  am  Uitisfied  is  true)  that  many 
of  them  little  knew  who  and  what  was  behind  the  Currain,  nor  what  defigned  nor 
great  Services  were  doing  to  France  and  Rome  hereby.  4.  And  his  great  Sufferings 
irum  them  may  well  (  even  as  other  things )  ahate  their  Centring  (if  not  prevent 

too 


The  'Preface  to  the  Reader. 


too  keen  Refentments)  of  thefe  Hiftorical  Accounts  of  them.  j.And  to  leave  thele 
things  out  was  more  than  Mr.  Baxter  would  allow  me,  or  admit  of.  Pardon  one 
who  acts  by  Order,  not  of  Choice. 

4.  That  fuch  copious  and  prolix  Difcourfes  inould  be  here  inferted  about  Things 
fitter  for  oblivion,  than  to  be  remembred,  may  leem  liable  to  Exceptions  and  Diltalt 
from  fome  ;  viz,,  fuch  Difcourfes  as  refpeet  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant,  the 
Oxford  A€t,&c.  Things  now  abandon'd  and  repealed  by  Act  of  Parliament  for  Li- 
berty of  Confcience.     But  1.  thole  prefling  Ads  are  yet  upon  Record,  and  ib,  ex- 
pofed  to  the  view  of  Men,  from  Age  to  Age.     2.  They  reprefent  Dilfenters  as  an 
intolerable  Seed  of  Men.     3.  Ail  Readers    will  not  readily  difcern  what  here  is 
faid  by  way  of  Apology  for  thofe  of  whom  fuch  Acts  took  hold.     4.  Hereby  Dil- 
fenters will  appear  to  all  fucceeding  Generations,  as  a  People  worthy  of  nothing 
but  National  Severities  and  Reftraints.     Whence  j.  their  Enemies  will  be  confirm- 
ed in  their  groundlefs  Thoughts  and  Cenfures  of  them.     6.  This  will  not  lead 
to  that  Lore  and  Concord  amongft  all  Proteffants  which  God's  Laws.and  the  Pub- 
lick  Intereft  and  Welfare  of  Church  and  State  require.     7.  Thole  things  abode  Co 
long  in  force,  and  to  fuch  fatal  dreadful  purpofe,  as   that  the  Effects  thereof  are 
felt  by  many  Families  and  Perlbns  to  this  day.     8.  And  all  this  was  but   to  dif- 
charge  lome,  of  no  fmall  Figure  in  their  Day  ,  from    all  Obligations   to   perform 
what  had  been  folemnly  vowed  to  God.    Surely  Inch  as  never  took  that  Covenant 
could  only  dilclaim  all  Obligations  on  themfelves  to  keep  It,  by  virtue  ot  any  fuch 
Vow  upon  themfelves :  but  to  dillharge  thofe  that  had  taken  it,  from  what  therein 
they  had  vowed  to  God  to  do  (till  God  himfelf  difcharge  them,  or.  that  it  be  evi- 
dent from  the  intrinfu  k  unalterable  EviJ  of  the  Matter  vowed,  that  no  fuch  Vow 
ILall  (land  )  is  more  than  I  dare  undertake  to  prove  at  prefent  ,  or  to  vindicate  in 
the  great  Day.     Howe\er,   a  Mans  own  Latitude  of  Pe;fwafion   cannot,  as  Jucb, 
abfolve  another,  nor  eo  nomine,  be  another's  Rule  or  Law.    But  9.  if  tbefe  long 
Difcourfes  be  needful,  pertinent,  clear,  and  ftrong,  as  to  the  ltate  of  that   Affair, 
their  length  may  be  born  with.     10.  The  Author   thought  it  needful  to  hue  this 
let  in  the  clear  open  Light,  to  difabufe.  all  that  had  b.en  impoled  on ,  by    filfe,  or 
partial  and  defective  Hi frory  in  this  Matter;  and  to  remove,  or  prevent,   or  allay 
Scandal  and  Cenfure  for  time  to  come.  ,   n.  And  if  fuch  things  be  alfo  publiflied  to 
make  our  lelvcs  ind  others,  frill  more  fenlible  of  what  we  owe  to  God,  and  to  our 
moft  gracious  King  (  and  his  late  Soveraign  Confort,  and  our  then  moll  gracious 
Queen  Mary,  not  to  be  paralleled  in  any  Hiltory  that   I  know  of,  b/  any  of  her 
Sex,  lor  All  truly  Royal  Excellencies.)  and  to  his  Parliaments,  who  have  fo  much 
obliged  us  with  freeing  us  from  thole  fb  uncomfortable  Bonds  •,  what  Fault  can  be 
imputed  to  the  Publilher  herein  ?  Shall  Gratitude  be  thought  a  Crime,  though 
more  copious  in  the  Materials  of  it,  than  may  every  way  confilt  with  the  llricter 
Bounds  of  Accuracy  ?    12.  I  am  apt  to  think  (and  not  without  cogent  ground  J 
that  very  many  Readers  (  now   and    hereafter  )  would  (  with  the  Author  )  have 
thought  me  unfaithful  to  themfelves  and  him,  had  I  not   tranfmitted  to  Pofterity 
what  he  left,  and  as  he  left  it  for  their  ufe.     And  I  hope  therefore  that  the  Reader 
will  not  interpret  this  Publication  as  the  Product  of  a  Recriminating  Spirit.     God 
himfelf  knows  it  to  be  no  fuch  Birth. 

Thirdly,  The  Publication. 

1.  The  Author  wrote  it  for  this  End.  2.  He  left  ir  with  me  to  be  publifhed  af- 
ter his  Death.  3.  He  left  it  to  the  Judgment  of  another  and  my  feii  only,  by  a 
Writing  ordered  to  be  given  me  after  his  Death,  as  my  Directory  about  the  Publi- 
cation of  his  other  Manulcripts,  which  are  many,  and  of  moment.  And  if  the 
reft  entrufred  with  me  about  their  being  printed  (  one  or  two  of  which  he  ordered 
me  to  choofe  ad  libitum ,  as  fitly  fuppofing  all  might  not  be  at  leifure  )  fliall  think 
fit  (of  whofe  confent  I  nothing  doubt)  you  may  expect  a  confiderable  Volume 
of  Letters  by  way  of  Epiftolary  lntercourfe  betwixt  him  and  Mr.  La-wfon,  Mr. 
Burgefi,  Mr.  Vine s,  Mr.  Gataker ,  Mr.  W.  the  Ilord  Chief  Jultice  Hales ,  Mr.  Sa- 
muel Jacomb,  Mr.  Dodwell,  his  dear  Flock  and  Friends  at  Kiddermin/ter,  with  feve- 
ral  others.  Thele  Letters  are  Polemical,  Cafuiftical,  and  Practical.  Some  are 
Monitory  and  Reproving  :  but  their  Names  forbidden  to  be  mentioned.  Which 
Order  fhall  faithfully  be  by  me  obferved  ;  Non  enim  me  minus  obfequij  auam  ilium 
cotifilij  fcemtet.  If  we  may  find  Encouragement,  I  doubt  nor,  of  the  Reader's  confi- 
derable Satisfaction  and  Advantage.    But  (to  return  to  where  I  left)    4*  He  had 

neither 


The  Treface  to  the  Reader. 


neither  Time  nor  Strength  to  finifh  it ;  nor  to  correct  it  with  his  own  Hand. 
Such  therefore  as  it  is,  you  have  it.  ?.  He  brought  it  down  ( not  long  be- 
fore he  died  j  to  publifli  it/ but  Upon  fecond  Thoughts  he  changed  that  purpofe, 
a°  his  Bookfeller  fince  his  Death  affured  me.  6.  I  have  jeafon  to  think  that  the 
Author  had  fome  thoughts  to  have  made  further  Progrefs  in  this  Hifrory ,  but 
that  other  Things  diverted  him  therefrom ,  till  his  Death  at  laft  made  that  irn- 
poflible. 

Singula  quid  refer  am,  nil  hon  mortak  tenemm\ 
FeftoriSf  Excepts  ingeniique,  bonis. 

Ovid,  de  Trift.  Eleg  vil 

Fourthly,  As  to  myfiff. 

When  T  came  up  to  London,  Anno  Dom.  1671.  I  was  brought  into  Acquaintance" 
with  Mr.  Baxter,  by  my  dear  and  intimate  Friend  Mr.  Jo/epb  Irueman  (  o  m***- 
tint  )  who  it  feems,  Unknown  to  me,  had  told  Mr.  Baxter  concerning  me,  more 
than  I  ever  expected  or  deferved.  And  fo  great  was  Mr.  Truemaris  Reputation 
with  Mr.  Baxter ,  as  to  conciliate  that  regard  to  his  Char  after  of  me,  which  great- 
ly promoted  my  Intimacy,  and  my  more  free  and  frequent  Convention  with  him 
ever  after.  Hereupon  Mr.  Baxter  wrote  to  a  worthy  Perfon  to  feek  me  out,  and  to 
bring  me  (  a  perfect  Stranger  in  the  City  )  into  Acquaintance  and  Employment : 
which  accordingly  was  done.  And  fome  mort  time  after  Mr.  Baxter  and  my  felf 
met  together  upon  Minifrerial  Employment  fomewhat  frequently  ,  to  mutual  Sa- 
tisfaction and  reciprocal  Endearments ;  God  fpeaking  to  his  Heart  for  me.  The 
Lord  impute  not  to  me  my  fo  fmall  improvement  of  that  fo  great  Advantage.  I 
never  was  deny'd  admiffion  to  him,  when  defired  by  me :  And  many  Secrets  he 
committed  to  me  relating  to  his  Soul  and  Secular  Affairs,  which  have  been,  are, 
and  mall  befuch  God  willing,  whilft  I  live:  for  I  take  it  to  be  finful  to  betray 
a  Secret,  unlets  Concealment  be  injurious  to  the  Publick ,  or  to  another  Perfon. 
And  in  that  cafe  I  will  never  (  as  I  think  I  never  have  done  to  the  beft  of  my 
remembrance,)  promife  Secrecy  :  for  I  think  it  bafe,  and  no  way  capable  of  Vin- 
dication, to  ferve  one  Friend  fo  as  unjuftly  and  unworthily  to  differve  another. 
At  laft  it  pleafed  God  to  call  my  Lot  upon  Copartnerfhip  with  him  in  Ministerial 
Work  in  Cbarterboufe-yard,  in  my  own  Dwelling-houfe  there ;  which  he  the  rather 
complyed  with  becaufe  of  the  vicinity  of  our  Refpective  Habitations.  He  would 
not  meddle  with  the  Pafloral  Work ;  but  would  ftile  himfelf  (  when  fomewhat 
pleafant  )  my  Curate ;  but  he  would  take  no  Money  of  me  for  his  pains :  but  oft 
and  freely  profeft  his  Satisfaction  in  his  Conjunction  with  me,  and  in  the  ferious 
and  moderate  temper  of  my  Flock.  And  I  know  none  beyond  them  for  Peace 
and  Love  and  Candour.  He  was  greatly  fblicitous  about  my  Subfiftence  and  En- 
couragemement  after  his  Death.  And  not  long  before  his  Exit  he  drew  up  a  Pa- 
per to  have  been  read  to  the  Congregation ,  to  have  procured  me  fome  generous 
Subfcriptions  from  them  for  one  year,  befides  what  they  ufually  allowed  me  An- 
nually ;  and  to  excite  others  thereunto  ,  he  Subfcribed  Ten  pounds  for  himfelf. 
He  defigned  it  to  have  been  propofed  and  effected  when  I  was  in  the  Country  $ 
but  coming  to  the  knowledge  of  it,  I  put  it  by  ,  which  he  diftafted  not  a  little. 
However,  I  am  for  making  the  Gofpel  and  my  Miniftry  as  little  chargeable  as 
I  can  :  for  I  feek  not  theirs ,  but  them  :  and  having  Food  and  Raiment,  1  can  be 
therewith  Content.  My  Congregation  is  but  fmall :  but  they  are  worthy  of  a 
far  better  Paftor  than  my  felf.  And  they  are  kinde  to  me ,  rather  beyond,  than  at 
the  rate  of  their  Ability.  And  I  have  found  God's  Bleffing  on  what  they  have  al- 
low'd  me.    And  I  find  my  Labour  not  in  vain  amongft  them. 

§IX. 

No  Man  can  juftly  wonder  that  he  efcaped  not  the  Scourges  of  Tongues  and 
Pens,  and  the  bold  Strokes  of  Calumny ,  who  well  confiders   Humane  Degene- 
racy, Saran's  Malignity  ,  the  Dulnefs  of  fome,  the  Raflmefs  of  others,  the  Cre- 
duhty  of  others,  the  Narrownefs  of  others,  the  Imperfections  of  himfelf,  and  of 
all,  the  Entertainments  of  God's  choiceft  Favourites  and  Servants  upon  Record 

from 


The  Treface  to  the  Reader. 


from  Age  to  Age ;  and  the  vaft  Reaches  and  Defigns  of  Providence  in  all. 
Could  1  but  perfwade  the  Reader  to  read  and  paufe  upon  fome  Inliances  upon 
Record  in  Sacred  Writ,  as  being  lead  liable  to  Exception  (  though  many  might  be 
produced  from  Ancient  and  Modern  Hiftories )  he  might  there  by  at  lead  prevent 
conhderably  his  being  Scandalized  by  the  many  Obloquies  that  come  from  incon- 
fiderate  and  malignant  Men.  What  Man  of  Worth  could  or  did  ever  yet  abso- 
lutely efcape  being  traduced  by  fome  or  other  ?     See  Jer.  15.  10.  and  20.  10.  Neb. 

2.  15?.  and  6.  6,7.  Gen.  39.  14.    l  Sam.  22.  9 15".  2  Sam.  16.  3.    Amos  7.  10,  ir. 

Matth.  26.61.  Acts  24.  j 9.  and  18.  13.  Rom.  3.8.     I f  greater  Penons  (fiich 

as  Jofepb,  Nebemiah,  Jeremiah,  Darnel,  Ghrift,  and  his  AponMes,  and"  David  him- 
felf,  ChrKt's  Royal  Antitype)  were  tradticed  by  the  Sons  cf  Belial,  as  guilty  of 
what  their  Souls  abhorr'd  fo  intimately;  what  wonder  is  it  to  find  this  Reverend 
Perfon  Mr.  Baxter,  mifreprefented  by  the  malignity  and  obloquy  of  fome;  and  by 
the  weaknefs,  credulity,  and  miltakes  of  others  j  and  thole  perhaps  excellent  Per- 
fbns  otherwiie,  in  manifold  refpecls  ? 

Mr.  Baxter  is  charged  by  fome  as  being  againft  King  Charles  the  Fir  ft  in  the  fir  ft 
War,  and  too  much  a  Foment er  of  it.  To  this  you  have  his  Replys  in  the  Hiltory  it 
felf;  and  thither  I  refer  the  Reader. 

He  has  been  alfo  traduced  by  fome,  as  having  kilTd  a  Man  in  cold  Blood  "with  %u 
own  bands.  From  which  Scandalous  Report  he  has  alfo  vindicated  himfelt  in  the 
following  Hiltory.  But  for  the  Reader  s  further  Satisfa&ion  ,  I  will  here  fubjoyn  a 
Letter  from  Dr.  AUefiree,  which  is  not  there  inferted  (  that  I  remember  ).  When  a 
'  credible  Peribn  (Mr.  J.  H.)  told  Mr.  Baxter  that  the  Do&or  had  formerly  (aid 
the  like  to  him  ;  faying,  That  he  could  not  think  well  of  one  that  had  kill  d  a  Man  in 
cold  Blood  with  bis  own  hands  ;  Mr.  Baxter  fufpe&ing  that  the  Doctor's  Chair  and 
Reputation  might  give  credit  to  this  flanderous  Report,  he  wrote  to  the  Doctor, 
defiring  to  know  of  him  whether  he  reported  this  or  no;  afTuring  him  in  the  lame 
Letter,  that  he  never  ftruck  any  Man  in  anger,  in  all  his  Life,  to  his  remem- 
brance—  This  Letter  to  the  Do&or  was  dated  London,  Decemb.8. 1679.  Here- 
upon the  Doctor  returned  him  the  following  Anfwer : 

SIR, 

IMufi  profefl ftneerely  that  J  cannot  recoUecl  that  ever  Ifaidfucb  words  of  you  to  Mr.  H. 
as  it  jeems  be  doth  affirm  I  did.  But  yet  I  cannot  but  acknowledge  it  is  very  foffiblc 
that  I  related  (  and  it  may  be  to  btm  )  that  I  bad  beard  you  kiltd  a  Man  in  cold  bloody 
fince  I  very  well  remember  that  above  Thirty  years  fmce,  at  the  end  of  the  War,  I  beard  that 
publickly  fpoke  before  Company,  and  with  this  further  Circumfiance  ,  that  tt  was  a  Sol- 
dier who  bad  been  a  Prijoner  fome  hour  s{bef ore.  Now  this  Report  relating  to  the  Wars,  in 
which  I  fear  fucb  things  were  no  great  Rarities ;  and  from  my  very  tender  y  out  b,  I  having 
not  bad  the  leaft  Concern  with  you,  nor  likelybeod  of  any  for  t  be  future,  did  not  therefore 
apprehend  at  prejent  any  concern  or  occafion  of  enquiring  whether  it  were  true ;  of  which,  up- 
on that  confident  Ajjeveration  I  did  make  no  doubt.  And  I  took  Jo  little  thought  of  laying 
up  the  Relation,  that  I  proteH  to  you,  as  in  the  prefence  of  Almighty  God,  it  is  impoffible  for 
me,  to  recover  who  made  up  that  Company  in  which  I  beard  it,  or  from  whom  I  heard  it. 
And  I  wonder  bow  it  came  into  my  mind  to  fay  that  1  bad  beard  it  jo  long  after.  But  how- 
ever, though  it  be  fome  eaje  to  me  to  believe  that  the  late  Difcourfes  of  it,  do  not  come  from 
my  relating  it  Jo  longjince  that  I  have  heard  it,  neither  are  likely  to  recerve  any  confirmation 
from  it,  unlefi  it  be  made  more  public k  than  I  have  made  it  ;  yet  1  do  profefi  it  is  a  great 
affliclion  to  me  to  have  Jfoken  that,  though  but  as  a  Report,  which  it  Jeems  was  a  Jlander 
(  tor  1°  I  believe  it  upon  your  Ajjeveration)  and  not  having  endeavoured  to  know  whether 
it  were  true.  And  as  I  have  beggd  God's  forgivenef,  Jo  I  heartily  defire  you  will  forgive 
me.  And  if  I  could  direct  my  Jeff  to  any  other  way  of  Satisfaction,  I  would  give  it.  Thi< 
is  the  whole  Account  lean  give  of  t  bis  Matter  J  To  which  I  Jhall  only  add  that  I  am, 

Eaton-Colledge,  SIR, 

Dec.i%.  1679. 

Your  very  affectionate  Servant, 

Richard  AUefiree. 

Such 


The  Preface  to  the  Reader. 


Such  was  the  Exemplary  Ingenuity  and  true  Equity  and  Candour  of  this  wor- 
thy Perfon. 

But  the  boldeft  Stroke  that  ever  I  met  with  at  the  Reputation  of  this  worthy 
Perfon  Mr.  Baxter,  occurs  in  a  Letter  that  I  have  lately  received  from  a  Perfoa 
very  credible  (  out  of  IVorcefierfhire,  Dated  Afcr^thefirft,  i69l)  The  Sum 
whereof  is  this: 

HEre  is  a  Report  in  fome  Verfons  mouths  that  Mr.  Baxter,  before  he  dyed,  and  fo 
t til  his  Death,  was  in  a  great  doubt  and  trouble  about  a  Future  State.  It  is 
fare/led  that  be  continued  in  fucb  Doubt ,  or  rather  was  inclining  to  think  there  was  no 
Future  State  at  all ,  and  that  he  ended  bis  Days  under  fucb  a  Perfwafion ;  which  occafi- 
oned  no  [mall  trouble  to  him,  he  having  written  fo  many  things  to  per/wade  perfons  to  be- 
lieve there  was.- ■ 

This  Report  is  related  to  me  as  brought  down  from  London  by  no  mean  Man  j 
by  one  of  great  Repute  in  his  Faculty,  and  well  known  through  the  Nation, 
frequently  an  Hearer  of  Mr.  Baxter,  and  an  honourable  Perfon.  And  lam  further 
informed' by  the  fame  Hand,  That  it  is  there  reported  that  many  of  his  Friends,  Per- 
fons  of  Quality  about  London,  know  the  truth  of  it. 

i.  Audax  f aanm  <  What  will  degenerate  Man  (lick  at  !  We  know  nothing  here 
that  could  in  the  leaft  minifter  to  (ueh  a  Report  as  this.  I  that  was  with  him  all 
along ,  have  ever  heard  him  triumphing  in  his  heavenly  Expectation ,  and  ever 
fpeaking  like  one  that  could  never  have  thought  it  worth  a  Man's  while  to  bo, 
were  it  not  for  the  great  Intereft  and  Ends  of  Godlinefs.  He  told  me  that  he 
doubted  not,  but  that  it  would  be  belt  for  him  when  he  had  left  this  Life,  and  was 
tranflated  to  the  heavenly  Regions. 

2.  He  own'd  what  he  had  written,  with  reference  to  the  Things  of  God,  to  the 
very  laft.  He  advifed  thofe  that  came  near  him  carefully  to  mind  their  Soul 
Concerns.  The  ftiortnefsof  Time,  theinftancy  of  Eternity,  the  worth  of  Souls, 
the  greatnefs  of  God,  the  riches  of  the  Grace  of  Chriit,  and  the  excellency  and 
import  of  an  heavenly  Mind  and  Life,  and  the  great  ufefulnels  of  the  Word  and 
Means  of  Grace  puriuant  to  Eternal  Purpofes,  they  ever  lay  preflingly  upon  his 
own  Heart,  and  extorted  from  him  very  ufeful  Directions  and  Encouragements  to 
all  that  came  near  him,  even  to  the  laft.  Infomuch,  as  that  if  a  Polemical  or  Ca- 
fuiftical  Point,  or  any  Speculation  in  Philofophy  or  Divinity ,  had  been  but  of- 
fered to  him  for  his  Refolution,  after  the  cleared  and  briefeft  Reprefentation  of  his 
Mind ,  which  the  Propofers  Satisfaction  call'd  for ,  he  prefently  and  moft  de- 
lightfully fell  into  Converfation  about  what  related  to  our  Chriftian  Hope  and 
Work. 

;.  Had  he  thought  that  there  had  been  no  Future  State  for  Man  to  be  Con- 
cern'd  about,  why  was  he  fo  delighted  in  a  hopeful  Race  of  young  Minifters  and 
Ghiiitians?  to  my  knowledge  he  greatly  valued  young  Divines,  and  hopeful  Can- 
didates for  the  Miniftry  :  He  was  moft  liberal  of  Counfel  and  Encouragement  to 
them,  and  moft  inquifitive  after,  and  pleated  with  their  growthful  Numbers  and 
Improvement:  And  he  told  me,  and  fpake  it  in  my  hearing,  That  he  had  the 
greatelt  Hopes  and  Expectations  from  the  fucceeding  Generation  of  them :  And 
he  pleafed  himfelf  with  the  Hopes  and  Expedations  of  this ,  that  they  would  do 
God's  Work  much  better  than  we  had  done  before ,  and  efcape  our  Errours  and 
DeieAs. 

4  Any  Man  that  reads  his  laft  Will  may  eafily  fee  that  his  Apprehenrlons  and 
Dilpofition  did  not  iavour  of  fiich  Scepticism  as  the  Report  infinuates.  That  part 
thereof  which  may  Confirm  the  Reader  that  Mr.  Baxter  had  no  fuch  Thoughts 
abiding  in  him  ,  I  (hall  here  for  the  Reader's  Satisfaction  lay  before  him ;  which  is 
asiblloweth: 

1   Richard  Baxter  of  London  Clerk,  unworthy  Servant  of  Jejus  Chrisl ,  drawing  to 
the  End  of  tbu  Jranfitory  Life,  having  through  Gods  great   Mercy  the  free  ufe  of  my 

Under ft andtng,  do  make  this  my  lait  Will  and  Teftamen: -My  Spirit  I  commit,  with 

Truft  and  Hope  of  the  Heavenly  Felicity,  into  the  Hands   of  Jejus  my  glorified  Redeemer 
and  InttrctJJor :    and  by  his  Mediation  into  the  hands   of  God  my  reconciled  Father,  the 

Infinite;, 


The  Treface  to  the  Reader. 


Infinite ,  Eternal  Sprit,  Life,  Light  and  Love,  mo  ft  great  and  wife  and  good ,  the  God 
of  Nature,  Grace,  and  Glory  :  of  whom,  and  through  whom,  and  to  whom  are  all  things: 
My  ahfolute  Owner,  Ruler,  and  Benefactor  ;  whofe  I  am,  and  whom   (though  imperfectly) 

1  Jerve,feek,  and  truH  ;   to  whom  be  glory  for  ever,  Amen. ^—  To  him  I  render  moft 

bumble  thanks  that  he  hath  fiWd  up  my  Life  with  abundance  of  Mercy,  pardoned  my  Sins  by 
the  Merits  ofChrift,  and  vouchjafed  by  his  Spirit  to  Renew  and  Seal  me  as  his  own\  and  to 
moderate  and  blefi  to  me  my  long  Sufferings  in  the  Flejh,  and  at  la  ft  to  fweeten  them  by  his 
own  Intereft  and  comforting  Approbation,   who  taketb  the  Caufe  of  Love  and  Concord  as  his 


own.  — 


Now  let  the  Reader  judge  whether  any  thing  in  all  this  can  in  the  leaft  infer 
his  Doubting  or  Denial  of  a  Future  State  j  or  any  Repentance  of  the  Pains  he  took 
to  eftablifh  others  in  the  Belief  and  Hopes  of  what  the  Gofpel  tells  us  of  as  future. 
It  is  ftrange  to  lee  how  Men  can  trifle  in  their  Soul-affairs ,  and  how  eafily  they 
can  receive  whatever  may  mortifie  the  Life  and  Joy  of  Chriftian  Godlinefs :  But 
we  read  of  fome  that  have  been  led  Captive  by  the  Devil  at  his  will.  But  this 
we  may  believe,  and  all  mail  find  that  the  Hell  which  they  gave  no  credit  to  the 
report  of,  they  mall  furely  feel ,  and  that  they  mall  never  reach  that  Heaven 
which  they  would  never  believe  £xi/rent ,  and  worth  their  ferious  looking  after. 
Were  it  but  a  meer  probability ,  or  pollibility,  who  will  have  the  better  of  it? 
When  we  reach  Heaven,  we  fhall  be  in  a  Capacity  of  Intuiting  over  Infidels: 
But  if  there  be  no  Future  State,  they  can  never  live  to  upbraid  us.  And  it  is  but 
folly,  madnefs,  and  a  voluntary  cheating  of  them  (elves,  for  Men  to  think  that 
Honour,  Parts,  or  Learning,  or  Intereft,  or  PolTeffions  can  ever  skreen  them  from 
the  Wrath  of  a  neglected  and  provoked  God.  And  one  would  think  that  fuch  a 
Spirit  that  can  lb  boldly  traduce  and  afperle  Men,  is  much  below  what  has  a&ed 
a  Pagan  Roman ;  for  even  one  of  them,could  lay, 

Compofitum  jits  fafaue  antmi,  Sanffofque  receffus 
Mentis*  &  mcotlum  gtnorofo  pellns  bonefio 

Da,  cedo ■ 

Perf. 

How  little  of  this  Spirit  was  in  the  Author  and  Promoter  of  this  Afperfion,  I 
leave  to  his  own  and  others  Thoughts  to  paufeon  ;  who  he  is  I  know  not:  But  for 
the  fike  of  his  Honour,  Soul,  and  Faculty,  I  mult  and  will  requeft  of  God  that  he 
may  have  thole  (otter  Remorles  in  his  own  Spirit  in  due  fealbn,  which  may  pre- 
vent a  fmarter  Cenfure  from  the  univerlal,  a«vful  Judge ;  and  that  he  woud  loberly 
paufe  upon  what  that  great  Judge  has  uttered,  and  lefc  upon  record  in  Mattb.  12. 
36,  57.  for  it  is  what  that  Judge  will  abide  and  try  us  by. 

I  can  eafily  forefee  that  Readers  of  different  forts  are  likely  to  receive  this  Work, 
with  different  Sentiments. 

1.  The  Interefted  Reader,  in  things  related  here,  will  judge  of  and  relifh  what 
he  reads  as  he  finds  himlelf  concerned  therein  :  He  may  poffibly  look  upon  himlelf 
as  either  commended  or  expofed,  blamed  or  jultified  j  whether  jultly  or  unjuftly  he 
may  belt  know.  But  I  would  hope  that  his  Concernednefs  for  the  Intereft  of  Equi- 
ty and  Truth ,  and  for  the  Publick  Good ,  will  rather  make  him  candid  than 
levere. 

2.  The  Impartial  Reader  is  for  knowing  Truth  in  its  due  and  ufeful  Evidence,  and 
for  confidering  himlelf  as  liable  to  Im  perfections  if  engaged  in  fuch  work  as  this: 
and  thus  he  will  allow  for  others  Weakneffes,  as  he  would  have  his  own  allowed 
for. 

5.  Should  any  Reader  be  cenfbrious,  and  ftretch  Exprefltons  and  Reports  beyond 
their  determined  Line  and  Reach,  fbber  and  clear  Conviction  in  this  Cafe  may  be 
their  Cure. 

4.  As  to  the  Judicious  Reader,  he  loves,  I  know,  to  fee  things  in  their  Nature, 
Order,  Evidence  and  Ulefulnefs :  and  if  he  find  Materials,  he  can  difpofe  them  ea- 
fily, and  phrale  them  to  his  own  Satisfaction,  and  at  the  lame  time  pity  the  injudi- 
cioufhefs  of  a  Puhlifher,  and  the  imperfections  of  the  Author. 

5.  As  to  the  we^k  Reader  (  for  judicioufnefs  is  not  every  fober  Perfbn's  Lot  )  it 
will  be  harder  to  convince  him  beyond  his  ability  of  dilcerning  things  in  their  di- 
ftin&nefs,  truth  and  Itrength. 

6.  As  to  the  hyaffed  Reader,  it  is  hoped  that  his  fecond  ferious  Thoughts  may 
cure  him  of  his  Partiality. 

d  7.  As 


The  Treface  to  the  Reader. 


7.  As  to  the  felfifh  Reader,  it  is  bold  for  any  Man  to  think  himfelf  Superiour  to 
the  reft  of  Men,and  that  all  muft  be  a  Sacrifice  to  his  own  Concerns  and  Humour: 
A  narrow  Soul  is  a  great  Infelicity,  both  to  its  (elf,  toothers,  and   the  Publick  In- 

tereft. 

8.  The  Publick  Spirited  Reader  is  more  concern  d  for  Truth  than  for  any  Thing 
that  Rivals  it :  his  Thoughts  and  Motto  is  Magna  ett  'Veritas  &  pravalebit ;  and  he 
will  think  himfelf  mod  gratified  when  Publick  Expectations  and  Concerns  are  an- 
i'wered  and  fecured  beft. 

9.  Thofe  that  are  perfectly  ignorant  of  what  the  Hiftory  is  mod  concerned  in 
will  be  glad  of  better  Informations ;  and  the  Things  recorded  will  be  (as  being  No- 
vel,) mo  ft  grateful  to  him. 

10.  As  to  thofe  that  were  acquainted  moftly  with  the  Things  here  mentioned  .they 
will  have  their  Memories  refremed,  and  meet  with  fome  Additions  to  their  uieful 
Knowledge. 

11.  And  as  to  my  felf,  if  there  beany  thing  untrue,  injurious,  or  unfit,  as  to 
either  Publick  or  Perfonal  Concerns,  the  Publilher  hopes  that  the  Reader  will  noc 
look  upon  him  as  obliged  to  juftifie  or  efpoufe  whatever  the  Aurhor  may  have  mil- 
reprefented,  through  his  own  Perfonal  Infirmities  or  Miftakes;  for  all  Men  are  im- 
perfect, and  my  Work  was  to  publilhthe  Author's  Sentiments  and  Reports ,  rather 
than  my  own :  Nor  will  I  vouch  for  every  Thing  in  this  Hiftory,  nor  in  any  meer 
Humane  Tieatife,  beyond  its  Evidence  or  Credibility.  But  let  the  Reader  affure 
himfelf  that  I  am  his,  in  the  belt  of  Bonds  and  Services,  whilft 

London,  May  13. 

1696.  I  am 


M.S. 


A 


»\ 


A 

BREVIATE 


O  F     T  H  E 


CONTENTS 

O  F    T  H  E 

Enfuing  Narrative: 

Which  was  written  by  Parts^at  different  Times. 

Part    I. 

Written  for  the  moft  part  in  1 66^ 

AFter  a  brief  Narrative  of  bit  Birth  and  Parent age ,an d  large  one  of  his  School- 
mafters,  Mr.  Baxter  proceeds  to  an  Account  of  the  means  of  his  coming  to 
aferious  fenfe  of  Religion,  and  of  bis  perplexing  Doubts  and  their  Solutions ,to 
page  9.  of  hts  bodily  weaknefr  and  indiJfo(ittons,to  p  n.  of  fever  al  remark- 
able Deliverances  be  met  with  :  viz.  from  the  Temptations  of  a  Court  Life; 
from  being  run  over  by  a  Waggon  ;  in  a  fall  from  a  Horfc  ;  and  from  Gaming, 
p.11,12.     His  applpng  bimfelf  to  the  Mtnifiry,  Ordination  by  the  Bificpof  Worcelter, 
and  Settlement  in  Dudley  School  at  Mafler,  p.  12,1 3.      Hu  fludymg  the  Matter  of  Con- 
formity, and  Judgment  about  it  at  that  time,  p.  15,  14.     His   removal  from  Dudley  fa 
Bridgnorth,  andjuccefi  there,  p.  14,1  f.  of  the  coming  out  of  the  Etcaetera  Oath  ,  and 
bis  further  jiudying  the  point  fl/Epilcopacy  upon  that  occajion,  p.  if,  16.     Upon  occajion  of 
this  Etcetera  Oath,  he  paffesto  the  Dtjfatufacliom  in  Scotland  on  the  account  of  the  impojfr 
tion  of  the  Engltfli  Ceremonies,  thence  to  Ship-money  in  England,  thence  to  the  Scots  firfi 
coming  hither,  and  jo  to  the  opening  of  the  Long  Parliament^.  16,17.     After  an  Account  of 
their  Proceedings  tillfucb  time  as  a  Committee  waschofen  to  bear  Petitions  againft  Scandalous 
Mmijters,  he  jhews  how  by  that  means  be  came  to  be  fettled  in  the  Town  of  Kiddermin- 
fter  as  Leclurer  to  a  fcandalous  Incumbent,  againjt  whom  a  Petition  bad  been  prefented  to 
that  Committee,  had  be  not  confented  to  bit  Settlement  under   him,  p.  1 8,  &c.  a  fort  of  a 
Prediction  of  bis  in  a  Funeral  Sermon  preacbt  afterwards  at  Bridgnorth,  p.  20.  His  Temp- 
tations to  Infidelity,  and  to  quefiion  the  Truth  of  tbt  Scriptures,  &c.  with  the  means 
of  bis  being  extricated  out  of  them,  p.  2  i,&c.  a  remarkable  ftory  of  a  falfe  Accufation  of 
one  Mr.  Crofs  a  pious  MiniBcr  in  the  Neighbourhood  of  Kidderrainlf  er,  as  if  be  attempted 
to  ravifls  a  Woman,  with  its  deteclion^  p.  24.  A  return  to  the  Proceedings  of  the  Parliament; 
and  Account  of  the  Jprings  and  rife  of  the  Civil  War,  to  p.  29.    The  Cafe  of  the  Country 
fi-ated  about  tbt  Civil  Differences  between  King  and  Parliament,  and  the  Ecclefiaftical 
Differences  between  the  Prelatical,  and  the  Antiprelatical  Party,  from  p.  50.  to  p.  38. 
His  own  fenfe  of,  and  judgment  about  this  matter,  p.  39.  Here  be  returns  to  the  feries  of  bis 
own  Life,  and  relates  a  remarkable  fiory  of  bis  preservation  from  the  fury  of  the  rabble  at 
Kidderminff  er,  who  were  enrag'd  upon  the  Churchwardens  going  to  remove  a  Crucifix 
according  to  order  of  Parliament ,  P40.  upon  the  Peoples  tumult  uoujhejt he  retired  to  Glou- 

d  2  Getter^ 


The  Contents. 


cefter,  where  he  fir  ft  wet  with  fome  of  the  Anabaptifts,  p.4o;4r.  then  he  returns  to  Kid- 
der minfter,  where  a  little  after,  feme  of  Eflexes  Army  Quarter"  d :  but  they  retiring  before 
a  part  of  the  Kings  Army,  and  he  finding  the  Rabble  furious  thought   not  his  (lay  Jaje,  and 
fowent  with  the  Eflexians  to  Worcefter,  p.  42.     O&ober   the    23d,  1640.  the  day  of 
Edge-hill  Fight  he  preach  at  Alcefter ;  and  the  next  day  went  to  Jee  the  place  of  Battel, 
p.43.  after  this  be  went  to  Coventry  i  where  he  continued  a  year,  preaching  to  the  Town 
end  Garrifon,  P44.  he  went  with  fame  Country  Gentlemen  to  Werrfoi  and  other  places,  de- 
figning  to  leave  Coventry ;  but  foon  returned  thither  again  ;  and  fray' d  there  another  year, 
having  much  trouble  from  Separatifts,  Anabaptifts,  and  Antinomians,   p.  47.     Of  the 
laying  the  Earl  of  Effex  aftde,  and  the  new  modelling  the  Army,  p.  47.     Of  thz    Scotch 
Covenant.     How  far  Prelacy  was  abjurd  in  it  as  it  was  explain  d  by  the  Affembly  of  Dt- 
vines,  p.  48.  of  Cromwell'*  hterefi,  in  the  new  model?  d  Army  ,  and  the   change   of  the 
eld  Ceufe,p.49.  the  Fight  at  Nafeby  and  its  Conferences,  p.  JO.    an  Account  of  his  firff 
coming  into  the  Army  prefently  after  that  Fight  J  the  Principles. and  Temper  he  then  found 
prevail  among  ft  them,  p.  joy-f  r.     How  he  became  a  Chaplain  to  Col.  Whalley'*  Regiment, 
and  upon  what  grounds  and  confiderations ,  p. $2.  how  ftrenuottfly  he  fet  bimfelf  to  oppoje  the 
Sectaries  in  the  Army,  p.  5-5.     An  Account  of  the  fever al  Marches  and  moft  remarkable 
Actions  of  the  Army,  while  he  continued  in  it,  from  p.  5" 4.  to  p.  j8.     £  An  Account  of  a 
Diffute  he  maintained  for  an  whole  day  togethet  with  feme  of  the  Sectaries  of  the  Army,  in 
the  Church  at  Agmondefham  in  Buckinghamfhire ,  p.  56.]      His  ficknefr  fore 't  him  to 
withdraw  from  the  Army ;  retiring  from  which,  he  after  fever  al  removes,  returns  to  Kid- 
derminfter, p.  y8.     A  further  Account  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  Sedaries  afhr  he  left 
the  Army,  and  of  Oliver'*  intreagues,  p.f9»     An  Account  of  the  King's  treatment  after  his 
delivering  bimfelf  to  the  Scots,  till  be  was  fore  t  to  fly  to  the  Ifle  of  Wight  ,  p.  60,  61. 
of  the  Treuy  that  was  on  foot  with  the  King  while  he  was  confind  there  j  and  the   Di~ 
ffute  between  the  Kings  and  Parliaments  Divines  concerning  the  Point  of  Epiicopacy,  and 
his  Judgment  about  it,  p.62.     What  follow' d  afterwards  till  the  King's  Tryal  and  Execu- 
tion, p.  6;.     Of  the  Engagement;  bis  Judgment  of  it  and  Preaching  again ft  it,  p.64. 
What  hindred  Cromwell'*  advancement  after  the  taking  off  the  King,  p.  6$\  of  King 
Charles  the  Second  his  being  forct  by  the  Scots  to  take  the  Covenant,  before  they  would 
admit  him  to  the  SuCceffion;  and  his  Judgment  thereupon  ,  p.  66.     Of  the  Order  of  the 
Rump  for  all  Minifters  upon  pain  of  Se^ueftration  to  pray  to  God  for  fuccefr  for  the  Army 
advancing  againfi  the  Scots,  and  to  return  Thanks  for  their  Victories  j  and  his  Practice  a- 
bout  it,  p.66.     Of  the  trouble  of  the  Presbyterian  Minifters  in  London  on  account  of  their 
adherence  to  the  King  ;  and  Mr.  Love'*  Tryal,  p.  67.  of  Cromwell'*   march  into  Scot- 
land, and  his  Victory  there  ;  the  King's  march  into  England,  and  the  Fight  at  Worcefter, 
p.  68,  69.  of  what  followed  after,  till  Cromwell  became  Protect  our  :  and  the  Judgment  of 
the  generality  of  the  Minifters  as  to  the  point  of  Submiffion  to  him,  p.  70,71.  of  the  Triers 
of  Minifters  chofen  ^/Cromwell,  p.  72.  of  the  Affembly  at  Weftminfter,  p.  73.  Of 
the  feveral Seels  which  (prang  up  in  tbefe  times.     Of  the  Vanifts.    Sir  Henry  Vane*  Cha- 
racter, p-74,75-.  Of  the  Seekers  and  Ranters,  p.  76.  of  the  Quakers  and  Behmenifts, 
p.  77.  of  ether  Sett- Matters,  as  Dr.  Gell,  Mr.  Parker,  Dr.  Gibbon,  &c.  p.  78. 

Prom  publick  he  then  paffes  to  his  own  per fonal  Affairs.  And  gives  a  full  Account  of  the 
Se^ueft 'ration  of  the  Living  of  Kidderminfter,  p.  79.  An  Account  of  his  illneft  after  his 
return  t  hither, and  of  feveral  Anfwers  of  Prayer  with  reference  thereto;  as  alfo  with  reference 
toothers,  p.8o,8i,82.  A  particular  account  of  bis  laborious  work  and  diligent  improve- 
ment $f  his  time  to  the  beft  advantage  in  bis  Mafters  fervice  while  at  Kidderminfter  p.82. 
the  great  fuccefi  of  his  Mmifterial  Labours  amongft  that  People,  p.84,8  5-.  His  great  advan- 
tages in  order  to,  and  in  all  this  fervice,  ^86,87,88,89,90.  The  Church  Difcipline  kept 
up  there,  p  9  i,&c.  the  difference  that  arofe  between  him  and  Mr.  Tombs,  and  their  publick 
Diffutc  at  Eewdley,  p.  96. 

Cromwell'/  Death  and  Character,  p.  89.  Of  the  fitting  up  and  depofmg   of  Richard 
Cromwell  j  with  a  Centre  upon  it,  p.  100,1  or.  en  which  occafion  a  general  Account  is  gi- 
ven of  the  Sectarian  Party  then  grown  rampant ,  p.iox,&c. 
Of  Monk'*  coming  to  refiore  the  King,  p.io^&c. 

A  large  account  of  bis  feveral  Books  and  Writings.  The  occafions  of  them,  and  the  apporti- 
on made  agamfl  them,  from  p.  1 06.  to  p.  1 24. 

A  general  Cenfure  of  bis  own  Works,  p.  124.  a  Comparifon  between  bis  younger  and  his  ri- 
per years  ;  An  account  of  his  Sentiments  about  Controverfial  Writings  j  His  Temptations 
and  Difficulties  ;  moft  conftderable  improvements;  and  remaining  defects  t  from  p.  124.  to 
p.  1 36.  a  penitent  Confeffton  of  bit  Faults,  p.  1 37. 


PART 


The  Contents. 


Part    II. 

Wrirten  in  i66$- 

HE  begins  with  the  Difference!  and  Debates  about  Church  Government  in  the  latetimes^ 
and  gives  hit  Judgment  about  the  fever al  Principles  of  the  Eraftians,Prelatifts,  Prei- 
byterians,  Independants,  and  Anabaptifta  ;  jhows  what  he  approv'd  and  difliKd  in  each  ; 
mentions  the  many  impediments  on  all  bands  to  charitable  conciliatory  endeavours  j  and  yet 
gives  an  Account  how  he  refolvd  tofet  upon  reconciling  work,  in  order  whereto  the  Wor^e- 
iterfhire  Agreement  was  form  d,  which  was  not  altogether  without  its  fucctfi,  from  p.  1 29. 
to  p-iyc.  Nineteen  Queries  about  Ecclefiafi  ical  Cafes,  drawn  up  by  an  Epifcopal  man  mtht 
late  Times,  and  convey' d  to  him  by  Sir  Ralph  Clare,  with  bis  Answer  to  them,  from  p .  I J  I. 
top.157.  A  Letter  of  his  in  anfwerto  Sir  Ralph  Clare  bis  Part(l]ioner,wbo  would  not  Com- 
municate with  him,  unlefi be  might  receive  kneeling,  and  on  a  dtftinft  day,  and  not  with  tbofe 
who  received  fitting,  p.ij^&c.  A  Letter  from  the  ajjoctated  Mintfters  tn  Cumberland  and 
Wefrmoreland/o  the  affociated  Mintfters  in  W orce(terftiire,,p.  162. an  Answer  to  it,p.i6^. 
Many  other  Counties  begin  to  affo  date  for  Church  Difctpline:  the  Articles  agreed  to  Joy  the  Mi- 
niflers in  Wiltihire,  p.  167.  A  Letter  from  the  affociated  Churches  in  Ireland,  to  Mr.  Baxter 
and  the  ajjoctated  Mintfters  in  Worcefterfhire,  p.169.  the  Anfwer  to  it,  p.  170.  A  fecond 
Letter  from  the  Irifh  Miniflers,  p.  171.  A  Letter  of  Mr.  Baxter'*  to  Bilhop  Brownrigg, 
about  an  Agreement  between  the  Presbyterian  and  Epifcopal  Party,  p.  172.  The  Bijhops  Reply 
to  it  j  containing  his  Judgment  about  Church  Government,  p.  174,1 7  y,&c.iWr.  Baxter'* 
Notes  on  the  Bifhop's  Anfwer,  p.  178.  After  this,  he  upon  occapon  of  tbe  paffing  of  Letters  be- 
tween him  and  Mr.  Lamb  and  Mr.  Allen,  two  Anabaptift  Preachers,  to  dtfjwade  them  from 
feparation,  propounds  and  anfwers  this  Quefiton  ;  Whether  it  be  our  duty  to  feek  peace  with 
the  Anabaptith?  andpropofes  a  method  of  managing  a  Pacificatory  attempt  with  them,  p.  1 8  r. 
&c.  A  perjonal Treaty  of  bis  with  Mr.  Nye  about  an  Agreement  with  the  Independants, 
and  a  long  Letter  to  him  about  that  affair,  p  i88,&C.  Propojals  made  by  him  in  Crom- 
well* time,  for  a  general  holy  Communion,  Peace,  and  Concord,  between  the  Churches  in 
thefe  Nations,  without  any  wrong  to  the  Confciences  or  L/tarr/>*,0/Presbyterians,  Congre- 
gational, Epifcopal  •  or  any  other  Cbrifi  tans,  p-191,  &c.  The  occafron  of  choofir.g  a  Com- 
mittee of  Divines,  to  make  a  Collection  of  fundamentals  j  of  which  Mr.  Baxter  was  one, 
p.197.  Hti  own  Judgment  ^Fundamentals,  lb. and  p.  1 98.  The  proceedings  of  tbe  Di- 
vines in  this  matter,  p  1 99.  Papers  delivered  in  by  Mr.  Baxter  to  them,  on  points  wherein 
he  differed  from  them,  p.2C0  6Cc. 

An  Account  of  his  preaching  before  Cromwell  ;  and  pirfonal  Conference  with  him  after- 
Wards  m  private  ;  and  a  fecond  Conference  with  him  in  his  Privy  Council,  p.  205.  of  what 
fajt  between  him  and  Dr.  Nich.  Gibbon,ibid.  Of  bis  Acquaintance  and  Converjatton  with 
Archbiihop  Ulher,  while  he  continued  at  my  Lord  Broghil'*  :  where  a  particular  account 
is  given  of  the  Learned  Primates  Judgment  about  Universal  Redemption  'y  about  Mr.Bzx- 
ter'j  terms  of  Concord ;  and  about  the  validity  of  Presbyters  Ordination,  p.  206 .  Of  the 
Carriage  of  the  Anabaptilts  #/>er  the  Death  of  Cromwell,  p.2c6.  and  tbe  general  Confufi- 
cn  of  the  Nation,  p.207.  New  Propofals  be  made  to  Dr.  Hammond  about  an  Agreement 
with  the  Epifcopal  Party,  by  Sir  Ralph  Clare'*  means,  p.208.  Dr.Hammond'*  Anjwer, 
and  Mr.  Baxter'/  Reply,  p.  210. 

Of  General  Monk's  march  to  London ;  and  the  common  fentiments  and  expectations  of 
fcople  at  that  time,  p.  2 14.  of  his  preaching  before  tbe  Parliament  the  day  before  they  voted 
tbe  King  back,  p.2 17.  of  his  Conference  with  Dr.  Gauden  and  Dr.  Morley,  p.2  1 8.  What 
faft  between  one  William  Johnfbn,  a  Papift,  and  Mr*  Baxter  ;  in  particular  with  reference 
to  tbe  Lady  Anne  Lindfey,  daughter  of  tbe  Countefi  of  Balcarres,  whom  he  had  feducd  and 
afterwards  fiole  away  and  convey  d  into  France,  p  2 18, &c.  Two  Letters  of  Mr.  Baxter'* 
to  this  young  Lady  ;  one  before  Jlje  was  fiole  away  j  and  the  other  while  Jlie  was  in  a  Nun- 
mry  in  France,  p.22i,&c. 

Of  peoples  various  expectations  upon  the  Rings  return,  p. 229.  Offome  of  the  Presbyteri- 
an Mintfters  being  made  tbe  King's  Chaplains  j  and  Mr.  Baxter  among  the  reft, ibid,  feve- 
ralofthem  together  wait  on  bts  Majefty.  The  fum  of  Mr.  Baxter'*  Speech  to  the  King, 
p.  250.  tbe  King  receives  them  gractoufly,  and  orders  them  to  bring  in  Propofals  in  order  to 
an  Agreement  about  Church  Government,  p.2  r:i.  whereupon  they  daily  met  at  Sion  Col- 
ledge  for  Confutation,  p.  2  2.2. 

Their  firfi  AddreJS  and  Propofals  to  his  Majefty  about  Concord,p.2;2,&C  tbe  brief  funi 
of  their  judgment  and  de fires  about  Church  Government,  p.  237.  Bifhop  Ulher'*  Model 
of  Government  to  which  they  all  agreed  to  adhere,  p.2  38,     Five  Keauefts  made  to  the  King 

h 


The  Contents. 


tbeCircum/tances  of  affairs  at  that  time,  p.241.  The  An  fiver  of 


izet  the  Alterations  of  the  Declaration  which  they  offer  d^^  a  Conference  ^eenfe- 
lera\Divinesofeachfide,aboutthe^^ 


count  of  b»enm,t/again(t  Mr.Bzxttr.p.iSo.  of  the  offer  of  a  B.lhopnc :  made  to  Mr. 
Baxter  with  [owe  others,  who  joyntly  demurred  about  the  acceptance,  p.281  Mr.  Baxter  re- 
fJes  to  accept  the  terms  proofed  in  the  f ore-mention 'd  Declaration;  and Jends  a  Letter  to  the 
Lord  Cbancellour  containing  bts  Reafons,p.2Sl  Dr.  Regnolds  accepts  a  Bfiomck:  other 
Preferments  offered  to  other  Presbyterians  who  refmdtbem,  p.283.  An  Addrels  of  Thanks 
to  the  Kmzirom  the  London  Minifters,  for  bts  Declaration,  p.  284.  a  Cenfure  of  t bts  De- 
claration p  286.  How  well  this  Declaration  was  put  in  Execution,  p.  287.  Mr.  Crofton  s 
writmz  for  the  Covenant,  and  imprifinment  in  the  Tower,  p.  288.  Afalfe  report  firead  a- 
bout  of  Mr.  Baxter,  by  Mr.  Horton,  Chaplain  to  the  Earl  of  Manchefter,  p.  289.  an  ac- 
count of  Mr.  Baxter';  tranfaftions  with  the  Lord  Chancellour,  about  the  Affairs  of  New- 
England,  p.290.  a  Letter  to  Mr.  Baxter  from  the  Court  and  Government  of  New-Eng- 
land, p.29  r.  another  from  Mr.  Norton,  p.292.  another  from  Mr.  Elliot,  p.293.  Mr.B&x- 
ter'/  anfwer  to  Mr.  Elliot,  p.29  J .  A/r.Baxter'j  endeavours  to  be  record  to  the  People  of  Kid- 
derminfter,  from  whom  he  was  Separated  upon  the  return  of  the  feaue fred  Mimfters  to  their 
Livings,  p  298.  A  Letter  of  my  Lord  Chancellours  to  Sir  Ralph  Clare  about  Mr.  Baxter'/ 
mwrwfoKidderminfter,  p.299.  Of  the  Rifing  of  the  Fifth  Monarchy  men  under  Venner, 
about  tbu  time,  p.301.  of  his  publick  Miniftryin  London,  p  201.  His  going  to  the  Arcb- 
bifrop  to  beg  a  Licenfe,p.^o2.  His  Majeftys  Commiffion  for  the  Savoy  Conference^.  202.. 
an  Account  of  what  paft  at  the  Conference,  p.;oj.  Exceptions  that  Mr.  Baxter  drew  up  a- 
gainjt  the  Common  Prayer  at  that  *jwe,p.2o8.  the  Exceptions  againft  the  Book  of  Common 
Prayer  that  were  deliver  d  in  to  the  CommiJJioners,  p.  316,  &c.  Of  the  choice  of  the  Convo- 
cation, and  of  Mr.  Calamy,  and  Mr.  Baxter  for  London,  p. 2 3  3.  a  further  account  of  the 
Conference,  p.  3  34>&c.  a  Paper  then  offer'd  by  Dr.  Cofins,  about  a  way  to  terminate  the 
differences;  with  an  Anfwer  to  it,  p.34i,&c. 

An  Account  of  the  Dijfuie  managed  in  Writing  at  that  time,  between  Dr.  Pierfon,  Dr. 
Gunning,  Dr.  Sparrow,  and  Dr.  Pierce  ;  and  Dr.  Bates,  Dr.  Jacomb,  and  A/r.Baxrer, 
it/ho  were  deputed  for  that  purpofe,  p,346,&C.  A  Reply  to  the  Biflicps  Diffutants  which  was 
not  anfwer 'd,  p  tfo.  a  Continuation  of  the  Conference^p.^6.  a  Copy  of  the  Part  of  the  Bi- 
Jhops  Divines  in  the  DtJputation,p:^^S.  A  Cenfure  of  this  Conference,  and  Account  of  the, 
M/magersof  it}p.^6^.of  the  Minifters  going  up  to  the  King  afterthe  Conference  ,p.%6$. the  Pe- 
tition they  prefented  to  bis  Majefty  on  that  occafion,  p.  366.  to  which  (by  reafen  of  their  Affi' 
nity)  is  annexed  aCopy  of  the  Concefftons  that  were  made  by  Bijhop  \Ji]iCr,BiJhop  Williams, 
Bifiop  MoTQion,Bijhop  Ho\6Cworth,and many  others  in  a  Committee  at  Weltminfler  1641. 
p.369. 

Books  written  againft  Mr  .Baxter  fyiWr.Nanfen,Dr.Tompkins,W  0/^^.373. fftgw* 
to  Kiddciminfter,f0  try  if  he  might  be  permitted  to  preach  there  ,p.374«  Bi[hop  Morley  and 
bts  Dean, endeavour  tofet  the  people  there  againft  him,p.^'j^,^'j6.  ity.Morley  and  Dr.Bore- 
man  write  againft  him,  p.377.  A/r.Baglhaw  writes  againft  the  Bijhop,  p.378.  Of  the  fur- 
rept  it  ioui  publication  of  the  Savoy  Conference,  p.  379.  other  afjaults  that  Mr.  Baxter  met 
with,  p.  3  80.  afalfe  report  raised  of  him  by  Dr.  Earls,  p.  381.  a  Letter  of  Mr.  Baxter'*  tQ 
him  on  that  occafion,  with  his  anfwer  to  it,  p.  382.  Divers  Minifters  imprifond  particularly 
in  Worcefteifhire,  on  occafion  of  a  fretendedConffiracy,p.^%^.  Of  05JL3O&  35&JBU 
C  lp£)L£>©€{KLl  D8?  1662.  where  in  fo  many  Minifters  were  filencd,  p.  384.  of  the; 
fad  conferences  of  that  day,  9385-  Mr.  Calamy'j  imprifonment  for  preaching  occafionally  af- 
ter the  (ilencing,  p  386.  the  ftate  of  the  Conform ifts  and  Nonconformifts  in  England  at 
that  time,p  336.  the  Jum  of  their  fever al  Caufes,  and  the  Reafons  of  their  fever al  ways  p. 
387.&C. 

Of  the  King's  Declaration,  Dec.26.1  (56243.430.  Old  Mr.  Afhes  Death  and  Character, 
ibid  Mr.  James  Nalton'j  Death  and  Character,  p.  43 1.  How  Mr.  Baxter  and  Dr.  Bates 
had  like  to  have  been  apprehended  for  going  to  pray  with  afick  perfon,  p.43  r.  of  the  impri- 
fonment of  divers  Minifters  about  the  Country,  p.432.  Strange  Judgments  ofGod,about  this 
ume  turn d  by  the  Devil  to  bts  own  advantage,  ibid.  Much  talk  about  an  Indulgence  or  a 
Comprchenfion  in  1663.  p.43  3.  An  Anfwer  (fent  in  a  Letter  to  an  honourable  Perfon  at 
that  time)  to  tbu  Queftion,  Whether  tfy  way  of  Comprehenfion  or  Indulgence  h  more  d+> 

fable. 


The  Contents. 


firable,  p.434.  But  the  Parliament  that  then  fate,  conftderably  added  to  former  rigour,p.^  5*. 
Mr.  Baxter  and  others  go  to  the  Affemblies  of  the  Church  o/*England,  P4;6.  His  Anfwer  to 
the  Objections  agamft  this  prallice,and  Reafons  for  it,  p-4}8.  He  retires  to  A&on,  p.  440. 
A  Letter  to  Mr.  Baxter  from  Monfieur  Amyraut,  another  from  Monfieur  SollicoiTer  a  Swit- 
z,er,  which  by  reafon  of  the  Jealou/ies  he  was  under,  he  thought  not  fit  to  anfwer,  p.  442.  He 
debates  with  fome  ejelted  Minifiers,  the  Cafe  about  Communicating  jometimes  with  the  Pa- 
rt]}) Churches,  m  the  Sacraments,  p.444.  A  Letter  from  my  Lord  Afbley  ,  with  a  Jpectal 
Cafe,  about  the  lawfulnefrof  a  ?rote(tant  Lady's  marrying  a  Papift,  in  hope  of  his  Converfi- 
on,  with  Mr.  Baxter*  reply,  p.  44  j. 

Part    III. 

Written  for  the  moft  part  in  the  year  1670. 

OF  the  Plague  in  the  year  i66f,  pi.   during  the  SicknejS  fome  of  the  ejected  Minifiers 
preach  in  the  City  Churches,  p.2.  at  the  fame  time  the  Five-mile  Ait  was  framd  at 
Oxfordjibid.  a  Cenfure  of  the  Alt,  p.;.  the  reafons  of  mens  refufal  to  take  the  Oathimpofed 
by  that  Alt,p.$.   Queries  upon  the  Oxford  Oath,p7.  farther  Rebellions  on  /r.p.ie.  Twenty 
Nonconforming  Mtmjlers  take  this  Oath,p.  1  3.-1  Letter  from  Dr.Bates  to  Mr. Baxter  about  that 
affair,  p.14.  of  the  Dutch  War,  p.\6.  of  the  Fire  or  London,  ibid,  of  the  Inftruments  of 
the  Fire,  p.i  8.  The  Nonconformifts  fet  up  feperate  publick  Meetings,  p.i  9.  of  the  burning  of 
our  Ships  at  Chatham  by  the  Dutch,  p.  20.    the  di/grace  and  banifliment  of  my  LordChan- 
cellour  Hide,  ibid.   S/rOrlando  Bridgman  made  Lord  Keeper,  p.22.  the  Nonconform  ills 
conniv'd  at  in  their  Meetings ,ib.  Mr.Bixter  fent  for  to  the  Lord  Keeper  about  a  Toleration 
rfw</Comprehenfion,  p.2  3.   Propofals  then  offer1  d  by  Mr.  Baxter  and  others,  p.  24.  the  Lord 
Keeper's  Propofals, p.2$.  Alterations  made  by  Mr.  Baxter  and  his  Affoctates  in  his  Propofals, 
p.27.  [  falfiy  pag'd  59.")  Reafons  oftbefe  Alterations,p  z%.  \_f&lfl]p*gd  ;6.]  Alterations  of 
the  Liturgy  ficc.  then  offer  d,  p.  5  1. 1  faljly  pagd  39.]  two  new  Propofals  added,  and  accepted 
wtth  alterations,  p.  3  4.  an  Addrefi  of  fome  Presbyterian  Mimfters  to  the  King,with  a  Letter 
of  Dr.M.nton  s  to  A/r.Baxter  about  it,  p .36.  great  talk  of  Liberty  at  this  time,  but  none  en- 
fued,p.^S.  Of  the  Book  calTd  AFiiendly  Debate,  p.39.  0/Parker'*  Ecclefiaftical  Policy, 
p  41    of  Dr.  Owens  Anfwer,  and  Parkers  Reply,  p.42.  An  Apologue  or  two, familiarly  re- 
1  ,fjenting  the  Heats  and  Feuds  of  thofe  times,p.^^,t}CQ.  A/r.  Baxter'*  further  account  of  btmfelf 
while  he  remained  at  Afton,  p.4.6.  of  his  acquaintance  with  worthy  Sir  Matth.Hale,p  47.  of 
the  dtflurbance  he  rcceivdat  A&on,p48.  he  is  fent  to  New  Prifon.p  49.   a  Narrative  of 
his  Cafe  at  that  time,  p.  <f  1.  the  Errours  of  his  Mittimus,  with  an  Explication  of  the  Oxford 
Aft,  p  f6.   His  Refleclions  during  his  imprifonment,  p.  j8.    His  Releafe  and  perplexity  there- 
upon, p.6o.  His  Benef alt  ours  while  tn  prifon  jb'id.   His  bodily  weaknefi,\\)\c\.  An  Account  of 
his  Writings  fince  1 665".  p.6i.  an  Account  of  a  Treaty  between  him  and  Dtt.Owen,about  an 
Agreement  between  the  Presbyterians  and  the  Independants,p .61.  a  Letter  0}  Dr.  Owen's 
to  Mr.  Baxter  about  that  matter,  p.63.  Mr. Baxter's  Reply  to  ir,p.<54.  bow  it  was  dropp'd, 
p.69.  of  his  Methotlus  Theologia?,  ibid,  and  fome  other  Writings, p.70.  the  heat  of  jome 
of  bis  oldpeople  at  Kidderminlrer,p.73.f&ere»eu'tf/  of  the  Alt  agatnft  Conventicles ; p. 74.  Dr. 
Manton'j  imprifonment,  ibid.  Great  offers  made  to  A/r.  Baxter  by  the  Earl  of  Lauderdail,  if 
he  would  go  with  him  into  Scotland    Mr.Baxter's  Letter  to  htm  upon  that  occafion  p-75". 
Another  Letter  of  his  to  the  Earl  of  Lauderdail,  P77.  \_faljly  figd^.]  a  Letter  of  bis  to 
Sir  Robert  Murrey,  about  a  Body  of  Church  Difcipline  for  Scotland,  which  was  fent  to  him 
for  his  Judgment  about  it,  p.78.    the  Affair  of  the  Marquis  of  Antrim,  with  reference  to  bis 
Commiffion  from  .K.Charles  I.p.8;.o/"Du  Moulin'/ J ugulum  Cnuk;and  two  Books  of  Dr. 
Fowler  j,  p.85".  of  Serjeant  Fountain'*  kindnefr  to  him,  p.  86.    of  Major  Blood,  and  his 
ftealmg  the  Crown,  p.88.  of  the  /hutting  up  the  Exchequer,    by  which  Mr.  Baxter  toil;  a 
thoufand  pounds, which  he  had  devoted  to  charitable  ufes,p.%y.  of  Fowlis'*  Hiftory  of  Romijli 
Treafcns,p.<yo.  Cbaralters  of  many  of  the  filencd  Minifiers,  of  Worcefterfllire,  Warwick- 
fhire,  m  and  about  London^c  from  p.eyo.to  p.98.  thefecond  Dutch  War,  and  the  Declara- 
tion for  Liberty  of Confcience  t  hereupon  ,P99.  the  different  Sentiments  of  People  about  the  de- 
fir ablenefi either  of  an  e/tablifrt  Toleration,  or  a  Comprehenfion,  p.  1 00.   Mr.  Baxter  gets 
a  Luenfe, p.  1 02.  the  Merchants  Lelture  fet  up  at  Pinners-  Hall ;  and  Afr.Baxter'*  Accufati- 
ons  for  his  Sermons  there,  p.103.    Malitiom  Writings  and  Accufations  of  Parker  and  others, 
ibid,  a  private  Conference  between  Mr.  Baxter  and  Bp.  Gunning,  p.  104.    the  Parliament 
jealous  of  the  growth  of  Popery,  p.  106.  a  private  Conference  of  Mr.  Baxter'*  with  Edward 
W ray  fEfq.  about  the  Popifh  Controverfies, p.ioj.  A/r.Falkener  writes  for  Conformity, p.ioS. 
a  Letter  of  Mr. battel's  to  the  Earl  of  Orery  ,about  a  general  Union  of  all  Protefiants  againfi 
Popery,  with  Propofals  for  that  purpofe,p  io9,8tc.  the  Strictures  returri d  upon  thefe  Propofals , 
with  the  Anfwers  to  them,  from  p.i  13  .to  140.  More  bitter  and  malignant  Writings  againft 

the 


The  Contents. 


the  Nonconforming.^.*  taper  of  Mr.  John  Humphreys/or  Comprehenfionwithlndul- 
aence,  that  was  difirtbuted  among  the  Parliament  men,  p.  14;  &C  a  great  change  of  Affairs 
in  Scotland,  p.  H7-  «  C*«"#"  ofM-.  Thomas  Gouge  tbeflencdMinfrofSt.^paU 
chres  p  147  «  X.«««r  0/  A/r.Baxter'j  to  Dr.Good  Matter  of  Bahol  Col/edge  m  Oxford,* 
bout  fome  paff ages  in  a  Book  he  had  lately  publi]Jid,?.t^S.  fi-efl,  Accufations  whereby  Afr.Bax- 
ter  was  aflaulted  ,p.i^  i.a  Deliverance when  he  was  preaching  over  St  James  s  Market-houie, 
p  i  c  2  bufitcce/S  while  he  preacfrt  there  j  and  his  oppofitton,  p.  1  J  3.  *  Proclamation  publiflid 
to  call  in  the  Licenfes,  and  require  the  Execution  of  the  Laws  agmnft  the  Nonconf  ormtfl  s  ,\h. 
falle  Reports  about  his  preaching  at  Pinnets-Hall5p.  if  4.  Mr.Bwter  apprehended  as  a  Con- 
ventickr  p  1 5  c.  a  difference  at  Court  on  occafion  of  Mr.BaxterV  Sufferings,?.!  f  6.  a  private 
Treaty  between  Dr.Scillingfleet,  Dr.Tillotfon.Dr.Bates,  Dr.Manton,  iWr.Baxter, and  Mr. 
Voo\,about  an  All  for  Union  and  Comprehevfion,p.  1  y  7.  An  Act  j or  the  Healing  and  Concord 
of  bus  Majefiys  Subjefts  in  raters  of  Religion,  then  agreed  upon  among?  them,p.i  *8.  Petiti- 
ons Mr.  Baxter  was  then  put' upon  drawing  up}  which  were  never  pre/ented,  16c.  the  Cafe  of 
the  City  as  to  the  Profecution  of  Dijfcnters,p.\6'$.  [falfly  pagd  ^.  an  account  of  bis  trouble 
with  Sir  Thomas  Davis,ibid.gn^f  Debates  about  the  Telr.  in  Farliament,p.i6j.  a  Cenfure 
of  it,  p.  1*8.  a  penitent  Confeffion  of  one  of  the  Informers  who  had  given  Mr.  Baxter  much 
trouble,  p.171.  further  troubles  that  he  met  with,  and  weaknetf,  p.172.  afurther  Account  of 
Sir  Matthew  Hals,  p.  175-.  of  Mr.  Read'i  imprifonment ,  p.  176. 

Of  the  Additions  of  the  years  1675,1 676, 1677,1 6y^,&c. 

OF  Monfteur  Le  Blank' j  Tbefes,  p.  1 77.  of  DrJznSs  Sermon  before  my  Lord  Mayor,  and 
his  Charge  again f  Mr. Baxter,; bid.  further  troubles  he  met  with,  p.  178.  a  paffage  be- 
tween the  Bp.  of Exeter  and  /Wr.Sangar,  ibid,  an  horrid  Lie  reported  of  Mr.  Baxter  in  a 
Coffee- houfe  about  his  Ming  a  Tinker ,  the  Reporter  whereof  was  brought  openly  to  conftfi  bis 
fault,?.  179.  Mr.  HollingworthV  Sermon  agamfl  the  Nonconformist,  p.  180.  a  further  paf- 
fage of  &>  Match.  Hale,p.i8r.  Dr.  Mantorw  death,  p.182.  about  the  Contr  over  fie  of  Pre- 
determination fiarted  amongfl  the  Nonconformijts,by  a  Book  of  A/r.How';,  ib.  of  the  Pcpijh 
Plot  and  Sir  Edmundbury  Godfi  efs  murder  ,81c.  p.  183.  of  fever  al  ofMr.Baxitv's  Wri- 
tings $.\%^.  of  the  Writings  of  Dr.Stillingrleet,  A/r.Hinkley,  Mr.Dodwell,  and  others,  a- 
gainft  the  Nonconform^  s,  p.  1 87,  188.  of  the  deaths  of  many  of  his  dear  Friends,  p.  1 89. 
fome  further  account  of  Mr.  Thomas  Gouge,  p.  190.  of  his  new  apprebenfion  and  jicknt/t 
p.191.  an  Account  of  his  Cafe  at  that  time,p.\<)i.  the  Judgment  of  Saunders  and  Pollixhn 
about  it3  p.iyf. of  fome  ether  of  his  Writmgs3p.ip6.  of  a  Legacy  0/600  i.  left  by  A/r.Roberc 
Mayot  of  Oxon,  to  be  dtslnbuted  by  Mr.  Baxter  among  Sixty  ejeffed  Minifrers  ,  p.  198.  a 
further  Account  of  his  fufferings  andweaknef,  ibid.  St  p.  199. 

The  Appendix  contains  thefe  feveral  Pieces  following. 

Nimib.7.  A  Reply  to  fome  Exceptions  again/?  the  Worcefterfhire  Agreement,  (  a  large 
£Jb  Account  whereof  is  given  at  the  beginning  of  the  fecond  Part  of  this  Narra- 
tive) and  Mr.  Baxter  s  Chriitian  Concord,  written  by  a  namelefi  Author,  [fuppofedio  be 
Dr.  Gunning]  and  frit  by  Dr.  Warmeftry,  p.r. 

Numb.lf. Several  Letters  that  pafd  between  A/r.Baxter  and  Mr. Martin Johnfbn,tf£ca* 
the  Point  of  Ordination  ;  and  particularly  the  necejfity  of  a  conftant  uninterrupted  Succeffion,in 
order  to  the  validity  of  Ministerial  Funtlions,  p  18. 

Numb.III.  Several  Letters  between  Mr.  Baxter  and  Mr.  Lamb,  p.Ji. 

Numb.1V.  Letters  and  Papers  between  Mr.  Baxter  and  Mr.  Allen,  p.67. 

Numb.V".  A  Letter  of  Mr.  Baxter'i  to  Mr.  Long  of  Exeter,  p.108. 

Numb.VI.  A  Refolutionof this  Cafe ;  What's  to  be  done  when  the  Law  of  the  Land  com- 
mands perfons  to  go  to  tbeirParijl)  Church, and  Parents  require  to  go  to  private  Meetings?  p.  1 1  r 

humb.VIl.  A  Letter  of  Mr.[iax<evs about  the  Cafe  o/Nevil  Symmons  Bookfelltrsp.iiy. 

Numb.VM.  Mr.  Baxter's  general  Defence,  of  his  accujed  Writings,  call'd  Seditious  and 
Schtfmatical,  p.i  19. 

N'jmb.IX./4»  Aci for  Concord, by  Reforming  Partjh  Churchet>and  Regulating  the  Toleration 
of  Di/fenters,  p.  127.   A  Letter  to  the  Right  Worshipful  Sir  E.  H.  about  that  matter ,  p.  i->o. 


Be  pleafed  (Candid  Reader)  to  correct  thefe  En  ours  in  the  beginning  thus: 

PAge  i.linc  2$>.forWrcad  one;  and  after  reft  v.and.  p.  2.1. 1  carter  clocl^x.in  the.  and  1.27-dele  and.  p.  3. 
U  5-  for  being  r.  bringhghne,  p.4.1.28.dele  of.  and  I.40.ai"ter  kjmwledge  r.wau  I.42.  ior  wonder  r.  wondncL 
■r.  ili.t  part  of  Phvfick.  p.8.1.2  9.r.<//«*//y.  p.ip9.1.i4.for  he  r.it.  I.46.  for  rejeSions  r.  ob^eiiions.    The 
ur  i/i/c,  tenendum:  ior  I  could  not  attend  the  Preli,  and  prevent  the  Errata- 

THE 


_* k- 


THE 


OF     THE 


REVEREND 

Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


L  l  b.  I.     Part! 


Y  Father's  Name  was  Richard  (the  Son  of  Richard)  Baxter  : 
His  Habitation  and  Eftate  at  a  Village  called  Eat  on-Con  flan- 
ttnet  a  mile  from  the  fVrektn-HiU ,  and  above  half  a  mile 
from  Severn  River, and  five  miles  from  Shrewsbury  in  Shrop- 
(l)ire :  A  Village  molt  pleaiantly  and  healthfully  fituate. 
My  Mother's  Name  was  Beatrice  the  Daughter  of  Richard 
Adeney  of  Rowon,*  Village  near  High-Ercall,the  Lord  New 
forts  Seat,  in  the  fame  County  :  There  I  was  born  A.  D. 
i6iy.  on  the  12th  of  November,  being  the  Lord's  Day,  in  the  Morning  at  the  time 
of  Divine  Worfhip  ;  and  Baptized  at  Higb-Ercall  the  19th  day  following:  And 
there  1  lived  from  my  Parents  with  my  Grandfather  till  I  was  near  Ten  years  of 
Age,  an<|  then  was  taken  home. 

My  Father  had  only  the  Competent  Eftate  of  a  Freeholder,free  from  the  Temp- 
tations of  Poverty  and  Riches :  But  having  been  addi&ed  to  Gaming  in  his  Youth, 
and  his  Father  before  him,  it  was  lb  entangled  by  Debts,  that  it  occafioned  fome 
excels  of  worldly  Cares  before  it  was  freed. 

We  lived  in  a  Country  that  had  but  little  Preaching  at  all :  In  the  Village  where 
I  was  born  there  was  four  Readers  fucceflively  in  Six  years  time,  ignorant  Men, 
and  two  of  them  immoral  in  their  lives  ;  who  were  all  my  School-mafters.  In  the 
Village  where  my  Father  lived,  there  was  a  Reader  of  about  Eighty  years  of  Age 
that  never  preached,  and  had  two  Churches  about  Twenty  miles  diftant:  His  Eve- 
fight  failing  him,  he  faid  Common-Prayer  without  Book  ;  but  for  the  Reading  of 
the  Pfalms  and  Chapters, he  got  a  Common  Threfher  and  Day- Labourer  one  year, 
and  a  Taylor  another  year :  (Tor  the  Clerk  could  not  read  well  )  :  And  at  laft  he 
had  a  Kinfman  of  his  own,  (  the  excellenteft  Stage-player  in  all  the  Country,  and 
a  good  Gamefterand  good  Fellow  )  that  got  Orders  and  fupplied  one  of  his  Places ! 
After  him  another  younger  Kinfman,that  could  write  and  read,  got  Orders  :  And 
at  the  fame  time  another  Neighbour's  Son  that  had  been  a  while  at  School  turn'd 
Minifier,  and  who  would  needs  go  further  than  the  reft,  ventur'd  to  preach  (and 
after  got  a  Living  in  Staffordflnre,)  and  when  he  had  been  a  Preacher  about  Twelve 
or  Sixteen  years,  he  was  fain  to  give  over,  it  being  difcovered  that  his  Orders  were 
forged  by  the  firft  ingenious  Stage-Player.  After  him  another  Neighbour's  Son 
took  Orders,  when  he  had  been  a  while  an  Attorney's  Clerk,and  a  common  Drun- 
kard, and  tipled  himfelf  into  fo  great  Poverty  that  he  had  no  other  way  to  live  :  Ic 

B  was 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


« 


was  feared  that  be  and  more  of  them  came  by  their  Orders  the  fame  way  with  the 
forementioned  Perfon :  Thefe  were  the  School-matters  of  my  Youth  (except  two  of 
them :)  who  read  Common  Prayer  on  Sundays  and  Holy-days,  and  taught  School 
and  tipled  on  the  Week-days,and  whipt  the  Boys  when  they  were  drunk,  fo  that  we 
changed  them  very  oft.  Within  a  few  miles  about  us, were  near  a  dozen  more  Mi- 
nisters that  were  near  Eighty  years  old  apiece,  and  never  preached  ;  poor  ignorant 
Readers  and  moft  of  them  of  Scandalous  Lives :  only  three  or  four  conftant  com- 
petent Preachers  lived  near  us,  and  thofe  (though  Conformable  all  fave  one  )  were 
the  common  Marks  of  the  People's  Obloquy  and  Reproach,  and  any  that  had  but 
gone  to  hear  them,  when  he  had  no  Preaching  at  home,  was  made  the  Derifion  of 
the  Vulgar  Rabble,  under  the  odious  Name  of  a  Pttritane. 

But  though  we  had  no  better  Teachers ,  it  pleafed  God  to  inftrucl:  and  change 
my  Father,  by  the  bare  reading  of  the  Scriptures  in  private, without  either  Preach- 
ing, or  Godly  Company,  or  any  other  Books  but  the  Bible:  And  God  made  him 
the  Inftrument  of  ray  firft  Convictions,  and  Approbation  of  a  Holy  Life,  as  well 
as  of  my  Reftraint  from  the  groffer  fort  of  Lives.  When  I  was  very  young,  his 
ferious  Speeches  of  God  and  the  Life  to  come,  poflefled  me  with  a  fear  of  fin- 
ning !  When  I  was  but  near  Ten  years  of  Age,  being  at  School  at  High- Er call ,  we 
had  leave  to  play  on  the  Day  of  the  Kings  Coronation  ;  and  at  Two  of  the  Clock 
afternoon  on  that  Day  there  happened  an  Earthquake,  which  put  all  the  People 
into  a  fear,  and  (bmewhat  poffeked  them  with  awful  thoughts  of  the  Dreadful  God. 
(I  make  no  Commentary  on  the  Time  -y  nor  do  I  know  certainly  whether  it  were 
in  other  Countreys.j 

At  firft  my  Father  iet  me  to  read  the  Hiltorical  part  of  the  Scripture,  which  liiit- 
ing  with  my  Nature  greatly  delighted  me ;  and  though  all  that  time  I  neither  un- 
derstood nor  relifhed  much  the  Doctrinal  Part,  and  Myftery  of  Redemption,  yet  it 
did  me  good  by  acquainting  me  with  the  Matters  of  Fad ,  and  drawing  me  on  to 
love  the  Bible,  and  to  (earch  by  degrees  into  the  reft. 

But  though  my  Confcience  would  trouble  me  when  I  finned,  yet  divers  fins  I 
was  addi&ed  to,  and  oft  committed  againft  my  Confcience  $  which  for  the  warn- 
ing of  others  I  will  confefs  here  to  my  fhame. 

i.  I  was  much  addi&ed  when,  I  feared  Corrreclion  to  lie,  that  I  might  (cape. 

2.  I  was  much  addicted  to  the  exceffive  gluttonous  eating  of  Apples  and  Pears  : 
which  I  think  laid  the  foundation  of  that  Imbecility  and  Flatulency  of  my  Stomachj 
which  caufed  the  Bodily  Calamities  of  my  Life. 

3.  To  this  end,  and  to  concur  with  naughty  Boys  that  gloried  in  evil,  I  have  oft 
gone  into  other  men's  Orchards ,  and  ftoln  their  Fruit,  when  I  had  enough  at 
home. 

4.  I  was  fomewhat  exceflively  addicted  to  play,  and  that  with  covetoufneis,  for 
Money. 

y.  I  was  extreamly  bewitched  with  a  Love  of  Romances,  Fables  and  old  Tales, 
which  corrupted  my  Affections  and  loft  my  Time. 

6.  I  was  guilty  of  much  idle  foolifti  Ghat,  and  imitation  of  Boys  in  icurrilous 
foolifh  Words  and  Actions  (though  I  durft  not  fwearj. 

7.  I  was  too  proud  of  my  Mafters  Commendations  for  Learning,  who  all  of  them 
fed  my  pride,  making  me  Seven  or  Eight  years  the  higheft  in  the  School ,  and 
boafting  of  me  to  others,  which  though  it  furthered  my  Learning,  yet  helped  not 
my  Humility. 

8.  I  was  too  bold  and  unreverent  towards  my  Parents. 

Thefe  were  my  Sins  which  in  my  Childhood  Confcience  troubled  me  for  a 
great  while  before  they  were  overcome. 

In  the  Village  where  I  lived  the  Reader  read  the  Common-Prayer  briefly,  and 
the  reft  of  the  Day  even  till  dark  Night  almoft,  except  Eating  time,  was  fpent  in 
Dancing  under  a  May-Pole  and  a  great  Tree,not  far  from  my  Father's  Door ;  where 
all  the  Town  did  meet  together  :  And  though  one  of  my  Father's  own'  Tenants 
was  the  Piper,  he  could  not  reftrain  him,  nor  break  the  Sport :  So  that  we  could 
not  read  the  Scripture  in  our  Family  without  the  great  difturbanceof  the  Taber  and 


Father  V untax,  it  did  much  to  cure  me  and  alienate  me  from  them  :  ifor  I  confi- 
der'd  that  my  Father's  Exercife  of  Reading  the  Scripture,  was  better  than  theirs 
and  would  furely  be  better  thought  on  by  all  men  at  the  Lift  ;  and  1  confidered 
what  it  was  tor  that  he  and  others  were  thus  derided.    When  I  heard 

fcornfully 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

fcornfully  of  others  as  Puritans  whom  I  never  knew,  I  W3S  at  fjrft  ape  to  b/ 
lieve  all  the  Lies  and  Slanders  wherewith  they  loaded  them  :  But  when  I 
heard  my  own  Father  fo  reproached,  and  perceived  the  Drunkards  were  the 
forwardeit  in  the  reproach,  I  perceived  that  it  was  mere  Malice :  For  my  Fa- 
ther never  fcrupled  Common-Prayer  or  Ceremonies,  nor  fpake  againH:  Biihops, 
nor  ever  (6  much  as  prayed  but  by  a  Book  or  Form,  being  not  ever  acquainted 
then  with  any  that  did  otherwiie :  But  only  for  reading  Scripture  when  the  red 
were  Dancing  on  the  Lords  Day,  and  for  praying  (  by  a  Form  out  of  the  end  of 
the  Common  Prayer  Book)  in  his  Houle,  and  for  reproving  Drunkards  and  Swear- 
ers, and  for  talking  (bmeti  mesa  few  words  of  Scripture  and  the  Life  to  come,  he 
was  reviled  commonly  by  the  Name  of  Puritan,  Precifian  and  Hypocrite:  and  fo  were 
the  Godly  Conformable  Minilters  that  lived  any  wherein  the  Country  near  us,  not 
only  by  our  Neighbours,  but  by  the  common  talk  of  the  Vulgar  Rabble  of  all  a- 
bout  us.  By  this  Experience  I  was  fully  convine'd  that  Godly  People  were  the  bell, 
and  thole  that  defpifed  them  and  lived  in  Sin  and  Pleafure  ,  were  a  malignant  un- 
happy fort  of  People  :  and  this  kept  me  out  of  their  Company,  except  now  and 
then  when  the  Love  of  Sports  and  Play  enticed  me. 

§  2.  The  chiefeft  help  that  I  had  for  all  my  Learning  in  the  Country  Schools, 
was  with  Mr.  John  Owen  School  mailer  at  the  Free- School  at  Wroxeter,  to  whom  I 
went  next,  who  lived  in  Sir  Richard  Newport's  Houfe  (afterward  Lord  Newport)  at 
Eyton,  and  taught  School  at  that  ancient  Uricomum,  (where  the  Ruins  and  old  Coin 
confirm  thole  Hiftories,  which  make  it  an  ancient  City  in  the  Romans  Time;). 

The  prelent  Lord  Newport  and  his  Brother  were  then  my  School  fellows,  in  a 
lower  Form,  and  Dr.  Richard  AUefiree  now  Dr.  of  the  Chair  in  Oxford,  Canon  of 
Chrijfs- Churchy  and  Pro  volt  of  Eaton-Colledgc  :  of  whom  I  remember  that  when  my 
Mailer  let  him  up  into  the  lower  end  of  the  higheft  Form,  wheie  I  had  long  been 
Chief,  I  took  it  (6  ill,  that  1  talkt  of  leaving  the  School :  whereupon  my  Matter 
gravely,  but  very  tenderly,  rebuked  my  pride,  and  gave  me  for  my  Theme,  Ne 
futor  ultra  crepidam. 

§  ;.  About  that  time  it  pleafed  God  of  his  wonderful  Mercy  to  open  my  Eyes 
with  a  clearer  infight  into  the  Concerns  and  Cafe  of  my  own  Soul,  and  to  touch 
my  heart  with  a  livelier  feeling  of  things  Spiritual  than  ever  I  had  found  before  : 
And  it  was  by  the  means  and  in  the  order  following  ;  ftirring  up  my  Confcience 
more  againft  me,  by  robbing  an  Orchard  or  two  with  rude  Boys,  than  it  was  be- 
fore :  And  being  under  fbme  more  Convi&ion  for  my  Sin  ,  a  poor  Day-Labourer 
in  the  Town  (he  that  I  before-mentioned  that  was  wont  to  read  in  the  Church  for 
the  old  Parlon)  had  an  old  torn  Book  which  he  lent  my  Father  ,  which  was  cal- 
led Bunny's  Refolutton,  (being  written  by  Parfons  the  Jefuit,  and  corrected  by  Edm. 
Bunny).  I  had  before  heard  lome  Sermons,  and  read  a  good  Book  or  two,  which 
made  me  more  love  and  honour  Godlinefs  in  the  General  j  but  I  had  never  felt  a- 
ny  other  change  by  them  on  my  heart.  Whether  it  were  that  till  now  I  came  not 
to  that  maturity  ot Nature,  which  made  me  capable  of  difcerning  j  or  whether  it 
were  that  this  was  God's  appointed  time,  or  both  together,!  had  no  lively  fight  and 
fenfe  of  what  I  read  till  now.  And  in  the  reading  of  this  Book  (when  I  was  about 
Fifteen  years  of  Age)  it  pleafed  God  to  awaken  my  Soul,  and  (hew  me  the  folly 
of  Sinning,  and  the  mifery  of  the  Wicked,  and  the  unexpreffible  weight  of  things 
Eternal,  and  the  neceffity  of  refolving  on  a  Holy  Life,  more  than  I  was  ever  ac- 
quainted with  before.  The  fame  things  which  I  knew  before  came  now  in  another 
manner,  with  Light,  and  Senfs  and  Serioufaels  to  my  Fleart. 

This  caft  me  firlt  into  fears  of  my  Condition  ;  and  thole  drove  me  to  Sorrow 
and  Confeffion  and  Prayer,  and  lb  to  fome  refolution  for  another  kind  of  Life  : 
And  many  a-day  I  went  with  a  throbbing  Confcience,  and  faw  that  I  had  other 
Matters  to  mind,  and  another  Work  to  do  in  the  World,  than  ever  I  had  minded 
well  before. 

Yet  whether  fincere  Converfion  began  now,  or  before,  or  after,  I  was  never  able 
to  this  day  to  know :  for  I  had  before  had  lome  Love  to  the  Things  and  People 
which  were  good,  and  a  rcftraint  from  other  Sins  except  thole  forementioned  j 
and  fo  much  from  thofe  that  I  feldom  committed  moft  of  them,  and  when  I  did, 
it  was  with  great  relu&ancy.  And  both  now  and  formerly  I  knew  that  Chrift  was 
the  only  Mediator  by  whom  we  mult  have  Pardon,  Juftification,  and  Life  :  But 
even  at  that  time,  I  had  little  lively  fenfe  of  the  Love  of  God  m  Cbriftto  the  World  or 
me,  nor  of  my  fpecial  need  of  him !  for  Parfons  and  all  Papifts  almoft  are  tod  Ihort 
upon  this  Subjed. 

And  about  that  time  it  pleafed  God  that  a  poor  Pedlar  came  to  the  Door  that 

B  2  had 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  I  b.  I, 


had  Ballads  and  fome  good  Books :  And  my  Father  bought  of  him  Dr.  SiM's  brui- 
ted Reed  This  alfo  I  read,  and  found  it  fuited  to  my  ftate,and I  feafonably  fent  me : 
which  opened  more  the  Love  of  God  to  me,  and  gave  me  a  livelier  apprehenfion  of 
the  Mvfterv  of  Redemption  ,  and  how  much  I  was  beholden  to  Jefus  Chnf . 

All  this  while  neither  my  Father  nor  I  had   any  Acquaintance  or   Familiarity 
with  any  that  had  any  Undemanding  in  Matters  of  Religion    nor  ever  heard  a- 
nv  pray  «  tempore :  But  my  Prayers  were  the  Confefmm  the  Common-Prayer  Book 
and  fometimeoneof  Mr.  Bradford's  Prayers,  (in  a  Book  called  his  Prayers  and  Me- 
ditations) and  fometime  a  Prayer  out  of  another  Prayer-Book  which  we  had 

After  this  we  had  a  Servant  that  had  a  little  Piece  of  Mr.  Per  km  s  Works  (of  Re- 
pentance and  the  right  Art  of  Living  and  Dying  well,  and  the  Government  of  the 
Tontue)  •  And  the  reading  of  that  did  further  inform  me,  and  confirm  me.  And 
thus  (without  any  means  but  Books )  was  God  plealed  to  refolve  me  for  himfelf. 

§  4.  When  1  was  ready  for  the  Univerfity,  my  Mafter  drew  me  into  another 
way  which  kept  me  thence,  where  were  my  vehement  defircs.  He  had  a  Friend 
at  Ludlow,  Chaplain  to  the  Council  there,  called  Mr.  Richard  Wickjlead ;  whofe 
Place  having  allowance  from  the  King  (who  maintained  the  Houie  )  for  one  to 
attend  him,he  told  my  Mafter  that  he  was  purpofed  to  have  a  Scholar  fit  for  the  U- 
niverfity  ;  and  having  but  one,  would  be  better  to  him  than  any  Tutor  in  the  Uni- 
verfity  co'uld  be  :  whereupon  my  Mafter  perfwaded  me  to  accept  the  offer,and  told 
me  it  would  be  better  than  theUniverfity  to  me :  I  believed  him  as  knowing  no  bet- 
ter my  felfj  and  it  fuited  well  with  my  Parents  minds,  who  were  willing  to  have  me 
as  near  to  them  as  pofflble  (having  no  Children  but  my  (elf;:  And  fo  I  left  my  School- 
mafrer  for  a  fuppoled  Tutor  :  But  when  I  had  tried  him  I  found  my  felf 
deceived;  his  bufinefs  was  to  pleafe  the  Great  Ones,  and  feek  Preferment  in  the 
World  ;  and  to  that  end  found  it  necefTary  fometimes  to  give  the  Puritans  a  flirt  , 
and  call  them  unlearned,  and  fpeak  much  for  Learning,  being  but  a  Superficial 
Scholar  of  himfelf:  He  never  read  to  me,  nor  ufed  any  favoury  Difcourfe  of  God- 
linefs ;  only  he  loved  me,  and  allowed  me  Books  and  Time  enough  :  So  that  as  I  had 
no  confiderable  helps  from  him  in  my  Studies.,fo  had  I  no  confiderable  hinderance. 

And  though  the  Houfe  was  great  (there  being  four  Judges,  the  King's  Attorney, 
the  Secretary,  the  Clerk  of  the  Fines,  with  all  their  Servants,  and  all  the  Lord  Pre- 
fident's  Servants,  and  many  more)  and  though  the  Town  was  full  of  Temprations, 
through  the  multitude  of  Pei fons,  (Councilors,  Attorneys,  Officers,  and  Clerks) 
and  much  given  to  tipling  and  excels,  it  plealed  God  not  only  to  keep  me  from 
them,  but  alfo  to  give  me  one  intimate  Companion,  who  was  the  greateft  help  to 
my  Serioufnefs  in  Religion,  that  ever  I  had  before,  and  was  a  daily  Watchman  over 
my  Soul !  We  walk'd  together,  we  read  together,  we  prayed  together,  and  when 
we  could  we  lay  together :  And  having  been  brought  out  of  great  Difhefs  to  Pro- 
iperity,  and  his  AfFeftions  being  fervent,  though  his  Knowledge  not  great ,  he 
would  be  always  ftirring  me  up  to  Zeal  and  Diligence,  and  even  in  the  Night 
would  rile  up  to  Prayer  and  Thankfgiving  to  God,  and  wonder  that  I  could  deep 
io,  that  the  thoughts  of  God's  Mercy  did  not  make  me  alfo  to  do  as  he  did  !  He 
was  unwearied  in  reading  all  ferious  Practical  Books  of  Divinity  ;  efpecially  Per- 
kins, Bolton,  Dr.  Prefion,  Eltoni  Dr.  Taylor,  Whately,  Hams,  &c.  He  was  the  firft 
that  ever  I  heard  pray  Ex  tempore  (out  ot  the  Pulpit)  and  that  taught  me  foto  pray  : 
And  his  Charity  and  Liberality  was  equal  to  his  Zeal ;  fo  that  God  made  him  a 
great  means  of  my  good,  who  had  more  knowledge  than  he,  but  a  colder  heart, 
ore  we  had  been  Two  years  acquainted,  he  fell  once  and  a  fecond  time 
by  the  power  of  Temptation  into  a  degree  of  Drunkennefs,  which  fo  terrified 
him  upon  the  review  (efpecially  after  the  fecond  time)  that  he  was  near  to  De- 

ir ;  and  went  to  good  Miniflers  with  fad  Confeflions :  And  when  I  had  left  the 
tnd  his  Company,  lie  fell  into  it  again  and  again  fo  oft, that  at  laft  his  Gon- 

nce  could  have  no  Relief  or  Eale  but  in  changing  his  Judgment,  and  difown- 

,  the  Teachers  and  DocTrines  which  had  reftrained  him.     And  he  did  it  on  this 

finer  :  One  of  his  Superiours,  on  whom  he  had  dependance,  was  a  man  of 
great  Sobriety  and  Temperance,  and  of  much  Devotion  in  his  way  ;  but  very  zea- 
lous againft  the  Nonconforming,  ordinarily  talking  molt  bitterly  againft  them,  and 
almoft  only  fuch  Books  as  encouraged  him  in  this  way  :  By  converfe'with 
this  Man,  my  Friend  was  firft  drawn  to  abate  his  Charity  to  Nonconformifts  • 
and  then  to  think  and  fpeak  reproachfully  of  them  ;and  next  that  to  diflikeall  thole 
that  came  near  them,and  to  lay  that  (uch  as  Bolton  were  too  fevere,  and  enough  to 
make  men  mad  :  And  the  lafr:l  heard  of  him  was,  that  he  was  grown  a  Fudler 
and  Railer  at  (hid  men.  But  whether  God  recovered  him,  or  what  became  of 
him  I  cannot  tell.  §  j.  From 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter, 

§  5-.  From  Ludlow  Caftle,  after  a  year  and  half,I  returned  to  my  Father's  Houle, 
and  by  that  time  my  old  School-matter,  Mr.  John  Owen,  was  fick  of  a  Confump- 
tion  ( which  was  his  Death  :)  and  the  Lord  Newport  defired  me  to  teach  that  School 
till  he  either  recovered  or  died,  (refblving  to  take  his  Brother  after  him  if  he  diedj: 
which  I  did  about  a  quarter  of  a  year,  or  more. 

After  that  old  Mr.  Francis  Garbett  ( the  faithful,  learned  Minifter  at  Wroxeter)  for 
about  a  Month  read  Logick  to  me,  and  provoked  me  to  a  clofer  Courfe  of  Study  • 
which  yet  was  greatly  interrupted  by  my  bodily  weaknefs,  and  the  troubled  Con- 
dition of  my  Soul.  For  being  in  expectation  of  Death,  by  a  violent  Cough,  with 
Spitting  of  Blood,  &c.  of  two  years  continuance,  fuppofed  to  be  a  deep  degree  of 
a  Confumption,  I  was  yet  more  awakened  to  be  ferious,  and  fblicitous  about  my 
Soul's  evei  lading  State :  And  I  came  fo  fhort  of  that  fcnfe  and  ferioulhefs,  which  a 
Matter  of  fuch  infinire  weight  required,  that  I  was  in  many  years  doubt  of  my  Sin- 
cerity, and  thought  1  had  no  Spiritual  Life  at  all.  I  wondred  at  thefenflefs  hard, 
nefs  of  my  heart,  that  could  think  and  talk  of  Sin  and  Hell,  and  Chrift  and  Grace, 
of  God  and  Heaven,  with  no  more  feeling  :  I  cried  out  from  day  to  day  to  God 
for  Grace  againft  this  fenfleis  Deadnefs :  I  called  my  felf  the  mofi  bard  hearted 
Sinner,  that  could  feel  nothing  of  all  chat  I  knew  ^d  talktof :  I  was  not  then  fen- 
fible  of  the  incomparable  Excellency  of  Holy  Lo"  e,  a*,1  Delight  in  God3  nor  much 
imployed  in  Thankfgiving  and  Praife:  But  all  my  Groans  were  for  moie  Contrition, 
and  a  broken  Heart,    and  I  prayed  molt  for  Tears  and  Tendernefi. 

And  thus  I  complained  for  many  Years  to  God  and  Man ,  and  between  the  Ex- 
pectations of  Death,  and  the  Doubts  of  my  own  Sincerity  in  Grace,  1  was  kept  in 
ibme  more  care  of  my  Salvation,  than  my  Nature  (too  ftupid  and  too  far  from  Me- 
lancholy) was  eafily  brought  to. 

At  this  time  I  remember,  the  reading  of  Mr.  Ez,tk.  CulverweFs  Treaufe  of  Faith 
did  me  much  good,  and  many  other  excellent  Books,  were  made  my  Teachers  «nd 
Comforters :  And  the  ufe  that  God  made  of  Books,  above  Minifters,  to  the  benefit 
of  my  Soul,  made  me  ibmewhat  exceffrvely  in  love  with  good  Books;  ib  that  I 
thought  I  had  never  enow,  but  fcrapd  up  as  great  a  Treafure  of  them  as  I  could. 

Thus  was  I  long  kept  with  the  Calls  of  approaching  Death  at  one  Ear,  and  the 
Queftionings  of  a  doubtful  Conicience  at  the  other !  and  fince  then  I  have  found 
that  this  method  ol  God's  was  very  wife,  and  no  other  was  io  like  to  have  tended 
to  my  good.    Thefe  Benefits  of  it  I  fenfibly  perceived. 

i.  It  made  me  vile  and  loathfome  to  my  felf,  and  made  Pride  one  of  the  hate- 
fulleft  Sins  in  the  World  to  me  !  I  thought  of  my  (elf  as  I  now  think  of  a  detefta- 
ble  Sinner,  and  my  Enemy,  that  is,  with  a  Love  of  Benevolence,  wiftiing  them  well, 
but  with  little  Love  of  Complacency  at  all :  And  the  long  continuance  of  it,  tend- 
ed the  more  effectually  to  a  habit. 

2.  It  much  retrained  me  from  that  fportful  Levity  and  Vanity  which  my  Na- 
ture and  Youthfulnefs  did  much  incline  me  to,  and  cauled  me  to  meet  Temptations 
to  Senluality  with  the  greateft  fear,  and  made  them  left  effectual  againft  me. 

$.  It  made  the  Doctrine  of  Redemption  the  more  favoury  to  me,  and  my 
thoughts  of  Chrift  to  be  more  (erious  and  regardful,  than  before  they  were.  I  re- 
member in  the  beginning  how  favoury  to  my  reading  was  Mr.  Perkins's  fliort  Trea- 
tile  of  the  Right  Knowledge  of  Chrift  crucified,  and  his  Expo/ition  of  the  Creed ;  becaufe 
they  taught  me  how  to  live  by  Faith  on  Chrift. 

4.  It  made  the  World  feem  to  me  as  a  Carkafs  that  had  neither  Life  nor  Loveli- 
nels :  And  it  deftroyed  thofe  Ambitious  defires  after  Literate  Fame,  which  was  the 
Sin  of  my  Childhood  !  I  had  a  defire  before  to  have  attained  the  higheft  Academi- 
cal Degrees  and  Reputation  of  Learning,  and' to  have  chofen  out  my  Studies  accord- 
ingly ;  but  Sicknef  and  Solicit oufnefi  for  my  doubting  Soul  did  fhame  away  all  thefe 
Thoughts  as  Fooleries  and  Childrens  Plays. 

5".  It  fet  me  upon  that  Method  of  my  Studies,  which  fince  then  1  have  found 
the  benefit  of,  though  at  the  time  I  was  not  fatisfied  v/ith  my  felf.  It  cauied  me 
firfito  (eekGcd's  Kingdom  and  his  Righteoufnefs,  andmoft  to  mind  the  One  thing 
needful  ,•  and  to  determine  firft  of  my  Ultimate  End  ;  by  which  I  was  engaged 
to  choofe  out  and  profecute  all  other  Studies,  but  as  meant  to  that  end  :  There- 
fore Divinity  was  not  only  carried  on  with  the  reft  of  my  Studies  with  an  equal 
hand ,  but  always  had  the  firft  and  chiefeft  place  !  And  it  caufed  rae  to 
ftudy  Vraclical  Divinity  firft  ,  in  the  moft  Vrattical  Books ,  in  a  VraBical 
Order ;  doing  all  purpolely  for  the  informing  and  reforming  of  my  own  Soul, 
So  that  I  had  read  a  multitude  of  our  Englilli  Pra&ical  Treatifes,  before  I  had  ever 
read  any  other  Bodies  of  Divinity,  than  XJrfine  and  Ame(ius}  or  two  or  three  more. 

By 


The  L  IF  E  of  the  L  i  b.  J, 


By  which  means  my  AffeUion  was  carried  on  with  my  Judgment:  And  by  that 
means  I  profecuted  all  my  Studies  with  unweariednefs  and  delight :  And  by  thar 
means  all  that  I  read  did  flick  the  better  in  my  memory  :  and  alio  lefs  of  my  time 
was  loft  by  lazy  intermiffions  :  (but  my  bodily  Infirmities  always  cauied  me  to 
lofe  (  or  fpend  )  much  of  it  in  Motion  and  Corporal  Exercifes  J  which  was  fome- 
times by  Walking,  and  fometimes  at  the  Plow,  andfuch  Country  Labours;. 

But  one  lofs  I  had  by  this  Method,  which  hath  proved  irreparable  ,•  That  I  milt 
that  part  of  Learning  which  flood  at  the  greateft  diftance  (  in  my  thoughts)  from 
my  Ultimate  End/though  no  doubt  but  remotely  it  may  be  a  valuable  means,),  and 
I  could  never  fince  find  time  to  get  it.    Befides  the  Latin  Tongue,  and  but  a  me- 
diocrity in  Greek  (  with  an  inconfiderable  trial  at  the  Hebrew  long  after  J  I  had 
no  great  skill  in  Languages :  Though  I  faw  that  an  accuratenefs  and  thorow  in- 
fight  in  the  Greek  an,d  Hebrew  were  very  defirable  ;  but  I  was  fo  eagerly  carried 
after  the  Knowledge  of  Things,  that  I  too  much  negleded  the  fludy  of  Words. 
And  for  the  Mathematicks ,  I  was  an  utter  ft  ranger  to  them,  and  never  could  find  in 
my  heart  to  divert  any  Studies  that  way.  But  in  order  to  the  Knowledge  of  Divinity 
my  inclination  was  mod  to  Logick  and  Metaphyficks,  with  that  part  Vhyfuks  which 
rreateth  of  the  Soul,  contenting  my  felf  at  firft  with  a  flighter  ffudy  of  the  reft  : 
And  thefe  had  my  Labour  and  Delight.     Which  occafioned  me  (  perhaps  toofoon  ) 
to  plunge  my  felf  very  early  into  the  ftudy  of  Contr  over  fie  s ;  and  to  read   all  the 
School  men  I  could  get ;  (  for  next  Practical  Divinity,  no  Books  fo  fuited  with  my 
Difpofition  as  A^uinus,  Scotus,  Durandus,  Ockam,  and   their  Difciples ;  becaufe  I 
thought  they  narrowly  fearched  after  Truth ,  and  brought  Things  out  of  the  dark- 
nefs  of  Confufion  :  For  I  could  never  from  my  firft  Studies  endure  Confufion!   Till 
Eejutvocals  were  explained,  and  Definition  and  Difiinclion  led  the  way,  I   had   rather 
hold  my  Tongue  than  fpeak!  and  was  never  more  weary  of  Learned   Mens  Dif 
courfes,  than  when  I  heard  them  long  wrangling  about   unexpounded  Words  or 
Things,  and  eagerly  Difputing  before  they  underftood  each  others  Minds ;  and  ve- 
hemently afterting  Modes  and  Conferences  and  Adjuncls,  before  they  confidered  of 
the  Quod  fit,  the  Quid  fit,  or  the  Quotuplex.    I  never  thought  I  underftood  any 
thing  till  I  could  anatomise  it,  and  lee  the  parts  difiintlly,  and  the  Conjunction  of  the 
parts  as  they  make  up  the  whole.    Difiinciion  and  Method  feemed  to  me  of  that  ne- 
ceffity,  that  without  them  I  could  notbefaid  to  know  ;  and  the  Difputes  which 
forfook  them,  or  abufed  them,  feem  but  as  incoherent  Dreams. 

§  6.  And  as  for  thofe  Doubts  of  my  own  Salvation  ,  which  exercifed  me  many 
years ,  the  chiefeft  Caufes  of  them  were  thefe : 

i.  Becaufe  1  could  not  diftin&ly  trace  the  Workings  of  the  Spirit  upon  my  heart 
in  that  method  which  Mr.  Bolton,  Mr.  Hooker,  Mr.  Rogers,  and  other  Divines  de- 
fcribe  !  nor  knew  the  Time  of  my  Converfion,  being  wrought  on  by  the  fore- 
mentioned  Degrees.  But  fince  then  I  underftood  that  the  Soul  is  in  too  dark  and 
paffionate  a  plight  at  firft,  to  be  able  to  keep  an  exa&  account  of  the  order  of  its 
own  Operations  j  and  that  preparatory  Grace  being  fometimes  longer  and  fometimes 
fhorter,  and  the  firft  degree  of  Special  Grace  being  ufually  very  foal!,  it  is  not 
pofiible  that  one  of  very  many  fhould  be  able  to  give  any  true  account  of  the  juii 
Time  when  Special  Grace  began,  and  advanced  him  above  the  ftate  of  Prepara- 
tion. 

2.  My  fecond  Doubt  was  as  aforefaid,  becaufe  of  the  hardnefiof  my  heart,or  want 
of  fuch  lively  Apprehenfions  of  Things  Spiritual,  which  I  had  about  Things  Corpo- 
ral. And  though  I  ftill  groan  under  this  as  my  fin  and  want ,  yet  I  now  perceive 
that  a  Soul  in  Flefh  doth  work  fo  much  after  the  manner  of  the  Flefh,  that  it 
much  defireth  fenfible  Apprehenfions ;  but  Things  Spiritual  and  Difiant  are  not  fo 
apt  to  work  upon  them,  and  to  ftir  the  Paflions,  as  Things  prefent  and  fenfible 
are  ;  efpecially  being  known  fo  darkly  as  the  ftate  and  operations  of  feparated 
Souls,  are  known  to  us  who  are  in  the  Body  :  And  that  the  Rational  Operations  of 
the  higher  Faculties  ( the  Intellect  and  Will )  may  without  fo  much  paffion,  let 
God  and  Things  Spiiitual  higheft  within  us,  and  give  them  the  preheminence, 
and  fubjedt  all  Carnal  Intereit  to  them,  and  give  them  the  Government  of  the 
Heart  and  Life  :  and  that  this  is  the  ordinary  ftate  of  a  Believer. 

;.  My  next  Doubt  was,  left  Education  and  Fear  had  done  all  that  ever  was  done 
upon  my  Soul,  and  Regeneration  *nd  Love  were  yet  to  feek  ;  becaufe  I  had  found 
Conviaions  from  my  Childhood,  and  found  more  Fear  than  Love  in  all  my  Duties 
and  R'firamts. 

Bat 


Part  L     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

But  I  afterward  perceived  that  Education  is  God's  ordinary  way  for  the  Convey- 
ance of  his  Grace,  and  ought  no  more  to  be  let  in  oppofition  to  the  Spirit,  than 
the  preaching  of  the  Word ;  and  that  it  was  the  great  Mercy  of  God  to  begin 
with  me  (b  loon,  and  to  prevent  fuch  fins  as  el(e  might  have  been  my  fhame  and 
iorrow  while  I  lived  ;  ami  that  Repentance  is  good,but  Prevention  and  Innocence 
is  better  ;  which  though  we  cannot  attain  in  perfe&ion,  yet  the  more  the  better. 
And  I  rnuerfiood,  that  though  Fear  without  Low  be  not  a  ftate  of  Saving  Grace  , 
an  J  greater  Love  to  the  World  than  to  God  be  not  confiftent  with  Sincerity ;  yet  a 
UttU  predominant  Love  (  prevailing  againft  worldly  Love  )  conjunct  with  a  far 
greater  meafure  of  Fear,  may  be  a  ftate  of  Special  Grace  !  And  that  Fear  being  an 
eafier  and  irrefiftible  Paffion,  doth  oft  obfeure  that  mealure  of  Love  which  is  in- 
deed within  us!  And  that  the  Soul  of  a  Believer  groweth  up  by  degrees, 
from  the  more  troublefome  (  but  fafe  )  Operations  of  Fear  ,  to  the  more 
high  and  excellent  Operations  of  Complaceneial  Love;  even  as  it  hath  more 
of  the  fenfeof  the  Love  of  God  in  Chrift,  and  belief  of  the  Heavenly  Life  which 
it  approacheth :  And  that  it  is  long  before  Love  be  fenfibly  predominant  in  refpeft 
of  Fear  (  that  is,  of  Self-love  and  Self -prefervat ton),  though  at  the  fir  ft  it  is  predomi- 
nant againft  Worldly  Love.  And  I  found  that  my  hearty  Love  of  the  Word  of 
God,  and  of  the  Servants  of  God,  and  my  defires  to  be  more  holy,  and  efpecial- 
ly  the  hatred  of  my  Heart  for  loving  God  no  more,  and  my  Love  to  love  him , 
and  be  pleafing  to  him,  was  not  without  (bme  Love  to  himfelf,though  it  workt 
more  fenfibly  on  his  nearer  Image. 

4.  Another  of  my  Doubts  was  becaufe  my  Grief  and  Humiliation  was  no  greater, 
and  becaufe  I  could  weep  no  more  for  this. 

But  I  underftood  at  lair  that  God  breaketh  not  all  Mens  hearts  alike,  and  tli.st 
the  gradual  proceedings  of  his  Grace  might  be  one  caufe,  and  my  Nature  not  apt 
to  weep  for  other  Things  another  :  And  that  the  Change  of  our  Heart  from  Sin  to 
God,  is  true  Repentance;  and  a  loathing  of  our  felves  is  true  Humiliation  !  and 
that  Ik  chat  had  1  ather  leave  his  Sin,  than  have  leave  to  keep  it ,  and  had  rather 
be  the  moft  holy,  than  have  leave  to  be  unholy  or  lefs  holy,  is  neither  without 
true  Repentance,  nor  the  Love  of  God. 

y.  Another  of  my  Doubts  was,  becaufe  I  had  after  my  Change  committed  fome 
Sins  deliberately  and  knowingly :  And  be  they  never  fb  fmall,I  thought  he  that  could 
(in  upon  knowledge  and  deliberation  had  no  true  Grace,  and  that  if  I  had  but  had  as 
itrong  Temptations  to  Fornication,  Drunkennefs ,  Fraud,  or  other  more  heinous 
Sins,  I  might  alio  have  committed  them  !  And  if  thefe  proved  that  I  had  then  no 
Saving  Grace,  after  all  that  I  had  felt,  I  thought  it  unlikely  that  ever  1  Jlwuld  have 
any. 

This  (luck  with  me  longer  than  any  of  the  reft  ;  and  the  more,  becaufe  that  e- 
very  Sin  which  I  knowingly  committed  did  renew  it  :  And  the  terms  on  which 
I  receive  Confolation againft  it  are  thefe  :  (Not  as  thofe  that  think  every  Sin  a- 
gainft  Knowledge  doth  nullirie  all  our  former  Grace  and  Unregenerate  us ;  and  that 
every  time  we  Repent  of  fuch,  we  have  a  new  Regeneration  :  but) 

1.  All  Saving  Grace  doth  indeed  put  the  Soul  into  a  ftate  of  Enmity  to  Sin  as 
Sin,  and  confequently  to  every  known  Sin. 

2.  This  Enmity  muft  mew  it  felf  in  Vi&ory ;  for  bare  ftriving  ,  when  we  are 
overcome,  and  yielding  to  fin  when  we  have  a  while  ftriven  againft  ir,proveth  not 
the  Soul  to  be  fincere. 

3.  Yet  do  not  God's  Children  always  overcome  ;  for  then  they  mould  not  fin  at 
all !  But  he  that  faith  he  hath  no  fin  deceiveth  himjelf. 

4.  God's  Children  always  overcome  thofe  Temptations  which  would  draw  them 
to  a  "wicked  unholy  ftate  of  Life,  and  would  unregenerate  them  and  change  their 
ftate,  and  turn  them  back  from  God  to  a  flefhly  worldly  Life  ;  and  alfo  to  any 
particular  Sin  which  proveth  fuch  a  ftate,  and  fignifieth  a  Heart  which  hath  more 
habitual  Love  to  the  World  than  unto  God  (  which  may  well  be  called  a  Mortal 
Sin  ,  as  proving  the  Sinner  in  a  ftate  of  Death;  as  others  may  He  called  Venial 
Sins,  which  are  confiftent  with  Spiritual  Life  and  ajuftified  State). 

f.  Therefore  whenever  a  juftified  Perfbn  finneth,  the  Temptation  at  that  time 
prevaileth  againft  the  Spirit,  and  the  Love  of  God  !  not  to  the  Extinction  of  the 
Love  of  God,  nor  to  the  VeftrucJion  of  the  Habit,  nor  the  fetting  up  of  the  contrary 
Habit  in  predominancy  ;  as  fetting  up  the  habitual  Love  of  any  Sin  above  the  ha- 
bitual Love  of  God  !  The  inclination  of  the  Soul  is  ftill  moft  to  God  :  And  he 
efteemeth  him  moft,  and  preferretb  him  in  the  adherence  of  his  Will,  in  the  main 
bent  and  courfe  of  Heart  and  Life;  only  he  is  overcome,  and  fo  far  aba-teth  the 

a&uat 


8  77k?  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


atf  ual  Love  and  Obedience  to  God,  as  to  commit  this  particular  k€t  of  Sin,and  re- 
mit or  omit  that  A& of  Love. 

6.  And  this  it  is  poffible  for  a  Juftified  Perfon  to  do  upon  fome  deliberation  : 
For  as  Grace  may  ftrive  one  inftant  only  in  one  Aft,  and  then  be  fuddenly  over- 
come ;  fo  it  may  ftrive  longer,  and  keep  the  Mind  on  (Eonfiderations  of  re- 
ftraining  Motives,  and  yet  be  overcome. 

7.  For  it  is  not  the  meer  Length  of  Confideration  which  is  enough  to  excite 
the  Heart  againft  Sin,  but  there  muft  be  clearnefi  of  Light ,  and  Uvelmefi  in  thofe 
Confiderations :  And  fometimes  a  fudden  Convi&ion  is  fo  clear  ,  and  great,  and 
fenfible,  that  in  an  inftant  it  ftirreth  up  the  Soul  to  an  utter  abhorrence  of  the 
Temptation,  when  the  fame  Man  at  another  time  may  have  all  the  fame  thoughts, 
in  fo  fleepy  a  degree  as  (hall  not  prevail.  And  fometimes  the  weaknefs  of  Grace  as 
much  appeareth^by  making  no  refiftance  at  all,  by  caufing  deliberation  (  even  in 
Sins  of  Paffion  and  Surprize  )  as  at  other  times  it  doth,  by  yielding  after  dull  deli- 
berations. 

8.  And  though  a  little  Sin  muft  be  bated,  and  universal  Obedience  muft  prove  our 
Sincerity,  and  no  one  Sin  muft  be  wilfully  continued  in ;  yet  it  is  certain  that 
Gods  Servants  do  not  oft  commit  Sins  materially  great  and  heinous  (as  Fornication, 
Drunkennefs,  Perjury,  Oppreffion,  Deceit,  &c.)  and  yet  that  they  often  commit 
fbme  UJJ'er  Sms,  (  as  idle  thoughts,  and  idle  words,  and  duinels  in  holy  Duties,  de- 
fe&ivenefs  in  the  Love  of  God,  and  omiffion  of  holy  Thoughts  and  Words,  &c.  ) 
And  that  the  Tempter  oft  getteth  advantage  even  with  them,  by  telling  them  that 
the  Sin  is  [mall,  and  fuch  as  God's  Servants  ordinarily  commit  j  and  that  naturally 
we  fly  with  greater  fear  from  a  great  danger  than  from  a  leis ;  from  a  wound  at  the 
heart  than  a  cut  finger  !  And  tnerefore  one  reafon  why  idle  words  andjinful  thoughts 
are  even  deliberately  oftner  committed  than  moft  heinous  Sins,  is  becaufe  the  Soul  is 
not  awaked  fo  much  by  fear  and  care  to  make  refiftance  :  And  Love  needeth  the 
help  of  fear  in  this  our  weak  condition. 

9.  And  it  is  certain  that  ufufally  the  Servants  of  God,  being  men  of  moft  know- 
ledge, do  thereforeyzw  againfi  more  knowledge  than  others  do  ;  lor  there  are  but  few 
Sins,  which  they  know  not  to  be  Sins :  They  know  that  idle  Thoughts  and  Words, 
and  the  omiffions  of  the  contrary,  are  their  fins. 

10.  There  are  fome  Sins  of  fuclr  difficulty  to  avoid,  fas  thedifbrder  or  omiffion 
of  holy  Thoughts,  and  the  defects  of  Love;to  God,  &c.  )  and  fbme  Temptations 
lb  ftrong,  and  the  Soul  in  fo  fluggifh  a  cafe  to  refift,  that  good  Thoughts  which  are 
in  deliberation  ufed  againft  them,  are  borne  down  at  iaft  ,  and  are  lefs  effe- 
ctual. 

11.  And  our  prefent  ftock  of  Habitual  Grace  is  never  fufficient  of  it  fclf,  with- 
out Co-operating  Grace  from  Chrift  :  And  therefore,  when  we  provoke  him  to 
withhold  his  help,  no  wonder  if  we  Jhew  our  weaknefs,  fo  far  as  to  ftumbie  in  the 
way  to  Heaven,  or  to  ftep  out  into  fome  by-path,  or  break  over  the  hedge,  and 
fometimes  to  look  back,  and  yet  never  to  turn  back,  and  go  again  from  God  to  the 
World. 

12.  And  becaufe  no  fall  of  a  Saint,  which  is  Vef.ial,  an  Infirmity,  confident  with 
Grace,  doth  either  deftroy  the  habit  of  Love  and  Grace  ,  or  fet  up  a  contrary  h.i- 
bit  above  it,  nor  yet  pervert  the/^/>*  and  bent  of  the  Convention ,  but  only  pre- 
vailed! to  a  particular  Ad  ,  it  therefore  followeth,  that  the  Soul  rileth  up  from 
fuch  a  Sin  by  true  Repentance,  and  that  the  new  Nature  or  Habit  of  Love  within 
us,  will  work  out  the  Sin  asfoon  as  it  hath  advantage  :  As  the  Needle  in  the  Com- 
pafs  will  return  to  its  proper  Point,  when  the  force  that  moved  icdoth  ceafe  •  and 
as  a  running  Stream  will  turn  clear  again,  when  the  force  that  muddied  it  is'paft 
And  tins  Repentance  will  do  much  to  increafe  our  hatred  of  the  Sin  ,  and  fortifie 
us  againft  the  next  Temptation  :  fo  that  though  there  be  fbme  Sins,  which  through 
our  great  Infirmity  we  daily  commit,  as  we  daily  repent- of  them  (  as  difordered 
1  noughts,  defects  of  Love,  negleft  of  God,  &c.)  yet  it  will  not  be  fo  with  thofe 
Sins  which  a  willing,  fincere,  habituated  Penitent  hath  more  in   his  power  to  cait 


out 


1 3.  And  yet  when  all  is  done,  Sin  will  brce  1  fears,  (  and  the  more  ,  by  how 
much  the  more  deliberate  and  wilful  it  is  :)  And  the  beft  way  to  keep  under  Doubts 
and  rerrours,  and  to  keep  up  Comfort,  is  to  keep  up  ABual  Obedience,  and  quick- 
ly and  penitently  return  when  we  have  finned. 

This  much  1  thought  meet  to  fay  for  the  fake  of  others  who  may  fall  into  the 
lame  Temptations  and  Perplexities. 

§  7.  The 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  9 

§  7.  The  Means  by  which  God  was  pleafed  to  give  me  fome  Peace  and  Comfort, 
Were, 

1.  The  Reading  of  many  Confblatory  Books. 

2.  The  observation  of  other  Mens  Condition :  When  I  heard  many  make  the 
very  fame  Complaints  that  I  did,  who  were  People  of  whom  I  had  the  bed 
efteem,  for  the  uprightnefs  and  holinefs  of  their  Lives,  it  much  abated  my  fears 
and  troubles.  And  in  particular  it  much  comforted  me,  to  read  him  whom  I  lo- 
ved as  one  of  the  holieft  of  all  the  Martyrs,  Mr.  John  Bradford,  fubfcribing  him- 
felf  (6  often,  [The  hard-hearted  firmer  ;  and  the  miferable  hard-hearted  Jmner~\  even  as 
I  was  uled  to  do  my  felf. 

5.  And  it  much  increafed  my  peace  when  God's  Providence  called  me  to  the 
comforting  of  many  others  that  had  the  fame  Complaints :  While  I  anfwered  their 
Doubts,  I  anfwered  my  own ;  and  the  Charity  which  I  was  conftrained  to  exer- 
cife  for  them  redounded  to  my  (elf,  and  infenfibly  abated  my  Fears,  and  procured 
mean  increafcof quietneisof  Mind. 

And  yet  after  all,  I  was  glad  of  Probabilities  inftead  of  full  undoubted  Certainties  ; 
arid  to  this  very  day,  though  I  have  no  fiich  degree  of  Doubtfulnefs  as  is  any  grant  An.1664 
trouble  to  my  Soul,  or  procureth  any  great  difquieting  Fears,  yet  cannot  I  lay  that 
1  have  iucha  certainty  of  my  ownfincerity  in  Grace,  as  excludeth  all  Doubts  and 
Fears  of  the  contrary. 

§  8.  At  that  time  alfo  God  was  pleafed  much  to  comfort  and  fettle  me  by  the 
acquaintance  of  fbme  Reverend  peaceable  Divines;  Mr.  Garbet  (aforefaid  )  and 
Mr.  George  Baxter  of  Little  Wenlock,  (very  holy  men  and  peaceable,  who  laboured 
faithfully  with  little  fucceis  till  they  were  above  fourfcore  years  of  Age  apiece;) 
efpecially  old  Mr.  Samuel  Smith,  fbmctime  of  Prittlewell  in  Ejjex,  but  then  of  Cref- 
fage  in  Shropjliire,  (  who  hath  written  on  the  6th  of  Hofea,  the  firft  Pfalm  ,  the  23d 
PJalm,  the  5-  ift  Tfalm,  the  90th  Pfalm,  the  Eunuch's  Converfion,  NoahV  Dove,  the 
Great  /HJiz^and  other  Books: /This  good  Man  was  one  of  my  mod  familiar  Friends, 
in  whole  Converfe  I  took  ^cry  much  delight; who  was  buried  but  this  Winter  1664. 
at  his  Native  place  at  Dudley  in  War -cell 'erji hire. 

§  9.  And  becaufe  the  Caie  of  my  Body  had  a  great  Operation  upon  my  Soul, 
and  the  Hiftory  of  it  is  fbmewha:  necelTary  to  the  right  underftanding  of  the  reft, 
and  yet  it  is  not  a  Matter  worthy  to  be  oft  mentioned,  I  mail  here  together  give 
you  a  brief  Account  of  the  molt  of  my  Afflictions  of  that  kind,referving  the  men- 
tion of  fome  particular  Deliverances  to  the  proper  place. 

J  was  naturally  of  a  found  Confutation,  but  very  thin  and  lean  and  weak, 
and  efpecially  of  a  great  debility  of  the  Nerves.  At  feven  years  old  I  had  the 
Meafils,  and  at  fourteen  the  Small- pox :  I  too  foon  after  them  went  into  the  cold, 
and  after  (  in  a  Loomefs )  went  into  a  River  or  Brook  to  wafh  me ;  and  I  eat 
raw  Apples  and  Pears  and  Plumbs  in  great  quantities  for  many  years:  All  which 
toge  ther  brought  me  into  a  violent  Catarrh  and  Cough,  which  would  not  let  me 
deep  quietly  in  the  N'ght.  When  this  had  continued  about  two  years,  my  Body 
being  very  thin,  and  Confumprions  then  common  in  the  Country,  I  was  much 
afraid  of  a  Confumption  :  And  firft  I  did  eat  great  ftore  of  raw  Garlick,  which 
took  off  fome  part  of  my  Cough,  but  put  an  Acrimony  into  my  Blood, which  na- 
turally was  acrimonious. 

After  this  the  Spitting  of  Blood  increafed  my  fears :  After  that  Sir  Henry  Herbtrt 
advifed  me  to  take  the  Flower  of  Brimftone,  which  I  continned  till  I  had  taken 
feven  Ounces ;  which  took  ofFmoft  of  the  remainder  of  my  Cough,  but  increa- 
fed the  Acrimony  of  my  Blood. 

Then  an  unskilful  Phyfician  perfwaded  me  that  I  had  a  He&ick,  and  to  cure 
that  I  took  much  Milk  from  the  Cow ,  and  other  pituitous  cooling  things  ,  and 
conftantly  anointed  my  Stomach  and  Reins  with  refrigerating  Oils  of  Violets  and 
Rofes ;  and  was  utterly  reftrained  from  my  ufual  Exercife  !  By  this  time  I  had  an 
extream  chillinefs without,  and  yet  aftrange  fcurf  on  my  Tongue,  with  a  con- 
ffant  extream  defire  of  ftretching,  that  I  thought  I  could  almoft  have  endured  a 
Rack  ;  and  an  incredible  flatulency  at  the  Stomach ,  and  a  bleeding  at  the 
Nofe. 

The  next  Phyfician  (an  Aged  and  Expednced  Do&or)  was  confident  the 
Scurvy  was  my  chief  Diftemper,  and  thereupon  prescribed  me  more  Acrimonious 
Medicaments,  Scurvy-grafs,  Horfe-radifh,  Muftard,  Wormwood,  &c.  which  a- 
bundantly  increafed  my  bleeding  at  the  Nofe;  infbmuch  as  I  bled  many  times  half 
a  Pint  or  a  Pint  a  day,  and  it  continuing  long,  I  was  much  weakned  :  Yet  under 
this  fear  of  the  Scurvy  I  continued  two  years  taking  exceffive  quantities  of  Acri- 

C  monious 


IO 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I 


"monious  Things ;  eating  abundance  of  Muftard  at  every  Meal,  and  drinking  only. 
Wormwood-bier,  &c.  and  ufingfomeExercife,  as  much  as  time  would  give  me 

kaBy  this  time  divers  eminent  Phyficians  agreed  that  my  Difeafe  was  the  Hypo- 
condriack  Melancholy,  and  not  the  Scurvy. 

To  recite  a  Catalogue  of  my  Symptoms  and  Pains  from  Head  to  Feet  would 
be  a  tedious  interruption  to  the  Reader  :  Ifhall  therefore  only  fay  this  that  the 
^vmmoms and Effe&s of  my  General  Indifpofidon  were  very  terrible;  fuch  as  a 
flatulent  Stomach,  that  turn'd  all  things  into  Wind  ;  a  Rheumatick  head  toave- 
rv Teat  decree:  and  great  iharpnefs  in  my  Blood,  which  occasioned  me  no  (mail 
trouble  by  the  excoriation  of  my  Fingers  ends,which  upon  any  heat  I  us'd  or  Aro- 
matick  thing  I  took,  would  be  raw  and  bloody :  and  every  Spring  and  Fall,  or  by 
any  kind  of  heating,  my  Nofe  ftill  fell  a  bleeding,  and  that  with  fuch  a  great  vio- 
lence and  in  fuch  exceflive  quantities,  as  often  threatned  my  Lite  :  which  I  then 
afcribed  to  fuch  Caufes  as  I  have  fince  liv'd  to  fee  my  felf  miftaken  in  ;  tor  I  am 
now  fully  fatisfied  that  all  proceeded  from  Latent  Stones  in  my  Reins,  occafioned 
by  unfuitable  Diet  in  my  Youth. 

And  yet  two  wonderful  Mercies  I  had  from  God  : 

i.  That  I  was  never  overwhelm'd  with  real  Melancholy.  My  Diftemper  never 
went  fo  far  as  to  poffefs  me  with  any  inordinate  Fancies,  or  damp  me  with  finking 
Sadnefs,  although  the  Phyficians  calPd  it  the  Hypocondnack  Melancholy.  I  had  at 
feveral  times  the  Advice  of  no  lefs  than  Six  and  thirty  Phyficians,  by  whole  order 
I  us*d  Druggs  without  number  almoft,  which  God  thought  not  fit  to  make  fuc- 
cefsful  for  a  Cure  :  and  indeed  all  Authors  that  1  read  ,  acquainted  me  that  my 
Difeafe  was  incurable;  whereupon  I  at  laft  forfook  the  Dodors  for  the  moft  part, 
except  when  the  urgency  of  a  Symptom,  or  Pain,  conftrained  me  to  leek  fbme 

prefent  eale.  , 

2.  The  fecond  Mercy  which  I  met  with,  was,  that  my  Pains,  though  daily  and 
almoft  continual.did  not  very  much  difable  me  from  my  Duty;  but  I  could  Study, 
and  Preach,  and  Walk  almoft  as  well  if  I  had  been  free  :  (of  which  more  anon). 
At  laft  falling  into  a  fudden  and  great  decay  and  debility,  I  went  to  Sir  Theodore 
Mayeme.  who  kept  me  in  a  long  Courfe  of  Phyfick,  which  did  me  fome  good  for 
the  prefent ;  and  after  that,  riding  much  in  the  Army  did  me  more  good  than  a- 
ny  thin?  :  But  having  one  Symptom  on  me  (the  conftant  excoriation  of  my  three 
formoft°Fingers  ends  on  both  Hands  to  the  raw  flefh  )   he    fent  me  to  Tunbridge- 
Waters,  where  I  ftaid  three  Weeks ;  and  after  that  my  DeflufHons  and  Agitation 
of  the  Serous  Matter,  much  encreafed,  (though  the  Excoriation  ceafed  at  that 
time  )  and  haftned  my  greater  ruine.    Efpecially  one  Errour  of  his  did  me  hurt : 
He  vehemently  perffwaded  me  to  the  eating  of  Apples,  which  of  all  things  in  the 
World  had  ever  been  my  moft  deadly  Enemies ;  io  that  when  it  was  too  late  ,  Dr. 
May  erne  perceived  that  though  Acrimony  difpofed  the  matter,  yet  meer  flatulency 
pumped  up  the  Blood ,  and  was  the  moft  immediate  Caufe  of  the  Hamorrhagie. 
Having  taken  cold  with  riding  thin  clothed  in  the  Snow,  and   having  but  two 
days  eaten  Apples  before  Meat,  as  he  periwaded  me,  I  fell  into  fuch  a  bleeding  as 
continued  fix  days,  with  fome  fits  of  intermiffion  ;  fo  that  about  a  Gallon  of  Biood 
that  we  noted  was  loll,  and  what  more  I  know  not :  Upon  this  both  he  and  other 
Phyficians  gave  me  up   as  hopelefs,  through  the  weaknefs  thereby  occafioned,  and 
concluding  that  all  would  end  in  a  Dropfie,  (  for  my  Leggs  began  to  fwelljf)  :  By 
a  Friend's  perfwafion  I  wrote  to  Dr.  George  Bates,  (  Archiater  to  King  Charles  the 
Second,  as  Sir  Theodore  Mayerne  was  to  King  Charles  the  Firft  )  who  concurred  fb 
exactly  in  a!i  points  with  Dr.  Mayerne,  as  if  they  had  confulted,  (the  Cafe  and  the 
Medicaments  prefcribed  being  unufiial  )  that  1  marvelled  at  their  Concord  •  and 
Ly  both  their  Counfels  ( though  neither  of  them  had  any  confiderable  hope  of 
my  Life),  I  was  neceflitated ,  befides  other  Remedies,  to  be  oft  in  purging,  for  all 
my  weaknefs,  to  prevent  a  Dropfie.     Within  a  quarter  of  a  year  I  was  able  weak- 
ly to  Preach  again  ;  but  continued  divers  years  in  languifhing  Pains  and  Weak- 
neffes,  double  or  fourfold  to  what  I  had  before  :  So  that  befides  all  my  former  In- 
dies, ever  after  this  Bleeding  my  chief  Difeafe  is  a  Vramatura  Senebltts,  through 
•  Diminution  of  Nature's  Stock :  And  juft  the  fame  Symptoms   as  moft 
men  have  about  Fourfcore  years  of  Age,  are  added   to  thofe  which  I   had   be- 
i 
In  fomefeeming  Neceffities  my  latter  Phyficians,  after  all  this,  did  four  or  five 
fome  Blood  from  me  ;  and  once  a  fpoonful  in  about  feven  Ounces  of  Se- 
gulate  ;  but  at  no  other  time  would  one  jot  of  it  ever  coagulate  or  co- 

herej 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 1 

here,  but  was  a  meer  putrilage  fine  fbrts  ,    like  thin  Ink  or  Saw-pit  Water. 

To  keep  this  Blood  in  the  relaxed  V effete  was  how  all  my  Cares,  which  daily 
fhed  abroad  upon  my  Eyes,  and  Teeth,  and  Jaws,  and  Joynrs,  fo  that  I  had  icarce 
reft  night  or  day  :  (  of  fome  of  the  Effects,  and  my  Remedy  which  God  blelled 
to  my  eafe,  I  ihallfpeak  more  afterward,).  With  (uch  Blood  ,  in  a  kind  of  Atro- 
phic, which  hath  caufed  a  very  troublefome  Drowhnefs  to  feize  upon  and  follow 
me,  I  have  lived  now  thcfe  many  years,  and  wrote  all  the  Books  that  ever  J  wrote, 
and  done  the  greateft  part  of  my  Service:  My  chiefeft  Remedies  are, 

1,  Temperance  as  to  quantity  and  quality  of  Food  :  for  every  bit  or  fpoonful 
too  much,  and  all  that  is  not  exceeding  eafie  of  digeftion,  and  all  that  is  flatulent, 
do  turn  all  to  Wind,  and  diforder  my  Head. 

2.  Exercife  till  I  fweat :  For  if  1  walk  not  haid  with  almoft  all  my  ftrength,  an 
hour  before  Dinner,  and  an  hour  before  Supper,  till  I  lweat  well,  I  am  not  able 
to  digeft  two  Meals ;  and  cannot  expert  to  live  when  lam  difabled  for  Exercife, 
being  prefently  overwhelmed  withchillinefs,  flatulency,  and  ferofity. 

;.  A  conirant  Extrinlick  Heat,  by  a  great  Fire,  which  may  keep  me  ftill  near 
to  a  Sweat,  if  not  in  it :  (  for  I  am  feidom  well  at  eafe  but  in  a  Sweat,). 

4.  Beer  as  hot  as  my  Throat  will  endure,  drunk  all  at  once  ,  to  make  me 
Sweat. 

Thele  are  the  Means  which  God  hath  ufed  to  draw  out  my  days ,  and  give  me 
eafe  (  with  one  Herb  inwardly  taken  J;  which  I  write  for  the  fake  of  any  Stu- 
dents that  may  be  near  the  lame  Diftempers  j  but  almoft  all  Phyfick  did  me  harm  : 
And  no  Aromatical  Thing  now  can  I  taite,  but  it  fetteth  my  Note  a  bleeding  , 
though  fince  I  bled  a  Gallon  I  am  not  lb  prone  to  it  as  before. 

Ihavecaft  in  all  this  here  together,  that  the  Reader  may  better  underftand  other 
things,  and  may  not  too  oft  be  troubled  with  fuch  Matters.  But  now  at  the  Age 
of  near  Seventy  years,  what  Changes  and  fad  Days  and  Nights  I  undergo,  I  after 
tell. 

§  10.  About  the  Eighteenth  year  of  my  Age  Mr.  Wickftead,  with  whom  I  had 
lived  at  Ludlow,  had  almoft  pei  fwaded  me  to  lay  by  all  my  Preparations  for  the 
Miniftry,  and  to  go  to  London.and  get  acquaintance  at  Court,  and  get  fome  Office, 
as  being  the  only  riling  way.  I  bad  no  mind  of  his  Counfel  who  had  helped  me 
no  better  before;  yet  becaufe  that  they  knew  that  he  loved  me,  and  they  had  no 
great  inclination  to  my  being  a  Minifter ,  my  Parents  accepted  of  his  Motion  : 
He  told  them  that  if  1  would  go  up  and  live  a  while  with  Sir  Henry  Herbert,  then 
Mafter  of  the  Revels,he  would  quickly  fet  me  in  a  riling  way. 

Iw  wldnot  b-j  difobedient,  but  went  up,  and  Itayed  at  Whitehall  with  Sir  H.  H. 
about  a  month  :  But  I  had  quickly  enough  01  the  Court ;  when  I  faw  a  Stage- 
Play  inftead  of  a  Sermon  on  the  Lord's-days  in  the  Afternoon,  and  faw  what 
Courfe  was  there  in  fafhion,  and  heard  little  Preaching,but  what  was  as  to  one  part 
againlt  the  Puritans,  I  was  glad  to  be  gone  :  And  at  the  fame  time  it  pleafed  God 
that  my  Mother  fell  fick,  and  defiied  my  return  ;  and  fo  I  refblved  to  bid  farewel 
to  thole  kind  of  Employments  and  Expectations. 

While  I  was  in  London  I  fell  into  Acquaintance  with  a  lbber,  godly,  underftand- 
ing  Apprentice  of  Mr.  Philemon  Stephens  the  Bookfeller  ,  whole  Name  was  Hum' 
fbrey  Blundm  (who  is  fince  turned  an  extraordinary  Chymift,  and  got  Jacob  Behem 
his  Books  tranflated  and  printed,),  whom  I  very  much  loved,  and  who  by  his  Con- 
(blatory  Letters  and  Directions  for  Books,  did  afterwards  do  me  the  Offices  of  an 
uleful  Friend. 

§  1 1.  When  I  was  going  home  again  into  the  Country  about  Chrifimas-day,  the 
greateft  Snow  began  that  hath  been  in  this  Age,  which  continued  thence  till  Ea-dn.i6]4c 
fier3  at  which  fome  places  had  it  many  yards  deep  ;  and  before  it  was  a  very  hard 
Froft,  which  neceffitated  me  to  Froft-nail  my  Horfe  twice  or  thrice  a  day.  On 
the  Road  I  met  a  Waggon  loaded,  where  I  had  no  paffage  by,  but  on  the  fide  of 
a  bank ,  which  as  I  palled  over,  all  my  Horfes  feet  dipt  from  under  him,  and  all 
the  Girths  brake,  and  fo  I  was  caft  juft  before  the  Waggon  Wheel ,  which  had  gone 
over  me,  but  that  it  pleafed  God,  that  fuddenly  the  Horfes  ftopt,  without  any  dif- 
cernable  caufe,  till  I  was  recovered :  which  commanded  me  to  obferve  the  Mercy 
of  my  Prote&or. 

§  12.  This  mindeth  me  of  fome  other  Dangers  and  Deliverances  which  I  paft 
over.  At  Seventeen  years  of  Age,  as  I  rode  out  on  a  great  unruly  Horfe  for  plea- 
fure,  which  was  wont  on  a  fudden  to  get  the  Bitt  in  his  Teeth,  and  fet  on  running  ; 
as  I  was  in  a  Field  of  high  Ground,  there  being  on  the  other  fide  a  Quick- fet  Hedge, 
a  very  deep  narrow  Lane,  about  a  Stories  height  below  me ;  fuddenly  the  Horfe 

C  2  got 


12 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


got  the  Bridle  as  aforefaid,  and  let  on  running ;  and  in  the  midft  of  his  running 
unexpetfedly  turned  afide,  and  leapt  over  the  top  of  the  Hedge  into  that  deep 
Lane  •  I  was  fomewhat  before  him  at  the  Ground,  and  as  the  Mire  laved  me  from 
the  hurt  beneath,  fo  it  pleafed  God  that  the  Horfe  never  touched  me,  but  he  light 
with  two  feet  on  one  fide  of  me,  and  two  on  the  other  i  though  the  place  made  it 
marvellous,  how  his  feet  could  fall  befides  me.  • 

§  1 2.  While  I  look  back  to  this,  it  maketh  me  remember  how  God  at  that  time 
did  cure  my  inclination  to  Gaming :  About  Seventeen  years  of  Age  being  at  Lud- 
low Caftle,  where  many  idle  Gentlemen  had  little  die  to  do,  I  had  a  mind  to  learn 
to  play  at  Tables ;  and  the  beft  Gamefter  in  the  Houfe  undertook  to  teach  me  ! 
As  I  remember,  the  firft  or  fecond  Game,  when  he  had  fo  much  the  better  that 
it  was  an  hundred  to  one,  befides  the  difference  of  our  skills,  the  ftandcrs  by  laugh'd 
at  me  as  well  as  he,  for  not  giving  it  up,  and  told  me  the  Game  was  loft  :  I  knew 
no  more  bur  that  it  was  not  loft  till  all  my  Table-men  were  loft,  and  would  not 
give  it  over  till  then.  He  told  me,  that  he  would  lay  me  an  hundred  to  one  of  it, 
and  in  good  earneft  laid  me  down  ten  fhillings  to  my  fix  pence  :  As  foon  as  ever 
the  Money  was  down,whereas  he  told  me  that  there  was  no  potlibility  of  my  Game, 
but  by  one  Caft  often,  I  had  every  Caft  the  fame  I  wifhed,  and  he  had  every  one 
according  to  my  defire,  fo  that  by  that  time  one  could  go  lour  or  five  times  about 
the  Room  his  Game  was  gone,  which  put  him  in  ib  great  an  admiration,  that  I 
took  the  hint,  and  believed  that  the  Devil  had  the  ruling  of  the  Dice,  and  did  it 
to  entice  me  on  to  be  a  Gamefter,  And  (6 1  gave  him  his  Ten  millings  again,  and  re- 
folved  I  would  never  more  play  at  Tables  whilft  I  lived. 

§  14.  But  to  return  to  the  place  where  I  left :  When  I  came  home  from  London, 
I  found  my  Mother  in  extremity  of  Pain,  and  fpent  that  Winter  in  the  hearing  of 
her  Heart-piercing  Groans,  (  fhut  up  in  the  great  Snow  ,  which  many  that  went 
abroad  did  peii/hinj  till  on  May  the  10th  /he  died. 

At  Kiderminfter,  the  Town  being  in  want  of  fire,  went  all  to  fhovel  the  way 
over  the  Heath  to  Stone-bridge ,  from  whence  their  Coals  come  ;  and  fb  great  and 
fiidden  a  ftorm  of  Snow  fell,  as  overwhelmed  them  ;  fo  that  fome  perifhed  in  it, 
and  others  laved  their  Lives  by  getting  into  a  little  Cote  that  ftandethonthe  Heath, 
and  others  fcaped  home  with  much  ado. 

§  i  y.  Above  a  year  after  the  Death  of  my  Mother,  my  Father  married  a  Wo- 
nvn  of  great  Sincerity  in  the  Fear  of  God,  Mary  the  Daughter  of  Sir  Tho.  Hunkes : 
whofe  Holinefs,  Mortification,  Contempt  of  the  World,  and  fervent  Prayer  (  in 
which  fhe  fpent  a  great  part  of  her  Life  )  have  been  fo  exceeding  Exemplary,  as 
made  her  a  Special  Bleffing  to  our  Family,  an  Honour  to  Religion,  and  an  honou- 
rable Pattern  to  thofe  that  knew  her.   She  lived  to  be  96  years  old. 

§  16.  Fiorn  the  Age  of  21  till  near  2  3,  my  Weaknefs  was  lo great,  that  I  expe- 
lled not  to  live  above  a  year  ;  and  my  own  Soul  being  under  the  ferious  appre- 
henfion  cf  the  Matters  of  another  World,  I  was  exceeding  defirous  to  Communi- 
c.ue  thofe  Apprehenfions  to  fuch  ignorant,  prefumptuous,  carelefs  Sinners  as  the 
World  aboundeth  with.  But  I  was  in  a  very  great  perplexity  between  my  En- 
couragements and  my  Difcouragements:  I  was  confcious  of  my  perfonal  ineffici- 
ency, lor  want  of  that  meafure  of  Learning  and  Experience,  which  fo  great  and 
high  a  Work  required.  I  knew  that  the  want  of  Academical  Honours  and  De- 
was  like  to  make  me  Contemptible  with  the  moil,  and  confequently  hinder 
licceis  of  my  Endeavours.  But  yet  expecting  to  be  fo  quickly  in  another 
World,  the  great  Concernments  of  miserable  Souls,  did  prevail  with  me  againft 
all  thele  Impediments ;  and  being  confcious  of  a  thirfty  defire  of  Mens  Converfi- 
on  and  Salvation,  and  of  fome  competent  perfwading  Faculty  of  Expreffion,which 
fervent  Affections  might  help  to  actuate,  I  refblved  that  if  one  or  two  Souls  only 
might  be  wortro  God,  it  would  eafily  recompenceali  the  dishonour  which  for  want 
oi  'Li ties  I  might  undergo  from  Men  ! 

And  indeed  I  had  fuch  clear  Convidions  my  felf  of  the  madnefs  of  fecure  pre- 
vious Sinners,  and  the  unqueftionable  Reafons  which  fhould  induce  men  to  a 
holy  Life,  and  of  the  unipeakable  greatnels  of  that  Work,  which  in  this  hafly 
Inch  of  Time,  we  have  all  to  do,  that  1  thought  that  Man  that  could  be  ungod- 
ly, if  lie  did  hut  hear  thele  things,  was  fitter  for  Bedlam,  than  for  the  Reputation 
ol  a  fober  rational  Man:  And  I  was  ib  foolifh  as  to  think,  that  I  had  fo  much  to 
lay,  and  of  fuch  Convincing  Evidence  for  a  Godly  Life  ,  that  Men  were  fcarce  a- 
ble  to  wicUtand  it ;  not  confidering  what  a  blind  and  fenflefs  Rock  the  Heart  of  an 
•inner  is  -  and  that  old  Adam  is  too  ftrong  for  young  Luther  (as  he  faid). 
Lut  thele  Apprehenfions  determined  my  choice. 

§  17.  Till 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 3 


§  17.THI  this  time  I  was  fatisfied  in  theMatter  of  Conformity:  Whilft  I  5  oung 
I  had  never  been  acquainted  with  any  that  were  againft  ir,  or  t\  tioned  ir. 

I  had  joyned  with  the  Common-Prayer  with  as  hearty  fervency  as  afterward  I  did 
with  other  Prayers !  As  long  as  I  had  no  Prejudice  again (t  it,  1  had  no  ftop  in  my 
Devotions  from  any  of  its  Imperfections. 

At  Iaft  at  about  20  years  of  Age,  I  became  acquainted  with  Mr.  Simmonds,  Mr. 
Cradock,  and  other  very  zealous  godly  Nonconformifts  in  Shrewsbury,  and  the  ad- 
joyning  parts,  whole  fervent  Prayers  and  favour  y  Conference  and  holy  Lives  did 
profit  me  much.  And  when  I  underftood  that  they  were  People  profecuted  by 
the  Bifhops,  I  found  much  prejudice  .irilein  my  heart  againft  thofe  that  perfecuted 
them,  and  thought  thole  that  filenced  and  troubled  fuch  Men  could  not  be  the  ge- 
nuine Followers  of  the  Lord  of  Love. 

But  yet  I  refolved  that  I  would  lludy  the  Point,  as  well  as  I  was  able,  before  I 
would  be  confident  on  either  fide  :  And  it  prejudiced  me  againft  the  Nonconfor- 
mifts, becaufe  we  had  but  one  of  them  near  us ,  (  one  Mr.  Barnel  of  Uppington  ) 
who,  though  he  was  a  very  honeft  blamelefs  Man,  yet  was  reputed  to  be  but  a 
mean  Scholar  i  when  Mr.  Garbet ,  and  lome  other  Conformilts,  were  more  Learn- 
ed Men :  And  withal,  the  Books  of  the  Nonconformifts  were  then  io  fcarce,  and 
hard  to  be  got  (becaufe  of  the  danger  J  that  I  could  not  come  to  know  their  rea- 
fons.  Whereas  on  the  contrary  fide,  Mr.  Garbet  and  Mr.  Samuel  Smith,  did  lend 
me  Downbam,  Sprint,  Dr.  Burges,  and  others  of  the  ftrongeft  that  had  wrote  againft 
the  Nonconformifts ;  upon  the  reading  of  which  I  could  not  fee  but  the  Caufe 
of  the  Conformifts  was  very  juftinable,  and  the  realbning  of  the  Nonconformifts 
weak. 

Hereupon  when  I  thought  of  Ordination,  I  had  no  Scruple  at  all  againft  Sub- 
lcription  :  And  yet  lb  precipitant  and  ralh  was  I,  that  I  had  never  once  read  over 
the  Book  of  Ordination,  which  was  one  to  which  I  was  toSublcribe  ;nor  half  read 
over  the  Book  of  Homilies,  nor  exactly  weighed  the  Book  of  Common- Prayer,nor 
was  I  of  lufficient  Underftanding  to  determine  confidently  in  fome  Controverted 
Points  in  the  39  Articles.  But  my  Teachers  and  my  Books  having  caufe^  me  in 
general  to  think  the  Conformifts  had  the  better  Caule  ,  I  kept  out  all  particular 
Scruples  by  that  Opinion. 

§  18.  At  that  time  old  Mr.  Richard  Foley  of  Stourbridge  in  JVorcejlerfinre,  had  re- 
covered lome  alienated  Lands  at  Dudley,  which  had  been  left  to  Charitable  Ules, 
and  added  lomething of  his  own,  and  built  a  convenient  new  School-Houie,  and 
was  to  choofe  his  firft  School-Mafter  and  Ulher  :  By  the  means  of  James  Berry 
(who  lived  in  the  Houle  with  me,  and  had  lived  with  him)  he  delired  me  to  ac- 
cept it.  I  thought  it  not  an  inconvenient  Condition  for  my  Entrance,  becaufe  I 
might  alfo  Preach  up  and  down  in  Places  that  were  mo  ft  ignorant,  before  I  pre- 
fumed  to  take  a  Paftoral  Charge  (to  which  I  had  no  inclination).  So  to  Dudley 
1  went,  and  Mr.  Foley  and  James  Berry  going  with  me  to  Worcefier  ,  at  the  Time 
of  Ordination,  I  was  Ordained  by  the  Bifhop,  and  had  a  Licence  to  teach  School  • 
for  which  (being  Examined)  1  Subfcribed. 

§  19.  Being  fettled  (with  an  Ufher)  in  the  new  School  at  Dudley,  and  living  in 
the  Houle  of  Mr.  Richard  Foley  Junior,  1  there  preached  my  firft  Publick  Sermon 
in  the  upper  Parifh  Church  j  and  afterwards  Preached  in  the  Villages  about ;  and 
there  had  occafion  to  fall  afrefh  upon  the  ftudy  of  Conformity  :  For  there  were 
many  private  Chriftians  thereabouts  that  were  Nonconformifts ,  and  one  in  the 
Houfe  with  me.  And  that  excellent  Man,  Mr.  William  Fenner ,  had  lately  lived 
two  miles  off  at  Sedgeky,  who  by  defending  Conformity,  and  honouring  it  by  a 
wonderfully  powerful  and  fuccefsful  way  of  Preaching,  Conference,  and  holy  Li- 
ving, had  ftirred  up  the  Nonconformifts  the  more  to  a  vehement  pleading  of  their 
Caufe :  And  though  they  were  there  generally  godly  honeft  People,  yet  fmartly 
cenforious,  and  made  Conformity  no  fmall  fault :  And  they  lent  me  Manufcripts 
and  Books  which  I  never  faw  before ;  whereupon  I  thought  it  my  Duty  to  let  up- 
on a  lerious  impartial  Trial  of  the  whole  Caule. 

The  Caufe  of  Epifcopacy  Bifhop  Downbam  had  much  fatisfied  me  in  before  ;  and 
I  had  not  then  a  fufneient  Underftanding  of  the  difference  betwixt  the  Argu- 
ments for  an  Epilcopacy  in  general,  and  for  our  Engltfo  Diocefans  in  particular. 
The  Caule  of  Kneeling  at  the  Sacrament  I  ftudied  next :  and  Mr.  Paybody  fully 
fatisfied  me  for  Conformity  in  that.  I  turned  over  Cartwright  and  Whitgift  ,  and 
others  ;  but  having  lately  procured  Dr.  Ames  frefh  fuit,  I  thought  it  my  belt  way  to 
ftudy  throughly  Dr.  Burges  (his  Father-in-law)  and  him,  as  the  likelieft  means  to 
avoid  diftra&ion  among  a  multitude  of  Writers,  and  not  to  lofe  the  Truth  in 

crowds 


14 


The  LI  F  E  of  the  Lib.  J, 


crowds  of  Words ;  feeing  thefe  two  were  reputed  the  ftrongeft  on  each  fide,  So  I 
borrowed  Amefim  his  FrefljSuit,  &c.  and  becaufel  could  not  keep  it,  I  tranfcribed 
the  ftrength  of  it  the  broad  Margin  of  Dr.  Burges  his  Rejoynder,  over  a^ainft  each 
Paragraph  which  he  replied  to  :  And  I  fpent  a  confutable  time  in  the  ftricteft 
Examination  of  both  which  I  could  perform. 

And  the  refult  of  all  my  Studies  was  as  followeth  :  Kneeling  I  thought  lawful, 
and  all  meer  Circumstances  determined  by  the  Magiftrate,  which  God  in  Nature 
or  Scripture  hath  determined  of  only  in  the  General.The  Surplice  I  more  doubred  of; 
but  more  inclined  to  think  it  lawful :  And  though  I  purpofed,    while  I  doubted, 
to  forbear  it  till  neceffity  lay  upon  me,  yet  could  1  not  have  juft ified  the  forfaking 
of  my  Minillry  for  it;  ( though  I  never  wore  it  to  this  day).    The  Ring  in  Mar- 
riage" I  made  no  Scruple  about.     The  Crofs  in  Baptifm  I  thought  Dr.  Ames  proved 
unlawful ;  and  though  I  was  not  without  fbme  doubting  in  the  Point,  yet  becaufe 
I  moft  inclined  to  judge  it  unlawful,  never  once  uied  it  to  this  day.    A  Form  of 
Prayer  and  Liturgy  I  judged  to  be  lawful,  and   in  feme   Cafes  lawfully  impofed : 
Our  Liturgy  in  particular,  I  judged  to  have  much  diforder  and  defelh-veneft  in  it, 
but  nothing  which  fiiould  make  the  ufe  of  it,   in  the  ordinary  Publick  Worfhip,  to 
be  unlawful  to  them  that  have  not  Liberty  to  do  better.     Difcipline  I  wanted  in 
the  C  hurch,  and  law  the  fad  Effects  of  its  neglect  :  But  I  did  not  then  underftand 
that  the  very  Frame  of  Diocefan  Prelacy  excluded  it,  but  thought  it  had  been  on- 
;  Bifhops  perfbnal  neglects.    Subfcription  I  began  to  judge  unlawful,  and  faw 
that  1  finned  by  temerity  in  what  I  did :  For  though  I  could  ft  ill  ule  the  Common 
Prayer,  and  was  not  yet  agamic  Diocefans ,  yet  to  Subfcribe,  Ex  Animo ,  That 
in  the  three  Books  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God,  was  that,  which  if  it  had 
been  to  do  again,  I  durft  not  do.     So  that  Subfcription,  and  the  Croft  in  Baptifm,  and 
the  promifcuous  giving  of  the  Lord's  Supper  to  all  Drunkards,  Swearers,  Fornicators,  Scor- 
iters  at  GodlineJS,  &c.  that  are  not  Excommunicate  by  a  Biihop  or  Chancellor  that 
is  out  of  their  Acquaintance.    Thefe  three  were  all  that  I  now  became  a  Noncon- 
formist to. 

But  moft  of  this  I  kept  to  my  felf.  I  daily  difputed  againft  the  Nonconforming ; 
for  I  found  their  Cenforioufnefs  and  Inclinations  towards  Seperation,(in  the  weak- 
er fort  of  them  J  to  be  a  Threatning  Evil,  and  contrary  ro  Chriftian  Charity  on 
one  fide,  as  Perfecution  is  on  the  other.  Some  of  them  that  pretended  to  much 
learning,  engaged  me  in  Writing  to  difpute  the  Cafe  of  Kneeling  at  the  Sacra- 
ments •  which  I  followed  till  they  gave  it  over.  I  laboured  continually  to  reprefs 
their  Cenforioufnefs,  and  the  boldnefsand  bitternefsof  their  Language  againii  the 
Bilhops,  and  to  reduce  them  to  greater  Patience  and  Charity.  But  I  found  that 
their  Sufferings  from  the  Bi mops  were  the  great  Impediment  of  my  Succels,  and 
that  he  that  will  blow  the  Coals  muff  not  wonder  if  fome  Sparks  do  fly 
in  his  face  j  and  that  to  perfecute  Men  3  and  then  call  them  to  Charity,  is  like 
whipping  Children  to  make  them  give  over  Crying.  The  ftronger  fort  of  Chri- 
ilians  can  bear  Mulcts  and  Imprifbnments  and  Reproaches  for  obeying  God  and 
Conlcience.without  abating  their  Charity  or  their  Weaknefsto  their  Periecutorsjbut 
to  expeft  this  from  all  the  weak  and  injudicious,  the  young  and  paffionatejis  againft 
all  Realbn  and  Experience  :  I  faw  that  he  that  will  be  loved,  muft  love  ;J  and  he 
that  rather  chooleth  to  be  more  feared  ttan  loved,  muft  expect  to  be  hated,  or  lo- 
ved but  diminutively  :  And  he  that  will  have  Children,  muft  be  a  Father:  and  he 
that  will  be  a  Tyrant  muft  be  contenteJ  with  Slaves. 

§  20.  In  this  Town  of  Dudley  I  lived  (  not  a  Twelve-month  )  in  much  com- 
ioit,  amongft  a  poor  tractable  People,  lately  famous  for  Drunkennefs ,  but  com- 
monly more  ready  to  hear  God's  Word  with  fubmiffion  and  reformation,  than  moft 
»s  where  1  have  come:  Co  that  having  fince  the  Wars  let  up  a  Monthly  Le- 
rhere,  the  Church  was  ufually  as  much  crowded  within,  and  at  the  Windows, 
;r  I  faw  any  London  Congregation?:  (Partly  through  the  great  willingneis  of 
eople,  and  partly  by  the  exceeding  populoufnefs  of  the  Country,  where  the 
s  and  Commons  are  planted  with  Nailers,  Scithe-Smiths ,  and  other  Iron- 
mcrs,   like  a  continued  Village). 

rein  my  weaknefs  I  was  obliged  to  thankfulnefs  to  God,  for  a  conveni- 

Itation,  and  the  tender  care   of  Mr.  R.  Foley's  Wife,  a   Genie  woman  of 

,:m -aordinary  Meeknefs  and  Patience,  with  fincere  Piety  ,  as  will  not  eafily 

eved  by  thofe  that  knew  her  not !    who  died  about  two  years  after. 

§  2i.  When  I  had  been  but  three  quarters  of  a  year  at  Dudley,  I  was    by  God's 

racious  Providence  invited  to  Bridgnorth,  the  fecond  Town  of  Shropjhire,  to 

'■  i  there  as  Affiftant  to  the  worthy  Paftorof  that  place.     As  foon  as  I  heard 

the 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  i  $ 

the  place  defcribed,  I  perceived  it  was  the  fitteft  for  me  ;  for  there  was  juft  fucli 
Employment  as  I  defired,  and  could  fubmit  to,  without  that  which  I  fcrupled,  and 
with  fome  probability  of  peace  and  quietnefs. 

The  Minifter  of  the  place  was  Mr.  William  Mad/lard,  a  grave  and  ievere  Anci- 
ent Divine,  very  honed  and  confcionable,  and  an  excellent  Preacher,  but  fome- 
what  afflifted  with  want  of  Maintenance,  and  much  more  with  a  dead-hearted 
unprofitable  People.  The  Town  Maintenance  being  inconfiderable,  he  took  the 
Paribnage  of  Oldbury  near  the  Town,  a  Village  of  fcarce  twenty  Monies,  and  lb 
defired  me  to  be  one  half  day  in  the  Town,  and  the  other  at  the  Village  ;  but 
my  Lot  after  fell  out  to  be  moftly  in  the  Town.  The  place  is  priviledged  from 
all  Epifcopal  Jurifdiction,  except  the  Archbifhop's  Triennial  Vifitation.  There 
are  fix.  Parilhes  together,  two  in  the  Town,  and  four  in  the  Country,  that  have  all 
this  Priviledge.  At  Bridgnorth  they  have  an  Ordinary  of  their  own,  who,  as  an  Of- 
ficial, keepeth  a  conftant  Ecclefiaitical  Court,  having  the  Jurifdi&ion  of  thofe  fix 
Parifhes.  This  reverend  and  good  man,  Mr.  Madflard,  was  both  Pa/lor  and  Offi- 
cial, the  Place  ufually  going  along  with  that  of  the  Preacher  of  that  Town  ( though 
feparable  ) :  By  which  means  I  had  a  very  full  Congregation  to  preach  to  ,  and  a 
freedom  from  all  thofe  things  which  I  fcrupled  or  thought  unlawful,  I  often  read 
the  Common  Prayer  before  I  preached,  both  on  the  Lord's-days  and  Holy-days  ; 
but  I  never  adminiftred  the  Lord's  Supper,  nor  ever  Baptized  any  Child  with  the 
Sign  of  the  Grofs,  nor  ever  wore  the  Surplice,  nor  was  ever  put  to  appear  at  any 
Biihop's  Court. 

But  the  People  proved  a  very  ignorant,  dead-hearted  People,  (  the  Town*  con- 
fitting  too  much  of  Inns  and  Alehoufes,  and  having  no  general  Trade  to  imploy 
the  Inhabitants  in,  which  is  the  undoing  of  great  Towns) :  fo  that  though  through 
the  great  Mercy  of  God,  my  firft  Labours  were  not  without  Succefs,  to  the  Con- 
verfion  of  fome  ignorant  carelefs  Sinners  unto  God,  and  were  over-valued  by  thofe 
that  were  already  regardful  of  the  Concernments  of  their  Souls,  yet  were  they  not 
fo  fuccefsful  as  they  proved  afterwards  in  other  places.  Though  I  was  in  the  fer- 
vour of  my  Affe&ions,  and  never  any  where  preached  with  more  vehement  de- 
fires  of  Mens  Converfion  (  and  I  account  my  Liberty  with  that  meafure  of  Sue- 
cefs  which  I  there  had,  to  be  a  Mercy  which  I  can  never  be  fufficiently  thankful 
for)  yet  with  the  generality  an  Applaufe  of  the  Preacher  was  moft  of  the  fuccefs 
of  the  Sermon  which  I  could  hear  of;  and  their  tipling  and  ill  company  anddead- 
heartednefs  quickly  drowned  all. 

§  22.  Whilft  I  here  exercifed  the  firft  Labours  of  my  Miniftry,  two  fevcral  Af- 
faults  did  threaten  my  Expulfion:  The  one  was  a  new  Oath,  which  was  made  by  An.i6Ao 
the  Convocation,  commonly  called  The  Et  catera  Oath  :  For  it  was  to  {wear  us  all, 
That  we  -would  never  Confent  to  the  Alteration  of  the  prefent  Government  of  the  Church , 
by  Arcbbifiops,  Bijhops,  Deans,  Arch-deacons,  &c  This  caft  the  Minifters  through- 
out England  into  a  Divifion,and  new  Difputes.  Some  would  take  the  Oath,  and 
fbme  would  not. 

Thofe  that  were  for  it,  laid,  That  Epifcopacy  was  Jure  Divino ,  and  alfo  fettled 
by  a  Law,  and  therefore  if  the  Sovereign  Power  required  it,  we  might  well  fwear 
that  we  would  never  confent  to  alter  it ;  and  the  King's  Approbation  of  thefe  Ca- 
nons made  them  fufficiently  obligatory  unto  us. 

Thofe  that  were  againfi  it,  faid,  i.  That  Epifcopacy  was  either  contra  jus  Divi- 
num ,  or  at  beft  not  Jure  Divino ,  and  therefore  mutable  when  the  King  and  Par- 
liament pleafed. 

2.  Or  at  leaft  that  it  was  undeniable,  That  Archbifhops,  and  Deans,  and  Chap- 
ters, and  Arch-deacons^dv.  were  not  all  Jure  Divino :  nay,  that  the  EngUfli  frame  of 
Diocefans  having  many  hundred  Parifh  Churches  under  one  Bifhop  in  fini  gradus, 
was  not  only  againft  the  Word  of  God,  but  deftrudive  of  all  the  Epifcopacy  which 
was  known  in  the  Church  at  leaft  for  200  years. 

%.  They  faid  that  it  was  intolerable  to  fwear  to  a  blind  Et  catera ;  for  litterally 
it  included  all  the  Officers  of  the  Ecclefiaftical  Courts  that  are  now  in  Exer- 
cife  of  the  Government ;  Lay-Chancellors  ( that  ufe  the  Keys  for  Excommunica- 
tion and  Ablblution)  Surrogates,  Commiffaries,  Officials,  and  the  reft.  And 
was  it  ever  known  that  all  the  Clergy  was  fworn  to  fuch  an  Anomalous  Rab- 
ble? 

4.  They,  faid  that  for  ought  they  knew  this  Goverment  in  whole,  or  in  fome 
part,  might  be  altered  by  the  King  and  Parliament  by  a  L^w  :  And  to  tie  up  our 
felvesby  an  Oath  that  we  would  never  obey  fuch  a  Law,  nor  confent  to  that  which 
the  King  might  command  us3  this  they  thought  was  a  Bond  of  Difobsdience,  nexc 
to  a  Rebellion.  5,  They 


l6 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


5.  They  faid  that  it  was  againft  the  Subje&s  Liberty ;  which  alioweth  them  (o- 
berl'y  to  Petition  the  King  and  Parliament  for  a  Redrefs  of  any  Grievance. 

And  if  now  a  Lay-Chancellor's  ufe  of  the  Keys,  e.  g.  were  no  burden  to  tfoj 
People,  we  know  not  how  God  may  make  fuch  Alterations  by  his  Providence ,  as 
may  make  that  a  Grievance  which  now  is  none. 

6.  And  they  faid  it  was  againft  the  Priviledges  of  Parliament,  that  fuch  an  Oath 
fhould  be  devifed  and  impofed  upon  the  Subjects,  without  a  Law,  or  the  Parlia- 
ments confent. 

Thefe  and  other  Reafons  were  pleaded  againft  it  :  (  And  afterward  when  the 
Parliament  took  it  into  confideration,  it  was  Condemned  on  thefe  and  other  Ac- 
counts). The  Minifters  of  the  Country  met  together  at  Bridgnorth  ro  Debate  this 
Bufinefs,  that  they  might  have  no  Divifion  :  and  fome  few  were  for  the  Oath,  but 
more  againft  it.  This  put  me  upon  deeper  Thoughts  of  the  Point  of  Epifcopacy, 
and  of  the  Enghfi  frame  of  Church- Government  than  ever  I  had  before  :  and  now 
I  had  the  opportunity  of  feeing  fome  Books,  which  I  never  had  before.  My  very- 
dear  Fr\end,Mr.WiIliam  Rowley,(a.  Gentleman  of  Shrewsbury)  lent  mzGerjomus  Buce- 
rm  his  DiJJertatio  de  Gubernatione  Ecclefia,  and  Didcclaves  Altare  Damajcenum ;  and 
fhortly  after  I  had  Parker  de  Polit.  Ecclef.  and  Bayneis  Diocejancs  Trial  $  and  I  received 
Bifhop  Downham,  and  compared  his  Reafons  with  Bucers,  Didoclaves,  &c  .  And 
though  I  found  not  fufficient  Evidence  to  prove  all  kind  of  Epifcopacy  unlawful  s 
yet  I  was  much  fatisned  that  the  Engh(b  Diocefan  frame,  was  guilty  of  the  Cor- 
ruption of  Churches  and  Miniftry,  and  of  the  ruineof  the  true  Church  Difcipline, 
and  ftibftituting  an  heterogeneal  thing  in  its  ftead. 

And  thus  the  Et  catera  Oath,  which  was  impofed  on  us  for  the  unalterable  fub- 
je&ing  of  us  to  Diocefans,  was  a  chief  means  to  alienate  me,and  many  others  from 
it.  For  now  our  drowfie  mindiefhefs  of  that  fubject  was  fhaken  off  by  their  vio- 
lence ;  and  we  that  thought  it  beft  to  follow  our  bufinefs,  and  live  in  quietnefs, 
and  let  the  Biihops  alone,  were  rowzed  by  the  terrours  of  an  O,ithto  look  about  us, 
and  underftand  what  we  did. 

§2;.  This  Oath  alfo  ftirred  up  the  differing  Parties  (  who  before  were  all  one 
Party,  even  quiet  Conformifis)  to  fpeak  more  bitterly  againft  one  another  than  here- 
tofore :  And  the  diifenting  Party  began  to  think  better  of  the  Caule  of  Noncon- 
formity, and  to  honour  the  Nonconformilh  more  than  they  had  done.  And  it 
fell  out  that  at  the  lame  time  when  we  were  thus  rowzed  up  in  England,  or  a  little 
before,  the  Scots  were  alfo  awakened  in  Scotland:  For  when  ail  was  quiet  there 
under  a  more  moderate  Epifcopacy  than  we  had  then  in  England ,  (  though  that 
Nation  had  been  ufsd  to  Presbytery  )  a  new  Common-Prayer  Book  (  ihac  is,  the 
Engh{h  one  with  fome  few  Alterations)  was  framed,  and  impofed  on  the  People  of 
Scotland  •  who  having  not  been  uied  to  that  way  of  Worftrip,  one  Woman  in  E- 
denburgh  cried  out  in  the  Church,  Popery,  Popery,  and  threw  her  Stool  at  the  Prieft  ; 
and  others  imitated  her  presently,  and  drove  him  out  of  the  Church  ;  and  this  little 
Spark  let  all  Scotland  quickly  in  a  Flame.  Infomuch  that  other  Places  taking  as 
much  diftafte  at  the  Common  Prayer,and  at  the  Biihops  alfo  for  its  fike,and  for  fear 
of  the  Silencing  of  their  Minifters,  and  fome  Minifters  increaftng  their  diftafte,  the 
Lords  prefen&y  were  divided  alfo  ;  infomuch  that  the  King  was  fain  to  inftrud 
the  Earl  otTreejuaire,  as  his  Commifiioner,  to  fupprefs  the  Malecontentc :  But  in 
a  fhorttimg  the  number  of  them  fo  encreafed ,  that  the  King's  Commiflioners 
co.ild  do  no  good  on  them,  but  they  got  the  power  of  all  the  Land,  becaufe  the 
far  gicaccft  put  of  the  Nobility  with  the  Miniftry  were  conjoyned.  Hereupon 
they  all  entered  into  a  National  Covenant,  to  the  fame  purpofe  as  formerly  thac 
Nation  had  done,  but  they  did  it  without  the  Kings  Authority.  The  Oath  or 
Covenant  was  againft  Popery  and  Prelacy  and  Supervision,  and  to  uphold  the 
Gofpel  and  Reformation.  The  Aberdeen  Doctors  diffented  from  the  Covenant,  and 
y  Writings  paft  on  both  fides  between  the  Covenanters  and  them,  till  at  laft 
nfuingWars  did  turn  the  Debates  to  another  ftrain. 

§  24.  It  i.ll  out  unhappily  that  at  the  fame  time  while  the  Scots  were  thus  dif- 

contented,  the  King  had  impofed  a  Tax  here,  called  S%wo»7,as  for  theftrength- 

ning  of  the  Navy  •  which  being  done  without  Confent  of  Parliament,  made   a 

;riul  murmuring  all  over  the    Land,  efpecially  among  the  Country  -No - 

bility    and   Gentry;  for  they  took  it  as  the  overthrow  of  the  Fundamental  Laws 

n  of  the  Kingdom  ,  and  of  Parliaments,  and  of  all  Propriety. 

bey  fiid  that  the  Subjects  Propriety  in  hisEftate,  and  the  Being  of  Parliaments, 

no  Laws  be  made,  nor  Moneys  taken  from  the  Subject,  but  by  the  Par- 

•nfeht,  are  part  of  the  Conftitution  of  the  Republick  or  Government. 

And 


P  a  R  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  17 

And  they  laid  that  the  King  having  long  difufed  Parliaments  upon  Difpleaiiire  a- 
gainft  them,  becaufe  they  curbed  Monopolies,  and  corrected  Abuies  of  Officers,  &r. 
had  no  way  to  lay  them  by  for  ever,  but  to  invade  the  Subje&s  Propriety,  and  to 
afliime  the  power  of  laying  Taxes  and  railing  Moneys  without  them  ;  and  that  if 
thus  Parliaments  and  Propriety  were  deftroyed  ^  the  Government  was  diflblved  or 
altered,  and  no  Man  had  any  Security  of  Eftate  or  Liberty  or  Life,  but  the  Plea- 
fure  of  the  King,  whofe  Will  would  be  the  only  Law.  They  laid  alio,  that  thole 
that  counfelled  him  to  this  were  Enemies  to  the  Commonwealth,  and  unfitter  to 
counfel  him  than  Parliaments,  who  are  his  higheft  Court  and  Council. 

The  poor  Plowmen  underftood  but  little   of  thefe  Matters ;  but   a  little  would 
ftir  up  their  Difcontent  when  Money  was  demanded  :  But  ic  was  the  more  intelli- 
gent part  of  the  Nation  that  were  the  great  Complainers.     Infomuch  that  fome  of 
them  denied  to  pay  the  Ship-money,  and  put  the  Sheriffs  to  diftrain  ;  the  Sheriffs, 
though  afraid  of  a  future  Parliament,  yet  did  it  in  obedience  to  the  King.     Mr. 
Hampden  and  the  Lord  Say  brought  it  to  a  Suit ;  where  Mr.   Oliver  St.  John  and  o- 
ther  Lawyers  boldly  pleaded  the  Peoples  Cauie.   The  King  had  before  called  all  the 
Judges  to  give  their  Opinions,  Whether  in  a  Cafe  of  need  he  might  impofe  fuch  a 
Tax,  or  nor.     And  all  of  them  gave  their  Opinion  for  the  Affirmative,  except 
Judge  Hatton  and  Judge  Crock.    The  Judgment  palled  for  the   King  againft  Mr.    j 
Hampden  :  But  this  made  the  Matter  much  more  talk  of  throughout  the  Land,  and      \ 
confidered  of  by  thole  that  thought  not  m.ich  of  the  Importance  of  it  be- 
fore. 

§25-.  Some  fufpe&ed  that  many  of  the  Nobility  of  England  did  fecretly  Confe- 
derate with  the  Scots,  fo  far  as  to  encourage  them  to  come  into  England;  thinking 
that  there  was  no  other  way  to  caufe  the  Calling  of  a  Parliament ,  which  was  the 
thing  that  now  they  bent  their  minds  to  as  the  Remedy  of  thele  things.  The  Earl 
of  Ejfex,  the  Earl  of  Warwick,  the  Earl  of  Bedford,  the  Earl  of  Clare ,  the  Earl  of 
BuUmgbrook,  the  Earl  of  Mulgrave,  the  Earl  of  Hollan  d,  the  Lord  Say,  the  Lord 
Brock,  and  I  know  not  how  many  more,  were  laid  to  be  of  this  Confederacy. 
But  Heylm  himlelf  hath  more  truly  given  you  the  Hiftory  of  this,  That  the  Scots, 
after  they  came  in,  did  perfwade  thele  Men  of  their  own  danger  in  England,  if  Ar- 
bitrary Government  went  on,  and  (b  they  petitioned  the  King  for  a  Parliament, 
which  was  all  their  Confederacy  ;  and  this  was  after  their  fecond  Coming  into 
England 

The  Scots  came  with  an  Army,  and  the  King's  Army  met  them  near  Newcastle  \An.\&%<* 
but  the  Scots  came  on  till  an  Agreement  was  made,  and  a  Parliament  called  ;  and 
the  Scots  went  home  again. 

Bl;c  ihortly  after,  this  Parliament  fo  difpleafed  the  King  that  he  Diffolved  it, 
and  the  War  againft  the  Scots  was  again  undertaken,  (to  which,  befides  others,  the 
Papifls  by  the  Queens  means  did  voluntarily  contribute  ):  whereupon  the  Scots 
complain  of  evil  Counfels  and  Papifls  as  the  caufe  of  their  renewed  dangers,  and 
again  raifean  Army  and  come  into  England.  And  the  Engltjh  at  York  petition  the ^  ^.q 
King  for  a  Parliament,  and  once  more  it  is  refolved  on,  and  an  Agreement  made,  '  ^ 
but  neither  the  Scotttjh  or  Engltfi  Army  disbanded.  And  thus  began  the  Long 
Tarliament  as  it  was  after  called. 

§  26.The  Et  catera  Oath  was  the  firft  thing  that  threatned  me  at  Bridgenorth;  and 
the  fecond  was  the  pafTage  of  the  Earl  of  Bridgwater,  Lord  Prefident  of  the  Marches 
of  ^tf/^jthrough  the  Town  in  his  Journey  from  Ludlow  to  the  King  in  the  North: 
For  his  coming  being  on  Saturday  Evening,  the  moft  malicious  perfons  of  the 
Town  went  to  him,  and  told  him  that  Mr.  Madejtard  and  I  did  not  fign  with  the 
Crofs,  nor  wear  the  Surplice,  nor  pray  againft  the  Scots  (  who  were  then  upon 
their  Entrance  into  England  ;  and  for  which  we  had  no  Command  from  the  King, 
but  a  printed  Form  of  Prayer  from  the  Bifhops.)  The  Lord  Prefident  told  them, 
That  he  would  himfelf  come  to  Church  on  the  morrow,  and  fee  whether  we 
would  do  thefe  things  or  not.  Mr.  Madefiard  went  away,  and  left  Mr.  Swain  (the 
Reader,)  and  my  [elf in  the  danger.  But  after  he  had  fpoken  for  his  Dinner,  and 
was  ready  to  go  to  Church,  the  Lord  Prefident  fuddenly  changed  his  purpofe,  and 
went  away  on  the  Lord's  Day  as  far  as  Lichfield ;  requiring  the  Accufers  and  thfr 
Bailiffs  to  fend  after  him  to  inform  him  what  we  did.  On  the  Lords  Day  at  E- 
vening  they  fent  after  him  to  Lichfield  to  tell  him  that  we  did  not  conform :  but 
though  they  boafted  of  no  lefs  than  the  hanging  of  us,  they  received  no  other  An- 
fwer  from  him,  but  that  he  had  not  the  Ecclefiaftical  Jurifdi&ion,  and  therefore 
could  not  meddle  with  us  j  but  if  he  had,  he  fhould  take  fuch  order  in  the  bufi« 
nefs  as  were  fit :  And  the  Bailiffs  and  Accufers  had  no  more  wit  than  to  read  hi? 

D  Letter 


-  i    i     -li  m*»  ■   ■    4| 


18 


Ibe  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


Letter  to  me,  that  I  might  know  how  they  were  baffled.  Thus  I  continued  in 
my  Liberty  of  preaching  the  Gofpel  at  Bridgenorth  about  a  year  and  three  quarters, 
where  I  took  my  Liberty  (though  with  very  little  Maintenance)  to  be  a  very  great 
mercy  to  me  in  thofe  troublefome  times. 

§  27.  The  Parliament  being  fate,  did  preiently  fall  on  that  which  they  account- 
ed Reformation  of  Church  and  State,  and  which  greatly  difpleafed  the  King  as 
well  as  the  Bilhops.  They  made  many  long  and  vehement  Speeches  againft  the 
Ship-money,  and  againft  the  Judges  that  gave  their  Judgment  for  it,  and. againft 
theEf  cater  a  Oath,  and  the  Bilhops  and  Convocation  that  were  the  formers  of  it; 
but  especially  againft  the  Lord  Thomas  Wentworth  Lord  Deputy  of  Ireland,  and  Dr. 
Laud  Archbifliop  of  Canterbury,  as  the  evil  Counfellers,  who  were  faid  to  be  the 
Caufe  of  all.  Thefe  Speeches  were  many  of  them  printed  ,  and  greedily  bought 
up  throughout  the  Land,  efpecially  the  Lord  Falkland*,  the  Lord  Digbies  ,Mr.  Grim- 
fionesy  Mr.  Vims,  Mr.  Natb.  Ftennes,  &c  which  greatly  increafed  the  Peoples  Ap- 
prehenfion  of  their  Danger,  and  inclined  them  to  think  hardly  of  the  King's  Pro- 
ceedings, but  efpecially  of  the  Bifhops.  Particular  Articles  of  Accufation  were 
brought  'in  againft  the  Lord  Deputy,  the  Archbifliop,  the  Judges,  Bifliop  Wren , 
Bifhop  Tierce,  and  divers  others. 

The  Concord  of  this  Parliament  confifted  not  in  the  Unanimity  of  the  Perfons 
(for  they  were  of  feveral  Tempers  as  to  Matters  of  Religion),  but  in  the  Compli- 
cation of  the  Intereft  of  thofe  Caufes  which  they  feverally  did  moft  concern  them- 
fslves  in.    For  as  the  King  had  at  once  impofed  the  Ship-money  on  the  Common- 
wealth, and  permitted  the  Bifhops  to  impofe  upon  the  Church   their  difpleafing 
Articles,  and  bowing  towards  the  Altar,  and  the  Book  for  Dancing  on  the  Lord's 
Day,  and  the  Liturgy  on  Scotland,  &c.  and  to  Sufpend  or  Silence  abundance  of 
Minifiers  that  were  conformable,  for  want  of  this   Super-canonical  Conformity  ; 
fo  accordingly  the  Parliament  confifted  of  two  forts  of  Men  ,  who  by    the  Con- 
junction of  thefe  Caufes  were  united  in  their  Votes  and  Endeavours  for  a  Reforma- 
tion :  One  Party  made  no  great  matter  of  thefe  Alterations  in   the  Church  ;  but 
they  faid,  That  if  Parliaments  were  once  down,  and  our  Propriety  gone,  and  Ar- 
bitrary Government  fet  up,  and  Law  fubje&ed  to  the  Prince's  Will,  we  were  then 
all  Slaves,  and  this  they  made  a  thing  intolerable  ;  for  the  remedying  of  which, 
they  faid,  every  true  Englijh  Man  could  think  no  price  to  dear  :  Thefe   the  People 
called  Good  Commonwealth 's  Men.    The  other  fort  were  the    more  Religious  Men, 
who  were  alfo  fenfibie  of  all  thefe  things,  but  were  much  more  fenfibie  of  the  In- 
tereft of  Religion ;  and  thefe  moft  inveyed  againft  the  Innovations  in  the  Churchi 
the  bowing  to  Altars,  the  Book  for  Sports  on  Sundays ,  the  Carting  out  of  Mini- 
fiers, the  troubling  of  the  People  by  the  High-Commiffion  Court,   the  Pilloring 
and  Cutting  off  Mens  Ears,  (Mr.  Burtons,  Mr.  Prins,  and  Dr.  Bafiwicks)  for  /peak- 
ing againft  the  Bilhops,  the  putting  down  Le&ures,  and  Afternoon  Sermons  and 
Expo/itions  on  the  Lord's  Days,  with  fuch  other  things,  which  they  thought   of 
greater  weight  than  Ship-money.     But  becaufe  thefe  later  agreed  with  the  former 
in  the  Vindication  of  the  Peoples  Propriety  and  Liberties,  the  former  did  the  eanlier, 
concur  with  them  againft  the  Proceedings  of  the  Bifhops  and   High   Commiffion 
Court. 

And  as  foon  as  their  Inclination  was  known  to  the  People,  all  Countreys  fenc 
in  their  Complaints  and  Petitions.  It  was  preiently  known  how  many  Minifiers 
Bifhop  Wren  (  and  others  of  them  )  hadfufpended  and  filenced  ;  how  many  chou- 
fand  Families  had  been  driven  to  flie  into  Holland,  and  how  many  thouland  into 
New-England:  Scarce  a  Minifter  had  been  Silenced,  that  was  alive,  but  it  was  put 
into  a  Petition.  Mr.  Peter  Smart  of  Durham,  and  Dr.  Layton  (a  Scotch  Phyfician 
who  wroe  a  Book  called  Sions  Plea  againft  the  Prelates)  were  releafed  out  of  their 
longlrnprifonment:  Mr.  Burton,  Mr. Prin,  and  Dr.  Baftwick,  who  (as  is  faid)  had 
been  pillored,  and  their  Ears  cut  off,  and  they  fent  into  a  (fuppofed,)  perpetual  Im- 
prifbnment  into  the  diftant  CaftlesofGew/e/,  Jerjey,  and  Carnarvon,  were  all  let 
free,  and  Damages  voted  them  for  their  wrong  :  And  when  they  came  back  to 
London,  they  were  met  out  of  the  City  by  abundance  of  the  Citizens,  with  fuch 
Acclamations  as  could  not  but  feem  a  great  Affront  to  the  King,  and  be  much  dif- 
pleafingto  him.  The  Lord  Keeper  Finch  and  Secretary  Wmdebank  fled  beyond  Sea, 
and  laved  rhemfelves  :  The  guilty  Judges  were  deeply  accuf  d,  and  fome  of  theni 
imp  ifoned  for  the  Caule  of  Ship-money.  But  the  great  Difpleafure  was  agsinft  the 
Lord  Depu  y  Wentworth,  and  Archbifhop  Laud:  Both  thefe  were  lent  to  the  Tower, 
a  (  harge  drawn  up  againft  them,  and  managed  prefemly  againft  the  Lord 
1 )  puty  by  the  ableit  Lawyers  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Houfe.    This  held  them  work 


P  a  a  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  19 


a  considerable  time :  The  King  was  exceeding  unwilling  to  confent  unto  his  death  ; 
and  therefore  ufed  all  his  skill  to  have  drawn  off  the  Parliament  from  fo  hot  a  Pro- 
lecution  of  him. 

And  now  began  the  firft  Breach  among  themlelves :  For  the  Lord  Falkland,  the  ^.1641 
Lord  Vigby,  and  divers  other  able  Men,  were  for  the  fparingof  his  Life,  and  grati- 
fying the  King,and  not  putting  him  on  a  thing  lb  much  difpleafing  to  him.The  reft 
laid,  If  after  the  Attempt  of  Subverting  the  Fundamental  Laws  and  Liberties,  no 
one  Man  fhall  fuffer  Death,  it  will  encourage  others  hereafter  to  the  like.  The 
Londoners  petitioned  for  Juftice :  And  too  great  numbers  of  Apprentices  and  others, 
(  being  imboldened  by  the  Proceedings  of  the  Parliament ,  and  not  fore-knowing 
what  a  Fire  the  Sparks  of  their  temerity  would  kindle  )  did  too  triumphingly  and 
difordsrly  urge  the  Parliament,  crying  Juftice,  Juftice.  And  it  is  not  unlikely  that 
lome  of  the  Parliament-men  did  encourage  them  to  this,  as  thinking  that  fome 
backward  Members  would  be  quickned  by  Popular  Applaule  :  And  withal,  to 
work  on  the  Members  alio  by  difgrace,  lome  inlblent  Painter  did  (ieditioufly)  draw 
the  Pictures  of  the  chief  of  them  that  were  for  faving  the  Lord  Deputy  ,  and  cal- 
led them  the  Straff ordians  (  he  being  Earl  of  Strafford  )  and  hang'd  them  with 
their  Heels  upward  on  the  Exchange.  Though  it  cannot  be  expected  that  in  fo  great 
a  City  there  Ihould  be  no  Perlbns  ib  indilcreet  as  to  commit  fuch  dilbrderly  Acti- 
ons as  thefe,  yet  no  fober  Men  ihould  countenance  them,  or  take  part  with  them, 
whatever  ends  might  be  pretended  or  intended.  The  King  called  thefe  Tumults  : 
the  Parliament  called  them  the  Cities  Petitioning !  Thofe  that  connived  at  them 
were  glad  to  lee  the  People  of  their  mind  in  the  main,  and  thought  it  would  do 
much  to  facilitate  their  Work,  and  hold  the  looter  Members  to  their  Caufe :  For 
though  the  Houle  was  unanimous  enough  in  condemning  Ship-money  ,  and  the 
Et  catera  Oath,  and  the  Bifhops  Innovations,  &c.  yet  it  was  long  doubtful  which 
fide  would  have  the  major  Vote  in  the  matter  of  the  Earl  of  Strafford's  Death,  and 
fuch  other  Ads  as  were  molt  highly  difpleafing  to  the  King.  But  dilbrderly  means 
do  generally  bring  forth  more  Diforders,  andlcldom  attain  any  good  end  for  which 
they  areuied. 

§  28.  The  Parliament  alfb  had  procured  the  King  to  confent  to  feveral  Acts  which 
were  of  great  importune  j,  and  embo'dened  the  People  by  confirming  their  Autho- 
rity :  As  an  Act  againir.  the  High  Commiflion  Court,  and  Church-mens  Secular 
or  Civil  Power  ;  and  an  Act  that  this  Parliament  ihould  not  be  diftblved  till  its 
own  Confent,  (alledging  that  the  difTolving  of  Parliaments  emboldened  Delin- 
quents, and  that  Debts  and  Diforders  were  fo  great  that  they  could  not  be  overcome 
by  them  in  a  little  time  )  :  Alio  an  Act  for  Triennial  Parliaments.  And  the  Peo- 
ple being  confident  that  all  thefe  were  ligned  by  the  King,  full  (ore  againft  his  will, 
and  that  he  abhorred  what  was  done,did  think  that  the  Parliament  which  had  con- 
ftrained  him  to  this  much,  could  carry  it  frill  in  what  they  pleafed,  and  fo  grew 
much  more  regardful  of  the  Parliament,  and  fided  with  them  not  only  for  their 
Caufe,  and  their  own  In tereft,  but  alio  as  fuppofing  them  the  (tronger  fide  (  which 
the  Vulgar  are  ftill  apt  to  follow). 

§  29.  But  to  return  to  my  own  matters :  This  Parliament,  among  other  parts  of 
their  Reformation,  refblved  to  reform  the  corrupted  Clergy,  and  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee to  receive  Petitions  and  Complaints  againft  them  j  which  was  no  fooner  un- 
derftood,  but  multitudes  in  all  Countreys  came  up  with  Petitions  againft  their  Mi- 
nifters.  The  King  and.Parliament  were  not  yet  divided,  but  concurred,  and  fo 
no  partaking  in  their  Differences  was  any  part  of  the  Accufation  of  thefe  Mini- 
fters,till  long  after  when  the.  Wars  had  given  the  occafion  ;  and  then  that  alfo  came 
into  their  Articles^  but  before  it  was  only  matter  of  Infufficiency,  falfe  Doctrine, 
illegal  Innovations,  or  Scandal,  that  was  brought  in  againft  them. 

Mr.  John  White  being  the  Chair-man  of  the  Committee  for  Scandalous  Minifters 
(  as  it  was  called  )  publifhed  in  print  one  Century  firft  of  Scandalous  Minifters, 
with  their  Names,  Places,  2nd  the  Articles  proved  againft  them  :  where  fo  much 
ignorance,  infufficiency,  drunkennefs,  filthinefs,  e£v.  was  charged  on  them,  that  ma- 
ny moderate  men  could  have  wiihed  that  their  Nakednefs  had  been  rather  hid ,  and 
not  expofed  to  the  Worlds  derifion,  and  that  they  had  remembred  that  the  Papifts 
did  ft  and  by,  and  would  make  fport  of  ir.  Another  Century  alio  was  after  pub- 
limed. 

Among  all  thefe  Qpmplainers,  the  Town  of  Kederminfter  in  Worcefterflrire ,  drew 
up  a  Petition  againft  their  Minifters :  The  Vicar  of  the  place  they  Articled  againft 
as  one  that  was  utterly  infufficient  for  the  Miniftry  ,  prefented  by  a  Papift  ,  un» 
learned,  preached  but  once  a  quarter,  which  was  fo  weakly,   as  expofed  him  to 

D  %  laughter^ 


20 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

laughter  andperfwaded  them  that  he  underftood  not  the  very  Subftantial  Articles 
of  Chriitianity  ;  that  he  frequented  Alehoufes,  and  had  ibmetimes  been  drunk ; 
that  he  turned  the  Table  Alter-wife,  &c.  with  more  fuch  as  this.  The  Vicar  had  a 
Curate  under  him  in  the  Town  whom  they  alfo  accufed  ;  and  a  Curate  at  a  Chap- 
pel  in  theParifh,  a  common  Tippler  and  a  Drunkard,  a  railing  Quarreler,  an  ig- 
norant infufficient  Man,  who  fas  I  found  by  Examining  him;  underftood  not  the 
common  Points  of  the  Childrerts  Catechifm,  but  faid  fome  good  words  to  them 
fometimes  out  of  Mufculms  Common  Places  in  Englijh  ,  which  was  almoft  the  only 
Book  he  had;  and  his  Trade  in  the  Week-days  was  unlawful  Marriages.  The  Peo- 
ple put  their 'petition  into  the  Hands  of  Sir  Henry  Herbert  Burgefs  for  Bewdley ,  a 
Town  two  miles  diftant.  Tbe  Vicar  knowing  his  infufficiency ,  and  hearing  how 
two  others  in  his  Cafe  had  fped,  defired  to  compound  the  Bufinefs  with  them  j  and 
by  the  mediation  of  Sir  Henry  Herbert,  and  otheis,  it  was  brought  to  this,  That  he 
mould  inftead  of  his  prefent  Curate  in  the  Town,  allow  60  /.  per  Annum  to  a  Prea- 
cher whom  fourteen  of  them  nominated,  mould  choofe ;  and  that  ha  mould  not 
hinder  this  Preacher  from  preaching  whenever  he  pleafed3and  that  he  himfelf  mould 
read  Common  Prayer,  and  do  all  elfe  that  was  to  be  done :  and  fo  they  preferred 
not  their  Petition  againft  him,  nor  againft  his  Curates,  but  he  kept  his  Place,  which 
was  worth  to  him  near  200  /.  per  Ann.  allowing  that  60  /.  out  of  it  to  their  Lecturer. 
To  perform  this  he  gave  a  Bond  of  joo  /. 

Thefe  things  being  thus  finifhed,  lbme  of  them  defired  old  Mr.  Laphorn  (a.  fa- 
mous Man,  turned  from  Nonconformity  by  King  James  )  to  come  and  preach 
with  them  on  trial  to  be  their  Le&urer :  Mr.  Lapthorns  roughnefs  and  great  imme- 
thodicalne'fs,  and  digreffions,  fo  offended  the  intelligent  leading  Party,  that  they 
rejected  him  fomewhat  uncivilly,  to  his  great  difpleafure. 

Hereupon  they  invited  me  to  them  from  Bridgnorth  :  The  Bailiff  of  the  Town, 
and  all  the  Feoffees  defired  me  to  preach  with  them,  in  order  to  a  full  determinati- 
on. My  mind  was  much  to  the  place  as  ibon  as  it  was  defcribed  to  me  j  becaufe 
it  was  a  full  Congregation,  and  moft  convenient  Temple  ;  an  ignorant,  rude  and 
revelling  People  for  the  greater  part,  who  had  need  of  preaching  •  and  yet  had  a- 
mong  them  a  (mall  Company  of  Converts,  who  were  humble,  godly,  and  of  good 
Conventions,  and  not  much  hated  by  the  reft  ,  and  therefore  the  fitter  to  affift 
their  Teacher  ;  but  above  all,  becaufe  they  had  hardly  ever  had  any  lively,  ferious 
preaching  among  them  :  For  Bridgnorth  had  made  me  refblve  that  I  would  never 
more  go  among  a  People  that  had  been  hardened  in  unprofitablenefs  under  an  a- 
wakening  Miniftry  ;  bat  either  to  fuch  as  never  had  any  convincing  Preacher,  or 
to  fuch  as  had  profited  by  him.  As  fbon  as  I  came  to  Ktderminfter,  and  had  preach- 
ed there  one  day,  I  was  chofen  Nemine  contradicente,  (  for  though  fourteen  only 
had  the  power  of  choofing,  they  defired  to  pleaie  the  reftj.  And  thus  I  was 
brought  by  the  gracious  Providence  of  God,  to  that  place  which  had  the  chiefeft 
of  my  Labours,  and  yielded  me  the  greateft  Fruits  of  Comfort.  And  I  noted  the 
mercy  of  God  in  this,  that  I  never  went  to  any  place  in  my  Life  ,  among  all  my 
Changes,  which  I  had  before  defired,  defigned  or  thought  of,  (  much  lefs  iought )  ; 
but  only  to  thole  mat  I  never  thought  of,  till  the  Hidden  Invitation  did  furprize 
me. 

§  ;o.  When  I  had  been  here  a  while,  in  the  beginning  of  July,  the  two  Fami- 
lies which  I  had  laft  lived  in,  at  Dudley  and  Bridgnorth,  were  at  once  vifited  with 
Sickncfs,  and  they  both  fent  for  me  (  upon  a  conceit  of  my  skill  in  Phynck  )  ,  but 
being  from  home  I  went  to  neither  of  them  ;  and  it  proved  a  moft  contagious  ma- 
lignant Fever  next  the  Plague  ;  Mrs.  FoUy  and  fome  of  "her  Family  diedfand  Mr. 
Madeftard,  his  Wife,  and  a  Gentlewoman  that  lived  with  them,  died  within  a  day 
or  two  each  of  other.  Being  with  my  old  Friend  Mr.  William  Rowley,  the  fad 
MefTage  came  to  us  (  Mr.  Madeftard  being  his  Kinfman  )  and  I  went  with  him  to 
the  Funeral,  and  preached  his  Funeral  Sermon  in  fo  deep  a  fenfe  of  the  mifery  of 
that  unprofitable  People,  and  the  deep  groans  which  I  have  heard  from  their  faith- 
ful Pallor,  lor  their  obduratenefs,  that  I  could  not  forbear  to  tell  them  mv  fears 
of  fome  heavy  Judgment  to  come  upon  that  place,  which  they  were  more'  capa- 
ble of  laying  to  heart  than  their  Paftor's  death.  I  had  never  before  (nor  ever  did 
1  fincc)  prefume  upon  fuch  kind  of  Prediaions,  (nor  did  I  fpeak  that  with  any 
pretence  of  Prophefiej  but  the  expreflion  of  that  fear  I  could  not  then  fupprefs : 
My  Text  was  Ezek.^.  ;;,  And  -when  this  cometh  to  pafi  {he  ifwill  come  )  then  flail 
they  know  that  a  Prophet  hath  been  among  them.  And  when  the  War  was  begun  ,  the 
Town  (bcinz  againft  the  Parliament;  was  a  Garrifon  for  the  King,  kept  by  the 
Neighbour  Gentlemen  of  the  Country  ;  who  fortified  the  Caftle,  and  when   the 

Par- 


Part  J.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  21 


Parliaments  Forces  came  to  take  the  Town,  they  caft  fuch  effectual  Fire-works 
from  the  Caftle  as  burnt  down  the  Town  to  the  Ground,  and  burnt  alfo  the  great 
Church  where  I  preached  that  Sermon ,  and  where  Mr.  MadHard  was  interred : 
So  that  the  Inhabitants  were  undone,  and  fain  to  lye  under  Hedges,  till  the  Com- 
panion of  others  afforded  them  Entertainment  and  Habitation.  And  as  for  their 
Church,  it  was  a  great  while  before  it  was  rebuilt ,  and  that  after  two  general 
Collections  for  it.  The  firft  time  that  I  came  among  them  when  the  Wars  were 
pair,  I  choie  the  fame  Text  again  to  preach  on,  to  call  their  fins  againft  their  faith  - 
ful  Pallor  to  remembrance  :  But  they  and  I  were  fo  much  interrupted  with  Tears,, 
that  (  with  fome  Pawfes  )  I  had  much  ado  to  proceed  on  to  the  end. 

§  3 1.  Whilft  I  continued  at  Kederminfier^  it  pleafed  God  to  give  me  much  En- 
couragement by  the  Succels  of  my  weak  but  hearty  Labours :  As  when  I  was 
young,  I  ufed  to  keep  a  daily  Catalogue  of  my  daily  Mercies  and  Sins,  but  when 
1  grew  elder  1  found  that  Courfe  had  its  Inconveniences,  and  took  up  too  much 
time,  and  therefore  I  only  recorded  thofe  which  were  extraordinary  ;  even  Co 
when  I  firft  entered  upon  my  Labours  in  the  Miniftry ,  I  took  fpecial  notice  of 
every  one  that  was  humbled,  reformed  or  converted;  but  when  I  had  laboured 
long,  it  pleafed  God  that  the  Converts  were  io  many,  that  I  could  not  afford 
time  for  iuch  particular  OblLi  vations  about  every  one  of  them,  left  I  mould  omit 
fome  greater  Work;  but  was  fain  to  leave  that  to  their  companionate  familiar  Neigh- 
bours,and  take  notice  my  felf  of  Families  and  confiderable  Numbers  at  once,  that 
came  in  and  grew  up  I  fcarce  knew  how. 

§  32.  All  this  forementioned  time  of  my  Miniftry  was  pad  under  my  fore- 
defcribed  Weakneffes,  which  were  fo  great  as  made  me  live  and  preach  in  fome 
continual  expectation  of  Death,  fuppofing  ftlll  that  I  had  not  long  to  live.  And 
this  I  found  through  all  my  Life  to  be  an  unvaluable  mercy  to  me  :  For, 

1.  It  greatly  weakned  Temptations. 

2.  It  kept  me  in  a  great  Contempt  of  the  World. 

3.  It  taught  me  highly  to  efteem  of  time  :  fo  that  if  any  of  it  paft  away  in  idle- 
nels  or  unprofitablenefs,  it  was  fo  long  a  pain  and  burden  to  my  mind  !  So  that 
I  muft  fay  to  the  Praife  of  my  moll  wile  Conductor,  that  time  hath  ftill  feemed  to 
me  much  more  precious  than  Gold  or  any  Earthly  Gain,  and  its  Minutes  have 
not  bee*i  defpiled,  nor  have  I  been  much  tempted  to  any  of  the  Sins,  which  go 
under  the  name  of  Pa/lime ,  fince  I  underftood  my  Work. 

4.  It  made  me  ftudy  and  preach  things  necejjary,  and  a  little  ftirred  up  my  Aug- 
gim  heart,  to  fpeak  to  Sinners  with  fome  Compallion,  as  a  dying  Man  to  dying 
Men. 

Thefe,  with  the  reft  which  I  mentioned  before  when  I  fpake  of  my  Infirmities, 
were  the  Benefits  which  God  afforded  me  by  Affliction  !  I  humbly  blefs  his  graci- 
ous Providence,  who  gave  me  his  Treafure  in  an  Earthen  Veflel,  and  trained  me 
up  in  the  School  of  Affliction,  and  taught  me  the  Crop  of  Cbrifi  lb  foon  ;  that  I 
might  be  rather  Tbeelogm  Cruets,  as  Luther  fpeaketh,  than  Tbeologtts  Gloria ;  and  a 
Crofr  bearer,  than  a  Crofi-maker  or  Imfofer. 

§33.  At  one  time  above  all  the  reft,  being  under  a  new  and  unufual  Diftemper, 
which  put  me  upon  the  prefent  Expectations  of  my  Change,  and  going  for  Com- 
fort to  the  Promifes  as  I  was  uled,  the  Tempter  ftrongly  affaulted  my  Faith,  and 
would  have  drawn  me  towards  Infidelity  it  ielf.  Till  I  was  ready  to  enter  into  the 
Miniftry,  all  my  Troubles  had  been  raifed,  by  the  hardnels  of  my  heart,  and  the 
doubcings  of  my  own  Sincerity ;  but  now  all  thefe  began  to  vanifh,  and  never 
much  returned  to  this  day  :  And  inftead  of  thefe,  I  was  now  affaulted  with  more 
pernicious  Temptations ;  efpecially  to  queftion  the  certain  Truth  of  the  Sacred 
Scriptures ;  and  alio  the  Life  to  come,  and  Immortality  of  the  Soul.  .  And  thefe 
Temptations  affaulted  me  not  as  they  do  the  Melancholy,  with  horrid  vexing  Im- 
portunity ;  but  by  pretence  of  fober  Reafon,  they  would  have  drawn  me  to  a  let- 
led  doubting  of  Chriftianity. 

And  here  I  found  mv  own  Mifcarriage,  and  the  great  Mercy  of  God.  My  Mif- 
carriage ,  in  that  I  had  lb  long  neglected  the  well  fettling  of  my  Foundations,  while 
I  had  be  (towed  fb  much  time  in  the  Superstructures  and  the  Applicatory  pare !  For 
having  taken  it  for  an  intolerable  Evil,  once  to  queftion  the  Truth  of  Scriptures 
and  the  Life  to  come,  I  had  either  taken  it  for  a  Certainty  upon  Truff  ,  or  taken 
up  with  Common  Reafons  of  it,  which  I  had  never  well  considered,  digefted,  or 
made  mine  own.  Infomuch  as  when  this  Temptation  came,  it  feemed  at  firft  to 
anfwer  and  enervate  all  the  former  Reafons  of  my  feeble  Faith,  which  made  me 
take  the  Scriptures  for  the  Word  of  God ;  and  it  fet  before  me  luch  Mountains  of 

Difficulty 


22 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  r.  I. 


Difficulty  in  the  Incarnation,  the  Perfon  of  Chrift  his  Undertaking  and  Perform- 
ance with  the  Scripture  Chronology,  Hiftonesand  Stile,  &c.  which  had  Hailed 
and  overwhelmed  me,  if  God  had  not  been  my  ftrength  And  here  I  (aw  much 
of  the  Mercy  of  God,  that  he  let  not  out  thefe  terrible  and  dangerous  Temptations 
upon  me,  while  I  was  weak  and  in  the  infancy  of  my  Faith  j  for  then  I  had  ne- 
ver been  able  to  withftand  them.  But  Faith  is  like  a  Tree ,  whole  Top  is  fmall 
while  the  Root  is  young  and  ihallow  :  and  therefore  as  then  it  hath  but  ima.l  root- 
ing fo  is  it  not  liable  to  the  making  Winds  and  Tempefts  as  the  big  and  high- 
grown  Trees  are:  But  as  the  top  groweth  higher,  fo  the  root  at  once  grows  great- 
er   and  deeper  fixed,  to  caufe  it  to  endure  its  greater  Affaults. 

'Though  formerly  I  was  wont  when  any  fuch  Temptation  came,  to  call  itafids, 
as  fitter  to  be  abhorred  than  confidered  of,  yet  now  this  would  not  give  me  fatit: 
fadion  •  but  I  was  fain  to  dig  to  the  very  Foundations,  and  ferioufly  to  Examine 
the  ReaVons  of  Chriftianity,  and  to  give  a  hearing  to  all  that  could  be  faid  againft 
it,  that  fo  my  Faith  might  be  indeed  my  own.  And  at  laft  I  found  that  Nil  tam 
clrtum  quamquod  ex  dubio  certum  ;  Nothing  is  fo  firmly  believed,  as  that  which  hath 
been  fometime  doubted  of.  / 

§  24.  Intheftorm  of  this  Temptation,  I  queftioned  a  while  whether  I  were 
indeed  a  Chriftian  or  an  Infidel,  and  whether  Faith  could  confift  with  fuch  Doubts 
as  I  was  confcious  of :  For  I  had  read  in  many  Papiftsand  Proteftants,  that  Faith 
had  Certainty,  and  was  more  than  an  Opinion  ;  and  that  if  a  Man  fhould  live  a 
godly  Life,  from  the  bare  apprehenfions  of  the.  Probability  of  the  Truth  of  Scrip- 
ture, and  the  Life  to  come,  it  would  not  fave  him,  as  being  no  true  Godlinefs  or 
Faith.  But  my  Judgment  clofed  with  the Reafon  of  Dr.  Jackfins  Determination 
of  this  Cafe,  which  fupported  me  much,  that  as  in  the  very  Alfenting  Act  of  Faith 
there  may  be  fuch  weaknefs,  as  may  make  us  cry,  Lord increajc  our  Faith  :  Webelicve, 
L:r  J  help  cur  belief ;  Co  when  Faith  and  Unbelief  are  in  their  Conflict,  it  is  the  Ef- 
fects which  muff  fliew  us  which  of  them  is  vi&orious.  And  that  he  that  hath  Co 
much  Faith  as  will  caufe  him  to  deny  himfelf,  take  up  his  CroCs,  and  forfake  all  the 
Profits,  Honours,  and  Pleafures  of  this  World,  for  the  fake  of  Chrift,  the  Love  of 
God,  and  the  hope  of  Glory,  hath  a  faving  Faith,  how  weak  fnever  :  For  God 
cannot  condemn  the  Soul  that  truly  loveth  and  feeketh  him  :  And  thofe  that  Chrift 
bringeth  to  perfevere  in  the  Love  of  God,  he  bringeth  to  Salvation.  And  there 
were  divers  Things  that  in  this  AfTault  proved  great  Affiftances  to  my  Faith. 

1.  That  the  Beirg  and  Attributes  of  God  were  fb  clear  to  me,  that  he  was  to 
my  Intellect  what  the  Sun  is  to  my  Eye,  by  which  I  fee  it  ielf  and  all  Things : 
And  he  feemed  mad  to  me  that  queftioned  whether  there  were  a  God  :  that  any 
Man  fhould  dream  that  the  World  was  made  by  a  Conflux  of  Irrational  Atoms,  and 
Reafon  came  from  that  which  had  no  Reafon,  or  that  Man,  or  any  Inferiour  Be- 
ing was  independent ;  or  that  all  the  being,  Power,  Wifdom,  and  Goodnefs  which 
we  converted  with,  had  not  a  Caufe  which  in  Being,  Power,  Wifdom  and  Good- 
nefs, did  excel  all  that  which  it  had  caufed  in  the  World,  and  had  not  all  that  for- 
r/ialtter  <vel  eminent er  in  it  felf  which  it  communicated  to  all  the  Creatures.  Thefe, 
and  all  the  Suppofitions  of  the  Atheift,  have  ever  fince  been  Co  vifibly  foolifh  and 
fhameful  to  my  Apprehenfion,  that  I  fcarce  find  a  Capacity  in  my  felf  of  doubting 
of  them  ;  and  whenever  the  Tempter  hath  joyned  any  thing  againft  thefe,  with 
the  reft  of  his  Temptations,  the  reft  have  been  the  eafier  overcome,  becaufe  of  the 
overwhelming  cogent  Evidences  of  a  Deity  ,which  are  always  before  the  Eyes  of  my 
Soul. 

2.  And  it  helped  me  much  to  difcern  that  this  God  muft  needs  be  related  to  us 
as  our  Owner,  our  Governour,  and  our  BenefacJor,  in  that  he  is  related  to  us  as  our 
Creator^  and  that  therefore  we  are  related  to  him  as  his  oivny  his  Subjecls  3  and  his 
Beneficiaries;  which  as  they  all  proceed  by  undeniable  refultancy  horn  our  Creation 
and  Nature,  fo  thence  do  our  Duties  arife  which  belong  to  us  in  thofe  Relations,  by 
as  undeniable  refultancy;  and  that  no  fhew  of  Reafon  can  be  brought  by  any  Infi- 
del in  the  World  to  excufe  the  Rational  Creature  from  Loving  his  Maker,  with  all 
his  heart  and  foul  and  might,  and  devoting  himfelf  and  all  his  Faculties  to  him 

whom  he  did  receive  chem,  and  making  him  his  ultimate  End  who  is   his 

In  ft  Efficient  Caufe.     So  that  Godlinefi  is  a  Duty  fo  undeniably  required  in  the  Law 

and  fo  difcernable  by  Reafon  it  felf,  that  nothing  but  unreafonablenefs 
can  '  :  jr. 

1  it  feemed  utterly  improbable  to  me  that  this  God  fhould  fee  us  to 
by  our  Love  and  Duty  to  him,  and  that  our  Duty  fhould  be  made  to  be 
,  or  make  us  the  more  mifei  able  by  how  much  the   more  faithfully  we 

perform 


,  ^ ^— ^— ^^^mm  ■  — *^i        i  — — «^ ^— —  !■  I    i  ■  ■  ■■■■■■»■  ■  .  .      ,.,  M„    M„..— ■■.■■■■,■,- 

P  a  n  t  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  23 

perform  it !  And  I  faw  that  the  very  Pofltbility  or  Probability  of  a  Life  to  come, 
would  make  it  the  Duty  of  a  Reafonable  Creature  to  feek  it,  though  with  the  lofs 
of  all  below. 

4.  And  I  faw  by  undeniable  Experience,  a  ftrange  Univerfal  Enmity  between 
the  Heavenly  and  the  Earthly  Mind,  the  Godly  and  the  Wicked ,  as  fulfilling  the 
Prediction  Gen.  %.i$.  The  War  between  the  Woman's  and  the  Serpents  Seed,  be- 
ing the  daily  Bufinels  of  all  the  World.  And  I  faw  that  the  wicked  and  haters  of 
Godlinefs  are  Co  commonly  the  greateft  and  moft  powerful  and  numerous,  as  well 
as  cruel,  that  ordinarily  there  is  no  living  according  to  the  Precepts  of  Nature  and 
undeniable  Reafon,  without  being  made  the  Derifion  and  Contempt  of  Men  (if  we 
can  fcape  io  eafily). 

j.  And  then  I  law  that  there  is  no  other  Religion  in  the  World  which  can  ftand 
in  competition  with  ChriiHanity  :  Heathenifm  and  Mahorrretanifm  are  kept  up  by 
Tyranny ,  and  Beaftly  Ignorance,  and  blufh  to  ftand  at  the  Bar  of  Reafon  :  And 
Judaifm  is  but  Chriftianity  in  the  Egg  or  Bed.  And  meer  Deifmt  which  is  the  molt 
plaufible  Competitor,  is  fo  turned  out  of  almoft  all  the  whole  World,  as  if  Na- 
ture made  its  own  Confeflton  ,  that  without  a  Mediator  it  cannot  come  to 
God. 

6.  And  I  perceive^  that  all  other  Religions  leave  the  People  in  their  worldly, 
fenfual,  and  ungodly  ftate ;  even  their  Zeal  and  Devotion  in  them,  being  com- 
monly the  Servants  of  their  Flefhly  Intereft:  And  the  Nations  where  Chriltianity 
is  not,  being  drowned  in  Ignorance  and  Earthly  mindednefs,  fo  as  to  be  the  ihame 
of  Nature. 

7.  And  I  (aw  that  Chrift  did  bring  up  all  his  ferious  and  fincere  Difciples  to  real 
Holinels  and  to  Heavenly  mindednefs,  and  made  them  new  Creatures,  and  fet 
their  Hearts  and  Defigns  and  Hopes  upon  another  Life ;  and  brought  their  Senfe 
into  fiibjecVion  to  their  Reafon,  and  taught  them  to  refign  themfelves  to  God,  and 
to  love  him  above  all  the  World.  And  it  is  not  like  that  God  will  make  ufe  of  a 
Deceiver  for  this  real  vifible  Recovery  and  Reformation  of  the  Nature  of  Man  j  or 
that  any  thing  but  his  own  Zeal  cm  imprint  his  Image. 

8.  And  here  1  faw  an  admirable  fuic.iblenels  in  the  Office  and  Defign  of  Chrifr, 
to  the  Ends  of  God,  and  the  Felicity  of  Man  :  and  how  excellently  thefe  Super- 
natural Revelations  do  fall  in,  and  take  their  place  in  (ublerviency  to  Natural  Ve- 
rities ;  and  how  wonderfully  Faith  is  fitted  to  bring  Men  to  the  Love  of  God  ; 
when  it  is  nothing  elfe  but  the  beholding  of  his  amiable  attractive  Love  and  Good- 
nelsin  the  Face  of  Chrifr,  and  the  Promifes  of  Heaven,  as  in  a  Glals,  till  we  fee 
his  Glory. 

9.  And  I  had  felt  much  of  the  Power  of  his  Word  and  Spirit  on  my  (elf  j  do- 
ing that  which  Reafon  now  telleth  me  muff  be  done  :  And  ihall  I  queftion  my 
Phyfician  when  he  hath  done  (6  much  of  the  Cure ,  and  recovered  my  depraved 
Soul  fo  much  to  God. 

10.  And  as  I  law  thefe  Afllftances  to  my  Faith,  lb  I  perceived  that  whatever 
the  Tempter  had  to  fay  againft  it,  was  grounded  upon  the  Advantages  which  he 
took  from  my.  Ignorance,  and  my  Diifance  from  the  Times  and  Places  of  the  Mat- 
ters  of  the  Sacred  Hiftory,  and  fuch  like  things  which  every  Novice  meeteth 
with  in  almoft  all  other  Sciences  at  the  firft,  and  which  wife  well-ftudied  Men  can 
fee  through. 

§  3  $\  All  thefe  Afllftances  were  at  hand  before  I  came  to  the  immediate  Evi- 
dences of  Credibility  in  the  Sacred  Oracles  themfelves.  And  when  I  let  my  felf 
to  fearch  for  thole,  I  found  more  in  the  Doctrine,  the  Predictions ,  the  Miracles, 
antecedent,  concomitant,  fublequent,  than  ever  I  before  took  notice  of:  which  I 
Hull  not  here  lb  far  digrefs  as  to  fet  down,  having  partly  done  it  in  feveral  Trea- 
ties ;  as  The  Saints  Reft>  Part  2.  The  Unreafonablenefi  of  Infidelity  ;  A  Saint  or  a  Bruit, 
in  my  Chri(tian  Directory  ;  and  fince  more  fully  in  a  Treatife,  called ,  The  Reafons  of 
the  Cbrt[tian  Religion  ;   my  Life  of  Faith,  &c. 

§  36.  From  this  AfTauk  I  was  forced  to  take  notice,  That  it  is  our  Belief  of  the 
Truth  of  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  Life  to  comet  which  is  the  Spring  that  fets  all 
Grace  on  work,  and  with  which  it  riles  or  falls,  flourilhes  or  decays,  is  actuated 
or  (rands  ftill.  And  that  there  is  more  of  this  fecret  Unbelief  at  the  Root  than 
moit  of  us  are  aware  of;  and  that  our  love  of  the  World,our  boldnels  with  Sin,our 
neglect  of  Duty  are  caufed  hence.  1  obferved  eafily  in  my  felf,  that  if  at  any 
time  Satan  did  more  than  at  other  times  weaken  my  Belief  of  Scripture,  and  the 
Life  to  come,  my  Zeal  in  every  Religious  Duty  abated  with  it,  and  I  grew  more 
indifferent  in  Religion  than  before ;  I  was  more  inclined  to  Conformity  in  thole  Points 

which 


24 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  L 


which  I  had  taken  to  be  finful ,  and  was  ready  to  think ,  why  fhould  I  be  lingular 
and  offend  the  Bifhops  and  other  Superiours,  and  make  my  felf  contemptible  in 
the  World,  and  expofe  my  felf  to  Cenfures ,  Scorns ,  and  Sufferings ,  and  all  for 
fuch  little  things  as  thefe,  when  the  Foundations  themfelves  havefo;great  difficulties, 
as  I  am  unable  to  overcome.  But  when  Faith  revived,  then  none  of  the  Parts  or 
Concernments  of  Religion  feemed  fmall,  and  then  Man  feemed  nothing ,  and  the 
World  a  fhadow,   and  God  was  all. 

In  the  beginning  I  doubted  not  of  the  truth  ot  the  Holy  Scriptures,  or  ot  the  Life 
to  come,  becaufe  I  faw  not  the  Difficulties  which  might  caufe  doubting  :  After  that 
I  Jaw  them  and  I  doubted,  becauie  I  faw  not  that  which  fliould  fatiifie  the  mind 
againft  them  :  Since  that,  having  feen  both  Difficulties  and  Evidences,  though  I  am 
not  fo  unmolefted  as  at  the  firft,  yet  is  my  Faith  I  hope  much  ftronger,  and 
far  better  able  to  repel  the  Temptations  of  Satan,  and  the  Sophifms  of  Infidels  than 
before  :  But  yet  it  is  my  daily  Prayer,  That  God  would  increafe  my  Faith,  and 
give  my  Soul  a  clear  fight  of  the  Evidences  of  his  Truth,  and  of  himfelf,  and  of 
the  invifible  World. 

§  37.  WhilftI  was  thus  employed  between  outward  Labours  and  inward  Trials, 
Satan  fiirr'd  up  a  little  inconfiderable  rage  of  wicked  men  againft  me.  The  Town 
having  been  formerly  eminent  tor  Vanity,  had  yearly  a  Shewjn  which  they  brought 
forth  the  painted  forms  of  Giants,  and  iuch  like  foolery,  to  walk  about  the  Streets 
with  ;  and  though  I  faid  nothing  againft  them,  as  being  not  limply  evil,  yet  on 
every  one  of  thole  Days  of  Riot,  the  Rabble  of  the  more  vicious  loit  had  i\i\\ 
fome  fpleen  to  vent  againft  me,  as  one  part  of  their  Game.  And  once  all  the  igno- 
rant Rout  were  raging  mad  againft  me  for  preaching  the  Doctrine  of  Ojiginal  Sin 
to  them,  and  telling  them  that  Infants  before  Regeneration,  had  fo  much  Guilt  and 
Corruption,  as  made  them  loathibme  in  the  Eyes  of  God  :  whereupon  they  vented 
it  abroad  in  the  Country,  That  I  pieached  that  God  hated,  or  loathed  Infants;  fo 
that  they  railed  at  me  as  I  paiTed  through  the  Streets.  The  next  Lord's  Day  1  clear- 
ed and  confirmed  k,  and  Ihewed  them  that  if  this  were  not  true,  their  Infants  had 
no  need  of  Chrift,  of  Baptifm,  or  of  Renewing  by  the  Holy  Ghoft.  And  I  askc 
them  whether  they  durft  fay  that  their  Children  werefaved  without  a  Saviour,  and 
were  no  Chriftians,  and  why  they  baptized  them,  with  much  more  toi  that  pur- 
pofe  ;  and  afterward  they  were  afhamed  and  as  mute  as  fifties. 

Once  one  of  the  drunken  Beggers  of  the  Town  raited  a  dander  of  me,  That  I 
was  under  a  Tree  with  a  Woman  (  an  ill-fam'd  Beggar  of  the  Town  )  :  AH  the 
Drunkards  had  got  ic  in  their  mouths,  before  I  could  find  out  the  Original.  I  got 
three  or  four  of  them  bound  to  the  Good  Behaviour,  and  the  Sot  himfelf  that  rai- 
fed  the  Slander,  confelTed  before  the  Court  that  he  faw  me  in  a  rainy  clay  on  Hor£ 
back  ftand  under  an  Oak  which  grew  in  a  thick  Hedge,  and  the  Woman  afore- 
iaid  ftanding  for  flicker  on  the  other  fide  the  Hedge  under  the  fame  Tree,  and  that 
he  believed  that  we  faw  not  one  another ;  but  he  fpake  it  as  a  Jeft,  and  the  Com- 
pany were  glad  of  the  occajion  to  feed  their  Malice.  So  they  all  askt  me  forgive- 
nefs,  and  I  defired  the  Magiftrate  immediately  to  releafe  them  all. 

There  lived  at  Ktnver  an  ancient,  prudent,  Reverend  Divine,  Mr.  John  Crofi, 
(  who  died  fince,  Paftor  of  Matthews  Friday-fireet  in  London  )  :  This  godly  Man 
had  been  the  chief  means  of  the  good  which  was  done  in  Kidderminfier  before  my 
coming  thither ;  when  I  came,  I  got  him  to  take  every  fecond  day  in  a  Weekly 
Le&ure.  It  came  to  pals  once,  that  a  Woman  defamed  him  at  Kiddcrmintfer  o- 
penly,  and  told  the  People  that  he  would  have  raviihed  her.  Mr.  Crofi  being  a 
wife  Man,  fent  one  before  to  defire  the  Bailiff  and  Juftice  to  call  her  to  Examina- 
tion, and  he  came  after  and  late  in  a  common  dark  coloured  Coat,  among  many 
others,  in  the  Bailiff's  Parlour,  as  if  he  had  been  one  of  the  Magiftrates.  The 
Bailiff  called  her  in,  and  (he  ftood  impudently  to  the  Accufation  :  The  Bailiff 
askt  her  whether  fhe  knew  the  Man  if  me  faw  him  ;  which  me  confidently  affirm- 
ed. He  askt  her,  Is  it  this  Man  ,  or  that  Man,  or  the  other  Man,  or  any  there  ? 
And  lhe  f aid,  O  no,  God  forbid  that  fhe  mould  accufe  any  of  them.  Mr.  CrojS 
Lid,  Am  not  I  the  Man  ;  and  flic  faid,  No,  fhe  knew  the  Man  well  enough.  And 
when  -' 
askt  hi 
Ace 
forgave  them  all. 

§  58    And  here  I  mud  return  to  the  Proceedings  of  the  Parliament,  becaufe  the 
reft  wiU  not  be  well  underftood  without  connoting  the  Occafions  of  them  which 
were  admiruftred.    When  the  Londoners  cried  to  the  Houfe  for  J»JHcet9ad  honour- 
ed 


P  a  r  t  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

ed  thole  Members  Who  were  for  the  punifhment  of  Delinquents,  and  dishonoured 
thole  that  pleated  the  King,  |  Breach  began  to  be  made  among  themlelves :  And 
the  Lord  Digby,  the  Loid  Falkland, and  divers  others,from  that  time  forward  joyned 
with  the  King  ;  being  not  io  immoveable  as  many  of  the  reft,whom  neither  hope 
nor  fear  nor  dilcontent  would  alienate  from  the  Caufe  which  they  thought  well  of, 
Yet  others  were  tried  with  the  offer  of  Preferments :  The  Lord  Say  was  made  one 
of  the  Privy  Council ;  Mr.  Oliver  St.  John  was  made  the  King's  Sollicitor,  &c.  But 
as  this  did  not  alter  them,  fo  others  of  them  would  accept  of  no  Preferment,  left 
they  mould  be  thought  to  feek  themfelves,  or  let  their  Fidelity  to  Sale.  When  the 
Earl  of  Strafford  was  Condemned,  and  the  King  defired  to  fign  the  Bill,  many  Bi- 
fliops  were  called  to  give  him  their  Advice  ,  and  it  is  commonly  reported,  that 
Archbilhop  Ufoer  and  divers  others  told  him,  that  he  might  lawfully  concur  with 
the  Judgment  of  his  Parliament  proceeding  according  to  Law,  though  his  own 
Judgment  were  that  their  Sentence  was  unjuft  :  But  Dr.  Juxon  ,  the  Bilhop  of  Lon- 
don, advifedhim  to  do  nothing  againft  his  Confcience :  and  others  would  give  no 
Advice  at  all.  When  the  King  had  Subfcribed,  and  Strafford  was  beheaded,  he 
much  repented  it,  even  to  the  laft,  as  his  Speeches  at  his  Death  e'xprels.  And  the 
Judgments  of  the  Members  of  the  Parliament  were  different  about  thefe  Proceed- 
ings. 

Some  thought  that  the  King  mould  not  at  all  be  dilplealed  and  provoked,  and 
that  they  were  not  bound  to  do  any  other  Juftice ,  or  attempt  any  other  Re- 
formation but  what  they  could  procure  the  King  to  be  willing  to.  And  thefe 
faid,  When  you  have  dilpleafed  and  provoked  him  to  the  utmoft,  he  will  be  your 
King  ftill !  and  when  you  have  (ate  to  the  longeft,  you  muft  be  diftblved  at  laft  : 
you  have  no  power  over  his  Perlbn,  though  you  have  power  over  Delinquent 
Subjects :  And  if  he  protect  them  by  Arms,  you  muft  either  be  ruined  your  lelves 
by  his  difpleafure,  or  be  engaged  in  a  War :  Difpleafing  him  is  but  exafperating 
him  ;  and  would  you  be  ruled  by  a  King  that  hateth  >ou?  Princes  have  great 
Minds,  which  cannot  eafily  liiffer  Contradiction  and  Rebukes:  The  more  you 
offend  him,  the  lefs  you  can  truft  him  ;  and  when  mutual  Confidence  is  gone,  a 
War  is  beginning:  And  if  k  come  to  a  War,  either  you  will  conquer  or  be  con- 
quered, or  come  to  Agreement.  If  you  are  conquered,  you  and  the  Common- 
wealch  are  ruined,  and  he  will  beabfblute,  and  fubdue  Parliaments,  and  Govern  as 
he  plealeth.  If  you  come  to  an  Agreement,  it  will  be  either  fuch  as  you  force 
him  to,  or  as  he  is  -willing  of  :  If  the  latter,  it  may  be  eafilier  and  cheaper  done 
before  a  War  than  after:  If  the  former,  it  will  much  weaken  it:  And  if  you  Con- 
quer him,  what  the  better  are  you  ?  He  will  ftill  be  King  :  You  can  but  force  him 
to  an  Agreement ;  and  how  quickly  will  he  have  power  and  advantage  to  violate 
that  which  he  is  forced  to  ;  and  to  be  avenged  on  you  all  for  the  dilpleafure  you 
have  done  him  :  He  is  ignorant  of  the  Advantages  of  a  King  that  cannot  forelee 
this].    Thele  were  the  Reafons  of  many  that  were  for  pleafing  the  King. 

But  on  the  other  fide  there  were  Men  of  divers  tempers :  Some  did  not  look  far 
before  them,  but  did  what  they  thought  was  beft  at  prefent  :  whether  any  de- 
figned  the  fubduing  of  the  King,  and  the  change  of  Government,  at  that  time,  I 
cannot  tell:  For  I  then  heard  of  no  notable  Settary  in  the  Houfe  but  young  Sir 
Henry  Vane,  (whole  Teftimony  was  the  Death  of  the  Earl  of  Strafford,  when  other 
Evidence  was  wanting,  and  of  whom  I  fliall  fay  more  anon).  But  the  leading 
and  prevailing  part  of  the  Houfe  were  for  the  Execution  of  Strafford ,  and  for  pu- 
nifhing  lome  Delinquents,  though  it  did  difpleafe  the  King:  And  i their  Realbns 
(  as  their  Companions  tell  us  )  were  fuch  as  thefe :  They  faid,  If  that  be  your 
Principle  that  the  King  is  not  to  be  difpleafed,  or  provoked,  then  this  Parliament: 
fliould  never  have  been  called,  which  you  know  he  was  forced  to  againft  his  Will  z 
and  then  the  Ship-money  fhould  have  gone  on,  and  the  Subjects  Propriety,  and 
Parliaments,  have  been  overthrown :  And  then  the  Church  Innovations  mould  not 
have  been  controuled,  nor  any  ftop  to  the  Subverters  of  our  Government  and  Li- 
berties attempted  :  then  no  Members  Ihould  fpeak  freely  againft  any  of  thele  in  the 
Houfe  •  for  you  know  that  all  thele  are  very  difpleafing  :  And  then  what  do  we 
here  ?  Could  not  the  King  have  pleated  himfelf  without  us  ?  Or  do  we  come  to 
be  his  Inflruments,  to  give  away  the  Peoples  Liberties,  and  fet  up  that  which  was 
begun  ?  Either  it  is  our  Duty  to  reform,  and  to  recover  our  Liberties,  and  relieve 
our  Country,  andpunifli  Delinquents,  or  it  is  not  ?  If  it  be  not ,  let  us  go  home 
again  :  If  it  be,  let  us  do  it  and  truft  God  :  For  if  the  fears  of  foreleen  Oppofiti- 
ons  lhall  make  us  betray  our  Country  and  Pofterity,  we  are  perfidious  to  them^ 
and  Enemies  to  our  felves,  and  may  well  be  faid  to  be  worfe  than  Infidels,  much 

E  rsther 


26 


The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I, 


rather  than  they  that  provide  not  for  their  Families;  when  Infidels  have  not 
thought  their  Lives  too  good  tofave  the  Commonwealth.  And  as  for  a  War,  the 
danger  of  it  may  be  avoided  :  It  is  a  thing  uncertain,  and  theiefore  a  prefenc 
certain  Ruine,  and  that  by  our  own  hand,  is  not  to  be  chofen  to  avoid  ir.  Jhe  King 
may  fee  the  danger  of  it  as  well  as  we,  and  avoid  it  on  better  Terms :  Or  if  he 
were  willing  he  may  not  be  able  to  do  any  great  harm  :  Do  you  think  that  the 
People  of  England  are  fo  mad,  as  to  fight  againft  thofe  whom  they  have  chofen  to 
reprefent  them  ?  to  deftroy  themfelves,  and  the  hopes  of  their  Poftenty  ?  Do  they 
not  know  that  if  Parliaments  be  deftroyed,  their  Lives  and  Eftates  are  meerly  at 
the  Will  and  Mercy  of  the  Conquerour  ?  And  do  not  you  fee  that  the  People  are 
every  where  for  the  Parliament?  And  for  Revenge ;  what  need  we  fear  it  when 
the  Parliament  may  continue  till  it  confent  to  its  DifTolution  ?  And  fure  they  will 
not  confent  till  they  fee  themfelves  out  of  the  danger  of  Revenge].  Such  as  thefe 
were  the  Reafonings  of  that  Party  which  prevailed. 

But  others  told  them,  That  thofe  that  adhered  to  the  Bilhops ,  and  were  offend- 
ed at  the  Parliaments  Church  Reformations,  would  be  many  ;  and  the  King  will 
never  want  Nobility  and  Gentry  to  adhere  to  him  j  and  the  Common  People  will 
follow  their  Landlords,  and  be  on  the  ftronger  fide:  and  the  intelligent  part,  who 
underfrand  their  own  Interefts,  are  but  few  :  And  when  you  begin  a  War ,  you 
know  not  what  you  do].  Thus  were  Mens  minds  then  in  a  Divifion:i^ut  lome 
unhappy  means  fell  out  to  unite  them  fo  as  to  caufe  them  to  proceed  to  a 
War. 

§  39.  The  things  that  heightned  former  Difpleafures  to  a  miferable  War  were 
fuch  as  follow,  on  both  Parts:  On  the  Parliaments  part  were  principally,  r.  The 
Peoples  indifcretion  that  adhered  to  them;  2.  The  imprudence  and  violence  of 
fome  Members  of  the  Houie,  who  went  too  high:  5.  The  great  Diffidence  they 
had  of  the  King  when  they  had  provoked  him. 

On  the  other  Men  was  hafiened,  1.  By  the  Calling  up  of  the  Northern  Army. 
2.  By  the  Kings  impofing  a  Guard  upon  the  Houfe.  3  By  his  entring  the  Houie 
to  accufe  fome  Members.  4.  Bv  the  mifcarriage  of  the  Lord  Digby  and  other  of 
the  King's  Adherents,  y.  But  above  all  by  the  terrible  MaiTacre  in  Ire  I  and,  And  the 
Threatnings  of  the  Rebels  to  Invade  England.     A  little  of  every  one  of  thele. 

§  40  1  .Thole  that  defned  the  PailiamentsProfperity  were  of  divers  (orts.Some  were 
calm  and  temperate,  and  waited  for  the  Fruits  of  their  Endeavours  in  their  lea- 
fon  :  And  lome  were  ib  glad  of  the  hopes  of  a  Reformation,  and  afraid  le't  their 
Hearts  and  Hands  ihould  rail  for  want  of  Encouragement,  that  they  too  much 
boalred  of  them,  and  applauded  them:  which  muft  needs  offend  the  King,  to  Le 
the  People  rejoyce  in  others  as  their  Deliverers,  and  as  faving  them  from  him;  and 
fo  to  fee  them  preferred  in  Love  and  Honour  before  him.  But  lome  were  yet  more 
indifcreet  :  The  remnant  of  the  old  Separates  and  Anabaptirts  in  London  was  then 
very  finall,  and  fcarce  confiderable  $  but  they  were  enough  to  Itirupthe  younger 
and  unexperienced  fort  of  Religious  People,  tofpeak  too  vehemently  and  intempe- 
rately  ngainlt  the  Bilhops  and  the  Church  and  Ceremonies,  and  to  jeer  and  deride 
at  the  Common  Prayer,  and  all  that  was  againft  their  minds  :  (  For  the  young  and 
raw  fort  of  Chriftians  are  dually  prone  to  this  kind  of  Sin  ;  to  be  felf-conceited , 
petulant,  wilful,  cenforious,  and  injudicious  in  all  their  management  of  their  Dif- 
ferences in  Religion,  and  in  all  their  Attempts  of  Reformation  ) :  Horning  and 
clamouring  at  that  which  they  think  evil,  they  ufually  judge  a  warrantable  Courie: 
And  it  is  hard  finding  any  fort  of  People  in  the  World,  where  many  of  the  more 
unexperienced  are  not  indifcreet,  and  proud  and  paffionate. 

Thefelrirr'd  up  the  Apprentices  to  joyn  with  them  in  Petitions,  and  to  go  in 
great  numbers  to  Weftminftt r  to  prefent  them  :  And  as  they  went  they  met  with 
lome  of  the  Bilhops  in  their  Coaches  going  to  the  Houfe  ;  and  (as  is  ufual  with 
the  paffionate  and  indifcreet  when  they  are  in  great  Companies)  they  too  much 
forgot  Civility,  and  cied  out,  No  Bipps  ;  which  either  put  them  really  into  a 
fear,  or  at  lead  fo  difpleafed  them,  as  gave  them  occafion  to  meet  together,  and 
draw  up  a  Protection  againft  any  Law  which  in  their  Abfence  Ihould  be  palled 
in  the  Parliament ,  as  having  themfelves  a  place  there,  and  being,  as  they  faid,  de- 
d  from  coming  thither  by  thofe  Clamours  and  Tumults. 
Tins  Protection  was  foill  taken  by  the  Parliament,  as  that  the  Subfcribers  of 
it  were  voted  Delinquents,  and  fent  to  Prifon,  as  going  about  to  deftroy  the  pow- 
er ol  Parliaments  j  (and  among  them  even  Bilhop  Hall  himlelf). 

Thefe 


P  a  r.  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  27 


Thefe  numerous  Petitioners  alio  were  very  offenfiveto  the  King,  infbmuch  that 
once  fome  of  his  Cavaliers  came  out  upon  them  armed  as  they  paffed  by  Whitehall, 
and  catchtfbme  of  them,  and  cut  off  their  Ears  ;  and  Sir  Richard  Wi{eman  leading 
them, there  was  fome  Fray  about  Weftmtnjter-Abbey  between  the  Cavaliers  and  them, 
and  Sir  Richard  Wijeman  was  (lain  by  a  (lone  from  off  the  Abbey  Walls.  And  when 
at  laft  the  King  forfook  the  City,  thefe  Tumults  were  the  principal  Caufe  alledged 
by  him,  as  if  he  himfelf  had  not  been  fate.  Thus  ram  Attempts  of  Head-ihong 
People,  do  work  againft  the  good  Ends  which  they  themfelves  intend;  and  the 
Zeal  which  hath  cenforious  Strife  and  Envy,  doth  tend  to  Confufion,  and  every 
evil  Work  :  And  Overdoing  is  the  ordinary  way  of  Undoing. 

§4».  2.  And  fome  Members  of  the  Houfe  did  cherilh  thefe  Diforders :  and 
becaufe  that  the  Subjects  have  liberty  to  Petition,  therefore  they  made  ufe  of  this 
their  Liberty  in  a  difbrderly  way.  When  they  had  difgraced  Ship-money,  and  the 
Et  catera  Oath,  and  Bowing  towards  Altars,  and  fuch  things  as  were  againft  Law, 
they  ffopt  not  there,  but  fet  themfelves  to  caft  out  the  Bifiops  and  the  Liturgy  which 
were  fettled  by  Law.  And  though  Parliaments  may  draw  up  Bills  for  repealing 
Laws,  yet  hath  the  King  his  Negative  Voice,  and  without  his  Confent  they  can- 
hot  do  it  ;  which  though  they  acknowledged,  yet  did  they  too  eafily  admit  of  Pe- 
titions againft  the  Epifcopacy  and  Liturgy,  and  connived  at  all  the  Clamours  and 
Papers  which  were  againft  them. 

Had  they  only  endeavoured  the  Ejection  of  Lay  Chancellors",  and  the  reducing 
of  the  Dioceffes  to  a  narrower  Compafs,  or  the  fetting  up  of  a  Subordinate  Disci- 
pline, and  only  the  Correcting  and  Reforming  of  the  Liturgy  ,  perhaps  it  mighc 
have  been  borne  more  patiently  ;  but  fome  particular  Members  concurred  with  the 
Defires  of  the  imprudent  Reformers,  who  were  for  no  lefs  than  the  utter  Extirpa- 
tion of  Bifliops  and  Liturgy :  To  which  purpofe  the  Lord  Brook  wrote  his  Book 
againft  Epifcopacy.  And  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons  Sir  Henry  Vane  endeavoured 
to  draw  all  up  to  the  higheH  Refblutions,  and  by  his  Parts  and  Converie  drew  ma- 
ny (  fo  far  )  to  his  mind.  And  alfo  the  ienfe  of  the  younger  lefs  experienced  fort 
of  the  Minifters  and  private  Chriftians  in  the  Country,  was  muchagainft  amending 
the  Bifhops  and  Ltturgy,  and  thought  this  was  but  to  guild  over  our  Danger,  and 
lofe  our  Opportunity  •  but  they  were  for  an  utter  Extirpation.  Though  none  of 
all  this  was  the  Senfe  of  the  Parliament,  yet  thofe  Members  which  were  of  this 
Opinion  did  much  to  encourage  the  Petitioners,  who  in  a  difbiderly  manner  la- 
boured to  effect  it. 

The  Bifhops  themfelves  who  were  accounted  moft  moderate  (  Uficr,  JVtUiams  t 
Morton)  and  many  other  Epifcopal  Divines  with  them,  had  before  this  in  a  Com- 
mittee at  Wefimin)hri  agreed  on  certain  Points  of  Reformation  ,  which  I  will  give 
you  afterward,  though  out  of  the  proper  place,  when  we  come  to  our  Propofals 
at  the  King's  Return  1660.  But  when  the  fame  Men  faw  that  greater  Things 
were  aimed  at,  and  Epifcopacy  it  felf  in  danger,  or  their  Grandeur  and  Riches  at 
the  leaft,  moft  of  them  turned  againft  the  Parliament,  and  were  almoft  as  much 
difpleafed  as  others. 

§  42.  ;.  And  the  great  diftruft  which  the  Parliament  had  of  the  King,  was  ano- 
ther thing  which  haftened  the  War  :  For  they  were  confident  that  he  was  un- 
moveable  as  to  his  Judgment  and  Affections,  and  that  whatever  he  granted  them, 
was  but  in  defign  to  get  his  advantage  utterly  to  deftroy  them  j  and  that  he  did  but 
watch  for  fuch  an  Opportunity  :  They  iuppofed  that  he  utterly  abhorred  the 
Parliament,  and  their  Actions  againft  his  Ship-money,  his  Judges,  Bifhops,  &c  and 
therefore  whatever  he  promifed  them,  they  believed  him  not,  nor  durft  take  his 
word  j  which  they  were  hardened  in  by  thofe  former  Actions  of  his,  which  they 
called,  The  Breach  of  bis  former  Vromifes. 

§  4;.  And  the  Things  on  the  other  fide,  which  occafioned  their  Diffidence,  and 
caufed  the  War,  were  thefe  following  efpecially  above  all  the  reft  :  i<  The  Ar- 
mies of  the  Scots  and  Englijl>  did  long  continue  in  the  North  undisbanded,  in  their 
Quarters,  till  the  Parliament  mould  provide  their  Pay.  Some  fay  other  Bufinefs 
caufed  the  delay,  and  fome  fay  that  the  Parliament  was  not  willing  that  they  fhould 
be  fo  foon  disbanded  ;  but  the  Army  of  the  Evglifi  wanting  pay,  waseafily  difcon- 
tented:  And  the  Parliament  fay  that  the  Court  drew  them  into  a  Plot  againft  the 
Houfe,  to  march  fuddenly  up  towards  London,  and  to  Mafter  the  Parliament :  Di- 
vers of  the  Chief  Officers  were  Examined,  (Sir  Jacob  Aftley,  O  Neale,  Sir  Fulk 
Huncks  (my  Mother- in- Law's  Brother)  and  many  others ;  and  they  almoft  all  con- 
felfed  fome  fuch  thing,  that  fome  near  the  King  (  but  not  he  himfelf)  had  treated 
with  them  about  bringing  up  the  Army,  but  none  of  them  talkt  of  deftroying  or 

E  2  forcing 


28 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  I  b.  I. 

"forcing  the  Pa'rlUtn^rTl^^aminationsTnd   Depositions  were  publifhed  by 
he  Parliament,  which  did  very  much  to  perfwade  abundance  of  People  that  the 
Kine  did  but  watch  while  he  quieted  them  with  Prom>fes,to  Matter  them  by  Force 
and  ufe  them  at  his  Plealure.    And  this  Adion  was  one  of  the  greateft  Caufes  of 
the  dangerous  diffidence  of  the  King. 

§44  1  Another  was  this:  When  the  Parliament  had  let  a  Guard  upon  heir 
own  Houfe  (which  they  took  to  be  their  Priviledge  )  the  King  difcharged  them, 
and  fet  ano'her  Guard  upon  them  of  his  choofing :  which  made  them  feem  as  mucti 
afraid  as  if  he  had  made  them  Prifoners,  and  would  at  fome  time  or  other  com- 
mand'that  Guard  to  Execute  his  Wrath  upon  them;  whereupon  they  difmiiTed 
them,  and  called  for  a  Guard  of  the  City  Regiments.     This  alfo  did  increafe  the 

\  4  c^T  Another  great  Caufeof  the  Diffidence  and  War  was  this :  The  King 
wasadviied  no  longer  to  ftand  by  ,  and  fee  the  Parliament  affront  him  ,  and  do 
what  they  lifted  :  but  to  take  a  iufficient  Company  with  him,  and  to  go  iuddenly 
in  Perfon  to  the  Houfe,  and  there  to  demand  fome  of  the  Leading  Members  to  be 
delivered  up  to  Juftice,  and  tried  as  Traitors:  Whereupon  he  goeth  to  the  Houfe 
of  Commons  wich  a  Company  of  Cavaliers  wich  Swords  and  Piftols ,  to  have 
charged  five  of  the  Members  of  that  Houfe,  and  one  of  the  Lords  Houfe,  wirh 
High  Treafon  ;  viz,.  Mr.  Vim,  Mr.  Hampden,  Mr.  Hottis,  Mr.  Strowd,  and  Sir  Ar- 
thur Hafelrigge  ,  and  the  Lord  Kimbolton  (after  Earl  of  Manchefier  and  Lord  Cham- 
berlain; of  the  Lords:  But  the  King  was  not  fo  fecret  or  fpeedy  in  this  Adion, 
but  the  Members  had  notice  of  it  before  his  coming,  and  abfentcd  themfelves  (be- 
ing together  at  an  inner  Houfe  in  Red-Lyen  Court  in  Watlingfireet  near  Breadjireet 
in  London):  And  fo  the  King  and  his  Company  laid  hands  on  none,  but  went  their 
ways.  Had  the  five  Members  been  there,  the  reft  fuppofed  they  would  have  taken 
them  away  by  violence. 

When  the  King  was  gone,  this  Allarm  did  caft  the  Houfe  into  fach  Apprehen- 
fions,  as  if  one  after  another ,  their  Liberties  or  Lives  muft  be  affaulted  by  the 
Sword  if  they  pleafed  not  the  Court  :  So  that  they  prefently  voted  it  a  Breach  of 
their  Priviledges,  and  an  Effect  of  the  King's  evil  Counfellors,  and  publifhed 
their  Votes ;  to  awaken  the  People  to  refcue  them,  as  if  they  were  in  apparent 
Danger. 

The  King  being  difappointed,  publifheth  a  Paper  in  which  he  chargeth  the 
Members  with  Treafon,  as  ftirring  up  the  Apprentices  to  tumultuous  Petitioning, 
&c.    But  confeffeth  his  Error  in  violating  their  Priviledges. 

§  46.  4.  And  another  thing  which  haftened  the  War,  was,  that  the  Lord  Dig- 
hy  and  fome  other  Cavaliers,  attempted  at  KingHon  upon  Thames,  to  have  fudden- 
ly  got  together  a  Body  of  Horfe ;  which  the  Parliament  took  as  the  beginning  of 
a  War,  or  an  Infurre&ion  and  Rebellion  :  But  the  Party  was  diffipated  before  they 
could  grow  to  any  great  Strength  -,  and  the  Parliament  voted  him  a  Delinquent, 
and  fent  to  apprehend  him  and  bring  him  to  Juftice,  with  his  Partakers :  But  he 
fled  into  France ;  and  when  he  was  there,  the  Parliament  intercepted  fome  of  his 
Letters  to  the  King,  advifing  him  to  get  away  from  London,  to  fome  place  of 
Strength,  where  his  Friends  might  come  to  him  5  which  they  took  as  an  Advife 
to  him  to  begin  a  War.    Thus  one  thing  after  another  blew  the  Coals. 

§  47.  5-.  But  of  all  the  reft,  there  was  nothing  that  with  the  People  wrought  fo 
much,  as  the  In(h  Maflacree  and  Rebellion  :  The  Irifh  Papifts  did  by  an  unexpect- 
ed Infurre&ion,  rife  all  over  Ireland  at  once,  and  feized  upon  almoft  all  the 
Strengths  of  the  whole  Land,  and  Dublin  wonderfully  efcaped  (a  Servant  of 
Sir  John  Clotworthy  sdifcovermg  the  Plot)  which  was  to  have  been  fur  pri  fed  with 
the  reft,  Otlob.  25.  1641.  Two  hundred  thoufand  Peifbns  they  murdered,  (as  you 
may  fee  in  the  Earl  of  Orarys  Aniwer  to  a  Petition,  and  in  Dr.  Jones's  Narrative 
of  the  Examinations,  and  Sir  John  Temple's  Hiftory,  who  was  one  of  the  refident 
Juftices:)  Men,  Women  and  Children  were  moft  cruelly  ufed;  the  Women  ript 
up,  and  filthily  ufed  when  they  killed  them,  and  the  Infants  ufed  like  Toads  or 
Vermin  :  Thoufands  of  thofe  that  efcaped,  came  ftript  and  almoft  famifhed  to 
Dublin,  and  afterwards  into  England  to  beg  their  Bre^d:  Multitudes  of  them  were 
driven  together  into  Rivers,  and  caft  over  Biidges  and  drowned  :  Many  Wirne£ 
fwore  before  the  Lords  Juftices,  that  at  Port  down- bridge  a  Vifion  every  Day  ap- 
peared to  the  Pafiengers  of  naked  Perfons  ftanding  up  to  the  middle  in  the  River, 
and  crying  out,  Revenge,  Revenge !  In  a  word,  fcarce  any  Hiftory  mentioneth  the 
like  barbarous  Cruelty  as  this  was :  The  French  Maflacree  murdered  but  Thirty,  or 
forty  Thouiandj  but  Two  Hundred  Thoujand  was  a  Number  which  aftoniihed  thofe 
that  heard  it.  This 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter*  29 


This  filled  all  England  with  a  Fear  both  of  the  Injh,  and  of  the  Papifts  at  home  ; 
for  they  iuppofed  that  the  Priefts  and  the  Intereft  of  their  Religion  were  the  Caufe : 
In  10  much,  that  when  the  Rumour  of  a  Plot  was  occafioned  at  London,  the  poor 
People,  all  the  Countries  over,  were  ready  either  to  run  to  Arms,  or  hide  them- 
ielvcs,  thinking  that  the  Papifts  were  ready  to  rife  and  cut  their  Throats  i  And 
when  they  iaw  the  Englifl)  Papifts  join  with  the  King  againft  the  Parliament,  it 
was  the  greateft  thing  that  ever  alienated  them  from  the  King. 

Hereupon,  the  Parliament  was  folicltous  to  fend  help  to  Dublin,  left  that  alfb 
fhould  be  loft.  The  King  was  fo  forward  to  that  Service,  thathepreft  the  Parlia- 
ment that  he  might  go  over  himfelf :  The  Parliament  liked  that  worft  of  all,  as  if 
they  had  been  confident  that  ill  Councilors  advifed  him  to  it,  that  he  might  get  at 
the  He  id  of  two  Armies,  and  unite  them  both  againft  the  Parliament,  and  by  his 
Abfence  make  a  Breach,  and  hinder  the  Proceedings  of  the  Houfes. 

Thofe  that  came  out  of  Ireland  reprefent  the  worol  Cafe  of  it,  and  the  direful 
Ufage  of  the  Proteftants,  fo  as  provoked  the  People  to  think  that  it  was  impoflible 
that  any  Danger  to  them  could  be  greater  than  their  Participation  of  the  like.  The 
few  that  were  lefc  at  Dublin  got  into  Armes,  but  complained  of  their  Neceflities, 
and  the  multitude  of  their  Enemies !  So  that  an  Hundred  weie  ufed  to  fight  againft 
aThoufand:  And  to  increafe  the  Flame,  fome  Injh  Rebels  told  them,  that  they 
had  the  Kings  CommtJJion  for  what  they  did  ;  which  though  the  foberer  part  could 
not  believe,  yet  the  credulous  timerous  vulgar  were  many  of  them  ready  to  believe 
it:  And  the  Englifl)  Souldiers  (  under  Sir  Charles  Cootes,  the  Lord  Inchegum,  &c. ) 
lend  over  word  that  it  was  the  common  Feaft  of  the  Injh,  that  when  they  had  done 
with  the  handful  that  was  left  in  Ireland,  they  would  come  over  into  England,  and 
deal  with  the  Parliament  and  Proteftants  here.  Thele  Threatnings  with  the  Name 
of  Two  hundred  thoufand  murdered,  and  the  Recital  of  their  monftrous  Cruel- 
ties, made  many  thoufands  in  England  think  that  nothing  could  be  more  neceffary 
than  for  the  Parliament  to  put  the  Countrey  into  an  armed  Pofture  for  their  own 
Defence.  And  that  fide  which  the  Papiits  of  England  took,  they  could  hardly 
think  would  be  their  Security. 

§  48.  Things  being  thus  ripened  for  a  War  in  England,  the  King  forfaketh  Lon- 
don, and  goeth  into  the  North,  in  Torkjlure  he  calleth  the  Militia  of  the  Country 
which  would  join  with  him,  and  goeth  to  Hully  and  demandeth  entrance;  Sir  John 
Hotham  is  put  in  truft  with  it  by  the  Parliament,  and  denieth  him  entrance  with 
his  Forces. 

The  Parliament  nameth  Lord  Lieutenants  for  the  Militia  of  the  feveral  Counties, 
and  the  King  nameth  other  Lord  Lieutenants  by  a  Commiflion  of  Aray,  and  each 
of  them  command  thefaid  Lord  Lieutenants  to  fettle  the  Militia. 

The  Parliament  publifheth  their  Votes  to  the  People,  That  the  King,  mifled  by  An.i6At 
evil  Counfel,  was  railing  a  War  againft  his  Parliament :  The  Lord  Willouhby  of 
Parbam  in  Lincolnjlure,  the  Lord  Brook  in  Warwickshire,  and  others  in  other  Coun- 
ties, call  in  the  Country  to  appear  in  Arms  for  the  Parliament :  The  King's  Lords 
call  them  in  to  appear  for  the  King :  both  King  and  Parliament  publifhed  their  De- 
clarations juftifying  their  Cauie. 

The  Parliament  choofeth  the  Earl  of  Effex  for  their  General,  and  refblveth  the 
raifing  of  an  Army,  as  [For  the  Defence  of  the  King  and  Parliament,  and  the  Li- 
berties of  the  Subjects,  againft  evil  Counfellors  and  Delinquents  ]:  They  publi/h 
a  Remonftrance  of  the  State  of  the  Kingdom  firft,  and  a  Declaration  of  the  Cau- 
ies  of  their  taking  up  Arms  afterward  :  which  two  contain  moft  of  the  Reafons 
of  their  Caufe. 

The  King  anfwereth  them,  and*  goeth  to  Nottingham,  and  there  fetteth  up  his 
Standard  to  Summon  his  Subjects  to  his  Aid. 

The  Lord  Brook  and  the  Earl  of  Northampton  had  fbme  skuffling  in  Warwickjhire : 
The  Earl  of  N.  with  fome  Forces  affaulted  Warwick  Caftle ,  kept  by  Major  John 
Bridges,  and  Coventry  City,  kept  by  Col.  John  Barker,  and  was  repulft  from  both. 
A  Party  affaulted  Mr.  Purefyes  Houfe,  and  burnt  the  Barns,  where  Mr.  George  Ab- 
bot, with  a  few  of  his  Servants,  repulft  them. 

At  Nottingham  there  were  but  about  Two  thoufand  came  in  to  the  King's  Stan- 
dard, whereas  the  Londoners  quickly  fill'd  up  a  gallant  Army  for  the  Earl  of  Ejfexy 
and  the  Citizens  abundantly  brought  in  their  Money  and  Plate  (  yea,  the  Women 
their  Rings,)  to  Guildhall  to  pay  the  Armv. 

Hereupon  the  King  fent  to  the  Parliament  from  Nottingham  the  Offer  of  a  Trea- 
ty, with  fome  General  Propofals,  which  in  my  Opinion  was  the  likelieft  Oppor- 
tunity that  ever  the  Parliament  had  for  a  lull  and  iafe  Agreement  5  and  the  King 

feemed 


30 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  1. 


feemed  very  ferious  in  it ,  and  the  lownefs  of  his  Condition  upon  fo  much  Trial  of 
his  People,  was  very  like  to  have  wrought  much  with  him.  But  the  Parliament 
was  perfwaded  that  he  did  it  but  to  get  time  to  fill  up  his  Army,and  to  hinder  their 
Proceedings,  and  therefore  accepted  not  of  his  Offer  for  a  Treaty,  but  inftead  of 
it  lent  himNineteenPropofalsof  their  own  ;  viz.  That  if  he  would  Disband  his 
Army,  come  to  his  Parliament,  give  up  Delinquents  to  a  Legal  Courf;  of  Juftice, 
&c.  he  mould  find  them  dutiful,  &c  And  the  King  publifhed  an  Anfwer  to  thefe 
Nineteen  Propofitions  $  in  which  heaffirtneth  the. Government  to  be  mixt,  having 
in  it  the  beft  of  Monarchy,  Ariftocracy  and  Democracy,  and  that  the  Legiflative 
Power  is  in  the  King,  Lords  and  Commons  conjunct,  and  that  the  Lords  are  a 
fufficient  skreen  to  hinder  the  King  from  wronging  the  Commons ,  and  to  keep  off 
Tyranny,  &c.  And  he  adhereth  only  to  the  Law  which  giveth  him  the  power  of 
the  Militia  !  Out  of  this  Anfwer  of  the  Kings  to  thefe  Nineteen  Proposals,  fome 
one  drew  up  a  Political  Catechifm,  wherein  the  Anfwers  of  every  Queftion  were 
verbatim  the  words  of  the  King's  Declaration,  as  if  therein  he  had  fully  juftified  the 
Parliaments  Cauie. 

The  great  Controverfie  now  was  the  prefent  power  of  the  Militia:  The  King 
faid  that  the  Supreme  Executive  Power,  and  particularly  the  Power  of  the  Mili- 
tia, did  belong  to  him,*  and  not  to  the  Parliament,  and  appealed  to  the  Law.  The 
Parliament  pleaded  that  as  the  Execution  of  Juftice  againft  Delinquents  did  belong 
to  him  ;  but  this  he  is  bound  by  Law  to  do  by  his  Courts  of  Juftice,  and  their  Ex- 
ecutions are  to  be  in  his  Name  ;  and  by  a  Sta,c.  Edw.  3.  if  the  King  by  the  Little 
Seal,  or  the  Greac  Seal,  forbid  a  Judge  in  Court  to  perform  his  Office,  he  is  ne- 
verthelefsto  go  on  :  Alio  that  for  the  Defence  of  his  Kingdoms  againft  their  Ene- 
mies, the  Militia  is  in  his  power  ,*  but  not  at  all  againft  his  Parliament  and  Peo- 
ple, whom  Nature  it  felf  forbiddeth  to  ufe  their  Swords  againft  themfelves.  And 
they  alledged  1110ft  the  prefent  danger  of  the  Kingdoms,  Ireland  almoft  loft,  Scotland. 
difturbed,  England  threatned  by  the  Injh,  and  the  Ruine  of  the  Parliament  fought 
by  Delinquents,  whom  they  (aid  the  King,  through  evil  Counfel  did  proteft  :  And 
that  they  muft  either  fecure  the  Militia,  or  give  up  the  Proteftant  Religion  ,  the 
Laws  and  Liberties  of  the  Land,  and  their  own  Necks  to  the  Will  of  Papifts  and 
Delinquents. 

§  49.  And  becaufe  it  is  my  purpofe  here,  not  to  write  a  full  Hiftory  of  the  Ca- 
lamities and  Wars  of  thofe  Times,  but  only  to  remember  fuch  Generais  with  the 
Reafons  and  Connexion  of  Things,  as  may  beft  make  the  ftate  of  thofe  Times  un- 
dei  ftood  b  them  that  knew  it  not  perfonaily  themfelves,  I  /hall  here  annex  a  brief 
Account  of  the  Country's  Cale  about  thefe  Differences :  not  as  a  Juftifier  or  De- 
fender of  the  Affertions,  or  Reafons,  or  Anions  of  either  Party  which  I  rehearfe  ; 
but  only  in  faithfulnefs  Hiftorically  to  relate  things  as  indeed  they  were. 

And  1.  It  is  of  very  great  moment  here  to  under/land  the  Quality  of  the  Per- 
fons  which  adhered  to  the  King,  and  to  the  Parliament,  with  their  Rea- 
fons. 

A  great  part  of  the  Lords  forfook  the  Parliament ,  and  fo  did  many  of  the 
Houfe  of  Commons,  and  came  to  the  King;  but  that  was  for  the  moft  of  them, 
after  Edgbill  Fight,when  the  King  was  at  Oxford.  A  very  great  part  of  the  Knights 
and  Gentlemen  of  England  in  the  feveral  Counties  (who  were  not  Parliament  Menj 
adhered  to  the  King  ;  except  in  Middlefex,  Ejjex  ,  Suffolk  ,  Norfolk ,  Cambridgejhire> 
&c.  where  the  King  with  his  Army  never  came:  And  could  he  have  got  footing 
there,  it's  like  that  it  would  have  been  there  as  it  was  in  other  places :  And  moft  of 
the  Tenants  of  thefe  Gentlemen,  and  alio  moft  of  the  pooreft  of  the  People, 
whom  the  other  called  the  Rabble,  did  follow  the  Gentry,  and  were  for  the 
King. 

On  the  Parliaments  fide  were  (  befides  themfelves )  the  fmaller  part  (  as  fome 
thought  )  of  the  Gentry  in  moft  of  the  Counties,  and  the  greateft  part  of  the 
Tradefmen,  and  Free-holders,  and  the  middle  fort  of  Men  ;  efpecially  in  thofe 
Corporations  and  Countries  which  depend  on  Cloathing  and  fuch  Manufactures. 

If  you  ask  the  Reafons  of  this  Difference,  ask  alfo,  why  in  France  it  is  not  com- 
monly the  Nobility  nor  the  Beggars,  but  the  Merchants  and  middle  fort  of  Men 
that  were  Proteftants.  The  Reafons  which  the  Party  themfelves  gave  was,  Becaufe 
(  fay  they  )  the  Tradefmen  have  a  Correfpondency  with  London,  and  fo  are  grown 
to  be  a  far  more  Intelligent  fort  of  Men  than  the  ignorant  Peafants  that  are  like 
Bruits,  who  will  follow  any  that  they  think  the  ftrongeft,  or  look  to  get  by  :  And 
the  Freeholders,  fay  they,  were  not  enflaved  to  their  Landlords  as  the  Tenants 
are:  The  Gentry,  ( fay  they )  are  whoUy  by  their  Eftates  and   Ambition   more 

dependent 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  g  i 

»■  T ' ■ 

dependent  on  the  King,  than  their  Tenants  on  them  ;  and  many  of  chem  envied 
the  Honour  of  the  Parliament,  becaufe  they  were  not  choien  Members  themfelves. 
The  other  fide  faid,  That  the  Reafon  was  becaufe  the  Gentry  (  who  commanded 
their  Tenants)  did  better  underftand  Affairs  of  State  than  half-witted  Tradefmen 
and  Freeholders  do. 

But  though  it  mud  be  confeffed,  That  the  Publick  Safety  and  Liberty  wrought 
very  much  with  rnoft,  efpecially  with  the  Nobility  and  Gentry ,  who  adhered  to 
the  Parliament,  yet  was  it  principally  the  differences  about  Religious  Matters  that 
filled  up  the  Parliaments  Armies,  and  put  the  Refblution  and  Valour  into  their 
Soldiers,  which  carried  them  on  in  another  manner  than  mercenary  Soldiers  are 
carried  on.  Not  that  the  Matter  of  Bijhops  or  no  Btjhops  was  the  main  thing,  (  lor 
Thoulands  that  wiihed  for  Good  Bifhops  were  on  the  Parliaments  fide  )  though 
many  called  it  Bellum  Epijcopale;  (And  with  the  Scots  that  was  a  greater  part  of  the 
Controverfie.)  But  the  generality  of  the  People  through  the  Land  (I  fay  not  all, 
or  every  one)  who  were  then  called  Puritans,  Precifionsy  Religious  Perfons  ,  that  ufecl 
to  talk  of  God,  and  Heaven,  and  Scripture,  and  Holinefs ,  and  to  follow  Sermons, 
and  read  Books  of  Devotion,  and  pray  in  their  Families,  and  fpend  the  Lord's  Day 
in  Religious  Exercifss,  and  plead  for  Mortification,  and  ferious  Devotion,  and  ftrid: 
Obedience  to  God,  and  fpeak  againft  Swearing,  Curfing,  Drunkennels,  Prophane- 
neis,  &c.  1  fay,  the  main  Body  of  this  fort  of  Men,  both  Preachers  and  People, 
adhered  to  the  Parliament.  And  on  the  other  fide,  the  Gentry  that  weie  not  fo 
precife  and  ftricl:  againft  an  Oath,  or  Gaming,  or  Plays  ,  or  Drinking,  nor  trou- 
bled themfelves  fo  much  about  the  Matters  of  God  and  the  World  to  come  ,  and 
the  Minifters  and  People  that  were  for  the  King's  Book,  for  Dancing  and  Recrea- 
tions on  the  Lord's  Days ;  and  thole  that  made  not  fo  great  a  matter  of  every  Sin , 
but  went  to  Church  and  heard  Common  Prayer,  and  were  glad  to  hear  a  Sermon 
which  lafhtthe  Puritans,  and  which  ordinarily  fpoke  againft  this  ftriftneG  and  pre- 
cifenefs  in  Religion,  and  this  ftri&  Oblervation  of  the  Lord's  Day,  and  following 
Sermons,  and  praying  Ex  tempore ,  and  talking  fo  much  of  Scripture  and  the  Mat- 
ters of  Salvation,  and  thofe  that  hated  and  derided  them  that  take  thele  Courfes, 
the  main  Body  of  thele  were  againft  the  Parliament.  Not  but  that  ibme  luch  for 
Mon^y,  or  a  Landlord's  Plea(ure,  ferved  them  ;  as  lbme  few  of  the  finder  fort 
were  againft  chem,  or  not  for  them  (being  Neucers  )  :  but  I  fpeak  of  the  notable 
Divifion  through  the  Land. 

If  you  ask  how  this  came  to  pafs,  it  requireth  a  longer  Anfwer  than  I  think  fit 
hereto  give  :  But  briefly,  Adions  ip: ing  from  natural  Dijpofitions  and  Intereft.  There 
is  fomewhac  in  the  Nature  of  all  worldly  Men  which  maketh  them  earneftly  defi- 
rous  of  Riches  and  Honours  in  the  World  ;  and  they  that  value  them  moft  will 
fei L  them  ;  and  they  thztfeek  them  are  more  like  to  find  them  than  thofe  that  defpife 
them  ;  and  he  that  taketh  the  World  and  Preferment  for  his  Interefi  will  eftimate  and 
choofc  all  means  accordingly  ;  and  where  the  World  is  predominant,  Gain  goeth 
for  Godlinefs,  and  ierious  Religion,  which  would  mortifie  their  Sin  is  their  greateft 
Enemy  :  Yet  Conlcience  mult  be  quieted,  and  Reputation  preferved,  which  can 
neither  of  them  be  done,  without  lbme  Religion  :  Therefore  iiich  a  Religion  is  ne- 
ceflary  to  fuch  as  is  confident  with  a  worldly  Mind  j  which  Outfi de-formality, 
Lip-fervice  and  Hypocrifie  is  ;  but  Serioufnefs,  Sincerity  and  Spirituality  is  not. 

On  the  other  fide,  there  is  that  in  the  new  Nature  of  a  fpiritual  Believer,  which 
inclineth  him  to  things  above,  and  caufeth  him  to  look  at  worldly  Grandeur  and 
Riches,  as  things  more  dangerous  than  defirable;  and  he  is  dead  to  the  World,  and 
the  Worid  to  him  by  the  Crois  of  Chrift  ;  no  wonder  therefore  if  few  fuch  at- 
tain great  Matters  in  the  World,  or  ever  come  to  Preferment  or  Greatnefs  upon 
Earth  :  And  there  is  fomewhat  in  them  which  maketh  them  more  fearful  of  dif- 
pleafing  God,  than  all  the  World,  and  will  not  give  them  leave  to  ftietch  their 
Coniciences,  or  turn  afide  when  the  Intereft,  or  Will  of  Man  requireth  it :  And 
the  Laws  of  Chrift,  to  which  they  are  fo  devoted,  are  of  fuch  a  ftream  as  cannot 
fuit  with  carnal  Intereft.  There  is  an  univerfal  and  radicated  Enmity  between  the 
Carnal  and  the  Spiritual ,  the  Serpent's  and  the  Woman's  Seed,  the  fiejhly  Mind,  and 
the  fpiritual  Law  of  God,  through  all  the  World,  in  all  Generations,  Gen.  5.  if, 
R.om.  8.  6,  7,  8.  Thus  Enmity  is  found  in  England,  as  well  as  in  other  Countries, 
between  the  Godly  and  the  Worldly  Minds ;  as  he  that  was  born  after  the  Flefh  did 
perlecute  him  thac  was  born  after  the  Spirit,  even  fb  was  it  here :  The  vulgar 
Rabble  of  the  cirnal  and  prophane,  the  Fornicators,  Drunkards,  Swearers,  &c. 
did  every  where  hate  them  that  reproved  their  Sin,  and  condemned  them  by  a 
hoiy  Life.    This  Difference  was  univerlal,  and  their  Enmity  implacable,  farther 

than 


T^T""  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  1. 

"lhan  common  Grace  abated  it,  or  fpecial  Grace  cured  it.    So  that  every  where 
ferious,  <*odly  People,  that  would  not  run  with  others  toexcefs  of  Ryot,  werefpo- 
ken  ag'ainlt.  and  derided  by  the  Names  of  Precifians,  Zealot,  Over-ftrift,  the  holy 
Brethren,  and  other  Terms  of  Scorm 

Thefe  things  being  fuppofed,  it  unhappily  fell  out  that  in  the  Days  ot  Queen 
Mary  (that  we  may  fetch  the  matter  ab  origine )  our  Reformers,  being  Fugitives  at 
Frankford,  fell  into  a  Divifion  :  One  part  of  them  were  for  Diocdans,  and  the 
Engiijh  Liturgy  and  Ceremonies,  that  they  might  no  more  than  needs  depart  from 
the  Papifts,  nor  feem  unconftant  by  departing  from  what  King  Edward  had  be- 
gun. The  other  were  for  C<z/i/i»'s  Difcipline  and  way  of  Worlhp  ;  for  the  letting 
up  of  a  Parochial  Difcipline  inftead  of  a  Diocefan ;  and  to  have  a  Government  in 
every  particular  Church,  and  not  only  Owe  over  aThoufand,  or  many  Hundred 
Churches  :  and  for  a  plain  and  ferious  way  of  Worfhip,  iuited  as  near  as  poffibls 
to  God's  Word. 

When  thefe  two  Parties  returned  into  England,  the  Diocefan  Party  got  Queen 
Elizabeth's  Countenance,  and  were  preferred,  and  their  way  fet  up.  The  other 
Party  petitioned,  and  hoped,  and  waited,  but  were  difcountenanccd  /ebuktd,and 
by  Law  fupprefled.  This  lamentable  Breach  was  never  healed :  The  difcounce- 
nanced  Party  were  fervent  Preachers,  of  holy  Lives,  and  fo  were  many  of  the 
Bifnops  alfo  in  thofe  days !  But  if  thofe  that  fucceeded  them  had  been  as  holy  and 
as  diligent  Preachers,  they  had  kept  up  their  Honour  and  Places  without  luch  Af- 
faults  as  they  have  undergone.  But  when  Jewel,  Pelkington  ,  Grindal ,  and  fuch 
like  were  dead,  many  fucceeded  them  whom  the  People  took  to  be  other  kind  of 
Men.  And  the filenced  Difciplinarians  (as  then  they  were  called)  dig1  by  their 
Writings,  their  fecret  Conference  and  Preaching,  and  their  Godly  Lives,  work 
much  upon  fuch  as  were  religioufly  addi&ed.  And  moreover,  befides  what  they 
received  from  fuch  Teachers,  there  is  ( 1  know  not  perfectly  whence,),  among  the 
mod  of  the  Religious  ferious  People  of  thefe  Countreys,  a  fufpicion  of  all  that  is 
Ceremonious  in  God's  Service,  and  of  all  which  they  find  not  warrant  for  in  Scrip- 
ture, and  a  greater  inclination  to  a  rational  convincing  earneft  way  of  Preaching 
and  Prayers,  than  tothe  written  Forms  of  Words  whichare  to  be  read  in  Churches. 
And  they  are  greatly  taken  with  a  Preacher  that  fpeaketh  to  them  in  a  familiar 
natural  Language,  and  exhorteth  them  as  if  it  were  for  their  Lives;  when  another 
that  readeth  or  faith  a  few  compofed  Words  in  a  reading  Tone,  they  hear  almoft 
as  a  Boy  that  is  faying  his  LeiTon  :  And  they  are  much  perfwaded  that  a  juft  Pa- 
rochial Difcipline  would  greatly  reform  the  Church],  and  that  Diocefans  by  exclu- 
ding it,  cherifh  Vice. 

Now  upon  the  Difference  between  the  Diocefans  and  the  Difciplinarians ,  the 
Diocefans  found  that  their  very  Places,  and  Power,  and  Lands,  and  Lordihips  were 
alTaulted  by  the  contrary  Opinion  ;  and  therefore  they  thought  it  necelTary  to  fup- 
prefi  the  Promoters  of  it.  And  fo  putting  Epifcopacy,  Liturgy,  Ceremonies,  and 
all  into  the  Subfcriptions  which  they  impofed  on  all  that  would  be  Minilters  or 
Schoolmafters,  they  kept  and  caft  out  very  many  worthy  Men  :  For  fome  that 
were  for  Liturgy  and  Ceremonies,  were  not  for  Diocefans,  but  for  Parifh  Difci- 
pline ;  and  fome  that  were  for  Bifnops  were  not  for  the  Ceremonies  >  and  fome 
that  were  for  the  reft  yet  fcrupled  fome  one,  and  he  that  could  not  Subfcribe  to  all, 
was  forbidden  to  preach  the  Gofpel:  whereas  in  the  mean  time  many  Bilhops 
preached  very  feldom,  and  abundance  of  Places  had  ignorant  Readers  that  could 
not  preach,  and  filly  Preachers,  whofe  Performances  were  (6  mean,  that  they  had 
tatter  kept  to  the  Reading  of  the  Homilies;  and  many  of  thefe  were  of  Scandalous 
Lives. 

Hereupon  the  Difciplinarians  cried  out  of  the  ignorant  fcandalous  Minifters ; 
and  almoft  all  the  fcandalous  Miniflers  (and  all  that  ftudied  Preferment)  cried  out  of 
the  Nonconformiff  s :  The  name  Puritan  was  put  upon  them,  and  by  that  they  were 
commonly  known  :  when  they  had  been  called  by  that  name  awhile,  the  vicious 
Multitude  of  the  Ungodly  called  all  Puritans  that  were  ftricl:  and  ferious  in  a  Ho- 
ly Life,  were  they  ever  ib  conformable  !  So  that  the  fame  name  in  a  Bilhops  mouth 
lignified  a  Nonconforming  and  in  an  ignorant  Drunkards  or  Swearers  mouth,  a 
godly  obedient  Chriftian.  But  the  People  being  the  greater  number,  became  a- 
mong  themfelves  the  Mafters  of  the  Senfe.  And  in  Spalatenfiss  time,  when  he 
wasdtfcrvingC*/w'»(/»»,  he  devifed  the  name  of  Doftrinal  Puritans,  which  com- 
prehended all  that  were  againft  Arminianifm.  Now  the  ignorant  Rabble  heaiing 
that  the  Bilhops  were  againft  the  Puritans,  ( not  having  wit  enough  co  knoviv 
whom  they  meant)  weje  emboldened  the  more,  againft  all  thofe  whom  they  cal- 
led 


P  a  r  t  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  3  3 

led  Puritans  themfelves,  and  their  Rage  againft  the  Godly  was  increafed:  and  they 
cried  up  theBifliops,  partly  becaufe  they  were  againft  the  Puritans,  and  partly  be- 
caufe they  were  earneft  for  that  way  of  Worfhip  which  they  found  molt  confident 
with  their  Ignorance,  Carelefnefs,  and  Sins.  And  thus  the  Intereft  of  the  Dioce 
fans  and  of  the  Prophane  and  Ignorant  fort  of  People  were  unhappily  twifted  to- 
gether in  England. 

And  then  on  the  other  fide,  as  all  the  Nonconform ifts  were  againft  the  Prelatesj 
fo  other  of  the  moft  ferious  godly  People  were  alienated  from  them  on  all  thefe 
foreiaid  conjund:  Accounts. 

1.  Becaufe  they  were  derided  and  abufed  by  the  Name  of  Puritans. 

2.  Becaufe  the  Malignant  Sort  were  permitted  to  make  Religious  Perfbns  their 
common  Scorn. 

3.  Becaufe  they  (aw  fo  many  inefficient  and  vicious  Men  among  the  Confor- 
mable Clergy. 

4.  Becaufe  they  had  a  high  efteem  of  the  Parts  and  Piety  of  moft  of  the  Non- 
conformable  Minifters. 

5.  Becaufe  they  grieved  to  fee  fo  many  Excellent  Men  filenced  ,  while  lb  many 
Thoufand  were  perilhing  in  Ignorance  and  Sin. 

6.  Becaufe  though  they  took  the  Liturgy  to  be  lawful,  yet  a  more  orderly  feri- 
ous Scriptural  way  of  Worfhip  was  much  more  pleafing  to  them. 

7.  Becaule  Farting  and  Praying,  and  other  Exercifes,  which  they  found  much 
benefit  by,  were  fo  ftriclly  lookt  after,  that  the  High  Commiflion  and  the  Bifhops 
Courts  did  make  it  much  more  perillous,  than  common  Swearing  and  Drunken- 
nefs  proved  to  the  Ungodly. 

8.  Becaufe  the  Book  that  was  publifhed  for  Recreations  on  the  Lord's  Day  made 
them  think  that  the  Bifhops  concurred  with  the  Prophane. 

9.  Becaufe  Afternoon  Sermons  and  Ledures,  though  by  Conformable  Men,  be- 
gan to  be  put  down  in  divers  Counties. 

10.  Becaufe  fo  great  a  number  of  Conformable  Minifters  were  fulpended  or  pu- 
nifhed  for  not  reading  the  Book  of  Sports  on  Sundays ,  or  about  Altars,  or  fuch 
like  :  and  ib  many  Thoufand  Families,  and  many  worthy  Minifters ,  driven  out 
of  the  Land. 

11.  Becaufe  when  they  faw  Bowing  towards  Altars,  and  the  other  Innovations 
added,  they  feared  worfe,  and  knew  not  where  they  would  end. 

12.  And  laftly,  Becaufe  they  faw  that  the  Bifhops  proceeded  Co  far  as  to  [wear 
Men  to  their  whole  Government  by  the  Et  aetera  Oath,  and  that  they  approved  of 
Ship-money,  and  other  fuch  incroachments  on  their  Civil  Interefts. 

All  thefe  upon  my  own  knowledge  were  the  true  Caufes  why  fo  great  a  number 
of  thole  Perions  who  were  counted  moft  Religious,  fell  in  with  the  Parliament  in 
England;  inibmuch  that  the  generality  of  the  ftri&er  diligent  fort  of  Preachers 
joyned  with  them,  though  not  in  medling  with  Arms,  yet  in  Judgment,  and  in 
flying  to  their  Garrifbns;  and  almoft  all  thofe  afterwards  called  Presbyterians,  were 
before  Conformifts :  Very  few  of  all  that  Learned  and  Pious  Synod  at  Weftrninfler 
were  Nonconforming  before,  and  yet  were  for  the  Parliament,  fuppofing  that  the 
Intereft  of  Religion  lay  on  that  fide. 

Yet  did  they  ftill  keep  up  an  honourable  efteem  of  all  that  they  thought  Religious 
on  the  other  fide;  fuch  as  Bifhop  Davenant, Bifhop  Hall, Bifhop  Morton,  Archbifhop 
l/jfJ;er,&c.But  as  to  the  generality ,they  went  fo  unanimoufly  the  other  way,thatupon 
my  knowledge  many  that  were  not  wife  enough  to  underftand  the  Truth  about 
the  Caufeof  the  King  and  Parliament,  did  yet  run  into  the  Parliaments  Armies,or 
take  their  part  (  as  Sheep  go  together  for  Company  )  moved  by  this  Argument , 
[Sure  God  will  not  fufter  almoft  all  his  moft  Religious  Servants  to  err  in  fo  great 
a  matter.]  And  [If  all  thefe  fhould  perifh  what  will  become  of  Religion.]  But 
thefe  were  inefficient  Grounds  to  go  upon.  And  abundance  of  the  ignorant  fort 
of  the  Country,  who  were  Civil,  did  flock  in  to  the  Parliament,  and  filled  up  their 
Armies  afterward,  meerly  becaufe  they  heard  Men  [wear  for  the  Common  Prayer 
and  Bifhops  ,and  heard  others  fray  that  were  againft  them  ;  and  becaule  they  heard 
the  King's  Soldiers  with  horrid  Oaths  abufe  the  name  of  God,  and  faw  them  live 
in  Debauchery,  and  the  Parliaments  Soldiers  flock  to  Sermons,  and  talking  of  Re- 
ligion, and  praying  and  finging  Pialms  together  on  their  Guards.  And  all  the  fir 
ber  Men  that  I  was  acquainted  with,  who  were  againft  the  Parliament,  were  wonc 
to  fay,  [The  King  hath  the  better  Cauie,  but  the  Parliament  hath  the  better 
Men]. 

F  And 


■■     t       '     '       ■■ 


34- 


The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I. 


Aud  indeed,  this  unhappy  Complication  of  the  Intereft  of  Prelacie,  and  Pro- 
phanenefs,  and  Oppofition  of  the  Intereft  of  Prelacie  to  the  Temper  of  the  gene- 
rality of  the  Religious  Party,  was  the  vifible  Caufe  of  the  overthrow  of  the  King 
in  the  Eye  of  all  the  undemanding  World,  that  ever  was  capable  of  obfer- 

ving  it. 

§  co.  And  whereas  the  Kings  Party  ufually  fay,  that  it  was  the  feditious  Preach- 
ers that  ftirred  up  the  People,  and  were  the  Caufe  of  all  this,  I  anfwer, 

i.  It  is  partly  true,  and  partly  not  :  It  is  not  true  that  they  ftirred  them  up  to 
War  (except  an  inconfiderable  Number  of  them,  one  perhaps  in  a  County,  if  fo 
much.)  But  it  is  true  that  they  difcovered  their  diflike  of  the  Book  of  Sports,  and 
bowing  to  Altars,  and  diminiming  Preaching,  and  filencing  Minifters,  and  fuch 
like  ;    and  were  glad  that  the  Parliament  attempted  a  Reformation  of  them. 

2.  But  then  it  is  as  true,  that  almoft  all  thefe  were  conformable  Minifters,  the 
Laws  and  Bilhops  having  caft  out  the  Nonconformifts  long  enough  before  ;  inib- 
much,  that  I  know  not  of  two  Nonconformifts  in  a  County.  But  thofe  that  made 
up  the  Affembly  at  Wcftminfter,  and  that  through  the  Land,  were  the  Honour  of 
the  Parliaments  Party,  were  almoft  all  fuch  as  had  till  then  conformed,  and  took 
thofe  things  to  be  lawful  in  cafe  of  neceffity,  but  longed  to  have  that  neceffity  re- 
moved. 

§  cr.  When  the  War  was  beginning,  the  Parties  fet  Names  of  Contempt  upon 
each  other,  and  alfo  took  fuch  Titles  to  themfelves  and  their  own  Caufe,  as  might 
be  the  fitted  means  for  that  which  they  defigned  :  The  old  Names  of  Puritans  and 
Formalijh  were  not  now  broad  enough,  por  of  fufhcient  force.  The  King's  Party, 
as  their  ferious  Word,  called  the  Parliaments  Party  Rebels,  and  as  their  common  lu- 
dicrous Name,  'The  Round- beads  (the  original  of  which  is  not  certainly  known  : 
Some  fay,  it  was  becauie  the  Puritans  then  commonly  wore  fhort  Hair,  and  the 
King's  Party  long  Hair  :  Some  fiy,  it  wasbecaufe  the  Queen,  at  Strafford'sTryiA, 
a^ked  who  that  Round  headed  Man  was,  meaning  Mr.  Pym,  becauie  he  (pake  fo 
f  rrongly. ) 

The  Parliaments  Party  called  die  other  fide  commonly  by  the  Name  of  Malig- 
nant s,  as  fLppofing  that  the  generality  of  the  Enemies  of  lerious  Godlinefs  went 
that  way,  in  a  cleiire  to  deftroy  the  Religious  out  of  the  Land.  (And  the  Parlia- 
ment put  that  Name  into  their  Mouths)  and  the  Souldiers  they  called  Cavaliers,  be- 
cauie they  took  that  Name  to  themfelves ;  and  afterwards  they  called  them  Dam- 
mes  bet  ufe  God  Damn  me]  was  become  a  common  Curfe,  and  as  a  By-word 
among  them. 

The  King  profeflfed  to  fight  for  the  Subjects  Liberties,  the  Laws  of  theLand, 
and  the  Proteftant  Religion.  The  Parliament  profeft  the  fame,  and  all  their  Com- 
miflions  were  granted  as  [for  KtngznA  Parliament']  for  the  Parliament  profefTed, 
that  the  Separation  of  the  King  from  the  Parliament,  could  not  be  without  a  De- 
fh  uct.ion  of  the  Government,  and  that  the  Dividers  were  the  Deftroyers  and  Ene- 
mies to  the  State,  and  if  the  Soldiers  askt  each  other  at  any  Surprize  or  Meeting 
T  who  are  you  for  ?  ]  thole  on  the  King's  fide  faid,  [for  the  King]  and  the  others  faid, 
[for  King  and  Parliament  ~\  the  King  difowned  their  Service,  as  a  Scorn,  that  they 
mould  fay  they  fought  for  King  and  Parliament,-  when  their  Armies  were  ready  t% 
charge  him  in  the  Field.    They  faid  to  this, 

i.  That  they  fought  to  redeem  him  from  them  that  took  him  a  voluntary  Cap- 
tive, and  would  feparate  him  from  his  Parliament. 

2.  That  they  fought  againft  his  Will  only,  buc  not  againft  his  Perfon,  which  they 
tie  fired  to  refcue  aud  preferve,  nor  againft  his  Authority  which  was  for  them. 

;.  That  as  all  the  Courts  of  Juftice  do  execute  their  Sentences  in  the  King's  Name, 
and  this  by  his  own  Law,  and  therefore  by  his  Authority,  fo  much  more  might  his 
Parliament  do. 

$  fli  But  now  we  come  to  the  main  matter;  What  iatisfied  fo  many  of  the  in- 
nt   part  of  the  Countrey  to  fide  with  the  Parliament  when  the  War  be- 
gan ? 

What  inclined  their  Affections  I  have  before  (hewed  ;  and  it  is  not  to  be  doubted 

heir  Approbation  of  the  Parliament  in  the  caufe  of  Reformation  made  them 

I  ilieve  the  lawfalnefs  of  their  War :  But  yet  there  were  fome  Diflen- 

::  put  the  matter  to  debates  among  themfelves.     In  Warwtckfhire,  Sir  Fran* 

roIe,  a  religious  Knight,  was  againft  the  Parliaments  War  and  Covenant, 

lot  for  the  Juflnei;  of  the  War  againft  them.)     In  Glocefierjhire,  Mr.  Geree, 

d  eminent  Nonconformity  and   Mr.  CapeS,  a  learned  Minifter  (who  put  out 

II  to  prevent  being  put  out  for  the  Book  of  Recreations)  and  fome  others  with 

them 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  35 


them  were  againft  the  lawfulnefs  of  the  War  ;  (b  was  Mr.  Lyford  of  Sherbom  in 
Dorcetjlnre,  and  Mr.  Francis  Bampfield,  his  Succeffor,  and  fome  other  Godly  Mini- 
iters  in  other  Countries :  And  many  refblved  to  meddle  on  no  fide. 

Thofe  that  were  againft  the  Parliaments  War  were  of  three  Minds  or  Parties  . 
One  Part  thought  that  no  King  might  be  refilled  (but  thefe  I  fhall  not  rake  any 
more  notice  of.)  The  other  thought  that  our  King  might  not  be  at  all  refifted  ; 
becaufe  he  is  our  Sovereign,  and  we  have  fworn  to  his  Supremacy  ;  and  if  he  be 
Supreme,  he  hath  neither  Superior,  nor  Equal:  And  Oaths  are  to  be  interpreted 
in  the  ftricteft  Senfe.  The  third  iort  granted  that  in  fbme  Cafes  the  King  might 
be  refifted,  as  Btlfon,  and  other  Bifhops  hold,  but  not  in  this  Cafe. 

j.  Becaufe  the  Law  giveth  him  the  Militia,  which  was  contended  for;  and  the 
Law  is  the  meafure  of  Power. 

2.  Becaule,  lay  they,  the  Parliament  began  the  War,  by  permitting  Tumults  to 
deprive  the  Members  of  their  Liberty,   and  affront  and  dilhonour  the  King. 

5.  Becaufe  the  Members  themfelves  are  Subjects,  and  took  the  Oath  of  Alle- 
giance and  Supremacy,  and  therefore  have  no  Authority  to  refift. 

4.  It  is  not  lawful  for  Subjects  to  defend  Reformation  or  Religion  by  Force, 
againft  their  Soveraigns ;  no  fuch  good  Ends  will  warrant  evil  Means. 

5".  It  is  contrary  to  the  DocVine  of  Proteftants,  and  the  ancient  Chriftians,  and 
Scripture  it  felf,  which  condemneth  all  that  refill  the  higher  Powers ;  and  as  for 
the  Primitive  Chriftians,  it  is  well  known  they  were  acquainted  with  no  other 
lawful  Weapons  againft  them  but  Prayers  and  Tears. 

6.  It  importeth  a  falfe  Peculation  of  the  King,  as  if  he  were  about  todeftrov 
Religion,  Liberties,  or  Parliaments,  all  which  he  is  refolved  to  defend,  as  in  all 
his  Declarations  d  »th  appear. 

7.  It  juftifieth  the  Papifts  Doctrine  and  Practices  of  Rebellion,  and  taketh  the 
Odium  from  them  unto  our  felves,  and  layeth  a  Reproach  upon  the  Proteftanc 
Caule. 

8.  It  proceedeth  from  Impatience  and  Diftruft  of  God,  which  caufeth  Men  to 
fly  to  unlawful  means.     Religion  may  bepreferved  better  by  patient  Sufferings. 

Thefe  were  their  Reafons  who  were  againft  the  Parliaments  War,  which  may  be 
leen  more  at  large  in  Mr.  Dudly  Digs  his  Book,  and  Mr.  fVelderis,  and  Mr.  Michael 
Hftdforis,  and  Sir  France  Netherjoles. 

§  5-;.  As  for  thole  on  the  Parliaments  fide,  I  will  firft  tell  you  what  they  faid  to 
thefe  Eight  Reafons ;  and  next,  whac  Reafons  moved  them  to  take  the  other 
fide. 

i.  To  the  Firft  Realbn,  they  laid  (as  before)  that  for  the  Law  to  give  the  King 
the  Militia,  fignifieth  no  more  but  that  the  People  in  Parliament  contented  to  obey 
him  in  fatter  of  Wars,  and  to  fight  for  him,  and  under  his  Conduct :  For  the 
Law  is  nothing  but  the  Content  of  King  and  Parliament ;  and  the  Militia  is  no- 
thing but  the  Peoples  own  Swords  and  Strength  :  And  that  this  Confent  of  theirs 
fliould  be  fuppofed  to  be  meant  againft  themfelves,  as  if  they  confented  to  deftroy 
themfelves  whenever  he  commanded  it,  is  an  Expofition  againft  Nature,  Senfe, 
and  Realbn,  and  the  common  Sentiments  of  Mankind.  And  they  faid  that  the 
fame  Law  required  Sheriffs  to  exercife  the  Militia  in  Obedience  to  the  Decrees  of 
his  Courts  of  Juftice,  and  this  againft  the  King's  Perfonal  Commands,  and  in  the 
King's  Name.  Becaufe  King  and  Parliament  have  by  Law  fetled  thofe  Courts  and 
Methods  of  Execution,  a  Command  of  the  King  alone  can  no  more  prevail  againft 
them,  than  it  can  abrogate  a  Law.  And  the  Law,  faid  they,  is  above  the  King, 
becaule  King  and  Parliament  are  more  than  the  King  alone.  And  they  pretend 
alfo  Prefidents  for  their  Refiftance. 

2.  To  the  Second,  they  faid,  that  when  200000  Proteftants  were  murdered  in 
Ireland,  and  their  Friends  fo  bold  in  England,  and  the  Parliaments  Deftruction  fo 
induftruoufly  endeavoured,  it  was  no  time  for  them  to  rebuke  their  Friends  upon 
terms  of  Civility  and  good  Manners,  though  their  Zeal  was  mixt  with  Indiicreti- 
on  ;  and  that  if  the  Londoners  had  not  fhewed  that  Zeal  for  them,  it  might  have 
emboldned  their  Enemies  againft  them  ;  and  that  if  the  permitting  of  Petitioners 
to  crowd  to  them  too  boldly,  and  fpeak  too  unmannerly  can  be  called,  the  raifing 
of  a  War  (when  they  fought  with  none,  but  were  aflaulted  themfelves)  then  the 
calling  up  of  the  Army  from  the  North,  was  much  more  fo,  and  (b  they  were  not 
the  Beginners.  Or  had  they  been  the  Beginners,  it  had  been  lawful,  being  but  to 
bring  Delinquents  to  Juftice,  as  the  Sheriff  himfelf  may  in  Obedience  to  a  Court 
of  Juftice.  But  the  Irijh  Flames  which  threatned  them  were  kindled  befor?  all 
thefe 

F  2  3  To 


36 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  B.  J. 


a  To  the  third  they  faid,  that  the  Parliament  are  Subjeds  hmttedly  and  not 
fJvh  as  the  King  is  not  an  abfolute,  but  a  limited  King,  w*.  limited  by  the  Laws 
ind  Conftitutions  of  the  Government ;  they  are  Subjeds  to  him  according  to  Law, 
bat  not  fubjed  to  Arbitrary  Government  againft  Law :  Their  Propnety  is  exap- 
ted  in  their  Subjedion,  and  they  have  certain  Liberties  which  are  not  fubjed  to 
the  Will  of  the  King.  And  alfo,  they  faid,  That  as  the  Sheriff  is  a  Subject,  and 
a  Court  of  Juftice;  Subjefa,  and  yet  may  refill  the  Kings  Letters  even  under  the 
Broad-Seal,  and  his  Melfengers  or  armed  Men  that  ad  illegally  (becauie  the 
Law  which  hath  his  Authority  and  the  Parliament's,  enable  them  io  to  do)  io 
alfo  may  the  Parliament,  which  is  his  higheft  Court  ot  Juftice,  And  they  faid, 
that  as  they  have  a  part  in  the  Legiflative  Power,  they  have  part  in  the  Summa  Po- 
tefias  and  fo  far  are  not  Subjeds.  And  they  faid,  that  the  bare  Title  ot  Suprene 
is  no  Argument  againft  the  Conftitution  of  a  Kingdom,  though  it  be  exprelled  in 
an  Oath.  For  the  King  is  ftiled,  the  Supreme  Governor  ot  France,  and  yet  the 
Oath  of  Supremacy  doth  not  bind  us  to  believe,  that  no  French  Man  may  law- 
fully bear  Arms  againft  him.  _     ,  . 

4.  They  fay  to  the  fourth/That  they  wholly  grant  it ;  that  though  Religion  may 
be  the  end  of  a  lawful  War,  yet  not  of  a  Rebellion  :  nor  may  any  Reformations 
be  performed  by  any  Adions  which  belong  not  to  the  Places  and  Callings  of  the 
Performers.  But  where  the  means  are  Lawful,  Religion  and  Reformation  are  law- 
ful Ends. 

j.  To  the  fifth  they  faid,  That  they  agree  with  all  good  Chriftians  and  Prote- 
ctants, that  true  Authority  may  not  be  refitted  by  any  Subjed :  But  all  Proteitants, 
or  moft,  agree  with  them,  that  a  limited  Governor,  which  hath  not  Authority  to 
do  what  he  lifts,  may  perform  an  Ad  of  Will,  which  is  no  Ad  of  Authority  ;  and 
they  maintained,  that  the  higheft  Power  was  in  the  Law-givers  and  Laws,  and 
that  the  Parliament  was  the  higheft  Judicature,  and  that  it  was  Rebellion  in  them 
that  refitted  the  Parliament  in  their  legal  profecution  of  Delinquents,  and  Defence 
of  the  Land  and  themfelves :  and  that  Paul,  Rom.  13.  determineth  not  at  all,  whe- 
ther the  Emperors  or  the  Senate  was  the  higher  Power ;  and  that  the  Refifters  of 
the  Parliament  are  the  condemned  Breakers  of  that  Order  and  Command. 

6.  To  the  fixth  they  faid,  that  they  Charge  nothing  on  the  King,  but  what 
their  Eyes  behold,  viz,.  That  he  hath  forfaken  his  Parliament,  and  raiieth  Arms 
againft  them,  and  protedeth  Delinquents :  And  this  they  mention  but  as  Matter 
of  Facl ;  for  the  culpability  they  charge  upon  his  evil  Councilors,  and  Inftru- 
ments :  For  the  King  being  no  Subjed,  is  liable  to  no  Accufations  in  any  of  his 
Courts  :  But  it  is  the  Irtjb,  the  Papift,  and  thofe  guilty  Perfbns  who  would  mine  all, 
to  fave  themfelves  from  Juftice,  whom  they  accute,  and  not  the  King.  And  what- 
ever the  King's  Declarations  fay.  Ship-money  hath  been  impofed,  the  Judges  have 
been  corrrptedjthe  German  Horie  were  to  have  been  brought  in  j  the  Northern  Ar- 
my was  to  have  been  brought  up  againft  the  Parliament ;  the  Houfe  was  invaded 
and  their  Members  demanded,  a  Guard  was  fet  upon  them,  and  their  Deftrudion 
(by  their  Enemies,)  was  powerfully  endeavoured. 

7.  To  the  feventh  they  faid,  That  for  the  fupreme  legiflative  Authority  to  de- 
fend it  felf  and  the  Land,  and  for  the  King's  Courts  of  Juftice  to  profecute  De- 
linquents (though  againft  the  King's  Will  J  is  no  dilhonourto  the  Proceftant  Religi- 
on, nor  any  thing  like  the  Papilts  Dodrine  and  Pradices  of  Rebellion  ;  nor  any 
Justification  of  them.  If  it  were,  then  the  very  Conftitution  of  our  ancient  Go- 
vernment or  Kingdom,  would  it  felf  be  a  difhonour  to  our  Religion. 

8.  To  the  laft  they  lay,  That  Patience  is  our  Duty  Co  far  as  we  are  called  to 
Sufferings,  and  God  is  to  be  trufied  in  the  way  which  he  hath  appointed  us  :  But 
if  the  InJIi  Rebels  had  foretold  the  Parliament  and  Juftices  of  their  Infurredion, 
and  then  exhorted  them  to  Patience  and  Non-refiftance  and  truftingGod,  or  if  a 
Thief  that  would  rob  us  to  exhort  us  to  be  patient  and  not  refift,  he  doth  but  exhort 
us  to  be  guilty  of  his  Sin.  The  Proteftants  Patience  was  that  which  pleafed  the 
Irija ;  or  (if  a  King  muft  be  brought  in  as  a  Party)  the  French  Mens  Patience  in 
the  Panfian  Maflacre  pleafed  Charles  IX.  and  the  Executioners :  And  if  in  all  Coun- 
tries the  Proteitants  would  let  the  Papiits  cut  their  Throats,  and  die  in  the  Ho- 
nour of  Patience,  it  would  fatisfie  thole  bloody  Adverfaries,  who  had  rather  we  di- 
ed infuch  Honour,  than  lived  without  it:  But  if  fuch  Patience  would  be  a  poor 
Excufc  lor  a  Father  that  fought  not  to  preierve  his  Children,  much  lefs  for  the 
I  aliamcnt  that  ftand  (till  while  Papiftsand  Delinquents  fubvert  both  Church  and 
State. 

Thefs 


-  -^ II 

PartI.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  37 


Thele  were  their  Anfwers  to  their  Accufers  in  thole  Points. 
§  5-4.  The  Sum  of  thole  Reaibns  which  fatisfied  many  that  adhered  to  the    Par- 
liament, were  thele,  which  I  will  but  briefly  name. 

1.  As  to  the  Danger  of  the  State,  the  Matters  of  Fatt  did  make  it  feem  undeniable 
to  them  :  Ship-money  they  judged  not  of  according  to  the  Sum  ;  but  they  thought 
Propriety  was  thereby  deftroyed,  and  Parliaments  caft  afide  and  made  unneceifa- 
ry  :  And  they  faw  that  this  Parliament  was  called  upon  the  Scots,  and  then  called 
Discontented  Lords  importunity,  after  many  Parliaments  had  been  ditfblved  in  dif- 
pleafure,  and  after  they  had  been  long  forborn  :  And  the  calling  up  of  the  Nor- 
thern Army,  and  the  demanding  of  the  Members,  made  Multitudes  think  that 
the  mine  of  the  Parliament  was  the  great  Defign  ;  and  their  ungrateful  beginning 
and  proceedings  made  this  leem  credible,  fo  that  I  met  with  few  of  that  fort  that 
doubted  of  it.  But  above  all,  the  Two  hundred  thoufmd  kill'd  in  Ireland,  affright- 
ed the  Parliament  and  all  the  JLand.  And  whereas  it  is  laid,  that  the  King  hated 
that,  as  well  as  they  :  They  anfwered,  that  though  he  did  ,  his  hating  it  would 
neither  make  all  thole  alive  again,  nor  prelerve  England  from  their  threatned  Af- 
iault,  as  long  as  Men  of  the  like  malignity  were  protected,  and  could  not  be  kept 
out  of  Arms,  nor  brought  to  Juftice. 

2.  The  Endoi  the  War  did  much  prevail  with  them  :  For  they  thought  that  tc 
mafter  and  deftroy  the  Parliament,  was  to  leave  the  People  hopelefs,  as  to  any 
Security  of  their  Propriety  or  Liberties,  or  any  Remedy  again!!  meer  Will  l  For 
there  is  no  other  Power  that  may  relieve  them  :  And  if  Parliaments  were  ib  uled 
before,  what  would  they  be,  (  laid  they  )  if  by  fuch  a  War  they  iliould  be  con- 
quered. And  they  thought  that  the  ruine  of  the  State  and  of  Men's  Propriety, 
was  fuch  an  End  as  no  means  could  be  lawfully  uled  for;  and  that  the  Prefervation  of 
the  Kingdom  was  fuch  an  End  as  would  make  lawful  any  neceflary  means,  which 
God  himfelf  had  not  forbidden. 

3.  And  then  as  to  Authority,  they  thought  that  the  Legiflative  Power  is  the 
chiefeft  part  of  Soveraignty  ;  and  that  the  Parliament  having  a  part  in  the  Le- 
giflative Power,  had  Co  far  inherently  a  Power  to  defend  it,  which  no  Law  can 
luppoie  them  to  give  away  :  And  as  the  Peoples  Repre/entati'ves,  they  fiippoled  them- 
felves  much  Intruded  to  fecure  their  referved  Liberties,  which  the  Law  giveth  not 
the  King  any  Authority  to  take  away. 

4.  And  they  fuppoled  that  Government  being  that  Publick  Work  which  up- 
holdeth  the  Common  Peace,  it  is  to  be  done  by  Publick  Inftruments  and  Means ; 
and  that  the  Kings  Laws  are  his  Inftruments  of  Government,  and  alio  his  Publick 
Courts  and  Officers :  And  that  the  Subjects  cannot  know  lb  well,  whether  pri- 
vate Commands  or  Commifltons  be  real  or  counterfeit,  nor  are  ib  much  bound  to 
take  notice  of  them.  And  that  the  Judgments  and  Executions  of  the  Courts  of 
Juftice,  being  the  ErTeft  of  Laws  v/hich  King  and  Parliament  have  made,  are  of 
greater  Authority  than  contrary  Commiflions  or  Commands  from  the  King 
alone. 

y.  It  much  confirmed  them  becaufe  all  confefled,  That  the  Sheriffs  of  Counties 
muft  raile  the  poffe  Comitatus  for  the  Execution  of  lome  Decrees  of  Courts  of  Ju- 
ftice,  though  the  King  forbid  it,  or  grant  a  Commiflion  to  any  to  hinder  it  :  And 
that  the  forefaid  Statute  cfcEd-w.  ;.  maketh  even  the  King's  Letters  under  the  Broad 
Seal  to  be  void  when  they  would  hinder  Juftice. 

6.  And  they  pleaded  the  Law  of  Nature,  which  is  greater  than  Politive  Laws^ 
That  no  Nation  is  bound  to  deftroy  it  felf.  The  Militia  being  nothing  but  the 
Peoples  own  Sword,  they  fay  they  are  not  bound  to  deftroy  themfelves  with  it; 
nor  can  any  Law  be  fo  interpreted.  And  whereas  it  was  laid,  That  the  King 
fought  not  to  deftroy  the  Parliament,  but  to  bring  fome  among  them  to  punifh- 
ment  ;  they  faid,  that  it  belongeth  to  the  Parliament  to  judge  its  Members  ;  and 
that  if  on  pretence  of  puniihing  offending  Members,  the  King  may  come  and 
fetch  away,  or  demand  thofe  that  difpleafe  him,  Parliaments  and  Liberties  and  all 
Security  of  them  is  gone. 

7.  The  King's  Anfwer  to  the  Nineteen  Propofitions,  greatly  confirmed  many, 
when  they  law  the  King  himfelf  declaring  to  them,  That  the  Legiflative  Power 
was  in  Kings,  Lords,  and  Commons,  and  that  the  Government  was  mixt,  and 
was  not  Arbitrary;  which  thev  thought  it  muft  needs  be,  if  his  Com  millions  were 
of  greater  power  than  his  Laws  and  Courts,  and  if  no  refiftance  might  be  made 
againft  any  that  executed  an  illegal  Commiffion, 

%.  It 


38  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  J. 

8.  It  moft  prevailed  with  many,  that  the  Parliament  profeffed  not  to  fight  a- 
gainft  either  the  Perfon  or  Authority  of  the  King,  though  againft  his  mil;  but  that 
their  War  was  only  againft  Subjecls.  They  laid  that  fome  Subjects  were  Delin- 
quents that  fled  from  Juftice,  againft  whom  they  might  raife  Arms  oflfcnfiveiy  ; 
and  other  Subje&s  took  Arms  againft  the  Parliament  ;  and  againft  thefe  they  made 
a  Defenfive  War  :  But  all  of  them  were  Subjecls,  and  not  Kings :  And  the  King's 
^///orCommimonis  not  enough  to  fave  all  Subje&s  from  punifhment,  when  his 
Law  is  againft  it ;  nor  to  authorize  them  to  deftroy  the  Parliament  and  their  Coun- 
try. 

9.  They  were  much  emboldened  becaufe  this  Parliament  was  continued  by  Law 
till  it  fhould  diffolve  it  felf.  And  therefore  fome  faid,  the  King's  Prefence  is  vir- 
tually with  them,  he  being  a  part  of  the  Parliament  :  and  others  faid,that  no  War 
could  be  lawful  which  was  for  their  diftblution  or  ruine,  or  to  deprive  them  of 
their  Liberty  ;  and  that  the  defence  of  them  was  lawful,  whom  the  Law  conti- 
nued. 

10.  They  alledged  King  James,  who,  they  faid,  of  any  Man  did  moft  endeavour 
to  advance  his  Prerogative,and  yet  in  his  printed  Treatife  for  Monarchy  confeifeth, 
That  a  King  cannot  lawfully  make  a  War  againft  the  Body  of  his  Kingdom,  but 
only  againft  an  offending  Faction.  Therefore,  fay  they,  not  againft  the  Repre- 
fentative  Body,  till  it  be  proved  that  by  perfidioufnefs  they  have  forfeited  the  Vir- 
tue and  Honour  of  their  Reprefentation. 

n.  They  alledged  Barclay,  Grotius,  and  other  Defenders  of  Monarchy,  efpecial- 
ly  thar  paftage  of  Grotius  de  Jure  Belli,  where  he  faith,  That  if  federal  Perfons  have 
a  fart  m  the  Summa  Poteftas  (of  which  he  maketh  Legiflation  a  chief  Ad),  easb 
fart  hath  naturally  the  power  of  defending  its  own  Interefi  in  the  Soveraignty  againft  the 
other  fart  if  they  invade  it.  And  addeth  over  boldly,  That  if  in  fitch  a  War  they  con- 
quer, the  conquered  farty  lofeth  to  them  his  fiare  :  And  faith,  That  this  is  fo  true  that  it 
holdetb,  though  the  Law  exfrefly  fay  ,  that  one  of  the  Parties  Jhall  have  the  power  of  the 
Militia,  it  being  to  be  under  food  that  he  jhall  have  it  againft  Forreign  Enemies  and  Delin- 
quents, and  not  agatnfi  the  other  part. 

12.  It  much  confirmed  them  to  find  the  moft  Learned  Epifcopal  Divines  fpeak 
fo  high  for  the  Legiflative  Power  of  Parliaments  (as  Tho.  Hooker  doth  EcclefPol.ltb.i. 
for  the  Eighth  Book,  which  faith  more  than  the  Parliament  ever  faid,  was  not 
then  publifhed).  And  for  refiftance  in  feveral  Cafes,  as  Bifhop  Bilfon  doth,  even 
in  that  Treatife  wherein  hefb  ftrongly  defendeth  Obedience,  and  which  he  dedica- 
ted to  Queen  Elizabeth.  And  to  find  how  far  they  defend  the  French,  Dutch,  and 
German  Proteftants  Wars. 

1 3.  They  faid  that  the  Carnal  refpecT:  of  Men  for  peribnal  Interefts,  hath  made 
all  the  ftream  of  moft  Mens  Words  and  Writings  go  on  the  Prince's  fide  j  but 
Tyanny  is  a  Mif  chief  as  well  as  Difobedience,  and  that  which  all  Ages,  and  moft 
Nations  have  grievoufly  fmarted  by  :  and  they  that  befriend  it,  are  guilty  of  the 
Sin,  and  of  the  Ruines  which  itprocureth  :  It  keepeth  out  Chriftianity  from  five 
parts  of  the  World :  It  corrupteth  it  and  keepeth  out  the  Proteftant  Truth  in  moft 
of  the  fixth  part:  The  Eaftern  and  the  Weftern  Churches  fiiffer  under  it,  to  the 
perdition  of  millions  of  Souls.  If  Bodily  Sufferings  were  all,  the  matter  were  no- 
thing ;  but  it  is  Mens  Souls,  and  the  Intereft  of  the  Gofpel,  which  is  the  Sacri- 
fice to  their  Wills. 

14.  Laftly,  This  greatly  confirmed  many,  that  the  Matter  being  a  Controverlle, 
whether  the  Difobedience  and  Refiftance  of  King  or  Parliament,  is  now  the  Re- 
bellion and  Sin,  the  fimple  People  are  not  wifer  than  the  States-men  that  differ  a- 
bout  it.  How  then  fhould  they  better  quiet  their  Judgments,  than  in  the  Judg- 
ment of  the  Parliament,  who  are  the  Trufteesof  the  People,  and  the  chief  Court 
and  Council  of  the  King,  and  have  lb  many  Lawyers  and  Wife  men  among  them, 
and  are  fo  greatly  intereffed  in  the  common  Good  themfelves  '<  If  it  were  hut  the 
Queftion,  Which  is  the  King's  Governing  Hill,  "which  the  People  mufi  obey  ?  And  a 
Soldier  faith,  It  is  my  Ccmmiffion,  and  the  High  Court  of  Parliament  faith,  It  is 
the  Lav/  declared  in  a  Court  of  Juftice,  a  Parliament  feemeth  to  be  the  propereft 
Judge  :  As  in  Controverfies  of  Phyfick,  who  is  to  be  believed  before  the  Colledge 
oi  Phyficians  ?  Or  in  Controverfies  of  Religion,  who  before  a  General  Council? 
If  the  Houfeof  York  and  Lancafter  fight  for  the  Crown,  and  both  Command  the 
Subjects  Arms,  the  poor  Peaiams  are  not  able  to  judge  of  their  Titles:  And  if  a 
Parliament  (hall  not  judge  for  them  who  (hall  ? 

Thefe  were  the  Reafons  which  caufed  Men  to  adhere  to  the  Parliament  in  this 
War. 

5  j.  For 


I        III  ,..-■,.  .  -  —  ...  M 

P  a  k  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  39 

§5-5-.  For  my  own  part  I  freely  confefs,  that  I  was  not  judicious  enough  in  Po- 
liticks and  Law  to  decide  this  Controverfie  which  fo  many  Lawyers  and  Wife  men 
differed  in.  And  I  freely  confefs,  that  being  aftonifhed  at  the  Injb  MafTacre,  and 
perfwaded  fully  both  of  the  Parliaments  good  endeavours  for  Reformation,  and  of 
their  real  danger,  my  Judgment  of  the  main  Caufe  much  fwayed  my  Judgment  in  (he 
Matter  of  the  Wars:  and  the  Arguments**  fine  ,  &  a  natur*t  &  neceffitate,  which 
common  Wits  are  capable  of  difcerning,  did  too  far  incline  my  Judgment  in  the 
Caufe  of  the  War,  before  I  wdl  underftood  the  Arguments fiom  our  particular 
Laws :  And  the  Confideration  of  the  Quality  of  the  Parties  that  fided  for  each 
Caufe,  in  the  Countries,  did  greatly  work  with  me,  and  more  than  it  fhould  have 
done  :  And  I  verily  thought,  that  if  that  which  a  Judge  in  Court  faith  fcntential- 
ly  is  Law,  muftgo  for  Law  to  the  Subject,  as  to  the  Decifion  of  that  Caufe,  though 
the  King  fend  his  Broad  Seal  againft  it,  then  that  which  the  Parliament  faith  u 
Law,  is  Law  to  the  Subjects  (about  the  Dangers  of  the  Common- wealth,)  what- 
ever it  be  in  it  felf,-  and  that  if  the  King's  Broad  Seal  cannot  prevail  againft  the 
judge,  much  leis  againft  their  Judgment. 

I  make  no  doubt  but  both  Parties  were  to  blame  (as  it  commonly  falleth  out  in 
moft  Wars  and  Contentions)  and  I  will  not  be  he  that  mall  Juftirie  either  of  them. 
I  doubt  not  but  the  Headinefs  and  Rafhnefs  of  the  younger  unexperienced  fo;t  of 
religious  People,  made  many  Parliament  Men  and  Minilters  overgo  themfelves, 
to  keep  pace  with  thofe  hot  Spurs ;  no  doubt  but  much  Indifcrerton  appeared, 
and  worfe  than  Indifcietion  in  the  tumultuous  Petitioners,  and  much  Sin  was  com- 
mitted in  the  diflionouring  of  the  King,  and  provocation  of  him,  and  in  the  un- 
civil Language  againft  the  Bifhops  and  Liturgie  of  the  Church  :  But  thele  things 
came  principally  from  the  .'Sectarian  feparating  Spirit,  which  blew  the  Coals 
among  foolifh  Apprentices :  And  as  the  Sectaries  increafed  fo  did  this  Infolence  in- 
creafe.  I  have  my  felf  been  in  London,  when  they  have  on  the  Lord's  Days  irood 
at  the  Church  Doors  while  the  Common  Prayer  was  reading,  faying,  We  mu ft  flay 
till  he  is  cut  of  hts  Pottage.  And  iuch  unchriftian  Scorns  and  Jeffs  did  pleafe  young 
inconfiderate  Wits,  that  knew  not  what  Spirit  they  were  of,  nor  whither  fuch 
unwarranrate  things  did  tend.  Learned  Mr.  John  Bali,  though  a  Nonconform  iff, 
difcerned  the  ftirrings  of  this  infolent  Sectarian  Spirit  betimes,  and  fell  a  writing 
againlt  it  j  even  then  when  fome  were  crying  out  of  Perfecution,  and  others  were 
tender  of  fuch  little  Differences:  One  or  two  in  the  Houle,  and  five  or  fix  Mini- 
fters  that  came  from  Holland,  and  a  few  that  were  fcattered  in  the  City,  which 
w£re  the  BrowntBs  Relicts,  did  drive  on  others  according  to  their  own  dividing 
Principles,  and  fowed  the  Seeds  which  afterward  fpread  over  all  the  Land  ;  though 
then  there  were  very  few  of  them  in  the  Countreys,  even  next  to  none.  As  Bifhop 
Hall  (peaks  againft  the  juftifyingof  the  Bifhops,  lb  do  I  againft  juftifying  the  Par- 
liament, Minifters,  or  City  :  I  believe  many  unjuftifiable  things  were  done  ;  but  I 
think  that  a  few  Men  among  them  all ,  were  the  Doers  or  Inftigaters  of 
it. 

But  I  then  thought  that  whofoever  was  faulty  ,  the  Peoples  Liberties  and  Safety 
could  not  be  forfeited :  And  1  thought  that  all  the  Subjects  were,  not  guilty  of  all 
the  Faults  of  King  or  Parliament  when  they  defended  them  :  Yea  ,  that  if  both 
their  Caufes  had  been  bad  as  againft  each  other,  yet  that  the  Subjects  jhould  adhere 
to  that  Party  which  moft  fecured  the  "welfare  of  the  Nation,  and  might  defend  the  Land  un- 
der their  Condutt,  without  owning  all  their  Caufe.  And  herein  I  confefs  I  was  then  (o 
zealous,  that  I  thought  it  a  great  Sin  for  Men  that  were  able  to  defend  their  Coun- 
try, to  be  Neuters :  And  I  have  been  tempted  fince  to  think  that  I  was  a  more 
competent  Judge  upon  the  Place,  when  all  things  were  before  our  eyes,  than  I 
am  in  the  review  of  thofe  Days  and  Actions  fo  many  Years  after,  when  Diftance 
difadvantageth  theApprehenfion.  A  Writer  (againft  Cromwcl's  Decimation )  re- 
canting his  great  Adherence  to  the  Parliament  in  that  War,  yet  fo  abhorrech  Neu- 
trality, that  he  likeneth  him  rather  to  a  Dog  than  a  Man  that  could  ft  and  by  when 
his  Country  was  in  fuch  a  cafe  :  But  I  confefs  for  my  part  I  have  net  fuch  cenfori- 
ous  Thoughts  of  thofe  that  then  were  Neuters  as  formerly  I  have  had:  For  he  that 
either  thinketh  both  fides  railed  an  unlawful  War  ,  or  that  could  not  tell  which 
(  if  either  )  was  in  the  right,  might  well  be  excufed  if  he  defended  neither. 

I  was  always  fatisfied,  i.  That  the  Dividers  of  the  King  and  Parliament  were 
the  Traitors,  vvhoever  they  were  :  and  that  the  Divifion  tended  to  the  Diffolutiqn 
of  the  Government. 

2.  And 


40  The  L IFE  of  the  L  1  b.  I. 

2.  And  that  the  Authority  and  Perfonof  the  King  were  inviolable,  out  of  the 
reach  of  juft  Accufation,  Judgment,  or  Execution  by  Law ;  as  having  no  Superiour, 

and  lb  no  Judge.  *      . 

3.  I  favoured  the  Parliaments  Caufe,  as  they  profefled  1.  To  bring  Delinquents 

to  a  Legal  Trial :  ■  ,  . 

2.  And  to  preferve  the  Perfon  and  Government  of  the  King,  by  a  Conjunction 
with  his  Parliament. 

But  Matters  that  Warrs  and  Blood  are  any  way  concerned  in  are  10  great  and  ten- 
derly to  be  handled,  that  I  profefs  to  the  World  that  I  dare  not,  I  will  not  juftifie 
any  thing  that  others  or  I  my  (elf  have  done  of  any  luch  conlequence.  But  though 
I  never  hurt  the  Perfon  of  any  Man,  yet  I  relblve  -to  pray  daily  and  earneftly  to 
God,  that  he  will  reveal  to  me  whatever  I  have  done  amils,  and  not  fuffer  me 
through  Ignorance  to  be  impenitent,  and  would  forgive  me  both  my  known  and 
unknown  Sins,  and  cleanfe  this  Land  from  the  Guilt  of  Blood. 

§  5-6.  Having  inferted  this  much  of  the  Cafe  of  Hiftory  of  thole  Times ,  I 
now  proceed  to  the  Relation  of  the  PafTages  of  my  own  Life,  beginning  where  I 
left. 

When  I  was  at  Ktdderminfler  the  Parliament  made  an  Order  for  all  the  People  to 
take  a  Proteftationto  defend  the  King's  Perfon,  Honour  and  Authority,  the  Pow- 
er and  Priviledges  of  Parliaments,  theJJberties  of  the  Subjed,and  the  Proteftant  Reli- 
gion,againft  the  common  Enemy]meaning'the  Papifts  j  their//?;  MalTacre  and  Threat- 
nings  occafioning  this  Proteftation.  I  obeyed  them  in  joyning  with  the  Magiftrate 
in  offering  the  People  this  Proteftation  ;  which  caufed  lome  to  be  offended  with 
me. 

About  that  time  the  Parliament  lent  down  an  Order,  for  the  demolifhing  of  all 
Statues  and  Images  of  any  of  the  three  Perfons  in  the  blefTed  Trinity,  or  of  the 
Virgin  Mary,  which  fhould  be  found  in  Churches,  or  on  the  CrofTes  in  Church- 
yards.   My  Judgment  was  for  the  obeying   of  this  Order,  thinking  ic  came  from 
juft  Authority;  but  I  medled  not  in  it,  but  left  the  Churchwarden  to  do  what  he 
thought  good.    The  Churchwarden  (an  honeft,  Ibber,  quiet  Man,)  feeing  a  Cru- 
cifix upon  the  Crofs  in  the  Church-yard,  fet  up  a  Ladder  to  have  reacht  it,  but  it 
proved  too  fhort :  whilft  he  was  gone  to  leek  another,  a  Crew  ef  the  drunken  rio* 
tous  Party  of  the  Town  (poor  Journey-men  and  Servants)  took  the  Allarm  ,  and 
run  altogether  with  Weapons  to  defend  the  Crucifix,  and  the  Church  Images  (  of 
which  there  were  divers  left  fince  the  time  of  Popery  )  :  The   Report  was  among 
them,  that  I  was  t,he  A&or,  and  it  was  me  they  lought  •  but  I  was  walking  almoft 
a  mile  out  of  Town,  or  elfe  I  fuppofe  I  had  there  ended  my  days :  when  they  miff 
me  and  the  Churchwarden  both,  they  went  raving  about  the  Streets  to  feek  us. 
Two  Neighbours  that  dwelt  in  other  Parifhes,  hearing  that  they  fought  my  Life, 
ran  in  among  them  to  fee  whether  I  were  there,and  they  knockt  them  both  down 
in  the  Streets,  and  both  of  them  are  fince  dead,  and  I  think  never  perfectly  reco- 
vered that  hurt.     When  they  had  foamed  about  half  an  hour,  and  met  with  none 
of  us,  and  were  newly  houfed,  I  came  in  from  my  walk,  and  hearing  the  People 
Curfing  at  me  in  their  Doors,  I  wondred  what  the  matter  was,  but  quickly  found 
how  fairly  I  had  fcaped.     The  next  Lord's  Day  I  dealt  plainly  with  them,  and  laid 
open  to  them  the  quality  of  that  A&ion,  and  told  them  ,  Seeing  they  fo  requited 
me  as  to  feek  my  Blood,  I  was   willing  to  leave  them,  and  lave  them  from  that 
Guilt.     But  the  poor  Sors  were  (6  amazed  and  afhamed,  that  they  took  on  forrily, 
and  were  loth  to  part  with  me. 

§  J7.  About  this  time  the  King's  Declarations  were  read  in  our  MSfket-place, 
and  the  Reader  (  a  violent  Country  Gentleman  )  feeing  me  pafs  the  Streets,  ftopt 
and  laid,  There  goeth  a  Traitor,  without  ever  giving  a  fyllable  of  Realbn  for 
it. 

And  the  Commiflion  of  Array  was  fet  afoot  (  for  the  Parliament  medled  not 
with  the  Militia  of  that  County ,the  Lord  Howard  their  Lieutenant  not  appearing). 
Then  the  rage  of  the  Rioters  grew  greater  than  before !  And  in  preparation  to  the 
War,  they  had  got  the  word  among  them  [  Down  with  the  Round-heads  f]  Infomuch 
that  if  a  Stranger  paft  in  many  places  that  had  fhort  Hair  and  a  Civil  Habit,  the 
Rabble  prefently  cried,  \_Dotvn  with  the  Round-heads  J  j  and  forne  they  knockt  down 
in  the  open  Streets. 

In  this  Fury  of  the  Rabble  I  was  advifed  to  withdraw  a  while  from  home,*  where- 
upon I  went  to  Glocefier:  As  I  paft  but  through  a  corner  of  the  Suburbs  of  Wor- 
'cller>  they  that  knew  me  not,  cried,  Down  with  the  Round-beads,  and  I    was   glad 

to 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  4.1: 

to  fpur  on  and  be  gone.  But  when  1  came  to  Gloucefier,  among  Strangers  alio  that 
had  never  known  me,  I  found  a  civil,  courteous,  and  religious  People,  as  different 
from  Worcefler,  as  if  they  had  lived  under  another  Government.  There  I  flay- 
ed a  Month,  and  whilft  I  was  there,  many  Pamphlets  came  out  on  both  fides, 
preparing  for  a  War.  For  the  Parliaments  Caufe  the  principal  Writing,  which  ve- 
ry much  prevailed,  was,  Observations ,  written  by  Mr.  Parker  a  Lawyer :  But  I 
remember  fome  Principles  which  I  think  he  mifapplieth,  as  alfo  doth  Mr.  Thomas 
Hooker,  Ecclif.  polit.  lib.  8.  viz,.  That  the  King  is  fingulis  major ,  but  univerfis  minor  J 
that  he  receiveth  his  Power  from  the  People,  &c.  For  I  doubt  not  to  prove  that  his 
Power  is  fo  immediately  from  God,  as  that  there  is  no  Recipient  between  God  and 
him  to  convey  it  to  him :  Only  (as  the  King  by  his  Charter  maketh  him  a  Mayor 
or  Baliff  whom  the  Corporation  chufeth  fb;  God  by  his  Law,  as  an  Inftrumenc, 
conveyeth  Power  to  that  Peribn  or  Family  whom  the  People  content  to  ;  and 
their  Content  is  but  a  Conditio  fine  qua  non  ;  and  not  any  Proof  that  they  are 
the  Fountain  of  Power,  or  that  ever  the  governing  Power  was  in  them  •  and 
therefore  for  my  part  I  am  fatisfied  that  all  Politicks  err,  which  tell  us  of  a  Mage- 
fias  Realis  in  the  People,  as  diftinft  from  the  Majcftas  Personalis  in  the  Governors. 
And  though  it  be  true  that  quo  ad  naturalem  bonitatem  &  m  genere  Cauja  finalis  the 
King  be  univerfis  minor,  (and  therefore  no  War  or  Action  is  good  which  is  againft 
the  common  Good,  which  is  the  end  of  all  Government  •  yet  as  to  governing  Pow- 
er (which  is  the  thing  in  queftion)  the  King  is  (as  to  the  People)  Umverfis  Major, 
as  well  as  Singulis :  For  if  the  Parliament  have  any  Legiflative  Power,  it  cannot 
be  as  they  are  the  Body  or  People,  as  Mr.  Tho.  Hooker  ill  fuppofeth  (who  lib.  i. 
Volit.  Ecclej.  maketh  him  a  Tyrant  that  maketh  Laws  himfclf  without  the  Body  J 
but  it  i>  as  the  Conftitution  twifteth  them  into  the  Government :  For  if  once  Le- 
giflation  (the  chief  Act  of  Government)  be  denied  to  be  any  part  of  Government 
at  all,  and  affirmed  to  belong  to  the  People  as  fuch,  who  are  no  Governors,  all 
Government  will  hereby  be  overthrown.  Befides  thefe  Obfervations,  no  Books 
more  advantaged  the  Parliament's  Caufe,  than  a  Treatife  of  Monarchy  (after- 
wards publilhedj  and  Mr.  Pnris  large  Book  of  the  Soveraign  Power  of  Parlia- 
ments, wherein  he  heapeth  up  Multitudes  of  Inftances  of  Parliaments  that  exer- 
cifed  Soveraign  Power. 

At  this  time  alfo  they  were  every  where  beginning  the  Contention  between  the 
Commiflion  of  Array  and  the  Parliaments  Militia  :  in  GloucefierjJiire  the  Country 
came  in  for  the  Parliament  :  In  Worcefterjhire,  Herefordshire,  and  Shrofflnre,  they 
were  wholly  for  the  King,  and  none,  to  any  purpofe,  moved  for  the  Parlia- 
ment. 

§  ^  8.  Whilft  I  was  at  Gloucefier  I  faw  the  firft  Contentions  between  the  Minifters 
and  Anabaptifts  that  ever  I  was  acquainted  with :  For  thefe  were  the  firft  Anabap- 
tifts that  ever  I  had  feen  in  any  Country,  and  I  heard  but  of  few  more  in  thofe 
parts  of  England.  About  a  dozen  young  Men,  or  more,  of  confiderable  Parts, 
had  received  the  Opinion  againft  Infant  Baptifm,  and  were  re- baptized,  and  la- 
boured to  draw  others  after  them,  not  far  from  Gloucefier:  And  the  Minifter  of  the 
Place,  Mr.  Winnel,  being  hot  and  impatient  with  them,  hardened  them  the  more. 
He  wrote  a  confiderable  Book  againft  them  at  that  time:  But  England  having  then 
no  great  Experience  of  the  tendency  and  confequents  of  Annabaptiftry,  the  Peo- 
ple that  were  not  of  their  Opinion  did  but  pity  them,  and  think  it  was  a  Conceit 
that  had  no  great  harm  in  it,  and  blamed  Mr.  Winnel  for  his  Violence  and  Aiperi- 
ty  towards  them. 

But  this  was  the  beginning  of  the  Miferies  of  Gloucefier ;  for  the  Anabaptifts 
ibmewhat  increafing  on  one  fide,  before  I  came  away,  a  good  Man,  called 
Mr.  Hart,  came  out  of  Herefordshire  with  Mr.  Vaughan,  a  Gentleman,  and  they 
drew  many  to  Separation  on  another  fide  :  and  after  them  in  the  Wars  came  one 
Mr.  Bacon,  a  Preacher  of  the  Army,  and  drew  them  to  Antinomianifm  on  ano- 
ther fide,  which  together  fb  diffracted  the  good  People,  and  eat  out  the  Heart  of 
Religion  and  Charity  (the  Minifters  of  the  Place  being  not  (6  able  and  quick  as 
they  mould  have  been  in  confuting  them,  and  preierving  the  People)  that  the  Ci- 
ty which  had  before  as  great  Advantages  for  the  profperity  of  Religion  among  them, 
as  any  in  the  Land,  in  the  Civility,  Tra&ablenefs,  and  Piety  of  the  People,  be- 
came as  low  and  Poor  as  others,  and  the  Pity  of  more  happy  Places,  while  thele 
Tares  did  dwindle  and  wither  away  the  fblid  Piety  of  the  Place. 

§  5"9.  When  I  had  been  at  Gloucefier  a  Month,  my  Neighbours  of  Kiderminfier 
came  for  me  home,  and  told  me,  that  if  I  ftayed  any  longer,  the  People  would 
interpret  it,  either  that  I  was  afraid  upon  fome  Guilt,  or  that  I  was  againft  the 

G  King : 


42 


m_1__^—  iti  i>i   -         •  " '  ,tm '      -  -  ■  —  ■  -  ■  ■— - — -  ■  ■'        ■■■■ —     ■  ■■  — — ^— ■. ■*****"*m^,m"^^"  ..  -  - 

The  LI F E  of  the  1,  i  b.  L 

King:  Sol  bid  my  Hoft  (Mr.  Darney  the  Town  Clark)  and  my  Friends  farewell, 
and  never  came  to  Gloucefler  more. 

When  I  came  home  I  found  the  beggarly  drunken  Rowt  in  a  very  tumultuating 
Difpofition,  and  the  Superiors  that  were  for  the  King  did  animate  them,  and  the 
People  of  the  Place  who  were  accounted  Religious  were  called  Round-heads,  and 
openly  reviled,  and  threatned  as  the  King's  Enemies  (who  had  never  medled  in 
any  Caufe  againft  the  King :)  Every  drunken  Sot  that  met  any  of  them  in  the 
Streets,  would  tell  them,  [we  frail  take  an  order  with  the  Puritans  ere  long."]  And 
juft  as  at  their  Shews,  and  Wakes,  and  Stage-flays,  when  the  Drink  and  the  Spirit 
of  Ryot  did  work  together  in  their  Heads,  and  the  Crowd  encouraged  one  ano- 
ther, fo  was  it  with  them  now  ;  they  were  like  tyed  MaftifTs  newly  loofed,  and 
fled  in  the  Face  of  all  that  was  religious,  yea,  or  Civil,  which  came  in  their  way. 
It  was  the  undoing  of  the  King  and  Bifhops  that  this  Party  was  encouraged  by  the 
Leaders  in  the  Countrey  againft  the  civil  religious  Party.  Yet,  after  the  Lords 
Day  when  they  had  heard  the  Sermon  they  would  awhile  be  calmed,  till  they  came 
to  the  Alehouie  again,  or  heard  any  of  their  Leaders  hifs  them  on,  or  heard  a  Rab- 
ble cry,  [Down  with  the  Round-heads.]  And  when  the  Wars  began,  almoft  all  theie 
Drunkards  went  into  the  King's  Army,  and  were  quickly  killed,  fo  that  Icarce  a 
Man  of  them  came  home  again  and  furvived  the  War.    , 

§  60.  All  this  time,  the  King  having  marched  from  Nottingham  to  Shrewsbury, 
had  there  very  fuccesfully  made  up  his  Army,  efpecially  out  of  Shropfhire,  Wor- 
cefierjhire,  Herefordjhire  and  Wales,  though  many  came  alfo  out  of  other  Parts : 
And  the  Earl  of  Ejfexs  Army  was  filled  upa  and  was  marching  down  towards 
Worcefler. 

The  Fury  of  the  Rabble  was  (b  hot  at  home,  that  I  was  fain  to  withdraw  again, 
and  being  with  one  Mr.  Hunt  near  Inkborough,  there  came  a  Party  of  the  Earl  of 
Ejjexs  Army  before  the  reft,  to  block  up  the  Lord  Bryon  in  Worcefier,  till  the  Earl 
of  Effex  came  to  take  him  there.  This  Party  lay  in  a  Meadow  near  Powick,  above 
a  Mile  from  Worceder,  Mr.  Runt,  with  other  Countreymen  bringing  them  in  Pro- 
vifion  ;  I  had  a  great  mind  to  go  lee  them,  having  never  feen  any  part  of  an  Ar- 
my j  As  foon  as  I  came,  a  Meflenger  came  out  of  Worcefier  fecretly,  to  tell  them 
that  the  Lord  Bryon  was  mounted  and  ready  to  be  gone:  Hereupon,  the  Comman- 
ders (Col.  Brown  a  Scot,  Col.  Edwin  Sans  of  Kent,  and  Col.  Nath.  Fienes,  Capt. 
Job.  Fienes,  and  Capt.  Wingate  )  confulted  what  was  to  be  done ;  Brown  and  Sands 
were  hot  for  the  leaving  of  their  Ground  (where  they  were  fecure  by  a  River) 
and  prelently  to  purfue  the  Enemy  :  The  reft  faid,  This  MefTage  may  be  a  Deceit, 
to  draw  us  into  a  Snare  ;  let  us  firft  iend  Scouts,  and  fee  how  it  is.  But  the  other 
prevailed,  and  over  the  Bridge  they  went ;  (being  all  horle  and  Dragoons)  and  by 
that  time  they  had  pad  a  narrow  Lane,  and  half  of  them  entred  a  Field  beyond 
it,  they  found  the  King's  Horfe  under  the  Command  of  Prince  Rupert  drawn  up 
ready  to  charge  them  (when  they  knew  not  whom  they  fought  with,  nor  knew 
that  Prince  Rupert  was  within  twenty  Miles  of  them)  ib  he  charged  them  before 
the  reft  came  in,  and  Col.  Sands  was  wounded  and  taken  Prifbner,  and  died  of 
his  Wounds ;  and  Major  Douglas  (lain,  and  the  reft  fled  ;  and  though  the  Enemy 
purfued  them  no  farther  than  the  Bridge,  yet  fled  they  in  grievous  terror  to  Par- 
tbore,  and  the  Earl  of  Efiex's  Life  Guard  lying  there,  took  the  Allarm  that  the  Ene- 
my was  following  them,  and  away  they  went.  This  Sight  quickly  told  me  the 
Vanity  of  Armies,  and  how  little  Confidence  is  to  be  placed  in  them. 

§  61.  Upon  this,  Prince  Rupert  fetcht  off  the  Lord  Byron  and  marcht  away;  and 
the  next  Day  the  Earl  of  EjJ'ex  came  to  Worcefier,  with  many  Lords  and  Knights, 
and  a  flourifhing  Army,  gallantly  cloathed,  but  never  tried  in  Fight. 

There  were  with  his  Army,  as  Chaplains  to  the  feveral  Regiments,  abundance 
of  famous,  excellent  Divines  ;  ■viz*.  Mr.  Stephen  Mar(hall  and  Dr.  Burges  to  the 
Earl  of  Ejfex's  Regiments,  Mr.  Obediah  Sedgwick  to  Col.  Hollis's  Regiment,  Dr.  Ca- 
libute  Downing  to  the  Lord  Roberts's  Regiment,  Mr.  John  Sedgwick  to  the  Earl  of 
Stamford's  Regiment,  Dr.  Spurtow,  to  Mr.  Hampdens,  Mr.  Perkins  to  Col.  Goodwins, 
Mr.  Moor  to  the  Lord  Wharton s,  Mr.  Adoniram  Bifield  to  Sir  Henry  Cholmleys,  Mr. 
Nalton  to  Col.  Grantham's,  Mr.  Simeon  Ajh  to  the  Lord  Brooks  or  the  Earl  of  Man- 
chefiers,  (I  remember  not  whether)  Mr.  Morton  of  Newcafile,  with  Sir  Arthur  Ha- 
fdriggs  Troop;  with  many  more.  Mr.  Bificldmd  Mr.  Moor  quartered  with  us  at 
Kiderminfier  ,  where  were  the  Regiments  of  Col.  Ejjcx,  the  Lord  Wharton  Sir 
Henry  Cbolmeley,  and  the  Lord  Brooks  at  Beudeley  :  while  they  quartered  there,  the 
King's  Army  was  upon  the  March  from  Shrewsbury  towards  Oxford:  Their  way- 
lying  through  Wolverhampton^  fome  of  their  Scouts  appeared  on  tha  Top  of  Kmver 

Edge, 


P  a  r.  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  43 


Edge,  three  miles  from  Kidderminfier  :  The  Brigades  in  Ktdderminfter  not  knowing 
but  all  the  King's  Army  might  come  that  way,  marcht  off  to  Worceficr.and  in  hafte 
left  a  Carriage  or  two  with  Arms  behind  :  fbme  of  the  Inhabitants  hafted  to  the 
Kings  Soldiers,  and  told  them  all,  which  made  them  come  into  the  Town  and  take 
thole  Arms. 

The  Fury  of  our  own  Rabble,  and  of  the  King's  Soldiers  was  fuch,  that  I  law 
no  fafety  in  flaying  at  home  :  The  Civility  of  the  Earl  of  EjJ'exs  Army  was  fuch, 
that  among  them  there  was  no  danger  (  though  none  of  them  knew  me  )  :  And 
there  was  luch  excellent  Preaching  among  them  at  Worcefier  ,  that  I  ftayed  there 
among  them  a  few  days,  till  the  marching  of  the  King's  Army  occafioncd  their  re- 
move. 

Upon  the  Lord's  Day  following  I  preached  at  AlceHer  for  my  Reverend  Friend 
Mr.  Samuel  Clark  :  As  I  was  preaching  the  People  heard  the  Cannon  play,and  per- 
ceived that  the  Armies  were  engaged  ;  when  Sermon  was  done  (in  the  Afternoon,) 
the  report  was  more  audible,  which  made  us  all  long  to  hear  of  the  fuccefs  :  About 
Sun-fitting (Ociob.  23.  1642.)  many  Troops  fled  through  the  Town,  and  toid  us 
that  all  was  loft  on  the  Parliament  fide,  and  the  Carriage  taken  and  Waggons  plun- 
dered before  they  came  away  ;  and  none  that  followed  brought  any  other  News. 
The  Towns-men  lent  a  Meffenger  to  Stratford  upon  Avon  to  know  the  certain  truth. 
About  four  a  clock  in  the  Morning  the  Meffenger  returned,  and  told  us,  That 
Prince  Rupert  wholly  routed  the  left  Wing  of  the  Earl  of  EfJ'exs  Army  ;  but  while 
his  Men  were  plundering  the  Waggons,  the  main  Body  and  the  Right  Wing  rout- 
ed the  reft  of  the  King's  Army,  took  his  Standard  (but  it  was  loft  again  )  ;  killd 
his  General  the  Earl  of  Lmdjey,  and  his  Standard-bearer ,  took  Prifbner  the  Earl  of 
Lindfeys  Son  the  Lord  IViIloughby,  and  others ;  and  loft  lew  Perfons  of  Quality,and 
no  Noblemen  but  the  Lord  St.  John,  eldeft  Son  to  the  Earl  of  Bulltngbrook  :  and 
that  the  lofs  of  the  left  Wing  was  through  the  Treachery  of  Sir  Faithful  Fortefcue3 
Major  to  the  Lord  Fielding's  Regiment  of  Horfe,  who  turned  to  the  King1  when 
he  Ihould  have  Charged  :  and  that  the  Vidory  was  obtained  principally  by  Colonel 
Holltss  Regiment  of  London  Red-Coats,  and  the  Earl  of  EJJex's  own  Regiment,  and 
Life-Guard,  where  Sir  Fhilip  Stapleton,  and  Sir  Arthur  Hafelrigge,  and  CoVUrrey  did 
much. 

The  next  Morning  being  willing  to  fee  the  Field  where  they  had  fought,I  went 
to  Edghtlly  and  found  the  Earl  of  Ejjex  with  the  rem  lining  part  of  his  Army  keep, 
ing  the  Ground  ,  and  the  King's  Army  facing  them  upon  the  Hill  a  mile  on; 
and  about  aThouland  dead  Bodies  in  the  Field  between  them,  (and  I  fuppofemany 
were  buried  before  ) :  and  neither  of  the  Armies  moving  toward  each  other.  The 
King's  Army  preiently  drew  off  towards  Banbury,  and  lb  to  Oxford.  The  Earl  of 
EjJexsArmy  went  back  to  provide  for  the  wounded,  and  refrefti  themfelves  at  War- 
wick Caftle,  (the  Lord  Brook's  Houfe). 

For  my  felf  I  knew  not  what  Courfe  to  take  :  To  live  at  home  I  was  uneafie; 
but  efpecially  now,  when  Soldiers  on  one  fide  or  other  would  be  frequently  among 
us,  and  we  muft  be  ftill  at  the  Mercy  of  every  furious  Bead  that  would  make  a 
prey  of  us :  I  had  neither  Money  nor  Friends :  I  knew  not  who  would  receive 
me  in  any  place  of  Safety  ;  nor  had  I  any  thing  to  fatisfie  them  for  my  Diet  and 
Entertainment.  Hereupon  I  was  perfwaded  by  one  that  was  with  me  to  go  to  Co- 
ventry y  where  one  of  my  old  Acquaintance  was  Minifter,  (Mr.  Simon  King,  fome- 
time  School-mafter  at  Bndgenorth  )  :  So  thither  I  went  with  apurpofeto  fray  there 
till  one  fide  or  other  had  got  the  Victory,  and  the  War  was  ended,  and  then  to  re- 
turn home  again :  For  fo  wife  in  Matters  of  War  was  I,  and  all  the  Country  be- 
fides,  that  we  commonly  fuppofed  that  a  very  few  days  or  weeks  by  one  other  Bat- 
tel, would  end  the  Wars ;  and  I  believe  that  no  fmall  number  of  the  Parliament- 
men,  had  no  more  wit  than  to  think  fo  to.  There  I  ftayed  at  Mr.  King's  a  month, 
but  the  War  was  as  far  from  being  like  to  end  as  before. 

Whilft  I  was  thinking  what  Courfe  to  take  in  this  Neceflity,  the  Committee  and 
Governour  of  the  City  defired  me  that  I  would  day  with  them  ,  and  lodge  in  the 
Governour's  Houle,  and  preach  to  the  Soldiers.  The  offer  fuited  well  with  my 
Neceffities,  but  1  refolved  that  I  would  not  be  Chaplain  to  the  Regiment,  nor  take 
a  Commiflion  ;  but  if  the  meer  preaching  of  a  Sermon  once  or  twice  a  week  to 
the  Ganifon  would  fatisfie  them,  I  would  accept  of  the  Offer,  till  I  could  go  home 
again.  (Mr.  AJpinall,  one  of  the  Miniffers  of  the  Town,  had  a  Commiflion  from 
the  Earl  of  Ejj'cx  to  be  Chaplain  to  the  Garrilbn  Regiment ;  but  the  Governour 
and  Committee  being  difpleafed  with  him,  made  no  ule  of  him.  And  when  he 
was  difpleafed,  as  thinking  I  would  take  his  place,  I  affured  him  I  had  no  fuch  in- 

G  2.  tens 


44 


The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  L 


lentTTnd  about  a  Twelve-month  after  he  died).  Here  I  lived  in  the  Governours 
Houie,  and  followed  my  Studies  as  quietly  as  in  a  time  of  Peace,  for  about  a  year, 
only  preaching  once  a  week  to  the  Soldiers,  and  once  on  the  Lords  Day  to  the 
People,  not  taking  of  any  of  them  a  Penny  for  either,  fave  my  Diet  only. 

Here  I  had  a  very  Judicious  Auditory  ;  among  others  many  very  godly  and  judi- 
cious Gentlemen;  as  Sir  Richard Skeffington  ( a  moft  noble,  holy  Man  )  Col.  Godfrey 
Bofvile,  Mr.  Mackworth,  with  many  others ;  of  all  which  Mr.  George  Abbot  was  the 
chief  (  known  by  his  Paraphrafe  on  Job,  and  his  Book  againft  Bread  for  the  Lord's 
Day).  And  there  were  about  thirty  worthy  Minifters  in  the  City,  who  fled  thither 
for  Safety  from  Soldiers  and  Popular  Fury,  as  I  had  done,  though  they  never  meri- 
ted in  the  Wars  ;  viz,.  Mr.  Richard  Vines,  Mr.  Anthony  Burges  ,  Mr.  Burdall ,  Mr. 
Brmmhll  (who  lived  with  that  Eminent  Saint  the  old  Lady  Bromley,  Widow  to 
Judge  Bromley ,  whoie  only  difcernable  fault  to  mej  was  too  much  Humility  and 
Low  thought  of  her  felf ),  Dr.  Bryan,  Dr.  Grew,  Mr.  Stephens,  Mr.  Craddock,  Mr. 
Morton  of  Bewdley,  (  my  fpecial  Friend  )  Mr.  Diamond,  good  old  Mr.  Overton,  and 
many  more,  whole  prefence  commanded  much  refped  from  me.  I  have  caufe  of 
continual  thankfulnefs  to  God  for  the  quietnefs  and  fafety,  and  fober,  wife,religious 
Company,  with  liberty  to  preach  the  Gofpel,  which  he  vouchfafed  me  in  this  Ci- 
ty, when  other  Places  were  in  the  Terrours  and  Flames  of  War. 

§  6z.  When  I  hid  been  above  a  year  at  Coventry,  the  War  was  ib  far  from  being 
ended,  that  it  had  difperfsd  it  felf  into  almoit  all  the  Land :  only  Middlefex, 
Hartfvrdfljhe.  molt  of  Bedford  and  NorthamptonjJiire  were  only  for  the  Parliament, 
and  had  fome  quietnefs :  And  Ejjex,  Suffolk^  Norfolk,  Cambridgeshire,  and  Huntington- 
jhire  with  the  Ifle  of  Eli ,  were  called  the  Affociated  Counties,  and  lived  as  in 
Peace,  becaufe  the  King's  Armies  never  came  near  them :  and  fo  for  the  moft 
part  it  was  with  Kent,  Surrey,  and  Sujfex.  And  on  the  other  fide,  Herefordjlnre,JVor- 
cefterjliirg,  and  Shropjlure,  (  till  this  time  )  and  almoft  all  Wales,  (  fave  Vembrobflnre, 
which  was  wholly  for  the  Parliament  )  were  only  pofleffed  for  the  King,  and  liw 
not  the  Forces  of  the  Parliament :  But  almoft  all  the  red  of  the  Counties  had  Gar- 
rifbns  and  Parties  in  them  on  both  fides,  which  caufed  a  War  in  every  County, 
and  I.  think  there  where  few  Parities  where  at  one  time  or  other  Blood  had  not 
been  lhed. 

§  63.  And  here  I  muft  repeat  the  great  Caufe  of  the  Parliaments  Puength  and 
the  King's  mine;  and  that  was,  That  the  debauched  Rabble  through  the  Land, 
emboldened  by  his  Gentry,  and  leconded  by  the  Common  Soldiers  of  his  Army, 
took  all  that  were  called  Puritans  for  their  Enemies :  And  though  fome  of  the  King's 
Gentry  and  Superiour  Officers  were  fb  Civil  that  they  would  do  no  fuch  thing, 
yet  that  was  no  Security  to  the  Country,  while  the  multitude  did  what  they  Hit. 
So  that  if  any  one  was  noted  for  a  ftrid  and  famous  Preacher,  or  for  a  Man  of  a 
precife  and  pious  Life,  he  was  either  plundered,  or  abufed,  and  in  danger  of  his 
Life  :  So  that  if  a  Man  did  but  pray  in  his  Family^  or  were  but  heard  repeat  a 
Sermon,  or  fing  a  Pfalm,  they  prefently  cried  out,  Rebels,  Round-heads,  and  all  their 
Money  and  Goods  that  were  portable  proved  guilty,  how  innocent  foever  they 
were  themlelves.  I  fuppofe  this  was  kept  from  the  knowledge  of  the  King,  and 
perhaps  of  many  fober  Lords  of  his  Council :  (  for  few  could  come  near  them ; 
and  it  is  the  fate  of  fuch  not  to  believe  evil  of  thofe  that  they  think  are  for  them, 
nor  good  of  thofe  that  they  think  are  againft  them).  But  upon  my  certain  know- 
ledge this  was  it  that  filled  the  Armies  and  Garrifons  of  the  Parliament  with  fober, 
pious  Men.  Thoufands  had  no  mind  to  meddle  with  the  Wars,  but  greatly  defi- 
iired  to  live  peaceably  at  home,  when  the  Rage  of  Soldiers  and  Drunkards  would 
not  fuffer  them  :  fome  (hyed  till  they  had  been  imprifoned ;  fome  till  they  had 
been  plundered,  perhaps  twice  or  thrice  over,  and  nothing  left  them ;  fome  were 
quite  tired  out  with  the  abufe  of  all  Comers  that  quartered  on  them  ;  and  fome 
by  thcinfolency  of  their  Neighbours;  but  moft  were  afraid  of  their  Lives ;  and 
ib  they  fought  refuge  in  the  Parliaments  Garrifons.  Thus  when  I  was  at  Coventry 
the  Religious  part  of  my  Neighbours  at  Ktdderminfier  that  would  fain  have  lived 
quietly  at  home,  were  forced  (the  chiefeft  of  them  )  to  be  gone:  And  to  Coven- 
try  they  came  ;  and  fome  of  them  that  had  any  Eftate  of  their  own,  lived  there  on 
their  own  charge ;  and  the  reft  were  fain  to  take  up  Arms,  and  be  Garrifon  Soldi- 
ers to  get  them  bread. 

§  64.  In  Sbropfhiri,  where  my  Father  dwelt,  both  he  and  all  his  Neighbours  that 
were  noted  for  praying  and  hearing  Sermons,  were  plundered  by  the  King's  Sol- 
diers,  lo  that  fome  of  them  had  almoft  nothing  but  Lumber  left  in  their  Houfes : 
though  my  lather  was  fo  far  from  medling  on  either  fide,  that  he  knew  not  what 

they 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  4.5 


they  were  doing,  but  followed  his  own  bufinefs ;  nor  had  he  feen  me,  or  heard  of 
me  of  a  long  time. 

At  this  time  Col.  Mtton,  and  other  Sbropjhirc  Gentlemen,  refolved  to  fettle  a 
Garrifon  at  Wem,  a  little  Town  in  their  own  Country,  eight  Miles  from  Shrew/- 
htrf,  and  Mr.  Mack-worth,  Mr.  Hunt,  &c.  were  earner*  with  me  to  go  with  them 
becaufe  it  was  my  Native  Country.  I  wasdefirous  to  be  near  my  Father  if  I  could 
any  way  relieve  him,and  to  be  abfent  a  while  from  Coventry  ,(there  being  ibme  Dif- 
ference between  the  Earl  of  Denbigh  and  the  Committee,  which  went  high,):  lb  I 
contented  to  go  with  them  only  tor  a  few  weeks,  and  to  return  :  Their  Delign 
was  to  get  lbme  of  my  Neighbours  thither,  who  they  knew  would  follow  me; 
and  about  thirty  or  forty  of  them  joyned  in  Colonel  Mackworth's  Troop  and 
went. 

As  foon  as  we  came  thither,  and  they  began  to  fortifie  Wem,  the  Lord  Capel 
brought  his  At  my  from  Shrewsbury  againlr   them  ;    where   (  Sir  William  Brereton 
bringing  the  Cbejbire  Trained  Bands  to  aflift  the  little  handful  at  Wem  )  the  two 
Armies  lay  vvichin  a  Mile  of  each  other  two  or  three  Days,  and  after  ibme  little 
Skirmifhing  the  Lord  Capell  drew  off,  and  marcht  into  Chejhtre  to  Nantwich,  being 
allured  thereby  to  draw  off  the  Chefiire  Men,  and  then  refolved  the  fame  Night 
to  return  and  Storm  the  Town;    and  his  Plot  took  according  to  his  Contrivance  ; 
for  that  Night  lie  plundered  all  the  Villages  about  Nantwich,    and  at  Midnight 
march'd  back  another  way  :  The  Cbejlure  Men  were  quickly  on  their  March,  when 
they  heard  that  the  Enemy  was  plundring  their  Countrey  :  and  by  that  time  they 
came  to  Nantwich  the  Lord  Capell  was  got  back  again  to  Wem.  There  was  nothing 
about  the  Town  but  a  Ditch  little  bigger  than  fuch  as  Husbandmen  indole  their 
Grounds  with,  and  this  not  hnilhed  ;  and  the  Gates,  new  "made,  had  no  Hinges, 
but  were  reared  up, and  there  was  but  very  few  Men  in  the  Town;efpecially  under 
the  Command  of  Col.  Hunt  (a  plain  hearted,  honeft,godly  Man,entirely  beloved  ,and 
trufted  by  the  Soldiers  for  his  Honefty) :    I  went  with  the  Cbejhire  Men  to  Nant- 
wich ;  when  they  came  thither  ,  they  underftood  the  Stratagem  of  the  Lord  Capell, 
and  heard  that  they  were  ftorrning  Wem ;  and  Sir  William  Brereton  would  have  had 
his  Men  march  after  them  prefently  ,  to  relieve  Wem  ;   but  the  Soldiers  were  all 
Commanders,  and  feeing  their  own  Countrey  plundred  in  their  Ablence,  and  be- 
ing weary,  they  all  refolved  that  they  would  not  go ;  and  (b  Wem  was  given  up  as 
loll ;  but  in  the  Morning  about  three  or  four  a  Clock,  when  we  thought  they  had 
been  afleep,  their  Minds  all  changed,  and  to  Wem  they  would  then  go  ;   but  they 
marcht  fo  flowly,  and  halted  by  the  way,  that  the  Lord  Capelh  Army  had  twice 
ftormed  Wem,  and  being  beaten  b.ick,  drew  off  juft  as  the  Chejhtre  Men  came  upon 
them,  and  fecured  their  Retreat  by  Lee-bridge  and  the  Darknefs  of  the  Night, 
and  the  Ignorance  of  their  Fears  and  Dilbrders  in  the  Army  that  purfued  them. 
When  we  came  to  Wem,  we  found  that  the  Lord  Capell  had  been  twice  repulft  with 
much  lofs ;   Col.  Win  flain,  and  Col.  Sir  Iho.  Scriven  mortally  wounded,  and  little 
Hurt  done  to  any  in  the  Town. 

§  6j.  When  I  had  flayed  here,  and  at  Longford  Garrifon  about  two  Months  or 
more,  and  had  redeemed  my  Father  out  of  Prifon  at  Lilljhul,  I  returned  to  Coven* 
try,  and  my  Neighbours  would  not  fray  behind  :  (the  recital  of  Millitary  PafTages 
there  and  elfewhere,  belongeth  not  to  my  prefent  purpofe,  but  as  it  concerneth 
the  Hiftory  of  my  own  Life,  and  therefore  I  leave  them  to  fuch  as  write  the  Hi- 
(lory  of  thofe  Wars):  When  I  came  to  Coventry,  I  fetled  in  my  old  Habitation  and 
Imployment,  and  followed  my  Studies  there  in  quietnefs  for  another  Year.  But 
whereas  whilft  I  rode  up  and  down,  my  Body  had  more  Health  than  of  a  long 
time  before,  when  I  fetled  to  my  Studies  in  a  Sedentary  Life  (and  grieved  for  the 
Calamitous  Condition  of  the  Land)  I  fell  weaker  than  ever  I  was  before :  And  go- 
ing to  London  was  long  under  the  Cure  of  Sir  Theodore  Meyern,  and  fomewhat  reco- 
vered, returned  again. 

§  66.  The  Garrifon  of  Coventry  confifted  half  of  Citizens,  and  half  of  Coun- 
try-men :  the  Country-men  were  fuch  as  had  been  forced  from  their  own  Dwel- 
lings, the  moft  religious  Men  of  the  Parts  round  about,  efpecially  from  Bremicham, 
Sutton-CoUfeld,  Tamworth,  Nuneaton^  Hinkley,  Rugby  ,  &c.  Thefe  were  Men  of 
great  Sobriety  and  Soundnefs  of  Underftandingas  any  Garrifon  heard  of  in  England: 
But  one  or  two  that  came  among  us  out  of  New  England  (  of  Sir  Henry  Fane's  Par- 
ty there)  and  one  Anabaptift  Taylor,  had  almoft  troubled  all  the  Garrifon,  by  in- 
feaing  the  honeft  Soldiers  with  their  Opinions :  But  they  found  not  that  Succefs  in 
Coventry ,  as  they  had  done  in  Cromwefo  Army.  In  publick  I  was  fain  to  preach 
over  all  the  Controverfie*  againft  the  Anabaptifts  firft,  and  then  againft  the  Sepa- 

ratifia 


ulll I     II -        — ■  -  —       --. — ....._  u  l  tt 

4,6  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  L 

ratifts ;  and  in  private,  fbme  of  my  Worcefterjhire  Neighbours,  and  many  of  the 
Foot  Soldiers  were  able  to  baffle  both  Separatifts,  Anabaptifts,  and  Antinomiam, 
and  fo  kept  all  the  Garrifbn  found :  Whereupon,  the  Anabaptills  fent  to  Bedford  for 
one  Mr.  Benjamin  Coxt  an  old  Anabaptift  Minifter,  and  no  contemptible  Schol- 
lar,  the  Son  of  a  Bifliop  ;  and  he  and  I  had  firft  a  Difpute  by  Word  of  Mouth, 
and  after  by  Writing ;  and  his  Surceafmg  gave  me  eafe:  In  conclusion  a  few  poor 
Townlmen  only  were  carried  away,  about  a  Dozen  Men  and  Women  ;  but  the 
Souldiers  and  the  reft  of  the  City  kept  lound  from  all  Infection  of  Se&aries  and 

Dividers. 

§  67.  While  I  lived  here  in  Peace  and  Liberty ,as  Men  in  a  dry  Houfe  do  hear  the 
Storms  abroad,  fo  did  we  daily  hear  the  News  of  one  Fight  or  other,  or  one  Garri- 
fon  or  other  won  or  loft ;  the  two  Newbery  Fights,  Glocefier  Siege,  the  marvellous 
Sieges  of  Tlimouth,  Lime,  and  Taunton,  Sir  William  Wallers  Succefles  and  Lofles ; 
the  Lois  at  Newark,  the  Slaughter  at  Bolton,  the  greateft  Fight  of  all^at  York,  with 
abundance  more.  So  that  hearing  fuch  fad  News  on  one  fide  or  other  was  our  daily 
Work  j  infomuch  that  as  duly  as  I  awakened  in  the  Morning  Iexpe&ed  to  hear  one 
come  and  tell  me,  fuch  a  Garrijon  is  won  or  loft,  or  fuch  a  Defeat  received  or  given  : 
And  [do you  bear  the  News)  was  commonly  the  firft  Word  I  heard.  So  milerable 
were  thofe  bloody  Days,  in  which  he  was  the  mod  honourable,  that  could  kill 
moft  of  his  Enemies. 

But  among  all  thefe  I  was  efpecially  plealed  with  the  Surprize  of  Shrewsbury ; 
both  becaule  it  was  done  without  lofs  of  Blood,  and  becauie  my  Father  and  many 
of  my  dear  Friends  were  thereby  redeemed,  for  when  I  returned  from  Won  to  Co- 
ventry, it  happily  fell  out  that  Sir  Fulk  Hunkes  was  made  Governor  of  Shrewsbury 
by  the  King,  and  he  protected  my  Father  while  he  was  there :  But  at  laft  the  Gen- 
try of  the  Countrey  and  he  agreed  not,  he  being  too  much  a  Soldier,  and  too 
civil  for  many  of  them,  and  they  procured  him  to  be  removed,  and  Sir  Rich.  Oatley 
firft,and  after  Sir  Mich.Earnley  made  Governors.Sir  Fulk  Hunkes  was  confident  when 
he  went,  that  their  Drunkennefs  and  CarelenVfs  would  fhortly  lofe  the  Town  ; 
and  Co  it  did  indeed  fall  out  :  His  old  Mother,  the  Lady  Hunkes,  he  lefc  with  my 
Father,  where  fhe  died  between  80,  and  100  Years  old.  But  when  he  was  gone 
my  Father  was  made  one  of  the  Collectors  of  their  Taxes  for  the  King,  which  he 
juftly  performed  :  But  he  would  not  forcibly  diftrain  of  them  that  refilled  to  pay, 
as  not  knowing  but  they  might  hereafter  recover  it  all  of  him  ;  for  which  he  was 
laid  in  Prifon  by  them  that  fwore  he  Ihould  lie  and  rot  there  ;  But  he  had  been 
there  but  a  few  Weeks,  before  the  Keeper  in  the  night  came  to  him,  and  beg'd 
his  Favour  to  fave  him  and  his  Houle,  for  the  Parliaments  Souldiers  had  furpriied 
the  Town :  My  Father  would  not  believe  it,  till  he  heard  and  faw  that  which 
compell'd  his  Belief;  and  with  what  Joy  I  need  not  tell. 

§  68.  There  were  abundance  of  ft  range  Providences  in  thefe  times  that  fell  out 
for  fome  particular  Perlbns :  The  marvellous  Prelervation  of  Souldiers  by  Bibles  in 
their  Pockets  which  have  received  the  Bullets,  and  fuch  like  I  will  not  mention. 
When  Prince  Rupert  put  the  Inhabitants  of  Bolton  in  Lancashire  to  the  Sword, 
(Men,  Women,  and  Children)  an  Infant  elcaped  alive,  and- was  found  lying  by 
her  Father  and  Mother,  who  were  (lain  in  the  Streets:  an  Old  Woman  took  up 
the  Child,  and  carried  it  home,  and  put  it  to  her  Breaft  for  warmth,  (having  not 
had  a  Child  her  (elf  of  about  30  Years)  the  Child  drew  Milk,  and  fo  much,  that 
the  Woman  nui  led  it  up  with  her  Breaft  Milk  a  good  while :  The  Committee  de- 
fued  ibme  Women  to  try  her,  and  they  found  it  true,  and  that  /he  had  a  confide  - 
rable  proportion  of '  Milk  for  the  Child  :  If  any  one  doubt  of  this,  they  may 
yet  be  relblved  by  Mrs.  Hunt,  Wife  to  Mr.  Rowland  Hunt  of  Harrow  on  the  Hii, 
who  living  then  in  Manchefier,  was  one  of  them  that  by  the  Committee  was  defi- 
red  to  trie  the  Woman,  and  who  hath  oft  told  it  me,  and  is  a  credible,  godly, 
difcreet  Gentlewoman,  and  Wife  to  a  Man  of  moft  exemplary  Holinels,  and  of 
the  primitive  Sincerity  without  Self-leeking,  Hypocrifie  and  Guile.  The  Maid 
her  leif  thus  nurfed  up,  lived  afterwards  in  London. 

This  putteth  me  in  mind  of  that  worthy  Servant  of  Chrift,  Dv.Teat,  who  being 

to  fly  fuddenly  with  his  Wife  and  Children  from  the  Fury  of  the  Iri/b  Rebels, 

in  the  Night  without  Provifion;  wandred  in  the  Snow  out  of  all  ways  upon  the 

Mountains  till  Mrs.  Teat,  having  no  fuck  for   the  Child    in  her  Arms,    and  he 

idy  to  die  with  Hunger,  me  went  to  the  Brow  of  a  Rock  to  lay  him  down, 

leave  him  that  Ihe  might  not  fee  him  die,  and  there  in  the  Snow  out  of  all  ways 

where  noFootiteps  appeared,  Ihe  found  a  Suck-bottle  full  of  new,  fsveet  Milk, 

which  prelerved  the  Child's  Life, 

In 


I  t      ,        I  -    -      —" *■      '        —    -  " '  "  —  •*—       — —         I  1 1         ■ I  _,.  I .    I  .        I         L 

Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  47 


In  Cornwall,  Sir  Rich.  Greenvtle  having  taken  many  Souldiersof  the  Earl  oi'Efiex's 
Army,  fentenced  about  a  dozen  to  be  hanged  :  when  they  had  hanged  two  or 
three,  the  Rope  broke  which  mould  have  hanged  the  next :  And  they  tent  for  new 
Ropes  fo  oft  to  hang  him,  and  all  of  them  Hill  broke,  that  they  durft  go  no  far- 
ther, but  faved  all  the  reft  :  Befides  univerfal  undeniable  Report,l  had  this  oft  told  me 
by  Mr. fVooSoufe^n  honeft  godly  fbber  Man,  a  Sifters  Son  of  Juftice  Kettleby  of  Shrop- 
Jl)irey  who  himfelf  ftood  by  expecting  Death,  and  was  one  of  the  Number  of  them 
whofe  Lives  were  faved  by  it. 

If  I  would  here  give  an  account  of  all  the  Military  Anions  of  thofe  times 
which  I  had  the  certain  knowledge  of;  the  manner  of  taking  and  lofing  Towns 
and  Caftles,  the  Progrefs  of  the  main  Armies  and  of  the  Parties  in  the  feveral 
Counties,  in  Cheshire,  Lancajl)ire,  Yorkshire,  Derbyshire,  Staffordflnre,  Shropfiire,  Lin- 
colnshire, Gloucefierjhire,  and  other  Counties  where  particular  Wars  were  carried  on, 
and  between  Pembrokcflnre  and  the  reft  of  Wales,  and  alfo  the  manner  of  the  ieve- 
ral  great  Fights,  efpecially  that  at  Mar  (I  on- moor  near  York,  it  would  fill  of  it  felf  a 
greater  Volume  than  I  intend,  and  is  a  matter  befides  my  prefent  purpofe  ,  and  fit 
to  be  done  in  another  manner  :  And  therefore  1  (hall  pals  that  by,  and  proceed  in 
the  Narrative  of  the  paffages  of  my  own  Life,  interpofing  only  Generals,  and  the 
paflages  which  occafioned  them. 

§  69.  When  by  the  great  Mercy  of  God  I  had  lived  two  years  in  quietneis  at  Co- 
ventry, the  Earl  of  Efiex  being  weakened  by  a  great  lolsin  Cornwall,  fell  under  the  An.*  644 
great  difpleafare  of  ibme  of  the  Parliament,  not  as  to  his  Perfon,  but   as  to  the 
Conduct  of  Affairs,  who  prevailed  to  have  ,  him  laid  by.    The  Caufes   were  all 
theie  in  Conjunction : 

1.  Though  none  could  deny  but  the  Earl  was  a  Perfon  of  great  Honour, Valour, 
and  Sincerity  ;  vet  did  fome  Accufe  the  Soldiers  under  him  of  being  too  like  the 
Kings  Soldiers  in  Profanenefs,  lewd  and  vitious  Practices,  and  rudeneis  in  their 
Carriage  towards  the  Country  ;  and  it  was  withal  urg'd,  that  the  Revolt  of  Sir 
Faithful  Forte/cue,  Sir  Richard  Greenvile,  Col.  Urrey,  and  ibme  others,  was  a  fatisfy- 
ing  Evidence,  that  the  irreligious  (bit  of  Men  were  not  to  be  much  trufted  ,  but 
might  eafily  by  Money  be  hired  to  betray  them. 

2.  And  it  was  difcovered  that  the  Earl  of  EJJ'exs  Judgment  (and  the  wifeft  Mens 
about  him )  was  never  for  the  ending  the  Wars  by  the  Sword,  but  only  to  force  a 
Pacificatory  Treaty  :  He  thought  that  if  the  King  mould  Conquer,  the  Govern- 
ment of  the  Kingdom  would  be  changed  into  Arbitrary,  and  the  Subjects  Proprie- 
ty and  Liberty  loft :  And  he  thought  that  if  he  himfelf  mould  utterly  conquer  the 
King,  the  Parliament  would  be  tempted  to  encroach  upon  the  King's  Prerogative, 
and  the  Priviledges  of  the  Lords,  and  put  too  much  Power  in  the  Gentries  and 
the  Peoples  hands,  and  that  they  would  not  know  how  to  fettle  the  State  of  the 
Kingdom,  or  the  Church,  without  injuring  others,  and  running  into  Extreams, 
and  falling  into  Divifions  among  themfelves.  Therefore  he  was  not  for  a  Conquefl 
of  the  King.  But  they  faw  the  Delay  gave  the  King  advantage,  and  wearied  out 
and  ruined  the  Country,  and  therefore  they  now  began  to  (ay,  that  at  Edghill,  at 
Newbury,  and  at  other  times,  he  had  never  prolecuted  any  Victory,  but  ftood  ftil! 
and  feen  the  King's  Army  retreat,  and  never  purfued  them  when  it  had  been  tafie 
to  have  ended  all  the  Wars. 

;.But  the  chief  Caufe  was,that  Sir  H.  Vane  by  this  time  had  increafed  Sectaries  in 
the  Houfe,having  drawn  fome  Members  to  his  Opinion  ;  and  Cromwell,  who  was 
the  Earl  of  Manchefiers  Lieutenant  General,  had  gathered  to  him  as  many  of  the 
Religious  Party,  efpecially  of  the  Se&aries  as  he  could  get ;  and  kept  a  Correfpon- 
dency  with  Vane's  Party  in  the  Houfe,  as  if  it  were  only  to  ftrengthen  the  Religi- 
ous Party  :  And  Manchefiers  Army,  efpecially  Cromwell's  Party,  had  won  a  Victo- 
ry near  Hsmcaflle  in  Lincolnshire,  and  had  done  the  main  Service  of  the  day  at  the 
great  fight  at  York ;  and  every  where  the  Religious  Party  that  were  deeplieft  ap- 
prehenfiveof  the  Concernment  of  the  War,  had  far  better  Succefs  thai  the  other 
fort  of  Common  Soldiers. 

Thele  things  fet  together,  caufed  almoft  all  the  Religious  fort  of  Men  in  Parlia- 
ment, Armies,  Garrifbns  and  Country,  to  be  for  the  new  modelling  of  the  Army, 
and  putting  out  the  loofer  fort  of  Men  (efpecially  Officers)  and  putting  Religious 
Men  in  their  fteads.  But  in  all  this  Work,  the  Vamps  in  the  Houfe,  and  Cromwell 
in  the  Army,  joined  together,  out-witted  and  over-reachc  the  reft,  and  carried  on 
the  Interelt  of  the  Sectaries  in  fpscial,  while  they  drew  the  Religions  Party  along 
as  for  the  Intereft  of  Gcdlinefi  in  the  general, 


,  1  -    ■-  — "-— -      ■  -  -  ■ I 

^8  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  J. 


The  two  Defigns  of  Cromwell  to  make  himfelf  great,  were, 

i.  To  Cry  up  Liberty  of  Confcience,  and  be  very  tender  of  Men  differing  in 
Judgment,  by  which  he  drew  all  the  Separatists  and  Anabaptifts  to  him,with  ma- 
ny foberer  Men. 

2.  To  let  thefe  felf-efteeming  Men  on  work  to  arrogate  the  Glory  of  all  Suc- 
cefles  to  themfelves,  and  cry  up  their  own  Actions,  and  deprefs  the  Honour  of  the 
Earl  of  Manchester,  and  all  others  j  though  Men  of  as  much  Godlinefs  at  leaft  as 
they  :  fo  that  they  did  proclaim  the  Glory  of  their  own  Exploits,  till  they  had  got 
the  fame  of  being  the  moft  valiant  and  Victorious  Party.  The  truth  is,  they  did 
much,  and  they  boafted  of  more  than  they  did. 

And  thefe  things  made  the  new  modelling  of  the  Army  to  be  refolved  on.  But 
all  theQueftion  was  how  to  effect  it,  without  ftirring  up  the  Forces  againft  them 
which  they  intended  to  disband :  And  all  this  was  notably  difpatcht  at  once,by  One 
Vote,  which  was  called  the  Self-denying  Vote,  viz.  That  becaufe  Commands  in  the 
Army  had  much  pay ,  and  Parliament  Men  fhould  keep  to  the  Service  of  the 
Houfe ,  therefore  no  Parliament  Men  fhould  be  Members  of  the  Army. 
This  pleafed  the  Soldiers,  who  looked  to  have  the  more  pay  to  themfelves ;  and  at 
once  it  put  out  the  two  Generals,  the  Earl  of  Efj'ex  and  the  Earl  of  Manchejler , 
and  alio  Sir  William  Waller  a  godly  valiant  Major  General  of  another  Army  j  and 
alio  many  Colonels  in  the  Army,  and  in  other  parts  of  the  Land,  and  the  Gover- 
nour  of  Coventry,  and  of  many  other  Garrifons :  and  to  avoid  all  Sufpicion  Crom- 
well was  put  out  himfelf. 

When  this  was  done,  the  next  QuefKon  was,  Who  fhould  be  Lord  General,  and 
what  new  Officers  fhould  be  put  in,  or  old  ones  continued?  And  here  the  Policy 
of  Vane  and  Cromwell  did  its  beft  :  For  General  they  chofe  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax^  Son 
to  the  LorcJ  Ferdinando  Fairfax,  who  had  been  in  the  Wars  beyond  Sea,  and  had 
fought  valiantly  in  Torkjhire  for  the  Parliament,  though  he  was  over-powered  by  the 
Earl  of  Newcaftle's  Numbers.  This  Man  was  chofen  becaufe  they  fuppofed  to  find 
him  a  Man  of  no  quicknefs  of  Parts,  of  no  Elocution ,  of  no  fufpicious  plotting 
Wit,  and  therefore  One  that  Cromwell  could  make  ufe  of  at  his  pleafure.  And  he 
was  acceptable  to  fober  Men,  becauie  he  was  Religious,  Faithful,  Valiant,  and  of  a 
grave,  fbber,  refolved  Difpofition ;  very  fit  for  Execution,  and  neither  too  Great 
nor  too  Cunning  to  be  Commanded  by  the  Parliament. 

And  when  he  was  chofen  for  General,  Cromwell's  men  muft  not  be  without  him : 
Fo  valiant  a  Man  muft  not  be  laid  by :  The  Self-denying  Vote  muft  be  thus  far 
only  difpenfed  with :  Cromwell  only,  and  no  other  Member  of  either  Houfe,  muft 
be  excepted,  and  fo  he  is  made  Lieutenant  General  of  the  Army :  and  as  many 
as  they  could  get  of  their  Mind  and  Party,  are  put  into  Inferiour  Places,  and  the 
beft  of  the  old  Officers  put  into  the  reft.  But  all  the  Scotch-men  (except  only  Ad- 
jutant Crey)  are  put  out  of  the  whole  Army,  or  deferted  it. 

§  70.  And  here  I  muft  digrefs  to  look  back  to  what  I  had  forgotten,  of  the  Scots 
Army  and  the  Covenant :  When  the  Earl  of  Newcaftle  had  over-powred  the  Lord 
Fairfax  in  the  North,  and  the  Queen  had  brought  over  many  Papifts  Soldiers  from 
beyond  Sea,  and  formed  an  Army  under  General  King  a  Scot,  and  the  King  had 
another  great  Army  with  himfelf  under  the  Command  of  the  Earl  of  Fwr^another 
old  Scottijh  General  j  fo  that  they  had  three  great  Field  Armies  ,  befides  the  Lord 
Gorings  in  the  Weft,  and  all  the  County  Parties,  the  Parliament  were  glad  to  defire 
Afliftance  from  the  Scots ;  (whofe  Army  was  paid  off  and  disbanded  before  the  Eng- 
liflj  Wars).  The  Scots  contented  ;  but  they  offered  a  Covenant  to  be  taken  by  both 
Nations,  for  a  refolved  Reformation,  againft  Popery,  Prelacy  ,  Schifm,  and  Pro- 
phanenefs,  ( the  Papifts,  the  Prelatifts,  the  Sectaries,  and  the  Prophane,  being  the 
four  Parties  which  they  were  againft.) 

This  Covenant  was  propofed  by  the  Parliament  to  the  Confideration  of  the  Sy- 
nod at  Weftminfter :  The  Synod  ftumbled  at  fome  things  in  it ,  and  efpecially 
at  the  word  [Prelacy."]  Dr.  Burges  the  Prolocutor,  Mr.  Gataker,  and  abundance 
more  declared  their  Judgments  to  be  for  Epifcopacy,  even  for  the  ancient  mode- 
rate Epifcopacy,  in  which  one  ftated  Prefident  with  his  Presbytery,  governed  eve- 
ry Church ;  though  not  for  the  Enghjh  Diocefan  frame,  in  which  one  BiJhop,  with- 
out his  Presbytery,  did  by  a  Lay-Chancellour's  Court,  govern  all  tin  Presbyters  and 
Churches  of  a  Diocefs,  being  many  hundreds ;  and  that  in  a  SecuUr  manner  by 
abundance  of  upftart  Secular  Officers,  unknown  to  the  Primitive  Church.  Here- 
upon gre-.'.5  fome  Debate  in  the  AfTembly  ;  fbme  being  againft  every  Degree  of  Bi- 
fhops,  (efpecially  rhe  Scottijh  Divines,)  and  others  being  for  a  moderate  Epifcopa- 
cy,   But  thefe  Engltfli  Divines  would  not  Subfcribe  the  Covenant  ,  till  there  were 

an 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


an  alteration  fuited  to  their  Judgments:  and  ib  a  Parenthefis  was  yielded  to,  asde- 
fcribing  that  fort  of  Prelacy  which  they  Oppofed,  »>*.  {That  is,  Church  Government 
by  ArcbbifkipSj  Biftops,  Deani  and  Chapters,  Arch- deacons  ,  and  all  other  EcchfiaHical 
Officers  depending  on  that  Hierarchy]  All  which  conjoyned  are  mentioned  as  the  Dc- 
lcription  of  that  Form  of  Church  Government  which  they  meant  by  Prelacy, as  nor 
extending  to  the  ancient  Epifcopacy. 

When  the  Covenant  was  agreed  on,  the  Lords  and  Commons  firft  took  it  them- 
(elves,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Coleman  preached  to  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  and  gave  ic  them 
with  this  puhlick  Explication,  That  by  Prelacy  we  mean  not  all  Epifcopacy  t  but  only  the 
form  which  is  here  described. 

When  the  Parliament  had  taken  it  they  fent  it  to  all  the  Garrifons,  and  Armies 
to  be  taken  :  and  commended  it  to  all  the  People  of  the  Land.  And  when  the 
War  was  ended,  they  caufed  all  the  Noblemen,  Knights,  Gentlemen,  and  Officers 
which  had  been  againft  them  in  the  Wars,  to  take  it  before  they  would  admit  them 
to  Compofition  j  and  take  it  they  did  :  And  they  required  that  all  young  Mini* 
fters  fhould  take  it  at  their  Ordination. 

The  Covenant  being  taken,  the  Scots  railed  an  Army  to  help  the  Parliament, 
which  came  on  and  began  to  clear  the  North,  till  at  Turk  fight,  the  Scots  Army  , 
the  Earl  of  Manchefier's  Army,  and  the  Lord  Fairfax's  (mail  Army,  joyned  Battel 
againft  Prince  Rupert's  Army,  and  General  King's  Army,  and  the  Earl  of  Mtvtca*, 
file's  Army,  where  they  routed  them,  and  it  was  thought  about  yooo  were  Qairi 
upon  the  place,  befides  all  that  died  after  of  their  wounds. 

After  this  the  Scots  Army  lay  frill  in  the  North  a  long  time,  and  did  nothing, 
till  thereby  they  became  odious  as  a  burden  to  the  Land  :  The  Scots  Laid,  that  it  was 
caufed  by  the  Policy  of  the  Sectaries,  that  kept  them  without  pay,  and  without 
orders  to  March.  Their  Adverfaries  ft  he  Vani(lsan<\  the  Cromwellians)  laid  it  was 
their  own  fault,  who  would  not  March.  At  laff  they  were  Commanded  to  be- 
fiege  Hereford  City,  where  they  lay  along  time,  till  the  Earl  of  Montr  op,  hi- 
ving railed  an  Army  in  Scotland  againft  them  for  the  King,  had  made  it  necefTary 
for  them  to  return  into  their  own  Country,  and  leave  Hereford  untaken,  and  the 
People  clamouring  againft  them,  as  having  come  for  nothing  into  the  Coun- 
try. 

Some  Months  after  they  were  gone,  Co\.John  Birch  and  Col.  Morgan  took  Here- 
ford in  an  hour,  without  any  considerable  bloodlhed.  The  Waters  about  the  Walls 
being  hard  frozen,  the  Govcrnour  lent  Warrants  totheConftables  of  the  Country 
neer  adjoyning  to  bring  in  Labourers  to  break  the  Ice  •  Col.  Birch  got  thefe  War- 
rants, and  cauleth  one  of  his  Officers  in  the  Habit  of  a  Conftable,  and  many  Sol- 
diers with  Mattocks,  in  the  habit  of  Labourers,  to  come  the  next  morning  early  to 
the  Gates  and  being  let  in,  they  let  in  more,  and  furprized  the  Town. 

This  much  I  thought  good  tofpeak  altogether  here  for  brevity  of  the  Scots  Ar- 
my and  Covenant,   and  now  return  to  the  new  modell'd  Army. 

§  71.  The  EngliJI)  Army  being  thus  new  modell'd ,  was  really  in  the  hand  of 
Oliver  Cromwel^  though  feemingly  under  the  Command  of  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax 
(  who  was  fhortly  after  Lord  Fairfax,  his  Father  dying. J  Cromwell's  old  Regiment 
which  had  made  itlelf  famous  for  Religion  and  Valour,  being  fourteen  Troops 
was  divided  ;  fix  Troops  were  made  the  Lord  Fairfax's  Regiment  j  and  fix  Troops 
were  Col.  Whallefs  Regiment;  and  the  other  two  were  in  Col.  Rich's  and  Sir  Ro- 
bert Vye's  Regiments.  The  Confidents  of  Cromwell  were  elpecially  Col.  Ireton,  and 
Major  Desborough  (his  Brother-in-law)  and  Major  James  Berry  ,  and  Major  Hani- 
(on,  and  Col.  Fleetwood,  and  (as  his  Kinfman)  Col.  Whalley,  and  divers  others. 

But  now  begins  the  Change  of  the  old  Caufe.  A  fhrewd  Book  came  out  not 
long  before,  called  Plain  Englijl),  preparatory  hereto:  And  when  the  'Lord  Fairfax 
ihould  have  marched  with  his  Army,  he  would  not  (as  common  Fame  faith)  take 
his  Commitlion,  becaule  it  ran  as  all  others  before,  \_fcr  Defence  of  the  King's  Per- 
fon  j  :  for  it  was  intimated  that  this  was  but  Hypocrifie  ,  to  profels  to  defend  the 
King  when  they,  marcht  to  fight  againft  him  ;  and  that  Bullets  could  not  diftinguifh 
between  his  Perfonand  another  Mans;  and  therefore  this  Claufe  muft  be  left  out, 
that  they,  might  be  no  Hypocrites.  And  lo  had  a  Comrniflaon  without  that  Claufe 
[/or  the  King  ].     And  this  was  the  day  that  changed  the  Caufe. 

§72.  The  Army  being  ready  to  march,  was  partly  the   Envy  and  partly  the^tI^e 
Scorn  of  the  Nobility,  and  the  Lord  Lieutenants  and  the  Officers  which  had  been 
put  out,  by  the  Self-denying  Vote:  But  their  Actions  quickly   vindicated  them 
from  Contempt.    They  rirft  attempted  no  lefs  than  the  Siege  of  Oxford :  but  in  the 
mean  time  the  King  takes  the  field  with  a  very  numerous  well-recruited  Army, 

H  sm& 


m , ,       ,         t r— — n— ~ — — — — — ^— — — — ■ ^— —— — ^^— — — .,    ,_    ,  , 

"^T  7 he  LIF E  of  the  L i  b.  L 

and  marcheth  into  Northamptonflnre  into  the   Parliaments  Quarters,  and  thence 
ftrait  to  Leicefier,  a  Town  poorly  fortified,  but  fo  advantagioufly  fituated  foi 
ufe,  as  would  have  been  an  exceeding  Lofs  to  the  Parliament,if  he  could  have  kept 
it.    It  was  taken  by  Storm,  and  many  flain  in  it. 

General  Fairfax  leaveth  Oxford,  and  marcheth  through  Northamptonshire  towards 
the  King.  The  King  having  the  greater  number,  and  the  Parliaments  Army  be- 
ing of  a  new  contemned  Model,  he  marcheth  back  to  meet  them,  and  in  a  Field 
near  Nafeby,  a  Village  in  Northamptonjhire,  they  met.  Cromwell  had  halted  a  few 
days  before  into  the  affociated  Counties  (  which  were  their  Treafury  for  Men  and 
Money,)  and  brought  with  him  about  joo  or  6og  Men,  and  came  in  to  the  Army 
juft  as  they  were  drawn  up,  and  going  on  to  give  Battel.  His  fudden  and  feafona- 
ble  coming,  with  the  great  Name  he  had  got  by  the  Applaufes  of  his  own  Soldiers, 
made  a  fudden  Joy  in  the  Army,  (thinking  he  had  brought  them  more  help  than 
he  did  )  fo  that  all  cried,  A  Cromwell,  A  Cromwell,  and  fo  went  on  ;  and  after  a 
fhort  hot  Fight,  the  King's  Army  was  totally  routed  and  put  to  flight,  and  about 
5-000  Prifbners  taken,  with  all  his  Ordinance  and  Carriage,  and  abundance  of  his 
own  Letters  to  the  Queen  and  others  in  his  Cabinet :  (  which  the  Parliament  print- 
ed, as  thinking  fuch  things  were  there  contained  as  greatly  difadvantaged  the  Re- 
putation of  his  Word  and  Cauje).  Major  General  Skippon  fighting  valiantly  was 
here  dangeroufly  wounded,  but  afterwards  recovered.  The  King's  Army  was  ut- 
terly loll  by  the  taking  of  Leicefier  :  for  by  this  means  it  was  gone  fb  far  from  his 
own  Garrifons,  that  his  Flying  Horfe  could  have  no  place  of  Retreat,  but  were 
'  utterly  fcattered  and  brought  to  nothing.  The  King  himfelf  fled  to  Lichfield,  (and 
it  is  reported  that  he  would  have  gone  to  Shrewsbury  ,  his  Council  having  never 
fliflered  him  to  know  that  ic  was  taken  till  now) ;  and  fo  he  went  to  Rayland  Ca- 
ff le  in  Monmouthjhire,  which  was  a  ftrong  Hold,  and  the  Houfe  of  the  Marquefs  of 
Werxefler  a  Papilt  :  (  where  his  Difpute  with  the  Marquefs  was  faid  to  be  ;  which 
Dr.  Baily  publifhed,  and  then  turned  Papiff  ;  and  which  Mr.  Christopher  Cartright 
continued,  defending  the  King).  Fairfax's  Army  purfued  to  Leicefier ,  where  the 
wounded  Men,  and  ibme  others,  flayed  with  the  Garrifon  :  in  a  day  or  two's  time 
the  Town  w.is  re-taken. 

And  now  I  am  come  up  to  the  Paffage  which  I  intended  of  my  own  going  into 
the  Army. 

§  73.  Nafeby  being  not  far  from  Coventry  where  I  was,  and  the  noife  of  the  Vi- 
ctory being  loud  in  our  Ears,  and  I  having  two  or  three  that  of  old  had  been  my 
intimate  Friends  in  Cromwell's  Army,  whom  I  had  not  ib^n  of  above  two  Years,  I 
was  defirous  to  go  fee  whether  they  were  dead  or  alive ;  and  lb  to  Nafeby  Field 
I  went  two  days  after  the  fight,  and  thence  by  the  Armies  Quarters  before  Lei- 
ccfier  to  feek  my  Acquaintance.  When  I  found  them,  I  flayed  with  them  a  Night, 
and  I  underllood  the  ftate  of  the  Army  much  better  than  ever  I  had  done  before. 
We  that  lived  quietly  in  Coventry  did  keep  to  our  old  Principles,  and  thought  all 
others  had  done  fo  too,  except  a  very  few  inconfiderable  Perfbns :  We  were  un- 
feignedly  for  King  and  Parliament  :  We  believed  that  the  War  was  only  to 
five  the  Parliament  and  Kingdom  from  Papifts  and  Delinquents,  and  to  remove 
the  Dividers,  that  the  King  might  again  return  to  his  Parliament  j  and  that  no 
Changes  might  be  made  in  Religion,  but  by  the  Laws  which  had  his  free  content : 
We  took  the  true  happinefs  of  King  and  People,  Church  and  State,  to  be  our  end, 
and  ib  we  underfiood  the  Covenant,  engaging  both  againft  PapHts  and  Schifma- 
ticks:  And  when  the  Court  News- book  told  the  World  of  the  Swarms  of  Ana- 
baptifts  in  our  Armies,  we  thought  it  had  been  a  meer  lye  ,  becaufe  it  was  not  fo 
with  us,  nor  in  any  of  the  Garrifon  or  County-Forces  about  us.  But  when  I  came 
to  the  Army  among  Cromwell's  Soldiers,  I  found  anew  face  of  things  which  I  ne- 
ver dreamt  of:  I  heard  the  plotting  Heads  very  hot  upon  that  which  intimated 
their  Intention  to  fubvert  both  Church  and  State.  Independency  and  Anabap- 
tiftry  were  molt  prevalent  :  Antinomianifm  and  Arminianifm  were  equally  diftii- 
huted  j  and  Thomas  Mws  Followers  fa  Weaver  of  Wisbitch  and  Lyn,  of  excellent 
Parts)  hid  made  fome  fliifts  to  joyn  thefe  two  Extreams  together. 

Abundance  of  the  common  Troopers,  and  many  of  the  Officers,  I  found  to  be 
lionefti  fbber,  Orthodox  Men,  and  others  tradable  ready  to  hear  the  Truth,  and 
of  upright  Intentions :  But  a  few  proud,  felf-conceited  ,  hot-headed  Sectaries  had 
got  into  the  higheft  places,  and  were  Cromwell's  chief  Favourites ,  and  by  their 
very  heat  and  a&ivity  bore  down  the  reff,  or  carried  them  along  with  them  ,  and 
were  the  Soul  of  the  Army,  though  much  fewer  in  number  than  the  reft  (  being 
indeed  not  one  to  twenty  throughout  the  Army  ;  their  ftrength  being  in  the  Ge- 
nerals 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  51 


nerals  and  Whalkyt  and  Rub's  Regiments  of  Horfe,  and  in  the  new  placed  Officers 
in  many  of  the  reft). 

I  perceived  that  they  took  the  King  for  a  Tyrant  and  an  Enemy  ,  and  really 
intended  abfolutely  to  matter  him,  or  to  mine  him  ;  and  that  they  thought  if  they 
might  fight  againft  him ,  they  might  kill  or  conquer  him  ;  and  if  they  might  con- 
quer, they  were  never  more  totruft  him  further  than  he  was  in  their  power  •  and 
that  they  thought  ic  folly  to  irricace  him  either  by  Wars  or  Contradi6tions  in  Par- 
liament, if  lb  be  they  muff  needs  take  him  for  their  King,  and  truft  him  with  their 
Lives  when  they  had  thus  difpleafed  him.  They  faid,  What  were  the  Lords  of  Eng- 
land but  William  the  Conquerour's  Colonels?  or  the  Barons  but  his  Majors  ?  or  the 
Knights  but  his  Captains  ?  They  plainly  ihewed  me,  that  they  thought  God's 
Providence  would  caft  the  Tru(t  of  Religion  and  the  Kingdom  upon  them  as  Con- 
querours  :  They  made  nothing  of  all  the  molt  wile  and  godly  in  the  Armies  and 
Garrifons,  that  were  not  of  their  way.  Per  fay  aut  nefas  ,  by  Law  or  without  ir 
they  were  relblved  to  take  down,  not  only  Bifhops,  and  Liturgy,  and  Ceremonies' 
but  all  that  did  withftand  their  way.  They  were  far  from  thinking  of  a  moderate 
Epifcopacy,  or  of  any  healing  way  between  the  Epifcopal  and  the  Presbyterians  : 
They  molt  honoured  the  Separating,  Anabaptifts,  and  Antinomiansi  but  Cromwell 
and  his  Council  took  on  them  to  joyn  themlelves  to  no  Party,  but  to  be  for  the 
Liberty  of  all.  Two  forts  I  perceived  they  did  Co  commonly  and  bitterly  (peak  a- 
gainft,  that  it  was  done  in  meer  defign  to  make  them  odious  to  the  Soldiers,  and  to 
all  the  Land ;  and  that  was 

i.  The  Sots,  and  with  them  all  Presbyterians  but  elpecially  the  Minifters,-  whom 
they  call  Priefls  and  Prieflbyters,  and  Drivines,  and  the  Diflemby-men,  and  fuch 
like. 

2.  The  Committees  ofthefeveral  Counties,  and  all  the  Soldiers  that  were  un- 
der them  that  were  not  of  their  Mind  and  Way. 

Some  orthodox  Captains  of  the  Army  did  partly  acquaint  me  with  all  this,  and 
I  heard  much  of  it  from  the  Mouths  of  the  leading  Sectaries  themlelves.  This 
ftruck  me  to  the  very  Heart ,  and  made  me  Fear  that  England  was  loll  by  thofe  that 
it  had  taken  for  its  Chiefeft  Friends. 

§  74.  Upon  this  I  began  to  blame  both  other  Minifters  and  my  felf.  I  faw 
that  it  was  the  Minifters  that  had  loft  all,  by  forfaking  the  Army,  and  betaking 
themlelves  to  an  eafier  and  quieter  way  of  Life.  When  the  Earl  of  EJJex  went  out 
firft,  each  Regiment  had  an  able  Preacher,  but  at  Edg-btll  Fight  almoft  all  of  them 
went  home,  and  as  the  Sectaries  increaled,  they  were  the  more  averle  to  go  into 
the  Army  :  Its  true,  that  I  believe  now  they  had  little  Invitation,  and  its  true  that 
they  muft  look  for  little  Welcome  and  great  Contempt  and  Oppofitition,  befides 
all  other  Difficulties  and  Dangers:  But  it  is  as  true,that  their  Worth  and  Labour  in 
a  patient  lelf-denying  way,  had  been  like  to  have  preferved  moft  of  the  Army, 
and  to  have  defeated  the  Contrivances  of  the  Sectaries,  and  to  have  laved  the  King, 
the  Parliament  and  the  Land.  And  if  it  had  brought  Reproach  upon  them  from 
the  Malitious,  (who  called  them  Military  Levites)  the  Good  which  they  had  done 
would  have  wiped  off  that  blot,  much  better  than  the  contrary  courle  would 
do. 

And  I  reprehended  my  felf  alio,  who  had  before  rejected  an  Invitation  from 
Cromwell :  When  he  lay  at  Cambridge  long  before  with  that  famous  Troop  which 
he  began  his  Army  with,  his  Officers  purpoled  to  make  their  Troop  a  gathered 
Church,  and  they  all  fubferibed  an  Invitation  to  me  to  be  their  Paftor,  and  lent  ic 
me  to  Coventry:  I  fent  them  a  Denial,  reproving  their  Attempt,  and  told  them 
wherein  my  Judgment  was  againft  the  Lawfulnefs  and  Convenience  of  their  way, 
and  fo  I  heard  no  more  from  them  :  And  afterward  meeting  Cromwell  at  Letcefrer  he 
expoft-alated  with  me  for  denying  them.  Thefe  very  men  that  then  invited  me  to 
be  their  Paftor,  were  the  Men  that  afterwards  headed  much  of  the  Army,  and 
lome  of  them  were  the  forwardeft  in  all  our  Changes ;  which  made  ms  wifh  that 
I  had  gone  among  them,  however  it  had  been  interpreted;  for  then  all  the  Fire 
was  in  one  Spark. 

§  75".  When  I  had  informed  my  felf  to  my  forrow  of  the  ftate  of  the  Army, 
Capt.  Evanfon  (one  of  my  Orthodox  Informers  J  defired  me  yet  to  come  to  their 
Regiment,  telling  me  that  it  was  the  moft  religious,  moft  valiant,  moft  fuccesful 
of  all  the  Army,  but  in  as  much  danger  as  any  one  whatfoever.  I  was  loth  to  leave 
my  Studies,  and  Friends,  and  Quietnefs  at  Coventry ,  to  go  into  an  Army  lo  contra- 
ry to  my  Judgment  :  .but  I  thought  the  Publick  Good  commanded  me,  and  Co  I 
gave  him  fome  Encouragement :  whereupon  he  told  his  Colonel  (Wballey)  who 

H  2  alio 


52  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 

alfb  was  Orthodox  in  Religion,  but  engaged  by  Kindred  and  Intereft  to  Cromwell : 
He  invited  me  to  be  Chaplain  to  his  Regiment ;  and  I  told  him,  I  would  take  but 
a  days  time  to  deliberate ,  and  would  fend  him  an  Anfwer,  or  elle  come  to 
him. 

As  fbon  as  I  came  home  to  Coventry,  I  call'd  together  an  AiTcmbly  of  Minifters, 
Dr.  Bryan,  Dr.  Grew,  and  many  others,  (  there  being  many,  as  I  before  noted,  fled 
thither  from  the  Parts  thereabouts).  I  told  them  the  fad  News  of  the  Cor- 
ruption of  the  Army,  and  that  I  thought  all  we  had  valued  was  like  to  be  endan- 
gered by  them ;  feeing  this  Army  having  nrft  conquered  at  York,  (where  Cromwell 
was  under  Manchefter)  and  now  at  Nafeby,  and  having  left  the  King  no  visible  Ar- 
my but  Goringsy  the  Fate  of  the  whole  Kingdom  was  like  to  follow  the  Difpofition 
and  Intereft  of  the  Conquerours.  We  have  fworn  to  be  true  to  the  King  and  his 
Heirs  in  the  Oath  of  Allegiance.  All  our  Soldiers  here  do  think  that  the  Parlia- 
ment is  faithful  to  the  King,  and  have  no  other  purpofes  themfelves.  If  King  and 
Parliament,  Church  and  State  be  ruined  by  thofe  Men,  and  we  look  on  and  do 
nothing  to  hinder  it,  how  are  we  true  to  our  Allegiance  and  to  the  Covenant, 
which  bindeth  us  to  defend  the  King,  and  to  be  againft  Schifm,  as  well  as  again  ft 
Popery  and  Prophanenefs  ?  For  my  part  (  laid  I )  I  know  that  my  Body  is  fo 
weak,  that  it  is  like  to  hazard  my  Life  to  be  among  them,  and  I  expect  their  Fu- 
ry fhould  do  little  lefs  than  rid  me  out  of  the  way  ;  and  I  know  one  Man  cannot 
do  much  upon  them :  But  yet  if  your  Judgment  take  it  to  be  my  Duty,  I  will  ven- 
ture my  Life  among  them,  and  perhaps  fome  other  Minifters  may  be  drawn  in,and 
thenfome  more  of  the  Evil  may  be  prevented. 

The  Minifters  finding  my  own  Judgment  for  it,  and  being  moved  with  theCaufe, 
did  unanimoufly  give  their  Judgment  for  my  going.  Hereupon  I  went  ftrait  to  the 
Committee,  and  told  them  that  I  had  an  Invitation  to  the  Army,  and  defired  their 
Confent  to  go.  They  confultedawhile,  and  then  left  it  wholly  to  the  Governour, 
faying,  That  if  he  confented  they  fhould  not  hinder  me.  It  fell  out  that  Col.  Bar- 
ker the  Governour  was  juft  then  to  be  turned  out,  as  a  Member  of  Parliament,  by 
the  Self-denying  Vote.  And  one  of  his  Captains  was  to  be  Colonel  and  Gover- 
nour in  his  place,  (Col.  Willoughby).  Hereupon  Col.  Barker  was  content  in  his  dis- 
content that  I  mould  go  out  with  him,  that  he  might  be  mill  the  more ;  and  fo 
gave  me  his  confent. 

Hereupon  I  fent  word  to  Col.  Whalley  that  to  morrow  God  willing  I  would  come 
to  him.  As  foon  as  this  was  done  the  ele&ed  Governour  was  much  difpleafed,  and 
the  Soldiers  were  fo  much  offended  with  the  Committee  for  contenting  to  my  go- 
ing, that  the  Committee  all  met  again  in  the  Night,  and  fent  for  me,  and  told  me 
I  muft  not  go.  I  told  them  that  by  their  Confent  I  had  promifed,  and  therefore 
muft  go.  They  told  me  that  the  Soldiers  were  ready  to  mutiny  againft  them,  and 
they  could  not  fatisfie them,  and  therefore  I  muft  ftay  :  I  told  them  that  I  had 
not  promifed  if  they  had  not  contented,  though  being  no  Soldier  or  Chaplain  to 
the  Garrifbn,  but  only  preaching  to  them,  I  took  my  felf  to  be  a  Free-man  ;  and 
I  could  not  break  my  word  when  I  had  promifed  by  their  Conlent.  They  feemed 
to  deny  their  Confent,  and  faid  they  did  but  refer  me  to  the  Governour.  In  a 
word,  they  were  fo  angry  with  me,  that  I  was  fain  to  tell  them  all  the  truth  of 
my  Motives  and  Defign,  what  a  cafe  I  perceived  the  Army  to  be  in,  and  that  I 
was  reiblved  to  do  my  beft  againft  it.  I  knew  not,  till  afterward  ,  that  Col.  Wil- 
liam Purefoy  a  Parliament  Man,  one  of  the  chief  of  them  ,  was  a  Confident  of 
Cromwells  :  and  as  foon  as  I  had  fpoken  what  I  did  of  the  Army,  Magifterially  he 
anfwereth  me,  Q  Let  me  hear  no  more  of  that :  If  No!.  Cromwell  fhould  hear  any 
Soldiers  fpeak  but  fiich  a  word,  he  would  cleave  his  crown:  You  do  them  wrong; 
it  is  not  fo.]  I  told  him,  what  he  would  not  hear,  he  mould  not  hear  from  me; 
but  I  would  perform  my  word  though  he  feemed  to  deny  his :  And  fo  I  parted 
with  thofe  that  had  been  my  very  great  Friends,  in  forne  difpleafure.  But  the  Sol- 
diers threatned  to  ftop  the  Gates  and  keep  me  in  ;  but  being  honeft  underftanding 
Men,  I  quickly  fatisfied  the  Leaders  of  them  by  a  private  intimation  of  my  Rea- 
fons  and  Relblutions,  and  fbme  of  them  accompanied  me  on  my  way. 

§  76.  As  foon  as  I  came  to  the  Army,  Oliver  Cromwell  coldly  bid  me  welcome, 
and  never  fpake  one  word  to  me  more  while  I  was  there  ;  nor  once  all  that  time 
vouchfafed  me  an  Opportunity  to  come  to  the  Head  Quarters  where  the  Councils 
and  Meetings  of  the  Officers  were,  fb  that  moft  of  mv  defign  was  thereby  fruftra- 
ted.  And  his  Secretary  gave  out  that  there  was  a  Reformer  come  to  the  Army  to 
undeceive  them,  and  to  (We  Church  and  State,  with  fome  fuch  other  Jeers;  by 
which  I  perceived  that  all  that  I  had  faid  but  the  Night  before  to  the  Committee, 

was  / 


Part  L    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  53 


was  come  to  Cromwell  before  me,  (  I  believe  by  Col.  Furefoys  means  )  :  But  Col. 
Whalley  welcomed  me,  and  was  the  worfe  thought  on  for  it  by  the  reit  of  the  Ca- 
bal 

§  77.  Here  I  fet  my  felf  from  day  to  day  to  find  out  the  Corruptions  of  the 
Soldiers ;  and  to  difcourfe  anddifpute  them  out  of  their  miMakes,  both  Religious 
and  Political :  My  Life  among  them  was  a  daily  contending  againft  Seducers,  and 
gently  arguing  with  the  more  Tradable,  and  another  kind  of  Militia  1  had  than 
theirs. 

I  found  that  many  honeft  Men  of  weak  judgments  and  little  acquaintance  with 
fuch  Matters,  had  been  (educed  into  a  difputing  vein,and  made  it  too  much  of  their 
Religion  to  talk  for  this  Opinion  and  for  that;  (bmetimes  for  State  Democracy, 
and  ibmetime  for  Church  Democracy ;  fometimes  againft  Forms  of  Prayer,  and 
fometimes  againft  Infant  Baptifm  ,  (which  yet  (bme  of  them  did  maintain) ;  fome- 
times againft  Set-times  of  Prayer,  and  againft  the  tying  of  our  felves  to  any  Duty 
before  the  Spirit  move  us ;  and  fometimes  about  Free-grace  and  Free-will,  and  all 
the  Points  of  Antinoraianifm  and  Arminianifm.  So  that  I  was  almoft  always, 
when  I  had  opportunity,  difputing  with  one  or  other  of  them;  fometimes  for 
our  Civil  Government,  and  fometimes  for  Church  Order  and  Government;  fome- 
times for  Infant  Baptilm,and  oft  againft  Antinomianifm  and  the  contrary  Extream. 
But  their  molt  freq-ent  and  vehement  Difputes  were  for  (Liberty  of  Confcience,  as 
they  called  it  ;  that  is,  that  the  Civil  Magi ftrate  had  nothing  to  do  to  determine  of 
any  thing  in  Matters  of  Religion,  by  conftraint  or  reftraint,  but  every  Man  might 
not  only  hold,  bat  preach  and  do  in  Matters  of  Religion  what  he  pleafed  :  That  the 
Civil  Magiftrate  hath  nothing  to  do  but  with  Civil  Thing;,  to  keep  the  Peace,  and 
protect  the  Churches  Liberties,  &c. 

I  found  that  one  half  almoft  of  the  Religious  Party  among  them  were  fuch  as 
were  either  Orthodox,  or  but  very  lighdy  touched  wich  their  miltakes;  and  al- 
moft another  half  were  honeft  men,  that  ftept  further  into  the  contending  way,  than 
they  could  well  get  out  of  again,  but  with  competent  help  might  be  recovered: 
But  a  few  fiery,  felf  conceited  men  among  them  kindled  the  reft,  and  made  all  the 
noife  and  buftle,  and  carried  about  the  Ar  my  as  they  pleafed.  For  the  greateft 
part  of  the  common  Soldiers,  efpecially  of  the  Foot,  were  ignorant  men,  of  little 
Religion,  abundance  of  them  fuch  as  had  been  taken  Prifbners,  or  turned  out  of 
Garriibns  under  the  King,  and  had  been  Soldiers  in  his  Army  :  And  thefe  would 
do  any  thing  to  pleafc  their  Officers,  and  were  ready  Inftruments  for  the  Seducers, 
efpecially  in  their  great  Work,  which  was  to  cry  down  the  Covenant ,  to  vilifie  all 
Pariih  Minifters,  but  efpecially  the  Scots  and  Presbyterians :  For  the  moft  of  the 
Soldiers  that  I  fpoke  with  never  took  the  Covenant,  becaufe  it  tied  them  to  defend 
the  Kings  Perfon,  and  to  extirpate  Herefie  and  Schifm. 

Becaufe  I  perceived  that  it  was  a  few  Men  that  bore  the  Bell,  that  did  all  the 
hurt  among  them,  I  acquainted  my  felf  with  thofe  Men,  and  would  be  oft  difpu- 
ting with  them  in  the  hearing  of  the  reft  ;  and  I  found  that  they  were  men  that 
had  been  in  London,  hatcht  up  among  the  old  Separatifts,  and  had  made  it  all  the 
matter  of  their  Study  and  Religion  to  rail  againft  Minifters,  and  Parifh  Churches, 
and  Presbyterians,  and  had  little  other  knowledge,  nor  little  difcourfe  of  any  thing 
about  the  Heart  or  Heaven:  but  were  fierce  with  Pride  and  Self-conceitednefs,  and 
had  gotten  a  very  great  conqueft  over  their  Charity,  both  to  the  Epifcopal  and 
Presbyterians.  (  Whereas  many  of  thofe  honeft  Soldiers  which  were  tainted  but 
with  fome  doubts  about  Liberty  of  Confcience  or  Independency,  were  men  that 
would  Difcourfe  of  the  Points  of  Sanctification  and  Chriftian  Experience  very  fa- 
vourily.) 

But  we  fo  far  prevailed  in  opening  the  folly  of  thefc  Revilers  and  Self-conceited 
men,  as  that  fome  of  them  became  the  laughing-ftock  of  the  Soldiers  before  I  left 
them  ;  and  when  they  preached  (for  great  Preachers  they  were)  their  weaknefs  ex- 
pofed  them  to  contempt.  A  great  part  of  the  mifchief  they  did  among  the  Soldi- 
ers was  by  Pamphlets,  which  they  abundantly  difperfed ;  fuch  as  R.Overtons,  Mar- 
tin Mar-Vrieft,  and  more  of  his ;  and  fome  of  J.  Lilburn's,  who  was  one  of  them ; 
and  divers  againft  the  King,  and  againft  the  Miniitry  ,  and  for  Liberty  of  Con- 
fcience, &c.  And  Soldiers  being  ufually  difperft  in  their  Quarters ,  they  had  fuch 
Books  to  read  when  they  had  none  to  contradict  them. 

But  chere  was  yet  a  more  dangerous  Party  than  all  thefe  among  them,  (only  in 
Major  Bethel's  Troop  of  our  Regiment)  who  took  the  direct  Jefuitical  way  :  They 
firft  moft  vehemently  declaimed  againft  the  Doctrine  of  Election,  and  for  the  pow% 
er  ot  Free-will,  and  all  other  Points  which  are  controverted  between  the  Jefuits  and 


54  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

Dominicans,  the  Armenians  and  Calvinifts.  Then  they  as  fiercely  cried  down  our 
prefent  Tranflation  of  the  Scriptures,  and  debafed  their  Authority  ,  though  they 
did  not  deny  them  to  be  Divine  :  And  they  cried  down  all  our  Miniftry,  Epilco- 
pal,  Presbyterian  and  Independent ;  and  all  our  Churches  :  And  they  vilified  al- 
most all  our  ordinary  Worfhip;  efpecially  finging  of  Pfalms,  and  conftant  Family 
Wor/hip  :  They  allowed  of  no  Argument  from  Scripture  but  what  was  brought  in 
its  exprefs  words :  They  were  vehement  againffc  both  the  King,  and  all  Govern- 
ment but  Popular ;  and  againft  Magiftrates  medling  in  Matters  of  Religion  : 
And  all  their  difputing  was  with  as  much  fiercenels,  as  if  they  had  been  ready  to 
draw  their  Swords  Hpon  thofe  againft  whom  they  difputed.  They  trusted  more  to 
Policy,  Scorn  and  Power ,  than  to  Argument :  They  would  bitterly  fcorn  me  a- 
mong  their  Hearers,  to  prejudice  them  before  they  entred  into  difpute.  They  a- 
voided  me  as  much  as  poffible  ;  but  when  we  did  come  to  it ,  they  drowned  all 
Realbn  in  fiercenefs,  and  vehemency,  and  multitude  of  words.  They  greatly  drove 
for  Places  of  Command,  and  when  any  Place  was  due  by  order  to  another  that 
was  not  of  their  mind,  they  wouid  be  lure  to  work  him  out;  and  be  ready  to 
mutiny  if  they  had  not  their  will.  I  thought  they  were  principled  by  the  Jefuits;' 
and  acted  all  for  their  Intereft,  and  in  their  way ;  but  the  fecret  Spring  w*s  out  of 
light.  Thefe  were  the  fame  Men  that  afterward  were  called  Levellers,  and  rote  up 
againff  Cromwell,  and  were  furprized  at  Burford  (  having  deceived  and  drawn  to 
them  many  more) :  And  Thompfon  the  Genera!  of  the  Levellers  that  was  (lain  then, 
was  no  greater  a  Man  than  one  of  the  Corporals  of  this  Troop  ;  the  Cornet  and 
others  being  much  worfe  than  he. 

And  thus  I  have  given  you  a  tafte  of  my  Xmployment  in  the  Army. 
§  78.  As  loon  as  I  came  to  the  Army  they  marched  fpeedily  down  into  the  Weft, 
becaufe  the  King  had  no  Army  left  but  the  Lord  Goring's  there,and  they  would  not 
fufler  the  Fugitives  of  Nafeby-fight  to  come  thither  to  ftrengthen  them  :  They  came 
quickly  down  to  Somerton  when  Goring  was  at  Langport ;  which  lying  flpon  the  Ri- 
ver, Majjey  was  fent  to  keep  him  in  on  the  farther  fide,  while  Fairfax  attended  him 
on  this  fide,  with  his  Army.     One  day  they  faced  each  orher,  and  did  nothing : 
The  next  day  they  came  to  their  Ground  again.     Betwixt  the  two  Armies  was  a 
narrow  Lane  which  went  between  fome  Meadows  in  a  bottom,  and  a  fmall  Brook 
croffing  the  Lane  with  a  narrow  Bridge.    Goring  planted  two  or  three  fmall  Pieces 
at  the  Head  of  the  Lane  to  keep  the  Palfage,  and  there  placed  his  beft  Horfe  ;  fo 
that  none  could  come  to  them,  but  over  that  narrow  Bridge,  and  up  that  fteep 
Lane  upon  the  mouth  of  thofe  Pieces.    After  many  hours  facing  each  other ,  Fair- 
fax's greater  Ordinance  affrighting  (  more  than  hurting  )  Gonng's  men,  and  fome 
Mufquetiers  being  lent  to  drive  theirs  from  under  the  Hedges,  at  laft  Cromwell  bid 
Whalley  lend  three  of  his  Troops  to  Charge  the  Enemy,  and  he  fent  three  of  the 
General's  Regiment  to  lecond  them,  fall  being  of  Cromwell's  old  RegimsntJ.    Whal- 
ley'  ient  Major  Bethel,  Capt.  Evanfon, and  Capt. Grove  to  Charge;  Major  Desborcugb 
with  another  Troop  or  two  came  after ;  they  could  go  but  one  or  two  abreaft  o- 
ver  the  Bridge.    By  that  time  Bethel  and  Evanfon  with  their  Troops  were  got  up 
to  the  top  of  the  Lane,  they  met  with  a  lelecT:  Party  of  Gorings  bed  Horfe,  and 
charged  them  at  Sword's  point  whilft  you  would  count  three  or  four  hundred,  and 
then  put  them  to  Retreat.     In  the  flight  they  purfaed  them  too  far  to  the  main  Bo- 
dy ;  for  the  Duft  was  fo  extream  great  (  being  in  the  very  hottelt  time  of  Sum- 
mer) that  they  that  were  in  it  could  lcarce  fee  each  other,  but  I  that  (rood  over 
them  upon  the  brow  of  the  Hill  faw  all :  when  they  faw  themfeives  upon  the  face 
oiGoring's  Army,  they  fled  back  in  hafte,and  by  that  time  they  came  ro  the  Lane 
again,  Capt.'Grow's  Troop  was  ready  to  ltop  them,  and  relieve  them,  and  Desbo- 
rough  behind  him :  whereupon  they  rallied  again,and  the  five  or  fix  Troops  together 
marcht  towards  attGorwg's  Armv:But  before  they  came  to  the  Front,!  could  dilcern 
theRere  begin  to  run^and  fo  beginning  in  the  Rere  they  all  fled  before  they  endured 
any  Charge,nor  was  there  a  blow  ftruck  that  day,but  by  Bethels  and  EvanfonsTroop 
(on  that  fide),  and  a  few  Mufquetiers  in  the  Hedges.     Goring's  Army  fled  to  Bridg- 
water ;  and  very  few  of  them  were  either  kill'd  or  taken  in  the  fight  or  the  purfuit. 
I  happened  ro  be  next  to  Major  Harrtfon  as  loon  as  the  flight  began,  and  heard  him 
with  a  loud  Voice  break  forth  into  the  Praifes  of  God  with  fluent  Expieffions,  as 
if  he  had  been  in  a  Rapture. 

►n  this  Goring  tied  further  Weft  ward  ( to  Exeter  )  with  his  Army  :  Put  Fair- 
fax [rayed  tobefiege  Bridgwater  :  and  after  two  days  it  was  taken  by  fiorm  ,  in 
which  Col.  Hammond's  Service  was  much  magnified.  Mr.  Peters  being  come  to 
the  Army  from  London  but  a  day  before,  went  prelently  back  with  tht  News  of 

Goring's 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  55 

Goring's  Rout :  and  an  Hundred  pounds  Reward  was  voted  to  himfelf  for  bringing 
the  News,  and  to  Major  Bethel  for  his  Service,  but  none  to  Capt.Evanfon,  because 
he  was  no  Sectary  ;  and  Bethel  only  had  all  the  Glory  and  Applaule  by  Cromwell and 
that  Party. 

From  Bridgwater  they  went  back  towards  Brifiol,  where  Prince  Rupert  was,taking 
Nunny  Caftle  and  Bath  in  the  way  :  At  Brifiol  they  continued  the  Siege  about  a 
month.  After  the  firft  three  days  I  fell  fick  of  a  Fever  (  the  Plague  being  round 
about  my  Quarters)  :  As  loon  as  I  felt  my  Difeale,  I  rode  fix  or  ieven  miles  back 
into  the  Country,  and  the  next  morning  ('with  much  ado  J  to  Bath:  where  Dr. 
V inner  was  my  careful  Phyfician ;  and  when  I  was  near  to  death  (far  from  all  my 
Acquaintance)  it  pleafedGod  to  reftore  me,  and  on  the  fourteenth  day  ,  the  Fe- 
ver ended  in  aCrifisof  Sweat  and  Urine  :  But  it  left  me  fo  macerated  and  weak, 
that  it  was  long  e'rc  I  recovered  that  little  ftrength  I  had  before.  I  came  back  to 
Brifiol  Siege  three  or  four  days  before  the  City  was  taken  :  The  Foot  which  was 
to  ftorm  the  Works,  would  not  go  on  unleisthe  Horfe  went  with  them,  (who  had 
no  Service  to  do) :  So  Whallefs  Regiment  was  fain  to  go  on  to  encourage  the  Foot, 
and  to  (rand  to  be  fhot  at  before  the  Ordinance  (but  in  the  NightJ  while  the  Foot 
did  ftorm  the  Forts :  whe;e  Major  Bethel(who  in  the  laft  Fight  had  but  his  Thumb 
fhot)  had  a  (hot  in  his  Thigh  of  which  he  died,  and  was  much  lamented.  The 
Outworks  being  taken,  Prince  Rupert  yielded  up  the  City,  upon  Terms  that  he 
might  march  away  with  his  Soldiers,  leaving  their  Ordnance  and  Arms. 

Upon  this  the  Army  marcht  to  Sherborn  Caftle  (the  Earl  of  Bnfiol's  Houle  ) : 
which  after  a  Fortnights  Siege,  they  took  by  ftorm,  and  that  on  a  fide  which  one 
would  think  could  never  have  been  that  way  taken.  While  they  were  there  ,  the 
Country-men,  called  Clubmen,  role  near  Sbaftsburyt  and  got  upon  the  top  of  a  Hill: 
A  Party  was  lent  out  againft  them  ,  who  marcht  up  the  Hill  upon  them  ,  and 
routed  them,  though  fome  or'  the  valienteft  Men  were  (lain  in  the  Front. 

When  Sherborn  Caftle  was  taken,  part  of  the  Army  went  back  and  took  in  a 
fmall  Garrilbn  by  Salisbury,  called  Lang  ford- Houfe,  and  fo  marcht  to  Winchester  Ca- 
ftle, and  took  that  by  Compofkion  alter  a  Weeks  fiege,  or  little  more.From  thence 
Cromwell  went  with  a  good  Party  to  Befiege  Bafmg-Houfe  (the  Marquefs  of  Wm- 
chefiers  )  which  had  fruftrated  great  Sieges  heretofore  :  Here  Col.  Hammond  was 
taken  Prilbner  into  the  Houfe,  and  afterward  the  Houfe  was  taken  by  ftorm,  and 
he  laved  the  Marquels  and  o:hers  ;  and  much  Riches  were  taken  by  the  Sol- 
diers. 

In  the  mean  time  the  reft  of  the  Army  marched  down  again  towards  the  Lord 
Goring,  and  Cromwell  came  after  them. 

§  79.  When  we  followed  the  Lord  Goring  weftward,  we  found  that  above  all 
other  Armies  of  the  King,  his  Soldiers  were  moft  hated  by  the  People,  for  their 
incredible  Prophanenefs  and  their  unmerciful  Plundering  (  many  of  them  being 
Forreigners).  A  fober  Gentleman  that  I  quarter !d  with  at  South-Pederton  in  Somer- 
fetjliire  averred  to  me,  That  with  him  a  Company  of  them  prickt  their  Fingers,and 
let  the  Blood  run  into  the  Cup,  and  drank  a  Health  to  the  Devil  in  it :  And  no 
place  could  I  come  into  but  their  horrid  Impiety  and  Outrages  made  them  odi- 
ous. 

The  Army  marched  down  by  Hunnington  to  Exeter  ;  where  I  continued  near 
three  Weeks  among  them  at  the  Siege,  and  then  Whalleys  Regiment  with  the  Ge- 
neral's, Fleetwood's  and  others  being  fent  back,  I  returned  with  them  and  left  the 
Siege ;  which  continued  till  the  City  was  taken  :  And  then  the  Army  following  Go- 
ring into  Cornwall fheiQ  forced  him  to  yield  to  lay  down  Arms,his  Men  going  away 
beyond  Sea  or  elfewhere  without  their  Arms :  And  at  laft  Pendennu  Caftle,  and  all 
the  Garrilbns  there  were  taken. 

In  the  mean  time  Whalky  was  to  Command  the  Party  of  Horfe  back,  to  keep  in 
the  Garrilbn  of  Oxford  till  the  Army  could  come  to  befiege  it :  And  fo  in  the  ex- 
tream  Winter  he  quartered  about  fix  Weeks  in  Buckinghamshire  :  and  then  was  fent 
to  lay  fiege  to  Banbury  Caftle,  where  Sir  William  Compton  was  Governour,  who  had 
wearied  out  one  long  fiege  before :  There  i  was  with  them  above  two  Months  till 
the  Caftle  was  taken  ;  and  then  he  was  fent  to  lay  fiege  to  Worcefier,  with  the  help 
of  the  Northampton,  and  Warwick,  and  Newport -Pannel  Soldiers,  who  had  aflifted 
him  at  Banbury.  At  Worcefier  he  lay  in  fiege  eleven  Weeks :  and  at  the  lame  time 
the  Army  being  come  up  from  the  Weft,  lay  in  fiege  at  Oxford. 

By  this  time  Col.  Whalley,  though  Cromwell's  Kinfman  and  Commander  of  the 
Trufied  Regiment,  grew  odious  among  the  Sectarian  Commanders  at  the  Head- 
quarters for  my  lake  ;  and  he  was  called  a  Presbyterian,  though  neither  he  nor  I 

wsrg 


^6  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 

were  of  that  Judgment  in  feveral  Points.  And  Major  Sallowey  not  omitting  to  ufc 
his  indultry  in  the  matter  to  that  end)  when  he  had  brought  the  City  to  a  neceil 
fity  of  prefent  yielding,  two  days  or  three  before  it  yielded,  Col.  Rainsboroug  was 
lent  from  Oxford  (  which  was  yielded  )  with  iome  Regiments  of  Foot,  to  Com- 
.  mand  in  Chief;  partly  that  he  might  have  the  honour  of  taking  the  City  ,  and 
partly  that  he  might  be  Governour  there  f  and  not  Whalley  )  when  the  City  W3S 
Surrendred  :  And  fo  when  it  was  yielded,  Rainsborougb  was  Governour  to  head 
and  gratifie  the  Sedaries,  and  iettlethe  City  and  Country  in  their  way  :  But  the 
Committee  of  the  County  were  for  Whalley ,  and  lived  in  diftafie  with  Raimborongh, 
and  theSedaries  profpered  there  no  further  than  Worceftcr  City  it  felf,  (  a  Place 
Which  deierved  fuch  a  Judgment ) ;  but  all   the  Country  was  free  from  their  In- 

fedion.  '. 

§  80.  All  this  while,  as  1  had  friendly  Converfe  with  the  lober  part ,  lo  I  was 
ftill  employed  with  the  reft  as  before,  in  Preaching,  Conference,  and  Difputing 
againft  their  Confounding  Errours :  And  in  all  Places  where  we  went,  the  Seda*- 
rian  Soldiers  much  infeded  the  Countreys,  by  their  Pamphlets  and  Conveife,  and 
the  People  admiring  the  conquering  Army,  were  ready  to  receive  whatfoever  they 
commended  to  them  :  And  it  was  the  way  of  the  Fadion  tofpeak  what  they  fpake 
as  the  Senfe  of  the  Army,   and  to  make  the  People  believe  that  whatever  Opinion 
they  vented,(which  one  of  forty  in  the  Army  owned  not)it  was  the  Army's  Opinion, 
When  we  quartefd  at  Agmondejham  mBuckinghamJhire ,fbme  Sectaries  ofChefliam  had 
fet  up  a  Publick  Meeting  as  for  Conference,  to  propagate  their  Opinions  through 
all  the  Country  ;  and  this  in  the  Church,  by  the  encouragement  of  an   ignorant 
Sectarian  Ledurer,  one  Bramble,  whom  they   had  got  in    (  while  Dr.  Crock  the 
Paftor,  and  Mr.  Richardfm  his  Curate  ,  durft  not  contradict  them).     When  this 
publick  Talking  day  came,  Bethel's  Troopers  (  then  Capt.  Fitcbford's  )  with  other 
Sectarian  Soldiers  muft  be  there,  to  confirm  the  Chejham  Men,  and  make  Men  be- 
lieve that  the  Army  was  for  them  :  And  I  thought  it  my  Duty  to  be  there  alfos  and 
cook  divers  fober  Officers  with  me,  to  let  them  fee  that  more  of  the  Army  were 
againft  them  than  for  them.    I  took  the  Reading  Pew,  and  Vttchfords  Cornet  and 
Troopers  took  the  Gallery.    And  there  I  found  a  crowded  Congregation  of  poor 
well-meaning  People,  that  came  in  the  Simplicity  of  their  Hearts  to  be  deceived. 
There  did  the  Leader  of  the  Chefoam  Men  begin,  and  afterward  Fitcbford's  Soldi- 
ers (et  in,  and  I  alone  difputed againft  them  from  Morning  until  almoft  Night; 
for  I  knew  their  trick,  that  if  I  had  but  gone  out  firft,  they  would  have  prated 
what  boafting  words  they  lifted  when  I  was  gone,  and  made   the  People  believe 
that  they  had  baffled  me,  or  got  the  beft  ;  therefore  I  ftayed  it  out  till   they  firft 
role  and  went  away :  The  abundance  of  Nonfenfe  which  they  uttered  that  day  , 
may  partly  be  feen  in  Mr.  Edward's  Gangrana  :  for  when  I  had  wrote  a  Letter  of 
it  to  a  Friend  in  London,  that  and  another  were  put  into  Mr.  Edwards's  Book,with- 
out  my  Name.But  fome  of  the  ibber  People  of  Agmondejljam  gave  me  abundance  of 
thanks  for  that  Days  work,  which  they  (aid  would  never  be  there  forgotten :  And 
1  heard  that  the  Sectaries  were  fb  difcouraged  that  they  never  met  there  any  more. 
I  am  fure  I  had  much  thanks  from  Dr.  Crook  and  Mr.  Richardfon ,  who   being  ob- 
noxious to  their  difpleafure,  for  being  for  the  King,  durft  not  open  their  mouths 
themfelves.     And  after  the  Conference  I  talkt  with  the  Lecturer  Mr.  Bramble  (  or 
Bramley)  and  found  him  little  wifer  than  the  reft. 

§81.  The  great  Ira  pediments  of  the  Succefs  of  my  Endeavours  I  found  were 
only  two  :  1.  The  difcountenance  of  Cromwell,  and  the  chief  Officers  of  his  Mind, 
which  kept  me  a  ftrangerfrom  their  Meetings  and  Councils.  2.  My  incapacity  of 
Speaking  to  many,  becaufe  Soldiers  Quarters  are  fcattered  far  from  one  another, 
and  I  could  be  but  in  one  Place  at  once.  So  that  one  Troop  at  a  time  ordinarily, 
and  fome  few  more  extraordinarily  was  all  that  I  could  fpeak  too  :  The  moft  of 
the  Service  I  did  beyond  Whalley  %  Regiment,  was  (by  the  help  of  Capt.  Lawrence) 
with  fome  of  the  General's  Regiment,  and  fbmetimes  I  had  Converfe  with  Major 
Harrifon  and  fome  others :  But  I  found  that  if  the  Army  had  but  had  Minifters 
enough,  that  would  have  done  but  fuch  a  little  as  I  did,  all  their  Plot  might  have 
been  broken,  and  King ,  Parliament,  and  Religion  might  ha\  e  been  preferved  : 
Theiefore  I  fent  abroad  to  get  fome  more  Minifters  among  them,  but  1  could  get 
none.  Saltmarfi  and  Dell  were  the  two  great  Preachers  at  the  Mead  Quarters ;  on- 
ly honeft  and  judicious  Mr.  Edward  Bowles  kept  ftill  with  the  General.  At  laft  I 
got  Mr.  Cookof  Roxhall  to  come  to  afliftme  ;  and  the  foberer  part  of  the  Officers 
and  Soldiers  of  Whalley 's  Regiment  were  willing  to  pay  him  out  of  their  own  pay: 
And  a  Month  or  two  he  ftayed  and  afilfted  me  -}    but  was  quickly  weary,  and  lefc 

them 


P  a  &  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  57 

them  again  :  He  was  a  very  worthy,  humble,  laborious  Man,  unwearid  in  preach- 
ing, but  weary  when  he  had  not  opportunity  to  preach,  and  weary  of  the  Spirits 
he  had  to  deal  with. 

§  82.  All  this  while,  though  I  came  not  near  Cromwell,  his  Defigns  were  vifiblc, 
and  I  law  him  continually  acting  his  part.     The  Lord  General  fuffered  him  to  go- 
vern and  do  all,  and  to  choofealmoft  ali  the  Officers  of  the  Army.     He  firir  aaade 
Ireton  Commiflary  General ;  and  when  any  Troop  or  Company  was  to  bt  difpofed 
or,  or  any  confiJerable  Officer's  place  was  void,  he  wasfure  to  put  a  Sectary  in  tie 
place  ;  and  when  the  brunt  of  the  War  was  over,  he  lookt  not  fo   much  at  their 
Valour  as  their  Opinions :  So  that  by  degrees  he  had  headed  the  greateft  part  of  the 
Army  with  Anabaptijrs,  Ant inomt arts,  Seekers,  or  Separatists  at  beft  :  and   ail  thel'j 
he  tied  together  by  the  point  of  Liberty  of  Confcience,  which  was  the  Common 
Intereft  in  which  they  did  unite.     Yet  all  the  fober  Party  were  carried  on  by  his 
Profeffion  that  he  only  promoted  the  Univerfal  Intereft  of  the  Godly,  without  a- 
ny  diltinction  or  partiality  at  all :  But  frill  when  a  place  fell  void,  it  was  Twenty 
to  one  a  Senary  had  it,  and  if  a  Godly  Man  of  any  other  Mind  or  temper  had  a 
mind  to  leave  the  Army,  he  would  fecretly  or  openly  further  it.     Yet  did  he  not 
openly  profels  what  Opinion  he  was  of  himfelf :  But  the  moll  that  he  faid  for  any 
was  for  Anabaptijm  and  Antinomiamfm,  which   he  ulually   feemed  to  own.     And 
Harrifon  (  who  was  then  great  with  him  )  was  for  the  fame  Opinions.     He  would 
not  Difpute  (  with  me  )  at  all,  but  he  would  in  good  Dilcourle  very  fluently  pour 
out  himlelf,  in  the  Extolling  of  Freegrace,  which  was   favoury  to  thofe  that  had 
right  Principles,  though  he  had  fome  mifimderftandings  of  Freegrace  himlelf.     He 
was  a  Man  of  excellent  Natural  Parts  for  Affection  and  Oratory  ;  but  not  well 
feen  in  the  Principles  of  his  Religion  :  Of  a  Sanguine  Complexion,  naturally  of 
fuch  a  vivacity,  hilarity  and  alacrity  as  another  Man  hath  when  he  hath  drunken 
a  Cup  too  much  ;  but  naturally  alio  fo  far  from  humble  Thoughts  of  himfelf,  that 
it  was  his  ruine. 

§  8;.  All  thefe  two  Y'ears  that  I  was  in  the  Army,  even  my  old  bolbm  Friend, 
that  had  lived  in  my  Houfe,  and  beendeareft  to  me,  James  Berry,  (then  Captain, 
and  after  Colonel  and  Major  General,  and  Lord  of  the  Upper  Houfe  )   who  had 
formerly  invited  me  to  Cromwell's  old  Troop,  did  never  once  invite  me  to  the  Ar- 
my at  firft,  nor  invite  me  to  his  Quarters  after,  nor  never  once  came  to  vifit  me, 
nor  law  me  lave  twice  or  thrice  that  we  met  accidently  :  lb  potent  is  the  Intereft 
of  our  lelves  and  our  Opinions  with  us,  againft  all  other  Bonds  whatever:  He  that 
forfaketh  himfelf  in  forfaking  his  own  Opinions,  may  well  be  expected  to  forfake 
his  Friend,  who  adhereth  to  the  way  which  he  forfaketh :  and  that  Change  which 
maketh  him  think  he  was  himlelf  an  ignorant,  mifguided  Man  before,  muft  needs 
make  him  think  his  Friend  to  be  ftill  ignorant  and  mifguided,  and  value  him  ac- 
cordingly.    He  was  a  Man,  I  verily  think,  of  great  Sincerity  before  the  Wars,  and 
of  very  good  Natural  Parts,  efpecially  Mathematical  and  Mechanical;  and  affecti- 
onate in  Religion,  and  while  converfant  with  humbling  Providences,  Doctrines  and 
Company,  he  carried  himfelf  as  a  very  great  Enemy  to  Pride  :  But  when   Crom- 
well made  him  his  Favourite,  and  his  extraordinary  Valour  was  crowned  with  ex- 
traordinary Succefs,  and  when  he  had  been  a  while  moft  converfant  with  thole  that 
in  Religion  thought  the  old  Puritan  Minifters  were  dull,  felf-conceited,   Men  of  a 
lower  form,  and  that  new  Light  had  declared  I  know  not  what  to  be  a  higher  at- 
tainment, his  Mind,  his  Aim,  his  Talk  and  all  was  altered  accordingly.     And  as 
Minifters  of  the  old  way  were  lower,  and  Sectaries  much  higher  in  his  efteem  than 
formerly,  Co  he  was  much  higher  in  his  own  Efteem  when  he  thought  he  had  at- 
tained much  higher,  than  he  was  before  when  he  late  with  his  Fellows  in   the 
Common  Form.     Being  never  well  ftudied  in  the  Body  of  Divinity  or   Contro- 
verfie,  but  taking  his  Light  among  the  Sectaries  ,  before  the  Light  which  longer 
and  patient  Studies  of  Divinity  ihould  have  prepofteft  him  with,  he  lived  afcer  as 
honeifly  as  could  be  expected  in  one  that  taketh  Errour  for  Truth,  and  Evil  to  be 
Good. 

After  this  he  was  Prefident  of  the  Agitators,  and  after  that  Major  General  and 
Lord  as  aforefaid  :  And  after  that  a  principal  Perfon  in  the  Changes,  and  the  prin- 
cipal Executioner  in  pulling  down  Richard  Cromwell ;  and  then  was  one  of  the 
Governing  Council  of  State.  And  all  this  was  promoted  by  the  miftmderifanding  of 
Providence,while  he  verily  thought  that  God, by  their  Victories,  had  io  called  them 
to  look  after  the  Government  of  the  Land  ,  and  Co  entrufted  them  with  the  welfare 
of  all  his  People  here,  that  they  were  relponfible  for  it ,  and  might  not  in  Con- 

I  fcience 


58  The  LI F E  of  the  L i  b.  I, 


fcience  ftand  ftill  while  any  thing  was  done  which  they   thought  was  againft  that 
Intereft  which  they  judged  to  be  the  Intereft  of  the  People  of  God. 

And  as  he  was  the  Chief  in  pulling  down,  he  was  one  of  the  firft  that  fell :  For 
Sir  Arthur  Hafelrigg  taking  Portfmoutb  (  of  which  more  hereafter)  his  Regiment  of 
Horfe  fent  to  block  it  up,  went  moft  of  them  into  Sir  Arthur  Hafelrigg.  And  when 
the  Army  was  melted  to  nothing,  and  the  King  ready  to  come  in,  the  Council 
of  State  imprifoned  him,  becaufe  he  would  not  promife  to  live  peaceably;  and  af- 
terwards he  (being  one  of  the  four  whom  General  Monk  had  the  worft  thoughts  of) 
was  clofely  confin'd  in  Scarborough  Caftle :  but  being  releafed  he  became  a  Gardiner, 
and  lived  in  a  fafer  (rate  than  in  all  his  Greatnefs. 

§84.  When  Worcejler  Siege  was  over,  (  having  with  Joy  feen  Kidder min ft er  and 
my  Friends  there  once  again,),  the  Country  being  now  cheared,  my  old  Flock  ex- 
pected that  I  mould  return  to  them,  and  fettle  in  Peace  among  them. 

i  went  to  Coventry,  and  called  the  Minifters  again  together  who  had  voted  me 
into  the  Army  :  I  told  them  ['  That  the  forfaking  of  the  Army  by  the  old  Mini- 
c  fters,  and  the  neglect  of  Supplying  their  Places  by  others,  had  undone  us :  that 
'  I  had  laboured  among  them  with  as  much  Succefs  as  could  be  expected  in  the 
'  narrow  iphere  of  my  Capacity:  but  that  fignified  little  to  all  the  Army  !  That  the 
'  Active  Sectaries  were  the  fmalleft  part  of  the  Army  among  the  Common  Soldi- 
'  ers,  but  Cromwell  had  lately  put  fo  many  of  them  into  Superiour  Command,  and 
f  their  Induftry  was  fo  much  greater  than  others,  that  they  were  like  to  have  their 
'  Will :  That  whatever  obedience  they  pretended,  I  doubted  not  but  they  would 
f  pull  down  all  that  flood  in  their  way,  in  State  and  Church,  both  King,  Parlia- 
'  ment  and  Minifters,  and  fet  up  themfelves.  I  told  them  that  for  this  little  that  I 
c  have  done  I  have  ventured  my  Life,  and  weakened  my  Body  (  weak  before)  : 
c  but  the  Day  which  I  expected  is  yet  to  come,  and  the  greatefi  Service  with  the 
1  greateft  Hazard  is  yet  before.  The  Wars  being  now  ended,  I  was  confident  they 
c  would  inortly  Jhew  their  purpofes,  and  fet  up  for  themfelves :  And  when  that 
'  day  came,  for  all  that  are  true  to  King,  Parliament,  and  Religion  then  to  appear, 
r  if  there  be  any  hope,by  contradi&ing  them  or  drawingoiT  the  Soldiers  from  them, 
'  was  all  the  Service  that  was  yet  poffible  to  be  done:  That  I  was  like  to  do  no 
'  great  matter  in  fuch  an  Attempt ;  but  there  being  fo  many  in  the  Army  of  my 
'  mind,  I  knew  not  what  might  be  till  the  Day  mould  difcover  it :  Though  I  knew 
'  it  was  the  greateft  hazard  of  my  Life,  my  Judgment  was  for  ftaying  among  them 
c  till  theCrifis,  if  their  Judgment  did  concur].  Whereupon  they  all  voted  me  to 
go,  and  leave  Kidderminfier  yet  longer,  which  accordingly  I  did. 

§  85-.  From  Worcejler  I  went  to  London  to  Sir  Theodore  May  em  about  my  health  : 
Me  fent  me  to  Tunbridge  Wells,  and  after  fome  flay  there  to  my  benefit,  I  went 
back  to  London,  and  fo  to  my  Quarters  in  Worcefierjhire  where  the  Regiment 
was. 

My  Quarters  fell  out  to  be  at  Sir  Tho.  Rom's  at  Rous  Lench  ,  where  I  had  never 
been  before :  The  Lady  Rous  was  a  godly ,  grave,  underff anding  Woman,  and  en- 
tertained me  not  as  a  Soldier  but  a  Friend.  From  thence  I  went  into  Leiceflerjhire, 
Staffordfirire,  and  at  laft  into  Derhyjhire.  One  advantage  by  this  moving  Lite  1  had, 
that  I  had  opportunity  to  preach  in  many  Countreys  and  Parifhes ;  and  whatever 
came  of  ic  afterward,  I  know  not ;  but  at  the  preient  they  commonly  feemed  to 
be  much  affected. 

I  came  to  our  Major  Swallow's  Quarters  at  Sir  John  Cook's  Houle  at  Melbourn  in 
the  edge  of  Darbyftiire,  beyond  sljhby  de  la  Zouchjin  a  cold  and  fnowy  Seafon;  and  the 
cold,  together  with  other  things  coincident,  fet  my  Nole  on  bleeding.  When  I 
had  bled  about  a  quart  or  two,  I  opened  four  Veins,  but  it  did  no  good.  I  ufed 
divers  other  Remedies  for  feveral  days  to  little  purpofe  ;  at  laft  I  gave  my  (elf  a 
Purge,  which  ftopt  it.  This  lb  much  weakened  me  and  altered  my  Complexion, 
that  my  Acquaintance  who  came  to  vifit  me  fcarce  knew  me.  Coming  after  fo 
long  weaknels,  and  frequent  lols  of  Blood  before,  it  made  the  Phyficians  conclude 
mc  dcplorate  after  it  was  ftopped  5  fuppofing  I  would  never  efcape  a 
Drop(y. 

And  thus  God  unavoidably  prevented  all  the  Effect  of  my  purpofes  in  my  laft 
and  chiefeft  Oppofition  of  the  Army  j  and  took  me  off  the  very  time  when  my 
Attempt  fhould  have  begun  :  My  purpofe  was  to  have  done  my  beft  firft  to  take  off 
that  Regiment  which  I  was  with,  and  then  with  Capt.  Lawrence  to  have  tried  up- 
on the  Generals  (  in  which  two  was  Cromwelh  chief  Confidents)  and  then  have 
joyned  with  others  of  the  fame,  mind  (  for  the  other  Regiments  were  muGh  leli 

cor- 


Part  {.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  59 


Corrupted).  But  the  Determination  of  God  againft  it  was  molt  obfervable  :  I  or 
the  very  time  that  1  was  bleeding  the  Council  of  War  fate  at  Nottingham,  where  (as 
I  have  credibly  heard  )  they  firft  began  to  open  their  Purpofes  and  act  their  Pait  : 
and  prefently  after  they  entered  into  their  Engagement  at  Triploe- Heath.  And  as 
I  perceived  it  was  the  Will  of  God  to  permit  them  to  go  on  ,  (6  I  afterward  found 
that  this  great  Affliction  was  a  Mercy  to  my  f  If ;  for  they  were  i'o  ftrong  and  a- 
&ive,  that  I  had  been  likely  to  have  had  imall  Succefs  in  the  Attempt,  but  to  have 
loft  my  Lite  among  them  in  their  Fury.  And  thus  I  was  finally  feparated  from 
the  Army. 

§  8<5.  When  I  had  flayed  at  Melbourn  in  my  Chamber  three  Weeks  (  being  a- 
mong  Strangers,  and  not  knowing  how  to  get  home)  I  went  to  Mr.  NoweU's  hotife 
at  Kirby-Mallory  in  Leicefterjlrire,  where  with  great  Kindnefs  I  was  entertained  three 
Weeks :  By  that  time  the  Tidings  of  my  Weakneis  came  to  the  Lady  Rous  in  Wor- 
cefhrjhire,  who  fent  her  Servant  to  leek  me  out;  and  when  he  returned  ,  and  rold 
her  1  was  far  ofF,and  he  could  not  find  me/he  lent  him  again  to  find  me,and  bring 
me  thither  if  I  were  able  to  travel  :  And  in  great  weakneis,  thither  I  made  fhifr. 
to  get,  where  I  was  entertained  with  the  greateft  Care  and  Tendernefs,  while  I 
continued  the  ufe  of  means  for  my  Recovery  :  and  when  1  had  been  there  a  quar- 
ter of  a  Year,  I  returned  to  Kuldermmfter, 

§  87.  When  I  was  gone  from  the  Army,  the  Parliament  was  moft  fblicitoushow 
to  keep  them  from  Tumults  and  Difbbedience  :  But  Sir  Henry  Vane  with  his  Party 
iecretlv  confederated  with  them,  to  weaken  all  others,  and  to  ftrengthen  the  Secta- 
ries :  Wh  ,'ieupon  they  procured  the  Houfe  to  Disband  both  Major  General  Maf 
fifs  Brigade,  and  all  other  Field  Soldiers,  and  the  honeft  County  Forces  and  Gar- 
rilbns  of  moft  Places,  which  among  them  had  fbber  Men  enow  to  have  refilled 
them.  This  was  the  fuccefsfulleft  Act  that  was  done  for  their  Defigns :  for  now 
they  had  little  fear  of  Oppofition. 

The  Defign  of  Vane  and  Cromwell  now  was  not  only  to  keep  up  an  Army  of 
Sectaries,  when  the  Sober  Party  were  Disbanded,  but  alio  to  force  the  Parliament 
to  their  mind,  and  moddel  it  fo  as  that  they  fhould  do  their  work  :  (  which  I  had 
foretold  fbme  Parliament  Men  of  long  before  ) :  One  of  the  Principal  Engines  in 
this  Contrivance  was,  to  provoke  the  Parliament  to  pals  fiich  Votes  as  the  Army 
would  be  molt  difplealed  with,  and  then  to  ftir  up  the  Army  to  the  deepeft  Re- 
fentment  of  it.  Accordingly  the  Parliament  voted  that  part  of  the  Army  mould 
go  to  Ireland^  and  part  be  disbanded,  and  part  continued.  The  Leaders  in  the  Ar- 
my incenled  the  Soldiers,  by  pei  fwading  them  that  this  was  to  deprive  them  of 
their  Pay,  and  to  divide  them,  and  when  they  had  chem  at  home  again  to  ruine 
them  as  Sectaries,  and  this  was  the  Reward  of  all  their  Services.  Whereupon  at 
Triploe-Heath  they  entered  into  an  Engagement  to  ftick  together,^,  and  were 
drawing  up  a  Declaration  of  their  Grievances;  (  the  aggravating  of  fuppoled  In- 
juries being  the  way  to  raife  Mutinies,and  make  ufe  of  Fa&ionsfoF  Seditious  Ends) 
Quarter- Mafter  General  F/wc^r  acquainteth  Sir  William  Waller  with  their  Defign, 
(  who  with  others  was  fent  to  the  Army  )  and  Col.  Edward  Harley  (a  Member  of 
the  Parliament  and  of  the  Army)  acquaintcth  the  Houfe  with  it.  Cromwell  being 
in  the  Houfe  doth  with  vehemency  deny  it ;  and  faid  it  was  a  Slander,  railed  to 
difcompofe  the  Army  by  difcontenting  them,  and  undertook  that  they  Ihould  all 
lav  down  their  Arms  at  the  Parliaments  Feet,  and  for  his  own  part,  protefting  his 
Submiffion  and  Obedience  to  them.  And  this  he  did  when  he  was  Confederate 
with  them,  and  knew  of  the  Paper  which  they  were  drawing  up  ,  and  confeft  it 
after  when  the  Copy  of  it  was  produced,  and  prefently  went  among  them ,  and 
headed  them  in  their  Rebellion.  In  fhort,  he  and  his  Cabal  fo  heightned  the  Dif- 
contents,  and  carried  on  the  New  Confederate  Army,  that  the  Parliament  was  fain 
to  Command  all  that  were  faithful  to  forfake  them,  and  offer  them  their  Pay  to 
encourage  them  thereto  :  Commiffary  General  Fmcber,  and  Major  Alfop,  and  Ma- 
jor Huntingdon,  and  many  more  with  a  confiderable  number  of  Soldiers  came  off: 
But  being  not  enow  to  make  a  Body  to  refill:  them,  it  proved  a  great  Addition  to 
their  ftrength  :  For  now  all  that  were  againft  them  being  gone,  they  filled  up  their 
Places  with  Men  of  their  own  Mind ,  and  fo  were  ever  after  the  more  unani- 
mous. 

§  88.  Upon  this  Cromwell  and  his  Obedient  Lambs  ( as  he  called  them.)  advanced 
in  the  Profecution  of  their  Defign,  and  drew  nearer  London,  and  drew  up  an  Im- 
peachment againft  Eleven  Members  of  the  Parliament,  forfooth  accufing  them  of 
Treafon  ;  viz.'S'icFhilipStapletcn,  Sir  William  Lew is  ,  Col.  Hollis ,  Sir  John  May- 
nard,  Mr.  Gljn,  &c.  and  among  the  reft  Col.  Edward  Harley  (  a  ibber  and  truly 

1 2  religious 


6o  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  Lib.]. 

religious  Man,  the  worthy  Son  of  a  moft  pious  Father,  Sir  Robert  Harley).  And 
when  thereby  they  had  forced  the  Houfe  to  fecludethem  asunder  Acculation,they 
let  fall  their  Suit,  and  never  proiecuted  them,  nor  proved  them  Guilty. 

Thus  begun  that  Pride  to  break  forth  into  Rebellion,  which  grew  up  from  Suc- 
cefles  in  impotent  Minds,  not  able  to  conquer  fo  great  a  Temptation  as  their  Con- 
quells.  When  they  had  cad  out  thefe  Members ,  they  thought  that  the  Houfe 
would  have  done  as  they  would  have  had  them,  and  been  awed  into  Obedience, 
but  ftill  they  continued  to  crofs  them,  and  came  not  up  to  the  Conformity  expe- 
cted. A  while  after  the  City  teemed  to  take  Courage,  and  would  defend  the  Par- 
liament againft  the  Army,  and  under  Major  General  Majjey  and  Major  General 
Rointz,  they  would  put  themfeves  into  a  Military  pofture  :  But  the  Army 
made  hafte,  and  v/ere  upon  them  before  they  were  well  refolved  what  to  do,  and 
the  hearts  of  the  Citizens  failed  them,  and  were  divided  ,  and  they  fubmitted  to 
the  Army,  and  let  them  enter  the  City  in  triumph.  Whereupon  Majjey  and  Hollv, 
and  others  of  the  accufed  Members  fled  into  France t  of  whom  Sir  Vhilip  Stapkton 
died  of  the  Plague  near  CaUce ;  and  now  the  Army  promifed  themfelves  an  obe- 
dient Parliament ;  but  yet  they  were  not  to  their  mind. 

§  89.  Here  I  muft  look  back  to  the  Courfe  and  Affairs  of  the  King  ;  who  at  the 
Siege  of  Oxford,  having  no  Army  lefc,  and  knowing  that  the  Scots  had  more  Loy- 
alty and  Stability  in  their  Principles  than  the  Se&arics,  refolved  to  caft  himfelf 
upon  them,  and  fo  efcaped  to  their  Army  in  the  North.  The  Scots  were  very 
much  troubled  at  this  Honour  that  was  caft  upon  them  :  for  they  knew  not  what 
to  do  wich  the  King.  To  lend  him  back  to  the  Englijl)  Parliament  feemed  unfaith- 
fulnefs,  when  he  had  caft  himfelf  upon  them :  To  keep  him  they  knew  would  di- 
vide the  Kingdoms,  and  draw  a  War  upon  themlelves  from  England ;  whom  now 
they  knew  themfelves  unable  to  refift.  They  kept  him  awhile  among  them  with 
honourable  Entertainment,  till  the  Parliament  fent  for  him  ;  and  they  (aw  that 
the  Sectaries  and  the  Army  were  glad  of  it,  as  an  occafion  to  make  them  odious, 
and  to  invade  their  Land.  And  fo  the  terrour  of  the  Conquering  Army  made 
them  deliver  him  to  the  Parliaments  Commiffionersupon  two  Conditions :  i.That 
they  mould  promife  to preferve  his  Perfon  in  Safety  and  Honour,  according  to 
the  Duty  which  they  owed  him  by  their  Allegiance.  2.  That  they  fhould  pre- 
sently pay  the  Scots  Army  one  half  the  Pay  which  was  due  to  them  for  their  Ser- 
vice, (  which  had  been  long  unpaid  to  make  them  odious  to  the  Country  where 
they  quartered,). 

Hereupon  the  King  being  delivered  to  the  Parliament,  they  appointed  Colonel 
Richard  Greaves t  Major  General  Richard  Brown,  with  others  to  be  his  Attendants, 
and  defired  him  to  abide  awhile  at  Homehy- Houfe  in  Northamptov[hire.  While  he  was 
here  the  Army  was  hatching  their  Confpiracy  :  And  on  the  Hidden  one  Cornet 
Joyce,  with  a  party  of  Soldiers,  fetcht  away  the  King,  notwithstanding  the  Par- 
liaments Order  for  his  Security  :  And  this  was  done  as  if  it  had  been  againft  Crom- 
well's Will,  and  without  any  Order  or  Confent  of  theirs :  But  fo  far  was  he  from 
lofing  his  Head  for  fuch  a  Treaibn,  that  ic  proved  the  means  of  his  Preferment. 
And  ib  far  was  Cromwell  and  his  Soldiers  from  returning  the  King  in  Safety  ,  that 
they  detained  him  among  them,  and  kept  him  with  them,  till  they  came  to  Hamp- 
ton Court,  and  there  they  lodged  him  under  the  Guard  of  Col.  Wballey,  the  Army 
quartering  all  about  him.  While  he  was  here  the  mutable  Hypocrites  firft  pre- 
tended an  extraordinary  Care  of  the  King's  Honour,  Liberty,  Safety  and  Con- 
fcience.  They  blamed  the  Aufterity  of  the  Parliament,  who  had  denied  him  the 
Attendance  of  his  own  Chaplains;  and  of  his  Friends  in  whom  he  took  moft 
pleafiire  :  They  gave  Liberty  for  his  Friends  and  Chaplains  to  come  to  him  :  They 
pretended  that  they  would  lave  him  from  the  Incivilities  of  the  Parliament  and 
Presbyterian?.  Whether  this  were  while  they  tried  what  Terms  they  could  make 
with  him  for  themfelves,  or  while  they  a&ed  any  other  part  s  it  is  certain  that 
the  King's  old  Adherents  began  to  extol  the  Army,  and  to  fpeak  againft  the  Pref- 
byterians  more  diftaftfully  than  before.  When  the  Parliament  oifered  the  King 
Propofitions  for  Concord,  (which  Vanes  Fa&ion  made  as  high  and  unreasonable 
as  they  could,  that  they  might  come  to  nothing)  the  Army  forfooth  offer  him 
Propofals  of  their  own,  which  the  King  liked  better  :  But  which  of  them  to  treat 
with  he  did  not  know.  At  laft  on  the  fudden  the  judgment  of  the  Army  chang- 
ed, and  they  began  to  cry  for  Jufiice  againft  the  King,  and  with  vile  Hypocrifie, 
to  publiln  their  Repentance,and  cry  God  Mercy  for  their  Kindneis  to  theKing,and 
confefs  that  they  were  under  a  Temptation  :  But  in  all  this  Cromwell  and  heton,  and 
the  reft  of  the  Council  of  War  appeared  not :  The  Inftruments  of  all  this  Work  muft 

be 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  61 

be  the  Common  Soldiers.     Two  of  the  molt  violent  sectaries  in  8  gimenc 

arechofen  by  the  Common  Soldiers,  by  the  Name  cf  Agitators,  to  reprelenc  the 
reft  in  thele  great  Affairs.  All  theft  together  made  a  Councilor  which  Col.  James 
Berry  was  the  Prefident,  that  they  might  bo  uteri,  ruled  and  diilblved  ac  pleafure. 
No  man  that  knew  them  will  doubt  whether  this  was  done  by  Crotn-well's  and  Ireton's 
Diredion.  This  Council  of  Agitators  take  not  only  the  Parliaments  Work  upon 
themfelves,  but  much  more:  They  draw  up  a  Paper  called  The  Agreeimnt  of  the 
People,  as  the  Model  or  Form  of  a  New  Commonwealth.  They  have  their  own 
Printer,  and  publilh  abundance  of  wild  Pamphlets,  as  changeable  as  the  Moon  i 
the  thing  contrived  was  an  Heretical  Democracy.  When  Cromwell  had  awhile 
permitted  them  thus  to  play  themfelves,  partly  to  pleafe  them,  and  confirm  them 
to  him,  and  chiefly  to  ufe  them  in  his  demolilhing  Work,  at  lad  he  feemeth  to  be 
lb  much  for  Order  and  Government  ,  as  to  blame  them  for  their  Diforder,  Pre- 
emption and  Headinefs,  as  if  they  had  done  it  without  his  Confcnt.  This  em- 
boldeneth  the  Parliament  (not  to  Cenfurethemas  Rebels,  but,)  to  rebuke  them  and 
prohibit  them,  and  claim  their  own  Superiority  :  And  while  the  Parliament  and 
the  Agitators  are  contending,  a  Letter  is  fecretly  fent  to  Col.  Whallej,  to  imim 
that  the  Agitators  had  a  defign  fuddenly  to  turpi  ize  and  murder  the  King  b:- 
think  that  this  was  fent  from  a  real  Friend  ;  but  molt  think  it  wis  contrived  by 
Cromwell  to  affright  the  King  out  of  the  Land,  or  into  fome  defperate  Courle 
which  might  give  them  Advantage  againlt  him.  Collonel  Whdlty  Iheweth  the 
Letter  to  the  King,  which  put  him  into  much  fear  of  f.:ch  ill  governed  Hands  : 
fo  that  he  iecretly  got  Horfesand  dipt  away  towards  the  Sea  with  two  of  his  Con- 
fidents only  ;  who  coming  to  the  Sea  near  Southampton,  found  that  they  were  dif1 
appointed  of  the  Vellel  expected  to  traniport  them  ;  and  to  were  fain  to  pals  over 
into  rhe  Ifle  of  Wight,  and  there  to  commit  his  Majefty  to  the  Trufl  of  Collonel 
Robert  Hammond  who  was  Governor  of  a  Cattle  there  :  A  Day  or  two  all  weie 
amazed  to  think  what  was  become  of  the  King  ;  and  then  a  Letter  from  the  King 
to  the  Houte  acquainted  them  that  he  was  fain  to  fly  thither  from  the  Cruelty  oi 
the  Agitators,  who,  as  he  wasinformed  thought  to  murder  him  ;  and  urging  them 
to  treat  about  rhe  ending  all  thefe  Troubles.  But  here  Cromwell  had  the  King  in 
a  Pinfold,  and  was  more  fecure  of  him  than  before. 

§  90.  The  Parliament  and  the  Scots,  and  all  that  were  loyal  and  fober minded 
abhorred  tt  efe  traiterous  Proceedings  of  Cromwell  and  the  ltdarian  Army  ;  but 
law  ic  a  Matter  of  great  difficulty  to  re  lift  them  :  but  the  Conicience  of  their  Oath 
of  Allegiance  and  Covenant,  told  them  that  they  were  bound  to  hazard  their 
Lives  in  the  attempt. 

The  three  Commanders  for  the  Parliament  in  Pembrook(hire  raiikd  an  Army  againft 
them,  viz.  Major  General  Langhom,  Collonel  Powel,  and  Collonel  Foyer :  The 
Scots  raited  a  great  Army  under  the  Command  of  the  Duke  of  Hamilton :  The 
Ksntijh  Men  role  under  the  Command  of  the  Lord  Goring  and  others  :  and  the  EJ- 
fex  Men  under  Sir  Charles  Lucas :  But  God's  time  was  noc  come,  and  the  Spirit  of 
Pride  and  Schifm  mult  be  known  to  the  World  by  its  Effects.  Duke  Hamilton's 
Army  was  eafily  routed  in  Lancajlure,  and  he  taken,  and  the  lcattered  Parts  pur- 
fued  till  they  came  to  nothing  :  Langhorn  with  the  Pembrookjlrire  Men  was  totally 
routed  by  Collonel  Horton,  and  all  the  chief  Commanders  being  taken  Prifbncrs,  ic 
fell  to  Collonel  Foyers  Lot  to  be  fhot  to  Death  :  The  Kenttjh  Men  were  driven  out 
of  Kent  into  Effex,  being  foiled  at  Maid/lone :  And  in  Colchefier  they  endured  a 
long  and  grievous  Siege,  and  yielding  at  lalt,  $\r  Charles  Lucas,  and  another  or  two 
were  mot  to  Death,  and  thus  all  the  Succors  of  the  King  were  defeated. 

§  91.  Never  to  this  time,  when  Cromwell  had  taught  his  Agitators  to  govern, 
and  could  not  eafily  unteach  it  them  again,  there  arole  a  Party  who  adhered  to  the 
Principles  of  their  [agreement  of  the  People']  which  fuked  not  with  his  Defigns  : 
And  to  make  them  odious  he  denominated  them  Levellers,  as  if  they  intended  to 
level  Men  of  all  Qualities  and  Efiates  ;  while  he  difcountenanced  them,  he  difcon- 
tented  them  ;  and  being  difcontented,  they  endeavoured  to  difcontent  the  Army  ; 
and  at  laft  appointed  a  Randezvouz  at  Burford  to  make  Head  againft  him.  But 
Cromwell  (  whofe  Diligence  and  Dilpatch  was  a  great  Caufe  of  his  SucceiTes)  had 
prefently  his  Brother  Desborough,  and  fome  other  Regiments  ready  to  furprife 
them  there  in  their  Quarters,  before  they  could  get  their  Numbers  together  :  So 
that  about  1  £00  being  fcattered  and  taken,  and  fome  flain,  the  Levellers  War  was 
cruflit  in  the  Egg,  and  Thompfon  (  one  of  Captain  Pitchford's  Corporals  aforemen- 
tioned) who  became  their  chief  Leader,  was  purfued  near  Widmgborough  in 
Nortbamptonjlrire,  and  there  flain  while  he  defended  himfelf, 

§92.  A? 


62  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

§  92  As  I  have  paft  over  many  Battles,  Sieges,  and  great  Anions  of  the  Wars, 
as  not  belonging  to  my  purpofe  ;  fo  I  have  paffed  over  Cromwell's  March  into  Scot- 
land to  help  the  Covenanters  when  Montrojs  was  too  frrong  for  them,  and  I  fhall  pais 
over  his  Tranfportation  into  Ireland,  and  his  fpeedy  Conqueft  of  the  remaining  For- 
ces and  Forcreffes  of  that  Kingdom?his  taking  the  Ifles  of  Man,  ofjerjey,  Garnjey,  and 
Sc'illy,  and  fuch  other  of  his  Succeffes,  and  ipeak  only  in  brief  of  what  he  did  to  the 
change  of  the  Government,  and  to  the  exalting  of  himfelf  and  of  his  Confidents. 
And  I  will  pafi  over  the  Londoners  Petitions  for  the  King,  and  their  Carriage  to* 
wards  the  Koufe,  which  looked  like  a  force,  and  exafpsrated  them  fo,  that  the 
Speakers  of  both  Houfes,  the  Earl  of  Manchester  and  Mr.  Lentball,  did  with  the 
greater  part  of  the  prelent  Members,,  go  forth  to  Cromwell,  and  make  fome  kind 
of  Confederacy  with  the  Army,  and  took  them  for  their  Protedors  againft  the 
Citizens.     Alfo  their  votings  and  unvoting  in  thefe  Cafes,  &c 

§  93.  The  King  being  at  the  Ifleof  Wight,  the  Parliament  fent  him  fome  Pro- 
portions to  be  confented  to  in  order  to  his  Refforation  :  The  King  granted  many 
of  them,  and  f )ine  he  granted  not :  The  Scotttjh  Commiffioners  thought  rhe  Con- 
ditions more  difhonourabletothe  King,than  was  confidant  with  their  Covenant  and 
Duty,  and  protefted  againft  them ;  for  which  the  Parliament  blamed  them  as 
binderers  of  the  defired  Peace.  The  chiefeft  thing  which  the  King  (tuck  at, 
was,  the  utter  aholifhing  of  Epifcopacy,  and  alienating  theirs  and  the  Dean  and 
Chapters  Lands.  Hereupon,  with  the  Commiffioners  certain  Divines  were  fent 
down  to  fatisfie  the  King,  v iz>.  Mr.  Stcyh.  Marjliall,  Mr.  Rich.  Vines,  Dr.  Lazarus 
Seaman,  &c.  who  were  met  by  many  of  the  King's  Divines,  Archbi/hop  Ufker, 
Dr.  Hammond,  Dr.  Sheldon,  &c.  The  Debases  here  being  in  Writing  were  published, 
and  each  Party  thought  they  had  the  better,  and  the  Parliament  Divines  came  off 
with  great  Honour :  But  for  my  part,  I  confefs  thefe  two  things  againft  them, 
though  Perfons  whom  I  highly  honoured  : 

1.  That  they  feem  not  to  me  to  have  anfwered  fatisfa&orily  to  the  main  Ar- 
gument fetcht  from  the  Apoftles  own  Government,  with  which  Sara'via  had  incli- 
ned me  to  fome  Epifcopacy  before ;  though  Miracles  and  Infallibility  were  Apo- 
ffolical  temporary  Priviledges ;  yet  Church  Government  is  an  ordinary  thing  to 
be  continued  :  And  therefore  as  the  Apoftles  had  Succeffors  as  they  were  Preach- 
ers, I  fee  not  but  that  they  mult  have  Succeffors  as  Church  Governors :  And  ic 
feemeth  unlikely  to  me,  that  Chrift  fhould  fettle  a  Form  of  Government  in  his 
Church,  which  was  to  continue  but  for  one  Age,  and  then  to  be  transformed  into 
another  Species.  Could  I  be  fure  what  was  the  Government  in  the  Days  of  the 
Apoftles  themfelves,  I  mould  be  fatisfied  what  fhould  be  the  Government  now. 

2.  They  feem  not  to  me  to  have  taken  the  Courfe  which  fhould  have  fetled  thefe 
diftracted  Churches :  Inftead  of  difputing  againft  all  Epifcopacy,  they  fhould 
have  changed  Diocefan  Prelacy  into  fuch  an  Epifcopacy  as  the  Confcience  of  the 
King  might  have  admitted,  and  as  was  agreeable  to  that  which  the  Church  had  in 
the  two  or  trues  firft  Ages.  I  confefs,  Mr.  Vines  wrote  to  me  as  their  excufe  in  this 
and  other  Matters  of  the  Affembly,  that  the  Parliament  tied  them  up  from  treat- 
ing or  difputing  of  any  thing  at  all,  but  what  they  appointed  or  propofedto  them : 
But  I  think  plain  dealing  with  fuch  Leaders  had  been  beft,  and  to  have  told  them 
this  u  our  Judgment,  and  in  the  matters  of  God  and  his  Church  we  will  ferve  you 
according  to  our  Judgment,  or  not  at  all.  (  But  indeed  if  they  were  not  of  one 
Mind  among  themfelves,  this  could  not  be  expected. ) 

Archbifhop  Ufoer  there  took  the  righteft  courfe,who  offered  the  King  his  Reduction 
of  Epifcopacy  to  the  form  of  Presbytery :  And  he  told  me  himfelf,  that  before  rhe 
King  had  refined  it,  but  at  the  Jfle  of  Wight  he  accepted  it,  and  as  he  not 

when  others  would,  fo  others  would  not  when  he  would  :  And  when  our  prelent 
King  Charles  II.  came  in,  we  tendered  it  for  Union  to  him,  and  then  he  would 
not :  And  thus  the  true  moderate  healing  terms  are  always  rejected  by  them  that 
ftand  on  the  higher  Ground,  though  accepted  by  them  that  .?.re  lowe^  and  cannot 
have  what  they  will:  From  whence  it  is  eafy  to  perceive,  whether  Profperity  or 
Adverfuy,  the  Higheft,  ortheLoweft,  be  ordinarily  the  greater  Hinderer  of  the 
Churches  Unity  and  Peace.  I  know  that  if  the  Divines  and  Parliament  hod 
agreed  for  a  moderate  Epifcopacy  with  the  King,  fome  Presbyterians  ot  Scotland 
would  have  been  againft  it,  and  many  Independants  of  England,  and  the  A  my 
would  have  made  it  tiie  matter  of  odious  Accufations  and  Clamours :  out  aii  this 
had  be  x  regard  to  remove  forefeeing  judicious  Men  from  thofe  heat- 

ing Counfels  which  mult  clofe  our  Wounds  whenever  they  are  clofed. 

§  94.  The 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  63 

§  94.  The  King  fending  his  final  Anfwers  to  the  Parliament,  the  Parliament 
hada  long  Debate  upon  them,  whether  to  acquielce  in  them  as  a  fufficient  Ground 
for  Peace  ;  and  many  Members  fpake  for  refting  in  them,  aria*  among  others 
Mr.  Frin  went  over  all  the  King's  Confceffions  in  a  Speech  of  divers  Hours  long,  * 
with  marvellous  Memory,  and  fhewed  the  Satisfactorinefs  of  them  all,  (  and  after 
printed  it  : )  So  that  theHouie  voted  that  the  Kings  Conceffions  were  a  furficient 
Ground  for  aPerfbnal  Treaty  with  him;  and  had  (uddenly  fent  a  concluding  An- 
fwer,  and  lent  for  him  up,  but  at  fuch  a  Cri/is  it  was  time  for  the  Army  to  belHr 
them  :  Without  any  more  ado  Cromwell  and  his  Confidents  fend  Collonel  Pride 
with  a  Party  of  Souldiers  to  the  Houfe,  and  let  a  Guard  upon  the  Door;  one  Part 
of  the  Houfe  (who  were  for  them  )  they  let  in  ;  another  part  they  turned  away, 
and  told  them  that  they  muft  not  come  there  ;  and  the  third  part  they  imprifbned 
(the  fobereft  worthy  Members  of  the  Houfe)  ;  and  all  to  prevent  them  from  be- 
ing true  to  their  Oaths  and  Covenants,  and  loyal  to  their  King  :  Tofo  much  Re- 
bellion, Perfideoul'nefs,  Perjury  and  Impudence,  can  Error,  Selfiflmefi  and  Pr  de  of 
great  SuccelTes,  tranfport  Men  of  the  higheft  Pretences  to  Religion. 

§  95-.  For  the  true  underftanding  of  all  this,  it  muft  be  remembred,  that  though 
in  the  beginning  of  the  Parliament  there  was  fcarce  a  noted  grofs  Senary  known, 
but  the  Lord  Brook  in  the  Houfe  of  Peers,  and  young  Sir  Henry  Vane  in  the  Houfe 
of  Commons ;  yet  by  Degrees  the  Number  of  them  increafed  in  the  Lower  Houfe; 
Major  Sallowey  and  fome  few  more  Sir  Henry  Vane  had  made  his  own  Adherents : 
Many  more  were  carried  part  of  the  way,  to  Independency,  and  Liberty  of  Reli- 
gions ;  and  many  that  minded  not  any  fide  in  Religion,  did  think  that  it  was  no  Po- 
licie  ever  to  truft  a  conquered  King,  and  therefore  were  wholly  for  a  Parliamentary 
Government :  Of  thefe  fome  would  have  Lords  and  Commons  as  a  mixture  of 
Arift ocracie  and  Democracie,  and  others  would  have  Commons  and  Democracie 
alone  ;  and  fome  thought  that  they  ought  to  judge  the  King  for  all  the  Blood  that 
had  been  fried.  And  thus  when  the  two  Parts  of  the  Houfe  were  ejected  andi  m- 
prifoned,  this  third  part  compofed  of  the  Vanifts,  the  Independants,  and  other 
Sects,  with  the  Democratical  Party,  was  left  by  Cromwell  to  do  his  Bufinefs  under 
the  Name  of  the  Parliament  of  England  ;  but  by  the  People  in  Scorn  commonly 
called,  The  Rump  of  the  Parliament.  The  fecluded  and  imprifoned  Members 
publifhed  a  Writing  called,  their  Vindication  ;  and  fome  of  them  would  afterwards 
have  thruft  into  the  Houfe,  but  the  Guard  of  Soldiers  kept  them  out,  and  the 
Rump  were  called  the  Honeft  Men.  And  thefe  are  the  Men  that  henceforward  we 
have  to  do  within  theProgrefs  of  our  Hiftory,  as  called,   The  Parliament. 

§  96.  As  the  Lords  were  difaffectcd  to  thefe  Proceeedings,  Co  were  the  Rump 
and  Soldiers  to  the  Lords :  So  that  they  parted  a  Vote  (  fuppofing  that  the  Army 
would  ftand  by  them  )  to  eftablifh  the  Government  without  a  King  and  Houfe  of 
Lords ;  and  fo  the  Lords  diflolved,  and  thefe  Commons  fat  and  did  all  alone.  And 
being  deluded  by  Cromwell,  and  verily  thinking  that  he  would  be  for  Democracie, 
which  they  called  a  Commonwealth,  they  gratified  him  in  his  Defigns,  and  them- 
felves  in  their  difloyal  Diftrufts  and  Fears ;  and  they  caufed  a  High  Court  of  Ju- 
ftice  to  be  erected,  and  fent  for  the  King  from  the  Ifle  of  Wight :  Collonel  Ham- 
mond delivered  him,  and  to  Weflmin(ler-Hall  he  came,  and  refufing  to  own  the 
Court  and  their  Power  to  try  him,  Cook  as  Attorney  having  pleaded  againft  him, 
Bradjhaw  as  Prefident  and  Judge  recited  the  Charge  and  condemned  him  :  And  be-  Ati.164.8 
fore  his  own  Gate  at  Whitehall  they  erected  a  Scaffold,  and  before  a  full  AfTembly 
of  People  beheaded  him  :  Wherein  appeared  the  Severity  of  God,  the  Mutability 
and  Uncertainty  of  Worldly  Things,  and  the  Fruits  of  a  finful  Nation's  Provoca- 
tions, and  the  infamous  Effects  of  Error,  Pride  and  Selfifhnefs,  prepared  by  Sa- 
tan to  be  charged  hereafter  upon  Reformation  and  Godlinefs,  to  the  unfpeakable 
Injury  of  the  Chriftian  Name  and  Proteftant  Caufe,  the  Rejoicing  and  Advantage 
of  the  Papifts,  the  Hardning  of  Thoufands  againft  the  Means  of  their  own  Sal- 
vation, and  the  Confufion  of  the  Actors  when  their  Day  is  come. 

§  97.  The  Lord  General  Fairfax  all  this  while  ftood  by,  and,  with  high  Refine- 
ment, faw  his  Lieutenant  do  all  this  by  tumultuous  Souldiers,  tricked  and  over- 
powered by  him  ;  neither  being  fufficiently  upon  his  Guard  to  defeat  the  Intreagues 
of  fuch  an  Actor  ;  nor  having  Refblution  enough  (as  yet)  to  lay  down  the  Glo- 
ry of  all  his  Conquefts  and  forfake  him :  But  at  the  King's  Death  he  was  in  won- 
derful Perplexities,  and  when  Mr.  Calamy  and  fbme  Minifters  were  fent  for  to  re- 
folve  him,  and  would  have  farther  perfuaded  him  to  refcue  the  King,  his  Troubles 
fo  confounded  him,  that  they  durft  let  no  Man  (peak  to  him :  And  Crorrwell 
kept  him  (as  it  was  faidj  in  praying  and  coniiiking  till  the  Stroke  was  given, 

and 


6^  The  LI  F  E  of  the  Lib.!. 

and  it  was  too  late  to  make  Refinance.  But  not  long  after,  when  War  was  deter- 
mined againft  Scotland,  he  laid  down  his  Commiffion,  and  never  had  to  do  with 
the  Army  more,  and  Cromwell  was  General  in  his  ftead. 

§98.  If  you  ask  what  did  the  Minifters  all  this  while ;  I  anfwer,  they  Preach'd 
and  Pray  d  againft  Difloyaky  :  They  drew  up  a  Writing  to  the  Lord  General,  de- 
claring their  Abhorrence  of  all  Violence  againft  the  Peribn  of  the  King,  and  urg- 
ing him  and  his  Army  to  take  heed  of  fuch  an  unlawful  Act :  They  present  ic  to 
the  General  when  they  faw  the  King  in  Danger  :   But  Pride  prevailed  againft 
their  Counfels. 
An.i6AQ      §  99-  The  King  being  thus  taken  out  of  the  way,  Cromwell  takes  on  him  to  be 
for  a  Commonwealth  (but  all  in  order  to  the  Security  of  the  good  People)  till 
he  had  removed  the  other  Impediments  which  were  yet  to  be  removed  :  So  that 
the  Rump  prefently  drew  up  a  Form  of  Engagement,  to  be  put  upon  al!  Men,  viz. 
[I  do  fromife  to  be  Jrue  and  Faithful  to  the  Commonwealth  as  it  is  now  efiablijbed  with- 
out a  King  or  Houfe  of  Lords."]     So  we  muft  take  the  Rump   for  an  eftabhjhed  Com- 
monwealth, and  promife  Fidelity  to  them.     This  the  Sectarian  Party  (wallowed 
eafily,  and  fo  did  the  King's  old  Cavaliers,  fo  far  as  I  was  acquainted  with  them, 
or  could  hear  of  them    (  not  heartily,  no  doubt,  but  they  were  very  few  of  them 
fick  of  the  Diieafe  called  tendernefs  of  Confcience,  or  Scrupulofity  ;  But  the  Pres- 
byterians, and  the  moderate  Epifcopal  Men  refufed  it,  (  and  I  believe  fo  did  the 
Prelatical  Divines  of  the  King's  Party  for  the  moft  part  ;    though  the  Gentlemen  had 
greater  Neeeffities. )     Without  this  Engagement  no  Man  muft  have  the  Benefit  of 
iuing  another  at  Law  (which  kept  Men  a  little  from  Contention,  and  would  have 
man'd  the  Lawyers  trade  )  ;  nor  muft  they  have  anv  Mafterfhips  in  the  Univer- 
fities,  nor  travel  above  fo  many  Miles  from  their  Houfes,  and  more  fuch  Penalties, 
which  I  remember  not  (  fo  fhort  Lived  a  Commonwealth  deferved  no  long  Re- 
membrance ) :    Mr.  Vines  and  Dr.  Rainbow,  and  many  more  were  hereupon  put 
out  of  their  Headships  in  the  Univerfities,  and  Mr.  Sidrach  Sympfon,  and  Mr.  Jo. 
Sadler,  and  fuch  others  put  in  ;  yea,  fuch  a  Man  as  Mr.  Dell,  the  Chaplain  of  the 
Army,  who,  I  think,  neither  underftood  himfelf,   nor  was  underftood  by  others 
any  farther  than  to  be  one.,  who  took  Reafon,    Sound  DoElrine,    Order  and  Concord 
to  be  the  intollerable  Maladies  of  Church  and  State,  becaufe  thev  were  the  great- 
eft  Strangers  to  his  Mind.     But  poor  Dr.  Edward  Reignolds  had  the  hardeft  Meafure  ; 
for  when  he  refuted  to  take  the  Engagement,  his  Place  was  forfeited ;    and  after- 
wards they  drew  him  to  take  it,  in  hopes  to  keep  his  Place,  (which  was  no  left  than 
the  Deanarie  of  Chrifi's-Cburcb  )  and  then  turned  him  out  of  all,  and  offered  his 
Place  to  Mr.  Jof.  Caryll ;   but  he  refufing  it,  it  was  conferred  on  Dr.  Owen,  to 
whom  it  was  continued  from  year  to  year. 
Mr.  Eaton      And  bscaufe  the  Presbyterians  ftill  urged  the  Covenant  againft  killing  the  King, 
wrote  a     ancj  pUHjng  down  the  Parliament,   and  fetting  up  a  Commonwealth,    and  taking 
trove  that  ^,e  £ngage|nent,  fbme  of  the  Independent  Brethren  maintained,   that  its   Obli- 
the  Oath  of  gation  ceafed',  becaufe  ic  was  a  League,  and  the  Occafion  of  it  ceafed  :  And  fome 
Allegiance  of  the  Rump  faid  it  was  like  an  Almanack  out  of  date  ;  and  fome  of  the  Souldiers 
nor  the  Co-  faid  they  never  rook  it  5  and  others  of  them  railed  at  it  as  aScottijh  Snare  :  So  that 
venantbmd  w^en  their  Intereft  would  not  fuffer  them  to  keep  fb  (bJemn  a  Vqw,    their  Wills 
would  not  iiiffer  their  Judgments  to  confefs  it  to  be  Obligatory,  at  leaft,  as  to 
the  part  which  they  muft  violate. 

§  100.  For  my  own  part,  though  I  kept  the  Town  and  Parifh  of  Kiderminfler 
from  taking  the  Covenant  (and  feeing  how  ic  might  become  a  Snare  to  their  Con- 
fciences  )  yea,  and  moft  of  Wcrcefierfirire  befides,  by  keeping  the  Miniftcrs 
from  offering  ic  in  any  of  the  Congregations  to  the  People  (  except  in  Worcefter 
City,  where  I  had  no  great  intereft,  and  know  not  what  they  did)  •  yet  I  could 
not  judge  ;t  feemly  for  him  that  believed  there  is  a  God,  to  play  fafi  201$  loofe 
with  a  dreadful  Oath,  as  if  the  Bonds  of  National  and  Perfbnal  Vows  were  as 
eafily  fhak'doff  as  Sampforis  Cords. 

Therefore  I  fpake  and  preach'd  againft  the  Engagement,  and  diftbaded  Men 
from  taking  it :  The  firft  hour  that  1  heard  of  it,  being  in  Company  with  fbme 
Genciamen  of  Worcefarjhire ,  I  prefently  wrote  down  above  twenty  Queries 
againft  it,  intending  as  many  more  aimoft  againft  the  Obligation,  ^s  thofe  were 
about  the  Senfe  asiri  Qrciiaiftainces :  And  one  that  was  prelent  got  the  Copy  of 
jii,  and  (hortly  after,  1  net  with  them  verbatim  in  a  Look  of  Mr.  Henry  Hall's 
as  his  own  :  (  one  that  was  long  imprifbned  for  writing  againft  Cromwell.  ) 

f 
Some 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  65 

Some  Epilcopal  Divines  that  were  not  fofcrupulous  it  leems  as  we  ,  did  write' 
for  it  (  private  Manuscripts  which  I  haveieenj  and  plead  the  irrefutability  of  thet 
Impolers,  and  they  found  ftarting  holes  in  the  Terms,  viz*.  That  by  the  Common- 
wealth  they  will  mean  the  prefent  Commonwealth  in  genere ,  and  by  [  Eftablified'] 
they  will  mean  only  defatto,  and  not  de  jure,  and  by  [without  a  King,  &:c.  ]  they 
mean  not  cjuatenus  but  Etfi ;  and  that  only  de  fatto  -pro  tempore  ;  ej.  d.  I  will  be  true 
to  the  Government  of  England,  though  at  the  prefent  the  King  and  Houfe  of 
Lords  are  put  out  of  the  Exercile  of  their  power].  Thele  were  the  Expeditions 
of  many  Epifcopal  Men,  and  others  that  took  it :  But  1  endeavoured  to  evince, 
that  this  is  meer  jugling  and  jeft ing  with  Matters  too  great  to  be  jefted  with :  And 
that  as  they  might  eafily  know  that  the  Impofers  had  another  ienfe,  fo  as  eafily 
might  they  know  that  the  words  in  their  own  obvious  uiual  lenfe  among  men,  mult 
be  taken  as  the  Promifeor  Engagement  of  a  Subject  as  fuch  to  a  Form  of  Govern- 
ment now  pretended  to  be  eitabli fried  :  And  that  the  Subjects  Allegiance  or  Fideli- 
ty to  his  Rulers  can  be  acknowledged  and  given  in  no  plainer  words:  And  that  by 
fiich  Interpretations  and  Stretchings  of  Confcience,  any  Treafonable  Oath  or  Pro- 
mile  may  be  taken,  and  no  Bonds  of  Society  can  fignihe  much  with  fiich  Inter- 
preters. 

§101.  England  and  Ireland  being  thus  Conquered  by  Cromwell,  (by  deluding  well- 
meaning  Men  into  his  Service,  and  covering  his  Ambition  with  the  Lord  Fatrfax'z 
Generallhip);  the  Parliament  being  impriibned  and  call  out,  the  King  cut  off, 
and  the  Rump  eftablilhed  as  a  new  Commonwealth  ,  (  thole  great  and  folid  Men, 
Tim,  Hampden,  Sec.  being  long  before  dead  and  i  id  out  of  his  way,  who  elle  had 
been  like  to  have  prevailed  againft  the  Plots  of  Vane  in  the  Parliament)  you  would 
think  there  were  nothing  new  Handing  in  his  way,  to  hinder  him  from  laying 
hands  upon  the  Crown.  But  four  Impediments  yet  ftood  before  him!  i.  The  nu- 
merous Cavaliers  (or  Royalifts  )  ready  for  new  Enterprizss  againft  him.  2.  The 
Scots,  who  relblved  to  ft ick  to  the  Covenant  and  the  King.  3.  The  Army,  which 
muft  be  untaught  all  the  Principles  which  he  is  now  permitting  them  to  learn  : 
(  For  thofe  Principles  which  mull  bring  him  to  the  Crown,  are  the  worft  in  the 
World  for  him  when  once  he  is  there).  4.  The  Minifters  of  England  and  Scotland, 
and  all  the  lbber  People  who  regarded  them. 

The  firft  of  thele  he  mod  eafily  (though  net  without  ftruglingj  overcame,  ma- 
king his  advantage  by  all  their  Enterprises.  The  tecond  put  him  harder  to  it,  but 
he  overcame  them  at  laft.  The  third  proved  yet  a  greater  difficulty,  but  he  leem- 
ed  abfolutely  to  overcome  it,  yet  leaving  ftill  lbme  Life  in  the  root.  The  fourth 
irrove  againft  him  more  calmly  and  prudently,  with  invincible  Weapons ,  and 
though  they  were  quiet,  were  never  overcome ;  but  at  laft  revived  the  (park  of 
Life  which  was  left  in  the  third,  and  thereby  gave  a  Refurre&ion  to  the  firft  and 
lecond,  and  lb  recovered  all  at  laft;  not  to  the  ftate  of  their  own  Intereft,  or  to 
that  Condition  of  Church  Affairs  which  they  defired  ,  but  to  that  Civil  State  of 
Royal  Government  to  which  they  were  engaged,  and  from  which  the  Nation  (eem- 
ed  to  have  fallen. 

Thefe  are  the  true  Contents  of  the  following  parts  that  were  acted  in  thefe  Lands; 
The  Rump  I  might  mention  as  another  of  his  Impediments,  but  as  they  now  were 
doing  his  work,  lb  I  conjoyn  the  Reli&s  of  them  which  then  difturbed  him,  with 
the  Army  who  were  the  ftrength  by  which  they  did  it. 

§  102.  The  King  being  dead,liis  Son  was  by  right  immediately  King,  (and  from 
that  time  he  dateth  his  Reign.)  The  Scots  lend  Melfengers  to  him  to  come  over  to 
them  and  take  the  Crown  :  But  they  treat  with  him  firft  for  his  taking  of  the  Co- 
venant ;  and  renouncing  the  Wars,  and  the  Blood  that  wasfhed  in  them  by  his  Fa- 
thers Party.  By  which  I  perceive  that  the  Scots  underftood  the  Claufe  in  the  Co- 
venant of  [  Defending  the  King's  Per  fan  and  Authority  m  the  Defence  of  the  true  Religion 
and  the  Liberties  of  the  Kingdom  ]  otherwife  than  we  did  :  For  as  they  extended  the 
word  [  true  Religion]  further  than  we  did  (  including  the  Form  of  Church  Go- 
vernment in  Scotland  )  fo  they  feem  to  undei  ftand  it  Conjunction  infeparahilt ;  and 
to  prefer  the  Defence  of  Religion  before  the  Defence  of  the  King :  whereas  we 
underftood  it  Conjuntltone  (eperabilt;  and  though  in  meer  eftimadon  we  preferred  Re- 
ligion before  King  or  Kingdom,yet  in  regard  of  the  Duty  of  Defence,  we  thought 
the  King  muft  be  reftored  and  defended,  though  (  legally  )  he  would  have  brought 
in  worfe  than  Prelacy  :  Though  we  did  not  think  that  he  might  do  it  illegally  5 
and  therefore  that  he  could  not  govern  Arbitrarily,  nor  take  away  the.  Peoples 
fore-prized  Propriety  or  Liberty ,  nor  change  the  Form  of  the  Goverment  of  th© 
Commonwealth, 


$6  The  LI F E  of  the  L  i  b.  L 


Bat  thofe  that  thought  otherwife,  faid,  That  there  is  no  power  but  from  God, 
and  therefore  none  againft  him  or  above  him  ;  and  therefore  none  againft  or 
above  his  Laws]  :  which  how  true  foever,  feemeth  not  at  all  to  decide  our  Cafe  : 
For  though  it  follow  never  fo  much  that  fuch  Acts  againft  God  are  not  Acts  of  Au- 
thority, yet  the  fame  Perfon  that  hath  not  Authority  to  do  this,  may  have  Autho- 
rity in  other  matters,  and  may  be  our  rightful  Governour,  and  therefore  muft  be 
obeyed  in  all  things  lawful,  ('though  not  in  this :)  and  his  Perlbn  defended.  And 
therefore  how  they  could  refufe  to  receive  the  King,  till  he  confented  to  take  the 
Covenant,  I  know  not :  unlefs  the  taking  of  the  Covenant  had  been  a  Condition 
on  which  he  was  to  receive  his  Crown  by  the  Laws  or  Fundamental  ConfHtutiort 
of  the  Kingdom  (  which  none  pretendeth  ).  Nor  know  I  by  what  power  they  can 
add  any  thing  to  the  Coronation  Oath  or  Covenant,  which  by  his  Anceftors  was 
to  be  taken.without  his  own  Confent.But  in  their  Zeal  for  the  Church,the  Scots  did 
caufe  the  King,  when  he  was  come  over  to  them,  not  only  (  mutatis  mutandis  )  to 
take  the  Covenant,  but  alio  to  publifh  a  Declaration  to  the  World,  that  he  did  it 
voluntarily  and  heartily,  and  that  he  lamented  the  Sins  of  his  Father's  Houfe,  ac- 
knowledging the  Guilt  of  the  Blood  of  the  late  Wars,  &c.j  In  all  which  it  feem- 
ed  to  me  and  many  others  that  they  mifcarried  divers  ways :  i.  In  impofing  Laws 
upon  their  King,  for  which  they  had  no  Authority.  2.  In  forcing  him  to  disho- 
nour the  Memory  of  his  Father  ,  by  fuch  Confeffions.  ;.  In  tempting  him  to 
(peak  and  publifti  that  which  they  might  eafily  know  was  contrary  to  his  heart,and 
fo  to  take  God^s  Name  in  vain.  4.  And  in  giving  Cromwell  occafion  to  charge 
them  all  with  diflimulation. 

§  1 03. What  Tranfactions  there  were  between  the  King  and  the  Scots  for  the  Ex- 
pediting of  his  Coronation,  and  what  Preparations  were  made  for  an  Army  to  de- 
fend him,  and  what  Differences  among  the  Parties  hereabouts,  I  mail  not  defcribe, 
there  being  enow  of  them  that  were  upon  the  place  who  can  do  it  better  :  But  to 
return  to  England,  as  (bon  as  they  underftood  what  the  Scots  had  done,  the  Secta- 
ries in  England  reproached  them  as  Fools  and  Hypocrites,  that  by  fuch  a  Pageantry 
mockt  themfelves,  and  would  make  the  People  believe  that  the  King  was  turned 
Presbyterian,  and  was  a  Cordial  Covenanter,  when  they  had  forced  him  to  fay 
and  do  that  which  they  might  well  know  he  did  abhor.  And  they  preiently  re- 
folve  to  invade  the  Scots,  to  keep  them  from  invading  England,  and  not  to  ftay  till 
they  came  in  upon  this  Land,  as  heretofore.  So  that  Cromwell  is  in  Scotland  with 
his  Army  before  they  were  well  fetled  m  their  Affairs.  This  much  increafed  the 
alienation  of  the  Peoples  hearts  from  the  Cromwellians :  for  though  they  might  fiip- 
pofe  that  the  Scots  intended  to  bring  the  King  into  England,  yet  few  believed  that 
he  might  begin  with  them  by  an  Invaiion,  it  being  too  much  to  have  refilled  them 
at  home. 

§  1 04.  When  the  Soldiers  were  going  againft  the  King  and  Scots  J.  wrote  Letters  to 
fome  of  them  to  tell  them  of  their  Sin  ,  and  defired  them  at  laft  to  begin  to  know 
themfelves :  it  being  thofe  fame  men  that  have  Co  much  boafted  of  Love  to  all  the 
Godly,  and  pleaded  for  tender  dealing  with  them,  and  condemned  thofe  that  per- 
fected them  or  reftrained  their  Liberty,  who  are  now  ready  to  imbrue  their 
Swords  in  the  Blood  of  fuch  as  they  acknowledge  to  be  Godly,and  all  becauie  they 
dare  not  be  perjured  or  dijloyal  as  they  are.  Some  of  them  were  ftartled  at  thele 
Letters,  and  CO  blindnels  I)  thought  me  an  uncharitable  Cenfurer  that  would  fay 
that  they  could  kill  the  Godly,  even  when  they  were  on  their  march  to  do  it:  For 
how  bad  foever  they  fpake  of  the  Cavaliers,  (  and  not  without  too  much  delert  as 
to  their  Morals,)  they  confeiTed  that  abundance  of  the  Scots  were  godly  Men.  And 
afterward  thofe  that  1  wrote  to  better  underftood  me. 

§  105-  At  the  fame  time  the  Rump  for  Commonwealth  )  who  fb  much  abhor- 
red Perfccution  ,  and  were  for  Liberty  of  Conlcience,  made  an  Order  that  all  Mi- 
nifters  Ihould  keep  their  days  of  Humiliation,  tofaftandpray  for  their  Succefs  in 
Scotland:  and  that  we  ihould  keep  their  Days  of  Thankfgiving  for  their  Vi&ories : 
and  this  upon  pain  of  Sequeftration  :  fb  that  we  all  expected  to  be  turned  out  :  but 
they  did  not  execute  it  upon  any  fave  one  in  our  parts. 

For  my  part,  infiead  of  praying  and  preaching  for  them,  when  any  of  the  Com- 
mittee or  Soldiers  were  my  hearers,  I  laboured  to  help  them  to  underftand,  what 
a  Crime  it  was  to  force  men  to  pray  for  the  Succels  of  thofe  that  were  violating 
their  Covenant  and  Loyalty,  and  going  in  fuch  a  Caufeto  kill  their  Brethren  :  And 
what  it  was  to  force  Men  to  give  God  thanks  for  all  their  Bloodlhed,  and  to  make 
Gods  Minift  is  and  Ordinances  vile,  and  ferviceable  to  fuch  Crimes,  by  forcing 
Men  to  run  to  God  on  fiich  Errands  of  Blood  and  Ruine ;  And  what  it  is  to  be 

fuch 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  67 


fuch  Hypocrites  as  to  perfecute  and  caft  out  thofe  that  preach  the  Gofpel,  while 
they  pretend  the  advancement  of  the  Gofpel,  and  the  liberty  of  tender  Confei- 
ences  :  And  what  a  means  it  was  to  debauch  all  Consciences  ,  and  leave  neither 
tendernels  nor  honefty  in  the  World,  when  the  Guides  of  the  Flocks,  and  Preach- 
ers of  the  Gofpel  lhall  be  noted  to  (wallow  down  fuch  heinous  Sins. 

My  own  Hearers  were  all  (atisfied  with  my  Doctrine  ,  but  the  Committee  Men 
look  fowre,  but  let  me  alone.  And  the  Soldiers  laid  I  was  fo  like  to  Love,  that  I 
would  not  be  right  till  I  was  Ihorter  by  the  Head.  Yet  none  of  them  ever  med- 
led  with  me  farther  than  by  the  Tongue,  nor  was  I  ever  by  any  of  them  in  thofe 
times,  forbidden  or  hindered  to  preach  one  Sermon,  except  only  one  Affize-Ser- 
mon  which  the  High  Sheriff  had  defired  me  to  preach,  and  afterward  lent  me 
word  to  forbear,  as  from  the  Committee,  faying,  That  by  Mr.  Moors  means  (the 
Independent  Preacher  at  the  Colledge)  the  Committee  told  him  that  they  defirtd 
me  to  forbear,  and  not  to  preach  before  the  Judges,  becaufe  1  preached  againli  the 
State  :  But  afterward  they  excufed  it,  as  done  meerly  in  kindnefs  to  me,  to  keep 
me  from  running  my  felf  into  danger  and  trouble. 

§  106.  Not  far  from  this  time  the  London  Minifters  were  called  Traitors  by  the  An.i6$i 
Rump  and  Soldiers  for  plotting  for  the  King  (  a  ftrange  kind  of  Trea(on)  ,  be- 
caufe they  had  fbme  Meetings  to  contrive  how  toraife  fome  fmall  Sum  of  Money 
for  MaJJe/s  relief,  who  was  then  in  Scotland :  And  fbme  falfe*  Brother  difcovered  *Capt.x- 
them,  and  eight  of  them  were  fent  to  the  Tower  ,  Mr.  Arthur  Jackfon,   Dr.   Drake,  dams* 
Mr.  Wat/on,  Mr.  Love,  Mr.  Jenkins,  &c.  and  Mr.  Nalton  and  Mr.  Caughton  fled  into 
Holland,  where  one  died,  but  the  other  returned  and  lived  to  fuffer  more  by  them 
he  fuffered  for. 

Mr.  Love  was  tried  at  a  Court  of  Juftice,  where  Ednt.  Trideaux  a  Member  and 
Sollicitor  for  the  Commonwealth,  did  think  his  Place  allowed  him  to  plead  againli 
the  Life  and  Blood  of  the  Innocent.  Mr.  Love  was  condemned  and  beheaded, 
dying  neither  timeroufly  nor  proudly  in  any  defperate  Bravado,  but  with  as  great 
alacrity  and  fearlefs  quietnefs  and  freedom  of  Speech,  as  if  he  had  but  gone  to  Bed, 
and  had  been  as  little  concerned  as  the  ftanders  by.  An  t  honeft  Gentleman  was  f  Mr.Gib- 
beheaded  with  him  for  the  fame  Caule.  And  at  the  time  of  their  Execution,  or  bm' 
very  near  it  on  that  day,  there  was  the  dreadfulleft  Thunder  and  Lightning  and 
Tempeff,  that  was  heard  or  feen  of  a  long  time  before. 

This  Blow  funk  deeper  towards  the  Root  of  the  New  Commonwealth,  than  will 
eafily  be  believedjand  made  them  grow  odious  toalmoft  the  Religious  Party  in  the 
Land,  excepc  the Sedaries:  (Though  lbme  malicious  Cavaliers  laid  it  was  good 
enough  for  him,  and  laught  at  it  as  good  News ) :  for  now  the  People  would  not 
believe  that  they  fought  the  promoting  of  the  Gofpel ,  who  killed  the  Minifters 
for  the  Intereft  of  their  Faction.  And  there  is,  as  Sir  Walter  Ra-wleigb  noteth  of 
Learned  Men,  fuch  as  Vemoftbenes,  Cicero,  &c.  fo  much  more  in  Divines  of  famous 
Learning  and  Piety  ,  enough  to  put  an  everlaft ing  odium  upon  thofe  whom  they 
fuffer  by,  though  the  Caule  of  the  Sufferers  were  not  juftifiable.  Men  count  hint 
a  vile  and  deferrable  Creature,  who  in  his  paflion,  or  for  his  intereft,  or  any  fuch 
low  account,  fliall  deprive  the  World  of  fuch  Lights  and  Ornaments ,  and  cut 
off  lb  much  excellency  at  a  blow,  and  be  the  Perfecutors  of  fuch  worthy  and  re- 
nowned Men.  Though  the  reft  of  the  Minifters  were  releafed,  upon  Mr.  Jen- 
kins s  Recantation,  and  Confeflion  that  God  had  now  convinced  him,  that  he 
ought  to  fubmit  to  the  prelent  Government.  Yet  after  this,  the  moft  of  the  Mi- 
nifters and  good  People  of  the  Land,  did  look  upon  the  New  Commonwealth  as 
Tyranny,  and  were  more  alienated  from  them  than  before. 

§  107.  The  Lord  Fairfax  now  laid  down  his  CommiiTion ,  and  would  have  no 
more  of  the  Honour  of  being  Cromwell's  Inftrument  or  Mask,  when  he  faw  that 
he  muft  buy  it  at  lb  dear  a  rate.  And  fb  Cromwell  with  applaufe  received  a  Com- 
miflion,  and  entered  upon  his  place. 

And  into  Scotland  he  hafteneth,  and  there  he  maketh  his  way  near  Edinburgh  $ 
where  the  Scots  Army  lay  :  But  after  long  skirmifhing  and  expectations,  when  he 
could  neither  draw  the  Scots  out  of  their  Trenches  to  a  fight,  nor  yet  pals  forward, 
his  Soldiers  contracted  Sickneffes,  and  were  impatient  of  the  Poverty  of  the  Coun- 
try,and  fo  with  a  weakned  ragged  Army  he  drew  off  to  return  to  England,  and  had 
the  Scots  but  let  him  go,  or  cauteloufly  followed  him,  they  had  kept  their  Peace 
and  broken  his  Honour :  But  they  drew  out  and  followed  him,  and  overtaking 
him  near  Vunbarr,  did  force  him  to  a  Fight,  by  engaging  his  Rere ;  in  which  Fight 
being  not  of  equal  Fortitude  they  were  totally  rowted,  their  Foot  taken,  and  their 
Horle  purfued  to  Edinburgh. 

K  z  §  108- 


68  '  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

§  1 08.  Tenthoufand  Prifbners  of  the  Foot  were  brought  to  Newcafile,  where  the 
greatneis  of  the  Number,  and  the  baienefs  of  the  Country  (with  their  Poverty) 
and  the  cruel  Negligence  of  the  Army,  caufed  them  to  be  almoft  all  famifhed  : 
For  being  fhut  up  in  a  Cabbage-Garden,  and  having  no  Food,  they  caft  them- 
felves  into  a  Flux  and  other  Difeafes  with  eating  the  raw  Cabbages;  fo  that  few  of 
them  furvived,  and  thofe  few  were  little  better  ufed.  The  Colours  that  were  ta- 
ken were  hanged  up  as  Trophies  in  Wefiminfier-Ha^  and  never  taken  down  till 
the  King's  Reftoration. 

§  109.  Cromwell  being  thus  called  back  to  Edinburgh,  driveththe  Scots  to  Ster- 
ling beyond  the  River,  where  they  fortifie  themfelves :  He  befiegeth  the  impreg- 
nable Caftle  of  Edinburgh  and  winneth  it;  the  Governor,  Coll.  William  Dunglaffe, 
laying  the  blame  on  his  Souldiers  that  elfe  would  have  delivered  It  and  him  j  but 
his  Superiors  condemned  him  for  the  Cowardly  Surrender. 

After  this,  Cromwell  pafleth  fome  of  his  Men  over  the  River,  and  after  them  moft 
of  the  reft:  The  King  with  the  Scots  Army  being  unable  to  give  him  Battle  after 
fuch  Discouragements,  takes  the  Opportunity  to  hafte  away  with  what  Force  they 
had  towards  England,  thinking  that  Cromwell  being  caft  now  fome  Days  March 
behind  them,  by  Reafon  of  his  palling  the  River,  they  might  be  before  him  in 
England,  and  there  be  abundantly  increafed,  by  the  coming  in  both  of  the  Cava- 
liers and  the  reft  of  the  People  to  him.  And  doubtlefs  all  the  Land  would  fud- 
denly  have  flockt  in  to  him  but  for  thefe  two  Caufes : 

1.  The  Succefs  of  Cromwell  at  Dumbarre  and  afterwards,  had  put  a  Fear  upon  all 
Men,  and  the  manner  of  the  Scots  coming  away,  perfuaded  all  Men  that  Necef- 
fity  forced  them,  and  they  were  look'd  upon  rather  as  flying  than  as  marching  in- 
to England  ;  and  few  Men  will  put  themfelves  into  a  flying  Army  which  is  purfued 
Jby  the  conquering  Enemy. 

2.  The  implacable  Cavaliers  had  made  no  Preparation  of  the  Peoples  Mind, 
by  any  Significations  of  Reconciliation,  or  of  probable  future  Peace  :  And  the 
Prelatical  Divines,  inftead  of  drawing  nearer  thofe;  they  differed  from  for  Peace, 
had  gone  farther  from  them  by  Dr.  Hammond's  new  way,  than  their  Piedcceffors 
were  before  them ;  and  the  very  Caufe  which  they  contended  for,  being  not  Con- 
cord and  Neighbourhood t  but  Domination,  they  had  given  the  diflenting  Clergy  and 
People  no  hopes  of  finding  favourable  Lords,  or  any  Abatement  of  their  former 
Burdens,  Co  little  did  their  Task-Mafters  relent :  But  contrariwife,  they  faw  Pvea- 
fon  enough  to  expect  that  their  little  Fingers  would  be  heavier  than  their  Predecef- 
fbrs  Loyns.  And  it  is  hard  to  bring  Men  readily  to  venture  their  Lives  to  bring 
themfelves  into  a  Prifbn,  or  Beggary,  or  Banifhment. 

Thefe  were  the  true  Caufes  that  no  more  came  in  to  the  King  :  The  flrft  kept 
off  the  Royalifts  and  the  reft,  the  fecond  kept  off  the  reft  alone.  Yet  the  Earl  of 
Darby,  the  Lord  Talbott  and  many  Gentlemen  did  come  in  to  him  ;  and  fome  that 
had  been  Souldiers  for  the  Parliament,  (as  Capt.  Benbow  from  Shrewsbury,  with 
Cornet  Kinnerfty  and  a  Party  of  Horfe,  and  fome  iew  more. ) 

The  King's  Army  of  Scots  was  excellently  well  governed  ( in  companion  of 
what  his  Father's  was  wont  to  be):  Not  a  Souldier  durft  wrong  any  Man  of 
the  worth  of  a  Penny  ;  which  much  drew  the  Affections  of  the  People  towards 
them. 

The  Prefence  of  Collonel  Rich.  Graves,  and  Collonel  Majfy  with  them,  was  the 
great  Inducement  to  the  Parliamentarians  to  come  in  :  But  another  great  Impedi- 
ment kept  them  off,  which  was,  Cromwell's  exceeding  fpeedy  Purfuit  of  them  ; 
fo  that  People  had  not  time  to  refolve  themfelves  confiderateiy  ;  and  moft  were 
willing  to  fee  what  Cromwell's  Affault  would  do,  before  they  caft  themfelves  into 
the  Danger;  Soldiers  may  moft  eafily  be  had  when  there  is  leaft  need  of 
them. 

The  King  came  by  the  way  of  Lmcajhire,  and  fun'imoned  Shrewsbury  in  vain 
as  he  palled  by  through  Shropshire :  And  when  all  the  Country  thought  that  he 
was  haftening  to  London  (  where  all  Men  fuppofed  he  would  have  attained  his 
Ends,  increafed  his  Strength,  and  had  no  Refiftance,  )  he  turned  to  JVorcefttr,  and 
there  flayed  to  refrefh  his  Army,  Cromwell's  Forces  being  within  a  few  days  March 
of  him. 

§  no.  The  Army  paffed  moft  by  Kiderminfter  (a  Fields  Breadth  off)  and  the 
relt  through  it :  Collonel  Graves  fent  two  or  three  Meffages  to  me,  as  from  the 
King,  to  come  to  him ;  and  after,  when  he  was  at  Worceder,  fome  others  were 
lent :  But  I  was  at  that  time  under  fo  great  an  Afflidion  of  fore  Eyes,  that  I  was 
not  fcarce  able  to  fse  the  Light,   nor  fie  to  ftir  out  of  Doors :    And  being  not 

much 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  69 

much  doubtful  of  the  liTue  which  followed,  I  thought  if  I  had  been  able,  it 
would  have  been  no  Service  at  all  to  the  King  j  it  being  fo  little  on  fuch  a  fudden, 
that  I  could  add  to  his  Afiif  ranee. 

When  the  King  had  flayed  a  few  Days  at  Worcefter,  Cromwell  came  with  his  Ar- 
my to  the  Eaft  fide  of  the  City,  and  after  that,  made  a  Bridge  of  Boats  over  Se- 
vern, to  hinder  them  from  Forage  on  the  other  fide ;  but  becauie  fo  great  an  Army 
could  not  long  endure  to  be  pent  up,  the  King  relblved  to  charge  Cromwell's  Men  ; 
and  a  while  the  Scots  Foot  did  charge  very  gallantly,  and  ibme  chief  Perlbns  among 
the  Horfe,  The  Marquis  Hamilton  (late  Earl  of  Lanenck)  being  (lain  :  But  at  lad 
the  hope  of  Security  fo  near  their  Backs,  encouraged  the  King  s  Army  to  retreac 
into  the  City,  and  Cromwell's  Souldiers  followed  them  ib  dole  at  the  Heels,  that 
Major  Swallow  of  Wballey's  Regiment  fird,  and  others  after  him  entered  Sidbury- 
Gate  with  them  ;  and  fo  the  whole  Army  fled  through  the  City  quite  away,  ma- 
ny being  trodden  down  and  flain  in  the  Streets ;  lb  that  the  King  was  faign  to  fly 
with  them  Northward,  the  Lord  Willmot,  the  Earl  of  Lander  d.ule,  and  many 
others  of  his  Lords  and  Commanders  with  him  :  Kiderminfter  being  but  eleven  Miic-J 
from  lVora'(tert  the  flying  Army  pad  Ibme  of  them  through  the  Town,  and  lbme 
by  it :  1  was  newly  gone  to  Bed  when  the  Noile  of  the  flying  Horfe  acquainted  us 
of  the  Overthrow  :  and  a  piece  of  one  of  Cro mwtlls  Troops  that  Guarded  Bewdley- 
Bridge  having  tidings  of  it,  came  into  our  Streets,  and  flood  in  the  open  Market- 
place before  my  Door,  to  furprife  thofe  that  paft  by  :  And  fo  when  many  hundreds 
of  the  flying  Army  came  together,  when  the  30 Troopers  cryed  fiand,  and  fired 
at  them,  they  either  haded  away,  or  cryed  Quarter,  not  knowing  in  the  Dark 
what  Number  it  was  that  charged  them  :  And  lb  as  many  were  taken  there,  as  lb 
few  Men  could  lay  hold  on :  And  till  Midnight  the  Bullets  flying  towards  my  Door 
and  Windows,  and  the  forrowful  Fugitives  halting  by  for  their  Lives,  did  tell  me 
the  Calamitoulhels  of  War. 

The  King  parted  at  lad  from  mod  of  his  Lords,  and  went  to  Bofcobell  by  the 
white  Ladies,  where  he  was  hid  in  an  Oak,  in  manner  fufficiently  declared  to  the 
World  ;  and  thence  to  Mofdy,  and  lb  with  Mr.  Lane  away  as  a  Traveller,  and 
efcaped  all  the  Searchers  Hands,  till  he  came  fafe  beyond  Sea,  as  is  publilhed  at 
large  by  divers. 

The  City  of  Worcester  was  much  plundered  by  Cromwell's  Souldiers,  and  a  Party 
only  lent  out  after  the  King's  Fugitives  (for  an  Army  I  will  call  them  no  more)  : 
the  Earl  of  Derby  was  taken,  and  Capt.  Benbow  of  Shrewsbury,  and  were  both  put 
to  Death  ;  the  Sentence  of  Coll.  Mackworth  difpatched  Benbow,  becaufe  he  had 
been  a  Souldier  under  him.  The  Earl  of  Lauderdaile,  and  the  Earl  oiCraford  were 
fent  Priibners  to  WmdfirCaftle,  where  they  were  detained  till  the  Redoration  of 
the  King :  Coll.  Graves  at  lad  being  releafed  by  Cromwell,  lived  quietly  at  his  Houfe, 
which  made  him  ill  thought  of,  and  kept  from  Preferment  afterwards  when  the 
King  came  in. 

And  thus  Cromwell's  next  Impediment  was  over. 

§  in.  The  Scots  Army  being  utterly  difpatched  in  England  (and  many  of  the 
Priibners  of  Foot  fent  to  the  Barbados,  &c.)  part  of  Cromwell's  Army  was  lent  to 
prolecute  the  Victory  in  Scotland,  where  (briefly  )  all  their  Garrifons  at  lad  were 
taken,  and  the  Earl  of  Glencarne,  and  that  learned,  religious,  excellent  Perfon, 
the  Earl  of  Balcarres,  who  kept  up  the  lad  Forces  there  for  the  King,  were  fain  to 
fly  to  the  King  beyond  Sea  :  And  Major  General  Monk  was  there  left  with  lbme 
Forces  to  keep  the  Country  in  Subjection. 

§  112.  Cromwell  having  thus  far  feemed  to  be  a  Servant  to  the  Parliament,  and 
work  for  his  Maders  the  Rump  or  Commonwealth,  doth  next  begin  to  fliew  whom 
he  lerved,  and  take  that  Impediment  alio  out  of  the  way  :  To  which  End  he  fird 
doth  by  them  as  he  did  by  the  Presbyterians,  make  them  odious  by  hard  Speeches 
of  them  throughout  his  Army  ;  as  if  they  intended  to  perpetuate  themfelves,  and 
would  not  be  accountable  for  the  Money  of  the  Commonwealth,  &c.  and  he 
treateth  privately  with  many  of  them,  to  appoint  a  time  when  they  would  dif- 
folve  themfelvesj  that  another  free  Parliament  might  be  chofen :  But  they  per- 
ceived the  Danger,  and  were  rather  for  the  filling  up  of  their  Number  by  New 
Elections,  which  he  was  utterly  againft. 

His  greateft  Advantage  to  drengthen  himfelf  againd  them  by  the  Sectaries,  was 
their  owning  the  publick  Minidry  and  their  Maintenance ;  for  though  Vane  and 
his  party  fet  themfelves  to  make  the  Miniders  odious  by  reproachful  Titles,  and  to 
take  them  down,  yet  dill  the  greater  fart  of  the  Houfe  did  carry  it  for  a  fiber 
Miwftry,  and  competent  Maintenance.    And  when  the  Quakers  and  others  did  openly 

reproach 


qo  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

reproach  the  Miniftry,  and  the  Souldiers  favour  them,  I  drew  up  a  Petition  for 
the  Miniftry,  and  got  many  thouland  Hands  to  it  in  Worcefierfbire,  and  Mr.  Tho.  Fo- 
ley, and  Coll.  John  Bridgis  preferred  it ;  and  the  Houfe  gave  a  kind  and  promi- 
fing  Anfwer  to  it,  which  increafed  the  Sectaries  Dipleafure  againft  them  :  And 
when  a  certain  Quaker  wrote  a  reviling  Cenfure  of  this  Petition,  I  wrote  a  De- 
fence of  it,  and  cauied  one  of  them  to  be  given  each  Parliament  Mao  at  the  Door ; 
and  within  one  day  after  they  were  diflblved  :  For  Cromwell  impatient  of  any  more 
delay,  fuddenly  took  Harrijon  and  fome  Souldiers  with  him  (as  if  God  had  im- 
pelled him)  and  as  in  a  Rapture  went  into  the  Houfe,  and  reproveththe  Members 
for  their  Faults,  and  pointing  to  Vane,  calls  him  a  Juglar,  and  to  Henry  Martin,  and 
calls  him  Whoremafter,  and  having  two  fuch  to  inftance  in,  taketh  it  for  granted 
that  they  were  all  unfit  to  continue  in  the  Government  of  the  Commonwealth ; 
and  out  he  turneth  them :  And  fo  ended  the  Government  of  the  Rump,  and  no  fort 
of  People  exprefTed  any  great  Offence  that  they  were  caft  out,  though  all,  fave 
the  Se&aries  and  the  Army  almoft,  did  take  him  to  be  a  Traitor  that  did  it. 

§  1 1 ;.  The  young  Commonwealth  being  already  Headleis,  you  might  think  that 
nothing  was  left  to  ftand  between  Cromwell  and  the  Crown  :  For  a  Governor  there 
muft  be,  and  who  mould  be  thought  fitter?  But  yet  there  was  another  Pageant 
to  be  played,  which  had  a  double  end:  i.  To  make  the  Neceffity  of  his  Govern- 
ing undeniable.  And  2.  To  make  his  own  Souldiers  at  laft  out  of  love  with 
Dernocracie  ;  or  at  lealt  to  make  them  hateful  that  adhered  to  it.  A  Parliament 
muft  be  called,  but  the  ungodly  People  are  not  to  be  trufted  with  the  choice  ; 
therefore  the  Souldiers,  as  more  religious,  muft  be  the  Choofers ;  And  two  out  of  a 
County  are  chofen  by  the  Officers  upon  the  Advice  of  their  Sectarian  Friends  in 
the  Country.     This  was  called  in  Contempt,  The  Little  Parliament. 

This  Conventicle  made  an  Aft.  (  as  I  remember)  that  Magiftrates  mould  marry 
People  inftead  of  Minifters,  (  yet  not  prohibiting  the  Minifters  to  do  their  part  )  : 
And  then  they  came  to  the  Bufmefs  of  Ty thes  and  Minifters ;  and  before  this,  Har- 
rifon,  being  authorized  thereto,  had  at  once  put  down  all  the  Parifh-Minifters  of 
Wales,  becaufe  that  moft  of  them  were  ignorant  and  fcandalous,  and  had  let  up  a 
few  itinerant  Preachers  in  their  ftead,  who  were  for  Number  incompetent  for  ib 
great  a  Charge,  there  being  but  one  to  many  of  thofe  wide  Parifhes;  io  that  the 
People  having  but  a  Sermon  once  in  many  Weeks,  and  nothing  elfe  in  the  mean 
time,  were  ready  to  turn  Papifts  or  any  thing  :  And  this  Plight  would  the  Anabap- 
tifts,  and  other  Se&aries  have  brought  England  to  :  And  all  was,  1.  That  the  Peo- 
ple might  not  be  tempted  to  think  the  Parifh-Churchesto  be  true  Churches :  2.  Nor 
Infant  rjaptifm  to  be  true  Baptifm,  and  fo  themfelves  to  be  true  Chxiftians ;  but  muft 
bemadeChrifiians  and  Churches  in  the  Anabaptifts  and  Separatifts  way.  Hereupon 
Hamfon  became  the  Head  of  the  Sectaries,  and  Cromwell  now  began  to  defign  the 
heading  of  a  fbberer  Party,  that  were  for  Learning  and  Miniftry  ;  but  yet  to  be 
the  equal  Protector  of  all :  Hereupon  in  the  Little  Sectarian  Parliament,  it  was  put 
to  the  Vote,  whether  all  the  Parifh  Minifters  of  England  mould  at  once  be  put  down 
or  no  ?  And  ic  was  but  accidentally  carried  in  the  negative  by  two  Voices :  And  it 
was  taken  for  granted,  that  the  Tythes  and  Univerfities  would  at  the  next  Oppor- 
tunity be  voted  down ;  and  now  Cromwell  muft  be  their  Saviour,  or  they  muft  pe- 
rifh  ;  when  he  had  purpofely  caft  them  into  the  Pit,  that  they  might  be  beholden 
to  him  to  pull  them  out.  (But  his  Game  was  fo  grofly  play'd,  as  made  him  the  more 
loath'd  by  Men  of  Underftanding  and  Sincerity)  So  Sir  C.JF.and  fome  others  of  them 
take  their  time,  and  put  it  to  the  Vote  whether  the  Houfe  as  uncapable  of  (erving 
the  Commonwealth,  mould  go  and  deliver  up  their  Power  to  Cromwell  from  whom 
they  had  received  it  j  and  they  carried  it  in  the  Affirmative,  and  away  they  go,  and 
fblemnly  refign  their  Power  to  him ;  and  now  who  but  Cromwell  and  his 
Army. 

§  1 14.  The  intelligent  Sort  by  this  time  did  fully  fee  that  Cromwell's  defign  was, 
by  cauling  and  permitting  deftru&ion  to  hang  over  us,  to  neceflitate  the  Nation 
whether  they  would  or  not,  to  take  him  for  their  Governour  ,  that  he  might  be 
their  Protector :  Being  refolved  that  we  mould  be  faved  by  him,  or  perifh  :  He 
made  more  ule  of  the  wild  headed  Se&aries  than  barely  to  fight  for  him  :  They 
now  ferve  him  as  much  by  their  Herefies,  their  Enmity  to  Learning  and  Miniftry, 
their  pernicious  Demands  which  tended  to  Confufion,  as  they  had  done  before  by 
their  Valour  in  the  Field,  He  can  now  conjure  up  at  pleafure  fome  terrible  appa- 
rition, of  Agitators,  Levellers,  or  fuch  like,  who  as  they  affrighted  the  King  from 
Hampton- Court,  mall  affright  the  People  to  fly  to  him  for  refuge  ;  that  the  hand  that 
wounded  them  may  heal  th&m.    For  now  he  exclaimeth  againft  the  giddinefs  of 

theie 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  71 

thele  unruly  Men,  and  earneftly  pleadeth  for  Order  and  Government ,  and  will 
needs  become  the  Patron  of  the  Miniftry,  yet  fo  as  to  fecure  all  others  of  their  Li-  J 
berty. 

Some  that  faw  his  Defign,  faid,  We  will  rather  all  perifh,  arid  fee  both  Tythes 
and  Univerfities  overthrown,  than  we  will  any  way  fubmit  to  fuch  deceitful  Ufur- 
pations. 

Others  faid,  It  is  the  Providence  of  God,  whoever  be  the  Inftruments,  which 
hath  brought  us  into  this  Neceflity,  which  we  were  unable  to  prevent ;  and  being 
in  it,  we  are  not  bound  to  choofe  our  own  deftruftion  «  Therefore  Neceflity  re- 
quireth  us  to  accept  of  any  One  to  rule  us  that  is  like  to  deliver  us. 

But  the  generality  of  the  Minifters  went  the  middle  way  ;  and  our  Confciences 
thus  apprehended  the  Irate  of  our  prefent  Duty  :  [  We  acknowledge  that  God  Al- 
mighty hath  over-ruled  in  all  thefe  great  Mutations,  and  hath  permitted  the  perfi- 
dioufnefs  of  Men,  and  their  Succefs.  And  the  Common  Good  being  the  end  of  all 
juft  Government,  we  may  not  do  any  thing  againft  the  Common  Good,  much  lefs* 
to  the  Defiruclton  of  it,  under  pretence  of  refilling  an  Ufurper,  or  of  Reftoring 
him  who  is  our  rightful  Governour.  If  the  Univerfities  be  overthrown,  the  Fa- 
bricks  demolilhed,  the  Lands  alienated,  the  Miniftry  put  down,  the  Tithes  fold, 
or  given  to  the  People,  to  engage  them  all  to  be  againft  any  means  which  tend  to 
a  Recovery,  whatever  we  contribute  to  this,  we  do  againft  the  King  and  King- 
dom, and  do  but  cut  his  Throat  in  kindnefs :  For  we  pull  down  the  Houfe  that  he 
may  be  Mafter  of  it,  and  deftroy  the  Commonwealth  that  he  may  be  the  Head  of 
it :  We  ftrcngthen  his  Enemies  by  our  imprudent  Paflions :  But  yet  we  muft  nei- 
ther do  nor  approve  of  Evil,  for  any  Good  End,  nor  forbear  in  our  Places  ieafbn- 
ably  to  reprehend  it  :  Therefore  it  is  unlawful  for  us  to  Confent  to  any  Governour 
but  the  King  ;  or  take  any  Engagement  or  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  any  :  But  it  is  not 
unlawful  for  us  tojubmtt  to  them,  by  living  quietly  in  our  Places,  and  to  make  ufe 
of  the  Courts  of  Juftice  eftablifhed  by  Law,  yea,  and  to  demand  protection  from 
the  Ufurper.  For  his  flepping  into  the  Ruler's  place,  and  Ufurping  the  Govern- 
ment, obligeth  him  to  do  all  the  parts  of  a  Governour  s  Office,  while  he  is  there; 
and  warranteth  us  to  demand  it,  and  accept  it  of  him  ;  but  it  doth  not  at  all  ob- 
lige us  to  obey  him  or  confent  to  his  Ufurpation  :  Even  as  we  may  demand  Juftice 
of  a  General  of  Rebels^  or  a  Captain  of  Thieves;  or  of  Py rates  that  fhall  fiirprize 
the  Ship  which  we  are  in  :  but  we  are  not  bound  to  confent  to  his  Government,  or 
formally  obey  him  ;  but  contrarily  todifown  his  Villany,  and  to  do  all  that  we 
can  againft  his  Tyranny,  which  tendcth  not  to  the  hurt  of  the  Society  :  So  here,  it 
is  our  Duty  to  keep  the  ftate  of  things  as  entire  as  we  can ,  till  God  be  plealed  to 
reftore  the  King,  that  he  may  find  it  a  "whole  and  not  a  ruind  irrepairable 
State.] 

And  thus  for  my  part  was  my  Practice  :  I  did  feafonably  and  moderately  by 
Preaching  and  Printing  condemn  the  Ufurpation,  and  the  Deceit  which  was  the  VeryliUto 
means  to  bring  it  to  pals.     I  did  in  open  Conference  declare  Cromwell  and  his  Ad-  Maximus 
herents  to  be  Guilty  of  Treafbn  and  Rebellion,  aggravated  with  Perfidioufhels  and  'tn  the  tys 
Hypocrifie  ;  to  be  abhorred  of  all  good  and  fober  Men  :  But  yet  I  did  not  think  it  °^?r^an 
my  Duty  to  rave  againft  him  in  the  Pulpit,  nor  to  do  this  fo  unfeafbnably  and  im-  ™rJh 
prudently  as  might  irritate  him  to  mifchief.    And  the  rather  becaufe,  as  he  kept  up 
his  approbation  of  a  godly  Life  in  the  general,  and  of  all  that  was  good,  except 
that  which  the  Intereft  of  his  Sinful   Caufe  engaged  him   to  be  againft  ;    fo 
I   perceived  that  it  was  his  defign  to    do   good  in  the  main,    and  to   pro- 
mote the  Gofpel  and  the  Intereft  of  Godlinels,  more  than  any  had   done  before 
him ;  except  in  thoie  particulars  which  his  own  Intereft  was  againft :  And  it  was 
the  principal  means  that  hence-forward  he  trufted  to  for  his  own  Eftablifhment, 
even  by  doing  good  :  That  the  People  might  love  him,  or  at  leaft  be  willing  to  have 
his  Government  for  that  Good,  who  were  againft  it,  as  it  was  Ufurpation.     And  1 
made  no  queftion  at  all,  but  that  when  the  Rightful  Governour  was  reftored ,  the 
People  that  had  adhered  to  him  (  being  fo  extreamly  irritated  )  would  caft  out 
multitudes  of  the  Minifters,  and  undo  the  Good  which  the  Ufurper  had  done,  be- 
caufe he  did  it ;  and  would  bring  abundance  of  Calamity  upon  the  Land.    And 
fome  Men  thought  it  a  very  harct Queftion,  Whether  they  fhould  rather  wifh  the 
continuance  of  an  Ufurper  that  will  do  good,  or  the  reftitution  of  a  Rightful  Go- 
vernour whofe  Followers  will  do  hurt.    But  for  my  part  I  thought  my  Duty  was 
clear,  to  difown  the  Ufurper's  Sin,  what  Good  foever  he  would  do  ;  and  to  per- 
form all  my  Engagements  to  a  Rightful  Governour,leaving  the  IfTue  of  all  to  God  : 
but  yet  to  commend  the  Good  which  a  Ufurper  doth,  and  to  do  any  lawful  thing 

which 


lM. 


72 


The  LIFE  off  the  Lib.  I." 


which  may  provoke  him  to  do  more;  and  to  approve  of  no  Evil  which  is  done  by 
any,  either  Ufurper  or  a  lawful  Governour; 

And  thus  flood  the  Affe&ions  of  the  Intelligent  fort  to  Cromwell:  but  the  Sim- 
pler fort  believed  that  he  defigned  nothing  of  all  that  came  to  pals  ;  but  that 
God's   Providence  brought  about  all ,   without  his  Contrivance    or  Expecta- 

tion.  ,  ' 

An\6"i  §  "f-  The  little  Parliament  having  refigned  their  Commiiiion  to  Cromwell,  that 
)  we  might  not  be  ungoverned,  a  jf»»#o  of  Officers,  and  1  know  not  who  ('nor  ever 
could  learn,  but  that  Lambert  and  Berry  were  two  Chief  Men  in  it  J  did  draw  up  a 
Writing,  called,  The  Instrument  of  the  Government  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Engtand, 
Scotland  and  Ireland].  This  Inftrument  made  Oliver  Cromwell  Lord  Protector  of 
the  Commonwealth  :  The  Lord  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  the  Judges,  and  the  Offi- 
cers of  the  Army,  were  fuddenly  drawn  together  to  JVefimmfter-Hall,  and  upon 
the  reading  of  this  Inftrument,  inftalled  Cromwell  in  the  Office  of  Prote&or,  and 
fwore  him  accordingly  ;  and  thus  the  Commonwealth  feemed  once  more  to  have  a 
Head. 

§  n6.  I  mail  for  brevity  over- pais  the  particular  mention  of  the  Parliaments  fum- 
moned  by  Cromwell',  of  their  difpleafing  him  by  ravelling  his  Inftrument,  aad  o- 
ther  means,  and  of  his  rough  and  refolute  diffolving  them. 

One  of  the  chief  Works  which  he  did  was  the  purging  of  the  Miniftry  ;  of 
which  I  mall  fay  fomewhat  more.  And  here  I  fuppofe  the  Reader  to  understand 
that  the  Synod  of  Wefiminfter  was  diflblved  with  the  Parliament;  and  therefore 
a  Society  of  Minifters  with  fbme  others,  were  chofen  by  Cromwell  to  fit  at  White- 
hall, under  the  Name  of  Triers ,  who  were  moftly  Independanrs ,  but  fome  fober 
Presbyterians  with  them,  and  had  power  to  try  all  that  came  for  Inftitution  or  In- 
duction, and  without  their  Approbation  none  were  admitted :  This  AiTembly  of 
Triers  examined  themfelves  all  that  were  able  to  come  up  to  London  :  but  if  any 
were  unable,  or  were  of  doubtful  Qualifications  between  Worthy  and  Unworthy, 
they  ufed  to  refer  them  to  fome  Minifters  in  the  County  where  they  lived,  and  to 
approve  them  if  they  approved  them. 

And  becaufe  this  AiTembly  of  Triers  is  moft  heavily  accufed  and  reproached  by 
fome  Men,  I  fhall  fpeak  the  truth  of  them,  and  fuppofe  my  word  will  be  the  ra- 
ther taken,  becaufe  moft  of  them  took  me  for  one  of  their  boldeft  Adverfaries,  as 
to  their  Opinions,  and  becaufe  I  was  known  to  difown  their  Power,  infomuch 
that  I  refufed  to  try  any  under  them  upon  their  reference,  except  a  very  few,whofe 
Importunity  and  neceflity  moved  me  (they  being  fuch  as  for  their  Epiicopal  Judg- 
ment, or  fome  fuch  Caufe,  the  Triers  were  like  to  have  rejected.)  The  truth  is, 
that  though  their  Authority  was  null,  and  though  fbme  few  over-bufie  and 
over-rigid  Independants  among  them,  were  toofevere  againft  all  that  were  Arme- 
nians, and  too  particular  in  enquiring  after  Evidences  of  San&ificarion  in  thofe 
whom  they  Examined,  and  fomewhat  too  lax  in  their  Admiffion  of  Unlearned 
and  Erroneous  Men,  that  favoured  Antinomianifm  or  Anabaptifm ;  yet  to  give 
them  their  due,  they  did  abundance  of  good  to  th^  Church  :  Thev  faved  many,  a 
Congregation  from  ignorant,  ungodly,  drunken  Teachers :  that  fort  of  Men  that 
intended  no  more  in  the  Miniftry,  than  to  fay  a  Sermon,  as  Readers  fay  their 
Common  Prayers,  and  fo  patch  up  a  few  good  words  together  to  talk  the  People 
afleep  with  on  Sunday  ;  and  all  the  reft  of  the  Week  go  with  them  to  the  Ale- 
hou(e,and  harden  them  in  their  Sin  :  And  that  fort  of  Minifters  that  either  preacht 
againft  a  holy  Life,  or  preacht  as  Men  that  never  were  acquinted  with  it  ;  all  thole 
that  ufed  the  Miniftry  but  as  a  Common  Trade  to  live  by  ,  and  were  never  likely 
to  convert  a  Soul ;  all  thefe  they  ufually  rejected  ;  and  in  their  ftead  admitted  of 
any  that  were  able  (erious  Preachers,  and  lived  a  godly  Life ,  of  what  rolierable  O- 
pinion  foever  they  were.  So  that  though  they  were  many  of  them  fomewhat  par- 
tial for  the  Independents,  Separatifts,  Fifth-Monarchy-men  and  Anabaptifts,  and 
againft  the  Prelatifts  and  Arminians,  yet  fo  great  was  the  benefit  above  the  hurt, 
which  they  brought  to  the  Church,  that  many  thoufands  of  Souls  bleft  God  for 
the  faithful  Minifters  whom  they  let  in,  and  grieved  when  the  Prelatifts  afterward 
caft  them  out  again. 

§  117.  And  becaufe  I  am  fall'n  upon  this  Subject,  I  will  look  back  to  the  Alte- 
rations that  were  made  upon  the  Miniftry  by  the  Long  Parliament  before,  both 
by  rhe  Country  Committees  and  the  Synod  at  Wefimmfier  :  I  know  rhac  there  are 
Men  in  the  World  that  defame  both  the  Actors  and  the  Work,  2nd  would  maker 
the  World  believe  that  almoft  none  but  worthy  Learned  Men  were  turned  out,  and 
that  for  thejr  Fidelity  to  the,  Jvipg  aftd  J3ifbops.3n.d  that  almoft  none  but  Unlearned 

and 


— 1 ' fl — 3-1 

Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  73 

and  Factious  Fellows  were  introduced.  But  this  Age  hath  taught  the  World  how 
little  the  Report  of  fuch  Men  is  to  be  believed  of  any  others,  who  (peak  what  their 
Interefi  and  Malice  do  command  them  ;  and  by  thefe  are  made  Grangers  to  the 
Men  they  fpeak  of,  though  they  dwell  among  them  :  For  they  Converie  not  with 
them  at  all,  unlefs  in  fome  wrangling  Difpute,  when  Malice  and  PaiTion  fcek  a 
Whetftone ;  but  they  talk  only  with  thofe  that  talk  againft  them  ,  and  eafily  be- 
lieve any  filfe  Reports,  when  once  they  are  lb  like  the  Common  Enemy  that  they 
defire  them  to  be  true.  But  I  (hall  in  this  Cafe  alfo  fpeak  impartially,  neither  ju- 
ftifying  whit  they  did  amifs,  nor  condemning  them  without  caufe. 

And  becaufc  I  have  paft  it  by  before,  I  (hall  fay  (omething  of  the  Weftminfler  Af- 
lembly here.  This  Synod  was  not  a  Convocation  according  to  the  Diocelan  way 
of  Government,  nor  was  it  called  by  the  Votes  of  the  Miniif  ers  according  to  the 
Presbyterian  way:  But  the  Parliament  not  intending  to  call  an  Aflembly  which 
Ihould  pretend  a  Divine  Right  to  make  obliging  Laws  or  Canons  to  bind  their 
Brethren,  but  an  Ecclefialtical  Council  to  be  Advifcrs  to  themfelves,  did  think  that 
they  belt  knew  who  were  the  fitteft  to  give  them  Advice,  and  therefore  chofe  them 
all  themfelves.  Two  were  to  be  chofen  out  of  each  County ;  but  fome  few  Coun- 
ties (  I  know  not  upon  what  reafon  )  had  but  one  :  I  (uppofe  it  was  long  of  the 
Parliament  Aden  of  thofe  Counties.  And  becaufc  they  would  feem  Impartial,  and 
have  each  Party  to  have  liberty  to  fpeak,  they  over  and  above  the  number  chole 
many  Epilcopal  Divines,  even  the  Learnedett  of  them  in  the  Land,  as  Archbiftioo 
UJJier  Parnate  of  Ireland,  Dr.  Holdfworth,  Dr.  Hammond,  Dr.  Wincop,  Bi/hop  Weft- 
ford,  Bifhop  Pridcaux,  and  many  more.  But  they  would  not  come,  becaufc  it  was 
not  a  Legal  Convocation,  and  becaufe  the  King  declared  himfelf  againft  it:  Dr. 
Dan.  Featley  and  very  few  more  of  that  Party  came  :  (  But  at  laft  he  was  charged 
with  (ending  Intelligence  to  the  King's  Quarters  at  Oxford,  of  what  was  done  in  the 
Synod  and  Parliament,  and  was  imprifoned ;  which  much  reflected  on  the  Parlia- 
ment, becaule  whatever  his  Fa&  were,  he  was  fo  Learned  a  Man,  as  was  fufficient 
to  dilhonour  thofe  he  differed  by).  The  Prolocutor  or  Moderator  was  Dr.  WMam 
TwiJJe  (  a  Man  very  famous  for  his  Scholaftical  Wit  and  Writings  in  a  very  (mooth 
triumphant  Stile)  :  The  Divines  there  Congregate  were  Men  of  Eminent  Learn- 
ing and  Godlinefs,  and  Minilterial  Abilities  and  Fidelity  :  And  being  not  worthy 
to  be  one  of  them  my  (elf,  I  may  the  more  freely  (peak  that  Truth  which  I  know 
even  in  the  Face  of  Malice  and  Envy,  that,  as  far  as  I  am  able  to  judge  by  the  In- 
formation of  all  Hiftory  of  that  kind,  and  by  any  other  Evidences  left  us,  the  Chri- 
stian World,  (ince  the  days  of  the  Apoitles,  had  never  a  Synod  of  more  Excellent 
Divines  (taking  one  thing  with  another  )  than  this  Synod  and  the  Synod  of  Don 
were. 

This  AiTembly  was  confined  by  the  Parliament  to  debate  only  fuch  things  as 
fhey  propoled  to  them :  And  many  Lords  and  Commons  were  joyned  in  Commifc 
iion  with  them,  to  fee  that  they  did  not  go  beyond  their  CommiiTion  :  Six  or  fe- 
ll en  Independants  were  joyned  with  them,  that  all  fides  may  be  heard ;  of  whom 
five  were  called  the  Diff'enting  Brethren,  (  Philip  Nye,  Thomas  Goodivyn,  Jeremiah  Bur- 
roughs, Sydracb  Sympfon,  and  William  Bridge  )  who  joyned  with  the  reft  till  they 
h  ad  drawn  up  a  Confeflion  of  Faith,  a  larger  and  a  ihorter  Catechifm.  But  when 
they  came  to  Church  Government,  they  engaged  them  in  many  long  Debates,  and 
kept  that  Bufinefs  as  long  as  poflibly  they  could  undetermined  ;  and  after  that 
kept  it  (b  long  unexecuted  in  almoft  all  parts  of  the  Land,  faving  London  and  Lan- 
cajhire,  that  their  Party  had  time  to  ftrengthen  themfelves  in  the  Army  and  the 
P'arliament,  and  hinder  the  Execution  after  all,  and  keep  the  Government  deter- 
mined of,  a  Stranger  to  moil  of  the  People  of  this  Land ,  who  knew  it  but  by 
hearfay,  as  it  was  reprefented  by  Reporters.  For  my  own  part,  as  highly  as  I  ho- 
11  our  the  Men,  I  am  not  of  their  Mind,  in  every  Point  of  the  Government  which 
they  would  have  let  up  ;  and  (bme  words  in  their  Catechifm  I  could  wiih  had  been 
more  clear  ;  and  above  all,  I  could  wifh  that  the  Parliament  and  their  more  skil- 
ful Hand,  had  done  more  than  was  done  to  heal  our  Breaches,  and  had  hit  upon 
the  right  way  either  to  unite  with  the  Epifcopal  and  Independants  (which  was  pofc 
Able,  as  diftant  as  they  are)  or  at  leaft  had  pitched  on  the  Terms  that  are  fit  for 
Univerfal  Concord,  and  left  all  to  come  in  upon  thole  Terms  that  would.  But  for 
all  this  diflentl  mult  teftifiemy  Love  and  Honour  to  the  Perfons  of  fuch  great  Sin- 
cerity, and  Eminent  Minifterial  Sufficiency,  as  were  Gataker,  fanes,  Burgefi,  White3 
and  the  greater  part  of  that  Aflembly. 

L  Among 


74 


The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  1. 


Among  other  parts  of  their  Truft,  one  was  to  approve  of  all  that  fhould  be  ad- 
mitted into  any  Church  Livings.  They  had  no  Power  to  put  out  any,  but  only 
to  judge  of  the  fitnefs  of  fuch  as  were  taken  in.  The  Power  of  Calling  out  i  n 
worthy  Men,  was  partly  in  a  Committee  of  Parliament  Men  at  London,  and  part- 
ly in  the  Committees  of  each  feveral  County,  according  to  an  Ordinance  of  Parlia- 
ment expreffing  the  Crimes :  Herein  it  was  laudable  that  Drunkards,  Swearers, 
Curlers,  Blafphemers,  Hereticks,  Fornicators,  and  fuch  fcandalous  Peilbns  were 
to  be  eje&ed :  but  it  was  not  well  done  to  put  in  thofe  among  them  that  had  been 
againft  the  Parliament  in  the  War :  For  the  Work  of  God  IhouKJ  not  give  place 
to  the  Matters  of  their  Secular  Intereft  and  Policy,  as  long  as  the  Being  of  the 
Commonwealth  isfecured  :  And  all  the  Learned  Miniftersin  the  Land,on  one  fide 
and  the  other,  are  few  enow  to  do  the  Work  of  Chrift:  And  I  believe  that  thole 
that  were  againft  them,  would  have  done  them  lefs  hurt  in  the  Pulpits  where 
there  were  lo  many  Witneffes,  than  they  did  in  private.  But  yet  I  mult  needs  lay, 
that  in  all  the  Countreys  where  I  was  acquainted,  fix  to  one  at  leaft  (  if  not  ma- 
ny more  )  that  were  Sequeftred  by  the  Committee ,  were  by  the  Oaths  of  Wit- 
nelTes proved  infufficent,  or  fcandalous,  or  both  ;  efpecially  guilty  of  Drun  kennels 
or  Swearing  :  and  thofe  that  being  able,  godly  Preachers,  were  caft  out  for  the 
War  alone,  as  for  their  Opinions  fake  ,  were  comparatively  very  few.  This  I 
know  will  difpleafe  that  Party;  but  this  is  true.  And  though  now  and  then  an 
unworthy  Perfbn  by  Unifier  means  crept  into  their  Places,  yet  commonly  thofe 
whom  they  put  in,  were  fuch  as  fet  themfelves  laberioufly  to  feek  the  Saving  of 
Souls :  Indeed  the  one  half  of  them  were  very  young;  but  that  could  not  be  helpt, 
becaufe  there  were  no  other  to  be  had.  The  Parliament  could  not  make  Men 
Learned  nor  Godly,  but  only  put  in  the  learnedeft  and  ableft  that  they  could  have. 
And  though  it  had  been  to  be  wiihtthat  they  might  have  had  lei/ure  to  lipen  in 
the  Univerfities,  yet  many  of  them  did  as  Ambrofe,  teach  and  learn  at  once  fo 
fuccefsfully,  as  that  they  much  increafed  in  Learning  themfelves,  whilft  they  pro- 
fited others;  and  proportionably  more  than  many  in  the  Univerfities  do. 

§  1 1 8.  To  return Nfrom  this  Digreffion  to  the  Proceedings  of  Cromwell,  when  he 
was  made  Lord  Proteclor,  he  had  the  Policy  not  to  detect  and  exafperate  the  Mini- 
ffers  and  others  that  contented  not  to  his  Government,  (  having  feen  what  a  ftir 
the  Engagement  had  before  made  ) :  but  he  let  Men  live  quietly,  without  putting 
any  Oaths  of  Fidelity  upon  them  ;  except  his  Parliaments;  for  thofe  muft  not  en- 
ter theHoufe  till  they  had  fworn  Fidelity  to  him.  The  Sectarian  Party  in  his  Ar- 
my and  eHewhere,he  chiefly  trufted  to  and  pleafed,  till  by  the  Peoples fubmimon  and 
quietnefshe  thought  himfelf  well  fettled  :  And  then  he  began  to  undermine  them, 
and  by  degrees  to  work  them  out :  And  though  he  had  lo  often  Ipoken  for  the  A- 
nabaptifts,  now  he  findeth  them  fo  heady,  and  fo  much  againft  any  fettled  Go- 
vernment, and  fo  let  upon  the  promoting  of  their  Way  and  Party,  that  he  doth 
not  only  begin  to  blame  their  unrulinefs,  bat  alfo  defigneth  to  fettle  himfelf  in  the 
Peoples  Favour  by  fuppreffing  them.  In  Ireland  they  were  grown  fo  high,  that  the 
Soldiers  were  many  of  them  re-baptized  as  the  way  to  Preferment:  and  thofe  that 
oppofed  them  they  crufht  with  much  uncharitable  Fiercenefs.  To  fiipprels  thele, 
he  lent  thither  his  Son  Henry  Cromwell^  who  (6  difcountenanced  the  Anabaptifts, 
as  yet  to  deal  civilly  by  them,  repreffing  their  Infolencies,  but  not  abufing  them,  or 
dealing  hardly  with  them;  promoting  the  Work  of  the  Gofpel ,  and  letting  up 
good  and  fober  Minifters ;  and  dealing  civilly  with  the  Royallifrs,  and  obhging 
ail ;  fo  that  he  was  generally  beloved,  and  well  fpoken  of.  And  Mdjor  Ge- 
neral Ludlow ,  who  headed  the  Anabaptifts  in  Ireland ,  was  fain  to  draw  in  his 
head. 

In  England  Cromwell  connived  at  his  old  Friend  Harnfon,  while  he  made  himfelf 
the  Head  of  the  Anabaptifts  and  Fanaticks  here,  tiil  he  law  it  would  be  an  ap- 
plauded acceptable  thing  to  the  Nation  to  fupprefs  him,  and  then  lie  doth  it  eafily 
in  a  trice,  and  maketh  him  contemptible  who  but  yefterday  thought  himfelf  not 
much  below  him  :  The  fame  he  doth  alfo  as  eafily  by  Lambert  and  layeth  him  by. 

§  119.  In  thefe  times  (  efpecially  fince  the  Rump  reigned  )  Iprang  up  five  Seels 
at  leaft,  whofe  Doctrines  were  almoft  the  lame,  but  they  fell  into  feveral  Shapes  and 
Names :  1.  The  Vanifts:  2.  The  Seekers  :  3.  The  Ranters:  4.  The  Quakers  :  f.  The 
Behmcnifts. 

1.  The  Vanifts,   (  for  I  know  not  by  what  other  Name  to  make  them  known  ) 

who  'r  Henry  Vanefs   Difciples,    firft  fprang  up  under  him  in  new  Ergland 

is  Governor  there  :    But  their  Notions  were  then  raw  and  undigefted, 

and  cneir  Party  quickly  confounded  by  God's  Providence;    as  you  may  fee  in  a 

little 


Part  L     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  75 

little  Book  of  Mr.Tho.Welds  of  the  Rife  and  Fall  of  Antinomianifm,and  Famililm  in 
New-England',  where  their  Opinions  and  thefe  Providences  are  recorded  by  him 
that  was  a  reverend  Minilter  there  :  One  Mrs.  Dyer,  a  chief  Perfon  of  the  Sect, 
did  firfl  bring  forth  a  Monfter,  which  had  the  Parts  of  almofl  all  forts  of  living 
Creatures,  fome  Parts  like  Man,  but  moll  ugly  and  mifplaced,  and  fbme  like 
Beads,  Birds  and  Fifties,  having  Horns,  Fins  and  Claws ;  and  at  the  Birth  of  it 
the  Bed  fhook,  and  the  Women  prefent  fell  a  Vomiting  and  were  fain  to  go  forth 
of  the  Room  :  Mr.  Cotton  was  too  favourable  to  them,  till  this  helpt  to  recover 
him :  Mrs.  Hutcbmjon,  the  chief  Woman  among  them  and  their  Teacher,  (  to 
whole  Exerciles  a  Congregation  of  them  ufed  to  aflemble  )  brought  forth  about 
30  milhapen  Births  or  Lumps  at  once  ;  and  being  banifhed  into  another  Plantati- 
on was  killed  there  by  the  Indians.  Sir  Henry  Vane  being  Governor,  and  found  ro 
be  the  feciet  Fautor  and  Life  of  their  Caufe,  was  fain  to  (teal  away  by  Night,  and 
take  Shipping  for  England,  before  his  Year  of  Government  was  at  an  end. 

But  when  he  came  over  into  England  he  proved  an  Inftrument  of  greater  Cala- 
mity to  a  People  more  finful  and  more  prepared  for  God's  Judgments:  Being 
cholen  a  Parliament  Man,  he  was  very  a&ive  at  firft  for  the  bringing  of  Delin- 
quents to  Punifhment :  He  was  the  Principal  Man  that  drove  on  the  Parliament 
to  go  too  high,  and  ad  too  vehemently  againft  the  King :  Being  of  very  ready 
Parts,  and  very  great  Subtilty,  and  unwearied  Induftry,  he  laboured,  and  not 
without  Succcls,  10  win  others  in  Parliament,  City  and  Country  to  his  Way. 
When  the  Earl  of  Strafford  was  accufed,  he  got  a  Paper  out  of  his  Father's  Cabi- 
net  (who  was  Secretary  of  State)  which  was  the  chief  Means  of  his  Condem- 
nation :  To  moft  of  our  Changes  he  was  that  within  the  Houfe,  which  CromwcH 
was  -without.  His  great  Zeal  to  drive  all  into  War,  and  to  the  higheft,  and  to 
cherifh  the  Sectaries,  and  efpecially  in  the  Army,  made  him  above  all  Men  to  be 
vajued  by  that  Party. 

His  Unhappinefs  lay  in  this,  that  his  Do&iines  werefo  clowdily  formed  and  ex- 
prefied,  that  few  could  underftand  them,  and  therefore  he  had  but  few  true  Difci- 
ples :  The  Lord  Brook  was  flam  before  lie  had  brought  him  to  Maturity  :  Mr.  Stcr- 
ry  is  thought  to  be  of  his  Mind,  as  he  was  his  Intimate  ;  but  he  hath  not  opened 
himfelf  in  writing  *,   and  was  fo  famous  for  Oblcurity  in  Preaching  (  being,  (aid  A  ^JJ 
Sir  B-enj.  Rudiard,  too  high  for  this  World,   and  too  low  for  the  other  )  that  he  'fXtter- 
thereby  proved  almoft  Barren  alfo,  and  Vanity  and  Sterility  were  never  more  hap-  ry'sisfince 
pily  conjoined  :  Mr.  Sprig  is  the  chief  of  his  more  open  Difciples  ( too  well  known  Tublijl^d. 
by  a  Book  of  his  Sermon*.) 

This  Oblcurity  by  fbme  was  imputed  to  his  not  underflanding  himfelf  j  but  by 
others  to  defign,  becaule  he  could  fpeak  plainly  when  he  lifted:  the  two  Courfes,  in 
which  he  had  moft  Succefs,  andlpake  moft  plainly  were,  His  earneft  Plea  for  uni- 
verlal  Liberty  of  Confcience,  and  againft  the  Magiftrates  intermedling  with  Reli- 
gion, and  his  teaching  his  Followers  to  revile  the  Miniftry,  calling  them  ordinari- 
ly Blackcoats,  Priefts,  and  other  Names  which  then  favoured  of  Reproach  ;  and 
thole  Gentlemen  that  adhered  to  the  Miniftry,  they  laid,  were  Ynefl-ridden. 

When  Cromwell  had  ferved  himlelf  by  him  as  his  fureft  Friend,  as  long  as  he 
could  ;  and  gone  as  far  with  him  as  their  way  lay  together,  (  Vane  being  for  a 
Fanatick  Democracie,  and  Cromwell  for  Monarchy  )  atlaft  there  was  no  Remedy 
but  they  mull  part ;  and  when  Cromwell  call  out  the  Rump  (as  difdainfully  as 
Men  do  Excrements)  he  called  Vane  ajugler,  and  Martin  a  Whoremonger,  to  excufe 
his  ufage  of  the  reft  as  is  aforelaid. 

When  Vane  was  thus  laid  by,  he  wrote  his  Book  called  The  retired  Mans  Medita- 
tions, wherein  the  bell  part  of  his  Opinions  are  lb  exprefled,  as  will  make  but  few 
Men  his  Difciples:  His  Healing  Quefiion  is  more  plainly  written. 

When  Cromwell  was  dead,  he  got  Sir  Arthur  Hafelrigge  to  be  his  clofe  Adherent 
on  Civil  Accounts,  and  got  the  Rump  fet  up  again,  and  a  Council  of  State, 
and  got  the  Power  much  into  his  own  Hands.  When  he  was  in  the  height  of  his 
Power  he  fbt  upon  the  forming  of  a  new  Commonwealth,  and  with  fome  of  his 
Adherents  drew  up  the  Model,  which  was  lor  popular  Government ;  but  Co  that 
Men  of  his  Confidencemuft  be  the  People. 

Of  my  own  difpleafing  him  this  is  the  true  Account :  It  grieved  me  to  lee  a  poor 
Kingdom  thus  toft  up  and  down  in  Unquietnefs,  and  the  Minifters  made  odious 
and  ready  to  be  call  out,  and  a  Reformation  trodden  under  Foot,  and  Parliaments 
and  Piety  made  a  Scorn,  and  Icarce  any  doubted  but  he  was  the  principal  Spring 
of  all :  Therefore,  being  writing  againft  the  Papifts,  coming  to  vindicate  our  Re- 
ligion againft  them,  when  they  impute  to  us  the  Blood  of  the  King,  I  fully  pro- 

L  2  ved 


q6  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L I B.  L 

ved  that  the  Proteftants,  and  particularly  the  Presbyterians  abhorred  it,  and  dif- 
fered greatly  for  oppofing  it;  and  that  it  was  the  Act  of  Cromwell's  Army  and 
the  Sectaries,  among  which  1  named  the  Vniftsas  one  Sort,  and  I  fhewed  that  the 
Fryers  and  Jefuits  were  their  Deceiver ),  and  under  ieveral  Vizors  were  difperft 
among  them  ;  and  Mr.  Nye  having  told  me  that  he  was  long  in  Italy,  I  faid,  it  was 
confiderable  how  much  of  his  Doctrine  their  Leader  brought  from  Italy;  whereas 
it  proved  that  he  was  only  in  France  and  Helvetia  upon  the  Borders*  of  Italy,  and 
whereas  it  was  printed  from  Italy,  I  had  ordered  the  Printer  to  correct  it  !  from- 
wards  Italy  ]  but  though  the  Coppy  was  corrected,  thelmpreffion  was  not  :  Here- 
upon Sir  Henry  Vane  being  exceedingly  provoked,  threatned  me  to  many,  and 
fpake  againft  me  in  the  Houfe,  and  one  Stubbs  (that  had  been  whipt  in  the  Convo- 
cation Houfe  at  Oxford)  wrote  for  him  a  bitter  Book  again!!  me,  who  from  a 
Vani(t  afterwards  turned  a  Conformift,  fince  that  he  turned  Phyfician,  and  was 
drowned  in  a  (mall  Puddle  or  Brook  as  he  was  riding  near  the  Batb. 

I  confeis  my  Writing  was  a  means  to  lefTen  his  Reputation,  and  make  men  take 
him  for  what  Cromwell  ("that  better  knew  him)  called  him  a  Jugler  :  and  I  wifh 
I  had  done  (6  much  in  time  :  But  the  whole  Land  rang  of  his  Anger  and  my 
Danger  ;  and  all  expected  my  prefent  Ruine  by  him.  But  to  fhew  him  that  I 
was  not  about  Recanting  (  as  his  Agents  would  have  perfwaded  me  )  I  wrote  alfb 
againft  his  Healing  Queftion,  in  a  Preface  before  my  Holy  Commonwealth.  And  the 
fpeedy  turn  of  Affairs  did  tye  his  Hands  from  Executing  his  Wrath  upon  me. 

Upon  the  Kings  Coming  in,  he  was  queftioned,  with  others,  by  the  Parliament, 
but  feemed  to  have  his  Life  fecured  :  But  being  brought  to  the  Barr,  he  fpake  fo 
boldly  in  juftifying  the  Parliaments  Caule,  and  what  he  had  done ,  that  ic  exalpe- 
rated  the  King,  and  made  him  reiblve  upon  his  Death.  When  he  came  to  Tower- 
hill  to  die,  and  would  have  fpoken  to  the  People,  he  began  fo  refblutely  as  caufed 
the  Officers  to  found  the  Trumpets  and  beat  the  Drums,  and  hinder  him  from 
fpeaking.  No  Man  could  die  with  greater  appearance  of  gallant  Refolution,  and 
Fearlefnefs  than  he  did,  though  before  fuppoled  a  timorous  Man  :  Infomuch  that 
the  manner  of  his  Death  procured  him  more  Applaule  than  all  the  Actions  of  his 
Life.  And  when  he  was  dead  his  intended  Speech  was  printed,  and  afterwards  his 
Opinions,  more  plainly  exprefied  by  his  Friend  than  by  himlelf. 

When  he  was  Condemned  fome  of  his  Friends  defired  me  to  come  to  him,  that 
I  might  fee  how  far  he  was  from  Popery,  and  in  how  excellent  a  Temper,  (think- 
ing I  would  have  askt  him  Forgivenels  for  doing  him  wrong  ) :  I  told  them,  that  if 
he  had  defired  it,  I  would  have  gone  to  him  :  but  feeing  he  did  not,  I  fiippofed 
he  would  take  it  for  an  injury ;  for  my  Conference  was  not  like  to  be  fuch  as 
would  not  be  pleafing  to  a  dying  man  :  For  though  I  never  called  him  a  Papift,yet  I 
ftill  fuppole  he  hath  done  the  Papifts  lb  much  Service,  and  this  poor  Nation  and  Re- 
ligion fo  much  wrong,  that  we  and  our  Pofterity  are  like  to  have  caule  and  time 
enough  to  Lament  it.     And  fo  much  of  Sir  Henry  Vane  and  his  Adherents. 

§  121.  The  fecond  Sect  which  then  rofe  up  was  that  called  Seekers:  Thefe taught 
that  our  Scripture  was  uncertain  ;  that  prefent  Miracles  are  neceffary  to  Faith  ; 
that  our  Mini  ft  ry  is  null  and  without  authority,  and  our  Worftiip  and  Ordinances 
unneceflary  or  vain ;  the  true  Church,  Miniftry,  Scripture,  and  Ordinances  being 
loft;  for  which  they  are  now  Seeking. 

I  quickly  found,  that  the  Papifts  principally  hatcht  and  actuated  this  Sect,  and 
that  a  confiderable  Number  that  were  of  this  Profeflion  were  fome  Papifts ,  and 
fome  Infidels :  However  they  doled  with  the  Vanifts,an<\  Iheltered  themfelves  under 
them,  as  if  they  had  been  the  very  lame. 

§  122.  The  third  Sect  were  the  Ranters :  Thefe  al(b  made  it  their  Bufinefs  as  the 
former,  to  fet  up  the  Light  of  Nature,  under  the  Name  of  Chrift  in  Men,  and  to 
difhonour  and  cry  down  the  Church,  the  Scripture,  the  prefent  Miniftry,  and  our 
Worfhip  and  Ordinances ;  and  call'd  men  to  hearken  to  Chrift  within  them:  But 
withal,  they  conjoyned  a  Curfed  Doctrine  of  Libertinism  ,  which  brought  them  to 
all  abominable  filthinefs  of  Life:  They  taught  as  the  Families,  that  God  regardeth 
not  the  Actions  of  the  Outward  Man,  but  of  the  Heart  •  and  that  to  the  Pure  all 
things  are  Pure,  (even  things  forbidden  ) :  And  (6  as  allowed  by  God,  they  fpake 
moft  hideous  Words  of  Blafphemy,  and  many  of  them  committed  Whoredoms 
commonly  :  Infomuch  that  a  Matron  of  great  Note  for  Godlinefs  and  Sobriety, 
being  perverted  by  them,  turned  fo  lhamelefs  a  Whore,  that  fhe  was  Carted  in  the 
Streets  of  London, 

There 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  77 


There  could  never  Sect  arile  in  the  World,  that  was  a  lowder  Warning  to  Pro- 
feffors  of  Religion  to  be  humble,  fearful,  cautclous,  and  watchful  :  Never   could  the 
World  be  told  more  lowdly,  whither  the  Spiritual  Pride  of  ungrounded  Novices 
in  Religion  tendeth  ;  and  whither  Profeflbrs  of  Strictnefs  in  Tleligion  may  he  car- 
ried in  the  Stream  of  Sects  and  Factions.     I  have  feen  my  (elf  Letters  wi  keen  from  fhey  were 
Abbington,  where  among  both  Soldiers  and  People,  this  Contagion  did   then  pre-  h  xeryfew 
vail,  full  of  horrid  Oaths  and  Curies  and  Blalphemy,  not  fit  to  be  repeated  by  tfoandofflwrt 
Tongue  or  Pen  of  Man  ;  and  this  all  uttered  as  the  Effect  of  l'<Lnowledgc,  and  a  cj5?JJJe 
part  of  their   Religion,  in  a  Fanatick  Strain,    and  fathered  on  the  Spirit  oi^rra^M 
God.  nf  them. 

But  the  horrid  Villanies  of  this  Sect  did  not  only  (peedily  Extinguilh  it ,  but  al- 
io did  as  much  as  ever  any  thing  dids  to  difgrace  all  Sectaries ,  and  to  reftore  the 
Credit  of  theMiniftry  and  the  (ober  unanimous  ChrifHans :  So  that  the  Devil 
and  the  Jefuits  quickly  found  that  this  way  ierved  not  their  turn,and  therefore  they 
fuddenly  took  another. 

§  12;.  And  that  was  the  fourth  Sect,    the  Quakers  ;  who  were    but    the  Ranters 
turned  from  horrid  Piophanenefs  and  Blafphemy,  to  a  Life  of  extream  Aufterity  on 
the  other  fide.     Their  Doctrines  were  moftly  the  fame  with  the  Ranters :  They 
make  the   Light  which  every   Man  hath  within  him  to  be  his  fufneient  Rule, 
and  conlequently  the  Scripture  and  Minifrry  are  let  light  by:   They  fpeak   much 
for  the  dwelling  and  working  of  the  Spirit  in  us;  but  little  of  Jultificatron,  and 
the  Pardon  of  Sin,  and  our  Reconciliation  with  God  through  Jefus  Chrift  :  They 
pretend  their  clependance  on  the  Spirit's  Conduct,againft  Set-times  of  Prayer,  and 
againlt  Sacraments,  and  againff  their  due  elteem  of  Scripture  and  Mini  (fry.     They 
will  not  have  the  Scripture  called  the  Word  of  God  :  Their  principal  Zeal  lyeth 
in  railing  at  the  Minilters  as  Hirelings,  Deceivers,  Falle  Prophets,  &c.  and  in  re- 
fufing  to  Swear  before  a  Magilfrate,  or  to  put  off  their  Hat  to  any,  or  to  lay  [You] 
inftead  of  [Thou]  or  [Thee]  which  are  their  words  to  all.     At  firft  they  did  ule  to 
fall  into  Tremblings  and  (bmetime  Vomitings  in  their  Meetings  and  pretended  to 
be  violently  acted  by  the  Spirit  ;  but  now  that  is  ceafed,  they  only  meet ,  and  he 
that  pretendeth  to  be  moved  by  the  Spirit  fpeaketh  j  and   fometime  they  lay  no- 
thing, but  fit  an  hour  or  more  in  filcnce,  and  then  depart.    One  while  divers  of 
them  went  Naked  through  divers  chief  Towns  and  Cities  of  the  Land  ,  as  a  Pro  - 
pheticalact:  Some  of  them  have  famifhed  and  drowned  themlelves  in  Melancholy  ; 
and  others  undertaken  by  the  Power  of  the  Spirit  to  raiie  them  (  as  Sufan   Vierfo* 
did  at  Claines  near  fVorcefter,  where  they  took  a  Man  out  of  his  Grave  that  had  lb 
made  away  himfelf,  and  commanded  him  to  arile  and  live  ;  but  to  their  fhame). 
Their  chief  Leader  James  Nayler  afted  the  part  of  Chrift  at  Brijiol^  according  to 
much  of  the  Hiftory  of  the  Gofpel,  (  and  was  long  laid  in  Bridewell  for  it,  and  his 
Tongue  bored  as  a  Blafphemer  by  the  Parliament).     Many  Franafcan  Fryers  and  o- 
ther  Papilts,  have  been  proved  to  be  diiguiled  Speakers  in  their  Affemblies,   and  to 
be  among  them  ;  and  it's  like  are  the  very  Soul  of  all  thefe  horrible  Delulions.  But 
of  late  one  William  Venn  is  become  their  Leader,  and  would  reform  the  Sett,  and 
let  up  a  kind  of  Miniffry  among  them. 

§  124.  The  fifth  Seel:  are  the  Bethmenifts,  whole  Opinions  go  much  toward  the 
way  of  the  former,  for  the  Sufficiency  of  the  Light  of  Nature,  the  Salvation  of 
Heathens  as  well  as  Chriftians,  and  a  dependence  on  Revelations,  &c.  But  they 
are  fewer  in  Number,  and  leem  to  have  attained  to  greater  Meekneis  and  conquelf. 
of  Paffions  than  any  of  the  reft :  Their  Doctrine  is  to  be  leen  in  Jacob  Bebmen's 
Books,  by  him  that  hath  nothing  elfe  to  do,  than  to  bellow  a  great  deal  of  time  to 
underftand  him  that  was  not  willing  to  be  eafily  underftood  ,  and  to  know  that 
his  bomballed  words  do  fignifie  nothing  more  than  before  was  eafily  known  by 
common  familiar  terms. 

The  chiefeft  of  thefe  in  England  are  Dr.  Vordage  and  his  Family,  who  live  toge- 
ther in  Community,  and  pretend  to  hold  vifible  and  lenfible  Communion  with 
Angels,  whom  they  lomecime  fee,  and  lometime  fmell,  &c.  Mr.  Fowler  of  Red- 
ding acculed  him  before  the  Committee  for  divers  things,  (  as  for  preaching  againlt 
Imputed  Righteoufnels,  and  perfwading  married  Perfons  from  the  Carnal  Know- 
ledge of  each  other,e^cJ  but  elpecially  for  Familiarity  with  Devils  or  Conjuration. 
The  Doctor  wrote  a  Book  to  vindicate  himfelf,  in  which  he  profeffeth  to  have  len- 
fible Communion  with  Angels,  and  to  know  by  fights  and  fmells,d^.  good  Spirits 
from  bad  :  But  he  laith,  that  indeed  one  Month  his  Houle  was  molefted  with  E- 
vil  Spirits,  which  was  occafioned  by  one  Everard  whom  he  taketh  to  be  a  Conjurer, 
Who  ftayed  fo  long  with  him,  as  deliring  to  be  of  their  Communion.    In  this  time 

he 


7-8  The  LIFE  of  the  Li  b.  j" 


he  faith,  that  a  fiery  Dragon,  fo  big  as  to  fill  a  very  great  Room,  conflicted  vifibly 
with  him  many  hours ;  that  one  appeared  to  him  in  his  Chamber  in  the  likencfs  of 
Everard,  with  Boots,  Spurs,  &c.  that  an  impreffion  was  made  on  the  Brick-wall  of 
his  Chimney ,of  a  Coach  drawn  withTygers  and  Lions, which  could  not  be  got  out 
till  it  was  hewed  out  with  Pick- Axes :  and  another  on  his  Glafs-window  which 
yet  remaineth,  &c  Whether  thefe  things  be  true  or  falfe  I  know  not  j  but  the 
chief  Perion  of  the  Doctor's  Family-Communion  (  being  a  Gentleman  and  Stu- 
dent of  All-Souls  in  Oxford  )  was  thus  made  known  to  me.  His  Mother  being  a 
fob^r,  pious  Woman,  being  diflatisiied  with  his  way,  could  prevail  with  him  to 
fufTer  her  to  open  it  to  none  but  me  ;  (of  whole  Converfion  to  them  their  Cha- 
rity was  much  defirous )  :  Upon  difcourfe  with  the  young  man,  I  found  a  very 
good  Difpofition,  afpiring  after  the  higheft  Spiritual  State,  and  thinking  that  via- 
ble Communion  with  Angels  was  it,  he  much  expected  it ,  and  protelr  in  fome 
meafure  to  have  attained  it ;  for  fome  lights  and  odd  fights  he  had  ikQn  ;  but  upon 
it  rict  Examination,  he  knew  not  whether  it  were  with  the  Eye  of  the  Body  or 
of  the  Mind :  nor  I  knew  not  whether  it  were  any  thing  real  or  but  fantafttcal. 
He  would  not  difpute,  becaufe  he  thought  he  knew  things  by  a  higher  light  than 
Reafon,  even  by  Intuition,  by  the  extraordinary  Irradiation  of  the  Mind.  He  was 
much  againft  Propriety,  and  againft  Relations  of  Magiftrates,  Subjects,  Husbands, 
Wives,  Mailers,  Servants,  &c.  But  I  perceived  he  was  a  young,  raw  Scholar  of  fome 
Fryar  whom  he  underftood  not,  and  when  he  fhould  but  have  commended  the 
PerfeBion  of  a  Monaftical  Life  ( which  is  the  thing  that  they  fo  highly  magnifie) 
he  carried  it  too  far,  and  made  it  feem  more  neceflary  than  he  mould. 

They  then  pioi'eftedto  wait  for  fuch  a  Coming  down  of  the  holy  Ghoft  upon 
them,  as  fhould  fend  them  out  as  his  Miflionaries  to  unite,  and  reconcile,  and  heal 
the  Churches,  and  do  wonders  in  the  World :  But  its  fifteen  years  ago,  and  yet 
they  are  latent  and  their  work  undone. 

§  125-.  Among  thefe  fall  in  many  other  Sect-makers ;  as  Dr.Ge// of  London  (known 
partly  by  a  printed  Volume  in  Folio  )  and  one  Mr.  Parker,  who  got  in  to  the  Earl 
of  Pembroke  •  and  was  one  that  wrote  a  Book  againft  the  Alfemblies  Confeffion  :  In 
which  (  as  the  reft  )  he  taketh  up  molt  of  the  Popifti  Doctrines  ,  and  rifeth  op 
againft  them  with  Papal  Pride  and  Contempt,  but  owneth  not  the  Pope  himfelf , 
but  headeth  his  Body  of  Doctrine  with  thzSpint,  as  the  Papifts  do  with  the  Pope  : 
(And  if  they  could  bring  men  to  receive  the  reft,  it  will  be  eafie  to  fpurn  down 
the  Idol  of  their  Fancaiie  or  pretended  Spirit,and  to  let  on  the  proper  Head  again,). 
To  thefe  alfo  muft  be  added  Dr.  Gibbon,  who  goeth  about  with  his  Scheme  to  Pro- 
ielyte  men,  whom  I  have  more  caule  to  know  than  fome  of  the  re  Pr. 

All  thefe  with  fubtile  Diligence  promote  moft  of  the  Papal  Caufe,  and  get  in 
with  the  Religious  fort,  either  upon  pretence  of  Aufterity,  Mortification,  Angelical 
Communion,  or  Clearer  Light ;  but  none  of  them  yet  owneth  the  Name  of  a  Papift, 
but  what  they  are  indeed,  and  who  fendeth  them,  and  what  is  their  Work,  though 
I  ftrongly  conjecture,  I  will  not  aifert,  beeaufe  I  am  not  fully  certain  :  Let  time 
difcover  them. 

§  126.  The  moft  among  Cromwell's  Soldiers  that  ever  I  could  fofpect  for  Papifts, 
were  but  a  few  that  began  as  Strangers  among  the  Common  Soldiers,  and  by  de- 
grees rofe  up  to  fome  Inferiour  Offices,  and  were  moft  converfant  with  the  Com- 
mon Soldiers ;  but  none  of  the  Superiour  Officers  feemed  fuch,  though  feduced  by 
them.  There  is  one  of  them  (  Capt.  Everard  )  that  was  a  bufie  preaching  Sectary 
(  in  appearance  )  and  difputed  for  Anabaptiftry ,  and  againft  Original  Sin  (whom 
Mr.  Stephens  hath  wrote  againft,  who  took  him  then  to  be  a  Papift;  and  who  hath 
lately  publifhed  a  Book  for  the  Popifh  Religion,  as  giving  the  Reafonsof  his  Con- 
verfion to  them,  as  if  it  were  a  thing  that  had  been  lately  done  :  But  they  permit 
but  now  and  then  one  thus  to  detect  themfelves,  to  win  others  by  the  fame  of  their 
Converfion :  But  the  reft  muft  ftill  ply  their  work,  as  masked  :  for  fecret  Inftru- 
ments  have  much  advantages  above  publick  ones.  Capt.  Everard  fince  the  burning 
of  London,  and  iince  many  new  Fires  have  been  attempted  to  confume  the  reft, 
was  Accufed  to  Sir  Richard  Brown,  as  one  that  intended  to  burn  the  reft  of  the  Ci- 
ty ;  and  upon  fearch  there  was  a  dangerous  Letter  found  with  him,  and  four  hun- 
dred Hand-Granado's  with  Earthen  Shells,  and  fill'd  up  ready  with  Powder,  were 
found  covered  under  his  Billets.  There  being  two  of  that  Name  that  were 
Sectaries  in  Cro?nweWs  Army,  I  have  not  yet  learned  which  of  them  this 
was. 

§i*7 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  79 


§  127.  Alio  the  Socinians  made  fome  increafe  by  the  Minihry  of  one  Mr.  Biddlet 
fometimes  School-mafter  in  Gloce(hr  j  who  wrote  againft  the  Godhead  of  the  Holy 
Ghoft,  and  afterwards  of  Chrift  ;  whofe  Followers  inclined  much  to  meer  Dulin 
and  Infidelity. 

§  128.  Having  gone  on  thus  far  with  the  general  Hints  of  the  Hiftory  of  thofe 
times,  becaufe  I  would  not  obfcure  them  by  the  Interpositions  of  my  own  Affairs, 
I  now  return  to  thefe,  and  mail  fee  them  alio  together,  that  they  may  be  the  better 
underftood. 

I  have  rejated  how  after  my  bleeding  of  a  Gallon  of  Blood  by  the  Nofe,  I  was 
left  weak  at  Sir  Thomas  Rot/is  Houfe  at  Rous-Lench ,  where  I  was  taken  up  with 
daily  Medicines  to  prevent  a  Dropiie  :  And  being  confcious  that  my  time  had  not 
been  improved  to  the  Service  of  God  as  I  defiied  it  had  been,  I  put  up  many  an 
earned  Prayer  to  God,  that  he  would  reftore  me,  and  ufe  me  more  luccelsfully  in 
his  Work.  And  blefted  be  that  Mercy  which  heard  my  Groans  in  the  Day  of  my 
Diftrefs,  and  granted  my  Dcfires,  and  wrought  my  Deliverance,  when  Men  and 
Means  failed,  and  gave  me  Oppoi  tunity  to  Celebrate  his  Praife. 

Whilft  I  there  continued  weak  and  unable  to  Preach,  the  People  at  Kiddtrmin- 
fier  had  again  renewed  their  Articles  againlt  their  old  Vicar  and  his  Curate ;  and 
upon  Trial  of  the  Caufe  the  Committee  fequeftred  the  Place,  but  put  no  one  in- 
to it,  but  put  the  Profits  into  the  Hands  of  divers  of  the  Inhabitants  to  pay  a 
Preacher  till  it  were  difpofedof.  They  fent  to  me,  and  defired  me  to  take  it,  in 
cafe  I  were  again  enabled  to  Preach  :  which  I  flatly  refuted  ;  and  told  them  ,  I 
would  take  only  the  Lecture ,  which  by  his  own  Confent  and  Bond  I  held  be- 
fore. 

Hereupon  they  fought  to  Mr.  Brumskill,  and  others,  to  accept  the  Place ,  but 
could  not  meet  with  any  one  to  their  minds :  Therefore  they  chofe  one  Mr.  Rich- 
ard Serjeant  to  Officiate,  referving  the  Vicaridge  for  fome  one  that  were 
fitter. 

When  I  was  able  (  after  about  five  Months )  to  go  abroad,  I  went  to  Kuhhr- 
minfter,  where  I  found  only  Mr.  Sergeant  in  Poffeflion ;  and  the  People  again  ve- 
hemently urged  me  to  take  the  Vicaridge  :  which  I  denied  ;  and  got  the  Magi- 
ifrates  and  BurgefTes  together  into  the  Town-ball,  and  told  them,  That  ( though  I 
was  offeied  many  Hundred  pounds  per  Annum  elfewhere)  I  was  willing  to  continue 
with  them  in  my  old  Lecturers  place  which  I  had  before  the  Wars,  expecting  they 
fhould  make  the  Maintenance  an  Hundred  pounds  a  year,  and  a  Houfe;  and  if 
they  would  promife  to  fubmic  to  that  Doc-trine  of  Chrift,  Which  as  his  Minifter  I 
mould  deliver  to  them,  proved  by  the  Holy  Scriptures,  I  would  not  leave  them. 
And  that  this  Maintenance  fhould  neither  come  out  of  their  own  Purfes,  nor  any- 
more of  it  out  or'  theTythes  fave  the  60 I.  which  the  Vicar  had  before  bound  him- 
(elf  to  pay  me,  I  undertook  to  procure  an  Augmentation  for  Mitton  (  a  Chappel  in 
the  Parilh  )  of  40  /.  per  Annum,  which  I  did  ;  and  fo  the  60  /.  and  that  40  /.  was  to 
be  part,  and  the  reft  I  was  to  have  nothing  to  do  with.  This  Covenant  was  drawn 
up  between  us  in  Articles,  and  Subfcribed,  in  which  I  declaimed  the  Vicaridge 
and  Paftorai  Charge  of  the  Parifh,  and  only  undertook  the  Lecture. 

And  thus  the  Sequeitration  continued  in  the  hands  of  the  Towns-men,  as  afore- 
faid,  who  gathered  the  Tythes,  and  paid  me  (not  an  Hundred  as  they  promifed  ) 
but  Eighty  pound  per  Annum,  or  Ninety  at  moft,  and  Houfe-rent  for  a  few  Rooms 
in  the  top  of  another  man's  houfe,  which  is  all  I  had  at  Kidder  mm/ler.  The  reft 
they  gave  to  Mr.  Sergeant,  and  about  40  /.  per  Annum  to  the  old  Vicar,  and  6  /.  per 
Annum  to  the  King  and  Lord  for  Rents,  belides  other  Charges. 

But  when  they  had  long  continued  in  this  way,  they  feared  left  fome   one  elie 

againft  their  wills  would  get  a  grant  of  the  Sequeitration  from  the  Committee^  and 

therefore  they  went  privately  and  got  an  Order  from  them  to  fettle  me  in  the 

■\  Title,  and  never  fhewed  it  me,  but  kept  it  by  them  iecretly,  only,  to  (ecure  the 

Place  from  a  Surprize,  and  themfelves  from  repaying  what  they  disbuifed. 

And  thus  it  lay  till  the  King's  Coming  out  of  Scotland  with  his  Army  to  Wor- 
cefier  :  and  then,  their  Houfes  being  full  of  Soldiers,  they  brought  me  the  Order, 
and  inrreated  me,  if  not  to  own  it,  yet  to  keep  itfafe,  and  to  fave  them  harmlefs 
by  it,  if  they  were  called  to  account. 

I  recite  this,  becaufe  Mr.  Thomas  Pierce,  while  he  was  rageingly  fierce  to  prove 
me  a  Thief,  and  I  know  not  what  elfe,  doth  charge  me  with  taking  this  Se- 
queitration, and  fo  with  taking  another  man's  Bread  out  of  his  mouth,  and  rob» 
bing  the  Innocent ;  and  fo  doth  Biihop  Morky  after  him ;  and  Durel,  Dr.  Bonemant 
and  many  others,  from  him ;  whereas  the  Place  was  fegueftred  while  I  was  far 

enough 


go  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

enough  off,  and  I  difowned  it,  and  made  a  contrary  Covenant  with  the  People : 
But  I  durft  not  till  this  for  my  own  vindication,  left  the  Towns-men  fliould  be  cal- 
led to  an  account  for  the  Sequeftration  to  their  undoing;  though  I  knew  them  to 
be  honeft  and  juft  in  the  Diftribution  of  it.  And  indeed  though  (  which  they 
knew  not )  the  Matter  of  Fad  was  falle,  by  which  they  proved  me  i'o  vile  a  Per- 
fon,  yet  I  was  the  lefs  careful  fo  td  clear  my  felf  as  I  might,  becaufe  I  take  it  to  be 
a  thing  as  juftifiable  as  to  eat  Bread,  if  I  had  taken  the  Sequeftration  ;  becaufe  the 
man's  own  Fundamental  Right  (as  it  was  a  thing  Confecrated  to  God)  was  null, 
he  being  fo  infufficient  as  not  to  be  owned  for  a  Minifter :  As  I  have  great  reafon, 
by  all  the  trial  I  made  of  him,  to  think  that  he  underftood  not  the  Subftance  of  Re- 
ligion, the  common  Catechifin  or  Creed,  fo  he  was  unable  to  teach  the  People 
the  very  Subftantials  of  Chriftianity.  Once  a  quarter  he  fcrapt  a  few  words  toge- 
ther, which  he  fo  faid  over  as  to  move  pity  in  his  Auditors ;  but  woe  to  the  Peo- 
ple that  have  no  other  Paftor  then  fuch  as  he :  And  God's  Right  being  the  firft  in 
Dedicated  Things,  and  the  Law  alfo  annexing  them  to  the  Office  for  the  Work's 
fake,  and  for  the  fake  of  the  Peoples  Souls,  he  that  cannot  at  all  do  the  Work, 
and  fo  is  uncapable  of  the  Office,  can  have  no  Title  to  the  Place  and  Mainte- 
nance. And  I  cannot  believe  that  the  Peoples  Souls  muft  be  all  untaught  and  fa- 
crificed  to  his  pretended  Legal  Right.  And  another  Paftor  they  were  not  like  to 
have  without  the  Maintenance,  unlefs  they  could  have  got  one  that  had  an  Eftate 
of  his  own,  and  would  go  on  warfare  at  his  own  Charges,  or  could  live  without 
Food  and  Raiment:  for  the  Peoples  Poverty  difabled  them  from  maintaining  him: 
If  ic  had  been  but  a  Phyfician's  or  Surgeon's  Place  in  an  Hofpital,  which  a  meer 
Ignoramus  had  got  for  his  life,  I  think  to  let  the  People  perifh  ,  for  fear  of  difpof 
(effing  him  of  his  Place  and  Pay,  had  been  to  be  righteous  over  much,  and  chari- 
table over  little :  And  the  fifth  part  was  allowed  them  for  their  Wives,  though  they 
did  nothing  for  it.  And  yet  this  ignorant  man  was  not  difpoffeft  by  force,  but  by 
the  Power  then  in  poffeffion ;  even  by  Parliamentary  Power ,  when  the  Lords 
(  who  are  the  higheft  Judicature)  fate  as  well  as  the  Commons,  by  the  King*s 
Law.  And  he  was  caft  out  on  Articles  fworn  for  Infufficiency  and  Scandal.  And 
yet  this  was  done  by  others,  before  I  came  near  them  :  And  muft  the  place  be 
void  of  a  Teacher,  becaufe  the  Parliament  would  not  give  the  Maintenance  to  a 
man  that  knew  not  what  the  Work  of  a  Paftor  was. 

§129.  Befides  this  ignorant  Vicar,  there  was  a  Chappel  in  the  Parilh,  where 
was  an  old  Curate  as  ignorant  as  he,  that  had  long  lived  upon  Ten  pound  a  year 
and  unlawful  Marriages,  and  was  a  Drunkard,  and  a  Railer,  and  the  Scorn  of  the 
Country  :  I  know  not  how  to  keep  him  from  reading ,  (  for  1  judged  it  a  Sin  to 
tolerate  him  in  any  Sacred  Office  J.  I  got  an  Augmentation  for  the  Place,  and  got 
an  honeft  Preacher  to  inftruft  them,  and  let  this  fcandalous  Fellow  keep  his  for- 
mer Stipend  of  Ten  pound,  for  nothing,  and  yet  could  never  keep  him  from  for- 
cing himfelf  upon  the  People  to  read,  nor  from  unlawful  Marriages,  till  a  little 
before  Death  did  call  him  to  his  account.  I  have  Examined  him  about  the  familiar 
Points  of  Religion,  and  he  could  not  fay  half  fo  much  to  me  as  I  have  heard  a 
child  fay. 

And  thele  two  in  this  Parifh  were  not  all :  In  one  of  the  next  Parifhes,  called 
The  Rock,  there  were  two  Chappels,  where  the  poor  ignorant  Curate  of  one  got 
his  living  with  cutting  Faggots,  and  the  other  with  making  Ropes :  Their  Abili- 
ties being  anfwerable  to  their  Studies  and  Employments. 

§130.  In  my  Labours  at  Kiddcrminfter  after  my  return,  I  did  all  under  lan- 
guishing Weaknefs,  being  feldom  an  hour  free  from  pain.  Of  which  I  fhall  give 
a  brief  Account  together,  as  an  addition  to  the  general  one  foregoing ,  that  I  may 
not  be  oft  upon  it ;  mentioning  only  fome  of  thofe  paffages  in  which  God  s  Mercy 
moft  afle&ed  me. 

Many  a  time  have  I  been  brought  very  low,  and  received  the  Stentence  of 
Death  in  my  felf,  when  my  poor,  honeft,  praying  Neighbours  have  met,  and  up- 
on their  Falling  and  earneft  Prayers  I  have  been  recovered.  Once  when  I  had 
continued  weak  three  Weeks,  and  was  unable  to  go  abroad ,  the  very  day  that 
they  prayed  for  me,  being  Good-Friday,  I  recovered,  and  was  able  to  Preach  and 
Adminifter  the  Sacrament  the  next  Lord's  Day ;  and  was  better  after  it:  (It  being 
the  firft  time  that  ever  Iadminiftred  it):  And  ever  after  that  whatever  Weaknefs  was 
upon  me,  when  I  had  (after  Preaching  )  adminiftred  that  Sacrament  to  many  hun- 
dred People,  I  was  much  revived  and  eafcd  of  my  Infirmities. 

Another 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  8 1 

Another  time  I  had  a  Tumour  rofe  on  one  of  the  Tonfills  in  my  Throat,  white 
and  hard  like  a  Bone  5  above  the  hardnels  of  any  Schyrrhous  Tumour :  I  feared  a 
Cancer ;  being  it  was  round  and  like  a  Peafe,  as  it  beginneth  :  And  when  I  had  by 
thePhyfician'sAdvile  applied  luch  Remedies  as  he  thought  fitteft,  and  it  no  whic 
altered,  but  remained  as  hard  as  at  the  firft  ;  at  the  end  of  about  a  quarter  of  a 
Year,  I  was  chek'd  in  Conlcience  that  I  had  never  publickly  praifed  God  par- 
ticularly for  any  of  the  Deliverances  which  he  had  vouchfafed  me  :  And  being 
fpeaking  of  God's  Confirming  our  Belief  of  his  Word  by  his  fulfilling  of  Promifes, 
and  hearing  Prayers,  (  as  it  is  publifhed  in  the  fecond  part  of  my  Saints  Reft  )  I 
annexed  fome  thankful  mention  of  my  own  Experiences ;  and  iiiddenly  the  Tu- 
mour vaniihed,  and  no  fign  wherever  it  had  been  remained :  Nor  did  I  either  (wal- 
low it  down  or  fpit  it  out,  nor  knew  what  went  with  it  to  this  Day. 

Another  time,  having  read  in  Dr.  Gerhard  the  admirable  EfFe&s  of  the  (wallow- 
ing of  a  Gold  Bullet  upon  his  own  Father  in  a  Cafe  like  mine,  I  got  a  Gold  Bul- 
let and  fwallowed  it  (between 20 s.  and  30/.  weight);  and  having  taken  it,  I 
knew  not  how  to  be  delivered  of  it  again:  I  took  Clylters  and  Purges  for  about 
three  Weeks,  but  nothing  ftirred  it ;  and  a  Gentleman  having  done  the  like,  the 
Bullet  never  came  from  it  till  he  died,  and  it  was  cut  out  :  But  at  laft  my  Neigh- 
bours let  a  Day  apart  to  fall  and  pray  for  me,  and  I  was  freed  from  my  Danger  in 
the  beginning  of  that  day. 

Another  time  being  in  Danger  of  an  jEgilops,  and  (  to  be  brief)  at  divers  times 
in  divers  Weakneffes,  Pains  and  Dangers,  i  have  been  delivered  upon  earned 
Prayers ;  fuch  as  have  allured  me  that  God  heareth  fuch  extemporate  Prayers  as 
many  now  deride.  And  becaufe  I  am  fpeaking  of  Prayer,  I  will  add  one  Inftance 
more  or  two  of  the  Succels  of  it  for  my  Neighbours,  as  well  as  for  my  felf. 

§  151.  There  liveth  yet  in  Kidderminfter  a  grave  and  honeft  Widow,  Mrs.  Giles, 
Widow  to  Mr.  Giles  of  Aftley^  one  of  the  Committee  of  that  County ;  me  had  a 
Son  of  about  14  or  1^  Years  of  Age,  Apprentice  in  Worcefter  to  a  Mercer ;  he  fell 
into  a  Feaver,  which  being  removed,  ended  in  a  moll  violent  Epilepfie :  The 
Phyficians  ufed  all  ordinary  means  for  a  long  time  in  vain  ;  fo  that  (he  was  fain  to 
take  him  home  to  her  to  Kidderminfter,  where  the  Phyfician  of  the  Place  and  my 
(elf  did  what  we  could  for  him,  in  vain,  he  had  4  or  j  violent  fits  in  a  Day  ;  they 
were  fain  to  hold  a  Key  between  his  Teeth  to  lave  his  Tongue :  At  laft  the  Peo- 
ple of  the  Town,  at  her  Requeft,  kept  a  Day  of  Faftingand  Prayer  at  her  Houfe; 
and  the  lecond  day  (  as  I  remember  )  he  was  iiiddenly  cured,  and  never  had  a  Fit 
fince  to  this  Day  (  but  ibme  little  Weaknels  of  his  Head  fometimes )  :  He  is  now 
an  Apothecary  in  Wolverhampton. 

§  132.  Another  Inftance  ;  Rich.  Cook  of  Kinver  a  Mercer,  an  ancient  fober  God- 
ly Man,  being  defirous  to  live  at  Kiddermwfter,  took  the  next  Houfe  to  mine  :  The 
Houfe  proved  fo  (ecretly  crackt  and  Ruinous,  that  he  was  afraid  it  would  undo  him 
to  repair  it :  This  feized  him  with  a  Trouble  on  his  Conlcience  whether  he  had 
done  well  to  remove  from  Kinver  (  where  he  had  been  long  a  comfortable  Neigh- 
bour to  old  Mr.  Crofte):  To  revive  his  Spirits  he  drank  much  hot  Waters,  which 
inflamed  his  Blood  ;  and  lb  from  Melancholy  he  fell  quite  Mad.  We  were  forced 
by  the  Wars  to  leave  him  ;  but  his  Wife  procured  what  means  fhe  could,  but  all 
in  vain :  When  he  had  continued  thus  four  Years,  the  excellentelf,  skilful  Men  at 
that  Dileafe  undertook  him,  and  did  what  they  could,  but  all  in  vain.  He  had  ex- 
ceeding Quantities  of  Blood  taken  from  him :  Some  that  had  feen  the  Succels 
would  have  fet  upon  Falling  and  Praying  for  him  in  his  Prefence  :  But  I  difcou- 
raged  them,  as  thinking  it  a  tempting  carnal  Men  to  contemn  Prayer,  when  they 
faw  it  unluccefsful,  and  I  thought  they  had  nocaufe  to  expecl:  a  Miracle  :  I  had  no 
hope  of  his  Cure  becaufe  it  was  natural  or  heridatory  to  him,  his  Father  having 
much  about  his  Age  fallen  Mad  before  him  and  never  recovered.  When  he  had 
continued  in  this  lad  Cale  about  ten  or  twelve  Years,  fome  of  thele  Men  would  not 
be  difluaded,  but  would  Faft  and  Pray  at  his  Houfe  with  great  importunity  ;  and 
many  Months  they  continued  it  (  once  a  Fortnight,  or  thereabouts )  and  he  was 
never  the  better :  But  at  laft  he  fenfibly  began  to  amend,  and  is  now  as  well  almoft 
as  ever  he  was  before,  and  fo  hath  continued  for  a  confider able  time. 

§  133.  I  the  rather  mentioned  thefe  PafTages  of  the  Force  of  Prayer,  becaufe 
being  not  one  in  any  of  them  my  lelf,  nor  being  prefent  with  them,  there  is  no 
matter  of  appearing  Oftentation,  they  being  a  few  poor  humble  Weavers  and 
other  Tradefmen  only,  and  no  Minifter  with  them,  whofe  Prayers  God  hath  thus 
frequently  heard  for  others,  and  for  me  ( though  at  this  prefent  fome  of  the  Chief 
of  them  lye  in  Prifon,  only  for  praying,  and  finging  Pfalms,  and  repeating  Ser- 

M  mow 


82  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L I B.  I. 

mons  together  when  they  come  from  the  Publick  Congregation  ).    And  now  I  re- 
turn to  the  Recital  of  my  own  Infirmities. 

Alter  abundance  of  Diftempers  and  Languifliings,  I  fell  at  laft  into  a  Flux  Hepa- 
ticus,  and  after  that  into  manifold  other  Dangers  fucceffively  ( too  long  to  be  re- 
cited )  from  all  which  upon  earned  prayer  I  was  delivered. 

Once  ridfng  upon  a  great  hot-metled  Horfe,  as  I  flood  on  a  ildelong  Pavement 
in  Worcejler,  the  Horfe  reared  up,  and  both  his  hinder  Feet  dipt  from  under  him  ;  ib 
that  the  full  Weight  of  the  Body  of  the  Horfe  fell  upon  my  Leg  ;  which  yet  was 
not  broken,  but  only  bruifed  ;  when  confidering  the  Place,  the  Stones,  the  Man- 
ner of  the  Fall,  it  was  a  Wonder  that  my  Leg  was  not  broken  all  to  Pieces. 

Another  time,  as  I  fat  in  my  Study,  the  Weight  of  my  greateft  Folio  Books 
brake  down  three  or  four  of  the  higheii  Shelves,  when  I  fat  clofe  under  them,  and 
they  fell  down  on  every  fide  me,  and  not  one  of  them  hit  me,  fave  one  upon  the 
Arm  ;  whereas  the  Place,  the  Weight,  and  greatnefs  of  the  Books  was  fiich,  and 
my  Head  juft  under  them,  that  it  was  a  Wonder  they  had  not  beaten  out  my 
Brains,  one  of  the  Shelves  right  over  my  Head  having  the  fix  Volumes  of  Dv  Walton's 
Oriental  Bible,  and  all  Aujliris  Works,  and  the  Bibliotheca  Patrum,  and  Mario- 
rate,  &c. 

An  other  time,  I  had  fueh  a  Fall  from  an  high  Place  without  much  hurt,  which 
ihould  I  defcribe  it,  it  would  feem  a  Wonder  that  my  Brains  were  whole.  All 
thefe  I  mention  as  obliged  to  record  the  Mercies  of  my  great  Preferver  to  his  Pratfe 
and  Glory. 

§  134.  At  laft  my  Weaknefs  was  grown  lb  great  that  I  was  neceflitated  to  ufe 
Bread  Milk  four  Months  together ;  and  as  much  longer,  or  more,  I  remained 
fbmewhat  repaired  :  But  then  I  fell  into  a  Dlfeafe  in  my  Eyes  almoft  incredible  ; 
I  had  near  every  Day  for  one  Year,  and  every  fecond  Day  for  another  Year,  a 
freftj  Macula^  commonly  called  a  Pearl,  in  one  Eye,  befides  very  many  in  the  other; 
the  firft  that  1  had  continued  divers  Weeks,  till  by  the  ordinary  Method  of  Cure 
I  had  almoit  loft  my  Eye.  At  lair  I  found  that  Honey  alone,  or  with  other  things, 
fix  or  feven  times  a  Day  applied  conflantly  difcufled  and  cured  it  in  one  Day  : 
and  the  next  Night  in  my  Sleep  another  nill  came,  a  fpurious  Opthalmy  going  be- 
fore, and  leaving  the  Macula  behind  it :  And  I  found  it  came  from  the  extreme 
thinnefs  of  the  Blood,  with  the  extreme  Laxity  of  the  debilitated  Veffels,  and  the 
Fatulency  pumping  up  the  Master. 

Thus  I  continued  two  Years,  curing  the  Spot  one  Day,  and  finding  it  frill  re- 
turned the  next  Morning  ;  fo  that  I  had  about  three  hundred  Pearls  in  thofe  two 
i'ears  •  and  though  for  the  firft  Month  I  could  neither  read  nor  endure  the  Light, 
yet  the  reft  of  the  time  I  went  on  with  my  Studies,  though  not  without  Pain  and 
much  Difturbance.    No  Purging  nor  outward  Applications,    nor   other  Medi- 
cines would  Prevent  the  Return  of  it  ;  till  at  two  Years  end  I  wrote  to  Dr.  G.  Bates 
for  his  Advice.  The  Humidities  of  my  Stomach  at  the  fame  time  tafting  like  boiled 
Vinegar,   or  Vitrial,  he  prefcribed  me  the  ufe  of  Chalk  in  Subftance  (a  fpoonful 
lhaved  in  a  convenient  Liquor)  which  powei fully  precipitateth  and  dulcifieth  acid 
Humours,  and  alfo  hath  a  harmlefs  corroborating  Aftrietion  ( like  Magisterial  of 
Corall  or  Crabs  Eyes :  )  the  ufe  of  this  gave  a  check  to  my  Diftemper,  lb  that  my 
Spots  came  feldomer  than  before  :   At  laft  I  had  a  Conceit  of  my  own  that  two 
Plants  which  I  had  never  made  trial  of,  would  prove  accomodate  to  my  Infirmity, 
Heath  and  Sage,  as  being  very  drying  and  aftringent  without  any  Acrimony  :    I 
boiled  much  of  them  in  my  Beer  inftead  of  Hops,  and  drank  no  other  :    When  I 
had  ufed  it  a  Month  my  Eyes  were  coxed,  and  all  my  tormenting  Tooth-aches, 
and  fuch  other  Maladies.     Being  defirous  to  know  which  of  the  two  Hearbs  it  was 
which  I  was  moft  beholden  to,  I  tryed  the  Heath  alone  one  time,  and  the  Sage 
alone  anotherwhile  ;  and  I  found  it  was  the  Sage  much  more  than  the  Heath  which 
did  the  Cure :    whereupon  I  have  ufed  it  now  this  ten  Years,  and  through  God's 
great  Mercy,  I  never  had  a  Spot  more  for  many  Years ;   nor  many  fince  at  all  : 
Alfo  thefe  other  Effeds  have  followed  it ;  1.  It  eafeth  my  Headach.     2.  I  have  no 
other  Remedy  for  my  terrible  Toothach,  inward  or  outward  that  will  let  ve ;    nor 
did  this  ever  fail  me,  if  it  hath  had  but  twelve  or  twenty  hours  to  work.    3.  Where- 
as before  I  could  endure  no  ftrong  Drink,  but  was  fain  to  drink  very  fmall  Beer, 
or  Julep  Alexande,  and  a  Spoonful  of  Wine  would  have  difturbed  me  a  Fortnight, 
(with  Ophtlulmies,  Toothaches,  &c.)  fince  I  ufed  Sage  I  can  bear  the  ftrongell 
Beer,  (lo  I  difufe  not  my  Medicine  the  while.  )    4.  The  vitriolate  cutting  Acidity 
of  my  Stomach  is  more  dulcified  than  I  could  poflibly  have  believed  it  would  be. 
Ln  a  Word,  God  hath  made  this  Herb  do  more  for  me  (  not  for  Cure  but  for  Eafe ) 

than 


P  a  k  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  83 


than  all  the  Medicines  that  ever  I  ufed  from  all  Phyfitians  in  my  Life :  So  that 
though  ftill  I  am  very  feldom  without  pain,  yet  my  Languilhings  and  pains  have 
been  much  lefs  thefe  laft  ten  Years  than  long  before.  How  it  doth  all  this  I  am  not 
certain;  but  I  fuppofe  principally  by  its  great  Aftriclion,  mightily  conoborating 
the  relaxed  Stomach  and  Veffels,  and  Brain,  and  by  Aftritfion  of  the  relaxed 
Vein,  doth  hinder  the  Motion  and  Shedding  abroad  of  the  corrupted  Blood  they 
contain  :  And  alfb  I  am  lure  it  mightily  precipicateth  and  taketh  off  Acidities. 
The  way  I  ufe  it  is,  i.  Well  boiled  in  the  Wort  in  all  my  Beer  :  2.  Well  boiled 
in  my  Gruel  for  every  Mornings  Breakfaft  :  j.  Upon  any  fpecial  Neceflity  I  take 
a  Spoonful  of  the  Powder  (  of  the  Leaves  dryed  and  mixed  with  two  or  three  Parts 
of  Sugar)  which  is  the  Strongeft  way  of  all  :  So  that  I  find  the  Venue  is  moft  in 
the  terrene  and  (alive  Parrs,  and  not  in  any  thing  fuperficial  and  volatile.  For 
the  Infufion,  and  Ale  made  by  Infulion  doth  me  little  Good,  nor  the  Conferve  of 
the  Flowers.  I  have  tried  it  on  others,  and  find  no  fiich  marvelous  EfTe&s  as  on  my 
felf;  but  leaft  on  the  fat  and  fhong,  and  molt  on  the  lean,  old  and  weak,  and  that 
have  thin  fluid  Humours,  and  laxity  of  Veiled,  and  fome  inordinate  Acrimony. 
This  I  thought  my  felf  obliged  to  mention  to  the  Praife  of  my  heavenly  Phyfician, 
in  Thankfulnefs  tor  thefe  ten  Years  Eafe  ;  and  to  give  fome  hint  to  others  in  my 
Cafe  :  Though  now,  through  Age  and  conflant  Uk>  this  Herb  doth  Ids  with  me 
than  atthefiift;  yet  am  I  neceflitated  frill  to  ufe  it,  and  quickly  to  return  to  it  when 
I  have  omitted  it.  After  fixteen  or  feventeen  Years  benefit  ic  now  faileth  me 
and  I  for  fake  it. 

§  155.  I  fhall  next  record,  to  the  Praife  of  my  Redeemer,  the  comfortable  Em- 
ployment and  SucceiTes  which  he  vouchlated  me  during  my  abode  at  A  .  <r, 
under  all  thefe  WcakneiTcs.  And  1.  I  will  mention  my  Employment.  2.  Mv 
SucceiTes.  And  3.  Thole  Advantages  by  which  under  God  it  was  procured  •  in 
order. 

1.  I  preached  before  the  Wars  twice  each  Lord's  Day  ;  but  after  the  War  but 
once,  and  once  every  Thurfday,  befides  occasional  Sermons.  Every  Jburfday  Even- 
ing my  Neighbours  that  were  mod  defirous  and  had  Opportunity,  met  at  my 
Houfe,  and  there  one  of  them  repeated  the  Sermon,  and  afcerwards  they  propofed 
what  Doubts  any  of  them  had  about  the  Sermon,  or  any  other  Cafe  of  Confer- 
ence, and  I  refolved  their  Doubts :  And  laft  of  all  I  cauled  fbmctimes  one,  and 
Sometimes  another  of  them  to  Pray  ( to  exercife  them)  ;  and  fometimes  I  prayed 
with  them  my  felf:  which  (  befide  finging  a  Pfalm  )  was  all  they  did.  And  once 
a  Week  alfo  fome  of  the  younger  fort  who  were  not  fit  to  pray  in  Co  great  an  Af- 
(embly,  met  among  a  few  more  privately,  where  they  fpent  three  Hours  in  Pray- 
er together,  every  Saturday  Night  they  met  at  fome  of  their  Houfes  to  repeat  the 
Sermon  of  the  lalt  Lords  Day,  and  to  pray  and  prepare  themfelves  for  the  follow- 
ing Day.  Once  in  a  few  Weeks  we  had  a  Day  of  Humiliation  on  one  Occafion 
or  other;  Every  Religious  Woman  that  was  iafely  Delivered,  inftead  of  the  old 
Leadings  and  GotTipings,  if  they  were  able,  did  keep  a  Day  of  Thankfgiving  with 
feme  of  their  Neighbours  with  them,  praifing  God,  and  finging  Pfalms,  and  fober- 
ly  FealHng  together.  Two  Days  every  Week  my  Afliftanc  and  1  my  felf,  took 
14  Families  between  us  for  private  Catechifing  and  Conference  (he  going  through 
the  Parifh,  and  the  Town  coming  to  me  )  :  I  firft  heard  them  recite  the  Words 
of  the  Catechifm,  and  then  examined  them  about  the  Senfi,  and  laftly  urged  them 
with  all  poilible  engaging  Reafbn  and  Vehemency,  to  anfwerable  Affe<Sfcion  and 
Practice.  If  any  of  them  were  Mailed  through  Ignorance  or  Bafhfulnefs,  I  forbore 
to  prefs  them  any  farther  to  Anfwers,  but  made  them  Hearers,  and  either  examin- 
ed others,  or  turned  all  into  Inftruiftiori  and  Exhortation.  But  this  I  have  opened 
more  fully  in  my  R <■  formed  Vafor.  I  fpent  about  an  Hour  with  a  Family,  and  ad- 
mitted no  others  to  be  prefent,  left  Balhfulnefs  mould  mike  it  burthenfom,  or  any 
ihould  talk  of  the  WeaknefTes  of  others :  So  that  all  the  Afternoons  on  Mondavi 
and  Tuefdays  I  fpent  in  this  (  after  I  had  begun  it ;  for  it  was  many  Years  before  I 
did  attempt  ic ) :  And  my  Afiiftant  fpent  the  Morning  of  the  fame  Days  in  the 
fame  Employment.  Before  that,  I  only  catechifed  them  in  the  Church;  and  con- 
ferred with,  now  and  then,  one  occasionally. 

Befides  all  this,  I  was  forced  five  or  fix  years  by  the  Peoples,  Neceflity  to  pra- 
clife  Phyfick  :  A  common  Pleurifie  happening  one  year,  and  no  phyfician  being 
near,  I  was  forced  to  adviib  them,  to  fave  their  Lives  ;  and  I  could  not  afterwards 
avoid  the  Importunity  of  the  Town  and  Country  round  about:  And  becaufe  I 
never  once  took  a  Penny  of  any  one,  I  was  crowded  with  Patients,  fb  that  almoft 
Twenty  would  beat  my  Door  at  once  j  and  though  God  by  more  Succefs  than  t 

M  z  expe&edj 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 

expected,  fo  long  encouraged  me,  yet  at  laft  I  could  endure  it  no  longer ;  partly 
becaufe  it  hindred  my  other  Studies,  and  partly  becaufe  the  very  fear  of  mi/carrying 
and  doing  any  one  harm,  did  make  it  an  intollerable  burden  to  me  :  So  that  after 
fome  Years  Practice,  i  procured  a  godly,  diligent  Phyfician  to  come  and  live  in 
the  Town,  and  bound  my  felf  by  Promife  to  practife  no  more  (  uniels  in  Con- 
futation with  him  in  cafe  of  any  feeming  neceffity  )  j  And  ib  with  that  Anfwer  I 
turned  them  all  off,  and  never  medledwith  it  more. 

But  all  thefe  my  Labours  (  excspt  my  private  Conferences  with  the  Families  ) 
even  preaching  and  preparing  for  it,  were  but  my  Recreations,  and  as  it  were  the 
work  of  my  fpare  hours  :  For  my  Writings  were  my  chiefeft  daily  Labour;  which 
yet  went  the  more  flowly  on,  that  I  never  one  hour  had  an  Amanuenfis  to  dictate 
to,  and  fpecially  becaufe  my  Weaknefs  took  up  fomuch  of  my  time.  For  all  the 
Pains  that  my  Infirmities  ever  brought  upon  me,  were  never  half  ib  grievous  an 
Affliction  to  me,  as  the  unavoidable  lofs  of  my  time,  which  they  occafioned,  I 
could  not  bear  ( through  the  weaknels  of  my  Stomach)  to  rife  before  Seven  a 
Clock  in  the  Morning,  and  afterwards  not  till  much  later  ;  and  fome  Infirmities 
I  laboured  under,  made  it  above  an  hour  before  I  could  be  dreft.  An  hour  I  muffc 
of  neceffity  have  to  walk  before  Dinner,  and  another  before  Supper ;  and  after  Sup- 
per I  can  feldom  Study  :  All  which,  befides  times  of  Family  Duties,  and  Prayer, 
and  Eating,  &c.  leaveth  me  but  little  time  toftudy  ;  which  hath  been  the  greateit 
external  Perfonal  Affliction  of  all  my  Life. 

Befides  all  thefe,  every  firft  Wednesday  of  the  Month  was  our  monthly  Meeting 
for  Paiifh  Difcipline  ;  and  every  firft  Thurfday  of  the  month  was  the  Minifters  meet- 
ing for  Difcipline  and  Difputation  :  And  in  thofe  Difputations  it  fell  to  my  lot  to  be 
alrnoft  conftant  Moderator ;  and  for  every  fiich  day  (uiually)  I  prepared  a  written  De- 
termination. All  which  I  mention  as  my  Mercies  and  Delights,  and  not  as  my  Bur- 
dens. And  every  Thurfday  befides,  I  had  the  Company  of  divers  godly  Minifters  at 
rr)y  Houfe  after  the  Lecture,  with  whom  I  fpent  that  Afternoon  in  the  trueft  Re- 
creation, till  my  Neighbours  came  to  meet  for  their  Exercife  of  Repetition  and 
Prayer. 

For  ever  bleffed  be  the  God  of  Mercies,  that  brought  me  from  the  Grave,  and 
gave  me  after  Wars  and  Sicknefs.fourteen  years  Liberty  in  fuch  fweet  Imployment ! 
And  that  in  times  of  Ufurpation  I  had  all  this  Mercy  and  happy  Freedom,  when 
under  our  rightful  King  and  Governour,  I  and  many  hundreds  more  are  filenced, 
and  laid  by,  as  broken  Veffels,  and  fufpe&ed  and  vilified  as  fcarce  to  be  tollerated 
to  live  privately  and  quietly  in  the  Land !  That  God  fhould  make  days  of  Licenti- 
oufnefs  and  Diforder  under  an  Ufurper  fo  great  a  Mercy  to  me,  and  many  a  thou- 
fand  more,  who  under  the  lawful  Governours  which  they  defired,  and  in  the  days 
when  Order  is  (aid  to  be  reft ored,  do  fome  of  us  fit  in  obfcurity  and  unprofitable  fi- 
lence,  and  fome  lie  in  Prifons,  and  all  of  us  are  accounted  as  the  Scum  and  Swep- 
ings  or  OfF-fcourings  of  the  Earth. 

§  i;6.  I  have  mentioned  my  fweet  and  acceptable  Employment  $  Let  me  to 
the  praife  of  my  gracious  Lord,  acquaint  you  with  fome  of  my  Succefs :  And  I 
will  not  fupprefsit,  though  I  fore-know  that  the  Malignant  will  impute  the  men- 
tion of  it  to  Pride  and  Orientation.  For  it  is  the  Sacrifice  of  Thankfgiving  which 
I  owe  to  my  moft  gracious  God,  which  I  will  not  deny  him  for  fear  of  being  cen- 
fured  as  proud  ,  left  I  prove  my  felf  p*roud  indeed  ,  while  I  cannot  undergo  the 
Imputation  of  Pride  in  the  performance  of  my  Thanks  for  fuch  undeierved  Mer- 
cies. 

My  publick  Preaching  met  with  an  attentive  diligent  Auditory  !  Having  broke 
over  the  brunt  of  the  Oppofition  of  the  Rabble  before  the  Wars,  I  found  them  after- 
wards tradable  and  unprejudiced. 

Before  I  ever  entred  into  the  Miniftry,  God  blefled  my  private  Conference  to 
the  Conversion  of  fome,  who  remain  firm  and  eminent  in  holinels  to  this  day  :  But 
then,  and  in  the  beginning  of  my  Miniftry  I  was  wont  to  number  them  as  Jewels  ; 
hut  fince  then  I  could  not  keep  any  number  of  them. 

The  Congregation  was  ufually  full,  fo  that  we  were  fain  to  build  five  Galleries 
after  my  coming  thither  (  the  Church  it  felf  being  very  capacious,  and  the  moft 
commodious  and  Convenient,  that  ever  I  was  in).  Our  private  Meetings  alfo  were 
full.  On  the  Lord's  Days  there  was  no  diforder  to  be  feen  in  the  Streets,  but  you 
might  hear  an  hundred  Families  finging  Pfalms  and  repeating  Sermons,  as  you  paC 
led  through  the  Streets.  In  a  word,  when  I  came  thither  firft,  there  was  about 
one  Family  in  a  Street  that  worfhipped  God  and  called  on  his  Name,  and  when  I 
came  away  there  were  fome  Streets  where  there  was  not  paft  one  Family  in  the 

fide 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  JBaxter.  8  5 


fide  of  a  Street  that  did  not  fo;  and  that  did  not  by  profiling  ferious  Godlinefs, 
give  us  hopes  of  their  fincerity  :  And  thofe  Families  which  were  the  worft ,  I 
Inns  and  Alehoules,  ufually  Jome  perfom  in  each  Houfe  did  feem  to  be  Religious. 
Though  our  Adminiftration  of  the  Lords  Supper  was  fb  ordered  as  difpleafed  ma- 
ny, and  the  far  greater  part  kept  away  themfelves,  yet  we  had  600  that  were  Com- 
municants, of  whom  there  was  not  twelve  that  I  had  not  good  hopes  of,  as  to  their 
fincerity:  and  thole  few  that  did  confent  to  our  Communion,  and  yet  lived  fcan- 
daloufly  were  Excommunicated  afterward  :  And  I  hope  there  were  many  that  had 
the  Fear  of  God  that  came  not  to  our  Communion  in  the  Sacrament,  ibme  of  them 
being  kept  off  by  Husbands,  by  Parents,  by  Matters,  and  fome  diflfwaded  by  Men 
that  differed  from  us :  Thofe  many  that  kept  away,  yet  took  it  patiently  ,  and  did 
not  revile  us,  as  doing  them  wrong  :  And  thofe  unruly  young  men  that  were  Ex- 
communicated, bore  it  patiently  as  to  their  outward  behaviour,  though  their  hearts 
were  full  of  bitterneis :  (  except  one,  of  whom  I  mall  ipeak  anon;.  When  1  fet 
upon  Peiibnal  Conference  with  each  Family,  and  Catechizing  them,  there  were 
very  few  Families  in  all  the  Town  that  refufed  to  come ;  and  thofe  few  were  Beg- 
gers  at  the  Towns-ends,  who  were  fb  ignorant  that  they  were  alhamed  it  Ihould  be 
manifeff.  And  few  Families  went  from  me  without  fome  tears,  or  fcemingly  leri- 
ous  promifes  for  a  Godly  Life.  Yet  many  ignorant  and  ungodly  Perfbns  there 
were  frill  among  us  :  but  mofr  of  them  were  in  theParifh,  and  not  in  the  Town; 
and  in  thofe  parts  of  the  Parifh  which  were  furtheft  from  the  Town.  And  whereas 
one  part  of  the  Parifh  was  impropriate,  and  payed  Tythes  to  Laymen,  and  the 
other  part  maintained  the  Church,  (  a  Brook  dividing  them  )  it  fell  out  that  al- 
moft  all  that  fide  of  the  Parifh  which  paid  Tythes  to  the  Church,  were  godly,  ho- 
neft  People,  and  did  it  willingly  without  Contention  ;  and  mod  of  the  bad  People 
of  the  Parifh  lived  on  the  other  fide.  Some  of  the  Poor  men  did  competently  un- 
derftand  the  Body  of  Divinity,  and  were  able  to  judge  in  difficult  Controverfies: 
Some  of  them  were  fo  able  in  Prayer,  that  very  few  Minifters  did  match  them,  in 
order  and  fulnefs,  and  apt  Expreflions,  and  holy  Oratory,  with  fervency  :  Abun- 
dance of  them  were  able  to  pray  very  laudably  with  their  Families,  or  with  others. 
The  temper  of  their  Minds,  and  the  innocency  of  their  Lives  was  «nuch  more 
laudable  than  their  Parts.  The  Profeffors  of  ferious  Godlinefs,  were  generally  of 
very  humble  Minds  and  Carriage  ;  of  meek  and  quiet  behaviour  unto  others  *  and 
of  blamelefnefs  and  inno.ency  in  their  Converfations. 

And  God  was  pleaied  alio  to  give  me  abundant  Encouragement  in  the  Lectures 
which  I  preached  abroad  in  other  places  ;  as  at  Worcester,  Cleobury,  &c.  but  efpeci- 
ally  at  Dudley  and  Shejfual  ;  at  the  former  of  which  (being  the  firft  place  that  ever 
I  preached  in)  the  poor  Nailers  and  other  Labourers  would  not  only  crowd  the 
Church  as  full  as  ever  I  (aw  any  in  London,  but  alfo  hang  upon  the  Windows,  and 
the  Leads  without. 

And  in  my  poor  Endeavours  with  my  Brethren  in  the  Miniftry  ,  my  Labours 
were  not  loft  ;  Our  Difputations  proved  not  unprofitable  j  Our  Meetings  were  ne- 
ver contentious,  but  always  comfortable  >  We  took  great  delight  in  the  Company 
of  each  other ;  fo  that  I  knew  that  the  remembrance  of  thofe  days  is  pleafant  both 
to  them  and  me  :whenDifcouragements  had  long  kept  me  from  motioning  a  way 
of  Church-order  and  Difcipline,  which  all  might  agree  in,  that  we  might  neither 
have  Churches  ungoverned,  nor  fall  into  Divifions  among  our  felves,  at  the  firft 
motioning  of  it,  I  found  a  readier  Content  than  I  could  expect,  and  all  went  on 
without  any  great  obltructing  difficulties :  And  when  I  attempted  to  bring  them 
all  conjunctly  to  the  work  of  Catechizing  and  Inftructing  every  Family  by  it  felf, 
I  found  a  ready  confent  in  mofr,  and  performance  in  many.  So  that  I  muft  here 
to  the  praife  of  my  dear  Redeemer,  fet  up  this  Pillar  of  Remembrance ,  even  to 
his  Praife  who  hath  employed  me  fb  many  years  in  (b  comfortable  a  Work  ,  with 
fuch  encouraging  Succefs !  O  what  am  I,  a  worthlefs  Worm,  not  only  want- 
ing Academical  Honours,  but  much  of  that  Furniture  which  is  needful  to  fo  high 
a  Work,  that  God  fliould  thus  abundantly  encourage  me,  when  the  Reverend  In- 
ftructors  of  my  Youth,  did  labour  Fifty  years  together  in  one  place,  and  could 
fcarcely  fay  they  had  Converted  one  or  two  of  their  Parifhes !  And  the  greater 
was  this  Mercy,  becaufe  I  was  naturally  of  adifcouraged  Spirit  ;  ib  that  if  I  had 
preached  one  Year,  andfeen  no  Fruits  of  it,  I  mould  hardly  have  forborn  running 
away  like  Jcnah,  but  mould  have  thought  that  God  called  me  not  to  that  Place. 
Yea,  the  Mercy  was  yet  greater  in  that  it  was  of  farther  publick  Benefit :  For 
fome  Independents  and  Anabaptifts  that  had  before  conceited,  that  Parifh  Churches 
were  the  great  Obfrruction  of  all  true  Church  Order  and  Difcipline,  and  that  it 

was 


M  ...'-■  ■  ■  ..II  I 

S6  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I. 

was  impoflible  to  bring  them  to  any  good  Confiftency,  did  quite  change  their 
Minds  when  they  iaw  what  was  done  at  Kiderminftcr ,  and  began  to  think  now, 
that  it  was  much  through  the  faultinefs  of  the  Pariih  Minifters,  that  Parishes  an; 
not  in  a  better  Cafe  ;  and  that  it  is  a  better  Work  thus  to  reform  the  Parifhes,  than 
to  gather  Churches  out  of  them,  without  great  Neceflity. 

And  the  Zeal  and  Knowledge  of  this  poor  People  provoked  many  in  other  parts 
of  the  Land.  And  though  I  have  been  now  abfent  from  them  about  fix  Years, 
an^tliey  have  been  affaulted  with  Pulpit-Calumnies,  and  Slanders,  with  Threat- 
TiHJgs  and  Imprifonments,  with  enticing  Words,  and  fedu$jng  Reafonings,  they  yet 
iiand  faft  and  keep  their  Integrity  ;  many  of  them  are  gone  to  God,  and  fome  are 
removed  ,  and  fome  now  in  Prifon,  and  moft  ftill  at  home  ;  but  not  one,  that 
I  hear  of,  that  are  fallen  off,  or  forfake  their  Uprightnefs. 

§  137.  Having  related  my  comfortable  Succefles  in  this  Place,  I  (hall  next 
tell  you  by  what,  and  how  many  Advantages  this  much  was  effected  (  under 
that  Grace  which  worketh  by  means,  though  with  a  free  diverfity  )  ;  which  I  do 
for  their  fakes  that  would  have  the  means  of  other  Mens  Experiments,  in  mana- 
ging ignorant  and  finful  Parifhes. 

1.  One  Advantage  was,  that  I  came  to  a  People  that  never  had  any  awakening 
Miniftry  before  (but  a  few  formal  cold  Sermons  of  the  Curate)  :  For  if  they 
had  been  hardened  under  a  powerful  Miniftry,  and  been  Sermon  Proof,  I  mould 
have  expe&ed  left. 

2.  Another  Advantage  was,  that  at  firft  I  was  in  the  Vigour  of  my  Spirits,  and 
had  naturally  a  familiar  moving  Voice  (which  is  a  great  matter  with  the  common 
Hearers )  ;  and  doing  all  in  bodily  Weaknefs,  as  a  dying  Man,  my  Soul  was  the 
more  eafily  brought  to  Serioufnefs,  and  to  preach  as  a  dying  Man  to  dying  Men ; 
for  drowfy  Formality  and  Cuftomarinefs  doth  but  ftupify  the  Hearers,  and  rock 
them  afleep  :  It  muft  beierious  Preaching,  which  muft  make  Men  ferious  in  hear- 
ing and  obeying  it. 

3.  Another  Advantage  was,  that  moft  of  the  bitter  Enemies  of  Godiinefs  in 
the  Town,  that  rofe  in  Tumults  againft  me  before,  in  their  very  Hatred  of  Puri- 
tans, had  gone  out  into  the  Wars,  into  the  King's  Armies,  and  were  quickly  kill'd, 
and  few  of  them  ever  returned  again ;  and  fo  there  were  few  to  make  any  great  Op- 
pofition  to  Godiinefs. 

4.  Another,  and  the  greateft  Advantage  was,  the  Change  that  was  made  in  the 
Publick  Affairs  by  the  Succefs  of  the  Wars ;  which,  however  it  was  done,  and 
though  much  corrupted  by  the  Ufurpers,  yet  it  was  fuch  as  removed  many  and 
great  Impediments  to  Mens  Salvation :  For  before,  the  riotous  Rabble  had  Bold- 
nefs  enough  to  make  ferious  Godiinefs  a  common  Scorn,  and  call  them  all  Puri- 
tans and  Preeifians  that  did  not  care  as  little  for  God  and  Heaven  and  their  Souls 
as  they  did  ;  efpecially  if  a  Man  were  not  fally  fatisfied  with  their  undifciplined, 
difbrdered  Churches,  or  Lay  Chancellors  Excommunications,  &c  then  no  Name 
was  bad  enough  for  him:  And  theBifhops  Articles  enquiring  after  fuch,  and  their 
Courts  and  the  High  Commiffion  grievoufly  afflicting  thofe  that  did  but  Faft  and 
Pray  together,  or  go  from  an  ignorant  drunken  Reader,  to  hear  a  godly  able 
Preacher  at  the  next  Pariih,  &c.  this  kept  Religion  among  the  Vulgar  under  ei- 
ther continual  Reproach  or  Terror,  encourageing  the  Rabble  to  defpife  it 
and  revile  it,  and  difcouraging  thofe  that  elfe  would  own  it.  And  Experience  tell- 
eth  us,  that  it  is  a  lamentable  Impediment  to  Mens  Converfion,  when  it  is  a  way 
every  where  fpoken  againft,  and  prcfecuted  by  Superiors,  which  they  muft  em- 
brace ;  and  when  at  their  firft  Approaches  they  muft  go  through  fuch  Dangers 
and  Obloquy  as  is  fitter  for  confirmed  Chriftians  to  be  exercifed  with,  than  un- 
converted Sinners  or  ycung  Beginners:  Therefore,  though  Cromwell  gave  Liberty 
to  all  Sefts  among  us,  and  did  not  fet  up  any  Party  alone  by  Force,  yet  this  much 
gave  abundant  Advantage  to  the  Gofpel,  removing  the  Prejudices  and  the  Ter- 
rours  which  hindered  it;  efpecially  considering  that  Godiinefs  had  Countenance  and 
Reputation  alfo,  as  well  as  Liberty ;  whereas  before,  if  it  did  not  appear  in  all  the 
Fetters  and  Formalities  of  the  Times,  it  was  the  way  to  common  Shame  and  Ru- 
ins :  Hearing  Sermons  abroad  when  there  were  none,  or  worfe  at  home  ;  Falling 
and  Praying  together ;  the  Oriel:  Obfervation  of  the  Lord's  Day,  and  fuch  like, 
went  under  the  dangerous  Name  of  Puritanifm,  as  well  as  oppofing  Bifhops  and 
Ceremonies. 

I  know  in  tliefe  Times  you  may  meet  with  Men  that  confidently  affirm,  that 
all  Religion  wis  then  trodden  down,  and  Herefy  and  Schifm  were  the  only  Piety; 
but  I  give  Warning  to  all  Ages  by  the  Experience  of  this  incredible  Age,  that 

they 


,    r-m — ^^—  ■  ■'  "  I  ■     ■  ■  ...        ■  IIIM    .      .  I 

Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  87 


they  take  heed  how  they  believe  any,  whoever  they  be,  while  they  are  fpeaking 
for  the  Intereft  of  their  Factions  and  Opinions,  againft  thole  that  were  their  real 
or  ftppofed  Adverfaries. 

For  my  part,  I  blefs  God  who  gave  me  even  under  an  Ufurper  whom  I  oppo- 
fed,  fuch  Liberty  and  Advantage  to  preach  his  Golpelwith  Succefs,  which  I  can- 
not have  under  a  King  to  whom  I  have  fworn  and  performed  true  Subjection  and 
Obedience  ;  yea,  which  no  Age  fince  the  Gofpel  came  into  this  Land,  did  before 
poffefs,  as  far  as  I  can  learn  from  Hiftory.  Sure  I  am,  that  when  it  became  a 
matter  of  Reputation  and  Honour  to  be  Godly,  it  abundantly  furthered  the  Succef- 
fes  of  the  Miniftry.  Yea,  and  I  mall  add  this  much  more  for  the  fake  of  Pofterity, 
that  as  much  as  I  have  laid  and  written  againft  Licentioufnefs  in  Religion,  and 
for  the  Magiftrates  Power  in  it,  and  though  I  think  that  Land  molt  happy,  whole 
Rulers  ufe  their  Authority  for  Chrift,  as  well  as  for  the  Civil  Peace ;  yet  in  Com- 
panion of  the  reft  of  the  World,  I  fliall  think  that  Land  happy  that  hath  but  bare 
Liberty  to  be  as  good  as  they  are  willing  to  be  j  and  if  Countenance  and  Mainte- 
nance be  but  added  to  Libert /,  and  tollerated  Errors  and  Seels  be  but  forced  to  keep 
the  Teace,  and  not  to  oppole  the  Subftantials  of  Chriftianity,  I  /hall  not  hereafter 
much  fear  fuch  Toleration ,  nor  delpair  that  Truth  will  bear  down  Adver- 
faries. 

y.  Another  Advantage  which  I  found  was,  that  Acceptation  of  my  Perlbn, 
which  Bifhop  Morley  and  Dean  Warmjlry  fo  vehemently  diffuaded  them  from  (in 
vain  )  :  Though  to  win  Eftimation  and  Love  to  our  lelves  only,  be  an  end  that 
none  but  proud  Men  and  Hypocrites  intend,  yet  it  is  moft  certain  that  the  Gi  ate- 
fulnefs  of  the  Perlbn  doth  ingratiate  the  Melfage,  and  greatly  prepareth  the  Peo- 
ple to  receive  the  Truth  :  Had  they  taken  me  to  be  Ignorant,  Erroneous,  Scanda- 
lous, Worldly,  Self-feeking,  or  fuch  like,  I  could  have  expe&ed  fmall  Succefs 
among  them. 

6.  Another  Advantage  which  I  had  was,  by  the  Zealand  Diligence  of  the  Godly 
People  of  the  Place ;  who  thh  fted  after  the  Salvation  of  their  Neighbours,  and 
were  in  private  my  Afliftants,  and  being  difpeifed  through  the  Town,  were  rea- 
dy in  almoft  all  Companies  to  reprels  leducing  Words,  and  to  juftify  Godlinels, 
and  convince,  reprove,  exhort  Men  according  to  their  needs ;  as  alio  to  teach 
them  how  to  pray  ;  and  to  help  them  tofanctifie  the  Lord's  Day :  For  thofe  Peo- 
ple that  had  none  in  their  Families  who  could  pray,  or  repeat  the  Sermons,  went 
to  their  next  Neighbour's  Houfe  who  could  do  it,  and  joined  with  them  ;  fo  that 
fome  Houfes  (  of  the  ableft  Men)  in  each  Street  were  filled  with  them  that  could 
do  nothing,  or  little  in  their  own. 

7.  And  the  holy,  humble,  blamelels  Lives  of  the  Religious  fort  was  a  great 
Advantage  to  me  :  The  malicious  People  could  not  lay,  your  Profeflbrs  here 
are  as  proud  and  covetous  as  any  :  But  the  blamelefs  Lives  of  godly  People  did 
lhame  Oppofers,  and  put  to  Silence  the  Ignorance  of  foolifli  Men,  and  many 
were  won  by  their  good  Converfation. 

8.  And  our  Unity  and  Concord  was  a  great  Advantage  to  us,  and  our  freedom 
from  thole  Sects  and  Herefies  which  many  other  Places  were  infected  with.  We 
had  no  private  Church,  though  we  had  private  Meetings ;  we  had  not  Paftor 
againft  Paftor,  nor  Church  againft  Church,  nor  Sect  againft  Sect,  nor  Chriftian 
againft  Chriftian.  There  was  none  that  had  any  odd  Opinions  of  his  own,  or 
cenfured  his  Teacher  as  erronious,  nor  queftioned  his  Call :  At  Be-wdley  there  was 
a  Church  of  Anabaptifts ;  at  Worcefter  the  Independents  gathered  theirs :  But  we 
were  all  of  one  Mind,  and  Mouth,  and  Way  :  Not  a  Separating  Anabaptift,  An- 
tinomian,  &c.  in  the  Town  !  One  Journeyman  Shoemaker  turned  Anabaptift, 
but  he  left  the  Town  upon  it,  and  went  among  them.  When  People  faw  diver- 
Iky  of  Sects  and  Churches  in  any  Place,  it  greatly  hindred  their  Converllon  ;  and 
they  were  at  a  Sols,  and  knew  not  what  Party  to  be  of,  or  what  Way  to  go  ;  and 
therefore  would  be  of  no  Religion  at  all ;  and  perhaps  derided  them  all  whom 
they  law  thus  difagreed  :  But  they  had  no  fuch  Offence  or  Objection  there;  they 
could  not  ask,  which  Church  or  Party  fhall  I  be  of ;  for  we  were  all  but  as  one  2 
Nay,  Co  Modeft  were  the  ableft  of  the  People,  that  they  never  were  inclined  to  a 
preaching  way,  nor  to  make  Oftentation  of  their  Parts ;  but  took  warning  by  the 
Pride  of  others,  and  thought  they  had  teaching  enough  by  their  Paftors,  and  that 
it  was  better  for  them  to  beftow  their  Labour  in  digefting  that,  than  in  Preaching 
themfelve?. 

f.  And 


88  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

9.  And  our  private  Meetings  were  a  marvellous  help  to  the  propagating  of  God- 
linefs  among  them  :  for  thereby  Truths  that  flipt  away  were  recalled,  and  the  fe- 
rioufnefs  of  the  Peoples  minds  renewed  ;  and  good  defires  cheriflied  ;  and  hereby 
their  knowledge  was  much  increafed ;  and  here  the  younger  fort  learned  to  pray, 
by  frequent  hearing  others :  And  here  I  had  opportunity  to  know  their  Cafe:  for 
if  any  were  touched  and  awakened  in  publick,  I  mould  prefently  fee  him  drop  in 
to  our  private  Meetings :  Hereby  alio  idle  meetings  and  lofs  of  time  was  prevent- 
ed. And  (b  far  were  we  from  being  by  this  in  danger  of  Schifm  or  Divisions,  that 
it  was  the  principal  means  to  prevent  them  :  For  here  I  was  ufually  prefent  with 
them,  anfwering  their  Doubts,  and  filencing  Objections,  and  moderating  them  in 
all.  And  [owe  Private  Meetings  I  found  they  were  exceeding  much  inclined  to  : 
and  if  I  had  not  allowed  them  fuch  as  were  lawful  and  profitable,  they  would  have 
been  ready  to  run  to  fuch  as  were  unlawful  and  hurtful :  And  by  encouraging  them 
herein  the  fit  exercife  of  their  parts,  in  Repetition,  Prayer,  and  asking  Quefri- 
ons,  I  kept  them  from  inclining  to  the  diforderly  exercife  of  them,  as  the  Sectaries 
do.  We  had  no  Meetings  in  oppofition  to  the  Publick  Meetings  ;  but  all  in  fub- 
ordination  to  them  ;  and  under  my  over-light  and  guidance;  which  proved  a  way 
profitable  to  all. 

10.  Another  thing  which  advantaged  us  was  fbme  publick  Difputations  which 
we  had  with  Gainfayers,  which  very  much  confirmed  the  People :  The  Quakers 
would  fain  have  got  entertainment  and  fet  up  a  Meeting  in  the  Town  (  and  fre- 
quently railed  at  me  in  the  Congregation  )  :  But  when  I  had  once  given  them 
leave  to  meet  in  the  Church,  for  a  Difpute,  and  before  the  People,  had  opened 
their  deceits  and  Jhame,  none  would  entertain  them  more,  nor  did  they  get  one 
Prolelyte  among  us.  Before  that,  Mr.  John  Tomks  being  Le&urer  of  Be-wdleyfwo 
miles  off  us,  (  who  was  reputed  the  moft  Learned  and  able  Anabaptift  in  England) 
we  kept  fair  Conefpondence  for  a  long  time,  and  I  ft udioufly  avoided  ail  Debates 
with  him  about  Infant  Baptifm  •  till  at  laft  he  forced  me  to  it  as  I  mail  mew  fur- 
ther anon  ,  And  after  one  days  Difpute  with  him  of  Betvdley,  my  Hearers  were 
more  fetled,  and  the  courfe  of  his  lnfe&ion  ftopt.  How  mean  ibever  my  own 
Abilities  were,  yet  I  had  ftill  the  advantage  of  a  good  Caufe,  and  thereby  eafily  o- 
pened  the  vanity  of  all  Pretenders,  Deceivers  and  Dividers  that  came  among 
us. 

i  r.  Another  advantage  was  the  great  honefty  and  diligence  of  my  Affiftants  : 
When  I  came  firft  to  Ktdderminfier  after  the  Wars,  I  found  Mr.  Richard  Sergeant 
there  received  as  their  Preacher ;  whom  they  took  in  a  Cafe  of  Neceflity  when 
they  could  get  no  other :  I  found  him  very  honeft,but  of  no  extraordinary  Learn- 
ing, and  of  no  taking  utterance,  ib  that  fbme  that  were  more  for  Learning  than 
for  ferious  Piety,  would  have  had  me  taken  in  his  ftead  a  very  grave  ,  ancient  Do- 
dor  of  Divinity,  who  had  a  moft  promifing  Prefence,  and  tolerable  Delivery,  and 
reverend  Name,  and  withal  was  my  Kinfman  :  But  I  found  at  laft  chat  he  had  no 
reiifh  of  ferious  Godlinefs,  nor  (olid  Learning  or  Knowledge  in  Divinity,  but  ftole 
Sermons  out  of  printed  Books,  and  fet  them  off  with  a  grave  Delivery.  But  Mr. 
Sergeant  fo  increafed  in  Ability,  that  he  became  a  folid  Preacher,  and  of  fo  great 
Prudence  in  Pra&ical  Cafes,  that  I  know  few  therein  go  beyond  him  ;  but  none 
at  all  do  I  know  that  excelleth  him  in  Meeknefs,Humility,Self-denial  and  Diligence. 
No  Child  ever  feemed  more  humble :  No  Intereft  of  his  own,  either  of  Eftate  or 
Reputation,  did  ever  feem  to  ftop  him  in  his  Duty  :  No  Labour  did  he  ever  refufe 
which  I  could  put  him  to  :  When  I  put  him  to  travel  over  the  Parifli  (  which  is 
near  20  miles  about )  from  Houle  to  Houfe  to  Catechize  and  InftrucT:  each  Family, 
he  never  grudged  or  feemed  once  unwilling.  He  preached  at  a  Chappel  above 
two  miles  off  one  half  the  day,  and  in  the  Town  the  other,  and  never  murmured. 
I  never  heard  of  the  Man  or  Woman  in  all  that  Town  and  Parifli ,  that  ever  faid, 
This  Fault  he  did  j  This  Word  he  fpake  amifs  againft  me  ;  This  Wrong  he  did  me  j 
nor  ever  one  that  once  found  fault  with  him  (fave  once  one  man  upon  a  fhort 
miftake,  for  being  out  of  the  way  when  he  mould  have  baptized  a  Child  ) :  This 
admirable  blamelefnefs  of  Life  much  furthered  our  work :  And  when  he  was  remo- 
ved two  miles  from  us,  I  got  Mr.  Humphrey  Waldern  to  fucceed  him,  who  was  very 
much  like  him,  and  carried  on  his  work. 

12.  Another  Advantage  was  the  Prefence  and  Countenance  of  honeft  Juftices  of 
Peace :  Colonel  John  Bridges,  a  prudent ,  pious  Gentleman,  was  Patron  of  the 
Church,  and  lived  in  the  Parifli,  and  was  a  Juftice  of  Peace  :  And  a  Bailiff  and 
Jnftice  were  Annually  chofenin  the  Corporation,  who  ordinarily  were  godly  men, 
and  aiways  fuch  as  would  be  thought  fo,  and  were  ready  to  ufe  their  Authority  to 

fupprefs 


,    ■  -    I     I  .  ' '         -  -  -~  -----  it-       -,,   ■  ||  IMH         ||||         |.„      „.        - 

PartI.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  89 

fupprefs  Sin,  and  promote  Goodnefs.  And  when  once  a  Sabbath- breaker  thought 
to  have  overthrown  the  Officers  at  Law,  Serjeant  Fountain  being  then  Judge  of 
Aflize,  did  lb  reprefs  his  Malice,  as  difcouraged  all  others  from  any  more  fuch 
attempts.    But  now  the  World  is  changed . 

15.  Another  help  to  my  Succefs,  was  that  fmall  relief  which  my  low  Efface 
enabled  me  to  afford  the  Poor :  though  the  Place  was  reckoned  at  near 
200  I.  per  Annum,  there  came  but  90/.  and  fbmetimes  80/.  per  Annum  to  me: 
Befides  which ,  fome  years  I  had  60  I.  or  80  /.  a  year  of  the  Bookfellers  for 
my  Books:  which  little  dilperled  among  them,  much  reconciled  them  to  the  Do- 
drrine  which  I  taught :  I  took  the  apteft  of  their  Children  from  the  School,  and 
fit  divers  of  them  to  the  Univerfities ;  where  for  8  /.  a  year,  or  10  /.  at  moft,  by 
the  help  of  my  Friends  there  I  maintained  them.  Mr.  Vines  and  Dr.  Hill  did  help 
me  to  Sizers  places  for  them  at  Cambridge  :  And  the  Lady  Rous  allowed  me  8  /.  a 
year  awhile  towards  their  Maintenance,  and  Mr.  Jho.  Foivky  and  Col.  Bridges  alio 
afliiled  me.  Some  of  them  are  honeft  able  Minifters,  now  caft  out  with  their  Bre- 
thren: But  two  or  three,  having  no  other  way  to  live,  turned  great  Conforming 
and  are  Preachers  now.  And  in  giving  that  little  I  had,  I  did  not  enquire  whe- 
ther they  were  good  or  bad,  if  they  asked  Relief:  For  the  bad  had  Souls  and  Bo- 
dies that  needed  Charity  moft.  And  I  found  that  Three  pence  or  a  Groat  to  eve- 
ry poor  Body  that  askt  me,  was  no  great  matter  in  a  year,  but  a  few  pounds  in  that 
way  of  giving  would  go  far.  And  this  Truth  I  will  fpeak  to  the  encouragement 
of  the  Charitable,  that  what  little  Money  1  have  now  by  me,  I  got  it  almoft  all 
(  I  fcarce  know  how  )  in  that  time  when  I  gave  moft  :  And  fince  I  have  had  lefs 
opportunity  of  giving,  I  have  had  left  increafe. 

14.  Another  furtherance  of  my  work  was  the  Writings  which  I  wrote,  and  gave 
among  them.  Some  finall  Books  I  gave  each  Family  one  of,  (which  came  to  about 
800)  ;  and  of  the  bigger  I  gave  fewer:  And  every  Family  that  was  poor,  and  had 
not  a  Bible,  I  gave  a  Bible  to.  And  I  had  found  my  felf  the  benefit  of  reading 
to  be  fo  great,  that  I  could  not  but  think  it  would  be  profitable  to  others. 

iy.  And  ic  was  a  greac  Advantage  co  me,  that  my  Neighbours  were  of  fuch  a 
Trade  as  allowed  them  time  enough  to  read  or  calk  of  holy  Things  -.  For  the 
Town  liveth  upon  the  Weaving  of  Kidderm'w(tcr  Stuffs  ;  and  as  they  ftand  in  their 
Loom  they  can  fee  a  Book  before  them,  or  edirie  one  another :  whereas  Plowmen, 
and  many  others,  are  io  wearied  or  continually  employed ,  either  in  the  Labours 
or  the  Cares  of  their  Callings,  thac  it  is  a  great  Impediment  to  their  Salvation  ; 
Freeholders  and  Trades-men  are  the  Strength  of  Religion  and  Civility  in  the  Land  .- 
and  Gentlemen  and  Beggers,  and  Servile  Tenants,  are  the  Strength  of  Iniquity  ; 
(Though  among  thefe  forts  there  are  fome  alfo  that  are  good  and  juff,  as  among 
the  other  chere  are  many  bad .)  And  their  conftant  Converfe  and  Traffick  with 
London  doth  much  promote  Civility  and  Piety  among  Trades-men. 

16.  And  I  found  that  my  fingle  Life  afforded  me  much  advantage :  For  I  could  the 
ealilier  take  my  People  for  my  Children,  and  think  all  that  I  had  too  little  for  them, 
in  that  I  had  no  Children  of  my  own  to  tempt  me  to  another  way  of  ufing  it. 
And  being  difcharged  from  the  moft  of  Family  Cares  (  keeping  but  one  Servant  ) 
I  had  the  greater  vacancy  and  liberty  for  the  Labours  of  my  Calling. 

17.  And  God  made  ufe  of  my  Practice  of  Phyfick  among  them,  as  a  very  great 
advantage  to  my  Miniftry ;  for  they  that  cared  not  for  their  Souls  did  love  their 
Lives,  and  care  for  their  Bodies :  And  by  this  they  were  made  almoft  as  obfervanr, 
as  a  Tenant  is  of  his  Landlord  :  Sometimes  I  could  fee  before  me  in  the  Church  a 
very  confiderable  part  of  the  Congregation,  whofe  Lives  God  had  made  me  a  means 
to  fave,  or  to  recover  their  health  :  And  doing  it  for  nothing  fb  obliged  them,that 
chey  would  readily  hear  me. 

1 8.  And  it  was  a  great  advantage  to  me,  that  there  were  at  laft  few  that  were 
bad,  but  fome  of  their  own  Relations  were  Converted  :  Many  Children  did  God 
work  upon  at  14,  or  iy,  or  16  years  of  Age  :  And  this  did  marvelloufly  reconcile 
the  Minds  of  the  Parents  and  Elder  fort  to  Godlinefs :  They  that  would  not  hear 
me,  would  hear  their  own  Children:  They  that  before  could  have  talkt  againfl 
Godlinefs,  would  not  hear  it  fpoken  againfl  when  it  was  their  Childrens  Cafe  : 
Many  thac  would  noc  be  brought  to  it  themfelves,  were  proud  that  they  had  un- 
derftanding  Religious  Children  :  And  we  had  (brae  old  Perfons  of  near  Eighty 
years  of  Age,  who  are,  I  hope ,  in  Heaven,  and  the  Converfion  of  their  own 
Children  was  the  chief  means  to  overcome  their  Prejudice  and  old  Cuftoms  and 
Conceits. 

N  19.  And 


9° 


the  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

19.  And  God  made  great  ufe  of  SicknejS  to  do  good  to  many.  For  though  Sick- 
bed Promifes  are  ufually  foon  forgotten  ;  yet  was  it  otherwife  with  many  among 
us :  And  as  foon  as  they  were  recovered,  they  firft  came  to  our  private  Meetings, 
and  fo  kept  in  a  learning  ftate,  till  further  Fruits  of  Piety  appeared. 

20.  And  I  found  that  our  difowning  of  the  Iniquity  of  the  Times ,  did  tend  to  the 
good  of  many  :  For  they  defpifed  thofe  that  always  followed  the  ftronger  fide, 
and  juftified  every  wickednefs  that  was  done  by  the  ftronger  Party :  Though  we 
had  judged  the  Parliaments  War  to  be  lawful  and  neceflary  ,  tofave  themfelves  and 
us  from  the  Irijb  and  their  Adherents,  and  to  punifh  Delinquents  in  a  Courfe  of 
Law,  while  we  believed  that  nothing  was  intended  againft  the  King  or  Laws ;  yet 
as  foon  as  ever  we  faw  the  Cafe  changed,  and  Cromwell's  Army  enter  into  a  Rebel- 
lion againft  King  and  Parliament,  and  kill  the  King,  and  invade  the  Scots,  and 
fight  againft  the  King  that  fhould  have  ftcceeded,  &c.  we  openly  dilbwned  them, 
and  on  all  juft  occafions  expreft  our  abhorrence  of  their  Hypocrifie,  Perjury ,  and 
Rebellion  ;  (  except  two  or  three  idle  drunken  Fellows  that  thought  to  live  by 
flattering  the  Times,  this  was  the  Senfe  of  all  the  Town  ).  And  had  I  owned 
the  Guilt  of  others,  it  would  have  been  my  fliame,and  the  hinderance  of  my  work, 
and  provoked  God  to  have  dilbwned  me. 

21.  Another  of  my  great  Advantages  was,  the  true  Worth  and  Unanimity  of 
the  honeft  Minifters  of  the  Country  round  about  us,  who  aflbciated  in  a  way  of 
Concord  with  us :  Their  Preaching  was  powerful  and  iober  ;  their  Spirits  p-  ace- 
able  and  meek,  difowning  the  Trealbns  and  Iniquities  of  the  times  as  well  as  we  ; 
they  were  wholly  addifted  to  the  winning  of  Souls;  felfdenying,  and  of  mott 
blamelefs  Lives;  Evil  lpoken  of  by  no  Sober  Men  ;  but  greatly  beloved  by  their 
own  People3and  all  that  knew  them  ;  adhering  to  no  Faction;  neither  Epifcopl, 
Presbyterian  nor  Independent,  as  to  Parties ;  but  defiring  Union,  and  loving  that 
which  is  good  in  all. 

Thefe  meeting  weekly  at  our  Le&ure,  and  monthly  at  our  Difputation,  con- 
ftrained  a  Reverence  in  the  People  to  their  Worth  and  Unity,  and  confequently 
furthered  my  Work,  fuch  were  Mr.  Andrew  Trijham  Minifter  of  Bridgnorth,  Mr. 
Tho.  Baldwin  Minifter  at  Chadjley,  Mr.  Jho.  Baldwin  Minifter  of  Clent.  Mr.  Jofeph 
Baker  Minifter  in  Worcefter,  Mr.  Henry  Oajland  Minifter  of  Bewdley ,  Mr.  William 
Spicer  Minifter  of  Stone  fan  old  man  lincedead),  A/r.  Richard  Sergeant  laft  Minifter 
q{ Stone,  ySs.Wilsby  of  Womborne,  M.r.  John  Reignolds  ol  Wolverhampton,  Mr.  Jofeph 
RockeoX  Rowley,  Mr.  Richard Wolley  of  Sallwarp,  Mr.  Giles  Wolley  ,  Mr.  Humphrey 
Waldern  of  Broome,  xMr.  Edw.  Bowchter  of  Church-hill,  M<\  Ambrofe  Sparry  o£  Mart  ley, 
Mr.  William  Kimherley  of  Ridmarley,  Mr.  Benj.  Baxter  of  Upton  upon  Severn,Mv. Dow- 
ley  of  Stoke,  Mr.  Stephen  Baxter,  Mr.  Tho.  Bromwick  of  Kemfey,  Mr.  J.  Nott  of  She- 
riff-bales,  with  many  others;  to  whom  I  may  adjoyn  Mr.  John  Spilsbury,  and  Mr. 
Juice  one  ofBrom/grove,  and  the  other  of  Worcester,  Independants,  and  very  honeft, 
fober,and  moderate  men;  (who  were  all  of  them  now  filenced  and  caft  out,though 
not  one  of  them  all  had  any  hand  in  the  Wars  for  the  Parliament,  or  any  military 
Employment;  only  Mr.  George  Hopkins  of  Evejham  was  in  the  Army,  (  a  worthy 
faithful  Mnifterallo)  and  no  other  of  our  Affociation  that  I  know  of  befides  my 
(elf  in  all  the  County. 

22.  Another  Advantage  to  me  was  the  quality  of  the  Sinners  of  the  place.  There 
were  two  Drunkards  almoft  at  the  next  Doors  to  me,  who  (  one  by  night,  and  the 
other  by  day)  did  conftantly  every  Week,  if  not  twice  or  thrice  a  Weak,  roar  and 
rave  in  the  Streets  like  ftark-madmen  ;  and  when  they  have  been  laid  in  the  Stocks 
or  Gaol,  they  have  been  as  bad  as  (bon  as  ever  they  came  out  :  And  thefe  were  Co 
beaftly  and  ridiculous,  that  they  made  that  Sin  (of  which  we  were  in  moil  danger,) 
the  more  abhorred. 

23.  Another  Advantage  to  me  was  the  quality  of  the  Apoftates  of  the  place.  If 
we  had  been  troubled  with  meer  Separatifts ,  Anabaptilts,  or  others  that  erred 
plaufibly  and  tollerably,  they  might  perhaps  have  divided  us,  and  drawn  away 
Difciples  after  them  :  But  we  had  only  two  Profeflbrs  that  fell  cfFin  the  Wars,and 
(  orieor  two  at  moft  )  that  made  no  Profefiion  of  Godlinels   were  drawn    in   to 

;therri.  They  that  fell  off  were  fuch  as  before,  by  their  want  of  grounded  Under- 
standing, Humility  and  Mortification,  gave  us  the  greateft  fufpicion  of  their  Sta- 
bility :  And  they  fell  to  no  leisthanFamilifm  and  Infidelity,  making  ajeft  of  the 
Scripture,  and  the  ElTentials  of  Chriftianity  :  (  Though  they  fb  carefully  hid  it, 
that  we  could  never  poffibjy  have  known  their  Minds,  but  from  the  Alehoufe,  and 
Companions  with  whom  they  were  more  free,).  And  as  they  fell  from  the  Faith, 
fo  they  fell  to  Drinking,  Gaming,  furious  Paffions ,  horribly  abufing  their  Wives 

(and 


Part  L     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  u 

(  and  thereby  laving  them  from  their  Errours  )  and  to  a  vicious  Life.  So  that  they 
flood  up  as  Pillars  and  Monuments  of  God's  Juftice,  to  warn  all  others,  to  take 
heed  of  Self-conceitednefs  and  Herefies,  and  of  departing  from  Truth  and  Chri- 
ftian  Unity  :  And  fo  they  were  a  principal  means  to  keep  out  all  Sects  and  Errours 
from  the  Town. 

24.  Another  great  help  to  my  Succefs  at  laft ,  was  the  fore-defci  ibed  Work  of 
Perfonal  Conference  with  every  Family  apart ,  and  Catechifing  and  Inftructin^ 
them.  That  which  was  fpoken  to  them  perfbnally  ,  and  put  them  fometime  upon 
Anfwers,  awakened  their  Attention,  and  was  eafilier  applyed  than  publick  Preach- 
ing, and  feemed  to  do  much  more  upon  them. 

2^  And  the  Exercife  of  Church-Difcipline  wasnofmall  furtherance  of  the  Peoples 
Good  :  For  I  found  plainly  that  without  it  I  could  not  have  kept  the  Religious  fort 
from  Separations  and  Divifions.  There  is  (bmethihg  generally  in  their  Difpofitions, 
which  inclineth  them  to  diflbciate  from  open  ungodly  Sinners,  as  Men  or  another 
Nature  and  Society  ;  and  if  they  had  not  ihen  me  do  ibmething  reaibnable  for  a 
Regular  Separation  of  the  notorious  obftinate  Sinners  from  the  reft,  they  would 
irregularly  have  withdrawn  themfelves ;  and  it  had  not  been  in  my  power  ,  with 
bare  words,  to  fatisfie  them,  when  they  faw  we  had  liberty  to  do  what  we 
would. 

It  was  my  greateft  Care  and  Contrivance  fo  to  order  this  Work,  that  we  might 
neither  make  a  meer  Mock-fliew  of  Difcipline,  nor  with  Independants,  un-church 
the  Pari fh-Ghurch, and  gather  a  Church  out  of  them  anew.  Therefore  all  the  Mini- 
fters  AlTociate  agreed  together,  to  practice  fb  much  Difcipline,  as  the  Epiflopal, 
Presbyterians  and  Independants  were  agreed  on,  that  Presbyters  might  and  mult  do. 
And  we  told  the  People  that  we  went  not  about  to  gather  a  new  Church,but  taking 
the  Parifh  for  the  Church,unlefs  they  were  unwilling  to  own  their  own  Memberlnip, 
we  refolved  to  exercife  that  Difcipline  with  all  :  Only  becaufe  there  are  fome  Pa- 
pifts  and  Families  or  Infidels  among  us,  and  becaule  in  thefe  times  of  Liberty  we 
cannot  (  nor  deiire  to  )  compel  any  againft  their  Wills,  we  defired  all  that  did  own 
their  Memberlnip  in  this  Parifh  Church,  and  take  us  for  their  Paftors,  to  give  in' 
their  Names,  or  any  other  way  fignifie  that  they  do  fo :  and  thole  that  are  not 
willing  to  be  Members,  and  rather  choofe  to  withdraw  themfelves  than  live  under 
Dilcipline,  to  be  filent :  And  fb,  for  very  fear  of  Difcipline,  all  the  Paiifii 
kept  off  except  about  Six  hundred,  when  there  were  in  all  above  Sixteen  hundred 
at  Age  to  be  Communicants.  Yet  becaufc  it  was  their  own  doing,  and  they  knew 
they  might  come  in  when  they  would,  they  were  quiet  in  their  Separation;  for 
we  took  them  for  the  Separatifts:  For  thole  that  fcrupled  our  Gefture  at  the  Sa- 
crament, I  openly  told  them  that  they  mould  have  it  in  their  own.  Yet  did  I  Bap- 
tize all  their  Children  ;  but  made  them  firft  (  as  I  would  have  done  by  Strangers) 
give  me  privately,  (or  publickly  if  they  had  rather  )  an  account  of  their  Faith  ; 
and  if  any  Father  were  a  fcandalous  Sinner,  I  made  him  confefs  his  Sin  openly  with 
leeming  Penitence  ,  before  I  would  Baptize  his  Child  :  If  he  refufed  it,  I  forbore 
till  the  Mother  came  to  prefent  it,  (  for  I  rarely,  if  ever,  found  both  Father  and 
Mother  fo  deftitute  of  Knowledge  and  Faith,  as  in  a  Church  Senfe  to  be  uncapa- 
ble  hereof.) 

Of  thole  that  refufed  to  come  under  Difcipline,  fome  were  honeft  Perfons,who 
by  their  Husbands,  Parents  or  Maffers,  were  forbidden  :  Many  were  grofly  igno- 
rant ;  many  were  prophane  and  fcandalous ;  and  many  were  kept  off  by  the  Ex- 
ample and  Perfwafions  of  fome  leading  Perfons,  who  were  guided  by  the  higher 
fort  of  the  Prelatical  Divines ;  who  though  they  could  fay  little  or  nothing  againft 
what  we  did,  yet  their  Religion  being  too  much  made  up  of  Faction  and  Perfonal 
Intereft,  they  difowned  our  Courfe  as  unfuitable  to  the  Intereft  of  their  Civil  and 
Ecclefiaftical  Sidings  and  Defigns. 

About  fix  or  leven  young  Men  did  joyn  with  us  who  were  addicted  to  Tipling, 
and  one  of  them  was  a  weak-headed  Fellow,  who  was  a  common  notorious  Drun- 
kard. We  could  not  refufe  them,  becaufe  our  bufinefs  was  not  to  gather  a  New 
Church,  but  only  to  know  who  owned  their  own  Memberfhip,  and  who  would 
difown  it  and  withdraw  themfelves.  But  we  told  him  that  he  was  a  notorious 
Drunkard,  that  we  muft  prelently  admonifh  him,  and  expect  his  humble,  penitent 
Qonfeffion,  and  promife  of  Amendment,  or  elle  we  muft  declare  him  unfit  for 
Church-Communion.  He  lamented  his  Sin  with  great  aggravation  ,  and  promi- 
fed  Amendment ;  but  quickly  returned  to  it  again  :  We  admonifhed  him  again 
and  again,  and  laboured  to  bring  him  to  Contrition  and  Refblution;  and  he  would 
ftill  confefs  it,  and  frill  go  on  :  I  warned  him  publickly,  and  prayed  for  him  feveral 

N  2  davs 


5>2  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I. 

days  in  the  Church  ;  but  he  went  on  in  his  Drunkennefs  ftill  :  At  laft  I  declared 
him  unfit  for  the  Churches  Communion,  and  required  them  to  avoid  him  accord- 
ingly (  for  this  was  all  we  did,  whether  you  will  call  it  Excommunication  or  not  ) 
endeavouring  co  convince  him  of  his  Miiery,  and  of  the  neceffity  of  true  Repen- 
tance and  Reformation. 

If  any  mall  here  ask  me,  Why  we  took  this  Courfe,  and  did  not  take  all  the 
Pariih  for  Members  without  putting  the  Queftion  to  them  ;  and  what  Benefits  we 
found  by  fuch  a  Courfe  of  Difcipline  ?    I  anfwer  firft  to  the  lait  Queftion  : 

r.  We  performed  a  plain  Command  of  Chrift :  and  we  took  Obedience  to  bz 
bettter  than  Sacrifice,  and  be  our  beft  kind  of  Worfhip,  and  the  pleafing  of  God  to 
be  the  greateft  benefit. 

2.  As  is  faid  before,  we  kept  the  Church  from  irregular  Separations,  which  elfe 
could  never  have  been  done. 

3.  We  helpt  to  Cure  that  dangerous  Difeafe  among  the  People,  of  imagining 
that  Chriftianity  is  but  a  matter  of  Opinion  and  dead  Belief,  and  to  convince  them 
how  much  of  it  confifteth  in  Holinels,  and  how  far  it  is  inconfiftent  with  reigning 
Sin  ,*  and  fb  did  vindicate  the  Honour  of  Chrift  and  the  Chriftian  Faith. 

4.  We  greatly  fupprefled  the  practice  of  Sin,  and  caufed  People  to  walk  more 
watchfully  than  elfe  they  would  have  done.  Thefe  and  many  other  great  Benefits 
accrewed  by  it  to  the  Church. 

But  if  you  ask  what  good  the  Offenders  themfelves  received  by  it,  I  mall  tell 
you  the  truth  according  to  my  Experince.    All  fober,  godiy,  well-minded  Per- 
ibns,  if  they  once  fell  into  any  fcandalous  Action  (as  fcarce  two  of  them  ever  did) 
yea  the  very  Civil  and  Younger  fort  that  were  tradable,  did  humbly  confefs  their 
Sin,  and  walk  more  watchfully.     But  thole  that  were  caff  out  of  our  Communion 
were  enraged,  and  made  much  more  Enemies  to  Godlinefs  than  before,  though  we 
exercifed  as  much  Patience  and  Tendernefs  towards  them,  as  Reafon   could  defire. 
The  Drunkard  before-mentioned,  after  his  Ejection,  when  he  was  drunk  would 
ftand  at  the  Market-place,  and  like  a  Quaker,  Cry  out  againft  the  Town,  and  take 
on  him  to  prophefie  God'sjudgments  againft  them,  and  would  rage  at  my  Door  , 
and  rail  and  curfe.    And  once  he  followed  me  as  I  went  to  Church,  and  laid  hands 
en  me  in  the  Church-yard,  with  a  purpofe  to  have  killed  me  ;  but  it  fell  out  that 
he  had  hold  only  of  my  Cloak,  which  I  unbottoned  and  left  with  him ;  and  before 
his  Fury  could  do  any  more,  (it  being  the  Fair-day  J  there  were  fome  Strangers  by 
in  the  Church-yard,  who  drag'd  him  to  the  Magiftrate  and  the  Stocks.     And  thus 
he  continued  raging  againft  me  about  a  year,  and  then  died  of  a  Fever  in  horrour 
of  Confcience.    Three  or  four  more  we  were  forced  to  caft  out,  one  for  flandering, 
and  all  the  reft  for  drunkennefs ;  and  though  their  wit ,  and  the  honefty  of  their 
Neighbours  and  Relations  made  them  live  quietly,  yet  their  Enmity  was  much  en- 
creafed,  and  they  themfelves  fo  much  the  worfe,  as  convinced  the  ftricteft  Religi- 
ous fort,  that  Excommunication  is  not  to  be  ufed  but  upon  great  Neceffity.    And 
indeed,  how  can  you  expect  that  he  who  will  ftand  it  out  to  an  Excommunication, 
fnould  be  bettered  b/  any  ordinary  means?   When  private  Intreaties  and  vehement 
Exhortations,  and  Warnings  before  others,  and  at  laft  before  the  Church,  and  ear- 
neft  Prayers  for  them,  and  all  that  we  could  fay  or  do  for  many  Weeks  or  Months 
together,  would  not  makemoft  of  them  fo  much  as  lay,  We  are  forry  for  our  fm  ; 
nor  any  of  them  leave  their  common  Drunkennefs  j  how  mould  Excommunication 
do  them  good  ? 

If  you  fay,  Why  then  did  you  ufe  it  ?  I  anfwer,  For  the  fake  of  the  reft  more 
than  for  them :  for  all  the  Reafbns  before-mentioned ,  and  many  more  which  I 
have  laid  down  in  the  Preface  to  my  Univerfal  Concord.  We  knew  it  to  be  an  Or- 
dinance of  Chrift,  and  greatly  conducing  to  the  Honour  of  the  Church ;  which 
is  not  a  common  prophane  Society,  nor  a  Sty  of  Swine,  but  muft  be  cleaner  than 
the  Societies  of  Infidels  and  heathens:  And  I  blefsGod  that  ever  I  made  trial  of 
Difcipline;  ibr  my  Expectations  were  not  fruftrate  though  the  ejected  Sinners 
were  hardened  :  The  Churches  Good  muft  be  firft  regarded. 

As  to  the  other  QueftionyWhy  we  dealt  not  thus  by  all  the  Pariih,  and  took  them 
not  ail  for  Members  without  queftion  ?  We  knew  fome  Papifts  and  Infidels  chat 
were  no  Members :  Wc  knew  that  the  People  would  have  thought  themfelves 
wronged  more  to  be  thus  brought  under  Difcipline  without  and  againft  their  own 
Confent,  than  to  fuffer  them  to  withdraw.  And  we  thought  it  not  a  Buiinefs  fie 
for  the  unwilling,  elpocially  at  fuch  a  time  as  that :  But  efpecially,  I  knew  that  it 
was  like  to  be  their  utter  undoing,  by  hardening  them  into  utter  Enmity  againft 
the  means  that  mould  recover  them  ;  And  I  never  yet  faw  any  figns  of  hope  in 

any 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  93 

any  Excommunicate  Perfon  ;  (  unlefs  as  they  are  yet  men ,  and  capable  of  what 
God  will  do  upon  them)  except  one  that  humbled  himlelf,  and  begged  Abfbluti- 
on.  Now  either  Diicipline  is  to  be  exercifed  according  to  Chrift's  Rule,  or  not. 
If  not,  then  the  Church  is  no  purer  a  Society,  as  to  its  Orders,  than  thole  of  In- 
fidels and  Pagans,  but  Chrift  muft  be  difbbeyed,  and  his  Houle  of  Prayer  made  a 
Den  of  Thieves  :  If  yea,  then  either  impartially  upon  all  obftinate  impenitent 
Sinners  according  to  Chrift  s  Rule,  or  but  onlbme:  If  but  on  fome  only,  it  will 
be  a  Judgment  of  Partiality  and  Unrighteoufnefs  ;  whereas,  where  there  is  the 
fame  Caufe,  there  muft  (  ufually  )  be  the  lame  Penalty.  If  on  all ,  then  the  mul- 
titude of  the  Scandalous  in  almoft  all  places  is  fo  great,  and  the  Effects  of  Excom- 
munication (6  dreadful,  that  it  would  tend  to  damning  of  multitudes  of  Souls  ; 
which  being  contrary  to  the  defign  of  the  Gofpel,  is  not  to  be  taken  for  the  Will 
of  Chrift  :  we  have  our  Power  to  Edification,  and  not  to  Deftruction.  A  kw  in 
cafe  of  neceflity  maybe  punifhed,  though  to  their  hurt ,  for  the  good  of  all  •  but 
multitudes  mult  not  be  fb  uled.  Indeed,  a  Popifh  Interdict,  or  mock  Excommuni- 
oafion,  by  the  Sentence  of  a  Prelate  or  Lay-Chancellour,  may  pals  againft  multi- 
tudes, and  have  no  considerable  Effect,  (  but  as  it  is  enforced  by  the  Sword  )  :  But 
the  Word  of  God  is  quick  and  powerful,  and  when  it  is  thus  perfonally  applyed  in 
the  Sentencing  of  a  guilty  obftinate  Sinner,  doth  one  way  or  other  work  more  ef- 
fectually. Therefore  in  this  difficulty  there  can  be  but  two  Remedies  deviled :  One 
is  with  the  Anabaptifts  to  leave  Infants  unbaptized,  that  lb  they  may  not  be  taken 
into  the  Church,  till  they  are  fit  for  the  Orders  of  the  Church :  But  this  is  injuri- 
ous to  Infants,  and  againft  the  will  of  God,  and  hath  more  inconveniences  than 
benefits.  (Though  for  my  part,  as  much  as  1  have  wrote  againft  them,  I  wifh 
that  it  were  in  the  Church  now,  as  it  was  in  the  days  of  Tertullian,  Naz.ianz.cn , 
and  Auflm,  where  no  man  was  compelled  to  bring  his  Infants  to  Baptifm,  but  all 
left  to  their  own  time  :  For  then  fome  (as  Augu(tme,  &c. )  were  baptized  at  full 
Age,  and  fome  in  Infancy.)  The  lecond  therefore  is  the  only  juft  and  fafe  Reme- 
dy; which  is,  That  by  the  due  performance  of  Confirmation,  there  may  be  a 
Solemn  Tranfition  out  of  the  ftate  of  Infant  Church- Member  Imp,  into  the  ftate  of 
Adult  Church- Memberfhip ;  and  due  qualifications  therein  required  :  and  that  the  un- 
fit may,  till  then,  be  left  inter  Audttores,  without  the  Priv Hedges  proper  to  Adult 
Members  ;  of  which  I  have  fully  written  in  my  Book  of  Confirmation. 

2.6.  Another  Advantage  which  I  found  to  my  Succefswas,  by  ordering  my  Do- 
ctrine to  them  in  a  fuitablenefs  to  the  main  end,  and  yet  fo  as  might  fiiit  their  Difc 
pofitions  and  Dileales.  The  thing  which  I  daily  opened  to  them,  and  with  great- 
eft  importunity  laboured  to  imprint  upon  their  minds,  was  the  great  Fundamental 
Principles  of  Chriftianity  contained  in  their  Baptifmal  Covenant,  even  a  righc 
knowledge,  and  belief  of,  and  fubjection  and  love  to,  God  the  Father,  the  Son  , 
and  the  Holy  Ghoft  ;  and  Love  to  all  Men,  and  Concord  with  the  Church  and 
one  another :  I  did  ib  daily  inculcate  the  Knowledge  of  God  our  Creator, 
Redeemer,  and  San&ifier,  and  Love  and  Obedience  to  God,  and  Unity  wirh  the 
Church  Catholick,  and  Love  to  Men,  and  Hope  of  Life  Eternal,  that  thele  were 
the  matter  of  their  daily  Cogitations  and  Difcourfes,  and  indeed  their  Religion. 
And  yet  I  did  ufually  put  in  lomething  in  my  Sermon  which  was  above  their  own 
difcovery,  and  which  they  had  not  known  before  ;  and  this  I  did,  that  they  might 
be  kept  humble,  and  ftill  perceive  their  ignorance,  and  be  willing  to  keep  in  a 
learning  ftate.  (  For  when  Preachers  tell  their  People  of  no  more  than  they 
know,  and  do  not  mew  that  they  excel  them  in  Knowledge,  andeafily  over- top 
them  in  Abilities,  the  People  will  be  tempted  to  turn  Preachers  themlelves,  and 
think  that  they  have  learnt  all  that  the  Minifters  can  teach  them,  and  are  as  wile 
as  they  ;  and  they  will  be  apt  to  contemn  their  Teachers ,  and  wrangle  with  all 
their  Doftrines,  and  let  their  Wits  againft  them,  and  hear  them  as  Cenfurers,  and 
not  as  Difciples,  to  their  own  undoing,  and  to  the  difturbance  of  the  Church  ; 
and  they  will  eafily  draw  Difciples  after  them  :  The  bare  Authority  of  the  Cler- 
gy will  not  ferve  the  turn ,  without  over-topping  Minifterial  Abilities).  And  I 
did  this  alio  to  increafe  their  Knowledge  ;  andalfoto  make  Religion  plealant  to 
them,  by  a  daily  addition  to  their  former  Light,  and  to  draw  them  on  with  defire 
and  Delight.  But  thefe  things  which  they  did  not  know  before,  were  not  unprofita- 
ble Controverfies  which  tended  not  to  Edification,  nor  Novelties  in  Doctrine  con- 
trary to  the  Univerlal  Church ;  but  either  fuch  Points  as  tended  to  illuftrate  the 
great  Doctrines  before-mentioned,  or  ufually,  about  the  right  methodizing  of  them. 
The  opening  of  the  true  and  profitable  method  of  the  Creed  ,  (  or  Doctrine  of 
Faith  )  the  Lords  Prayer,  (  or  Matter  of  our  Defires )  and  the  Ten  Command- 
ments, 


__!  L,    fM   -  -  -  ---I,,    i      -       ir  -T-        '       -  ■ _J— — ■ ~ — .     ^-.  -. 

The  LI F E  of  the  L i  b.  L 


ments  ( or  Law  of  Practice )  which  afford  matter  to  add  to  the  knowledge  of 
moft  Profeffors  of  Religion,  a  long  time :  And  when  that  is  done,  they  muft  be 
led  on  ftill  further  by  degrees,  as  they  are  capable  ;  but  fo  as  not  to  leave  the  weak 
behind :  and  fo  as  fhall  ftill  be  truly  fubfervient  to  the  great  Points  of  Faith,  Hope, 
and  Love,  Holinefs  and  Unity,  which  muft  be  ftill  inculcated ,  as  the  beginning 
and  the  end  of  all. 

27.  Another  help  to  my  Succefs  was,  that  my  People  were  not  Rich :  There 
were  among  them  very  few  Beggers  ,bQcaufe  their  common  Trade  of  Stuff-weaving 
would  find  work  for  all,  Men,  Women  and  Children,  that  were  able :  And  there 
were  none  of  the  Trades-men  very  rich,  feeing  their  Trade  was  poor,  that  would 
but  find  them  Food  and  Raiment.  The  Magiftrates  of  the  Town  were  few  of 
them  worth  40  /.  per  An.  and  moft  not  half  fo  much.  Three  or  four  of  the  Richeft 
thriving  Matters  of  the  Trade,  got  but  about  joo  or  600/.  in  twenty  years,  and 
it  may  be  lofe  100  /.  of  it  at  once  by  an  ill  Debtor.  The  generality  of  the  Ma- 
fter  Workmen  ,  lived  but  a  little  better  than  their  Journey-men,  (from  hand  to 
mouth,)  but  only  that  they  laboured  not  altogether  fo  hard. 

And  ic  is  the  Poor  that  receive  the  glad  Tidings  of  the  Gofpel,  and  that  are 
ufualiy  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of  the  heavenly  riches  which  God  hath  promifed  to 
them  that  love  him ;  James  2.  y.  Do  not  rich  mm  opprefiyou,  and  draw  you  before  the 
Judgment  Seats  ?  As  Mr.  George  Herbert  faith  in  his  Church  Militant  : 

Gold  and  the  Gojfrel  never  did  agree  : 
Religion  always  fides  with  Poverty. 

Uftially  the  Rich  are  Proud  and  Obfftnate,  and  will  not  endure  the  due  Con- 
duct of  theMiniftry  :  Let  them  be  never  fo  ignorant,  they  muft  not  be  croft  in 
their  Conceits  and  Way ;  and  if  they  be,  they  ftorm,  and  raife  Perfecution  upon 
ic  ;  or  at  leaft  draw  away  a  Faction  after  them.  Let  them  be  never  fo  Guilty  (un- 
leis  it  be  ibme  fwinifh  inexcufable  Sin)  they  will  not  endure  to  be  told  of  it.  Their 
Gentility  feemeth  to  allow  them,  in  the  three  or  four  Sins  of  Sodom,  Pride,  Fulnefi 
of  Bread,  and  Abundance  of  Idlenef^nd  not  confidering  the  Poor  and  Needy.  And  their 
fulnefi  and  idlenef  tempt  them  to  further  Voluptuoufnefs  and  Senfuality,  to  Filthi- 
nefs,  or  to  Time- wafting  needlefs  kinds  of  Sports :  And  they  muft  not  be  croft  in 
any  of  this.  Do  but  offer  to  ExercifeChrift's  Difcipline  upon  anyofthefe^  and 
tell  them  of  their  Faults  alone,  and  then  before  two  or  three,,  and  when  they  hear 
not,  tell  the  Church  $  and  you  will  make  them  hate  both  you  and  Difcipline,  and 
fay  you  affecl  a  Domination,  and  to  trample  upon  your  Superiours,  and  are  as 
proud  as  Popes.  Chrift  knew  what  he  faid  ,  when  he  faid  ,  How  hardly  fhall  a 
Rich  Man  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven!  Even  as  a  Camel  through  the  Eye 
of  ,a  Needle.  But  if  a  poor  man  be  bad,  and  hate  both  Piety  and  Reproof,  yet  his 
oppofition  is  not  fb  fierce  or  fb  fignificant  $  he  maketh  not  fo  much  ado,  nor  en- 
gageth  fo  many  with  him,  nor  is  fo  much  regarded  by  the  reft.  One  Knight 
(  Sir  R.  C.)  which  lived  among  us,  did  more  to  hinder  my  greater  Succeffes,  than 
a  multitude  of  others  could  have  done  :  Though  he  was  an  old  Man,  of  great 
Com tftiip  and  Civility,  and  very  temperate  as  to  Dyet,  Apparel  and  Sports,  and 
ieldom  would  Swear  any  lowder  than  [  By  his  Troth,  8cc]  and  mewed  me  much 
Perfbnal  Reverence  and  RefpecT:  (beyond  my  defert),  and  we  converfed  together 
with  Love  and  Familiarity  ;  yet  ("having  no  relilh  of  this  Precifenefs  and  Extem- 
porary Praying,  and  making  fb  much  ado  for  Heaven ;  nor  liking  that  which 
went  beyond  the  pace  of  Saying  the  Common  Prayer,  and  alio  the  Interefi  of  himfelf 
and  his  Civil  and  Ecclefiaftical  Parties,  leading  him  to  be  ruled  by  Dr.  Hammond) 
his  coming  but  once  a  day  to  Church  qn  the  Lord'sdays,  and  his  Abftaining  from 
the  Sacrament,  &c.  as  if  we  kept  net  fufflciently  to  the  old  way  ,  and  becaufe  we 
tiled  nor  the  Common  Prayer  Book,  when  it  would  have  caufed  us  to  be  Sequeftred  ) 
did  caufe  a  great  part  of  the  Parifti  to  follow  him,  and  do  as  he  did ;  when  elfe  our 
Succefs  and  Concord  would  have  been  much  more  happy  than  it  was.  And  yet  Ci- 
vility and  yielding  much  beyond  others  of  his  Party,  (fending  his  Family  to  be  Ca- 
techized and  perfonally  Inftruded)  did  fway  with  the  worft  almoft  among  us  to  do 
the  like.  Indeed  we  had  two  other  Perfons  of  Quality,  that  came  from  other  places 
to  live  there,  and  were  truly  and  judicioufly  Religious,  who  did  much  good,  (Col. 
John  Bridges,  and  at  laft  Mrs.  Hanmer)  :  For  when  the  Rich  are  indeed  Religious, 
and  overcome  their  Temptations,  as  they  may  be  fuppofed  better  than  others ,  be- 
caufe  their  Conqueft  is  greater,  fo  they  may  do  more  good  than  others,  becaule 
their  Talents  are  more.    But  fuch  (comparatively,)  are  always  few. 

28.Anor.her 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter,  5/5 


28.  Another  thing  that  helped  me  was,  my  not  medling  with  Tythes  or  Worldly 
Bufinefs;  whereby  I  had  my  whole  time  (except  what  Sicknefs  deprived  me  of) 
for  my  Duty,  and  my  Mind  more  free  from  Entanglements  than  elfe  it  would 
have  been  ;  and  alfo  I  efcaped  the  offending  of  the  People,  and  contending  by 
any  Law  Suits  with  them.  And  I  found  alfo  that  Nature  it  felf  being  Conlcious 
of  the  Bafenete  of  its  Earthly  Difpofition,doth  think  baiely  of  thofe  whom  it  difcern- 
eth  to  be  Earthly  ;  and  is  forced  to  Reverence  thofe  whole  Converfe  is  fuppofed 
to  be  molt  with  God  and  Heaven.  Three  or  Four  of  my  Neighbours  managed 
all  thofe  kind  of  Bufineffes,  of  whom  I  never  took  Account;  and  if  any  one  deni- 
ed to  pay  their  Tythes,  if  they  were  poor  I  ordered  them  to  forgive  it  them ; 
After  that  I  was  conftrained  to  let  the  Tythes  be  gathered,  as  by  my  Title,  to  fave 
the  Gatherers  from  Law-Suits.  But  if  they  were  able,  I  ordered  them  to  feek  it 
by  the  Magiftrate,  with  the  Damage,  and  give  both  my  Part  and  the  Damages  to 
the  Poor  (  for  1  refolved  to  have  none  of  it  my  felf  that  was  recovered  by  Law, 
and  yet  I  could  not  tollerate  the  Sacriledge  and  Fraud  of  covetous  Men  ).  But 
when  they  knew  that  this  was  the  Rule  I  went  by,  none  of  them  would  do  the 
Poor  fo  great  a  Kindnefs  as  to  deny  the  Payment  of  their  Tythes,  that  were  able. 
And  in  my  Family  I  had  the  Help  of  my  Father  and  Mother  in  Law,  and  the  Be- 
nefit of  a  godly,  underftanding,  faithful  Servant  (an  ancient  Woman  near  Sixty 
Years  old  )  who  eafed  me  of  all  Care,  and  laid  out  all  my  Money  for  Houfe* 
keeping,  fo  that  I  never  had  one  Hour's  trouble  about  ir,  nor  ever  took  one  Day's 
Account  of  her  for  Fourteen  Years  together,  as  being  certain  of  her  Fidelity,  Pro- 
vidence and  Skill. 

29.  And  it  much  furthefed  my  Succefs,  that  I  flayed  frill  in  this  one  Place,  (near 
Two  Years  before  the  Wars,  and  above  Fourteen  Years  after  )  ;  for  he  that  re- 
moveth  oft  from  Place  to  Place,  may  fow  good  Seed  in  many  Places ;  but  is  rot 
like  to  fee  much  Fruit  in  any,  unlefs  fome  other  skilful  Hand  fhall  follow  him  to 
water  it :  It  was  a  great  Advantage  to  me,  to  have  almoft  all  the  Religious  Peo- 
ple of  the  Place,  of  my  own  Inftructing  and  Informing ;  and  that  they  were  not 
formed  into  erroneous  and  factious  Principles  before;  and  that  I  ftayed  to  (ee  them 
grown  up  to  fbme  Confirmednels  and  Maturity. 

30.  Laftly,  Our  SuccelTcs  were  enlarged  beyond  our  own  Congregations,  by  the 
Lectures  kept  up  round  about  :  To  divers  of  them  1  went  as  oft  as  1  was  able ;  and 
the  Neighbour  Minifters  ofter  than  I ;  efpecially  Mr.  Oajland  of  Bewdley,  who  ha- 
ving a  ftrongBody,  a  zealous  Spirit,  and  an  earned  Utterance,  went  up  and  down 
Preaching  from  Place  to  Place,  with  great  Acceptance  and  Succefs.  But  thisBufi- 
nefs  alfo  we  contrived  to  be  univcrfally  and  orderly  managed  :  For  befides  the 
Lectures  fet  up  on  Week-days  fixedly  in  feveral  Places,  we  ftudied  how  to  have  it 
extend  to  every  Place  in  the  County  that  had  need.  For  you  muft  underffand  that 
when  the  Parliament  purged  the  Miniftry,  they  caft  out  the  grolTer  fort  of  ineffi- 
cient and  fcandalous  ones,  as  grofs  Drunkards,  and  fiich  like  ;  and  alfo  fome  few 
Civil  Men  that  had  afliffed  in  the  Wars  againft  the  Parliament,  or  fet  up  bowing 
to  Altars,  and  fuch  Innovations :  But  they  had  left  in  near  one  half  the  Mini- 
fters, that  were  not  good  enough  to  do  much  Service,  nor  bad  enough  to  be  caft 
out  as  utterly  intolerable  :  Thele  were  a  company  of  Poor  weak  Preachers,  that 
had  no  great  Skill  in  Divinity,  nor  Zeal  for  Godlinefs ;  but  preached  weakly  that 
which  is  True,  and  lived  in  no  grofs  notorious  Sin  :  Thefe  Men  were  not  caft  out, 
but  yet  their  People  greatly  needed  help  ;  for  their  dark  fleepy  Preaching  did  but 
little  Good  :  Therefore  we  refolved  that  fome  of  the  abler  Minifters  mould  often  vo- 
luntarily help  them ;  but  all  the  Care  was  how  to  do  it  without  offending  them  % 
And  it  fell  out  feafonably,  that  the  Londoners  of  that  County  at  their  yearly  Feaft, 
did  collect  about  30  /.  and  fend  it  me  (  by  that  worthy  Man,  Mr.  Thomas  Stanley 
of  Bread-fireet )  to  fet  up  a  Lecture  for  that  Year :  Whereupon,  we  covered  all  our 
Defigns  under  the  Name  of  the  Londoners  Lecture,  which  took  off  the  Offence  : 
And  we  chofe  four  worthy  Men,  Mr.  And.  Triftram^  Mr.  Hen.  Oajland,  Mr.  Tbo. 
Baldwin^  and  Mr.  Jof.  Treble  (  who  only  now  conformeth  )  who  undertook  to  go 
each  Man  his  Day,  once  a  Month,  which  was  every  Lord's  Day  between  thefoura 
and  to  preach  at  thofe  Places  which  had  moft  need,  twice  on  a  Lord's  Day ; 
but  to  avoid  all  ill  Confequents  and  Offence,  they  were  fbmetimes  to  go  to  abler 
Mens  Congregations,  and  wherever  they  came  to  fay  fbmewhat  always  to  draw 
the  People  to  the  Honour  and  fpecial  Regard  of  their  own  Pallors ;  that  how  weak 
foever  they  were,  they  might  fee  that  we  came  not  to  draw  away  the  Peoples 
Hearts  from  them,  but  to  ftrengthen  their  Hands,  and  help  them  in  their  Work. 
This  Lecture  did  a  great  deal  of  Good  ;  and  though  the  Londoners  gave  their  Mo- 
ney 


96  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  L 

^neylmt  that  one  Year,  yet,  when  it  was  once  fet  on  foot,  we  continued  it  volun- 
tarily (till  the  Minifters  were  turned  out,  and  all  thefe  Works  went  down  toge- 
ther ). 

So  much  of  the  Way  and  Helps  of  thole  SucceiTes,  which  I  mention  becaufe  ma- 
ny have  enquired  after  them,  as  willing  with  their  own  Flocks  to  take  that  Courfe, 
which  other  Men  have  by  Experience  found  to  be  effectual. 

§  128.  Having  before  faid  fomewhat  of  my  Troubles  with  Mr.  Tombes,  I  /hall 
here  more  fully  tell  the  Reader  how  it  was. 

Mr.  Tombs  being  my  Neighbour  within  two  Miles,  and  denying  Infant  Eaptifn?, 
and  having  written  a  Book  or  two  againft  ir,  he  was  not  a  little  defiroir  of  the 
Propagation  of  his  Opinion,  and  the  Succefs  of  his  Writings ;  and  he  thought 
that  I  was  his  chiefeft  Hinderer,  though  I  never  medled  with  the  point:  Where- 
upon, he  came  conftantly  to  my  Weekly  Lecture,  waiting  for  an  Opportunity  to 
fall  upon  that  Controversy  in  his  Conference  with  me:  But  I  ftudioufly  avoided 
it ;  fb  that  he  knew  not  how  to  begin  :  And  he  had  fo  high  a  Conceit  of  his 
Writings  that  he  thought  them  unanfwerable,  and  that  none  could  deal  with  them 
in  that  way. 

At  laft,  fome  how,  he  urged  me  to  give  my  Judgment  of  his  Writings  j  and  I 
let  him  know  that  they  did  not  fatisfie  me  to  be  of  his  Mind,  but  went  no  farther 
with  him  :  Upon  this,  he  forbore  coming  any  more  to  our  Le&ure  j  and  he  un- 
avoidably contrived  me  into  the  Controverfy, ,  which  I  fhun'd  ;  for  there  came 
unto  me  five  or  fix  of  his  chief  Profelites,  as  if  they  were  yet  unrefolved,  and  defired 
me  to  give  them  in  Writing  the  Arguments  which  fatisfied  me  for  Infant  Baptifm. 
I  asked  them  whether  they  came  not  by  Mr.  Tombeis  Direction  :  And  they  confef- 
fed  that  they  did.  I  asked  them  whether  they  had  read  the  Books  of  Mr. Cobbet,  Mr. 
MarfraU,  Mr.  Church,  Mr.  Blake  for  Infant  Baptifm:  And  they  told  me,  No.  I 
defired  them  to  read  that  which  is  written  already,  before  they  call'd  for  more  j 
and  then  come  to  me,  and  tell  me  what  they  had  to  fay  againft  them.  But  this  they 
would  by  no  means  do  ;  but  muft  have  my  Writings.  1  told  them,  that  now  they 
plainly  confeffed  that  they  came  upon  a  Defign  to  promote  their  Party  by  conten- 
tious Writings,  and  not  in  fincere  Defire  to  be  informed,  as  they  pretended:  But 
to  be  fhort,  they  had  no  moreModefty  than  to  infift  on  their  Demands,  and  to  tell 
me  that  if  they  turned  againft  Infant  Baptifm,  and  I  denied  to  give  rhem  my  Ar- 
guments in  Writing,  they  muft  lay  it  upon  me.  1  asked  them  whether  they 
would  continue  unrefolved  till  Mr.  Tombes  and  1  had  done  our  Writings  j  feeing  it 
was  fbme  Years  fince  Mr.  Blake  and  he  began,  and  have  not  ended  yet.  Put  no 
Reafbning  feived  the  turn  with  them,  but  they  ftill  call  for  my  written  Arguments: 
When  Maw  their  factious  Defign  and  Immodefty,  I  bid  them  tell  Mr.  lombes,  that 
he  mould  neither  thus.command  me  to  lofea  Years  time  in  my  Weaknels,  in  quar- 
relling with  him,  nor  yet  fhould  have  Ms  End  in  infulting  over  me,  as  if  I  fled 
from  the  Light  of  Truth  :  Therefore  I  offered  him,  if  we  muft  needs  contend, 
that  we  might  do  it  the  fhorteft  and  moft  fatisfa&ory  way,  and  fpend  one  Day  in 
a  Difpute  at  his  own  Church,  where  I  would  attend  him,  (  that  his  People  might 
not  remain  tinfatisfied,  till  they  law  which  of  us  would  have  the  laft  Word  )  $  and 
after  that  we  would  confider  of  Writing. 

So  Mr.  lombes  and  I  agreed  to  meet  at  his  Church  on  Jan.  1.  And  in  great 
Weaknefs  thither  I  came,  and  from  Nine  of  the  Clock  in  the  Morning  till  Five  at 
Night,  in  a  crowded  Congregation,  we  continued  our  Difpute ;  which  was  all 
(pent  in  manageing  one  Argument,  from  Infants  right  to  Church-Memberfhip  to 
their  Right  to  Baptifm  :  of  which  he  after  complained,  as  if  I  aftaulted  him  in  a 
new  w^y,  which  he  had  notconfidered  of  before  :  But  this  was  not  the  firft  time 
that  I  had  dealt  with  Anabaptifts,  who  had  fo  much  to  do  with  them  in  the  Army 
as  I  had  :  In  a  Word,  this  Difpute  fatisfied  all  my  own  People  and  the  Country 
that  came  in,  and  Mr.  lombes's  own  Townfmen,  except  about  Twenty  whom  ha 
had  perverted,  who  gathered  into  his  Church,  which  never  increafed  to  above 
Twenty  two,  that  I  could  learn.  So  much  of  that  Difpute,  of  the  Writing  more 
anon. 

§  139.  If  any  (hall  demand  whether  the  increafe  of  Godlinefs  was  anfwerable  in 
all  Places  to  what  1  have  mentioned  (and  none  deny  that  it  was  with  us)  I  anfwer , 
that  however  Men  that  meafure  Godlinefs  by  their  Gain  and  Intereft  and  Domina- 
tion, do  go  about  to  perfuade  the  World  that  Godlinefs  then  went  down,  and 
was  almoft  cxtinguifhed,  I  muft  bear  this  faithful  Witnefs  to  thofe  times,  that  as  far 
as  I  was  acquainted,  where  before  there  was  one  godly  profitable  Preacher,  there 
was  then  fix  or  tea  j   and  taking  one  Place  with  another,  I  conjecture  there  is  a 

propor- 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  97 

proportionable  increafe  of  truly  godly  People,  not  counting  Hereticksor  perfidious 
Rebels  or  Church-difturbers  as  fuch :  But  this  increafe  of  Godlinefs  was  not  in  all 
places  alike  :  For  in  fome  places  where  the  Minifters  were  formal,  or  ignorant,  or 
weak  and  imprudent,  contentious  or  negligent,  the  Parifhes  were  as  bad  as  here- 
tofore. And  in  fome  places,  where  the  Minifters  had  excellent  parts,  and  holy 
lives,  and  thirfted  after  the  good  of  Souls,  and  wholly  devoted  themfelves ,  their 
time  and  ftrength  and  eftates  thereunto,  and  thought  no  pains  or  coft  too  much, 
there  abundance  were  converted  to  ferious  Godlinefs.  And  with  thofe  of  a  mid- 
dle (late,  ufually  they  had  a  middle  meafure  of  Succefs.  And  I  muft  add  this  to 
the  true  Information  of  Pofterity,  That  God  did  fo  wonderfully  blefs  the  Labours 
of  his  unanimous  faithful  Minifters,  that  had  it  not  been  for  the  Faction  of  the  Pre- 
latiftsonone  fide  that  drew  men  off,  and  the  Factions  of  the  giddy  and  turbulent 
Sectaries  on  the  other  fide,  (  who  pulid  down  all  Government,  cried  down  the 
Minifters,  and  broke  all  into  Confufion,  and  made  the  People  at  their  wits  end, 
hot  knowing  what  Religion  to  be  of);  together  with  fome  lazwefi  and  felfjhne ft  in 
many  of  the  Miniftry,  I  fay,  had  it  not  been  for  the(e  Impediments,  England  had 
been  like  in  a  quarter  of  an  Age  to  have  become  a  Land  of  Saints,  and  a  Pattern 
of  Holinels  to  all  the  World,  and  the  unmatchable  Paradife  of  the  Earth.  Never 
were  fuch  fair  opportunities  to  fanctirie  a  Nation,  loft  and  trodden  under  foot, 
as  have  been  in  this  Land  of  late  !  Woe  be  to  them  that  were  the  Caufes 
of  it. 

§  140.  In  our  AfTociation  in  this  County  ,  though  we  made  our  Terms  large 
enough  for  all,  Epifcopal ,  Presbyterians  and  Independants,  there  was  not  one 
Presbyterian  joyned  with  us  that  I  know  of,  (  for  1  knew  but  of  one  in  all  the" 
County,  Mr.  1  ho.  Hall)  nor  one  Independant,  (though  two  or  three  honeft  ones 
laid  nothing  againlt  usj  nor  one  of  the  New  Prelatical  way  (Dr.  Hammonds  )  but 
three  or  four  moderate  Conformifts  that  were  for  the  old  Epifcopacy  ;  and  all  the 
reft  were  meer  Catholicks  ;  Men  of  no  Faction,  nor  Tiding  with  any  Party,  but 
owning  that  which  was  good  in  all,  as  far  as  they  could  difcern  it ;  and  upon  a 
Concord  in  fo  much,  laying  out  themfelves  for  the  great  Ends  of  their  Miniftry, 
the  Peoples  Edification. 

§  141.  And  the  increafe  of  Sectaries  among  us  was  much  through  the  weaknefs 
or  the  faultinefs  of  Minifters  :  And  it  made  me  remember  that  Se&s  have 
moft  abounded  when  the  Golpel  hath  moll  profpered,  and  God  hath  been  doing 
the  greateft  works  in  the  World  :  As  firft  in  the  Apoftles  and  the  Primitive  Times, 
and  then  when  Chi  iftian  Emperours  were  affifting  the  Church  ;  and  then  when 
Reformation  profpered  in  Germany  ;  and  lately  in  New-England  where  Godlinefs 
moft  flourifhed  ;  and  laft  of  all  here,when  fb  pleafant  a  Spring  had  raifed  all  our 
hopes  :  And  our  Impatience  of  weak  Peoples  Errours  and  Dijfent,  did  make  the  Bufi- 
nefs  worfe  ;  whilft  every  weak  Minifter  that  could  not  or  would  not  do  that  for 
his  People  which  belonged  to  his  place,  was  prefently  crying  out  againft  the  Ma- 
giftrates  for  fuffering  theie  Errours ;  and  thinking  the  Sword  muft  do  that  which 
the  Word  ftiould  do  :  And  it  is  a  wicked  thing  in  Men  ,  to  defire  with  the  Papifb, 
that  the  People  were  rather  blind  than  purblind,  and  that  they  might  rather  know 
nothing,  than  miftake  in  fome  few  Points ;  and  to  be  more  troubled  that  a  man 
contraditteth  us  in  the  Point  of  Infant  Baptism  or  Church  Government ,  than  that  many 
of  the  People  are  fbttifhly  carelefs  of  their  own  Salvation*  He  that  never  regard- 
eth  the  Word  of  God,  is  not  like  to  Err  much  about  it :  Men  will  fooner  fall  out 
about  Gold  or  Pearls,  than  Swine  or  Ajfes  will. 

§  142.  All  this  while  that  I  abode  at  Kidderminfler ,  ( though  the  Rulers  that 
then  were  made  an  Order  that  no  Sequeftred  Minifter  fhould  have  his  fifth  part  , 
unlefs  he  removed  out  of  the  Parifh  where  he  had  been  Minifter,  yet)  did  I  never 
remove  the  old  Sequeftred  Vicar  fb  much  as  out  of  his  Vicaridge  Houfe,  no  nor 
once  came  within  the  Doors  of  it  j  fb  far  was  I  from  Seizing  on  it  as  my  own,  or 
removing  him  out  of  the  Town:  But  he  lived  in  peace  and  quietnefs  with  us,  and 
reformed  his  Life,  and  lived  without  any  Scandal  or  Offenfivenefs,  and  I  never 
heard  that  he  fpake  an  ill  word  of  me.  And  yet  as  loon  as  the  times  were  chang- 
ed, the  inftigation  of  others  made  him  as  malapart  again,  as  if  he  had  been  awa- 
kened out  of  a  fleepy  Innocence. 

§  143.  About  this  time  Cromwell  fet  up  his  Major  Generals ,  and  the  Decimation 
of  the  Eftates  of  the  Royalifts,  called  Delinquents,  to  maintain  them  :  And  James 
Berry  was  made  Major  General  of  Worcefterfhire,  Shropjliire,  Herefordshire,  and  North- 
Wales ;  the  Countreys  in  which  he  had  formerly  lived  as  a  Servant  (  a  Clark  of 
Iron- works),    His  reign  was  modeft  and  fhort  5  but  hated  and  fcorned  by  the  Gen- 

O  try 


?8 


The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  £ 


S=  trv  that  had  known  his  Inferiority :  (fo.  that  it  had  been  better  for  him  to  have 
chofen  a  ftnngsr place):  And  yet  many  of  them  attended  him  as  fubmiffively  as 
if  they  had  honoured  him  ;  fo  fignificant  a  thing  is  power  and  prosperity   with 

WTi44.  I  come  now  to  the  End  of  Cromwell's  Reign,  who  died  (  of  a  Fever  )  be- 
fore he  was  aware.  Heefcaped  the  Attempts  of  many  that  fought  to  have  di- 
fpatched  him  looner ;  but  could  not  efcape  the  ftroke  of  God,  when  his  appoint- 
*Asitu  ed  Time  was  come.  (  Though  *  an  Independant,  praying  for  him ,  (aid,  ILord, 
currently  we  ask  not  for  fa  Life,  for  that  we  are  jure  of;  but  that  he  may  ferve  thee  better  than  ever 
reported  y  ^  jone  l .  to  the  dishonour  of  that  Prefumption  which  iome  men  call  a  partt- 
mthoutaty  ^  Faitb  t'hat  -^  A  believing  that  they  mall  receive  whatever  they  ask,  if  they 
CmTtUt  can  but  ftedfaftly  believe  that  they  mall  receive  it,  though  it  be  fuch  as  they  have  no 
ever  I  other  promife  for,  but  that  of  Hearing  [  believing  Prayers  ]  which  they  mifundcr- 
heard  of.     ftand  \ 

Never  man  was  highlier  extolled,  and  never  man  was  bafelier  reported  of,  and 
vilified  than  this  man.  No  (  meer  )  man  was  better  and  worje  fpoken  of  than  he  ; 
according  as  mens  Interefts  led  their  Judgments.  The  Soldiers  and  Sectaries  moft 
highly  magnified  him,  till  he  began  to  feek  the  Crown  and  the  Eftablilhment  of  his 
Family  :  And  then  there  were  fo  many  that  would  be  Half-Kings  themfelves,  that 
a  King  did  feem  intolerable  to  them.  The  Royaliffs  abhorred  him  as  a  moft  perfi- 
dious Hypocrite;  and  the  Presbyterians  thought  him  little  better,in  his  management 
of  publick  matters. 

If  after  fo  many  others  I  may  fpeak  my  Opinion  of  him,  I  think,  that ,  having 
been  a  Prodigal  in  his  Youth,  and  afterward  changed  to  a  zealous  Religioufheis, 
he  meant  honeftiy  in  the  main,  and  was  pious  and  confcionable  in  the  main  courfe 
of  his  Life,  till  Profperity  and  Succefs  corrupted  him  :  that  ,  at  his  firft  entrance 
into  the  Wars,  being  but  a  Captain  of  Horfe,  he  had  a  fpecial  care  to  get  religious 
men  into  his  Troop  :  Thefe  men  were  of  greater  understanding  than  common  Sol- 
diers, and  therefore  were  more  apprehenfive  of  the  Importance  and  Confequence 
of  the  War ;  and  making  not  Money,  but  that  which  they  took  for  the  Publick 
Felicity,  to  be  their  End,  they  were  the  more  engaged  to  be  valiant ;  for  he  that 
maketh  Money  his  End,  doth  efteem  his  Life  above  his  Pay,  and  therefore  is  like 
enough  to  fave  it  by  flight  when  danger  comes,  if  poflibly  he  can:  But  he  that  ma- 
keth the  Felicity  of  Church  and  State  his  End,  efteemeth  it  above  his  Life ,  and 
therefore  will  the  looner  lay  down  his  Life  for  it.  And  men  of  Parts  and  Under- 
ftanding  know  how  to  manage  their  bufineis,  and  know  that  flying  is  the  fureft 
way  to  death,  and  that  ftanding  to  it  is  the  likelieft  way  to  efcape ;  there  being 
many  ufually  that  fall  in  flight,  for  one  that  falls  in  valiant  fight.  Thefe  things 
it's  probable  Cromwell  understood ;  and  that  none  would  be  fuch  engaged  valiant 
men  as  the  Religious :  But  yet  I  conjecture,  that  at  his  firft  choofing  fuch  men  in- 
to his  Troop,  it  was  the  very  Efteem  and  Love  of  Religious  men  that  principally 
moved  him  ;  and  the  avoiding  of  thole  Difbrders ,  Mutinies  ,  Plunderings ,  and 
Grievances  of  the  Country  ,  which  deboift  men  in  Armies  are  commonly 
guilty  of :  By  this  means  he  indeed  fped  better  than  he  expected.  Aires,  Desbo- 
rougb,  Berry,  Evanfon,  and  the  reft  of  that  Troop,  did  prove  fo  valiant,  that  as  far 
as  I  could  learn,  they  never  once  ran  away  before  an  Enemy.  Hereupon  he  got 
a  Commiflton  to  take  fome  care  of  the  AfTociated  Counties,  where  he  brought 
this  Troop  into  a  double  Regiment,  of  fourteen  full  Troops  ->  and  all  thefe  as  full 
of  religious  men  as  he  could  get :  Thefe  having  more  then  ordinary  Wit  and  Re- 
(blution,  had  more  than  ordinary  Succefs ;  firft  in  Lincolnshire ,  and  afcerward  in 
the  Earl  of  Manchefters  Army  at  York  Fight ;  With  their  SucceiTesthe  Hearts  both  of 
Captain  and  Soldiers  fecretly  rife  both  in  Pride  and  Expectation  :  And  the  fami- 
liarity of  many  honeft  erroneous  Men  (  Anabaptifts,  Antinomians ,  &c.  )  withal 
began  quickly  to  corrupt  their  Judgments.  Hereupon  Cromwell's  general  Religious 
Zeal,  giveth  way  to  the  power  of  that  Ambition  ,  which  ftill  increafeth  as  his 
Succeftes  do  increafe  :  Both  Piety  and  Ambition  concurred  in  his  countenancing 
of  all  that  he  thought  Godly  of  what  Sect  (bever :  Piety  pleadeth  for  them  as 
Godly  ;  and  Charity  as  Men ;  and  Ambition  fecretly  telleth  him  what  u(e  he  might 
make  of  them.  He  meaneth  well  in  all  this  at  the  beginning,  and  thinketh  he 
doth  all  for  the  Safety  of  the  Godly,  and  the  Publick  Good  ,  but  not  without  an 
Eye  to  himfelf. 

When 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  93 

When  Succeffes  had  broken  down  all  confide!  able  Opposition,  he  was  then   irt 
the  f"ice  of  his  ftrongeft  Temptations,  which  conquered  him  when  he  had   c©n* 
quered  others :  He  thought  that  he  had  hitherto  done  well,  both  as  to  the  End  and 
Means,  and  God  by  the  wonderful  Blefling  of  his  Providence  tad  owned  his  endea- 
vours, and  it  was  none  but  God  that  had  made  him  great :  He  thought  that  if 
the  War  was  lawful,  the  Victory  was  lawful  j  and  if  it  were  lawful  to  tight  againft 
the  King  and  conquer  him,  it  was  lawful  to  ufe  him  as  a  conquered  Enemy,  and  a 
fooliih  thing  to  truft  him  when  they  had  fo  provoked  him,  (whereas  indeed  the 
Parliament  profefTed  neither  to  fight  againlr  him,  nor  to  conquer  him).He  thought 
that  the  Heart  of  the  King  was  deep,  and  that  he  refblved  upon  Revenge,  and 
that  if  he  were  King,  he  would  eafily  at  one  time  or  other  accompliih  it  ;  and 
that  it  was  a  difhoneit  thing  of  the  Parliament  to  (et  men  to  tight  for  them  againfl: 
the  King,  and  then  to  lay  their  Necks  upon  the  block  ,  and  be  at  his  Mercy  j  and 
that  if  that  muft  be  their  Cate,  it  was  better  to  flatter  or  pleafe  him,   than  to  tight 
againfl  him.    He  law  that  the  Scott  and  the  Presbyterians  in  the  Parliament,  did  by 
the  Covenant  and  the  Oath  of  Allegiance,  find  themlelves  bound  to  the  Perfon 
and  Family  of  the  King,  and  that  there  was  no  hope  of  changing  their  minds  in 
this :  Hereupon  he  joyned  with  that  Party  in  the  Parliament  who    were  for   tlvj 
Cutting  off  the  King,  and  fruiting  him  no  more.     And  confequently  he  joyi 
with  them  in  raifing  the  Independents  to  make  a  Fraction  in  the  Synod  at  IVeft- 
mmtter  and  in  the  City  ;    and  in  (lengthening  the  Sectaries    in    Army,  City 
and  Country,  and  in  rendering  the  Scots  and  Minifters  as  odious  as  he  could,  to 
difable  them  from  hindering  the  Change  of  Government.    In  the  doing  of 
this,  (  which  Diftruft  and  Ambition  had  perfwaded  him  was  well  done,)   he  thought 
it  lawful  to  ufe  his  Wits,  to  choofe  each  Inftrument,  and  fait   each  means,  unto 
its  end  ;  and  accordingly  he  daily  imployed  himfelf,  and  modelled  the  Aimy,  and 
disbanded  all   other    Garrifbns  and  Forces  and  Committees, 
which  were  like  to  have  hindered  his  defign.    And  as  he  went       Mean  men  in  their  ri 

on,  though  he  yet  refolved  not  what  form  the  New  Common-    adh«-c(to  \ '  F^ 
il/i&ul  ,1    i.  1         1         u-i_  r  tnat  have  ltrensth 

wealth  ihould  be  molded  into,  yet  he  tnought  it  but  realona-    werc  kcttcr  to  mah<   in  t\\c 

ble,  that  he  mould  be  the  Chief  Perfon  who  had  been  chief  in  felves  indifferent  and  neu 

their  Deliverance  •,  (  For  the  Lord    Fairfax   he  knew    had  but  even  in  beginners  to  adhere 

the  Name).     At  lad,  as  he  thought  it   lawful  to  cut  off  the  ™dmtely  asthat  he  be  a 

ir.         iriiii  lrn  1     r    i  or  that  one  Faction  which  is  molt 

King,  becaufe  he  thought  he  was  lawfully  conquered  ,  io  he  pirtabic  witn  thc  othcr  ?   com_ 

thought  it  lawful  to  fight  againfl  the  Scots  that  would  fet  him     monly    giyeth  heft  way.     The 
up,  and  to  pull  down  the  Presbyterian  Majority  in  the  Parlia-    tower  a"d  weaker  Faclion  is  the 

ment,  which  would  elfe  by  rettoring  him  undo  all  which  had    h™errin  S?"juI£i?!L:  AndAtis 

n   \         r  i-niii-i-?  aj  j-il        often  fecn  that  a  icw  that  arc  ftitt, 

colt  them  lo  much  Blood  and  Trealure.     And  accordingly  he    do  t;rc  out  .,  ?rcit  numi)cr  tjut 

conquereth  Scotland,  and  pulleth  down  the  Parliament  :  being     are  more  moderate  :  when  one  of 

the  eafilier  perfwaded  that  all  this  was  lawful,  becaufe  he  had  a     thc  t'aftions  is  extinguiflied,  the 

iecret  Byas  and  Eye  towards  his  own  Exaltation  :  For  he  (and     °thcr  renUin]n'j.  fcbdividcth 

,.    s-^rnJ      x     .      Jx         1  1         x\-  s*  It  is  commonly  fcen  that  Men  once 

his  Officers)  thought,  that  when  the  King  was  gone  a  Govern-     p!accd  takc  in'  with  thc  contrlry 

ment  there  muff  be;  and  that  no  Man  was  io  fit  for   it  as  he     Faftion  to  that  by  whfch  they  en; 

himfelf ;  as  bed  deferving  it,  and  as  having  by  his  Wit  and  great     ter lord  Verulam£j(fa  $il 

Interefi  in  the  Army,  the  beft  fufficiency  to  manage  it:   Yea,    ^,287* 

they  thought  that  God  bad  called  them  by  Succef/es  to  Govern  and 

take  Care  of  the  Commonwealth ,  and  of  the  Intereff  of  all   his   People  m  the 

Land  ;  and  that  if  they  flood  by  and  fiiffercd  the  Parliament  to  do  that  which  they 

thought  was  dangerous,  it  would  be  required  at  their  hands,  whom   they  thought 

God  had  made  the  Guardians  of  the  Land. 

Having  thus  forced  his  Conference  to  juflifie  all  his  Caufe  ,  (  the  Cutting  off  the 
the  King,  the  fetting  up  himfelf  and  his  Adherents,  the  pulling  down  the  Parlia- 
ment and  the  Scots,)  he  thinketh  that  the  End  being  good  and  neceiTary,  the  nece£ 
iary  means  cannot  be  bad:  And  accordingly  he  giveth  his  Intereft  and  Caule  leave 
to  tell  him,  how  far  Sects  fhall  be  tollerated  and  commended,  and  how  far  not  j 
and  how  far  the  Minift ry  fliall  be  owned  and  fupported,  and  how  far  not  $  yea, 
and  how  far  Profeffions,  Promifes,  and  Vows  fhall  be  kept,  or  broken  ;  and  there- 
fore the  Covenant  he  could  not  away  with  ;  nor  the  Minilters,  further  than  they 
yielded  to  his  Ends,  or  did  not  openly  refift  them.  He  teemed  exceeding  open 
hearted,  by  a  familiar  Ruftick  affected  Carriage,  (efpecially  to  his  Soldiers  in  /port- 
ing with  them  )  :  but  he  thought  Secrecy  a  Vertue,  and  Diffimulation  no  Vice., 
and  Simulation,  that  is,  in  plain  Englifh  a  Lie,  or  Perfldioufnefs  to  be  a  tollerable 
Fault  in  a  Cafe  of  Neceffity  :  being  of  the  fame  Opinion  with  the  Lord  Bacon  j 
(who  was  not  fb  Precife  as  LearnedJ  That  [  the  befr  Compoftion  and  Temperature  u, 

O  2  i§ 


ioo  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


to  have  opennefi  in  Fame  and  Opinion  t  Secrecy  in  habit  ,  Dtjjimulation  in  feafonable  ufe  ; 
and  a  power  to  feign  if  there  be  no  remedy  ,\  Efay6.  pag.  31.  Therefore  he  kept  fair 
with  all  ,  laving  his  open  or  unreconcileable  Enemies.  He  ca.-nVd  it  with  fuch 
Diffimulation,  that  Anabaptifts,  Independants ,  and  Antinociiai.  lid  all  think 
that  he  was  one  of  them  :  But  he  never  endeavoured  to  pei  Iwade  ^by  teri- 

ans  that  he  was  one  of  them  ;  but  only  that  he  would  do  them  Janice,  and  Pre- 
serve them,  and  that  he  honoured  their  Worth  and  Piety  ;  for  he  knew  that  they 
were  not  16  eafily  deceived.  In  a  word)  he  did  as  our  Prelates  have  done,  begin 
low  and  rile  higher  in  his  Refolutions  as  his  Condition  role ,  and  the  Promifes 
which  he  made  in  his  lower  Condition,  he  ufed  as  the  intereft  of  his  higher  fol- 
lowing Condition  did  require,  and  kept  up  as  much  Honefty  and  Godlinefs  in  the 
main,  as  his  Caufeand  Intereft  would  allow,  (  but  there  they  left  him  )  :  And  his 
Name  ftandeth  as  a  monitory  Monument  or  Pillar  to  Pofterity  to  tell  them,  £The 
infiability  of Man  in  fir  ong  Tempt  at  ions>  if  God  leave  him  to  himfelf:  what  great 
SucceR  and  Victories  can  do  to  lift  up  a  Mind  that  once  feemed  humble:  what  tride 
can  do  to  make  Man  felfijh,  and  corrupt  the  Heart  with  ill  defigns  :  what  felfjknefi 
and  ill  defigns  can  do,  to  bribe  the  Confcience,  and  corrupt  the  Judgment,  and  make 
men  juftifie  the  greateft  Errours  and  Sins,  and  fetagainft  the  cleareir  Truth  and  Du- 
ty :  what  Bloodfhed  and  great  Enormities  of  Life}  an  Erring  deluded  Judgment  may 
draw  Men  to,  and  patronize;  and  That  when  God  hath  dreadfui  Judgments  to 
execute,  an  Erroneous  Sectary,  or  a  proud  Self-feeker,  is  oftner  his  Inltrument , 
than  an  humble,  Lamb-like,  innocent  Saint]. 

§  14  j.  Cromwell  being  dead,  his  Son  Richard  by  his  Will  and  Teftament,  and  tne 
Army  was  quietly  fetled  in  his  place  ;  while  all  Men  look'd  that  they  fhould  pre- 
lently  have  fallen  into  Confufion  and  Difcord  among  themlelves ;  the  Counties, 
Cities,  and  Corporations  of  England  fend  up  their  Congratulations,  to  own  him 
as  Protector :  (But  none  of  us  in  Worcefier(hire}  fave  the  Independants,  medled 
in  it.) 

He  interred  his  Father  with  great  Pomp  and  Solemnity  :  He  called  a  Parlia- 
ment, and  that  without  any  fuch  Reftraints  as  his  Father  had  ufed  :  The  Members 
took  the  Oath  of  Fidelity  or  Allegiance  to  him  at  the  Door  of  the  Houle  before 
they  entred.     And  all  Men  wondred  to  fee  all  fo  quiet,  in  lb  dangerous  a  Time, 
Many  Ibber  Men  that  called  his  Father  no  better  than  a  Trayterous  Hypocrite.did 
begin  to   think  that  they  owed  him    Subjection.       They  knew    that    the    King 
was  by  Birth  their  Rightful   Sovereign ;   and  refblved  to  do  their  beft  whils 
there  was  hopes  to  introduce  him,  and  defend  him :   But  they  were  aftonifhed 
at  the  marvellous  Providences  of  God ,  which  had  been  againft  that  Family  all 
along ,    and  they  thought  that  there  was  no  rational  probability  of    his  Re- 
iteration, having  feen  fo  many  Armies  and  Rifings  and  Defigns  overthrown  , 
which  were    railed  or  undertaken  for    it  :    They  thought  that  it  is  not  left 
to  our  liberty  ,  whether  we  will  have  a  Government,  or  not;  but  that  Govern- 
ment is  of  Divine  Appointment ;  and  the  Family,  Perfon  or  Species  is  but  of  a 
fubfervient,  lefs  neceffary  determination  :  And  that  if  we  cannot  have  him  that 
we  would  have,  it  followeth  not  that  we  may  be  without :  That  twelve  years 
time  (from  the  Death  of  the  lafl  King,)  was  longer  than  the    Land    could   be 
without  a  Governour,  without  the  Deftxuction  of  the  Common  Good,  which  is 
the  End  of  Government !  Therefore  that  the  Subjects,  feeing  they  are  unable  to  re- 
ftore  the  King,  mult  conlent  to  another  :  That  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  having 
fworn  Allegiance  to  him,  have  actually  fubjected  the  Nation  to  him  :  And  though 
his  Father  Trayteroufly  made  the  Change,  yet  the  SuccefTor  of  a  Traytor  may 
by  the  Peoples  conlent,  become  a  Governour  ,  whom  each  Individual  muft    ac- 
knowledge by  Subjection  :  That  the  Bilhops  and  Churches  both  of  Eafi  and  Weft, 
as  all  Hifrory  fheweth,  have  profeffed  their  Subjection  to  Ufurpers,  in  a  far  fnort- 
er  time,  and  upon  lighter  Realbns :  That  this  Man  having  never  had  any  hand  in 
the  War,  (but  fuppofed  to  be  for  the  King)  nor  ever  feeking  for  the  Government, 
and  now  feeming  to  own  the  Sober  Party,  was  like  to  be  ufed  in  the  healing  of  the 
Land,  &c]  Such  Reafonings  as  thefe  began  to  take  with  the  minds  of  many,  to 
fubjtct  rhemfelves  quietly  to  this  Man  (though  they  never  did  it  to  his  Father)  as 
vanteeeofnow  de*Pairin8 of  the Refritution  of  the  King  :  *  And  I  confefs  fuch  Thoughts 
Mcns&prc-  wee  ^omewriat:Preva'ent:  Wlt^  mY  ^'  ^ut   God  quickly  mewed  us  the  root  of 
fent  cruel   our  Errour,  which  was  our  limiting  the  Almighty  ;  as  if  that  were  hard  to  him 
Malice, was  that  was  irrmoffible  to  us :  So  that  the  Reftoration  of  the  King,  which  we  thought 
the  Efrif3e  next  *niP°^e)  was  accomplished  in  a  trice:   And  we  faw  that  twelve  or  eighteen 
of  2  Books  years  's  not  long  enough  to  wait  on  God. 
wherein  I  never  jumfted  his  Usurpation  :  But  Judicis  officium  ejl :  ut  res  ita  tempra  rerum,&c.  The 


P  a  &  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  101 


The  Army  fet  up  Richard  Cromwell,  it  feemeth  upon  Tryal ;  refblving  to  ule 
him  as  he  behaved  himfelf :  And  though  they  (wore  Fidelity  to  him,  they  meant 
to  keep  it  no  longer  than  he  pleated  them ;  And  when  they  faw  that  he  began  to 
favour  the  fober  People  of  the  Land,  to  honour  Parliaments,  and  to  refpect  the 
Minifters,  whom  they  called  Presbyterians,  they  prefently  refolved  to  make  him 
know  his  Matters,  and  that  it  was  they  and  not  he,  that  were  called  by  God  to  be 
the  chief  Protectors  of  the  Intereft  of  the  Nation.  He  was  not  fo  formidable  to 
them  as  his  Father  was,  and  therefore  every  one  boldly  fpurned  at  him.  The  Fifth 
Monarchy  Men  followed  Sir  Henry  Vane,  and  railed  a  great  and  violent  clamorous 
Party  againft  him,  among  the  Sectaries  in  the  City  :  Rogers  and  Feake,  and  fuch 
like  Firebrands  preach  them  into  Fury,  and  blow  the  Coales  j  But  Dr.  Owen  and 
his  Affiftants  did  the  main  Work  :  He  gathereth  a  Church  at  (  at  Lieutenant  Ge- 
neral Fleetwood's  Quarters,  at  Wallmgford  Houfe.  confiding  of  the  a&ive  Officers 
of  the  Army  ( this  Church-gathering  hath  been  the  Church  fcattering  Project  )  : 
In  this  AfTembly  it  was  determined  that  Richard's  Parliament  niuft  be  diflfolved 
and  then  he  quickly  fell  himlelf :  (  Though  he  never  abated  their  Libertiesor  their 
Greatnefs ;  yet  did  he  not  fufficienrly  befriend  them)  j  Dttlum  fatlum  ;  almoft  as 
quickly  done  as  determined :  Though  Col.  Richard  Ingolsby  and  fomc  others,  would 
have  (tuck  to  the  Protector,  and  have  ventured  to  furprile  the  Leaders  of  the  Facti- 
on, and  the  Parliament  would  have  been  true  to  him  ;  yet  Berrfs  Regiment  of 
Horfe,  and  fome  others,  were  prelently  ready  to  have  begun  the  Fray  againft  him  • 
and  as  he  fought  not  the  Government,  he  was  refolved  it  ftiould  colt  no  Blood  to* 
keep  him  in  it:  But  if  they  would  venture  for  their  Parts  on  new  Confu(ion<=  he 
would  venture  his  Part  by  retiring  to  his  Privacy  :  And  fo  he  did  ( to  fatisfie  thele 
proud  diftracted  Tyrants,  who  thought  they  did  but  pull  down  Tyranny  )  re- 
sign the  Government  by  a  Writing  under  his  Hand,  and  retired  himlelf  and  left 
them  to  govern  as  they  pleafed. 

His  Good  Brother  in  Law  ,  Fleetwood,  and  his  Uncle  Desborough  were  (b  intoxi- 
cated as  to  be  the  Leaders  of  the  Confpiracy  :  And  when  they  had  pull'd  him 
down,  they  fet  up  a  few  of  themfelves  under  the  Name  of  a  Council  of  State  •  and 
(b  mad  were  they  with  Pride,  as  to  think  the  Nation  would  ftand  by  and'ieve- 
rence  them,  and  obediently  wait  upon  them  in  their  drunken  GidiJinefs  •  and  that 
their  Faction  in  the  Army  was  made  by  God  an  invincible  Terror  to  all  that  did 
but  hear  their  Names.  The  Care  of  the  Bufinefs  alio  was,  that  Oliver  had  once 
made  Fleetwood  believe  that  he  mould  be  his  Succeflbr,  and  drawn  an  Inltrument 
to  that  purpofe  ;  but  his  laft  Will  difappointed  him.  And  then  the  Sectaries  flat- 
tered him,  faying,  that  a  truly  Godly  Man  that  had  commanded  them  in  the 
Wars  was  to  be  preferred  before  fuch  an  one  as  they  cenlured  to  have  no  true 
Godlinefs. 

§  14^.  I  make  no  doubt  but  God  permitted  all  this  for  Good;  and  that  as  it  was 
their  Treafon  to  fet  up  Oltver  and  deftroy  the  King,  fo  it  was  their  Duty  to  have 
fet  up  the  prefent  King  inftead  of  Kichard :  And  God  made  them  the  means,  to 
their  own  Deftruction,  contrary  to  their  Intentions,  to  reftore  the  Monarchy  and 
Family  which  they  had  ruined.  But  all  this  is  no  Thanks  to  them  ,•  but  that  which 
with  a  good  Intention  had  been  a  Duty  ( to  take  down  or  not  fet  up  Richard  Crom- 
well )  yet  as  done  by  them  was  as  barbarous  Perfideoufhefs  as  mod  ever  Hiftory 
did  declare :  That  they  mould  fo  fuddenly,  (6  fcornfully  and  proudly  pull  down 
him  whom  they  had  fo  lately  let  up  themfelves  and  fworn  to  :  And  that  for  no- 
thing ;  they  could  fcarce  tell  why  themfelves ;  nor  ever  were  able  to  give  the 
World  a  fairer  Reafon  for  their  Villany  (  by  any  Fault  they  could  charge  upon 
him  )  than  the  Munfler  Fanaticks  had  to  give  for  their  Bethlehem  Outrages  and 
Rebellion  :  That  they  mould  do  this  while  a  Parliament  was  fitting  which  had  fo 
many  wife,  religious  Members ;  not  only  without  the  Parliaments  Advice,  but 
in  defpight  of  them,  and  force  him  to  difTolve  them  firff  ;  as  if  Perjury  and  Re- 
bellion were  newly  put  into  the  Commandments ;  or  God  had  made  thefe  proud 
Ufurpers  to  be  the  Governors  of  Protector  and  of  Parliaments,  and  exempted 
them  wholly  from  the  Precept  [Honour  thy  Father]  [Let  every  Soul  be  fubjett  to  tht 
higher  Towers] :  That  they  fhould  fo  proudly  defpife  not  only  the  Parliament,but  all 
theMinifters  of  London  and  oftheLand,as  to  do  this,not  only  without  advifing  with, 
and  againft  their  Judgments ;  but  in  a  factiousEnvy  againft  them,left  they  mould  be 
too  much  countenanced:  Yea,they  did  it  againft  the  Judgments  of  moft  of  their  own 
Party  (  the  Independants  ),  as  they  now  profefs  themfelves :  Yea,  Mr.  Nye,  that 
was  then  thought  to  be  engaged  in  the  fame  Defign,  doth  wterly  difclaim  it,  and 

profefs 


|      _..r—_ ^ -^— ^-O        III—      ■!  ■!!■!    ,■■■    ■■ ■—■■—■■      ,■...—■  ■■■  —     ■  ■■.  1 

IG2  ?  />£  LI  F  E  of  the  Li  b.  J. 

profefs  that   his  Content  or  Hand  was  never  to  it  :   But  Fnde  ufually  goetb  before 

Defirutlion. 

§  147.  And  having  (aid  this  of  the  Crimes  of  thefe  Firebrands  of  the  Army,I  muft 
fay  fomewhat  of  the  Sectarian  Party  in  General ;  I  mean,  thofe  who  have  been  moft 
addi&ed  to  Church-Diviiions,  and  Separations,  and  Sidings,  and  Parties,and  have  re- 
fufed  all  terms  of  Concord  and  Unity  :    I  doubt  not  but  many  of  them  were 
People  that  feared  God,  who  in  their  Ignorance  of  the  Doctrine  of  Church  Unity 
and  Communion,  have  been  drawn  by  Pretences  of  Purity  to  follow  their  Leaders 
in  ways  which  they  underftood  not :  And  I  doubt  not  but  the  Presbyterians  have 
had  their  Faults  in  their  Treaties  with  them  ;  and  that  politick  Statefmenkept  open 
the  Divifions  for  their  own  Defigns,  ( that  they  might  have  a  Party  to  weaken  the 
Scots  and  Presbyterians  that  would  have  reftored  the  King  ).     But  yet  I  muft  record 
it  to  the  Shame  of  their  Mifcarriages,  that  the  weaker  and  younger  fort  of  Profejjors, 
have  been  prone  to  be  puft  up  with  high  Thoughts  of  themielves,  and  to  over-value 
their  little  Degrees  of  Knowledge  and  Parts,  which  let  them  not  above  the  Pity 
of  under ftanding  Men  :  That  they  have  been  fet  upon  thofe  Courfes  which  tend  to 
advance  them  above  the  Common  People  in  the  Obfervation  of  the  World,  and 
to  fet  them  at  a  farther  Diftance  from  others  than  God  alloweth,  and  all  this  un- 
der the  Pretence  of  the  Purity  of  the  Church.     That  in  Pro- 
The  Lord  Bacon  nameth  Four    fecution  of  their  Ends,  there  are  few  of  the  Anabaptifts  that 
Caufes  of  Atheifm.    1.  Many  Di-    have  not  been  the  Oppofers  and  Troublers  of  the  faithful  Mi- 
vifions  in  Religion.  2.  The  Scan-     nffiers  0f  tne  Land  .    anc|  were  tne  Troublers  of  their  People, 

Prip°hfanPeneScoffinBg  about :  Sdy  and  the  Hinderers  of  their  Succefs ;  they  ftrengthned  the 
Matters.  4.  Corrupting  profperi-  Hands  of  the  Prophane  :  The  Sectaries  (  efpecially  the  Ana- 
ty.    Effay  16.  p.  91.  baptifts,  the  Seekers,    and  the  Quakers)  chofe  out   the  moft 

able,  zealous  Minifters,  to  make  the  Marks  of  their  Reproach 
andObliquy,  and  all  becaule  they  flood  in  the  Way  of  their  Defigns,  and  hin- 
dered them  in  the  propagating  of  their  Opinions  :  They  fet  againft  the  fame  Men 
that  the  Drunkards  and  Swearers  fet  againfl,  and  much  after  the  (ame  manner  j  re- 
viling  them,  and  raifing  up  falfe  Reports  of  them,  and  doing  all  that  they  could 
to  make  them  odious,  and  at  laft  attempting  to  pull  thsm  all  down  ;  only  they 
did  it  more  prophanely  than  the  Prophane  ;  in  that  they  laid,  \  Let  the  Lord  be  glo- 
rified;  Let  the  Gofpel  be  propagated  ~]  and  abufed  and  prophaned  Scripture  and  the 
Name  of  God  by  entituling  him  to  their  Faction  and  Mifcarriages.  Yea,  though 
they  thought  themielves  the  moft  underflanding  and  confciencious  People  of  the 
Land,  yet  did  the  Gang  of  them  leldom  flick  at  any  thing  which  teemed  to  pro- 
mote their  Caule  ;  but  whatever  their  Faction  in  the  Army  did,  they  pleaded  for 
it  and  approved  it :  If  they  pull'd  down  the  Parliament,  imprifon'd  the  godly 
faithful  Members,  killed  the  King,  if  they  caft  out  the  Rump,  if  they  chofe  a  Little 
Parliament  of  their  own,  if  they  letup  CromiveU3  if  they  fet  up  his  Son  and  pulld 
him  down  again,  if  they  fought  to  obtrude  Agreements  on  the  People,  if  they 
one  Week  fet  up  a  Council  of  State,  and  if  another  Week  the  Rump  were  refto- 
red, if  they  (ought  to  take  down  Tythes  and  PariflvMinifters,  to  the  utter  Confu- 
fion  of  the  State  of  Religion  in  the  Land ;  in  all  thefe  the  Anabaptifts,  and  many 
of  the  Independants  in  the  Three  Kingdoms  followed  them  ;  and  even  their  Pa- 
lters were  ready  to  lead  them  to  content. 

And  all  this  began  but  in  unwarrantable  Separation,  and  too  much  aggravating  the 
Faults  of  the  Churches  and  Common  People,  and  Common  Prayer  Bock  and  Mimjlry  j 
which  indeed  were  none  of  them  without  Faults  to  be  lamented  and  reformed  : 
But  they  thought  that  becaufe  it  needed  Amendment,  it  required  their  obftinate  Se- 
paration, and  that  they  were  allowed  to  make  odious  any  thing  that  was  amils; 
and  becaufe  it  was  faulty,  if  any  Man  had  rebuked  them  for  belying  it,  and 
making  it  far  more  faulty  than  it  was,  inftead  of  confeflSng  their  Sin,  they  called 
their  Reprover  a  Pleader  for  Antichrift  or  Baal  5  every  Error  in  the  Mode  of  the 
Common  Worlhip  they  had  no  fitter  Name  for,  than  Idolatry,  Popery,  Antichri- 
ftianifm,  Superftition,  Will-worfhip,  &c.  when  in  the  mean  time,  many  of  their 
own  Prayers  were  lull  of  Carnal  Paflion,  Selnfnnefs,  Faction,  Difbrder,  vain  Re- 
pjtions,  unlbund  and  loathfbm  Expreflions,  and  their  Doctrine  full  of  Errors  and 
Confuffion  ;  and  thefe  Beams  in  their  own  Eyes  were  matter  of  no  Offence  to 
them  :  They  would  not  communicate  with  that  Church  where  ignorant  Perfons 
or  Swearers  were  tollerated  (  though  they  themfelves  never  did  their  Part  to  have 
them  caft  out,  but  look'd  the  Minifters  fhould  do  all  without  them  ) ;  but  without 
any  fcruple  they  would  communicate  with  them  that  had  broke  their  Vow  and 
Covenant  with  God  and  fyfan,  and  rebelled  againft  both  King,  Parliament,  and 

all 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  103 

all  kind  of  Government  that  was  fet  up  (even  by  themfelves )  and  did  all  the 
fore-recited  Evils. 

I  know  thefe  fame  Accufations  are  laid  by  fome  in  Ignorance  or  Malice,  againfl 
many  that  are  guilty  of  no  fuch  things,  and  therefore  ibme  will  be  offended  at 
me,  and  lay,  I  imitate  iiich  Reproachers :  But  ihall  none  be  reproved  becaufe  fome 
are  flandered  ?  Shall  Rebells  be  juftihed,  becaufe  ibme  innocent  Men  are  called 
Rebels  ?    Shall  Hypocrites  be  free  from  Convi&ion  and  Condemnation,  becauie 
wicked  Men  call  the  Godly  Hypocrites  ?    Woe  to  the  Man  that  hath  not  a  faithful 
Reprover  ;  but  a  Thoufand  Woes  will  be  to  him  that  hateth  reproof :  And  woe  to 
them  that  had  rather  Sin  were  credited  and  kept  in  Honour,  than  their  Party  d<i- 
honoured  :  and  Woe  to  the  Land  where  the  Reputation  of  Men  doth   keep  Sin 
in  Reputation.     Scripture  it  felf  will  not  fpare  a  Noah,  a  Lot,  a  David,  a  Hezekt 
ah,  a  Jojiah,  a  Peter  ;  but  will  open  and  fhame  their  Sin  to  all  Generations  :  And 
yet,  alas !   the  Hearts  of  many,  who  I  hope  are  truly  Religious  in  other  Points, 
will  rife  againft  him  that  (hall   yet  roll  them  of  the  Miidoings  of  thole  of  their 
Opinion,   and  call  them  to  Repentance.     The  poor  Church  of  Chrift,  thefbber, 
found  religious  Part,  ate  like  Chrift  that  was  crucified  between  two  Malefactors  ; 
the   prophane  and   formal   Periecutors  on  one  hand,  and  the  Fmatick  dividing 
Sectary  on  the  other  hand,  have  in  all  Ages  been  grinding  the  Spiritual  Seed,  as 
the  Corn  is  ground  between  the  Milftones:    And  though  their  Sins  have  mined 
themfelves  and  us,  and  filenced  (o  many  hundred  Minifters,  and  fcjttered  tha  Flocks 
and  made  us  the  Hatred  and  the  Scorn  of  the  ungodly  World,  and  a  by  Word  and 
Deiblation  in  the  Earth;  yet  there  are  few  of  them  that  lament  their  ^in,  but  ju- 
ftify  themfelves  and  their  Miidoings,  and  the  penitent  Malefactor  is  yet  unknown  to 
us.     And  ieeing  Pofterity  mult  know  what  they  have  done,  to  the  Shame  of  our 
Land,and  of  our  facred  ProfefIion,let  them  know  this  much  more  alfo  to  their  own 
Shame,  that  all  the  Calamities  which  have  befallen  us  by  our  Divifions  were  long 
io'efeen  by  feeing  Men,  and  they  were  told  and  warned  of  it,  year  after  year: 
They    were  told  that  a   Houfe  divided  againfl  it  felf  could  not  ftand,  and  told 
that  it  would  bring  them  to  the  Halter  and  to  Shame,  and  turn  a  hopeful  Reforma- 
tion into  a  Scorn,  and  make  the  Land  of  their  Nativity  a  Place  of  Calamity  and 
Woe ;  and  all  this  Warning  fignified  nothing  to  them  ;    but  thefe  Ductile  Profef 
ibis  bldinly  followed  a  few  ieltconceited  Teachers  to  this  Mifery  ;  and  no  warning 
or  means  could  ever  itop  them. 

Five  dhTenting  Miniiters  in  the  Synod  begun  all  this,  and  carried  it  far  on  :  Mr. 
Philip  Nye,  Mr.  J  ho.  Goodwin,  Mr.  Sydrach  Syrnpfon,  and  Mr.  William  Bridge,  to 
whom  that  good  Man  Mr.  Jeremiah  Burroughs  joined  himfelf  in  Name  ;  but  as  he 
never  practiced  their  Church-gathering  way,  fo  at  laft  he  was  contented  to  have 
united  on  the  Terms  which  were  offered  them,  and  wrote  his  excellent  Book  of 
Heart  Divifions.  After  this  they  encreafed,  and  Mr.  Burroughs  being  dead,  Dr.  John 
Owen  aroie,  not  of  the  lame  Spirit,  to  fill  up  his  place ;  by  whom  and  Mr.  Phillip 
Nye's  Policie  the  Flames  were  encreafed,  our  Wounds  kept  open,  ?nd  carried  on 
all,  as  if  there  had  been  none  but  they  conliderable  in  the  World ;  and  having  an 
Army  and  City  Agents  fit  to  fecond  them,  effectually  hindred  all  remedy  till  chey 
had  dafh'd  all  into  pieces  as  a  broken  Glafs.  O !  what  may  not  Pride  do  ? 
and  what  Mifcarriages  will  not  falfe  Principles  and  Faction  hide  ?  One  would 
think  that  if  their  Opinions  had  been  certainly  true,  and  their  Chu'ch-Oiders^W, 
yet  thelnt^reft  of  Chrift,  and  the  Souls  of  Men,  and  of  greater  Truths,  ihould 
have  been  lb  regarded  by  the  Dividers  in  England,  as  that  the  Safety  of  all  thefe 
ihould  have  been  preferred,  and  not  all  ruined  rather  than  their  way  ihould  want 
its  carnal  Arm  and  Liberty  ;  and  that  they  mould  not  tear  the  Garment  of  Chrift 
all  to  pieces,  rather  than  it  ihould  want  their  Lace. 

§  148.  And  it  mud  be  acknowledged  alio  impartially,  that  fome  of  the  Presby- 
terian Minifters  frightned  the  Sectaries  into  this  Fury  by  the  unpeaceableneis  and 
impatiency  of  their  Minds :  They  ran  from  Libertinifm  into  the  other  Extrtam, 
and  were  fo  little  ienfible  of  their  own  Infirmity,  that  they  would  not  have  thofe 
tollerated  who  were  not  only  tollerable,  but  worthy  Inftruments  and  Members  in 
the  Churches :  The  Reconcilers  that  were  ruled  by  prudent  Charity  always  called 
out  to  both  the  Parties,  that  the  Churches  muft  be  united  upon  the  Terms  of 
primitive  Simplicity,  and  that  we  muft  have  Unity  in  things  neceffary,  and  Liberty  m 
things  unnecejj'ary,  and  Charity  in  all :  But  they  could  never  be  heard,  but  were  taken 
for  Adverfaries  to  the  Government  of  the  Church,  as  they  are  by  the  Prelates  at 
this  Day  :  Nay,  when  in  Worcefterfnire  we  did  but  agree  to  practice  Co  much  as  all 
Parties  were  agreed  in,  they  faid,  we  did  but  thereby  fet  up  another  Party.    We 

told 


io4 


The  LI  F  E  of  the  L I  b.  I. 


told  them  of  Archbilhop  User's  Terms  in  his  Sermon  before  the  King  on  Eph.^. 
but  they  would  not  hear.  The  Lord  Bacon  in  his  Third  Ejjay  ,  and  his  Confederations, 
Mr. Halesin  his  Treatife  of  Schifm,  and  all  men  of  found  Experience  and  Wifdom, 
have  long  told  the  World,  that  we  muft  be  united  in  things  NeceJJ'ary,  which  all 
Chriftians  agree  in,  or  which  the  Primitive  Churches  did  unite  in,  or  not  at  all : 
But  nothing  fhorter  than  the  AfTemblies  Confeflion  of  Faith  and  Catechifms,  and 
and  Presbytery,would  ferve  turn  with  fbme.  Their  Principles  were  that  no  others 
fhould  be  to!erated;which  fet  thelndependants  on  contriving  how  to  grafpthe  Sword! 
They  were  Mill  crying  out  on  the  Magiftrate,  that  he  was  irreligious,  lor  fuffering 
Sects,  and  becaufe  he  did  not  bring  Men  to  Conformity  :  And  now  they  cannot 
be  tollerated  themfelves,  to  preach,  nor  fcarce  to  dwell  in  the  Land.  The  Uni- 
ting of  the  Churches  upon  the  Primitive  Terms,  and  the  tollerating  (  not  of  all, 
but)  of  tollerable  Differences,  is  the  way  to  Peace,  which  almoft  all  Men  approvo 
of,  except  thole  who  are  uppermoft,  and  think  they  have  the  Reins  in  their  own 
hands.  And  becaufe  the  fide  which  is  uppermoft  are  they  that  have  their  Wills, 
therefore  the  Churches  had  never  a  fettled  Peace  this  Thoufand  years  at  leaft ;  the 
true  way  of  Settlement  and  Peace,  being  ufually  difpleafing  to  them  that  muft 
give  Peace  to  others  :  But  this  way  hath  the  mark  of  being  the  U$\  in  that  it  is 
the  only  way,  which  every  Seel;  acknowledge  for  the  fecond^nd  next  the  beft ;  and 
is  it  which  all,  except  the  predominant  Party,  liketh.  But  Wifdom  is  juftified  of  her 
Children. 

§  149.  To  confummate  the  Confufion,  by  confirming  and  increafing  the  Di- 
vifion,  the  Independants  at  laft,  when  they  had  refufed  with  fufficient  pervicacy 
to  alTociate  with  the  Presbyterians  (  and  the  Reconcilers  too )  did  refolve  to  /hew 
their  proper  ft  rength,  and  to  call  a  General  Affembly  of  all  their  Churches.  The 
Savoy  was  their  Meeting-place.  There  they  drew  up  a  Confeflion  of  their  Faith, 
and  the  Orders  of  their  Church  Government.  In  the  former,  they  thought  it  not 
enough  exprefly  to  contradict  Sr.  James,  and  to  fay  (unlimitedly  )  That  we  are 
jufiified by  the  Right  eoufnefi  of  Chrifi  only,  and  not  by  any  Works  j  but  they  contradict- 
ed St.  Paul  alfb,  who  faith,  That  Faith  is  imputed  for  Righteoufnef.  And  not  only  fo, 
but  they  exprefly  afTerted,  that  [  we  have  no  other  right eoufitejS  ]  but  that  of  Chrift. 
A  Doctrine  abhorred  by  all  the  Reformed  and  Chriftian  Churches;  and  which 
would  be  an  utter  fhameto  the  Proteftant  Name,  if  what  fuch  Men  held  and  did 
were  indeed  imputable  to  the  fber  Proteftants.  1  asked  forne  honeft  Men  that 
joyned  with  them,  Whether  they  fubfcribed  this  Confeflion  ;  and  they  faid  No.  I 
asked  them  why  they  did  not  contradict  it ;  and  they  faid  that  the  meaning  of  it 
was  no  more  than  that  we  have  no  other  Righteoufnefs  but  Chrift's  to  be  jufiified 
by  :  So  that  the  Independant's  Confeflions  are  like  fuch  Oaths  and  Declarations  ,  as 
fpeak  one  thing  and  mean  another.  Alfo  in  their  Propofitions  of  Church  Order  , 
they  widened  the  breach,  and  made  things  much  worfe ,  and  more  unreconcile- 
able  than  ever  they  were  before.  So  much  could  two  Men  do  with  many  honeft 
tractable  young  Men,  and  had  more  Zeal  for  feparating  StriffneJS,  than  Judgment  to 
underftand  the  Word  of  God,  or  the  Interefi  of  the  Churches  of  the  Land  ,  and  cf 
themfelves. 

§  15-0.  But  it  hath  pleafed  God  by  others  that  were  fbmetime  of  their  way,  to  do 

more  to  heal  this  Breach,  than  they  did  to  make  it  wider.     I  mean  the  Synod  of 

New-England;  who  have  publifhed  fuch  healing  Propofitions  about  fiated  Synods 3 

and  Infants  Church  JMemberJhipt  as  hath  much  prepared  for  a  Union  between  them, 

*  Mr.        and  all  other  moderate  Men  :  (  And  fome  *  One  hath  ftrenuoufly  defended  thofe 

-Kjrij''*  Propofitions  againft  the  oppofition  of  Mr.  Davenport,  a  dhTenting    Brother).    I 

take  this  to  be  more  for  healing  than  the  Savoy  Propofitions  cm  be  effectual  to  di- 

t  "V'r?  vide'  becaufe  the  New-England  men  have  not  blemiftied  their  Reputation,  nor  loft 

Hot  of      the  Authority  ar»d  Honour  of  their  Judgments,  by  any  fuch  Actions  as  the  leading 

New-Em-  Savoy ers  have  done. 

land   hath  fcnt  me  a  printed  Paper  of  his  own,  contriving  a  Healing  Form  of  Svnods  for  conftant  Communion  of 
particular  Churches. 

§  15-1.  When  the  Army  had  brought  themfelves  and  the  Nation  into  utter  Con- 
fufion, and  had  let  up  andpulld  down  Richard  Cromwell  ,  and  then  had  fet  up  the 
Rump  again,  and  pull'd  them  down  again,  and  fet  up  a  Council  of  State  of  them- 
felves and  their -Faction,  and  made  Lambert  their  Head,  next  under  Fleetwood , 
(  whom  they  could  ufe  almoft  as  they  would  )  at  laft  the  Nation  would  endure 
them  no  longer,  nor  fit  ftill  while  the  world  flood  laughing  them  to  fcorn,  as 
acting  over  the  Munfler  Tragedy  :  Sir  George  Booth  and  Sir  Thomas  Middleton  railed 
Forces  in  Cheflure  and  North-Wales :  (but  the  Cavaliers  that  fhould  have  joyned  with 

them 


P  a  r.  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  105 


them  failed  them  almoftallover  the  Land;  afew  role  inlbme  places,but  werequick- 
ly  ruined  and  came  to  nothing!     Lambert  quickly   routed  thole  in  Chejhire :  Sir 
Arthur  Hafelrigge  with  Col.  Morley  get  into  Portfmouth,  which  is  poffeffed  as   for  the 
Rump.     Monk,  declared)  againft  them  in  Scotland,  purgeth   his  Army  of  the  Ana- 
b^pdits,  and  marcheth  into  England.     The  Rump  Parcy  with  Hafelrigge  divided  che 
Army  at  home,  and  fo  difabled  them  to  oppofe  Monk  ;  who  marcheth  on,  and  all 
are  afraid  of  him  ;  and  while  he  declareth  himfelf  againft  Monarchy  for  a  Com- 
monwealth, he  tieth  the  hands  of  his  Enemies  by  a  lie,  and  uniteth  wich  the  City 
of  London,  and  bringeth  on  again  the  old  ejected  Members  of  the  Parliament,  and 
fo  bringeth  in  the  King.     Sir  WiUiam  Morrice  (his  Kinfman)  and   Mr.  Clarges  were 
his  great  Advifers :  The  Earl  of  Mancbefter,  Mr.  Calamy,  and  other  Presbyterians, 
encouraged  and  perlwaded  him  to  bring  in  the  King.     At  firlt  he  joyned  with  the 
Rump  againft  the  Citizens,  and  pull'd  down  the  City  Gates  to  mailer  them  •  but 
at  laft  Sir  Thomas  Allen  then  Lord  Mayor  (by  the  perfwafion  of  Dr.  Jacomb]  and 
fome  other  Presbyterian  Minifters  and  Citizens,  as  he   hath  oft  told  me  himielf  ) 
invited  Monk  into  the  City,  and  drew  him  to  agree  and  joyn  with  them  againit 
the  Rump  fas  they  then  called  the  Relicts  of  the  Parliament).     And  this  in  truth 
was  the  A6r  that  turned  the  Scales  and  brought   in  the  King  :  whether  the  lame 
men  expected  to  be  uled  as  they  have  fince  been  themfelves,  I  know  not  :  If  they 
did,  their  Self-denial  was  very  great,  who  were  content  to  be  filenced  and  laid  in 
Gaols,  fo  they  might  but  bring  in  the  King.     After  this  the  old  Excluded  Members 
of  the  Parliament  meet  with  Monk;    He  calleth  them   to  fit,  and  that  the  King 
might  come  in  hoth  by  him  and  by  them.     He    agreeth   with   them  to  fit  but   a 
few  days,  and  then  diflblve  themfelves  and  call  another  Parliament.     They  confent- 
ed,  and  prepared  for  the  King's  Reff  oration,  and  appointed  a  Council  of  State,  and 
Diffolved  them  (elves.     Another  Parliament  is  cholen,  which  calleth  in  the  King  , 
the  Council  of  State  having  made  further  preparations  for  it.  (For  when  the  Que- 
ftion  was,  Whether  they  Ihould  call   in  the   King  upon  Treaty  and   Covenant 
(  which  fome  thought  beft  for  him  and  the  Nation)  the  Council  refolved  abfolute- 
ly  to  truft  him,Mr.  A.  efpecially  perfwading  them  (b  to  do).     And  when  the  King 
came  in,  Col.  Birch  and  Mr.  Prm  were  appointed  to  Disband  the  Army,  the  feveral 
Regiments  receiving  their  Pay  in  feveral  places,and  none  of  them  daring  to  difobey : 
No  not  Monk's  own  Regiments  who  brought  in  the  King. 

Thus  did  God  do  a  more  wonderful  Work  in  the  Dilfolving  of  this  Army,  than 
any  of  their  greateft  Victories  was,  which  fet  them  up.  That  an  Army  that  had 
conquered  three  fuch  Kingdoms,  and  brought  fo  many  Armies  to  deftruction,  cut 
off  the  King  ,  pull'd  down  the  Parliament,  and  fet  up  and  pull  d  down  others  at 
their  pleafure,  that  had  conquered  fo  many  Cities  and  Caftles ;  that  were  lb  united 
by  Principles  and  Intereft  and  Guilt,  and  fo  deeply  engaged,  as  much  as  their  E- 
ffates,  and  Honour,  and  Lives  came  to,  to  have  flood  it  out  to  the  very  utmoft  ; 
that  had  profeffed  fo  much  of  their  Wifdom  and  Religioufhefs  j  and  had  declared 
fuch*  high  Refolutions  againft  Monarchy  :  I  lay,  that  fuch  an  Army  mould  have  one 
Commander  among  themfelves,  whom  they  accounted  not  Religious,  that  mould 
march  againit  them  without  Refiftance,  and  that  they  mould  all  (land  (till,  uid 
let  him  come  on,  and  reftore the  Parliament,  and  bring  in  the  King,  and  disband 
themfelves,  and  all  this  without  one  bloody  Nofe  !  Let  any  Man  that  hath  the  ufe 
of  his  Underftanding,  judge  whether  this  were  net  enough  to  prove  that  there  is 
a  God  that  governeth  the  World,  and  difpofeth  of  the  Powers  of  the  World  ac- 
cording to  his  Will  !  And  let  all  Men  behold  this  Pillar  of  Salt,  and  (landing  Mo- 
nument of  Divine  Revenge,  and  take  heed  of  over-valuing  Human  Strength,  and 
of  ever  being  puffed  up  by  Victories  and  Succefs,  or  of  being  infatuated  by  Spiri- 
tual P fide  and  Faction  !  And  let  all  Men  take  warning  how  they  trample  upon 
Government,  rebel  againft  it,  or  vilirie  the  Minifters  and  Ordinances  of  Chriff  , 
and  proudly  defpife  the  Warnings  of  their  Brethren. 

§  1  j2.  And  at  the  fame  time  while  Monk  was  marching  againft  them  into  Eng- 
land, the  ibber  godly  Officers  of  Ireland  were  impatient  of  the  Anabaptifts  Tyran- 
ny :  So  that  Col.  John  Bridges  (the  Patron  of  Kidderminfier)  with  his  Lieutenant 
Thompfon,  and  fome  few  more  Officers,  refolved  upon  a  defperate  furprizal  of  Dub- 
lin Caftle,  (which  the  Anabaptifts  poffeft,  with  mod  of  the  ftrong  Holds  )  :  and 
fo  happily  fucceeded,  that  without  any  bloodfhed  they  got  the  Caftle:  And  that 
being  won,  the  reft  of  the  Garrifons  of  all  the  whole  Kingdom  yielded  without 
any  iofs  of  Blood;  and  uniefs  one  or  two,  without  fo  much  as  any  appearance  of  a 
Siege.  Thus  did  God  make  his  wonders  to  concur  in  time  and  manner  ;and  (hew- 
ed the  World  the  inftability  of  thole  States  which  are  built  upon  an  Army.    He 

P  that 


\o6  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  1. 

that  will  fee  more  of  this  Surprize  of  Dublin  Caftle,  may  read  it  as  printed  by 
Colonel  Bridges  in  a  fhort  Narrative.  Had  it  not  been  for  that  Action,  it  is  pro- 
bable that  Ireland  would  have  been  the  Refuge  and  Randezvouz  for  the  disbanded 
or  fugitive  Army,  and  that  there  they  would  not  only  have  maintained  the  War, 
but  have  inabodied  againft  England,  and  come' over  again,  with  Refolutions  height- 
ned  by  their  Warnings.  The  Reward  that  Col.  Bridges  had  for  this  Service  was 
the  peaceful  Teftimony  of  his  Confcience,  and  a  narrow  efcape  from  being  utterly 
ruined ;  being  ftied  as  one  that  after  Edghitt  Fight  had  taken  the  King's  Goods,  in 
an  A6tion  of  Fourfcore  Thoufand  pound  :  But  all  was  proved  falfe ,  and  he  being 
cleared  by  the  Court,  did  quickly  after  die  of  a  Fever  at  Chefier,  and  go  to  a  more 
peaceable  and  defirable  World. 

§  i  j 3.  For  my  own  Adions  and  Condition  all  this  time,  I  have  partly  /hewed 
them  in  the  Second  Part :  How  I  was  called  up  to  London,  and  what  I  did  there, 
and  with  how  little  Succefs  I  there  continued  my  Pacificatory  Endeavours.  When 
I  had  lived  there  a  few  Weeks,  I  fell  into  another  fit  of  Bleeding,  which  though 
it  was  nothing  Co  great  as  formerly,  yet  after  my  former  depauperation  by  that 
means  and  great  debility,  did  weaken  me  much.  Being  reflored  by  the  mercy  of 
God,  and  the  help  of  Dr.  Bates,  (  and  the  mofs  of  a  dead  man's  skull  which  I  had 
from  Dr.  Michlethwait)  I  went  to  Mr.Thomas  Foley's  Houfe,  where  I  lived  (in  An- 
fiix-Fryars)  about  a  year;  and  thence  to  Dr. Michlethiv  ait's  Houfe  in  Little  Brittam , 
where  I  tabled  about  another  year  :  and  thence  to  Mocrfields,  and  thence  to  Alien  \ 
from  which  being  at  the  prefent  driven  by  the  Plague,  I  wait  for  the  further  difpolai 
of  my  Almighty  and  molt  Gracious  Lord. 

§  15-4.  And  now  I  fhall  annex  for  the  Reader's  fatisfaction,  an  Account  of  my 
Books  and  Writings,  on  what  occafion  they  were  written,  and  what  I  now  judge  of 
them  on  a  review,  and  after  fo  much  fbppofition. 

§  r^.  The  Books  which  I  have  written  (andthofe  that  are  written  againft  me) 
are  fo  numerous,  that  I  confeis  if  they  plead  not  to  the  Reader  for  themielves,  I 
cannot  eafily  excuie  my  putting  the  World  to  fo  much  trouble.  And  I  was  once 
aimollr  fain  out  with  my  felf,  when  I  faw  fuch  abundance  of  Sermon  Books  print- 
ed in  Oliver's  days,  becaule  I  concurred  with  them  in  overloading  the  World.  But 
God  was  pleafed  to  keep  me  from  Repentance  by  their  Succefs ;  and  fince  then  I 
am  more  Impenitent  herein  than  ever,  as  feeing  more  of  the  reafbn  of  God's  difpo- 
fa-1  than  I  faw  before.  For  fince  fb  many  hundred  Minifters  are  filenced,  and  an 
Act:  is  now  paft  in  the  Parliament  to  forbid  us  coming  within  five  miles  of  any  Ci- 
ty, Corporation;  or  Burgefs  Town  ;  and  a  former  A&  forbiddeth  us  /peaking  to 
above  four  that  are  not  of  a  Family  ;  and  knowing  what  Perfbns  are  MinifTers 
in  many  of  our  places,  I  now  blefs  God  that  his  poor  Servants  have  the  private 
help  of  Cooks,  which  are  the  beft  Teachers, under  God,  that  many  thouland  Per. 
fons  have. 

And  whereas  there  are  about  Fifty  Books  (  as  I  remember  )  that  in  whole  or  in 
part  are  written  againft  me,  or  fome  PafTages  in  mine  ;  I  blefs  the  Lord  that  they 
have  not  dilturbed  or  difcompofed  my  mind,  nor  any  more  hindered  me  from  my 
greater  duty,  by  Replies ;  nor  been  altogether  unprofitable  to  me  :  And  that  none 
of  them,  nor  all  of  them,  any  whit  difabled  me  from  the  Service  of  God  by  di- 
minifhing  my  Eftimation  with  thofe  that  I  have  opportunity  to  ferve,  or  with  the 
common  Readers  that  may  profit  by  my  Labours,  but  only  with  the  Members  of 
the  feveral  Fa&ions. 

Some  are  written  againft  me  by  Quakers,  James  Nayler,  and  many  others :  Some 
by  Clement  Writer,  and  other  Seekers  and  Infidels  :  Some  by  Papifis ;  fbme  by  Ana- 
baptifis  (Mr.  Tombes,  Fijher,  and  many  others  )  :  fbme  by  Reverend  Brethren  that 
under  ftood  not  all  Points  of  Doctrine  as  I  did  (  which- ever  of  us  was  in  the  right  ) 
fas  Mr.  Rutherford,  Mr.  Blake,  Mr.  Burgefi,  Dr.  Kendal I ,&c. )  fome  by  Ant'momians  , 
and  fbme  by  Separates ;  and  fome  by  good  Men  that  were  but  half  poffeft  with 
their  Opinions,  (as  Mr.  Fires,  Mr.  Crandon,  Mr.  Warner, &c.)  :  fbme  by  proud  im- 
patient Men  ;  and  fome  by  the  Prelatical  Party :  fbme  by  young  Men  that  wanted 
Preferment,  and  thought  that  this  was  the  way  to  get  it ;  and  fbme  by  obfeure 
Men  thatdefired  to  be  taken  notice  of;  and  fbme  by  Flatterers,  that  defired  to 
pleafe  others  on  whom  they  did  depend  ;  and  fbme  by  malicious  blood-thirfty  Ca- 
lumniators !  fome  by  factious  Temporizers,  (as  Stubbs,  Rogers,  Needham,  &c.)  ;  and 
abundance  by  erroneous  impatient  Men,  that  could  not  endure  to  be  contradi&edin 
their  Miftakes.To  many  of  thefe  I  have  returned  Anfwers ;  and  that  fome  others  re- 
main unanfvvered,  is  through  the  reltraint  of  the  Prels, 

§  1  f6* 


PartI.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  107 


§  15-6.  The  firft  Book  that  ever  I  published  is  a  fmall  one,  called,  Aphonfms  of 
Juftification  and  the  Covenants,  &c.  I  had  firft  begun  my  Book,  called  The  Saints 
Reft  ;  and  coming  in  it  toanfwer  the  Queftion  ,  How  in  Matth.  25.  the  reward. is 
adjudged  to  men  on  the  account  of  their  good  works  ?  The  chief  Propofitions  of 
that  Book  did  fiiddenly  offer  themfelves  to  me,  in  order  to  that  Refolution  :  But  I 
was  prepared  with  much  disputing  againft  Antinomianifm  in  the  Army.  At  Sir 
Thom. is  Row's  Houfe,  in  my  weaknels,  I  wrote  nioft  of  that  Book,  and  finilhed  it 
when  I  came  to  Kidderminfier.  I  dire&ed  it  to  Mr.  Vines  and  Mr.  Burgefi,  out  of 
my  highefteem  of  them,though  my  perfbnal  acquaintance  with  them  was  but  fmall. 
Mr.  Vines  wrote  to  me  applaudingly  of  it.  Mr.  Burgef  thought  his  Name  engaged 
him  to  write  againft  it. 

Two  Faults  1  now  find  in  the  Book:  1.  It  is  defective,  and  hath  fome  Propofii 
tions  that  need  Correction,  being  not  cauteloufly  enough  expreifed.  2.  I  medled 
too  forwardly  with  Dr.  Owen,  and  one  or  two  more  that  had  written  ibme  Pafla- 
ges  too  near  to  Antinomianifm.  For  I  was  young,and  a  ftranger  to  mens  tempers, 
and  thought  others  could  have  born  a  Confutation  as  eafily  as  I  could  do  my  lelf  j 
and  1  thought  that  I  was  bound  to  do  my  beft  publickly,  to  fave  the  World  from 
the  hurt  of  publifhed  Errours ;  not  understanding  how  it  would  provoke  men  more 
p.iffionately  to  infill:  on  what  they  once  havefaid.  But  I  have  now  learned  tocon- 
tradilt  Erroui  s,  and  not  to  meddle  with  the  Perfons  that  maintain  them.  But  in- 
deed 1  was  then  too  raw  to  be  a  Writer. 

This  Book  was  over-much  valued  by  fome,  and  over- much  blamed  by  others, 
both  contrary  to  my  own  efteem  of  it :  It  coft  me  more  than  any  other  that  I  have 
written  ;  not  only  by  mens  offence,  but  efpecially  by  putting  me  upon  long  and 
tedious  Writings.  Some  that  publickly  wrote  againft  it,  I  publickly  anfwered. 
And  becaufeof  the  general  noifc  about  it,  I  defired  thofe  that  would  have  me  of 
their  mind,  to  lend  me  their  Animadverfions  ;  which  proved  fo  many,  that  took  me 
up  too  much  of  my  time  to  anfwer  them.  But  it  was  a  great  help  to  my  Under- 
ftandingi  lor  the  Animadverters  were  of  feveral  minds;  and  what  one  approved 
another  confuted ,  being  further  from  each  other  than  any  of  them  from 
me. 

The  firft  that  I  craved  Animadverfionsfrom  was  Mr.  Burgcfi,  and  with  much  ado 
extorted  only  two  or  three  Letters  againft  Juftification  by  Works  (as  he  called  it )  ; 
which  with  my  Anfwers  were  afterward  published;  when  he  had  proceeded  to  print 
againft  me  what  he  would  not  give  me  in  writing. 

The  next  (and  full)  Animadverfions  which  I  received,  were  from  Mr.  John 
Warren,  an  honeft,  acute*  ingenious  man  ;  to  whom  I  anfwered  in  freer  Exprefli- 
ons  than  to  others, becaufe  he  was  my  Junior  and  familiar  Friend ;  (being  a  School- 
Boy  at  Brulgenorth  when  I  was  Preacher  there,  and  his  Father  being  my  Neigh- 
bour.) 

Next  his  I  had  Animadverfions  from  Dr.  John  Wall  is  ,  very  judicious  and  mode- 
rate, to  which  I  began  to  write  a  Reply,  but  broke  it  off  in  the  middle  becaufe  he 
little  differed  from  me. 

The  next  I  had  was  from  Mr.  Cbri/lophcr  Cartwright  of  Tork,  (who  defended  the 
King  againft  the  Mirquefsof  Worcefler  )  :  he  wasa  man  of  good  reading  as  to  our 
later  Divines,  and  was  very  well  verft  in  the  Common  Road,  (  very  like  Mr.  Bur- 
gef)  •  a  very  good  Hebrician,  and  a  very  honeft  worthy  Perfon.  His  Animadver- 
fions were  molt  againft  my  diflin&ion  of  Righteoufhefs  into  Legal  and  Evangeli- 
cal, according  to  the  two  Covenants.  His  Anfwer  was  full  of  Citations  out  of 
Amefiifs,  IVkittahr,  Davenant,  &c.  I  wrote  him  a  full  Reply  ;  and  he  wrote  me  a 
Rejoynder  ;  to  which  my  time  not  allowing  me  to  write  a  full  Confutation,  I  took 
up  all  the  Points  of  Difference  between  him  and  me,  and  handled  them  briefly, 
confirming  my  Reafons,  for  the  eafe  of  the  Reader  and  my  felf  *  .  *This  is 

The  next  Ani  mad  verier  was  Mr.  George  Lawfon,  the  ableft  Man  of  them  all,  rnCedpub" 
or  rf  almoft  any  I  know  in  England;  efpecially  by  the  Advantage  of  his  Age 
and  very  hard  Studies,  and  methodical  Head,  but  above  all,  by  his  great  skill  in 
Politicks,  wherein  he  is  moft  exact,  and  which  contributed  not  a  little  to  the 
underft-mdingof  Divinity.Though  he  was  himfelf  near  the  Arminians(diftering from 
them  in  the  Point  of  Per  fever  ance  as  to  the  Confirmed,  and  fome  little  matters  more) 
and  ib  went  farther  than  I  did  from  the  Antmomians,  yet  being  converfant  with 
Men  of  another  Mind,  to  redeem  himfelf  from  their  Offence,  he  fet  himfelf 
againft  fome  PaiTages  of  mine,  which  others  marvelled  that  he  of  all  Men  fhould 
oppofe  ;  efpecially  about  the  Object  of  Faith,  and  Juftification.  And  afterwards  he 
pubiiihed  an  excellent  Summ  of  Divinity,  called,  Tbeopolitica  ;    in  which  he  infift; 

P  2  ecfx 


108  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

eth  on  thole  two  Points,  to  make  good  what  he  had  faid  in  his  M.  S.  againft  me : 
(  though  the  Reader  that  knoweth  not  what  paft  between  him  and  me,  will  not 
underftand  how  thefe  Pafiages  there  fell  in,  and  fome  Divines  have  told  me  how 
excellent  a  Book  it  had  been,  if  he  had  not  been  led  afide  in  thofe  Particulars  ; 
not  knowing  how  it  came  to  pafs,  the  ableft  Men  being  fometimes  moft  hard- 
ly drawn  to  defert  any  thing  which  they  have  once  affirmed  ).  He  hath  writ- 
ten alfo  Animadversions  on  Hobbes;  and  a  piece  of  Ecclefiaftical  and  Civil  Policy, 
according  to  the  Method  of  Politicks ;  an  excellent  Book,  were  it  not  that  he 
feemeth  to  juftify  the  Kings  Death,  and  meddle  too  boldly  with  the  Political 
Controverfies  of  the  times  ( though  he  be  a  Conformift  )  :  Alfo  1  have  feen  fome 
ingenuous  Manufcripts  of  his  for  the  taking  of  the  Engagement  (  to  be  true  co 
the  Commonwealth  as  eftablifhed  without  a  King  and  Houfe  of  Lords)  his  Opi- 
nion being  much  for  lubmitting  to  the  prefent  PoiTeifor,  though  a  Ufurper  )  :  But 
I  thought  thole  Papers  eafily  anfwerable.  His  Animadverfions  on  my  Papers  were 
large,  in  which  he  frequently  took  occafion  to  be  copious  and  diftinft  in  laying 
down  his  own  Judgment,  which  pleafed  me  very  well :  I  returned  him  a  fall 
Anlwer,  and  received  from  him  a  large  Reply  ;  inftead  of  a  Rejoinder  to  which,  I 
lumm'd  up  our  Differences,  and  fpoke  to  them  briefly  and  diftin&ly,  and  notw 
batirn  to  the  Words  of  his  Book.  I  muft  thankfully  acknowledge  that  I  learnt 
more  from  Mr.  Lawfon  than  from  any  Divine  that  gave  me  Animadverfions,  or  that 
ever  I  converted  with  :  For  two  or  three  Paffages  in  my  firft  Reply  to  him  he  con- 
vinced me  were  Miftakes,  and  I  found  up  and  down  in  him  thofe  hints  of  Truths 
which  had  a  great  deal  of  Light  in  them,  and  were  very  apt  for  good  Improve- 
ment :  Efpecially  his  inftigating  me  to  the  Study  of  Politicks,  (in  which  he  much 
lamented  the  Ignorance  of  Divines)  did  prove  a  lingular  Benefit  to  me.  I 
confefs  it  is  long  of  my  own  Uncapablenels  that  I  have  received  no  more  good 
from  others :  But  vet  I  mufr  be  (b  grateful  as  to  confeis  that  my  Underllanding 
hath  made  a  better  Improvement  (  for  the  fudden  fcnfible  increale  of  my  Know- 
ledge )  of  Grotius  de  Satisfatfione  Chrifti,  and  of  Mr.  Lawfon's  Manufcripts,  than 
of  any  thing  elfe  that  ever  I  read  ;  and  they  convinced  me  how  unfit  we  are  to  write 
about  Chr if i's  Government,  and  Laws,  and  Judgment,  &c.  while  we  underftand  no: 
the  true  Natuie  of  Government,  Laws  and  Judgment  in  the  general ;  and  that  he 
that  is  ignorant  of  Politicks  and  of  the  Law  of  Nature,  will  be  ignorant  and  er- 
roneous in  Divinity  and  the  facred  Scriptures. 

§  15-7.  2.  The  Second  Book  which  I  wrote  (  and  the  firft  which  I  began  )  was 
that  called,  The  Saints  evcrlafimg  Refi  :  Whilff  I  was  in  Health  I  had  not  the  leaft 
thought  of  writing  Books ;  or  of  ferving  God  in  any  more  publick  way  than 
Preaching  :  But  when  1  was  weakened  with  great  bleeding,  and  left  Iblitaryin  my 
Chamber  at  Sir  John  Cook's  in  Derbyfiire,  without  any  Acquaintance,  but  my  Ser- 
vant, about  me,  and  was  lentenced  to  Death  by  thePhyficians,  I  began  to  contem- 
plate more  lerioufly  on  the  Everlafting  Reft  which  I  apprehended  my  felf  to  be 
juft  on  the  Borders  of.  And  that  my  Thoughts  might  not  too  much  fcatterin  my 
Meditation,  I  began  to  write  lomething  on  that  Subject,  intending  but  the  Quan- 
tity of  a  Sermon  or  two  (which  is  the  caule  that  the  Beginning  is  in  brevity  and 
Style  difproportionable  to  the  reft  ) ;  but  being  continued  long  in  Weaknels, 
where  I  had  no  Books  nor  no  better  Employment ,  I  followed  it  on  till  it  was  en- 
larged to  the  bulk  in  which  it  is  publifhed  :  The  firft  Three  Weeks  I  fpent  in  it 
was  at  Mr.  Nowel's  Houfe  at  Kirkby-Maffcry  in  Leicefterfhire  ;  a  quarter  of  a  Year 
more,  at  the  Seafons  which  fo  great  Weaknefs  would  allow,  I  beftowed  on  it  at  Sir 
Iho  Rouis  Houfe  at  Rous- Lencb  in  fVorcefierJhire ;  and  I  finifhed  it  fhortly  after  at  Kid- 
derminfier  :  Theftrfi  and  laft  Parts  were  firft  done,  being  all  that  I  intended  for  my 
own  uie  ;  and  the  fecon d and  third  Parts  came  afterwards  in  befides  my  firft  In- 
tention. 

This  Book  it  pleafed  God  lb  far  to  blels  to  the  Profit  of  many,  that  it  encou- 
raged me  to  be  guilty  of  all  thofe  Scripts  which  after  followed.  The  Marginal  Ci- 
tations I  put  in  after  I  came  home  to  my  Books ;  but  almoft  all  the  Book  it  felf 
was  written  when  I  had  no  Book  but  a  Bible  and  a  Concordance  :  And  I  found  that 
the  Tranfcript  of  the  Heart  hath  the  greateft  .force  on  the  Hearts  of  others  :  For 
the  Good  that  1  have  heard  that  Multitudes  have  received  by  thatWriting,and  the  Be- 
nefit which  I  have  again  received  by  their  Prayers,  I  here  humbly  return  my  Thanks 
to  him  that  compelled  me  to  write  it. 

§  1 J9.  3.  The  Third  Book  which  I  publifhed  was  that  which  is  entituled,  Plain 
Scripture  Proof  for  Infants  Church- Mcmberjhip  and  Baptifm:   being  the  Arguments  ufed 

in 


P  a  a  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  109 


in  the  Difpute  with  Mr.  Tombes,  and  an  Anfwer  to  a  Sermon  of  his  afterward 
preached,  &c. 

This  Book  God  blefled  with  unexpected  Succefs  to  flop  abundance  from  turning 
Anabaptifts,  and  reclaming  many  both  in  City  and  Country,  (  and  fbme  of  the 
Officers  of  the  Iri(h  and  Englijh  Forces  )  and  it  gave  a  confiderable  Check  to  their 
Proceedings. 

Concerning  it  I  fhall  only  tell  the  Reader,  i.  That  there  are  towards  the  latter 
partof  it,  many  enigmatical  Reflections  upon  the  Anabaptifts  for  their  horrid  Scan- 
dals, which  the  Reader  that  lived  not  in  thofe  times  will  hardly  underftand  :  But 
the  cutting  off  the  King,  and  rebelling  againft  him  and  the  Parliament,  and  the 
Invading  Scotland,  and  the  approving  of  thefe,  (  with  the  Ranters  and  other 
Sects  that  (prang  out  of  them  )  were  the  Crimes  there  intended  ;  which  were 
not  then  to  be  more  plainly  fpoken  of,  when  their  Strength  and  Fury  was  fo 
high. 

2.  Note,  that  after  the  writing  of  that  Book,  I  wrote  a  Poftfcript  againft  that 
Doctrine  of  Dr.  Burge*  and  Mr.  Tho.  Bedford,  which  J  fuppofed  to  go  on  the  other 
Extream  ;  and  therein  I  anlwered  part  of  a  Treatife  of  Dr.  Sam.  Ward\  which  Mr. 
Bedford  publiihed  ;    and   it  proved  to  be  Mr.  Thomas  Gataker  whom  1  defended 
who  is  Dr.  Ward's  Cenfbr  ;    But  I  knew  it  not  till  Mr.  Gataker  after  told  mc. 

But  after  thefe  Writings  f  was  greatly  in  doubt  [  whether  it  be  not  certain  that 
allthe  Infants  of  true  Believers  are  juttiried  and  faved  if  they  dye  before  a&uai  Sin] 
My  Realbn  was,  becaule,  it  is  the  lame  juftifying  laving  Covenant  of  Grace 
which  their  Parents  and  they  are  in :  And  as  real  Faith  and  Repmtance  is  that  Con- 
dition on  the  Parents  part  which  giveth  them  their  right  to  a&ual  Remiflion, 
and  Adoption  :  So  to  be  the  Children  of fuck,  is  all  the  Condition  which  is  required 
in  Infants  in  order  to  the  lame  Benefits:  And  without  aflerting  this  the  Advantage 
of  the  Anabaptifts  is  greater  than  every  one  doth  imagine.  But  I  never  thought 
with  Dr.  Ward  that  all  Bapti  fed  Children  had  this  Benefit,  and  Qualitative  Sanctiflca- 
tion  alio  ;  nor  with  Dr.  Burgefi  and  Mr.  Bedford,  that  all  converted  at  Age,  had 
inherent  feminal  Grace  in  Baptifm  certainly  given  them  ;  nor  with  Biftiop  Dave- 
nant  that  all  juftly  baptifed  had  relative  Grace  of  Juftification  and  Adoption  :  But 
only  that  all  the  Infants  of  true  Believers  who  have  right  to  the  Covenant  and  Bap- 
tifm m  foro  Cosh  as  well  as  in  foro  Kcclefia,  have  alfo  thereby  Right  to  the  Pardon  of 
Original  Sin,  and  to  Adoption,  and  to  Hdven  ;  which  Right  is  by  Baptifm  to  be 
fealed  and  delivered  to  them.  This  I  wrote  of  to  Mr.  Gataker  who  returned  me 
a  kind  and  candid  Anfwer,  but  Inch  as  did  not  remove  my  Scruple  ;  and  this  oc- 
cafioned  him  to  print  Bifhop  Davenants  Difputations  with  his  Anfwer.  My  Opi- 
nion (  which  I  moft  incline  to  )  is  the  fame  which  the  Synod  of  Don  exprefleth 
and  that  which  I  conjecture  Dr.  Davenant  meant,  or  I  am  fure  came  next  to. 

Here  note  alfo,  that  Mr.  Tombes  ibllicited  me  yet  after  all  this,  to  write  him 
down  my  Proofs  of  Infants  Church  memberfnip  out  of  the  circumcifed  Church, 
which  I  did  at  large,  as  from  the  Creation  downward,  as  far  as  Proof  could  be 
expected  in  Proportion  to  the  other  Hiftories  of  thole  Times.  Inftead  of  lending 
me  an  Anfwer  to  my  Papers,  he  printed  fome  of  them  with  an  infufficient  Anfwer 
in  his  laft  Book :   Thefe  Papers  with  a  Reply  to  him  I  have  fince  Printed. 

§  159.  4.  The  Fourth  Book  which  I  publiftied  is  a  fmall  one,  called,  The  right 
Method  for  Peace  of  Confcience  and  fpiritual  Comfort,  in  thirty  two  Diretlions.  The  Oc- 
cafion  of  it  was  this :  Mrs.  Bridgis,  the  Wife  of  Col.  John  Bridgis,  being  one  of  my 
Flock,  was  often  weeping  out  her  Doubts  to  me,  about  her  long  and  great  Uncer- 
tainty of  her  true  Sandification  and  Salvation.  I  told  her  that  a  few  hafty  Words 
were  not  Direction  enough  for  the  fatisfactory  refolving  of  fb  great  a  Cafe :  and 
therefore  I  would  write  her  down  a  few  of  thofe  necellary  Directions  which  fhe 
ftiould  read  and  ftudy,  and  get  well  imprinted  on  her  Mind.  As  loon  as  I  had 
begun  I  found  1.  that  it  would  not  be  well  done  in  the  Brevity  which  I  expected. 
2.  And  that  when  it  was  done  it  would  be  as  ufeful  to  many  others  of  my  Flock  as 
to  her  ;  and  therefore  I  bellowed  more  time  on  it,  and  made  it  larger  and  fit  for 
common  ufe. 

This  Book  pleafed  Dr.  Hammond  much,  and  many  Rational  Perlbns,  and  fome 
of  thole  for  whom  it  was  written :  But  the  Women  and  weaker  fort  I  found  could 
not  fo  well  improve  clear  Reafon,  as  they  can  a  few  comfortable,  warm  and  pret- 
ty Sentences ;  it  is  Style  and  not  Reafon  which  doth  moft  with  them  :  And  fbme 
of  the  Divines  were  angry  with  it,  for  a>Paflage  or  two  about  Perfeverance  ;  be- 
caufe  I  had  faid  that  many  Men  are  certain  of  their  prefent  Sanclification,  which 
are  not  certain  of  their  Perfeverance  and  Salvation  ;  meaning  all  the  Godly  that 

are 


1 10  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 


are  affured  of  their  Sandification,  and  yet  do  not  hold  the  certainty  of  Perseve- 
rance. But  a  great  Storm  of  Jealoufie  and  Cenfare  was  by  this  and  fome  fuch 
Words  railed  againft  me,  by  many  good  Men,  who  lay  more  on  their  Opinions 
and  Party  than  they  ought.Therefore,whereas  fome  would  have  had  me  to  retract  it, 
and  others  to  leave  it  out  of  the  next  Impreflton,  I  did  the  latter,  but  inftead  ot  it 
I  publifhed  not  long  after 

§  1 60.  J.  My  Book  called  [  R.  F?s.  Judgment  about  the  Per fever ance  of  Believers  ~\ 
In  which  I  fhewed  them  the  Variety  ot  Opinions  about  Perfeverance,  and  iliac 
Auguftine  and  Pro/ptr  themfelves  did  not  hold  the  certain  Perseverance  of  ail  that 
are  truly  fanctified,  though  they  held  the  Perfeverance  of  all  the  Elect  ;  but  held 
that  there  are  more  Sanctified  than  are  Elect,  and  that  Perfeverance  is  affixed  to 
the  Elect  as  fuch,  and  not  to  the  Sanctified  as  fuch.  (  which  Bilhop  Ujher  averred  to 
Dr-  Kendal  before  my  Face  to  be  moft  certainly  Aufiins  Judgment,  though  both 
he  and  I  did  incline  to  another).  From  hence,  and  many  other  Arguments  I 
inferred,  that  the  fharp  Genfures  of  Men  againft  their  Brethren,  for  not  holding  a 
Point  which  Aufiin  himfelf  was  againft,  and  no  one  Author  can  be  proved  to  hold 
from  the  Apoftlts  Days  till  long  after  Aufiin,  doth  argue  lefs  Judgment  and  Cha- 
rity than  many  of  the  Cenfurers  feem  to  have.  I  never  heard  of  any  Cenlure  againft 
thefe  Papers,    though  the  few  Lines  which  occafioned  them  had  fo  much. 

§  1 61.  6.  Before  this  I  had  publifhed  two  Aflize  Sermons,  entituled,  TrueChri- 
fiianity,  one  of  Chrift's  Dominion,  and  the  other  of  his  Sovereignty  over  all  Men 
as  Redeemer  :  The  firft  was  preached  before  Judge  Atkins,  Sir  The.  Rom  being  high 
Sheriff  :  The  fecond  before  Serjeant  Glyn,  who  defiring  me  to  print  it,  I  thought 
meet  to  print  the  former  with  it. 

§  162.  7.  Alio  I  publifhed  my  Apology  againft  divers  that  had  printed  Books 
againft  many  things  which  I  had  written.  It  confiftethof  five  parrs:  1.  An  An- 
fwerto  Mr.  Blake.  2.  An  Anfwer  to  Dr.  Kendall.  3.  A  Confutation  of  Ludiow£- 
us  Cohinus.     4.  An  Anfwer  to  Mr.  Crandon.     y.  An  Anfwer  to  Mr.  Eyres. 

The  firft,  Mr.  Blake,  a  reverend  worthy  Man  of  my  acquaintance,  in  a  Trea- 
tife  of  the  Covenants  had  written  much,  I  thought  miftakingly  againft  me  j  and 
though  I  replyed  without  any  fharpnefs,  it  was  very  difpleafing  to  him. 

Dr.  Kendall  was  a  little  quick  Spirited  Man,  of  great  Oftentation  and  a  Confide- 
rable  Orator  and  Scholar  :  He  was  driven  on  farther  by  others  than  his  own  Incli- 
nation would  have  led  him  :  He  thought  to  get  an  Advantage  for  his  Reputation, 
by  a  Triumph  over  John  Good-win  and  me  ;  for  thofe  that  let  him  on  work  would 
needs  have  him  conjoin  us  both  together,  to  intimate  that  I  was  an  Arminian  5 
while  I  was  replying  to  his  firft  Affault,  he  wrote  a  fecond  ;  and  when  I  had  be- 
gun a  Reply  to  that,  meeting  me  at  London,  he  was  fo  earneft  to  take  up  the  Con* 
troverfy,  engaging  Mr.  Fines  to  perfuade  me  that  Bifhop  Ujher  might  determine 
it,  and  I  was  lb  willing  to  be  eafed  of  fuch  work,  and  to  end  any  thing  which 
might  be  made  a  Temptation  againft  Charity,  that  I  quickly  yielded  to  Bifhop 
UJhers  Arbitriment,  who  owned  my  Judgment  about  Univerfal  Redemption,  Per- 
feverance, &c.  but  defired  us  to  write  againft  each  other  no  more  j  and  ib  my  Se- 
cond Reply  was  fuppreft. 

As  for  Ludiomam  Cofoinus,  it  is  Ludovicus  Molinaus  a  Doctor  of  Phyfick,  and 
Son  to  Pet.  Molinaus,  and  publick  Profeffor  of  Hiftory  in  Oxford :  He  wrote  a 
fmall  Latin  Tractate  againft  his  own  Brother  Cyrus  Molinaus,  to  prove  that  Jufti- 
fication  is  before  Faith  :  I  thought  I  might  be  bold  to  confute  him  who  chofe  the 
Truth  and  his  own  Brother  to  oppofe.  Another  fmall  AlTault  the  fame  Author 
made  againft  me  (inftead  of  a  Reply)  for  approving  of  Camero  and  Amiraldus's 
way  about  univerfal  Redemption  and  Grace  :To  which  I  anfWered  in  the  Preface  to 
ther  Book  :  But  thefe  things  were  fo  far  from  alienating  the  Efteem  and  Affection 
of  the  Doctor,  that  he  is  now  at  this  Day  one  of  thofe  Friends  who  are  injurious 
to  the  Honour  of  their  own  Underftandings  by  overvaluing  me,  and  would  fain 
havefpent  his  time  in  tranflating  fbme  of  my  Books  into  the  French  Tongue. 

Mr.  Crandon  was  a  Man  that  had  run  from  Arminianifm  into  the  Extream  of 
half  Antinomianifm,  and  having  an  exceflive  Zeal  for  his  Opinions  (which  feem 
to  be  honoured  by  the  extolling  of  Free-grace  )  and  withal  being  an  utter  ftran- 
ger  to  me,  he  got  a  deep  conceit  that  1  was  a  Papift ,  and  in  that  perfuafion 
wrote  a  large  Book  againft  my  Aphortfms ,  which  moved  laughter  in  many,  and 
pity  in  others,  and  troubled  his  Friends,  as  having  difadvantaged  their  Caufe. 
As  foon  as  the  Book  came  abroad,  the  news  of  the  Author's  death  came  with  it, 
who  digd  a.  fortnight  after  its  birth.    I  had  before  hand  [got  all  fave  the  beginning 

and 


■  —         -  .        .     -  .  !!-■!- -— —   ■  ,«  —  ■■-—  —  -  — .  ...  T  ,,  ■     ,        —  _.— 

Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 1 1 

and  end,  out  of  the  Prefs,  and  wrote  fo  much  of  an  Anfwer  as  I  thought  it  wor-  ' 
thy,  before  the  publication  of  it. 

Mr.  Eyres  was  a  Preacher  in  Salisbury  of  Mr.  Crandons  Opinion  ;  who  having 
preached  there  for  Juftification  before  Faith  ,  ( that  is,  the  Juftification  of  Elect 
Infidels  )  was  publickly  confuted  by  Mr.  Warren,  and  Mr.  Woodbrulge  (  a  very  ju- 
dicious Minifter  of  Newbury,  who  had  lived  in  New  England)  :  Mr.  Woodbridgc 
printed  his  Sermon,  which  very  perfpicuoufly  opened  the  Doctrine  of  Juftification 
after  the  method  that  I  had  done.  Mr.  Eyres  being  offended  with  me  as  a  Partner, 
gave  me  ibme  part  of  his  oppofition,  to  whom  I  returned  an  Anfwer  in  the  end  J 
And  a  few  words  to  Mr.  Caryl  who  licenfed  and  approved  Mr.  Crandons  Book,  (for 
the  Antinomians  were  commonly  Independants).  No  one  of  all  the  Parties  re- 
plied to  this  Book,  lave  only  Mr.  Blake  to  ibme  part  of  that  which  touched 
him. 

§  165.  8.  Becaufe  my  Apborifms  had  Co  provok'd  fo  many,  and  the  noife  was  ve- 
ry loud  againft  them,  to  make  the  Paffages  plainer  which  offended  them  (  about 
Juftification,  Smctification,  Merit,  Punilhment,  &c.)  I  wrote  a  Book  ,  called  The 
Confejjion  of  my  Faith  about  thole  matters  :  which  I  gave  the  World  to  fave  any 
more  of  them  from  mifunderftanding  my  Aphonfas,  and  declared  my  Sufbenfion 
of  my  A 'phorijms  till  I  mould  reprint  them,  intending  only  to  correct  two  or  three 
Paffages,  and  elucidate  the  reft  :  But  afterward  I  greatly  affected  to  bring  them 
into  a  f'mall  Syltem  of  Divinity,  which  having  never  yet  had  time  to  write,  I  have 
omitted  the  reprinting  of  them  to  this  day ;  (But  fome  have  furreptkioufly  printed 
them  againft  my  will). 

In  my  Covfeffion  I  opened  the  whole  Doctrine  of  Antinomianifm  which  I  oppo- 
led,and  I  brought  the  Teftimonies  of  abundance  of  our  Divines,  who  give  as  much 
to  other  Acts  befides  Faith,  in  Juftification  as  I.  And  I  opened  the  weaknefs  of 
Dr.  Owens  Reafonings  for  Juftification  before  Faith,  in  his  former  Anfwer  to  me. 
To  which  he  wrote  an  Anfwer,  annexing  it  to  his  Confutation  of  Biddle  and  the 
Cracovian  Catechijm  (  to  intimate  that  I  belonged  to  that  Party  )  that  I  thought  it 
unfit  to  make  any  Reply  to  it,  not  only  becaufe  I  had  no  vacancy  from  better 
work,  but  becaufe  the  quality  of  it  wasfuch  as  would  unavoidably  draw  me,  if  I 
confuted  it,  to  fpeak  ib  much  and  fo  offenfively  to  the  Perfon  ,  as  well  as  the  Do 
ctrine,  that  it  would  have  been  a  Temptation  to  the  further  weakening  of  his  Cha- 
rity, and  increafing his defire of  Revenge:  And  I  thought  it  my  duty  (  when  the 
Readers  good  required  me  not  to  write  )  to  forbear  replying,  and  to  let  him  have 
the  laft  word,  becaufe  I  had  begun  with  him.  And  I  perceived  that  the  com- 
mon diftaft  of  Men  againft  him  and  his  Book  made  my  Reply  the  more  unnecef- 
fary. 

But  for  all  the  Writings  and  Wrath  of  Men  which  were  provoked  againft  me, 
I  muft  here  record  my  Thanks  to  God  for  the  Succefs  of  my  Co'ntroverfal  Wri- 
tings againft  the  Antinomians :  when  I  was  in  the  Army  it  was  the  predominant 
Infection  :  The  Books  of  Dr.  Crijp,  Paul  Hobfon,  Saltmarfl),  Cradock,  and  abundance 
fuch  like  were  the  Writings  molt  applauded ;  and  he  was  thought  no  Spiritual 
Chriftian,  but  a  Legalift  that  favoured  not  of  Antinomianifm,  which  was  fugared 
with  the  Title  of  Free-grace ;  and  others  were  thought  to  preach  the  Law ,  and  not 
to  preach  Chrift.  And  I  confefs,  the  dat  knefs  of  many  Preachers  in  the  Myfteries 
of  the  Gofpel,  and  our  common  neglect  of  ftudying  and  preaching  GraGe,  and 
Gratitude,  and  Love,  did  give  occafion  to  the  prevalency  of  this  Sect,  which  God 
no  doubt  permitted  for  our  good,  to  review  our  apprehenfion  of  thofe  Evangeli- 
cal Graces  and  Duties  which  we  barely  acknowledged,  but  in  our  practice  almoft. 
over-lookt.  But  this  Sect  that  then  Co  much  prevailed,  was  fo  fuddenly  almoft  ex- 
tinct, that  now  they  little  appear,  and  make  no  noife  among  us  at  all,  nor  have 
done  thele  many  years  !  In  which  effect  thofe  ungrateful  Cootroverfal  Writings  of 
my  own  have  had  lb  much  hand,  as  obligeth  me  to  very  much  Thankfulness  to 
God. 

§  164.  About  that  time  having  been  at  London,  and  preached  fome  Sermons 
there,  one  Icrap  of  a  Sermon  preached  in  Weftminfier- Abbey  to  many  Members  of 
Parliament,  was  taken  by  fome  one  and  printed ;  which  is  nothing  but  the  naming 
of  a  few  Directions  which  I  then  gave  the  Parliament  Men  for  Church  Reforma- 
tion and  Peace,  according  to  the  ftate  of  thofe  Times  which  it  was  preached  in, 
(In  Oliver  Cromwell's  time.) 

§  i6j.  10.  And  when  I  was  returned  home  I  was  follicited  by  Letters  to  print 

1m any  of  the  Sermons  which  I  had  preached  in  London  ;  and  in  fome  of  them  I 
gratified  their  defires :  One  Sermon  which  I  publilned  was  againft  Mens  making 
'  light 

\ 


II2  1 ( he  LI F E  of "the  Lib.  I, 


light  of Chrifl,  upon  Matth.  22.  y.  This  Sermon  was  preached  at  Lawrence  Jury , 
where  Mr.  Vines  was  Pallor  :  where  though  I  fent  the  day  before  to  lecure  room 
for  the  Lord  Brogbill,anc\  the  Earl  of  Suffolk,  with  whom  I  was  ro  go  in  the  Coach, 
yet  when  I  came,  the  Crowd  hadfo  little  refpeci  of  Perfons,  that  they  were  fain 
to  go  home  again,  becaufe  they  could  not  come  within  hearing,  and  rhe  old  Earl 
oi  Warwick  (  who  flood  in  the  Abbey )  brought  me  home  again  :  And  Mv.  Fines 
himfelf  was  fain  to  get  up  inro  the  Pulpit,  and  fit  behind  me,  and  I  to  ftand  be- 
tween his  Legs :  which  I  mention  that  the  Reader  may  underftand  that  Verfe  in 
my  Poem  concerning  him  which  is  printed,  where  1  fay,  That 

At  once  one  Fulpit  held  m  both. 

§  166.  11.  Another  of  thofe  Sermons  which  I  publifhed  was,  A  Sermon  of  Judg- 
ment, which  1  enlarged  into  a  fmall  Treatife.  This  was  preached  at  Pauls  at  the 
defire  or'  Sir  Chnftopber  Pack,  then  Lord  Mayor,  to  the  greateft  Auditory  that  lever 
faw. 

§167.  12.  Another  Sermon  which  I  preached  at  Martin's  Church,  I  printed 
with  enlargement,  called,  Catholick  Unity;  mewing  the  great  neceflity  of  Unity  in 
real  Holinefs:  It  is  fitted  to  the  prophaneand  ignorant  People,  who  are  flill  cry- 
ing out  againfl  Errours  and  Divisions  about  lelTer  matters,  while  they  themfelves 
do  practically  and  damnably  err  in  the  Foundation  ,  and  divide  themfelves  from 
God,  from  Chrifl,  from  the  Spirit,  and  from  all  the  living  Members  of  Chrift : 
And  it  fheweth  how  greatly  Ungodlinefs  tendeth  to  Diviuons,  and  Godlinefs  to  the 
truefl  Unity  and  Peace. 

§  168.  13.  About  that  time  I  had  preached  a  Sermon  at  Worcefter,  which  (  though 
rude  and  not  polifhed  J  I  thought  meet  to  print,  under  the  Title  of  The  true  Catho- 
libk,  and  The  Catholick  Church  defcribed :  It  is  for  Catholicifm  againil  ail  Seels ;  to 
/hew  the  Sin  and  Folly  and  Mifchief  of  all  Se&s  that  would  appropriate  the  Church 
to  themfelves,  and  trouble  the  World  with  the  Quefrion,  Which  of  all  thele  Par- 
ties is  the  Church?  as  if  they  knew  not  that  the  Catholick  Church  is  that  whole 
which  containeth  all  the  Parts,  though  fbme  more  pure,  and  fbme  lefs :  eipecially 
it  is  fuited  againfl  the  Romifh  Claim,  which  damneth  all  Chriflians  befides  them- 
felves; and  itdetecleth  and  confuteth  dividing  Principles:  For  I  apprehended  it  a 
Matter  of  great  Neceffity  to  imprint  true  Catholicifm  on  the  Minds  of  Chriflians; 
it  being  a  mo(t  lamentable  thing  to  obferve  how  few  Chriflians  in  the  World  there 
be,  that  fall  not  into  one  Sect  or  other,  and  wrong  not  the  common  Intereft  of 
Chriftianity,  for  the  promoting  of  the  Intereft  of  their  Seel:  :  And  how  lamenta- 
bly Love  is  thereby  deflroyed,  lb  that  moft  men  think  not  that  they  are  bound  to 
love  thole,  as  the  Members  of  Chrifl,  which  are  againfl  their  Party,  and  the  Lea- 
ders of  moil  Sec~rs  do  not  flick  to  persecute  thole  that  differ  from  them,  and  think 
the  Blood  of  thofe  who  hinder  their  Opinions,  and  Parties,  to  be  an  acceptable  Sa- 
crifice to  God.  And  if  they  can  but  get  to  be  of  a  Sed  which  they  think  the  ho~ 
heft  (as  the  Anabaptifts  and  Separating),  or  which  is  the  largeft,  (  as  the  Greeks  and 
Papifts)  they  think  then  that  they  are  lufficiently  warranted,  to  deny  others  to  be 
God's  Church,  or  at  leaft  to  deny  them  Chriflian  Love  and  Communion. 

To  this  fmall  Book  I  annexed  a  Pofcript  againfl  a  ridiculous  Pamphlet  of  one 
Malpas,  an  old  fcandalous  neighbour  Minifler,  who  was  permitted  to  flay  in  by 
the  Parliament,  ( 10  far  were  they  from  being  over-ftriA  in  their  Reformation  of 
the  Clergy)  and  now  is  a  confiderable  Man  among  them. 

§  169.  14.  When  we  let  on  foot  our  AfTociation  in  Worcefterfinre,  I  was  defired 
to  print  our  Agreement ,  with  an  Explication  of  the  feveral  Articles :  which  I 
did  in  a  fmall  Book,  called ,  ChriBian  Concord  :  In  which  I  gave  the  reafbns 
why  the  Epifcopal  ,  Presbyterians ,  and  Independants  might  and  mould  unite 
on  iiich  Terms,  without  any  change  of  any  of  their  Principles :  But  I  confefs  that 
the  new  Epifcopal  Party,  that  follow  Grotim  too  far,  and  deny  the  very  being  of 
all  the  Minifrers  and  Churches  that  have  not  Diocefan  Bifliops,  are  not  capable  of 
Union  with  the  reft  upon  fuch  Terms :  And  hereby  I  gave  notice  to  the  Gentry 
and  others  of  the  Royaiifis  in  England,  of  the  great  danger  they  were  in  of  chang- 
ing their  Ecclefiaftical  Caufe,  by  following  new  Leaders  that  were  for  Grotianifm. 
But  this  Admonition  did  greatly  offend  the  Guilty,  who  now  began  to  get  the 
Reins ;  though  the  old  Epifcopal  Proteftants  confeffed  it  to  be  all  true.  There  is 
nothing  bringeth  greater  hatred  and  fufferings  on  a  Man  ,  than  to  foreknow  the 
mifchief  that  Men  in  power  are  doing,  and  intend  ,  and  to  warn  the  World  of  it : 
For  while  they  are  refolutely  going  on  with  it,  they  will  proclain  him  a  Slandere 

tha 


P  a  r.  t  I.     Reverend  Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  113 


that  revealeth  it,  and  ufe  him  accordingly,  and  never  be  aihamed  when  they  have 
done  ir,  and  thereby  declared  all  which  he  foretold  to  be  true. 

§170.  1  y.  Having  in  the  Pofifcnpt  of  my  True  Catholick,  given  a  fhort  touch  a- 
gainft  a  bitter  Book  of  Mr.  Thomas  Pierce's,  againft  the  Puritans  and  me,  it  pleafcd 
him  to  write  another  Volume  againft  Mr.  Hickman  and  me,  juft  like  the  Man  ;  full 
of  malignant  bitternefs  againft  Godly  men  that  were  not  of  his  Opinion  ;  and 
breathing  out  blood-thirity  malice,  in  a  very  Rhetorical  fluent  ftyle.  Abundance 
of  Lies  alio  are  in  it  againft  the  old  Puritans,  as  well  as  againft  me;  and  in  particu- 
lar in  charging  Hackefs  Villany  upon  Cart-wright  as  a  Confederate :  which  I  inftance 
in,  becauie  I  have  (oat  of  old  Mr.  sifts  Library,)  a  Manufcript  of  Mr.  Cart-w*  ight  's 
containing  his  full  Vindication  againft  that  Calumny,  which  fome  would  fain  have 
fattened  on  him  in  his  time. 

But  Mr.  Pierces  principal  bufinefs  was  to  defend  Grotius  :  In  anfwer  to  which  I 
wrote  a  little  Treatife,  called,  The  Grotian  Religion  dijeovered ,  at  the  Invitation  of 
Mr.  Thomas  Pierce:  In  which  I  cited  his  own  words,  efpecially  out  of  his  Dtf 
cujjio  Apokgetici  Rivetiani,  wherein  he  openeth  his  Terms  of  Reconciliation  with 
Rome,  viz,.  That  it  be  acknowledged  the  Miftrefs  Church,  and  the  Pope  have  his 
Supream  Government,  but  not  Arbitrary,  but  only  according  to  the  Canons  ;  To 
which  end  he  defendeth  the  Council  of  Trent  it  felf,  PopeP*«j's  Oath,  and  all  the 
Councils,  which  is  no  other  than  the  French  fort  of  Popery  :  1  had  not  then  heard 
of  the  Book  written  in  France,  called  Grotius  Papizans,  nor  of  SarraviussEpiftles,  in 
which  he  witnefleth  it  from  his  own  mouth.  But  the  very  words  which  I  cited  con- 
tain an  open  Proteflion  of  Popery.  This  Book  the  Printer  abufed,  printing  every 
Se&ion  fo  diftant,  to  fill  up  Paper,  as  if  they  had  been  feveral  Chapters. 

And  in  a  Preface  before  it,  I  vindicated  the  Synod  of  Dort  (where  the  Divines 
of  England  were  chief  Members  )  from  the  abufive  virulent  Accufations  of  one 
that  called  himfelf  Tilenus  junior.  Hereupon  Pierce  wrote  a  much  more  railing  ma- 
licious Volume  than  the  former,  (  the  livelieft  Exprefs  of  Satan's  Image,  malignity, 
bloody  malice,  and  falfhood,  covered  in  handfome  railing  Rhetorick,  ( that  ever  I 
have  feen  from  any  that  called  himfelf  a  Proteft  ant).  And  the  Preface  was  anfwer- 
ed  juft  in  the  fame  manner  by  one  that  ftiled  himfelf  fbilo-Ttlenus.  Three  fuch 
Men  as  this  Tilenus  junior,  Pierce  and  Gunning,  I  have  not  heard  of  befides  in  Eng- 
land >  Of  the  Jefuites  Opinion  in  Do&rinals,  and  of  the  old  Dominican  Complexi- 
on ;  the  ableft  Men  that  their  Party  hath  in  all  the  Land  j  of  great  diligence  in  ftu- 
dy  and  reading  ;  of  excellent  Oratory  (  efpecially  Tilenus  junior  and  Pierce  )  ;  of 
temperate  Lives ;  but  all  their  Parts  fb  ftiarpened  with  a  furious  perfecuting  Zeal, 
againft  thole  that  diflike  Arminianifm,  high  Prelacy,  or  full  Conformity,  that  they 
are  like  the  Briars  and  Thorns  which  are  not  to  be  handled,  but  by  a  fenced  hand, 
and  breathe  out  Tercatnings  againft  God's  Servants  better  than  themfelves ;  and 
feem  unfatisfied  with  blood  and  mines,  and  ftill  cry,  Give,  Give  ;  bidding  as  lowd 
defiance  to  Chri(tian  Charity,  as  ever  Arrius  or  any  Heretick  did  to  Faith. 

This  Book  of  mine  of  the  Grotian  Religion  greatly  offended  many  others :  but 
none  of  them  could  (peak  any  Sence  againft  it,  the  Citations  for  Matter  of  Fa«5t 
being  unanfwerable.  And  it  was  only  the  Matter  of  Fad  which  I  undertook,  to, 
To. prove  that  Grotius  profeft  himfelf  a  moderate  Papift  :  But  for  his  fault  in  fo  do- 
ing, I  little  medied  with  it. 

§  171.  16.  Mr.  Blake  having  replyed  to  fbme  things  in  my  Apology,  efpecially 
about  Right  to  Sacraments,  or  the  jjft  Subject  of  Baptifm  and  the  Lord's  Supper, 
I  wrote  five  Difputations  on  thofe  Points,  proving  that  it  is  not  the  reality  of  a 
Dogmatical  (  or  Juitifying  )  Faith,  nor  yet  the  Prcfeffion  of  bare  Ajjent  (  called  a 
Dogmatical  Faith  by  many  )  ;  but  only  the  Profejfion  of  a  Saving  Faith,  which  is 
the  Condition  of  Mens  title  to  Church-Communion  Coram  Ecclefia  ;  and  that  Hy- 
pocrites are  but  Analogically  or  Equivocally  called  Chriftians,  and  Believers ,  and 
Saints,  8cc.  with  much  more  to  decide  the  mod  troublefome  Conrroverfie  of  that 
Time,  which  was  about  the  NeceiTary  Qualification  and  Title  of  Church-Mem- 

Ibers  and  Communicants:  Many  men  have  been  perplexed  about  that  Point,  and 
that  Book.  Some  think  it  cometh  too  near  the  Independants,  and  fome  that  it  is 
too  far  from  them  ;  and  many  think  it  very  hard,  that  [  A  Credible  Proffim  ]  of 
True  Faith  and  Repentance,  mould  be  made  the  ftated  Qualification ;  becauie  they 
think  it  incredible  that  all  the  Jewilli  Members  were  fuch  :  But  I  have  fifced  this 
Point  more  exa&ly  and  diligently  in  my  thoughts ,  than  almoft  any  Controverfie 
whatfoever.And  fain  1  would  have  found  fome  other  Qualification  to  take  up  with, 
(  1.  Either  the  Profeffion  of  fbme  lower  Faith  than  that  which  hath  the  Promife 
of  Salvation  ;    2.  Or  at  leaft  fuch  a  Profeffion  of  Saving  Faithi  as  needech  not  to 


!  ^  The  L  IF  E  of  the  Lib.  J. 

bz  credible  at  all,  &c)  But  the  Evidence  of  Truth  hath  forced  me  from  all  other 
ways,  and  (iaffercd  me  to  reft  no  where  but  here.  That  Profejfion  mould  be  made 
neceffary  without  any  refpedt  at  all  to  Credibility,  and  coniequently  to  the  verity  of 
the  Faith  profijfe d,  is  incredible,  and  a  Contradiction,  and  the  very  word  Profeffton 
fignifieth  more.  And  I  was  forced  to  oblerve,  that  thole  that  in  Charity  would 
belive  another  Profejfion  to  be  the  title  to  Church-Communion,  do  greatly  ciols 
their  own  defign  of  Charity  :  And  while  they  would  not  be  bound  to  believe  men 
to  be  what  they  profefi,  for  fear  of  excluding  many  whom  they  cannot  believe , 
they  do  leave  r.hemfelves  and  all  others  as  not  obliged  to  love  any  Church- Member 
as  fuch,  with  t:he  love  which  is  due  to  a  True  Chriftian ,  but  only  with  fuch  a 
Love  as  they  owe  to  the  Members  of  the  Devil ;  and  fo  deny  them  the  Kernel  of 
Charity,  by  giving  the  Shell  to  a  few  more  than  elf;  they  would  do.  Whereas 
upon  my  deepeft  iearch,  I  am  fatisfied  that  a  Credible  Profejfion  of  true  Chrifiiamty, 
is  it  that  denominated  ( the  Adult  )  vi/ible  Chnfliam  :  And  that  this  muft  con- 
tain AfTent  and  Confent,  even  all  that  is  in  the  Baptifmal  Covenant,  and  no  more  ; 
and  therefore  Baptifm  is  called  our  Chriftning  :  But  withal,  that  the  Indepeo- 
dants  bring  in  Tyranny  and  Confufion,  whilft  they  will  take  no  Profejfion  as  Cre- 
dible ,  which  hath  not  more  to  make  it  credible  than  God  and  Charity  require  : 
And  that  indeed  every  man's  word  is  to  be  taken  as  the  Credible  Profejfion  of  his 
own  mind,  unlets  he  forfeit  the  Credit  of  his  word,  by  grofi  ignorance  of  the  Matter 
frofijftd,  or  by  a  Contrary  Profejfion,  or  by  an  inconjijlent  Life  :  And  therefore  a  Pro- 
feilion  is  credible  as  fuch,  of  it  felf,  till  he  that  quellioneth  it  doth  difprove  it. 
Elle  the  Rules  of  Humane  Converfe  will  be  overthrown  :  for  who  knoweth 
the  Heart  of  another  fo  well  as  hehimfelf:  And  God  who  wWlfave  or  damn 
men,  not  for  other  mens  Actions  but  their  own,  will  have  mens  own  cboofing  or 
refufmg  to  be  their  inlet  or  txclufion,  both  as  to  Saving  Mercy,  and  to  a  Church 
flats  :  And  if  they  be  Hypocrites  in  a  falfe  Profelfion,  the  fin  and  lois  will  be  their 
own.  But  I  corrfeli  mens  Credibility  herein  hath  very  various  degrees:  But  though 
my /^n  are  never  fo  great,  that  a  man  diflembleth  and  is  not  fincere,  yet  if  I  be 
not  able  to  bring  in  that  Evidence  to  invalidate  his  Profeffion,  which  in  foro  Feck- 
fa  lhall  prove  it  to  be  incredible^  I  ought  to  receive  him  as  a  credible  ProfeiTor , 
though  but  by  a  Humane,  and  perhaps  molt  debile  Belief. 

§  172.  17.  After  that  I  published  four  Difputations  of  Juftification ,  clearing  up 
further  thofe  Points  in  which  fome  Reverend  Brethren  blamed  my  Judgment  ;  and 
anfwering  Reverend  Mr.  BurgejS  ( who  would  needs  write  fomewhat  againft  me 
in  his  Treadle  of  Imputed  Righteoufnefi )  ;  and  alfo  anfwering  a  Treatife  of  Mr. 
Warners  of  the  Office  and  Objecl  of  Jufiifying  Faith  :  The  Fallacies  that  abufe  ma- 
ny about  thole  Points  are  there  fully  opened. 

If  the  Reader  would  have  the  Sum  of  my  Judgment  about  Juftification ,  in 
brief,  he  may  find  it  very  plainly  in  a  Sermon  on  that  Subject,  among  the 
Morning  Exercifes  at  St.  Giles's  in  the  Fields,  preached  by  my  worthy  Friend  Mr. 
Gibbons  of  Black-Fryars,  (in  whole  Church  I  ended  my  Publick  Miniftryjj  a 
Learned  Judicious  Man,  now  with  God.  And  it  is  as  fully  opened  in  a  Latin 
Difputation  of  Monfieur  le  Blanc's  of  Sedan;  and  Placants  in  Ihef.  Salmur.  Vol  1.  de 
Jujtif.  hath  much  to  the  fame  purpofe. 

§  17;.  J 8.  Near  the  fame  time  I  publilhed  a  Treatifc  of  Converfion,  being 
fome  plain  Sermons  on  that  Subject,  which  Mr.  Baldwin  (  an  honeft  young  Mini- 
fter  that  had  lived  in  my  Houfe,  and  learnt  my  proper  Characters,  or  Short- hand, 
in  which  I  wrote  my  Sermon  Notes )  had  tranferibed  out  of  my  Notes.  And 
though  I  had  no  leifure ,  for  this  or  other  Writings,  to  take  much  care  of  the 
ftile,  nor  to  add  any  Ornaments,  or  Citations  of  Authors,  I  thought  it  might  bet- 
ter pals  as  it  was,  than  not  at  all;  and  that  if  the  Author  mill  of  the  Applaufe  of 
the  Learned,  yet  the  Book  might  be  profitable  to  the  Ignorant,  as  it  proved  through 
the  great  Mercy  of  God. 

§  174.  19.  Alfo  I  publilhed  a  morter  Treitife  on  the  fame  Subject,  entituled, 
A  Call  to  the  Unconverted,  &c.  The  Occafion  of  this  was  my  Converie  with  Bi- 
friop  Ujher  while  I  was  at  London,who  much  appoving  my  Method  or- Directions  for 
i'eace  of  Confidence,  was  importunate  with  me  to  write  Directions  fuited  to  the  vari- 
ous Stares  of  Chriftians,  and  alfo  againft  particular  Sins :  I  reverenced  the  Man, 
but  j  i  (regarded  thefe  Peifuafions,  fappofingl  could  do  nothing  but  what  is  done  as 
well  1  r  better  already  :  But  when  he  was  dead  his  Words  went  deeper  to  my  Mind, 
and  1  purpofed  to  obey  hit,  Counfel ;  yet  fo  as  that  to  the  firjl  fort  of  Men  ( the 
Ungodly  )  I  thought  vehement  Perliiafions  meeter  than  Directions  only  :  And  fo 
for  lu  h  I  publilhed  this  little  Book  j  which  God  hath  bleffed  with  unexpected  Suc- 

cefi 


P  a  r  t  L     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  115 


cefs  beyond  all  the  reft  that  I  have  written  (except  The  Saints  Reft);  In  a  little 
more  than  a  Year  there  were  about  twenty  thoufand  of  them  printed  by  my  own 
Content,  and  about  ten  thoufand  fince,  befides  many  thoufands  by  ftollen  Impref- 
fions,which  poo^Menftole  for  Lucre  fake  :  Through  God's  Mercy  I  have  had  Infor- 
mation of  almoft  whole  Houlholds  converted  by  this  fmall  Book,  which  I  fet  lb 
light  by  :  And  as  if  all  this  in  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland  were  not  Mercy  enough 
to  me,  God  (  fince  1  was  filenced  )  hath  fent  it  over  on  his  Meflage  to  many 
beyond  the  Seas ;  for  when  Mr.  Elliot  had  printed  all  the  Bible  in  the  Indians 
Language,  he  next  tranflated  this  my  Call  to  the  Unconverted,  as  he  wrote  to  us 
here  :  And  though  it  was  here  thought  prudent  to  begin  with  the  Practice  of  Pie- 
ty, becaufe  of  the  envy  and  diftafte  of  the  times  againft  me,  he  had  finifhed  it 
before  that  Advice  came  to  him.  And  yet  God  would  make  fbme  farther  ufe  of 
it ;  for  Mr.  Stoop  the  Paftor  of  the  French  Church  in  London,  being  driven  hence 
by  the  difpleafure  of  Superiors,  was  pleafed  to  tranflate  it  into  elegant  trench,  and 
print  it  in  a  very  curious  Letter,  and  I  hope  it  will  not  be  unprofitable  there ;  nor 
in  Germany,  where  it  is  printed  in  Dutch. 

§  17c.  20.  After  this  I  thought,  according  to  Bifhop  Uftiers  Method,  the 
next  fort  that  I  mould  write  for,  is  thole  that  are  under  the  work  of  Converfion, 
becaufe  by  Half-Converfions  Multitudes  prove  deceived  Hypocrites :  Therefore  I 
publi/hed  a  fmall  Book  entituled,  Direblions  and  Perfuafions  to  a  found  Converfion ; 
which  though  I  thought  more  apt  to  move  than  the  former,  yet  through  the  Fault 
of  the  covetous  Bookfellers,  and  becaufe  it  was  held  at  too  high  a  Price  (  which 
hindred  many  other  of  my  Writings ),  there  were  not  paft  two  or  three  Impref- 
fionsof  them  (old. 

§  176.  21.  About  that  time  being  apprehenfive  how  great  a  part  of  our  Work 
lay  in  catechifing  the  Aged  who  were  Ignorant,  as  well  as  Children,  and  efpeci- 
ally  in  ferious  Conference  with  them  about  the  Matters  of  their  Salvation,  I 
thought  it  heft  to  draw%n  all  the  Minifters  of  the  Country  with  me,  that  the 
Benefit  might  extend  the  farther,  and  that  each  one  might  have  the  lefs  Oppofition. 
Which  having  procured,  at  their  defire  I  wrote  a  Catechifm,  and  the  Articles  of 
our  Agreement,  and  before  them  anearneft  Exhortation  to  our  Ignorant  People  to 
fubrrnc  to  this  way  (  for  we  were  afraid  left  they  would  not  have  fubmitted  to  it)  ; 
And  this  was  then  publifhed.  The  Catechiim  was  alio  a  brief  Confeffion  of  Faith, 
being  the  Enlargement  of  a  Confeffion  which  I  had  before  printed  in  an  open 
Sheet,   when  we  fet  up  Church  Difcipline. 

§  177.  22.  When  we  let  upon  this  great  Work,  it  was  thought  beft  to  begin 
with  a  Day  of  Faffing  and  Prayer  by  all  the  Minifters  at  Worcefter*  where  they 
defired  me  to  preach  :  But  Weaknels  and  other  things  hindred  me  from  that  Day  ; 
but  to  compenfate  that,  I  enlarged  and  publilhed  the  Sermori  which  I  had  prepared 
for  them,  and  entitled  the  Treatife,  Gtldas  Sahianus  (  becaufe  I  imitated  Gildas 
and  Sahianus  in  my  Liberty  of  Speech  to  the  Paftors  of  the  Churches )  or  The 
reformed  Paftor  :  I  have  very  great  Caufe  to  be  thankful  to  God  for  the  Succefs 
of  that  Book,  as  hoping  many  thoufand  Souls  are  the  better  for  it,  in  that  it  pre- 
vailed with  many  Miniiters  to  let  upon  that  Work  which  I  there  exhort  them  to  : 
Even  from  beyond  the  Seas,  I  have  had  Letters  of  Requeft,  to  direct  them  how 
they  might  bring  on  that  Work  according  as  that  Book  had  convinced  them  that 
it  was  their  Duty.  If  God  would  but  reform  the  Miniftry,  and  fet  them  on  their 
Duties  zealoufly  and  faithfully,  the  People  would  certainly  be  reformed :  AH 
Churches  either  rife  or  fall  as  the  Miniftry  doth  rife  or  fall,(not  in  Riches  and  world- 
ly Grandure  )  but  in  Knowledge,  Zeal  and  Ability  for  their  Work.  But  fince  Bi- 
fnops  were  reftored  this  Book  is  ufelefs,  and  that  Work  not  medled  with. 

§  178.  23.  When  the  part  of  the  Parliament  called  the  Rump  or  Common- 
wealth was  fitting,  the  Anabaptifts,  Seekers  &c.  flew  fo  high  againft  Tythes  and 
Miniftry,  that  it  was  much  feared  left  they  would  have  prevailed  at  laft  :  Where- 
fore I  drew  up  a  Petition  for  the  Miniftry,  which  is  printed  under  the  Name  of 
the  Worcefterjhire  Petition,  which  being  prefented  by  Coll.  John  Bridges  and  Mr. 
Thomas  Foley,  was  accepted  with  Thanks  $  and  (eemed  to  have  a  confiderable  ten- 
dency to  fbme  good  Relblutions. 

§  179.  But  the  Sectaries  greatly  raged  againft  that  Petition,  and  one  wrote  a 
vehement  Inve&ive  againft  it ;  which  I  anfwered  in  a  Paper  called,  The  Defence 
of  the  Worceftertynre  Petition  (  which  by  an  Over- fight  is  maimed  by  the  want  of  the 
Anfwer  to  one  of  the  Accufers  Queries ).  I  knew  not  what  kind  of  Perfbn  he  was 
that  I  wrote  againft,  but  it  proved  to  be  a  Quaker,  they  being  juft  now  rifing,  and 

Q,  2  this 


n6  I  he  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  1. 

this  being  the  fir  ft  of  their  Books,  (  as  far  as  I  can  remember  )  that  I   had  ever 

§'i8b.  24.  Prefently  upon  this  the  Quakers  began  to  make  a  great  Stirr  among 
us,  and  a&ed  the  Parts  of  Men  in  Raptures,  and  fpak#  in  the  manner  of  Men  in- 
spired, and  every  where  railed  againft  Tythes  and  Miniflers.  They  fent  many 
Papers  of  Queries  to  divers  Minifters  about  us :  And  to  one  of  the  chief  of  them 
1  wrote  an  Anfwer,  and  gave  them  as  many  more  Queftions  to  anfwer,  entitling 
it,  The  Quakers  Catechijm :  Thefe  Pamphlets  being  but  one  or  two  Days  Work, 
were  no  great  Interruption  to  my  better  Labours,  and  as  they  were  of  fmall 
Worth,  fo  alfo  of  fmail  Coft.  The  fame  Minifters  of  our  Country  that  are  now 
filenced,  are  they  that  the  Quakers  moft  vehemently  oppoftd,  medling  little 
with  the  reft.  The  marvellous  concurrence  of  Inftruments  telleth  us,  that  one 
principal  Agent  doth  a£  them  all.  I  have  oft  asked  the  Quakers  lately,  why  they 
chofe  the  fame  Minifters  to  revile,  whom  all  the  Drunkards  and  Swearers  rail 
againft  ?  And  why  they  cryed  out  in  our  Affemblies,  Come  down  thou  Deceiver ; 
thou  Hireling,  thou  Dog ;  and  now  never  meddle  with  the  Paftors  or  Congregati- 
ons ?  And  they  anfwer,  i .  That  thefe  Men  fin  in  the  open  Light,  and  need  none 
to  difcover  them.  2.  That  the  Spirit  hath  hk  times  both  of  Severity,  and  of  Lenity. 
But  the  Truth  is,  they  knew  then  they  might  be  bold  without  any  Fear  of  Suf- 
fering by  it  :  And  now  it  is  time  for  them  to  fave  their  Skins  j  they  fuffer  enough 
for  their  own  AiTembhes. 

181 .  2f.  The  g;e,ir  Advancement  of  the  Popifh  Intereft  by  their  fecret  agen- 
cy among  the  Sectaries,  Seekers,  Quakers,  Behmenifts,  &c.  did  make  me  think  it 
neceflary  to  do  fomething  dire&ly  againft  Popery  ;  and  fo  I  publi/hed  three  Difpu- 
tations  againft  them,  one  to  prove  our  Religion  fafe,  and  another  to  prove  their 
Religion  unfafe  ;  and  a  third  tofhewthat  they  overthrew  the  Faith  by  the  ill  Reso- 
lution of  their  Faith.     This  Book  Ientituled,  The  fafe  Religion. 

§  182.  26.  About  the  fame  time  I  fell  into  troublefbnf  Acquaintance  with  one 
Clement  Writtr  of  Worcefier,  an  ancient  Man  that  (  had  long  feemed  a  forward  Pro- 
feflbr  of  Religioufnels,  and  of  a  good  Converfation,  but  was  now  perverted  to  I 
know  not  what :  A  Seeker  he  profeft  to  be,  but  I  eafily  perceived  that  he  was  ei- 
ther a  jugling  Papift  or  an  Infidel ;  but  I  more  fufpected  the  latter  :  He  had  writ- 
ten a  icornful  Book  againft  the  Miniftry,  called  Jus  Divinum  Presbyterii,  and  after 
two  more  againft  the  Scripture  and  againft  me,  one  called  Fides  Divina,  the  other's 
Title  I  remember  not :  His  Aflertion  to  me  was,  that  no  Man  is  bound  to  believe 
in  Chrift  that  doth  not  fee  confirming  Miracles  himlelf  with  his  own  Eye*, 

By  the  Provocations  of  this  Apoftate,  I  wrote  a  Book,  ca!!?d,  The  unreafanableneJS 
of  Infidelity,  confifting  of  four  Parts :  The  firft,  of  the  extrinii~k  Witnefs  of  the 
Spirit  by  Miracles,  efo.  to  which  I  annexed  a  Difputation  againft  Cement  Writer ,to 
prove  that  the  Miracles  wrought  by  Chrift  and  his  Apoftles,  oblige  us  to  believe 
that  did  not  fee  them.  The  Second  part  was  of  the  intrinfick  Witnefs  of  the  Spi- 
rit, to  Chrift  and  Scripture.  The  Third  was  of  the  Sin  or  Blafphemy  againft;  the 
Holy  Ghoft.  And  the  Fourth  was  to  reprefs  the  Arrogancy  of  reaforiing  againft 
Divine  P.eveladons.  All  this  was  intended  but  as  a  Supplement  to  the  Second  Part 
of  The  Saints  Reft,  where  I  had  pleaded  for  the  Truth  of  Scripture:  But  thisSub- 
jecSt  I  have  fince  more  fully  handled  in  my  Reafons  of  the  Cbnfiian  Religion. 

At  that  tinx  Mr.  Gilbert,  a  learned  Minifter  in  Shropshire  wrote  a  fmail  concife 
Tractate  in  Latin  (  as  againft  a  Book  of  Dr.  Owen's,  though  his  intimate  Friend) 
to  prove  that  Chrifi's  Death  was  not  neceflary  abfolutely,  but  of  Divine  Free 
Choice  j  and  in  aniwer  to  that  Book,  I  wrote  a  brief  Premonition  to  my  Treadle 
againft  Infidelity  to  decide  that  Controverfy. 

$  183.  27.  Mr.  1 ho.  Foley  being  High  Sheriff,  defired  me  to  preach  before  the 
Judges  j  which  I  did  on  Gal.6.  16.  and  enlarged  it  to  a  Treadle,  entituled,  The  Cru- 
cifying of  the  World  by  the  Crojs  of  Chrift  •  for  Mortification ;  and  put  an  Epiftle  fome- 
what  large  before  it  to  provoke  rich  Men  to  good  Works. 

§  184.  28.  Some  Men  about  this  time  perfuaded  me,  that  if  I  would  write  a 
few  fihgfe  Sheets  on  feveral  Subjects,  though*  the  Style  were  not  very  moving,  yet 
ic  would  do  more  good  than  larger  Volumes,  becaufe  moft  People  will  buy  and 
read  them,  who  will  neither  buy  nor  read  the  larger.  Whereupon  I  wrote  firft, 
One  Sheet  againft  the  Quakers,  containing  thole  Reafons  which  mould  fatisfie  all  So- 
ber Men  againft  their  way. 

§  185-.  29.The  fecond  Sheet  I  called  A  Winding  Sheet  for  P^r^containing  a  Sum- 
mary of  Moderate  and  Effectual  Reafons  againlt  Popery  :  (  which  ilngle  fheet  no 
Papift  hitherto  hath  anfwered  ) 

§186. 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         117 


§  186.  30.  The  third  Sheet  was  called  [  One  Sheet  for  the  Miniftry,  againft  the  Ma- 
hgnants  of  all  forts  ]  ;  containing  thole  Reafbns  for  the  prefent  Miniftry  which  fhew 
the  gre<nnefs  of  the  Sin  of  thole  that  let  againft  them.  It  was  intended  then  a- 
gainft  the  Quakers  and  other  Se£h.rian  Enemies  to  the  Miniftry  :  but  is  as  ufeful 
for  thefe  Times,  and  againii  thole  that  on  other  pretences  hate,  and  filence,  and 
fupprefs  them  ;  and  might  tell  their  Conferences  what  they  do. 

$187.  31.  The  fourth  Sheet  I  called  [A  Second  Sheet  for  the  Miniftry]}  being 
a  Defence  of  their  Office  as  continued,  againfi  the  Seekers,  who  pretend  that  the 
Miniftry  is  cealed  and  loll :  And  it  may  lerve  agaiuft  the  Papifts  that  queftion  our 
Call  for  want  of  a  Succeffion  ;  and  all  their  Spawn  of  Sectaries  that  are  {fill  let- 
ting themfelves  againft  the  Miniftry,  ("and  againft  the  Sacred  So  iptures). 

§  188.  32.  Mr.  William  Montford  being  cholcn  Bayliff  of  Kdtrmmfter,  defired 
me  to  write  him  down  a  few  brief  Inftru&ions  for  the  due  Execut  on  of  his  Office 
of  Magiftracy,  that  he  might  i'o  pals  it  as  to  have  Comfort  and  not  Trouble  in  the 
Review  ;  which  having  done,  confidering  how  many  Mayors,  and  BaylifFs,  and 
Countrey  Juftices  needed  it  as  well  as  he,  I  printed  it  in  an  open  Sheet  to  (tick 
upon  a  Wall,  Entituled,  Direblions  for  Juftices  of  Peace,  e/peciaUy  in  Corporations  ; 
for  the  Difcharge  of  their  Duties  to  God  ;  ( iiiited  to  thole  Times.) 

§  189.  3;.  Mr.  John  Dury  having  Ipent  thirty  Years  in  Endeavours  to  recon- 
cile the  Lutherans  and  Calvani.fts,  was  now  going  over  Sea  again  upon  that  Work, 
and  defired  the  Judgment  of  our  Aflociation  how  it  fiiould  befucce^fully  expedited; 
which  at  their  defire  I  drew  up  more  largely  in  Latin,  and  more  briefly  in  Engli/h: 
The  Englifh  Letter  he  printed,  as  my  Letter  to  Mr.  Dury  for  Pacification. 

§  190.  34.  About  that  time  Mr.  Jonathan  Hanmer  of  Devonjhre  wrote  a  Trea- 
dle for  Confirmation,  as  the  moil:  expedient  means  to  reform  our  Churches,  and  re- 
concile all  that  difagree  about  the  Qualification  of  Church  Members  :  I  liked  the 
Defign  lb  well  (  having  before  written  for  it  in  my  Treadle  of  Baptifm  )  that  be- 
ing requefted,  I  put  a  large  Epiftle  before  it ;  and  after  that,  when  lome  Brethren 
defired  me  to  produce  more  Scripture  Proof  for  it  than  he  had  done,  I  wrote  a 
fmall  Treatife  called,  [Confirmation  and  Reftauration  the  necefjary  means  to  Reformation 
and  Reconciliation.']     But  the  times  changed  before  it  could  be  much  praftiled. 

§  i9r.  37.  Sergeant  Shephard,  an  honeft  Lawyer,  wrote  a  little  Book  of  Sincerity 
and  Hypocnjy  ;  and  in  the  end  of  it  Mr.  Tho.  Barlow  (afterwaid  Biftiop  of  Lincoln) 
wrote  (without  his  Name)  an  Appendix  in  Confutation  of  a  luppoled  Opinion  of 
mine,  that  Saving  Grace  differeth  not  Specie  but  Gradu  from  Common  Grace  :  To 
which  I  replied  in  a  fhoi  t  Difcourfe  called  [  Of  Saving  Faith,  &c.  ]  I  had  moll 
highly  valued  the  Author  whom  I  wrote  againft,  long  before,  for  his  Six  Exerci- 
tations  in  the  end  of  Schiblers  Metaphyficks :  But  in  his  Attempt  againft  me,  he 
came  quite  below  himfelf,  as  I  made  manifeft ;  and  he  refolved  to  make  no  Anfwer 
to  it.  In  this  Tractate  the  Printer  plaid  his  part  lo  lhamefull  v,  that  the  Book  is 
fcarcely  to  be  underitood. 

§  192.  7,6.  Being  greatly  apprehenfive  of  the  Commonnefs  and  Danger  of  the 
Sin  of  Selfijhnefs,  as  the  Summ  and  Root  of  all  pofitive  Evil,  I  preached  many  Ser- 
mons againft  it  ,•  and  at  the  Requeft  of  lome  Friends  Ipubliihed  them,  entituled,  A 
Treatife  of  Self  dental ;  which  found  better  acceptance  than  mod  of  my  other,  but 
yet  prevented  not  the  ruine  of  Church  and  State,  and  Millions  of  Souls  by  that 
Sin. 

§  195.  ;7.  After  that  Ipubliihed,  Five  Deputations  about  Church-Government,  in 
order  to  the  Reconciliation  of  the  differing  Parties  :  In  the  firftl  proved  that  the 
Englifli  Diocefane  Prelacy  is  intolerable  (  which  none  hath  anfwered  )  :  In  the  ie- 
cond  I  have  proved  the  Validity  of  the  Ordination  then  exercifed  without  Dioce- 
fanes  in  England  (  which  no  Man  hath  anfwered,  though  many  have  urged  Men  to 
be  re-ordained  ).  In  the  third  I  proved  that  there  are  divers  forts  of  Epiico- 
pacy  lawful  and  defirable.  In  the  fourth  and  fifth  I  ihew  the  lawfulnels  of  ibme 
Ceremonies  and  of  a  Liturgy,  and  what  is  unlawful  here. 

This  Book  being  publifhed  when  Biihops,  Liturgy  and  Ceremonies  were  moft  de- 
cryed  and  oppofed,  was  of  good  ufe  to  declare  my  Judgment  when  the  King 
came  in  •  for  if  I  had  faid  as  much  then,  I  had  been  judged  but  a  Temporizer; 
But  as  it  was  effectual  to  fettle  many  in  a  Moderation,  io  it  made  abundance  of 
Conformifts  afterwards  (  or  was  pretended  at  leaft  to  give  them  Satisfa&ion  )  : 
Though  it  never  medled  with  the  greateft  Parts  of  Conformity  (  Renouncing 
Vows,  AfTent  and  Content  to  all  things  in  three  Books,  &c  ) ;  and  though  it  un- 
aniwerably  confuted  our  Prelacy  and  Re-ordination,  and  conlequently  the  Renun- 
ciation of  the  Vow  againft  Prelacy  ;   and  oppofed  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm.    But  Sic 

vitant 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J 


vitant  Stulti  V'ttia  (-as  my  Aphorifms  made  fome  Arminians).  If  you  difcover  an 
Error  to  an  injudicious  Man,  he  reeleth  into  the  contrary  Error,  and  it  is  hard 
to  flop  him  in  the  middle  Verity. 

§  194.  38.  At  the  fame  time  I  published  another  Book  againft  Popery,  fit  for  the 
defenfive  Part,  and  inftructing  Proteftants  how  to  anfwer  any  Papift.  It  is  entitu- 
led,  A  Key  for  Catbolicks,  to  open  the  jugling  of  the  Jefuits,  and  fatisfie  all  that  are 
but  truly  willing  to  underftand  whether  the  Caufe  of  the  Roman  or  Reformed  Churches  be 
of  God.  j 

In  this  Treatife,  proving  that  the  Blood  of  the  King  is  not  by  Papifts  to  be 
charged  upon  Proteftants,  I  plainly  hazarded  my  Life  againft  the  Powers  that 
then  were ;  and  grievoufly  incenfed  Sir  H.  Vane  (  as  is  before  declared  ) :  And  yet 
Mr.  J.  N.  was  fo  tender  of  the  Papifts  Intereft,  that  having  before  been  offended 
with  me  for  a  Petition  againft  Popery,  and  (  a  Juftice  of  all  times  )  fpake  againft 
it  on  the  Bench,  and  his  Difpleafure  encreafed  by  this  Book ;  he  took  occafion  fince 
the  King  came  in,  to  write  againft  me  for  thofe  very  Paflages  which  condemned 
the  King-killers :  Becaufe  comparing  the  Cafe  with  the  Doctrine  and  Pra&ice  of  the 
Papifts,,!  (hewed  that  the  Sectarians  and  Cromwelians  had  of  the  two  a  more  plaufi- 
ble  Pretence,  (  which  I  there  recited  )  he  confuteth  thole  Pretences  of  theirs  as  if 
they  had  been  my  own  ;  thereby  to  make  the  World  believe  that  I  wrote  for  the 
King's  Death,  in  the  very  Pages  where  to  the  hazard  of  my  Life  I  wrote  againft 
it ;  when  he  himfelf  took  the  Engagement  againft  the  King  and  the  Houfe  of 
Lords,  and  was  a  Juftice  under  Oliver,  and  more  than  (o,  figned  Orders  for  the  fe- 
queftring  of  others  of  the  King's  Party.  But  the  great  Indignation  againft  this 
Book  and  the  former,  is,  that  they  were  by  Epiftles  directed  to  Rt.  Cromwell  as 
Lord  Prote&or,  which  I  did  only  to  provoke  him  that  had  Power,  to  ufe  it  well, 
when  the  Parliament  had  fworn  Fidelity  to  him  ;  and  that  without  any  Word  of 
Approbation  to  his  Title. 

Yet  thofe  that  were  not  prejudiced  by  partiality  againft  this  Book  (  my  Key  for  Ca- 
tbolicks )  have  let  me  know  that  it  hath  not  been  without  Succefs :  It  being  indeed 
afafficient  Armory,  for  to  furnilh  a  Proteftant  to  defend  his  Religion  againft  all 
the  AlTauks  of  the  Papifts  whatfoever,  and  teacheth  him  how  to  anfwer  all  their 
Books.  The  lecond  part  doth  briefly  deal  with  the  French  and  Grotian  Party, 
that  are  for  the  Supremacy  of  a  Council,  at  leaft  as  to  the  LegrTlative  Power, 
and  (heweth  that  we  never  had  a  general  Council,  nor  can  it  be  at  all  expe&ed. 

§  195".  39.  But  the  Book  which  hath  furniihed  my  Enemies  with  matter  of  Re- 
viling (  which  none  muft  dare  to  anfwer  )  is  my  Holy  Commonwealth  :  The  Occa- 
fion of  it  was  this  j  when  our  Pretorian  Sectarian  Bands  had  cut  all  Bonds  and  pull'd 
down  ail  Government,  and  after  the  Deaih  of  the  King  had  twelve  Years  kept  out 
his  Son,  few  Men  fawany  probability  of  his  Reftitution;  and  every  felf  conceited 
Fellow  was  ready  to  offer  his  Model  for  a  new  Form  of  Government :  Mr.  Hobbs 
his  Leviathan  had  pleafed  many  :  Mr.  Tho.  White  the  great  Papift,  had  written  his 
Politicks  in  Englilh  for  the  Intereft  of  the  Protector,  to  prove  that  Subjects  ought 
to  fiibrnit  and  fubject  themfelves  to  fuch  a  Change:  And  now  Mr.  James  Harring- 
ton (  they  fay  by  the  help  of  Mr.  H.  Nevill )  had  written  a  Book  in  Folio  for  a 
Democracy,  called  Oceana,  ferioufly  defcribing  a  Form  near  to  the  Venetian,  and 
letting  the  People  upon  the  Defires  of  a  Change  :  And  after  this  Sir  H.  Vane  and 
his  Party  were  about  their  Sectarian  Democratical  Model,  which  Stubbs  defended  5 
and  Rogers  and  Needham  (  and  Mr.  Bag(haw  had  written  againft  Monarchy  be- 
fore ).  In  the  end  of  an  Epiftle  before  my  Book  of  [  Crucifying  the  World  ]  I  had 
fpoken  a  few  Words  againft  this  Innovation  and  Opposition  to  Monarchy  ;  and  ha- 
ving efpecially  touched  upon  Oceana  and  Leviathan,  Mr.  Harrington  feemed  in  a 
Bethlehem  Rage  ;  for  by  way  of  Scorn  he  printed  half  a  Sheet  of  foolifli  Jeers,  in 
fuch  Words  as  ldeotsor  Drunkards  ufe,  railing  at  Miniftersas  a  Pack  of  Fools  and 
Knaves,  and  by  his  gibberifh  Derifion  perfuading  Men  that  we  deferved  no  other 
Anfwer  than  fuch  Scorn  and  Nonfenfe  as  befeemeth  Fools :  And  with  molt  info- 
lent  Pride  he  carried  it,  as  if  neither  I  nor  any  Minifters  underftood  at  all  what 
Policy  was ;  but  prated  againft  we  knew  not  what,  and  had  prefumed  to  (peak 
againft  other  Mens  Art,  which  he  was  Mafter  of,  and  his  Knowledge  to  fuch  Ide- 
ots  as  we  incomprehenfible.  This  made  me  think  it  fit,  having  given  that  Gene- 
ral hint  againft  his  Oceana,  to  give  a  more  particuar  Charge,  and  withal  to  give 
the  World  and  him  an  Account  of  my  Political  Principles,  and  to  (hew  what  I 
held  as  well  as  what  I  denyed  ;  which  I  did  in  that  Book  called,  Political  Aphcrifms, 
or  A  Holy  Commonwealth,  as  contrary  to  his  Heathemjh  Commonwealth  :  In  which  I 
picad  the  Caufe  of  Monarchy  as  better  than  Democracy  and  Ariftocracy  •  but  as 

under 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  119 


under  God  the  Univerfal  Monarch;' "Here  Birtiop  Morhy  hath  his  Matter  of 
Charge  againft  me ;  of  which  one  part  is  that  I  fpake  againft  Unlimited  Monarchy , 
becauje  God  htmfelf  bath  limited  all  Monarch*.  If  I  had  laid  that  Laws  limit  Monarchs, 
I  might  among  fbme  men  be  thought  a  Trayror,  and  unexcufable :  but  to  fay  that 
God  Umiteth  Monarch sy  I  thought  had  never  before  been  chargeable  with  Treafon, 
or  oppofed  by  any  that  believed  that  there  is  a  God.  If  they  are  indeed  unlimited  in 
refpe<5t  of  God,  we  have  many  Gods  or  no  God.  But  now  it  is  dangerous  to  med- 
dle with  thefo  matters:  Moft  men  fay  now3  Let  God  defend  htmfelf. 

In  the  end  of  this  Book  is  an  Appendix  concerning  the  Caufe  of  the  Parlia- 
ments firft  War,  which  was  thus  occafioned ;  Sir  Francis  Netherfole  a  Religious 
Knight,  who  was  againft  the  lawfulnefs  of  the  War  on  both  fides,  fent  his  man  to 
me,  with  Letters  to  advife  me  to  tell  Cromwell  of  his  Ufurpation ,  and  to  coun- 
fel  him  to  call  in  the  King ;  of  which  when  1  had  given  him  fatisfa&ion,  he  fent 
him  again  with  more  Letters  ancj  Books,  to  convince  me  of  the  unlawfulnefs  of 
the  Parliament's  War :  And  othe%  attempting  the  fame  at  the  fame  time ;  and  the 
Conftifions  which  the  Army  had  brought  upon  us,  being  (uch  as  made  me  very 
much  difpofed  to  think  ill  of  thole  beginnings  which  had  no  better  an  end ,  I 
thought  it  bed  to  publifh  my  Deteftation  and  Lamentation  for  thole  Rebellious 
Proceedings  of  the  Army,  (  which  I  did  as  plainly  as  could  be  born ,  both  in  an 
Epiftle  to  them,  and  in  a  Meditation  in  the  end),  and  withal  to  declare  the  very 
Truth,  that  hereby  I  was  made  fufpicious  and  doubtful  of  the  beginnings  or  firft 
Caufe,  but  yet  was  not  able  to  anfwer  the  Arguments  which  the  Lawyers  of  the 
Parliament  then  gave,  and  which  had  formerly  inclined  me  to  that  fide.  I  con- 
confefled,  that  if  mens  Mifcarriages  and  ill  Accidents  would  warrant  me  to  Con- 
demn the  beginnings  which  were  for  another  Caufe,  then  I  fhould  have  condemned 
them  :  But  that  being  not  the  way,  I  found  my  felf  yet  unable  to  anfwer  the  firft 
Reafbns ;  and  therefore  laid  them  down  together  ,  defiring  the  help  of  others  to 
anfwer  them  ,  profeffing  my  own  fufpicion ,  and  my  daily  Prayers  to  God 
for  juft  fatisfa&ion.  And  this  Paper  is  it  that  containeth  all  my  Crimes.  Againft 
this,  one  Tomktns  wrote  a  Book,  called,  The  Rebels  Plea.  But  I  wait  in  filence  till 
God  enlighten  us. 

In  the  beginning  of  this  Book  having  reprehended  the  Army,  I  anfwer  a  Book 
of  Sir  Henry  Vane's,  called,  "The  Healing  Queftion.  It  was  published  when  Richard 
Cromwell  was  pull'd  down,  and  Sir  H.  Vane\  New  Commonwealth  was  form- 
ing. 

§  196.  40.  About  the  fame  time,  one  that  called  himfelf  W.  Jobnfin,  (but  I  hear 
his  Name  is  Mr.  Tenet  )  a  Papift,  engaged  me  in  a  Controverfie,  about  the  per- 
petual vifibility  of  the  Church  ;  which  afterwards  I  published  j  the  ftory  of  which 
you  have  more  at  large  in  the  following  part  of  this  Book.  In  the  latter  I  inferted 
a  Letter  of  one  Thomas  Smyth  a  Papift,  with  my  Anfwer  to  it,  which  it  feemeth 
occafioned  his  recovery  from  them,  as  is  manifeft  in  a  Letter  of  Mr.  Thomas  Stanley 
hisKinfman  (  a  fober  godly  man  in  Breadfireet  )  which  I  by  his  own  confent  fub- 
joyned.  To  this  Book  Mr.  John/on  hath  at  laft  replyed  ;  and  I  have  fince  return'd 
an  Anfwer  to  him. 

§  197.  41.  Having  been  defired  in  the  time  of  our  Aflbciauons,  to  draw  up  thofe 
Terms  which  all  Chriftian  Churches  may  hold  Communion  upon ;  I  publifhed 
them,  though  roo  late  for  any  fuch  ufe  (  till  God  give  men  better  minds)  that  the 
World  might  fee  what  our  Religion  and  our  Terms  of  Communion  were  ;  and  that 
if  after  Ages  prove  more  peaceable,  they  may  have  lorne  light  from  thofe  that 
went  before  them.    It  confifteth  of  three  parts  : 

The  firft  containeth  the  Chriftian  Religion ,  which  all  are  pofitively  to  profefs , 
that  is,  Either  to  fubfcribe  the  Scriptures  in  general,  and  the  ancient  Creeds  in 
particular ;  or  at  moft»  The  Confeflton  (  or  Articles  )  annexed  :  e.g.  [I do  be- 
lieve all  the  Sacred  Canonical  Script  wey  which  all  Chrifiian  Churches  do  receive  J  and  par' 
ticularly  I  believe  in  God  the  Father  Almighty,  &c] 

Thefecond  Part  (inftead  of  Books  of  unnecefiary  Canons)  containeth  feven 
or  eight  Points  of  Pra&ice  for  Church  Order,  which ,  fo  it  be  pra<Stifed,  it  is  no 
great  matter  whether  it  be  fubferibed  or  not.  And  here  it  muft  be  underftood  that 
thefe  are  written  for  Times  of  Liberty,  in  which  Agreement  rather  than  Force  doth 
procure  Unity  and  Communion. 

The  third  Part  containeth  the  larger  Defcription  of  the  Office  of  the  Miniftry, 
and  confequently  of  all  the  Ordinances  of  Worfhip  ;  which  need  not  be  fubferi- 
bed, but  none  mould  preach  againft  it,  nor  omit  the  practice  >  except  Peace  re- 
quire that  the  Point  of  Infant  Baptifm  be  left  free. 

This 


|m,,^|wmm^__i   iu     mil    in  n  ■   i    -      -  J—    ■       ■ --     -         ■ —  '      '      ~      ■  .     -■-■■■»..   .i    .      - -.  i  .    — 

120  I  he  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  L 

This  fmall  Book  is  called  by  the  NameofUmverfal  Concord ;  which  when  I  wrote, 
2  thought  to  have  published  a  Second  Part ,  'viz,,  a  large  Volume  containing  the 
particular  Terms  of  Concord,  between  ?.I1  Parties  capable  of  Concord.  But  the 
Change  of  the  Times  hath  neceflarily  changed  that  purpofe. 

§  198.  42.  The  next  publifhed  was  a  Sermon  before  the  Parliament,  the  day 
before  they  voted  in  the  King,  being  a  Day  of  Humiliation  appointed  to  that  end. 
It  is  called  A  Sermon  of  Repentance,  of  which  more  afterward. 

§199.  4;.  The  next  publifhed  was  a  Sermon  preached  before  the  Lord  Mayor 
and  Aldermen  at  Pauls,  being  on  their  Day  of  Rejoycing  for  General  Monks  Suc- 
cefs  to  bring  in  the  King :  It  is  called  A  Sermon  of  Right  Rejoycing. 

§  200.  44  The  next  was  a  Sermon  of  the  Life  of  Faith,  preached  before  the 
King,  being  all  that  ever  I  was  called  to  preach  before  him,when  I  had  been  fworn 
his  Chaplain  in  Ordinary  :  of  which  more  afterward. 

§201.  4f.  The  next  was  called  A  Believer  s  lafi  Work  ,  being  prepared  for  the 
Funeral  of  Mrs.  Mary  Hanrner,  Mother  to  my  Wife  (then  intended,  but  after  mar- 
ried )  :  Its  ufe  is  to  prepare  for  a  Comfortable  Death. 

§  202.  46.  Before  this  (  which  I  forgot  in  its  proper  place  )  I  publi/hed  a  Trea- 
dle of  Death,  called,  The  lafi' Enemy  to  be  overcome ,  (hewing  the  true  Nature  cf 
the  Enmity  of  Death,  anditsufes:  Being  a  Funeral  Sermon  for  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Baker,  Wife  to  Mr.  Jofeph  Baker  Minifter  at  Worcefier  ;  with  fbme  Notes  of  her 
Life. 

§  202.  47.  Another  was  called,  The  vain  Religion  of  the  Formal  Hypocrite:  A  Dif 
covery  of  the  Nature  and  Mifchiefof  a  Formal  vain  Religion,  preached  at  Weft* 
minfier-Abby :  with  a  Sermon  annexed  of  the  Projperity  of  Fools.  This  being  preach- 
ed at  Covent-Garden  was  unjuftly  accufed,  and  publilhed  by  way  of  Vindication, 
with  the  former. 

§  204.  48.  The  next  was  a  Treatife  on  Luke  10.  42.  One  thing  is  needful  •  called, 
[  A  Saint  or  a  Bruit  ]  fhewing  the  Neceflity,  Utility,  Safety ,  Honour  and  Plea- 
lure  of  a  Holy  Life,  and  evincing  the  Truth  of  our  Religon  again  ft  Atheifts  and 
Infidels  and  Prophane  ones. 

§20^.  49.  The  next  was  a  Treatife  of  Self-knowledge,  preached  at  Vunfian'i 
Weft,  called,  The  Mifchiefs  of  Self  ignorance,  and  Benefits  of  Self-acquaintance  ;  which 
was  publifhed  partly  to  vindicate  it  from  many  falfe  Accufacions,  and  partly  at  the 
defire  of  the  Countefs  of  Balcarres  to  whom  it  was  directed.  It  was  fitted  to  the 
Difeafe  of  this  furious  Age,  in  which  each  man  is  ready  to  devour  others,  becaufe 
they  do  not  know  themlelves. 

§  206.  jo.  The  next  was  a  Treatife  called  The  Divine  Life :  which  containeth 
three  Parts ;  The  firft  is  of  the  Right  Knowledge  of  God,  for  the  imprinting  of 
his  Image  on  the  Soul,  by  the  knowledge  of  his  Attributes ,  &c.  The  fecond  is, 
Of  walking  with  God.  The  third  is,  Of  improving  Solitude  to  converfe  with 
God,  when  we  are  forfaken  by  all  Friends,  or  feparated  from  them. 

The  Occafion  of  the  publifhing  of  this  Treatife  was  this ;  The  Countefs  of  Bal- 
carres b?ing  going  into  Scotland,  after  her  abode  in  England,  being  deeply  fenfible 
of  the  loft  of  the  Company  of  thofe  Friends  which  fhe  left  behind  her,  defired  me 
to  preach  the  laft  Sermon  which  fhe  was  to  hear  from  me  on  thofe  words  of  Chrift, 
John  16.  32.  Behold  the  hour  cometh,yea  is  now  come,  thatyejball  be  fcattered  every  man 
to  his  own,  and  Jball  leave  me  algne ;  and  yet  I  am  not  alone ,  becaufe  the  Father  is -with 
me.2  At  her  requeft  I  preached  on  this  Text;  and  being  afterward  defired  by 
her  to  give  it  her  in  Writing,  and  the  Publication  being  her  defign,  I  prefixed  the 
two  other  Treatifes  to  make  it  more  confiderable  ,  and  publifhed  them  together. 
The  Treatife  is  upon  the  moft  Excellent  Subject,  but  not  elaborate  at  all ;  being 
but  Popular  Sermons  preached  in  the  midft  of  diverting  BufinefTes,  Accufations, 
and  malicious  Clamours 

When  I  offered  it  to  the  Prefs,  I  was  fain  to  leave  out  the  quantity  of  one  Ser- 
mon in  the  end  of  the  fecond  Treatife  [  That  God  took  Henoch] :  wherein  Ifhew- 
ed  what  a  mercy  it  is  to  one  that  hath  walked  with  God,  to  be  taken  to  him  from 
this  World ;  becaufe  it  is  a  dark,  a  wicked,  a  malicious,  and  implacable,  a  trea- 
cherous deceitful  World,  &c  All  which  the  Bifhop's  Chaplain  muft  have  ex- 
punged, becaufe  men  would  think  it  was  all  fpoken  of  them  !  And  (6  the  World 
hath  got  a  Protection  againftthe  force  of  our  Baptifmal  Vow. 

§207.  Becaufe  1  have  faid  fo  much  in  the  Epiftles  of  thefe  two  Books  of  the 
Countefs  of  Balcarres,  the  Reader  may  expect  fome  further  fatisfaction  of  her  Quali- 
ty, and  the  Caufe. 

She 


P  a  a  t  1.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 2 1 


She  is  Daughter  to  the  late  Earl  of  Seafortb  in  Scotland,  towards  the  High-lands, 
and  was  married  to  the  Earl  of  Balcarres,  a  Covenanter,  but  an  Enemy  to  Crom- 
well's  pei  fidioufnefs,  and  true  to  the  Pcrfon  and  Authority  of  the  King  :  with  the 
Earl  of  Glencarne  he  kept  up  the  laft  War  for  the  King  againft  Cromwell,  and  his  La- 
dy, through  dearnefs  of  Affection,  marched  with  him,  and  lay  out  of  doors  with 
him  on  the  Mountains.  At  lad  Cromwell  drove  them  out  of  Scotland,  and  they 
went  together  beyond  Sea  to  the  King ;  where  they  long  followed  the  Court,  and 
he  was  taken  for  the  Head  of  the  Presbyterians  wich  the  King,  and  by  evil  ln- 
fhuments  fell  out  with  the  Lord  Chancellor,  who  prevailing  againft  him,upon  fbme 
advantage  he  was  for  a  time  forbidden  the  Court  ;  the  Grief  whereof  added  to 
the  Diltempers  he  had  contracted  by  his  Warfare  on  the  cold  and  hungry  Moun- 
tains, caft  him  into  a  Confumption,  of  which  he  died.  He  was  a  Lord  of  excel- 
lent Learning,  Judgment  and  Honefty;  none  being  praifed  equally  with  him  for 
Learning  and  Underf  landing  in  all  Scotland. 

When  the  Earl  of  Lauderdaile  (  his  near  Kinfman  and  great  Friend  )  was  Pri- 
foner  in  Porrfmouth  and  fVind/or-Caflle,  he  fell  into  acquaintance  with  my  Books, 
and  fo  valued  them  that  he  read  them  all,  and  took  Notes  of  them,  and  earneftly 
commended  them  to  the  Earl  of  Balcarres  (  with  the  King  ).  The  Earl  of  Bal- 
carres met  at  the  firrt  fight  with  fome  PafTages  where  he  thought  1  (pake  too  favou- 
rably of  the  Papifts,  and  differed  from  many  other  Proteftants ,  and  fb  caft  them 
by,  and  lent  the  realbn  of  his  diftafte  to  the  Earl  of  Lauderdaile :  who  preft  him 
but  to  read  one  of  the  Books  over ;  which  he  did  ;  and  fo  read  them  all  (as  I  have 
(een  many  of  them  marked  with  his  hand  Jj  and  was  drawn  to  over-value  them 
more  than  the  Earl  of  Lauderdaile. 

Hereupon  his  Lady  reading  them  alio,  and  being  a  Woman  of  very  ftrong  Love 
and  Friendfhip,  with  extraordinary  Entirenefs  (wallowed  up  in  her  Husband's 
Love,  for  the  Books  fake  and  her  Husband's  fake,  fhe  became  a  mofl  affectionate 
Friend  to  me,  before  me  ever  (aw  me.  While  fhe  was  in  France,  being  zealous 
for  the  King's  Reftoration  (  for  whole  Caufe  her  Husband  had  pawned  and  ruined 
his  Eltate  )  ,  by  the  Earl  of  Lauderdaile^  direction  ,  fhe  with  Sir  Robert  Murray , 
got  divers  Letters  from  the  Paftors  and  others  there,  to  bear  witnefs  of  the  King's 
fmcerity  in  the  Proteftant  Religion  (  among  which  there  is  one  to  me  from  Mr. 
Caches).  Her  great  Wifclom,  Modefty,  Piety  and  Sincerity,  made  her  accounted 
the  Saint  at  the  Court.  When  fhe  came  over  with  the  King,  her  extraordinary 
Refpects  obliged  me  to  be  fb  often  with  her,  as  gave  me  Acquaintance  with  her 
Eminency  in  all  the  forefaid  Vertues:  She  is  of  folid  Underftanding  in  Religion, 
for  her  Sex  ;  and  of  Prudence  much  more  than  ordinary  j  and  of  great  Integrity 
andConftancy  in  her  Religion,and  a  great  Hater  of  Hypocrifie,and  faithful  to  Chrift 
in  an  unfaithful  World  ;  and  fhe  is  fbmewhat  over-much  affectionate  to  her  Friend; 
which  hath  coff  her  a  great  deal  of  Sorrow,  in  the  lofs  of  her  Husband,  and  fince  sheis^ncc 
of  other  fpecial  Friends,  and  may  coft  her  more  when  the  reft  forfake  her,  as^E^f 
many  in  Profperity  ule  to  do  thole  that  will  not  forfake  their  Fidelity  to  Chrift.  Argyll 
Her  eldeft  Son,  the  young  Earl  of  Balcarres,  a  very  hopeful  Youth,  died  of  a 
ftrange  Difeafe,  two  Stones  being  found  in  his  Heart,  of  which  one  was  very  great. 
Being  my  conftant  Auditor  and  overrelpectful  Friend,  I  had  occafion  for  the  juft 
Prailes  and  Acknowledgments  which  I  have  given  her ;  which  the  occafioning  of 
thefe  Books  hath  caufed  me  to  mention. 

§  208.  5-1.  After  our  Difpute  at  the  Savoy,  fomebody  primed  our  Papers  (mod 
of  them  )  given  in  to  them  in  that  Treaty  ;  of  which  the  Petition  for  Peace,  the 
Reformed  Liturgy  (  except  the  Prayer  for  the  King  which  Dr.  W.  wrote  ),  the 
large  Reply  to  their  Anfwer  of  our  Exceptions,  and  the  two  laft  AddrefTes  were 
my  writing :  But  in  the  firft  Propofals,  and  the  Exceptions  againft  the  Liturgy,  I 
had  lefs  to  do  than  fbme  others. 

§  209.  52.  When  the  grievous  Plague  began  at  London^  I  printed  a  half-fheet  (to 
ftick  on  a  Wall )  for  the  ufe  of  the  Ignorant  and  Ungodly  who  were  fick,  or  in 
danger  of  the  Sicknefs  :  (  for  the  Godly  I  thought  had  lefs  need  ,  and  would  read 
thofe  larger  Books,  which  are  plentifully  among  us  ).  And  I  the  rather  did  it, 
becaufe  many  well-winded  People  that  are  about  the  Sick,  that  are  ignorant  and 
unprepared  ,  and  know  not  what  to  fay  to  them  ,  may  not  only  read  fb  fhort  a 
Paper  to  them,  but  fee  there  in  what  method  fuch  Perlbns  are  to  be  dealt  with 
in  fuch  a  Cafe  of  Extremity  ,  that  they  may  themfelves  enlarge  as  they  fee 
Caufe. 

R  fno. 


122  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  Lib.  I. 

§  210.  5"3.  At  that  time  one  Mr.  Nathaniel  Lane  wrote  to  me  to   intreat  me  to 
write  one  fheet  or  two  for  the  ule  of  poor  Families ,  who  will  not  buy  or  read 
any  bigger  Books.    Though  I  knew  that  brevity  would  unavoidably  caufe  me   to 
leave  out  much  neceffary  matter,  or  elfe  to  write  in  a  Stile  lb  concife  and  dole  as 
will  be  little  moving  to  any  but  dole  judicious  Readers,  yet  1  yielded  to   his  per- 
fwafions,  and  thought  it  might  be  better  than  nothing,  and  might  be  read  by  many 
that  would  read  no  larger ;    and  (b  I  wrote  two  Sheets  for  poor  Families :    The   firlt 
containing  the  method  and  motives  for  the  Converfion  of  the  Ungodly.    The  fe- 
cond  containing  the  Defcription  or  Character  of  a  true  Chriftian,  or  the  neceffa- 
ry Parts  of  Chriftian  Duty,  for  the  direction  of  Beginners  in  a  Godly  Life.     Thefe 
three  lafl:  Sheets  were  printed  by  the  favour  of  the  Archbiftiop's  Chaplain,  when 
the  Bifhop  of   London's  Chaplain   had  put   me  out   of  hope  of  printing  any 
more. 
*  of  what      with  all  thefe  Writings  I  have  troubled  the  World  already*:  and  thefe  are  all 
pubSShed  excePc  Epiftles  to  other  mens  Works ;  (  as  one  before  Mr.  SwmnocKs  Book  of  Re- 
fee  after-'  generation  ;  one  before  Mr.  Hopkins  Book  ;  one  before  Mr.  Eedes;  one  before  Mr. 
ward.         Matthew  Tool's  Model  for  Advancing   Learnings    one   before   Mr.  Benjamin  Baxter's 
Book  j  one  before  Mi'.Jonathan  Hanmer's  Exercitation  of  Confirmation  ;  one  before 
Mr.Lawrcnce  of  Sicknels;  two  before  two  of  Mr.  Tombes  Books  ;  and  fbme  others  $ 
(  of  which  there  are  two  that  I  muft  give  lome  account  of) 

The  Bookfeller  being  to  print  the  Aftembly's  Works,  with  the  Texts  cited  at 
length,  defired  me  by  an  Epiftle  to  recommend  it  to  Families  :  I  thought  it  a 
thing  arrogant  and  unfit  for  a  fingle  Perfon,  who  was  none  of  the  Synod  ,  to  put 
an  Epiftle  before  their  Works  But  when  he  made  me  know  that  it  was  the  defire 
of  fome  Reverend  Minifters,  I  wrote  an  Epiftle,  but  required  him  to  put  it  into 
other  mens  hands,  to  publilh  or  fupprefs,  according  to  their  Judgment :  but  to  be 
/lire  that  they  printed  d// or  none.  The  Bookfeller  gets  Dr.  Manton  to  put  an  E- 
piftle  before  the  Book,  who  inferred  mine  in  a  differing  Character  in  his  own,  (as 
mine,  but  not  naming  me):  But  he  leaveth  out  a  part,  which  it  feems,  was  not 
pleafing  to  all.  When  I  had  commended  the  Catechifms  for  the  ule  of  Families,  I 
added,  That  [  I  hoped  the  Ajj'embly  intended  not  all  in  that  long  Confejjion  and  tbofe  Ca~ 
tcchifmsl  to  be  impojed  as  a  Xeft  of  Chnfiian  Communion  ^  nor  to  difown  all  that  (erupted 
any  word  in  it  ;  If  they  had  I  could  not  have  commended  it  for  any  juch  ufe>  though  it  be 
ufefulfor  the  instruction  of  Families^  &c]  All  this  is  left  out,  which  1  thought  meet 
to  open,  left  I  be  there  mifunderitood. 

Alfo  take  notice  that  the  Poem  prefixed  to  Mr.  Vines's  Book  of  the  Sacrament, 
was  not  printed  by  any  order  of  mine.  Having  received  the  printed  Book  from 
the  Stationer  as  a  Gift,  it  renewed  my  Sorrow  for  the  Author's  Death  ;  which  pro- 
voked me  to  write  that  Poem  the  fame  Night,  in  the  Exercileof  my  Sorrow,  and 
gave  it  the  Donor  for  his  Book  ;  and  he  printed  it  without  my  knowledge. 

§2ir.  Manufcripts  that  are  yet  unprimed ,  which    lye  by  me,  are  thele  fol- 
lowing. 
*  Since  i-  *  A  Treadfe  in  Folio,  called,  A  Chriftian  Directory  ,  or  Sum  of  Practical  Divi- 

printed  nity,  in  four  Tomes :  The  firft  called  Chriftian  Ethicks;  The  fecond  Chriftian  Eccle- 
twice.  fiafticki\  The  third  .Chriftian  Oeconomicks^  ThsfourthfihriftianPoliticks.  Itcontain- 
eth  bare  Directions  for  the  practice  of  our  Duties  in  all  thefe  refpe&s ;  as  Ghriftians , 
as  Church- Members,  as  Members  of  the  Family,  and  as  Members  of  the  Com- 
monwealth :  But  there  is  a  fufficient  Explication  of  the  Subject  ufually  premifed, 
and  the  Directions  themfelves  are  the  Anfwers  of  mod  ufeful  Cales  of  Confcience 
thereabouts,  though  the  Cafes  be  not  named  by  way  of  Qiieftion:  But  where  it  was 
neceffary  the  Cafes  are  diftin&ly  named  and  handled. 

My  intent  in  writing  this,  was  at  once  to  fatisfie  that  motion  fb  earneftly  made 
by  Bifhop  Ufher,  mentioned  in  the  Preface  to  my  Call  to  the  Unconverted ,  which  I 
had  been  hindred  from  doing  by  parts  before  :  And  I  had  lome  little  refpe&  to  the 
requeft  which  was  long  ago  fent  to  him  from  fome  Tranfmarine  Divines,  to  help 
them  to  a  Sum  of  Pradical  Divinity  in  the  Englifh  method:  But  though  neceffary 
brevity  hath  deprived  it  of  all  life  and  luftre  of  Stile,  it  being  but  a  Skeleton  of 
Practical  Heads  j  yet  is  it  lb  large  by  reafon  of  the  multitude  of  things  to  be  hand- 
led, that  1  lee  it  will  not  be  of  fo  common  a  u{q  as  I  firft  intended  it.  To  young 
Afinifters,  and  to  the  more  intelligent  and  diligent  fore  of  Mafters  of  Families,  (who 
would  have  a  Practical  Directory  at  hand  to  teach  them  every  Chriftian  Duty ,  and 
how  to  help  others  in  the  practice)  it  may  be  not  unferviceable  . 

2.Ano- 


'  '        ■  ■  ■    ■  ■  ■  ■ 

P  a  r.  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  123 


2.  Another  Manufcript  is  called  [  *  A  Chriftian  indeed  J:  It  confifteth  of  two  *Since 
Parts ;  The  firft  is  a  Difcovery  of  the  Calamities  which  follow  the  -weaknefi  and  Printed* 
faultined  of  many  true  Chriftians,and  Directions  for  their  ftrengthening  and  growth 

in  Grace  :    which  was  intended  as  the  third  particular  Tractate   in  fulfilling  theSincePri^" 
forefaid  requeft  of  Bilhop  Ujlier  $  The  Call  to  the  Unconverted  being  for  that  ibrt  j  tel.as  Di* 
and  the  Directions  for  a  found  Conver/ion,  being  for  the  fecond  fort,  who  are   yet  as  for  weak 
it  were  in  the  birth  :  And  this  being  for  the  weaker  and  faultier  ibrt  of  Chriftians,  Chriftians. 
which  are  the  third  fort.    To  which  is  added  a  fecond  Part,  containing   the  juft 
Delcription  of  a   (bund  confirmed  Chriftian  (  whom  I  call  a  Chriftian  indeed  ) 
in  fixty  Characters  or  Marks ;  and  with  each  of  them  is  adjoyned  the  Character 
of  the  weak  Chriftian,  and  of  the  Hypocrite  about  the  fame  part  of  Duty.     But  all 
is  but  briefly  done  (  the  Heads  being  many  )  without  any  life  or   ornament  of 
Stile. 

This  fhort  Treatife  I  offered  to  Mr.  Thomas  Grigg ,  *  the  fci/hop  of  London's*  No* 
Chaplain,  to  be  licenfed  for  the  Prefs,  (  a  man  that  but  lately  Conformed,  and  deado 
profeffed  fpecial  refpect  to  me  )  ;  but  he  utterly  refuted  it ;  pretending  that  it  fa- 
voured of  Discontent,  and  would  be  interpreted  as  againft  the  Bifhops  and  the 
Times.  And  the  matter  was,  that  in  feveral  Paffages  1  fpake  of  the  Profperity  of 
the  Wicked,  and  the  Adverfity  of  the  Godly,  and  defcribed  Hypocrites  by  their 
Enmity  to  the  Godly,  and  their  forfaking  the  Truth  for  fear  of  Suffering,  and  de- 
fcribea  the  Godly  by  their  undergoing  the  Enmity  of  the  wicked  World,  and  be- 
ing ftedfaft  whatever  it  mail  coft  them,  &c.  And  all  this  was  interpreted  as  a- 
gainft  the  Church  or  Trelattfls.  I  asked  him  whether  they  would  licenfe  that  of 
mine  which  they  would  do  of  another  man's  againft  whom  they  had  no  difpleafure 
(  in  the  fame  words  )  :  And  he  told  me  No  :  becaufe  the  words  would  receive 
their  interpretation  with  the  Readers  from  the  mind  of  the  Author.  And  he  askt 
me,  whether  I  did  not  think  my  felf  that  Nonconformiffs  would  interpret  it  as 
againft  the  Times.  I  anfwered  him,  Yes,  I  thought  they  would  ,•  and  (o  they  do 
all  thofe  Paffages  of  Scripture  which  fpeak  of  Perfection  and  the  Suffering  of  the 
Godly  ;  but  I  hoped  Bibles  mould  be  licenfed  for  all  that.  I  asked  him  whether 
that  was  the  Rule  which  they  went  by,  that  they  would  licenfe  nothing  of  mine 
which  they  thought  any  Readers  would  interpret  as  againft  the  Bifhops  or  their 
Party.  And  when  he  told  me  plainly,  that  it  was  their  Rule  or  Refolution,  I 
took  it  for  my  final  Anfwer,  and  purpofed  never  to  offer  him  more  :  For  I  defpair 
of  writing  that  which  men  will  not  interpret  according  to  their  own  Condition 
and  Opinion  ;  efpecially  againft  thole  whofe  Crimes  are  notorious  before  the 
World.  This  made  me  think  what  a  troublefbme  thing  is  Guilt,  which,  as  Se- 
neca faith,  is  like  a  Sore,  which  is  pained  not  only  with  a  little  touch,  but  fbme- 
time  upon  a  conceit  that  it  is  touched  ;  and  maketh  a  man  think  that  every  Bryar 
is  a  Sergeant  to  Arreft  him  ;  or  with  Cain,  that  every  one  that  leech  him  would 
kill  him!  A  Cawites  heart  and  Ufe  hath  ufually  the  attendance  of  a  Cainites  Gonfcience. 
I  did  but  try  the  Licenfer  with  this  fmall  inconfiderable  Script,  that  I  might 
know  what  to  expect  for  my  more  valued  Writings!  And  I  told  him  that  I  had  trou- 
bled the  World  with  fo  much  already,  and  faid  enough  for  one  man's  part,  that  I 
could  not  think  it  very  neceffary  to  fay  any  more  to  them  ;  and  therefore  I  mould 
accept  of  his  difcharge.  But  fain  they  would  have  had  my  Controverfal  Writings, 
(  about  Univerlal  Redemption,  Predetermination,  &c  in  which  my  Judgment  is 
more  pleafing  to  them  )  ;  but  I  was  unwilling  to  publilh  them  alone,  while  the 
Practical  Writings  are  refufed.  And  I  give  God  thanks  that  I  once  law  Times  of 
greater  Liberty  (  though  under  an  Ufurper  )  j  or  elfe  as  far  as  I  can  difcern,fcarce 
any  of  my  Books  had  ever  leen  the  Light. 

3.  Another  Manufcript  that  lyeth  by  me,  is  a  Difputation  for  fome   Univer- 

fality  of  Redemption  *,  which  hath  lain  by  me  near  Twenty  years  unfiniihed,  part-  *Pnbliflit 
ly  becaufe  many  narrow  minded  Brethren  would  have  been  offended  with  it    and  fmce  the 
and  partly  becaufe  at  laft  came  out  after  Amyraldus,  and  Davenanis  Dijjertations    a  Author's 
Treatile  of  Dallaus,  which  contained  the  lame  things,  but  efpecially  the  fame  S^V^ 
Teftimonies  of  concordant  Writers  which  I  had  prepared  to  produce.  '  Read. 

4.  There  is  atfo  by  me  an  imperfect  Manufcript  of  Predetermination. 
5-.   And  divers  Difputations  of  fufficient  Grace/ 

6.  And  divers  mifcellaneous  Difputations  on  feveral  Queftions  in  Divinity,  cur- 
forily  managed  atsour  Monthly  Meetings. 

7.  And  my  two  Replies  to  Mr.  Cartwright's  Exceptions  againft  my  Aphorifms.  *  ?jnce 

8.  And  my  two  Replies  to  Mr.  Lawjon's  Animadverfions  on  the  fame  Book.        tinted. 

R  a  9.  And 


124  'l'he  LIFE*  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

9.  And  my  Reply  to  Mr.  John  /^rn?»sAnimadverfions  (  which  being  firft  done 
isleaft  dig"  fled). 

10.  And  the  beginning  of  a  Reply  to  Dr.  WaUiss  Animadverfions. 

11.  And  a  Difcouifeof  the  Power  of  Magistrates  in  Religion,  againft  thofe  that 
would  not  have  them  to  meddle  infuch  Matters,  being  an  Affizs  Sermon  preach- 
ed at  Shrewsbury  when  Coll.  Thomas  Hunt  was  Sheriff. 

*  Since  I2.  And  fome  Fragments  of  Poetry. 

Printed.         ^    And  a  Multitude  of  Theological  Letters. 

14.  And  an  imperfect  Treatife  ot  Chrift's  Dominion,  being  many  popular  Ser- 
mons preached  twenty  Years  ago ;  and  very  rude  and  undigeftedj  with  divers 
others. 

§212.  And  concerning  almoft  all  my  Writings  I  mull  confefs,  that  my  own 
Judgment  is,  that  fewer  well  (ludied  and  polilned  had  been  better :  but  the  Read- 
er who  can  fafely  cenfure  the  Books  is  not  fit  to  cenfure  the  Author,  unlefs  he  had 
been  upon  the  Place,  and  acquainted  with  all  the  Occafions  and  Circumftances : 
Indeed  for  the  Saints  Reft  I  had  Four  Months  Vacancy  to  write  it  (  but  in  the 
mid  ft  of  continual  Languifhing  and  Medicine  ):  But  for  the  reft  I  wrote  them  in 
the  Crowd  of  all  my  other  lmpioyments,which  would  allow  me  no  great  Leifurefor 
Polifhing  and  Exactnefs,  or  any  Ornament ;  fo  that  I  fcarce  ever  wrote  one  Sheet 
twice  over,  nor  flayed  to  make  any  Blots  or  Interlinings,  but  was  fain  to  let  it  go 
as  it  was  firft  conceived  :  And  when  my  own  Defire  was  rather  to  flay  upon  one 
thing  long,  than  run  over  many,  fome  fiidden  Occafions  or  other  extorted  almoft 
all  my  Writings  from  me  :  and  the  Apprehenfions  of  Prefent  Ufefulnefs  or  NeceJJity 
prevailed  againil  all  other  Motives.  So  that  the  Divines  which  were  at  hand  with 
me  ftili  put  me  on  and  approved  of  what  I  did,  becaufe  they  were  moved  by  pre- 
fent NeceJJlties  as  well  as  1  :  But  thofe  that  were  far  off,  and  felt  not  thole  nearer 
Motives  did  rather  wifli  that  I  had  taken  the  other  way,  and  publimed  a  few  ela- 
borate Writings ;  and  I  am  ready  my  felf  to  be  of  their  Mind,  when  I  forgot  the 
Cafe  that  then  I  ftood  in,  and  have  loft  the  Senfe  of  former  Motives.  The  oppo- 
fing  of  the  An^baptifts,  Separatifts,  Quakers,  Antinomians,  Seekers,  &c.  were 
Woi  ks  which  then  feemed  necelfary  ;  and  fo  did  the  Debates  about  Church  Go- 
vernment and  Communion  which  touched  our  prefent  Pradice  ;  but  now  all  thofe 
Reasons  aie  paft  and  gone,I  could  wifli  I  had  rather  been  doing  fome  work  of  more 
durable  Ufefulnefs.  But  even  to  a  forefeeing  Man,  who  knoweth  what  will  be  of  long- 
eft  ufe,  it  is  hard  to  difcern  how  far  that  which  is  prefently  needful  may  be  omitted, 
for  the  fake  of  a  greater  future  Good.  There  are  fome  other  works,  wherein  my 
Heart  hath  more  been  fet  than  any  of  thofe  forementioned  j  in  which  I  have  met 
with  great  Obftru&ions.  For  I  muft  declare  that  in  this  as  in  many  other  Mat- 
ters 1  have  found  that  we  are  not  the  Choofers  of  our  own  Imployments,  no  more 
than  of  our  own  SuccefTes. 

§  213.  Becaufe  it  is  Soul-Experiments  which  thofe  that  urge  me  to  this  kind  of 
Writing,  do  expect  that  I  mould  efpecially  communicate  to  others,  and  I  have  faid 
little  of  God's  dealing  with  my  Soul  fince  the  time  of  my  younger  Years,  1  mail 
only  give  the  Reader  fo  much  Satisfaction,  as  to  acquaint  him  truly  what  Change 
God  hath  made  upon  my  Mind  and  Heart  fince  thofe  unriper  times,  and  where- 
in I  now  differ  in  Judgment  and  Difpofition  from  my  felf:  And  for  any  more  par- 
ticular Account  of  Heart-Occurrences,  and  God's  Operations  on  me,  I  think  it 
fomewhat  unfavory  to  recite  them  j  feeing  God's  Dealings  are  much  what  the 
fame  with  all  his  Servants  in  the  main,  and  the  Points  wherein  he  varieth  are  ufu- 
ally  fo  f  mall,  that  I  think  not  fuch  fit  to  be  repeated  :  Nor  have  I  any  thing  extra- 
ordinary to  glory  in,  which  is  not  common  to  the  reft  of  my  Brethren,  who  have 
the  fame  Spirit,  and  are  Servants  of  the  fame  Lord.  And  the  true  Reafon  why  I 
do  adventure  fo  far  upon  the  Cenfure  of  the  World,  as  to  tell  them  wherein  the 
Cafe  is  altered  with  me,  is  that  I  may  take  off  young  unexperienced  Chriftians 
from  being  over  confident  in  their  firft  Apprehenfions,  or  overvaluing  their  firft 
degrees  of  Grace,  or  too  much  applauding  and  following  unfurnifhed  unexperi- 
enced Men  ;  but  may  fomewhat  be  directed  w#hat  Mind  and  Courfe  of  Life  to  pre- 
fer, by  the  Judgment  of  one  that  hath  tryed  both  before  them. 
<  i.The  Temper  of  my  Mind  hath  fomewhat  altered  with  the  Temper  of  my  Body. 
When  I  was  young,  I  was  more  vigorous,  affectionate  ^  and  fervent  in  Preaching,  Con- 
ference and  Prayer,  than  (ordinarily  )  I  can  be  now  ;  my  Stile  was  more  extern  - 
porate  and  laxe,  but  by  the  Advantage  of  Affettion,  and  a  very  familiar  moving 
Voice  and  Utterance,  my  preaching  then  did  more  affect  the  Auditory,  than 
many  of  the  latt  Years  before  I  gave  over  Preaching ;  but  yet  what  I  delivered  was 

much 


Part  1.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         12 

much  more  raw,  and  had  more  Paflages  that  would  not  bear  the  Tryal  of  accurate 
Judgments  ;  and  my  Difcourles  had  both  lefs  Subftance  and  lels  Judgment  than  of 
late. 

2.  My  underftanding  was  then  quicker,  and  could  eafilyer  manage  any  thing  that 
was  newly  prefented  to  it  upon  a  fudden  ;  but  it  is  fince  better  furnijked,  and 
acquainted  with  the  ways  of  Truth  and  Error,  and  with  a  Multitude  of  particular 
Miftakes  of  the  World,  which  then  I  was  the  more  in  Danger  of,  becaufe  I  had 
only  the  Faculty  of  Knowing  them,  but  did  not  actually  know  them.  I  was  then 
like  a  Man  of  a  quick  Underftanding  that  was  to  travail  a  way  which  he  never 
went  before,  or  to  call  up  an  Account  which  he  never  laboured  in  before,  or  to 
play  on  an  Inftrument  of  Mufick  which  he  never  faw  before  :  And  I  am  now  like 
one  of  Ibmewhat  a  flower  Underftanding  (by  that  prematura  fenectus  which  weak- 
nefs  and  exceflive  bleedings  brought  me  to )  who  is  travelling  a  Way  which  he 
hath  often  gone,  and  is  carting  up  m  Account  which  he  hath  often  caft  up,  and 
hath  ready  at  hand,  and  that  is  playing  on  an  Inftrument  which  he  hath  often 
playd  on  :  So  that  1  can  very  confidently  fay,  that  my  Judgment  is  much  founder 
and  firmer  now  than  it  was  then  ;  for  though  I  am  now  as  competent  Judge  of  the 
Actings  of  my  own  Underftanding  then,  yet  I  can  judge  of  the  Effeifs :  And  when 
I  perufe  the  Writings  which  I  wrote  in  my  younger  Years,  I  can  find  the  Footfteps 
of  my  unfurnilhed  Mind,  and  of  my  Emptynefs  and  Inefficiency :  So  that  the 
Man  that  followed  my  Judgment  then,  was  liker  to  have  been  milled  by  me, 
than  he  that  Ihould  follow  it  now. 

And  yet,  that  I  may  not  fay  worfe  than  it  deferveth  of  my  former  meafure  of 
Underftanding,  I  mall  truly  tell  you  what  change  I  rind  now,   in  the  perufal  of 
my  own  Writings.    Thole  Points  which  then  I  throughly  fludted,  my  Judgment  is 
the  fame  of  now,  as  it  was  then  ;  and  therefore  in  the  Subflance  of  my  Religion,  and 
in  thole  Controverfies  which  I  then  fearcht  into,  with  lome  etxraordinary  Dili- 
gence, I  rind  not  my  mind  difpoled  to  a  Change :  But  in  divers  Points  that  I  ftudi- 
ed  (lightly  and  by  the  halves,  and  in  many  things  which  I  took  upon  truft  from 
others,  I  have  found  fince  that  my  Apprehenfions  were  either  erroneous,   or  very 
lame.     And  thole  things  which  I  was  Orthodox  in,  I  had  either  inefficient  Realbns 
for,  or  a  mixture  of  fome  found  and  ibme  inefficient  ones,  or  elfe  an  inefficient 
Apprehenfion  of  thole  Reafons;    lb  that  Ifcarcely  knew  what  I  feemed  to  know  : 
And  though  in  my  Writings  I  found  little  in  fubftance  which  my  prefent  Judgment 
differeth   from  ,  yet   in   my   Afhortfms  and    Saints  Reft  ( which  were  my   firfl 
Writings )  I  find  lbme  raw  unmeet  Expreffions ;  and  one   common  Infirmity  I 
perceive,  that  I  put  off  Matters  with  lbme  kind  of  Confidence,  as  if  I  had  done 
fbme.thing  new  or  more  than  ordinary  in  them,  when  upon  my  more  mature  Re- 
views,   I  find  that  I  laid  not  halt  that  which  the  Subject  did  require :  As  E.  g.  in 
the  Do&rine  of  the  Covenants,  and  of  Juftifi cation,  but  efpecially  about  the  Di- 
vine Authority  of  the  Scripture  in  the  fecond  part  of  the  Saints  Reft  ;    where  I 
have  not  (aid  half  that  Ihould  have  been  laid  j    and  the  Realbn  was,   becaufe  that 
I  had  not  read  any  of  the  fuller  fort  of  Books  that  are  written  on  thole  Subje&s, 
nor  converted  with  thole  that  knew  more  than  my  (elf,  and  lo  all  thole  things 
were  either  new  or  great  to  me,  which  were  common  and  fmall  perhaps  to  others; 
and  becaufe  they  all  came  in  by  the  way  of  my  own  Study  of  the  naked  matter, 
and  not   from  Books,   they  were  apt  to  affeft  my  mind  the  more,  and  to  feem 
greater  than  i hey  were.     And  this  Token  of  my  Weaknefs  accompanied  thole  my 
younger  Studies,  that  I  was  very  apt  to  ltart  up  Controverfies  in  the  way  of  my 
Practical  Writings,  and  alio  more  defirous  to  acquaint  the  World  with  all  that  I. 
took   to   be  the  Truth,    and  to  affault  thole  Books  by  Name  which  I  thought  did 
tend  to  deceive  them,  and  did  contain  unfound  and  dangerous  Do&rine  :  And  the 
Reaibn  of  all  this  was,  that  I  was  then  in  the  vigour  of  my  youthful  Apprehenfi- 
ons, and  the  new  Appearance  of  any  facred  Truth,  it  was  more  apt  to  affect  me, 
and  be  h»ghlyer  valued,  than  afterward,  when  commonnels  had  dulled  my  De- 
light ;  and  I  did  not  efficiently  difcern  then  how  much  in  molt  of  our  Controver- 
fies is  verbal,  and  upon  mutual  Miftakes.     And  withal  I  know  not  how  impatient 
Divines  were  of  being  contradi&ed,  nor  how  it  would  ftir  up  all  their  Powers  to 
defend  what  they  have  once  laid,  and  to  rile  up  againft  the  Truth  which  is  thus 
thruftupon  them,  as  the  mortal  Enemy  of  their  Honour :    And  I  knew  not  how 
hardly  Mens  Minds  are  charged  from  their  former  Apprehenfions  be  the  Evidence 
never  lb  plain.    And  I  have  perceived,  that  nothing  fo  much  hindreth  the  Recep- 
tion of  the  Truth,  as  urging  it  on  I$en  with  too  harm  Importunity,  and  falling 
too  heavily  en  their  Errors :  For  hereby  you  engage  their  Honour  in  the  bufinefs, 

and 


xM  The  LIFE  of  the'  L  i  b.  1 


ahd  they  defend  their  Errors  as  themfelves,  and  ftir  up  all  their  Wit  and  Ability 
to  oppofe  you  :  In  controversies  it  is  fierce  Oppofition  which  is  the  Bellows  to 
kindle  a  refitting  Zeal ;  when  if  they  be  neglected,  and  their  Opinions  lie  a  while 
defpifed,  they  ufually  cool  and  come  again  to  themfelves  (  though  1  know  that  this 
holdeth  not  when  the  Greedinefs  and  Increafe  of  his  Followers,  dotli  animate  a 
Sectary,  even  though  he  have  noOppofition).  Men  are  ib  loth  to  be  drenched  with 
the  Truth,  that  I  am  no  more  for  going  that  way  to  work ;  and  to  confefs  the 
Truth,  I  am  lately  much  prone  to  the  contrary  Extream,  to  be  too  indifferent  what 
Men  hold,  and  to  keep  my  Judgment  to  my  felf,  and  never  to  mention  any  thing 
wherein  I  differ  from  another,  or  any  thing  which  I  think  I  know  more  than  he  ; 
or  at  leaft,  if  he  receive  it  not  prefently  to  filence  it,  and  leave  him  to  his  own 
Opinion  :  And  I  find  this  Effect  is  mixed  according  to  its  Caufes,  which  are  fbme 
good,  and  fome  bad:  The  bad  Caufes  are  i.  An  Impatience  of  Mens  weaknefs  and 
miftaking  frowardnefs  and  Self-conceitednefs.  2.  An  Abatement  of  my  fenfible 
Efteem  of  Truth,  through  the  long  abode  of  them  on  my  Mind :  Though  my 
Judgment  value  them,  yet  it  is  hard  to  be  equally  affetted  with  old  and  common 
things,  as  with  new  and  rare  ones.  The  better  Caules  are  1.  That  I  am  much  more 
ienfible  than  ever  of  the  neceffity  of  living  upon  the  Principles  of  Religion,  which 
we  are  all  agreed  in,  and  uniting  thefe ;  and  how  much  Mifchief  Men  that  over- 
value their  own  Opinions  have  done  by  their  Controverfies  in  the  Church  ■-,  how 
fome  have  deftroyed  Charity,  and  fome  caufed  Schifms  by  them,  and  molt  have 
hindered  Godlynefs  in  themfelves  and  others,  and  ufed  them  to  divert  Men  from 
the  ferious  profecuting  of  a  holy  Life  ;  and  as  Sir  Francis  Bacon  faith,  (  in  his  Effaj 
of  Peace  )  that  it's  one  great  Benefit  of  Church-Peace  and  Concord,  that  writing 
Controverfies  is  turned  into  Books  of  practical  Devotion  for  increafe  of  Piety  and 
Virtue.  2.  And  I  find  that  it's  much  more  for  mod  Mens  Good  and  Edification,  to 
converfe  with  them  only  in  that  way  of  Godlinefs  which  all  are  agreed  in,  and  not 
by  touching  upon  Differences  to  ftir  up  their  Corruptions ;  and  to  tell  them  of  lit- 
tle more  of  your  Knowledge,  than  what  you  find  them  willing  to  receive  from 
you  as  meer  Learners ;  and  therefore  to  ftay  till  they  crave  Information  of  you  (  as 
Mufculm  did  with  the  Anabaptifts ;  when  he  vifited  them  in  Prifon,  and  converfed 
kindly  and  lovingly  with  them,  and  fhewed  them  all  the  Love  he  could,  and  ne- 
ver talkt  to  them  of  their  Opinions,  till  at  laft  they  who  were  wont  to  call  him  a 
Deceiver  and  falfe  Prophet,  did  intreat  him  to  inftruct  them,  and  received  his 
Inftru&ions ).  We  miftake  MensDifeafes  when  we  think  there  needeth  nothing  to 
cure  their  Errors ;  but  only  to  bring  them  the  Evidence  of  Truth  :  Alas !  there  are 
many  Diftempers  of  Mind  to  be  removed,before  Men  are  apt  to  receive  that  Evidence. 
And  therefore  that  Church  is  happy  where  Order  is  kept  up,  and  the  Abilities  of 
the  Minifters  command  a  reverend  Submiffion  from  the  Hearers  j  and  where  all 
are  in  Chrift's  School  in  the  diftinct  Ranks  of  Teachers  and  Learners :  For  in  a 
learning  way  Men  are  ready  to  receive  the  Truth,  but  in  a  Difputing  way  they 
come  armed  againft  it  with  Prejudice  and  Animofity, 

3.  And  I  mud  fay  farther,  that  what  I  laft  mentioned  on  the  by,  is  one  of  the 
notableft  Changes  of  my  Mind  :  In  my  youth  I  was  quickly  pair  my  Fundamen- 
tals, and  was  running  up  into  a  multitude  of  Controverfies,  and  greatly  delighted 
with  metaphifical  and  fcholaftick  Writings  (  though  I  muft  needs  fay,  my  Preach- 
ing was  ftill  on  the  neceffary  Points  ):  But  the  elder  I  grew  the  fmaller  ftrefs  I 
layd  upon  thefe  Controverfies  and  Curiofities  (though  ftill  my  intellect  abhorreth 
Confufion  ),  as  finding  far  greater  Uncertainties  in  them,  than  I  at  firft  difcerned, 
and  finding  lefs  Ufefulnefs  comparatively,  even  where  there  is  the  greateft  Certainty. 
And  now  it  is  the  fundamental  Doctrines  of  the  Catechilm,  which  1  highlieft  value, 
and  daily  think  of,  and  find  moft  uleful  to  my  felf  and  others :  The  Creed,  the 
Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Ten  Commandments,  do  find  me  now  the  moft  acceptable 
and  plentiful  matter,  for  all  my  Meditations :  They  are  to  me  as  my  daily  Bread 
and  Drink  :  And  as  I  can  fpeak  and  write  of  them  over  and  over  again  ,•  fo  J  had 
rather  read  or  hear  of  them,  than  of  any  of  the  School  Niceties,  which  once  fo 
much  pleafed  me.  And  thus  I  obferved  it  was  with  old  Biftiop  Ufier,  and  with  ma- 
ny other  Men :  And  I  conjecture  that  this  Effect  alfo  is  mixt  of  good  and  bad, 
according  to  its  Caufes. 

The  bad  Caufe  may  perhaps  be  fome  natural  Infirmity  and  Decay  :  And  as  Trees 
in  the  Spring  (hoot  up  into  Branches,  Leaves  and  Blolfoms ;  but  in  the  Autumn  the 
Life  draws  down  into  the  Root ;  fo  poffibly,  my  Nature  confeious  of  its  Infirmi- 
ty and  Decay,  may  find  it  lelf  infufficient  for  numerous  Particles,  and  Affurgency 
to  the  attempting  of  difficult  things  $   and  fo  my  Mind  may  retire  to  the  Root  of 

Chriftian 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  127 

Ghriftian  Principles ;  and  alfo  I  have  often  been  afraid,  left  ill  rooting  at  firft,  and 
many  Temptations  afterwards,  have  made  it  more  neceifary  for  me  than  many  others 
to  retire  to  the  Root,  and  fecure  my  Fundamentals.  But  upon  much  Obfervation 
I  am  afraid  left  moft  others  are  in  no  better  a  Cafe  ;  and  that  at  the  firft  they  take 
it  for  a  granted  thing,  that  Chrift  is  the  Saviour  of  the  World,  and  that  the  Soul  is 
Immortal,  and  that  there  is  a  Heaven  and  a  Hell,  &c.  while  they  are  ftudying 
abundance  of  Scholaftick  Superftru&ures,  and  at  lait  will  find  caufe  to  ftudy  more 
ibundly  their  Religion  it  left,  as  well  as  I  have  done. 

The  better  Caufes  are  thefe :  i.  I  value  all  things  according  to  their  Ufe  and 
Ends ;  and  I  find  in  the  daily  Pra&ice  and  Experience  of  my  Soul,  that  the  Know- 
ledge of  God  and  Chrift,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the  Truth  of  Scripture,  and  the 
Life  to  come,and  of  a  Holy  Life,  is  of  wore  ufe  to  me,than  all  the  moft  curious  Specu- 
lations. 2.  I  know  that  every  Man  muft  grow  (  as  Trees  do  )  downwards  and 
upwards  both  at  once  ;  and  that  the  Roots  increafe  as  the  Bulk  and  Branches  do. 
3.  Being  nearer  Death  and  another  World,  I  am  the  more  regardful  of  chofe 
things  which  my  Everlafting  Life  or  Death  depend  on.  4.  Having  moft  10  do 
with  ignorant  miferable  People,  I  am  commanded  by  my  Charity  and  Reafbn,  to 
treat  with  them  of  that  which  their  Salvation  lyeth  on  ;  and  not  to  diipute  with 
them  of  Formalities  and  Niceties,  when  the  Queftion  is  prefently  to  be  deter- 
mined whether  they  fhall  dwell  for  ever  in  Heaven  or  in  Hell.  In  a  Word,  my 
Meditations  muft  be  moft  upon  the  matters  of  my  Practice  snd  my  Incereft :  And 
as  the  Love  of  God,  and  the  feeking  of  Everlafting  Lite  is  the  Matter  of  my 
Frafttce  and  my  Intirefi,  fo  muft  it  be  of  my  Meditation.  That  is  the  left  Do- 
ctrine and  Study  which  maketh  Men  better ,  and  tendeth  to  make  them  happy.  I 
ablsor  the  Folly  of  thofe  unlearned  Perfbns,  who  revile  or  defpife  Learning  be- 
caufcthey  know  not  what  it  is:  And  I  take  not  any  piece  of  true  Learning  to  be 
ufelefi :  And  yet  my  Soul  approveth  of  the  Refolution  of  Holy  Paul,  who  de- 
termined to  know  nothing  among  his  Hearers,  ( that  is,  comparatively  to  value 
and  make  Orientation  of  no  other  Wifdom  )  but  (  the  Knowledge  of  )  a  Cruci- 
fied Chrift  ;  to  know  God  in  Chrift  is  Life  Eternal.  As  the  Stock  of  the  Tree 
affbrdeth  Timber  to  build  Houfes  and  Cities,  when  the  fmall  though  higher  multi- 
farious Branches  are  but  to  rodke  a  Crows  Neft,  or  a  Blaze  :  So  the  Knowledge 
of  God  and  of  Jefus  Chrift,  of  Heaven  and  Holynefs,  doth  build  up  the  Soul  to 
endlefs  Bleflednefs,  and  afTordcth  it  folid  Peace  and  Comfort;  when  a  multitude  of 
School  Niceties  ferve  but  for  vain  Janglings  and  hurtful  Diversions  and  Contenti- 
ons :  And  yet  I  would  not  dilluade  my  Reader  from  theperulal  of  Aquinas,  Scotus, 
Ockam,  Armtnienfisi  Durandus,  or  any  fiich  Writer  5  for  much  Good  may  be  gotten 
from  them  :  But  I  would  perfuade  him  to  ftudy  and  live  upon  the  eftential  Do- 
ctrines of  Chriftianity  and  Godlinefs,  incomparably  above  them  all.  And  that  he 
may  know  that  my  Teftimony  is  (omewhat  regardable,  I  prefume  to  (ay,  that  in 
this  I  as  much  gainfay  my  natural  Inclination  to  Subtilty  and  Accuratenefs  in 
Knowing,  as  he  is  like  to  do  by  his,  if  he  obey  my  Counfel.  And  I  think  if  he 
lived  among  Infidels  and  Enemies  of  Chrift,  he  would  find  that  to  make  good  the 
Doftrine  of  Faith  and  of  Life  Eternal,  were  not  only  his  nobleft  and  moft  ufeful 
Study ;  but  alfo  that  vhicti  would  require  the  height  of  all  his  Parts,  and  the  ut- 
moft  of  his  Diligence,  to  manage  it  skilfully  to  the  Satisfaction  of  himfelf  and 
others. 

4.  I  add  therefore  that  this  is  Another  thing  which  I  am  changed  in ;  that  where- 
as in  my  younger  Days  I  never  was  tempted  to  doubt  of  the  Truth  of  Scripture 
or  Chriftianity,  but  all  my  Doubts  and  Fears  were  exercifed  at  home,  about  my 
own  Sincerity  and  Intereft  in  Chrift,  and  this  was  it  which  I  called  Unbelief  \  fince 
then  my  Ibreft  Aflaults  have  been  on  the  other  fide,  and  fuch  they  were,  that 
had  I  been  void  of  internal  Experience,  and  the  Adhefion  of  Love,  and  the  fpeci- 
al  help  of  God,  and  had  not  difcerned  more  Realbn  for  my  Religion  than  I  did 
when  I  was  younger,  I  had  certainly  Apoftatizedto  Infidelity  (though  for  Atheifm 
or  Ungodlinejs,  my  Reafon  feeth  noftronger  Arguments,than  may  be  brought  to  prove 
that  there  is  no  Earth  or  Air,or  Sun).  I  am  now  therefore  much  more  Apprehenfive 
than  heretofore,  of  the  Neceffity  of  well  grounding  Men  in  their  Religion,  andefpe- 
cially  of  the  Witnefs  of  the  indwelling  Spirit :  For  I  more  fenfibly  perceive  that  the 
Spirit  is  the  great  Witnefs  of  Chrift  and  Chriftianity  to  the  World  :  And  though 
the  Folly  of  Fanaticks  tempted  me  long  to  over-look  the  Strength  of  this  Tefti- 
mony of  the  Spirit,  while  they  placed  it  in  a  certain  internal  AjJ'ertion,  or  enthufi- 
aftick  Infpiration;  yet  now  I  fee  that  the  Holy  Ghoft  in  another  manner  is  the 
Witnefs  of  Chrift  and  his  Agent  in  the  World  :    The  Spirit  in  the  Prophets  was 

his 


i28  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


his  firft  Witnefs  ;  and  the  Spirit  by  Miracles  was  the  fecond  j  and  the  Spirit  Ly 
Renovation,  San&ification,  Illumination  and  Confolation,  aifimilating  the  Soul  to 
Chrift  and  Heaven  is  the  continued  Witnefs  to  all  true  Believers :  And  if  any  Man 
have  not  the  Spirit  of  Chrift,  the  fame  is  none  of  his,  Rom.  8.  9.  Even  as  the  Ra- 
tional Soul  in  the  Child  is  the  inherent  Witnefs  or  Evidence,  that  he  is  the  Child 
of  Rational  Parents.  And  therefore  ungodly  Perfbns  have  a  great  difadvantage  in 
their  refitting  Temptations  to  unbelief,  and  it  is  no  wonder  if  Chrift  be  a  Humbling 
block  to  the  ]ews,and  to  the  Gentiles  foolifhnefs.There  is  many  a  one  that  hideth  his 
Temptations  to  Infidelity, becaufe  he  thinketh  it  a  fhame  to  open  them.and  becaufe 
it  may  generate  doubts  in  others:  but  I  doubt  the  imperfection  of  moft  mens  care  of 
their  Salvation,  and  of  their  diligence  and  refblutionin  a  holy  Life,  doth  come  from 
the  imperfe&ion  of  their  belief  of  Chriftianity  and  the  Life  to  come.  For  my  part  I 
muftprofefs,  that  when  nry  belief  of  things  Eternal  and  of  the  Scripture  is  moft 
clear  and  firm,  all  goeth  accordingly  in  my  Soul,and  all  Temptations  tofinful  Com- 
pliances, Worldiinefs  or  Flefh  pieafing,  do  fignifie  worleto  me,  than  an  invitation  to 
the  Stocks  or  Bedlam. And  no  Petition  feemeth  more  neceffary  to  me  than  {Lord  in- 
creafe  our  Faith  :  I  Believe ,  help  thou  my  unbelief.^ 

y.  Among  Truths  certain  in  themfelves,  all  are  not  equally  certain  unto  me  ; 
and  even  of  the  M)  fteries  of  the  Gofpel,  I  muft  needs  fay  with  Mr.  Richard  Hook- 
er Eccl.  Polit.  that  whatever  men  may  pretend,  the  fubjective  Certainty  cannot  go 
beyond  the  objective  Evidence  :  for  it  is  caufed  thereby  as  the  print  on  the  Wax  is 
caufed  by  that  on  the  >eal :  Therefore  I  do  more  of  late  than  ever  difcern  a  necef- 
fity  of  a  methodical  procedure  in  maintaining  the  Doctrine  of  Chriftianity  ,  and 
of  beginning  at  Namai  Verities,  as  prefuppofed  fundamentally  to  fupernatural 
( though  God  may  when  he  pleafe  reveal  all  at  once,  and  even  Natural  Truths  by 
Supernatural  Revelation  )  : .  And  it  is  a  marvellous  great  help  to  my  Faith,  to  find 
it  built  on  fb  fure  Foundations,  andfo  conlbnant  to  the  Law  of  Nature.  I  am  not 
fb  fooliih  as  to  pretend  my  certainty  to  be  greater  than  it  is,  meerly  becaufe  it 
is  a  diffionour  to  be  lefs  certain  ;  nor  will  I  by  fhame  be  kept  from  confefling  thofe 
Infirmities,  which  thofe  have  as  much  as  I,  who  hypocritically  reproach  me  with 
them.  My  certainty  that  I  am  a  Man,  is  before  my  certainty  that  there  is  a  Godj 
for  Quod  facit  notum  eft  magis  notum :  My  certainty  that  there  is  a  God,  is  greater 
than  my  certainty  that  he  requireth  love  and  holinefs  of  his  Creature :  My  certain- 
ty of  this  is  greater  than  my  certainty  of  the  Life  of  Reward  and  Punifhment 
hereafter:  My  certainty  of  that,  is  greater  than  my  certainty  of  theendlefs  dura- 
tion of  it,  and  of  the  immortality  of  individuate  Souls :  My  certainty  of  the  Dei- 
ty is  greater  than  my  certainty  of  the  Chriftian  Faith  :  My  certainty  of  theChri- 
ftian  Faith  in  its  Effentials,  is  greater  than  my  certainty  of  the  Perfection  and  In- 
fallibility of  all  the  Holy  Scriptures :  My  certainty  of  that  is  greater  than  my  cer- 
tainty of  the  meaning  of  many  particular  Texts,  and  fo  of  the  truth  of  many  par- 
ticular Dodrines,  or  of  the  Canonical  nets  of  fome  certain  Books.  So  that  as  you 
fee  by  what  Gradations  my  Underftanding  doth  proceed,  fo  alfo  that  my  Certain- 
ty dirTereth  as  the  Evidences  differ.  And  they  that  have  attained  to  greater  Perfe- 
ction, and  a  higher  degree  of  Certainty  than  I,  fnould  pity  me  and  produce  their 
Evidence  to  help  me.  And  they  that  will  begin  all  their  Certainty  with  that  of 
the  Truth  of  the  Scripture,  as  the  Pnncipium  Cognofcundi,  may  meet  me  at  the  fame 
end  ;  but  they  muft  give  me  leave  to  undertake  to  prove  to  a  Heathen  or  Infidel, 
the  Being  of  a  God;  and  the  neceflity  of  Holinefs,  and  the  certainty  of  a  Reward 
or  Puniihment,  even  while  he  yet  denieth  the  Truth  of  Scripture,  and  in  order  to 
his  believing  it  to  be  true. 

6.  In  my  younger  years  my  trouble  for  Sin,  was  moft  about  my  ABual  failings 
in  Thought 3  Wordy  or  Attion,  (  except  Hardnefi of  Heart,  of  which  more  anon).  But 
now  I  am  much  more  troubled  for  Inward  Defe&s,  and  omiffion  or  want  of  the 
Vital  Duties  or  Graces  in  the  Soul.  My  daily  trouble  is  fo  much  for  my  Ignorance 
of  God,  and  weaknefs  of  Belief  and  want  of  greater  love  to  God,  and  ftrangenef  to 
him,  and  to  the  life  to  come,  and  for  want  of  a  greater  willingnefs  to  die,  and 
longing  to  be  with  God  in  Heaven,  as  that  I  take  not  fbme  Immoralities,  though 
very  great,  to  be  in  themfelves  fo  great  and  odious  Sins,  if  they  could  be  found 
as  (eparate  from  thefe.  Had  I  all  the  Riches  of  the  World  ,  how  gladly  ihould  I 
give  them,  for  a  fuller  Knowledge,  Belief,  and  Love  of  God  and  Everlafting  Glo- 
ry !  Thefe  wants  are  the  greateft  burden  of  my  Life,  which  oft  maketh  my  Life 
it  felf  a  burden.  And  1  cannot  find  any  hope  of  reaching  fo  high  in  thefe,  while 
I  am  in  the  Flefh,  as  1  once  hoped  before  this  time  to  have  attained  :  which  maketh 
me  the  wearier  of  this  finful  World,  which  is  honoured  with  fb  little  of  the  Know- 
ledge of  God.  7.  Here, 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


ving 
hi 

(enfible  of  the  greatnels  and  excellency  of  Love  and  Praifef  though  I  coldly  fpake 
the  lame  words  in  its  commendations,  as  now  I  do :  And  now  I  am  lefs  troubled 
for  want  of  grief  and  tears  (though  I  more  value  humility,  and  refufe  not  needful 
Humiliation):  But  my  Confcience  now  looketh  at  Love  and  Delight  in  God  and 
praifing  him,  as  the  top  of  all  my  Religious  Duties,  for  which  it  is  that  I  Value 
and  ule  the  reft. 

8.  My  Judgment  is  much  more  for  frequent  and  ferious  Meditation  ort  the  hea- 
venly Blefiednefs,  than  it  was  heretofore  in  my  younger  days.  I  then  thought 
that  a  Sermon  of  the  Attributes  of  God,  and  the  Joys  of  Heaven  were  not  the 
moft  excellent ;  anfi  was  wont  to  fay,  Every  body  kmivetbtbts,  that  God  is  great  and 
good,  and  that  Heaven  u  a  bleJJ'ed  place  ;  I  had  rather  hear  how  I  may  attain  it.  And  no- 
thing pleafed  me  fo  well  as  the  Doctrine  of  Regeneration,  andche  Marks  of  Since- 
rity ;  which  was  becaufe  it  was  fuitable  to  me  in  that  ftate :  but  now  I  had  rather 
read,  hear  or  meditate,  on  God  and  Heaven,  than  on  any  other  Subject :  for  I 
perceive  that  it  is  the  Object  that  altereth  and  elevateth  the  Mind  ,•  which  will  he 
luch  as  that  is,  which  it  moft  frequently  feedeth  on :  And  that  it  is  not  only  ufe- 
ful  to  our  comfort,  to  be  much  in  Heaven  in  our  believing  thoughrs ;  but  that  it 
muft  animate  all  our  other  Duties ,  and  fortifie  us  againft  every  temptation  and  Sm  » 
and  that  the  Love  of  the  end  is  it  that  is  the  poife  or  fpring  ,  which  letteth  every 
Wheel  a  going,  and  muft  put  us  on  to  all  the  means :  And  that  a  Man  is  no  more 
a  Chriftian  indeed  than  he  is  Heavenly. 

9.  I  was  once  wont  to  meditate  moft  on  my  own  heart,  and  to  dwell  all  at 
home,  and  look  little  higher  :  I  was  ftill  poring  either  on  my  Sins  or  Wants  or 
examining  my  Sincerity ;  but  now,  though  I  am  greatly  convinced  of  the  need 
of  Heart-acquaintance  and  imployment,  yet  I  lee  more  need  of  a  higher  work  •  and 
that  I  Ihould  look  often  upon  Chrift,  and  God,  and  Heaven,  than  upon  my  own 
Heart.  At  home  I  can  find  Diftempersto  trouble  me,  and  fome  Evidences  of  my 
Peace. :  but  it  is  above  that  I  muft  find  matter  of  Delight  and  Joy ,  and  Love  and 
Peace  it  felf.  Therefore  I  would  have  one  thought  at  home  upon  my  [elf  and  fins,  and 
many  thoughts  above  upon  the  high  and  amiable  and  beatifying  Objects. 

10.  Heretofore  I  knew  much  lets  than  now  ;  and  yet  was  not  half  fo  much  ac- 
quainted with  my  Ignorance:  I  had  a  great  delight  in  the  daily  new  Dilcoveries 
which  I  made,  and  of  the  Light  which  mined  in  upon  me  (  like  a  Man  that 
cometh  into  a  Country  where  he  never  was  before  ) :  But  I  little  knew  either  how 
imperfectly  I  underftood  thole  very  Points,  whole  dilcovery  fo  much  delighted  me, 
nor  how  much  might  be  faid  againft  them  ;  nor  how  many  things  I  was  yet  a 
ffranger  to:  But  now  I  find  far  greater  Darknefs  upon  all  things,  and  perceive  how 
very  little  it  is  that  we  know  in  companion  of  that  which  we  are  ignorant  of,  and 
and  have  far  meaner  thoughts  of  my  own  Underftanding ,  though  I  muft  needs 
know  that  it  is  better  furnilhed  than  it  was  then. 

11.  Accordingly  I  had  then  afar  higher  opinion  of  Learned  Perlbns  and  Books, 
than  I  have  now ;  for  what  I  wanted  my  felf,  I  thought  every  Reverend  Divine 
had  attained,  and  was  familiarly  acquainted  with  :  And  what  Books  I  underftood 
not  by  reafon  of  the  ftrangenefs  of  the  Terms  or  Matter,  I  the  more  admired  and 
thought  that  others  underftood  their  worth.  But  now  Experience  hath  con- 
ftrained  me  againft  my  will  to  know,  that  Reverend  Learned  Men  are  imperfed  , 
and  know  but  little  as  well  as  I ;  elpecially  thole  that  think  themfelves  the  wifeft  : 
And  the  better  I  am  acquainted  with  them,  the  more  I  perceive  that  we  are  all 
yet  in  the  dark  :  And  the  more  I  am  acquainted  with  holy  Men,  that  are  all  for 
Heaven,  and  pretend  not  much  to  Subttities,  the  more  I  value  and  honour  them. 
And  when  I  have  ftudied  hard  to  underftand  lome  abftrule  admired  Book  ,  (  as  De 
Sctentia  Dei,  De  Providentia  circa  malum ,  de  Decretiss  de  Pr  a  determination,  de  Libera- 
te Creatura,  &c.)  I  have  but  attained  the  Knowledge  of  Humane  Imperfection  , 
and  to  fee  that  the  Author  is  but  a  Man  as  well  as  I. 

12.  And  at  firft  I  took  more  upon  my  Author's  Credit,  than  now  I  can  do  : 
And  when  an  Author  was  highly  commended  to  me  by  others,  or  pleafed  me  in 
fome  part,  I  was  ready  to  entertain  the  whole;  whereas  now  I  take  and  leave  in  the 
fame  Author,  and  diflent  inibme  things  from  him  that  I  like  beft,  as  well  as  from 
others. 

S  13.  Ae 


130  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


i ;»  At  firft  I  was  greatly  inclined  to  go  with  the  higheft  in  Controverfies,  on 
one  fide  or  other ;  as  with  Dr.  TtviJJe,  and  Mr.  Rutherford,  and  Spanhemius  de  Proci- 
dentia, &  gratia,  &cvs  But  now  lean  foeafily  fee  what  to  (ay  againft  both  extreams 
that  I  am  much  more  inclinable  to  reconciling  Principles.  And  whereas  then  I 
thought  that  Conciliators  were  but  ignorant  men,  that  were  willing  to  pleafe  all, 
and  would  pretend  to  reconcile  the  World  by  Principles  which  they  did  not  under- 
ftand  themfelves ;  I  have  fince  perceived  that  if  the  amiablenefs  of  Peace  and  Con- 
cord had  no  hand  in  the  bufineis,  yet  greater  Light  and  ftronger  Judgment  ufually 
is  with  the  Reconcilers,  than  with  either  of  the  contending  Parties  (  as  with  Dave- 
want,  Hall,  Ufher>  Lud.  Crocius,  Bergius,  Strangius,  Camero,  &c. )  But  on  both  ac- 
counts their  Writings  are  moft  acceptable,  (  though  I  know  that  Moderation  may 
be  a  pretext  of  Errors). 

14.  At  firft  the  Stile  of  Authors  took  as  much  with  me  as  the  Argument,  and 
made  the  Arguments  Teem  more  forcible :  But  now  I  judge  not  of  Truth  at  all 
by  any  fuch  Ornaments  or  Accidents,  but  by  its  naked  Evidence. 

1  f.  I  now  fee  more  Good  and  more  Evil  in  all  Men  than  heretofore  I  did  :  I 
fee  that  Good  men  are  not  Co  good,  as  I  once  thought  they  were,  but  have  more 
Imperfe&ions :  And  that  nearer  approach  and  fuller  trial,  doth  make  the  beft  ap- 
pear more  weak  and  faulty,  than  their  Admirers  at  a  diftance  think.  And  I  find 
that  few  are  lb  bad,  as  either  their  malicious  Enemies,  or  censorious  feparati»g  Profef- 
fors  do  imagine.  In  fome  indeed  I  find  that  Humane  Nature  is  corrupted  into 
a  greater  likenefs  to  Devils,  than  I  once'  thought  any  on  Earth  had  been.  But 
even  in  the  wicked  ufually  there  is  more  for  grace  to  make  advantage  of,  and 
more  to  teftifie  for  God  and  Holinefs,  than  I  once  believed  there  had  been. 

16.  I  lefs  admire  Gifts  of  Utterance  and  hare  TrofeJJion  of  Religion  than  I  once 
did  ;  and  have  much  more  Charity  for  many,  who  by  the  want  of  Gifts,  do  make 
an  obfeurer  Profeflion  than  they.  I  once  thought  that  almoft  all  that  could  pray 
movingly  and  fluently,  and  talk  well  of  Religion,  had  been  Saints.  But  Experi- 
ence hath  opened  to  me,  what  odious  Crimes  may  confift  with  high  Profeflion  j 
and  I  have  met  with  divers  obfcure  Perfons,  not  noted  for  any  extraordinary  Pro- 
feflion, or  forwardnefs  in  Religion,  but  only  to  live  a  quiet  blamelefs  Life,  whom 
I  have  after  found  to  have  long  lived,  as  far  as  I  could  difcern  ,  a  truly  godly  and 
fanctified  Life  ;  only  their  Prayers  and  Duties  were  by  accident  kept  fecret  from  o- 
ther  mens  observation.  Yet  he  that  upon  this  pretence  would  confound  the 
Godly  and  the  Ungodly  ,  may  as  well  go  about  to  lay  Heaven  and  Hell  toge- 
ther. 

17.  I  am  not  fo  narrow  in  my Jpecial  Love  as  heretofore:  Being  lefs  cenforious, 
and  talking  more  than  I  did  for  Saints,  it  muft  needs  follow  that  I  love  more  as 
Saints  than  I  did  before.  I  think  it  not  lawful  to  put  that  Man  off  with  bare 
Church  Communion,  and  fuch  common  Love  which  I  muft  allow  the  Wicked, 
who  profefTeth  himfelf  a  true  Chriftian,  by  fuch  a  Profeflion  as  I  cannot  dis- 
prove. 

18.  I  am  not  too  narrow  in  my  Principles  of  Church  Communion  as  once  I  was : 
I  more  plainly  perceive  the  difference  between  me  Church  as  Congregate  or  vifible, 
and  as  Regenerate  or  Myftical :  and  between  Sincerity  and  Trofeffion;  and  that  a  Cre- 
dible TrofeJJion  is  proof  fufficient  of  a  Man's  Title  to  Church  Admiflion:  and  that 
the  Profeflion  is  Credible  inforo  Ecclefia,  which  is  not  difproved.  I  am  not  for  nar- 
rowing the  Church  more  than  Chrift  himfelf  alloweth  us;  nor  for  robbing  him 
of  any  of  his  Flock.  I  am  more  fenfible  how  much  it  is  the  Will  of  Chrift  that 
every  Man  be  the  choofer  or  refufer  of  his  own  felicity,  and  that  it  lieth  moft  on  his 
own  hands,  whether  he  will  have  Communion  with  the  Church  or  not ;  and  that 
if  he  be  an  Hypocrite  it  is  himfelf  that  will  bear  the  lols. 

19.  Yet  am  I  more  apprehenfive  than  ever  of  the  great  ufe  and  need  of  Ecclefi- 
aftical  Difcipline,  and  what  a  fin  it  is  in  the  Paftors  of  the  Church,  to  make  no 
diftindlion,  but  by  bare  Names  and  Sacraments,  and  to  force  all  the  unmeet  againft 
their  own  wills,  to  Church  Communion  and  Sacraments  ( though  the  ignorant 
and  erroneous  may  (bmetime  be  forced  to  hear  inftru&ion  ):  And  what  a  great 
difhonour  to  Chrift  it  is,  when  the  Church  {hall  be  as  vicious  as  Pagan  and  Ma- 
hometan Aflemblies  ,  and  mail  differ  from  them  only  in  Ceremony  and 
Name. 

20.  I  am  much  more  fenfible  of  the  Evil  of  Schifm,  and  of  the  Separating  Hu- 
mour, and  of  gathering  Parties,  and  making  feveral  Se<fts  in  the  Church  than  I 
was  heretofore.    For  the  Effects  have  fhewed  us  more  of  the  raifchiefs. 

21.I 


P  a  r  t  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 3 1 


.21.  I  am  much  more  fenfible  how  prone  many  young  ProfelTors  are  to  Spiritual 
tVide  and  Self-conceitednefs,  and  Unrulinefs  and  Divilion,  and  io  to  prove  the 
Grief  of  their  Teachers,  and  Firebrands  in  the  Church  ;  and  how  much  of  a  Mi- 
nifter's  work  lieth  in  preventing  this,  and  humbling  and  confirming  fuch  young 
unexperienced  Profeffors,  and  keeping  them  in  order  in  their  progrefi  in  Reli- 
gion. 

22.  Yet  am  I  more  lenfible  of  the  Sin  and  Mifchief  of  ufing  Men  cruelly  in 
Matters  of  Religion,  and  of  pretending  Mens  good,  and  the  Order  of  the  Church, 
for  Ads  of  Inhumanity  or  Uncharirablenefs :  Such  know  not  their  own  Infir- 
mity, nor  yet  the  nature  of  Paftoral  Government,  which  ought  to  be  Paternal 
and  by  Love ;  nor  do  they  know  the  way  to  win  a  Soul ,  nor  to  maintain  the 
Churches  Peace. 

23.  My  Soul  is  much  more  afflicted  with  the  thoughts  of  the  miferable  World, 
and  more  drawn  out  indefire  of  their  Conversion  than  heretofore:  I  was  wont  to 
look  but  little  further  than  England  in  my  Prayers,  as  not  confidering  the  (rate  of 
the  reft  of  the  World :  Or  if  I  prayed  for  the  Converfion  of  the  Jews,  that  was  al- 
moft  all.  But  now  as  I  better  underftand  the  Cafe  of  the  World,  and  the  method 
of  the  Lord's  Prayer,  fo  there  is  nothing  in  the  World  that  Jyeth  to  heavy  upon  my 
heart,  as  the  thought  of  the  miferable  Nations  of  the  Earth :  It  is  the  molt  afto- 
nifhing  pa/t  of  all  God's  Providence  to  me,  that  he  (o  far  forfaketh  almoft  all  the 
World,  and  confineth  his  fpecial  Favour  to  lb  few  :  That  fo  fmall  a  part  of  the 
World  hath  the  Profeflion  of  Chriftianity,  in  companion  of  Heathens,  Mahome- 
tans and  other  Infidels !  And  that  among  profeffed  Chriftians  there  are  lb  few  that 
are  faved  from  grofs  Delufions,  and  have  but  any  competent  Knowledge  :  and  that 
among  tbofe  there  are  fo  few  that  are  ferioufly  Religious,  and  truly  fet  their  hearts 
on  Heaven.  I  cannot  be  affected  fb  much  with  the  Calamities  of  my  own  Relati- 
ons, or  the  Land  of  my  Nativity,  as  with  the  Cale  of  the  Heathen,  Mahometan, 
and  ignorant  Nations  of  the  Earth.  No  part  of  my  Prayers  are  io  deeply  ferious, 
as  that  for  the  Converfion  of  the  Infidel  and  Ungodly  World',  that  God's  Name  may 
be  fanctified,  and  his  Kingdom  come,  and  his  Will  be  done  on  Earth  as  it  is  in  Hea- 
ven :  Nor  was  I  ever  before  lb  fenfible  what  a  Plague  the  Divifion  of  Languages 
was  which  hindereth  our  fpeaking  to  them  for  their  Converfion  ;  nor  what  a  great 
Sin  tyranny  is,  which  keepeth  out  theGofpel  from  moll  of  the  Nations  of  the  World. 
Could  we  but  go  among  Tartarians,  Turks,  and  Heathens,  and  fpeak  their  Lan- 
guage, I  ftiouldbebut  little  troubled  for  the  lilencing  of  Eighteen  hundied  Mini- 
fters  at  once  in  England,  nor  for  all  the  reft  that  were  call  out  here,  and  in  Scotland 
andlrclavd  :  There  being  no  Employment  in  the  World  fo  defirable  in  my  Eyes,  as 
to  labour  for  the  winning  of  fuch  milerable  Souls :  which  maketh  me  greatly  honour 
Mr.John  Eliot,  the  Apoftle  of  the  Indians  in  New-  England ,and  whoever  elfe  have  la- 
boured in  fuch  work. 

24.  Yet  am  I  not  fo  much  inclined  to  pafs  a  peremptory  Sentence  of  Damnation 
upon  all  that  never  heard  of  Chrilf ;  having  tome  more  reafon  than  I  knew  of  be- 
fore, to  think  that  God's  dealing  with  fuch  is  much  unknown  to  us  l  And  that  the 
Ungodly  here  among  us  Chriflians  are  in  a  tar  worfe  Cafe  than  they. 

25".  My  Cenfures  of  the  Papifts  do  much  differ  from  what  they  were  at  firft  : 
I  then  thought  that  their  Errours  in  the  Doctrines  of  Faith  were  their  molt  danger- 
ous Miilakes,  as  in  the  Points  of  Merit,  Juliification  by  Works,  Affurance  of  Sal- 
vation, the  Nature  of  Faith,  &c.  But  now  1  am  allured  that  their  mif-expreffions, 
and  mif  underftanding  us,  with  our  miltakingsof  them,  and  inconvenient  expref- 
fing  our  own  Opinions,  hath  made  the  difference  in  thele  Points  to  appear  much 
greater  than  they  are ;  and  that  in  Corns  of  them  it  is  next  to  none  at  all.  But  the 
great  and  unreconcilable  Differences  lye,  in  their  Church  Tyranny  and  Ufur- 
parions,  and  in  their  great  Corruptions  and  Abafement  of  Gods  Worfhip,  together 
with  their  befriending  of  Ignorance  and  Vice.  At  firft  I  thought  that  Mr.  Perkins 
well  proved  that  a  Papift  cannot  go  beyond  a  Reprobate:  but  now  I  doubt  hot  but 
rfiat  God  hath  many  fanctified  Ones  among  them,  who  have  received  the  true 
Doctrine  of  Chriftianity  fo  practically  ,  that  their  ^>ntradictory  Errours  prevail 
not  againft  them,  to  hinder  their  Love  of  God,  and  their  Salvation  :  but  that  their 
Errours  are  like  a  conquerable  Dole  of  Poyfon  which  Nature  doth  overcome.  And 
I  can  never  believe  that  a  Man  may  not  be  laved  by  that  Religion,  which  doth 
but  bring  him  to  the  true  Love  of  God,  and  to  a  heavenly  Mind  and  Life  :  nor 
that  God  will  ever  cait  a  Soul  into  Heil  that  truly  loveth  him.  Alio  at  firft  it 
would  difgrace  any  Doctrine  with  me,  if  I  did  but  hear  it  called  Popery  and  An- 
tkhriiiian  :  but  I  have  long  learned  to  be  more  impartial,  and  to  diftike  Men  for 

S  i  bad 


1^2 


The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I 

bad  Doctrine,  rather  than  the  Do&rines  for  the  Men  ;  and  to  know  that  Satan 
can  ufe  even  the  Names  of  Popery  and  Antichrift,  againft  a  Truth. 

26.  I  am  deeplier  afflicted  for  the  diiagreemems  of  Chriftians  than  I  was  when 
I  was' a  younger  Chriftian.  Except  the  Cafe  of  the  Infidel  World,  nothing  is  fo 
fad  and  grievous  to  my  thoughts,  as  the  Cafe  of  the  divided  Churches.  And  there- 
fore 1  am  more  deeply  fenfibleof  the  finfulnefs  of  thofe  Prelates  and  Pallors  of  the 
Churches,  who  are  the  principal  Caufe  of  thefe  Divifions.  O  how  many  millions 
of  Souls  are  kept  by  them  in  ignorance,  and  ungodlinefs,  and  deluded  by  Fattion 
as  if  it  were  true  Religion.  How  is  theConverfion  of  Infidels  hindeied  by  them  ! 
and  Chrift  and  Religion  heinoufly  difhonoured  !  The  Contentions  between  the 
Greek  Church  and  the  Romany  the  Papifts  and  the  Proteftants,  the  Lutherans  and 
the  Calvinifts,  have  wofully  hindered  the  Kingdom  of  Chrift. 

27.  I  have  fpent  much  of  my  Studies  about  the  Terms  of  Chriftian  Concord,  and 
have  over  and  over  confidered  of  the  feveral  ways,  which  feveral  forts  of  Reconci- 
lers have  devifed  :  I  have  thought  of  the  Papifts  way,  who  think  there  will  be  no 
Union,  but  by  coming  over  wholly  to  their  Church  :  and  I  have  found  that  it  is 
neither  poffMe  nor  deferable.  I  have  thought  and  thought  again  of  the  way  of  the 
moderating  Papifts,  Caffander,  Grotius,  Balwin,  &c.  and  of  thofe  that  would  have  all 
reduced  to  the  ftate  of  the  Times  of  Gregory  the  Firft,  before  the  Divificn  of  the 
Greek  and  Latin  Churches,  that  the  Pope  might  have  his  Primacy,  and  .govern  all 
the  Church  by  the  Canons  of  the  Councils,  with  a  Salvo  to  the  Rights  of  Kings 
and  Patriarchs  and  Prelates ;  and  that  the  Doctrines  and  Worship  which  then  were 
received  might  prevail.  And  for  my  own  part,  if  I  lived  in  fuch  a  ftate  of  che 
Church,  I  would  live  peaceably,  as  glad  of  Unity,  though  lamenting  the  Corrup- 
tion and  Tyranny  :  But  I  am  fully  allured  that  none  of  thefe  are  the  true  defirable 
Terms  of  Unity,  nor  fuch  as  are  ever  like  to  procure  an  Univerfal  Concord  :  And 
I  am  as  fui  e  that  the  true  Means  and  Terms  of  Concord  are  obvious  and  eafie  to 
an  impartial  willing  mind.  And  that  thefe  three  Things  alone  would  eafily  heal 
and  unite  all  the  Churches. 

1.  That  all  Chriftian  Princes  and  Governours  take  all  the  Coercive  Power  about 
Religion  into  their  own  Hands,  (though  if  Prelates  and  their  Courts  muft  be  u- 
fed  as  their  Officers  in  exercifing  that  Coercive-  Power,  fo  be  ic ):  And  that  they  make 
a  difference  between  the  approved  and  the  tolerated  Churches ;  and  that  they  keep 
the  Peace  between  thefe  Churches,  and  fettle  their  feveral  Priviledges  by  a 
Law. 

2.  That  the  Churches  be  accounted  Tolerable,  who  profefs  all  that  is  in  the 
Creed,  Lord's  Prayer  and  Decalogue  in  particular,  and  generally  all  that  they  /ball 
find  to  be  revealed  in  the  Word  of  God,  and  hold  Communion  in  Teaching,  Pray- 
er, Praifes,  and  the  two  Sacraments,  not  obftinately  preaching  any  Herefie  contra- 
ry to  the  particular  Articles  which  they  profefs,  nor  feditioufly  difturbing  the  Pub- 
lick  Peace:  And  that  fuch  Heretical,  Preaching,  and  fuch  Seditious  unpeaceablenef,  or 
notorious  Wtckednefi  of  Life,  do  forfeit  their  Toleration. 

3.  And  that  thofe  that  are  further  Orthodox'  in  thofe  Particulars,  which  Rulers 
think  fit  to  impofe  upon  their  Subjeds,  have  their  fublick  Maintenance  and  greater 
Encouragement.  Yea,  and  this  much  is  become  neceflary,  but  upon  fiippofition  that 
Men  will  ftill  be  fo  felf-conceited  and  uncharicable,  as  not  to  forbear  their  unne- 
ceffary  Impofitions.  Otherwife  there  would  be  found  but  very  few  who  are  Tole- 
rable, that  are  not  alfo  in  their  meafure  to  be  approved ,  maintained  and  encoura- 
ged. And  if  the  Primitive  Simplicity  in  Do&rine  ,  Government  and  Wor/hip, 
might  ferve  turn,  for  the  Terms  of  the  Churches  Union  and  Communion ,  all 
would  be  well  without  any  more  ado ;  fuppofing  that  where  Chriftian  Magiftrates 
are,  they  keep  the  Peace,  and  reprefsthe  Offenders,  and  exercileall  the  Coercive 
Government :  And  Hereticks,  who  will  fubfcribe  to  the  Chriftian  Faith,  muft  not 
be  punifhed  jbecaufe  they  will  fubfcribe  to  no  more,  but  becaufe  they  are  proved  to 
preach  or  promote  Herefie,  contrary  to  the  Faith  which  they  profefs. 

28.  I  am  farther  than  ever  I  was  from  expecting  great  matters  of  Unity,  Splen- 
dor or  Profperity  to  the  Church  on  Earth,  or  that  Saints  mould  dream  of  a  King- 
dom of  this  World,  or  flatter  themfelves  with  the  Hopes  of  a  Golden  Age,  or 
reigning  over  the  Ungodly,  (  till  there  be  a  new  Heaven  and  a  new  Earth  wherein 
dwelieth  Rightcoufnefi  ).  And  on  the  contrary  I  am  more  apprehenfive  that  Suffer- 
ings muft  be  the  Churches  moft  ordinary  Lot,  and  Chriftians  indeed  muft  be  felf- 
denying  Crofs  bearers,  even  where  there  are  none  but  formal  nominal  Chriftians  to  be 
the  Crofs-makers :  And  though  ordnariiy  God  would  have  Viciffitudes  of  Summer  and* 
Wintcr,Day  and  Night,thac  the  Church  may  grow  extenfively  in  the  Summer  of  Pro- 

fpericy, 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         133 


Iperity,  and  intenfively  and  radicatedly  in  the  Winter  of  Adverfity  j  yet  ufuaUy 
their  Night  is  longer  than  their  Day,  and  that  Daj  its  (elf  hath  its  Storms  and  Tern- 
pefts.  For  the  Pr ognofticks  are  evident  in  their  Caufes :  i.  The  Church  will  be  ftill 
Imferfebl  and  Sinful,  and  will  have  thole  Difeafes  which  need  this  bitter  Remedy, 
2.  Rich  Men  will  be  the  Rulers  of  the  World  ;  and  Rich  Men  will  be  generally  (o 
far  from  true  Godiinefs,  that  they  muft  come  to  Heaven  as  by  Human  Impoffibihties, 
as  a  Camel  through  a  Needles  Eye.;.The  Ungodly  will  ever  have  an  Enmity  againft 
the  Image  of  God,  and  he  that  is  born  of  the  Flelh  will  perfecute  him  tha:  was 
born  after  the  Spirit,  and  Brotherhood  will  not  keep  a  Cain  from  killing  an  Abel, 
whooffereth  a  more  acceptable  Sacrifice  than  himfelf:  And  the  Guilty  will  Oil! 
hate  the  Light,  and  make  a  Prey  to  their  Pride  and  Malice  of  a  conlcionable  Re- 
prover. 4.  The  Paftors  will  be  (till  troubling  the  Church  with  their  Pride  and 
Avarice  and  Contentions ;  and  the  worft  will  be  feeking  to  be  the  greatelt,  an4 
they  that  (eek  it  are  likeft  to  attain  it.  j.  He  that  is  higheft  will  be  ftill  impofing 
his  Conceits  upon  thofe  under  him,  and  Lording  it  over  God's  Heritage,  and  with 
Diotrephes  cafting  out  the  Brethren,  and  iuliog  them  by  constraint,  and  not  as  Vo- 
lunteers. 6.  Thofe  that  are  truly  judicious  will  (till  comparatively  be  few ;  and 
confequently  the  Troublers  and  Dividers  will  be  the  Multitude  ;  and  a  judicious 
Peace-maker  and  Reconciler  will  be  neglected,  flighted,  or  hated  by  both  Extream*. 
7.  The  Tenour  of  the  Gofpel  Predictions,  Precepts,  Promifes  and  Threatnings, 
are  fitted  to  a  People  in  a  fuftering  State.  8.  And  the  Graces  of  God  in  a  Believer 
are  moftly  (ui  ed  to  a  State  of  Suffering.  9.  Chriftians  muft  imitate  Chrift,  and 
f'ufTer  with  him  before  they  reign  with  him ;  and  his  Kingdom  was  not  of  this 
World.  10.  The  Obfervation  of  God's  dealing  hitherto  with  the  Church  in  every 
Age  confirrneth  me :  and  his  befooling  them  that  have  dreamed  of  glorious  Times. 
Ic  was  liich  Dreams  that  tranfported  the  Munfler  Anabaptifts,  and  the  Followers  of 
David  George  in  the  Low  Countries,  and  CampaneOa,  and  the  Illuxiinati  among  the 
Papifts,  and  our  Englifh  Anabaptifts  and  other  Fanaticks  here,  both  in  the  Army 
and  the  City  and  Country.  When  they  think  the  Golden  Age  is  come,  they 
(hew  their  Dreams  in  their  extravagant  Actions :  And  as  our  Fifth  Monarchy  Men, 
they  are  preiently  upon  lome  unquiet  rebellious  Attempt,  to  fet  up  Chrift  in  his 
Kingdom  whether  he  will  or  not.  I  remember  how  Abraham  Scuketus  tn  Curricu- 
lo  Vit*  fua  confefTeth  the  common  Vanity  of  himfelf  and  other  Proteftants  in 
Germany,  who  feeing  the  Princes  in  England,  France,  Bohemia,  and  many  other 
Countrys,  to  be  all  at  once  both  Great  and  Wife,  and  Friends  to  Reformation,  did 
prefently  expect  the  Golden  Age  :  But  within  one  year  either  Death,  or  Ruincs 
of  War  or  Back-flidings,  had  expofed  all  their  Expectations  to  Scorn,  and  laid 
them  lower  than  before. 

29.  I  do  not  lay  fo  great  a  Strefs  upon  the  external  Modes  and  Formes  of  Wor- 
ship, as  many  young  Profeffors  do.  1  have  fulpe&ed  my  felf,  as  perhaps  the  Reader 
may  do,  that  this  is  from  a  cooling  and  declining  from  my  former  Zeal  (though 
the  truth  is,  I  never  much  complyed  with  Men  of  that  Mind  ) :  But  I  find  that 
Judgment  and  Charity  are  the  Cauies  of  it,  as  far  as  I  am  able  to  difcover.  I  can* 
not  be  (b  narrow  in  my  Principles  of  Church-Communion  as  many  are  ;  that  are 
fo  much  for  a  Liturgy,  or  (6  much  againft  it,  lb  much  for  Ceremonies  or  lb 
much  againft  them,  that  they  can  hold  Communion  with  no  Church  that  is  not  of 
their  Mind  and  Way.  If  I  were  among  the  Greeks,  the  Lutherans,  the  Indepen- 
dants  $  yea,  the  Anabaptifts  (  that  own  no  Herify,  nor  fet  themfelves  againft 
Charity  and  Peace  )  I  would  hold  lometimes  occafional  Communion  with 
them  as  Chrifthns  ( if  they  will  give  me  leave,  without  forcing  me  to  any  finful 
Sublcription  or  Action )  :  Though  my  moft  ujual  Communion  mould  be  with 
that  Society,  which  I  thought  moft  agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God,  if  I  were  free 
to  chule.  I  cannot  be  of  their  Opinion  that  think  God  will  not  accept  him  that 
prayeth  by  the  Common-Prayer-Book,  and  that  fuch  Forms  are  a  lelf  invented 
Worlhip  which  God  rejected* :  Nor  yet  can  I  be  of  their  Mind  that  fay  the  like 
of  extemporary  Prayers. 

50.  I  am  muchlefs  regardful  of  the  Approbation  of  Man,  and  fet  much  light- 
er by  Contempt  or  Applaule,  than  I  did  long  ago.  lam  oft  (iifpicious  that  this 
is  not  only  from  the  increaie  of  Self-denial  and  Humility  j  but  partly  from  my  be- 
ing glutted  and  furfeited  with  human  Applaufe  :  And  all  worldly  things  appear 
moft  vain  and  unfatisfactory  when  we  have  tryed  them  moft.  But  though  I  feel 
that  this  hath  fome  hand  in  the  Effect,  yet  as  far  as  I  can  perceive,  the  Knowledge 
of  Man's  Nothingnefs,  and  God's  tranfcendent  Greatnefs,  with  whom  it  is  that  I 
have  moft  to  do,  and  the  fenfe  of  the  brevity  of  humane  things,  and  the  nearnefs 


134- 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  1 


of  Eternity  are  the  principal  Caufes  of  this  Effed ;  which  lcme  have  imputed  to 
Self'  conceitednefs  and  Morofity. 

ii.  I  am  more  and  more  pleafed  with  a  fblitary  Life ;  and  though  in  a  way  of 
Self-denial  I  could  fubmit  to  the  moft  publick  Life,  for  the  fervice  of  God,  when 
he  requireth  it,  and  would  not  be  unprofitable  that  I  might  be  private  ;  yet  I  muft 
confeis,  it  is  much  more  pleafing  to  my  felf,  to  be  retired  from  the  World,  and  to 
have  very  little  to  do  with  Men,  and  to  converfe  with  God  and  Confcience  and 
good  Books,-  of  which  I  have  fpoken  my  Heart  in  my  Divine  Life,  Part  HI. 

22.  Though  I  was  never  much  tempted  to  the  Sin  of  Covetoufnels,  yet  my  fear 
of  dying  was  wont  to  tell  me,  that  I  was  not  fufficiently  loofened  from  this 
World.  But  I  find  that  it  is  comparatively  very  eafy  to  me  to  be  loofe  f.om  this 
World,  but  hard  to  live  by  Faith  above.  To  defpife  Earth  is  eafy  to  me  ->  but  not 
fo  eafy  to  be  acquainted  and  converfant  in  Heaven.  I  have  nothing  in  this  World 
which  I  could  not  eafily  let  go  ;  but  to  get  fatisfying  Apprehenfions  of  the  other 
World  is  the  great  and  grievous  Difficulty. 

33.  lam  much  more  apprehenfive  than  long  ago,  of  the  OdioufnejSmA  Danger  of 
the  Sin  of  Pride  5  fcarce  any  Sin  appeareth  more  odious  to  me  :  Having,  daily  more 
Acquaintance  with  the  lamentable  Naughtinefs  and  Frailty  of  Man,  and  of  the 
.Miichiefs  of  that  Sin  ;  and  especially  in  Matters  Spiritual  and  Ecclefiaftica! :  I 
think  lb  far  as  any  Man  is  proud  he  is  kin  to  the  Devil,  and  utterly  a  Stranger  to 
God  and  to  himfelf :  It*s  a  Wonder  that  it  mould  be  a  fojjibk  Sin,  to  Men  that  ftill 
carry  about  with  them,  in  Soul  and  Body,  fuch  humbling  matter  of  Remedy  as 
we  all  do. 

34.  I  more  than  ever  lament  the  Unhappinefs  of  the  Nobility,  Gentry,  and 
great  ones  of  the  World,  who  live  in  fuch  Temptation  to  Senfuality,  Curiofity 
and  wafting  of  their  time  about  a  multitude  of  little  things  >  and  whole  Lives  are 
too  often  the  Tranfcript  of  the  Sins  of  Sodom;  Pride,  fulneis  of  Bread,  and  abun- 
dance of  Idlenefs,  and  want  of  Compaflion  to  the  Poor.  And  I  more  value  the 
Life  of  the  poor  Labouring  Man  5  but  efpecially  of  him  that  hath  neither  Pover- 
ty  nor  Riches. 

3  ^ .  I  am  much  more  ienfible  than  heretofore,  of  the  Breadth,  and  Length,  and 
Depth  of  the  radical,  univerfal,  odious  Sin  of  Selfifknejs,  and  therefore  have  writ- 
ten fo  much  againft  it :  And  of  the  Excellency  and  Neceflity  of  Self-denial,  and 
of  a  publick  Mind,  and  of  loving  our  Neighbour  as  our  felves. 

36.  I  am  more  and  more  Ienfible  that  moft  Controverfies  have  more  need  of 
right  Stating  than  of  Debating  j  and  if  my  Skill  be  increafed  in  any  thing  it  is  in 
that,  in-  narrowing  Controverfies  by  Explication,  and  feparating  the  real  from  the 
verbal,  and  proving  to  many  Contenders,  that  they  differ  lels  than  they  think 
they  do. 

37.  I  am  more  foljcitous  than  I  have  been  about  my  Duty  to  God,  and  left 
folicitous  about  his  Dealings  with  me;  as  being  aflured  that  he  will  do  all  things 
well ;  and  as  acknowledging  the  Goodnefs  of  all  the  Declarations  of  his  Holynefs, 
even  in  the  Punimment  of  Man  j  and  as  knowing  that  there  is  no  Reft  but  in  the 
Will  and  Goodnefs  of  God. 

38.  Though  my  Works  were  never  fuch  as  could  be  any  Temptation  to  me  to 
dream  of  obliging  God  by  proper  Merit,  in  commutative  Juftice  j  yet  one  of  the 
moft  ready,  conftant,  undoubted  Evidences  of  my  Uprightnefs  and  Intereft  in 
his  Covenant,  is  the  Confcioulhefs  of  my  living  as  devoted  to  him :  And  I  the  eafi- 
lier  believe  the  Pardon  of  my  Failings  through  my  Redeemer,  while  I  know  that 

I  let  ve  no  other  Mafter,  and  that  I  know  no  other  End,  or  Trade,  or  Bufinefs ;  ■ 
but  that  I  am  imployed  in  his  Work,  and  make  it  the  Bufinefs  of  my  Life,  and  live 
to  him  in  the  World,  notwithstanding  my  Infirmities :  And  this  Bent  and  Bufinefs 
of  my  Life,  with  my  longing  Defires  after  Perfection,  in  the  Knowledge  and  Be- 
lief and  Love  of  God,  and  in  a  Holy  and  Heavenly  Mind  and  Life,  are  the  two 
standing,  conftant,  difcernable  Evidences,  which  molt  put  me  out  of  doubt  of 
my  Sincerity :  And  I  find  that  confisnt  Aclion  and  Duty  is  it  that  keepeth  the  firft 
always  in  Sight  j  and  conftant  Wants  and  Weakneffes,  and  coming  fliort  of  my  De- 
fires,  do  make  thofe  Defires  ftill  the  more  troubkjom,  and  fb  the  more  eafily  ftill  per- 
ceived. 

39.  Though  my  habitual  Judgment  and  Refolution  and  Scope  of  Life  be  ftill 
the  fame,  yet  I  find  a  great  Mutability  as  to  s&ual  Jpprehenfions,  and  Degrees 
of  Grace  j  and  consequently  find  that  ih  mutable  a  thing  as  the  Mind  of  Man, 
would  never  keep  its  felf  if  God  were  not  its  Keeper.  When  I  have  been  (erioufly 
uiufing  upon  the  R^fog?  gf  £hriftiajaity3  with  the  concurrent  Evidences  metho- 
dically 


Part  I.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  135 

dically  placed  in  their  juft  Advantages  before  my  Eyes,  I  am  fo  clear  in  my  Be- 
lief 01  the  Chriftian  Verities,  that  Satan  hath  little  room  for  a  Temptation.  But 
fbmetimes  when  he  hath  on  a  fudden  fet  fbme  Temptation  before  me,  when  the 
foresaid  Evidences  have  been  out  of  the  Way,  or  lels  upon  my  Thoughts,  he  hath 
by  fuch  Surprizes  amazed  me,  and  weakened  my  Faith  in  the  prefent  A& :  So 
alio  as  to  the  Love  ofGod^and  fruiting  in  him,fometimes  when  the  Motives  are  clear- 
ly apprehended,  the  Duty  is  more  eafy  and  delightful :  And  at  other  times,  I  am 
meerly  paflive  and  dull,  if  not  guilty  of  actual  Defpondency  and  Diftruft. 

40.  1  am  much  more  cautelous  in  my  Belief  of  Hiftory  than  heretofore :  Mot 
that  I  run  into  their  Extream  that  will  believe  nothing  becaufe  they  cannot 
believe  all  things.  But  I  arn  abundantly  fatisfyed  by  the  Experience  of  this  Age, 
that  there  is  no  believing  two  forts  of  Men,  Ungodly  Men  and  Partial  Men  ( though 
an  honeft  Heathen  of  no  Religion  may  be  believed,  where  Enmity  againft  Religi- 
on byaffeth  him  not ;  yet  a  debauched  Chrifiian,  befides  his  Enmity  to  the  Power 
and  Practice  of  his  own  Religion,  is  feldom  without  fbme  farther  By afs  of  Inter- 
eft  or  Fa&ion  >  efpecially  when  thefe  concurr,  and  a  Man  is  both  ungodly  and  am- 
bitious, efpoufing  an  htererefi  contrary  to  a  holy  heavenly  Life,  and  alio  Fattwus, 
embodying  himfelf  with  a  Sect  or  Party  fuited  to  his  Spirit  and  Defigm,  there  is  no 
believing  his  Word  or  Oath.  If  you  read  any  Man  partially  bitter  againft  others 
as  differing  from  him  in  Opinion,  or  as  crofs  to  his  Grea  tntfs,  htereft  or  Defigns,  take 
heed  how  you  believe  any  more,  than  the  Hiftorical  Evidence  di/iinct  tVom  his 
Word  compel  leth  you  to  believe.  The  prodigious  Lies  which  have  been  published 
in  this  Age  in  matters  of  Fact,  with  unblufhing  Confidence,  even  where  thou- 
fands  or  Multitudes  of  Eye  and  Ear-Witnefles  knew  all  to  be  falfe,  doth  call  Men 
to  take  heed  what  Hiftory  they  believe,  efpecially  where  Power  and  Violence  af- 
fordeth  that  Priviledge  to  the  Reporter,  that  no  Man  dare  anfwer  him  or  detect 
his  Frautf,  or  if  they  do  their  Writings  are  all  fuppreft.  As  long  as  Men  have 
Liberty  to  examine  and  contradict  one  another,  one  may  partly  conjecture  by 
comparing  their  Words,  on  which  fide  the  Truth  is  like  to  lie.  But  when  great 
Men  write  Hiftory,  or  Flatteries  by  their  Appointment,  which  no  Man  dare  con- 
tradict, believe  it  but  as  you  are  conflrained.  Yet  in  thefe  Cafes  I  can  freely  be- 
lieve Hiftory  :  i.  If  the  Perfbn  (hew  that  he  is  acquainted  with  what  he  faith, 
a.  And  if  he  fhew  you  the  Evidences  of  Honefty  and  Confcience,  and  the  Fear 
of  God  (which  may  be  much  perceived  in  the  Spirit  of  a  Writing  ).  3.  And 
if  he  appear  to  be  Impartial  and  Charitable,  and  a  Lover  of  Goodnefs  and  of 
Mankind ;  and  not  poifeft  with  Malignity,  or  perfonal  ill  Will  and  Malice,  nor 
carried  away  by  Faction  or  perfonal  Intereft  :  Confcionable  Men  dare  not  lye  j 
but  Faction  and  Intereft  abate  Mens  Tendernefs  of  Confcience.  And  a  charita- 
ble impartial  Heathen  may  fpeak  Truth  in  a  love  to  Truth,  and  hatred  of  a  Lye  : 
But  ambitious  Malice  and  falfe  Religion,  will  not  ftick  to  ferve  themfelves  on  any 
thing.  It's  eafy  to  trace  the  Footfleps  of  Veracity  in  the  Intelligence,  Impartiality, 
and  Ingenuity  of  a  Tbuanus,  a  Guicaardine,  a  Paulus  Venet.  though  Papifts,  and  of 
Socrates  and  Soz,oment  though  acculed  by  the  Factious  of  favouring  the  Novations; 
and  many  Proteftants  in  a  MelanElhon,  a  Bucboltz,er,  and  many  more ;  and  among 
Phyficiahs  in  fuch  as  Crato,  Tlaterus,  &c.  But  it's  as  eafy  to  fee  the  Footfteeps  of 
Partiality  and  Faction  and  Defign,  in  a  Genebrard,  a  Baronius,  and  a  Multitude  of 
their  Companions  ;  and  to  fee  reafon  of  Sufpicion  in  many  more.  Therefore  I 
confefs  I  give  but  halting  Credit  to  moft  Hiftories  that  are  written,  not  only  againft 
the  Albigenfes  and  Waldenfis,  but  againft  moft  of  the  Ancient  Hereticks,  who  have 
left  us  none  of  their  own  Writings,  in  which  they  fpeak  for  themfelves,  and  I  har- 
tily  lament  that  the  Hiftorical  Writings  of  the  Ancient  Schifmaticks  and  Heriticks 
C  as  they  were  called  )  perifhed,  and  that  partiality  fuffered  them  not  to  furvive, 
that  we  might  have  had  more  Light  in  the  Church- Affairs  of  thofe  times,  and  been 
better  a"ble  to  judge  between  the  Fathers  and  them.  And  as  I  am  prone  to  think 
that  few  of  them  werefb  bad  as. their  Adverfaries  made  them  jfb  I  am  apt  to  think 
that  fuch  as  the  Novations,  and  Luciferians,  and  Indians,  &c.  whom  their  Adverfa- 
ries commend,  were  very  good  Men,  and  more  Godly  than  moft  Catholicks, 
however  miftaken  in  fbme  one  Point.  Sure  I  am,  that  as  the  Lies  of  the  Papifts, 
of  Luther,  Zwinglius,  Cahin,  and  Beza,  are  vifibly  malicious  and  impudent,  by 
the  common  plenary  contradicting  Evidence  ;  and  y«  the  Multitude  of  their  Se- 
duced ones  believe  them  all  in  defpight  of  Truth  and  Charity  ;  fo  in  this  Age 
there  have  been  fuch  things Written  againft  Parties  and  Perfbns  whom  the  Writer?  de- 
fign to  make  odious ;  fo  notorioufly  falfe  as  you  would  think  that  the  Senfe  of  their 
Honour  at  leaft,  Jliculd  have  made  it  impoffible  for  fuch  Men  to  write  ;  My  own 

Eyes 


I36  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  L 


Eyes  have  read  fuch  Wotds  and  Attions  aflerted  with  moil  vehement  iterated  unblush- 
ing Confidence,   which  abundance  of  Ear-Witneffes,  even  of  their  own  Pai  ties 
muft  needs  know  to  have  been  altogether  falfe  :  and  therefore  having  my  felf  now 
written  this  Hiftory  of  my  felf,   notwithstanding  my  Proteftation  that  I  have  not 
in  any  thing  wilfully  gone  againft  the  Truth,  I  expect  no  more  Credit  from  the 
Reader,  than  the  (elf-evidencing  Light  of  the  matter,  with  concurrent  rational  Ad- 
vantages, from  Perfons,  and  Things,   and  other  Witnefles,  mail  conftrain  him  to ; 
if  he  be  a  Perfbn  that  is  unacquainted  with  the  Author  himielf ,  and  the  other  Evi- 
dences of  his  Veracity  and  Credibility.     And,  I  have  purpofely  omitted  almoft  all 
the  Defcriptions  of  any  Perfons  that  ever  oppofed  me,  or  that  ever  I  or  my  Brethren 
differed  by,  becaufe  1  know  that  the  appearance  of  Intereft  and  partiality  might  give 
a  fair  excufe  to  the  Readers  incredulity  :  (Although  indeed  the  true  Defcription  of 
Perfons  is  much  of  the  very  Life  of  Hiftory,  and  efpecially  of  the  Hiftory  of  the 
Age  which  I  have  lived  in ;  yet  to  avoid  the  fufpicion  of  Partiality  I  have  left  it 
out).     Except  only  when  I  fpeak  of  the  Crom-welliam  and  Sectaries ,  where  I  am  the 
more  free,  becaule  none  fufpecteth  my  Intereft  to  have  engaged  me  againft  them; 
but  (  with  the  reft  of  my  Brethren,)  I  have  oppofed  them  in  the  obedience  of  my 
Confcience,  when  by  pleafing  them  I  could  have  had  almoft  any  thing  that  they 
could  have  given  me,  and  when  before-hand  I  expected  that  the  prefent  Governours 
mould  filenceme,  and  deprive  me  of  Maintenance,  Houfe  and  Home,  as  they  have 
done  by  me  and  many  hundreds  more.     Therefore  I  fuppofed  that  my  Descripti- 
ons and  Cenfures  of  thole  Perfons  which  would  have  enriched  and  honoured  me, 
and  of  their  Actions  againft  that  Party  which  hath  filenced,  impoverished  and  ac- 
cufed  me,  and  which  before-hand  I  expected  mould  do  fo,  are  beyond  the  Sufpi- 
cion  of  Envy,  Self-intereft  or  Partiality :  If  not,  I  there  alio  am  content  that  the 
Reader  exercife  his  Liberty,  and  believe  no  worfe  even  of  thefe  Men,  than  the  E- 
vidence  of  Fact  conftraineth  him. 

Thus  much  of  the  Alterations  of  my  Soul,  fince  my  younger  years,  I  thought 
beft  to  give  the  Reader,  inftead  of  all  thole  Experiences  and  Actual  Motions  and 
Affections,  which  I  fuppofe  him  rather  to  have  expected  an  account  of.    And  ha- 
ving tranfcribed  thus  much  of  a  Life  which  God  hath  read,  and  Confcience  hath 
read,  and  muft  further  read,  I  humbly  lament  it,  and  beg  pardon  of  it,  as  finful 
and  too  unequal  and  unprofitable  :  And  I  warn  the  Reader  to  amend  that  in  his 
own,  which  he  findeth  to  have  been  amifs  in  mine  ;  confeffing  alfo  that  much  hath 
been  amils  which  I  have  not  here  particularly  mentioned,  and  that  I  have  not  lived 
according  to  the  abundant  Mercies  of  the  Lord.    But  what  I  have  recorded,  hath 
been  efpecially  to  perform  my  Vows,  and  declare  his  Praile  to  all  Generations,  who 
hath  filled  up  my  days  with  his  unvaluable  Favours,  and   bound  me  to  blefs  his 
Name  for  ever  :  And  alio  to  prevent  the  defective  performance  of  this  Task  ,  by 
fome  overvaluing  Brethren,  who  I  know  intended  it,  and  were  unfitter  to  do  it 
than  my  felf.     And  for  fuch  Realbns  as  Junius,  Scaltetus,  Thuanus  ,  and  many  o- 
thers  have  done  the  like  before  me.    The  principal  of  which  are  thefe  three :  i.As 
Travellers  and  Seamen  ule  to  do  after  :great  Adventures  and  Deliverances,  I  here- 
by fatisfie  my  Confcience,  in  praifing  the  Blefled  Author  of  all  thofe  undeferved 
Mercies  which  have   filled  up  my  Life.    2.  Foreleeing  by  the  Attempts  of  Bi- 
fhop  Morley,  what  Prelatifts  and  Papifts  are  like  to  lay  of  me,  when  they  have 
none  to  contradict  them,  and  how  poffible  it  is  that  thole  that  never  knew  me 
may  believe  them,  though  they  have  loft  their  hopes  with  all  the  reft,  I  take  it 
to  be  my  Duty  to  be  fo  faithful  to  that  ftock  of  Reputation  which  God  hath  in- 
trufted  me  with,  as  to  defend  it  at  the  rate  of  opening  the  Truth.    Such  as  have 
made  the  World  believe  that  Luther  confulted  with  the  Devil,  that  Cahin  was  a  ftig- 
matized  Sodomite,  that  Beza  turned  Pa  pift,d^.  to  blaft  their  Labours,  I  know 
are  very  like  to  fay  any  thing  by  me,  which  their  Intereft  or  Malice  tell  them  will 
any  way  advantage  their  Caule,  to  make  my  Writings  unprofitable  when  I  am 
dead.     3.  That  young  Chriftians  may  be  warned  by  the  Miftakes  and  Failings  of 
my  unriper  Times,  to  learn   in  patience,  and  live  in  watchfulnels ,  .and  not  be 
fierce  and  proudly  confident  in  their  firft  Conceptions ;  And  to  reverence  ripe  ex- 
perienced Age,  and  to  take  heed  of  taking  fuch  for  their  Chief  Guides  as  have 
nothing  but  immature  and  unexperienced  Judgments,  with  fervent  Affections,  and 
free  and  confident  Ex preflions ;  but  to  learn  of  them  that  have  (with  holinefs)  ftu- 
dy,  time  and  trial,  looked  about  them  as  well  on  one  fide  as  the  other,  and  attain- 
ed to  clearnefs  and  impartiality  in  their  Judgments. 

1.  But 


Part  I.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  137 

^.^ —  —      "■-■-  ■-  —  ,.■-..,  ,       .  _^__^^___. 

1.  But-having  mentioned  the  Changes  which  I  think  were  for  the  better,!  muft 
add,  that  as  I  confeifed  many  of  my  Sins  before,  fo  fince  1  have  been  guilty  of 
many,  which  becauie  materially  they  feemed  fmall ,  have  had  the  lels  refiftance, 
and  yet  on  the  review  to  trouble  more  than  if  they  had  been  greater  done  in  igno- 
rance :  It  can  be  no  fmall  fin  formally  which  is  committed  againft  Knowledge  and 
Confcience  and  Deliberation,  whatever  excule  it  have.  To  have  finned  while  1 
preacht  and  wrote  againft  Sin,  and  had  fiich  abundant  and  great  obligations  from 
God,  and  made  fo  many  proroiles  againft  it,  doth  lay  me  very  low  :  notio  much 
in  fear  of  Hell,  as  in  great  difpleafure  againft  my  (elf,  and  luch  Ielf  abhprrence 
would  caufe  revenge  upon  my  ielf,  were  it  not  foi  bidden.  When  God  forgiveth 
me  I  cannot  forgive  my  (elf;  efpecially  for  any  .rain  words  or  deeds ,  by  which  I 
have  leemed  injurious,  and  lels  tender  and  kind  than  I  fhould  have  been  to  my 
near  and  dear  Relations ,  whole  Love  abundantly  obliged  me  ;  when  luch  ore 
dead,  though  we  never  differed  in  point  of  Intereft  or  any  great  Mattery  every 
fowr  or  crols  provoking  word  which  I  gave  them,  maketh  me  almoft  unreconcile- 
able  to  my  Ielf:  and  tells  me  how  Repentance  brought  ibme  of  old  to  pray  to  the 
Dead  whom  they  had  wronged ,  to  forgive  them,  in  the  hurry  of  their  Paf- 
fion.  i 

c.  And  though  I  before  told  the  Change  of  my  Judgment  againft  provoking 
Writings,  I  have  had  more  will  thin  skill  fince  to  avoid  fuch.     I  mult  mention  it 
by  way  of  penitent  Confeflion,  that  lam  too  much  inclined  to  fuch  words  in  Con- 
troverfal  Writings  which   are  too   keen,  and  apt  to  provoke  the  Per  (on  whom  I 
write  againft.     Sometimes  I  fulpe&  that  Age  fowreth  my  Spirits ,  and   fornetimes  I 
am  apt  to  think  that  it  is  long  thinking  and  fpeaking  of  luch  things  that  maketh  me 
weary,  and  lels  patient  with  others  that  under! rand  them  not :  And  fornetimes  I 
am  ready  to  think  that  it  is  out  of  a  hatred  of  the  flattering  humour  which  now 
prevaileth  (p  in  the  World,  that  few  Perfbns  are  able  to  bear  the  Truth  :  And  I  am 
lure  that  I  cannot  only  bear  my  felf  luch  Language  as  I  ufe  to  others,  but   that   I 
expeft  it.     I  think  all  thefe  are  partly  Caufes ;  but  I  am  fure  the  principal  Caufe  is 
a  long  Cuftom  of  ftudying  how  to  (peak  and   write  in  the  keeneft  manner  to 
the  common,  ignorant,  and  ungodly  People  (without  which  keeneft  to  them,  no 
Sermon  nor  Book  does  much  good  ) ;  which  hath  io  habituated  me  to  it,  that  I 
am  (till  falling  into  the  lame  with  others  ■■>  forgetting  that  many  Minifters  andPro- 
feflbrs  of  Striclnels  do  defire  the  greateft  fharpnefs  to  the  Vulgar,  and  to  their  Ad- 
verfaries,  and  the  greateft  lenity  and  fmoothnefs  and  comfort ,  if  not  honour  to 
themlelves.     And  I  have  a  ftrong  natural  inclination  to  fpeak  of  every  Subject  juft 
as  it  is,  and  to  call  a  Spade  a  Spade,  &  verba  rebus  apt  are  ;  fo  as   that  the,  thing 
fpoken  of  may  be  fullieft  known  by  the  words  ;  which  methinks  is  part'  of  our 
Jpeaking  truly.    But  I  unfeignedly  confefi  that  it  is  faulty,  becauie  imprudent;  (for 
that  is  not  a  good  means  which  doth  harm,  becaufe  it  is  not  fitted  to  the  end  )  ; 
and  becaufe  whilft  the  Readers  think  me  angry,  (  though  I  feel  no  Paffion  at  luch 
times  in  my  felf)  it  is  fcandalous  and  a  hinderance  to  the  ufefulnels  of  what  I 
write :  And  efpecially  becauie  ( though  I  feel  no  Anger  ,  yet  which  is  worfe  )  I 
know  that  there  is  fome  want  of  Honour  and  Love  or  Tendernefi  to  others  ;  or  elle  I 
(hould  not  be  apt  to  ule  fuch  words  as  open  their  weaknels  and  offend  them  :    And 
therefore  I  repent  of  it,and  wilh  all  over-fharp  palTages  were  expunged  from  my  Wri- 
tings, and  defire  forgivenefs  of  God  and  Man.     And  yet  I  muft  fay  that  I  am  ofc 
afraid  of  the  contrary  ^xtream,  left  when  I  fpeak  againft  great  and  dangerous  Er- 
rours  and  Sins,  ( though  of  Perfons  otherwife  honeft  )  I  mould  encourage  men  to 
them,  by  fpeaking  too  eafily  of  them  (  as  Eli  did  to  his  Sons ) ,  and  left  I    mould 
(b  favour  the  Perfon  as  may  befriend  the  Sin,  and  wrong  the  Church.    And  I  muft 
lay  as  the  New-England  Synodifts  in  their  Defence  againft  Mr.  Davenport,  fag.  2. 
Pref.  [  We  heartily  defire  that  as  much  as  may  be,  all  Exfrejjions  and  Reflexions  may  be  for* 
horn  that  tend  to  break  the  Bond  of  Love.     Indeed  fuch  is  our  Infirmity,  that  the  naked  dif~ 
covery  of  the  fallacy  or  invalidity  of  another s  Allegations  or  Arguings   ts  apt  to  provoke. 
This  in  Dijputes  is  unavoidable.^ 

And  therefore  I  am  lefs  for  a  difputing  way  than  ever  ;  believing  that  it  tempt- 
eth  Men  to  bend  their  Wits,  to  defend  their  Errours  and  oppofe  the  Truth  ,  and 
hindereth  ulually  their  information  :  And  the  Servant  of  the  Lord  muft  not  ftrive, 
but  be  gentle  to  all  Men,  &c.  Therefore  1  am  moft  in  Judgment  for  a  Learning  or 
a  Teaching  way  of  Converfe  :  In  all  Companies,  I  will  be  glad  either  to  hear  thole 
fpeak  that  can  teach  me,  or  to  be  heard  of  thofe  that  have  need  to  learn. 

T  And 


138 


The  LIFE  of  the,  &C.       Lib.  I, 

And  that  which  I  named  before  on  the  by,  is  grown  one  of  my  great  Dileafes : 
I  have  loft  much  of  that  Zeal  which  I  had,  to  propagate  any  Truths  to  others, 
lave  the  meer  Fundamentals.  When  I  perceive  People  or  Minifters  (  which  is  too 
common  )  to  think  they  know  what  indeed  they  do  not,  and  to  diipute  thole 
things  which  they  never  throughly  ftudied,  or  expect  I  fliould  debate  the  Cafe 
with  them,  as  if  an  hours  talk  would  ferve  inftead  of  an  acute  underftanding  and 
feven  years  ftudy,  I  have  no  Zeal  to  make  them  of  my  Opinion,  but  an  impati- 
ence of  continuing  Difcourfe  with  them  on  fuch  Subjects,  and  am  apt  to  be  filent 
or  to  turn  to  fomeching  elle :  which  (  though  there  be  ibme  reafon  for  it )  I  feel 
cometh  from  a  want  of  Zeal  for  the  Truth,  and  from  an  impatient  Temper  of 
Mind.  I  am  ready  to  think  that  People  fhould  quickly  underftand  all  in  a  few 
words;  and  if  they  cannot,  lazily  todelpair  of  them,  and  leave  them  to  them- 
felves :  And  I  the  more  know  that  it  is  finful  in  me,  becaufe  it  is  partly  ib  in  o- 
ther  things ;  even  about  the  Faults  of  my  Servants  or  other  Inferiours,  if  three  or 
four  times  warning  do  no  good  on  them,  I  am  much  tempted  to  delpair  of  them, 
and  turn  them  away  and  leave  them  to  themfelves. 

I  mention  all  thefe  Diftempers,that  my  Faults  may  be  a  warning  to  others  to  take 
heed,  as  they  call  on  my  (elf  for  Repentance  and  Watchfulnefs.  O  Lord,  for  the 
Merits  and  Sacrifice  and  Interceffion  of  Chrift,  be  merciful  to  me  a  Sinner,  acd 
forgive  my  known  and  unknown  Sins. 


THE 


139 


THE 


O  F     T  H  E       • 

REVEREND 

Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


L  1  B,  L       P  A  R  T  II. 


11 


N  the  Time  of  the  late  unhappy  Wars  in  thefe  Kingdoms, 
the  Controverfies  about  Church  Government,  were  in  moft 
Mens  mouths,  and  made  the  greateit  Noiie,  being  hotly  a- 
gitatedby  States-men  and  Divines, by  Words  and  Writings: 
which  made  it  neceflary  to  me,  to  fet  my  felf  to  the  moft 
ferious  ftudy  of  thole  Points :  The  refult  of  which  was,  this 
confident  and  fetled  Judgment,  that  of  the  four  contending 
Parties,  ( the  Eraftian,  Epiicopal,  Presbyterian  and  Inde- 
pendantj  each  one  had  fome  Truths  in  peculiar,  which  the  other  overlookt,or  took 
little  notice  of,  and  each  one  had  their  proper  Miftakes  which  gave  advantage  to 
their  Adveriaries ;  though  all  of  them  had  lb  much  truth  in  common  among  them, 
as  would  have  made  theie  Kingdoms  happy,if  it  had  been  unanimoufly  and  foberly 
reduced  to  practice,  by  prudent  and  charitable  Men. 

§  2.  i.  The  Eraftiam,  I  thought,  were  thus  far  in  the  right,  in  afferting  more 
fully  than  others  the  Magiftrates  Power  in  Matters  of  Religion ;  that  all  Coercive 
Power  (  by  Mulcts  or  Force  )  is  only  in  their  hands  (  which  is  the  full  fence  of 
our  Oath  of  Supremacy);  and  that  no  fuch  Power  belongeth  to  the  Paftors  or  Peo- 
ple of  the  Church  ;  and  that  thus  (  as  Dr.  Ludov.  Molin&us  pleadeth  )  there  mould 
not  be  any  Imperium  in  Imperio ,  or  any  Coercive  Power  challenged  by  Pope,  Pre- 
late, Presbytery,  or  any,  but  by  the  Magift rate  alone:  that  the  Paftoral  Power  is 
only.  Perfwafive,  orexercifed  on  Volunteers ;  yet  not  private,  fuch  as  belongeth  to 
every  Man  (to  perfwade)  that  hath  a  perfwading  Faculty,  but  Publick  and  Autho- 
ritative by  Divine  appointment :  And  not  only  to  perfwade  by  Sermom  or  general 
Speeches,  but  by  particular  overfight  of  their  particular  Flocks !  much  like  the  Au- 
thority of  Plato  or  Zeno  in  his  School,  or  a  Matter  in  any  Academy  of  Volunteers, 
or  of  a  Phyfician  in  his  Hofpital,  fuppofing  thefe  were  Officers  of  God's  Inftitution, 
who  could  as  the  ground  of  their  perfwafions,  produce  his  Commiffion  or  Command 
for  what  they  faid  and  did. 

But  though  the  Diocefans,  and  the  Presbyterians  of  Scotland  (  who  had  Laws  to 
enable  them  )  oppofed  this  Doctrine  or  the  Party  at  leaft,  yet  I  perceived  that  in- 
deed, it  was  but  on  the  ground  of  their  Civil  Advantages,  as  the  Magiftrate  had 
impowered  by  them  by  his  LawsJ  (  which  the  Erafiians  did  not  contradid  )  ;  ex- 
cept fome  few  of  the  higher  ftiffer  fort,  who  pleaded  as  the  Papifts ,  for  fomewhat 

T  2  more, 


14.0  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  Lib.  J. 

more,  which  yet  they  could  not  themfelves  tell  what  to  make  of:  But   the  gene- 
rality of  each  Party  indeed  owned  this  Doctrine  ;  and  I  could  fjpeak  with  no  fober 
Judicious  Prelatift,  Presbyterian,  or  Independant,  but  confeffed  that   no  Secular, 
or  Forcing  Power,  belonged  to  any  Paftors  of  the  Church  as  fuch  ;  and  unlels  the 
Magiftrates  authorized  them  as  his  Officers,  they  could   not  touch  mens  Bodies  or 
*  Archbi-  Eftates,  but  the  Conlcience  alone  *  (which  can  be  of  none  but  of  AiTenters). 
fhop  B///on_     §  ^.  2.The  Epifcopal  Party  feemed  to  have  reafbn  on  their  fide  in  chis,that  in  the 
anl'ftSV  Prirm"ve  Church  there  were  fome  Apoftles,  Evangelifts,  and  others ,  who   were 
profeiieth.  general  unfixed  Officers  of  the  Church,  not  tyed  to  any  particular  Charge ;  and  had 
(ome  Superiority  (  forrie  of   them)  over-fixed   Bifhops  or  Paftors!  And  though 
the  extraordinary  Parts  of  the  Apoftles  Office  ceafed,  with  them,  I  faw  no  proof 
of  the  CefTation  of  any  ordinary  part  of  their  Office,  fuch  as  Church  Government 
is  confeffed  to  be.     All  #ie  doubt  that  I  faw  in  this  was,  Whether  the  Apoftles 
themfelves  were  conftituted  Governours  of  other  Paftors,  or  only  over-ruled  them 
by  the  Eminency  of  their  Gifts  and  Priviledge  of  Infallibility.    For  it  feemed  to 
me  unmeet  to  affirm  without  proof,  that  Chrift  ietled  a  Form  of  Government  in 
his  Church,  to  endure  only  for  one  Age,  and  changed  it  for  a  New  one  when  that 
Age  was  ended. 

And  as  to  fixed  Bijlwps  of  particular  Churches  that  were  Superiours  in  degree  to 
Presbyters,  though  I  faw  nothing  at  all  in  Scripture  for  them  ,  which  was  any 
whit  cogent,  yet  I  faw  that  the  Reception  of  them  in  all  the  Churches  was  fo 
timely  (  even  in  the  days  of  one  of  the  Apoftles  in  fome  Churches),  and  fo  general, 
that  I  thought  it  a  moft  improbable  thing,  that  if  it  had  been  contrary  to  the  A- 
poftles  mind,  we  mould  never  read  that  they  themfelves,  or  any  one  of  their  Dif- 
ciples  that  converfed  with  them,  no  nor  any  Chriftian  or  Heretick  in  the  World, 
mould  once  (peak  or  write  a  word  againft  it,  till  long  after  it  was  generally  fetled  in 
tb^Curches;     This  therefore  I  refolved  never  to  oppofe. 

§  4.  3.  And  as  for  the  Presbyterians,  I  found  that  the  Office  of  Preaching  Presbyters 
was  allowed  by  all  that  deferve  the  Name  of  Chriftians;  and  that  this  Office  did 
participate  (  fubferviently  to  Chrift  )  of  the  Prophetical  (or  Teaching)  the  Priefilj 
(  or  worshipping  )  and  the  Governing  Power  ;  and  that  both  Scripture,  Antiquity, 
and  the  perfiva/ive  Nature  of  Church  Government ,  clearly  (hew  that  all  Presbyters  were 
Church  Governours,  as  well  as  Church  Teachers !  and  that  to  deny  this  was  to. 
deftroy  the  Office,  and  to  endeavour  to  deftroy  the  Churches.  And  I  faw  in  Scrip- 
ture, Antiquity  and  Reafbn,  that  the  Affociation  of  Paftors  and  Churches  for  A- 
greement,  and  their  Synods  in  Cafes  of  Neceflity,  are  a  plain  duty :  and  that  their 
ordinary  ftated  Synods  are  ufually  very  convenient. 

And  I  faw  that  in  England  the  Perfons  which  were  called  Presbyterians  were  emi- 
ment  for  Learning,  Sobriety  and  Piety  :  and  the  Pafiors  fo  called  were  they  that 
went  through  the  Work  of  the  Miniftry,  in  diligent  ferious  preaching  to  the  Peo- 
ple, and  edifying  Mens  Souls,  and  keeping  up  Religion  in  the  Land. 

§  5-.  4.  And  for  the  Independant s,  I  faw  that  moft  of  them  were  Zealous,  and 
very  many  Learned  ,  difcrect  and  godly  Men ;  and  fit  to  be  very  ferviceable  in 
the  Church.  And  I  found  in  the  fearch  of  Scripture  and  Antiquity,  that  in.  the 
beginning  a  Governed  Church,  and  zfiated  worjlnpping  Church,  were  all  one;  and  not 
two  feveraUhings :  And  that  though  "there  might  be  other  by -Meetings  in  places 
like  our  Chappeis  or  private  Houfes,  for  fuch  as  Age  or  Perfecution  hindered  to 
come  to  the  more  lolemn  Meetings,  yet  Churches  then  were  no  bigger  fin  num- 
ber of  Perfons  )  than  our  Parifhes  now  (  to  grant  the  moft  )  :  And  that  they  were 
Societies  of  Chriftians  united  for  Perfonal  Communion  ;  and  not  only  for  Communi- 
on by  Meetings  of  Officers  and  Delegates  in  Synods,  as  many  Churches  in  AfToeia- 
tion  be.  And  I  faw  if  once- we  go  beyond  the  bounds  of  [  Perfonal  Communion-"]  as 
the  end  of  particular  Churches,  in  the  Definition,  we  may  make  a  Church  of  a 
Nation,  or  of  ten  Nations,  or  what  we  pleafe,  which  (hall  have  none  of  the  Nature 
and  Ends  of  the  Primitive  particular  Churches.  A  Kb'  I  faw  a  commendable  care 
of  ferious  HolmeG  and  Discipline  in  moft  of  the  Independant  Churches  :  And  I  found 
that  fome  Epifcopal  Men  (  as  Bifhop  XJ^er  himielf  did  voluntarily  profefs  his  Judg- 
ment tome;  did  hold  that  every  Bifhop  was  independant,  as  to  Synods,  and  that 
Synods  were  not  proper  Governours  of  the  particular  Bilhops,  but  only  for  their 
Concord. 

§  0.  5-.  And  for  the  Anabaptifts  themfelves  (though  I  have  written  and  faid  fo 
much  againft  them  J  as  I  found  that  moft  of  them  were  Perlbns  of  Zeal  in  Reli 
gion,  fo  many  of  them  were  fbber  godly  People,  and  differed  from  others  but  in 
the  Point  of  Infant  Baptifm,  orat  moft;  in,  the  Poinds  of  Predeftination  and  Free- 
will 


P^  a  t  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         14.1 

will  and  Perfeverance,  (  as  the  Jcjuits  differ  from  the  Dominicans ,  the  Lutbtrarti 
from  the  Cafoinifts,  and  the  Arminians  from  the  Contra-Rerrionjlrants  )  :  And  I  found 
in  all  Antiquity,  that  though  Infant  Baptifn  was  held  lawful  by  the  Church,  yet 
(bme  with  Tertullian  and  Nazten&en,  -thought  it  moft  convenient  to  make  no  hafte, 
and  the  reft  left  the  time  of  Baptifm  to  every  ones  liberty  ,  and  forced  none  to  be 
baptized :  Infomuch  as  not  only  Conftantine  ,  Theodofim,  and  luch  others  as  were 
converted  at  Years  of  Difcretion,  but  AuguHine  and  many  fuch  as  were  the  Chil- 
dren of  Chriflian  Parents  (one  or  both;  did  defer  their  Baptifin  much  longer 
than  I  think  they  mould  have  done.  So  that  in  the  Primitive  Church  fbme  were 
Baptized  in  Infancy,  andfome  at  ripe  Age,  and  (bme  a  little  before  their  Death  ; 
and  none  were  forced,  but  all  left  free  ;  and  the  only  Penalty  (among  men  )  of 
their  delay  was,  that  fo  long  they  were  without  the  Priviledges  of  the  Church,  and 
were  numbred  but  with  the  Catechumens,  or  Expeclants. 

§7.  6.  As  to  Dottrmal Differences  alfo  (between  Arminians  and  Anti- Arminians) 
I  ibon  perceived  that  it  was  hard  to  find  a  Man  that  difcerned  the  true  State  of 
the  leveral  Controverfies  ;  and  that  when  unrepealed  pints  (  uncertain  to  all  )  were 
laid  afide,  and  the  Controverfies  about  Words  were  juftly  feparated  from  the  Con- 
troverfies about  things  j  the  Differences  about  things  which  remained  were  fewer 
and  fmaller  than  moft  of  the  Contenders  perceived  or  would  believe. 

§  8.  7.  Yea,  I  found  that  our  Doctrinal  Controverfies  with  the  Papifts  them- 
Felves ,  were  very  much  darkned,  and  feldom  well  (rated  ,•  and  that  in  the  Points  Scc  t(l]S 
of  Merit,   Jufiification  >    Aifurance  of  Salvation,    Perfeverance,    Grace,    Free-  nutrcrful- 
will,    and  fuch  others,    it   was  common  to  mifunderftand  one  another,  and  rare  [y  cleared 
to  meet  with  any  that  by  juft  Diftinction  and  Explication,  did  well  ftate  the  Con-  mI ''."'"" 
troverfies,  and  bring  them  out  of  the  Dark. 

§  9.  What  I  begin  to  write  about  any  of  thefe  Doctrinal  Differences,  in  my 
Aphorifms,  Confetlton,  -Apologie,  &c.  I  will  now  pais  by,  and  the  manifold 
Cenfures  and  Encounters  which  I  had  thereupon,  and  the  many  Manufcripts  of 
worthy  Brethren  animadverting  upon  my  Aphorifms,  which  I  was  (  privately  ) 
put  to  anfwer  :  Becaufe  it  is  not  (uch  Differences  that  now  I  am  to  (peak  of. 

§10.  I  perceived  then  that  every  Party  beforementioned,  having  fomc  Truth  or 
Good,  in  which  it  was  more  eminent  than  the  reft,  it  was  no  impofiible  thing  to 
feparate  all  that  from  the  Error  and  the  Evil,  and  that  among  all  the  Truths  which 
they  held  either  in  Common  or  in  Controverfy,  there  was  no  Contradiction  :  And 
therefore,  that  he  that  would  procure  the  Welfare  of  the  Church  muff  do  his  beft 
to  promote  all  the  Truth  and  Good  which  was  held  by  every  part,  and  to  leave 
out  all  their  Errors  and  their  Evil  j  and  not  take  up  all  that  any  Party  had 
efpoufed  as  their  own. 

§  ri.  The  things  which  I  difliked  as  erroneous  or  evil  in  each  Party  were 
thefe  : 

1.  In  the  Eraffians  I  difliked,  i.  That  they  made  too  light  of  the  Power  of 
theMiniftry  and  Church,  and  of  Excommunication-,  and  did  notdiftinguifh  fuf- 
ficiently  of  a  perfuafive  Power  which  is  but  private,  and  is  founded  only  in  the 
Reafbn  of  the  Speaker,  and  a  perjuaff-ve  Power  which  is  pMick  in  an  Officer  of  Chrift 
(which  CameroweW  calleth  Doctoral),  and  is  founded  conjunctly  in  his  Authority  (  by 
God's  Comrrijffon )  and  his  Arguments.  2.  That  they  made  the  Articles  of  [the  Ho- 
ly Catholick  Churchy  and  the  Communion  of  Saints  ]  too  infignificant,  by  making 
Church  Communion  more  common  to  the  impenitent  than  Chrift  would  have  it; 
and  fo  difhonoured  Chrift  by  dilhonouring  his  Church,  and  making  it  too  like  to 
the  Heathen  World,  and  breaking  down  the  Hedge  of  Spiritual  Difcipline,  and 
laying  it  atmoft  in  common  with  the  Wildernefs.  ;.  That  they  mifunderftood 
and  injured  their  Brethren,  fupppofing  and  affirming  them  to  claim  as  from  God" 
a  coercive  Power  over  the  Bodies  or  Purfes  of  Men  ,  and  fo  (etting  up  Imperium 
m  lmptrto  •  whereas  all  temperate  Chriftians  ( atleaft  except  Papifts  )  confers  that 
the  Church  hath  no  Power  of  Force,  but  only  t©  manage  God's  Word  unto  Mens 
Confciences. 

§  12.  In  the  Diocefane  Party  I  utterly  difliked 

i.  Their  Extirpation  of  the  true  Difcipline  of  Chrift,  as  we  conceive,  by  con- 
ference, though  not  intentionally  •  not  only  as  they  omitted  it,  and  corrupted  it  ;  but 
as  their  Principles  and  Church  State  had  made  it  unpracticable  and  irapoflible, 
while  one  Bilhop  with  his  Confitory,  had  the  fble  Government  of  a  thoufand  or 
many  hundred  Churches,  even  over  many  thoufands  whofe  Faces  they  were  ne- 
ver like  to  fee;  not  fetting  up  any  Parochia  Government  under  them:  But  juft  as 
if  the  Archbiihops   ( or  rather  the  Patriarchs )  in  Confiantiins  days,    fhouid  have' 

depoled' 


_        .  II   -  •    -  -^    —  ■  -  --  ■   -  ■  -  ' "—    I         ■  ■'■ ■■■  I     ■   ■'■*  I  I  I  ■        ■■  ■  .  ■  — 

142  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  1  b.  I. 

depofed  all  the.  Bifhops  in  the  Empire ,   and  have"  taken  all  their  Charges  upon 
themfelves. 

2.  That  hereby  they  altered  the  Species  of  Churches,  and  either  would  deface 
all  particular  Churches,  and  have  none  but  aflbciated  Diocefane  Churches,  (  who 
hold  the  Communion  by  Delegates  and  not  personally  ) ;  or  elfe  they  would  turn 
all  the  particular  Parochial  Churches  into  Chriftian  Oratories  and  Schools,  while 
they  gave  their  Pallors  but  a  Teaching ^at\d  Worjhiping  Power ;  but  not  a  Go- 
verning* 

3;  That  hereby  they  altered  the  ancient  Species  of  Presbyters,  to  whofe  Office 
the  Spiritual  Government  of  their  proper  Folks  as  truly  belonged,  as  the  Power  of 
preaching  and  worshipping  God  did. 

4.  That  they  extinguilhed  the  ancient  Species  of  Bifhops,  which  was  in  the 
times  of  Ignatius,  when  every  Church  had  one  Altar  and  one  Bifhop  ;  and  there  were 
none  but  Itinerants  or  Archbijhops  that  had  many  Churches. 

j.  That  they  let  up  Courts  that  were  more  Secular  than  Spiritual,  in  the  manner 
of  other  Secular  Courts  ;  and  that  the  Government  of  the  Church  by  Excommu- 
nication, Sufpenfions,  Abfblutions,  &c. ,  was  exercifed  by  a  Chancellor ,  who  was 
a  civil  Lawyer  and  a  Lay-man  even  againft  Minifters  themfelves,  unlefs  for  a  blind, 
fome  Prieft  did  formally  pronounce  the  Sentence. 

6.  That  the  great  Church  Bufinefs  of  thefe  Bifhops  and  Courts,  was  to  vex  ho- 
neft  Chriftians  that  durft  not  worfhip  God  by  fuch  Ceremonies  as  their  Conferen- 
ces thought  unlawful,  and  to  filence  able  godly  Preachers  that  durft  not  fubferibe 
and  fwear  Obedience  to  them,  and  ufe  every  one  of  their  Formes  and  Ceremo- 
nies, and  profefs  the  Lawfulnefs  of  all  this ;  and  that  by  gratifying  the  multitude 
of  the  ungodly,  and  efpoufing  a  Caufe  fo  perniceous  to  the  Church,  which 
multitudes  of  fober  Chriftians  would  diflike,  they  had  engaged  themfelves  into  a 
way  of  Enmity  and  Violence  againft  a  very  confiderable  Number  of  as  able  Mini- 
fters, and  holy  Chriftians  as  any  were  in  the  Land  or  in  the  known  World. 

7.  And  hereby  it  came  to  pals  that  the  Multitude  of  the  Ignorant  and  ungodly 
People  were  become  the  zealous  Pleaders  for  the  Prelacie,  and  made  it  the  Breft- 
work  to  exercife  their  Enmity  againft  the  ferious  Practice  of  Religion. 

8.  And  that  ignorant  drunken  Readers  (  unfit  to  live  in  Chriftian  Communion) 
were  the  only  Paftors  (  under  the  Prelates  )  of  abundance  of  the  Churches  in  the 
Land. 

9.  And  that  their  zeal  for  Formality  and  Ceremonies,  and  their  Enmity  to  the 
moft  ferious  way  of  Preaching,  Praying,  yea,  and  Living,  did  greatly  tend  to 
the  flippreffing  of  Godlinefs,  and  the  increafe  of  Ignorance  and  Prophanenefs  in 
the  People, 

jo.  And  laftly,  That  they  were  fet  upon  away  of  uncharitable  Cenfuring,  Re- 
proaching, Cruelty  and  Force,  for  the  carrying  on  of  fo  ill  a  Caufe  ;  wherein 
their"  carnal  Intereft  did  evidently  manage  a  War  againft  the  Intereft  of  Chrift 
and  Godlinefs  and  the  Souls  of  Men. 

§  15.  3.  In  the  Presbyterian  way  I  difliked 

1.  Their  Order  of  Lay-Elders  who  had  no  Ordination,  nor  Tower  to  Treacb,  nor  to 
administer  Sacraments:  For  though  I  grant  that  Lay-Elders,  or  the  Chief  of  the  Peo- 
ple, were  oft  imployed  to  exprefs  the  Peoples  Content,  and  preferve  their  Liber- 
ties, yet  thefe  were  no  Church-Officers  at  all,  nor  had  any  Charge  of  private  Over- 
fight  of  the  Flocks :  And  though  I  grant  that  one  Church  had  oft  more  Elders, 
than  did  ufe  to  preach,  and  that  many  were  moft  employed  in  private  Oversight, 
yet  that  was  but  a  prudent  dividing  of  their  Work,  according  to  the  Gifts  and  parts 
of  each,  and  not  that  any  Elders  wanted  Power  of  Office  to  preach  or  Adminifter 
Sacraments  when  there  was  Caufe. 

2.  And  I  difliked  the  Courfe  of  fome  of  the  more  rigid  of  them,  that  drew 
too  near  the  way  of  Prelacie,  by  grafping  at  a  kind  of  fecular  Power  ;  not  ufing  it 
themfelves,  but  binding  the  Magiftrates  to  confifcate  or  imprifbn  Men,  meerly  be- 
caufe  they  were  excommunicate  ;  and  fb  corrupting  the  true  Difcipline  of  the 
Church ,  and  turning  the  Communion  of  Saints ,  into  the  Communion  cf  the 
Multitude  that  muft  keep  in  the  Church  againft  their  Wills,  for  fear  of  being  nn- 
done  in  the  World.  When  as  a  Man  whoje  Conjcience  cannot  feel  a  juft  Excomtnum- 
cation,  unlefs  it  be  back'd  with  Confifcation  or  Imprisonment,  is  no  'fitter  to  be  a  Member  of 
a  Chriftian  Church  in  the  Communion  of  Saints,  than  a  Corps  is  to  be  a  Member  of  a 
Corporation.  It's  true  they  claim  not  this  Power  as  Jure  Divino  ( though  fome  fay 
that  the  Magiftrate  is  bound  to  execute  thefe  Penalties  on  Men  meerly  as  excom- 
municate j  )  nor  no  more  do  the  Prelates,  when  yet  the  Writ  de  Excommunicato 

Capiendof 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         143 

Capiendo,  is  the  Life  of  all  their  Cenfures )  :  But  both  Parties  too  much  debaje 
the  Magiftratefey  making  him  their  mter  Executioner  \  when  as  he  is  the  Judge  where- 
ever  he  is  the  Executioner  ,  and  is  to  try  each  Caufe  at  his  own  Barr  before  he  be 
obliged  to  punifh  any ;  and  they  corrupt  the  Difcipline  of  Chrift  by  mixing  it 
with  fecular  Force ;  and  they  reproach  the  Keys  or  Ministerial  Power,  as  if  it  were 
a  Leaden  Sword,  and  not  worth  a  Straw  unlefs  the  Magiftrates  Sword  enforce  it. 
(And  what  then  did  the  Primitive  Church  for  Three  hundred  Years  ?J  And,  worfl 
of  all,  they  corrupt  the  Church  by  forcing  in  the  Rabble  of  the  unfit  and  unwil, 
ing ;  and  thereby  tempt  many  Godly  Chriitians  to  Schilms  and  dangerous  Separati- 
ons. In  all  this  I  deny  not,  but  that  the  Magiftrate  muft  reftrain  all  (brts  of  Vice : 
But  not  as  a  Hangman  only,  that  executeth  the  Judgment  of  another ;  norw  No- 
mine to  punifh  a  Man  becaufe  he  is  Excommunicate  ( that  is  moll  heavily  punifhed 
already  by  others )  :  Till  Magiftrates  keep  the  Sword  themfelves,  and  learn  to  de- 
ny it  to  every  angry  Clergyman  that  would  do  his  own  Work  by  it,  and  leave 
them  to  their  own  Weapons,  the  Word  and  Spiritual  Keys ;  &  valeant  quantum 
valere  foJJ'unt,  the  Church  /hall  never  have  Unity  and  Peace  ;  hucufaue  probatum 
efi. 

j.  And  I  difliked y<j/«e  of  the  Presbyterians,  that  they  were  not  tender  enough 
to  difTenting  Brethren  j  but  too  much  againft  Liberty  as  others  were  too  much  for 
it ;  and  thought  by  Votes  and  Number  to  do  that  which  Love  and  Reafbn  mould 
have  done. 

4.  And  when  the  Independents  faid  [  A  WorMping  Church  and  a  Governed  Church 
is  and  muft  be  all  one :  ]  And  the  Presbyterians,  faid  [  They  may  be  all  one  though  it  be 
not  necejfary"] ;  yet  in  their  Practice  they  would  have  fb  letled  it,  that  they  ihould 
no  where'^be  all  one,  but  ten  or  twelve  worlhipping  Churches  fhould  have  made  one 
Governed  Church  ;  which  prepared  the  way  to  the  Diocefane  Frame ;  though  I 
confefs  it  is  incomparably  better  (  becaufe  ten  or  Twelve  Churches  is  not  fo  ma- 
ny as  a  thoufand  or  many  hundred  ;  and  becaufe  the  Paftor  of  eve.  y  Church  had 
the* Government  of  his  own  Flock,  in  Conjunction  with  the  Presbytery  or  Synod, 
though  not  alone  ). 

§  14.  4.  And  in  the  Independent  way  I  difliked  many  things :  As 

1.  That  they  made  too  light  of  Ordination. 

2.  That  they  alfo  had  their  Office  of  Lay-Elderfhip. 

3.  That  they  were  commonly  Stricter  about  the  Qualification  of  Church  Mem- 
bers, than  Scripture,  Reafon,  or  the  Practice  of  the  Univerfal  Church  would  al- 
low ;  not  taking  a  Man's  bare  ProfeJJion  as  Credible,  as  a  fufficicnt  Evidence  of  his  Ti- 
tle to  Church  Communion,  unlefs  either  by  a  holy  Life,  or  the  Particular  Narrati- 
on of  the  Paffages  of  the  Work  of  Grace,  he  fatisfied  the  Paftors  (  yea,  and  all 
the  Church  )  that  he  was  truly  Holy  ;  whereas  every  Man's  Profeflton  is  the  valid 
Evidence  of  the  thing  profefled  in  his  Heart,  unlefs  it  be  difproved  by  him  that 
queftioneth  it,  by  proving  him  guilty  of  Herefies  or  Impiety,  or  Sins  incon/lfrent 
with  it.  And  if  once  you  go  beyond  the  Evidence  of  [  a  fenous  fober  ConfeJJion  ] 
as  a  credible  and  fufficient  fign  of  Title,  you  will  never  know  where  to  reft ;  but 
the  Churches  Opinion  will  be  both  Rule  and  Judge,  and  Men  will  be  let  in  or 
kept  put,  according  to  the  various  Latitude  of  Opinions  or  Charity  in  the  feveral 
Officers  or  Churches :  and  he  will  be  paffable  in  one  Church  who  in  another  is  in- 
tolerable $  and  fo  the  Churches  will  be  heterogeneous  and  confufed.  And  there  is 
in  all  this  a  little  (  if  not  more  than  a  little  )  fpiritual  Pride  of  the  Weaker  fort  of 
ProfefTors,  affecting  to  be  vifibly  let  at  a  greater  Diftance  from  the  colder  Profef 
fbrs  of  Chiftianity,  than  God  would  have  them,  that  fb  they  may  be  more  obfer- 
vable,  and  confpicuous  for  their  Holynefs  in  the  World  :  And  there  is  too  much 
uncharitablenefs  in  it,  when  God  hath  given  fincere  ProfefTors  the  Kernel  of  his 
Mercies,  even  Grace  and  Glory,  and  yet  they  will  grudge  to  cold  Hypocritical 
Profeffors,  fb  fmall  a  thing  as  the  outward  Shell,  and  vifible  Communion  ami  ex- 
ternal Ordinances;  Yea,  though  fuch  are  kept  in  the  Church  for  the  Sakes  and 
Service  of  the  Sincere. 

4.  And  I  difliked  alfo  the  lamentable  tendency  of  this  their  way  to  Divisions 
and  Sub-divifions,  and  the  nourifhing  of  Herefies  and  Sects. 

y.  But  above  all  I  difliked,  that  moft  of  them  made  the  People  by  majority  of 
Votes  to  be  Church -Governors,  in  Excommunications,  Abfblutions,  &c.  which 
Chrift  hath  made  an  Act  of  Office,  and  fo  they  governed  their  Governors  and 
themfelves. 

6.  Alfo 


i44  The  LIFE  of  the  L  r  b.  I. 


6.  Alfb  that  they  too  much  exploded  Synods,  refufing  them  as  ftated,  and  ad- 
mitting them  but  upon  fome  extraordinary  Occafions. 

7.  Alio  their  overrigidnefsagainft  the  Admiflion  of  Chriftians  of  other  Church- 
es to  their  Communion. 

8.  And  their  making  a  Minifter  to  be  as  no  Minifter  to  any  but  his  own  Flock, 
and  to  act  to  others  but  as  a  private  Man;  with  divers  others  fuch  Irregularities, 
and  dividing  Opinions  :  Many  of  which  the  moderation  of  the  New  England  Synod 
hath  of  late  corrected  anddifowned  ;  and  lb  done  very  much  to  heal  thefe  Breaches. 

§  iy.  y.  And  for  the  Anabaptifts  I  knew  that  they  injurioufly  excluded  the  in- 
fants of  the  Faithful  from  folemn  entrance  into  the  Covenant  and  Church  of  God, 
and  as  finfully  made  their  Opinion  a  Ground  of  their  Separations  from  the 
Churches  and  Communion  of  their  Brethren ;  and  that  among  them  grew  up  the 
Weeds  of  many  Errors  and  Divifions,  Sub-divifions,  Reproach  of  Minifters,  Fa- 
ction and  Pride,  and  fcandalous  Practices  were  fomented  in  their  way. 

§  16.  The  cafe  ftanding  thus  with  all  thele  Parties,  I  thought  it  my  Duty,  f. 
To  labour  to  bring  them  all  to  a  concordant  Practice  of  fo  much  as  they  all  agreed 
in.  2.  To  let  all  that  together  which  was  True  and  Good  among  them  all,  and  to 
promote  that  lb  far  as  I  was  able,  and  to  reject  the  reft.  3.  And  efpecially  in  or- 
der to  thele,  to  labour  the  reviving  of  Chriftian  Charity,  which  Faction  and  DiP 
putes  had  lamentably  extinguifh'd.  But  how  to  aecomplifh  this,  was  beyond  the 
Profpect  of  my  Hope. 

§  17.  Befides  the  Hinderances  which  are  contained  in  Mens  Principles,  I  found 
three  others  which  were  exceeding  Powerful :  One  is  in  Mens  Company  and  ano- 
ther in  their  feeming  Interefis,  and  the  chiefeft  of  all  in  the  Difpofition  and  Qua- 
lity of  their  Minds. 

§18.  1.  Some  that  were  moft  converfant  with  fober,  peaceable,  experienced 
Men,  and  were  under  the  Care  of  peaceable  Minifters,  I  found  very  much  inclined 
to  Charity  and  Peace.  But  multitudes  of  them  converfed  moft  with  ignoran^proud, 
unexperienced,  Paffionate,  Uncharitable  Perlbns ;  who  made  it  a  part  of  tneir 
Zeal  and  Ingenuity  to  break  a  Jeft  in  Reproach  and  Scorn  of  them  that  differed 
from  them  ;  and  who  were  ordinarily  Backbiters,  and  bold  unrighteous  Cenfurers 
of  others,  before  they  well  underftood  them,  or  ever  heard  them  give  a  Reafbn 
of  their  Judgments  or  Practices,  or  Ipeak  for  themfelves.  And  the  hearing  and 
converting  with  fuch  Perlbns  as  thefe  doth  powerfully  difpofe  Men  to  the  fame 
Difeafe,  and  to  fin  impenitently  after  their  Example.  Efpecially  when  Men  are 
incorporated  into  a  Sett  or  uncharitable  Tarty ,  and  have  captivated  themlelves  to  a 
human  Servitude  in  Religion,  and  given  up  themlelves  to  the  Will  of  Men,  the 
Stream  will  bear  down  the  plaineft  Evidence,  and  carry  them  to  the  fouleft 
Errors. 

§  19.  2.  And  as  it  is  carnal  lntereft  that  ruleth  the  carnal  World,  fo  I  found  that 
1.  Among  SelfijhMen,  there  were  as  many  Interefts  and  Ends,  as  Perlbns ;  andeveJ 
ry  one  had  an  lntereft  of  his  own  which  governed  him,  and  fet  him  at  a  very  great 
Enmity  to  the  moft  neceffary  means  of  Peace.  2.  And  that  evef  Man  that  had 
-  once  given  up  himfelf  to  a  Party,  and  drowned  himfelf  in  a  Faction,  did  make 
the  lntereft  of  that  Faction  or  Party  to  be  his  own  :  And  the  lntereft  of  Chrifiia- 
nitfi  Catholicism  and  Charity,  is  contrary  to  the  lntereft  of  Sects,  as  fuch.  And  it 
is  the  Nature  of  a  Seilary,  that  he  preferreth  the  lntereft  of  his  Opinion,  Sect  or 
Party,  before  the  lntereft  of  Chriftianity,  Catholicifm  and  Charity,  and  will  la- 
crifice  the  latter  to  the  Service  of  the  former. 

§  20.  5.  But  the  Grand  Impediment  I  found  in  the  temper  of  Mens  Minds ;  and 
there  I  perceived  a  manifold  difference.  Among  all  thefe  Parties  I  found  thatfbme 
were  naturally  of  mild  and  calm  and  gentle  Dilpofitions,  and  fome  of  fower,  frow- 
ard,  paffionate,  peeyifh,  or  furious  Natures  :  Some  were  young  and  raw  and  un- 
experienced, and  thole  were  like  a  young  Fruit,  lour  and  harfh ;  addicted  to  pride 
of  their  own  Opinions,  to  Self-conceitednels,  Turbulency,  Cenforioufnefs  and  Te- 
merity, and  to  engage  themfelves  for  a  Caufe  and  Party  before  they  underftood 
the  matter  :  and  were  led  about  by  thole  Teachers  and  Books  that  had  once  won 
their  higheft  Efteem ;  judging  of  Sermons  and  Perlbns  by  their  Fervency,  more 
than  by  thzfoundnefs  of  the  Matter  and  the  Caule.  And  fome  I  found  on  the  other 
fide,  to  be  ancient  and  experienced  Chriftians  that  had  tried  the  Spirits,  and  feen 
what  was  of  God,  and  what  of  Man,  and  noted  the  Events  of  both  in  the  World ; 
and  thefe  were  like  ripe  Fruit,  Mellow  and  fweet,  firft  pure,  then  peaceable,  gen- 
tle, eafy  to  be  intreated,  full  of  Mercy  and  good  Fruits,  without  Partiality,  with- 
out Hypocrify,  who  being  Makers  of  Peace,  did  low  the  Fruits  of  Righteoufhefs 

ia 


P  a  &  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  145 


in  peace,  James  ;.  17, 1 8.  I  began  by  experience  to  underftand  the  meaning  of 
thole  words  of  St.  ?auly  1  Tim.  ;.  6.  [  Not  a  Novicey  left  being  lifted  up  -with  pride, 
befall  into  the  condemnation  of  the  Devil^]  Novices,  that  is,  young,  raw,  unexperien- 
ced Chriitians,  are  much  apter  to  be  proud,  and  cenfbrious,  and  factious,  than  old 
experienced,  judicious  Chriftians. 

§  21.  But  the  Difference  between  the  Godly  and  the  Ungodly,  the  Spiritual  and  the 
Carnal  worfhippers  of  God,  was  here  the  moft  confiderable  of  all.  An  humble, 
holy,  upright  Soul  is  fenfible  of  the  intereft  of  Chrift  and  Souls ;  and  a  gracious 
Perfon  is  ever  a  charitable  Peribn,  and  loveth  his  Neighbour  as  himfelf  -y  and  there- 
fore judgeth  of  him,  as  he  would  be  judged  of  himfelf,  and  fpeaketh  of  him  as  ha 
would  be  fpoken  of  himfelf,  and  ufeth  him  as  he  would  be  uied  himfelf:  And  it  is 
as  much  againft  his  charitable  inclination  to  difagree  or  feparate  from  his  Brethren, 
much  more  to  profecute  them  or  cart  them  out,  as  it  is  againft  the  nature  of  the 
body  to  difmember  it  (elf,  by  cutting  off  any  of  the  parts.  And  it  is  eafie  to  bring 
iiich  Perfons  to  Agreement,  at  leaf)  to  live  in  Charitable  Communion.*  But  on  the 
other  fide  the  Carnal,  Selfifh  and  Unfandtified,  (  of  what  Party  or  Opinion  fbever) 
have  a  Nature  that  is  quite  againft  holy  Concord  and  Peace.  They  want  that  love 
which  is  the  natural  Balfom  for  the  Churches  wounds  :  They  are  every  one  Self]}), 
and  ruled  by  Self  Inter -eft ,  and  have  as  many  Ends  and  Centres  of  their  Defires  and 
Actions,  as  they  are  individual  Men.  They  are  eafily  deceived  and  led  into  Er- 
rour,  efpecially  in  Pra&icals,  and  againft  Spiritual  Truths,  for  want  of  Divine  Il- 
lumination, and  Experience  of  the  Things  of  God,  and  a  Nature  fuitable  there- 
to. Their  Deligns  are  Carnal,  Ambitious,  Covetous,as  Worldly  Felicity  is  their  I- 
dol  and  their  End  :  God  is  not  taken  for  their  highert  Governour,  his  Laws  muft 
give  place  to  the  Defires  of  their  Flefh  :  Their  very  Religion  is  but  Pride  and 
Worldlinefs,  or  fubject  to  it.  They  have  a  fecret  Enmity  againft  a  holy,  fpiritual 
Life,  and  therefore  againft  the  People  that  are  holy  :  They  love  not  them  that  are 
ferious  in  their  own  Religion,  and  that  go  beyond  their  dead  Formality:  This  En- 
mity, provoked  by  S;lf  intereft  or  Reproof,  doth  eafily  make  them  PerfeCfitors  of 
the  Godly,  if  they  have  but  power.  And  their  carnal  worldly  hearts  incline  them 
to  the  carnal  worldly  fide  in  any  Controverfies  about  Religion,  and  to  corrupt  it, 
and  make  it  a  carnal  thing.  Thefe  Hypocrites  in  the  Church  do  betray  its  Purity 
and  Peace,  and  (ell  Chrift' s  Intereft  and  the  Gofpel  for  as  fmall  a  price  as  Judas 
fold  his  Lord  for.  And  though  in  a  time,  when  God's  Providence  ietteth  his  own 
Caufe  on  the  higher  ground,  and  giveth  it  the  advantage  of  holy  Governours,  thefe 
Men  may  poflibly  be  ferviceable  to  its  welfare,  as  finding  it  to  ferve  their  carnal 
Ends  ;  yet  ordinarily  they  will  fell  the  Peace  of  the  Church  for  Preferment  •  and 
are  either  impofing  perfecuttng  Dividers,  or  dijcontented  humorous  Dividers  •  and  hardly 
brought  to  the  neceffary  terms  of  a  juft  and  holy  and  durable  Peaces  (  of  whom 
I  have  more  largely  written  in  my  Book  called  Catholick  Unity).  Thefe ,  and  ma- 
ny more  Impediments  do  rife  up  againft  all  conciliatory  endeavours. 

§  22.  But  I  found  not  all  thefe  alike  in  all  the  difagreeing  Parties,  though  fbme 
of  both  Sorts  in  every  Party.  The  Eraftian  Party  is  moft  compofed  of  Lawyers 
and  other  Secular  Perfons,  who  better  underftand  the  Nature  of  Civil  Govern- 
ment, than  the  Nature,  Form  and  Ends  of  the  Church,  and  of  thofe  Offices  ap- 
pointed by  Chrift  for  Men's  Spiritual  Edification  and  Salvation.  The  Diocefan  Party 
(  with  us  )  confided  of  fome  grave,  learned,  godly  Bi/hops ,  and  fbme  fober  godly 
People  of  their  mind;  and  withal  of  almoft  all  the  carnal  Politicians, Temporizers, 
l?rophane,  and  Haters  of  Godlinefs  in  the  Land  ;  and  all  the  Rabble  of  the  igno- 
rant, ungodly  Vulgar :  Whether  this  came  to  pafs  from  any  thing  in  the  Nature  of 
their  Diocefan  Government,  or  from  their  accommodating  the  ungodly  Sort  by 
the  formal  way  of  their  Publick  Worfhip  ;  or  from  their  heading  and  pleafing 
them  by  running  down  the  ftri&er  fort  of  People  whom  they  hated  ;  or  all  thefe 
together  ;  and  alfo  becaufe  the  -worft  and  moft  do  always  fall  in  with  the  Party  that 
is  uppermoft,  I  leave  to  the  Judgment  of  the  confiderate  Reader.  The  Presbyte- 
rian Party  confifted  of  grave,  orthodox,  godly  Minifters,  together  with  the  hope- 
fulleft  of  the  Students  and  young  Minifters,  and  the  fobereft,  godly,  ancient  Chri- 
ftians, who  were  equally  averfe  to  Verfecution  and  to  Schifm  ;  and  of  thofe  young 
ones  who  were  educated  and  ruled  by  thefe  :  As  alio  in  thofe  places  where  they 
moft  prevailed,  of  the  fobereft  fort  of  the  well-meaning  Vulgar,  who  liked  a  god- 
ly Life',  though  they  had  no  great  knowledge  of  it :  And  this  Party  was  moftdefi- 
rous  of  Peace.  The  Independant  Party  had  many  very  godly  Minifters  and  People, 
but  with  them  many  young  injudicious  Perfons ,  inclined  much  to  Noreldes  and 
Separations,  and  abounding  more  in  Zeal  than  Knowledge  j  ufually  doing  more 

V  ftrt 


14.6  The  LI  F  B  of  the  L  f  b.  I. 

_7  —         ; 

for  Subdivifions,  than  the  few  fober  Perfbns  among  them  could  do  for  unity  and 
Peace  ;  too  much  miftaking  the  Terms  of  Church  Communion,  arjd  the  difference 
between  the  Regenerate  (  invifible  )  and  the  Congregate  (or  vitfble)  Church. 
The  Anabaptifts  Party  confifted  of  iome  (  but  fewer  )  fober ,  peaceable  Perfons , 
and  orthodox  in  other  Points;  but  withal,  of  abundance  of  you  fig  tranfported 
Zealots,  and  a  medley  of  Opinionifts,  who  all  halted  directly  to  Evtbufiafm  and 
Subdivifions,  and  by  the  Temptation  of  Proff>erity  and  Succels  in  Arms,  and  the 
Policy  of  fbme  Commanders,  were  led  into  Rebellions,  and  hot  Endeavouis  againft 
the  Miniftry,  and  other  fcandalous  Crimes  ;and  brought  forth  the' horrid  Seels  of 
Ranters,  Seekers,  and  Quakers  in  the  Land. 

§  23.  But  thegreatelr  Advantage  which  I  found  for  Concord  and  Pacification, 
was  among  a  great  number  of  Minifters  and  People  who  had  addicted  themfelves 
to  no  Seft  or  Party  at  all  ;  though  the  Vulgar  called  them  by  the  Name  of  Presby- 
tenans :  And  the  truth  is,  as  far  as  I  could  difcover,  this  was  the  Cafe  of  the  great- 
elf  number  of  the  godly  Minifters  and  People  throughout  England.  For  though 
Presbytery  generally  took  in  Scotland,  yet  it  was  but  a  ftranger  here  :  And  it  found 
fome  Minifters  that  lived  in  conformity  to  theBifhops ,  Liturgies  and  Ceremonies 
(however  they  wifht  for  Reformation);  and  the  moft  (that  quickly  after  were 
ordained  )  were  but  young  Students  in  the  Unitferfities,  at  the  time  of  the  change 
of  Church  Government,  and  had  never  well  ftudied  the  Point  on  either  fide:  And 
though  moft  of  the  Minifters  (  then  )  in  England  faw  nothing  in  the  Presbyterian 
way  of  practice,  which  they  could  not  cheerfully  concur  in,  yet  it  was  but  few 
that  had  refolved  on  their  Principles :  And  when  I  came  to  try  it,  I  found  that  moft 
(that  ever  I  could  meet  with,*  were  againft  the  Jus  Divinum  of  Lay  Elders,  and 
for  the  moderate  Primitive  Epifcopacy,  and  for  a  narrow  Congregational  or  Pa- 
rochial Extent  of  ordinary  Churches,  and  for  an  accommodation  of  all  Parties, 
in  order  to  Concord,  as  well  as  my  felf.  I  am  fure  as  loon  as  I  propofed  itto  them, 
I  found  moft  inclined  to  this  way,  and  therefore  I  fiippofe  it  was  their  Judgment 
before:  *ifea,  multitudes  whom  I  had  no%onverfe  with,  I  underftood  to  be  of  this 
mind  ;  fb  that  this  moderate  Number,  (  I  am  loth  to  call  them  a  Party  ,  becaufe 
they  were  for  Catholicifm  againft  Parties)^  being  no  way  pre-engaged  ,  made  the 
Work  of  Concord  much  more  hopeful  than  elfe  it  would  have  been  ,  or  than  I 
thought  it  to  be  when  I  firft  attempted  ir. 

§24.  Things  being  in  this  Cafe,  I  ftood  ftili  (bme  years,  as  a  looker  on,  and 
contented  my  felf  to  wijh  and  prayiov  Peace,  and  only  drop  now  and  then  a  word 
for  it  in  my  practical  Writings ;  which  hath  fince  been  none  of  my  fmalleft 
troubles.  The  Reafbns  were,  1.  Becaufe  I  was  taken  up  in  Pradticals ,  and  in 
iiich  Controverfies  as  tended  to  Doctrinal  Agreement.  2.  Becaufe  I  looked  when 
fome  abler  and  more  eminent  Divines  attempted  it.  3.  But  the  chief  Reafon  was, 
Defpair :  I  was  Co  confclous  of  my  meannefs  and  in  confiderablenefs  in  the  Church, 
that  I  verily  thought,  but  very' few  will  regard  what  I  faid.  But  when  I  once  at- 
tempted it,  God  convinced  me  of  this  Errour,  and  (hewed  me  how  little  Instru- 
ments fignifie,  when  he  will  vpork  :  and  that  his  Minifters  and  People  were  more 
humble  to  hear  the  meaneft  of  their  Brethren,  than  I  before  believed.  Atlaft  the 
workings  of  my  earneft  Defire,  and  the  apprehenfion  of  my  Duty,  to  do  my  beft, 
and  leave  the  Succefs  to  God,  engaged  me  as  followeth. 

§  2  j.  I  firft  began  in  Conference  and  Writing  to  Reverend  Mr.  Anthony  Burgeft, 
and  fome  others,  to  put  the  main -Queftion,  Whether  all  Church  Government  be 
not,  as  Camero  holdeth,  only  Perfwafeve,  not  by  private,  but  publick  or  authorized 
Doctoral  Perfwafion,  and  fb  can  work  on  none  but  theConfcientious  or  AfTenters  ? 
And  whether  the  ufurpation  of  a  ftrictly  Legiflative  and  Judicial  Power  (fave  only 
to  judge  what  we  are  to  execute),  or  a  power  of  binding  Diflenters ,  even  Clave 
errante ,  efpecially  binding  Magiftrates  to  execute  by  Corporal  Penalties  and 
Mulcts,  and  other  Punifhments ,  Eo  nomine ,  becaufe  by  Excommunication  the 
Church  hath  punifhed  them,  I  fay,  whether  this  be  not  a  robbing  the  Magiftrate 
of  his  Power,  and  making  the  Exercife  of  the  Keys,  to  be  too  like  a  Coercive 
Secular  Judgment,  and  fb  the  Ground  of  all  the  Quarrels  in  the  Church  ?  For  I 
faw  plainly  that  the  Papifts,  and  thofe  Prelates  and  Presbyterians  who  are  for  fuch 
an  unexamined  Judicial  Power,  do  but  ftrive  for  that  which  belongeth  to  none  of 
them  all.  Up?n  the  railing  of  thefe  doubts  I  was  fufpected  to  be  an  Erafi.ian,  and 
had  no  other  Anfwer,  or  Satisfaction  :  But  the  ftudy  of  the  Point  fbmewhat  cleared 
my  own  Judgment. 

§  26. 


P  a  Pt  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  147 

§  26.  Next  this  I  wrote  to  Reverend  and  Judicious  Mr.  Richard  Pines,    about  an 
attempt  for  Concord  with  all,  but  efpecially  the  Epifcopal  Party  :  And  alfo  about 
:Lny- Elders;  and  his  Judgment  fully  concurred  with  me,  and  (  befides  others  )  he 
wrote  to  me  the  following  Letter. 

SIR, 

T  Hough  ljhould  have  defired  to  have  underftood  your  thoughts  about  the  t^oint  of  Sa~ 
crtledge,  that  fo  1  might  have  formed  up  my  thoughts  into  fom»  better  order  and  clear- 
er ifjue  than  I  did  in  my  la  ft :  yet  tofhew  unto  you  how  much  I  value  this  Correspondence 
with  you,  lam  willing  to  make  f ome  return  to  your  {elf.  And  fir  ft  touching  the  School- 
ma  ft  er  intended, &CC' The  Accommodation  you  Jpeak  of  is  a  great  and  a  good -work 

for  the  gaining  into  the  Workjucb  u/eful  parts  andtnterefts  as  might   very   much  heal  the 
Difcord,  and  unite  theftrength  of  Men  to  oppofe  deftruthve  ways,  and  in  my  opinion  more 
feafible  with  tboje  men  than  any  other,  if  they  be  moderate  and  godly  :  for   we   differ  with 
them  rather  about  (ome  Pmacles  of  the  Temple,  than  the  Foundation    or  Abbuttrefjes  thereof 
1  would  not  have  much  timeffent  in  a  formula  of  Dothine  or  Worflnp :  for  we  are  not 
much  diftant  in  them,and  happily  no  more  than  with  one  another.  But  I  would  have  the  Agree- 
ment attempted  in  that  very  thing  which  chiefly  made  the  Divifton, and 'that  is  Government ; 
heal  that  breach  and  heal  all ;  there  begin,and  therein  labour  all  you  can.     What  influence  this 
may  have  upon  others,  1  know  not,  in  this  exulceration  of  mens  minds :  but  the   Workjpeaks 
it  Jelf  good,  and  your  Reafons  for  the  attempting  of  it  are  very  considerable.     For  the  Ajjcm- 
bly, you  know,  tbey  can  meddle  with  jufl  nothing  but  what    is  fent   unto  them  by    Parlia- 
ment, or  one  Houje  thereof  (as  the  Order  faith  )  and  for  that  reajon  never  took  upon  them 
to  intermeddle  therein.     What  they  do  in  fitch  a  thing ,  mufl  be  done  as  private  perf on  s,  and 
not  as  w  the  capacity  of  AJJ'embly-men,  except  it  come  to  them  recommended  by  the  Parlia- 
ment.    The  great  bufinefi  is  to  find  a  temperament  m  Ordination  and  Government,  in  both         ■ 
which  the  Excluflon  or  Admittance  of  Presbyters  (  dicis  Caufaj/or  a  (hadow  ,  was  not 
regular ;  and  no  doubt  the  Presbyters   ought  and  may  both  teach  and  govern,  as  men  that 
muft  give  account  of  Souls.     For  that  you  fay  of  every  particular   Church  having  ma?y 
Tresbytersjt  hath  been  confldered  in  our  Affembly ,and  the  Scripture  J^eaks  fair  for  ttybutthen 
the  Church  and  City  was  of  one  Extent:  No  Parijhes  or  Bounds  ajjigned  out  to  particular 
men  (  as  now  )  but  the  Minifler  preached  in  circuita,  or  in  common,  and  flood  m  relation 
to  the  Churches  as  to  one  Church,  though  meeting  haply  tn  divers  houfes   or   places  '(  as  is 
(till  the  manner  of  fomt  Cities  in  the  Low  Countries.)     If  you  will  follow  this   mvdel,  you 
muft  lay  the  City  all  into  one  Church  particular,  and  the  Villages  half  a  dozen  of  them  into  a 
Church  :  which  is  a  buflnefl  here  in  England  of  vaft  deflgn  and  confeauence.     An  das  for 
that  you  fay  of  a  Bifliop  over  many  Presbyters,  not  over  many  Churches ;  I  believe 
no  (uch  Bijhops  will  pleafe  our  men :   but  the  Nation,  as  you  conceive  it,  hath  been,  and  is 
the  Opinion  of  learned  Men.   •  Grotius  in  his  Commentary  on  the  K&.S,  in  divers  places ,and 
particularly  cap.  17.  faith,  That  as  in  every  particular  Synagogue  (many  of  which   was  in 
fome  one  City)  there  was  d^mvoiyuyQ-,  fucb  was  the  Primitive  Bifliop  :  and  doubt  left  the 
fir  ft  Bijhops  were  over  the  Community  of  Presbyters,  as  Presbyters  in  joint  relation   to  one 
Church  or  Region  ;  which  Region  being  upon  the   increafe  of  Believers,  divided  into  more 
Churches,  and  in  after  times  thofe  Churches  ajjigned  to  particular  men  :  yet  he,  the  Biflwpjon- 
tinued  BiUwp  over  them  ft  ill.     For  that  you  Jay,  he  bad  a  negative  voice,  that's  more  than 
■    ever  I  f aw  proved,  or  ever  fo all,  I  believe  for  the  firfi  two  hundred  years ;  and  yet  I  have 
laboured  to  enquire  into  it.     That  makes  him  Angelus  princeps  ,  not,  Angelus  praefes,  as 
Dr.  Reignolds  faith  ;  Calvin  denies  that,  and  makes  him  Conful  in  Senatu.     Or  as  the 
Speaker  in  the  Houfe  of  Parliament,  which  as  I  have  heard  that  D.  B.  did  fay,  was  but  to 
make  him  Foreman  of  the  fury.     Take  heed  of  yielding  a  Negative  Voice.     As  touching  the 
introduction  of  Ruling  Elders,  fuch  as  are  modelled  out  by  Parliament  ,  my  judgment   is 
fufflciently  known  :  I  am  of  your  judgment  in  the  Point.     There  mould  be  iuch  El- 
ders as  have  power  to  preach  as  well  as  rule :  1  fay  power  ;  but  how  that  will  be  affe- 
Bed  here  I  know  not,  except  we  could  or  would  return  to  the  primitive  nature  and  conftitu- 
tion  of  particular  Churches  :  and  therefore  it  mufl  be  helped  by  the  combination    of  more 
Churches  together  into  one  as  to  the  matter  of  Government,  and  let  them  beflill  dtftinci  as  to 
Word  and  Sacraments.     That  is  the  eaflesJ  way.  of  Accommodation  that  yet  occurs  to  my 
thoughts.     Sir,  I  fear  I  trouble  you  too  long,  but  it  is  to  fliew  how  much  lvalue  you  and  y  out 
Letters  to  me  \  for  which  1 1 hank  you t  and  reH 

Yours  in  the  beft  Bonds, 

R,  Vines, 

V  2  §27. 


I        I  ' ■     .    ■  .  '  ■  '"  ■        I  '     '-     -   ■ 

14.8  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  1  b.  1. 


§27.  Something  alio  f  wrote  to  Reverend  and  Learned  Mr.  Tb.Gataker,  whofe 
Judgment  I  had  (een  before  in  his  own  Writings :  And  having  the  encouragement 
of  fuch  Confent,  1  motioned  the  Bufinefs  tofome  London  Minifters  to  have  h  let  on 
foot  among  themfelves,  becaufe  if  it  came  from  them,  it  would  be  much  more  ta- 
king than  from  us :  But  they  thought  it  unfit  to  be  managed  there,  for  feveral  Rea- 
sons, andfo  we  muft  try  it,  or  only  fit  (till  and  wifli  well  as  we  had  done. 

§  28.  Next  this,  the  ftate  of  my  own  Congregation,  and  the  neceffity  of  my 
Duty,  contained  me  to  make  fome  Attempt.  For  I  muft  adminifter  the  Sacra- 
ments to  the  Church,  and  the  ordinary  way  of  Examining  every  Man  before  they 
come,  I  was  not  able  to  prove  neceffary,  and  the  People  were  averle  to  it :  So 
that  I  was  forced  to  think  of  the  matter  more  ferioufly  ;  and  having  determined  of 
that  way  which  was,  I  thought,  moft  agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God,  I  thought,  if 
all  the  Minifters  did  accord  together  in  one  way,  the  People  would  much  more  ea- 
flly  fubmit,  than  to  the  way  of  any  Minifterthat  was  fingular.  To  attempt  their 
Confent  1  had  two  very  great  Encouragements :  The  one  was  an  honeft  ,  humble, 
tractable  People  at  home,  engaged  in  no  Party,  Prelatical,  Presbyterian,  or  Inde- 
pendant ;  but  loving Godlinefs  and  Peace,  and  hating  Schifm  as  that  which  they 
perceived  to  tend  to  the  ruine  of  Religion.  The  other  was  a  Company  of  honelr, 
godly,  ferious,  humble  Minifters  in  the  Country  where  I  lived,  who  were  noc  one 
of  them  (that  Aflbciated  )  Presbyterian  or  Independant,  and  not  paft  four  or  five 
of  them  Epifeopal ;  but  dif  engaged  faithful  Men.  At  a  Lecture  at  Wonefter  I  firft 
procured  a  Meeting,  and  told  them  of  the  Defign,  which  they  all  approved  :  They 
impofed  it  upon  me,  to  draw  up  a  Form  of  Agreement.  The  Matter  of  it  was 
to  confift  [So  much  of  the  Church  Order  and  Difcipline  ,  as  the  Epifeopal,  Vresbyterian t 
and  Independant  are  agreed  in,  as  belonging  to  the  Vaftors  of  each  particular  Church^.  The 
Reafbns  of  this  were,  1.  Becaufe  we  all  believed  that  the  practice  of  fb  much  as  all 
are  agreed  in,  would  do  very  much  to  the  Order  and  Reformation  of  the  Chur- 
ches ;  ancl  that  the  controverted  vParts  are  thole  of  leaft  neceffity  or  weight.  2. Be- 
caufe we  would  not  neceffitate  any  Party  to  refute  our  AflTociation  ,  by  putting  in  a 
word  which  he  difowneth  :  for  we  intended  not  to  difpute  one  another  into  near- 
er Agreement  in  Opinions,  but  firft  to  agree  in  the  practice  of  all  that  which  was 
owned  by  us  all. 

According  to  their  defire  I  drew  up  fome  Articles  for  our  Confent  which  might 
engage  us  to  the  moft  effectual  practice  of  fo  much  Difcipline  as  might  reduce  the 
Churches  to  order,  and  fatisfie  Minifters  in  adminiftring  the  Sacraments,  and  ftop 
the  more  religious  People  from  Separation,  to  which  the  unrefbrmednefs  of  the 
Churches  through  want  of  Difcipline  inclined  them,  and  yet  might  not  at  all  con- 
tradict the  Judgments  of  any  of  the  three  Parties:  And  I  brought  in  the  Reafbns 
of  the  feveral  Points :  which  after  fufficient  Deliberation  and  Examination  (with 
the  alteration  of  fome  few  words )  were  confented  to  by  all  the  Minifters  that 
were  prefent ;  and  after  feveral  Meetings  we  fubferibed  them,  and  fo  aflbciated  for 
our  mutual  help  and  concord  in  our  Work.  The  Minifters  that  thus  aflbciated 
were  for  Number,  Parts  and  Piety,  the  moft  confiderable  part  of  all  that  County, 
and  fome  out  of  fome  neighbouring  Counties  that  were  near  us.  There  was  not, 
that  I  know  of,  one  through  Presbyterian  among  them,  becaufe  there  was  but  one 
fuch  that  I  knew  of  in  all  the  County,  and  he  lived  fomewhat  remote :  Nor  did 
any  Independant  fubferibe,  faveone;  for  there  were,  ("that  I  knew  of )  but  five 
or  fix  in  the  County,  and  two  of  the  weightierr  of  them  approved  it  in  words,  and 
the  reft  withdrew  from  our  Debates,  and  gave  us  no  reafon  againft  any  thing  pro- 
pofed.  Thofe  that  did  not  come  near  us,  nor  concur  with  us,  were  all  the  weaker 
fort  of  Minifters,  whofe  Sufficiency  or  Converfation  was  queftioned  by  others, 
and  knew  they  were  of  little  efteem  among  them,  and  were  neither  able  or  willing 
to  exercife  any  Difcipline  on  their  Flocks :  As  alfo  fome  few  of  better  parts  of  the 
Epifeopal  way,  who  never  came  near  us,  and  knew  not  of  our  Propofals,  or  refol- 
ved  to  do  nothing,  till  they  had  Epifcopacy  reftored  ;  or  fuch  whofe  Judgments 
efteemed  fuch  Difcipline  of  no  great  neceffity  :  And  one  or  two  very  worthy  Mi- 
nifters, who  approved  of  our  Agreement,  fubferibed  it  not,  becaufe  they  had  a 
People  fo  very  Refractory,  that  they  knew  they  were  not  able  to  bring  them  to  fub- 
mit to  ir. 

Having  all  agreed  in  this  Aflbciation,  we  propofed  publickly  to  our  People  fo 
much  as  required  their  Confent  and  Practice,  and  gave  every  Family  a  Copy  in 
Print,  and  a  fufficient  time  to  confider  and  underftand  it,  and  then  put  it  in  Execu- 
tion •  and  I  publilhed  it  with  the  Reafons  of  it,  and  an  Explication  of  what  feem- 
ed  doubtful  in  it,  in  a  Book  which  I  called  [  Cbrifiian  Goncord~\  which  pleafed  me, 
and  difpleafed  others.  §29. 


! 


Part  II.  Reverend Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         149 

§  29.  There  were  at  that  time,  two  forts  of  Epifcopal  Men,  who  differed  from 
each  other,  more  than  the  more  moderate  fort  differed  from  the  Presbyterians. 
The  one  was  the  old  common  moderate  fort,  who  were  commonly  in  Doctrine 
Calvmifts,and  took  Epifcopacy  to  be  neceffary  adbeneeffe  Mimfierti  &Ecclefnei  but 
not  ad  effe\  and  took  all  thofeofthe  Reformed  that  had  not  Bilhops,  for  true  Churches 
and  Minifters,  wanting  only  that  which  they  thought  would  make  them  more  corn- 
pleat.  The  other  fort  followed  Dr.  H.  Hammond,  and  (  for  ought  we  knew)  were 
very  new,  and  very  few  :  Their  Judgment  was  ( as  he  afferteth  in  Annot.  in  Acl. 
11.  &  in  Defertat,  )  that  all  tbe  Texts  of  Scripture  which  (peak  of  Presbyters,  do 
mean  Bifliops,  and  that  the  Office  of  Subject- Presbyters  was  not  in  the  Church  in 
Scripture  Times,  (  but  befoie  Ignatius  wrote  it  was  )  but  that  the  Apoftles  planted 
in  every  Church  only  a  Bifhop  with  Deacons,  but  with  this  intent  (  afferted  but 
never  proved)  that  in  time,  when  the  Chriftians  multiplied,,  thefe  Bifhops  (that 
had  then  but  one  Church  a  piece  )  Ihould  ordain  Subject-Presbyters  under  them, 
and  be  the  Paftors  of  many  Churches  :  And  they  held  that  Ordination  without 
Bilhops  was  invalid,  and  a  Minifrry  ib  ordained  was  null,  and  the  Reformed  Church- 
es that  had  no  Bifhops,  nor  Presbyters  ordained  by  Bilhops,  were  no  true  Church- 
es, though  the  Church  of  Rome  be  a  true  Church,  as  having  Bifliops  :  Thefe  Men 
in  Doctrine  werefuch  as  are  called  Arminiam  :  And  though  the  other  fore  were 
more  numerous  and  elder,  and  fbme  of  them  laid  that  Dr.  H.  Hammond  had  given 
away  their  Caufe  (  becaufe  hereby Tie  confeffeth  that  de  facto,  the  Churches  were 
but  Congregational  or  Parochial,  and  that  Every  Church  had  a  Bifliop,  and  no 
Subject  Presbyters  were  ordained  by  the  Apoftles,  or  in  Scripture  time,  which  is 
almoft  all  that  the  Presbyierians  delire  )  yet  Dr.  H.  Hammond  and  the  few  that  at 
firft  followed  him,  by  their  Parts  and  Intereft  in  the  Nobility  and  Gentry,  did  car- 
ry it  at  laft  againit  the  other  Party.  Now  in  my  Chnflian  Concord,  I  had  confef- 
fed  that  it  was  only  the  moderate  ancient  Epifcopal  Party  which  I  hoped  for 
Agreement  with  j  it  being  impoflible  for  the  Presbyterian  and  Independant  Party 
to  affociate  with  them  that  take  them  and  their  Churches,  and  all  the  reformed 
Minifters  and  Churches  that  have  not  Epifcopal  Ordination,  for  null :  And  know- 
ing that  this  Opinion  greatly  tended  to  the  Divifion  of  the  Chriftian  Churches, 
and  gratifying  the  Papifit,  and  offending  the  Prottflants,  I  fpake  freely  againft  it, 
which  alienated  that  party  t'rom  me. 

Having  letled  our  Affociations  Dr.  Warmerftry  (  after  Dean  of  Worcejhr  )  and 
Dr.  Thomas  Good  (  after  Prebend  of  Hereford)  were  willing  to  have  a  Conference 
with  us,  in  order  to  bring  in  the  Epifcopal  Party  in  Shropjhire  (where  they  then 
lived  )  to  our  Affociation  :  Accordingly  we  met  with  them  at  Chobury  in  Shrop- 
JJrire  y  and  our  Articles  were  read  over  by  Dr.  JVarmerJiry,  and  examined  one  by 
one,  and  in  the  conclufion  they  profeffed  their  very  good  likeing  of  our  Deilgn, 
and  that  they  purpoied  to  join  with  us,  but  they  thought  it  not  meet  at  that  pre- 
fent, being  but  two,  to  fublcribe  their  full  Affent  left  it  Ihould  feem  over  hafty  to 
their  Brethren,  and  mould  hinder  the  Affociation,  which  they  Defired  to  promote: 
But  yet  at  prefent  they  fubferibed  as  followeth  : 

Sept.  20. 165-5. 

§  jo.T*T"T£  whofe  Names  are  under  written,  having  had  Conference  with  divers  of  our 
VV      Brethren  of  the  Miniftry  of  Worcefterfhire,  concerning  their  Agreement  and 

Affociation,  for  the  promoting  of  Peace  and  Unity,  and"  Reformation  of  their  refpecltve 
Congregations,  according  to  the  Word  of  God,  do  by  thefe  Prefent s  approve  pf  their  Chri- 
ftian Intendments  in  the  general,  as  being  fuch  that  in  Reference  to  the  prefent  Condition  of 
the  Church,  we  conceive  to  conduce  very  much  to  the  Glory  of  God,  the  Promotion  of 
Holynefs,  the  reftraint  of  Sin,  the  removing  of  Scandal^  and  the  fttling  of  God's  People 
in  Chrifiian  Unity  and  Concord .    Witnefs  our  Hands ,  the  Day  and  Tear  above  written, 

THO.    WARMESTRY. 
THO.    GOOD. 

(  This  is  that  Dr.  Warmeftry,  who,  when  I  was  filenced  by  Bifhop  Morley,  and  he 
made  Dean  of  Worcefier,  came  purpofely  to  my  Flock,  to  preach  thofe  vehement 
tedious  Invectives  of  which  more  hereafter.  ) 

31.'  In  our  Affociation  we  agreed  upon  a  Monthly  Meeting  at  certain  Market- 
Towns  for  Conference  about  fuch  Cafes  of  Difcipline  as  required  Confutation 

and 


156  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I, 

and  Confent :    Accordingly  at  Evefram  and  Kukrminfler  they  were  conftantly  kept 
up  :  In  the  Town  where  I  lived  we  had  once  a  Month  a  Meeting  of  Three  Ju- 
itices  of  the  Peace  (  who  lived  with  us )  and  three  or  four  Minifters  (  for  fo  ma- 
ny wt  were  in  the  Parilh,  my  ielf  and  Afliftants )  and  three  or  four  Deacons, 
and  twenty  of  the  ancient  and  godly  Men  of  the  Congregation,  who  pretended 
to  no  Office,  as  Lay-Elders,  but  only  met  as  the  Truftees  of  the  whole  Church, 
to  be  prefent  and  fecure  their  Liberties ;   and  do  that  which  any  of  the  Church 
!,T,ie       might  do  ;  and  they  were  chofen  once  a  year  hereunto  (as  *  Grotius  de  Imperiojum 
oFwhfch  Pote/-  advifeth);  becaufe  all  the  People  could  not  have  leifureto  meet  fo  oft,  to 
Book  I      debate  things  which  required  their  Confent :  At  this  meeting  we  admonished  thofe 
moft  liked  that  remained  impenitent  in  any  fcandalous  Sin,  after  more  private  Admonition  be- 
and  foi-     fore  two  or  tnrce .  ancj  we  ^id  wjtn  au  poffible  tendernefs  perfaade  them  to  repen- 
5wcd'       tance,  and  labour  to  convince  them  of  their  Sin  and  danger;  and  pray  with  them 
if  they  contented  :  And  if  they  could  not  be  prevailed  with  to  repent,  we  required 
them  to  meet  before  all  the  Minifters  at  the  other  monthly  Meeting,  which  was 
always  the  next  Day  after  this  parochial  Meeting.     There  we  renewed  our  Admo- 
nitions and  Exhortations,  and  fome  Minifters  of  other  Parifhes  laboured  to  fet  it 
home,  that  the  Offender  might  not  think  it  was  only  the  Opinion  of  the  Paftor  of 
the  Place,  and  that  he  did  it  out  of  ill  Will  or  Partiality.    If  he  yielded  penitent- 
ly to  confefs  his  Sin  and  promife  Amendment  (  more  or  left  publickly  according  to 
the  Nature  of  the  Scandal)  we  then  joined  in  Prayer  for  his  true  Repentance  and 
Forgivenels,  and  exhorted  him  farther  to  his  Duty  for  the  future  :  But  if  he  ftill 
continued  obftinately  impenitent,  by  the  Confent  of  all,    he  was  by  the  Paftor  of 
the  Place  to  be  publickly  admonifhed  and  prayed  for  by  that  Church,  ufually  three 
feveral  days  together  ;    and  if  ftill  he  remained  Impenitent,  the  Church  was  re- 
quired to  avoid  him,    as  a  Perfbn  unfit  for  their  Communion  j   as  is  more  fully 
opened  in  the  Articles  of  our  Agreement. 

§  3  2.  This  monthly  Meeting  of  the  Minifters  proved  of  exceeding  great  Benefit 
and  comfort  to  us ;  where  when  we  had  dined  together,  we  fpent  an  Hour  or 
two  in  Dilputation  on  fome  Queftion  which  was  chofen  the  Week  before  ;  and 
when  the  Refpondent  and  Opponent  had  done  their  Part,  they  were  pleafed  to 
make  it  my  Work  to  determine :  And  after  that,  if  we  had  any  Church-bufinefs 
(  as  aforefaid  )  we  confulted  of  it.  And  many  Minifters  met  with  us,  that  were 
not  of  our  Affociation,  for  the  Benefit  of  thefe  Difputations.  I  muft  confefs  this 
was  the  comfortableft  time  of  all  my  Life,  through  the  great  delight  I  had  in 
the  Company  of  that  Society  of  honeft,  fincere,  laborious,  humble  Minifters  of 
Chrift  :  Every  Week  on  the  Lecture  Day  I  had  thepleafant  Company  of  many  of 
them  at  my  Houfe,  and  every  Month  at  our  appointed  Meeing  I  had  the  Compa- 
ny of  more  ;  I  fo  well  knew  their  Self-denial,  Impartiality,  Peaceablenefi,  and 
exemplary  Lives,  together  with  their  Skill  and  faithful  Diligence  for  the  Good  of 
Souls  (  however  almoft  all  of  them  have  been  fince  filenced  and  caft  out  )  that 
its  pleafant  to  me  to  remember  the  Converfe  I  had  with  them  ;  fb  aimable  are 
fincere  and  upright  Men,  whofe  finglenefs  of  Heart  doth  imitate  the  State  of  the 
primitive  Believers,  when  proud,  lelf-feeking  relerved  Hypocrites,  do  turn  their 
beft  Endowments  into  a  Reproach. 

§  3  3.  When  Di\  Warmefiry  and  Dr.  Good  had  fubferibed  as  above,  a  while  after 
Dr.  Warmefiry  confulted  with  his  London  Brethren :  and  he  received  a  Paper  of  Ani- 
madverfions  (not  againft  the, Articles  of  our  Agreement,  but)  againft  my  Expli- 
cation of  them,  and  my  Paflages  which  oppofe  thofe  Epifcopal  Divines  who  deny 
the  Miniftry  and  Churches  which  have  not  Prelatical  Ordination :  Thefe  Animad- 
verfions  he  fent  to  me  with  a  Letter,  which  fignified  his  defire  of  Peace  in  general, 
but  that  he  muft  not  itrike  a  League  with  Faction,  &c.    There  was  no  Jvjame  to 
this  Paper,  but  long  time  after  I  learnt  that  it  was  Mr.  Peter  Gunning's,  afterwards 
Bifhop  of  Ely.  I  prefently  wrote  an  Anfwer  to  it,  and  offered  the  Doctor  to  fend 
jn  the  Ap-  it  him,  if  he  would  tell  me  the  Author.     Becauie  it  is  too  long  to  be  inferted  here, 
pendix.     I  have  put  the  Paper  and  Anfwer  together  in  the  End,  where  you  may  read 
them. 

After  this  f  received  from  Sir  Ralph  Clare  thefe  enfuing  Papers,  as  from  fome 
Courtiers  (which  are  of  the,  fame  Strain  with  Dr.  Gunnings)  >  which  with  my 
brief  Anfwer  I  adjoin. 

S  I  R, 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        15* 

SI  R, 

TH  E  Influence  and  Tower  you  have  in  the  prefent  Pafior  of  your  (Shwcb  (  -who  is 
much  famed  abroad,  and  bad  in  a  reverend  Efieem  as  well  for  Piety  of  Life,  as 
for  bis  Learning,  Moderation,  and  defirivg  the  Peace  of  the  Church  )  gh/es  Encourage- 
ment to  your  old  Acquaintance,  an,d  AJfociate  in  that  One-glorious  Court  of  England  to 
defire  the  Favour  that  this  inclofed  Paper  may  be  prejented  to  his  Chrijtian  View  and  Con-  ' 
fideraiion  J  prefuming  Jo  great  u  his  Cfiarity,  that  he  -will  not  leave  any  wounded  Soul 
unhealed,  wherein  he  is  able  to  beflow  hts  Balm.  In  this  be  extends  not  his  Charity  alone 
as  to  a  fingle  Per  Jon,  but  (in  me)  there  are  many  more  of  your  Friends  included  i  who 
would  ha  ve  appeared  in  Perfon,  or  met  in  Conference,  were  it  not  our  Man/ions  are  at  too 
great  a  difiance]'  and  the  Malignity  and  Jealoufy  of  Times  challenges  Retirements,  rather 
than  Affemblies. 

It  is  not  civil  in  us  to  chalk  the  Method  of  Anfwermg  the  Queries  ;  yet  for  Eafement  Sake 
and  Brevity,  it  will  be  jattsfaclory  his  free  ConceJJion  of  any  Proposals  in  the  Affirmative 
to  be  true  without  any  Enlargement  of  Reafons  ;  and  for  thofe  Queries  wbuh  may'andmuH 
admit  Divifions,  Difi  met  ions ,  and  Difcourfe  on  the  Cafe ,  let  the  reverend  Gentleman  ufe 
bis  own  Form,  Judgment  and  Dijcretion  •  as  believing  he  will  proceed  with  fuch  Candor 
and  Impartiality,  as  becometh  a  Man  of  his  Calling  and  Eminency  j  waving  all  By-Inter- 
efis  and  Relations  to  any  Party  or  Faction,  either  regnant  or  eelipH  j  which  Act  will  de- 
fervedly  heighten  the  high  Efieem  he  is  valued  at,  and  your  felf  by  this  Honour  done,  en- 
gage me  and  many  more  of  your  old  Friends  (  in  me  )  to  fubferibe  our  felves 

Your  Servants, 
April  20.  1 65^. 

Theophilm  Church, 

(A  feigned  Name) 


Certain  Queries  and  Scruples  of  Confcknce  offered  to  fome 
Learned  Divines  for  Refolution  and  Satisfaction. 

i.TTTTH  ETHER  may  a  Chrifiian  Magi/Irate  tolerate  Liberty  of  Conference  in  Re- 

VV     ligion  and  Church  Difcipltne  without  Scandal? 

1.  Whether  may  and  ought  a  tender  Confcience  exercife  and  ufe  bis  Liberty  and  Freedom 
without  Violence  inforced  by  Superiors  ? 

3.  Whether  in  Matters  of  Government  Ecclefiaftical  depending  only  of  Faff,  toe  gene 
rat  and  perpetual  Practice  of  the  Church  from  Age  to  Age,  be  not  a  fujficient  Evidence  and 
Warrant  of  the  Right,  Truth,  and  certainty  of  the  thing  ? 

4.  Whether  the  Vocation  of  Bifhops  be  an  Order  Lawful  in  it  felf  ? 

•  .  f.  Whether  the  Regiment  Ecclefiaftical  by  Bi(l)0ps  hath  not  continued  throughout  the  Chri- 
fiian Church  ever  Jince  the  Apofiles  ,  untill  Calvin';  days  ?  No  Church  Orthodox  dif- 
fenting. 

6.  Whether  was  there  ever  fmce  the  Apofiles  days  fa  much  as  one  national  Chsircb  go- 
verned by  a  Presbytery  without  a  Bi^nop  untill  Calvin';  Days  ?  If  fo,  where  was  the  Ori* 
ginal  ?  m  what  Place  ?  by  what  Perfons?  of  what  continuance  ?  and  how  was  it  lott,  or 
changed  into  Epifcopacy,  and  upon  what  Grounds  or  Motives  ? 

7.  Whether  the  prefent  Minifiry  in  the  Church  of  England  (  as  it  now  feparated  from 
their  lawful  Superiors  or  Bifhops  )   be  not  Schifmatical  ? 

8.  Whether  all  thefe  Mimjlers  that  have  taken  the  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience  to  their 
Bijhops,  and  have  backfiidtn  and  jubmitted  to  thofe  Powers  that  violently  deprived  the  faid 
Bifhops  of  their  legal  Powers  and  J  ur  if  dictions,  by  yielding  a  voluntary  Obedience  to  their 
Ordinances,  are  not  under  a  high  Cenfure  of  Perjury  and  Schifm  ? 

9.  Whether  thofe  Mintfier snow  pretended  to  be  made  and  ordained  in  the    Church   of ' ' 
England  only  by  their  Fellow  Mintfier s  without  atBtjiiop,  be  trus  Minifiers  or  no  \  cr  eljt 
meer  Lay  Perfon s,  and  bold  Ufurpers  of  the  Sacred  Function  and  Order,  like  Corah  and  his 
Complices  ? 

io.  Whether  all  thofe  Minifiers  which  are  now  in  actual  poffeffion  of  the  late  Incum- 
bent s  Par  fonages  and  Cures  of  Souls  (  and  deprived  for  their  only  adhering  and  ajfiftmg 
their  late  lawful  Prince  and  'their  Governour,  and  alfo  their  Bijhops  )  to  whom  they  owed 

all 


1^2  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  lt 


all  Canonical  Obedience)  without  and  befide  any  Legal  \ndublion  or  Admijfium,  may  not  be  re- 
futed as  Intruders  and  falfe  Shepherds  ? 

11.  Whether  it  had  not  been  an  excellent  fart  of  Chriftian  Perfection,  rather  to  ensure 
pafifively  loft  of  Liberty,  Eft  ate,  and  even  of  Life  it  felffor  the  maintenance  and  defence  of 
the  Jujt  and  Legal  Rights  invefted  in  the  Church,  and  the  Bijlwps  it's  Superintendent  Pa- 
yors, and  the  Liturgy  and  Service  of  the  Church,  than  carnally  for  Self-mtereft  and  Ends, 
to  comply  and  fubmit  even  againft  their  knowing  Confidences,  to  a  violent  and  meer  prevail- 
ing power  and  force  in  the  abolijhing  of  Eptfcopal  Tower,  and  the  daily  Prayers  and  Service 
ufed  in  the  Church  ? 

12.  Whether  allfuch  Perfons  be  not  guilty  of  Schifm  and  of  Scandal  given,  which  Com- 
municate and  be  prefent  in  fuch  Minifters  Congregations  and  AjJ'emblies,  whether  m  Church 
or  in  private  Meetings,  to  hear  their  Prayers  or  Sermons,  or  receive  their  Sacraments  accord- 
ing to  the  now  prefent  mode  and  form, more  efifieciaUy  in  the  participation  with  them  m  the  Sa- 
crament of  the  Eucharift  ?  OrhowfarmayagoodChrifiian  Communicate  with  Juch  with- 
out juft  Scandal  given  or  taken  ? 

•  13.  Whether  it  be  lawful  and juft  for  any  Orthodox  Minifter  or  Epifcoparian  to  accept  of 
any  Benefice  with  Cure  of  Souls,  as  the  ft  ate  of  the  Englifh  Church  now  ftandeth  vifible 
and  ruling,  without  guilt  of  Schifm  by  compliance  to  their  Form  ? 

14.  Whether  as  the  Condition  of  the  prefent  Church  of  England  is,  The  Minifters  there- 
of may  not  legally,  andfio  juftifiably,  exercife  and  ufe  againfi  the  late  Liturgy  of  the  Church, 
there  being  no  Statute  Law  prohibiting  the  fame  ?  And  whether  thofe  that  continue  the  Ob- 
fervation  of  the  late  Directory  be  not  perturbers  of  the  Peace  of  the  Church  ,  efifieciaUy  fmce 
the  limitation  of  trial  by  a  pretended  Legality  and  Command  for  its  obfervance  ,  is  expired 
and  not  reconfirmed. 

1  f.  Whether  the  old  Jewifh  Church  had  not  fet  Forms  of  Prayer  ?  whither  St.  John  the 
B 'apt iff  our  Saviour's  Pracurfor,  and  our  blefifed  Saviour  himfelf,  taught  not  thtir  Difciples 
fet  Forms  of  Prayers,  and  whether  the  Chriftian  Church  (  efifieciaUy  fince  the  time  of  Peace 
from  the  violence  of  Heatheni(l)  Perfection  )  had  not,  nor  generally  ufed  fet  Forms  of  Pray- 
er ?  And  whether  the  Minifters  now  ex  tempore  Prayers  in  the  Chursh,  be  not  as  well  a 
fet  Form  of  Prayers  to  the  Auditors,  whofe  Spirits  are  therein  bounded,  as  any  fet  Form  of 
Prayer  ufed  in  the  Church  ? 

16.  Whether  may  a  Chriftian,  without  Scandal  given,  appear  to  be  a  Godfather  or  God- 
mother to  a  Child  in  ihefe  New  AjJ'emblies,  where  the  Mimjter  ufeth  his  own  DiBates  and 
Prayers,  and  not  of  the  ancient  Liturgy,  except  the  Words  of  Baptifm,  I  Baptize  thee 
(  A.  £.  )  in  the  Name  of  the  Father,  &c. 

17.  Whether  any  Supream  Earthly  Power  or  Powers  Spiritual  or  Temporal,  joint  or  fie- 
f  orate,  can  alienate  and  convert  to  fecular  ufes  or  imployments  any  Houfes,  Lands,  Goods,  or 
Things  once  devoted,  offered  and  dedicated  to  God  and  bis  Church,  without  grand  Sacri- 
ledge  and  ProphaneneJS  y  although  by  Corruption  of  Perfons  and  Times  they  have  been  either 
fuperftitioufily  abujed,  or  too  prophanely  employed,  but  rather  to  reduce  them  to  their  primitive 
Ufe  and  Donation  ? 

18.  Whether  the  ancient  Fafting  Days  of  the  Week  and  Festivals  of  the  Church,  fet  led 
both  by  Provincial  Synods  in  the  Tear  1562.  and  1640.  and  confirmed  by  the  then  Regal 
Power,  and  alfo  by  feveral  Statutes  and  Laws,  ought  not  by  aU  perfons  in  Confidence  to  be 
ft  ill  obferved,  until  they  be  abrogated  by  the  like  Powers  again  ?  or  how  far  the  Liberty  of 
Confidence  therein  may  be  ufed  in  obfierving  or  not  obfierving  them  ?  the  like  for  the  ufage  of 
the  Crofiin  Baptifim,  and  the  bumble  poHure  ofi  Kneeling  at  the  receiving  of  the  blejfied  Sa> 
crament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  ? 

19.  Which  way  of  fiecurity  and  peace  of  Confidence  may  a  quiet  Chriftian  order  and 
diffoje  himfielf,  his  Wife,  Children  and  Family  in  his  Duty  and  Service  towards  God,  and 
enjoy  the  right  ufie  and  benefit  ofi  the  Sacraments  and  other  holy  Duties,  as  long  as  that  part 
of  the  Catholick  Church  wherein  he  lives ,  is  under  perfiecution  t  and  the  vifible  Ruling 
Church  therein  ufialn  Schijmaticaltifi  not  in  many  particulars  Heretical  ? 

April  20th,  165:5-. 


May 


P  a  r  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  153 


May  14th,  i6$5*   An  Anfwer  to  the  foregoing  Queflions^  fent   to 

Sir  R.  Clare. 

'Ad  Queft.  1"'.  T?Ither  that  Confcience  owneth  the  right  Religion  aud  Diicipline 
JOj  only,  or  the  right  with  fome  tolerable  accidental  Errours,  or  a 
Wrong  Religion  and  -Discipline  in  the  Subftance.  The  firft  the  Magiftrate  muft  not 
only  tolerate,  but' promote.  The  fecond  he  muft  tolerate  rather  than  do  worie  by 
fupprefling  it.  The  third  he  muft  fupprefs  by  all  lawful  means,  and  tolerate  when 
he  cannot  help  it,  without  a  greater  Evil.  I  fuppofe  no  Judicious  Man  will  expect 
an  exad  Solution  of  fo  Comprehenfive  a  Queftion  in  few  words :  And  I  rind  not 
that  a  large  Difcuflion  is  now  expeded  from  me  :  There  are  four  or  five  Sheets 
of  my  Manufcripts  in  (bme  hands  abroad  on  this  Point,  which  may  do  more  to- 
wards a  fatisfadory  Solution,  than  thele  few  words. 

Ad  2*.  Either  the  tender  Confcience  is  in  the  right,  or  in  the  wrong  :  If  in  the 
wrong,  the  Magiftrates  Liberty  will  not  make  a  Sin  to  be  no  Sin ;  but  the  Party  is 
bound  by  God  to  redifie  his  Judgment,  and  thereby  his  Pradice.  If  in  the  right, 
it  is  a  ftrange  Queftion,  Whether  a  Man  may  obey  God,  that  hath  the  Magiftrates 
leave,  till  he  be  enforced  by  Mens  violence?  Doth  any  doubt  of  it? 

Ad  %".  Matter  of  Government  depending  only  on  Fall,  is  a  Contradiction  :  Seein» 
Government  confifteth  in  a  Right,  and  the  Exercife  of  it.  I  am  not  able  therefore 
to  underftand  this  Queftion.  Yet,  if  this  may  afford  any  help  toward  the  Soluti- 
on,! affirm,That  the  general  and  perpetual  pradice  of  the  Church  from  Age  to  Age, 
of  a  thing  not  forbidden  by  the  Word  of  God,will  warrant  our  imitation.!  (ay  [of  a 
thing  not  forbidden]  becaule  it  hath  been  the  general  and  perpetual  pradice  of  the 
Church,  to  Sin,  by  vain  Thoughts,  Words,  imperfed  Duties ,  &c.  wherein  our 
imitation  is  not  warrantable.  The  general  and  perpetual  praB  ice  includeth  the  Apo- 
files  and  that  Age.  But  what  is  meant  by  [Evidencing  the  Right  of  a  thing  that  de- 
pendeth  only  of  Fad]  or  by  [Evidencing  the  Truth  and  Certainty  o£  a  Fad  by 
general  and  perpetual  pradice]  (  which  is  to  prove  idem  per  idem),  I  will  not  pre- 
iume  that  I  underftand. 

Ad  4*.  I  know  not  what  Bifhops  you  mean.  A  Congregational  Bifhop  overfee- 
ing  the  People  is  undoubtedly  lawful :  fo  is  a  Congregational  Bifhop,  being  Presi- 
dent of  a  Presbytery  which  is  over  that  Congregation.  Where  many  Congregati- 
onal Officers  are  affociated,  I  do  not  think  that  a  Prefident  for  a  time,  or  during  his 
fitnefs,  (landing  and  fixed,  is  unlawful.  The  like  I  may  fay  of  a  Prefident  of  ma- 
ny of  thofe  Afibciations  again  aftbeiated,  as  in  a  Province  or  Diocefs :  And  I  be- 
lieve it  were  a  very  eafie  work  for  wife,  godly,  moderate  men  to  agree  about  his 
Power :  And  I  would  not  (eem  fo  cenfbrious  as  to  proclaim  that  England  wanteth 
fuch,  further  than  the  adual  want  of  fuch  Agreement,  or  juft  endeavours  there- 
to, doth  proclaim  it.  I  am  fatisfied  alfo,  that  the  Apoftles  themfelves  have  de  jure 
Succeftbrs  in  all  that  part  of  their  work  which  is  to  be  perpetuated,  or  continued 
till  now  ;  though  not  in  their  extraordinary  Endowments  and  Priviledges.  But 
if  the  fence  of  your  Queftion  be,  Whether  one  Man  may  be  the  (landing  chief 
Governour  of  many  particular  Churches  with  their  Officers ,  having  either  fole 
power  of  Ordination  and  Jurifclidion  (as  lbme  would  have)  or  a  Negative  Voice 
in  both  ("as  others,)  it  would  (eem  great  arrogancy  in  me  to  be  the  confident 
Determiner  of  fuch  a  Queftion,  which  (b  wife,  learned,  godly  fober  Men,have  (aid 
fo  much  of  on  both  fides  already. 

Adf,  1.  He  that  knows  how  fhort  Church  Hiftory  is  in  thefe  Matters  for  the 
firft  Age  after  the  Apoftles,  at  leaft,  and  hath  read  impartially  what  Gerfom,  Bucerus, 
Tarker,  BlondeUus,  Salmajius,  Altare  Damafcen,  have  faid  on  one  fide  ;  and  Saravia, 
Downham,  Dr.  Hammond^  &c.  on  the  other ;  would  fure  never  exped  that  I  (hould 
prefume  to  pais  any  confident  Sentence  in  the  Point :  And  it's  like  he  would  be 
fomewhat  moderate  himfelf. 

2.  I  fay  as  before,  I  know  not  what  you  mean  by  Bifhops :  I  am  confident  that 
the  Church  was  not  of  many  Hundred  years  after  Chrift  governed  as  ours  was  late- 
ly in  England,  by  a  Diocefan  Bifhop  and  a  Chancellor  excluding  qttaoft  allthe  Pret 
byters. 

3.  Why  do  you  fay  [Since  the  Apoftles  days,]  when  you  before  (poke  of  the 
[General  and  perpetual  pradice  of  the  Church  ]  ? 

x  rM 


!^4  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I. 

Ad  6m.  The  word  [National  Church]  admits  of  divers  fences.  As  it  was  ufu- 
ally  underftood  in  England,  I  think  there  was  none  for  divers  hundred  years  after 
Chrift,  either  governed  by  Bifhops  or  without  them.  They  that  will  look  after 
the  moft  encouraging  Prehdents,  mull:  look  higher  than  Nacional  Churches. 

Ad  ym.  TheQueftion  feems  not  to  mean  any  particular  truly-fcb  rnatical  Party 
of  Minifters,  bur  the  generality,  that  live  not  under  the  Biihops  :  and  ib  I  anfwer  »e- 
gati'vely,  waiting  for,  the  Accufers  proof. 

AdSm.  1. 1  know  not  what  the  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience  is:  therefore 
cannot  give  a  full  Aufwer.  I  know  multitudes  of  Minifters  ordained  by  Bifhops, 
that  never  took  any  fuch  Oath. 

2.  The  Powers  that  violently  took  down  the  Bilhops,  were  the  Secular  Powers : 
None  elfe  could  ufe  violence.  And  it  were  a  ft  range  Oath  for  a  Man  to  fwear  that 
he  wou'd  never  obey  the  Secular  Powers  if  they  took  down  the  Bifhops,  when  the 
Holy  Ghoft  would  have  us  obey  Heathen  Perfecutors. 

2.  If  it  were  fo  great  a  Sin  to  obey  thofe  Powers,  I  conceive  it  muft  be  fo  to 
the  Laity  as  well  as  the  Miniftry  :  And  I  knew  but  few  of  the  Epifcopal  Gentry  or 
others  called  to  it,  that  did  refufe  to  take  the  Engagement  to  be  true  and  faithful  to 
that  Power,  when  the  Presbyters  here  acculed  durft  not  take  it. 

4.  Moft  Presbyters  that  I  know  do  perform  all  Ecclefiaftical  Matters  upon  fup- 
ppfition  of  a  Divine  Direction,  and  not  upon  the  Command  of  Humane  Pow- 
ers. 

Ad  <f.  The  Ordination  of  mcer  Presbyters  is  not  null ,  and  the  Presbyters  fb  or- 
dained now  in  England  are  true  Presbyters,  as  I  am  ready  to  maintain.  But  wait 
for  the  Accufer's  proof  of  the  nullity. 

Ad  10".  1.  This  calls  me  to  decide  the  Controverfie  about  the  late  Wars,  which 
I  find  not  either  neceflary  or  convenient  forme  to  undertake. 

2.  The  like  I  muft  fay  of  deciding  the  Legality  of  Inductions  and  Admit 
fions. 

3.  If  a  worthy  Man  be  caft  out,  had  you  rather  that  God's  Worfhip  were  neg- 
lected, and  the  People  perifhed  for  lack  of  Teaching,  then  any  other  Man  ihould 
be  let  over  them,  though  one  that  had  no  hand  in  cafting  him  out  ?  Muft  the 
People  needs  have  him  or  none  as  long  as  he  lives  ?  Was  it  fo  when  Bilhops  were 
caft  out  heretofore  by  Emperours  or  Councils?  I  think  I  may  take  the  Guidance 
of  a  deftitute  People,  fo  I  hinder  not  a  worthy  Man  from  recovering  his 
Right. 

4.  I  never  defired  that  any  (hould  be  Excluded  but  the  Unworthy,  (the  Ineffici- 
ent, or  Scandalous,  or  grofly  Negligent ) :  And  I  know  but  too  few  of  the  Ejected 
that  are  not  fuch.:  And  this  Queftion  doth  modeftly  pais  over  their  Cafe  $  or  elfe  I 
/hould  have  laid  (bmewhat  more  to  the  Matter. 

Ad  ii"\  1.  It  is  a  neceflary  Chriftian  Duty  to  fee  that  we  do  not  the  leaft  Evil 
for  our  own  fafety  :  And  all  God's  Ordinances  muft  be  maintained  as  far  as  we 
can  :  But  as  I  before  difclaimed  the  Arrogance  of  determining  the  Controverfie  a- 
bout  our  Diocefan  Epilcopacy,  fo  I  think  not  every  Legal  Right  of  the  Church 
(  which  it  hath  by  Man's  Law  ),  nor  every  thing  in  our  Liturgy,  to  be  worthy  ib 
ftiff  a  maintenance,  as  to  the  lofs  of  Life  j  nor  the  lofs  cf  Peace  :  Nor  did  the  late 
King  think  fo,  who  would  have  let  go  fo  much.  But  I  think  that  they  that  did  this 
[carnally  for  Self-intereft  and  Ends]  did  grievoufly  fin,  whether  the  thing  it  felf 
were  good  or  bad :  elpecially  if  they  went  againft  their  Confidences. 

2.  I  think  there  is  no  unlawful  Prayers  or  Service  now  offered  to  God  in  the 
Church  ordinarily,  where  I  have  had  opportunity  to  know  it.  And  I  think  we 
pray  for  the  fame  things,  in  the  main,  as  we  were  wont  to  do;  and  offer  God  the 
fame  Service :  And  that  Mr.  Ball  and  others  againft  the  Separatifts,have  fufficiently 
proved,  that  it  is  no  part  of  the  Worlhip,  but  an  Accident  of  it  felf  indifferent, 
that  I  ufe  Tkeje  Words,  or  Thole,  a  Book  or  no  Book,  a  Form  premeditated,  or  not. 
And  no  Separatift  hath  yet  well  anfwered  them. 

/id  um.  Such  as  you  deicribed  you  can  hardly  know,  and  therefore  not  know- 
ingly Icruple  their  Communion  ;  for  a  Man's  ends  and  knowledge  are  out  of  your 
fight:  You  can  hardly  tell  who  did  this  [againft  Knowledge  and  Confcience,  car- 
nally, for  Self  ir^te' eft].  But  if  you  mean  it  of  your  ordinary  Minifters  and  Con- 
gregations, I  am  paft  doubt  that  you  are  Schifmatical,  if  not  worfe,  if  you  avoid 
the  Affemblies,  and  Ordinances  mentioned,  upon  fuch  Accufations  and  Suppofiti- 
ons :  And  I  lhall  much  eafier  prove  this,  than  you  will  make  good  your  Separa- 
tion. 

Ad 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         igg 

Ad  1 3"1.  Permitting  you  to  fiippofe  [Orthodox]  and  [Epifcoparian]  to  be  the 
fame,  at  prelent ;  you  may  eafily  know  that  the  Epifcopal  are  not  all  of  a  Mind, 
tut  differ,  I  think,  much  more  among  themfelves,  than  the  moderate  Epifcopal 
and  Presbyterians  differ  :  (bme  maintaining  that  the  Ordination  of  meer  Presby- 
ters is  not  null,  with  divers  the  like  things  j  which  the  novel  ibrt  doth  difclaim, 
The  old  Epifcopal  Proteftant  may  not  only  take  a  Cure  of  Souls  now,  without  any 
Contradiction  to  his  Principles,  but  may  comfortably  Affociate  with  the  peaceable 
Miniftry  of  the  Land,  and  may  not  confcionably  avoid  it.  The  Novel  fort  be- 
fore mentioned,  ought  to  re&ifie  their  miftakes,  and  [o  to  take  up  their  duty ;  but 
as  they  are,  I  fee  not  how  they  can  doit  in  confiftency  with  their  Principles,unlefs 
under  the  Juriidi&ion  of  a  Biftiop.    . 

Ad  14"  For  the  Point  of  the  legality  of  the  Liturgy,  you  call  me  to  determine 
Cafes  in  Law,  which  I  find  my  (elf  unfit  for.  And  for  the  Diredrory,  its  Nature 
is  (  according  to  its  Name  )  not  to  impofe  Words  or  Matter,  nor  bind  by  human 
Authority,  but  to  direct  Men  how  to  underftand  God's  Word  concerning  the  Or- 
dering of  his  Worfhip.  Now  either  it  directeth  us  right  or  wrong :  If  wrong,  we 
mutt  not  follow  fuch  Directions :  If  right,  it's  no  unlawful  difturbance  of  the 
Churches  Peace  to  obey  God's  Word  upon  their  Direction :  Circumttances,  where- 
in fome  place  moft  of  their  Government,  they  very  little  meddle  with.  And  in- 
deed I  know  but  few  that  do  much  in  the  order  of  Worfhip  to  Nomine  becaufe  it  is 
fo  in  the  Directory  ;  but  becaufe  they  think  it  moft  agreeable  to  God's  Word  j  or 
moil  tending  to  Concord,  as  things  now  ftand.  Would  you  have  us  avoid  any 
Scripture  or  orderly  Courfe,  meerly  becaufe  it  is  expreffed  in  the  Directory  ?  And 
think  you  thofe  are  Ways  of  Peace  ? 

Ad  iy"*.  I  think  (  on  the  Credit  of  others  )  that  the  Jewifh  Church  had  a  Liti 
gy  ;  I  am  fure  they  had  Forms  of  Praifes  and  Prayer  in  fome  Cafes.  1  know 
Chrift  taught  his  Difciples  the  Lord's  Prayer,  I  will  not  determine  whether  as  a 
Directory  for  Matter  and  Order,  or  whether  as  a  Form  of  Words  to  be  ufed,  Or 
when,  or  how  oft  ufed  :  I  conje&ure  you  regard  the  Judgment  of  Grotiur,  who. 
faith  in  Matt.  6.  9.  [_  ovmi :  In  hunc  Senftmi  :  Non  emm  pracipit  Chrifius  verba  recitari, 
quod  nee  legimus  Apofiolos  fcciJJ'et  ejuanquam  id  quo  que  fieri  cumfruStu  potest  fed  materia?/) 
frecum  hinc  fromere.  ]  i.  e.  Pray  thus  ;  that  is,  to  this  Senfe  :  For  Chrift  doth  not 
command  the  faying  of  the  Words,  nor  do  we  read  that  the  Apofrles  did  it,  though 
that  al(b  may  profitably  be  done ;  .  but  hence  to  fetch  the  Matter  of  Prayer.  ] 
You  know  the  Directory  advifeth  the  ufe  of  the  Words :  And  how  it  was  that 
John  taught  his  Difciples  to  pray,  I  cannot  tell  ;  nor  will  herein  pretend  my  felf 
wifer  than  I  am.  The  Example  of  the  Primitive  Church  is  never  the  more  imita- 
ble  for  the  CefTation  of  Perfecution ;  and  its  Example  before  is  moft  to  be  regard- 
ed, that  being  pureft  that  is  next  the  Fountain.  We  are  fure  that  the  Church 
long  ufed  extemporate  Prayers,  and  its  probable  betimes,  lbme  Forms  withal.  I 
think  they  are  ftrangely  Dark  and  addi&ed  to  Extreams,  that  think  either  that  no 
Forms  are  lawful,  or  that  only  prelcribed  or  premiditated  Forms  are  lawful.  And 
if  you  will  condemn  all  publick  extemporate  Prayers,  you  will  err  as  grofly  as  they 
that  will  have  no  other. 

Ad  i6n.  I  know  no  neceflity  of. any  Godfather  or  Godmother,  befide  the  Pa- 
rents, unlefs  you  will  call  thole  fo,  that  in  cafe  of  their  necefTary  Abfence  are  their 
Delegates.  Nor  do  I  know  that  ordinarily  among  us  any  Di<5tates  or  Prayers  are 
ufed  that  a  fober  Chriftian  hath  the  leaft  reafbn  to  fcruple  Communion  in.  Will 
you  have  a  Paftor  that  fliall  not  fpeak  in  the  Name  of  the  People  to  God  ?  or  will 
you  call  his  Prayers  [  his  own  ]  which  he  puts  up  by  Virtue  of  his  Office,  accord- 
ing to  God's  Word? 

Ad  17".  I  think  they.cannot  without  Sacriledge  make  fuch  Alienation  ,-  except 
where  God's  Confent  can  be  proved.  For  Example ;  if  the  Minifters  of  the  Church 
have  full  as  much  means  given,  as  is  fit  for  the  Ends  to  which  it  is  given,  and  yet 
the  People  will  give  more  and  more,  to  the  Burden  and  enfnaring  of  the  Church,, 
and  the  impoverifhing  or  ruin  of  the  Commonwealth,  here  I  think  God  contents 
not  to  accept  that  Gift,  and  therefore  it  was  but  an  Offer,  and  not  plenarily  a  Gift, 
for  want  of  Acceptance  5  for  he  accepts  not  that  which  he  prohibits.  Here  there- 
fore the  Magiftrate  may  feftore  this  to  its  proper  ufe.  But  whether  this  v*ere  any  of 
the  Cafe  of  thefe  (  Sacrilegious)  Alienations  too  lately  made  in  this  Land,  is  a  far- 
ther Queftion  :  I  apprehend  a  deep  Guilt  of  Sacriledge  upon  fome. 

Ad  18*.  The  Particulars  here  mentioned  muft  be  diftin&iy  considered: 

%  2  J.  About 


i$6  The  LI  F  E  of  the  Lib.  J. 

i.  About  Fafts  and  Feafts,  the  Queftion  as  referring  to  the  Obligation  of  the 
Laws  of  the  Land,  is  of  the  fame  Refblution  as  all  other  Queftions  refpec~ting  thole 
Laws ;  which  being  a  Cafe'  more  out  of  my  way,  I  lhall  not  prefume  to  deter- 
mine without  a  clearer  Call.  Only  I  mult  fay.  that  I  fee  little  Reafon  why  thole 
Men  Ihould  think  themlelves  bound  in  this,  who  yet  fuppofethemlelvesloofe  from 
many  other  Laws,  and  who  obey  many  of  the  Laws  or  Ordinances  of  the  prelent 
Powers. 

2.  I  much  fear  that  not  only  the  Querift,  but  many  more  are  much  enfnared 
in  their  Confciences,  by  mifunderftanding  the  Nature  and  ule  of  Synods.  It's  one 
thing  for  an  Affembly  of  Bilhops  to  have  a  fuperior  Governing  Power  directly 
over  all  particular  Churches  and  Bilhops;  and  another  thing  for  fuch  an  Affembly 
to  have  a  Power  of  determining  of  things  neceffary  for  the  Concord  of  the  leve- 
ral  Churches.  I  never  yet  law  it  proved  that  Synods  are  over  Bilhops  in  a  di- 
rect Governing  Order,  nor  are  called  for  fuch  Ends  $  but  properly  in  or  dine  ad  Uni- 
tatem,  and  Co  oblige  only  (  more  than  fingle  Bilhops  )  by  Virtue  of  the  General 
Precept,  of  maintaining  Unity  and  Concord.  This  is  the  Opinion  of  the  moft 
learned  Bilhop  and  famous  antiquary  that  I  am  acquainted  with. 

g.  And  then  when  the  end  ceafes,  the  Obligation  is  at  an  End.  So  that  this 
can  now  be  no  Law  of  Unity  with  us. 

4.  All  human  Laws  die  with  the  Legiflator,  farther  than  the  furviving  Rulers 
fliall  continue  them.  The  Reafon  is  drawn  from  the  Nature  of  a  Law,  which  is 
to  be  juJJ'um  Majeftatis,  in  the  Common-wealth,  and  every  where  to  be  a  lign  of 
the  RecTrors  Will  de  debito,  <vel  conftituendo,  <vel  confirmando  :  Or  his  Authoritative 
Determination  of  what  lhall  be  due  from  us  and  to  us.  Therefore  no  Rector,  no 
Law  :  and  the  Law  that  is,  though  made  by  the  deceafed  Rector,  is  not  his  Law, 
but  the  prelent  Rector's  Law,  formally  ;  it  being  the  lignifier  of  his  Will :  And  it 
is  his  Will  for  the  continuance  of  it,  that  gives  it  a  new  Life.  In  all  this  I  fpeak 
of  the  whole  Summct  potefias  that  hath  the  abfolute  LegifUtive  Power.  If  therefore 
the  Church  Governors  be  dead  that  made  thefe  Laws,  and  no  fufficient  Power  fuc- 
ceeds  them  to  continue  thefe  Laws  and  make  them  theirs,  then  they  are  dead  with 
their  Authors. 

j.  The  prelent  Pallors  of  the  Church  (though  but  Presbyters)  are  the  true 
Guides  of  it,  while  Bilhops  are  ablent  (  and  the  true  Guides  conjunctly  with  the 
Bilhops,  if  they  were  prelent,  according  to  the  Judgment  of  your  own  fide  ). 
Whoever  is  the  lole  exiltent  governing  Power,  may  govern,  and  muft  be  obeyed 
in  things  Lawful.  Therefore,  you  muft  (for  all  your  unproved  Accufation  of 
Schifm  )  obey  them.  The  Death  or  Depofition  of  the  Bilhops  depriveth  not  the 
Presbyters  of  that  Power  which  they  had  before. 

6.  Former  Church  Governors  have  not  Power  to  bind  all  that  fhall  come  after 
them,  where  they  were  before  free  :  But  their  Followers  are  as  free  as  they 
were. 

7.  The  Nature  of  Church  Canons  is  to  determine  of  Circumftances  only  for  a 
prelent  time,  place  or  occafion,  and  not  to  be  univerfal  Handing  Laws,  to  all  Ages 
of  the  Church  :  For  if  fuch  Determinations  had  been  fit,  God  would  have  made 
them  himleif,  and  they  would  have  been  contained  in  his  perfect  Word.  He  gives 
not  his  Legillative  Power  to  Synods  or  Bilhops. 

8.  Yet  if  your  Confcience  will  needs  perfuade  you  to  ufe  thofe  Ceremonies, 
you  have  no  ground  to  (eparate  from  all  that  will  not  be  of  your  Opinion. 

9.  For  the  Crofs,  the  Canons  require  only  the  Minifter  to  ufe  it,  and  not  you  : 
and  if  he  do  not,  that's  nothing  to  you. 

10.  Have  you  impartially  read  what  is  written  again  ft  the  Lawfulnefs  of  it,  by 
AmefitK*  freln  Suit,  Bradjhaw,  Parker,  and  others :  If  you  have  :  you  may  at  leall 
fee  this,  that  it's  no  fit  matter  to  place  the  Churches  Unity  or  Uniformity  in  : 
and  they  that  will  make  luch  Laws  for  Unity  go  beyond  their  Commiflion. 
Church  Governors  are  to  determine  the  Circumftances  pro  loco&  tempore  in  parti- 
cular, which  God  hath  in  Word  or  Nature  made  necelfary  in  genere,  and  left  to 
their  Determination.  But  when  Men  will  prefume  beyond  this,  to  determine 
of  things  not  indeed  circumftantial,  or  no  way  neceffary  in  genere  nor  left  to  their 
Determination  (as  to  inftitute  new  (landing  Symbols  in  and  with  God's  Symbols 
or  Sacraments,  to  be  engaging  Signs  to  engage  us  to  Chrift,  and  to  Work  Grace 
on  the  Soul  as  the  Word  and  Sacraments  do,  that  is  by  a  moral  Operation  )  and 
thd;  will  needs  make  thefe  the  Cement  of  Unity  ;  this  is  it  that  hath  been  the 
Bane  of  Unity,  and  Caufe  ofDivifions. 


ir.  Koeeting 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         157 

u.Kneeling  ac  the  Sacrament  is  a  Novelty  introduced  many  hundred  years  after 
Chrift,  and  contrary  to  fuch  Canons  and  Cuftoms  of  the  Church,  to  which  for 
Antiquity  and  Univerfality,  you  owe  much  more  refpe#,  than  to  the  Canons  of 
the  late  Bifhopsin  England. 

12.  If  your  General  Rule  hold  that  you  ftand  bound  by  all  Canons,  not  repeal- 
ed by  equal  Power,  you  have  a  greater  burden  on  your  back  than  you  are  aware 
of,  which  if  you  bore  indeed,  you  would  know  how  little  this  ufurped  Legit1 
lative  Power  befriends  the  Church  :  And  among  others,you  are  bound  not  to  kneel 
in  the  Church  on  any  Lord's  Day,  in  Sacrament  or  Prayer.  Grotius  de  lmper'to  Sum. 
foteft.  would  teach  much  more  Moderation  in  thefe  Matters  than  I  here  per- 
ceive. 

Ad  (Kip".  1.  It's  too  much  Self-conceitednefs  and  Uncharitablenefs  to  pals  fb 
bold  a  Cenfure  as  your  Suppofition  doth  contain,  of  the  vifible  ruling  Church  be- 
ing Schifmatical,  and  fb  Heretical.  Which  is  the  ruling  Church  ?  I  know  none 
in  England  befides  Bilhops  that  pretend  to  rule  any  but  their  own  Provinces ;  and 
but  few  that  pretend  Order  to  Regiment.  Perhaps  when  the  Schifm  and  Herefie 
come  to  be  opened,  it  will  not  be  found  to  lye  where  you  imagin,nor  fo  eafily  pro- 
ved as  ralhly  affirmed,  or  intimated. 

2.  Do  not  be  too  fenfible  of  Perfecution,  when  Liberty  of  Conscience  is  fb  pro- 
claimed, though  the  Reftridtion  be  fomewhat  on  your  fide.  O  the  difference  of 
your  Perfecution,  and  theirs  that  fuffered  by  you  ! 

3.  The  only  confcionable  and  fafe  way  for  the  Church  and  your  own  Souls,  is 
to  love,  long  for,  pray,  and  confult  for  Peace.  Clofe  in  the  unanimous  practice  of 
fo  much  as  all  are  agreed  in  :  In  amicable  Meetings  endeavour  the  healing  of  all 
breaches :  Difown  the  ungodly  of  all  Parties :  Lay  by  the  new  violent  Opinions 
inconfiftant  with  Unity.  I  expecl:  not  that  this  advice  fhould  pleafe  the  preju- 
diced :  But  that  it's  the  only  fafe  and  comfortable  way  ,  is  the  Confident  Opi- 
nion of 

lour   Brother, 

Richard  Baxter. 


All  the  Difturbance  I  had  in  my  ownParifh  was  by  Sir  Ralph  Clares  refufing  to 
Communicate  with  us,  unlels  I  would  give  it  him  kneeling  on  a  diftincl:  Day,  and 
not  with  thofe  that  received  it  fitting.  To  which  Demand  I  gave  him  this  follow- 
ing Anfwer. 

SIR, 

UPon  Confutation  with  others  and  my  own  Conference,  I  return  this  Anfwer 
to  your  laft  motion  j  befeeching  you  to  believe  that  it  had  been  more  plea- 
fing,  if  it  would  have  ftood  with  the  pleafing  of  God  and  my  own  Confid- 
ence. 

1.  In  general  it  is  my  refblution  to  be  fb  far  from  beinj*  the  Author  of  any  Di- 
vifions  in  any  part  of  the  Church  of  Chrift,  as  that  I  fhall  do  all  that  lawfully  I  can 
to  avoid  them. 

2.  I  am  fo  far  from  the  Judgment  and  Practices  of  the  fete  Prelates  of  England, 
in  point  of  compelling  all  to  obey  or  imitate  them  in  gefturcs  and  other  indifferent 
things,  on  pain  of  being  deprived  of  God's  greateft  Ordinances  (  which  are  not  in- 
differents ),  befide  the  ruine  of  their  Eftates,  &c.  that  I  would  become  all  things 
( lawful )  to  all  Men  for  their  good,  and  as  I  know  that  the  Kingdom  of  God 
frandeth  not  in  fuch  things,  fb  neither  would  I  fhut  any  out  of  his  vifible  King- 
dom for  fuch  things ;  as  judging  that  our  Office  is  to  fee  God's  Law  obeyed  as  far 
as  we  can  procure  it,  and  not  to  be  Law-givers  to  the  Church  our  felves,  and  in 
Circumftantials  to  make  no  more  Determinations  [than  are  neceffary  $  left  they 
prove  but  Engines  to  enfnare  Mens  Confciences,  and  to  divide  the  Church.  And 
as  I  would  impofe  no  fuch  things  on  other  Churches  if  I  had  power,  fo  neither 
will  I  do  it  on  this  Church  of  which  I  have  fome  overfight. 

;.More  particularly,!  am  certain  that  fitting  in  the  receiving  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
is  lawful :  or  elfe  Chrift  and  his  Apoftles,  and  all  his  Churches  for  many  hundred 
years  after  him  did  fin,  which  cannot  be.    And  I  take  it  to  be  intolerable  arrogaa- 

cy 


:-■.... 


I  he  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

cy  and  unmannerlinefs  (  to  fpeak  eafily  )  to  call  that  unreverence  and  iawcinefsa 
(  as  many  do  )  which  Chrift  and  the  Apoftles  and  all  the  Church  fo  long  ufed 
with  one  content.  He  better  knew  what  pleafeth  himfelf  than  we  do  :  The  vain 
pretended  difference  between  the  Apoftles  Gefture  and  ours  ,  is  nothing  to  the 
matter  :  He  that  fitteth  on  the  Ground,  fitteth  as  well  as  he  that  fieteth  on  a  Stool : 
And  if  any  difference  were,  it  was  their  Gefture  that  feems  the  more  homely :  and 
ho  fuch  difference  can  be  pretended  in  the  Chriftian  Churches  many  hundred 
years  after.  And  I  think  it  is  a  naked  pretence  (  having  no  {hew  of  reafon  to  co- 
ver it)  of  them  that  againft  all  this  will  plead  a  neceffity  of  kneeling  ,  becaufe  of 
bur  unworthinefs :  For,  i.  The  Churches  of  fo  long  time  were  unworthy  as  well 
as  we.  2.  We  may  kneel  as  low  as  the  Duft  (  and  on  our  bare  knees,  if  we  pleafej 
immediately  before  in  praying  for  ableffing  and  for  the  pardon  of  our  fins,and  as 
foon  as  we  have  done.  %.  Manmuftnotby  his  own  Conceits  make  thole  things 
neceflary  to  the  Church,  which  Chrift  and  his  Church  for  fo  long  thought  unne- 
ceffary.  4.  On  this  pretence  we  might  refute  the  Sacrament  it  felf :  for  they  are 
more  unworthy  to  eat  theFlelhof  Chrift,  and  to  drink  his  blood,  than  to  fit  at  his 
Table,  y.  The  Gofpel  is  Glad  Tidings ;  the  EfFe&sof  it  are  Faith  and  Peace  and 
Joy  :  the  Benefits  are  to  make  us  one  with  Chrift,  and  to  be  his  Spoufe  and  Mem- 
bers :  the  work  of  it  is  the  joyful  Commemoration  of  thefe  Benefits ,  and  living  in 
Righteoufnefs,  Peace  and  Joy  in  the  Holy  Ghoft:  And  the  Sacramental  Signs  are 
fuch  as  fuit  the  Benefits  and  Duties.  If  therefore  Chrift  have  called  us  by  his  Ex- 
ample, and  the  Example  of  all  his  Church,  to  fit  with  him  at  his  Table  to  repre- 
lent  our  Union,  Communion,  and  joyful  redeemed  State,  and  our  everlafting  fit- 
ting with  him  at  his  Table  in  his  Kingdom,  it  as  little  befeems  us  to  rejeft  this 
Mercy  and  Duty,  becaufe  of  our  Unworthinefs,  as  to  be  our  own  Lawgivers. 
And  on  the  like  Reafons  men  might  fay,  [  I  will  not  be  united  to  thee,  nor  be  a 
Member  of  thy  Body,  or  married  to  thee,  nor  fit  with  thee  on  thy  Throne  (  Rev. 
^.21.  )  according  to  thy  Promife,  becaufe  it  would  be  too  great  fawcinefs  in  me]. 
Gofpel  Mercies,  and  Gofpel  Duties,  and  Signs,  muft  be  all  fuited",  and  fo  Chrift 
hath  done  them,  and  we  may  not  undo  them. 

4.  I  muft  profefs  that  upon  fuch  Confiderations ,  I  am  not  certain  that  fitting 
is  not  of  commanded  Neceffity  (  as  I  am  lure  it  is  lawful  ) ;  nor  am  I  certain  that 
kneeling  in  the  Act  of  Receiving,  when  done  of  choice,  is  not  a  flat  fin.  For  I 
know  it  is  not  only  againft  Scripture  Example  (  where  though  Circumftances  ap- 
parently occafional  bind  not,  as  an  upper  Room  ,  &c  yet  that's  nothing  to  others) 
but  alfo  it  is  againft  the  Canons  of  Councils,  yea  a  General  Council  (  at  Trull,  in 
Confiantinople )  and  againft  fb  concurrent  a  Judgment  and  Practice  of  the  Church 
for  many  hundred  years,  that  it  feems  to  fight  with  Vincentim  Lerinenf  Catholick 
Rule,  quod  femper,  ubique  &•  ah  omnibus  receptum ,  &C  Let  them  therefore  juftifie 
kneeling  as  lawful  thar can,  for  I  cannot;  and  therefore  dare  not  do  that  which 
fhall  be  an  owning  of  it,  when  we  may  freely  do  otherwife. 

$\  Yet  for  all  this,  I  fo  much  incline  to  Thoughts  of  Peace,  and  Clofure  with 
others,  that  I  will  not  fay  that  fitting  is  of  neceflity,  nor  that  kneeling  is  unlaw- 
ful (unlefs  where  other  Circumftances  make  it  fo)  nor  condemn  any  that  differ 
from  me  herein  :  Yea,  if  I  could  not  otherwiie  Communicate  with  the  Church  in 
the  Sacrament,  I  would  take  it  kneeling  my  felf,  as  being  certain  that  the  Sacra- 
ment is  a  Duty,and  not  certain  that  kneeling  is  a  fin  :  and  in  that  Cafe  I  believe  it 
is  not. 

6.  As  for  them  that  think  kneeling  a  Duty,  becaufe  of  the  Canons  of  the  late 
Bifhops  en joyning  it,  Lhave  more  to  fay  againft  their  Judgment  than  this  Paper 
will  contain.  Only  in*  word,  1.  If  it  be  the  Secular  Powers  eftablifhing ,  thofe 
Canons  that  binds  their  Conferences,  Why  do  they  not  obey  the  prefent  Secular 
Powers  in  all  other  things  ?  It  is. known  the  King  confented  to  relax  this :  And  how- 
ever ,  this  is  little  to  them  that  go  on  the  Ground  of  Divine  or  Ecclefiaftical  Right. 
And  if  we  muft  fb  plunge  our  felves  into  Enquiries  after  the  Rights  of . Secular  Go- 
vernors, before  we  can  know  whether  to  ftand  or  fet  at  the  Sacrament ,  we  are  all 
uncertain  what  to  do  in  greater  Matters  :  for  there  are  as  apparent  grounds  for 
our  uncertainty  of  five  hundied  years  old  and  more  ,  which  this  is  no  place  to 
dive  into.  And  it  would  be  as  unlawful  on  this  ground  to  read  any  other  Pfelm  or 
Chapter,  but  what  was  of  old  appointed  for  the  Day,  as  to  forbear  kneeling  at  the 
Sacrament.  And  perhaps  on  the  Opponents  grounds,  it  would  be  ftill  as  finful  to 
reftrain  a  Child  or  Servant  from  Dancing  on  the  Lord's  Day.  And  if  it  be  Ec- 
clefiaftical Authority  that  they  ftick  at,  that  muft  be  derived  from  Chrift,  and  fb 
Originally  Divine,  or  it  is  none.    A^d  thon  (not  to  wade  fo  unfeafbnably  into 

the 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         159 

the  main  Cont rover fiej,  i.  Before  they  have  proved  their  Legiflative  Authority ; 
2.  And  that  this  Congregation  is  Jure  Divmo  part  of  their  Charge,  and  under  their 
Jurifdidion;  %.  And  that  they  had  power  to  contradid  the  Examples  of  Chrift 
and  his  Apoftles  herein,  and  theconftant  pradice  of  the  Primitive  Church,  and  the 
Canons  of  Councils,  even  General  Councils  j  4.  And  that  their  Canons  are  yet  in 
force  againft  all  thefe ;  I  fay  before  all  this  be  well  done,  we  fhall  find  that  there 
muft  go  more  than  a  flight  Suppofition  to  the  making  good  of  their  Caufe.  Ac- 
cording to  their  own  Principles,  a  lower  Power  cannot  reverfe  the  Ads  of  a  high- 
er. But  the  General  Councils  at  Nice  and  Conflantmople  that  forbad  Kneeling  on 
any  Lord's  Day,  was  a  higher  Power  than  the  Englifi  Convocation :  Ergo,  The 
Englijh  Convocation  cannot  Repeal  its  Ads.  (  Though  for  my  own  part  I  think 
that  neither  of  their  Ads  do  need  any  Repeal  to  Null  them  to  us,  in  fuch  Cafes  JL 
5.  Befidesthis ;  If  thefe  Canons  bind  Conicience;  yet,  it  is  either  by  the  Autho- 
rity that  Enadcd  them,  or  by  the  Authority  of  the  prefent  Church-Governours 
that  impofe  them.  If  old  Canons  bind,  without  or  againft  the  prefent  Power,then 
the  fame  Canon  that  forbiddeth  Kneeling  bindeth,  and  many  an  hundred  more, 
a  great  part  of  which  are  now  made  no  Confcience  of:  If  it  be  the  prefent  Autho- 
rity that  is  above  the  Ancient,  then  1.  They  that  pretend  to  iiich  Authority  over 
this  Congregation  mould  produce  and  exercife  it :  For  if  we  know  them  not,  nor 
receive  any  Commands  from  them,  we  are  capable  of  no  Difobedience  to  them, 
2.  And  in  the  meantime,  We  that  are  in  the  place  muft  take  it  as  our  Charge  ; 
or  do  the  Work,  or  for  ought  I  know,  it  will  in  moft  Places  be  undone:  For  the 
Authority  is  for  the  Work.  3.  We  ufe  to  take  it  for  the  great  partiality  (  at  leaft  ) 
of  the  Church  of  Rome,  that  will  be  judged  by  none  but  the  prefent  Church,  that 
is,  themielves,  when  we  would  be  tried  by  the  Scripture  or  the  Ancient  Church, 
In  a  word,  I  do  not  think  that  when  Circumftances  tending  to  Order  and  Decen- 
cy are  (b  mutable,  that  God  ever  gave  power  to  any  Bifhops  to  tie  all  Congrega- 
tions and  Ages  to  this  or  that  Sacrament  Gefture  ;  nor  at  all  to  make  them  fo  necef- 
lary,  as  that  Bodily  Puniihment  or  Excommunications  mould  be  inflided  on  the 
Negledersof  them.  And  I  think  that  Calling  which  hath  no  better  Work  than 
this  to  do,  is  not  worth  the  regarding. 

And  here  I  fhculd  propound  to  the  contrary-minded  one  Queft  ion  ,  Whether  if 
a  Bifhop  mould  command  them  to  (land  or  fit,  they  would  do  it?  Yea;  or  if  a 
Convocation  commanded  it?  If  they  fay  Yea  ;  then  muft  they  lay  by  all  their 
Arguments  from  pretended  irreverence  to  prove  Sitting  evil  :  for  I  hope  they 
would  not  be  irreverent,  nor  do  evil  at  the  command  of  a  Bifhop  or  Convocation : 
And  then  let  our  Authority  (  from  Scripture  Example  and  the  Univerfal  Church 
and  a  General  Council,  and  the  prefent  Secular  Power,  and  the  late  Aflembly  and 
Parliaments,  and  the  prefent  Paftors  or  Presbyters  of  the  Congregations)  I  lay,  let 
all  thisbefet  againft  the  prefent  Countermand  of  I  know  not  who,  nor  for  what 
Reafon,  as  being  not  vifible.  But  if  they  fay,  They  would  not  obey  the  .Bifhops 
if  they  forbad  them  Kneeling,  then  let  them  juftifie  us  that  obey  them  not  when 
they  command  us  to  Kneel,  having  fbmuch  as  is  expreffed  to  the  contrary. 

Thus  Sir,  I  have  firft  given  you  my  Reafbns  about  the  Gefture  it  felf.  And  of 
putting  it  into  each  Perfons  hands,  I  have  thus  much  more  to  fay  ;  1. 1  know  no- 
thing to  oblige  me  to  it.  2.  Chrift  himfelf  did  otherwife,  as  appeareth  in  Matth. 
16.  26,  27.  [.For  \dCiji,  <petyz]s3-7n{Jt  'J%  cum  7idi>%4  j  take  ye,  eat  ye,  drink  ye  all  of  it] 
doth  mew  that  it  was  given  to  them  all  in  general,  and  not  to  each  man  fingly, 
3.  And  in  this  alfb  Antiquity  is  on  my  fide,  the  contrary  being  much  later.  More 
Reafons  I  have  that  I  fhall  not  now  trouble  you  with. 

To  this  I  may  well  add,  That  no  Man  can  have  any  Rational  pretence  ( that  I 
know  of)  againft  the  Receiving  of  the  Sacrament  upon  fuch  a  General  Delivery. 

1.  Becaufe  the  contrary  was  never  yet  pleaded  neceflary  Jure  Di-ymo  that  I  know  of. 

2.  And  if  it  were  a  Sin,  it  would  be  the  Minifters  Sin  fo  to  deliver  it,and  not  theirs, 
who  as  they  have  not  the  Rule  of  his  Adions,  fb  they  fhall  not  Anfwer  for  them. 
Having  thus  told  you  my  thoughts  of  the  Matters  in  doubt,  I  fhall  next  tell  you  my 
purpole  as  to  your  Motion. 

1.  I  did  never  hitherto,  to  my  remembrance,  ^refufe  to  give  the  Sacrament  to 
any  one,  meerly  becaufe  they  would  not  take  it  Sitting  or  Standing  j  nor  did 
ever  forbid  or  repel  any  on  that  account  ;  nor  ever  mean  to  do.  if  any  of  my 
Charge  fhall  take  it  Standing  or  Kneeling,  I  fhall  not  forbid  them  on  any  fuch 
account. 

a.  If 


160  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I 


2.  If  they  further  expect  that  I  fhould  put  it  into  each  Man's  hands  individual- 
ly, I  may  well  expect  the  liberty  of  guiding  my  own  Actions,  according  to  my 
own  Confcience,  if  I  may  not  guide  theirs:  It  is  enough  that  in  fuch  Cafes  they 
will  refufe  to  be  Ruled  by  me  ;  they  mould  not  alfb  ufurp  the  ruling  of  me  :  but 
let  us  be  equal,  and  let  me  have  my  liberty,  as  I  am  willing  to  let  them  have 
theirs ;  and  if  I  fin  they  are  not  guilty  of  it:  Nor  have  they  any  ground  to  refufe 
the  Sacrament  rather  than  fo  take  it. 

3.  Yet  if  any  of  my  Paftoral  Charge  mail  be  unfatisfied,  if  they  will  but  hear 
my  Reafons  firft,  and  if  thofe  Reafons  convince  them  not,  if  they  will  profefs,that 
they  think  it  a  Sin  againft  God  for  them  to  Receive  the  Sacrament  unlefs  it  be 
put  into  their  hands  Kneeling,  and  Ergo  that  they  dare  not  in  Confcience  take  it 
other  wife,  I  do  purpofe  to  condefcend  to  their  Weaknefs,  and  fo  to  give  it  them. 
So  that  no  one  of  them  mail  be  ever  able  to  fay,  that  I  wronged  a  truly  tender  Con- 
fcience, or  deprived  them  of  that  holy  Ordinance.  My  Reafons  are,  becaufe  I 
take  not  their  Errours  to  be  fo  heinous  a  thing,  as  to  deferve  their  total  Exclusion 
from  the  Sacrament.  Nor  do  I  fuppofe  it  a  Sin  in  me  (b  far  to  yield  to  them  in 
cafe  of  fuch  Weaknefs.  Though  I  know  Inconveniencies  will  follow  ,  which 
they,  and  not  I,  are  guilty  of.  And  thus  much,  as  far  as  is  neceiTary,  I  fhould 
make  known. 

4.  But  then  thefe  Perfbns  fmuft  not  expect  that  I  fhould  never  give  them  my 
Judgment  and  Reafons  againft  their  Opinion :  for  that  were  to  ceafe  teaching  them 
the  Truth,  as  well  as  to  yield  to  their  Errours. 

5-.  And  I  fhall  expect  that  at  the  firft  Receiving  they  will  openly  profefs  that 
they  take  not  the  Bread  for  the  Subftantial  Body  of  Chrift  ,  nor  Worfhip  the 
Bread. 

6.  But  as  for  thofe  that  are  not  of  my  Paftoral  Charge,  I  muft  fay  more,  whe- 
ther they  live  in  this  Parifh  or  another  ;  Either  they  are  fuch  as  are  Members  of 
ibme  other  particular  Church,  or  of  none.  For  the  former  fort ,  1.  Ordinarily  it 
is  fit  and  neceflary  that  they  Receive  the  Sacrament  of  their  own  Paftor,  and  in 
that  particular  Church  of  which  they  are  Members ;  or  elfe  how  are  they  Mem- 
bers of  it  ?  2.  And  in  Extraordinary  Cafes,  I  fhall  not  deny  any  of  them  the  Sa- 
crament on  thefe  Conditions ;  1.  If  they  bring  Certificates  from  the  Paftor  under 
whofe  Guidance  they  are,  that  they  are  of  his  Flock,  and  walk  as  Chriftians,  fup- 
pofing  the  Paftor  faithful  that  certifieth  it.  2.0r  if  they  do  not  this,yet  if  they  will 
come  to  me,  and  acquaint  me  who  is  their  Paftor,and  what  Church  they  are  Mem- 
bers of,  and  what  Reafons  they  had  to  withdraw  from  this  Church,I  fhall  not  refufe 
them,  if  their  account  be  fuch  as  may  juftly  fatisfie. 

But  as  for  thofe  of  this  Parifh  that  have  (after  this  two  years  Invitation  and 
Expectation  )  refufed  to  profefs  themfelves  to  be  Members  of  this  particular 
Church,  and  to  take  me  for  their  Teacher  or  Paftor,  and  yet  are  not  Members 
of  any  other  Church,  nor  under  any  particular  Paftor  and  Difcipline ,  I  fhall  de- 
fue  to  fpeak  with  them  before  I  give  them  the  Sacrament.  And  if  they  can  give 
me  any  tolerable  Reafonofit ,  I  fhall  willingly  receive  it,  and  if  they  prove  the 
blame  to  be  in  me,  1  fhall  endeavour  to  reform  it.  But  if  they  give  me  no  fuffi- 
cient  reafbn,  I  cannot  admit  fuch  to  the  Lord's  Supper  (  fpecially  ordinarily  and 
the  multitude  of  them)  for  thefe  Reafons  following :  1.  Becaufe  I  take  it  to  be  a 
heinous,  fcandalous  fin,  to  live  from  under  Difcipline,  as  a  Stragler  and  in  Difor- 
der,  having  no  Paftor,  nor  being  a  Member  of  any  particular  Church  :  And 
therefore  I  dare  not  admit  fuch  till  they  repent,  no  more  than  I  would  do  a  Drun- 
kard or  Adulterer.  2;  I  dare  not  be  an  Inftrument  of  hindering  Reformation, 
and  the  Execution  of  juft  Difcipline,  by  gratifying  the  Unruly  that  fly  from  it, 
and  let  themfelves  again  ir.  And  as  for  all  thofe  that  either  will  not  give  me  an 
account,  why  they  live  from  under  Difcipline,  or  can  give  no  juft  account, yea,  and 
thofe  that  think  their  own  Reafons  for  it  good,  when  I  do  n.at,  or  on  any  ground 
are  from  under  my  Paftoral  Charge,  without  my  Fault,  I  fay,  for  all  thefe,  I  dare 
not  admit  them  ordinarily  to  the  Sacrament,  becaufe  I  dare  not  fpend  fo  much 
time  on  them  as  is  neceflary  for  Preparation.  I  may  not  do  it  without  fome  pre- 
vious Inftruction ;  and  I  have  (6  much  more  work  already  than  I  can  well  do, 
that  I  have  not  a  minute  of  time  to  fpare.  And  fexceptin  publick  or  extraordinary 
Cafes)  I  take  my  felf  to  be  more  ftrictly  tied  to  thofe  of  my  Charge,  than  to  any 
others;  and  having  made  my  felf  theirs,  I  dare  not  rob  them  of  my  Labours,  nor 
neglect  them  to  attend  on  others  that  are  no  part  of  my  Charge  ,  nor  will  be.  If 
you  fay,  that  if  they  did  become  Members  of  my  Charge  ,  I  muft  then  as  much 
neglect  others  for  them  ;  I  anfwer,  but  then  I  could  do  it  innocently,  when  I  have 

the 


L~ — — 1 — \ 

Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 6 1 


the  fame  Relation  to  them,  and  Obligation  to  help  them,  as  others.  It  I  were 
your  Steward,  and  you  truft  me  to  diftribute  Money  or  Bread  to  all  that  arc  un- 
der my  Stewardfhip,  if  there  were  but  few  I  muft  give  it  them  all ;  and  if  many 
they  can  have  but  all.  If  I  had  ten  Children,  and  had  but  ten  Pounds  to  givetfcem, 
I  might  juftly  give  them  but  each  one  a  Pound :  But  if  I  had  but  two,  I  fhouki 
think  the  whole  little  enough  for  them  two.  I  am  firft  bound  to  watch  over  my 
Flock,  and  if  they  be  never  fo  many  they  can  have  no  more  of  me  than  I  have : 
But  if  they  were  fewer,  each  one  might  have  more  of  my  help,  and  might  chal- 
•  lenge  it  as  their  due  before  another  that  is  not  of  my  Charge. 

The  (umm  of  all  then  in  two  Words  is  this;  j,  I  dare  condelcend  to  give  the 
Sacrament  kneeling,  and  into  the  hands  of  thole  that  live  orderly  under  Chriftian 
Difcipline  ;  that  is  ordinarily  to  thofe  of  my  own  Charge  ;  and  occafionally  to 
thole  of  another  Mans.  2.  But  I  dare  not  ( 1  profefs  (erioufly  1  dare  not)  ordina- 
rily at  lead  )  give  the  Sacrament  to  thofe  unruly  (candalous  Perfons,  that  will  live 
under  no  juft  Difcipline,  and  I  dare  not  defraud  my  Charge  of  my  Labours/  while 
I  attend  ordinarily  upon  thole  that  are  not  of  my  Charge. 

If  any  fliould  (ay  that  their  coming  to  Church  and  receiving  the  Sacrament  is  a 
fufficient  Signification  that  they  take  us  for  their  Paftors,  and  therefore  they  will 
do  no  more:  I  anfwer,  i.Many  Strangers  receive  the  Sacrament  that  are  not  of  my 
Charge,  and  many  that  are  Members  of  another  Church,  or  no  particular  Church, 
do  ordinarily  come  to  our  AlTemblies.     This  therefore  is  no  certain  Sigr.    2    And 
though  it  were  a  probable  Sign  heretofore,  yet  when  we  have  called  our  Par  ifhes 
to  a  plain  difcovery  of  their  Minds,   and  they  refufe  to  fignify  their  Content,  fo 
much  as  by  a  Word  of  their  Mouths  in  Publick,  then  the  former  ceafeth  to  be  any 
probable  Sign  of  Content.     We  had  juft  Reafon  to  call  our  People  to  exprefi  their 
Content  (  which  Reafons  we  printed  in  our  Agreement  to  which  I  refer  you  )  and 
we  explained  all  to  them,  and  told  them  over  and  over,    that  we  muft  take  thole 
only  for  our  fpecial  Charge  that  would  exprefs  their  Conlent,  and  we  waited  now 
two  Years  to  lee  whether  they  would  do  it :    And  if  after  all  this  they  forbear  or 
refule,  let  the  World  judge  whether  this  be  not  an  open,  plain  disclaiming  of  our 
Overfight  and  their  Member/hip.     What  would  you  have  us  do  !    can  we  know 
Mens  Hearts  that  will  not  open  them  to  us  ?   Nay,   mall  the  iame  Man  fo  long 
refule  to  tell  us  his  Mind,  and  when  he  hath  done,  blame  us  becaufe  we  under- 
ffand  it  not?  If  indeed  they  confented,  a  Word  fpeaking,  or  the  writing  of  their 
Names  is  no  great  Coft  or  Labour  to  difcover  it.     If  they  think  it  too  much,  we 
might  better  think  our  yearly  Labour  too  much  for  them,  Relation  is  the  ground 
of  the  Duties  which  they  bind  to.    I  cannot  enter  thefe  Relations  but  by  con- 
lent; nor  know  them  without  the  Expreflion  of  that  Conlent.    No  Man  can  be  a 
Member  of  my  Charge  in  defpight  of  me  •,  nor  can  I  make  any  Man  fuch  againft 
his  Will.     I  can  never  marry  a  Woman  that  will  fay,  you  (hall  do  the  Office  of  a 
Husband  to  me,  but  I  will  not  tell  you  whether  I  take  you  for  my  Husband,  nor 
promiieto  be  your  Wife,  &c.    I  will  not  have  a  Scholar  in  my  School,  or  a  Pu- 
pil that  will  fay,   Hither  will  I  come,   and  you  fhall  teach  me,  but  I  will  not  tell 
you  whether  1  will  be  your  Scholar,    or  take  you  for  my  Teacher:    Nor  will  I 
have  a  Patient  that  will  make  me  give  him  what  Phyfick  he  defires,   and  will  not 
fay  he  will  take  me  for  his  Phyfician.     3.  Befides,  the  Office  of  a  Paffor  is  not 
only  to  preach  and  adminifter  the  Sacrament,  but  alfo  to  admonifn,  rebuke,  and 
exercile  fbme  Difcipline  for  the  Good  of  the  Church  :  And  he  that  will  not  pro- 
fefs his  confent  to  thefe,    doth  not  by  his  partial  fubmitting  to  the  reft  mew  his 
conlent  that  1  be  his' Paftor.    I  will  be  a  Paftor  to  none  that  will  not  be  under 
Difcipline  :  That  were  to  be  a  half  Paftor,  and  indulge  Men  in  an  unrulinefs  and 
contfmpt  of  the  Ordinance  of  Chrift  :   If  I  take  more  on  me  than  is  juft  or  ne- 
ceftary,  I  will  gladly  hear  of  it,  and  recant.    4.  Either  they  do  indeed  take  us  for 
their  Paftors  or  not :    If  not,  we  do  them  no  Wrong  to  take  them  for  none  of  our 
Charge  :    And  then  why  do  they  fay  that  their  coming  to  Church  proveth  it  ? 
But  if  they  do  take  us  for  their  Paftors,  then  they  owe  us  more  Obedience  than 
the  fpeaking  of  a  Word  comes  to,  and  when  we  require  them  to  profefs  themielves 
Members  of  the  Church  and  of  our  Charge,  they  are  bound  to  obey  us  unlefs  they 
'  can  prove  it  a  Sin.     But  if  they  fay  we  will  not  obey  them  in  the  (peaking  of  (uch 
ja  Word,  though  indeed  they  did  call  us  their  Paftors,  this  were  but  to  contradict 
them(elves,  and  to  deny  the  thing  when  they  give  us  the  Name.    I  defire  no  fuch 
Charge  j    much  lefs  fuch  as  will  give  us  neither  Name  nor  Thing  and  yet  expect 

Y  theif 


I  i    I       — wmimmm^ ^— i ».  i    '  I    I  ll'limr     ■  "    nn     i>  ~ ■  n  * — ■   —  ; 1 _  .  .    ■ - 

162  The  LI  F  E  of  the               L 1  b.  I. 

their  Wills  of  us.  Sir,  Pardon  the  Plainnefs,  and  accept  the  true  Account  of  my 
Thoughts,  from 


Feb.  z.  1655. 


Tour  Servant, 

Richard  Baxter. 


§  34.  About  the  fame  time  that  we  were  thus  affociating  in  Worcefterftire,  it 
ptealed  God  to  ftir  up  the  Minifters  of  Cumberland,  and  Wejlmorland  to  the  fame 
Courfe  j  who  though  they  knew  not  what  we  had  done,  yet  fell  upon  the  fame 
way,  and  agreed  on  Articles  to  the  fame  purpofe  and  of  the  fame  Senle  and  Impor- 
tance as  ours  were  ;  of  which  Mr.  Richard  Gilpin  (  one  of  them,  a  worthy  faith- 
ful Minifter  )  lent  me  word,  when  he  law  our  Articles  in  Print ;  and  they  alio 
printed  theirs  ( to  fave  the  writing  o(  many  Copies,  and  to  excite  others  to  the 
fame  way  )  and  they  ibund  the  fame  readinefs  to  Union  among  the  Brethren  as 
we  had  done. 

Their  Agreement  you  may  find  printed  ;  our  Letters  were  as  followeth  : 

Dear  Brethren, 

WE  falute  you  in  the  Lord :    It  was  no  [mall  reviving  to  us  to  heboid  jour  Order 
and  mutual  Condefcentions  (  exprejfed  in  your  Book  of  Concord  )  to  promote    the 
Reformation  of  your  People  in  way*  of  Veace.     We  unfeignedly  rejoice  on  your  behalf  ; 
and  thought  our  [civet  bound  to  fignifie  how  grateful  and  helpful  your  Endeavour s  are  to  us. 
The  S corners  of  this  Age  have  a  long  time  bent  their  Tongue  as  a  Bow,  and  dipt  their  Ar- 
rows in  Gall,  and  fent  [orth  bitter  Accu[ations  and  Slanders  againfl  all  the  Minifters  of 
the  G  off  el,  calling  them  Difturbers,  implacable,  &c.    as  if  the  very  Efle  of  a  Minifter 
were  to  contradtcl,  and  to  be  averfe  from  Veace.     Surely  your  earnefi  profecution  of  Con- 
cord will  be  a  [landing  Confutation  of  that  Charge,    at  leaf}  [0  far  as  to  cut  off  the  Note 
of  Univerfaltty  -from  it :    But  that  which  moil  affeSls  us  sir,  that  you  are  not  willing  to 
look  upon  the  gajping  Condition  of  the  Church  here,   as  idle  Spectators,  or  as  meer  Wittiejjes 
of  her  Funeral  without  trying  any  Remedy  at  all,  an-d  that  you  do  not  apprehend  jour  f elves 
to  have  done  all  your  Duty,  when  you  have  bewailed  her  Trouble,    and  complained  of  her 
Advcrjaries  Cruelty.     Sion  indeed  hath  been  thrown  down  to   the  Ground,  and  hath  been 
covered  with   a  Cloud  in  the  Day  of  the  Lord's  Anger,  and  her  Adverfaries  are  round 
about :    In  this  Diftrefi  jhe  hath  [pread  forth  her  Hands,  and  hath  ftftfoed  upon  her  Lovers 
for  Help,  and  that  Jo  long,    that  Jhe  is  ready,  to  [ay,    that  her  Strength  and  her  Hope  is 
perijhed  from   the  Lord:     Now   her  Sons  while  they  have  been  con[ulting  how   to  relieve 
her  have  fallm  out  about  the  Cure,  and  becauft  they  have  not  been  admitted  to  adminifter 
the  Fhyfick  according  to  their  Minds,  have  negleBed  to  adminifter  any  at  all',  becauje  they 
could  not  be  fuffered  to  do  what  they  would,  they  have  forgotten  that  it  was  their  Duty  to  do 
wiat  they  might.     Some  have  thrown  all  ajide  but  preaching,    as  it  were  in  a  pettijh  Di(- 
content ;    [ome  have  fatisfied  themfelves  with  adminiftring  Cordials,  without  purging  the 
noxious  Humours,  because  they  thought  this  neceffary  andjafe  though  m  an  unpresbperated . 
Church.     Others  it  riiay  be  have  [een  a  nectffity  of  making  farther  Progrejs,  and  have  been 
groaping  after  it,  but  have  been  dijcouraged-  at  the  fight  of  the  thwarting  and  inconfiftent 
Principles^  the  Animofities  and  want  of  Condefcent  ion  of  different  Parties,     Other  sit  may 
be  have  in  their  Thoughts  overcome  this  Difficulty, .%  and  yet  have  ftuck  at  one  that  is  lejs, 
they,  have  been  afraid  to  be  the  fir  ft  Propoundcrs  of  their  conceived  Remedy,  fearing  the 
Entertainment  and  Succefs  that  their  charitable  Endeavours  might  find,  being  more  willing 
to  follow  than  to  lead  in  fuch  a  doubtful  and  unbeaten  Path.     This  Defign  which  you^have 
refolved  on  will  (  we  hope  )   convince  Men  that  though  we  cannot  as  yet  expect  that  the 
Lord's  Houfe  (hculd  be  fo  finijhed  that  all  jhall  cry,    Grace,  Grace  unto  it :    Yet  that  the 
Building  need  not  wholly  to  ceafe,  you  are  the  firfl  that  have  in  this  publick  way  broken  the 
Ice,  and  who  knows  how  powerful  your  Example  may  be  to  call  Men  off  from  their  Con- 
tentions and  Strivings  one  again  fi  another,  by  a  brotherly  Combination  to  carry  on  the  work 
of  Cbr'tfl  as  far  as  they  can  with  one  Shoulder. 

Whatfoever  Advantage  others  may  reap  by  your  Endeavours,  we  are  [ure  the  Ad- 
vantage that  we  have  by  them  is  double.  1.  We,  before  we  had  heard  of  your  Book,  had 
undertaken  a  Work  of  the  like  nature  :  Several  of  uf  meeting  together  to  confult  about  ma- 
naging the  Lord's  Work  in  our  Hands,  were  convinced  that  for  Reformation  of  our  People, 
more  ought  to  be  done  by  us  than  bare  Preaching,  a  brotherly  Affociation  of  Mmifters  ap- 
peared 


Part  II.   Reverend  Mr,  Richard  Baxter.         163 


feared  to  be  the  likeliefi  courje  for  the  attainment  of  our  Defires,  and  accordingly  was  re- 
folded on  :  And  becaufe  we  knew  that  many  of  oar  Brethren  in  the  Minifiry  differed  from 
us,  we  refolved  to  draw  up  federal  Propojals  wherein  we  and  they  by  a  mutual  Condefcen- 
tion  might  agree  as  Brethren  in  Love  and  Peace  to  carry  on  the  fame  Work,  and  therefore 
required  nothing  of  them  but  what  we  proved  by  the  Confeffions  of  the  Congregational  Bre- 
thren (  their  own  Party  )  to  be  of  lejs  Moment,  and  not  of  abfolute  Necejfuy.  Wherein 
(  we  urged  )  they  might  and  ought  to  yield  for  the  Churches  Peace  :  But  our  Endeavours 
to  gain  them  were  fruftrated,  thiy  were  Jo  refclved  that  they  would  not  fo  much  as  read 
our  Propofals  and  Reajons.  We  therefore  Jet  about  the  Work  our  felves,  and  made  fome 
Progress  in  it  j  by  this  time  we  began  to  feel  what  we  expected  at  the  first  fetting  out, 
viz.  the  Rage  and  Malice  of  wicked  Men  vented  in  Railings  and  Slanders  on  the  one  hand, 
and  bitter  Cenfuresand  Sufpicions  of  the  Brethren  on  the  other.  In  the  midft  of  all  this  we 
received  your  Book  as  a  feafonable  Refrejhment  :  Our  Hands  were  much  firengthned  by  it  J 
it  was  a  great  Encouragement  to  us,  to.  fee  that  other  godly  and  learned  Men  had  walked 
much  what  m  the  fame  Steps,  and  had  pleaded  our  Caufe  almost  by  the  fame  Arguments 
wherewith  we  endeavoured  to  flrengthenit.  But  z.  we  are  hereby  quicknedup  to  carry  our 
Defign  higher.  Our  Propnfittons  for  the  Sub  fiance  of  them  are  near  the  fame  with  yours  : 
we  agree  in  a  great  part  of  pur  Difcipline,  our  Rules  of  Admiffion  are  competent  Know- 
ledge, Uhblameablenefi  of  Convcrfation,  and  affent  to  the  Covenant  of  Grace,  the  means  to 
carry  it  on  are,  the  Peoples  Confent  and  AJfociatton  of  Minifters ;  and  where  we  differ 
from  \ou,  'tis  not  becaufe  we  differ  in  Opinion,  but  becaufe  our  People  (  whofe  Condition  and 
Temper  we  were  forced  to  fet  before  us  in  framing  our  Agreement  )  differ  from  yours. 
Hence  our  Examination  of  the  Peoples  Knowledge  u  more  general  than  yours,  if  we  un- 
der ft  and  you  right  in  Prop.  19.  Reg  9.  hence  inftead  ofyourParijh  Affiants  we  are  forced 
to  make  ufe  of  one  another s  help  in  private  Examinations,  and  Determination  of  Fitnefi,  as 
well  as  in  more  publick  Debates  and  Confultations :  Tet  in  two  things  we  come  jbort  of  your 
Agreement  :  1.  In  that  we  have  not  as  yet  propounded  to  our  People  your  height  of  Dtfci- 
pltne,  j  though  we  never  thought  fecret  and  private  Admonitions  and  Suffenfion  from  the 
Sacrament  Juch  a  Meafure  of  Difcipline  wherein  we  might  comfortably  fatisfie  our  /elves 
without  farther  Progrefs  ;  yet  (  our  Hands  being  much  weakened  by  our  Brethrens  refufal  to 
join  with  us,  our  People  ftubborn,  and  Suffenfion  from  the  Supper  being  apiece  of  Difcipline 
that  hath  not  been  here  praclifed  till  of  late,  and  therefore  a  matter  of  greater  Shame  till 
Cufiom  (hall  make  it  more  common  )  we  refolved  to  propound  and  Practife  this  firfl  as  an 
Effay  to  try  what  Succefi  and  Entertainment  a  farther  Difcipltne  might  find.  For  though 
the  Fear  of  Peoples  flying  off  and  feparating  ts  not  by  us  looked  upon  as  a  fufficient  Dif- 
charge  for  the  neglect  and  laying  afule  all  endeavours  to  reform :  Tet  we  look  upon  it  as  a 
fufficient  Ground  of  proceeding  warily.  2.  Though  we  always  required  Peoples  Confent  to 
the  Terms  of  the  Covenant  of  Grace  and  Difcipline,  yet  have  we  not  been  fo  full  in  this  as 
you.  That  which  kept  us  off  was  a  fear  of  offending  fome  of  our  Brethren,  who  being  more 
likely  to  hear  of  our  Pratt  ice  than  of  the  Grounds  and  Reafons  of  it,  might  eafily  mtfiake 
our  meaning.  But  now  the  way  of  Difcipline  being  made  more  fmooth  both  by  what  we 
have  put  in  Practice  already  and  by  what  you  have  declared,  we  are  encouraged  m  both  thefe 
Refpetls  to  make  a  farther  Addition  to  our  former  Propofals. 

Some  things  there  are  wherein  a  farther  Explication  of  your  meaning  would  have  been  ve- 
rygrateful  to  us. 

1.  Whether  the  Infants  of  fuch  as  are  fufpended  from  the  Lord's  Supper  and  of  fuch  as  de- 
lay or  refufe  Confent  to  your  Difcipline  only  from  DiffatisfaUxon  about  the  matter  of  its 
Management,  are  to  be  excluded  from  Baptijm  ? 

2.  Why  you  refolve  to  exercife  your  Difcipline  upon  thofe  only  which  tefiifie  their  Con- 
fent,  feeing  you  acknowledge  your  pr.efent  Parishes  (  before  the  exercife  of  this  Difcipline  ) 
true  particular  Organized  Churches  of  ChriFt  j  if  fome  of  thofe  whom  you  accounted  Mem- 
bers jhouldfiy  off>  why  may  they  not  be  Sharers  in  your  Difcipline,  and  upon  their  Kefufal 
caff  out,  rather  than  filently  left  out  ? 

3.  Why  (  if  you  limit  your  publick  Cenfures  and  Admonition  to  thofe  only  that  give  ex- 
press Confent  Prop.  18.)  you  revive  to  cenjure  the  fcandalous  Sinner  upon  fuch  an  Offer  of 
Confent  as  carrieth  in  the  Front  of  it  a  plain  Refufal  of  your  Difcipline  ?  Prop.  19.  Reg. 
10.  and  how  this  will  ft  and  with  the  fourth  and  fifth  Reafons  of  that  Propefition  in  pag. 
12.  of  the  Explanation  ? 

We  know,  that  you  have  of  purpofe  left  many  things  undetermined,  and  that  which  you 
have  propounded  is  fitted  to  the  Temper  of  Parishes  in  general,  rather  than  to  fome  of  yours 
in  particular^  and  therefore  we  do  not  mention  thefe  as  an  Accufation  againft  your  Propo- 
fals j  but  for  our  own  Advantage  and  Satisfaction  in  cafe  we  jhould  receive  any  Letters 
from  you. 

Y  2  Brethren, 


The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  1. 


Brethren,  pray  for  us :  we  dwell  in  the  midfi  of  Oppofition,  and  at  it  will  he  our  great 
Joy  U  hear  that  the  Work  doth  proffer  in  your  hands :  fojhallwe  be  earnefi  with  the  Lard 
for  a  Bltjjmg  upon  your  Endeavours.  Thus  reft 

P&tritb,  Cumberland,  Your  unworthy  Fellow  Labourers 

Sept.  i«  i6j3* 

in  the  Work  of  the  Gofpel, 

Ri.  Gilpin  Pafior  at  Grayftock. 
John  Makmillane  Paftor  at  Odenhall. 
Roger  Baldwin  Mmifterof  Penrith. 
John  Billingfley  Mmifler  of  Addinghani. 
Elifha  Bourne  Minifter  at  Skelton. 
John  Jackfon  Tafior  of  Hutton. 
Thomas  Turner  Treacher  of  the  Goftel 

For  the  Reverend  our  much  efteemed  Brother  Mr.  Richard  Baxter, 
and  the  reft  of  the  Aflbciated  Minifters  in  the  County  of  Wbrcc- 
fier,  Thefe. 

To  this  Letter  we  return'd  the  following  Anfwer. 

Reverend  and  Beloved  Brethren ; 

WE  received  your  Letters,  with  love  and  gladnefi,  at  for  their  favour  of  Piety  in 
general,  fo  of  Peaceablenefi'and  Zeal  for  Unity  in  (fecial,  which  we  have  now 
learned  to  take,  not  as  afeparable  Accident  of  true  Religion,  but  as  an  Ejfential  part.  We 
have  reverent  Thoughts  of  many  Brethren  for  their  fingular  worth  and  work  ,  who  yet  for 
their  Activity  in  dividing  ways  ,  are  the  grief  of  our  Souls  .•  We  further  honour  many  as 
abhorring  fuch  ways,  and  being  no  Friends  to  any  Dividing  Principles,  nor  aclive  either 
as  Leaders  or  Followers  in  the  promoting  them,  who  yet  are  fo  paffively  and  pajjionately  un- 
peaceable,  in  an  impatient  Entertainment  of  every  Difjenter  ,  and  making' the  leffer  Errours 
of  their  Brethren  to  feem  Herejies,  if  not  Truths  to  feem  Errours,  and  putting  fuch  odious 
ConfirucJions  on  their  Opinions  and  Practices,  that  they  do  thereby  make  their  godly  and 
peaceable  Brethren  feem  Firebrands  or  Monflers  to  be  avoided  or  contemned ;  and  fo  ajfrigbt 
Men  into  difunion  and  difaffetlion.  We  yet  more  honour  many  who  are  more  free  bcth  from 
aclive  and  pafjive  unpeaceablenefi,  who  yet  do  fatisfie  their  Confciences  with  this  much  j  but 
while  they  exclaim  agatnfi  Vivifions,  do  little  for  the  healing  them.  But  too  fmatt  is  the 
number  of  fuch  as  you,  whot  are  up  and  doing  in  this  healing  work.  Tour  Names,  dear 
Brethren,  are  doubly  precious  to  us,  as  are  your  Lives.  We  have  many  helpers  in  other 
Works  of  Piety  J  but  too  few  in  this.  Indeed,  we  are  following  on  the  Work  as  being  con- 
fcious  of  our  duty,  but  concerning  the  Succefiwe  are  between  hope  and  fear.  Among  our 
felves  in  this  County,  God  hath  ftrangely  facilitated  all,  and  fat  is  fed  mo(t  of  thofe  that 
feem  faithful  in  his  Work  ,  on  the  Terms  which  we  have  publijhed :  We  hear  alfo  that  in  ma- 
ny other  Counties  they  arefiirred  up  to  Confutations  for  thefe  Ends  ;  and  we  perceive  that 
the  Excellency  and  Necefftty  of  Unity,  Peate,  and  [ome  Reformation,  is  a  little  more  obfer- 
ved  than  it  hath  been  heretofore:  and  that  God  begins  to  difgrace  Divifions,  and  to  put  a 
zeal  for  Reconciliation  into  many  of  his  Minifters.  Alfo  we  have  made  fome  Attempts  with 
fame  Brethren  of  another  County,  where  are  fome  Men  of  great  Learning  and  Piety,  that 
.  are  of  the  Epifcopalway  j  and  we  found  them  not  only  much  approving  the  Work,  but  for- 
ward to  promote  it  with  the  reft  of  their  Neighbour  Minifters.  Our  godly  people  alfo  through 
God's  great  mercy,  are  almoft  all  very  tradable  to,  yea  and  rejoice  in  the  Work.  Thefe 
things  give  us  hope,  that  God  is  about  the  Reftoring  of  his  People,  and  that  he  is  kindling 
that  Zeal  for  Unity  and  Reformation  which  JJjall  overcome  the  Fire  of  Contention  that  hath 
been  wafting  usfo  long.  And  O  that  we  were  as  fur  e  that  this  Work  fliould  projfrer,  as  we 
are  that  it  is  precept ively  of  God !  For  our  parts,  we  cannot  think  that  God  is  building  his 
Church,  till  we  fee  him  bring  the  Materials  nearer  together,  and  providing  Cement  for  a 
fetled  Combination.  Of  which  as  we  have  thefe  grounds  of  hope,  fo  have  we  much  caufe 
of  trouble  and  fear,  both  from  the  backwardnefi  of  Pafior  s  and  People  to  the  Work.  For 
we  under  (land  from  other  parts  how  heart  left  fome  are  to  fuch  a  Work  j  and  how  averfe 
thofe  are  that  are  deeply  engaged  already  in  Parties .'  We  hear  not  of  thofe  hearty  inclinati- 
ons to  Peace,  in  the  party  whofe  averfneft  you  mention ,  as  we  hoped  to  have  done,  when  we 
camefo  near  them  as  we  do  $  not  croffing,  that  we  know  of,  any  of  their  Principles,  {though 

filenctng 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         165 

filenctng  fome).     They  do  in  fome  neighbour  Counties  z,ealoufiy  preach  againft   us,  and  cry 
down  our  way  as  formal  and  delusory  ;  making  the  People  believe  that  we  make   a  Panjh 
and  a  Church  all  one,  and  that  to  caft  them  out  of  the  Church  is   to  caft  them  out  of  the 
Partfl)')   and  that  we  take  in  all  that  will  come,  be  they  never  fo  bad:  Though  we  have 
full)  told  them  that  we  are  taking  in  none,  but  difccrning  who  are  in  ;  and  jhall  cajt  out 
all  whom  they  can  prove  fit  to  be  caft  out.     Some  Brethren  alfo  of  founder  Judgments,  do 
(land  at  a  diflance,  and  will  not  come  amongft  us,  to  tell  us  the  Reafons  of  it.     Some  in  other 
Counties,  that  are  zealous  to  promote  the  Work,  do  meet  with  fo  much  oppofition,  tergiver- 
fation,  and  difcouragement,  that  we  hear  it  ts  like  to  hinder  it  with  them.     Alfo  we  find 
not  that  love  and  peaceable  inclination  in  the  exafreratcd  part  of  the  Eptfcopal  Brethren,  as 
might  be  expetted  from  the  Sons  of  Peace.     But  thegreatetf  difcouragement  with  us  ufrom 
cur  People  :  for  though  through  the  mercy  of  God  divers  of  us  have  encouragement  .yet  in  most 
f  laces  the  Multitude  hold  off,   and  will  not  own  us>     And  though   God  fo   orders  it,  that 
the  worfi  do  generally  keep  off  themfelvcs,  and  few  but  Men  feeming   to  fear  God  do  joyn 
with  us,  yet  fome  few  of  tbe  moH  z,ealous  of  our  People,   in  fome  places ,  do    hold  off,  as    ' 
difltking  the  broadncf  of  our  way.     I Ve  find  it  ts  not   only    in  Doclrtnals,  but  Pratt icals, 
that  moft  arc  for  the  Extreams,  and  the  mean  pleafetb  ftw,  but   is  cenfured  of  both-     No 
Party  will  come  to  us,  unlefi  we  will  rejetl  all  other  Parties,  but  tbem.     It  is  m  thofe  dif- 
engaged  Chri/lians,  that  are  truly  Catholick,  and  are  the  Servants  of  Chrtfl  and  not  of  Mtnt 
and  that  love  their  Brethren  as  Chriflians,  and  not  chiefly  as  of  their  Party,  that  the  great 
hope  of  our  Succtfi  doth  confift  :  Though  (mart   Experience  may  poffibly  recover  fome  of  tbe 
reft-.     Our  hopes  depending  in  this  doubtful  [late,  we  give  thanks  to   God,  that  he    addeth 
fomewhat  to  our  encouragement  by  you.     We  adventured  not  rafldy  on  what  we  have  done. 
It  ts  near  a  year  and  half  fince  we  begun  our  Consultations.     Our  Profejpon  was  perufed  by 
Eijlwp  Uiher  and  others :  Our  Propo fit  ions  fcand  by  many  far  and  near  :  and  all  was  altered 
in  them  that  any  of  them  were  offended  at.      Tet  it  is  far  from  our  Expettations  that   all 
jhould  joyn  only  on  our  Terms :  Could  we  get  them  to  Confutations  for  Unity  and  Reforma- 
tion, and  to  hold  on  till  they  did  fuccccd,  we  had  our  defire.     But  indeed  we  fee  fuch  exceed- 
ing difference  in  Mens  Appr  then  font,  and  fuch  additledncfi  to  their  Party  in  too  many,  and 
fuch  a  loathnefim  others  to  di/flcaje  the  People,  or  weaken  their  own  Intereft  w  them  ,  and 
baz>ard  part  of  their  maintenance  that  comes  from  them  ;  that  we  do  expect  this  Work  (l)ould 
go  heavily  on  j  ar.d  if  it  pnve  otherwtfe,  we  (hall  afcribc  it  to  tbe  meer  good  pleafure  of  God, 
and  Ihi  extraordinary  blejfing  :  for  no  doubt  but  all  the  force  will  be  raifed  againft  it,  that 
the  imcreft  of  Satan  in  the  ungodly.,  the  heretical  Dividers,   the  dark  tmperfett  Saints,  can 
procure.     But  though  our  greatcft  Comforts  would  lye  in  the  SuccefS  (  becaufe  we  work  not 
for  our  fives,  but  -for  God  and  his  Church  )  yet  we  find  vry  much  in  our  upright  Endea- 
vours.    Indeed  we  have  Experience  of  much  fwcetnefs  in  the  Work  :  Our  very  Thoughts  and 
Speeches  and  Confutations  of  Peace  are  fweet.     That  cur  Minds  flwuld  be   hereby  occafioned 
to  dwell  fo  much  on  fuch  a  bleffed  Subjctl ,  we  find  a  great  advantage  to  our  own  Souls  j  it 
much  compofetb  and  calmeth  our  Minds,  and  kilhth  the  contrary  Corruptions,  and  difpofetb 
w  to  love  and  tendernefi  to  our  Brethren  :   So  that  were  we  fure  to  have  no   other  Succefi, 
wc  have  a  plentiful  Reward.     As  our  ftudtes  of  Heaven,  and  preaching  of  it  to    our  Peo- 
ple ,  occafioneth  fuch  for et aft s  that  are  worth  our  labour  a  t  houj and  fold ,  fo    do   the  fiudies 
and  attempts  for  Peace.     Brethren,  cur  hearts  defire  is,  that   as  the  Lord  hath  let  fall  on 
you  ,  fome  of  the  fame  Spirit  of  Peace  ,  as  on  us  his  unworthy  Servants,   that  you  would 
joyn  with  us  at  the  Throne  of  Grace  in  profecution  of this  Defign,  and  follow  it  bard  with 
God  and  Men,  and  let  us  be  ?mnded  of  you  in  thofe  your    Addreffes  to  God  ,  not   only   as 
Chrifiians,  as  you  do  others,  but  in  ffecial  as  Peace-makers  ,  that   we  may  profiler  in   this 
Work,  and  the  Lord  would  call  in  the  Spirit  of  Divifion,  and  command  down  thofe  Winds 
and  Waves  that  have  threatned  the  ruineof  his  dtftreff'ed  Church  ;  and  we   hope  the  Lord 
will  help  us  to  be  mindful  alfo  of  you.     Truly,  it  u  fweeter  treating  with  God  than  with       ' 
Men.     Yit  both  mufi  be  done.     And  as  we  defire  to  refift  all  Temptations  to  Dejpondency , 
jo  we  hope  that  the  Lord  will  enable  you  to  break  over  difcouraging  Oppofitionst  with  fuch 
fixed  vitlorious  Refolution  as  becomes  Men  that  are  engaged  in  fo  fweet  a  Work,  and  honou- 
red to  be  Leaders  under  fo  faithful,  omnipotent ',  and  vitlorious  a  General.     Tou  love  not  the 
Work  of  Piety  in  general  ever  the  worfe  for   oppofition  J  nor    would  you  furceafe  as  difcou- 
raged  though  you  had  met  with  more.     Let  it  befo  alfo  in  particular  for  Unity  and  Refor- 
mation. 

We  jhall  next  give  you  our  Anfwer  to  your  three  Queflions.  I .  As  we  did  purpofely  leave 
thefirft  Qutflion  unrefolved,  fo  we  are  loth  to  put  the  Queftion  to  any  one  Affociation,  much 
lefi  to  all  j  left  we  either  agree  not,  or  agree  in  Points  that  may  hinder  the  Work,  when  we 
forefee  the  certain  dtfagreement  of  others. 

2,  Ts 


l66  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


2.  Toyourfecondwefay,  Its  true  that  we  take  our  Partjhes  for  true  Political  Churches} 
and  we  take  it  as  probable  (  and  Jo  to  be  judged  by  m  and  others)  that  all  tbofe  that  con- 
fiantly  fubmit  to  the  Ordinances  and  Minifhrial  Offices,  are  true  vifible  Member  s,and  take 
themfelves  for  Juch  ;  except  they  do  otherwife  difcover  their  diffent.      But  becaufe  -where  Pro- 
fejfions  are  but  implicit,  or  lef  exprefi,   we  have  but  a  probability,  and  not  a  full  certainty  , 
that  aU  Juch  Per  fans  do  take  themfelves  indeed  for  Members  ,  and  becaufe  when  we  call  them 
to  acquaint  us  exprefly,  whether  they  take  themfelves  for  Members,  or  not,  they  deny  it,  or 
refu/e  to  profefi  it,  and  fo  difclaim  it,  we  now  firfl  difcern  that  they  are  no  Members  j  either 
not  intending  to  be  Juch  all  this  while,  or  voluntarily  departing  now. We  have  more  afJUrance 
of  the  Truth  of  our  particular  vifible  Churches,  than  we  have  of  each  Man's  memberfljip  par- 
ticularly.    For  fame  do  plainly  prof efi  themfelves  Members,    and  mojt  others    do   that  which 
amounts  to  a  more  ebjcure  Profejfion,   and  which  makes  them  guilty  of  Hypocrifie,  if  they  m- 
tend  net  what  they  feem  to  prcfefi  ;    But  yet  when  they  contradict  the  feemwg  darker  Pro- 
fejjicn  by  an  open  difclaiming  it,  then  they  undeceive  us,  and  ceafe  that  difjembling  :  And 
Multitudes  do  openly  profeJS  in  many  places,  long  ago,  that  it  is  their  liberty  to  hear  all  Men, 
but  they  take  us  for  no  Churches,  or  at  leaf;  they  take  not  themfelves  as  Members.     Befides, 
when  they  difclaim  our  Power  over  them,  they  will  not  come  near  us  to  be  cjuefiioned,or  give 
any  account  of  their  ways,  but  tell  us,  We  have  no  more  to  do  with  them,  than  others  have 
whofe  Charge  they  are  not  under.      Moreover,  when  they  have  caft  out  themselves,  they  art 
not  capable  of  the  Jame  Cafiing  out  by  us,  as  thofe  that  are  in  j  for  it  cannot  be  wholly  ab 
eodern  termino.     Tet  we  do  not,  as  you  fay,  refolve  to  exercije  our  Vijciplme  on  thoje  only 
that  tefiifie  Confent  ;  but  only  agree  on  no  more,  leaving  the  rejt  to  be  done  as  above,  and  be- 
yond this  Agreement. 

But  that's  your  third  Que fiion,  to  which  we  fay,  That  we  do  not  Prop.  18.   limit  our 
Publick  Cenjures  to  thofe  only  that  exprefi  Confent,  as  excluding  all  others,   or   refolving  not 
to  do  it  on  any  others  :  but  only  refolving  here  to  do  it.     Indeed  our  Judgment  is,   that  Jo 
far  as  a  fcandalous  Chri/lian  hath  Communion  with  us,  fo  far  he  may  be  cafi  cut   (  not 
breaking  Natural  and  Civil  Bonds).     Ifjome  have  the  Communion  of  particular  Chnrch- 
Members  with  us,  and  others  have  but  the  Communion  of  Chrifitans  in  Neighbourhood,  and 
ordinary  Converfe  wherein  we  have  occafion  to  manifest  familiarity,  we  may  and  ought  to 
Cafi  the  former  (  on  jufi  caufe  )  out  of  Church-Communion,  and  the  later,  out  of  familiar 
Society,  or  Communion  in   any   Ordinance   that    intimates    Familiarity ;  but  cut   of  that 
Church  we  cannot  cafi  him,  when  he  is  not  in  it.     Tet  for  many  Reafons  we  judged  it  un- 
meet to  put  this  lafi  into  our  Agreement.      2.  Tou  domifiake  our  Reg.  io.  of  Prop.  19.  in 
fuppofing  that  the  Profeffion  of  Confent  there  mentioned,  doth  carry  in  the  front  of  it,  a  flam 
refufal  of  our  Difcipline.     For  if  he  profefi  Confent ,  we  mufi  take  him  as  a  Member \  and 
ufe  him  accordingly  ;  and  by  that  Profejfion,    he    manifefietb  Confent   to  our  Guidance  and 
Dijcipline  in  general  $  and  the  thing  that  he  refufeth  is  only  Actual  Obedience  to  a  particu- 
lar Act  of  Dijcipline,  and  that  after  the  difcovery  of  Conjent ;  which  any  corrupt  Member 
may  do. 

As  for  the  two  Points  before  mentioned  by  you,  wherein  you  went  not  fofar  as  we,  this 
much  we  briefly  fay,  1.  Our  19th  Prop.  Reg.  9.  Jfeaks  of  no  Ignorance  but  what  was  before 
^xprejjed,  viz.  of  Fundamentals ,  and  that  only  where  we  have  jufi  ground  of  Sufficion  of 
it.  2.  We  dare  not  difjwade  your  mutual  AJfifiance  in  Pafioral  Offices  to  particular  Con- 
gregations, where  there  is  no  offence  taken  at  it.  But  if  the  Congregational  Brethren  Jhould 
take  it  as  a  making  your  many  Churches  to  be  but  one  particular  Church,  or  a  giving  the 
Pafior  of  one  Church  a  true  Pafioral  Power,  and  confidently  Charge  and  Duty  over  other 
Churches,  (  which  yon  know  Mr.  Burroughs  in  his  Irsenic.  makes  their  great  Offence)  t 
then  for  Unity  and  Peace  faket  we  could  wi(h  you  did  forbear  it. 

Brethren,  Our  hearty  prayer  is  that  the  Lord  would  guide ,  quicken,  encourage,  and  fuc- 
ceedyou,  in  this  blejjed  Work.  But  the  more  excellent  it  is,  the  more  Oppofition  expect  from 
Men  and  Devils,  and  your  own  Corruption '  But  the  dearer  it  cofletb  you  ,  and  the  more 
unrefervedly  you  devote  your  felves  and  rejign  all  you  have  to  God,  for  the  faithful  perform- 
ance of  it,  the  more  Comfort  may  you  expect  from  God,  and  thejweeter  will  be  your  reviews 
of  it  at  a  dying  hour.  Brethren,  imitate  your  Lord:  Do  the  Work  of  him  that  fent  you 
while  it  is  day  ;  for  the  night  comet h  when  none  can  work.     Parewel : 

Kiderminfter,  Octob.  Your  Brethren 

1653. 

and  fellow  Servants, 


Rich.  Baxter, 

Jarvis  Bryan,  in  the  Name 
and  at  the  Appointment  of  the  reft. 

Brethren 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        167 

Brethren, 

4  r>  Ecaufe  you  Directed  your  Letter  to  me  by  Name,  I  am  bold  to  tell  you  my 
1  JlJ  private  Refblution  of  your  firft  Queftion.  I  will  do  by  the  Children  of  Re- 
'  fufers,  as  by  Strangers  (  except  I  know  that  they  refufe  through  meer  Iicentiouf- 
'  nets  ).  I  dare  not  refufe  to  Baptize  the  Child  of  a  Stranger,  as  fuch :  but  I  will 
'  firft  (peak  with  one  of  the  Parents,  and  be  more  fully  fatisfied  of  their  Know- 
*  ledge,  and  Reafons  ofDiflent,  and  enquire  of  their  Lives:  and  on  the  fame 
c  Terms  I  admit  DifTenters  alfo  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  viz.  if  there  be  no  Charge 
'  again!!  their  Lives,  and  they  come  to  me  before  hand  ,  and  fatisfie  me  of  their 
'  fitnefs.  Still  letting  them  know  it  is  a  dangerous  cafe  to  live  from  under  Order 
'  and  Difcipline,  and  that  I  do  this  to  them  but  for  a  time  till  they  can  be  fathfied, 
'  as  I  would  do  for  a  Stranger. 

Tour  Brother, 

Ri.  Baxter. 

To  our  Reverend  and  Beloved  Brethren  the  Ajjociated  Minifters  in  the 
County  of  Cumberland. 


§jj.Upon  the  Publication  of  our  Agreement,the  Minifters  in  moft  Counties  be- 
gan to  take  the  Bufinefs  into  confideration ;  and  though  fome  few  of  the  ancient 
Presbyterians  were  againft  it,  and  thought  it  would  bring  the  Presbyterian  Govern- 
ment into  Contempt,  or  hinder  the  Execution  of  it,  when  it  had  been  agreed  on 
by  fo  grave  a  Synod  at  Weftnnnfter,  and  eftablifhed  by  the  Parliament,  and  there- 
fore they  rather  defired  a  Drift  Execution  of  the  Ordinance  of  Parliament,  and 
an  Agreement  on  thofe  Terms  )  yet  the  moft  of  the  godly,  faithful  Minifters,  as 
far  as  I  could  learn,  were  for  it :  For  as  we  hindered  no  Man  from  following  his 
own  Judgment  in  his  own  Congregation,  fo  we  Evinced  beyond  denial  that  it 
would  be  but*  partial  dividing  Agreement,  to  agree  on  the  Terms  of  Presbyte- 
-  rians,  Epifcopal,  or  any  one  Party,  becaufe  it  would  unavoidably  fhut  out  the 
other  Parties ;  which  was  the  principal  thing  which  we.  endeavoured  to  avoid: 
it  being  not  with  Presbyterians  only,  but  with  all  Orthodox,  faithful  Paftors  and 
People,  that  we  are  bound  to  hold  Communion,  and  to  live  in  Chriftian  Concord, 
fo  far  as  we  have  attained,  Phil.  ;.  if,  16. 

§  36.  Hereupon  many  Counties  began  to  Aflbciate,  as  Wtlt^nrei  Dorfetfoire,  So- 
merfttfiire,  Hampjhirey  Effexy  and  others:  And  fbme  of  them  printed  the  Articles  of 
their  Agreement.  In  a  word,  a  great  defire  of  Conc&rd  began  to  poffefs  all  good 
People  in  the  Land,  and  our  Breaches  feem'd  ready  to  heal.  And  though  fbme 
•  thought  that  fo  many  AfTociations,  and  Forms  of  Agreement,  did  but  tend  to  more 
Diviiion,  by  (hewing  our  diverfity  of  Apprehenfions,  the  contrary  proved  true  by 
Experience  :  For  we  all  agreed  on  the  fame  Courfe,  even  to  unite  in  the  pra- 
&ice  of  fb  much  of  Difcipline  as  the  Epifcopal,  Presbyterians,  and  Independants 
are  agreed  in,  and  as  crofleth  none  of  their  Principles :  And  they  that  thought 
the  Expreflion  of  the  Churches  defires  in  various  words  of  Prayer  in  Publick  was 
better  than  a  (tinted  Form  for  all  Churches  neceflarily  to  ufe,  fhould  not  think  that 
the  Expreflion  of  our  Confent  to  the  fame  things,  is  a  dividing  way,  becaufe  it  is 

tdone  in  various  Exprefltons :  for  this  Liberty  greatly  helped  Unity  :  for  many  a  one 
would  have  fcrupled  fome  particular  words  in  fuch  an  impofed  Form  of  Concord, 
■f  who  yet  would  accord  in  the  Subftance  of  the  Work. 
The  Ejfex  Agreement  was  printed ;  (  to  the  fame  purpofe  with  ours).  The 
JVtltfoire  Minifters  were  fb  ftri&Iy  held  to  it  by  the  Independant  Party,  that  they 
could  get  them  but  to  thefe  following  preparatory  Articles : 

'TTTTjE  whofe  Names  are  Subfcribed,  Minifters  of  the  Gofpel  in  the  County  of 
1  V V  Wilts,  being  humbly  fenfible  of  our  many  Failings  in  the  Work  of  the  Mi- 
'  niftry  by  the  Lord  Chrift  committed  to  us,  and  of  the  great  need  wherein  we 
1  ftand  of  the  mutual  help  of  our  Brethren  for  Advice,  Encouragement  and  Strength- 
£  ning  herein :  And  fadly  bawailing  the  Corruptions  of  the  People  in  our  feveraf 

1  Con- 


i£8 


The  LIFE  of  the 


Lib.]. 


Congtegations,  the  want  of  Chriftian  Reformation,  Love  and  Unity,  and  the 
Power  of  Godlinefs,  the  breaking  in  of  deftroying  Errours,  and  the  prevailing 
of  Ignorance  and  Profanenels  among  them,  have  confented  and  refblved  through 
God's  Grace  and  in  Expectation  of  his  Bleffing  on  our  weak  Endeavours,  as  fel- 
low Servants'to  the  fame  Lord  Jefiis  Chrift  the  Great  Shepherd  of  Souls,  to  ac- 
quaint our  felves  one  with  another,  and  to  joyn  together  and  aflift  each  other  to 
the  uttermoft  in  the  promoting  of  Gofpei  Truth,  Peace,  Love  ,  and  the  Power 
of  Godlinefs,  in  our  felves  and  all  thofe  that  have  the  Name  of  Chrift  upon  them, 
in  the  places  wherein  we  live. 

'  For  the  Effecting  whereof  we  defire  and  purpofe,  if  God  permit,  to  meet  to- 
gether at  Sarum  on  the  26th  of  QBob.  1653.  for  the  end  hereafter  fpecified. 

'  Firft,  In  fbme  publick  Place  on  the  fame  day,  where  any  others,  whofe  hearts 
are  inclined  thereunto,may  joyn  with  us  by  Faffing  and  Prayer  to  feek  unto  God 
for  pardon  of  our  former  Failings,  and  for  Direction  and  Strength  of  his  Spirit 
for  the  future  Work  of  the  Miniltry  which  lyeth  upon  us ,  in  the  inftructing  and 
ordering  of  our  feveral  Congregations  according  to  the  Word  of  God. 

f  Secondly,  After  the  faid  Publick  Duty  difcharged,  to  come  together  more  pri- 
vately in  fome  convenient  place  :  And  there 

*  Firft,  Jointly  and  Solemnly,  as  in  the  pretence  of  God,  to  teftifie  our  fincere 
purpofe  of  heart,  for  the  time  to  come  (independence  upon  the  Lord's  Strength) 
to  take  heed  unto  our  felves,  and  to  our  Do&rine,  aad  to  continue  therein,  that  in 
doing  this  we  may  both  fave  our  felves  and  them  that  hear  us. 

'  Secondly,  To  teftifie  to  each  other  our  Confcionable  readinefs  (as  Servants  and 
fellow  Labourers)  to  afford  and  receive  Affiftance  to  and  from  each  other  in  the 
Work  of  the  Lord  committed  to  us,  as  any  occafion  mall  be  offered  to  us  in  this 
kind  ;  and  accordingly  to  advife  together  thereupon. 

'Thirdly,  To  Promife  and  Engage  to  one  another,  according  to  our  Duty,  in 
all  Humility,  Tendernefs  and  Brotherly  Love.  Yet  faithfully  to  admonifh  one 
another  of  any  Mifcarriage  or  Neglect  which  we  mail  know  or  be  daily  inform- 
ed of,  which  in  any  of  us  bringeth  Reproach  upon  the  Name  of  God,  and  his 
Ways,  upon  the  Gofpei  and  the  Admimftration  of  the  fame.  And  we  /hall  all 
of  us  likewife  ferioufly  promife,  humbly  and  thankfully  to  accept  of  fuch  Admo- 
nition from  any  Brother,  as  a  Fruit  of  Chrift  ian  Love  and  Fidelity,  and  without 
Anger,  Clamour  or  Recrimination,  either  to  clear  our  felves  to  the  Brother  which 
Admonifheth  us,  being  free  from  the  Crime  objected,  or  elfe  endeavour  Reforma- 
tion in  what  we  have  offended. 

*  Fourthly,  At  the  fame  Publick  Meeting  to  appoint  fome  other  fit  time  to  meet 
together  in  the  fame  manner,  further  to  carry  on  the  Work  of  mutual  Brotherly 
Advice  concerning  fuch  Courfes  as  conduce  to  God's  Glory,  the  Good  of  the 
People,and  the  Difcharge  of  our  Duty  in  the  place  wherein  God  hath  let  us:  And 
in  this  our  Meeting  we  fully  refblve  through  the  help  of  our  God. 

'  Firft,  Not  to  meddle  in  word  or  deed  with  any  Matter  of  Civil  Government 
further  than  to  ftir  up  one  another  ( if  any  juft  occafion  be  offered)  confeionably 
to  maintain  and  exercife  all  Chriftian  Obedieaee4o  Magiftrates,  as  an  Ordinance 
of  God. 

c  Secondly,  Not  to  foment  any  Breaches  amongft  Brethren,  but  to  ftudy  to  the 
uttermoft  of  our  power  that  all,  who  accord  in  the  Fundamentals  of  Gofpei 
Ti  uth  and  Holineis,  may  be  brought  to  keep  the  Unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  Bond 
of  Peace. 

'  And  for  the  more  Chriftian  and  Orderly  managing  of  this  our  Brotherly  Agree- 
ment and  Aflbciation,  we  do  agree 

'  Firft,  That  every  Man  at  his  entering  into  this  Society,  tender  us  a  Certificate 
of  his  Painfulnefs  in  the  Miniftry,  and  of  his  Godlinefs  in  Converfation  under  the 
Hands  of  two  godly  Minifters  at  leaft,  not  of  the  Society  ;  and  of  two  or  three 
godly  Chriftians  known  to  fbme,  of  the  Society:  And  that  all  the  Certificates  be 
brought  into,and  kept  in  the  Handsof  one  of  the  Brethren  that  by  common  Con- 
sent fhall  be  appointed  thereunto. 

1  Secondly,  That  every  Man  that  cometh  into  this  Society  and  Agreement  be 
defired  to  exprefs  his  willingnefs,  in  cafe  of  any  Mifcarriage,  whereby  he  fhall 
give  juft  occafion  of  Offence  unto  the  Society,  to  fubmit  unto  the  Reproof  and 
determination  of  the  whole,  or  the  major  part  of  the  Society ;  fofarforth  as  their 
Reproof  and  Determination  fhall  be  warranted  by  the  Scripture. 

\  Thirdly, 


P  a  ft.  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         169 

C  Thirdly,  That  our  Meetings  be  conftantiy  begun  and  ended  with  Prayer  to 

•  be  made  by  the  Moderator  pro  tempore,  Who  at  the  firft  Meeting  is  to  be  cholenfor 
the  Meeting  next  following,  and  lb  continually  for   the  better  ordering  of  our 

'  Meetings  and  Debates. 

c  Fourthly,  That  no  private  Matters  be  propounded  in  our  General  Meetings 

*  but  by  the  Moderator,  and  that  not  while  any  Publicfc  Bufinefs  is  in  debate,  with- 
'out  the  leave  and  content  of  the  whole  Society,  or  the  major  part. 

*  Fifthly,  That  any  Brother  that  mall  be  willing  to  joyn  hereafter  into  this  So- 
c  ciety,  may  upon  the  lame  Terms  be  freely  accepted  into  this  Brotherly  Agree- 
1  ment. 

The  Independant  Churches  alio  in  Ireland,  led  by  Dr.  Winter  Paftor  of  their 
Church  in  Dublin,  aflbciated  with  the  moderate  Presbyterians  there,  upon  thefe  Pro- 
vocations, and  the  Perfwafions  of  Col.  John  Bridges  (  my  Neighbour  )  :  And  they 
ient  us  together  their  Defires  of  Correspondency,  with  which  our  AnKwer  is  here 
iiibjoyned. 

Honoured  and  Beloved  Brethren  in  the  Lord, 

*  T  T  hath  pleafed  the  goo dj) and  of  Heaven  to  bring  into  our  Tarts  our  much  efteemed  Friend 
X  Coll.  Bridges,  in  much  Mercy  to  us  aU;  and  by  him,  as  alfo  by  fever al  other  bands  t.? 
give  us  fame  acquaintance  "with  the  State  of  Chrifiys  Affairs  among  you  :  -which  very 
much  obliges  us  tp  Sympathife  with  you  according  to  the  feveral  Adrnmiflrations  of  Provi- 
dence, as  becomes  the  Relation  of  Fellow-members  and  Subjects  in  Christ's  Kingdom,  Hie 
Return  into  your  Tarts  affords  us  an  Opportunity  to  fignify  the  fame,  and  how  much  we  de- 
fin  to  manifest  'it  by  real  Demonfi rations ;  through  the  good  Will  of  him  that  dwelt  in  the 
Bujh.  In  order  thereunto,  we  thought  fit  to  tefiify  our  Willtngnefs  to  contribute  our  utmofi 
through  his  Affifiance,  to  the  maintaining  of  a  Chriflian  Correfpondency  between  us,  that 
we  may  mUtttaHy  receive  and  give  the  Right  Hand  of  FeHowJIiip,  in  a. Season  of  Jo  much 
need.  Whilfi  the  common  Enemy  is  fiill  labouring  to  divide  and  defiroy  the  Friends  ofChrifi 
in  all  parts ,  it  concerns  us  nearly  to  be  fo  much  the  more  indufirious  and  active  in  the  promo- 
ting ofChriffs  Interefi  againfi  his  Tpver  and  Toluy,  the  bitter  Fruits  of  uncbrifltan  Divi- 
/ions  we  have  too  much  tafiedof,  and  through  the  Lord's  Goodnefs  have  reaped  already  jome 
Benefit,  from  our  brotherly  Affociatton,  wbereinto  we  entered  not  long  ago.  The  prefent  Con- 
dition of  God*  s  People  in  Foreign  Tarts,  as  among  us,  calls  a  loud  for  a  more  cordial  Union 
and  Communion  among  alt  fuch  who  defire  to  fear  his  Name.  Ifs  therefore  our  Hearts  De- 
fire,  not  to  be  wanting  m  our  Faith  and  Prayers,  Refolves  and  Endeavours  to  the  fulfilling 
of  thofe  exceeding  great  and  precious  Truths  do  eminently  centre  in  thefe  latter  Days,  that 
Chrilt 's  Friends  may  receive  one  Mind  and  Heart,  to  ferve  him  with  one  Lip  and 
Shoulder.  We  are  thereby  much  encouraged  to  rcyuefi  your  Cbrifiian  Affiflancc,  and  Bro- 
therly Correfpondency,  that  we  may  all  be  the  better  able  in  our  feveral  Stations  and  Relati- 
ons to  promote  more  vigoroufly  the  Interefi  of  Chrifl  and  of  his  Teofle.  After  the  fad  (Jiakings 

.  of  this  Land,  and  bis  many  turnings  of  things  upfide  down,  the  Lord  ispleafedto  promi/e  us 
a  little  Reviving,  and  to  open  a  Door  of  Hope,  even  in  the  Valley  of  Achor :  Tour  favou- 
rable help  is  therefore  earneflly  craved,  that  Ireland  may  once  more  partake  of  the  glad  Ti- 
dings of  Heaven,  and  the  wants  of  many  Thou  fan  d  fiarving  Souls  may  be  feafonably  fupply 'd 
with  the  Bread  of  Life.  The  particular  of  our  Affairs  Coll.  Bridges  will  give  ■  you  a 
more  exact  Account  of,  and  will  be  ready  to  convey  to  us  the  Signification  of  your  Chrifli- 
an Compliance  with  our  longing  Defire.  To  the  Bleffing  of  the  moft  High  we  humbly  re- 
commend the  care  of  the  feveral  Nurferies  of  Christ  among  you,  that  the  Plants  of  his  Houfe 

'  maJ  jkurifij  in  his  Courts,  through  the  Supplies  of  Chrisl  s  Spirit,  in  whom  we  cordially  de* 
fire  to  be  and  appear 

Your  affectionate  Brethren 
Dublin  y.M.  8.  D.  1655V        #      in  the  Bonds  of  the  GofpeJ, 

July  j.  to  ferve  you  through  Grace, 

Sam.  Winter  Tafior  of  the  Church  in  Dublin. 
Claudius  Gilbert  Tafior  of  the  Church  at  LimerieL 
Ed.  Reynolds  M. 
J.Warren  M, 
Will  Markham. 
Tho.  Osmonton  M. 
,  •  .  In  the  Name  of  the  ajfociated  Churches  of  Chrifi  in  Ireland, 

Thefe  for  the  Reverend  Mr.  Richard>Baxter,  Paftor  of  the  Church  of 


Ch 


—rift  in  Kiderminfier.  to  be  by  him  communicated  to  the  feveral 
Smirches  of  that  AiToriatioa 

Z  Oat 


-■—       -        ■      ■ . 

j -0  The  LIFE  of. the  L  r  B.  I, 


Our  Anfwer  whereto  was  as  follows : 

Much  honoured  and  beloved  Brethren  in  the  Lord, 


W' 


E  received  your  welcome  Lines  from  the  Hand  of  our  faithful  and  much  honoured 
Friend  Coll.  John  Bridges.     It  much  rejoiceth  us  to  hear  of  your  brotherly  Ajjccia- 
tion]  and  the  Succefs,  and  more,  that  pur  Hearts  are  enlarged  with  fuch  De fires  for  the 
farther  promoting  of  this  healing  Work  ;    and  that  you  thus  breath  after  the  Union  of  the 
Saints.     It  doth  not  only  rejoice  us  on  your  own  behalf,  and  on  the  behalf  of  that  dejolate 
Land  where  you  abide,  but  alfo  on  the  behalf  of  the  Churches  in  general;  becaufe  we  feem 
to  difcern  the  gracious  Thoughts  of  God  unto  hu  People,  in  founding  a  Retreat  to  their 
unbrotherly  Contentions,  by  fending  forth  that  Spirit  of  Love  and  Peace,  which  we  know 
muft  build  us  up  if  ever  we  are  built :  When  God  was  pulling  down  and  laying  Wajle,  he 
wiiheld  this  Mercy,  and  let  out  upon  his  Churches  a  Spirit  of  Contention,  Bitternefi  and 
Divifion,  which  hath  gone  on  to  demoltjh  and  break  in  pieces,  and  made  our  own  Hands  the 
Executioners  of  thofe  heavy  Judgments,  which  have  laid  usfo  long  in  Shame  and  Sorrow, 
and  filled  our. Enemies  Mouths  with  Scorn.     While  this  evil  Spirit  that  made  dejolate  did  . 
prevail,  Divifion  Jeemed  aimable^and  dividing  Principles  feemed glorious  Truths ;  and  all 
Motions  to  Reconciliations  were  unfavory  things,    and  rejecled  as  a  Defection  from  Truth 
or  Zeal,  and  as  a  carnal  Compliance  with  the  ways  of  Darknefs ;  and  even  thofe  that  were 
zealous  for  Truth  and  Holwefs  were  too  many  of  them  cold  for  Peace  and  Unity  ;  reading 
thofe  Scriptures  which  fo  earneftly  prefs  them,  as  if  they  read  them  not  ;  never  obfervtng 
or  laying  to  Heart  the  ftritt  Commands  of  the  Lord  herein,    as  if  there  .had  been  no  fuch 
Pajjages  in  cur  Bibles.     But,    bleffed  be  the  Lord  that  beginneth  mightily  to  awaken  'the 
Hearts  of  his  Servants,  and  caufe  them  to  obferve  the  Truths  which  they  overlook' d,  and  at 
la(t  to  lay  to  heart  the  Duty  fo  much  neglected.     We  now  hear  from  ma/iy,  Countries  of 
this  Nation,  the  Voice  of  the  Spirit  of  Peace  ;  our  Brethren. fregin  to  get  together  and  ccnfult 
of  the  means  of  reparing  our  Breaches,  and  in  many  Places  are  ajjociated ;  and  though  the 
Work  be  but  beginning,  and  mightily  refified  by  the  Enemies  of  Holynefs  and  Peace,  yet  are 
we  in  great  Hopes  that  thefe  Beginnings  do  promife  more,  and  that  God  hath  not  awakened 
us  to  this  Work  in  vain.     And  now  by  the  Tidings  of  your  Concord,  we  have  received  an 
increafe  of  thefe  our  Hopes  and  Confolations.     Go  on  dear  Brethren  as  One  m  the  Centre  of 
Unity  \  and  prevail  in  the  Strength  of  the  great  Reconciler :   Jhis  is  the  way  that  will 
prevail  at  lafi  $    and  however  it  be  thought ^f  by  others  wj/l  certainly  be  comfortable  to  our 
[elves  in  the  review  ;    when  dividing  ways  will   be  aU  dtfgraced,  and  look  with  another 
Face  than  now  they  do  :  He  that  is  for  Vanity  and  Love  is  UkeH  to  have  his  Approbation 
who  is  one,    and  who  is  Love.     Our  Hearts  are  with  you  and  our.  Prayers  (kail  be  for  you, 
that  you  may  abundantly  reap  the  Fruits  of  Concord,  in  the  Conviction  of '  Gain-fay ers,  and 
the  farther  Confirmation  .and  Edification  of  your  own.     Tour  Motion  for  a  Correfpondency 
we  gladly  entertain,    and  JhaU  rejoice  in  the  Affiftante  of  your  Advice  and  Prayers,  and 
willingly  to  that  end  communicate  our  Affairs.     We   are  now  upon  a  joint  Agreement  to 
bring  all  the  ancient  Perfons  in  our  Parifhes  (  who  wiU  not  do  it  in  the  Congregation  )  to  our 
Houfes  on  certain  Days  every' Week,  by  turns,  to  be  catechifed  or  infirucled'  as  flail  be  moH 
to  their  Edification  :  A  Work  that  requireth  fo  much  unwearied  Diligence,  Self-denial,  and 
holy  Skill,  and  wherein  we  are  like  to  meet  with  fo  much  Refiftance,  and  yet  doth  appear  to 
us  of  great  neceffityand  ufe,  that  we  earne(lly  crave  your  Pray  ers  for  fuch  Qualifications  and 
SucceJJes.     The  State  of  your  Affairs  we  partly  underfiand  by  the  Information  of  CoU.  Brid- 
ges :  We  heartily  pray  the  Lord  of  the  Harvesl  to  fend  forth  more  Labourers  among  you;  . 
and  could  we  contribute  any  thing  to  jo  good  a  Work,  we  fhould  willingly  do  it  :  But  able 
Mmifiers  fit  for  the  Work   with  you,  are  too  few,  and  many  of  them  fo  weak  of  Body, 
that  they  are  unfit  fox  Travel,  and mo ft  of  them  fo  engaged  to  their  Godly  People,  and  the 
People  fo  impatient  of  a  Motion  for  their  remove,  that  the  Work  will  be  very  hard}  but 
we  hope  to  be  faithful  in  our  Endeavours  whatever  be  the  Succefi.     Brethren  we  crave  your 
Prayers  to  God  that  we  may  be  faithful  and  Succefsful  in  his  Work  ;  as  alfo  that  "Brotherly 
Correfpondenty  ibhich  you  motion  might  abide  $  and  we  remain 

Your  Brethren 

intheFaithofChrift, 

Rich.  Baxter,  Teacher  of  the  Church  at  Kiderminfter.. 
Jarvis  Bryan>  Teacher  of  the  Church,  f  Old  Swinford. 

Henry 


I  ■  »lll  ■    III - 

Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         171 

Henry  Oafland,  Teacher  of  the  Church  at  Bewdeley, 
Andr.  Triftram,  Teacher  of  the  Church  at  Clent. 
Tho.  Baldwin,  Minifier  at  Wolverly. 

In  the  Name  of  the  ajjociated  Mimfiers  meeting  at  Kiderminften 
Auguft  12.  1655. 

To  the  Reverend  our  much  honoured  Brother  Dr.  Winter,  Parlor  of  the 
Church  at  Dublin,  to  be  communicated  by  him  to  the  affociated 
Churches  in  Ireland ;     Thefe. 


They  wrote  us  alfo  a  Second  Letter,   which  I  herefubjoin : 

Reverend  and  much  valued  Brethren, 

YOUR  Affectionate  Letter  in  Anfwer  to  ours,  by  that  Honourable  Perfon,  we  have 
received,  and  do  defire  that  thefe  Lines  way  tefiify  our  Thankfulnefi  to  you  for  your 
loving  and  free  Acceptation  of  our  Dt fires  of  a  Brotherly  Correfpondency.  Tboje  Panttngs 
of  yours  for  the  Peace  and  Union  of  the  Saints,  we  doubt  not  will  be  to  your  Comfort  at  the 
great  Day  of  your  Account  :  God  is  not  unjufl  to  forget  your  Work  and  Labour  of  Love 
Go  on  therefore,  dear  Brethren,  in  his  Strength  whoje  work  it  is,  and  of  whofe  Power  and 
Prefence  you  have  had  fo  great  Experience :  We  truft  as  our  Hearts  are  with  yout  fo  our 
Prayers  (liall  not  be  wanting  for  you  at  the  Throne  of  Grace. 

We  thank  you  for  your  Joy  at  our  Affociation  and  Succefs,  and  that  we  fiill  breath  after 
that  happy  Work.  Surely  if  after  our  long  Experiences  of  thofe  woful  Deflations  that  Di~ 
vifions  and  Diffentions  have  involved  the  Saints  in,  our  Hearts  Jlwuld  not  be  enlarged  after 
Union  and  Peace  that  mufi  repair  our  Breaches,  we  fhould  have  Cauje  to  fujpecl  our  Union 
with,  and  Love  to  our  Head.  We  are  not  ignorant  how  much  the  Self-love  and  Pride  of 
jome,  and  the  mi/guided  Zeal  of  other*  of  approved  Sincerity,  have  advanced  the  Defign 
of  the  grand  Enemy  by  over  eager  and  unbrotherly  Bttttrnefi  •  even  m  matters  circum- 
fiantial :  Neither  are  we  altogether  ignorant  how  fubtilly  that  old  Serpent  and  Deceiver 
hath  laboured  by  a  pretext  of  Love,  to  jwallow  up  Truth  •  it  being  for  a  while  the  only 
Cry,  Love,  Love,  yet  not  the  leaH  hint  of  Truth,  which  had  mott  need  of  their  Charity  j 
being  rmjerably  tern  and  mangled.  To  which  cur  Charity  leads  us  to  attribute  the  Praije 
of  many  of  our  Brethren,  as  being  unwilling  to  buy  Love  with  the  Lofs  of  Truth :  It  is 
the  Apo files  Advice  that  the  Truth  fliould  be  Jfoken  in  Love,  and  that  we  (Ijould  contend 
earneftly  for  the  Faith  once  delivered  to  the  Saints. 

But  Thanks  be  to  the  Lord  God  of  Truth  that  hath  preferved  his  Darling  from  the  De- 
vourer,  making  the  way  of  Love  exceeding  aim  able  becauje  of  Truth  ;  jo  that  we  trufl  it 
will  not  lie  untrodden  by  the  Lord's  People,  through  circumfianttal  Differences,  whilH  all 
bold  the  Form  of  wholejom  Words,  confidering  one  another,  and  walking  together  in  what 
they  are  agreed,  and  waiting  upon  the  Lord  for  the  revealing  of  that,  wherein  they  differ  j 
perfection  being  referved  for  another  World. 

That  there  are  any  Beginnings,  and  that  by  you  we  hear  of  more,  we  earneftly  defire  our 
Hearts  may  be  duty  and  thankfully  affected  therewith  ;  praying  the  God  of  truth  and  Peace 
to  uphold  his  Truth,  and  to  jliower  down  plentifully  the  Spirit  of  Love  and  Peace,  that  as 
the  Lord  is  One,  fo  his  People  may  be  One. 

Your  prefent  Work,  we  are  in  fume  meafure  fenfible  of  its  Neceffity  and  Weightinefs  : 
Wherefore  our  Prayers  Jhall  be  for  you,  that  the  Lord  whofe  Servants  ye  are,  and  whoje 
work  it  is  would  be  with  you  to  counfel,  encourage,  ftrengthen  and  proffer  you  in  it,  as  we 
crave  your  daily  Prayers  for  tbeje  Infant  Churches,  that  our  God  may  vouchfafe  bis  Spirit 
and  Prefence  to  us  whoje  lot  iscaft  in  this  Wildernefi,having  many  Enemies  to  conflict  withal 
from  within  as  well  as  without  ;  your  Advice  and  brotherly  Affiance  we  requeH,  as  we 
fhall  have  Occasion  and  Opportunity  to  communicate  our  Affairs  to  you. 

Laftly,  the  deep  Senfe  we  have  of  the  extraordinary  want  of  faithful  and  able  Minifier s 
to  carry  on  the  Lord's  Work  in  this  dark  Land,  together  with  the  daily  Cryes  from  many 
Places  of  People  that  are  periling  for  want  of  Bread,  preffeth  us  to  renew  our  former  Recfuefi 
to  you  for  Help  in  this  Day  of  our  Neceffity  j  and  we  are  fomewhat  the  more  emboldned 
thereto,  by  the  Appehenfion  we  find  you  to  have  of  our  Condition,  however  for  the  prefent 
you,  find  not  how  to  help  us, 

1L   r  Tuff? 


172    •  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

Tour  great  Plenty  together  with  your  Ajjociation  ,  and  nearnef  of  Habitations  making 
your  Pafkors  and  People  as  one,  he/ides  the  Univerfities  are  with  you,  which  (  blefl'ed  be 
God  )  are  well  replenished  with  many  gracious  Plants  ,  to  whom  your  XJnamity  will  doubt- 
left  be  a  very  great  Encouragement  to  fettle  amongft  you  ;  whereas  our  diftance  fiom  them, 
together  with  thofe  fad  Reports  which  are  catt  upon  this  Land,  render  us  hopeleft  of  any 
considerable  Supply  that  way.  Thefe  things  we  humbly  offer  as  Motives  to  you  for  ffarivg 
fome  that  may  be  helpful  to  us  in  this  Day  of  our  Extream  Necejfity.  And  now,  dear  Brt- 
thren,  moft  thankfully  accepting  your  Love,  we  recommend  your  Per fons, Labours  and  Flocks 
to  the  Care  and  Overfight  of  our  Lord  JefusChrift,  who  is  the  Chief  Shepherd  and  Bijhop 
ef  our  Souls,  whofe  Grace  be  with  yeu.     Amen. 

YourBrethen,  unfeignedly 
Dublin,  Jan.  16  th. 

•  1655".  loving  you  in  the  Lord, 

Sam.  Winter. 

Tho.  Hook,  "\  C  Elders  of  the  Church 

01.  Huchinfon,  I  J   of  Chrift  in  Dublin, 

William  Markham,  r  )   whereof  Dr.  Samuel 
John  Price,  j  (  Winter  is  Paftor. 

In  the  Name  and  by  the  Appointment  of  the  reft  of  the  Aflbciated 
Churches  in  Ireland. 


§37.  About  this  time,  Mr.  Vines  extolling  the  Judgment  and  Learning  of  Dr. 
Ralph  Brownrigg,  Biftiop  of  Exeter,  and  advifing  me  to  chufe  him  as  the  fitteft  Man 
to  treat  with  for  Concord  with  the  Diocefane  Party,  I  wrote  to  him  to  that  End, 
andfent  with  all  fome  Terms  of  Concord.  He  returned  me  a  very  kind  Letter, 
profeffing  his  Willingnefs  to  proiecute  that  Work,  and  withal  an  anfwer  to'my  Pro- 
pofals  ;  which  granted  the  main  Matters  which  I  defired,  and  w  ould  have  united 
us  all,  if  fuch  terms  had  been  granted  when  the  King  came  in,  and  fetled  the 
Church  Government ;  for  he  granted  with  Bifhop  Ujher,  that  every  Presbyter  is, 
andmuft  be  a  Governor  as  well  as  a  Teacher  of  his  own  Flock;  and  that  fubordi- 
nate  AiTemblies  like  Rural  Denaries  might  be  fet  up  in  every  Market  Town, 
or  in  certain  Divifions  for  the  Performance  hereof.  But  becaufe  I  found  him  too  te- 
nacious of  the  titular  Honours  of  the  Bifhops  (  which  though  I  could  have  contented 
to  my  felf,  yet  thole  times  would  not  permit )  I  wrote  to  him  no  more,  and  feeing 
we  were  noc  like  that  way  to  attain  our  Ends,  which  was  a  prefent  Union  with  that 
Party  :  But  had  I  forefeen  what  fince  is  come  to  pafs,  I  would  have  profecuted 
it  farther,  that  I  might  have  had  more  of  his  Confeflions  to  teftify  againft  un- 
peaceable  Men. 

The  Letter  I  wrote  to  him  was  as  follows : 

MoH  Reverend  and  much  Honoured  Sir ! 

'"TPHat  I  an  utter  Stranger  to  you  fhould  make  this  Addrefs,  I  fuppofs  will  be  no 
i  X  ftranger  matter  to  you,  than  that  the  Weak  fhould  feek  for  help  unco  the 
'  Strong,  and  that  the  Laws  of  Nature  and  of  Grace  fhould  tye  us  to  a  mutual 
'  Communication  according  to  our  powers.     So  much  of  ray  own  time  being 

*  fpent  in  fuch  Paper  Converfe  with  Men  whofe  Faces  I  never  fW,  hath  fomewhat 
'  hardened  me  to  this  Attempt :  And  I  know,  that  as  far  as  you  excel  me  in  true 

*  Wifdom  and  Humility,  fo  far  will  you  excel  in  Condefcenfion  to  Inferiours, 
'  and  in  Readinefs  to  do  good  :  and  therefore  I  have  no  doubt  of  your  favourable 
'  Acceptance  of  this  Addreis,  if  there  be  nothing  in  the  Matter  or  Manner  to  hin- 
'  der. 

'  I  flball  take  leave  firft  to  tell  you  my  General  Errand,  with  the  Ground  of  it, 
f  and  then  my  Particular  one.  Nature  inclineth  us  to  defire  to  know  :  and  Grace 
( to  delire  the  right  Knowledge  of  God  and  of  his  Will ;  from  himfelf  only,  who 

*  is  the  Father  of  Lights,  muft  we  have  this  Light,  and  from  him  by  his  appointed 
r  Means  and  Revelations.     If  I  learn  ho:  of  thofe  that  God  hath  taught ,  but  ex- 

'  pert 


' 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         173 

*  ped  all  immediately  from  himfelf,  I  may  live  in  Darknefs.  Where  i  hear  of 
'  the  greateft  Revelation  from  Heaven,  thither  do  I  take  it  tor  my  Duty  to  Addrcfc 
'  my  (elf:  and  if  there  were  infpired  Prophets  now  as  heretofore,  I  would  go  to 
'  them  :  But  feeing  God  now  taketh  another  way,  I  think  I  ought  to  follow  him, 
'  and  to  be  a  Learner  (  if  poffible  )  of  thofe  whom  he  hath  any  way  molt  emi- 
r  nately  illuminated.  And  though  my  A&ions  may  be  more  ruled  by  many  than 
c  by  one,  where  they  have  more  Authority,  yet  my  Judgment  may  be  better  ih- 
c  formed  by  one  that  excelleth  in  Light ,  than  by  many  others.     While   I   have 

*  made  enquiry  after  thefe  Divine  Communications,  the  concurrent  Vote  of  my 
r  rnoft  learned,  fober,  judicious  Friends  hath  directed  me  firft  to  you,  as  the  Man 
'  who  for  clearnefs  and  fbundnefs  of  Judgment,    is  the  Oracle  of  this  our  Theologi- 

*  cal  World.  Though  I  may  Learn  of  many  hundreds,  yet  did  1  know  where  (b 
'  well  to  profit,  and  were  fofirong  a  Judgment  as  common  as  many  other  excellent 

*  Qualifications,  in  learned  Men,  I  fhould  have  taken  up  nearer  home,  and  noc 
'  prefumed  to  have  invited  you  to  any  trouble.  My  firft  QuefHon  therefore  is  in 
'  general,  Whether  your  Mind  and  Leifure  will  vouchsafe  me  the  Liberty  now  and 
'  then  to  intrude  for  the  Refolution  of  fome  Difficulties;  not  frequently  nor  con- 
'  tentioufly,  butfeldom  and  as  a  meer  Learner.    If  you  are  unwilling,  or  not  va- 

*  cant,  fey  (b,  and  rid  your  lelf  of  this  Trouble  in  a  word. 

c  And  though  the  greateft  Matters  that  I  would  enquire  about  are  Points  of  Faith 

*  (  wherein  if  you  have  taken  notice  that  I  have  wronged  the  Church  by  any  of  my 
<  crude  and  hafty  Writings,  your  Check  would  tend  to  a  Reformation  and  be  wel- 

*  come),yet  the  particular  that  at  prefent  I  {hall  try  your  willingnefs  in,  is  in  PoinC 
'  of  Discipline.  I  have  long  been  very  fenfible  of  the  lad  Divi lions  of  the  Refor- 
'  med  Churches  hereabouts,  and  efpecially  in  England;  and  longed  to  fee  the  day 
'  that  ibme  wife  compaffionate  Hand  would  rightly  attempt  the  Cure.  As  igno- 
'  rent  Men  know  not  fb  much  as  the  Difficulty  of  things,  ib  I  have  thought  that  if 
'  there  were  no  greater  Hinderance  in  Mens  Affections,  than  in  their  Principles,  it 
'  would  be  an  eafie  matter  fpeedily  to  Reconcile  the  moderate  Epifcopal  and  Prei- 
1  byterian  Divines.  My  earneft  Requeft  to  you  is,  that  you  will  be  plealed  free- 
'  ly  to  tell  me  your  Thoughts,  how  far  this  Accommodation  following  may  tend  to 
'  a  clofure. 

r  i.  In  every  Parifh,  where  thereare  more  Presbyters  than  one,  let  one  be  the 
r  Chief,  and  his  Confent  chiefly  taken  in  the  Guidance  of  the  Church. 

1  2.  Let  many  liich  Churches  be  affociated  (  call  it  a  Clajfis  or  what  you  will  J : 

*  and  let  the  fitteft  ManbeyourPrefident  as  long  as  he  is  ht,that  is,  during  Life,un- 
'  lefs  he  deferve  a  Removal. 

4  ;.  Let  divers  of  thefe  Gaffes  meet  once  or  twice  a  year  in  a  Provincial  AfTem- 
1  bly,  and  let  the  fitteft  Man  in  the  Province  be  their  ftanding  Prefident :  Hither- 
'  to  there  is  no  Conceffion  on  the  Presbyterian  fide,  but  that  the  Prefident  pro  tern- 
1  pore,  be  turned  to  a  ftanding  Prefident  ,*  nor  any  on  the  Epifcopal  fide,  but  that 
1  (molt  neceffary  one  J  that  every  Presbyter  be  acknowledged  a  Church  Guide, 
'  and  not  a  meer  Preacher. 

c  4.  Let  it  be  left  to  each  Man's  Confcience ,  whether  the  Prefident  be  called  by 
f  the  Name  of  Bifhop,  Prefident,  Superintendent,  Moderator^,  feeing  a  Name  is 

*  no  meet  Reafbn  of  a  Breach. 

c  f.  Let  no  Man  be  forced  to  exprefs  his  Judgment  dejure  ,  whether  the  Prefi- 

*  dent  have  a  Negative  Voice  in  Ordination  or  Excommunication,  nor  whether  he 
1  be  diftind:  in  order,  or  only  in  degree,  feeing  it  is  not  the  unanimous  and  right  belief 

*  concerning  thefe  things  that  is  of  Neceflity  (  for  then  they  mult  have  been  in  our 

*  Creed  )  but  the  unanimous  and  right  prafttce :  But  let  all  agree  that  they  will 
'  joyn  in  thefe  Claffical  and  Provincial  Aflemblies,  and  then  only  Ordain,  and  that 
1  they  will  not  Ordain  but  when  the  Prefident  is  one,  unlefs  in  cafe  of  flat  necefli- 

*  ty,  which  is  never  like  to  befal  us  if  this  way  be  taken. 

f  My  Queftion  now  is,  Whether  the  godly,  moderate  Epifcopal  and  Presbyteri- 
'  an  Divines,  on  fuppofition  that  they  can  at  prefent  come  no  nearer  to  each  other, 
f  may  not  and  ought  not  thus  far  to  clofe ;  and  thus  live  in  Chriftian  Love  and  U- 
'  nity  ;  feeing  that  we  are  bound  to  Concord  in  Pradice  fb  far  as  we  agree  in 
1  Judgment :  and  feeing  that  if  any  nearer  Clofure  be  yet  neceffary,  in  fuch  United 
'  Bodies,  and  Amicable  Affociations,  AfTemblies,  and  Correfpondencies,  its  rnofl 
f  likely  to  be  attained  this  way  j  and  indeed  no    other  that  I  can  as  yet  dif- 


cern. 


s  Thofe 


174  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I 


'  Thefe  Terms  I  once  propounded  to  one  moft  Reverend  Prelate  now  near  you, 
c  who  told  me,  That  with  moderate  Men  they  might  fuffice  for  an  Union.  If 
(  you  are  of  the  fame  Judgment  I  mould  have  the  ftronger  hopes  j  and  if  you  are 
c  not,  I  mail  the  iboner  let  them  fall. 

*  Were  your  leifure  fuch  as  to  admit  of  further  trouble,  I  would  crave  a  word 
c  for  the  Refolution  of  my  own  Judgment  in  thefe  Points : 

* i.  I  am  fatisfied  that  the  Apoftles  have  SuccefTors  in  all  thofe  Works  that  are  of 
c  ftanding  Necefliry,  and  that  Church-Government  is  one  of  thofe  Works,  and  that 
c  its  improbable  that  Chrift  mould  fettle  one  Species  of  Church-Governmenc  in  the 
'  Apoftles  Hands  for  an  Age,  and  then  change  it  for  ever  after,  and  that  they  that 
'  affirm  fuch  a  Change  muft  prove  it ;  and  this  Argument  flicks  clofe.  But  then 
r  I  would  crave  one  of  your  ftrongeft  Arguments  to  prove  ( though  I  know  that 
'  the  Presbyterians  grant  it  )  that  indeed  the  Apoftles  had  a  power  by  Office  to 
c  Govern  the  Seventy,  or  the  Presbyters  as  inferiour  Officers,  befides  the  power 
'*  that  they  had  by  the  meer  intereft  of  their  Gifcs,  and  priviledge  of  bzing  Eye- 
'  witneffes  of  the  Works  of  Chrift,  and  Ear-witnefles  of  his  Word. 

c  2.  If  the  Apoftles  Examples  will  prove  the  Right  of  an  unfixed  Ambulatory 
r  Epifcopacy,yet  I  would  fee  how  it  appears  that  ever  they  were  fixed  to  particular 

•  Churches,  or  ever  any  of  them  had  a  diftinft  and  limited  Diocefs,  where  the  reft 

•  had  not  Charge  as  well  as  they. 

'3.  I  am  fatisfied  that  very  early  after  the  Apoftles  the  common  Government  of 
'  each  Church  was  by  a  Bifhop  and  Presbytery  :  but  I  can  yet  lee  no  Evidence  that 
f  this  Church  for  150  or  200  Years  was  any  more  than  one  Congregation  ;  like  one 
f  of  our  Parifliesfor  number  of  People:  which  was  Congregate  in  a  City,  and 
r  from  the  Circumjacent  Villages,  (  as  our  Independant,  or  Anabaptift  Churches 

•  now  are)  j  while  the  Multitude  were  Infidels.  I  would  therefore  crave  one  clear 
c  Proof  that  the  firft  fixed  Bifhops  ruled  any  more  ftanding  Congregations  (  having 
1  ordinary  Affemblies  and  Communion  in  the  Lord's  Supper )  than  one  only.  And 
'  whether  the  multiplying  of  Believers  did  not  make  a  real  Change  of  the  former 
'  Species  of  Government,  while  the  Bifhop  of  the  City  took  on  him  the  Govern- 
'  mentof  many  Particular  Churches,  who  had  but  one  before;  and  when  Bifhops 
'  mould  have  been  multiplied  as  faft  as  Churches  were,  and  as  Presbyters  were  : 
1  Some  Paflages  in  theeldeft  Writers  incline  me  to  thefe  Thoughts,  of  which  if  they 
'  be  wrong,  your  Correction  will  be  moft  acceptable.  May  I  crave,  if  not  your 
'  Solution  of  all  thefe  Doubts,  yet  at  leaft  your  Advice  in  the  firft  Gale  of  Pra&ice, 
'  and  your  Pardon  of  my  Boldnefs,  I  mail  under  great  Obligations  remain 

Kiderminfter  in  Worcefterfhire  A  humble  Reverencer 

June  8.  165-5-. 

of  your  great  Abilities 

and  Dignity s 

Rich.  Baxter. 

*  If  you  return  any  thing,  Mr.  Underbill  at  the  Anchor  and   Bible  in  Paul's 
Church-yard  will  convey  it  me. 

To  the  very  Reverend)  and  much  Honoured t  Dr.  Brownrigg  Bijhop  of 
Exeter,  thefe. 

Whereto  the  Bifhop  made  this  fhort  Reply : 
Worthy  Sir, 

I  Have  received  your  kind  and  courteous  Letter,  the  Evidence  of  your  very  pious  and 
peaceable  Spirit,  which  I  heartily  dejire  may  be  a  Provocation  to  others  to  lead  them  in- 
to the  ways  of  Peace. 

•Sir,  Tour  Efieem  of  me  and  of  my  Abilities  is  the  Err  our  of  your  Lovet  and  of  thofe  that 
have  reprefented  me  to  you  in  too  great  a  Char  abler,  (quodnon  humiliter  tantum  fed  & 
veraciter  dico)  only  JJhall  dejire  to  beferviceabk  to  God  and  bis  Church  in  what  I  am 
able. 

Tour 


I     I    -  — .____^ — 

Part  II.     Reverend  MvRichard  Baxter.         175 

Tour  Letter  came  to  my  hands  at  the  time  of  my  removal  from  Highgate  into  the  Coun- 
try, here  I  have  continued  many  Months  fujf'ering  the  trouble  and  pain  of  the  Stone ,  -which 
which  hath  put  me  into  a  long  and  tedious  Courfe  of  Phyfeck.  Now  I  am  upon  my  Jour- 
ney homewards ,  from  whence,  God  willing,  I  will  write  to  you  '  being  truly  fenftble  of  your 
Religtous  Endeavours  for  jo  good  a  Work  as  the  Compojing  of  thofi  woful  Rents  made  in  this 
Church. 

The  God  of  Truth  and  Pe ace  guide  us  into  the  Ways  of  Truth  and  Peace ,  to  whofe  Grace 
and  Blejfmg  I  do  heartily  recommend  you,  refltng, 

SIR, 

Highgate,  July  3. 

i6yy.  Your  very  refpe&ful  Friend  (who 

embraceth  your  Love,  and  returns 

his  to  you  very  heartily, 

Ra.  Eicon. 

Ancl  not  long  afcer  I  received  this  Anfwer : 

Worthy  Sir! 

k 

I    Am  indebted  to  you  for  an  Anfwer  to  your  Inquiries  which   I  received  from  you.     It 
fljould  have  been  moreffeedy,  but  tn  truth,  I  brought  from  London  my  crafie  and  ill- 
affccled  Body,  which  fence  my  coming  home  hath  bred  me  much  pain  of  the  Stone,  and  ta- 
ken up  my  time*  in  luff cring  thofe  Di [tempers,  and  ufeng  the  Remedies  prefer  i  bed   to   me.-    I 
have  now  fent  you  my  Thoughts,  which  I  doubt  not  but  you  will   receive  as   candidly    as  I 
impart  them  to  you.     The  Age  is  quarreljome,  but  I  apprehend  you  as  one  of  a  peaceable  Spi- 
rit, aiming  only  at  the  Settlement  of  our  unhappy  Diftrac7ions.     The  God  of  Peace  compofe 
•all  our  hearts  to  Peace,  and  make  the  Rents  of  our  Church  to  ■  be  the  Matter    of  our  chief 
Comp.'ijjion.     Charicas  Ecclefia?  omnes  omnium  Charitates  infe  comple&itur.     Sir,  I 
have  Jent  you  my  Anfwer  written  with  a  more  legible  hand,  and  with  Jome  regard  of  eafe 
to  my  jelf  in  transcribing  \  with  my  very  hearty  love  recommended  and  ajjured  to  youj  con%- 
mendyou  to  the  Grace  and  Blejjing  of  Almighty  God,  refling, 

Auftie  in  Hart  fordone,  Your  very  refpectful  Friend, 

Julyzi.  J6jy. 

B.0.  Exon. 


Bifhop  Bronmriggs  Anfwer  about  Government, 


Pro 


op.  1.  \TOur  frrH  Propofal  is,  In  every  Parijli  where  there  are  more  Presbyters  than  one, 
**■  let  one  be  the  Chief,  and  his  Confent  chiefly  taken  in  the  guidance  of  the 
Church. 

Anfw.  r.  This  Cale  is  rarely  to  be  found  in  the  Pariihesof  England,  nor  can  there 
be  a  Sufficient  Maintenance  for  a  Plurality  of  Presbyters  in  our  Parochial  Congre- 
gations,yet  if  fuch  be  found,  it  may  be  a  good  means  to  preferve  Order  and  Peace  ; 
that  the  ordering  of  Affairs,  which  (hall  be  referred  to  them,  be  managed  by  him 
that  hath  the  Prefecture  of  that  Parifh  ,  I  wilh  that  in  thpfe  Churches  which  befide 
the  Incumbent  have  had  Lecturers,  this  Rule  had  been  obferved. 

Prop.  1.  Let  many  (uch  Churches  be  aJJ'ociated  (call  it  a  Claffis  or  what  you  will)  and  let 
thefitteji  Man  be  their  Prefident,  as  long  as  he  is  fit ,  that  is,  during  life,  unlefe'he  deferve  a 
removal. 

Anfw.  2.  This  Propofal  looks  like  our  Rural  Deaneries  ,  or  Choriepifcopal  Or- 
der, which  hath  been  laid  much  afide,  but  for  the  reducing  of  it,  and  to  make  it 
profitable^  I  wim  that  it  may  be  bounded  with  fit  Canons ,  prefcribing  what  they 
may  cjp,  and  with  intimation  from  the  Bifhop  and  hislnfpe&ion,  and  that  fuch  a 
Dean  or  Prefident  may  be  continued  for  Life,  that  being  a  means  to  breed  Experi- 
ence^ if  he  do  no:  delerve  a  removal 

Prop,  j. 


i-j6  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


Prop.  .2.  Let  divers  of  theje  Claffes  meet  once  or  twice  a  Tear  in  a  Provincial  Afftmhly, 
and  let  thefitteft  Man  in  the  Province  be  their  fianding  Prefident. 

Anjw.  g.This  Courfe  hath  been  by  Law  and  Practice  already  ufed  in  our  Church 
in  the  Archidiaeonal  Vifitations  and  Synods,  which  may  be  more  quickened  and 
actuated  by  fit  Canons  for  their  Direction  ;  what  and  who  the  Preudent  muff  bs, 
may  be  provided  for  by  Canons,  and  his  Station  continued ;  and  that  Presbyters 
having  Cure  of  Souls  fhould  not  be  accounted  meer  Preachers  but  Church-Guides, 
and  as  they  are  already  acknowledged  Re&ors  of  Churches. 

Prop.  4.  Let  it  be  left  to  every  Mans  Confcience,  Whether  the  Prefident  be  called  by  the 
Name  of  Bijhop,  Trejident,  Superintendent,  Moderator ,&c.  feeing  that  a  flame  is  no  meet 
Reafon  of  a  Breach,  &c. 

Anfw.  4.  If  by  Prefident  you  underftand  him  that  muft  moderate  the  Half-year 
or  yearly  Synods  under  the  Inipe&ion  of  the  Diocefan,  as  his  Order  mtfy  be  new- 
ly framed,  fo  his  Name  may  be  newly  impofed ;  but  that  the  Primitive  Name  of 
Bifliop  mould  be  turned  into  a  new  Name,  is,  as  you  fay,  no  meet  Realbn  for  a 
Breach  ;  and  we  fee  Presbyters  aifumethat  Name  to  themfelves,  and  to  put  anew 
Name  upon  an  old  Inftitutipn  is,  as  Augujline  fpeaks  in  the  like  Cale ,  IndoUis  (Iruere 
fattaciam  dotlis  facere  injuriam. 

Prop.  j.  Let  no  Man  be  forced  to  ExpreJS  his  Judgment  de  Jure,  Whether  the  Prefident 
have  a  Negative  Voice  in  Ordination  or  'Excommunication  ;  or  whether  he  be  diflintl  in 
Order  or  ^Degree,  feeing  it  is  not  the  unanimous  and  right  Belief  of  thefe  things  that  u  of 
Necejjity  {for  then  they  muft  have  been  in  our  Creed)  but  the  unanimous  and  right  Pratlice  J 
but  let  them  all  agree  that  they  will  conflantly  joyn  in  tbefe  Clajfical  and  Provincial  Afj'em- 
blies,  and  then  only  Ordain  ;  and  that  they  will  not  Ordain  but  when  the  Prefident 
is  one  5  unlefi  in  Cafe  of  fiat  Necejpty,  which  is  never'  like  to  befall  us  if  this  may  be 
taken- 

Anfw.  y.  If  by  Prefident  you  underftand  the  Diocefan ,  then  that  the  Bifliop 
fhould  be  deprived  of  his  Negative  Voice  in  Ordination  or  Excommunication,  and 
lb  I  conceive  in  other  Cenfures  and  A&s  of  Government,  is,  to  make  him  a  meer 
Shadow  without  any  Authority, like  our  Scrutators  in  our  University,  to  propound 
Graces,  and  colled  Suffrages,  and  pronounce  Sentence  ;  Surely  St.  Paul  inverted 
Timothy  and  Titus  with  more  Power  and  Authority,  both  for  Ordination  and  Cen- 
fures; but  then  to  remedy  the  Inconveniencies  of  a  wilful  Negative,  it's  fit  that  an  ' 
Appeal  may  be  made  to  a  Provincial  Synod,  that  may  examine,  and  if  need  be> 
re&ifie  what  was  amils  in  the  Negative. 

That  Church  BufinefTes  were  Ordered  by  the  Concurrence  of  more  Presbyters 
befides  the  Bifliop  in  Cyprians  time,  was  fit  at  that  time  ;  when  the  Government  of 
Church  Affairs  was  Arbitrary,  and  not  Regulated  by  Law  -,  in  which  Cale  it  was 
fafeft  for  the  Bifliop  to  have  the  Confent  of  others  with  him  :  This  is  not  ourGa(e$ 
vj»s  have  exprefs  Canons  and  Laws  laid  uponBifhops,  beyond  which  they  cannot  go, 
and  ib  may  well  be  intruded  with  {he  Execution  of  the  Sentence  of  the  Law,  the 
Sentence  of  the  Judge  being  only  Declarativa  &  Execntiva,  and  if  he  tranfgrefs  thole 
Rules  prefixed,  he  is  liable  to  Cenfure.  In  our  Church  plurimum  legi,  minimum  E- 
fifcopo  relhujuitur,  as  we  fee  in  Civil  Matters,  one  Juftice  of  Peace  hath  the  Pow- 
er of  Executing  the  Sentence  of  a  Law  or  Statute,  but  no  Arbitrary  Power  grant- 
ed to  him. 

That  the  Bifliop  be  diftinft  from  the  Presbyter,  whether  ordine  or  gradu ,  is  the 
Schoolmens  Debate,  and  I  conceive  may  have  fuch  accord  as  may  not  ingender 
ftrife. 

That  Ordination  be  by  the  Afliirance  of  Presbyters  is  already  required  in  our 
Form  of  Ordination,  and  if  it  be  fixed  to  the  Times  of  Synods  it  may  be  eafily 
granted,  and  fure  that  Blame  that  hath  been  laid  upon  our  Biihops  for  Ordaining  of 
infufBcient  Men  is  moft  what  an  undue  Charge :  the  Law  of  the  Land  hath  fet 
that  lownefsof  fufficiency  in  Men  to  be^ordained  and  inftituted,  that  if  a  Bifliop 
refufeth  to'give  Orders  or  Inftitution  to  a  Man  prefented  by  the  Patron,  he  is  pu- 
nishable by  the  Judges:  As  I  have  heard,  Archbifliop  Abbot  was  fined  an  Hun- 
dred pounds  in  c af^  hq  did  not  admit  a  Clark  fo  meanly  qualified  as  the  Law  re- 
nukes, 


Some 


I        "     '         '      "*"  "  " '   '  '  ' ■-  ■ I'  

Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         1 77 

Some  other  Propofals  are  added  in  the  End  of  your  Letter. 

Prop.  1.  T  Am  fatisfied  that  the  Apoftles  have  Succejjbrs  in  all  thofe  Works  that  are  of 
X  ftanding  Neceffity,  and  that  Church  Government  is  one  of  thoftt  Works,  and 
that  it  is  improbable,  thatChriH  (hould  fettle  one  Species  of  Church  Government  in  the  Apo- 
files  Hands  for  an  Aget  and  then  change  it  for  ever  after,  and  they  that  affirm  fuel  a 
Change  muft  prove  it.  .    „ 

Anfw.  6.  Suppofing  what  the  Apoftles  did  in  ordering  of  Church  Government 
to  be  in  the  Name  and  by  the  Authority  of  Chrift,  this  Aflertion  I  conceive  to  be 
very  true,  and  it  doth  infer  a  Subordination  of  all  Officers  and  Members  of  the 
Church  to  the  Apoftles,  and  thofe  that  were  their  Succeflbrs. 

Prop.2.  Whether  the  Apoftles  had  a  Power  by  Office  to  govern  the  LXX.  andtht  Presby 
ten  as  inferior  Officer s,  befedes  the. Power  that  they- had  by  the  meer  Inter  eft  of  their  Gifts, 
and  Priviledge  of  being  Eye  Witneffes  of  the  Works  of  Chrifty  and  Ear  Witneffes  of  bts   * 
Words.  ... 

Anfw.  7.  The  extraordinary  Gifts  of  the  Apoftles,  and,  the  Priviledge  of  being 
Eye  and  Ear  WitnefTes  to  Chrift,  were  Abilities  which. they  had  for  the  infallible 
Difcharge  of  their  Function,  but  they  were  not  the  Ground  of  their  Power  and 
Authority  to  govern  the  Church. 

That  the  Seventy,  and  fo  other  Presbyters  were  inferior  to  the  Apoftles,  and  un^ 
der  their  Government,  doth  appear  to  me,  though  at  their  fjrft  lending  by  Chrift, 
they  were  immediately  fubjed  to  Chrift,  the  Apoftles  not  being  then  eftablifhed 
in  the  Government  of  the  Church,  but  when  Chrift  authorised  his  Apoftles  with 
the  Power  of  Government,  Poteftas  Clavium  was  committed  to  them  only,  not  to 
the  Seventy  ;  and  fo  we  mult  conceive  that  the  Colledge  of  Apoftles  wereinrefted 
with"  the  Government  of  the  Church,  and  the  Seventy  not  having 'the  Keys  com- 
mitted to  themrwere  under  the  Authority  of  the  Apoftles,  and  fo  were  Presbyters 
to  the  Apoftles  Succeflbrs. 

Prop.  5.  If  the  Apoftles  Example  will  prove  the  right  of  an  unfixed,  ambulatory  Epifco- 
Vacy>  yet  I  ^ould  fee  how  it  appears  that  ever  they  were  fixed  to  particular  Charges,  or  ever 
any  of  them  had  a  difttntj  and  limited  Diocefi,  where  the  reft  had  not  Charge  as  well  as 

Anfw.  8.  I  conceive  theApoftJes  as  Apoftieshad  an  unlimited,  pnd^  as.youcail 
it,  art  unfixed,  ambulatory  Epifcopacy,  being  lent  into  the  whole  World,  and  not 
by  Chrift's  Inftitution  confined  to  any  one  fixed  Seat ;  but  yet  that  hinders  not, 
but  that  by  Content  and  Agreement  among  themfelves,  they  might  have  a  Diftri- 
bution  of  their  feveral  Circuits,  as  it  is  feen  in  the  Agreement  between  St.  Peter  and 
St.  Paul,  which  as  it  did  not  exclude  their  original  Power  overall  Churches,  fo 
it  did  accommodate  them  to  a.  more  opportune  Difcharge  of  their  Function,  and- 
accordingly  they  fetled  their  SucceiTors  in  thole  Places,  not  committing  to  them 
an  univerfal  Jurii9idion  which  was  a  Perfonal  Priviledge  of  their  Apoftlelhip. 

Prop.  4.  I  am  fatisfied  that  very  early  after  the  Apo  files,  the  common  Government  of 
tach  Church  w<k  by  a  Biflwp  and  Presbytery^  but  yet  I  can  fee  no  Evidence  that  this 
Church  for  Ay  o  or  200  Tears  was  any  more  than  one  Congregation,  like  one  of  our  Parijlies 
for  Number  of  People,  which  was  congregated  in  a  City,  and  from  the  circumjacent  Villa- 
ges ;  as  our- Independant  or  AnabaptiH  Churches  How  are,  while  the  Multitude  were  Infi- 
dels \  I  would  therefore  crave,  any  clear  Proof ,  that  the.  first  fixed  Bifiiops  ruled,  any  more 
ftanding  Congregations,  having  ordinarily  Affemblies  and  Communion  in  the  Lord's  Supper, 
than  one  only,  and-  whether  t  he  multiplying  of  Believers  did  not  r/?akc  a  real  Change  of  the 
former  Species  of  Government,  while  the  Bijhop  of  the  City  took  on  him  the  Government  of 
many  particular  Churches,  who  had  but  one  before,  and  whether  Biflsops  flwuld-riot  have 
been  multiplied  as  faft  as  Churches  were,  and  Presbyters  were. 

Anfw.  9.  That-the  Government  of  the  Churches  was  not  only  Vicatim,.  but  Re- 
gionatim,  appears  by  thofe  Deputies  and  SucceiTors  which  the  Apoftles  conftitu- 
ted  ;  in  particular,  Titus  is  authorifed  to  ordain  and  govern  hot  one  Parifn,  but 
the.  many  Churches  in  Crete.  That  thofe  primitive  Bilhops  did  employ  their  ordi^ 
nary  Function  of  Preaching  and  adminftring  the  Sacrament  in  their  City  of  Re. 
fidence,  may  weH  be  granted,  which  hinders  nor,  but  that  they  might  have  In- 
spection into  the  circumjacent  Villages  for  ordaining  of  Presbyters,  and  other  Ad~ 
miniftrations  of  Government,  and  what  needed  a  Golledge  of  Presbyters  refiding 
In  the  City  with  the  Bifh'op,  if  they  were  not  lent  out  by, him  to  officiate  iti 
thofe  Villages  adjacent,  as  the  Number  of  Believers  required,  nor  did  the  multi- 

A  ij  flying 


i78  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 

plying  of  Believers  in  the  adjacent  places  require  feveral  Bifhops  in  feveral  Congre- 
gations, independent  on  the  City  Bifhop,  but  the  ordinary  Difcharge  of  thofe  Pla- 
ces was  committed  to  them  in  Subordination  to  the  City-Bifhop,  and  Presbyters 
there  aflembled  as  occafion  required  :  In  this  Cafe  it  fared  with  the  Church  as  in 
Philofophy  they  fay,  it  is  in  the  matter  of  Nutrition  and  Augmentation,  where 
the  form  is  not  multiplied,  but  only  extended  ad  novam  matenam. 

Thefe  Anfwers  not  changing  my  Judgment,  I  made  the  following  Notes  upon 
them. 

Ad  i.  Every  Church  Prima  magnitudinis  &  fpeciei  mould  be  as  great  and  no 
greater,  than  is  capable  of  PERSONAL  Communion,  as  our  greater  Pa- 
rifhes  ;  and  every  fuch  Church  had  of  old  a  Bifhop.  One  Altar  and  one  Bijhop  was 
Ignatius' s  Note  of  one  Church  ;  and  fuch  a  one  may  maintain  divers  Minifters ; 
and  the  Rich  mould  not  burden  the  Church  for  maintenance,  but  help  freely. 

Ad  2.  This  is  a  Prefident  of  a  Synod  of  Bilhops. 

Ad  ^  I  thank  you  for  granting  Presbyters  to  be  Church-Rectors. 

Ad  4.  If  he  be  but  a  Prefident  he  is  but  a  Bifhop  Primi  Ordinis  (  of  one  Church  ) 
as  the  reft  :  But  if  he  be  the  ftated  Re&or  of  many  Churches,  he  is  really  an  Arch- 
bifhop. 

Ad  y.  This  was  written  when  our  Diocefane  Frame  was  taken  down,  to  recon- 
cile them  that  were  for,  and  them  that  were  againft  fuch  Bifhops,  pro  tempore. 

If  you  take  liberty  to  caft  off  the  Example  of  Cyprians  times,  on  pretence  that 
the  Cafe  is  altered  by  the  Kings  Laws,  then  you  will  never  know  where  to  reft 
while  Laws  are  alterable.  Qu.  Whether  the  Practice  of  the  Church  till  Cyprian's 
time  be  not  a  probable  Notice  to  us  what  was  the  Apoftolical  inftituted  Govern- 
ment? If  not,  why  ufe  you  the  Argument  of  Antiquity  for  Epifcopacy?  If 
yea,  Qu.  Whether  Rulers  may  alter  the  Apoltolick  Inftitution  ?  and  the  Office 
and  work  of  Presbyters  may  be  changed  on  pretence  that  now  Bifhops  can  do 
it  without  them  ?  He  that  ever  tryed  true  Diicipline  will  find  one  Parifh  big 
enough  for  one  Man's  or  divers  Mens  right  Performance  of  it,  and  Six  hundred  or 
a  Thoufand  Parilhes  too  many. 

Alas !  do  you  think  it  Lawful  to  ordain  inefficient  unmeet  Men,  if  the  Law  of 
the  Land  fo  command  you  ;  what  then  are  Chrift's  Laws  for  ? 

Ad,  6.  Here"!  granted  you  the  major  of  your  grand  Argument  for  Epifco- 
pacy. ■ 

Ad_j.  The  Apoftles  Superiority  of  Power  I  deny  not;  but  that  the  Power  of 
the  Keys  was  given  to  the  Apoftles  only,  I  deny.  If  Chrift  immediately  gave  it 
to  no  other,  yet  by  his  Spirit  he  did,  and  by  the  Church-Law,  which  he  left  to 
be  the  Inftrument  of  continued  conveyance  and  Title,  by  which  the  Apoftles  were 
to  inveft  others  With  that  Power*;  which  the  Schoolmen  ordinarily  acknowledge 
to  belong  to  Presbyters  as  fuch,  who  may  ufe  them  to  the  People. 

Ad  B.t-  1.  Defaclo  it  is  no  where  proved  truly  that  the  Twelve  or  Thirteen  Apo- 
ftles did  by  content  limit  their  Provinces ;  But  contrarity,  that  they  Officiated  to- 
gether at  Jemfalem"y  and  Peter  (if  at  Romey  as  fome  trunk  he  Was)  and  Paul  in 
the  fame  Diocefs  at  Rome,  &c.  and  Paul  and  John  at  Ephefus,  and  Timothy alio  (as 
is  laid  ). 

2.  If  they  had,  this  had  been  no  fixing  any  more  Dioceffes  in  the  World  than 
Twelve  or  Thirteen ;  and  whoever  fince  pretended  to  fucceed  them  in  thofe 
Twelve  or  Thirteen  Dioceffes? 

3.  And  if  following  Bifhops  or  Princes  fixt  Dioceffes,  that  is  no  divine  nor  un- 
alterable Law. 

4.  We  never  read  that  an  Apoftle  claimed  any  Diocefs  as  proper  to  him,  or  for- 
bad any  other  to  officiate  in  it,  or  blamed  them  for  fo  doing. 

5".  It  is  Certain  that  while  they  went  themfelves  from  Country  to  Country,  they 
fixed  Bifhops  to  every  Church  or  City,  Aft.  14.25-:'  Tit.  1.  ?,  6. 

Ad  9.  1.  The  Apoftles  fixed  not  Bifhops  of  the  loweft  Rank,  Vicatim  nor  Re- 
gionattm,  but  in  every  Church,  which  was  then  in  every  City  where  were  Chriftians  ; 
even  the  fame  Church  that  had  Deacons  and  Presbyters  fixed. 

2.  Bifhops  preached  to  Infidels  to  whom  they  were  not  Bifhops,  but  Preach- 
ers. 

3.  The  Chriftians  of*  neighbour  Villages  came  to  the  City-Church  ;    and  wherr 
they  had  Oratories  -or  Chappels  there,  it  made  them  not  another  Parifh  ;  and  ex- 
cluded not  fuch  from  perfonal  Communion  with  the  Bifhops  Church,  nor  extend- 
ed 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  179 

ed  to  fuch  as  by  Diftance  or  Numbers  were  uncapable  of  fuch  perfonal  Com- 
munion. 

4.  Titus  was  either  an  ambulatory  Evangelift,  to  go  about  as  the  Apoftles,  ga- 
thering and  Setling  Churches  (as  I  think);  or  if  fixed,  he  was  an  Archbifhop, 
who  was  to  fettle  Bifliops  under  him  in  every  City  (  as  Dr.  Hammond  judged  ).  It 
followeth  not  that  a  meer  Bifnop  may  have  a  Multitude  of  Churches,  becaufe  an 
Archbifhop  may,  who  hath  many  Bifliops  under  him. 

c.  As  the  Magnitude  of  human  Body,  fo  alfb  of  a  particular  Church,  hath  irs 
Limitation  luited  to  its  Ends:  Communion  by  Delegates  or  Officers  only,  is  the 
Cafe  of  many  Churches  aflbciated :  But  Perfonal  Communion  in  Doctrine,  Wor- 
ship, Converfation  and  Difcipline  is  the  End  of  each  particular  Church,  and  if  you 
extend  the  Form  to  more  than  are  capable  of  that  End,  even  to  many  fuch  Soci- 
eties, by  fo  doing  the  Species  is  changed. 

§  ;8.  About  this  time  a  reverend  learned  Brother,  Mr.  Martin  Jobnfin,  being  of 
the  Judgment  of  Dr.  Hammond  and  Dr.  Gunning,  and  yet  a  Lover  of  all  honeft, 
peaceable  Men,  and  conftant  at  our  Meetings,  Le&ures,  and  Difputations,  was 
pleafed  to  write  to  me  about  the  Neceflity  of  Epifcopal  Ordination  :  I  maintain- 
ed that  it  was  not  neceflary  ad  ej]e  Ecckfiay  and  that  he  might  be  a  true  Minifter 
who  was  ordained  by  Presbyters,  and  that  in  Cafes  of  Necejfity  it  was  a  Duty  to 
take  Ordination  from  them  :  He  oppofed  this  (  with  Modefty  and  Judgment,  be- 
ing a  very  good  Logician,)  till  at  laft  he  yielded  to  the  Truth.  Theie  Letters  with 
their  Anfwers  are  added  in  the  Appendix. 

§  39.  A  little  after  this  an  Accident  fell  out  that  hindered  our  Concord  with  the 
Epifcopal  Party,  and  is  pretended  at  this  Day  by  many  to  juftine  the  Silencing  of 
all  the  Minifters  that  were  afterward  put  out.  Oliver  Cromwell,  who  then  ufurped 
the,Government,  being  defired  by  tome  to  forbid  all  Minifters  of  all  Parties  what- 
ibever  to  officiate  ,  who  were  notorioufly  inefficient  or  fcandalous ,  taketh 
hence  Occafion  to  put  in  with  the  reft  all  thofe  that  took  part  with  the  King 
againft  the  Parliament,  and  fo  by  offending  them,  hindred  our  Agreement  with 
them  ;  which  provoked  me  then  to  proteft  againft  it,  and  publifh  my  Judgment 
againft  the  hindering  of  any  Man  to  preach  the  Gofpel  upon  the  Ground  of  fuch 
Civil  Controverfies  as  thole. 

§  40.  And  about  the  fame  time,  Experience  in  my  Paftoral  Charge  convinced 
me  that  publick  Preaching  is  not  all  the  ordinary  Work  of  a  faithful 
Minifter,    and  that  perfonal  Conference  with  every  one  about  the        Pardon  rhc  tediouf- 
State  of  their  own  Souls,    together  with  Catechifing,  is  a  Work  of    nefs  of  three  or  four 
very  great  Neceflity :    For  the  Cuftom  in  England  is  only  to  catechife     Seftions>  vvmcfi  repeat 
the  younger  fort,    and  that  but  by  teaching  them  the  Words  of  the     m^oLd  "beforf"  bf 
Catechifm  in  the  Liturgy,  which  we  thought  (befides  the  Doctrine     Caufe  it  is  here  p'ut  in  as 
of  the  Sacrament)  had  little  more  explicatory  than  the  Words  them-     part  of  my  Pacificatory 
felves  of  the  Creed,  Lord's  Prayer,  and  Decalogue  :  Therefore  I  pro-     Endeavours  only, 
pounded  the  Bufinefs  to  the  Minifters,  and  they  all  (  upon  Debate  ) 
confented  that  I  fhould  turn  our  brief  Confeflion  into  a  Catechifm,  and  draw  up 
a  Form  of  Agreement  for  the  Practifing  of  that  Duty  :I  drew  up  the  Catechifm  in 
Two  leaves  in  Svo.    comprehending  as  much  as  isneceffary  to  be  believed,  confented  to 
and  frattifed'^   in  as  narrow  a  room,    and  juft  a  Method  as  I  thought  agreeable  to 
the  Peoples  Underftandings :    And  I  propoled  a  Form  of  Agreement  for  the  Pra- 
ctice,  which  might  engage  the  more  remifs  to  go  through  with  the  Work  :  And 
when  I  brought  it  in,   it  was  confented  to  and  fubferibed;  and  many  neighbour- 
ing Minifters  of  other  Countries  defired  to  join  with  us  s   and  we  printed  the  Ca- 
techifm and  Agreement  together. 

%  41.  Of  all  the  Works  that  ever  I  attempted,  this  yielded  me  mod  Comfort  in 
the  practice  of  it.  All  Men  thought  that  the  People  efpecially  the  ancienter  fort, 
would  never  have  fubmitted  to  this  Courfe,  and  fb  that  it  would  have  come  to  no- 
thing :  But  God  gave  me  a  tractable  willing  People,  and  gave  me  alfo  intereft  in 
them  ,•  and  when  I  had  begun,  and  my  People  had  given  a  good  Example  toother 
Parifhes  and  efpecially  the  Minifters  lb  unanimoufly  concurring,  that  none  gain- 
fayed  us,  it  prevailed  much  with  the  Parifhes  about :  I  fet  two  Days  a  Week 
apart  for  this  Employment ;  my  (  faithful  unwearied  )  Affiftant  and  my  felf,  took 
fourteen  Families  every  Week  ;  thofe  in  the  Town  came  to  us  to  our  Houfes ; 
thofe  in  the  Parifh  my  Afliftant  went  to,  to  their  Houfes  (  befrdes  what  a  Curate 
did  at  a  Chappelry  )  :  Frft  they  recited  the  Catechifm  to  us  (a  Family  only  be- 
ing  prefent  at. a  time,   and  no  Stranger  admitted  )  ;    after  that  I  firft  helpt  them 

A  a  2  to 


i8o  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  k.  1. 

to  underftand  it_,  and  next  enquired  modeftly  into  the  State  of  their  Souls, 
laftly,  endeavoured  to  let  all  home  to  the  convincing,  awakening,  and  reloiving  oi 
their  Hearts  according  to  their  feveral  Conditions ;  beftowing  about  an  Hour  (and 
the  Labour  of  a  Sermon  )  with  every  Family  ;  and  I  found  it  fo  effectual  through 
the  Bleffing  of  God,  that  few  went  away  without  ibme  feeming  Humiliation, 
Conviction,  and  Purpofe  and  Promife  for  a  holy  Life,  and  except  half  a  dozen 
or  thereabouts  of  the  moft  ignorant  and  fenfelefs,  all  the  Families  in  the  Town 
came  to  me  ;  and  though  the  firft  time  they  came  with  Fear  and  Backwaidnefs, 
after  that  they  longed  for  their  turn  to  come  again  :  So  that  I  hope  God  did  good 
to  many  by  it :  And  yet  this  was  not  all  the  Comfort  I  had  in  it. 

§  42.  For  my  Brethren  appointing  me  to  preach  to  them  about  it,  on  a  Day 
of  Humiliation  at  Worcefter  when  we  fet  upon  it,  I  printed  the  Sermon  prepared 
for  that  ufe,  with  neceffary  Addition;,  containing  Reafons  and  Directions  for  this 
Work,  (  in  a  Book  called  The  Reformed  Pafior  )  which  excited  fo  many  othe<s  to 
take  the  Courfe  that  we  had  taken,  that  it  was  a  far  greater  Addition  to  my 
Comfort,  than  the  profiting  of  the  Parifh  or  County  where  we  lived  :  Yea,  a  Re- 
verend Paftor  from  Switzerland  wrote  me  word,  that  it  excited  them  to  Thoughts 
of  pra&ifmg  it  there,  though  the  dulnefs  of  fome  Paftors  and  the  backwardnefs 
of  the  People  were  their  great  Difcouragements. 

§  43.  But  all  thefe  Beginnings  which  fb  comfortably  fmird  upon  us  from  all 
parts  of  the  Land,  were  clowded  and  obftru&ed  by  the  proud  Corn- 
Though  the Conjunfti-  motionSj  and  rebellious  unquiet  Humour  of  the  Fanaticks ;  efpecial- 
mcto  foeak  tofeS  of  ]Y  the  Military  Anabaptifts ;  who  thinking  it  lawful,  becaufe  it  feem'd 
thefe  things,  yet  the  to  fet  up  their  Sect,  .did  oppole  the  Miniftry  and  trouble  the  Peace  of 
matter  of  this  Seftkm  the  Nation,  and  raife  Stirs  againft  all  fetled  Government,  even  againft 
and  the  following  was  tne  ufurper  whom  they  had  themfelves  fet  up.  And  when  Cromwell 
three'Tear^akr^that  was  dead  theY  fet  UP  n»s  Son,  and  pulVd  him  down  again,  and  fet  up 
which  followeth.  others,  and  pull'd  down  them,  and  never  cealed  rebelling  and  over- 

turning all  before  them,   till  they  had  not  left  themfelves  a  Bow  to 
ftand  upon.    And  Harri forts  Party  in  the  Conventicle  called,   The  Little  Parlia- 
ment,  as  they  caft  out  all  the  Minifters  in    Wales  at  once  (who  though  very 
weak  and  bad  enough  for  the  moft  part,    were  better  than  none,  or  fb  few  Itine- 
rants which  they  fet  up  )  fo  they  attempted  and  had  almoft  accomplifli'd  the  fame 
in  England :  The  Independants  thought  that  the  Parifhes  were  no  true  Churches, 
and  the  Anabaptifls  thought  that  thole  baptifed  only  in  their  Infancy,  were  no 
Chriftians ;  and  fo  that  they  might  have  true  Churches  and  Chriftians,  many  In- 
dependants fecretly,  and  the  Anabaptifts  openly  promoted  the  Ejection  of  all  the 
In  Jan.     parilh  minifters  in  England  at  one  Vote,  that  fb  they  might  fet  up  thebeft  of  them 
1^59-  the  again  in  an  other  way,  to  make   Men  Chriftians,    and  gather  New  Churches, 
SofPa'r-  wh'cn  tney  thought  was  better  than  to  reform  the  old. 
liament 
(the  Rump  as  they  were  called  )  Voted  Liberty  of  Religion  for  all,  not  excepting  Papifts. 

§  44.  Thefe  Endeavours  having  been  on  foot  all  the  time  of  Olivers  Ufurpation 
and  before,  promoted  the  Generation  of  Seekers,  Ranters,  Quakers,  and  fuch 
orhers,  who  lent  forth  many  railing  Words  and  Pamphlets,  and  the  Scope  of  all  was 
againft  the  Miniltry  ( which  yet  got  ground  even  in  thefe  licentious  times,  and 
prevailed  againft  them,  and  carried  on  their  Work  )  :  This  was  Ibme  Diverfion  to 
us,  while  1  and  others  wsre  fain  to  difpute  againft  Anabaptifts,  and  Quakers,  and 
Seekers ,  and  to  anfwer  their  railing  Invectives,  and  to  build  with  our  Weapons 
in  our  Hands  :  So  that  (  befides  my  Writings  againft  them  )  I  feldom  preach- 
ed a  Lecture  but  going  and  coming  I  was  railed  at  by  a  Quaker  in  the  Market- 
place in  the  way,  and  frequently  in  the  Congregation  bawled  at  by  the  Names  of 
[  Hireling,  Deceiver,  falfe  Prophet,  Dog,]  and  fuch  like  Languge  :  But  all  this  in 
the  IfTue  fuitheredour  Work. 

§  45-.  Before  this  there  were  two  very  fbber  Men  in  London  (Mr.  Lamb  and 
Mr.  Allen  )  who  were  Paftors  of  an  Anabaptift  feparated  Church  :  The  Wife  of 
one  of  them  (  an  extraordinary  intelligent  Woman  )  wrote  me  a  Letter  that  her 
Husband  was  in  troubled  Thoughts  (not  about  Anabaptiftry,  but)  about  Separa- 
tion upon  that  account,  and  that  if  I  would  write  to  him  now,  it  might  do  him 
good  ;  which  I  did,  and  gave  him  many  Arguments  to  prove  that  though  he 
ihould  conrinue  in  his  Opinion  againft  Infant- Baptifm,yet  he  ought  not  to  make  it 
aRea(onof  denying  Communion  with  his  Brethren  of  another  Mind.  Thefe  Ar- 
guments met  with  Thoughts  of  his  own  that  tended  the  fame  way,  and  in  conclu- 
sion 


# 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         1 8 1 

/ion  he  was  fatisfied  :  Afterwards  the  fame  Woman  perfwaded  me  to  try  with 
Mr.  Allen  alfo  ;  who  in  conclufion  was  fatisfied  :  And  they  diffolved  their  Church. 
When  this  was  done,  the  Men  bsing  of  extraordinary  Sincerity  and  Underftand- 
ing,  were  very  zealous  for  the  reduction  of  their  Brethren  of  the  Anabaptifls  way  : 
And  to  that  end  they  had  a  Meeting  with  divers  of  the  moft  moderate  Pallors  of 
the  Rebaptized  Churches :  And  they  defired  my  Propofals  or  Terms  on  which  wc 
might  hold  Peace  aud  Communion  with  them.  I  fent  them  thele  Terms,and  they 
entered  into  Confutation  of  them,  and  were  in  a  very  hopeful  way  of  Agreement  f^-. 

(  I  faw  no  ltkelyhood  of  the  contrary)  :  And  fuddenly  the  Broils  of  the  Army  ,  '.>. 

pulling  down  Richard  Cromwell,  and  jetting  up  I  know  not  what,  and  keeping  all 
in  Confufion,  broke  off  all  our  Confutations,  till  the  King  came  in  :  And  lince 
then  Men  dare  not  profecute  the  Agreement,  left  they  be  taken  as  Confpirators, 
that  do  it  in  preparation  to  a  Plot  ;  fo  unhappily  are  the  Affahs  of  the  Church  ofc 
crolfed,  by  Secular  Interests  and  Divifions  in  the  World.  But  thefe  two  Brethren 
at  laft  caft  off  their  Anabaptiftry  alfo,  and  are  now  more  zealous  than  other  Men 
againft  Independency  and  Separation,  by  how  much  the  more  they  fmarted  by  it. 
The  Terms  of  Agreement  here  enlue,  with  a  Ihort  Difputation  preparatory  there- 
to. The  Letters  that  pals't  on  this  Occafion  betwixt  Mr.  Baxter,  and  Mr.  Lamb 
and  Mr.  Allen,  are  inlerted  in  the  Append. 

Whether  it  be  our  Duty  to  feek  Peace  "with  the  Anabaptifls  ?  Feb.  28, 

i6tf. 

Becaufe  I  conceive  it  no  very  difficult  matter  to  refblve  this  Queftion,  I  mail 
the  more  briefly  difpatch  it.     Only  two  Terms  do  need  fome  Explication  : 

i.  What  we  mean  by  Anabapti/h  ?  We  do  not  here  ufe  the  word  with  an  inten- 
tion of  Reproach  ;  for  that  doth  lels  bclee  n  a  Deputation  of  Peace  ;  but  we  are 
fain  to  nuke  ule  of  it,  as  that  Name  by  which  that  fort  of  Men  are  already  com- 
monly known,  and  diftinguifhed  from  all  others ;  as  not  knowing  otherwife  how 
to  fpeak  intelligibly  of  them,  without  uling  Defcriptions  and  Circumlocutions  in- 
stead of  well-known  Names  or  Titles  ,  which  would  be  contrary  to  the  Common 
Rules  of  Difcoutie. 

The  Perlbns  called  by  that  Name  in  General,  are  all  that  are  for  the  Baptizing 
of  thole  who  were  baptized  in  Infancy,  as  fuppofing  it  null  or  unlawful.  Of  thele 
there  are  more  Subdivisions  than  I  will  undertake  to  enumerate  :  As  to  our  prefenc 
purpole  it  may  iiiffice  us  to  take  diilhicT:  notice  of  thele  four  forts  of  them;  1  .Thole 
that  only  deny  Infant  Baptifm,  and  aiefor  the  Necefficy  of  Re-baptizing.  2.Thofe 
that  upon  this  account  do  alio  gather  Separated  Churches,  withdrawing  from  the 
Churches  whereof  they  were  Members,  and  receiving  none  into  Communion  but 
the  Re  baptized.  3.  Thofe  that  with  the  two  former  do  hold  many  dangerous  Er- 
rours,  either  Pelagian  or  Antinomian,  or  any  other,  which  yet  do  not  lb  overthrow 
the  Foundation,  but  that  thePerfons  holding  them  may  be  faved.  4.  Thole  that 
had  fuch  Errours  as  are  inconfiftent  with  a  true  Belief  of  the  Fundamentals,  and 
conlequently  with  Salvation.  And  among  the  three  former  forts,we  mull  diftinguifh 
between  thofe  that  are  peaceable,  temperate,  and  willing  of  Communion  with  us, 
and  that  endeavour  not  the  ruine  of  the  Church  in  their  practice  :  and  thole  that 
are  unpeaceable,  and  refule  our  Communion,  and  let  themfelves  to  root  out  the 
Mini  (fry,  or  to  deftroy  the  Faith  or  Church  of  Chrifr. 

2.  The  word  Teace  fignifieth  leveral  things,  according  to  the  leveral  forts  of  Men 
that  we  are  related  to,  with  whom  we  muff  feek  it ;  1.  There  is  a  Peace  of  bofom 
Friendfhip ;  and  this  we  owe  not  to  many  of  the  Saints  themfelves :  For  of  bofom 
Friends  we  muff  have  but  few.  2.  There  is  a  Peace  of  Actual  Communion  in  the 
Worlhip  of  God,  as  Members  of  the  fame  particular  Church  :  Thus  we  owe  not 
to  every  Chriftian;  though  fincere  in  the  main.  3.  There  is  a  Peace  which  is  a- 
mong  the  Members  of  all  particular  Political  Churches  in  the  World,  as  related  to 
each  other,  and  obliged  to  hold  Communion  as  far  as  is  neceffary  for  the  Common 
Good.  4.  There  is  a  Peace  which  is  common  to  all  profeffed  Chriffians,  Mem- 
bers of  the  Univerfil  Church,  though  perhaps  of  no  particular  Political  Church. 
j.  There  is  a  Peace  to  be  kept  with  fober  Heathens  or  Infidels.  6.  And  there  is 
a  Peace  to  be  kept  with  Enemies,  both  of  us  and  the  Gofpel,  as  far  as  we  can. 

I  fhall  give  you  my  Thoughts  about  the  prelent  Quefiion,  in  thele  following 
Propofitions :  Premifing  that  1.  It  is  not  the  Peace  ot  bofom  Friendlliip  that  the 
Queftion  intendeth ;  and  Ergo,  we  need  not  Hand  on  that.  2.  Nor  is  it  the  Peace 
that  is  due  to  Enemies,  or  that  is  due  to  Infidels  and  thofe  without ;  but  it  is  the 
other  forts  due  to  the  feveral  forts  of  Chriftians. 

Prop.  1 


•  « 


I82  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  a.  I. 


«• 


Prop.  I.  F^  w*y  »0*  &<*i/e  that  Peace  which  ts  proper  to  Chrifiians,  much  hli  that 
which  is  proper  to  Christians  in  Church-Order,  with  any  that  deny  the  Ejfentials  ofChr;fi- 

anity. 

Prop.  2.  As  for  thofe  Anabaptifis  that  in  zeal  for  their  Opinion  do  endeavour  the  Ex- 
tirpation of  the  Mmifiry,  or  of  thofe  of  them  that  are  against  their  Opinions,  or  any  other 
way  do  attempt  that  which  would  tend  to  the  mine  or  great  damage  of  the  Church,  we  may 
not  have  that  Peace  and  Communion  with  them  as  with  inojfcnfeve  Brethren,  but  mujt  ad- 
monifl  them  as  fcandalom  and  grofi  Sinners,  and  avoid  them ,  if  after  due  admonition  they 
defifi  not ,  and  repent  not. 

Prop.  3.  Thofe  that  deny  the  Divine  Inftitution  ,  or  prefent  Existence  of  Mmifiry,  or 
Worfhip  and  Ordinances,  or  governed  Churches,  are  uncapable  of  being  Members  of  any  true 
Political  Church,  and  Ergo,  we  cannot  have  juch  Church-Communion  with  them ;  and  be- 
caufe  their  Doctrine  is  of  heinous  Conference,  as  tending  to  th«  defiru&ion  of  all  Church- 
Order,  Worfhip  and  Communion,  we  mull  reject  them,  if  they  Jhall  teach  it  after  due  Admo- 
nition. < 

Prop.  4.  As  for  them  that  think  it  unlawful  to  have  Communion  with  us  ,  unlefi  we 
will  renounce  our  Infant  Baptifm,  and  be  rebaptized,  we  cannot  have  Communion  with  them, 
in  that  Cafe,  though  we  would  ;  becaufe  they  refufe  it  with  us. 

Prop.  j.  We  cannot  lawfully  difown  the  Truth  of  God,  nor  own  their  Errours  for 
Communion  with  them ;  nor  may  we  yield  for  any  fuch  Ends  to  be  rebaptized. 

Prop.  6.  We  may  not  lawfully  be  Members  of  a  Church  of  Anabaptifis  ,  feparated  on 
that  Account  from  others,  {nor  of  any  other  unlawfully  feparated  Church,)  nor  ordinarily 
Communicate  with  them  in  their  way  of  Separation,  though  we  might  be  admitted  to  it 
without  any  other  difowning  the  Truth  or  owning  their  Miftakes.  Except  it  were  in  a  cafe 
of  Necejfity,  (  as  if  fuch  a  Church  were  removed  among  Infidels  or  grofi  Hereticks  )  where 
we  could  have  no  better  Communion  in  worshipping  God. 

Prop.  7.  If  any  one  that  Erreth  but  in  the  bare  Point  of  Infant  Baptifm ,  or  other  Er- 
rcurs  that  fubvert  not  the  Chrifiian  Faith,  (ball  yet  take  it  to  be  his  duty  to  propagate  thofe 
Errours,  it  will  be  the  duty  of  every  Orthodox  Mmifler,  when  he  hath  a  Call  and  fndeth 
it  NeceJJary,  to  defend  the  Truth  of  fuch  Errours,  and  to  endeavour  the  efiablifling  of  the 
Minds  of  the  People,  and  not  to  let  them  go  on  without  Controll  or  Contradiction,  left  be 
be  guilty  of  betraying  the  Truth  and  Peace  of  the  Church,  and  the  Souls  of  the  People  who 
are  ufually  forely  endangered  hereby  :  The  like  mujt  be  done  by  Private  Chrifiians  privately, 
or  according  to  their  Places  and  Capacities. 

So  much  for  the  Negative  :  The  Affirmatives  follow. 

Prop.  1.  The  Common  Love  which  is  due  to  all  Men,  and  the  Common  Peace  which 
mujt  be  endeavoured  with  all,  must  be  held  or  endeavoured  as  to  them  that  deny  the  Ejjen- 
tials of  Chriflianity.  But,  as  is  before  fa  id,  this  is  not  it  that  the  Que fi  ion  doth  in- 
tend. 

Prop.  2.  It  is  our  Duty  to  do  the  heft  we  can  to  reclaim  any  Erroneous  or  Ungodly  Per- 
fon  from  his  Err  our  or  Iwpiety,  that  fo  they  may  be  capable  of  that  further  Love  and  Peace 
and  Communion  with  us,  which  in  their  prefent  fiate  they  are  uncapable  of. 

Prop.  3.  Thofe  that  believe  not  fome  Points  that  are  neceffary  to  the  Constitution  or 
Communion  of  Political  Churches,  if  yet  they  believe  in  Chrift ,  and  worfhip  God  fo  far  as 
they  know  his  Will,  and  live  uprightly,  may  be  true  Chriftians ,  and  (0  to  be  efteemed, 
even  when  they  make  themselves  uncapable  of  being  Members  of  any  Political 
Church. 

Prop.  4.  Some  Anabaptifis  and  others  that  make  themfehes  uncapable  of  being  Members 
of  the  fame  particular  Churches  with  us,  or  of  local  Communion  in  God's  Wbrflip,  may  yet 
be  acknowledged  to  be  Chrifiian  Societies,  or  truly  particular  Political  Churches ,  though  in 
tantum  corrupt,  and  finfully  feparated.  I  mean  this  of  all  thofe  that  differ  not  from  us  in 
any  Article  of  our  Creed  or  Fundamental  of  Chrifiian  Religion,  nor  yet  m  any  Fundamen- 
tal of  Church  Policy  :  As  e.  g.  thofe  that  only  re  baptize  and  deny  Infant  Baptifm,  or 
alfo  hold  fome  of  the  le(S  dangerous  Points  of  Antinomianifm  or  Pelagianifm  i  but  withal 
hold  all  the  fundamentals  neceffary  to  Salvation,  and  Church  Policy  or  Communion. 

Prop.  j*.  If  any  Per/on  difclaim  his  Infant  Baptifm,  and  be  Re-baptized,  and  then  having 
fo  fatisfied  his  Conjcience,  flail  continue  his  Communion  with  the  Church  where  he  was  a 
Member,  and  not  feparate  from  them,  and  flail  profefi  his  tvillingneji  to  embrace  the  Truth 
as  foon  as  he  can  dtfctrn  the  Evidence  of  it,  and  flail  live  peaceably  and  inoffenfively  under 
the  Overfight  of  the  Church-Guides,  we  may  not  Exclude  fuch  a  one  from  our  Communion, 
but  mult  continue  him  a  Member  of  that  particular  Church,  and  live  with  him  in  that  love 
and  peace  as  is  due  to  Juch. 

Prop.  6. 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  183 

—  —- — "— — ———————  .     — — — — — — — — — —  — —.  i  * 

Prop.  6.  If  fuch  an  one  flwuld  aljo  miflake  it  to  be  his  Duty,  publicklyto  enter  his  DtJJent 
to  the  DoBrine  of  Infant  Baptifm,  and  fo  to  acquiefce,  and  live  quietly  under  the  overftght 
of  the  Minifiry  ,  and  in  the  Communion  of  that  Churchy  he  ought  not  to  be  re- 
jected. 

Prop.  7.  It  is  our  Duty  to  invite  thofe  called  Anabaptifis  now  among  us,  to  loving 
familiar  Conferences ;  of  purpofe  I.  To  narrow  our  Differences  a^  far  as  is  poffible ,  by  a  true 
fiating  of  them,  that  they  feem  not  greater  than  they  are :  2.  And  to  endeavour,  if  poffible 
yet  to  come  nearer,  by  rectifying  of  Miflakes :  3.  And  to  confult  how  to  improve  the  Prin- 
ciples that  we  are  all  agreed  in,  to  the  Common  Good,  and  to  manage  our  remaining  Diffe- 
rences in  the  moft  peaceable  manner,  and  to  the  leafi  diflurbance  or  hurt  of  the 
Church. 

Here  come  in  two  more  Queftions  to  be  refolved :  1. How  Jhould fuch  an  Attempt  be 
managed  ?     2.  What  hope  is  there  of  Succeft  ? 

For  the  firft,  I  fhall  briefly  give  in  my  Thoughts  in  fome  Directions. 

Direct.  I.  Let  the  Attempt  be  made  with  none  that  deny  the  Principles  of  Chri- 
ftianity  or  Church-Communion  5  but  with  thofe  only  that  Err  ;  and  have  fuch 
Errours  as  are  tolerable. 

2.  Let  only  the  moft  Sober  and  Judicious  be  the  Agents  in  this  Attempt,  who 
do  manifeft  fome  efteem  for  the  Honour  of  God  and  the  Common  Good,  and  a 
willingnefs  to  prefer  thefe  before  any  private  Interefts  of  their  own  or  any  o- 
thers. 

5.  Let  prudent  hands  draw  up  all  thofe  Points  wherein  we  are  agreed  ( leaving 
the  Difference  no  wider  than  it  is ),  and  let  thefe  be  all  (ubfcribed  to  by  each 
Party. 

4.  Let  all  thefe  Points  wherein  we  are  agreed  be  publifhed  in  our  fcveral  Con- 
gregations, that  the  People  may  not,  by  our  difagreement  in  other  things,  be  dag- 
gered in  thefe,  nor  make  that  their  pretence  for  any  ungodly  Principles  or  Practi- 
ces :  but  may  be  the  more  iftiamed  of  them,  When  they  fee  they  are  condemned 
by  us  all. 

?.  Let  us  next  agree  to  make  tKefe  Common  Truths  the  common  and  ordinary 
Matter  of  our  Preaching,  and  endeavour  with  our  firft  andgreateft  diligence  to  pro- 
mote them,  and  to  perfwat^  all  our  hearers  to  do  the  like. 

6.Let  each  Party  openly  ctffbwnall  thofe  that  reject  the  great  and  common  Truths, 
though  they  may  agree  with  us  in  thofe  Particulars  wherein  we  oppofe  each  other. 
And  if  they  be  intolerable  f#fours  which  they  Err  in,  let  us  renounce  their  Com- 
munion, i 

7.  Let  us  next  draw  up  the  State  of  our  Difference  as  clearly ,  and  in  as  narrow 
room  as  is  poflible. 

8.  Let  us  agree  upon  fome  neceflary  Rules  for  the  moft  harmlefs  managing  of 
thefe  Differences ;  that  the  Common  Truths  and  the  Souls  of  Men  may  be  as  little 
horded  by  them  as  may  be,  and  the  known  and  neceffary  Duties  of  Chriftian 
Love  and  Communion,  as  little  hindered. 

E.  g.  The  moderate  Anabaptifts  that  take  not  their  Opinions  to  be  a  fufficient 
ground  for  Separation  from  our  Churches,  may  agree  on  fiich  Terms  as  thefe  fol- 
lowing. 

1.  Let  there  be  no  withdrawing  from  the  Miniftry  and  Church  of  that  Place  up- 
on the  meer  ground  of  Baptifm.  If  the  Minifter  be  an  Anabaptift,Iet  not  us  with- 
draw from  him  on  that  ground,  and  if  he  be  a  Pcedobaptift,  let  not  them  withdraw 
from  us. 

.  2.  If  the  Paftor  be  for  or  againft  Infant  Baptifm,  and  think  he  have  a  Call  to 
deliver  his  Judgment,  let  not  the  private  Member  think  he  is  ftill  bound  to  con- 
tradict him,  or  withdraw;  but  having  once  publickly  entered  his  diflent  to  that 
po&rine,  and  protefted  that  his  Prefence  and  Patience  doth  not  llgnifie  an  Own- 
ing of  it  (  if  his  Confcience  urge  him  to  go  fo  far),  let  him  afterward  acquiefce 
and  waik  refpectfully ,  lovingly  and  obediently  to  the  Paftors  in  all  lawful 
things.  ' 

;.  Thofe  that  are  fo  moderate  as  to  take  Infants  for  Church  Members,  though 
not  to  be  Baptized,  let  them  openly  make  profeflion  of  it. 

4.  Thofe  that  do  not  take  them  for  Members,  if  yet  they  have  any  more  hope 
of  them  than  of  Heathen  Children,  or  think  it  a  Duty  in  any  fort  to  dedicate  them 
to  God,  let  them  bring  them  to  the  Congregation,  and  there  in  general  profefs 
their  hopes  and  the  grounds  of  them,  and  either  dedicate  them  to  God,  or  pro* 
fefs  their  willingnefs  to  do  it  to  the  utmoit  of  their  Intereft  and  Capacity,  and  de- 
fire  God  to  accept  them  and  blefs  them. 

S.  Lee 


W«MHMaMh«iMrt««<MWM0«WB«M«MM««M^MMMlWHMMaMlMVi^W^»<*V>^^Mn*vv-n        ■  ■■«■!■■■  i  ■    I      i I  ■  H  ■    ■ «-  « — 

184  ^  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I, 

■■    — — — — ■ — i .. 

j.  Let  thofe  that  are  for  Infant  Baptifm  profefs  that  a  Perfonal  Faith  and  Re- 
pentance is  of  Neceffity  to  the  Salvation  of  all  that  live  to  years  of  Difcretion,  and 
Baptifm  without  it  will  not  ferve  the  turn. 

6.  Le1 1  all  that  are  Baptized  in  Infancy,  publickly  own  and  renew  that  Covenant 
when  they  come  to  years  of  Difcretion,  before  they  are  admitted  to  the  Load's 
Supper. 

Thus  far  in  Confiftency  with  the  Principles  of  the  Moderate,  we  may  yield  to 
Cach  other,and  lb  hold  Communion  in  the  fame  Congregations  :  and  the  practice 
of  this  doth  belong  moil  to  the  People. 

But  for  thole  that  joyn  Separation  to  Anabaptifm,  yet  if  they  be  any  thing  mo- 
derate (  though  they  go  much  further  from  us  than  the  reft  )  we  may  agree  on 
thefe  following  Terms  with  them,  to  manage  our  Differences  to  the  lealt  wrong  to 
the  Church  and  Common  Truths. 

R.  1.  Let  us  promile  to  go  no  further  from  each  others  Communion,  than  after 
ierious  Confideration,  our  Confciences  mall  tell  us  it  is  our  Duty  to  do. 

1.  Let  us  declare  that  though  one  part  be  confident  that  Infant  Baptifm  is  a  Duty, 
and  the  other  that  it  is  a  Sin,  yet  we  judge  that  they  that  Err  here,  while  they  fin- 
cerely  defire  to  know  the  Truth,  may  be  faved,  notwithftanding  that  Errour. 
(  What  it  will  prove  to  the  Children,  if  the  Parent  accept  nor  the  Covenant  for 
them,  and  devote  them  not  to  God,  will  be  a  hard  dilpute)  which  I  fhall  not  now 
prefume  to  meddle  in). 

3.  Let  it  be  declared  that  we  take  each  other  for  Chriftians,  ,and  Churches  of 
Chrift. 

4.  Let  it  be  declared  that  we  take  the  rightly  called  Miniftry  of  each  Church  for 
true  Minifters. 

f.  If  any  of  each  others  Flock  mail  reproach  or  difown  their  Minifters  and  the 
Churches  they  are  of,meerly  becaufe  of  their  Judgment  about  Infant  Baptifm,letthe 
contrary  part,  having  opportunity,  reprove  them  ,  fharp|V,and  help  tb  humble  them, 
and  bring  them  to  the  Confeffion  of  their  Sin,  and  to  Reformation;  thatfo  proud, 
unruly,  ungodly  People  may  not  take  fhelter  under  either  Patty  by  the  means  of  any 
factioufhelsor  partiality  of  ours.  .. 

6.  Let  us  never  intrude  into  each  others  Charge*  without  thePaftors  Con* 
lent.  f .        ; 

7.  Let  us  agree  that  we  will  not  preach  for  or  againft  Infant  Baptifm,  when  out 
Confciences  tell  us  that  the  Peoples  ignorance  of  jgieaflk  Truths,  or  their  Ungod- 
linefs  doth  require  us  to  deal  with  them  on  more  weighty  Points. 

8.  Let  us  preach  as  feldom  for  or  againft  Infant  Baptijm,  as  Confcience  will  per- 
mit ;  and  particularly  let  that  which  herein  we  account  the  Truth,  have  but  its  due 
proportion  of  our  Time,  compared  with  the  multitude  and  greatnefs  of  other 
Truths. 

9.  Let  thefe  Points  alio  have  but  an  anfwerable  proportion  of  our  Zeal,  that  we 
make  not  People  believe  that  they  are  greater  Matters  than  they  are. 

10.  Let  us  not  endeavour  to  reproach  one  another  when  we  think  we  are 
bound  to  Tpeak  for  our  Opinions ;  that  we  make  not  each  other  uncapable  of  do- 
ing the  People  good. 

2.  As  to  thelecond  Queftion,  What  hope  of  SuccejS?  I  mall  not  prefume  to  de- 
termine it :  Let  every  Man  conjecture  as  he  feeth  Caufe  ;  for  my  own  part ,  I  am 
not  quite  out  of  hope,of  fome  meafure  of  Succefs  with  fome  few  particular  Perfonsj 
but  my  hopes  are  very  low  as  to  the  generality. 

Object.  1.  It  is  not  our   Duty  to  attempt,  a  Work  where  there  is  no  hope  of  Succeft* 

Anfw.  The  Cafe  is  not  fo  defperate  as  to  excufe  us  from  the  Duty :  A  poflibility 
with  the  leaft  probability  may  ferve  to  oblige  u>. 

Object.  2.  What  I  fhall  we  confent  to  the  Exclufion  of  Infants  from  their  Churches  ? 

Anfiv.  ISfo  ;  but  confent  to  improve  the  common  Truths,  and  perform  our  Du-» 
ties  even  to  men  as  differ  from  us  in  this. 

Object.  2.  There  is  not  one  of  an  hundred  of  them  that  will  confent  to  thefe  Terms. 

Anfw.  If  they  will  noty  who  can  help  it  ?  when  we  have  tried  them, we  have  dons 
our  Duty,  and  left  them  without  Excufe. 

Object.  4.  Shall  we  confefi  a  Schifmatical  Church  for  a  true  Church  ? 

Anfw.  Every  Schifm  nulleth  not  the  Church  or  Miniftry  that  is  guilty  of  it :  elfe 
moft  of  the  Churches  in  the  World  wfre  nulled ;  If  they  reject  the  Eflentials  of  a 
Church  they  are  nofi$, 

pb/ect.  1 1 


Ill  ■         ■        ,  ,  ■     ■  ■   .  ,,.    .,,.„.„     ,  ,  „,.... .,  . 

Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         185 

_ . „ . _ ; . 

Objeft.  y.  Bapttfm  is  Ejfmtialto  a  Church  :  The  Afofile^  Heb.  6.  i.putteth  it  among 
the  Principles. 

Anfw.  i.  It  is  only  the  thine  fignified  by  Baptifm  that  is  EfTential.  2.  Th6  A- 
pojlle  calls  it  a  Principle,  became  it  is  one  of  the  firft  things  taught;  but  not  becaufe 
it  is  EfTential  to  a  Church.  3.  The  Anabaptifts  have  baptifm  in  their  Churches, 
though  not  of  Infants. 

Objedr.  6.  To  make  a  League  with  Schfmaticks,  ts  to  be  guilty  of  their  Schifm. 

Anfw.  True,  If  by  that  League  you  own,  approve,  or  content  to  their  Schifm  : 
feut  not  by  agreeing  with  them  to  perform  Common  Duties. 

Object.  7.  They  are  undermining  the  Church  and  Miniftry,  and  Jhall  we  feek  pe/c  wi*h 
fucb  ? 

Anfw.  1.  Thofethat  we  fpeak  of  are  not  fuch.  2.  If  they  were,  yet  it  is  our 
Duty  to  hinder  them,  by  agreeing  to  moderate  Ways,  and  Common  Duties. 

Object.  8.  They  are  guilty  of  their  Infant \  Damnation  ,  as  much  as  m  them  lyeth  t  by 
not  believing  their  part  in  the  Covenant ,  nor  dedicating  them  to  God. 

Anfw.  They  virtually  confent  for  their  Infants,  in  that  they  would  actually  do  it, 
if  they  knew  the  Promife. 

Object.  9.  They  are  under  God's  vifible  Dijpleafure.     Ergo,  tjrc. 

Anfw.  So  far  as  God  difowneth  them,  we  muft  do  io,  but  no  further. 

Object.  10.  We  Jhall  be  reproached  as  complying  with  them. 

Anjw.  Slanderous  Tongues  cannot  excufe  us  from  plain  Duties. 

Object.  1 1.    Thofe  whom  wejliould  Excommunicate  we  may  not  have  Communion  wr.' 
But  the  Anabaptifis  foould  be  Excommunicated  j  Ergo,  &c . 

Anfw.  I  deny  the  Minor  taken  of  fuch  Anabaptiftsas  we  have  now  In  queftion. 

Object.  12.  It  is  a  fcandalous  Sin  unrepented  of.  . 

Anfw.  i.  So  is  many  a  greater  Errour,  which  Men  muft  not  be  Excommunica- 
ted for.  2.  It  is  virtually  repented  of;  feeing  if  they  knew  the  Evil  of  it,  thc^ 
would  repent. 

Object.  13.  Tou  would  have  a  loofer  Dtfciplme  than  the  Prelates  or  Papijis :  for  they 
would  not  Communicate  with  Anabaptifis. 

Anfw.  1!  I  only  avoid  dividing  rigour  and  cruelty.  2.  They  have  Multitudes  in 
their  Communion  that  know  not  what  Baptifm  is,  nor  to  what  ufe,  nor  who  Chrift 
is,  whether  God  or  Man  ?  nor  many  other  Fundamentals.  Ergo,  Their  Difcipline 
is  far  looler  than  I  defire  ;  but  too  partial  alio. 

The  Anabaptifts  object  ;  We  are  bound  to  propagate  the  Truth,  and  if  y$u  will  have 
Communion  with  ust  you  mufi  be  baptized. 

Anfw.  1.  You  are  bound  to  propagate  flrft  the  greateft  Truths,  that  Salvation  ly- 
eth on,  and  to  do  nothing  that  may  hinder  this ,  by  promoting  your  own  Opini- 
ons. 

2.  If  you  rejeft  Communion  with  all  bat  Anabaptifts,  you  reject  all  the  Church 
through  mod  Ages  of  the  World.  And  no  Church  no  Chrift :  and  no  Chrift  no 
Chriftians,  nor  any  Salvation. 

3.  Blame  us  not,  if  we  be  not  eafily  brought  to  your  Opinion  ,  if  we  had  but 
thefe  ELeaforts. 

1.  You  confels  (  no  thanks  to  you  )  that  Infants  were  once  Church- Members 
by  God's  appointment :  and  have  never  yet  proved  that  he  cad  them  out  again. 
And  we  muft  have  good  proof  of  that  before  we  can  be  iatisfied  with  your 
way. 

2.  We  cannot  be  hafty  to  believe  an  Evil;  and  we  know  that  it  is  a  fad  Penal  E- 
vil  for  Infants  to  be  put  out  of  the  Church  :  And  Ergo  we  will  have  proof  of  it,  be- 
fore we  believe  it. 

i.  It  muft  be  no  eafie  matter  with  us  to  believe,  that  the  Head  and  Shepherd 
of  the  Church  hath  defatlo  had  a  Church  of  a  falfe  Conftitution,  as  to  the-  very 
Materials,  and  Enterance,  from  the  beginning  to  this  day,  except  a  fsw  within  this 
twenty  years  that  troubled  it  in  a  Corner  of  the  World  ;  and  that  now  in  the  end 
of  the  World,  we  muft  expert  a  right  Conftitution  ,  as  if  Chrift  had  flept,  or  re- 
garded not  his  Church,  or  been  the  Head  of  a  Bodywhich  he  difowned  :  We  can- 
not haftily  believe  fuch  things.  I  fay  again,  No  Church,  no  Chrift  ,•  for  No  Body, 
no  Head  :  And  if  no  Chrift, then,  there  is  no  Chrift  now.  Take  heed  therefore 
how  you  un-Church,  or  dilbwn  the  whole  Church  of  Chrift  in  the  very  frame,,  for 
fo  many  Ages; 

B  b  A* 


x%6  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

; _ 1 - ; » • 

) 

An  Offer  of  Cbrifiian  fraternal  Communion  to  the  Brethren  thai 
are  againft ,  or  doubtful  about  ,  Baptising  Infants  of  Be- 
lievers* 

IT  is  our  exceeding  Joy  that  we  have  all  one  God,  one  Saviour,  one  Spirit,  one 
Faith,  and  one  Baptifmal  Covenant,  one  Rule  of  Faith  and  Life,  one  End  and 
ftope,  and  are  Members  of  one  Catholick  Church,  and  agree  about  God's  Wor- 
ihip  in  the  moft  and  greateft  parts :  And  it  is  our  Grief,  and  the  Matter  of  our 
great  Humiliation,  that  we  can  come  no  nearer,  and  that  by  the  Remnants  of  our 
Differences,  the  Wicked  are  fo  hardened,  the  Weak  offended,  our  Charity  hin- 
dered, our  holy  Communion  and  mutual  Edification  difturbed,  cur  Minds  difcom- 
pofed,  and  the  Gofpel,  the  Catholick  Church,  and  our  Saviour  difhono'ured.  La- 
menting this  with  the  reft  of  our  Unhappineis  while  we  are  in  the  Flefh,  and  ab- 
fent  from  the  Lord  the  Centre  of  Perfect  Unity  and  Concord,  and  knowing  it  to 
be  our  Duty  to  walk  by  the  fame  Rule,and  mind  the  fame  things  fo  far  as  we  have 
attained,  and  being  taught  of  God  to  love  one  another ,  and  obferving  how  fre- 
quently and  urgently  Brotherly  Love,  and  Forbearance,  and  the  Unity  and  Con- 
cord of  Chriftians,  is  preft  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  and  Uncharitablenels  and  Di- 
vifions  condemned,  that  as  far  as  may  be,  we  may  promote  our  Common  Ends 
of  ChrifHanity,  and  with  one  Mind  and  Moutli  may  glorifie  God;  We  whole 
Names  are  underwritten  do  make  this  following  Offer  of  Communion. 

i.  To  all  thofe  that  joyn  with  us  in  the  foregoing  Profeffion  of  the  Chriftian 
Faith,  and  have  been  Baptized  fince  their  Infant-Baptifm,  as  thinking  it  unlawful 
or  insufficient,  we  offer  free  Communion  in  our  particular  Churches,  with  leave 
to  Enter  your  diffent  from  our  Infant-Baptifm  into  the  Church  Regifter  or  Re- 
cords, fo  be  it  you  will  thence- forth  walk  in  that  Love  and  Holinefs,  and  that  O- 
bedience  to  the  faithful  Overfeers  of  the  Flock,  and  that  Concord  and  Brotherly 
Communion  with  the  Church  ,  as  is  required  in  the  holy  Scriptures  (  according 
to  your  power  ,),  and  wiU'refitt  Uncharitablenefs,  Difcord  and  Divifions,  and  joyn 
with  us  in  our  Common  Work  for  the  Common  Ends. 

2.  To  all  thole  that  joyn  with  us  in  the  foregoing  Profeffion  of  Faith  ,  though 
they  have  been  baptized  fince  their  Infant-Baptifm  ,  or  think  that  Baptifm  unlaw- 
ful, and  dare  not  hold  Local  Communipn  with  us  in  our  particular  Churches,  we 
yet  offer,  that  we  may  at  that  diftance  that  our  Infirmities  have  let  us,  maintain 
unfeigned  Brotherly  Love  ,  and  acknowledge  our  feveral  Churches  for  Chriftian 
Congregations,  and  hold  a  Correfpondency  by  Delegates  or  other  convenient 
Means,  tor  the  ftrengthening  of  each  other  j  and  oblerve  the  Rules  expreft  in  the 
following  Offer. 

3.  To  all  thofe  that  joyn  with  us  in  the  foregoing  Profeffion  of  Chriftianity  , 
and  yet,  through  their  diffent  from  our  Baptizing  the  Infants  of  Believers,  dare 
not  hold  Local  Communion  with  us,  nor  yet  acknowledge  our  Churches  to  be 
true  Inftituted  Particular  Churches,  we  yet  offer  ,  1.  That  we  may  acknowledge 
each  other  for  Members  of  Chrift ,  ( fuppofing  the  forefaid  Profeffion  of  Chri- 
ftianity to  be  folemnly  and  credibly  made  )  and  Members  of  the  Church  Univer- 
fal.  2.  And  that  we  may  converfe  in  the  World  together  m  a  faithful  Obfervance 
of  thefe  following  Rules. 

1.  That  we  addid  our«felves  heartily  to  the  promoting  and  exercifing  of  Bro- 
therly Love  towards  one  another,  and  take  heed  of  all  things  contrary  thereto  in 
Word  and  Deed. 

2.  That  we  addift  our  felves  to  preferve  the  Unity  of  the  Church  Catholick, 
and  Concord  of  true  Chriftians,  and  the  Common  Intereft  of  the  Godly,  and'  to 
iarther  the  Caufe  of  Chrift  in  the  World,  and  take  heed  of  lb  managing  our  dif- 
ferent Opinions  as  may  be  a  hinderance  to  thefe. 

;.  That  we  ftudy  and  addidt  our  felves  to  promote  the  Converfion  of  ignorant 
ungodly  People,  and  the  building  up  of  the  Weak,  and  that  we  take  great  heed, 
left  in  the  managing  of  our  different  Opinions,  or  oppofing  one  another, we fhould 
hinder  thefe  Works,  hardening  the  Wicked,  and  offending  the  Weak. 

4.  That 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         187 

4.  Thac  we  always  in  our  efteem  and  indulrry  prefer  the  greater  common 
Truths  that  we  are  all  agreed  in,  before  the  lefler  Points  that  we  differ  in  :  And 
that  we  take  heed  of  fo  managing  our  Differences,  publickly  or  privately,  as  may 
tend  to  hinder  the  Reception  or  Succefs  of  thofe  greater  common  Truths  in  which 
we  are  agreed. 

f .  That  we  publiffi  our  Agreements,  and  profefs  our  Chriftian  Love,  and  Re- 
(blutions  for  Peace  in  our  ieveral  Congregations,  and  profels  there  our  joynt  diiV 
owning  and  deteftation  of  all  Errours,  Herefies,  and  Ungodlinefs,  contrary  to  the 
Profeffion  wherein  we  are  agreed. 

6.  That  we  will  not  preach  publickly  for  our  differing  Opinions  in  each  others 
Congregations  without  the  Paftor's  content,  nor  privately  to  fpeak  for  them ,  as  is 
like  to  tend  to  the  hinderance  of  God's  greater  Work  in  that  Place  ,  nor  hold  any 
private  Affemblies  in  one  anothers  Pariffies,  which  (hall  be  more  to  the  diffracting 
of  each  others  Societies,  than  for  common  Chriftian  Edification. 

7.  That  in  our  Preaching  and  Confe,  ence,  we  will  allow  the  greater  and  com- 
mon Truths  fuch  a  proportion  of.  our  Time  and  Zeal  and  Speech,  as  the  Nature, 

.  Neceflity,  and  Number  doth  require,  and  not  lay  out  .inordinately  fuch  an  undue 
proportion  of  Zeal  and  Time  and  Speech  for  our  different  Opinions,  as  mall  be  in- 
jurious to  thofe  Truths. 

8.  That  we  will  avoid  in  Publick  and  Private  all  unbrotherly,  fcornful ,  re- 
proachful Speeches  of  each  other ;  efpecially  before  ungodly  People  :  And  that  we 
will  not  to  them  dishonour  one  anothers  Miniftry>  fo  as  may  hinder  their  profiting 
by  it,  but  will  rebuke  all  fuch  ungodly  Perfons  that  we  hear  reproaching  the  Mini- 
fters  or  Brethren  of  either  part. 

9.  That  we  will  not  receive  into  any  of  our  Churches,  any  Scandalous  Perfons 
that  fly  from  the  Dilci  pline  of  other  Churches ,  and  pretend  a  Change  of  Opinion 
to  cloak  their  Scandals,  but  will  impartially  hear  what  Accufations  mall  be  lent  in 
againft  them,  and  proceed  accordingly. 

10.  That  we  will  upon  any  Defamations,  Or  Accufations,  or  Rumoursof  Inju- 
ry againft  one  another,  or  of  violating  our  Profeffion  by  contrary  Do&rine,  or 
breaking  this  Agreement,  be  refponfible  to  each  other  as  Brethren ,  and  will  for- 
bear divulging  private  or  uncertain  Faults,  or  cenfuring  or  reproaohing  one  another, 
till  we  have  eitner  conferred  together  to  give  and  receive  Satisfaction,  and  duly  ad- 
m  on  i  fried  each  other,  or  tendered  fiich  Conferences  and  Admonitions  feafbnably, 
till  we  fee  they  are  wilfully  rejected, 

OFFERERS, 

.  Richard  Baxter  Paftor  of  the  Church  at  Kider- 
minfier. 

&C     &c.     &c. 


WE  whofeName*  are  Subfcribed,  difienting  from  Infant-Baptifm,  heartHy  ac- 
cept this  Offered  Agreement,  as  followeth  : 

In  the  flrft  Rank. 

In  the  lecond  Rank. 

In  the  third  Rank. 

Optatus  Adv.  Parm.  1.  3.  p.  75". 

EV  M  qui  ad  Deum  fe  converfum  ejfe  profejfus  eft,  Paganum  vocat  ? — —  Paganum 
ijocos  turn  qui  Deum  Patrem  per  filium  ejus  ante  tram  rogaverit  ?  Quicunque  enim 
crediderity  in  nomine  Patris,  Ftlii  &  Spiritus  Santfi,  credidit :  Et  tu  turn  Paganum  vo« 
<as  poft  confej/ionem  Fidei.  Si  aliquid  Cbrifiianm  (  quod  abjit )  unufquifque  delinqueritg 
peccator  did  poteft :  Paganus  iterum  eJJ'e  non  potefi.  Sed  hac  omnia  vultis  nullius  ejje  mo- 
m^%tl'  At  fi  tibi  ipfi  confenferit  quern  feducis  ;  unus  confenfut,  &  manus  tu*  forreclio 
&  pauca  Verba,  jam  tibi  Cbrifiiarfum  faciunt  de  Chrijtiano :  Et  iHe  vobii  v'Mifuf  Cbti- 
fiianm,  qui  quod  vultis  fe.cerit)  non  quern  fides  adduxerit. 

B  b  2  Lib. 


7g8         -  -         ~The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

Lib.  f.  P.  86.  Deniqite  "vos  quibaptifwa  quafi  libenter  duplicare  contenditis,  ft  datis  al- 


teram baptifma,  date  alteram  fidem  y  ft  data  alteram  Fidem,  &  alterum  Chrifium  :  Si 
datis  altcrnum  Chrifium  date  alterum  Deum.  Deus  Vnm  eft :  De  Uno  Deo  Unm  est 
Qhrifttts  :  Qui  rebapti&atur  jam  Chrifiianus  fuerat :     Quomodo  diet  potest  iterum  Chri- 

ft  ianm  ? 

Lib.  4.  p.  j6i  Si  ttr  non  vis  ejje  Frater,    ego  ejje    tncipio  Imptus,  ft  de  nomine   ijlo 

tacuero. 

Vid.  Lib.  1.  Fol.  1. 

§  46.  Before  this  I  had  occafiofi  to  make  a  mori  particular  tryal  for  Union  with 
the  Independent 'Brethren.  I  knew  Mr.  Phil.  Nyehzd  very  great  power  with  them, 
and  he  being  in  the  Country,  I  defired  him  to  give  me  in  Writing  all  thofe  things 
which  of  neceffity  muft  be  granted  them  by  the  Presbyterian^  in  orderto  Concord 
and  Conjunction  in  the  fame  AlTociations  and  Communion :  He  referred  me  to 
the  Debates  in  the  AflemMy  at  Wejkminfttr  which  are  in  print :  1  urged  him  to 
give  them  me  under  his  Hand,  which  at  that  time  he  did  not,  but  the  next  Year 
I  prevailed  with  him,  and  he  wrote  down  thefe  two  asfufficient  Conceffions  to 
our  defired  End:  [The  firft  was,  that  they  might  haVe  Liberty  to  take  Church- 
Members  out  of  other  Parifties.  And  the  fecond,  that  they  might  have  all  Church 
Power  within  themfelves,  in  their  feveral  Congregation?.*]  Tasked  him,  if  I  ac- 
commodated them  in  both  thele,-  whether  really  they  would  unite  with  us  a'safore- 
faid.  Arid  he  told  me  that  they  would :  Whereupon  I  drew  up  this  Form  of 
Agreement  following,  which  I  thought  granted  them  both  thefe  J  But  fo  as  that 
they  fliould  be  Members  of  conftant  Aflbciations,  and  meet  with  us  in  our  Sy- 
nods ;  and  that  they  fhould  do  this  not  as  fubjeft  to  the  Government  of  thofe  Sy- 
nods, but  as  ufing  them  for  Concord  between  the  Churches/-  and  fo  take  their  Re- 
iblutions  not  as  Laws,  but  as  Agreements :  ■  And  that  before  they  took  atiy  Mem- 
ber out  of  any  other  Parifli,  it  fhould  be  debated  in  fuch  AfTemblies  or  Synods, 
and  there  it  fhould  be  tryed  whether'the  Perfon  had  fufficient  Caufe  to  vAmbcrraw 
his  Communion  from  the  Parifli  of  which  he  was  a  Member:  And  if  the  Caufe 
were  juft  he  might  be  allowed  ;  but  if  the  Caufe  were  heretical  or  truly  Schifma- 
tical  they  fhould  Wear  what  the  Synod  could  fay  againft  it :  and  if  $hey  jiidg'd  the 
Error  tollerable  they  would  totterate  it,  if  their  Re'aforts  could  not  fatisfie ;  if  they 
judged  it  intollerable,  the  worfe  could  be  but  our  difbwning  the 'Fact,  and  again  re- 
ceding from  their  Communion.  He  told  me  that  it  would  c'aft  k  Slurr  on  them  to 
be  as  it  were  excommunicated  by  us,  that  were  the  greater  Number.  I  told  him, 
1.  That  it  was  not  likely  that  Men  who  lb  much  defired  their  Gommunion,  would 
excommunicate  them  for  the  very  fame  things,  .which  we  knew  they  held  before 
we  delired  it.  2.  That  whether  they  affociated  with  us  or  not,  we  could  publifh 
and  practice  Non-communion  with  them  on  the  fame  Caufes :  And  it  was  likelier 
to  be  avoided  if  they  would  be  prefent  with  us,  and  plead  their  own  Caufe. 
3.  That  a  ftated  Alienation  or  Divifion  fhould  not  be  kept  up,  for  fear  of  a  poffi- 
ble  removal  again  of  fbme  one  Perfon. 

Next  he  told  me  that  the  Point  of  Ordination  was  not  yet  accommodated,  which 
he  comprifed  under  (^Church-Power].  I  offered  him  that  if  any  of  their  Pa- 
yors died  or  removed,  if  the  fucceeding  Paftor  were  ordained  either  by  any  re- 
maining Paftor  of  that  Church,  or  by  any  Paftors  of  other  Churches,  of  their 
own  Party  or  the  other,  we  would  hold  Communion  with  them  as  Paftors.  He 
denied  to  yield  to  this,  and  required,  that  if  neither  any  Paftor  of  their  own 
Church,  or  any  other  ordained  them  they  might  be  held  as  Paftors.     I  told  him, 

1.  He  knew  that  was  againft  the  Judgment  of  thofe  that  they  were  to  agree  with. 

2.  That  Mr.  Norton  and  others  of  their  own  way  confefi,  that  it  is  lawful  *fbr  Pa- 
ftors of  another  Church  to  lay  en  Hands 'in  their  Ordination ;  and  why  fliould  he 
not  yield  for  Peace  in  a  Point,  which  they  confefled  lawful  ;  as  long  as  they  are 
not  obliged  thereby  to  acknowledge  any  Subjection  to  atiy  other  Church,  but  might 
receive  it  on  their  own  Grounds.  5.  Or  if  they  would  not  yield  to  this  at  all,  we 
might  have  Communion  with  them  as  Chriftidns,  without  acknowledging  them 
for  Paftors.  But  upon  this  he  receded;  and  came  no  nearer  to  any  Agreement 
with  us. 

> 

Ih  this  IntervaH  wrote  to  hjrn  the  following  t9ttr. 


,  I  -.1'  -  '  ■■■!-■-  ■-  

P  a  a  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


Reverend  Sir, 


I 


Have  adventured,  according  to  my  Prorriife,  to  fend  yoifmy  Thoughts  of  the 

ready  way  of  Agreement,  between  the  Honeft  and  Moderate  of  the  Presby- 

terianj  Congregational,  yea,  and  Epifcopal  way.     I  purpofely  avoid  the  wording 

of  a  Form  of  Agreement,  it  being  none  of  my  Task,  and  fuch  an  Anticipation 

may  do  hurt  j  and  therefore  I  (hall  give  you  only  the  Materials  unpolilhed. 

■'  Prop.  r.  About  the  Matter  of  particular  Churches,  as  you  exprefi  no  Difagree- 
'  ment,  (b  I  find  none  in  the  grimed  Debates  ;  and  therefore  take  it  for  granted, 
'  that  we  are  at  one  :  That  cohabiting  Chnfliant  are  the  fit  matter  of  fuch  Churches; 
*  or  vifble  Believers,  viable  Saints,  frofeffing  Believers  ahd  Saints^  &c.  which  come  all 
to  one.  As  to  the  Execution  there  will  be  a  Difference  even  among  Congregati- 
onal Men,  -or  Presbyterians  themfelves ;  according  to  their  ieveral  Tempers, 
(bme  more  Charitable,  fome  more  Cenfbrious,  fome  more  Scri#,  and  fome  more 
Remifs.  , 

*  With,  the  Anabaptifts  we  are  agreed  of  the  Matter  as  td  the  Membra  perfetld, 
(except  with  them  that  make  re-baptifing  effential  )  but  not  as  to  Infants^  who 
are  Membra  imperfecta. 

*  2.  We  are  agreed  that  every  Chriftian  (where  fuch  a  Benefit  may  be  had) 
fhould  be  or  feek  to  be  a  Member  of  feme  particular  Church,  and  know  his  own 
Overfeers,  -  and  every  overleer  fhould  erfdeavour  to  know  all  his  Flock. 

c  3.  We  are  agreed  that  as  fome  Difcovery  of  Confent  on  both  Parts  ( the  Payor's 
and  People)  is  neceffary  to  the  being  of  the  Members  of  a  political  particular 
Church  :  So  that  the  mott  exprefi  Declaration  of  that  Confent,  is  the  moft  plain 
and  fatisfa&ory  Dealing,  and  moft  obliging,  and  lUteft  to  attain  the  Ends  ;  and 
therefore  catens  paribus,  where  it  may  be  haaV  is  the  belf. 

*  4.  We  are  agreed  that  all  fit  means  fhould  be  ufed,  even  in  the  Determination 
of  Circumftances,  to  preferve  the  Union  and  Peace  of  Chriftians  and  Churches, 
and  that  ordinarily  the  bounding  of  Churches  as  to  Habitation,  is  a  meet  means 
to  theie  Ends,  and  that  ordinarily  Parifhes  are  fit  Bounds :  Or  at  leaft  we  are 
Agreed  that  thefe  fhall  be  ordinarily  taken  for  the  Bounds  to  avoid  Inconvenien- 
cies ;  not  including  all  iri  the  Parifhes,  but  confineing  Churches  to  thole  Circu- 
its ordinarily.  Yet  we  agree  that  this  ordinary  Rule  hath  its  Exceptions ;  as  for 
Example,  1.  If  Parifhes  be  lb  fpacious  that  all  the  People  are  not  Co-habitants 
capable  of  the  Ends  of  Communion.  2.  If  the 'Parifh  be  fb  populous  (of  fit 
Perfons)  as  that  there  are  more  than  are  fit  for  a  Particular  Church.  3.  If  the 
Parifh  be  fo  fmallor  bad,  that  there  are  not  enough  to  be  Materials  of  a  Church, 
it  may  be  joined  by  confent  to  the  next.  4.  If  there  be  no  Paftor,  or  none  fit 
to  be  owned,  y.  If  any  Ordinance  be  ftatedly  wanting  which  may  be  had  elfe- 
where,  and  is  needful  to  the  Perfon's  Edification,  and  if  he  cannot  procure  it  in 
the  Church  where  he  is,  and  yet  cannot  remove  his  Habitation  to  another,  with- 
out more  lofs  to  himfelf  and  to  the  Chriftian-Infereifyhen  it  is  like  to  receive  by  his 
joining  to  another  without  Removal.  6.  If  he  cannot  have  perfbnal  Communi- 
on with  them  without  his  own  actual  Sin,  and  yet  cannot  remove  his  Dwelling 
but  as  aforefaid.  7.  If  Difference  in  fome  fmall  Opinion  ill  managed  fhall  make 
him  burdenfom  to  the  Church  where  he  is,  who  yet  may  live  peaceably  with  a 
Neighbour-Church  of  his  Opinion  and  cannot  remove  out  as  aforefaid.  8.  To 
comprehend  all  in  this  General,  we  are  agreed  that  no  Man  that  is  a  Member  of 
another  Parifh,  fhould  be  received  into  our  Churches,  where  it  can  be  proved  that 
it  is  to  the  Wrong  of  the  common  Good  or  Chriflian  Interefi^  efpecially  when  he  is  a 
Member  of  another  Church  as  well  as  another  Parijlj.  The  Sum  is,  Varices  fhall  be 
the  ordinary  Boundss  but  in  neceffary  Cafes  and  no  other,  you  fhall  except  and  be 
free  from  them. 

f  j\  Whereas  the  Presbyterians  fay,  that  the  Ecclefta  prima  particular  is  folitica,  may 
confift  of  one  only  Congregation;  and  the  Congregational  fay,  \tm«Jt  confift of 
one  only  Congregation  :  The  licet  fhall  yield  to  the  opportat,  and  it  wiil  be  agreed 
that  de  faBo,  our  particular  political  Churches  fhall  eonfift  but  of  one  Congrega- 
tion ordinarily  ;  allowing  the  Liberty  either  of  Chappels  or  private  Meetings  for 
thofe  of  the  Church,  that  by  reafon  of  Age,  Weaknefs,  or  other  Impediments 
cannot  al  way  come  fo  far  as  the  common  Meeting  of  the  Church.  And  confequently 
we  fhall  agree  that  the  Number  of  a  particular  Church  exceed  not  fo  many  as  are 

ordinarily 


i$o 


The  LIFE  of  the 


L  I  B.  I. 


ordinarily  capable  of  perfbnal  local  Communion  in  God's  Worfhip,    wh  ich  is  a 
chief  end  of  their  Conjunction. 

f  6.  We  are  agreed  that  thefe  particular  political  Churches  fhould  confift  of  two 
parts,  Officers  and  their  Flock,  the  ruling  part  and  the  ruled  part ;  and  all  the 
great  Controverfies  that  have  troubled  us  about  the  Peoples  Power  of  Govern- 
ment, fhall  be  thus  agreed  ;  confefs  but  this  [that  Pallors  are  the  Overfeers,  Teach- 
Guides,  or  Rulers  of  their  Flocks,  and  are  over  the  People  in  the  Lord,  and 


ers 


that  the  People  are  bound  to  obey  thole  that  rule  over  them,  that  watch  for  their 
Souls  ]  and  let  all  the  reft  be  filenced. 

c  7.  We  are  agreed  that  it  is  meet  that  in  every  particular  Church  there  be  ufual 
Meetings  of  the  Officers  and  Delegates  (if  the  Church  fee  cau(e)  or  other  perfons 
that  fhall  defire  to  be  prelentfor  the  hearing  and  trying  caufes,  before  they  are 
brought  to  the  open  AlTembly.  And  therefore  where  they  can  be  had,  there  fhould 
be  many  Officers  in  a  Church. 

•  8.  Whereas  there  be  three  Opinions  about  aflifting  Elders  :  1.  That  they 
mould  be  Men  of  the  fame  'Office  with  the  Pallors,  Ordamed  and  Authorized  to 
Adminifier  Sacraments ,  and  Preach  when  it  is  neceflary,  though  they  may  divide 
their  Work  in  the  Execution.  2.  That  they  fhould  be  a  dtfimtl  Office  unordatned, 
and  not  authorized  to  Preach  or  Adminifter  Sacraments.  3.  That  they  mould  be 
unordained  andnoOfficers,  but  the  meer  Tjufteesofthe  People,  deputed  by  them  to 
do  that  only  which  private  Members  may  do,  let  this  Controverfie  be  wholly  laid 
afide ,  and  all  left  to  their  liberty  in  thisunatter. 

4  p.  Thefe  particular  Churches  fhall  have  power  to  govern  within  themlelves 
(  being  once  Conftituted  )  Excommunication  it  lelf  not  excepted.  Only  their 
Confiitution  and  Ordination  of  their  Tailors  muft  be  agreed  on  as  follow- 
ed. 

*  10.  It  is  the  Judgment  of  the  Presbyterians  that  Ordination  by  Overfeers  or  Pa- 
yors is  of  Neceffity  to  the  Being  of  an  Over(eer  or  Pafior,  where  it  may  be  had  ; 
and  that  fome  Ruling  Officer is  an  Efjentia]  part  of  a  Political  Church  (  though  not 
of  a  meer  Community  )  ;  and  that  Impofition  of  Hands  is  a  fit  Ceremony,  and  to 
be  ufed  as  of  Divine  Appointment,  though  not  EjJ'ential  to  Ordination.  It  is  the 
Judgment  of  the  Congregational  that  Ordination  by  fuch  Teaching  Elders  is  lawful,  if 
not  of  neceffity  ;  and  that  Impofition  of  Hands  is  lawful :  In  all  this  therefore  let 
the  licet  ftoop  to  the  oportet.  Agree  that  you  will  not  de  faclo  eftablifti  any  Pa- 
llor or  Teacher  over  a  particular  Church  without  Or.dination  by  Caching  Elders^ 
leaving  the  point  of  neceffity  undetermined,  (  except  in  cafe  of  neceffity  when  fuch 
Ordination  cannot  be  had  y.  And  alfo  that  you  will  fubmit  to  Impofition  of 
Hands,  as  a  thing  lawful :  Only  for  thole  that  think  Impofition  to  be  unlawful, 
agreeing  in  other  things,  an  Ordination  without  Impofition  (  as  an  extraordinary 
Indulgence  to  a  tender  Connlcience )  may  be  tollerated. 

'  1 1.  As  a  local  perfonal  Communion  of  individual  Chriftians  is  neceffary  in  particu- 
lar Churches  to  a  Concatination,  or  Union  and  Communion  of  theft  Churches,    by 
Officers,  Delegates,  as  the  Joints  and  Ligaments,  is  a  great  Duty  and  defirable 
Mercy,  which  I  hope  we  are  all  agreed  to  value,  leek  and  maintain. 
'  12.  For  this  end  it  is  agreed  by  us,  that  there  fhall  be  known  times  and  places 
of  meeting  agreed  on,  which  all  thePaftors  fhall  frequent  as  oft  as  they  well  can, 
not  forbidding  any  of  our  People  that  are  defirous  to  be  with  us. 
'  13.  None  ihallbe  taken  into  thefe  AfTociations,   but  approved  Men  for  Godli- 
nefsand  Ability,  and  that  by  confent  of  the  aiTociatedMinifters,  and  none  refil- 
led that  are  fit  for  our  Communion. 
'  14.  The  Works  of  thefe  AiTemblies  fhall  not  be  to  make  Laws,  to  the  Church- 
es or  any  of  their  Brethren,  to  bind  them  ex  authoritate  Imperantis,  as  if  they  were 
toexerche  a  proper  Legiflative  Power  :  Nor  yet  by  Agreement  to  determine  of  any 
unnecejfary  things,   and  make   thofe  to  be   Duties  which  are  not  lo  in  them- 
lelves;   much  lefs  to  lay  the  Union  of   the  Churches  on  fuch  unneceflary 
determinations  ;    nor  yet  to  exercife  any  coercive  Power  by  bodily  Penalties  or 
Mulcts,  and  leaft  of  all  to  bind  Men  to  fin  againft  God  :  But  it  fhall  be  to  agree 
upon  the  unanimous  Difcharge  of  our  Duties  which  God  hath  impofed  to  main- 
tain Love  and  Concord,  and  remove  all  Offences  and  Strangenefs  and  other  Oc- 
cafions  of  Divifion  ;   to  encourage  and  ftrengthen  one  another  by  Exhortation 
and  Prayer,   to  know  who  are  caft  out  of  the  feveral  Churches,  that  we  may 
concur  in  avoiding  thole  that  are  to  be  avoided  ;    to  difcern  to  whom  our  Com- 
munion fhould  extend;  to  increafe  the  Reputation  of  God's  Work  in  our  Hands, 
both  to  thofe  within,  our  Communion  and  thole  without  it,  by  our  Concord  and 

'  Unani- 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr: Richard  Baxter.         191 


Unanimity  ;  and  (6  to  further  the  Succefs  of  our  Labours ;  to  help  the  younger 
Miniftersby  (bme  profitable  Exercifes,  and  to  help  one  another  by  common  Ad- 
vice, efpecially  ki  cafes  of  great  difficulty.  In  general  it  fhall  be  for  Union  and 
Communion  of  Churches  and  Paffors,  and  f°r  fhe  Benefits  that  come  by  both. 
'  Being  all  agreed  on  this  much,  if  any  think  that  fuch  Synods  are  alio  for  Di- 
rtft  Government  of  particular  Vafiors  and  Churches^  as  a  higher  governing  Order  or 
Power,  (iich  (hall  keep  that  Opinion  to  themfelves,  and  not  impofe  it  on  others 
as  neceflary  to  our  Agreement  or  Communion.  Or  if  thofe  that  hold  Synods  to 
have  a  direct  ruling  Power  over  particular  Pallors  and  Churches,  and  thole  that 
hold  them  to  have  only  an  agreeing  Power  in  order  to  Communion  :  Or  any 
of  thefe  fhall  think  that  they  are  bound  in  Confidence  to  declare  their  Principles 
in  aflociating  and  aflembling,they  fhall  all  have  Liberty  to  declare  and  regifter  it, 
fo  they  will  after  go  peaceably  on  in  their  Affociation  j  though  we  defire  rather 
that  the  Principles  were  filenced. 

'  i  j.  But  as  we  are  agreed  that  it  belongeth  to  thefe  Conventions  to  difcern  and 
judge  what  particular  Churches,  Minifters,  or  other  Perfons  are  fit  or  unfit  for 
their  common  Communion  when  the  Cognizance  of  it  is  neceffary,  and  this  ex- 
tended Communion  is  a  thing  to  be  valued  and  fought,  fo  confequently  in  order 
tofuch  Ends,  it  is  the  Duty  of  particular  Churches,  Paftors,  or  other  Perfons  to 
render  an  account  of  their  Doctrines  and  Practices  to  tl  c/e  Affembiies,  when  up- 
on confiderable  Accufations,  or  other  juft  Caufe  it  is  defu  ed. 
'  1 6.  If  thefe  Aflemblies  in  order  to  jUnity  or  the  Prog'cfi  of  Religion,  /hall 
agree  in  the  Determination  of  fome  Circumfhnce,  not  expiefly  determined  in 
Scripture,  fuppofing  that  the  Determination  is  needful  and  agreeable  to  the  gene- 
ral Rules  of  Scripture,  every  Church  and  Paffor  ought  to  ftand  to  this  Agree- 
ment, for  the  fake  of  Concord,  if  they  do  not  judge  it  to  be  a  Sin  that  is  agreed 
to,  though  they  fee  not  the  neceflity.  E.  g.  The  Time  and  Place  of  their  Con- 
vention muft  be  agreed  on  by  them,  and  the  lefler  part  muft  yield  to  the  greater  \ 
or  elfe  by  diffent,  no  time  or  place  may  ever  be  agreed  on  :  So  that  if  the  greater 
part  agree  on  one  Trarlflation  of  the  Bible,  to  be  ufed  in  all  the  alfociated  Church- 
es or  on  one  Verfion  of  the  Singing  Pfalms,  ic  will  tend  much  to  Edification  and 
agrees  with  the  Scripture  Commands  of  Unity.  If  therefore  that  which  they 
sgree  on  feem  to  a  particular  Church  oi  Pallor  no  better  than  another  Verfion,  or 
fcarce  fo  good  ,•  yet  for  Unity  (  it  it  be  not  unlawful,  or  like  to  be  more  hurt- 
ful than  th6Diverfity  will  be  )  they  ought  to  concur.  But  frill  be  it  remembred 
that  the  Churches  Peace  or  Unity  jhould  be  laid  by  Agreements  on  nothing  un- 
necelfary.  And  therefore  all  agreements  may  not  be  feconded  with  an  avoiding 
all  DiiTenters. 

■  17.  Becaufe  in  the  great  Cafe  [of  taking  Members  from  other  Churches  or 
Parilhes  ]  the  Exception  from  the  general  Rule  (  of  Parifh  Limits )  cannot  be 
fo  enumerated  as  punctually  to  refolve  each  Doubt  that  may  occur,  let  us  firft  lay 
down  what  Rules  or  Exceptions  we  can  agree  on ;  at  leafr  this  general,  that  we 
will  take  no  fuch  Perlbn  into  our  Churches, when  it  tendeth  more  to  the  hurt  than 
the  furtherance  of  the  common  Good  and  Chriltian  Caufe  :  And  therefore  that  we 
will  firft  bring  the  particular  cafe  to  the  Affociation,  or  at  leaft  be  there  refpon- 
fible  concerning  it,  as  we  are  about  other  Church  Affairs.  Accordingly  when  any 
is  actually  offended,  that  another  hath  taken  a  Member  out  of  his  or  another's 
Church  or  Parifh,  let  the  Affociation  heat  the  cafe  on  both  fides  5  and  if  they  ju- 
ltiric  rhe  accufed  there  is  an  End;  if  not,  they  are  to  convince  him  or  them  that 
they  go  againft  fome  Rule  of  Scripture  or  Nature,  e.  g.  againft  the  Honour  of 
Chriit,  and  good  of  the  CJiurches  or  chriftian  Caufe.  And  if  neither  he  nor 
they  can  be  convinced  nor  brought  to  reform  after  fufficient  Admonition,  it  muft 
be  conhdered  whether  the  cafe  be  fmall  and  tollerable,  or  great  and  intolerable : 
If  the  former,  we  muft  bear  with  it,  yet  profefling  our  Judgment  againft  it ;  if  in- 
tolerable, we  muft  proceed  to  dilclaim  Communion  with  the  guilty,  and  fo  to 
exclude  them  from  the  Affociation  and  common  Communion,  which  yet  muft  not 
be  dene  but  in  heinous  cafes.  And  thus  the  particular  cafes  muft  betryed  and  con- 
cluded as  they  fall  out,  for  there  is  no  laying  down  any  Rule  beforehand  that  will 
fit  all  cafes  particularly. 

•  18.  Thofe  firft  AJJ'octations  being  compofed  of  fuch  Paftors  and  Churches  as  arc 
near  and  within  a  capacity  of  fuch  Communion  ( as  aforefaid  )  voluntarily 
combined,  mould  alfb  hold  correfpondence  with  Neighbour  Jjjkiations,  either  by 
Delegates  in  fome  more  general  Meetings  (  as  in  each  County  one  )  $  or  at  leaft, 

by 


192 


the  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  B;  I. 


<■  by  Letters  and  Meflengers;  which  Communion  is  to  be  extended  ,  even  as  far  as 
1  our  Natural  Capacity  extendeth,  and  the  Edification  or  Preiervation  of  the 
'  Churches  mall  require  it. 

1  And  thus  the  Presbyterians  and  Congregational  Men  are  agreed ,  if  they  are 
c  willing.    If  all  will  nor,  let  thofe  agree  that  have  hearts  ,  and   not  fray  for  the 

'reft. 

'  Arid  here  you  fee  a  Satisfaftion  to  your  two  Demands.    My  Queftion  was, 
1  What  are  the  things  that  the  Congregational  mufi  have,  and  -will  infifl  on  ,  the  denial 

*  whereof  doth  hinder  our  Unity  and  Agreement.  Your  Anfwer  was  in  thefe  words , 
'  [  To  manage  all  Church  Affairs  by  the  Elders  and  Brethren  within  themfelves  ,  and  with- 
4  out  dependance*  unleS  for  Advice,  on  any  other  Ecclefiafiical  Power.  2.  To  take  in  Juch 
4  as  are  qualified  and  freely  offer  themselves  to  joyn,  though  of  other  Panffes.  Tet  fo,  as  if 
4  a  particular  Church  in  that  Party,  -which  for  the  Sub  fiance  is  gathered,  according  to  (he 
4  Order  ef  the  Gofrel,  and  the  Party  a  Member  thereof,  an   account  ts  to  be  given  to  the 

*  Church  or  the  Elders  of  it,  of  the  Caufe  of  his  removal,  that  it  may  be,  if  pojfikle,  with 
4  conjent.]  And  this  is  all  that  hinders  our  Agreement  it  feems.  Alas,  i.  For  the 
r  firlt,  it  is  granted  you  in  termims,  only  in  point  of  Ordination  :  yield,  but  to  be 
4  Ordained  by  Teaching  Elders,  which  you  confefi  lawful,  and  others  think  necef- 
'  fary.  And  remember,  i.  That  to  depend  on  other  Ecclefiaftical  Power,  even  for 
1  Advice,  is  a  great  dependance.  2.  That  to  depend  on  them,  not  as  a  Superiour 
4  Power,  but  as  a  Link  upon  the  Chain,  for  Union  and  Communion  ,  we  can  ne- 
4  ver  exempt  you  from,  nor  will  you  fure  defire  it.  There  is  a  fourfold  Advice; 
'  1.  An  Authoratative  Advice  of  Governours  (as  Parents,  Schoolmafters,  Pallors,) 
c  to  their  Inferiours,  who  are  bound  to  obey  them,  on  a  double  account,  rationt 
4  materia  &  authoritatia.   Thus  the  Pallors  in  a  Synod  advife  their  Fiocks  conjunctly. 

4  2.  The  Authoratative  Advice  of  one  Officer  to  another.  And  fb,as  we  preach  to  one 
'another,  I  think  as  Chrift's  Minifters,  we  muft  Jw/c  one  another.     3.  An  Ad- 

•  vice  of  a  Major  fart  among  Equals  in  Order  to  Union  and  Concord,  and  this  is 
1  the  Principal  to  be  refpe&ed  in  thefe  Conventions.  4.  An  Advice -of  a  private 
4  Perfon,  not  authorized  by  Office,  and  this  binds  but  ratione  materia,  &c.  2.  To 
4  your  fecond,  you  will  grant  (  as  I  hope  by  the  printed  Debates  )  that  ordinarily 
'  Parifh-bounds,  fhall  be  the  Rule  for  Limitation  (alter  Parifhes  if  they  be  amifs  )  : 
'  and  that  you'l  not  fwerve  from  this  Rule,  but  upon  neceffary  Caufe,  and  not  when 
'  it  is  to  the  apparent  wrong  of  the  Caufe  and  Intereft  of  Chrifr,  and  you  wil! 
'•  yield  to  be  refponfible  to  the  AfTociation  which  you  are  a  Member  of,  concerning 
c  the  Cafe,  when  you  are  queftioned.     And  this  fhall  agree  us. 

4  And  why  mould  I  not  add  two  Proportions  for  Peace  with  the  Epifcopal?  That 
1  way,  or  the  Perfons  are  not  fo  contemptible  ( if  you  confider  the  Antiquity,  the 
'  great  Difficulty,  their  Number  and  Extent,  and  the  Works  of  many  of  them)  as 
c  to  be  refufed  our  Communion,  though  on  fbme  Abatements  to  them. 

4  Prop.  1 9.  Let  therefore  thefe  Presbyteries  of  particular  Churches  have  one  to  be 

•  the  ftated  Prefident,  as  long  as  he  is  found  fitteft,  and  let  all  the  AfTociations  (at 
4  leaft:  where  Epifcopal  worthy  Men  require  it )  have  fuch  fixed  Prefidents,  auam 
4  diu  bene fe  gefferint  (  as  your  AfTembly  at  WefiminfterhaA  )  by  common  Content. 

*  Bifhop  Hall  and  UJher  fay,  this  will  fatisfie,  but  it  will  not  without  the  next. 

'  Prop.  20.  Seeing  the  Presbyterians  and  Congregational  fay,  That  (except  jn 
'  cafe  of  neceflity  )  it's  lawful  to  forbear  Ordination  till  the  Prefident  be  there,  and 
c  One,  and  to  take  him  with  you  ;  and  the  Epifcopal  fay, That  it's  of  necejfity  ;  there- 
'  fore  let  the  Cafe  of  Necejfity  and  the  Title  be  purpofely  filenced,  and  left  to  each 
'  Man's  Judgment ;  but  de  facto,  let  your  Licet  yield  for  Peace  to  their  Oportet,  at 
e  leaft  for  fo  me  years  trial.     And  agree  to  Ordain  ndhe  (but  in  neceflity)  with- 

*  out  the  Prefident,  as  he  fhall  Ordain  none  without  the  Confent  of  the  Aifociation, 
1  or  at  leaft  the  Elders  of  the  Church  where  he  is  Prefident  ,  and  where  heOr- 
'  daineth  ( if  there  be  any  left).  I  fuppofe,  as  to  a  Parochial  or  Congregational 
'  Prefident,  in  one  Elderfhip,  you  will  grant  this !  and  why  not  to  the  Prefident  of 
1  the  AfTociation,  for  Peace  ?  when  he  that  is  Ordained  a  Paftor  of  your  particu- 
'  lar  Church,  is  thereupon  made  an  Officer  in  the  Univerfal, therefore  others  fhould 

4  have  fbme  care  of  it,  orelfe Pie  let  ObjetYions  pafs  in  filence,  only 

'  defire  you,  if  thefe  two  lajt  diflike  you,  not  therefore  presently  to  reject  the  reft, 
I  but  lay  thefe  by. 


On 


P  a  &  J  II-     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         1 93 

c  On  thefe  Terms,  in  the  two  laft  Proportions,  Bifhop  £//J;<.r,whcn  I  propound- 
r  ed  them  to  him,  told  me,  Tbat  the  Epifcopal  Party  might  well  agree  with  us,and 
the  moderate  would,  but  the  reft  would  not. 

To  my  Reverend  Brother  Mr.  Philip  Nye. 

§  47.  After  this  I  was  yet  defirous  to  make  a  fuller  Attempt  for  the  reconciling 

of  thole  Controverlies,  lb  far  as  that  we  might  hold  Communion  together:  And 

I  drew  up  a  larger  Writing,inftancing  in  about  Ten  Points  of  Difference  between 

the  Presbyterians  and  Independants,  proving  that  the  Differences  were  not  fuch 

as  fhould  hinder  Concord  and  Commtinion :  The  Writing  being   too  large  to  be 

here  inferred,  you  fhall  have  with  the  reft  at  the  end  of  cheHiitory  *.     Since  Pre-  *ThisWri- 

lacy  was  reftored  there  hath  been  no  Opportunity  to  Debate  thefe  Matters,  for  the  Jpg»*«ng 

Reafbns  aforefaid,  and  many  others :  Only  I  put  thefe  Papers  into  Mr.  G.  Griffith's  nrikKt* 

hand,  who  fpeaketh  much  ibr  Reconciliation  :  And  when  I  call'd  for  them  about  miflaid, 

a  year  after,  he  had  ihewed  them  to  none,  nor   made   any  ufe  of  them^  which  cannot  as 

might  tend  to  thedefired  Concord:  and  fo  I  took  them  away.asexpeding  no  more  >!ct  bf 
r  b  r  •  found 

iuccels. 

§  48.  About  the  fame  time,  the  great  Controverfie  that  troubled  all  the  Church 
being  about  the  Qualification  of  Church  Members,  I  apprehended  that  the  want 
of  a  due  and  folemn  manner  of  Tranfition  from  the  Number  of  Infant-Members 
into  the  Number  of  the  Adult,  was  the  caufe  both  of  Anabaptiftry  and  Indepen- 
dency, and  that  the  right  performance  of  this  (  as  C<t/xiw,.and  our  Rubrick  in  the 
Common. Prayer  would  have  Confirmation  performed  )  would  be  the  molt  excel- 
lent Expedient  both  for  Reformation  and  Reconciliation  (findfng  that  the  Jnde- 
pendants  themfelves  approved  of  it).  I  meditated  how  to  get  this  way  of  rettifieA  ' 
Confirmation  reftored  and  introduced  :  when  in  the  mean  time  came  forth  a  Trea- 
dle for  this  way  of  Confirmation  by  Mr.  Jonathan  Hanmcr  ,  very  judicroufly  anil 
pioufly  written  :  And  becaule  it  was  lent  me  with  a  Requeft  to  write  my  Judg- 
ment of  it,  I  put  an  Epiftle  before  it,  further  to  prove  the  defirablenefs  of  the 
thing  !  The  Book  was  very  well  accepted  when  it  came  abroad  :  but  fome  wrote 
to  me,  defiring  me  not  only  to  mew  the  ufefulnels  of  it ;  but  alio  to  produce  lbme 
fuller  Scripture  Proofs  that  it  is  a  Duty  :  whereupon  I  wrote  a  little  Treatife  that  is 
Called,  \_  Confirmation  the  "way  to  Reformation  and  Reconciliation] :  And  in  my  own 
Congregation  I  began  lb  much  of  the  Practice  of  it,  as  is  acknowledged  to  belong 
to  Presbyters  to  do. 

§  49.  And  about  the  fame  time,  while  Cromwell  profefled  to  do  all  that  he  could 
for  the  equal  promoting  of  Godlinels  and  Peace,  and  the  Magiftrates  Afliftance 
greatly  facilitating  the  Work  of  the  Minifters,  and  many  Minifters  neglected  their 
Duty  becaufe  the  Magiftrate  compelled  not  the  People  to  fubmit  to  them,  and  fome 
never  adminiftred  the  Lord's  Supper,  becaufe  they  thought  nothing  but  Conftraint 
by  the  Magiftrate  would  enable  them  to  do  it  aright.  And  on  the  other  Extream, 
Cromwell  himlelf,  and  fuch  others,  commonly  gave  out  that  they  could  not  under- 
ftand  what  the  Magiftrate  had  to  do  in  Matters  of  Religion  ,*  and  they  thought 
that  all  Men  mould  be  left  to  their  own  Confciences ,  and  that  the  Magiftrate 
could  not  interpofe  but  he  Ihould  be  enfhared  in  the  Guilt  of  Perfecution  ;  I  fay, 
while  thefe  Extreams  prevailed,  upon  the  Difcourfes  of  lbme  Independants,  I  of- 
fered them  a  few  Propolals  fuited  to  thofe  Times,  containing  thole  few  Duties  by 
which  a  willing  Magiftrate  might  eafily  fettle  the.Church  in  a  fafe  and  holy  Peace, 
without  incurring  the  guilt  of  Perfecution  or  Profanenefs  or  Licentioufnefs :  but 
having  no  Correfpondency  with  Cromwell,  or  any  of  his  Council ,  they  were  ne- 
ver ihewed,  or  made  ufe  of  any  further,  than  for  the  perufal  of  him  to  whom  I 
gave  them,  (  who  being  one  of  their  Faction,  I  thought  it  poflible  he  might  have 
farther  improved  them  ).    The  Paper  was  this  which  followeth  : 


Cc  By 


1 54  the  LIFE  of  the      '        \  \  B.  J. 

By  the  Eftablijhment  of \  what  is  contained  in  thefe  Twelve. 
Proportions  or  Articles  following,  the  Churches  in  thefe  Ra- 
tions may  have  a  Holy  Communion  ,  Peace  and  Concord, 
without  any  Wrong  to  the  Confciences  or  Liberties  of  Fresby- 
terians,  Congregational,  Epifcopal,  or  any  other  Chrijiians. 

i.  T70ra(much  as  God  hath  appointed  Magiftracy  and  Mini/try,  as  Functions  of 
f     a  different  kind,  but  both  neceffary  to  the  welfare  of  Mankind,  and   both 
for  the  Church  and  the  Salvation  of  Men,  and  the  maintaining  of  due  Obedience 
to  God  :  Therefore  let  not  either  of  them  invade  the  Function  of  the  other.     Let 
Minifters  have  no  Power  of  Violence,by  inflicting  Corporal  Penalties  or  Mulcts ; 
nor  be  the  Judges,   ( though  in  Cafes  of  Herefie  or  Impiety  )  who  is  to  be  Jo  punch- 
ed, and  who  not :  but  let  them  not  be  denied  to  be  the  Minifters  of  Chrift  ,  and 
Guides  of  the  Church  :  And  therefore  let  the  Word  of  God  be  their  only   Rule 
what  they  muft  Preach,  and  whom  they  muff.  Baptize  ,  and  receive   into  the 
Church,  and  to  whom  they  mu(f  Administer  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  whom  they 
muft  Reprove,  Admonifii,  Reject  or  Abfolve;  and  (b  for  the   reft  of  then-  Mini- 
fterial  VVork.     And  let  not  Princes  or  Parliaments  make  them  Rules,  ana  tell  them 
whom  to  admit  or  reject;  otherwife  than  from  the  Word  of  God  ;  for  according  to 
this  Rule  we  are  bound  to  proceed  whatever  we  fuffer  for  it.     But  yet  as  the  Ma- 
giftrate  is  by  us  to  be  inftructed  and  guided  according  to  the  Word  of  God,  fo  we 
are  by  him  to  be  Commanded  and  punifned  if  we  offend.    And  therefore  we  ac- 
*  knowledge  it  his  Duty  to  command  us  to  Teach  and  Govern  the  Churches 
according  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  to  punilh  us  if  we  diibbey,  and  we  muft  fub- 
mit  to  fuch  commands  and  punifhments.    And  therefore  if  the  Parliament  fee  caufe 
to  make  any  Laws,  according  to  which  their  Judges  and  Officers  (hall   proceed 
in  punifhing  Minifters  for  Ma!e-adminiftration,  we  mall   not  difobey  them,  if 
agreeable  to  God's  Word  ;  if  not,  we  mall  obey  God,  and  patiently  iuffer  from 
them. 

2.  Seeing  there  is  very  much  difference  between  an  Infant  ftate  of  Church- 
Memberfhip  and  an  Adult ;.  one  being  but  imperfect  Members  in  comparifon  of 
the  other ;  and  one  being  admitted  on  the  Condition  they  be  but  the  Seed  of  the  Faith- 
ful, and  the  others  Title  having  another  Condition;,  even  a  Faith  or  Profeffion  of  their 
own ;  and  one  having  right  only  to  Infant  Priviledges,  and  not  to  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per and  other  parts  of  Communion  proper  to  the  Adult,  becaule  they  are  not  ca- 
pable of  it.  And  feeing  the  great  pollution  of  our  Churches,  and  much  of  our  Di- 
'  ihaction  in  Matters  of  Church-Order  is  from  the  carelefs,  unobferved,  irregular 
Tranfition  out  of  the  ftate  of  Infant  Membership  ,  into  the  ftate  of  Adult  Mem- 
berfhip;  every  ignorant  Man  almoft  taking  himfelf  for  an  Adult  Member,  be- 
caule by  Baptifm  he  was  made  an  Infant  Member ,  and  hath  cuftomarily 
been  prefent  at  Pubiick  Worfhip  :  Let  the  diftinction  therefore  between  In- 
fant Members  and  Adult  be  more  obferved  in  every  Parifh  ;  and  let  the 
Tranfition  out  of  the  one  ftate  into  the  other  be  more  fblemn  and  regular 
under  the  Judgment  of  the  Guides  of  the  Church  :  That  no  Perfon  may  be 
admitted  to  be  an  Adult  Member  but  by  the  Minifter  in  the  face  of  the  Con- 
gregation (ordinarily,)  afcer  a  Solemn  Profeffion  of  the  Faith,  Repentance,  and 
Relblution  for  a  Holy  Life,  of  the  Perfon  admitted  ;  to  which  there  muft  be  the 
preparation  of  Garechifing,  and  of  a  Converfation  that  contradicteth  not  the  Pro- 
feffion fo  made.  i.  This  was  the  Courfe  of  the  Ancient  Churches,  who  catechi- 
zed Children,  and  admitted  them  among  the  Confirmed  Members  by  Imposition 
of  Hands.  2.  The  Divines  of  the  Reformed  Churches  commonly  own  it,  and  wiih 
for  it  in  their  Writings.  ;.  The  Epifcopal  Divines  in  the  Rubrick  of  the  Common 
Prayer,  Ordained  that  none  fhould  be  admitted  to  the  Sacrament  till  after  Cate- 
chifing,  and  a  Certificate  under  trfe  Minifters  or  Curate's  hand,  he  were  confirm* 
ed  by  the  Biihop,  (  though  it  was  done  to  Rttle  purpofe  by  them).  4.  The  Pref- 
byterians  Examination  of  Men  before  the  Sacrament  intimateth  the  like.  y.  The 
Congregational  Men's  trial  of  particular  Church-Members  importeth  their  appro- 
bation of  this.  6.  The  Anabaptifts  by  going  farther,  do  feem  to  be  permitted  of 
God,  of  purpofe  to  awaken  us  tothis  Duty  ;  and  I  think  they  will  continue  to  be 
our  Scourge  till  this  be  done  j  and  this  will  half  fatisfle  fome  among  them  that  are  . 
moderate,  and  filence  many  Objections  of  the  reft.  3.  Let 


JP  a  a  t  I  J.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         i?5 

2.  Let  tlie  Minifters  appproved  by  the  State,  be  conftrained  to  Catechize,  and 
peribnally  inftrud,  and  publickly  preach  to  all  the  Perlbns  in  their  Parifhei  (  ac- 
cording to  their  ftrength  and  opportunity  )  in  order  to  prepare  fuch  as  are  willing 
to  learn,  for  an  Adult  ftateof  Chriftianity,  as  the  ancient  Churches  did  their  Ca~ 
tecbumeni.  And  let  the  young,  and  ignorant,and  ungodly  of  this  Rank,  be  compel- 
led by  fome  moderate  Penalty  to  hear  and  confer  with  the  Teachers,  and  be  in- 
ftrucled  and  catechized  by  them.  And  let  not  any  Minifters  be  fuffered  to  admi- 
nifter  the  Lords  Supper  to  any  that  have  not  been  admitted  (  as  aforefaid  upon  a 
Profeffion  of  Faith  and  Holinefs,)  into  the  number  of  Adult  Members. 

4.  Seeing  a  particular  Church  muft  confift  of  [Chriftians  cohabiting  and  con- 
fenting  ]  let  Parifhes  be  the  ordinary  Bounds  of  Churches,  lb  that  all  the  Adult 
Members  of  the  Univerfal  Church  (  and  no  other  at  Age  )  within  that  Paring 
who  do  content,  be  Members  of  that  particular  Church  (  into  which  they  are; 
firft  admitted,  or  whether  into  both  at  once,  we  need  not  determine)  :  And  if  a- 
ny  be  taken  out  of  other  adjoyning  Parifhes,  let  it  be  by  exception  from  the  com- 
mon Rule.  And  feeing  there  are  many  Cafes  in  which  Members  may  be  taken 
out  of  other. Parifhes,  the  Differences  thereabout  may  be  denied,  as  is  after  declared, 
Prof  8.  §  ir. 

y.  The  Paftorsof  particular  CI  lurches  have  power  to  Teach  and  Rule  thole 
Churches  according  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  People  are  bound  to  efteerri 
them,  love  them,  honour  them,  and  obey  them,  1  Tim.  j.  17.  1  TheJJ'.  5-.  12.  Htb. 
11.  7,  17.  Therefore  let  them  ufe  the  Power  of  Adminiftring  all  Congregational 
Woilnip,  and  the  Keys  for  Binding  and  Loofing  within  their  own  Congregations : 
And  Jet  it  be  granted  to  them  that  defireit ;  at  leaf!  for  Peace  and  Concord  fake^ 
that  they  be  not  forced  to  Subje&ion  to  any  pretending  to  a  Supsriour,  Governing 
Power,  befides  theMagiftrate. 

6.  As  particular  Chriftians  muft  hold  Communion  in  particular  Churches,  for 
the  Worfhip  ot  God  and  their  mutual  Edification  ;  fo  particular  Churches  muft  all 
hold  fuch  a  Correfpondency  and  Communion  with  one  another,  fb  far  as  their 
Capacity  extends,  as  molt  tendeth  to  the  Edification ,  Strengthening,  Peace  and 
Concord  of  them  all,  and  to  the  Publick  Profperity  and  the  Succefs  of  the  Gofpei 
among  them,  and  in  the  World.  The  whole  Church  being  one  Body,  muft  main- 
tain the  Union  and  Communion  of  the  Parts,  and  do  Gods  Work  in  the  greateft 
Concord  that  they  can,  and  with  the  bell  Advantages. 

7.  This  cannot  de  done  well  without  Meetings  to  thefe  Ends :  nor  thofe  Meet- 
ings be  improved  to  the  beft  advantage,  unlefs  the  Times  and  Places  be  fixed  and 
commonly  known  :  And  as  the  ufe  of  them  is  ordinary,  fo  the  AfTemblies  mould 
be  ordinary,  and  not  only  feldom  in  fbme  extraordinary  Cafes:  Nor  is  any  fort 
of  Men  fo  fit  to  manage  them  as  Minifters,  who  have  moft  Ability  and  Leifure, 
being  wholly  fet  apart  to  the  Work  of  the  Gofpei.  It  is  therefore  meet  that  there 
be  known  Times  and  Places  of  Meeting,  where  Minifters,  and  as  many  more  as 
the  Churches  mall  think  fit,  may  alfemble  ;  Every  Minifter  (  or  Church  )  accord- 
ing to  their  conveniency,  choofing  of  what  AfTociation  they  will  be;  which  or- 
dinarily they  fhould  frequent  :  and  which  mould  confift  of  fuch,  and  only  fuch, 
as  for  Piety,  Ability,  and  faichful  Diligence  are  fit  for  the  Miniftry  and  fuch  Com- 
munion. 

8.  It  it  be  the  Judgment  of  fbme  that  thefe  AfTemblies  have  a  Superior  govern- 
ing Power  over  the  particular  Paitors,  and  of  others,  that  they  are  only  for  Com- 
munion and  mutual  Affiitance,  they  fhall  either  keep  their  feveral  Opinions  to 
themfelves,  or  at  leaft,  having  profeffed  and  recorded  them,  fhall  continue  their 
Prefence  and  Afliftance  to  thofe  lower  ends  that  all  are  agreed  upon  :  Not  to  make 
new  Laws  for  the  Churches,  or  any  of  the  Members  of  the  AfTemblies,  to  bind 
by  a  ruling  Power  ;  but  to  confute,  and  advife,  and  agree ;  nor  yet  to  agree  upon 
things  unnecejj'ary ;  nor  lay  the  Churches  Unity  upon  fuch  ;  much  lefs  to  exercife  any 
magifterial  coerfive  Power  :  But,  i„  To  open  any  occurfent  difficult  Cafes  in  Do- 
ctrine or  Practice  ,  that  befal  any  particular  Church  or  Paftor,  wherein  they  need 
their  Brethrens  Advice.  2.  To  agree  upon  the  beft  and  profitableft  manner  of 
managing  the  Work  of  God  in  regard  of  undetermined  Circumftances,  in  cafes 
where  Uniformity  will  further  the  Work.  As  for  Example,  what  Tranliation  of 
Scripture  to  ufe,  what  Verfion  of  the  Pfalms  to  fing,  &c.  3.  To  communicate 
thofe  Affair  ol  the  Churches  that  are  of  common  concernment ;  to  give  notice  of 
fuch  as  one  Church  hath  excommunicated,  that  other  Churches  may  avoid  them, 
or  elfe  :.  may  have  Familiarity  with  ail  other  Chriftians  about  them,  and  been- 
11  e  them  as  Members,    and  fo  Excommunication  will  lofe  its  force  and 

C  c  z  mift 


i96  The  LIFE  of  the  Li  b.  I. 


mifs  of  its  Ends.  4.  To  maintain  perfonal  Unity  among  Minifters,  by  Familia- 
rity and  Correfpondency,  and  to  heal  Divisions,  and  Diffentions,  and  Eftrangi 
nefs;  and  cherifh  Brotherly -love.  j.  In  cafe  any  be  injurioufly  caft  out  or  any 
Neighbour-church  (  as  for  profeffing  ibund  Do&rine  againft.  iome  Errors  of  that 
Church,  or  the  like)  toconfultof  it,  that  we  may  not  alfb  injurioufly  exclude  him 
from  our  common  Communion.  6.  In  fuch  cafes  of  Error  or  Male-adrnirii frui- 
tion, to  admonifh  Neighbour  Minifters  and  Churches  j  as  alfb  in  cafe  of  any  Abufe 
of  their  Paftors,  or  choice  of  unfound,  heretical  or  ungodly  Paftors,  or  cherifhing 
Seducers  or  ungodly  Perfons  in  their  Churches,  or  negle&ing  Dilcipline,  or  fal- 
ing  to  loofenefs,  or  in  cafe  of  Scandals  among  them,  or  of  Offences  and  Divisions 
among  themfelves,  or  between  them  and  lbme  Neighbour-church,  or  many  the  like 
cafes,  the  Advice  and  Admonitions  of  the  Neighbour  allbciated  Pallors  fhouid  be 
directed  to  them  for  their  Recovery  ;  which  cafes  fingle  Minifters  cannot  fo  well 
be  informed  of,  nor  perform  their  Duty  with  fo  much  Advantage  as  the  Affociati- 
on  may.  7.  To  concur  in  fome  Admonitions  to  the  intra&able  and  incorrigible 
of  our  feveral  Parifhes,  that  they  that  will  not  hear  their  own  Teachers  through  any 
Prejudice,  may  be  prevailed  with  by  many  ;  and  to  ffrengthen  our  Hands  and  the 
Reputation  of  our  Doctrine  and  common  Duties  with  the  People,  by  our  Unity 
and  Concord.  8.  To  help  one  another,  but  efpecially  the  younger  fort  of  Mini- 
fters, to  whom  it  may  be  as  an  Academy  by  Conference,  Difputations,  and 
other  profitable  Exercifes  and  preaching  ( they  that  ordinarily  preach  have  need 
iometimes  to  hear  ,  and  to  have  a  Communication  from'  their  Brethrens 
Gifts,  as  well  as  the  People  have  from  them  ).  9.  Thofe  Vlinifters  that  fcruple 
cenfuring  any  Offender  without  the  confent  of  other  Minifters,  may  here  take 
their  confent  ;  and  young  Minifters  that  are  unskilful  in  managing  fuch  Works, 
may  take  Advice.  10.  We  may  here  agree  upon  the  fitteft  manner,  and  feafbn, 
and  perfons,  and  places,  in  our  helping  the  Congregations  that  are  ignorant,  ill- 
provided,  or  unprovided  of  Minifters,  or  dangeroufly  corrupted  ;  and  may  advife 
any  Neighbour  Churches  that  fend  to  us  to  help  them  to  a  fit  Minifter,  or  in  the 
like  cafes,  n.  Becaufe  it  isjmpoffible  to  enumerate  punctually  the  cafes  in  which 
it  is  lawful  to  take  Members  to  a  particular  Church,  out  of  another  Church  or  Pa- 
riih,  all  Churches  and  Paftors  (nail  give  an  account  of  any  fuch  Action  to  thefe 
AiTociations,  if  any  be  offended  with  them  :  Where  it  fhall  be  enquired,  whether 
the  Adion  be  difhonourable  to  God,  and  injurious  to  the  publick  Good  of  the 
Churches;  if  it  be  not,  the  Offence  is  removed  :  If  they  find  it  be,  the  Parties  of- 
fending are  to  be  admonifhed;  and  if  they  give  not  Satisfaction,  it  is  to  be  enqui- 
red whether  there  be  any  thing  in  the  Principles  and  manner  of  the  Action  that 
makes  it  an  intollerable  Offence  to  the  Churches  :  If  there  be>  then  after  fufficient 
Admonition  and  waiting,  the  Guilty,  if  impenitent,  are  to  be  caft  out  of  our 
common  Communion,  or  the  Churches  to  refolve  to  have  no  Chriftian  Commu- 
nion with  them.  But  if  there  be  no  fuch  heinous  intollerable  Ingredient,  we  muft 
be  content  only  to  admonifh  them,  and  difown  the  Sin,  and  continue  Communi- 
on with  them.  In  like  manner  if  any  Scandal  be  raifed  of  any  Brother  of  the  Af- 
fociation,  or  if  any  have  an  Accufation  againft  him,  we  muft  hear  them,  and  he 
muft  be  refponfible,  and  give  account  of  his  Ways ;  though  not  as  to  his  Go- 
vernors, yet  as  to  his  Brethren,  to  remove  Offence,  and  to  keep  clear  the  way  of 
holy  Communion.  12.  It  will  be  moil  regular,  and  avoid  the  hurt  of  the  Church- 
es, if  Ordination  of  Minifters  be  either  performed  by  thefe  Ajjemblies,  or  the  Minifters 
to  be  ordained  be  here  tried  and  approved,  and  the  Ordination  to  be  performed  in  the 
Church  to  which  he  is  ordained  by  fuch  as  they  appoint,  or  by  the  teaching  Elders 
of  that  Church  it  felf,  after  their  Approbation  of  the  Perfbn.  In  thefe  Twelve  Par- 
ticulars you  may  fee  whatufe  there  is  of  thefe  Mifterial  Affociations  and  Affem- 
blies,  without  medling  with  a  firperior  governing  Power  ;  and  how  great  Reafbn 
there  is  that  all  fbber,  godly,  peaceable  Minifters  fhouid  join  in  them  ;  even  for 
communion  of  Paftors  and  Churches,  and  the  promoting  of  our  common  Work 
and  Welfare. 

9.  Let  thefe  Affociations  chute  their  Prefidents  or  Moderators,  (  and  any  fit 
Name  by  which  they  will  call  him  )  and  determine  whether  he  fhall  be  pro  tempo- 
re}  or  how  long,  or  fixed  as  long  as  he  liveth  and  is  the  fitteft,  according  to  the 
Judgment  of  the  Minifters:  For  this  is  not  a  cafe  in  which  Men  can  be  forced  from 
their  Liberty :  And  if  any  will  lb  far  make  ufe  of  his  Advice,  as  to  be  guided  by 
him,  as  none  can  deny  him  that  Liberty  of  his  own  Mind,  fo  he  muft  not  feek  to 
bind  all  others  to  the  fame  Subjection  i  but  thofe  that  bring  themfelves  to  it  by  the 
fame  Eftimation  have  their  Liberty  as  he. 

10.  Though 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  j  97 


10.  Though  it  be  not  of  neceffity,  jet  would  it  be  of  great  con  veniency  and 
life,  if  the  Magiftrate  would  be  with  us,    or  appoint  ibme  Substitute  to  reprefqit 
him  in  all  our  Affemblies,    that  he  may  be  a  Witnels  of  our  Proceedings,  and  fee 
that  we  do  no  wrong  to  the  Commonwealth,  and  avoid  all  Sufpicions  that  may  be 
occafioned  by  Rumors  :  But  principally  that  he  may  lee  how  far  it  is  meet  for  him 
in  any  cafe  to  fecond   us  by  his  Power.    For  as  in  many  cafes  ckc  Power  of  rl 
Magiftrate  ought  to  be  uied  to  fecond  the  Miniftry  (  as  to  reftrain  Men  from  pub- 
lifting  damnable  Herefies,  from  diimrbing  the  Churches  Peace,  &c.)  lb  we  think 
it  a  vile  abufe  of  Magiftrates  to  require  them,  to  be  the  meer  Executioners  of 
our  Sentences,  and  to  punilh  Men  only  becaufe  we  have  Excommunicated  them 
before  he  know  the  juftneis  of  the  caufe.     As  the  Church  or  Minifters  arc  Judg- 
es, when  the  Queftion  is  [whether  fuch.  a  Man  is  to  be  avoided,  rejected,  or  excom- 
municated for  Herefie  or  any  Sin?  ]  iothe  Magiftrate  only  is  Judge  when  the  Que- 
if ion  is,  [  whether  he  be  to  be  corporally  puniihed  for  Herefie  or  any  Sin  ?  ]  and 
therefore  he  muft  know  the  caufa. 

11.  As  thole  Neighbour-Minilrers  that  live  at  convenient  Diftance  for  foch 
Communion,  ihouid  hold  fuch  Aflbciations  as  aforefaid,  ib  the  Communion  of 
Chriftiahs  and  Paftors  in  (pecial  being  to  be  extended  as  far  as  natural  and  moral  ca- 
pacity will  permit,  it  is  meet  that  there  be  for  more  extenfive  Communion,  lbme 
more  general  Affemblies  of  the  Minifters,  to  be  held  by  the  Delegates  oftbefe  Ai* 
foci^tions,  formatters  that  are  of  more  general  Concernment;  yea,  and  that  by 
Meflengers  and  Letters  we  hold  liich  correfpondency  with  the  Churches  of  Chrift 
abroad,  as  is  neceflary  to  promote  the  common  Caufe,  and  the  Love  and  Com- 
munion of  the  Saints. 

12.  lfthefe  Aflbciations  mould  attempt  any  thing  unjift  and  injurious  to  the 
Commonwealth,  or  a  corrupt  Majority  ihouid  grow  in  time  to  countenance  either 
Hereiy  or  Ungodlinels,o;  they  mould  by  Contentions  among  themielves  difturbthe 
Peace  of  the  Churches,  and  divide  them,  and  fall  a  railing  at,  or  excommunica- 
ting perfonattrly  one  another  ;  it  is  here  the  Magiftrates  Duty  to  interpofe,  and  re- 
prehend, and  coned  them,  and  difplace  the  unworthy,  and  let  all  in  joint  again 
by  Violence,  and  (ecure  the  Peace  of  Church  and  State.  And  neither  Pope,  pre- 
late, nor  Council  mould  rake  this  Work  upon  them  which  is  his.  And  therefore 
Magiftrates  ihouid  be  Wile  and  Holy,  and  fit  for  lb  great  a  Charge  as  they  un- 
dertake. 

It  muft  be  ft  ill  noted  that  all  this  was  -when  Dioce  fanes  -were  put  down,  and  few  faw  any 
probability  of  rtftoring  than,  and  many  religious  Perjons  dreaded  fuch  a  Refto- 
ration. 

§  50.  When  Cromwell's  Faction  were  making  him  Protector  ,  they  drew  up  a 
Thing  which  they  called  [  The  Government  of  England ,  &c.  I  Therein  they  de- 
termined that  all  ihouid  have  Liberty  or  free  Exerciie  of  their  Religion,  who  pro- 
ftjjed  Faith  in  God  by  Jeftts  Cbrttt}.  After  this  he  called  a  Parliame^,  which  Ex- 
iled this  Inftrument  of  Government ;  and  when  they  came  to  thofe  words  the 
Orthodox  Party  affirmed,  That  if  they  J^ake  de  re,  and  not  de  nomine  [_  Faith  in  God 
by  Jtjus  Chrifv  ]  could  contain  no  left  than  the  Fundamentals  of  Religion  :  whereupon  it 
was  purpoled  that  all  ihouid  have  a  due  meafure  of  Liberty  who  profefled  the  Fun- 
damentals. Hereupon  the  Committee  appointed  to  that  Bufinels  were  required  to 
nominate  certain  Divines  to  draw  up  in  terminis  the  Fundamentals  of  Religion  •  to 
be  as  a  Teft  in  this  Toleration.  The  Committee  being  about  Fourteen,  named  e- 
very  one  his  Man ;  The  Lord  Broghill  (  after  Earl  ofOrery,  and  Lord  Prefident  of 
Munfter,  and  one  of  his  Majefty's  Privy  Council  )  named  the  Primate  of  Ireland 
Archbiihop  Ufmr:  When  he  (  becaufe  of  his  Age  and  Unwillingneis  to  wrangle 
with  fuch  Men  as  were  to  join  with  him  )  had  refufed  the  Service,  the  Lord  Brog- 
hill nominated  me  in  his  Stead :  Whereupon  I  was  tent  for  up  to  London :  But  be- 
fore I  came  the  reft  had  begun  their  Work,  and  drawn  up  ibme  few  of  the  Pro- 
pofitions  which  they  called  Fundamentals :  The  Men  that  I  found  there  were,  Mr. 
Marflid,  Mr.  Reyner,  Dr.  Cheynell,  Dr.  Goodwin,  Dr.  Owen,  Mr.  Nyey  Mr.  Sydracb 
Sympfon,  Mr.  Fines,  Mr.  Manton^  and  Mr.  Jacomb. 

§  j  1,  I  knew  how  tickliih  a  Bufinefs  the  Enumeration  of  Fundamentals  was,  and 
of  what  very  ill  Confequence  it  would  be  if  it  were  ill  done ;  and  how  unlatisfa- 
&orily  that  Queftion  [  What  are  your  Fundamentals  ?  ]  is  ufually  anfwered  to  the 
Papifts.  My  own  Judgment  was  this,  that  we  muft  diftinguiih  between  the  Senfi 
(  or  matter  )  and  the  Words  5  and  that  it's  only  the  Senfi  that  is  primarily  and  pro- 
perly 


198  The  L  1  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 

perly  our  Fundamentals  :  and  the  Words  no  farther  than  as  they  are  needful  to  cx- 
prefs  that  Sence  to  others,  or  reprefent  it  to  our  own  Conception  :  that  the  Word 
[  Fundamentals']  being  Metaphorical  and  Ambiguous,  the  Word  [  Ejjentials~]  is 
much  fitter  ;  it  being  nothing  but  what  is  Ejjential,  or  Conftitutive  of  true  Religion, 
which  is  underftood  by  us  uiually  when  we  (peak  of  Fundamentals ;  that  quoad  rem 
there  is  no  more  Ejjential  or  Fundamental  in  Religion,  but  what  is  contained  in  our 
Baptifmal  Covenant,  [  I  believe  in  God  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghojl,  find  give  up  my 
[elf  in  Covenant  to  him,  renouncing  the  Flejl),  the  World  and  the  Devi!.]  He  that  doth 
this  truly  fhall  be  laved  $  Or  etfejincere  Covenanting  could  not  entitle  us  to  the  Blef- 
fings  of  the  Covenant :  And  therefore  it  is  that  the  Ancient  Church  held  that  all 
that  are  Baptized  duly  are  in  a  Juftified  State  of  Life ;  becaufs  all  that  fincerely 
give  up  themfelves  in  Covenant  to  God,  as  our  God  and  Father,  our  Redeemer 
and  Saviour,  our  Sanclifier  and  Comforter,  have  right  to  the  Bleffings  of  the  Co- 
venant. And  quoad  verba,  I  fuppofe  that  no  particular  Words  in  the  World  are 
Effentials  of  our  Religion  :  Otherwife  no  Man  could  befaved  without  the  Language 
which  thole  Words  belong  to  :  He  that  underftandeth  not  Credo  in  Deum,  may  be 
laved  if  he  believe  in  God:  Alfo  I  luppole  that  no  particular  Formula  of  Words  in 
any  or  all  Languages  is  Effential  to  our  Religion  :  for  he  that  expreffeth  his  Faith 
in  another  form  of  words,  of  the  fame  importance,  profeffeth  a  Saving  Faith. 
And  as  to  the  Ufe  of  a  Form  of  Words  to  exprels  our  Belief  of  the  ElTential,  it  is 
various,  and  therefore  the  Form  accordingly  is  variable.  If  it  be  to  teach  another 
what  is  the  Effence  of  Religion,  a  dull  hearer  muft  have  many  Words,  when  a  quick 
intelligent  Perlbn  by  few  Words  can  underltand  the  lame  thing.  [  I  believe  in  God 
the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  GboJl,~]  expreffeth  all  the  EjJ'entials  intelligibly,  to  him  that 
hath  learned  truly  to  underftand  the  meaning  of  thefe  Words  :  Eut  to  an  ignorant 
Man  a  large  plain  Catechilm  is  Ihort  enough  to  exprefs  the  fame  things.  But  as  to 
the  Ufe  of  Publick  Trofefions  of  Faith,  to  fatisfie  the  Church  for  the  Admittance  of 
Members,  or  to  fatisfie  other  Churches  to  hold  Communion  with  any  particular 
Church,  a  Form  of  Words  which  is  neither  obfeure  by  too  much  Concifenels,  nor 
Tedious  or  Tautological  by  a  needlels  Multiplication  of  Words,  I  take  to  be  the 
fitteft.  To  which  ends,  and  becaufethe  Ancient  Churches  had  once  a  happy  U- 
nion  on  thofe  Terms,  I  think  that  this  is  all  that  mould  be  required  of  any  Church 
or  Member  (  ordinarily  )  Co  be  profelied,  [  In  General  I  do  believe  all  that  is  con- 
tained in  the  Sacred  Canonical  Scriptures,  and  particularly  I  believe  all  explicitly  contained 
in  the  Ancient  Creed,  and  I  dejire  all  that  is  contained  in  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  I  refolve 
*  upon  Obedience  to  the  Ten  Commandments,  and  whatever  *elfe  I  can  learn  of  the  Will  of 
GodJ]  And  for  all  other  Points,  it  is  enough  to  prelerve  both  Truth  and  Peace, 
that  Men  promile  not  to  preach  again/l  them,  or  contradict  them,  though  they  Sub- 
fcribe  them  not. 

§  f  2.  Therefore  I  would  have  had  the  Brethren  to  have  offered  the  Parliament 
the  Creed,  Lord's  Prayer,  and  Decalogue  alone  as  our  Effentials   or  Fundamentals  ; 
which  at  leaft  contain  all  that  is  neceffary  to  Salvation  ,  and   hath  been  by  all  the 
Ancient  Churches  taken  for  the  Sum  of  their  Religion.     And  whereas  they   ftill 
laid,  [  A  Socinian  or  a  Papijl  will  Subfcribe  all  this  1  I  anfwered  them,  So  much  the 
better,  and  (b  much  the  fitter  it  is  to  be  the  Matter  of  our  Concord  :  But  if  you 
are   afraid  of  Communion  with   Papifis  and  Socinians,  it  muft  not  be  avoided  by 
making  a  new  Rule  or  Teft  of  Faith  which  they  will  not  Subfcribe  to,  or  by  for- 
cing others  to  Subfcribe  to  more  than  they  can  do,  but  by  calling  them  to  account 
whenever  in  Preaching  or  Writing  they  contradict  or  abufe  the  Truth  to  which 
they  have  ^ubferibed.    This  is  the  Work  of  Government :  And  we  muft  eot   think 
to  make  Laws  ierve  inftead  of 'Judgment  and  Execution  ;  nor  muft  we  make  new 
Laws  as  oft  as  Hereticks  will  mif  interpret  and  fubferibe  the  old  :  for  when  you  have 
put  in  all  tlie  Words  you  can  devife,  lbme  Hereticks  will  put  their  own  Sence  on 
chem,  and  Sublcribe  them  :  And  we  muft  not  blame  God  for  not  making  a  Law 
that  no  Man  can  mi/interpret  or  break,  and  think  to  make  fuch  a  one  our  leives,  be- 
caule  God  could  not  or  would  not.    Thefe  Prefumptions  and  Errours  have  divi- 
ded and  diftra&ed  .the  Chriftian   Churches,  and  one  would   think   Experience 
ihould  lave  us  from  them. 

§  $$.  But  the  Brethren  relblved  that  they  would  hold  on  the  way  which  they  had 
begun  :  And  though  ihey  were  honeft  and  competently  judicious  Men,  yet  thole 
that  managed  the  Bufinels,  did  want  the  Judgment  and  Accuratenefs  which  fuch  a 
Work  required,  (though  they  would  think  any  Man  fupercilious  that  Ihould  tell 
them  io  ):  And  the  tinclure  of  Faction  Ituck  lb  upon  their  Minds,  that  it  hindered 
their  Judgment.     The  great  doer  of  al!  that  worded  the  Articles  was  Dr.  Owen  : 

Mr. 


Part  If.  ReverendMr.  Richard  Baxter.         159 

Mr.  Nye,  and  Dr.  Goodwin  and  Mr.  Syd.Sympfon  were  his  Aflifrants ;  and  Dr.  Chey- 
nell  his  Scribe  :  Mr.  MarjhaU  (•&  iober  worthy  Man  )  did  fomething:  the  ielt 
( fbber  Orthodox  Men )  faid  little,  but  fuffead  the  Heat  of  the  reft  to  carry 
all.  \ 

$  £4-  When  I  law  they  would  not  change  their  Method,  I  hw  a!fb  that  mere 
was  nothing  for  me  and  others  of  my  Mind  to  do,  but  only  to  hinder  them  from 
-doing  harm,  and  trufting  in  their  own  Opinions  or  etude  Conceits,  among  our 
Fundamentals.  And  prefently  Dr.  Owen  in  extolling  the  Holy  Scriptures,  put  in 
that  £  That  no  Man  could  know  God  to  Salvation  by  any  other  means  ]  :  I  told  him, 
t^iat  this  was  neither  a  Fundamental  nor  a  Truth  :  and  that  if  among  the  Papifrs 
or  any  others  a  poor  Chriftian  fhould  believe  by  the  teaching  of  another,  without 
ever  knowing  that  there-is  a  Scripture,  he  fhould  bje  faved,  becaufe  it' is  promifed, 
that  whoever  believed  Jhould  Ife  faved.  He  faid  awhile,  That  there  could  be  no  other 
way  of  Saving  Revelation  of  Jefus  Chrift:  I  told  him  that  he  was  (avingly  reveal- 
ed by  Preaching  many  years  before  the  New  Teitament  was  written.  He  told  us 
that  the  Primitive  Church  was  bound  r*o  believe  no  more  from  the  Apoftles  but  what 
was  written  before  in  the  Old  Teframent,  and  proved  thence  :  I  told  him  that 
by  that  Affection  he  fiibverted  the  Chriftian  Church  and  Faith  :  r.  By  overthrow- 
ing the  Material,  2.  3nd  the  formal  Objecl  of  our  Faith,  or  the  medium  nec-ffary 
thereto.  1.  For  the  Matter,  it  is  not  in  the  Old  Teframent ,  [  That  this  Jefus  it 
the  Chrift ;  that  he  is  already  incarnate,  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghoft,  born  of  the  Virgin 
Mary,  fulfilled  the  Law,  fuffered,  was  crucified,  buried  and  roft  again }afcended  into  Hea- 
ven, and  is  there  at  the  right  hand  of  God  tn  our  Nature,  and  therein  inter ctdetb  for  the 
Cbureh  J  that  he  hath  injttt wed  the  Sacraments,  fent  hu  Affiles  ,  given  the  Hoiy  Ghoft  to 
them  to  direel  them  into  all  Truth,  &X\]  with  more  of  the  like.  2.  That  if  Chrift 
and  his  ApofHes  were  not  to  be  believed  forthe  Image  of  God  appearing  on  their 
Do&rine  ,  and  the  Divine  Attention  of  Miracles  confirming  it,  then  Mofes  and 
the  Prophets  were  not  for  thofe  Reafons  to  be  believed  :  And  contequently  not  fo  be 
believed  at  all;  for  there  was  no  reaibn  to  believe  vthem,  which  Chrift  alfb  gave  us 
not  lor  the  belief  of  him  and  his  Apoftlcs.  Attar  a  deal  of  wrangling  about  thefe 
Things,  becaufe  the  Doctor  was  the  hotter,  and  better  befriended  in  that  Affem- 
bly,  and  1  was -then  under  great  Weaknels<md  Soporous  or  Scotomatical  Ilnefs  of 
my  Head,  I  asked  their  leave  to  give  them  the  Reafons  of  my  Opinion  in  Wri- 
ting :  which  1  brought  in,  and  never  leceived  any  Anfwer  to  ir.  And  yet  if 
Mr.  Vines  (  who  came  but  feldom)  had  not  ftuck  to  me  when  he  was  there,  they 
Would  have  made  the  World  believe,  fas  iome  of  them  endeavoured)  that  I  was  Po- 
pifh,  and  pleaded  for  the  Sufficiency  of  Tradicion,to  Salvation, without  the  Scrip- 
ture. But  Bifhop  Ujher  wasof  tfee  fame  mind  with  me,  and  told  me,  that  he  had 
faid  the  fame  to  the  jefuits  Challenge,  Cip.  de  Tradit. 

§  5: 5".  Many  other  fuch  crude  and  unfbund  PafTages  (like  the  Savoy  Articles  of 
Jufiirication  after  put  into  the  Independant  Agreement  )  had  come  into  our  New 
Fundamentals :  And  all  becaufe  the  over-Ofthodox  Doctors,  Owen  and  Cbeynefl, 
took  it  to  be  their  Duty  in  all  their  Fundamentals  to  put  in  thofe  words,  which  (as 
they  (aid  J  did  obviate  the  Herelies  and  Errours  of  the  Divines:  Whenas  I  told 
them,  they  fhould  make  the  Rule  to  look  no  way  buc  ltrait  forward,  and  put  in 
their  Rejections  after  (  as  the  Synod  of  Dort  doth),  as  being  the  Contradictions  of  the 
Rule.  One  merry  paffage  I  remember  occafioned  laughter :  Mr.  Sympfon  cauled 
them  to  qjake  this  a  Fundamental,  That  [  He  that  aUowetb  himfelf  or  others  in  any 
known  (in,  cannot  be  faved  ].  I  pleaded  againft  the  word  [  allowed  1  :  and  told 
them  that  many  a  Thoufand  lived  in  wilful  fin,  which  they  could  not  be  faid  to 
[  allow  them/elves  ]  in,  but  confefled  it  to  b*fin;  and  went  on  againft  Conference, 
and  yet  were  impenitent,  and  in  aftate  of  Death  :  And  that  there  feemed  a  little 
contradiction  between  [  known  fin  ]  and  [  allowed  ]  ;  fo  far  as  a  Man  knoweth  that 
he  finneth,  he  doth  not  \allow\  that  is,  apptove  it..  Other  Exceptions  there  were ; 
but  they  would  have  their  way,  and  my  oppofition  to  any  thing  did  but  heighten 
their  Refblution  :  At  laft  I  told  therm  As  ftiff  as  they  were  in  their  opinion  and 
way,  I  would  force  them  with  one  word  to  change  or  blot  out  all  that  Fundamental 
I  urged  them  to  take  my  wager ;  .and  they  would  not  believe  me ,  but  marvelled 
what  I  meant :  I  told  them  that  the  Parliament  took  the  Independant  way  of  Se- 
paration to  be  a  fin  :  and  when  this  Article  came  before  them,  they  would  fay, 
By  our  Brethrens  own  Judgment  we  are  all  damned  Men,  if  we  allow  the 
Independants  or  any  other  Sectaries  in  their  fin.  They  gave  me  no  Anfwer,  but 
they  left  out  all  that  Fundamental.  The  Papers  which  I  gave  them  in  were 
thefe. 

[With- 


— ■— I  I  ,,!         1,111  I    1      ■■       -    II  I  ■■  —  I  i »  M»  I  i        .  .  ■  —.— ||         |  ■  . 

goo  The  LIFE  of  the  L  r  b.  I. 

[~  Without  the  Knowledge  of  whom  by  the  Revelation  of  Scripture,  there  is  no  Sal- 
vation. ~\ 

The  Words  [  by  the  Revelation  of  the  Scripture  ]  I  defired  might  be  either  here  left 
outjOr  changed  into  [  the  Revelation  of  the  Gofpel ;  ov3the  Word  ofQod.  ]  To  this  you 
will  not  confent,  becaufe  it  would  intimate  that  there,  may  be  another  co-ordinate 
way  of  Revealing  Chrift,  befides  the  written  Word  by  which  there  may  be  Salva- 
tion. I  cannot  fubferibe  to  the  Article  as  it  (lands  j  of  which  when  I  have  mew- 
ed the  point  of  our  Difference,  I  mail  give  you  my  Reafbns  : 

I.  Our  Difference  is  not  de  doBrina  tradita\  but  de  modo  tradendi :  For  I  have 
fully  acknowledged  that  there  is  no  Salvation  without  the  Knowledge  of  the  Ef- 
fentials  of  the  Chriftian  Faith.  2.  And  that  the  Light  of  Nature,  and  Cook  of  the 
Creatures  is  inefficient  hereunto  :  So  far  we  are  agreed  as  to  the  way  of  the  Reve- 
lation. 3.  Nor  do  I  doubt  of  the  full  Perfection  of  the  Scripture,  but  deteft  the 
Popifh  Doctrines  of  Traditions  or  unwritten  Verities  to  fupply  what  is  fuppoied 
to  be  wanting  in  the  Scripture,  as  if  it  were  but  a  part  of  God's  Word  for  the  re- 
vealing of  theie  fupernatural  things :  I  defired  rather  that  you  would  more  fully  cx- 
prefs  the  Scriptures  Perfection  and  Infallability.  4.  Nor  is  it  any  doubt  between 
'  us  whether  Men  mould  wait  for  farther  objective  Revelations  or  Additions  to*he 
written  Word,  or  whether  we  mould  condemn  the  Errors  of  the  Enthufiafts 
herein,  we  are  agreed  in  all  this.  5".  Nor  is  the  Queftion  de  Officio,  whether  it  be 
the  Duty  of  all  Men  to  look  out  after  the  written  Word,  as  iar  as  they  can,  and 
reft  in  it.  6.  Nor  is  the  Queftion  whether  the  Scripture  only  have  the  proper  Na- 
ture of  a  Rule  to  Judge  Controverfies  by-  7.  Nor  yet  whether  Scripture  be  of 
neceffity  to  the  Church  in  General.  {#  Nor  whether  it  be  neceffary  as  a  means  to 
the  Salvation  of  all  that  have  it.  9.  Nor  whether  it  be  the  only  iufficient  means  of 
fafe  keeping  and  propagating  the  whole  Truth  of  God,  which  is  neceffary  to  the 
Church.  10.  But  the  Queftion  is,  of  every  particular  Soul  on  Earth,  whether 
we  may  thus  affert  that  there  is  no  Salvation  for  them,  unlefs  they  know  Chrift  by 
the  Revelation  of  the  Scripture  :  And  I  cannot  affent  to  the  Article  for  thefe  Rea- 
fons ;  1.  It  feems  a  Snare  by  the  unmeet  Expreffions.  2.  We  cannot  be  certain  of 
the  Truth  of  it.  3.  It  is  not  of  (b  great  neceffity  as  that  all  mould  be  caft  out  of 
the  Miniftry,  though  in  other  things  Orthodox,  that  will  not  own  v.  4.  Much 
leis  is  it  a  Fundamental :  Nor  dare  I  judge  all  to  Damnation,  that  are  not  herein 
of  your  Opinion,  f.  Itfeemsto  me  to  be  injurious  to  Chriftianity  it  felf.  6.  And 
to  the  preient  intended  Reformation.  7.  And  to  the  Parliament.  8.  And  to  our 
felves. 

1.  For  theFirft  of  thefe  Reafons ;  It  is  confeffed  by  fome  here,  that  a  Man  may- 
be converted  by  the  Doctrine  of  the  Scripture,  before  he  know  the  Writings  or 
their  Authority,  and  that  you  intend  not  to  affert  that  the  divine  Authority  of 
the  Scripture  is  that  primum  credible^  which  muft  needs  be  believed  before  any 
Truth  therein  contained  can  be  favingly  believed.  And  it  is  thought  by  fome  that 
your  AlTertion  is  made  good  if  it  be  but  proved  that  all  faving  Revelation' that  is  bow 
in  the  World,  is  from  Scripture  originally,  and  fubordinate  to  it,  and  not  co  ordi- 
nate. But  the  obvious  Senfe  of  your  Words  will  feem  to  many  to  be  this,  that  the 
particular  Knowledge  of  that  Perfon  who  wili  be  faved,  muft  be  by  Scripture  Re- 
velation, as  the  objective  Caufe  or  Inftrument,  even  under  that  Confideration  ei- 
ther in  the  Mind  of  the. Speaker  or  Hearer,  or  both.  If  it  mould  befaid  that  the 
Revelation  which  converted  this  or  that  Sinner  did  arife  from  the  Scriptures  a  Thou- 
fand  Years  ago  :  But  hath  fince  been  taken  up  as  coming  another  way,  and  (b  there 
hath  been  an  Intermiffion  of  afcribing  it  to  the  Scripture,  as  to  thofe  Men  by 
whom  it  was  carried  down,  this  will  not  feem  to  agree  with  your  Expreffions. 
And  teeing  many  others  muft  be  Judges  of  your  Senie,  who  mail  have  Power  to 
trie  Minifters ;  hereby  you  enable  them  by  yotftobfeure  Expreffions,  to  wrong  the. 
Church,  opprefs  their  Brethren,  and  introduce  Errors :  And  fo  it  feems  you  frame 
a  Snare.  2.  And  you  will  put  every' poor  Chriftian  in  theie  Places  where Chrifts 
Faith  is  known  to  many  but  by  Verbal  Tradition,  into  an  Impoffibility  of  know- 
ing that  they  have  any  true  Faith,  becauie  they  cannot  know  that  it  came  from 
the  Scriptures. 

2.  That  we  are  not  certain  of  the  Truth  of  this  AlTertion,  nor  oan  I  be  Judge; 
1.  Becaufe  there  was  Salvation  from  Adam  to  Mofes  by  Tradition,  without  the 
written  Word  ;  and  there  was  a  confiderable  fpace  of  time  after  Chrift's  Attention 
before  the  Scriptures  of  the  New  Teftament  were  written  :    The  firft  Chriftians 

were 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         201 

__ — 1 m ■ 

were  favingly  called,  and  the  Churches  gathered  without  thife  Writings,  by  the 
preaching  of  the  Doctrine  which  is  now  contained  in  .them  :  And  though  that  »  : 
now  neceifary  to  the  Safety  of  the  Church  and  Truth,  which  was  not  16  neccUary 
when  the  Apoftles  were  prefent,  yet  it  is  unproved  that  there  is  more  neceifary  to 
theSalvacion  of  every  Soul  now  than  was  in  thofe  Days:  And  it  is  confiderable. 
that  it  was  not  only  the  preaching  of  the  Apoftles,  but  of  all  other  Publifhers  of 
the  Gofpel  in  thofe  Times  that  was  in  (fuo  genere  )  fufficient  for  Converfion  with- 
out Scripture  :  Yea,  and  to  the  Gentiles  that  knew  not  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
Teftament.  2.  If  there  be  no  Salvation  but  by  a  Scripture  Revelation  ;  then,  ei- 
ther becaufe  there  is  no  other  way  of  revealing  the  Marrow  of  the  Gofpel,  or  be- 
caufe  it  will  not  be  faving  in  another  way.  But  neither  of  thefe  can  be  proved 
true  :  (  Ergo  )  for  the  latter  :  1.  The  Word  of  God  and  Doctrine  of  his  Gofpel 
may  fave  if  revealed  (  fuppofing  other  Neceffaries  in  their  Kinds):  For  it  luf- 
ficeth  to  the  formal  Object  of  Faith,  that  it  be  veracitas  revelantis  •  and  to  the  ma, 
terial  Object,  that  it  be,  Hoc  verum  &  bonum  revelatum,  but  it  muff  be  truly  reve- 
latumt  though  not  by  Scripture.  Ergo  2.  God  hath  promifed  Salvation  to  all  thac 
truly  believe,  and  not  to  thofe  that  believe  only  by  Scripture-Revelation  ;  nor  hath 
he  any  where  told  us  that  he  will  annex  his  Spirits  help  to  no  other  Revelatioi  , 
2.  For  the  former,  [  That  there  u  now  in  the  World  no  other  way  of  revealing  the  Mar- 
row of  the  Gofpel  but  by  Scripture  or  from  it.  ]  1.  It  cannot  be  proved  by  Scripture,,. 
as  will  appear  when  your  Proofs  are  tryed.  2.  The  contrary  is  defended  by  moit 
learned  Proteff  ants. 

1.  A  Tracepto,  another  collateral  way  of  Revelation  is  commanded  by  God  ; 
Ergo  there's  another :     2.  From  certain  Hiftory  and  Experience  ;  which  fpeak  of 
the  Performance  of  thole  Commands ;  and  the  Infiances  they  give  of  both  are  thefe  ; 
1.  Minifters  are  commanded  to  preach  the  Gofpel  to  all  Nations  .before  it  was 
written,  and  a  Promife  annexed  that  Chrift  would  he  with  them  to  the  end  of  the 
World  :    In  Obedience  whereunto,    not  only  the  Apoftles,  but  Multitudes  more 
did  fb  preach  ;  which  was  by  delivering  the  great  Mafter- Verities  which  are  now 
in  the  written  Word  :  This  Command  is  not  reverft  by  the  writing  of  the  Word  ; 
And  therefore  is  ftill  a  Duty,  as  to  deliver  the    Gofpel  Doctrine  in  and  by  the 
Scripture,  fb  collaterally  to  preach  the  Subftance  of  that  Doctrine  as  delivered 
from  the  Mouth  of  Chrift:  and  his  Apoftles.     2.  Chrift  commanded  before  the  Go- 
fpel was  written  to  baptize  Men  into  the  Name  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghoft 
for  the  Pardon  of  Sin,  upon  repenting  and  believing  ;    and  for  the  hope  of  ever- 
Jafting  Glory  upon  a  holy  Life.     This  was  done1  accordingly  both  before  and  fince, 
the  writing  of  the  Gofpel :  And  fo  the  very  Sum  and  Kernel  of  the  Gofpel,  and  in- 
deed all  the  true  Fundamentals  and   Eftentials  of  the  Chriftian  Faith,   have  been 
moll  certainly  andconftantly  delivered  down  by  Baptifm  ;  as  a  collateral  way  di- 
ftinct  from  the  written  Word  ;    which  is  evident  in  the  very  Succeflionof  Chrifti- 
ans  to  this  Day.     ;.  Another  means  hath  been  by  Symbols,  called  Creeds  and  Ca- 
techifing  which  was  moiily  by  opening  the  Creeds :    As  Reverend  Bifhop  UJIier 
hath  manifefted  that  the  Weftern  Creed,  now  called  the  Apoftles  (wanting  two 
or  three  Claufes  that  now  are  in  it)  was  not  only  before  the  Nicene Creed;    but 
offuch  farther  Antiquity,  that  no  beginning  of  it  below  the  Apoftles  Days  can  be 
found  :  So  it  is  paft  doubt  that  in  other  Words  the  Churches  had  ftill  a  Symbol  or 
Sum  of  their  Belief,  which  was  the  Teft  of  the  Orthodox,  and  that  which  the  Ca- 
tccbumerii  were  to  be  inftructed  in.     Origen,  lertullian,  lrentem,  to  fpeak  of  none 
of  thefe  below  them,  do  mention  and  recite  them  :  The  Doctrine  of.  this  Creed 
they  affirm  themfelves  to  have  received  from  the  Apoiiles  by  verbal  Tradition,  as 
well  as  by  Writing.    This  then  hath  been  a  collateral  way  of  delivering  down  the 
faving  Truths  of  the  Gofpel ;  though  a  far  more  imperfect  way  than  by  the  Scrip- 
tures.   4.  Another  means  hath  been  by  Parents  teaching  thefe  Principles  to  their, 
Children,  which  as  they  were  commanded  to  do,  and  did  before  the  writing  of 
the  Gofpel  j  fodid  they  fucceflively  continue  it  as  a  collateral  way.     j.  Another 
collateral  means  was  in  the  conftant  ule  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  in  Commemorati- 
on of  Chrift's  Death  till  he  come  to  receive  us  to  Glory,  where  the  very  Sum  and 
all  the  Fundamentals  of  our  Religion  are  contained  j  which  hath  been  continued 
by  uninterrupted  Succeffion,  even  from  the  time  that  preceded  the  writing  of  the 
Scriptures,  it  is  therefore  conceived  poflible  for  fome  Souls  to-hi;  ..converted   in  . 
darker  parts  of  the  World  by  thefe  or  fome  of  thefe  means,  wiftiout  the  written 
Word.     3.  The  ancient  Doctors  of  the  Church  affirmed  that  they  had  their  Doctrine 
from  the  Apoftles  by  verbal  as  well  as  by  written  Tradition  ;    Yea,  and  that  if 
there  were  no  Scripture,  yet  Tradition  might  refolve  the  Doubts  againft  the  Here- 

D  d  ticks, 


202 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


ticks,  and  that  (  in  thoie  Days  which  were  nearer  the  Spring-Head  )  Tra  dition  was 
a  better  way  than  Scripture  to  confute  Hereticks,  as  Tertullian  de  Fr&jcnpt  at  large, 
and  Irenams  Words  are  well  known.  Whether  in  this  they  miflake  or  not,  I 
don't  determine  ;  yet  certainly  this  may  tell  us  that  we  cannot  conclude  that  there 
was  then  no  co-ordinate  way  of  delivering  down  the  Sum  of  Chriftian  Verity. 
4.  He  that  will  prove  your  negative  Affertion  muft  either  know  all  the  World,  and 
that  de  faBo,  there  is  among  them  no  fuch  Tradition  ;  or  elfe  muft  have  fbme  Re- 
velation from  God,  that  there  is  not  any  iiich,  nor  jfhall  be :  But  we  have  neither  of 
thefe  j  Ergo  we  cannot  certainly  conclude  it.  y.  We  fee  by  Experience  that  more 
in  fubftance  of  other  common  Precepts  and  Hiftory  can  be  delivered  down  to  Po- 
fterity  by  other  means,  without  formal  Records :  Ergo,  (6  may  thefe  :  For  though 
they  cannot  have  the  golden  Cabinet  of  Scripture,  but  from  the  Spirit ;  nor  with- 
out the  Spirit  can  Men  believe  :  Yet  the  Truths  may  be  remembred  and  delivered 
as  aforefaid.  6.  God  can  deliver  the  Marrow  of  the  Gofpel  by  other  means  than 
the  Writing  ;  and  he  hath  not  told  us  that  he  will  not :  Ergo,  for  ought  we  know 
he  doth.  7.  We  ought  not  ablblutely  to  exclude  extraordinary  means  when  God 
hath  not  tyed  himfelf  from  them :  It  is  a  dangerous  Sin  of  them  that  leave  the 
ordinary  means  and  look  out  for  extraordinary,  as  Spirit  of  Prophefy,  Angels,  &c. 
But  to  conclude,  that  God  will  never  reveal  Chrift  by  an  Angel,  to  one  that  hath 
not  the  Scripture,  is  more  than  we  may  do  :  I  know  not  therefore  why  it  is  that 
you  would  not  be  prevailed  with  io  much  as  to  add  the  Word  [  ordinarily  ]  when 
yet  it's  by  iome  affirmed  to  be  your  Senie  ;  and  by  all  that  it  is  your  Duty  to  deli- 
ver your  Senfe  as  plain  as  you  may  :  So  much  of  my  Reafons  againft  the  certainty 
of  the  Truth  of  your  Affertion. 

3.  I  next  add,  that  it  feems  not  a  Point  fo  weighty.,  as  to  caft  out  all  that  are 
different  from  us  in  this  Opinion.  My  Reafons  are,  1.  From  the  Nature  of  the 
Thing.  1.  It  hath  (b  much  to  be  faid  againft  the  very  Truth  of  it,  and  Co  is  doubt- 
ful. 2.  There  can  no  ill  Confequences  be  manifefted  to  rife  from  the  contrary 
Opinion  :  Much  lefs  fo  ill  as  to  deferve  fuch  a  Cenfure :  It  is  no  wrong  to  Scrip- 
ture that  there  is  a  more  imperfect  collateral  way  of  delivering  fome  part  of  the 
fame  Truths,  no  more  than  it  is  a  wrong  to  Scripture  that  the  Law  of  Nature  de- 
livers fome  other  Part  of  them.  2.  From  the  Perfons  that  were  of  the  Opinion 
contrary  to  your  Affertion ;  who  were  the  ancient  Doctors  of  the  Churches,  and 
many  of  the  moft  learned,  judicious,  and  godly  of  the  Reformed  Divines,  as  I  un- 
dertake to  manifeft  when  I  have  Opportunity,  and  it  is  neceflary.  For  my  own 
part,  if  it  were  only  my  felf  that  ftiould  be  caft  out  by  this  Engine,  I  fliould  fay  the 
lefs ;  but  as  I  know  not  how  many  Hundred  may  be  of  the  fame  Mind,  and  as  I 
think  it  to  be  the  moft  common  Judgment  of  Divines,  fo  I  know  fuch  here  among 
us  of  that  Mind,  with  whom  I  am  not  worthy  to  be  named,  who  would  not  fab- 
fcribe  to  this  your  Affertion  :  whereby  it  feems  to  me,  to  be  more  tollerable  to 
diflentfrom  you. 

4.  Seeing  you  have  voted  to  lay  down  only  Fundamentals  to  Salvation  firft : 
and  upon  that  Vote  have  put  this  as  one,  you  do  not  only  damn  all  that  believe 
any  other  way  than  by  the  written  Word  ;  but  you  damn  all  thofe  that  will  not 
damn  them,  by  owning  this  condemning  Article.  Now,  that  it  is  not  Funda* 
mental  appears ;  1.  In  that  the  Fathers  and  choiceft  reformed  Divines  were  elfe 
no  ChriiHans.  2.  No  Creed  of  the  ancient  Churches  did  contain  it.  3.  It  is  not 
of  neceflity  to  our  believing  on  Chrift  the  Foundation  :  A  Man  may  be  brought 
himfelf  by  the  Scripture  to  believe,  that  yet  thinks  another  may  believe  by  ver- 
bal Tradition.  4.  No  Scripture  doth  exprefly  ( no  not  implicitly  )  deliver  it ; 
much  lefs  as  a  Fundamental. 

5".  My  next  Reafon  was,  that  your  Affertion  and  Reafbn  are  injurious  to  the 
Chriftian  Caufe,  For  1 .  When  Gofpel  Truth  is  delivered  down  by  two  Hands  you 
wrong  it  when  you  cut  off"  one;  when  neither  is  needlefs.  2.  We  are  able  by 
other  ways  of  Proof  to  confute  thofe  Infidels  that  deny  the  Authority  of  Scripture  ; 
eipecially  when  they  tell  us,  that  we  cannot  prove  that  our  Doctrine  was  deliver- 
ed from  Chrift  and  his  Apoftles,  and  not  fince  devifed  or  corrupted  by  later  Hands. 
Now  you  Would  force  our  Arguments  out  of  our  Hands,  to  the  Advantage  of  the 
Enemy  :  Uj*tt5  the  Experience  of  fbme  late  Debates  with  fubtil  Apoftates,  now 
Infidels,  I  am  <an]d  with  Submiffion  to  fay,  that  I  would  not  for  all  the  World  fb 
wound  the  Chriffian  Caufe,  as  it  is  wounded  by  thoie  who  bereave  the  Scripture  of 
the  Advantage  of  other  Tradition  :  And  think  that  a  Bible  found  by  the  way,  by 
one  that  never  heard  of  it  hath  the  fame  Advantages  to  procure  Belief,  as  Scripture 
and  Scripture-Doctrine,  and  matters  of  Fact  delivered  to  us  by  the  Hand  of  certain 

Tradition. 


P  a  r  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  203 

Tradition.  And  3.  By  the  Reafonings  that  are  brought  againft  co-ordinate  Tra- 
dition,  you  will  invalidate  fubfervient  Tradition,  which  is  neceffary  to  convey 
the  very  Scriptures  from  the  Apoftles ;  altd  to  affui  e  us  that  thefe  are  all  the  fame 
Writings ;  and  not  corrupt;  and  which  is  the  Canonical  j  and  that  there  were  no 
more. 

6.  My  fixth  Reafon  againft  your  Aflcrtion  is,  That  it  feems  injurious  to  the 
Work  we  rpve  in  hand  :  For  1.  you  will  by  any  one  Errour  keep  or  caft  out  ma- 
ny godly  Men  from  the  Minifhy.  2.  You  will  harden  the  Libertines  when  they 
difcern  it.  ;.  And  you  will  do  more  to  introduce  an  Univerial  Toleration  than 
can  be  done  by  molt  other  Means  imaginable.  For  1.  One  flaw  found  in'  your 
Work,  may  caufe  it  to  be  caft  by.  2.  It  will  feem  a  potent  Reafon  for  fuch  To- 
leration, when  the   choiceft  Enemies  fhall  miftake  in  their  very  Fundamentals. 

3.  You  will  force  us  that  are  your  Brethren  to  petition  for  Liberty,  and  then  others 
will  think  that  they  may  come  in  at  the  lame  Gap. 

7.  I  added,  It  will  be  a  difhonour  to  the  Parliament.  1.  When  they  ihall  fend 
fo  hard  a  Work  abroad,  and  eftablifh  fuch  a  crooked  Rule  ;  if  they  thus  receive  it 
from  you:  if  they  reject  or  correct  it,  it  will  be  their  grief  to  fee  ourDivifion  and 
Miftake. 

8.  Laftly,  I  added,  That  it  will  be  much  to  our  own  difhonour.  For,  i.The  Par- 
liament will  exa&ly  fcan  in  and  no  doubt  difcover  the  Miftake.  And  2.  many 
too  curious  Eyes  will  examine  it,  and  what  a  reproach  will  it  be  to  us  to  be  the 
By-word  of  Gainfayers :  and  to  hear  that  fuch  cholen  Enemies  have  erred  in  their 
very  Fundamentals :  and  for  the  Papifts  to  infult  over  us,  and  fay  we  can  agree 
in  no  Confeffion,  and  know  not  yet  what  Religion  we  are  of :  And  withal  it 
may  bring  us  under  Jealoufies  with  others,  that  indeed  we  are  Friends  to  Univer- 
fal  Toleration,  and  made  fuch  flaws  in  our  Work  to  deftroy  it,  and  intended  to  un- 
do all  by  our  overdoing  or  mifdoing. 

I  fhould  not  have  prefumed  to  have  put  you  to  fo  much  trouble,  nor  have  made 
any  flop  in  your  Work,  when  the  difpatch  is  fo  defirable,  had  not  the  Conlequents 
of  Silence  feemed  to  me  fo  intollerable. 

I  only  add,  1. 1  dare  not  think  but  Scripture  is  fufficient  both  fop  Matter  and 
Words  to  afford  us  Fundamentals,  and  to  any  thing  Which  it  ipea%s,  I  am  ready 
to  fubferibe.  2.  1  dare  not  think  that  your  late  Reverend  AlTembly  hath  left  out 
the  very  Fundamentals  in  their  large  Confeflton,  to  which  in  this  Article  I  offered 
to  fubfcrible.  %.  I  dare  not  undertake  at  the  day  of  Judgment  to  juflifie  that 
Man  from  the  Charge  of  damnable  Infidelity,  who  hath  had  only  verbal  Tradi- 
tion of  Gods  Revelation ,  of  the  Sum  of  Chriltianity  :  as  if  this  did  not  make  his 
Infidelity  inexcufable,  becaufe  he  had  it  not  from  Scripture.  But  I  think  that  he 
fhall  be  damned  for  his  Infidelity,  who  believethnotin  Chrift  ,  if  he  have  all  other 
Means  befides  the  Scripture  to  help  him  to  believe. 

Ri.  Baxter. 

After  this  Paper  they  new  worded  the  Article :  which  occafioned  the  follow- 
ing Paper. 

The  Article. 

[  AH  the  means  of  Revealing  Jefus  Chris!  are  fubordinate  and  fubfervient  to  the  Holy 
Scriptures  ;  and  none  of  them  co-ordinate."] 

It  is  no  fmall  trouble  to  me  that  I  was  neceflttated  to  be  the  leaft  delay  to  your 
Proceedings,  by  reafon  of  my  uniatisfiednefs  with  the  former  Article  :  But  that 
after  our  Endeavours  for  a  Clofure  in  that  point,  and  when  we  thought  that  all 
had  been  brought  to  Agreement,  the  Matter  of  our  Difference  fhould  be  again 
received,  by  the  Addition  of  this  Article,  is  yet  a  greater  trouble  to  me.  Not  fo 
much  for  my  own  fake,  as  others :  left  it  fhould  offend  the  Parliament ,  and  open 
the  Mouths  of  our  Adverfaries,  that  we  cannot  our  felves  agree  in  Fundamentals : 
and  left  it  prove  an  occafion  for  others  to  fue  for  an  Univerfal  Toleration. 
■  I  am  unfatisfied  in  the  laft,  that  is,  the  Negative  Glaufe  of  this  Article,  as  I  was 
in  the  former  :  1.  As  to  the  Truth  of  it ,  and  2.  As  to  the  weight  of  it,  as  a  Teft 
lor  the  Minifters  thac  fhall  be  allowed  to  preach.  3.  And  as  to  the  Neceffity  of  ic 
to  Salvation  ,  as  a  Fundamental.  Concerning  the  firft ,  it  muft  be  remembred 
1.  That  you  fpeak  of  [  AH  means  ]  of  revealing  Chrift,  without  any  Exception , 

Dd  z  LI 


204 


TbeLIfE  of' the  Lib.  1. 

Limitation  or  Reftri&ion ;  no  not  To  much  as  (o  [  ordinary  ]  means,  nor  reftrain- 
ing  it  to  means  [fufficient  to  Salvation^  2.  That  you  deny  them  to  be  [co-ordinate] 
abiblutely  alfo,  without  any  diftin&ion ,  exception,  or  limitation.  3.  I  defire  it 
may  be  obferved,  that  I  am  not  my  felf  impofing  any  Terms  on  you,  or  offering 
the  Terms  [fubordinate  ]  or  any  other  to  be  put  into  (he  Article  ,  but  only  giving  a 
Reafon  why  I  cannot  fubfcribe  it  as  it  is ;  which  I  {hall  now  render,  having  pre- 
mifed  thefe  Obfervations :  i.The  word  [co-ordinate]  being  comprehensive  and  am- 
biguous, I  conceive  doth  among  others  contain  thefe  feveral  Sences  following : 

1.  As  the  Species  is  fubordinate  to  to  the  Genus.     2.  As  the  nearer  Caufes  in  the  iame 
rank  are  iiibordinate  to  the  higher  and  remote,  and  all  to  the  firft  Caufe  :  as  in 
Generation  the  nearer  Parents  to  the  remote.     3.  As  the  Means  are  fubordinate  to 
the  End,  in  order  thereto.    4.  As  the  lefs  worthy  is  fubordinate  to  the  more  wor- 
thy, in  degrees  of  Comparifon.    Many  other  common  Sences  I  now  pafs.     Thefe 
being  (  at  leaft  the  three  firft  )  common,  and  the  oppofed  Co-ordination  univer- 
fally  denied,  I  fee  no  Evidence  to  warrant  the  denial.     1.  In  the  firft  refped,  I 
conceive  that  Divine  Revelation  being  the  Gmus3  byword,   and  by  writing,  are 
diftinct  Species :  And  as  the  delivery  of  the  thing  revealed  is  the  Genus ,  (b  the  deli- 
very of  the  perfed  word  in  Scripture,  and  of  the  Sum  of  the  matter  in  Sacra- 
ments and  other  Means  forementioned,  are  diftincl;  Species.    2.  In  order  of  Effici- 
ency I  conceive  that  fome  Means  are  Supra- ordinate  to  Scripture,  and  fome  Co- 
ordinate and  Subordinate  in  feveral  Refpe&s,  and  fome  Subordinate   only  :  of 
which  I  {hall  give  Inftances  anon.     3.  In  order  to  the  nearer  End  5  thole  Means  are 
fubordinate  to  Scripture,which  are  fupra-ordinate  in  Efficiency  ;  and  fome  of  thofe 
which  aborigine  are  co-ordinate:  when  yet  in  order  to  the  more  remote  End  they 
are  co-ordinate.    4.  In  order  of  Dignity,  fome  Means  are  above  Scripture,   fome 
below  it.     For  Inftances  in  thefe  Cafes:   1.  Jefiis  Chrift  himfelf,  both  as  the  great 
Prophet  of  his  Church,  inditing  the  Scriptures  by  his  Spirit,  and  (ending   the  A- 
poftles,  and  ftill  {ending  Minifters,  and  owning  his  own  Word,   is  one  Means  of 
Revealing  himfelf  to  Mankind :  And  he  is  in  order  of  Efficiency  and  of  Dignity3 
above  the  Scripture,  but  fubordinate  as  to  the  End  which  is  near,  but  not  as  to  the 
ultimate  End.     2.  The  Holy  Ghoft  infpiring  the  Apoftles  is  a  Means  of  Revelation 
fupra-ordinate  to  the  Scripture  in  Efficiency,  and  Dignity:  And  the  Holy  Ghoft  as 
enabling  and  fending  forth  Paftors,  is  co-ordinate  in  Efficiency,  and  fubordinate  as 
to  one  of  the  nearer  Ends :  The  Holy  Ghoft  as  Illuminating  and  fo  Revealing  by 
the  Inftrumentality  of  the  Word,  is  in  Efficiency  and  Dignity  above  the  Word. 
3.  The  Apoftles  themfelves  were  in  order  of  Efficiency,  above  the  Writing  or  Let- 
ter of  the  Word,  though  in  order  of  Dignity  the  Scripture  is  above  them.     4.  The 
Miniftry  and  Teaching  of  Parents,  is  as  to  the  Original  both  fubordinate  to  Scrip- 
ture ,  as  commanded  by  it,  and  co  ordinate,  as  inftituted  and  enjoyned  before  it  by 
verbal  Precept ;  and  doth  ftill  acknowledge  this  double  obligation.     But   it  is  fub- 
ordinate to  Scripture  in  Dignity,  and  as  to  the  nearer  End.     $-.  The  fame  is  true 
of  Baptifm  and  other  Ordinances  mentioned  already.     6.  The   delivery  of  the 
Scriptures  down  to  our  hands,  1.  As  to  acquaint  us    with  the  Canonical   Books  j 

2.  And  that  thefe  are  all ;  3.  And  that  they  are  uncorrupted  in  Matters  ofmomenr, 
is  in  efficiency  a  co-ordinate  Means  of  Revelation ;  for  it  is  not  out  of  Scripture 
only  that  it  receiveth  its  force  :  but  as  to  the  End  and  the  Dignity,  it  is  fubordi- 
nate to  the  Scripture.  Thefe  things  feeming  thus  to  my  apprehenfion,  I  cannot 
yet  acknowledge  it  a  Truth,  that  no  Means  of  Revealing  Chrift  is  co  ordinate  with 
the  Scriptures. 

I  need  to  fay  no  more  to  theNeceffity  and  Fundamentality  than  I  faid  in  my 
laft  Paper. 

I  earnefily  crave  that  the  offering  of  thefe  Reafbns,  as  my  DifTent,  may  not  be 
offenilve  to  you  ;  feeing  I  apprehend  the  Cafe  to  impofe  on  me  a  Neceflity  ;  there 
being  no  Means  in  the  World  (that  I  remember  )  more  like  to  be  an  Engine  to 
tear  in  pieces  the  Church,  than  an  unfound  compofure  of  Fundamentals ;  1  mean, 
an  Impofing  of  thofe  Things  as  Fundamental  which  are  not  found;  whereby  the 
moft  deferring  may  be  cje&ed  from  the  Miniftry,  and  cenfured  to  Damnation.  We 
are  framing  a  Means  of  Union,  and  not  of  Divifion.  And  though  itgrieves  me  to 
be  offenfive  to  my  Brethren,  yet  had  I  rather  fiiffer  any  thing  in  the  World,  than 
be  guilty  of  putting  among  our  Fundamentals  one  word  that  is  not  true.  The 
Chriftian  Faith  hath  been  ever  the  fame  fince  the  Apoftles  days :  and  I  find  not 
that  ever  the  Churches  Fundamentals  contained  fuch  an  Article  as  this.  The 
Scripture,  nor  the  Affembly's  Confeflion  ,  have  none  fuch  that  1  know  of.  The 
word  [Co-ordinate]  is  lb  ambiguous,  that  it  is  unfit  to  lay  fo  great  a  ftrefi  upon  it, 

and 


■    *  , — , 

Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         205 


and  the  ufe  of  it  here  yet  more  perfwades  me,  that  it  had  been  better  for  us  to  ad- 
here to  Scripture  Terms. 

R.  B. 

§  j6.  At  laft  Twenty  of  their  Propofitions  were  printed  for  the  Parliament. 
But  the  Parliament  was  diitolved,  and  all  came  to  nothing,  and  that  Labour  was 
loft. 

§  57.  At  this  time  the  Lord  Brogbill  and  the  Earl  of  Warwick  brought  me  to 
Preach  before  Cromwell  the  Prote&or  (which  was  the  only  time  that  ever  I  preach  • 
ed  to  him,  fave  once  long  before,  when  he  was  an  inferiour  Man  among  other 
Auditors):  I  knew  not  which  way  to  provoke  him  better  to  his  Duty  than  by 
Preaching  on  i  Cer.  1. 10.  againft  the  Divifions  and  Diftra&ions  of  the  Church, 
and  (hewing  how  mifchievous  a  thing  it  was  for  Politicians  to  maintain  fjich  Di- 
vifions for  their  own  Ends,  that  they  might  fifli  in  troubled  waters,  and  keep  the 
Church  by  its  Divifions  in  a  (rate  of  Weaknefs,  left  it  fhould  be  able  to  offend 
them  :  and  to  (hew  the  Neceflity  and  Means  of  Union,  But  the  plainncfs  and 
nearnefe  I  heard  was  difpleafing  to  him,  and  his  Courtiers  ;  but  they  put  k 
up. 

§  y8.  A  while  after  Cromwell  ient  to  fpeak  with  me!  and  when  I  came,  in  the 
prefence  only  of  three  of  his  chief  Men,  he  began  a  long  and  tedious  Speech  to 
me  of  God's  Providence  in  the  Change  of  the  Government,  and  how  God  .had 
owned  it,  and  what  great  things  had  been  done  at  home  and  abroad  ,  in  the  Peace 
with  Spain  and  Holland,  &c.  When  he  had  wearied  us  all  with  fpeaking  thusflowly 
about  an  hour,I  told  him,It  was  too  great Condeicenfion  to  acquaint  meib  fully  with 
all  thefe  Matters  which  were  above  me,  but  I  told  him  that  we  took  our  Ancient 
Monarchy  to  be  a  Blefling,  and  not  an  Evil  to  the  Land,  and  humbly  craved  his 
Patience,  that  I  might  ask  him,  How  England  hid  ever  forfeited  that  Blefling,  and 
unto  whom  the  Forfeiture  was  made  ?  (  1  was  fain  to  fpeak  of  the  Species  of  Go- 
vernment only,  for  they  had  lately  made  it  Treafon  by  a  Law  to  Ipeak  for  the 
Perfon  of  the  King  ).  Upon  that  Queftion  he  was  awakened  into  fome  Paflion, 
and  told  me  it  was  no  Forfeiture,  but  God  had  Changed  it  as  pleafcd  him  ;  and 
then  he  let  fly  at  the  Parliament  (  which  thwarted  him  ) ;  and  ejpecially  by  name 
at  four  or  five  of  thofe  Members  which  were  my  chief  Acquaintance  ;  and  I  pre- 
fumed  to  defend  them  againft  his  Paffionj  and  thus  four  or  five  hours  were 
(pent. 

§  f  9.  A  few  days  after  he  fent  for  me  again  to  hear  my  Judgment  about  Liber, 
berty  of  Confcience  (which  he  pretended  to  be  moft  zealous  for )  before  almolt 
all  his  Privy  Council :  where  after  another  flow  tedious  Speech  of  his,  I  told  him 
a  little  of  my  Judgment :  And  when  two  of  his  Company  had  fpun  out  a  great 
deal  more  of  the  time,  in  fuch  like  tedious  ("but  meer  ignorant)  Speeches,  (ome 
four  or  five  hours  being  fpent,  I  told  him,  that  if  he  would  beat  the  labour  to  read 
it,  I  could  tell  him  more  of  my  mind  in  Writing  in  two  Sheets,  than  in  that  way 
of  Speaking  in  many  days :  and  that  I  had  a  Paper  on  that  Subjeft  by  me ,  writ- 
ten for  a  Friend,  which  if  he  would  perufe,  and  allow  for  the  change  of  the  Per- 
son, he  would  know  my  Senfe.  He  received  the  Paper  after,  but  I  fcarce  believe 
that  he  ever  read  it ;  for  I  law  that  what  he  learned  muft  be  from  himfelf ;  being 
more  difpofed  to  fpeak  many  hours,  than  to  hear  one  j  and  little  heeding  what 
another  (aid,  when  he  hadfpoken  himlelf. 

§  60.  While  I  lodged  at  the  Lord  Br$gbilht  a  certain  Peribn  was  importunate 
to  fpeak  with  me ,  Dr.  Nic.  Gibbon :  who  Shutting  the  Doors  on  us  that  there 
might  be  no  WitnefTes,  drew  forth  a  Scheme  of  Theology,  and  told  me  how 
long  a  Journey  he  had  once  taken  towards  me,  and  engaged  me  patiently  to  hear 
him  open  to  me  his  Scheme,  which  he  laid  was  the  very  thing  that  I  had  been  long 
groping  after ;  and  contained  the  only  Terms  and  Method  to  refolve  all  Doubts 
whatever  in  Divinity,  'and  unite  allChriftians  through  the  World:  And  there  was 
none  of  them  printed  but  what  he  kept  himlelf,  and  he  communicated  them  only 
to  fuch  as  were  prepared,  which  he  thought  I  was,  becaufe  I  was  1.  Searching, 
2.  Impartial,  and  3.  A  Lover  of  Method.  Ithankrhim,  and  heard  him  above  an 
hour  in  filence,  and  after  two  or  three  days  talk  with  him,  I  found  all  his  Frame 
( the  Contrivance  of  a  very  ftrong  Head-piece)  was  iecretly  and  cunningly  fitted 
to  ufher  in  a  Socinian  Popery,  Or  a  mixture  of  Popery  and  half  Socinianifm.  Bifliop 
UJher  had  before  occafionally  (poken  of  him  in  my  hearing  as  a  Socinian,  which 
caufed  me  to  hear  him  with  fufpiciona  but  I  heard  none  fuiped  him  of  Popery, 

thoiTRfo 


2o6~~^  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

though  I  found  that  it  was  that  which  was  the  end  of  his  Defign.  This  Jugler 
hath  this  Twenty  years  and  more  gone  up  2nd  down  thus  (ecretly,  and  alfb  tlwuft 
himfelf  into  places  of  Publick  Debate  ;  (  as  when  the  Bifhops  and  Divines  difputefl 
before  the  King  at  the  Ifle  of  Wight ,  &c.)  And  when  we  were  lately  offering  our 
Propofals  for  Concord  to  the  King,  he  thruft  in  among  us ;  till  I  was  fain  plainly 
to  detect  him  before  fome  of  the  Lords,  which  enraged  him,  and  he  denied  the 
words  which  in  fecret  he  had  fpokento  me!  And  many  Men  of  Parts  and  Learn- 
ing are  perverted  by  him. 

§61.  In  this  time  of  my  abode  at  the  Lord  BroghiU's ,  fell  out  all  the  Acquain- 
tance I  had  with  the  molt  Reverend  ,  Learned ,  Humble,  and  Pious  Primate  of 
Ireland,  Archbifhop  Ujher,  then  living  at  the  Earl  of  Peterborough's  Houfe  in  Mar- 
tins-Lane. Sometimes  he  came  to  me,  and  oft  1  went  to  him  :  And  Dr.  Kendal 
who  had  wrote  pettifhly  againft  me  about  Univerfal  Redemption,  and  the  Speci- 
fication of  Saving  Grace,  defired  me,  (  when  I  had  anfwered  one  of  his  Invectives, 
and  had  written  part  of  the  Anfwer  to  the  other  )  to  meet  him  at  Bifhop  UJher's 
Lodgings,  and  refer  the  matter  to  him  for  our  Reconciliation  and  future  Silence  : 
which  I  willingly  did,  and  when  the  Biihop  had  declared  his  Judgment  for  that 
Doftrine  of  Univerfal  Redemption  which  I  aflerted,  and  gloried  that  he  was  the 
Man  that  brought  Bifhop  Davenant  and  Dr  Vrefion  to  it,  he  perfwaded  us  fvvh'o  were 
both  willing)  to  Silence  for  the  time  to  come. 

§  62.  In  this  time  I  opened  to  Bifhop  Ujher  the  motions  of  Concord  which  I  had 
made  with  the  Epifcopal  Divines,  and  defired  his  Judgment  of  my  Terms,  which 
were  thefe  :  r.  That  every  Paftor  be  the  Governour  ,  as  well  as  the  Teacher  of 
his  Flock.  2.  In  thofe  Parilhes  that  have  more  Presbyters  than  one  ,  that  one  be 
the  Hated  Prefident.  3.  That  in  every  Market  Town,  or  ibme  fuch  meet  Divisi- 
ons, there  be  frequent  Aflemblies  of  Parochial  Paftors  alTociated  for  Concord  and 
mutual  Affiftancein  their  Work;  and  that  in  thefe  Meetings,  one  be  a  dated,  ('not 
a  temporary  Prefident).  4.  That  in  every  County  or  Diocefs  there  be  ^rery  year, 
or  half  year,  or  quarter,  an  Aflembly  of  all  the  Minifters  of  the  Count)?  or  Dio- 
cefs; and  that  they  alfb  have  their  fixed  Prefident ;  and  that  in  Ordination  nothing 
be  done  without  the  Prefident,  nor  in  matters  of  common  or  publick  concern- 
ment. 5*.  That  the  coercive  Power  or  Sword  be  medled  with  by  none  but  Magi- 
ftrates.  To  this  Senfe  were  my  Piopofals ;  which  (he  told  me  might  fuffice  for 
Peace  and  Unity  among  moderate  Men  :  But  when  he  had  offered  the  like  to  the 
King,  intemperate  Men  were  difpleafed  with  him,  and  they  were  then  rejected  ; 
but  afterward  would  have  been  accepted  :  And  fuch  Succefs  I  was  like  to  have. 
I  had  heard  of  his  Predictions  that  Popery  would  be  reftored  again  in  England  for  a 
fhort  time,  and  then  fall  for  ever.  And  asking  him  of  it,  he  pretended  to  me  no 
prophetical  Revelation  for  it,  to  himfelf,  but  only  his  Judgment  of  the  Senfe  of 
the  Apocalyps. 

§  63.  I  a>ked  him  alfo  his  Judgment  about  the  validity  of  Presbyters  Ordination  ; 
which  he  afferted,  and  told  me,  that  the  King  asked  him  at  the  Ifle  of  Wight, 
whereever  he  found  in  Antiquity  that  Presbyters  alone  ordained  any  ?  and  that  he 
anfwered,  I  can  fhew  your  Majefly  more,  even  where  Presbyters  alone  fucceflively 
ordained  Bifhops;  and  inftanced  in  Hieroms  Words  Epifi.  ad  Evagrium,  of  the 
Presbyters  of  Alexandria  chufing  and  making  their  own  Bifhops  from  the  Days  of 
Mark,  till  Heraclm  and  Dionyfius.  I  asked  him  alfo  whether  the  Paper  be  his  that  is 
called  [_  A  Reduction  of  Epifcopacy  to  the  Form  of  Synodical  Government "}  which  he 
owned  ;  and  Dr.  Bernard  after  witneffed  to  be  his. 

■  §  64.  And  of  his  own  Accord  he  told  me  confidently,  [  That  Synods  are  net  pro- 
perly for  Government,  but  for  Agreement  among  the  Vafiors ;  and  a  Synod  of  Bijlwps  art 
not  the  Governors  of  any  one  Bijlwp  there  prefent  ].  Though  no  doubt  but  every  Pa- 
ftor out  of  the  Synod,  being  a  Ruler  of  his  Flock,  a  Synod  of  fuch  Paftors  may 
there  exercife  Acts  of  Government  over  their  Flocks,  though  they  be  but  Acts  of 
Agreement  or  Contract  for  Concord  one  towards  another.  Quere>  If  the  whole  Sy- 
nod have  no  governing  Power  over  its  Members,  hath  the  Prefident  of  that  Synod 
any  «fua  talis  ? 

§  65".When  Oliver  Cromivel  was  dead,and  his  Son  almoft  as  fbon  pull'd  down  as  fet 
up  (or  upon  their  Tumults  voluntarily  refigned  their  Places)  the  Anabaptifts 
grew  infolent,  in  England  and  Ireland  ;  and  joining  with  their  Brethren  in  the  Ar- 
my, were  every  where  put  in  Power ;  and  thofe  of  them  that  before  lived  in  ibme 
feemingFriendlinefs  near  me  at  Be-wdley,  began  now  to  fhew  that  they  remem- 
bred  all  their  former  Provocations  ( by  my  publick  Difputation  with  Mr.  Tombes, 
and  writing  againft  them,  and  hindring  their  increafein  thofe  parts)    And  though 

they 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         207 

they  were  not  much  above  twenty  (Men  and  Women  )  near  us,  they  talkd  as  if 
they  had  been  Lords  of  the  World.  And  when  Sir  Henry  Vane  was  in  Power, 
and  forming  his  Draught  of  a  (  not  Free  but  )  Fanatick  Common-wealth,  and  Sir 
George  Booth"*  Riling  was  near,  and  the  look't  for  Oppofition,  they  laid  wait  upon 
the  Road  for  my  Letters,  and  intercepting  one  written  to  Major  Beake  of  Coventry, 
they  lent  it  up  to  Sir  Henry  Vane  to  London^  who  found  it  fo  warily  written,  though 
himfelf  was  mentioned  in  it,  that  he  could  have  nothing  againft  it ;  yet  fent  he  lor 
Major  Beake  to  London,  and  put  him  to  anfwer  it  at  the  Committee,  where,  by  ex- 
amination they  (ought  to  have  made  fbmething  of  it  j  but  after  many  Threatnings 
they  difmifled  him  :  This  was  the  Anabaptifts  Fidelity. 

$  66.  The  People  then  were  (b  apprehenfive  of  approaching  Mifery  and  Confufi- 
on  while  the  Fanaticks  were  Lords,  and  Vane  ruled  in  the  State  and  Lambert  in  the 
Army,  and  Fifth  Monarchy  Men  (  as  they  called  the  Millenaries)  and  Seekers,  and 
Anabaptifts  were  their  chief  Strength,that  the  Kings  old  Party  (called  then  the  Ca- 
valiers) and  the  Parliaments  Party  (called  the  Presbyterians)  did  iecretly  combine 
in  many  parts  of  the  Land  to  rife  all  at  once  and  iiappreG  thefe  iniblent  Ufurpers 
and  bring  in  the  King  :    Sir  Ralph  Clare  of  Ktdcrmwfhr,  acquainted  me  with  the 
intended  Rifing  j  ( the  lime  of  which  was,  that  the  Cavaliers  failing,  except  a  few 
at  Salisbury,  who  were  fuddenly  difperft  or  taken,    Sir  George  Booth,  and  Sir  Tko. 
Mtddleton,  two  old  Commanders  for  the  Parliament,  drew  together  an  Army  of 
about  yooo  Men,  and  took  Chefter,  and  there  being  no  other  to  divert  him,  Lam- 
bert came  againft  them,    and  fome  Independants  and  Anabaptifts  pi  the  Country 
joining  with  him,  his  old  Souldiers  quickly  routed  them  all,   and  Sir  George  Booth 
was  afterwards  taken  and  imprifoned)  :   I  told  Sir  ft.  Clare  that  if  the  Presbyterians 
and  Epifcopal  Men  had  but  before  come  to  fome  Agreement,  they  would  the  more 
unanimoufly  join  againft  the  Fanaticks  :    But  fince  the  War,  the  Diocefane  Party 
by  Dr.  Hammond's  means  was  gone  to  a  greater  Diftance,  and  grown  higher  than 
before,  and  denyed  the  very  being  of  the  Reformed  Churches  and  Miniftry  ;  and 
avoided  all  ways  of  Agreement  with  them,  but  by  an  abiblute  Submiffion  to  their 
Power  (as  the  Papifts  do  by  the  Proteftants  );  and  that  there  is  a  wonderous  dif- 
ference between  the  Caufe  of  the  one  Party  and  the  other  :    For  though  they  are 
born  equally  capable  of  Government  or  Subjection,  yet  all  that  the  Presbyterians 
(  for  the  moft  part  of  them  )  defire,  is  but  to  have  leave  to  worfhip  God,  and  guide 
their  Flocks  in  ways  of  Piety  and  Concord,  without  being  perfecuted  for  it.    And 
the  Prelatical  Mens  Caule  is,  that  they  may  be  the  Governors  of  all,  and  that  no 
Man  have  leave  to  ierve  God  but  as  they  piefcribe  to  him,   nor  to  rule  his  Flock 
but  as  ruled  by  them  :  Yea,  as  foon  as  a  Man  doth  but  fide  with  the  Men  of  that 
Opinion,  he  prelently  carryeth  it,  as  if  by  his  Opinion  he  had  acquired  a  right 
to  be  the  Governor  of  others  :    But  efpecially  I  told  him,  that  the  Number  of  the 
Ignorant  and  Scandalous  was  fo  great,   which  the  Diocefane  Party  would  reftore 
and  fet  up,    and  the  Number  of  the  godly  learned  able  Minifters  fo  great  which 
they  would  caft  out  and  filence>  that  we  look'd  on  it  as  theruine  of  the  Church  ; 
that  we  had  not  any  Animofity  againft  them  ;   that  we  defired  no  Man  mould  be 
hindred  in  his  Miniftry  for  any  thing  he  had  done  in  the  Wars  againft  the  Parlia- 
ment :  But  we  defired  that  the  People  might  have  faithful  Paftors,  and  not  drunk- 
en ignorant  Readers,    as  he  knew  in  this  Country  they  had  had :    And  that  every 
ceremonial  Difference  might  not  again  be  thought  a  fufficient  Reaibn  to  caft  out 
hundreds  of  the  ableft  Men,  and  put  in  fiich  insufficient  Perfons  in  their  fteads :  Per- 
lecution  and  the  Ruine  of  the  Miniftry  and  Churches  were  expected  by  moft,  if 
Prelacie  got  up  again  j  and  iffuch  leading  Men  as  Dr.  Hammond  would  but  before- 
hand come  to  Terms  of  fome  Moderation,  and  promife  to  endeavour  faithfully  to 
bring  things  to  that  pafs  as  now  fhould  be  thought  indifferent,  it  would  greatly  fa- 
cilitate Mens  Conjunction  againft  the  turbulent  Sectaries  and  Souldiers.     I  told  him 
he  had  long  lived  here  among  us,  and  faw  the  worft  of  us;  he  faw  that  our  private 
Meetings  were  only  in  due  Subordination  to  the  Publick,  and  that  they  were  only 
lpent  in  fuch  Actions  as  every  Chriftian  might  do  ( to  repeat  a  Sermon,  and  Pray, 
and  propofe  his  Doubts  to  his  Paftor,  and  fing  Pfalms )  and  not  to  any  Faction  or 
Sedition  ;  and  that  we  had  not  a  Sectary  in  the  Town,  but  were  all  of  a  Mind, 
and  walked  in  Humility,  and  Blamelefhefs,  and  Charity  toward  all ;   all  which  he 
did  freely  acknowledge  ;  and  I  asked  him  then,    whether  he  thought  we  were  fit 
to  be  endured  or  to  be  fuppreft?  And  whether  it  were  not  hard  that  Men  who  had 
prevailed  in  Arms  (  as  the  Parliaments  paft  had  done  )  mould  beg  but  for  Liber- 
ty to  live  quietly  by  them,  or  thofe  that  were  now  kept  under,  and  not  obtain  it. 
But  we  cared  little  for  this  as  ic  is  our  ownlntereft,  fo  thatthe  Soulsof  Men,  (even 

Thoufand  % 


2o8  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I, 

Thoufands  in  all  Countries)  might  not  be  injured  and  undone  by  an  ignorant  viti- 
ous  perfecuting  Miniftry. 

To  this  he  confidently  affirmed,  that  he,  being  moft  throughly  acquainted  with 
Dr.  Hammond,  who  received  Letters  from  Dr.  Morley  then  with  the  King,  could 
allure  me  that  all  Moderation  was  intended  ;  and  that  any  Epifcopacy  how  low 
foever  would  ferve  the  turn  and  be  accepted  :  And  a  bare  Presidency  in  Synods, 
fuch  as  Bifhop  Ujher  in  his  Reduction  did  require,  was  all  th;tt  was  intended ;  Yea, 
Bifhop  Hall's  way  of  Moderation  would  fuffice  ;  that  there  fhould  be  no  Lord  Bijhops, 
nor  fo  large  DioceiTes,  or  great  Revenues,  much  lefs  any  perfecuting  Power,  but 
that  the  Eflentials  of  Epifcopacy  was  all  that  was  expected  ;  that  no  godly  able 
Minifter  fhould  be  difplaced,  much  lefs  filenced,  nor  unworthy  Men  any  more  fet 
up,  that  there  fhould  be  no  Thoughts  of  Revenge  for  any  thing  paft ;  but  all  be 
equal. 

In  Conclufion  we  agreed  that  I  mould  make  fome  Propofals  to  Dr.  Hammond,  con- 
taining the  Terms  of  our  Agreement,  and  he  would  bring  them  to  him  (  for  he  li- 
ved but  feven  Miles  from  us  )  and  procure  me  an  Anlwer.  Whereupon  I  drew 
up  a  few  Propofals,  and  Sir  Ralph  Clare  fhortly  brought  me  back  an  Anfwer  to 
them  ;  by  which  I  faw  that  there  was  no  Agreement  that  way  to  be  made  :  For 
Dr.  Hammond  caft  all  the  Alterations  or  Abatements  upon  the  King  and  Parliament, 
when  as  the  thing  that  I  defired  of  him  was  but  to  promife  his  beft  Endeavours  to 
accomplifh  it,  by  perfuading  both  the  Clergy  and  the  Civil  Governors  to  do  their 
Parts.  Yet  I  muft  fay,  I  took  the  Death  of  Dr.  Hammond  (  who  died  juft  when 
the  King  came  in,  before  he  faw  him,  or. received  his  intended  Advancement) 
for  a  very  great  lofs ;  for  his  Piety  and  Wifclom  would  fure  have  hindred  much  of 
the  Violence  which  after  followed  :  I  wrote  him  a  Reply,  but  never  lent  it,  be- 
caufe  the  Tumults  prefently  interrupted  us.  The  Papers  on  both  fides,  were  thefe 
following : 


R.  Baxter'/  Propofah  fent  by  Sir  R.  Clare  to  Dr.  Hammond. 

Aving  premifed  the  Terms  on  which  the  Epifcopal  Presbyterian  andlndepen- 
dant,  &c.  may  maintain  a  Brotherly  Agreement,  in  cafe  the  Magi/irate 
gives  Liberty  to  them  all,  1  fhall  add  fbme  Propofitions  containing  thofe  things  that 
we  defire  the  Brethren  of  the  Epifcopal  way  will  grant  us,  as  neceffary  to  the 
Peace  of  thefa  Churches,  and  the  avoiding  of  Perfecution,  to  the  hindrance  of  the 
Gofpel,  in  cafe  the  Magiftrate  fhould  eftablifh  their  way. 

i.  We  defire  that  private  Chriftians  may  not  be  hindered  from  praying  in  their 
Families,  according  to  the  fenfe  of  their  Neceffities,  without  impofed  Forms  ;  nor 
from  reading  Scripture  and  good  Books,  catechifing  and  inftrudting  their  Families 
and  reftraining  them  from  dancing  and  other  Vanities,  which  would  withdraw/ 
them  from  holy  Exercifes  on  the  Lord's  Day :  And  that  Neighbours  be  not  hin- 
dred from  meeting  at  convenient  times  in  e"ach  others  Houfes,  to  edifie  themfelves 
by  Godly  Conference,  Reading,  repeating  Sermons,  Prayer,  finging  Pfalms ;  fo 
be  it  they  refufe  not  the  overfight  of  their  fauhful  Paftors  in  the  management 
hereof;  nor  fet  up  thefe  Meetings  in  Oppofition  to  the  publick  Aflernblies,  but 
in  due  Subordination  to  them;  and  be  refponfible  to  Governors  for  all  Mi£ 
carriages. 

2.  We  defire  that  the  ungodly  fort  of  People  may  not  be  fufTered  to  make  the 
ferious  practice  of  Godlinefs  an  open  Scorn,  or  to  deride  the  Practice  of  fuch  ho- 
ly Duties,  as  by  God,  and  our  Governors  weare  allowed  to  perform. 

3.  That  the  moft  able,  Godly,  faithful  Men  be  Pallors  of  the  Flocks;  and  the 
ia(ufficient,  ungodly,  negligent,  fcandalous,  and  Heretical  be  kept,  and  caft  out; 
the  Welfare  of  the  Church  confifting  fo  much  in  the  Quality  of  the  Paftors. 

4.  That  no  Paftors  be  forced  upon  the  Flocks  againft  their  Confent  ( the  Charch 
Governors  being  the  Approvers  and  Ordainers  and  fit  means  being  ufed  to  procure 
cheir  Confent)  though  meer  Teachers  may  be  forced  on  the  Ignorant^  Heretical, 
and  obftinate,  that  are  unmeet  for  Church-Communion. 

f.  That  the  Teachers  or  the  Parifhes  may  be  urged  to  catechife  the  People,  and 
peribnally  ( in  due  time  and  Place  )  to  conter  with  them  all,  and  inftruct  them  in 
the  Matters  of  Salvation  ;  and  all  the  People  may  be  urged  to  fubmit  thereunto. 

6.  That 


P  a#r  T  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  205 


6.  That  before  any  Perfon's  baptized  in  infancy  be  admitted  among  the  adult 
Members  of  the  Church,  to  their  holy  Communion  and  Priviledges,  they  make 
an  open  Profeffion  of  Faith  and  Holinefs,'  iuch  as  mail  be  approved  by  the  Paftor 
of  that  particular  Church  (  who  i\  refponfrole  if  he  deny  Approbation  unjuftly.  ) 
The  folemnity  of  Confirmation  we  leave  to  the  Wifdom  of  Church- Governors. 

7.  That  we  may  have  Liberty  in  the  Temples  to  aflemble  for  God's  Wor/hip, 
and  may  have  no  new  Wor/hip  and  Ordinances  or  iymbolical  myftical  Ceremo- 
nies enforced  on  us  againft  our  Confciences  :  And  that  fuch  as  dare  not  ufe  the 
Crofs,  Surplice,  or  kneeling  in  the  Ad  of  Receiving,  may  not  by  Penalties  be 
forced  to  them,  nor  therefore  denied  the  Exercife  of  the  Miniftry,  or  the  Com- 
munion of  the  Church ;  and  thofe  that  Scruple  theEnglim  Common  Prayer-Book 
may  have  leave  to  exercife  their  Miniftry  without  it ;  at  leaft  that  they  may  be  al- 
lowed the  ufe  of  a  Liturgy  to  be  drawn  up  in  Scripture  Words,  and  approved  by 
a  Synod  5  and  befides  that,  freely  to  pray  according  to  the  .variety  of  Occafions 
and  Subjects  which  they  preach  of,*  they  being  refponfible  to  their  Governors  for 
all  that  they  fay  and  do  amifs. 

8.  That  the  Paftors  of  each  Parifti-Church  may  have  Liberty  to  hear  Accufati- 
ons  of  Herefy  or  Scandal,  and  to  admonifti  the  Offenders  publickly,  that  hear  not 
private  Admonition ;  to  call  them  openly  to  Repent,  and  confefs  their  Sin,  and 
promife  Reformation,  to  abfolve  the  Penitent,  and  reje<5t  the  Impenitent,  requi- 
ring the  People  to  avoid  them.  But  yet,  if  you  require  that  no  Paftor  Ihould 
proceed  to  the  publick  admonifhing  and  reje&ing  any,  but  upon  the  Judgment  of 
the  next  Synod,  and  their  Prefident,  wefubmit  •  unlefs  (which  God  forbid)  they 
ihould  defend  Herefy  and  Wickednefs,  and  prohibit  Discipline, 

9.  That  the  Neighbour-Paftors  aflbciating  for  Union  and  Communion,  may 
hold  monthly  Synods  in  every  Market-Town,  having  a  Prefident  (  ftated  for  Life, 
unlefs  he  prove  unfit  )  :  And  that  the  Paftors  of  the  Particular  Churches  be  here' 
reiponfible  for  their  Do&rine  and  Pra&ice,  if  any  ihall  accufe  them.  And  that 
Cafes  about  Publick  Confirmation,  Admonitions,  or  Cenfures,  excepted  from 
the  Power  of  the  Paftors  of  the  particular  Churches  of  that  Aflbciation  may  be 
here  decided.  But  yet,  that  the  Prefident  and  Synod  may  not  be  forced  to  under- 
take the  fpecial  Charge  of  all  the  Souls  of  each  Congregation,  as  it  belongeth  to 
the  feveral  Paftors. 

10.  That  every  Quarter  (and  oftner,  if  the  Prefident  fee  caufe  )  there  may  be  a' 
Synod  of  all  the  Paftors  of  each  County  (  or  DiocefTes  if  that  may  not  be  grant- 
ed )  who  alfo  mail  have  a  ftated  Prefident  ( the  Name  we  leave  to  you)  who  fliall 
maintain  a,  more  general  Communion,  and  without  deftroying  the  Power  of  the 
particular  Vaftors,  or  lejfer  Synods,  fhall  receive  Appeals,  and  take  Cognizance  of 
iuch  Cafes  as  are  proper  to  them.  And  that  no  Prefident  of  greater  or  lefler  Sy- 
nods, ihall  ordain,  fufpend,  deprive,  or  excommunicate  any  Paftor  or  Deacon, 
without  the  Confent  of  the  Synod,  and  the  Prefence  of  iome  of  them  ,•  nor 
cenfure  the  Members  of  any  particular  Church,  without  the  Confent  of  the  Synocf 
or  of  the  Paftor  of  that  Church.  And  that  all  Prefidents  be  freely  choferi  by  the 
Synods  where  they  muft  prefide. 

ir.  That  National  Councils  may  confiftof  the  Prefidents  of  both  the  Diocefane 
and  inferior  Synods  •  or  elfe  of  the  Diocefane,  and  two  out  of  each  County,  free- 
ly chofen  by  the  Major  Vote  of  all  the  Paftors. 

H.  That  no  Subfcription  be  required  of  the  Paftors  to  any  thing  about  Religi- 
on, but  to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  the  ancient  Creeds,  and  to  the  necefTary  Arti- 
cles of  Faith  and  Pra&ice  expreft  in  Scripture  Terms,  and  to  the  Renunciation  of 
all  Herefies  contrary  thereto  :  And  that  in  the  Matter  of  the  Divine  Right  of  Pre- 
lacy, orSynodical  Government,  or  Ceremonies,  it  may  fuffice  that  we  are  refpon- 
fible for  any  Difobedience,  and  be  not  forced  tofubferibe  our  Approbation  ;  they 
being  not  Articles  of  Faith,  but  Points  of  Practice ;  and  if  you  fee  Caufe  to  re- 
ftrain  Men  from  Preaching  againji  any  other  controverted  Opinions,  they  may  not 
be  forced  to  approve  them. 

13.  That  no  Paftor  be  difplaced,  unlefs  for  Infufficiency,  Negligence  or  Scan- 
dal committed  within  two  Years  before  the  Accufation  j  or  unlefs  fome  able  God- 
ly, faithful  Paftor  prove  a  better  Title  to  the  Place. 

14.  Laftly,  That  Perfbns  Excommunicate,  may  not  be  punifhed  eo  Nomine,  be- 
csufe  Excommunicate,  by  corporal  Punifhments,  unlefs  it  be  by  disfranchifing, 
that  they  be  uncapable  of  Government,  or  of  choofing  Governors ;  feeing  the 
fame  Men  are  alfo  obnoxious  to  the  Laws  of  the  Land,  for  iuch  Grimes  as  the 
Laws  condemn,  notwithffcnding  their  Excommunication. 

E  e  Oft 


-y  in!    ■       '    '  "  '' -\ — ■ — 

210  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  L  i  $.  I. 

On  thefe  Terms  we  may  hold  a  Chriftian  Concord,  without  any  Danger  of 
Perfecution,  or  Breach  of  Charity,  or Pfcace,  if  the  Magiftrate  fhould  think  meet 
to  (ettle  Epifcopacy  :   as  we  may  on  the  forementioned  Terms,   while  the  prt 
Liberty  continueth. 

July   16J9. 


Dr.  Hammond/  Anftver. 

i.ITTH  A  T  concerns  private  Chriftiansin  their  own  Families,  will  I  fuppofe 
VV    eafily  be  granted,  care  being  taken  that  nothing  contrary  to  known  Law, 
be  attempted  under  Pretence  of  convening  for  Chriftian  Advantages. 

2.  What  concerns  the  Rectors  of  each  Parifh  in  the  Diicharge  of  the  Duty  by 
Law  committed  to  them,  there  can  be  no  doubt  of.  What  is  more  required  to  be 
intrufted  to  them,  being  now  by  Law  in  the  Bifhops  cannot  be  removed  without 
changing  the  Law  ;  which  muft  be  left  to  the  Law-Makers,  upon  due  Confidera- 
tion  of  Ancient,  Primitive  Pra&ice,  and  what  may  probably  moft  tend  to  Edifi- 
cation. 

3.  What  concerns  the  Obfervation  of  Ceremonies  by  Minifter  or  People,  by 
Law  efjablifhed,  muft  be  done  by  Tolleration  or  Exemption  from'Punifnments, 
allowed  to  tender  Confciences,  with  care  had  alfo  to  Uniformity. 

4.  The  Nomination  of  Perfons  to  Offices  in  the  Church,  muft  have  reipecl:  to 
to  the  lawful  right  of  Patrons,  unlefi  by  Law  fome  Change  be  thought  expedient  ' 
to  be  introducedherein. 

y.  If  the  Prefidents  of  inferior  Synods  are  to  have  Epifcopal  Power  in  Confirma- 
tion, Cenfures,  Ordination,  then  this  being  the  multiplying  of  Bifhops,  muft  be 
referred  to  the  Supreme  Power  to  judge  whether  all  things  confidered,  it  be  beft, 
or  whether  fome  larger  Dioceffes  being  divided,  fome  lefler  may  not  remain  as  they 
are.  But  if  inferior  Prefidents  be  not  vefted  with  Epifcopal  Power,  but  be  in  the 
Nature  of  our  rural  Deans,  or  of  Archdeacons,  the  ufe  of  them  and  their  Synods 
may  be  good,  with  Subordination  to  Bifhops  and  regulated  by  Laws. 

6.  If  there  be  Bifhops  in  the  Church,  fure  they  muft  have  the  fuperintendent 
Care ;  and  fo  Power  over  the  whole  Flock,  Presby ter.  s  and  People  j  yet  fo  that 
for  the  Exercife  of  it,  they  intruft  to  the  Re&or  of  each  Parifh  with  what  fhall  be 
found  neceifai  y  for  the  Souls  of  the  People  in  daily  Adminiftration. 

7.  I  cannot  thinkit  meetthatthe  59  Articles  whicfe  are  theHedge  between  us  and 
the  Papacy  fhould  be  removed,  and  Articles  in  bare  Scripture-terms  fubftituted  in 
their  room,  unlefs  by  this  means  (  the  Papacy  receding  alfo  )  an  univerfal  Peace 
might  be  hoped,  which  is  a  thing  beyond  our  Profped.  That  no  more  Articles  be 
added  to  clog  our  Communion,  is  very  reafbnable.  That  any  of  thefe  eftablifhed, 
are  excepted  againft  by  thofe,  in  Relation  to  whom  we  now  confider,  is  more 
than  I  have' heard. 

8.  For  the  not  removing  any  Minifter  but  upon  weighty  Caufe,  and  not  punifh- 
ing  Offenders  by  other  than  Ecclefiaftical  Cenfures,  leavingv  the  reft  to  the  Civil 
Magiftrate,  I  fee  no  matter  of  Debate  betwen  us. 


R.  B.\r  Reply. 

THE  Strictures  returned,  inftead  of  Abatements  for  Accommodation,  refer 
almoft  all  the  Matters  in  Difference  to  the  Civil  Magiftrate.  We  know  that 
whoever  is  in  pofleflion  of  the  Magiftracy  will, be  the  Judge  of  his  own  Actions, 
and  give  us  Laws  according  to  his  Judgment.  Our  Motion  is  not ,  for  Divines  to 
do  any  of  the  Magiff  rates  Work.  But  when  Magift rates  againft  Epifcopacy  are 
up,  we  would  have  Divines  endeavour  in  their  places,  to  draw  them  from  injuring 
the  Brethren  that  are  for  Epifcopacy  :  And  when  Magiftrates  that  are  for  Epifco- 
pacy are  up,  we  would  have  Divines  endeavour  in  their  places  to  draw  them  from 
injuring  the  Brethren  that  cannot  comply  with  it  any  liarer  than  on  the  fore-ex- 

^  .  preflfed 


— — — — — - — ; ; ■ . — . 

Part  11.     Reverend  Mr.  Kichard  Baxter.  211 

preffed  Terms.  And  that  the  Party  that  is  Hill  under  might  noc  be  lookt  uporJ; 
and  ufed  as  a  Sect,  and  Divtfion  might  not  be  cherilhed  among  us,  we  much  ra 
ther  defire  an  Accommodation  than  a  Toleration  :  that  we  may  be  hut  one  jfjouyj 
and  (lick  together  whatever  Changes  come.  To  this  end,  we  firft  defire  that  our 
Rule  for  Doctrine,  Difcipline  and  Wo/fhip,  be  fuch  as  may  fcive  for  an  Univer- 
sal Concord  :  and  next,  that  we  may  be  fecured  from  Encroachments  on  our  juft 
Liberty,  and  fuch  Impofitions  (  befides  of  above  the  Rule)  as  we  know  will  caufe 
Divifions  and  Perfections.  That  which  we  defire  to  thefe  Ends ,  from  the  Di- 
vines to  whom  we  offer  our  Propofals,  is  that  they  will  exprefs  their  own  Defire 
that  fo  much  may  be  granted  by  the  Magiftrate,  as  they  find  meet  to  be  granted  j 
and  agreeing  on  the  fitteft  Terms  among  themfelves,  will  profefs  and  promife  their 
faithful  Endeavours  in  their  Places  and  Capacities,  to  procure  the  Conceflion  and 
Approbation  of  thefe  Terms  from  the  Magiftrate.  And  this  any  fingle  perfon  may 
( to  prepare  for  a  further  Communication)  confider  of,  and  confent  unto,  viz.  to 
improve  his  Intereft  to  theie  Ends. 

Now  to  the  Particulars,  i.  We  defire  that  you  will  profefs  your  Judgment,  and 
promife  your  juft  Endeavours  in  your  place  that  (no  Laws']  may  be  made,  ("or  conti- 
nued) that  are  contrary  to  thefe  Chriftian  Duties  (and  I  know  of  none  fuch  ex- 
iftent) :  And  then  we  confent  that  all  Perfbns  be  refponftbk  for  their  Miscar- 
riages. 

2.  This  is  the  chief  of  our  Defires,  that  you  will  profefs  your  defire,  and  promife 
your  endeavour  in  your  place,  that  the  power  mentioned  in  the  eighth  Article, 
may  by  Law  be  granted  to  the  Reftors  of  each  Parilh;  we  fuppofe  that  their  Of- 
fice is  of  Divine  Inftitution  :  and  therefore  that  Magiftrates  may  not  change  it : 
what  is  by  Law  etfablifhed,  the  PoiTefTors  of  the  Government,  will  ftill  be  Judges 
of.  Did  we  believe  that  the  Paftors  of  particular  Churches  are  not  of  Divine  In- 
ftitution, unchangeable  by  Man  ;  or  that  Diocelan  Bifhops  could  exercife  Chrift's 
Difcipline  over  (b  many  hundred  Pariihes,  io  that  it  would  not  certainly  be  caft 
out  by  their  undertaking  it,  we  would  not  have  infilled  on  this  Article ,  but  yield 
that  Reffors fliatt never  Rule. 

;.  We  might  hope  that  the  Ceremonies  might  be  left  indifferent,  and  fb  there 
might  be  no  Divifions  about  them.  As  we  find  it  now  by  Experience  in  our  Af- 
femblies,  in  the  finging  of  Pfalms,  the  Gefture  is  left  indifferent,  and  there  is  no 
trouble  about  it :  So  in  many  places  the  Sacrament  Gefture  is  left  indifferent ;  and 
one  kneeleth,  and  another  ftandeth,  and  another  fitteth,  and  there  is  no  diftur- 
bance  about  it ;  but  Cuftom  having  taken  off  their  Prejudice,they  have  the  Charity 
to  bear  with  one  another.  And  fbme  Congregations  fing  one  Verfion  of  the  Pfalms 
and  (bme  another,  and  (though  Uniformity  in  that  be  much  more  defirable  than 
in  a  Croft,  or  Surplice,  or  Kneeling  at  Receiving  the  Eucharift,  yet)  there  is  nodi- 
fturbanceamoing  us  about  it.  And  when  our  Unity  is  not  laid  upon  our  Uniformity 
in  thefe  unnecelfary  things,  we  fhall  not  be  neceffitated  to  perfecute  one  another 
about  them,  nor  to  make  Seels  by  our  Toleration  of  Diffenters :  And  doubtlefs  if 
your  Toleration  be  of  all  that  profefs  Tendernefs  of  Confcience  in  thefe  Points, 
you  will  find  fuch  abundance  of  godly  Men  avoid  your  Ceremonies  and  accept  of 
your  Toleration,  that  you  will  think  your  felves  neceffitated  to  perfecute  them,  as 
diihonouring  you,  and  difeouraging  Uniformity  by  their  diffenr.  But  if  you  tole- 
rate forne,  and  not  others  that  can  lay  the  fame  claim  to  it,  your  partiality  wi.l 
quickly  break  all  into  pieces.  We  are  certain  that  leaving  thefe  unneceuary  things 
at  liberty,  to  be  ufed  only  by  thofe  that  will,  is  the  way  to  Unity  :  But  if  this 
cannot  be  attained,  we  fhall  be  glad  of  a  Toleration  in  our  Publick  Charges. 

4.  The  Patron's  Right  of  Nomination  may  be  preferved,  though  the  Commu- 
nicants have  their  Confent  preferved,  without  which  none  is  to  be  obtruded  on 
them  :  Thorgh  in  cafe  of  unrealbnable  refufalof  fitmen,much  means  may  be  ufed 
by  Church- Officers  and  Magiftrates  to  bring  them  to  confent :  But  how  cm  Peo- 
ple be  governed  in  the  Worftrip  of  God,  and  in  a  Holy  Life,  by  any  Paftor  with- 
out their  own  confent  2 

j.  The  multiplying  of  Bilnops  is  in  our  Account,  the  making  Difcipline  be- 
come poffible,  that  elfe  is  not  (  to  any  purpofe)  :  And  though  our  own  Judg- 
ment be  that  every  Parim  that  is  great  mould  have  a  Bi/hop  and  Presbytery  ;  yet 
we  yield  to  you  for  Concord  and  Peace,  that  there  be  a  Biihop  and  Presbytery  in 
every  Ciry»  that  is,  Corporation  or  Market-Town,  and  thefe  (  as  is  exprefled  in 
the  Articles)  to  have  one  in  every  County  or  Diocefs  to  whom  they  fhall  be  re- 
fponfible.  We  defire  only  the  profeffion  of  your  Confent  to  this  Change*'  and 
promife  of  your  promoting  it  in  your  place  by  jufl  means,  that  fo  our  Differences 

E  e  2  may . 


212  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

may  be  ended.  But  if  this  cannot  be  granted,  and  no  particular  Paftors  tolerated 
to  exercife  Difcipline  in  their  own  Parifhes,  but  all  muft  be  done  by  the  Bifhop 
and  his  Court,  we  muft  take  it  as  equipollent  to  this  Conclufion,  [  Difcipline  /hall 
be  caft  out  of  the  Churches  ]  :  And  then  we  have  no  hopes  of  the  healing  of  our 
Divifions,  orfatisfying  the  Defires  and  Consciences  of  multitudes  ol  Perfons,  truly 
fearing  God  :  And  if  we  may  not  have  Difcipline  to  promote  a  juft  Reformation 
of  Manners,  we  fliall  ftill  have  irregular  Attempts  of  Reformation. 

But  it  is  not  the  Name  that  we  infift  on ;  Call  them  Rural  Deans  or  Arch-Dea- 
cons, or  what  you  pleaie,  Co  be  it,  they  may  be  authorized  to  do  the  things  here 
defired  j  even  to  exercife  that  Difcipline  which  one  Bifhop  in  a  County  cannot  ex- 
ercife. 

6.  A  General  Care  is  one  thing,  and  the  Special  Charge  of  the  particular  Paftor  is 
another.  The  former  extendeth  no  further  than  to  overfee  the  particular  Paftors, 
and  to  receive  Appeals  in  extraordinary  Cafes  from  any  of  the  People  j  and  to 
teach  them  in  courfe,  while  as  Viiltors  they  pals  from  one  Parifli  to  another,  and 
in  the  fame  manner  to  adminifter  Sacraments,  and  perfonally  exercile  Pariih  Dif- 
cipline :  But  the  Special  Charge  containeth  an  Obligation  to  watch  over  each  parti- 
cular Perlbn  in  an  ordinary  teaching  them,  publickly  and  privately,  as  they  have 
occafion  and  opportunity,  and  plucking  up  all  Weeds  of  Herefie  and  Profanenefc, 
that  fhall  fpring  up  among  them ,  refblving  Doubts,  convincing  Gainfayers,  and 
ordinarily  guiding  them  in  Publick  Worfhip,  calling  the  Offenders  to  Penitence, 
and  abfolving  the  Penitent,  and  binding  over  the  Impenitent  to  the  Judgment  Seat 
of  Chrift,  and  requiring  the  People  to  avoid  them.  If  you  impole  on  every  Dio- 
cefan  Bifhop  (  befides  the  fore-defcribed  General  Care)  this  Special  Charge  over 
every  Soul,  as  every  Paftor  of  a  particular  Church  hath,  you  will  take  an  effectual 
Courfe  to  keep  the  moft  pious ,  modeft ,  and  thoughtful  Perfons  out  of  that 
rank. 

And  your  Phrafe  of  [  Intrufting  lb  much  as  is  found  neceflary  in  the  hands  of 
the  Rector  of  each  Parifh  ]  feemeth  to  intimate  that  you  take  thofe  Rectors  not 
only  for  Men  of  a  diftinct  Order  or  Office,  from  the  Bifhops,  but  alfo  of  an  Of- 
fice that  it  is  not  of  Divine  Inftitution  ,  and  delcribed  by  God,  but  of  Hu- 
mane Inftitution,  and  left  to  the  Bi (hop's  Difcretion  what  it  fhall  be,  and 
how  much  power  fuch  fliall  have,  and  that  they  are  to  be  intruded  with 
it  from  the  Bilhops  (as  the  Italians  in  Concil.  Trident,  would  have  had  the  Bifhops  to 
have  theirs  from  the  Pope).  If  this  be  your  meaning,  it  will  not  reconcile.  If 
it  be  not,  then  the  Rectors  of  each  Parifh  may  know  their  Office  from  the  Holy 
Scripture,  and  receive  it  asfiom  Chrift,  who  hath  inftituted  it3and  entrufted  them 
with  if. 

7.  We  defire  the  Scripture-Confeflion  but  to  the  Extent  and  Securing  of  our 
Peace  and  Concord.  If  Papifts  would  agree  upon  fuch  a  Confeffion,  yea  on  a 
Subfcription  to  the  whole  Scripture,  we  fhould  rejoice :  But  they  cannot  do  it , 
without  ceafing  to  be  Papifts.  And  many  may  rife  up  among  our  felves  that  may 
Icruple  fbme  words  in  the  39  Articles,  that  are  not  fit  ergo  to  be  perfecuted  and  caft 
out  of  the  Church  (  as  Mr.  Cbittingworttis  Inftance  proves)  :  1.  As  he  that  fhould 
fcruple  fbme  one  word  (  of  no  great  weight )  in  Athanajisus  Creed,  contrary  to 
Art.  8.  2  Or  the  abfblute  Exclufion  of  Works  in  the  Article  of  Juftification,  Art.it. 
3.  Or  the  difpleafingnefs  and  finfulnefs  of  Works  before  Faith,  and  their  not  ma- 
king Men  meet  to  receive  Grace,  Art.i  3.  4.  And  that  voluntary  Works ,  befides 
or  above  God's  Commandments,  cannot  be  taught  without  Arrogancy  and  Impie- 
ty (vide  Annot.  Dr.  H.  H.  in  1  Cor.  9.  16, 17.  )  Art.  14.  y.  If  any  think  that  the 
Virgin  Mary,  or  Infants  offended  not  in  many  things,  Art.  15-.]  We  queftion  whe- 
ther it  be  according  to  the  Ancient  Simplicity  or  Charity,  to  caft  out  all  thefe  from 
our  Churches.  6.  And  what  if  Dr.  Taylor  and  many  others  cannot  Subfcribe  to 
Art.  9.  and  2.  7.  And  if  a  Man  believe  not  that  [  by  good  Works  a  lively  Faith 
mavr  be  as  evidently  known,  as  a  Tree  difcerned  by  theFruit],  fhould  he  be  pre- 
fently  caft  out  ?  Art.  12.  8.  The  2r  Art.  concludeth  that  [General  Councils  may 
not  be  gathered  together  without  the  Commandment  and  Will  of  Princes  ] ;  and 
lbme  think  it  may  as  well  befaid,  that  we  may  not  meet  for  Publick  Worfhip  with- 
out their  Command  and  Will;  and  that  this  proveth,  that  there  never  was  a  Gene- 
ral Council,  nor  ever  will  be  ;  becaufe  the  Princes  (  Infidels  and  Chriftians )  in 
whole  Dominions  the  Bifhops  live,  never  did,  or  will  generally  Confent  to  have 
their  Subjects  go  to  a  General  Council.  9.  The  31ft  Art.  concludeth  [that  there 
is  none  oilier  Satisfaction  for  Sin,  but  Chrifts  alone]  :  which  many  befide  Grotius 
do  contradict.    10.  Many  dare  not  Subfcribe  to  the  34th  Art.  without  reftriction# 

1 1. Many* 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         213 

11.  Many  good  Men  dare  not  fo  fully  approve  of  all  the  Homilies  as  Art.%$  doth. 

12.  Many  have  refuted  Subicription  becauie  of  Art.  ;6,  it  being  hard  fb  far  to  ju- 
ftifie  every  word  infuch  Humane  Writings  as  the  Book  of  Conlecration  is.  Now  it 
feems  againft  our  Unity,  to  make  fuch  a  Tell  of  it,  as  all  Perfons  tolerable  cannot 
agree  in.  And  it  feems  contrary  to  the  Ancient  Simplicity,  which  required  no  Or 
ther  Teft  than  the  Scriptures  and  the  Creeds.  And  it  hardeneth  the  Papifts  to  call 
on  us  to  prove  a  Succeffion  of  Proteftants  from  the  firft  Ages,  that  is,  of  Men  that 
have  held  all  the  39  Articles. 

But  yet  we  highly  value  the  39  Articles  as  (bund  and  moderate,  and  if  we  can 
procure  no  nearer  a  recourle  to  Scripture  and  Ancient  Simplicity,  we  mail  cheer- 
fully fubmit  to  the  39  Articles  j  if  the  Doctrine  of  Bifliops  and  Ceremonies,  might 
be  left  out,  as  Matters  of  Practice  and  not  of  Faith,  as  long  as  we  are  refponfible 
for  any  Di (obedience.  And  it's  hard  if  fuch  things  muft  be  Subfcribcd,  as  of  Ne- 
ceflity  to  our  Church  Communion,  or  Mini  (fry. 

And  that  thefe  have  been  excepted  againft  by  the  Old  Nonconformifts,I  (uppofe 
you  know. 

And  if  you  could  be  content  with  a  Scripture  Confeffion  if  Rome  would  yield 
to  it,  why  mould  you  deny  to  your  Brethren  at  home ,  that  which  you  would 
grant  the  Romanifts,  and  therefore  confefs  you  may  lawfully  grant  ?  Let  us  lay 
down  fuch  a  Rule  of  Concord,  as  is  fit  for  all  to  yield  to,  and  then  leave  all  to  ac- 
cept it  as  they  pleafe  ;  and  (o  they  cannot  blame  our  Religion,  nor  maintain  their 
Alienation  :  But  if  we  will  not  be  content  with  a  Rule  that's  fitted  for  Univerfal 
Concord,  we  keep  Men  from  it. 

And  feeing  you  now  fay,  It's  reafbnable  that  we  be  clog'd  with  no  more  ]  why 
might  not  the  fame  have  been  faid  of  fome  of  the  fore- mentioned  Paflages,  if  they 
had  been  lefc  out  ? 

8.  But  the  Doubt  is,  Whether  you  will  allow  the  Title  of  the  Minifters  now  in 
poiTeflion  (except  as  before  excepted),  or  whether  you  will  rather  judge  all  their 
Titles  void  that  were  not  Ordained  by  Diocefan  Bimops. 

Laft ly,  We  defire  to  know  whether  all  the  reft,  not  touched  on  and  excepted 
againft  in  thefe  Notes,  have  your  Content :  (  as  that  Bifliops  be  chofen  by  the 
whole  Clergy  ,  and  Ordain  not  ,  and  Cenfure  not  ,  without  their  Synods, 
&c. 

O  how  eafie  were  a  Peace  on  thefe  Terms !  how  eafily  and  fafely  might  you 
grant  them,  without  any  wrong  to  your  Confciences,  or  the  Church?  Yea,  to  its 
exceeding  benefit !  How  lowd  do  our  Miieries  cry  for  fuch  a  Cure!  How  long  hath 
it  been  neglected  ! 

If  there  be  any  more  than  what  is  here  granted  by  us,  that  you  think  neceflary 
for  us  to  yield  toon  our  parts,  we  (hall  gladly  revive  your  Demands,  and  yield  for 
Peace  as  far  as  is  poflible,  without  forfaking  our  Confciences :  And  what  (nail  be 
agreed  on,  we  (hall  promifc  faithfully  to  endeavour  in  our  places,  that  the  Magi- 
ftrate  may  confent  to  it. 

The  inclofing  Paper  fignified  a  readinefs  to  yield  to  an  Agreement ,  on  the  pri- 
mitive Simplicity  of  Do&rine,  Difcipline  and  Worfhip :  as  Dr.  HeyUn  alfo  doth* 
We  are  agreed,  and  yet  never  the  nearer  an  Agreement:  O  that  you  would  (land 
to  this  in  the  Particulars !  We  crave  no  more. 

Q.  1.  Did  the  Primitive  Church  require  Subfcription  to  all  in  our  39  Articles,  or  to  any 
more  than  the  words  of  Scripture,  and  the  Ancient  Creeds,  in  order  to  Mens  Church-Com- 
munion and  Liberty  ?  Were  fuch  Volumes  as  our  Homilies  then  to  be  fubferibed  to  ? 

Q^2.  Were  any  required  as  necejjary  to  their  Miniftry  in  the  Primitive  Times,  to  Sub- 
fcribe  to  the  Divine  Right  of  Diocefan  Prelacy,  and  promife  or  fwear  Obedience  to  fuch  ?  Or 
t»  Subfertbe  to  all  that  is  contained  in  our  Book  of  Ordination  ? 

Q,  5.  Were  all,  moft,  er  any  Bijhops  of  the  firft  Age,  (  of  the  loweft  rank,  now  diftin- 
guijlied  from  Arcbbijlwps)  the  fixed  Paftors  of  many  particular  Churches,  or  of  more  Souls 
than  one  of  our  ordinary  (  or  greater  )  Parijhes  ?  Much  left  of  fo  many  as  are  in  a  Dio- 
ceft.  Let  us  but  have  no  more  Souls,  or  Congregations  under  the  loweft  rank  of  Bijhops 
now,  than  were  in  the  firft-  Age  (  or  fecond  either  ordinarily  ),  and  we  Jhall  foon  agree,  1 
think  in  all  the  Sub  fiance  of  Government. 

Qi  4.  Was  our  Common  Prayer  ufed,  and  necejfary  to  a  Paftors  Liberty,  in  the  firft  or 
fecond  Age  ?  Or  all  that  is  in  it  ?  Or  will  you  leave  out  all  that  you  cannot  prove  to  have 
been  then  ufed,  and  that  as  necejjary,  as  now  it  is  fuppfed  I 


Vi4  The  LIFE  of  the  ,  i  r„ 

Q^f.  Were  the  Croft,  Surplice,  and  Restriction  to  kneeling  in  receiving  ike  Eucharift 
enjoined  by  Peter  or  Paul,  or  any  in  the  firft  Age  ?  (or  fccond  cither,  or  many  after  ?  ) 
If  you  J  ay,  that  fome  Form  of  Prayer  was  u fed,  though  not  ours :  I  anfwer,  I.  Prove  it 
nfc J,  and  impofed  as  neceffary  to  the  Exereife  of  the  Mmfiry :  and  that  any  was  enjoyned 
to  Subscribe  to  it,  and  ufe  it  on  pain  of  Deprivation  or  Excommunication.  2.  If  the  fir  ft 
Cfitppofed)  Hook  of  Prayers  was -neceffary in  Specie,  for  continuance,  we  mufi  have  it  , 
and  caft  away  this  that's  pleaded  for  :  If  it  were  not,  then  why  may  you  not  as  well  dtjfenfe 
With  this,  and  change  it,  feeing  you  cannot  plead  it  more  immutable  than  the  (fuppofed  ) 
Apoftolical,  or  Primitive  Prayer  Book  ?  3 .  When  Forms  of  Liturgy  came  up,  bad  they 
not  divers  in  the  fame  Empire,  and  alfo  changed  them  in  particular  Churches  ?  (  as  the  Con- 
troverfie  between  Baiil  and  the  Church  of  Neocaefarea  fliews,  &c.)  And  why  then  may 
not  at  much  be  granted  now  in  England  ?  at  leafi  to  procure  Unity  and  Peace  in  other 
things,  after  fo  long  uncharitable  Alienations,  and  doleful  Effects  of  them  in  the  Church  and 
State  ? 

N.  B.  That  the  forefaid  Exceptions  againft  impofing  the  Subfa  iption  of  the 
39  Articles,  are  urged  ad  hominem;  becaufe  though  the  Do6lrin.il  Part  of 
thofe  Articles  be  fuch  as  the  generality  of 'the  Presbyterians  would  Subfcribe 
to,  yet  1  fee  not  how  the  Reverend  Brethren  on  the  other  fide  can  poflibly 
Subfcribe  them  as  reconcileable  to  the  Principles  published  by  many  of 
them. 

§  67.  Shortly  after  this,  when  Sir  George  Booth's  Rifing  failed,  Major  General 
Monk  in  Scotland,  with  his  Army,  grew  ib  fenfible  of  the  Info- 
March  10.  i<55>  A  Petition  lencies  of  Vane  and  Lambert,  and  the  Fanaticks  in  England  and 
was  fent  up  from  Worcefterttare,  to  jreian^  wno  fet  up  and  pull'd  down  Governments  as  boldly  as 
te,"tftiSX?82£  «  ***  »ere  making  aLord  of  a  Mayga^e  and  were  grafp- 
King,  and  church,  and  Country,  ing  all  the  Power  into  their  own  Hands  ,•  fo  that  he  preiently 
which  they  were  reftored  for:  fecured  the  Anabaptifts  of  his  Army,  and  agreed  with  the  reft, 
But  it  was  not  delivered    becaufe     tQ  refift  fhefe  Ufurpers  .  wno  Wou|d  have  England  the  Scorn 

otavifi  bent  W3S     of  ail  the  World-     At  firft  When  he  dreVV  near  to  En&land>  he 

March  16.  The  Long  Parlia-    declared  for  a  Free  Commonwealth.    Whew  he  came  in,  Lam- 

mentDifiolveditfelf.  bert  marched  againft  him,  but  his  Soldiers  forfaking  him  ,  and 

March  25.  Dr.  ffammotiddkd.      Sir  Arthur  Hafelrigge  getting  Portfmouth,  and  C6\.Morley  ftrength- 

ning  him,  and  Major  General  Berry's  Regiment,  which  went 
to  block  it  up,  revolting  to  them,  the  Clouds  rofe  every  where  at  ence,  and  Lam- 
bert could  make  no  refiftance  ;  but  inftead  of  fighting  ,  they  were  fain  to  treat : 
And  while  Monk  held  them  Treating,  -his  Reputation  increafed,  and  theirs  abated, 
and  their  Hearts  failed  them,  and  their  Soldiers  fell  off:  and  General  Monk  con- 
futed with  his  Friends,  what  to  do  !  Many  Countrevs  fent  Letters  of  Thanks  and 
Encouragement  to  him.  Mr.  Tho.  Bampfkld  was  lent  by  'the  Gentlemen '  of  the 
Weft  ;  and  other  Countreys  did  the  like  ;  fo  that  Monk  came  on,  but  irill  decla- 
red for  a  Commonwealth,  againft  Monarchy  :  Till  at  laft,  when  he  faw  ail  ri- 
pened thereto,  he  declared  for  the.King.  The  chief  Men  (as  far  as  I  can  learn  ) 
that  turned  his  Refolution,  to  bring  in  the  King,  were  Mr.  Clarges  and  Sir  Wil- 
liamMorrice,  his  Kinfman ,  and  the  Petitions,  and  Affections  of  the  City  of 
London,  principally  moved  by  Mr.  Calamy  and  Mr.  Ajli,  two  ancient,  leading,  able 
Minifters  (  with  Dr.  Bates,  Dr.  Manton,  Dr.  Jacomb,  and  other  Minifters  of  Lon- 
don who  concurred)  :  And  thefe  were  encouraged  bv  the  Earl  of  Manchefer ,  the 
Lord  Hollis,  the  ( late  )  Earl  of  Anglefey  ,zrA  many  of  the  (then,)  Council  of  State : 
And  the  Members  of  the  Old  Parliament  that  had  been  formerly  ejected,  being  re- 
called, did  DiiTolve  themfelves,  and  appoint  the  Calling  of  a  Parliament  which 
might  Re-calJ  the  King.  When  General  Monk  firft  came  into  England,  moft  Men 
rejected,  in  hope  to  be  delivered  from  the  Ufurpation  of  the  Fanatichs  (Anabap- 
tifts, Seekers,  &c.)  And  I  was  my  felffb  much  affected  with  the  ftrange  Provi- 
dence of  God,  that  I  procured  the  Minifters  to  agree  upon  a  Publick  Thankigiving 
to  God.  And  I  think  all  the  Victories  which  that  Army  obtained,  were,  not  more 
wonderful  than  their  Fall  was,  whsn  Pride  and  EfVour  had  prepared  them  for  it. 
It  feemed  wonderful  to  me,  that  an  Army  that  had  got  fo  many  great  and  mar- 
vellous Victories,  and  thought  themfelves  unconquerable,  andtalktof  nothing  but 
Dominion  at  home,  and  marching  up  to  the  Walls  of  Txome,  fhould  all  be  broken 
d  brought  into  Subjection,  and  finally  Disbanded,  without  one  blow  ftricken, 
or  one  drop  of  Blood  ftied  !  and  that  by  fo  (mail  a  power  as  Monk's  Army  in  the 
qeginning  was  :  So  Eminent  was  the  Hand  of  God  in  all  this  Change  ! 

§  68. 


,J_.__^— , *^         ,  „   ..  I  ■         ■  .,,       —       ,,  .  ■■■■■■     i-„M— .  mm*,     m„       .  —  ....■  i  »■.  ■■■         ■    .,— 

P  a  a  t  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         215 

§  68.  Yet  were  there  many  prudent ,  pious  Men  that  /eared  greatly  the  return 
of  the  Prelates,  an  exafperated  Party  that  had  been  before  fubdued  ;  and  as  they 
law  that  the  Fanaticks  would  bring  all  to  Confufion  under  pretence  of  promoting 
Godlinefs,  fo  they  fear'd  the  enraged  Prelatical  Party  would  renew  their  Persecu- 
tion, under  pretence  of  Order  and  Government.  And  lome  that  thought  R.Crom- 
wclTs  Refjgnarion  was  not  plain  and  full,  #did  fcruple  it,  Whether  they  were  not  at 
preient  obliged  to  him  ;  for  though  they  knew  that  he  had  no  Original  Right,  and 
though  the  condemned  the  Act  of  thole  Men  as  Treafon,  who  let  up  both  his  Fa- 
ther and  him,  yet  when  he  was  fet  up,  a/id  the  Government  had  been  Twelve 
years  in  their  Hands,  and  the  Houfe  of  Commons  had  fworn  Subjection  to  him, 
they  thought  it  was  very  doubtful  whether  they  were  not  obliged  to  him,  as  the 
Pofteflbr :  And  witha^,  many  had  alienated  the  Hearts  of  Men  from  the  King , 
making  them  believe  that  he  was  uncertain  in  his  Religion,  &c.  and  that  the  Duke 
6f  York  was  a  Papili,  and  that  they  would  fet  up  the  revengeful  Cavaliers :  but 
thele  things  were  quickly  at  an  end  :  For  many  Gentlemen  ,  who  had  been  with 
the  King  in  Scotland,  efpecially  the  Earl  of  Lauderdaile  and  Colonel  Greaves  ,  who 
were  of  Reputation  with  the  People,  did  fpread  abroad  mighty  Commendations 
of  the  King,  both  as  to  his  Temper  and  Piety  j  whereby  the  Fears  of  many  at 
that  time  were  much  quieted. 

§69.  As  for  my  felf,  I  came  to  London  Apil  the  13th,  1660.  where  I  was  no 
fboner  arrived  but  I  was  accoffed  by  the  Earl  oi.Lauderdale  (  juft  then  releafed  from 
his  techous  Confinement  mWindfor  Caftle  by  the  refford  Parliament)  who  having 
heard  trom  fome  of  the  Sectarian  Party,  that  my  Judgment  was  that  our  Obligati- 
ons to  Richard  Cromwell  were  not  diflblved,  nor  could  be  till  another  Parliament, 
or  a  fuller  Renunciation  of  the  Government,  took  a  great  deal  of  pains  with  me, 
to  fatisfie  me  in  that  point. 

And  for  the  quieting  People's  Minds  that  were  in  no  fmall  Commotion  through 
clandestine  Jiumouis,  he  by  means  of  Sir  Robert  Murray,  and  the  Countefs  of  Bal- 
cava  then  in  France,  procured  leveral  Letters  to  be  written  from  thence,  full  of  high 
Elogiums  of  the  King,  and  AlTurances  of  his  firmnefs  in  the  Proteftant  Religion, 
which  he  got  translated  and  publifht.  Among  others,  one  was  fent  to  me  from 
Monfieur  Gacbes,  a  famous  pious  Preacher  at  Charcntsn ;  wherein,  after  an  high 
ftrain  of  Complements  to  my  (elf,  he  gave  a  pompous  Character  of  the  King,  and 
allured  me,  that  during  his  Exile  he  never  forbore  the  Publick  PrafcfTmn  of  the 
Proteihn^  Rdigion,  no  not  even  in  thole  places  where  it  feemed  prejudicial  to  his 
AfFairs.  That  he  was  preient  at  Divine  Worlhip  in  the  French  Churches  at  Roan 
an3  Rochel,  though  not  at  Cbarenton,  during  his  lhiy  at  Vara  ;  and  earneflly  prefs't 
me  to  ule  my  urmoft  interelf,  that  the  King  might  be  rellored  by  means  of  the 
.  Presbyterians,  &c. 

The  Letter  being  long,  and  already  publifht,  fliall  not  be  here  inferted.  But 
I  could  not  foibear  making  divers  Reflections,  upon  the  Receipt  of  fuch  a  Letter  as 
thib  was. 

§  70.  This  Excellent  Divine,  with  divers  others,  living  at  a  diftance,  knew  not 
the  Irate  of  Affairs  in  England  lb  well  as  we  that  were  upon  the  place :  They  knew 
not  how  much  the  Presbyterians  had  done  to  bring  in  the  King,  or  elfethey  would 
noc  have  thought  it  needful  to  ule  any  Exhortations  to  them  to  that  end.  And  they 
knew  not  thole  Men,  who  with  the  King  were  to  be  reftored ,  ib  well  as  we  did  : 
What  the  Presbyterians  did  to  preferve  and  reffore  the  King,  is  a  thing  that  we  need 
not  go  to  any  Corners  or  Cabinets  to  prove !  The  Votes  for  Agreement  upon  the 
King's  Gonceffions  in  the  JJle  of  Wight  prove  it :  The  Ejection  and  Imprifbnment  of 
molt  of  the  Iloule  of  Commons,  and  all  the  Houfe  of  Lords  prove  it:  The  Cala- 
mitous overthrow  of  two  Scottilh  Armies  prove  it.  The  Death  of  Mr.  Lov et  with 
the  Imprilbnment  and  Flight  of  other  London  Minilfers  prove  it :  The  wars  in 
'Scotland,  and  their  Conqueft  by  Cromwell  prove  it :  The  Riling  of  Sir  George  Booth 
and  his  Army  s  overthrow  prove  it  :  The  Surprize  of  Dublm-Caftle  from  the  Ana- 
baptiih  by  Colonel  John  Bridges  and  others  in  Ireland,  and  the  Gratulations  of  Ge- 
neral Monk  in  England,  the  Concurrence  of  the  Londonners,  and  the  Minilfers  there, 
the  Actual  Preparations  of  the  Reftored  Members  of  the  Long  Parliament,  and 
the  Content  of  the  Council  of  State  left  by  them,  and  the  Calling  in  of  the  King 
hereupon  by  the  next  Parliament,  without  one  contradicting  Voice,  and  finally 
the  Lords  and  Gentlemen  of  the  King's  old  Party  in  all  Countreys,  addreffing 
themfelves  to  the  Parliamentarians,  and  the  King's  grateful  Acknowledgments  in 
his  Letters,  and  his  Speeches  in  Parliament,  do  all  put  this  Matter  out  of  queftion. 
Of  which  I  have  faid  more  in  my  Kejfor  Catboltcks. 

§  72. 


216  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

§  71.  And  when  I  read  this  Reverend  Man's  excefllve  Praifes,  and  his  conclu- 
ding Prayer  for  the  Succefs  of  my  Labours,  I  thought  with  my  (elf,  how  little 
doth  the  good  Man  underftand  how  ill  the  beginning  and  end  of  his  words  ac- 
cord :  He  prayeth  for  my  Congregation,  and  the  Blefling  of  my  Labours,  when 
he  hath  perfwaded  me  to  put  an  end  to  my  Labours,  by  letting  up  thofe  Prelates 
who  will  Silence  me  and  many  a  hundred  more  !  He  perfwadeth  me  to  that  which 
will  feparate  me  from  my  Flock,and  then  prayeth  that  I  may  be  a  Blefling  to  them. 
He  overvalueth  and  magnifieth  my  Service  to  the  Church  ,  and  then  perfwadeth 
me  to  that  which  will  put  a  Period  to  my  Service,  and  to  the  Service  of  many  hun- 
dreds better  than  my  felf.  But  yet  hisCaufe  and  Arguments  are  honefr  ;  and  I 
am  fo  far  from  being  againft  him  in  it,  that  I  think  I  am  much  more  for  it  than 
he:  for  he  is  for  our  Reftoring  the  King,  that  our  Miniftry  may  be  freed  from 
the  obloquy  of  malicious  Enemies :  but  I  am  for  reftoring  of  the  King,  that  when 
we  are  Silenced,  and  our  Miniftry  at  an  end,  and  fome  of  us  lye  in  Prifons,  we 
may  there,  and  in  that  Condition ,  have  Peace  of  Confcience  in  the  Diicharge 
of  our  Duty,  and  the  Exercife  of  Faith,  Patience  and  Charity  in  our  Suffer- 
ings. 

§72.  And  I  confefs  at  that  time  the  Thoughts  of  Mens  hearts  were  various  ac- 
cording to  their  feveral  Expectations :  The  Sectarian  Party  cried  out  that  God 
had  in  Juftice  cut  off  the  Family  that  Reigned  over  us  ;  ajid  to  return  to  it  again, 
was  to  betray  the  Church,  and  the  Souls  of  Men.  Some  others  faid  ,  That  the 
Sectaries  had  traiteroufly  and  wickedly  pull'd  down  the  King  and  Parliament,  and 
let  up  themfelves,  and  broken  their  Oaths,  and  pull'd  down  all  Government,  and 
made  the  Name  of  Religion  a  Reproach,  and  brought  that  Blot  upon  it,  which  is 
never  till  the  Day  of  Judgment  like  to  be  wiped  off:  But  yet  that  after  Twelve 
years  alienation  of  the  Government,  and  when  a  Houle  of  Commons  hath  fworn 
Fidelity  to  another,  and  the  King's  own  Party  had  taken  the  Engagement,  their 
Obligations  to  that  Family  were  by  Providence,  againft  their  Wills  diflblved;  and 
that  they  were  not  bound  to  be  Actors  in  that  which  will  Silence  thoufands  of 
faithful  Minifters,  and  be  like  to  be  the  Perdition  of  many  and  many  thouland 
Souls.  But  the  Presbyterians  laid,  We  are  bound  by  the  Covenant  to  the  King 
that  laft  was,  and  by  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  him  and  his  Heirs ;  and  all  Chan- 
ges fince  have  been  made  unlawfully  by  Rebellious  Sectaries  j  and  for  our  parts, 
whatever  othfcrs  have  done,  we  have  taken  no  Engagements  or  contrary  Oaths :  it 
the  Sectaries  and  the  Cavaliers  have  taken  the  Engagement ,  what  is  that  to  us : 
Our  Brethren  of  Scotland,  nor  we  never  did  it:  Therefore  being  obliged  to  the 
King,  as  the  undoubted  Heir  of  the  Crown,  we  ought  to  do  our  Duty  ,  as  Loyal 
Subjects  to  Reftore  him,  and  for  the  IlTue  let  God  do  what  he  will. 

§7;.  This  was  their  Refolution>  but  in  their  Expectations  they  much  differed:  for  • 
thofe  of  them  that  converfe  with  the  Nobles  and  Great  Men,  and  heard  from 
them  an  high  Character  of  the  King,  as  to  his  Temper  and  Piety,  were  apt  to  be- 
lieve them  :  and  had  great  hopes,  that  becaule  he  had  taken  the  Covenant  him- 
felf,  he  would  be  moderate  in  ietling  all  Matters  of  the  Church,  and  would  allow 
the  Presbyterians  liberty  to  preach  the  Gofpel  in  their  Parifti-Churches !  and  that 
he  would  remove  the  Subfcriptions,  and  leave  the  Common  Prayer  and  Ceremo- 
nies indifferent,  (b  that  they  mould  not  be  caft  out  of  the  Churches.  Others 
thought  that  the  Prelates,  being  once  fet  up,  there  would  be  no  place  for  Non- 
lubfcribers  in  the  Publick  Churches :  but  yet  that  if  we  were*  the  means  of  the 
King's  Reftoration,  the  Prelates  would  not  for  fhame  deny  us  fuch  Liberty  as  the 
Proteftants  have  in  France ;  and  that  Proteftants  would  not  deny  that  to  Prote- 
ftants, after  luch  an  Obligation,  which  Papifts  granted  them.  But  a  third  fort 
faid,  You  know  not  the  Principles  or  Spirit  of  the  Prelates,  if  you  look  for  any 
Liberty  in  Publick  or  in  Private,  to  be  granted  to  any  that  do  not  couform.  We 
all  look  to  be  Silenced,  and  fome  or  many  of  us  imprifoned  or  banifhed:  but  yet" 
we  will  do  our  parts  to  reftore  the  King,  becaufe  no  forefeen  ill  confequence,  muft: 
hinder  us  from  our  Duty :  And  if  ignorant  Men  be  put  into  our  places,  and  never 
ib  many  Souls  perifli  by  it,the  Fault  is  notours,but  theirs  that  do  it.  And  a  fourth 
fort  there  were,  that  foreleeing  the!  Silencing  of  the  Minifters ,  (aid,  We  are  fare 
that  there  are  not  competent  Men  (much  lefs  excellent)  in  England,  to  fupply 
the  place  of  one  among  many  of  thofe  that  will  be  caft  out ;  and  we  know  that 
Godufeth  to  work  by  Means :  and  therefore  that  the  Change  is  like  to  be  the  dam- 
nation of  many  thouland  Souls :  and  we  do  not  believe  chat  we  are  bound  (all  things 
confidered)  to  be  forward  to  bring  fuch  a7  Work  to  pafs :  But  we  will  ftand  by,  and 
fee  what  God  will  do,  and  will  not  hinder  it.x 

§74- 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         fei? 

§  74.  Thole  that  lookc  for  Liberty,  were  encouraged  in  their  Expectations  by 
thele  Means  following  : 

1.  All  the  Noblemen  and  Gentry  that  had  been  Sequeftred  for  the  King's  Caufe 
againft  the  old  Parliament,  didinleveral  Counties,  publifh  Invitations  to  all  Men 
to  promote  the  King's  Reduction,  protefting  againft  Thoughts  of  Revenge  or  Un- 
charitablenefs ,  and  profeffing  their  Relblution  to  put  up  all  Injuries  and  live  in 
Peace. 

2.  Afterward  his  Majefty  fent  over  a  Promife  of  Liberty  of  Conference,  as  thef^ 
Men  underft  ood  it :  but  indeed  it  was  but  a  Profeflion  of  his  readinefs  to  conlenc  to 
any  Ad:  which  the  Parliament  mould  offer  to  him  to  that  end. 

3.  Dr.  Morley,  and  other  of  the  Divines  on  that  fide,  did  privately  meet  with  le- 
VeralPerfons  of  Honour,  and  fome  Minifters,  and  profefled  Refolutions  for  great 
Moderation  and  Lenity. 

§  75-.  But  thole  that  look'd  for  filencing,  cruelty,  and  Conf  lllon,  laid,  that 
From  the  Beginning  (except a  few  inconfiderable  Per(ons)  it  was  all  the  Enemies 
of  ferious  Godlinefs  in  the  Land,  who  were  on  the  one  iide  j  and  it  was  the 
Friends  of  ferious  Godlinefs  who  were  the  main  Body  on  the  other  fide  :  That  the 
Enmity  between  the  Woman's  and  the  Serpent's  Seed  is  the  moft  unreconcilable  in 
the  World  :  That  all  the  Hypocrites  and  carnal  Sort  of  Formal  Pharifafcal  Chriili- 
ans  will  perfecute  them  that  are  born  after  the  Spirit :  That  Wars  and  Sequeftra- 
dons,  and  Cromwefo  feveiity  againft  them,  have  exafperated  them  ;  fo  that  wc 
(hall  have  natural  Enmity  and  Malice  fublimated  to  deal  with  ;  and  that  they  will 
revenge  all  their  real  and  feeming  Injuries ;  that  thefe  twenty  Years  Tryal  hath 
proved  them  unreconcilable  :  That  their  carnal  Intereft  will  continually  engage 
them  againft  ferious  Godlinefs  ;  and  a  Man  of  Confciehce  that  cannot  fay  or  lvvear 
or  do  any  thing  which  they  command  him,  will  be  taken  by  them  for  aSchifma- 
tick  and  Enemy  :  That  the  late  Wars  hath  given  them  Advantage  to  caft  the  Odi- 
um of  Civil  Broils  upon  Religion,  and  of  other  Mens  Faults  upon  the  innocent  5 
fo  that  there  Intereft  will  certainly  lead  them  to  call  ali  thofe  Rebels  that  (wear 
not  to  their  Words ;  and  every  Man  whole  Religion  is  not  ceremonious  and  corri- 
plemental  ftiall  be  called  a  Presbyterian,  and  every  Presbyterian  a  Rebel :  And 
whereas  heretofore  they  had  no  worfe  Names  to  call  godly  Men  by,  than  the  fool- 
ifh  Names  of  Puritans  and  Roundheads,  henceforth  if  a  Man  will  not  be  as  bad 
as  others,  he  fhall  be  called  an  Enemy  to  the  Government  !  And  though  not  one 
of  forty  of  the  Minifters  ever  medled  with  the  Wars,  they  mall  all  fare  alike  if 
they  be  not  Prelatifts.    Thus  did  Men  differ  in  their  Expectations. 

§  76.  When  I  was  at  London,  the  new  Parliament  being  called,  they  prefently 
appointed  a  Day  of  Faffing  and  Prayer  for  themfelves :    The  Houfe  of  Commons 
chofe  Mr.  Calamy,   Dr.  Gaucttn,    and   my  felf  to  preach  and  pray  with  them  at  The  iaft 
St.  Margarets  IVefiminfter.     In  that  Sermon,   I  uttered  (ome  Paffages  that  were  after  Day^f  A~ 
matter  of  Ibme  Difcourfe  :    Speaking  of  our  Differences  and  the  way  to  heal  them,  fni  l6f°: 
I  told  them  that  whether  we  mould  be  Loyal  to  our  King  was  none  of  our  Dif-  t0Pt£Cpar- 
i  ferences ;   in  that  we  are  all  agreed  ;   it  being  not  poflible  that  a  Man  mould  be  foment 
true  to  the  Proteftants  Principles,  and  not  be  Loyal ;   as  it  was  impofiible  to  be 
true  to  the  Papifts  Principles  and  to  be  Loyal  :    And  for  the  Concord  now  wifh  d 
in  matters  of  Church-Government,    I  told  them  it  was  eafy  for  moderate  Men  to 
come  to  "a  fair  Agreement,  and  that  the  late  Reverend  Primate  of  Ireland  and  my 
felf  had  agreed  in  half  an  Hour,     I  remember  not  the  very  Words,  but  you  may 
read  them  in  the  Sermon,   which  was  printed  by  order  of  the  Houfe  of  Com- 
mons. 

§  77.  As  foon  as  this  printed  Sermon  Came  abroad,  the  Papifts  were  enraged 
I  againft  me  ;  and  one  namelefs  Gentleman  wrote  a  Pamphlet  to  challenge  me  to 
make  good  my  Charge:  And  others  fent  me  .Letters  with  their  Names  (  real  or 
counterfeit)  containing  the  fame  Challenge  j  but  never  told  me  where  they  dwelt, 
nor  how  I  might  convey  an  Anfwer  to  them;  whereas  the  heedlefs  Challen- 
gers might  have  feen  that  I  fully  performed  what  I  undertook,  and  anfwered  their 
Challenge  before  they  fent  it,  in  the  Sermon  it  felf,  when  I  cited  Can.  5.  of  the 
General  Council  at  the  Laterane  under  Pope  Innocent  III.  which  I  have  done  in 
other  Places  again  and  again  to  provoke  them  to  make  Ibme  Anfwer  to  it ;  but  ne- 
ver could  procure  it  of  them  :  But  to  grati  fie 'thefe  Gentlemen,  I  began  to  write 
a  fuller  Proof  of  what  I  there  affirmed  ;  but  I  was  advifed  not  to  publifii  it,  consider- 
ing the  Power  and  Malice  of  the  Papifts,  and  how  greatly  (  though  they  called 
for  it  )  they  would  be  enraged^ by  it,  and  in  likelihood  quickly  work  my 
Ruine. 

F  f  $  78.  Th? 


.__»«_»_______--_—--———— — — — — — 7 •"■  ■  ■  - — ■ — 

2i8  '1  he  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  J, 


Way  i.  §  78.  The  next  Morning  after  this  Day  of  Fading,  did  the  Parliament  unani- 
1660.  the  moufly  Vote  home  the  King,  Nemine  centradicente  ;  and  do  that  which  former 
owneTS  Anions  had  but  prepared  for. 

King,  and  §79.  The  City  or  Lonfon  aboi  t  that  time  was  to  keep  a  Day  of  lolemn  Thankf- 
voted  his  giving,  for  General  Monkes  Succefs ;  and  the  Lord  Mayor  and  Aldermen  defired 
RecalL  mQ  to  preacn  before  them  at  St.  Vaul's-Church  :  Wherein  I  fo  endeavoured  to  mew 
the  Value  of  that  Mercy,  as  to  mew  alfo  how  bin  and  Mens  Abufe  might  turn  it 
into  matter  of  Calamity,  and  what  mould  be  right  Bounds  and  Qualifications  of 
that  joy.  The  Moderate  were  pleafed  with  it;  theFanaticks  were  offended  with 
me  for  keeping  fuch  a  Thankfgiving  ;  the  Diocefane  Party  thought  I  did  fupprefs 
their  Joy  :  The  Words  may  be  feen  in  the  Sermon  ordered  to  be  printed. 

§  80.  But  the, other  Words  about  my  Agreement  with  Bifhop  UJher,  in  the  Ser- 
mon before  the  Parliament,  put  me  to  mod  Trouble.  For  prefently  many  mode- 
rate Epilcopal  Divines  came  to  me  to  know  what  thoie  Terms  of  our  Agreement 
were:  And  thinking  verily  that  others  of  their  Party  had  been  as  moderate  as 
themfelves,  they  entered  upon  Debates  for  our  general  Concord ;  and  we  agreed 
as  eafily  among  Our  felves  in  private,  as  if  almoff  all  our  Differences  were  at  an  end. 
Amorfg  others  I  had  Speech  about  it  with  Dr.  Gauden,  who  promifed  to  bring 
Dr.  Morley,  and  many  more  of  that  Party  to  meet  with  fome  of  the  other  Party  at 
Dr.  Bernard's  Lodging  in  Grays-Inn  ;  there  came  none  on  that  fide  but  Dr.  Gaudent 
and  Dr.  Bernard ;  and  none  of  the  other  fide  but  Dr.  Manton  and  my  felf ;  and  fo 
little  was  done  but  only  Defires  of  Concord  exprefled  :  But  whereas  I  told  Dr.  Gau~ 
dm  [_  That  for  the  Doctrinal  Part  of  the  Common-Prayer- Book,  though  I  knew  that 
there  were  many  Exceptions  againfi  zf,  yet  1 remembred nothing  which  I  could  not  aj/entto, 
allowing  it  bus  the  favourable  Interpretation  which  the  Writings  of  all  Divines  are  allow- 
ed ]  ;  He  took  Advantage  from  thefe  Words  to  praife  my  Moderation  in  the  next 
Book  which  he  printed,  as  if  I  had  fpoke  this  of  the  Liturgy  in  general,  as  a  Frame 
of  Worfhip,  leaving  out  the  firft  Words  [  As  to  the  Doctrinal  Part  ]  to  which  only 
I  limited  my  Affent  :  So  that  I  was  put  in  print  fo  far  to  vindicate  my  felf,  as  to 
fet  down  the  true  Words ;  which  he  never  contradicted.  Thus  Men  were  every 
day  talking  of  Concord,  but  to  little  purpofe,  as  appeared  in  the  IiTue. 

§  8  r.  And  becaufe  I  heard  that  Dr.  Morley  was  a  Moderate  Orthodox  Man,  and 
had  often  Meetings  with  Dr.  Manton  and  others,  whom  he  encouraged  with  Paci- 
ficatory Profeffions,  and  that  he  had  greatefl  Intereft  in  the  King  and  the  Lord 
Chancellor,  I  had  a  great  defire  to  have  one  hours  Difcourfe  with  him,  to  know 
whether  really  Concord  was  intended  :  And  when  he  gave  me  a  Meeting,  and 
we  had  fpent  an  Hour  in  Difcourfe,  I  found  that  he  (pake  of  Moderation  in  the 
general,  but  came  to  no  particular  Terms,  but  paft  by  what  I  mentioned  of  that 
Nature  :  But  fpeaking  much  for  Liturgies,  againft  Extemporary  Church- Prayers, 
he  told  me  at  laft  that  the  Janjeniflt  were  numerous  among  the  Papifts,  and  many 
among  the  French  inclined  to  Peace,  and  that  on  his  knowledge,  if  it  were  not 
for  the  Hinderances  which  Calvin  had  laid  in  the  way,  molt  on  this  fide  the  Alpes 
would  come  over  to  us.     And  this  was  all  I  could  get  from  him. 

§  82.  When  the  King  was  to  be  fent  for  by  the  Parliament,  certaia  Divines  with  1 
others  were  fent  by  the  Parliament  and  City  to  him  into  Holland  ;  viz,.  Mr.  Calamj, 
Dr.  Manton,  Mr.  Bowles,  and  divers  others ;  and  fome  went  voluntarily ;  to  whom 
his  Ma  jetty  gave  fuch  encouraging  Promifes  of  Peace,  as  raifed  fome  of  .them  to 
high  Expectations :  And  when  he  came  in,  as  he  part  through  the  City  towards 
Weftminfttr,  the  London  Minifters  in  their  Places  attended  him  with  Acclamations, 
ana  by  the  Hands  of  old  Mr.  Arthur  Jackfon,  prefented  him  with  a  Rich-adorned 
Bible,  which  he  received,  and  told  them  it  fhould  be  the  Rule  of  his  Actions. 

§  83.  About  this  time  I  had  fome  Conference  with  one  (that  called  himfelf) 
William  Johnfon,  a  Papift  ;  the  Occafion,  Progrefs,  and  End  of  which  I  will  here 
give  you  at  once,  to  avoid  farther  Interruptions  by  it. 

When  I  was  at  Kiderminfier,  1659.  one  Mr.  Langhorn,  a  Furrier  in  Walbrook,  fent 
me  a  Sheet  of  ^nperfubferibed  by  Williamjohnfon,  containing  an  Argument  againft 
our  Church-,  *  want  of  perpetual  Vifibility ;  or,  That  none  but  the  Church  of 
Rome,  and  thoii-  in  Communion  with  it,  had  been  fucceffively  vifible ;  cafting  all  - 
on  his  Opponent  to  prove  our  Churches  conftant  Vifibility.  He  that  fent  this  Pa- 
per  defired  me  to  anfwer  it  as  for  fome  Friends  of  his  who  were  unfatisfied.  I  fent 
him  an  Anfwer  the  next  Day  after  I  received  it.  To  this,  fome  Weeks  after  I  re- 
ceived a  Reply :  This  Reply  had  cited  many  Fathers  and  Councils,  and  as  the  ufe 
is,  brought  the  Controverfy  into  the  Wood  of  Church-Hi  ft  ory.  To  this  I  di  ew  up  ^ 
a  large  Rejoinder,  and  fent  it  by  the  Carrier  ;  though  I  was  not  rich  enough  to 

keep 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  219 


keep  an  Amanuenfis,  and  had  not  leifure  my  (elf  to  tranfcribe,  yet  2s  it  well  /up- 
.  pened  I  had  got  a  Friend  to  write  me  a  Copy  of  my  Rejoinder  :  For  it  fell  our  thai 
the  Carrier  loft  the  Copy  which  I  gave  him  to  carry  to  London,    and  proieiled  that 
he  never  knew  what  became  of  it :  And  no  wonder,  when  1  after  learnt  that  my 
Antagoniit  lived  within  five  or  fix  Miles  of  me,  whom  1  (uppoied  to  have  lived  one 
hundred  and  fifty  Miles  off:  When  I  expe&ed  an  Aniwer,  I  received  a  Month  af- 
ter an  Infulting  Challenge  of  a  fpeedy  Anfwer,  and  this  fe.onded  with  another,  all 
calling  for  haite.     Ifuppofe  he  thought  I  had  kept  no  Copy,  but  as  fbonaslcould 
get  it  tranfcribd  I  fent  it  him  ;    and  I  heard  no  more  of  Mr.  Jobnfon  in  a  Twelve- 
month.     When  I  was  at  London  I  went  to  Mr.  Langhorne,  and  deiired  him  to  pro- 
cure   me  an  Anfwer  to  my   Papers  from  Mr.  Jobnfon  ,  or  that  I  nvght  know 
that  I  mould  have  none :    At  laft  he  told  me  that  Mr.  jobnfjn  would  come  (peak 
with  mehimfelf;  which  he  did,  and  would  have  pur  off  all  the  Bufinefs  with  a  few- 
Words,  but  would  promlie  me  no  Anfwer.     At  lait  by  Mr.  Tillot/on  I  was  inform- 
ed that  his  true  Name  was  Tenet,  and  that  he.  lived  in  the  Houfe  of  a  certain  No- 
•»  bleman  near  our  parts,   and  that  being  much  in  London,    he  is  there  the  chief 
He&or,  or  great  Difputer  for  the  Papifts ;   and  that  he  was  the  chief  of  the  two 
Men  who  had  held  and  printed  the  Diipute  with  Dr.  Pierfon  and  Dr.  Gmnbig  :  And 
when  I  (aw  what  Advantage  he  had  got  by  printing  that  Diipute,  I  refolded  that: 
he  mould  not  do  (o  by  me,  and  io  I  printed  all  our  Papers  ;  but  before  1  printed 
them,    I   urged  him  to  fome  farther  Conference  ;    and  at  our  next  meeting  {  told 
him  how  ne<.eifary  it  was  that  we  fliould  agree  fit  it  of  the  meaning  of  our  Terms, 
and  I  wrote  down  fome  few  [  as  Church,  Pope,  Council,  Bilhop,  tferefy,  Schiiin, 
&c.~]  which  I  defired  him  to  explain  to  me  under  his  Hand  promi/ing  him  the  like 
whenever  he  delirt-d  it  ;  which  when  I  had  got  from  him,  1  gavtf  hini  iome  Ani- 
mad'/erfions  on  it,  mewed  their  Implications;  to  which  he  an  live  red,  and  to  that 
1  replyed  :  And  when  he  came  no  more  to  me,  nor  gave  me  any  Anfwer,  I  printed 
all  together  ;    which  made  him   think  it  neceffary  at  laft  to  write  a  Confutation: 
whereto  I  have   lince  publiihed  a  full  Rejoinder  to  which  I  cm  procure  no  An- 
iwer. 

§  84.  And  not  long  after,  hearing  that  the  Counted  of  Balcarra  was  not  well, 
I  went  to  vifit  her,  and  found  her  grievouilv  afrli&ed  for  her  eldeft  Daughter,  the 
Lady  Ann  Lindjcy  about  fixteen  or  fevemeen  Years  of  Age,  who  was  (iiddenly  turn- 
ed Papift  by  (ho  knew  not  whom.  She  told  me,  that  when  (he  firit  heard  of  it 
ihe  defired  Dr.  Gunning  to  meet  with  the  Pried  to  diipute  with  him,  and  try  if  her 
Daughter  might  be  recovered,  who  pretended  then  to  be  in  Doubt :  And  that  Dr. 
Cunning  firit  began  to  perfuade  her  Daughter  againft  the  Church  of  Scotland  which 
fl.e  had  been  bred  in,  as  no  true  Church,  and  after  difputed  but  about  the  Pope's 
Infallability,  and  left  her  Daughter  wotie  than  before  ;  and  that  (he  took  it  to  be  a 
ftrange  way  to  deliver  her  Daughter  from  Popery,  to  begin  with  a  Condemnation 
of  the  Reformed  Churches  as  no  true  Churches,  and  confefs  that  the  Church  and 
Miniftry  of  Rome  was  true.  She  defired  me  that  I  would  (peak  to  her  Daughter, 
and  try  whether  (he  would  yet  enter  into  Conference  about  the  Reafbn  of  her 
Faith.  But  (he  utterly  refuted  it,  and  would  fay  nothing  to  that  purpofe,  but  re- 
fer us  to  the  Church,  and  profefs  her  acquieicence  in  its  Judgment,  and  when  I 
defired  to  know  of  her,  how  (he  knew  what  was  the  Judgment  of  the  Church  ; 
whether  it  were  not  meerly  the  Word  of  the  Prieft  that  fatisfted  her  in  this,  and 
therefore  defired  her  that  (he  would  hear  that  Prieft  or  Jefuit  on  whofe  Word  (he 
built  all  her  Faith,  in  the  Prefence  of  iome  one  that  was  fit  to  help  her  in  the  Try- 
al  of  his  Affertions,  andintreated  her  to  procure  a  Conference  in  her  hearing  be-  " 
tween  him  and  m<*,  ihe  promiied  readily  that  it  (houid  he  don?.  The  next  time  I 
came  again,  and  askt  whether  ihe  had  ipoke  with  him  about  ir,  and  whether  time 
and  place  were  agreed  on ;  (he  confidently  to'd  me  that  he  was  ready  to  do  it  when 
1  pleafed,  and  that  all  he  defired  was*  that  my  Promife  might  (ecure  him  from  Ac- 
culacion,  and  from  the  danger  of  the  Law,  and  that  was  all  that  he  was  folicitous 
for.  I  offered  her  to  bring  only  two  WitnelTes  on  each  fide,  and  that  we  might 
have  two  days  Conference  or  Diipute;  in  one  of  which  he  (hould  give  his  Rea- 
(bns  why  ihe  ought  to  change  her  Religion,  and  I  would  anfwer  them  ;  and  in  the 
otherl  would  give  my  Reaibns  why  ihe  ought  not  to  change,  and  he  (hould  an- 
iwer me ;  and  I  thought  this  the  cleareft  and  moft  impartial  Method  for  the  dis- 
cerning of  the  Truth.  And  I  promiied  her  all  the  Security  which  I  could  pro- 
cure him  from  any  danger.  The  next  time  I  came  to  know  the  Day,  (he  told  me 
ihe  Gentleman  would  not  meet  nor  difpute  :  1  defired  to  know  the  Reaibn:  But 
ihe  told  me  that  (he  did  not  know  her  felf :   I  intreated  her  to  procure  fome  other 

Ff  2  tc< 


Ml   ,.    ■   P.   ■ I'  i  I  '  ' 

2  20  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I, 

to  do  it,  in  whom  fhe  put  the  greateft  Confidence,  and  defired  her  to  take  the 
ableft  fhe  could  get  among  all  the  Je(uits  or  Priefts  of  the  Queen  or  the  Queen- 
Mother,  with  whom  I  knew  fhe  was  not  unacquainted.  But  fhe  would  not  un- 
dertake for  any  ;  whereupon  I  was  forced  to  urge  her  with  Provocations,  and  tell 
This  was  her,  tnat  feeing  me  was  forced  to  refolve  all  her  Faith  into  the  Word  of  particular 
in  the  end  Priefts,by  which  only  fhe  knew  the  Senfe  of  the  Church,and  all  that  Iliftory  which 
of  Nov.  induced  her  to  believe  that  Rome  was  the  true  Church,  fhe  leemed  very  little  to  re- 
**6°'  gard  her  Soul,  who  would  fo  far  venture  it  upon  the  Words  of  Men  that  wouJd  not 
be  provoked  to  an  equal  Conference  in  her  hearing.  The  next  clay  I  came,  I  ur- 
ged her  again  to  procure  a  Conference  :  She  told  me  that  the  Gencieman  would 
not  content :  And  when  I  urged  her  to  tell  me  his  Reafbn,  fhe  told  me  that  he 
knew  me  very  well,  and  that  he  had  very  high  Thoughts  of  me,  and  that  it  was 
not  now  through  any  fear  of  Danger,  for  he  durft  venture  his  Life  in  my  Hands ; 
butfmce  he  knew  it  was  me  that  he  was  to  meet  with,  he  would  not  come;  but 
would  not  tell  her  why.  And  though  ftill  I  told  her  that  there  were  more  enough 
if  he  refufed,  I  could  not  procure  her  to  bring  any  of  them  to  a  Difpute.  But  at 
laft,  when  I  purpofely  continued  to  provoke  them,  fhe  told  me  that  he  would 
yield  to  Difpute,  fo  it  might  be  done  only  in  Writing,  and  not  a  Word  fpoken, 
nor  any  thing  written  but  Syllogiftically  and  according  to  the  ftri&eft  Rules  of  Dii- 
putation.  I  told  her,  1.  That  I  fuppofed  that  fhe  underftood  not  when  an  Argu- 
ment was  in  Mood  and  Figure;  nor  what  a  Fallacy  was,  and  therefore  that  this  was 
nor  defigned  to  her  Edification.  2.  That  I  fuppofed  that  fhe  had  not  read  one  of 
many  of  all  thofe  Books  already  written  againft  them  which  are  unanfwered :  And 
if  Writing  will  ferve  turn,  a  printed  Argument  is  as  good  as  a  written  one  :  Nor 
had  fhe  read  the  late  Difputation  between  Mr.  Johnfon  and  me :  nor  were  any  one 
of  my  Books  againft  them  yet  anfwered,  and  why  then  Ihould  I  write  more  till 
thofe  were  anfwered.  3.  I  told  her  that  Mr.  Johnforis  Writing  and  mine  held  us 
above  a  Twelvemonth,  and  yet  was  not  driven  to  the  Head  :  And  I  asked  her  whe- 
ther fhe  would  be  willing  to  wait  a  Year  or  two,  and  fufpend  her  Relolutionin  Re- 
ligion, till  fhe  faw  the  lime  of  our  Difputation  in  Writing.  4.  I  told  her  that  it 
was  like  that  he  that  offered  this,  underftood  that  by  his  Majefty's  Pleafure,  I  was 
then  newly  engaged  in  another  Work,  which  occafioned  him  to  make  this  Offer. 
5.  But  yet  that  her  Deceiver  might  have  noExcufe,  I  offered  her  that  1  would  do  all 
that  he  defired,  and  manage  it  in  Writing,  fo  be  it,  he  would  firft  but  fpend  two 
Hours  in  verbal  Difputation  in  the  way  I  had  propoled,  viz,.  That  he  fhould  fpend 
one  Hour  in  giving  his  Reafbns  for  her  Change,  and  I  might  anfwer  them ;  and 
the  other  Hour  I  would  give  my  Reafons  againft  it,  and  he  fhould  anfwer  me: 
And  after  that  we  would  go  to  it  by  Writing.  But  a  Day  or  two  after,  when  I 
c.imefor  Anfwer  to  this  Propofal,  the  Lady  was  gone,  being  fecretly  ftolen  from 
her  Mother  in  a  Coach,  and  fo  1  underftood  the  meaning  of  this  Offer,  and  never 
could  fee  the  Face  of  any  of  her  Priefts. 

§  8).  At  laft  it  was  dif covered  that  the  Man  that  feduced  her  and  refufed  Difpu- 
tation, was  this  Mr.  Jobnfon  (  or  Terret  )  the  fame  Man  that  I  had  before  confer- 
red and  wrote  with  :  And  yet  when  I  asked  her  whether  it  were  he.  fhe  plainly 
and  pofitively  faid  it  was  not ;  and  when  a  Servant  went  after  her  Coach  and 
overtook  her  in  Lincolns-Inn-FieUs,  fhe  pofitively  promifed  to  come  again,  and  faid, 
ilie  went  but  to  fee  a  Friend.  Alfo  fhe  complained  to  the  Queen-Mother,  of  her 
Mother,  as  if  fhe  u fed  her  hardly  for  Religion,  which  wasfalfe:  in  a  Word,  her 
Mother  told  me,  that  before  fhe  turned  Papift,  fhe  fcarce  ever  heard  a  Lye  from 
her ;  and  fincc  then  fhe  could  believe  nothing  that  fhe  faid.  This  was  the  Darling 
of  that  excellent,  wife,  religious  Lady  (  the  Widow  of  an  excellent  Lord  )  ;  which 
made  the  Affliction  great,  and  taught  her  to  moderate  her  Affections  to  all  Crea- 
tures. This  Perverfion  had  been  a  long  time  fecretly  working  before  fhe  knew  of 
it  ;  all  which  time  the  young  Lady  would  join  in  Prayer  with  her  Mother,  and  jeer 
at  Popery  till  fhe  was  detected,  and  then  fhe  faid  fhe  might  join  with  them  no 
more. 

§  86.  They  that  ftole  her  away,  conveyed  her  to  France,  and  there  put  her  into 
a  Nunnery,  where  fhe  is  fince  dead.  Not  long  after  her  departure,  fhe  fent  a  Let- 
ter fu  per  fcri  bed  to  her  Lady  Mother,  &c  and  fubferibed  ,  Sifter  Anna  Maria ,  &c. 
It  contained  the  Reafons  of  her  Perverfion  :  And  though  I  knew  they  were  not 
like  to  fuffer  her  to  read  it,  I  wrote  an  Anfwer  to  it,  at  her  Mother's  defire,  which 
was  fent  to  her  by  her  Mother.  The  Letter  which  I  fent  her  the  day  before  fhe 
was  ftoln  away,  and  the  Anfwer  to  that  her  Letter  from  the  Nunnery  ,  I  thought 
meet  here  to  infert,  which  are  as  followeth. 

The 


,  m      -     '  ■■■■  '' 

Part  II.     Reverend  Mr. Richard  Baxter.         221 


The  Letter  to  the  Lady  Anne  Lindfey. 

Madam  ! 


T 


H  E  Reafons  that  moved  me  to  be  fo  importunate  with  you  for  a  Conference 
in  your  hearing  with  the  ableft  Jefuit,  Prieft,  or  other  Papift  you  could  get, 

*  were  (as  I  told  you)  i.  My  very  highefteem  of  your  truly  Honourable  Mother  j 
1  whofe  Sorrow  hath  been  fo  great  for  your  Delufion,  that  I  mutt  confefs,  though 
1  but  a  Stranger,  I  fuffer  much  with  her  by  Compaflion.     And  as  it  would  much 

*  relieve  her  if  you  were  recovered,  fo  if  God  deny  her  that  Mercy,  it  will  iome- 
'  what  fatisfie  her  Confcience,  that  fhe  hath  not  been  wanting  in  the  ufe  of  means. 
'  2.  And  for  your  own  fake,whom  I  the  more  companionate,  becaufe  you  are  not 
'only  the  Daughter  of  fuch  Pacents,but  of  ib  modelt  and  fober  a  Diibofition  your 
'  felfjthat  I  am  not  out  of  hopes  of  your  Recovery,  though  the  Difeale  be  iuch  as 
'few  are  cured  of,that  catch  it  by  relapfeand  defertionot  the  Truth. 

1 1  can  imagine  nothing  but  Confcioufnefs  of  a  bad  Caufe,  that  can  caufe  them 
'  thus  to  decline  a  Conference.  You  fay  thePerfon  well  knoweth  me  (  though  I 
'  know  not  him  )  and  dare  truft  himfelf,  &c.  why  then  will  he  not  meet  me  to  de- 
'  bate  the  Cafe  ?  He  cannot  but  have  exceeding  great  odds  or  advantages  of  me  as 
'  to  perfonal  preparations :  for  they  are  trained  up  meerly  to  this  work  (I  am  loath 
'  to  fay  ro  deceive)  and  have  all  the  helps  that  Art  «an  afford  them.     I  was  never 

*  of  any  Univerfitie,  nor  had  one  Months  afliffance  of  any  Tutor  in  all  my  Stu- 
'dies,  of  Sciences  or  Theology.  If  you  can  get  no  Jefuit,  Fryar  or  Prieif  thac 
'  will  fairly  debate  his  Caufe  with  one  of  fo  poor  Preparations  and  Abilities,  doth 
'it  not  fliew  that  they  are  lamentably  diffident  of  their  Cauie.  All  the  Conditions 
'  or  Terms  that  I  defire  to  be  before  agreed  to  are  but  thefe.  i.  That  I  may  one 
'  day  produce  my  Reafons  why  you  mould  not  have  turned  Papiff,  and  therefore 
'  mould  return  j  and  he  Anfwer  them  as  I  urge  them.  And  that  the  next  day  (or 
'  the  firftif  he  defne  it )  he  will  produce  his  Reafons  why  you  ought  to  turn  to 
"  them  as  you  did,  and  I  anfwer  them.  2.  That  we  may  fpeak  by  turns,  without 
'  interrupting  one  another.  3.  That  whatever  Paflages  mufr  be  determined  by 
«  Books  (or  Witnefles)  that  are  not  at  hand,  they  may  be  noted  down,  and  left  till 
'  there  be  leifureto  nerufe  them.  4.  That  there  be  two  Witneffes  on  each  fide  (of 
'  whom  one  to  be  a  Scribe  )  and  as  many  more  as  he  defireth  :  And  I,  and  thofe 
'  with  me,  (hall  be  engaged  to  do  him  no  wrong  by  any  difcovery  of  his  Perfon, 
'  to  endanger  him  as  to  the  Law  or  Governours.  This  is  all  that  I  fhould  oblige 
'him  to  beforehand.     I  ag.iin  intreat  you,  if  one  will  not,  get  another  to  mode- 

*  rare  the  Work.  I  underltand  by  you,  that  the  Perfon  you  depend  on  avoideth 
'  me  not  in  any  Contempt  :  for  you  tell  me  he  hath  honourable  thoughts  of  me,  and 
1  "well  km-weth  me.  If  fb,  why  will  he  not  confer  wich  me,  as  well  as  he  hath  done 
'  with  Dr.  Gunning  ? 

'  For  Writing,  1.  It's  like  he  knoweth  that  I  am  here  engaged  in  fo  much  una- 
'  voidable  Work,  that  I  have  fcarce  time  to  eat  or  deep.  2.  You  cannot  but 
'  know  that  by  Writing  it's  like  ro  be  a  year ,  or  many  years  .work  :  And  them- 
'  fclves  have  cut  me  out  Work  enough  already  for  my  Pen,  if  I  had  no  more  ('and 
'now  would  take  me  off  it,  that  I  might  be  forced  to  omit  one).  I  look  not  to 
'live  to  end  a  Difputeby  Writing,  fo  many  are  my  Infirmities,  and  are  you  con- 

*  tent  to  (lay  fo  long  before  you  have  the  benefit  ?  3.  If  Writings  will  be  ufeful  to 
'  you,  may  you  not  as  well  read  what  is  written  already  ?  Many  great  Volumes 
c  are  yet  unanswered  by  them.     4.  I  have  already  written  divers  Writings  againft 

*  the:r  Delufions  (viz,.  The  Safe  Religion  ;  A  Key  for  Cathohcks ,  &C.  A  Winding  ^net 
'  for  Popery  j  The  true  Catholick  and  the  Catholick  Church  defcribed ;  A  Dtjputatton  with 
'  A/r.Johnfon  about  the  Succeffive  Vifibility  of  the  Church']  and  they  never  anfweredany 
'  one  of  them ;  no  not  fo  much  as  the  lingle  Sheet  that  ever  I  heard  of.  When  they 
'  have  anfA-ered  them  all,  let  them  call  for  more  ,  or  offer  writing,  y.  But  yet, 
4  rather  than  be  wanting  to  you,  let  the  Perfon  but  vouchfafe  me  this  Verbal  Con- 
4  ference  firif ,  and  try  what  we  can  do  in  a  few  hours  there,  and  if  there  mall  then 
f  appear  to  be  caufe  to  profecute  it  by  Writing,  I  intend  not  to  fail  of  taking  the 
1  firir  opportunity  for  it,  that  greater  Duties  will  permit.    I  have  done  my  part  in 

*  urging  you  and  them  with  my  offer,  till  you  call  me  unto  more. 

'  In  the  mean  time,  Madam,  may  I  intreat  you  to  read  impartially  and  delibe- 
'  rarely,  1.  My  little  Book  called,  The  True  Catholick  and  Catholick  Church  j&c.( which 

*  *  I 


222  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.] 


?  I  (hall  lend  or  bring  you).     2.  My  Preface  before  the  Difputation  with  Mr.Jobn- 

*  fin  and  the  Letters  in  the  end,  and  the  Second  Part,  and  then  the  firft.     3.  My 

*  twofirft  Books  againft  Popery  (The  Safe  Religion  and  The  Key):  For  your  fyr- 
'  mer  reading  of  them ;  before  any  doubting  had  made  you  ohferve  the  ftrefs  of 
'  Arguments,  is  nothing  ;  if  you  will  but  now  read  them  again  impartially  after 
c  your  contrary  Conceptions,  continue  a  Papift  if  you  can.    And  truly  if  you  will 

*  not  do  thus  much  for  your  own  Soul  ,  becaufe  Men  engage  you  to  the  contrary, 
'  that  dare  not  appear  to  make  good  their  own  Caufe,  I  muft  be  a  WitnefUgainit 
'  you  before  the  Lord,  that  you  wilfully  refilled  Inftruction,  and  fold  your  Soul  at 
'  too  cheap  a  rate. 

'  1  tried  when  I  was  lad  with  you,  to  revive  your  Reafon,  by  propofing  to  you 
c  the  Infallibility  of  the  Common  Senfes  of  all  the  World  ;  and  I  could  not  pre- 
'  vail  though  you  had  nothing  to  anfwer  that  was  not  againft  Common  Senfe.  And 
■  it  is  impoffible  any  thing  controverted  can  be  brought  nearer  you ,  or  made 
'  plainer  than  to  be  brought  to  your  Eyes  and  Tafte  and  Feeling  :  and  not  yours 
c  only,  but  all  Mens  elfe.  Senfe  goes  before  Faith.  Faith  is  no  Faith  but  upon 
4  Suppofition  of  Senfe  and  Underitanding ;  if  therefore  Common  Senfe  be  fallible, 
'  Faith  muft  needs  be  lb. 

*  But  methinks  yet  1  mould  have  hope  of  reviving  your  Charity  :  You  cannot 
'  be  a  Papift  indeed,  but  you  muft  believe,  that  out  of  their  Church  (  that  is  out 
( of  the  Pope's  Dominions  )  there  is  no  Salvation  j  and  confequently  no  Juftifica- 

*  tion  and  Charity,  or  faving  Grace  :  And  is  it  poffible  you  can  fo  eafily  believe 
'  your  religious  Father  to  be  in  Hell  ;  your  prudent,  pious  Mother  to  be  void  of  the 
'  Love  of  God,  and  in  a  ftate  of  Damnation  ;  and  not  only  me  ( that  am  a  Stran- 

*  ger  to  you  )  but  all  the  Millions  of  better  People  in  the  World,  to  be  in  the  fame 
r  State  (of  Gracelefnefs  and  Damnation  )  and  all  becaufe  we  believe  not  that  the 
f  Pope  is  Chrift's  Vicar  General,   or  Deputy  on  Earth,  and  dare  not  fubje&  our 

*  felves  to  his  ufurped  Dominions?  When  we  are  ready  to  profit  before  the  Lord, 
e  as  we  (hall  anlwer  it  at  his  Bar,  that  we  would  be  his  Subjects  but  for  Fear  of  the 

*  high  Difpleafure  of  the  true  Head  and  King  of  the  Church,  and  for  fear  of  fin- 
\  ning  and  Damning  our  own  Souls :  And  that  we  are  heartily  willing  to  read,  and 
1  ftudy  and  pray,  and  hear  all  that  can  be  faid  for  them  ;  and  fome  of  us  read  ar 
c  much  of  their  Writings  as  of  our  own  and  more  ;  and  would  not  flick  at  Coft  or 
'  Pains,  or  Lofsor  Shame  ;  were  it  to  travail  over  Land  and  Sea  to  find  out  that 
c  they  are  in  the  Right  (  if  that  would  do  it,  and  they  be  fo  indeed  ).  But  the  more 
'we  ftudy,  the  more  we  pray  to  God  for  his  Afliftance,  the  more  diligently  we 

c  fearch,  we  are  the  more  refolved  and  convinced,  that  their  way,  as  it  diflereth 
f  from  ours,  is  falle  ;  and  that  they  are  the  mdft  Superfluous,  Tyrannical,  Leprous 

*  part  of  the  Cacholick  Church.condemningthe  main  Body, becaufe  they  will  not  be 
\  under  their  abominable  Dominion,and  will  not  fin  as  much  as  they.  We  hold  all 
'*.  that  was  held  neceffary  by  the  Apoftles  and  the  ancient  Church ;  and  we  dare  not 
c  make  a  new  Faith  to  our  felves,  as  the  Papal  Sectaries  have  done  :  Muft  we  re- 
e  nounce  both  our  Senfe  and  Reafon,  and  put  olit  the  Eye  of  Natural  Underftand- 
'  ing,  and  alfo  renounce  the  Catholick  Church  and  Chriftian  Charity,  and  ftep 
c  inro  the  Throne,  and  pronounce  Damnation  not  only  upon  all  the  Saints  of  God 
'  that  we  have  been  acquainted  with  our  felves  ,  bur  alfb  on  the  Body  of  Chrift 
'  which  he  died  for,  even  on  the  far  greateft  part  of  the  Univerfal  Church',  and  all 

*  this  becaufe  they  will  not  depart  from  the  Word  of  God,  to  corrupt  his  Do&rine, 
'  Difcipline  and  Worihip,  and  herein  obey  an  ufurping  Vice  Chrift  ?  muft  we  do 

*  all  this,  pr  elfe  be  judged  to  Damnation  by  the  Sedrariesof  Rome  ?  For   my  part, 

*  I  {hall  be  fo  far  from  fearing  their  Sentance,  that  I  appeal  to  Chrift,  whole  Body 
'  thev  condemn  ;  and  I  had  rather  be  tortured  in  their  Inquifition,  and  cut  asfmall 
e  as  Herbs  to  the  Por,  and  be  accounted  the  odioufeft  Wretch  on  Earth,  than  be 
'  guilty  of  being  a  Papift  at  all,  but  efpecially  on  fuch  hellilh  Terms  as  thefe.     If 

*  the  greater  part  of  the  Church  muft  be  damned  as  no  part  of  the  Church  ,  it 
c  will  be  impoffible  to  prove  your  Se£t  or  Fragment  to  be  the  Church ,  any   more 

*  than  any  other.  Chrift,  is  the  Saviour  of  .his  Body,  Eph.  5".  23,  and  to  him,  as  to 
'  its  Head,  it's  fubje#,  <ver.  24.  and  this  Body  is  that  which  is  fan&ified  by  him, 
c  ver.  26.  And  by  one  Spirit  all  his  Members  are  baptized  into  one  Body,  1  Cor.  12.  12, 

*  1;.  Did  you  never  note,  where  the  Unity  ol  the  Body  is  fullieft  defcribed  , 
'  that  Apoftles  themfelves  are  made  but  Members,  and  Chnjl   only  the  Head,  1  Cor. 

*  27,  28,  29.  Eph.  4.  4,  f,  7,  11.  There  is  but  one  Lord,  dec.  but  diver/tty  of  gifts, 
f  of  whom  the  Apoftles  are  the  chief.  And  when  Thoufands  -were  added  to  the  Church t 
i  (even  fuch  afjhould  be  Caved,  A&s  2.  47.)  what  made  them  Chriftians  but  the  Bap- 

6  tifmai 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         223 

*  tifmal  Covenant  ?  and  whar  were  they  Baptized  into,  but  into  the  Name  of  the 
'Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft?  Peter  or  Paul  baptized  none  into  their  own  Names, 
'  nor  dare  the  Pope  himfelf,  left  his  Innovation  be  too  vifible.     Chrift  hath  faid,  He 

*  that  believeth  and  is  baptized  jhall  be  faved,Mark  16. 16.  Did  they  ever  then  fub- 
'  jedany  Baptifm  to  the  Bifhop  of  Rome?  Was  the  Eunuch  Atts  8.  fubjected  to 
'  the  Pope,  that  only  faith  \_  I  believe  that  Jefus  Chrift  is  the  Son  of  God~]  and  was 
c  Baptized  ?  If  men  could  not  be  faved  without  believing  in  the  Pope,  and  being 
1  fubjed  to  the  Church  of  Rome,  how  comes  it  to  pals  that  none  or'  the  Apoft  les 
f  preached  this  neceflary  Article  of  Faith  ?  Why  did  they  never  fay.  You  muft  be- 
'lieve  in,  or  be  fubjecT:  to  the  Pope  of  Rome ,  or  you  cannot  be  faved  ?  Would 
'  they  be  fo  unfaithful  as  to  hide  a  necdfary  Article  ?  Why  did  Peter  h'm\lh\f,Al;ls2. 
c  by  Baptifm  take  Three  thouland  into  the  Church  without  preaching  any  of  this 
'  Doctrine  to  them.    The  Gofpel  profelTeth,that  he  that  hath  the  Son  hath  Lifej  Job. 

*  C.I  1,  12.  and  whofoever  believeth  in  him  jliall  not  peri(h  but  have  ever laftmg  life,  Joh. 
'  1.  16.  *nd  that  there  is  no  condemnation  to  them  that  are  in    Chrift  Jefus,  that  walk 

*  not  after  the  Flejli  but  after  the  Sprit.  And  now  up  fteps  a  Man  of  Rome,  and  pre- 
'  fumeth  to  Reverfe  the  Gofpel,  and  fay,  [  Its  no  Juch  matter]  for  all  this  they  ft  all  not 
c  be  faved,  nnleft  they  will  be  my  Subjects  ?  ] 

'  If  you  fay  that  thofe  may  be  faved  that  Sin  for  want  of  Light ;  I  anfwer,  1.  On 
f  this  account  your  Doctors  teach  the  Salvation  of  Heathens,  (  Are  thofe  of  your 
c  Church  ?)  and  fb  no  otherwife  of  Chriftians  than  of  Heathens.  2.  Either  thefe 
'  wanting  your  Light  are  in  the  Church  or  out.  If  in  it,  then  a  Man  may  be  of  the 
'Church  without  being  a  Papift,  which  is  againft  your  Faith.  If  out  of  it,  then 
'  it  feems  Men  out  of  the  Church  may  be  faved,  and  Chrift  is  the  Saviour  of  more 
c  than  his  Body,  which  is  againft  your  Faith  and  ours.  5.  Who  is  it  that  hath 
*'  fufficient  Light  ?  if  all  that  have  heard  or  read  the  frivolous  Reafonings  of  the  Pa- 
c  pifts,  then  your  Parents,  and  almoft  all  of  us  muft  perifh  :  But  if  it  be  any  other 
'  Light  which  muft  be  had,  you  know  not  what  meafiire  to  give  us  to  difcern  it, 
rnor  ever  will  know;  and  fb  you  make  your  Church  invifible,  while  the  Members 
'  of  it  cinnot  be  known:  For  none  can  know  of  another  (  by  your  Rule)  whether 
f  his  Light  be  fufficient  or  not  ?  And  I  pray  you,  are  not  all  the  Indians  of  America, 
c  that  never  heard  of  Chrift,  the  Members  of  your  Church  ?  for  their  Light  fure 
f  is  not  fufficient  to  fhew  them  either  the  Pope  or  Chrift.  Hath  he  the  heart  of  a 
1  right  Chriftian  that  can  thus  damn  two  or  three  parts  of  all  the  Chriftians  in  the 
'  World,  for  not  believing  in  a  Wretch  at  Rome,  that  fbmetime  is  an  Infidel  him- 
'  felf,  (  for  fb  was  Pope  John  2;.  judged  to  be,  by  the  great  General  Council  at 
c  Confiance,  even  one  that  believed  no  Refurrection  ,  which  is  worfe  than  a  Turk, 

*  or  Jew,  or  fbme  Heathens,). 

f  And  it's  a  wonder  to  me,  that  if  your  own  Soul  hath  ever  been  feriou fly  con- 
c  verfant  with  God  in  Holy  Worihip,  you  can  favour  and  fuic  with  the  Cantings, 
c  and  Repetitions,  and  Stage-Devotions  of  the  Papifts :  and  that  a  Latin  Mafs 
c  fhould  be  believed  to  be  the  acceptable  way  of  Worfhip  ;  when  the  Holy  Ghoft 
'  hath  fo  plainly  and  copioufly  difowned  that  ferving  of  God  in  an  unknown  tongue, 
'  1  Cor.  14. 

'  Pardon  me,  if  I  intreatyou  to  make  a  deliberate  fearch  into  your  Heart  and 
r  former  Ways,  and  try  whether  you  converted  with  God  in  the  Spirit,  and  were 
'  ferious  in  your  Faith  and  Love  and  Worfhip :  If  you  were  not,  no  wonder  if  an 
'  unfbund  fuperfical  Religion  be  eafily  let  go,  and  fuch  an  unexperienced  Heart  can 
'  fuit  with  a  Canting,  Carnal,  ludicrous  kind  of  Devotion  ;  or  if  God  fo  far  for- 
'  fake  a  Soul  that  was  not  found  and  ferious  in  the  Religion  once  profelTed  by  you. 
'  But  if  it  was  better  with  yOu,  then  its  Arange  your  Soul  can  Co  lofeits  reli/h  ;  and 
'  its  ftranger  that  one,  that  was  a  Member  of  Chrift,  and  in  the  Church  and  jufti- 
'  fled  before,  fhould  turn  to  a  Se<5t  that  tells  them,  they  were  not  what  they  were, 
'  and  muft  come  to  them  for  what  they  had  already. 

c  And  whereas  all  the  pretence  you  fliew  me  for  your  Change  was  the  difference 
f  that  you  found  amongit  us  Proteftants,  and  our  condemning  one  another,  do 
'  you  not  know  that  in  Policy,  greater  Differences  are  tolerated  among  the  Pa- 
c  pifts  under  the  Names  of  divers  Orders,  by  far  than  any  are  between  the  Pref- 
c  byterian,  Independant  and  Epifcopal  Proteftants.  And  that  none  but  ungodly  or 
'  uncharitable  paflionate  People  with  us,  do  deny  any  of  thefe  Parties  to  be  true 
'  Members  of  the  Univerfal  Church  :  If  you  here  met  with  any  one  that  doth  con- 
c  demn  the  other,  as  no  parts  of  the  Church  of  Chrift,  they  fpake  not  according  to 
r  the  Proteftant  Religion,  and  you  can  no  morech?'^e  us  with  the  Railings  of  every 
c  Fellow  that  is  drunk  with  domineering  Pride  or  Pafiion,  than  with  the  words  of 
'  the  next  Scold  or  Quaker,  or  Papift  that  you  fhall  hear  Reviling  us.  f  I 


224- 


The  L  I  F  E  of  the'  Lib.  J 


f  I  have  faid  more  to  you  than  at  firft  I  intended.  I  look  on  you  as  one  about 
c  that  Age,  when  Conference  ufeth  to  receive  its  firft  ferious  deep  Impreflions,and 
'  the  Papifts  falling  in  with  you  juft  at  that  time,  (  I  doubt  before  you  had  hear- 

*  tily  received  the  Life  of  what  before  you  profeffed,  and  had  time  to  be  roofed 

*  and  ftablifhed  in  the  Truth  )  the  opportunity  ferved  them  to  your  Delufion  : 

*  That  it  may  not  prove  to  your  everlafting  Deftrudion,  (hall  be  the  Prayers,  and 

*  if  you  admit  them,  the  faithful  Endeavours  of 

Dec.  i.  1660.  Your  Servant  in  obedience  to  Chrift, 

though  to  no  Vice-drift, 

kick  Baxter. 


The'  Anfmr  to  the  Lady  Anne  Lindfey\f  Letter  to  her  Mether. 

Madam  ! 

'  TT  pleafed  the  truly  honourable  Lady  your  Mother  to  {hew  me  your  Letter 
c  JL  directed  to  her  from  Calice,  and  to  give  me  leave  to  fend  you  my  Animadver- 
e  fions  upon  it :  which  I  am  the  willinger  to  do,  becaufe  I  perceive  you  have  there 
'  contracted  the  Reafbns  molt  commonly  ufed  for  the  perverting  of  the  Ignorant, 
'and  which  its  likely  have  prevailed  moft  with  your  felf:  (  You  muft  give  me 
r  leave  to  be  free  and  plain  with  you  irt.the  Matters  of  God  and  of  Salvation ), 
s  I  think  it  meet  to  leave  the  firft  part  of  your  Letter  (  of  the  Point  of  Obedience) 

*  to  your  Mother's  Animadverfions :  It  is  the  Doctrinal  Part  that  I  (hall  (peak 

*  to. 

1  You  lay  that  [  Herefies  againft  Faith,  exprejfed  by  the  Name  of  Setts  ^  cut  us  off  from 
c  Heaven,  and  that  an  Anathema  is  on  them  that  preach  any  other  Dottrine  than  what  "was 
'  preached  by  the  Apofiles].  How  far  Herefie  cuts  off  from  the  Church,  I  have  di- 
c  ftindly  (hewed  you  in  the  end  of  my  Book  againft  Mr.  Johnfon,  on  that  Qiiefti- 
1  on  :  but  while  you  exped  your  Mother  (hould  confider  of  your  Reafbns ,  you  - 
e  will  not  your  (elf  perufe  an  Anfwer  to  them,  which  before  was  tendered  you  : 
'  whom  then  can  you  blame  if  your  Soul  be  cheated.  Briefly,  you  err  in  Con- 
f  founding  Setts  and  Herefies,  which  are  not  the  fame.  Herefies  indeed,  which  are 
€  falie  Dodrines  practically  inconfiftent  with  the  Ejjentials-of  Chrifiian  Faith ,do  cut  Men 
f  off  from  a  ftate  of  Life,  or  (hew  them  to  be  Aliens :  but  leffer  Errours,  called 
c  Herefies  by  ignorant  or  uncharitable  Men ,  do  un- Church  none.    Herein  I  plead 

*  for  you :  for  if  they  did,  then  wo  to  the  Church  of  Rome,  that  hath  (b  many  Er- 
c  rours:  And  if  it  be  damnable  to  be  a  Sett,  all  Papifts  mult  be  damned;  they  be- 
'  ing  as  certainly  a  Sed  as  there  is  any  in  the  World  :  A  corrupt  part  of  the  Uni- 
'  verfal  Church,  condemning  the  reft,  and  pretending  to  be  it  (elf  the  whole,  isva 
'  Sed  or  Party  of  Schifmaticks :  but  fuch  are  the  Papifts :  Therefore  they  are  a 
'  Sed,  &c,  But  this  is  not  the  worft ;  You  confequently  Anathematize  all  Papifts 
e  by  your  Sentance :  for  Herefies  by  your  own  Sentance  cut  off  Men  from  Hea- 
i  ven  :  But  Popery  is  a  bundle  of  Herefies :  Therefore  it  cuts  off  Men  from  Hea- 
f  ven.  The  minor  I  prove  according  to  your  Churches  Principles.,  that  Dodrine  is 
e  Herefie  which  is  contrary  to  a  point  of  Faith  :  But  many  of  the  Papifts  Dodrines 
'  are  contrary  to  Points  of  Faith  :  Ergo,  &c.    To  pafs  by  now  all  thofe  Points  of 

*  Pojpery  which  are  contrary  to  what  the  Holy  Scripture  revealeth  for  us  to  be- 
'  lieve  (which  are  many  )  I  only  inftance  in  the  Point  of  Sovereignty ,  is  contrary 

*  to  the  Determination  of  our  General  Councils.  That  which  is  contrary  to  what 
'  a  General  Council  pronounceth  to  be  believed^  is  (  in  the  Papifts  fence  )  a  Here- 
€  fie  :  But  that  the  Pope  is  above  a  General  Council,  and  that  a  General  Council 
r  is  above  the  Pope,are  both  determined-to  be  believed  by  General  Councils :  The 
f  firft  by  the  Councils,  at  the  Laterane  and  Florence  $  and  the  fecond  by  the  Coun- 
c  cils  at  Confiance  and  Bajil :  They  are  both  Herefies  therefore,  becaufe  they  are 
1  both  againft  General  Councils:  and  they  are  both  Points  of  Popery,  becaufe  both 
1  determined  in  General  Councils,  (  as  I  have  proved  in  my  Key ,  &c.)  If  you 
e>  will  perufe  a  Catalogue  in  the  End  of  my    Book,  called   The  Safe  Religion  ,  or 

'the 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         225 

c  the  Thirty  two  Novelties  mentioned  in  my  Key,  fag.  142,  143,  144.  yon  will 
c  fee  whether  Popery  be  Error.  If  any  other  Doctrine  contrary  to  Chrift's  do  in- 
c  fer  an  Anathemay    then   everlafting  Woe  to  Papifts.    And  here  you  may  fee  the 

*  Safety  of  the  true  Catholicks  that  have  rejected  Popery  :  Our  Religion  is  all  con- 
c  tained  in  the  Holy  Scripture  ;  we  profefs  to  have  no  other  Rule  ;  and  you  charge 
c  us  not  ( that  I  know  of.)  with  believing  too  much  by  holding  any  pofitive  Error, 
'  but  with  believing  too  little,  becaufe  we  believe  not  your  fupernumerary  Articles: 
'  And  therefore  you  cannot  fay,  that  we  teach  any  other  Doctrine  than  Chrift's  : 
1  though  you  fancy  that  we  teach  not  all,  becaufe  we  teach  not  your  Tradition?. 

*  But  on  the  contrary,  we  prove  that  you  teach  another  Dottrine,  and  many  (uch, 
'  which  Chrift  never  delivered  to  the  Church.  But  yet  to  abate  your  fevere  Self- 
c  condemnation,  let  me  excufe  you  thus  far,  as  to  lay,  that  you  do  it  upon  miftake  : 
r  For  Gal.  I.  faith  not,  [Let  him  be  accurfed  that  preacbeth  another  DoUnnc"]  but  [  ano- 
(  ther  Go/pel:  ]  While  it  is  the  fame  Gojpel  in  the  Effentialsthat  is  preached  and  be- 
c  lieved,  this  Anathema  belongs  not  even  to  you  that  err,  till  you  come  to  contra- 

*  did:  the  Ejfence  and  make  it  [another  Gofiel  ]  as  well  as  [  another  Dcclrh.-c    . 

'  If  you  have  made  it  your  whole  bufinefs  till  fevemeen  Years  of  Age  to  [pray 

*  to  God  to  direcl  you  to  follow  hu  Doclrine  ]  it's  like  that  I   (  anil  many  another  ) 

*  have  made  it  at  leaff,    as  much  of  our  Bufmefs   till  forty  fix  Years  of  Age,    as 

*  ever  you  did,  and  with  better  Advantage,  and  yet  are  as  confident  of  the  Falfe- 
1  nefsof  your  Doctrine,  as  we  are  that  the  Earth  doth  bear  us  j  here  therefore  you 
'  are  not  beforehand  with  us. 

f  But  what  have  you  found  that  cheated  or  frighned  you  into  Popery  :  1.  [  The 
'  variety  of  Judgments :]  But  you  never  found  the  far  greater  variety  among  Pa- 
'  pifts  ?  You  never  read  the  voluminous  Difpute  between  the  Dominicanes  and  Je- 

*  fiiits  (  to  overpafs  the  reft  )  ;  or  perhaps  you  will  (as  others  do  )  expect  that  the 
'  very  fame  Opinion  be  a  Plerefy  in  a  Calvanifi,  and  none  in  a  Dominkane  or  Jan- 
'fentfi  :  or  a  Herefy  in  a  Lutheran  and  none  in  a  Jefuit :    You  will  run  out  of  Eng- 

*  land  becaufe  of  Mens  diversity  of  Complexions,  and  finding  a  greater  Diverfity  in 
s  France,  expect  it  fhould  be  efteemed  none.  If  I  prove  not  before  any  impartial 
'  Judge,  that  the  Papifts  have  far  more  and  greater  Differences  amongft  rhemf  Ives 

*  than  the  reformed  Churches,  called  Proteftants  (  yea,  I  doubt  not,  I  may  add, 
'  than  Greeks,  Calvinifts,  Lutherans,  and  many  more  fuch  fet  together  )  then  lee 
'  your  Imagination  go  for  Truth.     Bellarmine  himfelf  hath  enumerated  enough. 

4  2.  You  fay,  [  t he  Scripture  admits  of  no  private  Interpretation  J.  But  1.  You 
'  abufe  the  Text  and  your  (elf  with  a  falfe  Interpretation  of  it,  in  thefe  Words. 
'  An  Interpretation  is  called  private,  either  as  to  the  Subjacl  Perfon,  or  as  to  the  In- 
'  terpreter  :  You  take  the  Text  to  fpeak  of  the  latter,  when  the  Context  plainly 
c  fheweth  you  that  it  (peaks  of  the  former :  The  Apoftle  directing  them  to  under- 
1  ftand  the  Prophefies  of  the  Old  Teftament,  gives  them  this  Caution;  That  none 
r  of  thefe  Scriptures  that  are  fpoken  of  Chrift  the  publick  Perfbn,  muft  be  inter- 
'  preted  as  fpoken  of  David  or  other  private  Perfons  only,  of  whom  they  were 
'  mentioned  but  as  Types  of  Chrift :  It  is  fubjectively  a  private  Interpretation  to 
'  reftrain  that  Scripture  (e.  g.  the  Second  Pfalm  )  to  David  or  other  ordinary  Men, 
'  which  the  Holy  Ghoft  intended  of  athe  Median.  But  here's  no  talk  againft  Pri- 
'  vate  Interpreters,  but  only  againft  a  Private  Interpretation.  2.  But  fuppole  it  were 
c  as  you  imagin,  and  the  publick  Judgment  of  any  Cafe  fuppofe  a  Publick  Inter- 
'  preter;  yet  every  Man  muft  fee  with  his  own  Eyes,  and  their  private  Judgment 
'  of  Difcretion  muft  be  according  to  their  private,  that  is,  perfbnal  Interpretation: 
f  Or  elfe  your  Churches  Interpretation  muft  have  another  publick  Interpretation, 
c  and  that  another,  and  fo  endlefly  :  If  we  can  underftand  your  Councils  (  which 
1  your  Doctors  difagree  about  )  without  another  publick  Interpretation,  we  may  as 

I*  eafily  underftand  the  Scripture,  or  at  leaft,  much  of  it :  And  therefore  that  can 
c  be  none  of  the  Sence  which  you  imagine  [  no  Scripture,  &c.  ]  3.  Yea,  flip- 
'  pofe  all  Interpretation  muft  be  publick,  and  you  may  not  prefume  to  mifunder- 
■  ftand  the  Commands  of  Repentance,  Faith  or  Love,  without  a  publick  Com- 
r  mentary,  do  you  think  this  doth  not  make  againft  you  ?  Is  not  the  Interpretation 
1  of  the  Papal  Seel  a  more  private  Interpretation  than  that  of  the  -whole  Church:  The 
'Greek,  Arminians,  Abaffines,  Proteftants,  and  fo  all  the  fargreateft  part  of  the 
c  Church  interpret  thofe  Texts,  which  you  wreft  for  the  Papal  Soveraignty,  in  a 
'  quite  other  Senfe  :  And  is  not  the  Interpretation  of  your  Fourth  or  Third  patt  of 
*  the  Church  ( that's  partial  in  the  Caufe  )  more  private  than  that  of  all  the  reft  ? 
c  would  you  have  Men  care  no  more  for  their  Souls  than  to  caft  them  away  upon 
'  the  Delufion  of  (uch  Reafbnings  as  thefe  ? 

Gg  »|.  Yod 


226  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 

f  3.  You  next  fpeak  of  (~  Interpretations  by  Apoftelical  Tradition  j :  But  are  fober 
People  capable  of  fuch  a  Bafflle,  as  to  lay  their  Salvation  on  a  Dream  that  ne- 
ver had  a  Being  ?  Was  there  ever  fiich  a  thing  as  an  Interpretation  of  the  Bible 
by  Apoftolical  Tradition,  without  which,  no  Scripture  mud  be  interpreted  ? 
Where  is  that  Commentary  that  the  World  never  knew,  and  yet  all  mull  know 
it  that  will  be  raved  ?  Written  it  is  not,  by  Fathers,  Popes,  or  Councils;  and  if 
unwritten,  in  whole  Memory  is  it,  and  how  learnt  they  it  ?  Not  in  the  Peoples, 
nor  the  generality  of  Paftors,  for  the/  (  that  were  moft  learned  )  piefiime  to  write 
their  private  Interpretations  and  Commentaries  (  never  giving  us  the  publick  Com- 
mentary) and  take  Liberty  to  differ  about  many  hundred  Texts  among  themfelves. 
and  are  not  thele  then  grofs  Delufion*. 

'  4.  You  fay,  [  the  Church  is  a  City  fet  upon  a  Hill.]  Chrift  fpeaks  there  of 
Preachers,  but  let  it  be  of  the  whole  Church.  In  good  fadnefs  can  you  believe  that 
[  the  Univerfality  of  Chrijliam  ]  which  is  the  true  Catholick  Church,  is  not  more  con- 
spicuous than  the  Papal  Faction,  or  any  one  particular  Part  ?  Should  your  Seel  be 
judged  more  vifible  than  the  whole  Chriftian  World  ? 

'  5".  That  the  Church  is  the  Pillar  and  Ground  of  Truth,  the  PoJJeJJ'ors,  Keepers  and 
Teachers  of  God's  Oracles,  and  that  the  Gates  of  Hell  Jhall  not  prevail  againft  it,  is  moft 
fureand  comfortable  Truth.  But  what  is  this  to  Rome,  any  more  than  to  Jerufa- 
lem or  Alexandria  ?  The  Gates  of  Hell  (hall  not  prevail  againft  the  Body  of  Chrift,  the 
Univerfality  of  Chriftians,  the.true  Catholick  Church  :  But  it  may  prevail  againft 
Corinthians,  Gallateans,  Romans,  or  any  particular  part  :  As  it  prevailed  againft 
Pope  John  XXII.  alias  XXlil.  to  make  him  deny  the  Refiirredtion,  arid  againft 
Pope  Eugemus  to  make  him  a  Heretick,  if  General  Councils  are  to  be  be- 
lieved. 

£  6.  As  to  what  you  fay  of  [  Apoftles  ftiU  placed  in  the  Church"]:  When  any  fhew 
us  an  immediate  Miffion  by  their  Commiflion  ;  and  by  Miracles,  Tongues,  and 
a  Spirit  of  Revelation  and  infallability  prove  themfelves  Apoftles,  we  ftiall  believe 
them.  Till  then  we  remember  that  Church  that  was  commended  for  trying  them 
that  faid  they  were  Apoftles,  and  were  not,  and  finding  them  Lyers,  Rev.  25.  Peter 
and  the  Twelve  Apoftles  with  him  we  acknowledge,  and  Paul  we  acknowledge, 
but  know  none  properly  called  Apoftles,  living  now  :  But  if  it  be  only  the  Name 
and  not  the  Office  that  you  differ  about ;  and  by  Apoftles  you  mean  not  [  Men 
immediately  fent  by  Chrift  to  preach  the  Goffd  with  a  Spirit  of  Mtracles  and  Infallability] 
(  which  is  our  Senfe  of  that  Word  )  but  fome  other  fort  of  Men,  then  if  they 
be  ordinory  Paftors  or  Bifhopsitsno  matter  of  Difference  ;  if  not,  you  mnftde- 
fcribe  them  before  we  can  know  them:  They  are  to  blame  whoever  they  be, 
that  they  call  not  themfelves  Apoftles,  and  tell  us  where,  who,  and  how  many  they 
are,  if  they  are  fb  indeed. 
'  7.  They  were  to  be  accounted  Heathens  and  Publicans  that  heard  not  the  Church 
admonifinng  them:  But  fure  other  Paftors  befides  Apoftles  muft  admonijh  and  be  heard: 
And  other  Churches  befides  the  Roman,  muft  hold  or  refufe  Communion,  as 
is  there  fignifkd ;  either  you  will  (  erroneoufly  )  have  that  Text  underftood  of 
the  Univerfal  Church,  or  elfe  ( truly  )  of  a  Particular  Church.  If  the  former, 
what's  that  to  the  Roman  Church,  that  is  but  a  (  corrupted  )  Part  ?  If  the  latter, 
it's  no  more  to  the  Roman  than  any  other,  which  are  particular  Churches  alio; 
furely  this  is  plain  Truth  if  you  are  willing  to  fee. 
'  8.  You  fay,  [  The  Faith  of  which  Believers  were,  was  that  of  the  Romans  fyread 
through  the  World.]  Anfw.  Yes;  and  it  was  the  Faith  of  the  Ephejians,  Philippians, 
Colcffians  too,  and  all  one  :  The  Romans  had  not  a  Faith  of  their  own  fpecifically 
different  from  others :  Nor  did  the  Holy  Ghoft  by  the  Apoftles  ever  give  one 
Word  of  Command  to  other  Churches,  to  conform  their  Faith  to  Rome,  or 
take  that  Church  for  their  Miftrefs  or  Sovereign.  Thefe  Fancies  Pride  hath  fet 
up  dgainft  Chrift  :  The  Faith  of  Jerufalem  was  as  much  known  through  the  World 
as  that  of  Rome ;  and  fure  you  think  not  that  [being  known  through  the  World  ] 
made  them  the  Rule  or  Rulers  of  the  World. 

'  9-  C  Upon  Obfervation,  you  find  this  Church  jhining  as  a  Light,  and  fet  as  a  City  on  a 
Hill  ]  And  was  not  Jerufalem,  Antioch,  Alexandria,  Ephefus,  &c.  fb  too  ?  Sure 
they  were.  All  faithful  Preachers  of  the  Gofpel,  efpecially  the  Apoftles,  were  ob- 
leivable  (  as  fuch  Lights  and  City  )  to  the  World,  that  wondred  at  their  Do&rine 
(  which  is  all  that  Chrift  there  faith  );  and  (as  I  faid  )  the  univerfal  Church  is 
more  obfervable  than  the  Roman  Seel: :  And  other  particular  Churches  are  and 
were  as  Light  and  Confpicuous  as  it:  And  the  moft  confpicuous  Church  hath 
from  thence  no  Pretence  to  be  the  rule  or  Ruler  of  the  reft. 

c  10.  You 


P  a  r.  T  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  227 


c 

: 


'  10.  You  fay,  f  This  Church  hath  been  ever-  triumphant  over  Hsrefies.  1  Atrfw. 
'  r.  What !  when  Honorius  was  by  two  or  three  General  Councils  condemned  W 
f  aHeretick?   Pope  John  XXII.  and  Eugenius,'  as  bsfore'faid,  for  that  ahd.worfe, 

*  (  with  many  more.  )  2.  Woe  to  the  Chinches,  if  others  had  not  conquered  He- 
'  refy  better  than  the  Roman  Party  hath  done.     3,  And  verily  did  you  think  that 

'  a  particular  Church  is  therefore  the  Rule  or  Ruler  to  the  reft,  becaufe  it  triumph-  ~* 
'  eth  aver  Herefy  ? 

'if.  You  add    [immoveable  in  Verfecut ions.  ~\     Anflu.   r.   For  they  have  been  the 

*  great  Perfecutors,  as  Leeches  fucking  and  fwell'd  with  the  Blood  of  Thoufmds  and 
z  Ten  Thoufands  of  the  Saints  and  Martyrs  pi  Jefus :  O  the  Blood  that  will  be 
'  found  among  them,  when  the  righteous  Judge  of  all  the  World  /hall  makelnqui- 
c  fition  for  Blood,  among  their  Maffacrees  and  Inquificions.     2.  Was  that  Church 

*  unmoveable  in  Perfecution,  when  the  Head  of  it  (  Pope  Marcellmus)  offered  In- 
'  cenfeto  Idols?  And  Liberius  fubfbribed  to  the  Arrians,  and  againft  Athenafius  ? 
'  What  fhould  I  tell  you  of  more,   who  I  perceive  are  made  believe  the  Crow  is 

*  white  ?'  3.  Again,  it  is  a  pitiful  Proof  of  their  Rule,  to  prove  them  immutable 
'  in  Perfection.  The  Church  hath  many  Heads,  if  every  Church  or  Bifhop  be 
'  its  Head  that  hath  ftood  faft  in  Perfecution. 

'  12.  You  add,  [  And  always  watchful  in  the  Succeffion  of  Vaflors.  ~)  I  give  you 
c  the  fame  Anfwers :  1.  watchful  indeed  !  when  their  own  Church  Hiftorie's  tell  us 
'  of  fuch.  Multitudes  that  came  in  by  Symony  or  Poifbn,  or  other  Murder. or  Vio- 
c  lence,  that  have  been  Hereticks  (as  aforefhewd  )  or  Adulterers,  Murdejcrs  and 
'  fuch  impious  Wretches  as  the  Cannons  depofe  ;  and  when  John  XII.  or  XUL 
'  was  depofed  by  a  Council  for  ravilhing  Maids  and  Wives  at  his  Doors,  and  abun  • 

*  dance  more  fuch  Villanies;  and  JobnWll.  for  worfe;  and  when  Eugenius  con- 
'  tinued  the  Succeffion  when  a  general  Council  had  judged  him  a  Heretick,  wicked 
'depofed,  &c.  and  when  they  have  had  fuch  abundance  of  Schifms,  having  two' 

*  three  or  four  Popes  alive  at  once  ;  and  one  Sehifm  of  Forty  Years,  in  which  no 
'  Man  knew,  or  knows  to  this  Day  which  was  the  true  Pope  :    and  when  mecr 

*  P-oj]effion  is  it  that  mud  prove  their  Succeffion.  For  (  befides  thefe  Incapacities  ) 
c  Mi.Johnfon  you  may  fee  confeffeth,  that  no  one  way  of  Election  f  by  Cardi- 
'  nals,  People,  Emperors,  Bifhops,  Councils,  &c.)  hath  been  held  or  isneceflary, 
'  nor  any  Confecration  neceffary  at  all,to  the  bsingof  the  Pope.  And  if  a  Succeffion 
'  of  bare  Pofleffion  ferve,  how. many  Churches  have  the  like  ?  Yea,  z.  Conftanti- 
'  nople,Etbiopia,Armemay2LX\<\  many  other  Churches  have  had  afar  mere  regular  Succef- 
'  iion  than  Rome ;  or  at  leaft  as  good.  3.  And  it's  a  pitiful  Argument,  that  becaufe  a 
'  Church  hath  had  a  Succeffion  of  Faftors,  therefore  they  are  the  whole  Church,  and 

*  others  are  no  part  j  or  therefore  they  are  the  Rule  and  Rulers  to  the  reft  ;  or  there- 

*  fore  we  mud  be  of  that  particular  Church  only.  Sure  none  denies  the  Succeffion  of 
'  Paftorsin  England,  as  to  meer  polfcffion  of  the  Place,  if  that  will  ferve  the  turn. 

'13.  To  what'you  fay  of  being  [  Men  Holy,  Catholick  and  Apoftotick and  cannot  de~ 
'  ceive  you.7]  I  anfwer,  1.  O  dreadful  Delufion !  that  a  Church  headed  with  hor- 
'  rid  Monlters  and  not  Men,  as  their  own  Hiftories  defcribe  a  multitude  of  their 
'  Popes,  mould  call  it  felf  and  fuch  Men  Holy  !  Dare  you  read  what  I  harewrit- 
g  ten  of  their  Holinefsin  my  Key>  chap.  34.  Detection  25-.  or  procure  them  to  an- 

*  fwer  that  and  the  reft  there.  2.  Are  all  that  are  Holy  the  Rule  or  Rulers  to  all 
'  others  ?  when  you  have  converted  among  the  Partifisone  feven  Years,  if  Delufi- 
'  on  leave  you  Reafon  and  Impartiality,  you  will  be  more  capable  of  comparing 
•them  with  your  own  Parents,  and  fuch  as  you  lived  amongft  here,  and  judging 
1  which  were  the  more  holy.  3.  As  \_Catbolick~]  fignifieth  a  Member  of  the 
e  Church  Catholick,  or  fuch  as  hold  ;he  Catholick  Faith,  fo  other  Churches  are-  much 
'  more  fuch  than  Rome :    As  it  fignifieth  -\jhe  umver/al Church"]  Rome  is  none  fuch. 

*  The  fame  I  fay  of  [  Aptftolick :  ]  Thofe  that  are  moft  exactly  of  the  Apoftolicl£ 
1  Faith,  are  to  be  called  Apofrolick  j  but  Woe  to  us  if  we  were  in  that  no  betted 
'  than  Rome. 

c  14/  You  may  fee  now  what  pitiful  C  rounds  you  have,  for  flying  into  aPeft- 
'  houle  as  a  City  of  Refuge  5  or  for  forfaking  all  the  cleaneft  Rooms  in  the  Houfe 
c  of  God,  and  betaking  your  felf  to  that  Room  that  hath  the  moft  leprous  infected 
'  Perfcns  in  it,  as  if  it  were  the  only  Church  of  God.  And  for  Novelties',  O  that 
'  the  whole  Cafe  might  there  be  tried  !  and  let  that  Church  that  hath  introduced 
'  moft  Novelties  in  Faith  and  Difcipline  and  Worlhip  be  moft  /ejected,  as  unclean, 

*  Were  you  impartial  thefeveral  Rulh  of  our  Religion  might  put  that  part  of  the 

*  Controverfy  paft  Controvei  fy  with  you  :  For  our  Rule  of  Religion  is  only  the  Ho- 

*  ly  Scnptm-e  j   (  if  you  (hew  us  that  we-  mifuuderftand  it,  we  ihall  renounce  that 

G  g  2  <  Mifim- 


228  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  J. 

1  mifunderftanding :  but  to  mifunderfland  Scripture,  is  to  make  a  new  Rule  ;  no 
'  more  than  to  underftand  your  Councils):  And  you  know  the  Scripture  ^  no 
'  Novelty,  but  the  Eldeft.  Your  R'ule  is  Councils  and  Papal  Decrees,  whiclj  are 
'  new,  contradi&ory,  and  endlefs ;  a/id  you  never  know  when  you  h#ve  all,  and 
m  '  when  your  Faith  is  .at  its  maturity,  and  no  more  to  be  added,  under  pietence 
V  *  of  Determinations.  If  you  dare  read  my  24th,  2^th,  and  3  jth  Dececiicn  in  my 
'  Key,  you  may  fee  quickly  who  are  the  Novelties :  One  chief  Reafon  of  my  af> 
c  horring  Popery,  is  that  I  am  abfolutely  certain  of  its  Novelty. 

■  Madam,  I  mud  take  the  freedom  to  lay,  That  when  your  Priefts  dare  neither 

f  Difpute  in  your  hearing,  upon  all  the  provoking  offers   that  I  madej  nor  yet 

c  will  anfwer  the  Books  that  1  have  written,  nor  yet  give  you  leave  to  read  them, 

4  they  have  imprilbned  your  Soul  in  the  partiality  of  a  "Seel:  ;  and   while  you  are 

f,fo  unfaithful  to  your  felf,  if  you  be  miferable  becaufe  you  would  not  make  ufe 

f  of  the  Remedy,  and  deluded  becaufe  you  are  refoived  or  obliged  from  coming 

f  into  the  Light,  your  Friends  will  have  an  eafier  account  to  make  for  you  before 

'God,  than  your  felf ;  as  having  difcharged  their  Duty,  when    you   wilfully  ,e- 

f  fule  yours.     What  you  read  formerly  againft  Popery  ,  before  you  doubted  or 

e  heard  their  Fallacies,  was  as  nothing  I  fuppofe:  for  I  do  not  think  you  olfcived,  or 

'  remember  the  ftrefs  of  the  Argumentation  which  you  read.     We  will   have  leave 

c  to  pray  for  you,  though  we  cannot  have  leave  to  inftrucl:  you  ;  and    God   may 

'  hear  us,  when  you  will  not:  which  I  have  the  more  hopes  of,  becaufe  of  the 

'  Piety  of  your  Parents,  and  the  Prayers  and  Tears  of  a  tender  Mother  poured  out 

**  for  you,  and  your  own  well-meaning  pious  difpofition  :  I  have  "known  fome 

f  (fuch)  Piety  bred  among  us,  carried  by  miftake  into  their  Church  ;  but  little  ini- 

r  tially  bred  there :  Though  they  pretend  that  Perfons  of  Charity  and  the  Spirit 

'  of  God  with  us,  muff  go  to  them  to  receive  it.     I  would  I  knew  whether  you 

r  can  fay  by  true  Experience,  [  I  felt  no  true  Love  of  God  in  my  Soul   before  •  but  as 

'  foon  as  1  turned  PapiH,  I  did,  and  have  now  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  his  Image,   which 

(  before  I  never  had\    Sure  the  Change  of  an  Opinion  about  your  Pope  and  Church 

'  is  one  thing  ;  and  the  Renewing  Grace,  and  Love  of  God,  and  Heavenly  mind- 

'  ednefs  is  another.     I  fear  not  your  [Prayers  bringing  your  Delufions,  and  ldola- 

*       l  try  in  your  Mothers  Chamber  fas  to  her  felf),  while  (he  walks  uprightly  with  God  : 

'  Nothing  that  I  find  in  your  Manual,  or  thz'Mafi  Book,  will  ever  have  that  power. 

*  For  the  Liberty  of  your  Religion,  which  you  fiy,  you  hope  for  on  the  Grounds  of  the 
'  King's  Beclaiation,  I  have  no  more  to  fay,  but  i.That  I  never  loved  Cruelty  in 
1  any,  and  it  hath  increafed  my  averfion  to  Popery,  that  I  frill  obferved  that  lying 
'  and  uncharitable  cruelty,  have  been  the  two  Hands  by  which  it  makes  fuch  a  buftle 
'in  the  World.  2.  And  that  if  Italy,  Spain,  and  Aufiria  ,  Bavaria ,  &c.  would 
c  grant  Liberty  to  Proteftants,  we  fhould  fee  more  Equality  in  the  Expeditions  of 
1  it  here :  but  if  you  get  Dominion,  as  well  as  Liberty,  it  will  be  no  Evidence  of  the 
'  Truth  and  Goodneis  of  your  Caufe  :  Our  God,  our  Rule,  our  Hope,  ouf  End 
(  and  Portion,  are  the  fame  in  the  Inyuijition,,  Prifon  and  Flames,  as  in  Profperity : 
'  We  have  a  Kingdom  that  cannot  be  moved,  and  Treafure  that  none  can  rob  us 
fof:  It  is  for  that,  and  not  for  Worldly  Profperity,  that  we  renounce  all  Senfuali- 
'  ty,  Herefie,  Superltition,  Idolatry,  Tyranny  and  falfe  Worftip  ,  and   defire  in 

*  Pure  and  Spiritual  Worlhip,  with  Faith  and  Patience,  to  wait  for  the  Coming 
'  and  Righteous  Judgment  of  the  Lord.  Who  with  the  Spirit  of  his  Mouth,  and  the 
f  brightnefs  of  his  Coming,  will  deftroy  that  wicked  One ,  the  Son  of  Perdttiont 
'  2ThefT.  2.  . 

Madam, 

London,  J an. 29.  J  refi  your  Servant  for 

1660. 

and  in  the  Truth  ofCbrift, 

Rich.  ^Baxter. 

'  Since  the  Writing  of  this,  I  am  informed  that  Mr.  Johhfon  is  the  Perfbn  that 
f  you  would  have  had  to  Difpute  for  you :  and  that  did  (  now  and  formerly  )  Di- 
f  fpute  with  Dr.  Gunning.    If  fo,  I  like  your  Condition  or  Religion  never  the  bet- 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         22? 

'  ter  for  your  denying  it :  when  you  confeffed  he  feared  not  any  injury  from  me.     > 
t  Our  Religion  is  more  a  Friend  to  Truth, 


For  the  honourable  Lady  Anne  Lindfey  at  Calice,  Th 


&» 


1  §  87.  When  the  King  was  received  with  the  General  Acclamation  of  his  People, 
the  Expectations  of  Men  were  various,  accoiding  to  their  ieveral  Interefts  and  In- 
ducements: Some  plain  and  moderate  Epifcopal   Men  thought  of  Reconciliation 
and  Union  with  the  faid  Presbyterians;  yea,  and   a  Reward  to  the  Presbyterians 
for  bringing  in  the  King.    The  more  Politick  Men  of  the  Diocefan  way,  un 
liood  that  upon  the  King's  Return,  all  the  Laws  that  had  been  made  in  Nineteen 
Years,  viz,,  firice  his  Father's  departing  from  the  Parliament  were  void,  and  lbtlwc 
all  their  Ancient  Power,  and  Honour,  and  Revenues  would  fall  to  them  without, 
any  njureado;  and  that  they  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  keep  the  Minifters  and  Peo- 
ple in  quietnefs  and  hopes,  till  Time  mould  fully  do  the  work.     Some  fcw  Presby- 
terians thought  the  King  would  favour  them  as  well  as  others,  for  itirring  up    the 
Soldiers  and  City  to  reitore  him  :  In  London,  I  found  that  Mr.  Calamy,  for  his  Age 
and  Political  Underftandin^  and  Intereft  in    the  Earl  of  Mane  he/} cr,  wlo  kept 
Correfpondence  with  him  in  luch  Matters,  was  much  valued  and  followed  .'  y  the 
London  Minifters,  as  their  Guide  j  and  many  frequently  met  at  his  Houfe :  :Ax.Ca- 
/awptook  Di\  Reynolds  along  with  him  ,  as  one  whole  Learning  and  Reputation 
would  be  of  ufe :  And  he  took  Mr.  yifh  along  with  him  ,  as  one  whole  eminent 
.Holinefs  and  Simplicity  made  him  much  loved  and  honoured  by  all  :  And  he  had 
been  the  Earl  of  Manchester's  Chaplain  in  the  Wars,  and  had  concurred  with  Kim 
to  bring  in  the  King  :  Theie  three  were  the  Leading  ^len  that  kept  Correfpondence 
with  the  Lords,  and  had  moft  Intereft,  feemingly,  at  Court,  as  having  been  mod 
ferviceable  to  them  :  To  them  joyned  Dr.  Bates,  Dr.  Manton,  and  moft  of  the  Ci- 
ty Minifters :  But  Dr.  Seaman  and  Mr.  Jenkins,  and  fome  few  more,  were  a  little 
eft  ranged  from  them,  and  hardlier  fpoken  of  at  Court.     Mr.  Calamfs  Party  (  and 
all  that  brought  in  the  King  )  were  for  Confutations  with  their  Friends  at  Court, 
For  the  preierving  of  the  Churches  Intereft.     Dr.  Seaman 's  Party  m'edled  not  with 
them,  not  as  being  unwilling,  but  becaufe  the  Court  did  give  them  no  Encourage- 
ment. 
§88.  For  die  Gratifying   and   Engaging  lome  Chief  Presbyterians  ,'that  had. 
^brought  in  the  King  ;  by  the  Earl  or  Mancbefier\  means ,  (  who  then  being  Lord 
^L-hamberlain,  it  belongeth  to  his  place)  above  Ten  or  Twelve  of  them    were  de- 
figned  to  be  the  King's  Chaplains  in  Ordinary.     Mr.  Calamy  and  Dr.  Reynold's  were 
rirft  put  in  ;  and  then  Mr.  A(h  was  importuned  to  accept  it,  and  then  they  put  me 
in  for  one  :  (  Mr.  Nath.  Newcomen  refufed  it  )  :  And  then  Dr.  Spur/low,  Dr.  Wallis, 
Dr.  Bates,  Dr.  Manton,  Mr.  Cafe,  &c.  were  admitted.     (  But  never  any  of  them 
was  called  to  Preach  at  Court,  laving  Mr.  Calamy,  Dr.  Reynolds,  my  Self  .and  Dr. 
Spurftow,  each  of  us  once  :  And  I  fuppole  never  a  Man  of  them  all  ever  received 
or  expected  a  Penny  for  thp  Salary  of  their  Places. 

§  89.  When  I  was  invited  by  the  Lord  Broghill  (afterwards  Earl  of  Orery)  to  meet 
him  at  the  Lord  .Chamberlain's ;  they  both'perfwaded  me  to  accept  the  Place,  to 
be  one  of  hisMajefty's  Chaplains  in  Ordinary.    I  defired  to 'know  whether  it  7 
were  his  Majefty's  deilre,  or  only  the  EfTec%  of  their  favourable   requeft  to  him.  \^so\ was 
They  told  me  that  it  was  his  Majefty's  own  defire,  and  that  he  would  take  it  as  an  Sworn  the 
acceptable  furtherance  of  his  Service.    Whereupon  I  took  an  Oath  from  the  Lord  King's 
Chamberlain,  as  a  Houfhold  Servant  of  his  Majefty's,  to  be  true  •  and  faithful  to  chg>fc"n 
him,  and  Difcover  any  Confpiracy  J  ihould  know  of,  &c.     And  I  received  this  —   r  ina" 
Certificate  from  him : 

• 

THefe  are  to  Certijiey  That  Richard  Baxter,  Clerk,  hath  been 
r  Sworn  and  Admttted  Chaplain  to  the  Kings  Majefty  in 
Ordinary ■>  to  have  and  Enjoy  all  Right sy  Profits,  and  Priviledg- 
es  thereunto  belonging.  Given  under  my  Hand  this  26th  of  June, 
1 660.  Jn  the  Twelfth  year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord 
the  King. 

Ed.  Manchefter, 


230  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J 

■  '.■.■«'      i«i     ■  '       ■■       ..I — ■  

§  90.  When  I  was  with  thele  two  Lords  on  this  occafion,  I  told  them  what  Con- 
ferences I  had  with  feveral  Epifcopal  Men  about  the  Terms  or' an  Agreement  or 
Coalition,  and  how  much  it  concerned  th»  Intereft,  both,  of  the  King  and  of  Re- 
ligion, that  we  might  be  fo  united,  and  what  unhappy  Confequences  elfe   wou;d 
follow,  and  how  eafie  I  thought  an  Agreement  with  moderate  Men  would  be,  and 
on  what  Terms  Bifhop  Ujher  and  I  had  agreed  in  ,  a  little  Ipace.     A  little  after  the 
Lord  BroghiU  was  pleafed  to  come  to  me ;  and  he  told  me,  That  he  had  told  the 
King  of  the  Bufinefs  of  a  Conference  tor  an   Agreement,  and  that  the    King 
took  it  very  well ,  and  was  refolved  to  further  it.     And  about  the  fame  time 
the  Earl  of  Manchefter  fignified  as  much  to  Mr.  Calamy  :  So  that  Mr.  Calamy , 
Dr.  Reynolds ,  Mr.  Jfl) ,  and  my  Self  went  about  it  to    the  Earl   of   Manche- 
fter Lord  Chamberlain,  and   after  Confultations  of  the  Bufinefs -with  him,  he 
determined  of  a  Day  to  bring  us  to  the  King.    Mr.  Calamy  ( to  whom  both   \ 
and  I  think  all  the  reft,  did  leave  the  Nomination  of  the  Perfons  to  be  employ- 
ed )  advifed  that  all  that  were  the  King's  Chaplains  of  us  might  be  called  to  the 
Confutation,  and  that  we  four  might  not  leem  to  take  fo  much  upon  us  withour 
others :  (  if  we  did  go  once  without  them  to  the  King,  which  I  well  remem- 
ber not,  that  was  all  ) :  So  Dr.  WaHist  Dr.  Manton,  and  Dr.  Spurftow,  &c<  went 
with  us  to  the  King :  who  with  the  Lord  Chancellofir,  and  the  Earl  of  St.  Albamt 
&c.  came  to  us  in  the  Lord  Chamberlain's  Lodgings.    We  exercifed  more  bold- 
nels  at  firft,  than  afterwards  would  have  been  born :  when   fome  of  the  reft,  had 
congratulated  his  Majefty's  happy  Reft  oration,  and  declared  the  large  hope  which 
they  had  of  a  happy  Union  among  all  Diifenters  by  his  means,  &c.    I  prefumed 
to  (peak  to  him  of  the  Concernments  of  Religion,  and  how  far  we  were  from  de-' 
firing  the  continuance  of  any  Fa&ions  or  Parties  in  the  Church,  and  how   much  a 
happy  Union  would  conduce  to  the  good  of  the  Land,  and  to  his  Majefty's  Sati£ 
facirion;  and  though  there  were  turbulent  Fanatick  Perfons  in  his  Dominions,  yet 
that  thofe  Minifters  and  Godly  People,  whofe  Peace  we  humbly  craved  of  him, 
were  no  fuch  Perfons,  but  fuch  as  longed  after  Concord,  and  were  truly  Loyal  to 
him,  and  defired  no  more  than  to  live  under  him  a  quiet  and  peaceable  Life  in  aU 
godlinefi  and  honefiy  ;  and  whereas  there  were  differences  between  them  and  their 
Brethren  about  fome  Ceremonies  or  Difciprtine  of  the  Church,  we  humbly  craved 
his  Majefty's  favour  for  the  ending  of  thofe  Differences,  it  being  eafie  for  him  to 
interpofe,  that  fo  the  'People  might  not  be  deprived  of  their  faithful  Pallors,  nor 
ignorant,  foandalous,  unworthy  Ones  obtruded  on  them  !   I  prefumed  to  tell  him^ 
That  the  People  that  we  fpake  for  were  fuch  as  were  contentsd  with  an  Intere^P 
in  Heaven,  and  the  Liberty  and  Advantages  of  the  Gofpel  to  promote  it ;   and  if 
this  were  taken  from. them,  and  they  were  deprived  of  their  faithful  Paftors,  and 
Liberty  of  worfhipping  God,  they  would  take  themfelves  as  undone  in  this  World, 
whatever  plenty  elfe  they  mould  enjoy  :  and  the  Hearts  of  his  moll  faithful  Sub- 
jects, who  hoped  for  his  help,  would  even  be  broken:  and  that  we  doubted  not 
but  his  Majefty  defired  to  Govern  a  People  made  happy  by  him,  and  not  a  broken 
hearted  People  that  took  themfelves  to  be  undone,  by  the  lols  of  that  which  is  dear- 
er to  them  than  all  the  Riches  of  the  World!  And  I  prefumed   to  tell  him,  That 
the  late  Uforpers  that  were  over  us,  fo«well  underftood  their  own  Intereft,  that  to 
promote  it,  they  had  found  the  way  of  doing  good,to  be  the  moft"  effectual  means, 
and  hard  placed  and  encouraged  many  Thoufand  faithful  Minifters  in  the  Church, 
even  fuch  as  detefted  their  Ufiirpation  :  And  fo  far  had  they  attained  their  ends 
hereby,  that  it  was  the  principal  means  of  their  Intereft  in  the  People,  and  the 
good  Opinion  that  any  had  conceived  of  them;  and  thofe  of  them  tint  had  taken 
the  contrary  Courfe,  had  thereby  broken  themfelves  to  pieces  :  Wherefore  I  hum- 
bly craved  his  Majefty's  patience  that  we  rrifght  have  the  freedom  to  requeft  of 
him,  that  as  he  was  our  lawful  King,  in  whom  all  his  People.  (  fave  a  few  incon- 
siderable Perfons)  were . prepared  to  Centre,  as  weary  of  their  Divifions ,  and 
glad  of  the  Satisfactory  means  of  Union  in  him,  fo  he  would  be  pleafed  to  under- 
take this  bleffed  Work  of  promoting  their   Holinef  and  Concord :  (  for  it  was  not 
Faction  or  Difobedience  which  we  defired  him  to  indulge  ) :  And  that  he   would 
never  fuffer  himfelf  to  be  tempted  to  undo  the  Good  which  Cromwell  or  any  other 
had 'done,  becaufe  they  were  Ufurpcrs  that  did  it,  or  difcountenance  a  faithful 
Miniftry,  becaufe  his  Enemies  had  let  them  up  :  But  that  he  would  rather  out-go 
them  in  doing  good,  and  oppofing  and  reje&ing  the  ignorant  and  ungoc^y  of  what 
Opinion  or  Party  foever  ;  For  the  People  whofe  Caufe  we  recommend  to  him,  had 
rheir  Eyes  on  him  as  the  Officer  of  .God,  to  defend  them  in  the  poffeffion  of  the 
helps  of  their  Salvation ;  which  if  he  were  pleafed  to  vouchfafe  them  ,  their  E- 

ftnes 


Part  II.   Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  23* 

ftates  and  Lives  would  cheerfully  be  offered  to  his  Service.  And  I  humbly 
fought  him  that  he  would  never  fuffer  his  Subjects  to  be  tempted  to  have 
rable  Thoughts  of  the  late  Ufurpers,  by  feeing  the  Vice  indulged  which  they  lup- 
preffed  ;  or  the  godly  Minifters  or  People  difcountenanced  whom  they  en 
ged  !  For  the  Common  People  are  apt  to  judge  of  Governours  b y.  the  Efl 
even  by  the  Good  or  Evil  which  they  feel  :  and  they  will  take  him  to  be  the  beffc 
Governour  who  doth  them  moft  good,  and  him  to  be  the  wortt  that  doth  them 
moft  hurt  -.  And  all  his  Enemies  cannot  teach  him  a  more  efFe&ual  way  to  reft  \ 
the  Reputation  and  Honour  of  the  Ufiirpers,  than  to  do  worfe  than  they,  and 
ftroy  the  Good  which  they  had  done,  that  fo  he  may  go  contrary  ro  his  En 
and  fo  to  force  the  People  to  cry  out,  Wc  are  undone  in  lofs  of  the  Means  of  our 
Salvation:  It  being  a  hard  matter  ever  to  bring  the  People  to  love  and  hono.  r 
him,  by  whom  they  think  they  are  undone,  in  companion  of  thefe  that  they 
think  made  them  happy,  though  the  one  have  a  juft  Title  to  be  their  Goveinour, 
which  the  other  hath  nor.  And  again  I  humbly  craved,  That  no  mifreprefu>tati- 
ons  might  caule  him  to  believe,  that  becauie  fome  Fanaticks  have  been  Factious 
and  Difloyal,  therefore  the  Religious  People  in  lis  Dominions ,  who  are  molt 
careful  of  their  Souls,  are  fuch,  though  fome  of  them  may  be  difTatisfied  abou: 
iotas  Forms  and  Ceremonies  in  Gods  Worihip,  which  others  ule  :  And  that  none 
of  them  might  go  under  fo  ill  a  Character  with  him  ,  by  mifreports,  behind  their 
backs,  till  it  were  proved  of  them  perfbnally  ,  or  they  had  an(wered  for  them- 
felves :  For  we  that  better  knew  them  than  thofe  that  were  like  to  be  their  ^ccufeis, 
did  confidently  teftifie  to  his  Majefty  on  their  behalf,  that  th^y  are  refolved  Ene- 
mies of  Sedition,Rebellion,Difobedience  and  Divifions ;  which  the  World  lhall  lee  ; 
and  their  Adversaries  be  convinced  of,if  his  Majefty's  Wifdom  and  Clemency  do  but 
remove  thofe  Occasions  of  Scruple  in  fome  Points  of  Dilcipline  and  Worlhip  of 
God,  which  give  Advantage  to  others,  to  call  all  DilTenters,  Factious  and  Difote- 
dient,  how  Loyal  and  Peaceable  foever.  And  1  humbly  craved,  That  the  Freedom 
and  Plainnefs  of  thefe  Expreflions  to  his  Majefty  might  be  pardoned,  as  being  ex- 
tracted by  the  prefent  Neceflity,  and  encouraged  by  our  revived  hope?.  1  cold 
him  alio,  that  it  was  not  for  Presbyterians  or  any  Party,  as  fuch,  that  we  were 
fpeaking  for,  but  for  the  Religious  part  of  his  Subjects,  as  fuch  ;  than  whom  no 
Prince  on  Earth  had  better  ;  and  how  confiderable  part  of  the  Kingdom  he  would 
find  them  to  be.  And  of  what  great  advantage  their  Union  would  be  to  his  Ma- 
jefty, to  the  People,  and  to  the  Bilhops  themfelves,  and  how  eafily  it  might  be 
procured,  i.  By  making  only  things  Neceffary  to  be  the  Terms  of  Union.  2.  And 
by  the  true  Exercifeof  Church  Discipline  againft  Sin.  ;.  And  notcaftingoutthe 
faithful  Minifters  that  muft  Exercife  it,  nor  obtruding  unworthy  Men  upon  the 
People.  And  how  eafie  it  was  to  avoid  the  violating  of*  xMens  Solemn  Vows  and 
Covenants  without  any  hurt  to  any  others.  And  finally,  I  requeued  that  we 
might  but  be  heard  fpeak  for  our  felves,  when  any  Accuiations  were  brought  a- 
gainft  us], 

Thefe,  with  fome  other  fiich  things,  I  then  fpake,  when  fome  of  my  Brethren 
had  fpoken  firft.  Mr.  Simeon  Ajli  alfo  fpake  much  to  the  fame  purpofe ,  and  of  all 
our  Defires  of  his  Majefty's  Affiftance  in  our  defired  Union. 

§  91.  The  King  gave  us  not  only  a  free  Audience,  but  as  gracious  an  Anfwer 
as  we  could  expect :  profeffing  his  gladnefs  to  hear  our  Inclinations  to  Agreement, 
and  his  Refblution  to  do  his  part  to  bring  us  together ;  and  that  it  muft  not  be  by 
bringing  one  Party  over  to  the  other ,  but  by  abating  fomewhat  on  both  fides, 
and  meeting  in  the  Midway  ;  and  that  if  it  were  not  accompliflied,  it  fhould  be 
long  of  our  felves,  and  not  of  him  :  Nay,  that  he  was  refolved  to  fee  it  brought 
to  pafs ,  and  that  he  would  draw  us  together  himfelf  ] :  with  fome  more  to 
this  purpofe.  Infbmuch  that  old  Mr.  Afo  burft  out  into  Tears  with  Joy ,  and 
could  not  forbear  expreffing  what  Gladnefs  this  Promife  of  his  Majefty  had  put  in- 
to his  heart. 

§  92.  Either  at  this  time,  or  fhortly  after ,  the  King  required  us  to  draw  up, 
and  offer  him  fuch  Propofals  as  we  thought  meet ,  in  order  to  Agreement  about 
Church  Government  j  for  that  was  the  main  Difference  :  if  that  were  agreed  there 
would  be  little  danger  of  differing  in  the  reft  :  And  he  defired  us  to  fet  down  the 
moft  that  we  could  yield  to. 

§95.  We  told  him,  r:  That  we  were  but  a  few  Men,  and  had  no  Commiffion 
from  any  of  our  Brethren  to  exprefs  their  Minds :  And  therefore  defired  that  his 
Majefty  would  give  us  leave  to  acquaint  our  Brethren  in  the  Country  with  it,  and 
tajte  them  with  us.    The  King  anfwered,  That  that  would  be  too  long,  and  make 

too 


232 


The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I. 


too  much  Noife,  and  therefore  we  fhould  do  what  we  would  our  (elves  only,  with 
fuch  of  the  City  as  we  would  take  with  us.  And  when  we  then  profeftcd  that  we 
prefumed  not  to  give  the  Senfe  of  others,  nor  oblige  them  ;  and  that  what  we  did 
muft  fignify  but  the  Minds  of  fo  many  Men  as  were  prefent.  He  an(we<  ed,  That 
it  fhould  fignify  no  more;  and  that  he  did  not  intend  to  call  an  Aflembly  bf  the 
other  party,  but  would  bring  a  few,  fuch  as  he  thought  meet ;  and  that  if  he 
thought  good  to  advife  with  a  few  of  each  fide,  for  his  own  Satisfaction,  none  had 
caufe  to  be  offended  at  it. 

§  94.  Alio  we  craved  that  at  the  fame  time  when  we  offered  our  Conceflions 
to  the  King,  the  Brethren  on  the  other  fide  might  bring  in  theirs,  containing  lift 
the  uttermoft  that  they  could  abate  and  yield  to  us  for  Concord,  that  ieeing  both 
together,  we  might  fee  what  probability  of  fucccefs  we  had.  And  the  King  pro- 
mifed  that  it  fhould  be  fo. 

§  9^ .  Hereupon  we  departed  and  appointed  to  meet  from  day  to  day  at  StonXlol- 
ledge,  and  to  confult  there  openly  with  any  of  our  Brethren  that  would  pleafe  to 
join  with  us,  that  none  might  fay  they  were  excluded  :  Some  City  Minifters  came 
among  us,  and  fome  came  not ;  and  Divers  country  Minifters  who  were  in  the 
City  came  alfo  to  us;  as  Dr.  Worth  (  fince  a  Bifhop  in  Ireland)  Mr.  Fttlwood 
(  fince  Archdeacon  of  Totnes)  &c.  But  Mr.  Matth.  Newcomen  was  molt  conftant 
in  affifting  us. 

§  96.  In  thefe  Debates  we  found  the  great  inconvenience  of  too  many  A£ors 
(though  there  cannot  be  too  many  Conlenters  to  what  is  well  done  )  :  For  that 
which  feemed  the  mod  convenient  ExprefTion  to  one,  feemed  inconvenient  to  ano- 
ther, and  that  we  that  all  agreed  in  Matte*,  had  much  ado  to  agree  in  Words. 
But  after  about  two  or  three  Weeks  time,  we  drew  up  the  following  Paper  of  Pro- 
pofals,  which,  with  Archbilhop  XT/hers  Form  of  Government  ( called  his  Redu&i- 
cn>  &c. )  we  fhould  offer  to  the  King.  Mr.  Calamy  drew  up  moft  with  Dr.  Rey- 
nolds ;  Dr.  Reynolds  and  Dr.  Worth  drew  up  that  which  is  againft  the  Ceremonies ; 
I  only  prevailed  with  them  to  premife  the  four  firft  Particulars,  for  the  counte- 
nancing Godlinefs,  the  Miniftry,  Perfonal  Profeffion,  and  the  Lord's  Day  :  They 
were  backward  becaufe  they  were  not  the  Points  in  Controverfy  ;  but  yielded 
at  laft  on  the  Reafons  offered  them.  About  Difcipline  we  defignedly  adhered  to 
Bifhop  Ujfkr's  Model,  without  a  Word  of  alteration ;  that  fo  they  might  have  left 
to  fay  againft  our  Offers  as  being  our  own ;  and  that  the  World  might  fee  that  it 
was  Epifcopacy  tt  [elf  which  they  refufed  ;  and  that  they  contended  againft  the 
Archbifhop  as  well  as  againft  us ;  and  that  we  pleaded  not  at  all  with  them  for 
Presbytery,  unlefs  a  Moderate  Epifcopacy  be  Presbytery  :  Yet  was  there  a  Faction  that 
called  this  Offer  of  Bifhop  Vjhers  Epifcopacy  by  the  Name  of  the  Presbyteriam 
impudent  Expiations.  I  alfo  prevailed  with  our  Brethren  to  offer  an  Abftract  of 
our  larger  Papers,  left  the  reading  of  the  larger  fhould  feem  tedicus  to  the  King; 
which  Abftract  verbatim,  as  followeth,  at  their  Defire  I  drew  up,  and  have  here 
after  adjoined. 


The  ftrft  Addrefi  and  Propofals  of  the  Minifters. 

May  it  pleafe  Tour  mofi  excellent  Majefiy, 

'IT7E  your  Majefty's  moft  Loyal  Subjects  cannot  but  acknowledge  it  as  a  very 
!  W  great  Mercy  of  God,  that  immediately  after  your  fb  wonderful  and  peace- 
c  able  Reftoration  unto  your  Throne  and  Government,   (  for  which  we  blefs  his 

*  Name  )  he  hath  ftirred  up  your  Royal  Heart  as  to  a  zealous  Teftimony  againft 

*  all  Prophanenels  in  the  People,  fo  to  endeavour  an  happy  compofing  of  the  Dif- 
r  ferences,  and  healing  of  the  fad  Breaches  which  are  in  the  Church.  And  we 
f  fhall  according  to  our  bounden  Duty  become  humble  Suitors  at  the  Throne  of 

*  Grace,  that  the  God  of  Peace  who  hath  put  fuch  a  thing  as  this  into  your  Maje- 
'  fty's  Heart,  will  by  his  heavenly  Wifdom  and  holy  Spirit  to  affift  you  therein, 
'  and  bring  your  Refolutions  unto  fb  perfect  an  Effect  and  Iffue,  that  all  the 
f  good  People  of  thefe  Kingdoms  may  have  abundant  Caufe  to  rife  up  and  blefs  you, 
f  and  to  blefs  God  who  hath  delighted  in  you  to  make  you  his  Inftrument  in  fb  hap- 

*  py  a  Work.     That  as  your  glorious  Progenitor,  Henry  VII.  was  happy  in  uniting 

*  the  Houfes  of  Tork  and  Lancafter;   and  your  Grandfather  King  James  of  6lefTe4 

*  Memory  in  uniting  the  Kingdoms  of  England  Mid  Scotbnd,  fo  this  Honour  may 

'be 


Part  II.   Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  233 

'        .  ~m_ 

be  referved  for  your  Majefty  as  a  Radiant  Jewel  in  your  Crown,  that  by  your 
Princely  Wifdorn,  and  Chriftian  Moderation  the  Hearts  of  all  your  People  my 
be  united,  and  the  unhappy  Differences  and  Mifunderftandings  amongft  Bre- 
thren in  matters  Ecclefiaitial  fo  compofed,  that  the  Lord  may  be  one,  and  his 
Name  one  in  the  midft  of  your  Dominions. 

€  In  an  humble  Conformity  to  this  your  Majefty's  Chriflian  Defign,  we,  taking 
it  for  granted  that  there  is  a  firm  Agreement  between  our  Brethren  and  us  in  the 
Doctrinal  Truths  of  the  reformed  Religion,  and  in  the  fubftantial  parts  of  Divine 
Worlhip,  and  that  the  Differences  are  only  in  fbme  various  Conceptions  about  the 
ancient  Form  of  Church-Government,  and  fome  particulars  about  Liturgy  and 
Ceremonies,  do  in  all  humble  Obedience  to  your  Majefty  reprefent,  That  in  as 
much  as  the  ultimate  end  of  Church-Government  and  Miniftry  is,  that  Holinefs 
of  Life,  and  Salvation  of  Souls  may  be  Effectually  promoted,  we  humbly  defire  in 
the  firft  place  that  we  may  be  iecured  of  thofe  things  in  Practice,  of  which  we 
feem  to  be  agreed  in  Principles. 

'  1.  That  thofe  of  our  Flocks  who  are  ferious  and  diligent  about  the  matters  of 

their  Salvation,  may  not  by  Words  of  Scorn,  or  any  abufive 

Uiages  be  luffered  to  be  reproachfully  handled ;  but  have  Liber-        This  was  put  in  becaufe  the  fe- 

ty  and  Encouragement  in  thole  Chriftian  Duties  of  exhorting    rious  practice  of  Rqligion  had 

and  provoking  one  another  unto  Love  and  good  Works,   of    !*™  "wV^n  °!!!mon  Scorn' 
,    .,V  l       •       u  •  n.     1     r  ■  u       jl       11  and  a  few  Chnihans  praying  or 

building  up  one  another  in  their  moit  holy  Faitn,and  by  all  re-    repeating  a  Sermon  together  had 

ligious  and  peaceable  means  of  furthering  one  another  in  the    been  perfecuted  by  fomc  Prelates 

ways  of  eternal  Life;   they  being  not  therein  oppofite  to    as:l heinous  Crime. 

Church- Affemblies ,    nor  refufing   the    guidance  and  due 

Infpection  of    their    Paftors,    and  being    refponfible  for  what    they   do  or 

fay. 

'  2.  That  each  Congregation  may  have  a  learned,  orthodox  and  godly  Paftor 
refiding  amongft  them,  to  the  end  that  the  People  might  be 

publickly  inftructed  and  edified  by  preaching  every  Lord's  Day,        This  was  added  becaufe  we 
by  Catechifing  and  frequent  Adminiftration  of  the  Lord's  Sup-     kncw  wllat  had  been  done,  and 
per,  and  of  Baptiim  and  other  Minifterial  Ads  as  the  Occa-    was  like  to  be  done  again. 
cafions  and  the  Neceffity  of  the  People  may  require  both  in 
Health  and  Sickneis  ;  and  that  effectual  Provifion  of  Law  be  made,  that  filch  as 
are  Inefficient,  Negligent,  or  Scandalous,  may  not  be  admitted  to,  or  permit- 
ted in  fo  Sacred  a  Function  and  Imployment. 

'  ;.  That  none  may  be  admitted  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  till  they  competently  un- 
der ltand  the  Principles  of  Chriftian  Religion,  and  do  perib- 

nally  and  publickly  own  their  baptifmal  Covenant,  by  a  ere-        This  was  added  becaufe  that 
dible  Profeffion  of  Faith  and  Obedience,  not  contradicting    the  utter  negleft  of  pifcipline  by 

the  fame   by  a  contrary  Profeffion,  or  by  a  Scandalous  Life  :    th.e  overDhot.  Prdates  hd*  "ufed 
a    j  -u  *        .     r    u        1      ^    r  ,  -c  •        j    •        .         all  our  Perplexities   and  Confu- 

And  that  unto  fuch  only  Confirmation  (it  continued   in  the     fl0ns.    an5  in  this  Point  is  the 

Church  )  may  be  adminiftred  :  And  that  the  Approbation  of    chiefeft  part  of  our  Difference 
the  Pallors  to  whom  the  catechifing  and  inftructing  of  thofe     with  them  indeed,  and  not  about 
under  their  Charge  do  appertain,    may  be  produced  before    Cereniomes' 
any  Perfon  receive  Confirmation,    which  Courfe  we  humbly 
conceive  will  much  conduce  to  the  quieting  of  thofe  fad  Diiputes  and  Divifions 
which  have  greatly  troubled  the  Church  of  God  amongft  us,  touching  Church- 
Members  and  Communicants. 

f  4.  That  an  effectual  Courfe  bs  taken  for  the  Sa  net  i  Meat  ion  of  the  Lord's  Day, 
appropriating  the  fame  to  holy  Exercifes  both  in  publick  and  This  was  added  becaufe  abun- 
private  without  unneceifary  Divertifements ;  it  being  certain  dance  of  Minifters  had  been  caft 
and  by  long  Experience  found,  that  the  Obfervation  thereof  is  ouVn  the  Frel,ates  Days', for,  "^ 
. fpecUl  means  of prefixing  and  promoting  the  Power  of  God-  ~|S  ffi  Vnd&h  $2 
nnels,  and  obviating  Prophanenels.  on  the  Lord's  Day. 

J  Then  for  the  Matters  in  Difference,  viz..  Church-Government,  Liturgy  and 
Ceremonies,  we  moft  humbly  reprelent  unto  your  Majefty, 

'  i.  Firft  For  Church-Government;  that  although  upon  juft  Reafbns  we  do  dif- 

fent  from  that  Ecclefiaftical  Hierarchy  or  Prelacy  declaimed  in  the  Covenant,  as 

,it  was  ftated  and  exercifed  in  thefe  Kingdoms ;    yet  we  do  not,  nor  ever  did  re- 

l  noun.ee  the  true  Ancient  and  Primitive  Prefidency  as  it  was  ballance'd  and  mana- 

Hh  [  managed 


234 


The  LIFE  of  the 


Lib.  I, 


managed  by  a  due  Commixtion  of  Presbyters  therewith,  as  a  fit  means  to  avoid 
Corruptions,  Partiality,  Tyranny,  and  other  Evils  which  may  be  incident  to  the 
Adminiftration  of  one  fingle  Perfbn  :  Which  kind  of  attempered  Pefidency,  if  it 
fhall'be  your  Majefty's  grave  Wifdom  and  gracious  Moderation,  be  in  fuch  a  man- 
ner conftituted  as  that  the  forementioned,  and  other  like  Evils  may  be  certainly 
prevented,  we  fhall  humbly  fubmit  thereunto. 

c  And  in  Order  to  an  happy  Accommodation  in  this  weighty  Bu finds,  we  de- 
fire  humbly  to  offer  unto  your  Majefty  ibme  of  the  Particulars  which  we  con- 
ceive were  amifs  in  the  Epilcopal  Government,  as  it  was  praclifed  before  the 
Year  1640. 

'  l.  The  great  Extent  of  the  Bifhops  Diocefs,  which  was  much  too  large  for  his 
own  perlonal  Inflection,  wherein  he  undertook  a  Paftoral  Charge  over  the  Souls 
of  all  thofe  within  his  Bifhoprick,  which  muft  needs  be  granted  to  be  too  heavy  a 
Burthen  for  any  one  Man's  Shoulders :  The  Paftoral  Office  being  a  Work  of  Per- 
fonal  Miniftration  and  Truft,  and  that  of  the  higheft  Concernment  to  the  Souls 
of  the  People,  for  which  they  are  to  give  an  Account  to  Chrift. 

-  2.  That  by  Reafbn  of  this  Difability  to  difcharge  their  Duty  and  Truft  perfo- 
nally,  the  Bifhops  did  depute  the  Adminiftration  of  much  of  their  Truft,  even  in 
matters  of  fpiritual  Cognizance,  to  CommifTaries,  Chancellors  and  Officials, 
whereof  fome  were  Secular  Peribns,  and  could  not  adminifter  that  Power  which 
originally  appertained  to  the  Paftors  of  the  Church. 

■  3.  That  thole  Bifhops  who  affirm  the  Epilcopal  Office  to  be  adiftinct  Order 
by  Divine  Right  from  that  of  the  Presbyter,  did  aflfume  the  fole  Power  of  Or- 
dination and  Jurifdiction  to  themfelves. 

c  4.  That  fbme  of  the  Bilhops  exercifed  an  Arbitrary  Power,  as  by  fending 
forth  their  Books  of  Articles  in  their  Vifitations,  and  therein  unwarrantably  en- 
quiring into  feveral  things,  and  fwearing  the  Church- Wardens  to  prefent  accord- 
ingly. So  alio  by  many  Innovations  and  Ceremonies  impofed  upon  Minifter5 
and  People  not  required  by  Law  j  and  by  fufpending  Minifters  at  their  Plea- 
fure. 

c  For  reforming  of  which  Evils,  we  humbly  crave  leave  to  offer  unto  your 
Majefty, 

'  1.  The  late  moft  Reverend  Primate  of  Ireland  his  Reduction  of  Epifcopacy 
unto  the  Form  of  Synodical  Government,  received  in  the  ancient  Church  j  as  a 
Ground-work  towards  an  Accommodation  and  fraternal  Agreement  in  this  Point 
of  Ecclefiaftical  Government :  Which  we  rather  do,  not  only  in  regard  of  his 
eminent  Piety  and  finguhr  Ability  as  in  all  other  Parts  of  Learning,  fb  in  that 
cfpecially  of  the  Antiquities  of  the  Church,  but  alio  becaufe  therein  Expedients 
are  oiiered  for  healing  thefe  Grievances. 

c  And  in  order  to  the  fame  end,  we  further  humbly  defire  that  the  Suffragans  or 
Corepiicopi,  mentioned  in  the  Primate's  Reduction,  may  be  chofen  by  the  re- 
fpectrve  Synods,  and  by  that  Election  be  fufficiently  authorized  to  difcharge  their 
Truft. 

*  That  the  Affociations  may  not  be  lb  large  as  to  make  the  Difcipline  impoffible, 
or  to  take  off  the  Minifters  from  the  reft  of  their  neceffary  Imploymenrs. 

*  That  no  Oaths  or  Promifes  of  Obedience  to  the  Bilhops,  nor  any  unneceffary 
Subfci  iptions  or  Engagements  be  made  neceffary  to  Ordination,  Inftitution,  In- 
duction, Miniftration,  Communion  or  Immunities  of  Minifters ;  they  being  re- 
iponfible  for  any  Tranfgreffion  of  the  Law. 

f  And  that  no  Bifhops  nor  any  Ecclefiaftical  Governors,  may  at  any  time  exer- 
cife  their  Government  by  their  own  private  Will  or  Pleafure ;  but  only  by  fuch 
Rules,  Canons,  andConftitutionsas  ihall  be  hereafter  by  Act  of  Parliament  rati- 
fied and  eftablilhed :  and  tha}  fufficient  Provision  be  made  to  lecure  both  Mini- 
fters and  People  againft  the  Evils  of  Arbitrary  Government  in  the  Church. 


2.  Concerning  the  Liturgy; 


f  1.  We  are  fittsfied  in  our  Judgments  concerning  the  Lawfulnelsof  a  Liturgy, 
''  or  Form  of  publick  Worfhip  5  provided  that  it  be  for  the  matter  agreeable  unco 
i  fhe  Word  of  Goda  and  fitly  fuitecj  to  the  Nature  of  theTeverpi  Ordinances,  and 

1  the 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         235 

c  the  necelhty  of  the  Church;  nether  too  tedious  in  the  whole,  nor  compofed  of 
1  too  fhort  Prayers,  unmeet  Repetitions  or  Refponfals,  nor  too  tiiffonant  from  the 
r  Liturgies  of  other  Reformed  Churches  ;  nor  too  rigoroufly  impofed  ;  nor  the  Mi- 
'  nifter  (6  confined  thereunto,  but  that  he  may  alfo  make  ufe  of  thofe  Gifts  for 
'  Prayer  and  Exhortation  which  Chriff  hath  given  him  for  the  Service  and  Edifica- 
'  tion  of  the  Church. 

'  2.  That  inafmuch  as  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  hath  in  it  many  things  that 
'  are  juftly  offenfive,  and  need  amendment,  hath  been  long  dilcontinued,  and  ve- 
'  ry  many,  both  Minifters  and  People,  Perfbnsof  Pious,  Loyal,  and  peaceable 
'  Minds  are  therein  greatly  diffatisned  j  whereupon,  if  it  be  again  impofed  ,  wiJl 
'  inevitably  follow  fad  Divifions,  and  widening  of  the  Breaches  which  your  Ma- 
'  jefty  is  now  endeavouring  to  heal ;  We  do  molt  humbly  offer  to  your  Majeffy's 
'  Wiidom,  that  for  preventing  fo  great  Evil,  and  for  fetling  the  Church  in  Unity 
'and  Peace,  fome  Learned,  Godly,  and  Moderate  Divines  of  both  Perfwafini, 
6  indifferently  chofen,  may  be  imployed  to  Compile  fuch  a  Form  as  is  before  de- 
*  fcribed  i  as  much  as  may  be  in  Scripture  words  :  or  at  leaft  to  Revife  and  efle- 
c  ctually  Reform  the  old  ;  together  with  an  Addition  or  Infertion  of  fome  ot>: 
'  varying  Forms  in  Scripture  phrafe,  to  be  ufed  at  the  Minister's  Choice  :  of  which 
'  Variety  and  Liberty  there  be  lnftances  in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer. 

5.   Concerning  Ceremonies. 

c  We  humbly  reprelenr,  that  we  hold  our  felves  obliged  in  every  part  of  Divine 
Worfhip,  to  do  all  things  decently,  in  order  and  to  Edification,  and  are  willing 
therein  to  be  determined  by  Authority  in  fiich  things  as  being  meerly  Circum- 
ftantial,  are  common  to  Humane  Actions  and  Societies,  and  are  to  be  ordered 
by  the  Light  of  Nature  and  Chriftian  Prudence,  according  to  the  General  Rules 
of  the  Word  which  are  always  to  be  oblerved. 

'  And  as  to  divers  Ceremonies  formerly  retained  in  the  Church  of  England,  We 
do  in  all  Humility  offer  unto  your  Majeily  thefe  enfuing  Confiderations. 

*  That  the  Worfhip  of  God  is  in  it  felt"  perfect,  without  having  fuch  Ceremo- 
nies affixed  thereto. 

'  That  the  Lord  hath  declared  himfelf  in  the  Matters  that  concern  his  Worlhip, 
to  be  a  Jealous  God  ;  and  this  Worfhip  of  his  is  certainly  then  mod  pure,and  moft 
agreeable  to  the  Simplicity  of  the  Gofpel,and  to  his  holy  and  jealous  Eyes,  when 
it  hath  leaft  of  Humane  Admixtures  in  things  of  themfelves  confefledly  unnecefc 
fary,  adjoyned  and  appropriated  thereunto  ;  upon  which  account,  many  faith- 
ful Servants  of  the  Lord,  knowing  his  Word  to  be  the  perfect  Rule  of  Faith  and 
Worfhip,  by  which  they  muff  judge  of  his  Acceptance  of  their  Services ,  and 
mull  be  themfelves  judged,  have  been  exceeding  fearful  of  varying  from  his  Will, 
and  of  the  danger  of  difpleafing  him  by  Additions  or  Detractions  in  fuch  Duties 
wherein  they  muff  daily  expect  the  Communications  of  his  Grace  and  Comfort; 
efpecially  feeing  that  thefe  Ceremonies  have  been  impofed  and  urged  upon  fuch 
Confideratioms  as  draw  too  near  to  the  fignificancy  and  moral  efficacy  of  Sacra- 
ments themfelves. 

r  That  they  have,  together  with  Popery,  been  rejected  by  many  of  the  Reform- 
ed Churches  abroad,  amongft  whom  notwithft anding  we  doubt  not  but  the  Lord 
is  worfhipped  decently,  orderly,  and  in  the  beauty  of  Holinefs. 

'  That  ever  fince  the  Reformation  they  have  been  Matter  of  Contention  ,  and 
endlefs  Difputes  in  this  Church;  and  have  been  aCaule  of  depriving  the  Church 
of  the  Fruit  and  Benefit  which  might  have  been  reaped  from  the  Labours  of  ma- 
ny Learned  and  Godly  Minifters  ;  fome  of  whom  judging  them  unlawful,  others 
unexpedient,  were  in  Confcience  unwilling  to  be  brought  under  the  power  of 
them. 

c  That  they  have  occafioned,  by  the  offence  taken  at  them,  by  many  of  the 
People,  heretofore,  great  Separations  from  our  Church,  and  fo  have  rather  pre- 
judiced than  promoted  the  Unity  thereof :  and  at  this  time ,  by  reafon  of  their 
long  difufe,  may  be  more  likely  than  ever  heretofore  to  produce  the  fame  Incon- 
veniencies. 

'  That  they  are  at  beft  but  indifferent,  and  in  their  Nature  mutable  ;  and  that  it's 
(efpecially)  in  various  Exigencies  of  the  Church,  very  needful  and  expedient , 
that  things  in  themfelves  mutable,  be  fometimes  actually  changed,  left  they  fhould 
by  perpetual  permanency  and  conftant  ufe,  be  judged  by  the  People  as  neceffary 
as  the  Subftantials  of  Worfhip  themfelves. 

H  h  2  '  And 


2%6 


The  LIFE  of  the 


L  i  b.  I. 


'  And  though  we  do  moft  heartily  acknowledge  your  Majefty  to  be  Cu/fos  utn- 
ufque  Tabula,  and  to  be  Supream  Governour  over  all  Perfbns,  and  in  ail  1  hings 
and  Caufes,  as  well  Ecclefiaftical  as  Civil,  in  thefe  your  Majefty's  Dominionsjet 
we  humbly  crave  leave  to  befeech  your  Majefty  to  confider,  whether  as  a  Chri- 
ftiari  Magiftrate,  you  be  not  as  well  obliged  by  that  Doctrine  of  the  Apoftie 
touching  Things  indifferent,  not  occafioning  an  offence  to  weak  Brethren,  as  the 
Apoftle  himfelf  ( then  one  of  the  higheft  Officers  in  the  Church  of  Chrift) 
judged  himfelf  to  be  obliged  :  and  whether  the  great  Work  wherewith  the  Lord 
hath  intruded  your  Majefty,  be  not  rather  to  provide  by  your  Sacred  Authority, 
that  the  things  which  are  neceffary  by  virtue  of  Divine  Command  in  his  Wor- 
fhip  mould  be  duly  performed,  then  that  Things  unneceffary  mould  be  made  by 
Humane  Command  neceflan?  and  penal.  And  how  greatly  pleafing  it  will  be  to 
the  Lord,  that  your  Majefty's  heart  is  fo  tenderly  and  religioufly  Companionate, 
to  fuch  of  his  poor  Servants  differing  in  fo  fmall  matters,  as  to  prefei  ve  the  Peace 
of  their  Conferences  in  God's  Worfhip  above  all  their  Civil  Concernments  what- 
foever. 

*  May  it  therefore  pleafe  your  Majefty,  out  of  your  Princely  Care  of  healing 
our  Breaches,  gracioufly  to  grant,  That  Kneeling  at  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord^ 
Supper,  and  fuch  Holydays  as  are  but  of  Humane  Inftitution  may  not  be  impofed 
upon  fuch  as  do  confcientioufly  fcrupie  the  Obfervation  of  them.  And  that  the  ufe 
of  the  Surplice  and  Crofs  in  Baptifm,  and  bowing  at  the  Name  of  Jefus  rather 
than  the  Name  of  Chrifi  or  Emanuelt  or  other  Names  whereby  that  Divine  Per- 
ibn,  or  either  of  the  other  Divine  Perfbns  is  nominated,  may  be  aboliftied ;  thefe 
things  being  in  the  Judgment  of  the  Impofers  themfelves  but  indifferent  and  mu- 
table j  in  the  Judgment  of  others  a  Rock  of  Offence;  and  in  the  Judgment  of 
all  not  to  be  valued  with  the  Peace  of  the  Church. 

e  We  likewife  humbly  reprefent  unto  your  moft  Excellent  Majefty ,  That  divers 
Ceremonies  which  we  conceive  had  no  Foundation  in  the  Law  of  the  Land,  as 
erecting  Altars,  bowing  towards  them,  and  fuch  like,  have  been  not  only  in- 
troduced, but  in  fome  places  impofed  ;  whereby  an  Arbitrary  Power  was  usurp- 
ed, divers  Minifters  of  the  Gofpel,  though  Conformable  to  the  Eflablifhed  Cere- 
monies, troubled,  fome  Reverend  and  Learned  Bifhops  offended,  the  Proteftants 
grieved,  and  the  Papifts  pleafed,  as  hoping  that  thole  Innovations  might  make 
way  for  greater  Changes. 

*  May  it  therefore  pleafe  your  Majefty  by  fuch  ways  as  your  Royal  Wifciom 
/hall  judge  meet,  effectually  to  prevent  the  impofing  and  ufing  of  fuch  Innova- 
tions for  the  future,that  lb  according  to  the  pious  intention  of  your  Royal  Grand- 
father King  James  of  blefTed  memory,  the  Publtck  Worjhip  may  be  free,not  only  from 
blame ,  but  from  fufticion. 


( In  obedience  to  your  Majefty's  Royal  Pleafure  gracioufly  fignified  to  us, 
f  we  have  tendered  to  your  moft  Excellent  Majefty  what  we  humbly 

*  conceive  may  moft  conduce  to  the  Glory  of  God,  to  the  Peace  and 

*  Reformation  of  the  Church,  and  to  the  taking  away  not  only  of  our 
c  Differences,  but  the  Roots  and  Caufes  of  them.  We  humbly  beg 
'  your  Majefty's  favourable  Acceptance  of  thefe  our  Loyal  and  Confcien- 
c  tious  Endeavours  to  ferve  your  Majefty  and  the  Church  of  Chrift,  and 

*  your  gracious  Pardon,  if  in  any  Thing  or  ExprelTion,  we  anfwer  not 
e  your  Majefty's  Expectation  :  profeiling  before  your  Majefty,  and  be- 
"  fore  the  Lord  the  Searcher  of  Hearts,  that  we  have  done  nothing  out  of 
c  ftrife,  vain  Glory  or  Emulation  :  but  have  fincerely  offered  what  we 
c  apprehend  moft  feafonable  and  conducing  to  that  happy  End  of  Unity 
c  and  Peace  which  your  Majefty  doth  fo  pioufly  profecute. 

*  We  humbly  lay  our  (elves,  and  thefe  our  Addreffes,  at  your  Majefty's  feet ; 
'  profeffing  our  unfeigned  refolution  to  live  and  die  your  Majefty's  faith- 
c  fill,  loyal,  and  obedient  Subjects ;  and  humbly  implore  your  Gracious 
1  Majefty,  according  unto  your  Princely  Wifdom  and  Fatherly  Compaf 

*  fion,  fo  to  lay  your  Hand  upon  the  bleeding  Rents  and  Divifions  that 
4  are  amongft  us,  that  there  may  be  an  healing  oi  them :  fo  fhall  your 
e  Throne  be  greater  than  the  Throne  of  your  Farhers  j  in  your  days  the 
'  Righteous  (hall  flourish,  Peace  fhall  run  down  liksa  River,  and  the  Ge- 
nerations to  come  fhall  call  you  blefled. 


This 


— ' ; 

Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  237 


This  following  Paper  I  drew  up  at  this  time,  and  offered  to  the  Brethren  to 
have  been  prefented  to  the  King  as  the  Summary  of  our  Judgment,  that  he 
might  fee  in  a  few  plain  words  what  it  was  that  we  indeed  denied.  But  it  was 
not  confented  to,  both  becauic  that  all  of  us  were  not  agreed  among  our 
felves,  in  granting  fb  much  of  Epifcopacy,  and  bec.mfe  we  would  not  hin- 
der our  Succefs  by  adding  any  more  to  Bifhop  Ljher's  Model,  hoping  thai 
his  Authority  might  have  facilitated  the  Reception  of  it  5  to  which  Reafon^ 
I  confented. 


The  brief  Sam  of  our  Judgment  and  De fires  about  Church-Govern* 
merit . 


i.  -QOwer  is  1.  Imperial  and  Coercive,  by  Mulfts  and  Penalties ;  2.  or  Doftorat 
1     and  Suafory.    The  firft  belongeth  only  to  the  Magilhate  j  The  fecond  tc 
the  Paftors  of  the  Church. 

2.  Though  in  Caies  of  Neceffity  the  fame  Man  may  be  both  a  Magiftrate  and 
a  Paftor ;  yet  out  of  fuch  Cafe  it  is  unlawful  or  very  unmeet  :  Each  Calling  will 
find  a  Man  work  enough  alone.  And  our  work  being  perjwafive,  is  fuceefsful  but 
as  it  procureth  Complacency  and  Confent  i  and  therefore  we  (hould  be  put  upon 
no  fuch  A&ions  as  will  render  us  more  feared  and  hated^than  delired  to  our  Flocks. 
We  therefore  humbly  befeech  your  Majefty  to  truft  no  Church-men  with  the 
Sword  ;  with  any  degree  of  Imperial  Coactive  Power  ^  but  where  it  muft  be  ufed, 
that  it  be  by  Magiftrates.  And  that /car  Execution  be  not  annexed  to  their  Judg- 
ments ;  nor  any  Man  punijhed  by  you,  meerly  becaufe  he  is  Excommunicate  ( that  is 
fbrely  punillied)  by  tbam. 

5.  Every  ftated  full  Congregation  that  had  unuw  Altare,  was  by  Divine  Inftitu- 
tion  to  have  a  Bifhop  of  their  own,  or  many  if  they  could  be  had  ;  which  Bi/hops 
were  called  Eiders  alio  in  the  Scripture.    And  for  Order  fake,  where  there  were 
many  of  thefe,the  Churches  loon  placed  the  Precedency  and  Moderatorfhip  in  one 
whom  they  called  by  Eminency  the  Bilhop. 

4.  Becaufe  in  the  beginning  there  were  no  ftated  Churches  or  Altars  (ordinari- 
ly )  but  in  Towns  and  Cities ;  therefore  the  fame  Apoftles  that  ordained  Elders 
in  every  Church,  are  faid  alio  to  appoint  that  they  be  Ordained  x«*b  xIksh  ,  oppi- 
datim,  in  every  Town  or  City.  And  it  being  long  before  the  Villages  had  Church- 
es, they  were  the  Pariih  or  Diocefs  of  the  Bifhops  of  the  Town.  And  when  Ru- 
ral Bifhops  were  placed  in  thofe  Churches,  they  were  fubjected  to  the  City  Bi- 
fhops j  when  every  Church,  as  in  the  beginning,  mould  have  had  a  Bifhop  of  their 
own. 

y.  If  you  will  return  to  the  Scripture  Tat  tern,  every  ftated  Congregation  that  hath 
one  Altar,  muft  have  Paftors  that  have  the  Government  of  the  People  ;  and  if  you 
will  return  to  the  primitive  Epijcopacy,  eminently  fo  callec^every  one  oft  thefe  Church- 
es fhould  have  a  Bifhop  with  Fellow  Presbyters  asihis  Collegues ,  or  Deacon/  at  leaft  in 
fmaller  Churches. 

6.  If  you  will  return  to  the  firft  and  Ioweft  degree  of  Corruption  of  Church-Order, 
you  muft  have  a  Biihop  and  Presbytery  in  every  City  and  Town  only,  fuch  as  our 
Corporations  and  Boroughs  are ,  who  muft  take  care  alio  of  the  adjacent  Vil- 
lages. 

7.  For  the  maintaining  of  Unity  and  Concord,  and  Edifying  each  other  by 
Communion,  thefe  Biihops  held  ordinary  Synods  or  Meetings,  in  which  by  Agree- 
ments called  Canons  (  no  proper  Laws )  they  bound  up  themfeives  in  things  of 
mutable  Determination,  and  alfb  tied  themfeives  to  their  Duties.  * 

8.  Befides  thefe  particular  Bifhops,  there  were  General  Overfeers  of  the  Church, 
fuch  as  the  Apoftles,  Evangelifts,  and  others  that  fixed  not  themfeives  in  relation 
to  any  one  particular  Church,  but  the  Care  of  many.  And  that  thefe  have  Suc- 
ceflbrs  in  this  ordinary  part  of  their  Work,  we  do  not  gainfay.  But  we  humbly 
crave,  that  if  our  Diocefans  will  be  fuch,  they  be  taken  for  Archbifhops  or  Gene- 
ral Paftors ;  and  that  they  take  only  a  General  Charge  of  the  Flock,  overfeeing  the 
particular  Paftors  or  Biihops,  and  receiving  Appeals  in  fbme  Special  Cafes ,  and 
not  a  particular  Charge  of  each  Soul  as  the  particular  Bifhops  have.    And  therefore 


238  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I. 

that  they  be  not  charged  with  ordinary  Confirming  (or  admitting  into  the  ftata 
of  Adult  Members  )  all  the  People,  which  will  bind  them  in  Conlcience  to  know 
and  try  them  all,  or  molt :  Nor  yet  to  receive  Prefentments  of  all  Scandals,  nor 
x  to  Excommunicate  and  abfblve,  or  impof'e  Publick  Penitence,  on  all  that  thefe  be- 
long to. 

9.  If  thefe  things  may  not  be  granted,  we  muft  be  bold  to  leave  our  TefMmony, 
that  Diocefans  affuming  the  particular  Government  of  all  the  People  ,  in  fo  many 
Churches,  as  they  have  in  England  ,  are  deftructive  1.  To  the  very  being  of  all 
the  particular  Churches,  fave  the  Cathedral  or  City  where  they  are ;  (It  being  that 
old  Maxim,  Ubi  non  eii  Epifcopus  non  eft  Ecckfia  ;  viz.  in  fenfu  politica  ) :  2.  And  to 
the  Paftoral  Office  of  Chrift's  Inftitution  :  3.  And  to  the  moll  ancient  Epifcopacy. 
Whenas  by  the  eftablifhing  of  thefe  Parochial  Bifhops,  (  at  leaft  Oppidatim  )  the 
Diocefans  may  become  of  great  ufe  for  the  Work  of  General  Oversight.  We  re- 
fufe  not  General  Officers,  fo  they  overthrow  not  the  particular  Officers  and 
Churches:  As  if  General  Officers  in  an  Army  or  Navy  would  be  the  fble  Com- 
manders, and  depofe  all  the  Captains,  and  confequently  make  the  Discipline  im- 
poflible. 

10.  We  moft  earneftly  befeech  your  Majefty,  that  in  Matters  of  Doctrine,  Dif- 
cipline  and  Worfhip,  the  Modes  and  Circumftances  and  Ceremonies  may  not  be 
made  more  necefTary  to  our  Ordination,  Institution  ,  Miniftrarion,  or  Commu- 
nion than  God  hath  made  them,either  in  Scripture  or  in  the  Nature  of  the  thing  ; 
left  they  be  ftill  the  Engines  of  our  Divifions  and  Calamity ;  but  that  we  may  hold 
our  Concord  and  Communion  in  Necejfary  things,  according  to  the  Primitive  Sim- 
plicity ;  and  may  have  Liberty  in  things  UnnecejJ'ary ,  as  to  Subfcriptions,  Promifes 
and  Pra&ice ;  that  fo  the  Churches  may  have  Peace  and  'Charity  in  both.  And  that 
our  Difcipline  which  operateth  on  the  Will,  may  not  be  corrupted  by  unneceflary 
and  unfeafonable  violence ;  nor  any  permitted ,  much  lefs  conftrained  to  be  Members 
of  our  Churches  and  Communion  that  vilifie  fuch  Priviledges,  and  cannot  be  moved  by 
our  Exhortations,  nor  feel  the  weight  of  a  meer  Excommunication.  Though  a  gentle 
Force  is  necefTary  to  compel  the  Learners  or  Catechumens  to  fubmic  to  the  necefTa- 
ry means  of  their  Inftruelion  :  and  to  reftrain  the  petulant  from  abufing  the  Wor- 
ship and  Worfhippers  of  the  Lord.  He  that  will  rather  be  caft  out  of  the  Church 
by  Excommunication,  than  repent  and  amend  his  wicked  Life,  is  fb  unfit  to 
be  a  Member  of  the  Church,  that  it  is  moft  unfit  to  drive  him  into  it  by  Imprifbn- 
ment,  Mulcts,  or  Secular  Force :  And  this  is  that  which  doth  corrupt  and  undo 
the  Church. 

I  mail  here  Annex-  Arcnbi/hop  TJjhefs  Model  of  Government,  which  we  now  al- 
io prefented. 


7he  RednBion  of  Epifcopacy  unto  the  Form  of  Synodical  Govern" 
went  received  in  the  Ancient  Church ,propofed  in  the  Year  1&J.1. 
as  an  Expedient  for  the  prevention  of  thofe  Troubles  which  af- 
terwards did  arife  about  the  Matter  of  Church-Government. 

Epifcopal  and  Presbyterial  Government  conjoyned. 

(a)  The  pY  the  Order  of  the  Church  of  England,  all  Presbyters  are  charged  to  (a)  tni- 
Fonn  of  #JO  nifter  the  Doctrine  and  Sacraments  and  the  Difcipline  of  Chrift  as  the  Lord 
0fdprml,  naln  commanded,  and  as  this  Realm  hath  received  the  fame.  And  that  we  might 
%)  ibidem  c*le  better  underftand  what  the  Lord  had  commanded  therein  ,  the  Exhortation  of 
Afts  20.  Sr.  Paul  to  the  Elders  of  (b)  the  Church  of  Ephefus,  is  appointed  to  be  read  unto 
17, 18.^  them  at  the  time  of  their  Ordination  :  Take  heed  unto  your  [elves  and  to  all  the  Flock , 
fcftaken^  a7nonK  whom  the  Holy  Ghofi  hath  made  you  Overfeers,  to  *  rule  the  Congregation  of  God, 
taatth.2.&  which  he  hath  purchafed  with  his  Blood. 

&  Rcv.12.  Of  the  many  Elders  who  in  common  thus  ruled  the  Churqh  of  Ephefus ,  there 
l9-}4  was  one  Prefident  whom  our  Saviour  in  his  Epiftle  to  the  Church,  in  a  peculiar 
v'  2'  manner  ilikth  the  (c)  Angel  of  the  Church  of  Ephefus.     And  Ignatius  in  another  E- 

piftle 


P  a  &  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

. *m ■  ■  — tr  ■  -  1 ... 

pilile  written  about  twelve  Years  after  to  the  lame  Church,  callech  thgBiJhop  !;ero 
of.     Betwixt  which  Bilhop  and  the  Presbytery  of  that  Church  what  au  h.-umoni* 
ous  Content  there  Wa<  in  the  ordering  the  Church- Government,  the  fame  Ignati- 
us doth  fully  there  declare  by  the    Presbytery  (with  (d)  St.  Paul)  under/tending 
the  Company  of  the  reft  of  the  Presbytery  or  Elders  who  then  had  a  Hand,  not 
only  in  the  delivery  of  the  Doctrine  and  Sacraments,  but  alio  in  the  Administrati- 
on of  the  Difcipline  of  Chrift.     For  further  Proof  whereof  we  have  that  known 
Teftimony  of  Tertullian  in  his  general  Apology  for  Chriftians.     In  (e)  the  Church 
are  uied  Exhortations,  Chaftifements  and  divine  Cenfures ;    for  Judgment  is  given  {fy  >•'' 
with  great  Advice  as  among  thofe  who  are  certain  they  are  in  the  fight  of  God,  fif  fx~ 
and  it  is  thechiefeft  fore-mewing  of  the  Judgment  that  is  to  come,  if  any  Man  hath  cllSh 
fo  offended  that  he  be  banifhed  from  the  Communion  of  Prayer,  and  of  the  AiTenv  nL% 
bly,  and  of  all  holy  Fellowlriip.  fa*  dixi- 

mx,  nciir.  (y 
indicatur  magno  cum  ponder  et  ut  apud  ccrtos  de  Dei  confpeUu  fummumq-,  futuri  Judic'ri  pujudicium  ejfe.  Si  quit  ita  de- 
liquerit  ut  a  communion  e  oratioiw  (y  conventut  &  omnis  Sanlli  commercil  relegatur.  Fraftdent  p'robati  quique  feniorcs,  ho- 
norem  ijlum  non  precio  fed  tcjtimonh  adepti.  Tert.  Apol.  Cap.  39. 

The  Prefidents  that  bear  rule  therein  are  certain  approved  Elders  who  have  ob- 
tained this  Honour,    and  no;  by  Reward,   but  by  good  Report.     Who  were  no    /•£»« 
other  (as  he  himfelf  elfewhere  intimateth  )  but  thofe  from  (/)  whofe  hands  they  de  aiwrn 
ufed  to  receive  the  Sacrament  of  the  Eucharift.  tnanibus, 

quam  prx- 
fidentmm  fumimus  fo  idem  de  corona  militis,  Cap.  3. 

tor  with  the  Bifhop,  who  was  the  Chief  Prefident  (and  therefore  fry  led  by  the 
iame  Tertullian  in  another  place  Summus  (g)  Sacerdos  for  diftin&ion  fake  )   the  reft  C<J  Da» 
of  the  Difpenfors  of  the  Word  and  Sacraments  were  joined  in  the  common  Govern- 
ment of  the  Church.     And  therefore  in  matters  of  Ecclefiafrical  Judicature,  Cor-  ; 
nelitts,  Bifhop  of  Rome  ufed  the  received  Form  of  (h)  gathering  together  the  Pres- 
byter/, rdos 

qui  e!l  Epip 
copw,    drfmt  prcsbyteri  &  Diacont   Idem  de  Baptifmo-,    Op.  17.     '   00   0,1:ni  ^il  «-t  f»c  |  t  co> 

trahi  Presbj/terium,  Cornel,  apud  Cyprian  Epif.  46. 

Of  what  Perfbns'that  didconfift,  Cyprian  fufficiently  declarcth,  when  he  will- 
ed him  to  read  his  Letters  to  (1)  the  llouri/hing  Clergy  that  there  did  relide  or  0^^°' 
rule  with  him.  yg  c[ero 

tecum  prxfidcnti,  Cyprian  Epift.  55.  ad  CorneL 

The  prefence  of  the  Clergy  being  thought  to  be  fo  requifite  in  matters 'of  Epi£ 
copal  Audience,  that  in  the  fourth  Council  of  Carthage  it  was  concluded  (k)  that  fkj  Vt 
the  Bifhop  might  hear  no  Man's  Caufe,  without  the  Prefence  of  the  Clergy,  which  E$C0V"* 
we  find  alfb  to  be  inferted  into  the  Canons  of  (I)  Egbert,  who  was  Archbiihop  of  rf"!lus  cfu't 
York  in  the  Saxons  Times,  and  afterwards  into  the  Body  of  the  (m)  Canon-Law  it  2L.J£> 

ielf.  fentia  cle- 

, .     _  ......    ...              .    .„  j                                             rkorum  fw 

orum,    ahoqmn  imta  erit  [ententia  Epifcopi  mfi   clericorum  prejentia  confirmetur.  ConciJ.   Carthag.  4.   Cap.   23. 
Oj  Encerption  Egbert!,  Cap.  43.        frnj  15.  qu.  7.  Cap.  Nullus. 

True  it  is,  that  in  our  Church  this  kind  of  Presbyterian  Government  hath  been 
long  difufed,  yet  feeing  it  ftill  profeffeth  that  every  Pallor  hath  a  right  to  rule  the 
Church  (  from  whence  the  Name  of  Rector  alfo  was  given  at  firft  unto  him  )  and 
to  adminifter  the  Difcipline  of  Chrift,  as  well  as  to  difpence  the  Doclrrine  and  Sa- 
craments. And  the  reftraint  of  the  Exercife  of  that  Right  proefcedeth  only  from 
the  Cuftom  now  received  in  this  Realm :  No  Man  can  doubt  but  by  another  Law 
of  the  Land  this  Hindrance  may  be  well  removed.  And  how  eafily  this  ancient 
Form  of  Government  by  the  united  Suffrages  of  the  Clergy,  might  be  revived 
again,  and  with  what  little  mew  of  Alteration  the  Synodical  Conventions  of  the 
Paftors  of  every  Parilh  might  be  accorded,  with  the  Prefidency  of  the  Biihops  of 
each  Diocefs  and  Province,  the  indifferent  Reader  may  quickly  perceive  by  the  per- 
uial  of  the  enfuing  Propofitions.  ti    p 

chial  Go- 
I.  vernment 

anfwera- 

In  every  Parifhthe  RecW  or  the  incumbent  Parlor,  together  with  the  Church-  ^huJ-ch-^ 
wardens  and  Sidemen,  may  every  Week  take  notice  of  fuch  as  live  fcandaloufly  in  sdSon'io 

y  that  Scotland 


240  1  he  L  I  F  E  of  the  L  1  b.  J. 

that  Congregation,  who  are  to  receive  fuch  feveral  Admonitions  and  Reproofs  as 
the  quality  of  their  Offence  mall  deferve  ;  and  if  by  this  means  they  cannot  be  re- 
claimed, they  may  be  prefented  unto  the  next  Monthly  Synod,  and  in  the  mean 
time  be  debarred  by  the  Paitor  from  accefs  unto  the  Lord's  Table. 

II. 

The  Pres-  Whereas  by  a  Statute  in  the  Twenty  fixth  of  King  Henry  VIII.  (revived  in  the 
bytefic al  ^  year  0f  Queen  Elizabeth  )  Suffragans  are  appointed  to  be  ereded  in  twenty 
ty  Synods  fix  feveral  Places  of  this  Kingdom,  the  Number  of  them  might  very  well  be  con- 
anfwerable  formed  unto  the  Number  of  the  feveral  rural  Deaneries  into  which  every  Diocefs  is 
to  thereof-  fubdivided,  which  being  done  the  Suffragan  (  fupplying  the  place  of  thofe  who  in 
tijh  Pres-  t^Q  ancient  Church  were  called  Chorepi/copi  )  might  every  Month  aifemble  a  Sy- 
EcSn-  no&  of  all  the  Redors,  or  incumbent  Paftors  within  the  Precind,  and  according 
fticai  to  the  major  part  of  their  Voices  conclude  all  Matters  that  fhould  be  brought  into 
Meeting.'   Debate  before  them. 

To  this  Synod  [  the  Redor  and  ]  Churchwardens  might  prefent  fuch  impeni- 
tent Perfons,  as  by  Admonition  and  Sufpenfion  from  the  Sacrament  would  not  be 
reformed  j  who,  if  they  mould  ftill  remain  contumacious  and  incorrigible,  the 
Sentence  of  Excommunication  might  be  decreed  againft  them  by  the  Synod,  and 
accordingly  ba  executed  in  the  Parilh  where  they  lived.  Hitherto  alio  all  things 
that  concerned  the  Parochial  Minifters  might  be  referred,  whether  they  did  touch 
their  Dodrine  or  their  Convention :  As  alfo  the  cenfure  of  all  new  Opinions, 
Herefies  and  Schifms  which  did  arife  within  that  Circuit,  with  Liberty  of  appeal  if 
need  fb  require  unto  the  Diocefane  Synod. 

III. 

Diocefane 

f r°bien"  ^e  Diocefane  Synod  might  be  held  once  or  twice  in  the  Year  as  it  mould  be 
to  the  pro-  thought  molt  convenient,  therein  all  the  Suffragans  and  the  reft  of  the  Redors  or 
vincial  Sy-  Incumbent  Paftors  [  or  a  certain  [elect  Number  out  of  every  Deanery  "within  that  Dio- 
nodsin  cefs]  might  meet ;  withwhofe  Confent,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  all  things 
Scotland.  mjgilt  be  concluded  by  the  Bifhop  or  *  Superintendant  (  call  him  whither  you  will ) 
vSvZ^i'e.  or  in  his  Abfence  by  one  of  the  Suffragans,  whom  he  mould  depute  in  his  ftead  to 
Superin-  be  Moderator  of  that  Affembly.  Here  all  matters  of  greater  Moment  might  be  ta- 
tendentcs  ken  jnt0  Confideration,  and  the  Orders  of  the  Monthly  Synods  reviled  and  (if 
"menEpifco-  n^d  be  )  reformed.  And  if  here  alfb  any  matter  of  Difficulty  could  not  receive 
pi  tvattum  a  full  Determination,  it  might  be  referred  to  the  next  Provincial  or  National 
e/?.Hieron.  Synod. 
Epift.  85. 
ad  Evagri-  ,y 


um. 


Scotland. 


The  pro-  The  Provincial  Synod  might  confift  of  all  the  Bifhops  and  Suffragans,  and  fuch 
vincial  of  the  Clergy  as  mould  be  eleded  out  of  every  Diocefs  within  the  Province.  The 
anf  s^od  P"111^  of  either  Province  might  be  the  Moderator  of  this  Meeting  (or  in  his  room 
anfwerable  *°me  one  of  the  Bifhops  appointed  by  him)  and  all  Matters  be  ordered  therein  by 
to  the  ge-  common  Confent  as  in  the  former  Affemblies.  This  Synod  might  be  held  every 
neral  Af-  third  Year,  and  if  the  Parliament  do  then  fit  (according  to  the  Act  for  a  Triennial 
fcittUyjn  Parliament )  both  the  Primates  and  Provincial  Synods  of  the  Land  might  join  to- 
gether, and  make  up  a  National  Council ;  wherein  all  Appeals  from  inferior  Sy- 
nods might  be  received,  all  their  Ads  examined,  and  all  Ecclefiaftical  Conftituti- 
ons  which  concern  the  State  of  the  Church  of  the  whole  Nation  eftablifhed. 

May  it  pleafe  your  Grace, 

I  jvould  defireyou  to  confider  whether  Trefentments  are  fit  to  be  made  by  the  Churchwardens 
alone  and  not  rather  by  the  Rector  and  Churchwardens.  Then  whither  in  the  Diocefan  Sy- 
nod the  Members  of  it  be  not  too  many}  being  all  to  judge  and  in  their  own  caufe,  as  it  may 
fall  out.  Therefore  after  this  Clauje,  and  the  reft  of  the  Redors  or  incumbent  Pa- 
ftors, whether  it  be  not  fit  to  interline,  or  four  or  fix  out  of  every  Deanery. 

Ri.  Holdfworth. 
We 


P  a  k  t  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         241 

We  are  of  Judgment,  that  the  Form  of  Government  here  propofed,  is  not  in 
any  point  repugnant  to  the  Scripture,  and  that  the  Suffragans  mentioned  in  che  (e- 
cond  Propofition,  may  lawfully  ufe  the  Power  both  of  Jurifdi&ion  and  Ordinacion 
according  to  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  Practice  of  the  ancient  Church. 

§  97.  When  we  went  with  thefe  forefaid  Papers  to  the  King,  andexpj&ed  there 
to  meet  the  Divines  of  the  other  party,  according  to  promife,  with  their  Propo- 
fels alfo  containing  the  loweft  Terms  which  they  could  yield  to  for  Peace  $  we  few 
not  a  Man  of  rhem,  nor  any  Papers  from  them  of  that  Nature,  no  not  to  this 
Day  :  But  it  was  not  fit  for  us  to  expoftul'ate  or  complain. 

§  98.  But  his  Majefty  very  gracioufly  renewed  his  Profeflions,  ( I  muft  not  call 
them  Promifes )  that  he  would  bring  us  together,  and  lee  that  the  Biihops  mould 
come  down  and  yield  on  their  Parts ;  and  when  he  heard  our  Papers  read,  he 
feemed  well  pleafed  with  them ;  and  told  us,  he  was  glad  that  we  were  for  a  Litur- 
gy, and  yielded  to  the  Effence  of  Epifcopacy,  and  therefore  he  doubted  not  of  our 
Agreement  with  much  more  ;  which  we  thought  meet  to  recite  in  our  following 
Addrefles,  byway  of  Gratitude,  and  for  other  Reafbns  eaiy  to  be  conjectured. 

§  99.  Yet  was  not  Bifhop  Ujhers  Model  the  feme  in  all  Points  that  we  could  wi/h  : 
But  it  was  the  beft  that  we  could  have  the  leaft  hope  (  I  fey  not  to  obtain,  but )  ac- 
ceptably to  make  them  any  Offers  of:  For  had  we  propofed  any  thing  below  Bi- 
fliops  and  Archbifhops,  we  "mould  but  havefuddenly  furnifhed  them  with  plaufibH 
Reafons  for  the  rejecting  of  all  further  Attempts  of  Concord,  or  any  other  Favour 
from  them. 

§  100.  Before  this  time,  by  the  King's  Return  many  hundred  worthy  Minifiers 
were  difplaced,  and  caft  out  of  their  Charges,  becaufethey  were  inSequeftrations 
where  others  had  by  the  Parliament  been  caft  out :  Ourearneft  Defires  had  been 
that  all  iuch  mould  be  caft  out  as  were  in  any  Benefice  belonging  formerly  to  a 
Man  that  was  not  grofiy  inefficient  or  debaucht  j  but  that  all  that  fucceeded  fuch. 
as  thefe  Scandalous  ones  mould  hold  their  Places:  but  thefe  Wifhcs  being  vain,  and  all 
the  old  ones  reftored,  the  King  promifed,  that  the  Places  where  any  or  the  old 
ones  were  dead,  mould  be  confirmed  to  the  Pofleffors :  But  many  got  the  Broad  Seal 
for  them,  and  the  matter  was  not  great ;  for  we  were  all  of  us  to  be  endured  but  a 
little  longer.  However  we  agreed  to  offer  thele  five  Requelts  to  the  King  j  which 
he  received. 

Agreed  to  be  verbally  requefled  of  the  King* 

1.  That  with  all  convenient  fpeed  we  may  fee  his  Majefty *s  Conclufions  upon  the 
Propofels  of  the  mutual  Condeicentions,  before  they  pafs  into  Refblves,  (and  if  it 
be  thought  meet,  our  Brethens  Propofels  alio.) 

2.  That  his  Majefty  will  publickly  declare  hisPIeafure  for  the  Sufpenfion  of  Pro- 
ceedings upon  the  Ad  of  Uniformity,  againft  Nonconformifts  in  Cafe  of  Liturgy 
and  Ceremonies,  till  our  hoped  for  Agreement. 

3.  That  his  Majefty  will  be  pleafed  to  publifh  his  Plealure,  (at  leaft  to  thofe  that 
are  concerned  in  the  Execution)  that  (till  the  laid  expe&ed  Settlement)  no  Oath  of 

# Canonical  Obedience,  nor  Sub<cription  to  the  Liturgy,  Difcipline,  Ceremonies, 
&c  nor  Renunciation  of  their  Ordination  by  meer  Presbyters,  or  confeiUng  it  to 
be  finful,  be  impofed  on,  or  required  of  any,  as  necelTary  to  their  Ordination,  In- 

Iftitution,  Induction,  or  Confirmation  by  the  Seales. 
4.  That  His  Majefty  will  Caufe  the  revoking  of  the  Broad  Seal  that  is  granted  to 
all  thofe  Perfons,    that  by  it  are  put  into  Places   where  others  have  Vojjejfwn,  to    • 
which  none   before  could  claim  a  right ;    that  is,  fuch  as  they  call  dead  Pla- 
ces. 

j.  That  his  Majefty  will  be  pleafed  to  provide  lome  Remedy  againft  the  Return 
or  Settlement  of  notorioufly  infufficient  or  fcandalous  Minifters,  into  the  Places 
from  which  they  were  caft  out,  or  into  any  other* 

§  10 1.  While  we  waited  for  the  promifed  Condeicentions  of  the  Epifcopal  Divines, 
there  came  nothing  to  us>but  a  Paper  of  bitter  Oppofitions,  by  way  of  Confutation  of 
our  former  Propofels, We  were  notinfenfible  of  the  unworthinefs  of  this  deaHng,and 

I  i  th© 


24.2  2^  LIFE  of  the  L 1 B.  L, 


the  Brethren  at  fir  ft  defired  me  to  write  an  Anfwer  to  it.  But  afterward  they  con- 
fidered  that  this  would  but  provoke  them,  and  turn  a  Treaty  for  Concord  into  a 
fharp  Difputation,  which  would  increafe  the  Difcord  ;  and  lb  what  I  had  written 
was  never  feen  by  any  Man  ;  left  it  fhould  hinder  Peace. 


The  Btfbop*s  Anfwer  to  the  firft  Propofals  of  the  London  Mini- 
fiers*,  who  attempted  the  Work  of  Reconcilement ;  which  was 
brought  them  afterward  infiead  of  rheir  Conceflions,  before  ex- 
peBed  and  promifed.  When  we  looked  to  fee  how  much  they 
would  abate  of  their  former  Impofitions,  for  the  attaining  of 
Vnity  and  Peace  ,  we  received  nothing  but  this  Contra- 
diction. 

Concerning  the  Preamble. 

§  *-\T7E  firft  obferve  that  they  take  it  for  granted  that  there  is  a  firm  Agree- 
W  ment  between  them  and  us  in  the  Doctrinal  Truths  of  the  reformed 
Religion,  and  in  the  Subftantial  Parts  of  Divine  Worlhip ;  and  that  the  Differen- 
ces are  only  in  fome  various  Conceptions  about  the  Ancient  Forms  of  Church- 
Government,  and  fome  Particulars  about  Liturgy  and  Ceremonies.  Which 
maketh  all  that  follows  the  lefs  confiderable  and  le(s  reafonable  to  be  ftood  upon 
to  the  hazard  of  the  Difturbance  and  Peace  of  the  Church. 

§  2.  They  feem  to  intimate  as  if  we  did  difcountenance  the  Practice  of  thole 
things  which  in  Principles  we  allow,  which  we  utterly  deny. 

In  fundry  Particulars  therein  propofed,  we  do  not  perceive  what  farther  Securi- 
ty can  be  given,  than  is  already  provided  for  by  the  eftablifhed  Laws  of  this  Realm ; 
whereunto  fuch  Perfons  as  (hall  at  any  time  find  themfelves  agrieved  may  have 
recourfe  for  Remedy. 

§  3.  1.  We  heartily  defire  (as  well  as  they  )  that  all  Animofities  be  laid  afide, 
Words  of  Scorn,  Reproach,  and  Provocation  might  be  mutually  forborn,  and  that 
to  Men  of  different  Perfuafions  fuch  a  Liberty  may  be  left  of  performing  Chriftian 
Duties  according  to  their  own  way  within  their  own  private  Families,  as  that  yet 
Uniformity  in  the  publick  Worfhip  may  be  prelerved  j  and  that  a  Gap  be  not 
thereby  opened  to  Sectaries  for  private  Conventicles  j  for  the  evil  Confequents 
whereof  none  can  be  fufficiently  refponfible  unto  the  State. 

§  4.  2.  We  likewife  defire  that  every  Congregation  may  have  an  able  and  God- 
ly Minifter  to  Preach,  Catechife,  adminifter  the  Sacraments,  and  perform  other 
Minifterial  Offices  as  need  fhall  require.  But  what  they  mean  by  refiding,  and 
how  far  they  will  extend  that  Word,  and  what  effectual  Provifion  of  Law  can  be 
made  more  than  is  already  done  concerning  the  Things  here  mentioned,  we  know 
not. 

§  5".  3. Confirmation  (which  for  fundry  Ends  we  think  neceffary  to  be  conti- 
nued in  the  Church  )  if  rightly  and  folemnly  performed,  will  alone  be  fufficient 
as  to  the  point  of  Inftruction.  And  for  notorious  and  fcandalous  Offenders,  pro- 
vifion is  made  in  the  Rubrick  before  the  Communion,  which  Rules,  had  they  been 
carefully  obferved j  the  Troubles  of  the  Church  by  the  Diiputes  and  Divifions  here 
mentioned  had  been  prevented. 

§6.  4.  There  cannot  be  taken  a  more  effectual  Courfe  in  this  behalf  than  the  Ex- 
ecution of  the  Laws  already  made  for  the  due  Obfervation  of  the  Lord's  Day  : 
which  in  this  particular  are  very  much  ftri&er  than  the  Laws  of  any  Foreign  refor- 
med Churches  whatfbever. 

Concerning  Church -Government. 

§  r.  They  do  not  fuggeft,  nor  did  we  ever  hear  any  juft  Reafbns  given  for  their 
diilei.t  from  the  Ecclefuftical  Hierarchy  or  Prelacy,  as  it  was  ftated  and  eftablifh- 
ed  in  this  Kingdom.    Which  we  believe  to  be  for  the  main,  the  true  ancient  pri- 
mitive 


'  - — ■ 

P  a  r  t  JL     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  243 

mitive  Epifcopacy,  and  that  to  be  more  than  a  meer  prefidency  of  Order.  Nei- 
ther do  we  find  that  the  lame  was  in  any  Time  ballanced  or  man.iged  by  any  Au- 
thoritative Commixtion  of  Presbyters  therewith.  Though  it  hath  been  then,  and 
in  all  Times  fince  dually  exercifed  with  the  Affiftance  and  Counlel  of  Presbyters  in 
fubordination  to  the  Bifhops. 

§  8.  And  we  cannot  but  wonder  that  the  Ad  niniftration  of  Government  by 
one  fingle  Perlbn,  mould  by  them  be  affirmed  to  be  lo  liable  to  Corruptions,  Par- 
tialities, Tyrannies,  and  other  Evils,  that  for  the  avoiding  thereof  it  mould  be 
needful  to  have  others  joyned  with  him  in  the  power  of  Government.  Which  it 
applyed  to  the  Civil  State,  is  a  molt  dangerous  Infinuation.  And  we  verily  be- 
lieve what  Experience  and  the  Conftitutions  of  Kingdoms,  Armies  and  even  private 
Families  fufficiently  confirmeth  (in  all  which  the  Government  is  adminilrred  by 
the  Authority  of  one  fingle  Perlbn,  although  the  Advice  of  others  may  be  requi- 
fite  alfo  ;  but  without  any  (hare  in  the  Government)  that  the  Government  of  ma- 
ny is  not  only  molt  lubjed  to  all  the  aforefaid  Evils  and  Inconveniencies,  but  more 
likely  alfo  to  breed  and  foment  perpetual  Fadions  both  in  Church  and  State,  than 
the  Government  by  one  is  or  can  be.  And  fince  no  Government  can  certainly  pre- 
vent all  Evils  that  which  is  liable  to  the  leaft  and  feweft  is  certainly  to  be  preferred. 

As  to  the  four  particular  In  fiances  of  things  ami  ft ^  8cc. 

$  9.  1.  We  cannot  grant  that  the  Extent  of  any  Diocels  is  fo  great,  but  that 
the  Bifhop  may  well  perform  that,  wherein  the  proper  Office  and  Duty  of  a  Bi- 
fhop doth  confift  ;  which  is  not  the  perlonal  Inlpedion  of  every  Mans  Soul  un- 
der his  Government  (  which  is  the  Work  of  every  Parochial  Minifter  in  his  Care) 
but  the  Paftoral  Charge  of  overfeeing,  directing,  and  taking  care  that  the  Mini- 
ilers  and  other  Ecclefiaftical  Officers  withinjhis  Diocels,  do  their  feveral  refpedive  • 
Duties  in  their  feveral  Stations  as  they  ought  to  do.  And  if  fbme  DiocelTes  lhall  be 
thought  of  too  large  Extent,  the  Bifhops  may  have  Suffragan  Bilhops  to  afiifl 
them,  as  the  Laws  allow.  It  being  a  great  miltake,  that  the  Perlbnal  Infpedton 
of  the  Bifhop  is  in  all  places  of  his  Diocels  at  all  times  neceffary.  For  by  the  fame 
realbn,  neither  Princes,  nor  Governours  of  Provinces,  nor  Generals  of  Armies, 
nor  Mayors  of  great  Cities,  nor  Mini  Iters  of  great  Parifhes  could  ever  be  able  to 
difcharge  their  Duties  in  their  feveral  Places  and  Charges. 

§  10.  2.  We  confefs  the  Bilhops  did  (  as  by  the  Law  they  were  enabled)  depute 
part  of  the  Adminifrration  of  their  Ecclefiaftical  Jurifdidions  to  Chancellors , 
CommiiTaries  and  Officials  as  Men  better  skill'd  in  the  Civil  and  Canon  Laws. 
But  as  for  Matters  of  more  Spiritual  Concernment,  viz,,  the  Sentences  of  Excom- 
munication, and  Abfolution,  with  other  Cenfures  of  the  Church,  we  conceive 
they  belong  properly  to  the  Bifhop  to  decree  and  pronounce,  either  by  hirnfelf 
Vhere  for  the  prefent  he  refideth,  or  by  ibme  grave  Ecclefiaftical  Perfon  by  him 
Surrogated  for  that  purpofe,  in  fuch  Places  where  he  cannot  be  Perlbnally  prefenr. 
Wherein  if  many  things  have  been  done  amifs  for  the  time  paft,  or  lhall  be  fea- 
fonably  conceived  inconvenient  for  the  future,  we  lhall  be  as  willing  to  have  the 
lame  Reformed  and  Remedied,  as  any  other  Perlbns  whatlbever. 

§  11.  3.  Whether  a  Bifhop  be  a  diftind  Order  from  Presbyter  or  not,  or  whe- 
ther they  have  power  of  lole  Ordination  or  no  ?  is  not  now  the  Queftion.  But 
we  affirm  that  the  Bilhops  of  this  Realm  have  conftantly  (  for  ought  we  know,  or 
have  heard  to  the  contrary )  Ordained  with  the  Affiftance  of  Presbyters,  and  the 
Impofition  of  their  Hands  together  with  the  Bilhops.  And  we  conceive  it  very  fit, 
that  in  the  exercife  of  that  part  of  their  Jurifdidion  which  appertaineth  to  the 
Cenfures  of  the  Church,  they  Ihould  likewife  have  the  Advice  and  Affiftance  of 
fbme  Presbyters.  And  for  this  purpofe  the  Colledgesof  Deans  and  Chapters  are 
thought  to  have  been  inftituted,  that  the  Bilhops  in  their  feveral  Diocels  might 
have  their  Advice  and  Affiftance  in  the  Adminiftration  of  their  weighty  Paftoral 
Charge. 

§  12.  4.  This  lad  dependeth  upon  Matter  of  Fad.  Wherein  if  any  Bilhops  have 
or  lhall  do  other  wile  than  according  to  Law,  they  were  and  are  to  be  anfwerable 
for  the  fome.  And  it  is  our  defire  (  as  well  as  theirs  )  that  nothing  may  be  done 
or  impofed  by  the  Bilhop,  but  according  to  the  known  Laws. 

I  i  z  For 


244 


The  LI  F  E  of  the  Lib.  I 


For  Reforming  of  which  Evils,  &c. 

§13.  1.  The  Primates  Reduction,  though  not  publifhed  in  his  Life  time,  was 
formed  many  years  before  his  Death,  and  mewed  to  fbme  Perfbns  ( ready  to  at- 
teft  the  feme  )  in  the  Year  1640.  but  it  is  not  confiftent  with  two  other  Difcour- 
fes  of  the  fame  Learned  Primate  (  viz,,  the  one  of  the  Original  of  Epifcopacy,  and 
the  other  of  the  Original  of  Metropolitans)  both  printed  in  the  Year  1641. 
and  written  with  great  diligence  and  much  variety  of  ancient  Learning.  In  nei- 
ther of  which  is  to  be  found  any  mention  of*  the  Reduction  aforefaid.  Neither  is 
there  in  either  of  them  propounded  any  fuch  Model  of  Church- Government,  as 
in  the  laid  Reduction  is  contained.  Which  doubtlefs  would  have  been  done,  had 
that  Platform  been  according  to  his  fetled  Judgment  in  thole  Matters. 

In  which  Reduction  there  are  fundry  things  (  as  namely  the  Conforming  of  Suf- 
fragans to  the  number  of  Rural  Deaneries )  which  are  apparently  private  Concep- 
tions of  his  own ;  accommodated  at  that  time  for  the  taking  off  fome  prefent  Ani- 
mofities  :  but  wholly  deftitute  of  any  Colour  of  Teftimony  or  Prefident  from  An- 
tiquity, nor  is  any  fuch  by  him  offered  towards  the  proof  thereof. 

And  it  would  be  confidered,  whether  the  Final  Refolution  of  all  Ecclefiaftical 
Power  and  JurifHict ion  into  a  National  Synod,  where  it  feemeth  to  be  placed  in 
that  Reduction  without  naming  the  King,  or  without  any  dependaoce  upon  him, 
or  relation  to  him,  be  not  deftructive  of  the  King's  Supremacy  in  cauies  Ecclefi- 
aftical. 

It  is  obfervable  neverthelefs,  that  even  in  the  Reduction  Archi-Epifcopacy  is  ac- 
knowledged. 

As  for  the  fttper- added  Particulars^ 

§  14.  1.  The  Appointment  and  Election  of  Suffragans  is  by  the  Law  already 
vetted  in  the  King,  whofe  Power  therein  is  by  the  Courfe  here  propoled  taken 
away. 

§  iy.  2.  What  they  mean  by  AfTociations  in  this  place,  they  explain  not;  but 
we  conceive  it  dangerous  that  any  Aflbciation  (whatfbever  is  underftood  thereby) 
fliould  be  made  or  entered  into  without  the  King's  Authority. 

§  16.  3.  We  do  not  take  the  Oaths,  Promifes  and  Subfcriptions  by  Law  requi- 
red of  Minifters  at  their  Ordination,  Inftitution,  &c.  to  be  unneceflary  :  although 
they  be  refponfible  to  the  Laws  if  they  do  amifs :  it  being  thought  requifite  ,  as 
well  by  fuch  Cautions  to  prevent  Offences,  as  to  punifh  Offenders  afterwards.  Up- 
on all  which  Confederation  it  is,  that  Officers  in  the  Court  ,  Freemen  in  Cities, 
and  Corporate  Towns,  Mafters  and  Fellows  of  Colledges  in  the  Univerfities,  drc* 
are  required  at  their  Admiffion  into  their  feveral  refpective  places  to  give  Oaths  for 
well  and  truly  performing  their  feveral  refpective  Duties,  their  liableneft  to  punifti- 
ment  in  cafe  of  Non- performance  accordingly  notwithstanding.  Neither  doth  it 
ieem  reafonable  that  fuch  Perfbns  as  have  themfelves  with  great  (everity  prefcribed 
and  exacted  antecedent  Conditions  of  their  Communion  not  warranted  by  Law, 
ffiould  be  exempted  from  the  tye  of  fuch  Oaths  and  Subfcriptions  as  the  Laws  re- 
quire. 

§  17.  4.  We  agree  that  the  Bifhops,  and  all  Ecclefiaftical  Governours,  ought  to 
exercife  their  Government,  not  Arbitrarily  but  according  to  Law. 

5-.  And  for  Security  againft  fuch  Arbitrary  Government  and  Innovations  the 
Laws  are,  and  from  time  to  time  will  be  fufficient  provifion. 

Concerning  Liturgy. 

§  1 8.  A  Liturgy  or  Form  of  Publick  Worfhip  being  not  only  by  them  acknow- 
ledged lawful,  but  by  us  alfb  (  for  the  prefervation  of  Unity  and  Uniformity  ) 
deemed  neceffary,  we  efteem  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England ,  contained  in 
the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  and  by  Law  eftablifhed,  to  be  fuch  a  one  as  is  by 
them  defired  \  according  to  the  Qualifications  here  mentioned,  viz,. 

'  1,  For 


P  a  R  T  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         245 

1.  For  Matter  agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God,  which  we  and  all  other  lawful 
Minifters  within  the  Church  of  Englandy  have,  or  by  the  Laws  ought  to  have  at- 
tefted  by  our  Perfbnal  Subicription. 

2.  Fitly  fuited  to  the  Nature  of  the  feveral  Ordinances,  and  the  Neceffities  of  the 
Church. 

5.  Nor  too  tedious  in  the  whole.  It's  well  known  that  fome  Mens  Prayers  be- 
fore and  after  Sermon,  have  been  ufually  not  much  fhorter  ,  and  fometimes  much 
longer  than  the  whole  Church  Service. 

4.  Nor  the  Prayers  too  fhort.  The  Wifdom  of  the  Church ,  both  in  ancient 
and  latter  times,  hath  thought  it  a  fitter  means  for  relieving  the  Infirmities  of  the 
meaner  (ort  of  People  (  which  are  the  major  part  of  moft  Congregations)  to  con- 
trive feveral  Petitions  into  fundry  fhorter  Collects  or  Prayers,  than  to  comprehend 
them  altogether  in  a  continued  ftile,  or  without  interruption. 

5-.  Nor  the  Repetitions  unmeet.  There  are  Examples  of  the  like  Repetition  fre- 
quent in  the  Pfalmsand  other  parts  of  Scripture.  Not  to  mention  the  unhandfome 
Tautologies  that  oftentimes  happen,  and  can  fcarce  be  avoided  in  the  Extempo- 
rary and  undigefted  Prayers  that  are  made  ;  Specially  by  Perfons  of  meaner 
Gifts. 

6.  Nor  the  Refponfals.  Which  if  impartially  confidered,  are  pious  Ejaculations 
fit  to  ftir  up  Devotion,  and  good  Symbols  of  Conformity  betwixt  the  Minifter 
and  the  People,  and  have  been  of  very  ancient  pra&ile  and  continuance  in  the 
Church. 

7.  Nor  too  diflbnant  from  the  Liturgies  of  other  Reformed  Churches.  The 
nearer  both  their  Forms  and  ours  come  to  the  Liturgy  of  the  Ancient  Greek  and 
Latin  Churches,  the  lefs  are  they  liable  to  the  Objections  of  the  Common  Enemy  ; 
To  which  Liturgies,  if  the  Form  ufed  in  our  Church  be  more  agreeable  than  thole 
of  other  Reformed  Churches,  and  that  it  were  at  all  needful  to  make  a  Change  in 
either,  it  (eemeth  to  be  much  more  reafbnable  that  their  Form  mould  be  endea- 
voured to  be  brought  to  a  nearer  Conformity  with  ours,  than  ours  with  theirs: 
Efpecially  the  Form  of  our  Liturgy  having  been  fb  fignally  approved  by  fundry  of 
the  molt  Learned  Divines  of  the  Reformed  Churches  abroad,  as  by  very  many 
Tefrimonies  in  their  Writings  may  appear.  And  fome  of  the  Compilers  thereof 
have  Sealed  the  Proteftant  Religion  with  their  Blood,  and  have  been  by  the  mod 
Eminent  Perfons  of  thofe  Churches  efleemedas  Martyrs  for  the  fame. 

§  19.  As  for  that  which  followeth :  Neither  can  we  think  that  too  rigoroufly  im- 
plied which  is  impoled  by  Law,  and  that  with  no  more  rigonr  than  is  necefTary 
to  make  the  Impofition  effectual  fotherwife  it  could  be  of  no  ufe  but  to  beget  and 
nourifh  factions).  Nor  are  Minifters  denied  the  ufe  and  exercife  of  their  Gifts  in 
praying  before  and  after  Sermon.  Although  fuch  praying  be  but  the  continuance 
of  a  Cuftom  of  no  great  Antiquity,  and  grown  into  Common  ufe  by  Sufferance 
only  without  any  other  Foundation  in  the  Laws  or  Canons ,  and  ought  therefore 
to  be  ufed  by  all  fober  and  godly  Men  with  the  greateft  inoffenfivenefs  and  mode- 
ration poflible. 

§  20  If  any  thing  in  the  Eftablifhed  Liturgy  mall  be  made  appear  to  be  jufily 
often  live  to  (bber  Perfons,  we  are  not  at  all  unwilling  that  the  fame  fhotfd  be 
changed. 

The  difcontinuance  thereof,  we  are  fure  was  not  our  Fault.  But  we  find  by 
experience  that  the  ufe  of  it  is  very  much  defired,  where  it  is  not ;  and  the  Peo- 
ple generally  are  very  well  fatisfied  with  it  where  it  is  ufed  :  which  we  believe  to 
be  a  great  Confervatory  of  the  chief  Heads  of  Chriftian  Religion,  and  of  Piety, 
Charity  and  Loyalty  in  the  Hearts  of  the  People. 

We  believe  that  the  difufe  thereof  for  fundry  late  years  hath  been  one  of  the 
great  Caufes  of  the  fad  Divifions  in  the  Church  ;  and  that  the  reftoring  the  fame, 
will  be  by  (  by  Gods  bleffing)  a  fpecial  means  of  making  np  the  Breach.  There 
being  (as  we  have  great  caufe  to  believe)  many  Thoulands  more  in  the  Nation 
that  defire  it,  than  diflike  it. 

Neverthelefs  we  are  not  againft  revifing  of  the  Liturgy  by  fuch  dilcraet  Perfons 
as  his  Majeft y  /hall  think  fit  to  imploy  therein. 


Of 


— — -^ ^— — ^— —I  III  ■■  ■■  — h^. — .  ■■■,■■     ...        ^        —    .         _ — , —  ■"■■■-——  ,  ,  -,-,.,  

246  7fe  LIFE  of  the  L  1  b.  I. 


Of  Ceremonies. 


§  n.We  conceived  there  needs  no  more  to  be  (aid  for  juftifying  the  Impofition  of 
the  Ceremonies  by  Law  eftablifhedi  then  what  is  contained  in  the  beginning  of  this 
Section  :  which  giveth  a  full  and  fatisfactory  Anlwer  to  all  that  is  alledged  or  ob- 
je&ed  in  the  following  Difcourie,  which  is  for  the  moft  part  rather  Rhetorical  than 
Argumentative.  Inafmuch  as  lawful  Authority  hath  already  determined  the  Cere- 
monies in  queftion  to  be  decent  and  orderly,  and  to  ferve  to  Edification ;  and  con- 
fequently  to  be  agreeable  to  the  General  Rules  of  the  Word. 

We  acknowledge  the  Worihip  of  God  to  be  in  it  felf  perfect  in  regard  of  Eflen- 
tials,  which  hindereth  not  but  that  it  may  be  capable  of  being  improved  to  us  by 
addition  of  Circumftantials  in  order  to  Decency  and  Edification. 

As  the  Lord  hath  declared  himfelf  Jealous  in  Matters  concerning  the  Subftance 
of  his  Worihip,  fo  hath  he  left  the  Church  at  liberty  for  Circumftantials  to  deter- 
mine concerning  Particulars  according  to  Prudence  as  occafion  (hall  require,  fo  as 
the  forefaid  General  Rules  be  ftill  obferved.  And  therefore  the  impofing  and  ufing 
indifferent  Ceremonies,  is  not  varying  from  the  Will  of  God  ,  nor  is  there  made 
thereby  any  addition  to,  or  detraction  from  the  holy  Duties  of  God's  Wor/hip.  Nor 
doth  the  fame  any  way  hinder  the  Communication  of  God's  Grace  or  Comfort  in 
the  performance  of  fuch  Duties. 

§22.  The  Ceremonies  were  never  efteemed  Sacraments,  or  impofed  as  fuch; 
nor  was  ever  any  Moral  efficacy  afcribed  to  them,  nor  doth  the  fignificancy 
(  without  which  they  could  not  ferve  to  Edification)  import  or  infer  any  fuch 
thing. 

§  2;.  Ceremonies  have  been  retained  by  moft  of  the  Proteftant  Churches  a- 
broad,  which  have  rejected  Popery,  and  have  been  approved  by  the  Judgment  of 
the  moft  Learned,  even  of  thole  Churches  that  have  not  retained  them.  Every 
National  Church  being  fuppofed  to  be  the  bed  and  moft  proper  Judge  what  Is  fittest 
for  themfelves  to  appoint  in  order  to  Decency  and  Edification,  without  prefcribing 
to  other  Churches. 

§  24.  That  the  Ceremonies  have  been  Matter  of  Contention  in  this  or  any  other 
Church  was  not  either  from  the  Nature  of  the  Thing  enjoyned,  or  the  enjoyning 
of  the  fame  by  lawful  Authority :  but  partly  from  the  weaknefs  of  fbme  Men's 
Judgments  unable  to  fearch  into  the  Reafon  of  Things:  and  partly  from  the  un- 
fubduednefs  of  lome  Mens  Spirits  more  apt  to  contend,  than  willing  to  fubmit  their 
private  Opinions  to  the  Publick  Judgment  of  the  Church. 

§  25-.  Of  thole  that  were  obnoxious  to  the  Law,  very  few  fin  comparifon)  have 
been  deprived,  and  none  of  them  (  for  ought  we  know  )  but  fuch  as  after  admo- 
nition and  long  forbearance  finally  refufedto  do,  what  not  only  the  Laws  required 
to  be  done,  but  themfelves  alfo  formerly  had  (blemnly  and  (  as  they  profefied)  wil- 
lingly promifed  to  do. 

§  26.  We  do  not  fee  with  what  Confcience  any  Man  could  leave  the  Exercile  of 
his  Miniftty  in  his  peculiar  Charge,  for  not  fubmitting  to  lawful  Authority  in  the 
ufing  of  fuch  things  as  were  in  his  own  Judgment  no  more  than  inexpedient 
only.  And  it  is  certainly  a  great  miftake  at  the  leaft,  to  call  the  fubmitting  to 
Authority  in  fuch  things,  a  bringing  the  Confcience  under  the  power  of 
them. 

§  27.  The  Separation  that  hath  been  made  from  the  Church,  was  from  the  ta- 
king a  Scandal  where  none  was  given :  The  Church  having  fully  declared  her  fence 
touching  the  Ceremonies  impofed,  as  Things  not  in  their  Nature  neceftary,  but 
indifferent.  But  was  chiefly  occafioned  by  the  Practice,  and  defended  from  the  , 
Principles  of  thofethat  refufed  Conformity  to  the  Law,  the  juft  Rule  and  Mea- 
fureof  the  Churches  Unity. 

§  28.  The  Nature  of  Things  being  declared  to  be  mutable,  fheweth  that  they 
may  therefore  be  changed,  as  they  that  are  in  Authority  {hall  fee  it  expedient;  but 
it  is  no  proof  at  all  that  it  is  therefore  expedient  that  it  mould  be  actually  changed. 
Yet  it's  a  fufficient  Caution  againft  the  Opinion  (  or  Objection  rather  )  of  their 
being  held  by  the  Impofers  either  neceftary  or  Subftantials  of  Worihip.  Befides,  ' 
this  Argument,  if  it  were  of  any  force,  would  infer  an  expediency  of  the  often 
changing  even  of  good  Laws,  whereas  the  Change  of  Laws ,  although  liable  to 

fome 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         24.7 

fome  Inconveniencies,  without  great  and  evident  neceffity,  hath  been  by  Wife  ,; 
men  ever  accounted  a  thing  not  only  Imprudent,  but  of  evil,  and  fometimes  per- 
nicious Conlequence. 

§  29,  We  fully  agree  with  them  in  the  acknowledgment  of  the  King's  Suprema- 
cy, but  we  leave  it  to  his  Majefty's  Prudence  and  Goodnefs  to  confider,  whether 
for  the  avoiding  of  the  offence  of  fome  of  his  weak  Subjects,  he  be  any  way  ob- 
liged to  Repeal  the  Eftabliihed  Laws  :  the  Repealing  whereof  would  be  probably 
diffatisfactory  to  many  more,  and  thole  (lb  far  as  we  are  able  to  judge;  no  left 
confiderablc  a  part  of  his  Subjects.  Nor  do  we  conceive  his  Majefty  by  the  Apo- 
ftle's  either  Doctrine  or  Example  obliged  to  any  farther  Condefcention  to  particu- 
lar Perfons,  than  may  be  fubfervient  to  the  general  and  main  Ends  of  Publick  Go- 
vernment. 

The  Lord  hath  entrufted  Governours  to  provide,  not  only  that  Things  necef- 
fary  in  God's  Worfhip  be  duly  performed,  but  alfo  that  things  advifedly  en  joy  n- 
ed,  though  not  otherways  neceflary,  fhould  be  orderly  and  duly  obferved.  The 
too  great  neglect  whereof  would  lb  cut  the  Sinews  of  Authority,  that  it  would  be- 
come firft  infirm,  and  then  contemptible.    . 

As  we  are  no  way  again  ft  luch  tender  and  religious  Companion  in  Things  of 
this  Nature,  as  his  Majefty's  Piety  and  Wifdom  fhall  think  fit  to  extend ;  io  we 
cannot  think  that  the  Satisfaction  of  fome  private  Perlbns  is  to  be  laid  in  the  Ba- 
lance againft  the  Publick  Peace  and  Uniformity  of  the  Church. 

Concerning  particular  Ceremonies, 

§  50.  It  being  moil  convenient  that  in  the  Act  of  receiving  the  Lord's  Supper 
one  and  the  fame  Gefture  Ihould  be  uniformly  ufed  by  all  the  Members  of  this 
Church  j  and  Kneeling  having  been  formerly  enjoined  and  ufed  therein,,  as  a  Ge- 
fture of  greateft  Reverence  and  Devotion,  and  fo  moft  agreeable  to  that  Holy  Ser- 
vice. And  Holy-days  of  human  Inftitution  having  been  obfeived  by  the  People  of 
God  in  the  Old-Teltament,  and  by  our  blefled  Saviour  himfelf  in  the  Gofpel,  and 
by  all  the  Churches  of  Chi  ill  in  Primitive  and  following  times,  as  apt  means  to  pro- 
ferve  the  Memorials  of  the  chief  Myfteries  of  the  Chriftian  Religion.  And  iuch 
Holy-days  being  alio  fit  times  for  the  honeft  Recreation  of  Servants,  Labourers,  and 
the  meaner  fort  of  People. 

For  thefe  Realons,  and  the  great  Satisfaction  of  far  the  greateft  part  of  the  Peo- 
ple, we  humbly  defire  (  as  a  thing  in  our  Judgment  very  expedient)  that  they  may 
both  be  ftill  continued  in  the  Church. 

§  51.  As  for  the  other  Three  Ceremonies,  viz,,  the  Surplice,  Crofs  after  Baptifm, 
and  bowing  at  the,  Name  of  Jelus ;  although  we  find  not  here  any  fufficient  Reafon 
alledged  why  they  Ihould  be  utterly  abolillied  :  Neverthelefs,  how  far  forth  in  re- 
gard of  tender  Confeiences  a  Liberty  may  be  thought  fit  to  be  indulged  to  any,  his 
Majefty,  according  to  his  great  Wifdom  and  Goodnefs,  is  beft  able  to  judge. 

§  ;2.  But  why  they  that  confels  that  in  the  Judgment  of  all  the  things  here  men- 
tioned are  not  to  be  valued  with  the  Peace  of  the  Church,  fhould  yet  after  they  are 
eftablimed  by  Law,  difturb  the  Peace  of  the  Church,  about  them,  we  under- 
ftand  not. 

§  ;;.  We  heartily  defire  that  no  Innovations  mould  be  brought  into  the  Church, 
or  Ceremonies  which  have  no  foundation  in  the  Laws  of  the  Land  impoled  to  the 
difturbance  of  the  Peace  thereof.  But  that  all  Men  would  ufe  that  Liberty  that  is 
allowed  them  in  things  indifferent,  according  to  the  Rules  of  Chriftian  Prudence, 
Charity  and  Moderation. 

§34.  We  are  lb  far  from  believing  that  his  Majefty's  Condefcending  to  thele 
Demands  will  take  away  not  only  Differences,  but  the  Roots  and  Caules  of  them, 
that  we  are  confident  it  will  prove  the  Seminary  of  new  Differences ,  both  by  gi- 
ving diflatisfactton  to  thofe  that  are  weil  plealed  with  what  is  already  eftablifhed  ; 
who  are  much  the  greater  part  of  his  Majefty's  Subjects  ;  and  by  encouraging 
unquiet  Spirits  when  thefe  things  fhall  be  granted,to  make  further  Demands.  There 
being  no  alTuranceby  them  given,  what  will  content  all  Diflenters :  than  which  no- 
thing is  more  neceffary  for  the  fetling  of  a  firm  Peace  in  the  Church, 


248  ?he  LI  F  E~of  the  lTbTJ 


A  Defence  of  our  Fropofals  to  his   Majefty  for  Agreement  in  Mat- 
ters of  Religion. 

Concerning  the  Treamlle. 

§  i.TT/E  are  not  infenfible  of  the  great  Danger  of  the  Church  ,  through  the 
W    Doctrinal  Errours  of  many  of  thofe  with  whom  we  are  at  difference 
alio  about  the  Points  of  Government  and  Worfhip  now  before  us.    But   yet  we 
chole  to  fay  of  the  Party,  that  we  are  agreed  in  Doctrinals,  becaufe  they  fubfcribe 
the  fame  Holy  Scriptures  and  Articles  of  Religion,  and  Books  or  Homilies  as  we 
do.    And  the  Contradictions  to  their  own  Confeffions,  which  too  many  are  guilty 
of,  we  thought  not  juft  to  charge  upon  the  Party  ;  becaufe  it  is  but  Perfonal  guilr. 
As  to  the  differences  (  which  in  Charity  and  for  Peace,  we  had  rather  extenuate 
than  aggravate ;  )  it  is  of  Objective  Conceptions  that  we  fpeak ,  there  being  a  diffe- 
rence in  the  things,  as  well  as  in  our  apprehenfions.     And  we    conceive  chat  [  The 
Ancient  Form  of  Church-Government,  and  the  SoundneJS  of  the  Liturgy ,   and  freedom  from 
corrupting  unlawful  Ceremonies,  ]  are  Matters   that  are  worthy    a  conicionable  re- 
gard :  and  no  fuch  little  inconfiderable  things  as  to  be  received  without   fufficient 
trial,  or  ufed  againft  the  Diffwafions  of  our  Confciences.    No  Sin  (hould  feem  lb 
(mall  as  to  be  wilfully  committed  ;  efpecially   to  Divines.     He  that  will  fin   for 
little  or  nothing,  is  not  to  be  trufted  when  he  hath  great  Temptations.    Whofoevtr 
{hall  break  one  of  thefe  leaft  Commandments,  andfhaU  teach  men  fo  ,  he  fa  all  be  called  the 
leaft  in  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  :  but  -whomever  Jhall  do  ,  and  teach  them  the  fame  ,  Jhall 
be  called  great  in  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven,  Match,  f.  19.     And  whether  the  Impojor  or 
the  Forbearers  do  hazard  and  difturb  the  Church,  the  nature  of  the  thing  declareth. 
To  you  it  is  indifferent  before  your  Impofitions  and  therefore  you  may  without  any 
regret  of  your  own  Confciences  forbear  the  Impofetionpr  perlwade  the  Law-makers, 
to  forbear  it.     But  to  many  of  thofe  that  diffent  from  you,  they   are  finful;  and 
therefore  cannot  be  yielded  toby  them  without  the  wilful  violation  of  their  Duty, 
to  the  abfolute  Soveraign  of  the  World.     If  in  the  Church  of  Rome,  the  Confci- 
ence  of  a  Subjed  forbid  the  ufe  of  Crucifixes,  and  Images,  and  Chrifm,  and  Ho- 
ly Water,  &c.  is  it  therefore  they  ?  or  is  it  the  Paffors  that  needlefly  impofe  thefe 
Things ,  that  are  the   Difturbers  of  the  Church  ?  The  Princes  might  have  for- 
born  to  make  a  Law  reftraining  Daniel  three  days  from  Prayer;  but   Daniel  could 
not  forbear  praying  three  days,  though  the  Law  commanded  it:  And   which  of 
them  then  was  the  Difturbers  of  the  Peace  ?  If  you  fay  that   we  are  wilful,  and 
our  Confciences  are  peevilh  and  mifinformed ;  Charity  and  Modefty  requireth 
you  nor  to  overvalue  your  own,  or  groundlefly  vilifie  the  Judgments  and  Confci- 
ences of  your  Brethren.    We  lludy  as  hard  as  you  ;  and  are  ready  to  joyn  with 
you  in  the  folemneft  Proteftations,  as  before  the  Lord,  that  we  are  earneftly  defi- 
jous  to  know  the  Truth  :  and  we  fuppofe  we  ftand  on  the  calmer  fide  the  Hedge, 
in  point  of  Temptation :  for  if  we  err  it  is  to  our  coft  and  loft,  and  have  little  but 
Reproach  and  Suffering  to  entice  us  willingly   to  niiftake.    And  we  are  always 
rea.iy  to  try  by  Argument  which  Side  it  is  that  is  miftaken. 

§  2.  May  not  we  crave  that  neceffary  things  may  be  (ecured  to  us,  without  being 
interpreted  to  feem  to  infinuate  Accufations  againft  you  ?  As  it  is  not  the  Authors  of 
this  Anfwer  perfonally  considered,  that  we  could  be  imagined  to  accufe,  becaule 
we  knew  them  not;  fo  there  are  others  befides  the  party  with  whom  we  are  feeking 
a  Reconciliation,  that  may  be  averfe  to  the  practice  of  thofe  things  about  which 
Divines  are  do&rinally  agreed  in,  efpecially  that  part  of  the  Vulgar  who  are, pra- 
ctically of  no  Religion.  And  it  is  very  difpleafing  to  us  to  be  called  out  to  an  Ac- 
cufation  of  others ;  as  being  a  Courfe  that  will  tend  more  to  exafperate  than  recon- 
cile. Fain  we  would  have  had  leave  to  Petition  for  our  Liberty  and  for  the  fecu- 
ricv  of  Religion,  without  accufing  any  of  being  injurious  to  it.  But  it  is  the  un- 
happy Advantage  of  thofe  that  are  uppermoft,  that  they  can  cut  out  at  pleafure  fuch 
work  for  thofe  that  they  would  uie  as  Adverfaries ,  that  fhall  either  make  them 
fern  their  Adverfaries,  or  appear  to  be  really  the  Adverfaries  or  Betrayers  of  the 
Truth,  and  caft  them  upon  Inconveniences  and  Odium  which  way  foever  they  go. 
But  to  be  plain  with  you,  if  you  would  but  agree  with  us  in  the  pradifing  and  pro- 
moting the  Practice  of  thofe  things  about  which  you  profeisto  be  agreed  in  Princi- 
ples, 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         249 

pies,  our  Differences  in  all  other  things  would  quickly  be  at  an  End.  The  great 
Controverfies  between  the  Hypocrite  and  the  true  Chriftian,  whether  we  fhpuld  be 
ferious  in-the  Practice  of  the  Religion  which  we  commonly  profefs?  hath  troubled 
England  more  than  any  other  :  None  being  more  hated  and  derided  as  Puritans, 
than  thofe  that  will  make  Religion  their  Bufmefs,  and  make  it  predominant  in  their 
Hearts  and  Lives,  while  others  that  hate  them,  take  it  up  in  cuftom,  for  Fafhion, 
or  in  jeft,  and  ufe  it  only  in  Subferviency  to  the  Will  of  Man  and  their  Worldly 
Ends,  and  honour  it  with  Complements,  and  paint  the  Skin  while  they  ftab  the 
Heart.     Reconcile  this  Difference,  and  molt  others  will  be  reconciled. 

§  3.  Whether  this  fignifie  any  Repentance  for  the  voluminous  Reproaches  whicli 
many  of  you  have  written  againft  thole  you  call  Puritans,  your  Amendment  will 
interpret.  That  you  will  give  us  Liberty  in  our  Family- Duties  alone  is  a  Coune- 
fy  that  you  cannot  well  deny  a  Papift  or  a  Mahometan,  becaufe  you  have  there  no 
Witnefles  of  what  they  do ;  and  yet  we  mail  take  our  felves  beholden  for  it,  ib 
low  are  our  Expectations.  But  is  there  no  Duty  that  private  Chriftians  owe  to  one 
another,  for  the  furthering  their  Salvation,  but  only  for  their  feveral  Families? 
why-may  not  thofe  that  on  the  Lord's  Day  repeat  a  Sermon  in  their  Families,  ad- 
mit a  Neighbour  Family  to  be  prefent,  which  is  not  able  fo  to  help  themfelves  ?  A 
great  part  of  the  Families  among  the  Poor  are  compofed  of  fuch  as  can  neither 
write  nor  read,  and  therefore  know  not  how  to  fpend  the  Lord's  Day  when  they 
are  out  of  the  Congregation  :  And  a  Sermon  forgotten  will  hardly  be  fo  well  pra- 
ctifed  as  if  it  were  remembred  ;  and  the  Ignorant  will  hardly  remember  it  if  they 
aever  hear  it  but  once.  At  lead  methinks  it  mould  be  an  Encouragement  to  you, 
when  you  have  ftudied  what  to  fay  to  the  People  (  rather  than  matter  of  Offence  ) 
to  fee  them  fo  far  value  it,  as  to  defire  to  faff  en  it  in  their  Memories.  And  if  feve- 
ral Families  join  alfo  in  the  tinging  of  Pfalms  of  Praife  to  God,  and  calling  on  him 
for  a  Blefling  on  the  Minifterand  themfelves,  is  this  a« Crime?  when  perhaps moft 
of  thofe  Families  either  cannot  pray  at  all,  or  not  with  fuch  cheerful  Advantage, 
by  themfelves':  If  you  are  againft  fuch  mutual  Helps  as  thefe,  you  are  againft  the 
Benefit  of  the  Peoples  Souls :  The  Lord  pity  the  Flocks  that  have  fuch  Paftors.  If 
you  are  not  againft  them,  why  are  you  againft  our  Defires  of  encouragement  in 
them  ?  Have  the  Laws  of  the  Land  fecured  any  of  thefe  to  us  againft  your  Canons? 
If  they  have,  why  have  fo  many  Families  formerly  been  undone,  for  fcch  Exerci- 
fes  as  thefe  ?  and  for  fafting  and  praying  together  for  the  Pardon  of  their  Sins  ?  To 
deal  freely  with  you,  we  are  conitrained  fo  well  to  know  with  whom  we  have  to 
do,  that  our  Bufinefs  is  to  requeft  you  of  the  Clergy,  not  to  provoke  the  Law-gi- 
vers to  make  any  Law  againft  this :  That  it  may  not  become  a  Crime  to  Men  to 
pray  together,  and  provoke  one  another  to  Love,  and  to  good  Works ;  when  it  is 
no  Crime  to  talk,  and  play,  and  drink,  and  feaft  together.  And  that  it  may  be 
no  Crime  to  repeat  a  Sermon  together,  unlefs  you  refblve  that  they  fhall  hear  none 
which  is  worth  their  repeating  and  remembring.  And  whereas  you  fpeak  of  open- 
ing a  Gap  to  Sectaries  for  private  Conventicles,  and  the  evil  Confequents  to  the 
State,  we  only  defire  you  to  avoid  alfb  the  cherilhing  of  Ignorance  and  Prophane- 
nefs,  and  lupprefs  all  Sectaries,  and  fpare  not,  in  a  way  that  will  not  ftpprefs  the 
means  of  Knowledge  and  Godlinefs.  As  you  will  not  forbid  all  praying  or  preach- 
ing, left  we  fhould  have  Sectarian  Prayers  or  Sermons,  (b  let  not  all  the  People  of 
the  Land  be  prohibited  fuch  Affiftance  to  each  others  Souls,  as  Nature  and  Scrip- 
ture oblige  them  to,  and  all  for  fear  of  the  Meetings  of  Sectaries :  We  thought 
the  Camions  in  our  Petition  were  fufficient,  when  we  confined  it  Subjetlively  to 
thofe  of  our  Flocks,  and  Objectively  to  their  Duties  of  exhorting  and  provoking  one  another 
to  Love  and  to  good  Works,  and  of  budding  up  one  another  in  their  moft  holy  Faith. 
And  only  by  religions  peaceable  means  of  furthering  each  other  in  the  ways  of  eternal  Life : 
And  for  the  Order  [_They  being  not  oppofite  to  Church  Affemblies  (but  fubordinatej 
nor  rcfufui^  the  Guidance  and  bifpeclion  of  their  Vafiors  (  who  may  be  fbmetime  with 
them  and ^refcribe  them  their  Work  and  Way,  and  direct  their  Actions)  and  be- 
ing rcfponfble  for  -what  they  do  or  fay  ( their  Doors  being  open  there  will  not  want 
WitnefTes  againft  them,  if  they  do  amifs ).  And  is  not  all  this  enough  .to  fecure 
you  againft  the  Fear  of  Sectaries,  unlefs  all  fuch  Helps  and  mutual  Comforts  be  for, 
bidden  to  all  that  are  no  Sectaries.  This  is  but  as  the  Papifts  do  in  another  Cafe, 
when  they  deny  People  Liberty  to  read  the  Scriptures  left  they  make  Men  Here- 
ticks  or  Sectaries.  And  for  the  Danger  of  the  State,  cannot  Men  plot  againft  it  in 
Ale-houfes,  or  Taverns,  or  Fields,  or  under  Pretence  of  Horfe-Races,  Hunting, 
Bowles,  or  other  Occasions,  but  only  under  pretence  of  Worfhipping  God  ?  If  they 
may,  why  are  not  all  Men  forbidden  to  feaft,  or  bowl,  or  hunt,  &c.  left  Sectaries 

K  k  rnake 


I       .. .    -. 


250  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  h 

make  advantage  of  fuch  Meetings,  as  well  as  to  fait  and  pray  ?  God  and  wile  Men 
know  that  there  is  fomething  more  in  all  fiich  Jealoufies  of  Religious  Dutie*. 

§  4.  Do  you  really  defire  that  every  Congregation  may  have  an  able,  godly 
Miniiter  ?  Then  caft  not  out  thole  many  Hundreds  or  Thoufands  that  are  appro- 
ved fuch,  for  want  of  Re-ordination,  or  for  doubting  whether  Diocefans  wich 
their  Chancellors  &c.  may  be  liibfcribed  to,  and  let  not  up  ignorant  ungodly  ones 
in  their  Places.  Otherwile  the  poor  undone  Churches  of  Chrift  will  no  more  be- 
lieve you  in  fuch  Profeftions,  than  we  believed  that  thole  Men  intended  the  King's 
juft  Power  and  Greatnefi,  who  took  away  his  Life. 

Cut  you  know  not  what  we  mean  by  Keftdence,  nor  how  far  we  will  extend  that  Word. 
The  Word  is  fo  plain,  that  it's  eafily  underftood  by  thofe  that  are  willing  :  But  he 
that  would  not  know,  cannot  underftand,  as  King  Charles  told  Mr.  Htnderfon.  I 
doubt  the  People  will  quickly  find  that  you  did  not  underftand  us.  And  yet  I 
more  fear  left  many  a  Parifh  will  be  glad  of  Non-refidence,  even  if  Prielt  and  Cu- 
rate and  all  were  far  enough  from  them,  through  whole  Fault  I  fay  nor. 

§  5.  Two  Remedies  you  give  us  inftead  of  what  we  defired  for  the  Reformati- 
on of  Church-Communion  :  1.  You  fay,  Confirmation  if  rightly  and  folemnly  perform- 
ed will  alone  be  jufficient  as  to  the  point  of  InftruBion.  Anjw.  But  what  we  defired 
was  necelfary  to  the  right  and  folemn  Performance  of  ir.  Doth  not  any  Man  that 
knoweth  what  hath  been  done  in  England,  and  what  People  dwell  there,  know 
that  there  are  not  more  ignorant  People  in  this  Land  than  fuch  as  have  had,  and 
fjch  as  defire  Epifcopal  Confirmation  ?  Is  it  Sufficient  in  point  of  ln(lruclioni  for  a 
Bilhop  to  come  among  a  company  of  little  Children  and  other  People,  whom  he 
he  never  fow  before,  and  of  whom  he  never  heard  a  Word,  and  of  whom  he  ne- 
ver asketh  a  Queltion  which  may  inform  him  of  their  Knowledge  or  Life;  and 
prefently  to  lay  his  Hands  on  them  in  order,  and  haffily  fay  over  a  few  Lines  of 
Prayer,  and  fo  difmifs  them  ?  I  was  confirmed  by  honeft  Bilhop  Morton,  with  a 
multitude  more,  who  all  went  to  it  as  a  May-game,  and  kneeled  down,  and  hedif- 
patched  us  with  that  fhort  Prayer  (6  faft,  that  1  Icarce  underftood  one  word  he 
Said  ;  much  lefs  did  he  receive  any  Certificate  concerning  us,  or  ask  us  any  thing 
which  might  tell  him  whether  we  were  Chriftians ;  and  I  never  faw  nor  heard  or 
much  more  done  by  any  Englilh  Bilhop  in  his  courle  of  Confirmation.  If  you 
lay  that  more  is  required  in  the  Rubrick,  I  lay  then  it  is  no  Crime  for  us  to  defire 
ir.  2.  And  for  your  Provision  in  the  other  Rubrick  again  fcandalous  Communi- 
cants, it  enableth  not  the  Minifter  to  put  away  any  one  of  them  all,  fave  only  the 
malicious  that  will  not  juft  then  be  reconciled.  Be  not  angry  with  us,  if  in  lor- 
row  of  Heart,  we  pray  to  God,  that  his  Churches  may  have  experienced  V  after  st 
who  have  (pent  much  time  in  ferious  dealing  with  every  one  of  their  Parifhes 
perfonally,  and  know  what  they  are  and  what  they  need,  inftead  of  Men  mat 
have  converfed  only  with  Books,  and  the  Houles  of  great  Men  ,*  or  when  they  do 
iomerimes  ftoop  to  fpeak  to  the  ignorant,  do  but  talk  to  them  of  the  Market  or 
the  Weather,  or  ask  them,  what  u  their  Name. 

$  6.  To  your  Anfwer  we  reply,  Thofe  Laws  may  be  well  made  Under :  They 
hind  red  not  the  ImpofitiOn  of  a  Book  to  be  read,  by  all  Minifters  in  the  Churches, 
for  the  Peoples  Liberty  for  Dancing,  and  other  luch  Sports  on  the  Lord's  Day,  and 
■4  his  in  the  King's  Name,  to  the  ejecting  or  lufpending  of  thofe  Minifters  that 
<lurft  not  read  it.  And  thofe  Laws  which  we  have  may  be  more  carefully  executed. 
If  you  are  ignorant  how  commonly  the  Lord's  Day  is  prophaned  in  England  by 
Sporting,  Drinking,  Revelling  and  Idlenefi,  you  are  fad  Paftors  that  no  better  know 
the  Flock  :  If  you  know  it,  and  defire  not  the  Reformation  of  it,  you  are  yet 
worfe.  Religion  never  prospered  any  where  lo  much,  as  where  the  Lord's  Days 
have  been  moil  carefully  fpent  in  holy  Exercifes. 

Concerning  Church-Government.  4 

§  7,  Had  you  well  read  but  Gerfom3  Bucer,  Didoclavins ,  Parker,  Baynes,  Salma- 
fiut,  Blonddl,  &c.  yea,  of  the  few  Lines  in  Bi/hop  Ufhefs  Reduction  which  we 
have  offered  you,  or  what  I  have  written  of  it  in  Difp.  1.  of  Church-Government ; 
you  would  Iwve  feen  juft  Reafon  given  for  our  DiJJent  from  the  Ecclefiaftical  Hierarchy 
as  ftated  in  England  ;  and  have  known  that  it  is  unlike  the  primitive  Epifcopacy : 
But  if  that  which  muft  convince  you,  muft  be  brought  nearer  your  Eyes,  by  God's 
help  we  undertake  to  do  that  fully  whenever  we  are  called  to  it. 

§  8.  The 


Pa  rt  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


8.  The  Words  which  you  here  except  againft  with  Admiration  of  the  Corrup- 
tions, Partialities,  Tyranny,  which  Church-Government  by  a  Tingle  Perfon  is  lyable 
to,  was  taken  by  us  out  of  the  Book  commonly  alcribed  to  King  Charles  himfelu 
ed  Icon.  Bafrf.  but  we  purpofely  fuppreft  his  Name  to  try  whether  you  would  not 
be  as  bitter  againft  bit  Words,  as  againft  ours,  and  did  not  efteem  Fidem  per  pcrfonas, 
ncn  perfonas  per  fidem. 

And  further  we  reply,  it  is  one  thing  for  a  Bifhop  to  rule  alone  when  there  are 
no  Presbyters,  or  to  rule  the  Presbyters  themfelves  alone:  and  another  thing  when 
he  hath  Presbyters  yet  to  rule  all  the  Flock  alone;  for  by  this  means,  he  quoad  Ex- 
ercitium  at  leaft  degradeth  all  the  reft,  or  changeth  their  Office  ;  which  is  to  guide 
as  well  as  to  teach :  As  if  the  General  of  an  Army,  or  the  Collonel  of  a  Regiment 
fhould  rule  all  the  Souldiers  alone ;  doth  he  not  then  depole  all  his  Captains,  Lieu- 
tenants, Cornets,  Corporals,  Serjeants,  &c.  Bat  efpecially,  it  is  one  thing  for 
Ignatius  his  Bijlwp  of  one  Church  that  had  but  one  Altar  to  rule  it  alone  (though  yet  he 
commandeth  the  People  to  obey  their  Presbyters )  and  another  thing  for  an  Eng- 
lish Diocefan  to  rule  a  Thoufand  fuch  Churches  alone  !  And  when  all  is  done,  do  they 
rule  alone  indeed  ?  Or  doth  not  a  Lay-Chancellor  exercife  the  Keys  ?  fo  far  as  is  ne- 
ceftary  to  fupprefs  private  Meetings  for  Fafting  and  Prayer,  &c.  and  to  force  all  to 
the  Sacrament,  and  enforce  the  Ceremonies,  and  fame  fuch  things ;  and  for  the 
great  Difcipline  it  is  almoft  altogether  left  undone.  *We  are  fbrry  that  you  fhould 
be  able  to  be  ignorant  of  this ;  or  if  you  know  it,  that  fuch  Camels  flick  not  with 
you,  but  go  down  fo  eafily. 

Infiances  of  things  amifs. 

§9.  1.  That  which  you  cannot  grant  (that  the  Diocefles  are  to  great)  you 
would  quickly  grant  if  you  had  ever  confeionably  tryed  the  task  which  Dr.  Ham- 
mond defcribeth  as  the  Bifliops  Work  ;  yea,  but  for  one  Parifh,  or  had  ever  belie- 
ved Ignatius  and  other  ancient  Defcriptions  of  a  Bifhop's  Church. 

But  is  it  faithful  dealing  with  your  Brethren  or  your  Confciences  (pardon  our 
Freedom  in  fo  weighty  a  Cafe  )  to  difpute  as  though  you  made  a  Bifhop  but  an 
Archbifhop  to  fee  by  a  general  Infpe&ion  of  the  Parifh  Paftors  that  they  do  their 
Office,  and  as  if  they  only  ruled  the  Rulers  of  the  particular  Flocks  (  which  you 
know  we  never  ftrove  againft  )  ?  when  as  no  knowing  "Englifh  Man  can  be  igno- 
rant that  our  Bifliops  have  thofole  Government  of  Paftors  and  People,  having  taken  all 
Jurifdiction  or  proper  Government  (  or  next  all )  from  the  particular  Paftors  of  the 
Parifhes,  to  themfelves  alone.  Is  not  the  Queftion  rather  as  whether  the  King  can 
rule  all  the  Kingdom  by  the  Chancellor,  or  a  few  iiich  Officers,  without  all  the 
Juftices  and  Mayors ;  or  whether  one  Schoolmafter  fhall  only  rule  a  thoufand  Schools 
and  all  the  other  Schoolmafters  only  teach  them.  You  know  that  the  depriving  of  all 
the  Parijh  Paftors  of  the  Keys  of  Government  is  the  matter  of  our  greateft  Controverfies : 
Not  as  it  is  any  hurt  to  them,  but  to  the  Church,  and  a  certain  Exclufion  of  all  true 
Difcipline.  And  whether  the  Office  of  the  Bifliops  of  particular  Churches  infimi 
Ordintf,  vel  gradus,  be  not  for  Perfbnal  Inflection  and  Miniftration,  as  well  as  the 
Office  of  a  bhoolmafter  or  Phyfician,  you  will  better  know  when  you  come  to  try 
it  faithfully,  or  anfwer  fearfully  for  Unfaithfulnefs.  We  know  that  the  knowing 
Lord  Bacon  in  his  Conjiderations  faith  fb  as  well  as  we. 

And  for  what  you  fay  of  Suffragans^  you  know  there  are  none  fuch. 

§  10.  2.  We  are  glad  that  in  fb  great  a  matter  as  Lay  Chancellors  Exercife  of  the 
Keys  in  Excommunications  and  Abfolutions,  you  are  forced  plainly,  and  without 
any  Excufe  toconfefs  the  Errors  of  the  way  of  Government.  And  let  this  ftand  on 
Record  before  the  World  to  Juftify  us  when  we  fhall  be  filenced  and  reproached  as 
Schifmaticks,  for  defiring  the  Reformation  of  fuch  Abufes,  and  for  not  fwearing 
Canonical  Obedience  to  fuch  a  Government. 

§  n.  3.  And  you  have  almoft  as  little  to  fay  in  this  Cafe.  Mark  Reader,  that 
we  muft  all  be  filenced,  and  'caft  out  of  our  Offices,  if  we  fubferibe  not  to  tha 
Book  of  Ordination  ex  Animo,  as  having  nothing  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God :  And 
the  very  Preface  of  that  beginneth  with  the  Affirmation  of  this  Diftinclion  of  Orders, 
Offices,  FunBions,  from  the  Apoftles  Days,  and  one  of»  the%  Prayers  afcribeth  it  to 
the  Spirit  of  God  ;  and  yet  now  it  is  here  faid,  that  [  whether  a  Bifhop  be  a  diftintf 
Order  from  a  Presbyter  ornot,  is  none  of  the  Queftion  ]  :  That  muft  be  none  of  the 
Queftion  when  the  King  calleth  them  to  treat  for  a  Reconciliation  or  Unity, 

Kk  2  which 


252  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.] 


which  will  be  out  of  Queftion  againft  us  when  we  are- called  to  fubfcrtbe,  or  are  to 
be  forbidden  to  preach  the  Gofpel. 

And  let  what  is  here  confeffed  for  Presbyters  Afliftance  in  Ordination,  fhnd  on 
Record  againft  them  when  it  is  neglected  or  made  an  infignificant  Ceremony. 

§  12.  4.  In  the  laft  alfo  you  give  up  your  Caufe,  and  yet  it's  well  if  you 
amend  it.    Whetherthe  Canons  be  Laws,  let  the  Lawyers  judge :  And  whether  all 
the  Bifhops  Books  of  Articles  (  as  againft  making  Scripture  our  Table  talk,  and  ma- 
ny fuch  others)  be  either  Laws,  or  according  to  Law,  let  the  World  judge. 

The  Remedies  offered  for  reforming  tbefe  Evils. 

§  1;.  1.  Whereas  to  avoid  all  Exception,  or  fruftrating  Contentions  or  Delay?, 
we  offered  only  Bifliop  User's  Platform  (  fubfcribed  alfo  by  Dr.  Holdfwonb  )  that 
the  World  might  fee  that  it  is  Epifcopacy  it  (elf  that  we  plead  for ;  you  tell  us  that 
it  was  formed  many  Tears  before  bis  Death ,  and  is  not  confident  with  two  other  of  bis  Dif~ 
courfes :  In  which  either  you  would  intimate  that  he  contradicteth  bimfelf,  and 
could  not  (peak  confidently,  or  that  he  afterward  retracted  this  Reduction.  For  the 
firft,  We  muft  believe  that  nwny  Men  can  reconcile  their  own  Writings,  when 
(bme  Readers  cannot,  as  better  untjerftanding  themfelves  than  others  do.  And  that 
this  reverend  Bifliop  was  no  fuch  raw  Novice,  as  not  to  know  when  he  contradict- 
ed himfelf  in  Co  publick  and  practical  a  Cafe,  as  a  Frame  of  Church-Government; 
Nor  was  he  fuch  an  Hypocrite  as  to  play  faft  and  loofe  in  the  things  of  God :  But 
upon  Debate  we  undertake  to  vindicate  his  Writings  from  this  Afperfion  of  In- 
confiftency  ;  only  you  muft  not  take  him  to  mean  that  all  was  well  done,  which 
as  an  Hiftorian  he  faith  was  done.  And  as  to  any  Retraction,  one  of  us  (  my  felf ) 
is  ready  to  witnefs  that  he  owned  it  not  long  before  his  Death,  as  a  Collection  of 
fit  Terms  to  reconcile  the  Moderate  in  thefe  Points,  and  told  him  that  he  offered 
it  the  late  King. 

And  whereas  you  tell  us  that  the  conforming  of  Suffraganes  to  Rural  Deaneries,  and 
Other  fuch,  are  his  private  Conceptions,   deflttitte  of  any  Teftimoney  of  Anticjuit)  :    We 
anfwer,  No  marvel,  when  Rural  Deaneries  were  unknown  to  true  Antiquity.  And 
I  when  in  the  Ancienteft  Church,  every  Church  had  its  proper  Bifliop,  and  every 

Biihop  but  one  Church,  that  had  alfo  but  one  Altar.  But  furely  the  Corepifcopi 
.  were  no  Strangers  to  Antiquity,  as  may  appear  (  before  the  Council  at  Nice)  in 
Concil.  Ancyran.  Can.  12.  and  in  Concil.  Antiocbin.  Can.  10.  &c.  It  Was  unknown  in 
the  days  of  Ignatius  and  Juftin  Martyr,  that  a  Church  fhould  be  as  large  as  a  Rural 
Deanry,  containing  a  dozen  Churches  with  Altars,  that  had  none  of  them  pecu- 
liar Bifhops :  But  it  was  not  ftrangethen  that  every  Church  had  a  Bifliop  ;  and  if 
it  were  Rural,  a  Chorepifcopus.  As  alfo  you  may  gather  even  from  Clemens  Ro- 
manus. 

The  Quarrel  which  you  pick  with  the  Archbi/hops  Reduction  for  not  Naming 
the  King,  as  if  he  deftroyed  his  Supremacy,  is  fuch  as  a  low  degree  of  Charity, 
See  Queen  with  a  little  Underftanding,  might  eafily  have  prevented.    Either  you  know  that 
Elizabeth's  it 1S  the  Power  of  the  Keys,  (  called  Spiritual  and   proper-Ecclefiaftical )  and  not  the 
Injunfti-    Coercive  Power  circa  Ecclefiafiica,  which  the  Archbifhop  fpeaketh  of,and  all  our  Con- 
ons  and     troverfie  is  about ,  or  you  do  not  know  it.    If  you  do  know  it,  either  you  think  this 
tides.9   f  Power  of  the  Keys  is  refblved  into  the  King,  or  not :  If  you  do  think  fo  ,  you  differ 
from -the  King,  and  from  all  of  yourfelves  that  ever  we  talked  with,  and  you  con- 
tradict all  Proteftant  Princes,  that  have  openly  difclaimed  any  fuch  Power,  and 
publifhed  this  to  the  World  to  flop  the  Mouths  of  Calumniating  Papifts  :  And  we 
have  heard  the  King,  andfomeof  you,  difclaim  it:  And  how  can  you  then  fitly 
debate  thefe  Controverfies  that  differ  from  all  Proteftant  Kings,  and  from  the 
Church  !  But  if  you  your  felves  do  not  fo  think,  had  you  a  Pen  that  would  charge 
the  Archbifhop  for  deftroying  the  King's  Supremacy,for  afferting  nothing  but  what 
the  King  and  you  maintain  ?  And  if  you  knew  not  that  this  Spiritual  Power  of  the 
Keys,  as  diftinct  from  Magiftratical  Coercive  Power,  is  the  Subject  of  our  Contro- 
verfie,  we  difpute  to  good  purpofe  indeed  with  Men  that  know  not  what  Subject  it 
is  that  we  are  to  difpute  about !  fb  that  which  way  fbever  it  go,you  fee  how  it  is  like 
to  fall ;  and  how  Menrtiatare  out  of  the  duft  and  noife  will  judge  of  our  Debates. 
And  here  we  leave  it  to  the  Notice  and  Obfervation  of  Pofterity,  upon  the  perufal 
of  all  your  Exceptions,  How  little  the  Englijh  Bijhops  had  t©  fay  againft  the  Form 
of  Primitive  Epifcopacy  contained  in  Archbifhop  Ujher's  Reduction,  in  the  day 
when  they  rather  chofe  the  increafe  of  our  Divifions,the  Silencing  of  many.  Hundred 

faith- 


_■ f_  .    ..    .. 

Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         253 

faithful  Minifters ,  the  fcattering  of  the  Flocks,  the  afHiding  of  fo  many  thou- 
fand  godly  Chriftians,  than  the  accepting  of  this  Primitive  Epifcopacy  :  which 
was  the  Expedient  which  thofe  called  Presbyterians  offered  ,  never  once  /peaking 
for  the  Cade  of  Presbytery.  And  what  kind  of  Peace-makers  and  Conciliators 
we  met  with,  when  both  Parties  were  to  meet  at  one  time  and  place  with  their 
feveral  Cqnceflions  for  Peace  and  Concord  ready  drawn  up,  and  the  Presbyterians 
in  their  Conceflions  laid  by^all  their  Cdufe,  and  propoied  an  Archbifhops  frame  of 
Epifcopacy  :  and  the  other  fide  brought  not  in  any  of  their  Conceflions  at  all  but 
only  unpeaceably  rejected  all  the  Moderation  that  was  defired. 

Laftly,  They  hear  defire  it  may  be  oblerved  that  in  this  Reduction,  Archiepifco- 
pacy  is  acknowledged  :  And  we  fhall  alfo  defire  that  it  may  be  obferved,  that  we 
never  put  in  a  word  to  them  againft  Archbifhops,  Metropolitans  or  Primates  and 
yet  we  are  very  far  from  attaining  any  Peace  with  them. 

And  we  defire  that  it  may  be  oblerved  alfo,  that  underftanding  with  whom  we 
had  to  do,  we  offered  them  not  that  which  we  approved  our  [elves  as  the  be  ft,  but  that 
which  we  would  fubmit  to,  as  having  fome  Confiftency  with  the  Dilcipline  and  Or- 
der of  the  Church,  which  was  our  End. 

Of  the  Safer  added  F  articular  S; 

§  14.  1.  This  is  fcarce  Serious :  The  Primate's  Suffragans  or  Chorepifcopi  are 
Rural  Deans,  or  as  many  for  number :  The  Suffragans  you  talk  -  of  by  Law  are 
other  things,  about  Sixteen  in  all  the  Land.  The  King's  Power  is  about  the 
Choice  of  them  as  Humane  Officers,  but  as  Paftors  of  the  Church  or  Bifhops,  the 
Churches  had  the  Choice  for  a  Thoufand  years  after  Chrift,  through  moft  of  the 
Chriftian  World.  And  what  if  it  be  in  the  King's  power  :  Is  it  not  the  more  rea- 
fonable  that  the  King  be  petitioned  to  in  the  Bufinefs  ?  The  King  doth  not  choofe 
every  Rural  Dean  himfelf :  And  is  it  any  more  deftru&ive  of  his  Power  to  do  it 
by  the  Synods,  than  by  the  Diocefan  ?  This  ufe  the  Name  and  Power  of  Kings  is 
made  of  by  fome  kind  of  Men,  to  make  a  noife  againft  all  that  crofs  their  Domi- 
nation, but  all  that  is  exercifed  by  themfelves  is  no  whit  derogatory  to  Royalty. 
And  yet  how  many  Men  have  been  Excommunicated  for  refuling  to  Anfwer  in 
the   Chancellor's  Courts,  till  they  profefs  to  fit  there  by  the  King's  Authority  ? 

§  if.  We  much  doubt  whether  you  defigned  to  read  the  Archbiihop's  Reduction 
when  you  anfweredour  Papers  :  If  you  did  not,  why  would  you  choofe  to  be  ig- 
norant of  what  you  anfwered,  whenfb  light  a  Labour  might  have  informed  you  ? 
If  you  did,  how  could  you  be  ignorant  of  what  we  meant  by  AJfociations  ,  when 
you  faw  that,  fuch  as  our  Rural  Deaneries  was  the  thing  fpoken  of  and  propofed  by 
the  ReduUton  ?  And  i.  Are  the  Rural  Deaneries  think  you,  without  the  Kings  Au- 
thority ?  If  not,  what  mean  you  by  fuch  Intimations  ?  unlefs  you  would  make  Men 
believe  that  we  breathe Treafon,  as  oft  as  we  breathe  (as  the  Soldier  charged  the 
Country-man  for  whifllmg  Treafon,  when  he  meant  to  plunder  him).  2.And  what 
though  AlTociations  may  not  be  entered  into  without  the  King's  Authority  :  Do 
you  mean  that  therefore  we  may  not  thus  dtfire  his  Authority  for  them  ?  If  you  do 
not,  to  what  fence  or  purpofe  is  this  Anfwer  ?  Sure  we  are,  that  for  Three  hun- 
dred years  when  Magistrates  were  not  Chriftian,  there  was  Preaching ,  Praying, 
and  Aflbciating  in  particular  Churches  hereunto  without  the  Kings  Authority,  and 
alfo  Aftbciating  in  Synods :  And  after  that  for  many  a  Hundred  year  the  Chri- 
ftian Magi(rrates  confirmed  and  overruled  fuch  Aflbciations,  but  never  overthrew 
them,  or  forbad  them. 

§  16.  Put  the  Apoftles  qf  Chrift,  and  all  his  Churches  for  many  hundred  years, 
thought  all  thefe  Subfcriptions  and  Oaths  unneceffary  ;  and  never  prefcribed,  nor 
required  either  them  or  any  fuch  :  So  unhappy  is  the  prelent  Church  in  the  happy 
Under  {landings  of  thefe  Men  of  Yefterday,  that  are  wifer  than  Chrift,  his  Apoftles 
and  Universal  Church,  and  have  at  laft  found  out  thefe  neceffary  Oaths  and  Sub- 
fcriptions. And  you  are  not  quite  miftaken :  NecefTary  they  are,  to  fee  up  thofe 
that  mail  rule  by  Conftraint  as  Lords  over  God's  Heritage,  and  neceffary  Engines 
for  the  dividing  and  perfecuting  of  the  Church  :  But  judge  thou,  O  Lord,  according 
to  thy  righteoufneft,  in  the  day  which  is  coming. 

But  the  Examples  of  Corporations  and  Colkdges  are  brought  in,  who  prevent  Offen- 
ces by  Subfcriptions  and  Oaths.     And  even  fo  hath  Chrift  (  whoie   Spirit  would 
impofe  nothing  on  the  Churches  but  things  neceffary  )  appointed  a  Vow  and  So- 
lemn 


2$4  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

lemn  Covenant  to  be  the  way  of  Entrance  into  his  Church  :  And  the  Apifh  Spi- 
rit which  foiloweth  him  (  to  counter-work  him  )  by  the  Addition  of  Humane 
Churches,  Sacraments  and  Ordinances,  doth  alfb  imitate  him  in  making  their 
Oaths  and  Promifes  neceffary  to  engage  Men  to  their  Service  and  Institutions,  as 
Chrilt  hath  made  Baptifm  neceffary  to  engage  us  to  his  Service  and  Inftitutions. 
And  your  Arguments  forDiocefans  are  (6  weak,  that  we  wonder  not  that  you 
think  both  Oaths,  Subfcriptions,  Prifons,  Confiscations  and  Banilhments  neceffary 
to  enforce  them. 

What  you  add  of  [fuch  Per/ens  as  have  themselves  exacted  Conditions  of  their  Com- 
munion not  warranted  by  Law\  we  underftand  not  :  Either  the  Law  warranteth 
Men  to  oivn  Chrift  for  their  Saviour,  and  to  own  their  own  Membership  in  the  parti- 
cular Church  which  they  demand  conftant  Communion  with,  or  it  doth  not.  If 
it  do  not,  we  have  reafon  to  defire  more  than  is  warranted  by  that  Law.  If  it  do, 
you  mould  have  done  well  to  inltance  what  Perfons  and  what  Exactions  you  mean. 
If  you  fpeak  this  of  all  the  Churches  of  the  Land  that  diflike  your  Prelacy,  it  is  too 
grofs  an  untruth  to  have  been  uttered  in  the  Light.  If  you  fpeak  only  of  fome 
Perfons  or  Parties,  that  is  no  reafon  why  others  mould  be  deprived  of  their  Liber- 
•  ty  and  Miniftry.  Nor  indeed  is  it  good  Arguing  that  fuch  Oaths  and  Subfcripti- 
ons as  the  Church  of  old  did  never  know,  may  be  impofed  by  the  Laws  of  Men, 
becaufe  fbme  Brethren  have  lately  required  fuch  Conditions  of  their  Communion, 
as  are  impofed  by  the  Laws  of  God.  But  let  us  prevail  with  you  to  drive  this  no 
further  than  the  Perfons,  (  whoever  they  be  )  did  drive  it  whom  you  blame  :  Their 
ucmoft  Penalty  on  the.Refufers  of  their  Conditions  was  Non-Communion  with  them  ; 
(  A  thing  which  many  of  you  voluntarily  chofe).  Let  this-be  all  our  Penalty  for 
refufing  your  Oaths  and  Subfcriptions  ( if  we  can  get  no  better  from  you  )  :  But 
fhall  we  be  Silenced,  Imprifoned,  Confifcated,  Banifhed,  for  refufing  your  Oaths 
and  Subfcriptions,  becaufe  fbmebody  impofed  Things  which  the  Law  allowed  not 
in  order  to  their  own  Communion.    Thefe  are  no  fit  Proportions  of  Juftice. 

§  17.  Out  of  your  own  Mouths  then  is  your  Government  condemned.  What 
Act  of  Parliament  ratified  your  Canons  ?  What  Law  impofed  Altars,  Rails,  and 
the  forcing  of  Minifters  to  read  the  Book  for  Dancing  on  the  Lord's  Days  ?  Or 
what  Law  did  ratifie  many  Articles  of  your  Vifitation  Books  ?  And  did  the  Laws 
fufficiently  provide  for  all  thofe  poor  Minifters  that  were  Silenced  or  Sufpended 
for  not  reading  the  Dancing  Book,  or  any  fuch  things  ?  What  the  better  were  all 
thofe  for  the  Laws  that  were  Silenced,  or  driven  into  Forreign  Lands  ?  But  per- 
haps the  Laws  will  provide  for  us  indeed  as  you  defire. 

Concerning  the  Liturgy, 

This  is  §  18.  1.  The  DoStrine  is  found.  But  the  Apocryphal  Matter  of  your  Leffons, 
ff°kold°f  *n  "Tobitb,  Judith^  Bell  and  the  Dragon,  &c.  is  fcare  agreeable  to  the  Word  of 
Common    ^0^-  m 

Prayer  2.  Whether  it  be  fitly  Juited,  let  our  Exceptions  and  other  Papers  be  heard  before 

Book,  and  your  Judgment  go  for  infallible. 

not  of  the  ^  What  Mens  Prayers  you  take  your  Meafure  or  Encouragement  from,  we 
where  the  know  not  :  But  we  are  fure  that  if  all  the  Common  Prayers  be  twice  a  day  read, 
Doftrine  the  time  for  Pfalms  and  Sermons  will  be  fhort.  And  yet  were  they  free  from  difc 
in  pointof  order  and  defe&ivenefs  in  Matter,  we  could  the  better  bear  with  the  length,though 
infants      other  Prayers  and  Sermons  were  partly  excluded  by  them. 

ischanged.  4*  Though  we  live  ia  the  fame  Countreys ,  we  fcarce  differ  any  where  more 
than  in  our  very  Experiences :  Our  Experience  unrefiftably  convinceth  us ,  that  a 
continued  Prayer  doth  more  to  help  moft  of  the  People^  and  carry  on  their  De- 
fires,  than  turning  almoft  every  Petition  into  a  diftind  Prayer ;  and  making  Pre- 
faces and  Conclufions  to  be  near  half  the  Prayers.  And  if  the  way  of  Prayer 
recorded  in  Scripture  (  even  in  the  Jews  Church ,  where  Infirmity  might  be 
pleaded  more  than  nowj  were  fuch  as  yours,  we  fhall  fay  no  more  in  that  againft 
,  it :  But  if  it  were  not,  be  not  wife  then  overmuch. 

$.  We  are  content  that  the  Liturgy  have  fuch  Repetitions  as  the  Scriptures  have, 
lb  it  may  have  no  other  !  And  we  are  content  that  all  Extemporate  Prayer  be  re- 
trained which  is  guilty  of  as  much  Tautology  and  vain  Repetition  as  the  Liturgy 
is :  If  this  much  will  fatisfie  you,  we  are  agreed, 

6.  Nor 


P  a  r.  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         #55 

6.  Nor  are  we  againft  any  fuch  Refponfals  as  are  fit  to  the  Ends  you  mention: 
If  ours  are  all  fuch  (  upon  impartial  Examination),  lee  them  ftand. 

7.  But  the  Queliion  is,  i.  Whether  the  Greek  and  Latin  Churches  in  the  three 
firftAges,  or  thole  of  later  Ages,  be  more  imitable.  2.  And  whether  the  other 
Reformed  Churches  have  not  more  imitated  the  ahcienrdt  of  thole  Churches 
chough  we  have  more  imitated  the  latter  and  more  corrupt.  3.  And  whether  our 
firft  work  bs  to  flop  the  Papifts  Mouths  by  pleafing  them,or  coming  too  near  them, 
when  we  know  they  that  are  likeft  them  in  all  their  Corruptions  pleafe  them  beft. 
Yet  are  we  not  for  any  unneceffary  difference  from  them,  or  affectation  of  cauflels 
lingularity. 

As  to  the  Reformed  Churches  Teftimony  of  our  Liturgy,  fhal!  their  very  Cha- 
rity  become  our  Snare  ?  If  they  had  liked  our  Form  of  Prayers  beft,  they,  would 
fome  of  them  have  imitated  us.  And  our  Martyrs  no  doubt,  they  honoured  as 
we  do,  not  as  fuffering  for  the  Modes  and  Ceremonies  of  that  Book,  at  oppofite 
to  the  Reformed  Churches  Mode  (  for  fo  they  fuffered  not)  j  but  as  fuffering  for 
the  Sound  Doctrine  and  True  Worfhip  of  the  Proteftants ,  as  oppofne  to  Popery 
and  the  Mafs. 

§  19.  Your  Reafons  to  prove  your  Impofitions  not  too  rigorous,  are  1.  Becaufc 
they  are  by  Law  :  If  we  tell  you  that  fo  is  the  Spanifh  Inquifition ;  you'l  fay,  we 
compare  our  Law-givers  to  the  Spaniards :  If  We   fay  that  your  New-mentioned 
Martyrs  were  burnt  by  Law  in  England,  you'l  fay  that  we  compare  them  to  Pa- 
pifts.    But  all  thefe  are  Laws :  And  fo  are  thole  in  Reformed  Coontreys  which  arc 
againft  Bifhops  and  Ceremonies  :  Do  you  therefore  think  them  not  too  rigorous? 
2,  Your  other  Realbn  is,  that  the  Rigour  a  mmore  then  »  nectjjary  to  make  the  Impojut.- 
on  effectual    You  never  (pake  words  more  agreeable  to  your  hearts,as  far  as  by  your 
Practices  we  can  judge  of  them.    Either  you  mean  effectual  to  change  Mens  Judg- 
ment /,  or  effectual  to  make  them  go  again]?  their  Judgments,  or  ejficlnal  to  rid  them  out 
of  the  Land  or  World.     The  nrft  you  know  they  are  unfit  for  :  If  you  think  other- 
wife,  would  you  that  your  Judgments  fhould  have  (uch  kind  of  helps  to  have  let 
them  right?  The  fecond  way  they  will  be  effectual  with  none  but  wicked  Men 
and  Hypocrites,  who  dare  Sin  againft  their  Conferences  for  fear  of  Men :  And  is  it 
worth  fo  much  ado  to  bring  the  Children   of  the  Devil  into  your  Church  ?  The 
third  way  of  Efficacy,  is  but  to  kill  or  banifh  all  the  Children  of  God  that  are  not 
of  your  Opinion  :  for  it  is  they  that  dare  not  Sin  againft  Confcience  whatever 
they  fuffcr :  And  this  is  but  fuch  an  Efficacy  as  the  Spanifh  Inquifition,  and  Queen 
Mary's  Bonfires  had,  to  fend  thofe  to  God  whom  the   World   is  not  worthy  of. 
You  know  every  Man  that  is  true  to  his  God  and  his  Confcience ,  will  never  do 
that  which  he  taketh  to  be  Sin,  till  his  Judgment  is  changed  :  and  therefore  with 
fuch  it  can  be  no  lower  than  Blood,  or  Banilhment,  or  Imprilbnment  at  leaft,  that 
is  the  Efficacy  which  you  defire  :  And  if  no  fuch  rigour  be  too  much,  its  pity  the 
French,  that  mtirtheted  30000  or  40000  at  their  Bartholomew  days,  or  as  Dr.  Peter 
Moulin  faith  100000  within  a  few  Weeks,  and  the  Irifli  that  murthered  200000  had 
not  had  a  better  Caufe :  For  they  took  the  moft  effectual  Way  of  rigour. 

But  when  God  maketh  Inquifition  for  the  Blood  of  his  Servants ,  he  will  con- 
vince Men  that  iuch  rigour  was  too  muth,  and  that  their  Wrath  did  hot  fulfil  his 
Righteoufhefs. 

You  Ihew  your Kindnefs to  Men's  praying  in  the  Pulpit  without  your  Book: 
Make  good  what  you  fay,  that  fuch  Praying  is  of  no  gnat  Antiquity,  and  we  will 
never  contradict  you  more  !  Or  if  we  froix  it  not  the  Ancienteft  way  of  Praying  in 
the  Chriftian  Church,  we  witt  give  you  free  leave  to  hang  or  banifh  us,  for  not 
Subfcribing  to  the  Common  Prayer  Book  :  which  the  Apoftles  ufedjand  which  Was 
impofed  on  the  Church  for  iome  hundred  years.  But  it  feems  you  think  that  we 
are  beholden  to  meer  Svfenmce  without  Law  or  Canon  for  conceived  Prayers; 
How  long  then  it  will  be  fullered  we  know  not ;  if  we  ffmft  live  by  your  Pati- 
ence. 

§20.  It  feemeththat  our  Converfe  and  yours  much  differ:  The  moil  that  We 
know  or  meet  with  hud  rather  be  without  the  Liturgy  :  and  you  fay,  That  the  Peo- 
ple generally  are  weU  jatisfed  with  it.  By  this  time  they  are  of  another  Mind.  If  it 
were  fo,  we  take  it  for  no  great  honour  to  it ;  confrdering  what  the  greater  Number 
are  in  moft  places,  and  of  what  Lives  thofe  Perlbns  are  (  of  our  Pari/hes  and  Ac- 
quaintance generally  or  for  the  moft  part )  who  are  for  k :  Or  what  thole  are  that 
arc  againft  it,  and  whom  for  its  lake  you  defire  your  efe&ual  rigour  rriay  be  exercifed 
againft.    The  Lord  prepare  them  to  undergo  h  innocently. 


2$6    .  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I 

§  21.  Doth  there  need  no-more  to  be  {aid  for  the  Ceremonies  ?  How  little  will  fatishe 
ibme  Men's  Confciences !  Lawful  Authority  hath  in  other  Countreys  cart  out  the 
fame  Bifhops  and  Ceremonies  which  are  here  received :  Doth  it  follow  that  they 
are  good  in  one  Country,  and  diforderly  and  undccent  in  another  ?  Or  that  our 
Authority  only  is  infallible  in  judging  of  them  ? 

Is  not  God's  Worfhip  perfect  without  our  Ceremonies,  in  its  Integrals  as  well  as 
its  Effentials  ? 

|  As  for  Circumftantials  whenyouhwus  allow  of  them,you  need  not  plead  for  them  as 
againft  us.  But  the  Queftion  is,whether  our Additions  be  not  more  then  Ctrcumfiances. 
§  22.  We  fuppofe  that  you  give  all  to  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm  which  is  neceffary  to 
a  Humane  Sacrament :  And  this  we  are  ready  to  try  by  juft  Difpute. 

When  you  fay  that  never  was  Moral  Efficacy  afcnbed  to  them,  you  feem  to  give 
up  all  your  Caufe :  for  by  denying  this  afcnbed  Efficacy,  you  feem  to  grant  them 
unlawfulif  it  be  fb  :  And  if  it  be  not  fo,  let  us  bear  the  blame  of  wronging  them. 
The  informing  and  exciting  the  dull  mind  of  Man,  in  its  duty  to  God  ,  is  a  Moral 
Effedfrom  Moral  Efficacy.  But  the  informing  and  exciting  the  dull  Mind  of 
Man  in  its  Duty  to  God  is  an  Effect  afcribed  to  our  Ceremonies :  Ergo ,  a  Moral 
Effect  from  Moral  Efficacy  is  afcribed  to  our  Ceremonies.  The  major  cannot  be 
denied  by  any  Man  that  knoweth  what  a  Moral  Effect  and  Efficacy  is :  that  which 
worketh  not  per  medum  Natura  in  genere  Caufe  efficientis  naturalis  only ,  but  per  mo- 
dum  objetli,  vel  in  genere  caufa  finals,  upon  the  Mind  of  Man,  doth  work  morally: 

but  fo  do  our  Ceremonies :  Ergo fure  the  Arminians  that  deny  all  proper  Phy- 

fical  Operations  of  God's  Spirit,  as  well  as  his  Word,  and  reduce  all  to  Moral  Effi- 
cacy ,  will  not  fay  that  Ceremonies  have  fuch  a  Phyfical  Efficacy  more,  than  Moral. 
And  if  not  ib,  the  good  Effects  here  mentioned  can  be  from  no  lower  Efficacy  than 
Mora!.  And  the  minor  which  muft  be  denied,  is  in  the  words  of  the  Preface  to  the 
Common  Prayer  Book,  and  therefore  undeniable.  The  Word  of  God  it  felf  worketh 
but  moraliter  proponendo  objecJum,  and  fo  do  our  Ceremonies. 

§  23.  There  is  a  great  difference  between  Sacramental  Ceremonies,  and  meer 
Circumftances,  which  the  Reformed  Churches  keep.  Thefe  we  confound  not,  and 
could  have  wiftied  you  would  not.  Our  Crofs  in  Baptifm  is  [  A  dedicating  Jign 
(faith  the  Canon  )  or  tranfient  Image,  made  in  token  that  this  Child  Jh all  not  be  ajhamed 
of  Chrifi  crucified,  but  manly  fight  under  his  Banner  againfi  the  Flejh,  the  World,  and  the 
Devil,  and  continue  Chrifi' 's -faithful  Servant  and  Soldier  to  his  Lives  end.  So  that 
1.  It  is  a  Dedicating  Sign,  performed  by  the  Minifter,  and  not  by  the  Perfbn 
himfelf,  as  a  bare  Prof  effing  Sign  is.  2.  It  engageth  the  Party  in  a  Relation  toChrift 
[as  his  Soldier  and  Servant}.  3.  And  in  the  Duties  of  this  Relation  againft  all  our 
Enemies,  as  the  Sacramentum  Militare  doth  a  Soldier  to  his  General  j  and  that  in 
plainer  and  fuller  words  than  are  annexed  to  Baptifm.  4.  And  it  is  no  other  than 
the  Covenant  of  Grace  or  of  Chriftianity  it  felf,  which  this  Sacrament  of  the  Crofs 
doth  enter  us  into,  as  Baptifm  alio  doth.  It  is  not  made  a  part  of  Baptifm,  nor 
called  a  Sacrament,  but  as  far  as  we  can  judge,  made  elTentially  a  Humane  Sacra- 
ment ad  joy  ned  to  Baptifm.  The  Reformed  Churches  which  ufe  the  Crofs,we  mean 
the  Lutherans,  tyet  ufe  it  not  in  this  manner. 

§  24.  This  is  but  your  unproved  Affertion,  That  the  Fault  was  not  in  the  Cere- 
monies, but  in  the  Contenders :  we  are  ready  to  prove  the  contrary :  but  if  it  had 
been  true,  how  far  are  you  from  Paul's  mind,  expreffed  Rom.  14.  &  if.  and  1  Cor. 
8.  You  will  let  your  weak  Brother  perifh,  and  fpare  not,  fo  you  can  but  charge 
the  Fault  on  himfelf  j  and  lay  Stumbling- bjocks  before  him ,  and  then  lave  him  by 
your  effectual  rigour,  by  Imprifbnmentor  Punifhment. 

§  25-.  Thole  feem  a  few  to  you  that  feem  many  to  us  :  Had  it  been  but  one 
hundred  fuch  as  Cart-wright,  Amefius,  Bradjhaw,  Parker,  Hilderjham  ,  Dod ,  Nicolls, 
Langlcy,  Paget,  Hering,  Baynes,  Bates,  Davenport  ,  Hooker,  Wilfon,  Cotton,  Norton, 
Shcphard,  Cobbet,  Ward,  Sec.  they  had  been  enough  to  have  grieved  the  Souls  of 
many  Thoufand  godly  Chriftians ;  and  enough  for  any  one  of  the  Reformed 
Churches,  had  they  pofTefTed  them,  to  have  gloried  in ;  and  many  far  meaner  are 
yet  the  glory  of  the  Ancient  Churches ,  and  called ,  and  reverenced  as  Fathers. 
But  we  doubt  this  fame  Spirit  will  make  you  think  that  many  Hundred  more  are 
but  a  few  to  be  Silenced  e're  long.  And  then  your  Clemency  will  comfort  the 
poor  People  that  have  ignorant  or  deboift  Readers  inftead  of  Minifters  (  for  too 
many  fuch  we  have  known,)  that  it  was  their  Paftors  faults  that  obfrinately  refufed 
to  Conform,  when  they  had  promifed  it ;  that  is,  that  repented  of  the  Sin  of  their 
Subfcripdon  wrlen  they  difcer-»ed  it :  And  had  they  never  been  ignorant  enough 
to  Subfcribe,  they  had  never  entered  :  And  the  many  hundreds  which  you  thus 
keep  from  the  Miniftry,  you  make  nothing  of.  §  zf>, 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         257 

§  26.  Whether  Diocsfanes  be  a  lawful  Authority  as  claiming  Spiritual  Govern- 
ment,  and  how  far  Men  mav  own  them  even  in  lawful  things  are  Controverfies 
to  be  clfewhere  managed.  We  juftify  no  Man's  leaving  his  Mrniftry  upon  the  Re- 
fufal  of  any  thing  but  what  he  judged  unlawful,  yea,  and  what  was  really  (b. 

§  27.  Whether  any  Offence  were  given  (  though  not  enough  to  warrant  Separation  ) 
let  our  Argumentations  on  both  fides  declare.  The  fa  id.  Declaration  of  the  Church 
es  Senie  is  not  the  finaileft  part  of  the  Scandal.  Calling  a»humane  Sacrament,  tn- 
different,  or  no  Sacrament,  proveth  it  not  to  be  as  it  is  called.  That  the  Nonconfor- 
ming were  the  Caufe  of  Separation,  who  did  moft  againft  it,  is  eafily  laid,  and  as 
eafily  proved  as  the  Arrians  proved  that  the  Orthodox  were  the  caufe  of  the  Schifm 
of  the  Luciferans  who  feparated  from  the  Church  for  recei\  ing  the  Arrians  too  eafi* 
ly  to  Communion. 

§  28.  Church  Matters  in  this  much  differ  from  Civil  Matters;  and  its  one  thing 
to  change  a  Church  Cuftotn  when  it  dangeroufly  prevaileih  to  corrupt  Mens  Un- 
derstandings, and  another  thing  when  there  is  no  fuch  Danger.  So  Heztkiah 
thought  when  he  deftroyed  the  Brazen  Serpent,  and  Paul  (  who  before  circumcifed 
Timothy )  when  he  fafd,  If  ye  be  circumctfed  Chrtfl  (hall  profit  you  nothing,  Could 
Men  have  forefeet*  that  the  Primacy  of  the  Bifhopof  Rome  in  the  imperial  Church- 
es, would  have  been  fublimated  to  liich  a  challenged  Supremacy  over  all  the  Chri- 
ftian  World,  we  fuppofe  the  Ancients  would  have  held  it  their  Duty  to  have  remo- ' 
ved  the  Primacy  to  fbme  other  Seat. 

§  29.  According  to  your  Councils  will  you  be  judged  of  God  ?  The  Not-abating 
of  the  Impofitiom  is  the  cafting  off  of  many  hundreds  of  your  Brethren  out  of  the 
Miniftry,  and  of  many  thoufarid  Chriffians  out  of  your  Communion  :  But  the 
abating  of  the  Impofitions,  will  fo  offend  you,  as  to  lilence  or  excommunicate  none 
of  you  at  all :  For  e.  g.  we  think  it  a  Sin  to  Subicribe,  or  fwear  canonical  Obedi- 
ence, or  ulethe  tranfient  Ima*ge  of  the  Crois  in  Baptilm,  and  therefore  thefe  mufl 
caft  us  out :  But  you  think  it  no  Sin  to  forbear  them,  if  the  Magistrate  abate  them 
and  therefore  none  of  vou  will  be  calt  out  by  the  Abatement.  But  it  feemeth  that 
your  Charity  judr;adi  the  bare  difp.eafing  of  your  Apetite  to  the  Ceremonies,  is  a 
greater  evil  than  the  filencing  and  excommunicating  all  us,  your  poor  Brethren, 
though  our  Imprifoment  follow  :  Nay,  this  is  not  all  j  For  your  Difpleadire  will 
be  only  that  another  Man  fubferibeth  not,  croffeth  not,  &c.  while  you  may  do  it 
your  felves  as  much  as  you  plcafe. 

Whether  the  cafting  out  of  fo  many  Minifters  and  Chriftians,  for  fuch  things 
do  more  fubferve  the  main  ends  of  fublick  Government,  than  the  forbearance*  would  do, 
if  you  know  not,  we  leave  you  to  God's  Conviction.  As  alio  whether  thefe  things 
be  well  impofed,  and  Mens  Obedience  to  Authority,  and  the  Peace  of  the  Church, 
and  its  Uniformity  or  Unity,  be  well  and  juitly  laid  upon  them  :  Such  Conceffi- 
ons  indeed  might  bear  you  out  far. 

Concerning  particular  Ceremonies. 

§  ;o.  Why  then  is  it  not  as  meet  that  one  Gefture  be  ufed  by  all  in  finging  Pfalms 
or  hearing  Sermons?  Why  doth  the  Minifters  ftand  in  Prayer,  even  in  the  Sacra- 
ment Prayer,  while  the  People  kneel?  We  fpeak  againft  none  of  your  Liberty  in 
ufing  either  kneeling  or  Holy-days,  and  perhaps  fbme  of  us  mean  to  ufe  both  our 
(elves ;  but  only  beieech  you,  that  they  may  be  no  more  impofed  than  the  ancient 
Church  impofed  them,  and  we  defire  no  more ;  and  if  you  reverence  Antiquity, 
why  will  you  not  imitate  it,  in  point  of  Impofition,  as  well  as  in  the  thing  it  felf, 
But  yet  that  Antiquity  Was  againft  Kneeling  on  the  Lord's  Day  at  the  Sacrament, 
and  that  they  had  but  few  of  our  Holy-days  for  many  hundred  Years,  we  fuppofe 
you  are  not  ignorant. 

§  5 1.  It's  well  you  have  no  more  to  fay  againft  Liberty  to  forbear  the  other  three 
N  Ceremonies;  the  more  unexcufable  will  you  be,  when  you  filence  and  excommu- 
nicate thofe  that  ufe  them  not. 

§  52.  And  its  ftrange  that  meaner  underftandings  than  yours  cannot  fee  why 
Men  fhould  forbear  that  which  is  not  to  be  valued  with  the  Churches  Peace :  A  Lye  or 
a  falfe  Subfcription,  is  not  to  be  valued  with  the  Churches  Peace  :  And  is  it  there- 
fore a  Wonder  to  you  that  Men  fhould  fcruple  them  ?  It  is  fitter  Matter  for  the 
Wonder  of  good  Men,  that  after  fo  long  Experience,  thofe  that  will  needs  be  the 
Lords  and  Governors  in  fpiritual  Matters t  fhould  fo  refolvedly  lay  the  Churches 

L  1  Peace 


—^— _^^_M^M^„^__- L.  .1 1 1      J  _     _l  _  .    J_L .  -.  II  .-      -      —      ■  „^_____^..^____^__^__^_^___^____^_ 

258  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  L 

Peace  upon  fuch  things  as  thele,  where  they  know  beforehand,  that  Men  of  no 
Conference  will  all  be  peaceable,  ajid  thoufands  of  godly  People  are  unfatisfied  ; 
and  that  they  will  needs  take  all  for  Difturbers  of  the  Peace,  who  jump  not  with 
their  Humour  in  every  Ceremony,  how  willing  foever  to  be  ruled  by  the  Laws  of 
God. 

§33.  We  are  glad  that  you  juftify  not  Innovation  and  Arbitrarinefs ;  and  yet  de- 
fire  not  fuch  a  Cure  as-fome  do,  by  getting  Laws  which  may  do  their  Work. 

§  34.  If  your  want  of  Charity  were  not  extraordinary,  it  could  not  work  ef- 
fectually to  the  afflicting  of  your  Brethren  and  the  Church  ;  when  we  tell  you 
what  will  end  your  Differences,  you  know  our  Minds  fo  much  better  than  our 
felves,  that  you  will  not  believe  us  :  But  you  will  be  confident  that  we  will  come  on 
with  new  Demands :  This  is  your  way  of  Conciliation  ;  when  you  were  to  bring 
in  your  utmoft  Conceflions  in  order  to  our  Unity,  and  it  was  promifed  by  his  Ma- 
jetty,  that  you  mould  meet  us  half  way,  you  bring  in  nothing,  and  perfuade  his 
Majefty  alfo  that  he  ihould  not  believe  us  in  what  we  offer,  that  it  would  be  fa- 
tisfactory  if  it  were  granted !  You  fay  that  it  will  give  Diffatisfaclion  to  the  greater 
Part  of  his  Majeftfs  Subjects !  We  are  more  charitable  than  to  believe  that  a  quar- 
ter of  his  Majefty's  Subjects  arefb  uncharitable,  as  to  be  diffatisfied  if  their  Brethren 
be  not  filenced  and  excommunicated  for  not  /wearing,  fubfcribing,  or  ufing  a  Ceremo- 
ny, while  they  may  do  it  as  much  as  they  lift  them  [elves.  And  whereas  you  fay, 
that  there  is  no  ajj'urance  given  that  it  wiU  content  all  Diffenters ;  you  know  that  there 
are  many  Diffenters,  as  Papifts,  Quakers,  &c .  for  whom  we  never  medled  :  And  we 
think  this  an  unjuft  Anfwer  to  be  given  to  them,  who  craved  of  his  Majefty,  that 
they  might  fend  to  their  Brethren  through  the  Land,  to  have  the  Tefiimony  of 
their  common  Confent,  and  were  denied  it,  and  told  that  it  mould  be  our  work 
alone,  and  imputed  to  no  others. 

In  Conclufion,  we  perceive  your  Counfels  againft  Peace  are  not  likely  to  be  fru- 
ftrated  :  Your  Defires  concerning  us  are  like  to  be  accomplished :  You  are  like  to  be 
gratified  with  our  Silence  and  Ejection,  and  the  Excommunication  and  Confe- 
quent  fufferings  of  Diffenters.  And  yet  we  will  believe  that  blefled  are  the  Peace- 
makers, and  though  Deceit  be  in  the  Heart  of  them  that  imagin  Evil,  yet  there  is  Joy 
to  the  Counfellors  of  Peace,  Prev.  12.  20.  And  though  we  are  ftopt  by  you  in  our 
following  of  Peace,  and  are  never  like  thus  publickly  to  feek  it  more  (  becaufe  you 
think  that  we  muft  hold  our  Tongues,  that  you  may  jiold  your  Peace  )  yet  are 
we  refblved  by  the  help  of  God,  if  it  be  poflible,  and  as  much  as  in  us  lieth,  to 
live  peaceably  -with  all  Men,  Rom.  12.  18. 

§  102.  Hereupon  fbme  very  very  learned,  godly  Men,  renewed  their  former 
Speeches,  [  That  it  was  a  vain  Attempt  to  Endeavour  a  Reconciliation  with  fuch  Men  ! 
that  their  Minds  were  exa/perated,  and  they  were  refolved  to  monopolize  the  Favour  of  our 
Prince,  and  all  Honours  and  Preferments  to  themfelves  :  That  there  was  no  hope  they  would, 
do  any  thing  for  the  promoting  of  ftricJ  ferious  Godlineft,  or  any  thing  that  deferved  the 
Name  of  Ecclefiafiical  Difciplme :  7 hat  undoubtedly  they  do  but  draw  us  on,  partly  to  Jpin 
cut  the  time  till  they  are  ready  to  perfecute  us  without  any  danger  to  themfelves,  and  partly 
to  fet  its  together  by  the  Ears,  and  otherwife  abuje  us,  by  drawing  us  to  grant  them  that 
which  they  know  our  Brethren  cannot  grant,  J 

§  103.  To  all  this  I  anfwered  for  my  own  part,  [That  though  Charity  com- 
manded me  to  hope  that  there  were  fome  Men  among  them  better  than  this  De- 
Icription  doth  import,  yet  my  Reafbn  forced  me,  all  things  confidered,  to  have 
as  low  Expectations  of  this  Conference  as  they  had ;  and  that  I  made  no  doubt  but 
that  the  End  would  verefie  much  that  was  faid  ;  that  for  my  own  part  I  looked  e're 
long  to  be  filenced  by  them,  with  many  hundred  more,  and  that  all  this  was  but 
to  quiet  Men  till  the  time.  But  yet  for  all  that  I  was  fully  convinced  that  it  was 
our  Duty  not  only  to  yield  to  an  offered  Treaty,  but  to  be  the  Seekers  of  it,  and 
follow  it  on  till  we  fee  the  IiTue  :  1.  Becaufe  we  are  commanded  if  poffible  as 
much  as  in  us  lieth,  to  live  peaceably  with  all  Men.  2.  Becaufe  though  we  have 
too  great  a  probability  of  fuch  an  iffue  as  they  defcribe,  yet  we  are  not  certain  of 
it ;  and  the  leaft  pojjibility  of  a  better  Jffue,  may  fhew  us  that  we  mould  wait  on 
God,  in  the  ufe  of  the  Means,  till  we  are  disappointed.  3.  Becaufe  we  have  no 
other  means  at  all  to  ufe  :  To  keep  our  Flocks  and  publick  Work  we  cannot :  For 
the  old  Laws  will  be  in  force  again,  if  we  fay  nothing ;  and  new  ones  will  further 
enforce  them  if  there  be  need.  And  for  our  parts  we  are  not  formidable  to  the  Bi- 
fhops  at  all,  were  our  Number  five  times  as  great  as  theire:  For  we  abhor  all 
Thoughts  of  Sedition  and  Rebellion,  and  they  know  that  this  is  our  Judgment,  and 
therefore  how  fhould  they  be  afraid  of  Men,   whofe  Conferences  bind  them  to 

make 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  25$ 


make  no  refinance  to  the  legal  Exercile  of  a  lawful  Authority,    If  it  were  the  Ana- 
baptiils,  Millinaries  or  Levellers  they  would  fear  them.  But  for  my  part,  I  thought 
it  very  unmeet  that  luch  a  Word  as   intimated  any  formidablenels  in  us,  ihould 
ever  come  out  of  our  Mouths,    either  to  them,  or  to  our  People,  or  among  our 
ielves  ;  for  it  feemeth  to  intimate  either  that  we  would  refilr,  or  would  have  them 
think  (o.    4.  And  Mooked  to  the  end  of  all  thele  A&ions,   and  the  chief  thin£> 
that  moved  me  next  the  pleafing  of  God  and  Confcience,  is,  that  when  we  are  all 
filenced  and  perfecuted,  and  theHiftory  of  thele  things  (nail  be  delivered  to  pofte- 
rity,  it  will  be  a  juft  Blot  upon  us  if  we  fuffer  as  refuiing  to  fue  for  Peace,  and  it 
will  be  our  juft  Vindication  when  it  mall  appear,  that  we  humbly  petitioned  for, 
and  earneftly  ptrrfued  afcer  Peace,  and  came  as  near  them  for  the  obtaining  it,  a 
Scripture  and  Realbn  will  allow  us  to  do,  and  were  ready  to  do  any  thing  for  Peace 
except  to  fin  and  damn  our  Souls.     And  for  my  own  part,  I  could  liifTer  much 
more  comfortably  when  I  had  ufed  thele  means,  and  been  repuKed,  than  if  I  had 
ufed  none.     5".  And  Laftly,  I  gave  them  all  notice,   that  I  hoped  if  we  got  no 
more,  to  have  an  opportunity  by  this  Treaty  to  ftate  our  Difference  right  to  the 
underftanding  of  Foreigners  and  Pofterity,  and  to  bear  my  Testimony  totheCaufc 
of  Truth,  and  Peace,  and  Godlinels,  openly  under  the  Protection  of  the  King's 
Authority,  both  by  Word  and  Writing,  which  they  that  fat  ftill  would  never  do  - 
but  look  on  with  lecret  filent  Grief  till  ail  is  gone  j  and  then  have  their  Conlciences 
and  others  tell  them,  that  they  never  made  any  juft  attempt,  or  (pake  a  Word  to 
prevent  the  Ruine. 

§  104.  But  as  to  the  point  of  yielding  too  far  to  them,  I  told  them  firft,  thar 
moderate  Epifcopacy  was  agreeable  to  my  Judgment,  and  that  they  knew  that  I 
medled  not  as  a  Presbyterian,  but  as  a  Chriftian  that  is  obliged  to  leek  the  Church- 
es Peace :  And  alio  that  others  may  accept  of  thofe  Terms  as  better  than  worfe, 
Which  yet  they  cannot  take  to  be  the  belt.  And  if  we  mift  it  as  to  the  way  or 
terms,  our  Brethren  that  thought  lb  had  the  Liberty  to  acquaint  us  with  our  Er- 
ror, and  to  fet  us  right. 

$  105-.  Shortly  afcer  this,  inftead  of  the  Diocefans  Conceffions,  it  was  told  us 
that  the  King  would  put  all  that  he  thought  meet  to  grant  us  into  the  Form  of  a  De- 
claration,  and  we  Ihould  fee  it  firft,  and  have  Liberty  to  give  notice  of  what  we 
liked  not,  as  not  confident  with  the  defired  CpncoFd  (  and  to  the  Diocefans  cannot 
be  charged  with  any  mutability,  as  having  ever  granted  us  fuch  Abatements  which 
after  they  receded  from  ):  We  thankfully  accepted  of  this  Offer,  and  received  from 
the  Lord  Chancellor  the  following  Copy  of  the  Declaration. 

This  Copy  of  a  Declaration  the  Lord  Chancellor  next  lent  us  to  perufe  and 
alter  before  it  were  publifhed,  that  it  might  fatisfie  our  Defires.  Received 
on  Sept^.  4. 


His  Majeflys  Declaration  to  all  his  loving  Subjects  of  Im  Kingdom 
r     of  England  and  Dominion  of  Wales,  concerning  Ecclefiaflical 
Affairs. 


'World;  and  this  little  part  of  the  World,  our^n  Dominions  hath  had.  Co  late 
c  Experience  of  it,  that  we  may  very  well  acquiefce  in  the  Conclufion,  without 
c  enlarging  our  felf  in  difcourfe  upon  it,  it  being  a  Subject  we  have  had  frequent  oc= 
'  cafion  to  contemplate  upon,  and  to  lament  abroad,  as  well  as  at  home. 
'  In  our  Letter  to  the  Speaker  of  theH.of  Commons  from  Breda,  we  declared  how  much 
'  we  defired  the  Advancement  and  Propagation  of  the  Proteftant  ReligionrThat  nei- 
'  ther  theUnkindnefs  of  thofe  of  the  fame  Faith  towards  us,  nor  the  Civilities  and 
'  Obligations  from  thole  of  a  contrary  Profeflion(ofboth  which  we  have,  had  abun' 
.' dant  Evidence  )  could  in  the  leaft  degree  ftartle  us,  or  make  us  fwerve  from  it, 
'  and  that  nothing  can  be  propoled  to  manifeft  our  Zeal  and  Affedion  for  it ,  to 
*  which  we  will  not  readily  confent.  And  we  faid  then,  That  we  did  hope  indue 
'  time  our  feif  to  propofe  fomewhat  for  the  propagation  of  it,  that  will  fatisfie  the 

L 1  a  s  World 


2^0 


The  LIF  E  of  the 


Lib.  I. 


World  that  we  have  always  made  it  both  our  Care  and  our  Study,  and  have  e- 
nough  obferved  what  is  moft  like  to  bring  difadvantage  to  ir.  And  the  truth  is, 
we  do  think  our  felf  the  more  competent  to  propofe,  and  with  God's  affiftance 
to  determine  many  Things  now  in  difference,  from  the  time  we  have  (pent, 
and  the  Experience  we  have  had  in  moft  of  the  Reformed  Churches  abroad  ;  in 
France ,  in  the  Low  Conntreys,  and  in  Germany,  where  we  have  had  frequent  Con- 
ferences with  the  moft  Learned  Men,  who  have  unanimoufly  lamented  the  great 
Reproach  the  Proteftant  Religion  undergoes,  from  the  Diftempers  and  too  noto- 
rious Schifms  in  Matters  of  Religion  in  England.  And  as  the  moft  Learned  »- 
mongft  them,  have  always  with  great  SubmifTion  ana1  Reverence  ,  acknowledged 
and  magnified  the  Eftablilhed  Government  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  the 
great  countenance  and  fhelter  the  Proteftant  Religion  received  from  it,  before  thefe 
unhappy  times ;  Co  many  of  them  have  with  great  ingenuity  and  fbrrow  con- 
feffed,  That  they  were  too  eafily  miflead  by  mifinformation  and  prejudice,  into 
fbme  difeiteem  of  it,  as  if  it  had  too  much  complyed  with  the  Church  of  Rome$ 
whereas  they  now  acknowledge  it  to  be  the  beft  fence  God  hath  yet  raifed  againft 
Popery  in  the  World  :•  And  we  are  perfwaded  they  do  with  great  Zeal  wifh  itre- 
ftored  to  its  old  Dignity  and  Veneration. 

'  When  we  were  in  Holland,  we  were  attended  by  many  Grave  and  Learned  Mi- 
nivers from  hence,  who  were  looked  upon  as  thtmofi  able  and  principal  Afjertors  o£ 
the  Presbyterian  Opinions,  with  whom  we  had  as  much  Conference  as  the  multitude 
of  Affairs,  which  were  then  upon  us,  would  permit  us  to  have  :  and  to  our  great 
Satisfaction  and  Comfort,  found  them  Perfons  full  of  Affection  to  us,  of  Zeal  for  the  Peace 
of  the  Church  and  State  j  and  neither  Enemies  (as  they  have  been  given  out  to  be)  of  E- 
pifcopacy  or  Liturgy  ;  but  mode  ft  ly  to  de/ire  fucb  Alterations  in  either  ,  as  without  fh  a  king 
Foundations,  might  beft  allay  the  prefent  Diftempers,  which  the  Indijficjition  of  the  Times, 
and  the  Tendernefl  of/ome  Mens  Confciences  had  contracted.  For  the  better  doing 
whereof,  we  intended  upon  our  firft  Arrival  in  this  Kingdom,  to  call  a  Synod  of 
Divines,  as  the  moft  proper  Expedient  to  provide  a  proper  Remedy  for  all  thole 
Differences  and  Diffatisfactions  which  had  or  fhould  arife  in  Matters  of  Religion: 
and  in  the  mean  time  we  publifhed  in  our  Declaration  from  Breda,  A  Liberty  to 
tender  Confciences, and  that  no  manjhould  be  difyuieted  or  called  in  yueft ion  for  differences  of 
Opinion  in  Matters  of  Religion,  which  do  not  difturb  the  Peace  of  the  Kingdom ;  and 
that  we  fhall  be  ready  to  confent  to  fuch  an  Act  of  Parliament  as  (hall  upon  ma- 
ture deliberation  be  offered  to  us,  for  the  full  granting  that  Indulgence. 
*  Whilft  we  continued  in  this  Temper  of  .Mind  and  Refolution,.  and  have  fo  far 
*  complyed  with  the  Perfwafion  of  particular  Perfons,  and  the  Diftemper  of  the 
"  Time,  as  to  be  contented  with  the  Exercife  of  our  Religion  in  our  own  Chappel, 
according  to  the  conftant  Pradice  and  Laws  eftablifhed,  without  enjoyning  that 
Practice,  and  the  Obfervation  of  thofe  Laws  in  the  Churches  of  the  Kingdom, 
in  which  we  have  undergone  the  Cenfureof  many,  as  if  we  were  without  that 
Zeal  for  the  Church  which  we  ought  to  have ,  and  which  by  God's  Grace  we 
fliall  always  retain  ;  we  have  found  our  felf  not  fb  candiaMy  dealt  with  as  we 
have  deferved,  and  that  there  are  unquiet  and  reftlefs  Spirits,  who  without  aba- 
ting any  of  their  own  Diftempers  in  recompence  of  the  Moderation  they  find 
in  us,  continue  their  bitternefs  againft  the  Church,  and  endeavour  to  raife  Jea- 
loufies  of  us.and  to  leffen  our  Reputation  bv  their  Reproaches  ,•  as  if  we  were  not 
true  to  the  Profeffions  we  have  made.  And  in  order  thereunto  they  have  very 
unfeafonably  caufed  to  be  printed,  publifhed,  anddifperfed  throughout  the  King* 
dom,  a  Declaration  heretofore  printed  in  our  Name,  during  the  time  of  our  be- 
ing in  Scotland*  of  which  we  fhall  fay  no  more  than  that  the  Gircumftances  by 
which  we  were  enforced  to  Sign  that  Declaration  are  enough  known  to  the  World: 
That  we  did  from  the  moment  it  paffed  our  Hand,  askt  God  forgivenefs  for  our 
part  in  it,  which  we  hope,  he  will  never  lay  to  our  Charge  ;  and  that  the  wor- 
thieft  and  greateft  part  of  that  Nation  did  even  then  deteft  and  abhor  the  ill 
ufage  of  us,  in  that  particular,  when  the  fame  Tyranny  was  exercifed  th'ere,  by 
the  power  of  a  few  ill  Men,  which  at  that  time  had  fpread  it  felf  over  this  King- 
dom: and  therefore  we  had  no  reafon  to  expecl: ,  that  we  fhould  at  this  feafbn, 
when  we  are  doing  all  we  can  to  wipe  out  the  Memory  of  all  that  hath  been 
done  amifs  by  other  Men,  and  we  thank  God;  have  wiped  it  out  of  our  own  re- 
membrance, have  been  our  fcif  affauked  with  thofe  Reproaches,  which  we  will 
likewife  forget. 


Since 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         261 

'  Since  the  printing  of  this  Declaration,  feveral  Seditious  Pamphlets  and  Queries 
'  have  been  publilhetl  and  (battered  abroad,  to  infufe  Diflike  and  Jealoufies  into  the 
'  Heaits  of  the  People,  and  of  the  Army  ;  and  fome  who  ought  rather  to  have 
'  repented  their  former  Mifchief  they  have  wrought,  than  to  hav«  endeayoured  to 
'  improve  it,  have  had  the  hardinefs  to  publifh,  That  the  Doctrine  of  the  Church, 
'  againft  which  no  Man  with  whom  we  have  conferred  hath  Excepted,  ought  to 
'  be  reformed  as  well  as  the  Difcipline. 

'  This  over-pafljonate  and  turbulent  way  of  Proceeding,  and  the  Impatience  we 

*  find  in  many  for  fome  (peedy  Determination  in  thefe  Matters,  whereby  the  Minds 
'of  Men  may  be  compoled,  and  the  Peace  of  the  Church  eftablilhed,  hath  pre- 

*  vailed  with  us  to  invert  the  Method  we  had  propofed  to  our  felf ,  and  even  in  or- 
9  der  to  the  better  Calling  and  Compofingof  a  Synod  (  which  the  prefent  Jealour 

*  fies  will  hardly  agree  upon  )  by  the  aflittance  of  God's  blelTed  Spirit,  which  we 
'  daily  invoke  and  fupplicate,  to  give  lome  determination  our  felt  to  the  Matters 

*  in  difference ,  until  fuch  a  Synod  may  be  called ,  as  may  without  pallion  or  prer 
c  judice,  give  us  fuch  a  further  afliltance  towards  a  perfect  Union  of  Affections,  as 

*  well  as  Submiflion  to  Authority,  as  is  neceffary.     And  we  are  ihe  rather  induced 

*  to  take  this  upon  us,  by  finding  upon  the  full  Conference  we  have  had  with  the 

*  Learned  Men  of  feveral  Periwafions,  that  the  Mifchiefs  under  which  both  the 
r  Church  and  State  do  at  prefent  fuffer,  do  not  refiilt  from  any  formed  Doctrine  or 

*  Conclusion  which  either  Party  maintains  or  avows  \  buc  from  the  Paflionand  Ap- 

*  petite  andlntereft  of  particular  Perfons,  who  contraft  greater  Prejudice  to  each 

*  other  from  thofe  Affections,  than  would  naturally  arile  from  their  Opinions ;  and 
'  thofe  Diftempers  muft  be  in  fome  degree  allayed,  before  the  Meeting  in  a  Synod 
c  can  be  attended  with  better  Succefs,  than  their  Meeting  in  other  places,and  their 
'  Difcourfesin  Pulpits  have  hitherto  been  :  and  till  all  thoughts  of  Victory  are  laid 
c  afide,  the  humble  and  neceflary  Thoughts  for  the  vindication  of  Truth  cannot  be 

*  enough  entertained. 

'  We  muft  for  the  Honour  of  all  thole  of  either  Perfwafion,  with  whom  we  have 
'  conferred,  declare,  That  the  Pro/eflions  and  Defires  of  all  for  the  Advancement 
'  of  Piety,  and  true  Godlinefs,  are  the  fame :  their  Profeffions  of  Zeal  for  the 
'  Peace  of  the  Church,  the  fame ;  of  Affection  and  Duty  to  us,  the  fame :  They 
'all  approve  Epifcopacy:  fhey  all  approve  a  Set- Form  of  Liturgy  :  And  they 
/  difapprove  and  diflike  the    Sin    of   Sacriledge  ,    and  the  Alienation    of  the 

*  Revenue  of  the  Church :  And  if  upon  thefe  excellent  Foundations,  in  Sub- 
1  million  to  which  there  is  fuch  a  Harmony  of  Affections,  any  Superstructures 

*  fhould  be  raifedVo  the  fhaking  thofe  Foundations,  and  to  the  contracting  and  lef- 
c  fening  the  bleffed  Gift  of  Charity,  which  is  a  Vital  part  of  Chriftian  Religion,  we 
•'  ihall  think  our  felf  very  unfortunate,  and  even  fufpect  that  we  are  defective  in 

'  that  Ad  mil  nitration  of  Government,  with  which  God  hath  intrufted  us. 

'  We  need  not  profefs  the  high  Affection  and  Efteem  we  have  for  the  Church 
'  of  England*  as  it  is  e  ftablifhed  by  Law  ;  the  Reverence  to  whidh  hath  fupported 
?  us,  with  Gods  Blefling,  againft  many  Temptations :  Nor  do  we  think  that  Re- 
c  verence  in  the  leaft  degree  diminifhed  by  our  Condefcenfions,  not  peremptorily 
'  to  infift  upon  fome  Particulars  of  Ceremony,  which  however  introduced,  by  the 
'  Piety  and  Devotion  and  Order  of  former  Times,  may  not  be  fb  agreeable  to  the 
f  prefent ;  but  may  even  leffen  that  Piety  and  Devotion ,  for  the  improvement 
1  whereof  they  might  happily  be  firft  introduced,  and  confequently  may  well  be 

*  difpenfed  with.  And  we  hope  this  Charitable  compliance  of  ours,  will  difpofe 
r  the  Minds  of  all  Men  to  a  chearful  Submiflion  to  that  Authority  ,  the  prefervari- 

*  on  whereof  is  fo  neceffary  for  the  Unity  and  Peace  of  the  Church :  and  that 
'  they  will  acknowledge  the  Support  of  the  Epifcopal  Authority ,  to   be  the  beft 

*  Support  of  Religion  ;  by  being  the  beft  means  to  contain  the  Minds  of  Men  with- 
'  in  the  Rules  of  Government.     And  they  who  would  reftrain  the  Exercife  of  that 

*  holy  Function,  within  the  Rules  which  were  oblerved  in  the  Primitive  Times, 
c  muft  remember  and  confider,  that  the  Ecclefiaftical  Power  being  in  thofe  bleffed 

*  Times  always  fubordinateandfubject  to  the  Civil,  it  was  likewife  proportioned 
c  to  fuch  an  Extent  of  Jurifdiction  as  was  agreeable  to  that :  And    as  the  Sanctity 

*  and  Simplicity  and  Resignation  of  that  Age,  did  then  refer  many  things  to  the 
'  Bifliops,  which  the  Policy  of  fucceeding  Ages  would  not  admit,  at  leait  did  o- 
'  therwife  provide  for ;  fo  it  can  be  no  Reproach  to  Primitive  Epifcopacy,  if  where 

>.  J. there  have  been  great  Alterations  in  the  Civil  Government  from  what  was  then, 
'  there  have  been  likewife  fome   Difference  and    Alteration  in  the   Ecclefiaftical, 

*  the  Effence  and  Foundation  being  ftill  preserved ;  And  upon  this  Ground,  with- 

'  out 


TV 


262  The  LIFE  of  the  L  r  u.  F 

*  out  taking  upon  us  to  Cerifure  the  Government  of  the  Church  in  other  Coun- 
c  cries,  where  the  Government  of  the  State,  is  different  from  what  ic   is   here,  or 

*  enlarging  our  felf  upon  the  ReafbnsWhy,  whilft  there  was  an  Imagination  of  E- 

*  reding  a  Demferatical  Government  here  in  the  State,  they  fhould  not  he  willing 
'  to  continue  an  Ariftocratical  Government  in  the  Church,  it  [hall  fufrice  "to  (ay, 
1  That  fince  by  the  wonderful  Blefling  of  God,  the  Hearts  of  this  whole  Nation  are 
'  returned  to  an  Qbedience  to  Monarchique  Government  in  the  State,itmuft  be  very 

*  reafbnable  to  Support  that  Government  in  the  Church ,  whicji  is  eftablifhed  by 

*  Law*  and  which  with  the  Monarchy  hath  rlourifhed  through  fo  many  Ages- 
'  and  which  is  in  truth  as  ancient  in  this  Ifland,as  the  Chriftian  Monarchy  thereof: 
'  and  which  hath  always  in  (bme  refpe&s  or  degrees  been  enlarged    or  retrained, 

*  as  hath  been  thought  moft  conducing  to  the  Peace  and  Happinefs  of  the  King- 
'  dom:  and  therefore  we  have  not  the  leaft  doubt  but  the  prefent  Bifhops  will  think 
'  the  prefent  Conceffions  now  made  by  us ,  to  allay  the  prefent  Diftempers  very 
( juft  and  reafbnable,  and  will  very  chearfully  Conform  themfelves  thereunto. 

*  i.We  do  in  the  firft  place  declare,  That  as  the  prefent  Bifhops  are  known  to  be 
i  Men  of  Great  and  Exemplary  Piety  in  their  Lives,  which  they  have  manifefted 

in  their  notorious  and  unexampled  Sufferings,  during  thefe  late  Diftempers  j  ant! 
'  of  great  and  known  Sufficiency  -of  Learning  ;  (b  we  /hall  take  fpecial  Care  by 
4  the  Affiftanceof  God ,  to  prefer  no  Men  to  that  Office  and  Charge,  but  Men  of 

Learning,  Vertue,  and  Piety,  who  may  be  themfelves  the  beft  Examples  ro  thofe 
'  who  are  to  be  Governed  by  them :  and  we  mail  expect  and  provide  the  beft  we 

can,  thattbe  Bifhops  be  frequent  Preachers,  and  that  they  do  very  often  preach 

'  themfelves  in  fbme  Church  of  their  Diocefs^  except  they  be  hindered  bySicknefs, 

♦    or  other  bodily  Infirmities,  or  fbme  other  juftifiable  occafion,  which  mall  not  be 

thought  juftifiable  if  it  be  frequent. 

*  2.  If  any  Diocefs  fhal!  be  thought  of  too  large  an  Extent,  we  will  appoint  Suf- 
'  fragan  Bifhops  for  their  Affiftance. 

'  3.  No  Bifhop  fhall  Ordain  or  Exercifeany  pa/t  of  Jurifdi&ion  which  appertains 
r  to  the  Cenfures  of  the  Chqrch,  wichout  the  Advice  of  the  Presbyters ,  and  no 

*  Chancellour  fhalUxercife  any  A&of  Spiritual  Jurifdi&ion. 

'  4.  As  the  Dean  and  Chapters  are  the  moft  proper  Council  and  Afliftantsof  the 
'  Bifhop  both  in  Ordination,  and  for  the  other  Offices  mentioned  before  j  lb  w^ 
'  fhall  rake  care  that  thofe  Preferments  be  given  to  the  moft  Learned  and  Pious 
f  Presbyters  of  the  Diocefs,  that  therefjy  they  may  be  always  at  hand  and  ready  to 
4  advife  and  affift  the  Bifhop:  And  moreover,  That  (bme  other  dff  the  moft  Learn- 

*  ed,  Pious,  and  Difcreet  Presbyters  of  the  fame  Diocefs  (as  namely  the  Rural 

*  Deans,  or  others,  or  fb  many  of  either  as  fhall  be  thought  fit,  and  are  neareft)  be 
c  called  by  the  Bifhop  to  be  prefent  and  afliftant  together  with  thofe  of  the  Chap- 
'  ter,  at  all  Ord^ations,  and  at  all  other  Solemn  and  Important  Actions  in  the  Ex- 
'  ercife  of  Ecclefiaftical  Jurifdi&ion,  efpecially  wherein  any  of  the  Minifters  are 
'  conceined.  Arid  our  Will js,  that-the  great  Work  of  Ordination  be  conftantly 
e  and  fjblemnly  performed  by  the  Bifhop  in  the  Prefence,  and  with  the  Advice  and 
'  Affiftance  of  his  aforefaid  Presbytery  at  the  four  fet  Times  and  Seafbns  appointed 

*  by  the  Church  for  that  purpofe. 

*  5-.  We  will  take  care  that  Confirmation  be  rightly  and  lblemnly  performed  by 
( the  Information  and  with  the  Advice  of  the  Minifter  of  the  Place,  and  as  great 
'  diligence  ufed  for  the  Inftruction  and  Reformation  of  notorious  and  fcandalous 
c  Offenders  as  is  poffible ;  towards  which  the  Rubrick  before  the  Communion  hath 

*  prefcribedvery  wholefom  Rules. 

1  6.  No  Bifhop  fhal!  Exercife  any  Arbitrary  Power,  or  do  or  impofe  any  thing 
c  upon  the  Clergy  or  the  People,  but  what  is  according  to  the  known  Laws  of  the 
'Land. 

*  7.  We  are  very  glad  to  find  that  all  with  whom  we  have  conferred  do  in  their 

*  Judgments  approve  a  Liturgy,  or  Set-Form  of  Publick  Worfhip  to  be  lawful  ; 
1  which  in  our  Judgment  for  the  prefervation  of  Unity  and  Uniformity,  we  con- 
'  ceive  to  be  very  neceffary  ;  And  though  we  do  efteem  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church 

*  of  England,  contained  in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  and  by  Law  eftablifhed, 
'  to  be  the* beft  :we  have  (een,  and  we  believe  that  we  have  fknn  all  that  are  extant 
r  and  ufed  in  this  partoPthe  World,  and  well  know  what  Reverence  moft  of  the 

*  Reformed  Churches,  or  at  leaft  the  moft  Learned  Men  in  thofe  Churches   have 

*  for  it ;  Yet  fince  we  find  (bme  Exceptions  made  to  many  abfolete  words,  and  o- 
f  ther  Expreflions  ufed  therein,  which  upon  the  Reformation  and  Improvement  of 

'the 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         263 

'  the  Englilh  Language  may  well  be  altered,  we  will  appoint  fome  Learned  Divines 
'  of  different  Perfwafions  to  review  the  fame,  and   to  make   fuch  Alterations  as 

*  ihall  be  thought  moft  neceffary,  and  fome  fuch  Additional  Prayers  as  lhall  be 
1  thought  fit  for  emergent  Occasions,  and  the  improvement  of  Devotion  •  the  u- 
'  fing  of  which  may  be  left  to  the  Dilcretion  of  the  Minilters  :  In  the  mean  time, 
'  and  till  this  be  done,  we  do  heartily  wiih  and  defire,  that  the  Minifters  in  their 
'  leveral  Churches,  becaule  they  diflike  fome  Claufes  and  Expreffions  ,  would  not 
'  totally  lay  afide  the  ule  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,but  read  thofe  Parts  againft 
c  which  there  can  be  no  Exception,which  would  be  the  beft  Inftance  of  declining 
'  thofe  Marks  of  Diltinction,  which  we  fomuch  labour  and  defire  to  remove. 

•  8.  Laftly,  Concerning  Ceremonies,  which  have  adminiftred  fo  much  Matter 
'  of  Difference  and  Contention,  and  which  have  been  introduced  by  the  Wilcioni 

*  and  Authority  of  the  Church,  for  Edification  and  the  Improvement  of  Piety  ;  we 

*  (hall  fay  no  more,  but  that  we  have  the  more  Elteem  of  all,  and   Reverence  for 

*  many  of  them,  by  having  been  prefent  in  many  of  thofe  Churches  where  they 
'  are  moft'  abolifhed  or  difcountenanced,  and  where  we  have  oblerved  ib  great  and 
c  fcandalous  Indecency,  and  to  our  Underftanding  lb  much  ablence  of  Devotion, 
c  that  we  heartily  wifh  that  thole  pious  Men  who  think  the  Church  of  England  o- 
'  verburthened  with  Ceremonies,  had  lome  little  Experience,  and  made  fome  Ob 

*  fervation  in  thofe  Churches  abroad  which  are  molt  without  them. 

'  And  we  cannot  but  obferve,  That  thofe  Pious  and  Learned  Men  with  whom 
'  we  have  conferred  upon  this  Argument,  and  who  are  moft  lblicitous  for  Indul- 
c  gence  of  this  kind,  are  earneft  for  the  fame  out  of  Compaflion  to  the  Weaknefs 

*  an4  Tendernels  of  the  Conlcienceof  their  Brethren,notthat  themielves  who  are 
'  very  zealous  for  Order  and  Decency,  do  in  their  Judgments  believe  the  Practice' 
'  of  thole  particular  Ceremonies  which  they  except  againft,  to  be  in  it  ielf  unlaw- 
'  ful  ;  and  it  cannot  be  doubred,  but  that  as  the  Univerfal  Church  cannot  introduce 

*  one  Ceremony  in  the  Worlhip  of  God  that  is  contrary  to  God's  Word  expreffed 

*  in  the  Scripture ;  lb  every  National  Church  (  with  the  approbation  and  content 
c  of  the  Soveraign  Power  )  may  and*  hath  always  introduced  iiich  particular  Ce- 
'  remonies,  as  in  that  Conjuncture  of  Time,  are  thought  moft  proper  for  Edifica- 
'  tion,  and   the  neceffary  improvement  of  Piety  and  Devotion  in  the  People  ; 

*  though  the  neceffary  Practice  thereof  cannot  be  deduced  from  Scripture,  and  that 

*  which  before  was,  and  in  it  lelf  is  indifferent,  ceales  to  be  indifferent  after  it  is 
r  once  eftablilhed  by  Law  :  And  therefore  our  prefent  Confideration  and  Work  is, 
'  to  gratifie  the  private  Confciences  of  thofe  that  are  grieved  with  the  ule  of  fome 
"'  Ceremonies,  by  indulging  to,  and  difpenfing  with  their  omitting  thole  Ceremo- 
'  nies,  not  utterly  toaboliln  any  which  are  eftablilhed  by  Law  (if  any  are  pra- 
'  ctiled  contrary  toiCaw,  the  fame  lhall  ceafe)  which  would  be  unjuft  ,  and  of  ill 
'Example,  and  to  impofe  upon  the  Confidence  of  fome ,  and  we  believe  much 
■  Superiour  in  Number  and  Quality,  for  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Confcience  of  o- 
c  thers,  which  is  otherwife  provided  for ;  as  it  would  not  be  realbnable  that  Men 

*  ihould  expect,  that  we  fhould  our  lelf  decline  or  enjoyn  others  to  do  fp,  to  re- 
'  ceive  the  Bleffed  Sacrament  upon  our  Knees,  which  in  our  Conlcience  is  the  moft: 

*  humble,  moft  devout,  and  moft  agreeable  Pofture  for  that  holy  Duty,  becaufe 
f  fome  other  Men,  upon  Realbns  beft,  if  not  only  known  'to  themielves,  chooftf 
c  rather  to  do  it  Sitting  or  Standing  :  We  lhall  leave  all  Decifions  and  Determina- 
'  tions  of  that  kind,  if  they  lhall  be  thought  neceffary  for  a  perfe;9:  and  entire  U- 
c  nity  and  Uniformity  throughout  the  Nation,  to  the  Advice  of  a  National  Synod, 
'  which  lhall  be  duly  called  after  a  little  time,  and  a  mutual  Converfation  between 

*  Perfons  of  different  Perfwafions,  hath  mollified  thofe  Diftempers,  abated  thofe 
c  Sharpnefles,  and  extinguilhed  thole  Jealoufies  which  make  Men  unfit  for  thole 
'  Confutations  :  and  upon  fuch  Advice,  we  lhall  ule  our  beft  endeavour  that  fuch 
'  Laws  might  be  eftablilhed  as  may  beft  provide  for  the  Peace  of  the  Church 
'  and  State. 

'  1.  In  the  mean  time,  out  of  Compaflion  and  Compliance  towards  thofe  who 
'  would  forbear  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm,  we  are  content  that  no  Man  lhall  be  com- 
'  pelled  to  ule  the  fame,  or  fuffer  for  not  doing  it ;  But  if  any  Parent  defire  to 
c  have  his  Child  Chriftned  according  to  the  Form  ufed,  and  the  Minifter  will  not 
'  ufethe  Sign,  it  lhall  be  lawful  for  the  Parent  to  procure  another  JMinifter  to  do 
f  it  j.  And  if  the  proper  Minifter  lhall  refule  to  omit  that  Ceremony  of  the  Crols,  it 
'  lhall  be  lawful  for  the  Parent  who  would  not  have  his  Child  fo  Baptized,  to  pro- 
'  cure  another  Minifter  to  do  it,  who  will  do  it  according  to  his  Defire. 


r 


a.Na 


264 


fhe  LIFE  of  the 


L  I  B.  J. 


c  2.  No  Man  (hall  be  compelled  to  bow  at  the  Name  of  Jefus,  or  fuffer  in  any 
degree  for  not  doing  it,  without  reproaching  thofe  who  out  of  their  Devotion' 
continue  that  Ancient  Ceremony  of  the  Church. 

'  3.  For  the  ufe  of  the  Sarplice,  which  hath  for  fo  many  Ages  been  thought  a 
moft  decent  Ornament  for  the  Clergy  in  the  Adminiitration  of  Divine  Service  ; 
and  is  in  truth  of  a  diiferent  fafhion  in  the  Church  of  England,  from  what  is  uied 
in  the  Church  of  Rome ;  we  are  contented  that  Men  be  left  to  their  Liberty  to 
do  as  they  fnall  think  fit,  without  differing  in  the  leaft  degree  for  the  wearing  or 
not  wearing  it;  provided  that  this  Liberty  do  not  extend  to  our  own  Chappel, 
Cathedral,  or  Collegiate  Churches,  or  to  any  Colledge  in  e^her  of  our  Univer- 
fities;  where  we  would  have  the  feveral  Statutes  and  Cufioms  obferved,  which 
have  been  formerly. 

'  And  becaule  fame  Men  (  otherwife  Pious  and  Learned  )  fay  they  carmot  con- 
form to  the  Subfcription  required  by  the  Canon  at  the  time  of  their  Inlritution 
and  AdmifTion  into  Benefices,  we  are  content  (in  they  take  the  Oaths  of  Alle- 
giance and  Supremacy  )  that  they  fhall  receive  Inftitution  and  Induction,  and 
fhall  be  permitted  to  exercife  their  Function,  and  to  enjoy  the  Profits  of  their 
Livings,  without  any  other  Subfcription,unti!  it  fhall  be  otherwife  determined  by 
a  Synod. called  and  confirmed  by  our  Authority. 

'  In  a  word,  we  do  again  renew  what  we  have  formerly  faid  in  our  Declaration 
from  Breda,  for  the  Liberty  of  tender  Confciences,  that  no  Man  fhall  bi  difquie- 
ted  or /Called  in  queftion  for  Difference  of  Opinions  in  Matters  of  Religion,  which 
do  not  di  (turb  the  Peace  of  the  Kingdom ;  and  if  any  have  been  dilturbed  in 
that  kind  fince  our  Arrival  here,  it  hath  not  proceeded  from  any  Direction  of 
ours. 

(  To  conclude,  and  in  this  place  to  explain  what  we  mentioned  before ,  and 
faid  in  our  Letter  to  the  Houfe  of  Commons  from  Breda,  that  we  hoped  in  due 
time  our  felf  to  propofe  fbmewhat  for  the  propagation  of  the  Proteftant  Religion, 
that  will  fatisfie  the  World  that  we  have  always  made  it  both  our  Care  and  our 
ftudy  and  have  enough  obferved  what  is  moft  like  to  bringdifadvantagetoit :  we 
do  conjure  all  our  Loving  Subjects  to  acquiefce  in,  and  fubmit  to  this  our  Decla- 
ration, concerning  thole  differences  which  have  lb  much  difquieted  the  Nation  at  < 
home,  and  given  fuch  Offence  to  the  Proteftant  Churches  abroad ,  and  brought 
fuch  reproach  upon  the  Proteftant  Religion  in  general  from  the  Enemies  there- 
of, as  if  upon  obfcure  Notions  of  Faith  and  Fancy,  it  did  admit  the  Practice  of 
Chriftian  Duties  and  Obedience,  to  be  difcountenanced  and  fufpended,  and  in- 
troduce a  Li cenfe  in  Opinions*  and  Manners  to  the  prejudice  of  the  Chriftian 
Faith:  And  let  us  all  endeavour,  and  emulate  each  other  inthole  Endeavours,  to* 
countenance  and  advance  the  Proteftant  Religion  abroad,  wnTch  will  be  beft  done 
by  fupporting  the  Dignity  and  Reverence  due  to  the  beft  Reformed  Proteftant 
Church  at  home ;  and  which  being  once  freed  from  the  Calamities  and  Reproach- 
es it  hath  undergone  from  thefe  late  ill  times ,  will  be  the  beft  fhelter  for  thofe 
abroad,  which  will  by  that  Countenance,  both  be  the  better  protected  againft 
their  Enemies,and  be  the  more  eafily  induced  to  compote  the  Differences  amongft 
themfelves,  which  give  their  Enemies  more  advantage  againft  them.  And  we 
hope  and  expect  that*all  Men  will  henceforward  forbear  to  vent  any  fuch  Do- 
ctrine in  the  Pulpit ,  or  to  endeavour  to  work  in  fuch  manner  upon  the  Affecti- 
ons of  the  People,  as  may  difpofe  them  to  an  ill  Opinion  of  us  and  the  Govern- 
ment, and  to  difturb  the  Peace  of  the  Kingdom  ;  which  if  all  Men  will  in  their 
feveral  Vocations  endeavour  to  preferve  with  the  fame  Affection  and  Zeal  we 
our  felf  will  do,  all  our  Good  Subjects  will  by  God's  Blefting  upon  us  enjoy  as 
great  a  meafure  of  Felicity,  as  this  Nation  hath  ever  done,  and  which  we  fhall 
conftantly  labour  to  procure  for  them,  as  the  greateft  bleffing  God  can  beftow 
upon  us  in  this  World.  * 


Note,  That  the  two  Papers  which  the  King's  Declaration  publifheth  his 
Offence  againft,  were  1.  A  Declaration  which  the  Scots  drew  the  King 
to  publifh  when  they  .  Crowned  him  in  Scotland,  difclaiming  his  Father's 
Wars  and  Actions,  in  Language  fo  little  tender  of  his  Father's  Honour, 
that  it  was  no  wonder  that  the  King  was  hardly  drawn  to  it  then,  nor 
that  Cromwell  derided  their  Doings  as  Hypocritical,    nor  that  the  King 

was 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         265 

was  angry  withthofe  rafh  People  whoever  they  were,  who  now  reprinted 


lr. 


2.  A  Book  of  Dr.  Cornelius  Burges ,  who  (  though  he  was  for  a  moderate 
Epifeopacy  )  had  written  to  prove  the  Neceifity  of  a  Reformatation  in 
Doctrine,  Difcipline  and  Worfhip  :  whereas  in  all  our  Treaty  we  had  ne- 
ver medled  with  the  Doctrine  of  the  Church  :  Becaufe,  though  the  mod: 
part  of  the  Bi  (hops  were  taken  to  be  Arminiam  (as  they  are  called  )  yet 
the  Articles  of  Religion  we  took  to  be  found  and  moderate,  however  Men 
do  varioufly  interpret  them. 


§  1 06.  When  we  had  received  this  Copy  of  the  Declaration,  we  faw  that  it 
would  not  ferve  to  heal  our  Differences ;  Therefore  we  told  the  Lord  Chancel- 
lour  (  with  whom  we  were  to  do  all  our  Bufinefs  frill  before  it  came  as  from  us 
to  the  King  )  that  our  Endeavours  as  to  Concord  would  all  be  fruftrate,  if  much 
were  not  altered  in  the  Declaration  (  I  pafs  over  all  our  Conferences  with  him, 
both  now  and  at  other  times ) :  In  conclufion,  we  were  to  draw  up  our  Thoughts 
of  it  in  writing  ;  which  the  Brethren  impofed  on  me  to  do.  My  judgment  was/That 
all  the  Fruit  of  this  our  Treaty  (  befides  a  little  Reprival  from  intended  Ejection,) 
would  be  but  the  Satisfying  our  Confidences  and  Pofterity  that  we  had  done  our 
Duty,  and  that  it  was  not  our  Fault  that  we  came  not  to  the  defired  Concord  or 
Coalition,  and  therefore  feeing  we  had  no  (  confiderable )  higher  hopes,  we  fhould 
(peak  as  plainly  as  Honefty  and  Confcience  did  require  us.  But  when  Mr.  Calamy 
and  Dr.  Reignolds  had  read  my  Paper,  they  were  troubled  at  the  plainnefs  of  it, 
and  thought  it  would  never  be  endured,  and  therefore  defired  ibme  Alteration  ; 
efpecially  that  I  might  leave  out  i.  The  Prediction  of  the  Evils  which  would  fol- 
low our  Non-Agreement,  which  the  Court  would  interpret  as  a  Threatning. 
2.  The  mentioning  the  Aggravations  of  Covenant-breaking  and  Perjury.  I  gave 
them  my  Reafons  for  paffing  it  as  it  was.  To  bring  this  to  pafs  more  effectually 
they  told  the  Earl  of  Mancbefier  (  with  whom  as  our  fure  Friend  we  ftill  confult- 
ed,  and  whom  the  Court  ufed,  to  Communicate  to  us  what  they  defired  )  :  And 
he  called  the  Earl  of  Angkfey  and  the  Lord  Hottis  to  the  Confutation  as  our 
Friends :  And  thefe  three  Lords,  with  Mr.  Calamy  and  Dr.  Retgnoldst  perufed  all 
the  Writing,  and  all  with  earneftnefs  perfwaded  me  to  the  faid  Alterations.  I  con- 
fels  I  thought  thofe  two  Points  material  which  they  excepted  again  ft,  and  would 
not  have  had  them  left  out,  and  thereby  made  them  think  me  too  plain  and  un- 
pleafing,  as  never  ufed  to  the  Language  or  Converfe  of  a  Court:  But  it  was  not 
my  unskilfulnefs  in  a  more  pleafing  Language  ,  but  my  Reafon  and  Confcience 
(  upon  forefight  of  the  IfTue  )  which  was  the  Caufe.  But  when  they  told  me  that 
it  would  not  fo  much  as  be  received,  and  that  I  muft  go  with  it  my  felf,  for  no 
body  elfe  would,  I  yielded  to  fuch  an  Alteration  as  here  followeth.  It  was  only 
in  the  Preface  that  the  Alteration  was  defired.  I  fhall  therefore ,  that  you  may  fee 
what  it  was,  give  it  you  as  firft  drawn  up,  and  afterwards  altei'd. 


Our  Petition   to  the  King,  upon  our  Sight  of  the  Firfl  Draught  of 

his  Declaration. 

May  it  pleafe  your  Majefty, 

SO  great  was  the  Comfort  created  in  our  Minds  by  your  Majeftv's  oft-exprefled 
Resolution  to  become  the  effectual  Moderator  in  our  Differences,  and  your 
felf  to  bring  us  together  by  procuring  fuch  mutual  Condefcentions  as  ateneceffary 
thereto,  and  alio  by  your  gracious  Acceptance  of  our  Propofals,which  your  Maje- 
fty  heard  and  received  not  only  without  £/*w«,  but  with  Acknowledgment  of  their 
Moderation,  and  as  fuch  as  would  infer  a  Reconciliation  between  the  differing 
Parties  •  that  we  muft  needs  fay,  the  leaft  Abatement  of  our  Hopes,  is  much  the 
more  unwelcome  and  grievous  to  us :  And  it  is  no  fmall  Grief  that  furprizeth  our 
Hearts,  from  the  Complaints  of  the  Students  ejected  in  the  Univerfities,  and  of 
faithful  Minifters  removed  from  their  beloved  Flocks;   and  denied  Institution, 

Mm  'for 


266,  i  fa  LI  F  B  of  the  L  I  B.  h 

«  for  wantof  Subicriptiori,  Re-ordination,  or  an  Oath  of  Obedience  to  the  BUhrp  • 
'  but  efpecially  from  many  Congregations  in  the  Land,  that  cry  out  they  are  undone 
f  by  the  lofs  of  thnie  Means  of  their  Spiricual  Welfare,  which  were  dearer  to  them 

*  than  ail  Worldly  Riches,  and  by  the  grievous  Burden  of  Ignorant,  or  Scandalous, 
f  or  dead  unprofitable  Minifters  let  over  them,  to  whom  they  dare  not  commit  the 
1  Guidance  and  care  of  their  Immortal  Souls,  and  whole  Miniftry  they  dare  not 
'  own  or  countenance,  left  they  be  guilty  of  their  Sin  :  And  it  ad.ieth  to  our  Grief 
'  and  Fear  in  finding  to  much  of  the  proposed  nccelTary  Means  of  our  Agreemenr, 
'  efpecially  in  the  point  of  Government  here  pafled  by,  in  your  Majdty's  Declara- 

*  tion,  as  if  i:  were  denied  us.     But  yet  remembring  the  gracious  and  encouraging 

*  Promifes  of  your  Majefty,and  oblerving  your  Majdty's  Clemency  in  what  is  here 
c  granted  as,  and  your  great  Condefcention  in  vouchfafing  not  only  Co  gracioufly 
'  to  hear  us  in  thele  our  humble  Addreffes  and  Requefts,  but  alio  to.  grant  us  the 
s  Siy;ht  of  your  Declaration  before  it  is  refolved  on,  with  Liberty  of  returning  our 
£  Additional  Defires,  and  hope  that  they  fhall  not  be  rejected  •  we  re-afTumie  our 
'  Confidence,  and  comfortably  exped,  that  what  is  not  granted  in  this  Declarati- 
'  on  that  is  reafonablc  and  ntceffary  to  our  Agreement,  mall  yet  be  granted  upon 
1  fuller  Confederation  of  the  Equity  of  our  Requefts. 

e  As  our  Defignsand  Defires  are  not  for  any  worldly  Advantages  or  Dignities  to 
f  our  (elves,  fo  have  we  not  prefumed  to  intermeddle  with  any  Civil  Intereft 
<  of  your  Majefty  ,    or  any   of  your   Officers  ,•    nor  in   the   matters  of  meer 

*  Convenience  to  caft  cur  Reafbn  into  the  Ballance  againft  your  Majefty's  Pi  u- 
'  dence  j  hue  metsrly  to  fpeak  for  the  Laws  and  Worfhip  and  Servants  of  the  Lord, 

*  and  for  the  Peace  of  our  Conlciences,  and  the  Safety  of  our  own  and  Brethrens 
'  Souls.     It  lifts  us  up  with  Joy  to  think  what  happy  Confequents  will  enfue,  if  your 

*  Majefty  (hall  entertain  thele  healing  Motions  :    How  happily  our  Differences 

*  will  be  reconciled,  and  the  exafperated  Minds  of  Men  compofed  :  How  Temp- 
r  tations  to  Contention  and  Uncharkablenefs  will  be  removed  :  How  comfortably 
'  your  Majefty  will  reign  in  the  deareft  AfTe&ions  of  your  Subjects  •  and  how  firm- 
4  ly  they  will  adhere  to  your  Intereft  as  their  own  :  How  chearfully  and  zealoufly 
'  the  united  parts  and  Interefts  of  the  Nation  will  confpire  to  ferve  you  :  What  a 
6  Strength  and  Honour  a  righteous  Magiftracy,  a  learned,  holy,  loyal  Miniftry, 

*  and  a  faithful  praying  People  will  be  to  your  Throne :  And  how  it  will  be  your 
1  Glory  to  be  the  King  of  the  molt  religious  Nation  in  the  World,  that  hath  no 
c  cohfiderable  Parties,  but  what  are  Centered  (under  Chrift)  in  you :  What  a 
i  Comfort  it  will  be  for  theBifhops  and  Paftors  of  the  Church,  to  be  honoured  and 
c  loved  by  all  the  molt  religious  of  their  Flocks  ;  to  fee  the  Succefs  of  their  La- 
'  boursand  the  Beauty  of  the  Church  promoted  by  our  common  Concord,    and 

*  Brethren  to affemble  and  dwell  together  in  Unity*  fervingone  God,  according 
'to  one  Rule,  with  one  Heart  and  xMouth. 

( [And  on  the  contrary,  it  aftoniflieth  us  to  forefee  the  doleful  Confequents  that 

r  would  follow  if  (  which  God  forbid  )  your  Majefty  fhouid  re- 

AHthis  endofedpart  was  left    *  ^  cne  mo^  fieceffary,'  moderate  Ways  of  Concord,  and  be 

out  ofthe  Petition  as  prefented  to    'engaged  by  a  party  to   exalt  them  by  the  Suppreffion  of  the 

his  Majefty  :  This  only  being  in-     *  reft  !  How  woful  a  Day  would  it  prove  to  your  Majefty  and 

fTAdndnon%"°eTontrar  fhouid  '  ?0m  Dominion.s>  in  which  Y™  &ould  *hus  efpoufe  a  Caufe 
welofe  Sie  Opportunity  of  our  c  and  lotereft  injurious  to  the  Intereft  of  Chrift,  and  the  Caufe 
defired  Reconciliation  and  Union,  f  of  Unity  and  Love,  and  contrary  to  your  Majefty's  gracious 
it  aftoniflieth  us  to  forefee  what  f  Inclinations  be  engaged  unawarsin  a  feeming  neceffity  to  deal 
told'  roduce5  whicl^wfwm  c  hardly  with  the  Minifters  and  Servants  of  the  Lord  !  How 
no°tUfo  muchUasernention  inparti-  '  confiderable  a  part  of  the  Three  Nations  for  Number,  Wit 
culars  left  our  Words  fhouid  be  c  dom,  Piety  and  Intereft,  you  would  be  drawn  to  govern  with 
mifunder flood.  And  feeing  all  «  a  grievous  Hand  j  and  to  lay  them  under  the  greateir  Sorrow 
^teSJd®7  ^hurnbly  befeech  '  who  reftored  and  received  your  Majefty  with  Joy  !  How  the 
SrSIrd  'in  Mercy  to  vouchfafe  '  Diffent  of  Minifters  from  the  Government  and  Cere  monies  of 
to  your  Majefty  an  Heart  to  dif-  i  theGhurcb,were  it  etfpiefted  but  by  theirGroans  andTears,and 
cema  right  of  Time  and  Judg-  ■  moderate  Complaints  to  God,  or  Not- praying  for  that  Church 
mcnt  c  Government  which  they  dare  not  pray  for,  woufld  <be  reckoned 

'  as  Dilcopitent  and  Sedition  ;  and  it  would  be  judged  j  Crime 
'  to  fuel  when  they  are  hurt '.'  What  Occafioin  this  would  give  to  irreligious  Tempo- 
f  rizers  to  arrogate  the  Name  cf  your  Majefty 's  beft  Suhje&s,  ami  to  let  oct  their 
'  Malice  againft  the  Upright,  and  make  Religion  a  Reproach  !  And  then  what  a 
(  Hindrance  that  ♦Would  be  to  the  Oonverfion  and  faving  of  the  Peoples  Souls !  and 
f  what  a  ffuicfisl  JSfowiery  off  all  Vice!  How  grievoufly  Charity  would  be  over- 
thrown, 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter  267 

*  thrown  ,  while  the  People  are  engaged  in  the  hardeft  Thoughts  and 
'  Speeches  of  each  other !  What  a  Temptation  it  would  be  to  the  afflicted  part, 
r  to  abate  their  Honour  and  due  RefpecT:  to  thofe  they  fuffer  by,  when  they  are 

*  deprived  of  that  which  is  deareft  to  them  in  the  World  ;  and  when  the  Groans 
'  and  Cryes  of  afflicted  Innocents  arrive  at  Heaven,  and  have  awakened  the  Ju- 

*  ftice  of  the  King  of  Kings,  the  greateft  cannot  (land  before  him.  And  what  a 
c  Snare  and  Grief  will  it  be  to  the  Bifliops  and  Paftors  of  the  Church  to  be  efleem- 
*ed  Wolves,  and  to  be  engaged  to  fupprels  them  as  their  Adverfaries,  that  elfe 
'might  be  the  Honour  cf  their  Miniftry,  and  the  Comfort  of  their  Lives.  And 
'when  Divifions  and  feparated  Alfemblies  are  thus  multiplied  (the  People  being 
«  driven  from  the  publick  Congregations  )  either  it  will  bring  them  under  Trouble, 

*  or  let  in  Papifts  and  others  that  are  intollerable  into  an  equal  Tolleration  ;  and 
'  iuch  Dilcontents  and  Diffractions  in  the  Church,  will  not  be  without  their  Infiu- 
r  ence  on  the  State.    And  by  all  this  how  much  will  Satan  and  the  Enemies  of  our 

*  Religion  be  gratified,  and  God  difhonoured  and  difpleafed,    And  feeing  all  this 

*  may  fafely  and  eafily  be  now  prevented*,  we  humbly  bsfeech  the  Lord,  in 
'  Mercy  to  vbuchfafe  to  your  Majefty  a  Heart  to  diicern  of  time  and  Judg- 

*  ment.  ] 

f  And  as  thefe  are  our  General  Ends  and  Motives,fo  we  are  induced  to  infift  up- 
'on  the  Form  of Synodic al  Government  conjunct  with  a  fixed  Prefidency  or  Epifcopa- 
'  cy,for  thefe  Reafons : 

f  1.  We  have  reafon  to  believe  that  no  other  Terms  will  be  fo  generally  agreed 
'  on.  And  it  is  no  way  injurious  to  Epifcopal  Power;  but  molt  firmly  eftablifh- 
■  eth  all  in  it  that  can  pretend  to  Divine  Authority  or  true  AHtiquity.    It  granteth 

*  them  much  more  than  Reverend  Bifhop  Hall  (  in  his  Peace-maker  )  and  many  o- 

*  ther  of  that  Judgment,  do  require  ;  who  would  have  accepted  the  fixing  of  the 

*  Prefident  for  Life,  as  fufficient  for  the  Reconciliation  of  the  Churches. 

c  2.  It  being  molt  agreeable  to  the  Scripture  and  the  Primitive  Government,  is 
'  likeft  to  be  the  way  of  a  more  Univerfal  Concord,  if  ever  the  Churches  arrive 
f  on  Earth  at  luch  a  Blefling.  However  it  will  be  mod  acceptable  to  God,  and 
'  to  well  informed  Confidences. 

1  ;.  It  will  promote  the  Practice  of  Difcipline  and  Godlineis  without  Difordcr  j 
'  and  promote  Order  without  the  hindering  of  Difcipline  and  Godlineli. 

'  4.  And  it  is  not  to  be  filenced  (though in  fome  refpe&s  we  are  loath  to  men- 
'  tion  it  )  that  it  will  fave  the  Natioa  from  the  Violation  of  the  Solemn  Vow  and 
'Covenant,  without  wronging  the  Church  at  all  ,  or  breaking  any  other  Oath. 
'  And,  whether  the  Covenant  were  lawfully  impofed  or  nor,  we  are  allured  from 
'  the  Nature  of  a  Vow  to  God,  and  from  the  Cafes  of  Saul,  Zedekiab,  and  others, 

*  that  it  would  be  a  terrible  thing  to  us  to  violate  it  on  that  pretence.    Though  we 

*  are  far  from  thinking  that  it  obligeth  us  to  any  Evil,  or  to  go  beyond  our  Pla- 
4  ces  and  Callings  to  do  Good,  much  lefs  to  refill:  Authority  ;  yet  doth  it  undoubt- 
'  edly  bind  us  to  forbear  our  own  Consent  to  thofe  Luxuriances  of  Church-Govern- 

*  ment  which  we  there  renounced,  and  for  which  no  Divine  Inftitution  can  be 
4  pretended.     *  It  is  not  only  the  Presbyterians ,  but  multitudes  of  the 

4  Epifcopal  Party,  and  the  Nobility,  Gentry,  and  others  that  ad-  a  *  Jhis  was Lthus  exprefled  in 

;  heed  to  his  late  Majeily   in  the  late  unhappy  Wars,  that  (  at  ^X*«o"£ffi5 

c  their  Compofition  )  took  this  Vow  and  Covenant  t[[  And  the  Confciences  of  thofe  many  of 

*  God  forbid  that  ever  the  Souls  of  fo  many  thoufands  ihould  the  Nobility  and  Gentry,  ^rc] 

*  be  driven  upon  the  Sin  of  Perjury  ^    and  upon  the  Wrath  of        .  „T.       •        . '  . .   . 

«  God,  and  the  Flames  of  Hell :   Or    that  under  PretWce  of  J2*£3££££ 

*  calling  them  to  repent  ol  what  is  evil,   they  ihould  be  urged  py  preferred,  this  only  being 
c  to  commk  (b  great  an  Evil.    If  once  the  Confciences  of  the  inferted  in  the  room  of  it. 
'Nation  mould  be  fo  debauched,   what  good  can  be  expe&ed  [We  only  crave  your  Majefty's 
'from  them?   or  what  Evil  Jhall  they  ever  alter  be  thought  to  S^oUveSSv^o 
■  make  Conlcience  ot  i   or  what  Bonds  can  be  luppoled  to  ob-  be  under  its  obligations.    And 

*  lige  them  ?  or  how  can  your  Majefty  place  any  Confidence  God  forbid  that  we  that  are  Mi- 
4  in  them,  notwithstanding  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supre-  Jjj^5  df  a*['eth^ortd0  of  Truth 
<  macy  which  they  take  ?  or  how  can  they  be  taken  for  compe-  yo°uur  Majeftys  Subfefts  to'cToff 

tent  WitneiTes  in  any  Caufe,  or  Perfons  meet  for  human  con-    the  Confciencc  of  an  Oath.  1 
'  verle  ?  or  how  Ihould  thofe  Preachers  be  regarded  by  their  Au- 
f  ditors  that  dare  wilfully  violate  their  folemn  Vows  ?   and  it  would  be  no  Comfort 

*  nor  Honour  to  your  Majefty  to  be  the  King  of  a  Perfideous  Nation.    And,  what- 
'  ever  Palliation  Flattery  might  at  Hand  procure,  undoubtedly  at  diftance  of  time 

*  and  place  (  where  Flattery  cannot  filence  Truth  )  it  would  be  the  Nations  perpe- 

M  m  %  r  ma? 


268  Jhe  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

'  tual  Infamy  !    And  what  Matter  of  Reconciliation  would  it  be  to  the  guilty  Pa- 

*  pills ,  when  we  blame  their  impious  Do&rines  that  have  fuch  a  tendency  ?  How 
'  loofe  would  it  leave  your  Majefty's  Subjects,  that  are  once  taught  to  break  fuch 
c  facred  Bonds]]  Till  the  Covenant  was  decried  as  an  Almanack  out  of  date, 
'  and  its  Obligation  taken  to  be  null,  that  odious  Fa£t  could  never  have  been  per- 
c  petrated  againft  your  Royal  Father :  Nor  your  Majefty  have  been  fo  long  expul- 
c  fed  from  your  Dominions.    And  the  Obligation  of  the  Covenant  upon  the  Con- 

*  fciences  of  the  Nation,  was  not  the  weakeft  Inftrument  of  your  Return.  We 
'  therefore  humbly  befeech  your  Majefty  (  with  greater  importunity  then  we  think 
r  we  mould  do  for  our  Lives,)  that  you  will  have  Mercy  on  the  Souls  and  Con- 

*  This  en-  c  fciences  of  your  People,  [  *  and  will  not  urge  or  tempt  them  to  this  grievous 
clofedpart  '  Sin,  nor  drive  them  on  the  infupportable  Wrath  of  the  Almighty,  whole  Judg- 
irft  oufof '  ment  *s  at  nanc3>  where  Princes  and  People  muft  give  that  account,  on  which 
the  copy  '  the  irreverfible  Sentence  will  depend  :  For  the  honour  of  our  Religion,  and  of 
that  was  f  your  Majefty 's]  Dominions,  and  Reign,  we  beieech  you]  ,  fuffer  us  not  to  be 
prefented.  t  ternpteo*  to  the  violating  of  fuch  Solemn  Vows :  and  this  for  nothing  !  when  an 

4  Expedient  is  before  you,  that  will  avoid  it  without  any  detriment  to  the  Church  ; 

'  nay,  to  its  honour  and  advantage. 

€  The  Prelacy  which  we  difclaimed  is  [That  of  Diocefans  upon  the  Claim  of  a 

c  Superiour  Order  to  a  Presbyter,  affuming  the  fole  Power  of  Publick  Admoniti- 

*  on  of  particular  Offenders,  injoyning  Penitence,  Excommunicating  and  Ablbl- 

*  ving  (  befides  Confirmation  )  over  fo  many  Churches,  as  neceffitated  the  Cor- 
c  ruption  or  Extirpation  of  Difcipline,  and  the  ufing  of  Humane  Officers  (as 
c  Chancellors,  Surrogates,  Officials,  Commiflaries ,  Arch-Deacons,)  while  the  un- 
'  doubted  Officers  of  Chrift  (  the  Paftors  of  the  particular  Churches )  were  hin- 
r  dered  from  the  Exercife  of  their  Office]. 

'  [  The  Reftoration  of  Difcipline  in  the  particular  Churches,  and  of  the  Paftors 

*  to  the  Exercife  of  their  Office  therein,  and  of  Synods  for  neceffary  Confultation 
'  and  Communion  of  Churches,  and  of  the  Primitive  Prefidency  or  Epifcopacy 
1  for  the  avoiding  of  all  (hew  of -Innovation  and  Difbrder]  is  that  which  we  hum- 

*  bly  offer  as  the  Remedy :  befeeching  your  Maiefty,  that  if  any  thing  aflerted 
'  feem  unproved,  an  Impartial  Conference  in  your  Majefty's  hearing  may  be  al« 

*  lowed  us  in  order  to  a  juft  Determination. 


Concerning  the  Pre amble  in  your  Majefty  s  Declaration,   we  pre  fume 
only  to  tender  tbefe  Keqnefts. 

i.  "Tp  HAT  as,  we  are  perfwaded  it  is  not  in  your  Majefty's  Thoughts  to  inti- 
A  mate  that  we  are  guilty  of  the  Offences  which  your  Majefty  here  reciteth, 
fo  we  hope  it  will  rather  be  a  motive  to  the  haftening  of  the  Nation's  Cure,  that 
our  Unity  may  prevent  Mens  Temptations  of  that  Nature  for  the  time  to 
come. 

2.  Though  we  have  profeffed  our  willingnefs  to  fubmit  to  the  Primitive  Epi£ 
copacy,  and  a  Reformed  Liturgy  ,  hoping  it  may  prove  an  Expedient  to  an  hap- 
py Union,  yet  have  we  expreffed  our  diflike  of  the  Prelacy  and  prefent  Liturgy, 
while  unreformed.  And  though  Sacriledge  and  unjuft  Alienation  of  Church- 
Lands  is  a  Sin  that  we  deteft,  yet  whether  in  fome  Cafes  of  true  Superfluities  of 
Revenues,  or  true  Neceffity  of  the  Church,  there  may  not  be  an  Alienation  which 
is  no  Sacriledge,  and  whether  the  Kings  and  Parliaments  have  been  guilty  of  that 
Crime  that  have  madefbmeAlienations,are  Points  of  high  Concernment, of  which 
we  never  had  a  Call  to  give  our  Judgment:  And  therefore  humbly  befeech  your  Ma- 
jefty, that  concerning  thefe  Matters,  we  may  not  to  our  Prejudice  be  otherwife 
underftood,  than  as  we  have  before  and  here  expreffed.  < 

3.  That  as  your  Majefty  hath  here  vouchfafed  us  your  gracious  Acknowledg- 
ment of  our  Moderation,  it  might  never  be  faid,  That  a  Miniitry  and  People  of 
(uch  moderate  Principles,  confenting  to  Primitive  Epifcopacy  and  Liturgy,  could 
not  yet  be  received  into  the  Settlement  and  countenanced  Body  of  your  People, 
nor  poffefs  their  Stations  in  the  Church,  and  Liberty  in  the  Publick  Worlhip  of 
God. 

4.  And 


I  .         ■  , 1  I        ■- 

Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter, 


4.  And  whereas  it  is  exprefled  by  your  Majefty,  That  [the  Effence  and  Foun* 
dation  of  Epifcopacy  might  be  preferved,  though  the  Extent  of  the  Jurifdi&ion 
might  be  altered],  this  is  to  us  a  ground  of  Hope,  that  feeing  the  greatning  or  the 
leflenin^  of  Epifcopal  Power  is  in  your  Majefty's  Judgment  but  a  Matter  or  Con- 
venient e,  the  Lord  will  put  it  into  your  Heart  to  make  fiich  an  Alteration  in  the 
alterable  Points,  as  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Conferences  of  fober  Men,  and  the 
Healing  and  Union  of  thefe  Nations  do  require. 

As  to  our  Plea  for  Primitive  Epifcopacy  ,  the  Offices  and  Ordinances  of  Chrift  muft 
be  ftill  diftinguifhed  from  the  alterable  Accidents.  Though  we  plead  not  for  the 
Primitive  Poverty \  Perfecution,  or  Restraints ,  yet  mull:  we  adhere  to  the  Primitive  Or-* 
der  and  Worjhip,  and  Administrations  in  the  Subftance  ;  as  believing  that  the  Cir- 
cumfi antiating  of  them,  is  much  committed  unto  Man  ,  but  to  inftitut*  the  Ordi- 
nances and  Offices  is  the  high  Prerogative  of  Chrift  ,  the  Univerfal  King  and  Law* 
giver  of  the  Church. 


Concerning  the  Matter  of  your  Majefty  s  Conceptions  ,  as  related   tu> 
our  Propofals. 

I.  \T  7E  humbly  renew  our  Petition  to  your  Majefty,  for  the  effectual  Security 
VV  of  thofe  premifed  Neceffaries,  which  are  the  Matter  of  our  chiefeft  Care, 
and  whereunto  the  Controverted  Points  fubferve:  viz.  r.  That  private  Exercifes  of 
Piety  might  be  encouraged.  2.  That  an  able,  faithful  Miniftry  may  be  kept  up, 
and  the  inefficient,  negligent,  fcandalous,  and  non-refident,  caft  out.  3.  That  a 
credible  Profeflion  of  Faith  and  Obedience  be  pre-required  of  Communicants. 
4.  That  the  Lord's  Day  be  appropriated  to  Holy  Exercfles  without  unneceflary 
Divertifements. 

2.  For  Church- Government.  In  this  your  Majefty's  Declaration  ,  Parifti  Difci- 
pline  is  not  iufficiently  granted  us.  Inferiour  Synods  with  their  Prefidents  ate  paf- 
fed  by  ;  and  the  Biihop  which  your  Majefty  declareth  for,  is  not  Epifcopus  Prafes, 
but  Epijcopus  Princeps ;  indued  with  fole  Power  both  of  Ordination  and  Jurifdtclton, 
For  though  it  be  (aid,  That  [the  Bifhop  (hall  do  nothing  without  the  Advice  of 
Presbyters]  yet  their  Confent  is  not  made  necelTary,  but  he  might  go  contrary  to  the 
Counfel  of  them  all.  And  this  Advice  is  not  to  be  given  by  the  Dtocefan  Synod,  or 
any  cbofen  Reprefentativ.es  of  the  Clergy^  but  by  the  Dean  and  Chapter,  and  io  many 
and  fuch  others  as  he  pi eafe  to  call.  In  all  which  there  being  nothing  yielded  us, 
which  is  iufficient  to  the  defired  Accommodation  and  Union,  we  humbly  profecute 
our  Petition  to  your  Majefty,  that  the  Primitive  Prefidency  with  the  refpe&ive 
Synods  defcribed  by  the  late  Reverend  Primate  of  Ireland,  may  be  the  Form  of 
Church-Government  eftabliflied  among  us:  At  leaft  in  thefe  Three  needful 
Points. 

'  1.  That  the  Paftors  of  the  refpe&ive  Parifhes  may  be  allowed ,  not  only  pub- 

*  lickly  to  Preach,  but  perfbnally  to  Catechize  or  otherwife  Inftruct  the  fevera! 
c  Families,  admitting  none  to  the  Lord's  Table  that  have  not  perfonally  owned  their 
c  Baptifmal  Covenant  by  a  credible  Profeflion  of  Faith  and  Obedience  ;  and  to 
'  admonifh  and  exhort  the  Scandalous,  in  order  to  their  Repentance ;  to  hear  the 
'  Wirneffes  and  the  accufed  Party,  and  to  appoint  fit  Times  and  .  Places  for  thefe 
e  things;  and  to  deny  fuch  Perfons  the  Communion  of  the  Church  in  the  Holy  Eu- 
c  charift,  that  remain  impenitent  ;  or  that  wilfully  refufe  to  come  to  their  Paftors 

*  to  be  inftructed,  or  to  anfwer  fuch  probable  Acculations ;  and  to  continue  fuch 
c  Exclufion  of  them  till  they  have  made  a  credible  Profeflion  of  Repentance,  and 
'  then  to  receive  them  again  to  the  Communion  of  the  Church  j  provided  there  be 
4  place  for  due  Appeals  to  Superiour  Power]. 

All  this  we  befeech  your  Majefty  to  exprefs  under  your  Fifth  ConceAion,  be- 
caufe  it  is  to  us  of  very  great  weight,  and  the  Rubrick  is  unfatisfa&ory  to 
which  we  are  referred. 

c  2.  That  all  the  Paftors  of  each  Rural  Deaneries,  having  a  ftated  Prefident  cho- 
'  fen  by  themfdves  ( if  your  Majefty  pleafe  to  grant  them  that  liberty)  may  meec 

*  once  a  Month,  and  may  receive  Preferments  of  all  fuch  Perfons  as  notwithftanct- 


*  mj 


270  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I, 

'  ing  Shfpenfion  from  Communion  of  the  Church,  continue  impenitent  or  unre- 
r  formed,  and  having  further  admonifhed  them,  may  proceed  to  the  Sentence  of 

*  Solemn  Excommunication ,  if  after  due  patience  they  cannot  prevail.  And 
'  may  receive  the  Appeals  of  thofe  that  conceive  themfelves  injurioufly  Sufpended,' 

*  and  may  decide  the  Caufe.]  Or  if  this  cannot  be  attained  ,  at  leaft  [that  the 
r  Paftors  of  each  Rural  Deanery  with  their  Prefident,  may  have  power  to  meet 
f  Monthly,  and  receive  all  fuch  Prefentments  and  Appeals ,  and  judge  whether 
r  they  be  fit  to  be  tranfmitted  to  the  Diocefan  or  hot  :  and  to  call  before  them  and 
'  admonifh  the  Offenders  fo  preiented]. 

Yet  if  Prefentments  againft  Magistrates  and  Minifters  be  referved  only  to  the 
Diocefan  Synod,  and  their  Appeals  immediately  there  put  in,  we  fhall  therein 
fubmit  to  your  Majefty's  pleafure. 

'  ;.  That  a  Diocefan  Synod,  confiding  of  the  Delegates  of  the  feveral  Rural 
r  Synods,  be  called  as  often  as  need  requireth :  and  that  without  the  Confent  of  the 
•*  major  part  of  them,  the  Diocefan  rrfcy  not  Ordain,  or  Exercife  any.  Spiritual 

*  Cenfures  on  any  of  the  Minifters :  nor  Excommunicate  any  of  the  People  but  by 
r  confent  of  the  Synod,  or  of  the  Paftors  of  the  particular  Parifhes  where  they  had 
c  Communion.  And  that  not  only  Chancellors,  but  alfo  Arch-deacons ,  Commiffaries, 
f  and  Officials  as  fuch,  may  pafs  no  Cenfures,  purely  Spiritual. 

But  for  the  Exercile  of  Civil  Government  coercively  by  Mulcts  or  Corporal  Penal- 
•    ties  by  Power  derived  from  your  Majefty,  as  Supream   over  Peribns,  and  in 

things  Ecclefiaftical,  we  prefume  not  at  all  to  interpofe :  but  mall  fubmit  to 

any  that  ad  by  your  Majefty's  Commiffion. 


Our  Reafons  for  the  fir  ft  part  of  Difcipline,   viz.   in  particular 
Parifhes,  an  tbefe : 

IT  is  necefTary  to  the  Honour  of  the  Chriftian  Profeffion  ,  to  the  integrity  of 
Worfliip,  to  the  deftrudion  of  Impiety  and  Vice  ,  to  the  Preservation  of  the 
Sound  ,  the.  raifing  them  that  are  Fallen,  the  comforting  of  the  Penitent,  the 
if  rengthning  of  tfle  Weak  ;  the  Purity,  Order,  Strength  and  Beauty  of  our  Chur- 
ches, the  Vanity  of  Believers,  and  the  Pleafing  of  Chrift  who  hath  required  it  by 
his  Laws.  And  withal,  it  is  agreeable  to  the  ancient  Canons  and  Pradice  of  the 
Churches,  and  is  contented  to  by  our  Reverend  Brethren,  and  fo  is  no  Matter  of 
Controverfie  now  between  us. 

Yet  is  not  the  Rubrick  fatisfadory  which  we  are  referred  to  :  r.  Becaufe  it  leaves 
the  People  at  their  liberty,  whether  they  will  let  us  know  of  their  intention  to 
Communicate,  till  the  Night  or  Morning  before ;  and  alloweth  us  then  only  to  ad- 
monifh them,  when  ( in  great  Parifhes )  it  is  impoffible  for  want  of  time. 

2.  Becaufe  it  doth  allow  us  to  deny  the  Sacrament  to  thofe  only  that  malkioufly 
refufe  Reconciliation  -with  their  Neighbours,  and  only  admonijh  other  fcandalous  Sinners 
to  forbear.;  Though  the  Canons  forbid  us  to  deliver  them  the  Sacrament. 

The  Reafons  why  we  infift  on  the  fecond  Propofal,  are  thefe  : 

It  being  agreed  on  between  us,  That  the  younger  left  difcreet  fort  of  Minifters 
are  unfit  to  pafs  the  Sentence  of  Excommunication,  without  Advice  and  Modera- 
tion by  others,  and  every  Church  is  not  like  to  be  provided  with  grave,  difcreet, 
judicious  Guides ;  the  neceffity  of  thefe  frequent  lefler  Synods  for  fuch  Moderation 
and  Advice  and  Guidance  will  appear  by  thefe  two  general  Evidences. 

r.  It  is  the  very  Nature  and  Subftance  of  the  Office  of  a  Presbyter,  to  have  the 
Power  of  the  Keys  for  binding  and  lofing ,  retaining  or  remitting  Sin ;  which 
therefore  together  or  apart,  as  there  is  occafion,  they  are  bound  to  Exercife.  And 
this  being  the  Inftitution  of  Jefus  Chrift,  cannot  be  altered  by  Man.  In  their  Or- 
dination, according  to  the  eftablifhed  Order  in  England,  it  is  laid,  [  Whofe  fins  thou 
doft  remit,  they  are  remitted  :  whofe  fins  thou  doft  retain,  they  are  retained"].  And  they 
are  commanded  [  to  Minifter  the  Dotfrine,  Sacraments,  and  Difcipline  of  Chrift ,  ai 
the  Lord  hath  commanded,  and  as  this  Realm  hath  received  the  fame],  as  exprefly  as  the 

Bifiofr 


P  a  r.  t  II    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  '      271 

Bijhops  are.  And  r.s  tl  c  hire  Primate  of  Ireland  obferveth  in  1 1 Is  Rcdin^on,  That  ihey 
way  the  better  undcrjhr.d  what  the  Lord  hath  coynmanded,  the  Exhortation  of  St.  Paul  to 
the  Elders  of  the  Church  of  Ephefus  is  anointed  to  be  read  to  them  at  the  time  of  th,i/  Or- 
dination, Take  heed  to  your fives  and  to  all  the  Flock,  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  bath  * 
made  you  Overfeers,  to  (  feed  or  )  rule  the  Congregation  of  God  -which  he  hath  purchased 
with  his  bhod\.  And  ic  is  apparent  in  this  Acts  20.  17,  18,28.  and  j  ft  23,  2^/and 
16.4.  1  The]]',  y.  12,  i;.  1  Tim.  5.  4,  $.  and  y..  17.  FIcb.  13.  7,  17,  24.  and  othe/ 
places,  that  it  is  the  Office  of  a  Presbyter  to  Overfee,  Rule,  and  Guide  the  Fkxk 
( which  the  Ministerial  Rule  which  confifteth  in  the  Exercife  of  the  Keys,  or  Ma- 
nagement and  Pergonal  Application  of  God's  Word  to  the  Conferences  and  Cafe.s  of 
particular  Perfbns,  for  their  Salvation,  and  the  Order  of  the  Church  ;  the  Coer- 
cive Power  belonging  to  the  Magiflrate).  And  this  was  the  Pra&ice  in  the  Anci- 
ent Church,  as  appeareth  undeniably  in  Ignatius,  Tertullian,  Cyprian,  Hierom,  Chryfo- 
ftomj&Q.  Concil.  CW%4.Ca».22,23, 29,32, 34,3  j-^^.as  is  confeffed  by  the  chieieft 
Defenders  of  Epiicopacy. 

2.  If  all  Pt efentments  and  Appeals  be  made  to  the  Bifiop  and  his  Confiftory  alone, 
it  will  take  from  us  the  PanJJi  Difipline  which  is.granted  us,  and  caft  almoft  all  Dif 
cipline  out  of  the  Church.     As  is  moft  apparent  to  them  that  by  experience  are  ac- 
quainted with  the  quality  of  our  Flocks*  and  with  the  true  Nature  of  the  Paftoral 
Work.     Confidering  1.  How  many   hundred  Churches  ate  in  a  Diocefs.     2.  How 
many  thouiand  Perionsare  in  very  many  Parifhes :  andofthofe  what  a  number  are 
obftinate  in  wilful  gvofs  Ignorance  or  Scandal,  refufing  to  be  inftructed,  or  admo- 
nished by  their  Paftors.     5.  How  long,  and  earneltly,  and  tenderly  Sinners  muft 
be  dealch  with,  before  they  are  cut  off  by  Solemn  Excommunication.     4.  How 
unfatisfaclory  it  muft  be  to  the  Confidence  of  a  Bifhop  or  Synod,  to  cut  off  a  Man 
as  impenitent  upon  the  bare  report  of  a  Minifter,  before  by  full  Admonition  they 
have  proved  him  impenitent  themfelves ;  efpecially  when  too  many  Minifters  are 
(  to  lay  nothing  of  Paffion  that  might  caufe  partial   Accufations  )  unable  fo  to 
manage  a  Reproof  and  Exhortation,  as  is  necelfary  to  work  on  the  Confciences  of 
the  People,  and  to  convict  Refifters  of  flat  Impenitency.     5-.   What  abundance  of 
Work  the  Bifhop  will  have  befides  :  Conftant  preaching  will  require  time  for  pre- 
paration :  Vifitihg  the  feveral  Churches :  Confirming  all    the  Souls  in  fo  many 
hundred  Parishes :  ("which  alone  is  more  than  any  one  Man  can  do  aright,  if  he  had 
nothing  elle  to  do  )  :  Ordaining,  Inftituting,  and  Examining   the  Perlbns,  ib  far 
as  to  (atisfie  a  tender  Confcience  ( that  takes  not  all  pn  truft  from  others,  and  is  but 
the  Executor  of  their  Judgments).    Thefe,  and  much  more,  with  the  care  of 
Church-buildings,  Lands,  and  his  own  Affairs  and  Family,  and  Sickneffes,  and  ne- 
ceffary  abience  ibmeqmes,  will  make  fhis  great  additional  Work  ,  which  muft   be 
conftantly  performed  for  fo  many  hundred  Parilhes,  to  be  impoflible.     6.  Reproofs 
and  Sufpenfion  would  fo  exalperate  the  Scandalous,  that  they   would  vex  the  Pa- 
ftors with  numerous  Appeals.     7.  The  Paftors  will  be  undone  by  travelling  ,  and 
waiting,  and  maintaining  fuch  a  multitude  of  Witneffes   as  is  necelfary  for  the 
profecuting  of  Preieatments,  and  anfwering  io  many  Appeals.     8.  The  Bufinefs 
will  be  fo  odious,  chargeable  and  troubleibm,  that  Witneffes   will  not  come  in. 
9.  The  Minifter  by  theie  Profecutions  and  Attendances,  will  be  taken  off  the  reft 
of  his  Minifterial  Worfc.     10.  Bimops  (  being  but  Men  )  will  be  tempted  by  tUis 
intolerable  Burden  to  rpe  weary  of  the  Work,  and  fiuipber  it  over,  and  caft  it  upon 
others,  and  to  difcountenance  the  moft  confcionable  Minifters  that  rnoft  trouble 
them  -with  Preferments :  which  when  the  Offenders  perceive,  they  will  the  more 
infiilt  and  vex  us  with  Appeals. 

So  that  the  Difcouragements  of  Minifters,  and  the  utter  Incapacity  of  the  Bijhops  to 
perform  a  quarter  of  this  Work,  will  nullifie  Difcipline,  as  leaving  ic  impoflible. 

(Experience  hath  told  us  this  too  long. 
And  then  when  our  Communion  is  thus  polluted  with  all  that  are  moft  incapa- 
ble through  utter  Ignorance,  Scandal,  and  Contempt  of  Piety,  1.  Minifters  will 
be  deterred  from  their  Adminiftrations  to  Subjects  fo  uncapable.  2.  Bilhops  that 
are  tender  Confcienced,  will  be  deterred  from  undertaking  fo  impoflible  a  Work, 
and  of  (b  ill  Succefs.  ;.  And  Men  that  have  leaft  tendernefs  of  Conference,  and 
Care  of  Souls,  and  Fear  of  Gods  Difpleafure,  will  leek  for  and  intrude  into  both 
places.  4.  And  the  tender  confcienced  People  will  be  tempted  to  fpeak  hardly  of 
iuch  undifciplined  Churches,  and  of  the  Officers ;  and  to  withdraw  from  them. 
5.  And  hereby  they  will  fall  under  the  Difpleafure  of  Supsriours,  and  the  Scorn 
of  the  Vulgar,  that  have  no  Religion  but  what  is  fubfervient  to  their  Flefli.  6.And 
fb  while  the  moft  pious  are  brought  under  Difcountenance  and  Reproach^  and  the 

moft 


272  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I. 

moifr  impious  get  the  Reputation  of  being  moft  Regular  and  obedient  to  their  Ru- 
leis,  Piety  it  lelr'  will  grow  into  difelteem,  and  Impiety   efcape   its  due  d 
And  this  hath  been  the  C^ule  of  our  Calamities. 

3.  As  to  the  Liturgy ;  it  is  Matter  of  great  Joy  and  Thankfulnefs  to  us,  that  we 
have  heard  your  Vhjdry  more  than  once  fo  relblutely  promifing,  That  [none  (hail 
fufter  for  not  uhng  the  Common  Prayer  and  Ceremonies  ,  but  you  would  fecure 
them  from  the  Penalties  in  the  Act  for  Uniformity,  as  that  which  your  Declara- 
tion at  Breda  intended],  and  to  find  here  fo  much  of  yourMajefty's  Clemency  in 
your  gracious  Conceflions  for  a  future  Emendation.  But  we  numbly  crave  leave 
to  acquaint  your  Majefty,  (1.)  That  it  grieveth  us  after  all  to  hear,  that,  yet  it  is 
given  in  Charge  by  the  Judges  at  the  Affizes,  to  indict  Men  upon  that  A  A  for 
not  ufing  the  Common  Prayer.  (2.)  That  it  is  not  only  [Some  abfolae  -words  and 
other  exprejfions]  that  are  offenfive.  (%.)  That  many  fcruple  ufing  fome  part  of  the 
Book  as  it  is,  left  they  be  guilty  of  countenancing  the  whole,  who  yet  would  ufe 
it  when  reformed. 

'  Therefore  we  humbly  crave  that  your  Majefty  will  here  declare,  [  That  it  is 
'  your  Majefty's  pleafure  that  none  be  punifhed  or  troubled  for  not  ufing  the  Book 
'  of  Common  Prayer,  till  it  be  effectually  reformed  by  Divines  of  both  Perfwafions 
'  equally  deputed  thereunto]. 

'  And  that  your  Majefty  would  procure  that  Moderation  in  the  lmpofition  hereafter, 
f  which  we  before  defired. 

4.  Concerning  Ceremonies.  Returning  our  humble  Thanks  for  your  Majefty 's 
gracious  Conceflions  ( of  which  we  are  alfured  you  will  never  have  caufe  to  re- 
pent) we  further  crave, 

r.  That  your  Majefty  would  leave  out  thofe  words  concerning  us,  That  we  [do 
not  in  our  Judgments  believe  the  practice  of  thofe  particular  Ceremonies  which  we  except  a~ 
gainfl  to  be  in  it  felf  unlawful^};  for  we  have  not  fo  declared  our  Judgments.  In- 
deed we  have  Cud,  that  treating  in  order  to  a  happy  uniting  of  our  Brethren 
through  the  Land,  our  Work  is  not  to  fay  what  is  our  own  Opinion,  or  what  will 
fattsfe  us ;  but  what  will  iatisfie  fo  many  as  may  procure  the  laid  Union.  And 
we  have  faid,  that  fome  think  fome  of  them  unlawful  in  themfehes  ,  and  others  but  in- 
convenient. And  while  the  Impofers  think  them  but  indifferent,  we  conceived  they 
might  reafbnably  be  entreated  to  let  them  go;  for  the  faving  of  their  Brethrens 
Confciences  and  the  Churches  Peace.  We  are  fure  that  a  Chriftian's  Confcience 
mould  be  tender  of  adding  to,  or  dimini/hing  from  the  Matter  of  God's  Worfhip 
in  the  fmalleft  Point ;  the  Laws  of  God  being  herein  the"  only  perfect  Rule,  Deut. 
12.32.  And  that  a  Synod  infallibly  guided  by  the  Holy  Ghoft,  would  lay  upon 
the  Churches  no  greater  burden  then  necejjary  things,  Acts  1  f.  28.  And  that  for  things 
indifferent,  Chriftians  (hould  not  dejpife  or  judge  each  other,  Rom.  14.  much  lels  by 
filencing  the  able  and  faithful  Miniftersof  the  Gofpel,  to  puniff)  the  Flocks  even  in 
their  Souls,  for  the  tolerable  Differences  and  fuppofed  Miftakes  of  Ministers. 
We  doubt  not  but  Peter  and  Paul  went  to  Heaven  without  the  Ceremonies  in  que- 
ftion. 

And  feeing  your  Majefty  well  expreffeth  it,  [  That  the  Univerfal  Church  cannot 
introduce  one  Ceremony  in  the  Worfhip  of  God  that  is  contrary  to  God's  Word  exf>reffed  in 
the  Scriptures'],  and  Multitudes  of  Proteftants  at  home  and  abroad  ,  do  think  that 
aH  Myfhcal  Sacramental  Rites  of  Humane  Inftitution  are  contrary  to  the  perfection  of 
God's  Law,  and  to  Deut.  iz.^z.&c.  (  though  the  Determination  of  meer  Circum- 
(lances  neceffary  in  genere,  be  not  (b),  and  therefore  dare  not  ufe  them,  for  fear  of 
the  Di (pleafure  of  God  the  Univerfal  Sovereign  ;  it  muft  needs  be  a  great  Exprefc 
fion  of  your  Majefty 's  wilHom  and  tendernefs  of  God's  Honour  and  the  Safety  of 
your  Peoples  Souls,  to  refufe  in  things  unneceffary  to  drive  Men  upon  (apprehend- 
ed) Sin,  and  upon  the  Wrath  of  God,  and  the  Terroursof  a  Condemning  Gon- 
fcience. 

2.  We  befeech  your  Majefty  to  underftand,  that  it  is  not  our  meaning  by  the 
Word  [  abolifhing']-  to  crave  a  Prohibition  againft  your  own  or  other  Mens  Liberty 
in  the  things  inqueftion  ;  but  it  is  a  full  Liberty  that  we  defire ;  fuch  as  mould  be  in 
unneceffary  things ;  and  fuch  as  will  tend  to  the  Concord  of  your  People,  viz..  That 
there  be  no  Law  or  Canon  for  or  againft  them,  commanding,  recommending  or  prohibiting 
them  :  As  now  there  is  none  for  any  particular  Gefture  in  finging  ofPfalms,  where 
Liberty  prefervetii  an  uninterrupted  Unity. 

For 


I 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         3 

For  the  Particular  Ceremonies. 

*  1.  We  humbly  crave  as  to  kneeling  in  the  Aft  of  Receiving,  that  your  Majefty 
'  will  declare  our  Liberty  therein,  that  none  fhould  be  troubled  tor  receiving  it  ftand- 
c  ing  or  fitting. 

And  your  Majefty's  Expreffions  [upon  Reafons  beft  known,  if  net  only  to  themfelves\ 
command  us  to  render  [owe  of  our  Reafons. 

1.  We  are  fure  that  Chrift  and  his  Apoftles  finned  not,  by  not  receiving  it  kneel- 
ing J  and  many  are  not  jure  that  by  kneeling  they  fhould  not  fin  ;  and  therefore  for 
the  better  Security,  though  not  for  abfolute  Necejfity,  we  crave  leave  to  take  the  later 
fide. 

2.  We  are  (ure  that  kneeling  in  any  Adoration  at  all,  in  any  Workup,  on  any  Lord's 
Day  in  the  Year,  or  any  Week-day  between  Efier  and  Pentecofl,  was  not  only  dijiufed, 
but  forbidden  by  General  Councils  (as  Concil.  Nicen.  i  Can.  20.  and  Concil.  Trull.  &c. ) 
and  declaimed  by  ancient  Writers,  and  this  as  a  general  and  uncontroled  Traditi- 
on :  And  therefore  that  kneeling  in  the  A6t  of  receiving  is  a  Novelty  contrary  to 
the  Decrees  and  Praclice  of  the  Church  for  many  hundred  Years  after  the  Apoltles. 
And  if  we  part  with  the  venerable  Examples  of  all  Antiquity  where  it  agrees  with 
Scripture,  and  that  for  nothing,  we  fhall  depart  from  the  Terms  which  raolt  Mo- 
derators think  neceflary  for  the  Reconciling  of  the  Churches.  And  Novelty  is  a 
Difhonout  to  any  part  of  Religion  :  And  it' Antiquity  be  Honourable,  the  mofi  ancient, 
or  neareft  the  Legiflation  and  Fountain,  muft  be  mofi  honourable.  And  it  is  not 
fafeto  intimate  a  Charge  of  Unreverence  upon  all  the  Apoftles  and  primitive  Chri- 
ftians,  and  the  Univeilal  Church,  for  ib  many  hundred  Years  together  of  its  pureft 
Time. 

%.  Though  our  meaning  be  good,  it  is  not  good  to  ftiew  a  needlefi  Countenance 

of  the  Papilfs  Practice  of  Adoring  the  Bread  as  God,  when  it  is  ufed  by  them  round 

about  us:  Saith  Bilhop  Hall  in  his  Life,  fag.  20.  [ I  had  a  dangerous  Conflict  with  a 

raft,   who  took  occafim  by  our  kneeling  at  the  Receipt  of  the  Euchartfl,  to  perfuade  all 

thi  Cimfanj  of  our  Acknowledgment  of  a  Iranfubjlanttation. 

4.  Some  oftis  that  could  rather  kneel  than  be  deprived  of  Communion,  mould 
yci  iuiler  much  before  we  durft  put  all  others  from  the  Communion  that  durfi  not  take  it 
kneeling  j  which  therefore  we  crave  we  might  not  be  put  upon  it. 

2.  We  humbly  crave  alfo  \f  that  the  religious  Obiervation  of  Holy-days  of  hu- 

*  man  Inftitution  may  be  declared  to  be  left  indifferent,  that  none  be  troubled  for 

*  not  oblerving  them.] 

5.  We  humbly  tendenyour  Majefty  our  Thanks  for  your  gracious  Conceflion 
of  Liberty  as  to  the  Crofs  and  Surplice,  and  bowing  at  the  Name  [ffefus]  rather  than 
[Chrift  j  or[God].*But  we  farther  humbly  befeech  your  Ma  jelly  j.That  this  Liberty  in 
forbearing  the  Surplice,  might  extend  to  the  CoUedges  and  Cathedrals  alfo  3  that  it  drive 
not  thence  all  thole  that  Scruple  it,  and  make  not  thofe  Places  receptive  only  of  a 
Party  j  and  that  the  Youth  of  the  Nation  may  have  juft  Liberty  as  well  as  the  El- 
der. If  they  be  engaged  in  the  Univerlities,  and  their  Liberties  there  cut  off  in 
their  beginning  they  cannot  afterwards  be  free ;  many  hopeful  Perfbns  will  be  elfe 
diverted  from  the  Service  of  the  Church.  2.  That  your  Majefty  will  endeavour  the 
repealing  of  all  Laws,  and  Canons  by  which  thefe  Ceremonies  are  impofed)  that  they  might 
be  left  at  full  Liberty. 

4  We  alio  humbly  tender  our  Thanks  to  your  Majefty  for  your  gracious  Con- 
ceflion of  the  Forbearance  of  the  Sublcription  required  by  that  Canon.  But  (1.) 
we  humbly  acquaint  your  Majefty,  that  we  do  not  diftent  from  the  Doctrine  ofthe 
Church  of  England,  exprefled  in  the  Articles  and  Homilies :  But  it  is  the  contro- 
verted PafTages  about  Government,  Liturgy  and  Ceremonies,  andfbme  By-paffages  and 
Phrafes  in  the  doctrinal  Part,  which  are  lcrupled  by  thole  whofe  Liberty  is  defired. 
Not  that  we  are  againft  fubferibing  the  proper  Rule  of  our  Religion,  or  any  meet 
Confeflion  of  Faith.  Nor  do  we  Icruple  the  Oath  of  Supremacy  or  Allegiance. 
Nor  would  we  have  the  Door  left  open  for  Papifts  or  Hereticks  to  come  in.  2. 
We  take  the  boldnels  to  f^y  that  fince  we  have  had  the  Promifes  of  your  gracious 
indulgence  herein,  and  upon  divers  AddrefTes  to  your  Majefty  and  the  Lord  Chan- 
rceJlor,  had  comfortable  Encouragement  to  expert  our  Liberty,  yet  cannot  Mini- 
fters  procure  Inftitution  without  renouncing  their  Ordination  by  Presbyters,  or  be- 
ing re-ordained,  nor  without  Sublcription  and  the  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience, 
;.  We  muft  oblerve  with  Fear  and  Grief,  that   your  Majeftv's  Indulgence  and 

N  n  Conceffiom 


274 


The  L IFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I 


Conceflions  of  Liberty  in  this  Declaration  extendeth  not  either  to  the  abatement  of 
Re- ordination ,  or  of  jubfcriptional  Ordination,  or  of  the  Oath  of  Obedience  to  the  Bifhops. 
We  therefore  humbly  and  earneftly  crave,  that  your  Majeiry  will  declare  your 
Pleafure.  i.  [f  That  O/dination,  and  Inftitution,  and  Induction  may  be  confer- 
'  red  without  the  laid  Sublcription  or  Oath.     And  2.  That  none <be  urged  to  be 

*  reordained,  or  denied  Inftitution  for  want  of  Ordination  by  Prelates,  that  was  h£- 
1  dained  by  Presbyters.    3.  And  that  none  be  judged  to  have  forfeited  his  Preferi- 

*  tation  or  Benefice,  nor  be  deprived  of  it  tor  not  reading  thole  Articles  of  the  39 
c  that  contain  the  controverted  Points  of  Government  and  Ceremonies. 

Lafily,  We  humbly  crave  that  your  Majefty  will  not  only  grant  us  this  Liberty 
4  till  the  next  Synod,  but  -will  indeavour  that  the  Synod  be  impartially  chofen>  and  that  your 
'  Majefty  will  be  pleafed  to  endeavour  the  Procurement  of  fuch  Laws  as  (hall  be  ne- 
f  necefTary  for  our  fecurity  till  the  Synod,  and  for  the  Ratification  of  moderate  and 
c  healing  Conclufions  afterwards,  and  that  nothing  by  meer  Canon  be  impoled  on 
r  us,  without  fuch  Statute  Laws  of  Parliament. 

Thefe  Favours  (  which  will  be  injurious  to  none)  if  your  People  may  obtain  of 
your  Majefty,  it  will  revive  their  Hearts  to  daily  and  earneft  Prayer  for  your  Pro- 
sperity, and  to  rejoice  in  the  thankful  Acknowledgment  of  that  gracious  Providence 
of  Heaven,  that  hath  bleffedus  in  your  Reftoration,  and  put  it  into  your  Heart  to 
heal  our  Breaches,  and  to  have  compaflion  on  the  faithful  People  in  your  Domini- 
ons, who  do  not  petition  you  for  Liberty  to  be  Schifmatical,  Factious,  Seditious,  or 
abufiveto  any,  but  only  for  leave  to  obey  the  Lord,  who  created  and  redeemed 
them,  according  to  that  L£w  by  which  they  rauft  all  be  fhortly  judged  to  overlay- 
ing Joy  or  Mifery.  And  it  will  excite  them  to,  and  unite  them  in  the  cheerful  Ser- 
vice of  your  Majefty,  with  their  Eftates  and  Lives/  and  totranfmit  your  deferved 
Praifes  to  Pofterity. 

A  little  before  this,  theBifhops  Party  had  appointed  (at  our  Requeft)  a  Meet- 
ing with  fome  of  us,  to  try  how  near  we  could  come,  in  preparation  to  what  was 
to  be  refbived  on.  Accordingly  Dn  Morley,  Dr.  Htnchman,  and  Dr.  Cofms>  met 
Dr.  Keignoldsy  Mr,  Calamy,  and  my  (elf ;  and  after  a  few  roving  Difcourfes  we  part- 
ed without  bringing  them  to  any  particular  Conceflions  for  Abatement,  only  their 
general  talk  was  from  the  beginning,  as  if  they  would  do  any  thing  for  Peace,  which 
was  fit  to  be  done,  and  they  being  at  that  time  newly  elecl  (  but  not  confecrated  )  to 
their leveral  Bilhopricks,  we  called  them  [_my  Lords~\  which  Dr.  Morley  once  re- 
turned with  fuch  a  Pafiage  as  this  [  ive  may  call  you  alfcf'I  fuppofe  by  the  fame  Title  ]: 
by  which  I  perceived  they  had  fome  Purpoies  to  try  that  way  with  us. 

§  i07.This  Petition  being  delivered  to  the  Lord  Chancellor  was  fo  ungrateful  that 
we  were  never  called  to  prelent  it  to  the  King  :  But  inftead  of  that,  it  was  offered 
us  that  we  mould  make  fuch  Alterations  in  the  Declaration  as  were  necefTary  to  at- 
tain its  Ends:  But  with  thefe  Cautions,  that  we  put  in  nothing  but  what  we  judg- 
ed of  flat  neceffity.  And  2.  That  we  altered  not  the  Preface  or  Language  of  ir. 
For  it  was  to  be  the  King's  Declaration,  and  what  he  fpake  as  exprefling  his  own 
Senfe,  was  nothing  to  us  j  but  if  we  thought  he  impoled  any  thing  intollerable  up- 
on us,  we  had  leave  to  exprefs  our  Defires  for.  the  altering  of  it.  Whereupon  we 
agreed  to  offer  this  following  Paper  of  Alterations,  letting  all  the  reft  of  the  Decla- 
ration alone  ;  But  withal,  by  Word  to  tell  thole  we  offered  it  to  (which  was  the 
Lord  Chancellor)  [That  this  was  not  the  Model  of  Church- Government  which 
we  at  firft  offered,  nor  which  we  thought  moft  expedient  for  the  healing  of  the 
Church:  But  feeing  that  cannot  be  obtained,  we  (hall  humbly  fubmit,  and  thank- 
fully acknowledge  his  Majefty's  Condefcention,  if  we  may  obtain  what  now  we 
offer,  and  mall  faithfully  endeavour  to  improve  it  to  the  Churches  Peace,  to 
the  urmoft  of  our  Power].  Having  declared  this  (  with  more)  we  delivered  in 
the  following  Paper. 


The 


fa 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         275 


The  Alterations  of  the  Declaration  which  we  offered. 

[i.¥"V7E  do  in  the  firft  place  declare  that  our  Purpofe  and  Refolution  is,  and 
W  fhall  be  to  promote  the  Power  of  Godlinefs,  to  encourage  the  Exercifes 
of  Religion,  both  publick  and  private,  and  to  take  care  that  the  Lord's  Day  be  ap- 
propriated to  holy  Exercifes,  without  unneceffary  Divertifements  •  and  that  infuffi- 
cient,  negligent,  non-refident,  and  fcandalous  Minifters  be  not  permitted  in  the 
Church :]  And  as  the  prefent  Bifhops  are  known  to  be  Men  of  great  anJf  exempla- 
ry Piety,  &c. 

2.  [Becaufe  the  Dioceffes,  efpecially  iome  of  them,  are  thought  to  be  of  too 
large  Extent,  we  will  appoint  fuch  a  Number  of  faffragan  Bifhops  in  every  Diocefs, 
as  ihall  be  fufficient  for  the  due  Performance  of  their  Work.] 

5.  [NoBilhops  (hall  ordain,  or  exercife  any  part  of  Jqriididion  which  apper- 
tains to  the  Cenfures  of  the  Church,  without  the  Advice  and  Conlentof  the  Pres- 
byters, and  no  Chancellors,  Commiffai  ies,  Archdeacons,  or  Officials  fhall  exercifc 
any  Ad  of  Spiritual  Jurifdi&ion.] 

4.  [To  the  end  that  the  Deans  and  Chapters  m3y  be 'the  better  fitted  to  afford 
Counlel  and  Afliftance  to  the  Bifhops ;  both  in  Ordination,  and  in  the  other  Or- 
dinances mentioned  before,-  we  will  take  care  that  thole  Prefermtnts  be  given  to 
the  molt  learned  and  pious  Presbyters  of  the  Diocels  J 

[And  moreover,  that  at  leaft  an  equal  Number  of  the  moft  learned,  pious,  and 
dilcreet  Presbyters  of  the  lame  Diocefs,  (annually  cholen  by  the  major  Vote  of  all 
the  Presbyters  of  that  Diocefs)  mail  be  afliftant  and  contenting  together  wich  thofe 
of  the  Chapter  at  all  Ordinations,  and  all  other  A<5ts  of  ipiritual  Juriidiction.] 

[Nor  Ihall  any  Suffragan  Bifhops  ordain,  or  exercife  any  ad  of  fpirirual  Jurnfdi- 
ction,  but  with  the  Content  and  Afliftance  of  a  lufficient  Number  of  the  molt  Judi- 
cious and  pious  Presbyters,  annually  chofen  by  the  major  Vote  of  all  the  Presby- 
ters in  his  Precincts  :] 

And  our  will  is,  that  the  great  Work  of  Ordination  be  conftantly  and  folemn- 
ly  performed  at  the  four  (et  times  and  Scafons  appointed  by  the  Church  for  that 
purpofe. 

$-,  [We  will  take  care  that  Confirmation  be  rightly  and  folemnly  per  formed,  by 

the  Information,  and  with  the  Confent  of  the  Minifter  of  that  Place.     Who  Ihall 

admit  none  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  till  they  have  made  a  credible  Profcflion  of  their 

Fjith,  and  promifed  Obedience  to  the  Will  of  God  according  as  is  expreffed  in  the 

ilideration  of  the  Rubrick  before  the  Catechifm:  and  that  all  poflible  Diligence 

u!ed  for  the  Inftru&ion  and  Reformation  of  fcandalous  Offenders,  whom  the 
Mioiiters  mall  not  fuffer  to  partake  of  the  Lord's  Table  until  they  have  openly  de- 
clared themfclves  to  have  truly  repented,  and  amended  their  former  naughty  Lives, 
as  is  partly  exgreffed  in  the  Rubrick,  and  more  fully  in  the  Canons.  Provided 
there  be  place  for  due  Appeals  to  fuperior  Powers. 

6.  No  Bifhops,  &c. 

7.  We  are  very  glad  to  find  that  all  with  whom  we  have  conferred,  do,  in  their 
Judgments,  apDrove  a  Liturgy,  or  a  fet  Form  of  publick  Worfhip  to  be  lawful, 
which  in  our  Judgments,  for  the  Prefervation  of  Unity  and  Uniformity,  we  con- 
ceive to  be  very  neceffary  :  And  although  we  do  efteem  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church 
of  Evgland  contained  in  the  Book  of  Common-Prayer  and  by  Law  eftablifhed, 
to  be  the  belt  that  we  have  feen,  (  and  we  believe  that  we  havefeen  all  that  are 
extant,  and  ufed  in  this  part  of  the  World  )  and  we  know  what  Reverence  moft 
of  the  reformed  Churches,  or  at  leaft  the  moft  learned  Men  in  thofe  Churches 
have  for  it ;  yetfince  we  find  fbme  Exceptions  made  againft  feveral  things  therein 
[  IVe  will  appoint  an  equal  Number  of  learned  Divines  of  both  Perfuajions  to  review  the 
fame,  and  to  make  fuch  Alterations  as  jhall  be  thought  mofi  neceffary  j  and  fome  additio- 
nal Forms  (  in  Scripture  Phrafe  as  near  as  may  be  )  fuited  unto  the  Nature  of  the  feveral 
Ordinances,  and  that  it  be  left  to  the  Minifter' s  choice  to  ufe  one  or  the  other  at  his  Difcre- 
tion.~]  In  the  mean  time,  and  till  this.be  done,  although  we  do  heartily  wifh  and 
defire  that  the  Minifters  in  their  feveral  Churches  becaufe  they  diflike  fbmeClaufes, 
and  ExpreflionSjWould  aot  totally  lay  afide  the  ufe  of  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer, 
but  read  thofe  Parts  againft  which  there  can  be  no  Exception,  which  would  be 
the  belt  Inftance  of  declining  thole  Marks  of  Diftin&ion,  which  we  fo  much  la- 
bour and  defire  to  remove  :    Yet  in  compaflion   to  divers  of  our  good  Subjects 

N  n  z  who 


2q6  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I# 

who  fcruplethe  ufe  of  it  as  now  it  is,  our  Will  and  Pleafure  is  that  none  bepunifh- 
ed  or  troubled  for  not  ufing  it,  until  it  be  reviewed  and  effectually  reformed  as 
aforefaid.] 

In  the  Preface  concerning  Ceremonies,  we  defire  that  at  leaft  thefe  Words  be 
left  out  [Not  that  themfehes  do  in  their  Judgments  believe  the  Practice  of  tbefe  particular 
Ceremonies,  which  they  except  againfl,  to  be  m  it  [elf  unlawful.'] 

As  concerning  Ceremonies,  our  Will  and  Pleafure  is,  t.  That  none  mail  be 
required  to  kneel  in  the  ad  of  receiving  the  Lord's  Supper  ;  but  left  at  Liberty 
therein. 

2.  That  the  religious  Obfervation  of  Holy  days  of  human  Inftitution  be  left  in- 
different, and  that  none  be  troubled  for  not  obferving  of  them. 

3.  That  no  Man  fliall.be  compelPd  to  ufe  the  Crofc  in  Baptifm,  or  fuffer  for 
not  ufing  ir. 

4.  That  no  Man  {hall  be  compelled  to  bow  at  the  Name  of  Jefus. 

?.  For  the  ufe  of  the  Surplice,  we  are  contented  that  all  Men  be  left  to  their  Li- 
berty to  do  as  they  mail  think  fit,  without  fufFering  in  the  leaft  Degree  for  wearing 
or  not  wearing  it. 

And  becauie  fome  Men  otherwife  pious  and  learned,  fay  they  cannot  conform 
unto  the  Subfcription  required  by  the  Canons,  nor  take  the  Oath  of  Canonical  O- 
bedience,  we  are  content,  and  it  is  our  Will  and  Pleafure  ( fo  they  take  the  Oath 
of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy)  that  they  (hall  receive  Ordination,  Inftitution,  and 
Induction,  and  (hall  be  permitted  to  exercife  their  Fun&ion,  and  to  enjoy  the  Pro- 
fits of  their  Livings  without  the  faid  Subfcription,  or  Oath  of  Canonical  O- 
bedience. 

And  moreover,  that  no  Perlbns  in  the  Univerfities  mall,  for  the  want  of  fuch 
Subfcription  be  hindred  in  taking  their  Degrees. 

Lajtly,  That  fuch  as  have  been  ordained  by  Presbyters,  be  not  required  to  re- 
nounce their  Ordination,  or  to  be  re-ordained,  or  denied  Inftitution  and  Indudte 
on  for  want  of  Ordination  by  Bifliops. 

And  moreover,  that  none  be  judged  to  forfeit  their  Prefentation  or  Benefice,  of 
be  deprived  of  it,  for  not  reading  of  thofe  of  the  59  Articles  that  contain  the  con- 
troverted Points  of  Church-Government  and  Ceremonies. 

§  ro8.  After  all  this  a  Day  was  appointed  for  his  Majefty  to  perufe  the  Declara- 
tion as  it  was  drawn  up  by  the  Lord  Chancellor,  and  to  allow  what  he  liked  and 
alter  the  reft,  upon  the  hearing  of  what  both  fides  fliould  fay :  Accordingly  he  came 
to  the  Lord  Chancellor's  Houie,  and  with  him  the  Duke  of  Albermarle,  and  Duke 
of  Ormond  (  as  I  remember  )  the  Earl  of  Manchester,  the  Earl  of  Anglejey,  the  Lord 
Hotiis,  &c.  and  Dr.  Sheldon  (  then  )  Bifhop  of  London,  Dr.  Morley  ( then  )  Bilhop 
of  Worcester,  Dr.  Hmchman  (then)  Bifhop  of  Salisbury,  Dr.  Cofins  Bifhop  of  Durham, 
Dr.  Gauden  fafter)  biihopof  Exeter  and  Worcefler,  Dr.  Barivick  (after)  Dean  of  Pauls, 
Dr.  Hacket  Bifhop  of  Coventry  and  Litchfield,  with  divers  others  j  ^among  whom, 
Dr.  Gunning  was  moft  notable.  On  the  other  part  (food  Dr.  Reignolds,  Mr.  Calamj, 
Mr.  Ajh,  Dr.  WaUk,  Dr.  Manton,  Dr.  Spurftow,  my  felf,  and  who  elfe  I  remem- 
ber not.  The  Bufinefs  of  the  Day  was  not  to  difpute,  but  as  the  Lord  Chancellor 
read  over  Declaration,  each  Party  was  to  fpeak  to  what  they  difliked,  and  the 
King  to  determine  how  it  Ihould  be,  as  liked  himfelf.  While  the  Lord  Chancellor 
read  over  the  Preface,  there  was  no  Interruption,  only  he  thought  it  beft  himlelf 
to  blot  out  thofe  Words  about  the  Declaration  in  Scotland  for  the  Covenant  [That 
we  did  from  the  Moment  it  pajjed  our  Hand,  ask  God  Forgivenefs  for  our  Part  in  it."] 
The  great  matter  which  we  ftopt  at  was,  the  Word  [  Confent]  where  the  Bifhop  is 
to  confirm  by  the  [Confent]  of  the  Paftor  of  that  Church  ;  and  the  King  would  by 
no  means  pals  the  Word  Confent  either  there  or  in  the  Point  of  Ordination  or  Cen- 
fures ;  becaufe  it  gave  the  Minifters  a  negative  Voice :  We  urged  him  hard  with  a 
PaiTage  in  his  Father's  Book  of  Meditations,  where  he  exprefly  granteth  this  [  Con. 
fent]  of  the  Presbyters ;  but  ic  would  not  prevail :  The  moft  that  I  infilled  on  was 
from  the  end  of  our  Endeavours,  that  we  came  not  hither  for  a  Perfbnal  Agree- 
ment only  with  our  Brethren  of  the  other  way,  but  to  procure  fuch  gracious  Con- 
ceffions  from  his  Majefty,as  would  unite  all  the  fbbereft  People  of  theLand:  And  we 
knew  that  on  lower  Terms  ic  would  not  be  done.  Though  [Confent]  be  but  a  lit- 
tle Word,  it  was  neceflary  to  a  very  defirable  end  ;  if  it  were  purpofed  that  the 
Parties  and  Divifions  mould  rather  continue  unhealed,  then  we  had  no  more  to 
toy,  there  beine  no  Remedy  :  But  we  were  fure  that  Union  would  not  be  attained 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        277 

if  no  Confene  were  allowed  Minifters  in  any  pare  of  the  Government  of  their 
Flocks,  and  io  they  mould  be  only  Teachers  without  any  Participation,  and  the 
ruling  of  the  People,  whofe  Re&ors  they  are  called.  And  when  1  perceived  fbme 
Offence  at  what  I  faid,  I  told  them  that  we  had  not  the  Judgments  of  Men  at  our 
command  :  We  could  not  in  rcafon  fuppofe  that  our  Conteflions,  or  any  thing  we 
could  do,  would  change  the  Judgments  of  any  great  Numbers ;  and  therefore  we 
mud  confider  what  will  unite  us  in  cafe  their  Judgments  be  not  changed,  or  elie 
we  labour  to  no  purpofe. 

§  109.  Kut  Bilhop  Morley  told  them  how  great  our  Power  was,  and  what  we 
might  do  if  we  were  willing-,  and  he  told  the  King  that  no  Man  had  written 
better  of  thefe  Matters  than  I  had  done,  and  there  my  live  Deputations  of 
Church  Government,  &c  lay  ready  to  be  produced  ;  and  all  was  to  intimate,  as 
if  I  now  contradicted  what  I  had  there  written.  1  told  him,  that  1  had  befr  rea- 
(onto  know  what  I  had  written,  and  that  I  am  frill  of  the  fame  mind,  and  ftand 
to  it  all,  and  do  not  fpeak  any  thing  againft  it.  A  great  many  words  there  were 
about  Prelacy  and  Re-ordination  j  Dr.  Gunning  and  Bifhop  Morley  fpeaking  almoft 
all  on  one  fide  (  and  Dr.  Hinchman  and  Dr.  Cofens  fbmetimes  )  :  and  Mr.  Calamy 
and  my  felf  moft  on  the  other  fide :  But  I  think  neither  Party  doth  value  the  ram- 
bling Difcourfes  of  that  Day,  fb  much,  as  to  think  them  worthy  the  recording. 
Mr. Calamy  anfwered  Dr.Gunning  from  Scripture  very  well  againft  the  Divine  Right 
of  Prelacy  as  a  diftincl:  Order.  And  when  Dr.  Gunning  told  them,  that  Dr.  Ham* 
mond  had  faid  enough  againft  the  Presbyterains  Caufe  and  Ordination,  and  was 
yet  unanfwered  :  I  thought  it  meet  to  tell  him,  that  I  had  anfwered  the  Subftance 
of  his  Arguments,  and  faid  enough  moreover  againft  the  Diocefan  Frame  of  Go- 
vernment, and  to  prove  the  validity  of  the  Englifh  Presbyters  Ordination,  which 
indeed  was  unanfwered,  though  I  was  very  deurous  to  have  feen  an  Anfwer  to  it : 
which  I  faid  becaufe they  had  got  the  Book  by  them,  and  becaufe  I  thought  the 
unreafbnablenefs  of  their  dealing  might  be  evinced,  who  force  fo  many  hundreds 
to  be  Re-ordained,  and  will  not  any  of  them  anfwer  one  Book  which  is  written 
to  prove  the  validity  of  that  Ordination  which  they  would  have  nullified,  though  I 
provoked  them  purpofely  in  fuch  a  Prefence. 

§  no.  The  moft  of  the  time  being  fpent  thus  in  fpeaking  to  Particulars  of  the 
Declaration  as  it  was  read,  when  we  came  to  the  end,  the  Lord  ChancelloUr  drew 
out  another  Paper,  and  told  us  that  the  King  had  been  petitioned  alfo  by  the  In- 
dependants  and  Anabaptifts,  and  though  he  knew  not  what  to  think  of  it  him- 
felf,  and  did  not  very  well  like  it  ;  yet  fomething  he  had  drawn  up  which  he 
would  read  to  us,  and  defire  us  alfo  to  give  our  Advice  about  it.  ^hereupon  he 
read,  as  an  Addition  to  the  Declaration,  That  [  atbers  alfo  be  permitted  to  meet  for 
Religions  fVorjlrip,  fo  be  it,  they  do  it  not  to  the  dtfturbance  of  the  Peace:  and  that  no 
Jufttce  of  Peace  or  Officer  dtfturb  them\  When  he  had  read  it,  he  again  defired  them 
all  to  think  on  it,  and  give  their  Advice  :  But  all  were  filent.  The  Presbyterian1; 
all  perceived,  as  fbon  as  they  heard  it,  that  it  would  fecure  the  Liberty  of  the  Pa- 
pifts  :  and  *  one  of  them  whilpered  me  in  the  Ear,  and  intreated  me  to  fay  no- 
thing,  for  it  was  an  odious  Bufinels,  but  let  the  Bifhops  fpeak  to  it.  But  the  Bi-  a  ! 
(hops  would  not  fpeak  a  word,  nor  any  one  of  the  Presbyterians  neither ,  and  fo 
we  were  like  to  have  ended  in  that  Silence.  I  knew  if  we  confented  to  it ,  it 
would  be  charged  on  us,  that  we  fpake  for  a  Toleration  of  Papifts  and  Se&aries : 
(  But  yet  it  might  have  lengthened  out  our  own).  And  if  we  fpake  againft  it,  all 
Sedfo  and  Parties  would  be  let  againft  us,  as  the  Caufers  of  their  Sufferings,  and  as 
a  partial  People  that  would  have  Liberty  our  felves,  but  would  have  no  others  have 
it  with  us.  At  laftN,  feeing  the  Silence  continue,  I  thought  our  very  Silence  would 
be  charged  on  us  a  Content  if  it,  went  on,  and  therefore  I  only  faid  this,  That 
[  this  Reverend  Brother  Dr.  Gunning  even  now  fpeaking  againft  Seels,  had  named  the 
Papifts  and  the  Soeinians  :  For  our  parts  we  defired  not  favour  to  our  felves  alone  ,  and  ri- 
gorous Severity  we  defired  ^againft  none  I  As  we  humbly  thanked  his  Majefty  for  his  Indul- 
gence to  our  felves,  fo  we  diftinguiftj  the  tolerable  Parties  from  the  intolerable :  For  the 
former,  we  humbly  crave  ju[t  lenity  arfd  favour  ;  but  for  the  latter,  fuch  as  the  two  forts 
named  before  by  that  Reverend  Brother,  for  our  parti  we  cannot  make  their  Toleration  our 
requeft  ]  :  To  which  his  Majefty  faid,  That  there  were  Laws  enough  againft  the  Pa~ 
fifts  j  and  I  replyed,  That  we  under ftcod  the  Queftion  to  be,  whether  thofe  Laws  fhould 
be  executed  on  t hem ,  or  not.  And  fo  his  Majefty  br^ke  up  the  Meeting  of  thasf 
Day. 

§  1 1 1.  Before  the  Meeting  was  diffolved,  his  Majefty  had  ail  along  told  what 
he-would  have  ftand  in  the  Declaration,  and  he  named  four  Divines  to  determine 

of 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b, 

of  any  Words  in  the  Alteration,  if  there  were  any  difference,  that  is,  Bilhop  A 
ley,  Bilhop  Hinchman,  Dr.  Reignolds,  and  Mr.  Calamy,  and  if  they  difagreed, 
the  Earl  of  Angkfey  and  the  Lord  Hollis  mould  decide  it.      As  they  went  out 
the  Room,  I  told  the  Earl  of  Anglefey,  That  we  had  no  other  bufwe.fi  there  that 
the  Curches  peace  and  welfare,  and  1  would  not  have  been  the  Man  that  foould  haue  dixit 
fo  mnch  againft  it  as  he  had  done  that  day,  for  more  than  he  was  like  to  get  by  it  . 
being  called  a  Presbyterian,  he  had  fpoken  more  for  Prelacy  than  we  expect . 
And  I  think  by  the  Confequent  that  this  faying  did  fome  good  j  for  when  I  . 
found  the  Declaration  amended,  and  asked  him  how  it  came  to  pafs,  ftfe  in 
to  me  that  it  was  his  doing. 

§  112.  And  here  you  may  note  by  the  way,  the  fafhion  of  thele  Times,an 
ftate  of  the  Presbyterians:  Any  Man  that  was  for  a  Spiritual  (erious  way  oi  V, 
fhip  (  though  he  were  for  moderate  Epifcopacy  and  Liturgy  ),  and  that  lived  ac- 
cording to  his  Profeffion,  was  called  commonly  a  Presbyterian,  as  formerly  he  was 
called  a  Puritan,  unlefs  he  joyned  himfelf  to  Independents,  Anabaptijls,  or  fome  other 
Sect  which  might  afford  him  a  more  odious  Name.  And  of  the  Lords,  he  that 
was  for  Epifcopacy  and  the  Liturgy,  was  called  a  Presbyterian ,  if  he  endeavoured 
to  procure  any  Abatement  of  their  Impofitions,  for  the  Reconciling  of  the  Par- 
ties, or  the  eafe  of  the  Minifters  and  People  that  difliked  them.  And  of  the  Mi- 
nifters, he  was  called  a  Presbyterian  that  was  for  Epifcopacy  and  Liturgy,  if  he  con- 
formed not  fo  far  as  to  Subfcribe  or  Swear  to  the  Englifli  Diocefan  Frame,  and  all 
their  Impofitions.  I  knew  not  of  any  one  Lord  at  Court  that  was  a  Presbyterian; 
yet  were  the  Earl  of  Manchefier  (  a  good  Man  )  and  the  Earl  of  Angkfey,  and  the 
Lord  Hollu  called  Presbyterians,  and  as  fuch  appointed  to  direct  and  help  them  : 
when  I  have  heard  them  plead  for  moderate  Epifcopacy  and  Liturgy  my  felf  •  and 
they  would  have  drawn  us  to  yield  further  than  we  did. 

§  rig.  And  if  ever  any  hereafter  (hall  fiy,  That  at  King  Charles  the  Second's 
Reiteration,  the  Presbyterian  Caufe  was  pleaded,  and  that  they  yielded  to  all 
that  was  in  the  King's  Declaration,  I  leave  it  here  on  Record  to  the  Notice  of 
Pofterity,  that  to  the  beft  of  my  knowledge  the  Presbyterian  Caufe  was  never 
fpoken  for,  nor  were  they  ever  heard  to  petition  for  it  at  all:  for  the  reft  of  the 
Minifters  who  came  not  to  us,  (ate  dill,  and  faid  nothing ;  and  for  my  felf,  I  ever 
profeffed  my  Judgment  to  be  lb  far  for  Epilcopacy,  Liturgy,  &c.  as  I  have  expref- 
fed  in  my  fifth  Difputation  for  Church- Government,  and  I  drew  on  this  Treaty, 
not  as  a  Presbyterian,  but  as  a  Reconciler :  and  for  Mr.  Calamy,  he  pleaded  for  no 
more  than  I  did,  whatever  his  Judgment  was ;  only  at  the  Meeting  before  the 
King,  he  pleaded  well  that  the  words  Btfiops  and  Presbyters  are  in  Scripture  of  the 
fame  fignification,  and  that  they  differ  but  gradu,  not  ordine,  which  abundance  of 
Epifcopal  Men  alfo  hold,  as  did  Bifhop  Ujlier ,  and  even  many  Schoolmen  ,  and 
other  Papilts.  And  as  for  Dr.  Reignolds,  he  was  always  of  Mr.  StiUingfleeis  mind 
(  as  J  have  heard  him  profefs  )  That  no  Form  of  Church-Government  is  determi- 
ned of  in  the  Word  of  God,  but  it  is  variable  as  occafion  requireth.  And  as  for 
Mr.  Ajh,  though  he  was  a  Presbyterian,  yet  that  good  Man  being  all  for  Holinefs, 
and  Heaven,  and  Peace,  and  being  no  Difputer,  he  went  along  with  us,  and  fpake 
for  no  more  than  we  did.  Never  did  we  write  or  fpeak  a  word  (that  I  knew  of, 
who  was  always  with  them)  for  Ruling  Elders,  nor  for  the  Government  of  Sy- 
nods or  Presbyteries  without  Bifhops  or  (fated  Prefidents,  nor  againft  Liturgy  in 
general,  nor  againft  Holydays  in  general,  nor  againft  Kneeling  at  the  Sacrament 
(  but  only  againft  the  rejecting  thole  from  the  Churches-Communion  who  dare 
not  kneel,  as  fuppofing  it  Idolatrous  ) ;  nor  for  any  one  thing  which  is  proper  to 
Presbytery  :  Infomuch  that  when  they  ft  ill  fuppofed  us  to  plead  for  Presbytery, 
in  one  Paper  I  drew  up  an  Enumeration  of  abundance  of  Particulars  which  we 
never  pleaded  .for,  which  the  Presbyterians  ufually  hold,  and  (hewed  that  we  ne- 
ver medled  with  their  proper  Caufe,  partly  becaufe  we  were  not  all  of  a  mind 
our  felves  in  every  fmall  matter ;  and  partly  becaufe  we  knew  fuch  a  Plea  would 
not  now  be  heard  ;  and  partly  becaufe  we  took  thofe  Terms  to  be  infuflicient  for 
the  Churches  Union,  nor  would  our  felves  lay  its  Concord  on  (o  narrow  a  Foun- 
dation. But  Mr,  Calamy  would  not  let  it  pafs,  becaufe  it  might  offend  the  Presby- 
terian Brethren,  who  expected  more  from  us. 

§  114.  But  to  return  to  the  Hiftory:  When  I  went  out  from  the  Meeting  on 
OZlob.  22.  I  went  dejected,  as  being  fully  fatisfied,  that  the  Form  of  Goverment 
in  that  Declaration  would  not  be  Satisfactory,  nor  attain  that  Concord  which  was 
our  end,  becaule  the  Paftors  had  no  Government  of  the  Flocks ;  and  I  was  refol- 
ved  to  meddle  no  more  in  the  Bufinefs,  but  patiently  fuffer  with  other  Diifenters: 

But 


Bart  J  I.     Revekdrirf  A&M&dharti.  baxter.  255 

But  two  or  three  days  after,  I  met  the  King's  Declaration  cried  about  the  Streets 
and  I  prelently  ftept  intoa  Houfe  to  read;  it,  and  feeing  the  word  [_Con/ent~]  put 
in  about  Confirmation  and  Sacrament,  though  not  as  tojurifdi&ion,  and  feeing  the 
[  Pafioral  perfwafive  power  ]  of  Governing  left  t6  all  the  Mirtitfersv  witbtfJifel  Rural 
Dean,  and  ibw.c  more  Amend,  nents,  I  wondered  at  it,  how  it  came  to  -p.ifi,-  bit 
was  exceeding  glad  of  it,  as  perceiving  that  jhjw  the  Tesms  were  ( tnojigh  not 
fuch  as  we  ddired,  yet)  fuch  as  any  fober  honelt  Minifters  might  fubmit  jq  >:  And 
I  was  prefently  refblved  to  domy  belr  to  periwade  all ,  according  to  .my  Ihteieft 
and  Opportunity,  to  Conform  according  to  the  Terms  of  this  Declaration ;  and 
chearfully  to  promote  the  Concord  of  the  Church ,  and  Brotherly  Love  which 
this  Concord  cloth  befpeak. 

§115-.  Having  frequent  Bufinefs  with  the  Lord  Chancejlour  about  . ocfter 
Matters  (  of  which  fomewhat  anon  )  I  was  going  to  him,  when  1  met  the  ^Kings' 
Declaration  in  the  Street,  and  I  was  (o  much  pie jfed  with  it,  that  ( shaving  lojci 
him  why  I  was  fo  earned  to  have  had  it  faked  co  the  defired  end  )  .1  gave  hirii 
hearty  thanks  for  the  Additions,  and  t<§ld  him  that  if  i.  The  Liturgy  may,  bt£,j but 
altered,  as  the  -Declaration  promifeth  ;  2.  And  this  may  be  f^tled  and. continued  to 
us  by  a  Law,  and  not  reverfed,  I  mould  take  it  to  be  my  Duty  to  do  my  belt  to 
procure  the  full  Content  of  others,  and  promote  our  happy  .Concord  on  trfeefo 
Terms,  and  mould  rejoyce  to  lee  the  Day  thao  Factions  and  Parties  may  all  be 
fwallowed  up  in  -Unity,  and  Contentions  turned  to  Brotherly  Love.  At  that  time 
he  began  to  offer  me  a  Bifhoprick  (of  which  more  anon  )- 

§  1  if.  I  fhall  here  a  little  look  to  a  fufiage-  of  another  Natflre.  Before -tihis^  t 
was  called  to  preach  at  Court  before  the  King  (  hy  the  Lord  C.hamberiam,iwho 
had  iworn  me  his  Chaplain  ,  and  invited  me  under  that  Nttr.e)-?,  And  aUev  Ser- 
mon it  pleafed  his  Majelfry  to  (end  the  Lord  Chamberhin  to;reiqfcire  me  to  print 
it.  And  the  Earl  of  Lauderdale  told  me,  that,  when  he- f pake  to, .the  King  or  the 
great  number  of  Citizens  that  wrote  it  in  Characters,  and  faid  (hat  fame  of  them 
would  publilh  it ;  the  King  anfwer'ed,  I  will  prevent  thaty  (or  I  will  hive  it  puhJijbed^ 
Yet  when  this  Sermon  came  abroad,  Dr.  Thomas  Pierce  went  up  and  down  teging 
againft  me,  for  calling  myfelfon  the  Title  page  [  His  Mjjeftj's  Chaplain]  (which 
if  I  had  not,  it  would  have  been  taken  as  a  Contempt)  and  for  faying  it  was,  prin- 
ted by  his  Majefty's  Special  Command:  and  he  renewed  all  the  Kailings  which  in 
print  he  had  lately  vented  againft  me.  I  admired  that  a  Man,  whom  the  Dioce- 
fan  Party  fomuch  gloried  in ,  fhould  be  guilty  of  io  great  folly ,  and  imprudency, 
and  could  no  better  cloak  his  Malice :  When  he  could  not  but.  know  that  the 
King  himfelf  would  have  fought  Satisfaction  if  I  had  fo  loolilhly  belied  him  on"  my 
Title  Page  :  Therefore  I  defired  fbme  that  told  me,  to  give  it  me  under  their 
Hands,  'that  I  might  convince  him  of  it.  And  fo  I  received  ohefe  following  Tefti- 
moniei,  from  two  of  his  Familiars,  but  honeft  underft anding  Men,  viz,.  Mr.Gnggs 
of  Blackfryars,.  and  Mr.  Brent  of  Creed- lane. 

To  my  honoured  Friend ,    Mr.  William  Allen,    at  his  Hon/e  w 

Broad-ftreet\; 

■ 

£  I  R 

YOU  being  fo  well  acquainted  with  Mr.  BaxreY,-'  J  depre  you  "will  ptcafe  to  ask  him, 
whether  he  be  the  Kings  Chaplain  in  Ordinary,  cY  not  ?  And  whether  he  had}  as 
be  bath  printed,  his  'Mijefifs  fecial  Command  for  the  printing  of  his  Sermon.-  For, 
lately  Dr.  Pierce  told  me,  that  he  'was  the  King's  thaplain  no  more  than  I  was,  and  thai 
be  bad  he  order  from  the  King  f of  the  printing  offers  Sermon  ;  whfch didfo  amaze  met  that 
I  took  the  boldnefs  to  make  you   this.  Trouble,  who\am, 

'■    '  .  .  ■ 

Aug. .50.  t66o.  -.  $  I  R, 

Your  true  Friend  to  ferve  you. 


\'\C. 


•      John  Gri££f. 
isdi 


^^.Mi^ — — — —■ — — — — —— — ^^—  i  .     ■ 

280  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I, 


The  other  was  as  followeth : 

Dr.  Pietoe  called  Mr.  Baxter  bold,  impudent,  fawcy  Fellow^  for  preaching  fuch  a  Ser- 
mon to  the  King,  and  for  printing  himfelf  hit  Majefty*s  Chaplain,  and  his  Sermon  to  be 
printed  at  his  Majeftys  Command,  when  neither  were  true ;  and  called  Mr.  Baxter,  Thief, 
Murderer y  the  greatefi  of  Rebels,  worje  than  a  Whore-mafter  or  Drunkard,  &c.  Some  of 
this  1  heard  him  freak  my  felf\    the  reft  1  had  from  a  Friend  which  heard  it  from  Mr* 


Price. 


George  Brent. 


By  this  tafte,  the  Reader  that  knew  not  the  Men,  may  judge  with  what  fort  of 
Men  we  had  to  do ;  for  Dr.  Pierce  was  not  without  too  many  Companions  of  his 
Temper.  Thefe  Men  that  witnefs  thefe  Words  of  his  were  godly  Men,  who  ha- 
ving been  Mr.  John  Goodwin's  Difciples,  had  been  made  Armmians  by  him  ;  and 
fell  in  with  Dr.  Pierce,  for  his  Agreement  with  them  in  the  Armintan  Points :  But 
they  could  not  lay  by  Piety  and  Charity  in  Partiality  for  Opinions,  and  being  im- 
patient of  his  Impudence,  thus  made  it  known  to  me.  I  purpofed  to  have  produ- 
ced it  before  all  the  Bifhops,  when  Dr.  Pierce  was  there  (having  no  other  Oppor- 
tunity to  fee  him  ) :  But  I  had  no  fit  Occafion,  and  was  loth  in  Bufmefs  of  pub- 
lick  refpect,  to  interpofe  anything  that  meerly  concerned  my  felf;  and  fo  1  never 
yet  told  him  of  it. 

§  117.  That  the  Reader  may  underftand  this  the  better,  by  knowing  the  occafion 
of  his  Malice,  this  Mr.  Tho.  Pierce  (  being  a  confident  Man,  that  had  a  notable  Stile 
and  Words  at  Will,  and  a  venomous  railing  Pen  and  Tongue  againft  the  Puritans 
and  Cahanifts )  having  written  fomewhat  in  Defence  of  Grotim,  as  a  judicious 
peaceable  Proteftant,  in  Oppofition  to  fome  Paflages  in  my  \Chriftian  Concord] 
where  I  warn  the  Epifcopal  Party  to  take  heed  of  Grotiamfm  that  was  creeping  in 
upon  them,  I  did  thereupon  write  a  little  Colle&ion  out  of  the  late  Writings  of 
Grottus  (  efpecially  his  Difcujfw  Apokgetici  Rivettani  )  to  prove  him  to  have  turned 
Papift ;  and  that  Popery  was  indeed  his  Religion  ( though  he  communica- 
ted with  no  Church  ]  (  for  he  cxprefly  pleadeth  tor  our  contenting  to  the  Council 
of  Trenty  and  all  other  general  Councils  as  the  Churches  Law,  and  to  the  Pope's  So- 
vereign Government ;  fb  it  be  according  to  thofe  Laws,  and  to  the  Miftrefsfhip  of 
the  Church  of  Rome  over  all  other  Churches,  and  to  Pope  Pim\  Oath,  with  much 
more  to  that  purpofe :  and  telleth  us  that  he  was  turned  from  us  becaufe  he  faw  thar 
the  Proteftant  Churches  had  no  poffibility  of  Union  among  themfelves,  &c.  and 
there  is  a  Book  written  (  I  think  by  Fincentius  )  a  French  Minifter,  called  Grottus 
Papuans,  which  proveth  it :  And  Claud.  Suraz/ia,  an  honourable  learned  Counci- 
lor of  Paris,  in  his  printed  Epiftles  publifheth  the  fame  fromGntfWs  own  Mouth) 
But  Mr.  Pierce  was  vehemently  furious  at  my  Book,  and  wrote  a  Volume  againft 
me  full  of  ingenuous  Lies  and  Railing ;  for  he  had  no  better  way  to  defend  Grottus 
or  himfelf.  In  that  Book  he  fcrapes  up  all  the  Words  through  all  my  Writings 
where  Ifpeak  any  thing  of  my  (elf,  and  puts  them  together,  more  impudently  in- 
terpreting them,  than  could  have  been  expected  from  a  Man  :  Becaufe  I  confefs 
that  the  place  I  liv'd  in  was  a  Sequeftration  (  whence  an  ignorant  Reader  had  been 
put  out  before  my  coming  to  them  )  therefore  he  calls  me  Thief,  as  if  I  liv'd  on 
another's  Bread  ;  As  if  no  Man  mult  ever  have  been  the  Teacher  of  the  People,  till 
that  ignorant  Wretch  were  reftored  to  his  Soul- murdering  Condition  :  Becaufe  I  had 
written  to  perfuadefome  honeft  fcrupulous  Perfbns,that  they  fhould  not  forfake  the 
Churches  Communion,  though  fome  were  there  that  had  been  drunken  or  other- 
wife  fcandalous,  and  had  fpoken  fome  Words  to  draw  them  to  fome  charitable 
hopes  of  a  Man  that  had  been  drunken,  or  adulterous,  if  he  were  not  impenitent  ; 
and  all  this  to  reconcile  them  to  the  Prelatical  Party,  whom  they  took  to  he  the 
fcandalous  People  of  the  Land ;  lb  little  Thanks  doth  he  give  me  for  this  Excufing 
of  his  Party,  that  he  calls  me  \worfe  than  a  Drunkard  or  Whoremonger  ]  as  if  I  had 
pleaded  for  thefe  Sins,  and  yet  in  his  former  Book  he  had  faid,  that  \_if  1  came  that 
way,  and  would  communicate  with  him  and  his  .Church,  no  Man  in  the  whole  World 
fhould  be  more  welcome  ]  (  dreaming  that  I  had  difowned  Communion  with  the  Pre- 
latifts,  which  I  never  did  for  all  their  publick  and  perfonal  Corruptions.)  But  his 
Venom  againft  the  Puritans  is  meerly  Serpentine :  He  defcribeth  them  as  the  moft 
bloody,  traiterous,  wicked  Generation;  unworthy  to  live;  and  blamsth  the  for- 
mer Bifhops  that  ufed  them  fo  gently,  and  provoketh  the  Governors  to  hang  them 
in  greater  Numbers  than  heretofore  >    and  efpecially  againft  Canwright  he  fatHy 

but 


I.   II  ■  ■■ »'       I  '  ■■  '■"*" 

P  a  (v  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         281 

but  confidently  writeth,  that  he  was  confederate  with  Hacket,  Copinger,  and  At- 
tbington  (  whom  he  feigneth  to  have  been  Presbyterians  or  Puritans,  (  who  were 
detracted  Fanaticks,  one  calling  him  felf  Chrift,  and  the  other  his  two  WitnelTes. ) 
But  Mr.  Cartwrtgbt  himfelf  long  ago  publifli'd  a  Defence  againfl  the  Accufations  of 
Dr.  Sutcltjf  on  this  very  Matter. 

§  118.  but  to  return  from  this  Digreffion  :  A  little  before  the  Meeting  about  the 
King's  Declaration,  Collonel  Birch  came  to  me  as  from  the  Lord  Chancellor,   to 
perluade  me  to  take  the  Bifhoprick  of  Hereford  (for  he  had  bought  the  Bi(hop's 
Houfe  at  Wbitburne,    and  thought  to  make  a  better  Bargain  with  me  than  with 
another,  and  therefore  finding  that  the  Lord  Chancellor  intended  me  the  Offer  of 
one,  he  defired  it  might  be  that  )c  1  thought  it  belt  to  give  them  no  pofitive  Deny- 
al,  till  I  law  the  mmoft  of  their  Intents :    And  I  perceived  that  Coll.  Birch  came 
privately  that  a  Bifhnpi  ick  might  not  be  publickly  refuted,  and  to  try  whether  I 
would  accept  it  that  elfe  it  might  not  be  offered  me  ;  for  he  told  me  true  they  would 
not  bear  fuch  a  Repulfe.     1  told  him  that  I  was  refolved  never  to  be  Bifhop  of  He- 
reford, and  that  I  did  not  think  that  1  Ihould  ever  fee  caufeto  take  any  Bilhoprick, 
but  I  could  give  no  pofitive  Anlwer,  till  I  faw  the  King's  Refolutions  about  the  way 
of  Church-Government ;  For  if  the  old  Diocefan  Frame  continued,    he  knew  we 
could  never  accept  or  own  it.     After  this  (having  not  a  flatdenyal)  he  came  again 
and  again  to  Dr.  Reignolds,  Mr.  Calamy,  and  my  lei f  together,  to  importune  us  all 
to  accept  the  Offer  ;  (for  the  Bilhoprick  of  Norwich  was  offered  Dr.  Reignolds,  and 
Coventry  and  Litchfield  to  Mr.  Calamy) :   But  he  had  no  pofitive  Anfwer,  but  the 
fame  from  me  as  before.     At  laft,  the  Day  that  the  King's  Declara  ion  came  out, 
when  I  was  with  the  Lord  Chancellor  (who  did  all)  he  asked  me  whether  I  would 
accept  of  a  Bifhoprick  :  I  told  them  that  if  he  had  asked  me  that  Qjeftion  the  day 
before,  I  could  eafily  have  anfwered  him,  that  in  Confcience  he  could  not  do  it  * 
for  though  I  would  live  peaceably  under  whatever  Government  the  King  mould 
(et  up,  1  cou;       lot  have  a  hand  in  executing  it.     But  having  as  I  wascomingto 
him  feen  the  King';  Declaration,  and  feeing  that  by  it,  the  Government  is  fo  far 
altered  as  it  is,  I  take  my  felf,  for  the  Churches  fake,  exceedingly  beholden  to  his 
Lordihip  for  thofe  Moderations ;   and  my  delire  to  promote  the  Happinefs  of  the 
Church,  which  that  Moderation  tendeth  to,    doth  make  mc  rcfolve  to  rake  that 
Courfe,  which  tendeth  moll  thereto  :    But  whether  to  take  a  Bifhoprick,  be  the 
way,  I  was  in  Doubt,  and  defired  fome  farther  time  of  Confideration.    But  if  his 
Lordfhip  would  procure  us  the  fettlement  of  the  matter  of  that  Declaration,    by 
paffing  it  inro  a  Law,  I  promifed  him  to  take  that  way  in  which  1  might  moftferve 
the  Puplick  Peace. 

§  119.  Dr.  ReignoUs,  Mr.  Calamy,  and  my  felf,  had  fome  Speaches  oft  together 
about  it ;  and  we  all  thought  that  a  Bifhoprick  might  be  accepted  according  to  the 
Defcription  of  the  Declaration,  without  any  Violation  of  the  Covenant,  or  own- 
ing the  ancient  Prelacy  ;  but  all  the  Doubt  was,  whether  this  Declaration  would 
be  made  a  Law  (  as  was  then  expected  )  or  whether  it  were  but  a  temporary 
means  to  draw  us  on  till  we  came  up  to  all  the  Diocefans  defired  ;  and  Mr.  Calamy 
defired  that  we  might  all  go  together,  and  all  refufe,  or  all  accept  it; 

§  120.  But  by  this  time  the  rumour  of  it  fled  abroad,  and  the  Voice  of  the  Ci- 
ty made  a  Difference;  for  though  they  wilhd  that  none  of  us  fhould  be  Bifhops, 
yet  they  faid,  Dr.  Reignolds  and  Mr.  Baxter,  being  known  to  be  for  moderate  Epif- 
copacy,  their  acceptance  would  be  lels  fcandalous  :  But  if  Mr.  Calamy  ihould  ac- 
cept it,  who  had  preached,  and  written,  and  donefo  much  againfl  it  (  which  were 
then  at  large  recited  )  never  Presbyterian  would  be  trufted  for  his  fake ;  fo  that  the 
Clamour  was  very  loud  againfl  his  acceptance  of  it :  And  Mr.  Matthew  Newcomen, 
his  Brother  in  Law  wrote  to  me  earneltly  to  diifuade  him,  and  many  more. 

§  121.  For  my  own  part  I  refolved  againft  it  at  the  firft,  but  not  as  a  thing  which 
I  judged  unlawful  in  it  felf,  as  defcribed  in  the  King's  Declaration  :  But  1.  I  knew 
that  it  would  take  me  off  my  Writing.  2.  I  looked  to  have  moft  of  the  godly 
Minifters  caft  out,  and  what  good  could  be  done  upon  ignorant,  vile,  uncapabls 
Men?  2.  I  feared  that  this  Declaration  was  but  for  a  prefent  ufe,  and  that  fhort- 
ly  it  would  be  revok'd  or  nullified.  4.  And  if  fb,  I  doubted  not,  but  the  Laws 
would  prefcrihe  fuch  work  for  Bifhops,  in  filencing  Minifters,  and  troubling  ho- 
neft  Chriftians  for  their  Confciences,  and  ruling  the  vicious  with  greater  Lenity, 
&c.  As  that  I  had  rather  have  the  meaneft  Imployment  amongft  Men.  5-.  And 
my  Judgment  was  fully  refolved  againft  the  Lawfulnefs  of  the  old  Diocefane 
Frame. 

O  O  §  122, 


282  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J 


§  122.  But  when  Dr.  Reignolds  and  Mr.  Calamy  askt  my  Thoughts,  I  told  them, 
[that  diftinguifhing  between  what  is  fimply,  and  what  is  by  Accident  Evil,  I 
thought  that  as  Epifcopacy  is  defcribed  in  the  King's  Declaration,  it  is  lawful, 
when  better  cannot  be  had  ;  but  yet  Scandal  might  make  it  unfit  for  fome  Men 
more  than  others :  Therefore  to  Mr.  Calamy  I  would  give  no  Counfel,  but  for  Dr. 
Reignolds  I  perfuaded  him  to  accept  it,  lb  be  it,  he  would  publickly  declare  that  he 
took  it  but  on  the  Terms  of  the  King's  Declaration,  and  would  lay  it  down  when 
he  could  no  longer  exerciie  it  on  thofe  terms:  only  I  left  it  to  his  Confideration 
whether  it  be  better  fhy  till  we  lee  what  they  will  do  with  the  Declaration  ;  and  for 
my  felf,  I  was  confident  1  fliould  fee  caufe  to  refufe  it. 

§  12;.  When  I  came  next  to  the  Lord  Chancellor,  (the  next  day  fave  one)  he 
asked  me  of  my  Refotution,  and  put  me  to  it  fo  fuddenly,  that  I  was  forced  to  de- 
lay no  longer,  but  told  him  that  I  could  not  accepr  it,  for  ieveral  Reafons;  and 
it  was  not  the  leaft  that  i  thought  I  could  better  fervc  the  Church  without  it,  if  he 
would  but  profecute  the  eftablilhment  of  the  Terms  granted  :  And  becaufe  I 
thought  thut  it  would  be  ill  taken  if  I  refuied  it  on  any  but  acceptable  Reafons,and 
alfb  that  Writing  would  ferve  beft  againft  mifreports  hereafter,  I  the  next  Day  put 
this  Letter  into  the  Lord  Chancellor's  Hand,  which  he  took  in  good  Part  ;  In 
which  I  concealed  the  mod  of  my  Reafons,  and  gave  the  beft,  and  ufed  more  Free- 
dom in  my  farther  Requefts,  than  I  expected  fhould  have  any  good  Succels. 

My  Lord, 

^fO  XJ  R  great  Favour  and  Condefcention  encourages  me  to  give  you  more  of  my  Senfe  of 
the  Bufmefs  which  your  Lord(hip  was  pleafed  to-  propound.     I  was  till  I  faw  the  Decla- 
ration, much  dejected,  and  refohed  againft  a  Bijhoprick  as  unlawful.     But  finding  there 
more  than  on  O&ob.  22.  btf  Majefty  granted  us  (in  the  Pa/tors  Confent,  &c.  the  Ru- 
ral Dean  with  the  whole  Minijtry  enabled  to  exercife  as  much  perfuafive  Paftoral  Power  as 
I could  de fire  (who  believe  the  Church  hath  no  other  kind  of  Power,  unlefi  communicated 
from  the  Magiftrate)  Subfcriptton  abated  in  the  Univerfities,  &c.)     And  finding  fuch  hap- 
py Concejfions  in  the  great  point  of  Parochial  Power  and  Difcipline,  and  in  the  Liturgy  and 
Ceremonies ,  &C  my  Soul  rejoiced  in  thankfulnefi  to  God  and  his  Inftruments,  and  my  Con- 
fcience  prefently  told  me  it  was  my  Dutyy  to  do  my  beft  with  my  felf  and  others  as  far  as  I 
had  Intereft  and  Opportunity,  to  fupprefs  all  finful  Difcontents  ;  and  having  competent  Ma- 
terials now  put  into  my  Hands,  (without  which  1  could  have  done  nothing  )  to  perfuade  all 
my  Brethren  to   Thankfulness ,    and  obedient  SubmiJJion  to  the  Government.     And  being 
raided  to  fome  joyful  hopes  of  feeing  the  Beginnings  of  a  happy  Union,    I  frail  crave  your 
Lordfhifs  Pardon  for  presuming  to  tell  you  what  farther  endeavours  will  be  neceff'ary  to  ac- 
complifh  it  :    1.  If  your  Lordjhip  will  endeavour  to  get    this    Declaration  pafs  into  an 
Acl.     2.  If  you  will  Jfeedily  procure  a  Ccmmiffion  to  the  Perfons  that  are  (equally)  to  be 
deputed  to  that  work,  to  review  the  Common-Prayer- Book,  according  to  the  Declaration. 
2.  If  you  will  further  effeclually  the  Re(loration  of  able,  faithful  Mmtfers  (who  have  and 
will  have  great  Intereft  in  the  fober  part  of  the  People)  to  a  fet  led  flatten  of  Service  in  the 
Church,  who  are  lately  removed.     4.  If  you  will  open  fome  way  for  the  ejection  of  the  in' 
fufficient,  fcandalous  and  unable.     j\  If  you  will  put  as  many  of  our  Perfuafion  as  you  can 
into  Bijhopricks   (  if  it  may  be,  more  than  three.)     6.  If  you  will  defire  the   Bifhcps  to 
place  fome  of  them  in  inferior  Places  of  truft  \  effecially  Rural  Deanries,  which  is  a  otati- 
on  fuitable  to  us,  in  that  it  hath  no  SaUtry  cr  Maintenance,  nor  coercive  Power,  but  that 
fimple  ,    pafioral  perfuafive  Power  which  we  defire  :     This  much  will   Jet   us   all  in 
joint. 

And  for  my  own  part,  I  hope  by  Letters  this  very  Week  to  dtfperfe  the  Seeds  of  Satisfacti- 
on into  many  Countries  of  England.  But  my  Confcience  commanding  me  to  make  this  my 
very  Work  and  Bufmefs  (  unlefi  the  things  granted  flwuld  be  rcverfr,  which  God  forbid ) 
Imu/t  profefito  your  Lordjliip,  that  lam  utterly  agamfl  accepting  of  a  Bifioprick  ( as  be- 
caufe Iamconjcioui  that  it  will  over '-match  my  fttfficievcj,  ard  af  right  me  with  the  remem- 
brance  of  my  Account  far  fo  great  an  U;.  %  t  king,  &c\  fo)  fpecially  becaufe  it  will  very 
much  difableme  from  an  effeltual  promoting  of  the  Churches  Peac<\  As  Men  will  queflion 
all  my  Argumentations  and  Ptrfu,  (ives-a  when  they  fee  me  in  the  Dignity  which  I  plead  for, 
but  will  take  me  to  fpeak  my  Conjcience  -  mpartially,  when  I  am  but  as  one  of  them,  fo  Imuft 
profefsto  your  Lordjhip,  that  it  will  ft  op  my  own  Mouth}  fo  that  1  cannot  for  Shame  fpeak 
half  fo  freely  as  now  lean  (and  will  if  God  enable  me)  for  Obedience  and  Peace,  while  I 
knovj  that  the  Hearers  will  be  thinking  I  am  pleading  for  my  felf  Therefore  I  humbly 
cravet 

1.  That 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        283 

1.  That  your  Lordjhip  will  put  fome  able  Man  of  our  perfwafion  into  the  place  "which 
you  intend  me  (  Though  I  now  think  that  Dr.Re\gno\ds  and  Mr.  Calamy  may  better  ac- 
cept of  a  Bijhoprick  than  I,  which  I  hope  your  Lordjhip  will  promote  ).  I  fliaU  prefumc 
to  offer  fome  Choice  to  your  Confederation ;  Dr.  Francis  Roberts  of  Wrington  in  Somer- 
letlhire  (  known  by  his  Works ),  Mr.  Froyzal  of  Gun  in  Shropfhire  and  Hereford 
Diocefi  {a  Man  of  great  worth  and  goodinterefi  ),  Mr.  Daniel  Cawdrey  of  Billing 
in  Northamptonfhire,  Mr.  Anthony  Burgels  of  Sutton -Coldfield  in  Warwickfhire 
(  all  known  by  their  printed  Works  ) ;  Mr.  John  Trap  of  Glocefterfhire  ,  Mr.  Ford  of 
Exeter,  Mr.  Hughes  of  Plymouth,  Mr.  Bampfield  of  Sherborne  ,  Mr.  Woodbridge 
of  Newbury,  Dr.  Chambers,  Dr.  Bryan  and  Dr.  Grew  both  of  Coventry,  Mr.Brmi 
ley  of  Yarmouth,  Mr.  Porter  of  Whitchurch  in  Shropfhire,  Mr.  Gilpin  ©/Cumber- 
land, Mr.  Bowles  of  York,  Dr.Temple  o/Brampfton  in  Warwickfhire  :  I  need  name 
no  more. 

2.  That  you  will  believe  that  I  as  thankfully  acknowledge  pur  Lordfhip's  Favour,  as  if 
I  were  by  it  poffeffed  of  a  Bijlwprick  :  And  if  your  LorJflup  continue  in  tbofe  Intentions,  I 
(liall  thankfully  accept  it  in  any  other  fate  or  relation  that  may  further  my  Service  to  the 
Church  and  to  his  Majefiy.  But  I  defire  for  the  forementioned  Reafons  that  it  may  be  no  Ca- 
thedral Relation.  And  whereas  the  Vicar  of  the  Pan(h  where  I  have  lived  will  not  refign, 
but  accept  me  only  as  bis  Curate,  if  your  Lordjhip  would  procure  him  fome  Prebendary ,  or 
other  place  of  Competent  Proft  (for  I  dare  not  motion  him  to  any  Pafioral  Charge,  or  Place 
that  reamreth  preaching),  that  jo  he  might  refign  that  Vicar  idge  to  me,  without  his  Lofi, 
according  to  the  late  Att,  before  December,  for  the  fake  of  that  Town  (  of  Kiddermin- 
frer  )  I  Jhould  take  it  as  a  very  great  favour.  But  if  there  be  any  great  Inconvenience  or 
Difficulties  in  the  way,  I  can  well  be  content  to  be  his  Curate.  I  crave  your  Lordfliip* s  par- 
don of  this  trouble   (  which  your  own  Condefcenjlon  hath  drawn  upon  you)  and  remain 

Nov.  1.  1660.  Your  Lordfhips 

much  obliged  Servant 

Rich.  Baxter, 

I  have  prefumed  to  tender  you  the  inclofed  Lift  of  defired  Members  of 
the  Indian  Corporation  ,  luppofing  your  Lordfhip  will  Name  what 
Perfons  of  higher  Quality  you  fee  meet.  And  alfo  the  French  Pro- 
ject with  this  of  London  for  a  Corporation  for  the  Poor,  that  by  fuch 
Generals  you  may  be  prepared  to  receive  the  Londoner's  Petition  when 
it  is  offered. 


§  124.  Mr.  Calamy  blamed  me  for  giving  in  my  Denial  alone  ,  before  we  had 
relolved  together  what  to  do.  But  I  told  him  the  truth,  that  being  upon  other  ne- 
ceffary  Bufinefs  with  the  Lord  Chancellour,  he  put  me  to  it  on  the  fudden,  fo 
that  I  could  not  conveniently  delay  my  Anfwer. 

§  1 2  j.  And  Dr.  Regnolds  almoft  as  fuddenly  accepted  it,  faying,  That  fome  Friend 
bad  taken  out  the  Conge  d'eflier/or  him  without  his  knowledge.  But  he  read  to  me  a 
Profeffion  dire&ed  to  the  King,  which  he  had  written,  wherein  he  profeffed  that 
he  took  a  Bifhop  and  Presbyter  to  differ  not  or  dine  but  gradu,  and  that  a  Bifhop 
was  but  the  Chief  Presbyter,  and  that  he  was  not  to  Ordain  or  Govern  but  with 
his  Presbyter's  Affiftance  and  Confent,  and  that  thus  he  accepted  of  the  place, 
and  as  defcribed  in  the  King's  Declaration,  and  not  as  it  flood  before  in  England , 
and  that  he  would  no  longer  hold  or  exercife  it  than  he  could  do  it  on  thefe 
terms]  :  To  this  fence  it  was  j  and  he  told  [me  that  he  would  offer  it  the  King 
when  he  accepted  of  the  place ;  but  whether  he  did  or  not  I  cannot  tell.  He  dy'd 
in  the  Bifhoprick  of  Norwich  An.  i6j6. 

§  126.  On  Friday  Novemb.i.  being  All-Souls- day ,  the  Queen  came  in  :  And 
there  were  that  day  on  the  Thames  three  Tydes  in  about  Twelve  hours,  to  the 
common  admiration  of  the  People. 

§  127.  Mr.  Calamy  long  fufpended  his  Anfwer,  fo  that  that  Bifhoprick  was  long 
undifpofed  of;  till  he  faw  the  iffue  of  all  our  Treaty ,  which  eafily  refolved  him. 
And  Dr.  Manton  was  offered  the  Deanery  of  Rochepr,  and  Dr.  Bates  the  Deanery 

O  o  2  of 


^84  ThelTl  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I# 

of  Coventry  and  Lichfield,  which  they  both  (after  (ome  time)  refilled:  And,  as  I 
heard,  Mr.  Edward  Bowles  was  offered  the  Deanery  of  York  (at  leaft)  which  he  re- 
fund, (and  not  long  after  died  of  the  ftone). 

§  128.  When  the  Kings  Declaration  was  paffed,  we  had  a  Meeting  with  the 
Minifters  of  London  called  Presbyterian  (  that  is,  all   that  were  neither  Prelatical, 
nor  of  any  other  Sc&,)  to  confult  with  them  about  their  returning  Thanks  to  the 
King  for  his  gracious  Declaration ;  that  fo  it  might  appear  that   thole  that   were 
not  with  us  were  thankful  for  it,  as  well  as  we.     At  the  tirft  Meeting  the  City  Mi- 
nifters firft  voted  their  Thanks  to  be  given  to  us  for   our  Labours  in  procuring  it, 
Nemine  contradicente  :  But  old  Mr.  Arthur  Jackfon  (  a  very  worthy  Man  )  and  Mr. 
Crofton,  fpake  againft  returning  Thanks  to  the  King  :  Not  that  they  were  not  truly 
thankful;  but  becaufe  their  Thanks,  would  fignifie  an  approbation  of  Biihops  and 
Archbifliops  which  they  had  covenanted  againft.    This  1  undertook  to  confute, by- 
proving,  that  the  Biihops  and  Archbifliops  in  the  King's  Declaration  are  not  ejuf- 
demjpectei  with  what  they  were  before  :  And  that  there  is  the  fame  Name,  but  not 
the  iame  Thing  ;  and  withal  by  proving  that  the  Covenant  did  not  meddle  againft 
all  Biihops  and  Archbilhops,  but  only  thofe  of  theEngli/h  Diocefan  Species:  And 
that  there  was  a  Specifical  Difference,  I  proved,  in  that  by  the  King's  Declarati- 
on the  Effentials  at  lead  of  Church-Government  is  reftored  to  the  Paftors,  whereas 
before  the  Paftors  had  no  Government  $  and  this  altereth  all  the  Frame,  as  much, 
as  if  you  let  the  Foundation- Walls,  and  Roof  of  your  Houfeftand,  and  all  that  is 
vifible  without,  but  within  you  pull  down  the  Partitions  and  turn  it  into  a  Church. 
For  before  every  Bifhop  was  the  loweft  and  fole  Governour  (  with  his  Court  and 
Confiftory)  of  many  hundred  Churches :  and  now  every  Paftor  is  the  loweft  Go- 
vernour of  his  Flock,  and  the  Bilhop  is  but  the  Superiour  Governour  of  the  lower 
Governours  and  the  Flocks :  and  indeed  are  all  Archbifliops ,  though  they  have 
the  Name  of  Bifhops  ftill.     Moft  of  the  Minifters  were  fatisfied,  but  to  me  re- 
mained uniatisfied  to  the  end. 

§  129.  But  at  the  next  Meeting,  thofe  that  were  fatisfied  refolved  upon  Thankf- 
giving  to  the  King,  and  they  drew  up  this  following  Writing. 


To  the  King  s  moft  Excellent  Majefty  : 

The  bumble  and  grateful  Acknowledgment  of  many  Minifters  of  the 
Gofpel  in  and  about  the  City  of  London,  to  his  Royal  Majefty 
for  his  gracious  Concejjions  in  his  Majefty  s  late  Declaration  con- 
cerning Ecclefiaftical  Affairs. 

Moft  Dread  Sovereaign ! 

'  YK7  ^  y°ur  Majefty's  moft  Dutiful  and  Loyal  Subjects,  Minifters  of  the  Go- 
r  W  ipel  in  your  City  of  London^  having  peruled  your  Majefty's  late  Declarati- 
on concerning  Ecclefiaftical  Affairs,  and  rinding  it  to  the  joy  of  our  hearts,  fo 
'  full  of  Indulgence  and  gracious  Condefcenfion,  we  cannot  but  judge  our  ielves 
'  highly  obliged,  in  the  firft  place  to  render  our  unfeigned  Thanks  to  our  good 
c  God,  who  hath  fo  mercifully  inclined  your  Majefty's  Royal  heart  to  this  Mode- 
c  ration,  and  next  our  moft  humble  and  hearty  Acknowledgments  unto  your  Sa- 
'  cred  Majefty,  that  we  may  teftifie  to  your  Royal  Self,and  all  the  World,our  juft 
1  Relentment  of  your  Majefty's  great  Goodneis  and  Clemency  therein  exprefled. 

May  it  pleafiyour  Majefiy, 

f  The  Liberty  of  our  Gonfciences  and  the  free  Exercile  of  oar  Miniftry  in  the 
1  Work  of  our  Great  Lord  and  Mafter,  for  the  Converfion  of  Souls,  ought  to  be, 
'  and  are  more  dear  to  us,  than  all  the  Profits  and  Preferments  of  this  World ;  and 
•  therefore  your  Majefty's  Tenderneis,  manifefted  in  thefe  (b  high  Concernments, 
1  doth  wonderfully  affecT:  us,  and  raife  up  our  Hearts  to  an  high  pitch  of  Gra- 
f  titude. 

'We 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         28 


1  We  cannot  but  adore  Divine  Goodnefs  for  your  Majefty's  ftedfaft  adherance 
to  the  Pi  oteftant  Religion,  notwithftanding  all  Temptations  and  Provocations  to 
the  contrary,  and  your  profefled  Zeal  for  the  Advancement  and  Propagation 
thereof,  declaring,  that  nothing  can  be  propofed  to  manifeft  your  Zeal  and  Af- 
fection for  it,  to  which  you  will  not  readily  confent. 
1  Your  Majefty  hasgracioufiy  declared,  That  your  Refolution  is,  and  fhall  be. 
to  promote  the  Power  of  Godlinefs,  to  encourage  the  Exercifes  of  Religion,botri 
publick  and  private,  to  take  care  that  the  Lord's  day  be  applyed  to  holy  Exer- 
cifes, without  unnecefTary  Divei tifements ;  and  that  inefficient,  negligent  and 
fcandalous  Minifteis  be  not  permuted  in  the  Church.  Your  Majefty  hath  granted 
that  no  Biihop  fhall  Ordain,  or  Exercife  any  part  of  Jurifdiction  which  apper- 
tains to  the  Cenfures  of  the  Church,  without  the  advice  and  afliftance  of  the 
Presbyters,  and  neither  do,  nor  impofe  any  thing,  but  what  is  according  to  the 
known  Laws  of  the  Land.  Excluded  Chancellours,  CommilTaries,  and  Officials 
from  Acts  of  Jurifdiction  :  fo  happily  reftored  the  Power  of  the  Pafrors  in  their 
feveral  Congregations ;  and  granted  a  Liberty  to  all  the  Minifters  to  aflemble 
Monthly  for  the  Exercife  of  the  Paff oral  perfwafive  Power,  to  the  promoting  of 
Knowledge  and  Godlinefs  in  their  Flocks.  Your  Majefty  hath  gracioufly  promi- 
kd  a  Review,  and  effectual  Reformation  of  the  Liturgy,  with  additionalForms 
to  be  ufed  at  Choice  :  And  in  the  mean  time,  that  none  be  punifhed,  or  troubled 
for  not  ufing  it.  Your  Majefty  hath  gracioufly  freed  us  from  Subscription  re- 
quired by  the  Canon,  and  the  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience  ,•  and  granted  us 
to  receive  Ordination,  Inftitution  and  Induction,  and  to  exercife  our  Function 
and  enjoy  the  profit  of  our  Livings,  without  the  fame.  Your  Majefty  hath  gra- 
tified the  Confciences  of  many,  who  are  grieved  with  the  ufe  of  fome  Ceremo- 
nies, by  indulging  to ,  and  difpenfing  with  their  omitting  thofe  Ceremonies 
viz,.  Kneeling  at  the  Sacrament,  the  Crols  in  Baptifm,  bowing  at  the  Name  oi* 
Jefus,  and  wearing  of  the  Surplice. 
c  All  this  your  Majefty's  Indulgence  and  tender  Gompaflion  (  which  with  de- 
light we  have  taken  the  boldnefs  thus  largely  to  Commemorate  )  we  receive  with 
all  humility  and  thankfulnefs,  and,as  the  belt  Expreflion  thereof,  fhall  never  ceafe 
to  pray  for  your  Majefty's  long  and  profperous  Reign  ;  and  ftudy  how  in  our 
feveral  Stations  we  may  be  molt  lnf rrumental  in  your  Majefty's  Service :  And  that 
we  may  not  be  defective  in  Ingenuity,  we  crave  leave  to  profefs,  that  though  all 
things  in  this  Frame  of  Government  be  not  exactly  fuited  to  our  Judgment,  yet 
your  Majefty's  moderation  hath  fb  great  an  influence  upon  us ,  that  we  fhall  to 
our  utmoft  endeavour  the  healing  of  the  Breaches,  and  promoting  the  Peace  and 
Union  of  the  Church. 

'  There  are  fome  other  things  that  have  been  propounded  by  our  Reverend  Bre- 
thren, which,  upon  our  knees,  with  all  humble  Importunity,  we  could  beg  of 
your  Majefty  ,  efpecially  that  Re-ordination,  and  the  Surplice  in  Colledges 
may  not  be  impoied ;  and  we  cannot  lay  afide  our  Hopes ,  but  that  that  God 
who  hath  thus  far  drawn  out  your  Majefty's  Bowels  and  Mercy,  will  further  in- 
cline your  Majefty's  Heart  to  gratifie  us  in  thefe  our  humble  Defires  alio. 

'That  we  be  not  further  burthenfbme,  we  humbly  beg  leave  to  thank  your 
'  Majefty  for  the  Liberty  and  Refpect  vouchfafed  to  our  Reverend  Bre- 
1  thren  in  this  weighty  Affair  of  Accommodation.  The  God  of  Heaven 
1  blefs  your  Majefty,  and  all  the  Royal  Family, 

Your  Majefty's 

moft  Loyal  Subjects, 

Sa.  Clark.  WiU.  Cooper.  Eli.  Pledger. 

Tbo.Cafi.  WiU.Whittaker.  Will.  Bates. 

Jo.  Rawlinfon.  Tho.  Jacomb.  Jo.  Gibbon. 

Jo.  Sheffield.  Tho.  Lye.  Mat.  Poole. 

Tho.  Gouge.  Jo.Jackfon.  With    may  o- 

Gab.  Sanger.  Jo.  Meriton*  thers. 

This  Addrefs  was  Prefented  to  his  Majefty  at  Whitehall \  Nov.  16.  by  fome  of  the/e 
Minifters,to  whom  hewaspleafed  to  return  a  very  gracious  Anfwer. 

London,  Printed  by  his  Majefty's  Approbation  for  Job.  Rothwel,  at  the  Sign  of 
the  Fountain  in  Cheapfide,  in  Goldfmitbs  Rowt  1660. 

§r$o. 


2S6  The  LIFE  of  the    ~~     Lib.  I. 

§  i  jo.  Whether  this  came  to  the  King's  Ears,  or  what  elfe  it  was  that  caufed 
it,  I  know  not,  but  prefently  after  the  Earl  of  Lauderdale  came  to  tell  me,  char  I 
mnft  come  the  next  day  to  the  King:Who  was  pleafed  to  tell  me,that  he  lent  for  me 
only  to  fignifiehis  Favour  to  me:  1  told  him,  I  feared  my  plain  Speeches  Oclob.zz. 
which  I  thought  that  Caufe  in  hand  commanded  me,  might  have  been  difpleafing 
to  him  :  But  he  told  me  that  he  was  not  offended  at  the  plainnefs  or  freedom  or 
earneftnefs  of  them,  but  only  when  he  thought  I  was  not  in  the  right  j  and  that 
for  my  free  Speech  he  took  me  to  be  the  honefter  Man. 

I  fuppole  this  Favour  came  from  the  Bi(hops,who  having  notice  of  what  laftpaft, 
did  think  that  now  I  might  ferve  their  Interefls. 

§  i;t.  The  Queftionnow  is,  What  we  got  by  procuring  this  Declaration  of  the 
King's,  and  how  it  was  accepted  by  the  People  ? 

i.  I  thought  it  no  fmall  gain,  though  none  of  it  mould  be  fulfilled  ,  that  we  had 
got  (b  much  from  the  hand  of  a  King,  to  take  off  prejudice  among  the  People  , 
and  abate  the  violence  of  cruel  Men,  and  to  fraud  on  record  to  Pofterity  that  once 
fo  much  was  granted  us  by  the  King !  for  if  ever  there  be  any  inclinations  to  Peace 
and  Charity  hereafter,that  which  once  bath  been  granted  will  be  eafilier  granted  again, 
than  that  which  was  never  granted  before.  This  Teftimony  is  more  worth  than 
all  our  labour  for  it. 

2.  The  Miniftersand  People  of  the  Land  that  were  concerned  in  itjhad  a  Twelve 
months  time  by  it,  in  their  Miniirerial  Liberty,  and  Maintenance  :  for  this  (ufpend- 
ed  the  Execution  of  the  old  Laws  which  were  in  force  againft  them  ,  till  the  new 
ones  were  made. 

3.  We  got  (which  was  a  valuable  benefit)  the  Liberty  in  our  Treaty  to  fpeak 
for  our  Caufe  under  the  protection  of  the  King's  Commiffion,  and  juftly  to  irate 
our  Differences  $  which  elfe  would  have  been  fafly  ftated  to  our  prejudice,  and 
none  might  have  contradicted  them. 

§  132.  But  for  the  fulfilling  of  it,  there  was  nothing  at  all  done  which  the  De- 
claration mentioneth,fave  only  this  years  Sufpenfion  of  the  Law  againft  us:And  fome 
Men  were  fo  violent  at  a  diftance  in  the  Country,  that  they  indicted  Miniffers  at 
the  Affizes  and  Seffions  notwithstanding  the  Declaration,  taking  it  for  no  Sufpenfi- 
on  of  the  Law  :  which  put  us  on  many  ungrateful  Addreffes  to  the  King  and  the 
LordChancellour  for  their  Deliverance  :  For  the  Brethren  complained  to  us  from 
all  Parts,  and  thought  it  our  Duty,  who  had  procured  the  Declaration,  to  procare 
the  Execution  of  it  :  And  when  we  petitioned  for  them  they  were  commonly  de- 
livered from  that  Suffering. 

But  as  to  the  Matter  of  Church-Government  mentioned  in  the  Declaration, 
1.  The  Power  of  Godlmefi  hath  been  promoted,  as  the  Acl  of  Uniformity,  and  the  Aft 
againft  Conventicles,  and  the  Ejecting  of  1 800  Minifters  at  once,  and  many  Hun- 
dred before,  with  much  more  to  the  fame  purpofe,  exprefs.  2.  The  publick  and 
private  Exercifes  of  Religion,  have  been  encouraged,  juft  as  thofe  two  forementioned 
Ads  exprefs:  Of  which  toEnglifh-menl  need  not  give  an  Expofition.  3.  Of  the 
applying  the  Lord's  Day  wholly  to  holy  Exercifes ,  without  unnecejfary  Divertijements,  I 
have  leaft  to  fay ;  becaufe  in  thefe  Times  we  expect  only  Liberty  to  do  fo  our  lelves, 
leaving  all  others  to  take  their  own  way :  And  through  God's  mercy  we  have  liber- 
ty to  meditateor  pray  in  our  Clofets  ;  and  to  pray  in  our  Families,  fo  there  be  not 
above  four  others  prefent,  and  to  hear  Common  Prayer  and  Sermon  too  in  Pub- 
lick  in  thofe  Parifhesthat  have  a  Minifter  that  can  and  will  preach :  And  if  others 
think  a  Play,  or  publick  Games  or  Drinking,  or  Ryoting  to  be  necejj'ary  Divertife- 
tnents  ,  they  cannot  conftrain  us  to  the  like.  4.  That  Claufe  of  not  permit- 
ting^ inefficient,  negligent,  (candalous  Minifters  (Tor  the  word  [Non-  reftdentl  could  not 
pals )  I  believe  is  executed  according  to  the  Judgment  of  the  Executors :  for  I  fup- 
pole they  take  him  that  cannot  difcern  thelawfulnefs  of  the  Subfcriptions,  Decla- 
rations, and  Practifes  of  Conformity,  about  Oaths,  Prelacy  and  Ceremonies,  to  be 
more  infufficient  for  the  Miniftry  (how  learned  and  able  otherwife  foever  )  than 
an  ignorant  Reader  is.  And  I  fuppofe  they  take  one  that  renounceth  not  the  Ob- 
ligations of  the  Vow  and  Covenant,  and  Subfcribeth  not  to  Prelacy  and  Ceremo- 
nies to  be  more  fcandalous  than  a  Drunkard  or  a  Whoremonger ;  and  one  that 
neglecteth  any  of  thele  to  be  more  negligent  than  he  that  neither  preacheth  to  his 
Flock,  nor  perfonally  inftructeth  them. 

§133. 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


ii, 


§  j 3 3.  As  to  the  appointment  of  fucb  a  number  of  Suffragan  Bijhops  in  every  Diocefs  Declar. 
as  is  neceffary  to  the  due  performance  of  the  Work,  there  was  never  a  one  appointed  in^'  "• 
any  one  Diocefs  in  the  Land,  that  ever  I  heard  of;  but  yer  this  may  be  thus  farex- 
cufed,  that  the  Parliament  having  done  (o  much  of  the  Work  of  Church-Difcipline 
themfelves,  as  to  caft  out  1800  of  us  at  once,  there  was  the  !•  :rs  need  of  Suffragans 
afterwards ;  and  the  Bifhops  themfelves  were  fufiicient  to  cart  out,  or  keep  out  the 
reft,  if  ever  any  fuch  more  as  we  mould  feek  to  get  into  t!^e  Miniftry. 

§  154.  That  no  Bifhop  Jhall  ordain  or  e xercife  any  partofJhrifdicJion,  &c.   without  p.  u, 
the  Advice  and  Affiftance  of  the  Presbyters,  may  be  performed,  for  ought  I  know  j  for 
perhaps  the  Bifliop  (  or  Chancellor  )  hath  the  Advice  of  his  Chaplain  in  private  to 
do  it  himfelf,    and  I  believe  many  of  his  Presbyters  affift  him  by  t  eir  Information 
telling  him  who  they  be  that  fcruple  Ceremonies,  and  who  meet  in  private  to  Wor- 
ship God,  and  what  nonconfoi  mable  Minifters  prefume  to  preach  the  Gofpel. 

§155-.  That  no  Lay  Chancellor,  Commiffaries,  or  Officials  as  fucb  jhall  excommunt-  p. 
cate,  abfolve,  &c  may  for  ought  I  know  be  fulfilled  :  For  though  they  do  it  Fa- 
miliarly, as  they  did  before,  and  few  Countries  have  not  fome  that  are  excommuni- 
cated by  them,  for  not  receiving  the  Sacrament  againft  their  Confciences,  or  fome 
fuch  Matter :  Yet  whether  they  do  it  [  as  fucb]  or  in  any  other  unknown  Capa- 
city, is  more  than  a  Stander-by  can  tclJ,  and  they  fay,  that  when  it  comes  to  the 
Sentence  of  Excommunication,  fome  of  them  ufe  a  Prieft  pro  Forma. 

§  i%6.  Nor  did  I  ever  yet  hear  of  an  Archdeacon  who  exercifed  his  JurifdtBion  by 
the  Advice  and  Affiftance  of  fix  Minifters  chofen  as  is  there  mentioned  (p.  1  r.) 

§  1 37.  Nor  did  I  ever  hear  that  an  equal  Number  (to  the  Canons  and  Prebends ) 
were  annually,  (or  ever  once  )    chofen  in  any  one  Diocefs  by  the  Vote  of  the  Presby-  />•  12. 
ters  to  be  always  affi(ltng  to  the  Btfoop  in  all  Church-  cenfures,  &c.     But  indeed  the  Suf- 
fragans did  never  exercife  their  Jurifdtflion  without  them  ;    becaufe  fuch  Suffragans  ne-  P* l2- 
vcr  were. 

§  1 58.  Nor  did  I  ever  hear  that  the  Minifters  Confent  was  defired  for  the  Confirm-  p.  12. 
ing  of  any  in  his  Parilh  ;   nor  of  any  other  than  the  old  way  of  Confirmation, 
that  h,  for  any  that  will  run  into  the  Church,  though  never  fo  unknown,  to  kneel 
down  and  have  the  few  Words  mentioned  in  the  Liturgy  faid  with  the  Bifhop's 
Hand  on  his  Head. 

§  139.  Nor  did  I  yet  ever  hear  of  any  one,  who  before  he  was  admitted  to  the;..  I2. 
Sacrament,  was  called  to  any  other  [  credible  Profefion  of  Faith]  and  Promife  of  Obe- 
dience, than  to  ftand  up  at  the  Creed,  or  to  be  prefent  at  the  Common-Prayer : 
Nor  of  refufling  Scandalous  Offenders  till  they  have  openly  declared  themfelves  to  have  tru- 
ly repented  and  amended  their  former  naughty  Lives.  But  I  have  oft  heard  them  threat- 
ned  for  not  receiving. 

§  140.  Much  lefs  did  I  ever  hear  of  any  fuch  thing  as  a  Rural  Dean  with  his^.  ,- 
Neighbour  Mini frer  meeting  monthly,   or  ever  once,  for  any  of  thofe  excellent 
Works  there  mentioned  :   Nor  of  any  Attempt  of  fuch  a  thing. 

§  141.  As  for  the  Bifhop's  noc  ufing  Arbitrary  Power,  but  according  to  the  known  p.  14. 
Law  of  the  Land,  I  fijppofe  they  take  the  Canons  to  be  the  Law  of  the  Land,  or  ac- 
cording to  it,    which   other  Men  never  dream'd  of,   that   defired  that    Provi- 
fion. 

§  142.  And  whether  ever  the  Alterations  mentioned  were  made  of  the  Liturgy 
and  the  additional  Forms  in  Scripture  Phrafe  fuited  to  the  Nature  of  the  feveral  Parts 
of  Worfhip,  you  may  know  by  perufing  it,  and  by  that  which  here  followeth. 

§  14;.  Yet  I  think  that  thofe  Men  are  reproveable  who  fay  that  nothing  but  De- 
ceit andjugling  was  from  the  beginning  intended  :  For  who  knoweth  other  Mens 
Intents  but  God  ;  Charity  requireth  us  to  think  that  they  fpeak  nearer  to  the  Truth, 
who  fay,  that  while  the  Diccefan  Doctors  were  at  Breda,  they  little  dreamt  that 
their  way  to  their  higheft  Grandeur  was  fo  fair,  and  therefore  that  then  they  would 
have  been  glad  of  the  Terms  of  the  Declaration  of  Breda  •  and  that  when  they 
came  in,  it  was  neceffary  that  they  fhould  proceed  fafely,  and  feel  whether  the 
Ground  were  fblid  under  them,  before  they  proceeded  to  their  Structure :  The  Land 
had  been  but  lately  engaged  againft  them  :  The  Covenant  had  been  taken  even 
by  the  Lords  and  Gentlemen  of  their  own  Party  at  their  Compofition  :  There  was 
the  Army  that  brought  them  in  (  who  were  Presbyterians  as  to  the  moft  of  the  ru- 
ling part )  to  be  disbanded  ;  and  how  knew  they  what  the  Parliament  would  do  ? 
Or  that  there  would  be  none  to  conteft  againft  them  in  the  Convocation  ?  How 
could  they  know  thefe  things  beforehand  ?  Therefore  it  was  neceffary  tha.  mode- 
rate things  mould  be  propoted  and  promifed  ;  and  no  way  was  fo  fit  as  by  a  Decla- 
ration, which  being  no  Law,  is  a  temporary  thing,  giving  place  to  Laws  :    And 

'  it 


288  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I, 


it  was  needful  that  the  Calling  of  a  Synod  were  delayed,  till  the  Presbyterians  were 
partly  caft  out,  and  a  way  to  keep  out  the  reft  lecured.  And  if  when  all  thele 
things  were  done,  the  former  Promiles  were  as  the  Independants  called  the  Cove- 
nant, like  an  Almanack  out  of  Date,  and  if  Severities  were  doubled  in  comparifon 
of  what  they  were  before  the  Wars,  no  Man  can  wonder  that  well  underftood  the 
Perfons  and  the  Caufes. 

§  144.  Prefently  after  this,  Mr.  Crofton  writing  to  prove  the  Obligation  of  the 
foletnn  National  Vow  and  Covenant  ;  (not  as  binding  any  Man  to  Rebellion,  or 
to  any  thing  unlawful,  but  in  his  Place  and  Calling  to  endeavour  Reformation,  to 
be  againft  Schifm,  Popery,  Prelacy  and  Profanenefs,  and  to  defend  the  King  )  he 
was  lent  Prifoner  to  the  Tower  ;  where  when  he  had  laid  long  at  great  Charges, 
he  fought  to  get  an  Habeas  Corpus  ;  but  his  Life  being  threatnetl,  he  was  glad  to  lee 
that  Motion  fall,  and  at  laft  to  petition  for  his  Liberty,  which  he  obtained.  But 
going  into  his  own  Country  of  Cbeflire,  he  was  imprifoned  there;  and  when  he 
procured  his  Liberty,  he  was  fain  to  fet  up  a  Grocers  Shop  to  get  a  maintenance  for 
his  Family.  While  he  was  in  the  lower,  he  went  to  the  Chappel  Service  and  Ser- 
mon; his  Judgment  being  againft  feparating  from  the  Parim-Churches,  notwith- 
itanding  their  Conformity,  lb  be  it  he  were  not  put  himfeif  to  ufe  the  Common- 
Prayer  as  a  Minifter,  or  the  Ceremonie?.  And  this  occafioned  forne  that  thought 
his  Courfe  unlawful,  to  write  againft  it :  to  which  he  fomewhat  fharply  replied, 
and  fo  divers  Writings  were  publifhed  on  both  fides,  about  fuch  Communion. 

§  145-.  This  calleth  to  my  Remembrance,  how  earned  the  Brethren  of  London 
and  the  Countries  were,  to  have  had  us  draw  up  among  our  felves,  how  far  we 
mould  go  when  Conformity  was  impofed,  that  we  might  not  be  weakened  by  dif- 
fering among  our  felves ;  which  I  could  never  perfuade  my  felf  to  attempt,  confi- 
dering,  as  I  oft  told  them,  1.  That  we  had  no  fuch  Defign,  as  to  unite  and 
irrengthen  one  Party  againft  onother,  but  to  keep  up  the  Intereft  of  Religion  in 
the  Land.  2.  That  if  God  permitted  fome  able  Men  to  conform,  though  finfully, 
he  would  do  good  by  it  to  his  Church,  by  keeping  the  Parim-Churches  in  fuch  a 
Cafe,  that  all  of  ts  might  not  be  driven  to  forfake  them.  2.  That  the  thing  de- 
ilred  was  utterly  impoffible  :  1.  Becaufeno  Man  could  tell  beforehand  what  would 
be  impofed  on  us  ;  and  therefore  none  could  tell  wherein  we  mould  be  forced  to 
dilTent.  2.  Becaule  the  fame  Ad  (as  coming  to  Common-Prayer,  or  Sacrament 
in  the  Churches  )  might  become  a  Duty  to  fome  Men,  and  a  Sin  to  others,  by  di- 
verfity  of  their  Stations  ,  Relations,  Paftors,  Churches,  Occafions,  Circumftan- 
ces  (as  I  proved).  How  then  could  all  beforehand  fet  a  bound  how  far  to  go  ?  It 
would  be  much  better  to  perfuade  Cenfbrious  Brethren,  to  unite  in  Qhriftian  Faith 
and  Love,  and  to  keep  Charity  and  Peace  with  all  that  agree  in  the  Foundation,  and 
not  to  make  a  Breach  by  their  Cenforioufnefs,  and  then  fay  others  make  a  Breach 
by  differing  from  us :  Nor  to  be  of  the  fame  Spirit  with  Impofers,  while  they  are 
in  the  Heat  of  Oppofition  againft  them  ;  or  of  fafferings  by  them.  The  Difference 
is  but  in  the  Expre/fions  of  Uncharitablenefs :  one  Party  filenceth,  imprifoneth, 
and  banifheth  ;  and  the  other  Party  cenfuretb  thole  that  differ  from  them,  as  Tem- 
porifers,  and  unfit  for  their  Communion.  3.  And  if  any  had  fet  down  his  Terms 
or  Bounds,  who  can  dream  that  all  would  have  agreed  to  them,  when  Mens  Judg- 
ments, and  Interefts,  and  Temptations  are  Co  various?  4.  The  thing  would  have 
leem'd  intollerable  to  our  Governors;  and  they  would  have  taken  us  for  Factious, 
that  had  more  defired  to  fhengthen  a  Party  againft  them,  than  to  live  in  Peace  and 
Concord. 

§  146.  About  this  time,  there  fell  out  an  Accident  that  gave  Occafion  to  the  Ma- 
licious to  reproach  us :  It  was  our  great  Grief,  that  fo  many  faithful  Mtnifters  were 
put  out,  and  fo  many  unworthy  Perfons  reftored,  or  newly  put  into  the  Miniftry. 
Every  Day  almoft  People  talkt  to  us  of  one  drunk  at  fuch  a  Place,  and  another  car- 
ried in  a  Cart,  or  lying  in  a  Ditch  at  fiich  a  place;  or  one  taken  drunk  by  the* 
Warch  at  Night ;  and  another  abufed  and  made  a  Scorn  in  his  Drunkennefs  by  the 
Apprentices  in  the  Streets ;  and  of  Three  that  the  Day  when  they  had  been  Or- 
dained, got  in  their  Drink,  three  Wenches  to  them  in  the  Inn  or  Tavern.,which  ha- 
ving their  married  in  their  manner,  &c.  two  fled,  and  the  third  was  fain  to  take 
his  Wench  to  Wife  ;  with  abundance  fiich  News  that  fill'd  the  City.  We  modeft- 
ly  told  fome  of  it,  and  they  made  us  odious  by  it,  as  malicious  Slanderers ;  as  if  a 
Word  had  not  been  true.  At  laft  the  City  did  ring  of  one  Baker,  that  preached 
a  funeral  Sermon  drunk  at  Wefiminfler,  and  fell  a  railing  at  the  People  in  the 
Church,  in  his  Sermon,  with  much  of  the  like:  Becaufe  the  Rumour  was  fo  com- 
mon we  enquired  after  it,   till  it  was  attefted  to  us  by  the  Hearers ;   and  having 

fuch 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         28$ 

fiich  unqueftionable  Witnefs,  fome  Brethren  would  by  all  means  tell  the  King  of  ir/ 
as  by  the  by,  to  move  him  to  reform  fuch  things :  When  we  were  next  with  himx 
Dr.  Manton  told  him  of  it,  and  there  being  one  Baker  eleded  by  the  King  to  an 
Irifh  Bilhoprick,  and  the  common  Fame  and  fome  of  the  Hearers  faying,  that  it  was 
the  fame  Man ;  I  feconded  Dr.  Manton,  arid  told  the  King,  That  we  could  not  fay 
upon  our  knowledge  that  it  was  true,  but  when  the  Fame  of  fuch  things  wa? 
common  as  to  affed  his  Subjects,  te  it  true  or  falfe,  we  thought  it  better  tor  his 
Majeity  to  hear  what  the  People  f*id,  than  never'to  hear  it :  and  alfo  that  it  was 
laid,  That  this  Baker  was  one  that  he  had  eleded  to  be  a  Bilhop.  This  greatly 
troubled  the  King,  and  he  called  for  the  Book  that  had  the  Catalogue  of  the  Bi- 
Ihops ;  which  Secretary  Nicholas  brought,  and  faid  there  was  no  fuch  Name  ;  But 
the  King  prefently  fpiid  the  Name  ;  and  faid',  There  it  was ,  and  charged  that  he 
fhould  be  enquired  after.  The  next  day  we  learned  that  it  was  another  Baker  of 
the  fame  Name  with  the  Bilhop :  And  though  we  alfo  learned  that  the  Bilhop  him* 
felf  was  a  Good-fellow,  yet  becaule  it  was  not  the  fame  Man  ,  I  went  the  next 
day  to  Mr.  Secretary  Morrice,  and  intreated  him  to  certifie  the  King  ,  that  it  was 
another  Baker,  that  fo  the  Bifhop  might  receive  no  w;ong  by  it :  which  he  promi- 
(ed  to  do.  Yet  was  it  given  out  that  we  were  Lyers  and  Slanderers,  that  malicioufly 
came  to  defame  the  Clergy  :  And  fhortly  after  the  Bilhop  put  it  into  the  News- 
Book,  That  (bine  Presbyterians  had  malicioufly  defamed  him,  and  that  it  was  not 
he,  but  another  of  his  Name.  So  that  though  the  Fad  was  never  queftioned  or 
denied,  yet  was  it  a  heinoufer  matter  in  us  to  fay  that  it  was  reported  to  be  an  e- 
led  Bilhop,  when  it  was  as  ancient  a  Prieft  of  the  fame  name,  than  for  the  Man 
to  preach  and  pray  in  his  Drunkennefs.  I  never  heard  that  he  was  rebuked  for  it ; 
but  -we  heard  enough  of  it. 

§  147.  Upon  this  Fad,  when  we  met  arid  dined  one  day  at  the  Lord  Cham- 
berlains, among  other  talk  of  this  Bufineis,  I  laid,  [That  if  I  wijhed  their  hurt  as 
one  of  their  Enemies,  I  flwuld  wiJJi  they  were  more  fuch  ,  that  their  jhame  might  caTt  them 
down}.  Mr.  Horton  (  a  young  Man  that  was  Ghaplain  to  the  Lord  Chamberlain, 
and  then  intended  to  conform )  anfwered,  That  we  mufl  not  wi[h  evil,  that  good  may 
come  of  it.  To  which  Ireplyed,  There  is  no  doubt  of  it :  far  is  it  from  me  to  fay  that 
lwi(hit  j  but  if  I  were  their. Enemy y  I  could  JcarcejvtfJ)  them  greater  hurt  and.  injury  to 
their  Caufe,  than  to  jet  up  fuch  Men\  and  that  thofe  are  their  Enemies,  whoever  they  be, 
that  perfwade  them  to  cajl  out  learned,  godly  Ministers,  and  fet  up  Juch  m  their  room  as 
thefe.  Yet  did  this  Mr.  Horton,  in  his  complying  weakness  to  pleafe  that  Party,  tell 
Dr.  Bolton,  That  1  wijhed  that  they  were  all  fuch  :  And  Dr.  Bolton  told  ic  from  Table  to 
Table,  and  publilhed  it  in  the  Pulpit  :  And  when  he  was  quefiioned  for  it,  alledg- 
ed  Mr.  Horton  as  his  Author.  When  I  went  to  Mr.  Horton,  he  excufed  itjand  faid, 
TBat  he  thought  I  bad  faid  fo  ;  and  when  I  told  him  of  the  additional  words,  by 
which  then  1  difclaimed  fuch  a  fence,  he  could  not  remembtfr  them ;  and  that  was 
all  the  remedy  I  had  ;  though  none  of  the  Brethren  prefent  remembred  any  fuch 
words  as  he  reported.  But  when  the  Lord  Chamberlain  knew  of  it,he  was  fo  much 
offended,  that  I  was  fain  to.  intercede  for  Mr.  Horton,  that  it  might  not  prove  any 
hurt  to  him.  And  by  this  following  Letter  he  expreft  his  diftaft-  ■ 


For  my  ejieemed  Friend  Mr.  Baxter,  Thefe. 


SIR, 


I  Have  jufi  Caufe  to  intreat  your  Excufe  for  fo  abrupt  a  breaking  from  you  :  1  confefl  1 
was  under  very  great  trouble,  for  the  folly  of  my  Chaplain,  and  could  not  forbear  to 
exprefl  it  to  him.     I  am  concerned  with  a  very  true  refentment  for  fo  imprudent  a  Carriage. 
~et  me  intreat  you  that  it  may  not  reflect  upon  me,  but  that  you  will  believe  that  I  havefo 
reat  a  value  of  you,  and  amfo  tender  of  your  Credit,  as  1  cannot  eafily  pafi  by  my  Chap- 
tin7  sindtferetion  :  Tet  1  (hall  endeavour  to  clmr  you  from  any  untrue  Afj>erfions  ,  andfliall 
approve  my  feif 

Your  aflbred  Friend, 


Ed.  Manchefltr.  . 


I-  -        --  II  -  -    -  -  —  .  —  . ■■  —  .  .        ■—■-..  —  II    ■  — — 1^— — ^—  ■■■—  ■ .      I   ■■■    I        »   '         ■  1 1   . 

290  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I, 

§  148.  I  (hall  next  mfert  feme  account  of  the  Bufinefs  which  I  had  fooften  with 
tjie  Lord  Chancellour  at  this  time  :  Becaufc  it  was  molt  done  in  the  inter-fpace 
between  the  pafling  of  the  King's  Declaration ,  and  the  Debates  about  the  Litur- 
gy. 

In  the  time  of  Cromwell's  Government,  Mr.  John  Elliot ,  with  fome  Affiftant  in 
New-England,  having  learnt  the  Natives  Language,  and  Converted  many  Souls  a- 
mongthem  (not  to  be  baptized  and  forget  their  TVIames  as  well  as  Creed  ,  as  it  is- 
among  the  Spaniard's  Converts  at  Mexico,  Peru,  &c.  but  to  ferious  Godlinefs  )  ;  ic 
was  found  that  the  great  hinderance  of  the  progreis  of  that  Work  was  the  Poverty 
and  Barbaroufnels  or  the  People,which  made  many  to  live  difperfed  like  wild  Eeafts 
in  Wilderneffes,  fo  that  having  neither  Towns,  nor  Food ,  nor  Entertainment  fit 
for  Englim  Bodies,  few  of  them  could  be  got  together  to  be  fpoken  to,  nor  could 
the  Englim  go  far,  or  ftay  long  among  mem.  Wherefore  to  build  them  Houfes, 
and  draw  them  together,  and  maintain  the  Preachers  that  went  among  them,  and 
pay  School-mafters  to  teach  their  Children,  and  keep  their  Children  at  School,^. 
Cromwell  caufed  a  Collection  to  be  made  in  England  in  every  Parilh  'y  and  People 
did  contribute  very  largely  :  And  with  the  Money  (  befide  fome  left  in  flock)"  was 
b  iught  7  or  800  /.  per  Annum  of  Lands,  and  a  Corporation  chofen  to  di/pofe  of  the 
Rents  for  the  furthering  of  the  Works  among  the  Indians^  This  Land  was  almoft 
all  bought  for  the  worth  of  it  of  one  Colonel  Beddingfield,  a  Papift,  an  Officer  in 
the  King's  Army :  When  the  King  came  in,  Beddingfield  feizeth  on  the  Lands  a- 
gain;  and  keepeth  them,  andrefufeth  either  to  furrender  them,  or  to  repay  the 
Money ;  becaufe.  all  that  was  llone  in  Cromwell's  time  being  now  judged  void  ,  as 
being  without  Law,  that  Corporation  was  now  null,  and  fb  could  have  no  right 
to  Money  or  Lands :  «And  he.  pretended  that  he  fold  it  under  the  worth,  in  expe- 
ctation of  the  recovery  of  it,  upon  the*  King's  return.  The  Prefidcnt  of  the  Cor- 
poration was  the  Lord  Steele,  a  Judge  (  a  worthy  Man  )  :  The  Treafurer  was  Mr. 
Henry  Ajlwrft,  and  the  Members  were  fuch  fober  godly  Men  ,  as  were  beft  affected 
to  New- England*  Work  :  Mr.  Ajhurfi  (being  the  moft  exemplary  Perfon  for  emi- 
nent Sobriety,  Self-denial,  Piety,  and  Charity,  that  London  could  glory  of,  as  far 
as  publick  Obfervation,  and  Fame,  and  his  moft  intimate  Friends  Reports  could 
teftifie  )  did  make  this  (and  all  otjjer  Publick  Good  which  he  could  do)  his  Bufi- 
nefs :  He  called  the  Old  Corporation  together  ,  and  defired  me  to  meet  them  : 
where  we  all  agreed,  that  fuch  as  had  incurred  the  King's  Difpleafure,  by  being 
Members  of  any  Courts  of  Juftice,  in  Cromwell's  days,  mould  quietly  recede,  and 
we  mould  try  if  we  could  get  the  Corporation  reftored,  and  the  reft  continued,and 
more  fit  Men  added,  that  the  Land  might  be  recovered  :  Arid  becaufe  of  our  other 
Bufinefs,  I  had  ready  accefs  to  the  Lord  Chancellour ,  they  defired  me  to  fblicit 
him  about  it :  fo  Mr.Afrurft  and  I  did  follow  the  Bufinefs.  The  Lord  Chancelfcur 
at  the  very  fii  ft  was  rrady  to  further  us,  .approving  of  the  Work,  as  that  which 
could  not  be  for  any  Faclirff]  or  Evil  end,  but  honourable  to  the  King  and  Land. 
And  he  told  me,  Thar  Beddingfield  could  have  no  right  to  that  which  he  had  fold, 
and  that  the  right  was  in  the  King,  who  would  readily  grant  it  to  the  good  ufe  in- 
tended :  and  that  we  mould  have  his  beft  afliftance  to  recover  it.  And  indeed  I 
found  him  real  to  us  in  this  Bufinefs  from  firft  to  laft  :  yet  did  Beddingfield  by  the 
friendlhip  of  the  Attorney  General,  and  fome  others,  fb  delay  the  Bufinefs,  as  bring- 
ing it  to  a  Suit  in  Chancery,  he  kept  Mr.  Afiiur[t  in  a  Twelve-months  trouble  before 
he  tould  recovar  the  Land  :  but  when  it  came  to  Judgment,  the  Lord  Chancellour 
fpake  very  much  againft  him,  and  granted*  a  Decree  for  the  New  Corporation. 
For  I  had  procured  of  him  before,  the  King's  Grant  of  a  New  Corporation  ;  and 
Mr.  AJlwrft  and  my  felf  had  the  naming  of  the  Members :  And  we  defired  Mr; 
Robert  Boyle  (  a  worthy  Perfon  of  Learning  and  a  Publick  Spirit,  and  Brother  to 
the  Earl  of  Cork)  to  be  Prefidenc  fnow  called  Governour  )  and  I  got  Mr.  Afiwtt 
to  be  Treasurer  again,  and  fbme  of  the  old  Members,  and  many  other  godly,  able 
Citizens  made  up  the  reft  :  Only  we  left  the  Nomination  of  fbme  Lords  to  his 
Majefty,  as  not  prefuming  to  nominate  fuch,  (  And  the  Lord  Chancellour,  Lord 
Chamberlain,  and  fix  or  feven  mor^e  were  added  ).  But  it  was  Mr.  Boyle  and  Mr. 
Ajhurft,  with  the  Citizens,  that  did  the  Work  :  But  efpecially  the  care  and  trouble 
of  all  was  on  Mr.  Ajhurfi.    And  thus. that  Bufinefs  was  happily  reftored. 

§  149.  And  as  a  fruit  of  this  his  Majefty's  Favour,  Mr.  Elliot  fent  the  King,  firfl* 
the  New  Teftament  and  then  the  whole  Bible,  translated  and  printed  in  the  Indians 
Language:  Such  a  Work  and  Fruit  of  a  Plantation  ,  as  was  never  before  prefent- 
edto  a  King.  And  he  fent  word,  that  next  he  would  print  my  Call  to  the  Uncon- 
verted't  and  then  The  Practice  of  Piety ;  But  Mr,  Boyle  fent  him  word  it  would  be  bet- 


■-        — 

P  a  ei  t  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         291 

ter  taken  here,  if  the  ?raBk  ofViety  were  printed  before  any  thing  of  mine.     Ac"* 
trie  prefenc  the  Revenues  of  the  Land  goeth  moft  to  the  maintaining  of  the  Prefs. 
Upon  the  occafion  of  this  Work,  I  had  thefe  Letters  of  Thanks  from  the  Court 
and  Governour  in  New -England \  and  from  Mr.  Norton  and  Mr.  Elliot. 


Reverend  and  much  honoured  Sir  ! 

"TpHatwewhoare  peribnally  unknown  to  you,  do  in  this  manner  apply  our 
f  J.  lelves,  is  rendred  not  only  excufable,  but  unlels  we  will  be  ingrateful,  necef 
r  fary,  by  Obligations  from  your  felt;  with  whom  the  intereftof  poor  Strangers  in 

•  a  remote  Wilder neis  hath  been  fo  regarded  as  to  ftiew  them  kindnefs,and  that  (we 
•believe)  upon  the  belt  account,  (i.e.)  for  the  Lord's  lake.  We  have  ulnderftood 
'  from  thole  that  were  employed  by  us,  with  what  loving  and  cordial  readinefs^you 
'  did  upon  requeft  put  forth  your  felf  to  further  our  Concernments  in  our  late  Ap- 
'  plications  to  his  Majefty  :  for  which  act  of  favour  and  love  we  cannot  but  re- 
c  turn  our  unfeigned  thankful  Acknowledgments ;  and  the  rather  becaufe  we  know 
'  no  Argument  that  could  move  your  Thoughts  in  it,  but  (hat  of  the  poor  Pro- 
'  phets  Widow,  viz,.  That  your  Charity  did  look  upon  your  Servants  as  Fearers  of 
r  the  Lord,  Love  unto  whom,  we  perfwade  our  (elves  was  the  Root  that  bare  this 

•  Fruit  of  Love  and  Kindnefs  to  us,  and  that  at  iuch  a  time  as  this.  We  truft  the 
'  faithful  God  will  not  forget  your  Work  and  Labour  of  Love  which  you  have 
1  mewed  towards  his  Name,  in  miniftring  to  the  help  of  fbme  part  of  his  unworthy 
r  People  who  are  Exiles  in  this  Wildernefs  we  hope  for  his  Names  fake. 

■  Sir,  You  (hall  further  oblige  this  poor  People,  and  do  that  that  will  not  be  urp 
'  plealing  to  him  who  is  our  Lord  and  yours,  by  the  continuance  of  your  Love  and 
c  Improvement  of  your  Interefts  and  Opportunities  in  our  behalf.  What  advan- 
1  tage  God  hath  put  info  your  hands,  and  referved  your  weak  Body  unto,  by  ac- 
1  cefs  unto  Perfons  of  Honour  and  Truft,  or  ocherways,  we  hope  it  will  be  no 
'  grief  of  heart  unto  you  another  day,  if  you  Ifull  Improve  part  thereof  this  way  : 
c  All  that  we  defire  is  Liberty  to  ferve  God  according  to  the  Scripcuits  :  Liberty 

■  unto  Errour  and  Sin,  or  to  fat  up  another  Rule  befides  the  Scriptures,  we  neither 
tf  wifh  to  be  allowed  to  our  lelves,  nor  would  we  willingly  allow  it  unto  others.  If 
'  in  any  thing  we  mould  miftake  trie  meaning  of  the  Scriptures ,  as  we  hope  it  is 
r  not  in  any  Fundamental  Matter  that  we  do  lb  ;  (having  therein  the  Concurrence 
'  of  all  Ae  godly  Orthodox  of  the  Reformed  Proteftant  Religion),  fo  on  the  other 
c  hand,  in  Matters  of  an  inferiour  and  more  difficult  Nature  (wherein  godly  Chri- 
c  ftians  may  differ,  and  mould  bear  difference  without  difturbance)  we  are  willing 

*  and  defirous  to  live  and  learn  by  any  orderly  means  that  God  hath  appointed  for 
c  our  Learning  and  Inftru&ion  j  and  glad  lhall  we  be  of  the  opportunity  to  learn 
'  in  peace.    The  Liberty  aforefaid,  we  have  by  the  favour  of  God,  now  for  many 

■  years  enjoyed,  and  the  lame  advantaged  and  encouraged  by  the  Gonftitution  of 
1  our  Civil  Government,  according  to  Conceffions  and  Priviledges  granted  and 
'  eftablilhed  to  us  by  the  gracious  Letters  Patents  of  King  Charles  the  Firft,  the 
1  continuance  of  which  Priviledges  (concerning  which  his  Majefty's  late  gracious 
'Letter  to  us  hath  given  us  very  great  encouragement)  is  our  earneft  and  fuft  de- 
'  fire;  for  nothing  that  is  unjuft,  or  not  honed  ,  both  in  the  fight  of  the  Lord,  and 
c  alio  of  Men,  do  we  leek,  or  would  allow  our  lelves  in.  We  hope  we  mail  con- 
c  tinue  as  faithful  Subjects  to  his  Majefty   (  according  to  our  Dupy)  and  be  every 

*  way  as  beneficial  to  thelntereft  of  our  Nation,  under  an  Elective  Government  as 

»'  under  an  Impofed  :  But  fundry  particular  Perfons,  for  private  refpecls ,  are  ,  as 
'  we  hear,  earneftly  foliciting  to  bring  Changes  upon  us,  and  do  put  in  many  high 
*  Complaints  againft  us ;  in  fpecial,  that  the  Generation  of  the  Quakers,  are  our 
'  bitter  and  reftlefs  Enemies,  complaining  of  Perfecution,  but  are  themfelves  molt 
'  troublefome  and  implacable  Perfecutors  of  us,  who  defire  but  to  keep  our  own 
'  Vineyard  in  peace.  Our  hope  is  in  God  who  hath  hitherto  helped  us,  and  who 
'  is  able  to  keep  open  for  us  a  great  and  effe&ual  Door  of  Liberty  to  lenoe  him,  and 
*  opportunity  to  advance  his  Name  in  this  Wildernefs  j  although  there  be  many 
■  Adverfaries,  among  which  he  can  raile  up  for  us  fome  Friends  j  as  he  hath  done 
'  your  felf:  And  as  a  Friend  loveth  at  all  times,  and  a  Brother  is  born  for  Adver- 

P  p  2  .,  '  fity^ 


292            *         The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 

'  fity,  lb  may  you  in  this  time  of  our  threatned  Adverfity,  ftill  perform  the  part  of  a 

c  Friend,  as  opportunity  ferves,  we  (hall  be  further  much  ingaged  to  Thankfulnels 
c  unto  God  and  you,  who  are, 


Boslon  in  New-England,  this  SIR, 

ytbof Augufi,  1 66 1. 

Tour  Friends  and  Brethren 

in  the  Faith  of  Christ, 

Jo.  Endecott  Governour  ; 
With  the  Confent  and  by  Order 
of  the  General  Court. 

To  the  Reverend  and  much  Honoured  Mr.  Richard  Baxter  one  of  his  Majeflfs  Chaplains 
in  Ordinary, 


Reverend  and  dear  Six ! 
"TpHough  you  are  unknown  to  me  by  Face,  yet  not  only  your  Labours,  but  alfo 
f  X    your  fpecial  Affiftance  in  a  time  of  need  unto  the  promoting  the  welfare  of 

*  this  poor  Country,  certified  unto  us  by  Captain  Leveret  fupon  which  account  our 
'  General  Court  thought  good  to  return  unto  you  their  Thanks  in  a  Letter  which 

*  I  hope  before  this  is  received)  have  made  your  Name  both  known  and  precious 
'  to  us  in  thefe  Parts.  The  Occafion  of  thefe,  is  in  the  behalf  of  one  Mr.  WiUiam 
f  Leet  Governour  of  New  H*w»Jurifdic"tion,  whole  Cafe  is  this.  He  being  confei- 
c  ous  of  indilcretion  and  lome  neglect  (  not  to  fay  how  it  came  about  j  in  relation 
'  to  the  expediting  the  Execution  of  the  Warrant  according  to  his  Duty,  fent  from 
'  his  Majefty  for  the  apprehending  of  the  two  Colonels,is  not  without  fear  of  fome 
'  dilpleafure  that  may  follow  thereupon,and  indeed  hathalmoft  ever  fince  beenaMan 
'  deprefled  in  his  Spirit  for  the  neglect  wherewith  he  chargeth  himfelf  therein. 
'  His  endeavours  alio  fince  have  been  accordingly,  and  that  in  full  degree,  as  be- 
'  fides  his  own  Teftimony,  his  Neighbours  atteft,  they  lee  not  what  he  could  have 
'  done  more.  Sir,  If  any  report  prejudicial  to  this  Gentleman  in  this  relpeft, 
r  come  unto  your  Ear  by  your  prudent  Enquiry  upon  this  Intimation ,  or  other- 
'  wile :  fo  far  as  the  fignification  of  the  Premiles  unto  his  Majefty,  or  other  eminent 
'  Perfon  may  plead  for  him,  or  avert  trouble  towards  him,  I  allure  my/elf,  you 
'  may  report  it  as  a  real  Truth  ;  and  that  according  to  your  Wiltlom,  you  would 
'  be  helpful  to  him  lb  far  therein  is  both  his  and  mydefire.  The  Gentleman  hath 
(  purfued  both  others  and  my  lelf  with  Letters  to  this  effect,  and  yet  not  latisfied 

*  therewith,  came  to  Boflon  to  disburden  his  heart  to  me  formerly  unacquainted 
'  with  him,  only  fome  few  times  in  Company  where  he  was  ;  upon  iflue  of  which 

*  Conference,  no  better  Expedient  under  God,  prelented  it  (elf  to  us  than  this.  So 
'  far  as  you  (hall  lee  caufe3as  the  matter  requireth,  to  let  the  Premifes  be  underftood, 
'  is  finally  left  with  your  felf  under  God. 

'  Sir,  The  Author  of  thefe  Lines,  it  (hall  be  your  favour  and  a  pledge  of  Love 
<  lihdeferved,  to  conceal,  farther  than  the  neceffity  of  the  End  defired  (hall  call  for. 
4  And  if  hereby  you  Jhall  take  occafion  (  being  in  place  of  difcoveryj  to  intelli- 

*  gence  the  Writer  touching  your  obfervances  with  relation  to  the  concernments  of 

*  this  People,  your  Advertifements  may  not  only  be  of  much  ufe  unto  this  whole 

*  Country,  but  further  your  account,  and  minifter  unto  many  much  caufe  ofThanfc 
'  giving  on  your  behalf.  And  I  (hall  be  bold  upon  fuch  encouragement  (if  Godper- 
'  mits)  to  give  you  a  more  diftind  account  how  it  fareth  withus,  I  mean  of  the  fteps 

*  of  Divine  Providence,  astothePublick,both  in  our  Civils  and  Ecclefia(tickf,which 

*  at  lomefpare  time,  may  haply  be  looked  at  as  a  matter  of  contentful  Meditationto 

*  your  lelf.  I  crave  now  pardon  for  being  thus  bold  with  you,and  will  not  prelume 
c  any  further  to  detain  you.  The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  Spirit,  and  let  him  alio 
'  be  remembred  by  you  in  your  Prayers,  who  is  in  chief, 

SIR, 
Boflon,  Sept. 2  3 .  Tours  in  any  Service  of  the  Gojfel, 

1661.  John  Norton. 

For  the  Reverend  and  his  much  Honoured  Friend  Mr.  Baxter,  Chaplain  in  Ordinary  to  his 
Majefly.  Reverend 


F  a  a  t  11.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  293 

Reverend  and  much  efieemed  in  the  Lord ! 

1  fTOwever  black  the  Cloud  is,and  big  theStorm,yet  by  all  this  the  Work  and  De*- 
'  JlI  fign  of  Jefus  Chrift  goeth  on,  and  profpereth,  and  in  thefe  Clouds  Chrift  is 
c  coming  to  fet  up  his  Kingdom.  Yea,  is  he  not  come,  in  Power  and  great  Glo* 
'  ry  ?  When  had  the  Truth  a  greater,  or  fo  great  and  glorious  a  Cloud  of  Wit- 
c  nefTes  ?  Is  not  this  Chrift,  in  Power  and  great  Glory  ?  and  if  Chrift  hath  (o  much 
'  Glory  in  the  (laughter  of  his  WitnefTes,what  will  his  Glory  be  in  their  Refurre&i-. 
'  on  !  Your  Conftancy  who  are  in  the  heat  of  the  Storm,  and  Numbers,  minifters 
'  matter  of  humbling  and  quickning  to  us,  who  are  at  a  diftance,  and  ready  to 
r  totter  and  comply  at  the  noife  of  a  probable  approach  of  our  Temptation.  We" 
'  are  not  without  our  Snares,  but  hitherunto  the  Lords  own  Arm  hath  brought  Sal- 
c  ration.  Our  Tents  are  at  Ebenezer.  However  the  trials  and  troubles  be,  we  muft 
r  take  care  of  the  present  Work,  and  not  ceaie  and  tarry  for  a  calm  time  to  work 
'  in.    And  this  Principle  doth  give  meoccafion  to  take  the  boldnels*  to  trouble  you 

*  with  thefe  Lines  at  prefent.  My  Work  about  the  Indian  Bible  being  (by  the  good 
'  hand  of  the  Lord,  though  not  without  difficulties)  finiihed,Iam  meditating  what 
'  to  do  next  for  thefe  Sons  of  this  our  Morning:  they  having  no  Books  for  their 
'  private  ufe,  of  minifterial  compofing.  For  their  help,  though  the  Word  of  God 
c  be  the  beft  of  Books,  yet  Humane  Infirmity  is,  you  know,  not  a  little  helped,by 
'  reading  the  holy  Labours  of  the  Minifters  of  Jefus  Chrift.  I  have  therefore  pur- 
'  poled  in  my  heart  (  feeing  the  Lord  is  yet  plealed  to  prolong  my  life)  to  tranflate 

*  for  them  a  little  Book  of  yours,  intituled,  [  A  Call  to  the  Unconverted]  :  The  keen- 
'  nefs  of  the  Edge,  and  livelinefs  of  the  Spirit  of  that  Book,  through  the  blcfTing 

*  of  God,  may  be  of  great  ufe  unto  them.  But  feeing  you  are  yet  in  the  Land  of" 
'  the  Living,  (  and  the  good  Lord  prolong  your  days)  I  would  not  preiume  to  do 
1  fuch  a  thing,  without  making  mention  thereof  unto  your  fel£  that  fo  I  might 
'  have  the  help  and  bleffing  of  your  Counfel  and  Prayer*.    I  believe  it  will  not  be 

*  unacceptable  to  you,  that  the  Call  of  Chrift  by  your  holy  Labours,fhall  be  made 
'  to  fpeak  in  their  Ears,  in  their  own  Language,  that  you  may  preach  unto  our 
'  poor  Indians.  I  have  begun  the  Work  already,  and  find  a  great  difference  in  the 
'  Work  from  my  former  Tranflations :  I  am  forced  fbmetime  to  alter  the  Phrafe, 

*  for  the  facilitating  and  fitting  it  to  our  Language,  in  which  I  am  not  fo  ftricl:  as 
'  I  was  in  the  Scripture.  Some  things  which  are  fitted  for  Engltjh  People,  are  not 
'  fit  for  them,  and  in  fuch  cafes,  I  make  bold  to  fit  it  for  them.  But  I  do  little  that 
e  way,  knowing  how  much  beneath  Wifdom  it  is,  to  ftiew  a  Man's  felf  witty  ,  in 
'  mending  another  Man's  Work.  When  this  Work  is  done,  if  the  Lord  fhallpleafe 
'  to  prolong  my  Life,  I  am  meditating  of  Tranflating  fome  other  Book,  which  may 
'  prescribe  to  them  the  way  and  manner  of  a  Chriftian  Life  and  Converfation,  in 
'  their  daily  Courfe  ;  and  how  to  worfhip  God  on  the  Sabbath,  faffing,  feafting 
'  Days,  and  in  all  Ads  of  Worfhip,  publick,  private,  and  fecret ;  and  for  this  pur- 
'  pole  I  have  Thoughts  of  tranflating  tor  them,  the  Praclice  of  Piety  ;  or  fome  other 
'  fuch  Book  :  In  which  Cafe  I  requeft  your  Advice  to  me  ;  for  if  the  Lord  give  op- 
'  portunity,!  may  hear  from  you(if  you  fee  caufe  fo  far  to  take  Notice  hereof)before 
■  I  fhall  be  ready  to  begin  a  new  work  ;  cfpecially  becaufe  'the  Pfalms  of  David 
'  in  Metre  in  their  Language,  are  going  now  to  the  Prefs,  which  will  be  fome  Di- 
'  verfion  of  me,  from  a  prefent  Attention  upon  thefe  other  propofed  Work*. 

1  Sir,  I  am  very  well  fatisfied  with  your  Explications  of  the  Point  of  Free-will 
r  in  fallen  Man,  which  1  have  read  in  a^mall  Treatife  of  yours,  which  I  once  had 
t  the  happinels  to  fee.     I  doubt  not  but  you  will  give  me  leave  to  talk  a  little  ac- 
cording to  my  weaknefs,  Gen.  I.  26.  God  made  Man  after  his  own  J  Imagei 

tl  Likenejs. 
*  I  have  oft  perplexed  my  mind  to  fee  the  difference  of  thefe  two  Divine  Stamps 
*  upon  Man.     That  God's  Image  confifteth  in  Knowledge,  Holinefs,  and  Righte- 
'  oufhefs,  is  clear  and  agreed,  exprefled in  Scripture.,  But   what  our  likenefs  to 

*  God  is,  is  the  Queftion :  Why  may  it  not  admit  this  Explication  ?  that  one  chief 
'  thing  is,  to  act  like  God,  according  to  our  light  freely  j  by  choice  without  com- 
1  pulfion,  to  be  Author  of  our  own  acTi.to  determine  our  own  choice :  this  isfpon- 

*  taniety.    The  Nature  of  the  Will  lyeth  in  this. 

Between  God's  Image  in  Man,  and  the  Likenefs  of  God  in  Man,  are  thefe  two 

Differences : 
4  1.  God's  Image  was  loft  and  changed,  and  in  the  room  of  it,   Original 

'Sin 


•  ■•■■■  ■'  ■  — ■     ■■    . 

2?4  The  LI F E  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

1  Sin  was  infufed,  inflicted  upon  the  Soul  5  and  in  this  Change  the  Will  fufler- 

<  ed. 

1  But  the  Spontaniety  was  not  loft ;  nor  changed.     But  the  Will  doth  freely  act 

*  according  to  thele  new  ill  Qualities,  and  freely  chooles  to  Sin,  as  afore  this 
'  Change  ic  freely  acted  according  to  the  good  Qualities  which  it  was  endewed  wich- 

'  all. 

*  So  likewife  at  Converfion,  and  in  Sanctificatiarj,  the  Will  fuffereth  the  Power- 

*  ful  Work  of  the  Spirit  to  change  thefe  Qualities,  to  kill  the  old  Habits  of  Sin, 
'  and  to  create  the  new  Habits  of  Grace  j  that  it  may  freely  act  according  to  Grace, 
'  as  afore  it  freely  acted  in  Sin. 

*  2.  Difference  is,  that  God's  Image  are  feparable  Qualities  of  the  Will,  and  the 
'  moral  Ground  which  maketh  our  Actions  good,  legal,  regular,  and  virruous :  As 
'  orignal  Sin  is  the  ground  that  maketh  our  Actions  illegal  and  linful.  But  Sponca- 
'  niety  is  the  Form  and  Nature  of  the  Will,  which  if  it  ceale,  we  fliould  ceafc  to 

*  be  Men,  and  to  act  by  Choice;  and  fo  not  capable  to  fin,  or  to  act  virtuoul'ly. 

*  Sir,  I  pray  pardon  my  Boldnefcand  Weaknefs  thus  to  talk  ,•  but  it  is  for  ray 
'  Information  in  this  Point.     I  obferve  alfo  in  yoors,  a  thing  which  1  hare  not  fo 

*  much  obfei  ved  in  other  Mens  Writings  j  viz,.  That  you  often  inveigh  agairrft  the 
'  Sin  of  Gluttony,  as  well  as  Drunkennels.  Ic  appeareth  to  be  a  very  great  point  of 
'  Chriftian  Prudence,  Temperance  and  Mortification,  to  rule  the  Appetite  of  eating 
c  as  well  as  drinking,  and  were  that  Point  more  inculcated  by  Divines,  it  would 
c  much  tend  to  the  Sanctification  of  God's  People,  as  well  as  to  a  better  Prefervati- 
'on  of  Health,  and  lengthening  of  the  Life  of  Man  on  Earth. 

*  I  lately  met  with  an  excellent  Book  of  learned  Dr.  Cbarkton\  about  the  Im- 
'  mortality  of  the  human  Soul,  compofed  in  a  gallant  Dialogue,  where  fpeaking  of 
r  the  admirable  Advancement  of  Learning  in  thefe  late  Days,  he,  among  other 
f  excellent  matters,  .fpeaketh  of  thac  long  talk'd  of  and  defired  Defign  of  a  univer- 
c  fal  Character  and  Language,  and  what  Advance  hafti  been  made  towards  it,  by 

*  fome  of  the  learned  of  theft  Times,  and  chat  by  the  way  of  Symbols.    Of  this  * 

*  he  fpeaketh,  />.  4f,  46.  I  doubt  not,  but  that  it  is  a  divine  Work  of  God,  to 
'  put  it  into  the  Heart  of  any  of  his  Servants,  to  promote  this  Defign,  which  fo 
'  great  and  eminent  a  Tendency,  to  advance  the  Kingdom  of  Jefus  Chrift,  which 
■  fhall  be  extended  over  all  the  Kingdoms  and  Nations  of  the  Earth,  Rev.  1  r.  15-. 
r  Not  by  the  perfonal  Prefence  of  Chrift,  but  by  putting  Power  and  Rule  into  the 
'  Hands  of  the  Godly,  Learned  in  all  Nations:  Among  whom,  a  univerfal  Cha- 
c  racter  and  Language,  will  be  both  neceffary,  and  a  lingular  Promotion  of  that 
c  great  Deflgn  of  Chrift  :  Now,  whereas  the  Propofal  of  it  is  by  way  of  Symbols, 
4  I  would  make  bold  to  propofe  a  way,  which  feemeth  co  be  of  more  Hopes  of 
c  Succefs,  and  that  is  by  the  Hebrew  Language,  which  above  all  other  Languages, 
r  is  moft  capable  to  be  the  lnftrurnent  of  16  great  a  Defign.  If  you  pleafe  to  look 
c  into  a  Book  called,  Jordini  Hebrea  radices,,  compoied  by  Decads  into  Heroick  Ver- 
'  fes  j  the  Hebrew  Radix,  with  the  Signification  in  Latin,  helping  to  fmooth  ic  in- 
c  to  a  Verfe  ;  a  worthy  Work,  wherein  bene  meruit  de  Lingua  Hebraica.  This  Au- 
'  thorin  his  Preface,  fpeaketh  mod  honourably  of  the  Hebrew  Tongue  ;  and 
'  fheweth  that  by  the  trigramical  Foundation,  and  divine  Artifice  of  that  Lan- 
r  guage,  it  is  capable  of  a  regular  Expatiation  into  Millions  of  Words,  no  Lan- 

<  guage  like  it.  And  it  had  need  be  fo,  for  being  the  Language  which  /hall  be  fpo- 
'  ken  in  Heaven,  where  knowledge  will  be  fo  enlarged,  there  will  need  a  fpaci- 
'  ous  Language  ;  and  what  Language  fitter  than  this  of  God's  own  making  and 
f  compoliire  ?  And  why  may  we  not  ro^ke  ready  for  Heaven  in  this  Point,  by 
f  making  and  fitting  that  Language,  according  to  the  Rules  of  the  divine  Artifice 
c  of  it,  to  exprefs  all  imaginable  Conceptions  and  Notions  of  the  Mind  of  Man, 
'  in  all  Arts  and  Sciences  ?    Were  this  done,  (which  is  fo  capable  of  being  done, 

*  and  it  feemeth  God  hath  fitted  Inftruments  to  fall  to  the  Work  )  all  Arts  and  Sci- 
c  ences  in  the  whole  Eucyclopa?die  would  foon  betranflatedintoic ;  and  all  Pagan- 

*  ifh  and  prophane  Trafh  would  be  left  out :  It  would  be  (  as  now  it  is  )  the  pureft 
r  Languagejin  the  World  :  And  it  feemeth  to  me,  that  Zepb.  3.  9.  with  other  Texts, 
v  do  prophefie  of  fuch  a  universal  and  pure  Language.  Were  this  done,  all  Schools 
'  would  teach  this  Language,  and  all  the  World,  efpecially  the  Commonwealth  of 
'  Learning,  would  be  of  one,  and  that  a  divine  and  heavenly  Lip. 

'  Moreover,  This  learned  Doctor  fpeaketh  very  honourably  of  that  renowned 
'  Society,  the  Colled ge  of  Phyficians  in  London,  and  no  whit  above  their  Deferts, 
'  as  appeareth  by  the  admirable  Effects  by  the  bleffing  of  God,  upon  their  Studies 
c  and  Labours,  which  they  have  found  out  and  produced  for  the  Benefit  of  the  Life 

of 


, ,        ,  ,     ,  ....  1  .      .  ^ 

Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         295 

*  of  Man.  In  which  Art,  by  the  Blefling  of  God  uponjthem,  they  feem  to  me  to 
'  defign  fuch  a  Regiment  of  Health,  and  fuch  an  cxad  Infpe&ion  into  all  Difeafes, 
'and  Knowledge  of  all  Medicament,  and  Prudence  of  Application  of  the  iame,that 
'  the  Book  of  divine  Providence  feemeth  to  provide  for  the  lengthning  of  tha  Life 
1  of  Man  again,  in  this  latter  End  of  the  World,  which  would  be  no  final  1  Advan- 
'  tage  unto  all  kinds  of  good  Learning  and  Government.  And  doth  not  iuch  a 
'  thing  feem  to  be  Prophefied,  Efay.  6f.  20.  If  the  Child  Jhall  die  one  hundred  Years 
'  old,  of  what  Agl  foall  the  old  Man  be  ?    But  I  would  not  be  too  bold  with  the 

*  Holy  Scriptures. 

•  If  unto  all  this,  it  may  pleafe  the  Lord  to  direct  his  People  into  a  Divine  Form 
'  of  Civil  Government,  of  liich  a*Conftitution,  as  that  the  Godly,  Learned  in  all 
1  Places,  may  be  in  all  Places  of  Power  nnd  Rule,  this  would  (b  much  the  more 

*  advance  all  Learning,  and  Religion,  and  good  Government ;  fo  that  all  the  World 
'  would  become  a  Divine  Colledge.  And  Laftly,  when  Antichrift  is  overthrown, 
'  and  a  divine  Form  of  Church-Government  is  put  in  practice  in  all  Places ; 
f  then  all  the  World  would  become  Divine  :  or  at  leaft,  all  the  World  would  be- 
f  come  very  Divine  or  very  Prophane,  Rev.  22.  1 1,  15".  And  ib  the  World  mould 
c  end  as  it  began,  Gen.  4.  26.  fome  calling  on  the  Name  of  the  Lord,  and  ibme 
c  prophaning  it ;  eminently  diftinguifh'd  from  each  other.  I  rejoice  to  iee  and 
f  tafte  the  wonderful  gracious  Savour  of  God's  Spirit  among  his  Saints,  in  their 
'  humble  Retirements.     Oh  !  how  fweet  is  the  trodden  Cammomile !    How  pre- 

*  cious  and  Powerful  is  the  Miniffry  of  the  Crofs !  It  is  a  dryer  time  with  us,  who 
'  are  making  after  Compliances  with  the  Stream.  Sir,  I  befeech  you,  let  us  have 
c  a  fhare  in  your  holy  Prayers,  in  your  holy  Retirements,  in  your  blefTed  Cham- 
'  bars,  when  the  Lord  fhuts  the  Door,  and  yet  is  among  you  himfelf,  and  Aaketh 

*  your  Hearts  to  burn  by  the  Power  of  his  Prefence.  Thus  commending  you  and 
■  all  your  holy  Labours  to  the  Lord,  and  to  the  Word  of  his  Grace,  I  reft 

Roxbury,  this  6th  of  the  5  th.  Tour  unworthy  Fellow- Labourer 

166;. 

In  the  Lords  Vineyard, 

John  Eliot. 

To  his  Reverend  Friend  and  Brother,  Mr.  Baxter. 


The  Anfrver. 

Nov.  50.  from  A&on,  near  London. 
Reverend  and  much  honoured  Brother, 

**"TpHough  our  Sins  have  feparated  us  from  the  People  of  our  Love  and  Care,  and 
c  X  deprived  us  of  aU  publick  Liberty  of  preaching  the  Gofpel  of  our  Lord,  I 
'  greatly  rejoice  in  the  Liberty,  Help  and  Succels   which  Chrift   hath  (b  long 

•  vouchsafed  you  in  his  Work.  There  is  no  Man  on  Earth,  whole  Work  I  think 
'  more  Honourable  and  Comfortable  than  yours  :    To  propagate  the  Gofpel  and 

•  Kingdom  of  Chrift,  unto  thofe  dark  Parts  of  the  World,  is  a  better  Work  than 
c  our  hating  and  devouring  one  another.  There  are  many  here  that  would  be 
c  ambitious  of  being  your  Fellow-Labourers,  but  that  they  are  informed*,  you  have 
c  accels  to  ng  greater  a  Number  of  the  Indians,  than  you  your  felf,  and  your  pre- 
f  lent  Affiftants  are  able^o  inftruct.     An  honourable  Gentleman  (  Mr.  Rob.  Boyle, 

*  the  Governor  of  the  Corporation  for  your  Work,  a  Man  of  great  Learning  and 
c  Worth,  and  of  a  very  publick  univerfal  Mind)  did  Motion  to  me  a  publick  Col- 

*  le&ion,  in  all  our  Churches,  for  the  maintaining  of  fuch  Minifters,  as  are  wil- 
'  ling  to  go  hence  to  you,  partly  while  they  are  learning  the  Indian  Language, 
'  and  partly  while  they  after  latour  in  the  Work,  as  alfo  to  tranfport  them  :  But  I 
'  find  thofe  backward  to  it,  that  I  have  fpoke  to  about  it,  partly  fufpe&ing  it  a  De- 
e  fign  of  thole  that  would  be  rid  of  them  ;  (  but  if  it  would  promote  the  Work  of 
1  God,  this  Objection  were  too  carnal  to  be  regarded  by  good  Men  )  partly  fearing 
c  that  when  the  Money  is  gathered,  the  Work  may  be  fruftrated  by  the  alienation 

of 


2$6 


The  LIFEof  the 


Lib.  1. 


of  it  (  but  this  I  think  tljey  need  not  fear,  To  far  as  to  hinder  any  )  ;  partly 
cauie  they  think  there  will  be  nothing  confiderable  gathered  ;  becaufe  the  Pi 
that  are  unwillingly  divorced  from  their  Teachers,  will  give  nothing  to  fend  them 
further  from  them,  and  thofe  that  are  willingly  feparated  from  them,  will  give 
nothing  to  thofe  that  they  no  more  refpect :  But  fpecially  becaule  they  think  (  on 
the  aforefaid  Grounds  )  that  there  is  no  work  for  them  to  do  if  they  were  wicrj 
you.  Xnere  are  many  nere  I  conje&ure,  that  would  be  glad  to  go  any  whither 
(to  Persians,  Tartarian,  Indians,  or  any  unbelieving  [Nation  )  to  propagate  tie 
Gofpel,  if  they  thought  they  could  be  ferviceable,  but  the  Defed;  or  their  Lan- 
guages is  their  great  Difcouragement :  For  the  univerfal  Character  that  you  (p^k 
of,  many  have  talked  of  it,  and  one  hath  printed  his  EfTay,  and  nis  way  is  only 
by  numeral  Figures.makingfuch  andfuchFigures  to  ftand  for  theWords  of  the  fame 
.fignificatiorj  in  all  Tongues ;  but  no  body  regards  it.  I  fhall  communicate  your 
Motion  here  about  the  Hebrew,  but  we  are  not  of  fuch  large  and  publick  Minds 
as  you  imagin  ;  every  one  looks  to  his  own  Concernment,  and  fome  to  the  things 
of  Chrift  that  are  near  them,  at  their  own  Door?.  But  if  there  be  one  Ttmothy 
that  naturally  careth  for  the  State  of  the  Churches,  we  have  no  Man  of  a  Multi- 
tude more  likeminded,  but  all  feek  their  dwn  things  ;  we  had  one  Dury  here, 
that  hath  above  thirty  Years  laboured  the  reconciling  of  the  Churches,  but  few 
regarded  him,  and  now  he  is  glad  to  efcape  from  us  into  other  Countries.  Good 
Men  that  are  wholly  devoted  to  God,  and  by  long  Experience  are  acquainted 
with  the  Intereft  of  Chrift,  are  ready  to  think  all  others  mould  be  like  them,  but 
there  is  no  hope  of  bringing  any  more,  than  here,  and  there  an  experienced,  ho- 
ly, felfdenying  Perfbn,  to  get  fo  far  above  their  perfonal  Concernments,  and 
narr#wnefs  of  Mind,  and  fb  wholly  to  devote  themfelves  to  God.  The  Industry 
of  the  Jefuits  and  Fryars,  and  their  SuccefTes  in  Congo  •>  Japan,  China,  &c.  fhame 
us  all,  fave  you  :  But  yet  for  their  perfqnal  Labours  in  the  Work  of  the  Gofpel, 
here  are  many  that  would  be  willing  to  lay  out,  where  they  have  Liberty  and  a 
Call,  though  fcarce  any  that  wilL  do  more  in  furthering  great  and  publick  Works. 
I  mould  be  glad  to  learn  from  you,  how  far  your  Indian  Tongue  extendeth ;'  how 
large  or  populous  the  Country  is  that  ufeth  it  (  if  it  be  known  )  j  and  whether  it 
reach  only  to  a  few  fcattered  Neighbours,  who  cannot  themfelves  convey  their 
Knowledge  far,  becaufe  ofother  Languages.  We  very  mucK  rejoice  in  your  hap- 
py Work  (the  Tranflation  of  the  Bible  )  and  blefs  God  that  hath  ftrengthened 
you  to  finifh  it.  If  any  thing  of  mine  may  be  honoured  to  contribute  in  the 
leaft  meafure  to  your  blefled  Work,  I  fhall  have  great  caule  to  be  thankful  to  God, 
and  wholly  fubmit  the  Alteration  and  ufe  of  it  to  your  Wifdom.  Methinks  the 
Affemblies  Catecbijm  mould  be  next  the  holy  Scriptures,  molt  worthy  of  your  La- 
bours. The  Lord  prolong  your  Days,  and  profper  you. 
*  As  to  your  Cafe  about  Gods  Image  and  Likenefs,  i.  The  Controverfy  de  No- 
mine isof  no  great  Moment  :  I  know  the  Schoolmen  make  the  two  Words  fignifie 
two  things :  I  think  it's  a  groundlefs  Conceit.  But  dcre  (call  them  whatyou  will, 
Image  or  Likenefs  )  it  confifteth  of  three  parts,  or  a  Trinity  in  Unity,  i.  The 
natural  fubftantial  Part.  2.  The  qualitative  moral  part.  3.  The  relative  honora- 
rary  part.  (  I  rather  call  them  three  Parts  of  God's  Image,  than  three  Images, 
though  here  alfo  the  Gontroverfy  de  Nomine  is  ftnall.)  1.  Man's  high  fuperanimal 
or  rational  Life  in  Unity,  hath  his  Trinity  of  noble  Faculties ;  an  Intellect  or  Rea- 
fon  capable  of  knowing  God,  a  free  or  felf-determining  Will,  capable  of  adhear- 
ihg  to  him,  and  an  executive  Power  capable  of  ferving  him  :  That  thefe  Natural 
Effential  Powers,  are  the  Natural  Part  of  God's  Image,  appears,  Gen.  9. 6.  where 
Man,  as  Man  is  fuppoied  to  have  it  j  elfe  the  Murder  of  none  but  Saints  is  there 
forbidden  :  This  no  Man  lofeth.  2.  Holinefs,  or  the  Spirit  in  Unity  containeth, 
r.  The  Wifdom  of  the  Mind>  which  is  the  Knowledge  of  God.  2.  The  ReBitude  of 
the  WiU,  which  is  the  Low  of  God.  And  ;.  ThzPromptitude,  Obedience  and  Forti- 
tude of  the  Executive  Power,  in  and  for  the  Service  of  God  ;  and  this  is  the  moral 
Part  of  God's  Image.  ;.  God,  having  the  only  Aptitude  by  his  three  great  Proper- 
ties, Infinite  POWER,  WISDOM,  and  GOODNESS,  and  the 
only  Right  Jure  Creationis  [and  fince  Redemptions  &  Regenerations  ]  immediately, 
ftood  related  to  Man,  in  the  three  great  Relations  contained  expreffively  in  the 
Name  God%  1.  Our  abfolute  proprietary  Owner  or  Lord.  2.  Our  Supreme  Reefer. 
3.  Our  bountiful  BenefaStor,  or  Father,  and  End,  all  flowing  from  his  Relation, 
of  our  molt  potent,  wife,  good  CREATOR.  Man  is  related  to  him,  r.  As 
his  own,  to  be  wholly  at  hisdifpole.  2.  As  his  Subjetl,  to  be  wholly  at  his  Go- 
vernment.    3.  As  his  Beneficiary,  ox  Child  to  love  him  with  all  the  Heart.    Now 

*  God 


Part  11.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  297 


1  God  hath  given  Man  to  bear  his  Image  in  thefe  Relations,  which  is  in  Unity  cal- 
'  ed  his  Dominion  over  the  bruit  Creatures,  And  in  Trinity  contained!,  i.  That  we 
c  are  their  Owners,  and  they  our  own.  2.  we  are  their  Governors  (according  to 
1  their  Capacities).  3.  We  are  their  Benefattors,  and  they  have  (and  had  more)  de- 
4  pendance  on  us,  and  were  made  for  us  as  their  End,  as  we  were  immediately  for 
'  God  as  our  End.  This  part  of  God's  Image  is  partly,  not  totally  loft.  The  mo- 
'  ral  part  is  that  which  the  Spirit  reftoreth  :  The  Wiftlom  of  the  Mind,  the  Righte- 
'  oufhefs  or  Rectitude  of  the  Will,  and*  the  Holinels  and  Obedience  of  the  Life. 
1  If  we  had  a  right  Scheme  of  Theology  (  which  I  never  yet  faw)  Unity  in  Tri- 
9  nity  would  go  through  the  whole  Method  :  It's  eafy  to  follow  it  a  little  way,  and 
£  to  fee  how  God's  three  grand  Relations  of  Owner,  Ruler,  and  Father  or  End  and 
'chief  God,  and  the  Correfpondent  Relations  in  Man,  and  the  mutual  Expreflions 
■  go  far  in  the  great  parts  of  Theology :    But  when  we  run  it  up  to  the  Numerous 

*  and  fmall  Branches,  our  narrow  Minds  are  loft  in  the  fearch.  But  the  Day  is 
'  coming  when  all  God's  Works  of  Creation  and  Providence,  and  all  his  Truths 
c  mall  be  feen  to  us  uno  intuitu,  as  a  moft  entire,  ^perfect  Frame.  Pardon  my  too 
'  many  words  to  you  on  this. 

*  As  for  thedivineGovernmentby  theSaints  which  you  mention,!  dare  not  expect 
cvfuch  great  Matters  upon  Earth,  left  I  encroacji  upon  the  Priviledge  of  Heaven,  and 
c  tempt  my  own  Affections  downwards,  and  forget  that  our  Kingdom  is  not  of  this 
'  World.  Certainly  if  Chriftianity  be  the  fame  thing  now  that  it  was  at  firft,  it  is 
'  much  unfuitable  to  a  reigning  State  on  Earth :  Bearing  the  Crofs,  Perfecution, 
c  Self-denial,  &c  found  fomething  of  another  Nature.  The  Rich  will  rule  in  the 
'  World,  and  tew  rich  Men  will  be  Saints.    He  that  furveycth  the  prefent  State  of 

*  the  Earth,  and  confidereth  that  fcarcely  a  fixth  Part  is  Chriftian,  and  how  finall 

*  a  Part  of  them  are  reformed,  and  how  fmall  a  part  of  them  have  much  of  tha 
'  Power  of.  Godlinefs,  will  be  ready  to  think  that  Chrift  hath  called  almoft  all  his 
f  Chofen,  and  is  ready  to  forfake  the  Earth,  rather  than  that  he  intendeth  us  fuch 
f  bleffed  Days  below  as  we  defne.  We  fhall  have  what  we  would,*  but  not  in  this 
c  World.  As  hard  as  we  think  God  dealeth  with  us,  our  Kings  Dominions  are  yet 
'  for  the  Power  of  Godlinefs,  the  Glory  and  Paradife  of  the  Earth.    Succefs  tempt- 

*  ed  fbme  here  into  reigning  Expectations,  and  thence  into  finful  Actions  and  At- 
'  tempts,  and  hardened  them  in  all ;  but  God  hath  done  much  already  to  confute 
•them.  Through  Faith  and  Patience  we  muft  inherit  the  Promife.  May  I  know 
c  Chrift  crucifkdon  Earth,  andChrift  glorified  in  Heaven,  I  fhall  be  happy.    Dear 

*  Sir,  the  Lord  be  your  Support  and  Strength  :  I  reft 

Tour  Weak  Fellow -Servant, 

Richard  Baxter. 

§  40;.  That  you  may  the  better  underftand  thefe  Letters,  and  many  other  fuch 
Pailages,  you  muft  know  that  the  great  Reafon  why  my  felf,  and  fome  of  my  Bre- 
thren were  made  the  King's  Chaplains  (in  Title)  was,  that  the  People  [might  think 
that  fuch  Men  as  we  were  favoured  and  advanced,  and  confequently  that  all  that 
were  like  us  mould  be  favoured,  and  fb  might  think'their  Condition  happy.  And 
though  we  our  felves  made  no  doubt  but  that  this  iasjJjeAife  that  was  to  be  made  of 
us,  and  that  afterward  we  mould  be  filenced  with  the  reft  in  time,  yet  we  thought 
that  it  was  not  meet  to  deny  their  Offer.The  People  at  London,who  were  near,  judg- 
ed as  wc  did,  and  were  not  much  deceived  :  But  thofe  in  the  Country  that  were 
further  off,  underftood  not  how  things  went  above.  But  efpecially  thofe  in  France 
and  in  New  England  who  were  yet  more  remote,  were  far  more  deceived  by  thefe 
Appearances,  and  the  more  ready  to  blefs  us  in  our  prefent  State,  and  almoft  wiih 
it  were  their  own  :  Infbmuch  that  there  grew  on  a  fudden  in  New-England  a  great 
Inclination  to  Epifcopal  Government ;  For  many  of  the'm  faw  the  Inconveniencies 
of  Separations,  and  how  much  their  way  did  tend  to  Divifions,  and  they  read  my 
Books,  and  what  I  faid  againft  both  the Souldiers  and  Schifmaticks  in  England;  and 
they  thought  that  the  Church-Government  here  would  have  been  fuch  as  we  were 
pleafed  with;  fothat  thefe  and  many  other  Motives  made  them  begin  to  think  of  a 
Conformity:  Till  at  laft  Mr.  Norton,  with  one  Mr.  Broadfireet,  a  Magiftrate,  came 
over  and  faw  how  things  went,  and  thofe  in  New- England  heard  at  laft  how  we 
were  all  filenced  and  caft  out :  And  then  they  began  to  remember  again,  that  there 
is  fomething  beiide  Schifm  to  be  feared,  and  that  there  lyeth  as  perilous  an  Extreme 

CLq  on 


298  The  LIF  E  of  the  L  i  B.  1, 

on  the  other  fide.  But  they  have  in  their  Synod  paft  (bine  fuch  moderating  Con- 
clufions  about  Baptifm  and  conftant  Synods,  as  have  ended  moft  of  the  Differen- 
ces between  them  and  the  moderate  Presbyterians. 

§  iyi.  I  am  next  to  infert  fome  Bufineffes  of  my  own,  which  fell  in  at  this  fame 
time.  When  I  had  refufed  a  Bifhoprick,  I  did  it  on  fuch  Reafbns  as  offended  not 
the  Lord  Chancellor;  and  therefore  inftead  of  it,  I  prefumed  to  crave  his  Favour 
to  reftore  me  to  preach  to  my  People  at  Kidderminfter  again  ;  from  whence  I  had 
been  caft  out  (  when  many  hundreds  of  others  were  ejected  )  upon  the  Reiteration 
of  all  them  that  had  been  fequeftred.  it  was  but  a  Vicaridge,  and  the  Vicar  was' 
a  poor  unlearned,  ignorant,  filly  Reader,  that  little  underftood  what  Chriftianity 
and  the  Articles  of  his  Creed  did  fignifie  ;  but  once  a  Quarter  he  faid  fomething, 
which  he  called  a  Sermon,  which  made  him  the  Pity  or  Laughter  of  the  People. 
This  Man  being  unable  to  preach  himfelf,  kept  always  a  Curate  under  him  to 
preach :  Before  the  Wars  I  had  Preached  there  only  as  a  Lecturer,  and  he  was 
bound  in  a  Bond  of  ?oo  /.  to  pay  me  60  /.  per  An.  and  afterward  he  was  fequeftred, 
as  is  before  fufficiently  declared.;  my  People  were  fo  dear  to  me,  and  I  to  them, 
that  I  would  have  been  with  them  upon  the  loweft  lawful  Terms :  Some  laughed 
at  me  for  refufinga  Bifhoprick,  and  petitioning  to  be  a  reading  Vicar's  Curate.  But 
I  had  little  Hopes  of  fo  good  a  Condition,  at  leaft  tor  any  confiderable  time. 

§  1 5" 2.  The  Ruler  of  the  Vicar,  and  all  the  Bufinefs  there  was,  Sir  Ralph  Clare, 
an  old  Man,  and  an  old  Courtier,  who  carried  it  towards  me  all  the  time  I  was 
there  with  great  Civility  and  Refpe£t,  and  fent  me  a  Purfe  of  Money  when  I  went 
away  (  but  I  refufed  it ).  But  his  Zeal  againft  all  that  fcrupled  Ceremonies,  or 
that  would  not  preach  for  Prelacy,  and  Conformity,  &c.  was»fo  much  greater 
than  his  Refpects  tome,  that  he  was  the  principal  Caufe  of  my  Removal  ( though 
he  has  not  owned  it  to  this  Day  :  I  fuppofe  he  thought  that  when  I  was  far  enough 
off,  he  couid  fo  far  rule  the  Town  as  to  reduce  the  People  to  his  way.  But  he  lit- 
tle knew  (  nor  others  of  that  Temper )  how  firm  confeientious  Men  are  to  the 
Mattefs  of  their  everlafting  Intereff,  and  how  little  Mens  Authority  can  do  againft 
the  Authority  of  God,  with  thofe  that  are  unfeignedly  lubjeel:  to  him.  Openly 
he  feemed  to  be  for  my  Return  (at  firft  )  that  he  might  not  offend  the  People": 
and  the  Lord  Chancellor  ieemed  very  forward  in  it ;  and  all  the  Difficulty  was 
how  to  provide  fome  other  Place  for  the  old  Vicar  (  Mr.  Dance  )  that  he  might  be 
no  lofer  by  the  Change  :  And  it  was  lb  contrived,  that  all  muft  feem  forward  in  it 
except  the  Vicar;  the  King  himfelf  muft  be  engaged  in  it;  the  Lord  Chancellor 
earneftly  pieffethit  ;  Sir  Ralph  Clare  is  willing,  and  very  defirous  of  it ;  and  the 
Vior  is  willing,  if  he  may^but  be  recompenced  with  as  good  a  Place  (from  which 
1  received  hut  90  /.  per  Annum  heretofore  )  :  Either  all  defire  it,  or  none  defire  it. 
But  the  Hindrance  was,  that  among  all  the  Livings  and  Prebendaries  of  England, 
there  was  none  fit  for  the  poor  Vicar :  A  Prebend  he  muft  not  have,  becaufe  he 
T  „  was  inefficient ;    and  yet   he  is   ftill  thought  fufficient  to   be  the    Paftor   of 

fioned°Mr  "ear  4°°°  ^ou^«  The  Lord  Chancellor  to  make  the  Bufinels  certain,  will  engage 
Dare/after  himfelf  for  a  valuable  ftipend  to  the  Vicar,  and  his  own  Steward  muft  be  cora- 
tofay,  manded  to  pay  it  him  :  What  could  be  defired  more?  But  the  poor  Vicar  was  to 
how  hard-  anfwerhim,  that  this  was  no  fecurity  to  him  ;  his  Lordfhip  might  withhold  that 
perfuaded  Stipend  at  his  Pleafure,  and  then  where  was  his  Maintenance  ?  give  him  but  a  le- 
to  let  go  gal  Title  of  any  thing  of  equal  value,  and  he  would  refign  ( and  the  Patron  was 
the  Place,  my  fure  and  intimate  Friend  }.  But  no  fuch  thing  was  to  be  had  ;  and  fo  Mr. Dance 
muft  keep  his  Place. 

§  15-5.  Though  I  requefted  not  any  Preferment  of  them,  but  this,  yet  even  for 
this,  I  refolved  I  would  never  be  importunate :  I  only  nominated  it  as  the  Favour 
which  I  defired,  when  there  Offers  in  general  invited  me  to  ask  more:  and  then  I 
told  them  that  if  it  were  any  way  inconvenient  to  them,  I  would  not  requeft  it  of 
them.  And  at  the  very  firft  I  defired,  that  if  they  thought  it  beft  forjhe  Vicar  to 
,  keep  his  Place,  I  was  willing  to  take  the  Le&ure,  which*  by  his  Bond  was  fecured 
to  me,  and  was  ftill  my  Right ;  or  if  that  were  denied  me,  I  would  be  his  Curate 
while  the  King's  Declaration  flood  in  force.  But  none  of  thefe  could  be  accepted, 
with  Men  that  were  lb  exceeding  willing.  In  the  end  it  appeared,  that  two  Knights 
of  the  Country,  Sir  Ralph  Clare,  and  Sir  John  Vackington,  who  were  very  great  with 
Dr.  Morky,  newly  madeBHhop  of  Worcefier,  had  made  him  believe,  that  my  In- 
tereff was  fo  great,  and  I  could  do  fo  much  with  Minifters  and  People  in  that 
Country,  that  unlefs  I  would  bind  my  felf  to  promote  their  Caufe  and  Party,  I  was 
hot  fit  to  be  there :  And  this  Bifhop  (  being  greateft  of  any  Man  with  the  Lord 
Chancellor)  muft  obltrucT:  my  Return  to  my  ancient  Flock.    At  laft  Sir  Ralph 

Clare 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        299 

Clare  did  freely  tell  me,  that  if  I  would  conform  to  the  Orders  and  Ceremonies 
of  the  Church,  and  preach  Conformity  to  the  People,  and  labour  to  fet  them 
right ,  there  was  no  Man  in  England  10  fit  to  be  there  ;  for  no  Man  could  more 
effe&ually  do  it :  but  if  I  would  not,  there  was  no  Man  fo  unfit  for  the  place  j  for 
t\9  Man  could  more  hinder  it. 

§  1  ^4.  I  defired  it  as  the  greater!  favour  of  them,  that  if  they  intended  riot  my 
being  there,  they  would  plainly  tell  me  lb,  that  I  might  trouble  them  and  my  (elf 
no  more  about  it :  But  that  was  a  favour  too  great  to  be  expe&ed  :  I  had  continual 
encouragement  by  Promifes,  till  I  was  almoft  tired  in  waiting  on  them.  At  lair, 
meeting  Sir  Ralph  Clare.in  the  Bifhop's  Chamber,  I  defired  him  before  the  Bilhop 
to  tell  me  to  my  face,  if  he  had  anything  againft  me,  which  might  caufe  all  this 
ado.  He  told  me  that  I  would  give  the  Sacrament  to  none  kneeling,,  and  thatx>f 
Eighteen  hundred  Communicants,  there  was  not  pad  Six  hundred  that  were  for 
me,  and  the  reft  were  rather  for  the  Vicar.  I  anfwerd,  That  I  was  very  glad  that 
thele  words  fell  out  to  be  fpoken  in  the  Bifhop's  hearing.  To  the  firft  Accufation,  I 
told  him,That  hehimfelf  knew  that  I  invited  him  to  theSacrament,and  offered  it  him 
kneeling,  and  under  my  hand  in  that  writing  ;  and  openly  in  his  heaping  in  the 
Pulpit,  I  had  promifed  and  told  both  him  and  all  the  reft,  that  I  never  had,  nor 
never  would  put  any  Man  from  the  Sacrament  on  the  account  of  kneeling,  but 
leave  every  one  to  the  Pofture  which  they  mould  choole :  And  that  the  reafon 
why  I  never  gave  it  to  any  kneeling,  was,  becaufe  all  that  came  would  fit  or  (land, 
and  thole  that  were  for  kneeling  only  followed  him,  who  would  not  come,  unlefs 
I  would  adminifter  it  to  him  and  his  Party  on  a  day  by  themfelves,  when  the  reft 
were  not  prefent  :  and  I  had  no  mind  to  be  the  Author  of  fuch  a  Schifm,  and 
make  as  it  were  two  Churches  of  one  :  But  efpecially  the  conluioufnefs  of  notori- 
ous  Scandal,  which  they  knew  they  muft  be  accountable  for,  did  make  many  knee- 
lers  ftay  away.  And  all  this  he  could  not  deny.  And  as  to  the  fecond  Charge, 
there  was  a  Witnefs  ready  to  fay  as  he  :  for  the  truth  is,  among  good  and  bad,  I 
knew  but  one  Man  in  the  Town  againft  me »  which  was  a  Stranger  newly  come, 
one  Ganderton  an  Attorney,  Steward  to  the  Lord  of  Abergeveny  (a  Papift)  who  was 
Lord  of  the  MannorJ;  and  this  one  Man  was  the  Profecutor,and  witneflad  how  ma- 
ny were  againft  my  Return.  I  craved  of  the  Biftiop  that  I  might  fend  by  the  next 
Poft  to  know  their  \linds,  and  if  that  were  fo,  I  would  take  it  for  a  favour  to  be 
kept  from  thence.  When  the  People  heard  this  at  Ktddermmfter ,  in  a  days  time 
they  gathered  the  hands  of  Sixteen  hundred  of  the  Eighteen  hundred  Communi- 
cants, and  the  reft  were  fuch  as  were  from  home :  And  within  four  or  five  days  I 
happened  to  find  Sir  Ralph  Clare  with  the  Bilhop  again,  and  fhewed  him  the  hands 
of  Sixteen  hundred  Communicants,  with  an  offer  of  more ,  if  they  might  have 
time,  all  very  earneft  for  my  Return.  Sir  Ralph  was  filenced  as  to  that  point :  but 
he  and  the  Bifhop  appeared  fo  much  the  more  againft  my  Return. 

§  iyy.  The  Letter  which  the  Lord  Chancellour  (upon  his  own  offer)  wrote 
for  me  to  Sir  Ralph  Clare,  he  gave  at  my  requeft,  unfealed  :  and  lb  I  took  a  Copy 
of  it  before  I  lent  if  away,  as  thinking  the  chief  ule  would  be  to  keep  it,  and  com- 
pare it  with  their  Dealings ;  and  it  was  as  followeth. 


To  my  noble  Friend  Sir  Ralph  Clare,  Tbefe. 


s  1R, 


mi 

CO, 


Am  a  little  out  of  Countenance,  that  after  the  discovery  of  fuch  a  dejtre  in  his  Majefry, 
that  Mr.  Baxter  Jbould  be  fetled  at  Kidderminfter,  as  he  -was  heretofore,  and  my  pro- 
ife  to  you  by  the  King's  Direfiion,  that  Mr.  Dance  Jhould  very  punctually  receive  a  Re- 
mpence  by  way  of  a  Rent,  upon  bis  or  your  Bills  charged  here  upon  my  Steward  ;  A/r.Bax- 
ter  hath  yet  no  fruit  of  this  bts  Majefiys  good  intention  towards  him  :  fo  that  he  bath  too 
much  reajon  to  believe  that  he  is  not  fo  frankly  dealt  with  in  this  particular  as  he  defervfs 
to  be.  I  do  again  tell  you,  that  it  will  be  very  acceptable  to  the  King,  if  you  can  per/wade 
Mr.  Dance  to  furrender  that  Charge  to  Mr.  Baxter  :  and  in  the  mean  time,  and  till  he  is 
preferred  to  as  profitable  an  Itpployment,  whatever  Agreement  you  jhall  make  with  him  for 
an  Annual  Rent,  it  flail  be  paid  Quarterly  upon  a  Bill  from  you  charged  upon  my  Steward 
Mr.  Clutterbucke  ;  and  for  the  exacl  performance  of  this  ,  you  may  fecurely  pawn  your 
full  Credit.  I  do  moft  earne(lly  intreat  you,  that  you  will  with  all  (freed  inform  me  what 
we  may  depend  upon  in  this  particular,  that  we  may  not  keep  Mr,  Baxter  in  fuftenfe,  who 

Q  q  2  hath 


300  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I# 

_ .        . . *  / 

hath  deferved  very  well  from  his  Majefty,  and  of  whom  bis  Majefiy  hath  a  'very  good  O- 
pinion,  and  I  hope  yon  will  not  be  the  left  defireus  to  Comply  with  him  for  the  particular  Re 
commendation  oft 

SIR, 

Your  very  afTe&ionate  Servant , 
I  Edw.  Hyde. 

§  i  y6.  Can  any  thing  be  more  ierious  and  cordial  and  obliging  than  all  this :  For 
a  Lord  Chancellour  that  hath  the  Bufinefs  of  the  Kingdom  upon  his  hand  ,  and 
Lords  attending  him,  to  take  up  his  time  lb  much  and  often  about  fo  low  a  Pcrlbn, 
and  fo  fmall  a  thing  ?  And  Ihould  not  a  Man  be  content  without  a  Vicaridge  or  a 
Curatfhip  when  it  is  not  in  -the  power  of  the  King  and  the  Lord  Chancellour  to 
procure  it  for  him,  when  they  ib  vehemently  defire  it  ?  But,  O  thought  I,  how 
much  better  a  Life  do  poor  Men  live,  who  Ipeak  as  they  think,  and  do  as  they  pro- 
fefc,  and  are  never  put  upon  fuch  Shifts  as  thele  for  their  prefent  Conveniences ! 
Wonderful !  thought  I,  that  Men  who  do  lb  much  over-value  worldly  Honour 
and  Efteem,  canpoflibly  fo  much  forget  futurity,  and  think  only  of  the  prefent  day, 
as  if  they  regarded  not  how  their  A&ions  be  judged  of  by  Pofterity.  For  all  this 
extraordinary  favour,  fince  the  Day  that  the  King  came  in ,  I  never  received  as 
his'Chaplain,  or  as  a  Preacher,  or  upon  any  account,  the  value  of  one  farthing  of 
any  Publick  Maintenance  :  fo  that  I  and  many  a  hundred  more  had  not  had  a  , 
piece  of  bread,  but  for  the  voluntary  Contribution  (  whilft  we  preached,)  of  ano- 
ther fort  of  People.  Yea,  while  1  had  all  this  excefs  of  favour,  I  would  have  ta- 
ken it  indeed  for  an  excels,  as  being  far  beyond  my  expectations,  if  they  would 
but  have  given  me  liberty  to  pi  each  theGolpel,  without  any  Maintenance,  and 
leave  me  to  beg  my  Bread. 

§  iy 7.  And  thisbringeth  to  my  remembrance  the  Motion  which  I  oft  made  to 
my  Brethren  when  they  were  oft  admitted  to  the  King,  and  thought  themlelves  in 
lb  great  favour,  and  had  Bilhopricks  and  Deaneries  offered  them,  and  the  Mini- 
fters  of  the  Land  had  fuch  high  Expectations :  1  motioned  to  them  that  now  while 
the  World  would  blulh  at  the  denial ,  we  might  Petition  for  a  bare  Liberty  to 
preach  for  nothing,  in  the  Publick  Churches,  at  thole  hours  of  the  Lord's  Day  , 
and  thole  days  of  the  week,  when  the  Minifters  that  are  put  into  our  Places  are 
vacant,  and  arenotthert.  But  thejSrethren  thought  this  was  to  come  down  our 
felves  before  they  took  us  down.  But  the  time  quickly  came  when  we  would  have 
been  glad  of  this  much. 

§  if 8.  A  little  after  this,  S\r  Ralph  Clare,  and  others,  cauled  the  Houles  of  the 
People  of  the  Town  of  Kidderminster  to  be  learcht  for  Arms ,  and  if  any  had  a 
Sword,  it  was  taken  from  them  !  And  meeting  him  after  with  the  Bifhop,  I  defi- 
red  him  to  tell  us  why  his  Neighbours  were  lb  uled,  as  if  he  would  have  made 
the  World  believe  that  they  were  Seditious,  or  Rebels ,  or  dangerous  Perfons  that 
fhould  be  ufed  asJEnemies  to  the  King.  He  anfwered  me,  That  it  was  becaule 
they  would  not  bring  out  their  Arms  when  they  were  commanded,  but  faid  they 
had  none,  whenas  they  had  Arms  upon  every  occafion  to  appear  with  on  the  be- 
half of  Cromwell.  This  great  djfingenuity  of  lb  ancient  a  Gentleman,  towards  his 
Neighbours  whom  he  pretended  kindnels  to,  made  me  brake  forth  into  lome  more 
than  ordinary  freedom  of  reproof;  and  I  anfwered  him,  That  we  have  thought 
our  Condition  hard  in  that  by  Strangers  that  know  us  not,  we  mould  be  ordinarily 
traduced*  and  mifreprefented  ;  but  this  was  moft  fad  and  marvellous,  that  a  Gentle- 
man Co  Civil,  mould  before  the  Bifhop  Ipeak  fuch  words  againft  a  Corporation, 
which  he  knew  I  was  able  to  confute,  and  are  lb  contrary  to  truth  !  1  asked  him 
whether  he  did  not  know  that  I  publickly  and  privately  fpake  againft  the  Ufurpers, 
and  declared  them  to  be  Rebels ;  and  whether  he  took  not  the  People  to  be  of  my 
mind  :  and  whether  I  and  they  had  not  hazarded  our  Liberty  by  ref  ufing  the  En- 
gagement againft  the  King  and  Houle  of  Lords,  when  he  and  others  of  his  Mind 
had  taken  it  ?  He  confeffed  that  1  had  been  againft  Cromwell,  but  they  had  always 
on  every  occafion  appeared  in  Arms  for  him.  I  told  him  that  he  ftruck  me  with 
admiration,  that  it  Ihould  be  poflible  for  him  to  live  in  the  Town,  and  yet  believe 
what  he  faid,  to  be  true,  or  yet  to  fpeak  it  in  our  hearing,  if  he  knew  it  to  be  un- 
true. And  I  profeifed,  that  having  lived  there  Sixteen  years  fince  the  Wars,  I  ne- 
ver 


P  a  iv  t  II.    Kevefend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         301 

ver  knew  that  they  once  appeared  in  Arms  for  Cromwell  or  any  Uiurpers;  and 
challenged  him  upon  his  word  to  name  one  time.  I  could  not  get  him  to  name 
any  time  till  I  had  urged  him  to  the  utmoft  ;  and  then  he  inftanced  in  the  time 
when  the  Scots  Army  fled  from  Worcester.  I  challenged  him  to  name  one  Man  of 
them  that  was  at  Worcefler  Fight,-  or  bare  Arms  there,  or  at  any  time  for  the  Ufur- 
pers :  And  when  he  could  name  none,  I  told  bim  that  all  that  was  done  to  my 
knowledge  in  Sixteen  years  of  that  kind,  was  but  this,  that  when  the  Scots  fled 
from  JVotcefier,  as  all  the  Country  fought  in  covetoufhefs  to  catch  fome  of  them, 
for  their  Horfes,  fo  two  idle  Rogues  of  Kedderminfter,  that  never  communicated 
with  me  any  morethan  he  did,  had  drawn  two  or  three  of  their  Neighbours  with 
them  in  the  Night  as  the  Scots  fled  to  catch  their  Hoifes  :  And  I  never  heard  of 
three  that  they  catcht :  And  I  appealed  to  the  Bifhop  and  his  Confcience,whether 
he  that  being  urged  Qo^ild  name  no  more  but  this,  did  ingenuoufly  Accuie  the 
Corporation,  Magiftrates  and  People  to  have  appeared  on  all  occalion  in  Arms 
for  Cromwell.  And  when  they  had  no  more  to  (ay,  I  told  them,  l>y  this  we  faw 
what  meafures  to  expect  from  Strangers  of  his  mind,  when  he  that  is  our  Neigh- 
bour, and  noted  for  eminent  Civility,  never  fticketh  to  (peak  fuch  things  even  of 
a  People  among  whom  he  hath  (till  lived  ! 

§  1  foAbout  the  fame  time,about  Twenty  or  Two  and  twenty  furious  Fanaticks, 
called  Fifth- Monarchy-men  (one  Venner  a  Wine-Cooper,and  his  Church  that  he  prea- 
ched unto  J  being  tranfported  with  Enthufiaftick  Pride,  did  rife  up  in  Arms,  and 
fought  in  the  Streets  like  Mad-men  againft  all  that  ftood  in  their  way,  till  they 
were  fome  kill'd  and  the  reft  taken,  judged  and  executed.  I  wrote  a  Letter  at  this 
time  to  my  Mother-in-law,  containing  nothing  but  our  ufiial  matter,  even  Encou- 
ragements to  her  in  her  Age  and  Weaknefs,  fetcht  from  the  nearnefs  of  her  Reft,  to- 
gether with  the  Report  of  this  News,  and  fome  (harp  and  vehement  words  againft 
the  Rebels.  By  the  means  of  Sir  John  Packingtm,  or  his  Soldiers,  the  Poft  was 
.  fearched,  and  my  Letter  intercepted,  opened,  and  revifed,  and  by  Sir  John  lent  up 
to  London  to  the  Bifhop  and  the  Lord  Chancellour :  Co  that  it  was  a  wonder  that 
having  read  it,  they  were  not  afhamed  to  fend  it  up  :  But  joyful  would  they  have 
been,  could  they  but  have  found  a  word  in  it,  which  could  pofubly  have  been  di- 
ftorted  to  an  evil  fence,  that  Malice  might  have  had  its  Prey.  I  went  to  the  Lord 
Chancellour  and  complained  of  this  ufage,  and  that  I  had  not  the  common  liberty 
of  a  Subject,  to  converle  by  Letters  with  my  own  Family.  He  diibwned  it,  and 
blamed  Mens  rafhnefs,  but  excuied  it  from  the  Diftempers  of  the  Times ;  and  he 
and  the  Bilhops  confefted  they  had  feenthe  Letter,  and  there  was  nothing  in  it  but 
what  was  good  and  pious.  And  two  days  after  came  the  Lord  Wmdfor  Lord  Lieu- 
tenant of  the  Country,  and  Governour  of  Jamaica,  with  Sir  Charles  Littleton  the 
King's  Cup  bearer,  to  bring  me  my  Letter  again  to  my  Lodgings ;  and  the  Lord 
Windjor  told  me,  The  Lord  Chancellour  appointed  him  to  do  it:  After  fome  ex- 
preflion  of  my  fenfe  of  the  Abufe,  I  thanked  him  for  his  great  Civility  and  Favour. 
But  I  (aw  how  far  that  fort  of  Men  were  to  be  trufted. 

§  160.  And  here  I  will  interpofe  a  fliort  Account  of  my  Publick  Miniftry  in 
London :  Being  removed  from  my  ancient  Flock  in  Worceflerfirire,  and  yet  being  un- 
certain whether  I  might  return  to  them  or  not,I  refuted  to  take  any  other  Charge, 
but  preached  up  and  down  London  (  for  nothing  )  according  as  I  was  invited. 
When  I  had  done  thus  above  a  year,  I  thought  a  fixed  place  was  better,  and  lb  I 
joyned  with  Dr.  Bates  at  St.  Dunflaijs  in  the  Weft  in  Fleetftreet,  and.  preached  once 
a  week,  for  which  the  People  allowed  me  fome  Maintenance.  Before  this  time  I 
fcarce  ever  preached  a  Sermon  in  the  City,  but  1  had  News  from  Wefimmfter  that 
I  had  preached  (editioufly  ,  or  againft  the  Government ,  when  I  had  neither  a 
thought  nor  a  word  of  any  fuch  tendency.  Sometimes  I  preached  purpofely  againft 
Fa£Hon,  Schifm,  Sedition  and  Rebellion,  and  thole  Sermons  alfo  were  reported  to 
be  Fa&ious  and  Seditious.  Some  Sermons  at  Covent  Garden  were  (b  much  accufed, 
that  I  was  fain  to  print  them,  (the  Book  is  called  The  Formal  Hypocrite  detected,  &c  ) 
But  when  the  Sermons  were  printed,  I  had  not  a  word  more  againft  them.  The 
Accuiations  were  all  general  (  of  Sedition  and  Faction,  and  againft  the  Church  ) 
but  not  one  Syllable  charged  in  particular. 

§  i6r.  The  Congregations  being  crowded  was  that  which  provoked  Envy  to  ac- 
cuie me :  And  one  day  the  Crowd  did  drive  me  from  my  place.  It  tell  out  that  at 
Dunjlan's  Church  in  the  midft  of  Sermon,  a  little  Lime  and  Duft  (and  perhaps  a 
piece  of  a  Brick  or  two  )  fell  down  in  the  Steeple  or  Belfray  near  the  Boys,  which 
put  the  whole  Congregation  into  fudden  Melancholy,  fo  that  they  thought  that 
he  Steeple  and  Church  were  falling ;  which  put  them  all  into  fo  confufed  a  hafte 
*  to 


302  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  i. 


to  get  away,  that  indeed  the  Noife  of  the  Feet  in  the  Galleries  founded  like  the  fal- 
ling of  the  Stones ;  fo  that  the  People  crowded  out  of  Doors ;  the  Women  lefc 
(bme  of  them  a  Skarf,  and  ibme  a  Shoe  behind  them,  and  fome  in  the  Galleries 
calt  themielves  down  upon  thofe  below,  becaufe  they  could  not  get  down  'th« 
Stairs.  I  fate  ftill  down  in  the  Pulpit,  feeing  and  pitying  their  vain  Diftemper, 
and  aiToon  as  I  could  be  heard,  1  intreated  their  Silence,  and  went  on.  The  Peo- 
ple were  nofooner  quieted,  and  got  in  again,  and  the  Auditory  compofed  ,  but 
lome  that  flood  upon  a  Wainicot- Bench  near  the  Communion  Table,brake  the 
Bench  with  their  weight,  fo  that  the  Noife  renewed  the  Fear  again,and  they  were 
worfe  difbrdered  than  before ;  lb  that  one  old  Woman  was  heard  at  the  Church 
Door  asking  forgivenefs  of  God,  for  not  taking  the  firft  warning,  and  promifing 
if  God  would  deliver  her  this  once,  fhe  would  take  heed  of  coming  thither  again. 
When  they  were  again  quieted,  I  went  on.  But  the  Church  having  before  an  ill 
name  (  as  very  qjd,  and  rotten,  and  dangerous)  this  put  the  Parifti  upon  a  Refolu- 
tion  to  pull  down  all  the  Roof  and  build  it  better,  which  they  have  done  with  fo 
great  Reparation  of  the  Walls  and  Steeple,  that  it  is  now  like  a  new  Church,  and 
much  more  commodious  for  the  Hearers. 

§  162.  While  I  was  here  alfo  the  daily  Clamours  of  Accufers  even  wearied  me  : 
No  one  ever  queftioned  me  j  nor  inffanced  in  any  culpable  words,  but  in  general 
all  wa$  againjt  the  Church  and  Government :  Upon  which  (  and  the  requeft  of  the 
Countefs  of  Balcaries,  one  of  my  Hearers,  a  Perfon  of  exemplary  worth  )  I  was 
fain  to  publilh  many  of  my  Sermons  verbatim,  on  2  Cor.  13.  y.  in  a  Book  called 
£  The  Mifchiefs  of  Self-ignorance,  and  Benefits  of  Self -acquaintance  ]  :  And  when  the 
Book  was  printed  (without  alteration)  then  1  heard  no  more  of  any  Fault. 

§  16;.  Upon  this  Reparation  of  Dunftans  Church,  I  preached  out  my  Quarter  at 
Brides  Church  in  the  other  end  of  Fleetfireet ;  where  the  Common  Prayer  being 
ufed  by  the  Curate  before  Sermon,  I  occafioned  abundance  to  be  at  Common: 
Prayer  which  before  avoided  it :  And  yet  my  Acculations  fiill  continued. 

§  164.  On  the  Week  days,  Mr.  Afourfi  with  about  Twenty  more  Citizens,  de- 
fired  me  to  preach  a  Lecture  in  Milkfireet ;  for  which  they  allowed  me  40  /.  per 
Annum 3  which  I  continued  near  a  year, till  we  were  all  Silenced.  And  at  the  fame 
time  I  preached  once  every  Lord's  Day  at  Blackfryars  (  where  Mr.  Gibbons  a  judir 
cious  Man  was  Minifter. )  In  Milkftreet  I  took  Money  becaufe  it  came  not  from  the 
Parifbioners,  but  Strangers,  and  (b  was  no  wrong  to  the  Mjnifter  (Mr.  Vincent,  a 
very  holy,  blamelefs  Man  ) :  But  at  Blackfryars  I  never  took  a  Penny,  becaufe  it  was 
the  Parimioners  who  called  me,  who  would  elfe  be  left  able  and  ready  to  help  their 
worthy  Paftor  (  who  went  to  God  by  a  Confumption  a  little  after  he  wasfilenced 
and  put  out).  At  thele  two  Churches  I  ended  the  Courle  of  my  Publick  Miniftry 
(unlefi  God  caufe  an  undeferved  Refurrection). 

§  1  <5  j-.  Here  al(o  my  Accufations  followed  me  as  malicioufly  and  falfly  as  be- 
fore j  and  I  was  fain  to  clear  my  felf  by  printing  lome  of  my  Sermons ,  in  a  little 
Book  called  Now  or  Never,  and  in  part  of  another  called  a  Saint  or  a  Bruit, 

§  1 66. Before  this  I  refblved  to  go  to  the  Archbifhop  of  Canterbury  ("then  Bifhop  of 
London  )  to  ask  him  for  his  Licenfe  to  preach  in  his  Diocefs :  Some  Brethren  bla- 
med me  for  it,  as  being  an  owning  of  Prelatical  Ufurpation.  I  told  them  that  the 
King  had  given  him  a  power  to  Jujfer  or  hinder  me;  and  if  he  had  no  power  at  all,  I 
might  lawfully  defire  any  Man  not  to  hinder  me  in  my  Duty  ;  much  more  having 
power  as  the  Church-Magiftrate  or  Officer  of  tjie  King  :  And  though  I  was  un- 
der no  neceffity,  I  would  not  rcfufe  a  lawful  thing,  when  Authority  required  it. 
The  Archbifhop  received  me  with  very  great  expreflion  of  Refpects ;  and  offered 
me  his  Licenfe,  and  would  let  his  Secretary  take  no  Money  of  me  :  But  he  offered 
me  the  Bonk  to  Subfcribe  in  :  I  told  him  that  he  knew  that  the  King's  Declaration 
exemptedms  from  Subfcriptlbn:He  bid  me  write  what  I  would:  I  told  him  that  what 
I  refolved  to  do,and  I  thought  meet  for  him  to  exped,I  would  do  of  choice,though 
I  might  forbear :  And  io  (in  Latin)  Ifublcribed  my  promile  not  to  preach  againft 
the  Do&rine  of  the  Church,  or  the  Ceremonies  efrablifhed  by  Law,in  his  Diocefs, 
while  I  ufed  his  Licenfe.  And  I  told  him  how  grievous  it  was  to  me  to  be  daily 
haunted  with  fiich  general  Accufacions  behind  my  back,  and  asked  him  why  I 
was  never  accufed  of  any  Particulars:  And  he  confeffed  to  me,  That  if  they 
had  got  any  Particulars  that  would  have  deferved  it,  I  mould  have  heard  particu- 
larly fiom  him.  I  fcarce  think  that  I  ever  preached  a  Sermon  without  a  Spy  to 
give  them  his  report  of  it. 

§167. 


— — —  ■  -  I  ■  - 

Part  II.     Reverend  Mr. Richard  Baxter.         303 

—  'i — ^ r — — > — ■ — — 

§  167.  But  my  laft  Sermon  that  ever  I  preached  in  Publick  being  at  Blackfyars, 
was  deiamed  with  this  particular  Accufation,  That  I  told  them  that  the  Goipel  was 
now  departing  from  them  :  Infomuch  as  the  Lady  Balcarres  told  me,  That  even  the 
old  Queen  of  Bohemia  told  her,  me  wondered  that  1  was  ib  impudent,  as  to  fay>  the 
Goipel  was  going  away,  becaufe  that  I,  and  fuch  as  I  were  filenced,  while  others 
were  put  into  our  places.  But  all  this  was  the  breath  of  Mif-reporters ,  without 
any  colour  of  ground  from  any  thing  that  I  had  fcid ,  as  may  be  feeh  in  the  print- 
ed Sermons. 

§  1 68  For  when  the  Minifters  were  all  filenced,  fome  covetous  Bookfellers  got 
Copies  of  the  lad  Sermons  of  many  of  them,  from  the  Scribes  that  took  them 
from  their  Mouths.  Some  of  them  were  taken  word  by  word  (  which  I  heard  my 
felf )  :  but  fome  of  us  were  much  abufed  b^  it  j  and  efpecially  my  felf  >  for  they 
ftiled  it  A  Farewel  Sermon,  and  mangled  ib  both  Matter  and  Style,  that  I  could 
not  own  it ;  befides  the  printing  ic  to  the  offenfe  of  Governours.  So  that  after- 
wards I  writ  out  the  Sermon  more  at  large  my  (elf  (  on  Col.  2.  6,7.  )  with  another 
Difcourfe,  and  offered  them-to  the  Prefs,  but  could  not  get  them  Licenfed  * :  for  *.Butjfl"c^ 
Reafbns  afterwards  to  me  mentioned.  idUnd  " 

§  169.  On  April  23.  was  his  Majefly's  Coronation  Day  ;  the  Day  being  very  fe-  printed, 
rene  and  fair,  till  fuddenly  in  the  Afternoon,  as  they  were  returning  from  Weslmin  CJUedD?- 
fier-hall,  there  was  very  terrible  Thunders,  when  none  expected  it.    Which  made  ,enms 
me  remember  his«Father's  Coronation,  on  which,  being  a  Boy  at  School,  and  ha-  chriftians, 
ving  leave  to  play  for  the  Solemnity,  an  Earthquake  (about  two  a  Clock*  in  the&c. 
Afternoon)  did  affright  the  Boys,  and  all  the  Neighbourhood.     1  intend  no  Com- 
mentary on  thefe,  but  only  to  relate  the  Matter  of  F&&. 

§  170.  To  return  at  laff  to  our  Treaty  with  the  Bifhops :  If  you  oblerve  the 
King's  Declaration,  you  will  find,  that  though  Matters  of  Government  feemed  to 
be  determined,  yet  the  Liturgy  was  to  be  reviewed,  and  reformed,  and  new  Forms 
drawn  up  in  Scripture  fhrafe,  Juitedto  the  [ever  alp  arts  of  Worship,  that  Men  might  •  ufe 
which  of  them  they  pleafed]  (  as  already  there  were  fome  (uch  variety  of  Forms  in 
feme  Offices  of  that  Book).  This  was  yet  to  be  donS,  and  till  this  were  done,  we 
were  uncertain  of  the  IiTue  of  all  our  Treaty  :  but  if  that  were  done,  and  all  /!?c- 
led  by  Law,  our  Divilions  were  at  an  end.  Therefore  being  often  with  the  Lord 
Chancellour  on  the  forememioned  occasions,  I  humbly  intreatell  him  to  haften  the 
linilhing  of  that  Work,  that  we  might  rejoyce  in  our  d;fircd  Concord.  At  laft  Dr. 
Reignolds  and  Mr.  Calamy  were  authorized  to  name  the  Perfons  on  that  fid©j  to  ma- 
nage the  Treaty  j  and  a  Commiffion  was  granted  under  the  Broad  Seal  to  the  Per- 
lons  nominated  on  both  fides.  I  intreated  Mr.  Calamy  and  Dr.  Reignolds  to  leave 
me  cut:  for  though  I  much  defired  the  Expedition  of  the  Work,  I  found  that  the 
lad  Debates  had  made  me  unacceptable  with  my  Superiours;  and  this  would  much 
more  increale  it,  and  other  Men  might  be  fitter,  who  were  lefs  dittafted.  But  I 
could  not  prevail  with  them  (  unlefs  I  would  have  peremptorily  refuied  it  )  to  Ex- 
cufe  me.  So  they  named,  as  Commiffioners,  Dr.  Tuckney, Dr.  Conant,  Dr.Spurfiow, 
Dr.  Mantov,  Dr.  WaUis,  Mr.  Calamy  and  my  felf,  Mr. Jackfon,  Mr.Caft,  Mr.Clark, 
and  Mr.  Newcomen,  befides  Dr.  Reignolds  then  Bifhop  of  Norwich  :  And  for  Affi- 
ftants  (  being  the  other  Party  had  Affiftants  )  Dr.  Horton,  Dr.  Jacomb  ,  Dr.  Bates, 
Mr.  Rawlmfon,  Mr.  Cooper,  Dr.  Lightfoot^  Dr. Collins,  Mr.  Woodbridge,  and  Dr. Drake. 
According  to  the  King's  Commiffion  we  were  to  meet  and  manage  our  Confe- 
rence,in  order  to  the  Ends  therein  expreffed.    The  Commiffion  is  as  followeth : 

c  /"">  HA  R  L  E  S  the  Second,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  King  of  England,  Scotland, 
*  v_>  France  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the-  Faith,  &c.  To  our  trulty  and  well- 
'  beloved  the  moft  Reverend  Father  in   God  accepted  Archbifhop  of  York,  the 


'  an  Bifhop  of  Chefier,  Richard  Bilhop  of  Carlifle,  John  Bifhop  of  Exeter,  Edward 
'  Bilhop  of  Norwich,  and  to  our  trufty  and  well-beloved  the  Reverend  Anthony 
c  Tuckny  Dr.  in  Divinity,  John  Conant  Dr.  in  Divinity,  William  Spurftow  Dr.  in  Di- 
*  vinity,  John  Wallts  Dr.  in  Divinity,  Thomas  Manten  Dr.  in  Divinity,  Edmund  Ca- 
'  lamy  Batchelour  in  Divinity,  Richard  Baxter  Clerk,  Arthur  Jackfon  Clerk,  Thomas 
'  Cafe,  Samuel  Clark,  Matthew  Newsomen  Clerks,  and  to  our  trulty  and  well-belo- 
f  ved  Dr.  Earles  Dean  of  Wefiminfer,  Feter  Heylin  Dr.  in  Divinity,  John  Hacket  Dr. 
r  in  Divinity,  John  Barwick  Dr.  in  Divinity,  Peter  Gunning  Dr.  in  Divinity,  John 

'  Vierfon 


~^         ■  The  LIFE  ef  the  Lib.]. 

c  Pier/on  Dr.  in  Divinity,  Thomas  Pterce  Dr.  in  Divinity ,Anthony  Sparrow  Dr.  in  Di- 
4  v'mxty, Herbert  Thorndike  Batchelourin  Divinity,  Thomas  Horton  Dr.  in  Divinity  , 
c  Thomas  Jacomb  Dr. inDmnky,William  Bates,  John  Raw Imf on  Clerk,  William  Coop- 
'  er  Clerk,  Dr.  John  Lightfoot,  Dr.  John  Collins,  Dr.  Benjamin  Woodbridge,  and  Wtl* 
'  Ham  Drake  Clerk,  Greeting.  Whereas  by  our  Declaration  of  the  Five  and  twen- 
4  tieth  of  October  laft  concerning  Ecclefiaftical  Affairs,  we  did  amongft  other  things 
'  exprefs  an  efteem  of  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England,  contained  in  'he  Look 
c  of  Common  Prayer,  and  yetfince  we  find  fome  Exceptions  made  againft  fevers! 
'  things  therein,  we  did  by  our  faid  Declaration  declare  we  would  appoint  an  equal 
1  number  of  Learned  Divines  of  both  Perfwafions,  to  review  the  fame,  and  toniake 

*  fuch  Alterations  therein  as  fhall  be  thought  moft  necelfary ;  and  fbme  additional 
4  Forms  it*  the  Scripture  phrafe,  as  near  as  might  be,  fuited  to  the  nature  of  the  fe- 
'  veral  Parts  of  Worfhip,  wethereforein  accomplifhment  of  our  faid  Will  and  In- 
f  tent,  and  of  our  continued  and  conftant  Care  and  Study  for  the  Peace  and  Uni- 
'  ty  of  the  Churches  within  our  Dominions,  and  for  the  removal  of  all  Excepti- 
r  ons  and  Differences,  and  Occafions  of  Differences,  and  Exceptions  from  amongft 
'  our  good  Subjects  for  or  concerning  the  faid  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  or  any 
'  thing  therein  contained,  do  by  thefe  our  Letters  Patents  require,  authorize,  con- 
'  ftitute  and  appoint  you  the  faid  accepted  Archbifhop  of  Tork,  Gilbert  Bifhop  of 
4  London,  John  Bilhop  of  Durham,  John  Bifhop  of  Rochefter,  Henry  Bifhop  of  Chi- 
''chefier,  Humphrey  Bifhop  of  Sarum,  George  Bifhop  of  Worcefter  ,*  Robert  Bifhop  of 
f  Lmcoln,  Benjamin  Bifhop  of  Peter  burgh,  Bryan  Bifhop  of  Chefter,  Richard  Bifhop  of 
'  Carlifle,  John  Bifhop  of  Exeter,  Edward  Bifhop  of  Norwich,  Anthony  Tuckney,John 
'  Conant,  William  Spurftow,  John  Wallis,  Thomas  Manton,  Edmund  Calamy ,  Richard 
'  Baxter,  Arthur  Jackfon,  Thomas  Cafe,  Samuel  Clark  and  Matthew  Newcomen,  to  ad- 
c  vile  upon  arid  review  the  faid  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  comparing  the  fame  with 
'  the  moft  ancient  Liturgies  which  have  been  ufed  in  the  Church,  in  the  primitive 
1  and  pureft  Times:  And  to  that  end  to  aflemble  and  meet  together,  from  time  to 
c  time,  and  at  fuch  times,  within  the  fpace  of  four  Kalender  Months  now  next 
4  enfuing  ,  in  the  Mafters  Lodgings  in  the  Savoy  in  the  Strand  in  the  County  of 
f  Middlefex,  or  in  fuch  other  place  or  places  as  to  you  fhall  be  thought  fit  and  con- 
'  venient,  to  take  into  your  ferious  and  grave  Confiderations,  the  feveral  Directi- 
f  ons,  Rules  and  Forms  of  Prayer,  and  Things  in  the  faid  Book  of  Common  Pray- 
4  er  contained,  and  to  advife  and  confult  upon  and  about  the  fame,  and  the  feveral 
'  Objections  and  Exceptions  which  (hall  now  be  raifed  againft  the  fame.    And  if 

*  occafion  be,  to  make  fuch  reafonable  and  necelfary  Alterations,  Corrections  and 
c  Amendments  therein,  as  by  and  between  you  and  the  faid  Archbifhop,  Bifhops, 
e  Do-ftors,  and  Perfbns  hereby  required  and  authorized  to  meet  and  adviie  as  afore- 
'  faid,  fhall  be  agreed  upon  to  be  needful  or  expedient  for  the  giving  Satisfaction 
f  unto  tender  Confciences,  and  the  reftoring  and  continuance  of  Peace  and  Uni- 
4  ty,  in  the  Churches  under  our  Protection  and  Government.  But  avoiding,  as 
1  much  as  may  be,  all  unneceffary  Alterations'of  the  Forms  and  Liturgy  where- 

*  with  the  People  are  already  acquainted,  and  have  fo  long  received  in  the  Church 
'  of  England.  And  our  will  and  pleafure  is,  that  when  you  the  faid  Archbifhop, 
f  Bifhops,  Doctors  and  Perfbns  authorized  and  appointed  by  thefe  our  Letters  Pa- 

*  tents,  to  meet,  advife  and  confult  upon  about  the  Premises  aforefaid,  fhall  have 
'  drawn  your  Confultations  to  sny  Refolution  and  Determination  which  you  fhall 
'  agree  upon  as  needful  or  expedient  to  be  done  for  the  altering,  diminifhing  or 
f  enlarging  the  faid  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  or  any  part  thereof,  that  then  you 
4  forthwith  certifie  and  prelent  unto  us  in  Writing,  under  your  feveral  Hands,  the 

*  Matters  and  Things  whereupon  you  fhall  fo  determine,  for  our  Approbation. 
4  And  to  the  end  the  fame,  or  fo  much  thereof  as  fhall  be  approved  by  us,  may  be 
'  eftablifhed.    And  forafmuch  as  the  faid  Archbifhop  and  Biihops,  having  feveral 

*  great  Charges  to  attend,  which  we  would  not  difpenfe  with,  or  that  the  fame 

*  fhould  be  neglected  upon  any  great  occafion  whatfoever,  and  fome  of  them  being 

*  of  great  Age  and  Infirmities,  may  not  be  able  conftantly  to  attend  the  Execution 
f  of  the^Sei  vice  and  Authority  hereby  given  and  required  by  us  in  the  Meetings 
'  and  Confultations  aforefaid,  We  Will  therefore,  and  do  hereby  require  and  autho- 
'  rize  you  the  faid  Dr.  Earles,  Peter  Heylin,  John  Hacket,  John  Barwick,  Peter  Gun* 
'  ntng,  John  Pearfon,  Thomas  Pierce,  and  Anthony  Sparrow,  and  Herbert  Thorndike  ,  to 
4  fupply  the  place  or  places  of  fuch  of  the  faid  Archbifhop  and  Bifhops  (other  than 
f  the  faid  Edward  Bifhop  of  Norwich)  as  fhall  by  Age,  Sicknefi,  Infirmity,  or  other 
'occafion,  be  hindred  from  attending  the  faid  Meeting  or  Confultations,  (That  is 
f  to  fay)  that  one  of  you  the  faid  Dr.  Earles,  Peter  Heylin,  John  Hacket,  John  Barwick, 

Peter 


Part  II.   Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  %o$ 

'  Peter  Gunning,  John  Pearfon,  Thomas  Pearce,  Anthony  Sparrow,  and  Herbert  Thorn- 
'dike  fhall  from  time  to  time  fupply  the  Place  of  each  one  of  them,  the  faid  Arch- 

*  bifhop  and  Bifhops,  other  than  the  (aid  Edward,  Bifhop  of  Norwich,  which  fhall 
1  happen  to  be  hindred,  or  to  be  ablent  from  the  faid  Meeting  or  Confutations, 
1  and  (hall  and  may  advife,  and  confult,  and  determine,  and  alfo  certifie  and  exe- 
r  cute,  all,  and  lingular  the  Power  and  Authority  before  mentioned,  in  and  about 
'  the  Premifes  as  fully  and  ab(blutely,  as  fiich  Archbifhop  or  Bifhops,  which  (hall 
'  Co  happen  to  be  ablent,  (hould  or  might  do  by  Vertue  of  thefe  our  Letters  Pa- 
r  tents,  or  any  thing  therein  contained,  in  cafe  he  or  they  were  perfonally  prefent* 
'  And  whereas  in  regard  of  the  Diftance  of  fome,  the  Infirmities  of  others,  the 
'multitude  of  conftant  Imployments,  and  other  incidental  Impediments ;  fome  of 
4  you  the  (aid  Edward  Bifhop  of  Norwich ,  Anthony  Tuckney,  John  Conant,  William 
'  Spurfiow,  John  Wallis,  Thomas  Manton,  Edmund  Calamy,  Rich.  Baxter,  Arthur 
.*  Jackfon,  Thomas  Cafe,  Samuel  Clarke,  and  Matthew  Newcomen  may  be  hindred 
'  from  the  conftant  Attendance  in  the  Execution  of  the  Service  aforefaid,   We 

*  therefore  will,  and  do  hereby  require  and  authorize  you  the  faid  Tho.  Horton,  Iho- 
'  mas  Jacomb,  William  Bates,  John  Rawlinfon,  William  Cooper,  John  Ltgbtfoot,  John 
'  Collins,  Benjamin  Woodbridge,  and  William  Drake  to  fupply  the  Place  or  Places  of 
r  fuch  the  Commiffioners  laft  above  mentioned,  as  fhall  by  the  means  aforefaid,  or 
'  any  other  Occafion  be  hindred  from  the  faid  Meeting  and  Confutations  ( that  is 
'  to  fay  )  fhat  one  of  you  the  faid  Thomas  Horton,  Thomas  Jacomb,  William  Bates, 
'  John  Rawlinfon,  William  Cooper,  Dr.  Ligbtfoot,  Dr.  Collins,  Mr.  Woodbridge,  and 
'  Mr.  Drake  (hall  from  time  to  time  fupply  the  Place  of  each  one  of  the  (aid  Com- 
'  miflioners  laft  mentioned,  which  fhall  happen  to  be  hindred,  or  be  ablent  from 
'  the  Meetings  and  Confutations,  and  fhall  and  may  advife,  confult  and  determine, 

*  and  alfo  certifie  and  execute  all  and  fingular  the  Powers  and  Authorities  before 
'  mentioned,  in  and  about  the  Premifes,  as  fully  and  abiolutely  as  fuch  of  the  faid 
■  laft  mentioned  Commiflioners  which  fhall  (b  happen  to  be  ablent,  fhouldormighc 
'  do  by  vertue  of  thefe  Our  Letters  Patents,  or  any  thing  therein  contained,  in 
'  cafe  he  or  they  were  perfonally  prefent. 

In  WitnefS  whereof  we  have  caufed  theft  our  Letters  to  be  made  Patents.  Witnefs  Our 
felf  at  Weftminfter,  the  five  and  twentieth  Day  of  March,  m  the  Thirteenth 
Tear  of  Our  Reign. 

Per  ipfum  Regem 

Boocker. 

Note  that  Dr.  Roger  Drakes  Name  being  mifwritten  William  Drake,  he  there 
fore  went  not  publickly  with  us. 

§  171.  A  Meeting  Was  appointed,  and  the  Savoy  (  the  Bifhop  of  London's  Lodg- 
ings) named  by  them  for  the  Place.  There  met  us  Dr.  Frewen,  ArchbiThop  of 
York  ;  Dr.  Sheldon,  Bifhop  of  London ;  Dr.  Morley,  Bifhop  of  Worcefier  •  Dr.  Saun- 
derfon,  Bifhop  of  Lincoln  ;  Dr.  Cofms,  Bifhop  of  Durham  \  Dr.  Hinchman,  Bifhop  of 
Salisbury ;  Dr.  Walton,  Bifhop  of  Cbefter  j  Dr.  Lany,  Bifhop  of  Peterborough ;  Dr. 
King,  Bifhop  of  Rocbefier ;  Dr.  Sterne,  Bifhop  of  Carli/le  ( but  the  conftanteft 
Man  after  was,  Dr.  Gauden,  Bifhop  of  Exeter ).  On  the  other  fide  there  met, 
Dr.  Reignolds,  Bifhop  of  Norwich,  Mr.  Clerk,  Dr.  Spur fow,  Dr.  Light foot ,  Dr.  Wattis, 
Dr.  Manton,  Dr.  Bates,  Dr.  Jacomb,  Mr.  Cooper,  Mr.  Rawlinfon,  Mr.  Cafe  and  my 
felf.  The  Commiflion  being  read,  the  Archbifhop  of  York  ( a  peaceable  Man ) 
fbake  firft,  and  told  us,  that  he  knew  nothing  of  the  Bufinefs,  but  perhaps  the  Bi- 
fhop of  London  knew  more  of  the  King's  Mind  in  it,  and  therefore  was  fitter  to 
(peak  in  it  than  he.  The  Bifhop  of  London  told  us,  that  it  was  not  they,  but  we  that 
had  been  the  Seekers  of  this  Conference,  and  that  defired  Alterations  in  the  Litur- 
gy:  and  therefore  they  had  nothing  to  fay  or  do,  till  we  brought  in  all  that  we  had 
to  lay  againft  it  in  Writing,  and  all  the  additional  Forms  and  Alterations  which  we 
defired.-  Our  Brethren  were  very  much  againft  this  Motion,  and  urged  the  King's 
Gommiffion,  which  requireth  us  to  [  meet  together,  advife  and  conjult  ]  i  They  told 
him  that  by  Conference  we  might  perceive  as  we  went  what  each  would  yield  to, 
and  might  more  (peedily  difpatch,  and  probably  attain  our  End  ;  whereas  Writing 
^uld  be  a  tedious,  endlefs  Bufinefs,  and  we  mould  not  have  that  Familiarity  and 

R  r  Acquaintance 


30?  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I. 

Acquaintance  with  each  others  Minds,  which  might  facilitate  our  Concord.  But 
the  Bifhop  of  London  refolutely  infifted  on  it,  not  to  do  any  thing,  till  we  brought 
in  all  our  Exceptions,  Alterations  and  Additions  at  once.  In  this  I  confefs,  above  all 
things  elfe,  I  was  wholly  of  his  Mind,  and  prevailed  with  my  Brethren  toconfent; 
but  I  conjecture,  upon  contrary  Reafons.  For  I  fuppofe  he  thought  that  we  fhould 
either  be  altogether  by  the  Ears,  and  be  offeveral  Minds  among  ourfelves,  atleaft 
in  our  new  Forms ;  or  that  when  our  Propofals  and  Forms  came  to  be  fcanncd  by 
them,  they  mould  find  as  much  Matter  ofException  againft  ours,  as  we  did  againft 
theirs  5  or  that  the  People  of  our  Perfuafion  would  be  diflatisfied  or  divided  about 
it :  And  indeed  our  Brethren  themfelves  thought  either  all,  or  much  of  this  would 
come  to  pals,  and  our  Disadvantage  would  be  exceeding  great.  But  I  told  them 
the  Reafons  of  my  Opinion  :  i.  That  we  fhould  quickly  agree  on  our  Exceptions, 
or  offer  none  but  what  we  were  agreed  on.  2.  That  we  were  engaged  to  offer 
them  new  Forms  (  which  was  the  Expedient  which  from  the  Beginning  I  had  aim- 
ed at  and  brought  in,  as  the  only  way  of  Accommodation,  considering  that  they 
fhould  be  in  Scripture  Words,  .and  that  Minifters  fhould  choofe  which  Forms  they 
would  )  3.  That  verbal  Difputes  would  be  managed  with  much  more  Contention. 
4.  But  above  all,  that  elfe  our  Caufe  would  never  be  well  underftood  by  our  Peo- 
ple, or  Foreigners,  or  Vojterity  ;  but  our  Conference  and  Caufe  would  be  mifreported 
and  publimed  as  the  Conference  at  Hampton-Court  was  to  our  Prejudice,  and  none 
durft  contradict  it.  And  that  what  we  laid  for  our  Caufe,  would  this  way  come 
fully  and  truly  to  the  Knowledge  of  England  and  of  other  Nations ;  and  that  if 
we  refuted  this  Opportunity  of  leaving  upon  Record  our  Teftimony  againft  Cor- 
ruptions, for  a  jult  and  moderate  Reformation,  we  were  never  like  to  have  the 
like  in  haft  again.  And  upon  thefe  Reafons  I  told  the  Bifhops  that  we  accepted  of 
the  Task  which  they  impofed  on  us ;  yet  fo  as  to  bring  all  our  Exceptions  at  one 
time,  and  all  our  Additions  at  another  time,  which  they  granted. 

§  172.  When  we  were  withdrawn,  it  pleated  our  Brethren  presently  to  divide 
the  undertaken  Work :  The  drawing  up  of  Exceptions  againfi  the  Common-Prayer, 
they  undertook  themfelves,  and  were  to  meet  from  day  to  day  for  that  end :  The 
drawing  up  of  the  Additions  or  new  Forms  they  impoled  upon  me  alone,  becaufe  I 
had  been  guilty  of  that  Defign  from  the  beginning,  and  of  engaging  them  in  that 
piece  of  Service  (and  fome  of  them  thought  it  would  prove  odious  to  the  Inde- 
pendents, and  others  who  are  againft  a  Liturgy  as  iuch  ) :  Hereupon,  I  departed 
from  them,  and  came  among  them  no  more  till  I  had  finifhed  my  Task  (  which 
was  a  Fortnight's  time).  My  leifiire  was  too  fhort  for  the  doing  of  it  with, that 
Accuratenefs,  (which  a  Bufinefs  of  that  Nature  doth  require  )  or  for  the  coniiilting 
with  Men  or  Authors :  I  could  not  have  time  to  make  ufeof  any  Book,  iave  the  Bi- 
ble and  my  Concordance  (  comparing  all  with  the  Aflemblies  Directory,  and  the 
Book  of  Common-Prayer,  and  Hammond  VEfirange.)  And  at  the  Fortnight's  end 
I  brought  it  to  the  other  Commiflioners. 

§  173.  And  here  for  the  better  underftanding  of  this  Work,  I  muft  give  the 
Reader  thele  few  Advertifements. 

i .  That  one  of  my  chief  Reafons  for  the  doing  of  this  Work  was,  that  if  real- 
ly the  Declaration  were  in  force  and  executed,  our  Brethren  that  fcrupled  the  ufe 
of  the  Common  Prayer,  might  have  the  Liberty  of  ufing  fuch  Forms  taken  out  of 
the  Word  of  God,  which  they  need  not  Scruple. 

2.  And  another  was,  That  the  Nation  might  fee  that  in  our  Defires  of  reforming 
the  Liturgy  we  were  not  for  none,  or  for  a  worfe. 

3.  That  it  might  be  a  {landing  Witnefs  to  Pofterity,  both  againft  the  Sectarians, 
who  would  have  all  Reformers  run  into  Extreams,  and  againft  our  Slanderrers  who 
would  make  the  World  believe  that  we  do  run  into  Extreams,  and  are  againft  all 
Liturgies,  and  a  Record  that  once  fuch  a  thing  was  propofed  which  we  could  our 
ielves  agreee  in. 

4.  I  made  it  an  intire  Liturgy,  but  might  not  call  it  fo,  becaufe  our  Commiffion 
required  us  to  call  it  Additions  to,  or  Alterations  of  the  Book  of  Common-Prayer, 

5-.  I  put  in  the  Direclfve  Part  called  Rubricks,  that  the  reft  might  not  be  unintel* 
ligible,  and  the  whole  defective. 

6.  1  put  in  the  Forms  and  Order  of  Difcipline,  partly  becaufe  elfe  we  fhould  never 
have  had  Opportunity  therein  to  exprefs  our  Minds ;  and  partly  becaufe  indeed  it 
belongeth 'te^he  jntegritv  of  the  Work,  and  to  fhew  the  difference  between  their 
kind  of  Diftipune  in  Chancellors  Courts,  and  ours  by  Paftors  in  Chriftian  Con- 
gregations. 

- 

7.  Note 


P  a  r  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         307 

7. Note  that  the  method  of  theLitany  and generalPrayersjs  according  to  the  Directi- 
on of  the  Lord's  Prayer,  of  which  and  the  Ten  Commandments  it  is  a  Commenta- 
ry. The  firft  Commandment  falleth  in  with  the  Preface,  and  the  three  firft  Peti- 
tions of  the  Lord's  Prayer :  All  the  other  Commandments,  with  the  Evangelical 
Precepts,  come  in  under  the  third  Petition,  Thy  Witt  be  done  j  and  then  I  proceeded 
to  the  other  three  Petitions  and  the  Conclufion.  Doubtleis  the  Lord's  Prayer  is  the 
molt  perfect  method  for  univerfal  Prayer  or  holy  Defires,  that  can  be  poflibly  in- 
vented. 

§  174.  When  I  brought  my  Draught  to  the  Brethren,  I  found  them  but  entring 
on  their  Work  of  Exceptions  againft  the  Common-Prayer,  and  fo  I  was  fain  to  lay 
by  mine  above  a  Fortnight  longer,  till  their  work  was  done  :  In  which  divers  of 
them  took  their  Parts.  The  chief  Actors  in  that  part  were,  Dr.  Rtignolds,  Dr.  Wal- 
ks, Mr.  Calamy,  Mr.  Newcomen,  Dr.  Bates,  Mr.  Clarke,  Dr.  Jacomb,  6cc.  Dr.  Hor- 
ton  never  came  among  us  at  all,  nor  Dr.  Tuckney  (alledging  his  backwardnefs  to  (peak, 
though  he  had  been  the  Doctor  of  the  Chair  in  Cambridge  )  nor  Dr.  Ligbtfoot  but 
once  or  twice;  nor  Mr.  Woodbridge  but  tv>  ce  or  thrice  (  dwelling  far  off)  :  Mr. 
Clarke  brought  in  that  large  Enumeration  of  Corruptions  in  the  Liturgy  recited  in 
the  Abridgment  of  the  Lmcolwjliire  Minivers ;  but  it  was  refufed,  becaule  we  would 
be  as  little  querulous  as  poflible,  left  ic  ihould  offend,  and  hinder  ourdefired  Ac- 
commodation :  and  what  PafTages  lbever  feemed  to  make  the  Common-Prayer- 
Book  odious,  or  fwour  of  Spleen  and  Paflion,  they  did  reject  whoever  offered  them. 
My  principal  Bufineis  wMs>  to  keep  out  fuch  Accufations  as  would  not  bear  weight, 
and  to  reprels  the  Opinions  of  one  of  the  Brethren  (  who  came  from  far,  and  fb 
came  not  till  late  among  us)  who  was  abfolutely  againft  all  parts  of  the  Common- 
Prayer,  becaufe  they  had  been  ufed  by  Papifts  to  Idolatry.  And  I  drew  up  fuch 
Faults  as  in  peruilngthe  Common- Prayer- Book  it  (elf,  did  occur  to  me ;  and  which 
were  they  which  I  moft  difliked  in  the  Forms ;  being  not  fb  much  offended  with 
fbme  other  things,  as  fome  others  were  :  But  the  Brethren  reduced  it  to  a  few  brief 
Exceptions  in  general,  and  would  not  by  fo  particular  an  Enumeration  of  Faults 
provoke  thofe  that  we  had  to  do  with  (which  I  mifliked  not).  But  from  the  begin- 
ing  I  told  them  that  I  was  not  of  their  Mind  who  charged  the  Common-Prayer 
with  falfe  Doctrine,  or  Idolatry,  or  falfe  Worfhip  in  the  Matter  or  Subftance,  nor 
that  took  it  to  be  a  Worfhip  which  a  Chriftian  might  not  lawfully  join  in,  when  he 
had  not  Liberty  and  Ability  for  better  :  And  that  I  always  took  the  Faults  of  the 
Common  Prayer  to  be  chiefly  Difcrder  and  Vefetti'venefs :  and  fo  that  it  was  a  true 
Wodhip,  though  imperfect  ;  and  Imperfection  was  the  Charge  that  we  had  againft 
it  (conlidered  as  diftinct  from  the  Ceiemonies  and  Difcipline).  I  looked  at  it  as  at 
thePrayers  of  many  a  weakChi  iftian  that  I  have  heard,who  prayed  withDifbrderand 
Repetitions  and  unfit  Expreflions :  I  would  not  prefer  fuch  a  weak  Chriftian  in 
Prayer  before  a  better  j  but  yet  if  I  (eparated  from  fuch  an  one,  or  thought  it  un- 
lawful to  join  with  him,  I  mould  be  finfully  Curious  and  Uncharitable.  And  I 
think  this  was  the  Mind  of  all  our  Brethren,  fave  one,  as  well  as  mine :  And  old 
Mr.  Ajfn  hath  often  told  us,  that  this  was  the  Mind  of  the  old  Nonconforming,  and 
that  he  hath  often  heard  fome  weak  Minifters  fo  diforderly  in  Prayer,  efpecially  in 
Baptifm  and  the  Lord's  Supper,  that  he  could  have  wifh'd  that  they  would  rather  ufe 
the  Common  Prayer.  Yet  when  we  defired  the  Reformation  of  it,  efpecially  at  a 
time  when  the  Peoples  Hearts  were  fo  much  let  againft  it,  1  thought  it  beft  to  open 
the  true  Diforders  that  they  might  be  reformed.  The  Paper  which  I  offered,  and 
we  laid  by,  left  it  fhould  offend  them,  was  this  following. 


Rr  2  Tht 


.  -  I—-  ■     I  -  ■ 

308  The  LIFE  0^  the  L 1  b.  I. 

The  Exceptions  againjl  the  Commoner r ay er  which  I 
offered  the  ^Brethren  when  they  were  drawing  up 
theirs. 

The  Common-Prayer-Bool^  is  guilty  of  great  DefeStivenefs,  Dif 
order  and  vain  Repetitions ;  and  therefore  unfit  to  be  the  com' 
mon  impofed  Frame  of  Worfhip  to  the  God  of  Order,  without 
Amendment,  when  we  may  do  it. 

i,rvRD  E  R   requireth  that  we  begin  with  Reverent  Prayer  to  God,  for  his 
KJ  Afliftance  and  Acceptance,  which  is  not  done. 

2.  That  the  Creed  and  Decalogue,containing  the  Faith,in  which  we  profelsto  af- 
femble  for  God's  Wor/hip,  and  the  Law  which  we  have  broken  by  our  bins,  mould 
go  be  tore  the  Confeffion  and  Abfolution  ;  or  at  leaft  before  the  Praifes  of  the 
Church  ;  which  they  do  not. 

3.  The  Confeffion  omitteth  not  only  Original  Sin,  but  all  actual  Sin  as  fpecified 
by  the  particular  Commandments  violated ;  and  almoft  all  the  Aggravation  of 
thole  Sins ;  and  inftead  thereof,  it  containeth  only  the  repeated  Ccnfeffion,  that 
£  we  have  erred  and  (Iraycd  from  God's  ways :  That  we  have  followed  the  Devifes  and 
Defires  of  our  Hearts :  That  we  have  offended  againft  his  Laws :  That  we  have  left  un- 
done tbofe  things  that  we  ought  to  have  done,  &C.  J  which  is  but  to  fay,  \We  have  finned 
by  Omiffion  and  Commtffion  :  j  Whereas  Confeffion  being  the  Expreffion  of  Repentance, 
fnould  be  more  particular,  as  Repentance  it  ielf  mould  be. 

4.  When  we  have  craved  help  for  God's  Prayers,  before  we  come  to  them,  we 
abruptly  put  in  the  Petition  for  fpeedy  Deliverance  [  O  God  make  /peed  to  fave  us  : 
O  Lord  make  hafie  to  help  m.  ]  without  any  Intimation  of  the  Danger  that  we  defire 
deliverance  from  ;  and  without  any  other  Petition  conjoined. 

5.  Ic  is  diforderly  in  the  Manner,  to  ling  the  Scripture  in  a  plain  Tune  after  the 
manner  of  reading. 

6.  [The  Lord  be  with  you.  And  -with  thy  Spirit  ]  being  Petitions  for  Divine  Afc 
fiftance,  come  in  abruptly,  in  the  midftor  near  the  end  of  Morning  Prayer:  And 
[  Let  m  Pray '}  is  adjoined  when  we  were  before  in  Prayer. 

7.  Lord  have  Mercy  upon  us  :  Chrifi  have  Mercy  upon  us  :  Lord  have  Mercy  upon  us  J 
feemeth  an  affe_ted  Tautologie,  without  any  fpecial  Caufe,  or  Order  here:  And 
the  Lord's  Prayer  is  annexed  that  was  before  recited  :  And  yet  the  next  Words  are 
again  but  a  Repetition  of  the  foreiaid  oft  repeated  General  [  O  Lord  fiew  thy  Mer- 
cy upon  a_-3 

8.  The  Prayer  for  the  King  [O  Lord  fave  the  King~\  is  without  any  Order  puc 
between  the  forefaid  Petition,  and  another  General  Requeft.  only  for  Audience 
\_  And  mercifully  hear  us  when  we  call  upon  tbee~] 

9.  The  lecond  Colled:  is  intided  [for  Peace  ]  and  hath  not  a  Word  in  it  of  Pe- 
tition for  Peace,  but  only  for  [Defe?ice  in  Affaults  of  Enemies,  and  that  we  may  not 
fear  their  Power.  ]  And  the  Prefaces  [In  knowledge  of  whom  (landeth  our  eternal  Life, 
and  whofe  Service  is  perfect  Freedom  ~\  have  no  more  evident  refpect  to  a  Petition  for 
£  Peace']  than  to  any  other.  And  the  Prayer  it  lelf  comes  in  diforderly,  while  ma- 
ny Prayers  or  Petitions  are  omitted,  which  according  both  to  the  method  of  the 
Lord's  Prayer,  and  the  Nature  of  the  things,  mould  go  before. 

10.  The  third  Colled  intituled  [for  Grace']  is  diforderly,  in  that  it  followeth 
that  for  Peace ;  which  belongs  to  the  lafi  Petition  of  the  Lord's  Prayer  ;  and  in  that 
in  the  Conclufion  of  Morning  Prayer,  we  begin  to  beg  the  Mercies  for  the  Day. 
And  it  is  defeclive>  in  that  it  is  but  a  General  Requeft  for  defence  from  Sin  and  Dan- 
ger. And  thus  the  main  parts  of  Prayer,  according  to  the  Rule  of  the  Lord's  Pray- 
er, and  our  common  Neceffities  are  omitted,  as  may  be  feen  by  comparing  our 
Forms  with  thefe. 

1 1.  Mo  ft  of  our  Neceffities  are  pafled  over  in  the  like  defective  Generals  alfo  in 
the  Evening  Prayer. 

12.  The  Litany^  which  mould  contain  all  the  ordinary  Petitions  of  the  Church, 
qmituth  very  many  particulars,   as  may  appear  in  our  voffered  Forms  compared 

with 


P  a  a  t  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         309 

with  it:  It  were  tedious  to  number  the  half  of  its  omiflions.  And  it  is  exceeding 
diiorderly,  following  no  juft  Rules  of  method  :  Having  begged  pardon  of  our  fins, 
and  deprecated  vengeance,  it  proceedeth  to  Evil  in  general,  and  fome  few  Sins  in 
f articular,  and  thence  to  a  more  particular  enumeration  of  Judgment s\  and  thence 
to  the  recitation  of  the  parts  of  that  Work  of  our  Redemption,  and  thence  to  the  de- 
precation of  Judgments  again,  and  thence  to  Prayers  for  the  King  and  Magi/lrates, 
and  then  for  all  Nations,  and  then  for  Lovf.  and  Obedience,  and  then  for  feveralftates 
of  men,  and  then  for  all  men,  and  for  Enemies,  and  then  for  the  Fruits  of  the  Earth , 
and  then  for  Repentance,  Forgivenefi  and  Grace  again,  and  then  turneth  to  Repetition? 
of  the  lame  Petitions  for  Pardon  and  Mercy,  and  after  the  Lord's  Prayer,  returneth  tc 
the  (amerequeft  again.  Next  this,  in  the  midft  of  Prayer,it  repeatech  [Ltfmft 
Next  is  a  Prayer  againft  Adverfity  and  Verfecutions  ,  which  was  done  before  :  and 
both  here  and  through  the  reft  of  the  Prayers,  the  deprecation  olbbdily  fuffering  hath 
very  much  toe  large  a  proportion,  whWe  Jfrirituals  are  too  generally  and  briefly  touch- 
ed ;  which*  is  unbefeeming  the  Church  ok  Chrift,  which  mindech  not  the  things 
oitheflejh,  but  of  the  fpirit,  Rom.S.^y. 

Next  followeth  a  reduplicate  Petition  that  God  would  {jtrife  and  help  us  r.nd  deliver 
tu~\  with  aninterpoied  Argument  from  his  Ancient  Works :  which  comes  in  writb* 
out  any  realbn  or  order,and  is  the  fame  that  was  before  petitioned  ;  and  fe(  ms  ti 
fitted  to  fome  fpecial  diltrefs  or  danger  of  the  Church,  and  yet  mentioned;  not  thac 
diftrefs  or  danger  ;  and  is  to  be  uied  equally  in  the  prolperity  of  the  Church. 
Next  this  followeth  the  Doxology,  as  if  we  were  concluding,  and  then  we  go  on 
to  the  fame  Requelts  fo  oft  before  repeated,  for  deliverance  from  | 
rows ),  though  perhaps  it  be  not  a  time  of  Affliction  with  us,  but  of  Joy  :  and  (o 
it  proceeds  to  ask  forgivenefi,  fo  often  asked,  and  -then  four  time  lepeats  the  Pe- 
tition for  Audiencey  when  we  draw  near  an  end,  and  twice  repeats  the  general  Pe- 
tition for  Mercy.  Next  this,  while  we  are  praying,  we  again  fay,  Let  us  pray.  And 
then  again  pray  againft  deierved  Evils,  and  for  Molinefs  in  general,  all  out  of  any 
order,  and  oft  repeated,  while  abundance  of  moil:  weighty  Particulars  are  never 
mentioned.  Next  this  the  Prayer  for  the  King  and  the  Royal  Family  is  again  re- 
peated, which  went  before  :  If  that  were  the  due  place,  why  fhould  not  our  Pe- 
titions have  been  there  put  in  together  for  them  ?but  the  minds  of  the  Church  are 
thus  toifed  up  and  down  like  the  Waves  of  the  Sea,  from  one  thing  to  another  , 
and  then  to  the  firft  again  ,  without  any  regard  toorder,in  the  prcfence  of  the  God 
of  Order. 

Next  this,  the  Bijhops  and  Curates  are  prayed  for  without  the  Parifli  Incumbent \ 
Presbyters,  or  elle  it's  intimated  that  they  are  but  the  Rijhops  Curates  ,  or  elfe  they  are 
called  Bilhops  themfelves ;  and  no  Man  can  tell  certainly  which  of  thefe  is  the 
fence  :  And  the  Preface  would  intimate  to  the  People,  that  it  is  fome  fpecial  great 
marvel  for  BHhops  and  Curates  to  have  Grace:  And  after  all  this ,  there  are  no  par- 
ticular petitions  for  them,  according  to  the  nature  and  neceffity  of  their  Work,  or 
of  their  Congregation,  but  only  this  one  General  Requeft,  that  they  may  have 
God's  Grace  and  Bleffing  to  pleafe  him.  Laftly  (before  the  Bleffing)  is  Chryftfo- 
/low's  Prayer,  meerly  for  the  granting  of  our  Requefts,  with  two  Petitions,  one  for 
Knowledge,  the  other  for  Life  Eternal.  The  following  Prayers  and  Thankfgivings  on 
particular  extraordinary  Occafions,  are  (with  the  Confeflion  ,  the  Prayers  for  the 
King,  and  the  Church  Militant)  the  beft  compofed  of  all  the  daily  Common 
Prayers :  But  that  thefe  Prayers  and  Thankfgivings  are  all  placed  after  the  Benedi- 
ction, is  diforderly.  And  though  it's  mod  probable  that  yet  it  was  intended  tbey 
fhould  go  before  it  inufe,  there  is  no  fuch  thing  expreffed  in  the  Book.  And  thus 
we  fee  how  unlike  the  Litany  is  to  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  how  far  from  all  juft  Order, 
which  is  a  deformity  thac  fuch  Holy  Works  Ihould  not  be  guilty  of 

1  j.  The  like  defeclivenefi  and  diforder  is  in  the  Communion  Collects  for  the  Day. 
That  for  the  firft  Sunday  in  Advent,  hath  no  Petition  for  any  thing  in  this  Life, 
"ut  the  Generals  [  To  cajl   away  the   Works   of  Darknefi  ,  and  put  on  the  Armour  of 
jgbt. 

That  for  the  fecond  Sunday  in  Advent  is  a  very  good  Prayer,  (  viz.  to  learn  and 
they  the  Scripture ) :  but  there  is  no  more  reafbn  why  it  Ihould  be  appropriate  to  that 
day  than  another,  or  rather  be  a  common  Petition  for  all  days. 

The  fame  is  true  of  thac  for  the  third  Sunday  in  Advent,  which  begs  no  more  but 
{bearing  our  prayers  and  lightning  our  darkneff\. 

As  little  reafon  is  there  for  the  appropriating  that  for  the  fourth  Sunday  in  Advent 
to  that  day  :  which  15  a.  General  Requeft,  that  God  would  come  among  wandfuceour 


310  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I. 

us,  andjpeedily  deliver  us,  who  through  our  Jin  andwickednefi  are  fore  let  and  hindered'' 
without  acquainting  us  what  thewickednefsor  the  lett  is  which  is  meant.. 

The  Prayer  on  Chriftmas-day  determineth  that  Chrift  was  born"  as  on  that  day, 
When  the  world  of  learned  Men  are  not  agreed  of  the  Month  or  Year,  much  \cis 
the  Day  :  And  the  fame  Prayer  is  appointed  for  divers  days  after  :  fb  that  it"  by 
[day]  is  meant  any  other  fpace  of  time  than  a  Natural  Day  ,  then  it  is  no  fitter  tor 
Chriltmasday  than  another.  If  it  mean  a  Natural  Day,  then  it  is  an  untruth  on 
the  following  days,  in  the  fence  of  the  Impofers. 

The  Colled  on  St.  Stephens  day  hath  but  one  Petition. 

That  on  St.  John's  day  hath  nothing  in  it  proper  to  him  in  the  reafbn  of  it. 

That  the  Jews  Children  are  called  Innocents,  that  were  two  years  old  j  and  that 
they  are  faid  to  confels  Chrift  by  dying,  and  fo  muft  have  a  Holy-day,  when  they 
confeffed  him  but  objectively  as  Sacrifices  did  ;  that  hence  we  take  occafion  to  pray 
for  the  killing  of  Vices  in  us,  that  our  Lives  may  exprefs  our  Faith,  \p  partly  uncer- 
tainty (at  the  beft)  and  partly  incoherence. 

The  Colled  for  the  Epiphany  hath  no  Petition,  but  one,  for  [the  fruition  of  the  gl»- 
rious  Godhead  after  this  Life~\. 

The  Collect  for  the  firft  Sunday  after  the  Epiphany  is  no  more  pertinent  to  that 
day  than  to  another  ;  and  is  only  for  the  Generals  [the  hearing  of  our  Prayers,the 
knowing  our  duty  and  doing  it]. 

That  for  the  fecond  Sunday  after  Epiphany  is  no  more  pertinent ,  and  is  only  for 
audience  and  peace. 

That  on  the  third  Sunday  after  the  Epiphany  is  no  more  pertinent  •  and  hath  no- 
thing but  in  General,  that  God  will  look  upon  our  Infirmities,  and  help  us  in  all  dangers 
and  necejjities. 

The  fame  is  to  be  (aid  of  that  for  the  fourth  Sunday  after  Epiphany,  which  is  on- 
ly for  [health  of  body  and  foul  to  pa f  and  overcome  Sufferings]. 

The  Collect  for  the  keeping  of  the  Church  in  the  true  Religion,  is  no  more  per- 
tinent to  the  fifth  Sunday  after  the  Epiphany,  than  to  another  day. 

The  Collect  en  Septuagefima  Sunday  is,  [that  we  that  art  juftly  punijhed  for  our  of* 
fences,  may  be  mercifully  delivered];  when  perhaps  the  Church  is  under  no  fpecial 
Punifhment :  nor  is  there  any  reafbn  for  the  order  of  this  Prayer. 

That  on  the  Sunday  called  Sexagefma  hath  no  reafbn  of  its  location  or  order 
there  :  and  hath  no  Petition  but  that  fo  oft  repeated  one,  to  be  [defended  againfi  all 
adverfiry]. 

The  Petition  for  Charity  on  Quinqnagefima  Sunday  ,  hath  no  reafbn  for  difbr- 
der  ;  nor  for  appropriation  to  that  day,  but  fhould  be  part  of  every  days  Re- 
quefts. 

The  fame  is  to  be  faid  of  the  Collect  on  the  firft  day  of  Lent ;  which  alfo  un- 
ftandfbmly  faith,  that  [God  hateth  nothing  that  he  hath  made],  which  is  true  only  in  a 
formal  fence,  qua  talis  ;  For  he  hateth  all  the  works  of  iniquity,  Pfal.  J.  5". 

The  General  Petitions  on  the  fecond  Sunday  in  Lent,  [to  keep  our  bodies  from  ad- 
verfity,  and  our  Jouls  from  evil  thoughts]  have  no  reafbn  for  their  order. 

The  fame  is  true  of  that  on  the  third  Sunday  in  Lent,  which  hath  no  Petition , 
but  that  God  will  look  upon  our  dejires,  and firetch forth  his  right  hand  to  be  our  defence 
againft  Enemies. 

There  is  no  more  reafon  for  that  order  of  that  on  the  fourth  Sunday   in  Lent, 
which  is  only  a  Petition  [for  relief  to  us  that  are  worthily  punifhed],  when  perhaps  we 
are  under  no  fpecial  Punilnment,  but  in  Profperity. 

The  fame  Ataxie  is  in  that  on  the  fifth  Sunday  in  Lent ,  which  asketh  nothing  but 
to  be  [governed  and  preferved  evermore]. 

That  on  the  Sunday  before  Eafier,  and  divers  days  after,  gifeth  no  reafbn  of 
Chrift's  Incarnation  and  Death,  but  that  [all  mankind  fhould  follow  the  example  of  his 
humility],  and  yet  muft  be  ufed  rather  then  that  on  the  fecond  Sunday  after  Eafier, 
which  in  tewer  words  conjoyneth  [both  a  Sacrifice  for*Sin,  and  alfo  an  Enfample  of 
Godly  Life]. 

The  firft  Collect  on  Good- fry  day  hath  no  Petition  ,  but  that  God  will  [  gracioufly 
behold  this  his  Family]  (  inconveniently  alfo  expreffed :  the  Pronoun  [this]  feeming 
plainly  to  mean,  that  particular  Congregation  ;  which  is  not  to  be  called  God's  Fa- 
mily, but  part  of  it). 

The  following  Collects  for  the  day  are  good,  but  have  no  order  as  to  their  loca- 
tion. 

E?en 


P  a  a  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  3 1 1 


Even  the  Colled  on  Eafter-day  is  diforderly,  and  dry,  having  no  Requeft  an- 
nexed to  the  mention  of  Chrift's  Refurre&ion ,  but  that  [by  God's  help  we  may  bring 
the  good  de fires  be  hath  given  us  to  good  effett~\,  which  alfo  is  repeated  the  next  day  , 
and  alfo  on  the  firft  Sunday  after  Eafler. 

That  on  the  fecond  Sunday  after  Eafter  is  fitter  for  Gcod-friday,  but  indeed  muft  be 
a  daily  Petition. 
'  That  on  the  third  Sunday  after  Eafler  hath  no  reafon  of  its  order  or  placing  there. 

The  lame  is  true  of  that  for  the  fourth  Sunday  after  Eaftet :  and  that  on  thenfeh 
Sunday  :  which  are  but  Generals  (to-  think  and  do  good). 

That  on  Whitsunday  and  divers  days  after,  uleth  the  words  [  as  upon  this  day  ]  of 
which  before  :  and  petitioneth  for  no  gift  of  the  Spirit ,  but  [  a  right  judgment  ^end 
rejoycing]. 

That  on  Trinity  Sunday  asketh  nothing  at  all,  but  [  through  the  ftedfaftnefS  of  our 
Faith  to  be  defended  evermore  from  all  adverfity'].  '  A  Petition  (6  frequently  repeated , 
even  alone,  as  if  we  would  perfwade  the  Enemies  of  the  Church,  that  we  are  a 
worldly  carnal  People  j  and  principally  feek  the  things  that  psrifh  ■  when  indeed 
it  is  a  fin  to  pray  to  be  [  evermore  defended  from  all  adverfity  j  ;  when  God  hath 
told  us,  that  through  many  tribulations  we  muii  enter  into  his  kingdom,  and  that  he  that 
will  live  godly  m  ChriHJeJus  Jhalljuffer  perfecut ion  ,and  that  God  cbafteneth  every  fun  whom 
be  receiveth,  and  that  he  that  will  be  CbrisTs  Difciple  muH  deny  himfelf  and  for  fake  all 
And  take  up  his  Croft  and  follow  him,  accounting  the  afflictions  of  this  prefent  time  unworthy 
to  be  compared  with  the  glory  to  be  revealed. 

That  on  the  firft  Sunday  after  Trinity  is  as  the  reft ;  having  no  fpecial  refped  to 
the  day,  or  order  of  Requefts:  and  containethonly  the  General  Requeft,  lb  oft  re- 
peated, of  Grace  to  keep  God's  Commandments  and  plea/e  him. 

No  more  realbnis  there  for  the  order  of  the  Petition  for  [fear  and  love ]  ontha 
fecond  Sunday  after  Tnmty. 

Nor  of  th-t  on  the  third  Sunday,  which  only  asketh  audience,  and  that  God  [by 
bis  mighty  aid  willdefen d  us~\  without  any  inftancing  from  what. 

No  more  reafon  is  there  for  the  order  of  the  Requefts  on  the  fourth  Sunday  after 
Trinity,  the  fifth,  the  fixth,  the  feventh,  the  eighth  (  which  only  prays  God,  whole 
Providence  is  never  deceived,  to  put  away  from  us  all  hurtful  things,  and  give  us  thofe 
things  that  be  prof  table:  all  meer  Generals  \  in  which  no  particular  repentances*  deftres 
are  expreffed).  So  alio  on  the  ninth  Sunday  ( that  hath  the  like  Generals )  and  on 
the  tenth  Sunday,  which  asketh  nothing  but  that  we  may  obtain  our  petitions,  and 
ask  that  which  pleafethGod:  and  that  on  the  eleventh  Sunday  (that  we  running  to  the 
Promifes  may  be  partakers  of  the  heavenly  Treajure):  and  that  on  the  twelfth  (  which 
asketh/or  that  which  we  dare  not  prefume  to  ask  )  :  and  that  on  the  thirteenth  ('that  we 
may  fo  run  to  the  promifes  as  to  attain  them)  which  is  all  the  Petition  :  and  that  on 
the  fourteenth  ;  and  that  on  the  fifteenth  (keep  us  ever  by  thy  help, and  lead  us  to  all 
things  profitable  h  our  falvation  )  ;  and  that  on  the  fixteenth,  the  feventeenh,the  eigh- 
teenth (where  [the  infections  of  the  Pevil]  is  an  inconvenient  phrafe  )  j  the  nine- 
teenth, the  twentieth,  the  one  and  twentieth,  the  two  and  twentieth  (which  again 
prays  that  the  Church  may  be  free  from  all  adverf ties  )  :  the  three  and  twentieth  ('which 
is  nothing  but  in  general,  that  what  we  ask  may  be  granted)  ;  the  four  and  twentieth 
(  for  forgivenefr  )  j  the  five  and  twentieth  (  for  Good  works  ) ;  all  which  are  with- 
out any  fpecial  reafon  both  appropriated  to  the  feveral  days,  and  placed  where  they 
Hand  in  the  order  of  our  Requefts. 

The  Petition  on  St.  Thomas's  day,  for  fo  perfect  a  Faith  as  flail  never  be  reproved  in 
the  fight  of  God)  is  of  doubtful  conveniency,  becaufe  contrary  to  the  Scripture  pre- 
diction of  the  event. 

In  the  Colled  on  St.  John  Eaptifs  day,  the  preaching  of  Penance,  is  a  word  of  a 
more  mifleading  tendency,  as  now  ufed,  than  the  preaching  of  Repentance. 

14.  The  Lords  Prayer  is  a  third  time  to  be  recited  before  the  Communion :  when 
yet  as  it  is  a  Rule  of  Prayer  as  to  order,  it  is  forlaken  through  the  Book. 

The  next  Prayer  for  loving  and  magnifying  God's  Name  j.s  moft  neceflary ,  but  there 
out  of  order. 

The  Commandments  come  in  alfo  out  of  order,  without  any  fpecial  reafon  of  con- 
nexion to  what  goeth  before  and  followeth. 

So  do  the  following  Prayers  for  the  King,  which  yet  in  themfelves  are  very  good. 
And  the  Epiftle,  and  Gofpel,  and  Creed. 

The  Churchwardens  are  not  directed  to  an  orderly  collection  for  the  Poor. 

til 


312  J  he  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  ]m 

In  the  Sentences  exciting  to  remember  the  Poor,  the  Scriptures  and  Apochry- 
phal  Paffages  oT  Tobit  are  confounded,  without  any  note  of  lufficient  diftin&ion  ,  as 
if  we  would  have  the  People  believe  that  Tobit  is  Canonical  Scripture. 
The  Prayer  for  the  Church  Militant  (one  of  the  beft)  is  very  defedive,  having  no 
.     Petition  for  the  Church,  but  thole  for  [Truth,  Unity,  Love  and  Concord]. 

The  Exhortation  biddeth  all  ( and  intreateth  them  for  the  Lord  Jefus 
fake  )  even  the  worft  and  moft  unprepared  that  be  prefent,  to  come  to  the  Lord's 
Table.as  invited  thereto  by  God  himfelf :  which  is  a  great  wrong  to  him  and  them. 
And  it  mifinterpreteth  the  Parable,  Matth.  22.  (to  which  it  feemeth  plainly  to  al- 
lude,) which  fpeaketh  not  of  our  coming  to  the  Sacrament,  but  of  our  coming  to 
Chrift,  and  into  his  Church :  Though  indeed  the  Exhortation  is  very  good,  if  ic 
were  made  at  a  lufficient  diftance  before  the  Sacrament,  that  they  might  have  time 
of  Preparation, 

The  next  Admonition  againft  unworthy  Receiving  is  very  good ;  but  impertinent 
and  unfeafonable,  while  it  perfwadeth  them  to  come  to  the  Minifter  for  Advice,  in 
order  to  the  Sacrament  which  is  perfectly  to  be  adminiftred. 

It  is  a  diforder,  for  one  of  the  Communicants  to  be  invited  to  be  the  Mouth  of  the  reft 
in  Confeffion  of  Prayer.  If  the  People  may  pro  tempore  make  a  Minifter ,  why  not  for 
continuance  ;  and  lb  the  Common  Prayer  Book  is  for  the  Principles  of  Popular  Se- 
parations. 

The  proper  Prefaces  for  Cbrifima^day  and  Whitfunday,  repeat  the  word  [at  this 
day~\   which  is  either  a  falfhood  or  impertinent  ;   and  non-intelligible  to  the 
,         molt. 

It  is  a  diforder  in  the  next  words  to  begin  in  a  Prayer  and  end  in  a  Narra- 
tive. 

It  is  disorderly  for  the  Minifter  to  receive  the  Sacrament  in  both  kinds  himfeJf 
before  the  other  Minifters,  or  People  do  receive  it  in  either. 

There  is  no  lufficient  Explication  of  the  Nature  and  Ufe  of  the  Sacrament  pre- 
mifed  :  which  is  the  greater  defect  where  the  Sacrament  is  allowed  to  be  admini- 
ftred without  a  Sermon ;  and  where  lb  many  of  the  People  never  learned  the  Ca- 
techilm,  or  underftood  what  a  Sacrament  is. 

The  Exhortation  is  too  defedive  for  the  exciting  the  Faith  and  other  Graces  of 
the  Communicants ;  which  yet  we  can  bear  with,  if  the  Minifter  may  be  allowed 
himfelf  to  (peak  fuch  other  quickening  Words  of  Exhortation  as  he  findeth  fuitable 
to  the  temper  of  the  Communicants. 
The  Confeffion  of  Sin  before  the  Communion  is  too  general  and  defedive. 
The  Conlecration,  Commemoration,  and  Delivery,  and  Participation  are  not  di- 
ftindly  enough  performed. 

Sometime  the  Minifter  is  to  kneel  at  Prayer,  and  lometime  to  ftand  up,  without 
any  (pecial  realbn  given  for  it. 

It  were  more  orderly  to  make  the  Delivery  diftind  in  Scripture  words  j  and  not 
to  confound  Prayer  and  the  Delivery  together. 

It  is  more  fuitable  to  Chrift's  Example,  that  the  Words  of  Delivery  be  ("ordinari- 
ly) in  the  Plural  Number,  and  to  the  Church,  or  to  many  at  once,  [  Takeje^  Eat 
ye,  Drink  ye,']  than  in  the  Singular  Number  recited  to  each  one. 

It  is  disorderly  for  the  People  to  repeat  every  Petition  of  the  following  Prayers, 
after  the  Minifter. 
That  the  Hymn  be  fung  in  Prole  leemeth  dilbrderly. 

The  Colleds  appointed  to  be  faid  after  the  Offertory,  have  no  reaibn  of  order 
or  connexion  with  what  went  before,  or  followeth  after. 

The  firft  of  them  beggs  [  Afjiflanceintbefe  our  Supplications  and  Prayers];  which 
mould  rather  be  towards  the  beginning  than  when  we  are  concluding.And  it  beggs 
but  the  ofc  repeated  benefit  of  Defence  againft  the  Changes  and  (as  it  is  inconveniently  . 
calledj  the  Chances  of  this  Life.     And  another  of  them  again  asketb  tbofe  things  which 
we  dare  not  ask]. 

But  it  is  the  greateft  diforder  of  all,  that  every  Parifhioner  fiiall  Communicate  at 
leaft  thrice  in  the  year,  whether  he  be  fit  or  unfit,  and  be  forced  to  it. 

In  Baptifin  it  is  the  greateft  diforder,  that   Minifters  muft  be  forced,  though  a- 
gainft  their  Confciences,  to  baptize   all   Children   without  Exception;  the  Chil- 
'  dren  of  "Atheifts,  Infidels,  Hereticks,  unbaptized  Pcrfons,  Excommunicate  Perfons, 
or  Impenitent  Fornicators,or  fuch  like. 

It 


Part  II.   Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         3 1 3 

It  is  difbrdeily  that  the  Parents  are  neither  of  them  required  ('ordinarily)  to  be 
prefent,  and  prefent  their  Child  to  Baptifm,  but  it  is  left  to  Godfathers  and  God- 
mothers,  that  have  no  power  to  confent  for  them,  or  enter  theminto  the  Covenant, 
unlefsit  be  in  the  Parentsname,  or  they  be  Pro-parents,  taking  the  Child  as  their 
own. 

And  it  fruftrateth  due  Enquiry  and  Afliftance  ,  when  the  Parents  may  choofe 
whether  they  will  come  before  to  the  Minifter  to  be  inftru&ed  about  the  Nature 
and  Ufe  of  Baptifm  ;  and  may  choofe  whether  they  will  let  him  know  of  it  till  the 
Night  or  Morning  before. 

The   Exhortation  before  Baptifm  is  very  defe&ive ,    omitting    many  weighty   . 
Points. 

So  are  the  two  Prayers  before  it  :  where  alfb  it  is  inconveniently  faid  ,  That 
God  by  Cbrijls  Baptifm  did  fanclifietbe  Flood  Jordan,  and  all  other  Waters,  tetbemyfti- 
xal  wafhingaway  of  Sin. 

The  afcribingof  the  Gift  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  to  Infants  by  their  Baptifm,  as  its 
ordinary  Effeft  and  necefTary  to  their  Regeneration,  is  to  bring  an  undetermined 
uncertain  Opinion  into  our  Liturgy. 

The  Arguments  for  Infant- Baptifm  are  Co  defectively  exprefr,  as  have  tempted  ma- 
ny into  Anabapttfm. 

The  third  Prayer  faith  very  little,  but  what  was  faid  in  one  of  thofe  fore- 
going. 

Sureties  that  have  not  the  Parents  power,  are  unjuftly  required  to  promifein  the 
Infant's  Name,  or  the  Infant  by  them  :  And  Co  it  is  a  doubt  whether  many  Infants 
have  ever  indeed  been  entred  into  the  Covenant  of  God,  when  they  cannot  be  laid 
to  Promife  or  Covenant  by  Perfbns,  whom  neither  Nature  or  Scripture  ,  or  any 
fufficient  Authority  hath  enabled  to  that  Office. 

The  Sureties  are  unjuftly  and  irregularly  required,  to  profefs  prefent  A&ual  Faith 
in  the  Infant's  name,  when  it  is  a  thing  not  required  of  the  Intant ;  but  only  that 
he  be  the  Child  of  a  Believer,  and  by  the  Parent  dedicated  to  God  in  Baptifm, 
and  there  engaged  in  his  Covenant ,  to  Believe  and  Obey  when  he  is  ca- 
pable. 

Of  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm- we  have  faid  more  in  due  place  ;  but  here  only  add 
that  it  is  a  very  great  diforder  (  befides  the  other  faults )  to  exprefs  the  Terms  of 
the  Covenant  as  fignified  by  the  Crofs ,  more  fully  than  as  fignified  by  bapti- 
zing ;  viz.  [We  fign  him  with  the  fign  of  the  Croft,  in  token  that  hereafter  he  fhaU  not  be 
ajhamed  to  confefi  the  Faith  of  ChriH  crucified  ,  and  manfully  to  fight  under  his  Banner, 
againfi  Sin>  the  World  and  the  Devil,  and  to  continue  Chrifi's  faithful  Soldier  and  Servant 
unto  his  lives  end  :  Amen]. 

The  Conclufion  that  [the  Child  is  Regenerate  ]  and  the  Thankfgivin^  for  [Rege- 
nerating it  by  the  Spirit]  are  doubly  faulty :  Firlt,  in.  concluding  that  all  Children 
baptised  are  Regenerate,  when  we  admit  thofe  (before  mentioned)  whofe  Intereft  in 
the  Covenant,  which  Baptifm  fealeth,  cannot  be  proved  :  that  is,  fuch  whofe  Pa- 
rents can  lay  no  juft  claim  to  the  Grace  of  the  Covenant :  At  leaft  ,  here  is  a  pri- 
vate Opinion  thruft  into  our  Liturgy.  Secondly  in  concluding  all  Infants  regene- 
rate by  the  Holy  Ghoft,  when  fb  many  Learned  Divines  think  that  it  is  but  a 
Relative  Regeneration ,  that  is  afcertained  them  $  and  the  Controverfie  is  yet  un« 
decided. 

The  Exhortation  to  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  impofeth  on  them  the 
Duty  of  the  Parents,  to  fee  to  the  holy  Education,  which  ordinarily  they  can- 
not do,  nor  are  to  be  required  to  do ;  nor  is  it  ordinarily  done,  and  yet  we  go 
on  in  the  abufe. 

The  concluding  Rubrick  hafteneth  Children  too  foon  to  Confirmation,  contrary 
tofbme  Glaufes  in  the  Rubrick  for  Confirmation. 

Divers  Defeth  befides  thefcexpreffed,  will  appear,  by  comparing  this  part  of  the 
Common  Prayer,  with  the  Forms  which  we  offer. 

In  the  Private  Baptifm  it  is  diforderly  to  make  the  Godfathers  and  God- 
mothers renew  folemnly  the  Covenant- Engagement  of  the  Child ,  when  before  we  are 
to  [  cert ifie  them  that  all  is  well  done,  and  according  to  due  order  ]  ;  and  the  fokmnizsing 
of  the  Covenant  is  the  principal  ufe  of  Baptifm  j  fo  that  its  doubtful  Whether  the 
repeating. of  fo  great  a  part  of  Baptifm ,  be  not  a  great  part  of  Anbaptifm. 

And  it  is  not  orderly  that  twice  we  muft  fay  to  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers 
[  Dofi  thou  in  the  Name  of  this  Child}  as  if  we  fpoke  but  to  one  ©f  them :  and  the 
third  time  we  lay  [Do  you  in  his  Name}, 

S  s  Alfo 


^4.  1 be  LI F E  of  the'  Lib.  JL 

Alfo  the  Prater  of  [giving  the  Spirit  to  the  Infant ,t bat  he  being  born  again]  Ieems  to 
import  the  Effects  of  Baptifm  on  Chrift's  part,(as  underftood  by  the  Common  Prayer 
Book)  to  be  not  given  by  the  Private  Baptifm. 

In  the  Rubrick  for  Confirmation,  the  Order  that  Children  (hall  be  Confhmed 
when  they  can  fay  the  Creed,  Lord's  Prayer,  and  Ten  Commandments ,  and  an- 
fwer  the  Queflions  of  the  Catechifm,  ieems  contrary  to  the  fiift  and  third  Rea- 
ions,  which  require  that  Solemn  Renewal  or  owning  of  their  Covenant,  which  or- 
dinarily they  are  not  ripe  for,  of  many  years  after  they  can  fay  the  Cate- 
chifm. 

And  though  we  fuppofe,  the  meaning  was  only  to  exclude  the  Neceffity  of  any 
other  Sacrament  to  baptized  Infants,  yet  thefe  Words  are  dangerous,  as  to  miflead 
the  Vulgar,  [He  jhall  know  for  a  Truth,  that  it  is  certain  by  God's  Word,  that  Chil- 
dren being  baptized  have  all  things  neceffary  for  their  Salvation,  and  be  undoubtedly  faved\ 
The  meaning  is  ex  parte  Ecclejia  but  it  hath  miflead  many  to  think  it  is  abfblute, 
and  comprehendeth  all  things  neceffary  in  every  refpect. 

In  a  Catechifm  where  fo  many  neceffary  Points  are  paffed  over ,  it's  difbrderly 
to  put  two  fiich  frivolous  Queftions  in  the  beginning,  as  [What  is  your  Name  ?  and 
Who  gave  you  this  Name  ? J 

In  the  Catechifm  there  is  omitted  fome  of  the  Ejjential  Attributes  of  Godt  with- 
out which  he  cannot  be  rightly  known.  There  is  alfo  omitted  the  Doctrine  of  the 
Law  made  to  Adam,  and  of  Man's  Fall,  and  the  Doctrine  of  oar  Mifery  is  ineffici- 
ently touched  :  The  Perfon,  Office,  and  Properties  of  the  Redeemer  ,  are  fo  in- 
fufficiently  opened,  as  that  we  fhould  think  the  Effentials  of  Chrif  Hanky  are  omit- 
ted,  were  it  not  that  they  are  (generally  at  leaft)  expreffed  in  the  Creed  it  felf, which 
is  more  full  than  the  Explication  of  it.  There  is  no  mention  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures in  it :  and  the  Doctrine  of  the  Covenant  of  Grace  is  very  defectively  expref- 
fed ;  and  fo  is  the  Doctrine  of  Sanctification,  and  other  parts  of  the  Work  of  the 
Holy  Ghoft  ;  and  the  whole  Doctrine  of  God's  Judgment  and  Execution :  and 
that  of  Man's  Duty,  and  even  the  Nature  and  Ufe  of  the  Sacraments ,  in  which 
it  is  fulleft  :  as  will  appear  by  a  true  comparing  it  with  what  we  offer. 

The  Prayers  and  Adminiftration  of  Confirmation  fuppofe  all  the  Children 
brought  to  be  Confirmed,  to  have  the  Spirit  of  Chritt  and  the  forgivenefs  of  all 
their  Sins ;  whereas  a  great  number  of  Children  at  that  Age  ( that  we  fay  not  the 
far  greater  part  )  do  live  a  carnal,  carelefs  Life,  and  mew  no  Love  to  God  above 
all,  no  prevalent  Self  denial,  Mortification,  nor  Faith  in  Chrift,  and  Heavenly- 
mindednefs,  nor  ferious  Repentance  for  the  Life  of  Sin  which  they  continue  in  af- 
ter Baptifm  :  Therefore  to  thefe  Children  Confirmation  is  not  to  be  Adminiftred, 
till  befides  the  faying  of  the  Catechifm,  they  make  a  credible  Profeffion  of  Faith, 
Repentance  and  Obedience  :  And  to  them  that  do  not  thus,Confirmation  is  a  grofs 
and  perillous  Abufe. 

In  the  concluding  Rubrick  there  is  no  care  taken  for  the  multitude  that  being 
paft  Childhood,  underffand  not  what  it  is  to  be  a  Chriftian  :  who  alfo  have  need 
of  Catechizing. 

In  Matrimony  thefe  Words  [  For  be  je  well  afjured  that  fo  many  as  be  coupled  toge- 
ther otherwife  than  Gods  Word  doth  allow,  are  not  joined  together  by  God,  neither  is  their 
Matrimony  Lawful]  do  dangeroufly  fpeak  that  of  Irregularities  in  General,  which  is 
true  only  of  fome  grearer  Faults  that  are  contrary  to  the  Effentials  of  Matrimony  : 
For  in  many  Cafes  yuod  fieri  non  debet,  faclum  valet. 

The  PJng  fhould  not  be  forced  on  thofe  that  fcruple  it. 

The  obf blete  Phrafes  [With  my  Body  1  thee  Worjhip,  &c]  mould  be  changed. 

The  Prayers  at  the  Table  are  diforderly  Repetitions,  not  delivering  that  in  many 
Words,  which  may  be  expreft  in  few. 

It  is  unfit  to  keep  all  Perfons  unmarried  that  are  unmeet  for  the  Communion,  be- 
ing Infidels  and  unbaptized  and  prophane  Perfons  may  marry  :  and  it  is  unmeet  to 
force  fuch  to  receive  the  Communion  the  fame  Day  that  they  Marry. 

If  it  were  requifite  fo  put  the  private  Work  of  vifiting  the  Sick, into  the  publick 
Liturgy  of  the  Church ;  yet  the  Variety  of  the  Cafes  of  the  Sick  is  fuch,  that  thefe 

.Forms  are  not  fuitable  to  all. 

In 


P  a  a  t  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         315 


In  the  Communion  of  the  Sick,  the  ancient  Cuftom  of  the  Church  was,  where 
time  and  place  allowed  it,  to  lend  the  Deacon  to  the  Sick,  at  the  time  of  the  Cele- 
bration, with  a  Portion  of  the  Confecrated  Bread  and  Wine,  which  is  here 
omitted. 

The  Minifter  is  caufelefly  tied  to  meet  the  Corps  juft  at  the  Church  StyIe,andto 
ufethe  oft-repeated  [Lord  have  Mercy  upon  us,Cbri(t  have  Mercy  upon  us, Lord  have  Mer- 
cy upon  us\  :  And  it  is  a  Confufion  perilous  to  the  living,  that  we  are  to  prefiime 
that  all  we  bury  be  of  one  fort  viz.  Fleil  and  Saved:  when  contrarily  we  fee  multi- 
tudes die  without  any  fuch  Signs  of  Repentance,  as  rational  Charity  can  judge 
fincere. 

It  is  a  diforder  that  Women  be  not  at  all  required  beforehand  to  defire  any  pub- 
lick  Prayers  for  their  fafe  Deliverance  ;  and  yet  when  they  are  delivered,  that  a 
Thankfgiving  on  the  Lord's  Days,  fiich  as  is  for  other  great  Deliverances  will  not 
ferve  the  turn,  without  a  fpecial  Office  ;  which  if  performed  on  the  Lord's  Day 
will  be  an  Impediment  or  Disturbance  to  the  publick  Worfliip  :  And  while  Mua- 
convenientP/alms,  and  Repetitions,  and  Refponds  be  ufed,  the  Prayer  is  defective 
as  will  appear  by  comparing  it  with  what  we  offer. 

It  is  a  perilous  Diforder,  that  Penance  (as  it  is  called)  be  ufed  by  notorious  Sinners 
at  a  ftated  time,  the  beginning  of  Lent,  which  fhould  be  ufed  (rightly J  to  reftore 
the  Perfon  whenever  he  is  fallen :  And  this  is  not  to  be  wifhed  (in  this  Di(brder) 
to  be  reitored  again  ;  no  more  than  that  Phyfick  be  given  only  at  Lent  in  acute  Di- 
ieafes,  which  muft  be  medicated  out  of  Hand. 

In  the  repeating  of  the  Curfes,  the  People  fhould  be  better  taught  to  know  the 
•difference  of  the  Law  and  Gofpel,  and  then  that  excellent  dehoi  tation  may  be 
well  ufed  :  But  this  pertaineth  to  the  ordinary  preaching  of  the  Word. 

Of  the  Responds',  and  the  doubtful  Phrafe  [thou  hatefi  nothing  tkat  thou  baji  made  1 
we  have  fpoke  before. 

Other  OmifTions  and  Diforders  appear  by  comparing  it  with  what  we  of- 
fer. 

We  only  add  upon  the  whole,  theie  further  general  Remarks. 

i.  It  is  a  great  Diforder  that  we  have  fb  many  Prayers,  inftead  of  many  Petitions 
in  one  Prayer  :  The  Gravity  and  Serioufhefs  requifite  in  our  Prayers  to  God,  and 
the  Examples  left  on  Record  in  Scripture,  do  perfuade  us,  when  we  have  many 
Petitions  at  once  to  put  up  to  God,  which  all  have  a  Connexion  in  Nature  and 
Neceffity,  that  there  Ihould  be  fuch  a  Connexion  of  our  Defires  and  Requefts,  and 
many  of  them  mould  conftitute  one  Prayer,  whereas  the  Common- Prayer- Book,  in 
its  numerous  Collects,  doth  make  oft  times  as  many  Prayers  as  Petitions ;  and  we  un- 
decently  begin  with  a  folemn  Preface,  and  as  Solemnly  conclude,  and  then  begin 
again  ;  as  if  before  every  Petition  of  the  Lord's  Prayer,  we  fhould  repeat  [Our  Fa- 
ther which  art  in  Heaven  "]  and  after  every  Petition  [  For  thine  is  the  Kingdom,  the 
Power  and  the  Glory],  Yet  we  deny  not  that  when  we  have  but  fbme  one  Parti- 
cular Requeft  to  put  up,  without  Connexion  with  others,  we  may  then  make  a 
Prayer  of  that  alone. 

2.  Hence  it  comes  to  pafs  that  the  holy  and  reverend  Name  of  God  is  made  the 
matter  of  unneceflary  Tautologies,  while  half  the  Prayer  is  made  up  of  his  Attri- 
butes and  Addreffes  to  him,  and  with  Conclufions  containing  the  Mention  of  his 
Name  and  Kingdom,  and  the  Merits  of  his  Son  •  even  in  holy  Worfhip  we  mould 
fear  ufing  God's  Name  unreverently  and  in  vain. 

3.  And  it  is  a  great  Diforder,  that  fo  much  of  the  publick  Prayers  fhould  be 
uttered  by  the  People,  as  in  the  Rejfionds,  and  that  they  only  fhould  put  up  the 
petitioning  part,  while  the  Minifter  doth  but  fuggeft  to  them,  or  recite  the  Mat- 
ter of  the  Petitions,  as  in  the  Litany  :  feeing  the  Minifter  is  by  Office  to  be  the 
Mouth  of  the  People  and  God,  and  Scripture  intimateth,  that  ordinarily  their  Pare 
was  but  to  fay,  [Amen]  j  and  it  feemeth  to  many  fbber  People,  who  are  much  of- 
fended at  it,  to  be  a  very  confuted  and  unfeemly  Murmur,  that  is  caufed  in  moft 
Congregations  by  the  Peoples  fpeaking.  Efpecially  when  in  reading  the  Pfalms 
the  People  fay  every  fecond  Verfe,  which  cannot  be  heard  and  uflderftood  by  fuch 
as  cannot  read,  or  have  no  Books  5  and  then  the  other  Verfe  which  the  Minifter 

S  s  2  faith, 


3i6  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I# 

faith,  is  not  underftood,  becaufe  we  hear  not  the  annexed  Verfe,  w^iich  containeth 
part  of  the  Senfe.  And  fo  the  whole  reading  Pfalms,  are  almoft  as  in  Latin  to 
them  that  cannot  read  themfelves. 

And  that  all  this  is  really  Disorder  and  contrary  to  Edification,  appeareth  both  in 
the  Reafon  of  the  thing,  and  in  that  the  Prayers  mentioned  in  Scripture  are  of  ano- 
ther Order ;  and  in  that  they  are  not  according  to  the  Method  of  the  Lord's 
Prayer,  which  is  the  perfect  Rule  of  Prayer  in  all  univerfal  Prayers,  which  confifts 
not  of  occafional  Particulars ;  and  in  that  the  moft  fenfible  experienced  praying 
Chriftians  find  itbv  Experience  to  hinder  their  Edification  (and  their  Teftimony 
fhould  be  preferred  before  that  of  ignorant,unexperienced,  partial,  or  ungodly  Men; 
or  at  leaft  a  Courfe  taken  which  is  agreeable  to  both  forts,  and  hindereth  the  Edifi- 
cation of  neither) :  And  laftly  thole  very  Men  that  will  not  reform  any  of  this 
Difbrder  in  the  Liturgy,  do  nauieate  and  condemn  the  Prayers  of  a  weak  Minifter, 
or  private  Chriftian,  if  they  have  but  the  fourth  part  of  the  very  like.  Diforders, 
Repetitions,  Tautologies,  or  Defe&s  as  the  Liturgy  hath. 

For  thefe  Reafons  a  proportionable  Reformation  is  defired. 

Befides  all  forementioned,  there  is  in  two  months  fpace  no  lels  than  one  hundred 
and  nine  Chapters  of  the  Apocrypha  appointed  to  be  read  as  LefTons,  juft  in  the 
time,  manner,  and  Title  as  the  Chapter  of  the  holy  Scriptures  be;  even  the  Stories 
of  Tobit,  and  Judith  being  part ;  and  alio  of  Bel  an d  the  Dragon>  and  Sufanna,  which 
Proteftants  hold  to  be  but  Fables.  But  thole  Exceptions  which  we  actually  offered 
to  the  Bifhbps  were  as  follows. 


The  Exceptions  again fl  the  Booh^  of  Common-Prayer. 

Acknowledging  with  all  humility  and  thankfulnels,  his  Majefty's  mod  Princely 
Condefcention  and  Indulgence,  to  very  many  of  his  Loyal  Subjects,  as  well 
in  his  Majefty's  moft  gracious  Declaration,  as  particularly  in  this  prelent  Gommifc 
fion,  iffued  forth  in  purfuance  thereof;  we  doubt  not  but  the  right  Reverend  Bi- 
[hops ;  and  all  ihe  reit  of  his  Majefty's  Commiffioners  intruded  in  this  Work,  will, 
in  imitation  of  his  Majefty's  molt  prudent  and  Chriftian  Moderation  and  Clemen- 
cy, judge  it  their  Duty  (what  we  find  to  be  the  Apoftles  own  Practice)  in  afperf-  ' 
al  manner  to  be  tender  of  the  Churches  Peace,  to  bear  with  the  Infirmities  of  the 
weak,  and  not  to  pleafe  themfelves,  nor  to  meafure  the  Confciences  of  other  Men 
by  the  Light  and  Latitude  of  their  own,  but  ferioufly  and  readily  to  confider  and 
advife  of  fuch  Expedients,  as  may  moil:  conduce  to  the  healing  of  our  Breaches, 
and  uniting  thofe  that  differ.  v 

And  albeit  we  have  an  high  and  honourable  efteem  of  thofe  godly  and  learned 
BHhops,  and  others,  who  were  the  firft  Compilers  of  the  publick  Liturgy,  and  do 
look  upon  it  as  an  excellent  and  worthy  Work,  for  that  time,  when  the  Church  of 
England  made  her  firft  ftep  out  of  fuch  a  Mift  of  Popi/h  Ignorance  and  Superftition 
wherein  it  formerly  was  involved;  Yet  confidering  that  all  human  Works  do  gra- 
dually arrive  at  their  Maturity  and  Perfection ;  and  this  in  particular  being  a 
Work  of  that  Nature,  hath  already  admitted  feveral  Emendations  fince  the  firft 
compiling  thereof. 

It  cannot  be  thought  any  Difparagementor  Derogation  either  to  the  Work  it  felf, 
or  to  the  Compilers  of  it,  or  to  thofe  who  have  hitherto  ufed  it,  if  after  more  than 
an  hundred  Years,  fince  its  firft  compofure,  fuch  further  Emendations  be  now  made 
therein,  as  may  be  judged  necelTary  for  fatisfying  the  Scruples  of  a  multitude  of 
(bber  Perfons,  who  cannot  at  all  (  or  very  hardly  )  comply  with  the  ufe  of  it,  as 
now  it  is,  and  may  beft  fute  with  the  prelent  times  after  fo  long  an  Enjoyment  of 
the  glorious  light  of  the  Gofpel,  and  fo  happy  a  Reformation.  Efpecially  confi- 
dering that  many  Godly  and  learned  Men,  have  from  the  beginning  all  along  ear- 
neftly  defired  the  Alteration  of  many  things  therein,  and  very  many  of  his  Maje- 
fty's pious,  peaceable,  and  loyal  Subjects,  after  fo  long  a  difcontinuance  of  it,  are 
more  averfe  from  it  than  heretofore.  The  fatisfying  of  whom  (as- far  as  may  be) 
will  very  much  conduce  to  that  Peace  and  Unity  which  is  fo  much  defired  by  all 
good  Men,  and  lb  much  endeavoured  by  his  moft  excellent  Ma  jefty. 

And 


"  '  ■'  ■"■  '  ....... — — ,  —  —  -    ■  ■       .  -  .    

Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        317 

* — — — — — •*-- 

And  therefore  in  purfuance  of  this  his  Majeffy's  molt  gracious  Commiffion,  for 
the  fatisfaction  of  tender  Conferences,  and  the  procuring  or  Peace  and  Uniry 
amongft  our  felves,  we  judge  meet  to  propofe, 

Firft,  That  all  the  Prayers,  and  other  Materials  of  the  Liturgy  may  confift  of  no- 
thing doubtful  or  quefiioned  amongft  pious,  learned,  and  orthodox  Perfbns,  inafmuch 
as  the  profefled  end  of  compofing  them  is  for  the  declaring  of  the  Unity  and  Confent 
of  all  who  join  in  the  publick  Worfhip  ;  it  being  too  evident  that  the  limiting  of 
Church-Communion  to  things  of  doubtful  Dijputation,  hath  been  in  all  Ages  the 
ground  of  Schifm  and  Separation  according  to  the  faying  of  a  learned  Peribn. 

1  To  load  our  publick  Forms,  with  the  private  Fancies  upon  which  we  differ,  is  Mr#  Ha\tSt 

*  the  moft  fbveraign  way  to  perpetuate  Schifm  to  the  World's  End.  Pnyer,  Con- 
'  feflion,  Thankigiving,  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  and  adminiftration  of  the  Sacra- 
'  ments  in  the  plaineft,  and  fimpleft  manner,  were  matter  enough  to  furnifh  out  a 
'  fufficient  Liturgy,  though  nothing  either  of  private  Opinion,  or  ofChurch-ponp, 
'  of  Garments,  or  prefcribed  Geftures,  of  Imagery,  of  Mullck,  of  matter  concern- 
'  ing  the  Dead,  of  many  Superfluities  which  creep  into  the  Church  under  the  Name 

*  of  Order,  and  Decency,  did  interpofe  it  felf.  To  charge  Churches  and  Liturgies 
'  with  things  unneceifary,  was  the  firft  beginning  of  all  Superftition,  and  when 
'  Scruple  of  Confcience  began  to  be  made  or  pretended,  then  Schifm  began  to  break 
'  in.  If  the  fpecial  Guides  and  Fathers  of  the  Church  would  be  a  little  fparing  of 
'  incumbering  Churches  with  Superfluities,  or  not  over-rigid,  either  in  reviving  ob- 
'  Iblete  Cuftoms,  or  impofing  new,  there  would  be  far  lets  Caufe  of  Schifm,  or  Su- 
c  perdition ;  and  all  the  Inconvenience  were  likely  toenfue,  would  be  but  this, 
'  they  ihouldinlb  doing  yield  a  little  to  the  imbecillity  of  their  Inferiors ;  a  thing 
'  which  St.  Paul  would  never  have  refufed  to  do  :  Mean  while,  wherefoever  falfe 
'orfuipeded  Opinions  are  made  a  piece  of  Church-Liturgy  ;  he  that  feparates  is 
'not  theSchifmatick  ,*  for  it  is  alike  unlawful  to  make  profeilion  of  known,  orfuf 
'  peeked  Falfhood,  as  to  put  in  practice  unlawful  or  fuipe&ed  Action. 

2.  Further,  we  humbly  defirethat  it  may  be  ierioufly  confidered,  that  as  our  firft 
Reformers  out  of  their  great  Wifdom,  did  at  that  time  fo  compofe  the  Liturgy,  as 
to  win  upon  thePapifts,  and  to  draw  them  into  their  Church-Communion,  by  va- 
rying as  little  as  they  well  could,  from  the  Romijh  Forms  before  in  ufe ;  fo  whether 
in  the  prefent  Conftitution,  and  State  of  Things  amongft  us,  we  mould  not  accor- 
ding to  the  fame  Rule  of  Prudence  and  Charity,  have  our  Liturgy  lb  compofed,  as 
to  gain  upon  the  Judgments  and  Affection  of  all  thofe  who  in  the  Subffantials  of  the 
Proteftant  Religion  are  of  the  fame  Perluafions  with  our  felves :  Inafmuch  as  a 
more  firm  Union  and  Confent  of  all  fuch,  as  well  in  Worfhip,  as  in  Doctrine, 
would  i greatly  ftrengthen  the  Protefrant  Intereft  againft  all  thofe  Dangers  and 
Temptations  which  our  inteftine  Divifions  and  Animolities  do  expofe  us  unto,  from 
the  common  Adveriary. 

3.  That  the  Repetitions,  and  Refponfals  of  the  Clerk  and  People,  and  the  alter- 
nate reading  of  the  Pfalms  and  Hymns  which  caule  a  confufed  Murmur  in  the  Con- 
gregation, whereby  what  is  read  is  lefs  intelligible,  and  therefore  unedifying,  may 
be  omitted  :  The  Minifter  being  appointed  for  the  People  in  all  publick  Ser- 
vices appertaining  unto  God  and  the  Holy  Scriptures,both  of  the  Old  and  New  Te- 
ftament,  intimating  the  Peoples  Part  in  publick  Prayer  to  be  only  with  Silence  and 
Reverence  to  attend  thereunto,  and  to  declare  their  Confent  in  the  Clofe,  by  fay- 
ing Amen. 

4.  That  in  regard  the  Litany  (though  otherwife  containing  in  it  many  holy  Pe- 
titions) is  fo  framed,  that  the  Petitions  for  a  great  part  are  uttered  only  by  the  Peo- 
ple, which  we  think  not  to  be  fbconlbnant  to  Scripture,  which  makes  the  Minifter 
the  Mouth  of  the  People  to  God  in  Prayer,  the  Particulars  thereof  may  be  com- 
pofed into  one  fblemn  Prayer  to  be  offered  by  the  Minifter  unto  God  for  the 
People. 

5".  That  there  be  nothing  in  the  Liturgy  which  may  feem  to  countenance  the 
Obfervation  of  Lent,  as  a  Religious  Fafl  -,  the  Example  of  Chrift's  fafting  Forty 
Days  and  Nights,  being  no  more  imitable,  nor  intended  for  the  Imitation  of  a 
Ghriftian,  than  any  other  of  his  Miraculous  Works  were,  or  than  Mofes  his  forty 
Days  Faft  was  for  the  Jews :  And  the  Act  of  Parliament,  j  Eliz,.  forbidding  ab- 
ftinence  from  Flefh  to  be  obferved  upon  any  other  than  a  Politick  Confideration, 
and  punifhing  all  thole  who  by  Preaching,  Teaching,  Writing,  or  open  Speeches, 
ftall  notirie  that  the  forbearing  of  Flefh,is  of  any  neceffity  for  the  faving  of  the  Soul, 
or  that  it  is  the  Service  of  God,  otherwife  than  as  other  politick  Laws  are. 

6.  That 


^78  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

6.  That  the  religious  Obfervation  of  Saints-days  appointed  to  be  kept  as  Ho- 
ly-days, and  the  Vigils  thereof  without  any  Foundation  fas  we  conceive;  in  Scrip- 
ture, may  be  omitted.  That  if  any  be  retained,  they  m2y  be  called  Fefiivals,  and 
not  Holy-days,  nor  made  equal  with  the  Lord's-day,  nor  have  any  peculiar  fervice 
appointed  tor  them,  nor  the  People  be  upon  fuch  Days  forced  wholly  to  abltain 
from  Work,  and  that  the  Names  of  all  others  now  incited  in  the  Calender  which 
are  not  in  the  frff.  and  fecond  Books  of  Edward  the  fixth,  may  be  left  out. 

7.  That  the  Gift  of  Prayer,  being  one  fpecial  Qualification  for  the  Work  of  the 
Mini/try  bellowed  by  Chrilt  in  ordir  to  the  Edification  of  his  Church,  and  to  be 
exercifed  for  the  profit  and  benefit  thereof,  according  to  its  various  and  emergent 
neceflity  ;  It  is  defired  that  there  may  be  no  fuch  impofition  of  the  Liturgy,  as  that 
theexercife  of  that  gift  be  thereby  totally  excluded  in  any  part  of  Publick  Worfhip. 
And  further,  confidering  the  great  Age  of  lome  Miniflers,  and  Infirmities  of  o- 
thers,  and  the  variety  of  feveral  Services  oft-times  concurring  upon  the  fame  day, 
whereby  it  may  be  inexpedient  to  require  every  Minifrer,  at  all  times  to  read  the 
whole  i  It  may  be  left  to  the  difcretion  of  the  Miniiter,  to  omit  part  of  it,  as  occa- 
sion mail  require  :  which  liberty  we  find  to  be  allowed  even  in  the  fir(t  Common 
Prayer  Book  of  Edward  6. 

8.  That  in  regard  of  the  many  Defects  which  have  been  obferved  in  that  Verfi- 
on of  the  Scriptures,  which  is  ufed  throughout  the  Liturgy  (  manifold  Inffances 
whereof  may  be  produced,  as  in  theEpiille  for  the  firft  Sunday  after  Epiphany,  ta- 
ken out  of  Romans  12. 1,.  Be  ye  changed,  in  your  fl)ape  ]  And  the  Epiflle  for  the  Sunday 
next  before  Eafier,  taken  out  ofPhilippians  2.  5.  Found  in  his  apparel  as  a  man  ;  as  af« 
fo  the  Epiitle  for  the  fourth  Sunday  in  Lent,  taken  out  of  the  fourth  of  the  Galati- 
ans,  Mount  Sinai  ts  Agar  in  Arabia,  and  bordereth  upon  the  City  which  is  now  called 
Jerujalem.  The  Epiftle  for  St.  Matthew's  Day  taken  out  of  the  fecond  Epiftle  of 
Corinth,  and  the  4th.  We  go  not  out  of  Kind.  The  Gofpel  for  the  fecond  Sunday  af- 
ter Epiphany,  taken  out  of  the  fecond  of  John,  When  Mm  be  drunk.  The 
Gofpel  for  the  third  Sunday  in  Lent,  taken  out  of  the  nth  of  Luke,  One  Houfe  doth 
fall  upon  another.  The  Gofpel  for  the  Annunciation,  taken  out  of  the  firft  of  Luke, 
This  is  the  fixth  Month  which  was  called  barren  ]  and  many  other  places)  we  therefore 
defire  iniiead  thereof  the  New  Tranflation  allowed  by  Authoriry  may  alone  be 
ufed. 

9.  That  inafmuch  as  the  holy  Scriptures  are  able  to  make  us  wile  unto  Salvation, 
to  furnifh  us  throughly  unto  all  good  Works,  and  contain  in  them  all  things  necef- 
fary,  either  in  Doctrine  to  be  believed,  or  in  Duty  to  be  pra&ifed  ;  whereas  divers 
Chapters  of  the  Apocryphal  Books  appointed  to  be  read,  are  Charged  to  be  in  both 
jefpe-cts,  of  dubious  and  uncertain  credit :  It  is  therefore  defired,  that  nothing  be 
read  in  the  Church  for  Lejfons,  but  the  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Te- 
ftamenr. 

10.  That  the  Minifier  be  not  required  to  rehearfe  any  part  of  the  Liturgy  at  the 
Communion-Table,  lave  only  thofe  parts  which  properly  belong  to  the  Lord's  Sup* 
per  ;  and  that  at  fuch  times  only  when  the  laid  holy  Supper  is  adminiftred. 

n.  That  as  the  Word  (Minifier)  and  not  Triefi,  or  Curate,  is  ufed  in  the  Abfolu- 
tion,  and  in  divers  other  places  ;  it  may  throughout  the  whole  Book  be  fo  uied  in- 
ft ead  of  thole  two  Words  j  and  that  inftead  of  the  Word  Sunday,  the  Wo*d  Lord's- 
day,  may  be  every  where  ufed. 

12.  Jkcaufe  finging  of  Plalmsis  a  confiderable  part  of  publick  Worihip,  we  de- 
fire  that  the  Verfion  fet  forth  and  allowed  to  be  fling  in  Churches,  may  be  amen- 
ded, or  that  we  may  have  leave  to  make  ufe  of  a  purer  Verfion. 

1 3.  That  ail  obfolete  Words  in  the  Common-Prayer,  and  fuch  whofe  ufe  is  chan- 
ged from  their  firft  lignificancy  (as  Aread)  ufed  in  the  Gofpel  for  the  Monday  and 
Wednefday  before  Eafter  [  Then  opened  he  their  Wits  ]  ufed  in  the  Gofpel  for  Eafier 
Tuefday,  &c  may  be  altered  unto  other  Words  generally  received,  and  better  un- 
derftood. 

14.  That  no  Portions  of  the  Old  Teftament,  or  of  the  Ads  of  the  Apoftles, 
be  called  Epfiles,  and  read  as  fuch. 

if.  That  whereas  throughout  the  feveral  Offices,  the  Phrafe  is  fuch  as  prefumes 
all  Perfons  (within  the  Communion  of  the  Church)  to  be  regenerated,  converted, 
and  in  An  actual  itate  of  Grace  (which,  had  Ecclefiaff  ical  Difcipline  been  truly  and 
vigoroufly  executed,  in  the  Exclufion  of  Scandalous  and  obftinaxe  Sinners,  might 
be  better  fuppofed  :  But  there  having  been,  and  frill  being  a  confeffed  want  of  that 
(as  in  the  Liturgy  is  acknowledged)  it  cannot  be  rationally  admitted  in  the  utmoft 
Latitude  of  Charity.)  We  defire  that  this  may  be  reformed. 

16.  That 


— ^ «^— ^»— — »«— ^—>^  i iw  i  1 1  ■  ~  t-    i   1   ■       ~       -  r  i  -     ■    ■        m^m*mmmm*mm~~mmmmm^^^^mmt    n         i    ,  . 1 ^a_|  |  |       |   ,,  ,    ,  ^m  B       ,      ,  Lt    ,         miiii  n   ~ 

Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         3 1 9 

16.  lhat  whereas  orderly  Connection  of  Prayers,   and  of  particular  Petitions"" 
and  Expreflions,  together  with  a  competent  length  of  the  Forms  ufed,  are  tending 
much  to  Edification^  and  to  gain  the  reverence  of  People  to  them.    There  ap 
pears  to  us  too  great  a  neglect  of  both,  of  this  Order,  and  of  other  juft  Laws,  of 
Method. 

Particularly. 

1.  The  Collects  are  generally  fhort,  many  of  them  confifting  but  of  one,  or  at 
moft  two  Sentences  of  Petition  ;  and  thele  generally  ufhered  in  with  a  repeated 
mention  of  the  Name  and  Attributes  of  God,  and  prefently  concluding  with  the 
Name  and  Merits  of  Chrift ;  whence  are  caufed  many  unnecelTary  Intercifions  and 
Abruptions,  which  when  many  Petitions  are  to  be  offered  at  the  fame  time,  are 
neither  agreeable  to  Scriptural  Examples,  nor  fuited  to  the  Gravity  and  Serioulhefs 
of  that  Holy  Duty. 

2.  The  Prefaces  of  many  Collects  have  not  any  clear  and  fpecial  Rcfpect  to  the 
following  Petitions ;  and  particular  Petitions  are  put  together,  which  have  not  any 
due  Order,  nor  evident  Connection  one  with  another,  nor  fuitablenefc  with  the 
Occafions  upon  which  they  are  ufed,  but  feem  to  have  fallen  in  rather  cafually,  than 
from  an  orderly  Contrivance. 

It  is  defired,  that  infteadof  thofe  various  Collects,  there  may  be  one  methodical 
and  intire  form  of  Prayer  compofed  out  of  many  of  them. 

17.  That  whereas  the  publick  Liturgy  of  a  Church  mould  in  reafon  compre- 
hend the  Summ  of  all  fuch  Sins  as  are  ordinarily  to  be  confeffed  in  Prayer  by  the 
Church,  and  of  fuch  Petitions  and  Thankfgivings  as  are  ordinarily  by  the  Church 
to  be  put  up  to  God,  and  the  publick  Catechilms  or  Syftems  of  Doctrine,  mould 
fummarily  comprehend  all  fuch  Doctrines  as  are  neceffary  to  be  believed,  and  thele 
explicitly  fet  down  :  The  prefent  Liturgy  as  to  all  thefefeems  very  dete<5Hve. 

Particularly. 

1.  There  is  no  preparatory  Prayer  in  our  Addrels  to  God  for  Affiftance  or  Ac- 
ceptance j  yet  many  Collects  in  the  midft  of  the  Worfhip  have  little  or  nothing 
clie. 

2.  The  Confeffion  is  very  defective,  not  clearly  expreffing  original  Sin,  nor  fuf- 
ficicntly  enumerating  actual  Sins,  with  their  Aggravations ;  but  confift ing  only  of 
Generals :  Whereas  confeflion  being  the  Exerciie  of  Repentance,  ought  to  be  more 

.  particular. 

3.  There  is  alfo  a  great  Defect  as  to  fuch  Forms  of  publick  Praile  and  Thankfgi- 
ving,  as  are  fuitable  toGofpel-worihip. 

4.  The  whole  Body  of  the  Common-Prayer  alio  confifteth  very  much  of  meer 
Generals:  as,  (To  have  our  Prayers  heard)  to  be  kept  from  all  Evil,  and  from  all  Enemies , 
and  all  Advnjity,  that  ive  might  do  God's  tVill;  without  any  mention  of  the  Particu- 
lars in  which  thele  Generals  exift. 

j.  The  Catechifm  is  defective  as  to  many  neceffary  Doctrines  of  our  Religion  ; 
fome  even  of  the  Ejjcntials  of  Chriftianity  not  mentioned  except  in  the  Creed,  and 
there  not  fbexplicite  as  ought  to  be  in  a  Catechifm. 

18.  Becaufe  this  Liturgy  containeth  thelmpofitionof  divers  Ceremonies  which 
from  the  firft  Reformation  have  by  fundry  learned  and  pious  Men  been  judged  un- 
warrantable, as 

1.  That  Publick  Worihip  may  not  be  celebrated  by  any  Minifter  that  dare  not 
wear  a  Surplefs. 

2.  That  none  may  baptif^  nor  bebaptifed,  without  the  tranfient  Image  of  the 
Grofs,  which  hathatleait  the  Semblance  of  a  Sacrament  of  human  Inftitution,  be- 
ing uled  as  aningaging  Sign  in  our  firft  and  (blemn  Covenanting  with  Chrift,  and 
the  Duties  whereunto  we  are  really  obliged  by  Baptifm,  being  moreexprefly  fixed 
to  that  any  Sign  than  to  this  holy  Sacrament, 

5.  That  none  may  receive  the  Lord's  Supper  that  dare  notkneelin  the  act  of  re- 
ceiving; but  the  Minifter  muft  exclude  all  fuch  from  the  Communion :  although 
fuch  kneeling  not  only  differs  from  the  practice  of  Chrift  and  of  his  Apoftles,  but 
(atleaft  on  the  Lord's  Day)  is  contrary  to  the  practice  of  the  Catholick  Church  for 
many  hundred  Years  after,   and  forbidden  by  the  moft  venerable  Councils  that 

ever 


I 


32o  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.]. 

ever  were  in  the  Chriftian  World.  AH  which  Impofitions,  are  made  yet  more 
grievous,  by  that  Subfcription  to  their  Laivfulnefi,  which  the  Canon  exacts,  and  by 
the  heavy  Punifhmcnt  upon  the  Non-obfervance  of  them  which  the  Aft  of  Unifor- 
mity inflicts. 

And  it  being  doubtful  whether  God  hath  given  power  unto  Men,  to  inftitute  in 
his  Worfhip  liich  Myftical  Teaching  Signs,  which  not  being  neceflary  in  genere, 
fall  not  under  the  Rule  of  doing  all  things  decently,  orderly,  and  to  edification  ,  and 
which  once  granted  will  upon  the  fame  reafbn,  open  a  door  to  the  Arbitrary  Im- 
position of  numerous  Ceremonies  of  which  St.  Augufiine  complained  in  his  days  ; 
and  the  things  in  Controverfie  being  in  the  Judgment  of  the  Impofers  confeiledly 
indifferent,  who  do  not  fo  much  as  pretend  any  real  Goodnefs  in  them  of  them- 
selves, otherwife  than  what  is  derived  from  their  being  impofed,  and  confequently 
the  Impofition  ceafing,  that  will  ceafe  alfo,  and  the  Worfhip  of  God  not  become 
indecent  without  them. 

Whereas  in  the  other  hand  on  the  Judgment  of  the  Oppofers,  they  are  by  fome 
held  finful,  and  unlawful  in  themfelves ;  by  others  very  inconvenient  and  unfuita- 
ble  to  the  Simplicity  of  Gofpel  Worfhip,  and  by  all  of  them  very  grievous  and  bur- 
thenfbme,  and  therefore  not  at  all  fit  to  be  put  in  ballance  with  the  Peace  of  the 
Church,  which  is  more  likely  to  be  promoted  by  their  removal,  than  continuance : 
Confidering  alfo  how  tender  our  Lord  and  Saviour  himfelf  is  of  weak  Brethren, 
declaring  it  much  better  for  a  Man  to  have  Milflone  hang'd  about  ha  neck,  and  be 
cafi  into  the  depth  of  the  Sea,  than  to  offend  one  of  his  little  Ones :  And  how  the  Apo- 
ftle  Paul  (  who  had  as  great  a  Legiflative  Power  in  the  Church,  as  any  under 
Chrift  J  held  himfelf  obliged  by  that  Common  Rule  of  Charity ,  not  to  lay  a  /tum- 
bling block,  or  an  occafion  of  offence  before  a  -weak  Brother,  chufing  rather  not  to  eat  flefi 
whiles  the  world fiands  ('though  in  it  felf  a  thing  lawful  J  than  offend  his  Brother  for 
whom  Chrift  died.  We  cannot  but  defire  that  thefe  Ceremonies  may  not  be  impoled 
on  them,  who  judge  fuch  Impofitions  a  Violation  of  the  Royalty  of  Chrift,  and  an 
Impeachment  of  his  Laws  as  inefficient,  and  are  under  the  holy  awe  of  that 
which  is  written,  Deut.  12.  32.  (  What  thing  foever  1  command  you  ,  obferve  to  do  it  ) 
Thou  pah  not  add  thereto,  nor  diminijhfrom  it)  but  that  there  may  be  either  a  total 
Abolition  of  them,  or  at  leaft  fuch  a  liberty,  that  thofe  who  are  unfatisfied  con- 
cerning their  lawfulnefs  or  expediency,  may  not  be  compelled  to  the  Practice  of 
them,  or  Subfcription  to  them.  But  may  be  permitted  to  enjoy  their  Minifterial 
Function,  and  Communion  with  the  Church  without  them. 

The  rather  becaufe  thefe  Ceremonies  have  for  above  an  hundred  years  been  the 
Fountain  of  manifold  Evils  in  this  Church  and  Nation,  occafioning  fad  Divifions 
between  Minifters  and  Minifters,  as  alfo  between  Minifters  and  People,  expofing 
many  Orthodox,  Pious,  and  Peaceable  Minifters,  to  the  difpleafure  of  their  Ru- 
lers,  cafting  them  on  the  edge  of  the  Penal  Statutes,  to  the  lofs  not  only  of  their 
Livings  and  Liberties,  but  alio  of  their  Opportunities  for  the  Service  of  Chrift,  and 
his  Church  ;  and  forcing  People,  either  to  Worfhip  God  in  fuch  a  manner  as  their 
own  Confciences  condemn,  or  doubt  of,  or  elfe  to  forfake  our  AfTemblies,  as  thou- 
fands  have  done.  And  no  better  Fruits  than  thefe  can  be  looked  for  from  the  re- 
taining and  impofing  of  thefe  Ceremonies,  unlefs  we  could  prefume,  that  all  his 
Majeity's  Subjeds  fhould  have  the  fame  Subtiltyof  Judgment  to  difcern  even  to  a 
Ceremony,  how  far  the  Power  of  Man  extends  in  the  Things  of  God,  which  is 
not  to  be  expected,  or  fhould  yield  Obedience  to  all  the  Impofitions  of  Men  con- 
cerning them  ,  without  inquiring  into  the  Will  of  God,  which  is  not  to  be  defi- 
red. 

We  do  therefore  moft  earneftly  entreat  the  Right  Reverend  Fathers  and  Bre- 
thren, to  whom  thefe  Papers  are  delivered,  as  they  tender  the  Glory  of  God,  the 
Honour  of  Religion,  the  Peace  of  the  Church,  the  Service  of  his  Majefty  in  the 
Accomplishment  of  that  happy  Union,  which  his  Majefty  hath  ib  abundantly  te- 
ftified  his  Defires  of,  to  joyn  with  us  in  importuning  his  moft  Excellent  Majefty, 
that  his  moft  gracious  Indulgence,  as  to  thefe  Ceremonies,  granted  in  his  Royal 
Declaration,  may  be  confirmed  and  continued  to  us  and  our  Pofterities,and  extend- 
ed to  fuch  as  do  not  yet  enjoy  the  Benefit  thereof. 

19.  As  to  that  PaiTage  in  his  Ma jefty's  Com miffion,  where  we  are  authorized ,' 
and  required  to  compare  the  prefent  Liturgy,  with  the  moft  ancient  Liturgies 
which  have  been  ufed  in  the  Church  ,  in  the  moft  pureft  and  primitive  Times : 
We  have  in  Obedience  to  his  Majefty's  Commiffion,  made  Enquiry,  but  cannot 
find  any  Records  of  known  Credit,  concerning  any  entire  Forms  of  Liturgy,with- 
in  the  firlt  Three  hundred  years,  which  are  confefted  to  bs  as  the  moft  primitive, 

fo 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  321 


(6  the  purefl:  Ages  of  the  Church:  Nor  any  Impofitions  of  Liturgies  upon  any  Na- 
tional Church  tor  fonie  hundreds  of  years  after.  We  find  indeed  lbme  Liturgical 
Forms  fathered  upon  St.  Bafil,  St.  Chryfoflome,  and  St.  Ambrofe,  but  we  have  not 
ieen  any  Copies  of  them,  but  fuch  as  give  us  fuffijient  Evidence  to  conclude  them 
either  wholly  fpurious,  or  fo  interpolated,  that  we  cannot  make  a  judgment  which 
in  them  hath  any  primitive  Authority. 

Having  thus  in  general  expreiTed  our  Defires,  we  come  now  to  particulars,  which 
we  find  numerous,  and  of  a  various  nature  ;  fome  we  grant  are  of  inferiour  Con- 
federation, verbal  rather  than  material  (which  were  they  not  in  the  Publick  Litur- 
gy of  fo  famous  a  Church,  we  fhould  not  have  mentioned)  others  dubious  and 
difputable,  as  not  having  a  clear  Foundation  in  Scripture  for  their  warrant :  but 
fbme  there  be  that  feem  to  be  corrupt,  and  to  carry  in  them  a  repugnancy  to  the 
Rule  of  the  Gofpel ;  and  therefore  have  adminiftred  jrtft  Matter  of  Exception  and 
Offence  to  many ,  truly  religious ,  and  peaceable  ;  not  of  a  private  i\ ation  on- 
ly, but  learned  and  judicious  Divines,  as  well  of  other  Reformed  Churches,  as  of 
the  Church  of  England,  ever  fince  the  Reformation. 

We  know  much  hath  been  fpoken  and  written  by  way  of  Apology,  in  An- 
fwer  to  many  things  that  have  been  objected  ;  but  yet  the  Doubts  and  Scruples  of 
Tender  Confciences  ftill  continue,  or  rather  are  increaled.  We  do  humbly  conceive 
it  therefore  a  Work  worthy  of  thofe  Wonders  of  Salvation ,  which  God  hath 
wrought  for  his  Majefty  now  on  the  Throne,  and  for  the  whole  Kingdom,  and 
exceedingly  becoming  the  Minifters  of  the  GofJDel  of  Peace,  with  all  holy  Mode- 
ration and  Tendernefs,  to  endeavour  the  removal  of  every  thing  out  of  the  Wor- 
fhip  of  God,  which  may  juftly  offend  or  grieve  the  Spirits  of  fober  and  godly  Peo- 
ple. The  Things  themfelves  that  are  defired  to  be  removed,  not  being  of  the  Foun- 
dation of  Religion,  nor  the  Eifentials  of  Publick  Worfhip,  nor  the  Removal  of 
them  any  way  tending  to  the  prejudice  of  the  Church  or  State :  Therefore  their 
Continuance,  and  rigorous  Impofition,  can  no  ways  be  able  to  countervail  the 
laying  afide  of  (b  many  pious  and  able  Miniflers,  and  the  unconceivable  grief  that 
will  arife  to  multitudes  of  his  Majefty's  mod  Loyal  and  Peaceable  Subjects,  who 
upon  all  occafions  are  ready  to  ferve  him  with  their  Prayers,  Eftates,  and  Lives. 
For  the  preventing  of  which  Evils,  we  humbly  defire  that  thefe  Particulars  fol- 
lowing, may  be  taken  into  lerious  and  tender  Confideration. 


Concerning  Morning  and  Evening  ^Prayer. 

Rubrick.  Exception. 

T?)at  ^njmitg;  atttl  C&cm'ltff  \T7E  defire  that  the  words  of  the 
iJ^aPeC  (ball  bt  UfeU  fit  tlje  at-  V V  firft  Rubrick  may  be  exprefled 
CttftOttieO  plate  Of  tlje  Cljttt'Clj,  as  in  the  Book  eftabliftied  by  Authority 
Chancel.,  0?  Cfiappel i  except  tt  be  of  Parliament  y  &  6  Edw.6.  Thus  [the 
lit  jertiH'fC  UetecmineH  bp  tftC  ©#)!--  Morning  and  Evening  Vrayerfliall  beujed  m 
ItatP  Of  tf)e  Place,  ant)  tlje  €&attCei  Jucb  place  of  the  Church,  Cbappel,  or  Cban- 
fijall  rettiam  a0  Ut  titties  paff*  eel,  and  the  Mimfter  fiall  fo  turn  him,  M 

the  People  may    befl  bear,  and  if  there  be 

any  Contreverfie  therein,  the  matter  Jhall  be 

referred  to  the  Ordinary. 

Rubrick.  Exception. 

Stttl  Ijete  IS  tO  be  UOtetl,  tfjat  tlje        Forafmuch  as  this  Rubrick  feemeth  to 

CPiniftet,  at  tlje  time  Of  tf)e  Com-    bring  back  the  Cope,  Albe,  &c  and  o- 

ttMttiOtt,  ant!  at  Otljet  times,  ill  W    thcr  Veftments  forbidden  by  the  Cora- 

^tllittration,    fljall  Ufe  fUClj  €)?na=     mon  Prayer  Book,  5  and  6  Edw.  6.  and 

meiltS  UX  tbe  CbUtCl),  aS  toete  itt    and  fo  our  Reafons  alledged  againft  Ce- 

Ufe  bV  autljO^ttP  Of  parliament,  in    remonies  under  our  Eighteenth  general 

tbe  €>eCOntl  pear  Of  tlje  Eeign  Of    Exception,  we  defire  it  may  be  wholly 

Edward  tbe  g)irtb,acco#infi;  to  tlj«  left  out. 
act  of  parliament* 

T  t  Rubrick, 


322 


Tbe'LIFE  of  the 


L  i  b.  I 


Rubrick. 

C&eLo$01&aper  after  t$e» 

fOltttlOn  t\m  t&Ug  5  Deliver  us  from 
Evil. 


Rubrick. 

3nt>  at  tlje  ens  of  eberp  IPfalm 
t&ousbout  tlje  pear,  aim  Hketoife 

itl  tlje  0ltH  Of  Benedi&us,  Benedicite, 
Magnificat,  56  Nunc  Dimitis,  fljall  be 
tcpeatCU,  Glory  to  the  Father,  &c. 


Rubrick. 

33tt  fucfj  places  fo&ete  tfjep  no 
fin&tljere  fljall  tfie  ILeffonje:  be  fling, 
in  a  plain  cune,  ana  Itftefoife,  tlje 
CpiftieantJ^ofpel 


Rubrick 
®l  tW  CantiCle  ,  Benedicite  om- 
nia opera. 


Exception. 
We  defire  that  thefe  words  ,  For  thine 
is  the  Kingdom  ,  the  power  and  the  glory  for 
ever  and  ever,  Amen,  May  be  always  ad- 
ded unto  the  Lord's  Prayer ;  and  that 
this  Prayer  may  not  be  enjoyned  to  be 
fo  often  ufed  in  Morning  and  Evening 
Service. 

Exception. 
By  this  Rubrick,  and  other  places  in 
the  Common  Prayer  Books,  the  Gloria 
Patri,  is  appointed  to  be  faid  fix  times  or- 
dinarily in  every  Morning  and  Evening 
Service,  frequently  eight  times  in  a  Morn- 
ing ;  fometimes  ten3  which  we  think  car- 
ries with  it  at  leaft  an  appearance  of 
that  vain  repetition  which  Chrift  forbids; 
for  the  avoiding  of  which  appearance  of 
evil,we  defire  it  may  be  ufed  but  once  in 
the  Morning,  and  once  in  the  Evening. 

Exception* 
The  Leffons ,  and  the  Epiftles,  and 
Goipels  being  for  the  mod  part  neither 
Pfalms  nor  Hymns,  we  know  no  war- 
rant why  they  mould  be  fung  in  any 
place,  and  conceive  that  the  diftinA 
Reading  of  them  with  an  audible  voice, 
tends  more  to  the  Edification  of  the 
Church. 

Exception. 
We  defire  that  fomePfalm  or  Scripture 
Hymn  may  be  appointed  inftead  of  that 
Apocryphal. 


In  the  Letany. 


Rubrick. 

"CEont  ail  tfojmcatton5anti  all  o< 
I  tijec  oeamp  fin. 


Rubrick. 

from  battel,  ana  ^uttfjer^anti 
futJOen  Deatlj. 


Rubrick. 

Cfjat  it  map  pleafc  tljee  to  p?e<- 
fetbe  ail  tijat  trabel  bp  laito  01  bp 
vuatecj  all  toonten  labouring  tottfj 
cljtlo,  all  ficfc  petfong,  ano  poung 
ebiitqen,  ann  to  fljeui  tljp  pitp  upon 
all  p?tfonergim&  captibesi. 


Exception. 

IN  regard  that  the  wages  of  fin  is 
death;  we   defire  that  this  Claufe 
may  be  thus  altered,  From  Fornication.and 
all  other  heinous,  or  grievous  fins. 
Exception. 
Becaufe  this  Expreffion  of  fudden  death 
hath  been  fo  often  excepted  againft,  we 
defire,  if  it  be  thought  fit,  it  may  be  thus 
read,  From  battel  and  murther,  and  from 
dying  fuddenly,  and  unprepared. 
Exception. 
We  defire  the  term  (AH)  may  be  ad- 
vifed  upon,  as  feeming  liable  to  juft  Ex- 
ceptions, and  that  it  may  be  confidered, 
whether  it  may  not  better  be  put  indefi- 
nitely, thofi  that  travel ,  &c.  rather  than 
univerfaUy. 


The  CoUeSt  on  Chriflmas  Day* 


Rubrick. 


Exception^ 

ALmtgljtP  ^0H5UJljtCb  Jaff  gtben  \T7  E  defire  that  in  both  Collets  the 
US  tljp  Ottlp  begotten  €>0n,  tO  V  V  word  (Tbu  day)  may  be  left  out, 
tafte  OUr Mature  Upon  ljim,anH  tfjlg  it  being  according  to  vulgar  acceptation 
Dap  to  be  bom  Of  a  pure  f£Jirfitfn,$ Cf    a  Contradiction, 

Rubrick: 


P  a  r  t  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         323 


Rubrick. 

Cljen  fljall  follofo  tfje  Collect  of 
tlje  J&atimtp ,  to&ictj  fljall  fce  fatH 

Continual!?  tmtO  New-years-day. 


The  Colle&for  Wkitfunday. 


Rubrick. 

G£>ti  fofjtcfi  upon  tW  nap,  $c 
Rubrick. 

CI)e  fame  Collect  to  fie  rean  on 
^onnapano  Cuesttiap  tn  Whitfon- 

week. 

Rubrick. 
CfjetfoO  Collect^  f02_    %t  John's 

tiap,  ann  innocents,  tlje  Collects;  fo? 


We  defire  that  thefe  Col  lefts  may  1  e 
further  confidered  and  debated,as  having 


tlje  fiCff  W  in  Lent,  fa^  tlje  fOUrtlj    in  them,  divers  things  that  we  judge  rk 
©ttUHap  after    Eafter,    f0£  Trinity     to  be  altered. 
Sunday  ,    fO£   tlje  fiJCtlj  Htltl  ttt)elft6 
g)tmOaP  after  Trinity,  foj  $t.Luke'0 
Hap>  anb  Michaelmas  $ap. 

The  Order  for  the  Adminiftration  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 


"•  Rubrick. 

cOmanp  as  tntenn  to  be  parta< 
» 1  Kerjs  of  tlje  ipolp  Communion 
fljall  figmfie  tfjeir  Barnes  to  tlje 
Curate  otteMtigljt,  01  cife  m  tlje 
S^ojnmff  before  tlje  foeBimiins  of 
spomtns  leaver,  01  immeointelp 
after. 

Rubrick. 

anti  if  anp  of  tljefe  fee  a  notori- 
ous cult  lifoer,  tlje  Curate  Ijatrins 
knotulcoee  thereof,  fljall  call  Ijim, 
ano  aBUcrti^e  Ijtm  in  anp  toife  not 
to  pgerume  to  tlje  loin's  ^afcle. 


Rubrick. 

djenfljalltljepjieft  refjearfeUt* 
ffimtip  ail  tljetenCommannments, 
ano  tlje  people  ftneelin&fljall  after 
etoerp  Commanoment  asfe  ^ofc's 
mercp  fo?  tranQjreffinjj  tlje  fame. 


Exception. 

THe  time  here  affigned  for  notice  to 
be  given  to  the  Minifter,  is  not  fui- 
ficient. 


Exception. 

We  defire  the  Minifters  power  both 
to  admit  and  keep  from  the  Lord's  Ta- 
ble, may  be  according  to  his  Majefty's 
Declaration  ,  2j  Oclob.  1660.  in  thefe 
words,  The  Minifter  fljall  admit  none  to  the 
Lords  Supper,  till  they  have  made  a  credi- 
ble Trofejjion  of  their  Faith ,  and  promifed 
Obedience  to  the  Will  of  God,  according  at  is 
expreJJ'ed  in  the  Confederations  of  the  Rubrick 
before  the  Catechifm,  and  that  all  pojfible  di- 
ligence be  ufedfor  the  In/lruclion  and  Refor- 
mation of  Scandalous  Offenders  ,  whom  the 
Minifter  pall  not  fuffer  to  partake  of  the 
Lord's  Table,  until  they  have  openly  declared 
themfelves  to  have  truly  repented  and  amend- 
ed their  former  naughty  lives,  as  is  partly 
expreJJ'ed  in  the  Rubrick,  and  more  fully  in  the 
Canons. 

Exception. 

We  defire, 

1.  That  the  Preface,  prefixed  by  God 
himfelf  to  the  ten  Commandments,  may 
be  reftored. 

2.  That  the  fourth  Commandment 
may  be  read,  as  in  Exod.  20.  Deut.  5-.  He 
blejjed  the  Sabbath  day. 

3.  That  neither  Minifter  nor  People 
may  be  enjoyned  to  kneel  more  at  1  ag 
reading  ofthis,than  of  other  parts  of  Scrip- 

T  t  2  tures 


324 


The  LIFE  of  the 


Lib.  I% 


tures,  the  rather  becaufe  many  ignorant  Perfons  are  thereby  induced  to  ufe  the 
Ten  Commandments  as  a  Prayer. 

4  That  inftead  of  thofe  fhort  Prayers  of  the  People,  intermixed  with  the  fe- 
veral  Commandments,  the  Minifter  after  the  reading  of  all  may  conclude  with 
a  fuitable  Prayer. 

Rubrick.  Exception. 

After  tfie  Creed,  tf  tfiere  be  WO  We  defire,  that  the  Preaching  of  the 
g&erttlOll,  (ball  fOllOfo  One  Of  tfte     Word  may  be  ftridly  enjoined,  and  not 


Ipomilies  alreabpfet  fotfb>o?  bete- 
after  to  be  fet  fotfb  ty  common 
autbo?itp* 

after  fuel)  Sermon,  i^omflp,  o* 
cE]ctjo?tation,  tlje  Curate  (ball  be- 
dare,  &c  anb  earneftip  erbotf 
tljcm  to  remember  tbe  \dmh  faptng 
one  01  mo?e  of  tljefe  fentences  fci- 
louiing* 

Cbeu  tbnll  tbe  Cbutcb  marbens, 


left  (b  indifferent  at  the  Administration 
of  the  Sacraments,  as  alfo  that  Minifters 
may  not  be  bound  to  thofe  things  which 
are  are  as  yet  but  future  and  not  in 
being. 

Two  c  f  the  Sentences  here  cited  are 
Apocryphal  d;id  four  of  them  more  pro- 
per to  draw  or  the  Peoples  Bounty  to 
their  Minifters,  than  their  Charity  to 
the  Poor. 

Collection  for  the  Poor  may  be  better 
Q£ Tome  Otber^lbem  appothtebi  made  at  or  a  little  before  the  departing 
gatfier  tlje  DebOttOn  Of  t&e  L^eO'    of  the  Communicants. 

pie* 

Exhortation. 

Wt  be  CUttie  together  at  tbte  If  it  be  intended  that  thefe  Exhortati- 

ttme  tO  feeb  at  tbe  10?bj3  ^Upper,  ons  mould  be  read  at  the  Communion, 

ItntO  tbe  fobiCb  tn  ^0bj3  beljalf  3  they  feem  to  us  to  be  uufeafonable. 

bib  pcu  all  tbat  be  bete  pjefent,anb 
befeecb  Pou  fo?  tbe  no?b  3iefu^ 
Cbnft  fake  tbat  pe  toill  not  refufe 
to  come,  &c. 

Cbe  toav-anb  means  tbereto  10  fitff  to  examine  pour  Libes  anb  Con* 
&erfation0,  anb  if  pe  fljall  perceibe  pour  offences  to  be  fucb  a«s  be  not 
onip  agatnff  ®ob,  but  alfo  again!!  pour  5!2eigbbour&  tben  pe  (ball  re- 
concile pour  felbejs  unto  tljem,  anb  be  reabp  to  make  Keftitution  anb 
Satisfaction* 


anb  becaufe  it  is  requifite  tbat 
no  man  iboulb  come  to  tbe  ijolp 
Communion,  but  toitb  a  full  trull 
fit  ®objS  mercp  anb  toitb  a  quiet 
confeience. 

Before  the  Confeffion. 

Cben  (ball  tbte  general  Confef* 

fiOU  be  mabe  in  the  name  of  all  thofe 

tbat  are  minbeb  to  receibe  tbeljolp 
Communion  eitber  bp  one  of  them, 
o?  elfe  bp  one  of  tbe  $Mniffer&  Ql 
bp  tbe  l^ielt  btmfelf 

Before  the  Confeffion. 

Cben  Iball  tbe  Well  oi  tlje  T3f- 
fyop  (being  p^efent)  ftanb  up,  anb 
turning  bimfelf  to  tbe  people  fap 
tlju-s. 

Before  the  Preface  on  Chriftmas  day, 
and  7  days  after. 

becaufe  tbou  bibtt  gibe  Mus 
Cbrift  tbine  onip  ©on  to  be  bojn  as 
tfjisDapfor  u&  &c. 


We  fear  this  may  difcourage  many  from 
coming  to  the  Sacrament,  who  lye  un- 
der a  doubting  and  troubled  Confei- 
ence. 


We  defire  it  may  be  made  by  the  Mi- 
nifter only. 


Exception. 
The  Minifter  turning  himfelf  to  the 
People  is  moft  convenient  throughout 
the  whole  Miniftration. 


Firfi,  We  cannot  peremptorily  fix  the 
Nativity  of  our  Saviour  to  this  or  that 
day  particularly  :  Secondly,  it  (eems  in- 
congruous to  affirm  the  Birth  of  Chrift 


Uptn 


P  a  t\  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  325 

Upon  Wbitfunday  t   and  fix  days  af-    and  the  defending  of  the  Holy  Ghofho 
ter.  be  on  this  day  for  (even  or  eight  days  to- 

accojoino;  to  fo&ofe  moff  true   gether. 
pjomtfe  tbe  l^olp  ®boff  came  notutt 
t&te  nap  from  ipeatoen. 


Prayer  before  that  which  is  at  the 
Confecration. 

®?ant  w  tbat  our  firtfttl  bonieg 
map  be  wane  clean  ftp  big  l3onj>, 
ann  our  g>oulis  nmfljeo  t6^oug&  fjttf 
molt  precious  tiicon. 


We  defire,  that  whereas  thefc  Words 
feem  to  give  a  greater  efficacy  to  the 
Blood  than  to  the  Body  of  Chrift,  they 
may  be  altered  thus,  That  our  fmfnl  fouls 
and  bodies  may  be  clean/ed  through  his  preci- 
ous Body  and  Blood. 

We  conceive  that  the  manner  of  the 

5)eat  tl?3  ©  merciful  JFatfoer,  &c.     confecrating  of  the  Elements  is  not  here 

foljO  In  tfje  fame  ntgljt  tljat  fje  foaa    explicite  and  diftina enough,and  theMi 


Prayer  at  the  Confecration. 


betrapen,  tcok  b?can,  ann  luljenfje 
banffibentbanlijs,  bebjafceit,  ann 
gabe  to  W  Diftipleg ,  faping;, 
Cafce,  eat,  &c 

Rubrick. 

Cfjen  (ball  tbe  Minifter  flrtt  re* 
ceibe  tbe  Communion  in  botb 
feinns,  $c  ann  after  neither  it  to 
tbe  people  in  tljeitbanng  kneeling \ 
ann  uifcen  \)t  oeliberetb  tbe  brean> 

f)Z  fljall  faP,  The  Body  of  our  Lord  Jefus 


nifters  breaking  of  the  Bread  is  not  (6  much 
as  mentioned. 


We  defire,  that  at  the  Diftribution  of 
the  Bread  and  Wine  to  the  Communi- 
cants, we  may  u(e  the  Words  of  our 
Saviour  as  near  as  may  be,  and  that  the 
Minifter  be  not  required  to  dehver  the 
Bread  and  Wine  into  every  particular 


Chrift  i  which  was  given  for  thee,  preferve     Communicants  hand,  and  to  repeat  the 


thy  body  and  foul  unto  everlafimg  Ltfe,  and 
take  and  eat  this  in  Remembrance t  &c 


words  to  each  one  in  the  fingular  num- 
ber, but  that  it  may  fiiffice  to  Ipeak  them 
to  divers  jointly,  according  to  our  Sa- 
viours Example. 

We  alio  defire,  that  the  Kneeling  at 
the  Sacrament  (it  being  not  that  Gelture 
which  the  Apoftles  ufed,  though  Chrift 
was  perfonally  prefent  amongft  them, 
nor  that  which  was  ufed  in  the  pureft  and 
primitive  times  of  the  Church)  may  be 
left  free,  as  it  was  i.  and  2.  ED  W.  As 
touching  Kneeling,  &c.  they  may  be  ufed  or 
hft  as  every  Mans  Devotion  ferveth,  with- 
out blame. 

Exception . 
Forafmuch  as  every  Parijhioner  is  not  du- 
ly qualified  for  the  Lord's  Supper,  and 
thoie  habitually  prepared  are  not  at  all 
times  aclually  difpoied,  but  many  may 
be  hindered  by  the  Providence  of  God, 
and  ibme  by  the  Diftemper  of  their  own 
Spirits ;  we  defire  this  Rubrick  may  be 
either  wholly  omitted,  or  thus  altered  ; 

Every  Minifter  mall  be  bound  to  ad- 
minifter  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per  at  leaft  thrice  a  Year,  provided  there 
be  a  due  number  of  Communicants  ma- 
nifefting  their  Defires  to  receive. 
And  we  defire  that  the  following  Rubrick  in  the  Common-Prayer-Book  in  $• 
iknd  8  Edw.  eftabliflied  by  Law  as  much  as  any  other  part  of  the  Common-Prayer- 
Book,  may  be  reftored  for  the  vindicating  of  our  Church  in  the  matter  of  Kneel- 
ing at  the  Sacrament  (although  the  Gefture  be  lefc  indifferent)  ['  Although  no  or- 
c  der  can  be  lb  perfectly  deviled,  but  it  may  be  of  fome,  either  for  their  Ignorance 
'  and  Infirmity,  or  elfe  of  Malice  and  Obftinacy,  miiconltrued,  depraved,  and  in- 
*  terpreted  in  a  wrong  part ;  and  yet,  becauie  brotherly  Charity  willeth  that  fo  much 


Rubrick. 

ann  note,  tbat  eberp  parifljto^ 
iter  (ball  Communicate  at  tbe 
lead  tljree  times  in  tlje  pear,  of 
tofjiclj  Eafter  to  be  one,  ann  fljall  al- 
Co  receive  tbe  gmcramentg  ann  o= 
tber  Eite&  acco^nins  to  tbe  ©i« 
nerjs  in  tW  'Book  appotnten. 


32<?  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


*  as  conveniently  may  be,  Offences  fhould  be  taken  away,  therefore  are  we  willing 
f  to  do  the  fame.    Whereas  it  is  ordained  in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  in  the 

*  Adminiftration  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  that  the  Communicant  kneeling  fhould  re- 
c  ceive  the  holy  Communion,  which  thing  being  well  meant  for  a  fignification  of 
'  the  humble  and  grateful  Acknowledging  of  the  Benefits  of  Chrift  given  unto  the 

*  worthy  Receivers,  and  to  avoid  the  prophanation  and  diforder  which  about  the 
(  holy  Communion  might  elfe  enfue,  left  yet  the  fame  Kneeling  might  be  thought 

*  or  taken  otherwife,  We  do  declare,  that  it  is  not  meant  thereby  that  any  Adora- 
c  tion  is  done  or  ought  to  be  done  either  unto  the  Sacramental  Bread  or  Wine,  there 

*  bodily  received,  or  unto  any  real  or  effential  Prefence  there  being  of  Chrifr's  na- 
'  tural  Flefh  and  Blood  :  For  as  concerning  the  Sacramental  Bread  and  Wine,  they 
'  remain  ftill  in  their  very  natural  Subftances,  and  therefore  may  not  be  adored  j 
'  for  that  were  Idolatry  to  be  abhorred  of  all  faithful  Chriftians :  and  as  concern- 
c  ing  the  natural  Body  and  Blood  of  our  Saviour  Chrift,  they  are  in  Heaven,  and 
r  not  here,  for  it  is  againft  the  Truth  of  Chrift's  natural  Body  to  be  in  more  places 

*  than  in  one  at  one  time. 


Of  Tublich^  "Baptifm. 

THERE  being  divers  Learned,  Pious,  and  Peaceable  Mi- 
nifters,  who  not  only  judge  it  unlawful  to  Baptize  Chil- 
dren, whofe  Parents  both  of  them  are  Atheifts,  Infidels,  Here- 
ticksj  or  Unbaptifed,  but  alfofuch  whofe  Parents  are  Excommu- 
nicate Perfons,  Fornicators,  or  otherwife  notorious  and  fcanda- 
lous  Sinners  5  We  defire  they  may  not  be  enforced  to  Baptize 
the  Children  of  fuch,  until  they  have  made  due  Profeffion  of 
their  Repentance. 

Before  Baptifm. 
Rubrick.  Exception. 

Patents  QjaU  gtte  nOttCC  OfceC  We  defire  that  more  timely  notice 
ttl'BW,  0?  m  t&e  WO^nmff*  may  be  give*. . 

Rubrick.  Exception. 

3n&  tfte  ®0&fatljet:03  anH  tfie  Here  is  no  mention  of  the  Parents,  in 
^OUttlOtfierjS,  fttffl  tje  People  fcHtfi  whofe  right  the  Child  is  baptifed,  and 
tfjC  C&iltltehj  &c  wno  are  fitteft  both  to  dedicate  it  unto 

God,  and  to  covenant  for  it :  We  do 
not  know  that  any  Perfons,  except  the 
Parents,  or  fbme  others  appointed  by 
them,  have  any  Power  to  content  for 
the  Children,  or  to  enter  them  into  Co- 
venant. We  defire  it  may  be  left  free 
to  Paj^ts,  whether  they  will  have  Sure- 
ties rotgdertake  for  their  Children  in 
BaptifiMPno. 

Rubrick.  Exception. 

EeaUP  at  tfie  jFOttt  We  defire  it  may  be  fo  placed  as  all 

the  Congregation  may  beft  fee  and  hear 

the  whole  Adminiftration. 

In  the  firfl:  Prayer. 

OB?  tlje  'Baptifttl  Of  t&P  fKLtelbe*        It  being  doubtful  whether  either  the 

iOfceB  £>0tt>  &c.  Uftlft  fanaffie  tlje     Flood  Jordan,  or  any  other  Waters  were 

flOOtl  Jordan,  ailH  all  OtfiettUate^    fan&ified   to  a    Sacamental   Uk ,    by 

to 


Part  II.   Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  327 

tO  tfje  301?tttCal  ttiafljfng  atOaP  Of    Chrift's  being  baptized,  and  not  necef- 
©iltj  &c.  fery  to  be  aiferted,  we  defire  this  may  be 

otherwife  exprdfed. 
The  third  Exhortation. 


£)o  pjomtfe  bp  pou  tftat  fie  t&eic 
fcuretiw. 

The  Qneftions. 

Doefttbou  folate,  &c. 
Doeff  tljou  believe,  &c 
Cfflftt  tfiou  be  TBapttjefc  &c 


The  fecond  Prayer  before  Baptifm. 

99ap  tecette  remiffton  of  &ftt0 
bp  fptntual  Eeffenecatfon 


In  the  Prayer  after  Baptifm. 

Cfjat  tt  batb  pleafeti  tljee  to  re^ 
generate  tW  infant  ty  tfip  boip 
dptcft 


After  Baptifm. 


We  know  not  by  what  right  the  Sure- 
ties do  promile  and  anfrver  in  the  Name 
of  the  Infant:  it  ieemeth  to  us  a!fo  to 
countenance  the  AnabaptifHcal  Opini- 
on of  the  neceflity  of  an  a&ual  Prcfcf- 
fion  of  Faith  and  Repentance  in  Order 
to  Baptifm.  That  fuch  a  Proieflion  may 
be  required  of  Parents  in  their  own 
Name ,  and  now  folemnly  renewed 
when  they  prefent  their  Children  to  Bap- 
tifm, we  willingly  grant :  but  the  asking 
of  one  for  another  is  a  Pra&icc  whole 
warrant  we  doubt  of ;  and  therefore  we 
defire  that  the  two  firft  Interrogatories 
may  be  put  to  the  Parents  to  be  anfwer- 
ed  in  their  own  Names,  and  the  laft 
propounded  to  the  Parents  or  Pro-parents 
thus,  Will  you  have  this  Child  Baptised  in- 
to this  Faith  ? 


This  expreffion  feeming  inconvenf- 
ent,  We  defire  it  may  be  changed  into 
this ;    May  be  regenerated  and  receive  the 


Remijfion  of  Sins. 


We  cannot  in  Faith  lay,  that  every 
Child  that  is  baptized  is  regenerated  by 
God's  Holy  Sfirtt ;  at  leaft  it  is  a  difputa- 
ble  point,  and  therefore  we  defire  it  may 
be  otherwiie  expreffec?. 


C&en  fljau  t&e 
Croffc  &c 


Pgieft  tttftfce  SI        Concerning  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm,  we 
refer  to  our  1 8th  General. 


Of  "Private  "Baptifm. 


WE  defire  that  Baptifm  may  not  be  adminiftred  in  a  private  place  at 
any  time,  unlefs  by  a  lawful  Minifter,  and  in  the  prefence  of  a  compe- 
tent Number :  That  where  it  is  evident  that  any  Child  hath  been  (b  baptifed,  no 
part  of  the  Adminiftration  may  be  reiterated  in  publick,  under  any  Limitations  s 
And  therefore  we  fee  no  need  of  any  Liturgy  in  that  Cafe. 


Of 


328 


The  LIFE  of  the 


Lib.] 


Of  the  Catechijm. 


Catechifm. 
i  Quefi.\X7Ha.t  is  your  Name,  &c. 

W      2  Quefk.  Who  gave  you 
that  Name  ? 

AnC^p  ®onfati)et0  an*  mp  <^on* 
motljetis  in  mp  baptifm, 

.3  Queft.  What  did  your  Godfathers 
and  Godmothers  do  for  you  in  Baptifm  ? 

2  Anf  3n  mp  'Baptifm,  fo&erein 
3  tnais  mane  a  CJjUti  of  <®on,  a 
Member  of  Cf)?tft5  aim  ait  3lnfjeri< 
toi  of  tije  fttmjoom  of  $ea&em 


Exception. 

WE  defire  thefe  three  firft  Quefti- 
ons  may  be  altered  ;  considering 
that  the  far  greater  number  of  Perfons 
Baptized  within  thefe  Twenty  years  laft 
paft,  had  no  Godfathers  or  Godmothers 
at  their  Baptifm  :  The  like  to  be  done 
in  the  feventh  Queftion. 

We  conceive  it  might  be  more  fafely 
expreffed  thus  j  Wherein  J  was  vtfibly  ad- 
mitted into  the  number  of  the  Members  of 
Chrifl,  the  Children  of  God,  and  the  Heirs 
(rather  than  Inheritors)  of  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven. 

We  defire  that  the  Commandments  be 
inferted  according  to  the  New  Tranfla- 
tion  of  the  Bible. 

In  this  Anfwer  there  feems  to  be  par- 
ticular refpect  to  the  leveral  Command- 
ments of  the  firft  Table,  as  in  the  follow- 
ing Anfwer  to  thole  of  the  fecond.  And 
therefore  we  defire  it  may  be  advifed  up- 
on, whether  to  the  laft  word  of  this  An- 
fwer may  not  be  added  [  particularly  on 
the  Lord's  day]  otherwife  there  being  no- 
thing in  all  this  Anfwer  that  refers  to  the 
fourth  Commandment. 

14  Queji.  How  many  Sacraments  hath        That  thefe  words  may  be  omitted,and 
Chrift  ordained,  &c  ?  Anfwer  thus  given  ;  Jwo  only  ,  Baptifm 

Anf  %\VQ  OllIP,  aSS  general^  tte*     and  the  Lord's  Supper. 

ceflarp  to  @>attattom 


Of  the  Rehearfal  of  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments. 

io  Anf  90p  DUt?  tOfcat&jS  t$0t) 

to  to  fceliefce  in  Sim,  $c; 


We  defire  that  the  entring  Infants  in- 
to God's  Covenant  may  be  more  wari- 
ly expreffed,  and  that  the  words  may 
not  feem  to  found  their  Baptifm  upon  a 
really  actual  Faith  and  Repentance  of  their 
own ;  and  we  defire  that  a  promife  may 
not  be  taken  for  a  performance  effuch  Faith 
and  Repentance  :  and  efpecially,  that  it  be 
20  Quefi.  Why  then  are  Infants  bap-    not  afferted,  that  they  perform  thefe  by 
tized  when  by  reafon  of  ther  tender  Age     the  promife  of  their  Sureties,  it  being  to 
th^v  rannnr-  tWnrm  th*m  ?  the  Seea>  0f  Beuewrs  tnat  the  Covenant 


19  Quefk,  What  is  required  of  Perfons 
to  be  Baptized  ? 

Anr  Eepentance ,  fo&erebp  tijep 
fojfafce  fin>  ano  fait!),  fofierefcp 
tljep  ffetifaftlp  WitU  t&e  l^omifeg 
of  ^00,  $c* 


they  cannot  perform  them  r 

Anf  ges  %  tfiep  no  perform  ftp 
t&etr  Sureties ,  tofjo  promife  ano 
Hott)  tljembotfj  in  tjjeit  5I2ame& 


of  God  is  made  ;  and  not  ( that  we  can 
find)  to  all  that  that  have  fuch  believing 
Sureties,  who  are  neither  Parents, nor  Pro- 
parents  of  the  Child. 
In  the  general  we  obferve,  That  the  Doctrine  of  the  Sacraments  which  was  ad- 
ded upon  the  Conference  at  Hampton-Court,  is  much  more  fully   and  particularly 
delivered  than  the  other  parts  of  the  Catechifm,  in  fhort  Anfwers  fitted  to  the  me- 
mories of  Children,  and  thereupon  we  offer  it  to  be  confidered  : 

Firft,  Whether  there  mould  not  be  a  more  diftinct  and  full  Explication  of  the 
Creed,  the  Commandments,  and  the  Lord's  Prayer. 

Secondly,  Whether  it  were  not  convenient  to  add  (what  feems  to  be  wanting  ) 
fomewhat  particularly  concerning  the  Nature  of  Faith  ,  of  Repentance  ,  the  two 
Covenants,  of  Juftification,  San&ification,  Adoption,  and  Regeneration. 


Of 


J-  ■ , 

Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  3251 

Of  Confirmation. 

The  laft  Rubrick  before  the  Catechilm. 

AjfrtJ  tfjat  HO  SI9ait  ftnll  tfjiltk  A  Lthough  we  charitably  fuppofe  the 

tljat  ailj>  Detlltnent  (ball  Come  *"•  meaning  of  thefe  words  was  only 

tO  Cl)litl^eit    bp  Uefetrtng  Of  tfjeiC  to  exclude  the  necejfity  of  any  other  Sacra- 

Confirmation,   IjC  ftjall  fenoU)  fO^  writs  to  baptized  Infants; yet thefe  words 

ttlttjh  tfjat  it  10  Cettaitt  bV  $OtT0  are  dangerous  as  to  the  mifleading  of 

mo&,  t6at  CljtlU^en  befnjX  bapti-  the  Vulgar,  and  therefore  we  defire  they 

5eU,  babe  all  tbtnotf  neceffatp  fo?   may  be  expunged, 
t&ett  ®albation,  anb  be  unbonbt* 
tW  fabeD* 

Rubrick  afcer  the  Catechifm. 
©0  fOOtt  a<3  tJje  CljilO^en  Can  fap  We  conceive  that  it  is  not  a  fufficient 
fit  tljCtC  ^Otl)eC=tOngtie  tlje  3ttt«  qualification  forConfirmation.thatChil- 
C(eS  Of  tl)e  Jf  aitlj?  tfje  10^00  P^ap-  dren  be  able  memonter  10  repeat  the  Ar- 
et,  antJ  tbe  Cen  €ommanbment0,  ticlesof  the  Faith,  commonly  called,  the 
ann  Can  anttner  fUCf)  Otljet  CUieftt*  Apoftles  Creed,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and 
On0  Of  tljtg  fl)0?t  CateCfjtfm,  SC  the  Ten  Commandments  ,  and  to  an- 
V)Z\\  (ball  tbCP  be  tyOUgbt  tO  tbe  fwertofomeQueftionsof  thismortCa- 
T6tfl)0p,  $C»  aitU  tlje  OdlfljOp  fljafl  techifm  ;  for  it  is  often  found  that  Chil- 
Conficm  tljem.  dren  are  able  to  do  all  this  at  four  or  five 

years  old.  2dly,  It  crofles  what  is  Cud  in 
the  third  Reafon  of  the  firft  Rubrick  before  Confirmation,  concerning  the  ufage  of 
the  Church  in  times  pair,  ordaining  that  Confirmation  mould  be  miniftred  unto 
them  that  were  of  perfect  Age,  that  they  being  inftrufted  in  the  Chriftian  Religi- 
on, mould  openly  profefs  their  own  Faith,  and  promife  to  be  obedient  to  the  Will 
of  God.  And  therefore  ( 3 dly),  we  defire  that  none  may  be  Confirmed  but  ac- 
cording to  his  Ma jefty's  Declaration,  viz.  That  Confirmation  be  rightly  and  folemnly 
performed  by  the  Information,  and  with  the  Confent  of  the  Minifier  of  the  place. 

Rubrick  after  the  Catechilm. 
CljCn  (ball  tbC]>  be  tyOUS&t  tO  tlje         This  feems  to  bring  in  another  fort  of 
*Bl(bop   fy>  One  tbat   (bail  be  \,\#    Godfathers    and    Godmothers .  befides 
©ODfatfjer,  01  ^ObmOtbeC*  tbofe  made  ufe  of  in  Baptifm  ;  and  we 

lee  no  need  either  of  the  one,  or  the  o- 
ther. 

The  Prayer  before  the   Impofition  of 

Hands. 
.   £ObO  baft  bOUCbfafeU  tO  tegene-        This  fuppofeth  that  all  the  Children 
tate  tbefe  tbP  £>etbant0  bP  ©Hatet     who  are  brought  to  be  confirmed,  have 

ano  tbe  Ipolp  $boft,  anb  baft  giben   the  spirit  ofcfctjt,  and  the  frgivenejs  of 

tUltO   tljem  tbe  fO&ibettefa  Of  all     aU  their  fim  .Whereas  a  great  number  of 
tbettftn0»  Children  at  that  Age ,  having  commit- 

ted many  fins  fince  their  Baptilm,  do 
fliew  no  Evidence  of  ferious  Repentance,  or  of  any  fpecial  Saving  Grace  :  And 
therefore  this  Confirmation  ( if  admininred  to  Juch  )  would  be  a  perillous  and  groft 
Abule. 

Rubrick    before   the    Impofition  of 

Hands. 
tRjetttbe  'Bilbop  (ball  IaP  Ijte        This  feems  to  put  a  higher  value  up- 
battb  Ott  ebeCP  €btlb  febetallp.  on  Confirmation,  then  upon  Baptifm  or 

the  Lords  Supper  ;  for  according  to  the 
Rubrick  and  Order  in  the  Common-Prayer-Book  ,  every  Deacon  may  Baptize  , 
and  every  Minifier  may  confecrate  and  adminifter  the  Lord's  Supper,  but  the  Bi- 
ftop  only  may  Confirm. 

V  7        -  The 


330  1  he  L  I  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I 


The  Prayer  after  Impofition  of  Hands. 

£0e  makC  OUt  IjUinblC  S>ttppltCa=  We  defire  that  the  Pra&iceof  the  A- 
ttOlTS  UntO  tljCC  fO?  tfjCfeCfrtltyetl;  poMes  may  not  be  alledged  as  a  ground 
UPOU  ttJljom,  after  tlje  CjCattlple  Of  of  this  Impofition  of  Hands  for  the  Con- 
tljP  ^>Ofp  apo(tle0,  fc>e  fjaiie  lattl  OUC  fnmation  of  Children,  both  becaufe  the 
^ailt!05  tO  Cetttfie  tljettt  ft?  tl)i#  Apoftles  did  never  uie  it  in  that  Cafe,  as 
@ign  Of  tljP  JFafcOUr  aitH  gtaUOUS  alio  becaufe  the  Articles  of  the  Church 
^OOtWefS  tOU)acU0  tfjeW.  of  England  declare  it  to  be  a  corrupt  imi- 

tation of  the  Apojtles  practice,  A&s  2  5-. 
We  defire  that  Impofition  of  Hands  may  not  be  made  as  here  it  is,  a  Sign  to  cer- 
tifie  Children  of  Gods  Grace   and   Favour  towards  them  ,  becaufe  this  ieems  to 
fpeak  it  a  Sacrament,  and  is  contrary  to  that  fore-mentioned  2  jth  Article  ,  which 
faith,  That  Confirmation  hath  no  vifibk  Sign  appointed  by  God. 

The  laft  Rubrick  after  Confirmation.  We  defire  that  Confirmation  may  not 

BOlte  fljall  &e  atmrittetl  tOtlje  IjOlp  be  made  fo  neceffary  to  the  Holy  Com- 

CommuntOn,  Until  fltClj  time  as»  !)e  munion,  as  that  none  ihould  be  admit- 

cait  fap  tlje  CateCfiifm,  anU  l)e  COn-  ted  to  it  unlefs  they  be  confirmed. 

ftcmeti. 


Of  the  Form  of  Solemnisation  of  Matrimony. 

TpZ  ©an  fljall  gtte  tfie  tHomatt    QEeing  this  Ceremony  of  the  Ring  in 
a  King)  $C fljall  fUtel?     O  Marriage  is  made  neceffary  to  it,  and 

perform  antl  feeep  tlje  (LlOtn  an&  a  fignificant  Sign  of  the  Vow  and  Co- 
COtienant  fcCttMjtt  tfjem  maUe,  venant  betwixt  the  Parties;  and  Ro- 
tUljCteOf  tljiS  EtUg  gi^en  anU  re-  mifli  Ritualifts  give  fuch  Reafonsfor  the 
CetDeU  IS  a  COfcen  ant»  PteDge3  $C    Ufeand  Inftitution  of  the  Ring ,  as  are 

either  frivolous  or  fuperftitious.  It  is  de- 
fired  that  this  Ceremony  of  the  Ring  in 
Marriage  may  be  left  indifferent ,to  be  ufed 
or  forborn. 

Clje  ©ait  fljall  fap>  With  my  Body  This  word  [worfiip]  being  much  al- 
I  thee  worinip.  tered  in  the  life  of  it  fince  this  Form 

was  firft  drawn  up  ;  We  defire  fome  o- 
ther  word  may  be  ufed  inftead  of  it 

3Stt  tlie  l^ame  Of  tlje  Jf atljer,antl  Thefe  words  being  only  ufed  in  Bap- 
Of  tlje  ^OUj  anU  Of  tfie  IpOlp  ®f)Oft.    tlfm,  and  herein  the  Solemnization  of 

Matrimony,  and  in  the  Abfolution  of 
the  Sick  ;  We  defire  it  may  be  confider- 
ed,  whether  they  mould  not  be  here  o- 
mitted,  leaft  they  fhould  feem  to  favour 
thofe  who  count  Matrimony  a  Sacrament. 

CiU  Deatlj  US  Uepatt  This  word  [depart]  is  here  improperly. 

ufed. 

Rubrick.  Exception. 

Clien  tlje  ©millet  0?  Clerk  gO-  We  conceive  this  Change  of  Place 
fttg  tO  tlje  LO?OS  Catle,  fljall  fap  0?  and  Pofture  mentioned  in  thefe  two  Ru- 
fWg  tljiS  IPfalm.  bricks  is  needlefs,  and  therefore  defire  it 

may  be  omitted. 

Next  Rubrick. 

Clje  Pfalm  enneti,  anti  tlje  ©an  atm  tlje  ©lloman  kneeling  before 
tlje  lo?u's  Cable  3  tlje  IStyett  (fanning  at  tlje  Cable ,  aim  turning  fjts 
face,  $c 

>  Colled. 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  331 


Colled-.  Exception. 

COltfeCratefci  tf)e  (fate  Of  99atrt-'         Seeing  the  IniHtution  of  Marriage  was 
WOtt  V  tO  fUCb  Hit  e^CCUent  ^'Pfltrp.     before  the  Fall,  an<*  io  before  the  Pro- 

mife  of  Chrift,  as  alio  for  that  the  laid 
Paffage  in  this  Colled:  feems  to  counte- 
nance the  Opinion  of  making  Matrimo- 
ny a  Sacrament  /we  defire  that  Claule 
may  be  altered  or  omitted. 


Rubrick. 

'Cbenflmll  ftegfn  tfteCommuni* 
omiiq  after  tlje  ^ofpel  fljail  be  fain 
a  Sermon,  $c. 

Laft  Rubrick. 


Exception. 
This  Rubrick  doth  either  enforce  all 
fuchasare  unfit  for  the  Sacrament  to 
forbear  Marriage,  contrary  to  Scripture, 
which  approves  the  Marriage  of  all  Men; 
or  elfe  compels  all  that  marry  to  come  to 


CfjC  neftl  nmrrfeft  .IPetfOWjS  tlje  the  Lord's.Table,  though  never  fo  un- 
fame  flap  Of  tljeit  (BSfctnage  ItUlft  prepared  :  And  therefore  we  defii-e  it 
XtltibZ  tlje  $P0lp  COttimiiniOn.  may  be  omitted,  the  rather  becaule  that 

Marriage  Feftivals  are  too  often  accom- 
panied with  fuch  Divertifements  as  are  unfuitable  to  thole  Chriftian  Duties  which 
ought  to  be  before  and  follow  after  the  receiving  of  that  Holy  Sacrament. 


Of  the  Order  for  the  Vijitation  of  the  Sick 


V 


Rubrick  before  Abfblution. 

H&z  Qau  tlje  fick  IPecfou  make 
afpecial  ;£onfeifiott,$c*  aftet 
luljtcf)  ConfelTion  tbe  Weft  fljail 
abfuioe  bim  aftet  't&te  fo?t :  Our 

Lord  Jefas  Chrift,  &c.  and  by  his  Au- 
thority committed  to  me,  I  abiblve  thee. 


Exception, 

FOrafmuch  as  the  Conditions  of  fick 
Perlbns  be  very  various  and  diffe- 
rent ,  the  Minifier  may  not  only  in  the 
Exhortation,  but  in  the  Prayer  alfo  be 
directed  to  apply  himfelf  to  the  particu-. 
lar  Condition  of  the  Perfbn,  as  he  (hall 


find  molt  fuitable  to  the  prelent  occafi- 
on,  with  due  regard  had  both  to  his  Spiritual  Condition  and  Bodily  Weaknefs,  and 
that  the  Abfolution  may  only  be  recommended  to  theMinifter  to  be  ufed  or  omit- 
ted as  he  ihall  fee  occaiion. 

That  the  Form  of  Ablblution  be  Declarative  and  Conditional,  as  [I  pronounce  thee  ah- 
folvedf]  inftead  of  [7  abfolve  thee']  if  thou  doefi  truly  repent  and  believe. 


Of  the  Communion  of  the  Sic\. 


Rubrick. 

Beat  if  tlje  fick  pecfon  be  not  a* 
bie  tu  come  to  Cbureb ,  pet 
10  Uefitous  to  reteibe  tbe  Com^ 
munton  in  bis  ipoufe ;  tljeulje  mutt 
gibe  knoieieoge  ober*niebt,  oj  elfe 
earlp  in  tbe  ©oimnff  5  to  tfje  Cu- 
rate, aim  babing  a  convenient 
place  in  tlje  fick  $)an  $  ipoufe,  be 
ftail  tbere  abmtnifter  tlje  S>oip 
Communion, 


COnfider,  that  many  fick  peribns  ei» 
ther  by  their  ignorance  or  vicious 
Life,  without  any  evident  manifefratiori 
of  Repentance,  or  by  the  Nature  of  the 
Difeafe  difturbing  their  Intellectuals,,  be 
unfit  for  receiving  the  Sacrament.  It  is 
propofed,  that  the  Minifter  be  not  en- 
joyned  to  adminifter  the  Sacrament  to  e- 
very  fick  Perfbn  that  fhail  defire  it,  but 
only  as  he  ihall  judge  expedient, 


Vv  % 


0/ 


332 


The  LIFE  of  the 


Lib.  I 


Of  the  Order  for  the  burial  of  the  Dead. 

WE  defire  it  may  be  exprefled  in  a  Rubrick,  that  the  Prayers  and  Exhortati- 
ons here  ufed  are  not  for  the  benefit  of  the  Dead,  but  only  for  the  Inftru- 
ftion  and  Comfort  of  the  Living. 


Firft  Rubrick. 

Clje  l^ieff  meeting  t&e  €m$  at 
t&e€ljurclj@)tile5  fljall  fap,  o*  eWe 
tee  l^ieft  aun  Clerfc  fftnll  fin&  $t. 


The  fecond  Rubrick. 

flHtjen  tfiep  come  to  t&e  ®itoz 
tfie  Ptfeft  Qiaff  fapr*c 

jFo^afmuc&as  it  Jjatlj  pleafeti  ai* 
migljtp  ®ori3of  Jjis  great  mercpto 
tafte  unto  Ijimfeif  tlje  S>oul  of  out 
tear  Isjotfiec  Ijere  aeparten  :  Wit 
tljerefoze  commit  W  'Boa?  to  t&e 
<$2ounl)  in  fure  ano  certain  Ijope  of 
Eeftirrection  to  eternal  life. 

The  fir  ft  Prayer. 

©Lie  gibe  tljee  Ijeartp  t&anfeg  fo? 
t&at  it  ijatfj  pleafen  tljee  to  aeittocr 
tl)t0  out  'Bjotljer  out  of  tf)e  niife* 
ties  of  tljtg  unful  luojiti,  $c* 

Cfjat  me  tDitli  tl}i0  out  O&otljer, 
ann  all  ot&er  ncpacteti  in  tfje  true 
laitlj  of  t&p  ipoip  Barne ,  map 
ijatoe  our  perfect  Confirmation  ana 
'Blife, 

The  laft  Prayer, 

Cfiat  foljen  foe  tepart  t&ig  life, 
toe  map  reft  in  ljima  ag  our  ijope  ig 
tljis  our  l^otDee  tiot&. 


We  defire  that  Minifters  may  be  left 
to  uie  their  Difcretion  in  thefe  Circum- 
ftances,  and  to  perform  the  whole  Ser- 
vice in  the  Chulfch,  if  they  think  fit,  for 
the  preventing  of  thefe  Inconveniences 
which  many  times  both  Minifters  and 
People  are  expoied  unto  by  ftanding  in 
the  open  Air. 


Thele  words  cannot  in  Truth  be  laid 
of  Perfons  living  and  dying  in  open  and 
notorious  fins. 


Thefe  words  may  harden  the  wicked, 
and  are  inconfiftent  with  the  largeft  ra- 
tional Charity. 


Thele  words  cannot  be  ufed  with  re- 
/pect  to  thofe  Perlbns  who  have  not  by 
their  a&ual  Repentance  given  any 
ground  for  the  hope  of  their  Blefled  E- 
Itate. 


Of  the  Thanksgiving  of  Women  after  Child-birth  com- 
monly called  Churching  of  Women. 


Trpe  ©lloman  fljall  come  unto 
tlje  Cfntrcfc  ,  ana  tljere  fljall 
kneel  nofon  in  fome  convenient 
place  nigs  unto  tlje  place  toljeret&e 
€awe  ftanti&  aim  tlje  l&ieil  ffatro* 
in&  bp  fjer,  fljall  fap,  w. 

Rubrick. 

C&en  tlje  p?teff  fljall  Tap  tljte 
Pfalm  12  r. 


In  regard  that  the  Womens  kneeling 
near  the  Table  is  in  many  Churches  in- 
convenient, we  defire  that  thefe  words 
may  be  left  out  ,  and  that  the  Minifter 
may  perform  that  fervice  either  in  the 
Desk  or  Pulpit. 

Exception. 

This  PfaUn  feems  not  to  be  (6  perti- 
nent aslbme  other ,  viz,,  as  PfaJm  n|"i 
and  ?{al  128. 

£>10# 


— — — — ^— — — — — —  

Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         333 

tt>  &0$>  fattf   tW  ftftOmatt  tfjP         It  may  fall  out  that  a   woman  n  ay 
^iCl^nnt-  come  to  give  thanks  for  a  Child  born  in 

Anf.  ffi\\jitl\  pUttetft  feet  ttttff  III    Adultery  or  Fornication,  and  therefore 
tJj£0.  we  defire  that  (omethjng  may  be  re- 

quired of  her  by  way  of  Proteffion  of 
her  Humiliation's  well  as  of  her  ThankC 
giving. 
Laft  Rubrick. 
Cf)e  JKUOttiantfjat  COmeSJ  tOgtfcC        ™s  may  teem  too  like  a  Jewifh  Pu- 
CljanliS",  mutt  Offet  tfieaCCUttOmeU    rification,rather  than  aQhriftianThankf- 

SDfferinsjoL  g^ing. 

The  lame  Rubrick. 
0rtU  if  tfjete  6e  a  COmmUntOtt,  It        We  defire  this  may  be  interpreted  of 
IS  Convenient  tfjat  flje  recede  tlje     the  duly  qualified  ;  for  a  fcandalous  Sin- 
$01?  Communion*  ner  may   come  to  make  this  Thankf- 

giving. 

Thus  have  we  in  all  humble  purfuance  of  his  Majefty's  moft  gracious  Endeavours 
for  the  publick  weal  of  this  Church,  drawn  up  our  Thoughts  and  Defires  in  this 
weighty  Affair,  which  we  humbly  offer  to  his  Majefty's  Commiflioners  for  their 
ferious  and  grave  Confideracion,  wherein  we  have  not  the  leaft  thought  of  depra- 
ving or  reproaching  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  but  a  fincere  defire  to  contri- 
bute our  Endeavours  towards  the  Healing  the  Diftempers,  and  (as  ibon  as  may  be) 
reconciling  the  Minds  of  Brethren.  And  inafmuch  as  his  Majefty  hath  in  his  gra- 
cious Declaration  and  Commiflion  mentioned  new  Forms  to  be  made  and  futed  to 
the  feveral  Parts  of  Worfhip  >  We  have  made  a  confiderable  progrefs  therein,  and 
fliall  (by  God's  affiftancej  offer  them  to  the  Reverend  Commiflioners  with  all 
convenient  fpeed.  And  if  the  Lord  fhall  gracioufly  pleafe  to  give  a  Blefling  to  theie 
our  Endeavours,  we  doubt  not  but  the  Peace  of  the  Church  will  be  thereby  fetled, 
the  Hearts  of  Minilters  and  People  comforted  and  compoled  ,  and  the  great  Mer- 
cy of  Unity  and  Stability  (to  the  immortal  Honour  of  our  moft  dear  Soveraign  ) 
beftowed  upon  us  and  our  Pofterity  after  us. 


§  17  5".  •  When  the  Exceptions  againft  the  Liturgy  were  finifhed,  the  Brethren  oft 
read  over  the  Reformed  Liturgy  which  I  offered  them.  At  firft  they  would  have 
had  no  Rubrick  or  Directory,  but  bare  Prayers,  becaufethey  thought  our  Commif- 
fion allowed  it  not :  That  at  laft  they  yielded  to  the  Reafons  which  I  gave  them, 
and  refblved  to  take  them  in.     But  firft  to  offer  the  Bifhops  their  Exceptions. 

§  176.  At  this  time  was  the  Convocation  chofen  :  for  till  now  it  was  deferred. 
Had  it  been  called  when  the  King  came  in,  the  inferiour  Clergy  would  have  been 
againft  the  Diocefan  and  Impofing  way  :  But  afterwards  many  hundreds  were 
turned  out  that  all  the  old  fequeftred  Minifters  might  come  in.  And  the  Opinion 
of  Reordination  being  fet  afoot,  all  thofe  Minifters,  that  for  Twenty  years  toge- 
ther, while  Bifhops  were  laid  afide,  had  been  Ordained  without  Diocefans,  were 
in  many  Countreys  denied  any  Voices  in  the  Election  of  Clerks  for  the  Convocati- 
on :  By  all  which  means,  and  by  the  Scruples  of  abundance  of  Minifters,  who 
thought  it  unlawful  to  have  any  thing  to  do  in  thechoofing  of  fuch  a  kind  of  Afc 
fembly,  the  Diocefan  Party  wholly  carried  it  in  the  Choice. 

§  177.  In  London  the  Election  was  appointed  to  be  in  Chrift's  Church,  on  the 
Second  day  of  May  (1661).  The  London  Minifters  that  were  not  yet  eje&ed, 
proved  the  major  Vote  againft  the  Diocefan  Party,  and  when  I  went  to  have  joyn- 
ed  with  them,  they  fent  to  me  not  to  come,  as  they  did  alfo  td  Mr.  Calamy ,  and 
(without  my  knowledge)  they  chofe  Mr.  Cahmy  and  me  for  Loi^on.  But  they 
carried  it  againft  the  other  Party  but  by  Three  Voices :  And  the  Bifhop  of  London 
having  the  power  of  choofing  Two  out  of  Four  (  or  Four  out  of  Six  )  that  are 
chofen  by  the  Minifters  in  a  certain  Circuit,  did  give  us  the  great  ufe  of  being  both 
left  out,  and  fb  we  were  excufed,  and  the  City  of  London  had  no  Clerk  in  the 
Convocation.  How  fhould  I  have  been  there  baited,  and  what  a  vexatious  place 
(hould  1  have  had  in  iuch  a  Convocation ! 

§  178. 


334  The  LIF  E  of  the  Lib.  I, 

§  178.  The  fourth  day  of  May;  we  had  a  meeting  with  the  Bifhops,  where  we 
gave  in  our  Paper  of  Exceptions  to  them  ;  which  they  received. 

§  179.  The  feventh  day  of  May  was  a  Meeting  at  Sion-Colledge  of  all  the  London 
Minifters,  for  the  choice  of  a  Prefident  and  Affiftants  for  the  next  Year  :  where 
(fome  of  the  Presbyterians  upon  a  pettifh  Scruple  abfenting  themfelves)  the  Dioce- 
iane  Party  carried  it,  and  fo  got  the  Poffeffion  and  Rule  of  the  Colledge. 

§  180.  The  eighth  day  of  May  the  new  Parliament  and  Convocation  fat  down, 
being  confritutedof  Men  fitted  and  devoted  to  theDiocefan  Intereft. 

§  181.  On  the  two  and  twentieth  day  of  May,  by  order  of  Parliament,  the  Na- 
tional Vow  and  Covenant  was  burnt  in  the  Street,  by  the  Hands  of  the  common 
Hangman. 

§  182.  When  the  Brethren  came  to  examine  the  reformed  Liturgy,  and  had  oft 
read  it  over,  they  pad  it  at  laft  in  the  fame  Words  that  I  had  written  it,  fave 
only  that  they  put  out  a  few  Lines  in  the  Adminiftration  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
where  the  Word  Offering  was  ufed  j  and  they  put  out  a  Page  of  Reafons  for  Infant 
Baptifm,  which  I  had  annexed  to  that  Office,  thinking  it  unneceffary ;  and  they 
put  the  larger  Litany  into  an  Appendix  as  thinking  it  too  long ;  and  Dr.  IVallis  was 
'defired  to  draw  up  the  Prayer  for  the  King,  which  is  his  Work  (being  after  fome- 
what  altered  by  us).  And  we  agreed  to  put  before  it  a  fhort  Addrefs  to  the  Bifhops, 
profeffing  our  readinefs  in  Debates  to  yield  to  the  fhortning  of  any  thing  which 
fhould  be  too  long,  and  the  altering  of  any  thing  that  mould  be  found  amifs. 

§  18;.  And  becaufe  I  forefaw  what  was  like  to  be  the  end  of  our  Conference, 
I  defired  the  Brethren  that  we  might  draw  up  a  plain  and  earner}  Petition  to  the 
Bilhops,to  yield  to  fuch  Terms  of  Peace  and  Concord  as  they  themfelves  did  confefs 
to  be  lawful  to  be  yielded  to  :  For  though  we  are  equals  in  the  King's  Commiffion, 
yet  we  are  commandecj  by  the  Holy  Ghoft,  If  it  be  poffible,  and  as  much  as  in  us  lieth 
to  live  peaceably  with  all  men,  Row.  12.  18.  and  to  follow  peace  with  all  men,  Heb.  12. 
14.  and  if  we  were  denied,  it  would  fatisfy  our  Confciences,  and  juftify  us  before 
all  the  World,  much  more  than  if  we  only  difputed  for  it :  However  we  might 
this  way  have  that  opportunity  to  produce  our  Reafons  for  Peace,  which  elfe  we 
were  not  like  to  have. 

§184.  This  Motion  was  accepted,  and  I  was  defired  to  draw  up  the  Petition, 
which  1  did,  and  it  was  examined,  and  with  a  Word  or  two  of  Alteration  confut- 
ed to. 

§  1 8$\  When  we  met  with  the  Bifhops  to  deliver  in  thefe  Papers,  I  was  required 
to  deliver  them  ,•  and  if  it  were  poffible,  to  get  Audience  for  the  Petition  before 
all  the  Company.  I  told  them,  that  though  we  were  Equals  in  the  prefent  Work, 
and  our  appointed  bufinefs  was  to  treat,  yet  we  were  confcious  of  our  Place  and  Du- 
ty, and  had  drawn  up  a  Petition  to  them,  which,  though  fomewhat  long,'  I  humbly 
craved  their  Confent  that  I  might  read  it  to  them.  Some  were  againft  it,  and  fb 
they  would  have  been  generally  ir  they  had  known  what  was  in  it ;  but  at  laft  they 
yielded  to  it :  But  their  Patience  was  never  fo  put  to  it  by  us,  as  in  hearing  fo  long, 
and  ungrateful  a  Petition.  When  I  had  read  it,  Dr.  Gunning  beginneth  a  long  and 
vehement  Speech  againft  it :  To  which  when  he  came  to  the  end,  I  reply ed  :  But 
I  was  interrupted  in  the  midft  of  my  Reply  ;  and  was  fain  to  bear  it,  becaufe  they 
had  be^n  patient  (with  much  adoj  fo  long  before. 

§  186.  I  delivered  them  the  Petition  when  I  had  read  it,  and  with  it  a  fair  Copy 
of  our  reformed  Liturgy,  called  [^Additional  Forms  and  Alterations']  of  theirs.  Aud 
they  received  both,  and  fb  we  departed. 

Our  faid  Writings  are  too  long  to  be  here  inferted. 

§  187.  After  all  this,  when  the  Bifhops  were  to  have  fent  us  two  Papers,  one  of 
their  Conceflions  how  much  they  would  alter  of  the  Liturgy  as  excepted  againft, 
and  the  other  of  their  Acceptance  of  our  offered  Forms,  or  Reafons  againft  them, 
inftead  of  both  thefe,  a  good  while  after,  they  fent  us  fuch  a  Paper  as  they  did  be- 
fcie,  of  their  Reaibnings  againft  all  our  Exceptions,  without  any  Abatements  or 
Alterations  at  all,  that  are  worth  the  Naming.  Our  Brethren  feeing  what  they 
were  refbived  to  bring  it  too,  and  how  unpeaceably  they  managed  the  Bufine/s, 
did  think  belt  to  write  them  a  plain  Anfwer  to  their  Paper,  and  not  to  fupprefs  it 
as  we  had  done  by  the  Firii.  This  Task  alfo  they  impofed  on  me,  and  I  went 
out  of  Town  to  Dr.  Spur/tow's  Houfe  in  Hackney  for  Retirement,  where  in  eight 
Days  time  I  drew  up  a  Reply  to  their  Anfwer  to  our  Exceptions  $»  and  the  Bre- 
thren read  it  and  contented  to  it  ;  only  wifhed  that  it  had  been  largffvin  the  lat- 
ter end,  where  I  had  purpoiely  been  brief,  becaufe  I  had  been  too  large  in  the  be- 
ginning, 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         33$ 

ginning,  and  becaufe  Particulars  may  be  anfwered  iatiifaftorily  in  a  few  Words, 
when  she  General  Differences  are  fully  cleared. 

§  188.  By  this  time  our  Commiflion  was  almoft  expired,  and  therefore  our  Bre- 
thren were  earneftly  defirous  of  perlbnal  Debates  with  them,  upon  the  Papers  put 
in  to  try  how  much  Alteration  they  would  yield  to :  Therefore  we  fent  to  the  l3i~ 
fhops  to  defire  it  of  them ;  and  at  laft  they  yielded  to  it,  when  we  had  but  Ten 
Days  more  to  treat. 

§  189.  When  we  met  them,  I  delivered  them  the  Anfwer  of  their  former  Papers 
(the  largenefs  of  which  I  law  difpleafed  them)  and  they  received  it.  And  we  ear- 
neftly  preft  them  to  fpend  the  little  time  remaining  in  fuch  pacifying  Conference  as 
tended  to  the  ends  which  are  mentioned  in  the  King's  Declaration  and  Commifli- 
pn,  and  told  them,  that  fuch  Difputes  which  they  had  called  us  to  by  their  manner 
'of  Writing,  were  not  the  thing  which  we  defired  or  thought  moft  conducing  to 
thofe  ends. 

§  190.  I  have  reafon  to  think  that  the  Generality  of  theBifhops  and  Doctors  pre- 
sent never  knew  what  we  offered  them  in  the  reformed  Liturgy,  nor  in  this  Reply, 
nor  in  any  of  our  Papers,  iave  thofe  few  which  we  read  openly  to  them.  For 
they  were  put  up  and  carried  away,  and  I  conjecture  fcarce  any  but  the  Writers  of 
their  Confutations  would  be  at  the  Labour  of  reading  them  over.  And  1  remem- 
ber in  the  midft  of  our  laft  Difputation,  when  I  drew  out  the  more  Preface  to 
this  lair  Reply  (which  Mr.  Calamy  wrote,  to  enumerate  in  the  beginning  before 
their  Eyes,  many  of  the  grofleft  Corruptions  which  they  ftifiy  defended  and  refu- 
ted to  reform)  the  Company  was  more  alhamed  and  filenr,  than  at  any  thing  elfe 
that  I  had  faid  j  by  which  I  perceived  that  they  had  never  read  or  heard  that  very 
Preface,  which  was  as  an  Epiftle  to  themfelves :  Yea,  the  chief  of  them  confef- 
ied  when  they  bid  me  read  it,  that  they  knew  no  fuch  thing  :  So  that  it  feems  be- 
fore they  knew  what  was  in  them,  they  refblved  to  reject  our  Papers,  right  or 
Wrong,  and  to  deliver  them  up  to  their  Contradictors. 

§  19 r.  When  we  came  to  our  Debates,  I  firft  cravedof  them  their  Animadverfi- 
ons  on  our  Additions,  and  Alterations  of  the  Liturgy,  which  we  had  put  in  long 
before;  and  'hat  they  would  tell  us  what  they  allowed,  or  difallowed  in  them, 
that  we  might  have  the  ufe  of  them  according  to  the  Words  in  the  King's  Declara- 
tion and  Commiflion.  But  they  would  not  by  any  Importunity  be  intreated  at 
all  to  debate  that,  nor  to  give  any  of  their  Opinions  about  thofe  Papers.  There 
were  no  Papers  that  ever  we  offered  them  that  had  the  Fate  of  thofe  :  Though  it 
was  there  that  fbme  of  them  thought  to  have  found  recriminating  matter  of  Ex- 
ceptions :  yet  could  we  never  prevail  with  them  to  fay  any  thing  about  them  in 
Word  or  Writing  ;  but  once  Bifhop  Morley  told  us  of  their  length,  to  which  I  an- 
fwered that  we  had  told  them  in  our  Preface,that  wc  were  ready  to  abbreviate  any 
thing  which  on  debate  fhould  appear  too  long  ;  but  that  the  Purity  of  the  Pray- 
ers made  the  ordinary  Lord's  day  Prayers  far  ftiorter  than  theirs.  And  fince  we  had 
given  our  Exceptions  againft  theirs,  if  they  would  neither  by  Word  nor  Writing 
except  againft  ours,  nor  yet  give  their  Content  to  them,  they  would  not  honour 
their  Caufe  or  Conference.  But  all  could  not  extort  either  Debates  on  that  Subject, 
or  any  Reprehenfions  cof  what  we  had  offered  them.  Nor  have  they  fince  to  this 
Day,  in  any  of  their  Writings  (  which  ever  I  c ould  fee  or  hear  of  )  faid  a  Word  in 
way  of  Exception  againft  thofe  Papers :  Yea,  when  Roger  VEftrange  himfelf  wrote 
(according  to  his  manner)  a  malicious  Invective  againft  our  leveral  Papers,  when 
they  were  afterwards  printed,  he  could  find  little  to  fay  againft  our  Liturgy,  but 
that  we  left  it  to  the  Liberty  of  the  Minifter  in  leveral  Cafes,  to  pray  [  in  thefe 
Wordst  or  to  this  Senfe~].  And  is  that  all  the  fault  (  befides  the  Length  foremention- 
ed  )  ?  Did  they  not  know  that  it  belongeth  to  the  ?relatesy  and  not  to  fiich  as  we, 
to  deprive  Men  of  their  Liberty  in  praying?  If  they  had  defired  it,  how  Qaiy 
had  it  been  for  them  to  have  daiht  out  that  one  Claufe  [or  to  this  Senfe]?  and 
then  it  had  been  beyond  their  Exception.  What  meafure  of  Liberty  Minifters 
fhall  have,  it  is  not  we,  but  they  that  muft  determine. 

§192.  When  they  had  caft  out  that  part  of  our  defired  Conference",  our  next 
bulinefs  was  to  defire  them  by  friendly  Conference,  to  go  over  the  Particulars 
which  we  excepted  againft,  and  to  tell  us  how  much  they  could  abate,  and 
what  Alterations  they  could  yield  to.  This  Biinop  Reignolds  oft  preft  them  to, 
and  lb  did  all  the  reft  of  us  that  fpake.  But  they  refoiutely  infifted  on  it,  that 
they  had  nothing  to  do  till  we  had  proved  that  there  was  any  neceflity  of  Alterati- 
on, which  we  had  not  yet  done  ;  and  that  they  were  there  ready  to  anfwer  to  our 
Proofs :  We  urged  them  again  and  again  with  the  very  Words  of  the  King's  Decla- 
ration 


33^  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


ration  and  Commiflion,  I.  That  the  ends  exprefled  are  [for  the  removal  of  all  Ex- 
ceptions and  Occafions  of  Exceptions,  *nd  Differences  from  among  our  good  Subjebts,  ]  and 
{.forgiving  Satisfaction  to  tender  Confidences,  and  the  refioring  and  continuance  of  Peace 
and  Unity  m  the  Churches,  ]     2.  And  the  means  is  [  to  make  fuch  reafonable  and  nectfi- 
fary  Alterations,  Correllions,  and  Amendments  therein,  as  pall  be  agreed  upon  to  be  need- 
ful and  expedient,  for  the  giving  Satisfaction  to  tender  Confidences,  and  refioring  and  con- 
tinuing Peace,  &c]   We  plainly  fhewed  hence  that  the  King  fuppofeth  that  fome 
Alterations  mult  be  made  :  But  the  Bifhops  infilled  on  two  Words  [necejjary]'  Alte- 
rations,   and  [fiuch  as  jhould  be  agreed  on].     We  anfwered  them,   That  the  Word 
[necejjary]  hath  reference  to  the  Ends  exprefled,  viz,,  [the  fiatisfying  tender  Confiden- 
ces ]  and  is  joined  with  [Expedient'] :    And  its  Itrange  if  when  the  King  hath  ib 
long  and  publickly  determined  of  the  End,  and  called  us  to  confult  of  the  means, 
we  fhould  prefume  now  at  laftto  contradict  him,  and  to  determine  that  the  End  it 
felfi  is  unneceflary,  and  confequently  no  means  neceflary  thereto :   What  then  have 
we  all  this  while  been  doing  ?    2.  And  when  they  are  called  to  [agree]  on  fuch 
neceflary  means,  if  they  will  take  the  Advantage  of  that  Word,  to  [agree  on  no- 
thing] that  fo  all  Endeavours  may  be  fruftrated  for  want  of  their  Agreement,  God 
and  the  World  would  judge  between  us,  who  it  is  that  fruftrateth  the  King's  Com- 
miflion, and  the  Hopes  of  a  divided  bleeding  Church.    Thus  we  continued  a  long 
time  contending  about  this  Point,  [Whether  fome  Alterations  be  fuppojed  by  the  King's 
Declaration  and  Commtfifiwn  to  be  made  by  us  ?  or  whether  we  were   anew  to  difipute  that 
Pomt  i   But  the  Bifhops  would  have  that  to  be  our  Task  or  none  j   to  prove  by 
Difputation  that  any  Alteration  was  necejjary  to  be  made  ;    while  they  confuted  our 
Proofs.     We  told  them,  that  the  End  being  [to  fatisfy  tender  Confidences  and  procure 
Unity,]  thofe  tender  Conferences  did  themfelves  profefs,  that  without  ibme  Altera- 
tion, and  that  confiderable  too,  they  could  not  befatisfiedpand  Experience  told 
them,  that  Peace  and  Unity  could  not  without  it  be  attained.    But  ftill  they  (aid, 
that  none  was  necejjary,  and  they  would  yield  to  all  that  we  proved  necejjary.     And 
here  we  were  left  in  a  very  great  Strait :  If  we  mould  enter  upon  Difpute  with  them, 
we  gave  up  the  End  and  Hope  of  our  endeavours :    If  we  refuted  it,  we  knew 
that  they  would  boaft  that  when  it  came  to  the  fetting  to,   we  would  not  fo  much 
as  attempt  to  prove  any  thing  unlawful  in  the  Liturgy,  nor  durft  difpute  it  with 
them.     Mr.  Calamy  with  fome  others  of  our  Brethren  would  have  had  usrefufe  the 
Motion  of  difputing,  as  not  tending  to  fulfil  the  King's  Commands :  We  told  the 
Bifhops  over  and  over,  that  they  could  not  choofe  but  know  that  before  we  could 
end  one  Argument  in  a  Difpute,  our  time  would  be  expired  ;   and  that  it  could 
not  poflibly  tend  to  any  Accommodation  :    And  that  to  keep  off  from  perfonal 
Conference,   till  within  a  few  Days  of  the  Expiration  of  the  Commiflion,  and 
then  torefblve  to  do  nothing  but  wrangle  out  the  time  in  a  Difpute,  as  if  we  were 
between  jeaft  and  earneft  in  the  Schools,  was  too  vifibly  in  the  fight  of  all  the 
World,  to  defeat  the  King's  Commiflion,   and  the  Expectations  of  many  Thou- 
fands,  who  longed  for  our  Unity  and  Peace.    But  we  fpoke  to  the  Deaf ;   they 
had  other  Ends,   and  were  other  Men,  and  had  the  Art  to  fiiit  the  means  unto 
their  Ends.    For  my  part,  when  we  iaw  that  they  would  do  nothing  elfe,  I  per- 
fuaded  our  Brethren  to  yield  to  a  Difputation  with  them,  and  let  them  underftand 
that  we  were  far  from  fearing  it,  teeing  they  would  give  us  no  hopes  of  Concord  : 
but  withal,  firft  to  profels  to  them,  that  the  Guilt  of  difappointing  his  Majefty  and 
the  Kingdom,  lay  not  upon  us,  who  defired  to  obey  the  King's  Commiflion,  but 
on  them.    And  fo  we  yielded  to  Ipend  the  little  time  remaining,  in  difputing  with 
them,  rather  than  go  home  and  do  nothing,  and  leave  them  to  tell  the  Court  that 
we  durft  not  difpute  with  them  when  they  fo  provoked  us,  nor  were  able  to  prove 
our  Accufations  of  the  Liturgy. 

§  193.  When  this  was  refolved  on,  we  Ipent  many  Hours  with  them  about  the 
Order  of  our  Difputation :  I  offered  them  to  fpend  one  half  of  the  time  in  the 
Opponents  part,  if  they  would  promife  to  do  the  like  the  other  half  of  the  time, 
when  we  had  done,  that  our  Difputation  might  be  on  equal  Terms.  They  refu- 
fedthis,  and  anfwered,  That  it  belonged  to  us  only  to  argue  who  were  the  Accu- 
fers,  and  not  at  all  to  them  who  were  on  the  Defence.  1  told  them  it  was  we  that 
are  the  Defendants  againft  their  Impofitions :  They  command  us  to  do  fuch  and 
iiich  things,  or  elfe  we  fhall  be  excommunicate,  filenced,  imprifoned,  and  undone: 
We  defend  our  felves  againft  this  cruelty,  by  calling  upon  them  to  fhew  their  Au- 
thority from  God  for  fuch  Impofitions :  Therefore  we  ftill  call  upon  them  to  prove 
that  God  hath  authorifed  them  to  any  fuch  thing  :  And  if  they  refufe  this,  they  do 
give  up  their  Catife.    We  offered  firft  to  prove  the  unlawfulnefis  of  their  Impofitions, 

if 


P  a  r.  t  It    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         33^ 

if  they  would  afterward  prove  the  lawfulnefs  of  thern,  or  their  Power  fb  to  impofe 
them.  On  thele  Terms  we  flood  with  them  about  two  Days,  and  they  would 
not  yield  to  prove  any  thing  at  all.  At  laft  I  oft  declared  ro  them,  that  we  would 
do  our  part,  and  prove  their  Impofitions  unlawful,  whether  they  would  do  their 
part  or  no;  but  with  an  open  Declaration  that  we  took  them  tor  Deferters  of  their 
Caufe.  At  laft  Dr.  Pterfon  alone  undertook  that  he  would  difpute  for  their  Parr, 
when  we  had  performed  ours,  and  we  accepted  of  his  Undertaking. 

§  194.  Upon  this,  feeing  it  was  to  be  all  done  in  Writing,  the  reft  of  the  Com- 
miiltoners  on  both  fides  did  choofe  three  of  a  Party  to  manage  the  Difpute, 
that  the  other  might  withdraw  themfelves,  becaufe  they  had  no  more  to  do.     The 
Bifhops  chole  Dr.  Pierfon,  Dr.  Gunning,  and  Dr.  Sparrow  *.     The  other  fide  chofe* Since  Ei- 
Dr.  Bates,   Dr.  Jacomb,  and  my  felf:   (for  I  never  medled  with  the  choice  of  any,^°Psof 
only  I  would  fain  have  had  Mr.  William  Mojes,  Mr.  Gibbons,  and  Mr.  Matthew  Poorf1*^^" 
into  the  Commiflion,  that  I  might  have  had  their  help  in  Disputing,  becaufe  they  i?QrmGh. 
were  very  quick,  ingenuous  Men,  and  I  could  not  prevail)    The  reft  of  our  Bre- 
thren prefently  withdrew,  and  not  a  Man  of  them  came  near  us  any  more  j   as 
fuppofing  it  contrary  to  the  Agreement :    But  the  Bifhops  came  (fome  of  them) 
from  day  to  day  ;    indeed  on  the  fecond  day  they  asked  whether  any  moie  than 
the  Difputants  might  be  prefenr.     And  I  aniwered  them,  That  we  cared  not  how 
many  of  them  were  prelent :    And  after  that,  others  that  were  not  in  the  Com- 
miflion  asked,  whether  they  might  beprefent ;  and  I  told  them  the  fame.     So  that 
there  came  Dr.  Pory,  Dr.Crowtber,  and  almoft  the  Room  full  of  them   (with  two 
or  three  Scholars  and  Lay-men,  that  as  Auditors  came  in  with   us  (  Mr.  Miles, 
Mr.  Ttllot [on,  &c) 

§  195".  When  I  began  our  firft  Argument,  to  prove  their  Impofitions  finful,  Bi- 
ftiop  Cojins  was  offended  at  the  Woid  [finful~\  j  and  told  me  that  I  condemned  all 
the  Churches  oi  Chrift,  who  all  of  them  impofed  fome  Gefture  or  other,  as  much 
as  that  came  to ;    and  what  intolerable  Boldnefs  was  it    in  us  to  charge  all  the 
Churches  of  Chrift  with  Sin  !     I  anfwered  him,  i.  That  many  of  the  reformed 
Churches  did  not  impofe  any  fuch  thing  on  their  Terms ;    thac  is,    to  reject  all 
from  the  Miniftry  and  Communion  that  conformed  nor.     2.  It  was  no  Arrogance 
nor  Uncharitablenefs,  to  charge  all  the  Church  and  World  with  Sin  :    But  he  that 
faith  he  hath  no  Sin,  is  a   Lyar :    In  many  things  we  offend  all :    It  is  the  Privi- 
ledge  of  the  Triumphant  Church  to  be  without  bin.     This  they  ftormed  at,  and 
yet  could  not  tell  how  to  deny  it.     Biihop  Lany  (aid,  [That  jujlified  Perfons  have  no 
Sin,  and  are  no  Sinners  ;  becaufe  Justification  taketb  it  away\     But  when  I  anfwered 
him  by  opening   the  Nature  of  J  unification,  and  ihewing  that  it  took  not  away 
the  Sin  it  felf,  but  the  Guilt,  which  is  the  Obligation  to  Punifhment,    he  was 
confounded,  and  unfaid  all  again,  and  knew  not  what  he  faid  :  I  told  him  that  he 
might  Ice  how  near  we  came  to  him  :   I  confeffed  chat  if  the  Controverly  were  but 
de  Nomine,  and  he  took  Juftification,  as  fome  do,  for  San&ification,  or  a  Change 
of  our  Qualities  and  A&ions,    then  I  granted  him  that  it  took  away  Sin  it  felf, 
but  not  perfectly,  and  therefore  Sin  ftill  remained.    Here  he  and  feme  more  faid, 
that  no  Man  before  me  ever  took  Juftification  in  any  fuch  Sence,  and  they  laugh- 
ed at  me  :    I  anfwered,  that  I  was  glad  to  hear  him  fay  fb ;    for  my  fear  that  he 
fymbolized  with  the  Papifts  was  abated,  now  1  perceived  that  he  knew  not  what 
they  held  :  And  Dr.  Gunning  anfwered  againft  him,  and  faid  that  the  Papifts  dofb 
u(e  the  Word.    I  went  on  and  told  him,  That  I  alfo  granted  that  a  Man  for  a  cer- 
tain fpace  might  be  without  any  A&  of  Sin  ;  and  as  1  was  proceeding,  hereBifhop 
Morley  interrupted  me,   according  to  his  manner,    with  vehemency  crying  out, 
what  can  any  Man  be  for* any  time  without  Sin!    And  he  fbiindedlout  his  Aggrava- 
tions of  this  Do&rine ;    and  then  cryed  to  Dr.  Bates,  what  fay  you  Dr.  Bates,  is 
this  your  Opinion  ?     Saith  Dr.  Bates,  I  believe  that  we  are  all  Sinners  j  but  I  pray  my 
Lord  give  him  have  to  Qaah:  I  began  to  go  on  to  the  reft  of  my  Sentence,  where  I 
left,  to  mew  the  Senle  and  Truth  of  my  Words ;  and  the  Biihop  (whether  in  Pafc 
fion  or  Delign  I  know  not)  interrupted  me  again,  and  mouthed  out  the  odioufhefs 
of  my  Doctrine  again  and  again,  1  attempted  to  fpeak,  and  ftill  he  interrupted  me 
in  the  lame  manner  :    Upon  that  I  fat  down  and  told  him,  that  this  was  neither 
agreeable  to  our  Commiflion,  nor  the  common  Laws  of  Difputation,  nor  the  Ci- 
vil Ufage  of  Men  in  common  Converfe,  and  that  if  he  prohibited  me  to  fpeak,  I 
defired  him  to  do  it  plainly,  and  I  would  defift,  and  not  by  that  way  of  Interrup- 
tion.    He  told  me,  I  had  Ipeaking  enough  if  that  were  good,    for  I  fpake  more 
than  any  one  in  the  Company  :  And  thus  he  kept  me  fo  long  from  uttering  the  reft 
of  my  Sentence,  that  I  fat  down  and  gave  over,  and  told  him  I  took  it  for  his  Pro- 

X  x  hibicion 


338  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 


hibition.  At  laft  I  let  him  talk,  and  fpake  to  thofe  nearer  me,  which  would  hear 
me,  and  told  them,  that  this  was  it  that  I  was  going  ro  fiiy,  1  hat  I  granted  Bifhop 
Lany,  that  it  was  poflible  to  be  free  from  acting  Sin  tor  a  certain  time,  that  fo  lie 
might  have  no  matter  of  Objection  againft  me  ;  and  that  fcbe  Inflance:,  of  my 
Conceffion  were  thefe  :  i.  In  the  time  of  abfolute  Infancy.  2.  In  the  time  of  to- 
tal Fatuity  or  Madnefs,  as  natural  Ideots  that  never  had  the  ufe  of  Reafon.  ;.  In 
the  time  of  a  Lethargy,  Cams,  or  Apoplexy,  or  Epilepfie.  4.  In  the  time  of 
lawful  fleep,  when  a  Man  doth  not  fo  much  as  dream  amifs :  vAnd  whether  any 
other  Inftances  might  be  given,  I  determined  not.  But  as  I  talked  thus;  Bifhop 
Morly  went  on,  talking  louder  than  I,  and  would  neither  hear  me,  nor  wiliingly 
have  had  me  to  have  been  heard.  Behind  me  at  the  lower  end  of  the  Table, 
flood  Dr.  Crowther,  and  he  would  confute  me,  and  I  defended  Dr.  Lany,  in  that 
Jeroboam  made  Jfrael  to  Sin :  What  gather  you  thence,  quoth  I,  that  they  had  no 
Smbut  that,  or  never  firmed  before :  He  anfwered  yes;  and  with  a  little  Nonfence 
would  defend  ir,  that  Ifrael  finned  not  till  then  :  When  I  had  proved  th^  contrary 
to  him  in  the  general  Acceptation  of  the  Word  [Sin  ;  J  1  told  him,  that  if  hetoolc 
the  Word  Figuratively,  the  Genus  lor  a  Species,  1  granted  him  that  they  finned  not 
that  Species  of  Sin,  which  Jeroboam  taught  them,  which  is  in  the  Text  emphati- 
cally called  Sin  :  If  he  meant  that  they  finned  wo  Sin  of  Idolatry,  or  no  National  Sin 
till  then,  It  was  not  true,  and  if  it  were,  it  was  nothing  to  our  Queftion,  which 
was  about  Sin  in  the  General,  or  indefinitely.  He  told  me  they  Sinned  no  Na- 
tional Sin  till  then.  1  asked  him  whether  the  Idolatry,  the  Unbelief,  the  Mur- 
muring, &c  by  which  all  the  Nation,  fave  Caleb  and  Jcjhua  fell  in  the  Wildernefs, 
and  the  Idolatry  for  which  in  the  time  of  the  Judges  the  Nation  was  conquered, 
and  captivated,  were  none  of  them  National  Sins?  I  give  the  Reader  the  Inftance 
of  this  Odious  kind  of  Talk,  to  ihew  him  what  kind  of  Men  we  talkt  with,  and 
what  a  kind  of  Task  we  had. 

§  196.  And  a  little  further  touch  of  it  I  fiiall  give  you:  .When  I  beg'd  their 
Compaffion  on  the  Souls  of  their  Brethren,  and  that  they  would  not  unnecefTari- 
ly  caft  fo  many  out  of  the  Miniftry  and  their  Communion  :  Bifhop  Cofins  told  me 
that  we  threatned  them  with  Numbers,  and  for  his  part,  he  thought  the  King 
mould  do  well  to  make  us  name  them  all.  A  charitable  and  wife  Motion  !  To 
name  all  theThoufands  of  England  that  diflented  from  them,  and  that  had  fwom 
the  Covenant,  and  whom  they  would  after  Periecute. 

§  197.  When  I  read  in  the  Preface  to  our  Exceptions  againft  the  Liturgy  [That 
after  twenty  years  Calamity,  they  would  not  yield  to  that  which  feveral  Bifliops  volunta- 
rily offered  twenty  Tears  before"}  (meaning  the  Corre&ions  of  the  Liturgy  offered  by 
Archbiihop  Ufoer,  Archbi.fhop  IViHiams,  Bifhop  Morton,  Dr.  Prideaux,  and  many 
others) ;  Bifhop  Cofins  anfwered  me,  That  we  threatned  them  with  a  new  War, 
and  it  was  time  for  the  King  to  look  to  us :  \  had  no  fhelter  from  the  Fury  of  the 
Bilhop  but  to  name  Dr.  Hammond,  and  tell  him  that  I  remembred  Dr.  Hammond 
infifted  on  the  fame  Argument,  that  twenty  Tears  Calamity  ftwuld  have  taught  Men 
more  Charity,  and  brought  them  to  repentance  and  Brotherly  Love\  and  that  it  is  an  Ag- 
gravation of  their  Sin  to  be  unmerciful  afcer  folong  and  heavy  Warnings  from  God's 
Hand  :  He  told  me,  if  that  were  our  meaning,  it  was  all  well.  And  thefe  were 
the  mod  logical  Difcourfes  of  that  Bifhop. 

§  198.  Among  all  theBilhops  there  was  none  who  had  fo  promifing  a  Face  as 
Dr.  Sterne  the  Bifhop  of  Carli/le:1  He  look'd  fo  honeftly,  and  gravely,  and  foberly, 
that  I  fcarce  thought  fuch  a  Face  could  have  deceived  me;  and  when  I  was  in- 
treating  them  not  to  caft  out  fb  many  of  their  Brethren  through  the- Nation,  as 
fcrupeled  a  Ceremony  which  they  confefs'd  indifferent,  heturn'd  to  the  reft  of  the 
Reverend  Bifhops,  and  noted  me  for  faying  [in  the  Nation  .]  He  will  not  Jay  [in  the 
Kingdom]  faith  he,  left  he  own  a  King].  This  was  al!  that  ever  I  heard  that  worthy 
Prelate  fay  :  But  with  grief  I  told  him,  that  half  the  Charity  which  became  fo 
grave  a  Bifhop,  might  have  fufheed  to  havehelpt  him  to  a  better  Expofuion  of  the 
Word  iNation}',  from  the  Mouths  of  iuch  who  have  fo  lately  taken  the  Oaths 
of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy,  and  fworn  Fidelity  to  the  King  as  his  Chaplains, 
and  had  fuch  Testimonies  from  him  as  we  have  had  :  and  that  our  cafe  was  fad,  if 
we  couid  plead  by  the  King's  Commiflion  for  Accommodation,  upon  no  no  better 
Terms,  than  to  be  noted  as  Traytors,  every  time  we  ufed  fitch  a  Word  as  the  [Na- 
ttori]  ;  which  all  monarchical  Writers  ufc. 

§  199. 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  339 


§  ij9.Bifhop  Morley  earneftly  pleaded  my  own  Book  with  me  (my  fifth  Difpur.) 
as  he  had  done  before  the  King:  And  I  ltill  told  him,  I  went  not  from  any  thing 
in  it.  He  vehemently  aggravated  the  mifchiefs  of  Conceived  Prayer  in  the  Church , 
and  when  I  told  him  that  all  the  Aclions  of  Men  would  be  impeded,  while  Mea 
were  imperfect,  and  that  the  other  fide  alfo  had  its  inconveniences;  he  asked  rue 
whether  I  thought  the  inconveniences  of  Extemporary  Prayer  were  not  rather  to  be 
avoided,  than  thofe  of  impofed  Forms:  I  told  him  that  we  fhould  do  our  befr  to 
avoid  the  evils  or  abufe  of  both :  He  asked  me,  how  that  fhould  be  ?  I  anfwctedj 
him,   not  by  difclaiming  the  ufe  of  Forms,  or  of  conceived  Prayers,  but  ufmgboch 

in  their  proper  feafons And  as  I  was  going  on,  the  Company  fell  into  a  la  ugh- 

ter  at  me,  as  if  I  had  fpoken  for  fome  foolifh  thing,  when  I  fpoke  but  for  • 
which  the  Minifters  of  England  have  ufed  ever  fince  the  Reformation;  and  molt 
that  have  any  Zeal  doufe  by  their  allowance  to  this  day,  praying  Extempore  in  the 
Pulpit. 

§  200.  I  oft  made  it  my  earned  requeft  to  them,  but  that  we  might  have  our  pro- 
per turns  in  fpeaking,  and  that  we  might  not  interrupt  one  another ,  but  itay  the  . 
end  :  but  I  could  never  prevail,  efpecially  with  Bifhop  Morley  ;  who  ,  when  any 
thing  was  fpoken  which  he  would  not  have  to  be  fpoken  out,  would  prefently  inter- 
rupt me,  and  go  on  in  his  way.  I  told  them  that  if  they  took  this  Courle,  I  judged 
all  our  Conference  fruitlefs  to  the  hearers :  for  my  Speeches  were  not  incoherent, 
but  the  end  and  middle  mult  be  joyned  to  the  beginning  to  make  up  the  fence, 
and  that  as  the  End  isfirft  in  the  intention,  but  lalt  in  execution,  fu  I  ufually  re- 
ferved  the  chief  part  of  what  I  had  to  (ay  to  the  lalt,  to  which  the  beginning  was 
but  preparatory  :  And  therefore  1  had  r  her  they  forbad  me  to  (peak  any  more  , 
than  let  me  begin,  and  then  not  fuffer  me  to  go  on  any  further.  The  Bilhop  an- 
iWered  that  I  (pake  lb  long,  and  had  fo  many  things ,  that  their  memories  could 
not  retain  them  all,  and  fhould  lofe  the  firlt  if  they  (tayed  till  the  lalt :  and  that  I 
ipake  more  thanany  other:  I  told  him,  that  as  to  my  fpeaking  more  than  oiher>, 
it  was  my  duty,  yea  to  fpeak  as  much  as  all  the  relt,  except  when  my  Brethren 
faved  me  that  labour.  If  they  thought  I  fpake  too  much  ,  they  would  tell  me  fo  ; 
And  for  others,  one  fide  was  to  fpeak  as  oft  as  the  other  fide  :  if  we  had  contented 
that  they  fhould  fill  the  Room,  when  we  were  but  Three,  and  then  every  »,nein 
the  Room  fhould  fpeak  as  much  as  one  of  us,  we  had  made  a  fair  bout  of  ir.  I 
cared  not  how  many  of  them  ipake,  if  they  were  but  willing  to  beanlwered  :  But 
if  five  of  them  muft  fpeak,  and  but  one  of  them  be  anfoered,  they  would  fay 
that  all  the  reft  were  unanfwerable.  And  for  my  length,  I  told  him,  that  we  con- 
tented that  one  ofthemfelves  fhould  be  always  in  the  Chair  ,  as  they  had  been  ;  and 
whenever  the  Chair-man  interrupted  me,  and  told  me  I  had  fpoken  long  enough 
I  was  willing  to  be  filent  (  but  that  was  never  done)  :  or  let  us  turn  the  Quarter- 
Glafs,  and  fee  that  one  fpeak  no  longer  than  the  other :  And  for  the  weaknefs  of 
their  memories,  I  fuppofed  they  were  on  equal  Terms  :  It  was  as  hard  for  us  to 
remember  what  they  laid ;  and  if  we  could  not,  we  would  either  take  Notes,  or  ask 
another,  or  pafs  by  what  we  forgot,  rather  than  overthrow  all  Order  in  Difcourfe, 
and  fpeak  in  Confufion  like  People  in  a  Fair.  And  for  my  part ,  I  thought,  that 
a  continued  Speech  without  vain  words  doth  beft  fpare  time  ,  feeing  that  when  I 
may  thus  let  all  the  parts  of  my  fence  together  (  when  the  broken  parcels  fignifie 
nothing  )  I  can  better  make  known  my  meaning  in  a  Speech  of  half  a  quarter  of 
an  hour,  than  in  two  days  rambling  Difcourles,  where  Interruptions  and  Interlo- 
cutions tofs  us  up  and  down  from  thing  to  thing,  and  never  let  us  fee  the  fence 
and  reafon  of  each  others  in  that  Connexion  and  Harmony  which  is  its  Light  and 
Strength].  But  all  thefe  words  were  caft  away  ;  and  they  had  feldom  Patience  to 
forbear  an  Interruption. 

§  201.  One  learned  Doctor  behind  me  ( that  was  no  Commiffioner  )  defired  to 
be  heard,  as  if  he  had  fome  unanfwerable  Argument  :  And  it  was  a  Queltion, 
Whether  all  that  fcrupled  Conformity ,  whom  we  pleaded  for>  were  not  fuch  as  had  been  a- 
gainft  the  King?  I  anfwered  him,  i.  That  the  King  himfelf  had  given  fufficient  Te- 
stimony of  many  of  them.  2.  That  there  is  not  one  Minifter  of  twenty  that  we 
plead  for  that  had  ever  anything  to  do  in  the  Wars,  or  againft  the  King;  mod  of 
them  being  then  Boys  at  School,  or  in  theUniverfity.  3.  That  Men  on  both  fides 
had  been  againft  the  King.  Hereupon  Bifhop  Morley  asked  me  ,  whether  ever  I 
knew  a  conformable  Man  for  the  Parliament,  againft  the  King  :  Yes,  my  Lord, 
quoth  I,  many  a  one.  Name  one,  quoth  fome  of  them  :  Yes,  a  Bifhop,  yea  an 
Archbifhop,  quoth  I:  At  which  they  all  hearkened  as  at  a  wonder  i  Do  you  not 
know,  quoth  I,  that  the  Archbifhop  of  Tork,  Dr.  miliams,  fometimeLord  Keeper 

X  x  2  ©f 


"340  The  LI  ¥  E  of  the  Lib.  I 

of  EnglandyWas  a  Commander  of  the  Forces  for  the  Parliament  in  Wales  ?  At  which 
they  were  filent,  and  that  Argument  was  at  an  end. 
Upon  en-  §202.  When  1  told  them  that  if  they  call  out  all  the  Non-conformifts,  there 
^hT  if  wou^  not  De  tolerable  Minifters  enow  to  fupply  the  Congregations :  Bifhop  Morhy 
bitants 3  anfwered  that  (b  it  was  in  the  late  Times,  and  thatfome  Places  had  no  Minifters  at 
fince,l  un-  all,  through  all  thofe  Times  of  Ufurpation  :  and  named  Aylesbury,  which  he  knew 
derftand  to  have  had  none  upon  his  own  knowledge.  I  told  him  that  I  never  knew  any 
that  it  is  focn^  ancj  therefore  I  knew  there  were  not  many  fuch  in  England  :  And  if  it  were 
thing0  but  f°>l  hoped  that  he  would  not  plead  for  fuch  a  Mifchief  by  the  Example  of  the  Ufur- 
thztJytef-  pers.  But  fince,  I  have  enquired  of  the  Inhabitants  about  Aylesbury,  and  they  una- 
buryvm  moufly  profefled  that  it  was  notorioufly  falfe,  and  named  me  the  Minifters  that  had 
well  fup-    been  there  fuccefltvely,  and  ufually  two  at  once. 

Sle^bya       §  2o3«  Alio  thefaid  Bifhop,  when  I  talkt  of  filencing  Minifters   for  things  in- 

fetled  in-  different,  told  me,  That  we  fhould  remember  how  we  did  by  them  5  and  that  we 

cumbent,  talkt  not  then  as  now  we  do.     I  anfwered  him,  That  I  was  confident  there  was  no 

or  the      Man   there  prefent   that  had  ever  a  hand  in  filencing  any   of  them :  For  my 

of  theGa-  cwn  Part>  '        keen  *n  Judgment  f°r  caftingout  the  utterly  Inefficient  and  noto- 

rifon.        rioufly  Scandalous,  indifferently  of  what  Opinion  or  Side  foever ;  but  I  had  pub- 

lickly  written  againft  the  filencing  or  difplacing  any  worthy  Man  for  being  againft 

the  Parliament :  And  if  it  had  been  otherwife,  he  fhould  take  warning  by  others 

Faults,  and  not  imitate  them,  and  do  evil  becaufe  Cromwell  did  fb. 

§  204.  Upon  this ,  Dr.  Walton  Bifhop  of  Cbejter  faid  .  Indeed  Mr.  Baxter  did 
write  againft  theCafting  of  us  out  :  But,  Mr.  Baxter,  did  not  you  fay,  That  if  our 
Churches  had  no  more  than  bare  Liberty,  as  others  had,  without  the  compulsion 
of  the  Sword,  that  none  but  Drunkards  would  joyn  in  them.  I  anfwered,  No,my 
Lord,  I  did  not :  I  only  faid,  that  (as  they  had  been  ordered,)  if  they  had  but  equal 
liberty  for  Volunteers,  they  would  be  like  Alehoufes,  where  many  honeft  Men 
may  come,  but  the  number  of  worfe  Comers  is  fo  great,as  maketh  it  difhonourable.] 
There  is  no  impleading  Mens  Writings,  unlefs  the  Book  be  opened,  and  the  words 
and  context  well  peruied. 

§  205-.  Dr.  Bates  urged  Dr.  Gunning  that  on  the  fame  reafons  that  they  fo  impo- 
fed  the  Grofs  and  Surplice,  they  might  bring  in  Holy  Water,  and  Lights,  and  a- 
bundance  of  fuch  Ceremonies  of  Rome,  which  we  have  caft  out.  He  anfwered, 
Yea,  and  (o  I  think  we  ought  to  have  more,  and  not  fewer,  if  we  do  well,  (or  to 
that  fence j. 

§  206.  They  told  us  of  the  Antiquity  of  Liturgies :  And  I  earneftly  intreated 
them  to  let  true  Antiquity  be  imitated  by  them  :  and  defired  any  of  them  to  prove 
that  ever  any  Prince  did  impofe  one  Form  of  Prayer  or  Liturgy,  for  Uniformity, 
on  all  the  Churches  in  his  Dominions:  Yea,  or  upon  any  one  Province,  or  Coun- 
try under  them  :  Or  that  ever  any  Council,  Synod,  or  Patriarchs ,  or  Metropoli- 
tans, did  impofe  one  Liturgy  on  all  the  Bifhops  and  Churches  under  them.  I  pro- 
ved to  them  not  only  from  the  inftances  of  Bafil ,  and  the  Church  of  Naocefarea, 
but  others,that  every  Bilhop  then  chofe  what  Forms  he  pleafed  for  his  own  Church. 
They  could  deny  none  of  all  this :  But  Antiquity  is  nothingto  them  when  it  makes 
againft  them. 

§  207.  Towards  the  end  of  our  Meetings,  Bifhop  Cefins,  taking  the  Chair,  told 
us,  That  a  very  worthy  Perfbn  had  offered  unto  his  Superiours  a  Paper  containing 
the  way  to  our  Reconciliation,  which  he  thought  fo  reafonable  and  fit,  that  he  de- 
fired  us  to  take  them  into  our  Confederation,  and  fo  delivered  me  the  Paper.  I 
asked  him,  from  whom  he  expected  an  Anfwer :  He  faid  from  me  :  I  told  him  that 
he  might  well  know  that  I  would  enter  upon  no  new  Debates,  without  the  Con- 
fent  of  my  Brethren  prefent,  and  whether  they  would  meddle  in  it,  and  undertake 
new  Work  without  the  Content  of  our  Brethren ,  who  are  abfent ,  I  could  not  tell; 
efpecially  when  long  and  wandering  Difcourfes  had  already  taken  up  almoft  all  our 
time.  But  upon  perufal  of  the  Paper,  I  perceived  that  it  was  a  cunning  Snare  for 
us ;  but  advifed  our  Brethren  prefent  that  we  might  promife  them  an  Anfwer  by 
the  next  Morning,  but  only  in  the  name  of  us  three,  and  that  our  Brethren  ab- 
fent fhould  not  be  judged  to  be  concerned  in  it.  This  I  the  rather  did  ,  becaufe  I 
perceived  it  came  by  the  notice  of  fbme  above  us,  who  would  enquire  after  it,and 
that  an  Anfwer  in  Writing  would  be  a  better  upending  of  our  time,  than  that  ram- 
bling Difcourfe  which  there  we  fpent  it  in ',  where  a  multitude  of  Men  would 
needs  fpeak,  and  yet  would  be  angry  if  they  were  anfwered.  The  Paper  with  the 
Anfwtr  is  as  follow?. 

Tit 


-  I    '  "  I     I   ■■      ■  ■        P       ■■   -■■       LI  ■■  —II  -■—       ,  ■  ..— —  ,>■■,.■-  —  ■■—   t,      ■      ■  ■ ■     ■*■ ■-      

Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         341 

The  Taper  offered  by  IZifhop  Cofins  w  from  fome  con^ 

jiderahle  Terfort. 

A  way  humbly  propofed  to  end  that  unhappy  Controvcrfie 
which  is  now  managed  in  the  Church,  that  the  Sore  may  no 
longer  rankle  under  the  Debate  ,  nor  Advantages  be  got  by 
thofe  that  love  Divifion. 

r.  ~T*Hat  the  Quefiion  may  be  put  to  the  Managers  of  the  Divifion,  Whether  there  be  any 
JL  thing  in  the  Doclrine,  or  Difcipline,  or  the  Common  Prayer,  or  Ceremonies  ,  con- 
trary to  the  Word  of  God ;  and  if  they  can  make  any  fitch  appear,  let  them  be  fatufied. 

2.  If  not,  let  them  then  propofe  what  they  defire  in  point  of  Expediency,  and  acknowledge 
it  to  be  no  more. 

%.Let  that  then  be  received  from  them, and  Jpeedily  taken  into  theConfideration  and  Judg- 
ment of  the  Convocation,  who  are  the  proper  and  authentick  Reprefintatives  of  the  Adimfiry, 
in  v>hofe  Judgment  they  ought  to  acqutefce  in  juch  Matters  j  and  not  only  fo  ,  but  to  let  thi 
People  that  follow  them  know  that  thy  ought  not  to  diflurb  the  Peace  of  the  Church  under 
the  pretence  of  the  Profecution  of  Expediency,  fince  the  Divifion  of  the  Church  is  the  great 
Inexpedient. 


The  Attfxver  to  the  forefaid  Paper. 

Right  Reverend,  &C, 

AS  it  was  your  defire  that  we  mould  return  an  Anfwer  to  thefe  Three  Propofals 
only  in  our  own  Names  who  are  but  Three  ,  fo  we  muft  here  profefs  there^ 
Fore,  that  it  is  not  to  be  taken  as  the  A&  of  the  reft  of  our  Brethren  the  Commifli- 
oners ;  but  as  part  of  the  Conference  to  which  we  are  deputed  :  And  though  wc 
are  the  Managers  of  the  Treaty  for  Pacification  or  Agreement,  and  not  the  Mana- 
gers of  the  Divifion,  and  therefore  cannot  take  our  (elves  to  be  the  Perfons  meant  by 
the  Author  of  the  Propofals  j  yet  we  are  glad  to  take  the  opportunity  of  your  invi- 
tation, to  profefs  that  the  principal  part  of  thefe  Propofals  is  fo  Rational,  Regular 
and  Chriftian-like,  that  we  not  only  approve  of,  but  mould  be  fully  fatufied  (as  to 
the  Debates  before  us )  with  the  real  grant  of  the  firft  alone,  and  not  be  wanting 
in  our  Duty,  according  to  our  Underflanding  and  Ability,  in  endeavouring  to  ac- 
complifh  the  Ends  of  your  Defiresin  the  reft  :  More  particularly, 

Ad  im ,  Though  we  find  by  yeur  Papers  and  Conference  that  in  your  own  perfonal 
Doctrines , 'there  is  fomethingthat  we  take  to  be  againfi  the  Word  of  God :  and  per- 
ceive that  we  underftand  not  the  Doctrine  of  the  Church  in  all  things  alike,  yet  we 
find  nothing  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God  in  that  which  is  indeed  the  Do&rine  of 
the  Church,  as  it  comprehendeth  the  Matters  of  Faith,  diftinft  from  Matter  of 
Difcipline,  Ceremonies  and  Modes  of  Worihip. 

As  to  Difcipline,  there  was  given  into  his  Majefly,  before  his  Declaration  came 
forth,  a  Summary  of  what  we  think  to  be  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God  ,  Which 
we  (hall  more  fully  give  in  to  you  or  any  others  whenever  we  are  again  called 
to  it. 

For  the  Common  Prayer  and  Ceremonies  we  have  in  our  Exceptions  and  Reply 
delivered  you  an  Account  of  what  we  take  to  be  unlawful  and  inconvenient :  And 
we  humbly  crave  that  our  Reafons  may  be  yet  impartially  confidered.  At  prelent 
we  (hall  humbly  offer  you  our  Judgment  concerning  the  following  Particulars,  and 
profefs  our  readinefs  to  make  it  good  when  we  are  called  to  it.  It  is  contrary  to 
the  Word  of  God, 

.    1.  That  no  Minifter  be  admitted  to  Baptize  without  the  prefcribed  ufe  of  the 
Tranfient  Image  of  the  Crofs, 

iTlw't 


— ■  ■  -  


342  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  p>.  I 

2.  That  no  Minifter  be  permitted  to  read  or  pray,  or  cxercife  the  other  parts  of 
his  Office  that  dare  not  wear  a  Surplice. 

3.  That  none  be  admitted  in  Communion  to  the  Lord's  Supper ,  that  dare  not 
receive  it  kneeling:  and  that  all  Minifters  be  enjoyned  to  deny  it  to  fuch. 

4.  That  Minifters  be  forced  to  pronounce  all  baptized  Infants  to  be  Regenerate 
by  the  Holy  Ghoft  (  whether  they  be  the  Children  of  Chriftians  or  not;. 

5-.  That  Minifters  be  forced  to  deliver  the  Sacrament  of  the  Body  and  Blood  of 
Chrift,  unto  the  unfit,  both  in  their  Health  and  Sicknefs :  and  that  with  perfonal 
application  putting  it  into  their  hands :  and  that  fuch  are  forced  to  receive  it,though 
againft  their  own  wills,  in  the  Confcience  of  their  Impenitency. 

6.  That  Minifters  be  forced  to  Abfolve  the  unfit;  and  that  in  abfblute  Exprefc 
/ions. 

7.  That  they  are  forced  to  give  thanks  for  all  whom  they  Bury,  as  Brethren  -whom 
Gad  in  mercy  hath  delivered  and  taken  to  him/elf. 

8.  That  none  may  be  a  Preacher  that  dare  not  Subfcribe  that  there  is  nothing  in 
the  Common  Prayer  Book,  the  Book  of  Ordination,  and  the  Nine  and  thirty  Ar- 
ticles, that  is  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God  : Theie  are  moft  of  the  things 

which  we  judge  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God,  which  at  prefent  come  to  our  re- 
membrance. So  we  humbly  defire,  that  whenever  you  would  have  us  give  you  a 
full  enumeration  of  fuch,  we  may  have  leave  to  confult  with  the  reft  of  our  Bre- 
thren, and  deliver  it  to  you  by  our  Common  Confent.  And  we  humbly  crave  that 
all  thefe  Points  may  be  taken  into  ferious  Consideration,  and  thofe  of  them  which 
we  have  not  yet  debated,we  are  ready  to  debate  and  give  in  our  Arguments,  when- 
ever we  are  called  to  it,  to  prove  them  all  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God.  And 
may  we  be  (b  happy  as  to  have  this  Propofal  granted  us,we  fhall  undoubtedly  have 
Unity  and  Peace. 

Ad  zm ,  We  fuppofe  according  to  the  Laws  of  diftinguifhing,  you  fpeak  in  this 
fecond  Propofal  of  all  things  fo  inexpedient  as  not  to  be  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God. 
Otherwife  the  greateft  Sins  may  be  committed  by  inexpediences :  As  a  Phyfician  may 
murder  a  Man  by  giving  him  inexpedient  Medicines  j  and  a  General  may  deftroy 
his  Army  by  inexpedient  ways  of  Conduct  and  Defence.  And  the  Paftor  may  be 
guilty  of  the  Damnation  of  his  People  by  Do&rines  and  Applications  inexpedi- 
ent and  unfuitable  to  their  flate  :  And  a  way  of  worfhip  may  be  (b  inexpedient 
as  to  be  finful  and  loathfom  unto  God  ;  fuch  is  the  Battology  or  thinking  to  be 
heard  for  affe&ed  Repetitions  or  Bablings ;  Pharifaical  Thankfgivings,  that  Men 
are  better  than  indeed  they  are,  with  abundance  fuch  like :  But  fuppofmg  that 
you  here  fpeak  of  no  fuch  inexpedient  things,  but  fuch  as  are  not  contrary  to  the  Word 
of  God,  We  add, 

Ad  im ,  We  are  thankful  that  in  fuch  Matters  we  may  have  leave  to  make  any 
iuch  Propofals  as  are  here  mentioned  :  but  we  fhall  not  be  forward  to  bufie  our 
felves,  and  trouble  others  about  fuch  little  things,  without  a  Special  Call :  If  the 
Convocation  at  any  time  defire  an  account  of  our  Thoughts  about  fuch  Matters,  we 
fhall  readily  produce  them. 

And  for  [  acquiefcing  in  their  Judgments  in  fuch  Matters  ]  what  we  Three  do 
in  that  point,  is  but  of  fmall  confequence  :  And  for  others,  feeing  the  Minifters 
that  we  fpeak  for,  were  many  Hundreds  of  them  difplaced  or  removed  before  the 
advice  of  the  Convocation,  and  others  denied  their  Votes,  becaufe  not  Ordained 
by  Diocefans,and  others  not  approving  the  Conftitution  of  our  Convocations  durfl 
not  meddle  in  the  choice :  We  cannot  tell  how  far  they  will  think  themfelves  obli- 
ged by  the  Determination  of  this  Convocation.  But  this  can  be  no  matter  of  im- 
pediment to  your  Satisfaction  or  ours :  For  we  are  commonly  agreed  that  we  are 
bound  in  Confcience  to  obey  the  King  and  all  his  Magiftrates  in  all  lawful  things ; 
and  with  Chriltian  patience  to  fiifTer  what  he  infli&eth  en  us  for  not  obeying  in 
things  unlawful :  And  therefore  while  we  acquiefce  thus  far  in  the  Judgment  of  thofe 
who  muft  make  the  Decrees  of  the  Convocation  to  be  civilly  obligatory,  and  the 
King  intendeth  to  take  their  Advice  before  he  determine  of  fuch  Matters  ;  It  is  all 
one  as  to  the  end,  as  if  we  dire&ly  did  thus  far  acquiefce  in  the  Judgment  of  the 
Convocation,  if  the  King  approve  it:  But  if  the  King  and  Parliament  diffent  or 
difallow  the  Convocation's  Judgment  (as  it  is  poffible  they  may  have  caufe  to  do) 
would  you  have  us  acquiefce  in  it,  when  King  and  Parliament  do  not  ? 

And  for  the  laft  part  of  the  Propofal,  by  God's  Afliftance  ,  (  if  you  do  not  fi- 
lence  or  diiable  us )  we  are  refolved  faithfully  to  teach  the  People  ,  that  the  Divi- 
(kn  of  the  Church  is  worfe  than  inexpedient ;  and  the  Peace  of  it  not  to  be  difturbed 
for  1  he  avoiding  of  any  fuch  inexpediences  as  are  not  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God  : 

We 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         343 

We  conclude  with  the  Repetition  of  our  moreearneft  Requeit,That  theie  wife  and 
moderate  Propofals  may  be  profecuted,  and  all  things  be  abated  us  which  we  have 
proved,  or  fhall  prove  to  be  contrary  to  the  Word  or  God.  But  if  we  agree  not 
on  thofe  things  among  our  felves  according  to  his  Majefty's  Commiffion,the  World 
may  know  we  did  our  parts. 

When  the  Liberty  of  ufing  the  Alterations  and  Additional  Forms  which  were 
offered  to  you  according  to  his  Majefty's  Declaration,  would  end  all  our  Differen- 
ces about  Matters  of  Worfliip :  And  when  you  have  had  them  in  your  hands  io  long, 
fince  you  called  for  them,  and  have  not,  notwithstanding  the  Importunity  of  our 
Requefts,  vouchlafed  us  any  Debates  upon  them,  or  Exceptions  againft  them,  but 
are  pleaied  to  lay  them  by  in  filence  ;  We  once  more  propofe  to  you,  Whether 
the  granting  of  what  you  cannot  blame,  be  not  now  the  ihorteft  and  the  iureft 
Way  to  a  general  Satisfaction. 

Note  here,  That  I  offered  to  my  Brethren  two  more  Particulars  as  contrary  to 
the  Word  of  God  :  which  were, 

1.  That  none  may  have  leave  in  Publick  Worfhip  to  ufe  a  more  fuitable  orderly 
way  ;  but  all  are  confined  to  this  Liturgy ,which  is  fb  defective  and  diforderly  ('which 
we  are  even  now  ready  to  manifeft  if  you  will  receive  it.) 

2.  That  none  may  be  a  Minister  of  the  Gofpel  that  dare  not  fubjeA  himfelf  by 
an  Oath  of  Obedience,  to  the  Diocefans  in  that  State  of  Government  which  they 
exercifed  in  this  Land,  (contrary  to  the  practice  of  all  Antiquity). 

Thefe  Ten  Things  I  offered  a?  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God  ,  but  the  two  Bre- 
thren with  me  thought  thefe  two  laft  were  better  lefc  out,  left  they  occafion  new 
Debates,  though  they  judged  them  true. 

§  208.  When  I  read  and  delivered  thefe  Papers,  the  Bifhops  were  much  difplea- 
fed,  that  I  ihould  charge  fb  many  things  on  the  Church  as  Sms :  Where  you  may 
note  the  marvellous  ofcitancy  of  thefe  men,  that  when  they  had  treated  wkh  us 
io  long,  and  received  ib  many  large  Exceptions  and  Replys,  and  in  all  had  heard 
us  open  the  linfulnefs  of  their  way,  they  ihould  yet  imagine  that  we  had  accufed 
their  way  but  of  inexpediency,  and  think  to  gratifie  themfelves  by  fiich  a  poor  de- 
vice. But  their  main  defign  was  to  divide  us,  while  they  let  us  upon  difringuifh- 
ing  all  their  fins  from  theif  ^expediences ;  and  they  thought  that  one  would  take  that 
for  inexpedient  only,  which  others  took  to  be//».  And  they  confidered  not  that 
we  were  now  treating  what  mould  be  impofd,  and  not  what  mould  be  obeyed  if  it 
were  impokd  :  and  that  we  would  charge  Sin  upon  their  lmpofuionsjn  many  points 
which  might  lawfully  be  done  when  Impofed,  rather  than  to  foriake  the  Churches. 
And  if  I  did  the  Church  any  Service  in  ail  thefe  Debates,  it  was  principally  by  fru- 
ftrating  their  evil  defign,  of  dividing  us  ;  16  that  all  the  Snares  that  ever  they  could 
lay  for  us,  never  procuied  them  juft  advantage,  once  truly  to  iay,  that  we  dif- 
agreed  among  our  felves.  For  though  there  were  enow  at  a  diftance,who  could  not 
have  agreed  to  all  that  we  did,  yet  we  fo  far  left  them  out  (  though  to  the  dilplea- 
fiire  both  of  thePrelatiits  and  them,  that  no  difcord  was  found  in  any  of  our  Pro- 
polals  or  Debates  ):  winch  cut  fbmeof  them  more  to  the  heart,  than  all  that  elie 
we  did  to  their  difpleafure. 

§209.  By  this  time,  our  frequent  crofling  of  their  Expectations,  I  faw  had  made 
fome  of  the  Bifhops  angry :  above  all  Bilhop  Morley  t  who  over-ruled  the  whole 
bufinefs,  and  did  inreiefs  himfelf  in  it  deeplier  than  the  reft,  and  .was  of  a  hotter 
Spirit  and  a  readier  Tongue.  But  that  which  difpleafed  them  moft  was  the  freedom 
of  my  Speeches  to  them,  that  is,  that  1  fpake  to  them  as  on  terms  of  Equality  as  to 
the  Caufe ;  yet  with  all  honourable  Titles  to  their  Perfons  :  For  I  perceived  that 
they  had  that  eminency  of  Power  and  Intereft,  that  the  greateft  Lords  were  glad 
of  their  favour,  did  expecb  that  the  pretence  of  fb  many  of  them  ihould  have  awed 
us  into  fuch  a  filence,  or  covvardlinels,  as  ihould  have  betrayed  our  Caufe ;  or  ac 
leaft  that  their  Vehemency,  and  Paffions,  and  Interruptions  ihould  have  put  us  out 
of  Countenance  :  But  1  intreated  them  to  give  us  leave  ,  with  the  due  honour  of 
their  Peribns,  to  ufe  that  neceffary  liberty  of  Speech  to  them ,  as  befeemed  fuch  as 
are  very  confident  that  they  plead  for  the  Caufe  of  God ,  and  the  happinels  and 
healing  of  a  bleeding  Church,  and  that  upon  the  warrant  of  the  King's  Commiffi* 
on  :  And  I  mutt  fay,  that  though  they  frowned  at  my  freedom  of  Speech,  they  ne- 
ver once  accufed  me  of  any  unmannerly  or  unreverent  Language, 

§2IO<! 


344  The  LIF  E  of  the  Lib.  I. 

§  210.  When  we  were  going  to  our  Difputation ,  Dr.  Fierce  asked  whether  he 
that  was  none  of  the  three  deputed  by  them  to  that  Service,  might  joyn  with  the 
reft  :  And  we  told  that  we  cared  not  how  many  joyned  ;  the  more  the  better :  for 
if  any  one  of  them  could  fee  any  Evidence  of  Truth  which  the  reft  did  overlook, 
it  would  redound  to  our  Benefit,  who  defired  nothing  buc  the  Victory  of  Truth. 

§  211.  And  before  he  began  with  them,  he  would  fain  have  had  one  bout  with 
me  himfelf :  Whereas  I  moved  them  to  fome  Chriftian  Charity  to  all  thofe  Con- 
fciencious  Chriftians,  that  were  to  be  put  away  from  the  Communion  of  the 
Church,  if  they  did  but  fcruple  the  lawfulnels  of  kneeling  in  the  reception  of  the 
Sacrament  (  though  I  ftill  profeft  to  them  that  I  held  it  not  unlawful  my  fel^when 
the  Sacrament  could  not  be  otherwifehad)  Dr.  Pierce  offered  himfelf  to  a  Difpu- 
tation, to  prove  that  (  let  them  be  never  fo  many  )  it  is  an  Act  of  Mercy  to  them  to 
pa  them  aU  from  the  Communion  of  the  Church  :  I  eafily  perceived  what  advantage  hi3 
Confidence  and  PatTion  gave  me,  and  I  intreated  him  to  try  his  skill,  hut  his  Bre- 
thren would  not  give  him  leave  :  I  earneftly  entreated  them  to  give  him  leave  buc 
to  try  one  Argument,  but  I  could  not  prevail  with  them ;  bdng  wifer  than  to  fuffer 
his  Paflion  to  expofe  their  Caule  to  Laughter  and  Contempt :  But  yet  he  could 
not  forbear  to  caft  out  his  medium,  and  tell  us  how  he  would  have  argued  ;  viz. 
That  they  that  receive  the  Sacrament,  being  in  judgment  againft  kneeling  in  the 
Act  of  Receiving,  do  receive  it  Schifmatically,  and  fo  to  their  own  Damnation: 
Ergo  it  is  an  Ad  of  Charity  to  keep  them  from  the  Communion  of  the  Church. 
Where  note,  That  our  Difpute  was  only  whether  the  Legislators  mould  by  Laws  or 
Canons  keep  them  away,  and  not  whether  a  Paflor,  fuppofing  fuch  Laws  exiftent, 
mould  keep  them  away  :  And  therefore  by  making  it  damnable  Schifm  antecedently 
to  our  Laws,  he  muft  needs  mean  that  fome  Foreign  Laws  (  of  General  Councils ) 
do  prove  it  Schifm,  or  elfe  the  Cuftom  of  the  Univerfal  Church.  And  as  to  the 
firft,  I  did  at  large  there  prove  that  the  Twentieth  Canon  of  the  Council  at  Nice, 
and  thQ  Concil.  Trull,  and  the  rnoft  ancient  Writers,  do  unanimoufly  decree  againft 
kneeling,  and  make  it  univerfally  unlawful  (  and  that  by  Apollorical  Tradition ) 
f  to  adore  kneeling  ]  on  any  Lord's  Day  in  the  Year,  and  on  any  other  Day  between 
Eafler  and  Whitfunday\  and  that  no  General  Council  hath  reveifed  this,  till  meer 
Difufe  and  contrary. Cuff  om  did  ic.  And  for  Cuftom,  the  Proteftant  Churches  con- 
cur not  in  that  Cuftom,  nor  are  they  Schifmaticks  for  differing  from  the  Papifts  and 
others  that  do  lojnor  is;it  better  for  them  all  to  be  without  any  Church  Communion, 
than  not  to  kneel  in  the  Ad  of  Receiving  :  Nor  do  the  Papifts  themfelves  make 
every  Man  a  Schifmatick  that  followed!  not  the  Cuftom  of  their  Church  in  every 
particular  Geft ure,  unlefs  he  feparate  from  their  Church  it  feif ;  much  lefs  do  they 
pronounce  Damnation  on  all  fuch.  But  if  it  were  the  Law  of  our  own  Land  or 
Church  which  he  thought  made  it  Schifm,  then  he  might  as  well  have  fo  argued 
for  fitting  or  /landing,  and  againft  kneeling,  viz,.  [That  it  is  Charity  to  make  a  Law  to 
keep  all  from  Church  Communion  that  will  kneel,  becaufe  when  fuch  a  Law  is  made,  it  is 
damnable  Schifm  to  kneel].  But  the  very  truth  is,  I  perceived  fo  little  Compafficn  to 
Souls  in  the  zealous  and  fwaying  Managers  of  thefe  Controverfie?,  and  fo  little  re- 
gard of  the  Scruples  and  Tenderneft  of  Godly  People  who  were  afraid  of  Sinning^as 
that  I  fcarce  thought  among  Proteftants  there  had  been  any  fuch.  Whether  chey 
would  have  abated  one  Ceremony  if  they  had  had  an  hundred  more,  to  keep  all 
the  Diffenters  in  three  Nations  from  being  caft  out  of  the  Miniftry  and  Chwch,.I 
know  not  j  but  of  thofe  they  have  they  would  not  abate  one  :  which  made  me  ofc 
think,  that  their  Spirits  are  much  more  like  the  Papifts  than  their  Formal  Worfhip 
and  Difcipline  is ;  fo  much  do  they  agree  in  deftroying  Men  for  their  Opinions 
and  Ceremonies  fake  :  and  in  Building  the  Tombs  of  the  Prcphets,md  over-honour- 
ing thQ  dead  Saints,  while  they  go  on  to  hate  and  deftroy  the  living.  And  it  made 
me  oft  remember  Bifhop  Hall's  Character  of  an  Hypocrite  [whoboweth  at  the  Name 
ofjefus,  andfweareth  by  the  Name  of  God,  and  would  fet  all  the  World  on  fire  for  aCir- 
cumflance~\.  And  it  made  me  remember  what  that  learned  godly  Minifter  Mr.Spi- 
nage  hath  oft  told  me,  and  many  others,  and  is  Mill  ready  to  juftifie  upon  Oath  , 
that  being  heretofore  familiar  with  this  Mr.  Thom.is  Pierce^  and  faying  once  to  him; 
[Thefe  Men  that  you  jo  abhor,  are  very  godly  Men,  and  have  much  Communion  with  God  <, 
For  fome-  he  brake  out  into  this  Anfwer,  \_  A  pou  on  this  Communion  withGod~\.  And  ic  made 
what  the  me  tnink  of  Augufiine\  Defcription  of  the  fottifh  Worldlings,  [that  had  far  rather  there 
)  3  r  '  were  one  Star  fewer  in  Heaven,  than  one  Cow  or  one  Tree  the  fewer  in  their  Grounds] :  So 
Rift™.  had  thefe  Men  rather  Onethoufand  eight  hundred  godly  faithful  Minifters  were  fi- 
Nifl.col-  lenced  at  once,and  a  Hundred  thoufand  godly  Chriftians  kept  out  of  the  Churches 
leZt*  part.  Communion  and  perfecuted  .  than  one  Ceremony  fhould  bs  caft  out  of  the 
9UI.I34..  r  Church, 


P  a  el  t  11.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  34 


Church,  or  left  indifferent,  or  one  Line  reformed  in  their  Common- Prayer. 

§  212.  But  when  Dr.  Pierce  could  not  have  leave  to  take  up  his  Difpute,    he  fit 
upon  me  with  kind  Perfuafions ;  and  bifhop  Morley  (and  he)  firlt  to'd  me,  thac  ic 
was  iU  ange  I  mould  make  (uch   a  ftir  for  other  Mens  Liberty  to  forbear  kneel- 
ing in  the  act  of  Receiving,  when  1  profelt  my  (elf  to  take  it  to  be  lawful :    1  told 
them  that  they  might  perceive   then,  that  I  argued  net  fiom  lnterefl  and  Opinion  $ 
but  from  Charity,  and  for  Love  and  Peace.     They  told  me  that  it  was  we  that  had 
tilled  the  Peoples  Heads  with  the(e  Scruples,  and  then  when  we  mould  dilpoflefs 
them  of  them,  we  pleaded  for  their  Liberty:    If  I  would  but  teach  the  People 
better,  they  would  quickly  be  brought  to  Obedience,  and  would  need  no  Liberty. 
I  told  the  Bifhop,  that  he  was  much  miftaken,    both  in  faying  that  we  put  thele 
Scruples  into  their  Heads,  and  in  thinking  that  my  Power  with  them  was  fo  great, 
as  that  I  alone  could  preach  them  out.     He  reply'd  with  great  Confidence,  that  if 
I  would  but  endeavour  in  good  carneft  tofatisfy  them,  they  would  quickly  be  fatif 
fied.     I  told  him  that  he  had  both  before  the  King,  and   here,  declaicd  that  no 
Man  had  written  better  about  the  Ceremonies  than  I  had  ;    and  had  produced  my 
Book  :  and  therefore  I  thought  he  confuted  himfelf  :  For  I  wrote  that  Book  before 
the  King  came  in,  even  in  the  heat  of  the  Nations  Zeal  againft  Ceremonies ;  and 
how  then  is  it  like,  that  I  put  thole  Scruples  into  their  Heads  when  1  wrote  again  (t 
them?    And  I  thought  Writing  was  the  publickeft  manner  of  Teaching,  where  t 
fpake  to  many  thoufands  who  could  never  hear  my  Voice  :    How  then  could  he  fay 
that  I  wrote  fo  well,  and  yet  did  not  teach  the  People  what  1   wiote  ?  But  I  told 
him  that  he  mult  pardon  me,  that  in  the  Pulpit  I  found  greater  matters  to  do  than 
to  preach  for  Ceremonies,  and  could  never  think  that  (uch  kind  of  preaching  tend- 
ed moit  to  the  (aving  of  Mens  Souls.     And  1  many  times  told  him  and  the  re  it. 
that  I  perceived  that  it  was  like  to  be  a  great  Wrong  to  us,  and  a  greater  to  them- 
selves and  the  Kingdom,  that  they  miftakingly  imagined  our  Power  to  be  greater 
with  the  People  than  it  is,  and  that  they  think  we  could  reduce  them  at  our  Plea- 
fure  to  Conformity,  when  it  is  nofuch  matter  j    and  that  they  imagin   that  the 
Godly  People  who  diffent  from  them,   do  pin  their  Religion  fo  abiolutely  on  our 
Sleeves,  and  take  up  all  their  Opinions  on  truft  from  us :  Whereas  I  allured  him-, 
that  he  will  find  by  Experience  that  (b  many  of  them  know  why  they  hold  what 
they  hold,  and  do  it  1c  purely  for  Confcience  lake,  that  if  all  we  mould  turn  and 
fet  again!!  them,  there  would  fo  many  thouiands  continue  in  their  Opinions,  as  I 
would  not  be  a  Perfecutor  of,  or  excommunicate  for  more  than  ever  their  Lordfhips 
will  get  by  ir.     But  the  Bifhop  exprefl  more  confidence  (till,  that  I  could  reclaim 
them  my  (elf  if  I  were  but  willing,  and  that  they  only  followed  the  Opinions  of 
their  Teachers.     1  intreated  him  again  to  tell  me,  why  then  they  d;d  not  follow 
my  Opinion  which  he  himfelf  faith  I  have  pubiilhed  in  Print.     Hereupon  Dr.  Pierce 
would  needs  lovingly  defne  that  he  and  I  might  but  go  about  the  Country  and  preach 
People  to  Conformity,  and  he  did  not  doubt  but  they  would  quickly  be  reduced. 
Itold  him  that  for  his  part,  I  knew  not  how  powerful  his  preaching  might  be,  but 
I  could  exped:  no  fuch  Succefs  of  mine  •  and  I  marvelled  why  he  had  not  recover- 
ed all  the  Country  before  this  Day,  having  had  fo  many  Years  time  to  have  gone 
about  and  preacht  them  to  Conformity,  if  he  would  have  ufed  it.     He  anfwered, 
That  he  had  recovered  all  his  own  Parifh.     I  told  him,  That  if  he  had  done  fo 
by  all  others,  there  would  have  been  no  need  of  all  this  Trouble :  But  I  often  told 
the  Bifhop  and  him,  that  they  knew  that  though  I  took  not  kneeling  to  be  unlawful, 
yet  I  took  their  Subfcripcions  and  Oath  of  canonical  Obedience,  and  other  things 
to  be  unlawful ;  and  I  perceived  that  they  intended  no  Abatements,  and  confequent- 
ly  that  they  intend  the  fi  lencing  of  me,  and  all   that  are  of  my  Mind  (for  all 
their  Commendation  of  my  Writing  on  that  Subje&J:    And  I  ask't  them  then, 
how  lean  go  about  to  preach  for  them,  when  they  have  firft  filenced  me  ?   Or  it 
they  would  be  fo  favourable  to  forbear  me  till  I  had  done  preaching  for  their  Cere- 
monies^ was  but  an  odd  kindof  motion  for  them  to  make  [come  preach  for  curCeremo- 
nies  fo  long,  and  then  you  Jhall  never  preach  more  j]  and  an  odd  Employment  forme 
*to  undertake,  to  go  about  to  permade  People  to  obey  them  in  a  Ceremony  or  two, 
that  are  intended  when  that  is  done,  to  forbid  me  and  oehers  to  preach  the  Gofpel, 
and  the  People  to  enjoy  their  Peace  upon  other  Accounts ;   and  no  doubt  to  call  us 
Schifmaticks  when  they  do  it.  This  Speech  they  were  offended  at,  and  laid,  that  I 
Ibught  to  make  them  odious,  by  representing  them  as  cruel,  and  Perfecutors,  as  if 
they  intended  tofilence  andcaft  out  fomany.Andit  was  one  of  the  greateft  matters 
of  Offence  againft  me,  that  I  foreknew  and  foretold  them  what  they  were  about  to 
do.They  faid,that  this  was  but  to  ftir  up  the  Fears  of  the  People,and  caufe  them  to 

Y  y  difaf~ 


346  The  LIFE  of  the  L;  b.  I. 

difaftecl:  the  Government,  by  talking  of  hlencing  us,  and  cading  out  the  People 
from  Communion.  1  told  them  that  either  they  do  intend  luch  a  Courie  or  not : 
If  they  do,  why  Jhould  they  think  us  criminal  for  knowing  it?  If  not,  what  need 
had  we  of  all  thefe  Difputes  with  them  ?  which  were  only  to  pediiade  them  not  to 
caft  out  the  Minifters  and  the  People  on  thefe  Accounts.  And  it  was  but  a  few 
Weeks  after  this  that  Bifliop  Morley  himfelf  did  filence  me,  forbidding  me  to  preach 
in  his  Diocefs,  who  now  took  it  fo  heinoufly  that  J  did  foretell  it :  Yet,  becaufe  the 
Hearers  knew  not  what  would  be,  their  Party  juftified  them,  and  concurred  in 
cenfiiring  me  as  uncharitable  for  fpeaking  fo  hardly  of  them,  and  this  maketh  me  re- 
member that  thus  I  have  formerly  been  blamed  by  all,  whofe  Mifcarriages  I 
foretold  :  When  I  told  many  both  of  the  Parliament  and  Country,  what  the  Ar- 
my did  intend  to  do  againft  them  (and  many  others  more  particularly  foretold  it)  \ 
the  Army  was  angry  with  (them  and)  me,  and  accufed  us  of  making  them  odious  by 
our  Slanders  (and  call:  out  many^  Members  of  the  Parliament  on  that  Pretence)  ,•  and 
yet  within  afew  Weeks  they  did  the  very  things  that  we  foretold  :  So  unanimous 
/  are  all  Men  that  have  ill  Defigns,  in  going  the  lame  way  to  their  Accompli/hment ; 
and  fo  dangerous  is  it  to  foreknow  what  cruel  Men  are  about  to  do. 

§  213.  You  have  had  the  Subftance  of  our  wandering  Difcourfes ;  you  are  next 
to  have  our  as  unprofitable  Difputes :  In  which  all  was  to  be  managed  in  Writing 
ex  tempore,  by  Dr.  Pierfon,  Dr.  Gunning,  and  Dr.  Sparrow,  with  Dr.  Pierce  on  one 
fide  •  and  Dr.  Bates,  Dr.  jacomb,  and  my  ielf  on  the  other  fide  ;  we  withdraw- 
ing into  the  next  Room,  and  leaving  the  Bilnops  and  them  together,  while  we 
wrote  our  part :  And  we  began  with  the  Impofition  of  Kneeling,  upon  two  Ac- 
counts, (though  I  took  the  Gefture  it  lelf  as  lawful)  1.  Becaufe  I  knew  I  had  the 
fulleft  Evidence,  and  the  greateft  Authority  of  Antiquity  or  Church-Law  and  Cu- 
ftom  againft  them.  2.  Becaufe  the  Penalty  is  fo  immediate  and  great  (to  put  all 
that  kneel  not,  from  the  Communion) :  And  it  was  only  the  Penalty,  and  lo  the 
Impofition  on  that  Penalty,  which  we  disputed  againft. 

Oar  Ar-         §214.  Oppon.  Arg.  I.  To  enjoin  all  Minifiers   to    deny   the  Communion  to  all  that 
gum     s.    dare  not  kneel  in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament  on  the  Lord  s  days  is  finful. 

But  the  Common-Prayer -Book  and  Canons  enjoin  all  Minifiers  to  deny  the  Communion 
to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament  on  the  Lord's  Days. 

Ergo  the  Common-Prayer- Book  and  Canons,  do  (or  contain)  that  which  u  finful. 

"  Refp.  Not  granting   nor  denying  the  Major,    in  the  firft  place   piove  the 

'  Minor. 

Heir  An-        Oppon.  We  prove  both  :   r.Prob.  Major.  To  enjoin  Minifiers  to  deny  the  Communion  to 

l&er.  Men}  becaufe  they   dare  not  go  agatnfi  the  Praffice  of   the  Apofvles,    and  the  univerfal 

Church  for  many  hundred  Tears  after  them,  and  the  Canons  of  the  mofl  venerable  Councils 

is  finful. 

But  to  enjoin  Minifiers  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in  the  Reception  of 
the  Sacrament  on  the  Lords  Days,  js  to  enjoin  them  to  deny  Communion  to  them,  becaufe 
they  dare  not  go  againfi  the  Pracltce  of  the  Apofiles,  and  the  umverfal  Church  for  many 
hundred  Tears  after  them,  and  the  Canons  of  the  ?nofi  venerable  Councils. 

Ergo,  To  enjoin  all  Minifiers  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in  the  Recep' 
tion  of  the  Sacrament  on  the  Lord's  Day  is  finful. 

Prob.  Minor.  The  Words  of  the  Common- Prayer- Book  and  Canons  prove  it. 

*  Refp.  The  Minor  {viz,,  as  to  the  Common-Prajer-Book,  of  which  the  Proof 
mult  proceed)  is  not  yet  proved. 

1  But  the  Major  (which  we  had  not  then  fpoke  to,  but  now  do,  clearly  deny- 
f  ing  that  Major  alfo  of  the  firft  Syllogilm)  you  prove  by  theSyllogifm  brought ;  in 
'which  we  deny  the  Minor. 

§215"-  Here  we  told  them,  That  for  the  Proof  of  both  Propofitions  denyed,  the  Pre- 
fepce  of  the,  Books  is  neceffary,  which  we  defired  them  to  procure  m  j  but  they  were  not  fetcht. 
-And  firfiwe  had  a  large  Debate  about  the  Words  of  the  Common-Prayer ,  \_He  fliaH  deli- 
ver it  them  kneeling  on  their  Knees'] :  Dr.  Pierfon  confeffed,  that  the  Canons  did  reject 
them  that  kneel  not,  from  the  Communion  ;  but  thefe  Words  of  the  Common* 
Pnyer-Book  do  not :  But  they  only  include  Kneeltrs,  but  exclude  not  others.  We 
anfwered  them,  that  either  the  Common-Prayer-Book  doth  exclude  them  that  kneel 
not,  or  it  doth  not :  If  it  doth,  the  Propofition  is  true  :  If  it  do  not,  then  we 
jfiall  willingly  let  fall  this  Argument  againft  it,  and  proceed  to  another  :  Therefore 
I  defired  them  but  to  tell  us  openly  their  own  judgment  of  the  Senfe  of  the  Book ; 
for.  we  profefted  to  argue  againft  it  only  on  Suppolition  of  the  exclufive  Senfe. 

216 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         347 

§  216.' Hereupon  unavoidably  they  fell  into  Difcord  among  themfelves:  Dr. 
Pierfon,  who  was  to  defend  the  Book,  told  us  his  Judgment  was,  that  the  Senfc  was 
not  exclufive  :  Bifhop  Morley,  who  was  to  offend  the  Nonconformist,  gave  his  Judg- 
ment for  the  exclufive  Senfe  ,\  viz,.  That  the  Minifter  is  to  give  it  to  Kneelers,  and 
no  others.  So  that  we  profeffed  to  them,  That  we  could  not  go  any  further,  till 
they  agreed  among  themfelves,  of  their  Senle. 

§  217.  And  for  the  other  Minor  denied,  though  the  Books  were  not  prelent,  I 
alledged  the  20th  Canon  Coned.  Nican.  &  Concil.  Trull,  and  Tertullian  oft,  and  Epi- 
pbanius,  with  the  common  Confent  of  ancient  Writers,  who  tell  us,  it  was  the 
Tradition  and  Cuftom  of  the  univerial  Church,  not  to  adore  by  Genuflexion  on 
any  Lord's  Day,  or  on  any  Day  between  Eafier  and  Whitfuntide.  Ergo,  not  ib  to 
adore  in  taking  the  Sacrament. 

§  2 1 8.  Bifhop  Morley  anfwered,  That  this  was  the  Cuftom   but  only  between  Note  this 
Eafier  and  Whitfuntide,  and  therefore  it  being  otherwife  the  reft  tiOhe  Year,  was 
more  againft  us.     I  anfwered  him  that  he  miitook,  where  a  multitude  of  i 
ces  might  reftifie  him,  it  was  on  every  Lord's  Day  through  the  Year,  that  this 
ration  by  Genuflexion  was  forbidden:    though  on  other  Week-days  it  was  only  be-  quity. 
tween  Eafier  and  Wbitfuntide. 

§  219.  Next  he  and  the  reft  infifted  on  it,  that  thefe  Canons  and  Cuftoms  ex; 
ed  only  to  Prayer.  To  which  I  anfwered,  That  1.  The  plain  words  are  againli 
them,  where  iome  fpeak  of  aril  Adoration,  and  others  more  largely  of  the  publick 
Worfhip,  and  offered  to  bring  them  full  Proof  from  the  Books,  as  ibon  as  they 
would  give  me  time.  2.  And  if  it  were  only  in  Prayer,  it  is  all  one  to  our  Q&ic : 
£or  the  Liturgy  giveth  the  Sacrament  with  Words  of  Prayer;  and  it  is  the  com- 
mon Argument  brought  for  kneeling,  that  it's  fiiitable  to  the  conjunct  Prayer.  And 
I  told  them  over  and  over,  that  Antiquity  was  ib  clear  in  the  point,  that  Ideilred 
all  might  be  laid  on  that,  and  I  might  have  time  to  bring  them  in  my  Teftimonies. 
But  thus  that  Argument  was  turned  off,  and  the  Evening  broke  off  that  part  of 
the  Dilpute. 

The  next  Days  Argument. 

§  220.  Oppon.  To  enjoin  Minifiers  to  deny  the  Communion  to  fuch  as  the  Holy  Ghofi 
hath  required  its  to  receive  to  the  Communion  is  finfui. 

But  to  enjoin  Minifiers  to  deny  the  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in  the  Reception 
of  the  Sacrament,  is  to  enjoin  them  to  deny  the  Communion  to  fuch  as  the  holy  Ghofi  hath 
required  us  to  receive  to  the  Communion. 

Ergo,  to  enjoin  Minifiers  to  deny  the  Communion  to  all  that  dare  net  kneel  in  the  Recep- 
tion of  the  Sacrament,  is  a  Sin. 

1  Refit.  We  deny  the  Minor. 

Oppon.  The  Holy  Ghofi  hath  required  us  to  receive  to  the  Communion,  even  all  the 
weak  m  the  Faith,  who  are  charged  with  no  greater  Fault  than  erroneoufly  refufing  things 
lawful  as  unlawful. 

But  many  of  tho/e  who  dare  not  kneel  in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament  are  (at  the 
worfi  )  but  weak  m  the  Faith ,  and  charged  with  no  greater  Fault ,  than  erroveoufiy  refufing 
things  lawful  as  unlawful. 

Ergo,  To  enjoin  Minifiers  to  deny  the  Communion  to  all  who  dare  not  kneel  in  the  Re- 
ception  of  the  Sacrament,  is  to  enjoin  them  to  deny  the  Communion  to  fuch  as  the  Holy 
Ghofi  hath  required  us  to  receive  to  the  Communion. 

'  Rcjp.  We  fay,  This  is  no  true  but  a  fallacious  Syllogifm,  of  no  due  Form  :  For 
c  this  Reafon,  That  whereas  both  Subject  and  Predicate  of  the  Conclufion  ought 
f  to  be  fomewhere  in  the  Premifes,  here  neither  Subjed  of  the  Conclufion  {viz,,  to 
'enjoin  xMinifters  to  deny,  &c.)  nor  the  Predicate  of  the  Conclufion  {viz,,  is  to  en- 
'  join  them  to  deny,  &c.)  are  any  where  found  in  any  part  of  either  of  the  Pre- 
'  mifes ;  fo  that  here  are  not  only  quatuor,  but  quinque  termini. 

Oppon.  Tou  have. both  fubjeel  and  Predicate  in  the  Premifes  as  to  the  Senfe.     If  you 

ill  have  each  Syllable,  take  it  thus. 

If  to  enjoin  Minifiers  to  deny  the  Communion  to  Men  for  no  greater  Fault  than  being 
weak  in  the  Faith,  and  refufing  things  lawful  as  unlawful,  be  to  enjoin  them  to  deny  the 
Communion  to  fuch  as  the  Holy  Ghofi  hath  required  us  to  receive  to  the  Communion,  then  to 
enjoin  Minifiers  to  deny  the  Communion  to  all,  &c. 

But  to  enjoin  Minifiers  to  diny  the  Communion  to  Men  for  no  greater  Fault  than  being 
weak  in  the  Faith,  and  refufing  things  lawful  as  unlawful,  is  to  enjoin  them  to  deny  the 
Communion  to  fuch  as  the  Holy  Ghofi  hath  required  them  to  receive  to  the  Communion, 

Ergo,  To  enjoin,  &c.  (as  in  the  Minor.) 

Y72  <*# 


348  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J~ 


'  K$.  We  diftinguifh  to  that  Term  [things  Lawful']:  for  both  Things  lawful, 
€  and  by  no  lawful  Power  commanded  to  be  done  are  called  fuch  :  And  alfo 
'  things  lawful,  and  by  a  lawful  Power  alfo  commanded  to  be  done,  are  called 
'  fuch. 

*  If  you  take  things  lawful  in  the  former  Senfe,  we  deny  your  Major.  If  you 
c  take  things  lawful  in  the  later  Senfe,  we  deny  your  Minor. 

Oppon.  In  Rom.  14.  1,  2,  2.  and  15".  1.   The  Apoftle  by  the  Holy  Ghofi  fpeaking  of 
things  lawful  and  not  commanded,   yet  being  himfelf  a  Church  Governor,    commandeth 
them  not,  but  requireth  even  Church-Governors  as  well  as  others  to  receive  the  Diff'enters 
and  forbear  them,  and  not  to  make  theft  the  matter  of  Cenfure  or  Contempt.     Ergo,  the 
Minor  (or  Conference)  is  good. 

'  Refp.  we  anfwer  four  things :   1.  We  deny  the  Confequence  of  the  Enthy- 

*  meme* 

f  2.  Our  Difcourfe  proceeding  wholly  about  things  lawful  and  commanded  by  a 
'  lawful  Power,  they  profefs  to  proceed  only  upon  things  lawful  and  not  com- 
c  manded  by  a  lawful  Power  (in  which  Senfe  only  of  things  lawful,  and  not 
'  commanded  alfo,  we  denied  your  Major) :  For  they  that  prove  the  Major,  which 

*  was  not  denied  by  us  but  in  fuch  a  Senfe,  profefs  to  proceed  in  that  Senfe. 

'  ;.  Rom.  14.  i,  2,  3.  fpeaks  of  things  lawful  and  not  commanded  by  your  Ac- 
'  knowledgment :  And  we  all  along  have  profeffed  to  debate  about  things  lawful 
■  and  alfo  commanded.  So  that  the  Text  brought  by  you,  is  manifeftly  not  to  the 
'  purpofe  of  this  debate. 

'  ,4.  To  receive  them  in  Rom,  14.  is  not  forthwith  to  be  underftood  of  immediately 
'  receiving  to  the  holy  Communion :  And  for  this  Reafbn  again  that  Text  makes 
'  nothing  to  prove  for  their  receiving  to  the  holy  Communion. 

$  221.  When  this  Anfwer  was  given  in,  it  was  almoft  Night,  and  the  Company 
brake  up:  And  becaufel  perceived  that  it  was  hard  (efpecially  among  fuch  Diftur- 
bances)  to  reduce  all  in  a  moral  Subject  (that  mull  have  many  Words)  to  an  exad 
Syllogiftical  Form  to  the  laft,  without  Confufion  ;  and  that  the  only  Advantage 
they  could  hope  for  was  to  trifle  pedantically  about  the  Form  of  Arguments,  I  re- 
iblved  to  imitate  them  in  their  laft  Anfwer,  and  to  take  the  Liberty  of  more  (ex- 
plicatory) Words. 

§  222.  The  next  day  I  brought  in  our  Reply  to  their  Anfwer  at  large,  as  here 
followeth. 

Oppon.  The  Syllogifms  neceffarily  growing  fo  long,  as  that  the  Farts  denied  cannot  be 
put  verbatim  into  the  Conclufions,  without  offence  to  thofe  that  are  loath  to  read  that  which 
M  pedantick  and  objeure,  we  muft  contrail  the  Senfe,  and  divide  our  Proofs. 

The  Scn/e  of  your  Anfwer  to  the  hypothetical  SyUogifm  was,  That  if  we  /peak  of  things 
lawful  and  not  commanded,  then  you  deny  [that  thofe  that  we  mufi  deny  Communion  to  are 
fuch  as  the  Holy  Ghofi  commandeth  us  to  receive,  though  thofe  were  fuch  that  are  defcribed 
in  the  Antecedent].  But  if  we  mean  Jucb  lawful  things  as  are  commanded  by  lawful 
"Power,  then  you  {deny  that  thefe  are  fuch  as  the  Holy  Ghofi  requireth  us  to  receive. 

To  take  away  this  Anfwer If  your  Vifiinclion  be  frivolous  or  fallacious,  as  ap- 
plied by  you  in  your  Anfwer,  and  one  Branch  of  it,  but  a  begging  of  the  Quefiion,  Then 
your  Anfwer  is  vain,  and  our  Argument  fiandeth  good.  But  the  Antecedent  u  true :  Er- 
go, fo  is  the  Confequence. 

1.  It  is  frivolous  and  obfeure,  and  rather  making  than  removing  ambiguity,  and  ergo 
ufelefs.  1.  It  u  obfeure  :  For  we  know  not  whether  you  mean  [commanded  Jimply  with- 
out  any  Penaity]  or  [commanded  with  the  enforcement  of  a  Penalty] :  [  if  the  latter ', 
whether  you  mean  it  of  [a  Command  with  fuch  a  Penalty  as  we  fpeak  again(f\  or 
[fome  other  Penalty].  And  whether  you  mean  [commanded  by  fuch  as  have  a  Lawful 
Tower  ad  hoc]  or  [only  ad  aliud.]  Tour  difiintlion  mufi  neceffarily  be  difiinguijhed  of 
before  it  can  be  pertinent,  and  applied  to  our  Cafe :  Ergo,  it  ts  frivolous  through  OD- 
fcurity. 

If  you  fpeak  of  a  Command  without  Penalty,  or  with  no  other  Penalty  than  fuch  as  is 
confifient  with  [Receiving,  not  defpifing,  not  Judging,  and  all  the  indulgence  men- 
tioned in  the  Text]  then  your  very  Difiinftion  granteth  us  the  Caufe.  But  if  you  fpeak 
of  [a  Command  vnth  fuch  Penalty  as  is  tnconfifient  with  the  faid  Receiving  and  other  In- 
dulgences] then  this  Branch  of  your  Difiintlion  as  applied  by  you  Refp.  2.  is  but  the  beg- 
ging of  the  Quefiion,  it  being  fuch  Commanding  that  we  are  proving  to  be  forbidden 

by  the  Text If  there   be  no  Power  that  may-  command  fuch  things  any  farther 

than  may  fiand  with  the  Reception  and  other  Indulgences  of  the  Text,  then  mufi  you  not 
fuppofe  that  any  Power  may  otberwife  command  them.     But  the  Antecedent  if  true :   Er- 
go 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         349 

go  fo  u  the  conftauent. For  the  Minor,   if  Paul  and  the  refident  Paftors  of  the 

Church  of  Rome  had  no  Fewer  to  command  fuch  things,  further  than  may  fiand  with  the 
/aid  Reception  and  Indulgences,  then  no  others  have  fuch  Power.  But  Paul  and  the  Re- 
fident  Paftors  of  the  Church  of  Rome  had  no  fuch  Power  :  Ergo,  there  are  no  others  that 
have  fuel.  And  fo  your  Difiinclion  being  frivolous  and  fallacious,  the  Argument  fiands 
good. 

The  Senfe  of  our  Entbymeme  was,  that  [thefe  things  being  therefore  not  commanded, 
becaufe  they  ought  not  to  be  commanded  any  farther  than  may  ft  and  with  the  faid  Recep- 
tion and  Indulgences  in  the  Text,  God  having  there  forbidden  Men  any  otherwtfe  to  com- 
mand them  j  therefore  the  Conference  fiands  good,  your  Difiinttion  being  either  imper- 
tinent, or  granting  us  the  Poftulatum,  or  begging  the  Quefiion* 

And  fo  we  have  replied  to  your  fir  ft  Anfwer. 

Ad  2m.  Again  if  you  fpeak  of  a  fimple  Command,  enforcing  no  farther  than  confifietb 
with  the  forefaid  Reception  and  Forbearance  ;  I.  Tou  grant  the  thing  in  quejlion  :  Or  thus 
2.  If  there  be  no  fuch  Dtfparity  of  the  Cafes  as  may  warrant  your  Dtfparity  of  Penally 
againfi  your  Brethren,  then  our  Argument  (till  fiands  good.  But  there  ts  no  fuch  Dtfpa- 
rity of  the  Cafes  as  may  warrant  your  Difpanty  of  Penalty  againfi  your  Bretben  :  Er- 
go  

For  the  Minor  :  If  thofe  that  Paul  fpeaks  of  that  mufi  be  received  and  forborn,  did 
fin  againH  the  Command  of  God,  in  the  weaknefs  of  their  Faith,  and  their  erroneous  re- 
fufal  of  things  as  finful  that  were  not  fo  to  be  refufed,  then  there  ss  no  fuch  Dtfparity  in  the 
Cafes  as,  &C.  For  you  fuppofe  thofe  that  refuse  to  kneel,  to  break,  the  Command  of  Man, 
and  thofe  that  Paul  fpake  of  brake  the  Command  of  God,  and  yet  were  to  be  received  and 
forborn. 

But  if  you  here  alfo  fpeak  of  \_a  Command  enforced  by  Penalties  inconftfient  with  the  faid 
receiving  and  Forbearance]  ;  we  reply, 

If  our  prefent  Work  be  to  prove  that  God  hath  forbidden  all  fuch  Commands,  then  our 
proceeding  (in  proving  it)  is  regular,  and  our  fuppofing  the  things  not  fo  commanded  (ha- 
ving proved  it)  j  and  your  Dtfcourfe  wholly  proceeding  of  things  fo  commanded  (before 
you  anfwer  our  Proof  that  they  ought  not  to  be  Commanded)  is  an  irregular  Suppofition,  and 
begging  of  the  Quefiion>      •  But  our,  &c.  Ergo- &c. 

Ad  Refp.  3m.    If  Rom.  14.  1,  2,  £.  and  If.  u  &c.  fpeak  of  things  Lawful  and  no 

further  commanded  than  may  confifi  with  {receiving  and  forbearing]  •   forbidding  any  other 

commanding  of  fuch  things,  then  the  Text  is  mo  ft  pertinent  to  prove  that  there  ought  to  be 

no  fuch  Commands,  and  that  they   are  finful.     But  the  Antecedent  is  true*"  «  ■Er- 



Ad  Refp.  4m.  [Immediately"]  was  no  Term  in  our  Quedion.     But   that  Rom.  14.  I. 

fpeaketh  of  receiving  to  the  Holy  Communion  we  prove:  If  the  Holy  GboB  command  the 

virig  of  Men  to  that  Church-Communion  in  whole  or   in  general   without  Exception^ 

reof  the  Communion  in  the  Holy  Sacrament  is  a  mofi  eminent  part,  then  he  thereby 

cemmandeth  the  receiving  them  to  the  Holy  Communion  in  the  Sacrament,  as  a  principal 

Part :  But  the  Antecedent  is  true  :  Ergo,  fo  is  the  Confequent. 

The  Summ  of  our  Reply  is,  That  when  we  are  proving  from  Rom.  14,  and  If.  that  # 
God  hath  forbidden  Men  to  command  (uch  things  indifferent  on  pain  of  Exclufion  from 
Communion  ;  for  you  now  [to  difiinguifl)  of  things  commanded  by  Authority,  and  things  not 
commanded]  and  then  to  fay  [that  if  they  be  not  lb  commanded,  then  we  grant  that 
thty  (hould  not  be  fo  commanded  j  but  if  they  be  fo  commanded,  then  God  bath  not  for bid- 
dt  n  Jr  1 4  command  them]  this  is  to  make  the  Fa<5t  of  Man  antecedent  to  the  Law  of  Godg 
or  the  lnw  to  forbid  the  Facl,  in  Cafe  no  Man  will  do  it,  but  not  to  forbid  it  if  it  be  done: 
si.  ~  you  bad  faid,  [God  forbad  David  to  commit  Adultery  in  cafe  it  be  not  commmitted 
by  hjn,  but  not  in  caje  it  be  committed. 

§  223.  When  this  Reply  was  read,  Dr.  Gunning  lpake  a  few  Words  againft  the 
length  of  it ;  and  defired  a  Copy  of  ir,  that  he  might  take  it  home  with  him, 
to  bring  in  an  Anfwer  the  next  Day.  In  the  mean  time  I  urged  Dr.  Pierfon  to  per- 
form his  Promife,  in  taking  the  Opponents  part,  and  making  good  their  Impofiti- 
ons  ;  and  lo  at  laft  they  came  to  it.  Their  Difputations,  to  avoid  the  Readers  Con- 
fufion,  (hall  come  laft  after  our  next  Reply. 

§  224.  The  next  day  Dr.  Gunning  brought  in  a  large  Difcourfe,  in  aniwer  to  our 
laft  Reply.  His  Anfwer  it  felf  was  mil  of  infulting  Words,  efpecially  becaufe  I  ufed 
the  Words  [begging  the  Queftion]  (though  (ufficiently  explained)  as  applied  to  them 
that  were  Kelpondents.  I  told  them  that  I  confeffed  it  was  not  an  ufaal  Speech, 
but  I  thought  it  not  unfit  i  and  that  when  the  Reipondent  will  needs  have  the  thing 

queitioned 


35° 


The  LIFE  of  tk 

queftioned  to  be  put  into  the  Sub  jell  as  part  difpute,  which  mould  be  in  the  Predi- 
cate, and  fo  would  foreftall  the  Opponents  proof,  it  is  not  unfitly  called  a  begging 
of  the  queftion:  But  for  this  I  was  indifferent :  They  fhould  have  it  other  Terms  if 
they  pleafed,  it  being  a  Matter  that  our  Caufe  is  not  concerned  in.  I  took  Dr. 
Gunnings  Paper  home,and  brought  them  an  Anfwer  the  next  day  we  metjand  though 
I  took  not  a  Copy  of  his  Paper,  for  want  of  time  (and  he  would  not  lend  it  me 
after)  yet  you  may  fee  the  Sum  and  Sence  of  all  his  Anfwer  in  the  following  Re- 
ply, (which,  as  the  former,  my  Brethren  read  over  and  approved  of  ); 


The   K  E  P  LT    to  the  Bifbops   Difyniants  ,     which   was  not 
anfwered. 

WHether  it  be  our  Arguing  or  your  Anfwering  that  is  laxe  ,  declamatory,  pt> 
dantick  (  as  you  call  it ),  and  whether  your  confident  infulting  arife  from 
your  advantages  or  infirmity  of  Mind,  and  want  of  Matter  for  more  pertinent  An- 
swers, are  Queftions  that  we  mall  leave  to  impartial  Judges :  And  we  fhall  crave 
pardon  if  we  rather  feem  to  negled  your  words_,than  to  follow  you  in  thele  ftrange 
vagaries  any  further  than  meer  Neceffity  for  faving  your  Readers  from  the  Ei  rour 
into  which  they  are  fitted  to  miflead  them  doth  require. 

To  prove  the  Confequence  of  an  Hypothetical  Argument,  by  an  Enthymeme, 
hath  not  been  ufed  to  be  accounted  culpable.     The  Proof  you  ftiall  not  want. 

That  we  remryed  your  Anfwer  by  (hewing  your  Diftin&ion  frivolous,  deferved 
not  to  be  called,  A  popular  Infinuation,  Superfluous,  &c.  We  had  two  things  here  to 
do  :  The  firfr  was,  if  we  had  been  at  hand  with  you,  to  have  called  on  you  for 
the  neceffary  Explanation  of  your  Diftin£tion,  Whether  by  [commanded  by  lawful 
Tower]  you  mean  [commanded  under  no  penalty]  or  \_commanded  under  a  penalty,  con- 
fident with  the  Receiving  and  Forbearing  mentioned  in  the  Text]  or  [commanding  under  a 
penalty  inconflflent  with  this  Receiving  and  Forbearance}.  And  whether  you  mean  by 
\_Lawful  Power]  that  which  is  indeed  [  Lawful?  Power  ad  hoc]  or  only  [  ad  aliud  ]  ? 
As  far  as  we  can  find  in  thefeyour  Papers,  you  (till  forbear  to  explain  your  DifHn- 
<5Hon.  But  this  we  muftyet  infift  upon;and  defire  of  you,  notwithftanding  all  your 
Exclamations. 

And  then  cur  next  work  muft  be  to  mew  you;that  indeed  your  Diftin&ionis  ufe- 
lefs  as  to  the  making  of  our  Argument.  The  latter  branch  of  your  Diftindion  [  */ 
■we  Jfcak  of things  .lawful  and  commanded]  you  apply  to  the  denial  of  our  Antece- 
dent, or  Minor,  which  we  prove  (rands  good,  notwithstanding  this  your  Anfwer. 
Indeed  we  fpeak  of  [things  lawful  as  fuch]  abftra&ing  from  command:  But  wefpeak 
of  things  which  materially  were  partly  not  commanded ,  .and  partly  commanded:  It 
was  not  commanded  to  eat  or  not  eat  the  Meats  in  quefrion,  to  keep  the  Days  or  not 
keep  them :  In  thefe  they  went  againft  no  Law  :  But  to  be  weak  in  the  Faith,  and 
enoneoufly  to  take  things  lawful  to  be  unlawful,  and  things  indifferent  to  be  neceffary, 
and  to  offend  a  Brother  by  the  ufe  of  Liberty  on  the  other  fide,  were  againft  the 
Commands  of  God.  Now  the  Scope  of  our  Argument  was  to  (hew  ,  that  if  you 
fpeak  of  [a  command  upon  the  penalty  of  the  queftion]  your  Diftin&ion  helps  you  not 
to  (hake  our  Argument,  becaufe  as  it  is  true  that  the  Text  fpeaketh  not  of  things  fb 
commanded,  Co  the  thing  that  we  are  proving  is,  that  it  is  the  fence  of  the  Text 
to  forbid  all  fuch  commands.  If  it  be  trje  fence  of  the  Text  to  forbid*  fuch  commands, 
then  your  Diftindion  is  frivolous,  and  the  ufe  of  it  here  prevented,  and  our.  Ar- 
gument ftands  good  :  But  it  is  the  fence  of  the  Text  to  forbid   all  fuch  commands: 

Ergo The  Minor  we  are  to  prove  hereafter,  when  we  are  further  called-  to  it 

by  your  Anfwers.  But  if  by  [command]  you  mean  any  other  command  without  pe- 
nalty, or  without  the  penalty  forbidden*  we  argue,  If  it  be  all  one  as  to  our  Cafe, 
whether  it  be  fo  commanded  or  not,  then  your  Diftin&ion  is  frivolous,  and  our 
Argument  ftands  good  :  But  it  is  all  one  to  our  Cafe,  whether  it  be  fo  commanded  ox .. 
not :  Ergo This  was  the  Sum  of  our  Rejection  of  your  Anfwer,  which  we  can- 
not proiecute  till  you  will  be  perfwaded,  as  we  have  required,  to  explain  your  Di- 
ftincYion ;  and  then  we  fhall  know  what  to  fpeak  to. 

But 


Part  I  J.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  351 


But  perhaps  you  take  your  very  Refufal  to  explain  it,  to  be  an  Explanation ;  and 
your  words  may  feem  to  allow  us  to  underfland  you  of  any  command  wuh  tbu  pe- 
nalty or  without,  where  you  fay  [That  Text  which  Jpeaks  of  things  under  no  command 
at  all  is  brought  nothing  to  the  purpofe,  of  the  things  -which  we  debate  of  ^  being  under  fome 
command  of  lawful  Authority.}  But  ftill,  that  Text  which  forbiddeth  any  fuch  com- 
mand^nd  lb  taketh  away  the  Authority  of  (6  commanding^  fomething  to  the  purpofe, 
as  proving  that  no  Humane  Authority  ihould  fo  command  :  But  this  Text  forbid- 
deth any  fuch  command,  and  lb  taketh  away  the  Authority  of  fo  commanding — Ergo— 
And  as  it  is  a  command  confident  whh[  Receiving, Forbearingfac.yhatyou  may  be  un- 
derftood  to  fpeak  of,  i  .If  you  (peak  de  facto  &  de  jure,and  fuppofe  that  there  be  and 
ought  to  be  no  other  command.then  you  grant  us  the  Caufe,that  there  Ihould  beno 
commandjUpon  penalty  of  being  [Not-received  ,Not- for  born, &cc.~]  2.Ifyour  Suppofi- 
tion  be  de  facto  only, then  That  commanding  which  confiireth  with  Gods  command 
[  to  Receive  and  Forbear,  &c]  altereth  not  the  Cafe  :  But  fuch  is  the  commanding 
that  now  you  arefuppoled  to  fpeak  of — Ergo — So  ftill  your  diftinguifhing  touch- 
eth  not  our  Argument :  no  more  than  if  you  had  diftinguilned  of  the  Intruded  and 
Uninftrutted,  and  faid  Paul  fpeaketh  of  thole  that  were  uninftrucled  only,  Ergo  he  is 
not  alledged  to  the  purpofe. 

Whereas  you  fay  [  That  this  penalty,  th.it  the  Mimfier  be  enjoyned  not  to  adminifttr 
the  Communion  to  thofe  that  dtfobey  fuch  command,^  no  ways  inconfiflent  with  the  Receivings 
and  all  the  Indulgences  pf  that  Truth}  We  fhall  prove  the  contrary  anon  in  due  place. 

For  appellation  to  indifferent  perfons,  we  alfo  are  willing  fuch  fhall  judge  ,  whether 
if  your  Diltin&ion  fpeak  of  no  commanding  but  fuch  as  isconfiftent  with  this  [  Re- 
ceiving, Forbearing,  &c.  J  it  leave  us  not  in  pofleflion  of  the  force  of  our  Argu- 
ment ?  and  if  it  Ipeak  de  jure,  that  there  fiiould  be  no  other  ,  whether  it  yield  not  up 
the  Caufe  ? 

It  feems  our  very  phrafe  of  begging  the  Que(tion  being  mifunderftood  by  you, 
hath  been  taken  as  your  greateft  occafion  of  infiilting  :  But  if  we  ufed  an  unufiial 
Phrafe,  if  that  occafioned  your  miftake,  we  can  beg  your  pardon,  and  explain  it, 
with  lefs  wrong  to  our  Caufe  or  our  ielves,  than  you  can  make  fuch  ule  of  ir,;  as  to 
yours.  We  did  not  dream  of  charging  you  with  that  begging  of  the  Queftion 
which  is  the  fallacy  and  fault  of  the  Opponent,  as  it  is  the  begging  of  a  Principle 
Undertaken  to  be  proved :  we  know  this, is  not  incident  to  the  Refpondenr,  nor  to 
be  imputed  to  him  :  we  charged  you  with  no  fuch  thing:  though  wc  confefs  our 
Phrafe  was  liable  to  your  milinterpretation  :  But  we  crave  your  willingnefs  to  un- 
derhand, that  we  were  proving  that  juch  things  may  not  be  by  Rulers  enjoyned  or  com- 
manded under  the  penalty  of  Exclufion  from  Communion  !  and  that  the  latter  Branch  of 
your  Diltin&ion  hath  the  nature  of  a  Reafon  of  your  denial  of  the  Propofition  de- 
nied,i//£,.  becaujethe  things  are  commanded j  and  that  by  our  telling  you  of  begging  the 
Queftion,wz  mean  but  this  much  ;  i.That  you  give  us  a  Reafon  implied  in  a  Diltin- 
efcion,  which  is  but  equal  to  a  fimple  Negation,  and  is  not  (we  lay  not  the  giving 
a  fufficient  Reafon,  but)  the  giving  of  a  Reafon  indeed  at  all.  2.  That  ic  is  but 
equal  to  an  uniavoury  Denial  of  the  meer  Conclufion.  3.  Yea,  that  it  is  a  pre- 
pofterous  Reduction  of  the  Rule  to  the  Action;  and  of  the  former  to  the  latter. 
Suppofe  we  had  thus  phrafed  our  Propofition. 

Rulers  themfeives  are  here  forbidden  to  enjoyn  or  command  the  rejecting  of 
fuch  as  are  only  weak  in  the  Faith,  &c7\  And  you  mould  diftinguilh  and  fay  [Ei- 
ther Rulers  have  commanded  the  rejecting  them  for  juch  things,  or  net  :  If  they  have ,  then 
we  deny  the  Propofition  }  that  is,  [//'  they  have  done  it,  they  may  do  it,  and  the  Text  that 
forbids  it  is  to  be  under  flood  of  Juch  Rulers  as  have  not  already  forbidden  it  ];  Tell  us  ho  w 
you  will  call  fuch  di'tinguilhing  yourfelves,  and  you  may  underftand  our  meaning. 
It  is  all  one  if  you  put  your  Exception  into  the  defcription  of  the  Fault :  and  when 
we  Dy  [God  here  forbiddeth  Governcurs  themfeives  to  make  any  Commands  or  Injunctions 
for  reje cling  juch  as  are  only  weak  in  the  Faith,  and  miftake  about  indifferent  things  ~\  j  and 
you  diliinguilh  thus ,  [eihter  the  weak  offend  againft  fuch  Commands,  or  not  :  If  they  de 
fin  againft  fuch  Commands,  then  the  Text  forbiddeth  not  the  making  of  fuch  Commands] 
Give  this  kind  of  diltinguiihing  and  anfwering  a  proper  Name  your  felves.  Or  if 
to  our  Propofition  you  fay,  [The  indifferent  things  are  commanded  by  theGovernours,  or 
not  :  If  they  be,  then  God  forbiddeth  not  the  Governour  to  command  the  rejection  of  the  fer- 
fons  from  Communion  ~]  that  is,  [  Though  God  forbid  Governours  to  make  Laws  for  re- 
jecting fuch  as  err  about  indifferent  things  only  j  yet  that  is  on  fuppofition  that  the  faid  Go- 
vernours  do  not  fr(i  command  thofe  indifferent  things  :  for  if  once  they  command  thema 
they  may  then  command  the  rejection  of  thofe  that  break  them].  But  on  theCOntrary,He 
that  forbiddeth  the  rejection  of  fuch  fimply  and  antecedently  to  the  Laws  of  Men, 

fop 


352  IheLlFB  of  the  L  i  b.  I, 

forbiddeth  the  rejecting  of  them  mediately  or  immediately,  and  forbiddeth  the  fra- 
ming of  iiich  Commands  as  (hall  be  means  of  the  prohibited  Reje&ion  :  But  God 
in  the  Text  forbiddeth  the  Rejection  of  fuch,fimply  and  antecedently  to  the  Laws 
of  Men  :  Ergo  he  forbiddeth  the  Rejecting  of  them  mediately  or  immediately,  and 
forbiddeth  the  framing  of  fuch  Commands  as  fhall  be  means  of  the  prohibited  Re- 
jection. 

Though  we  hare  thus  taken  ofTyour  Anfwer,  we  mail  give  you  fuller  proof  in 
the  end  of  what  you  can  realbnably  expect. 

You  next  Anfwer  this  Argument  of  ours  [If  there  be  no  power  that  may  command 
fuch  things  any  further  then  may  ft  and  with  the  Reception  and  other  Indulgences  of  the  Text, 
then  muft  you  not  Juppoje  that  any  Power  may  oiherwife  command  them:  But  the  Antece- 
dent is  true  :  Ergo ]  Here  you  deny  the  Minor ;  which  1  prove  thus. 

If  none  have  power  to  break  the  Laws  of  God,  then  there  is  no  Power  that  may 
command  fuch  things  any  further  than  may  ftand  with  the  Reception  and  other  In- 
dulgences of  the  Text :  But  none  have  power  to  break  the  Laws  of  God  :  Ergo 
there  is  no  power  that  may  command  fuch  things  any  further  than  may  ftand  with 
the  Reception  and  other  Indulgences  of  the  Text. 

We  had  ufed  before  another  Argument  to  prove  the  Minor  thus ,  [  If  Paul  and 
the  refidtnt  Vaftcrsof  the  Church  of  "Rome  had  no  power  to  command  fuch  things  further 
than  may  ftand  with  the  faid  Reception  and  Indulgence,  then  no  others  have  fuch  power  :  But 

Paul  and  the  rejident  V  aft  or  s  of  the  Church  of  Rome  had  no  fuch  power Ergo  there  are 

no  others  that  have  fitch"].  Here  you  deny  the  AiTumption.  Which  is  proved  by  the 
foregoing  Medium.  If  Paul  and  the  refident  Paftors  of  the  Church  or  Rome  had  no 
power  to  crofs  the  Will  of  God,  then  they  had  no  power  to  command  fuch  things 
further  than  may  ftand  with  the  faid  Reception  and  Indulgence  :  But  Paul  and  the 
refident  Paftors  of  the  Church  of  Rome  had  no  power  to  crofs  the  Will  of  God  : 
Ergo 

You  vainly  call  the  Explication  of  our  Enthymeme  in  plainer  words  [  the  pro- 
ving of  its  obfcure  Conference  by  the  more  obfcure  Confluence  of  another  J  and  hereupon 
infult :  but  we  ihall  take  leave  to  leave  you  to-your  humour  in  fuch  things.  If  it 
offend  you,  blot  out  the  Enthymeme,  feeing  you  have  Reply  enough  without  it : 
Or  if  you  will  be  ftill  tempted  to  infult  till  you  are  delivered  from  the  Enthy- 
meme, you  have  our  fence  in  this  Argument. 

If  the  things  fpoken  of  by  the  Apoftle  were  not  only  not  commander?,  but  for- 
bidden to  be  commanded  any  further  than  may  (rand  with  the  Reception  and  In- 
dulgence of  the  Text,  then  there  is  no  fuch  difparity  in  the  Cafes  as  may  make  our 
Confequence,  though  with  us  fuch  things  are  commanded  :  But  the  Antecedent  is 
true  ;  Ergo  fo  is  the  Confequent. 

To  your  fccond  Anfwer  ,we  firft  again  endeavoured  to  bring  you  to  explain  your 
Diitin&ion,  what  Commanding  you  mean  :  but  have  no  Return  to  that  but  Si- 
leiv.e  ;  which  we  take  to  be  tergiverfation. 

Then  we  argued  thus,  [  If  there  be  no  fuch  difparity  of  the  Cafes  as  may  warrant  your 
difparity  of  penalty  againft  your  Brethren,  then  our  Argument  fill  ftands  good  :  but  there 
is  no  fuch  difparity  of  the  Cafes  as  may  warrant  your  difparity  of  penalty  againft  your  Bre* 
thnn  :      Eigo — ■ — 

Yctid-.ny  the  Minor  :  which  we  proved  thus— —  If  thole  that  Paul  fpeaksof 
that  mult  be  received  and  forborn  did  fin  againft  the  command  of  God,  in  the 
weakrefc  of  their  Faith  and  their  Erroneous  refufing  of  things  as  finfulthat  were  not 
to  be  fo  sefufed.then  there  is  no  fuch  defparity  in  the  Cafes  zs.&c.  But,c^c.  Ergo — 

Here  >ou  deny  the  Confequence  ;  which  we  prove  thus :  If  the  Sin  of  thofe  that 
date  not  kneel  be  no  greater  than  theirs  that  were  weak  in  the  Faith  ,  and  refufed 
Things  Uwrut  as  unlawful,  and  took  Things  indifferent  as  neceffary,  and  hereby 
gratified  the  Jews  and  other  Enemies  of  the  Church,  and  trefpafled  on  the  Chur- 
ches Liberties  purchafed  by  Chrift,  and  yet  became  the  Cenf urers  of  the  ftrong ; 
and  if  the  Scruple  of  Kneeling  have  as  fair  Excules  as  the  other ,  then  the  Con- 
fequence is  good,  and  there  is  no  fuch  difparity  in  the  Cafes  as  may  warrant  your 
penalty  :  But  the  Antecedent  is  true  i  Ergo  fo  is  the  Confequent. 

We  Iball  profecute  the  Comparifon  further  anon. 

We  added  here  this  Reafbn  in  brief  [  For  you  fuppofe  thofe  that  refufe  to  kneel  to 
break  the  command  of  Man,  and  thofe  that  Vau\jpoke  of  broke   the  command  of  God,  and 

were  to  be  received  and  forborn]  Ergo  there  is  no  fuch  difparity  as  may  warrant 
your  penalty.  Here  you  add  to  our  words  [the  command  of  Man]  the  word  [only], 
and  fay,  that  elfs  we  do  but  trifle.  We  reply  ;  that  by  adding  your  own  words, 
and  then  perfwading  us  to  own  them  left  we  trifle  ,  you  do  worfe  than  trifle,  and 

your 


Part  11.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  353 

your  grof*  injuftice  hath  no  fair  pretence,  being  againfr  the  Eight  of  our  ^.oncu 
fionand  Undertaking;  we  were  but  to  prove  that  there  was  ho  £ich  djjparjty  ;  e 
that  thi  fault  of  th©ie  that  kneel  not,  was  not  greater,  and  (b  mu:h  gr>a:er  as  might 
warrant  your  penalty:  Therefore  as  you  will  acknowledge  kneeling  at  the  Sacra- 
ment to  be  immediately  but  the  command  of  Mm,  and  weakneQ  of  Faith,  Errour 
Cenfuring,  &c.  to  be  immediately  againfr  a  command  of  God,  ('which  yet  we  ip  ,ki 
of  but  ror  juft  denomination,  and  not  to  prove  a  difpaiit/  to  our  advantage),  i'o  if 
we  prove  no  difparry  againff  us,  we  do  what  we  undertake:  And  that  a  Sin  again  ft 
the  command  of  God  immediately,  is  as  well  worthy  of  Punifhment  as  a  Sin  a- 
gainft  the  command  of  Man  immediately  catens  paribus  is  true,  and  all  that  we 
affirmed,  and  all  that  we  were  bound  to  prove.  * 

Yet  you  importune  us  to  anfwer  you  a  Queftion ,  [Whither  is  not  the  Erroneous  re* 
'fufing  of  lawful  things  commanded  by  lawful  Authority,  as  finful,  the  refufino-  of  things  as 
finful  that  were  not  to  be  fo  refufed?]  We  Anfwer  you  ,  i.  But  with  them  and  you  it 
is  the  Thing  in  Controvert,  Whether  they  are  lawful  Things,  or  not  ?  2. If  they 
be,  What  then  ?  Why  you  (ay,  [If fo-,  then  even  according  to  your  own  reasoning,  tf 
you  reafon  at  aU,  theft  Refufers  to  kneel  Jin  again f  God,  and  the  Rule  your  fives  lay  down 
thereof,  as  well  as  thofe  Rom.  14.]  And  what  then  i  Is  there  therefore  a  Dfpanty  be 
caufe  they  do  alike  ?  Are  fuch  asthefe  the  occafions  of  your  infulcing  ?  We  /hill 
then  fufpeel:  you  hive  fome  grofs  Miftake,  whenever  we  find  you  thus  infultin^. 
But  you  fay  [That  Ergo  we  did fallacioujly  infmuate  the  one  to  break  the  Command  of 
God,  and  the  other  to  break  the  Command  of  Men7].  But  really,  is  it  not  io  ?  If  you  al- 
low not  the  Di  lindion  ifer  Leges  Divinai  tjr Humanas, you  know  how  fingularyoj 
are,  and  w^at  Confequences  will  follow  :  If  you  do,  why  may  we  not  uU  fieri 
Denominations  ?  But  you  fay  of  thefinfulnefs  [It  is  mo(l  evidently  common  to  the  for- 
mer with  the  latter.]  1.  If  the  Controverfie  be  yielded  you  it  is  lo.  2.  And  what 
then?  becauie  it  is  common,  Ergo  there  is  fuch  a*DiJfart:y  as  may  warrant  your 
grievoas  penalty.  We  only  prove  no  fuch  Difparity  ,  and  we  are  notably  confj- 
ted,  by  your  proof  that  the  Sinfulnefs  is  common,  that  is  .  by  )  ielding  what  we 
prove. 

Next  in  many  words  you  tell  us  of  a  Di/parity.  r.  Recaufe  in  our  Cafe  kneeling  is 
commanded.  2.  Becaufe  the  things  are  antecedently  helps  to  piety.  To  which  we  havt 
before  anfwered  :  i.God  hath  forbidden  all  Commands  of  fiich  things,  inconfifient 
with  the  Reception  and  Forbearance  in  queflion.  2.  Their  Sin  of  Weaknefs  in 
Faith,  and  Errour,  were. alfo  againft  Commands.  3.  We  (hall  (hew  greater  Rea- 
fbns  of  Defparity  on  the  other  fide.  4.  The  thing  in  queflion  (Kneeling)  hath  no- 
thing antecedent  to  the  Command  to  make  the  refufal  of  it  finful ,  no  nor  meet 
than  other  Geftures.     Of  which  after. 

To  your  third  Anfwer  we  replyed,  [  Jf  Rom.  14.  8c  1 5-.  JJ>eak  of  things  lawful , 
and  no  further  commanded  than  may  confifl  with  [  Receiving  and  Forbearing],  forbidding 
any  other  commanding  of  fuch  things,  then  the  Text  is  mojt  pertinent  to  prove  that  there 
ought  to  be  no  fuch  Commands ,  and  that  they  are  finful  ].  But  the  Antecedent  is  true  : 
Ergo 

Here  you  tell  us  of  manifefi  fallacy,  of  advantageous  Equivocation ,  orelfe  SLgrofilg- 
Koratto  Elenchi  in  the  Conclufion  ;  words  eafie  to  be  uttered  by  you.  But  if  you 
will  [  profefi  all  along,  as  you  fay,  to  proceed  or  debate  only  of  things  lawful  and  commanded 
by  lavjful  power]  that  is,  lawfully,  when  our  very  Quellion  is,  Whether  fuch  things  an 
be  fo  commanded?  and  we  are  proving  that  they  cannot,  and  you  will  call  it  an  i'gnora- 
tio  Elenchi,  if  we  will  not  grant  you  all  in  queflion,  but  will  endeavour  to  prove  the 
contrary  to  what  you  would  have  granted,  this  is  that  which  we  before  called  even 
the  Refpondents  begging  of  the  Queff  ion,  when  he  accufeth  the  Opponent  for  pro- 
ving what  he  denieth,  and  would  put  that  into  the  Suhj<c7  as  not  to  be  queftioned  ; 
which  is  in  the  Predicate^  and  we  are  difproving.  2.  And  remember  that  in  your 
firft  Paper  we  were  not  called  to  difpute  the  Parity  or  Difparity  of  the  Offences  : 
Ergo  by  \_Juch  things  ]  we  mean  [  Jucb  things  ~]  as  are  mentioned  Rom.  14  8c  1  $■.  And 
our. Conclufion  there  goeth  no  further ;  that  Matter  being  further  to  be  carried  on 
in  its  proper  place. 

To  your  fourth  Anfwer  we  replyed,  That  [immediately]  was  no  Term  in  our 
Queflion  :  You  lay  you  may  diitinguilh:  True  j  but  you  cannot  bind  us  to  prove 
that  the  Men  that  we  prove  are  to  be  received  to  Communion,  muft  be  immediately 
received  ;  when  we  never  affirmed  it ;  as  long  as  you  tell  us  not  whether  you  fpeak 
de  immediationetemporis,  vcl  conditionis,  vel  flatus,  or  what  you  mean  by  immediate- 
ly :  In  regard  otTtme,  no  Man  in  the  Church  is  immediately  to  be  received  to  the 
Sacrament,  till  the  very  time  come, 

Zz  2.  W# 


354  We  L  I  F  E  of  the  L\ b.  I. 

2.  We  Argued,  [If  the  Holy  Gboft  command  the  receiving  of  Men  to  that  Church  Com- 
munion in  general  without  exception,  whereof  the  Communion  m  the  Holy  Sacrament  is  a 
mofl  eminent  part,  then  he  thereby  commandeth  the  receiving  them  to  the  Communion  in  the 
Sacrament.  But,  &c.  Ergo>  &c.  Your  Anfwer  fignitieth  that  it  is  a  receiving  nrft 
to  InHruBion,  and  not  to  the  Sacrament,  till  ibme  Change  be  made,  you  tell  us  not 
what,  or  that  it  isfuch  a  Receiving  as  may  confift  with  denying  them  the  Com- 
munion. We  mall  now  therefore  prove  in  order  thefe  two  Propofitions,  which  are 
to  be  next  proved. 

i.  That  the  Reception  that  PWfpeaketh  of,  is  fuch  as  is  not  confident  with  de- 
nial of  the  Sacrament  for  thofe  faults. 

2.  That  there  is  no  fuch  Difparity  between  their  Faults  and  thofe  that  refufe 
to  kneel  at  the  Sacrament,  as  may  warrant  your  Difparity  of  Penalty  orUfage. 

The  firft  we  fhall  prove,  i.  From  the  Text  before  us ;  2.  By  other  Scriptures; 
3.  By  Teftimony  of  Expofiters,  especially  thofe  of  your  own  way  in  other  Things. 

1.  So  to  receive  one  another  as  Chrift  received  us  to  the  Glory  of  God  the  Fa- 
thered this  not  to  doubtful  Difputation,  (or  not  to  judge  their  doubtful  Thoughts,) 
and  not  to  defpife  or  judge  one  another,  but  to  take  each  other  for  fuch  as  do  what 
we  do  to  the  Lord,  and  let  every  Man  be  fully  perfwaded  in  his  own  Mind  ,•  and 
fo  as  to  diftinguim  the  Points  that  we  differ  about  from  thole  in  which  God's 
Kingdom  doth  confift,  in  which  whofoever  ferveth  Chrift  is  acceptable  to  God, 
and  mould  be  approved  of  Men  i  and  fo  as  to  follow  tr*  things  that  edifie  and 
make  for  Peace,  and  not  lay  a  [fumbling  block  or  occafion  of  falling  in  our  Bro- 
ther's way,  or  deftroy  him  by  the  uncharitable  ufe  of  our  Liberty  ,  knowing  it  is 
Sin  to  him  that  efteemeth  it  Sin  •  but  to  forbear  our  felves  to  ufe  thofe  things  irj 
Controverfie  whereby  our  Brother  ftumbleth  or  is  offended ,  becaufe  he  is  damned 
if  he  ufe  them  doubtingly ;  and  therefore  to  have  the  belief  of  their  lawfulnefs  to 
our  felves  before  God,  and  to  bear  with  the  Infirmities  of  the  Weak,  and  pleafs 
them  to  their  Eification,  and  not  to  pleafe  our  felves,  that  fb  being  like-minded 
one  towards  another,  that  with  one  mind  and  one  mouth  we  may  glorine  God : 
We  fay,  Thus  to  receive  is  not  confident  with  the  denial  of  Communion  in  the 
Sacrament  for  thofe  Faults.  But  fuch  was  the  Receiving  required  by  the  Apoftle 
Rom.  14.  &  15-.  — Ergo 

He  that  can  (erioufly  ponder  all  thefe  Expreflions,  and-  the  Scope  of  the  Holy 
Ghoft,  and  yet  can  believe  that  all  this  Receiving  is  but  fuch  as  confifleth  with 
forbidding  them  Communion  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  which  then  was  fb  great  a  part 
of  the  daily  Communion  of  the  Church,  and  alfo  may  confift  with  the  further 
Procefs  againff  People  and  Minifters  to  Excommunication,  and  Prohibition  to 
preach  the  Gqfpel,  which  is  now  pleaded  for  in  our  Cafe,  is  of  fo  ftrange  a  tem- 
perature of  Underftanding,  as  that  we  can  have  little  hope  by  any  Scripture-Evi- 
dence to  convince  him.  .  j4 

2.  When  the  Holy  Ghoft  requireth  Men  in  general  to  receirfothers  as  Church- 
Members  into  Church- Communion,  with  the  Affedion  and  Tendernefs  here  ex- 
prefled,  and  doth  not  except  any  ordinary  part  of  Church-Communion  ,  it  is  not 
lawful  for  us  to  interpret  it  of  fuch  a  Receiving  as  excludeth  the  principal  part  of 
ordinary  Church-Communion. 

But  in  Rom.  14. .&  1  j.  the  Holy  Ghoft  requireth  Men  in  general  to  receive  o- 
thers  as  Church-Members  into  Church -Communion  with  the  Affedion  and  Ten- 
dernefs here  expreffed,  and  doth  not  except  any  ordinary  part  of  Church  Commu- 
nion. 

Ergo  it  is  not  lawful  for  us  to  interpret  it  of  fuch  a  Receiving  as  excludeth  the 
principal  part  of  Ordinary  Communicn. 

The  Reafon  of  the  Major  is,  Becaufe  as  the  whole  containeth  all  the  parts,  fb 
when  the  whole  or  general  is  commanded,  if  Men  may  take  liberty  to  except  the 
very  principal  part  where  the  Law  doth  not  except  it,  then  no  Commands  can  be 
intelligible,or  fuch  Interpreters  may  have  liberty  to  make  void  the  law  at  their  own 
pleafure.  As  when  it  is  faid  [Honour  the  Kmg~]  and  Let  every  Soul  be  fubjett  to  the 
Higher  Powers']  and  [not  refift]  &c.  if  Men  may  take  liberty  by  interpreting,  to 
except  the  very  principal  part  of  Honour,  and  the  principal  perfons  from  Subje- 
dion,  and  the  principal  Cafe  from  [Refift  not],  it  wjll  be  no  juft  interpretation. 
If  thefe  fame  Perfons  had  a  Command  in  general,  to  [wcrfiip  God']  or  \_hold  Com- 
munion with  the  Church"]  if  they  themlelves  fhould  interpret  it  fo  as  to  exclude  wor- 
shipping God  in  the  Sacrament  of  the  Eucharift  j  or  holding  Communion   with 

the 


•  —    I'll""       '         »    ' ■ 

Part  II.   Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         355 

the  Church  therein,  we  doubt  not  but  they  would  be  judged  unjuft  difringuifh- 
ers. 

The  Minor  is  granted  us  by  our  Reverend  Brethren  ,  who  here  openly  confeL 
that  the  Text  fpeaketh  of  Church-Members,  and  of  Receiving  them  to  Church 
Communion,  though  they  unwarrantably  interpret  it  of  fiich  a  Communion  as 
extendeth  not  to  the  Sacrament  of  the  Euchariff . 

;.  If  the  Text  Row.  14.  c^if.  forbid  not  one  part  to  put  away  others  from 
Communion  in  the  Sacrament  of  the  Euchariff,  then  it  forbiddeth  not  the  other 
Party  to  feparate  from  their  Brethren  in  the  Sacrament  or  the  Enchant!. 

But  the  Coniequent  is  falfe  :  Ergo  ib  is  the  Antecedent. 

The  Reafbnof  theConfequenceof  the  Major  is,  becaufe  if  it  fpeak  not  of  that 
part  of  Communion  to  one  Party,  it  cannot  fpeak  of  it  to  the  ocher,it  being  plain- 
ly the  fame  Communion  that  it  fpeaketh  of  to  both. 

The  Minor  is  ordinarily  granted  us  by  the  Diffenters ,  when  they  apply  this 
Text  againft  Separatilts,  that  upon  the  Account  of  Ceremonies  and  Things  indif- 
ferent, condemn  the  Church,  and  judge  their  Brethren,  and  feparate  from  their 
Communion  in  the  Euchariit. 

II.  From  other  Scripture?.  If  in  all  the  Word  of  God  there  be  no  mention  of 
fuch  a  Receiving  into  Church-Communion,  (  much  lefs  with  all  thefe  Prohibitions 
of  Judging,  Delpifing,  Offending,  &c.)  asconfifteth  with  Rejecting  from  Commu- 
nion in  the  Euchariit,  of  any  Perion  naturally  capable  ,  then  the  word  Receiving 
is  not  to  be  fo  expounded  here. 

But  in  all  the  Word  of  God  there  is  no  mention  of  fuch  a  Receiving  into  Church- 
Communion  (  much  lefs  with  all  thefe  Prohibitions,  &c.)  as  confilteth  with  Re- 
ading from  Communion  in  the  Euchariff,  of  any  Perfbn  naturally  capable. 

Ergo  the  word  Receiving  is  not  to  be  lb  expounded  here. 

The  Reafon  of  the  Confluence  of  the  Major  is,  becaufe  here  is  no  apparent 
ground  in  this  Text  for  us  to  underftand  the  Receiving  fpoken  of,  as  different  from 
what  is  mentioned  in  all  other  places  of  the  holy  Scripture:  And  if  without  any 
fuch  ground  we  ihould  allow  our  felves  a  Angular  Interpretation,  wc  fhould  open  a 
way  to  Men  to  make  what  they  pleafe  of  Scripture. 

The  Minor  being  to  be  proved  by  an  Induction  of  all  particular  Texts,  it  vt  ill 
be  the  biiefer  way  for  the  Refpondenr  to  infrance  in  any  one  which  he  thinks  hath 
fuch  a  fence,  and  then  we  lhall  be  ready  to  prove  the  contrary. 

III.  For  the  fence  of  Expofitors ;  We  mall  begin  with  the  Learned  Dr.  Ham- 
mond ;  who  expoundeth  the  Teat  of  Church-Communion,  and  (uch  Communion 
as  cannot  con  fill  with  Excommunicating  from  the  Sacrament  of  the  Euchariit  , 
or  the  other  heavy  Penalties  upon  Miniders  and  People  which  we  now  plead  a- 
gainlt,  as  may  be  feenin  thefe  his  plain  Expreflions.  '  V.  1.  [  And  for  the  prefer- 
%  vjng  of  that  Chriftian  Charity  among  all  mentioned  Solemnly  Cb.  13.  8,9, io.(W. 

'  loc.)  I  lhall  enlarge  to  give  jfoefe  Rules.    The  Jewifh  Believer on  the  other 

'  fide  the  Gentile  Believers  feeing  the  Jewifh  ftand  upon  fuch  things are  apt  to 

*  feparate and  fo  betwixt  one  and  other  the  Communion  is  like  to  be  broken. 

4  ——-The  Scrupulous  or  Erroneous  Judaizer— ^-— do the  Gentiles  not  reject,  but 
f  receive  to  your  Communion  ;  Yet  not  fb  that  he  thereby  thinks  himfelf  encoura- 

*  ged  or  authorized  to  quarjfld'W'ith  other  Mens  Refblutions and  to  condemn  o- 

1  thers V.  ;.  The  Scrupulous  Judaizer  muft  not  rejed  and  caflc  out  of  his  Com- 

*  munion  the  Gentile  Chriltian for  God  hath  admitted  him  into  his  Church 

1  (without  laying  that  yoke  upon  him)  as  a  Servant  into  his  Family,  and  he  is  not 
1  to  be  excluded  by  the  Judaizer  for  fuch  things  as  thefe-- — •  V.  4  What  Commif- 
'  fion  haft  thou,  O  Jewifh  Chriftian,  to  judge  God's  Servant,  received  and  owned 

1  by  him,  to  exclude  him  out  of  the  Church. God  is  able  to  clear  him,ir  he 

1  pleafe,  and  he  certainly  will,  having  by  receiving  him  into  his  Family  given  him' 

*  thislibeity- V.  f. In  fuch  things  every  Man  muft  ad  by  his  own,  and  not 

1  by  another  Man's  Judgment  or  Confcience,  what  he  is  verily  perfwadedhe  ought 

*  to  do  ;  and  therefore  Unity  and  Charity  ought  not  to  be  broken  by  you  for  fuch 

c  things V.  6,  7.  and  this  fure  is  well  done  on  both  fides.    For  no  Man  of  us 

c  is  to  do  what  he  himfelf  likes  beft,  but  what  he  thinks  is  moft  acceptable  to  Gad. 
~>V.  9.  And  all  the  Fruit  of  ChrifFs  Death  and  Suffering  and.  Refurre&ion  ,  which 

*  accrues  to  him,  is  only  this,  that  he  may  have  Power  and  Dominion  over  us  all, 
'  to  command  or  give  what  liberty  he  pleateth.  V.  10.  But  why  doft  thou  Jewifti 
'  condemn  the  Gentile  Chriltian,  or  exclude  him  from  thy  Communion,  becaufe 

ZZ2  '*» 


o$6  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

«  he  ufeth  his  Chriftian  Liberty,  &c.    Or  thou  Gentile  Chriftian,  why  dofl  thou 
'  think  it  a  piece  of  fenflefs  Stupidity  in  the  Jew  to  abftain,  and  thereupon  d-S 

*  and  vilifie  him,  which alfo  is  a  kind  of  judging  him  :    Whereas  indeed  neither  of 

'  you  is  to  be  the  Judge  of  the  other,  but  Chriit   of  you  both V.  i ;.  Do  noc 

'  any  longer  cenfure  and  (eparate  from  one  anothers  Communion  for  (bets  Things 

f  as  thefe V.  14. — The  perfwafion  of  its  being  forbidden  him  is,  as  long  as  he  is 

'  fo  perfwaded,  fufficient  to  make  it  to  him  unlawful  to  ule  that  liberty fee 

■  V.  1  y,  16. F.i7-ForChriftianity  confifts  not  in  iiich  External  Matters — but  in — 

*  mercifulnefs,  and  peaceablenefs,  and  delight  to  do  good  one  to  another  —  Not 

'  dividing  and  hating  and  excommunicating  one  another. V.  19.  Let  us  molt 

'  zealoufly  attend  to  thole  things,  which  may  thus  preierve  Peace  among  all  ibrts 

*  of  Chriftians,  though  of  different  perfwafrons V.  20.  Do  not  thou  for  fo  in- 

'  confiderable  a  Matter  as  Eating  is,  or  becauie  another  will  not  or  dares  not  make 

'  ufe  of  that  Chriftian  Liberty difturb  that  Peace,  that  Unity  which  God  hath 

'  wrought V.  21.  It  is  not  charitable  to  make  ufe  of  any  part  of  Chriftian  Li- 

'  berty,  when  by  this  Co  doing  any  other  Man  is  kept  from  receiving  the  Faith . 

'  or  any  way  wounded  or  hurt,  i.e.  brought  to  any  kind  of  fin V.  23.  And 

1  indeed  for  the  Scrupulous  Jew,  there  is  little  reafon  he  mould  be  fo  ill  ufed  for  his 
c  daring  to  eat,  when  he  thinks  himfelf  otherwife  obliged:  for  it  were  a  damning 
f  Sin  for  which  his  own  Confcience  already  condemns  him,  mould  he  eat  or  do  a- 

'  ny  indifferent  thing,  as  long  as  he  thinks  in  Confcience  that  it  is  not  Co- • 

'  Chap.  1  f.  V.  j\  6,  7.  And  that  God  for  whom  we  ought  to  fuffer, give  you 

c  the  Grace  of  Unity  and  Charity,  fuch  as  Chrift:  commanded  and  expects  from 
'  you,  that  ye  may  joyn  unanimoufly  Jews  and  Gentiles  into  one,  and  aflembling 

'  together,  Worfhip  and  Serve  the  Lord in  all  Unity  of  Affections  and  Form 

1  of  Words.     Wherefore  in  all  Humility  of  Condefcenfion  and  Kindnels,  embrace 

*  and  fuccour  one  another,  help  them  up  when  they  are  fall'n,  inftead  of  dzfpifing 
1  and  driving  them  from  your  Communion  alter  the  Example  of  Chrift's  ufage  to- 
'  wards  Men,  who  came  from  Heaven  and  laid  down  his  Life  to  relieve  us,  and 

*  there  is  nothing  by  which  God  is  more  glorified  than  this ] 

If  all  this  may  confift  with  rejecting  from  all  Communion  in  the  Eucharifr,  and 
afterwards  Excommunicating,  Sulpending,  Silencing,  Impriioning,  &c.  we 
underftandnot  Englifb. 

2.  In  like  manner  Grotius  in  loc.  cap.  14.  1.  [  Contra  vocati  a  Genttbm,  confcii  data 
per  Chrt(lum  libertatis;  Judaos  Judaice  viventes  a  fua  Communione  volebant  excluder e  11, 

18,  2r.  unde  fecuturum  erat  Schifma —~Huic  malo  ut    occurrat  Paulus,  medium  tn- 

ftittt  <viam}  &  Judaos  qui  in  Cbriftum  credtderant,  monet  ita  Juam  fequantur  opimonem, 
ut  a  damnandis  crimme  impietatis  qui  altter  Jenttebant,  abflineant  :  Ex  gentibus  vere  vo- 
catos,  ne  illorttm  quamvis  Judaice  viventium  cemmumonem  defugiant ,  ejr    ut  imperitos 

fyernant- •L<a&<TXAiJ(.CeLvz&i\  Societate  Ecclefia*,  ftcut  qui  bojpitio  aliquem  excipiunt, 

dicuntur  eum  <ts&<Th<L[>.Q<Lveiv ,  Acts  18.  26.  &C  28.  2.  Ecclefia  enim    Domini  comparatur  fu- 

pra  11.25%  jumttur  hac  admonitio  ex  iis  qua  de  Cbrifto  qua  ditta  Matth.  12.  20. 

2 Tolerandi  fttnt  ij  qui  ab  omnibus  ammatis  abftinendum  putant,  quod  quidam  facie- 

bant  Religtone  quadam*  ■ '  Cap.  I  J.  6, 7.  ha,  opo%v/u*J$v  h  hi  s6(ml  77  c/afa'^V/'s  r  Qzov~\ 
id  eft  jit  cum  Deum  laudatisy  eique  preces  funditis,  faciatis  id  non  tantum  eodem  verborum 
Jono — fed  &  animo  pleno  mutua  deleffionis,  fine  contemptu  ,  fine  odio.  Habes  banc  vocem 
IfMSvjMiJov,  Act.  1  r.  46.  ubi  forma  eft  Ecclefia  perfecJiftima.  Adde  adejus  vocis  explica- 
tiomm  id  quod  eft  Act.  4.  32.  (all  which  includeth  Communion  in  the  Eucharift  ) 
'■  "V.  7.  Nolite  ob  res  tales,  alii  alios  a  fr  at  emit  ate  abj 'cinder e 

§  225-.  This  Paper  was  given  in  the  very  laft  day  of  our  Commiflion  and  Di- 
fpute  :  And  Dr.  Gunning  read  another  which  he  had  prepared  for  an  Infultation  at 
our  Difmiflion,  which  Paper  had  fome  Miftakes  in  it,  and  the  Citation  of  many 
WitnelTes,  who  (  as  he  would  have  perfwaded  us)  took  the  word  [Receiving]  Rom. 
14. 6c  15.  as  not  meaning  or  including,  Receiving  to  the  Holy  Communion  in  the 
Sacrament. 

§  226.  In  the  beginning  he  affirmed  that  we  had  refilled  toDiipute,  till  they  hsd 
promiled  to  take  their  turn,  and  prove  the  lawfulnefs  of  their  Impofitions.  To 
this  I  anfwered,  That  it  was  contrary  to  our  open  and  frequent  ProfefTion,  that  we 
would  do  our  part  whether  they  would  do  theirs  or  not  :  only  I  faid,  that  if  they 
refufed  it,  we  mould  take  it  for  adelerting  of  their  Caufe.  This  he  a  while  denied; 

I 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         357 

I  appealed  to  the  Auditors  of  his  Party,*  and  they  gave  no  Anfwer  :  Dr.  Bates 
wicneffed  it,  Dr.  Jacomb  offered  his  Oath  of  it.  He  told  them  that  they  w*re 
Parties.  By  this  tifnel  fawmine  Error,  in  giving  way  for  their  Doctors  to  crowd 
in  to  applaud  them  and  witnels  for  them,  when  we  had  none  (or  next  to  none) 
of  ours  there,  fuppofing  by  the  Agreement  three  only  muft  have  ftayed. 

§  227.  When  Dr.  Gunning  had  read  his  infulring  Anfwer  the  day  before,  and 
made  a  great  matter  of  my  telling  the  Refpondent  of  [begging  the  Queftion]  rhey 
put  Dr.  Sanderfon,  Bilhop  of  Lincoln,  into  the  Chair,  that  his  Learning  and  Gravity 
might  put  a  Reputation  upon  his  Sentence  (he  being  a  very  worthy  Man,  but  for 
that  great  Pievifhnefs,  which  Injuries,  Partiality,  Temperature  and  Age  had  cau- 
fed  in  him)  :  The  Bifliop  in  a  few  angry  Words  pronounced  that  Dr.  Gunning  had 
the  better,  and  that  the  Refpondent  could  not  beg  the  Quell  ion,  and  thac  J  was  a 
Man  of  Contention  if  I  offered  to  Reply.]  I  told  him,  that  though  we  reveren- 
ced much  his  Lordlhip's  Age  and  Learning,  yet  he  was  but  a  Partv,  and  no  Judge  : 
which  yet  if  he  were,  it  wasfo  ftrange  to  us  that  a  Man  fhouid  be  prohibited  to 
reply,  and  a  Cenfiire  antidated  paifed  on  that  Reply  before  it  was  heard,  and  on 
the  Replyers  for  it,  mat  we  craved  his  Lordlhip's  Pardon  if  we  difobeyed  him,  and 
gave  in  our  Reply,  which  might  have  more  in  it  than  he  could  torefee.  And  the 
next  Day  when  1  gave  in  the  Reply  (before  inferted)  there  was  no  fuch  Infulting 
as  before. 

§  228.  When  Dr.  Gunning  had  read  his  Citations  of  Teftimonies  of  the  Senfe  of 
Rom.  14,  and  ij.  Bifhop  Cofins  called  to  all  the  Bifhops  and  Doctors  in  the  Room 
ibr  their  Votes,  I  'All  you  that  think  that  Dr.Guning  hath  proved  that  Rom. 14  fpeaketb, 
not  ofreceivtng  to  the  Sacrament,  [ay,  I.]  And  lb  they  all  cryed,  I.  1  cold  him  thac 
we  knew  their  Opinion  before ;  and  if  this  were  the  ufe  that  he  made  of  our  Con- 
ceffion,  that  they  fhouid  be  all  prefent  while  ours  were  all  abfent  ( fave  two 
or  three  Scholars,  and  two  or  three  Gentlemen  that  (tood  behind  to  hear)  ic  fhewed 
that  their  Caufe  was  very  needy  of  Defence,  when  their  own  Voices  muft  go  in- 
itead  of  Argument  :  But  if  they  would  go  on  upon  fuch  lamentable  Reafbning  as 
they  had  uleti,  to  cafr  out  the  faithful  Paftors  and  the  People,  an!  divide  the 
Church,  and  afflict  their  Brethren,  the  Day  was  coming  when  their  own  Votes 
Ihould  not  abfblve  them. 

§  229.  Hereupon  we  fell  again  upon  the  point  of  Charity  and  Companion  to  the 
Church,  and  their  fuitrating  the  King's  Commiilion,  ar>d  the  Kingdoms  Hopes. 
And  when  they  profeffed  their  Delires  of  the  Churches  Peace,  I  told  them  they 
would  not  abate  the  fmalleft  Thing,  nor  correct  their  groffeft  Errors  for  ic :  And 
hereupon  I  read  over  to  them  the  Preface  (drawn  up  by  Mr.  Calamy)  before  our 
Reply  to  their  Anfwer  to  our  Exceptions  againft  the  Liturgy,  which  recicin*  their 
Corruptions,  and  {hewed  their  Unpeaceablenefs,  offended  but  filenced  them. 

§  230.  By  this  time  the  Evening  of  our  Laft  Day  was  far  gone  ;  and  I  de/lred 
to  know  of  them,  whether  we  ihould  continue  our  Difpute  any  further,  as  Private 
Men  Voluntarily  among  our  felves  ;  for  I  had  many  more  Arguments,  which  I 
defired  before  to  have  read  all  at  once,  but  could  not  be  permitted  :  Or  whether 
they  would  receive  my  Arguments,  3nd  the  Reply  which  I  laft  read.  Dr.  Pier/on 
refolved  that  he  would  meddle  no  more  after  that  Night.  Bifhop  Morky  faid,  he 
thought  it  unfit  when  the  King's  Commiffion  was  expired  that  we  fhouid  meddle  in 
it  any  farther.  But  Dr.  Gunning  and  I  had  fo  much  mind  to  it,  (for  I  knew  that 
almoli  all  my  Arguments  were  yet  behind,  and  it  was  a  Caufe  that  might  eafily  be 
made  very  plain)  that  I  told  him,  I  would  venture  on  the  Danger  for  the  Love  of 
Charity  and  Peace,  and  he  agreed  that  I  mould  fend  him  in  all  my  Arguments, 
with  the  laft  Reply  (which  he  had  not  anfwered)  the  next  Day. 

§231.  LajHy,  1  defired  Bifhop  Motley  to  refblve  us  what  Account  we  were  jointly 
to  give  his  Majefty  of  our  Proceedings,  that  we  might  not  wrong  each  other  : 
And  by  his  and  their  Confent  it  was  agreed  on,  that  we  give  nothing  in  our  Ac- 
count to  the  King  as  charged  on  one  another,  but  what  is  delivered  in  by  the  party 
in  Writing  :  And  that  all  our  account  was  to  be  this,  That  we  were  all  agreed  on 
the  Ends,  for  the  Churches  Welfare,  Unity,  and  Peace,  and  his  Majefty's  Happi- 
nefs  and  Contentment,  but  after  all  our  Debates,  were  difagreed  of  the  means. 
And  this  was  the  End  of  that  Aifembly  and  Commiffion. 

§  2  32.  As  foon  as  we  were  gone,I  delivered  my  Papers  to  aScribe  to  be  tranfcrib'd  : 
And  about  Eight  a  Clock  or  Nine,  juft  as  I  was  encring  the  Door  of  my  Lodging, 
Dr.  Gunnings  Mefienger  comes  to  me,  to  tell  me,  that  upon  further  Consideration, 
he  mould  receive  no  more  Papers  from  me  after  that  Day,  and  fo  our  farther  trou- 
ble was  prevented. 

§233. 


358  The  LIFE  of  the  Li-»I 


§  25;.  In  tlielaft  place,  it's  time  that  I  give  you  a  Copy  of  their  Deputation ,  and 
this  which  followeth  is  txatt,  and  all. 

[Oppon.  (Dr.  Fierfon,  Dr.  Gunning,  Dr.  Sparrow  and  Dr.  P/era)   f  My  Aflertion 
*  Here  we '  is>  Nothing  contained  in  the  Liturgy  is  finful*. 

had  a  great     '  This  general  Affertion  I  am  ready  to  make  good  in  all  Particulars,   in  which 
Debate      t 0ur  Brethren  fhall  think  fit  to  charge  the  Liturgy  with  Sinfulnefs. 
lhey.j  '  And  becaufe  our  Brethren  have  as  yet  by  way  of  Difputation,  charged  no  o- 

Juve  pro-  e  tner  Part  °f  n  w*tn  tne  imputation  of  Sinfulnefs,  but  that  which  concerneth 
ved  their  f  kneeling  at  the  Communion,  therefore  my  firft  Affertion  as  to  that  particular  is 
penal  lm-  <  this. 

P0^1.0"         c  The  Command  contained  in  the  Liturgy  concerning  kneeling  at  the  Commu- 
icould'get '  mon  1S  not  Sinful.    This  Truth  I  am  ready  to  prove  by  feveral  Arguments, 
them  to  no     f  Firfi,  This  only  Command  [The  Minifter  fliall  deliver  the  Communion  to  the 
more.       <  People  in  their  Hands  kneeling]  is  not  finful. 

'  The  command  contained  in  the  Liturgy  concerning  kneeling  at  the  Communi- 

•  on,  is  this  only  Command  [The  Minifter,  &c^\ — 

*  Ergo,  The  Command  contained  in  the  Liturgy,   concerning  kneeling  at  the 

*  Communion,  is  not  finful. 

Refp.  Negatur  Major. 

(  Oppon.  ?rob.  Major.  That  Command  which  commandeth  only  an  Aft  in  it  felf 
r  lawful,  is  not  finful. 

s  This  only  Command  [The  Minifter  fhall  deliver  the  Communion  to  the  Peo- 
1  pie  in  their  Hands  kneeling]  commandeth  only  an  Ad  in  it  (elf  lawful 

'  Ergo,  this  only  command  [The  Minifter  fhall  deliver  the  Communion  to  the 
'  People  in  their  Hands  kneeling]  is  not  finful. 

Rejp.  Negantur  Major,  &  Minor. 

1 Oppon.  Frob.  Major— That  Command  which  commandeth  an  Ad  in  it  felf  law- 
'  ful,  and  no  other  Ad  or  Circumftance  unlawful,  is  not  finful. 

*  That  Command  which  commandeth  only  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  commands 
f  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  and  no  other  Ad  or  Circumftance  unlawful 

'  Ergo — That  Command  which  commandeth  6nly  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  is  not 
f  finful. 

Refp.  We  deny  the  Major^  and  (for  brevity)  give  a  double  Reafon  of  our  Denial. 
One  is,  becaufe  that  may  be  a  Sin  per  accident,  which  is  not ib  ink  felf,  and  may 
be  unlawfully  commanded,  though  that  Accident  be  not  in  the  Command. 

Another  is,  That  it  may  be  commanded  under  an  unjuft  Penalty. 

2.  We  deny  the  Minor  for  both  the  fame  Reafons. 

f  Oppon.  Frob.  Minor.  The  delivery  of  the  Communion  to  Perfbns  kneeling,  is 
c  an  Ad  in  it  lei f  lawful. 

'  This  only  Command  [The  Minifter  /hall  deliver  the  Communion  to  the  Peo- 
c  pie  in  their  Hands  kneeling]  commandeth  only  the  delivery  of  the  Communion 
'  to  Perfbns  kneeling. 

'  Ergo,  This  only  Command  [The  Minifter,  &c.~\  commandeth  only  an  Ad  in 
<  it  felf  lawful. 

Rejp.  We  dift inguifh  of  [delivering  to  Perfons  kneeling]  it  fignifieth  either  ex- 
clufively  [to  thofe  and  no  other] ;  or  not  exclufively  as  to  others :  In  the  firft  Senle 
we  deny  the  Major ;  in  the  iecond  Senfe  we  deny  the  Minor. 

*  Oppon.  You  deny  both  our  Propofitions  for  two  Reafons,  both  the  fame  :  We 
'make  good  both  our  Propofitions,  notwithftanding  both  your  Reafons. 

*  The  Major  firft. 

c  That  Command  which  commandeth  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  and  no  other  Ad 
'  whereby  any  unjuft  Penalties  enjoined,  nor  any  Circumftance  whence  diredly 

•  or  per  accidens  any  Sin  is  confequent,  which  the  Commander  ought  to  provide 
'  againft  is  not  finful. 

'  That  Command  which  commandeth  an  Ad  in  it  felf  Lawful,  and  no  other 

*  Ad  or  Circumftance  unlawful,  commandeth  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  and  no  other 
'  Ad  whereby  any  unjuft  Penalty  is  enjoined,  nor  any  Circumftance,  whence  di- 
f  redly  or  per  accidens  any  Sin  is  confequent,  which  the  Commander  ought  to  pro- 
'  vide  againft 

*  Ergo,  That  Command  which  commandeth  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  and  no 
'  other  Ad  or  Circumftance  unlawful,  is  not  finful. 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        359 

Refp.  1.  The  Propofition  denied  is  not  in  the  Conclufion  *.  *  This  was 

2.  The  Major  is  denied  j  becaufe  the  firtt  Ail  commanded  may  be  per  Accident a  mifake 
unlawful,  and  be  commanded  by  an  unjuft  Penalty,  though  no  other  Ad  or  Cir-  jj1^ 
cumitance  be  fccfe  .  f^X 

'  0/>/>o«.  The  Mmor  next. 

1  That  Command  which  commandeth  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  and  no  other 
1  AcT:  whereby  any  unjuft  Penalty  is  enjoined,  nor  any  Circumftance  whence  di- 
r  redly  or  per  Accident  any  Sin  is  confequent,  which  the  Commander  ought  to 
«  provide  againft,  commands  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  and  no  other  Ad  or  Circum- 
'  ftance  unlawful. 

c  That  Command  which  commands  only  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  commandeth 
1  an  Ad  in  it  felf  Lawful,  and  no  other  Ad  whereby  any  unjuft  Penalty  is  enjoined, 
c  nor  any  Circumftance,  whence  diredly  and  per  accident  any  Sin  is  consequent, 
c  which  the  Commander  ought  to  provide  againft 

'Ergo,  That  Command  which  commands  only  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  com- 
'  mands  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  and  no  other  Ad  or  Circumftance  unlaw- 
ful. 

'  We  .prove  our  Major  notwithstanding  your  Realbn  alledged. 

'  That  Command  which  hath  in  it  all  things  requifice  to  the  lawfulnefs  of  a 
'  Command,  and  particularly  cannot  be  guilty  of  commanding  an  Ad  per  accident 
r  unlawful,  nor  of  commanding  an  Ad  under  an  unjuft  Penalty,  is  not  finful,  noc- 
f  withstanding  your  Reafon  alledged 

'  That  Command  which  commandeth  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  and  no  other 
'  Ad  whereby  any  unjuft  Penalty  is  enjoined,  nor  any  Circumftance  whence  di- 
1  redly  or  per  accident  any  Sin  is  confequent,  which  the  Commander  ought  to  pro- 
?  vide  againft,  hath  in  it  all  things  requifite  to  the  lawfulnefs  of  a  Command,  and 
c  particularly  cannot  be  guilty  of  commanding  an  Ad  per  accident  unlawful  $  nor  of 
'  commanding  an  Ad  under  an  unjuft  Penalty— 

'  Ergo,  That  Command  which  commandeth  an  Ad  in  it  feif  lawful,  and  no 

*  other  Ad  whereby  any  unjuft  Penalty  is  enjoined,  nor  any  Circumftance  whence 
'  diredly  or  per  accident  any  Sin  is  confequent,  which  the  Commander  ought  to 

*  provide  againft,  is  not  finful  notwithftanding  your  Reasons  alledged. 

Refp.  The  Mtnor  is  denied  upon  the  fame  Reafons ;  which  you  do  nothing  to 
remove:  Such  a  Command  hath  not  in  it  all  things  requifite  to  the  lawfulnefs  of  a 
Command  ;  becaufe  though  no  other  Mt  be  commanded  whereby  an  unjuft  Penal- 
ty is  enjoined,  yet  ftill  the  frrfi  Aft  may  be  commanded  fuo  Vcena  injufla  :  And 
though  no  other  Ad  or  Circumftance  be  commanded  that  is  a  Sin  per  accident,  yet 
the  firft  it  felf  commanded,  may  be  a  Sin  per  accident. 

'  Oppon.  Either  our  Minor  is  true  notwithftanding  your  Reafon,  or  elfe  the  firft 
'  Ad  may  be  a  Command  ctmmandwg'an  unjuft  Punilhment,  and  be  an  Ad'Iawful  $ 
c  or  the  firft  Ad  it  felf  being  lawful  in  it  felf  and  all  Circumftances,  may  yet  be  a 

*  Sin  per  Accident,  againft  which  the  Commander  ought  to  provide. 

'  Vofierim  utrumaue  falfum  ;  both  the  later  Members  are  talfe  Ergo,  Trim 

'  verum — Therefore  the  firft  is  true. 

Relp.  1.  Neg.  Major.  Becaufe  i.  TheSubjed  is  changed  :  You  were  to  havefpo- 
ken  of  the  firtf  Act  commanded,  and  you  fpeak  of  the  fir  si  All  commanding,  in  the 
firft  Member.  You  mould  have  faid,  [Elfe  the  firft  Ad  may  ^commanded  fub  Ta- 
na injufia,  and  yet  be  in  it  felf  lawful]  which  is  true. 

2.  Becaufe  in  the  fecond  Member  where  you  fhould  have  fpoken  only  of  the 
commanded  Circumstances  of  the  Ad,  you  now  fpeak  of  all  its  Circumftances  whe- 
ther commanded  or  not. 

3.  We  undertook  not  to  give  you  all  our  Reafons :  The  Minor  may  be  falfe  upon 
many  other  Reafons. 

And  were  your  Major  reduced  in  the  Points  excepted  againft,  we  mould  deny 
the  Minor,  as  to  both  Members.    And  we  mould  add  our  Reafons. 

1.  That  Command  which  commandeth  an  Ad  in  it  felf  lawful,  and  only  fuch, 
may  yet  be  finful  privatwely,  by  omijfwn  of  fome  thing  neceffary,  fome  Mode  or 
Circumftance. 

2.  It  may  finfully  refrain,  though  it  finfully  command  not. 

;.  It  may  be  finful  in  Modit  commanding  that  univnfaUy,  or  indefenitely,  or  parti- 
cularly, or  fmgularly,  that  fhould  be  otherwife ;  though  in  the  Circumftances  (pro- 
perly fo  called)  of  the  Ad,  nothing  were  Commanded  that  is  finful. 

4.  Ic 


^60  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I 

4.  It  may  through  culpable  Ignorance  be  applied  to  undue  Subjctls  who  are  not 
Circwnfiances ;  as  if  a  People  that  have  the  Plague  be  commanded  to  keep  Aflemblies 
for  Worfhip  ;  the  Lawgiver  being  culpably  ignorant  that  they  had  the  Plague.  Ma- 
ny more  Realbns  may  be  given.  • 

'  Oppon.  We  make  good  our  Major  by  /hewing  that  the  Subject  is  not  changed, 
'  thus. 

1  If  whenfoever  the  firft  Act  is  commanded  fubTcen*  injufla,  and  no  other  Act  is 
'commanded  whereby  any  unjuft  Penalty  is  enjoined  (which  were  your  Words) 
'  the  firft  Act  commanding  muft  command  an  unjuft  Punilhment  (which  were 
'  ours)  then  we  have  not  changed  the  Subject 

'  But  the  Antecedent  is  true ;  therefore  the  Confequent. 

§2^4.  Thus,  Reader,  thou  haft  every  Word  that  was  brought  by  them  in  this 
Diiputation,  to  prove  the  juftnefs  of  all  thole  Impofkions  on  pain  of  Excommuni- 
cation (which  infers  Imprifonment,  &c.)  which  have  divided  this  miferable  bleed- 
ing Church,  and  will  admit  of  no  Remedy,  nor  patiently  endure  him  that  fhall 
propofe  it,  or  beg  for  Peace  and  Charity  at  their  Hands. 

§  235-.  The  other  Arguments  which  I  offered  (and  they  were  not  accepted  or 
read)  were  thefe  following.  In  which  you  muft  note  that  all  thele  Arguments  were 
but  propofed  thus  briefly,  and  not  followed  up,  becaufe  it  was  expected  that  they 
Should  have  called  us  to  that.  And  that  this  Writing  was  but  begun,  and  many 
more  Scripture  Texts  and  Arguments  omitted,  for  want  of  time,  and  by  the  Inter- 
ruption of  our  Difputation.  And  concerning  the  foregoing  Reply  to  Dr.  Gunning 
about  the  Senfe  of  Rom.  14.  Note,  that  as  I  was  purpofing  to  have  added  a  multi- 
tude of  TeHimonies  more,  to  thole  of  Dr.  Hammond  and  Grottus,  the  ending  of  our 
Difputation  did  prevent  me,  and  ever  fince  then  I  caft  by  all  fuch  Thoughts  as  thele, 
forefeeing  that  now  (when  they  would  not  endure  the  means  of  Peace)  my  Duty 
would  henceforth  lye  on  the  other  fide,  to  plead  other  Men  into  true  and  moderate 
Thoughts  of  things  indifferent,  and  Obedience,  (6  far  as  the  Unity  and  Peace  of 
the  Church  required  it,  and  the  matters  impofed  were  not  finful  to  the  Doers, 
though  they  might  be  finful  to  the  Impofers.  I  knew  that  henceforth  I  mould  be 
as  much  exercifed  in  moderating  thole  for  whom  I  had  now  pleaded,  and  muft 
bear  feme  cenfure  alio  from  many  of  them. 

Q^eft.  Whether  it  be  jufi  (or  lawful)  to  enjoin  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to 
all  that  dare  not  kneel  in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament  on  the  Lord's  Day  si     Neg. 

Becaufe  you  will  needs  caft  all  the  Opponent's  Work  on  us,  by  arguing  that  we 
have  brought  no  fufficient  Realbns  for  the  contrary  (appealing  to  all  Men  acquaint- 
ed with  the  juft- Method  of  Difputation,  whether  you  that  have  the  affirrnative, 
do  not  hereby  fly  all  juft  and  equal  Difpute,  and  fhewa  Diffidence,  of  your  Caufe) 
we  that  have  the  negative  mall  more  juftly  by  the  fame  method,  caft  back  your 
proper  Work  upon  you. 

If  it  be  juft  (or  lawful)  to  enjoin  all  Minifters  to  der\y  Communion  to  all  that 
dare  not  kneel  in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament  on  the  Lord's  Days,  then  fome 
cogent  Argument  may  be  drawn  from  the  Nature  of  the  thing,  or  fupernatural  Re- 
velation, to  juftify  it. 

But  no  Argument  can  be  drawn  (for  ought  that  ever  was  yet  by  the  Right  Reve? 
rend  Fathers,  or  Reverend  Brethren  produced  or  manifefted  to  us,  or  we  can 
tell  whereto  find,  or  how  to  invent)  fom  the  Nature  of  the  thing,  or  from  fuper- 
natural Revelation,  to  juftify  it. 

Ergo,  it  is  not  juft,  &c. 

If  any  fuch  Argument  can  be  produced,  let  it  be  produced,  or  you  forfake  your 
Caufe.     (Note  thatthis  was  written  before  they  yielded  to  be  Opponents.) 

I.  Our  firft  Argument  drawn  from  general  Cooncils,  and  the  Practice  of  the 
Univerfal  Church,  we  handled  already  :  and  are  ready  to  bring  in  fuller  Proof. 

II.  And  our  fecond  Argument  from  Rom.  14,  and  15.  where  the  Cafe  is  purpofe- 
ly  and  largely  decided,  that  thingsof  fuch  Moment  m lift  not  be  made  the  matter 
of  Cenfures,  Rejections,  or  Contempt. 

HI.  To  impole  on  the  Church  tilings  antecedently  unnecefTary  upon  to  great  a 
Penalty  as  Exclufion  from  Communion,  is  a  finful  thing. 

But  to  enjoin  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in  the 
Reception  of  the  Sacrament  (for  Fear  of  Idolatry  or  Scandal)  is  to  impofe  on  the 

Church 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.       .361 

Church  things  antecedently  unnecefTary,upGn  fo  great  a  Penalty  as  Exclufion  from 
the  Communion. 

Ergo  to  en  joy  n  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in 
the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament  is  a  finful  thing. 

The  Major  is  proved  thus :  That  which  is  contrary  co.the  expreG  Determination 
of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  Afts  if.  is  a  finful  thing. 

But  to  Impoie  on  the  Church  Things  antecedently  unneceflary,  upon  fo  great 
a  Penalty  as  Exclufion  from  Communion,  is  contrary  to  the  exprefs  Determination 
of  the  Hbly  Ghoft,  4£h,  15.  28.  [  For  tt  fanned  good  to  the  Holy  GkofiandtomyJo 
lay  upon  you  no  greater  burden  than  theft  neceJJ'ary  things]  :    Etrgo  it  is  a  finjul  thing. 

IV.  To  crofs  that  great  Rule  of  Charity  [  I  will  have  tyhrcy  and  not  .Sacrifice]  1 
Sin. 

But  iio.  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  <o  ail  chat  dare  not  kneel  in  the 
Reception  of  the  Sacrament ,  is  to  crofs  that  great  Rule  of  Charity,  e>vc.  Ergo  it 
is  a  Sin. 

ThcMajor  is  certain,  Chrift  himfelf  urging  it  twice  upon  the  Ceremonious  hrj- 
pocritical  Pharifees,  Matth.^.i^.&  12.7. 

The  Minor  is  thus  proved.  To  prefer.  Sacrifice  before  Mercy  (yea,  an  unnecet 
fary  Ceremony  before  Sacrifice  and  Mercy)  is  a  ciofling  of  that  Rule. 

But  to  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  Conmuinion  to  aii  that  dare  natikneel  in  the 
Reception  of  the  Sacrament  is  to  prefer  Sacrifice  before  Mercy,  (yea,  an  unaec^tTa- 
ry  Ceremony  before  Sacrifice  and  Mercy  :  )  Ergo  it  is  a  croiJing  of  ttUt 
Rule. 

The  ACajor  I  fuppofe  will  not  be  denied  :  The  Minor  is  thus  proved 

1.  Tdipoefer  thi6  genuflexion  in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament,  befpreourBre- 
threns  Communion  with'Chrift  and  his  Church  in  theSac/ament,  and  before  their 
corroboration  and  coniblation  thereby,and  before  the  preaching  of  the  Golpel  by  all 
tnofe  Minifters  that  will  be  hereupon  laid  by,evefi  wfeeojiiany  Thoufinds  among  us 
are  in  grofs  ignorance  for  want  of  means,  and  confequently  before  the  Salvation  of 
very  many,  and  the  WorJhip  of  God  by  the  Excluded,  is  to  prefer  Sacrifice  be- 
ibre  Mercy,  yea,  an  unneceifary  Ceremony  before  Sacrifice  and  Mercy. 

But  to  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in  the 
Reception  of  the  Sacrament,  is  to  prefer  rhis  Genuflexion  before  all  thefe  things : 
£rgo  it  is  to  prefer  Sacrifice  before  Mercy  j  yea,  an  unneccfTary  Ceremony  before 
Sacrifice  and  Mercy. 

2.  If  the  forbidding  of  David  and  his  Company  to  eat  the  Shew-bread,  and  the 
Priefts  in  the  Temple  to  break  the  Sabbath,  and  the  Difciplesto  rub  out  the  Corn, 
would  have  been  the  preferring  of  Sacrifice  before  Mercy ,  (  as  here  prohibited  ) , 
«hen  enjoyniog  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  chat  dare  not  kneel  in  the 
Reception  of  the  Sacrament,  is  to  prefer  Sacrifice  before  Mercy  (  in  the  forbidden 
ienoe). 

But  the  Antecedent  is  true ;  Matth.  12.  1,  2,  3,  4,  y,  6,  7-  Ergo  fo  is  the  Con- 
fequent. 

V.  To  ufe  the  Power  to  Definition  which  is  given  to  be  ufed  to  Edification,  is 
tinjuft. 

But  to  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  the  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in 
the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament,  is  to  ufe  the  Power  to  Deftruetion  which  is  given 
to  be  ufed  to  Edification. 

Ergo,  To  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  the  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel 
in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament,  is  unjuft. 

The  Major  is  proved  2  Cor.  10.  8.  &  13. 10.  Rom.  15.2.  1  Cor.  14.  26.  Rom.  14. 
«y,  20. 

For  the  Minor  I  ftiall  prove  it,  1.  As  of  the  Deftru&ion  of  the  Perfon,-  2.  Of 
many  others;  3.  Of  the-Ghurch  it  felf 

I.  To  ufe  this  Power  to  deprive  many  Thoufands  of  their  Communion  with 
Chrift  and  his  Church  in  the  Sacrament  of  his  Body  and  Blood,  and  confequent- 
ly >  of  all  the  Benefits  thereof,  is  to  ufe  it  to  the  Deftru&ion  of  thofe  Mens 
Souls. 

But  to  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in 
the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament,  is  to  ufe  this  Power  to  deprive  many  Thoufands 
of  their  Communion  with  Chrift  and  his  Church,  in  the  Sacrament  of  his  Body 

A  a  a  and 


3^2  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I 


and  Blood,  and  confequently  of  all  the  Benefits  thereof :  Ergo  to  en joyn  all  Mi- 
nifters to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacra- 
ment, is  to  ufe  this  Power  to  the  Deftru&ion  of  thole  Souls. 

2.  To  the  Deftru&ion  of  many  others. 

II.  To  ufe  this  Power  to  deprive  many  Thoufand  ignorant,  ungodly  People  of 
the  Labours  of  able  faithful  Minifters,  when  thofe  People  are  like  to  have  no 
competent  Preachers  of  the  Gofpel  in  their  ftead,is  to  ufe  this  Power  to  the  Deftru- 
clion  of  thofe  many  thoufand  Souls. 

But  to  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  thofe  that  dare  not  kneel 
in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament,  is  to  ufe  this  Power  to  deprive  many  Thou- 
fand, &c.  Ergo  it  is  to  ufe  this  Power  to  their  Deftruction. 

It  being  fuppofed  that  it  is  not  any  Injun&ion  tngemre,  but  the  Englifh  Injuncti- 
on injpecie  that  is  ipoken  of.    The  Minor  is  proved  thus : 

If  iiich  an  Injunction  will  Silence  a  great  number  of  able  and  faithful  Minifters, 
while  there  are  not  competent  Preachers  of  the  Gofpel  to  fupply  very  many  of 
their  Places,  then  to  enjoyn  all,  &c  is  to  ufe  the  Power  to  Deprive,^. 

But  the  Antecedent  is  certain :  Erg o3  &c. 

Two  notorious  Evidences  in  Matter  of  Facl:  do  fully  prove  the  Antecedent : 
i.  That  there  are  a  great  number  of  able,  faithful  Minifters,  whofe  Confidences  do 
forbid  them  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in  the  Reception  of 
the  Sacrament,  though  they  fuffer  Silencing  for  it  :  and  that  the  Injunction  doth 
Silence  (and  Imprifbn  them  )  if  they  do  not  deny  it  them.  2.  That  there  are 
very  many  Congregations  in  Wales  and  divers  parts  of  England,  where  are  Thou- 
sands of  ignorant  ungodly  People,  that  even  now  have  no  competent  Preachers, 
much  lefs  will  there  be  enow  when  all  thefe  Minifters  are  turned  out. 

3.  To  the  Deftruction  of  the  Church. 

III.  1.  To  ufe  this  Power  to  deprive  the  Church  of  a  great  number  of  her  pious 
and  exemplary  Members,  that  are  meet  for  her  Communion,  is  to  ufe  it  to  the 
Churches  Deftru&ion. 

But  to  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  at  the 
Reception  of  the  Sacramenr,  is  to  ufe  this  Power  to  Deprive  the  Church  of  a 
great  number  of  her  Pious  and  Exemplary  Members,  that  are  meet  for  her  Com- 
munion. 

Ergo,  To  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in 
the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament,  is  to  ufe  this  Power  to  Deftru&ion. 

2.  To  ufe  this  Power  to  the  certain  and  lamentable  Divifion  of  the  Church,  is  to 
ufe  it  to  the  Deitru&ion  of  the  Church. 

But  to  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  kneel  in  the 
Reception  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  is  to  ufe  this  Power,  to  the  certain  and  lamenta- 
ble Divifion  of  the  Church  : 

Ergo,  To  enjoyn  ail,  &c.  is  to  ufe  this  Power  to  the  Deftru&ion  of  the  Church  : 
The  Major  is  undeniable :  The  Minor  I  provethus • 

1.  To  divide  by  force  (or  conftraint)  fo  many  Thoufands  as  dare  not  kneel  in 
Receiving  the  Lord's  Supper,  from  the  reft,  is  to  ufe  this  Power  to  the  a&ual  and 
lamentable  Divifion  of  the  Church. 

But  to  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  them  Communion,  is  to  divide  them  by 
conftraint  from  the  reft : 

Ergo,  To  enjoyn  all,  &c.  is  to  ufe  this  power  to  the  certain  and  lamentable  Di- 
vifion of  the  Church. 

2.  To  maintain  and  exercife  by  this  Power  a  Principle  of  Church  Divifion,  is  to 
uie  this  Power  to  the  certain  and  lamentable  Divifion  of  the  Church. 

But  to  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  receive 
kneeling,  is  to  maintain  and  exercife  a  Principle  of  Church  Divifion,  (thatis,fuch 
as  is  of  its  own  nature  fitted  to  divide  it,  and  will  efte&  it). 

Ergo,  To  enjoyn  all  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  Re- 
ceive kneeling  ,  is  to  ufe  this  Power  to  the  certain  and  lamentable  Divifion  of  the     . 
Church. 

The  Minor  (  which  only  needs  proof  )  I  prove  thus : 

To 


■  '  "  "  — ' <■ 

Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         363 

To  maintain  and  exercife  this  Principle ;  That  [  Things  as  unneceflary,  (mall 
and  doubtful,  as  kneeling  in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacramen^  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
are  to  be  made  neceflary  to  the  Communion  of  the  Church]  is  to  maintain  and  ex- 
ercife a  Principle  of  Church  Divifion. 

But  to  enjoynall  Minifters  to  deny  Communion  to  all  that  dare  not  Receive 
kneeling,  is  to  maintain  and  exercife  this  Principle,  that  [  Things  as  unneceflary, 
fmall  and  doubtful,  as  kneeling  in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacnament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  are  to  be  made  neceflary  to  the  Communion  of  the  Church], 

Ergo,  To  enjoyn all,  &c.  is  to  maintain  and  exercife  a  Principle. of  Church- 
Divifion. 

The  Major  Cwhich  only  needs  proof,)  is  thus  proved. 

To  maintain  and  exercife  fuch  a  Principle  as",  i.  Never  yet  was  exercifed,  but  it 
did  divide  the  Church  ;  2;and  by  which  it^Divifions  have  been  caufed  or  <*herifhed 
ever  fince  the  Roman  Ufurpation  begun  ;  j.and  which  cannot  poflibly  confift  with 
Unity  whilft  Chriftiansareof  fuch  different  i.  Educations,  2.  and  degrees  of  Na- 
tural Underftanding,  ;.  and  degrees  of  Grace,  is  to  maintain  and  exercife  a  Prin- 
ciple of  Church  Divifion. 

But  to  maintain  and  exercife  this  Principle  [That  Things  as  unneceflary,  fmall 
and  doubtful  as  kneeling  in  the  Reception  of  the  Sacrament,  are  to  be  made  ne- 
ceflary to  the  Communion  of  the  Church]  is  to  maintain  and  exercife  fuch  a  Prin- 
ciple, as  1.  never  yet  was  exercifed  but  it  did  divide,  &c. Ergo 

And  thus  our  Difpute  at  the  Savoy  ended,  and  with  it  our  Endeavours  for  Recon- 
ciliation udoji  the  Warrant  of  the  King's  Commiffion. 

§  2  36.  Were  it  not  a  thing  in  which  an  Hifrorian  fb  miich  concerned   in  thg 
bujfinefs  is  apt  to  be  fiifpe&ed  of  partiality,  I  would  here  annex  a  Character  of  each 
one  that  managed  this  bufinefs  as  they  fhewed  themfelves.    But  becaufe  it  hath  that 
inconvenience,  1  will  omit  it,  only  telling  you  what  fart  each  one  of  them  acted  in 
all  this  Work. 
•The  Bifhop  of  London  (fince  Archbifhop  of  Canterbury)  only  appeared   the  firft 
day  of  each  Conference  (which ,  befides  that  before  the  King,  was  but  twice  in 
all  as  I  remember )  and  medled  not  at  all  in  any  Difputations  :  But  all  Men  fuppo- 
fed  that  he  and  Bifhop  Morky  fand  next  Bifhop  Hincbman)  were  the  doers  and  di- 
fpofers  of  all  fuch  Affairs.    The  Archbifhop  of  York  *  fpake  no  more  than   I  have* &***"* 
told  you,  and  came  but  once  or  twice  in  all.     Bilhop  Morky  was  oft  there,  but  not 
conflantly,  and  with  free  and  fluent  words,  with  much  earneftnefs,  was  the  chief 
Speaker  of 'all  the  Bifhops,  and  the  greateft  Interrupter  of  us;  vehemently  going 
on  with  what  he  thought  ferviceable  to  his  end,  and  bearing  down  Anfwers  by  the 
laid  fervour  and  interruptions.    Bifhop  Co/ins  was  there  conltantly,  and  had  a  great 
deal  of  talk  with  fb  little  Logick,  Natural  or  Artificial,  that  I  perceived  no  one 
much  moved  by  any  thing  he  laid.    But  two  Vermes  he  fhewed  (though  none  took 
him  for  a  Magician  )  :  One  was,  that  he  was  excellently  well  veried  in  Canons, 
Councils,  and  Fathers,  which  he  reraembred,  when  by  citing  of  any  Paflages  wa 
tried  him.    The  other  was,  that  as  he  was  of  a  Ru  flick  Wit  and  Carriage,  fo  he 
would  endure  more  freedom  of  our  Ditcourie  with  him,  and  was  more  affable  and 
familiar  than  the  reft.     Bifhop  Hincbman  (fince  Bifhop  of  London  )  was  of  the  moft 
grave,  comely,  reverend  Afped,  of  any  of  them  ;  and  of  a  good   infight  in  the 
Fathers  and  Councils,  Co/ins  and  he.and  Dr.  Gunning  being  all  that  fhewed  any  of 
that  skill  among  us  confiderable :  in  which  they  arc  all  three  of  very  laudable  un- 
derftandings,  and  better  than  any  other  of  either  of  the  Parties  that  I  met  with ; 
And  Bifhop  Hincbman  fpake  calmly  and  flowly,  and  not  very  oft :  But  was  as  high 
in  his  Principles  and  Refolutions  as  any  of  them. 

Bifhop  Sanderfon  of  Lincoln  was  fbme  time  there,  but  never  fpake  that  I  know  of 
but  what  I  have  told  you  before  :  But  his  great  Learning  and  Worth  are  known  by 

I  his  Labours  *  and  his  aged  Peevifhnefs  not  unknown.  *  Since,  at 

b  his  death, 

he  made  it 
his  rcqueft  that  the  ejefted  Minifters  might  be  ufed  again:  but  his  requefl  was  rejefted  by  them  that  had  otwwit- 
ted  him,  as  being  too  late. 

Bilhop  Gauden  was  our  moft  conftant  helper  ;  He  and  Bifhop  Cofins  feldom  were 
abfent.  And  how  bitter  fbever  his  Pen  be,  he  was  the  only  Moderator  of  all  the  Bi- 
fhops  (except  our  Bilhop  Reignolds )  :  He  fhewed  no  Logick ,  nor  medled  in  any 
Difpute,   or^  Point  of  Learning;  but  a  calm,  fluent,  Rhetorical  Tongue;  And  if 

Aaa  2  all 


3^4  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


all  had  been  of  his  mind,  we  had  been  reconciled  :  But  when  by  many  days  Con- 
ference in  the  beginniqg,  we  had  got  fome  moderating  Conceffions  from  him  (and 
from  Bifhop  Cofins  by  his  means)  the  reft  came  in  the  end  and  brake  them 
all. 

Bifhop  Lucie  of  St.  David's,  fpake  once  or  twice  a  few  words  calmly,  and  fo  did 
Bifhop  Ntcbolfon  of  Glocefter,  and  Bifhop  Griffiths  of  jifafb  (though  no  Commiffion- 
ers ) ;  and  did  no  mere. 

Bifhop  King  of  Chicbefier  I  never  faw  there  :  Bifhop  Warner  of  Rochefter  was  there 
once  or  twice,  but  msdlednot  that  I  heard.  Bifhop  Lany  of-  Peterborough  was  twice 
or  thrice  there,  and  talked  as  is  before  recited  ;  for  I  remember  no  more. 

Bifhop  Walton  of  Chefier  was  there  once  or  twice,  and  fpake  but  what  is  before 
recited,  that  1  know  of. 

Bifhop  Sterne  of  Carlijle,  fmce  Archbifliop  of  York,  was  of  a  moft  fbber,  honeft, 
mortified  Afpeft,  but  fpake  nothing  that  I  know  of  ,  but  that  weak  uncharitable 
word  before  mentioned  :  fo  that  I  was  never  more  deceived  by  a  Man's  Face. 

Bifhop  Reignolds  fpake  much  the  firft  ilay  for  bringing  them  to  Abatements  and 
Moderation  :  And  afterwards  he  fate  with  them,  and  fpake  now  and  then  a  word 
for  Moderation.  He  was  a  fblid  honeft  Man  ,  but  through  mildnefs  and  excefs  of 
timerous  reverence  to  great  Men,  altogether  unfit  to  contend  with  them. 

Mr.  Thorndike  fpake  once  a  few  impertinent  paffionate  words,  confuting  the  O- 
pinion  which  we  had  received  of  him  from  his  firft  Writings,  and  confirming  that 
which  his  fecond  and  laft  Writings  had  given  us  of  him. 

Dr.  Earky  Dr.  Heylin,  and  Dr.  Barwick  never  came.  Dr.  Hacht  (  fince  Bifhop 
of  Coventry  and  Litchfield  )  laid  nothing  to  make  us  know  any  thing  of^iim.  Dr. 
Sparrow  faid  but  little ;  but  that  little  was  with  a  Spirit  enough  for  the  impofing 
dividing  Caufe. 

Dr.  Pierfon  and  Dr.  Gunning  did  all  their  Work  (befide  Bifhop  Morlefs  Difcouj- 
fes )  but  with  great  difference  in  the  manner.  Dr.Pierfon  was  their  true  Logician 
and  Difputant,  without  whom,  as  far  as  I  could  difcern,  we  fhould  have  had  no- 
thing  from  them,but  Dr.  Gunning's  paffionate  Invectives  mixt  with  ibme  Argumen- 
tations :  He  difputed  acurately,  fbberly  and  calmly  (  being  but  once  in  any  pJW- 
on)breeding  in  us  a  great  refped  for  him,and  a  perfwafion  thaf  if  he  had  been  inde- 
pendent, he  would  have  been  for  Peace,  and  that  if  all  were  in  his  power  ,  it 
would  have  gone  well :  He  was  the  ftrength  and  honour  of  that  Caufe  which  we 
doubted  whether  he  heartily  maintained. 

Dr.  Gunning  was  their  forwardeft  and  greateft  Speaker ;  underftanding  well 
what  belonged  to  a  Dif putant ;  a  Man  of  greater  Study  and  Induftry  than  any  of 
them,  well  read  in  Fathers  and  Councils  ;  and  of  a  ready  Tongue  ;  (and  I  hear 
and  believe  of  a  very  temperate  Life,  as  to  all  Carnal  Exceffes  whatfoever  ) :  but 
ib  vehement  for  his  high  impofing  Principles',  and  fo  over- zealous  for  Arminia- 
nifm  and  Formality   and  Church  Pomp,  and  fo  very  eager  and  fervent  in  his 
Difcourfe,  that  I  conceive  his  Prejudice  and  Paffion  much  perverted  his  Judg- 
ment, and  I  am  fure  they  made  him  lamentably  over  run   himfelf  in   his  Dif- 
courfes. 
Of  Dr.  Pierce  I  will  fay  no  more,  becaufe  he  hath  faid  to  much  of  me. 
On  our  part,  Dr.  Bates  Ipake  very  folidly ,  judicroufly  and  pertinently  when  he 
fpake  :  And  for  my  felf,  the  reafon  why  I  fpake  fo  much,  was  becaufe  it  was  the 
defire  of  my  Brethren,  and  I  was  loth  to  expofe  them  to  the  hatred  of  the  Bifhops , 
but  was  willinger  to  take  it  all  upon  my  felf,they  themfelves  having  fo  much  wit  as 
to  be  therein  more  fparingand  cautelous  than  I ;  and  I  thought  that  the  Day  and 
Cauje  commanded  me  thofe  two  things,  which  then  were  objected  againft  me  as 
my  Crimes,  viz,,  freaking  too  boldly,  and  too  long.     And  I  thought  it  a   Caufe  that 
I  could  comfortably  fuffer  for  $  and  fhould  as  willingly  be  a  Martyr  for  Charity  as 
for  Faith. 

§  2;  7.  When  this  Work  was  over,  the  reft  of  our  Brethren  met  again,  and  re- 
folved  to  draw  up  an  Account  of  our  Endeavours,  and  prefent  it  to  his  Majefty, 
^Referring  wicn  GUr  Pe"^on  wr  n's  promifed  help  yet  for  thofe  Alterations  and  Abatements 
to  fome-  which  we  could  not  procure  of  the  Biihops  :  And  that  firft  we  fhould  acquaint  the 
thing  that  Lord  Chancellour  withal,  and  confult  with  him  about  it;  Which  we  did  ;  and  as 
pan"  be-  foon  as  we  carne  to  him,  according  to  my  expectation,  I  found  him  moft  offend- 
cS  and  ecl  at  me>  and  tnat  *  ^  taken  oft  the  difhfte  and  blame  from  all  the  reft.  At 
me  about  our  firft  entrance  hz  merily  told  us,  [That  if  1  were  but  as  fat  as  Dr.  Manton  ,  wt 
my  Jean-  jlwuld  all  do  well  *].  I  told  him,  if  his  Lorrifhip  could  teach  me  the  Art  of  growing 
tusU$c,    fat,  he  fhould  find  me  not  unwilling  to  learn,by  any  good  means.    He.grew  more 

ferious, 


P  a  &  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  365 


ferious,  and  faid,  That  I  was  fevere  and  ftricT;,  like  a  Melancholy  Man,  and  made 
thole  things  Sin  which  others  did  not  :  And  I  perceived  he  had  been  poffefled  with 
difplcafure  towards  me  upon  that  account,  that  I  charged  the  Church  and  Liturgy 
with  Sin;  and  had  not  fuppofed  that  theworft  was  bur.  inexpediency.     I  told  him 

that  I  had  fpoken  nothing  but  what  I  thought,  and  had  given  my  Reafons  lor 

After  other  fuch  Difcourfe,  we  craved  his  Favour  to  procure  the  King's  Declarati- 
on yet  to  be  paft  into  an  Act,  and  his  Advice  what  we  had  further  to  do.  He 
contented  that  we  Ihould  draw  up  an  Addrefs  to  his  Majefty,  rendering  him  an 
account  of  all ;  but  defired  that  we  would  firft  fhew  it  him  :  which  we  prom i- 
fed. 

§  258.  When  we  (hewed  our  Paper  to  the  Lord  Chancellour  (  which  the  Bre- 
thren had  defired  me  to  draw  up,  and  had  confented  to  without  any  alteration)  he 
was  not  pleafed  with  fome  Paffages  in  it,  which  he  thought  too  pungent  or  prefc 
iing  :  but  would  not  bid  us  put  them  out.  So  we  went  with  it  to  the  Lord  Cham- 
berlain(who  had  heard  from  the  Lord  Chancellor  about  it),and  I  read  itro  him  al- 
io, and  he  was  earned  with  us  to  blot  out  iome  Paffages  as  too  vehement,  and  fuch 
as  would  not  well  be  born.  I  was  very  loth  to  leave  them  our,  but.  Sir  Gilbert  Ger. 
rard  fan  ancient  godly  Man)  being  with  him,  and  of  the  fame  mind,  1  yielded 
(  having  no  remedy,  and  being  unmeet  to  oppofe  their  Wifdomsany  further) :  And 
fo  what  they  Scored  under  we  left  out,  and  prefented  the  reft  to  his  Majelry  after- 
wards. But  when  we  came  to  prefentit,  the  Earl  of  Manchefler  fecretly  told  the 
reft,  that  if  Dr  Reignolds,  Dr.  Bates,  and  Dr.  Manton  would  deliver  it,  ic  would  be 
the  more  acceptable  ( intimating  that  I  was  grown  unacceptable  at  Court )  :  But 
they  would  not  go  without  me,  and  he  profeft  he  defired  not  my  Exclufion  :  But 
when  they  told  me  of  it,  I  took  my  leave  of  him,  and  was  going  away  :  But  he 
and  they  came  after  me  to  the  Stairs,  and  importuned  me  to  reiurn,and  I  went  with 
them  to  take  my  Farewel  of  this  Service.  But  I  refolted  that  I  would  not  be  the 
Deliverer  of  any  of  our  Papers  ( though  I  had  got  them  tranferibed  and  brought 
them  thither):  So  we  defired  Dr.  Manton  to  deliver  our  Petition,  and  with  it  the 
fair  Copies  of  all  our  Papers  to  the  Bifhops  (  which  was  required  of  us  for  the 
King  ).  And  when  Bifhop  Reignolds  had  fpoken  a  few  words,  Dr.  Manton  deliver- 
ed them  to  the  King;  who  received  them  and  the  Petition,  but  did  not  bid  us 
read  it  at  all.  At  lalt,  in  his  Speeches,  fomething  fell  in  which  Dr.  Manton  told 
him  that  the  Petition  gave  him  a  full  account  of,  if  his  Majefty  pleafed  to  give  him 
leave  to  read  it ;  whereupon  he  had  leave  to  read  it  out.  Theoccafion  was,  a  fhort 
Speech  which  I  made  to  inform  his  Majefty  how  far  we  were  agreed  with  the  Bi-  MT-Ca!a~ 
fhops,  and  wherein  the  difference  did  not  lye,  as  in  the  Points  of  Loyalty,  Obe-  moft0f 
dience,  Church-Order,  &c.  This  Dr.  Manton  alfo  fpake :  And  the  King  put  the  this  time 
Queftion,  [  But  -who  jhall be  Judge*  ]  And  I  anfwered  him,  That  Judgment  is  fck,or 
either  public k  or  private  :  Private  Judgment  called  Difcretionts,  which  is  but  the  ufe,lanle  ? ■  ? 
of  my  Reafon  to  conducl: my  Adionsj^belongeth  to  every  private  rational  Man  :  he  had 
Tublick  Judgment  is  Ecclefiaftical  or  Cvvk,  and  belongeth  accordingly  to  the  Eccle-  ceived. 
fafitcal  Governours  (or  Paftors)  and  the  Civ d ;  and  not  to  any  private  Man.  And 
this  was  the  end  of  thefe  Affairs. 

§239.  1  will  give  you  the  Copy  of  the  Petition  juft  as  I  drew  it  up,  becaufe 
i.Here  you  may  fee  what  thofe  words  were  which  could  not  be  tolerated  ;  2.Becaufe 
it  is  but  fuppofing  the  under-fcored  Lines  to  be  blotted  out,  and  you  have  it  as  it  was 
prefented  without  any  Alteration.  For  thole  underscored  Lines  were  all  the  words 
that  were  left  out. 


re 


To 


$66  The  L  IF  E  of  the  L  i  b.  L 


To  the  King  s  moft  Excellent  Majefty :    ' 

The  due  Account  and  humble  Petition  of  us  Miniflers  of  the  Gojpel 
lately  Commifftoned  for  the  Review  and  Alteration  of  the  Liturgy. 

May  it  pleafeyour  Majefty  ; 

WHen  this  diftempered  Nation,  wearied  with  its  own  Contentions  and  Di- 
vifions,  did  groan  for  Unity  and  Peace,  the  wonderful  Providence  of  the 
moft  Righteous  God  appearing  for  the  removal  of  Impediments ,  their  Eyes  were 
upon  your  Majefty,  as  the  Peribn  born  to  be,  under  God,the  Center  of  their  Con- 
cord, and  taught  by  Affliction  to  break  the  Bonds  of  the  Afflicted  ,  and  by  Expe- 
rience of  the  lad  Effects  of  Mens  Uncharitableneis  and  Paflions,  to  reftrain  all 
from  Violence  and  Extremities,  and  keeping  Moderation  and  Mediocrity ,  the 
Oyl  of  Charity  and  Peace.  And  when  thele  your  Subjects  Defires  were  accom- 
plished in  your  Majefty's  peaceable  poffeffionof  your  Throne,  it  was  the  Joy  and 
Encouragement  of  the  Sober  and  Religious,  that  you  began  the  Exercife  of  your 
Government  with  a  Proclamation  full  of  Chriftian  Zeal  againft  Debauchery  and 
Prophanenefs,  declaring  alio  your  diflike  of  [c  thole  who  under  pretence  of  affeeti- 
'  on  to  your  Majefty  and  your  Service,  affume  to  themfelves  the  liberty  of  Revi- 
c  ling,  Threatning,  and  Reproaching  others,  to  prevent  that  Reconciliation  and 
'  Union  of  Hearts  and  Affections,  which  can  only  with  God's  Blefling  make  us  re- 
c  Joyce  in  each  other].  Oar  Comforts  alfo  were  carried  on  by  your  Majefty's  early 
and  ready  Entertainment  of^Motions  for  Accommodation  in  thefe  Points  of  Difci- 
plineand  Worfliip  in  which  we  were  difagreed,  and  your  profeffed  Reiolutions  to 
draw  us  together  by  Mutual  Approaches,  and  publifhing  your  Healing  Declarati- 
on, which  was  received  with  the  Thanks  of  your  Houfe  of  Commons,  and  the 
Applaufe  of  the  People,  and  the  fpecial  Joy  of  thofe  that  longed  lor  Concord  and 
Tranquility  in  the  Church :  In  which  your  Majefty  declareth  (b  much  Satisfaction 
in  the  Foundations  of  Agreement  already  laid,  as  that  you  [  f  fliould  think  your 
'  felf  very  unfortunate,  and  fu(pe<5t  that  you  are  defective  in  the  Adminiftration  of 
'  Government,  if  any  Superstructures  mould  (hake  thefe  Foundations,  and  contract 
'  or  leffen  the  bleffed  Gift  of  Charity,  which  is  a  Vital  part  of  Chriftian  Religi- 
'  on.]  And  as  in  the  faid  gracious  Declaration,  youf  Majefty  refolved  to  [  *  ap- 
'  point  an  equal  number  of  Learned  Divines  of  both  Perfwafions  to  review  the  Li- 
'  turgy,  and  to  make  fuch  Alterations  as  (hall  be  thought  moft  neceffary,  and  fome 
'  additional  Forms  (  in  the  Scripture  Phrale  as  near  as  may  be  )  fuited  unto  the 
r  nature  of  the feveral  parts  of  Worfliip;  and  that  it  be  left  to  the  Minifter's 
'  choice,  to  ufe  one  or  other  at  his  Difcref^n  ]  j  lb  in  Accomplifliment  thereof 
your  Majefty  among  others,  directed  your  Commiflion  unto  us  for  the  review  of 

*  [the  feveral  Directions ,  Rules,  and  Forms  of  Prayer,  and  things  in  the  faid  Book 

*  of  Common  Prayer  contained] :  and  [  lif  occafion  be,  to  make  fuch  reaiuna- 
'  ble  and  neceffary  Alterations,  Corrections  and  Amendments  therein  ,  as  by  and 
'  between  us  fiiall  be  agreed  upon  to  be  needful  or  expedient  for  the  giving  of  Sa- 
'  tisfaction  to  tender  Confciences,  and  the  reftoring  and  continuance  of  Peac%  and 

'  Unity  in  the  Churches  under  you&  Protection  and  Government] and  what 

we  [  l  agree  upon  as  needful  or  expedient  to  be  done,  for  the  altering,  diminilh- 
'  ing  or  enlarging  the  faid  Boo*k  of  Common  Prayer,  or  any  part  thereof,  forthwith 
'  to  certifie  and  prefent  it  in  Writing]  to  your  Majefty. 

In  Obedience  to  this  your  Majefty's  Commiflion,  we  met  with  the  Right  Reve- 
rend Bifhop?,  who  required  of  us,  that  before  any  Perfonal  Debates  ,  we  (hould 
'  [bring  in  Writing,  all  our  Exceptions  againft  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer, 
'  and  all  the  Additional  Forms  which  we  defired  ].:  Both  which  we  performed  > 
and  received  from  them  an  Anfwer  to  the  firft,  and  returned  them  our  full  Re- 
ply :  The  laft  Week  of  our  time,  being  defigned  to  Perlbnal  Conference,  was  at 
the  Will  of  the  Right  Reverend  Bifliops  fpent  in  a  particular'  Difpute  by  three  of 
each  part,  about  the  finfulnefs  of  one  of  the  Injunctions ,  from  which  we  defired 
to  be  free  ;  and  in  fbme  other  Conference  on  the  by.  And  though  the  Account 
which  we  are  forced  to  give  your  Majefty  ot  the  Iffue  of  our  Conlultations,  is  that, 
No  Agreements  are  Suhicribed  by  us ,  to  be  offered  your  Majefty,  according  to 
your  Expectation  ;  and  though  it  be  none  of  our  intent  to  caft  the  leaft  unmeet  Re- 
flections 


P  a  R  T  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  367 

fle&ions  upon  the  Right  Reverend  Bifhops  and  Learned  Brethren  who  think  not 
meet  to  yield  to  any  confiderable  Alterations  to  the  Ends  exprelTed  in  your  Maje- 
fty's  Commiffion,  yet  we  muft  fay,that  it  is  iome  quiet  to  our  Minds  that  we  have 
not  been  guilty  of  your  Majefty's  and  your  Subjects  dilappointments,  and  that  we 
account  not  your  Majefty's  gracious  Commiffion,  nor   our  Labour,  loft,  having 
Peace  of  Confcience  in  the  difcharge  of  our  Duties  to  God  and  you :  that  we  have 
been  the  Seekers  and  Followers  of  Peace,  and  have  earneftly  pleaded,  and  humbly 
petitioned  for  it ;  [and  offered  for  it  any  price  below  the  offence  of  God  Almighty,  and  the 
wounding  or  haz>ard  of  our  own,  or  of  the  Peoples  jouls  j  and  that  we  have  tn  Jeajon  born  T.  r 
our  tefttmony  againft  thofe  Extreams,  which  at  laft  will  appear  to  thofe  that  do  not  now  dif-  derlincd 
cernit,  to  have  proceeded  from  uncharitable  miftake,  and  tended  to  the  dtvifion  and  trouble  Paiiages 
of  the  Church  :  that  whatever  fliall  become  of  Chanty,  Unity  and  Concord y  our  Life,  our  wcre  Icft 
Beauty,  and  our  Bands, our  Consciences  tell  us  we  have  not  dejertedthem,  nor  left  any  probable  ou^n  \  i C 
■means  unattempted,  which  we  could  difcern  within  our  power~\.     And  we   humbly  be- to  the 
leech  your  Majefty  to  believe,  that  we  own  no  Principles  of  Fa&ion  or  Difobedi-  King. 
cnce,  nor  Patronize  the  Errours  or  Obftinacy  of  any  :  It  is  granted  us  by  all,  that 
nothing  mould  be  commanded  us  by  Man,  which  is  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God : 
that  if  it  be,  and  we  know  it,  we  are  bound  not  to  perform   it  j  God  being   the 
AbfoluteUniverfal  Soveraign  ;  that  we  muft  ufe  all  jult  means  to  difcern  the  Will 
of  God,  and  whether  the  Commands  of  Man  be  contrary  to  it :  thac  if  the  Com- 
mand be  finful,  and  any  through  the  neglect  of  fufficientfearch,  ihall  judge  it  law- 
ful, his  culpable  Errour  excufeth  not  his  doing  of  it  from  being  fin  :    and  therefore 
as  a  reafonable  Creature  muft  needs  have  a  Judgment  of  difcerning,  that  he  may 
rationally  obey,  Co  is  he  with  the  greateft  care  and  diligence  to  exercife  it  in  the 
greateft  things,  even  the  obeying  of  God  and  the  faving  of  our  Souls  j  and  that 
where  a  ftrong  probability  of  great  fin  and  danger  lyeth  before  us,  we  muft  not 
rafhly  run  on  without  iearch  ;  and  that  to  go  againft  Confcience  ,  even  where  it  is 
miftaken,  is  fin  and  danger  to  him  that  erreth.    And  on  the  other  fide  we  are  a- 
greed,  that  in  things  no  way  againft  the  Laws  of  God,  the  Commands  of  our  Go- 
vernours  muft  be  obeyed:  that  if  they  command  what  God  forbids,  we  mult  pa- 
tiently fubmit  to  Suffering ;  and  every  Soul  muft  be  fubjed  to  the  higher  Powers, 
for  Confcience  fake,  andnotrefift:  that  Publick  Judgment,  Civil  or  Ecclefiaftical, 
belongeth  only  to  publick   Perfbns,  and  nor  to  any  private  Man  :  that  no  Man 
muft  be  caufelefly  and  pragmatically  inquilitive  into  the  Reafbns  of  his  Superiours 
Commands  ;  nor  by  Pride  and  Self  conceitednefs  exalt  his  own  Underftanding  a- 
bove  its  worth  and  office  ;  but  all  to  be  modeftly  and  humbly  lelf-fufpicious:  that 
none  mult  erroneoufly  pretend  God's  Law  againft  the  juft  Command  of  his  Supe- 
riour,  nor  pretend  the  doing  of  his  Duty  to  be  fin  :  that  he  who  iufpe&cch  his  Su- 
periours Commands  to  be  againft  God's  Laws,  muft  uie  all  means  for  full  Infor- 
mation, before  he  fettle  in  a  courfe  of  dilbbeying  them  :  and  that  he  who  indeed 
difcovereth  any  thing  commanded  to  be  fin,  though  he  muft  not  do  it,  muft  ma- 
nage his  Opinion  with  very  great  tendernefs  and  care  of  the  Publick  Peace,  and  the 
Honour  of  his  Governours.     Thefe  are  our  Principles:  If  we  are  otherwife  repre- 
(ented  to  your  Majefty  we  are  mifreprefented  :  If  we  are  accufed  of  contradidiing' 
them,  we  humbly  crave  that  we  may  never  be  condemned  till  we  are  heard.     It  is 
the  defire  of  our  Souls  to  contribute  our  Parts  and  Inrerefts  to  the  utmoft,  for  the 
promoting  of  Holinefs,  Charity,  Unity,  and  Obedience  to  Rulers  in  all  lawful 
Things  :  But  if  we  fhould  fin  againft  God,  becaufe  we  are  commanded  ,    who 
fhall  anfwer  for  us,  or  fave  us  from  his  Juftice?  And  we  humbly  crave,  that  it  may 
be  no  unjuft  grievance  of  our  Diffent,  that  thereby  we  fuppofe  Superiours  to  err  j 
feeing  it  is  but  fuppofing  them  to  be  Men,not  vet  in  Heaven  ;  and  this  may  be  im- 
puted to  every  one  that  differed!  in  Opinion  from  another.     And  we  befeech  your 
Majefty  to  believe,  that  as  wefeek  no  greater  Matters  in  the  World,  than  our  daily 
bread,  with  Liberty  to  preach  the   Gofpel,  and  Worfhip  God  according   to  his 
Word,  and  the  pra&ife  of  the  Primitive  pureft  Church,fo  we  hope  it  is  not  through 
pufillanimity  and  overmuch  tendernefs  of  Suffering  that  we  have  pleaded  fo  much 
for  the  avoiding  of  Suffering  to  our  Selves  or  others :  May  none  of  our  Sufferings 
hinder  the  Profperity  of  the  Church,  and  the  good  of  Souls  [  of  Men  l  May  not  our 
dread  Soveraign,  the  Breath  of  our  Noftrils,  be  tempted  by  mif  representations  to  diftaft  fuch  ,   ^Ji"" 
as  are  faithful,  and  unawares  to  wrong  the  interejl  of  Chnft,  and  put  forth  his  hand  to  of-  pafTages 
flicl  thofe  that  Chrift  would  have  himcheri(h,  left  their  Head  fhould  be  provoked  to  jealoujie  were  left 
and  offence !  May  not  the  Land  of  our  Nativity  languijli  in  Divifions,  nor  be  filled  with  the  out  m  tiut 
Groans  of  thofe  that  areflmt  out  of  the  holy  Ajfemblies,  and  thofe   that  want  the  neceffary  \^^ 
breaking  of  the  Bread  of  Life  I  Nor  be  dif  appointed  of  its  expecled  Peace  and  Joy  !  Let  f^g. 


3^8  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  Lib.  1. 

not  tbefe  tbtngs  befall  m~\  and  we  have  enough.  And  we  fiippnfe  thofe  tli.u  &afck 
the  Perlbns  inconfiderable  in  number  and  quality  for  w hem  we  plead,  will  not 
themfelves  believe  that  we  have  done  this  for  Popular  Applaufe  :  This  were  noc 
fo  much  to  feek  the  Reward  or  Hypocrites,  as  to  play  the  Game  of  Fools ;  feeing 
the  Applaufe  of  inconfiderable  Men  can  be  but  inconfiderable  ;  and  we  know  our 
felves  that  we  are  like  thus  to  offend  thofe  that  are  not  inconfiderable.  The  Lord 
that  learcheth  hearts,  doth  know  that  it  is  noc  fo  much  the  avoiding  of  Suffering  cb 
our  felves  or  any  particular  Perfons,that  is  the  end  of  our  Endeavours  (though  this 
were  no  ambitious  end)  as  the  Peace  and  Welfare  of  the  Church  and  Kingdoms 
under  your  Majefty's  Government:  We  know  that,  iiippofing  them  that  are  for  the 
Ceremonies  to  be  as  pious  and  charitable  as  the  reft,  it  cannot  (b  much  offend  them 
that  another  Man  forbeareth  them,  as  it  muff  offend  that  other  to  be  forced  to  uic 
them  :  and  we  know  that  confeiencious  Men  will  not  content  to  the  practice  of 
things  in  .their  Judgments  unlawful ,  when  thofe  may  yield  that  count  -the  .Mat- 
ters but  indifferent. 

And  for  the  management  of  this  Treaty,  it  being  agreed  at  our  firift  meeting, 
that  nothing  be  reported  as  the  Words  or  Sence  of  either  Part,  fcut  what  is  by  them 
delivered  in  writing,  we  humbly  crave  that  your  Majefty  receive  no  more  as  ours, 
and  that  where  is  charged  on  any  particular  Perfon,  he  may  be  anfwenable  tor 
himfelf:  And  though  the  Reverend  Bifhops  have  not  had  time  to  connder  of  our 
Adtiitions  to  the  Liturgy,  and  of  our  Reply,  that  yet  they  may  be  confidered  be- 
fore a  Determination  be  made.  And  though  we  feem  to  have  laboured  in  vain, 
we  ftiall  yet  lay  this  Work  of  Reconciliation  and  Peace,  at  the  feet  of  your  Maje- 
fty, befeeching  you  to  prolecute  fuch  a  bleffed  Refolution  till  it  attain  fuccefs. 
We  mufi  needs  believe,  that  when  your  Majefty  took  our  Confent  to  a  Liturgy, 
to  be  a  Foundation  that  would  infer  our  Concord,  you  meant  not  that  we  ihould 
have  no  Concord,  but  by  contenting  to  this  Liturgy  without  any  confiderable  Al- 
teration. And  when  you  comforted  us  with  your  Refolution  to  draw  us  together, 
by  yielding  on  both  fides  in  what  we  could,  you  meant  not  that  we  fhouid  be  the 
Boat,  and  they  the  Bank  that  muft  not  ft ir.  And  when  your  Majefty  commanded 
us  by  your  Letters  Patents  to  treat  about  fuch  Alterations  as  are  ['  neeciful  or  ex- 
*  pedient  lor  giving  Satisfaction  to  render  Conferences,  and  the  reltoring  and  con- 
'  tinuance  of  Peace  and  Unity]  we  reft  affured  that  it  was  not  your  fence  ,  that 
thofe  tender  Confciences  were  to  be  forced  to  practife  all  which  they  judged  unlaw- 
ful,  and  not  fo  much  as  a  Ceremony  abated  them  :  Or  that  our  Treaty  was  only 
to  convert  either  part  to  the  Opinion  of  the  other  ;  and  that  all  our  Hopes  of  Con- 
cord or  Liberty  confifted  only  in  Difputing  the  Bilhops  into  Nonconformity,  or 
coming  in  every  Ceremony  to  their  minds. 

Finally,  as  your  Majefty  under  God,  is  the  Protection  whereto  your  People  flie, 
and  as  the  fame  Neceffities  (till  remain,  which  drew  forth  your  gracious  Declara- 
tion, we  moft  humbly  and  earneftly  befeech  your  Majefty  ,  that  the  Benefits  of 
the  fiid  Declaration  may  be  continued  to  your  People,  and  in  particular  [  That 
f  none  be  punished  or  troubled  for  not  ufing  the  Common  Prayer;  till  it  be  efle- 
c  cbually  reformed]  and  the  Additions  made  as  there  exprefled. 

We  crave  your  Majefty 's  pardon  for  the  tedioufnefs  of  this  Addrefs ,  and  fha'I 
wait  in  hope,  that  fo  great  a  Calamity  of  your  People,  as  would  follow  thefofs  of 
fo  many  able  faithful  Minifters  as  rigorous  Impofitions  would  caft  out,  fhall  never 
be  Recorded  in  the  Hiftory  of  your  Reign:  but  that  thefe  Impediments  of  Con- 
cord being  forborn  ,  your  Kingdoms  may  fiourifh  in  Piety  and  Peace,  and  this 
may  be  the  fignal  Honour  of  your  happy  Government,  and  your  Joy  in  the  Day  of 
your  Accounts.    Which  is  trie  Prayer  of 

Your  Majefty's 

Faithful  and  Obedient 

Subjects—*— 


b 

:     ■     V   V 

■  4* 

§  240. 


J 


P  a  r  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  369 

§  240.  And  in  the  Conclufion  of  this  Bufinefs,  feeing  <we  cou]d  prevail  with 
thefs  Prelates  and  Prelatical  Men,  (after  (b  many  Calamities  by  Divifions.,and  when 
they  pretended  Defires  of  Unity),  to  make  no  confiderable  Alterations  at  all  ;  the 
Reafon  of  it  feeming  unfearchable  to  fome,  was  by  others  confidently  conje&ured 
to  be  thefe : 

1.  They  extreamly  prejudic'd  thePerfbns  that  fought  this  Peace,  and  therefore 
were  glad  of  means  to  caffc  them  out  and  ruin  them. 

2.  The  Effects  of  the  Parliaments  Conqueft  had  exafperated  them  to  the 
height. 

;.  They  would  not  have  any  Reformation  or  Change  to  occafion  Men  to  think 
that  ever  they  were  in  an  Errour,  or  that  their  Advei  iaries  had  reafbnabiy  defired, 
or  had  procured  a  Reformation. 

4.  Some  confidently  thought  that  a  fecret  Refolution  to  unite  with  the  Papifts 
(at  leaft:  as  high  as  the  old  Defign  which  Heylin  owneth  in  Lauds  Life  )  was  the 
greatelt  caufe  of  all:  And  that  they  would  never  have  loft  lb  great  a  Party,  as  they 
did  but  to  gain  a  greater  (at  home  and  abroad  together.,) 

§  24 r.  And  here,  becaufe  they  would  abate  us  nothing  at  all  confiderable,  but 
made  things  far  harder  and  heavier  than  before  ,  I  will  annex  the  Concsffions  of 
Archbifliop    UJljer,  Archbifhop  Williams,  Bifhop  Morton,  Biftiop  Hold/worth,  andK 
many  others  in  a  Committee  at  IVeflminjler  (before  mentioned )  1641. 


A  Copy  of  the  "Proceedings  of  fome  Worthy  and  Learned  Divines 
touching  Innovations  in  the  DoBrine  and  Difcrpline  of  the 
Church  of  England:  Together  with  Confederations  upon  the 
Common  Prayer  Bjo\ 

Innovations  in  DoBrine. 

1  Quare.^JTjUQthQr  in  the  Twentieth  Article  thefe  Words  are  not  inferted, 
W     Habet  Ecclefia  authoritatcm  in  Controverfiis  fidei. 

2.  It  appears  by  Stetfords.  and  the  approbation  of  the  Licenfers,  that  (bme  do 
teach  and  preach,  That  Good  Works  are  concaufes  with  faith  in  the  a&  of  Juftifcat'uon  • 
Dr.  Dove  alio  hath  given  Scandal  in  that  poinr. 

3.  Some  have  preached  the  Works  of  Penance  are  fatisfactory  before  God. 

4.  Some  have  preached  that  private  Confeflton  by  particular  Enumeration  of 
Sins,  is  neceffary  to  Salvation,  necejfitate  medii\  both  thofe  Errours  have  been  que- 
ff ioned  at  the  Confiftory  at  Cambridge. 

5-.  Some  have  maintained  that  the  Abfolution  which  the  Prieft  pronounceth,  is 
more  t-han  Declaratory. 

6.  Some  have  publiihed,  That  there  is  a  proper  Sacrifice  in  the  Lord's  Supper, 
to  exhibit  Chrift's  Death  in  the  PoftfaEt,  as  there  was  a  Sacrifice  to  prefigure  in  the 
Old  Law  in  the  Antefaff,md  therefore  that  we  have  a  true  Altar,  and  therefore  not 
only  metaphorically  Co  called,  (b  Dr.  Heylin  and  others  in  the  lalt  Summers  Convo- 
cation, where  alfofome  defended,  that  the  Oblation  of  the  Elements  might  hoid  the 
Nature  of  the  true  Sacrifice,  others  the  Confumption  of  the  Elements. 

7.  Some  have  introduced  Prayer  for  the  Dead,  as  Mr.  Brown  in  his  printed  Ser- 
mon, and  fome  have  coloured  the  ufe  of  it  with  Queftions  in  Cambridge,  and  difpu* 
ted,  that  Preces  pro  Defimftis  nonfupponunt  Purgatorium. 

8.  Divers  have  oppugned  the  certitude  of  Salvation. 

9.  Some  have  maintained  the  lawfulnefs  of  Monafikal  Vows. 

io.Sorne  have  maintained  that  the  Lord's  Day  is  kept  meerly  by  Ecclcfiaftical  Gon- 
ftkution,  and  that  the  Day  is  changeable. 

11.  Some  have  taught  as  new  and  dangerous  Doctrine,  that  the  Sub/eels  are  to 
pay  any  Sums  of  Money  impofed  upon  them,  though  without  Law  ,  nay  contrary 
to  the  Laws  of  the  Realnv  as  Dr.  Sybthorp,  and  Dr.  Manwaring  Bi/hop  of  St.  Da- 
vids, in  their  printed  Sermons,  whom  many  have  followed  of  late  years. 

B  bb  12.  Some 


370  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 


12.  Some  have  put  Scorns  upon  the  two  Books  of  Homilies,  calling  them  e 
Popular  Difcouries,  or  a  Do&rine  ufeful  for  thofe  Times  wherein    they  were  let 
forth.  »' 

13.  Some  have  defended  the  whole  grofs  Subftance  of  Arminianifm,  that  Elect  to  eft 
txfide  prxvij a ,That  the  Act  of  Converfion  depends  upon  the  Concurrence  of  Man's 
Freewill ;  That  the  juftified  Man  may  fall  finally  and  totally  from  Grace. 

14.  Some  have  defended  Univerfal  Grace,  as  imparted  as  much  to  Reprobates 
as  to  the  Elect,  and  have  proceeded  ufatte  adfalutem  Ethmcorum,  which  the  Church 
of  England  hath  Anathematized. 

1  j.  Some  have  abfolutely  denied  Original  Sin,  and  fo  evacuated  the  Crofrof  Chrifjt 
as  in  a  Difputation  at  Oxon. 

16.  Some  have  given  exceffive  Caufe  of  Scandal  to  the  Church  :  as  being  fa- 
fpe&ed  of  Socinianijm. 

17.  Some  have  defended  that  Concupifcence  is  no  fin,  either  in  the  habit,  or  firft 
motion. 

18.  Some  have  broacht  out  of  Socinus  a  moft  uncomfortable  and  defperate  Do- 
ctrine, That  late  Repentance,  that  is,  upon  the  laft  Bed  of  Sicknefs,  is  unfruitful,  at 
ieaft  to  reconcile  the  Penitent  to  God. 

Add  unto  thefe,  fome  dangerous  and  moft  reproveable  Books* 

1.  The  Reconciliation  of  Sancla  Clara,  to  knit  the  Romi/hand  Proteftant  in  one  • 
Memorand.  That  he  be  caufed  to  produce  Bifhop  Watforis  Book  of  the  like  Reconci* 
liation  which  he  (peaks  of. 

2.  A  Book  called  Brevis  Difquifitio^  printed  (as  it  is  thought )  in  London,  and  vul- 
garly to  bs  had,  which  impugneth  the  Doctrine  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  and  the  ve- 
rity of  Chrift's  Body  f  which  he  took  of  the  Blefled  Virgin,)  in  Heaven,  and  the 
verity  of  our  Refurrection. 

3  A  Book  called  Timotbeus  Pbilaletbes  dePace  Ecclefia)  which  holds  that  every  Re- 
ligion will  fave  a  Man,  if  he  holds  the  Covenant. 

Innovations  in  Difcipline, 

1.  The  turning  of  the  holy  Table  Altar-wife,  and  moft  commonly  calling  it  an 
Altar. 

2.  Bowing  towards  it,  or  towards  the  Eaft,  many  times,  with  three  Congees, 
but  ufually  in  every  motion,  accefs,  or  recels  in  the  Church. 

•    3.  Advancing  Candlefikh  in  many  Churches  upon  the  Altar  fo  called. 

4.  In  making  Canopies  over  the  Altar  fo  called,  with  Traveries  and  Curtains  on 
each  fide  ,  and  before  it. 

y.  In  compelling  all  Communicants  to  come  up  before  the  Rails,  and  there  to  Re- 
ceive. 

6.  In  advancing  Crucifixes  and  Images  upon  the  Parafront ,  or  Altar-cloth ,  lb 
called. 

7.  In  reading  fome  part  of  the  Morning  Prayer  at  the  Holy  Table,  when  there 
is  no  Communion  celebrated. 

8.  By  the  Minifter's  turning  his  back  to  the  Weft,  and  his  face  to  the  Eaft,  when 
he  pronounceth  the  Creed,  or  reads  Prayers. 

9.  By  reading  the  Litany  in  the  midft  of  the  Body  of  the  Church  in  many  of  the 
Parochial  Churches. 

10.  By  pretending  for  their  Innovations ,  the  Injunctions  and  Adverthements  of 
Queen  Elizabeth,  which  are  not  in  force,  but  by  way  of  Commentary  and  Im- 
pofition,  and  by  putting  to  the  Liturgy  printed  fecundo,  tertio  Edwardi  fexti,  which 
the  Parliament  hath  Reformed  and  laid  afide. 

11.  By  ofTering  of  Bread  and  Wine  by  the  hand  of  the  Churchwardens  or  others, 
before  the  Confecration  of  the  Elements. 

12.  By  having  a  Credential  or  Side-Table,  befides  the  Lord's  Table,  for  divers  uies 
in  the  Lord's  Supper. 

1 3.  By  introducing  an  Offertory  before  the  Communion,  diftant  from  the  giving 
of  Alms  to  the  Poor. 

i4.By 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         371 

14.  By  prohibiting  the  Miniflers  to  expound  the  Catechifm  at  large  to  their  Pa- 
ri (hioners. 

iy.  By  fuppreffing  of  Le&ures,  partly  on  Sundays  in  the  Afternoon,  partly  on 
Week-days,  performed  as  well  by  Combination,  as  fome  one  Man. 

16.  By  prohibiting  a  direct  Prayer  before  Sermon,  and  bidding  of  Prayer. 

17.  By  finging  the  Te  Deumin  Profe  after  a  Cathedral  Church  way,  in  divers  Pa- 
rochial Churches,  where  the  People  have  no  skill  in  fuch  Mufick. 

18.  By  introducing  Latin-Service  in  the  Communion  of  late  in  Oxford,  and  in- 
to fome  Colledges  in  Cambridge,  at  Morning  and  Evening  Prayer  ,  fo  that  fome 
young  Students,  and  the  Servants  of  the  Colledge  do  not  underftand  their  Pray- 
ers. 

19.  By  (landing  up  at  the  Hymns  in  the  Church,  and  always  at  Gloria 
Patri. 

20.  By  carrying  Children  from  theBaptifm  to  the  Altar  fo  called,  there  to  offer 
them  up  to  God. 

21.  By  taking  down  Galleries  in  Churches,  or  retraining  the  Building  of  fuch 
Galleries  where  theParifhes  are  very  populous. 

Memorandum : 

1.  That  in  all  the  Cathedral  and  Collegiate  Churches  two  Sermons  be  preach- 
ed every  Sunday  by  the  Dean  and  Prebendaries,  or  by  their  procurement,  and  like- 
wife  every  Holy-day,  and  one  Lecture  at  the  lead  to  be  preached  on  Working  days 
every  Week,  all  the  Year  long. 

2.  That  the  Mufick  ufed  in  God's  Holy  Service,  in  Cathedral  and  Collegiate 
Churches  be  framed  with  lefs  Curiofity,  that  it  may  be  more  edifying  and  more 
intelligible,  and  that  no  Hymns  or  Anthems  be  ufed  where  Ditties  are  framed  by 
private  Men,  but  fuch  as  are  contained  in  the  Sacred  Canonical  Scriptures,  or  in 
our  Liturgy  of  Prayers,  or  have  publick  allowance. 

3.  Thac  the  Reading-Desk  be  placed  in  the  Church  where  Divine  Service  may 
belt  be  heard  of  all  the  People. 

Con  fide  fat  ions  upon  the  Bool^  of  Common  Prayer. 

1.  Whether  the  Names  of  fome  departed  Samts  and  others  mould  not  be  quite 
expunged  in  the  Kalender. 

2.  Whether  the  reading  of  Pfalms,  Sentences  of  Scripture,  concurring  in  divers 
places  in  the  Hymns,  Epiitles  and  Goipels,mould  not  be  let  out  in  the  New  Tranfla- 
tton. 

3.  Whether  the  Rubrick  mould  hot  be  mended,  where  all  Veflments  in  them  of 
Divine  Service  are  now  commanded,  which  were  ufed,  2  Edw.  6. 

4.  Whether  Leffons  of  Canonical  Scripture  fhould  be  put  into  the  Kalender  in- 
ftead  of  Apocrypha. 

$-.  That  the  Doxology  mould  be  always  printed  at  the  End  of  the  Lord's  Prayer, 
and  be  always  faid  by  the  Minifter. 

6.  Whether  the  Rubrick  mould  not  be  mended  ,  where  it  is ,  ( that  the  Leffons 
fhould  be  fang  in  a  plain  tune)  why  not  read  with  a  diftinct  voice  ?) 

7.  Whether  Gloria  Patri  fhould  be  repeated  at  the  end  of  every  Pfalm. 

8.  Whether  according  to  that  End  of  the  Preface  before  the  Common  Prayer, 
the  Curate  fhould  be  bound  to  read  Morning  and  Evening  Prayers  every  day  in  the 
Church,  if  he  be  at  home,  and  not  reafonably  letted,  and  why  not  only  on  Wed- 
nejday  and  Friday  Morning,  and  in  the  Afternoon  on  Saturday }  with  Holy-day 
Eves. 

9.  Whether  the  Hymns,  Benedicite  omnia  Opera,  &c.  may  not  be  left  out. 

10.  In  the  Prayer  for  the  Clergy,  thatPhrafe  Perhaps  to  be  altered  ,  which  only 
worketh  great  marvels. 

11.  In  the  Rubrick  for  the  Adminiflration  of  the  Lords  Supper,  whether  an  al- 
teration be  not  to  be  made  in  this,  That  fuch  as  intend  to  Communicate  fliall  figmfie  thar 
Names  to  the  Curate  over  Night,  or  in  the  Morning  before  Prayers. 

12.  The  next  Rubrick  to  be  cleared,  how  far  a  Minifter  may  repulfe  a  fcanda- 
lous  and  notorious  Sinner  from  the  Communion. 

Bbb  2  i2.Whe- 


372  The  LIFE  of  the  t    r  b.  I. 


13.  Whether  the  Rubrick  is  not  to  be  mended,  where  the  Churchwardens  are 
ftri&ly  charged  to  gather  the  Alms  for  the  Poor  before  the  Communion  begin  ;  for 
by  experience  it  is  proved  to  be  done  better  when  the  People  depart. 

14.  Whether  the  Rubrick  is  not  to  be  mended,  concerning  the  Party  that  is  to 
make  his  General  Confeflion  upon  his  knees,  before  the  Communion,  that  it  fhould 
be  (aid  only  by  the  Minifter,  and  then  at  every  Claufe  repeated  to  the  Peo- 
ple. 

1  f.  Thefe  words  in  the  Form  of  the  Confecration,  This  is  my  Body  ,  This  is  my 
Blood  of  the  NewTeftament,  not  to  be  printed  hereafter  in  great  Letters. 

16.  Whether  it  will  not  be  fit  to  infert  a  Rubrick,  touching  kneeling  at  the 
Communion,  that  is,  to  comply  in  all  Humility  with  the  Prayer  which  the  Mini- 
fter makes  when  he  delivers  the  Elements. 

17.  Whether  Cathedral  and  Collegiate  Churches  (hall  be  ftri&ly  bound  to  Celebrate 
the  Holy  Communion  every  Sunday  at  the  leaft,  and  might  not  it  rather  be  added 
once  in  a  Month. 

18.  In  thelaft  Rubrick  touching  the  Communion,  it  is  not  fit  that  the  Printer 
make  a  full  Point,  and  begin  with  a  new  Great  Letter  at  thefe  words,  And  every 
Parijhioner  JhaU  alfo  receive  the  Sacrament. 

jcf.  Whether  in  the  firft  Prayer  at  the  Baptifm,  thefe  words,  Didft  fanthfie  the 
Flood  of  Jor -dan,  and  all  other  Waters ,  mould  be  thus  changed,  Didft  fantltfie  the  Ele- 
ment of  Water. 

20.  Whether  it  be  not  fit  to  have  fome  difcreet  Rubrick  made  to  take  away  all 
fcandal  from  ilgningthe  Sign  of  the  Crofs  upon  the  Infants  after  Baptifm  ;  or  if  it 
fhall  feem  more  expedient  to  be  quite  difufed,  whether  this  Reafon  mould  be  pub- 
lished, That  in  ancient  Liturgies  no  Crofs  was  confined  upon  the  Party,  but  where 
Oyl  alfb  was  ufed  ;  and  therefore  Oyl  being  now  omitted,  fo  may  alio  that  which 
was  concomitant  with  it,  the  Sign  of  the  Crofs. 

21.  In  Private  Baptifm,  the  Rubrick  mentions  that  which  muft  not  be  done, 
that  the  Minifter  may  dip  the  Child  in  Water  being  at  the  point  of  Death. 

22.  Whether  in  the  laft  Rubrick  of  Confirmation,  thofe  words  be  to  be  left  out, 
and  be  undoubtedly  faved. 

23.  Whether  the  Catechifm  may  not  receive  a  little  more  Enlargement. 

24.  Whether  the  Times  prohibited  for  Marriage  are  quite  to  be  taken  a- 
way. 

25-.  Whether  none  hereafter  fhall  have  Licenfes  to  marry  ,  nor  be  asked  their 
Banns  of  Matrimony,  that  fhall  net  bring  with  them  a  Certificate  from  their  Mini- 
fiers  that  they  are  inftru&ed  in  their  Catechifm. 

26.  Whether  thefe  Words  in  Matrimony,  With  my  Body  1  thee  worfhip,  fhall  not 
be  thus  altered,  I  give  thee  power  over  my  body. 

27.  Whether  the  laft  Rubrick  of  Marriage  fhould  not  be  mended,  that  new  mar- 
ried Perfons  fhould  receive  the  Communion  the  fame  day  of  their  marriage ,  may 
not  well  be  (  or  upon  the  Sunday  following  )  when  the  Communion  is  celebra- 
ted. 

28.  In  the  Abfolution  of  the  Sick,  were  it  not  plain  to  lay,  I  pronounce  thee  Ah- 
folved. 

29.  The  Pfalm  of  Thankfgiving  of  Women  after  Child-birth,  were  it  not  fit  to 
be  compofed  out  of  proper  Verficles  taken  from  divers  Pfalms. 

30.  May  not  the  Prieft  rather  read  the  Communion  in  the  Desk,  than  go  up  to 
the  Pulpit.     . 

;r.  The  Rubrick  in  the  Commination  leave  it  doubtful,  whether  the  Liturgy 
may  not  be  read  in  divers  places  in  the  Church. 

32.  In  the  Order  of  the  Burial  of  all  Perfons,  'tis  faid  ,  We  commit  his  Body  to 
the  Ground,  in  fure  and  certain  hope  of  Refurrettion  to  Eternal  Life  ;  Why  not  thus  , 
Knowing  aJJ'uredlj  that  the  Dead  fhall  rife  again. 

3 3.  In  the  Colled  next  unto  the  Colled  againft  the  Peftilence,  the  Claufe  per- 
haps to  be  mended  :  For  the  honour  ofjefus  Chriffs  fake. 

34.  In  the  Litany,  inftead  of  Fornication  and  all  other  deadly  &»,WOuld  it  not  fatisfie 
thus  ?  From  Fornication  and  all  other  grievous  Sins. 

3f.  It  is  very  fit  that  the  Imperfe&ions  of  the  Metre  in  the  finging  Pfalms 
fhould  be  mended,  and  then  Lawful  Authority  added  unto  them,  to  have  them 
publickly  fung  before  and  after  Sermons,  and  fbmetimes  inftead  of  the  Hymns  of 
Morning  and  Evening  Prayer. 

§  H2' 


P  a  a  T  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  373 

§  242.  And  now  our  Calamities  began  to  be  much  greater  than  before  :  We  were 
called  all  by  the  Name  of  Presbyterians  (  the  odious  Name  )  :  though  we  never  put 
up  one  Petition  for  Presbytery,  but  pleaded  for  Primitive  Epifcopacy.     We  were 
reprefented  in  the  common  talk  of  thofe  who  thought  it  their  Intereft  to  be  our  Ad- 
verfaries,  as  the  moft  Seditious  People,  unworthy  to  be  ufed  like  Men ,  or  to  enjoy 
our  common  Liberty  among  them.     We  could  not  go   abroad  but  we  met  with 
daily  Reproaches  and  falfe  Stories  'of  us :  Either  we  were  feigned  to  be  Plotting,  or 
to  be  DifafFeding  the  People,  &c.     And  no  Sermon  that  I  preached,  fcarce  efcaped 
the  Cenfiire  of  being  Seditious,  though  I  preached  only  for  Repentance  and  Faith* 
and  Morality  and  Common  Vertue,  yea,  if  it  were  againft  Difbbedience  and  Se- 
dition, all  was  one  as  to  my  Eftimation  with  thofe  Men.     And  the  great  Increafer 
of  all  this  was,  that  there  were  a  multitude  of  Students  that  ftudied  for  Preferment 
and  many  Gentlemen  that  aimed  at  their  Rifing  in  the  World,  who  found  out 
quickly  what  was  moft  pleafing  to  thofe  whoie  Favour  they  muff  rife  by,   and  fo 
let  themfelves  induftrioufly  to  Reviling,  Calumniating  and  Cruelty,  againft  all 
thoie  whom  they  perceived  to  be  odious !  And  he  that  can  but  convince  a  world- 
ly Generation  of  any  thing  that's  the  ready  way  to  their  Preferment,  mail  be  fure 
to  have  it  clofely  followed,  and  throughly  done  with  all  their  might. 

§  245.  Before  and  about  this  time  many  Books  (  if  fo  they  may  be  called  )  were 
written  againft  me.  One  by  Mr.  Naufen  (  forementioned  )  a  Juftice  of  Peace  in 
Worcefierjlnre,  who  being  a  great  Friend  of  the  Papifts,  had  fpoken  againft  me  on 
the  Bench  at  the  Seffions  behind  my  back,  as  the  Author  of  a  Petition  againft  Po- 
pery heretofore  :  and  was  angry  with  me  fop  evincing  to  him  his  miftake,  temeri- 
ty and  injuftice  :  And  when  he  law  his  time,  he  had  nothing  elfe  to  be  the  fewel 
of  his  Revenge,  but  that  very  Book  which  I  wrote  againft  the  Papifts :  and  there- 
in againft  the  killing  of  the  King,  which  I  aggravated  againft  the  Army  and  the 
Popifh  Inftigators  and  Acftors:  But  becaufe  in  Anfwer  to  the  Papifts,  I  made  their 
Do&rine  and  Pra&ife  of  King  killing  to  be  worfe  than  thefe  Se&aries  were  guilty 
of,  and  thereupon  recited  what  the  Se&aries  (aid  for  themfelves,  which  the  Jcluites 
have  not  to  fay  ;  he  took  up  all  thefe  Reafons  of  the  Se&aries,  and  anfwered  them 
as  if  they  had  been  my  own,  and  I  had  pleaded  for  that,  which  I  condemned  by 
writing  in  a  time  when  it  might  have  coft  me  my  Life,  when  the  Gentleman  that 
thus  would  have  proved  me  a  Traytor,  did  himfelf  a&  under  the  Ufurpers,  and 
took  their  Impofitions,  which  we  abhorred  and  refufed. 

§  244.  And  here  I  fhall-infert  a  Pafiage  not  contemptible  concerning  the  Papifts, 
becaufe  I  am  fall'n  into  the  mention  of  them.  In  Cromwells  days,  when  I  was 
writing  that  very  Book,  and  my  Holy  Commonwealth,  and  was  charging  their  Trea- 
fons  and  Rebellions  on  the  Army,  one  Mr.  James  Stansfitld,  a  Reverend  Minifter 
of  Gloce/lerjhire,  called  on  me,  and  tod  me  a  Story ;  which  afterwards  he  fent  me 
under  his  Hand,  and  warranted  me  to  publifh  it ;  which  was  this. 

One  Mr.  Atkins  of  Glocefterjhire,  Brother  to  Judge  Atkins,  being  beyond  Sea,  with 
others  that  had  ferved  the  late  King,  fell  into  intimate  acquaintance  with  a  Prieft, 
that  had  been  (or  then  was)  Governour  of  one  of  their  Colledgesin  Flanders :  They 
agreed,  not  to  meddle  with  each  other  about  Religion ,  and  Co  continued  their 
Friendship  long.  A  little  after  the  King  was  beheaded,  Mr.  Atkins  met  this  Prieft 
in  London,  and  going  into  a  Tavern  with  him,  laid  to  him  in  his  familiar  way, 
[  What  bufinefi  have  you  here?  I  "warrant  you  come  about  fome  Roguery  or  other].  Where- 
upon the  Prieft  told  it  him  as  a  great  fecret,  [That  there  were  Thirty  of  them  here  in 
London,  -who  by  Infiruflions  from  Cardinal  Mazarine,  did  take  care  of  fuch  Affairs,  and 
had  fate  in  Council,  and  debated  the  Que f  ion,  Whether  the  King  (hould  be  put  to  death  or 
not  ?  and  that  it  was  carried  in  the  Affirmative  ,and  there  were  but  two  Voices  for  the  Nega- 
tives which  was  bis  own  and  another s :  And  that  for  bis  part  he  could  not  concur  with 
them  ,  as  foreseeing  what  mifery  this  would  bring  upon  bis  Country].  That  Mr.  Atkins 
flood  to  the  Truth  of  this,  but  thought  it  a  Violation  of  the  Laws  of  Friend/hip, 
to  name  the  Man. 

I  would  not  print  it  without  fuller  Atteftation,  left  it  mould  be  a  wrong  to  the 
Papifts.  But  when  the  King  was  reftored  and  fetled  in  Peace,  I  told  it  occafionly 
to  a  Privy  Councellor,  who  not  advifing  me  to  meddle  any  further  in  it,  becaufe  the 
King  knew  enough  of  Mazarine's  Defigns  already,  I  let  it  alone.  But  about  this 
time  I  met  with  Dr.  Thomas  Goad,  and  occafionally  mentioning  fuch  a  thing,he  told 
me  that  he  was  familiarly  acquainted  with  Mr.  Atkins,  and  would  know  the  cer- 
tainty of  him,  whether  it  were  true :  And  not  long  after  meeting  him  again,  he 
told  me  that  he  fpoke  with  Mr.  Atkins,  and  that  he  affured  him  that  it  was  true  : 

but 


374  The  LI  F  E  of  the   L  i  b.  1. 

but  he  was  loth  to  meddle  in  the  publication  of  it.    Nor  did  1  think  it  prudence  my 
ielf  to  do  it,  as  knowing  the  Malice  and  Power  of  the  Papifts. 

Since  this,  Dr.  Peter  Moulin  hath  in  his  Anfwer  to  Phtlanax  Anglicus,  declared 
that  he  is  ready  to  prove,  when  Authority  will  call  him  to  it,  that  the  Kings 
Death  and  the  Change  of  the  Government,  was  firft  proposed  both  to  the  Sorbome, 
and  to  the  Pope  with  his  Conclave,  and  contented  to  and  concluded  for  by 
both. 

§  245.  Another  Book  wrote  againft  me  was  ( as  was  thought)  by  one  Tompkins, 
4  young  Man  of  All-Souls,  Son  to  Mr.  Tompkins  of  IVorcefter, and  a  School-boy  there 
*  Since  when  1  lived  in  that  County  *  :  He  called  it  The  Rebel's  Plea  ;  being  a  Confutation 
m^de  Dr-  of  fuch  PaflTages  in  my  Holy  Commonwealth,  as  he  leaft  underftood  and  could  make 
Archbi-  mo^  ocnous-  All  thefe  Men  made  me  think,  what  one  advifed  the  Papifts  to  do 
/hop's  f°r  tne  effectual  Confutation  of  the  Proteftants ;  w»;  Not  to  difpute  or  talk  with 
Chaplain,  them  at  all,  but  to  preach  every  day  againft  them  in  the  Pulpits  ;  for  there  they 
may  fpeak  without  any  Contradidion,  and  need  not  fear  an  Anfwer. 

$  246.  Shortly  after  our  Difputation  at  the  Savoy,  I  went  to  Rickmer [worth  in 
Hartfordfkire,  and  preached  there  but  once,  upon  Matth.  22.  12.  [ And  he  was  fpcech- 
/<?/?]:  where  I  fpake  not  a  word  that  was  any  nearer  kin  to  Sedition,  or  that  had  a- 
ny  greater  tendency  to  provoke  them,  than  by  mewing  [that  "wicked  mm,  and  the 
refusers  of  grace,  however  they  may  now  have  many  things  to  fay  to  excufe  their  fin ,  will  at 
lafi  be  fyeuhleS,  and  dare  not  ftand  to  their  wickednefi  before  God.  ~\  Yet  did  the  Bi- 
fhop  of  Worcefter  tell  me,  when  he  filenced  me,  that  the  BifhopofLoWoH  had  (hew- 
ed him  Letters  from  one  of  the  Hearers,  affuring  him  that  I  preached  feditioufly  : 
fo  little  Security  was  any  Man's  Innocency  (  that  difpleafed  the  Bifhops )  to  his 
Reputation  with  that  Party,  who  had  but  one  Auditor  that  defired  to  get  favour 
by  accufing  him.  So  that  a  multitude  of  fuch  Experiences  made  me  perceive,  when 
I  was  filenced,  that  there  was  fome  Mercy  in  it,  in  the  midft  of  Judgment  :  for  I 
fhould  fcarce  have  preached  a  Sermon,  nor  put  up  a  Prayer  to  God,  which  one  or 
other  (through  Malice,  or  hope  of  Favour)  would  not  have  been  tempted  to  ac- 
cufe  as  guilty  of  fome  heinous  Crime  :  And  as  Seneca  faith,  He  that  hath  an  Ulctr 
cneth  Oh,   if  he  do  but  think  you  touched  him. 

§  247.  Shortly  after  my  return  to  London,  I  went  into  Worcefier(hire  ,  to  try  whe- 
ther it  were  poffible  to  have  any  honeft  Terms  from  the  Reading  Vicar  there,  that  I 
might  preach  to  my  former  Flock :  But  when  I  had  preached  twice  or  thrice,  he 
denied  me  liberty  to  preach  any  more  :  I  offered  him  to  take  my  Lecture,  which 
he  was  bound  to  allow  me  (  under  a  Bond  of  500  /.  )  >  but  he  refufed  it :  I  next 
offered  him  to  be  his  Curate,  and  he  refuled  it:  I  next  offered  him  to  preach  for 
nothing,  and  he  refufed  it  :  And  laftly,  I  defired  leave  but  once  to  Adminifler 
the  Sacrament  to  the  People,  and  preach  my  Farewel  Sermon  to  them  ;  but  he 
would  not  confent.  At  laft  I  underftood  that  he  was  directed  by  his  Superiours 
to  do  what  he  did  :  But  Mr.  Baldwin  (an  able  Preacher  whom  I  left  there)  was  yet 
permitted. 

§  248.  At  that  time,  my  aged  Father  lying  in  great  pain  of  the  Stone  and  Stran- 
gury ,  I  went  to  vifit  him  (Twenty  miles  further) :  And  while  I  was  there  ,  Mr. 
Baldwin  came  to  me,  and  told  me  that  he  alfo  was  forbidden  to  preach.  We  re- 
turned both  to  Kiddermw(ter,md  having  a  Le&ure  at  Sheffnel  in  the  way,  I  preach- 
ed there,  and  frayed  not  to  hear  the  Evening  Sermon,  becaufe  I  would  make  hafte 
to  the  Biihop.  It  fell  out  that  my  turn  at  another  Le&ure  was  on  the  fame  day 
with  that  at  Sheffnal  {viz,,  at  Cleibury  in  Shropshire  alio)  :  And  many  were  there  met 
in  expectation  to  hear  me  :  But  a  Company  of  Soldiers  were  there  (  as  the  Country 
thought,  to  have  apprehended  mej;  who  fhut  the  Doors  againft  the  Minifters  that 
would  have  preached  in  my  ftead  (bringing  a  Command  to  the  Churchwarden  to 
hinder  any  one  that  had  notaLicenfe  from  the  Bifhop);  and  the  poor  People  that 
had  come  from  far  were  fain  to  go  home  with  grieved  hearts. 

§  249.  The  next  day  it  was  confidently  reported  that  a  certain  Knight  offered 
the  Biihop  his  Troop  to  apprehend  me,  if  I  offered  to  preach  :  And  the  People 
diffwaded  me  from  going  to  the  Bifhop,  fuppofing  my  Liberty  in  danger.  But  I 
went  that  Morning  with  Mr.  Baldwin,  and  in  the  hearing  of  him  and  Dr.  Warm- 
(try,  then  Dean  of  Worcefter,  I  remembred  the  Bifhop  of  his  Promife  to  grant  me 
his  Licence,  &c.  but  he  refufed  me  liberty  to  preaeh  in  his  Diocefs^  though  I  of- 
fered him  to  preach  only  on  the  Creed ,  and  the  Lord's  Prayer  and  Ten  Com- 
mandments, Catechiffical  Principles,  and  only  to  iuch  as  had  no  preaching.  But 
the  Difcourfe  between  him  and  me  at  that  time,  I  have  had  occafion  fince  particu- 
larly 


Pab.t  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         375 


larly  to  recite  in  my  Anfwer  to  him,  according  as  I  noted  it  down  when  I  came 
home;  and  therefore  I  fhall  here  pafs  it  by.  And  fince  then  I  never  preached  in 
his  Diocels. 

§2  jo.  When  he  Silenced  me,  he  told  me  that  he  marvelled  that  I  mould 
think  my  own  preaching  fo  neceffary,  as  to  offer  to  preach  for  nothing,  as  if  o- 
ther  Men  could  not  do  as  much  good  as  I  ?  I  told  him  ,  That  when  they  and  I 
had  all  done  our  heft,  there  would  be  many  Places  unfupplyed  ;  and  asked  him, 
Whether  he  thought  that  fuch  an  one  as  I  were  not  better  than  none  !  He  told  me, 
That  he  thought  not  meanly  of  my  Abilities;  but  till  I  was  better  affected,  he 
thought  they  were  better  that  had  none.  I  urged  him  to  tell  me  what  he  thought 
was  the  Errour  of  my  Mind  or  Affections ,  and  what  he  would  have  me  do  to- 
wards the  Cure  ?  My  Errours  he  would  not  tell  me  (  fave  the  ridiculous  recital  of 
that  Sentence  at  the  Savoy,  of  Sin  per  acadens,  which  I  have  fpoken  of  in  my  An- 
fwer  to  him  at  large)  ;  but  for  my  Cure  (  of  I  know  not  what,)  he  would  have 
me  read  Bil/m  and  Hooker.  I  told  him  that  was  not  now  to  do  :  But  when,  at  his 
perfwafion,  I  rev i fed  them,  I  admired  at«their  Infatuation  ,  that  ever  they  fufFercd 
fuch  Books  as  Hooker's  Eighth  Book,  and  Bifhop  Bilfon  of  Obedience,  to  lee  the 
Light  :  When  Hooker  goeth  (b  much  further  than  the  Long  Parliament  went,  as 
to  affirm  that  the  Legiflative  Power  is  fo  naturally  belonging  to  the  whole  Body  ; 
that  it  is  Tyranny  for  a  fingle  Perfon  to  exercife  it,  (Lib.  i.)  And  that  the  King  is 
fingults  Major fed  Univerfis  Minor,  and  receiveth  his  Power  from  the  People  ,  with 
many  more  Antimonarchical  Principles,  which  I  have  confuted  in  the  Fourth  Part 
of  my  Chrifiian  Directory  particularly,  as  judging  them  unfound.  And  Bilfon,  in 
that  excellent  Book  of  Chrifiian  Obedience,  hath  this  paffage,  which  me  thinks  mould 
make  them  burn  it  ,  and  not  commend  it  to  us  for  our  Cure,  [  Pag.  520.  If  a 
Prince  flwuld  go  about  to  (ubjett  bii  Kingdom  to  a  Forreign  Realm,or  change  the  Form  of  the 
Commonwealth,  or  negleil  the  Laws  eftabliflied  by  common  Confent  of  Frince  and  People, 
to  exesute  his  own  pleafure  :  In  thefe,  and  other  Cafes  which  might  be  named,  if  luc  Nobles 
and  the  Commons  joyn  together  to  defend  their  ancient   and  accufiomed  Liberty,   Regiment 

and  Laws,  they  may  not  well  be  counted  Rebels^ ^Inever  deny'd  that  the  People  might 

preferve  the  Foundation,  Freedom  and  Form  of  their  Commonwealth, which  they  fore-priz,ed 

when  they  firft  conftnted  to  have  a  King IfaJ/*  t^e    Law  of  God  giveth   no  Man 

leave  to  refift  his  Prince:  but  1  never  (aid,  that  Kingdoms  and  Commonwealths  might  not 
proportion  their  States  as  they  thought  heft,  by  their  publick  Laws  ;  which  afterwards  the 
Princes  themf elves  may  not  violate.  By  (]  Superiour  Powers  ordained  of  God  J  we  under' 
fland,  not  only  Princes,  but  all  Politick  States  and  Regiments  :  fomewhere  the  People^  fome~ 
where  the  Nobles,  having  the  fame  Interefl  to  the  Sword  that  Princes  have  m  their  King- 
doms. And  in  Kingdoms  "where  Princes  bear  rule,  by  [the  Sword],  we  do  not  mean  the 
Princes  private  Will,  agawfl  kts  Laws  ;  but  his  Precept  derived  from  his  Laws,  and  a- 
greeing  with  his  Laws  :  which  though  it  be  wicked,  yet  may  it  not  be  refifled  by  any  Sub- 
ject with  armed  violence.  Marry,  when  Princes  offer  their  Subjects,  not  Jufiice,  but  Force, 
and  dejfije  all  Laws  to  praclife  their  Lufls,  not  every  nor  any  private  Man,  may  take  the 
Sword  and  redrefr  the  Prince  ;  but  if  the  Laws  of  the  Land  appoint  the  Nobles,  as  next 
the  King,  to  offi\t  him  in  doing  right,  and  withhold  him  from  doing  wrong,  then  be  they 
licenfed  by  Mans  Law,  and  fo  not  prohibited  by  God  s,  to  interpofe  tbemfelves  for  the  fafety 
of  Equity  and  Innocency,  and  by  all  lawful  and  needful  means  ,  to  procure  the  Prince  to  be 
reformed,  but  in  no  cafe  deprived,  where  the  Scepter  is  inherited  ].  So  far  Bifhop  Bilfojt 
to  whom  I  was  fent. 

§  2  j  1.  To  return  to  Bifhop  Monley;  He  told  me  when  he  Silenced  me,  that  he 
would  take  care  that  the  People  fhould  be  no  lofers,  but  fhould  be  taught  as  well 
as  they  were  by  me.  And  when  I  was  gone,  he  got  awhile  a  few  (candalous  Men, 
with  fome  that  were  more  civil,  to  keep  up  the  Lecture,  till  the  paucity  of  their 
Auditors  gave  them  a  pretence  to  put  it  down.  And  he  came  himfelf  one  day  and 
preached  to  them,  a  long  Invective  againft  them  and  me,  as  Presbyterians,  and  I 
know  not  what ;  fo  that  the  People  wondered  that  ever  a  Man  would  venture  to 
come  up  into  a  Pulpit,  and  fpeak  fo  confidently  to  a  People,that  he  knew  not,  the 
things  which  they  commonly  knew  to  be  untrue.  And  this  Sermon  was  fa  far 
from  winning  any  of  them  to  the  eftimation  of  their  New  Bifhop,  or  curing  that 
which  he  called  the  Admiration  of  my  Perfon,  (  which  was  his  great  endeavour  ) 
that  they  were  much  confirmed  in  their  former  Judgments.  But  ftill  the  Bifhop 
looked  at  Kidderminfier  as  a  Factious,  Schifmatical,  Presbyterian  People,  that  mutt 
be  cured  of  their  over- valuing  of  me,  and  then  they  would  be  cured  of  all  the 
reft :  Whereas  if  he  had  lived  with  them  the  twentieth  part  fo  long  as  I  had  done, 
he  would  have  known  that  they  were  neither  Presbyterians,   nor  Factious  nor 

Schif- 


376  The  LIFE  of  the  Lie]. 


Shifmatical,  nor  Seditious;  but  a  People  that  quietly  followed  their  hard  Labour, 
and  learned  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  lived  a  holy,  blamelsii  Life,  in  Humility  and 
Peace  with  all  Men,  and  never  had  any  Sect  or  feparared  Party  among  then?,  but 
abhorred  all  Faction  and  Sidings  in  Religion,  and  lived  in  Love  and  Chriftian  U- 
nity.  Yet  when  the  Bithop  was  gone,  the  Dean  came  and  preached  about  three 
hours  or  near,  to  cure  them  of  the  Admiration  of  my  Peribn  ;  and  a  month  after 
came  again  and  preached  over  the  fame ,  perfwading  the  People  that  they  were 
Presbyterians  and  Schifmatical,  and  were  led  to  it  by  their  over-valuing  of  me. 
The  People  admired  at  the  temerity  of  thefe  Men,  and  really  thought  that  they 
were  fcarce  well  in  their  Wits,  that  would  go  on  to  fpeak  things  ib  far  from  truth 
of  Men  whom  they  never  knew,  and  that  to  their  own  faces.  Many  have  gone 
about  by  backbiting  to  make  People  believe  a  falfe  report  of  others  :  but  few 
will  think  to  perfwade  any  to  believe  it  of  themfelves,  who  know  themfelves  much 
better  than  the  Reprover  doth.  Yet  befides  all  this,  their  Lecturers  were  to  go  on 
in  the  fame  ftrain,  and  one  Mr.  Pitt  (who  lived  in  Sir  John  Packingtons  Houfe, 
with  Dr.  Hammond)  was  often  at  this  work  (being  of  the  Judgment  and  Spirit  of 
Dr.  Gunning  and  Dr.  Pierce)  calling  them  Presbyterians ,  Rebellious,  Serpents,  and 
Generation  of  Vipers,  unlikely  tofcape  the  Damnation  of  Hell,  yet  knowing  not 
his  Accufation  to  be  true  of  one  Man  of  them  (  For  there  was  but  one  ,  if  one 
Presbyterian  in  the  Town,  but  plain  honeft  People,  that  minded  nothing  but  Pie- 
tf,  Unity,  Charity,  and  their  Callings ).  This  dealing  (inftead  of  winning  them 
to  the  Preacher)  drove  them  from  the  Lecture,  and  then  (  as  I  faid)  they  accufed 
the  People  as  deferting  it,  and  put  it  down. 

§  2  j  2. For  this  ordinary  Preacher  they  fet  up  one  of  the  beft  parts  they  could  get 
f  Admi°ft  (*  Wa^  ^ar  fr°m  wnat  ms  Patrons  fpake  him  to  bejwho  was  quickly  a  weary  and  went 
Perfon.  aw^y.  And  next  they  fet  up  a  poor  dry  Man,that  had  been  a  School-matter  near  us, 
and  after  a  little  time  he  died :  And  fincethey  have  taken  another  Courfe,and  let  up  a 
young  Man  (the  beft  they  can  getj  who  taketh  the  contrary  way  to  the  nrft,  and 
over-applaudeth  me  in  the  Pulpit  to  them,  and  fpeaketh  well  of  them,  and  ufeth 
them  kindly  :  And  they  are  glad  of  one  that  hath  (bme  Charity.  And  thus  the 
Bifhcp  hath  ufed  that  Flock,  who  fay  that  till  then  they  never  knew  fo  well  what 
a  Bi/hop  was,  nor  were  before  fo  guilty  of  that  diflike  of  Epifcopacy,  or  which 
they  were  fb  frequently  and  vehemently  accufed.  1  hear  not  of  one  perfon  among 
them,  who  is  won  to  the  Love  of  Prelacy^pr  Formality  fince  my  removal. 

§  25-3.  Having  parted  with  my  dear  Flock  (  I  need  not  fay,  with  mutual  fenfe 
and  teat's)  I  left  Mr.  Baldwin  to  live  privately  among  them,  and  overiee  them  in 
my  (lead,  and  vifit  them  from  Houfe  to  Houfe ;  advifmg  them,  notwithstanding 
ali  the  Injuries  they  had  received,  and  alLthe  Failings  of  the  Minifters  that  preach- 
ed to  them,  and  the  Defects  of  the  prefent  Way  of  Worlhip,  that  yet  they  fhould 
keep  to  the  Publick  AfTemblies,  and  make  ufe  of  fuch  Helps  as  might  be  had  in 
Publick,  together  with  their  private  Helps :  Only  in  three  Cafes  to  abfent  them- 
fVives ;  1.  When  the  Minifter  was  one  that  was  utterly  infufficient,  as  not  being 
able  to  teach  them  the  Articles  of  the  Faith  and  EfTentials  of  true  Religion  (  fuch 
as  alas,  they  had  known  to  their  forrow).  2.  When  the  Minifter  preached  any 
Here  fie,  or  Doctrine  which  was  directly  contrary  to  any  Article  of  the  Faith,  or 
neceiTary  part  of  Godlinefs.  3.  When  in  the  Application  he  fet  himfelf  gainft  the 
Ends  of  his  Office,  to  make  a  holy  Life  feem  odious,  and  to  keep  Men  from  it , 
and  to  promote  the  Intereft  of  Satan :  Yet  not  to  take  every  bitter  Reflection  up- 
on themfelves  or  others,  occafioned  by  difference  of  Opinion  or  Intereft,  to  be  a 
fufficient  Caufe  to  fay  that  the  Minifter  preacheth  againft  Godlinefs,  or  to  with- 
draw themfelves. 

§  2  J4.  When  I  was  gone  from  them,  I  wrote  not  a  Letter  to  them  part  once  in 
a  year,  left  it  fhould  bring  Suffering  upon  them  (the  Caufe  alfo  why  I  removed  my 
Dwelling  from  them  was,  becaufe  they  apprehended  themfelves  that  my  prefence 
would  have  been  their  ruine,  as  to  Liberty  and  Eftates )  :  For  had  they  but  recei- 
ved a  Letter  from  me,  any  difpleafing  thing  that  they  had  done,  would  have  been 
imputed  to  that.  As  for  inftance,  not  long  after,  there  came  out  the  Act  that 
all  that  had  any  Place  of  Truft  in  Cities,  Corporations  or  Countreys,  fhould  be 
put  out,  unlefs  they  declared  that  they  held  [That  there  is  no  Obligation  lying  upon 
them,  or  any  other  perfon,  from  the  Oath  called  The  Solemn  League  and  Covenant  ]  :  Here- 
upon all  the  Thirteen  Capital  BurgefTes,  Bailiff,  Juftice,  and  all,  fave  one  that 
had  been  an  Officer  in  the  King's  Army,  were  turned  out  (though  I  fuppofe  never 
any  more  than  two  or  three  of  them  took  the  Oath  and  Covenant  themfelves )  ; 
and  almoft  all  the  2;  inferiour  Burgeffes  were  turned  out  with  them.    Whereupon 

it 


P  a  a  t  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         377 

it  was  charged  upon  them  that  I  had  perfwaded  them  to  refufe  this  Declaration  * 
till  it  was  manifeft  that  I  had  never  once  fpoke  a  word  to  them  about  it,  nor  writ- 
ten one  Line  to  them  about  that  or  any  thing  elfe,  of  a  long  time  :  At  fuch  a  di- 
ftance  were  we  forced  to  remain. 

§  25  $■.  After  a  (hort  time  the  Lord  Windfory  who  was  Lord  Lieutenant  of  the 
County  (and  Governour  of  Jamaica),  bought  a  Houfe  in  the  Town,  and  lived 
among  them  ;  (  as  molt  thought,to  watch  over  them  as  a  dangerous  People)  which 
turned  to  their  great  Relief:  For  before  his  coming,  they  were  many  of  them  im- 
prifoned,  and  hardly  ufed;  but  when  he  lived  among  them,  and  faw  their  honefty 
and  innocency,  they  have  had  Three  years  of  as  great  quietnefs  and  liberty,  as 
any  place  I  know  in  the  Land.  When  he  firft  came  thither  I  was  there,  and  went 
to  wait  upon  him,  and  told  him  (truly)  that  I  was  glad  of  his  coming  for  my 
Neighbour's  lakes :  for  an  innocent  People  are  never  fb  iafe  as  under  their  Gover- 
nor's Eye  ;  feeing  Slanders  have  their  power  moll:  on  itrangers  that  are  unac- 
quainted with  the  perfons  or  the  things. 

§  25-6.  Juft  at  the  time  that  the  Bifhop  was  Silencing  me,  it  was  famed  at  Lon- 
don that  I  was  in  the  North,  in  the  Head  of  a  Rebellion  !  And  at  Kidderminfler  I 
was  acculed,  becaufe  there  was  a  Meeting  of  many  Minifters  at  my  Houfe;  which 
was  no  more  than  they  knew  had  been  their  confrant  Cuftom  many  a  year,  to  vi- 
fit  me,  or  dine  with  me.  And  while  we  were  at  Dinner,  it  fell  out  that  by  pub- 
lick  Order,  the  Covenant  was  to  be  burnt  in  the  Market-place,  and  it  was  done 
under  my  Window :  and  the  Attendance  was  fo  fmall,  that  we  knew  not  of  it 
till  afterwards :  Yet  becaufe  I  had  preached  the  Morning  before  (  which  as  I  re- 
member was  my  laft  Sermon  there)  upon  ChrifVs  words  on  the  Croft  [Fat her  for- 
give them  ;  for  they  know  not  what  they  do]  I  was  accufed  of  it  as  a  heinous  Crime, 
as  having  preached  againft  the  burning  of  the  Covenant  :  which  I  never  medled 
with,  nor  was  it  done  till  after  the  Sermon,  nor  did  I  know  when  it  was  done, 
nor  mind  it ;  nor  did  I  apply  the  Text  to  any  Matters  of  thofe  prefent  Times ;  but 
only  in  general  to  perfwade  the  Hearers  to  the  forgiving  of  Injuries,  and  main- 
taining Charity,  in  the  midft  of  the  greateft  Temptations  to  the  contrary  :  and  to 
remember  that  it  was  the  Tempter's  Defign,  by  every  wrong  which  they  received, 
to  get  advantage  for  the  weakening  of  their  Love  to  thofe  that  did  it;  which 
therefore  they  lhould  wkh  double  care  maintain.  This  was  the  true  fcope  of  that 
Sermon  which  deferved  Death  or  Banifhment ,  as  all  my  Pacificatory  Endeavours 
had  done. 

§  2J7.  When  I  came  back  to  London,  my  Book  called  [The  Mifchiefs  of  Self-igno- 
rance and  Benefits  of  Self- acquaintance]  was  coming  out  of  the  Prefs :  And  my  af- 
fection to  my  People  of  Ktdderminfier  caufed  me,  by  a  fhort  Epiflle  to  direct  it  to 
them,  and  becaufe  I  could  never  afcer  tell  them  publickly  (being  Silenced)  I  told 
them  here  the  occalion  of  my  removal  from  them,  and  my  filencing  ;  for  brevity 
lumming  up  the  principal  things  in  my  Charge.  And  becaufe  I  faid  [This  was 
the  Cauje]  the  Biihop  took  advantage,  as  if  I  had  faid,  This  was  the  whole  Caufe] 
when  the  Conference  between  him  and  me  was  half  an  hour  long,  and  not  fit  to 
be  wholly  inferted  in  a  fhort  Epiftle,  where  I  intended  nothing  but  the  (urn.  But 
the  Bifhop  took  occafion  hereupon  to  gather  up  all  that  ever  he  could  fay  to  make 
me  odious,  and  efpecially  out  of  my  Holy  Commonwealth,  and  our  Conference  at 
the  Savoy  ;  where  he  gathered  up  a  fcrap  of  an  Affertion  which  he  did  not  duly 
underlfand,  and  made  it  little  lew  than  Herefie  ;  and  this  he  publifhed  in  a  Book 
called  A  Letter  ;  which  I  truly  profefs,  is  the  fulleft  of  palpable  Untruths  in  Mat- 
ter of  Fad,  that  ever  I  faw  Paper,  to  my  remembrance  in  all  my  Life.  The  words 
which  he  would  render  me  fo  abhorred  for,  are  our  denial  of  Dr.  Pierfon*$  and  Dr. 
Gunning's,  &c.  Propofitions,  about  the  innocency  of  Laws  which  command  Things 
evil  by  Accident  only  :  where  the  Bifhop  never  difcerned  (unlefs  he  diffemble  it) 
the  Reafbns  of  our  Denial,  nor  the  Propofition  denied  :  The  very  words  of  the 
Difpute  being  printed  before,  and  I  having  fully  opened  the  Bifhops  Miftakes,  in 
an  Aniwer  to  him,  Ifhall  not  here  flop  the  Reader  with  it  again. 

§  25-8.  But  this  vehement  Inventive  of  the  Bifhop's  prefently  taught  all  that  de- 
fired  his  Favour,  and  the  improvement  of  his  very  great  Intereft  for  their  Ends,  to 
talk  in  all  Companies  at  the  fame  rates  as  he  had  done,  and  to  (peak  of  me  as  he 
had  fpoken,  and  thofe  that  thought  more  was  necefTary  to  their  hopes,  presented 
the  Service  of  their  Pens.  Dr.  Boreman  of  Trinity  Colledge  wrote  a  Book,  without 
his  Name,  and  had  no  other  defign  in  it  than  to  make  me  odious ;  nor  any  better 
occafion  for  his  writing  than  this :  There  had  many  years  before  paft  divers  Papers 

C  c  c  between 


378  Ibe  LI  F  E  of  the  L  r  b.  J. 


v.. 


between  Dr.  Thomas  Hill,  then  Mafter  of  Trinity  Colledge  in  Cambridge,  and  me,  a- 
boiit  the  Point  of  [Phyfical  efficient  Predetermination  as  neceJJ'ary  to  every  Action  natural 
and  free  ];  I  had  written  largely  and  earneftly  againft  Predetermination,  and  he  a 
little  for  it :  In  the  end  of  it,  the  Calamities  of  the  Sectarian  times,  and  fbme 
Sicknelfes among  my  Friends,  had  occasioned  me  to  vent  my  moan  to  him  as  my 
Friend  ;  and  therein  to  (peak  of  the  doubtfulnefs  of  the  Caufe  of  the  former  War, 
and  what  realbn  there  was  to  be  diligent  in  fearch  and  prayer  about  ir.  When 
Dr.  Hill  was  dead,  Dr.Boreman  came  to  fee  thefe  Papers :  Both  the  Subjects  he  mud 
needs  know  were  fuch,  as  tended  rather  to  my  Eiteem ,  than  to  my  Difparage- 
ment  with  the  Men  of  thefe  Times.  Certainly  the  Arminiam  will  be  angry  with 
no  Man  for  being  againft  Predetermination  ;  and  I  think  they  will  pardon  him 
for  queftioning  the  Parliaments  Wars:  Yet  did  this  difingenious  Dr.  make  a  Book 
on  this  occafion,  to  feek  Preferment  by  reproaching  me,  for  he  knew  not  what : 
But  to  make  up  the  matter,  he  writeth  that  it  is  reported,  That  I  kilTd  a  Man  in 
cold  blood  -with  my  own  hands  in  the  Wars :  Whereas  God  knoweth,  that  I  never  hurt 
a  Man  in  my  Life,  no  never  gave  a  Man  a  ftroke  (fave  one  Man,  when  I  was  a 
Boy,  whole  Legg  I  broke  with  wreftling  in  jeft  ;  which  almoft  broke  my  heart 
with  grief,  though  he  was  quickly  cured).  But  the  Dr.  knowing  that  this  might 
be  foon  difproved ,  cautioufly  gave  me  fbme  Lenitives  to  perfwade  me  to  bear  it 
patiently,  telling  me  that  if  it  be  not  true,  I  am  not  the  firft  that  have  been  thus 
abufed  :  but  for  ought  I  know,he  is  the  firft  that  thus  abufed  me.  I  began  to  write 
an  Anfwer  to  this  Book  ;  but  when  I  faw  that  Men  did  but  laugh  at  it,  and  thofe 
that  knew  the  Man  defpifed  it,  and  diffwaded  me  from  anfwering  fuch  a  one,  I  laid 
it  by. 

§  2yo.  When  the  BHhop's  Inve&ive  was  read,  many  Men  were  of  many  minds, 
aboot  the  anfwering  of  it :  Thole  at  a  diftance  all  cried  out  upon  me  to  anfwer  it : 
Thofe  at  hand  did  all  dilfwade  me,  and  told  me  that  it  would  be  Imprilbnment  at 
leaft  to  me,  if  I  did  it  with  the  greateft  truth  and  mildnefs  poflible.  Both  Gentle- 
men and  all  the  City  Minifters  told  me,  that  it  would  not  do  half  lb  much  good, 
as  my  Suffering  would  do  hurt  :  and  that  none  believed  it  but  the  engaged  Party , 
and  that  to  others  an  Anfwer  was  not  neceffary,  and  to  them  it  was  unprofitable, 
for  they  would  never  read  it.  And  I  thought  that  the  Judgment  of  Men  that 
were  upon  the  place,  and  knew  how  things  went,  was  moft  to  be  regarded.  But 
yet  I  wrote  a  full  Anfwer  to  his  Book,  (except  about  the  words  in  my  Holy  Com- 
monwealth, which  were  not  to  be  fpoke  to)  and  kept  it  by  me  ,  that  I  might  ufe 
it  as  there  was  occafion.  At  that  time  Mr.  Jofefh  Glanvile  fent  me  the  offer  of  his 
Service  to  write  in  my  Defence,  (He  that  wrote  the  Vanity  of  Dogmatizing,  and  a 
Treatife  for  the  Vraexifience  of  Souls,  being  a  Flatonift,  of  free  Judgment ,  and  of  ad- 
mired Parts,  and  now  one  of  the  Royal  Society  of  Philolophers ,  and  one  that 
had  a  too  exceffive  eftimation  of  me,  as  far  above  my  defert,  as  the  malicious  Party 
erred  on  the  other  fide  )  :  But  I  diffwaded  him  from  bringing  himfelf  into  Suffering, 
and  making  himfelf  unferviceable  for  fo  low  an  end  :  Only  I  gave  him  (  and  no 
Man  elfe)  my  own  Anfwer  to  penile,  which  he  returned  with  his  Approbation  of 
it. 

§260.  But  Mr.  Edward  Bagfhaw  (  Son  to  Mr.  Bagjliaw  the  Lawyer,  that  wrote 
Mr.  Bolton  s  Life),  without  my  knowledge  wrote  a  Book  in  Anfwer  to  the  Bifhops : 
I  could  have  wi/fot  he  had  let  it  alone  :  For  the  Man  hath  no  great  dilputing  fa- 
culty, but  only  a  florid  Epiftolary  Stile,  and  was  wholly  a  Stranger  to  me,  and  to 
the  Matters  of  Facl  ,  and  therefore  could  fay  nothing  to  them :  But  only  being  of 
a  Bold  and  Roman  Spirit,  he  thought  that  no  Suffering  Ihould  deter  a  Man  from 
the  Imalleft  Duty,  or  caufe  him  to  filence  any  ufeful  Truth.  And  I  had  formerly 
feen  a  Latin  Diicourfe  of  his  againft  Monarchy,  which  no  whit  pleafed  me,  being 
a  weak  Argumentation  for  a  bad  Caufe.  So  that  I  defired  no  fuch  Champion  : 
fhortly  after  he  went  over  with  the  E.of  Anglefey,  whole  Houlhold  Chaplain  he  was, 
into  Ireland,znd  having  preached  there  fome  times,  and  returning  back,  was  appre- 
hended, and  fent  Prifoner  to  the  Tower :  where  he  continued  long  till  his  Means 
was  all  fpent ,  and  how  he  hath  fince  procured  Bread  I  know  not.  When  he  had 
been  Prifoner  about  a  year,  itieemshe  was  acquainted  with  Mr.  Davis,  who  was 
al(u  a  Prilbner  in  the  Tower :  This  Mr.  Davis  having  been  very  ferviceable  in  the 
Reftoration  of  the  King,  and  having  laid  out  much  of  his  Eftate  for  his  Service, 
thought  he  might  be  the  bolder  with  his  Tongue  and  Pen,  and  being  of  a  Spirit 
which  fome  called  undaunted,  but  others,  furious,  or  indiscreet  at  beft,  did  give  an 
unmannerly  liberty  to  his  Tongue,  to  accule  the  Court  of  fuch  Crimes,  with  fuch 
Aggravations,  as  being  a  Subject,  I  think  it  not  meet  to  name.    At  lair,  he  talkt  fo 

freely 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         ,375) 

freely  in  the  Tower  alfb,  that  he  was  fhipt  away  Prifoner  to  Tangier,  in  Afi-ica. ;  Mr. 
Bagjhaw  being  (urprized  by  V EJlrange ,and  his  Chamber  fearched,  there  was  found 
with  him  a  Paper  called  Mr.  Davis's  Cafe :  Whereupon  he  was  brought  out  tofpeak 
with  the  King,  who  examined  him  of  whom  he  had  that  Paper,  and  he  dented  to 
confefs,  and  fpake  fo  boldly  to  the  King  as  much  offended  him  ;  whereupon  he 
was  fent  back  to  the  Tower,  and  laid  in  a  deep,  dark,  dreadful  Dungeon  :  When  he 
had  lain  there  three  or  four  Days  and  Nights,  without  Candle,  Fire,  Bed  or  Straw, 
he  fell  into  a  terrible  fit  of  the  Hemorrhoids  which  the  Phyficians  thought  did  .fave  his 
Life:  for  the  pain  was  fb  vehement,  that  it  kept  him  in  a  fweat,  which  caft  out 
the  Infection  of  the  Damp.  At  laft,  by  the  iblicitation  of  his  Brother  (who;  was 
a  Conformift,  and  dearly  loved  him)  he  was  taken  up,  and  afcer  that  was  fent  away 
to  Southfea-Caftle,  an  unwholefome  place  in  the  Sea  by  Portfnjouth,  where  (if  he  be 
alive)  he  remaineth  clofe  Prifoner  to  this  day,  with  Vavajor  Vowel  (  a  Preacher  of 
North-Wales)  and  others  i  fpeeding  worfe  than  Mr.  Crofton,  who  was  at  laft  re- 
lealed. 

§  261.  While  I  was  in  Shropshire  and  Worcefterflrire,  it  fellout  thatfome  one  prinrT 
edoneof  our  Papers  given  into  the  Bifhops  :  And  though  I  was  above  an  hundred 
miles  off,  yet  was  it  all  imputed  to  me,and  Roger  L'Eflrange  put  it  in  the  News  Book* 
that  it  was  fuppofed  to  be  my  doing.  Indeed,  when  Dr.  (owning  had  asked  me, 
Whether  we  would  keep  ours  from  the  Prefs,  if  they  would  do  the  fame  by  theirs, 
I  would  not  promife  him  ;  but  told  him,  though  I  fuppofed  that  none  of  us  intend- 
ed to  be  lb  prefiimptuous  as  to  publifh  them  wichout  Authority,  yet  I  could  pro- 
mile  nothing  for  all  them  that  were  abfent;  nor  could  any  one  promifi  it,  when  fb 
many  Scriveners  were  intruded  to  Tranfcribethenyhat  the  King  and  Bifhops  might 
have  Copies:  and  whether  any  of  thofe  Scriveners  might  keep  a  Copy  for  them-r 
felves  I  knew  not.  And  after  this  mod  of  the  other  Papers  were  printed,  by  i 
know  not  whom,  to  this  day  :  But  I  conjectured  that  a  poor  Man  that  I  paid  for 
writing  me  a  Copy  (  Dr.  Reigmldfs  Curate)  was  likelieft  to  do  it,  to  get  fbme- 
what  to  fiipply  his  very  great  wants ;  but  I  am  utterly  uncertain  :  But  I  had  in- 
telligence that  thefecond  Papers  were  in  the  Prefs,  and  that  Malice  might  impute 
it  to  me  no  more,  I  went  to  Secretary  Momce,  and  acquainted  him  with  it,  chat 
he  might  fend  a  Meflenger  to  furprize  them  :  But  he  told  me,  that  if  I  could  affure 
him  that  the  Bifhops  had  not  given  confent,  I  fhould  have  a  warrant  to  fearch  for 
them.  I  told  him  that  I  knew  not  what  the  Bifhops  had  done,  but  he  might  eaii- 
ly  conje&ure  :  Nor  would  I  fearch  for  them ;  but  having  told  him,  left  him  to  do 
what  he  thought  meet. 

§  262.  And  here  I  muft  give  notice,That  whereas  there  are  then  printed,  [r. Our 
firlt  Propofals  for  Concord  in  Difcipline.  2.  Our  Papers  upon  the  light  of  the  rirft 
Draught  of  the  King's  Declaration.  3.  Our  Petition  and  Reafbns  to  the  Bilnops, 
for  Peace.  4.  Our  Reformed  Liturgy,  y.  Our  Exceptions  againft  the  Faults  of 
the  Common  Prayer  Book.  6.  Our  Reply  to  the  Bifhops  Anfwer  to  thefe  Excep- 
tions, with  the  Anfwer  it  felf  ver hat im  intense].  7.  Our  laft  Account  and  Petition 
to  the  King.  8.  A  Copy  of  all  their  Difputation  for  the  Liturgy  ,  with  our  An- 
fwers  ]  ;  all  thefe  being  furreptitioufly  printed  (  fave  the  firft  piece  )  by  fbme  poor 
Men  for  gain,  without  our  Knowledge  and  Correction,  are  fb  faljly  printed,  that 
our  wrong  by  it  is  very  great :  Whole  Lines  are  left  out ;  the  molt  fignific.int  words 
are  perverted  by  Alterations ;  and  this  fo  frequently,  that  fbme  parts^of  the  Papers 
(efpecially  our  large  Reply,,  and  our  laft  Account  to  the  King  )  are  made  Nonfence, 
and  not  intelligible.  But  the  laft  Paper  (  Dr.  Vierfiris  and  Dr.  Gunning's  Difputati- 
on) I  confefs  was  not  printed  without  my  knowledge:  For  Bifnop  Morley's  mifre- 
ports  with  fo  great  confidence  uttered  had  made  it  of  fome  neeaffity  :  But  I  added 
not  one  Syllable  by  way  of  Commentary,  the  words  themfelves  being  fufficient  for 
his  Confutation.  If  I  remember,  I  will  give  you  in  the  end  of  this  Book  the  Erra- 
ta of  them  all,  that  they  that  have  the  printed  Copies  may  know  how  to  correct 
them. 

§  265.  The  coming  forth  of  thefe  Papers  had  various  effects :  It  increafed  the 
burning  indignation  which  before  was  kindled  againft  me  on  one  fide,  and  itfbme- 
vvhat  mitigated  the  Cenfures  that  were  taken  up  againft  me  on  the  other  fide.  For 
you  muft  know  that  the  Chief  of  the  Congregational  (or  Independent)  Party,  took 
it  ill  that  we  took  not  them  with  us  in  our  Treaty,  and  fo  did  a  few  of  the 
Presbyterian  Divines  ;  all  whom  we  fo  far  paffed  by  as  not  to  invite  them  to  our 
Councils,  ( though  they  were  as  free  as  we.  to  have  done  the  like)  becaufe  we  knew 
Chat  it  would  be  but  a  hinderance  to  us,  partly  becaufe.  their  Perfbns  were,  urcaccep 
table,  and  partly  becaufe  it  might  have  delayed  the  Work:  And  moft  of  the  Inde- 

Ccc  2  pendents. 


380  The  LIFE  of  the  JL  i  b.  1. 

pendents,  and  fbme  few  Presbyterians,  railed  it  as  a  common  Cenliu  e  againft  us, 
that  if  we  had  not  been  lb  forward  to  meet  the  Bilhops  with  the  offers  of  fo  much 
at  firft,  and  to  enter  a  Treaty  with  them  without  juff  caufe,  we  had  all  had  better 
Terms,  and  Handing  off  would  have  done  more  good  :  lb  that,  though  my  Per/on 
and  fnientions  had  a  more  favourable  Cenlure  from  them  than  fbrue  others,  yet  for 
the  ASlion,  I  was  commonly  cenfured  by  them,  as  one  that  had  granted  them  too 
much,  and  wronged  my  Brethren  by  entring  into  this  Treaty,  oat  of  tooearneft 
a  defire  of  Concord  with  them.  Thus  were  Men  on  both  extreams  offended  with 
me;  and  I  found  what  Enmity,  Charity  and  Peace  are  like  to  meet  with  in  the 
World.  But  when  thefe  Papers  were  printed,  the  Independents  confelfed  that  we 
had  dealt  faithfully,  and  latisfa&orily:  And  indifferent  men  faid  that  Reafon  had 
overwhelmed  the  Caufe  of  the  Diocefans,  and  that  we  had  offered  them  fo  much 
as  left  them  utccrly  without  Excuie :  And  the  moderate  Epifcopal  Men  laid  the 
lame  :  But  the  engaged  Prelatift  were  vehemently  diipleafed,that  thefe  Papers  ftiould 
thus  come  abroad.  (Though  many  of  them  here  publifhed  were  never  before  print- 
ed, becaufe  none  had  Copies  of  them  but  my  left). 

§  264.  Bifhop  Morley  told  me  when  he  Silenced  me,  that  our  Papers  would  be 
anfwered  e're  long  :  But  no  Man  to  this  day  (  that  ever  we  could  hear  of)  hath 
anfwered  them  which  were  unanfwered  ;  Either  our  Reafons  for  Peace,  or  our  Li- 
turgy, or  our  large  Reply,  or  our  Anlwers  to  Dr.  Pierjons  Argument,  &c.  only 
Roger  L'Eftrange  the  writer  of  the  News  Book,  hath  railed  out  a  great  many  words 
againft  fome  of  them  :  And  a  namelefs  Author  (thought  to  be  Dr.  Wcmmock)  hath 
anfwered  one  part  of  one  Subject  in  our  Reply,  which  is  about  excluding  all  Pray- 
ers from  the  Pulpit,  befides  Common  Prayer  ;  and  in  very  plaufible  Language,  he 
faith  as  much  as  can  be  faid  for  fo  bad  a  Caufe,  viz,,  for  the  prohibiting  all  Extem- 
porary Prayer  in  the  Church.  And  when  he  cometh  to  the  chief  ftrength  of  our 
Reafons.  he  paifeth  it  by,  and  faith,  that  in  anfwering  lb  much  as  he  did,  the  An- 
fwer  to  the  reft  may  be  gathered. And  to  all  the  reft  of  the  Subjeds  he  faith  nothing  : 
much  lefs  to  all  our  other  Papers. 

§  2<5j.  Alio  another  namelefs  Author  (commonly  faid  to  be  Sir  Henry  Ttherton) 
wrote  a  Book  for  Bilhop  Morley  againft  me  :  But  neither  he,  nor  Boreman3  nor 
WomrriGck  ever  faw  me,  for  ought  I  know  ;  and  I  am  fure  he  is  as  ftrange  to  the 
Ciule  as  to  me  I  For  he  taketh  it  out  of  Bilhop  Morlefs  Book,  and  fuppofing  what 
he  hath  written  to  be  true,  he  findech  fome  words  of  Cenforious  Application,  to 
make  a  Book  of. 

§  266.  And  about  the  fime  time  Sir  Robert  Holt  a  Knight    of  Warwickflrire  near 
Bremicham,  [pake  in  the  Parliament  Houfe  againft  Mr.  Calamy  and  me  by  name,  as 
preaching  or  praying  feditioufly  j  but  not  one  fyllable  named  that  we  laid  :  And 
another  time  he  named  me  for  my  Holy  Common-wealth. 
§  267.  And  about  that  time,  Bilhop  Morley  having  preferred  a  young  Man,  na- 
med Mr.  5 (Orator  of  the  Univerfity  of  Oxford,  a  fluent  wit-  . 

About  this  time  Mr.  Field,  ty  Satyrift,  and  one  that  wasfometime  motioned  to  me  to  be  my 
a  godly  Mincer,  died  in  Pri-  Curate  at  Kidderminfier)  ;  this  Man  being  Houfhold  Chaplain  to 
S  fPofn^cioVrL^  the  Lord  Chancellour,  was  appointed  to  preach  before  the  King ; 
rations  of  lbme  of  their  igno-  where  the  Crowd  had  high  Expectations  of  fome  vehement  Sa- 
rant  Hearers.  tyr :  But  when  he  had  preached  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  he  was  ut- 

terly at  a  lofs,  and  lb  unable  to  recoiled  himfelf,  that  he  could  go 
no  further  ;  but  cryed  [The  Lord  be  merciful  to  our  Infirmities  ]  and    lb  came  down. 

But  about  a  Month  after,  they  were  relblved  yet  that  Mr.  S fhould  preach  the 

fame  Sermon  before  the  King,  and  not  lofe  his  expe&ed  Applaufe:  And  preach  it 
he  did  (  little  mote  than  half  an  hour,  with  no  admiration  at  all  of  the  Hearers ) : 
And'for  his  Encouragement  the  Sermon  was  printed.  And  when  it  was  printed, 
many  defired  to  fee  what  words  they  were  that  he  was  flopped  at  the  firlt  time  : 
And  they  found  in  the  printed  Copy  all  that  he  had  faid  firff ,  and  one  of  the  next 
P.tfTages  which  he  was  to  have  delivered,  was  againft  me  for  my  Holy  Common- 
wealth. 

§  268.  And  fo  v-ehement  was  the  Endeavour  in  Court,  City,  and  Country  to 
ma^ke  me  contemptible  and  odious,  as  if  the  Authours  had  thought  that  the  Safety 
"effher  of  Church  or  State  did  lye  upon  it,  and  all  would  have  been  fafe  if  I  were 
but  vilified  and  hated.  Infbmuch  that  DureU  the  French  Minifter  that  turned  to 
them,  and  wrote  for  them,had  a  fenfelels  fnarch  at  me  in  his  Book  j  and  Mr. Stoope 
the  Paftorof  the  French  Church  was  banifhed  (or  forbidden  this  Land )  as  Fame 
faid,  for  carrying  over  our  Debates  into  France.  So  that  any  Stranger  that  had  but 
heard  and  fefcft  allthis,  would  have  asked,  What  Monfter  of  Villany  is  this  Man  ? 

and 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         381 

and  what  is  the  Wickednefs  that  he  is  guilty  of?  Yet  was  I  never  queftioned  to 
this  day  before  a  Magiltrate.  Nor  do  my  Adverfaries  charge  me  with  any  pertbn- 
al  wrong  to  them  ;  nor  did  they  ever  Accule  me  of  any  Herefie,  nor  much  con- 
temn my  Judgment,  nor  ever  accufe  my  Life  (  but  For  preaching  where  another 
had  been  Sequeltrcd  that  was  an  infufficient  Reader,  and  for  preaching  to  the  Sol- 
diers  of  the  Parliament,  though  none  of  them  knew  my  Bufmels  there,  nor  the  Ser- 
vice that  I  did  them  ):  Thefe  are  all  the  Crime*,  befidgs  my  Writings,  that  I  ever 
knew  they  charged  my  Life  with.  But  Envy  and  Carnal  Intereil  was  (o  deltkute 
of  a  Ma<k,  that  they  every  where  cpenly  confefled  the  Caufe  for  which  they  endea- 
voured my  Defamation  and  Delhutrion  j  eipecially  the  Biihops  that  iet  all  on 
work  :  i.  As  one  Caufe  was  their  own  over-valuing  of  my  Parts,  which  they  made 
account  I  would  employ  againfr  them.'  2.  Another  was  that  they  thought  the  Re- 
putation of  my  blamelels  Life,  would  add  to  my  ability  to  deierve  them.  3.  An  ) 
ther  was,  that  they  thought  my  Incerdt  in  the  People  to  be  far  greater  than  indeed 
it  was.  4  But  the  principal  of  all  was,  my  Conference  before  the  King  and  at 
the  Savoy  ;  in  both  which  it  fell  out  that  Bifhcp  M'.rhy  and  I  were  the  hulieft 
Talkers  (except  Dr.  Gunning),  and  that  it  was  my  lot  to  contradict  taim,  who  was 
not  fo  able  either  to  bear,  or  feem  to  bear  it,as  I  thought  at  lea'ft  hisflonour  would 
have  inftru&ed  him  to  be.  j.  And  my  refuting  a  Biihopa  ick  inereafosd  the  indigna- 
tion :  And  Colonel  Kirch  that  firftcame  to  offer  it  m*,  told  me,  that  they  would 
ruine  Us,  if  we  refuted  it :  Yet  did  I  purpofely  forbear  ever  mentioning  it,  on  all 
occafions.  6.  And  it  was  not  the  leaft  Caufe,  that  my  being  for  Primitive  Epif- 
copacy,  and  not  for  Presbytery ,  and  being  not  (b  far  from  them  in  ibme  other 
Points  of  Doctrine  and  Worlhip,  as  many  Nonconform!  (is  are,  they  thought  I  was 
the  abler  to  undermine  them.  7.  And  another  Cauie  was,  that  they  judged  of 
the  reft  of  my  Talk  and  Life,  by  my  Conference  at  the  Savoy,  not  knowing  that  I 
took  that  to  be  my  prefent  Duty,  which  Fidelity  to  the  King  and  Church  com- 
manded me,  faithfully  to.do,  whoever  was  difpleafcd  by  it  :  and  that  when  that 
time  was  over,  I  took  it  to  be  my  Duty,  to  live  as  peaceably  as  any  Subject  in 
the  Land,  and  not  to  ufc  my  Tongue  or  Pen  againft  the  Government  which  the 
King  was  pleafed  to  appoint,  however  I  difallowcd  it.  Thus  have  I  found  the 
old  faying  true,  That  Reconcilers  ufe  to  be  hated  on  both  fides ,  and  to  put  tht  ir 
hand  in  the  Clifr,  which  clofeth  upon  them  and  finiltath  then. 

§  269.  The  next  time  I  went  to  the  Lord  Chanceilour  (  ahoutthe  New-Eno-land 
Corporation)  after  the  BiAop of  Wwjltr \  Anger  and  Invective  Book,  he  enter- 
tained me  with  his  ufual  Condefcsnlion  and  Courrefie,  but  with  ibme  chiding  Lan- 
guage that  I  would  meddle  with  Dr.  Morley  to  provoke  him  :  which  when  1  had 
briefly  fpoke  to,  he  followed  on  his  Reprehenfion  thus,  [  Was  it  a  bwdfome  thing  of 
Mr.  Baxter,  tofyeakjotofomilda  Man  as  Dr.  Earles,  Clerk  of  the  Kings  Clofet,  as 
ivhen  he  offered  you  a  Tippet  when  you  preached  before  the  King,  to  turn  away  infeorn,  and 
1  fay>  ^e  none  °f  y°tir  Toyes  ?  Would  not  a  fairer  Anfwer  have  been  better  ?]  I  replyed  to 
him,  That  1  (till  perceived  more  and  more  the  truth  of  what  I  told  the  Biihops, 
what  Confequents  would  follow  the  Continuance  of  unhealed  Factions :  and  what 
ufage  wemuft  expect  however  we  lived,  and  how  little  Innocency  would  do  to 
our  vindication  !  I  told  him  that  I  never  fpake  any  fuch  word  as  he  mentioned, 
nor  ever  had  fuch  a  thought  in  my  heart,  nor  no  more  (erupted  to  wear  a  Tip- 
pet than  to  (it  on  a  Cufhion :  But  I  thanked  his  Lordlhip,  that  by  the  benefit  of 
his  free  Reprehenfion  1  came  to  underftand  how  much  I  had  been  wronged  by 
this  Report  to  his  Ma  jetty,  above  a  year  before  I  heard  of  it;  and  might  never 
have  heard  of  it  but  by  him  ;  and  told  him  that  it  was  juff  thus  in  other  Matters : 
And  I  truly  told  him,  that  I  was  unfeignedly  thankful  to  his  Lordihip,  that  would 
reprove  me  for  that  to  my  face,  which  others  only  whimpered  behind  my  back, 
where  I  had  opportunity  to  defend  my  felf. 

§  270.  Hereupon  I  wrote  this  following  Letter  to  Dr.  Earles  (  a  mild  and  quiet 
Man)  who  was  fince  Bifhop  of  Worccfier  ,  and  afterwards  Bilhop  of  Salif 
bury. 


Reverfrvd 


382  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.]. 


Reverend  Sir 


B 


T  the  great  Favour  of  my  Lord  Chancellors  Reprehenftony  I  came  to  underffand  how 
)  long  a  time  I  have  juffered  in  my  Refutation  with   my   Superioun  by  your  milunder- 
ftanding  me,  and  mifinforming  others,  as  if  when  I  was  to  preach  before  the   King,  1  had 
fcornfuUy  refujed  the  Tippet  as  a  Toy  :  when  as  the  Searcher  and  Judge  of  Hearts  doth  know 
that  1  had  no  fuch  thought  or  word.     I  was  jo  ignorant  in  thofe  matters,  as  to  think  that  a 
*  As  it  is  in  Tippet  had  been  the  proper  Infign  of  a  Dr. of  Divinity  *  ;  and  1  verily  thought  that  you  of 
the  Uni-  fered  it  me  as  fuch:  And  I  had  fo  much  pride  as  to  be  fomevehat  a(hamed  whtn  you  offered 
veriity.       ^  ^af  j  muft  teH  y0U  my  want  of  fuch  Degrees,  and  therefore  gave  you  no  Anjwer  to  your 
fir  ft  offer  j  but  to  your  fecond  was  forced  to  jay  £  It  belongeth    not  to  me,  Sir  j.     And 
Ifaidnot  to  you  any  more  ;  nor  bad  any  other  thought  in  my  heart,  than  with  fome  frame 
to  teliyou  that  I  had  no  Degrees  *  imagining  I  (Iwuld  have  offended  others,  and  made  my  felf 
the  laughter  or  fcorn  of  many  j  if  1  \hould  have  ufed  that  which  did  not  belong  to  me.     For 
I  tmtft  profejS  that  I  no  more  jcruple  to  wear  a  Tippet  than  a  Gown,  or  any  comely  Garment. 
Sir,  Though  this  be  one  of  thejmalleff  of  all  the  Mtjtakes  which  of  late  have  turned  to  my 
wrong,  and  I  muft  confeJS  that  my  ignorance  gave  you  the  occafion,  and  I  am  far  from  im- 
puting it  to  any  ill  will  in  you,  having  frequently  heard  that  in  Charity ,  and  gentlenefi 
and  peaceableneff  of  Mind  you  are  -very  eminent ;  yet  becaufe  I  muft  not  contemn   my  Efti- 
mation  with  my  Superiours,  1  humbly  crave  that  favour  and  jujiice  of  you  (  which   I  am 
confident  you  will  readily  grant  me)   as  to  acquaint  thofe  with  the  truth  of  this  bufinefi,whom 
upon  miffake  you  have  mifmformed ;   whereby  m  relieving  the  Innocency  of  your  Brother, 
you  will  do  a  work  of  Charity  and  Jufiice,  and  therefore  not  dijpleajing  unto  God,  and  will 
much  oblige, 

June  20.  1662,  SIR, 

Your  humble  Servant, 

Richard  Baxter. 

I  have  the  more  need  of  your  Jujiice  in  this  Cafe,  becaufe  my  difiance  denieth  me  accefi 
to  tboje  that  have  received  thefe  mifreports,  and  becaufe  any  publick  Vindication  of  my  felf, 
whatever  is  jaid  of  me,  is  taken  as  an  unfufferable  Crime,  and  therefore  I  am  utterly  unca- 
pable  of  vindicating  my  Innocency  or  remedying  their  Miff  aftes. 

To  the  Reverend  and  much  Honoured  Dr.  Earles  Dean  of  Wefkminfttr>  &c. 

Thefe. 


To  this  the  Dr.  returned  this  Civil  peaceable  Anfwer. 

Hampton-Court,  'June  23. 

SIR, 

J  Received  your  Letter,  which  I  would  have  anfwered  fooner  if  the  Meffenger  that  brought 
it  had  returned.  I  muft  confeff  I  was  a  little  furprized  with  the  beginning  of  it,  as  I 
was  with  your  Name :  but  when  I  read  further  I  ceajed  to  be  jo.  Sir,  I  jhould  be  heartily 
*  O  that  jorry  and  ajhamtd  to  be  guilty  of  any  thing  like  Malignity  *  or  Uncbaritablenefi,  ejpecially  to 
tlley  ™ere  one  of  your  Condition  ;  with  whom  though  1  concur  not  perhaps  in  point  of  Judgment  in 
jorne  particulars,  yet  I  cannot  but  efieem  for  your  perfonal  worth  and  abilities :  And 
indeed  your  Exprefjions  in  your  Letter  are  fo  civil  and  ingenuous,  that  1  am  obliged  thereby 
the  more  to  give  you  all  the  j  at  isf ail  ion  lean.  As  I  remember  then  when  you  came  to  me  to 
the  Clofet,  and  I  told  you  I  would  furnijlj  you  with  a  Tippet  ;  you  anfwered  me  fomething  to 
that  purpoje  as  you  write  j  but  whither  the  fame  Numerical  words,  or  but  once,  1  cannot  po- 


*  Thefe  fitively  jay  from  my  own  Memory,  and  therefore  I  believe  yours :  Only  this  I  am  fare  of,  that 
heard5  not  I  fed  t0  J0"  at  r,r>  ficond  peaking,  That  *  fome  others  of  your  Verfwafion  had  not  jcrupled 
beirv*  in   '  at  it,  which  might  fuppoje  (  if  you  had  rot  affirmed  the  contrary  )  that  you  had  made  me  a 


paffage      former  refufal ;  Of  which  giving  me  then  no  other  re  afon,  than  [that  it  belonged  not  to 
K~:\  hi  you~\ 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         383 


you  ]  1  concluded  you  were  more  fcrupulom  than  others  were  :  and  perhaps  the  manner  of 
your  refufing  it  (  as  it  appeared  to  me  )  might  make  me  think  you  were  not  'very  weU  plea- 
fed  with  the  motion  :  And  this  it  is  likely  I  might  fay,  either  to  my  Lord  Chancellour  or  o- 
thers ;  though  ferioufly  I  do  not  remember  that  IJpake  to  my  Lord  Chancellour  at  all  concern- 
ing it.  But  Sir,  fnceycu  give  me  now  that  mode  ft  reafonfor  it  (  which  by  the  way,  is 
no  just  reafon  in  it  [elf,  for  a  Tippet  may  be  worn  without  a  Degree  ,  though  a  Hood  can- 
not ;  and  it  is  no  Jhame  at  all  to  want  thefe  Formalities  ,  for  him  that  wanteth  not  the 
Subflance  ),  but,  Sir,  I  fay  fince  you  give  that  reafon  for  your  refufal,  1  believe  you,  and 
(hall  correal  that  Mifiake  in  my  felf,  and  endeavour  to  reclifie  it  in  others,  if  any  upon  this 
occafion,  have  mifunder  flood  you.  In  the  mean  time  I  Jball  defireyour  charitable  Opinion  of 
my  felf  which  I  fl)all  be  willing  to  deferveupon  any  Opportunity  that  is  offered  me  to  do  you 
Service,  bemgt  t 

SIR, 

Your  very  humble  Servant 

Jo.  Earles. 
To  my  honoured  Friend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter,  Thefe. 

\ 


§  271.  Before  this,  in  November,  many  worthy  Minifters  and  others  were  impri- 
ioned  in  many  Counties ;  and  among  others,  diversof  my  old  Neighbours  in  Wor- 
cefterjhire:  And  that  you  may  fee  what  Crimes  were  the  occafion,  I  will  tell  you 
the  itory  of  ir.  One  Mr-  Ambrofe  Sparry,  (  a  fober,  learned  Miniiter,  that  had  ne- 
ver owned  the  Parliament's  Cauie  or  Wars,  and  was  in  his  Judgment  for  moderate 
Epifcopacy  )  had  a  wicked  Neighbour  whom  he  reproved  tor  Adultery ,  who 
bearing  him  a  grudge,  thought  now  he  had  found  a  time  to  fhew  it :  He  (or  his 
Confederates  for  him)  framed  a  Letter  as  from  I  know  not  whom,  directed  to  Mr. 
Sparry,  [That  he  and  Captain  Tarrington,  mould  be  ready  with  Money  and  Arms 
at  the  time  appointed,  and  that  they  mould  acquaint  Mr.  Oajland  and  Mr.  Baxter 
with  it  ]  :  This  Letter  he  pretended  that  a  Man  left  behind  him  under  a  Hedge, 
who  fate  down  and  pull'd  out  many  Letters,  and  put  them  all  up  again  five  this, 
and  went  his  ways,  (  he  knew  not  what  he  was,  nor  whether   he   went).    This 

Letter  he  bringeth  to  Sir  John  P (the  Man  that  hotly  followed fuch  work;) 

who  fent  Mr.  Sparry,  Mr.  Oafland,  and  Captain  Tarrington  to  Prifon !  (  This  Mr. 
Oaf  and  was  Minifter  in  Bewdliy,  a  fervent  laborious  Preacher,  who  had  done  abun- 
dance of  good  in  converting  ignorant  ungodly  People).  And  he  had  offended  Sir 
Ralph  Clare  in  being  againit  his  Election  as  Burgefs  in  Parliament  for  that  Town). 
But  who  that  Mr.  Baxter  was  that  the  Letter  named,  they  could  not  refolve  ;  there 
being  another  of  the  name  nearer,  and  I  being  in  London:  But  the  Men,  efpeciaily 
Mr.  Sparry,  lay  long  in  Prilon,  and  when  the  Forgery  and  Injury  was  detected,  he 
had  much  ado  to  get  our. 

§  272.  Mr.  Henry  Jackfon  alio  our  Phyficianat  Kidderminjfer  ,  and  many  of  my 
Neighbours  were  imprifoned,  and  were  never  told  for  what  to  this  day  :  But  Mr. 
Jackfon  was  lb  merry  a  Man,  and  they  were  all  fb  cheerful  there,  that  1  think  they 
were  releafed  the  fooner,  becaule  it  appeared  io  fmall  a  Suffering  to  them. 

§  273.  Though  no  one  acculed  me  of  any  thing,  nor  fpake  a  word  to  me  of  ir, 
(being  they  knew  1  had  long  been  near  a  Hundred  milesoff)  yet  did  they  defame 
me  all  over  the  Land,  as  guilty  of  a  Plot :  and  when  Men  were  taken  up  andfenc 
to  Prifon,  in  other  Counties,  it  was  faid  to  be  for  Baxters  Plot  ;  fo  eafie  was  it,  and 
fo  neceffary  a  thing  it  feemed  then,  to  caft  fuch  filth  upon  my  Name. 

§  274.  And  though  through  the  great  Mercy  of  God,  I  had  long  been  learning 
not  to  overvalue  the  thoughts  of  Men,  no  not  fb  much  as  the  Reputation  of  Ho- 
nefty  or  Innocency,  yet  1  was  fomewhat  wearied  with  this  kind  of  Life ,  to  be  e- 
very  day  calumniated,  and  hear  new  Slanders  raifed  of  me,  and  Court  and  Coun- 
try ring  of  that,  which  no  Mar,  ever  mentioned  to  my  face;  and  I  was  oft  think- 
ing to  go  beyond  Sea,  that  I  might  find  fome  place  in  retired  privacy  to  live  and 
end  my  days  in  quietnefs,  out  of  the  noife  of  a  Peace-hating  Generation  :  But  my 
Acquaintance  thought  I  might  be  more  Serviceable  here,  though  there  I  might  live 
more  in  quietnefs  ;  and  having  not  the  Vulgar  Language  of  any  Country,  to  ena- 
ble 


'  384  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L 1  b.  J. 

ble  me  to  preach  to  them,  or  converfc  with  them,  and  being  fo  infirm  as  no-  to 
be  like  to  bear  the  Voyage  and  change  of  Air:  Thefe,  with  other  Impediments 
which  God  laid  in  my  way,  hindred  me  from  putting  my  Thoughts  in  Execu- 
tion. 

§  275.  About  this  time  alio  it  was  famed  at  the  Court  that  I  was  married,  which 
j  went  as  the  matter  of  a  moft  heinous  Crime,  which  I  never  heard  charged  by  them 
on  any  Man  but  on  me.  Bifhop  Morley  divulged  it  with  all  the  Odium  he  could 
poffibly  put  upon  it :  telling  them  that  one  in  Conference  with  him,  I  (aid  that 
Minifters  marriage  is  [lawful,  and  but  lawful]  as  if  I  were  now  contradicting  my 
felf.  And  it  every  where  rung  about,  partly  as  a  Wonder ,  and  partly  as  a  Crime, 
whilft  they  cried,  [This  is  the  Man  of Charity ]:  little  knowing  what  they  talkt  of. 
Infbmuch  that  at  laft  the  Lord  Chancellour  told  me,  He  heard  I  was  married,  and 
wondered  at  it,  when  I  told  him  it  was  not  true  :  For  they  had  affirmed  it  near  a 
year  before  it  came  to  pais.  And  I  think  the  King's  Marriage  was  fcarce  more  talk- 
ed of  than  mine. 

§  276.  All  this  while  Mr.  Calamy  and  fome  other  Minifters  had  been  endeavour- 
ing with  thofe  that  they  had  Intereft  in,  and  to  try  if  the  Parliament  would  pafs  the 
King's  Declaration-into  a  Law  •  and  fometimesthey  had  fome  hope  from  the  Lord 
Chancellour  and  others:  but  when  it  came  to  the  trial, their  hopes  all  failed  them  ; 
and  the  Conformity  impofed  was  made  ten  times  more  burdenfbrhe  than  it  ever 
was  before.  For  befides  that,the  Convocation  had  made  the  Common  Prayer  Book 
more  grievous  than  before,  the  Parliament  made  a  new  Act  of  Uniformity  ,  with 
a  new  Form  of  Subfcription,  and  a  new  Declaration  tobemade  againft  the  Obli- 
gation of  the  Covenant  ,*  of  which  more  anon.  So  that  the  King's  Declaration  did 
not  only  die  before  it  came  to  Execution,  and  all  Hopes  and  Treaties  and  Petitions 
were  not  only  difappointed,  but  a  weight  more  grievous  than  a  Thoufand  Ceremo- 
nies was  added  to  the  old  Conformity,  with  a  grievous  Penalty. 

§  277.  By  this  means  there  was  a  great  Unanimity  in  the  Minifters,  and  the 
greater  Number  were  caft  out :  And  as  far  as  I  could  perceive,  it  was  by  fome  de- 
signed that  it  mighc  be  fo.  Many  a  time  did  we  befeech  them  that  they  would  have 
fo  much  regard  to  the  Souls  of  Men,  and  to  the  Honour  of  England,  and  of  the 
Proteftant  Religion,  as  that  without  any  neceffity  at  all,  they  would  not  impole 
feared  Perjury  upon  them,  nor  that  which  Confcience,  and  Common  Efteem,  and 
Popifh  Adverfaries  would  all  call  Perjury  j  that  Papifts  might  not  have  this  to  caft: 
in  our  Teeth,  and  call  the  Proteftants  a  Perjured  People,  nor  England  or  Scotland 
Perjured  Lands.  Ofc  have  we  proved  to  them  that  their  Caufe  and  Intereft  requi- 
red no  fuch  thing  :  But  all  was  but  cafting  Oyl  upon  the  Flames,  and  forcing  us  to 
think  of  thatMonfter  of  MM  an,  that  made  his  Enemy  renounce  God  to  live  his 
Life,  before  he  ftabb'd  him,  that  he  might  murder  Soul  and  Body  at  a  ftroke.  It 
feemed  to  be  accounted  the  one  thing  neceffary,  which  no  Reafon  muft  be  heard 
againft,  that  the  Presbyterians  muft  be  forced  to  do  that  which  they  accounted 
Publick  Perjury,  or  to  be  caft  out  of  Truft  and  Office,  in  Church  and  Common- 
wealth. And  by  this  means  a  far  greater  Number  were  laid  by,  than  otherwife 
would  have  been ;  and  the  few  that  yielded  to  Conformity  they  thought  would  be 
defpicable  and  contemptible  as  long  as  they  lived.  A  Noble  Revenge,  and  worthy 
of  the  Actors. 

§  278.  When  the  AcT:  of  Uniformity  was  parted,  it  gave  all  the  Minifters  that 
could  not  Conform,  no  longer  time  than   till   Bartholomew- day  ,   Auguft  24.  1662. 
and  then  they  muft  be  all  caft  out :  (This  fatal  Day  called  to  remembrance  the 
*  or      French  Maflacre,  when  on  the  fame  Day  *  30000  or  40000  Proteftants  perifhed  by 
iooooo,as  Religious  Roman  Zeal  and  Charity  J.    I  had  no  place,but  only  that  I  preached  twice 
Pet.Mouim  a  Week  by  Requeft  in  other  Men's  Congregations  (at  Milkfireet  and  Blackfi-iars  ), 
wthina    anc*  tne  ^  ^ermon  tnac  ever  I  preached  in  Publick  was  on  May  25.  The  Rea- 
few  weeks.  f°ns  wnY  I  gave  over  fooner  than  moft  others  was,  r.  Becaufe  Lawyers  did  inter- 
pret a  doubtful  Claufe  in  the  Act,  as  ending  the  Liberty  of  Lecturers  at  that  time. 
2.  Becaufe  I  would  let  Authority  foon  know,  that  I  intended  to  obey  them  in  all 
that  was  lawful.     3.  Becaufe  I  would  let  all   Minifters  in   England  underftand  in 
time,  whether  I  intended  to  Conform  or  not :  For  had  I  ftayed  to  the  laft  day, 
fome  would  have  Conformed  the  fooner ,  upon  a  Suppofition  that  I  intended 
it.    Thefe ,  with  other  Reafons,  moved  me  to  ceafe  three  Months  before  Bar- 
tholomew-dayy  which  many  cenfured  me  for  a  while,  but  after,  better  faw  the  Rea- 
fons of  it, 

§279. 


Paut  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         385 

§  279.  When  Bartholomew- day  came,  about  One  thoufand  eight  hundred.or  Two 
thoufand  Minifters  were  Silenced  and  Caft  out :  And  the  Affections  of  molt  Men 
thereupon  were  fuch  as  made  me  fear  it  was  a  Prognoftick  qf  our  further  Suffer- 
ings :  For  when  Pallors  and  People  fhould  have  been  humbled  for  their  Sins,  and 
lamented  their  former  Negligence  and  Unfruitfulnefs,  molt  of  them  were  filled 
with  Difdain  and  Indignation  againlt  the  Prelates,and  were  ready  with  Confidence 
to  fay,  [God  will  not  long  fuffer  ib  wicked  and  cruel  a  Generation  of  Men  :  It 
will  be  but  a  little  while  till  God  will  pull  them  down  ]  :  And  thus  Men  were  pufc 
up  by  other  Mens  finfulnefs,  and  kept  from  a  kindly  humbling  of  themfelves. 

§  280.  And  now  came  in  the  great  Inundation  of  Calamities,  which  in  many 
Streams  overwhelmed  Thoufands  of  godly  Chriftians,  together  with  their  Paftors. 
As  for  Example,  i.  Hundreds  of  able  Minifters,  with  their  Wives  and  Children, 
had  neither  Houfe  nor  Bread:  For  their  former  Maintenance  ferved  them  but  for 
the  time,  and  few  of  them  laid  up  any  thing  for  the  future  :  For  many  of  them 
had  not  paft  ;o  or  40  /.  per  Annum  apiece,  and  moft  but  about  60  or  80  /.  per  An- 
num, and  very  few  above  100/.  and  few  had  any  confiderable  Eftates  of  their  own. 
2.  The  Peoples  Poverty  was  fb  great,  that  they  were  not  able  much  to  relieve 
their  Minifters.  5.  The  Jealoufie  of  the  State,  and  the  Malice  of  their  Enemies 
were  lb  great,  that  People  that  were  willing  durft  not  be  known  to  give  to  their 
ejected  Pallors,  leaft  it  mould  be  faid  that  they  maintained  Schifm ,  or  were  ma- 
king Collections  for  fome  Plot  or  Infurrection.  4.  The  Hearts  of  the  People  were 
grieved  for  the  lofs  of  their  Paftors.  j.  Many  places  had  fuch  fet  over  them  in  their 
iteads,as  they  could  not  with  Confcience  or  Comfort  commit  the  Conduct  of  their 
Souls  to.  And  they  were  forced  to  own  all  thefe,  and  all  others  that  were  thruft 
upon  them  againft  their  Wills,  and  to  own  alfb  the  undifciplined  Churches,  by  re- 
ceiving the  Sacrament  in  their  feveral  Parifhes  whether  they  would  or  not.  6\Thofe 
that  did  not  this  were  to  be  Excommunicated,  and  then  to  have  a  Writ  fued  out 
againft  them  de  Excommunicato  capiendo,  to  lay  them  in  the  Jail,  and  feize  on  their 
Eftates.  7.  The  People  were  hereupon  unavoidably  divided  among  themfelves: 
For  lbme  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  thefe  impofed  Paftors,  but  would  in  pri- 
vate attend  their  former  Paftors  only  :  Others  would  do  both,  and  take  all  that  they 
thought  good  of  both:  Some  would  only  hear  the  Publkk  Sermons:  Others  would 
alfb  go  to  Common  Prayer  where  the  Minifter  was  tolerable  :  Some  would  joyn  in 
the  Sacrament  with  them,  where  the  Minifter  was  honelt,  and  others  would  nor. 
And  this  Divilion  they  long  forefaw,  but  could  not  poflibly  prevent.  8.  And  the 
Minifters  themfelves  were  thus  alfb  divided,  who  before  feemedall  one  j  for  fome 
would  go  to  Churctyo  Common  Prayer,to  Sacraments,and  others  would  not: Some 
of  them  thought  that  it  was  their  Duty  to  preach  publickly  in  the  Streets  or  Fields 
while  the  People  defired  it,  and  not  to  ceale  their  Work  through  fear  of  Men,  till 
they  lay  in  Jails,  or  were  all  banilhed  :  Others  thought  that  a  continued  Endea- 
vour to  benefit  their  People  privately,  would  be  more  ferviceable  to  the  Church, 
than  one  or  two  Sermons  and  a  Jail,  at  (uch  a  time,  when  the  Multitudes  of  Suf- 
ferers, and  the  odious  Titles  put  upon  them  oblcured  and  clog'd  the  benefit  of  Suf- 
ferings. And  fome  thought  that  the  Covenant  bound  all  to  feparate  from  Common 
Prayer,  and  Prelates,  and  Parifh  Communion  :  And  others  thought  that  it  rather 
bound  them  to  this  Communion  and  Worfhip  in  cafe  they  could  have  no  better: 
and  that  to  teach  from  Houfe  to  Houfe  in  private,  and  bring  the  People  to  attend 
in  publick,  was  the  moft  righteous  and  edifying  way,  where  the  impofed  Minifter 
was  tolerable.  9.  Hereupon  thole  Minifters  that  would  not  ceafe  preaching  were 
thruft  into  Prifons,  and  Cenfured  (  fome  of  them  )  the  reft  that  did  not  do  as  they. 
10.  The  reft  that  preached  only  fecretly  to  a  few,  were  lookt  on  as  difcontented 
and  difaffe&ed  to  the  Government ,  and  on  every  rumour  of  a  new  Plot  or  Con- 
fpiracy,  taken  up,  and  many  of  them  laid  in  Prifon.  n.  The  Prelatifts  and  they 
were  hereby  fet  at  a  further  diltance,  and  Charity  more  deftroyed,  and  Reconcilia- 
tion made  more  hopelefs,  and  almoft  any  thing  believed  that  was  laid  againft  a 
Nonconformift.  12.  The  Conforming  Part  of  the  Old  Miniftry  ,  was  alfb  divi- 
ded from  the  reft,  and  Cenlures  fet  them  further  at  a  diftance  :  (  But  yet  where 
ferious  Godlinefs  appeared,  it  kept  up  fome  Charity  and  Refpect,  and  united  them 
in  the  mainj.  All  thefe  Calamities  brought  another  5  15.  That  the  People  were 
tempted  to  murmur  at  their  Saperiours,  and  call  them  cruel  Perfecutors,  and  fe- 
cretly rejoyce  if  any  hurt  btfel  them  ,  and  many  forgot  that  they  are  to  Honour 
their  Governours,  even  when  they  fuffer  by  them,  and  not  only  to  forbear  evil. 
Thoughts  and  Words  againft  them,  but  to  endeavour  to  keep  up  their  Honour 
with  their  Subjects.     14,  By  all  thefe  Sins,   thefe  Murmurings  and  thefe  Violations 

D  d  d  of 


386  The  LIFE  of  the  l  i  k.  I. 

of  the  Intereft  of  the  Church  and  Caufe  of  Chrift,the  Land  was  prepared, for  that 
further  Inundation  of  Calamities  (by  War  and  Plague  and  Scarcity;  which  hath 
fince  b;  ought  it  near  to  Defohtion. 

§281.  It  tell  one   one  clay   in  Mr.  Calamy  s  Church   at  Aldtrmanbury ,  that  titf 
Preacher  failed,  and  the  People  defired  Mr.  Calamy  to  preach:  Which  be  did  up. 
He  was'     ^confidence,  that  the  Aft  did  not  extend  to  fuch  an  Occafional  Serrpon  C  ionic 
prifoned"1"  ^aw)'ers  na^  told  him  foj.      But  for  this  he  was  lent  to  Newgate  Jail,  where  he  Cpn- 
Jan.^.       finued  in  the  Keeper's  Lodgings,  many  daily  flocking  to  vifir  him  ,  till  the   Lord 
1662.  and  Bridgman  (as  is  faid)  had  given  it  as  his  Judgment,  That  his  Sermon  was  not  wuhm 
releafed     T^at  femity  0j  t},e  jtf.  And  O  what  infulting  there  was  by  that  Party,  in  the  News. 
*    *15'     book,  and  in  their  Difcourfes,  That  Calamy  that  would  not  be  a  Bifwp  -was  in  Jail .' 
And  when  his  Sermon  was  printed,  an   Inve&ive  againft  him  came  out,  in  Lan- 
guage like  an  Inquifitor,  that  (hewed  a  vehement  thirft  for  Blood.     But  precious  in 
the  fight  of  the  Lord,  is  the  Blood  of  his  holy  Ones. 

§  282.  Abundance  more  were  laid  in  Jails  in  many  Counties  for  preaching,  and 
the  vexation  of  the  Peoples  Souls  was  increafed.  At  St.  Albans,  Mr.  Partridge  the 
ejected  Minifter,  being  defired  to  preach  a  Funeral  Sermon,  a  Captain  or  Lieute- 
nant came  in  with  his  Piltol  charged,  and  (hot  one  of  the  hearers  dead  ,  and  the 
Preacher  was  (ent  to  Priibn. 

§  285.  There  were  many  Citizens  of  London,  who  had  then  a  great  Companion 
on  the  Minifters,  whofe  Families  were  utterly  deftitute  of  Maintenance,  and  fain 
they  would  have  relieved  them,  and  had  fuch  a  Method,that  the  Citizens  of  each 
County  fliouM  help  the  Minifters  of  that  County  :  But  they  durft  not  do  it ,  left 
it  were  judged  a  Confpiracy  :  Wherefore  I  went  for  them  to  the  Lord  Chancel- 
lour,  and  told  him  plainly  of  it,  that  Compafiion  moved  them,  but  the  Sufpicions 
of  thefe  Diftempered  Times  deterred  them,  and  I  defired  to  have  his  Lord/nip's 
Judgment,  Whether  they  might  venture  to  be  ib  charitable  without  misinterpreta- 
tion or  danger?  And  he  anfwered,  [  Aye,  God  forbid  but  Men  jliould  gi-ve  t heir  own 
according  as  their  Charity  leads  them'].  And  (o  having  his  preconfent ,  1  gave  it  them 
for  Encouragement.  But  they  would  not  believe  that  it  was  Cordial,  and  would  be 
any  Security  to  them,  and  (o  they  never  durft  venture  upon  fuch  a  Method  which 
might  have  nude  their  Charity  effectual ;  but  a  few  that  were  moft  willing,  did 
much  more  than  all  the  reft,  and  folicited  fome  of  their  own  Acquaintance,for  their 
Counties  Relief. 

§  284.  And  here  I  think  it  meet  before  I  proceed,  to  open  the  true  ftate  of  the 
Conforming  and  Nonconformiifs  in  England  at  this  time. 

1.  The  Conformifts  were  of  three  forts : 

1.  Some  of  the  old  Minifters  called  Presbyterians  formerly,  that  Conformed  at 
Bartholomew  Tide,  or  after,  who  had  been  in  poffeflion  before  the  King  came  in  : 
Thefe  were  alfoof  feveral  forts:  fome  of  them  were  very  able  worthy  Men  ,  who 
Conformed  and  Subfcribed  upon  this  Inducement ,  that  the  Bifhop  bid  them  [  Do 
it  in  their  own  fence  ~] :  And  ib  they  Subscribed  to  the  Parliament's  words,  and  put 
their  own  fence  upon  them  only  by  word  of  mouch,  or  in  fome  by-paper.  Some 
of  them  read  Mr.  Fullwood's  and  Stilemans  Books,  and  could  not  anfwer  them,  and 
therefore  Conformed  :  For  no  Man  ventured  to  put  forth  a  full  and  lati:T)clory 
Anfwer  to  them  for  fear  of  mine  (Though  fomewhat  was  written  before  by  Mr. 
Crofton  ,  and  after  by  Mr.  Cawdry  and  others):  Some  were  young  raw  Mia 
that  were  never  verfed  in  fuch  kind  of  Controverfies  :  Some  were  peiiWaded  of 
the  finfulnefs  of  the  Parliaments  War,  and  thence  gathered  that  the  Covenant,  be- 
ing in  order  to  it,  was  a  Rebellious  Covenant ,  and  therefore  not  obligatory  :  And 
other  things  they  thought  were  final  I.  Some  had  Wives  and  Children  and  Pover- 
ty, which  were  great  Temptations  to  them:  And  moft  that  I  knew,  when  once 
they  inclined  to  Conformity,  did  avoid  the  Company  of  their  Brethren,  and  never 
askt  them  whattheir  Reafons  werQ  againft  Conformity. 

2.  A  fecond  fort  of  Conformifts  were  thofe  called  Latitudinarians,  who  were 
nioftly  Cambridge-men,-  Platonifts  or  Cartefians,  and  many  of  them  Armmians  with 
fome  Additions,  having  more  charitable  Thoughts  than  others  of  the  Salvation  of 
Heathens  and  Infidels,  and  fome  of  them  holding  the  Opinions  of  Ongen,  about  the 
PrseexiH'ence  of  Souls,  &c.  Thefe  were  ingenious  Men  and  Scholars,  and  of  Uni- 
"V/e'rf il  Principles-  and  free  ;  abhorring  at  firft  the  Impofition  of  thefe  little  things,but 
th'mking  thein  not  great  enough  to  (tick  at  when  Impofed.  Of  thefe,  fome  (with- 
199,  Moore  their  Leader)  lived  privately  in  Colledges  ,  and  fought  not  any  Prefer- 
ment in  the  World  :  and  others  fet  themiekes .  to  rife. 

Thefe 


Par.tII.   Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         387 

Thefe  two  forementioned  Parties  were  laudable  Preachers,  and  were  the  honour 
of  the  Conformiiis,  though  not  heartily  theirs ,  and  their  profitable  Preaching  is 
ufedbv  God's  Providence,  to  keep  up  the  Publick  Intereil  of  Religion,  and  relreju 
the  decerning  fort  of  Auditors. 

g.  The  third  fort  of  Conformifrs,  was  of  thofe  that  were  heartily  Juch  throughout : 
Arid  tfieie  were  alfo  of  three  forts  ;  i.  Thole  that  were  zealous  tor  the  Diocefdn 
Party  and  the  Caufe,and  deiirous  to  extirpate  or  deftroy  the  Nonconformifk: And 
theie  were  fuppofed  to  be  the  high  and  fwaying  Party.  2.  Thole  that  were  zea- 
lous for  the  Party  and  the  Caufe  materially  ;  but  yet  were  more  moderate  (  in  their 
private  willies)  to  the  Nonconforming  and  did  profeis  themlelves.  (hat  they  could 
not  Subfcri be  and  Declare,  if  they  did  not  put  a  more  favourable  ience  on  the 
words  than  that  which  the  Non  con  for  mi  its  fuppofed  to  be  the  plain  fence,  g. Thofe 
that  were  raw,  or  ignorant  Readers,  or  unlearned  Men  ,  or  fenfual,  icandalous 
Ones,  who  would  be  hot  for  any  thing  by  which  they  might  rile  or  be  maintain- 
ed. 

This  Compofition  made  up  the  Body  of  the  Conformiiis  in  this  Land,  and  ail 
this  Difference  there  was  among  them. 

. 

II.  (§  28  j)  The  Nonconforming  alio  were  of  divers  lorts.  i.There-were  fqmp 
few  (  of  my  Acquaintance  )  who  were  for  the  old  Conformity;  for  jBiihops; 
Common  Prayer  Book,  Ceremonies,  and  the  old  Sublcriptionj  and  againlt  the 
impofing  and  taking  of  the  Covenant,  (  which  they  never  took)  and  againit  the 
Parliaments  Wars:  But  they  could  not  Subfcribe  that  they  A/Jent  and  Confint  to  oM 
things  now  impoled  ;  nor  could  they  Ablblve  all  others  in  the  three  Kingdoms  from 
being  obliged  by  the  Vow  and  Covenant  to  endeavour  Church  Reformation,thougli 
they  would  not  have  had  them  take  the  Vow. 

2.  A  greater  Number  of  the  Nonconforming,  or  Reconcilers,  of  no  Sect  or 
Parly,  but  abhorring  the  very  Name  of  Parties ;  who  like  lgnatms'%  Epifcopacy  y 
but  not  the  Engltjh  Diocefan  Frame :  and  like  what  is  good  in  Epifcopal,  Presbyte- 
rians, or  Independents;  but  reject  fomewhat  as  evil  in  them  all:  being  of  the 
Judgment  which  I  have  defcribed  my  felf  to  be  in  the  beginning  of  this  Book  : 
that  can  endure  a  Liturgy,  and  like  not  the  Imposition  of  the  Covenant;  but  can- 
not Affent  and  Content  to  all  things  required  in  the  A&,  nor  Ablblve  three  King- 
doms Irom  all  Obligation  by  their  Vows,  to  endeavour  in  their  Places  the  altera- 
tion of  the  Englijh  Diocefan  Form  of  Government :  Though  they  doubt  not  but 
Sedition  and  Rebellion  Ihould  be  abhorred  of  all,  whether  Ibr  Reformation  or  any 
other  Pretence. 

2.  A  third  Ibrt  of  Nonconforming  are  the  Presbyterians, whote  Judgment  is  fore- 
deicribed,  and  manifefied  in  their  Writings  to  all  the  World.  Of  thefe  two  laic 
forts  (  if  1  be  not  taken  for  a  partial  Witncis )  are  the  fbbereil,  and  molt  judici- 
ous, unanimous,  peaceable,  faithful,  able,  conftant  Miniilers  in  this  Land,  or  that 
I  have  heard  or  read  of,  in  the  Chriitian  World!  Which  I  am  able  to  lay,  I 
fpeak  without  refpect  of  Perfons,  in  Obeuience  to  my  Confcienee,  upon  my  long 
Experience.  ^ 

4.  The  fourth  fort  are  the  Independents,  who  are  for  the  mod  part  a  ferious  godly, 
People,  fome  of  them  moderate,  going  with  Mr.  Norton  and  the  New-England 
Synod,  and  little  differing  from  the  moderate  Presbyterians,  and  as  well  ordered 
as  any  Party  that  I  know  :  But  others  of  them,  more  raw,  and  felf- conceited,' and 
addicted  to  Separations  and  Divihons,  their  Zeal  being  greater  than  their  Know- 
ledge ;  who  have  opened  the  Door  to  Anabaptifis  firlt,  and  then  to  all  the  other 
Se&s. 

Thefe  Seels  are  numerous,  fome  tolerable,  and  fome  intolerable,  and  being  ne- 
ver incorporated  with  the  red,  arenoc  to  be  reckoned  with  them.  Many  of  them 
(  the  Bthmenifts,  Fifth- Monarchy -men,  Quakers,  and  fome  Anabaptifis)  are  proper  Fa- 
naticks,  looking  too  much  to  Revelations  within,  inftead  of  the  Holy  Scripture?.. 
And  thus  I  have  truly  told  you  of  all  the  Sorts  among  us,  except  the  Papifis,  who 
are  fufficiently  known,  and  are  no  more  of  us  than  the  other  Se&s  are.  The 
Atheifts  and  Infidels  I  name  not,  becaufe  as  fitch,  they  have  no  Pallors. 

§286.  Next  it  will  not  be  amiisif  I  briefly  give  you  the  Sum  of  their  ieveral 
Caufes,  and  the  Realbns  of '  heir  feveral  Ways. 

I.  The  Ccnformifts  go  feveral  Ways,  according  to  their  forementioned  Diffe- 
rences. 

D  d  d  2  i.  Thofs 


388  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  i. 

i.  Thole  that  are  high  Prelatifts  lay,  i.  For  Epifcopacy,  it  is  of  Divine  Inftiiuci- 
on,  and  perpetual  Ufage  in  the  Church,  and  neceifaty  to  Order  among  the  Cler- 
gy and  People,  and  of  experienced  Benefit  to  this  Land,and  mofi  congruous  to  Qvjl 
Monarchy  j  and  therefore  not  to  be  altered  by  any  ;  no  not  by  the  King  and  Par- 
liament, if  they  mould  fwear  k :  Therefore  the  Oath  called  the  Et  cattra  Oath  was 
formed  before  the  War,  to  Swear  all  Men  to  be  true  to  this  Prelacy,  and  not  to 
Change  it. 

2.  Thole  that  are  called  Conforming  Presbyterians,  and  Latitudinarians,  bo'h 
fay  that  our  Prelacy  is  lawful,  though  not  neceffary  j  and  that  Mr.  Ed-ward  Stil- 
lingfleefs  lrenicon  hath  well  proved,  That  no  Form  of  Church  Government  is  of 
Divine  Inftitution.  And  therefore  when  the  Magiftrate  commandeth  any,  he  is  to 
,  be  obeyed.  But  fince  they  grew  up  to  Preferment,  they  grow  to  be  hoc  for  the 
Prelacy. 

§287.  And  therefore  as  to  the  Covenant,  they  all  lay,  1.  That  the  End  of  it 
was  Evil,  viz,.  To  Change  the  Government  of  the  Church,  without  Law,  which 
was  letled  by  Law.  2.  That  the  Efficient  Caufe  was  Evil  or  Null,  viz,.  That  the 
Impolers  had  no  Authority  to  do  it.  3.  That  the  Matter  was  Evil,  viz,,  to  extir- 
pate, and  change  the  Government  of  the  Church  by  Rebellion  and  Combination  a- 
gainft  the  King.  4.  That  the  Swearers  All  in  taking  it  was  finful,  for  the  forelaid 
Realbns.  j.  That  the  King's  Prohibition  and  drowning  it  did  nullifie  all  the  Sub- 
jects Obligations,  if  any  were  upon  them,  by  virtue  of  Numb.  ;o.  6.  That  the 
People  being  all  Subjects,  cannot  endeavour  the  Change  of  Church  Government 
without  the  King.  7.  That  King  Charles  took  not  that  fame  Covenant,  but  ano- 
ther. 8.  That  he  was  forced  to  it.  9.  That  he  was  virtually  pre-engaged  to  the 
contrary  Matter,  in  that  he  was  Heir  of  the  Crown,  and  bound  to  take  the  Coro- 
nation Oach.  1 0.  That  to  caft  fo  many  Men  as  the  Bilfiops  out  of  all  their  Ho- 
nours and  Poffeffions,  is  Injuftice,  which  none  can  be  obliged  to  do.  u.  That  if 
it  were  lawful  before  to  endeavour  an  Alteration  of  the  Government  of  the  Church, 
yet  now  it  is  not,  when  King  and  Parliament  have  made  a  Law  againft  it.  Thele 
are  Mr.  Fulwood's  and  Mr.  Stilemarii  Pleas,  and  the  Sum  of  all  that  I  have  heard  as 
to  that  Point. 

§  288.  But  further,  as  to  the  Interpretation  of  the  Words  of  the  Declaration 
hereabouts,  the  Latitudinarians,  and  Conforming  Presbyterians,  and  fome  of  the 
Prelatifts  fay  as  followeth  :  1.  That  the  Declaration  includeth  not  the  King  ,  when 
it  laich,  '[There  is  no  obligation  on  me  or  any  other  perfon  ]:  which  they  prove,  becaufe 
that  Laws  are  made  only  for  Subjects,  and  therefore  are  to  be  interpreted  asfpeak- 
ing  only  of  Subje&s.  2.  Becaufe  the  King  is  meant  in  the  Counterparty  Object, 
•viz,,  the  Government  of  the  State,  which  is  not  to  be  altered.  2.  They  fay  that  it 
is  only  Rebellions ,  or  other  unlawful  Endeavours ,  that  are  meant  by  the  words  [  to 
Endeavour'}.  3.  They  fay  that  by  [  any  Alteration  ]  is  meant  only  [  any  Ejjential 
Alteration  J  and  not  [  any  Integral  or  Accidental  Alteration  ]  of  the  Government. 
4.  And  the  leading  Independents  have  taught  them  alfo  to  fay,  that  this  Covenant 
was  effenti ally  &  League,  between  two  Nations  upon  a  certain  occafion,which  there- 
fore ( if  ever  it  did  bind  )  is  now  like  an  Almanack  out  of  date,  Et  cejjat  obligatio 
ctffantibm  perfonis,  materia  &  fine.  5-.  They  principally  argue  that  all  Mens  words 
are  to  be  taken  charitativc,  in  the  moft  honeft  and  favourable  fence  that  they  will 
bear :  much  more  the  King's  and  Parliament's :  Therefore  Charity  permitteth  us 
not  to  judge  them  fo  inhuman,  irrational,  irreligious,  and  cruel  ,  as  to  command 
Men  to  be  perjured,  and  to  change  the  conftituied  Government,  by  prohibiting 
King,  Parliament,  or  People,  to  do  any  thing  which  belonged  to  them  in  their 
places.  Thele  are  theRealbns  for  the  lawfulnefs  of  declaring  againft  the  Obligation  of 
the  Covenant. 

§  289.  3.  In  the  lame  Declaration  it  isprofeffed,  That  [it  is  not  lawful,  on  any 
pretence  whatfoever,  to  take  up  Arms  againft  the  King,  or  any  Commiffienated  by  him]  &C 
Concerning  this,  they  are  alfo  divided  among  themfelves.  One  Party  fay,  That 
this  is  true  univerfally  in  the  proper  fence  of  the  words.  The  other  fay,  That  it  is 
to  be  understood  of  fuch  as  are  legally  Commijjioned  by  him  only  ;  and  that  if  he 
Ihould  Commiflion  two  or  three  Men,  or  more,  to  kill  the  Parliament,  or  burn  the 
City,  or  to  difpoifefs  Men  of  their  Freeholds ,  it  were  lawful  forcibly  to  refift.  Or 
if  the  Sheriff  be  to  raife  the  Pojfe  Comitatus  in  obedience  to  a  Decree  of  a  Court  of 
Juftice,  to  put  a  Man  into  poffeflion  of  his  Houle,  he  may  do  it  forcibly,  though  the 
Defendant  be  Commiffioned  by  the  King  to  keep  it.Becaufethey  fay  that  the  Law  is 
to  be  taken  fano  fenfuta.n6  not  as  may  lay  the  Law-givers  under  fo  heavy  an  Accufa- 
tion,  as  the  literal  unlimited  fence  would  do. 

§  290, 


J 

P  a  r  T  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  385? 

§  290.  4.  The  fourth  Matter  of  Difference,  being  the  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience, 
they  here  alfo  differ  among  themfelves.  i.  Some  of  them  think  that  as  the  Necef 
/ity  of  Monarchy  and  our  Relation  to  the  King,  cjoth  make  the  Oath  of  Allegi- 
ance neceffary,  or  very  meet,  fb  the  Necefltty  of  Prelacy  and  our  Relation  to  the 
Prelates,  doth  make  the  Oath  of  Obedience  to  them  judiftable  and  meet :  For 
that  which  muft  be  done,  may  be  promiied  and  fworn.  2.  Others  of  them  (ay, 
That  it  is  only  to  the  Bilhops  as  Magiftrates.or  Officers  of  the  King,  that  we  fwear 
to  them.  3.  And  others  fay,  That  as  we  may  be  fubjeft  to  any  Man,  in  humili- 
ty, ib  we  may  promife  or  fwear  it  to  any  Man.  And  it  being  but  in  licit u  &  hone- 
fits,  that  what  we  may  lawfully  do,  we  may  fwear  to  do. 

§291.  j.  The  fifth  Controverfie  is  about  Re-ordination  of  fuch  as  were  not  Or- 
dained by  Diocefans,  but  by  the  Presbyteries  which  then  were  (at  home  or  abroad) 
And  here  they  are  alio  of  two  minds  among  themfelves.  The  one  fort  Uy,  That 
Ordination  without  Diocefans  is  a  Nullity ,  and  thofe  that  are  fo  Ordained,  are  no 
Minifters  but  Laymen  ;  and  therefore  their  Churches,  no  true  Churches  (  m  fenju 
politico  )  :  And  therefore  that  fuch  muft  needs  be  Re-ordained.  The  other  fort  fdy, 
That  their  Ordination  was  valid  before  in  foro  Jfirituali ;  but  not  wforo  ctvili;  and 
that  the  repeating  of  it,  is  but  an  afcertaining  or  a  confirming  A#,  as  publick  Mar- 
rying again  would  be,  after  one  is  privately  married,  in  cafe  the  Law  would  ba- 
stardize or  difinherit  his  Children  elfe. 

§  292.  6.  The  fixth  Controverfie  is  about  the  lawfulnefs  of  the  Ajfent  and  Con- 
fent  to  be  declared,  which  is  to  all  contained  in  the  Book  of  Articles,  the  Book  of 
Ordination,  and  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer.  Thefe  comprehend  abundance 
of  Particulars ;  ibme  Do&rinal,  fome  about  the  Offices  and  Difcipline  of  the 
Church,  and  ibme  about  the  Matter,  the  Order  and  Manner,  and  Ceremonies  of 
Worfhip.  Here  they  are  alfb  divided  among  themfelves :  (ome  few  of  them  taka 
the  words  plainly  and  properly,  (  viz,,  the  willing  Conformifts)  and  think  that  in- 
deed there  is  nothing  in  thefe  Books  which  is  not  to  be  aflented  and  contented  to  : 
And  indeed  all  the  Convocation  muft  needs  be  of  that  mind  for  the  Major  part  ) 
and  alfo  the  Parliament ) ;  becauie  they  had  the  Books  before  them  to  be  perufed, 
and  did  examine  the  Liturgy  and  Book  of  Ordination,  and  make  great  Altera- 
tions in  them,  and  therefore  if  they  had  thought  there  had  been  any  thing  not  to 
be  affented  and  confented  to,  they  would  have  altered  it  by  corredion,  before  they 
had  impofed  it  on  the  Church.  But  for  all  that,  the  other  Party  is  now  fo  nume- 
rous, that  I  could  yet  never  fpeak  with  any  of  them,  but  went  that  way  /viz,,  with 
the  Latitudinarians  to  expound  the  words  [all  things  contained  tn  the  Books]  which 
they  alfent  and  content  to  \_AU  things  which  they  are  to  ufe  ]  :  and  their  [  AJJent  and 
Conftnt  ]  they  limit  only  to  the  ufe :  q.  d.  (7  do  ajjent,  that  there  is  nothing  tn  theft 
Books  which  may  not  lawfuHj  be  ufed,  and  I  do  con/ent  to  the  ufe  of  fo  much  as  belongetb 
tome~]  :  Though  yet  they  think  (  or  will  not  deny  but  )  that  there  may  be  fbme- 
thing  that  may  be  ill  framed  and  ill  impofed  :  The  reafbn  of  this  Exposition  they 
fetch  from  the  word  \_uje~]  which  is  found  after  in  the  Aft  of  Uniformity,  though 
it  be  not  in  the  words  of  the  Delaration.  And  for  the  Books,  they  fay,  It  is  law- 
ful to  ufe  the  Common  Prayer,  and  the  Ceremonies,  Crofs,  Surplice,  Copes,  and 
Kneeling  at  the  Sacrament,  and  all  that  is  in  that  or  the  other  Books  to  be  ufed 
and  therefore  to  declare  fo  much. 

§  293.  More  particularly,  1.  Concerning  the  Kalendar  impofing  the  ufe  of  fo 
many  Apocryphal  Leffons,  they  fay  that  they  are  read  but  upon  Week-days,  and 
that  not  as  Scripture,  but  as  edifying  Leifons,  as  the  Homilies  are ;  and  as  many 
Churches  have  long  ufed  them.  And  that  the  Church  fufficiently  avoideth  the 
Scandal  by  calling  them  Apocrypha. 

§294.  And  2.  for  the  parcelling  and  ordering  of  the  Prayers  and  Refponfes  as 
they  are,  fome  of  them  fay  that  it  is  the  beft  Form  and  Order,  and  it's  only  Fan- 
cy and  Errour  which  mifliketh  them  :  Others  fay  that  they  are  dtforderly  indeed  , 
but  that  is  not  the  Sin  of  the  Ufers  (  when  they  are  impofed  )  but  of  the  Framers 
and  Impofers. 

§  297.  And  ;.  as  for  the  Doctrine  of  the  Salvation  of  Baptized  Infants  in  the 
Rubrick  of  Baptifm,  and  all  the  reft  in  that  Book,  and  in  the  Nine  and  thirty  Ar- 
ticles, fome  of  them  fay  that  they  are  all  found  (  viz,,  the  willing  Conformifts} 
but  the  unwilling  Conformifts  fay  that  thefe  are  not  things  to  be  ufedby  them,and 
therefoie  not  within  the  Compafs  of  the  declared  AJJent  or  Conftnt  in  the 
A&. 


390  1  he  L  I  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I# 

§  296.  And  4.  as  to  the  Charitable  Applications  excepted  againft  in  Baptifm, 
Confirmation,  the  Lord's  Supper,  Abfolution  of  the  Sick  and  Burial,  they  lay  they 
are  but  fuch  as  according  to  the  Judgment  of  Charity  we  may  ulc  :  And  if  theie 
be  any  fault,  it  is  not  in  the  Common  Prayer  Book,  which  ufeth  but  fuch  words 
as  are  fit  to  be  ufed  by  the  Members  of  i  he  Church  :  but  it  is  in  the  Canons  and 
Ditcipline  of  the  Church  ,  which  iuffereth  unfit  Perfbns  to  b-  Church- 
Members. 

§  297.  And  j.  as  for  the  Ceremonies,  they  fay,  1.  That  Kneeling  is  freed  from 
all  iiifpicion  of  Idolatry,  by  the  annexing  of  the  Rubrick  out  of  King  Edward  the 
Sixth's  Common  Prayer  Book:  which  though  the  Convocation  refund,  yet  the 
PailiaiiKnt  annexed  ;  and  they  are  the  Impolers,  and  it  is  their  fence  that  we  muft 
ftand  to.  And  as  it  is  lawful  to  Kneel  in  accepting  a  fealed  Pardon  from  the  King, 
by  his  Meffenger,  fo  is  it  in  accepting  a  fealed  Pardon  from  God,  with  the  Inve- 
ltiture  of  our  Priviledges. 

§  298.  And  2.  they  fay  that  the  Surplice  is  as  lawful  as  a  Gown,  it  being  not 
impoied  primarily  becaufe  fignificant,  but  becaufe  decent,  and  fecondarily  as  figni- 
ficant  (  fay  fbme  )  :  Or  as  others  fay,  It  is  the  better  and  fitter  to  be  impoied,  be- 
caufe it  is  fignificant :  and  that  God  hath  no  where  forbidden  iuch  Ceremo- 
nies. 

§  299.  And  3.  for  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm,  they  fay  that  it  is  no  part  of  the  Sacra- 
ment of  Baptifm,  but  an  appendant  Ceremony  :  that  it  isthe  better  for  being  figni- 
ficant :  that  it  is  but  a  tranfient  Image,  and  not  a  fixed,  much  lefs  a  graven  Image ; 
and  is  not  adored  :  that  it  is  but  a  frofejfingfign,  as  words  are,  or  as  ffanding  up, 
or  holding  up  the  hand  ;  and  not  any  Seal  of  God's  part  of  the  Covenant ;  and 
though  it  be  called  in  the  Canons  a  Dedicating  Sign,  it  is  but  as  ic  fignifieth  the  A- 
clion  of  the  Per/on  or  the  Church,  and  not  as  it  fignifieth  the  A&ion  of  God  recei- 
ving the  dedicated  Perfon:  And  fbme  fay,  That  it  cannot  be  de  denied  but  that 
according  to  the  old  and  common  ufe  of  the  word  [Sacrament^  as  a  Military  En- 
gagement, it  is  a  Sacrament ;  yet  it  is  not  pretended  to  be  a  Divine,  but  a  Humane 
Sacrament,  and  fuch  are  lawful :  it  being  in  our  definition  of  a  Church  Sacrament 
that  it  is  [Ordained  by  Chrijt  bimfelfl :  And  though  Man  may  not  invent  New  Sa- 
craments, as  Gods  fealing  or  inverting  Signs ,  and  fb  pretend  that  to  be  Divine 
which  is  not ;  yet  man  may  invent  New  Human  Sacraments,  which  go  no  further 
than  the  fignifying  of  their  own  Minds  and  A&ions.And  they  fay,That  if  fuch  my- 
frical  Signs  as  thde  had  been  unlawful,  it  is  a  thing  incredible  that  the  Univeriaf 
Church  Ihould  ufe  fuch,  as  far  as  can  be  found,  from  the  Apoftles  days ;  even  the 
Milk  and  Honey  and  Chryfm  and  White  Garment  at  Baptifm,  and  the  Station  on 
the  Lord's  Days,  and  the  oft  ufe  of  the  Crofs  j  and  that  Chrift  fhould  have  no  one 
Wimefs  that  would  ever  fcrupleor  contradict  them,  either  among  the  Orthodox,  or 
the  Hereticfcs,  as  far  as  any  Records  of  Antiquity  do  make  known. 

§  500.  7.  The  feventh  Controver  fie  is  about  their  own  pra&ice  in  Adminiftrati- 
ons  and  Church  Difcipline.  And  1.  that  they  muff  Minilterially  deny  the  Sacra- 
ment of  Baptifm  to  all  Childien,  whofe  Parents  will  not  have  them  ufe  the  Crofs, 
they  fay  that  it  is  the  Chureh  that  refufeth  them  by  Law,  and  not  they,  who  are  by 
the  Law  difabled  from  receiving  them.  2  The  fame  they  fay  of  their  refufing  to 
give  the  Lord's  Supper  to  any  that  will  not  kneel  in  the  Reception  of  it.  They  fay 
that  it  is  better  to  Adminiiier  the  Sacraments  tofome,  than  to  none  at  all !  which 
they  muft  do  if  they  refufe  not  them  that  kneel  not.  3  And  for  the  giving  of  the  Sa- 
craments of  Baptifm  and  the  Lord's  Supper  to  the  unworthy  (for  all  are  forced  to  ufe 
them)  they  fay,  that  the  Infants  of  all  in  the  Church  have  right  to  Baptifm,  at  leaft 
for  their  Ancestor's  fake,  and  for  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers,  or  the  Churches 
fake :  And  for  the  Lord's  Supper,  they  have;  power  to  put  away  all  that  are  proved 
impenitent  in  notorious  Scandal. 

§  ;oi  Having  told  you  what  the  Conformifrs  fay  for  themfelves  (as  faithfully  as 
will  itand  with  brevity)  before  I  proceed,  I  think  it  beft  to  fet  down  here  the 
words,  1.  Of  the  Covenant  j  2.  Of  the  Subfcription  and  Declaration;  3.  Of  the 
Oarhof  Canonical  Obedience,  before  your  Eyes ;  that  while  the  Subject  of  the 
Go;uroverfie  is  before  you,  the  Controverfie  it  felf  may  be  the  better  underftood. 
And  I  fuppofe  the  Reader  to  have  all  the  Books  before  him  to  which  we  are  requi- 
red to  Affent. 


The 


o 


art  11.     Reverend  Ma  Richard  Baxter. 


s  rifitrj 
The  oolemn  League  and  Covenant. 

W€  jRoblemen,  TBacoitf,  &togljt&  Gentlemen,  Citizens;,  aMie* 
gefTcs,  emitter*  of  tlje  <£bfpci,  aim  Commons  or  all  ttyts 
IH  tlje  iafllffHOmS  Of  Scotland  England,  flltti  Ireland,  bp  tfce  ]plfr 

bineuce  of  c^on  iibing  unnet  one  Itfng,  ann  being  of  one  Refo^men  Re* 
iigion,  babing  before  out'  €pes  tlje  vSlojpof  ®on,aim  tije  sobancement 
of  tlje  ftfmjDom  of  our  tojo  aim  4$>abioue  jzim  Cijnft,  tlje  honour  ann 
fpappincto  of  tlje  king's  ^aiettp,  aim  ijis  pofferitp?ann  tlje  true  pub= 
iicfc  «ubertp,  €>afetp,  aim  peace  of  ttje  foingnoms,  luijercin  eberp  ones 
Ptfaate  Conoitton  is  tnciutJen  t  aim  calling  to  minotlje  trcacljetousaim 
bloonppiow,  Coiifpiraciee,  attempts  aim  pjactifes  of  tlje  enemies 
of  tfobagatutf  tlje  true  Religion  annpjofeflb^  thereof  (n  pfaceg,  etyfr 
ctallp  in  tljefet&eefcingoomg  ebee  fince  tlje  Reformation  of  Religion, 
ann  bobjmucijt&eit  Rage,  poloer,ann  l^efumption  are  of  late,  mm 
at  tljijai  time  tncreafen  ann  ejeeecifen,  tuljeeeof  tlje  neplo^able  (Eftate  of 
tlje  arfjurclj  anu  Rmgnom  of  Ireland,  tlje  niftteffen  Cftate  of  tlje.  cijutclj 
ann  Iktngnom  of  England,  aim  tlje  naugctoug  effate  of  tbe  Cljurcijaim 
ftingoom  of  Scotland,  are  pjefent  aim  publtclt  Ccflimonieg:  mz  nat# 
noto  at  lad  (aftet  otljee  means  of  ^application,  Rcmonftrance,  pjo- 
teftation£  aim  bufferings)  fojtbe  pjeferbattou  of  ouc  fellies  aim  out 
Religion  from  utter  Ruinc  aim  Deft  ruction,  accojtung  to  tlje  commen 
nabie  partite  of  t&efe  Jftingnomo  in  former  times ,  ann  tlje  erampie 
of  ®ons  people  in  otljer  tflationsaftet  mature  Deliberation,  refolben 
nnn  netermincn  to  enfer  into  a  Mutual  ann  Solemn  league  aim  Cobe-- 
nant:  therein  ioe  all  ©ubfcribcT  anneaclj  one  of  110  to?  ijimfelf,  tuftft 
our  i^aims  iiftenup  to  tlje  molt  ijiglj  ®oo ,  no  fuiear : 

1.  "Tfm^tii^iUXUKtxtWi  reallp  aim  conffantfp,  t&ouglj  tlje  ®iace 
I  of  4Don,  enneabouMit  our  feberal  places  aim  Callings,  tlje  p2e- 
ferbation  of  tlje  Refo?men  Relmion  Ux  the  Cljurclj  of  Scoiiand,  m  Do* 
(trine,  eitlojfljip,  Dtfcipd'ne  aim  ^obernment,  attatnft  our  Common  <&- 
nemies:  %\)t  Reformation  of  Religion  in  tlje  Ringnoms  of  Eniand 
ann  Ireland,  in  Doftrire,  lOorflnp,  Difcipitne  mm  ^obetmmnt  accorn- 
ing  to  tf)e  flBom  ot'^oti,  mm  tlje  €r ample  of  tlje  belt  Refujmenc&ur- 
cljes,  sum  Iballcimeabour  to  bring  tlje  Cijurcljes  of  ®on  Ux  tlje  tfwe 
iftingnems,  to  tlje  ncareft  Ccnmnrtion  aim  (Uniformity  in  Religion, 
Confeffton  of  ifaitlj,  JForm  of  Cljurclj  ^obernment ,  Director  for 
fftioj(ijip  aim  Catccljt5um\  C&at  me  aim  our  pofteritp  after  110,  mau, 
a?  l^ctij?en,  libe  in  jf aitlj  aim  lobe,  tlje  Lojn  map  ntligljt  to  nuieli  in 
tijemmirofu0 

2.  Clint  uieftailin  \\U  manner,  luitjout  tefpett  of  12>erfon&  eimea^ 
bour  tlje  ettirpattonot  Poperp,P?£lacp  (tfjatig.crijurclj^obernment 
bp  arrfjbtiljoi^^fljopis,  tfjctr  Cljanceilo^  aim  €ommi(lane0,Duins(, 
Deanss  ann  Cljapterg,  arclj  Beacons,  ann  all  otber  ecclefiafficai  £Difi= 
tens  nepenning  on  tijat  ii)ierarcJ}j>)  gmpetffition,  ^erefie,  ^cijifm,  ]$iq- 
pljanenefs,  aimtnljatfoct^r  fljall  be  foutm  to  be  contrarv  to  fount)  Do- 
ctrine anntlje  pciuer  of  <©oniinef0,  leltu-e  partake  in  otljer  men^  fm^ 
mm  tTjerebp  be  in  Sanger  to  reeeibe  ot  tljeir  plagueis :  Qim  tljat  tlje  lo^n 
tnap  be  one,  ann  tjte  il^ame  one  in  tlje  tij?ee  ^iimnomd. 

;.  ©Lie  fljall  toitij  tbe  fame  fincertt^  realitp  mm  conftancp  in  cur  fe- 
deral (locations,  cnbeabour  \mtr3  our  Cftateis  auniibeis,  mutualipto 
p^eferbe  tl)cRigljt0  aim  P?ibiienn?c0  of  tlje  parliaments^,  aim  tue  li- 
berties of  t^e  lamijnom^,  aim  to  pjeferbeaimnefeimtljie&iiig'^aje-- 
fties  perfen  ann  ^utljoJitMit  tlje  p?eferbation  annnetence  of  tlje  true 
Relimon  aim  Itbmiedof  tlje  Jlxingnoms  :  Cbat  tlje  tao?m  map  bear 
toitnete  mt\)  our  Confcience^  of  our  lopaltp,  ann  tljat  lue  Ijabe  no 
tbougbrjj  0^  intentionisto  niminiibiji^^aieftie^niftpotuer  ann^eat* 
nefs- 

4  (Hte 


3J2  The  LI  F E  oj  the  L  i  b.  I 


4.  Wz  (ball  alfo  trn'tlj  all  faitljfulnefs  enoeabout  tbe  titfccberp  of  all 
fucb  as  ijabe  ten,  o?  fball  be  3inceimiaries>  S^altgnants,  01  ebii  3jnftcu= 
mentis,  bp  binding  tbe  Reformation  of  Religion,  oibtoing  tbe  fcing 
from  Ijis  People,  0?  one  of  tlje  foinrjOouis  from  motml  0?  making  n 
np  faction,  o?  patties,  amongft  tbe  People  conttnrp  to  tbis  League 
arin  Covenant,  Cljat  tljep  map  be  brougbt  to  publick  <£riai,  aim  re= 
ceibe  Cotmignpunifljment,  as  tbe  negree  oftfjeir  £>ffences  (ball  re- 
quite o?nefecbe,ortlje§)upream3lunicatories  of  botfj  fcmgooms  refpe- 
ttibelp,  or  otbets  Ijabing  potoer  ttom  tljem  for  tfjat  effect,  (ball  moge 
convenient. 

5-.  aim  tobereas  tbe  Ijappiuefs  of  a  blefien  peace  bettoectt  tbefe  feing 
noms,  Denies  in  former  times  to  out  Progenitors,  is  bp  tije  goon  p?o* 
Dinenceof  <^on  granten  unto  us,  aim  batij  been  (atlelp  conclunen,  ann 
fetlen  bp  botb  parliaments,  2Zle  (ball  eacfj  one  of  us,  accornmg  to  out 
place  ann  intetelt,  enoeabour  tbat  tljep  map  remain  conjopncO  in  a  firm 
lE>eace  aim  Onion  to  all  polfetitp  ;  alio  tljat  3iuftice  map  be  none  upon 
tbe  toilful  £Dppofers  tljereof,  in  manner  erprefifeo  m  tlje  precenent  ar- 
ticle. 

6.  ane  (ball  alfo  accoutring  to  our  places  aim  Caflings,in  tbis  com* 
mon  Caufeof  Religion,  LibertP,  ann  peace  of  tlje  &mgOoms,  affiff 
ann  nefenn  ail  tljofe  tbat  enter  into  tbis  League  aim  Covenant ,  in  tbe 
maintaining  aim  purfuing  tljereof  >  aim  (ball  not  fuffer  cur  felbes  nt= 
rectlp  01  iimirectlp,  bp  toijntfoeber  Combination,Pctfuiaficn  0?  Cerrour, 
to  be  Oibinen  aim  toitljnraton  from  tbis  bfeffeo  (Union  aim  Conjunction, 
tobetfjerto  make  Defection  to  tlje  conttarppart,  0?  to  gibe  outfcibejs 
to  a  neteffabfe  inOifferencp,  0?  neutrality  in  tbis  Caufe,  tobiclj  To  muclj 
concernetb  tlje  <S3Morp  of  ®on,  tlje  $000  of  tlje  &ingnoms,  ann  honour 
xif  tljeftingi  05ut  (ball  all  tlje  naps  of  out  Libes  ?ealouflp  ann  com 
llantlP  continue  tljerein,  againft  allSDppofition,  aim  promote  tlje  fame 
according  to  our  potoet,againft  all  Lets  aim  3]mpeOiments  toljatfoebet; 
ann  tbat  toe  are  not  able  our  felbes  to  fupprefs  02  obcrcome,  foe  (ball 
rebeal  aim  make  knoton,  tljat  it  map  be  timelp  prebenten  02  remoben : 
ail  toWb  toe  (bail  no  as  in  tbe  figljt  of  ®on. 

aim becaufe tljefe  &ingnoms  are  guiitpofmanp  €>ins  ann  Proboca* 
tions  againft  ®on,  aim  Ijis  0011  ^efus  €b?ift,  as  is  too  manifeU  bp 
our  prefent  DifftefTes  aim  Dangers,  tbe  jFruits  tljereof,  oiie  profefg 
aim  neclare  before  ®oO  ann  tlje  (LOorin,  our  unfeignen  nefire  to  be  ljum= 
bienforour  oton  g>ins  aim  for  tlje  &in$  of  tljefe  itingooms,  efpeciaiip 
tbat  toe  babe  not,  as  toe  ougbt,  baluen  tlje  ineftimable  benefit  of  tlje 
c^ofpel,  tljat  toe  babe  not  labouren  for  tlje  puritp  aim  potoer  tljereof, 
aim  tljat  toe  fjabe  not  eimeabouteo  to  receibe  Cljrift  in  our  ijearts,  no? 
to  tualk  too^tbP  of  Ijim  in  our  libes,toljtclj  are  tlje  Caufes  of  otljer  g)ins 
nnn  cranfgreflfions  fo  mucb  abounningamonga,  us,  aim  our  true  aim 
unfeignen  purpofe,  nefire,  aim  enneabout  fo]  our  felbes,  ann  all  otbers 
unner  our  potoer  aim  cljarge,botlj  in  publick  aim  in  p^ibate,in  ail  Duties 
toe  otoe  to  <S5oO  aim  ^an,  to  amenn  our  Libes,  aim  eaclj  one  to  go  be* 
fo?e  nnotljer  in  tlje  erample  of  a  real  Reformation » Cljat  tljeLo^n  map 
turn  atoap  bis  2IUatlj,ann  ljeabp3lnnignation,ann  eaabliflj  tljefe  Cbur- 
cljes  ann  fcingnoms  in  Crutlj  ann  peace,  ann  tbiS  Cobenant  toe  make 
in  tbe  presence  of  aimigljtp  <£oo,tlje  ^earcljer  of  all  fjearts,toitb  a  true 
intention  to  perform  tbe  fame,  as  toe  (ball  anftoer  at  tljat  great  Dap 
toljen  tlje  Secrets  of  all  Ijearts  (ball  be  nifclofen^  ^offtmmblp  befeecb- 
tng  tlje  Lo^n  to  lirengtljen  us  hv  §i$  tyolp  Spirit  fo?  tijis  enn,  aim  to 
blefg  our  Defires  aim  ProceeOings  toitlj  fuclj  €uccefs,  as  map  be  Deli- 
berance  aim  g>afetp  to  Ijis  people,  ann  encouragement  to  otljer  €W- 
ftmi  Cbtttcljes  groaning  turner,  0?  in  nanger  of  tbe  f  oke  of  anticlj?i< 
Cian  Cprannp  to  iopn  in  tlje  fame,  0?  like  atTociation  ann  Cobenant, 
to  tlje  *Slo?p  of  ^on, tlje  inlargement  ot  tlje  l^ingnom  of  Jefus  €Wft> 
aim  tbe  Peace  ann  Cranquilitp  of  Cljriffian&ingooms  ann  Common^ 
toealtlj^ 

The 

■« 

i 


l-l  ■  . 

Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        ^93 

The  Oath  and  Declaration  impofed  upon  the  Lay-Conformifts  in  the 
Corporation  A8,  the  Vefiry  A&,  &c.  are  as  followeth  : 

The  Oath  to  be  taken: 

I  A.  B.  do  declare  and  believe,  That  it  is  not  lawful  upon  any  pretence  whatsoever ,  to 
take  up  Arms  again H  the  King  •  and  that  I  do  abhor  that  Tratteroz#  Portion  of  taking 
Arms  by  his  Authority  again ft  his  Perfon,  or  against  tbofe  that  are  Qompnjjiomd  by  him.  So 
help  me  God. 

The  Declaration  to  be  Subfeibed. 

■ 

1A.  B.  do  declare,  That  1  hold  there  lyes  no  Obligation  upon  me,  or  atrjbt  hir  Vhfon  , 
from  the  Oath  commonly  called,  The  Solemn  League  and  Covefistu  ;  and  that  tU 
fame  was  in  it  {elf  an  unlawful  Oath,  and  impojed  upon  the  Subjects  of  this  Realm  againfi 
the  known  Laws  and  Liberties  of  this  Kingdom. 

All  Veftry  Men  to  make  and  Subfcribe  the  Declaration 

following. 

I  A.  B.  do  declare,  That  it  is  not  lawful  upon  any  pretence  whatfocver,  to  take  Arms 
againfi  the  King  j  and  that  I  do  abhor  that  Traitercus  Portion  of  taking  Arms  by  ha 
Authority  again}}  hts  Perfon,  or  againfi  thoje  that  are  Commtffioned  by  htm  :  And  that  I 
will  Conform  to  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  it  is  now  by  Law  e/labhjhed  ; 
And  1  do  declare,  That  1  do  bold  there  lyes  no  Obligation  upon  me,  or  any  other  Perfon,  prom 
the  Oath  commonly  called,  The  Solemn  League  and  Covenant,  to  tndeavcur  any  Change 
or  Alteration  of  Government  either  in  Church  or  State  j  and  that  the  fame  was  in  it  f elf  an 
unlawful  Oat  by  and  impojed  upon  the  Subjecls  of  this  Realm  againfi  the  known  Laws  and 
Liberties  of  this  Kingdom. 


The  Declaration  :  thus  Prefaced  in  die  Ad  of  Uniformity  ;   £)  Every   Minijler 
-after  fuch  reading  thereof  (hall  openly  and  publickly  before  the  Congregation  there  af- 


fembled,  declare  his  unfeigned  Ajjent  and  Confent  to  the  ujeofaU  things  in  the  J aid  Book  con 
tamed  and  prejertbed,  m  theje  words  and  no  other. 

I  A.  B  do  here  declare  my  unfeigned  Ajfent  and  Confent  tv  all  and  every  thing  contained 
and  prefcribed  in  and  by  the  Book,  Intituled,  The  Book  of  Common  Prayer  and  Admim- 
(Iration  of  the  Sacraments,  and  other  Rites  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church,  according  to  the 
ufe  of  the  Church  of  England  ;  together  with  the  Pjalter  or  Pfalms  of  David  ;  pointed  as 
they  are  to  befung  or  [aid  in  Churches  J  and  the  Form  or  Manner  of  Making,  Ordaining, 
and  Confecrating  of  Bifliops,  Priejls  and  Deacons. 


The  Declaration  to  be  Subfcribed. 

I  A.  B.  do  declare,  That  it  is  not  lawful  upon  any  pretence  whatfoever,  to  take  Arms  a- 
gainH  the  King}  and  that  I  do  abhor  that  Tratterous  Pofition  of  taking  Arms  by  his 
Authority  againfi  his  Perfon,  or  againfi  thoje  that  are  Commijfionated  by  him  ;  and  that  I 
wiH  Conform  to  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  as  it  is  now  by  Law  efiabliflied  : 
And  I  do  declare  that  I  do  hold  there  lyes  no  Obligation  upon  me,  or  any  other  Perfon, 
from,  the  Oath  commonly  called,  The  Solemn  League  and  Covenant,  to  endeavour 
any  Change  cr  Alteration  of  Government ,  either  in  Church  or  State ;  and  that  the  fame  was 
in  it  ftlf  an  unlawful  Oath,  and  impojed  upon  the  Subjects  of  this  Realm,  againfi  the  known 
Laws  and  Liberties  of  this  Kingdom. 

Eee  The 


394  J  be  LIFE  of  the  L  r  b.  i. 


E 


The  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience. 

Go  A.  B.  Juro  quod  praftabo  Veram  &  Canonic  am  Obedient  iam  Epifcopo  Londinenfi 
ejufyue  SucceJJoribus  in  omnibus.  Ileitis  &  honefiis. 


■ 


§  ;o2.  II.  The  Nonconformifts,  who  take  not  this  Declaration,  Oa;h,  Subfcrip- 
tion,  &c.  are  of  divers  forts,  fome  being  further  diftant  from  Conformity  than  o~ 
thers ;  (bme  thinking  that  fome  of  the  forementioned  things  are  lawful/  and  fome 
that  none  of  them  are  lawfuj  :  and  all  have  not  the  fame  Reafons  for  their  difTent. 
But  all  are  agreed  that  it  is  riot  lawful  to  do  all  that  is  required,  and  therefore  they 
are  all  caft  out  of  the  Exercife  of  the  Sacred  Miniftry,  and  forbidden  to  preach  the 
Word  of  God. 

§  3,3.  The  Reafons  commonly  given  by  them  are  either,  1.  Againft  the  Impo- 
fing  cf  the  things  forementioned  ;  or,  2.  Againft  the  Ufing  of  them  being  impofed. 
Tboie  of  the  former  fort  were  given  into  the  King  and  Bifhops  before  the  Paffing 
of  the  Act  ot  Uniformity,  and  are  laid  down  in  the  beginning  of  this  Book  ;  and 
the  Opportunity  being  now  paft,  the  Nonconformifts  now  meddle  not  with  that 
part  of  the  Came,  it  having  feemed  good  to  their  Superiours  to  go  againft  their 
Reafons.  But  this  is  worthy  the  noting  by  the  way,  that  all  that  I  can  (peak  with 
of  the  Conforming  Party,  do  now  juftifie  only  the  Ufing  and  Obeying  ,  and  not  the 
Impofingoi thefe  things  with  the  Penalty  by  which  they  are  Impoied :  From  whence 
it  is  evident,  that  moft  of  their  own  Party  do  now  juftifie  our  Caufe  which  vve  main- 
tained ar  the  Savoy,  which  was  againft  this  Impofition  (  whilft  it  might  have  been 
prevented),  and  for  which  fuch  an  intemperate  Fury  hath  purfued  me  to  this  very 
day.  2'.  But  it  is  the  Reafons  againft  our  full  Obedience  to  the  Impofition  of  this 
Conformity,  which  I  am  now  to  rehearfe :  but  I  muft  defire  the  Reader  to  remem- 
ber, that  my  bare  Recital  is  no  flgn  of  my  Approbation  of  all  that  I  recite/hough  I 
be  one  of  thole  that  dare  not  Conform. 

§  204.  And  firft  there  are  divers  general  Reafons  which  keep  fome  of  them  more 
than  others  from  Conformity,  and  drive  them  further,  even  from  joyning  with 
them  in  Liturgy  or  Sacrament. 

1.  Some  of  them  look  upon  the  Principles  and  Lives  of  many  of  thofe  who  fall 
in  with  the  eftabliiht  Church,  as  furniming  them  with  a  lufficient  Plea  againft  Con- 
formity :  For,  fay  they,  it's  eafie  to  obferve  how  the  Prophane  and  Vitious  and 
Debaucht  and  Scandalous  (  which  makes  up  but  too  great  a  part  of  the  Nation  }, 
fall  in  with  that  Party  in  the  Church  that  are  for  Prelacy  and  Liturgy >e£v.  and  for 
oppreffing  thofe  who  differ  in  their  Sentiments  from  them  about  thefe  Matters.Now 
how  fay  they,  can  we  fafely  joyn  in  with  that  Body  of  Men,  that  harbours  fb 
many  open  Enemies  to  all  Religion,,  as  the  prophane  part  of  the  Nation  compre- 
hends ?  But  fome  who  are  more  considerate,  reply,  That  this  is  no  other  than  what 
is  the  ulual  Attendant  of  a  National  Eftablimment ;  it  being  a  common  thing  for 
all  thofe  in  a  State,  who  are  really  of  no  Religion,  in  appearance  to  fall  in  with 
that  Mode  of  Religion  that  is  favour'd  by  the  Law  ,  and  moft  encouraged.by  the 
Prince. 

§  2  of.  2.  The  fame  Perfons  fay,  That  by  Conforming  they  mail  own  and  strength- 
en UJurpers ;  who  have  made  a  New  Office  which  Chrift  never  made,  and  to  the 
great  wrong  of  Chrift,  and  the  peril  of  the  Church,  have  made  themfelves  Lords 
of  Gods  Heritage:  And  as. he  that  obeyeth  the  Pope's  Law,  is  guilty  of  .his  U- 
furpation  ,  fo  is  he  that  obeyeth  the  Prelates  Laws,  though  the  Matter  commanded 
were  lawful  in  it  felf. 

But  the  moderater  Nonconformifts  are  not  for  thisReafon;  becaufe,fay  they,  it  is 
but  Counfel  as  it  cometh  from  the  Convocation  ;  and  it  is  the  King  and  Parliament 
that  make  a  Law  of  it,  whom  we  muft  obey  in  lawful  things.  And  they  fay  fur- 
ther, That  we  muft  not  forbear  a  Duty,  lor  fear  of  Encouraging  Men's  Ufurpa- 
tions. 

§  206.  They  fay  alfo,  3.That  thefe  Impofitioos  aiedoneby  the  Prelates  in  meer 
defign  to  root  out  godly  Minifiers .  and  Chrift ians :  And  that  when  they  feared 
that  the  old  Conformity  would  not  ferve  turn,  they  have  added  fuch  new  Materi- 
als of  fet  purpofe,  which  keep  out  a  Thoufand  at  leaft  that  would  have  yielded  to 

the 


P  a  a  t  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         395 

the  Old  Conformity  :  And  what  they  aim  at  further,  when  they  have  thus  driven 
out  all  the  able,  faithful  Minifters,  God  knoweth.  But  if  we  (et  in  with  them,  and 
ule  the  very  means  which  they  have  fabricated  for  this  very  end,  to  deffroy  the  In- 
tereft  of  Godlinels,  though  the  Acl;  commanded  were  indifferent ,  we  are  made 
guilty  of  their  Sin. 

But  the  moderate  Nonconforming  fay,  That  fuch  Reafons  as  thefeare  good  Se- 
conds where  the  Matter  is  firff  proved  evil :  but  i.That  Mens  Defigns  are  latent  in 
their  hearts,  and  the  (trongeff  Conjectures  will  not  ferve  inftead  of  Proof.  2.  If 
that  it  were  known  to  any  one  of  us,  not  by  the  Evidence  of  the  thing.but  by  fbme 
other  Dilcovery,  that  a  lawful  thing  is  Commanded  with  a  pernicious  defign,  that 
will  not  excuie  us  from  our  Obedience,  unlefs  it  be  probable  that  the  Church,  is 
like  to  be  laved  from  mine,  by  our  forbearance  to  obey  :  And  we  may  do  the 
thing  commanded  without  any  participation  of  the  Guilt  of  Menspiivate  malici- 
ous Intentions. 

§  307.  4.  Alfo  they  (ay,  That  we  haveCovenanted  to  endeavour  a  Reformation, 
and  had  begun  it,  and  therefore  mail  he  Covenant- breakers  and  Backfltders,  if  we 
yield  to  any  thing  which  was  to  be  reformed. 

But  here  the  more  moderate  have  many  Di. 'Unctions  ,•  between  things  unlawful 
and  things  only  inconvenient,  and  between  thofe  that  have  opportunity  to  do  bet- 
ter, and  thofe  that  have  not,  and  between  leldom  Communion,  and  moft  ordina- 
ry. And  they  fay  that  things  unlawful  mufrnot  be  done,  whether  we  have  cove- 
nanted againlt  them,  or  not :  But  for  things  only  inexpedient  or  evil  by  a  iuperable 
Accident,  they  become  our  Duties,  and  no  Covenant  dilbbligeth  us  from  our  Du- 
ty :  and  that  the  Covenant  never  was  intended  to  oblige  us  to  prefer  no  IVorfrip  be- 
fore that  which  is  defective,  but  only  to  prefer  that  which  is  better  before  it:  And 
that  it  may  bz  a  duty  to  Communicate  fometime  with  a  very  faulty  Church,  in  or- 
der to  our  Citholick  Communion  with  the  whole,  fo  be  it  our  ordinary  particular 
Communion  be  in  the  purelt  Church  and  Order  (cateris  paribus)  that  we  can  have. 
§  ;o8.  5-.  And  another  Realon  given  is,  That  the  Aggravation  of  the  Sin  of 
theie  Impoiers  is  very  great,  that  they  have  been  Perfecutors  heretofore,  and  leen 
and  felt  God's  Judgments  lor  it,  and  have  been  convinced  and  intreated  to  return 
to  Chanty,  an:'  yet  they  have,  with  renewed  Malice  ,  let  themfelves  to  the  de- 
bauching of  the  Conlciences  of  the  Kingdom,  and  to  the  extirpation  of  Natural 
Honefty,  and  have  branded  ail  their  Party  with  the  Mark  of  Perjury,  Ferfidwufnefi, 
and  Perfection,  while  thev  brand  the  Confciencious  with  the  Name  of  Puritans- 
And  therefore  they  are  a  Generation  ready  for  perdition,  and  certainly  near  iome 
heavy  Curie  :  And  for  us  to  joyn  with  them  that  are  in  the  way  to  Wrath ,  is  the 
way  to  be  partakers  of  their  Plagues. 

But  the  moderate  fay  to  this,  1.  That  the  Extenuation  as  well  as  the  Aggravation 
of  their  Sin  mult  be  confidered  :  And  that  it  mult  be  remembred,  that  among  the 
Nonconforming  there  is  a  Party  of  Sectaries,  that  Rebelled  againlt  all  the  Gover- 
nours  that  were  over  them,  and  cut  off  the  King's  Head,when  they  had  conquered 
thofe  that  are  now  againlt  them,  in  the  Field,  and  lequefrred  their  Elf ates :  And 
that  fuel]  great  Provocation  may  not  only  fublimate  Malice  where  it  lindeth  it,  but 
greatly  exalperate  e  ven  temperate  Men.  2. That  it's  true  that  we  mult  partake  with 
no  Men  in  their  Sins,as  ever  we  would  efcape  their  Plagues  :  but  when  that  which 
is  the  Impoiers  Sin,  is  become  the  Subjects  Duty,  God  will  not  plague  us  with  them 
for  doing  our  Duties.  3.  That  it  is  dangerous  toprefume  toforetel  on  whom  God 
will  bring  his  judgments  in  this  Life,  andtoprelume  that  wearelafe,  and  thev  are 
neir  perdition ;  while  all  things  come  alike  to  all,  and  the  differencing  Day  of 
Judgment  is  not  yet  come.  Therefore  it  is  dangerous  on  fuch  Prophefies,  or  Pre- 
sumptions, or  Fears  to  go  out  of  the  way  of  any  Duty  ,  or  to  avoid  any  lawful 
Communion  with  the  Church. 

§  309.  6.  Again  it  is  faid,  That  thefe  Impositions  being  the  Engines  of  Divifion  in 
the  Church  (  as  Mr.  Hales  himfelf  affirmeth),  we  lhall  be  partakers  of  the  Schifms 
if  we  ule  them. 

But  the  moderate  fay,  That  indeed  if  we  partake  in  the  Impofinon,  we  partake 
in  the  Guilt  of  the  Divifion  caufed  by  it :  But  when  they  are  Jntpofed,^  we  may 
do  that  which  in  it  lelf  is  lawful ,  without  any  confent  to  the  Impofition  at  all : 
Yea,  and  that  which  as  impofed  tendeth  to  Divifion,  may,  upon  liippofition  that 
it  will  be,  and  is  impofed,  be  pra&iled  lometimes  as  the  way  to  Unity,  and  to  a- 
void  Divilion. 

Ee  e  2  §  310. 


35>6  The  LIFE  of  the  Li  b.  I. 

§  ;io.  7.  Laftly  it  is  (aid,  That  the  Neceffity  which  is  pretended  lor  rhis  Con- 
formity, is  none  at  all :  For,i.  As  to  a  Neceffity  of  Communion  with  the  Church 
Catholick,  it  requireth  not  Pergonal,  Local  Communion  with  each  particular  Con- 
gregation; but  that  at  a  diffance  we  own  them  fo  far  as  they  are  to  be  owned. 
2.  And  for  the  Efcapingof  Punifhment  from  Men,  there  is  no  neceffity  of  it,  nor 
yet  of  our  Perfonal  Liberty  to  preach  the  Gofpel,when  we  cannot  do  it  upon  law- 
ful Terms. 

But  to  this  the  moderate  Nonconformifts  fay,  That  1.  our  Catholick  Commu- 
nion requireth  that  we  in  Judgment  or  Practice  feparate  from  no  Church  of  Chrift 
which  forceth  us  not  to  fin,  but  hold  Communion  with  them  as  we  have  a  Call 
and  Opportunity.  And  that  we  mult  not  feparate  from  one,  upon  a  Caufe  that 
.is common  to  almoft  all.  2.  That  though  there  be  no  Neceffity  of  our  elcaping 
Perfecution,  nor  any  abfolute  Neceffity  of  our  Perfonal  Preaching,  yet  there  is  of 
this  la(t  an  ordinate  Hypothetical  Neceffity  laid  upon  us  by  God  himfelf ;  and  wo 
to  us  if  we  preach  not  when  we  may.  So  that  you  fee  that  thefe  general  Reafons 
which  fbme  Nonconformifts  extend  to  all,  the  moderate  allow  only  as  Seconds  a- 
gainft  thofe  things  which  firft  are  proved  unlawful. 

§  3  n.  I.  For  the  particular  Controverfie  about  Diocefans  :  r.  Some  of  the  Non- 
conformifts are  againft  all  Biihops,  asdiliind  from  Presbyters,  by  any  other  than  a 
Temporary  Prelidency  or  Moderatorfhip.  But  the  moft  of  them  of  my  Acquain- 
tance are  for  the  lawfulntls  of  Ibme  ftated  Epifcopacy  ;  that  is,  that  there  be  fixed 
Vrefidents  or  Bijhops  in  every  particular  Church  they  take  to  be  lawful,  as  of  Hu- 
mane Conftiturion  and  Ecclefiaftical  Cufrom contrary  to  no  Law  of  God.  2. That 
there  be  more  general  Overfeers  of  many  of  thefe  Bifhops  and  Churches,  as  the  A- 
poftleswere  ('though  without  their  extraordinary  Call  and  Priviledges)  they  think 
alfb  lawful,  if  not  in  fome  fort  of  Divine  Inffitution  :  1.  Becaufe  Church-Govern- 
ment being  an  ordinary  Handing  work,  in  that  the  Apoftles  were  to  have  Succefc 
fors.  2.  Becauie  they  think  it  incredible  if  the  Apoftles  had  been  againft:  particu- 
lar Primitive  Epifcopacy,  that  no  Church  or  Perfon  would  have  been  found  on  Re- 
cord to  have  born  witnefs  againft  it,  till  it  had  been  fo  univerfally  received  by  all  the 
Churches. 

But  they  are  all  agreed  that  the  Englifh  Diocefan  Frame  of  Government,  and  Co 
the  Popi/h  Prelacy,  is  unlawful,  and  of  dangerous  tendency  in  the  Churches.  And 
that  this  Controverfie  may  be  underftood,  the  Enghjh  Frame  muft  here  be  opened. 
§  512.  There  are  in  England  two  Archbifhops,  and  under  one  of  them  four  Bi- 
fhops, and  under  the  other  One  and  twenty  Bifhops:  In  all  Five  and  twenty  Bi- 
ihops, with  Two  Archbilhops.  Every  Biihophath  a  Cathedral  Church  which  is 
no  Paiifh  Church,  nor  hath  any  People  appropriated  to  it  as  Parishioners :  But  a 
Dean  with  a  Chapter  of  Prebends  or  Canons,  are  the  Preachers  to  it,  and  Gover- 

noursof 1  know  not  whom.     In  fbme  Bifhopricks  are  Three  hundred,   ibme 

Four  hundred,  fbme  Five  hundred,  fbme  One  thoufand,  fome  Twelve  hundred  Pa- 
ri Hies,  and  fbme  more.     In  the  greateft  Parifhes  of  London  are  about   Threefcore 
thoufand  Souls  (  as  Martyns,  Stepney  ,  Giles  Cripplegate  )  :  in  others   about  Thirty 
thoufand    (  as   Giles's  in    the    Fields ,    Sepulchres  )  :     in    others   about     Twenty 
thoufand;  and  in  the  leffer  Parifhes  fewer.     Ufiially  the  greater  Country   Pariihes 
in  Market  Towns  have  about  Four  thoufand,  or  Three  thoufand ,  or  Two   thou- 
fand Souls  :  and  the  ordinary  Rural  Pariihes  about  One  thoufand  in  the  bigger  ibrt, 
and  Two  hundred  or  Three  hundred  in  the  leffer ;  fome  more,  and  fome  lefs.     In 
thefe  Parifhes  the  Minifters  who  have  watched  over  them,  (  and  of  late  times  in- 
ff  meted  and  catechifed  every  Family  and  Perfon,  young  and  old,  apart  in  many 
places)  do  find  that  the  number  of  thofe  that  are  ignorant  of  the  Perfon  and  Office 
ofChiift,  and  the  Effendals  of  Chriftianity,  and  of  all  Religion,  and  of  thofe  that 
are  ordinary  Drunkards,  Whoremongers,  Prophane  Swearers,  Curfers,  Railers,  or 
otherwife  nutoiioufly  Scandalous  or  Ungodly,  is  not  fmall.     For   the  Government 
of  thefe  (  befides  preaching  to  them,  and  exhorting  them,  and  giving  them  the  Sa- 
craments), the  Parifh  Minifter  hath  no  power:  He  hath  no  power  of  judging 
whofe  Children  he  fhall  baptize  ;  but  muff  refufe  none,  though  the  Parents  be  pro- 
fefied  Heathens  or  Infidels,  if  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  bring  them  to  be  bap- 
tized (who  yet  never  adopt  them,  nor  meddle  more  as  Owners  of  them  with  their 
Education,  and  perhaps  know  not  what  Baptifm  or  Chriftianity  is  themfelves)* 
They  have  no  power  to  judge  what  Perlbns  of  their  Parifh  (hall  be  confirmed  ,  or 
admitted  into  the  number  of  Adult  Communicants :  fb  that  all  their  Flocks  are  im- 
pofed  on  them.     They  have  no  more  power  than  any  private  Man,  ro  admonifh 
the  Scandalous  befoie  Witneis,  or  to  admonifli  them  before  the  Church,  or  pray  for 

their 


Part  11.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  397 

their  Repentance  by  Name,  or  to  judge  who  is  tobecaft  out  of  the  Communion 
of  the  Church,  or  to  be  Abfblved,  nor  to  deny  the  Sacrament  to  any,  unlefs  for  a 
particular  time,  when  he  is  jufr  going  to  Adminifter  it ,  he  fee  any  there  that  are 
notorioufly  guilty,  and  he  take  them  then  afide,  and  they  will  not  (b  much  as  fay, 
We  will  do  better :  And  it  is  uncertain  whether  he  may  Suipend  any  of  thefe,  but 
the  Malicious  that  will  not  be  reconciled:  So  that  the  Minifters  may  read  Prayers 
and  Preach,and  may  read  an  Excommunication  or  Abfblution  when  it  is  fentthem, 
and  may,  if  they  pleafe,  joyn  with  the  Churchwarden  as  Informers,  to  prefent  fome 
Men  to  the  Bifhops  Court,  but  Church-Government  is  denied  them. 

The  Government  then  of  all  thefe  Churches,  and  Exercife  of  Holy  Difcipline, 
belongeth  to  the  Bifhops  in  Title  ;  but  the  Bifhops  do  and  muft  Exercife  it  in  their 
Courts  or  Confiftories.  In  every  Diocefs  there  is  one  of  thefe  Courts,  where  the 
Ordinary  Judge  is  the  Bi/hop's  Chancellour,  a  Lav-man,  and  a  Civil  Lawyer 
(though  in  many  Cafes  the  Bifhop  may  fit  himfelf  if  he  pleafe) :  The  Court  hath 
alio  a  Regifter,and  Pro&orsto  plead  Mens  Caufes,  as  Counfellers  in  Civil  Courts: 
And  they  have  fome  Fellows  called  Apparators,  who  are  their  MefTengers  for  Ci- 
tation, befides  the  Churchwardens  Prelentments,  who  bring  them  in  Cuftom.  This 
Comt  is  to  hear  all  confiderable  Caufes,  and  determine  them  by  Excommunications 
or  Abfblutions,  and  to  fend  their  Excommunications  or  Abfolutions  written  to  the 
Parifh  Prieft,  who  is  to  read  them.  But/»-o  forma  when  the  Lay -Chancellour  hath 
refblved  who  fhall  be  Excommunicated,  they  have  a  Clergy-Presbyter  preterit  to 
fpeak  the  Sentence  in  the  Court ,  who  yet  hath  no  power,  but  of  meer  Prun  incia- 
tion,  but  is  a  Ceremony  to  put  off  the  Odium  from  the  Lay-Judg :  And  if  he  have 
power  as  a  Presbyter,why  do  the  Bifhops  appropriate  it  to  themfelves  ?  If  one  that 
is  no  Bifhop  may  exArcife  it  when  a  Bifliop  bids  him,  then  is  ic  not  a  thing  appro- 
priate to  the  Bifhop's  Office.  Befides  thefe  there  are  Arch  Deacons,  who  by  them- 
felves, or  their  Officials,  hold  fome  kind  of  Infeiiour  Court,  which  dealeth  in  lef- 
fer  Matters :  Some  Dioceffes  have  one  Arch-Deacon,  fome  two,  fome  few  three 
or  four.  The  Bifhops  fhould  go  vifit  once  a  year,  and  the  Arch- Deacon  oftner  : 
When  they  vifit  they  go  to  fome  chief  Town  in  the  County  ,  and  oil  all  the  Mi- 
nifters to  meet  them,  where  they  hear  aSermon,and  Dine  together  ufually.  They 
yearly  compile  a  Book  of  Articles  which  Churchwardens  arefworn  to  enquiie  af- 
ter, and  to  prefent  the  Names  of  the  Offenders  accordingly  to  the  Bifh op's  Court. 
In  brief,  this  is  the  Frame  of  our  Diocefm  Government.  To  which  I  only  add, 
That  Fees  and  Money  for  Commutation  of  Penance  are  much  rif  their  Officers 
Maintenance ;  and  that  fuch  as  they  Excommunicate  in  moft  Cafes,  are  by  a 
Writ  De  Excommunicato  Capiendo  to  be  laid  in  the  Jail,  till  upon  their  Repentance 
they  have  made  their  Peace,  and  are  abfolved. 

§  31;.  Having  told  you  what  our  Governments,  let  me  tell  you  what  the  Exe- 
cution of  it  is.  The  Books  of  Articles  are  fitted  fomewhat  to  the  Canons  ,  by 
thofe  Bifhops  that  are  moft  moderate  and  cautelous,  and  therefore  by  the  Englijh 
Canons  they  may  be  known  :  fome  of  them  ufually  are  againft  Drunkards  and 
Fornicators  ;  but  the  main  bent  of  them  is  againft  thofe'  that  wear  not  the  Sur- 
plice, that  Baptize  without  the  Crofs,  that  omit  the  Common  Prayer,  that  refufe 
to  Baptize  any  Infant ;  or  that  deliver  the  Lord's  Supper  to  any  that  kneel  not  in 
receiving  it  ;  or  that  fb  receive  it  without  kneeling  ;  that  ftand  not  up  at  the  Gof- 
pel,  that  bow  not  at  the  Name  Jefus,  (  though  they  may  fit  when  the  fame  words 
are  read  in  the  Chapter,  and  are  not  required  to  bow  at  the  Name  £  Cbrtft,  God~\ 
&c)  Alfb  about  the  Repair  of  the  Church,  the  Surplice,  the  Books ;  that  none 
pifs  up  to  the  Church-wall,  &c.  with  many  fuch  things.  It  is  a  rare  thing  for  the 
Churchwardens  to  prefent  any,  except  Nonconformifts,  that  ufe  not  Ceremonies, 
&c.  Swearers,  Drunkards,  and  Whoremongers  are  feldom  prefented,  ieft  Neigh- 
bours be  difpleafed  :  but  Puritans  have  fome  one  or  other  that  is  more  eager  in  look- 
ing after  then.  When  any  Scandalous  Perfbn  is  prefented,  he  hath  no  other  Spi- 
ritual Conviction  or  Exhortation  to  Repentance,  tending  to  Convert  his  Soul,  than 
at  any  Civil  Court  ;  But  telling  them  that  he  is  Sorry,  and  paying  his  Fees  or  Com- 
mutation Money,  he  comes  home:  But  when  Conscientious  Nonconforming  are 
before  them,  whofe  Conferences  will  not  let  them  fay  that  they  are  Sorrj  (  fi&.for 
praying  or  exhorting  others  in  their  Houfes,  for  giving  the  Sacrament  to  them  that 
(land  or  lit,  &c  )  they  arc  ufuai'.y  Excommunicated.  I  have  been  in  moft  pirrs  of 
England,  and  in  Fifty  years  time  I  never  faw  one  do  Penance,  or  confefs  his  Sin 
in  publick,  for  any  Scandalous  Crime  ;  nor  ever  heard  but  of  two  in  the  Coun- 
try where  I  lived  ( that  flood  in  a  White-fheet  for  Adultery,)  (except  in  the  fpace 
when  Bifhops  were  down,  and  then  I  have  heard  many  that  have  penitently  con- 

feffed 


'  398  The  L  I  F  E  of  the     '  L  i'b.  I. 

felled  their  Sin,and  begged  the  Prayers  of  the  Congreganon,and  been  prayed  for)  : 
In  a  word,  their  Courts  are  meerly  as  Civil  Courts,  for  Terrour ,  but  not  at  all  to 
convince  Men  of  Sin,  and  bring  them  to  Repentance  and  Salvation,  further  than 
fuch  Terrour  is  fit  to  do  it.  And  note  here,  That  the  Difcipline  of  the  Church  is  not 
to  be  judged  of  by  the  King's  Declaration  concerning  Ecclefiaftical  Affairs,  which 
was  never  executed  before  it  was  void,  in  thefe  refpects  :  Nor  yet  by  fome  of  our 
Reformers  or  Chroniclers,  who  tell  you  how  it  was  exercifed  quickly  after  the  Re- 
formation in  King  Edward's  or  Queen  Elizabeth's  days :  As  Hollmgjhead,  e.  g.  who 
telleth  you  of  many  Suffragans,  and  of  the  Piety  and  Diligence  of  their  Courts , 
and  of  Exerciies  called  Prophefying  held  up  ac  the  Arch- Deacons  Vifitations  (  a- 
gainft  the  Subverters  of  which  he  thunderem)  :  But  as  it  is  in  England  at  this  day, 
and  hath  been  this  Sixty  or  Seventy  years  by-paft. 

§314.  Now  concerning  this  Diocefan  Frame  of  Government,  the  Non-Subfcribers 
(called  Puritansby  many  )  do  judge  that  it  is  fintul  and  contrary  to  the  Word  of 
God,  both  in  the  Conftitution  and  in  the  Admimftration  of  it.  And  they  lay  upon 
it  thefe  heavy  Charges,  the  leaft  of  which  if  proved,  is  of  intolerable  weight. 

§  515:.  1.  They  fay,  That  quantum  in  fe  it  deftroyeth  the  Paftoral  Office,  which  is 
of  Divine  Inftitution,  and  was  known  in  the  Primitive  Church  :  for  it  doth  de- 
prive the  Presbyters  of  the  third  eflential  part  of  their  Office  :  for  it  is  clear  in 
Scripture,  that  Chrift  appointed  no  Presbyters,  that  were  not  fiibfervient  to  him  in 
all  the  three  parts  of  his  Office,  as  Prophet,  Prieft  and  King,  to  ftand  between  the 
People  and  him  in  Teaching,  Worfhippingand  Governing:  And  though  the  Actu- 
al Exercise  of  any  one  part,  may  be  Sulpended  without  the  Deftru&ion  of  the  Of- 
fice, yet  to  the  Office  it  (elf  (  which  is  nothing  but  Power  and  Obligation  to  exercife  ) 
one  part  is  as  eflential  as  the  other  :  fo  then  they  fay,  that  [That  which  deftroyeth 
an  effential  part  of  the  Pallors  or  Presbyters  Office,  deliroyeth  the  Office  as  infti- 

tuted  by  Chrift].    But  theDiocefan  ftateof  Government   deftroyeth,  &c 

Ergo 

The  Major  will  not  be  denied  :  The  Minor  hath  two  parts ;   t.   That  govern- 
ing Power  and  Obligation  (over  the  Flock  )  is  eflential  to  the  Office  of  a  Paftor 
or  Presbyter  as  inftituted  by  Chrifl.    Which  they  prove  thus  *  1.  The  very  Name 
of  Presbyter  and  Paftor  denoteth  the  Governing  Power,  and  was  then  ufed  in  that 
fence  (as  *  Dr.  Hammond  hath  well  proved  ).     2.There  is  nofiich  thing  found  in  all 
the  New  Teftament  as  a  Presbyter  that  had  not  the  Power  of  Governing  his  Flock 
Dr.  Ham-   as  well  as  Teaching  it.     He  that  can  find  it,  let  him  :  Dr.  Hammond  hath  gone  o- 
mond.An-  Ver  all  the  Texts  in  proving  it.     3.  The  Church  long  after  knew  no  fuch  Presby- 
norat.m     ters  as  ^ac}  not  t^Q  $pjrjtuaj  Government  of  the  Flock.    4.  The  Papifts  confefs  that 
28.Lit.g."    ^ey  nave  tne  Power  °f  the  Keys  in  foro  interiori  to  this  day  j  which  is  the  Spiritual 
Government. 

2.  The  fecond  part  of  the  Minor,  That  the  Diocefan  Form  denieth  this  Go- 
verning Power  to  the  Presbyters,  appeareth  1.  By  their  own  Confeffions  :  2.  By 
the  Actual  Conftitution,  difabling  them,  and  placing  the  Power  elfewhere:  3.  By 
the  in ftance  of  the  forementioned  Particulars,  and  many  more:  They  have  net 
the  power  of  judging  who  fhall  be  taken  into  their  Churches  as  Members  by  Bap- 
tifm,  or  Confirmed,  or  who  (hall  Communicate,  or  who  is  to  be  publickly  Admo- 
nilhed,  Cenfured ,  Excommunicated,  Abfolved  j  buried  as  a  Brother  dying  in 
Chrift,  &c.  no  nor  what  Chapter  to  read  in  the  Church,  nor  what  Garment  to 
wear,  nor  what  words  of  Prayer  to  put  up  to  God  :  in  all  which  they  are  meer 
Executioners  of  other  Mens  Judgments ,  as  a  Cryer  or  fuch  other  Meffen- 
ger. 

§316.  2.  The  fecond  Charge  againft  this  Diocefan  Prelacy  is,  That  it  introdu- 
ced a  New  Humane  Species  of  Presbyters  or  Spiritual  Officers,  inftead  of  Chrift's, 
which  ic  deftroyeth  :  that  is,  a  fort  of  meer  Subject  Presbyters,  that  have  no  power 
of  Government  but  meerly  to  Teach  and  Worjhip.  That  this  is  a  diftindi  Species, 
is  proved  in  that  1.  It  wanteth  an  eflential  part  which  the  other  Species  hath. 
2  From  the  Bilhop's  own  profeflion.who  in  the  beginning  of  the  Book  of  Ordination 
(Subfciibed  to  )  do  declare  it  plainly  determined  in  Scripture,  viz,.  That  Bilhops, 
Piidb,  and  Deacons  are  three  diftinA  Orders  :  which  word  Orders  is  the  common 
term  to  fignirie  a  Species  of  Church  Officers  diftin<5t  from  a  meer  degree  in  the  fame 
Order  O.r  Species. 

That  this  Office  is  New,  is  proved  1.  In  that  Scripture  or  Antiquity  never  knew 
ir.  2.  Dr.  Hammond  Annot.  in  All.  II.  and  in  his  Latin  Book  againft  BlondeU  (Dif 
f^tat.)  p'ofeffeth  that  it  cannot  be  proved  that  the  word  Bifoop,  Presbyter,  or  Paftor, 
fignitjeth  in  all  the  Scripture  any  other  than  a  proper  Bilhop  ;  or  that  there  was  any 

fuch 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        ~3&9 

fuch  as  we  now  call  Presbyters  in  Scripture  times.  And  in  his  Anfwer  to  the 
London  Minifters,  he  faith,  That  for  ought  he  knoweth,  all  his  Brethren  of  the 
Church  of  England  are  of  his  mind  :  So  that  Presbyters  that  had  no  Governing 
Power,  were  not  in  Scripture  times.  And  though  he  fays  that  the  other  fort  came 
in  before  Ignatws  time,  yet  i.  He  faith  not  that  this  fort  had  no  Government  of 
the  Flock,  but  that  they  were  under  the  Bilhop  in  Government ;  fo  that  yet  they 
are  not  the  fort  that  we  are  fpeaking  of.  2.  And  he  doth  not  prove  any 
more. 

'  §  317.  ;.  A  third  Charge  which  they  bring  againfr.  our  Prelacy  is,  That  it  de- 
ftroyeth  the  Species  or  Form  of  particular  Churches  inftituted  by  Chrift :  The 
Churches  which  Chrift  inftituted  are  [Holy  Societies  aJJ'ociated  for  Perfonal  holy  Com- 
munion under  their  particular  Paftors  ]:  But  all  fuch  Societies  are  deftroyed  by  the  Dio- 

cefan  Frame* Ergo  it  is  deftru&ive  of  the  Form  of  particular  Churches  in* 

ftituted  by  Chrifr. 

They  diftinguifh  between  [Perfonal  Local  Communion  of  Saints,  by  Paftors  and 
their  Flocks]  and  Communion  of  hearts  only  ;  and  Communion  by  Delegation  or 
Deputies :  1.  We  have  Heart-Communion  with  all  the  Catholick  Church  through  the" 
World.  2.  Particular  Churches  have  Communion  for  Concord  and  mutual 
Strength,  in  Synods  by  their  Paftors  or  Deputies.  3.  But  [a  holy  Communion  of 
Souls  of  individual  Perfons,  as  Members  of  the  fame  particular  Church,  for  publick 
Worfhip  and  a  holy  Life]  is  fpecifically  diftind:  from  both  the  former,  as  is  ap- 
parent, 1.  By  the  diftincl:  end  ;  2.  The  diftinct  manner  of  Communion  ,  yea  and 
the  matter  of  it. 

And  that  this  Form  of  Churches  (  or  Species  )  is  overthrown  by  this  Prelacy, 
they  prove  :  [  The  Churches  of  Chrift's  inftitution  were  conftituted  of  Governing 
P'altors^nd  a  Flock  governed  by  them  in  Perfonal  holy  Communion,every  Church 
having  its  proper  Paitor,  or  Paftors].  But  fuch  Churches  as  are  thus  conftituted  are 
deftroyed  by  our  Frame  of  Prelacy  :  Ergo<     >        <  ■ 

The  Major  is  confeffed  defafto  by  Dr.  Hammond  (ubi  fupra)  as  to  Scripture  times, 
and  fufficiently  cleared  in  my  Treatife  of  Epifcopacy.  Ignatius  his Teftimony  alone 
might  fuffice,  who  faith,  That  .[to  every  Church  there  was  one  Altar ?  and  one  Bijliop, 
with  the  Presbyters  and  Deacons  his  Fellow  Servants'],  A  Church  of  one  Altar,  and  of 
a  thoufand  Altars;  A  Church  that  is  for  Perfonal  Communion,  and  a  Church  that 
hath  no  Perfonal  Communion  with  herPaftor  or  Bilhop,  or  with  one  of  a  hun- 
dred of  her  Fellow-Members,  a  Church  which  is  a  Church  indeed,  and  that  which 
is  no  Church,  but  only  a  part  of  a  Church,  are  more  than  fpecifically  diliinct  j 
for  indeed  the  Name  is  but  equivocally  applied  to  them  as  diftind  Natures  or  So- 
cieties. Every  Church  (univocally  fo  called  m  fenfu  politico,  as  a  governed  Society} 
hatii  its  pars  gubernans  and  pars gubernata  to  conftitute  it :  But  fo  have  not  our  Pa- 
rifh  Churches  as  fuch:  indeed,  as  Oratories  and  Schools  (as  inUTu£led  and  wor- 
shipping Societies)  they  have  their  Parochial  Heads;  but  as  governed  Societies  they 
have  no  Heads  proper  to  themfelves,  nor  any  at  all  as  Churches,  but  as  parts  of  a 
Church:  For  the  Diocefan  is  Head  of  the  Diocefan  Church  as  fuch  ,  and  not  of  a 
Parochial  Church  as  fuch,  but  only  as  a  part  of  the  Diocefan  Church.  And  as  it 
is  no  Kingdom  which  hath  no  King,  fo  it  is  no  Political  Church  which  hath  no 
Governour  or  Paftor.  So  that  Diocefans  deftroy  particular  Churches,  as  much  as 
in  them  lyeth.  Unlets  any  will  fay,-  that  as  one  King,  as  he  is  perfona  natural**,  may 
be  three,  or  twenty  Kings,  as  perfona  civilis,  as  related  to  feveral  Kingdoms ;  and  fo 
one  Bilhop,  as  perfona  naturalu,  may  yet  be  a  thoufand  Ecclefiallical  Perfons,  as  Pa- 
ftor of  lb  many  Churches :  But  this  being  ridiculous ,  and  yet  faid  by  none  that  I 
have  heard  of,  I  fhall  not  ltand  to  confute  it. 

But  were  it  fo,  yet  a  Paftor  that  never  fseth  or Ipeaketh  to  his  People,  nor  hath 
any  perfonal  Communion  in  Worfhip  with  them,  and  this  according  to  the  Con- 
ftituticn  it  felf,  is  not  of  the  fame  fort  with  a  Scripture  Paftor,  iThejJ.5. 12,13* 
Hebr.  13.  ij,&c.  which  labour  among  them,  and  preach  to  them  the  Word  of  God,  and 
watch  for  their  Souls,  &c.  And  confequently  the  Churches  conftituted  by  them  are 
not  of  the  fame  Species.  It  is  one  Office  perfonally  to  Teach,  Overlee,  Rule  and 
Worlhip  with  them  ;  and  another  to  do  none  of  triefs  to  one  of  a  thoufand,  but 
to  fend  the  Churchwardens  a  Book  of  Articles. 

§  3 16.  4.  A  fourth  Charge  is,That  it  fetteth  up  a  fflv>  Church-Form  which  is  unlaw- 
ful, inftead  of  that  of  Chrift's  inftitution  ;  that  is,  a  Diocefan  Church  confifting  of; 
many  hundred  Parifhes  (which  none  of  them  are  Churches  according  to' the  Dioce- 
fan Frame,  but  parts  of  one  Church):  It  hath  been  fhewed  that  this  Diocefan' 
Church  is  of  another  Species  than  the  Parochial,  one  being  for  perfonal  Communion, 

Which' 


400  The  h  I  F  B  oj  the  L  i  b.  L 


which  the  other  isuncapable  of;  the  far  greateft  part  of  the  Members  never  fee- 
ing their  Paftor,  nor  knowing  one  another  any  more  th.in  if  they  lived  in  leveral 
parts  of  the  World.  And  that  this  Church  Form  is  new,  is  proved  already  ;  that  is, 
that  there  was  no  Diocefan  Church  having  many  ftated  Congregations  and  Altars, 
(  much  lefs  many  hundreds  )  and  all  under  one  only  Bijhop  or  Governour,  either  in 
Scripture  time,  or  two  hundred  years  after,  excepting  only  that  in  Alexandria  and 
Rome,  fome  fhew  of  more  Affemblies  than  one  under  one  Bilhop,  appeared  a  lit- 
tle (boner.) 

Here  note,  That  it  is  not  an  Archbijhop's  Church  that  we  are  fpeaking  of,  who 
is  but  the  General  Paftor  or  BiJJjop,  having  other  Bifiops  and  Churches  under  him;  but 
it  is  a  Church  infima  Speciei,  commonly  called  a  particular  Church,  which  hath  no 
other  Churches  or  Bijhops  under  it.  And  that  none  fuch  was  in  Scripture  times,  Dr. 
Hammond  hath  manifefted  (  there  being  then  no  Presbyters  diftincl  from  Bifhops, 
as  he  faith  on  Aft.  1 1.)  And  that  there  was  none  fuch  of  long  time  after ,  is  abun- 
dantly proved  in  my  Treatjje  of  Epifcopacy. 

§  319.  5-.  The  fifth  Charge  againft  the  Diocefan  Form  is,  That  it  extirpateth 
the  ancient  Epifcopacy :  which  they  prove,  by  what  is  faid  already:  The  ancient 
Bifliops  were  the  Heads  of  the  Presbyters  and  People  of  one  Jingle  Church  only  :  To 
every  Church,  faith  Ignatius,  there  ts  one  Altar  and  one  BiJJjop  "with  the  Presbyters,  and 
the  Deacons  my  Fellow  Servants.  There  was  then  no  Bilhop  infima  Speciei  as  diftind: 
from  an  Archbilhop,  that  had  more  than  one  Altar  and  Church  :  But  now  all 
thefe  Bifhops  of  particular  Churches  are  put  down,  and  no  Church  of  one  Altar 
hath  a  Bifhop  of  its  own,  but  only  a  Church  confifting  of  many  hundred  Wor- 
shipping Churches.  In  the  ancient  times  every  City  that  had  a  Congregation  of 
Chriftians  had  a  Bifhop  :  But  now  every  Bifhop  hath  many  Cities  under  him,which 
have  all  but  one  Bifhop.  For  all  our  Corporations,  called  Oppida,  Towns,  or  Bur- 
roughs, were  then  fuch  as  the  word  ww  fignified,  though  we  have  appropriated 
the  Englilh  word  [City  ]  to  fome  few,  that  have  that  Title  as  honorary  in  favour 
from  the  Prince. 

§  520.  6.  The  fixth  Charge  is,  That  inftead  of  the  ancient  Bijhops,  a  later  fort  of 
Bilhops  is  introduced,  of  a  diftind  Species  from  all  the  ancient  Bifhops :  for  then 
there  were  none  but  meer  Bifhops  of  particular  Churches,  and  the  Archbifhops, 
Metropolitans,  and  Patriarchs  that  had  the  general  oversight  of  thefe.  But  ours 
arc  of  neither  of  thefe  forts :  They  are  not  Bilhops  of  particular  worshipping 
Churches  that  have  one  Altar  ;  but  have  hundreds  of  fuch  :  Nor  are  they  Arch- 
bifiops ;  for  they  have  no  Bifhops  under  them  :  But  they  are  juft  fuch  as  the  Arch- 
hfiops  or  Metropolitans  in  thofe  days  would  have  been,  if  they  had  put  down  all  the 
bifhops  that  were  under  them,  and  taken  all  the  Charge  of  Government  on  them- 
fdves,  leaving  only  Teaching  Priefh  with  the  People  :  Even  as  the  Papifts  feign 
Gregory  to  have  meant,  when  he  fo  vehemently  denied  the  Title  of  Universal  Bi> 
faop,  as  putting  down  the  Inferiour  Bilhops :  Now  any  Man  thatthinketh  the  Spe- 
cies of  Epifcopacy  defcribed  by  Ignatius,  and  ufed  in  the  Primitive  times,  to  be  of 
Divine,  or  Apoftolical  Inftitution,  muft  needs  think  that  a  Species  which  having 
dppofed  them  all,  doth  (band  up  in  their  ftead,  is  utterly  unlawful.  And  therefore 
this  Argument  againft  Diocefans  is  not  managed  by  the  Presbyterians  as  fuch,  but 
by  thofe  that  are  for  the  Primitive  Epifcopacy. 

§  321.  7.  The  feventh  Charge  againft  the  Diocefan  Form,  (  and  that  which 
fiicketh  more  than  ail  the  refij  is,  That  it  maketh  the  Church  Goverment  or  Difci- 
plme  which  Chrift  hath  commanded,  and  all  theancient  Churches  praclifed,  to  be 
a  thing  impojfble  to  be  done,  and  Co  excludeth  it  j  and  therefore  is  unlawful :  For  to 
difpure  Who  jhall  be  the  Governottrs  of  theCharch,  when  the  meaning  is,  Whether  there 
jha!l  be  any  Government  at  all  (of  that  fort  which  Chrift  commandethj  is  the  prelent 
pi  a<5fcife.  For  the  clearing  of  this,  thefe  Queftions  are  to  be  debated. 
Queft  t.  Whether  Chrift  hath  infiituted  any  Churcb-Dtfcipline  ? 
2-  What  that  Discipline  is  which  he  hath  infiituted  ? 

,  2,  How  many  Pannes  there  be  in  a  Diocefi,  and  Perfons  in  a  Parity,  who  are  t*  be  the 
Objeffs  of  this  Dtfcipline  ? 

4.  Who  they,  b#  that  in  England  are  to  exercife  this  Difcipline  ? 
§  322.  1.  And  for  the  firft  Qaeftion,  It  is  agreed  on  by  all  Proteftants  that  I 
know  of,  except  fome  of  thofe  that  are  called  Eraflians ;  I  fay,  fome  of  them  :  for 
I  think  there  are  very  few  even  of  the  Eraftians  that  deny  it.  Dr.  Hammond  hath 
written  a  Treatife  for  it,  Entitled,  Of  the  Power  of  the  Keys  :  yea  the  Papifts  differ 
not  horn  the  Proteftants  in  this  point.  It  will  therefore  be  labour  in  vain  to  prove 

§33*- 


P  a  r  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  401 

§  323.  2.  And  as  to  the  fecond  Queftion,  [What  this  Difiiphne  u  ?]  It  is  confide- 
rable,  i.  As  to  the  Matter  ;  2.  As  to  the  Perfons ;  3.  As  to  the  Place  $  4.  As  to  the 
Manner  ;  and  y.  As  to  the  End. 

1.  As  to  the  Matter ;  We  are  agreed  that  it  confifteth  in  receiving  Per- 
fons into  the  Church  ;  in  preferving  and  healing  thole  that  are  in  the 
Church  ,  and  in  cafting  out  thole  from  the  Communion  of  the  Church  which 
are  unfit  for  it,  and  in  Abfolving  and  Reftoring  the  Excommunicate  when 
they  are  penitent.  And  therefore  it  is  called,  The  Power  and  Exercije  of  the  Keys: 
By  thefe  Keys,  the  Door  is  firft  opened  to  Believers  and  their  Seed,  and  the  Bi. 
/hops  judge  who  are  fit  to  be  let  in  by  Baptifm.  When  any  are  kpfed  into  fcan- 
dalous  fin,  they  are  to  be  proceeded  with  as  Chrift  harh  directed,  Matth.  18. if,  16, 
17.  We  muft  firft  tell  men  privately  of  their  private  Faults,and  if  they  hear  us  not, 
we  muft  take  with  us  two  or  three  ;  if  they  hear  not  them,  we  muft  tell  the  \ 
.-Church  ;  and  finally,  if  they  hear  not  the  Church,  they  muft  be  to  us  as  Heathens 
and  Publicans.  And  whatfbever  is  thus  bound  on  Earth  /hall  be  bound  in  Hea- 
ven, and  whatfoeveris  loofed  on  Earth  fhall  be  loofed  in  Heaven,  verf.  18.  The 
Church  is  the  Body  of  Ghrift,  hisSpoufe,  his  Family,  his  Garden  ;  It  is  a  Com- 
munion of  Saints  which  is  to  be  held  in  it  :  It  is  commanded  to  put  away  wicked 
Perfons  from  among  them,  and  not  to  keep  company,  if  any  that  is  called  a  Bro- 
ther be  a  fornicator ,  or  covetous ,  or  an  idolater ,  or  a  ratler,  or  a  drunkard,  o*-  an  extorti- 
oner, with  Juch  a  one  no  not  to  eat,  1  Cor.  5.  11,  I  J.  And  we  are  to  withdraw  our 
felves  from  every  Brother  that  walketh  dijorderly,  and  to  note  them,  and  to  have  no  com- 
pany with  them,  that  they  may  be  afhamed,  2  ThefT  3.  6,  14.  If  any  come  to  us,  and 
bring  not  (bund  Dofrrine,  we  muft  not  receive  him  into  our  houfis,  nor  bid  him  good 
jpeed,  left  we  be  partakers  of  his  evil  deeds,  2  John  10.  11.  A  Man  that  is  an  Here- 
tick,  muft,  after  the  firft  and  fecond  Admonition,  be  avoided,  as  Self  condemned 
Tit.  3. 10, 11.  And  the  penitent  muft  be  reftored  and  re  admitted.  All  this  1*  a- 
greed  on. 

§  324.  2.  And  as  to  the  Perfons  who  are  Parties  in  this  Tranfa(5b'on,we  are  agreed 

1.  That  it  is  (uch  Perfons  as  defire  Communion  with  us,  that  are  to  be  admitted, 
(  being  fit),  and  fuch  as  having  Communion  with  us,  become  unmeet  for  it  that 
are  to  be  caft  out,  &c.  Co  that  it  is  to  bt  exercifed  on  Perfons.  fb  far  as  they  are  to 
have  Communion  with  us,  and  nor  on  thole  that  are  uncapuble  of  that  Commu- 
nion. 2.  That  fententially  it  muft  be  done  by  the  Pafror  or  Governour  of  that 
particular  Church,  which  the  Perfon  is  to  be  admitted  into,  or  caft  out  of:  And 
by  the  judgment  of  the  Paftors  of  other  neighbour  Churches,  when  they  alfo,  as 
Neighbours,  are  to  refufe  Communion  with  him.  3.  That  executively  it  is  to  be 
done  by  every  one  in  their  places,  the  Paftors  giving  or  denying  the  Sacraments, 
&c.  and  the  People  holding  or  refuting  Communion  or  Company  with  Men  ac- 
cording as  they  are  judged  by  the  Church.  I  think  there  is  no  Controverfie  among 
us  about  thefe. 

§  32^.  3.  And  therefore  the  Work  will  refolve  us  of  the  place ;  viz,.  That  the  Ex- 
ecution muft  be  in  that  place  where  he  had  or  defired  Communion,  or  was  capable 
of  it :  And  therefore  that  the  Judgment  fhould  be  by  thofe  that  being  upon  the  place, 
have  fulleft  opportunity  to  know  the  Perfons  and  the  Cafe  :  Even  by  thofe  Paftors 
who  labour  amongft  the  People  that  are  over  them  inthe  Lor d^  1  ThefT.  j.  12,  13.  who 
have  the  rule  over  them,  and  peach  to  them  the  Word  of  God,  Hebr.  1 3.  7,  17,  24.  and 
not  by  thole  that  are  ftrangers  to  them. 

§  326.  4.  And  as  to  the  Manner,  all  Divines  are  agreed,  That  it  is  not  to  belike 
the  proceedings  of  a  Civil  Court,  where  there  is  no  more  to  be  done,  but  examine 
the  Caufe  and  pals  the  Sentence,  and  execute  it  by  Corpdral  Penalties  and  xMulcls: 
But,  r.  That  it  is  to  be  managed  by  grave  Divines,  the  Phyficians  of  Souls,for  the 
laving  of  the  Sinner,  if  it  may  be,  with  great  ferioulhefs,  and  light,  and  weight  of 
Scripture  Argument,  convincing  the  Erroneous,  terrifying  the  Secure  with  the  ter- 
rours  of  the  Lord,  reproving  and  admonifhing  and  perfwading  the  penitent  Offen- 
der, and  all  this  with  Love  and  Compaflion  and  due  Patience;  and  reftoring  the 
Penitent  with  Tendernefs  and  Confblation  and  neceflary  Caution.  From  all  which 
it  is  evident,  That  one  fingle  Perfon  thus  dealt  with  in  cafe  of  Herefie,  may  hold 
the  Paftor  or  Bilhop  many  days  time,  andonegrofs  Sinner  may  hold  him  many 
hours  time,  before  this  Work  can  be  done  as  the  Nature  and  Ends  of  it  do  require. 

2.  And  it  is  to  be  done  by  the  meer  Keys  of  the  Kingdom  of  Chrift,  by  managing 
God's  Word  by  particular  Application  to  the  Cafe  and  Confcience  of  the  Sinner, 
and  not  by  outward  Force  or  Penalties. 

Fff  §327 


4.02  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I 

§  327.  5*.  And  all  this  is  apparent  in  the  Ends  of  it ;  which  is,  1.  That  Church- 
Communion  may  be  a  Communion  of  Saints,  2.  That  the  Sinner  may  be  laved, 
and  convened  to  that  end  ;  3.  Or  however,  that  others  may  be  warned  by  his  lad 
Example.  4.  And  that  the  unbelieving  and  ungodly  World,  may  fee  the  Excel- 
lency of  Chi iftian  Religion,  and  not  be  hardened  in  their  Infidelity  and  Impiety. 
y.  And  fo  that  Chrilt,  and  the  Father  by  him,  may  be  honoured  in  his  holinei',  3- 
mong  the  Sons  of  Men  :  Thefe  are  the  Ends  of  Church-Difcipline. 

§  328.  3.  And  asyou  fee  what  the  Difcipline  is  that  is  to  be  Exercifed,  fo  the 
Number  of  Perfons  on  whom  it  is  to  be  exercifed,  may  be  gathered  from  what  is 
faid  in  the  beginning  :  where  is  fhewed,  1.  How  many  hundred  Parifhes  are  in  a 
Diocefs.  2.  How  many  hundred  or  thoufand  Souls  in  a  Parifh  :  (unlefs  the  very 
fmalleft,).  3.  And  how  many  Hereticks,  Atheifts ,  Papifts,  Infidels ,  or  Swearers, 
Curlers,  Railers,  Drunkards,  Fornicators,  and  other  fcandalous  Sinners  there  are 
proportionably  in  moft  Parifhes,  I  leave  to  the  judgment  of  every  faithful  Paftor 
that  ever  tried  it  by  a  particular  knowledge  of  his  Flock. 

§  329.  4.  And  laftly,  who  they  be  that  are  to  Exercife  all  this  Difcipline,  I  have 
fhewed  before ;  even  one  Court  or  Confiftory  in  a  whole  Diocefs,  with  the  incon- 
fiderable  fubferviency  of  the  Arch- Deacon's  Court  :  (  For  the  Rural  Deans  do  no- 
thing in  it,  and  are  themfelves  fcarce  known  :  and  the  Paftor  and  Churchwardens 
do  nothing  but  prelent  Men  to  the  Courts,  and  execute  part  of  their  Senten- 
ces.) 

§  ;;o.  All  this  being  laid  together,  the  impoflibility  of  Chrifte  Difcipline  in  our 
Churches  is  undeniable:  1.  Becaule  by  this  Computation  there  muft  ftand  at  once 
before  the  Court  many  thoufand  Perfons  to  be  at  once  examined,  convinced,  re- 
proved, exhorted,  or  a  great  Multitude  at  leaft:  whenas  they  can  fpeak  but  to 
one  at  once.  2.  Becaule  the  fecond  Admonition  which  fhould  be  before  two  or 
three,  is  there  before  an  open  Judicature;  which  is  not  fuited  to  the  appointed 
End :  lb  that  really  our  Controverfie  with  the  Diocefans  is  thefame  in  effe&,as  if  it 
were  controverted,  whether  a  thoufand  or  fix  hundred  Schools  fhall  have  as  many 
governing  School- mafters ;  or  whether  one  only  fhall  govern  all  thefe  Schools,  and 
the  reft  of  the  School- mafters  have  only  power  to  teach,  and  not  to  govern  ?  (were 
it  only  whether  one  mould  have  a  general  Ihfpedion  over  the  reft,  that  they  may 
be  punilhed  for  Male-adminiftration,  we  fhould  not  be  fo  far  difagreed  :  for  though 
we  might  queftion  whether  Chrift  ever  made  or  allowed  any  fuch  Officer,  befides 
the  Magiftrate,  yet  if  the  Work  were  but  done  by  any,  we  Ihould  judge  it  more 
tolerable. )  Or  the  Controverfie  is  as  if  it  were  queftioned,  whether  all  the  Dio- 
cefs Ihould  have  any  more  than  one  Phyfician,  that  Ihould  have  any  power  to  prc- 
fcribe  any  Government  to  the  Patients,  and  all  the  reft  Ihould  only  read  general  Le- 
ctures of  Phyfick  to  them,  and  be  his  Apothecaries,  to  carry  them  his  Prefcripts* 
and  Medicines ;  which  were  to  queftion,  whether  moft  /hall  have  any  Phyfician 
or  none  ?  and  whether  the  People  lhal!  have  their  Lives  facrificed  to  the  mad  Am- 
bition of  fome  one  Man  that  would  be  their  only  Phyfician.  Shifting  may  deceive 
the  unexperienced,  but  let  any  Minifter  in  England  be  but  fo  faithful  as  to  know 
all  his  Flock,  and  regard  their  Souls,  and  he  can  never  deny  that  this  is  the  true 
Cafe.  For  my  own  part,  the  Lord  knoweth  that  I  did  with  too  much  remifnefs 
exercife  fome  Difcipline  a  few  years  (  when  I  had  liberty  )  in  one  Country  Parifh, 
upon  one  of  the  moft  Reformed  People  in  the  Land,  and  that  with  the  help  of 
many  Fellow- Minifters,  and  of  many  of  the  People  in  their  places,  and  the  coun- 
tenance and  pretence  of  three  Juftices  of  the  Peace ;  and  yet  I  found  the  burden 
too  great  for  me,  and  that  one  half  of  that  Tartjh  would  have  been  enough.  It  is 
in  this,  as  in  Military  Difcipline,  or  Navigation  i  The  Judgment  of  that  Man  that 
never  tried  it,  is  of  very  little  value  in  the  Cafe.  Do  but  try  the  Government  of 
one  Parifh,  in  the  Scripture  way,  and  we  fhall  not  differ. 

§  ;  ji.  And  the  Nonconforming  further  prove,  that  our  Prelacy  maketh  this  Dif- 
cipline morally  impoflible,  thus :  Were  it  not  morally  impoffible,  fome  one  godly 
Bifhop  in  England  would  have  executed  it,  as  Chrift  appointeth :  But  no  one  godJy 
Bifhop  in  England  doth,  or  ever  did,  fo  execute  it:  Ergo 

The  Major  will  not  be  denied,  of  a  Moral  Impoflibility,  or  at  leaft  of  a  difficul- 
ty next  it :  That  which  no  one  Man,  no  not  the  wifeft  or  the  beft  ever  did,  may 
well  be  called  morally  impoflible,  or  neer  it.  And  that  England  hath  had  ibme 
fuch  Bifhops,  we  are  not  fo  uncharitable  as  to  queftion,  when  we  remember  Hoop- 
er, Farrar,  Latimer,  Cranmer,  Ridley,  Jewel,  Grindall,  Hall,  and  many  more.  And 
I  never  met  with  the  Man  that  would  aflert,  or  did  believe,  that  the  fore  defcribed 
Difcipline  was  ever  exercifed  by  any  Man  of  them  throughout  his  Diocefs,  no  nor 

in 


P  a  r.  t  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         4$,  > 

in  any  three  Parifhes  in  it,  if  in  one  :  Bilhop  Edward  Reynolds  of  Norwich  w.r> 
one  that  went  along  with  us  to  the  laft  in  our  Delire,  and  Treaties  for  Discipline 
and  Reformation  :  And  who  hearethofany  fuch  Dilcipline  exercifed  by  him?  who, 
doubtlefs  would  do  it  if  he  could.  Nay,  1  am  confident  that  he  will  lay  himfeliy 
diat  he  hath  not  exerciled  it  on  a  tenth  part  that  are  the  due  Objects  of  it,  in  any 
two  Parifhes  in  his  Diocefs  :  Nay,  in  his  Diocefs  there  are  as  many  hundreds  of 
godly  People  Excommunicated  or  troubled  (by  Sentence  at  leafi)  for  Nonconfor- 
mity, as  in  any  Diocefs  that  I  hear  of  in  England ;  and  the  poor  Bilhop  looks  on, 
and  cannot  hinder  it.    Could  it  be  done,  iome  one  would  do  it  :  Bu,t  none  doth 

it.     Ergo 

§  332.  8.  The  eighth  Charge  againft  our  Prelacy  is,That  having  call  out Chrilt's 
Church-Difeipline,  prefcribedin  the  Gofpel,  it  letteth  up,  inttead  of  it,  an  unlaw- 
ful kind  of  Church-Difeipline :  And  the  unlawfulnels  they  (hew  in  theie  Particu- 
lars. 

§  33;.  1.  In  that  the  Judges  of  the  Courts,  as  well  as  the  reft,  are  meer  Lay-men 
( the  Bifhops  Chancellors  )  who  ordinarily  Admonifh,  Excommunicate  and  Ab- 
solve :  For  though  the  King's  Declaration  concerning  Ecclefiaitical  Affairs,  did 
Ipeak  againff  this,  yet  that  was  dead  before  it  took  place,  and  the  old  Courie  is  now 
taken  in  all  their  Courts :  And  what  the  Tongue  of  Man  can  rationally  fay,    for 
Lay-mens  exercifing  the  Power  of  the  Keys,  molt  effential  to  the  Sacred  Pallorai 
Office,  it  is  beyond  my  reach  to  know.     The  common  Anfwer  is  >  that  Lay-Elders 
are  as  bad  :  As  if  one  Man's  fin  would  juftifie  anothers,  and  warrant  all  Men  to  Sub-. 
fcrirje  to  it.     But  yet  they  know,i.That  Church-Elders  are  not  accounted  Lay-men, 
but  Sacred  Officers,  by  thole  that  are  for  them.     2.  That   they  meddle  but  with, 
one  Parifh,  and  that  but  as  Afliftants  to  thePaltors ;  whereas  the  Chancellors  ipfjl 
die  with  many  hundred  Parifhes,  and  that  as  the  fole  Judges  in  the  Court  (when 
the  Bilhop  is  not  there,  which  is  the  ordinary  Cale).     Indeed,  1  hear  that  yro  for- 
ma they  ufe  to  get  lome  Prielt  or  other,  to  pals  the  Sentence  in  Court,  when  the 
Lay- Chancellor  hath  determined  it.  But  thisameer  jugling  mockery  :  And  if  the/ 
wereferious,  it  would  confute  themlelves ;  w|io  fay,  That  a  Presbyter  hath  not, 
the  power  of  Excommunication  :  And  they  juftifie  the  Caufc  uf  the  Presbyterians 
who  claim  it  (as  is  aforelaid). 

§  334.  2.  As  to  the  Matter  of  the  Englijl)  Difcipline,  it  confided!  not  in  the  fore- 
defcribed  Convictions,  Reproofs,  Exhortations  to  Repentance,  praying  for  the 
Sinner's  Repentance,  telling  him  before  two  or  three,  or  telling  the  Church;  buc 
in  a  Citation,  and  fuch  a  Courie  of  Procels  as  is  in  Civil  Secular  Courts. 

§  3  3  j.  3.  And  for  the  Manner  ■>  it  is  not  with  holy  Serioufnefs  and  Patience  as 
may  tend  to  the  meking  of  a  Sinners  heart  into  true  Contrition,  nor  as  may  tend 
to  awake  him  from  his  Security  with  the  Terrours  of  the  Lord,  nor  is  it  at  all  fit- 
ted to  work  upon  the  Confcience:  (,who  can  expert  that  Lay-men,  and  fuch  Men, 
in  a  Publick  Court,  and  fuch  a  Court,  Jhould  do  it )  :  Nor  do  I  believe  that  any 
Subfcribing  confcionable  Miniller  will  fay  that  he  ever  heard  a  Chancellor  con- 
vert a  Sinner,  or  lay  that  which  was  like  or  apt  to  bring  him  to  true  Repentance. 
But  on  the  contrary,  they  work  on  them  by  Terrour  of  Corporal  Penalties  and 
Mulcts,  and  harden  them  into  a  hatred  of  thofethat  thus  vex  them  :  lb  that  a  Pa- 
llor that  ever  hopeth  to  do  good  on  his  Parifhioners,  will  take  heed  how  he  prelen- 
teth  the.n  to  one  of  thele  Courts,  lelt  by  fo  much  he  (eem  to  be  their  Enemy,  and 
they  never  regard  his  Doctrine  more  :  whereas  Chrift's  Difcipline  is  Paternal,  by 
Love  and  convincing  Reafon,  and  to  the  very  lair  extremky,  is  to  be  done  withfo 
much  Fatherly  Kindnefs  and  Companion,  as  tendeth  to  mek  and  win  the  Sin- 
ner. 

i  336.  4.  And  for  the  Jdjuntls  j  your  Difcipline  of  Excommunication  is  all  en- 
foiced  with  lmpriibnment  and  the  utter  ruine  of  the  Excommunicate,  upon  a  Writ 
de  Excommunicato  capiendo  :  If  you  fay  that  it  is  the  Magiftrate's  Action,  and  not 
ours,  I  anfwer,  1.  You  are  the  Judges,  and  make  the  Magifrrate  your  Execution- 
ers. 2.  You  take  the  very  Life  of  your  Dilcipline  to  lye  in  it !  How  ordinarily 
do  you  fay,  That  were  it  not  for  the  Sword  and  Corporal  Penalty, who  would  care 
for  Excommunication?  And  your  Confeffion  hath  in  it  much  of  Truth,  as  to  your 
Excommunications  :  But  hereby  you  corrupt  the  Difcipline  of  the  Church,  and 
lamentably  corrupt  the  Church  it  (elf.  It  is  a  great  T*uth  which  the  Churches  wel- 
fare lieth  on,  That  no  Man  is  fit  for  the  Communion  01  the  Church  ,  that  fo  far 
deljpifeth  it,  as  not  to  be  moved  by  a  meer  Excommunication,.  *Shall  he  have  the 
Communion  of  the  Church,  who  will  rather  be  caff  out  of  it  than  repent  ?  when^ 
of  old,  Penitents  long  begg'd  the  Churches  Communion  prolirate/)r  at  the  Church 

F  f  f  2  Boor, 


404  The  LIFE  of  the  L  1  *.  J, 

Door,  before  they  were  re- admitted  :  And  flow  if  Ten  thouland  Men  (corn  the 
Churches  Communion,  and  will  (land  out  a  bare  Excomunication,  you  will  drive 
them  into  the  Church,  and  to  a  feigned  Repentance  by  the  fear  of  a  Jail  :  And 
fo  all  Men  fhall  be  Members  of  your  Churches,  that  do  but  fo  far  love  their  Skins, 
as  rather  to  endure  the  Church  than  the  Prifbn:  (  of  this  alio  the  Scots  Presbytery 
hath  been  guilty  in  part ):  And  what  Churches  thefe  are,  it  is  eafie  to  judge.  And 
you  cannot  fty  that  this  is  only  Male-adminiftration  j  for  it  is  the  very  Confiituti- 
on  of  your  Government. 

$  337.  5".  And  your  Difcipline  is  exercifed  by  Strangers  upon  Strangers,  at  many 
Miles  diftance,  where  the  Church  that  the  Sinner  is  to  hold  Communion  with, 
heareth  not  the  Procefs,  nor  kuowerh  of  the  Matter,  nor  perhaps  the  Minifter 
that  fhould  be  his  Governour,  but  only  they  receive  a  Paper  from  the  Court,  con- 
taining the  Sentence  ;  which  the  Parfon  trull  reui,  and  then  in  defpight  of  him 
mult  admit  the  vileft  to  the  Churches  Communion,  and  read  his  Abfolution  if  the 
Court  require  it,  let  him  never  fo  well  know  the  Sinner  to  be  impenitent. 

§  238.  6.  Laftly,  Let  any  Man  of  Charity,  free  from  Faction,  judge  by  theCa- 
nons,Whether  the  Difcipline  of  Excommunication  bcr(ot  exs/ciled  upon  many  god- 
ly  upright  Perfons  (Tor  fafting,and  prayir-g  together,and  fuch  like)  who  are  unrit  for 
fuch  Severity.  And  let  him  that  readeth  both  Liturgy  and  Canons  judge, Whether 
the  Communion  of  the  Sacrament  be  not  denied  to  holy  Vc  they  do  but 

fear  Idolatry  in  kneeling  before  the  Bread  ;  who  are  not  worthy  of  ib  great  a  Pe- 
nalty. So  that  in  a  word,  a  kind  of  Secular  Courts  are  let  up  inftead  of  the  Difc 
cipline  of  Chrift,  and  the  edge  of  their  Severity  is  turned  againft  thofe  confeien- 
tious  People,  that  be  not  of  their  Opinions  in  Ceremonies,  01  fuch  things.  If  it  be 
faid  that  the  Magistrate  may  fet  up  Civil  Courts  who  may  jud^s  Circa  Sacra:  I 
anfwer,  but  r.  Thefe  judge  de  Sacru,  and  Excommunicate  and  Abiolve.  2.  They 
do  it  under  the  Name  of  Church-Difcipline,  aftd  the  Power  of  the  Keys.  3.  And 
inftead  of  Chrift's  depofed  Difcipline. 

§  339.  9.  The  ninth  Charge  againft  our  Prelacy  is  confequential,  That  it  bring- 
eth  on  us  a  multitude  of  grievous  Calamities,  and  ill  Confluences,  by  this  aboli- 
tion of  true  Difcipline,  and  the  aforefaid  Corruptions.    As  for  inftance • 

1.  That  it  giveth  up  our  Caufe  to  the  Brownifts,  quantum  in  fe,  who  fay  that  our 
Churches  are  no  true  Churches  ,  and  our  Miniftry  is  no  true  Miniftry  :  For  if  we 
have  true  Churches  and  Minifters,  it  is  either  the  Parochial,  the  Diocefan,  or  the 
National.  But  1.  for  the  Parochial,  they  fay  that  they  are  no  true  Churches  or 
Minifters :  for  a  true  Church,  infinfu  politico,  is  conftituted  of  the  Governing  part 
and  the  Governed  part :  But  a  Parifh  Church  hath  no  Governing  part  (  as  fuch  ): 
For  the  Diocefan  is  nor  the  Head  of  it  as  a  Parifh  Church,  but  as  a  part  of  his 
Diocefan  Church.  (  Otherwife  one  Man  fhould  be  a  Thoufand  Heads  and  Politi- 
cal perfbnsj.  And  the  Parfon  or  Vicar,  though  perhaps  called  Rector,  is  only  the 
Teacher  and  Prieft,  and  denied  all  Government  :  Ergo  he  is  no  Paftor,  as  want- 
ing an  effential  part  of  that  Office,  nor  the  Church  a  true  Church.  And  for  my 
part,  I  know  not  how  to  confute  thefe  Men,  but  by  telling  them,  that  the  Paftor 
cf  that  Parifh-Church  muft  be  judged  of  by  God's  defcription,  and  not  by  the 
Bifhop's :  which  I  doubt  not  is  a  true  and  fatisfaflory  Anfwer. 

And  for  a  Diocefan  Church,  the  Brownijis  fay  that  it  is  not  only  no  Church  of 
Chrift's  inflitution,  but  contrary  to  it:  and  therefore  not  to  be  acknowledged. 

And  for  the  National  Church,  unlefs  you  fpeak  equivocally,  they  know  no  fuch 
thing :  for  what  is  it  that  is  the  Conff itutive  Head  of  it  ?  The  King  is  the  Civil 
Head  :  But  the  Confiitutive  Head  of  a  Church  muft  be  an  Ecclefiaftical  Head,  or  a 
Clergy-man,  or  Society  of  Men  :  It  cannot  be  an  Archbilhop,  for  neither  of  the 
ArchrJiihops  pretendeth  to  it,  having  but  a  priority  of  place,  and  not  any  Govern- 
ment over  one  another  {Canterbury  over  Tork)  or  in  each  others  Province?.  And 
the  Convocation  it  cannot  be,  becaufe  the  Canon  Anathematizeth  them  that  take 
it  not  for  the  Reprefentative  Church  of  England  :  And  if  it  be  but  the  Reprefentati<ve,\t 
cannot  be  the  Co??fi itutive  Head:  For  either  it  reprefenteth  the  Governing  part  of 
the  Church,  which  is  indeed  the  Head,  or  the  Governed  part,  which  is  the  Body: 
If  ie f  eprefent  the  latter  only,  then  asfuch'u  can  have  no  Governing  power  at  all! 
For  as  Reprefentative  it  can  have  no  more  power  than  thofe  that  are  reprefented: 
But  the  Governed  party  as  fuch  have  no  Governing  power :  Ergo  neither  have 
their  Reprefenters  as  fuch.  If  they  reprefent  any  higher  power,  What  is  it?  It 
muft  be  either  iri'a  Jingle  Perfon,  or  a  Collective  Body,  which  is  one  Political Perfon  : 
Bur  the  former  is  not  at  ail  pretended,  nor  can  be:  If  it  be  faid  that  they  repre- 
feiiC  all  the  i'ajhrs  0?  Engkn^,  I  anfwer,  no  doubt  that  is  the  meaning  of  the  Ca- 
non: 


P  a  a.  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  405 

non  :  and  yet  no  Man  affirmeth  that  the  real  BodyoS&W  thofe  Paltors  in  conjuncti- 
on'is  one  Collective  Political  Head  of  this  Church:  For  Parilh-Minifters  are  only 
Heads  of  their  feveral  Parifhes  (  if  fo  much  )  but  not  of  all  the  reft  of  the  Parish- 
es in  the  Nation,  any  otherwifc  than  of  thofe  in  other  Lane's:  Wherefore  it  i3 
moflt  evident  that  there  is  no  fuch  thing"  as  a  Church  of  England  in  a  Political  For- 
mal fence,  as  it  hath  one  Conftitutive  and  Ecclefiafiical  Head  :  but  only  in  an  im- 
proper larger  fence,  either  as  the  Pallors  of  many  Churches,  met  in  a  Synod,  do 
make  binding  Agreements  by  way  of  voluntary  Concord  and  Confent  (  as  many 
Kings  may  do  in  a  voluntary  Meeting,  which  doth  not  conffitute  a  Political  So- 
ciety,) :  Or  el(e  as  they  have  one  accidental  Civil  Head  (  the  King  :  who  is  Head 
of  all  Religious  Societies  in  his  Dominions,  Papifts>  Anabaptijls&Q.)  But  thefe  are 
none  of  them  Denominations  a  forma.  But  hence  it  may  be  noted  ,  i.  That  as  Bi- 
fhop  Ufher  faid,  Synods  are  not  properly  a  Superiour  Governing  power  over  the 
particular  Bifhops,  but  only  for  voluntary  Concord.  2.  That  the  Bilhops  muff, 
againft  their  wills,  grant  that  all  Parifh-Minifters  are  de  jure  Church  Governours : 
or  elfe  how  come  their  Reprefentatives  to  be  part  of  the  Governing-Church,  even 
in  Canon-making  for  common  Government  (as  they  judge).  As  for  the  Demo- 
cratical  conceit  of  them  that  fay  that  the  Parliament  hath  their  Governing  power 
as  they  are  the  Peoples  Reprefentatives,  and  lb  have  the  Members  of  the  Convoca- 
tion, though  thofe  reprefented  have  no  Governing  power  themfelves ,  it  is  lb  pal- 
pably Self-contradicting,  that  I  need  not  confute  it. 

§540.  2.  A fecond  evil  Confequence  is,  that  by  neglect  of  Difcipline  (or  ex- 
cluding it)  the  Vicious  want  that  remedy  which  God  hath  provided  ro  bring  them 
to  Repentance  and  Salvation :  That  God  hath  appointed  Difcipline,  is  proved  from 
Lev.  19.  17.  Matth.  18.  iy,  16,  17, 18.  1  Cor.  5-.  Tit.  i.i^.&i.  \^.&  3.  10.  1  Ttm. 
3.  5,  if.  &  f.  ip,  20,  21,  22,  24.  2  Tim.  3.  j.  &  4.  2.  2  TbrjJ'.  3.  6,  14.  And  a* 
neglect  of  Preaching,  fo  neglect  of  Difcipline  tendeth  to  the  hardening  of  Sinners 
In  their  fins.  And  when  in  the  Application  of  Baptifm,  Confirmation,  the  Lord's 
Supper,  Abfolution,  and  all  Church  Conizations  to  them,  they  are  all  ujed  by  tht 
Church  as  pardoned  Sinner s ,  and  judged  to  be  [neb  (how  vicious  loever)  they  will  ths 
eafilier  believe  they  are  fuch  indeed,  and  reject  all  paffages  in  Sermons  that  would 
convince  them,  and  all  that  would  perfwade  them  of  the  Neceffity  of  a  Change. 
So  that  no  doubt  but  many  Thoufands  are  hindered  from  Converfion  and  Salvation 
for  want  of  Difcipline. 

§  541.  3.  And  it  tendeth  to  propagate  the  Sin,  as  Impunity  from  Magiftrates  or 
Parents  Would  do  :  which  made  the  ApoIHe  fay  ,  1  Cor.<;.  A  little  leaven  leaveneth 
the  -whole  lump:  many  will  be  encouraged  to  do  that  which  undergoeth  no  more 
cenfure. 

§  ;42.  4.  It  keepeth  up  the  Credit  of  Sin  it  felf,  and  gratifieth  Satan,  while  the 
Church  is  deprived  of  the  Publick  Means  appointed  by  God,  for  putting  Sin  to  o- 
pen  (hame.and  bruifing  the  Serpent's  Head,by  a  folemn  Condemnation  of  his  Works 
of  Darkneis. 

§545.  y.  Itdepriveth  Ho/iw/and  Obedience  0$  the  honour  which  God  hath  ap- 
pointed tor  ir,  by  this  publick  differencing  Judgment  of  the  Church,  which  being, 
as  Tertulhan  calleth  it,  pnejudkium futuri  judicij,  doth  reprefent  the  Juftificationand 
Condemnation  of  that  Day  ;  and  wonderfully  tend  to  the  publick  honour  of  God- 
linefs  and  Honefty,and  confequently  to  the  Converfion  and  EftablHhment  of  Mens 
Souls. 

§  344.  6.  It  greatly  tendeth  to  the  difhonour  of  the  Church  by  its  pollution: 
when.is  ChriiHan  Societies  inall  be  confporcated  with  thofe  Vices  which  are  the 
ftame  of  Infidels  and  Heathens ;  and  thofe  of  our  Communion  are  in  their  Lives 
no  better  than  the  Unbelieving  World  !  All  Men  will  think  chat  that  is  the  beft  So- 
ciety which  hath  the  belt  People,  and  will  judge  rather  by  Mens  Lives  than  their 
Opinions. 

§  345".  7.  And  hereby  it  greatly  difhonoureth  Chrifiianity  it  felfi  and  when  the 
Church  is  as  full  of  Vices  as  the  Mahomiran  Societies  are,  or  the  Heathen,  it  is  a 
publick  perfwading  the  World  that  our  Religion  is  as  falie  or  bad  as  theirs. 

§  346.  8.  And  hereby  God  himfelf  and  our  bleffed  Redeemer  are  greatly  di/ho- 
noured  in  the  World  :  As  his  Saints  are  his  honour,  fo  when  the  Communion  of 
Atheiftsand  Prophane  Perfons,  and  OpprefTors  and  Deceivers,  and  Fornicators  and 
Drunkards,  is  called  by  us,  The  Communion  of  Saints,  it  tendeth  to  maketheChurch 
*  Scorn,  and  to  the  great  difhonour  of  the  Head  of  fuch  a  Bodya  and  the  Author 
of  the  Chriftian  Faith, 

H7* 


4.06  The  LIFE  of  the  [,  i  b.  I. 


§  347.  9.  And  it  lamentably  conduceth  to  the  hardening  of  the  Heathens  and  In- 
fidels of  the  World,  and  hindering  their  Converfion  to  the  Chiiiiian  F.mh  :  U 
would  make  a  Reliever's  heart  to  bleed  (  if  any  thing  in  all  the  World  will  do  it ; 
to  think  that  five  parts  in  fix  of  the  World  are  (till  Heathens,  Mahometans  and  In- 
fidels, and  that  the  wicked  Lives  of  Chriftians  (  with  Fopperies,  Ignorance  and 
Divisions )  is  the  great  Impediment  to  their  Converfion  !  To  read  and  hear  Tra- 
vellers and  Merchants  tell,  that  the  Banians  and  other  Heathens  in  lndo(lan  ,  Cam- 
baia.  and  many  other  Lands,  and  the  Mahometans  adjoyning  to  the  Greeks,  and  the 
Abaffines,  &c.  do  commonly  fly  from  Chriftianity,  as  the  Separates  among  us  do 
from  Prelacy,  and  fay,  God  will  not  fave  us  if  we  be  Chriftians;  for  Chriftians  are 
Drunkards,  and  proud,  and  Deceivers,  &c.  And  that  the  Mahometans,  and  many 
Heathens  have  more,  both  of  Devotion  and  Honefty,  than  the  common  fo*  t  of 
Chriftians  have  that  live  among  them  !  O  wretched  Chriftians !  that  are  not  con- 
tent to  damn  themfelves,  but  thus  lay  (fumbling  blocks  before  the  World  !  It  were 
better  for  thefe  men  that  they  had  never  been  born  !  But  if  all  thefe  notorious  ones 
were  difbwned  by  the  Churches,  it  would  quit  our  ProfeiTion  much  from  the  dif- 
honour,  and  (hew  poor  Infidels  that  our  Religion  is  good ,  though  their  Lives  be 
bad. 

§  548.  10.  Laftly,  it  galleth  the  Confciences  of  the  Minifters  in  their  admini- 
ftrations  of  the  Sacraments  to  the  openly  ungodly  and  grofly  ignorant :  It  hinder- 
eth  the  Comfort  of  the  Church  in  its  Communion  :  It  hlleth  the  Heads  of  poor 
Chriftians  with  Scruples,  and  their  Hearts  with  Fears ;  and  is  the  great  caule  of 
unavoidable  Separations  among  us,  and  confequently  of  all  the  Cenfujes  on  one  fide, 
and  wrathful  Penalties  on  the  other,and  uncharitablenefs  on  both  fides,which  follow 
thereupon.  If  the  Paftors  will  not  differ  between  the  precious  and  the  vile,  by 
neceffary  regular  Difcipline  j  tender  Chriftians  will  bs  tempted  to  difference  by  ir- 
regular Separations  ,*  and  to  think,  as  Cyprian  faith,  That  it  belongeth  to  the  People  to 
forfake  a  finful  Fafior :  They  will  leparate  further  than  they  ought  j  and  will  take 
our  Churches  as  Sinks  of  Pollution,  and  fly  from  the  noifomnels  of  them  ;  and 
eome  out  from  among  us,  for  fear  of  partaking  in  our  Plagues,  as  men  run  out  of  a 
ruinous  Houfe  left  it  fall  upon  their  Heads.  And  then  they  will  fall  into  Seds  a- 
mong  themfelves,  and  fall  under  the  hot  difpleafure  of  the  Bilnops,  and  then  they 
will  be  reproached  and  vexed  as  Schifmaticks,  while  they  reproach  our  Churches 
as  Hypocritical  and  Prophane,  that  call  fuch  Societies,  the  Communion  of  Saints : 
This  hath  been,  and  this  is,  and  this  will  be  the  Caufe  of  Separations,  Seels,  Perfe- 
cutions,  Malice  and  Ruins  in  the  Ghriftian  World  :  And  it  will  never  be  cured,  till 
fbme  tolerable  Difcipline  cure  the  Churches. 

§  349.  10.  The  tenth  and  laft  Charge  againft  our  Frame  of  Prelacy  is,  That  by 
its  ufe  of  Civil  or  Coercive  Power,  it  at  once  breaketh  the  Command  of  Chrift, 
and  greatly  injureth  the  Civil  Government.  Both  which  are  thus  proved  by  the 
Nonconforming. 

§  3f  o.  1.  It  violateth  all  thefe  Laws  of  Chrift  :  Luke  22. 24,  2y  And  there  wot  a 
firtfe  among  them  which  of  them  Jhould  be  accounted  the  greatefi  :  And  he  [aid  unto  them, 
the  Kings  of  the  Gentiles  exercife  Lordfinp  over  them,  and  thej  that  exercife  Authority  upon 
them,  are  called  Benefactors  :  but  ye  jhall  not  be  fa  ;  but  he  that  is  greatefi  among  yout  let 
him  be  as  the  younger,  and  he  that  is  chief,  as  he  that  doth  ferve.  That  is,  it  is  a  Mini- 
fterial  Dignity,  and  not  a  Magiftratical,  which  you  are  called  to  :  that  which  is  al- 
lowed to  Kings  here,  is  denied  to  Minifters,  even  Apoftles :  But  it  is  not  Tyranny 
or  Abuie  of  Power,  but  Secular  Magiftratical  Power  it  felf,  which  is  all  ofoed  to 
Kings :  Ergo  it  is  this  which  is  forbidden  Minifters.  This  is  the  very  fence  of  the 
Text  which  is  given  by  Proteftant  Epiicopal  Divines  themfelves,  when  they  reject 
the  Presbyterians  fence,  who  fay  that  it  forbiddeth  Eccleflaftical  Superiority  and 
Power  of  one  Minifter  over  aftocher,  as  well  as  Coercive.  Therefore  the  old  Rby* 
mer  faid  againft  the  Prelates, 

Chrifius  dixit  quodam  loco 
\Vos  nonfic^  nee  dixit  joco  : 
Dixit  fuis :  Ergo  iftt 
Cujusfunt  ?  non  cert'o  Chrijli. 

So  1  Fet.  J.  1,2,  3.  Feed  the  Flock  of  God  which  is  among  you,  taking  the  over  fight  there- 
of, not  by  conftraint  but  willingly  j  Not  for  filthy  lucre,  but  of  a  ready  mind:  Neither  as 
being  Lords  over  God's  heritage,  but  being  enfamples  to  the  Flock.  But  our  Bilnops  take 
the  QVerfight  of  thofe  that  are  not  among  them,  and  whom  they  feed  not  j   and  they 

rule 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter0         407 

rule  them  by  conjtraint  and  not  as  voluntary  Subjects ,  not  by  Enfample  (  for  one  of 
an  hundred  never  ieeth  or  knoweth  them  )  but  as  Lords  by  Secular  Force.  Dr. 
Hammond  taketh  the  word  [Conftraini]  here  Actively,  not  Pafively  ;  not  as  forbid- 
ding them  to  be  Bifhops  againft  their  own  Wills,  but  to  Rule  the  People  by  conftraini 
againft  the  Peoples  "wills. 

It  would  be  tedious  to  recite  all  thofe  Texts,  which  command  the  People.to  imi- 
tate the  Apoftles  as  they  imitated  Chrift,  (who never  ufed  Magiftratical  force  j nor 
did  any  of  his  Apoftles)  and  fay  that  the  Weapons  of  our  warfare  are  not  carnal ;  and 
that  he  that  warrethentanglethnothimielf  with  the  Affairs  of  this  Life,  and  that 
the  Servant  of  the  Lord  muft  not  drive,  but  be  gentle,  &c. 

§  jyi.  2.  And  that  this  Coercive  Church  Government  is  an  heinous  Injury  to 
Chriftian  Magiftrates,  even  where  it  feemeth  to  be  fubordinate  to  them,  appeareth 
thus. 

i.  Though  they  do  moftly  confefs  that  they  can  exercifeno  Power  of  Coercion 
of  themfelves,  but  by  the  Magiftrates  conient,  yet  do  they  take  it  to  be  the  Magi- 
ftrates duty  to  confent  to  it,  as  if  he  were  not  elle  a  tender  Nurfing  Father  to  the 
Church  :and  (b  they  lay  his  Confcience  in  Pri(bn,till  he  truft  them  with  his  Sword, 
or  ferve  them  by  it. 

2.  They  call  their  Magiftratical  Government  by  the  Name  of  Spiritual  and  Ec- 
ckfiaftical Government*  And  (o  by  the  Name,  they  (educe  Mens  minds  ,  to  think 
that  this  is  indeed  the  ufe  of  the  Keys,  which  God  hath  put  into  the  Churches 
Hands. 

3.  Hereby  they  greatly  encourage  the  Ufurpation  of  the  Pope  and  his  Clergy, 
who  fet  up  fuch  Courts,for  probate  of  Wills,and  Caufes  of  Matrimony,and  rule  the 
Church  in  a  Secular  manner  (though  many  of  them  confefs  that  direclly  the  Church 
hath  no  forcing  Power):  And  this  they  call  the  Churches  Power,  and  Spiritual  Go- 
vernment, and  Ecckfiaftical  Jurifditlion;  and  (ay  that  it  belongeth  not  to  Kings,  and 
that  no  King  can  in  Confcience  reftrain  them  of  it;  but  muft  protect  them  in  it : 
And  lb  they  (et  up  Imperium  in  Imperio,  and,  as  Bifhop  Bedle  faid  of  Ireland,  The  Pope 
hath  a  Kingdom  there  in  the  Kingdom,  greater  than  the  Kings  :  (Againft  which  Ludov. 
Molinaus  hath  written  at  large,  in  two  or  three  Treaties )  :  So  that  when  the  Papal 
Power  in  England  was  caft  down,  and  their  Courts  fubjected  to  the  King,  and  the 
Oath  of  Supremacy  formed,  it  was  under  the  Name  of  Ecckfiaftical  and  Spiritual 
Power  that  it  was  acknowledged  to  be  in  the  King  (who  yet  claimeth  no  pro- 
per Spiritual  or  Ecckfiaftical  Power  ):  fo  greatly  were  thefe  Terms  abuled  ;  and  (b 
are  they  ftill  as  applied  to  ourBHhops  Courts :  fo  that  the  King  is  faid  by  us  to  be 
Chief  Governour  in  all  Cauies  Ecclefiaftical,  becaufe  Coercive  Power  in  Church 
Matters  (which  is  proper  to  the  Magiftrate)  was  poffefled  and  claimed  by  the  Cler- 
gy. And  in  all  Popilh  Kingdoms,  the  Kings  are  but  half  Kings  ,  through  thefe 
Ufurpations  of  the  Clergy.  And  for  us  to  Exercife  the  lame  kind  of  Power,  mixt 
with  the  Exercife  of  the  Keys,  and  that  by  the  fame  Name,  is  greatly  to  counten- 
ance the  Ufurpers. 

§  3?i.  If  it  be  faid,  That  the  Church  claimeth  no  Coercive  Power,  butas  grant- 
ed them  by  the  King,  or  that  it  is  the  Magiftrate  that  annexeth  Mulcts  and  Pe- 
nalties, and  not  the  Church  :  I  anfwer,  i.  They  perfwade  the  Magiftrate  that  he 
ought  to  do  fo.  2.  Force  is  not  a  meer  Accident,  but  confeffed  by  them  to  be  the 
very  Life  of  their  Government :  It  is  that  which  bringeth  People  to  their  Courts, 
and  enforceth  all  their  Precepts,  and  caufeth  Obedience  to  them  •  lb  that  it  is  part 
of  the  very  Conftitution  of  their  Government:  And  as  to  Fees  and  Commutation 
of  Penance,  Pecuniary  Mulcts  are  thus  impofed  by  themfelves.  3.  Their  very 
Courts  and  Officers  are  of  a  Secular  Form.  4.  The  Magiftrate  is  but  the  Execu- 
tioner of  their  Sentence :  He  muft  grant  out  a  Writ,  and  imprifon  a  Man  quatenm 
excommunicate,  without  fitting  in  Judgment  upon  the  Caufe  himfelf,  and  trying  the 
Perfon  according  to  his  Accufation.  And  what  a  dilhonour  do  thefe  Men  put  on 
Magiftrates,  that  make  them  their  Executioners,  to  imprifon  thofe  whom  they  con- 
demn, inaudita  caufa,  at  a  venture,  be  it  right  or  wrong. 

So  much  of  the  Nonconformifts  Charges  againft  the  Englilh  Prelacy. 

§  35-3.  By  this  you  may  fee  what  they  Anfwer  to  the  Realbns  of  the  Conform ifts. 
As, 

1.  To  the  willing  Conformifts,  who  plead  a  Jus  Divinum,  they  fay,  That  if  all 
that  Gerfom,  Bucer,  Didoclavitts,  BlondeU,  Salmafuts,  Parker,  Baines,  &c.  have  faid  a- 
gainft  Epifcopacy  it  lelf  were  certainly  confuted,  yet  it  is  quite  another  thing  that 
is  called  Epifcopacy,  by  them  that  plead  it  Jurs  Divine  z    If  1.  Bifliops  of  iingle 

Churches 


4.0$  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

Churches  with  a  Presbytery  under  them,  2.  and  General  Bifhops  over  theie  Bifhops, 
were  both  proved  Jure  Divino,  yet  our  Diocefans  are  proved  to  be  contra  jus  Divi- 
num. 

2.  To  the  Latitudinarians  and  involuntary  Conformifts ,  who  plead  that  no 
Church-Government,  as  to  the  form,  is  of  Divine  Inftitution,  they  aniwer  ;  1.  This 
is  to  condemn  themfelves,  and  fay,  [Becaufe  no  Form  is  of  God's  Inftitution,  there- 
fore I  will  declare  that  the  Epifcopal  Form  is  of  Divine  Inftitution  ] :  for  this  is 
part  of  their  Subfcription,  or  Declaration,  when  they  Profefs,  AfTent,  and  Content 
to  all  things  in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  and  Ordination  :  And  one  thing  in  it 
is  in  thefe  words,  (with  which  the  Book  beginneth)  [  It  u  evident  to  all  Men,  dili- 
gently reading  holy  Scripture,  and  ancient  Authors,  that  from  the  Apofiles  time  there  have 
,  been  thefe  Orders  of  Minifiers  in  Chrips  Church,  Bijhops,  Priefts,  and  Deacons :  which 
Offices  were  evermore  had  in  fuch  reverend  e/limation,&c.j  So  that  here  they  declare  that 
Bifhops  and  Priefts  are  not  only  diftind:  Degrees,  but  diftind  Orders  and  Offices,  and 
that  fince  the  Apoftles  time,  as  evident  by  Scripture,  &c.  (  when  yet  many  of  the 
very  Papifts  Schoolmen  do  deny  it).  And  the  Colled  in  the  Ordering  of  Priefts 
runs  thus,  [Almighty  God,  giver  of  all  good  things,  who  by  thy  holy  Spirit  hath  appointed 
divers  Orders  of  Minifiers  in  the  Church'].  So  that  in  plain  Englifh  they  declare,  That 
\Epifcopacy  even  as  a  diftintt  Order,  Office,  and  Function  (for  all  thefe  words  are  there) 
is  appointed  by  the  Spirit  of  God  ;  becaufe  they  believe  that  no  Form  is  fo  appointed. 

2.  That  which  Mr.  Stillingfleet  calleth  [  A  Form"]  is  none  of  the  Subftance  of  the 
Government  it  felf,  nor  the  Offices  in  the  Church:  He  granteth  that  1.  Worfhip- 
ping  AfTemblies  are  of  Divine  appointment  ;  2   That  every  one  of  theie  muft  have 
one  or  more  Paftors  who  have  power  in  their  Order  to  teach  them,  and  go  before 
them  in  Worfhip,and  fpiritually  guide  or  govern  them.     But  1.  Whether  a  Church 
(hall  have  one  Paftor  or  more ;  2.  Whether  one  of  them  fhall  be  in  fome  things 
fubjed  to  another  j  3.  Whether  conftant  Synods  fhall  be  held  for  concord  of  AfTo- 
ciated  Churches  j  4.  Whether  in  theie  Synods  one  fhall  be  Moderator  ?  and  how 
long  ?  and  with  what  Authority  ?  (  not  unreafonable  ),  thefe  he  thinks  are  left  un- 
determined :  And  I  am  of  his  mind ;  fiippofing  General  Rules  to  guide  them  by  as 
he  doth.     But  the  Matter  (and  Manner)  of  Church- Difci pi ine  being   of  God's  ap. 
pointment,  and  the  Nature  and  Ends  of  a  particular  Church,  and  the  Office  of  Pa/tort 
(  as  well  as  the  Form  of  the  Church  Univerfal),  it  is  part  doubt  that  nothing  which 
fubverteth  any  of  thefe  is  lawful.     And  indeed,  if  properly  no  Form  of  Govern- 
ment be  inftituted  by  God,  then  no  Form  of  a  Church  neither  :  for  the  Form  of 
Government  is  the  Form  of  a  Church  (  confidered  infenfu  politico  ,  and  not  as  a 
meer  Community).     And  then  the  Church  of  England  is  not  of  .God's  making: 
Quefi.  Who  then  made  it  ?  Either  another  Church  made  this  Church  (  and  then, 
what  was  that  Church,  and  who  made  its  Form,  and  Co  ad  Originem)  or  no  Church 
made  it  :  If  no  Church  made  the  Church  of  England,  quo  jure  ?  or  what  is  its  Au- 
thority and  Honour  ?  If  the  King  made  it,  was  he  a  Member  of  a  Church  or  not? 
If  yea,  1. There  was  then  a  Church-Form  before  the  Church  of  England ;  And  who 
made  that  Church  ufaue  ad  Originem  ?  If  the  King  that  made  it  was  no  Member  of 
a  Church,  then  he  that  is  no  Member  of  a  Church,  may  inftitute  a  Church-Form  ; 
but  quo  jure  ?  and  with  what  Honour  to  that  Church  ?  But  it  is  certain  that  a  par- 
ticular Congregation  with  its  proper  Bifhop  or  Paftors  is  a  Church-Form  of  Chrift's 
In.'iitucion. 

§  3 £4.  II.  The  Second  Controverfie  is  about  the  Obligation  of  the  National  Vow 
or  Covenant :  And  here  there  is  a  Law  made,  That  every  Man  fhall  forfeit  all  his 
Eftate,  and  be  perpetually  imprifbned,  who affirmeth,  [That there  is  any  Obligation 
on  him,  or  any  other,  from  this  Vow,  to  endeavour  any  alteration  of  Government  in  the 
Church].  So  that  thofe  that  think  there  is  fuch  an  Obligation  dare  not  affirm  it : 
And  therefore  almoft  all  that  write  or  fpeak  on  the  other  fide  againft  the  Obligati- 
on, remain  unanfwered  (  lave  what  Mr.  Crofton  ,  Mr.  Cawdry  ,  and  fbme  others 
lightly  have  done  ),  becaufe  they  muft  be  anfwered  at  fodear  a  rate.  Ifuppofethe 
Reader  will  not  take  my  words  as  Afjertory,  but  as  Hiftorical  herein,  acquainting 
you  what  it  is  that  fticks  with  the  Nonconformifts,  and  maketh  them  that  they  dare 
not  fay  this  Oath  bindeth  none,  for  fear  of  God,  as  they  will  not  fay  that  it  bmdeth 
any  for  fear  of  Confiscation  and  Imprifonment. 

§35-5-.  And  here  firft  they  premile  thefe  General  Suppofitions.which  fhould  make 
all  Men  exceeding  tender  of  venturing  further  than  they  are  fure  the  ground  is 
firm. 

§3*& 


P  a  R  t  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  409 


§  3  $-6.  i.  That  Perjury  is  confeffedly  one  of  the  moft  heinous  fins  that  can  be 
committed  by  Man  :  and  if  this  Subicription  fhould  prove  perjurious,or  ajuftifying 
bi  Perjury,  it  would  bring  upon  them  the  Guilt  and  Mifery  following. 

1.  It  is  an  Atheiftical  Denial  of  theOmnifcienceor  Jufticeof  God,  and  a  taking 
of  his  Name  in  vain,  and  making  him  the  Favourer  of  a  Lie. 

2.  It  is  a  treacherous  Breach  of  Promifeto  him. 

3.  It  is  a  Sin  that  deeply  woundeth  an  awakened  Confcience  ,  and  may  drive  it 
to  defpair. 

4.  It  overthroweth  Humane  Societies ,  and  maketh  a  Man  unfit  for  Humane 
Converfe.  For  mutual  Truft  is  the  Foundation  or  Bond  of  Societies :  And  he  whofe 
Oath  is  not  to  be  trufted,  is  not  at  all  to  be  trufted  any  further  than  his  Intereft 
commandeth  it. 

j.  It  expofeth  Kings  to  the  fury  of  all  that  dare  venture  to  do  them  hurt:  For 
if  once  Subjects  be  taught  that  Oaths  oblige  not,  what  is  there  to  keep  them  from 
Treafons  and  Rebellions,  but  their  Carnal  Interefts  !  And  if  they  be  once  taught 
that  Princes  take  not  themfelvesto  be  obliged  by  their  Oaths  and  Covenants,  fuch 
Teachers  tempt  them  to  think  that  they  are  bound  no  more  to  their  Princes,  as  be- 
ing uncapable  of  Truft.  So  that  the  Doctrine  of  Perjury  ,  that  difbbligeth  Men 
from  Under  Vows  and  Covenants,  is  the  moll  traiterous  pernicious  Doctrine. 

^  It  expofeth  the  Kingdom,  Church  and  Religion,  which  is  guilty  of  it  to  re- 
proach ,•  yea,  the  greateH  reproach  of  all  its  Adverfaries  j  making  them  worfe 
than  many  Heathens. 

6.  It  hringeth  the  Judgments  of  God  on  a  Nation  :  For  Godwi'I  not  hold  them 
guiltlef  that  taketb  his  Name,  in  vain.  Saul's  Pofterity  mult  be  hanged  before  the  Fa- 
mine could  be  ftayed,  bscaufe  Saul  had  broken  the  Vow  made  to  the  Gibeomtes  by 
Jojhua,  1  Sam.  21.  And  this  heavy  Judgment  on  England  at  this  day,  which  fal- 
leth  on  London  and  many  Corporations,  terrifying  many  that  read  the  Corporati- 
on  A&,  which  cafleth  all  out  of  Truft  and  Power,  who  difclaim  not  abfblutely  all 
obligation  of  the  Vow  or  Covenant  as  on  themfelves  or  any  other. 

7.  And  how  can  one  that  entereth  into  the  Miniftry  by  publick  owning  Perjury 
and  Fallhood,  ever  look  for  any  acceptance  of  his  Miniftry  by  Men,  or  bleffingon 
it  (  or  himfelf  in  it  at  leaft  )  from  God  ?  Hath  God  need  of  Lies  and  Perjury  to 
his  Service  ?  Shall  we  offer  fuch  a  Sacrifice  to  him  that  is  moll  Holy,  and  this  under 
pretence  that  we  defire  to  ferve  him  by  the  preaching  of  his  Gofpel  ?  With  what 
face  can  we  preach  againft  any  Sin  to  the  People,  when  our  Declarations,Subicrip- 
tions,  and  Publick  Actions  have  firft  told  them  that  Perjury  it  (elf  may  be  com- 
mitted ?  I  fay,  if  this  fhould  prove  to  be  perjurious,  the  Covenant  being  obligatory, 
then  would  thefe  terrible  Confequents  follow. 

§  357.  2.  And  then  they  fay,  That  fuch  enormous  Crimes  as  thefe  fhould  be  a- 
vo;  Jed  with  much  more  fear  than  leffer  fins :  as  a  Man  will  lefs  venture  upon  the 
danger  of  the  Plague,  than  of  the  Meafles  •  or  upon  a  defperate  Precipice  than 
an  eifie  Fall ;  and  will  avoid  more  a  wound  at  the  Heart,  than  a  prick  of  the  Fin- 
ger i  And  therefore  no  Rational  Man  can  expect  that  here  they  fhould  be  ventu- 
rous. 

§  3^8.  3.  And  they  add,  That  feeing  Affirmatives  bind  not  ad  temper ,  and  Pofi- 
tive  Duties  are  not  Duties  at  all  times,  therefore  to  a  Man  that  is  rationally  fearful 
and  in  doubt  of  fo  great  a  fin  as  Perjury,  the  preaching  of  the  Gofpel  can  be  no 
Duty,  till  thofe  Doubts  be  fufficiently  removed  :  And  therefore  they  wonder  to 
perceive  that  abundance  are  brought  to  Conformity  by  this  Argument,  [J  am  fure 
it  is  a  Duty  to  preach  the  Gojpel :  but  I  am  not  fure  that  it  is  a  fin  to  conform  :  therefore 
Uncertainties  mufi  give  place  to  Certainties].  For  it  is  not  a  Duty  to  one  of  many  hun- 
dreds to  preach  the  Gofpel !  but  only  of  Miniffers  :  Nor  is  it  any  more  a  Mini- 
fter's  Ducy  that  cannot  do  it  without  finful  Conditions,  than  it  is  a  Womans  Du- 
ty. Therefore  Co  far  as  any  Man  doubteth  whether  the  Terms  be  lawful,  he  muft 
needs  doubt  whether  it  be  his  Duty  (yea,  or  lawful,)  for  him  to  preach  :  No  Man 
can  be  furer  that  it  is  his  Duty  to  preach,  than  he  is  fure  that  the  Conditions  of  his 
preaching  are  lawful.  But  on  the  other  fide,  a  Man  may  for  fome  time  well  judge 
that  preaching  is  no  Duty  to  him,  though  he  be  not  fure  that  the  Condition  is  iinful, 
if  he  have  but  rational  caule  of  doubting:  efpecially'whenitis  no  lefs  than  Perjury 
that  he  feareth. 

§  3  j$>.  4  But  they  fay,  If  it  fhould  prove  that  the  Covenant  is  obligatory,  ic 
would  prove  fach  a  fin  as  is  hard  to  be  matched,  i.  For  a  Minifterof  the  Gojpel  to' 
be  fo  guilty  :  2.  And  this  upon  pretence  of  Serving  God  :  3.  And  this  upon  delibe- 
ration.   4.  And  to  declare  the  juftification  of  three  Kingdoms  from  fo  great  x 

Ggg  guile,- 


410  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 

guilt,  even  from  the  higheft  to  the  loweft  :  and  (b  to  hinder  them  all  from  repent- 
ing ;  and  to  Subfcribe  to  it,  that  their  Vows  oblige  them  not,  and  the  violation  of 
them  is  no  fin.  And  if  Perjury  be  a  damning  fin,  hereby  to  endeavour  the  damna- 
tion of  lb  many  thoufands,  and  all  the  Plagues  and  Miferies  on  the  Land  that  Per- 
jury may  bring,  j  And  ro  declare  again(t  lb  needful  a  Reformation,  that  it  is  no  Du- 
ty at  all  for  Rulers  or  Subjects  to  endeavour  it ;  no  not  if  they  have  fworn  to  do  ir. 
6.  And  to  put  down  all  this  under  my  Hand,  as  fome  Conjurers  have  done  that  have 
covenanted  with  the  Devil,  and  given  him  their  Hands  to  ir.  All  this  is  exceeding 
terrible,  if  this  Vow  prove  obligatory. 

§  360.  j.  In  this  Gifb  they  fuppofe  that  it  is  dangerous  for  Men  to  go  againff  the 
concurrent  Judgments  of  Cafuifts,  yea,  of  their  own  Cafuifts,  in  the  Cafe  cf  Vows: 
And  they  know  not  how  to  fave  Subfcription,  from  the  enmity  of  the  determina- 
tions of  Dr.  Sander/on,  and  all  other  ordinary  Cafuifts.  And  thefe  aie  the  general 
Reafons  of  their  fear. 

§  36  r.  But  I  (hall  hear  tell  you  what  they  grant  about  the  obligation  of  the  Co- 
venant. 

1.  They  affert  that  it  can  bind  no  Man  to  any  thing  that  is  finful. 

2.  No  nor  to  any  thing  that  ma/  hereafter  be  finful  ,  nor  from  any  thing  that 
may  be  a  Duty,  when  it  cometh  tobe  fuch:  though  it  weie  neither  Sin  nor  Duty 
at  the  making  of  the  Vow. 

3.  That  it  bindeth  no  Man  therefore  againft  Obedience  to  the  King,  though  the 
thing  be  in  it  felt  indifferent,  and  was  not  commanded  by  the  King  when  they 
vowed:  For  if  a  Man  might  prevent  the  Commands  of  Prince  or  Parents  by  his 
own  Vows,  he  might  free  himfelf  from  his  Obedience.  The  Command  of  God, 
to  obey  Kings  and  Rulers  is  antecedent  to  our  Vows,  and  above  our  Vows,  and  can- 
not be  evacuated  or  avoided  by  them.  Therefore  if  there  be  any  indifferent  thing  in 
the  Covenant,  I  will  obey  the  King  if  he  command  or  forbid  ir,  contrary  to  the 
Covenant. 

4.  That  we  take  our  felves  bound  by  the  Covenant  to  nothing  ,  but  what  is  our 
Duty  if  there  were  not  fuch  Covenant:  Not  that  a  Vow  doth  not  bind  a  Man  to 
things  before  indifferent :  We  confefs  it  doth  :  But  becaufe  this  Vow  included  and  in- 
tended nothing  meeriy  indifferent  :  For  it  is  the  Judgment  of  Proteftsnts,  and  fo 
born  of  the  Fratmrs  and  the  Takers  of  ir,  that  the  ufe  of  a  Vow  is  not  to  make 
new  Duties  to  our  feh'Qs  which  God  never  made,  but  to  bind  us  to  that  which  God 
had  made  our  Duty  before.  Eifs  it  is  a  taking  of  the  Name  of  God  in  vain.  All 
the  doubt  therefore  is  but  whether  it  be  a  fecondary  Obligation  to  that  which  God  had 
before  obliged  us  to.  So  that  there  is  no  one  Action  materially,  whofe  doing  or  not 
doing  we  take  to  depend  upon  the  Covenant's  obligation  primarily  or  alone  j  nor 
do  we  imagine  any  thing  to  be  our  Duty,  which  would  not  be  ib,  if  the  Covenant 
had  never  had  a  being. 

5".  That  if  the  Covenanters  did  then  fuppofe  that  they  were  bound  to  defend 
and  obey  the  Parliament  in  that  War,  and  to  bring  a  contrary  Party  to  punifh- 
ment,  yet  now  there  can  be  no  place  for  any  fuch  Imagination  ;  becaule  the  Par- 
liament is  not  in  being,  the  War  and  D.fference  of  Parties  is  ended  ;  CeJJante  mate- 
ria  cejjat  cbligatio,  <&  cejjantibm  perfonu  &  rerum  fiatu  :  It  is  now  part  doubt  that  we 
are  bound  to  obey  the  King,  and  that  there  is  none  to  ftand  in  competition  for 
our  Obedience :  fo  that  as    a   League  with  thofe  perfons  it  ceafeth  with  the  perfons. 

6.  That  if  we  had  been  allowed  but  to  Subfcribe,  That  [there  is  no  Obligation—— 
to  endeavour  unlawfully"]  or  [by  any  unlawful  means']  We  had  not  fcrupled  io  declaim- 
ing any  Obligation,  as  on  our  felves  or  any  other  Subjects.  Thus  far  there  is  no 
Contrcverfie  among  us  about  the  Covenant. 

§  362.  1  come  now  to  the  NonSubfcribers  particular  Scruples ,  which  are  fuch 
as  rhefe. 

1.  They  fay,  That  all  Men  confeffing  that  an  Oath  or  Vow  u  obligatory,  they  muft 
fee  good  proof  that  this  particular  Vow  is  not  Jo  before  they  can  exempt  it  from  the 
common  force  of  Vows :  But  fuch  proof  they  have  never  feen  ,  from  Mr.  Fulhvood, 
Mr.  Stileman,  Dr.  Gaudeny  or  any  that  hath  attempted  it,  and  on  whom  it  is  in- 
cumbent :  but  rather  admire  that  Men  of  fo  great  Judgment  and  Tenderneis  of 
Confcience  mould  ever  be  fatisfied  with  fuch  halting  Arguments  $  which  they  had 
long  ago  more  fully  confuted,  if  the  Law  had  not  forbidden  them.  They  herein 
argue  as  the  Bifhops  in  another  Cafe  :  Uncertainties  mult  give  place  to  Certain- 
ties, ceteris  paribus:  But  they  are  certain  in  general  that  Vows  are  obligatory,  if 
materia'ly  lawful  :  and  they  are  uncertain  that  this  Vow  it  materially  unlawful ,  and 
ib  not  obligatory :  Ergo  they  dare  not  fay  that  no  Man  is  obliged  by  it. 


P  art  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  41 1 


§  363.  2.  They  fiy,  That  all  the  World  confelfeth  that  a  Vow  obligeth  mrene- 
ceffaria,  to  that  which  is  antecedently  a  Duty  :  but  they  propound  it  to  confidera- 
tion,  whether  all  thefe  things  following,  which  are  in  the  Covenant  are  certainly 
no  Duties  antecedently. 

1.  [To  endeavour  in  our  fever al  Places  and  Callings,  the  prefervation  of  the  Reformed 
Religion^] 

2.  [The  Reformation  of '  IVorfhip^Difcipline^and  Church  Government  according  to  the  Word 
of  God,  in  England]. 

3.  [To  bring  the  Churches  of  God  in  the  three  Kingdoms  to  the  nearefl  conjunction  and 
uniformity  in  Religion]. 

4.  [To  endeavour  the  extirpation  of  (not  Epifcopacy,  butj  Prelacy,  that  is,  Church- 
Government  by  Archbijfbops,  Bifl)opsy  their  ChanceUours,  Commtffaries,  &C.  ]  that  is,  the 
fore  deicribed  Frame :  Whether  that  Frame  be  16  blamelels  as  to  be  allowable  I 
leave  to  their  Judgments  who  have  weighed  what  is  before  faid. 

5.  [The  Extirpation  of  Popery].  . 

6.  To  endeavour  [  the  Extirpation  of  Super  flit  ion] 

7.  And  [of  Herejie] 

8.  And  [  of  Prophanenefi] 

9.  And  of  [whatfoever  jball  be  found  contrary  to  found  Doctrine  and  the  Power  ofGod- 
UnefS] 

10.  [To  endeavour  with  our  Eftates  and  Lives  to  defend  the  King's  Majefty^s  Perfon  and 
Authority,  in  the  prefervatton  and  defence  of  the  true  Religion  and  Liberties  of  the  King- 
doms ? }  and  [not  to  diminijh  his  Majeflys  just  Power  and  Greatneftf) 

11.  [To  be  humbled  for  our  own  fins  and  the  fins  of  the  Kingdoms,] 

12.  [To  amend  our  Lives,  and  each  one  to  go  before  another  m  the  Example  of  a  real  Re- 
formation] . 

If  all  thefe  be  not  Duties,  let  the  queftion  be,  Whether  any  one  of  them  be  a  Du- 
ty ?  And  then,  Whether  that  which  is  antecedently  a  Duty  by  Divine  Obligation, 
be  not  further  ib  by  Self  obligation,  when  it  is  vowed  with  an  Oath?  Or  whether  a 
Vow  bind  not  to  a  Duty  ?  But  this  is  but  by  the  by,  about  the  fence  of  the  Impofers 
of  Subfcription  expreft  in  the  Corporation  A6t.  But  it  is  only  [  the  Alteration  of 
Church  Government]  which  the  prefent  Contrdverfie  is  about  :  And  if  all  that  was 
faid  again 't  our  Prelacy  onthefirit  Controverile  prove  it  a  Duty  to  endeavour  an 
alteration  of  the  Church- Government,  then  the  Controverfie  is  at  an  end. 

§  364.  3.  They  fey,  That  all  Men  confefs  that  an  Oath  and  V  ow  is  obligatory  in 
a  lawful  matter,  though  ii  were  not  antecedently  neceflary:  But  whether  (_  in  their 
Places  and  Callings']  to  endeavour  an  alteration  of  the  Church-Government  be  not 
lawful,  is  the  queltion.  Here  1.  let  it  be  obferved,  what  the  matter  of  the  Vow  is : 
2.  Who  be  the  Perfons  whole  Obligations  are  in  queftion.  I.  The  matter  of  the 
Vow  was  not  to  extirpate  Epifcopacy  in  general,  nor  the  Primitive  Epifcopacy  in 
particular  but  only  the  fore- defcribed  Engltfh  Diocefan  Pielacy  ,  in  Specie:  which 
1  prove  beyond  all  denial :  i.Becaufe  that  which  was  not  in  being  in  England  could 
not  be  extirpated  ou»:  of  England:  But  it  was  not  the  Primitive  Epifcopacy,  or  any 
other  fort,  but  the  p;e(ent  Diocelan  Prehcy  which  was  in  being  in  England  :  Ergo 
no  other  could  be  extirpated.  2.  Becaufe  when  the  Covenant  was  debated  firftin 
the  Synod  at  Weftmmfler,  abundance  of  Divines  who  Subscribed  the  Covenant,  did 
openly  profefs  that  they  were  not  againft  Epifcopacy  ;  and  would  not  content  to  it 
in  any  iuch  fence.  3.  Becaufethe  faid  Divines  upon  that  profeflion,  cauled  the 
Defcription  of  the  word  [Prelacy]  tobeexpreft  in  a  Parentheies,  which  is  only  the 
Delcription  of  our  Diocelan  Frame:  which  is  to  be  leen  in  the  words  of  the  Co- 
venant. 4.  Becaufe  when  the  Houle  of  Lords  (  who  impoled  it  J  did  conjunctly 
and  fblemnly  take  the  Covenant,  Mr.  Tho.Coleman  who  preached  and  gave  ic  them, 
did  openly  declare  at  the  giving  and  taking  of  it,  that  it  was  not  all  Epifcopacy 
that  they  renounced  or  vowed  by  this  Covenant  to  extirpate ,  but  only  the  Dioce- 
fan Prelacy  there  defcribed.  Ail  this,  with  the  words  themfelves,  I  think  is  fuffi- 
cient  Evidence  of  the  matter  of  that  Claule. 

§  36J.  2.  And  for  the  Perfons,  here  are  efpecially  three  forts  in  queftion :  1.  The 
King,  2.  The  Parliament,  3.  The  People.  The  firft  queftion  is,  Whether  the  Peo- 
ple (in  the  number  allowed  by  the  k6t)  may  not  by  humble  petition  endeavour  a  re- 
forming Alteration  of  the  Prelacy  ?  2.  Whether  Parliament  Men  may  not  law- 
fully fpeak  and  vote  for  it  ?  3.  Whether  King  and  Parliament  may  not  alter  it,  by 
altering  the  Laws  ?  If  all  thefe  Actions  bs  the  endeavouring  of  a  Duty,  or  of  a 
lawful  Thing  in  their  fever  al  Places  and  Callings,  and  that  be  the  very  thing  which 
the  Vow  obligeth  them  to,  then  the  queftion  is, Whether  hereto  it  do  not  bind  cnem? 

G  g  g  2  §  366. 


412  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.  I. 

§  366.  i.To  fay  that  the  People  may  not  lb  much  as  petition  for  a  Thing  (b  much 
concerning  their  Felicity,  is  to  take  away,  not  only  that  Liberty  which  the  King 
hath  in  many  of  his  Declarations  againft  the  Parliament,  profefled  to  maintain,  but 
alio  fuch  Liberty  as  Lawyers  fay  is  woven  into  the  Conititution  of  the  Kingdom 
by  the  Fundamental  Laws,  and  cannot  be  taken  from  them  but  by  changing  the 
Conftitution,  yea,  and  reducing  them  to  aftate  below  that  of  a  Subjed. 

§  367.  2.  To  fay  that  a  Parliament  Man  may  not  Jpeak  or  vote  for  fuch  an  alte- 
ration, feemeth  to  be  againft  the  old  unqueftioned  Priviledge  of  Parliaments,  which 
was  never  denied  by  the  King  who  oppofed  them  in  other  things.  And  this  Opini- 
on alfo  by  fuch  an  Alteration  of  Parliaments,  would  alter  the  Conltituted  Govern- 
ment of  the  Land. 

§  368.  3.  To  fay  that  the  King  and  Parliament  may  not  alter  Prelacy  by  altering 
the  Law,  doth  feem  to  be  the  higheft  Injury  to  Soveraignty ,  by  denying  the  Legii- 
lative  Power. 

§  369.  If  it  be  a  thing  which  the  People  may  not  petition  for,  nor  Parliament 
vote  for,  nor  fpeak  for,  nor  King  and  Parliament  alter ,  then  either  becauie  the 
Law  of  God  difableth  them,  or  the  Common  Good  forbiddeth  them,  or  the  Laws 
of  the  Land  reftraineth  them  from  :  But  it  is  none  of  thefe  :  Ergo 

1.  It  is  before  fhewed,  That  no  Law  of  God  hath  eftabliflied  the  Englifo  Form 
of  Prelacy  ;  nay,  that  the  Law  of  God  is  repugnant  to  it. 

2.  And  that  the  Common  Good  forbiddeth  not  the  Alteration,  but  requireth  it. 

3.  And  that  no  Law  reftraineth  in  any  of  the  three  formentioned  Cafes  is  plain, 
in  that  there  is  no  Law  againft  the  Peoples  Petitioning  as  aforefaid,  nor  can  be 
without  alteration  of  the  Government :  And  the  King  with  his  Parliament  are^  a- 
bove  Laws,  and  have  power  to  make  them,  and  to  abrogate  them.  So  that  it  feem- 
eth  a  thing  that  may  be  done  ;  and  a  Vow  turneth  a  may  be  into  a  muft  be,  where 
it  is  of  force.  And  thus  far  they  think  that  there  is  no  great  difficulty  in  the  Con- 
troverfie. 

§  370.  Before  I  tell  you  their  Anfwers  to  the  contrary  Realbns,  I  may  tell  you 
that  not  only  Dr.  Sanderfon  granteth,  but  all  Conformifts  that  ever  I  talkt  with 
hereabout,  do  agree  with  us  in  thefe  following  Points. 

1.  That  we  muft  here  diftinguilh  between  the  ABum  Imperantu}thQ  ABum  Juran- 
tis,  and  the  Materiam  Juramenti :  the  Ad  of  the  Parliament  impofing  it ;  the  Ad 
of  the  Perfons  taking  it ;  and  the  Matter  of  the  Oath  or  Vow. 

2.  And  alio  between  the  Sinfulnefiof  an  Oath  (the  Ad  of  the  Swearer)  and  the 
Nullity  of  it. 

3.  And  that  if  the  Impofers  Ad  be  finful,  and  the  Taking  Ad  be  finful,  yet  the 
Oath  is  obligatory  if  the  Matter  vowed  be  not  unlawful,  and  the  ABus  Jurandi  were 
not  a  Nullity  as  well  as  a  Sin. 

4.  That  if  there  be  fix  Articles  in  a  Vow,  and  four  of  them  be  unlawful ,  this 
doth  not  difbblige  the  Swearer  from  the  lawful  part :  Otherwifean  unlawful  Claufe 
put  in,  may  free  a  Man  from  a  Vow  for  the  moft  neceffary  Duties. 

5.  That  if  a  Nation  take  a  Vow,  it  is  a  pergonal  Vow  to  every  individual  Perlbn  in 
that  Nation  who  took  it. 

6.  That  if  there  be  in  it  a  mixture  of  a  Vow  to  God,  and  a  League,  Covenant 
or  Promiie  to  Men,  the  Obligation  of  the  Vow  to  God  may  remain  ,  when  as  a 
League  or  Covenant  with  Man  ceafech  :  unlefs  when  the  Vow  is  not  co-ordinate, 
but  fubordinate  to  the  League  or  Covenant,  as  being  only  a  Vow  or  Oath  that  it  (hall 
be  faithfully  performed. 

7.  That  if  a  Vow  be  impofed  in  lawful  proper  Terms,  it  is  not  any  unexprefled 
Opinion  or  the  Impofers,  that  maketh  the  Matter  unlawful  to  the  Taker. 

8.  That  if  the  Impofers  be  many  Perfons  naturally  making  one  collective  Body, 
no  fence  of  theirs  is  to  be  taken  as  explicatory,  but  what  is  in  the  words  or  other- 
wife  publickly  declared  to  the  Takers :  Becaufe  they  are  fuppofed  to  be  of  different 
minds  among  themfelves,when  they  agree  not  in  any  Expofition. 

9.  That  though  a  Subjed  ought  to  take  an  Oath  in  the  fence  of  his  Rulers  who 
impofe  it,  as  far  as  he  can  underftand  it  •  yet  a  Man  that  taketh  an  Oath  from  a 
Robber  to  fave  his  Life,is  not  alway  bound  to  take  it  in  the  Impofers  fence,if  he  take 
it  not  againft  the  proper  fence  of  the  words. 

10.  That  though  a  Subjed  fhould  do  his  beft  to  underftand  the  Impofers  lenee, 
for  the  right  taking  of  it,  yet  as  to  the  keeping  of  it,  he  is  bound  much  to  the  fence 
in  which  he  himielf  took  it,  though  poffibly  he  mifunderftoud  the  Impofers. 

§  ?7»- 


*  ■ 

Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         41 3 

§  371.  Now  to  their  Anfwer  to  the  Reafons  of  the  Conformifts. 

Objed.  1.  The  End  was  evil  ;  to  change  the  Government  of  Church  and  State  with* 
out  Law,  which  was  f  tied  by  Law  :  The  Bijhops  were  a  part  of  the  Houfe  of  Lordsy  and. 
therefore  could  not  be  caft  out  but  by  their  own  confent,  and  the  whole  Parliament's  with  the 
King. 

Anfw.  1.  Ic  is  not  the  ill  ends  of  the  Perfons  impofing  that  can  difoblige  the  Ta- 
ker, unlefi  it  had  been  the  finis  proximus  ipfius  Juramenti  effential  to  the  Vow  it  felf, 
and  inieparable  from  it.  The  Ends  of  Parliaments  may  be  manifold  and  unknown* 
which  the  People  cannot  know,nor  are  bound  to  fearch  after.The  words  of  the  Vow 
it  (elf  are  [in  our  feveral  Places  and  Callings  we  jhall  endeavour']  :  And  this  was  the  ex-, 
preiTed  work  and  end:And  this  was  not  doing  any  thing  againft  Law.Ifa  difcontented 
Perlbn  now  mould  fay,  that  the  Parliaments  End  in  the  Ad  of  Uniformity,  and 
that  againft  Conventicles,  was  Periecution  and  the  Suppreflion  of  Religion  ,  and 
therefore  they  are  not  to  be  obeyed,  how  would  this  hold,  while  Uniformity  and, 
Peace  are  the  publified  Ends,  and  the  reft  are  either  uncertain  or  impertinent  to 
us. 

2.  Whether  indeed  the  Impofers  Ends  were  ill,  is  a  Controverfie  fit  to  be  touch- 
ed by  it  felf.  They  thought  fuch  a  Change  of  Church- Government  was  a  good 
End  :  And  for  doing  it  againft  Law  they  put  not  that  into  the  Swearers  part,  in  thist 
Claufe  ;  and  profeffed  the  contrary  themielves.  But  if  they  did  themfelves  purpofe 
to  do  that  againft  Law,  which  others  fwear  to  do  [m  their  Places  and  Calling  ]  thac 
is,  according  to  Law,  are  thole  others  therefore  not  obliged  to  do  what  they  vow-, 
ed  to  do  according  to  Law,  becaufe  the  Impofers  intended  to  do  their  part  againlt 
Uw? 

•3.I  fuppole  all  the  Kings  Party  who  took  the  Oath  at  their  Compofition  ,  had  no  ill 
end  in  it,  and  are  they  not  then  to  interpret  it  by  their  own  Ends,  as  it  is  their  Per- 
fonal  Vow  ? 

4.  If  we  teach  Men  that  the  bad  Ends  of  the  Impofers  do  difoblige  Men  from  per- 
forming Vows  materially  good,  take  heed  left  it  follow  that  it  will  difoblige  them 
much  more  from  obeying  Commands  and  Laws  materially  good  :  And  then  every 
Subjed  will  take  himlelf  to  be  difobliged,  who  is  but  confident  that  Perfection,  Op- 
preJfion,ckc.  were  his  Rulers  Ends.  What  if  a  Man  for  evil  Ends  command  me  to 
obey  the  King,  or  to  worfhip  God,  or  to  give  to  the  Poor  :  Or  make  me  fwear  to 
do  all  this  ;  Doth  not  my  Vow  oblige  me,  becaufe  he  had  evil  Ends  that  drove  me 
to  it  ?  Nay,  if  I  had  my  felf  vowed  to  do  all  thefe  for  fome  evil  end,  though  ic 
is  certain  that  I  muft  not  do  it  to  that  end,  yet  whether  the  change  of  my  End, 
does  difoblige  me  alio  from  my  Vow,a%  to  the  Matter,  is  a  difficult  queftion,  which 
I  think  Caluifts  commonly  refblve  in  the  Negative.  But  if  any  Man  did  miftake 
their  Delign,  and  had  good  Ends  himfelf,  while  theirs  were  bad,  yea,  and  the  Ends 
commanded  him  were  good,  the  Cafe  is  much  plainer. 

f.  Who  can  fay  that  the  King  had  an  ill  End  in  taking  it  ?  Or  that  his  Place  and 
Culling  did  not  impower  him  to  do  that  which  in  a  Subjed:  would  have  been  illegal ; 
and  that  he  may  not  lawfully  endeavour  accordingly  ? 

And  whereas  it  is  faid,  That  the  very  War  it  felf  expounded  their  meaning  who  im- 
fofedit,  they  being  then  in  Arms  againft  the  King  (]  It  is  anfwered  by  the  Non-Subfcri- 
bers,  1.  That  they  openly  profeffed  to  take  up  Aims  only  againft  Delinquent  Sub- 
jeds  according  to  Law,  2.  That  their  mifapplication  made  not  good  words  to  be 
bad  to  others.  3.  That  if  they  make  me  fwear  to  do  kin  my  Place  and  Calling,  I  am 
not  obliged  to  expound  this  to  be  [out  of  my  Place  and  Calling']  becaufe  they  go  ouc 
of  their  Place  and  Calling. 

And  whereas  it  is  faid,  That  [the  Biflwps  were  part  of  the  Parliament,  and  fo  of  the 
Civil  Government^] ;   It  is  anfwered, 

1.  That  the  Parliament  declared  that  they  were  no  Conftitutive,  EfTential,  Un- 
changeable Part,  without  whom  the  Ads  of  both  Houfeswere  invalid  :They  were 
but  part  of  the  Lords  Houfe,  where  they  might  be  over-voted. 

2.  The  Scruple  of  the  Non-Subfcr i-bers  is  not  at  all,  whether  they  are  obliged  to 
endeavour  to  difpolTefs  them  of  their  Baronies  or  Places  in  Parliament,  which  is  in 
the  power  of  the  King  to  give  them ;  but  only  about  their  Ecclefiaftical  Power 
and  Government  as  here  formed.  And  if  it  could  be  proved  that  the  Covenantin- 
tended  both  the  Ejedion  of  them  from  their  Church  Power,  and  their  Places  in 
Parliament^  followeth  not  that  it  obligeth  nctto  the  lawful  aft  j  becaufe  itobligeth 
not  to  the  unlawful .' 

fr  Nor' 


414  %%*  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

3.  Nor  can  it  eafily  be  proved  unlawful  for  the  King  and  Parliament,  either  to 
make  a  feparation  of  theie  Powers,  or  to  take  both  from  them  ,  and  fb  fee  up  the 
Primitive  fort  of  Bilhops ,  either  with  or  without  any  Civil  Authority:  Abbots 
had  once  alio  a  place  in  Parliament,  and  yet  they  are  now  taken  down,  it  is  fup- 
pofed  not  unlawfully.  The  King  himfelf  doth  lawfully  make  Members  of  both 
Houfes,  by  making  Earls  and  Barons,  and  by  giving  Corporations  power  to  chooie 
BurgefFes,  who  before  had  none.  And  as  the  new  making  of  theie,  Co  the  exclu- 
ding of  fbme  Members,  may  be  without  any  change  in  the  Form  of  Civil  Go- 
vernment: Certainly  many  Fathers  and  Canons  are  againlr.  the  Civil  Government 
of  the  Clergy. 

§  572.  2.  The  fecond  objection  is  [That  the  Authority  of  the  Impofers  was  null  as  to 
that  Act]. 
Anfw.  That  is  a  diftincl:  Controverfie,  which  here  I  mail  pafs  by  :  But  grant- 
,  ing  it  to  be  fb,  no  more  will  follow  but  that  the  People  were  not  bound  by  any 
Command  of  theirs  to  take  it  :  But  a  Vow  that  is  taken  in  my  Clofet,  without  any 
Man's  imposition  or  knowledge,  may  be  obligatory  ;  or  one  that  a  Robber  forceth 
me  to  by  the  High- way  :  The  nullity  of  the  Obligation  to  take  it,  is  all  that  fol- 
loweth  the  nullity  of  their  Authority  ;  which  will  not  infer  the  nullity  of  the  Obli- 
gation to  keep  it  :  for  it  maketh  it  but  equal  to  a  Vow  which  is  made  of  a  private 
Will  without  any  Command  of  Authority  at  all. 

§  373.  ;.  The  third  Reafon  (which  molt  nearly  toucheth  the  Controverfie)  is, 
That  (he  Matter  vowed  (to  extirpate  Prelacy)  was  unlawful)  both  as  againft  the  Laws 
of  God  and  of  'he  Land. 

Anfw.  If  this  be  proved,  no  doubt  but  the  Obligation  is  void,  and  of  no  efTed. 
But,  1.  It  is  before  proved  to  be  far  from  being  againft  the  Law  of  God  to  alter 
this  Prelacy  by  warrantable  means :  And  alfo,  that  it  is  not  againft  the  Law  of  the 
Land,  for  Subje&s  modeftly  to  petition,  or  Parliament  Men  tofpeak,  or  the  King 
and  Parliament  to  change  j  which  are  the  A&ions  which  belong  to  their  Places 
and  Callings.  And  if  it  had  been  exprefly  part  of  the  matter  of  that  Vow  [to  do  this 
by  unlawful  means']  the  quefiion  is,  Whether  this  can  difoblige  the  Swearer  from  the 
lawful  part  adjoyning,  which  is  [to  do  it  in  their  Places  and  Callings  ]  ?  Whatever  0- 
ther  matter  is,  this  matter  is  not  yet  proved  to  be  unlawful. 

§  374.  Object.  But  Epifcopacy  is  Jure  Divino,  and  the  Covenant  mentionetb  the  ex- 
tirpation  of  Prelacy,  which  is  of  the  fame  Species  with  the  other  Epifcopacy :  And  there- 
fore it  is  to  be  underftood  as  to  the  extirpation  of  all  Epifcopacy,  and  fo  not  obligatory. 
Anjw.  1.  It  is  before  proved  that  our  Prelacy  is  not  of  Divine  Righr,but  againft 
ir.  2.  And  that  it  difFereth  even  ffecifically  from  the  Primitive  Epifcopacy.  3.  But 
that's  nothing  to  the  Covenant :  For  whether  it  differ  fpecie,  velgradu}  <vel  accidenti- 
bus,  it  is  proved  that  the  Covenant  taikcjth  not  of  the  extirpation  of  any  other  E- 
pifcopacy  but  it  alone.  4.  But  if  it  did,  it  fol loweth  not  that  the  Obligation  a* 
gaintt  the  unlawful  Prelacy  is  null,  becaufe  the  conjunct  Vow  againft  all  Epifcopa- 
cy is  null :  If  a  Man  Vow  at  once  to  do  two  things,  of  which  one  is  lawful,  and 
the  other  unlawful,  he  maybe  bound  to  the  lawful  part,  when  he  is  not  bound  to 
the  unlawful.  But  it's  plainly  proved,  that  it  was  our  Prelacy  exifient,  asfucb,  defcri- 
bed  exprefly,  (yea,  the  inclufion  of  Epifcopacy  openly  difclaimed)  which  was  the 
thing  covenanted  againft. 

§  37  J.  Object.  The  finis  proximus  is  part  of  the  matter  of  the  Vow  :  for  the  fever al 
Acts  are  vowed  only  as  means  to  that  end:  And  therefore,  the  obligation  to  the  end  ceafing, 
the  obligation  to  the  means  as  fuch  doth  ceafe :  Now  the  end  was  the  maintaining  a  War 
againft  the  King,  and  the  illegal  taking  down  of  Prelacy  :  And  every  Claufe  in  the  Covenant 
receiving  its  fence  from  this  unlawful  End,  is  it  felf  unlawful. 

Anfw.  Though  I  hear  none  ufe  this  Reafon,  yet  it  being  the  ftrongeft  that  I 
could  devife,  and  all  that  can  feem  of  any  weight  being  comprized  in  it,  I  will 
not  pafi  it  by  j  ( though  it  be  for  Subftance  the  fame  with  that  firft  anfwer- 
ed).    And, 

1.  It  is  plain  that  the  finis  proximus  of  altering  Prelacy,  can  be  neither  of  thefe 
mentioned:  Neither  the  War,  nor  the  illegality  of  the  Change:  The  finis  proximus 
mufl  be  the  ceffation  of  Prelacy  :  The  next  End  was  a  (  real  or  fuppofed ) 
eaje  to  the  Nation  by  it ;  and  a  (real  or  fuppofed)  Reformation  of  the  Church 
by  it  :  And  fo  far  are  the  two  aforefaid  things  from  being  the  neareft  Ends, 
that  they  would  be  no  Ends.  For,  1.  The  nature  of  the  thing  fhewerh  it :  It  may 
much  fitlier  be  faid  that  the  War  was  for  the  taking  down  of  Prelacy  (as  is  common- 
ly faid  by  the  Prelatiffs)  than  that  the  taking  down  of  Prelacy  was  for  the  War:  And 
the  War  was  long  before  Prelacy  was  taken  down:  And  it  is  contrary  to  fence  to 

fay, 


Part  Il«  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         415 

ay,  That  [t he  taking  down  of  Frelacy~]  was  [for  the  illegal  manner  of  doing  tt~\,b\ix.  Yi- 
ker  that  [the  illegal  manner  of  doing  it~]  (  if  it  were  illegal )  was  [for  the  taking  down 
of  Prelacy  j  :  The  manner  was  for  the  work  as  its  end,  and  not  the  work  tor  the 
manner.  2.  And  there  is  no  ftich  end  expreffed  in  the  Covenant  but  contrarily  all 
along,  Reformation  is  the  profeffed  end.  And  it  is  not  ft ere t  ends,  but  the  ends  ex- 
preffed in  the  Covenant  that  the  Takers  were  to  look  at. 

If  it  be  laid,  That  thefe  two  were  the  unlawful  Ends  of  Impofmg  the  Covenant,  though 
not  the  finis  materia:,  the  End  of  extirpating  Prelacy'].  1  anfwer,  If'  that  were  proved, 
it  is  nothing  to  the  Point  j  for  it  will  only  prove  the  Impofing  to  be  unlaw- 
ful. 

If  it  be  faid,   That  it  was  alfo  [  the  End  of  Mens  taking  it  ].     I  anfwer,  i.  He  that 
faith  it  was  the  intended  End  of  the  Takers,  mud  know  all  their  hearts ,  and  know 
that  all  their  Ends  were  the  lame ;  which  is  impoflible.     2.  If  it  be  only  [  tSe 
commanded  End]  that  is  meant,  I  further  anfwer,   1.  It  is  vifible  in  the  Words  of  the 
Covenant,  that  there  is  no  fuch  End  commanded  :  Reformation  is  the  End  expi  died 
in  the  Covenant.     2.  If  it  had  been  commanded,  that  was  the  fin  of  the  Commanders, 
but  proveth  not  that  the  Covenanters  all   took  it    to  the   commanded  aids  :  And  k 
bindeth  according  to  the  Takers  fence.     3.  If  it  had  been  certainly  taken  to  a  wiong 
end  by  every  Man  that  took  it  (which  is  not  proveable),  this  would    only   p  o\e 
the  Aclum  Jurandi  to  be  a  fin,  but  not  the  Materiam  Juratam  to  b~  evil  ;  which  ij 
the  heart  of  all  the  Controverfie.     There  is  great  difference  between  the  finis  jutan- 
di  and  the  finis  ret  jurat  a  i  the  end  of  [wearing,  and  the  end  of  the  thing  (worn.     J  If 
the  finis  jurandi  only  be  evil,  it  will  only  prove  the  affum  jurandi  to  bj  a  lin  :  but  ic 
will  not  prove  the  materia  juramenti  to  be  unlawful  :  and  then  the  Oath  may  be  ob- 
ligatory (  as  mail  be  further  me wed).    4.  Nay,  go  to  the  higheff,  and   if  i:  had 
been  the  end  of  the  matter  fwom.  (viz,,  of  the  extirpation  of   Prelacy  )  that  was 
evil,  yet  (as  I  have  faid  )  molt  Cafuifts,  I  think,  will  determine  that  the  matter  is 
feparable  in  mod  Cafes  from  the  end,  (unlefsit  be  a  meer  relative  Act  which  the 
finis  proximus  is  elTential  to).     If  a  Man  (wear  Allegiance  to  the  King  to  a  wrong 
end,  is  he  not  therefore  obliged  to  Allegiance  by  his  Oath  ?  If  a  Man  (wear  to  do 
many  things  in  themfelves  indifferent,  upon  a  milraken  fuppofition   chit   they  are 
Duties,  and  fo  for  the  pleafing  of  God  ;  when  it  is  difcoveied  ro  that  Man,  that 
they  were  media  inepta,  or  no  means  at  all  to  that  end  fof  pleafing  God)  but  things 
indifferent,  I  fuppofe  he  is  not  therefore  difbbliged,  though  he  vowed  them  only 
fub  ratione  mediorum  :  becaufe  the   keeping  of  a    Vow  about  things  lawful,  is  plea- 
fing to  God,  though  the  matter  vowed  were  indifferent.     And  if  this  hold  not  true, 
then  wicked  men  can  fcarcely  ever  be  obliged  by  any  Oath  or  Vow  to  God  or  their  Superi- 
ors,  becaufe  they  have  wrong  Ends  in  all  ,  or  moll   things  which  they  do.     But 
this  laft  part  of  the  Anfwer  is  needlefs,  becaufe  the  former  are  of  undoubted  cer- 
tainty. 

§  %~6.  4.  The  founh  Reafon  againfr  the  Covenant  is ,   That  it  was  fin  fully  taken. 

Anjw.  1.  It  may  be  (infully  taken  of  one  ( that  had  ro  fuffceient  Motives.or  had 
evil  ones)  and  not  of  anorher:  This  Ohje^ion  chargech  fin  on  the  King  and  all 
the  Lords  and  Knights  and  Gentlemen  of  his  part,  who  took  it  unwillingly  ;  when 
none  of  them  have  been  heard  fpeak  for  theinfelves,  nor  have  produced  the  Reafbns 
that  moved  them   to  take  it. 

2.  If  this  were  all  granted  of  King  and  Kingdoms  (that  they  finned  in  taking 
it)  it  proveth  no  more,  but  the  acl us  jurandi  was  a  fin,  and  not  the  materia  jura- 
menti evil ;  which  is  no  proof  of  the  nullity  of  the  Obligation.  Man/  a  Man  or 
Woman  that  finned  in:  marrying  (  for  wrong  ends,  or  without  juft  caufe,  &c.  )  is 
yet  bound  by  the  Marriage  Covenants.  Many  things  arey/W/«/  that  are  not  nulli- 
ties, Aram,  or  ignorant,  or  cauflels  Vow  is  finful  quoad  aclium,  and  yet  obligatory 
if  it  be  lawful  (juoad  materiam,  and  be  no  nullity.  When  it  is  either  really  ho  Vow, 
or  the  thing  vowed  be  forbidden  of God,  then  it  is  not  to  be  judged  obligatory. 

§  377.  The  fifth  Realbn  againfi  the  Obligation  is,  from  Numb.  30.  That  it  was 
nulled  by  the  King's  declared  dijfnt.  To  which  it  is  anfwered  by  theNon-Subfbribers, 
1.  That  the  Text  is  nothing  to  the  Point,  or  ac  lead,  no  Man  can  be  fure  it  is. 
For,  1.  it  fpeaketh  only  de  materia  non  neceffaria\  but  the  Covenant  is  fuppofed  by 
the  Non-Subfcribers  to  fpeak  de  materia  necefjaria.  2.  The  Text  exprefly  limiteth 
the  indulgence  to  a  daughter  in  the  family,  or  a  wife,  and  doth  not  extend  it  to  the 
Wronger  Sex.  3.  It  limiteth  it  to  Families,  where  the  Ruler  is  ftill  at  hand,  and 
extendeth  it  not  to  Kingdoms.  4.  It  doth  not  prove  the  Obligation  null  from  the 
beginning,  but  only  diffolved  afterward  by  the  Father's  or  Husband's  difpenfatioii 
(  as  many  Verfes  exprefs ).     j.  Therefore  to  pretend  a  parity  of  reafon,  for  a  King's 

difpenfing 


416  The  L I F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 


i 


difpenfing  with  his  Subjects  Vows,  is  a  bare  pretence,  and  unproved  ,  and  difpro- 
ved.  6.  If  it  wculd  hold,  then  it  is  in  the  power  of  Kings  to  fave  all  their  Sub- 
jects from  the  guile  of  Perjury,  by  difpenfing  with  all  their  Vows.  7.  This  Law 
in  Numbers  is  no  further  in  force  than  it  appeareth  to  belong  to  the  Law  of  Nature, 
or  of  Chrift  :  For  as  Mofes\  Law,  it  dy'd  with  Chrift,  and  was  nailed  to  his  Crofs: 
Though  the  general  equity  of  it  be  ftill  of  force.  8.  How  many  Thoufands  in  this 
Land  and  Scotland  never  knew  of  the  King's  Declaration  againft  the  Covenant  ? 
How  then  could  that  difpenfe  with  their  Vows,  which  they  never  knew  of,  nor 
poflibly  could  know  of, being  in  the  Parliaments  Garrifbns  or  Quarters?  9.Whafs 
this  to  all  thole  that  took  it  when  the  King  was  dead,  and  therefore  could  not  di- 
fpenfe with  their  Oaths  ?  10.  What  is  this  to  the  King  himfelf,  who  took  it  long 
after  his  Father's  Death,  over  whom  no  man  had  a  difpenfing  Power?  1  r.  What's 
this  to  all  thole  that  took  it  after  the  prefent  King  had  taken  it,  and  publifhed  a 
Declaration  for  it  ?  Did  not  this  then  confirm  the  Obligation?  (Though  for  my  part 
J  am  one  of  thofe  that  think  that  the  Scots  did  ill,  unmannerly  ,  dif obediently  ,  unlawfully , 
inhumanly,  foolifbly,  in  forcing  the  King  to  take  the  Covenant  again ft  h  is  will,  and  to  pub- 
lifl)  fo  har(h  a  Declaration  again  ft  his  Father  s  Actions,  contrary  to  his  own  Judgment}. 
Yet  it  is  his  open  Declarations,  and  not  his  fecret  Unwillingnefs,  which  hisdifrant 
Subjects  could  take  notice  of.  So  that  this  reafon  feemeth  ftrongly  to  make  againft 
the  pleaders  of  it,  becauie  of  the  King's  confirming  Act. 

§  378.  6.  The  fixth  Reafon  is,  [  That  the  People  cannot  lawfully  endeavour  the  change 
of  Church  Government  without  the  King]  Anfw.  1.  Cannot  the  Subjects  petition,  and 
the  Parliament  Jfeak  and  vote  without  him  ,  and  petition  him  alfb  ?  2.  Cannot  a 
Bilhop  lawfully  advife  the  King  to  do  it ,  if  the  King  ask  his  Advice  ?  3.Cannot 
the  Subjects  endeavour  it  if  the  King  command  them  ?  Are  they  all  bound  to  dif- 
obey  the  King  if  he  Ihould  command  their  Service  for  the  Change  of  Prelacy  in- 
to the  Primitive  Epifcopacy?Their  Place  and  Calling  is  to  do  it  when  the  King  com- 
manded! them  :  And  (0  many  of  them  underftood  and  took  it :  And  it  feemeth 
too  near  a  kin  to  Rebellion,  to  fay  that  no  Subject  muft  obey  the  King  in  fuch  a 
matter,  though  he  fwear  it.  If  you  fay,This  is  never  like  to  be:  I  anfwer,  No  Man 
knoweth  what  Change  the  Mind  of  Kings,  as  well  as  other  Men,  may  admit : 
And  they  that  read  the  King*s  Declaration  in  Scotland,  thought  they  had  a  vifible 
proof  of  it.  4.  And  what's  all  this  to  the  King's  own  Ac!:,  who  took  it  himfelf  5 
whom  we  mult  alfo  by  our  Subfcription  difoblige? 

§  379.  7.  The  feventh  Reafon  anfw  ere  th  this,  [That  the  King  took  not  the  fame 
Covenant  mentioned  in  the  All  of  Uniformity,  but  another].  Anfw,  This  is  Co  thin  a 
ftiift,  that  the  King  himfelf  doth  not  own  it,  but  faith,  That  his  Enemies  drove 
him  to  it  againft  his  will.  As  if  [mutatis  mutandis]  the  various  Names  and  Cafes 
of  Perfons  made  an  Oath  or  Covenant  not  to  be  the  fame  !  Becauie  it's  faid  in  the 
beginning  [We  Noble  men,  Knights,  &c.  and  not  [We  the  King  and  Noblesf]  they  fup- 
pofe  another  Name  or  Perfon  maketh  it  fpecifically  another  Covenant.  Or  becaufe 
the  Article  eft  protecting  the  King's  Perlbn,  belonged  not  to  him  to  take. 

§  ;8o.  8.  Another  Reafon  is,  [That  the  King  was  forced  to  it],  Anfw.  The  more 
to  be  blamed  are  they  that  did  it,  then  :  But  all  the  World  acknowledged  that  the 
Will  of  Man  cannot  be  forced  abfolutely  :  and  that  a  voluntary  Act,  though  cau- 
fed  by  neceflity  or  terrour,  is  moral  ;  and  that  a  Promife  made  to  Man  (  much 
more  a  Vow  to  God)  in  materia  licita,  though  forced  by  a  Robber  that  would  take 
away  ones  Life,  may  yet  be  Obligatory.  A  Man  that  may  choofe  whether  he  will 
vow  or  die,  is  bound  by  his  Vow,  if  he  chooie  it,  before  Death :  Though  yet  the 
choofing  it  may  poflibly  be  his  fin. 

§  3  8  r.  9.  Mr.  Fullwood's  great  Reafon  is ,  That  the  King  was  pre-engaged  to  take  the 
Corporation  Oath  as  Heir  of  the  Crown,  and  confequently  engaged  to  Epifcopacy,  and  confe- 
quently  he  was  not  obliged  againft  it  by  the  Covenant. 

Anfw.  1.  If  he  were  not  obliged  to  take  the  Crown,  he  was  not  obliged 
to  take  that  Oath.  If  he  were  obliged  under  the  Peril  of  a  Sin  to  take 
the  Crown,  then  Charles  the  Fifth,  and  other  Princes  that  have  laid  down  Crowns, 
or  refufed  them,  have  finned  :  ( unlefs  fome  peculiar  Reafon  be  here  brought).  But 
this  is  not  affirmed  by  any,  That  a  Prince  may  not  lawfully  refute  a  Crown,  un- 
lefs when  it  would  hazard  the  Happinels  of  the  Kingdom. 

2.  He  might  have  taken  the  Crown  with  an  alteration  of  that  Oath  :  Who  ever 
faid,  That  the  King  and  Parliament  have  not  power  to  change  that  Oath,  who  can 
change  the  Laws. 

1.  Who 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        417 

3.  Who  can  prove  that  it  is  any  violation  of  that  Oath,  or  wrong  to  [  the  li- 
berties of  the  Church']  which  the  King  fweareth  to  pre(erve,to  change  the  Prelacy  in- 
to the  Primitive  Epifcopacy  ?  by  taking  down  Lay-Chancellors,  and  reftoring  Pa- 
ftoral  Power,  &c.  any  more  than  it  was  to  take  down  Abbots,  and  to  caft  out  the 
Pope,  and  to  fubjecl:  the  Clergy  to  the  Magiftrate,  who  before  were  much  exempt : 
AH  thefe  feem  to  be  much  more  againft  the  Liberties  of  that  which  was  called  the 
Church  when  this  Oath  was  formed,  than  the  fhewing  Mercy  to  Prelates  and  the 
whole  Land,  by  reducing  them  to  a  lawful  rank,  can  be. 

4.  Do  any  Cafuifts  in  rhe  World  teach  fuch  Doclxine,  That  a  former  Oath  is 
null,  becaufe  fome  Conveniencies  required  the  taking  of  a  later  ? 

j.  If  this  hold  true,  then  God's  Law,  which  is  former  and  higher  than  all,  having 
firft  made  it  (  as  many  Non-Subfcribers  think  )  a  fin  to  cherifh  the  Diocefan  Frame 
at  all,  and  confequently  to  fwear  to  do  it,  the  queftion  \f,  Whether  the  Obligati- 
on to  fwear  the  upholding  of  them,  or  the  Obligation  not  to  fwear  it,  were  the 
greater  ? 

§  582.  to.  Mr.  Fullwood's  further  Reafon  is.  That  [it  is  injufiice  to  catt  out fo  ma- 
ny Men  from  their  pojjejj'ed  Dignities  and  Efiates ;  and  therefore  no  Vow  can  oblige  any  to 

'€•■ 

Anfw.  r.  If  indeed  it  were  fo,  then  the  Vow  extending  but  to  our  Places  and  Cal- 
lings, cannot  bind  us  to  it  :  But  is  it  any  Injuftice  to  make  a  Law  againft  Prelacy 
in  Specie,  and  to  let  their  Places  and  Honours  die  with  them  ?  The  Government  may 
be  id  altered  without  putting  out  any  Man,  if  none  be  put  in  toiucceed  them  when 
they  die. 

2.  And  what  if  the  King  continue  them  as  Church-Magiftrates  (  only  to  do 
what  his  own  Officers  may  dp,  to  keep  the  Churches  Peace  as  Juftices )  and  con- 
tinue their  Baronies  and  their  Lands  and  Places  in  Parliament,  and  only  reform  the 
pretended  Spiritual  Power  of  the  Keys  :  would  not  this  have  been  a  taking  down 
of  Prelacy  without  the  wrong  of  any  ? 

3.  Or  what  if  he  had  taken  down  all  their  Power,  and  given  them  a  Writ  of 
Bale,  and  therewith  left  them, durante  vita,  their  Eftates  and  Honours  ?  Would  this 
have  been  any  injury  to  them  ? 

4.  If  Prelacy  be  as  finful  as  the  Non-Subfcribers  foregoing  Arguments  would 
prove,  can  it  be  injuftice  to  fave  a  Man  from  Sin  and  Hell  ?  and  to  fave  all  the 
Churches  from  fuch  Calamity,  for  fome  flefhly  abatements  that  follow  to  a  few 
Perfbns  ?       « 

f.  Was  it  injuftice  to  put  down  the  Abbots  ?  Or  cannot  King  and  Parliament 
do  good  by  Laws  to  the  Church  or  Commonwealth,  whenever  a  fingle  Perfon  or 
a  few  do  iufler  by  it  ? 

6.  fefpecially  where  the  Maintenance  is  Publick,  and  given  for  the  Work,  and 
the  Work  is  for  the  Publick  Good  ?  Doth  any  Prince  fcruple  the  removing  of  art 
intolerable  Pilot  or  Captain  from  a  Ship  ?  Or  an  intolerable  Minifter  from  the 
Church  ?  Or  an  intolerable  Officer  from  the  Court,  though  it  be  to  his  lois  ?  For 
my  part,  I  never  accufed  them  for  calling  out  fo  many  Hundred  Minifters  from 
their  Livings  or  Benefices,  upon  fuppofition  that  it  be  no  wrong  to  Chrift  and 
Mens  Souls  to  caft  us  out  of  the  Church  ;  but  mould  rather  juftifie  it. 

§  38;.  11.  The  laft  and  not  the  weakeft  Reafon  againft  the  Obligation  of  the 
Covenant  is,  That  {_  if  it  were  lawful  before  for  fubjecls  to  petition,  and  Parliament 
Men  to  ffeak  and  vote  againfi  Prelacy,  yet  now  it  u  not ;  becaufe  by  this  At!  the  Parliament 
bath  made  it  unlawful.  ^^fl^_ 

Anfw.' 1.  The  Parliament  doth  only  declare  their  (M  la  thing  paft  [  that  no 
Man  is  bound]  and  not  enatl  by  a  Law  that  no  Man  fiami   Wforth  be  bound. 

2.  If  it  had  been  otherwile,  all  Proteftants  coniefs  that  neither  Pope  ,  nor  any 
Earthly  Power  can  difpenle  with  Oaths  and  Vows. 

5.  They  do  not  fo  much  as  prohibit  all  Men  to  endeavour  an  alteration  of  Go- 
vernment in  the  Church,  but  only  forbid  them  to  lay,  That  they  are  bound  to  it  by 
the  Covenant. 

4.  They  have  allowed  Subjects  to  petition  for  the  change  of  Laws,  fb  they  do  it 
but  ten  at  a  time. 

y.  The  Parliament  is  not  by  any  Man  to  be  accufed  of  fuch  a  Subverfion  of  Li- 
berties and  of  Parliaments  Priviledges,  and  of  the  Conftitution  of  the  Kingdom, 
as  to  forbid  Subjeds  petitioning,  and  all  Parliament  Men  fpeaking,  and  to  difable 
the  King  and  Parliament  from  changing  a  Law  when  they  fee  caufe :  If  they  mould 
do  any  of  this,  the  Charges  now  brought  againft  the  Long  Parliament,  would 
teach  and  allow  us  to  fuppofe  all  to  be  null. 

Uhh  6.  VI 


,i8  cIhe  LIFE  of  the  Lib.I. 

6.  If  the.Laws  of  God  beagainft  Prelacy,  thofc  oblige  above  all  Humane  Laws. 
And  he  that  mould  forbid  another  to  fave  him  or  his  Neighbour  when  he  is  drown- 
ing ,  doth  not  by  that  prohibition  make  the  faving  of  them  unlawful  before 
God. 

§  584.  Now  to  the  Latitudinarians  addition  of  Reafons  de  modo  &  fenfu.  i.They 
fay  that  the  Ail  extendeth  not  to  the  King  at  all,  when  it  biddeth  us  fubfcrtbe,  that  [there 
*  no  Obligation  on  me,  or  any  other  perfon  ] :  for  Laws  being  made  for  Subjects,  are  to  be 
interpreted  only  of  Subjeils,  unlefi  when  the  King  is  named. 

To  this  it  is  eafily  anfwered,  That  they  diftinguifh  not  between  the  King  as  the 
Subjeil  of  a  Law3  and  the  King  as  theObjett  of  my  Ajjertion  or  Belief.  It's  true,  that 
the  Law  fpeaketh  of  Subjects  only  whenever  it  fpeaketh  of  the  Duty  of  Subjeds  ; 
and  the  King  is  no  Subjed  :  But  it  is  as  true,  that  the  Law  fpeaketh  of  the 
King  only,  whenever  it  fpeaketh  of  the  Prerogatives  of  the  Crown  and  Soveraign- 
ty  ;  and  as  the  ObjeQ  of  the  Subjeds  Ads  of  Loyalty.  The  queftion  is  not 
here,  Who  is  commanded  by  this  Ail  ?  but  who  is  obliged  by  the  Covenant  or  Vow  ?  And 
if  I  be  commanded  to  fay,  that  [no  per/on  is  obliged]  without  any  limitation,  I  can 
with  no  reafbn  except  the  King,  whom  the  Law  excepteth  not  :  Princes  may  be 
obliged  by  Vows  as  well  as  others,  and  their  Obligations  may  be  the  Subject  of  our 
Affertions  and  Belief. 

§  585".  2.  The  fecond  Reafon  is,  Becaufethe  King's  Government  is  part  of  that  whofe 
alteration  is  declared  againfi,  therefore  he  can  be  none  of  the  [any  other  perfons]. 

Anfw.  1.  So  the  Prelates  are  the  Perfons  whofe  Government  is  here  mentioned, 
and  yet  no  doubt  they  are  included  in  the  [any  other  perfons  ];  as  their  Chancellors, 
Commiflaries,  Deans,  &c. 

2.  If  the  King  may  be  included,  when  it  is  faid,  That  no  Man  muft  extirpate 
Monarchy  ;no  not  the  King;  much  more  when  it  isfaid,That  no  Man  may  extirpate 
Prelacy  ;  for  there  the  reafon  of  the  Objection  faileth. 

§  ;86.  ;.  They  further  fay,  That  [the  Ail  meaneth  only  that  no  Man  is  bound  by 
the  Vow  to  endeavour  againfi  Lawt  as  by  Rebellion,  Sedition,  Treafon,  &c.  and  not  that 
Subjeils  may  not  petition.  Parliament  Menjpeak,  or  King  and  Parliament  alter  the  Law : 
which  they  prove,  becaufe  it  was  taking  up  Arms  and  illegal  Ailions  only  that  the  old 
Parliament  was  blamed  for. 

Anfw.This  one  pretence  hath  drawn  abundance  of  laudable  Perfons  to  Subfcribe: 
but  how  unfatisfadory  it  is,  may  thus  appear :  1.  Why  then  could  it  never  be  pro- 
cured to  have  the  word  [unlawfully']  put  into  the  Ad  ?  when  it  was  know  that  in  that 
fence  none  of  us  would  have  fcrupled  it. 

2.  All  Cafuifts  agree  that  Univerfal  Terms  in  or  about  Oaths  and  Vows,  muft  not  be 
underftood  any  otherwife  than  Univerfally,  without  apparent  cogent  Reafbn  :  On 
fuch  Terms  as  thefe  elfe  a  Man  may  take  any  Oath  in  the  World,  or  difclaim  any : 
The  Parliament  hathexadly  tyed  Subfcribers  to  the  particular  words,  and  they  long 
deliberated  to  exprefs  their  own  fence :  And  they  fay  [neither  I  nor  any  other  perfon]} 
and  now  Cometh  an  Expofitor,  and  faith,  The  King  is  not  the  [  any  other  perfon]. 
What !  Is  he  no  Perfon?  or  is  he  not  another  Perfon  ?  So  they  fay  [no  Obligation 
lieth  on  us  to  endeavour],  and  the  Latitudinarian  faith,  That  I  may  endeavour  it,  and 
that  they  mean  no  Endeavour  but  unlawful.  This  contradictory  Exception  and 
Expofition  is  againft  all  common  Ufe  and  Juftice,  and  fuch  as  will  allow  a  Man 
to  cheat  the  State,  by  faying  or  unfaying  any  thing  in  the  World. 

5.  We  have  many  a  tin^^ld  fome  Latitudinarians  how  this  matter  may  be  foon 
decided  if  they  will  :  IJfl  ■Ljament  hath  paft  another  Ad:  with  the  felf  fame 
words  in  it,  making  it  ■  wfion  for  any  Man  to  fay,  TKat  [he  or  any  other  perfon 
is  obliged  by  the  Covenant  to^^neavour  any  Alteration  of  Church-Government  ]  :Let  them 
write  or  lay  openly  [Men  are  obliged  by  the  Covenant  to  endeavour  it  by  lawful  means, 
but  not  by  unlawful  ] :  and  let  them  give  leave  to  another  to  accufe  them  in  a  Court 
of  Juftice  for  thefe  words ;  and  let  it  be  there  tried  and  judged,  and  then  the  fence 
of  the  Law  will  be  declared  :  If  they  be  in  the  right  the  Accufer  fhall  lofe  his 
Cofts,  and  no  danger  can  befal  them.  If  they  be  not  in  the  right,  they  will  be 
punifned  by  Confifcation :  And  is  not  the  hazard  of  fuch  a  Law  Suit  cheap  enough 
for  a  Man  to  fave  himfelf  and  others  from  fb  great  a  Guilt,  as  the  Juftification  of 
three  Kingdoms  in  the  Sin  of  Perjury  (  if  it  fo  prove  )  ?  And  yet  I  could  never 
hear  of  the  Man  that  would  hazard  his  Eftate  thus  on  the  confidence  of  his  Expo- 
fition of  the  Law ;  but  multitudes  venture  their  Souls  upon  it. 

4.Th 
e 


Part  11.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  41 9 


4.  The  Parliament,  who  is  the  Expounder  of  their  own  Laws,  have  given  us 
their  fence  of  the  Subjed  of  our  Controverfie,  in  a  former  Law,  which  puts  all 
out  of  doubt :  For  in  the  Corporation  Ad  all  Men  are  put  out  of  Power  and 
Truft,  who  will  not  declare,  that  (abfolutely,  without  any  limitation)  [  There  is  no 
Obligation  upon  me  or  any  other  per/on,  from  the  Oath  called,  8cc.  }  fb  that  all  Obligation 
to  any  thing  at  all  by  that  Vow,  is  in  this  moft  important  Ad  denied,  and  the 
profeflion  of  this  denial  thus  impofed.  By  which  it  is  paft  doubt  that  the  Law- 
makers fence  is  againft  all  Obligation  abfolutely. 

y.  And  that  it  is  fb,  is  well  know  to  thole  that  know  what  was  faid  in  the  Parlia- 
ment, when  among  the  Commons  this  Reafon  carried  it ;  viz,.  That  if  any  Obliga- 
tion at  all  be  acknowledged,  even  to  things  lawful,  every  feditious  per/on  will  be  left  to 
think  that  he  is  bound  to  all  which  he  conceiveth  lawful,  which  with  forne  will  be  to  refisl 
the  King  or  commit  Treafon:  Therefore  all  Obligation  abfolutely  muH  be  denied,  I  confefs. 
.fuch  Villains  there  may  be,  and  they  fhould  be  carefully  reftrained  ;  but  as  I  doubt 
this  Ad  of  Parliament  will  no  whit  change  their  belief  of  their  Obligations  (  tor 
they  will  think  Parliaments  cannot  difpenfe  with  Oaths  or  with  the  Laws  of  God) 
fb  it  is  a  fad  remedy  for  fuch  villanous  Errours,  to  difoblige  Men  from  the  lawful 
part  of  Vows,  for  fear  left  they  take  the  unlawful  ro  be  lawful :  As  it  is  to  teach 
Men  to  take  nothing  which  God  commandeth,  to  be  their  Duty,  for  fear  lealf  the/ 
Jhould  take  ther  Sin  to  be  their  Duty. 

§  3  87.  Objed.  But  what  if  the  Bijliop  give  me  liberty  to  put  in  the  word  [unlawfully^ 
cr  to  Subfcribe  only  in  that  fence  j  may  I  not  then  lawfully  do  it  ? 

Anfw.  This  was  the  only  Expedient  to  draw  in  Nonconforming  heretofore,  and 
{o  it  hath  proved  of  late  again.  But  I  diftinguifh,  1.  There  is  much  difference  be- 
tween Subfcribing  the  very  words  of  the  Ad,  with  the  verbal  or  by-addition  of 
your  own  Explication,  and  the  putting  in  of  your  Explicatory  words  into  the  Sen- 
tence which  you  Subfcribe.  2.  Between  Subfcribing  this  as  the  impofed  Declarati- 
on in  the  Ad,  and  Subscribing  it  only  as  another  thing.  3.  Between  the  fecret  and 
the  open  Explication  of  your  Mind.  For  my  part,  if  the  word  [  unlawfully  ]  had 
been  j  yned  to  [endeavour']  by  the  Law-makers,  I  would  not  have  fcrupled  to  Sub- 
fcribe that  part  of  the  Declaration.  But  1.  the  Bifhop  is  not  the  Law-maker,  and 
therefore  hath  no  more  power  than  a  private  Man  to  expound  the  Law  :  Nor  is  he 
fo  much  as  a  Judge  in  this  bufinefs  (  who  may  expound  ic  in  order  to  the  decifion 
of  a  particular  CaufeJ;  but  only  a  IVttnefi  that  you  Subfcribe.  2.  If  you  only 
Subfcribe  the  very  words  of  the  Declaration,  and  Jfeak  your  Explication,  or  write 
it  in  a  by-paper,  you  do  then  provide  an  inefficient  Plaifter  for  the  Sore  :  you  do 
that  which  is  evil  in  it  felf,  and  would  cure  it  by  an  uneffedual  accidental  Medi- 
cine: You  harden  both  the  Impofers  and  Subfcribers  by  your  Scandal,  while  you 
are  faid  to  Subfcribe  the  very  thing  impoied,  whole  fence  is  fb  plain,  that  your  Ex- 
pofition  is  but  an  apparent  ludicrous  diftortion.  As  if  I  were  commanded  to 
Subfcribe  this  Sentence  [  God  hath  no  knowledge  nor  no  love  ]  ;  The  Impofer  under- 
ftandeth  it  vulgarly  and  blafphemoufly  :  The  words  in  the  moft  ftrid  and  proper 
fence  are  true  (which  cannot  be  faid  in  our  Cafe  )  :  becaufe  knowledge  and  love  are 
fpoken  primarily  of  the  Creatures  Ads,  and  are  not  in  God  formaliter ,  but  emi- 
nenter,  that  is,  fbmewhat  more  excellent  which  hath  no  other  name,  becaufe  we 
have  no  formal  Conceptions  of  them,  but  muft  fpeak  of  God  after  the  manner  of 
Men,  while  Man  is  theGlafs  and  Image  by  which  we  know  him  :  yet  would  I  not 
Subfcribe  this  impofed  Propofition,  while  the  Impofer  meaneth  it  blafphemoufly  j 
becaufe  it  is  a  heinous  Scandal  to  be  faid  to  Subfcribe  and  own  fuch  Villany,  and  fb 
to  encourage  others  to  it ;  no  though  1  might  exprefs  my  ience.  3.  Efpecially  I 
may  exprefs  it  but  privately,  where  the  Remedy  againft  the  Scandal  will  be  inef- 
fedual  :  But  if  you  may  Subfcribe  the  whole  Sentence  with  your  own  words 
therein,  and  that  not  as  it  is  the  impofed  Declaration  (which  is  otherwife  expound- 
ed by  the  Law-makers  themfelves)  but  as  another,  and  may  make  this  as  publick 
and  notorious  as  your  Subfcription  it  felf  is,  then  1  havelefs  to  fay  againft  it.  There: 
are  no  words  utterable  which  a  Man  may  not  pur  a  good  fence  on  if  he  pleaie:  And 
yet  I  durft  not  fo  far  play  with  Death,  and  comply  with  the  Spirit  of  Impiety,  as. 
to  Subfcribe  that  [There  is  no  God,  or  God  is  unjuft,  or  unwife,  or  unholy,  &c.\ 
though  I  had  liberty  to  fay,  I  mean  it  in  this  or  that  fence  which  is  true  and 
warrantable. 

§  388.  4.  Another  Motive  of  the  Latitudinarians  to  Subfcribe  is,  That  by  [to  en- 
deavour an)  Change  or  Alteration  of  Government  m  the  Cl?urcb~\  is  meant  only  [any  change 
of  the  Species  of  our  Church-Government ,  and  not  any  Reformation  of  integral  or  acch 
dintal  Defeds,  or  Depravations,  t 

Hh'h  2  Mf&X: 


420  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 

Anfw.  i.  And  yet  thefe  very  Men  doprofefs  to  believe,  with  Mr.Stillingfleet.Thit 
no  Form  of  Church-Government  is  of  Divine  Appointment  or  Impofition  :  And  if  lb, 
why  is  it  not  lawful  for  the  King  and  Parliament  to  change  that  which  God  hath 
not  made  neceffary  ?  Or  for  Subjects  to  endeavour  it  by  Petition  ? 

2.  It  is  agreed  on  by  Cafuifts  (  and  their  Bifhop  of  Lincoln  Dr.  Sanderfin ,  with 
the  reft)  That  Oaths  are  to  be  taken  fenfu  (Irtftiore,  and  fo  are  Laws,  and  thofe 
efpecially  which  determine  of  the  Obligation  of  Oaths :  But  it  is  an  unwarrantable 
audacious  liberty  for  any  Subject  unneceffarily  thus  to  turn  an  Umverjal  Entmctation 
into  a  Definite  and  Particular ;  and  when  the  Law  faith  [  any  alteration  of  Govern- 
ment ]  to  fay  that  [  fome  alteration  ]  is  not  included.  Their  reafon  is  becaule  it  is 
faid  [of]  and  not  [in]  Government.  Anfw.  There  is  no  Language  ('much  left  the 
Englijh)  that  alloweth  you  fuch  a  fence  of  thefe  two  Prepofitions,  as  if  [_of  ]  mult 
needs  mean  the  Species,  and  [in]  may  mean  only  the  Integrity  or  Accidents.  We  dare 
not  be  Co  bold  as  to  feign  fuch  a  Difference  and  Latitude  of  fence  ,  to  be  in  the 
Prepofition  [of]  unlefs  we  could  prove  it. 

3.  *  Will  it  not  be  taken  for   Treafbn  if  you  make  the  fome 
*  And  the  fame  [0/]  is  annex-     Expofition  of  the  other  Claufe  of  the  Declaration,  and  fay  that 

rtt^b0t^&GTh^w^f  lhe  Kin§  and  Parliament  meant  no  more,  than  to  fay  that  no 
Church  or  State].    Therefore  it      »*•?        jli^  j  _*•     .  i         « 

it  be  treafonable  to  expound  it  Man  1S  bound  by  the  Covenant  to  endeavour  an  Ejjenttal  or  Spe- 
in  your  fence,  of  the  One,  it  is  cifick  Change  of  State-Government ;  or  no  greater  Change  than 
fure  unlawful  fo  to  expound  it  as  what  may  leave  it  ftill  in  the  Species  of  a  Monarchy.  Or  do  you 
to  the  Other.  believe  that  they  meant  no  more  ?  and  that  they  determined  not 

againft    fuppofed   Obligations    to  lower  Changes  of  the   Royal 
Government  ? 

4.  There  is  not  the  accurateft  Grammarian  and  Logician  of  them  all,  that  can 
tell  juft  what  may  be  faid  to  Specifies.  Government  ,  and  what  but  to  integrate  it; 
and  juft  how  far  a  Change  may  go  before  it  miy  be  called  a  Change  of  the 
Species. 

y.  But  fuppofe  all  this  were  nothing  :  It  is  clearly  proved  that  it  is  not  the  Genus 
of  Epifcopacy,  but  the  Species  of  Englijh  Prelacy  (  defcribedj  which  the  Covenant 
meaneth.     And  I  have  proved  already  that  a  fpecifick  alteration    of  this  Prelacy  is 
lawful  j  and  whether  alfo  not-neceffary  let  the  impartial  Reader  judge.    I  have  ask- 
ed the  moft  Learned  of  the  Diocefan  Party  that  I  could  meet  with,  this  Queftion, 
Whether  it  be  not  lawful  for  the  King  and  Parliament  to  take  down  Chancellors, 
and  all  Lay-Judges  in  Spiritual  Courts,  and  Deans,  Arch- deacons ,  Commiffaries, 
and  the  Courts  themfelves,  and  to  take  down  a  Bifhop  of  a  Thoufand  or  many 
Hundred  Churches,  and  to  fet  up  a  Bifhop  in  every  Market  Town  with  the  adja- 
cent Villages,  yea,  or  in  every  great  Parifh,  to  govern  with    his  Presbyters,  as  it 
was  in  Ignatius  his  days  (  and  in  Cyprians )  ?  And   never  Man  of  them   denied  it 
lawful  for  them  to  make  fuch  a  Change,  if  they  faw  it  meet.    I  have  asked  them 
further,  Whether  they  would  not  call  thrs  a  Change  of  Government  dejfecie  ,  or 
according  to  the  fence  of  the  Aft  ?  And  they  all  confeft  it:  (For  if  they  did  nor, 
the  Act  and  Declaration  would  herein  do  them  no  good  t,  but 
f  I  pray  ask  the  Law-givers,    leave  private  Men  to  endeavour  fuch  an  Alteration,  which  they 
frombTeaSg  this  oTor  C-    know  is  al1  the  Alteration  that  ever  we  defired  of  them  ;  and  for 
mife,  if  you  endeavour  to  extir-     which  they  have  called  US  Presbyterians  ).     I  have  asked  them  fur- 
pate  the  Engi'tfl)  Prelacy,  but  not    ther,  Whether  a  Vow  turn  not  a  licet  into  an  oportet  ?  And  they 
to  root  out  all  Epifcopacy.  never  deny  it.    Where  then  can  you  imagine  any  remaining 

difference  ?  Why  this  was  all  that  they  faid,  That  it  was  not  this 
Species  of  Prelacy ,  but  Epifcopacy  in  genere  which  the  Covenant 
||  o  for  a  Mind  prepared  and     meant,  and  confequently  the  ASt  meaneth  ||.     Which  I  have  pro- 
willing  to  know  the  Truth.  yed  tQ  be  moft  evjdent!y  umme  .  there  being  no  otner  Epifcopacy 

but  our  Prelacy  then  exiftent,  nor  Epifcopacy  ever  named  in  the 
Covenant  in  genere,  but  this  Prelacy,  being  exactly  defcribed,  and  this  purpofely 
for  the  deciding  of  this  very  Doubt,  by  the  means  of  Mr.  Gataker,  Dr.  Burges,  and 
many  more  in  the  Affemblies  who  renounced  the  extirpation  of  all  Epilcopacy, 
and  the  Lords  having  taken  the  Covenant  in  that  openly  declared  fence  :  But  fup- 
pofe all  this  had  not  been  fo :  Doth  not  a  renunciation  of  the  Genus  contain  the  Spe- 
cies? And  if  any  Man  voweth  againft  the  Genus,  miftaking  it  to  be  all  finful,  will 
not  his  Vow  bind  him  againft  that  Species  which  indeed  is  finful,  though  not  a- 
gainft  the  others  ?  As  fuppofe  that  a  Man  Ihould  think  that  All  [wearing  and  Accu- 
fing  others  were  a  fin,  and  foto  fave  himfelf  from  the  faid  fins,  mould  Vow  to  God 
againft  them  all :  If  afterward  this  Man  difcover  that  fome  /wearing  before  a  Magi- 
firateisaduty,  and  fome  accufingof  another,  is  he  not  for  all  that  ftill  bound  againft 

frophant 


■^ I  II  I       HI) 

P  a  n  t  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        42  i 

yrophane  and  rajh  [wearing  ?  and  malicious  or  unjuft  accufing,  which  indeed  are  fins  I 
for  therein  he  was  not  miftaken.  So  if  Men  had  (as  they  did  not )  upon  miftake 
make  a  Vow  againft  all  Epifcopacy  or  Prelacy  as  a  fin  ,  and  afterward  discover 
that  one  fort  is  a  Duty,  and  the  other  a  Sin,  do  they  not  remain  obliged  againft 
that  wherein  they  were  not  miftaken  ? 

6.  Laftly ,  Let  it  be  noted,  That  though  it  be  faid  in  the  Declaration  [  of~\  Go- 
vernment, yet  it  is  added  [in  the  Church']  and  not  [oftbeCburcfr]i  which  is  as  much 
againft  them  as  the  other  is  for  them,  teeming  to  intimate,  that  it  is  not  the  Form 
only  Confiitutive  of  the  Church,  which  they  here  intend. 

$  189.  f.  Some  leading  Independents  lay,  That  it  was  ejjintial  to  this  Vow  to  be  al- 
fo  a  League  :  and  as  a  League  it  is  ceafed,  by  the  cejfation  of  Perfons  and  Oceafions.  This 
milt  they  were  put  upon  firft  themfelves  (being  the  firft  that  nullified  thefe  Bonds) 
that  they  might  do  what  they  did  againft  the  Covenant,  and  make  it  as  an  Alma- 
nack out  of  date. 

Anfw.  1.  Though  as  a  Political  Inftrument,  it  be  called  by  one  Name,  A  Solemn 
League  and  Covenant,  and  lo  all  the  parts  of  it  do  make  one  Inftrument,  yet  i.  The 
formality  of  it  as  a  League,  and  as  a  Vow,  are  different.  2  And  as  a  Vow  to  God, 
and  a  Moral  Ad  of  Man,  there  are  in  it  as  many  dilrindt  Vows  as  there  are  Matters 
vowed.  The  League  is  not  the  end  of  the  Vow,  but  Reformation  was  the  profefled 
end  of  both,  to  which  they  were  taken  as  co-ordinate  means.  And  therefore  if  as  a 
League  it  were  ceafed,  it  followeth  not  that  as  a  Vow  it  is  fo  :  For  Men  are  the  par- 
ties in  the  League,  but  God  is  one  of  the  Parties  in  the  Vow,  and  every  individual  Per* 
fon  is  the  other  Party  :  And  if  one  Vow  or  Article  mould  ceafe,  it  followeth  not 
that  all  the  reft  do  fo. 

2.  It  is  not  proved  that  it  cftaleth  as  a  League :  Though  it  oblige  us  not  to  war, 
or  to  any  thing  againft  the  King  or  State;  and  though  many  of  the  Perfons  be  dead 
that  took  it.  For,  i.  War  was  not  mentioned  in  the  Covenant;  much  leis  as  the 
Duty  of  all  the  Covenanters :  lure  it  was  never  intended  that  all  the  Women 
mult  fight.  2.  If  it  had,  that  was  but  one  of  the  means  there  mentioned  :  and  c- 
wery  Man  bound  himfelf  [to  endeavour  in  hu  Place  and  Calling  ] ;  and  that  was  not  to 
fight,  for  all. 

9.  Therefore  though  the  particular  Occafions  ceafe,  the  general  Caufe  concinuetb 
(the  need  of  Reformation  ) ;  and  though  no  Man  be  bound  to  any  unlawful  means, 
it  followech  not  that  there  is  no  bound  to  lawful  means :  And  though  fome  Perfons 
be  dead,  not  only  the  Nations,  but  many  individual  Covenanters  are  living. 

4.  And  in  exprefs  Terms  they  bound  themfelves  [all  the  days  of  their  lives  zealouf 
ly  and  conftantly  to  continue  therein  ] ;  and  therefore  intended  no  fuch  ceifation. 

§  590.  6.  Laftly,  TheLatitudinarians  fay  that  the  general  Rule  is,  That  all  Say- 
ings are  to  be  interpreted  in  the  bejl  fence  that  the  words  will  bear.     Ergo 

Anfw.  In  the  be  ft  fence  which  hath  Evidence  of  Truth,  Charity  requireth  us  to  take 
all  the  words  of  others :  But  the  queftion  is  firft,  Which  is  the  t rue  fence  ?  and  not 
which  is  the  heft.  And  if  it  can  be  proved  that  another  is  either  certainly  or  probably 
the  true  meaning  of  any  words,  we  muft  not  feign  a  better  Jence  ,  becaufe  it  is  better. 
In  the  Cafe  in  hand,  the  Law-makers  have  plainly  declared  their  own  fence,by  their 
Speeches,  and  Votes,  and  deliberate  plain  Expreflions ,  and  by  another  t\&.  (  for 
Corporations  J  If  I  might  take  all  Oaths  and  Statutes  in  the  beft  fence  which  poffi- 
bly  thofe  words  may  be  ufed  to  exprefs,  than  I  could  take  almoft  any  Oath  in  the 
World,  and  difobey  any  Law  in  the  World  under  pretence  of  obeying  it ;  and  tell 
any  Lie  under  the  pretence  of  telling  Truth,  and  Jefuitical  Equivocation  would  be 
but  the  common  Duty  of  the  Charitable.  But  Charity  is  not  blind,  nor  will  ic 
prove  a  fit  Cover  for  a  Lie.  He  that  knoweth  the  Parliament,  and  is  but  willing 
to  know  their  fence,  may  know  the  miftakes  of  this  pretended  Charity.  And 
efpecially  Laws  and  Oaths  are  to  be  taken  in  the  fence  which  is  plaineft  in  the 
words. 

§  591.  Be  fides  all  that  is  already  faid,  1  (hall  end  this  Subject  with  this  queftion 
on  the  Non-fubfcribers  part,  Whether  an  Oath  doth  not  bind  Men  in  the  fence  of  the 
Takers  ?  ( though  they  be  bound  to  take  it  in  the  fence  of  the  lmfofers  if  they  know  it.) 
As  if  Iliad  been  commanded  to  fwear  Allegiance  to  the  King;  and  he  that 
commandeth  it  mould  mean  Cromwell,  or  fome  Ufurper,  and  I  thought  he  had 
meant  my  rightful  King  ,  Am  I  not  bound  hereby  to  the  King  indeed  ?  And  it 
lb,  Query  further,  Whether  any  Man  fo  well  know  the  fence  of  every  Man  and 
Woman  in  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland,  as  to  be  able  to  fay  that  it  was  fo  bad, 
that  they  are  not  obliged  to  it  ?  And  in  what  Age  it  was  that  all  Minifters  were 
forbidden  to  Preach  the  Gofpel  of  Chrift,  till  they  knew  the  Hearts  of  all  the  Beo-, 


yi2  The  LIFE  of  the  *L  i  b.  I. 

pie  in  three  Kingdoms,  fb  far  as  to  juftifie  them  before  God  from  the  Obligations 
of  fuch  Vows  and  Oaths  ? 

§  392.  And  though  I  heartily  wifh  that  the  Prelates  would  have  been  intreated 
to  have  chofen  another  courfe  of  proceeding  with  their  Brethren,  and  not  have 
•empted  any  to  Repinings  or  Complaints  (  for  endeavouring  which  I  loft  their 
love),  yet  I  would  admonifh  all  my  Brethren  to  take  heed  or  aggravating  this  Dif- 
ference fo  far,  as  to  bring  the  prefent  Miniftry  into  Contempt  ,  and  hinder  the  Ef- 
ficacy of  their  Labours.  I  did  my  beft  to  have  prevailed  beforehand,that  we  might 
not  have  had  any  occafion  of  Divifions ;  but  if  we  muft  needs  be  divided,  that  it 
might  have  been  upon  fome  lower  Points,  than  the  Obligation  of  Oaths  and  Vows ! 
It  had  been  better  for  the  Prelates  that  the  Non-fubfcribers  had  feemed  to  be  fcru- 
pulous  Perfons  that  refuted  only  fbme  tolerable  Ceremonies ,  than  that  the  fear  of 
fo  great  a  Crime  as  juftifying  three  Kingdoms  from  the  Bond  of  an  Oath,  and  the 
guilt  of  Perjury,  fhould  be  the  occafion  of  their  Eje&ion,  and  the  Matter  of  this 
Publick  Controverfie  :  But  feeing  this  could  not  (by  us)  be  prevented,  let  us  not 
be  fo  partial  as  to  wrong  the  Church,  by  making  them  odious  to  juftifie  our  felves. 
It  was  fad  when  the  Names  of  Formaltjlt  and  Puritans,  and  afterwards  of  Malignant* 
and  Rebels,  and  Cavaliers  and  Roundheads,  diftinguimcd  the  divided  Parties :  But  it 

ffidiotts  J 
is  now  grown  worfe,  when  they  are  called  PER-ijured    >and  PURITANS  :    For 

Cjecutors  J 
the  moft  odious  Names  do  moft  potently  tend  to  the  extinguifhing  of  Charity,  and 
the  increafe  of  the  Difference  between  them. 

§  593.  III.  The  next  Controverfie  is  Political :  That  [it  is  not  lawful  on  any  pre- 
tence whatfoever  to  take  up  Arms  againjl  the  King  j  or  as  is  after  faid,  agatnfi  any  Cum- 
miffionated  by  him).  In  this  the  Lawyers  are  divided,  yea  and  Parliament  .rhem- 
felves ;  one  Parliament  faying  one  thing,  and  another  another  thing.  And  the 
poor  eje&ed  Minifters  of  England  are  commonly  fo  little  ftudied  in  the  Law,  that 
in  thefe  Controverfies  they  muft  fay  as  they  are  bidden,  or  fay  nothing :  And  they 
think  it  hard  that  when  Lawyers  and  Parliaments  cannot  agree ,  every  poor  igno- 
rant Preacher  muft  be  forced  to  decide  the  Controverfie,  and  fay  and  fubfcribe 
which  of  them  is  in  the  right,  upon  pain  of  being  caft  out  of  their  Office  and  fi- 
lenced :  which  they  think  as  hard  as  if  they  were  required  to  decide  a  Controver- 
fie between  Navigators,  or  Pope  Zachary  and  Boniface**  Cafe  about  the  Antipodes, 
or  elfe  be  filenced.  We  are  ready  to  Subfcribe  [That  King  Charles  the  Second  is  our 
lawful  King,  and  that  we  owe  him  Obedience  in  all  his  lawful  Commands,and  that  we  are 
hound  to  deftnd  his  Perjon,  Dignity,  Authority  and  Honour  with  our  Lives  find  Eftates 
againjl  all  bis  Enemies,  and  that  netther  Parliaments  nor  any  other  at  home  or  abroad,  have 
any  power  to  judge  or  hurt  his  Per  [on,  or  depoje  him,  or  dimtnifli  any  of  his  Power  j  and 
that  it  is  not  lawful  on  any  pretence  whatfoever  to  conjpire  agatnfi  him,  or  *Hir  up  the  Peo- 
ple to  Sedition,  or  to  take  up  Arms  againfi  either  his  Authority  or  his  Person ,  or  agatnfi 
any  lawfully  Commiffioned  by  him  ;  or  any  at  all  CommiJJioned  by  him,  except  be  himfelf 
by  a  contr&ry  Commiffion,  or  by  his  Law  do  enable  us,  or  not  forbid  m,  or  when  the 
Law  of  Nature  doth  oblige  us].  In  all  thefe  Cafes  we  are  ready  to  Subfcribe  :  And 
one  would  think  this  much  might  procure  our  Peace.  But  that  which  is  fcrupled 
by  the  Non-fubfcribers  is  as  folio  weth. 

The  words  [on  any  pretence  whatfoever]  ftudioufly  put  into  a  Form  of  Declara- 
tion by  a  Parliament,  are  fb  univerfal,  as  to  allow  no  Latitudinarian  Evafions  or 
Limitations  or  Exceptions  by  any  Man  that  is  fincere  and  plain -hearted,  and  doth 
not  Equivocate  with  God  and  his  Governours:  Now. 

1.  Though  the  King's  Authority  or  Perfon  may  not  be  refifted  by  Arms,  they  are 
not  certain  that  his  Will  may  not  in  any  Cafe  be  refifted. 

2.  Though  none  Authorised,  that  is  Legally  Commiffioned  by  him  may  be  refifted, 
yet  they  are  not  certain  that  all  that  are  Commiffioned  by  him  are  Authorised  or 
Legally  CommiJJioned. 

5.  Either  this  Declaration  requireth  us  to  fuppofe  that  the  King  never  will  Com- 
miffion any  illegally ;  or  elfe  that  though  he  do,  yet  fuch  may  on  no  pretence  what- 
foever be  refifted  by  Arms.  If  the  former  be  the  fence,  then  either  it  is  becaufe  no 
King  w\\\  do  it,  or  only  becaufe  no  King  of  England  will  do  ir.  The  former,  all 
Hiltorians,  Politicians,  Lawyers  and  Divines,  are  againft.  And  the  latter  hath  no 
Evidence  of  Certainty  to  us.  But  yet  if  that  had  been  the  fence ,  we  Hiould 
have  confented  [  that  on  fufpofition  the  King^commijfion  Men  legally,  they  are  not  to  be 

rejified}. 


-  '  '  — ■ ' 

Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        423 

refjted'].  But  this  no  Man  will  fay  is  to  be  fuppofed,  as  an  Event  certainly  and  u- 
niverfally  future.  But  if  the  worft  that  is  poffible  might  be  fuppofed  poffible,  then 
in  thefe  feveral  Cafes  they  are  doubtful. 

1.  In  Cale  that  a  Man  pretend  to  have  the  King's  Commiflion,  but  doth  not 
fliew  it  me,  what  am  I  then  to  do  ? 

2.  In  Cafe  he  (hew  it  me  under  the  Privy  Seal,  and  another  fhew  the  Broad  Seal 
to  a  Commiflion  to  refift  him. 

3.  In  Cafe  he  fhew  the  Broad  Seal,  and  I  know  not  whether  ^it  be  counterfeit 
or  furreptitioufly  procured. 

4.  In  Cafe  that  by  the  fault  of  Officers,  or  forgetfulnefs,  or  any  other  caufe,  one 
Man  fhould  have  a  Commiflion  to  defend  and  command  a  Ship  or  Fort,  or  Coun- 
try, and  another  fhew  a  Commiflion  of  the  lame  date  to  command  and  defend  the 

Tame  Ship,  Fort,  or  Country,  and  to  refift  any  that  oppofe  him  ;  Is  it  unlawful  for 
both  of  them  here  to  obey  the  King's  Command  ? 

$•.  In  cafe  that  any  fhall  fhew  or  preteWa  Commiflion  for  any  illegal  Atl,  as  to 
take  Mens  Purfes  by  the  High- way,  to  break  into  their  Houfes,and  take  their  Mo- 
ney and  Goods,  and  feize  their  Eftates,  or  kill  their  Families :  Or  to  lay  a  Tax 
upon  the  Country  without  the  Confent  of  Parliament ;  or  to  raviih  Mens  Wives, 
or  Daughters,  or  to  burn  the  City,  or  if  two  or  three  fhould  fhew  a  Commiflion 
to  come  into  the  Houfe  of  Lords  or  Commons,  and  kill  them  all  in  the  place,e£v. 
It  is  certain  that  a  Sword  is  Arms,  and  that  to  fight  in  a  Man's  own  Defence  is  to 
take  up  Arms :  Or  if  any  fay  it  muft  be  the  fighting  of  many  together  only  that  is 
called  the  Taking  up  of  Arms s  as  that  is  not  to  be  underftood  by  the  words  which 
have  no  fuch  reftriction,  fo  no  Man  knoweth  bow  many  it  muft  be  that  by  concur- 
rence muft  make  the  Ad  to  be  a  Taking  up  of  Arms.    We  have  put  fome  of  thefe 
Cafes  to  Parliament  Men,  and  they  tell  us,  That  in  any  fuch  Cafe  they  would  ufe 
their  Arms  to  defend  themfelves :  But  thefe  are  fingle  Members :  What  the  Hou- 
fes  mean,  we  know  not,  but  by  the  words :  And  no  words  can  be  more  exclufive  of 
any  Exception,  than  thefe,  That  [it  is  not  lawful  on  any  pretence  wbatfoever\    Alfb, 
what  if  Saul  gives  Commiflion  to  his  Armour-bearer  to  kill  him  ?  Might  not  a 
Subject  by  Arms  defend  the  King,  and  refcue  his  Life,  againft  his  Will  and  Commif- 
Jion  ?  And  what  if  a  Court  of  Juftice  decree  a  Subject  the  PofTeflion  of  his  Houfe 
and  Land  ,  and  require  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  to  put  him  in  poffeflion,  and  to 
raife  the  VojJ'e  Comitatus  to  do  it,  if  there  be  refiftance ;  And  what  if  the  Perfbn  to 
bs  ejected  Ihew  a  Commiflion  from  the  King  to  keep  pofleflion,  contrary  to  this 
Judgment  j  is  it  unlawful  for  the  Sheriff  to  obey  the  Court  ?  (  And  the  Tojje  Comi- 
tatus of  Torkfl)ire  hath  been  a  confiderable  Army,). 

§  ;p4-  The  Things  which  mcreafe  the  Doubt  of  the  Non-fubfcribers  in  this  Cafe, 
are  thefe  : 

1.  Becaufe  if,  as  it  is  faid  by  fome,  the  Laws  are  the  Kings  Laws,  and  the  Acts 
of  his  Willy  as  well  as  his  Commiflionsare  :  Then  if  his  Law  and  his  CommiJJion  be 
contradictory,  I  muft  need  difbbey  the  King  which  fbever  Idifobey,  and  refift  the 
King's  Will  which  fbever  I  ref^^  We  have  no  Laws  but  what  are  Acts  of  the 
King's  Will;  and  till  they  are^)ealed,  they  ftill  exprefs  his  Will. 

2.Becaufe  that  the  Laws  are  made  purpofely  to  be  the  Subjects  Rule  of  Obedience, 
being  alfo  the  Rule  of  Judgment  in  all  Courts  ;  and  being  that  Act  of  the  King's 
Will  which  the  Subjects  have  publick  certain  Notice  of :  They  know  that  the  Laws 
are  indeed  the  King's  Laws,  and  are  not  counterfeit :  And  they  are  of  univerfal 
Obligation :  But  a  Seal  to  a  Commifflon  may  poflibly  be  counterfeit,  or  the  Subject 
can  have  no  flich  certifying  notice  of  it. 

;.  And  they  know  that  the  King  is  not  himfelf  every  where  prefent,  to  tell  his 
doubtful  Subje&s,  which  fignification  of  his  Will  he  owneth,  and  which  they 
fhould  prefer  ;  and  that  he  governeth  his  Kingdom  by  his  Courts  and  Officers  ; 
they  fit  and  fend  forth  their  Orders  in  his  Name :  And  a  known  publick  Court  of 
Juftice,  feerneth  to  be  a  more  credible  declarer  of  the  King's  Will,than  a  Stranger 
or  particular  Perfbn,  who  faith  that  he  hath  his  Commiflion.  It  is  the  Form  of 
the  Law,  to  be  the  A&  of  the  Governing  Will  of  the  King,  and  the  ufe  of  his  Courts^ 
to  declare  it,  and  expound  it,  And  judge  by  it  for  his  Subjects :  But  a  private  Com- 
miflion wanteth  thefe  Advantages. 

4.  Becaufe  they  think  that  the  Law  of  Nature,  and  the  Confiitution  of  the  Kingdom 
muft  elfe  fubmit  to  this  Declaration :  For  if  two  or  three,  or  more,  fnew  a  Com- 
miflion to  kill  all  the.  Parliament,  and  fire  the  City,  Nature  feemeth  to  allow  them 
Self  defence  ;  and  Parliaments  (which  are  part  of  the  Confiitution  )  are  Vain  if  they 
have  no  better  Security  for  their  Lives. 

fh  They 


■  II        I  I  »  II  .  1 

424.  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  L 1  b.  I. 

y.  They  find  a  Statute  of  King  Edward  the  Third,  That  if  any  Man  bring  from 
the  King  a  Command  under  the  Little  Seal,  or  the  Great  Seal,to  require  any  Judge 
to  go  againft  Juftice,  or  to  contradict  it,  the  Judge  fliall  go  on,  as  if  it  fignified 
nothing  :  And  the  Sheriffs  forcible  Affiftance,  may  be  part  of  his  Judgment,  or  the 
legal  Confequent. 

6.  Elfe  no  Subject  feemeth  to  have  any  Security  for  his  Eftate  or  Life,  nor  the 
Subject  any  Liberties :  £or  if  their  Eftates  or  Purfes  be  taken  a- 
And  we  fear  left  by  this  we  way,  or  their  Lives  aflaulted  by  pretended  Commiffions,  or  Taxes 
|>utit  in  the  power  of  the  Lord  impofed  contrary  to  Law,  what  remedy  have  they  ?  To  fay  they 
Keeper  or  chancellor  to  Depofe  may  queftion  the  Inftruments  at  Law,  is  vain  and  worfe,  as  long  as 
SS^lSSS^'to  te  thatLaw,  whatever  it  decreeth,muft  fubmit  to  a  Commiffion,and 
onall  his  Forts,Garrifons,Navies,  muft  never  refift  it,nor  ufe  any  force  ofArms,though  againft  a  fin- 
Treafures,  Guards,  fac.  gle  Man  for  its  own  Execution.Who  will  begin  a  Suit  at  Law,  a- 

gainft  the  King's  Wil^atal^ifhe  firft  know  that  his  Will  muft  not 
be  refifted,and  that  th%  End  will  but  be  his  greater  ruinc  ? 

7.  They  faid,  King  James  aflerting  in  his  Writings  (for  Monarchy,)  that  a  King 
may  not  make  War  againft  his  whole  Kingdom  :  In  cafe  then  that  he  fhould  do  it, 
they  are  uncertain  that  the  whole  Kingdom  might  not  at  all  refift  hiscommiffioned 
Officers. 

8.  They  find  the  late  King  Charles  the  Firft,  in  his  Anfwer  to  the  Nineteen  Pro- 
portions of  the  Parliament,  aiTerting  a  Protecting  Power  in  the  Lords,  and  letting 
up  the  Laws  above  his  own  Will. 

9.  They  know  that  the  Laws  are  made  by  King  and  Parliament,  and  Commif- 
fions here  fuppofed  to  be  by  the  King  alone  :  And  the  whole  Authority  of  all 
parts  feemeth  more  than  of  one  alone. 

10.  They  find  that  it  hath  been  familiar  with  Lawyers  to  prefer  the  Law  before 
the  King's  Commiffions  ;  and  Parliaments  have  been  of  that  mind :  And  they  are 
too  weak  to  Condemn  them  all  in  their  own  Faculties. 

11.  They  find  that  the  greateft  Defenders  of  Monarchy  of  all  Forreign  Law- 
yers, even  Barclay  and  Grotim,  have  inftanced  in  many  Cafes  in  which  it  is,  as  they 
fay,  lawful  by  Arms  to  refift  a  King  !  And  we  pretend  not  to  more  skill  in 
Laws  than  they. 

12.  They  find  that  even  the  greateft  Epifcopal  Divines,  approved  by  our  Prin- 
ces, and  raoft  Learned  Defenders  of  Monarchy  and  Obedience,  do  yet  fet  up  the 
Laws  above  the  King,and  write  more  in  this  Cafe  than  we  can  confent  to.  Mr.  Tho. 
Hooker  ( whom  King  Charles  the  Firft  commended  to  his  Children  to  be  read,)  fpeak- 
eth  fo  very  high,  not  only  in  his  whole  Eighth  Book  (  dedicated  by  Bifhop  Gau- 
den  to  the  King  )  but  alfo  in  his  Firft  Book  (  which  was  extant  when  King  Charles 
the  Firft  commended  his  Works)  that  for  my  part  I  do  not  believe  him,  ( that  the 
Body  as  fuch  hath  the  Legiflative  Power,  and  that  the  King  is  fingulis  major  and 
univerfis  minor,  with  much  of  the  like  :  And  therefore  I  have  wrote  a  full  Confu- 
tation of  him  m  the  Fourth  Tome  of  my  Christian  Directory.  And  yet  he  is  one  of 
themoft  magnified  Authours  with  the  Bifhops.  Afld  Ibis  Bifhop  Bilfon,  who  in 
his  Treatife  for  Cbriftian  Subjection,  dedicated  to  Qwen  Elizabeth,  hath  that  terri- 
ble pafTagefor  refilling  Kings  before-recited  §253. 

1 3.  And  they  find  that  not  only  Politicians  fpeak  more  in  this  Cafe  than  we  al- 
low, and  the  Roman,  Greek,  and  other  Hiftorians ;  but  the  Hiftorians  and  Chroni- 
clers of  this  Land.  For  inftance,  Hollingjhead  Lib.  1.  in  his  Chapter  of  Parliaments, 
faith,  {This  Houfe  hath  the  moft  high  and  abfolute  Tower  of  the  Realm  :  For  thereby  Kings  ' 
and  mighty  Princes  have  from  time  to  time  been  depofed  from  their  Thrones  j  Laws  either 
enaBed  or  abrogated,  Offenders  of  all  forts  punijlxd  ,  and  corrupted  Religion  either  difan- 
nuUed  or  reformed',  which  commonly  is  divided  into  two  Houfes  or  Tarts,  &C  ]  Here  is 
more  then  1  aflent  to,  or  think  to  be  juftifiable.  Now  when  all  thefe  fay  fb  much 
more  for  Refiftance  than  we  judge  found,  it  feemeth  hard  to  us  to  go  fo  far  contra- 
ry to  them  all  (in  Matters  of  other  Mens  Profeflion  )  as  to  Subfcribe ,  That  on  no 
pretence  whatsoever  no  one  Commiffionated  by  the  King,  may  be  refift  ed  by  taking  up 
Arms. 

14.  And  we  read  how  Dr.  Mainwairing,  and  other  Divines,  have  been  condem- 
ned by  Parliament  for  Matters  of  this  Nature;  And  whatever  any  Latitudinarian 
may  lay,  we  are  fure  that  [on  no  pretence  whatfoever\  are  words  that  exclude  all  thefe 
fore- mentioned  Pretences  from  being  lawful.  And  if  it  yet  be  faid  ,  That  it  is  difc 
loyal  to  fuppofe  that  any  fuch  illegal  Commiflion  will  be  granted  ,  we  do  not  fiip- 
pofe  that  it  wiU  be  fb,  but  if  it  be  not  pojfible  to  be  fb,  in  this  Age  or  another,  then 
we  are  contented  to  Subfcribs  this  Claufe;  For  Parliaments  will  not  differ  about  Im- 
poflibiUties.  19  S* 


Part  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  425 

§  ;9$\  Incident  to  this  Controverfie  are  other  Claufes  of  the  Declaraiion,as  that 
the  Covenant  was  in  it  felf  an  unlawful  Oath  ,  and  impofed  againft  the  known 
Laws,  &c  which  though  they  contradict  not,  yet  many  that  were  Children  then 
and  know  neither  Matter  of  Law  or  Fact,  no  not  fb  much  as  the  Fundamental 
Laws  and  Conflitution  of  the  Kingdom,  do  think  themlelves  very  uncapable  of 
determining. 

§  596.  And  for  the  Tray ter oris  Tojition  of  taking  Arms  by  his  Authority  againft  his 
Verfonyr  againft  thofe  that  are  Commiflionated  by  him :  We  fee  nopofition  here  recited  : 
and  therefore  mult  annex  this  Clauie  to  the  former  (  as  before  )  fuppofing  that  the 
meaning  is,  that  it  is  a  Trayterom  Pofition  to  fay,  That  it  is  lawful  by  the  King's  Au- 
thority, to  take  up  Arms  on  any  pretence  whatfbever,  againft,  &c.  ]  And  we  all 
confers  that  it  is  a  Contradictory  and  Trayterous  Pofition  for  any  man  to  fay,thathe 
may  take  up  Arms  by  the  King's  Authority  againft  his  Authority,  or  Dignity,  or 
Honour,  or  Perfon  :  But  all  the  Doubt  is  as  aforelaid,  Whether  the  King's  Laws 
have  not  his  Authority  ?  and  whether  his  Laws  and  his  CommifTion  may  not  be 
contrary?  or  one  Commiflion  contrary  to  another?  And  in  that  cafe,  whether  it 
be  Trayterous  to  fay  that  one  fide  hath  his  Authority  againft  the  other  ?  As  if  his 
Law  allow  Me«i  to  defend  their  Lives  and  Purfcs  againft  AlTaults,  and  an  AfTail- 
ant  produce  a  Com  million,  whether  the  Kings  Authority  in  his  Laws  and  Courts 
enable  not  a  Man  by  Arms  to  fave  his  Purfe  or  Life  againft  fuch  a  pretended  Com- 
miflioner :  (And  how  fhall  any  Subject,  at  the  time  of  the  Affault,  be  fure  whether 
the  Commiflion  be  true  or  fpurious  ?)  If  as  Joab  and  Abner  fent  the  young  Men  to 
play  (  mad  play  )  before  them,  and  the  Romans  caufed  their  Gladiators  to  fight  to 
make  them  fporr,  fo  if  the  King  to  try  the  Valour  of  ibme  Subjects,  would  Com- 
miflion a  few  on  both  fides  to  fight  againft  each  other,  doth  it  follow  that  both 
fides  were  Traytors,  becaufe  they  both  fought  by  his  Authority  againft  fuch  as 
were  Commiflionated  by  him  ?  If  it  be  laid,  That  this  is  ndt  the  meaning  of  the 
Act :  we  anfwer,  That  where  Forms  are  fuppofed  to  be  deliberately  worded  by  a 
Parliament,  if  we  muft  not  underftand  Univerfals  univerfally,  but  may  put  in  Li- 
mitations  or  Exceptions  at  our  Pleafure,  then  their  words  are  not  the  fignifiers  of 
their  Minds,  and  we  know  not  whether  to  go  to  underftand  them,  nor  what  be 
the  Exceptions  and  Limitations  allowed,  but  every  Man  may  except  according  to 
his  Fancy,  and  thus  all  will  be  but  Equivocation  and  Deceit.  And  Dr.  Sander/on 
refblveth  it,  That  when  Oaths  (  and  confequently  fiibfcribed  Forms)  are  ambigu- 
oufly  worded,  and  the  Impofers  will  not  explain  them,  it  is  not  fit  at  all  to  take 
them. 

Some  Lawyers  tell  me,  that  if  it  came  before  the  Judges  they  would  judge  an 
unlawful  Commiflion  to  be  no  Commiflion  >  and  that  the  Judges  are  the  Exposi- 
tors of  the  Law.  I  anfwer,  i.  We  have  no  aflurance  that  the  Judges  would  fb 
judge  ;  much  lefs  unanimously  :  nor  that  they  have  fo  done.  2.  Lately  Mr.  Jo- 
fepb  Read  offered  at  the  King's- Bench- Bar  to  take  the  Oxford  Oath  as  expounded  in 
that  fence  by  the  Vote  of  the  Lords  about  the  Teft  ;  and  he  was  reproved  for  his 
Offer,  and  told  that  he  muft  take  it  as  the  Law  impofed  it,  and  was  fent  back  to 
Jail.  3.  The  Law-makers  only  can  expound  a  Law  as  antecedently  Obligatory  to 
all  the  Subjects :  The  Judges  can  only  expound  it  confequently  for  the  decifion  of 
a  particular  Cafe,  in  order  to  Execution  ;  and  ad  hoc ,  which  warranteth  no  Man 
to  take  that  for  the  true  meaning  of  the  Statute. 

§  397.  TV.  The  Fourth  Controverfie  is  about  the  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience  : 
And  the  Reafons  why  this  is  fcrupled  by  the  Non-Conformifts  are  thefe:  Becaufe 
they  take  the  Power  it  felf  to  which  they  are  to  fwear,  to  be  fpecifically  Evil,  and 
againft  the  Word  of  God :  of  which  their  Proofs  are  given  before :  And  therefore 
they  dare  not  be  guilty  of  [wearing  Obedience  to  them,  left  they  1.  Take  the  Name 
of  God  in  vain ;  an  Oath  being  a  thing  which  is  not  to  be  ventured  on,  but  with 
the  greateft  reverence,  deliberation  and  fincerity.  2.  And  left  they  fcandaloufly 
approve  of  Ufurpation  in  Chrifts  Kingdom,  to  the  wrong  of  his  Crown  and  Dig- 
nity, and  contract  the  guilt  of  Treafon  or  Difloyalty  againft  him.  3.  Left  they 
encourage  Ufurpers  in  thefe  infblent  Novelties  and  Corruptions,,  which  the  ancient 
Churches  never  knew,  and  came  not  into  the  Church  till  the  Roman  Papacy  grew 
to  (bme  degree  of  Impudency  in  their  Ufurpations. 

§598.  Yet  thefe  two  things  the  Non-conformifts  are  contented  readily  to  do; 
1.  To  obey  the  Biiho'ps  Chancellors,  &c.  by  meer  Submijfion,  without  an  Oath,  in 
all  things  lawful.  To  appear  at  their  Courts,  and  anfwer  them  with  due  reverence. 
For  they  think  that  Subjeclion  and  Submiffion  towards  Ufurpers  greatly  differ :  and 

I  i  i  that 


422  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  I- 

that  as  in  the  late  Cromwellian  Ufurpation  in  England ,  many  fubrnuied,  as  they 
would  have  done  to  a  Robber,  whom  they  could  not  refift  ;  who  yet  would  not 
fwear  Subjection,  nor  do  any  thing  which  teemed  to  juftifie  his  Ufurpation  or  Ti- 
tle :  So  here,  though  they  dare  not  ftate  themfelves  by  an  Oath,  in  the  relation  of 
Subjects  to  the  Prelates,  yet  they  can  obey  them  materially  in  lawful  things,  a. And 
they  are  willing  to  [wear  Obedience  to  them  as  they  are  the  King's  Officers  ;  commil- 
fioned  by  him  to  exercife  fiich  Coercive  Power  as  belongeth  to  the  Magiftrate  a- 
bout  Church  Matters :  But  not  as  they  exercife  the  Power  of  the  Keys,  in  Ablbl- 
ving,  Excommunicating,  &c. 

§  399.  Object  1.  It  u  but  in  licitis  &  honefiis  that  you  fwear  to  obey  them  :  And  who 
will  refuse  things  lawful  and  honefi. 

Avfw.  1.  But  it  is  in  the  relation  of  our  lawful  Ordinaries  that  we  are  required  to 
Jwear  this  Obedience  to  them.  It  rmy  be  lawful  and  honed  to  do  the  things  com- 
manded, when  it  is  neither  lawful  nor  honed  to  fubject  my  fslf  to  the  Commander 
as  his  Subject.  The  moft  juft  Authority  that  is  can  command  us  nothing  but  licita 
&  honefia.  And  if  Cromwell  or  the  Engaging  piece  of  the  Parliament  had  required 
me  to  fwear  Obedience  to  them  in  Ileitis  &  honefiisy  I  think  to  have  done  it  had 
been  a  fubje<5ting  my  (elf  to  them  as  my  Governours,  which  had  neither  been  lki~ 
turn  nor  honefium.  If  a  Rebel  now  fhould  ufurp  Authority  againft  the  King's  will, 
for  the  Government  of  Ireland  or  Scotland,  he  that  would  go  (wear  Obedience  to 
him  in  licitis  &  honefiis  I  think  would  be  difloyal. 

2.  And  it  is  Obedience  according  to  the  Canon^which  is  their  [in  licitis  &  hone/Its']: 
And  this  is  to  Lay-Chancellors  Exercife  of  the  Keys,  and  many  other  things  which 
are  fuppofed  licita  &  honefia,  but  not  yet  proved  to  be  ib. 

§400.  Objeft.  2.  What  a  Man  may  do ,  he  may  fwear  to  do:  But  licita  &  honefta 
a  Man  may  do :  Ergo  Anfv.  1.  1   deny  the  Major   as   univerfally  taken  : 

There  is  many  a  thing  that  may  be  done,  which  may  not  be  fworn  :  EUe  you 
might  fwear  to  fpeak  every  wordl)efore  you  fpeak  it,  and  to  do  every  trivial  Acti- 
on that  you  do.  2.  Some  time  the  Oath  reacheth  further  than  the  Act  to  be  done, 
even  to  the  Relation  in  which  it  is  done,  and  the  rea(bn  for  which  ;  and  this 
is  the  Cafe  here :  So  that  here  is  a  feigning  of  a  falfe  ftate  of  the  Queftion  ; 
which  is  not ,  Whether  we  may  fwear  to  do  licita  8t  honefia  ?  but  whether  we 
may  fwear  to  obey  them  as  our  lawful  Ordinaries  in  licitis  &  honefiis  ?  3.  The 
Conclufion  therefore  might  be  granted  without  any  Decifion  of  the  Contro- 
verfie  :  For  the  Queftion  is  not,  Whether  we  may  fwear  to  do  fuch  things  ?  but 
whether  we  may  fwear  to  obey  thofe  Men  in  that  relation,  and  to  do  thofe  things  fub 
formali  ratione  obediential  ?  Which  their  Loyalty  to  Chrift  their  King,  they  think 
prohibited!.  What  if  you  lived  in  a  Popifh  Country,  would  you  fwear  to  obey 
the  Pope  in  licitis  &  honefiis*  If  not,  you  may  fee  our  Reafons  a  while  you  give 
your  own. 

§401.  ObjeB.  3.  The  Scripture  commandeth  all  Men  to  JubjeB  themfehes  one  to 
another.  An[w.  There  is  an  Equivocation  in  the  word  [fubjeft].  The  Text  fpeak- 
eth  only  of  private  fubmiffion  and  yielding  to  others,voluntarily  carrying  our  ielves 
with  that  lowlinefs  as  Subjects  do  to  their  Rulers :  But  this  is  nothing  to  publick  rela- 
tive fiated  fubjeBion,  of  which  the  Controverfie  is.  He  would  be  but  an  ill  Subject 
to  the  King,  or  an  ill  Member  of  the  Church,  who  would  make  every  man  his 
King  or  his  Pallor,  on  this  pretence  that  we  muft  all  fubject  our  felves  to  each  o- 
ther.  . 

§  402.  Object.  4.  Tou  are  to  fwear  Obedience  to  them  only  as  Church- Magifirates  ap- 
pointed by  the  Kmg.  Anfw.That  cannot  be  true  :  becaufe  it  is  as  our  Ordinaries,  who' 
have  the  power  of  Ordination,  Excommunication  and  Abfolution,  and  in  the  exercife 
of  this  power :  But  the  power  of  the  Keys  is  not  Magiftratical. 

§403.  V.  The  fifth  Controverfie  is  about  Re- ordination.  Now  in  this  the  Non- 
conforming are  the  more  (hie,  1.  Becaufe  in  our  moft  Publick  Meetings  btfore  the 
King  and  the  Lords  and  the  BHhops,  fomeof  them  (as  Dr. Gunning  oft  )  have  o- 
penly  declared  that  the  Ordination  which  hath  been  in  England  without  Bilhops  is- 
null,and  thofe  that  were  fb  Ordained  without  them  are  no  Minifters,  but  Lay-men; 
And  his  Majefty  himlelf  hath  fignified  openly  his  own  Judgment  accordingly,  that 
he  would  no  more  take  the  Sacrament  from  fuch  then  from  Lay- men.  So  that  it 
being  thus  openly  declared  to  be  their  fence,  and  no  one  of  their  Bilhops  or  Do- 
dors  contradicting  it,  we  have  reafon  to  think  that  by  fubmitting  to  be  Re- ordain- 
ed, Men  do  interpretatively  confeis  the  nullity  of  their  former  Ordination.  2.  And 
it  is  a  new  thing,  contrary  to  the  Judgment   and  Practice  of  all  the  Reformed 

Churches* 


■ — — ~"" — — ' ~^m ~~* """ — — ^— » — i — — — ~»^"  .  - I 

P  a  r  T  IL    Reverend  Mrt  Richard  Baxter.         42I 

Churches.  j.  And  there  is  a  Canon  among  thole  called  the  Apoftles  which  is  exT 
prefs  againft  it,  commanding  the  Depofition  of  the  Ordainersand  Ordained.  4,  I 
have  fully  proved  in  my  Dijputation  of  Church  Government,  That  the  Paid  Ordination 
without  Diocefans  is  valid,  and  better  than  the  Prelates,  and  was  performed  by  fuch 
Bifhops  as  were  in  Jjgnatim's  days;  -r/i&.City-Paftors  who  had  Presbyteis  under  them  : 
And  no  Man  hath  attempted  to  anfwer  what  I  have  there  faid.  f.  And  at  bsft  to 
be  Re-ordained,  feemeth  but  a  taking  of  God's  Name  in  vain,  and  a  folemn  pray- 
ing to  God  for  that  which  they  have  already,  and  a  pretending  de  novo  to  receive 
that  Authority  which  they  had  before.  And  to  come,  as  upon  a  Stage,  thus  ludi- 
croufly  to  play  with  holy  Things,  to  fulfil  the  Humours,  and  confirm  the  claim  of 
Ufurpers,  is  Ibmewhat  hard. 

§  404.  VI.  The  fixth  Coritroverfie  is  about  the  firft  Declaration,  [  I  do  here  de- 
clare my  unfeigned  Afjent  and  Confent  to  all  and  every  thing  contained  and  prejcribed  in  and 
by  the  Book  entituled ,  &c.  ]  *  Here  the  Non-conformifts  have  to 

do  with  two  forts ;  the  willing  and  the  unwilling  Conformifts.  *  There  is  a  Direction  to  be 
The  firft  fay  that  this  Declaration  may  be  lawfully  made  in  its  *Fenie*  Jo,  to  fina  out  Eajhr- 
proper  fence  The  Non-conformift,  refer  you/r  the  Anfwer  *^*J  f£  *££  =  ^ 
ot  this,  to  all  their  foregoing  Exceptions  againft  the  Book,  be-  it's  contrary  to  another  there  gi- 
fides  what  they  have  faid  againft  our  Order  of  Diocefans,  and  fo  vc"« 
againft  the  Book  of  Ordination,  which  aiTerteth  three  Orders  as 

of  Divine  Inftitution  !  And  befides  all  their  Exceptions  againft        This)is  more  fuI!y  °penea  in 
the  New  Common  Prayer  Book,  in  the  Points  wherein  it  is  much    ot  lcr  ?a^TS' 
worfe  than  the  old. 

§  40c.  And  for  the  Latitudinarians  and  Unwilling  Conformifts,  their  Plea  is, 
That  [the  ufe  of  the  Forms  and  Ceremonies  is  lawful,  and  that  is 

all  that  they  are  required  to  fubfcribe  to  ;  becaufe  the  A&  faith  Note,  That  this  Declaration 
Q  they  (hall  declare  then  Affent  and  Confent  to  the  ufe  of  all  things,  &cj  i'jftifieth  even  the  Impofition  of 
They  do  not  fubfcribe  their  Confent  to  the  thing  in  it  feu; but  to    [^^  **£&  £2£?S 

fo■/    ,        •         ■        r  it       1  1  r   e         i°i         .'         ••.     impoled  :    became  lmpoling  is 

much  as  is  to  be  ujed  by  them,  and  10  tar  only  as  that  they  will    the  ufe  of  thofe  Rubricks. 
ufe  ir.    But  this  is  fo  grois,  that  the  Non-conformifts  cannot        And  it  is  not  the  words  of  the 
ftretch  fo  far.     For,  r.  What  Man  can  doubt  whether  all  things     Declaration,  which  is  de  meii^ 
in  the  Book  wen  intended  for  fome  ufe  or  other ;  though  not  each    ^£FSfi*D2?{5 
part  to  the  lame  ule  r  Did  the  Convocation  and  Parliament  con-     define.    The  means  are  made 
trive  and  impofe  things,  which  they  themfelves  did  judge  to  be    larger  for  fecuringtheend.  And 
of  no  ufe  ?  Is  not  the  Kalendar  and  Dire&ion  for  reading  Scrip-    *]*  word  [approbation  of  ail  Or- 
ture,  of  ufe  to  tell  you  what  Days  to  keep    and  what  Chapters    *«£  "J^til 
to  read  ?  Is  not  the  Kubrick  of  ule  to  diredt  you  in  the   leveral     fcribe  to  the  ufe  of  the  Decre- 
Offices  ?  Is  not  the  Doctrinal  Determination  about  the  Saving  of    tab  in  thefe  words,and  no  other, 
Baptized   Infants  (  and  other  fuch   like  )  of  ufe  to  tell  us  its    0  do  Af(ent  and  Confent  to  all 
DoArine  is  taken  to  be  true  ?  Doubtlefs  every  part  hath   its  in-    ^^^g^ 
tended  ufefulnefi.    2.  The  words  are  as  cxprels  to  exclude  luch    fay,  it  is  but  fo  far  asi  muftufe 
ftretching  as  could  well  bedevifed  :  For ,  1.  It  is  Affent  as  well  as    them, and  not  others? 
Confent,  which  is  declared  :  2.  It  is  to  all  and  every  thing,  which 
includeth  every  word  :    3.  It  is  to  every  thing  contained  m  it,  as  well  as  to  every  thing 
frefcribed  by  it:  And  the  Do&rinals  (as  of  three  Orders  Jure  Divmo^  Sec.)  are  con- 
tained in  it.     3.  To  put  all  out  of  doubt,  fince  this  Ad  the  Parliament  made  ano- 
ther Ad  ;  to  which  while Provifos  were  offered,  the  whole  Houfe  of  Lords  fent 
it  back  to  the  Commons  with  this  Provifo,  That  thofe  that  declared  Affent  and  Confent 
to  all  and  every  thing,  &C  Jhould  be  obliged  to  underfiand  it  only  as  to   the  ule  of  what 
was  required  of  them,  and  not  as  to  the  things  in  themfelves  conjidered.     Xhe  Commons 
refuted  this  Provilb :  and  the  Houfes  had  a  meeting  about  it ;  in    which  the  Com- 
mons delivered  their  Reafons  againft  that  Expofition  of  the  Declaration:  And  in  the 
end  the  Lords  did  acquiefce  in  their  Reafons,  and  confented  to  call  out  the  Provi- 
lb :  fo  that  now  the  Parliament  hath  expounded  their  own  words,  and  there  is  no 
more  pretence  left  for  the  Latitudinarian  Equivocation, 

§406.  But  if  it  were  otherwise,  is  the  ufe  of  all  things  contained  there  lawful? 
1.  To  what  they  fay  about  the  Apocrypha,  it  is  anlwcred,  That  it  is  not  lawful  to 
read  publickly  in  the  Church,  on  any  days,  fo  many  (above  One  hundred  in  two 
Months)  of  the  Apocryphal  Chapters,  in  the  fame  manner,  time  and  title  (of  Lef- 
fbnsj  with  the  holy  Scripture,  with  no  fuller  diftinction :  When  1.  Experience 
telleth  us,  That  many  of  the  People  (who  underftand  not  the  Greek  word  Apo- 
crypha) are  thereby  drawn  to  take  them  for  Canonical  Scripture,  (being  a'.fo  bound 
up  With  it  in  the  Books.)     2.  And  when  Tobit,  Sufanna,  Bell  and  the  Dragon,  Judith, 

I  i  i    2  *rs 


428  Ihe  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

are  ordinarily  by  Proteftants  taken  for  Fables  or  Untruths,  and  therefore  not 
fo  much  as  pious  Inftructions. 

§407.  2.  And  for  the  disorder  and  defeBs  of  the  Common  Prayer,  before  proved, 
they'feem  but  ill  matter  for  fuch  an  unfeigned  Aflent  and  Confent. 

§  408.  3.  And  for  the  new  Claule  of  the  Salvation  of  baptized  Infants  ascertain 
by  the  Word  of  God,  the  Scruple  were  the  lefs,  if  it  were  coftfined  to-  the  Infants 
of  true  Believers :  But  our  Church  admitteth  of  all  Infants,  even  of  Infidels  and 
Heathens  without  diftinction,  if  they  have  but  Godfathers  and  Godmothers,*  and 
the  Canon  enforceth  Minifters  to  Baptize  them  all,  without  exception.  And  when 
in  our  Publick  Debate  with  the  Bifliops,  I  inftanced  in  one  of  my  Pari/hioners  that 
was  a  profeffed  Infidel,  and  yet  faid  he  would  come  and  make  the  common  Pro- 
feflion  for  his  Child  for  Cuftom  fake;  even  Dr.  Sander/on  the  Bi- 
*  And  none  of  the  Bifliops    fto    of  Unc0\n  anfwered  me  *,  That  if  there  were  Godfathers  it 

SedWnt mm'  h*d  a  fufficient  Title  r which  Bi(h°P  Morley  and  othcrs  oi  them 

confirmed.  Now  thefe  Godfathers  being  not  Adopters  nor  Own- 
ers, we  cannot  fee  it  certain  in  God's  Word,  That  all  thofe  are  laved  whom  they 
prefent  to  Baptifm  ;  no  nor  whom  ungodly  and  hypocritical  Chriftians  prefent : 
for  how  can  the  Covenant  fave  the  Child,  as  the  Child  of  a  Believer,  which  faveth 
not  the  Parent  as  a  Believer  himfelf :  So  that  while  unmeet  Subjects  are  Baptized, 
we  cannot  Subfcribe  to  this  AfTertion. 

§  409.  And  it  isflrange,  that  when  Infant-Baptifm  it  felf,  and  commonly  faid  by 
thefe  Men,  to  be  a  Tradition,  and  not  commanded  or  found  in  Scripture,  that  yet 
they  find  it  certain  by  the  Word  of  God  that  Baptized  Infants  are  faved ! 

§  410.  But  fome  fay,  That  it  is  certain  that  all  Infants  (  fo  dying  )  are  faved,and 
therefore  all  Baptised  Infants.  But  i.They  never  (hewed  us  any  Word  of  God,frorn 
whence  that  certainty  may  appear  to  us  !  nor  have  they  anfwered  what  is  faid  a- 
gainft  it.  2.  And  what  jetting  with  holy  Things  is  this,  to  fpeak  that  of  the  Bap- 
tized only  »vhich  they  mean  of  all  !  As  if  they  would  perfwade  People  that  it  is 
fome  effect  of  Baptifm,  and  priviledgeof  the  Children  of  the  Church,  which  they 
think  belongeth  to  all  the  Children  of  Heathens. 

§  411.  Some  fay  that  the  word  \_All)  Children  is  not  in,  and  of  fome  its  true. 
'Anfw.  The  Indefinite  here,  according  to  common  Speech,  is  equivalent  to  an  Uni- 
verlal  :  [Children  baptised,  dying  before  atlual  ftn\  is  equal  to  all  Children  baptised:  your 
Confciences  mud  tell  you,  that  if  you  limit  it'to  fome  only,  you  crofs  the  fence  of 
the  Compilers  of  the  Liturgy.  I  am  fure  Dr.  Gunning,  who  brought  it  in  ,  hath 
publickly  expreft  his  fence  for  the  Salvation  of  all  fuch  Infants. 

§  412.  4.  As  to  the  Practice  of  Baptizing  all  Children  that  can  have  Godfathers, 
and  oi  Confirming,  Adminifiring  the  Lord's  Supper,  Abfohrng,  Burying,  &c,  with  un- 
juft  Application  to  Perfons  unfit  for  the  Sacraments  or  Titles  given  them,  we  know 
not  how  to  Aflent  and  Confent  to  the  Impofition  or  Form"  of,  as  long  as  we  know 
that  the  fame  Church  which  commandeth  us  toufe  thole  words,  doth  command  us 
to  apply  them  to  unworthy  Perlbns:  And  how  it  may  harden  the  Wicked  to  Per- 
dition, is  eafily  conjectured. 

§►41 ;.  f.  And  for  the  Ceremonies  they  are  (b  largely  written  about  on  both  fides, 
that  I  need  not  flay  here  to  recite  the  Arguments.  For  my  own  part,  as  I  would 
receive  the  Lord's  Supper  kneeling,  rather  then  not  at  all,  fo  I  have  no  Cenfure  for 
thofe  that  wear  the  Surplice,  though  I  never  wore  it.  But  that  Man  may  adjoyn 
fuch  a  Human  Sacrament  as  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm,  to  God's  Sacrament,  I  am  not 
fatisfied  in :  And  cannot  AlTent  or  Confent  to  it,  that  fuch  a  folemn  dedicating 
Sign,  fhould  be  ftated  in  God's  Publick  Worfhip  by  Man  :  1.  It  is  a  (  tranjient  )  J- 
mage,  uied  as  a  means  of  Workup  :  Therefore  unlawful  by  the  Second  Command- 
ment. 2.  It  is  a  ftated  Human  Ordinance,  in  God's  Worfhip  j  an  inflituted, 
fixed  Sacramental,  dedicating  Sign.  3.  It  is  no  lefs  than  the  Covenant  of  Grace 
which  it  fignifieth,  yea  fbmewhat  of  God's  part  as  well  as  ours,  and  acted  by  the 
MiniRer,  and  not  by  the  Parents,  as  a  profelltng  Sign.  It  fignifieth  the  Crofs  and 
Sufferings  of  Chrifr,  the  Ground  and  Seal  of  the  Covenant  on  his  part.  And  if  God 
would  have  had  fuch  Sacraments  ufsd,  he  could  as  well  have  inftituted  them  as  he 
did  the  reff. 

VII.  §  4T4.The  7th  Controverfie  is  about  Aclual  Adminiflraticns  according  to  the 
Common  Prayer  and  Canons.  1.  We  dare  not  when  we  give  the  Sacrament  to 
others,  refufe  it  to  all  thole  faithful  Perlbns,  who  fear  to  take  it  kneeling  left  it  be 
Idolatry.  Though  I  can  fo  take  it  my  felf,  I  cannot  execute  fo  unjuft  an  Impofi- 
tion, as  to  caft  out  ChrifVs  Members  upon  that  account,  no  more  than  to  czft  out 

Children, 


P  a  n  t  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         429 

Children  for  crying,  or  for  being  Children !  And  \  think  it  better  for  me  not  to 
meddle  with  the  Sacrament  at  all,  than  to  be  guilty  of  fuch  Oppreffion,  Unchari- 
tablemls,  Injuflice  and  Divifion,  and  to  do  fuch  actual  wrong  to  one  part,  that  I 
may  give  the  Sacrament  to  the  other  part. 

§  415".  2.  And  I  dare  not  knowingly  Baptize  thofe  Children  that  are  not  in  the 
Covenant  of  God,  nor  call  every  Child  regeneratey  without  exception,  that  can  but 
have  Godfathers.  Nor  dare  I  (while  I  receive  all  thefe)  reject  ali  the  Children  of 
godly  Parents,  who  dare  not  bring  them  to  be  Baptized  with  the  Sacrament  of  the 
Crofi.  To  lay  that  others  forbid  w*,is  nothing,  while  I  muft  be  the  Executioner  of  their 
Decrees. 

§  416.  3.  And  I  dare  not,  if  I  undertake  a  Paftoral  Charge,  give  the  Sacrament 
to  the  notorioufly  unworthy ,though  the  Chancellor  abfolve  him  for  never  queftion 
him)  nor  utterly  neglect  all  that  part  of  Difcipline,  which  belongeth  to  my  Office, 
though  Men  forbid  it,  nor  be  guilty  of  all  that  corruption  and  confufion,  which 
the  neglect  of  Difcipline  bringeth  into  the  Church. 

4.  Nor  dare  I  absolutely  pronounce  a  wicked  Man  forgiven,  if  in  his  ficknefs , 
he  fu per fici ally  fay,  I  repent. 

j.  Nor  dare  I  at  the  Burial  of  every  notorious  wicked  Man,  that  is  not  Unbap. 
tized,  Excommunicate,  nor  a  Self  murdeier,  lolemnly  pronounce,  That  [God  hath 
taken  to  himfelf  the  Soul  of  this  our  dear  Brother ,&:c.]  left  I  harden  the  wicked  in  their 
damnable  Preemption.  If  the  Child  of  the  holieft  Parent  die  unbaptized  ;  we 
muft  not  lay  thele  words  for  it ,  that  is,  in  their  Language,  we  muft  not  bury  it 
by  the  Office  of  the  Church  with  Chriftian  Burial ;  but  fuch  are  numbred  with  the 
Excommunicate  and  Self- murderers.  But  if  a  hundred  Thieves,  Adulterers,  Drun- 
kards die  ;  or  Murderers  orTraytors  be  hanged  for  ther  fin ;  though  they  never  fo 
much  a*  lay,  I  repent,  but  juftifie  themfelves  to  the  laft  breath  ,  yet  muft  we  bury 
them  all  with  thele  words,  [God  hath  taken  to  himfelf  the  Soul  of  this  our  dear  Bro- 
ther] to  teach  the  People  to  give  him  the  lie,  who  giveth  himfelf  the  lie  by  preach- 
ing that  the  Impenitent  and  Wicked  are  not  laved:  And  to  teach  all  the  moft  un- 
godly to  look  to  fpeed  as  well  as  others :  Purgatory  is  a  better  Doctrine  than  this ; 
for  it  leaveth  the  Wicked  under  fome  awe.  Yet  all  this  we  muft  Jfjent  and  Cenfent 
to,  and  ufe,  if  we  will  have  leave  to  preach  in  the  Publick  Churches.  Nor  do  the 
little  poor  Evafions  ufed  for  thele  things,  feem  worth  the  anfwering.  It  tendeth  to 
the  vitiating  alio  of  the  Commonwealth,  to  pronounce  thus  the  Salvation  of  every 
Traytor,  Thief,  Murderer,  as  well  as  of  Drunkards,  Whoremongers  and  Atheifts, 
who  never  lb  much  as  faid,  We  repent.  How  can  we  preach  the  Mifery  of  Sinners, 
or  the  Neceffity  of  Renovation  and  Sancftification,  without  contradicting  our  felves, 
when  we  muft  tell  a  Man  in  the  Pulpit,  [That  except  he  repent  he  fl)all  perijh'y  and  if 
be  live  after  theflejJj  be  fljall  die  ;  and  without  hohnefi  he  Jliall  not  fee  God  J  :  And  yet  if 
he  die  without  one  Penitent  word,  we  muft  lay,  [God  bath  taken  to  himfelf  the  Soul 
of  this  our  dear  Brother], 

So  much  of  the  Controverfie  between  the  prefent  Conformifts  and  N^n-confor- 
mifts. 

§417.  Having  thus  interpofed  the  State  of  the  Controverfie,  and  Caufe  of  the 
Ejected  Minifteis  of  England,  and  lb  being  got  paft  Bartholomew- day,  I  proceed  in 
the  Hiftory  of  the  confequent  Calamities.  When  I  was  abfent  ( refolving  to  med- 
dle in  fuch  BufineiTes  there  no  more)  Mr.  Calamy  and  the  other  Minifters  of  Lon- 
don,  who  had  Acquaintance  at  the  Court,  were  put  in  hope  that  the  King  would 
grant  that  by  way  of  Indulgence,  which  was  before  denied  them  :  And  that  be- 
fore the  Act  was  paft,  it  might  be  provided,  That  the  King  Ihould  have  power 
to  difpenle  with  fuch  as  deferved  well  of  him  in  his  Restoration,  or  whom  he  plea- 
fed  :  But  that  was fruftrate *.     And  after  that,  they  were  told 

that  the  King  had  power  himfelf  to  difpenfe  in   fuch  Cales,  as       *   if  I  fliould  at  length  re- 
he  did  with  the  Dutch  and  French  Churches:  Ane  fome  kind  of    ^  %f°Uxtf  t^is  Sufmf  > 
Petition  (IhavenotaCopyofit)  they   drew   up  to  offer  the    they Vad  fTn7how  aTwas 
King  :  But  when  they  had  done  it,  they  were  lb  far  from  pro-    turned  to    their  Re&uke  and 
ruring  their  Defires,  that  there  fled  abroad  grievous  Threatnings    Scorn,  it  would  more  increafe 
againft  them,  that  they  mould  incur  a  Preraunirefor  luch  a  bold    :hc  Readers  afton^fflent. 
attempt  :  when  they  were  drawn  to  it  at  firft,  they  did  it  with 
much  heficancy  (through  former  Experience)  and  they  worded  it  io  cauteoufly, 
that  it  extended  not  to  the  Papifts.     Some  of  the  Independents  prefumed  to  fey» 
That  the  Realbn  why  all  our  AddrefTesfor  Liberty  had  not  fucceeded,  was  becaute 

we  did  not  extend  it  to  the  Papifts,  and  that  for  their  puts.,  they  dw  no  j;eafon 

why 


430  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L  i  b.  I. 

why  thePapift?  fhould  not  have  Liberty  of  Worfhip  as  well  as  others  j  and  that  it 
was  better  for  them  to  have  it,  than  for  all  us  to  go  without  it.  But  the  Presbyte- 
rians ftill  anfwered  to  that  motion,  That  the  King  might  himielf  do  what  he  plea- 
fed:  and  if  his  Wifdom  thought  meet  to  give  Liberty  to  the  Papifts  ,  let  the  Pa- 
pifts petition  for  it,  as  they  did  for  theirs  :  But  if  it  be  expe&ed  by  any  that  it  fhall 
be  forced  upon  them,  to  become  Petitioners  for  Liberty  for  Popery,  they  fhould  ne- 
ver do  it,  whatever  be  the  ilfue  :  Nor  mail  it  be  faid  to  be  their  work. 

§  418.  On  the  26th  of  Decemb.  (1662.)  the  King  fent  forth  a  Declaration^  ex- 
prefling  his  purpofe  to  grant  (bme  Indulgence  or  Liberty  in  Religion 
*  1.  The  Declaration  for  Li-  (  with  other  matters)  not  excluding  the  Papifts,  many  of  "whom 
bC5rNlS'tteCbufcr<SSS  to  h^M^vedio  well  of  him  \  When  this  came  out  the  cjefted 
be  added  to  the  Declaration  of  Minifters  began  to  think  more  confidently  of  feme  Indulgence 
Ecclefaftica!  Affairs  gave  them  to  themfelves :  Mr.  Nye  alfo,  and  fome  others  of  the  Indepen- 
the  free  Exercife  of  their  Reli-    dents,  were  encouraged  to  go  to  the  King,  and  wherr  they  came 

§TThe  forefaid  Motion  next  back>  t0ld  US'  That  he  W3S  "°W   refolved  to  give  them  Liberty. 

attempted  it.  On  tne  Second  of  January  Mr.Nye  came  to  me,to  treat  about  our 

4.  This  Declaration  Dec.  26.  owning  the  King's  Declaration,  by  returning  him  Thanks  for  it ; 

i662.exprellypromifeditthem.  and  I  perceived  that  it  was  defigned  that  we  muft  be  the  Defi- 

f  \\0alx  Tfc^y  /ter  f»  T  rers  or  Procurers  of  it :  But  I  told  htm  my  Refolutions  to  meddle 

foot  by  the  Lord  Keeper  Bride-  •      /-!_*#  t.      •       •  iij/~  •    • 

mantwo\iid  have  offered  it  them.  no  more  m  iuch  Matters,  having  incurred  already  fo  much  ha- 
And  by  breaking  all  thefe  offers,  tred  and  difpleafure  by  endeavouring  Unity  :  And  the  reft  of  the 
we  are  our  felves  in  our  prefent  Minifters  alfo  had  enough  of  it,  and  refolved  that  they  would  not 
afflicted  ftate.  meddle  :  fo  that  Mr.  Nye  and  his  Brethren,  thought  it  partly 

long  of  us  that  they  mift  of  their  intended  Liberty.  But  all  were 
averfe  to  have  any  thing  to  do  with  the  Indulgence  or  Toleration  of  the  Papifts, 
thinking  it  at  leaft  unfit  for  them. 

§  419.  The  Independent  Brethren  alfo  told  me,  That  the  Lord  Chancellor  had 
told  them  that  their  Liberty  was  motioned  before  when  the  King's  Declaration 
came  out,  and  that  we  fpake  againft  it,  even  I  by  name.  But  when  I  told  them 
what  words  I  fpake  (before  recited)  they  had  no  more  to  fay :  But  now  they  grew 
greatly  affeded  to  the  E.  of  B.  (a  Papift)  thinking  that  the  King's  Declaration 
was  procured  by  him,  and  that  he  and  the  Papifts  muft  be  the  means  (for  their 
ownends)to  procure  our  Liberty  :  But  the  Declaration  took  not  at  all  with  the  Par- 
liament or  People,  and  the  E.  of  B.  fetting  himielf  againft  the  Lord  Chancellor 
(accufing  him  by  Articles  of  High  Treafon  m  the  Lord's  Houfe), was  caftoifby  the 
King  as  an  Incendiary,  and  fore'd  to  hide  his  head. 

§  420.  Good  old  Mr.  Simeon  Ajh  was  buried  the  very  Even  of  Bartholomew -Jay, 
and  went  feafonably  to  Heaven  at  the  very  time  when  he  was  to  be  caft  out  of  the 
Church.  He  was  one  of  our  oldeft  Non-coriformifts  (  of  the  old  Strain  j  for  now 
Conforming  is  quite  another  thing  than  before  the  Wars) :  He  was  a  Chriftian  of 
the  Primitive  Simplicity  :  not  made  for  Controverfie,  nor  inclined  to  dilputes,  but 
of  a  holy  Life,  and  a  cheerful  mind,  and  of  a  fluent  Elegancy  in  Prayer  ,  full  of 
Matter  and  Excellent  Words :  His  ordinary  Speech  was  noly  and  edifying  :  Being 
confined  much  to  his  Houfe  by  the  Gout  (  and  having  a  good  Eftate,  and  a  very 
good  Wife,  enclined  to  Entertainments  and  Liberality)  his  Houfe  was  very  much 
frequented  by  Minifters :  He  was  always  cheerful,  without  profufe  Laughter  or 
Liberty,  or  vain  Words :  never  troubled  with  doubtings  of  his  Intereft  in  Chrift, 
but  tailing  the  continual  Love  of  God,  was  much  dilpofed  to  the  Communicating 
of  it  to  others,  and  Comforting  dejecied  Souls:  His  eminent  Sincerity  made  him 
exceedingly  loved  and  honoured  •  infomuch  as  Mr.  Gataker,  Mr.  Wbittaker,  and  o- 
ther  the  moft  excellent  Divines  of  London ,  when  they  went  to  God,  defired  him 
to  preach  their  Funeral  Sermons :  He  was  zealous  in  bringing  in  the  King  $  ha- 
ving been  Chaplain  to  the  Earl  of  Manchefierin  the  Wars,  he  fell  under  the  oblo- 
quy of  the  Cromwellians  for  crofting  their  Defigns :  He  wrote  to  Col.  Sanders  ^  Col. 
Barton,  and  others  in  the  Army  when  G.  Monk  came  in,  to  engage  them  for  the 
King.  Having  preached  his  Le&ure  in  CornbiU,  being  heated,  he  took  cold  in  the 
Veftry,  and  thinking  it  would  have  proved  but  one  of  his  old  fits  of  die  Gout,  he 
went  to  Htghgate ;  but  it  turned  to  a  Fever  :  He  died  as  he  lived  ,  in  great  Conlb- 
lation,  and  cheerful  Exercife  of  Faith,  molefted  with  no  Fears  or  Doubts  diicern,- 
able  :  exceeding  glad  of  the  Company  of  his  Friends:  and  greatly  encouraging 
all  about  him,  with  his  joyful  Expreffions  in  refpeft  of  Death,  and  his  approach- 
ing Change ;  fo  that  no  Man  could  feem  to  be  more  fearlefs  of  it.  When  he  had 
at  lalt  lain  fpeechlefs  for  fome  time,  as  foon  as  I  came  to  him,  gladnels  fo  excited 
his  Spirits,  that  he  fpake  joyfully  and  freely  of  his  going  to  God  to  thofe  about 

him: 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         431 


him  :  I  flayed  with  him  his  Iaft  Evening,  till  we  had  long  expected  his  Change 

(being  fpeechlefs  all  that  day,),  and  in  the  night  he  departed. 

§  421.  On  the  firft  of  January  following  was  buried  good  Mr.  James  Nalton,  a- 
nother  Minifter  of  the  Primitive  Sincerity :  A  good  Linguift ;  a  zealous  excellent 
Preacher,  commonly  called,  The  weeding  Prophet,  becaule  his  Serioufhefs  oft  expreft 
it  felf  by  Tears :  of  a  moft  holy  blamelefs  Life  :  Though  Learned,  yet  greatly  a- 
verfe  to  Controverfie  and  Difputes :  In  almoft  all  things  like  Mr.  Afh,  except  his 
natural  temper,  and  the  influence  it  had  upon  his  Soul :  both  of  them  fo  compofed 
of  Humility,  Piety,  and  Innocence,  that  no  Enemy  of  Godlinefs  that  knew  them, 
had  a  word  (of  fence  )  to  fay  againft  them  !  They  were  (corned  as  Puritans  as  their 
Brethren,  but  efcaped  all  the  particular  Exceptions  and  Obloquy  which  many  o- 
thers  underwent :  But  as  one  was  cheerful,  fo  the  other  was  from  his  Youth  fur- 
prized  with  violent  Fits  of  Melancholy  once  in  a  few  years,  which  though  it  di- 
ffracted him  not,  yet  kept  him,  till  it  was  over,  in  a  molt  defpondent  Cafe,  and 
next  unto  Defpair:  And  in  his  health  he  was  over  humble,  and  had  tco  mean 
Thoughts  of  himfelf  and  all  that  was  his  own,  and  never  put  out  himfelf  among 
his  Brethren  into  any  Imployment  which  had  the  Ieaft  mew  of  Oftentation.  Lefs 
then  a  year  before  he  died,  he  fell  into  a  grievous  fit  of  Melancholy,  in  which  he 
was  fo  confident  of  his  Gracelefnels,  that  he  ufiially  cried  out,  [  O  not  one  Jpark  of 
Grace,-  not  one  good  Dcfire  or  Thought  !  I  can  no  more  pray  than  a  pofi  .'  If  an  Angel  from 
Heaven  would  tell  me  that  I  have  true  Grace,  1  would  not  believe  him\.  And  yet  at  that 
time  did  he  pray  very  well ;  and  I  could  demonftrate  his  fincerity  (b  much  to  him 
in  his  Defires  and  Life,  that  he  had  not  a  word  to  fay  againft  it :  But  yet  was  harp- 
ing ftill  on  the  fame  firing,  and  would  hardly  be  perfwaded  that  he  was  Melancho- 
ly. It  pleafed  God  to  recover  him  from  this  fit,  and  fhortly  after  he  told  me,  That 
now  he  confeffed  that  what  I  faid  was  true,  and  his  Defpair  was  all  but  the 
effect  of  Melancholy,  and  rejoyced  much  in  God's  deliverance :  But  fhortly  after 
came  out  the  Bartholomew  Ad,  which  caft  him  out  of  his  Place  and  Miniftry,  and 
his  heart  being  troubled  with  the  fad  Cale  of  the  ChuFch,  and  the  multitude  of 
Minifters  caft  out  and  filenced,  and  at  his  own  unferviceablenefs,  it  revived  his 
Melancholy  (which  began  to  work  alfo  with  fome  fears  of  Want,  and  his  Family's 
Diftrefs),  and  this  caft  him  Co  low,  that  the  violence  of  it  wore  him  away  like  a 
true  Marafmm,  fo  that  without  any  other  Diieafe,  but  meer  Melancholy,  he  con- 
fumed  to  Death,continuing  ftill  his  fad  Defpondency,  and  Self-condemning  Means. 
By  which  it  appeareth  how  little  Judgment  is  to  be  made  of  a  Man's  Condition  by 
his  Melancholy  Apprehenfions,  or  the  fadnefs  of  his  Mind  at  Death  :  and  in  what 
a  different  manner  Men  of  the  fame  Eminency  in  Holinefs  and  Sincerity  may  go 
to  God  !  Which  I  have  the  rather  fhewed  by  the  inftance  of  thofe  two  Saints, 
than  whom  this  Age  hath  fcarce  produced  and  let  up  a  pair  more  pious,  humble, 
juff,  fincere,  laborious  in  their  well- performed  Work,  unblameable  in  their  Lives, 
not  medling  with  State  Matters,  nor  Secular  Affairs,  and  therefore  well  fpoken  of 
by  all !  Only  the  Interefl  of  the  piece  of  the  Long  Parliament  (  which  ejected  the 
reft,  and  was  called  The  Rump,  and  cherifhed  Cromwell  till  he  pull'd  them  down 
alfo)  did  caufe  them  to  perfecute  Mr.  Nalton,  with  many  other  London  Minifters, 
at  the  time  when  Mr.  Love  was  beheaded  by  them,  for  being  true  to  the  Covenant 
in  endeavouring  to  reftore  the  prefent  King :  And  then  when  good  old  Mr.Jackfon, 
Dr.  Drake,  (  a  very  holy  man)  Mr.  Jenkins,  and  many  more  of  them  were  in  the 
Tower  Prifoners,  Mr.  Nalton  and  Mr.  Cawton  were  glad  to  fly  into  Holland ,  where 
the  latter  died,  and  the  former  lived  to  fee  himfelf,  and  every  one  of  thofe  impri- 
foned  Minifters,  with  the  reft  of  their  Brethren,  all  caft  out,  and  forbidden  upon 
pain  of  Imprifbnment  and  Banifhment  to  preach  the  Gofpel  in  the  King's  Domi- 
nions. 

§  422.  And  as  we  were  forbidden  to  preach,  fo  we  were  vigilantly  watcht  in 
private,  that  we  might  not  exhort  one  another  or  pray  together ;  and  (  as  I  fore- 
told them  oft,  they  would  ufe  us  when  they  had  filenced  us )  every  Meeting  for 
Prayer  was  called  a  dangerous  Meeting  for  Sedition,  or  a  Conventicle  at  leait.  I 
will  now  give  but  one  inftance  of  their  kindnefs  to  my  (elf.  One  Mr.  Beale  in  Hat- 
ton  Garden  having  a  Son  (  his  only  Child,  and  very  towardly  and  hopeful)  who  had 
been  long  fickof  a  dangerous  Fever,  (  as  I  remember  a  Quartan  )  and  by  relapfe 
brought  (blow  that  the  Phyficians  thought  he  would  die,  defireda  few  Friends,  of 
whom  I  was  one,  to  meet  at  his  Houfe  to  pray  for  him  :  and  becaufe  it  plealed 
God  to  hear  our  Prayers,  and  that  very  night  to  reftore  him,  his  Mother  inortly 
after  falling  fick  of  a  Fever,  we  were  defired  to  meet  to  pray  for  her  Recovery  (the 
laft  day  when  (lie  was  near  to  Death) ;  Among  thofe  that  were  to  be  there,  it  fell 

out, 


4J2  The  LIFE  of  the  Lib.]. 

out,  through  fonie  other  occafions,  that  Dr.  Bates  and  I  did  fail  them,  and  could 
not  come  :  But  it  was  known  at  IVe(lminfler  that  we  were  appointed  to  be  there! 
Whereupon  two  Juftices  of  Peace  were  procured  from  the  diftant  parts  of  the 
Town,  one  from  JVeflminjter,  and  one  from  ClerkcmveU,  to  come  with  the  Parlia- 
ments Serjeant  at  Arms,  to  Apprehend  us !  They  came  in  the  Evening,  when  part 
of  the  Company  were  gone,  (  there  were  only  a  few  of  their  Kindred  there,  be- 
fides  two  or  three  Mini  Iters  to  pray  )  :  They  came  upon  them  into  the  Room 
where  the  Gentlewoman  lay  ready  to  die,  and  drew  the  Curtains,  and  took  fbme 
of  their  Names,  but  miffing  of  their  Prey  ,  returned  disappointed  !  What  a  joy 
would  it  have  been  to  them  that  reproached  us  as  Presbyterian  feditious  Schifma- 
ticks,  to  have  found  but  fiich  an  occafion  as  fraying  "with  a  dying  Woman,  to  have 
laid  us  up  in  Prifon!  Yet  that  fame  Week,  there  was  publifhed  a  witty  malicious 
Invective  againft  the  filenced  Mini fters,  in  which  it  was  affirmed  ,  that  Dr.  Bates 
and  I  were  at  Mr.  Seal's  Houfefuch  a  day  keeping  a  Conventicle  !  Cut  theLyar 
had  fo  much  extraordinary  modefiy,  as  within  a  day  or  two  to  print  a  fecond  Edi- 
tion, in. which  thofe  words  (fbeafily  to  be  difproved)  were  left  out.  Such  Eyes 
were  every  where  then  upon  us. 

§  423.  Many  holy  excellent  Minifters  were  about  thefe  times  laid  in  the  Jails  in 
many  Counties,  for  private  Meetings  to  preach  and  pray  !  and  fome  for  venturing 
to  preach  publickly  in  Churches  which  had  no  Minifters  :  (for  ib  many  were  calt 
out,  that  all  their  Places  could  not  prefently  be  fupplyed  ).  In  Cbejl/ire  Mr.  Cook  of 
Cbefter  was  imprifoned,  who  not  long  before  had  lain  long  a  Pi  ifbner  in  Soutbwark 
(by  Lambert's  Faction)  for  Delivering  up  Cbefter  to  Sir  George  Booth  for  the  Reflo- 
ring  of  the  King.  In  Somerfctjlure  were  imprifoned  Mr.  Norman  of  Bridgwater t 
Mr.  Allen  of  Taunton,  and  others  :  In  Dorfetjliire  were  imprifoned  Mr.  Francis  Bamp- 
field,  Mr.  Peter  Ince,  ( taken  at  a  private  Meeting  in  Shaftsbury)  Mr.  Sac better iH , 
and  divers  others :  In  Dorchefter  Jail  they  preached  to  the  People  of  the  Town  who 
came  to  them,  every  day  once,  and  on  the  Lord's  Day  twice  ;  till  at  laft  the  Jay- 
lor  was  corrected,  and  an  Order  made  againft  Jaylors  letting  in  People  into  the 
Pfifons  to  hear.  The  reft  at  laft  were  releafed  upon  fome  Bonds  given  for  their 
good  Behaviour,  but  Mr.  Francis  Bampfield  abodd  in  the  Common  Jail  feveral  years, 
although  he  was  all  along  againft  the  Parliaments  War.  His  BiothQr  tMr.T.Bampfield, 
was  a  Member  of  many  Parliaments  and  Speaker  of  the  Parliament  in  Richard  Crom- 
weU's  time,  which  the  Army  broke  :  He  was  Recorder  of  Exeter  ;  and  though  he 
fequeftred  Recorder,  had  Satisfaction  from  the  City  for  his  Place,  yet  he  ffucceed- 
inghim  in  time  of  Cromwell's  UfurpationJ  reftorecfto  the  Poor  of  the  City  all  that 
he  had  received  in  that  place,  and  perfwaded  Miniflers  to  re- 
*  But  fince,  alas,  Francis  ha-  flore  *  all  that  they  received  from  Sequeftrations  in  time  of  the 
yingfalfn  into  the  Opinion  for    Ufarpation,  becaufe  it  was  not  Law  that  gave  it  them  (  Though 

the  Saturday  Sabbath,  qjc.  their       ,        F-    , .    '    .    .    t,        ,      /.i    .,  ?,  ,.  ,    %        ,     a. 

Affiifters  think  themfelves  jufti-     tney  na"  but  their  Bread  while  they  preached  ,  which  was  hed- 
fied  for  afflicting  them.  ly  reftored).    He  was  chofen  by  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Weft  to 

carry  their  Remonftrance  to  encourage  General  Monk  when  he 
came  in!  He  is  a  Man  of  moft  exemplary  Sincerity  and  Confcientioufnefs :  He  ne- 
ver took  the  Covenant,  nor  any  other  Oath  in  his  Life,  till  he  was  a  Member  of 
the-  Parliament  that  brought  in  the  King,  and  then  he  was  put  upon  taking  the 
Oath  of  Supremacy,  which  I  had  much  ado  (being  my  dear  and  much  valued 
Friend)  to  perlwade  him  to,  fo  fearful  was  he  of  Oaths,  or  an;/  thing  that  was 
doubtful  and  like  to  fin  :  Yet  hath  this  prudent  holy  Man  been  laid  in  Jail  as  well 
as  his  Brother,  becaufe  (having  a  worthy  Minifter,  Mr.  Philips,  in  his  Houfe)  he 
would  fet  open  his  Doors,  and  meet  freely  for  preaching  and  prayer  in  his  Houfe, 
forbidding  none  :  But  though  he  and  his  Brother  were  the  likeft  Men  I  knew  in 
England  fuccefsfully  to  have  perfwaded  thofe  that  are  contrary  minded,  that  it  is 
unlawful  for  a  Parliament  to  take  up  Arms  to  defend  themfelves,  or  punifh  Manu- 
factures, againft  the  Will  and  Word  of  the  King,  yet  this  would  not  keep  either 
of  them  out  of  Prifon  :  And  fo  their  endeavours  for  that  work  were  ftopt  againfl 
their  wills. 

§  424.  It  is  worthy  the  mentioning  how  God's  ftrange  Judgments  about  this 
time,  were  turned  by  the  Devil  to  his  own  advantage.  Moft  certainly  abundance 
of  real  Prodigies  and  marvellous  Works  of  God  were  done,  which  furely  he  did 
not  caufe  in  vain  !  But  the  over- fervent  fpirits  of  fome  Fanaticks  (Fifth- Monarchy- 
men)  caufed  them  prefently  to  take  them  ur>  boldly  with  the  Commentary  of  their 
own  Applications,  and  too  haftily  venting  Matters  of  Common  Report  before  they 
were  tried,  they  publilhed  at  feveral  times  three  Volumes  of  the  Hiftory  of  thefe 
Prodigies,  in  which  there  were  divers  leffer  Matters  magnified,  and  fome   things 

which 


Paut  II.   Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


which  proved  falle  !  And  though  upon  fTrifteii  Examination  both  I  and  all  Men 
are  convinced  that  very  many  of  the  Things  were  true  (  as  the  drying  up  of  the 
River  Dcrwcnt  in  Darbyjliire,  upon  no  known  Caufe,  in  Winter,  the  Earth  opening 
and  fwallowing  a  Woman  near  Alburn  in  the  fame  County,  upon  her  own  Impre- 
cation,the  Appearance  of  an  Army  to  many  near  Montgomery ,and  abundance  morejj 
yet  were  Fallhoods  thruft  in  through  their  heady  Temerity  and  Credulity;  whereby 
it  came  to  pafs,  that  thefc  Wonders  were  fo  far  from  moving  Men  to  Repentance, 
or  the  fear  of  Gods  Judgments,  that  they  greatly  hardened  them,  and  made  them 
fay,  [Thefe  Fanaticks  arc  the  odious  lying  Deceivers  of  the  World,  that  to  cheat  the  poor 
Teople  into  a  [editions  Humour,  care  not  to  bily  even  God  himfel/2-  And  what  the  Fa- 
naticks had  been  guilty  of  was  imputed  to  the  eje&ed  Ministers  artd  their  Follow- 
ers, by  them  who  thought  it  their  intereft  to  do  lb.  So  that  the  poor  obdurate  E- 
nemies  of  Godlinefs  did  not  only  lofe  the  benefits  of  God's  ftrange  and  dreadful 
Warnings ,  but  were  much  hardened  by  them  j  to  the  increafe  of  their  En- 
mity. 

$425'.  In  the  beginning  of  June  166;.  the  old  peaceable  Archbiihop  of  Canter- 
bury, Dr.  Juxton,  died,  and  Dr.  Gilbert  Sheldon t  Bifhop  of  London  ,  fuccee  ded  in 
his  room. 

§426.  About  thefc  Times  the  talk  of  Liberty  to  the  filenced  Minifters  (  for 
what  ends  1  know  not)  was  revived  again,  and  we  were  blamed  by  many  that 
we  had  never  once  petitioned  the  Parliament  (  for  which  we  had  fufficient  Rea- 
lons);  and  it  was  talkt  about  that  they  were  refblved  to  grant  us  either  an  Indul- 
gence (  by  way  of  Difpenlation)  or  a  Comprehenfton  by  fome  additional  Acl,  taking 
in  all  that  could  Conform  in  fome  particular  Points.  Hereupon  there  was  great 
talk  upon  the  Queltion,  Whether  the  way  of  Indulgence,  or  the  way  of  Comprehen/i- 
on  were  more  defirable  ?  And  it  was  debated  as  ferioufly,  as  if  indeed  fuch  a  thing 
as  one  of  them  had  been  expe&ed.  And  Parliament  Men  themfelves  perfwaded 
them  that  it  would  be  done.  The  Sectarians  (as  they  then  called  all  that  were  for 
Liberty  of  Seds,  and  for  feparated  Churches)  were  for  the  way  of  Indulgence,  chat 
the  Ad  might  not  enlarge  the  Terms  of  the  Publick  Miniffry,  but  give  Liberty 
for  gathering  private  Churches  to  all  :  Elfe  they  thought  that  when  the  mod  con- 
fiderableof  the  Minidry  were  embodied  with  theConformifts  ;  their  oWn  Exclu- 
sion and  Suppreflion  would  be  unavoidable  :  The  molt  of  the  Independents  yet 
were  refblved  againtt  Petitioning  for  the  Papifts  Liberty  as  well  as  the  Presbyteri- 
ans. But  fome  of  the  Politick  Leaders  of  them  faid,  You  are  blind  if  you  fee  not 
that  this  very  Aft  of  Uniformity  was  made  fo  rigorous,  and  the  -weight  of  Conformity  fo 
much  increafed,  that  fo  the  Number  of  the  e jetted  Minifiers  might  be  fo  great  ,  as  to  force 
them  to  be  glad  of  a  general  Toleration,  which  might  take  in  the  Paptjts :  And  tf  you 
think  to  ft  and  it  out,  they  will  yet  bring  you  to  it  in  de/pight  of  you  :  They  will  tncreafe 
your  Burdens,  and  lay  you  all  in  Prifons,  till  you  are  glad  to  petition  for  fuch  a  Toleration  : 
and  (tan d  it  out  as  long  as  you  can,  you  fliall  be  forced  to  procure  the  Papi/ls  Liberty  ;  and 
the  odium  of  it  JJiallnot  lye  on  the  Bijlwps,  but  on  you  that  are  fo  much  agatnft  it :  The  Bi~ 
[hops  foalljfieak  againfi  it ;  and  they  will  force  you  to  beg  for  it  who  are  agatnft  it  :  And  if 
you  will  not  do  it  now,  you  do  but  flay  till  the  Market  rife,  and  your  Sufferings  be  made 
greater,  and  youfiall  be  glad  to  do  it  at  dearer  rates.  On  the  other  fide,  the  Presbyte- 
rians faid,  It  ts  again ft  our  Covenant  to  promote  Popery  and  Schifm,  and  whatever  we 
fuffer,  we  will  never  do  it  :  nor  will  we  contrail  that  odium  with  the  People ,  nor  contri- 
'  bute  fo  much  to  betray  them  by  deceiving  them !  And  if  we  (l)ould  do  it,  we  are  ajfured  we 
jhxll  be  never  the  better  for  it :  for  the  Toleration  jhall  be  clogged  with  the  Renunciation  of 
all  Obligations  fom  the  Covenant,  or  fome  one  other  particular  Condition,  which  Jl)all  feem 
no  matter  of  Religion,  which  they  know  we  will  not  conform  to,  and  the  Papifis  will; 
avdfo  when  we  have  petitioned  for  a  Common  Liberty,  we  jliall  have  the  odium,  and  they 
only  the  Liberty.     And  thus  they  fate  ftill,  and  medled  not  with  that  Bufinefs. 

§  427.  For  my  own  part,  I  medled  but  little  with  any  fuch  Bufinefs  fince  the  fail- 
ing ot  that  which  incurred  fo  much  difpleafure ;  and  the  rather  becaufe,  though  the 
Brethren  Commiffioned  withmeiluck  to  me  as  to  the  Caufe,  yet  they  were  not 
forward  enough  to  bear  their  part  of  the  ungrateful  part  in  the  management,  nor 
of  the  confequent  difpleafure :  But  yet  when  an  Honourable  Perfon  was  earneft  with 
me,  to  give  him  my  Judgment,  Whether  the  way  of  Indulgence  or  Comprehenfton  was 
I  more  defirable  ,  that  he  might  dilcern  which  way  to  go  in  Parliament  himfelf ; 
:  I  gave  him  my  Thoughts  in  the  following  Paper  ,  though  I  thought  it  was  to  lit- 
tle purpofe. 


Xkk  SIRs 


434  ^he  LIFE  of  the  L  i  B.  J, 


SIR, 


Y 


Our  firft  Queftion  is,  Whether  the  way  of  Comprehenfion  or  Indulgence  be  wore  deft- 
ruble  ? 


Anfw.  If  the  Comprehenfion  were  truly  Charitable  and  Catbolick,  upon  the  Terms 
of  the  Primitive  Simplicity  in  Doctrine,  Diicipline  and  Worlhip,  extending  to  all 
that  the  Apoftolick  Churches  in  their  times  received  ;  it  would  end  all  our  Diffe- 
rences and  Miferies,  except  what  in  this  imperfect  Irate  of  the  Church  Militant 
muft  be  ftill  expected:  and  it  would  prevent  the  fin  and  everlafting  woe  of  mul- 
titudes of  Souls.  But  becaufe  there  is  no  hope  of  this,  by  reafbn  or  the  ignorance, 
impiety,  uncharitablenefs,  malice  and  factioufhefs  of  the  Times ;  rebus  fie  ft ant ibm, 
it  is  moft  evident  that  no  Friend  of  the  Church  mould  be  for  Comprehenfion  without 
Indulgence  ;  nor  for  Indulgence  without  the  Enlargement  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity 
to  a  greater  Comfrehenfion ;  bur  for  the  Conjunction  of  both:  which  wiil  attain  the 
ends  of  both,  and  avoid  the  chief  Inconveniencies  of  either  alone. 

i.  The  way  of  Comprehenfion  alone  is  not  fufficient  (on  Terms  not    Catholick, 
which  muft  be  expected  ):   r.  Becaufe  fuch  Comprehenfion  will  ftill  leave  cut  many 
worthy  Perlbns,  whofe  Gifts  God  would  have  exercifed  for  his  Churches  Service. 
And  he  that  rightly  valueth  the  preaching  of  the  Gofpel,  and  the  faving  of  Souls, 
would  rather  choofe  to  have  a  Milftone  hang'd  about  his  Neck,  and  be  caft  into 
the  Sea,  than  unnecelTarily  to  fjlence  any  faithful  Minifters  of  Chrift.     2.  Becaufe 
even  the  Culpable  mould  be  punifhed  but  according  to  the  meafure  of  their  offence: 
Thofe  therefore  whole  Labours  are  like  to  do  more  good  in  the  Church  than  their 
Faults  to  do  harm,  mould  be  Corrected  for  thofe  Faults,  with  fuch  perlonal  gentle 
Chaftifement,  as  may  not  take  them  off  their  Labours  for  the  Church.     It   is  a 
lighter  Punifhment  to  honeft  Minifters,  to  make  Brick  as  the  Ifraelites  in  Egypt,  fo 
they  may  withal  but  preach  the  Gofpel,  than  to  be  forbidden  to  preach  ibr  the 
Saving  of  the  People.    See  1  TheJJ.  2.  14,  15-,  16.     3.   Efpecially    confidering   that 
the  loll  by  filencing  them  redoundeth  to  the  Souls  of  others,  efpecially  the  igno- 
rant and  prophane  :  and  why  fhould  other  Men  be  denied  the  Means  of  their  Sal- 
vation, and  fb  perifli,  becaufe  a  Minifter  dirfereth  from  the  State  in  fome  leffer 
things  ?     4.  Confidering  alio  that  there  are  not  competent  Men  enough  to  do  the 
Work  of  the  Gofpel  without  them  :  Nay,  there  will  be  much  want  when  all  are 
employed,     y.  It  is  defirable  that  his  Majefty  have  Power  to  indulge  the  Peace- 
able, and  abate  Penalties,  as  in  his  Wifdom  he  fhall  fee  moft  conducible   to  the 
Peace  of  Church  and  State,  and  not  to  be  too  much  tied  up  by  an  indifpenfable  Efta- 
blifhmenr.    Thefe  Reafons  (  and  many  more )  are  confiderable  for  the  way  of 
Indulgence. 

2.  The  way  of  Indulgence  alone  is  not  fufficient  ;  but  firft,  the  Law  mould  be 
made  more  Comprehenfive :  r.  Becaufe  indeed  the  prefent  Impofitions  and  Reftri- 
ctions  of  the  Law  (confidering  alfo  the  direful  Penalty)  are  fuch  (  efpecially  the 
Declaration  and  Subscription  required),  as  the  Age  that  is  further  from  the  heels  of 
Truth,  will  fo  defcribe  and  denominate,  as  will  make  our  Pofterity  wifh  too  late  that 
the  good  of  Souls,  the  welfare  of  the  Church,  and  the  Honour  of  our  Nation  had 
been  better  provided  for.  2.  Hecauib  it  is  exceeding  defirable  that  as  much  ftrength 
and  unity  as  may  be,  may  be  found  in  the  eftabli/hed  Body  of  the  Clergy  :  which 
will  be  the  glory  of  the  Church,  the  advantage  of  the  Gofpel ,  the  prevention  of 
many  fins  ot  Uncharitabknefs,  and  the  great  fafety  and  eafe  ot  his  Majefty  and  the 
Realm:  When  as  meer Indulgence,  (if  fruftrated  by  Reftrictions,  will  be  unfatif- 
factory,and  not  attain  its  ends;  but  If  any  thing  large  and  full)  will  drain  almoft  all 
the  eftablifhed  Churches,  of  a  more  confiderable  part  of  the  People  than  I  will  now 
mention;  and  will  keep  much  difunion  among  the  Minifters.  ;.  If  there  be  no 
way  but  that  of  Indulgence,  it  will  load  his  Majefty  with  too  much  of  the  offence 
and  murmur  of  the  People.  If  he  indulge  but  few,  thofe  that  expected  it  will  lay 
all  the  blame  on  him :  If  he  indulge  all  or  moft  that  are  meet  for  it,  he  will  much 
offend  the  Parliament  and  Prelates,  who  will  think  the  Law  is  vain  :  But  a  power 
of  indulging  a  fmall  Number,  when  the  moft  are  embodied  by  a  Comprehenfion, 
will  be  ferviceable  to  God  and  the  King,  and  the  Common  Peace,  and  juflly  of- 
fenfive  unto  none.  4.  The  Indulgence  wiil  be  hardly  attained  by  fo  many  as  need 
it,  and  are  meet  for  it;  moft  being  diftant,  many  friendlefs  and  moneylefs,  and 
too  many  mifieprefented  by  their  Adverfaries  as  unworthy.  5-.  If  the  Indulgence 
bj  for  private  Meetings  only,  it  will  occafion  fiich  Jealoufies  that  they  preach  Se- 
dition, 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         43^3 

dition,  &c.  as  will  not  permit  them  long  to  enjoy  it  in  peace.  Thefe  and  many 
more  Reafbns  are  againft  the  way  of  Indulgence  alone.  It  is  therefore  moft  evi- 
dent that  the  way  defirable,  is  firft  a  Comprehension  of  as  many  fit  Perlbns  as  may 
be  taken  in  by  Law ;  and  then  a  power  in  his  Majefty  to  indulge  the  Remnant  (b 
far  as  conduceth  to  the  Peace  and  Benefit  of  Church  and  State. 

Your  fecond  Queftion  is,  What  abatement  is  defirable  for  Comprehenfion  ? 

I  anfwer  ;  Suppofe  there  is  no  hope  of  the  Terms  of  Primitive  Simplicity  and  Ca- 
tholicifm,  but  that  we  fpeak  only  of  what  might  now  be  hoped  for. 

1.  It  is  molt  needful  that  the  old  and  new  Subfcriptions  and  Profeflionsof  Aflent 
and  Confent  to  all  things  in  the  Book  of  Ordination,  Liturgy,  and  the  two  Arti- 
cles concerning  them  be  abated. 

2.  That  the  Declaration  be  abated ;  efpecially  as  to  the  difobliging  all  other  Per- 
fins  in  the  Three  Kingdoms  from  the  endeavouring  in  their  places  any  lawful  Alte- 
rations of  the  Government  of  the  Church  :  And  that  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and 
Supremacy  be  the  Teft  of  Mens  fubjedion. 

3.  That  the  Minifter  be  not  bound  to  u(e  the  Croft  and  Surplice,  and  read  the 
Liturgy  himfelf,  if  another  (  by  whomfoever  )  be  procured  to  do  it :  So  be  it  he 
preach  rtot  againft  them. 

4.  That  (  according  to  Pope  Leo  III.  determination  in  fuch  a  Cafe)  the  Bifhops 
do  by  a  general  Confirmation  (  in  which  each  Man  approveable  to  have  his  parr, 
upon  due  trial)  confirm  the  Ordination  formerly  made  by  lawful  Paftors  without 
Diocefans,  without  reordainingthem. 

j.  That  what  the  Courts  will  do  about  Kneeling  at  the  Receiving  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  may  be  done  by  others,  and  not  the  Minifter  forced  to  refufe  Men 
meerly  on  that  account. 

6.  Itisveiy  defirable  that  Oaths  of  Obedience  to  the  Diocefan  be  forborn,  as 
long  as  Men  may  be  punifhed  for  Difobedience. 

7.  It  is  exceeding  defirable  that  Reformation  of  Church-Government  (by  Suffra- 
gans, and  the  Rural  Deanries,  &c.)  be  made  according  to  his  Majeftys  Willexprel- 
fed  in  his  Declaration  concerning  Ecclefiaftical  Affairs. 

To  your  third  queftion,  Of  the  Extent  and  Terms  of  the  Indulgence,  it  being  to  be 
left  to  his  Majefty's  Wifdora,  I  mail  not  prefume  to  give  you  my  Anfwer, 

§  4*8.  Inftead  of  Indulgence  and  Comprehenfion,  on  the  laft  day  of  June  166 3. 
the  Ad  againft  Private  Meetings  for  Religious  Exercifes  paft  the  Houfe  of  Com- 
mons, and  Shortly  after  was  made  a  Law.  The  Sum  of  it  was.  That  [every  Perfon 
above  fixteen  years  old,  who  is  prefent  at  any  Meeting  under  colour  or  pretence  of  any  Ex- 
treme of  Religion,  in  other  manner  than  ts  allowed  by  the  Liturgy  «r  Practice  of  the  Church 
of  England,  where  there  are  five  Perfons  more  than  that  Houjhold,  fball  for  the  firfi  Of- 
fence  by  a  Jufitce  of  Peace  be  Recorded,  and  fent  to  Jail  three  Months  till  he  pay  five 
found ;  and  for  the  fecond  Offence  fix  Months  till  he  pay  ten  pound ;  and  the  third  time, 
being  convicled  by  a  Jury,  {hall  be  banijhed  to  fome  of  the  (American)  Plantations,  except- 
ing New-England  or  Virginia.  The  Calamity  of  the  Acl;,  befides  the  main  Mat- 
ter was,  1.  That  it  was  madefo  ambiguous,  that  no  man  that  ever  I  met  with, 
could  tell  What  was  a  violation  of  it,  and  what  not ;  not  knowing  what  was  [  al- 
lowed by  the  Liturgy  or  Pradife  of  the  Church  of  England  in  Families},  becaufe 
the  Liturgy  medleth  not  wich  Families,  and  among  the  diverfity  of  Family  Pra- 
ctice, no  man  knoweth  what  to  call  the  Pradice  of  the  Church.  2.  Becaufe  id 
much  Power  was  given  to  the  Juftices  of  Peace,  to  record  a  man  an  Offender 
without  a  Jury,  and  if  he  did  it  caufelefly,  we  are  without  any  remedy,  feeing  he 
was  made  a  Judge :  According  to  the  plain  words  of  the  Ad,  if  a  man  did  but: 
preach  and  pray,  or  read  fome  licenled  B6ok  and  fing  Pfalms,he  might  have  more 
than  four  prefent,  becaufe  thefe  are  allowed  by  the  pradice  of  the  Church  in  the 
Church  ;  and  the  Ad  feemeth  to  grant  an  Indulgence  for  place  and  number,  fo  be  ic 
the  quality  of  the  Exercife  be  allowed  by  the  Church  ;  which  muftbe  meant  [pub- 
lickly]  becaufe  it  medleth  wkh  no  private  Exercife.  But  when  it  cometh  to  the 
trial,  thefe  Pleas  wish  the  Juftices  are  vain  :  and  if  men  do  but  pray,  it  is  taken  for 
grantedythat  it  is  an  Exercife  not  allowed  by  the  Church  of  England^  to  Jail  they 
go. 


The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  B.J. 


§  429.  And  now  came  in  the  Peoples  Trial,  as  well  as  the  Minifters :  While 
the  Danger  and  Sufferings  lay  on  the  Minifters  alone,  the  People  were  very  cou- 
ragious,  and  exhorted  them  to  ftand  it  out,  and  Preach  till  they  went  to  Prifbn  : 
But  when  it  came  to  be  their  own  Cafe,they  were  as  venturous  till  they  were  once 
Surprized  and  Imprifbned  ;  but  then  their  Judgments  were  much  altered,  and  they 
that  cenfured  Minifters  before  as  Cowardly ,  becaufe  they  preached  not  publickly 
whatever  followed,  did  now  think  that  it  was  better  to  preach  often  in  fecret  to  a 
few,  than  but  once  or  twice  in  publick  to  many  ;  and  that  Secrecy  was  no  fin  when 
it  tended  to  the  furtherance  of  the  Work  of  the  Gofpel,and  to  the  Churches  Good : 
Efpecially  the  Rich  were  as  cautelous  as  the  Minifters.  But  yet  their  Meetings  were 
fo  ordinary,  and  fo  well  known,  that  it  greatly  tended  to  the  Jailor's  Commo- 
dity. 

§  450.  It  was  a  great  Strait  that  People  were  in,  efpecially  that  dwell  near  any 
bufie  Officer,  or  malicious  Enemy  ( as  who  doth  not  ?)  Many  durft  not  pray  in 
their  Families,  if  above  four  Perfons  came  in  to  dine  with  them.  In  a  Gentleman's 
Houfe  it  is  ordinary  for  more  than  four,  of  Vifitors,  Neighbours,  MeiTengers,  or 
one  fort  or  other,  to  be  molt  or  many  days  at  Dinner  with  them  :  and  then  ma- 
ny durft  not  go  to  Prayer,  and  fome  durft  fcarce  crave  a  Bleffing  on  their  Meat , 
or  give  God  thanks  for  it :  Some  thought  they  might  venture  if  they  withdrew 
into  another  Room,  and  left  the  Strangers  by  themfelves :  But  others  /aid,  It  is  all 
one  if  they  be  but  in  the  lame  Houfe,  though  out  of  hearing,  when  it  cometh  to 
the  Judgment  of  the  Juflices.  In  London,  where  the  Houfes  are  contiguous,  fome 
thought  if  they  were  in  feveral  Houfes,  and  heard  one  another  through  the  Wall 
or  a  Window,  it  would  avoid  the  Law  :  But  others  faid  ,  It  is  all  in  vain  whilft 
the  Juftice  is  Judge  whether  it  was  a  Meeting  or  no.  Great  Lawyers  faid,  If  you 
come  on  a  vifit  orbufinefs,  though  you  be  prefeht  at  Prayer  or  Sermon,  it  is  no 
breach  of  the  Law,  becaufe  you  met  not  [on  pretence  of  a  Religious  Exercife  ]  ;  But 
thofe  that  tried  them  faid,  Such  Words  are  but  Wind  when  the  Juftices  come  to 
judge  you. 

§  45  r*  And  here  theFanaticks  called  Quakers  did  greatly  relieve  the  fbber  Peo- 
ple for  a  time :  for  they  were  fo  refblute,  and  gloried  in  their  Conftancy  and  Suf- 
ferings, that  they  aflembled  openly  (  at  the  Bull  and  Mouth  near  Alder fgate  )  and 
were  dragged  away  daily  to  the  Common  Jail ;  and  yet  defifted  not,  but  the  reft 
came  the  next  day  neverthelefs :  So  that  the  Jail  at  Newgate  was  filled  with 
them.  Abundance  of  them  died  in  Prifbn,  and  yet  they  continued  their  Afiem- 
blies  ftill !  And  the  poor  deluded  Souls  would  fbmetimes  meet  only  to  fit  ftill  in 
Silence  (when,  as  they  faid,  the  Spirit  did  not  fpeak  )  :  And  it  was  a  great  Que- 
ftion,  Whether  this  Silence  was  a  Religious  Exercife  not  allowed  by  the  Liturgy ,  &c. 
And  once  upon  fome  fuch  Reafbns  as  thefe ,  when  they  were  tried  at  the  Seffions 
in  order  to  a  Banifliment,  the  Jury  acquitted  them  ;  but  were  grievoufly  threat- 
ned  for  it.  After  that  another  Jury  did  acquit  them,  and  fome  of  them  were  fined 
and  imprifoned  for  it.  But  thus  the  Quakers  fb  employed  Sir  R.  B.  and  the  other 
Searchers  and  Profecutors,  thatthey  had  the  lefs  leifure  to  look  after  the  Meetings  of 
Soberer  men  ;  which  was  much  to  their  prefent  eafe. 

§  432.  And  now  the  Divifions,  or  rather  the  Cenfuresof  the  Non-conforming 
People  againft  their  Minifters  and  one  another,  began  to  increafe :  which  was 
long  forefeen,  but  could  not  be  avoided,  and  I  that  had  incurred  fo  much  the  dif- 
pleafure  of  the  Prelates,  and  all  their  Party,  by  pleading  for  the  Peace  of  the 
Non-conformifts,  did  fall  under  more  of  their  difpleafure  than  any  one  man  be- 
fides,  as  far  as  I  could  learn :  And  with  me  they  joyned  Dr.  Bates,  becaufe  we  went 
to  the  Pubjick  AfTemblies,  and  alio  to  the  Common  Prayer,  even  to  the  begin- 
ning of  it :  Not  that  they  thought  worfe  of  us  than  of  others ;  but  that  they 
thought  that  our  Example  would  do  more  harm:  For  I  muft  bear  them 
witnefs,  that  in  the  midft  of  all  their  Cenfures  of- my  Judgment  and  Actions, 
they  never  Cenfured  my  Affe&ions  and  Intentions,  nor  abated  their  Charitable 
Eftimation  of  me  in  the  main.  And  of  the  leading  Prelates  I  had  fo  much  fa- 
vour in  their  hotteft  Indignation  ,  that  they  thought  what  I  did  againft  their  In- 
tereft  was  only  in  obedience  to  my  Confcience.  So  that  I  fee  by  experience,  that 
he  that  is  impartially  and  fincerely  for  Truth  and  Peace  and  Piety,  againft  all  Fa- 
ctions, fhall  have  his  Honefiy  acknowledged  by  the  feveral  Fa&ions,  whilft  his  Ani- 
ons, as  crofs  to  their  Intereft,  are  detefted  :  Whereas  he  that  joyneth  with  one  of 
the  FacJiom,  fhall  have  both  his  Peribn  and  Actions  condemned  by  the  other, 
though  his  Party  may  applaud  both, 

§433 


P  a  a  T  IL     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

§  4;;.  My  Judgment'was  for  the  holding  of  Communion  with  AiTembiies  of 
both  Parties  ;  and  ordinarily  I  went  to  fome  Pari/h  Church,  where  I  heard  a 
Learned  Minifter  that  had  not  obtruded  himfelf  upon  the  People,  but  was  chofen 
by  them,  and  preached  well,  (  as  Dr.  IVilkins,  Dr.  TiUotfon,  Mr.  NeHi  &c.)  and  J 
joyned  alfo  in  the  Common  Prayers  of  the  Church :  And  as  oft  elfe  as  I  had  fit 
opportunity,  I  privately  preached  and  prayed  my  felf,  either  with  Independents 
or  Presbyterians  that  defired  me !  And  I  profefled  to  all  upon  all  oceafions,  thac 
though  I  juftified  not  all  things  which  they  held  or  did  in  any  of  their  Churches, 
yet  as  long  as  they  made  not  any  Sin  of  mine  a  Condition  of  my  Communion 
with  them,  I  would  occafionally  joyn  with  any  true  Church  in  publick  or  private ; 
To  be  it  they  preached  not  for  Herefie,  nor  againft  a  hely  and  peaceable  Life  s 
nor  turned  not  their  Strein  to  Sedition  or  uncharitable  Reviling  one  another  :  E- 
ven  as  I  would  hold  occafional  Communion  with  a  Church  of  Lutherans,  or  Greeks , 
or  Abaffines,  if  I  paffed  through  their  Countreys.  Though  ceteris  paribus  I  pre- 
ferred Publick  AJfemblies,  which  have  the  Magiltrates  Countenance,  before  Private  5 
yet  I  more  preferred  thole  that  have  pure  Worfliip  and  Difcipline  and  powerful 
Preaching,  before  the  fcandalous,  undifciplined,  ignorant  Churches,  of  ignorant 
and  formal  lifeleis  Minifters.  And  fo  far  as  I  had  my  choice,  my  moft  ufual  Com. 
munion  fliould  be  with  thole  AiTembiies  that  I  thought  the  bed  ;  yet  would  I  have 
occafional  Communion  with  others,  as  Members  of  the  Catholick  Church,  tofhew 
my  Catholick  Communion  with  all  the  Body  of  Chrift.  Yea.  and  my  ordinary 
Communion  mould  be  with  a  Church  that  ufed  the  Common  Prayer,  rather  than 
with  none,  or  with  a  worfe :  And  the  Lord's  Day  I  would  fpend  in  Church  Com- 
munion ( it  bsing  principally  appointed  to  that  end  ),  and  not  in  any  meer  Family 
Worfliip,  or  Meetings  with  a  few  Chriftians  occafionally  which  met  not  as  a 
Church.  This  was  my  Refolution  :  But  the  confidence  of  many  on  the  other  fide 
was  as  great  as  mine  could  be :  And  their  Arguments  as  many  ( though  I  thought 
Hot  ib  good  ) :  Many  Books  came  out  againft  hearing  Common  Prayer,  and  againft 
hearing  any  of  the  prefent  Parifii  Minifters :  One  faid  to  be  by  Mv.Jobn  Godwin>m& 
another  by  one  Mr.  Brown  of JVorcefierfliire  (a  fervent,  injudicious,  honeft  Fifth- 
Monarchy-man)  and  many  more  that  made  the  Common  Prayer  to  be  no  lefs 
than  Idolatry.  Becaufe  it  was  not  prelcribed  by  the  Scripture,  they  faid  it  is  falfe 
Worfhip  ;  and  falfe  Worfliip  they  laid  was  one  Species  of  Idolatry;  by  which  ar- 
guing they  would  have  made  every  fault  in  any  of  our  Prayers  or  other  Worfliip 
to  be  Idolatry  :  For  Scripture  preicribethnot  any  diforder  or  other  fault  in  Pray- 
er, but  forbiddeth  it :  and  lb  they  may  on  the  fame  account  call  it  falfe  Worfliip  and 
Idolatry  :  But  many  honeft  People  were  led  to  depart  too  far  from  the  Parifh  Af- 
femblies,  and  from  Charity  and  Unity  it  felf,  by  fuch  weak  realbnings  as  thele, 
Yea,  many  turned  Quakers,  becaufe  the  Quakers  kept  their  Meetings  openly,  and 
went  to  Prifonfor  it  cheerfully  ;  and  becaufe  they  would  not  joyn  with  the  late 
impofed  Miniftry  and  Worfliip,  which  was  fobad  in  their  efteem,  that  their  hearts 
role  againft  any  Debate  in  which  we  would  but  queftion  it. 

When  I  hear  men  cry  out  againft  us  as  dangerous  Schifmaticks,  even  when  we 
deny  not  Communion  with  the  conformable  Parifli  Minifters ,  meerly  becaufe  we 
ceafe  not  preaching  when  the  Magiftrates  and  Prelates  command  us  fo  to  do,  not- 
withftanding  the  notorious  neceffity  of  the  People  $  it  bringeth  to  my  thoughts 
two  remarkable  PaiTages  there  met  with. 

The  firft  of  the  Eafiern  Churches  (  Alexandria,  Antioch,C4fareat  &c.)  which  ftuck 
to  their  old  Paftors  in  private  Meetings ,  and  refuted  the  new  obtruded  Bi- 
fhops  fufpected  of  Arrianifm,  notwithftanding  the  Emperour  Valem  his  Prohibiti- 
on, and  his  contrary  Commands,  and  his  perlbnal  violent  Impedition.  The  like 
was  done  in  Conftantius's  time. 

The  fecond  is  of  many  Bifhops  in  Africa  who  by  Genfericus  were  forbid  to  preach, 
and  when  they  obeyed  him  not,  their  Tongues  were  cut  out :  And  God  by  a  Mi- 
racle juftified  their  Difobedience  to  the  King,  and  they  fpake  as  well  as  when  they 
had  their  Tongues  :  Among  many  Hiftorians  who  report  this,  I  remember  two 
credible  ones,  who  profefs  that  they  (aw  and  heard  the  men  Ipeak  themfelves,  af- 
ter the  cutting  out  of  their  Tongues ;  One  is  Viilor  Uticenfis'j  and  as  I  remember 
the  other  is  v&ntat  Ga^Hs, 


43ft 


438  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 

- *     — — — — 

§  434.  1  confefs  fome  of  thole  that  were  for  Separation  from  the  Parifh  Chur- 
ches fpake  fo  plaufibly,  that  it  was  no  wonder  that  moft  of  the  Religious  fort  fol- 
lowed them.    They  (aid  that 

1.  We  have  but  lately  fworn  in  the  Covenant  againft  Superftition,  and  for  a  Re- 
formation: and  fhall  we  all  fo  foon  return  to  Liturgies  and  Ceremonies,  &c.  at  the 
Will  of  Man? 

2.  As  Conformity,  (b  Separation,  is  now  another  thing  than  it  was  when 
the  old  Non- conform ifts  wrote  againft  the  Brownifis,  the  Churches  being  far  more 
polluted. 

3.  We  are  commanded  to  avoid  them  that  walk  disorderly,  and  not  to  bid  them 
good  fyeed  that  bring  falfe  Do&rine,  and  not  to  eat  with  tbem.&c.  And  Cyprtan  faith, 
That  it  belongeth  to  the  People  to  avoid  a  bad  Paftor,  and  that  if  they  do  it  not, 
they  muft  not  think  themfelves  innocent,  though  Synods  caft  them  not  out.  And 
what  fin,  fay  they,  can  be  more  heinous,  than  to  break  their  Vows  with  God  fb 
(blemnly,  and  in  fuch  dreadful  Expreflions,  made?  and  to  Subfcribe  under  their 
Hands,  That  neither  Prince  nor  People  in  Three  Kingdoms,  ought  to  reform  fuch 
a  corrupted  undifciplin'd  Church ,  no  not  though  they  have  Sworn  to  endeavour 
it  ?  and  not  only  to  be  Perjured  themfelves,  but  to  juftifie  Three  Kingdoms  in  the 
Guilt  of  Perjury  ;  to  dishonour  our  Nation  before  all  the  World,  and  teach  them 
to  name  it  hfula  Ferfidorum,  the  Perjured  IJland:  To  declare  openly  for  the  ablblute 
Slavery  of  the  Kingdoms,  whofe  Liberty  their  Anceftors  preferred  before  their 
Lives ;  declaring  that  it  is  not  lawful  by  Arms  to  fave  my  Purfe  or  Throat  from 
Thieves,  if  they  fay  they  have  the  Kings  Commiffion  for  it !  or  mew  it :  To  Af- 
fent  and  Content  unfeignedly  to  all  the  Corruptions  impofed  on  them !  To  make 
all  this  a  Minifterial  Sin,  by  Publifhingor  Reading  it  before  all  the  Congregation  : 
To  turn  to  all  this  unfaithfully,  without  ever  Debating  the  Cafe  with  the  ableft 
that  differed  from  them ;  or  elfe  going  on  when  they  were  Silenced  in  Con- 
ference ,  and  had  nothing  to  fay !  Are  thefe  men  for  us  to  hold  Communion 
with  ? 

4.  God  will  be  worfliipped  with  the  beft,and  curfeth  them  that  offer  him  the  blind 
and  lame,  when  they  have  better  in  their  Flocks. 

y.  The  Churches  are  not  only  undifciplined,  but  the  Parlors  by  Subfcription 
juftifie  it,  and  compel  by  cruel  Perfecution  all  Men  to  Communicate  with  them 
thrice  a  year,  both  the  Good  againft  their  Conferences ,  and  the  Bad  againft 
the  Word  of  God,  to  their  Condemnation :  And  fhall  we  Communicate  with 
fucB  ? 

§  45  5:.  To  thefe  fad  and  heavy  Accufations  we  anfwered, 

1.  The  Covenant  bound  us  to  our  beft  to  reform:  but  did  not  bind  us  to  fin, 
that  is,  toforfake  all  Chriftian  Churches  among  us,  and  all  Publick  Worfhip,  when 
we  cannot  reform  as  we  defire.  As  I  am  bound  to  amend  all  the  Difbrders  and 
Faults  of  my  own  Prayers,  but  not  to  give  over  praying  till  I  can  amend  them. 
Nay,  the  Covenant  bindeth  us  to  come  to  the  Alfemblies,  in  that  it  bindeth  us 
againft  Schifm,  Prophanenefs,  and  whatfoever  is  againft  found  Do&rine  and  Godli- ' 
nefs. 

2.  I  confefs  that  Conformity  is  not  the  lame  thing  as  it  was  in  the  Brownifts 
time  :  But  yet  the  Difference  is  not  fo  great  as  to  make  Separation  lawful  now  , 
which  was  unlawful  then.  In  one  great  Point  the  Cafe  of  the  Church  was  worfe 
then,  than  it  is  now  :  in  that  the  multitude  of  the  People  being  new  turned  from 
Popery  by  the  bare  Will  of  the  Queen  and  Parliament ,  were  far  more  ignorant 
than  now  they  are  i  when  the  Gofpel  hath  made  the  People  much  more  under- 
ftanding  and  reformed  ;  infomuch  that  in  fome  (  few  )  great  Towns  and  Pa- 
rifhes,  a  confiderable  part  of  the  People,  are  zealous  Profeflbrs  of  Religion  that 
daily  worfhip  God  in  their  Families. 

3.  There  is  a  great  deal  of  Difference  between  God's  Commands  to  a  Church 
to  caft  out  and  avoid  particular  Sinners  by  way  of  Difciplinary  Reformation,  and 
a  particular  Perfbn's  avoiding  whole  Churches,  and  that  before  the  Neighbouring 
Churches  have  in  any  Synod  declared  them  unfit  for  our  Communion  :  The  for- 
mer may  be  found,  but  any  Command  for  the  latter  you  will  hardly  find  in  Scrip- 
ture 5  but  contrarily  it  was  the  practice  of  Schifmaticks  and  Hereticks :  For  how 
can  you  proceed  in  ChrifVs  method  of  Admonition  with  fuch  whole  Churches? 
At  lea  ft,  till  they  are  notorioufly  Heretical,  or  intolerably  corrupt  and  obffinate 

therein 


P  a  r  t  IL   -Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        439 

— — — — —  *  ■——»—— '  » — — — — . _ 

therein  you  cannot  avoid  them.  The  Churches  of  Corinth  ,  Galatiay  Ephefm,  Sar- 
du,  LaoJicea,  Tbiatyra,  &c.  had  foul  Corruptions,  and  are  commanded  to  exe- 
cute Difcipline  on  the  Members ;  hut  no  Members  commanded  to  forfake  the 
Churches,  but  the  contrary.  As  to  Cyprians  words,  it's  true,  that  a  People  that 
care  for  their  Souls  muft  depart  from  an  Heretical  or  utterly  intolerable  Minifter, 
as  they  that  love  their  Lives  will  do  from  a  Phyfician  that  would  kill  them:  But 
there  is  a  great  deal  of  difference  between  Ter/onal  Faults,  and  Mini/Serial  Faults,  (as 
between  a  Drunkard  and  an  Heretick),  and  between  a  tolerable  minifierial  Fault  (  as 
all  imperfect  Men  are  guilty  of  in  their  feveral  meafuresj  and  an  intolerable  one  : 
and  between  the  Defection  of  a  whole  Congregation,  and  of  the  lefter  part,  when 
the  reft  will  not  forfake  the  Minifler.  I  deny  not  but  you  are  bound  to  forbear 
committing  the  care  and  guidance  of  your  Souls  to  a  Man  whofe  Minifierial  Faults 
are  intolerable.  And  fiich  are,  r.  The  utterly  Ignorant  and  Infufficient ;  2.  The 
Preachers  of  Herefie,  or  Doctrine  contrary  to  the  neceffary  Points  of  Religion; 
;.  And  thofe  that  fet  themfelves  to  preach  down  Godlinefs,  or  preach  for  a  wick- 
ed Life,  (  if  any  fuch  there  be  )  :  But  you  mult  remember  how  in  their  Factious 
Zeal,  all  Parties  or  Sects  of  late  among  us,  were  wont  to  preach  againft  one  ano- 
ther, and  yet  that  was  not  taken  for  preaching  againft  Godlinefs,  though  the 
Perfons  were  never  fo  godly  that  they  preached  againft.  And  as  you  recount  all 
that  may  aggravate  their  fin,  ib  you  muft  in  juftice  remember  all  that  may  exte- 
nuate it:  Remember  therefore,  1.  That  for  the  Common  Prayer  and  Ceremonies 
and  Prelacy  ,  multitudes  of  worthy  holy  Men  conformed  to  them  heretofore, 
from  whom  you  would  not  have  leparated  j  fuch  as  Dr.  Prefion,  Dr.  Sibbs,  Dr.Tay- 
lor,  Dr.  St  aught  on,  Mr.  Gattaker,  and  moft  (  by  far  )  of  the  late  Synod  at  Wefi- 
minfier  :  And  for  the  reft  of  the  Conformity,  remember  the  Matter  and  the  Temp- 
tation: For  the  Matter,  it  is  much  about  Political  Things,  where  it  is  no  wonder 
if  Divines  on  either  fide  are  ignorant  or  erroneous  :  and  if  they  be  unacquainted 
with  the  Power  of  Kings  and  Parliaments,  when  Lawyers  and  Parliaments  them- 
felves are  didgreed  about  them.  And  for  the  Temptation,  remember  that  fuch  hor- 
rid Mifcarriages,  as  the  the  Rebellious  pulling  down  of  King  and  Parliament,  kil- 
ling the  one,  and  calling  out  and  imprifoning  the  Members  of  the  other,  and  the 
attempting  the  taking  down  of  all  the  Miniftry,  and  the  ruining  of  all  Order  by 
armed  Sectaries,  with  the  multitude  of  Sects  that  fwarm'd  among  us,  I  fay  thefe 
Effects,  with  the  King's  miraculous  Reftoration,  and  the  ruine  of  fuch  an  Army 
without  one  drop  of  Blood,  are  things  that  might  eafily  draw  Men  to  judge  that 
the  Covenant  was  but  a  League  for  the  promoting  of  an  unlawful  War,and  there- 
fore is  utterly  null :  And  fpecially  it  concerneth  you  to  remember,  that  it  was  the 
Independents  that  firft  taught  them  the  nullity  or  non-obligation  of  the  Covenant, 
calling  it  a  ceafed  League,  and  an  Almanack  out  of  date,  which  they  were  forced  to 
do  that  they  might  violate  it:  And  yet  you  do  not  now  call  them  Perjured,  and 
aggravate  their  Sin,  and  fay,  They  kill'd  the  King  and  conquered  Scotland,  when 
they  had  fworn  the  contrary  in  the  Covenant :  Nor  do  you  feparate  from  them  on 
this  account :  Nay,  it  is  moftly  the  Independents  that  are  now  for  Separation 
from  the  Prelatifts  as  Perjured,  who  went  before  them  in  the  nullifying  of  this 
Vow. 

4.  We  diffwade  you  not  from  worfhipping  of  God  with  the  beft  you  have,  fo 
you  will  but  remember,that  Love  and  Concord  and  honourable  Solemnity  are  con- 
siderable Ingredients  to  make  up  the  beft  :  and  that  it  is  not  beft  to  fpend  the  Lord's 
Days  in  no  Church-  worfhip  at  all,  but  meerly  with  a  few  that  are  met  occafional- 
ly,  becauie  you  cannot  worfhip  him  publickly  as  you  would ;  and  that  that  may 
be  the  beft  which  you  have  liberty  to  perform,  which  is  not  the  beft  which  you 
could  do  if  you  had  liberty. 

5-.  And  though  the  Churches  be  too  much  undifciplined,  and  all  Communicate, 
fo  are  the  Reformed  Churches  of  Helvetia  ,  which  are  numbered  with  the  beft, 
where  Difcipline  never  was  fet  up.  In  Conclufion,  He  that  feparateth  from  one 
Church,  for  a  Caufe  common  to  almoft  all  the  Churches  in  the  World ,  doth  go 
too  near  a  Separating  from  all  the  Churches  in  the  World  :  But  fo  it  is  here : 
For  almoft  all  the  Churches  in  the  World  have  worie  Minifters  and  worfe  Mem- 
bers, and  as  bad  a  form  or  way  of  Worfhip  as  thefe  in  England  :  And  it  is  a  terri- 
ble thing  to  think  of  Separating  from  all  or  moft  of  the  Univerfal  Church  of  Chrift 
on  Earth. 

§43*. 


44-o  The  LIFE  of  the  L  i  b.  J. 

_ ___  '  —  - 

§  4;6.  But  the  Eje&ed  Presbyterian  Minifters  that  would  not  come  to  Common 
Prayer  in  Publick,  went  more  moderately  to  work,  and  faid, 

i.  We  do  not  feparate  from  every  Congregation  that  we  joyn  not  with  in  Per- 
fon :  Elfe  every  Man  doth  feparate  every  day  from  all  the  Congregations  in  the 
World  lave  one  :  If  they  are  not  Separates  for  not  joyning  with  us,  then  neither 
are  we  for  not  joyning  with  them,  no  more  than  for  not  joyning  with  the  Anabap- 
tifts  and  Independents  :  We  may  confefs  them  to  have  a  true  Miniftry,  and  be  true 
Churches ;  but  their  faultinefs  we  mull  not  countenance. 

2.  We  were  lawfully  called  by  Chrift  to  feed  our  particular  Flocks :  And  if 
thefe  Men  caft  us  out  of  the  Temples  and  Maintenance  ,  and  get  into  our  Places, 
and  the  more  ungodly  half  of  the  Parifties,  for  fear  of  Man  ,  conform  to  them,  it 
doth  not  follow  that  we  are  abfolved  from  our  Office  and  Duty  for  the  reft ,  or 
muft  bring  them  to  the  dilbrderly  way  of  Worfhip  which  they  violently  impofed 
onus. 

§  4; 7-  To  thefe  I  anfwered, 

1.  That  it's  true,  that  mttr  Ab/ence  is  no  Separation :  But  when  a  Party  call  and 
invite  you  to  joyn  with  them,  and  you  publickly  accufe  their  way,  and  never  joyn 
with  them  at  all,  you  feem  to  tell  the  World  that  you  take  it  to  be  unlawful:  And 
that  hath  feme  degree  of  Separation  ;  to  avoid  them  as  a  Company  unmeet  to  be 
joyned  with, 

2.  Though  you  Offices  to  your  People  ceafe  not,  yet  you  have  your  power  to 
Edification  and  not  to  Deftru&ion :  And  if  a  tolerable  Minifter  be  put  into  your 
Places,  it's  confiderable  whether  it  be  not  mod  to  your  Peoples  Edification,  Unity, 
Charity*  and  Peace,  to  take  them  with  you  to  the  Publick  AiTemblies,  and  help 
them  neverthelefs  at  other  times  your  felves  as  much  as  you  can  :  And  whether 
both  helps  be  not  more  than  one :  Efpecially  when  you  cannot  preach  to  above 
four  your  felves,  without  Imprilbnment  and  Banifhment,  and  then  you  cannot 
preach  at  all.  And  whereas  it's  eafie  to  let  a  paffionate  Stoutnefs  tranfport  us,  and 
think  that  Tyrannical  Church-Ufurpers  muft  not  be  encouraged  by  our  Compli- 
ance ;  the  meek  Spirit  of  Chriftianity,  when  it  fifteth  thefe  realbnings,  will  find  in 
them  too  much  of  Self  and  Paflion  when  Unity,  Charity  and  the  Churches  Edifi- 
cation is  on  the  other  fide. 

§  438.  And  whereas  fome  Men  are  much  taken  with  this  Realbn,  That  thefe 
times  have  more  Light  than  the  old  Non-conformiftsever  had,  and  therefore  that  is 
not  excufable  in  us  which  was  lb  in  them,  I  muft  confefs  I  have  great  realbn  to  be- 
lieve the  clean  contrary,  if  by  Light  they  mean  Knowledge,  that  the  old  Non- 
conforming had  much  more  infight  into  thefe  Controverfies  than  Profeflbrs  have  of 
late ;  For, 

1.  We  know  that  when  the  Parliament  had  caft  out  Bilhops,  Liturgy  and  Cere- 
monies, the  generality  both  of  Minifters  and  People,  took  it  for  granted  that  they 
were  all  bad,  and  Co  had  more  Light  than  their  Forefathers  had,  before  they  ever 
ftudied  the  Controverfies  :  I  have  asked  many  of  them  that  have  boafted  of  this 
Light,  whether  ever  they  read  what  Cartwright,  Bradfhaw,  Ames,  Parker,  Baynes, 
Gerfome>  Bucer,  Didoclavius,  Salmafiut,  Blondell,  Bez,a,  &c  have  (aid  on  one  fide  j 
and  what  Saravia,  Bilfon ,  Wbttgift ,  CoveB  ,  Downbam,  Burges,  Hooker,  Taybody, 
Hammond,  &c.  have  faid  on  the  other  fide  ;  and  they   have  confeft  they  never 

\     throughly  ftudied  any  one  of  them. 

2.  And  we  fee  it  by  experience,  that  one  of  thofe  Men  have  written  more  on 
thefe  Subjects,  than  any  of  thefe  can  fay  or  underftand,  who  boaft  that  they  have 
greater  Light.  How  weakly  do  they  talk  againft  Bilhops,  Liturgy,  and  Ceremo- 
nies in  companion  of  thefe  ancient  Non-conformifts !  However ,  that  which  was 
Truth  then,  is  Truth  now  :  And  we  have  the  lame  Scripture  to  be  our  Rule  as  they 
had :  Therefore  let  them  that  fay  they  have  more  Knowledge,  bring  it  forth  and 
try  it  by  the  Law  and  Teftimony,  Jfa.  8.  20. 

§  4;9.  Having  lived  three  years  and  more  in  London,  and  finding  it  neither  a- 
gree  with  my  health  or  ftudies,  (  the  one  being  brought  very  low,  and  the  other 
interrupted)  and  all  Publick  Service  being  at  an  end,  I  betook  my  felf  to  live  in 
the  Country  (  at  ABon)  that  1  might  let  my  felf  to  writing,  and  do  what  Ser- 
vice I  could  for  Pofterity,  and  live  as  much  as  poflibly  I  could  out  of  the  World. 
Thither  I  came  166;.  July  14.  where  I  followed  my  Studies  privately  in  quiet- 
nefi,  and  went  every  Lord's  Day  to  the  Publick  Aflembly  >  when  there  was  any 

Preach- 


Part  II.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         441 

Preaching  or  Catechizing,  and  (pent  (he  rett  of  the  Day  with  my  Family  (  arid  a 
few  poor  Neighbours  that  came  in  )  j  f  pending  now  and  then  a  day  in  London , 
and  the  next  year  1664.  I  had  the  Company  of  divers  godly  faithful  Friends  thac 
Tabled  with  me  in  Summer,  with  whom  I  folaced  my  (elf  with  much  content. 
Having  almoff  hnilhed  a  large  Treatife,  called  ,  A  Chrifiian  DtreBory^  or  Sum  of 
Vraclical  Divinity  ,  that  I  might  know  whether  it  would  be  Licenfed  for  the  Prefs, 
I  tried  them  with  a  fmall  Treatife  of  The  Characters  of  a  Sound  Chrifiian,  as  diffe- 
renced from  the  Weak  Lhrifitan  and  the  H\  pocrite  :  I  offered  it  Mr.  Grig  the  Bi- 
fhopof  London's  Chaplain,  who  had  been  a  Non- conform  if  r,  and  profeft  an  ex- 
traordinary refpecl:  for  me  :  But  he  durft  not  Licence  it.  Yet  after ,  when  the 
Plague  began  1  lent  three  fingle  Sheets  to  the  Archbifhop  of  Canterbury's  Chap* 
lain  (  without  any  Name  that  they  might  have  part  unknown,  but  accidentally 
they  knew  them  to  be  mine  )  and  they  were  Licenfed:  The  one  was  Directions  for 
the  Sick :  The  fecond  was  Directions  for  the  Cenverfon  of  the  Ungodly  j  and  the  third 
was  InftruCt ions  for  a  Holy  Life :  for  the  life  of  poor  Families  that  cannot  buy  great- 
er Books,  or  will  not  read  them. 

§440.  March  26.  being  the  Lord's  Day  166 y.  as  I  was  preaching  in  a  Private 
Houfe,  where  we  received  the  Lord  s  Supper,  a  Bullet  came  in  at  the  Window  a- 
mong  us,  and  part  by  me,  and  narrowly  mift  the  Head  of  a  Sifter- in-law  of  mine 
that  was  there,  and  hurt  none  of  us  j  and  we  could  never  difcover  whence  it 
came. 

§  441.  In  June  following  an  ancient  Gentlewoman  with  her  Sons  and  Daughter, 
came  four  Miles  in  her  Coach  to  hear  me  Preach  in  my  Family,  as  cut  of  fpecial 
RefpeA  to  me:  It  fell  out  that  (  contrary  to  our  cuftomj  we  let  her  knock  long 
at  the  Door,  and  did  not  open  it ;  and  fo  a  fecond  time  when  fhe  had  gone  away 
and  came  again  j  and  the  third  time  fhe  came  when  we  had  ended:  fhe  was  fo 
earneft  to  know  when  fhe  might  come  again  to  hear  me,  that  I  appointed  her  a 
time  :  But  before  fhe  came,  1  had  fecret  intelligence  from  one  that  was  nigh  her, 
that  fhe  came  with  a  heart  exceeding  full  of  Malice ,  refolving  ,  if  poffible,  to 
do  me  what  Mifchief  fhe  could  by  Accufation :  and  fb  that  Danger  was  avoid- 
ed. 

§  442.  Before  this,  divers  Forreign  Divines  had  written  to  me  ,  and  expected 
fuch  Correfpondence  as  Literate  Perfbns  have  with  one  another :  But  I  knew  fo 
well  what  eyes  were  upon  me,and  how  others  had  been  ufed  in  fbme  fuch  accounts, 
that  I  durft  not  write  one  Letter  to  any  beyond  the  Seas :  By  which  fome  were 
offended ,  as  little  knowing  our  Condition  here  :  Among  others ,  Amyraldm  fent 
one  upon  the  occafion  of  a  word  of  honefr  Luda.  Molm£usi  a  Dr.  of  Phyfick, 
who  had  faid  that  he  had  heard  that  Amyrald  had  faid  fbmewhat  as  flighting  the 
Non-conformifts  in  England,  and  me  in  particular,  which  with  what  vehemency 
and  great  refpect  he  difbwneth  ,  his  Letter  following  will  fhew.  Another  was 
from  a  Minifter  in  Helvetia,  who  would  have  had  my  Advice  about  fetting  up  the 
Work  of  Minifterial  Inftru&ion  of  the  Families  and  Perfbns  of  their  Charge  par- 
ticularly, which  1  will  alfo  add :  but  I  fent  him  an  Anfwer  by  his  Friend  by  word 
of  mouth  only.    And  fo  I  refuted  the  anfwering  of  all  others. 


L 11  Liters 


44.2  The  LIFE  of  the  L I  3.  J. 

,Lfterse   D.    Jmjraldi, 

Ad  Reverendum  Virum  Dom.  Dominum 
Haxterum,  Fide] em  Evange'lis  Jefu  Chrifti 
Minifterium,   Londinwn. 

VIrtutum  tuarum  fama,  Vir  Reverende,  ad  aures  we  as  ante  aliquot  annos 
pervenit,  nee  omnino  we  latuerat  quam  honor ifice  de  we  &  privatam  fen- 
tias  &  publice  loquaris.  Verum  quia  S?  audio  fcripji ft i  Anglice  tantum  modo, 
cognitio  autew  lingua  veftr£  quaw  ante  quadraginta  Annos  qualewcunque  Lon- 
dini  adeptus  eram,  e  weworia  wea  defuetudine  obliterata  eft,  paruw  commercii 
wihi  eft  cum  lilris  veftris,  nee  hatlenus  contigit  ut  quidquaw  quod  a  te  prodixe- 
rit  oculis  u fur  paver  im.  Eo  de  caufa,  quamvis  nonnunquam  ceperit  we  iwpetiu 
aliquis  ad  te  fcribendi,  ut  konorem  quo  te  profequor  fejtificarer,  &  ut  fignificarem 
quod  me  publice  laudafti,  ingrato  non  accidtfte  \  {Etfi  enim  tenuitatew  meam  ag- 
vofco,  non  diftiwulabo  tawen,  non  effe  wihi  fibram  adeo  corneam,  quiu  laudari  <»- 
wen,  a  te  potijfimum  laudato  Viro  .•)  Attamen  quotiufcunque  id  in  Aniwum  in- 
duxi  vet  occafio  literas  ad  te  wittendi  fuppeditata  non  eft,  vel  we  repreffit  ali- 
quis met  us  nequid  de  we  fufpicaveris  :  At  quod  hucufque  diftuleram,  Vir  Reve- 
rende, exprejftt  a  we  indignatio  concept  a  ex  lellione  Ikerarum  Domini  Simonii 
ad  we,  in  quibus  vidi  nejcio  quern  wale  feriatum  hominem  {etenim  eum  ne  de  no* 
wine  quidem  nov'i)  fcripfijje  ad  Molm^um,  Amyraldum  de  te,  deque  Scriptis 
tuos  loqui  valde  contempt  em  ;  adeo  ut  ft  verum  e[fet  quod  ille  quifquis  eft  dicir, 
jufliffimam  caufam  habere s  cur  gravijfime  wihi  Juc'cenferes,  weque  judicares  in- 
dignum  iis  laudibus,  iifque  benevolently  tua  Jtgnificationibus,  quibus  we  profe- 
qui  ac  dec  or  are  voluifti.  I  I  lie  o  igitur  calamum  arripui^S  nulla  inter pofita  mora, 
Jcripfi  ad  D.  Simonium  GaUice  qua  velim  a  te  legi  at  que  intelligi  pojfe,  utqualis 
fit  animus  erga  te  meus  liquido  cognofceres.  Tibi  vero,  Vir  Reverende,  banc  E- 
p/ftolam  deflino,  in  qua  quanta  pojfum  bona  fide  &  luculentis  verba  teflor  atque 
pronuntio,  falj a  ilia  omnia  effe,  &  emendacii  officina  profetta,  qua  vel  audivifti 
vel  legifli  quafi  ditla  de  te  a  we  /ecus  quam  oportuit.  Non  enim  te  novi  nifi 
defawa,  qua  de  tua  pie t ate  atque  eruditione  &  eloquent ia  egregie  loquitur; 
ttec  aliter  erga  te  /urn  affeclus  quam  ut  decet  erga  virum  multis  laudibus  orna- 
turn,  &  praterea  de  we  optime  merit urn,  &  cut  eo  nomine  wultum  debeo.  Noli 
ergo  qu£fo,  Vir  Reverende,  quidquam  ijliufmodi  credere  ;  &  ubicunque  id  vel 
cccafw  feret,  vel  necejfita*  poftulabit,  oflende  hafce  literas  me  a  manu,  &  ex  Ani- 
wi  wei  Sententia  conferiptas,  ut  poft  hocce  teftimonium  quid  de  te  judicem  nemo 
dubitare  queat.  Vale,  Vir  Reverende,  &  comwunis  ille  nofler  Votlor  atque  Do- 
minus,  qui  nos  redemit  fanguine  fuo,  cum  Ecdefia  Anglicana  turn  tui  peculiarem 
cur  am  Jufcipere  dignetur.  Quid  de  rebus  veftris  exiftixnem,  jcire  potes  ex  Epi» 
ftola  quh  Paraphrafmi  weam  in  Pjalmos  fereniffimo  veftro  Regt  dicavi.  Jtaque 
nihil  hie  addaw  nifi  quod  qui  ad  te  fcribit,  ejt  tibi, 

» 

Vir  Reverende, 

Ad  omne  obfequium  paratiftimus 

AMT RAL  DVS. 


. ■     ■ 

P  A  a  T  II.     Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  443 


To  the  Reverend  and  moft  Learned  Mr.  Richard  Baxter,  a  Zealous 
Minifter  of  the  Gojpel  of  Chrift,  hk  moft  worthy  and  mofl  ho- 
noured Brother  in  Cbrift,    at  Kidderminfter. 

Recommended  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Dorvik. 

The  Grace  of  our  Lord  Jefus^and  the  Peace  of  Godjbe  increafed 
among  us. 

Mofl  worthy  and  mofl  honoured  Sir, 

TH  E  Occafion  of  two  Cofins  of  mine  going  for  London,  invites  me  to  take 
the  liberty  to  write  this  Letter  to  you  (  moft  honoured  Sir, )  and  hope  you 
will  excule  my  boldnefs  in  ib  doing  ;  being  unknown  to  you,I  mould  have  rorborn 
troubling  you  in  your  weighty  Affairs,  which  befides  the  great  zeal  and  care  for 
your  Parilhioners,  yea  for  the  whole  Church  of  God ,  are  made  known  :  But  I 
could  not  pals  by  fo  good  an  Opportunity,  to  acquaint  you,  how  much  your  Name 
and  your  Perfbn,  (although  with  your  Body  ib  far  from  us,)  is  efteemed  by  me, 
an  unworthy  Servant  of  Jelils  Chrift,  and  by  many  other  faithful  Brethren  in  the 
Lord  in  this  our  Town,  and  alfb  in  our  Neighbour  Proteftant  Confederate  Cities 
of  Zuric  and  Schafifihoufien  ;  inlbmuch  that  we  often  remember  one  another  the  great 
caule  we  have  to  pray  the  Lord  joyntly  and  conftantly  with  your  beloved  Pariihi- 
oners, yea  with  whole  England,  for  your  health  and  long  life  ,  that  you  may  fur- 
ther continue  to  us  all  your  edifying  Do&rines  and  Admonitions.  I  dare  not  write 
to  you,  moft  godly  Sir,  in  what  fame  you  are  among  us,  that  you  may  not  fufpeft 
me  of  flattery,  which  doubtlefs  you  delpile  as  a  great  vanity  :  But  I  pray,  Sir,  to 
believe  me  confidently,  that  after  Providence  had  led  me  fome  years  agone  into 
England,  but  time  would  not  permit  to  ftay  long  there,  but  as  fpeedily  as  poilible 
to  learn  the  Engltjh  Tongue,  and  am  heartily  lorry  I  did  not  vific  you,  moft  wor- 
thy Sir,  at  Kidderminfter  that  time,  for  to  take  upon  feveral  Points  yoyir  godly  Ad- 
vice: being  in  ten  Months  time,  as  long  as  I  ftayed  in  London,  Oxford,  and  Cam- 
bridge, I  did  learn  (God  be  thanked)  fo  much  Engltjli  that  I  could  underltand  read- 
ing and  preaching.  And  by  the  Advice  of  the  moft  zealous  and  worthy  Men  , 
Mr.  Edmund  Calamy,  Mr.  Cranford,  Mr.  Nalton  (,  of  whom  I  received  great  Cour- 
tefie  and  Friendmip,  though  a  Stranger)  I  bought  a  good  number  of  Englijh  Divi- 
nity Books  of  your  moft  folid  and  feleCted  Divines;  and  among  others  your  E- 
verlafting  Reft,  Item  Gilda*  Salviantu,  or  Reformed  Paftor ,  Item  True  Chriftianity , 
Item  A  Sermon  of  Judgment,  8cc.  being  at  that  time  recalled  to  my  own  Country, 
I  had  no  time  to  perule  thole  heavenly  Meditations ;  but  fines  have  made  it  my 
chief  work,  and  cannot  exprefs  the  great  Advantage  I  received  by  them  :  fo  that 
I  commended  the  very  fame  Books  to  others  of  our  Brethren  who  have  endea- 
voured without  delay  to  get  them,  by  means  of  fome  of  our  Merchants  here  j  and 
alio  the  refnainder  of  your  Works,  that  we  could  bring  to  our  notice,  viz.  The  Un- 
reafionablenefi  of  Infidelity,  your  ConfeJJion  of  Faith,  The  right  Method  for  a  fetled  Peaca  of- 
Confidence,  The  Jafie  Religion,  Key  for  Catholicks,  The  Crucifying  of  the  World  ,  Item  of 
Self  denial,  Item  A  Treat  ifie  of  Converfion,  Call  to  the  Unconverted,  your  Apology  againfl. 
Mr.  Blake,  Sec.  Item  your  Holy  Commonwealth,  The  Catbolick  Unity,  your  Treattfie  of 
Death :  For  which  Works  we  thank  God  with  one  accord  ,  for  the  great  and  hea- 
venly Gifts  he  hath  fo  largely  beftowed  upon  you,  for  the  common  good  of  his 
Church  i  and  wifh  that  by  this  occafion  we  might  alfb  be  partakers  of  what  we 
want  of  your  Works  that  are  extant ;  Sermons  or  other  Treatifes :  Particularly  I 
muft  acquaint  you  with  the  high  efteem  we  make  of  thole  two  Chief  Pieces,  the 
Everlafttng  Refl  and  Reformed Paflor  :  in  which  latter  you  ftrike  home  to  the  very 
heart  many  Mtnifters :  and  we  muft  needs  confefs  that  living  among  a  rude  and 
unlearned  People,  ignorant  and  felf-conceited,  that  according  to  your  Advice  in 
the  Reformed  Paflor,  it  is  moft  necelTary  to  take  in  hand,with  all  fpeed  and  care.the 
private  Inftru&ion  and  Catechizing:  But  we  can  find  no  way  to  obtain  it :  And 
being  ycur  Admonitions  and  Perfwafions  to  the  Pra&iee  thereof,  are  very  home 

L  H  i  and 


444  The  LI  F  E  of  the  L 1  b.  I. 

and  clofe  upon  all  Minifters,  that  they  muft  make  it  their  chief  Eufinefs,  and  neg- 
lect nothing  until  they  have  perfwaded  and  brought  their  FlocR  to  it  •  1  pray  you, 
moft  worthy  Sir,  to  refolve  this  Enquiry  to  me  and  others  of  my  Neighbours  and 
fellow  Brethren,  who  in  reading  your  Reformed? "aft or  ,  made  the  fame  Scruple  of 
Confcience,  viz,.  Whether  a  Minifter  that  heartily  flrives  for  the  honour  of  God  and  the 
Edification  of  his  Church,  doth  not  dtfcharge  his  Duty,  when  according  to  your  wholfome 
and  true  Doclrirre,  he  hath  conferred  and  wade  known  his  mind  and  will'mgneft  to  the  per- 
formance of  it,  to  his  Fellow- Brethren  that  joyntly  with  him  are  Shepherds  of  the  fame  Flock, 
yea,  perfwaded  them  of  the  neceffity  and  ufefulnefi  of  it,  yet  can  get  no  Jjfiftance  by  Minifter  t 
•nor  Magiftrates. 

We  long  alio  heartily  to  know,  being  you  have  perfwaded  the  Minifters  of  the 
County  of  Worcefter  to  that  moft  neceffary  and  ufcful  Catechizing  and  Private  In- 
ftru&ion,  Whether  by  the  prefent  great  Change  in  England,  both  in  Churches  and  Govern- 
ment, and  chiefly,  being  that  we  hear  that  Epifcopacy  prevaileth,  the  Prelatical  Dignity  is 
not  fome  way  retrenched  j  and  whether  they  bear  (till  that  irreconcileable  hatred  againft good 
and  godly  Presbyterians,  that  they  may  not  be  fuffered  to  exercife  their  Charge  and  Duty  ? 
Or  if  they  are  wholly  deprived  of  the  power  and  authority  to  fcrve  their  Panjhes,  as  to  our 
great  Scandal  we  are  informed.  1  had  many  things  more  to  write  to  you,  but  dare 
not  trouble  you,  moft  worthy  Sir,  any  further,  fearing  to  keep  you  from  your  weigh- 
ty Bufinefs.  Only  I  crave  very  humbly  your  Anfwer,  and  as  much  Information  of 
the  true  preient  Eftate,  as  opportunity  will  give  you  leave  ,  Whether  we  have  fo 
much  cauje  to  fear  the  Introduction  of "Popery  in  England,  as  fome  ,  by  the  News  among  ft 
us  are  wholly  perfwaded  ?  In  the  mean  while,  we  will  continue  to  pray  the  Lord 
our  God  and  moft  merciful  Father,  with  all  our  Hearts  and  Souls ,  to  preferve  your 
Perfbn  for  the  General  Good  and  Edification  of  his  whole  Catholick  Church,  that 
your  great  Light  may  fhine  more  arid  more;  and  fo  I  remain, 

Reverend  and  moft  worthy  Sir, 
Saingall  in  Helvetia 

Reformat &ti6  A-  Your  humble  and  moft 

pril  i66j. 

Affectionate  Servant 

John  Solliccffer, 
unworthy  Servant  of  Chrift. 


The  vigilant  Eye  of  Malice  that  ibme  had  upon  me,  made  me  underftand  that 
(  though  no  Law  of  the  Land  is  againft  Literate  Perlbns  Correfpondencies  beyond 
Seas,  nor  have  any  Divines  been  hindered  from  it ,  yet  )  it  was  like  to  have  pro- 
ved my  ruine,  if  I  had  but  been  known  to  anfwer  one  of  thefe  Letters,  though  the 
Matter  had  been  never  fo  much  beyond  Exceptions.  So  that  I  neither  aniwered 
this  nor  any  other,fave  only  by  word  of  mouth  to  the  Meffenger ;  and  that  but  in 
fmall  part  ;  for  much  of  this  (in  the  latter  part),  was  Matter  not  to  be  touched. 
Our  Silencing  and  Eje&ion  he  would  quickly  know  by  other  means,  and  how'much 
the  Judgments  of  the  EngUfh  Bifhops  did  differ  from  theirs  about  the  Labours  and 
Perfons  of  fuch  as  we. 


§  443.  About  this  time  I  thought  meet  to  debate  the  Cafe  with  fome  Learned 
and  Moderate  Ejected  Minifters  of  London  ,  about  Communicating  fometimes  in 
the  Parilh  Churches  in  the  Sacraments :  (  For  they  that  came  to  Common  Prayer 
and  Sermon,  came  not  yet  to  Sacraments).  They  defired  me  to  bring  in  my  Judg- 
ment and  Reaibns  in  writing  :  which  being  debated,  they  were  all  of  my  mind  in 
the  main,  That  ic  is  lawful  and  a  duty  where  greater  Accidents  preponderate  nor. 
But  they  all  concurred  unanimoufly  in  this,That  if  we  did  Communicate  at  all  in  the 
Parifh  Churches,  the  Sufferings  of  the  Independents  and  thofe  Presbyterians  that 
could  not  Communicate  there,  would  certainly  be  very  much  increafed,  which 

now 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        445 

now  were  ibmewhat  moderated  by  concurrence  with  them.  I  thought  the  Cafe 
very  hard  on  both  fides,  That  we  that  were  fo  much  cenfured  by  them  for  going 
fomewhat  further  than  they,  muft  yet  omit  that  which  elfe  muft  be  our  Duty, 
meerly  to  abate  their  Sufferings  that  cenfiireus:  But  I  refolved  with  them  to  for- 
bear a  while,  rather  than  any  Chriftian  fhould  fuffer  by  occafion  of  an  action  of 
mine,  feeing  God  will  have  Mercy  and  not  Sacrifice)  and  no  Duty  is  a  Duty  at  all 
times. 

§  444..  In  July  1665.  the  Lord  Jjhley  fent  a  Letter  to  Sir  John  Trevor,  That  a 
worthy  Friend  of  his,  in  whole  Cafe  the  King  did  greatly  concern  himfelf,  had 
all  his  Fortunes  caft  upon  my  Refblution  of  the  enclofed  Cafe,  which  was,  Whether 
a  Vrotefiant  Lady,  of  ftrtcl  Education,  might  marry  a  Vapift,  in  hope  of  his  Converfion  , 
he  promi/in%  not  to  difiurb  her  in  her  Religion.  It  came  at  Six  a  Clock  Afternoon,  and 
knowing  it  was  a  Cafe  that  muft  becauteloufly  refolved  at  the  Court,  I  took  time 
till  the  next  Morning,  that  I  might  give  my  Anfwer  in  Writing.  The  next  day 
the  Lord  JJliley  wrote  again,  with  many  words  to  incline  me  to  the  Affirmative  ; 
for  the  Lady  told  them  me  would  not  content  unlefs  I  fatisfied  her  that  it  was  law- 
ful. (Who  the  Lord  and  Lady  were  I  know  not  at  all,  but  have  an  uncertain  Con- 
jecture) :  So  I  lent  the  following  Refolution. 

The  Cafe  was  thus  exprejfed. 

Whether  one  that  was  bred  a  ftrjcT:  Proteftant,  and  in  the  mod  fevere  ways  of 
that  Profeflion  ,  lived  many  years  without  giving  offence  to  any  ;  well  known  in 
her  own  Country  to  be  fuch  ;  may  without  offence  to  God,  or  Man,  marry  a 
profeft  Roman  Catholick,  in  hopes  of  taking  him  off  the  Errour  of  his  ways,  he 
engaging  never  to  difturb  her  ? 

My  Lord's  Letter  was  as  follows. 

S  I  R, 

THere  is  a  very  good  Friend  of  mine,  and  one  bis  Majefiy  is  very  much  concerned  for, 
that  this  enclofed  Cafe  has  the  power  of  his  Fortunes.  None  but  that  worthy  Divine 
Mr.  Baxter  can  fatisfie  the  Lady  ;  this  has  been  the  way  by  which  the  Romanics  have 
gained  very  much  upon  us:  they  are  more  powerful  in  perfwafion  than  our  Sex  $ 
befidesy  the  putting  this  Cafe  jhews  fome  inclination  to  the  Perfon,  though  not  to  the  Religi- 
on. Sir,  Jf  Mr.  Baxter  be  with  you,  pray  let  me  have  bis  Opinion  to  this  Cafe  in  writing 
under  it.     Wherein  you  may  oblige  more  than  you  think  fory 

Tour  very  affetlionate  Friend        r 
to  ferve  yout 

ASHLEY. 

For  his  much  honoured  Friend  Sir  John  Trevor ,  at  ABon 


To   this  Cafe  I  drew   up  the  following  Anfwer  ,  and  fent  it  to 
Sir  John  Trevor,  to  be  by  him  conveyed  to  my  Lord  Atfiley. 

5  1  R, 

c  ^p Hough  I  cannot  be  infenfible  how  inconvenient  to  my  felf  the  Anfwer  of  this 
■  1  Cafe  may  poflibly  prove,  by  difpleafing  thofe  who  are  concerned  in  it,  and 
'  medling  about  a  Cafe  of  Perfons  utterly  unknown  to  me,  yet  becaufe  I  take  it 
'  to  be  a  thing  which  Fidelity  to  the  Truth  ,  and  Charity  to  a  Chriftian  Soul  re- 
'  quireth,  I  mall  fpeak  my  Judgment  whatever  be  the  Consequents.    But  I  muft 

'  crave 


44* 


The  LIFE  of  the 


L  I  B.  I. 


Eftheis 
Cafe. 


i  Cor.7. 


Efth.2.i7.- 


Gen.  2.1 8, 

20. 

1  Cor.  14. 

35. 

Eph.  4.29. 

&  5.1 1,1  & 
1  p,  20,25, 
2(5, 27.  to 
the  end. 
Col.  3.15. 
Hebr.g.ig. 
iCor.1.10. 
Rom,  1 5.6. 


'  crave  the  pardon  of  that  Noble  Lord,  who  defired  my  Anfwer  might  be  Subfcri- 
c  bed  to  the  Gale,  becaufe  Neceflity  requircth  more  words  than  that  Paper  will  well 
f  contain. 

'  The  Queftion  about  the  Marriage,  is  not  Anfattum  valeat  ?  but  An  fieri  debut  ? 
'  There  is  no  affirming  or  denying  without  thefe  neceffary  Diftinclions.  i.Between 
'  a  Cafe  of  Neceflity  and  of  no  Neceflity.  2.  Between  a  Cafe  where  the  Motives 
'  are  from  the  Publick  Commodity  of  Church  or  State,  and  where  they  are  only 
c  Perfonal  or  Private.     ;.Between  one  who  is  otherwife  fober,ingenuous  and  pious, 

*  and  a  faithful  Lover  of  the  Lady,  and  one  that  either  befides  his  Opinion  is  of  aft 

*  ungodly  Life,  or  leeketh  her  only  to  ferve  himfelf  upon  her  Eftate.  4.Between  a 
'  Lady  well  grounded  and  fixed  in  Truth  and  Godlinefs,  and  one  that  is  weak  and 
f  but  of  ordinary  fedednefs.     Hereupon  I  anfwer, 

'  Prop.  1.  In  general,  It  cannot  be  laid  to  be  fimply  and  in  all   Cafes   unlawful 
{ to  marry  an  Infidel  or  Heathen  v  much  Iefs  a  Papift. 
5  2.  In  particular,  It  is  lawful  in  thefe  following  Cafes : 

c  1.  In  Cafe  of  true  Neceflity  :  when  all  juft  means  have  been  ufed,  and  yet 
the  Party  hath  a  neceflity  of  Marriage,and  can  have  no  better.  If  you  ask,  Who  is 
better*  I  anfwer,  A fiiitablenefs  in  things  of  greateft  moment  to  the  Party's  good 
determineth  that :  An  impious  hypocritical  Proteftant  is  worfethan  a  fbber  godly 
Papift  (for  fuch  I  doubt  not  but  fbme  be)  :  But  he  that  is  found  both  in  Judg- 
nient  and  in  Life  is  better  than  either. 

'  2.  In  cafe  it  be  very  likely  to  prove  fome  .great  Commodity  to  Church  or 
State.  For  fo  I  doubt  not  but  a  Proteftant  Lady  might  marry  a  Papift  Prince  or 
other  Perfon,  on  whom  the  Publick  Good  doth  eminently  depend  ;  fb  be  it 
i.That  fhe  be  ftable  and  of  good  Underftanding  her  felf :  2.  And  like  to  keep  fuch 
Intereft  iii  him  as  may  conduce  to  his  own  and  the  Publick  Good  :  3.  And  in 
cafe  fhe  may  not  be  as  well  difpofed  of  to  the  Good  of  the  Publick  other  ways. 
When  all  thefe  concur,  the  probability  of  Publick  Utility  is  fb  great,  that  the 
Perfon  (I  think)  may  truft  God  to  make  up  Perfonal  Incommodities,  and  pre- 
(erve  the  Soul  who  aimeth  at  his  Glory,  and  keepeth  in  his  way.  But  fmall  in- 
confiderable  Probabilities  are  not  enough  to  move  one  to  hazard  their  Soul  in  fb 
perillousa  way. 

r  3.  Befides  thefe  two  Cafes  (of  real  Neceflity  and  Publick  Utility  )  I  remember 
no  Cafe  at  the  prefent,  in  which  it  is  lawful  for  fuch  a  Proteftant  Lady  to  marry 
a  Papift :  At  leaft  in  the  ordinary  Cafe  of  Perfons  in  this  Land,  I  take  it  to  be 
undoubtedly  finful,  what  hopes  foever  may  be  imagined  of  his  Converfion  :  My 
Reafbns  are  thefe, 

c  1.  A  Husband  is  efpecialiy  to  be  a  Meet-helper  in  Matters  of  the  greateft  mo- 
ment :  And  this  help  is  to  be  daily  given,  in  counfelling  in  the  things  that  concern 
Salvation,  inftruding  in  the  Scriptures,  exciting  Grace,  fubduing  Sin,  and  help- 
ing the  Wife  in  the  conftant  courfe  of  a  Holy  Life,  and  in  her  preparation  for 
Death  and  the  Life  to  come !  And  a  humble  Soul  that  is  confcious  of  its  own 
weaknefs,  will  find  the  need  of  all  this  Help  !  which  how  it  can  be  expected  from 
one  who  only  promifeth  not  to  difturb  her  in  her  Religion,  I  cannot  underftand  ! 
I  mould  as  foon  advife  her  to  take  a  Phvfician  in  her  Sicknefs,  who  only  promi- 
mifeth  not  to  meddle  with  her  Health,  as  a  Husband  who  only  promifeth  not  to 
meddle  with  her  in  Matters  of  Religion. 

c  2.  A  Husband,  who  is  no  helper  in  Religion  ,  muft  needs  be  a  hinderer!  For 
the  very  Diverfions  of  the  Mind  from  holy  Things,  by  conftant  talk  of  other 
Matters,  will  be  a  very  great  Impediment !  And  as  not  to  go  forward  is  to  go 
backward,  fb  not  to  help  is  to  hinder,  in  one  of  fb  near  relation.  How  hard  it 
is  to  keep  up  the  Love  of  God,  and  a  Delight  in  Holinefs,  and  heavenly  Defires, 
and  a  fruitful  Life,  even  under  the  greateft  Helps  in  the  World,  much  more  a- 
mong  Hinderances,  and  efpecialiy  fuch  as  are  in  our  Bofom,  and  continually 
with  us,  I  need  not  tell  a  humble  and  felf- knowing  Chriftian.  And  of  what  Im- 
portance thefe  things  are,  I  fhall  not  declare  till  I  am  fpeaking  to  an  Infidel  or 
Impious  Perfon. 

;.  And- 


Part  II.    Reverend  Mr.  Richard  ^Baxter.         447 

*  3.  And  as  for  the  Converfion  of  another,  Marriage  is  none  of  the  means  that  God 

*  hath  commanded  for  that  end(that  ever  I  could  findj:  Preach- 
ing, or  Conference  with  judicious  Perfons,are  the  means  of  fuch  2  Cor.6.  14,15,  Unequal  yo 
'  Converfion  !  And  if  it  be  a  hopeful  thing,  it  may  be  tried  and  king  with  other?,  a?  well  as  Un- 

*  accomplilhed  firft  :  There  are  enow  of  us  who  are  ready  to  meet  ^^omon^rcwf  "Kteo  f 
«  any  Man  of  the  Papal  way,  and  to  evince  the  Errours  of  their  53?with  UnrfgSeoufnei'Light 
'Seel:  (by  the  allowance  of  Authority)  :  If  Reafon,or  Scripture,  with  Darknefs  hath  no  'com- 
'  or  the  Church,or  Senfe  itfelf  may  be  believed,  we  (hall  quickly  -«munion. 

May  that  before  them  that  hath  evidence  enough  to  convince  them:  ^ 

'  But  if  none  of  this  cm  do  it  before  hand,how  can  a  Wife  hope  to  do  it?  me  ought. 
'  not  to  think  a  Husband  fo  fond  and  weak,as  in  the  Matters  of  his  Salvation  to  be 

*  led  by  his  Affections  ro  a  Woman,  againlt  his  Reafon,  his  Party  and  his  Educati- 
'  on.  Or  if  (he  can  do  more  than  a  Learned  Man  can  do,  let  her  do  ic  firft,  and 
'  marry  him  after.  I  had  rather  give  my  Money  or  my  Houfe  and  Land  in  Charity, 

*  than  to  give  my  (elfin  Charity,  mceily  in  hope  to  do  good  to  another.  It  is  a 
'  Love  of  Friend fhip  and  Complacence,and  not  a  love  of  meer  Benevolence,  which 
'  belongeth  to  this  Relation.  Moreover,Errour  and  Sin  are  deep  rooted  things,  and 
'it  is  God  only  that  can  change  fuch  hearts,  and  Women  are  weak,  and  Me  naie 
'the  Rulers  j  and  therefore  to  marry^if  it  were  a  vicious  ungodly  Proteftant,meerly 
'  in  hope  to  change  him,is  a  Courfe  which  I  think  not  meet  heie  to  name  or  aggra- 
'  vateas  it  deferveth. 

'  4.  Yea,(he  may  juftly  fear  rather  to  be  changed  by  him  :  For  he  hath  the  ad- 
'  vantage  in  Authority,  Parts  and  Intereft.  And  we  are  naturally  more  prone  to  E- 
'  vil  than  to  Good.  It's  eafier  to  infedl  twenty  Men  than  to  cure  one.  And  if  he 
'fpeak  not  to  her  againlt  her  Religion,enow  more  will. 

*  5.  Or  if  (he  be  (b  happy  as  to  efcape  Perverfion,there  is  little  hope  of  herefca- 

'  ping  a  fad  calamitous  Life : Partly  by  guilt,  and  partly  by  her  grief  for  a  Husband's  I 

'  Soul, and  partly  by  Family-^jprdeis  and  fins,  and  alfo  by  daily  temptations,  dif- 
'  appointments,  and  want  of  thole  helps  and  comforts  in  the  way  to  Heaven, which 
'her  Weaknefs  needeth,and  her  Relation  mould  afford.    So  that  if  her  Soul  (cape, 

*  (he  mu(t  look  that  her  great  Affliction  mould  be  the  means :  And  yet  we  cannot  fo 
c  confidently  expect  from  God,that  he  (anctifie  to  us  a  felt-chofen  Affliction  as  ano- 
'  ther. 

1  6.Suppofing  him  to  be  one  that  loveth  her  Perfbn  truly,and  not  only  her  Eftate 
'  (for  elfe  (he  muft  expect  to  (land  by  as  a  contemned  thing)  yet  his  Religion  will 

*  not  allow  him  otherwile  to  love  hcr,than  as  a  Child  of  the  Dcvil,in  a  (late  of  Dam- 
'  nation  may  be  loved.  For  their  Religion  teacheth  them/That  none  can  befaved 
'  but  the  Subjects  of  the  Pope. 

'  If  it  be  objected  [  It  feemeth  it  u  no  fin}in  that  you  can  allow  it  in  a  Cafe  of  NeceJJitj, 
'  or  for  the  notable  benefit  of  the  Church  or  State].  I  anfver,  It  is  no  fin  in  thofe  Cafes : 
'  but  out  of  them  it  is :  It  h  no  fin,but  my  duty,to  lay  down  my  Life  for  my  King 
'orCountiy.  but  it  followeth  not  that  1  may  therefore  do  it  without  fuflicient 
'  Cau(e  :  So  it  is  in  this  Cale. 

'  Having  plainly  given  you  my  judgment  in  the  propofed  Cafe,  I  leave  it  to  that 
'  Noble  Lord  who  lent  for  it,  to  ufe  it,  or  conceat  it,  or  burn  it,  as  he  plsafe  For 
'  it  being  not  the  Lady  that  fent  to  defire  my  Refolution,  but  he,  my  Anfwer  is  not 
'  hers,  but  his  that  fent  for  it.  But  I  humbly  crave,  that  if  (he  be  at  all  acquainted 
'with  my  Anfwer,  (or  any  one  elfe)  it  may  not  be  by  report,  but  by  (hewing  it 
'  her  entire,  as  I  have  written  it.  And  as  1  doubt  not  but  his  Honour  will  find  it  felf 
'  engaged  to  preferve  me  from  the  difpleafure  of  fuch  as  he  acquaineth  with  it  (  it 
'  being  but  the  anfwer  of  his  defire,  and  not  an  Employment  which  I  (ought  for)  (o 
'  it  muft  be  remembred  i.That  1  have  purpofely  avoided  the  medling  with  the  par- 
'Ttcular  Errours  of  the  Romanifts  Religion.  2.  That  I  fpeak  not  a  word  againft 
'  any  Chriftian  Love  to  Papifts,  or  amicable  Correfpondence  wich  them  as  our 
'  Neighbours :  much  lefs  am  I  palling  any  Sentence  on  their  Souls,  or  Countenan- 
'  cingthofe  who  run  from  them  into  any  contrary  Extreme.  But  a- Husband  and  a 
'  bofome  Friend,  are  Relations  which  require  fuch  a  fpecial  (uitablenefs,  as  is  not  to 
'  be  found  in  all  whom  we  muft  love.  ;.  And  what  1  fay  of  the  Papift,  I  fay  alfb 
'  of  any  debaucht  ungodly  Proteftant:  For  it  is  not  Names  and  Parties  that  make 
1  Men  good,  or  (ave  their  Souls.  A  Papift  who  is  holy,  heavenly,  of  an  upright 
'  mortified  Life,  and  not  of  a  bloody  or  uncharitable  Mind  to  thofe  that  differ  from 
'  him, is  in  a  far  happier  ftate  as  to  himfelf ;  though  I  think  that  the  Heart  and  Life 

*  of  the  one,  and  the  Judgment  of  the  other,  do  make  them  both  undatable  to  fuch  a 

'  Lady 


448  4  -/ he  LIFE  of, &c.  L  1  b.  L 

'  Lady  as  the  Gale  deicribeth.  And  though  God  may  pofftbly  convert  and  make 
'  iiiitable,  and  do  wonders  hereafter,  yet  it  being  things  likely ,  and  not  thing*  onlp 
'  pojjibk  which  reafon  muft  exped,  I  mull  lay  that  the Coniequents  of  fiich  anunlui- 
* table  Match,  are  like  to  be  bitterer  to  her,  than  one  that  is  indifferent  and  regard- 
'  left  of  the  Concernments  of  a  Soul  can  underftand.  4.  Change  but  the  Tables, 
'  and  put  the  Cafe  to  a  judicious  Papift,  and  he  will  refolve  it  as  I  have  done ;  and 
'  tell  you  that  a  Difpenfation  may  be  given  but  in  fuch  Caics.  y .  If  the  Cafe  had 
'been,  Whether  fuch  a  Lady  might  give  all  her  Ettatetoa  Papilt  without  her  Per- 
*  fon,  I  mould  not  think  lhe  had  half  lb  much  reaibn  to  be  willing. 

Aft  on,  July  21. 

1665".  Ri-  Baxter. 


f  §  44  j.  And  now  after  all  the  Breaches  en  the  Churches,  the  Ejection  of  the  MI- 
*  niiters,  and  Impenitency  under  all,  Wars  and  Plague  and  danger  of  Famine  be- 
'  gan  all  at  once  on  us.    War  wich  the  Hollanders,  which  yet  continueth  :  And  the 
c  dried  Winter,  Spring  and  Summer  that  ever  Man  alive  knew,  or  our  Forefathers 
'  mention  of  late  Ages :  (b  that  the  Grounds  were  burnt  like  the  High-ways,where 
'  the  Cattle  mould  have  fed !  The  Meadow  Grounds  where  I  li- 
About  1 0000  a  Week  died,    r  ved  bare  but  four  Loads  of  Hay,  which  before  bare  forty  :  The 
accounting  the  Quakers,  Ana-    <  p|agUC  hath  feized  on  the  famoufeft  and  moft  excellent  City  of 
■S'm^ln'tiie  w«kfj    '  Chriltendom ;  and  at  thistime  8000  and  near  ;oo  die  of  all 
B?JIs.nU  Dileales  in  a  Week :  It  hath  fcattered  and  confumed  the  Inha- 

bitants :  Multitudes  being  dead  and  fled :  The  Calamities  and 
Cries  of  the  difeafed  and  impoverilhed  are  not  to  beconceived  by  thofe  that  are 
abfent  from  them  !  Every  Man  is  a  terrourto  his  N^lbour  and  himfelf :  for  God 
for  our  Sins  i$  a  Terrour  to  us  all.  O  how  is  Lon don,  the  place  which  God  haeh 
honoured  with  his  Gofpel  above  all  Places  of  the  Earth  ,  laid  low  in  Horrours, 
and  wafted  almoft  to  Defblation,  by  the  Wrath  of  God,  whom  England  hath  con- 
temned j  and  a  God-hating  Generation  are  confumed  in  their  Sins,  and  the  Righ- 
teous are  alfo  taken  away  as  from  greater  Evil  yet  to  come.  Strange  Comets  (which 
filled  the  Thoughts  and  Writings  of  Aftronomers)did  in  the  Winter  andSpring  along 
time  appear  before  thefe  Calamities,  Yet  under  all  thefe  Defolations  the  Wicked 
are  hardened,  and  caft  all  on  the  Fanaticks:  and  the  true  dividing  Fanaticks  and 
Sectaries  are  not  yet  humbled  for  former  Mifcarriages,  but  caft  all  on  the  Prelates 
and  Impofers  :  And  the  ignorant  Vulgar  are  ftupid,  and  know  not  what  ufe  to 
make  of  any  thing  they  feel  :  But  thoulands  of  the  (bber,  prudent,  faithful  Servants 
of  the  Lord,  are  mourning  in  fecret,  and  waiting  for  his  Salvation;  in  Humility 
and  Hope  they  are  ftaying  themielveson  God,  and  expe&ing  what  he  will  do  with 
them.  From  London  it  is  ipread  through  many  Counties,  eipecially  next  London, 
where  few  places,  efpecialiy  Corporations,  are  free  :  which  makes  me  oft  groan 
and  willi,  That  LONDON  AND  ALL  THE  CORPORATIONS  O  F  ENG- 
LAND WOULD  REVIEW  THE  CORPORATION  ACT  AND  THEIR 
OWN  ACTS,  AND  SPEEDILY  REPENT.  Leaving  moft  of  my  Family  at 
Acton  compafTed  about  with  the  Plague,  at  the  writing  of  this  through  the  mercy  of 
my  dear  God  and  Father  in  Chrift,  I  am  hitherto  in  Safety  and  Comfort,  in  the 
Houleof  my  dearly  beloved  and  honoured  Friend  Mr.  Richard,  Hampden  of  Hamp- 
den in  Buckinghamshire,  the  true  heir  of  his  famous  Fathers  Sincerity,  Piety  and  De- 
votednefs  to  God;  whole  Perfon  and  Family,  the  Lord  prelerve,  and  honour  them' 
that  honour  him,  and  be  their  Everlafting  Reft  and  Portion. 


Hampden,  Septemb.  28. 
166$. 


THE 


THE 


LIFE 

Of  the  Reverend 

Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


The   Third  Part. 


— 


Novemk   16.    1670.     I  began  to  add  the  Me- 
morials following. 


§  1  .£>  Eing  God  hath  been  plcafed  to  add  thefe  few  Years  more  to  my  Pilgri- 

V^  mage,  1  will  add  foine  Account  of  His  Providences  towards  me,  and  his 

<^Jr  People  in  this  Land,  in  thefe  additional  Years.    When  I  ended  my  laft 

Narrative,  the  dreadful  Plague  was  laying  waite,  efpecially  the  City  of  London  - 

and  thence  fpread  into  the  neighbouring  Parts,  and  into  many  diftant  Cities  and 

Corporations  of  the  Land.     Yet  did  we  hear  of  no  publick  Repentance  profefledby 

any  one  City  or  Corporation,  for  that  Profeffion  by  which  they  were  all  at  that  time 

even  Conftituted,  whilft  that  all  that  had  any  Office  or  Truft  therein,  declared, 

That  there  ivm  no  Obligation  from  the  Voxo  called  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant  on 

any  Perfon  ^  no  not  from  their  Vow  againft  Popery,  Schifm,  or  Prophanenefs,  nor 

their  Vow  to  Defend  the  King,  nor  their  Promife  of  Repentance  for  their  Sins. 

And  who  can  but  fear  that  fuch  an  univerfal  Sin  mult  be  yet  more  fharply  punifhed, 

"when  fuch  a  Scourge  as  this  had  no  better  effe&s? 

§  2.  The  Number  that  died  in  London  (befides  all  the  reft  of  the  Land)  was 
about  an  Hundred  Thoufand,  reckoning  the  Quakers^  and  others,  that  were  never 
put  in  the  Bills  of  Mortality,  withthofe  that  were  in  the  Bills. 

§  3.    The  richer  fort  removing  out  of  the  City,  the  greateft  Blow  fell  on  the 
Poor.  At  the  ftrft  fo  few  of  the  Religioufer  fort  were  taken  away,  that  (according 
to  the  mode  of  too  many  fuch)  they  began  to  be  puffed  up,  and  boaft  of  the  great 
difference  which  God  did  make:  But  quickly  after,  they  all  fellalike.  Yet  not  many 
pious  Minifters  were  taken  away  -0  I  remember  but  Three,  who  were  all  of  my  own 
Acquaintance.     1.  Mr.  Gwnman,  a  G.rmsa,  a  very  humble,  holy,  able  Minifter; 
iv.it  being  a  Silenced  Non-conformift,  was  fo  poor,  that  he  was  not  able  to  remove  ^s  . 
his  Family.     2.  Mr.  Crofs,  a  worthy  Minifter,  that  had  long  ago  lived  with  the  ^  *jyed 
famous  Religious  Lady  Scudamo^e  ^  and  being  Silenced,  was  entertained  by  Richard  then.butl 
Hambdcn,  E%  in  his  Honfeat  London  7  and  ftying  from  the  Plague  into  the  Country,  think  not 
died  with  his  Wife,  and  fome  Children,  as  fbon  as  he  came  thither,  intheHoufe  of  ofthe 

\  a  a  a  that x  Iague' 


The  L  lFEoj  the  Part.  Ill 


that  Learned  and  Worthy  Man,  Mr.  Shaw,  another  Silcnc'd  Minifter,  and  his  Bro- 
ther in  Lav/ :  who  being  fhut  up,  gave  God  Thanks  for  his  Deliverance,  in  a  very 
Learned  and  Profitable  Treatife,  which  he  Publifhcd  thereupon.  And'lince  being 
found  (  not  only  very  Learned,  but )  moderate,  and  holding  Communion  in  the 
Public  k  Afiemblies,  and  a  peaceable  Man,  hath  got  connivance  to  Teach  a  Publick 
School,  a  great  favour  in  thefe  Times.  3.  Mr.  Roberts,  a  Godly  IVelfh  Minifter 
who  alfo  flying  from  the  Plague,  fell  Sick,  as  far  off,  as  between  Shrt wsbury  and 
Ofweftry,  and  died  on  a  little  Straw,  while  none  durft  entertain  him. 

§  4.  It  is  fcarce  poflible  for  People  that  live  in  a  time  of  Health  and  Security 
to  apprehend  the  dreadfulncfs  of  that  Peltilcncc  !  How  fearful  People  were,  thirty 
or  forty,  if  not  an  hundred  Miles  from  London,  cf  any  thing  that  they  bought  from 
any  Mercer's,  or  Draper's  Shop:,  or  of  any  Goods  that  were  brought  to  them-  or 
of  any  Pcrfon  that  came  to  their  Houfes.  How  they  would  ihut  their  Doors  againft 
their  Friends  ^  and  if  a  Man  palled  over  the  Fields,  how  one  would  avoid  another 
as  we  did  in  the  time  of  Wars  ;  and  how  every  Man  was  a  Terrour  to  another !  d 
how  iinfully  unthankful  are  we  for  our  quiet  Societies,  Habitations  and  Health  ! 

§  5.  Not  far  from  the  place  where  I  fojourned,  at  Mrs.  Fleetwood's,  three  Mi- 
niiters of  extraordinary  worth  were  together  in  one  Houfe,  Mr.  Clearkfin  Mr. 
Sarit.  Cradock,  and  Mr.  Terry,  Men  of  lingular  Judgment,  Piety,  and  Moderation ; 
and  the  Plague  came  into  the  Houfe  where  they  were,  one  Perfon  dying  of  it,  which 
caufed  many  (that  they  knew  not  of)  earneftly  to  pray  for  their  Deliverance-  and 
it  plcafed  God  that  no  other  Perfon  dyed. 

§  6.     But  one  great  Benefit  the  Plague  brought  to  the  City,  that  is,  it  occafion- 
ed  theSilenc'd  Minifters  more  openly  and  laborioufly  to  Preach  the  Gofpel,  to  the 
exceeding  comfort  and  profit  of  the  People-,  infomuch,  that  to  this  Day  the  free- 
dom of  Preaching,  which  this  occalioned,  cannot,  by  the  daily  Guards  of  Soldiers, 
nor  by  the  Imprisonments  of  Multitudes,  be  reftrained.    The  Minifters  that  were 
Silenced  for  Nonconformity,  had  ever  fince  1662.  done  their  Work  very  privately, 
Itwastheand  to  a  few  (not  fo  much  through  their  timoroufnefs,  as  their  loath  nefs  to  offend 
Plague    the  King,  and  in  hope  ftill  that  their  forbearance  might  procure  them  fome  Liberty  •, 
that        and  through  fome  timoroufnefs  of  the  People  that  fhould  hear  them.)    And  when 
brought  t  jlc  piagUe  grew  hot,  moft  of  the  Conformable  Miniiters  fled,  and  left  their  Flocks, 
of^hev*  m  the  time  of  their  Extremity :  whereupon  divers  Non-conformiiTs  pitying  the  dy- 
fecret      mS  anc^  diftreflbd  People,  that  had  none  to  call  the  impenitent  to  Repentance,  nor 
narrow    t0  ne*P  Men  t0  prepare  for  another  World ;  nor  to  comfort  them  in  their  Terrors, 
Meetings  when  about  Ten  Thoufand  dyed  in  a  Week,  refolved  that  no  obedience  to  the  Laws 
into  pub- of  any  mortal  Men  whofoever,  could  juftifie  them  for  neglecting  of  Men's  Souls  and 
Hck.        Bodies  in  fuch  extremities ;  no  more  than  they  can  juftifie  Parents  for  famifhing  their 
Children  to  death :  And  that  when  Chrift  mall  fay,  Inafmuch  as  ye  did  it  not  to  one 
of  thefe,  ye  did  it  not  to  me,   It  will  be  a  poor  excufe  to  fay,  £Lord  I  was  forbidden 
by  the  Law.]    Therefore  they  refolved  to  ftay  with  the  People,  and  to  go  in  to  the 
forfaken  Pulpits,  though  prohibited,  and  to  preach  to  the  poor  People  before  they 
dyed ;  and  alfo  to  vifit  the  Sick,  and  get  what  relief  they  could  for  the  Poor,  efpeci- 
ally  thofe  that  were  fhut  up.    Thofe  that  fet  upon  this  work ,  were  Mr.  Thomas 
Vincent,  late  Minifter  in  Afilk-ftrect ;  with  fome  Strangers  that  came  thither,  fmce 
they  were  Silenced,   as  Mr.  Ckejler,  Mr.  J  oneway,   Mr.  Turner,  Mr.  Grimes,  Mr. 
Franklin,  and  fome  others.    Thofe  heard  them  one  Day  oft,  that  were  fick  the  next, 
and  quickly  dyed.    The  Face  of  Death  did  fo  awaken  both  the  Preachers,  and  the 
Hearers,  that  Preachers  exceeded  themfclves  in  lively,  fervent  Preaching,  and  the 
People  crowded  conftantly  to  hear  them ;  and  all  was  done  with  fo  great  Seriouf- 
nefs,   as  that,   through  the   Blefling  of  God,   abundance  were    converted  from 
their  Carelefnefs,   Impenitency,   and  youthful  Lufts  and  Vanities ,  and  Religion 
took  that  hold  on  the  Peoples  Hearts,  as  could  never  afterward  be  loofed. 

§  7.  And  at  the  fame  time,  whilft  God  was  confuming  the  People  by  thefe 
Judgments,  and  the  Nonconformifts  were  labouring  to  fave  Men's  Souls,  the  Parli- 
ament (which  fate  at  Oxford,  whither  the  King  removed  from  the  danger  of  the 
plague)  was  bufie  in  making  an  Ad  of  Confinement,  to  make  the  Silenc'd  Miniiters 
Cafe  incomparably  harder  than  it  was  before,  by  putting  upon  them  a  certain  Oath, 
which  if  they  refufcd,they  muft  not  come  (except  the  Road)  within  five  Miles  of 
any  City,  or  of  any  Corporation,  or  any  place  that  fendeth  BurgelTes  to  the  Parlia- 
ment :,  or  of  any  place  where-ever  they  had  been  Minifters,  or  had  preached  fmce 
the  Act  of  Oblivion.  So  little  did  the  Senfe  of  God's  terrible  Judgments,  or  of 
the  rieceffides  of  many  hundred  thoufand  ignorant  Souls,  or  the  Groans  of  the  poor 

People 


Part  III.       Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

' M[  ■■■....         .  m_ 

People,  for  the  Teaching  which  they  had.  loft,  or  the  fear  of  the  great  and  final 
Reckoning,  affect  the  Hearts  of  the  Prelatifts,  or  flop  them  in  their  way.  The 
chief  Promoters  of  this  among  the  Clergy,  were  faid  to  be  the  Arch-bifhop  of 
Canterbury \pndDt.  Seth-Ward,  the  Bifhop  of  Salisbury  .  And  one  of  the  greateft  Ad- 
verfaries  of  it  in  the  Lord's  Houfe,  was  the  very  Honourable  Earl  of  Southampton, 
Lord  Treafurer  of  England -y  a  Man  that  had  ever  adhered  to  the  King,  but  under- 
ftood  the  intereft  of  his  Country,  and  of  Humanity.  It  is  without  Contradiction 
Reported,  that  he  faid,  No  honejl  Man  would  take  that  Oath.  The  Lord  Chancellor 
Hide  alfo,  and  the  reft  of  the  Leaders  of  that  mind  and  way,  promoted  it,  and 
cafily  procured  it  to  pafs  the  Houfes,  notwithstanding  all  that  was  faid  againft 
it. 

,  §  8.  By  this  Aft  the  Cafe  of  the  Minifters  was  made  fo  hard,  that  many  thought 
themfelves  neceflitated  to  break  it,  not  only  by  the  neceffity  of  their  office,  but  by  a 
natural  impoffibility  of  keeping  it,  unlefs  they  mould  murder  themfelves  arid  their 
Families. 

1.  As  to  a  moral  Neceffity,  as  they  durft  not  be  fo  Sacrilegious  as  to  defert  the 
Sacred  Office  wholly,  to  which  they  were  confecrated  (which  would  be  worfe  than 
Ananias  and  Sapphira\  Alienating  their  devoted  Money  )  fo  they  could  hardly  ex- 
ercife  any  part  of  their  Office,  if  they  did  obey  this  Aft.     For, 

i.  The  Cities  and  Corporations  are  the  moll  coniiderabk  part  of  the  Kingdom, 
and  alfo  had,  for  the  molt  part,  the  greateft  need  of  help-  partly,  becaufe  of  the 
numeroufnefs  of  the  People :  For  in  many  Parifhes  in  London^the  fourth  part  (nay 
in  fome  the  tenth  part)  cannot  be  contained  in  the  publick  Temples,  if  they  came 
fo  as  to  hear  what  is  faid.  Partly  alfo,  becaufe  moft  Corporations  having  fmaller 
Maintenance  than  the  Rural  Parifhes,  are  worfe  provided  for  by  the  Conformifts : 
And  every  where  the  private  Work  of  Over-fight,  and  Minifterial  Help,  is  through 
their  Numbers,  greater  than  many  Minifterscan  perform  :  and  it  is  a  work  that  I 
never  yet  knew  one  Prelatift  well  perform,  to  my  remembrance  j  and  few  of  them 
meddle  with  it  at  all,  any  farther  than  to  read  Common  Prayer  fome  time  to  a  dying 
Man,  if  any  one  of  a  Multitude  defire  it. 

2.  Many  of  them  had  Paftoral  Charges  in  Cities  and  Corporations,  from  the  obli- 
gation of  which  they  take  not  themfelves  to  be  well  releafed,  by  the  bare  prohibition 
of  Man,  while  their  Peoples  needs  and  defires  continue,  and  where  their  places  are 
fupplyed  with  Men  fo  ignorant  and  vicious,  as  to  be  un-meet  for  fuch  a  charge  of 
Souls:  And  it  muft  be  more  than  the  Will  of  Man,  thatmuft  warrant  them  to  fly 
and  fbrfake  their  Flecks,  to  which  they  had  a  lawful  Call,  and  to  leave  their 
.Souls  to  tbofe  notorious  Perils,  as  in  very  many  places  they  muft  do. 

3.  And  in  the  reft  of  the  Land,  where  can  a  Minifter  labour  with  advantage,  but 
withthofe  that  know  him,  and  ai"e  known  of  him,  and  have  formerly  profited  by  him, 
and  will  afford  him  Entertainment  ? 

4-  If  it  be  lawful  to  defert  the  Souls  of  all  Cities  and  Corporations,  and  all  other 
Parifties  wfacre-ever  we  preach'd,  it  will  follow  that  it  is  lawful  to  defert  all  the  reft, 
and  fo  IkcrilegiouQy  to  defert  our  office. 

5.  Cfarifr-  faith,  When  they  perficute  you  in  one  City,  fly  to  another.  Therefore  we 
are  not  obliged  to  defert  them  all,  as  foon  as  we  are  commanded. 

6.  The  Preaching  of  Chrift's  Apoftles,  and  of  all  his  Minifters,  for  300  Years, 
was  againft  the  will  of  the  Princes,  and  Rulers  of  the  Countries  where  they  preached : 
And  yet  they  planted  Churches,  and  ordained  Elders  principally  in  all  the  Cities 
where  they  came,  and  would  rather  fuffer  Imprifonment  and  Death,  than  to  defert 
them  any  further,  than  by  flying  from  one  to  another. 

$  9.  2.  But  natural  neceffity  alfo  conftraiued  many :  For  many  had  Wives,  and 
many  Children  to  maintain,  and  had  not  one  Penny  of  yearly  Revenue,  nor  any 
thing  bat  the  Gifts  of  charitable  People  to  maintain  them :  And  if  they  had  a  poor 
Cottage  to  live  in,  and  no  Money  to  pay  their  Rent,  nor  to  buy  Fire,  Food,  or 
Cloathing,  they  had  much  lefs  enough  to  take  another  Houfe,  and  pay  for  the  re- 
moval of  their  Goods  far  off,  and  the  Charges  of  a  new  Settlement  j  and  there  to 
dwell  among  Strangers,  far  from  thofe  whofe  Charity  relieved  them,  was  but  to 
tnm  their  Families  to  famifh,  which  is  more  inhumane,  than  to  fee  a  Brother  have 
need,  and  to  fiiut  up  the  Bowels  of  our  compaflion  from  him,  which  yet  is  contrary 
to  the  Love  of  God. 

§  10.  And  indeed,  in  many  Countries,  it  was  hard  to  find  many  places  which 
were  not  within  five  Miles  of  fome  Corporation,  or  of  fome  place  whtre  we  had 

A  a  a  a  2  Preaehad 


Tk  hi  h  E  of  the  Part  ill. 


Preached  before  (  for  fome  Minifters  preached  in  a  .great  number  of  Parifhes  at 
feverai  times:)  And  if  fuch  a  place  were  found,  was  it  like  thatthere  would  be 
Houfes  enough  found  untenanted,  to  receive  fo  many  Ministers?  Or,  if  there 
were,  perhaps  the  Landlords  would  be  fo  much  for  Prelacy,  as  to  refufe  fiich  Te- 
nants, or  fo  .timorous  as  to  be  afraid,  left  by  receiving  fuel),  they  mould  bring  them- 
felves under  Sufpicion  of  favouring  Nonconform  Lfts,  and  lb  be  ruined;  or  fo  cove- 
tous, as  Knowing  their  advantage,  to  ask  more  foi  their  Houfes,  than  poor  Minifters 
that  had  hardly  any  thing  left  to  fubfift  on,  could  be  able  to  give.  JJefides  thar,  al- 
moft  all  Country  Houfes  are  annexed  to  the  Farms  or  Land  belonging  to  them.  A  nd 
Minifters  are  ill  Farmers,  efpecially  when  they  have  no  Money  to  Stock  their 
Land. 

§n.  Yea,  they  allowed  them  not  jo  to  kept  as  common  Beggars,  on  the  Alms 
of  the  parifh}  but  when  by  the  Law,  every  Beggar  is  to  be  brought  to  the  place  of 
his  Birth,  or  laft  abode,  and  there  to  be  kept  on  Alms  •  No  Minifter  muft  come, 
within  five  Miles  of  the  Parifh  where  he  ever  exercifed  his  Miniftry  -,  nor  any  that 
were  born  in  Cities  and  Corporations,  muft  come  within  five  Miles  of  them  for 
relief. 

§  t2.  In  this  ftrait,  thofe  Minifters  that  had  any  Maintenance  of  their  own, 
did  find  out  fome  Dwellings  in  obfeure  Villages,  or  in  fome  few  Market -Towns, 
which  were  no  Corporations :  And  thofe  that  had  nothing,  did  leave  their  Wivesand 
Children,  and  hid  themfelves  abroad,  and  fometimes  came  fecretl  y  to  them  by  flighti 
But  ( God  bringing  Good  out  of  Men's  Evil )  many  refolved  to  preach  the  more 
freely  in  Cities  and  Corporations  till  they  went  to  Prifon:  Partly,  bcciuje  they  were 
theninthe  way  of  their  Calling,in  which  they  could  fuffer  with  the  greater  peace  ;  and 
partly,  becaufe  they  might  fo  do  fome  good  before  they  fuffered ;  and  partly,  becaufe 
the  People  much  deliredit,  and  alfo  were  readier  to  relieve  one  that  laboured  for 
them,  than  one  that  did  nothing  but  hide  himfelf  j  and  partly,  becaufe  when  they 
lay  in  Prifon  for  preaching  the  Gofpel,  both  they,  and  their  Wives  and  Children, 
were  like  to  find  more  pity  and  i^U.  t;  thafti  if  they  fhould  forfake  their  People,  and 
their  Work.  Seeing  therefore  the  Queftion  came  to  this.  Whether  Beggary  and 
Famine  to  themfelves  and  Families,  with  the  deferring  of  their  Callings,  and  the 
People's  Souls,  was  tobeehofen,  or  the  faithful  performance  cf  their  Work,  with 
a  Prifon  after,  and  tjie  People's  Compaflion  ?  They  thought  the  latter,  the  more 
eligible. 

§  1 3.  And  yet  when  they  had  fo  chofen,  their  Straits  were  great,  f 
Country  was  fo  impoverished,  that  thofe  of  the  People  who  were  willing  to  relieve 
the  Minifters,  were  notable:  And  moft  that  were  able,  were  partly  their  Adver- 
faries,  and  partly  worldly-minded,  and  ftrait-handed,  and  unwilling.  And,  alas! 
it  is  not  now  and  then  a  Shilling,  or  a  Crown  given  (very  rarely)  which  will  pay 
Hon k -Rent,  and  maintain  a  Family.  Thofe  Minifters  that  were  unmarryed,  did 
eafilier  bear  their  Poverty  •,  but  it  pierceth  a  Man's  Heart  to  have  Children  crying, 
and  Sicknefs  cpme  upon  them  for  want  of  wbolfom  Food,  or  by  drinking  Water,  and 
to  have  nothing  to  relieve  them.  And  Women  are  ufually  lefs  patient  of  Suffering 
than  Men-  and  thpir  Impatience  would  be  more  to  a  Husband  than  his  own  wanes. 
I  heard  but  lately,  of  a  good  Man,  that  was  fain  to  Spin  as  Women  do,  togetfome- 
thing  towards  his  Family's  relief  (  which  could  be  but  little  •, )  and  being  Melan- 
choly and  Difeafed,  it  was  but  part  of  the  Day  that  he  was  able  to  do  that.  Ano- 
ther (  Mr.  Cbadmck  in  Somerfet)  for  a  long  time  had  little  but  brown  Rye  Bread 
and  Water  for  himfelf,  his  Wife,  and  many  Children,  and  when  his  Wife  was 
ready  to  lye  in,  was  to  be  turned  out  of  Door,  for  not  paying  his  Houfe-Rent. 
But  yet  God  did  mercifully  provide  fome  Supplies,  that  few  of  them  either  perilhed, 
or  were  expofed  to  fordid  unfeemly  Beggary:  But  fome  few  were  tempted  agaiuft 
their  former  judgments  to  Conform. 

§  1 4.    The  Oath  impofed  on  them  was  this. 

/  A  B,  Do  Swear,  That  it  i*  not  lawful,  upon  any  pretence  whatfoever,  to  take  Arms 
uvainft  the  Khtg\  And  that  I  do  abhor  that  Traytorous  Pofition,  of  taking  Arms  by  h'tf 
Authority,  tigaiuft  hvs  Ptrfon,  or  againft  thofe  that  are  CommJJionated  by  Him,  in  purfu- 
ttme  of  fitch  CmnmiJJion :  And  that  J  will  not  at  any  time  endeavour  any  alter  auon  of 
Government ,  either  in  Church  or  State. 

The 


Part  III  %everend  Mr.llicturd  Baxter. 


The  Reafons  of  Men's  refufal  to  take  this  Oath,  were  fuch  as  thefe  following. 

i .  Becaufe  they  that  were  no  Lawyers  mull  Swear,  not  only  that  they  think  it 
is  unlawful,  but  that  it  is  fo  indeed. 

2.  Becaufe  they  think  that  this  fetteth  a  Commiffion  above  an  Ad  of  Parliament. 
And  that  if  one  by  a  Law  be  made  General  or  Admiral,  during  Life,  another  by  a 
Commiilion  may  caft  him  out :  And  thongh  the  Law  fay,  He  ihall  be  guilty  of  Trea- 
son, if  he  give  up  his  Truft  to  any  upon  pretence  of  a  Coiraniffion :  Yet  by  this 
Oath  lie  is  a  Tray  tor,  if  he  refift  any  one  that  hath  a  Commiffion.    . 

3.  Becaufe  they  fear  they  are  to  Swear  to  a  contradiction,  vi^.  to  fet  the  King1* 
bare  Commiffion  above  a  Law,  which  is  the  Ad  of  King  and  Parliament .,  and  yet 
not  to  endeavour  the  Alteration  of  Government,  which  they  fear  lealt  they  endeavour 
by  taking  this  Oath. 

4.  Becaufe  they  think  that  by  this  means  the  Subjed  fhall  never  come  to  any  cer- 
tain Knowledge  of  the  Rule  of  his  Duty,  and  confequently,  of  his  Duty  it  felf. 
For  it  is  not  poffible  for  us  to  know,  1 .  What  is  to  be  called  a  Commiffion,  and 
what  not  j  and  whether  an  illegal  CommifTion  be  no  Commiffion  (as  the  Lawyers, 
fome  of  them,  tell  us )   and   what    CommifTion  is  illegal,   and  what  not  j  and 
whether  it  mult  have  the  broad  Seal,  or  only  the  little  Seal,  or  none.     2.  Nor  can 
we  know  when  a  Commiffion  is  counterfeit.    The  King's  Commanders  in  the  Wars, 
never  (hewed  their  Commiflions  to  them  that  they  fought  againlt,  at  lealt  ordinarily.  t 
There  was  a  *  Collonel  of  the  King's,  fince  his  coming  in,  that  brought  aCom-^0"' 
million,  Sealed  with  the  broad  Seal,  to  feize  on  all  the  Goods  of  a  Gentleman  in  J*rner° 
Bifhotfgate-ftmt^  in  London  ^  by  which  he  carried  them  away :  But  the  Commiflion 
being  proved  counterfeit,  he  was  hanged  for  it.    But  a  Man  that  thus  Seizeth  on  any 
Gentleman's  Money,  or  Goods,  may  be  gone  before  they  can  try  his  Commiffion,  if 

they  may  not  refill:  him.  But  the  Parliament,  and  Courts  of  Jultice,  are  the  Legal, 
publick  iSfotifiers  of  the  King's  mind*,  and  by  them  theSubjeds  can  have  a  regular 
certain  notice  of  it.  So  that  if  the  Parliament  were  concluded  to  have  no  part  in  the 
Legislative  Power,  but  the  King's  meer  will  to  be  our  Law 3  yet  if  the  Parliament 
and  Courts  of  Jultice,  be  ereded  as  the  publick  Declarers  of  his  will  to  the  People, 
they  feem  more  regardable  and  credible,  than  the  words  of  a  private  unknown  Man, 
that  faith  he  hath  a  Commiflion. 

5.  And  they  think  that  this  is  to  betray  to  the  King,  and  give  the  Chancellour,  or 
Lord-Keeper,  power  at  his  pleafure,  to  depofe  him  from  his  Crown,  and  difpolTefs 
him  of  his  Kingdoms.  For  if  the  King  (by  Law  or  Commiffion  )  Ihall  fettle  any 
Trulty  Subjed  in  the  Government,  of  Navy,  or  Militia,  or  Forts,  and  command 
them  to  refill  all  that  would  difpoffefs  them  ^  yet  if  the  Lord  Chancellor  have  a  de- 
fign  to  depofe  the  King,  and  Ihall  Seal  a  Commiffion  to  any  of  his  own  Creatures 
or  Confidents,  to  take  peffeffion  of  the  faid  Forts,  Garifons,  Militia  and  Navy, 
none,  upon  pain  of  Death,  muft  refift  them,  but  be  taken  for  Traytors,  if  they 
will  not  be  Traytors :  yea,  though  it  were  hut  whillt  they  fend  to  the  King  to  know 
Ws  Will.  And  when  Traytors  have  once  got  poffeffion  of  all  the  Strengths,  the  de- 
teding  of  their  fraud  will  be  too  late,  and  to  Sue  them  at  Law  will  be  in  vain.  And 
he  that  remembreth,  That  our  Lord  Chancellor  is  now  banifhed,  who  lately  was 
the  chief  Minifter  of  State,  will  think  that  this  is  no  needlefs  fear. 

6.  And  they  think  that  it  is  quite  againft  the  Law  of  God  in  Nature,which  obligeth. 
us  to  quench  a  Fire,  or  fave  the  Life  of  one  that  is  allaulted  (  much  more  of  our 
felves)  againft  one  that  would  kill  him  j  and  that  elfe  we  Ihall  be  guilty  of  Murder. 
And  according  to  the  proper  Senfe  of  this  Oath,  If  two  Foot-boys  get  from  the  Lord 
Chancellor  a  Commiffion  to  kill  all  the  Lords  and  Commons  in  Parliament,  or  to  fet 
the  City  and  ail  the  Country  on  Fire,  no  Man  may  by  Force  of  Arms  refift  them  •> 
Lords  and  Commons  may  uot  fave  their  Lives  by  force,  nor  the  City  their  Houfes: 
And  by  this  way  no  Man  fhall  dwell  or  travel  in  fafety  •,  while  any  Enemy  or  Thief 
may  take  away  his  Life,  or  Purfe,  or  Goods,  by  a  pretended  Commiffion  j  and  if  we 
defend  our  felves,  but  while  we  fend  to  try  them,  we  are  Traytors :  and  few  have 
the  means  of  fnch  a  Tryah 

7.  They  think  by  this  means,  no  Sheriff  may  by  the  Pojfe  Comttatus  execute 
the  Decrees  of  any  Couit  of  Jultice,  if  any  can  but  get  a  Comnuffion  for  the  con- 
trary. c 

S.  The* 


:6  r         The  LI  b   E  of  the  Part  111. 

8.  They  think  that  Taxes  and  Subfidies  may  be  raifed  thus  without  Parliaments-, 
and  that  all  Men's  Eftates  and  Lives  are  at  the  mcer  will  of  the  King,  or  the  Lord 
Chancellor  :  For  if  any  be  Commiilioned  to  take  them  away,  we  have  no  remedy : 
For  to  lay  that  we  have  our  Anions  againftthem  in  the  Courts  of  Juftice,  is  but 
to  fay,  that  when  all  is  taken  away,  we  may  caft  away  more  if  we  had  it.  For  what 
good  will  the  Sentence  of  any  Court  do  us,  if  it  pafs  on  our  fide,  as  long  as  a  Com- 
miffioh  againfb  the  Execution  of  that  Sentence  mult  not  be  refilled,  unlefs  a  piece  of 
Paper  be  as  good  as  an  Eftate  ? 

9.  And  they  think  that  by  this  Oath,  we  Swear  to  difobey  the  King,  if  at  any 
time  he  command  us  to  endeavour  any  alteration  oftheChurch-Goveinmeitt,  as  once 
by  this  Commiflion  to  fome  of  us,  he  did,  about  the  Liturgy. 

10.  And  they  think  that  it  is  a  laving  the  Ambition  of  the  Prelates ,  and  an  al- 
tering of  the  Government,  to  Swear  never  to  endeavour  any  alteration  of  Church- 
Government  ^  yea,  and  to  put  the  Church-Government  before  the  State-Govern- 
ment, and  fo  to  make  the  Prelacy  as  unalterable  as  Monarchy,  and  to  twift  it  by  an 
Oath  into  the  unalterable  Conftitution  of  the  Government  of  the  Land,  andfoto 
difable  the  King  and  Parliament  from  ever  endeavouring  any  alteration  of  it.  For 
if  the  Subjects  may  not  at  any  time,  nor  by  any  means  endeavour,  the  King  will 
have  none  to  execute  his  Will  if  he  endeavour  it.  And  if  Divines,  who  mould  be 
the  moft  tender  avoiders  of  Perjury,  and  all  Sin,  fhall  lead  the  way  in  taking  fuch 
an  Oath,  who  can  cxpeft  that  any  others  after  them  mould  fcrupie  it  ?  And  it  was 
endeavoured  to  have  been  put  upon  the  Parliament. 

ii.  And  they  think  that  there  is  a  great  deal  in  the  Englifh  Diocefian  Frame 
of  Church-Government,  which  is  very  finful,  and  which  God  will  have  all  Men  in 
their  places  and  callings  to  endeavour  to  reform  (as  that  the  Bifhop  of  the  lowelt  de- 
gree, inftead  of  ruling  one  Church  with  the  Presbyters ,  ruleth  many  hundred 
Churches,  by  Lay-Chancellors,  who  ufe  the  Keys  of  Excommunication  and  Abfo- 
lution,  &c.)  And  they  take  it  for  an  Aft  of  Rebellion  againft  God,  if  they  mould 
Swear  never  to  do  the  Duty  which  he  cOmmandeth  0  and  fo  great  a  Duty  as  Church- 
Reformation  in  fo  great  a  Matter :  If  it  were  but  never  to  pray,  or  never  to  amend 
a  fault  in  themfelves,  they  durft  not  Swear  it. 

1 2.  This  Oath  feemeth  to  be  the  fame  in  Sence,  with  the  Et  cetera  Oath,  in 
the  Canons  of  1640.  That  we- will  never  confent  to  an  alteration  of  the  Government,  by 
Arcb-Bijhop,  BiJIjops,  Deans ,  &c.  And  one  Parliament  voted  down  that,  and  kid 
a  heavy  charge  upon  it  ^  which  no  Parliament  fince  hath  taken  off. 

1 3.  As  the  National  Vow  and  Covenant  feemeth  a  great  Snare  to  hinder  the  Union 
of  the  Church  among  us,  in  that  it  layeth  our  Union  on  an  exclufion  of  Prelacy-,  and 
fo  excludeth  all  thofe  learned  worthy  Men  from  our  Union,  who  cannot  confent  to 
that  Exclufion  -0  fo  the  laying  of  the  Kingdoms  and  Churches  Union  upon  the  Englifh 
Prelacy,  and  Church-Government,  fo  as  to  exclude  all  that  cannot  confent  to  it, 
doth  feem  as  fure  an  Engine  of  Divifion.  We  think  that  if  our  Union  be  centered  but 
inChriilthe  King  of  all,  and  in  the  King,  as  his  Officer,  and  our  Soveraign  under 
him,  it  may  be  eafie  and  fure :  But  if  we  mull;  all  unite  in  the  Englijb  Frame  of  Prelacy, 
we  mufl:  never  Unite. 

§  1 5,  Thofe  that  take  the  Oath,  do  (as  thofe  that  Subfcribe)  refolve  that  they 
will  underftand  it  in  a  lawful  Senfe  (  be  it  true  or  falfe  )  and  fo  to  take  it  in  that 
Senfc  :  To -which  end  they  fay  that'  nullum  iniquum  eft  in  Lege  p cefumendum,  and 
that  all  publick  Impofitions  mull  be  taken  in  the  belt  Senfe  that  the  Words  will 
bear.  And  by  force  and  ftretching,  what  words  may  not  be  well  interpreted? 
But  the  Nonconforming  go  on  other  grounds,  and  think  that  about  Oaths  Men  mufr. 
deal  plainly  and  fincerely,  and  neither  flretch  their  Confciences,  nor  the  Words; 
nor  interpret  univcrfal  Terms  particulary,  but  according  to  the  true  meaning  of 
the  Law-givers,  as  far  as  they  can  underftand  it  ^  and  where  they  cannot,  accord- 
ing to  the  proper  and  ufual  llgnification  of  the  Words.  And  the  Parliament  them- 
felves tell  us,  That  this  is  the  true  Rule  of  interpreting  their  Words.  Beyond  which 
therefore  we  dare  not  flretch  them. 

§  16.  And  therefore,  14.  They  dare  not  take  the  Oath,  becaufe  if  it  be  not  to 
be  taken  in  the  proper  or  ordinary  Senfe  of  the  Words,  then  they  are  fure  that  they 
cannot  underftand  it  (for  it  doth  not  pleafe  the  Parliament  to  expound  it.)  And  Oaths 
muft  be  taken  in  Truth,  Judgment,  and  Riglueoufnefs,  and  not  ignorantly,  when  we 
knovv  that  we  underftand  them  not. 

§  1 -.The 


part  III.         Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


§  17.  The  Lawyers  (even the  honcfteft)  are  commonly  for  a  more  ftretching 
Expclition.  And  thofe  that  fpeak  out,  fay,  That  an  illegal  Commifiion  is  none  at 
all.  But  we  our  felves  go  further  than  this  would  loads  us  j  for  we  judge,  That 
even  an  illegally  commiflioned  Perfon,  is  not  to  be  refilled  by  Arms,  except  in 
fuch  Cafes  as  the  Law  of  Nature,  or  the  King  himfelf,  by  his  Laws,  or  by  a  con- 
trary Commifiion,  alloweth  us  to  refill  him.  But  if  Commiflions  mould  be  contra- 
dictory to  each  other,  or  to  the  Law,  we  know  not  what  to  Swear  in  fuch  a  cafe. 

§  18.    But,  becaufe  much  of  the  Gife  maybcfeenin  thefe  following  Qiieftions 
which  upon  the  coming  out  of  that  Aft,  I  put  to  an  able,  worthy,  and  fincere 
Friend,  with  his  Anfwers  to  them.     I    will  here  Infert  them,  (vi^.  Serjeant  Foun- 


tain.) 


Queries  upon  the  Oxford  Oath. 


We  prcfuppofc  it  commonly  refolved  by  Cafuifts  in  Theology,  from  the  Law  of 
Nature,and  Scripture, 

1.  7 bat  Perjury  vs  a  Sin,  and  fo  great  a  Sin,  as  tendetb  to  the  ruin  of  the  Peace  of 
Kingdoms,  the  Life  of  Kings ,  and  the  Safety  of  A.  ens  Souls,  and  to  make  Men  unfit  for 
humane  Society,  Trufl,  or  Convey fe,  till  it  he  relented  of. 

2.  That  he  that  Sweanth  contrary  to  his  Judgment,  vs  Perjured,  though  the  thing  prove 
true. 

3.  That  we  muft  take  an  Oath  in  the  Impofer's  Senfe,  as  near  as  we  can  know  it,  if  he 
be  our  Lawju  Govern  our. 

4.  7 hat  an  Oath  vs  to  be  taken  fenfu  flri&iore,  and  in  the  Senfc  of  the  Rulers  lm- 
fofing  it,  if  that  be  known;  if  not,  by  the  Words  interpreted  according  to  the  common  ufe 
of  Men  of  that  Profeflion,  about  that  fubjeel :  And  Vniverfals  are  not  to  be  interpreted 
as  Particulars,  nor  mufl  we  limit  them,  and  diflinguifh,  without  very  good  proof . 

5.  That  where  the  Senfc  vs  doubtful,  we  are  fir ft  to  ask  which  vs  the  probable  Senfe  be- 
fore we  ask,  which  is  the  belt  and  charitableft  Senfe ;  and  mufl  not  take  them  in  the  beft 
Senfe^  when  another  is  more  probable  to  be  the  true  Senfe.  Becaufe  it  vs  the  Truth  and  not 
the  Gocdnefs  which  the  Under fiandmg  firfi  confidereth.  Otherwife,  any  Oath  almoft 
imaginable  might  be  taken ;  there  being  few  Words  fo  bad,  which  are  not  fo  ambiguous  as  to 
bear  a  good  Senfc,  by  a  forced  Interpretation,  sind  Subjetfs  muft  not  cheat  their  Rulers  by 
feeming  to  do  what  they  do  not. 

6.  But  when  both  Stnfes  are  equally  doubtful,  we  ought  in  Charity  to  take  the  beft. 

7.  If  after  all  Means  faih fully  u fed  to  know  our  Rulers  Senfe,  our  own  "Under ft and- 
ings  much  more  incline  to  think  one  to  be  their  meaning,  than  the  other,  we  mufl  not  go 
againft  our  Zhaderflandings. 

8.  That  we  are  to  fu$$ofe  our  Rulers  fallible,  and  that  it's  pojfible  their  decrees  maybe 
contrary  to  the  Law  of  God;  but  not  to  fufpett  them  without  plain  caufe. 

Thefe  tilings  fuppofed,  we"  humbly  crave  the  Refolution  of  thefe  Queftions, 
about  the  prefent  Oath,  and  the  Law. 

Qu.  1.  Whether  {upon  any  pretence  wbatfoevcr~\  refer  not  to  {any  CommiJJionated 
by  tim]  as  well  as  {totbeKm^  himfelf? 

2.  Whether  {not  lawfitT}  extendeth  only  to  the  Law  of  the  Land ;  or  alfo  to  the 
Law  of  God  in  Nature  ? 

3.  Whether  {I Swear  that  it  is  not  lawfuf]  do  not  exprefs  my  peremptory  certain 
Determination,  and  be  not  more  than  {  /  Swear  that  in  my  Opinion  it  vs  not  law- 

A 
out 


or  Militia,  to  one  durante  vita,  and  mould  CommiiTionate  another,  by  force,  to  ejeel: 
him,  whether  both  have  not  the  King's  Authority  ?  or  which  ? 

6.  If  the  Sheriff  raife  the  Poffe  Commit  at  us  to  fupprefs  a  Riot,  or  to  execute  the 
Decrees  of  the  Courts  of  Juftice,  and  fight  with  any  Commijfioned  to  refill  him,  and 
Shall  keep  up  that  Power,  while  the  Commijfioned  Perfons  keep  up  theirs,  which  * 
them  is  to  be  judged  by  the  Subjects  to  have  the  King's  Authority  ? 


of 
,  If 


^ 


8  .      ibe  L  Jf  F  E  of  the       "'    Part  III,- 

7.  \\i  a  Vaiiiament,  or  a  Court  of  Jufticc,  declare.  That  the  King  by  his  Laws 
(.(»'*maiideti\ustoaflift  the  Sheriffs  arid  Jufticcs,  notwithstanding  any  Commiffion  to  ; 
the- contrary  under  the  great  or  little  Seal-  and  one  fhew  us  a  Commiffion  to  the 
contrary  \  which  mufu  we  take  for  the  King's  Authority  ? 

S.  Whether  this  extendctli  to  the  Cai'e  ofKingjo'/w,  who  delivered  the  King-  ' 
dom  to  the  pope?     Or,  to  ihofc  Inftances  of  Btlfon,  Barcky ,  Grotius ,  &c.  of 
changing  the  Government,  putting  by  the  true  Heir,  to  whom  we  are  Sworn  in  the 
Oath  of  Allegiance,  &c.  if  Subjects  pretend  CommhTion  for  fuch  Acts  ? 

9.  Whether  Parliament,  Judges  in  Court,  or  private  Men,  may,  by  the  Kin 
Authority  in  his  Laws,  defend  their  Lives  againit  any  that,  by  a  pretended  Com- ' 
million  invadeth  them,  or  their  Purfes,  Homes,  or  Companions  ? 

10.  Whether  we  muft  take  every  Affirmer  to  have  a  Commiffion,  if  he  fhew  it 
not  ?  Or  every  fhewn  Commiffion  to  be  current ,  and  not  furreptitious,  though  con- 
trary to  Law? 

n.  Whether  he  violateth  not  this  Oath,  who  fhould  endeavour  to  niter  fomuch 
of  the  Legislative  Power  as  is  in  the  Parliament,  or  the  Executive,  in  the  Eitablifhed 
Courts  of  Juft ice?  Or,  is  it  meant  only  of  Monarchy  as  fuch  ? 

1 2.  Doth  lie  not  break  tl'isOath,  who  fnould  endeavour  to  change  tfc'Perfoa  Go- 

■     .  ae  he  that  would  change  the  Form  of  Government  I 

1 3.  If  fo,  doth  it  not  alfo  tyeus  to  the  Pcrfons  of  Chiirch-Govei  n 
are equally  here  twitted,  and Church-Government  prepofed  ? 

14.  Is  it  the  King's  Coercive  Government  of  the  Church,  by  the  Sword,  which, 
is  here  menu,  according  to  the  Oath  of  Supremacy  ?  Or  Spiritual  Gc . 

the  Keys?  Or  both  ? 

£5.  Is  it  ndt  the  Englifn  Form  of  Church-Government  by  Diccefans  that  isherf 

nt ;  and  not  fomc  other  fort  of  Epifcopacy  which  is  not  here?     And  doth  he 

not  break  this  Oath,  who  inflcadof  a  Bifhftpover  500,  or  1 000  Churches  (without 

any  inferiour  Bilhop)  mould  endeavour  to  fet  up  a  Bifhop  in  every  great  Church, 

or  Market -Town,  or  as  many  as  the  Work  requireth  ? 

16.  Seeing  Excommunication  and  Abfolution  are  the  notable  parts  of  Spiritual 
Government,  and  it  is  not  only  the  Actions,  but  the  AcJors,  or  Govern'ours,  that 

Swear  not  to  alter  •  and  Lay-Chancellors  are  the  common  Actors  or  Govcrnours  j 
whether  an  endeavour  to  alter  Lay-Chancellors  Government,  (asfome  did  that  prjH 
cured  his  Majefty's  Declaration,  concerning  Ecclefialtical  Alfairs)  be  not  contraflB 
to  this  Oath,  and  excluded  by  \jmy  alteration  ?  ~] 

17.  Whether  petitioning,  or  other  peaceable  means,  before  allowed  by  Law,  be 
not  \_ay\y  cudcavour~]  and  a  violation  of  this  Oath  ? 

18.  \Vhether  [not  at  any  time,  &c.j  tye  us  not  to  difobey  the  King,  if  he  fhould, 
command  us,  by  Confultation  or  Conference,  to  endeavour  it?  Or,  iftheLawbe 
changed,  doth  not  this  Oath  It  ill  bind  us  ? 

Laftly,  Whether. this  following  Senfc,  in  which  we  could  take  it,  be  the  true  fenfe 
of  the  Oath? 

/  A  B  do  Swear,  That  (a)  it  is  not  Lawful  upon  any  pretence  rvhatfoever  (b)  to  take 
up  Arms  again]}  the  King:  (c)  And  that  I  do  abbo?  that  Tray tor cus  Pofition,  of  taking 
.Arms  by  bit  Authority  agAmJVh'vs  Perfon,  or  againfi  tbofe  that  are  Commffwnated  by  him, 
(d)  in  purfuance  of  fuch  Commiffion.  And  that  I  will  not  at  any  time  endeavour  any 
alter aiitii  ofGover.nmcnt,  either  in  Church  or  State,  (e) 

(a)  In  my  Opinion. 

1(b)  For  the  Subjects  of  his  Majefty's  Dominions. 

(c)  Either  his  Authority,  or  his  Perfon,  the  Law  forbidding  both. 

(d)  Whether  it  oe  his  Parliament,  Courts  of  Juflice,  Legal  Officers,  or  any  other 
Perfons  authorized  by  his  publick  Laws,  or  his  Commiffion :  fuppofing  that  no  con- 
trariety of  Laws  and  Commifiions  (by  over-light,  or  other  wife)  do  Arm  the  Sub- 
jects againft  each  other. 

(e)  1  will  not  endeavour  any  alteration  of  State -Government  at  all,  either  as  to 
thePeribnofthe  King,  or  the  Species  of  Government,  either  as  to  the  LegiGative, 
or  Executive  Power,  as  in  the  King  himfeif,  or  his  Parliament,  or  Eftablifhed  Courts 
of  julrice.     And  therefore  I  declare,  That  I  take  all  the  reft  of  this  Oath,  on! 

a  Senk  eonfiftent  with  this  Claufe,  implying  no  alteration  in  the  Government.  And 
I  will  endeavour  no  alteration  of  the  Coercive  Government  of  the  Church,  as  it  is 
in  the  King,  according  to  the  Oath  of  Supremacy :  Nor  any  alienation  of  the  Spiritual 

Powe 


Part  III.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

Power  of  the  Keys  from  the  Lawful  Bifhops  and  Paltors  of  the  Church :  Nor  will  I 
leavour  to  reftore  the  Ancient  Difcipline  (by  removing;  the  Spiritual  Government 
he  Keys,  Out  of  the*Hands  of  Lay-Chancellors,  into  the  Hands  of  fo  many  able 
Pallors,  as  the  number  of  Churches,  and  necefllty  of  the  work  requireth)  nor  any- 
other  Reformation  of  the  Church,  by  any  Rebellious,  Schifmatical,  or  other  unlaw- 
ful means  whatfoever  ;  (  nor  do  I  believe  that  any  Vow  or  Covenant  obligeth  me 
thereto:,)  declaring,  notwithstanding,  that  it's  none  of  my  meaning  to  bind  my  felf 
from  any  Lawful  Means  of  fuch  Reformation-,  nor  to  difobey  the  King,  •  if  at  any 
time  He  command  me,  to  endeavour  the  Alteration  of  any  thing  juftly  alterable. 

The  General  Anfwcr  was  as  followeth. 

UPon  Serious  Confideration  of  the  Aft  of  Parliament,  Entitled,  An"ACt  for  Re- 
/training  of  Nonconformifta  from  Inhabiting  in  Corporations  •  And  of  the  Oath 
therein  mentioned,  I  am  of  Opinion,  That  there  is  nothing  contained  in  that  Oath 
according  to  the  true  Senfe  thereof,  But  that  it  is  not  Lawful  to  take  up  Arms  againft 
the  King,  or  any  Authorifed  by  his  Commiflion^  or  for  a  private  Perfon  to  endea- 
vour the  Alteration  of  the  Monarchical  Government  in  the  State,  or  the  Government 
by  Bifhops -in  the  Church :  And  that  any  Perfon  (notwithstanding  the  taking  of  fuch 
Oath)  if  he  apprehend  that  the  Lay-Judges  in  Bilhop's  Courts  (as  to  Sentence  of  Ex- 
communication for  Matters  meerly  Ecclefiaftical,  or  for  any  other  Caufe)  ought  to  be 
Reformed^  or  that  Bifhopricks  are  of  too  large  extent,  may  fafely  Petition  or  ufe 
any  lawful  Endeavour  for  Reformation  of  the  fame  :  For  that  iuch  Petition,  or  other- 
Lawful  Endeavour,  doth  not  tend  to  the  Alteration  of  the  Government,  but  to  the 
amendment  of  what  (hall  be  found  amifs  in  the  Government,  and  Reformed  by  Law- 
ful Authority,  and  thereby  the  Government  better  Eftablifhed.  And,  I  conceive 
every  Expofition  of  the  faid  Oath,  upon  Suppofition,  or  Prefumption  of  an  Obligation 
thereby,  to  any  thing  which  is  contrary  to  the  Law  of  God,  or  the  Kingdom,  is  an 
illegal,  and  a  forced  Expofition,  contrary  to  the  intent  and  meaning  of  the  faid  Oath 
and  Aft  of  Parliament  ;  for  it  is  a  Rule,  nullum  tniauum  eft  tn  Lege  prtefumendum. 
And  an  Expofition  tending  to  enjoyn  any  thing  contrary  to  the  Law  of  God,  would 
make  the  Aft  of  Parliament  void,  which  ought  not  to  be  admitted,  when  it  bears 
a  fair  and  plain  Senfe,  which  is  no  more,  Than  that  Subjects  ought  not  to  take  up 
Arms  againft  their  Lawful  King,  or  fuch  as  are  lawfully  Commiflionated  by  him  • 
and  for  private  Perfons  to  be  unquiet  in  the  place  wherein  they  live,  to  the  diftur- 
bance  of  the  Government  in  Church  or  State. 

John  Fountain,  Feb.  6.  1665. 

Tlx  Particular  Anfwcr  was  as  follovoeth. 

NO  T  at  prefent  to  difpute  the  things  prefuppofed  (although  I  may  not  grant 
all  in  the  Fourth,  and  fome  other  of  the  Pofitions,  to  be  warranted  by  the 
Law  ofNature  or  Scripture)  I  add  as  necelTary  to  the  Refolving  of  the  Queftions 
upon  the  Aft  of  Parliament,  That  in  the  Expofition  of  Afts  of  Parliament,  if  there 
may  be  a  fair  and  reaibnable  Conftruftion  made  of  the  Words,  not  contrary  to  the 
Law  of  God  or  Reafon,  that  Conftruftion  ought  to  be  made  thereof,  and  that  any 
Expofition,  which  tends  to  make  hfenflefs,  or  contrary  to  the  Law  of  God  and  Reafon, 
or  to  fuppofe  any  wicked  thing  enjoyned   thereby ,   is  a  forced  Conftruftion, 
and  contrary  to  Law,  being  deftruftive  to  the  very  At}  of  Parliament.     I  hereupon 
iftde  any  A nfwer  to  the  Fourth  and  Eighth  Queftions,  which  may,  peradventure, 
bethought  meer  Cavils  againft  the  Aft,  though  I  knowing  the  Temper  of  the  Pro- 
pounder,  have  a  more  charitable  Opinion  of  him.     But  I  do  apprehend,  that  tho' 
there  may  want  a  Word  to  make  a  Logical  Pofition,  concerning  the  Trayterous  Po- 
rtion mentioned  in  the  Oath,  yet  there  is  a  plain  Senfe  in  the  Oath,  v'v\.  That  itis 
.unlawful  to  take  up  Arms  againft  the  King ;  and  that  if  any  would  make  a  diftin- 
ftion,  and  affirm,  That  though  the  unlawfulnefs  were  admitted  to  take  up  Arms 
agaioft  kim,  yet  by  his  Authority,  they  might  take  up  Arms  againft  his  Perfon',  or 
againft  thofe  that  are  Commijjioned  by  him,  in  purftfance  of  fuch  Commiulon,  fuch  an 
Affirmation  and  Polition  as  this,  is  Traytorous,  and  to  be  abhorred ;  and  there  is 

Bbbb  fsck 


io  J  be  L  IFEojtbe  Part  III. 


fuch  a  plain  Senfe  in  it,  as  every  one  that  hath  common  Reafon  underftands  it  Co 
and  therefore  Quod  necejfario  fubinteUigitw  nondccft.     And  Udo  not  believe,  that  any 
who  propound  the  Queftionsto  be  refolved,  dothemfelves  imagine,  that  the  Par- 
liament had  any  thought  of  what  is  mentioned  in  the  Eighth  Queftion,  for  nullum 
inlquum  in  Lejk  prafumcndum. 

Upon  confideration  of  the  Aft,  I  apprehend  the  Makers  thereof  had  an  apprc- 
henfion,  that  there  were  three  forts  of  People  which  might  have  a  dangerous  influ- 
ence upon  the  King's  Subjects,  if  not  rightly  principled,  v'v^.  Minifters  or  Preachers, 
School-Mailers,  and  fuch  as  did  Table  and  Board  Children,  and  therefore  did  pro- 
vide to  reftrain  them  from  doing  hurt  to  the  Kingdom,  in  keeping  the  Minifters  out 
of  the  populous  Places  of  the  Kingdom,  or  where  they  were  belt  known,  and  molt 
likely  to  prevail,  and  that  no  Children  might  be  poifonedwith  Principles  deftruftivc 
to  Government. 

7  he  Principles  which  they  feared*  were  thefe. 

i .  That  in  fome  Cafes  it  might  be  lawful  to  take  up  Arms  agrunlt  the  Supreme 
Magistrate,  at  leaft  by  a  diftinftion  unwarrantable,  in  taking  up  Arms  againft  his 
Authority,  againft  his  Perfon,  or  fuch  as  he  did  Commiffionate. 

2.  That  private  Perfofts  might  endeavour  to  alter  the  Government  in  the  Church 
or  State  where  they. lived. 

for  the  difcovei  y  of  fuch  as  were  cf  thefe  dangerous  Principles,  I  conceive  the 
Oath  is  framed,  which  is  Eftablifhed  by  this  Aft,  and  any  who  holdeth  thefe  Princi- 
ples may  not  faiely  take  it  -7  but  if  he  hold  not  thefe  Principles  he  may. 

And  a&  to  the  Queflions. 

y .  That  the  Words  £  upon  any  pretence  whatfoever  ~\  in  the  Oath  refer  only  to  th» 
King  himfelf. 

2.  That  f  lawful']  comprehends  any  Law  obligatory. 

3.  That  it  is  only  according  to  the  Opinion  and  Judgment  of  him  that  takes  it. 

5.  He  that  hath  the  Lawful  Commijfion  is  the  only  Perfon  that  hath  Authority  by 
the  King's  Commiffion. 

6.  I  conceive  the  Sheriff 

7.  That  Commiffion  which  is  according  to  Law. 
p.  I  conceive  they  may. 

1  o.  I  conceive  a  Commiffion  muft  be  fiiewn,  if  required  •  and  that  a  furreptitious 
and  void  Commiffion,  contrary  to  Law,  is  no  Commiffion  at  all. 

1 1 .  I  r.nderftand  not  the  Latitude  of  this  Qr.eftion  ^  but  I  conceive  the  Senfe  of 
the  Oath  is  hot  to  endeavour  the  Alteration  of  Monarchical  Government  in  the 
State.  , 

1 2.  Though  I  conceive  it  utterly  unlawful  to  endeavour  to  change  the  Perfon  of 
the  Governour,  yet,  that  being  fufficiently  provided  againft  by  the  former  Laws, 
I  do  not  conceive  that  it  was  intended  by  the  Makers  cf  the  Law  in  this  part  of  the 
Oath,  to  intend  more  than  the  Alteration  of  the  Government. 

13.  Anfwered  before  •  And  yet  if  the  Perfon  of  the  Supreme  were  included  in  the 
State-Government,  I  do  not  conceive  that  it  would  extend  to  the  Governours  undef 
him  in  the  Church,  for  they  may  be  juftly  removed  in  Cafe  of  Crime,  &c. 

14.  I  conceive  both. 

15.  I  conceive  its  the  Englifh  Form  of  Church-Government}  and  yet  that  is  ao- 
breach  of  the  Oath  to  endeavour,  in  a  lawful  way,  to  make  more  Bifhops,  and  lelfer 
Bilhopricks.  .  \  . 

16.  I  do  not  think  the  Oathbindeth  not  to  endeavour  to  alter  the  Aftors  or  Go- 
vernours in  the  Church,  fo  it  be  done  by  lawful  means  -0  and  that  it  is  lawful,  not- 
wi  iManding  the  Oath,  to  endeavour  to  alter  Lay-Chancellors  in  a  lawful  way. 

1 7.  I  conceive  it  is  not. 

1 8.  I  conceive  it  doth  not. 

There  are  fo  many  things  put  in  the  laft  Qiieftion,  of  the  Senfe  of  the  Oath,  as  will 
require  more  difcufiion,  than  the  prefent  Opportunity  admits. 

John  Fountain   Feb.  13.166$. 

'    Sir 


Part  III.         Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 1 

Sir  John  Maynard  alfo  told  me,  That  an  illegal !  Commiflion  is  no  Commifliop 
(though  privately,  being  the  King's  Serjeant.)  ' 

§  19.  But  that  all  thefe  Anfwers  mould  rather  refolve  me  not  to  take  this  Oath 
than  any  way  fatisfie  me  to  take  it,  may  thus  appear. 

1.  He  confefleth,  that  the  Principle  feared  was,  That  in  fome  Cafes  it  is  lawful  to 
take  up  Arms  againft  the  Supreme  Magiftrate,  or  by  his  Authority  againft  thofe  Com- 
miflioned by  him.  And  yet  implicitly  granteth  it  in  the  Cafes  intimated  in  the  Eighth 
Qucftion. 

2.  He  confefleth  that  another  fcYired  Principle  was,  That  private  Perfons  may  en- 
deavour to  altar  the  Government  of  the  Church:  And  he  confefleth,  That  by  law- 
ful means  we  may  endeavour  it,  in  a  great  part  of  it.  *  ?;'; 

And  as  to  the  Particulars :  1 .  He  thinketh  that  the  Words  [  on  any  pretence  rvbat- 
foever]  refer  to  the  King  only :  whereas  in  my  Confcience,  I  think  that  the  Authors 
of  the  Oath  meant  it  alfo  [_as  to  any  Commijfoned  by  him  5  ~]  otherwife  there  is  no- 
thing in  all  this  Oath  againft  taking  Arms  againft  any  Commiflioned  by  the  King,  fo 
they  do  not  pretend  his  own  Authority  for  it.  And  upon  my  knowledge,  a  great 
part  of  thofe  that  Fought  for  the  Parliament  went  on  other  grounds  •  fome  thinking 
Parliaments  and  People  above  the  King,  as  being  fmgulis  Major,  &  univcrfvs  Minor  \ 
(  as  Hooker  fpeaks,  Ecclef  Pol.  Lib.  8.)  fome  thinking  that  the  Law  of  Nature  did 
warrant  them  -  and  fome,  that  the  Scripture  did  require  them  to  do  what  they  did. 
And  can  I  believe  that  it  was  none  of  the  Impofcrs  Intention  by  the  Oath,  to  provide 
againfl  any  of  thefe  Opinions?  If  really  it  were  not;  then  a  Man  that  taketh  this 
Oath  may,  nbtwithftanding  it,  believe,  That  though  it  be  not  lawful  to  tske  Arms  „ 
againft  the  Kihg,  nor  againft  his  Armies,  by  pretence  of  his  Authority,  yet  upon 
four  other  grounds  it  is  lawful  to  take  up  Arms  againft  his  Army.     1.  Becaufe  as  .  <? 

Willing  and  other  Politicians  fiy,  the  Majeftas  realis  U  in  the  People.  2.  Becaufe 
fome  Lawyers  fay,  That  the  People  of  England  have,  as  Hooker  and  Bilfon  calls  them, 
fore-priced  Liberties,  which  they  may  defend,  and  the  Parliament  hath  part  of  the  Le- 
giflative  Power,  by  the  Conftitution  of  the  Kingdom.  3.  Becaufc  the  Law  of  Na- 
ture and  Charity  requireth  the  Defence  Of  our  Selves,  Pofterity  and  Country.  4*  And 
becaufe  Scripture  requireth  the  fame. 

They  that  Will  fay,  That  the  Oath  hath  left  all  thefe  Pleas  or  Evafioris  for  Fighting 
againft  the  King's  Armies,  do  make  it  utterly  ufelefs  to  the  ends  for  which  it  was  in- 
tended^  and  make  the  Authors  to  have  been  ftrangely  blinded. 

2.  Note,  That  he  takes  the  Word  C  Lawful  ]  to  extend  to  all  Laws,  of  Nature, 
Scripture,  or  whatever:  And, 

3.  That  he  takes  thefe  Words  f  It  is  not  Lawful']  to  mean  no  more  than  f  I  judge r 
or  think  it  vs  not  Lawful.  ~\  As  if  all  our  Parliament  Men,  with  the  Learned  Bilhops, 
had  not  had  Wit  eriouglr*to  have  faid  fo,if  they  had  meant  fo  -,  but  faid  one  thing,  and 
meant  another. 

4,1  confefs,  I  ftick  not  much  on  the  Fourth  Quare ;  but  its  plain,  that  the  Subject 
named  is  capable  of  various  Predicates,  yea,  of  contrary-  and  O/ 'taking  Arms~\ 
may  be  applied  to  an  oportet,  a  licet,  a  fattutn  eft,  yea,  or  a  non  licet ;  though  the 
licet  I  doubt  not  is  their  Senfe. 

5.  Note,  That  the  Anfwer  to  the  Fifth,  is  a  meev  putting  off  the  Artfwer:  For 
the  Qiieftion  is,  Whether  the  Adt  of  Parliament,  or  the  private  Commiflion  be 
more  Authoritative?  And  he  anfwereth^  That  which  is  Lawful  ^  which  implieth, 
that  he  was  not  willing  to  fpeak  out. 

tf.  iVbte,  that  he  plainly  concludeth,  that  a  Sheriff  hath  the  King's  Authority,  to 
refift  by  the  Pojfe  Comitates  the  King's  Commiflioned  Officers,  that  would  hinder  him 
from  Executing  the  Decrees  of  a  Court  of  Juftice:  And  doth  not  this  either  crofs 
the  intent  of  the  Impofers,  or  give  up  the  whole  Caufe  ?  Doth  it  not  grant,  that 
either  it  is  lawful  bv  tlie  King's  Authority  given  to  the Sheriffby  the  Law,  &£.  for 
him  by  Arms  to  refift  the  King's  Commiflioners  ?  Or  elfe,  that  they  be  refilled,  as 
not  Commiffioned,  becaufe  their  Commiflion  is  unlawful  ?  And  What  did  the  Parlia- 
ment's Army  defire  more  ?  If  a  Sheriff,  by  the  Sentence  of  an  inferiour  Court,  may 
raife  Arms  againft  the  King's  Army,  as  not  Commiflioned,  you  will  teach  the  Par- 
liament to  fay,  That  their  Judgment  is  greater  than  an  inferiour  Court's. 

7.  Anditispoflible,  That  Gommiflions  may  be  contrary  (of  the  fame  date)  who 
jfiien  can  know  which  is  the  Traytor  ?  -   _- 

B  b  b  b  2,  S-  W 


"i?.  Thc£ib~Eofthe~  Part  III. 


¥>,  '\X\t  Sevenths  a  putting  ofTthe  Anfwer,  like  the  fifth. 

o.   Note  efpccially  that  of  the  Eighth  Quare,  vvlii.li  implycth  diver:,  lufl an 
Cafes,  in  which  Crotius,  Barclay,  Bilfon,  &c.  fey,  That  it  is  1  Vrms 

againlr  the  Kin*,  he  feemeth  wholly  to  grant  it,  and  makah  it  bin  1  ^vil    to 

fuppofe  that  thoje  Cafes  ever  came  into  the  Parliament's  1  lioughts.  And  I  am  much 
in  that  of  the  good  Man's  Mindi     But  if  they  will  Swear  ipe  to  an  Univcrfal,  while 
they  forget  particular  Exceptions,  that  will  not  make  the  Oath  Lawful  to  me. 
1.  It  is  not  certain  to  me,  That  they  would  have  excepted  thole  tilings  if  they  had 
remembred  them.     2.  Much  lefs  can  I  tell  which,  and  how  many  things  they  would 
have  excepted.     3.  And  how  could  the  wit  of  Man  devife  Words  more  exclulive  of 
all  Exceptions,  than  to  fay  [_lt  vs  not  Larvful  on  any  \rttnu  whatfoevcr  f  1  Are  thofe 
in  the  Eighth  Oucere  \__no  \retcnces  what  foe  ver  ?~]    1  dare  not  thus  itrcicli  my  Con- 
ference about  an  Oath,  when  I  know  that  the  Authors  were  Learned,  Crafty,  wil- 
ling to  extend  it  far  enough,  and  Men  that  underwood  EngMfb,  and  fpake  in  a  mat- 
ter of  their  own  Concernment  and  Employment.     Therefore  by  {any  pretence  u 
foever  "J  I  cannot  think  that  they  meant  to  exclude  fo  many  Pretences,  as  the  1 
Cafe  f  peaks  of. 

10.  Note  alfo,  That  he  alloweth  Parliaments,  Judges,  or  private  Men,  even  by 
the  King's  Authority  in  his  Laws,  to  defend  their  Lives,  their  Houfcs,  Eli 
Pnrfes,  and  Companion;,  againft  fuchasare  Commiflioned  to  Surprize thunAVl 

is  Itecaufe  he  taketh  iuch  to  be  really  no  Commiilions.  And  fo  the  Parliament,  and 
their  Atmv,wotild  fay  in  a  Word,  That  the  King's  Commiffions  to  his  Armies  v 
no  Commiilions.  But  this  (which  the  Lawyers  wholly  rcit  on)  I  think  in  my  ( 
fciencewas  fo  contrary  to  the  Impofers  Scnfe,  that  if  it  had  been  then  mentioned, 
they  would  have  exprefly  put  in  fbme  Words  againft  ic.  And  if  an  illegal  Com- 
miffion  be  no  Commifiion,  then  there  are  not  two  forts  of  Commiilions,  owe  legal, 
and  the  other  illegal  (unlcfs  ipcaking  Equivocally.)  And  this  comes  up  to  what 
Richard  Hooker,  and  the  long  Parliament  laid,  viz.  That  the  Kin?  can  do  no  vran£\ 
becaitfc  if  it  bs  wrong,  it  is  not  to  be  taken  for  the  King's  Aft. 

1 1.  Note  alfo,  That  a.  Commifiion  muft  be  ihewn,  if  required,  and  an  illegal  one 
h  mill.     And  which  of  the  Parliament's  Soukliers  ever  £aw  the  Commiilions  of  thole 

om  they  Fought  again-!:?  Not  one  of  many  Thou  finds.  And  was  this,  think 
you,  the  meaning  of  the  Impofers  of  the  Oath,  that  it  fhould  be  left  to  Men's  Liber- 
ty to  take  an  illegal  Commiilbii  for  none?  If  this  were  declared,  who  of  all  the 
Parliaments  Army  would  not  take  this  part  of  the  Oath  ? 

12.  To  the  Eleventh  he  anfwereth,  That  the  Oath  is  againft  altering  Monarchy,, 
(which  none  doubts  of:)  But  wnether  the  Power  of  Parliaments,  or  Courts  of 
Juftice  be  included,  the  good  Man  thought  it  not  belt  to  underftaud. 

13.  He  thinks  that  by  {_  Ooi/emmcnt  3  is  meant  only  the  Species  (Monarchy)  and 
not  the  Perfon  of  the  King  (  as  being  furliciently  fecured  elfewhere)  whereas 
there  is  no  fnch  limitation  in  the  Words ,  but  that  he  is  to  be  efteemed  a  Changer 
of  the  Govenr.r.ent,  who  would  depofe  the  King,  andfet  up  an  Ufurper. 

14.  But  it  it  do  feenre  the  King's  Perfon  (as  I  think  it  doth,  and  fhould  do)  he 
thinks  it  extendeth  not  to  the  Perfons  of  the  Church-Governours,  becaufe  by  Law 
they  may  be  altered.  But  1.  Here  is  no  difference  made  in  the  Oath,  unlefs  it  be 
that  the  Government  of  the  Church,  is  put  before  that  of  the  State.  2.  Therefore 
the  Qneftion  is,  Whether  this  Oath  be  not  contrary  to  thofe  former  Laws,  and  do 
not  fettle  the  Biihops  and  Chancellors  as  fait  as  the  King  ?  As  to  the  plain  Senfe  of 
the  Words,  1  find  no  difference  :  And  as  to  the  meaning  of  the  Lawr-makers,  it  is 
hard  other  wife  to  know  it,  feeing  they  are  of  fo  many  minds,  and  various  degrees  of 
Capacity  ?mcmg  themfelves. 

1 5.  And  it  is  here  confeiied,  That  the  Clergy-Government  is  included  •  yea,  and 
that  the  Oath  meaneth  the  I^ngltfh  Species ;  and  yet  he  thinketh  that  it  prohibketh 
not  lawful  Endeavours,  to  make  more  Biihops,  and  to  take  down  Lay-Chanceiiors  .• 
whereas,  1 .  Chancellors  are  the  Governours,  for  the  greateft  part.  2.  And  as  a 
Congregational   Church   doth   fpecifkally  differ  from  a  Diocefs  of  1000,  or  600 

relies;  the  former  ds  fine,  being  for  Pergonal  Communion  in  God:s  Worfhip, 

:  i:ter  •  fo  therefore  the  Bifhop  of  a  Congregation  muft  needs  differ  fpeei- 

ncally,  from  the  Bifliop  of  fuch  a  Diocefs.    Therefore  fo  to  change,  were  to  change 

V::e  Sft&fc  bt  the  Government,  as  1  am  confident  the  Bifhops  themfelves  would  fay, 

i  >n  were  put  to  them. 

16.  Pf 


Fart  IIlJ        %evtrend  Mr.  R ichard  Baxter.  i  3 

16.  By  [  Endeavouring ]  here  he  underilandeth  only  [unlawful  endeavouring ~\ 
and  not  petitioning,  or  other  lawful  means :  whereas  the  Word  in  the  Oath,  is  abfo- 

and  unlimited  }  And  I  cannot  be  fo  bold  as  to  Swear  [not  to  endeavour']  and  fe- 
ci ci I y  mean  [except  it  be  by  petitioning,  or  other  lawful  means]  for  no  fober  Man 
will  dunk,  that  we  may  dp  it  by  unlawful  means,  if  he  know  them  to  be  fo :  And 
the  old  era  Oath,  in  1640.  ( the  Antecefibr  of  this)  had  [not  confenting~\ 

which  could  not  be  fo  limited. 
And  further,  it  feems  plain,  that  this  cannot  be  their  Senfe,  becaufe  it  is  equally 
lycd  to  both  Governments  in  the  Oath  (fave  that  the  Church-Government  is  put 
mil:  )    And  who  dare  lay,  that  this  is  the  meaning,  as  to  the  Government  of  the 
Stale  f  /  n  ill  not  endeavour  the  dvpojing  oft,  or  the  change  of  Monarchy,  unlefs 

it  be  by  lawful  means.']  Whereas  the  Oath  feeiVHJth  to  me,  that  it  is- never  to  be  done 
at  all  ;  and  no  means  is  lawful  for  fuch  an  Aid  :  And  therefore  we  muftfo  under- 
tfand  it,  as  10  the  Diocefanes  too  j  if  we  will  not  Swear  abfolutely,  or  univer filly, 
and  mean'/  hnitedly,  and particularly;  yea,  and  limit,  and  not  limit  the  fame  Word,  as 
rcfpecYmg  the  feveral  Governments,  without  any  colour  from  the  Terms. 

17.  Lately,  When  the  Oath  Swe  ireth  us  [nit  at  any  time  to  endeavour]  which  is 
as  plainly  an  Exclufive  of  Exceptions  as  to  Time,  as  can  briefly  be  uttered,  he 
thinketh  that  by  [  any  time  ]  is  meant,  [any  time,  except  when  the  King  [hall  command 

7,  or  the  Law  full  change,  c\C.] 
Now  when  fo  much  violence  mult  be  uicd  with  the  Words  of  fuch  an  Oath,  and 
when  the  Ixopofers  will  not  (after  many  Years  knowledge  of  our  Doubts  and  Diffi- 
culties) make  them  any  plainer:,  and  fo  when  they  arc  at  the  belt  to  us  fo  unintelli- 
gible, :..  .vyer,  nor  Parliament,  that  we  can  fpeak  with,  can  refolve  us ;  but 
l  lie  AnCwer  we  can  get  from  the  Parliament  Mcn,is  fYou  mult  underftand  it  in 
the  proper,  ufual  Senfe  of  the  Words :  ]  And  from  the  Lawyers,  [  An  unlawful 
CommiJJion  is  none,  and  lawful  Endeavours  are  not  forbidden^]  who  can  take  fuch  an 
Oatli  in  Judgment  and  Uprightnefs  of  Heart,  that  is  fatisfied  in  the  Points  fore- 
muiLioned? 

§  20.  The  Aft  which  Impofcth  this  Oath,  openly  accufeth  the  Nonconformable 
I  Minifteis  (  or  lbmc  of  them)  of  Seditious  Do&rine ;  and  fuch  hainous  Crimes ; 
I  wherefore  when  it  firit  came  out,  I  thought  that  at  fuch  an  Accufation  no  Innocent 
Perfons  mould  be  Cleat  j  cfpccially  when  Papifts,  Strangers,  and  Pofterity  may 
think,  That  a  Pvccorded  Statute  is  a  fufTicicnt  Hiltory  to  prove  us  guilty }  and  the 
Concernments  of  the  Gofpcl,  and  our  Callings,  and  Men's  Souls,  are  herein  touch- 
ed :  Therefore  I  drew  up  a  Profcflion  of  our  Judgment,  about  the  Cafe  of  Loyalty 
and  Obedience  to  Kings  and  Governours ;  and  the  Reafons  why  we  rcfufed  the  Oath. 
But  reading  it  to  Dr.  Seaman,  and  feme  others  wifcr  than  my  felf,  they  advifedme 
to  call  it  by,  and  to  bear  all  in  lilcnt  Paiicrice^  becaufe  it  was  not  poffible  to  doit 
fo  fully  and  lincerely,  but  that  the  malice  of  our  Advcrfaries  would  make  an  ill  ufe 
of  it,  and  turn  it  all  againir.  our  felves :  And  the  wife  Statefmen  laughed  at  me,  for 
thinking  that  Reafon  would  be  regarded  by  fuch  Men  as  we  had  to  do  with,  and 
would  not  exafperate  them  the  more. 

§21.  After  this,  the  Minifters  finding  the  prefliire  of  this  Act  fo  great,  and  the 
lofs  like  to  be  fo  great  to  Cities  and  Corporations,  fome  of  them  ftudied  how  to  take 
the  Oath  lawfully :  And  Dr.  IV'li.  Bates,  being  much  in  feeming  Favour  with  the 
Lord-Keeper  Bridgeman,  confulted  with  him,  who  promifed  to  be  at  the  next  Seffion, 
and  there  on  the  Bench  to  declare  openly,  That  by  [  Endeavour  ~\  to  change  the 
Church-Government  was  meantCew/y  iawfulEndeavour{]  which  fatisfying  him,he  there- 
by fatisfied  othcrs,who  to  avoid  the  Imputation  of  Seditious  Doctrine,  were  willing  to 
go  as  far  as  thev  durft:  And  fo  Twcntv  Minifters  came  in  at  the  Seflions,  and  took 
."■ath,  w*.  Dr.  Pates,  Mr.  Sam.  Clarke,  Mr.  Sheffield,  Mr.  Hall,  or  Mr.  Church, 
Mr.  Matth.  Pool,  Mr.  Locd,  Mr.  Stancliffc,  Mr.  Roles,  Mr.  Lewi*,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr. 
Arthur ,   Mr.  Baftwkk ,   Mr.  Brooks,   Mr.  Overton,   Mr.  Batcheler,  Mr.  Cory,  Mr. 
Builer,  Mr.  Wild1  ore,  Mr.  Hoohr.     And  not  long  after.  Dr.  Jacomb  took  it,  and 
yo9  and  Mr.  Newton  of  Taunton  in  Somerfetfhire,  being  then  in  London :  Mr. 
:  Howe  in  Deuvfhire^  and  in  Somerfetfhire,  Mr.  William  Thomas,  Mr.  Cooper  of 
Southwark  (then  there:  )  And 'm  Northampton/hire,  Dr.  Conant  (late  Regius Profeflbr 
of  Divinity,  and  Vice-chancellor  in  Oxford)  and  about  Twelve  more  with  him:  I 
heard  of  no  ine:c  Nonconh.!  miXfe  that  took  it. 

§  22.  Dr. 


i4  The  LIFE  of  the  Part  III, 


§  22.  Dr.  Bates  wrote  me  prefcntly  the  following  Letter,  which  becaufe  it 
fheweth  the  Truth  of  their  Cafe  and  Inducements,  I  think  meet  here  to  add  •  the 
rather,  becaufe  when  they  took  the  Oath,  the  Lord-Keeper  left  out  the  Word 
[jonly.~}  And  Judge  Kicling  openly  told  them,  That  he  was  glad  that  fo  many  of 
them  renounced  the  Covenant,  with  more  fuch  like-,  which  made  Mr.  Clarke  openly 
tell  him,  That  they  took  this  Oath  only  in  fuch  a  Senfe  as  they  conceived  to  be  not 
inconfiftent  with  the  Covenant :  And  becaufe  the  People  in  London  reviled  the  Mi- 
nifters  as  Turn-Coats  when  they  had  done  ;  which  Infultings  and  Revilings  much 
grieved  forne  of  them. 


Dr.  Bates's  Letter  of  their  Cafe  about  the  Oath. 

Dear  Srr, 

I  Judge  it  due  to  our  Friendship,  and  ncceffary  for  my  Fame,  to  give  you  an  account  of 
what  pafl  among  ft  us  in  Reference  to  the  Oath.     In  fever  at  Mtctings  of  the  Miniflers, 
the  (pedal  Enquiry  was  about  the  yneaning  of  the  Word  Endeavour,  Whether  to  be  un- 
der flood  in  the  univcrfal  Extent,  foasto  exclude  all  Regular,  or  only  tumultuous  andfedi- 
tious  sittings.     The  Reafons  nhich  perfuaded  us  to  under fland  it  in  a  qualified  Senfe,  were 
i .  The  Preface  to  the  Att,  which  declares,  the  occafion  and  the  end  of  the  Oath,  was  to 
prevent  the  diflilling  the  Poifon  ofSchif?n  and  Rebellion ;  now  it  is  a  known  Rule,  ratio  juris 
eft  jus ;  from  whence  it  appears,  That  only  Schifmatical  and  Rebellious  Endeavours  are  ex- 
eluded,  to  avoid  which,  there  was  an  antecedent  Obligation.     2.  It  is  ncceffary  to  interpret 
this  Oath  in  congruity  with  former  Laws ;  in  particular,  with  that  which  concerns  tumul- 
tuous Petitions,  wherein  this  Parliament  declares  it  to  be  the  privilcdge  of  the  Subjett  to  com- 
plain, remonflrate  Petition  to  King  or  Parliament,  or  to  advife  with  any  Member  of  Par- 
liament, for  the  altering  of  any  thing  ami fs  in  the  Government  of  Church  or  State,  Efla- 
blifhed  by  Law.     If  Endeavour  be  taken  in  its  Latitude,  it  is  a  perfetl  contradiction  to 
this  Law.     3.  The  Tefiimonies  of  fever  al  Members  of  both  Houfes,  who  afflur edits  that  m 
the  rebate,  this  was  the  declared  Senfe  of  the  Parliament.  Sir  Heneage  Finch  told  me  the 
intention  of  it  was  only  to  have  fecurity  from  us,  without  any  refpett  to  our  Judgments  con- 
cerning the  Government,  that  we  would  not  diflurb  the  Peace,  and  that  it  was  impofed  at 
this  Seafon,    m  regard   of  our  Wars  with  France  and  Holland.     He  addeH,  it  was  a 
teflera  of  our  Loyalty,  and  thofe  who  refufed  it,  would  be  looked  on  as  Perfons  referving 
themfelves  for  an  Opportunity.     My  Lord  Chamberlain  faid,  the  Bifhop  s  of  Canterbury 
and  Wiftchefter  declared,  it  only  excluded  Seditious  Endeavours  ;  and  upon  his  urging 
that  it  might  be  expreffed,  the  Arch  Bifhop  replyed,  It  fhould  be  added ;  but  the  King  being 
to  come  at  Two  of  the  Clock,  it  could  not, with  that  Explication  befent  down  to  the  Houfe  of 
Commons, and  returned  up  again  within  that  time.  The  Bifhop  of  Exeter  told  ZV.Tiilotfon, 
That  the  fir  ft  Draught  of  this  Oath  was  in  Terms  a  Renunciation  of  the  Covenant ;  but  it 
xo As  anfwered^  they  have  fuffered  for  that  already,  and  that  the  Miniflers  would  not  recede, 
it  was  therefore  reafonable  to  require  fecurity  in  fuch  Words,  as  might  not  touch  the  Cove- 
nant.    4.  The  concurrent  Opinion  of  the  Judges,  who  are  the  Authorised  Interpreters  of 
Law,  who  declared  that  only  tumultuous  and  feditious  Endeavours  are  meant.     Judge 
Bridgman,  Twifden,   Brown,  Archer,  Windham,  Atkins,  who  were  at  London, 
had  agreed  in  this  Senfe.     Some  of  the  Miniflers  were  not  fatisfied,  becaufe  the  Opinion  of 
a  Judge  in  his  Chamber  was  no  Judicial  AH ;  but  if  it  were  declared  upon  the  Bench,  it 
would  much  re f  Ave  their  Doubts.     I  addreffedmy  Self  to  my  Lord  Bridgman,  and  urged 
him,  thatfince  it  was  a  Matter  ofConfcience,  and  the  Oaths  were  to  be  taken  in  the  greatefi 
fimplicity,  iie  would  fmcerely  give  me  his  Opinion  about  it.     He  profeffed  to  me,  that  t\x 
Senfe  of  the  Oath  was,  only  to  exclude  feditious  and  tumultuous  Endeavours,  and  faid, 
he  would  go  to  the  Sefftons,  and  declare  it  in  the  Court.     He  wrote  down  the  Words 
he  intended  to  (peak,  and  upon  my  declaring,  that  if  he  djid  not  exprefs  that  Qonly  feditious 
Endeavours^  were  meant,  I  could  not  take  the  Oath :  he  put  in  the  Paper  (before  me)  that 
word,  arid  told  me,  that  Judge  Keeling  was  of  his  Mind,  and  would  be  there,  and  be  kind 
to  lis.     The  Miniflers  efleemed  this  the  mofl  publick  Stitisfaclion  for  Confcitnce  and  Fame, 
and  fever  al  of  them  agreed  to  go  to  the  SeJJions?  and  take  the  Oath >9  that  hereby,  ifpojfiblt, 

they 


Part  III.     'Reverend  Mr.  ii  ichard  Baxter. 


5 


i 


they  might  vindicate  Pcligio:  from  the  Imitation  of FaBion  and  Rebellion,  and  make  it 
evident  that  Conferences  only  binder eth  their  Conformity.  So-ie  of  the  moft  unfatisfied  Were 
refolved  to  take  it.  We  came  in  the  afu.rnoon  on  Friday  to  the  Court ,  where  [even  Mini- 
/ten  bad  taken  it  in  the  Morning  :  At  our  appearance  ,  the  Lord  Bridgman  addre/l  him- 
felfto  us  in  thefe  Words :  Gentlemen ,  I  perceive  you  are  come  to  take  the  Oath  ! 
am  glad  of  it :  The  intent  of  it  is  to  diltinguilli  between  the  King's  good  Subjects 
and  thofe  who  are  mentioned  in  the  Act ,  and  to  prevent  Seditious  and  Tumultuous 
Endeavours  to  alter  the  Government :  Mr.  Clark  [aid  ,  in  this  Senfe  we  take  it.  Toe 
Lord  Keeling  [pake  mthjome  quichtefs  ,  Will  you  take  the  Oath  as  the  Parliament  hath  ap- 
pointedit.  I  reply  ed ,  AfyL&rd,  We  arc  come  hither  to  atteji  our  Loy.ly  i  and  to  declare 
■we  will  not  feditioufly  endeavour  to  alter  the  Government.  He  was  jilt:  i:  and  we  took  the 
Oath ,  being  13  in  number .  After  thus  the  Lord Keeling  told  as  ,  He  was  glad  that  fo 
many  had  taken  the  Oath}  and  with  great  vehemency  faid ,  We  had  renounced  the 
Covenant  ( in  two  Principal  Points )  that  damnable  Oath ,  which  Iticks  between  the 
Teeth  of  fo  many.  And  he  hoped ,  That  as  there  was  one  King ,  and  one  Faith ,  fo  there 
would  be  one  Government .-  And  if  we  did  not  Conform ,  it  would  be  judged  we  did  this  to 
five  a  flake.  Thefe  Words  being  uttered ,  after  by  bis  Silence  he  bad  approved  what  my 
Lord  B.  bad  [poke  of  the  S^nfc  of  the  Ail ,  and  our  exprefs  Declaration ,  that  in  that  Senfe 
we  took  it  ;  you  may  imagine  how  fwLr'u.ing  they  were  to  us :  It  was  not  pojfible  for  us  to 
recottett  our  felves  from  the  Confujion  which  this  cauj'ed ,  fo  as  to  make  any  repy.  We  re- 
tired with  fadnefs  ,  and  what  the  confluences  will  be ,  you  may  eafily  fore-fee.  Some  will 
rcflett  upon  us  with  fever ity ,  judging  of  the  nature  of  the  Attion  by  this  check  oj  Providence. 
Others  who  were  refolved  to  take  the  Oath ,  recoil  from  it;  their  jealoufies  being  increafed. 
Jfhall  trouble  you  no  longer,  but  affu:e  you  ,  That  notwitbjlanding  this  accident  doth  not 
invalidate  the  Reafons  for  the  lawfulnefs  of  it ,  in  our  apprebenfwns ;  yet  the  fore-' ight  of  this 
would  have  caufed  us  to  fufpend  our  proceedings.  The  good  Lord  fanttifie  this  Providence 
tow ,  and  teach  us  to  commit  our  dearefi  Concernments  unto  bim  ,  in  toe  performance  of 
our  Duty ,  to  whofe  Proteilion  I  commend  you ,  and  remain 

London ,  Feb.  22.  Yours  intirely, 

William  Bates. 

After  my  Lord  Keeling**  Speech ,  Sir  John  Babor  enquired  of  Lord  Bridgman, 
whilft  he  was  on  the  Bench ,  Whether  the  Minifters  had  renounced  the  Covenant  ? 
He  anfvver'd ,  the  Covenant  was  not  concerned  in.it.  Mr.  Calamy ,  Watfon  ,  Go'<gcy 
and  many  others ,  had  taken  the  Oath  this  Week ,  but  for  this  unhappy  Accident. 
My  Lord  Bridgman ,  came  to  the  Seffions ,  and  declared  the  Senfe  of  the  Oath ,  \\  ith 
my  Lord  Chancellor's  allowance. 

But  all  the  Reafons  contain'd  in  this  Letter ,  fcem'd  not  to  me  to  enervate  the  force 
of  the  fore- going  Objections ,  or  folve  the  Difficulties. 

§  24.  A  little  before  this ,  L.  B.  and  Sir S.  committed  fuch  horrid  wicked - 

nefs  in  their  Drinking  (  acting  the  part  of  Preachers ,  in  their  Shirts ,  in  a  Balconv, 
with  Words  and  Actions  not  to  be  named, )  that  one  (  or  both  )  of  them  was  openly 
cenfurcd  for  it  in  Weftminfter-lPall ,  by  one  of  the  Courts  of  Juftice.  (  You  will  fay, 
Sure  it  was  a  {hameful  Crime  indeed.)     And  Ihortly  after  a  Lightning  did  feize  on 

the  Church  where  the  Monuments  of  the were ,  and  tore  it ,  melted  the  Leads, 

and  brake  the  Monuments  into  fo  fmall  pieces ,  that  the  people  that  came  to  fee  the 
place ,  put  the  Scraps ,  with  the  Letters  on ,  into  their  Pockets ,  to  mew  as  a  Wonder, 
and  more  wonderful  than  the  confumption  of  the  reft  by  fire. 

§  25.  In  this  time  the  Haunting  of  Mr. Mompejfon's  Home  in  Wiltfhire ,  with  ftrange 
'•Noifes  and  Motions ,  for  very  many  Months  together ,  was  the  Common  Talk  -7  Of 
which  Mr.  Jof  Glanvil  having  wrote  the  Story ,  I  fay  no  more. 

§  26.  The  Number  of  Minifters  all  this  while ,  either  imprifoned ,  fined ,  or  other- 
,wife  atfli&ed  for  preaching  Chrift's  Gofpel ,  when  they  were  forbidden ,  was  fo  great 
that  I  forbear  to  mention  them  particularly. 

§  27.  The  War  began  with  the  Dutch  whom  the  French  afllfted. 

§  28.  The  Plague  which  began  at  Atton ,  July  29.  1665.  being  ceafed  on  March  1. 
following ,  I  returned  home ;  and  found  the  Church-yard  like^a  plow'd  field  with 
Graves ,  and  many  of  my  Neighbours  dead ;  but  my  Houfe  (  near  the  Church-yard ) 

"  uninfected 


16  The  L1F  E  of  the 


uninfected,  and  that  part  of  my  Family ,  which  I  left  there,  all  fafe ,  thro'  the  great 
mercy  of  God ,  my  merciful  Protertor. 

§  29.  About  this  time  the  French  furprized  St.  Chriftopbcrs ,  and  fome  other  of  our 
Plantations  in  the  Weft  Indies ,  and  the  Dutch  took  our  Plantation  of  Siranam.  And 
the  Wars  proceeding  nearer  home,  in  the  end  of  June  1666.  in  the  which  many 
were  kill'd  on  both  Tides ,  and  the  D.  of  York  fo  near  the  danger ,  as  that  he  ventur- 
ed himfelf  in  fight  no  more.  Among  ethers ,  the  E.  of  MarlboroUgh  being  flain ,  there 
was  found  about  him  a  Letter  written  to  Sir  Hugh  Pollard ,  Comptroller  of  the  King's 
Houlhold  •,  in  which  (being  awaken'd  by  Sea-dangers  )  he  difclaiin'd  Sadducifm ,  and 
pleaded  for  the  Soul's  Immortality  :,  which  was  Printed,  becaufe  being  intimate 
Friends  ,-they  were  both  before  fuppofed  to  be  Infidels  and  Sadducees ,  that  believed  no 
Life  after  this. 

§  30.  On  July  25.  was  the  2d  great  Sea-fight ,  in  which  the  tnglith  had  the  better : 
And  in  Auguft  we  feemed  to  prevail  yet  more  j  infomnch  that  Monk  was  laid  to  pro- 
ceed fo  far  as  to  enter  their  Harbour ,  and  burn  1 20  Ships  in  the  River ,  and  to  burn  a 
Thoufand  Honfes  on  the  Land,  and  give  the  Seamen  the  Plunder ^  for  which,  in 
the  end  of  Auguft  the  King  appointed  a  Day  of  Thaukfgiving  to  be  kept  in  London, 
which  was  done  ^  though  many  muttered ,  that  it  was  not  wifely  done ,  to  provoke 
the  Dutch ,  by  burning  their  houfes,  when  it  was  eafy  for  them  to  do  the  like  by  us,  on 
our  Sea-Coafts^  and  fo  to  teach  them  the  way  of  undoing  us,  while  neither  party 
gained  by  fuch  doings.     And  that  it  was  no  good  fign  of  future  profperity ,  when  thofe 
that  believed  not,  that  there  is  a  God ,  or  at  leaft  that  his  providence  difpofeth  of  fuch 
things ,  would  give  God  folcmn  Thanks  for  an  unprofitable  burning  of  the  Houfes  of 
innocent  Proteftants.     And  our  Confidence  was  then  grown  fo  high ,  that  we  talkt  of 
nothing  but  bringing  down  the  Dutch  to  our  mercy  ,  and  bringing  them  to  Contempt 
and  Ruine :  But  our  Height  was  quickly  taken  down,  by  the  lofs  of  many  Hamborough 
fhips  firft ,  and  then  by  a  lofs  of  many  of  our  men,  in  an  Attempt  upon  their  Merchant 
fhips  in  the  Sound  at  Denmark ;  but  efpecially  by  the  firing  of  the  City  of  Lon- 
don. 

§31.  On  Septemb.  2.  after  midnight ,  London  was  fet  on  fire ;  and  on  Sept.  3.  the 
Exchange  was  burnt ;  and  in  Three  Days  almoft:  all  the  City  within  the  Walls ,  and 
much  without  them.    The  feafon  had  been  exceeding  dry  before ,  and  the  Wind  in 
the  E'aft ,  where  the  Fire  began.    The  people  having  none  to  conduct  them  aright, 
could  do  nothing  to  reiift  it ,  but  Hand  and  fee  their  Houfes  burn  without  Remedy  j 
the  Engine's  being  prefently  out  of  Order ,  and  ufelefs.     The  ftreets  were  crowded 
with  People  and  Carts ,  to  carry  away  what  Goods  they  could  get  out :  And  they  that 
were  molt  active ,  and  befriended  (by  their  Wealth)  got  Carts ,  and  faved  much  ^  and 
the  reft:  loft:  almoft  all.     The  Lofs  in  Houfes  and  Goods  is  fcarcely  to  be  valued :  And 
among  the  reft: ,  the  Lofs  of  Books  was  an  exceeding  great  Detriment  to  the  lntereft  of 
Piety  and  Learning  :  Almoft:  all  the  Bookfellers  in  St.  Paul's  Church-Yard  brought 
their  Books  into  Vaults  under  St.  Pauh  Church ,  where  it  was  thought  almoft:  impof- 
fible  that  Fire  fhould  come.     But  the  Church  it  felf  being  on  fire,  the  exceeding 
weight  of  the  Stones  falling  down  ,  did  break  into  the  Vault ,  and  let  in  the  Fire ,  and 
they  could  not  come  near  to  fave  the  books.     The  Library  alfo  of  Sion-Colledge  was 
burnt ,  and  moft  of  the  Libraries  of  Minifters ,  Conformable  and  Nonconformable, 
in  the  City  :,  with  the  Libraries  of  many  Nonconformifts  of  the  Countrey ,  which  had 
been  lately  brought  up  to  the  City.     I  faw  the  half  burnt  Leaves  of  Books  near  my 
Dwelling  at  Atton  fix  miles  from  London  •,  but  others  found  them  near  Wind/or ,  al- 
moft twenty  miles  diftant.     At  lad ,  fome  Seamen  taught  them  to  blow  up  fome  of 
the  next  Houfes  with  Gunpowder ,  which  ftopt  the  Fire.     And  in  fome  places  it  ftopt 
as  wonderfully  as  it  had  proceeded ,  without  any  known  Caufe.    It  ftopt  at  Holborn* 
Bridge ,  and  near  St.  Dunftan\  Church  in  Fleet-ftreet ,  and  at  Sepulchre's  Church  (when 
the  Church  was  burnt,  j  and  at  Chrift\  Church  (when  the  Church  was  burnt,)  and 
near  Alder  [gate  and  Cripplegate ,  and  other  places  at  the  Wall ,  and  in  Auftin  Friars  (the 
Dutch  Church  ftopt  it ,  and  efcaped,)  and  in  Bifbopfgate-ftreet  and  Leadenhall-ftreet ,  and 
Fenchurch-ftreet ,  in  the  midft  of  the  Streets ,  and  ihort  of  the  Tower ,  and  all  beyond 
the  River  (Southwark)  efcaped.     Thus  was  the  beft ,  and  one  of  the  faireft  Cities  in 
the  world  turn'd  into  Afhes  and  Ruines  in  Three  Days  fpace ,  with  many  fcore  Chur- 
ches ,  and  the  Wealth  and  Necelfaries  of  the  Inhabitants.    The  Number  of  Houfes  are 
recorded  by  others. 

§32. 


Part  HI.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


§  3;.   It  was  a  fight  that  might  have  given  any  Man  a  lively  fenfe  of  the  Vanity  of 
this  World,  and  all  the  Wealth  and  Glory  of  it,"and  of  the  future  conflagration' of  all 
the  World.     To  fee  the  Flames  mount  up  towards  Heaven,  and  proceed  fo  furi<  1 
ly  without  rcftraint :  To  fee  the  ftreets  filled  with  people  aftonifhcd,  that  had  fca 
fenfe  left  them  to  lament  their  own  calamity.     To  fee  the  fields  filled  with  i 
Goods,  and  fumptuous  Buildings,  curious  Rooms,  coftly  Furniture  and  Honlhold-Stuft: 
Yea,  Warehoufes  and  furnifhed  Shops  and  libraries,  &c  all  on  a  flame,  and  none  durft 
tome  near  to  receive  any  thing.     To  fee  the  King  and  Nobles  ride  about  the  ftre 
beholding  all  thefe  Deflations,  and  none  could  afford  the  leaft  Relief.    To  fee 
Air,  as  far  as  could  be  beheld,  fo  filled  with  the  fmoak,  that  the  Sun  mined  through  it, 
with  a  colour  like  Blood  ,  yea  even  when  it  was  fetting  in  the  Weft,  it  fo  appeared  to 
them  that  dwelt  on  the  Weft  fide  of  the  City.     But  the  dolefulleft  fight  of  all  was  af- 
terwards, to  fee  what  a  ruinous  confufed  place  the  City  was,  by  Chimneys  and  Stee- 
ples only  ftanding  in  the  midft  of  Cellars  and  heaps  of  Rubbilh-  fo  that  it.  was  hard 
to  know  where  the  ftreets  had  been.,  and  dangerous,  of  a  long  time  to  pafs  through  the 
Ruincs,  becaufe  of  Vaults,  and  fire  in  them.     No  man  that  teeth  not  fuch  a  thing,  can 
have  a  right  apprehenfion  of  the  dreadfulnefs  of  it. 

§  33.  The  Extent  of  the  Fire   (confuming  the  City  within  the  Walls)  calleth  to 
my  remembrance,  that  a  Fortnight  before,  one  Mr.  Caril,  a  Gentleman  of  a  great 
Eftate  in  Suffix,  and  faid  to  be  one  of  the  moft  understanding  and  fober  fort  of  Pa- 
pifts,  firft  fent,  and  then  come  to  have  vifited  mc,  as  earncftly  defiring  my  Acquaint- 
ance j  and  then  fent  me  a  Paper  to  anfwer,  being  Exceptions  againft  the  Preface  to 
my  book,  called,  The  -afe  Religion  •,  -written  by  one  that  profeffed  great  Refpeft  to 
me,  andadefire  to  debate thofe Controverlics  with  me-,  (and  it  proved  to  be  CreJJy, 
the  Champion  that  at  that  time  was  molt  forward  and  fuccefsful  in  Difputes.)     And  in 
that  Paper,  fpeaking  of  the  Pope's  Licenfing  Whore-houfes  at  Rome  ;  he  faith,  that  it 
.   is  worfe  in  London,  where  are  whole  ftreets  that  have  not  fo  much  as  the  Rebuke  of 
I  any  Penalty,  but  when  they  die,  the  Churchmen  bury  them  as  the  reft,   with  confi- 
\  dence,  that  God  in  mercy  hath  taken  to  himfelf  the  Souls  of  thofe  dear  Brethren  and  Sifters 
I  departed.     I  anfwered  his  Paper,  and  to  that  palfage  faid,  That  I  was  not  acquainted  in 
the  Suburbs  (towards  the  Court )  :  but  I  never  heard  of  any  fuch  thin:;  ^  and  if  he 
knew  it,  he  would  do  well  to  tell  the  Magiftrates  (who  know  it  n8t)  wha^  ftreets  thofe 
be:  But  for  the  City,  within  the  Walls,  my  Acquaintance  more  enabled  me  to  fay, 
that  I  did  not  believe  that  there  was  in  all  the  World  fuch  a  City  for  Piety,  Sobriety 
and  Temperance.     And  about  a  Fortnight  after,  that  part  was  burned,  and  the  reft, 
that  he  accufed,  did  efcape. 
§  34.  And  this  is  the  Third  terrible  Judgment  which  London  furfered,   fince  the 
I  King's  Return.     Firft,  many  fcore  of  their  Faithful  Teachers  were  filenced,  and  caft 
out,    and  afterwards  banifhed,  or  confined  Five  Miles  from  the  City  :  And  next,  in 
1665,  the  Plague  and  other  ficknefs  confumed  about  an  Hundred   Thoufand  :    And 
when  they  ;began  to  be  fetled  in  their  Habitations  again,  the  Flames  devoured   their 
Houfcs  and  their  fubftance.     And  it  is  not  hard  for  the  Reader  here  to  imagine  how 
nyThoufands  this  muft  needs  caft  into  utter  Want  and  Beggary. :  And  how  many 
Thoufands  of  the  formerly  Rich  were  difabled  from  relieving  them.     And  how  dole- 
ful the  Cafe  then  muft  needs  be,  wheu  good  people,  that  were  wont  to  relieve  others, 
re  caft  into  fuch  diftrefs,  and  few  able  to  help  them     And  at  the  fame  time  fo  ma- 
Hyndred  Families  of  filenced  Miniftcrsto  be  relieved,  that  looked  to  London  moft 
for  Help.  And  after  the  Fire  the  Charitable  were  difabled  ;  and  alfo  were  in  no  fmall 
ft  raits  when  they  had  a  littk  to  give,  between  the  Minifters  and  the  diftreiTed  Citi- 
j|ps,  whom  to  give  it  to  :  fuch  are  eafilier  heard  of  than  felt.     And  it  was  not  the 
part  of  the  Calamity,  that  when  people  faw  the  Number  of  the  indigent  to  be 
great,  that  when  they  had  done  their  belt,  it  feemed  as  if  they  had  done  nothing-, 
d  alfo  that  on  this  pretence,  other  lying  Beggars  pretended  themfelves  to  be  London- 
it  difcouraged  many  from  doing  what  they  could  and  ought. 
35,  Among  others,  the  Famoufeft  Perfon  in  the  City,  who  purpofely  addicted 
fell"  to  works  of  Mercy,  was  my  very  dear  Friend,  Mr.  Henry  Ajhurft,  a  Dra- 
(a  man  of  the  Primitive  fort  of  Chriftians  for  Humility,  Love,   Blamelefsnefs, 
.eeknefs,  doing  good  to  all  as  he  was  able,  efpecially  needy  filenced  Minifters  (to 
horn,  in  Lancqfhire  alone,  he  allowed  1 00  /.  per  Ann.  and  in  London  was  moft  famous 
for  their  fuccour),  and  doing  hurt  to  none.     His  care  now  was  to  folicit  the  Rich  a- 
broad,  for  the  relief  of  the  poor  horieft  Londoners  :  And  Mr.  Thomas  Gouge  (the  fi- 
lenced Minifter  of  Sepulchres  Parilh,  Son  to  Dr.  Will.  Gouge,  and  fuch  another  man, 

Cccc  whof 


18  I  be  L  I  FE  oj  the  Pare  III 

who  made  Works  of  Charity  a  great  part  of  thebufinefsof  his  Life,)  was  mad 

Treafrirer  :  And  once  a  Fortnight  they  called  a  great  Number  of  the  ne 

to  receive  their  Alms.     I  went  once  with  Mr.  /ifhurft  to  hi ;  Meeting,  to  give  the; 

Exhorration  and  Counfel,  as  he  gave  them  A'ms,  and  faw  more  caufe,  than.  I  was  fenfi- 

bit   of  before,  to  be  thankful  to  God,   that  1  never  mucji  needed  relief  from  o- 

thcrs. 

§  36.  It  was  not  the  lead  obfervable  thins  in  the  time  of  the  Fire,  and  after,  con- 
fidering  the  late  Wars,  and  the  multitudes  of  disbanded  Soldiers  and  the  greai 
and  difcontent  of  the  Londoners,  for  the  Silencing  and  Banifhing  of  their  Pa' 
that  yet  there  were  heard  in  the  time  of  their  Calamity,  no  paffionate  Wo 
difcontent  or  diihonour  againft  their  Governours,  even  when  their  Enemies  h  j 
oft  acenfed  them  of  feditious  Inclinations,  and  when  Extremity  might  poffibly 
made  them  defperate. 

§  37.    But  yet  alas !  the  Effect  of  all  thefe  dreadful  Judgments  was  not  fuch  as 
might  have  been  hoped  for,  but  ftill  one  Party  caft  all  the  Caufe  upon  another,  and 
the  two  Extreams  did  look  more  at  each  other's  Faults  than  at  their  own.    There  was 
no  confeffing  the  Sin  of  Perfecution,  or  filencing  Chrift's  Minifters  by  the  one  fide 
but  they  juftified  their  ways,  and  hated  thofe  that  differed  from  them,  as  much  as 
ever :  There  was  no  lamenting  the  Corporation  PERJURY  by  the  Citizens  that 
had  taken  the  Declaration  and  Oath,  and  had  fucceeded  them  that  were  put  out,  be- 
caufe  they  feared  an  Oath.     There  was  no  lamenting  former  Scandals,  Rebellions 
or  Divifions,  by  the  other  Extreme  -7  but  the  Dividers  cryed  out,  its  long  of  the  Per- 
fecutors,  and  the  perfecuters  cryed  out,  its  long  of  the  Schifmaticks,  and  it  is  God's  jui; 
Judgment  on  the  City,  that  hath  been  fo  much  again  ft  the  King  and  the  Bifhops 
God  would  not  pardon  them  tho  the  King  did:  So  that  while  each  fide  called  the  other 
to  repentance,  they  did  both  fly  from  repentance  more  and  more  :  And  if  there  were 
not  between  them  a  fober  party,  that  lamented  lin  moft  but  were  guilty  of  leaft.  We 
fhould  fee  no  Prognofticks  of  any  thing  but  utter  defolation. 

§  38.  The  great  talk  at  this  time  was,  Who  were  the  burners  of  the  Gty  ?  And 
there  came  in  fo  many  Teftimonies  to  prove  that  it  was  the  plotted  weapon  of  the 
Papifts,  as  caufed  the  Parliament  themielves  to  appoint  a  Committee  to  enquire  after 
it,  and  receive  info '"ma:' 00  :  Whereupon  a  Frenchman  f proved  a  Papift  at  lafl,  tho 
theprodi'Til  Son  of  a  rrencb  Proteftant)  confeft  openly  and  conftantly  to  the  laft,  that 
he  berian  the  nre,hired  to  it  by  another  French  PapiftCs.  debauch'd  fellow )that  was  gone: 
The  Man  was  fent  through  all  the  ruines,  and  fhewed  them  truly  the  houfe  which  he 
fired  (where  it  began),  which  then  the  Neighbours  themfelves  could  not  eafily  have 
done.     For  which  he  was  tryed  at  the  Seflions,  and  upon  his  conftant  ConfefTion  was 
condemned  and  hanged.     Sir  Robert  Brooks  being  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  abun- 
dance of  Teftimonies  were  received  -0  that  in  many  parts  of  the  City  men  were  feen 
to  caft  fire  balls  into  the  houfes ;  and  fome  ftrangers  taken  with  fiery  materials  in  their 
pockets  •  and  fome  that  were  taken  firing  houfes  were  brought  to  the  Guard  of  Soldi- 
diers,  and  to  the  Duke  of  Fork,  and  never  heard  of  afterward  :  With  more  fuch  mat- 
ter out  of  theCountrey  where  Divers  Fapifts  foretold  the  fire^  And  the  Teftimonies 
were  fhortly  after  Printed,  which  is  the  reafon  why  I  give  them  to  you  no  more  par* 
cularly.     And  many  ftories  go  about  with  very  credible  and  undenied  Reports,  that 
be  not  in  the  Printed  papers :  As  that  of  Sir  Francis  Peter  (a  Jefuited  Papift)  who  had 
Lodgings  in  Holborn,  next  to  a  houfe  that  had  ftood  empty  fince  the  plague  :  Where  a 
fmoak  breaking  out,  caufed  the  Lord  Cravan  and  the  Lord  Aftlcy  to  feek  to  qi 
the  fire  •,  but  they  were  fain  to  break  open  Sir  Francis  Peter's  Doors,  becaufe  he  would 
not  let  them  in :  And  afterward  he  defended  his  ftayers  with  his  fword,  and  wo; 
one  Man  before  they  could  apprehend  him  :  And  they  found  between  the  two  ! 
upon  the  Gutters,  a  fire  kindled  with  bed-mats  and  fuch  like  things,  which  they  put 
out :  But  the  matter  was  filenced  and  no  more  faid  of  it.     In  Shropjbirea  Papift  came 
to  Sir  Thomas  Wolrich,  and  took  his  Oath  that  one  of  the  Pendrifs  brethren  that 
hid  the  King  after  Worcefter  flight,  had  told  him  before,  that  London  would  be  fho 
burnt.     Many  other  fuch  teftimonies  were  given  in ;  but  it  c?me  to  nothing  ;  and 
Robert  Brooks  the  Chairman  of  the  Committeee,  went  fhortly  after  into  Franct , 
fie  was  ferryed  over  a  River  was  drowned  (with  his  Kinfman)  and  the  bufinefs  m 
:h  no  more.     So  that  the  difcontent ed  Citizens  feared  not  to  accufe  the  Courtiers, 
of  the  Papift s  in  the  plot  ^  the  rather  becaufe  that  fome  cryed  out  re- 
joycingly.     Now  the  Rebellious  City  is  ruined,'  the  King  is  abfolute,  and  was  never 
Kir  ;  till  now.    But  of  the  reft  I  refer  you  to  the  Printed  papers.  - 

§39- 


Part  i*f.         Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


§  39.  But  fomc  good  rofc  out  of  all  thefe  Evils :  The  Churches  being  burnt,  and 
i  Minifters  gone  (for  want  of  places  and  maintenance)  the  Nonconformifts 
were  now  more  1  efolved  than  ever,  to  preach  till  they  were  imprifoned  :  Dr.  Manton 
had  his  rooms  full  in  Covent-Garden;  Mr.  Thomas  Vincent,  Mr.  Thomas  Doolittle,  Dr. 
nncftcy,  Mr.  Wadsworth,  Mr.  ~  anoway  at  Fotherfrith,  Mr.  Chefter,  Mr.  Franklin, 
Mr.  Turner,    Mr.  Grimes,  Mr.  Nathaniel  Vincent,  Dr.  Jacomb,  (in  the  Countefs  of  £xc- 
H^s-  A/o«/f)  and  Mr.  Thomas  Watfon,  &c.  Did  keep  their  Meetings  very  openly,  and 
prepared  large  Rooms,  and  fome  of  them  plain  Chappels,  with  Pulpits,  Seats,  and 
Galleries  for  the  reception  of  as  many  as  could  come.     For  now  the  peoples  neceflity 
leftionable:  for  they  had  none  other  to  hear,  faving  a  few  Churches  that  could 
hold  derablc  part,  of  the  people:  So  that  to  forbid  them  now  to  hear  the 

jS'oncon forn lifts,  was  all  one  as  to  forbid  them  all  publick  worfhiping  of  God,  and  to 
Command  tlicm  to  forfakc  Religion  and  to  live  like  Athcifts :  And  thus  to  forbid 
them  to  fcek  for  Heaven  when  they  had  loll;  almoft  all  that  they  had  on  Earth,  and  to 
{a  c  from  them  their  fpiritual  Comforts,  after  all  their  outward  Comforts  were  gone, 
they  thought  a  Cruelty  fo  barbarous,  as  to  be  unbefeeming  any  Man,  that  would  not 
own  himfelf  to  be  a  Devil.  But  all  this  little  moved  the  Ruling  Prelates,  faving  that 
ftvunc  reltrained  them  from  imprifoningthePreachersfo  hotly  and  forwardly  as  before. 
The  Independents  alfo  fet  up  their  Meetings  more  openly  than  before  ;  efpecially. 
Ifot.  Griffiths,  Mr.  Brooks .Mr.  Cafyl,  Mr.  Barker,  &c.  And  Dr.  Owen  fwho  had  before 
kept  far  off)  and  Mr.  Pmlip  Nic,  and  Dr.  Thomas  Goodwin,  who  were  their  Leaders, 
came  to  the  City.  So  that  many  of  the  Citizens  went  to  thofe  Meetings  called  pri- 
vate, more, than  went  to  the  publick  Parifh  Churches. 

$  40.  Yet  at  the  lame  time  it  happily  alfo  fell  out  that  the  Parifh  Churches,  that 
ifrere  left  Handing,  had  the  bed  and  ablcft  of  the  Conformifts  in  them ;  efpecially 
Dr.  ^tillin^fleet,  Dr.  Tillo'fon,  Mr.  White,  Dr.  Outram  Dr.  Patrick,  Mr.  Gijford,  Dr. 
tchcot,  Dr.  Norton,  Mr.  Neft,  &c.  So  that  the  moderate  fort  of  the  Citizens,heard 
either  fort,  in  publick  and  private  indifferently  ;  Whilft  thofe  on  the  one  extreme 
coached  all  Mens  preaching  fave  their  own  as  being  feditious  Conventicles  ^  And 
thofe  on  the  other  extreme,  would  hear  none  that  did  Conform  •  Or  if  any  heard 
them,  they  would  never  joyn  with  them  in  the  Common  prayers  nor  the  Sacra- 
ments. 

§  41 .  Mr.  Philtp  Nye  before  this  (feeing  the  Independents  like  to  fall  under  the 
greater  fufferings,  if  they  refufed  to  hear  in  publick  J  had  written  a  Manufcript  to 
prove  it  lawful  to  hear  Conformable  Parifli  Minifters  (but  not  mcdling  with  Com- 
mon Prayer  or  Sacraments).     (For  before  the  Wars  in  r  639  or  1 640  he  and  Mr.  Tho- 
mas Goodwin,  had  fall'notf  from  hearing  or  joyning  in  Common  Prayer  and  Sacra- 
ments with  the  Parilhes,  and  my  Lord  Say  and  Mr.  Pirn  and  fome  others  had  got  them 
to  a  difpute  with  Mr.  John-  Ball,  the  Nonconformift  who  as  fame  faith,  utterly  baffled 
them).     But  when  Mr.  Nyeys  Manufcript  came  out,  one  Mr.  Stoncham  of  their  own 
party  confuted  it,  maintaining  that  to  hear  the  Conformable  Minifters  was  a  fin. 
And  before  that  a  Pamphlet  came  out  in  M\\JohnGoodwincs  name  before  his  death,  to 
prove  Prelatical  Preachers  to  be  no  Teachers  or  Minifters  of  Chrift,  and  the  Com- 
mon Prayer  to  be  Idolatry :  And  a  fharper  than  that  to  the  fame  purpofe  came  out 
from  a  youne  hot  fifth  Monarchy  Preacher  of  \V0rccftcrJl2ire  called  Mr.  Brown.    Which 
Mr.   ''John  Tomhs  the  Anabaptift  anfwered,    proving  Pari(h  Communion  lawful. 
To  which  Brown  largely  replyed,  and  Mr.  Tombes  made  fome  fiiort  defence. 

§  .;-?.  About  this  time  they  renewed  the  talk  of  liberty  of  Confcience  ( for  their 
ordinal  y  e  ids,  to  keep  people  in  hopc>)  :  Whereupon  many  wrote  for  it  (efpecially 
fun/frees  and  Sir  Charles  Wolfley),  and  many  wrote  againft  it,  as  Dr.  Perin- 
A  others  moftly  without  Names ;  for  the  Conformifts  were  now  grown  fo 
harden      as  not  only  to  do  all  themfclvcs  that  was  required  of  them,  but  alfo  to 
think  .  it  for  the  whole  jMiniftcrial  work  through  the  Land,  and  not 

oaly  to  confent  to  their  filencingaf  their  brethren,  but  alfo  to  oppofe  their  reftituti- 
01,  an  moft  vehemently  againft  it,  and  againft  any  toleration  of  them  :.  So 

little  do  m  know  when  they  once  enter  into  an  Evil  way,  where  they  fhall  liop. 
Not  that  it  was  fo  with  all,  but  with  too  manv,  efpecially  with  moft  of  the  young 
men,  tl  •  of  pregnant  wits,  and  ambitious  minds,  and  had  fet  themfelvesto 

feck  preferments. 

§  43.  On  which  accounts  agreat  part  of  thofe  that  were  called  Latitudinariansbz- 
gan  to  change  their  temper,  and  to  contract  fomc  malignity  againft  thofe  that  were 
much  more  Religion?'  than  themfelves.     At  firffc  thev  were  onlv  Cambridge  Arminu 

Cccc  z  ans, 


2 o  'J be  L  1  FEoj  tbe  Part  HI. 


ans,  and  fome  of  them  not  fo  much  ;  and  were  much  for  new  and  free  Philofophy  and 
efpecially  for  Cartes  ;  and  not  at  all  for  any  thing  Ceremonious :  But  being  not  fo  ftridt 
in  their  Theology  or  way  of  piety  as  fome  others,  they  thought  that  Conformity  was 
too  fmall  a  matter  to  keep  them  out  of  the  Miniitry.  "  Rut  aft  rwirds  many  of  thenx 
grew  into  fuch  a  diflafte  of  the  Wcaknefs  of  many  ferious  Chriftians,  who  would 
have  fome  harm  phrafes  in  Prayer,  Preaching  and  difcourfe,  that  thence  theyfeem- 
edto  be  out  of  Love  with  their  very  Doclrines,  and  their  manner  of  worship- 
ing   God:  Of  which  more  anon. 

§  44.  In  June  166*7.  the  Dutch  came  up  the  River  of  Tliamcs^  and  Sir  Edward 
Spragi  a  P^pift?  tnat  was  Governour  of  our  Fort  at  Sbeermfs  had  not  fortifyed  it 
and  deferted  it  ;  And  fo  they  came  up  to  Chatham,  and  burnt  fome  of  our  greateft 
Ships,  and  took  away  fome,  while  we  partly  lookt  on,  and  partly  refilled  to  no  great 
purpofe.  And  had  they  but  come  up  to  London,  they  might  have  done  much  more. 
This  call  us  into  a  great  confirmation. 

§  45.  At  this  time  the  King  came  in  perfon  among  the  Citizens,  to  perfwade  them 
not  to  defert  him,  and  made  a  Speech  to  them  at  Tower- Hill  (not  here  to  be  recited) : 
And  he  had  now  great  Experience  of  the  Loyalty  of  the  Citizens,  who  after  fuch 
fufferings,  and  under  fuch  prefliires  in  matters  of  Confcience,  and  of  worldly  Intereft 
even  in  fuch  extremity,  were  neither  proved  to  do  01:  fay  any  thing  that  was  contrary 
to  their  fidelity  to  the  King. 

§  46.  The  firing  of  London  (which  was  mofl  commonly  fuppos'd  to  be  done  by  the 
Papiits,  and  the  Wars  with  the  French,  did  raife  greater  Jealouiies  of  the  Papifts  thaa 
had  appeared  before  ^  fothat  weekly  News  came  to  London  from  many  Counties,  that 
the  Papifts  were  gathering  Horfe  and  Arms,  and  that  fome  of  them  had  got  Troops 
under  pretence  of  the  1  tlitia  or  Volunteers  to  be  ready  for  our  defence.  The  Parlia- 
ment hereupon  declared  themfclves  more  againfl  them  than  was  expe&ed  ;  which 
greatly  troubled  the  Paptfis.  Tbe  Royalifls  in  many  Countries  were  almofl  ready  to 
oifarm  them  ;  efj^ecially  the  E.  of  Dcr^y  in  Lancafmre,  was  w holly  true  to  theProte- 
ilant  Intereft.  Whereupon  the  Pap  ft  s  thought  it  policy  to  live  more  privately,  and 
to  ceafe  their  oftentation,  and  to  obfeure  their  Arms  and  Strength,  and  to  do  their 
work,  in  a  more  fecret  way.  And  fome  of  them  Printed  an  Addrefs  to  the  Royalifls, 
to  plead  kindnefs  and  affinity  of  difpofitions  with  them,  telling  them  that  they  hoped 
that  they,  that  had  fought,and  fuffbred  in  one  caufe  for  the  King,  againfl  the  Puritans^ 
fhould  have!  continued  in  the  fame  Union  and  Kindnefs,  and  that  they  would  not  have 
been  fo  much  againfl  them :  This  was  anfwered  folidly  by  Dr.  Lold.  And  doubtlefs 
the  Papifts  had  never  fo  great  a  dejection  and  difappointment  fince  the  King  came  in. 
For  they  feemed  to  think  that  the  Parliament  and  Royalifls  had  been  fo  diftra&ed  with 
malice  and  revenge,  againfl  the  Puritans,  as  that  they  would  have  been  content  that 
London  was  burnt,  and  would  have  done  any  thing  that  they  would  have  them,  even 
againlt  themfelves,  their  Countrey,  their  Religion  and  Poflerity,  fo  it  had  but  favour- 
ed of  that  revenge.  But  it  proved  otherwifr. 
•  §  47.  Whileft  that  all  thefe  Calamities,  efpecially  our  lofs  and  difgrace  by  the 
Dutch,  mufl  be  laid  on  fome  or  other,  the  Parliament  at  lafl  laid  all  upon  the  Lord 
Chancellor  Hide  -7  And  the  King  was  content  it  mould  be  fo.  Whereupon  many 
Speeches  were  madeagainil  him,  and  an  Impeachment  or  Charge  brought  in  againff 
him,  and  vehemently  urged  -0  and  among  other  things,  that  he  counfelled  the  King 
to  Raileby  an  Army  (which  many  thought,  as  bad  as  he  was,  he  was  the  chief  means 
of  hindering,)  And,  to  be  fhort,  when  they  had  firfl  fought  his  Life,  at  lafl  it  was 
concluded  that  his  banifiiment  mould  fatisfy  for  all  :  And  fo  he  was  banifhed  by  an 
Aft,  during  his  Life.  Thefaleof  Dunkirk  to  the  French,  and  a  great  comely  Houfe 
v* hich  he  had  new  built,  increafed  the  difpleafure  that  was  againfl  him  :  But  there 
were  greater  Gatifes  which  I  mufl  not  Name. 

■  §  48.  And  it  was  a  notable  providence  of  God,  that  this  Man  that  had  been  the 
grand  Inftrument  of  State,  and  done  almoil  all,  and  had  dealt  fo  cruelly  with  the 
Nonconfcrmifls  fhould  thus  by  his  own  friends  be  cafl  out  and  banifhed,  while  thofe 
tltet  he  bad  perfecuted  were  the  mofl  moderate  in  his  Caufe,  and  many  for  him.  And 
it  was  a  great  eafe  that  befell  good  people  throughout  the  Land  by  his  de- 
letion. For  his  way  was  to  decoy  men  into  Confpiracies ,  or  to  pretend 
plots,  and  when  upon  the  ru.mour  of  a  plot  the  innocent  people  of  ma- 
ny Countries  were  laid  in  prifon,  fo  tltat  no  man  knew  when  he  was  fafe.  Whe 
i nice  then,  tho  Laws  have  b'een  made  more  and  more  fevere,  yet  a  Man  knoweth  a 

le  better  what  to  expec%  when  it  is  by  a  Law,  that  he  is  to  be  tryed.    And  i 

nota- 


Part  III.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


21 


notable,  that  he,  that  did  fo  much  to  make  the  Oxford  Lav/  for  banifhing  Minifters 
from  Corporations  that  took  not  that  Oath,  doth  in  his  Letter  from  France  fince  his 
baniihment  fay,  that  he  never  was  in  favour  iince  the  Parliament  Sat  at  Oxford. 

§  49.  Before  this  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  being  the  head  of  his  Adversaries,  had 
been  overtopt  by  him,  and  was  fain  to  hide  himfelf,  till  the  Dutch  put  us  in  fear,  and 
then  he  appeared  and  rendered  himfelf,  and  went  prifoner  to  the  Tower  •  but  with  fo 
great  Acclamations  of  the  People  in  the  Streets  as  was  a  great  Difcouragement  to 
tli  j  Chancellor  :  And  the  D.  of  Buckingham  was  quickly  fet  at  liberty.  Whereupon 
as  the  Chancellor  had  made  himfelf  the  head  of  the  Preiatical  party,  who  were  all  for 
fetting  up  themfelves  by  force,  and  fuffering  none  that  were  againft  them  1  fo  Buck- 
ingham would  now  be  the  head  of  all  thofe  parties,  that  were  for  liberty  of  Confci- 
ence :  For  the  Man  was  of  no  Religion,  but  notorioufly  and  profefledly  luftfi.il  ,  And 
yet  of  greater  wit  and  parts,  and  founder  Principles  as  to  the  intereft  of  Humanity 
and  the  Common  good,  than  moil  Lords  in  the  Court.  Wherefore  he  Countenanced 
Fanaticks  and  Sectaries  among  others,  without  any  great  fufpicion,  becaufe  he  was 
known  to  be  fo  far  from  them  himfelf.  Though  he  marryed  the  Daughter  and  only 
Child  of  the  Lord  Fairfax,  late  General  of  the  Parliament's  Army,  and  is  his  heir 
hereby,  yet  far  enough  from  his  mind  7  but  yet  a  defender  of  the  PrivHedges  of  Hu- 
ity. 
§  50.  Before  this  alfo  the  Earl  of  Bri/iol  had  attempted  to  pull  down  the  Chancel- 
lor, and  to  bring  in  a  Charge  againft  him  into  the  Parliament  -.  But  the  King  foon 
quelled  him  ;  And  being  a  Papiji ,  he  hath  lain  latent  or  quiet  ever  tince, 
as  unfit  to  appear  in  publick  bulmefles  7  And  Buckingham  performed  the 
Work. 

?  §  51.  In  Oclober  following  the  Parliament  gave  thanks  to  the  King  for  removing 
the  Lord  Chancellor :  But  they  were  vehement  in  fee  king  an  account  of  the  Moneys 
which  have  been  granted  for  the  publick  fcrvice,  and  alfo  to  have  an  account  of  the  bu- 
!  iinefs  at  Chatham,  by  whofe  fault  it  was  that  the  Dutch  were  unrefifted  and  furprized 
our  fhipping :  And  Committees  were  appointed  for  thefe  purpofes,  and  a  great  deal 
of  talk  and  ftir  was  made  about  them  for  a  long  time^  but  they  could  never  attain 
their  ends 7  but  they  that  were  faulty  had  friends  enow  to  procure  their  fecurity  • 
And  tho  the  Parliament  grudged  at  it,  and  ibmetimes  talkt'high,  yet  this  made  no  al- 
teration in  our  A  ftai rs. 
§  52.  One  notable  disadvantage  which  we  had  by  the  Dutch  attempt  was,  that  it 
v  down  our  new  raifed  hi-land  <ouldicrs  into  Kent  towards  Shernefs7  where  the  un- 
healthful  Air  cift  fuch  abundance  of  them  into  ficknefs,  and  kill'd  fo  many,  as  greatly 
weakened  many  7  Divers  of  the  molt  forward  Gentlemen  of  the  Countrey  there  loft 
their  Lives ;  And  thus  we  have  taught  an  Enemy  how  to  undoe  us,  if  he  can  but  force 
mtoYseponv  Inland-Soldiers  who  are  not  ufed  to  that  Air,  about  the  mouth  of  the 
Thames  ;  their  bodies  are  no  more  able  to  endure  it,  than  if  it  were  the  mortallefi  of 
our  Foreign  plantations. 

5  3.  But'the  great  ftir  of  thefe  Times  was  about  Money :  The  Parliament  faid,thac 
never  had  the  like  fumms  been  laid  on  the  fubjects  of  this  Land}  and  that  the  old 
way  of  payments  by  five  or  fix  fubfidies  at  a  time,  was  fuch  a  trifle  in  Comparifon  of 
tliis,  as  that  it  would  be  fcarce  obfervable :  After  many  vaft  funis  granted  by  way  of 
Land-Taxes,  Royal  Aid,  Foil-money,  &c.  there  was  fetled,  for  continuance,  the 
Chimney-money,  and  feveral  Excifes,  and  the  Cuftoms,  and  the  Wine-Tax  for  a  li- 
mited Time,  &c.    But  all  was  fo  much  too  little,  that  more  was  ftill  needed  and  de- 
eded.   The  Countrey-people  cried  out,  We  are  undone.    The  Tenants  at  Will  did 
fo  many  of  them  give  up  their  Farms,  that  the  Gentlemen  cried  out,  If  we  have  any . 
more  Land-Taxes,  we  are  undone.     What  the  People  faid  of  the  Parliament,  and  what 
of  the  Court,  and  what  of  the  Bifhops,  and  what  of  the  Women,  I  fhall  not  write  : 
But  Lofers  and  fuffcrers  will  take  leave  to  talk.     But  the  Parliament  grew  more  ur- 
gent to  have  an  account  of  the  moneys,  as  not  believing  that  it  was  pofliblc  fairly  to 
expend  10  much.     The  Perfons  that  were  made  a  Committee  for  examining  Accounts, 
were  very  eminent  for  Ability,  and  Impartiality,  and  fincerity  -,  (Mr.  William  Pier- 
pint,  the  Lord  Br  iter  ton,  Col.  Thompfon,  and  abundance  more)  They  laid  the  great 
blame  on  Sir  Geo.  Carter et,  Treafurer  for  the  Navy  ■    He  was  accufed  deeply  in  the 
i  Houfe  of  Commons :  He  excufed  himfelf  by  laying  much  on  the  King's  Privy-feais : 
The  Parliament  faid,  that  thofe  Moneys  were  not  to  have  been  laid  out  on  private 
Ufes.     After  long  time,  the  King  and  Council  called  the  Lord  Bruertm,  Col.  Thom- 
son, and  fome  others,  and  iharply  rebuked  them,  as  injurious  Perfons.  and  fuch  as 

fdUght 


2 4  'I he  LI   F  E  of  the  Parr  III. 


;r,cvc!>  :  We  askt  him,  Whether  it  v,  that  wc  fl.ould  offer 

our  Opinion  of  the  means,  or  only  receive  what  he  offered  to  us.     !  !e  told 
Thai  fomewhat  to  offer  to  us  •  but  we  might  alfo  otfli  our  own  to  him,  I  told 

him,  That  I  did  think  we  could  offer  fuch  Terms,  no  way  injurious  to  the  welfare 
of  any,  which  might  take  in  both  Presbyterians  and  Ind<  ,,  and  all  found 

Ghriftians,  into  the  Publick  Eftablifhed  Mmilfry.    He  anfwerea,  That  that  was  a 
thing  thai  he  would  not  have;  but  only  a  Toleration  for  the  reft.     Which  bei 
none  of  our  bufinefs  to  debate,  we  defired  him  to  confult  fuch  perfons  about  it,  as 
were  concerned  in  it.    And  fo  it  was  agreed,  that  we  mould  meddle  with  the  Com- 
prehension only.     And  a  few  Days  after  he"  lent  us  his  Propofals. 

§  64.  When  we  fawthe  Propofals,  we  perceived  that  the  bufinefs  of  the  Lord 
Keeper,  and  his  way,  would  make  it  unfit  for  us  to  debate  fuch  Cafes  with  himfelf : 
And  therefore  we  wrote  to  him,  requefting,  that  he  would  nominate  Two  Learn- 
ed peaceable  Divines  to  treat  with  us,  till  we  agreed  on  the  fittcft  Terms  ;  and  that 
Dr.  Bates  might  be  added  to  us.  "He  nominated  Dr.  Wilkms  (who  we  then  found  was 
the  Author  "of  the  Propofals,  and  of  the  whole  bufinefs,  and  his  Chaplain,  Mr. 
Burton.  And  when  we  met,  we  tendered  them  fome  Propofals  of  our  own,  and  forne 
Alterations  which  we  defired  in  their  Propofals  (for  they  prefently  rejected  ours,  and 
would  hear  no  more  of  them :,  fo  that  we  were  fain  to  treat  upon  theirs  alone.  J 
§65.  The  Copy  of  what  we  offered  them  is  as  followeth. 

I.  That  the  Credenda  and  Agenda  in  Religion,  being  difiinguijhed^  no  Profeffion  of  Af- 
fent  be  required,  but  only  to  the  Holy,  Canonical  Scriptures  in  general,  and  to  the  Creeds  and 
36"  Articles  in  particular :  And  no  Or h,  Promife  or  Confent  he  required,  fave  only  the  re- 
newing of  the  Covenant  which  in  Baptifm  we  made  to  God,  and  apvomife  of  Fidelity  in  our 
Mini  fry,  and  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy  to  the  King.  And  for  all  Icjfer  mat- 
ters, let  it  fuffice,  that  the  Laws  may  refrain  us  from  preaching  again ft  any  Lftablifhed  Do- 
ih'ine,  or  againft  Epfcopacy.  Liturgy  or  Ceremonies,  and  from  all  Male- Adminif  rations^ 
or  Church-Tyranny,  or  Injulice  about  the  Sacraments  ;  and  that  we  be  punifhabk  according  to 
the  quality  of  the  Offence. 

II.  The  Fire  having  now  caufed  a  Necejfity  of  many  more  publick  Affemblies  for  God's 
Worfirip,  befides  thofe  in  theyet  fianding  Parijh-Churches,  we  humbly  conceive  that  it  would 
much  conduce  to  the  re-edifying  of  the  Churches  and  City,  and  the  contenting  of  many,  and 
the  drawing  off  the  people  from  more  private  Meetings  •  if  a  competent  Nnmber  of  the 
Ruitfd  Cnurchcs  be  allowed  to  fuch  fiber  Proteftants,  as  will  repair  them,  with  the  fame  li- 
berty and  Security  for  pofjejfwn,  as  the  French  and  Dutch  in  London  have  their  Churches  - 
the  people  chufing  their  Paftors,  and  maintaining  them  :  Or  if  his  Ma)efifs  Bounty  allow 
them  any  Stipend,  that  none  have  that  stipend  whom  his  Majefty  approveth  not.  And  that 
the  Paftors  be  not  fuffered  to  introdnce  there  any  Herefie  or  Idolatry  •,  but  Jhall  preach  the  Do- 
clrine  of  the  facred  Scriptures,  not  oppofing  the  Doffrines  or  Orders  of  the  Church,  and 
(hall  worfhip  God  according  to  the  Liturgy,  or  the  AfJ'cmblycs  Directory,  or  the  Reformed  Li- 
turgy offered  by  the  Commijfioners  1660.  as  they  dejire. 

III.  1  hat  all  fuch  be  capable  of  Benefices,  who  fubferibe  and  [wear  as  is  af or ef aid,  and 
ig  of  Competent  Abilities,  Jhall  he  lav. fully  Ordained;  or  if  already  ordained,  are  con- 
firmed by  the  late  Ail,  or  Jhall  be  confirmed  by  any  Commiffioned  by  his-  A  'ajefty ;  they  being 
obliged  fome  time  to  read  the  Liturgy,  and  fiometimes  to  adnimfitr  the  Sacrament  accord* 
in?  to  it  (abating  the  Ceremonies).  And  to  be  often  prcfint  when  it  is  read  ;  which  fhall 
be'ordinarily  or  conftantly  done  ;  and  the  Sacrament  adminiftred  as  oft  as  is  required  by  Law, 
byhbrfitlf,  or  fome  other  allowed  Mini  ft  er.  And  that  thofe  who  will  only  fubferibe  and 
i'rrear  as  vs  abovefaid,  being  ordained  alfo  as  aforcfaid}  but  cannot  fo  far  conform  to  the 
Liturgy  may  b'e  allowed  to  preach  and  Catechise  tublickly,  as  Lellv.rers,  or  Ajjifiants  to  fomt 
others  ;  and  to  have  fuch  further  Liberty  about  the  Sacraments,  as  by  jujl  Regulations  Jhal 
be  made  fife  to  Religion  and  the  publick  peace.  ■ 

There  is  another  way  which  would  fatUfie  almoft  all ;  by  allowing  each  party  fuch  a  Mini 


AJJift  ant  fhall  be  maintained  by  ihemfelves-.funlefs  the  Incumbent  will  voluntarily  contr 

butt 


s 


art  II L  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.         "25 

1  '"  ~—~     — — ■ — . , — . — _____ 

)^    'nd  fljall  off  day  one  half ''of  the  Day,  as  the  Incumbent  dotk.  the   other,     having 
\  \eav%  fa  do  it  according  to  the  forefaid  Directory,  or  the  Additional  Liturgy  offered  1660. 
{or  atkjfl  to  have  the  utfi  of  the  Church  at  fuch  Hours  as  the  Incumbent  doth  not  there  offi- 
ciate )':  The  people  receiving  the  Communion  from  each,    according  to  their  fever  al  Judg- 
ments.    And  though  fo  great  a  Rupture  as  ours  is,  cannot  be  cured  without  fome  inconveni- 
ences, which  may  be  here  objeSed,  yet  fuch  Laws  may  be  made  for' the  Regulation  of 
,  Liberty,  as may  reftrain  all  FacJiopt,  Contention,  ami  Mutual  Contempt,  of  Injures    and  c~ 
.  t\je  Naming  themfelves  Members  of  diftincl  Churches,  as  might  be/hewed. 

^  66.  The  Copy  of  the  Lord  Keeper's,  or  Dr.  Wilkins' 'sPropofals. 

In  order  to  Comprehenfion,  it  is  Humbly  Offered  .  ' 

■* 

1.  That  fuch  per  fins,  as  in  the  late  times  of  difirder  have  been  ordained  by  Presbyters-, 
pull  be  admitted  to  the  Exercife  of  the  Mtnijl  trial  Function,  by  the  Impofition  of  the  Hands 
of  the  Bi/bop,  with  this,  or  the  like  term  of  Words  :  £Take  thou  Authority  to  Preach  the 
Word  of  God,  and  to  Minifter  the  Sacraments  in  any  Congregation  of  the  Church  of 
England  where  thou  malt  be  lawfulljrappointed  thereunto  ]  An  Expedient  much  of 
this  Nature  was  prattifed  and  allowed  of,  in  the  Cafe  of  the  Qltharifts  and  Melefians  Vid 
%tb  Canon  Concil.  Nic.  fkfynodical  Epiftleof  the  fame  to  the  Churches  of  Egypt  Gelaftns 
Cyzicenus,  Hift.  Con.  Nic.  2d  part.  ? 

2.  That  all  per  fins  to  be  admitted  to  any  Ecclefiaftical  Euntlion,  or  Dignity  or  the  Em- 
ployment of  a  School-mafier  (after  the  Oaths  of  vfllegiance  and  Supremacy )  JJjall  (in  fie  id 
of  all  former  Subfiriptions")  be  required  to  fubferibe  this,  or  the  like  Form  of  Words  [I  A  B 
do  hereby  profefs  and  declare,  That  I  do  approve  the  Doctrines,  Worfhip  and  Go- 
vernment Eftablifhed  in  the  Church  of  England ;  as  containing  all  things  neceflary  to 
Salvation  ^  and  that  1  will  not  endeavour,  by  my  felf,  or  any  other,  diredtly  or  indi- 
rectly, to  bring  in  any  Doctrine  contrary  to  that  which  is  {6  Eftablifhed :  And  I  do 
hereby  promife,  That  I  will  corftinue  in  the  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England 
and  will  not  do  any  thing  to  difturb  the  Peace  thereof.  ' 

3.  That  the  Gejlure  of  Kneeling  at  the  Sacrament,  and  the  ufe  of  the  Crofs  in  Bapttfm 
and  bowing  at  the  Name  of  Jefus,  may  be  left  indifferent,  or  may  be  taken  away  as  ffjall  be 
thought  mojl  expedient. 

4.  Jhat  in  Cafe  it  be  thought  fit  to  review  and  alter  the  Liturgy  and  Canons,  for  the  fatbs- 
fattionof  Diffenters,  that  then  every  per  fin  to  be  admitted  to  preachy  fhall,  upon  his  Inftituti- 
on,  or  Admiffion  to  preach,  uponfome  Lord's  Day  {within  a  time  to  be  limited)  publickly  and 
fokmnly  read  the  f aid  Liturgy,  and  openly  declare  his  jifient  to  the  Lawfulnefs  of  the  ufe  of  it 
and /hall  promife,  That  it/hall  be  conftantly  ufed  at  the  time  and  place  accuftomed.  ,   ' 

In  order  to  Indulgence  of  fuch  Proteftants  as  cannot  be  comprehended  under  the 
publick  Eftablifhment,  it  is  Humbly  offered, 

1 .  That  fuch  Proteftants  miy  have  liberty  for  the  Exercife  of  their  Religion  in  publick  and 
at  their  own  Charges  to  build  or  procure  places  for  their  publick  Worfhip,  either  within  or  near 
Towns,  as  Jhall  be  thought  moft  Expedient. 

2.  That  the  Names  of  aU  fuch  per  fins  who  are  to  have  this  Liberty  be  Regifired,  together 
with  the  Congregations  to  which  they  belong,  and  the  Names  of  their  Teachers. 

3.  That  every  one  admitted  to  this  liberty,  be  difabled  to  bear  any  publick  Office,  (but /hall 
fine  for  Officers  of  Burden. 

4.  And  that  upon  /hewing  a  Certificate  of  their  being  lifted  among  thofe  who  are  indulged, 
they  /hall  be  freed  from  fuch  legal  penalties,  as  are  to  be  inflicled  on  thofe  who  do  not  frequent 
their  Parfh-Churches. 

5.  And  fuch  per  fins  fi  indulged  /hall  not  for  their  meeting  in  Conventicles  be  puni/hed 
by  Confifiation  of  Eftates.  ' 

6.  Provided  that  they  be  obliged  to  pay  0  publick  Duties  to  the  Parifh  where  they  inhabit 
under  penalty. 

7.  This  Indulgence  to  Continue  for  three  years. 


Dddd  That 


34 


I  he  L  iFEofWc  -  I  art  HI 


B 


That  the  Liturgy  may  be  altered  by  omitting, fyCt 

Y  ufmg  the  reading  Pfalms  in  the  New  Transition.  By  afooinim  fome  other  Lef  \ 
out  of  the  Canonical  Scripture  infteaa  of  thofe  taken  out  of  the  Apocrypha.  By  not 
enjoyning  God-fathers  and  God-mothers,  when  cither  of  the  parents  arc  ready  to  anfwvr  for 
the  Child.  By  omitting  that  claufe  in  the  Prayer  at  Bapt'ifn  [By  fptntual  Fegeneration.'] 
By  changing  that  Queftion,  wilt  thou  he  baptifed,  into,  Wilt  thou  have  this  Child  baptifed.} 
By  omitting  thofe  words  in  the  Thankjgiving  after  publick  and  private  baptifm  [To  regenerate 
this- Infant  by  thy  holy  Spirit,  and  to  receive  him  for  thy  Child  by  adoption,  s.nd  the  fir  ft 
*  Kubrick  after  baptifm,  It  is  certain  by  God's  word,  &c.  By  changing  thofe  words  in  the  Ex- 
hortation after  baptifm  [Regenerate  and  Graff ed  into  the  body~\  into  [Received  into  the  Church 
of  Chrift. ~]  By  not  requiring  reiteration  of  any  part  of  the  fervicc  alout  baptifm  in  publick 
when  it  is  evident  that-  the  Child  hath  been  lawfully  bq&L.ed  in  private.  By  omitting  thai 
Claufe  in  the  CollecJ  after  Lnpofition  of  hands  in  confirmation  [Sifter  the  Example  of  thy  ho- 
ly  Apoftles,and  to  certify  them  by  this  fign,  of  tl^avour,  andgfacious  goodnefs  towards 
them.~]  And  by  changing  thaf other  pajfagc  in  the  prayer  before  Confirmation  [who  haft 
vouchfafed  to  regenerate,  Sccf}  into  [who  haft  vouchfafid  to  receive  thefe  thy  fervants  into 
thy  Church  by  baptifm}.  By  omitting  that  claufe  in  the  Office  of  Matrimony  [with  my  body 
I  thee  worfhip}.  And  that  in  the  CoMl  [who  haft  confecrated,  &c.~\  By  allowing  Mini- 
fters  fome  liberty  in  the  vifitation  of  the  lick,  to  ufe  fuch  other  prayers  as  they  fhall  judge 
expedient.  By  changing  that  claufe  in  the  prayer  at  burial  [:  or  as  much  as  tt  hath  plea  fed 
Almighty  God  of  his  great  mercy  to  take  to  himfelf  c\C.]  into  [Forafmuch  as  it  hath  p'-afed 
Almighty  God  to  take  out  of  this  World  the  Soul,  &c.[]  And  that  claufe  [In  afure  and  cer- 
tain hope,  &c.3  in*0  Un  a  faU  ajfuranceof  the  refurrettion  by  our  Lord  '  efa;  Chrift,  who  is 
able  to  change  our  vile,  &c.  j  By  omitting  that  Claufe,  We  give  thee  hearty  thanks  for  that  it 
hathpleafed  thee  to  dehvtr  this  our  brother  out  of  the  miferies  of  this  finful  World.}  And 
that  other  [_As  our  hopes  is  that  our  brother  doth}.  By  changing  that  Claufe  in  the  Common 
feruice,  [our  finful  bodies  may  be  made  clean  by  his  body,  &c.J  into  [our  finful  Souls  and 
Bodies  may  be  cleanfed  by  his  precious  body  and  blood}.  By  not  enjoyning  the  reading  of  the 
Commination.  That  the  Liturgy  may  be  abbreviated  as  to  the  length  of  it :  Efpccia'.ly  as  tfr. 
morning-fervice  •  By  omitting  all  the  Refponfal  prayers  ffom  [O  Lord  open  thou  our,&c.~} 
to  the  Litany,  and  the  Litany  and  all  the  prayers  from  [Son  of  God  we  befeech  thee,  &c.}  to- 
[we  humbly  befeech  thee  O  Father,  &c.3  By  not  enjoyning  the  ufe  of  the  Lord's  Prayer  above 
once,  viz.  Immediately  after  the  abfolution,  except  after  the  Minifter's  Prayer  before  Sermon. 
By  yfmg  the  Gloria  Patri  only  once,  viz.  after  the  Reading  Pfalms.  By  omitting  the  ve- 
nite  exultemus,  unlefs  it  be  thought  fit  to  put  any  or  all  of  the  fir  ft  feven  among  the  fenten- 
ces  at  the  beginning.  By  omitting  the  Communion  fcrvice,  fuch  times  as  are  not  Communi-' 
on  Days ;  excepting  the  i  o  Commandments,  which  may  be  read  after  the  Creed  :  And  in- 
joyning  the  prayer,' Lord  have  mercy  upon  us,  and  incline  our  hearts  to  keep  thefe  I 
only  once  at  the  End.  By  omitting  the  Collects,  Epiftles  and  Gofpels,  except  on\y  on  par- 
ticular holidays.  By  inferting  the  prayers  for  the  Parliament  into  the  Litany  immediately 
after  the  prayer  for  the  Royal-  Family,  in  this  or  the  like  form  [That  it  may  pleafe  thee  to 
diretl  and  profper  all  the  Confultations  of  the  High  Court  of  Parliament,  to  the  Advantage 
of  thy  Glory,  the  good  of  the  Church,  the  fafety,  honour  and  welfare  of  our  Sovereign  and 
his  Kingdoms."}  By  omitting  the  two  hymns  in  the  Confecration  of  Bifhops,  and  the  Ordina- 
tion of  Priefts.  That  after  the  fir  ft'  Queftion  in  the  Catechifn,  [JVhat  is  your  JNan;e  ?} 
This  may  follow  [iVhen  was  this  Name  given  you  ?}  And  after  that  [IVhat  was  p-'omifid 
for  you  in  Baptifm  ?}  Anfwer  [Three  things  were  promifed  for  me,  &c.]  In  the  Queftion 
before  theCommandments  it  may  be  altered  [Toufaidit  was  promifed  for you,tkc.}  To  the  14  ( 
Qu.  [How many  Sacraments  hath  Chrift  ordained ?}  The  Anfwer  may  be  [Two only: 
Baptifm,  and  the  Lord's  Supper. 

% 
§  67.  Upon  Confutation  we  altered  their  paper  in  fome  things,  and  added  fome 
more  ffor  we  were  held  to  thofe  propofalsj  only  leaving  the  point  for  Toleration  to 
be  debated  with  our  Brethren  of  the  Congregational  way :  And  I  privately  a  ^mint- 
ed Dr.  Owen  with  the  fubftance  of  the  bufinefs,  and  confulted  him,  that  they  might 
not  fay,  we  neglected  them.  And  we  offered  them  the  following  form  whicn  was 
not  what  we  defired,  but  more  than  Dr.  Wilkins  farter  Bp.  of  Chcfttr)  would  grant 
us  ( Hill  profeifmg  himfelf  willing  of  more,  but  that  more  would  not  pafs  with  the 

Fir- 


Part  111.         Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.    ~*       ~ 

_  -    i    I,  * 

Pai  I  iament,  and  fo  would  frullratc  all  our  Attempts. )  "         " 

§  68.  The  paper  offered  by  us.  " 

J,  ^^^emYd^^y^i^f^^^  or  the  fnftdenteor  their  Sy- 
nods flail  be  inftituted,  and  authored  to  exercife  their  A  mifiryfand  admitted  to  Benefices ) 
thewn  tn  fitch ynanncr  and  lyfiwh  perfons  ashy  his  Mdje fly  fhall  be  thereto  appointed  by 
thts  form  and  words  alone  [Take,  &C.]  Provided  that  thofe  who  de fire  it,  have  leave  to 
give  mite*  profejfions  tout  they  renounce  not  their  Ordination,  nor  take  it  fir  a  utility  ■  and 
that  they  take  this,  as  the  /i.agifiram  Licenfe  and  Confirmation,  and  that  they 
be  not  contained  to  ufe  any  word;  tbemfetyes  which  .are  not  confident  with  thvtroMxon 

2    AU  perfons  to  be  admittedly  Ordination,  Injlitutton,  Licenfe,  or  otherwifl  into  any 
Eccleiiafticalfuntlion  and  dignity,  or  to  any  preferment  in  either  Vnivefity  or  to  the  Employ 
went  of  a  Schoolmafier,  fhall  fir  ft  take  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy    and  infiead 
of  all  other  Oaths,  Subfcripttons  and  Declarations  (except  the  Ancient  Vniverfity  Oath) 
Jhall  be  required  only  to  fubferibe  to  this  form  of  Words  :  '  ' 

J.  A.  B.  Do  hereby  profefs  and  Declare  my  unfeigned  affent  to  the  truth  of  all  the  holy 
Canonical  Scriptures,  and  to  the  Articles  of  the  Creed  land  to  the  Dotlrine  of  the  Church  of 
England  contained  in  the  36  Articles'}  or  [to  the  Dollrinal  part  of  the  39  Articles  of  the 
Church  ©/England]  or  [excepting  only  the  3  Articles  of  Ceremonies  and  Prelacy.}  And  I  do 
Uld  that  tbcDoOrineJVoijhip  andGovernment  there  ejlablifhed  doth  contain  all  things  absolutely 
neceffary  to  falvation :  And  I  will  not  knowingly  by  my  felf  or  any  other,  endeavour  to 
bring  in  any  Dotlrine  contrary  to  this  aforefaidfo  ejlablifhed.  And  it  is  my  true  Resolution 
to  hold  Communion  with  the  Churches  of  England,  and  faithfully  toprefcrve  the  peace  and 
bappm'Js  thereof. 

And  all  thofe  who  are  qualified  with  abilities  according  to  the  Law,  .and  take  the  Oaths  and 
Declarations  abovefaid  fhall  be  allowed  to  preach  Ledurcs  and.Occafion.il  Sermons  and  to 
,  Catechizje  and  to  be  prefented  and  admitted  to  any  Benefice,  or  to  any  Ecclefiafttcal  or  Acade* 
mical  promotions,  or  to  the  teaching  of  Schools. 

3.  Every  perfon  admitted  to  any  Benefice  with  cure  of  Souls i  fhall  be  obliged  himfelf,  on 
fame  Lord's  day,  within  a  time  prefxed  to  read  the  Liturgy  appointed  for  that  day  (when  it 
isfatisfadorily  altered),  and  the  greateft  part  of  it  in  the  mean  time,  and  to  be  often  prefent 
at  the  redding  of  it  and  fometimes  to  adminifter  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  accord- 
ing to  the  faid  Liturgies  ;  And  it  fbaU  by  himfelf  or  fome  other  avowed  Minifter  be  con- 
fiantly  ufed  in  his  Church,  and  the  Sacraments  frequently  adminiftred  as  is  required  by  the 
Law. 

4.  The  4th  was  againjl  the  Ceremonies  without  alteration,  in  their  own  words  Jave  about 
bowing  at  the  Name  iefus,  as  after. 

5.  No  Bifhop,  Chancellor,  or  other  Ecclefiajlical  Officers  fhall  have  power  to  filence  any 
allowed  Vintfter,  or  fufpend  him  ab  officio  vel  beneftcio,  arbitrarily,  or  for  any  caufe  with- 
out a  known  Law :  And  in  cafe  of  any  fuch  arbitrary  or  injurious  filencing  and  fufpenfion 
there  fhall  be  allowed  an  appeal  to  fome  of  his  AJa]eJlie>s  Courts  of  Jujlice,  fo  as  it  may  be 
profecuted  in  a  competent  time,  and  at  a  tolerable  expence,  being  both  Btfijops  and  Presbyters 
and  a.i  Ecclefiajlical  per  fans  are  under  the  Government  of  the  King,  and  punifhablc  by  him, 
for  grofs  and  injurious  male-adminiftrations. 

6.  Though  wc  judge  it  the  Duty  of  Miuifters  to  Catechize,  inftrutl,  exhort,  direft  and 
comfort  the  people  perfonaUy  as  well  aspublickly  upon  juft  occafion,  yet  left  a  pretended-  necejjity 
of  Examinations  before  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper;  or  an  unwarrantable  ftri&nefs 
fbould  introduce  Church-Tyranny,  and  wrong  the  faithful  by  keeping  them  from  the  Commu- 

r  ttion,  let  a:i  thofe  be  admitted  to  th  Communion  who  jince  their  Infant  baptifm  have  at  years 
{  of  difcretion  manifefted  to  the  Bifhop,  or  the  Minifter  s  of  the  Parifh  Church  where  they  live, 
.oierable  undtrftanding  of  the  Ejjential  points  of  Faith  and  Godlinefs,  that  is,  of  the  Bap- 
nal  Covenant,  and  of  the  nature  and  ufe  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  have  perfonaUy  owned 
before  them  or  the  Church,  the  Covenant  which'by  others  they  made  in  Baptifm,  profejjing  their 
Refolution  to  keep  the  fame,  in  a  Faithful,  Godly,  Righteous,  Charitable  and  Temporal  Life, 
and  are  not  fince  this  profejfion  revolted  to  Atheifm,  Infidelity,  or  Herefy,  (that  is  the  deny- 
ing of  fome  Ejjential  Article  of  faith)  and  live  not  impehitently  in  any  grofs  and  fcandalous 
fin  •   And  therefore  in  the  Rcgiftw  of  each  Parifh  let  all  their  Names  be  written,  who  have  ei- 
ther before  their  Confirmation  or  at  any  other  time  thus  underftandingly  owned  their  Baptifmal 
Covenant,  and  a  Certificate  thereof  from  the  Minifter  of  the  place  fhM  ferve  without  any 
further  examination,  for  their  admijjion  to  Communion  in  that  or  any  other  Parifh  Church 
where  they  fljall  after  live,  till  by  the  aforefaid  revolts  they  have  merited  their  fufpenfion. 

Dd4dJ  *" 


35 


5 6  The  LIFE  of  tie  Pan iil« 

7.  {Becaufe  in  marty  families  there  art  wine  who  can  redd  or  pr y,  or  .embran.e 

whj.t  iky  have  beard  to  edify  than  fives  and  fp end  the  Lords  day  in  holy  hxerafaj  in  I  many 
of  thefe  live  f>  fir  from  the  Church,  that  they  go  more  fell  reft,  and  there  fort 

have  treat  need  of  the  afjtftar.ee  of  their  Neighbours,  it  is  no:  to  be  taken  for  <?  Con 


yet  .„ 

them,  xvhm  they  are  in  fcknefs,  danger,  or  diftrefs,  tho  perfons  of  Jeveral  Families  jhall  be 

prefent.     '   ' 

8.  Whereas  the  Canon  and  Rubrick  forbid  the  ad'iijfion  of  notorious  fcandalous  fnntrs 
to  the  Lords  table,  be  it  enatled  that  thofe  who^.re  proved  to  deride  or  feorn  at  Clmjlianity, 
or  the  holy  Scriptures,  or  the  Life  of  reward  and  Tunijtynent,  or  the  ferious  praface  of  a 
Godly  Life,  and  ftricJ  obedience  to  Gods  Commands,  fhail  be  numbered  with  the  Scant 
finners  mentioned  in  the  Canon  and  Kubrick,  and  not  admitted,  before  repentance^  itu  the 
holy  Communion. 

§  69.  The  following  paper  will  give  you  the  reafons-of  all  our  alterations  of 
their  form  of  Words :  But  I  muft  add  this,  that  we  thought  not  the  form  of  Subicrip- 
tion  fufficient  to  keep  out  a  Papift  from  the  eftablilned  Miniftery  ( much  lefs  from  a 
Toleration,  which  we  medled  not  with  J.  '  And  here  and  in  other  alterations  I  bore 
the  blame,  and  they  told  me  that  no  Man  would  put  in  fuch  doubts  but  I.  And  I  will 
here  tell  Pofterity  this  Truth  as  a  Myftery  (yet  only  to  the  blindj  which  mvift  not 
now  be  fpoken,  that  I  believe  that  I  have  been  guilty  of  hindering  our  own  Liberties 
in  all  Treaties  that  ever  1  was  employed  in :  For  I  remember  not  one  in  which  there 
was  not  feme  crevice,  or  contrivance,  or  terms  offered,  for  fuch  a  Toleration,  as 
would  have  let  in  the  moderate  Pspifts  with  us :  And  if  we  would  but  have  opened 
the  Door  to  let  the  Papifts  ;n,  that  their  Toleration  might  have  been  charged  upon 
us ;  as  being  fdr  our  fakes,  and  by  our  requeft  or  procurement,  we  might  in  all  like- 
lihood, have  had  our  pait.  But  though,  for  my  own  part,  I  am  not  for  Cruelty 
againft  Papifts,  any  more  than  others,  even  when  they  are  molt  cruel  to  us,  but  could 
allow  them  a  certain  degree  ol  liberty,  on  Terms  that  ihall  fecure  the  common  FeaccL 
and  the  .People's  Souls ;  yet  I  lhall  never  be  one  of  them  that  by  any  renewed  pref- 
fures  or  feverities,  fhall  be  forced  to  petition  for  the  Papifts  liberty  •,  if  they  mull:  have 
it,  let  them  Petition  for  it  themfelves :  No  craft  of  Jefuits  or  Prelates,  Ihall  thunder 
me,  cudgel  me,  or  cheat  me  into  the  Opinion,  that  it  is  now  necefTary  for  our  own 
Miniftry,  Liberty,  or  Lives,  that  we,  I  fay,  we  Nonconformijis,  be  the  famed  In- 
troducers of  the  Papifis  Toleration  ^  that  fo  neither  Papifts,  nor  Prelattfts  may  bear 
the  odium  of  it,  but  may  lay  it  all  on  us.  God  do  what  he  will  with  us,  his  way  is 
bell,  but  I  think  that  this  is  not  hvs  way. 

§  70.  Upon  thefe  Alterations,  I  was  put  to  give  in  my  Reafons  of  them  ;  which 
were  as  followeth. 


The  Reafons  of  our  Alterations  of  your  Propofals. 

1 .  T  Pat  in  CPrefldents^  &c.  to  avoid  JDifpute,  whether  fuch  were  meer  Presbyters,  or 
A  (as  fame  think)  Bijhops.  2.  /  leave  out  Q  times  of  diforder,  ~]  becaufe  it  will  elfe 
exclude  all  that  were  Ordained  by  Presbyters  fmce  the  King  came  in.  3.  Lput  in  [  Inftitu- 
ted  and  Authorized^  to  intimate  that  it  k  not  an  Ordination  to  the  Minifiry  in  general, 
but  a  deftgnation  to  a  particular  Charge,  and  a  legal  Lictnfe,  &c.  4.  {_  By  fuch  as  by  his 
Majefty,  &cf\  becaufe  it  is  not  for  us  to  offer  our  f elves  to  a  Diocefans  Itnpofition  of  Hands 
in  that  manne-- ;  but  if  you  put  it  in  other  Words,  wc  cannot  help  it.  5.  There  are  three 
things  which  the  Nonconformifis  here  fcruple.  1 .  Renouncing  their  Ordination  ;  2.  Preordi- 
nation (which  is  like  Rebaptizjztion.)  3.  Owning  the  JDiocefan  Species  of  Prelacy;  (for  the. 
Presbyterians  art  againfi  all  Prelacy,  and  the  Epifopal  Nonconforms^ s  are  againft  the 
Englifh  Frame,  as  contrary  to  that  in  the  time  of  Cyprian,  tkc.)  Therefore  becaufe  thefe. 
Words  fo  much  fcem  to  exprefs  a  Re-ordination  by  Diocefans,  1.  by  thefign  of  Lmpofttion  of 
Hands.    2.  By  the  j  uthorifing  Words,  3.  and  put  in  of  purpofe  to  fat'itfie  them  that  think 

the 


Parr  III  %everend  Mr.  Richard  Baxrer. 


37 


the  Presbyterians  no  A id 'nvj'rcrs.  a.  In  a  time  when  this  hath  been  fo  publickly  declared  ;  they 
cannot  fubmit  to  all  this^  without  either  a'  Declaration  to  the  contrary  in  the  Law,  or  a  Liberty 
by  the  Law  given  them  to  profefs  their  own  Senfe,  in  the  three  particulars  questioned,'  that 
thy  renounce  not  their  Ordination,  nor  take  this  as  Re-ordination  •  nor  own  the  Diocefan  Pre- 
lacy,  as  dtftintl  from  the  old  Epifcopacy  (though  they  will  fuhmit  to  it.)  6.  Ashy  [Inftitu- 
tcdl  we  intend  admittance  to  a  P aft  oral  Charge,  or  Authority  to  adminijler  Sacraments 
we  defire  that  may  he  plainly  infertcd  -,  feeing  he  that  only  preacheth  (as  Probationers  may  do) 
hath  no  need  of  this ,  nor  do  any  fcruple  to  hear  him.  Or  if  they  do,  while  he  hath  no  charge 
they  may  turn  their  back  on  him  ■  while  a  Man  vs  a  Lctturer  only  to  mter  Volunteers  there  vs 
no  ufc  for  this. 

II.     i .  We  mention  the  Vniverfity,  hecaufe  many  were  turned  out  of  their  Fellow/hips 
there  for  non-fuhferihing,  &c.     2.  We  would  have  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy 
made  neceffary.     3.  The  profejfed  belief  of  the  Scriptures  and  Creed,  we  take  to  be  needful  to 
Admittance :  That  which  was-  the  only  ancjent  Catholick  ?\'ofetiicmjhould  not  be  left  out  of 
ours.     4.  The  profejfed  slfftnt  to  the  Doclrinc  of  the  Church  o/England,  (and  not  only  to 
approve  it  in  tantumj  fameth  needful  to  fat'vsfie  the  Sufpicious,  and  to/hut  out  Papifts  and 
Hcreti  ks  from  the  comprchenfwn.     5.  let  the  word  [^approve]  as  related  to  the  Worftnp 
and  (  ouernment  (though  reftrittively)  will  on  many  Ac:ounts  be  fcrupled  ;  and  that  is  need- 
lefs.     6.  So  [abfolutely]  as  joyned  to  (jieceflary3  is  needful  to  avoid  Ambiguity  and juft 
U*uple.     7.  The  word  Qpromife]  requireth  fuller  certainty  than\jzfo\ve~]  doth;  and  it 
bmdtth  us,  not  to  alter  pur  Judgments,  which  it  not  in  our  power  in  fuch  a  cafe.     8.  The 
Word  [^continue]  is  a  nee  die fs  and  entangling  Word,  and  will  deprive  us  of  the  ufc  of  the 
Indulgence,  ifwefhouid  ever  change  our  minds.     But  if  ( as  fome  fay )  it  be  only  the  Com- 
r>>  "•  m  0   faith  and  Love,  fuch  as  we  owe  to  Neighbour -Churches,  and  not  Subjection,  nor 
lc    .'    r  'fence  tn  Worfhip,  let  that  be  but  expreffed,  and  every  fober  Per  fan  will  promifeff. 
9.  fe  to  Cpreferve  the  Peace  and  Happinefs  of  the  Church]  is  a  fuller  Word 

than  [_  to  do  nothing  to  diiturb  the  peace  j"]  and  yet  more  clear,  and  plainly  relateth  to 
the  whole  Church. 

III.  We  put  Cbowing  at  the  Name  of  Jefus,  rather  than,  &c."]  to  avoid  the  imputa- 
tion of  Impiety,  left  wc  be  thought  to  be  againft  bowing  at  that  Name  limply,  when  it  is  but 
as  comparatively  and  exclulively  fo  others. 

IV.  1.  Qln  cafe  if  it  be  thought  fit,  &c.  ~]  We  mujl  fuppofc  it  thought  fit.  2.  Th'vs 
whole  Vnde -taking  vs  proper  only  to  them  that  take  a  Cure,  and  not  for  an  occafional  or 
fct  Lecturer.  3.  It  will  anfatr  our  Senfe  if  you  put  it  thus;  C  Shall  read  the  Liturgy, 
when  fatisfa&orily  altered,  and  fome  conliderable  part 'till  then,-  if  it  be  delayed.  ] 
4.  The  profejfion  of  the  Lawfulnefs,  'vs  but  a  needlefs  temptation,  as  t&  him  that  vs  bound 
attually  to  ufe  it.  5.  And  the  promife  that  itfhall  be  conftantly  u fed  may  be  hindered  by 
ficknefs,  or  fo  many  Cafualties,  that  its  tnuchfafer  to  bind  them  only  by  a  Law.  6.  And 
then  £the  Event  3  only  muft  be  expreffed  [that  it  be  ufed]  by  whofe  procurement  foever, 
fo  tt  be  done.  I  may  think  it  unlawful  to  procure  another  to  do  that,  which  I  cannot  do  my 
felf,  and  yet  fome  other  may  procure  it. 

In  the  Second  Article  J  forgot  to  tell  you,  That  we  annex  the  grant  of  the  defired  liberty, 
after  the  Subfcriftion,  left  elfe  our  hopes  be  fruftrate,  when  we  have  done  all. 

The  Reafons  of  the  added  Articles  are  apparent  in  themfelves. 

The  Sum  of  all  our  Reafons  vs,  It  is  confeffed  that  our  Phrafe  will  ferve  the  Ends  of  our 
Superiours ;  and  we  are  certain  that  they  will  fatisfie  afar  greater  number  than  the  other  will 
do,  and  to  their  greater  eafe  and  quiet  ofConfcience,  that  they  nay  not  feel  themfelves  ft  ill 
pinched  anduneafie,  and  kept  under  defvres  of  further  changes :  And  we  are  fur  e  that  we  are 
much  better  able  our  ftlves,  to  plead  down  Menys  Objections,  if  it  be  thus  worded,  than  as 
the  other  way.  And  we  would  fain  have  this  no  patch  or  palliate  Cure,  but  fuch  as  may 
caufe  the  now  drooping  Dijfenters,  to  rejoyce  under  the  Government,  and  to  perceive  it  to  be 
-    their  Inter  eft  to  defend  it  againft  all  Attempters  of  a  Change. 

§  71.  Butbecaufe  the  grand  Hop  in  our  Treaty  was  about  Re-ordination,  and 
Dr.  Wilhns  ftill  infilled  on  this,  That  thofe  Confciences  mull  be  accommodated  who 
took  them  for  no  Miniflers  who  were  ordained  without  Biftiops,  and  fome  Words 

were 


3 8  •'  - The  LI   F  E  of  the  Parr  ill. 


were  put  into  their  Propofals,  which  fecmed  to  Agnize  a  Rcordhiation  ;  the 
denied  fuch  a  (ignification,  we  were  put  to  give  in  tlii  per. 

The  Reafons  why  we  cannot  confent  to  Preordination. 

I#  \X7  E  dare  not  caufdejly  confent  to  theufe  of  fuch  Words  as  imply  an  urn  ruth,  viz. 
W     That  fuch  as  were  Ordained  by  Lawful  Pallors,  and  the  Prcfidcnts  of  their 
Synods,  are  not  lawful  Minifters  of  Chrift,  in  an  Ecclefiaftkal  Senfe. 

II.  We  dare  not  confent  to  the  taking  of  God's  Name  in  Vain,  by  ufing  holy  Expreffiom, 
and  a  Divine  Ordinance,  either  as  a  Scenical  Form,  or  to  confirm  an  Error  I 

III.  We  dare  not  caufelejly  go  againft  the  judgment  of  the  Vniverfd  Church  of  all  Ages, 
who  have  condemned  Reordination,  as  they  did  Rcbaptiz.ution.  7  he  Canons,  called  the 
Apoftles,  depofmg  both  the  Ordainers,  and  the  Ordained. 

IV.  We  dare  not  fo  far  wrong  the  Proteflant-Oiurches,  as  to  do  that  which  importeth, 
That  their  Mini  fry  is  null,  and  confequently  all  their  Churches  null  (politically  taken.) 

V.  We  dare  not  fo  far  wrong  all  the  People  of  England,  and  all  other  Proteftant- 
Churches,  who  have  lived  under  the  Mini  fry  of  meer  Presbyters,  or  fuch  Bi/Jjcps  as  were 
Ordained  only  by  Presbyters,  as  to  tempt  them  to  think,  that  all  the  Sacraments  were  nulli- 
ties which  they  received ;  and  fo  that  they  are  all  unchriftened  or  unkiptized :  even  Den- 
mark, and  thofc  parts  of  Germany,  which  have  fome  kind  of  Bifbops,  had  their  firfl  Or- 
dination of  them  by  Pomeranus,  and  others,  that  were  no  Bfhops.  And  mojl  Protejiants 
hold  That  Baptifm  vs  null,  which  is  not  performed  by  a' Minifter  of  Chrift.  Bccaufe  no 
one  elfe  is  Authorized  to. deliver  God? s  part  of  the  Covenant,  or  to  receive  the  Covenanter , 
or  inveft  him  in  the  Chriftian  State  and  Privileges. 

VI.  We  dare  not  fo  far  ftrenghthen  the  'caufe  of  the  Anabaptifts,  as  to  declare  thus 
far,  That  all  the  People  of  England,  and  all  Proteftant-Churches,  as  were  Baptized  by 
fuch  as  had  not  Ordination  by  Diocefans,  are  to  be  Re-baptiz.cd. 

VII.  We  dare  not  fo  far  harden  the  Papifts,  and  honour  their  caufe,  nor  tempt  the 
People  to  Popery,  as  to  feem  to  confent,  that  their  Churches,  Mini/fry  and  Baptifm  is 
true,  and  the  Proteftant  Miniftry,  Churches  and  Baptifm  vs  falfe :  Nor  dare  we  teach 
them,  if  (  which  God  forbid  )  they  fhould  get  the  power  of  governing  us,  to  call  us  all 
again  to  be  c  ordained  and  'e-baptized :  Our  Liturgy  bidding  us  to  take  private  Bap- 
tifm as  valid,  Q  if  the  Child  was  Baptized  by  any  Lawful  Minifler]  intimating  that 
elfe  it  vs  invalid:   and  fo  that  feemeth  the  Judgment  of  the  Church  of  England. 

VIII.  We  dare  not  tempt  any  other  Seels,  or  Vfurpers  to  expetl,  that  as  oft  as  they 
can  get  the  up'tr  hand,  we  wuft  be  Re-ordained  and  .Re-baptized  at  their  pleafure. 

IX.  We  dare  not  make  a  Schifm  in  our  Congregations,  by  tempting  the  Paftors  to  rejeft 
molt  of  the  Peopleifrom  the  Communion,  as  unbaptiz.ed  Perfons. 

X.  We  dare  not  difhonour  the  /<  ing  and  Parliament  fo  far  at  to  encourage  them,  to 
confirm  thefe  Errors  by  an  Ail  of  Parliament ;'  Enatling  (really)  Re-ordination. 

And  IK.  B.  muft  profefs,  That  having  eight  Tears  ago,  written  a  Treatife purpofely 
to  prove  the  validity  of  the  late  Ordination,  by  the  Synods  of  Presbyteries  in  England 
(though  I  never  praclifed  any  my  felf)  and  having  openly  called  for  fome  Confutation  of 
it  J  never  could  procure  any  'to  this  day  :  And  therefore  am  the  more  excufable  if  J  err. 
(Though  J  was  my  felf  Ordained  by  a  Bifhop.) 

Note,  T)hzt  by  Ordination,  we  mean  the  Solemn  Separation  of  a  Per  fin  from  the  num- 
ber-of  the  Laity,  to  the  Sacred  Miniftry  in  general;  and  not  the  defignation,  appointment, 
or  determination  of  him  to  this  or  that  particular  Flock  or  Church  ;  nor  yet  a  meer  Eccle- 
fiaftkal Confirmation  of  his  former  Ordination,  in  a  doubted  Cafe :  JSior  yet  the  A  agi- 
firate's  Licenfe  to  exercife  the  Sacred  Mintfiry  in  his  I  ominions ;  All  which  we  believe  on 
jufiOccjjion,  may  be  frequently  given  and  received  r  And  we  therehy  profefs  to  confent  to  m 


more, 


TV, 

§  72.  Bcfides  the  forefaid  Alterations  of  their  Propofals,  we  offered  them  this 
following  Emendation  of  the  Liturgy,  containing  in  fome  Points  lefs,  and  in  fome 
Points  more,  than  their  own  Propofals  f  for  in  this  Dr.  Wilkins  was  not  ftreight.; 


•O 


The 


Part  HI.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


39 


The  moft  nccejjdiy  Alterations  of 
the  Liturgy 

'THat  the  old  i  .  rcftored  inftcad 

**  '.Of- the  new  one. 

The  Otdcr  ior  all  Prielh,  Deacons, 
and  Curates,  to  read  the  Liturgy  once 
or  twice  every  Day,  to  be  put  out. 

The  Rubrick  for  the  old  Ornaments, 
which  were  in  ufc  in  the  fecond  Year  of 
Edw.  VI.  put  out. 

The  Lord's  Prayer  to  be  ufed  intirely 
with  the  Doxologics. 

Add  to  the  Rubrick  before  the  Com- 
munion thus:  Nor  fhatl  any  be  admit- 
ted to  the  Communion,  who  is  grofly  ig- 
norant of  the  Eflentials  of  Chriftianity  • 
of  of  that  Sacrament  •,  or  who  is  an 
Atheift,  Infidel,  or  Heretick,  ( that  is, 
denyeth  any  Ejflential  part  of  Religion  ) 
nor  any  that  derideth  Chrifrian;ty,  or 
the  Holy  Scriptures ;  or  the  lhict  obey- 
ing of  God's  Commands. 

Read  the  Fourth  Commandment  as  it 
is  in  the  Text,  viz*.  Cod  bit/fed  the  Sabbath 
Day. 

Add  to  the  Communion  Rubrick} 
£  Nonr  mail  be  forced  to  Communicate  j 
becaufc  it  is  a  high  Privilege,  which  the 
Unwilling  are  unworthy  of;  and  fo  are 
thofe  who  arc  confeious  that  they  live 
impenitently  in  any  fecret  or  open  h.ii- 
n  is  fin:  And  becaufc  many  confeiona- 
ble  Pei Tons,  through  Melancholy,  or  too 
hard  thoughts  of  thcmfclvcs,  have  fo 
great  fears  of  unworthy  receiving,  that 
it  were  like  to  drive  them  to  defpair,  or 
diffraction,  if  they  are  forced  to  it  be- 
fore they  are  fatisfied.  Therefore  let 
Popery  and  Prophanenefs  be  exprefTed, 
by  fome  fitter  means  than  this. 

In  the  Prayer  before  the  Confccration 
Prayer,  put  out  [_  That  our  finful  Bodies 
may  be  made  clc.m  by  his  Body,  and  our 
Souls  warned  by  his  precious  Blood,  3 
and  put  it  thus  :  .That  our  fulfill  Souls 
and  Bodies  may  be  eleanfed  by  his  Sacri- 
ficed Body  and  Blood. 


Alterations  very  defirable 
alfo. 

J*//F  Lord's  Prayer,  and  Gloria  Patn 
fddomer  ufed. 
Begin  with  the  Prayer  for  the  fecond  Sun- 
«■?  m  Advent,  for  Divine  AJMance-    or 
Jome  other. 

Let  none  be  forced  to  hear  the  Decalogue 
kneeling  •  becaufc  the  Ignorant ,wbo  take  them 
for  Prayers,  arcfandalizjedand  hardened  by 
tt.  J 

Let  none  be  forced  to  ufe  Godfathers  at 
their  Chldrens  Baptifn,  who  can  (cither  Fa- 
rm) be  there  to  perform  their  Duty.  Or  at 
leaf,  let  the  Godfathers  be  but  as  the  ancient 
Sponfors,  whofe  Office  was,  i.To  attefi  the 
Parents  Fidelity,  2.  And  topromife  to  bring 
up  the  Child  in  Chriftian  nurture  if  the 
Parents  dye,  or  prove  deferters. 

Becaufc  Minifters  fubferibe  to  the  25th. 
Article  of  the  Church's  Doctrine,  which 
faith  [  Thofe  Five,  comn$only  called  Sacra- 
ments, that  is  Confirmation,  isc.  art  not 
to  be  connted  for  Sacraments  of  the  Gofpel, 
being  fuch  as  have,  grown  partly  of  the  cor- 
rupt following  of  the  Apoftles. For  they 

have  not  any  vifible  fign  or  ceremony  ordain- 
ed of  God.'}  Therefore  in  the  Colled  for 
Confirmation,  put  out  [Upon  whom  after 
the  Example  of  the  Holy  Apoftles,  we 
have  now  laid  our  Hands,  to  ce'rtifie 
them  by  this  fign ,  of  thy  favour  and 
gracious  goodnefs  toward  them. 

Holidays  left  indifferent,  fave  onJy  that 
all  be  refrained  from  open  labour,  and  con- 
tempt of  them.  FfpeciaUy  f_  Holy  Inno- 
cents Day,  St.  Michael'*  Day,  and  All- 
Saints]  becaufe  there  is  no  certainty  that 
they  were  Holy  Innocents.  And  its  harfh 
to  keep  a  Holiday  for  one  Angel.  And  all 
true  Chriftians  being  Saints,  we  hep  Holi- 
days for  our  felves. 

The  Book  of  Ordination  refiored  as  it 
was. 


Let  there  be  liberty  to  ufe  ChriiVs  own  Form  of  Delivery,  recited  by  St.  Paul, 
1  Cor.  1 1 .  changing  only  the  Perfon,  r_Take,  Eat,  this  is  Chrift's  Body,  which,drc.3 

Let  Chriftian  Parents  be  permitted' to  offer  their  own  Children  to  God  in  Bap- 
tifm,  and  enter  them  into  the  Holy' Covenant,  by  ufing  thofe  Words  that  are  now 
imrofed  on  the  Godfathers. 

That  where  any  Miniiter  dare  not  in  Confcicnce  Baptize  the  Child  of  proved 
Atheifts,  -Infidcl>,  profs  Kercticks,  Fornicators,  or  other  fuch  notorious  Sinners, 
as  the  Can^n  forbiddeth  us  to  receive  to  the  Communion  (both  Parents  being  fuch, 
and  the  Child  in  their  power  and  pofleffion,)  that  Minifler  fhall  not  be  forced  to 
do  it  \  but  the  Parents  (hall  procure  fome  other  to  do  it. 

For 


2     ■  The  LITE  oftbe_  Part  III 

For  0"?^  '^M  ^  Bapiifd]  put  fjr/7t  tfcw  I  *fer/  '  fl 

The  Crofs  and  the  Surplice  left  at  libi  iv- 

ing,  and  bowing  at  the  Name  Bfc/tf]  rather  than  C  ;ir^;  Goi,  jx'j 

"After  Bantifm  put   Q  Scing  this  Child   i  ally' Rcgeneitteed/]     Anc 

the  Prayer  following  put  it,  QThat  it  hath  plcifedThee  J  tally  to  Regene- 

rate and  Adopt  this  Infant,  and  to  incorporate  him  into  thy  I  ioiy  Church.]   ■ 

Inftead  of  the  new  Rubrick  £  it.  is  certain  by  God's  Word,  &\.\  put  D  rueChri- 
Irian  Parents  have  no  caufe  to  doubt  of  the  Salvation  of  their  QiiMren,  dedicated 
to  God  in  Baptifm,  and  dying  before  they  commit  any  actual  fin.] 

In  the  Exhortation  put  it  thus    Q  Doubt  not  therefore,  fc  tidily  believe, 

That  if  this  Infant  be  fmcerely  dedicated  to  God,  by  thofe  who  have  that  po^ver 
'  and  trull,   God  will  likewife  favourably  receive  him,  frc. 

Let  not  Baptifm  be  privately  adminiflred,  but  by  a  lawful  Minifter,  and  before 
fufficient  Witnefles :  and  when  it  is  evident  that  any  was  fo  Baptized,  let  no  part 
of  the  Adminiflration  be  reiterated. 

Add  to  the  Rubrick  of  Confirmation  (or  the  Preface)  [And  the  tolerable  Un- 
derflanding  of  t.he  fame  Points,  which  are  neceflary  to  Confirmation,  with  this 
owning  of  their  baptifmal  Covenant,  lhall  be  alfo  required  of  thofe  that  are  not 
confirmed  before  their  admiflion  to  the  holy  Communion.  f 

Let  it  be  lawful  for  the  Minifter  to  put  other  Queftions  befides  thofe  in  the  Ca- 
techifm,  to  help  the  Learners  to  underftand  •,  and  alfo  to  tell  them  the  meaning 
of  the  Words  as  he  goeth  along.    . 


Alterations  in  the  Catechifm  (  or  another  allowed,) 

Q\\THat  is  your  Name  ? 
VV      A.  N. 

Q.  When  was  this  Name  given  you  ? 
A.  In  my  Baptifm. 

Q.  What  was  done  for  you  in  your  Baptifm  ? 

A.  I  was  devoted  to  God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoil,  and  entred  into  his 
Holy  Covenant,  and  engaged  to  take  him  for  my  only  God,  my  reconciled  Father, 
my  Saviour,  and  my  Sanclifier :  And  to  believe  the  Articles  of  the  Chriflian  Faith, 
and  keep  God's  Commandments  lincerely  all  the  Days  of  my  Life  ;  Renouncing  the 
Devil,  and  all  his  works,  the  Pomps  and  Vanities  of  this  wicked  World,  and  all 
the  fmful  Lulls  of  the  Fleih. 

Q.  What  f/.ercy  did  you  receive  from  Cod  in  this  Covenant  of  Baptifm  ? 
A.  God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft,  as  my  reconciled  Father,  my  Saviour 
and'  my  Sanclifier,  did  forgive  my  Original  Sin,  and  receive  me  as  a  Member  of 
Chrift,  and  of  his  Church,  and  as  his  Adopted  Child,  and  Heir  of  Heaven. 

Q.  Do  you  think  that  you  arc  now  bound  to  keep  this  Covenant,  and  to  btlieve  and  live 
according  to  it  ? 

A.  Yes,  Verily,  &c. 
Q.  Rehear  ft,  &c. 
A.  I  Believe,  &c. 
K2.  What,  &c. 
A.  Firil,  &c. 

Q.  What  be  the  Commandments  of  Cod,  which  you  have  Covenanted  to  obferve  I 
A.  The  Ten  Commandments  written  by  God  in  Stone,  befides  Chriit's  Precepts 
in  the  Gofpel. 

Q.  Which  be  the  Ten  Commandments  ?  , 

After  the  Anfwer  to  {_  What  is  thy  Duty  towards  Cod  ?  ~]  add,  [_  And  to  keep 
holy  the  Day  which  he  feparateth  for  his  Worlhip.]  In  the  next,  let  £  to  bear  no 
malice,  &c/]  be  put  before  £  to  be  true  and  ]uft.~] 

In  the  Anfw.  to  the  Quell,  after  the  Lord's  Prayer,  after  £  att  People']  put  C  that 
we  may  Honour  and  Love  him,  as  our  God  •  That  his  Kingdom  of  Grace  may  be 
let  up  in  our  Souls,  and  throughout  the  World,  and  his  Kingdom  of  Glory  may 
come,  and  that  God's  Law,  and  not  Men's  finful  Lulls  and  Wills  may  be  obeyed,  and 
Karth  may  be  likcr  unto  Heaven.     And  I  Pray,  &c7\  •  Q:  Hqv 


Pare  ill.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.' 

SLHo\v  many  Sacraments   of  the  Covenant  of  Grace,  bath  Chrifi  Ordained  m  T< 
Church  ? 

A.  Two  only,  I5aptifm,  and  the  Supper  of  the  Lord. 
Q.  What  meaneft  thou,  &c.  • 

A  \  mean  that  Solemn  Covenanting  with  God,  wherein  there  is  an  outward  vi- 
nWeCgn,  of  our  giving  up  our  felves  to  Him,  and  of  his  giving  his  Grace  in 
Chnfttous;  being  ordained  by  Chrift  lumfelf,  as  a  means  whereby  we  receive  that 
Grace,  and  a  pledge  to  allure  us  of  it. 

To  Q,  What  is  the  inward  Spiritual  Grace  ?  •  ^ 

A.  The  pardon  of  our  Sins  by  the  Blood  of  Chrift,  whofe  Members  we  are  nnde  • 
and  a  death  unto  (in,  &c.  ' 

fants  Baptized  ? 
.  Becaufe  they  are  the  Children  of  the  Faithful;  to  whom  God's  Promifes  are 
DEI   '  \  and  are  by  them  devoted  unto  God,  to  be  entered  into  Covenant  with  Him 
b]  .  i.  own  appointment;-  which  when  they  come  to  Age,  themfelves  are  bound  to 
perform. 

After  the  next  Anfweradd,  [And  for  our  Communion  with  Him,  and  with  his 
Church.] 
•    To  ( \  What  are  the  Benefits,   &c. 

A.  [The  renewed  Pardon  of  our  Sins,  and  our  Communion  with  Chrift,  and  his 
Church,  by  Faith  and  Love,  and  the  fire  rigthening,  &c. 

In  the  irijhaticn  o  the  Sick,  let  the  Afimfier  have  leave  to  vary  hit  Prayer •  as  Occafions 
/lull  require.  And  let  the  Abfolution  he  conditional,  [If  thou  truly  believe  in  God  the  Fa- 
ther, Son  and  Holy  Ghoft,  and  truly  rcpenteft  of  thy  fins,  I  pronounce  thee  abfolved,  through 
the  Sacrifice  and  Merits  of  Refits  Chrift.'} 

any  who  is  to  be  kept  from  the  Communion,  for  Atheifm^  Infidelity,  Herefie  or  Pmpe- 
nitemy  in  grojs  /injhall  in  ficknefis  defire  Abfolution,  or  the  Communion  :  And  if  any  Mi- 
ni/ter  intrufted  with  the,  power  of  the  Keys,  do  perceive  no  probable  ftgn  of  true  Repentance 
and  therefore  dare  not  in  confidence  abfolve  him,  or  give  him  the  Sacrament,  left  he  profane 
God's  Ordinance,  and  harden  the  wicked  in  prcfiumption  and  impenitency  let  not  that  Mini- 
he  forced  to  fhat  Office  againft  his  confidence  •,  but  let  the  fick  chufie  fiome  other ,  as  he 
plcafi. 

And  at  the  Burial  of  any  who  were  lawfully  kept  from  the  Con  munion,  for  the  fame 

cai'.fes,  and  not  abfolved,  lit  the Mhvfiter  be  at  liberty  to  change  the  words  thus  {Fora/much 

b  ith  pleafed  Almighty  God  to  take  out  ofi  this  world  the  find  of  this  dtccafied  perfion  we 

commit  hisboJy^c.  belteving  a  Rtfiordrion  ofthejuft  and  unjufit,  fiome  to  joy,  and  fume  to 

puni/hwi  ut~]  .-    slnl  to  leave  out  in  the  Prayer  [W-cgiwe  thee  hearty  thanks  for  that  it  hath 

plea)  i  r  this  our  brother  out  of  the  mi  fries  of  this  jinfid  norlcT}:    And  in- 

fttad  [  And  the  fouls  of  tne  wicked  to  wo  and  mi  fiery  ■    We  be/etch  thee  to  convert 

m  fin,  by  true  and  fipeedy  repentance  :  And  teach  us  to  fpend  this  little  time  in  an 

holy  (  ( nly  converfiation,  that  we  may  be  always  prepared  for  Death  and  Judgment  : 

j     srnd   in   the  next  Coiieft   to  leave   out   [  as  our  hope  is  this  our  brother 

dot!.^ 

B'it  in  the  Ruhrick  before  Burial,  inftead  of  [any  that  die  unbaptized"]  put  {anythat 
die  unbaptizjid  at  years  ofdifcrction~]-1  Tliat  the  Infants  of  Chrift  ian  Barents  who  die  unbap- 
\,  be  not  numbered  with  the  Excommunicate  and  Self-murderers,  and  denied  Chriftian 
al. 

the  P films  in  the  Pari/h-Churchrs  be  read  in  the  loft  Tranflation. 

be  abbreviated ,  by  leaving  out  the  fhort  Verficles  and  Refponfes  • 
e  let  the  J  imfiter  have  leave  to  omit  them  :  and  in  times  ofi  cold  or  hafite,  to  omit  fiome 
of  the  Collects,  as  he  fieeth  caufie. 

In  Churches  where  many  cannot  read,  let  the  Minifiter  read  all  the  Pfialms  himfielfi :  be- 

.;'  cenfiufied  Voice  ofi  the  multitude  is  fieldom  intelligible. 
Let  the  fhortir  confejfion,  and  the  general  Prayer,  offered  by  the  Commijfwners  1660.  be 
.^alias'tj,  with  the  Confejfion  and  Litany,  and  liberty  granted  fiome  time  to  ufe 


33 


Ail  things  in  the  C  mm  contrary  to  any  thing  in  this  AtP  to  be  void  and  null.  And  all 
things  repeated  in  any  former  Law,  that  is  contrary  to  this  Ail. 

§  73.  We  infcvted  thefe  Rubricks  and  Orders,  becaufe  they  gave  us  more  hope 
tha^  the  Alterations  of  the  Liturgy  would  be  granted,  than  the  reft  :  And  there- 
fore we  thought  bell:  to  get  that  way  as  much  as  we  could.  And  yet  we  infilled  molt 

E  e  e  e  oa 


34 


'I  he  LI  F  B  of  the  Part 

on  the  other  part,  becaufe  therein  it  was  defired,  that  till  the  Lit 

rily  reformed,  we  fhould  not  be  con  (trained  to  read  it,  but  only     > 

ttr  part  of  it :'  Which  words  I  offered  my  felf,  left  elfe  the 

fruftrate-  and  becaufe  the  very  words  of    the  Scripture  (the   i'u. 

Hymns,   Chapters,  Epiftles,  Gofpels,  &c.)  arc  the  far  gre  iter  pari 

fo  that  by  this  we  mould  not  have  been  forced  to  ufc  any  more,  or  any  tin 

pled. 

§  74.  Before  we  concluded  any  thing,  it  was  dclircd,  that  feeing  the  Earl  of  M 
vheftcr^oid  Chamberlain,  had  been  our  clofeft  Friend,  we  mould  not  conclude  with- 
out his  notice :  And  fo«at  a  Meeting  at  his  Houfe,  thefc  Two  more  Articles,  or  Pro- 
posals, were  agreed  to  be  added :  Viz.. 

"  DVhereas  the  Sentence  of  Excommunication  may  be  paffcd'v.pon  very  light  Occafion* 
"  is  humbly  defered,  that  no  Minifter  Jhall  be  co  hpelkd  to  pronounce  fuch  fentence  againft 
"  his  conjcicncc,but  that  fome  other  be  thereunto  appointed  by  the  Bifhop,  or  the  Court. 

"  II.  That  no  per fon  Jhall  be  punijhed  for  not  repairing  to  his  orxm  pjriflj-chur'ch^bogoctb 
"  to  any  other  Tarijh-church  or  Chappel  within  the  Dioctfs. 

(Tor  by  the  Bifhop's  Do&rine  it  is  the  Diocefan  Church  that  is  the  loweft  Political 
Church,  and  the  Parifhes  are  but  parts  of  a  Church  •  For  there  is  no  Bifhop  below  the  ' 
Diocefan.    Therefore  we  go  not  from  our  own  Church,  if  we  go  not  out  of  the  Dio- 
cefsj 

§  75.  When  thefe  Propofals  were  offered  to  Dr.  Wilkins,  and  the  Reafons  of  them  : 
1 .  He  would  not  confent  to  the  claufe  in  the  firft  Propof.  [Provided  that  thofe  who  de-* 
fire  it,  have  leave  to  give  in  their  ProfeJJion,  that  they  renounce  not  their  Ordination,  &c.3 
Where  was  our  greateft  flop  and  difagreement. 

2.  He  would  not  have  had  fubfeription  to  the  Scriptures  put  in,  becaufe  the  lame 
is  in  the  Articles  to  which  we  fubferibe  -,  I  anfwer'd  ,  that  we  fubferibed 
to  the  Articles  becaufe  they  were  materially  contained  in  the  Scripture,  and 
not  to  the  Scriptures  becaufe  they  were  not  in  the  Articles,  I  thought  it  needful 
for  Order  fake,  and  for  the  right  defcription  of  our  Religion,  that  we  fubferibe  to 
the  Scriptures  firft  :  And  to  this  at  laft  he  confented. 

3.  He  refufed  the  laft  part  of  the  fifth  for  Appeals  to  Civil  Courts,  faying  there 
was  a  way  of  Appeals  already,  and  the  other  would  not  be  endured. 

4.  The  two  next  (the  6th  and  7th)  he  was  not  forward  to,  but  at  laft  agreed 
to  them,  leaving  out  the  Claufe  in  the  6th  for  Regiftring  Names. 

5.  The  two  laft  added  Articles  alfo  were  excepted  againft.  But  in  the  end 
it  was  agreed  (as  they  faid,  by  the  the  Lord  keeper's  Confent)  that  Sir  Matthew 
Hale  Lord  chief  Baron  of  the  Exchequer  mould  draw  up  what  we  agreed 
on  into  the  form  df  an  Ad  to  be  offered  to  the  Parliament.  And  therefore  Dr. 
Wilhns  and  I  were  to  bring  our  Papers  to  him,  and  to  advife  farther  with  him, 
for  the  wordingof  it,  becaufe  of  his  eminent  Wifdom  and  Sincerity. 

§  76.  Accordingly  we  went  to  him,  and  on  Confultation  with  him,  our  pro- 
pofals were  accepted,  with  the  alterations  following. 

• 

1 .  Inftead  of  the  Liberty  to  declare  the  validity  of  our  ordination,  which  would 
not  be  endured  ,  it  was  agreed  that  the  terms  of  Collation  fhould  be  thefe  [Take 
thou  Legal  Authority  to  preach  the  Word  of  God,  and  adminifler  the  Holy  Sacraments  m 
any  Congregation  of  England,  where  thou  fhalt  be  lawfully  appointed  thereunto  f\  That  fo 
the  word  Legal  might  fhew  that  it  was  only  a  general  Licenfe  from  the  King  that 
we  received,  by  what  Minifter  foever  he  pleafed  to  deliver  it :  And  if  it  were 
by  a  Bifhop,  we  declared  that  we  fhould  take  it  from  him  but  as  from  the  King's 
Minifter.  For  the  Paper  which  I  gave  in  againft  Re-ordination,  convinced  Judge 
Hales,  and  Dr.  Wilhns,  that  the  renunciation  of  former  Ordination  in  England 
was  by  ho  means  to  be  exafted  or  done. 
*     2.  Our  Form  of  Subfcription  remained  unaltered. 

3.  The  Claufe  of  Appeals  we  left  out. 

4.  The  fourth,  Fifth,  and  Seventh  pafted,  leaviig  out  the  Cliufe  of  Regiftring 
Names , 

2.  The 


Part  111.         lievercnd  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  35 

t.  The  firft  Of  the  added  Articles  they  thought  reafonable  •  but  put  it  out  only 
left  by  overdoing  we  Ihould  clog  the  reft,  and  fruftrate  all,  with  thofc  that  wc 
weie  to  deal  with. 

6.  The  other  added  Article  they  laid  by,  for  the  fame  rcafon,  and  alfo  left  it 
flwuld  be  a  Inciter  to  Recuiant  Papifts.  And  thus  it  was  agreed,  That  the' Papers 
fhould  be  a'l  delivered  to  the  Lord  Chief  Baron,  to  draw  them  up  into  an  Adt. 
And  became  I  lived  near  him,  he  was  pleafcd  to  mew  me  the  Copy  of  his  Draught 
which  was  done  according  to  all  our  Senfe  •  but  fecretly,  left  the  noife  of  a  prepared' 
Art  mould  be  di  fpleafing  to  the  Parliament.  But  it  was  never  more  called  for  and 
fo  I  believe  he  burnt  it.  ' 

§77.  Bccaufe  they  objefted,  That  by  the  laft  Article  we  mould  befriend  the 
!K  and  efpecially  by  a  Claufe  that  we  offered  to  beinferted  in  the  Rubrickof 
the  Liturgy,  [.That  the  Sacrament  is  to  be  given  to  none  that  are  unwi'ling  of it  ]  and 
lltood  very  much  upon  that  with  them,  that  we  mu ft  not  corrupt  Chrift's' Sacra- 
ment, and  all, our  Churches,  and  Difcipline,  and  injure  many  hundred  thoufand 
Souls,  only  to  have  the  better  advantage  againft  Papifts-  and  that  there  were 
fairer  and  better  means  to  be  ufed  againft  them.  Upon  their  Enquiry  what  means 
lit  be  ftjbftituted,  I  told  them,  that  belides  fome  others,  a  fubfcription  for  all 
tlifpTolcratcd  Congregations  or  Minifters,  diftinft  from  that  of  the  Eftablifhed  Mi- 
niltry,  as  followcth,  might  difcover  them. 

§  78.  The  Subfcription  of  the  Eftablifhed  Miniftry. 

"  /  do  hereby  profefs  and  declare  my  unfeigned  belief  of  the  Holy'  Canonical  Scriptures 
"  as  the  infallible,  intire,  and  per  fed  Rule  of  Divine  Faith,  and  Holy  Living,  fup- 
"  tQfing  the  Laws  of  Nature ;  and  alfo  my  belief  of  all  the  Articles  of  the  Creed, 
"  and  of  the  36  Articles  of  the  Doclrine  and  Sacraments  of  the  Church  o/England. 

Or  elfe  the  Subfcription  before  agreed  on  (though  this  be  much  better ;)  fuppofing 
the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy  alfo  be  taken. 

The  Sub  friction  of  all  that  have  Toleration. 

"  /  A.  B.  do  hereby  profefs  and  declare,  without  equivocation  and  deceit,  That  I  be- 
Ueve  Jefus  Chrijl  to  be  the  only  Governing  Head  of  the  Vniverfal  Church ;  and  the 
Holy  Canonical  Scriptures  to  be  the  infallible,  intire,  and  per  fed  Rule  of  Divine 
Faith,  and  Holy  Living,  fuppofing  the  Laws  of  Nature  ;  and  th.it  I  believe  all 
the  Articles  of  the  Ancient  Creeds,  called  the  Apoftle^s  and  the  Nicene ;  And 
that  J  will  not  knowingly  oppofe  any  rticle  of  the  [aid  FJoly  Canoyiical  Scriptures, 
W  Creeds ;  nor  of  the  Creed  called  AthanafiusV :  Nor  will  J  publickly,  feditioufly, 
or  unpeaceably  deprave,  or  cry  down  the  Doilrincs^  Government,  and  Worfhip 
Eftablifhed  ly  the  Laws.~\ 


u 


it 


This  doth  exclude  the  Eflentials  of  Popery,  and  yet  is  fach  as  all  fober,  peace- 
able Perfons  that  need  a  Toleration,  may  fubmit  to. 

§  79.  It  hath  oft  times  grieved  me  in  former  times,  to  hear  how  unskilfully 
fome  Parliament-Men  went  about  to  exclude  the  Papifts,  when  they  were  contriving 
how  to  take  oil"  the  Teft  and  Force  of  the  Law,  compelling  all  to  the  Sacrament. 
Somemuft  have  a  Subfcription  that  muft  name  Purgatory  and  Images,  and  praying  to 
Saints,  and  purification  by  Works,  and  other  Points,  which  they  could  neither  rightly 
enumerate  nor  ftate,  to  fit  them  for  fuch  a  ufe  as  this ;  but  would  have  made  all 
their  work  ridiculous,  not  knowing  the  Eflentials  of  Popery,  which  are  only  to 
make  up  fuch  a  general  Teft  for  their  Exclufion. 

§  80.  But  I  fuppofe  the  Reader  will  more  feelingly  think,  when  he  findeth  upon 
what  terms  we  ftrive  (and  all  in  vain)  for  a  little  liberty  to  preacHChrift'S  Gofpel, 
even  upon  the  hardeft  Terms  that  will  but  confift  with  a  good  Confcience,  and  the 
fafety  of  our  own  Souls ;  he  will  think,  I  fay,  what  a  cafe  fuch  Minifters  and  fuch 
Churches  now  are  in  ?    And  how  ftrange  (or  rather  fad  than  ftrange)  is  it,  That 

I   e  e  e  e  2  Chriftiaa 


30 The  L  I  F  E  of  the  iJartiii. 

CI  [mops,  that  call  thcmfelvesthc  Pallors  and  Fathers  ol  turch,  fl 

put  as  on  fuch  Terms'as  thefc,  when  Alls  28.  «Jf.  Paul  pi 

to  as  many  as  came  to  him,  none  fprbidding  him,  oven  imdcr  Heathens,  &c.  And 
if  the  AWer  be  fo  happy,  as  to  live  in  Days  of  t  lie  Churches  Peace,  and  Liberty,  and 
Reformation,  he  will  be  apt  to  cenfure  us  for  yielding  to  fuch  hard  Terms  as  here 
we  do :  Who  if  he  had  been  in  the  time  and  place  with  us7  and  feen  that  we  could 
have  the  Gofpel  upon  no  other  Term*,  he  would  pity  rather  than  cenfure  the 
Churches  and  us. 

§  81.  Nay,  how  joyfully  would  (I  believe  1400  of)  the  Nonconformable  Mi- 
nifters  of  England  (  at  leaft  )  have  yielded  to  thefe  Terms,  if  they  could  have  got 
them.,  Bwt,  alas !  all  this  labour  was  in  vain :  For  the  active  Prelates  and  Prelatifls 
fo  far  prevailed,  that  as  foon  as  ever  the  Parliament  met,  without  any  delay,  they 
took  notice,  That  there  was  a  rumour  abroad  of  fome  Motions  or  Adt  to  be  offered 
for  Comprehenfion  0/  Indulgence ^  and  voted,  That  no  Man  mould  bring  in  fuch 
an  Aft  into  the  Houfe^  and  fo  they  prevented  all  talk  or  motion  of  fuch  a  thing ; 
and  the  Lord  Keeper  that  had  called  us,  and  fct  us  on  work,  himfelf  turned  that 
way,  and  talk'd  after,  as  if  he  underftood  us  not. 

§  82.  In  April,  1668.  Dr.  Creighton,  Dean  of  Wells,  the  molt  famous,  loquacious, 
ready-tongu'd  Preacher  of  the  Court,  who  was  ufedto  preach  Calvin  to  Hell,  *and 
the  Calvinifs  to  the  Gallows ;  and  by  his  fcornful  revilings  and  jefts,  to  fetgbe 
Court  on  a  Laughter,  was  fuddenly,  in  the  Pulpit,  (without  any  ficknefs)  furprized 
with  Aftonifhment,  worfethanDr.  South,  the  Oxford-Orator,  had  been  before  him^ 
and  when  he  had  repeated  a  Sentence  over  and  over,  and  was  fo  confounded,  that 
he  could  go  no  further  at  all;  he  was  fain,  to  all  Men's  wonder,  to  come  down.  And 
his  cafe  was  more  wonderful  than  almoft  any  other  Man's,  being  not  only  a  fluent, 
cxtemporate  Speaker,  but  one  that  was  never  known  to  want  words,  efpecially  to 
exprefs  his  Satyrical  or  bloody  Thoughts. 

§  83.  InJulyHr.Tavemer,  late  Minifter  of  Vrbnd^e,  wras  fentene'd  to  New- 
£ftte-Goal,  for  Teaching  a  few  Children  at  Bramford;  but  paying  his  Fine  prevented 
it:  And  Mr.  Button  of  Brainford,  (a moft humble,  worthy,  godly  Man,  that  never 
was  in  Orders,  or*  a  Preacher,  but  had  been  Canon  of  Cbrift's  Church  in  Oxford, 
and  Orator  to  the  Univerfity)  was  fent  to  Goal,  for  Teaching  two  Knight's  Sons  in 
his  Houfe,  having  not  taken  the  Oxford-Oath,  by  one  Roj's  a  Juftice  (a  Scot,  that  was 
Library-Keeper  at  Weftminfter  )  and  fome  other  jujlices  :  And  m?1^ ;  of  his  Neigh- 
bours of  Brainford  were  fent  to  the  fame  Prifon,  for  wotfhi^- :  ig  God,  in  private, 
together  ^  where  they  all  lay  many  Months  (fix  as  I  remember.)  And  I  name  thefe, 
becaufe  they  were  my  Neighbours ;  but  many  Countries  had  the  like  ufage.  Yea, 
Bifhop  Crofts, xhtx.  had  pretended  great  Moderation,fent  Mr. Woodward,*  worthy  filen- 
ced  Minifter  of  Hereford-fhire,  to  Goal  for  fix  Months.  Some  were  imprifoned  upon 
the  Oxford- Ail,  and. fome  on  the  A&  againft  Conventicles. 

§  84.  In  September,  Col.  Phillips  (  a  Courtier  of  the  Bed-chamber,  and  my  next 
Neighbour,  who  fpake  me  fair )  complained  to  the  King  of  me  for  Preaching  to 
great  numbers :  but  the  King  put  it  by,  and  nothing  was  done,  at  that  time. 

§.85.  About  this  time  Dr.  Manton  (being  neareft  the  Court,  and  of  great, 
Name  among  the  Presbyterians,  and  being  heard  by  many  of  great  Quality)  was 
told  by  Sir  John  Babor,  That  the  King  was  much  inclined  to  favour  the  Non-ccnfor- 
mifts,  and  that  an  Addrefs  now  would  be  accepted,  and  that  the  Addrefs  mult  be 
a  thankful  Acknowledgment  of  the  Clemency  of  his  Majefly's  Government,  and  the 
Liberty  which  we  thereby  enjoy,  &c.  Accordingly  they  drew  up  an  Addrefs  of 
Thankfgiving,  and  I  was  invited  to  joyn  in  the  prefenting  of  it  (but  not  in  the  Pen- 
ning •  for  I  had  marr'd  their  Matter  oft  enough  :)  But  I  was  both  fick  and  unwilling, 
having  been  oft  enough  imployed  in  vain :  But  I  told  them  only  of  my  ficknefs.  And 
fo  Dr.  Manton,  Dr.  Bates,  Dr.  Jacombe,  and  Mr.  Enn'vs,  prefented  it :  what  accep- 
tance it  had  with  the  King,  and  what  he  faid  to  them,  this  Letter  of  Dr.  Manton's 
wit!  tell  you.  But  the  Copy  of  the  Acknowledgment  I  cannot  give  you,  for  I  never 
faw  it,  jior  fought  to  fee  it,  that  1  remember,  for  I  perceived  what  it  aimed  at 


Dr. 


Part  III  %everend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


37 


Dr.   Alanton's  Letter  to  me  at  J&on. 


s  I  R, 


I  Was  under  reflraint  till  now,  and  could  not  fend  you  an  account  of  our  reception  with 
the  King.     It  was  very  gracious  •  Be  was  pkafed  once  and  again  tofignifie,  bow  ac- 
ceptable our  Addrcfs  was,  and  how  much  he  was  perfuaded  of  our  Peaceablemfs  ;  faying 
that  he  had  known  us  to  be  fo  ever  jince  his  return  ;  promifed  us,  that  he  would  do  his  utmofl 
to  get  us  corny  ehended  within  the  Publick  Eflablifbment,  and  would  remove  all  Bar s,  for 
he  could  wijh  that  there  had  been  no  Bounds  nor  Bars  at  all,  but  that  all  had  been  Sea, 
that  we  might  have  had  liberty  enough  ;  but  fomething  mufl  be  done  for  publick  Peace: 
However,  we  could  not  be  ignorant,  that  this  was  a  work  o/difficulty  and  time^  to  get  it 
fully  cfFe&ed/br  our  Affurance:  And  therefore  we  mufl  wait  till  Bufmeffes  could  be  ripened. 
In  the  mean  time  he  wiftid  tit  to  ufe  our  Liberty  temperately,  and  not  with  fuch  open  Offence 
and  Scandal  to  the  (i'wernment :  He  faidour  Meetings  were  too  numerous,  andfo  (befides 
that  they  were  agatnfl  Law)  gave  occafion  to  many  clamorous  People  to  come  with  complaints 
to  him,  as  if  our  defign  was  wholly  to  undermine  the  Church ;  and  to  fay,  Sir,  Thefe  are 
tluy  that  you  protect  againfl:  the  Laws.     He  inflamed  in  the  folly  of  Faningdon'j 
Preaching  in  the  Play-Houfe  :  We  told  him  we  all  di/hked  the  Atlion,  and  that  he  had  been 
forely  rebuked  for  affronting  the  Government  under  which  we  live,  with  fo  much  peace,  {but 
J  forgot  to  c  him :  )  He  inflamed  in  one  more,  (but  with  a  Preface,  that  be  had  a 

great  refpeclfor  the  Pcrfon,  and  his  Worth  and  Learning)  who  draweth  in  all  the  Counirey 
round  about  to  him;;  this  Perfon  is  Mr.  Baxter  of  A&on  ;  he  inflamed  in  him,  becaufe  of 
a  late  Complaint  from  a  Juflice  of  Peace,  who  had  a  mind  to  be  nibling  at  him,  bnt  feared 
it  would  be  wtth  the  offence  of  bus  Ma\efly ;  we  imagine  Rofs  to  be  the  perfon.     I  reply  ed, 
That  you  went  to  the  publick,  did  it  in  the  interval,  between  Morning  and  Evening  Service, 
beginning  at  Twelve.    That  the  fir fl  Intendment  was  for  the  benefit  of  your  own  Family; 
that   this  great  Company  was    not  invited  by  you,  but  intruded  upon  you  •  that  it  xoa% 
hard  to  exclude  thofe,  who  in  Charity  might  be  fuppofed  to  come  with  a  thirfl  after  the  means 
of  Edification.     I  alledged  the  general  necejjity,  and  that  Nonconformifls  were  not  all  of  a 
piece,  and  if  people  ofunfober  principles  in  Religion  were  permitted  to  preach,  a  necejjity  lay 
npon  ta,  to  take  tfa  like  liberty,  that  thofe  who  have  invincible  fcruples  againfl  the  publick 
way,  may  not  be  left  as  a  frey  to  thofe  who  might  leave  bad  imprcjfiom  upon  them,  which 
would  neither  be  fo  fafe  for  Religion,  nor  the  publick  peace.     To  which  His  Majefly  re- 
ptyd,  That  the  rijfie  raffle  of  the  people  were  not  of  fuch  Conftderation,  they  being  apt  to 
run  after  every  new  Teacher  ;  but  people  of  Quality  might  be  intreated  to  forbear  to  meet, 
or  at  leafl  not  in  fuch  multitudes,  lefl  the  publick  Scandal  taken  thereby,  might  obflruil  hk 
Intentions  and  Deftgns  for  our  good:     He  fecmed  to  be  well  enough  pie  afed,  when  I  fug- 
gefled  that  our  Sobriety  of  Dokrine,  and  medling  only  with  weighty  things,  and  remem- 
brance of  Llim  in  our  prayers,  witb  refpetf,  preferved  an  efleem  of  his  Perfon  and  Govern- 
ment in  the  Hearts  of  his  people,  and  that  poffibly  people  of  another  humour  might  feafon 
them  with  worfe  Infufions :   Then  Arlington  plucked  htm  by  the  Coat,  as  defiring  him  to 
note  it.     Finally,  I  told  him,  That  you  would  have  waited  upon  him  with  us,  if  you  had 
not  been  under  the  Confine  rent  of  a  Difeafe :  This  is  the  Sum,  exprefs  words  I  have  not 
bound  my  fcf  unto,  only  kept  as  moras  I  can  remember :     Since  this  our  Addrefs  hath 
been  confidered  by  the  Cabinet  Council,  and  approved  -,  the  Bu/inefs  was  debated,  whether 
it  fhould  be   made  publick,  mofl  were  for  that  Opinion,  but  the  final  refult  was,  that  we 
fhould  be  left  at  liberty  to  fpeak  of  it  with  fuch  ReflriiJions  as  our  Wifdom  fhould  fuggefl. 
We  met  him  privately  in  my  Lord  Arlington's  Lodgings.   ,  I  am  now  in  very  great  hafle,  >^ 

/  mufl  abruptly  take  leave  of  you,  with  the  profejfion  that  lam, 


.. 


Sir,  Your  Faithful  Brother  and  Servant. 
Some  other  things,  when  they  come  to  mind,  I  will  acquaint  you  with. 
C event  Garden,  this  iriday  Morning. 

§  26.  But 


; 


58  The  LI  F  B  of  the  Parr  111. 


§8$.  frnt  the  Miniltcr  that    offered   this  acki  id  neither  publifh 

it,  noT  give  out  any  Copies   of  it,  I  fuppofe  lefl  foonld  be  th 

thcPerfons  that   were   opening   the  Door  to  a'!  ok  hich   (hould    tal. 

the  Papifts:  For  ever  finee  the  Kin;/,  lumfclf  publifhed  a  Dflclaratl 
to    give  fuch  a  Liberty  as  theyalfo  (hould  have   their  part  in  ,  and  by  the  Ob- 
fervation  of  all   that  palled  befoie  and  finee,    by-llanders  made    this   Epitome  of 
their  Expections. 

1.  The  Papifts  muft  have  the  Liberty  of  exercifing  their  Religion. 

2.  Tlic  State  muft  not  be  reproached  by  it,  as  intending  Popery. 

3.  ThcBilhops  muft  have  no  hand  in  it,  left  they  be  taken  to  intend  the  fame, 
whfeft  fomc  of  the  People  arc  already  too  apt  to  believe,  cfpecially  fince  they  refil- 
led Concord  with  the  Miniftcrs,  and  arc  for  their  iilcncing,  and  fo  great  feveri- 
ties  againft  them. 

4.  ThePapifts  muft  not  be  fcen  in  it  themfelvcs,  till  they  tan  be  fure  to  carry 
it,  left  it  ftir  up  the  Parliament  and  People  againft  them. 

5.  Therefore  it  muft  be  done  by  the  Noncouformifts. 

6.  The  Presbyterians  are  four  and  will  not. 

7.  The  Independent  Leaders  are  for  the  doing  it,  but  they  dare  not  fay  fo, 
for  fear  of  becoming  odious  with  the  Presbyterians,  Parliament  and  People : 
(And  they  intend  no  good  to  the  Papiftsby  it  when  they  have  done,but  to  ftrengthen 
themfelvcs)  Therefore  they  dare  net  appear  in  it  till  the  Presbyterians  join  with 
them. 

8.  When  thefmartof  the  Presbyterians  is  greater,  it  may  be  their  Stomachs 
will  come  down  :  Who  knoweth  whether  Extremity  may  not  force  them,  rather 
to  defire  a  part  in  a  common  Liberty,  than  to  fee  others  have  it  while  they  lie 
in  Goals. 

9.  At  leaft  when  they  wait  and  beg  for  their  own  Liberty,  that  which  is  given 
to  all  others,  will  feem  to  be  given  chiefly  in  compaffion  to  them  that  were  the 
Sufferers  ^  and  their  Neceflities  will  make  it  faid,  that  they  were  the  Caufes. 

10.  And  when  it  is  granted,  it  is  eafie  to  diftinguifh,  &c.  And  the  Presbyte- 
rians are  the  backwafder  on  thefe  two  accounts,  1 .  When  they  are  known  to  be 
the  moft^  adverfc  to  Popery,  and  to  have  made  their  Covenant,  and  oppofed  the 
Bifhops,  ~&€.  on  that  account,  and  fufpeel  the  Bifhops  to  defign  again  fuch  a 
Confederacy  as  Heyhn  defendeth  and  confeffeth,  and  to  have  promoted  their  fir 
lencing  to  this  end  •,  after  all  this  to  force  thefe  Sufferers  to  take  on  them  the 
task  and  odium  of  procuring  the  PapifVs  Liberty,  while  they  that  would  have  it, 
cry  out  againft  it ,  feeemeth  to  them  fo  intolerable  an  Injury,  that  they  can- 
not willingly  fubmit  to.  2.  Becaufe  if  they  had  a  part  in  a  common  Toleration 
they  believe  it  is  very  eafie  to  turn  them  out  of  it  quickly,  and  leave  the  Papifts 
in,  by  fomeOath  which  fhitl  be  digeftible  by  a  Papift,  and  not  by  them  (fuch  as, 
the  Oxford  Oath,  or  fome  others) 

t  1 .  But  either  they  are  miftaken  in  fome  of  thefe  Conclufions,  or  elfe  the  Pa- 
pifts defire  to  have  two  Strings  to  their  Bow.  For  Htylin  (in  Laud's  Life)  and 
I'hnmdike  (in  three  late  Books)  do  plainly  tell  the  World,  that  one  Bufinefs 
to  be  done  is,  to  open  the  Door  of  the  Church  of  England  fo  wide,  by  reconci- 
ling means,  that  the  Papifts  might  be  the  eafilier  brought  in  to  us,  and  may  find 
nothing  to  hinder  the  moderate  fort  from  coming  to  our  Afiemblies  (by  the 
Pope's  content)  and  foall  notes  of  Diftinftion  may  fofarceafe.  But  one  part  of 
the  Papifts  themfelvcs  are  as  high  to  the  Bifhops,  as  the  Bifhops  t6  us  j  nothing 
hut  all  will  reive  their  turns :  Whether  they  will  have  Wit  enough  to  take  lefs 
at  the  firft,  1  hope  yet  the  Wifdom  of  the  Superioirrs  will  keep  us  from  knowing 
by  experience. 

But  after  all  this,  we   were  as  before,  and  the  talk  of  Liberty  di4  butoccaflon 

writing  many  bitter  Pamphlets  againft  Toleration  :  And  among  others,  they 
have  gathered  out  of  mine  ,  and  other  Mens  Books  all  that  we  had  then  faid 
againft  Liberty  for  Popery,  and  for  Quakers  railing  againft  the  Minifters  in  the 
open  Congregations,  and  this  they  applied  now,  as  againft  a  Toleration  of 
our  felves-,  becaufe  the  bare  name  of  Toleration  did  feem  in  the  People's  Ears  to 
ferve  their  turn,  by  fignifying  the  fame  thing.     And  becaufe  we    had  faid,  that 

n  fhould  not  be  tolerated  to  preach  againft  Jefus  Chrift  and  the  Scriptures, 
they  would  thence  juftifie  themfelves  for  not  tolerating  us  to  preach  for  Jefas 
Chrift,  unlefs  we  would  be  deliberate  Liars,  and  ufe  all  their  Inventions.     And 

thofe 


Part  III.  'Reverend  Mr.  R  ichard~Baxter7 


39 


thofe  fame  Men,  who  when  Commiffioned   with   us ,.  to   make  fucb  alterations 
tn  the  Liturgy  as  a  re  ntceffiay  tofatisfic  tender  Cdnfciencesyiid  maintain  that  wo  alteration 
wasneccfjarytofjtisfietkem  ,  and  did  moreover  contrary  to  all   our  importunity 
make   fo  man  y  new  burdens  of  their  own  to  be  anew  impofed  on  us ,  had  now 
little  to  fay,  bui  that  .they  muft  be  obeyed,  becaufe  they  are  impofed.     Before  the 
impoiing  Laws  were  made,  they  could  by  no  means  be  kept  from   making  them 
that  when  they  were  made,  they  might  plead  Law  againft  thofe  that  denied  to 
ufe  their  Impolitions .     beiore  the  Law  was  made,  they  pleaded  the  Ceremonies 
and  Formalities   will  be  all  duties  when  their   is  a  Law  made  for  them,  Ergo,  a 
Law  mall  be  made  not  only  for  them,  but  for  fwearing,  unfwearing,  fubferibino 
declaring  all  things  impofed  to  be  fo  true,  and  fo  good,  thatwealfent  and  confent 
to  all :  And  when  the  Laws  are  made,  then,  O  what  Rebels  arethefe  that  will  not 
obey  the  Law  !  Then  they  cry  out,  If  every  Man  fhall  be  Judge  what  is  Lawful 
and  fhall   prefer  hi^  own   Wit   above  the  Law,  what  is  become  of  Order    and 
Government    :     How    inconliftent    are    thefe    Rebellious     Principles   with   a 
Commonwealth,  or  any  Rule  or  Peace.  2  As   if  they  knew  not,  that  the   fame 
words  may  be  faid  for  obedience  to  the  Laws  about  Religion  urfHer  Lutherans 
Calvintfls^  Amans,  Papijls1  Turks,  &C,     And  if  Hobbls  leviathan  be  not  fet  up  a 
Magiftrate,  that  muft  be  Mafter  of  our  Religion,  what  fignilieth  all  this?  Yet  had 
this  talk  been  more  ingenuous  by  Men  that  had  found  all  thefe  Laws,  and  could  not 
proc  ure  them  to  be  amended  :     But  for  thofe   Men  that  firft   refolutely  procure 
them  for  thefe  ends,  to  plead  them  afterwards  in  this  manner,   as  the  reafon  of  all 
their  Actions  and   violence,  is  like  the  Spider  in  the  Fable,  to  make  Webs  with 
great  Induftry  to  catch  the  Flics,  and  hang  them  in 'their  way,  and  then  to  accufe 
them  of  a  mortal  Crime  for  coming  into  their  Webs :  Or  to  make  Nets  to  catch  the 
Fifh,  and   take  them   in  it,  and  then  accufe  them  for  coming  into  their    Nets. 
I  fpeak  not  this  of   the  Law-makers,  but  of  the  Prelatical  Commiflioners  before- 
mentioned, 'and  their  after  Practices. 
§  88.  About  this  time,  or  before,  came  out  a  Book  called  A  friendly  debate  be- 
i  a  Conformifl,  and  Nonconformifl ,  written  (as  was  doubted)  by  Dr.  Simon  Pa- 
trick, which  made  much  talk ,  and  a  fecond  part  after  that-,  and  a  third  part,  with 
an  Appendix  after  that.     He  had  before  written  a  Book  called  the  V\lgr\m,  which 
with  many  laudable  things,  had  lharply  pleaded  that  Obedience  mufl  enter  the  defini- 
tion of  juftifying  latth-  and  had  cenfured  tartly  thofe  that  taught  otherwife:  And 
by  this  he  incurred  as  (harp  a  cenfure  by  many  of  the  Nonconformifts :  Some  thought 
tb     this  exafpc  rated  him,  others  thought  that  without  exafperation  he  followed  his 
Own  Genius  and  Judgment.     He  was  one  of  thofe  then  called  a  Latitudinarian  ,  a  fo- 
ber,  learned,    able   Man,  that  had  written  many  things  well,   and  was  well  e- 
nough  efteemed.     Bur  this  Book  was  fo  dif-ingenuous  and  virulent  as  caufed  moft 
Religious  People  to  abhor  it  for  the  drain  and  pendency,  and  probable  Effects.     It 
>§t  be  denied,  but  that  many  godly,  zealous  Minifters  are  guilty  of  weaknefs  of 
ment  and  expreffion,  and  that  many  miftakes  ate  found  among  them  (for  who 
is  it  that  hath  no  Errors?)  And  it  cannot  be  denied  but  that  the  greater  number 
of  the  common  People  who  are  fcrioully  Religious  and  Confcionable,  are  yet  much 
weaker  in  Judgment  and  !  inguage  than  the  Minifters :     (For  if  fudden  Converfion 
and  Repentance  asfoonas  it  hath  changed  a  Man's  mind,  and  will,  and  life   in  the 
ers  which  his  Salvation  licth  on,  did  alfo  poffefs  him  with  all  the  exactnefs  of 
Notions  and  Language  which  Academicks  attain  to  in  many  years  ftudy,  to  what 
purpofe  were  Academies,  and  thofe  Studies?     And  then  it  would  be  as  miraculous 
a  work  as  the  fi tit  gift  of  Tongues.)     This  Learned  Man  having  met  with  the 
weak  pafTages  of  fome  Minifters  (efpecially  Mr.  BriJgejmd  fome  of  the  then  Inde- 
pendent Party,  who  in  an  exceffive  oppolition  to  the  Arm'mians  fpake  fomething 
unwarily,  if  not  unfoundly  under  the  pretence  of  extolling  free  Grace)  he  fcrapes 
thefe  together  for  matter  of  Reproach  :     And   having  heard  the  crude  and  un- 
meet Expreffions  of  many  well-meaning  Women'  and  unlearned  private  Men,  e- 
fpecially  that  are  inclined  moft  to  Self-conceitednefs,  and  unwarrantable  Angularities 
and  feparation,  hebundlethup  thefe,  and  bringeth  them  all  forth  in  a  way  of  Dia- 
logue between  a  Conformift  and  a  Nonconforming  in  which  hemakeththe  Noncon- 
formift  fpeak  as  fooHlhlv  as  he  had  a  mind  to  reprefent  him,and  only  fuch  filly  things 
as  he  knew  he* could  eafily  fhamc.     And  while  he  pretendeth  but  to  humble  the 
Nonconforming  for  over-valuing  therhfelves,  and  cenfuring  others  as  ungodly  and 
erroneous,  and  ro  (hew  them  what  errours  and  weakncflTes  are  among  themfelves, 

he 


+  o  ihc.L  I  Ft  of  the  !  art  III 


he  fueakctji  to  the  Nomx>nfoi  milts  in  . 
Pectoris  to  be  among  them)  that  whi.h  is 

tv  •  and  labourcth  to  prove  that  the  Rcllj  i  hcNfon-c  :i- 

diculous    &c  As  if  he  mould  have  fought  to  prove  the 
Prouftmts    foolilh,  becaufe  there  are  ignorant  pcrfons    among    them.    And 
ihncing  in  things  that  concern  not  Non-conformity,  but  Prayer,  and  Pi 
and  D&cburfe  of  Religion,  the  Book  did  exceedingly   lit  the  humour*  not  onl . 
the  haters  of  the  Non-conformifc's,  but  a]  I  the  prophane  defpifcrs  and   de- 

riders  of  fcrious  Godliucfs :  So  that  it  was  greedily  read  by  all  that  defued  mat- 
ter of  Contempt  and  Scorn  againft  both  Non- conformity  and  Piery,  and  . 
greatly  fitted  to  exafperate  them  to  further  Perfections,  and  to  harden  them  in 
lmpenitency,  who  had  already  made  fuch  doleful  havock  in  the  Church.  It  .was 
as  fit  an  Engine  to.  deftroy  Chriftian  Love  on  both  fides,  and  to  engage  Men  in 
thofc  ways  which  ftrll  more  deftroy  it,  as  any  thing  of  long  time  hath  beenpiib- 
lifhed.  It  is  true,  that  in  many  things  they  were  real  weaknefles  which  he  detected, 
and  that  he  lyiew  more  himfelf  than  moll  of  thofe  whom  he  expofedto-  fcorn': 
And  it  is  true,  that  many  of  them  by  their  cenforionfncfsof  the  Conformifts  did 
poo  much  inltigate  fuch  Men:  But  it  is  as  true,  that  while  ChriiVs  Flock  conuftcth 
of  weak  ones  in  their  Earthly  State  of  Imperfection,  and  while  his  Church  is  an  Hof- 
pital  and  he  the  Phyfician  of  Souls,  it  ill  becometh  a  Pi  eacher  of  the  Gofpel  to 
teach  the  Enemies  of  Chrift  and  Holinefs ,  to  cattail  the  reproach  of  the  Difea- 
fes  upon  the  nature  of  Health,  or  on  the  Phyfician,  or  to  expofe  drift's  Fa- 
mily to  fcorn  for  that  weaknefs  which  he  pittieth  them  for,  and  is  about  to 
cure  •  if  he  hadfirft  told  us  where  we  we  might  find  a  better  fort  of  Men  than 
thefe'  faulty  Chriftians,  or  could  prove  them  better  who  meddle  with  God,  and 
Heaven,  and  Holinefs,  but  formally  and  complimentally  on  the  by,  he  had  done 
fomething.  And  it  is  certain  that  nothing  fcarce  hardened  the  faulty  perfons 
more  in  their  Way  and  weaknefles,  than  his  way  of  reprehending  them. 
For  my  part  I  fpeak  not  out  of  partiality  j  for  he  was  plcafed  to  fingle 
me  out  for  his  Commendations,  and  to  exempt  me  from  the  Accufations.  But 
it  made  my  Heart  to  grieve  to  perceive  how  the  Devil  only  was  the  gainer,' 
whilft  Truth  and  Godlinefs  was  not  only  pretended  by  both  parties,  but  really 
intended. 

§  *8q.  Yea  it    would  have  grieved  the   heart  of  any  fober  Chriftian  to   ob- 
ferve  how  dangeroufly  each  party  of  the  Extremes  did  tempt  the  other  to  impeni- 
tenitency  and  further  Sin  !  Even  when  the   Land  was  all   on  a  Flame,  and  we 
were  all  in  apparent  danger  of  our  ruin  by  our   Sins   and  Enmities,  the  unhap- 
py prelates  began  the  Game,  and  cruelly  caft  out  1800  Minifters :  and  the  peo- 
ple thereupon  efteeming  them  Wolves,    and    malignant    profecutors,  fled  f;o:n 
ihem   as   the  Sheep    will    do    from   Wolves,   not   confidering,   that  notwith- 
franding    their  Perfonal  Sin,   they   £1  ill    (outwardly)  profefled  the  fame  Pr, 
ftant  Religion  j  and   when  any  Prelatift  told   the  Sectaries  of  their  former   Sin 
(Rebellions or  Divifions)  they  heard  it  as  the  words  of  an  Enemy,  and  were  mere' 
hardened  in  it  againft  Repentance  than  before  ,  yea,  were   ready  to  take  that  for 
a"  Vertue  which   fuch  Men  reproached  them  for,  when  as  before  *they  had  begun 
from  Experience  to   repent :  And    on  the-  other  fide,  when  the  Prelatifts   faw 
what   Crimes  the  Army-party   of  the   Sectaries   had    before  committed ,  which 
they  aggravated  from  their  own  Intereft,  they   noted  alfo  al  the  weaknefles  of 
judgment  and  ExprelTion  in  Prayer,  which  they  met  with,    not   only  in   the  weak- 
er fort  of  Minifters,   but  of  the   very  Women,  aud  unlearned  People  alfo,  and 
turned  all   this  not  only  to  the  reproach  of  all  the  Sectaries,  but  (as  their  Pafli- 
on  ,  Intereft,  and  Faction  led   them)  of  all.  the  Non-conformifts  alfo,  of  whom 
the   far   greateft  part  were   much  more  innocent  than  themfeives. 

§  90.  And  fo  fubtil  is  Sat.n  in  uilng  his  Inihuments  that  by  their  wicked  folly 
crying  out  maliciomTy  for  repentance^  he  hindered  almoft  all  open  Confeifion  and  Pro- 
fefllon  of  repentance,  on  both  fides.  For  thefe  feif  Exalters  did  make  their  own 
inter eft  and  Opinions  to  pa fs  with  them  for  the  fure  Expofitor  of  the  Law  of  God 
and  Man:  And  they  that  never  truly  underftood  the  old  Difference  between  the 
King  and  .Parliament,  did  irate  the  Crime  according  to  their  own  fhallow  paflionate 
conceits,  and  then  in  every  bookcryed  out,  Repent ,  Repent^  Repent  of  <x\\your  RebcU 
n  from  fir  ft  to  lafi  •,  you  Presbyterians  began  the  War,  and  brought  the  King's  head  to 
the  block  tho  the  Independents  cut  it  off :  And  a?  they  put  in  Lies  among  fome  truths, 

fo 


Part  111.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


4* 


fo  the  people  thought  they  put  in  their  Duties  among  their  fins,  when  they  called 
them  to  repent  •   And  it  a  man  had  profeiled  repentance  for  the  one  without  the 
other,  and  had  not  mentioned  all  that  they  expected,  and  made  his  Confefilons  ac 
cording  to  their  prefenpts,  they  would  have  cryed  out,  Traytors  Tiaytors    and 
have  prefied  every  word  to  be  the  Proclamation  of  another  War  •  So  that  ail  'their 
calling  for  repentance  was  but  an   Ambufcade  and  Snavc,  and  molt  effectually  prohi 
•bited  all  open  repentance,  becaufe  it  would  have  been  Ti  eafon  if  it  had  not  come  up 
to  their  moll  unjuft  meafures  •  And  all  men  thought  lilence  fafer  with  fuch  men   than 
Confeflion  of  fin  :  (And  the  fedaries  were  the  more  perfuaded  that  their  iin  was  no 
(m)  :  And  this  occahoned  the  greater  obduration  of  their  Enemies,  who  crved  out 
None  of  them  all  repenteth,  and  therefore  they  are  ready  to  do  the  fame  again  • 
And  fo  they  juftityed  themfelves  in  all  the  Sileneings,  Conhmngs,  Imprifonments' 
.  &c.  Which  they  inflicted  on  them,  and  all  the  odious  repreientations  of  them        ' 
§  91 ..  But  that  great  Lie  thap  the  Presbyterians  in  the  Englifh  Parliament  be^a'n  the 
War,  is  fuch  as  doth  as  much  tempt  men  that  know  it,  to  queflion  all  the  Hiltory 
that  ever  was  written  in  the  World,  as  any  thing  that  ever  I  heard  fpoken  •  Rea- 
der, I  will  tell  it  thee  to  thy  admiration.     When  the  War  was  flrfl:  raifed    there 
w M  but  one  Presbyterian  known  in  all  the  Parliament  •  There  was  not  one  Presbyteri- 
an known  among  all  the  Lord  Lieutmants  whom  the  Parliament  Committed  the  ' 
t'ux.0:  There  was  not  one  Presbyterian  known  among  all  the  General  Officers  of  the 
Earl  of  J'JJcx  Army ,  nor  one  among  all  the  1  ih,  Maj  ;Ts  or  Captains 

that  ever  I  could  hear  of  (There  were  two  or  threviwe.aing    cots,  of  whom  Vrrey 
turned  to  the  King  :  What  their  opinion  was  I  know  not,  nor  is  it  coni-derable). 
The  truth  is,  Presbytery  was  not  then  known  in  England,  except  amongafe*  ftudi- 
ous  Scholars,  nor  well  by  them.     But  it  was  the  moderate  Conformiirs  and  Epifco- 
pal  Proteftants,  who  had  been  long  in  Parliaments  cr\  ing  out  of  Innovations   Armi- 
nianifm,  Popery,  but  fpecially  of  Monopolies,  illegal  taxes,  and  the  danger  of"  Arbi- 
trary Government,  who  now  raifed  the  War  againftthe  reft  whom  they  took  to  be 
guilty  of  all  thefe  things  :  And  a  few  Independents  were  among  them,  but  no  cenfi- 
derable  Number.     And  yet  thefe  Conformifts  never  cry  ort  [Repent  ye  tpifcopal 
Conformijls-,  for  it  mas  you  that  began  the  War.~\     Much  Iefs  [Repent ye  srminian   Crroti- 
m,  innoveling  prelates,  vrbo  were  reducing  us  fo  near  Rome  as  Heylin  in  the  Life  of  Laud 
defcribeth  ;  for  it  was  you  that  kindled  the  fire,  and  that  fet  your  own  pa>y  thus  agamji 
you,  and  made  them  ivi/h  for  an  Epifcopacy  doubly  reformed  1    with  bitter  Brftiops  2   with 
lefs  fecular  power ,  and  final  lef  Dioccfles.J 

§  92.  Some  moderate  worthy  men  did  excellently  well  anfwer  this  Book  of  Dr. 
Patrick's  •,  fo  as  would  have  ftated  matters  rightly  •,  but  the  danger  of  the  Times 
made  them  fupprefs  them,  and  fo  they  were  never  printed  •  But  .Mr.  Rorcks  late 
Miniiier  at  Tbijtleworth  printed  an  Anfwer,  which  (ufTicicntly  opened  the  taul- 
tinefs  o  what  he  wrote  aj  inft-,  but  wanting  the  Mafculine  ftrength,  and  caute- 
loufnefs  which  was  ncccllary  to  deal  with  fuch  aa  Adverfary,  he  was  quickly  anfwer- 
ed  (by  fattening  on  thewcakeft  parts)  with  new  reproach  and  triumph  ;  And  the 
Author  •  !y  expofed  to  fullering  :  for  whereas  he  Was  fo  neer  Conformity  as 

that  he  had  taken  the  Oxford  Oath,  and  read  feme  Common  prayer,  and  therefore  by 
conp.i  nice  was  permitted  to  preach  in  South-Wark  to  an  Hofpital,  where  he  had  40/. 
per  'tin.  and  was  now  in  expectation  of  1  ibeity  at  a  better  place  in  Bridewell,  he  was 
now  deprived  of  that  •,  And  yet  had  little  relief  from  the  Nonconformiits,  becaufe 
he  Conformed  fo  far  as  he  did  *:  And  having  a  numerous  family  was  in  great*  He after 
want.  Conform- 

§  93.  The  next  year  came  out  a  far  more  virulent  book  called,  Ecclcfiafiical  Policy  e  ' 
written  by  Sam.  Parker  a  young  Man  of  pregnant  parts,  who  had  been  brought  up 
among  the  Sectaries,  and  feeing  fome  weaknefles  among  them,  and  being  of  an  eager 
Spirit,  was  turned  with  the  Times  into  the  contrary  extreme  for  which  he  giveth 
thanks  to  God  ;  And  judging  of  thofe  called  Puritans  and  Nonconformifts  by  the 
people  that  he  was  bred  amongft,  and  being  now  made  Arch-Bilhop  Sheldon's  houf- 
hold  Chaplain,  where  fuch  work  was  to  be  dene,  he  writeth  the  moft  fcornfrrily,  and 
ralhly,  and  prophanely,  and  cruelly,  againfi  the  Nonconformifts,  of  any  man  that 
ever  yet  aifaulted  them  (that  I  have  heard  of : )   And  in  a  fluent  fervent  ingenious 
ftyle  of  Natural  Rhetorick,  poureth  out  floods  of  Odious  reproaches,  and  (with  in- 
cautelous  Extremities)  faith  as  much  to  make  them  hated,  and  to  ftir  up  the  Parlia- 
ment to  deilroy  them  as  he  could  well  fpeak.     And  all  this  was  to  play  the  old  game- 
at  once  to  pleafe  the  Devil,  the  Prelates  and  theprophane,  and  fo  to  swift  all  three 

¥  f  f  f  ijftta' 


42  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  Part  If  1 

into  one  party :,  than  which  if  prelacy  be  of  Clod,  a  greater  injury  could  not  be 
done  to  it  •,  being  the  fureft  tfyed  way  to  engage  all  the  Religious,  if  noi  I  iber  al- 
fo  of  the  Land  againft  it. 

§  93.  Soon  after,  Dr.  John  Owen  hrfttryedto  have  engaged  me  to  anfwer  it,  by 
telling  me  and  others  that  I  was  the  fitteft  Man  in  England  foi  that  work  (on  what 
account  I  now  enquire  not).  But  I  had  above  all  men  been  oft  enough  fearched  in 
the  malignant  fire,  and  contended  with  them  with  fo  little  thanks  from  the  Inde- 
pendents (tho  they  could  fay  little  againft  it)  that  1  refolved  not  to  meddle  with 
them  any  more,  without  a  clearer  call  than  this :  And  befides  Patrick  and  that  Party 
by  excepting  me  from  thofe  whom  they  reproached  (in  refped  of  Doctrine,  difpo- 
fition  and  practice)  made  me  the  unfitteft  perfon  to  rife  up  againft  them  :  Which  if 
1  had  done,  they  that  applauded  me  before,  would  foon  have  made  me  feem  as  odious 
almoft  as  the  reft  :  For  they  had  fome  at  hand,that,  in  evil  fpeaking,  were  fuch  Ma- 
tters of  Language,  that  they  never  wanted  Matter ,  nor  Words ,  but  a,did  fay  what 
they  lifted  as  voluminoufly  as  they  defired. 

§  94.  Whereupon  Dr.  Onvw  anfwered  it  himfelf,fclecting  them  oft  odious  Doctri- 
nal AlTertions,  (with  fome  others)  of  Parker's  book  ^  and  laid  them  fo  naked  in  the 
Judgment  of  all  Readers  that  ever  I  met  with,  that  they  concluded  Parker  could  ne- 
ver anfwer  jfe :  Efpecially  becaufe  the  Anfwer  was  delayed  about  a  year.  By  which 
Dr.  Owen's  efteem  was  much  advanced  with  the  Noneonformifts. 

§  95.  But  Parker  contriv'd  to  have  his  Anfwer  ready  againft  the  Seiko  ns  of  th« 
Parliament  (in  Ottob.  1670.)  Attd  fhortly  after  it  came  out:  In  which  he  doth  with 
the  molt  voluminous  torrent  of  natural!  and  malicious  Rhetorick  fpeak  over  the 
fame  things  which  might  have  been  Comprized  in  a  few  Sentences  -7  viz..  The  Nan- 
conformifts^  Calvinifts,  Presbyterians ,  Hugonots^  are  the  moft  villanous  unfufFerable  fort 
of  fanctified  Fools,  Knaves:,  and  unquiet  Rebels  that  ever  were  in  the  World :  With 
their  naughty  Godlinefs,  and  holy  Hypocrifie  and  Villanies,  making  it  neceflary  to 
fall  upon  their  Teachers,  and  not  to  fpare  them  j  for  the  Conquering  of  the  reft. 
But  yet  he  putteth  more  Exceptions  here  of  the  Soberer,  honeft,  peaceable  fort 
(whom  he  loveth  but  pittyeth  for  the  unhappinefs  of  their  Education)  and  in  par- 
ticular fpeaketh  kindly  of  me)  than  he  had  done  before.  For  when  he  had  before 
perfuaded  men  to  fall  upon  the  Minifters,  and  faid  [What  are  an  hundred  men  to  be 
valued,  in  Comparifon  of  the  fafety  of  the  whole."]  When  Dr.  Owen  and  others  common- 
ly underftood  him  as  meaning  that  there  was  but  a  ico  Nonconformable  Minifters 
(when  1 800  were  filenced)he  found  out  this  fhift  to  abate  both  the  Charge  of  malig- 
nant Cruelty,  and  Untruth,  and  faith  that  he  meant  that  he  hoped  the  feditious  hot 
headed  party  that  milled  the  people  were  but  a  few  :  Whereby  he  vindicated  fifteen 
hundred  Nonconformable  Minifters  againft  thofe  Charges  which  he  and  others  fre- 
quently lay  on  the  Noneonformifts  (by  that  name. ) 

Butthefecond  part  of  the  Matter  of  his  book,  was  managed  with  more  advan- 
tage ^  becaufe  of  all  the  Men  in  England  Dr.  Owen  was  the  Chief  that  had  Headed 
the  Independents  in  the  Army  with  the  greateft  height,  and  Confidence,  and  Ap- 
plaufe,  and  afterward  had  been  the  greater  perfuader  of  Fleetwood^  Desboroagh  and 
the  reft  of  the  Officers  of  the  Army  who- were  his  Gathered  Churchy  to  Compel  Sub. 
Cromwell  to  dilTolve  his  Parliament  ^  which  being  done,  he  fell  with  it,  and  the  King 
was  brought  in :  So  that  Parker  had  fo  many  of  his  Parliament  and  Army  Sermons  to 
cite,  in  which  he  urgeth  them  to  Juftice,  and  prophefyeth  of  the  ruine  of  the  Wefttm 
Kings,  and  telleth  them  that  their  work  was  to  take  down  Civil  and  I:<  clefiaftical 
Tyranny,  with  fuch  like,  that  the  Dr.  being  neither  able  to  repent  (hitherto)  or 
to  juftify  all  this  muft  be  filent,  or  only  plead  the  Art  of  Oblivion  :  And  fo  I  fear 
his  nnfitnefsfor  this  Work  was  a  general  injury  to  the  Noneonformifts. 

§  96.  And  here  I  think  I  ought  to  give  Pofterity  notice,  that  by  the  Prelatift's 
malice,  and  unveafonable  implacable  Violence,  Independency  and  Separation  got 
greater  advantages,  againft  Presbytery,  and  all  fetled  accidental  extrinfick  order  and 
means  of  Concord,  than  ever  it  had  in  thefe  Kingdoms  fmce  the  World  began.  For 
powerful  and  Godly  Preachers  (though  now  moft  filenced)  had  in  twenty  years  liber- 
ty brought  fuch  numbers  to  ferious  Godlinefs,  that  it  was  vain  for  the  Devil  or  his 
Servants  to  hope  that  fufFermg  could  make  the  moft  forfake  it.  And  to  the  Prelatifts 
they  would  never  turn,  while  they  faw  them  for  the  fake  of  their  own  Wealth  and 
Lordfhips,  and  a  few  Forms  and  Ceremonies,  filence  fo  many  hundred  worthy  felf- 
denying  Minifters,  that  had  been  Inftruments  of  their  Good,  and  to  become  the  Sou 
of  the  prophane  malignant  Enmity  to  the  far  greateft  part  of  the  moft  ferious  Re\ 

ligiou 


Part  HI  %cvcrend  My.  Richard  Baxter!  ~T7 

Jt> 

ligious  People  in  Three  Kingdoms.     And  Presbyterians  were  forced  to  forbear  all . 
rcifc  « \i  tlieir  way :  they  durft  not  meet  together  (  Svnodically  j  nnlefs  in  a  Goal. 
1  I  icy  could  not  f  ordinarily,    be  the  Pallors  of  Paiifh- Churches,  no  not.  tor  the 
private  part  of  the  Work,  being  driven  five  Miles  from  all  their  former  Charges     ' 
and  Auditors,  and  from  every  City  and  Corporation':     Which  Law,  while  they 
durft  not  (for  the  rnoft  part  of  them)  obey,  they  were  fain  to  live  privately,  as 
itill  flying  from  a  Goal,  and  to  preach  to  none  but  thofe  that  fought  to  them,  and 
thruft  in  upon  them.     So  that  their  Congregations  were,  through  neceffity,  jylt 
of  Independent  and  Separating  Shape,  and  outward  Practice,  though  not  upon  the 
fame  Principles.     And  the  common  People  (though  pious)  are  fo  apt  to  be  led  by 
outward  palpable  Appearances,  that  they  forgot  both  former  Principles,  and  fad 
Effects  and  Practices  (though  fuch  as  one  would  think  mould  never  have  been  for- 
gotten, at  leaft  by  them  who  fuffcred  all  thefe  Confufions  and  Calamities  as  the 
fruits;j  yea,  more  than  fo,  i.  the  Senfe  of  our  common  Faultinefs  •  2.  and  the 
neceffity  of  our  prefent  Concord ;  3.  and  the  harfhnefs  of  grating  upon  fuffering 
Perfons :  4.  and  the  reconciling  nature  of  our  common  Sufferings  -7  made  us  think 
it  unfeafonable  and  linful   (though  after  ten  Years)  to  tell  one  another  never  fo 
gently  of  our  former  Faults,  or  to  touch  upon  our  different  Principles  ;  but  'twas 
thought  bell  to  bury  all  in  filence,  whilft  the  Fruits  of  them  fpread  more,  and  lea- 
vened a  great  part  of  the  Religious  People  of  the  City,  yea,  of  the  Land. 

§  97.     And  it  was  a  great  Advantage  to  them,  that  their  felected  Members  be- 
ing tycd  by  Covenants,  ftuck  clofe  to  them,  and  the  Presbyterians  Alfemblies  (un- 
lefs  they  gathered  Churches  in  their  way)  were  but  unknown  or  uncertain  People  ' 
for  a  great  part :    And  fo  the  only  order  feemed  to  be  left  in  the  gathered 
Churches. 

§  98.  And  another  Advantage  was,  That  being  more  than  the  reft  againft  the 
Biffiops,  Liturgies,  Ceremonies,  and  Parifh-Communion,  they  agreed  much  better 
with  the  difpofition  and  paffions  of  moll;  of  the  Religious  fuffering  People.  And 
thofe  of  us  that  were  of  another  mind,  and  refufed  not  Parifh-Communion  in  fome 
Places  and  Cafes,  were  eafily  reprefented  by  them  to  the  People,  as  luke-warm 
Temporizers,  Men  of  too  large  Principles,  who  fupt  the  Anti-chriftian  Pottage, 
though  we  would  not  eat  the  Flefh.  And  a  few  fuch  Words  behind  our  backs, 
wroughfmore  on  the  Minds  of  many,  efpecialiy  of  the  meaner  and  weaker  fort  of 
People,  than  many  Volumes  of  Learned  Argument:  This  weaknefs  we  cannot  deny 
to  their  Accufers. 

§  99.  But  whoever  be  the  Sett-Matters,  it  is  notorious,  That  the  Prelates  (tho' 
not  they  only  )  are  the  Sect -makers,  by  driving  the  poor  People  by  violence,  and 
.  the  vicioufnefs  of  too  many  of  their  Inftruments,  into  thefe  alienations  and  extreams : 
(though  I  confefs  that  Men's  guilt,  in  the  Days  of  Liberty  of  Confcience,  mult 
iilencc  both  Matters  and  Difciple:.  from  juttifying  themfelves.)  When  I  think  of 
our  Cafe,  and  think  of  Ch lilt's  way  of  uiing  Parables,  I  am  inclined  to  interpofe 
a  few. 

§  100.  In  the  Weft -Indies,  the  Natives  make  Bread  of  a  Root  which  is  poifon, 
'till  corrected,  and  then  it  is  tolerable  Bread :  The  Europeans  had  a  Controverfie 
with  the.  Indians,  and  another  among  themfelves :  The  Indians  faid,  That  their 
Roots  were  the  better,  becaufe  our  Wheat  confifted  of  fo  many  fmall  incoherent 
Grains,  and  was  divifible  even  unto  Atoms :  To  prove  which,  they  did  grind  it  to 
Flower  on  the  Mill,  and  then  triumphing  cryed,  fee  what  Dull  your  Corn  is  come 
to !     The  Clmjlians  faid,  that  their  Wheat  was  better  than  the  Indian's  Roots,  as 

C  being  more  agreeable  to  the  Nature  of  Man  -7  and  that  all  thofe  Atoms  might  be  Ce- 
mented by  a  skilful  hand,  and  fermented  into  a  wholfom  Mafs,  and  baked  into  better 
Bread  than  thsirs.  On  the  other  lide,  in  a  Place  and  Year  where  Englifh  Corn  was 
fcarcc,  fome  of  the  Cbriftians  did  eat  of  the  Indian  Bread-,  but  the  reft  maintained 
that  it  was  unlawful,  becaufe  the  Root  had  poifon  in  it ;  and  therefore  they  would 
rather  live  without.  The  other  anfwered  them,  That  the  Poifon  was  eafily  fepa- 
rable  from  the  reft,  and  a  wholfome  Bread  made  of  it,  though  not  fo  good  as  ours. 
The  Contention  increafec,  and  the  Refufers  called  the  other  Murderers,  as  per- 
suading Men  to  eat  Poifon :  And  the  other  called  them  ignorant  Self-Murderers, 
who  would  farrriih  themfelves  and  their  Families.  When  the  reviling  andcenfure 
had  continued  a  while,  the  Famine  grew  fo  hot,  that  one  half  of  the  Refufers  dyed, 
■and  the  reft  by  pinching  hunger  u:id  dear-bought  Experience,  were  firit  induced  to 

F  f  f  f  2  try 


44 


The  LI   F  E  of  i be  Part  111 


jvc--,.     But 
into  three 


try   and  after  to  feed  on  the  Indian  Bread,  to  the  prefervation  of  their  1  \\ 
e'er  long    the  Englifh  Wheat  profpered  again  •  and  then  the  m  fell  i 

Parties  among  themfelves.  One  Party,  joyncd  with  the  Indians,  and  faid  the  Indian 
Bread  is  beft-  for  that  faved  our  Lives  when  the  Englifh  failed  us :  Therefore  it 
(hall  be  made  Banifhment  or  Imprifonment  to  fow  or  fpeak  for  the  Englifu  (or  Euro- 
pean) Grain  or  Bread. 

Another  Party  reviled  thofe  that  drew  their  Fathers  to  eat  Indian  Bread,  and 
faid  (hall  we  be  befooled,  and  go  againft  our  Nature,  and  our  common  Scnfes,  our 
Tafte  our  experience  of  Strength  and  Vivacity  ?  Do  we  not  fee  that  the  Englifh  is 
belt  ?  Therefore  they  were  Tray  tors  that  drew  our  Fore-fathers  to  eat  the  others, 
and  thefe  are  inhuman  Tyrants  that  now  compel  Men  to  it. 

But  the  third  party  faid,  The  Englijh  Bread  is  beib,  which  we  never  denyed  ;  but 
the  Indian  Bread  was  a  thoufand  fold  better  than  none :  we  only  ufed  it  when  we 
could  get  no  better  ;  which  was  no  changing  of  our  Minds,  but  of  our  Prrclice.  And 
we  will  do  the  like  in  the  like  cafe  of  neceflity.  Yea,  though  it  grieveth  us  to  be  put 
to  it  by  our  own  Countrey-men,  we  will  rather  eat  now  the  Indian  Bread,  than  be 
familhed  by  feanifhment,  or  in  a  Prifon.  How  this  Gontroverfie  will  end,  time 
will  (hew  :  But  every  fide  hath  fo  learned  Men,  that  it's  never  like  to  end  by  Dif- 
puting  ^  for  every  one  can  (harne  his  Advei  fvy\  Words.  But  either  another 
Famine ,  or  a  plenty  of  European  Bread,  with  liberty  to  ufe  it,  is  like  to  end  it,  if 
it  ever  end. 

§  101.    The  like  Controverfie  fell  out  in  the  Indies,  whether  Affes  or  Horfes 
were  to  be  preferred,  as  fitted:  for  Man's  ufe.    The  Indians  faid  Affes,  becaufe  it  had 
been  their  Countreys  ufe  •  and  Horfes  were  fo  unruly,  that  they  would  run  away  with 
the  Rider,  and  can;  their  Burdens,  to  the  danger  of  Men's  Lives.    The  Europeans 
faid,  the  Horfes  might  be  fo  ufed,  as  to  be  more  tame,  and  fo  made  far  more  ufeful 
than  the  Ajfes ;  and  fome  little  inconveniencies  and  perils  mult  be  endured  for  a 
greater  good.     At  laft,  all  t^e  European  Horfes  dyed  •  and  then  the  Englifh  fell  into 
Difference,  whether  it  were  lawful  to  ride  on  Affes :   Some  faid  no,  and  aggravated 
their  bafenefs :    Some  faid  yea,  when  we  can  have  no  better.    But  when  the  Land 
was  again  flored  with  European  Horfes,  the  Englifh  fell  into  juft  fuch  a  Difference  as 
before.    Some  would  have  all  the  Englifh  Horfes  kill'd,  and  thofe  baniflied  or  im- 
prjfoned  that  would  ufe  them :     And  they  faid,  Do  we  not  fee  by  long  experience, 
that  Colts  cannot  be  tamed,  nor  made  tradable,  except  to  a  few,  that  ufe  to  ride 
them?     And  all  that  never  had  skill  to  tame  them,  or' that  had  ever  catch'd  a  fall 
by  them,  were  on  this  fide.    Others  faid,  it  was  not  lawful  to  ufe  an  Afs,  but  yet 
they  would  have  none  denyed  liberty  herein,  fave  only  that  the  Boys  that  fee  him, 
ihould  have  leave  to  hoot.    The  third  fort  preferred  Horfes,  but  yet  would  have 
every  Man  have  liberty  to  ufe  a  Horfe  or  an  Afs  as  he  pleafed,  and  none  to  have  li- 
berty to  hoot  at  them,  or  openly  deride  them  on  either  fide.    The  Matter  came 
before  the  Judges,    The  flrft  fort  confeffed,  that  Horfes  made  a  fairer  (hew,  but 
that  was  their  Hypocrifie  •  and  that  they  went  fwif lier,  but  it  was  to  the  Rider's 
Overthrow:     And  faid,  what  need  you  more  than  all  our  Experience  ;  when  all  we 
have  I— en  call  by  them,  to  the  hazard,  of  our  Lives :     And  we  only  are  the  King's 
befl  Subjects,  and  therefore  by  cafting  us  you  would  depofe  the  King,  and  w hat- 
ever  you  pretend,  yon  are  Traytors,  and  this  lyeth  at  the  bottom.    For  no  Sub- 
jects, no  King ,  and  if  we  mutt  ride  on  Horfes,  we  (hall  be  no  Subjects  long.   And 
to  have  fome  ufe  Horfes  and  fome  Aifes,  will  breed  Factions  and  endlefs  Diviiions 
amondt  us  •  and  what  a  ridiculous  Monfter  will  it  make  the  Kinedom  ?   They  that 
ufe  Horfes  will  (till  be  deriding  them  that  ride  on  Affes,  &c.    The 'other  anfwered 
them  i ..  That  the  main  caufe  of  their  misfortunes  came  from  their  own  unskilful- 
nefs,  and  difufe,  who  had  not  Patience  to  learn  to  ride,  nor  Hurnility  to  confefs 
their  unskilfulnefs.     And  that  it  were  better  for  the  Kingdom,  that  thofe  that  have 

more  skill  to  tame  Colts,  and  ride  Horfes,  were  fuffercd  to  furnifh  the  ]£ing  and 
Kingdom  with  that  nobler  Breed,  than  to  difhonour  it,  and  wrong  fo  many,  to  ferve 

the  ignorance  or  fluggifhnefs  of  fome. 


The 


Part  III.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  45 

The  firft  urged  their  Experience,  and  the  latter  urged  their  contrary  Experience  • 
till  the  Judge,  being  a  wife  Man,  would  have  fain  feen  the  Experience  of  the  latter 
fort,  and  have  permitted  them  to  ride  a  while  before  them.  But  the  other  urged, 
CWill  not  ail  our  part  Experience  warn  you  ?  Will  you  yet  be  guilty  of  thofe  Men's 
Blood?!  The  Judge  anfwered,  It  will  be  but  the  Rider's,  and  none  of  yours : 
Why  pretend  '  you  to  he  uure  careful  of  their  Lives,  than  they  are  of  their 
own  ;  even  when  you  would  have  them  Imprifoned  or  Banilhed?  So  it  came  to  the 
Tryal  ^  but  the  Accufers  would  needs  choofe  the  Horfes  ^  and  they  chofe  none  for 
the  Tryal  but  unbroken  Colts.  The  other  only  defired,  that'either  they  might  have 
time  to  break  thefe  Colts  firft,  at  their  own  peril,  or  elfe  might  be  tryed  with  fuch 
.  as  they  themfelves  had  broken.  But  the  other ; cryed  out,  Do  you  not  hear  now,  my 
Lord,  the  impudence  and  unreafonablenefs  of  thefe  brazen-faced  Villains,  that  will 
never  be  content  ?  Did  not  we  tell  you,  That  nothing  would  fitisne  them,  if  you 
granted  their  Defires.  You  have  granted  them  a  Tryal,  and  now  if  they  may  not 
have  their  own  Terms,  they  are  as  unquiet  as  before :  Are  thefe  Fellows  fit  to  be 
fuffered  in  a  peaceable  Common-wealth.  • 

But  the  King  himfelf  interpofed,  as  wifer  than  them  all,  and  faid,  I  will  try 
them  both  on  Colts  and  Horfes  :  fo  it  came  to  the  open  Tryal  ^  and  it  fo  ltrangely 
happened,  that  all  the  tamed  Horfes  were  ridden  in  a  blamelefs  Order,  and  the 
Colts  themfelves  caft  not  one  of  their  Riders  ■  but  only  fome  time  kick'd,  and  bit 
at  thofe  that  came  too  near  them,  and  ltrove  a  little  againft  the  Bit. 

This  Experience  had  like  to  have  carried  it  for  Horfes  ^  for  the  Judge  faid,  I  fee 
now  it  is  but  the  Accufers  fault,  that  they  have  fped  worfe.  And  the  Defendants 
faid,  Weconfefs,  my  Lord,  that  Colts  are  Colts,  and  mult  have  labour,  andalfo 
that  fome  Horfes  are  too  hot  mettled,  and  we  are  contented  that  you  lay  by  thofe 
few,  if  they  prove  untameable  -0  but  not  to  banifh  all  Horfes,  and  their  Riders  for 
their  fakes. 

This  Motion  feemed  reafonable  to  fome,  and  I  am  perfuaded  it  had  prevailed, 
but  for  two  unhappy  Arguments  at  the  laft.     i .  Said  the  Accufers,  m/  Lord,  you 
fee  that  thefe  Horfes,  even  the  belt  ridden  of  them  all,  are  Fadious :  They  make  a 
difference  between  the  King's  Subjects  ^  they  will  be  ruled  indeed,  but  it  is  only  by 
thefe.  Fellows  that  arc  ufed  to  them  ^  they  would  quickly  caft  Vs  off,  if  we  mould 
ride  them:  And  then  they  fay,  it  is  our  unskilfulnefs,  when  it  is  nothing  but  their 
feditious  unruly  humour.     My  Lord,  We  can  name  you  as  worthy  Men.  and  skilful 
Riders,  as  any  are  in  the  World,  that  have  been  caft  by  Horfes.     Ana  moreover,     • 
it  appeaveth,  That  Nature  never  made  them  for  Man's  ufe :,  for  they  have  not  their 
Gentlenefs  as  the  Ajfes  have  by  nature,  but  only  by  much  force  and  ufe :  And  who 
knowcth  not  forced  things  will  quickly  return  like  an  unftringed  Bow,  to  their  na- 
tural Itate,  which  here  is  nothing  but  unruly  fiercenefs.     And  befides,  when  in  all 
Ages,  it  niuft  coft  fo  much  ado  to  tame  them,  with  the  hazard  of  Men's  lives,  Men 
will  at  laft  be  weary  of  fo  much  pains  as  well  as  we.     2.  But  if  all  this  will  not  do, 
in  a  word,  if  you  banifh  them  not,  you  are  not  Cafar's  Friend,  for  we  can  tell  you 
of  a  Horfe  that  once  caft  an  Emperor,  to  the  lofs  of  his- life,  who  was  as  good  and 
as  skilful  a  Rider,  as  any  in  the  World.    This  laft  Word  ftopt  the  Dependent's 
Mouths.    For  though  they  whifpered  among  themfelves,  1 .  That  the  main  fault 
was  in  the  Riders,  that  Ihould  have  better  tamed  that  Horfe  for  the  Emperor.  2.  And 
that  a  Man  in  white  was  feen  to  put  Nettles  under  the  Horfes  Tail,  and  continually 
to  keep  and  prick  in  his  fide,  and  to  beat  him  on.     3.  That  many  thoufand  Iri/b- 
Men  frighted  him  with  Guns  and  Fire-balls,  'till  he  was  not  himfelf.    4.  That  it 
was  an  extraordinary  fierce  natur'd  Horfe.     5.  The  Accufers  themfelves  were  the 
unskilful  Riders   who  firft  fpoiled  them.    6.  That  it  hath  been  revenged  already 
by  the  Blood  or  many,  who  had  the  laft  Hand  in  fpoiiing  the  Horfe.    7.  That  they 
abhor  the  Thoughts  of  the  Action,  as  well  as  the  Accufers  j  and  are  content,  that 
as  ftricl  Laws  be  made  as  may  be,  for  skilful  Riders,  and  for  a  careful  choice  for 
the  King's  own  Saddle]  with  more  fuch  like  j  yet  this  was  fo  tender  a  Point,  that 
very  few  of  the  Defendents  durft  fpeak  out  ^  and  fo 

,    /'  And 


46  The  L  t   P  E  of  the  Part  111 


And  here  alio  the  defendants  fell    into  differ 
the   point  of  necelTity,  fome  that  had  pleaded  rnoft 
of  Aifes  rather  than  none  :    And  others  for  it,  called  .  nrn-Coa 

the  Servants  of  Tyranny.    But  how   the  Controverlic    is  like  to  end,  i  told  you 

before. 

I  have  but  one  word  to  fay,  for  expounding  my  Parable,  that  by  Horfes 
I  do  not  mean  Non-conformifb,  (unlefs  as  any  of  them  fall  under  another  Ge- 
nus. It  isferious,  Religious  Per  fons  that  I  mean,  who  are  icor.ncd  *as  Puritans, 
Zealots,  and  Preciiians,  becaufe  they  fet  not  as  light  by  Heaven  as  others,  and 
will  go  further   in  Religion  than  dead  Formality,  and  Imagery. 

§  1 02.  But  1  muft  return  and  fay  fomething  of  my  own  affairs:  Whilft  I  li- 
ved at  Atton,  as  long  as  the  Aft  againft  Conventicles  was  in  force,  though  I 
Preached  to  my  Family,  few  came  to  hear  me  of  the  Town  ^  partly  becaufe  they 
thought  it  would  endanger  me,  and  partly  for  fear  of  fuffcring  themfelves,  but  e- 
fpecially  becaufe  they  were  an  ignorant  poor  People,  and  had  no  Appetite  to  fuch, 
things.  But  when  the  Aft  was  expired,  there  came  fo  many  that  I  wanted 
room  \  and  when  once  they  had  come  .and  heard,  they  afterward  came  conltant- 
ly.  Infomuch  that  in  a  little  time  there  was  a  great  number  of  them  that  feemed1 
very  ferioufly  affefted  with  the  things  they  heard,  and  almoft  all  the  Town  and 
Parifh,  befides  abundance  from  Brainford,  and  the  Neighbour  Parifhes  came  :  And 
And  I  know  not  of  three  in  the  Parifh  that  were  Adverfaries  to. us  or  our  Endea- 
vours, orwifhtus  111. 

§  103.  Experience  here  convinced  me  that  the  Independent  feparating  rigour 
is  not  the  way  to  do  the  People  good.  After  Dr.  Featly,  Mr.  Nyey  and  Mr. 
Elford,  two  able  Independents  had  been  the  fetled  Minifters  at  jfBon  ^  and  when  I 
was  there,*  there  remained  but  two  Women  in  all  the  Town,  and  Parifh,  whom 
they  had  admitted  to  the  Sacrament  (whereof  One  was  a  Lady  that  by  alienation 
from  them  turned  Quaker,  and  was  their  great  Patronefs,  and  returned  from 
•them  while  I  was  there,  and  heard  me  with  reft.)  This  rigour  made  the  Peo- 
ple think  hardly  of  them  ^  and  I  found  that  the  uncharitable  conceit,  that  the  Pa- 
rifhes  are  worfe  than  they  are,  doth  tend  to  make  them  as  bad  as  they  are  thought. 
I  am  fure  there  were  many  that  fpake  to  me  like  ferious  Chriftians,  of  the 
poorer  fort,  and  few  that  were  fcandalous,  and  many  I  could  comfortably  have 
Communicated  with.  And  when  Threatnings  increafed,  they  continued  foil  to 
hear  with  diligence,  fo  that  my  Rooms  would  not  contain  them.  And  had  I  con- 
tinued there  longer,  I  mould  have  hoped  by  thofe  beginnings,  that  experience 
might  convince  Men,  that  Parifh-Churches  may  confift  of  capable  materials. 

§  1 04.  Tfye  Parfon  of  the  Parifh  was  Dr.  Rive^  Dean  of  VI  indjor,  Dean  of 
'  Wolverhampton^  Parfon  of  Hafeky^  and  of  ^#ow,Chaplain  in  ordinary  to  the  King, 
&c.  His  Curate  w'as  a  weak,  dull  young  Man,  that  fpent  moft  of  his  time  in 
Ale-houfes,  and  read  a  few  dry  Sentences  to  the  People,  but  once  a  day: 
But  yet  becaufe  he  preached  true  Doftrine,  and  I  had  no  better  to  hear,  1  con- 
ftantly  heard  him  when  he  preached,  and  went  to  the  beginning  of  the  Common- 
Prayer  ^  and  my  Houfe  faceing  the  Church-Door,  within  hearing  of  it,  thofe  that 
heard  me  before,  weat  with  me  to  the  Church-,  fcarce  three  that  I  know  of  in  the 
Parifh  rcfufing,  and  when  I  preached  after  the  publick  Exercife,  they  went  out  of 
the  Church  into  jny  Houfe.  It  pleafed  the  Dr.  and  Parfon  that  i  came  to  Church, 
and  brought  others  with  me  :  But  he  was  not  able  to  bear  the  fight  of  Peoples 
crowding  into  my  Houfe,  though  they  heard  him  alfo  -  fo  that  though  he  fpake 
me  fair,  and  we  lived  in  feeming  Love  and  Peace  ( while  he  was  there)  yet  he 
could  not  long  endure  it.  And  when  I  had  brought  the  People  to  Church  to  hear 
him,  he  would  fall  upon  them  with  groundlefs  Reproaches,  as  if  he  had  done 
it  purpofely  to  drive  them  away,  and  yet  thought  that  my  preaching  to  them, 
becaufe  it  was  in  a  Houfe,  did  all  the  mifchief,  though  he  never  accufed  me  of  a- 
ny  thing  that  I  fpake.  For  I  preached  nothing  but  Chriflianity  and  Submiffion 
to  our  Sujperiours  ^  Faith  Repentance,  Hope,  Love,  Humility,  Self-denial,  Meek- 
nefs,  Patience,  and  Obedience. 

§  105.  But  he  was  the  more  offended  becaufe  I  came  not  to  the  Sacrament 
with  him.  Though  I  communicated  in  the  other  parim-Churches  at  London^ 
and  elfewhere.  I  was  loth  to  offend  him  by  giving  him  the  Reafbn  j  which  was 
that  he  being   commonly  reputed   a   Swearer,  a  Gurfer   a  Railer,  &c.  in  thofe 

tender 


Parr  III  i   crend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.        ~  ~^T 

tendei  times  it  would  have  bee  igregational  Brethren 

if  1  had  Communicated  with  him  (and  perhaps  have  haftened  their  fufferings  who 
durft  not  do  the  fame)  that  I  thought  it  would  do  more  harm  than  good. 

§   1 06.  The  laft  year  Of  my  abode  at  Mon,  \  had  the  happinefs  of  a  Neighboui 
whom  I  cannot calily  praife above  his  worth:  Which  was  Sir  Mat..  Hale  Lord  chief 
Baron  of  the  Exchequer,  whom  all  the  Judges  and  Lawyers  of  England  admired  for 
his  skill  in  Law,  and  for  his  J  nil  ice,  and  Scholars  honoured  for  his  Learning    and  I 
highly  valued  for  his  fincerity,  mortification,  felf-dcnyal,  humility,  confeientioufnefs 
and  his  clofc  fidelity  in  friendlhip.     When  he  came  firft  to  Town,  I  came  not  near 
him  left  being  a  ftlenced  and  fufpcc'ied  perfon  (with  his  Superiors) 'l  mould  draw  him 
alfo  under  fufpicion,  and  do  him  wrong  :  Till  1  had  notice  round  about  of  his  defire 
of  my  Acquaintance  j  And  I  fcarcc  ever  converted  fo  profitably  with  any  other  per- 
fon in  my  Life.  *  *  I  have 
§  1 07.  He  was  a  Man  of  no  quick  utterance,  but  often  hefitant ;  but  fpake  with  face  writ- 
great  reafon.    He  was  moft  precifely  juft  ^  inlbrauch  as  1  believe  he  would  have  loft  tcn     m? 
all  that  he  had  in  the  World  rather  than  do  an  unjuft  Aft  :  Patient  in    hearing  the  knowkd^s 
tedioufeft  fpeech  which  any  Man  had  to  make  for  himfeif !  The  pillar  of  Juftice  the0'  lum* 
Refuge  of  the  fubjeft  who  feared  Oppreflion,  and  one  of  the  greateft  Honours  of  his 
Majcftic\  Government :  For  with  Come  more  upright  Judges,  he  upheld  the  honour 
of  the  I  nyltjh  Nation,  that  it  fell  not  into  the  reproach  of  Arbitrarinefs,  Cruelty 
and  utter  Confufion.     Every  Man  that  had  a  jutf  ca'ule  was  almoft  paft  fear,  if  they 
could  but  bring  it  to  the  Court  or  Afiize  where  he  was  Judge  (for  the  other  Judges 
feldom  contradicted  him.)     He  was  the  great  Inftnnncnt  for  rebuilding  London :  For 
when  an  Act  was  made  for  deciding  all  Com  1  overlies  that  hindered  it ;  it  was  he  that 
was  the  conftant  Judge,  who,  for  nothing  followed  the  work,  and  by  his  Prudence 
and  Juftice  removed  a  multitude  of  great  Impediments.     His  great  advantage  for  in- 
nocency  was  that  he  was  no  I  .over  of  Riches  or  of  Grandeur.     His  Garb  was  too 
plain ;  He  ftudioufly  avoided  all  unneceffary  familiarity  with  great  perfons^  and  all 
that  manner  of  Living  which  lignifyeth  Wealth  and  Greatnefs.     He  kept  no' greater 
a  family,  than  my  felt     I  lived  in  a  fmall  houfe,  which  for  a  pleafant  back-fide  he  had 
a  mind  of :  But  caufed  a  ft  ranger  (that  he  might  not  be  fufpedted  to  be  the  Man)  to 
know  of  me  whether  1  were  willing  to  part  with  it,  before  he  would  meddle  with  it-, 
In  that  houfe  he  liveth  contentedly,  without  any  pomp,  and  without  coftly  or  trou- 
blefome  retinue  or  villtors  ^  but  not  without  Charitv  to  the  poor  :  He  continueth 
.  ftudy  of  Phyficks  and  Mathematkks  ftill  as  his  great  delight :  He  hath  himfeif 
written  four  Volumes  in  Folio  (three  of  which  1  have  read)  againft  Atheifm,  Saddu- 
ceifmand  Infidelity,  to  prove  firft  the  Deity  and  then  the  immortality  of  Man's  Soul, 
and  then  the  truth  of  Chriftianity  and  the  holy  Scripture,  anfwering  the  Infidels 
Objc:!ions  againft  Scripture  :,  It  is  ftrong  and  mafculinc,  only  too  tedious  for  impa- 
tient Headers :  He  faith,  he  wrote  it  only  at  vacant  hours  in  his  Circuits  to  regulate 
his  meditations,  finding  that  while  lie  wrote  down  what  he  thought  on,  his  thoughts 
were  the  eafily  er  kept  clofc  to  work,  and  kept  i  n  a  method,  and  he  could  after  try  his 
former  thoughts,  and  make  further  ufe  of  them  if  they  were  good.     But  I  could 
not  yet  perfuade  him  to  hear  of  publi filing  it. 

The  Conference  which  I  had  frequently  with  him,  (moftly  about  the  immortality 
of  the  Soul,  and  other  Foundation  points,  and  Philofophical)  was  fo  edifying,  that 
his  very  Queftions  and  Objections  did  help  me  to  more  light  than  other  mens  foluti- 
ons.  Tbofe  that  take  no  Men  for  Religious  who  frequent  not  private  Meetings,  &c. 
took  him  for  an  Excellently  righteous  moral  Man :  But  I  that  have  heard  and  read  his 
leu.  eflions  of  the  Concernments  of  Eternity,  andfeenhis  Love  to  all  good 

Men,  and  the  blamlcfsnefs  of  his  Life,  &c.  thought  better  of  his   Piety  than  of 
mine  own.     When  the  People  crowded  in  and  out  of  my  Houfe  to  hear,  he  open- 
ly mewed  me  fo  great  refpect  before  them  at  the  Door,  and  never  fpake  a  word 
againft    it,  as  was  no  fmall  encouragement  to  the  Common  People  to  go  on  •  though 
the  other   fort   muttered  that   a  Judge  fhould  feem  fo  far  to  countenance  that 
which  they  took  to  be  againft  the  Law.     He  was  a  great  Lamentcr  of  the  Ex- 
tremities of  the  Times:,  and  the    violence    and   foolifhnefs  of  the  predominant 
Clergy,  and  a  great  defirer   of  fuch  abatements  as  might  reltore  us  all  to  fervice- 
iblenefs  and  Unity.     He   had  got  but  a  very  fmall  Eftate  (  though  he  had  long 
the  greateft  Practice  5  )  becaufe  he  would  take  but  little  Money,  and  undertake 
no  more  bufinefs  than  he  could  well  difpatch.     He  often  offered  to  the  Lord  Chan- 
cellor to  refign  his  place  when  he  was  blamed  for  doing  that  which  he  fuppofed  was 

Juftice, 


4S  the  L  i  FLoJ  the  Tart  III 


Juilice.    He  had  been  the  Learned  Seldenh  intimate  frie 

And  becaufc  the  Hobbws  and  other  Infidels  would  have  perfuaded  the  Wot  id  tliat  el- 
den  was  of  their  mind  j  I  defired  him  to  tell  me  truth  therein  :  And  he  all 
that  Seldcnv/as  an  earneft  Profcflbr  of  theChiiitian  Faith,  and  fo  angry  an  Adversa- 
ry to  Hobbs  that  he  hath  rated  him  out  of  the  Room. 

§   1  oH.This  year  1669  theLord  Mayor  of  London  was  SixWittianfturm  Con- 

formable, and  (uppofedtobe  for  Prelacy  -0  but  in  his  Government,  ir.j  ne  rer  ':: 
the  Nonconiormable  Preachers,  nor  troubled  men  for  their  Religion  -0  And  he  fo 
much  denyed  his  own  gain,  and  fought  the  Common  good  and  punifhed  vice,  and 
promoted  the  rebuilding  of  the  City,  that  1  never  heard  nor  read  of  any  Lord  May- 
or jvho  was  fo  much  honoured  and  beloved  of  the  City  :  Inlomuch  that  at  the  End 
of  his  year,  they  chofe  him  again  and  would  have  heard  of  no  other,  but  that  he 
abfolutely  refufed  it,  partly  as  being  an  ufual  thing,  and  partly  fas  wasfaidj  be- 
caufe  of  a  Menage  from  his  fuperiours :  For  the  Bifhops  and  Courtiers  who  took  hirn 
for  their  own,  were  molt  difpleafed  with  him. 

§  1 09.  The  liberty  which  was  taken  by  the  Nonconformifts  in  London,  by  reafon 
of  the  plague,  the  tire,  the  connivance  of  the  King,  and  the  refolved  quietnefs  of 
the  Lord  Mayor,  did  fet  fo  many  Preachers  through  the  Land  "(as  is  k\d)  on  the 
fame  work,  that  in  Likelyhood  many  thoufand  Souls  are  the  better  for  it  ^  And  the 
predominant  Prelates  murmured  and  feared  :  For  they  had  obferved  that  when  fer'i- 
ous  Godlinefs  goeth  up,  they  go  down.  So  that  they  belrirred  themfelves  diligently 
to  fave  themfelves  and  the  Church  of  England  from  this  dreaded  danger. 

§  r  ro.  At  this  time  our  Parfon  Dean  Rive  got  this  lollowing  advantage  againft 
me  f  As  I  had  it  from  his  own  mouthj.  At  Wolverhampton  in  Stafford/hire  where  he 
was  Dean,  were  abundant  of  Papifts,  and  Violent  Formalifts  :  Amongft  whom 
was  one  Brafgirdle  an  Apothecary,  who  in  Ccmerence  with  Mr.  Reigno.ds  fan 'able 
Preacher  there  lilenced  and  turned  outj  by  his  bitter  words  tempted  him  into  fo 
much  indifcretion  as  to  fay  that  [[the  Nonccnfo  mills  we-  n  t  fo  contemptible  for 
Number  and  Quality  as  he  made  them,  thatmoJt  of  the  people  were  oi  their  mind, 
that  Cromwel  tho  an  Ufurper  had  kept  up  England  againit  the  Du  ch,  &c.  And  that 
he  marveded  that  he  would  be  fo  hot  againit  private  Meetings,  when  at  sitton  the 
Dean  fuffered  them  at  the  next  door.]  With  this  advantage  Brafgirdle  writeth  all 
this  greatly  aggravated  to  the  Dean.  The  Dean  haftens  yway  with  it  to  the  King 
as  if  it  were  the  difcovery  of  a  Treafon.  Mr.  Reynolds  is  queftioned,  but  the  Ju- 
ftices  of  the  Country  to  whom  it  was  referred,  upon  hearing  of  the  bullnefs,found 
meer  imprudence  heightened  to  a  Crime,  and  fo  releaied  him :  But  before  this  could 
be  done,  the  King  exafperated  by  the  name  of  Cromwell  and  other  unadvifed  words, 
as  the  Dean  told  me,  bid  him  go  to  the  Bilhop  of  London  from  him,  and  him  fo  to 
the  fuppreflion  of  my  Meeting  (which  was  represented  to  him  alfo  as  much 
greater  than  it  was,)  whereupon  two  Juitices  were  chofen  for  their  turn  to  do  it  : 
One  Rofs,  of  Bra'nford,  a  Scot,,  before-named,  and  one  Phillip,  a  Steward  of  the 
A.  Bifhop  of  Canterbury. 

§  r  1 1  Hereupon  Rofs  md  Philips  fend  a  Warrant  to  the  Conftableto  apprehend 
me  and  oring  me  before  them  to  Erainford.  When  I  came,  they  ihut  out  all 
perfons  from  the  Pvoom,  and  would  not  give  leave  for  any  one  perfon,  no  not 
their  own'Clerk  or  Servant,  or  the  Confr.ble  to  hear  a  Word  that  was  laid  be- 
tween vm.  Then  cold  me  that  I  was  convict  of  keeping  Conventicles  contrar 
Law,  and  fo  :1  y  would  tender  me  the  Oxford  Oath.  I  delired  my  Accufers 
:  lo  Face,  and  that  I  might  fee  and  fpeak  with  the  Witnelfes  that 
ept  Conventicles  contrary  to  the  Law  •  which  I  denied,  as  far  as 
I  unaer/tood  Law  •,  but  they  would  not  grant  it.  I '  prelfed  that  I  might  fpeak  in 
f he  of  fome  Witneftes,  and  not  in  fecret  -0  for  I  fnppofed  that  they  were 

and  that  their  pretence  and  bufmefs  m  :de  the  place  a  place  of  Judica- 
ture, where  none  mould  be  excluded,  or  at  lealt  fome  mould  be  admitted.  But 
I  could  not  prevail-.  Had  1  refolved  on  filence,  they  were  refolved  to  proceed,  and 
I  thonjght  a  Chriftian  mould  rather  fubmit  to  violence,  and  give  place  to  Injuries, 
than  ftand  upon  his.  right,  when  it  will  give  others  occafion  to  account  him  obiti- 
nate.  I  asked  them  whether  I  might  freely  fpeak  for  my  felf,  and  they  faid  yea, 
but  when  I  began  to  fpeak,  frill  interrupted  me,  and  put  me  by  :  Only  they  told 
me,  that  private  Meetings  had  brought  us  to  all  our  Wars,  and  it  tended  to 
raifenew  Wars,  and  Rofs  told  me  what  he  had  fuffered  by  the  War,  (who,  it's 
1  was  but  a  poor  Boy,  and  after  a  Schoolmafter)  and  Phillip  having  but  one 

Leg, 


Part  III  "Reverend  Mr,  Richard  Baxter.  40 

Leg,  told   mo  he  had  loft  his  Leg  by  the  Wars  •  and  I  thought  then  there 
was  110  remedy,  but  Preachers  muft  be  fileaced,   and  live  in  Goals.     But  with 
much  importunity  I  got  them  once  to  hear  me,  while  I  told  them  why  I  took  not 
my  Meeting  to    be  contrary  to  Law,  and  why  the  Oxford  Aft  concerned  me  not 
and  they  had  no  Power  to  put  that  Oath  on  me  by  the  Aft  :  But  all  theAnfwer 
I  could  get,  was,  That  they  were  fatisfied  of  nhatthey  did. And  when,among  other  rea- 
foningsagainft  their  courfe,  1  told  them  I  thought  Chriftfs  Minifters  had  in  many 
Ages  been  Men  efteemed,  and  v, fed  as  we  now  are,  and  their  Afflifters  have  in- 
fulted  over  them,  the  Providence  of  God  hath  ftill  fo  ordered  it,  that  the  Names 
and  Memory  of  their  Silencers  and  AnHifters  have  been  left  to  Pofterity    for  a 
Reproach,  infomuch  that   I  wondered  that  they   that  fear  not  God,  and  care  not 
for  their  own,  or  the  People's   Souls,    fhould  yet  be  fo  carelefs  of  their  fame 
when  Honour  feemeth  fo  great  a  matter  with  them.  To  which  Rofs  anfwei  cd,  that  hi 
delired  no  greater  Honour  to  his  Name,  than  that  it  mould  be  remembred  of  him,that 
he  did  this  againft  me,and  fuch  as  I,  which  he  was  doing,  'then  they  asked  me  whe- 
ther 1  would  take  the  Oath,  I  named  a  difficulty  or  two  in  it,  and  defired  them  to 
tell  me  the   meaning  of  it.    They  told  me,  that  they  were  not  to  expound  it  to 
me,  but  to  know  whether  1  would  take  it.     I  told  them  it  muft  be  taken  with  under- 
standing, and  I  did  not  underiland  it.    They  faid  I  muft  take  it  according  to  the 
proper  fence  of  the  Words.     I  asked   them  whether  the  proper  fence  of  thofe 
Words  \J  will  not  at  any  time  endeavour  any   alteration  of  Government  in  the  Church~\ 
was  not  {of  any  time']  univerfally  as  it'sfpoken^  they  faid  yea  :  I  asked  them, 
whether  it  were  in  the  Power  of  the  King  and  Parliament  to  make  fome  alteration 
of  Church-Government  ;  Rofs  Grft  faid,  that  before  it  was  fettled  it  was  —  But 
better  bethinking  himfelf,  faid,  Yea  :  1  told  him   the  King  once  gave   me  a  Com- 
miffion  to  endeavour  an  alteration  of  the  Liturgy,  and  allowance  to  endeavour  the 
alteration  of  Church-Government,as  may  be  feen  in  His  Majefty's  Declaration  about 
Eccleiiaftical  Affairs.     If  he  fhould  command  me  the  like  again,  am  I  not  fworn 
by  this  Oath,  if  1  take  it,  to  difobey  him ;  yea,  or  if  the  Law-makers  change 
the  Law,  &c.    At  this  Rofs  only  laught  and  derided  me,  as  fpeaking  a  ridiculous  fup- 
pofition,  and  faid,  that  could  not  be  the  Sence.     I  told  him,  that  then  he  muft 
cenfefs  the  Error  of  his  Rule,  and  that  the  Oath  is  not  to  be  underftood,  accor- 
ding to  the  proper  meaning  and  ufe  of  thofe  Words.    And  I  bad  them  take  no- 
tice that  1  had  not  refufed  their  Oath,  but  defired  an  explication  of  it,  which  they 
ref  ufed  to  give,  (though  I  had  reafon  enough  to  refolve  me  not  to  take  it,  howe- 
ver they  that  were  not  the  makers  of  the  Law,  fhould  have  expounded  it.)  And  fo 
Phillips  prefently  wrote  my  Mittimus,  as  followeth, 


ii2.  To  the  Keeper  of  his  Majefty's  Goal  commonly  called  the  New-Ptifon  in 
Clerkenwell. 


Middlefe^c.  T  T\  THoreas  it  hath  been  proved  unto  us,  upon  Oath,  that  Richard 
V  V  Baxter,  Clerk  hath  taken  upon  him  to  Preach  in  an  unlawful  Af~ 
femb'y,  Conventicle,  o  •  Meeting,  under  colour  or  pretence  of  Exercife  of  Religion,  con~ 
trary  to  the  Laws  and  Statutes  of  this  Kingdom ,  at  Afton,  where  he  now  liveth  (in 
the  faid  County')  not  having  taken  and  fubferibed  the  Oath  by  AB  of  Parliament,  in  that 
cafe  appointed  to  be  be  taken.  And  whereas  we  having  tendered  to  him  the  Oath  and  De- 
claration appointed  to  be  taken  by  fuch  as  fhall  offend  againfi  the  faid  ACt,  which  he  hath 
refufed  to  take,  we  therefore  fend  you  herewith  the  Body  of  the  faid  Richard  Baxter 
firaitly  charging  and  commanding  you  in  his  Majefty's  Name  to  receive  him  the  faid 
Richard  Baxter  into  his  Majeft/s  faid  Prifon,  and  him  there  fafely  to  keep  'for  fix  Months 
without  Bail  or  Mainprise.  And  hereof  you  are  not  to  fail  at  your  Peril.  Given  at  Brent- 
ford the  Eleventh  of  June,  in  the  one  and  twentieth  year  of  the  Reign  of  our  Sovereign 
■Lord Charles  the  Second. 

I  Philips. 
Tho.  Rofs. 


cgss  i  IJ3; 


I 


5<d  J  be  L  I  Ft  o)  the  Part  III 

'§113.  Here  it  is  to  be  noted  that  the  Act  agaiolt  Conveaticles  w,i,  | 
expired  \  that  I  was  never  Convift  of  a  Conventicle  while  that  Law  was  in  force. 
nor  fince :  that  the  Oxford  Ad  fuppofeth  me  Convict  of  a  Conventicle  j  and 
doth  not  enable  them  to  Convict  me,  without  another  Law :  That  really  they 
had  none  but  Rofsh  Man  to  witnefs  that  I  preached,  who  crept  in  but  the  Lord's 
Day  before,  and  heard  me  only  preach  on  this  Text.  Mat.  5.  Blejfed an  the  meek  v 
for  they  fhall  inherit  the  Earth~\  preileth  efpecially  Quietnefs  and  Patience  towards 
our  Governours,  and  denying  all  turbulent,  unpeaceable,  and  feditious  difpoln*K 
ons  and  practices. 

§  114.  They  would  have  given  me  leave  to  flay  till  Monday  before  I  went  to 
Goal,  if  I  would  promife  them  not  to  preach  the  next  Lord's  Day,  which  I  de- 
nied to  promife,  and  fo  went  away  the   next  Morning. 

§  115:  This  was  made  a  heinous  Crime  againft  me  at  the  Court,  and  alfo  it 
was  faidbythe —  that  it  could  not  be  out  of  Confcience  that  I  preached,  elfe, 
why  did  not  my  Confcience  put  me  on  it  fo  long  before.  Whereas  I  had  ever 
preached  to  my  own  Family,  and  never  once  invited  any  one  to  hear  me,  nor  forbad 
any  1  So  that  the  difference  was  made  by  the  people,  and  not  by  me.  If  they  come 
more  at  laft  than  at  firft,  before  they  had  ever  heard  me,  that  fignified  no  change  in 
me.  But  thus  muft  we  be  judged  of,  where  we  are  abfent,  and  our  Adverfk- 
ries  prefent}  and  there  are  many  to  fpeak  againft  us  what  they  pleafe,  and  we 
are  baniihed  from  City  and  Corporations,    and  cannot  fpeak  for  our  felves. 

S  116.  The  whole  Town  of  Mlon  were  greatly  exafperated  againft  the  Dean, 
when  I  was  going  to  Prifon^  infomuch  as  ever  fince  they  abhor  him  as  a  felfifh  Perfe- 
cutor  :  Nor  could  he  devife  to  do  more  to  hinder  the  fuccefs  of  his  (feldom)  Preach- 
ing there  :  But  it  was  his  own  choice,  Let  them  hate  me,  fo  they  fear  me  :  And 
ft)  I  finally  left  that  Place,  being  grieved  molt  that  Satan  had  prevailed  to  ftop 
the  poor  People  in  fuch  hopeful  beginnings  of  a  common  Reformation,  and  that  I 
was  to  be  deprived  of  the  exceeding  grateful  Neighbourhood  of  the  Lord  Chief 
Baron  Hale,  who  could  fcarce  refrain  Tears  when  he  did  but  hear  of  the  firft  War- 
rant for  my  appearance. 

§  1 1 7.I  knew  nothing  all  this  while  of  the  rife  of  my  trouble;  but  I  refolvedto 
part  in  Peace  on  my  part  with  the  Dean,  not  doubting  but  it  was  his  doing. 
*  Andfo  I  went  to  take  my  leave  of  him,  who  took  on  him  to  be  forry ,  and. 
fwore  it  was  none  of  his  doing ,  and  to  prove  it,  told  me  all  the  Story  before 
mentioned  ^  that  fuch  a  Letter  he  received  from  Wolverhampton,  and  be- 
ing treafonable,  he  was  fain  to  acquaint  the  King  with  it :  And  when  he  faw 
my  Meeting  mentioned  in  the  Letter,  he  examined  him  about  them,  and  he 
could  not  deny  but  they  were  very  numerous  •,  and  the  King  againft  his  Will  fent 
him  to  the  Bilhop  of  London  to  fee  it  fuppreft.  I  told  him  that  I  came  not  now 
to  expoftulate  or  exprefs  any  Offence  ,  but  to  endeavour  that  we  might 
part  in  Love.  And  that  I  had  taken  that  way  for  his  affiftance ,  and  his  Peo- 
ple's good,  which  was  agreeable  to  my  Judgment,  and  now  he  was  trying  that 
which  was  according  to  his  Judgment  ^  and  which  would  prove  the  better  the  end 
will  mew.  He  expoftulated  with  me  for  not  receiving  the  Sacrament  with  him, 
and  offered  me  any  Service  of  his  which  I  defired,  and  I  told  him  I  defired  nothing 
of  him,  but:  to  do  his  People  good,  and  to  guide  them  faithfully,  as  might 
tend  to  their  Salvation,  and  his  own,  and  fo  we  parted. 

§  118.  As  I  went  to  Prifon  I  called  of  Serjeant  Fountain,  my  fpecial  Friend, 
to  take  his  Advice  (for  I  would  not  be  fo  injurious  to  Judge  hale)  And  he  perufed 
my  A  mimus,  and  in  fhort  advifed  me  to  feek  for  a  Habeas  Corpus,  yet  not  in' 
the  ufual  Court  (the  King's-Bench  )  for  reafons  known  to  all  that  know  the 
judges,  nor  yet  in  the  Exchequer,  left  his  Kindnefs  to  me  mould  be  an  Injury  to' 
Judge  Hale,  and  fo  to  the  Kingdom  (and  the  Power  of  that  Court  therein  is  que- 
ftioned)  but  at  the  Common-Pleas,  which  he  faid  might  grant  it,  though  it  be  not 
lifcal. 

§  up.  But  my  greateft  doubt  was  whether  the  King  would  not  take  it  ill,  tnat 
I  rather  fonght  to  the  Law  than  unto  him ;  or  if  I  fought  any  releafe  rather  than 
continued  in  Prifon.  My  Imprifonment  was  at  prefent  no  great  Suffering  to  me, 
for  I  had  an  honcft  Jaylor,  who  fhewed  me  all  the  Kindnefs  he  could  •  I  had  a' 
large  room,  and  the  liberty  of  walking  in  a  fair  Garden  ;  and  my  Wife  was  ne- 
ver fo  chearful  a  Companion  to  me  as  in  Prifon,  and  was  very  much  againft  my 
feeking  to  be  veleafed,  and  me  had  brought  fo  many  Neceffaries,  that  we  kept 

Houfe 


I 


Part  III.         Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

Houfe  as  contentedly  and  comfortably  as  at  tome,  though^ri^o^rloon? 
aad  I  had  the  Ught  of  more  of  my  Friends  in  a  day, than  I  had  at  home  in  hak 
a  Year :  And  1  knew  that  it  I  got  out  agairift  their  Will,  my  fufferings  would 
be  never  the  nearer  to  an  cno.  But  yet  on  the  other  fide,  i .'  It  was  in  the  extream- 
eit  heat  of  Summer,  when  Mon  was  wont  tb  have  Epidemical  difeafes :  And  the 
hope  of  my  dying  m  Pnfon  I  have  rcafon  to  think  was  one  great  inducement  to 
fomeof  the  Inftrumentsto  move  to  what  they  did.2.  And  mv  Chamber  being  over  the 
Gate,  which  was  knockt  and  opened  with  noifc  of  Prifoners  juft  under  me  al molt 
every  N.ght,  I  had  little  hope  of  ileeping  but  by  day,  which  would  have  been 
likely  to  have  quickly  broken  my  ftrength,  which  was  fo  little,  as  that  I  did  but 
liver  3-  And  the  number  of  Viliters  by  day,  did  put  me  out  of  hope  of  Studying 
or  doing  any  thing  but  entertain  them.  4.  And  I  had  neither  leave  at  any  time' 
to  go  out  of  Doors,  much  lefs  to  Church  on  the  Lord's  Days,  nor  on  that  Day  to 
have   any  come  to  me,  nor  to  Preach  to  any  but  my  Family. 

Upon  all  thefe  Confide  rations  the  advice  of  fome  was,  that  I  mould  Petition  the 
King,  but  to  that  I  was  averfe,  1.  Becaufe  I  was  indifferent  almoft  whether  I 
came  out  or  not  -,  and  I  was  loth  either  to  feeia  more  affiled  or  impatient  than 
I  was,  or  to  beg  for  nothing.  2.  I  had  avoided  the  Court,  and  the  Converfe 
of  all  great  Men  fo  many  years  on  purpofe,  that  I  was  loth  to  creep  to  them 
now  for  nothing.  3-  And  1  expected  but  to  be  put  upon  fome  promife  which  I 
could  not  make,  or  to  be  rejected.  4.  I  had  fo  many  great  Men  at  Court  who 
had  profeft  extraordinary  Kindnefs  to  me,  (tho'  I  was  never  beholden  to  one  Man 
of  them  all  for  more  than  Words)  that  I  knew  if  it  were  to  be  done,  they  would 
do  it  without  my  feeking.  And  my  Counfellor,  Serjeant  Fountain,  advifed  me  not 
to  feek  to  them,  nor  yet  refufe  their  Favour  it  they  offered  it,  but  to  be  wholly 
paffivc  as  to  the  Court :  but  to  feek  my  Freedom  by  Law,  becaufe  of  my  great  weak- 
nefs,  and  the  probability  of  future  Peril  to  my  Life.  And  this  Counfel  I  fol- 
lowed. 

§  1 20.  The  Earl  of  Orery  I  heard,  did  earnefty  and  fpeedily  {peak  to  the 
King  how  much  my  Impritonment  was  to  his  dis-fervice.  The  Earl  of  Manche- 
ster could  do  little,but  by  the  Lord  Arlington, w\\o  with  the  Duke  of  Buckingham  feem- 
ed  much  concerned  in  it :  But  the  Earl  of  Lauderdale,  ( who  would  have  been  for- 
warded had  he.known  the  King's  mind  to  be  otherwife).  faid  nothing.  And  fo  all 
my  great  Friends  did  me  not  the  leaft  Service,  but  made  a  talk  of  it,  with  no  Fruit 
at  all.  And  the  moderate  honeft  Part  of  the  Epifcopal  Clergy  were  much  offended, 
and  laid,  I  was  chofen  out  defignedly  to  nlakethem  all  odious  to  the  People.  But 
Sir  john  B.ibor  often  vifiting  me,  afTured  me,  That  he  had  fpoken  to  the  King  about 
it,  and  (when  all  had  done  their  beft)  he  was  not  willing  to  be  feen  to  relaxe  the 
law,  and  di  (courage  Juftices  in  executing  it,  &c.  but  he  would  not  be  offended  if  I 
fought  my  Remedy  at  Law  ( which  moft  thought  would  come  to  nothing.) 

§  i2i.  Whillt  1  was  thus  unrefblved  winch  way  to  take,  Sir  John  Babor  de- 
filing a  Narrative  of  my  Cafe,  I  gave  him  one,  which  he  fhewed  the  hox&  Arling- 
ton, which  I  will  hereirifert,  and  I  will  joyn  with  it  two  other  Scripts,  one  which 
I  gave  as  Reafons  to  prove,  That  the  Aft  againft  Conventicles  forbad  not  my 
Preaching :  Another  which  I  gave  all  my  Counfellors  when  they  were  to  plead  my 
Caufe  about  the  Error  of  the  Mittimus. 


§  1 22.     The  Narrative  of  my  Cafe. 

The  Oath  cannot  be  impofed  on  nfe  by  the  Aft. 

rjt,  Becaufe  I  never  kept  any  Conventicle  or  Unlawful  Afl'embly  proved. 

1.  By  Conventicles  and  Unlawful  Aflemblies  for  Religious  Exercifes?  the  Laws  do 
mean  only  the  Meetings  of  Recufants,  Separatifts,  or  fuch  as  Communicate  not  with 
the  Church  of  England,  or  fuch  Aflemblies  as  are  held  in  oppofition  to  the  Church- 
Affemblies,  and  not  fuch  as  are  held  only  by  the  Conformable  Members  of  the 
Church,  in  meer  Subordination  to  the  Church-Aflemblies,  to  promote  them.  But 
aU  Meetings  which  I  have  Ijeld  are  only  of  this  latter  fort. 

Gggg2  Th« 


5* 


5  2  T^  1 1  F  £  of  rk  Par^II. 


The  former  Proportion  is  thus  proved, 
i. 


.  The  Canons  give  the  Senfe  of  the  Word  [^Conventicles;]  (for  it  is  a  Chnrch- 
Ter'm  about  Church-Matters.)  But  the  Canons  mention  but  two  forts  of  Conventi- 
cles one  of  Presbyters,  when  they  meet  to  make  Orders  or  Canons  for  Church- 
Difcipline^  the  other  of  People  who  meet  under  the  Profefiion  of  being  a  Church 
diitind  from  the  Church  of  England ;  (  and  neither  of  thefe  is  my  Cafe.; 

2.  The  Statute  of  the  35  of  Elfr.  expound'eth  it  accordingly,  charging  none  of 
Unlawful  AiTembling,  but  fuch  as  Separate,  or  Communicate  not  with  the  Church. 

3.  There  is  no  other  Statute  that  faith  otherwife. 

4.  The  Rubrick  and  Law  alloweth  Conformable  Miniftcrs  to  keep  many  Religious 
>Aflemblies,  which  are  not  in  the  Church,  being  but  Subordinate^  1.  At  the  Vifi- 
tation  of  the  Sick,  where  no  numbers  of  Neighbours  are  prohibited  to  be  prefent : 
Sermons  at  the  'Spittle,  Stuybridge-Eair,  &c. 

2.  At  private  Baptifms. 

3.  At  private  Communions,  where  any  Tamily  hath  an  impotent  Perfon  that  can- 
not Communicate  at  Church. 

4.  At  the  Rogation  Perambulations,  where  it  wasufual  to  Fcaft  atHoufesintbeir 
way,  and  there  for  the  Miniftcr  to  inftrutt  the  People^  and  to  Pray,  and  fing 
Pfalms.  • 

5.  The  Laborious  fort  of  Conformable  Mini  Iters  have  many  of  them  ufed  to  re- 
peat their  Sermons  to  all  that  would  Aflcmble  at  their  Houfes :  Which  Repeating  was 
as  truly  Preaching,  as  if  they  had  Preached  the  fame  Sermon  in  feveral  Pulpits.There- 
fore  all  Meetings,  befrdes  Church-Meetings,  are  not  Conventicles,  nor  thofe  that 

are  in  Subordination  to  them. 
1 

5.  Even  the  late  Expired  A&  againft;  Conventicles,  forbiddeth  no  Religious  Exer- 
eifes,  but  fuch  as  are  otherwife  than  the  Liturgy  or  Practice  of  the  Church  ;  and  di- 
ftinguifhing  exprefly  between  the  Exercifes  and  the  Numbers,  doth  forbid  no  num- 
ber, when  the  Exercifes  are  not  otherwife,  as  aforefaid,  tolerating  even  unlawful 
Exercifes  to  jjhe  number  of  Four,  but  not  to  more.       I  -* 

The  Second  Propofition  [_  That  my  Meetings  were  never  Unlawful  Conventicles]] 
is  proved. 

1 .  I  do  conftantly  joyn  with  the  Church  in  Common  Prayer,  and  go  at  the  begin- 
ning. 2.  1  Communicate  in  the  Lord's  Supper  with  the  Chutch  of  England.  3.  I 
am  no  Nonconformift  in  the  Senfe  of  the  Law,  becaufe  1  Conform  as  far  as  the 
Law  requireth  me  (having  been  in  no  Ecclefiaftical  Promotion,  May  1.  1662.  the 
Law  requircth  me  not  to  fubferibe,  declare,  &c.  till  I  take  a  Cure  Or  Lecture,  &c. 

4.  1  fometimes  repeat  to  the  Hearers,  the  Sermon  which  I  heard  in  the  Church. 

5.  1  exhort  the  People  to  Church-Communion,  and  urge  them  with  fufficient  Ar- 
guments, and  Preach  ordinarily  againft  Separation,  Jfnd  Schifm,  and  Sedition,  and 
JDifloyalty.  6.  I  have  commanded  my  Servant  to  keep  my  Doors  fhutat  the  time 
of  Publick  Worihip,  that  none  may  be  in  my  Houfe  that  while.  7.  I  go  into  the 
Church  from  my  Houfe,  in  the  Peoples  fight,  that  my  Example,  as  well  as  my 
Oo&rine,  may  perfuade  them.  8.  In  all  this,  I  fo  far  prevail,  that  the 
Neighbours  who  hear  me,  do  commonly  go  to  Church,  even  to  the  Common- 
Prayer;  and  1  know  not  three,  or  two  of  all  the  Parifh,  that  ufe  to  come  to  me, 
who  rcfufe  it ;  which  fnccefs  doth  fhew,  what  it  is  i  do.  9.  I  have  long  offered 
die  Pallor  of  the  Pariih  (the  Dean  of  Windfof )  that -if  he  would  but  tell  me,  that 
It  is  his  Judgment,  that  I  hinder  his  Succefs,  or  the  People's  Good,  rather  than 
fcelp  it,  i  will  remove  out  of  the  Pariljj,  which  he  never  yet  Kath  done.  1  o.  I 
liave  the  Now-Arch-Biihop's  Licenfe  (  not  reverfed,  nor  difabled)  to  Preach  in 
the  Dioccfs  of  Lcndcn,  which  I  may  do  by  Law  if  1  had  a  Church.  And  I  offered 
the  Dean  to  give  over  my  Meetings  in  my  Houfe,  if  he  would  permit  me' to -Preach 
(without  Hire)  fometimes  occaiionally  in  his  Church,  which  I  am  not  difabled  to 
do.  By  all.  this  it  appeareth,  that  any  Meetings  aft  not  Unlawful  Conventicles. 
1 1 .  And  riotous  they  are  not,  for  my  Houfe  being  juft  before  the  Church  Door,the 
lame  Perfoa*  go  outojf  tfc  Church  into  my  Houfe,  and  out  of  my  Houfe  into  the 

^hurch} 


Part  III.  "Reverend %M:  Richard  Baxter;        "TT 

«— — . _     }  J 

Church  ;  fo  rh:;t  if  one  be  riotous,  botli  mult  be  fo.     And  I  perform  no  Exercife  at 

,  contrary  to  the  Doftrine  or  the  Practice  of  the  Church  ^  but  when  the  Curate 
rcadeth  only  in  the  Evening,  and  doth  not  Preach  or  Catechise,  when  he  hath  done 
one  part,  I  do  the  other  which  he  omitteth. 

2.  The  Oath  cannot  be  impeded  on  me,  becaufe  I  am  none  of  the  three  forts  of 
Offenders  there  mentioned,     'the  firft  fort  in  the  Aftarefuch  as  have  not  Subfcri- 
bed,  Declared,  and  Conformed,  according  to  the  Aft  of  Uniformity    and  other 
Acts,  I  am  none  of  them,  became  the  Laws  require  it  not  of  me  f  being    as  afore- 
faid,  in  no  Church  Promotion  on  May  i .   1662.)    The  fecond  fort    are  other  Per- 
ibns  not  Ordained  according  to  the  Order  of  the  Church",  but  I  am  fo  Ordained 
The  third  fort  is  School-Teachers,  winch  is  not  my  Cafe  (though  I  have  alfo  a  Li- 
cenfe  to  Teach  School.)     And  that,  the  two  Defcriptions  of  the  Conventicles  in- the 
Preamble,   arc  to  be  the  Expofitions  of  the  following  prohibitous  Parts  of  the  Aft 
b  plain  by  the  anfwerable  diilinftion  of  them.     And  alfo,   1 .  Becaufe  the  very  Title 
and  plain  defign  of  this  Aft,  is  only  to  reftrain  Nonconform  ills.     2.  Becaufe  the 
exprefs  end  and  bnlincfs  of  it,  istoprefcrve  People  from  Seditious  and  Poifonous 
Doctrine.     But  thetClergy  which  are  not  Nonconforming,  are  not  to  be  fuppofed 
to  be  detained,  or  fufpefted  by  the  I  ,aws,  of  Preaching  poifonous  feditious  Doftrine 
nor  can  it  be  imagined,  that  they  mean  to  drive  them  five  Miles  from  all  their  Pari- 
ties in  England,  if  they  mould  once  be  at  a  private  Meeting,  or  put  the  40  /.  Fine  on 
them,  if  they  preach  .one  Sermon  after  frch  Meeting,  to  their  Pari  flies,  before  they 
have  taken  the  Oath,  though  no  Man  offer  it  them,  which  Would  follow  if  it  exten- 
ded to  them.       And  I  am  exempted  from  the  Sufpicion  of  that  Preaching. 

1.  By  being  chofen  and  Sworn  His  Majefly's  Chaplain  in  ordinary,  and  Preaching 
before  Him,  and  Publilhing  my  Sermons  by  His  Special  Commands,  and  never  fince 

•accafed  of  ill  Doftrine,  but  the  fharpeft  Debates  written  againft  Nonconforrriifts  do 
quarrel  with  them,  for  quarrelling  with  my  Doftrine. 

2.  Some  think  the  words  [have  ke$Q  in  the  Aft,  refer  to  the  time  pall  before  the 
Aft  j  and  then  'tis  nothing  to  me. 

3.  Should  I  not  have  been  Convift  in  my  prefence  of  fome  one  unlawful  Conventi- 
cle, and  of  not  departing  after  five  Miles  from  the  place :  for  how  fhould  I  be 
bound  to  forfake  my  Dwelling,  as  an  Offender,  before  I  knew  of  my  Offence? 

7  .ijlly,  I  told  the  juftices,  That  I  did  not  refufe  the  Oath,  but  profeflcd,  that  I 
underftood  it  not,  and  defired  time  to  learn  to  underftand  it,  if  I  could ;  which 
they  delayed  me  j  and  would  neither  tell  me  who  were  my  Accufers,  or  Witnefles, 
nor  (hew  me  the  Words  of  the  Accufation  or  Depolitions,  nor  fufT'er  any  Perfon 
but  us  three  ( themfelves  and  me  )  to  be  at  all  prefent,  or  to  hear  any  thing  that 
was  faid  by  them  or  me.  And  though  1  (hall  never  take  Oaths  which  I  cannot  po£ 
fibly  underftand,  nor  in  a  Senfe  which  is  contrary  to  the  plain  importance  of  the 
Words,  till  they  are  fo  expounded,  nor  fhall  ever  number  deliberate  Lying,  or 
fei  jury,  with  things  indifferent  •  yet  1  fo  far  dene  any  Accufer,  who  will  queflion 
rav  Loyalty,  that  fas  1  have  taken  the  Oaths  of  Supremacy  and  of  Allegiance,  and 
a  fpecial  Oath  of  Fidelity,  when  1  was  Sworn  (1  know  not  why)  as  His  Majefty's 
Servant,  fo )  1  am  ready  to  give  a  much  fuller  fignification  of  my  Loyalty  than  that 
Oath,  if  I  had  taken  it,  would  be  :  And  to  own  all  that  is  faid,  for  the  Power  of 
Kings,  and  of  the  Subject's  Obedience  and  Non-refiftance,  by  any  (  or  all )  the 
Councils  and  Confeflions  of  any  Chriftian  Churches  upon  Earth,  whether  Greeks  or 
Romans,  Reformed,  Epifcopal,  Presbyterian,  or  any  that  are  fit  to  be  owned  as  Chri- 
ltians  (that  ever  came  to  my  notice)  befides  what  is  contained  in  the  Laws  of  our 
own  Land.  And  if  this  will  not  ferve,  I  fhall  patiently  wait  in  my  Appeal,  to  the 
Un-erring  Univerfal  Judgment. 

§   123.     2.  [_In  otlxr  manner  thin  is  allowed  hy  the  Liturgy  or  Trattice  or  the  Church 

of  England At  which  Conventicle,  Meeting,  or  Jjfembly,    there  fliould  be 

Five  Vcrfons,  or  more,  Ajfembled  over  and  above  thofe  of  the  Houjhold. 


Pof.  1 .  To  Preach  or  Teach  in  a  Houfe  not  rConfecrated  for  a  Temple,  is  not 
contrary  to  the  Liturgy  ani  Praftice  of  the  Church  of  England. 

Jrg.  I. 


54  The  LI  F  E  of  the  Part  111 

■'    ■         i  - i'.i      ■  ir 1 — ~i- 

Arg.  i.  That  which  the  Scripture  exprcfly  alloweth,  is  not  contrary  to  the  Li- 
turgy and  Practice  of  the  Church  of  England.  But  to  Preach  and  Teach  (even  Mul- 
titudes) in  Houfes  (and  other  places)  not  fo  Confecrated,  the  Scripture  exprefly 
alloweth :     Frgo . 

The  Major  is  proved,  I.  Becaufethe  Book  of  Ordination  requircth,  that  all  that 
are  Ordained,  fhall  promife  to  Qlnftrutt  the  People  out  of  the  Holy  Scripture,  be- 
ing perfuaded  that  they  contain  fufficicntly  all  Doctrine  required  of  Neccflity  to  Sal- 
vation ,  and  to  teach  no  other  :  And  with  all  Taithful  Diligence  to  banilh  all  Do- 
ctrines contrary  to  God's  Word  :  And  to  ufc  both  publick  and  private  Monitions 
and  Exhortations,  as  well  to  the  Sick  as  to  the  whole,  as  need  fhall  require,  and  oc- 
cafion  fhall  be  given. 

2.  The  fame  Sufficiency  of  the  Scripture  is  aflerted  in  the  6th.  Article  of  the 
Church.  And  Article  20.  bindeth  us  to  hold,  That  it  is  not  lawful  for  the  Church 
to  ordain  any  thing  contrary  to  God's  written  Word.  So  Art!  21.  more. 

3.  The  faid  Scriptures  are  appointed  by  the  Rubrick  to  behead  as  the  Word  of 
Godhimfelf. 

4.  The  Law  of  the  Land  declareth,  That  nothing  (hall  be  taken  for  Law  which 
is  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God.  t 

5.  The  Fir  ft  and  Second  Homily  fhew  the  fufficiency  of  it,  and  neceffity  to  all 

Men, 
'     The  Minor  is  pfoved  1 .  from  Atts  20.  20.  7,  8,  &  28.  laft,&  8. 4,  25,  35.  &  10. 
34.  &  12.  12.   2  Tim.  4.  1,2.  Mat.    5.   1,  2.  Mark  2.  13.  &  10.  1.  Luke  5 
&  13.  25. 

2.  from  thofe  Texts  which  command  Chrift's  Minifters  to  Preach,  and  not 
forbear:  Therefore  if  they  be  forbidden  to  Preach  in  the  Temples,  they  muftdo 
it  elfewhere.  John  21.  15,  1 5,  17-  l  Cor-  9-  i6"<  A&s  4.  18,  19,  20.  2  Tim, 
4.  1 ,  2.  Luke  9.  62. 

3.  From  the  Expofitory  Practice  of  the  llniverfal  Church  in  all  Ages. 

4.  From  the  Expofitory  Practice  of  the  Church  of  England,  who  Breached  in 
Houfes  in  the  time  of  their  late  Reftraint  by  Cromwel. 

Arg.  2.  The  Church  of  England  bindeth  Minifters  to  Teach  both  publickly  and 
privately,  in  their  Ordination,  as  afore  recited. 

2.  In  the  Liturgy  for  the  Vifttatim  and  Communion  of  the  Sick,  it  alloweth  private 
'Exhortation,  Prayer,  and  Sacraments. 

3.  The  1 3  Canon  rcquireth  that  the  Lord's  Day,  and  other  Holy-Days,  be  fpent 
in  publick  and  private  Prayers.  And  the  very  Canon  71.  which  molt  reftraineth 
us  from  Preaching  and  Adminiftring  the  Sacrament  in  private  Houfes,  doth  exprefly 

i  except  Times  of  neceffity,  when  any  vs  fo  impotent  as  he  cannot  go  to  Churchy  or  danger - 

oufly  fich,Mc. 

4.  The  inftructing  of  our  Families,  and  Praying  with  them,  is  not  difallowed 
by  the  Church.  And  I  my  felf  have  a  Family,  and  Perfons' impotent  therein  (who 
cannot  go  to  Church)  to  Teach. 

Arg.  3.  The  76  Can.  condemneth  every  Minifter,  who  voluntarily  relinquilheth 
iiis  Miniftry,  and  liveth  as  a  Lay-Man  :  Ergo,  We  muft  forbear  no  more  of  theMi- 
nifterial  Work  than  is  forbidden  us. 

Pof.  2.  The  number  of  Perfons  prefent  above  Four,  cannot  be  meant  by  this  Aft, 
as  that  which  maketh  the  Religious  Exercife  to  be  [in  other  manner  than  allowed  by  the 
Liturgy  or  Pfattife  of  the  Church.*] 

Arg.  1 .  Becaufe  the  manner  of  the  Exercife,  and  the  number  of  Perfons  are  moft 
exprefly  diftinguifbed :  And  the  reftraint  of  the  number  is  exprelly  affixed  only  to 
them  who  fhall  ufe  fuch  unallowed  manner  of  Religious  Exercifes  ;  not  medling  at  all 
with  otter$.    The  Words  [at  whieh  Conventicle,  &c.  3  do  fhew  the  Meeting  to  be 

before 


Part  ill.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  e<- 

beforedcfcribed  by  tie  manner  ofExcrdfe.    Otherwife  the  Words  would  be  worfe 
tlian  Non-fenfc, 

2.  Becaufe  if  the  Words  be  not  fo  interpreted,  then  they  mull  condemn  all  our 
Church  having  above  four.     As  if  they  had  faid  [where  Five  are  met  it 

is  coYitrary  to  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church']  which  cannot  be. 

If  it  be  laid,  That  fur  above  Four  to  meet  in  a  Houfe  vs  not  allowed  by  the  Church.']  I 
Artfwer- 

i.  That  is  a  Matter  which  this  Aft  meddleth  not  with,  as  is  proved  by  the 
forefaid  diflinguifhing  the  manner  ofExcrcife,  from  the  nun&er  of  Perfons. 

2.  Nor  dorh  the  Act  fpeak  of  piivate  Honfes,  or  put  any  difference  between 
them  and  Churches,  but  equally  reltraineth  Meetings  in  Churches,  which  are  for 
dtfallon-ed  Exercijes  of  Religion. 

3.  Nor  is  it  true  in  it  felf,  that  the  Church  difalloweth  the  number  of  Five  in 
private  Houfe-,  as  is  proved  before.  But  it  contrarily  requireth,  that  at  private 
Communions  there  fh;ill  be  [^Neighbours  got  to  Communicate]  and  not  fewer  than 
three  or  two  ]  An  i  at  private  Baptifms,  and  other  occafions,  the  number  is  not 
limited  by  the  Church  at  all. 

^  3.    Be<  iiife   the   Act  is  directed  only   againft   feditious    Seftaries,    and  their 
Conventicles. 

4.  Bccaufe  the  Words  of  the  Aft  fhew,  that  the  Law-makers  concur  with  the 
fence  of  the  Church  of  England  ,  which  is  no  where  lb  ftrift  againit 
Nonconformity  as  in  the  Canons:  And  in  thefe Canons, viz..  73,  and  11.  A  Con- 
venticle ispurpofely  and  plainly  defcibed  to  be  fuch  Q  other  Meetings,  Affem- 
blies  or  Congregations,  than  are  by  the  Laws  held  and  allowed,  which 
challenge  to  themfelves  the  Name  of  true  and  lawful  Churches  :]  Or  elfe  fecret 
Meetings  of  Prieftsor  Miniftcrs  to  confult  upon  any  matter,  or  courfe  to  be  taken 
by  them,  or  upon  their  motion  or  direction  by  any  other,  which  may  any  way 
tend  to  the  impeachment,  or  depriving  of  the  Doftrine  of  the  Church  of  England jyr 
the  book  of  Common-Prayer,or  of  arty  part  of  the  Government  and  Difcipline]  of 
the  Church.  So  that  where  there  is  no  fuch  Confultation  of  M'mifters ,nor  no  Ajfetn- 
blics  that  challenge  to  themfelves  the  Name  of  true  and  Lawful  Churches,  diftinft  from 
the  allowed  Ailemblies,  there  are  no  Conventicles  in  the  fence  of  the  Canons  of 
the  Church  of  England,  which  this  Aft  profefleth  to  adhere  to. 

The  fame  Sence  isexpreft  alfoinCVw.  io.whichdefcribeth  Schifmaticks  :  fWho- 
foevcr  (hall  affirm  that  fuch  Miniftcrs  as  refufe  tofubferibe  to  the  Form  and  man- 
ner of  God's  Worfhip  in  the  Church  of  England,  prefcribed  in  the  Communion1' 
Book,  and  their  Adherents  may  truly  take  unto  them  the  Name  of  another 
Church,  not  eftablifhed  by  Law  j  and  dare  prefume  to  publifh,  that  this  pretended 
Church  hath  long  groaned  under,  &c.-~ 3 

And  in  the  9th  Canon,  where  the  Authors  of  Schifm  arc  thus  defcribed; 
fWhofoever  fhall  feparate  themfelves  from  the  Communion  of  Saints,  as  it  is  ap- 
proved by  the  Apoftle's  Rules  in  the  Church  of  MngUnd,  and  combine  themfelves 
together  in  a  new  Brotherhood,  accounting  the  Chriftians  who  are  conformable  to 
the  Doftrine,  Government,  Rites,  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church  of  England, 
to  be  prophane ,  and  unmeet  for  them  to  join  with  in  Chriftian  Profef- 
fion.-J 

Pro.  3.  If  our  manner  of  Religious  Excrcifes  did  differ  in  fome  meer  degrees  or 
Circumftances  from  that  which  is  allowed  by  the  Liturgy,  and  Practice  of  the 
Church ,  it  ought  not  no  be  taken  to  be  the  thing  condemned  in  this  Aft. 

Arg.  1.  Otherwife  the  Juflices  themfelves,  and  almoft  all  his  Majefty's  Subjects, 
either  are  already  obnoxious  to  the  Mulcts,  Imprifonments,  and  Banimnjents,  or 
inay   be  they   know  not  how  foon. 

Arg.  2.  And  otherwife  no  Subject  muft  dare  to  go  to  Church,  for  fea*  of  incur* 
ting  Imprifonment  or  Banifhmcnt. 

The  reafon  of  both  is  vifiblc.     1.  Almoft  all  conformable  Minifters  do  either  by 
fome  omiiliotts  of  Prayers,  or  other  parts  of  the    Liturgy,  or  by  fojne  alterati- 
ons. 


5  6  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  Part  III 

ons  many  times  do  that  Which  is  diflbnant  from  the  Liturgy,  and  pradife,  or 
Canons  of  the  Church.  I  have  feldom  been  prefent  where  fomewhat  was  not  contra- 
ry to  them.  2,  Becaufe  moft  conformable  Minifters  do  now  Preach  without  Licenfe  j 
which  is  contrary  to  the  exprefs  Canons  of  the  Church.  3.  Becaufe  few  of  the 
King's  Subjects,  or  none  can  tel!  when  they  go  to  Church,  but  they  may  hear  one 
that  hath  no  Licenfe,  or  that  will  do  fomewhat  diflbnant  from  the  manner  of 
the  Church.  ' 

Pro.  4.  Preaching  without  Licenfe  bringeth  me  not  within  the   Penalty  of  tin 

Ad. 

Arg.  1.  Becaufe  I  have  the  Archbifhop's  Licenfe. 

Arg.  1.  Becaufe  a  Licenfe  is  not  neceflary  for  family  lnftrudion. 

j*Yg.  3.  Becaufe  elfe  moll  of  the  Conformifts  would  be    as  much  obnoxious, 
which  is  not  fo  judged  by  the  Bifhops  themfelves. 


§  1 24.    (3.)  The   Errors  of  the  Mittimus,  with  the  explication  of  the  Oxford  Mb. 

THisA&containeth,  I.  The  end  and  Occafion  ;  that  is,  the  preferving  of  Church 
and  Kingdom,  from  the  Danger  of  poifonous  Principles. 

II.  The  Defcription  of  the  dangerous  Perfons.  1 .  in  the  Preamble  ;  Where  they 
are  1.  Nonconformifis,  or  fuch  as  have  not  fubferibed  and  declared  according 
to  the  Ac\  of  Uniformity,  and  other  fubfequent  Ads.  2.  They,  or  fomc  ot 
them,  and  other  Perfons  not  ordained,  according  to  the  Form  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land^ who  have  fmce  the  Ad  of  Oblivion  preached  in  Unlawful  Aflemblies^ 
and  have  fettled  themfelves  in  Corporations. 

2.  In  the  Body  of  the  Ad,  where  are  two  parts  anfwering  the  two  aforefaid  in 
the  Preamble.  1 .  The  firft  Subject  defcribed  is,  Non-fubfcribers,  and  Non-declarers  y 
according  to  the  Ad  of  Uniformity,  &c.  That  is,  Non-conformifts  j  who  alfo  have 
not  taken  the  Oath,  (which  is  here  prefcribed  as  a  preventing  Remedy.  2.  The  fe- 
cond  Subjed  is  CA11  fuch  Perfons  as  fhall  Preach  in  unlawful  Meetings,  contrary  to 
Laws,  which  muft  needs  refer  to  the  fecond  branch  of  the  Preamble,  and  mean 
only  [Tuch  Nonconformifis,  and  unordained  Perfons  as  fhall  fo  Preach-^}  the  Word 
\JhaU~\  fignifying  that  it  muft  be  after  the  pa  fling  of  this^fl?. 

III.  The  Offence  prohibited  is  being,  or  coming  after  March  24.  1655.  within  five 
Miles  of  any  Corporation,  or  of  any  place,  where  fince  the  Aft  of  Oblivion,  they  have 
been  Parfons,  Vicars,  Lefturers,  &c.  Or  have  preached  in  an  nnlawfid  Afiemhly,  contrary 
to  the  Laws,  before  they  have  in  open  Seffions  taken  the  Oath.  That  is,  who  have  done 
this  fince  the^Ad  of  Oblivion  before  this  Ad  (it  being  the  purpofe  of  this  Ad 
to  put  all  thofe  who  fhall  again  after  this  Ad  preach  in  Conventicles,  in  the  lame 
Cafe  with  them,  who  fince  the  Aft  of  Oblivion  were  Parfons,  Vicars,  &c.  That 
is,  that  none  of  them  mall  come  within  five  miles  of  any  place  where  they  were 
either  Incumbents,  or  Conventiclers,  before  this  Aft  fince  the  aft  of  Oblivion. 

IV.  The  Fenalty  is,  1 .  40  /.  for  what  is  pafi ,  (which  the  after  taking  of  the 
Oath  will  not  fave  them  from.  )  2.  And  fix  months  Imprifonment  alfo  for  fuch  of 
them  as  fhall  not  Swear,  and  fubferibe  the  Oath  and  Declaration  offered  them. 

So  that  in  this  Ad  the  Offence  it  felf  prohibited  is  Coming  within  five  rmlcs,  &c. 
But  the  qualification  of  the  fubject  offending,  is  abfolutely  necefjary  to  it. 

So  that  the  Mittimus  for  an  offence  againft  this  Ad,  muft  fignifie,  That  N.  N. 
having  not  fubferibed  and  declared,  according  to  the  Ads  of  Uniformity,  and  o- 
ther  fubfequent  Ads  •,  or  being  not  ordaiae4  according  to  tfee  Form  of.the  Church  of 

England* 


Part  III.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


57 


England  end  having  fi nee  the  Ad  of  Oblivion  preached  in  an  unlawful  A flem- 
bly:  and  alio  hath  fo  preached  fince  this  Aft  -  and  hath  not  taken  the  Oath 
here  required,  is  provrd  by  Oath  to  us  to  have  been,  or  come  fince  Mar  24 
1665.  Within  five  Miles  of  a  Corporation,  or  a  place  where  he  was  an  incum- 
bent, or  preached  in  a  Conventicle,  before  this  Aft  fince  the  Ad  of  Oblivion- 
and  alfo  hath  rcfufed  before  us  to  fwear  and  fubferibe  the  faid  Oath,  &c. 

Now  inthU  Mittjmus.  1.  Here  is  no  mention  that  R.  B.  hath  not  fubferibed  and 
declared  already  according  to  the  Jet  of  Uniformity  •  or  is  a  Non-conformifi  -  nor 
yet  that  he  is  not  ordained  according  to  the  Form  of  the  Church  3?En?- 
land.  ^ 

2.  Nor  is  there  any  mention  that  he  hath  preached  in  an  unlawful  AfTemblv 
fmee  the  Act  of  Oblivion  •   much  lefs ,  fince  this  Act,  ( which  mult  be  faid) 

3.  Nor  that  ever  they  had  proof  of  his  not  taking  the  Oath  before1  of  that 
ever  he  was  Convift  of  Preaching  before  he  took  it. 

4.  The  Offence  itfelf  is  not  here  faid  to  be  proved  by  Oath  at  all,  viz..  Coming 
or  being  within  five  Miles,  &c.  But  another  thing,  w^.  his  Preaching  in  an  un- 
lawful Meeting,  is  faid  to  be  proved  by  Oath,  which  this  Act  doth  not  enable 
them  to  take  fuch  proof  of. 

As  for  the  Word  in  the  Mittimus.  [  where  he  now  dwelleth  3  it 
cannot  be  underitood  as  a  part  of  Depoiition.  1.  Becaufe  it  is  cxprefled  but 
as  the  Juftice's  Allen  ion,  and  not  fo  much  as  an  [and]  or  Conjunction  put  be- 
fore it  to  fhew  that   they  had  Oath  made  of  it,  as  well  as  of  Preaching. 

2.  Becaufe  the  Word  [now  dwelleth]  mult  be  taken  fir ictly  or  laxly  •  if  flrictly 
it  referreth  but  to  the  time  of  the  Writing  of  the  Mittimus ,  which  was  two 
days  after  the  Conltable's  Warrant  •  and  no  Accufer,  Witnefs,  or  other  Perfon 
was  fuffered  to  be  prefent ;  and  therefore  it  muft  needs  be  but  the  Juftice's  own 
Words,  or  Aflertion,  without  proof.  Or  if  [  now  dwelleth"}  be  taken  laxly  for 
a  diftant  time  •  then  note,  that  here  is  not  any  mention  of  Proof  that  there 
was  any  juft  or  confiderable  diftance  between  his  [Preaching']  and  his  [  dwelling  ' 
here~]  but  he  might  go  away  the  next  hour  after  his  Preaching,  notwitftanding  any 
thing  here  mentioned.  For  any  Man  that  Preacheth,  is  in  the  place  where  he 
Preacheth  while  he  Preachcth  ;  and  if  he  go  away  the  next  hour,  it  muft  be 
confidered  in  what  time  he  can  go  five  Miles.  But  if  [now]  be  taken  for  the  Wit- 
nefTes  Words,  here  is  no  intimation  of  the  leaft  diftance.  And  none  can  imagine 
that  the  Law  mcaneth  that  the  Preacher  fhall  be  five  Miles  off  the  next  Mi- 
nute, or  Hour.  And  indeed,  feeing  no  Man  can  tell  how  many  hours  muft  be  al- 
lowed it  is  plain  that  the  Aft  meaneth  that  the  Perfon  muft  be  firft  legally  Con- 
vict o(  Preaching  in  an  unlawful  AfTembly  ("and  alfo  of  not  having  conformed  or 

.  taken  the  Oath)  before  the  Oath  is  made  of  his  not  removing  five  Miles. 

3.  This  Act,  not  at  all  enabling  the  Juftices  to  take  Oatk  about  the  Conven- 
ticles •,  but  only  about  [not  coming  within  five  Miles]  and  there  being  but  one  De- 
pofition  mentioned  [where  he  now  dwelleth]  being  a  very  part  of  that  one  Tefti- 
mony,  if  it  be  not  the  Juftice's  own  Words  ;  it  followeth  that  this  Oath  muft 
be  made  before  ine  Act  againft  Conventicles  was  expired  j  becaufe  no  other  AcV 
enableth  them  to  take  fuch  an  Oath  :  And  then  the  -[now  dwelleth]  will  fignifie 
long  ago,  without  any  notified  diftance  from  his  Preaching. 

4.  If  [where  he  now  dwelleth]  be  part  of  the  l3epofition,  then  fo  muft  the  fol- 
lowing Words  [not  having  taken  and  fubferibed  the  Oath,)  which  Charity  forbiddeth 
us  to  believe  that  they  fwore,  feeiug  I  was  never  accufed  of  it,  and  it's  not  pof- 
fible  that  they,  or  any  Man  living  fhould  know  that  I  have  not  taken  it  hereto- 
fore. 

5.  Here  is  no  Oath  that  Richard  Baxter  Preached  in  a  Conventicle  before  this 
Aft,  which  is  to  be  proved  as  well  as  that  he  did  it  after. 

The  great  difficulty  in  this  Aft  is,  whether  the  general  Words  [all  fuch  Perfons 
*s  fhall  take  on  them  to  Preach"]  be  not  to  be  taken  as  expounded  in  the  Preamble 
limited  to  Non-conformjjls,  and  the  un-ordained,  as  aforefaid.  And  it's  plain,  that 
it's  not  to  be  extended  to  Conformifls.  1.  Becaufe  the  Law  doth  not  difhonour 
them  fo  far  as  to  fufpeft  them  of  poifonpus  Principles.  2.  Elfe  what  ruin  would  it 
make  in  the  Church,  when  every  Paltor  muft  no  more  come  within  five  Miles  of 
his  Charge  fno  not  the  dignified  Clergy)  if  any  Enemy  fhall  fecretly  fwear  that 
sfcev  once  preached  in   an  unlawful  AfTembly.     3.  All  the  Conformable  Clergy 

Hhhh  *** 


7g  IhchiV  E  of  the  Part  III. 


and  their  Council  are  of  this  mind :  For  none  of  them  take  this  Oath  at  the  Seffions  • 
and  therefore  none  of  them  think  they  are  bound  to  take  it.  Notey  it  is  to  be  taken 
unoffercd  •  and  that  on  the  Penalty  of  40  /.  if  they  come  within  five  MUcs  of  thetf 
Charge,  though  they  were  never  fo  willing  to  take  it  after. 

Obiettion  1 .    The  Conformiits  need  it  not,  becaufe  they  keep  no  Conventicles. 

Jnfiv.  1 .  They  are  commanded  many  private  Meetings,  as  private  Vifitations 
of  the  Sick,  Baptifms,  Communions,  Perambulations  in  the  Rogation-Week  (  when 
they  ufe  in  Houfes  by  the  way  to  fpend  the  time  in  Pious  Inftructions,  Prayers,  &c.) 
And  many  of  them  repeat  their  Sermons  in  their  Houfes,  which  is  as  much  Preaching 
as  any  thing  I  have  ever  done. 

2.  And  there  arc  few  publick  A flemblies,  where  fome-what  is  not  done  contrary 
to  the  Liturgy,  bv  Omiflions,  &c. 

3.  And  every  Man  hath  fome  Enemy,  who  may  Swear  that  thefe  are  unlawful  Af- 
femblies.  • 

Obj.  2.  The  Conformi(ts  have  already  Subfcribed. 

Anfw.  1 .  That  proveth  that  this  Act  intendeth  them  not,  (and  therefore  not  me, 
who  Conform  as  far  as  any  Law  $feqnireth  me.) 

2.  It  is  one  thing  to  [fay  J  an  of  Opinion'}  and  another  thing  to  [Swear  that  fo 
it  v$.~]  "~ 

3.  1  may  fay  that  [the  Covenant  bindeth  me  not  to  endeavour  any  Alteration  of 
Church-Government"]  eafilier  than  Swear  [That  J  will  never  at  any  time  endeavour  1Q 
when  we  once  already  fo  far  endeavoured  it  by  Command,  1 660.  as  His  Majefiyh 
Gracious  Declaration  about  Ecckf.  Affairs  expnfftth  -7  even  while  contrary  Laws  were 
in  force. 

§  125.  While  I  flayed  in  Prifon,  I  faw  fome-what  to  blame  my  felf  for,  and 
fome-what  to  wonder  at  others  for,  and  fome-what  to  advife  my  Vifitors 
about. 

1.  1  blamed  my  Self  that  I  was  no  more  fenfible  of  the  Spiritual  part  of  my  Af- 
fliction, fuch  as  was  the  inter  nipt  ion  of  my  Work,  and  the  poor  People  from  whom 
I  was  removed,  and  the  advantage  Satan  had  got  againft  them,  and  the  lofs  of  my 
own  publick  Liberty,  for  worfbipping  in  the  Aflcmbliesof  his  Servants. 

2.  1  marvelled  at  fome  who  fuffered  no  more  than  I,  (as  Mr.  Rutherford,  when 
he  was  confined  to  Aberdeen)  that  their  Sufferings  occafioned  them  fo  great  Joys 
as  they  expvefs !  which  fure  was  from  the  Free  Grace  of  God,  to  encourage  others 
by  their  Examples,  and  not  that  their  own  Impatience  made  them  need  it  much 
more  than  at  other  times.  For  furely  fo  fmall  a  Suffering  needeth  not  a  quarter 
of  the  Patience,  as  many  poor  Nonconformable  Minifters  (  and  Thoufands  others  ) 
need,  that  arc  at  liberty  ^  whofe  own  Houfes,  through  Poverty,  are  made  far  worfe  to 
them,  than  my  Prifon  was  to  me. 

3.  To  my  \ :i liters  I  found  Rcafon,  1.  To  intreat  my  v#Zott-Neighbours,  not  to 
let  their  Paffion  againft  their  Parfon,  on  my  account,  hinder  them  from  a  due  regard 
to  his  Doctrine,  nor  from  any  of  the  Duty  which  they  owed  him. 

2.  To  blame  feme  who  aggravated  my  Sufferings,  and  to  tell  them,  That  I  had  no 
mind  'to  fancy  my  felf  hurt  before  I  felt  it :  I  ufed  at  home  to  confine  my  felf  volun- 
•  -tarily  almoft  as  much  ••  I  had  ten-fold  more  publick  a  Life  here,  and  converfe  with 
my  Frierids,  than  I  had  at  home :  If  I  had  been  to  take  Lodgings  at  London  for 
fix  Months,  and  had  not  known  that  this  had  been  a  Prifon,  and  had  knock'dat  the 
Door  and  ask'd  for  Rooms,  I  mould  as  foon  have  taken  this  which  I  was  put  into, 
as  molt  in  Town  (fave  only  for  the  Interruption  of  my  fieep :  )  That  it  fhewetb 
great  weaknefs  to  magnifie  a  fmall  Suffering,  and  much  worfe  to  magnifie  our  felves 
and  our  own  Patience,  for  bearing  fo  fmall  a  thing ;  ( than  which  moft  poor  Men  in 
England  bear  more  every  Day.) 

I  found  Caufe  to  defire  my  Brethren,  that  when  they  fuffered,  they  would  remem- 
ber that  the  defini  of  Satan  was  more  againft  their  Souls  than  their  Bodies :  and 
that  it  was  not  the  kaft  of  his  hopes  to  deftroy  their  Love,  which  wes  due  to  thofe 
by  whom  they  fuffered,  and  to  difhonour  Superiours,  and  by  aggravating  our  Suf- 
ferings, to  render  them  odious  to  the  People ;  As  alio  to  make  us  take  fuch  a  poor 

Suffering 


Part  III.  !  (ever  end  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  eg 

Suffering  as  this,  for  a  f:gn  of  true  Grace,  inftead  of  Faith,  Hope,  Love,  Mortifi- 
cation, and  a  Heavenly  Mind-  and  that  the  lofs  of  one  Grain  of  Love,  wasworfe 
than  a  long  lmprifonment :  And  that  it  much  more  concerned  us,  to  be  fure  that 
we  deferved  not  Suffering,  than  that  we  be  delivered  from  it,  and  to  fee  that  we 
wronged  not  our  Superioms,  than  that  they  wrong  not  us ;  feeing  we  are  not  near 
fo  much  hurt  by  their  Severities,  as  we  are  by  our  Sins.  Some  told  me,  that  they 
hoped  this  would  make  me  ftand  a  little  further  from  the  Prelates  and  their  Wor- 
ihip,  than  I  had  done.  To  whom  I  anfwered,  That  I  wondred  that  they  mould 
think  that  a  Prifon  mould  change  my  Judgment :  I  rather  thought  now  it  was  my 
Duty  to  fet  a  ftrider  watch  upon  my  Paflions,  left  they  mould  pervert  my  Judg- 
ment, and  carry  me  into  Extreams,  in  oppofition  to  my  Afflidors.  (And  not  pail 
a  Year  and  half  after,  two  Gentlemen  turned  Quakers  in  Prifon.)  If  Paffion  made 
me  lofe  my  Love,  or  my  Religion,  the  lofs  would  be  my  own.  And  Truth  did 
not  change  becaufe  I  was  in  a  Goal.The  temper  of  my  Vifitors  called  me  much  to 
this  kind  ot  talk. 

§  1 26.  When  I  was  in  Prifon,  the  Lord  Chief  Baron,  at  the  Table  at  Serjeant's 
Inn,  before  the  reft  of  the  Judges,  gave  fuch  a  Character  of  me  openly,  without 
fear  of  any  Man's  difpleafurc,  as  is  not  fit  for  me  to  own,  or  recite,  who  was  fo 
much  reverenced  by  the  reft  (  who  were  every  one  Strangers  to  me,  fave  by  hear- 
fey)  that  I  believe  it  much  fettled  their  Refolutions.  The  Lord  Chief  Juftice 
Paughanw&sno  Friend  to  Nonconformity,  or  Puritans,  but  he  had  been  one  of  Sel- 
deris  Executors,  and  fo  Judge  Ha\?\  old  Acquaintance :  Judge  Tyrell  was  a  well- 
affected  fober  Man,  and  Serjeant  fountain's  Brother-in-Law  by  Marriage,  and  fome- 
time  his  Fellow-Commifnoncr  for  keeping  the  Great  Seal  and  Chancery:  Judge 
Archer  was  one  that  privately  favoured  Religious  People :  And  Judge  Wild,  though 
greatly  for  the  Prelates  way,  yet  (was  noted  for  )  a  Righteous  Man.  And  thefe 
were  the  Four  Judges  of  the  Court. 

§  1 27.  My  Habeas  Corps  being  demanded  at  the  Common  Pleas,  was  granted, 
and  a  Day  appointed  for  my  Appearance  :  But  when  I  came,  the  Judges,  I  believe, 
having  not  before  ftudiedthe  Oxford- Aft,  when  Judge  Wild  hadfirftfaid  £1  hope 
you  will  not  trie  to  trouble  this  Court  with  fuch  Caufes,]  asked  whether  the  King's 
Council  had  been  acquainted  with  the  Cafe,  and  feen  the  Order  of  the  Court :  which 
being  denied,  I  was  remanded  back  to  Prifon,  and  a  new  Day  fet:  They  fuffered 
me  not  to  ftand  at  the  Bar ;  but  called  me  up  on  the  Table  (which  was  an  unufual 
refped  -7)  and  they  fent  me  not  to  the  Fleet,  as  is  ufual,  but  to  the  fame  Prifon, 
which  was  a  greater  favour. 

§  1 28.  When  I  came  next,  the  Lord  Chief  Juftice  coming  towards  Weftminfler 
Hall,  went  into  White- Hall  by  the  way,  which  caufed  much  talk  among  the  People. 
When  he  came,  Judge  Wild  began,  and  having  fhewed  that  he  was  no  Friend  to 
Conventicles,  opened  the  Ad,  and  then  opened  many  defaults  in  the  Mittimus,  for 
which  he  pronounced  it  invalid  •,  but  in  Civility  to  the  Juftices  faid,  that  the  Ad 
was  fo  Penned,  that  it  was  a  very  hard  thing  to  draw  up  a  Mittimus  by  it  (which 
was  no  Co  npliment  to  the  Parliament.)  Judge  Archer  next  fpake  largely  againft  the 
Mittimus,  without  any  word  of  difparagement  to  the  main  Caufe :  And  fo  did  Judge 
Tyrell  after  him  ( I  will  not  be  fo  tedious  as  to  recite  their  Arguments :)  Judge 
Vaugkm  concluded  in  the  fame  manner,  but  with  thefe  two  Singularities  above  the 
reft. 

1 .  That  he  made  it  an  Error  in  the  Mittimus,  that  the  Witneffes  were  not 
named  •,  feeing  that  ( the  Oxford- Aft  giving  the  Juftices  fo  great  a  power^)  if  the 
WitnclTes  be  unknown,  any  innocent  Perfon  may  be  laid  in  Prifon,  and  fhall  never 
know  where,  or  againft  whom  to  feck  remedy  (which  was  a  Matter  of  great  mo- 
ment.) 

2.  When  he  had  done  with  the  Caufe,  he  made  a  Speech  to  the  People,  and  told 
them,  That  by  the  appearance,  he  perceived  that  this  was  a  Caufe  of  as  great  Ex- 
pedation  as  had  been  before  them,  and  it  being  ufual  with  People  to  carry  away 
things  by  the  halves,  and  their  mifreports  might  miflead  others,  he  therefore  ac- 

?uainted  them,  That  though  he  underftood  that  Mr.  Baxter  was  a  Man  of  great 
.earning,  and  of  a  good  Life,  yet  he  having  this  Angularity,  the  Law  was  againft 
Conventicles,  and  it  was  only  upon  the  Error  of  the  Warrant  that  he  was  releafed ; 
and  that  they  ufe  in  their  Charge  at  Affixes  to  enquire  after  Conventicles,  and  they 
are  acainft  the  Law-  fo  that  if  they  that  made  the  Mittimus  had  but  known  how 

Hh  hh  2  ** 


fo """       The  LI  F  Etftbe  Part  111 

to  make  it   they  could  not  have  delivered  him,  nor  can  do  it  for  him  on  any  that 
(hall  fo  tranfgrefsthe  Law. 

This  was  fuppofed  to  be  that  which  was  refolvcd  on,at  IVhttc-ffall  by  the  way.  But 
he  had  never  heard  what  I  had  to  fay  in  the  main  Caufe,  to  prove  my  felf  noTranf- 
ereflbr  of  the  Law  ;  Nor  did  lie  at  all  ten  them  how  to  know,  what  a  Conventicle 
which  the  Common  Law  is  fo  much  againit 

§  129.  Being  difcharged  of  my  Imprifonment,  my  Sufferings  began  •  for  I  had 
there  better  Health,  than  I  had  of  a  long  time  before  or  after  ;  I  had  now  more 
exafperatcd  the  Authors  of  my  Imprifonment  ^  I  was  not  at  all  acquit  as  to  the  main 
Caufe  •  they  might  amend  their  Mittimus,  and  lay  me  in  again :  I  knew  no  way  how 
to  bring  my  main  Caufe  ("whether  they  had  power  to  put  the  Oxford~Omh  on  me) 
to  a  legal  Tryal :  And  my  Counfellors  advifed  me  not  to  do  it,  much  lefs  to  qucftion 
the  Juftices  for  falfe  Imprifonment,  left  I  were  born  down  by  power.  I  had  now  a 
great  Houfe  of  great  Rent  on  my  Hands,  which  I  muft'notcomcto:  lhad  noHoufe 
to  dwell  in  ;  I  knew  not  what  to  do  with  all  my  Goods  and  Family  ;  I  mull  go  out 
of  Middle/ex ;  I  muft  not  come  within  five  Miles  of  City,  Corporation,  &c.  where 
to  find  fuch  a  place,  and  therein  a  Houfe,  and  how  to  remove  my  Goods  thither ; 
and  what  to  do  with  my  Houfe  the  while,  till  my  time  expired,  were  more  trouble 
than  my  quiet  Prifon  by  far  ;  and  the  Confcqucnts  yet  worfe. 

§  1 30.  Gratitude  commandeth  me  to  tell  the  World  who  were  my  Benefactors 
in  my  Imprifonment,  and  Calumny  as  much  obligeth  me,  becaufe  it  is  faid  among 
fome,  that  I  was  enriched  by  it  j  Serjeant  Fountains  general  Counfel  ruled  me }  Mr. 
Wallop^  and  Mr.  Offley  fent  me  their  Con nfel,  and  would  take  nothing.  Of  four 
Serjeants  that  pleaded  my  Caufe,  two  of  them,  Serjeant  Windham  (afterwards  Ba- 
ron of  the  Exchequer)  and  Serjeant  Sifc,  would  take  nothin.r.  Sir  John  Bernard  (a 
Perfon  that  I  never  faw  but  once)  fent  me  no  lefs  than  Twenty  Pieces-,  and  the 
Countefs  of  Exeter  Ten  Pound  ;  And  Alderman  Bard  Five  ;  and  I  received  no  more  7 
but  I  confefs  more  was  offered  me,  which  I  rcfufed  -,  and  more  would  have  been, 
but  that  they  knew  I  needed  it  not.  And  this  much  defrayed  my  Law,  and  Prifon 
Charges. 

§  131.  When  the  fame  Juftices  faw  that  I  was  thus  difcharged,  they  were  not 
fatisfied  to  have  driven  me  from  Atton,  but  they  make  a  new  Mittimus^  by  Counfel, 
as  for  the  fame  (fuppofed)  Fault,  naming  the  Fourth  of  June  as  the  Day  on  which  I 
preached,  and  yet  not  naming  any  Witnefs  (  when  the  Act  againft  Conventicles 
was  expired  long  before.)  And  this  Mittimus  they  put  into  an  Officer's  hands  in 
London,  to  bring  me  not  to  Clerkenwell,  but  among  the  Thieves  and  Murderers,  to 
the  common  Jail  at  Newgate,  which  was  lince  the  Fire  (which  burnt  down  all  the 
better  Rooms)  the  molt  noifom  place  that  I  have  heard  of  (except  the  Tower  Dun- 
geon) of  any  Prifon  in  the  Land. 

§  132.  The  next  Habitation  which  God's  Providence  chofe  for  me,  was  at  Tof- 
leridge,  near  Barnet,  where  for  a  Year,  I  was  fain    with  part  of  my  Family  fepara- 
tedfrom  the  reft,  to  take  a  few  mean  Rooms,  whicn  were  fo  extreamly  fmoaky,  and 
the  place  withal  fo  cold,  that  I  fpent  the  Winter 'in  great  pain^  one  quarter  of  a  * 
Year  by  a  fore  Sciatica,  and  feldom  free  from  fuch  Anguifh. 

§  1 33.     It  would  trouble  the  Reader  for  me  to  reckon  up  the  many  Difeafes,  and 
Dangers  for  thefe  ten  Years  paft,  in,  or  from  which,  God  hath  delivered  me  7 
though  it  be  my  Duty  not  to  forget  to  be  thankful.    Seven  Months  together  I  was 
lame,  with  a  ftrange  Pain  in  one  f  ooti  Twice  delivered  from  a  Bloody  Flux  ^  a 
fpurious  Cataract  in  my  Eye  (with  inceffant  Webs  and  Net-works  before  it)  hath 
continued  thefe  eight  Years,  without  difabling  me  one  Hour  from  Reading  or  Wri- 
ting :   I  have  had  conftant  Pains  and  Languors,  with  incredible  Flatulency  in  Sto- 
mach,  Bowels,  Sides,  Back,  Legs,  Feet,  Heart,  Breaft,  but  worft  of  all,  either 
painful  Diftcntions,  or  ufually  vertiginous  or  ftupifying  Conquefts  of  my  Brain,  fo 
that  I  have  rarely  one  Hour's,  or  quarter  of  an  Hour's  eafe.     Yet,  through  God's 
Mercy,  I  was  never  one  Hour  Melancholy, '  and  not  many  Hours  in  a  Week  difabled 
utterly  from  my  Work,  fave  that  I  loft  time  in  the  Morning,  for  want  of  being  able 
to  rife  early :    And  lately,  an  Ulcer  in  my  Throat,  with  a  Tumour,  of  near  half  a 
Year's  continuance,  is  healed  without  any  mems.    In  all  which  I  have  fouid  fuch 
merciful  Difpofals  of  God,  fuch  fuitable  Chaftifements  for  my  Sin,  fuch  plain  An-» 
fwers  of  Prayer,  as  leave  me  unexcufable  if  they  do  me  not  good.    Befides  many  fud- 
den  and  acuter  Sickrrefles,  which  God  hath  delivered  me  from,  not  here  to  be  num- 

bredj 


Part  111,         Reverend  Mr.  R  ichard  Baxter.  6 1 

bred  v  his  upholding  Mercy  under  fuch  continu^dweakncfTes,  wi^t^^andiT^3 
de  i  diiabhng  Fains,  hatii  been  un valuable.  ' 

a  f  lite  \  *lVrKt  t0  g7C, f0mC  ^  accdimt  of  W  Writings  fincc  t66<      , 

A  M  MS.  lye*  by  me    which  I  wrote  in  Anfwer  to  a  Paper  which  M Caryl  of 

exfem  me,  written  by  CV#  (called  now  Screw)  about  Popery  * 

§  135-  2 .Uv  rates  oi  HambdeH ,  Minifter,  fending  me  the  Copy  of  a  Popilh  Let- 
ter as  food  MM  under  the  Mask  of  one  doubting  of  Chriftianity,  and 
calling  the  Scholars  to  a 1  ml  of  their  Faith,  in  Principles,5  did  by  the  Wgling 
Fraud  and  the  1  -ghtneis  ot  it  provoke  me  to  write  my  book  called/ T/*  Reafons  of 
the  Chnfun  Religion.  And  the  Philofophy  of  Gaffcndm,  and  many  more  befide{ 
the  Hobbian*,  now  prevailing,  and  inclining  men  to  Sadduafm,  induced  me  to  write 
the  appendix  to  it,  about  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul. 

f  136.  3-  Oft  Conference  with  the  Lord  Chief  Baron  Hale,  put  thofe  Cafes  into 
my  mind,  which  occalioncd  the  writing  of  another  fhort  Piece,  of  the  Nature  and 
Immortality  ot  the  Soul,  by  way  of  Qiieftion  and  Anfwer  (not  printed  ; 

.  $  1 37.  >  The  great  Weakncfles,  and  Paflions,  and  Injudicioufnefs  of  many  Reli- 
gious Periohs,  and  the  ill  effects  •  and  efpccially  perceiving  that  the  Temptations  of 
the  limes,  yea  the  very  Reproofs  of  thcConformifts,  did  but  increafe  them  among 
the  feparating  party,  cauled  me  to  offer  a  book  to  be  Licenfed,  called,  Directions  to 
weak  Cbriftians  bow  to  grow  in  price,  with  a  fecondpart,  being  Sixty  Characters  of  a 
Sound  Chrif  tan,  with  as  many  of  the  Weak  Chrijlian  and  the  Hyyoc/tte;  Which  1  the 
rather  writ  to  imprint  on  men's  minds  aright  apprehenfion  of  Chriftianity,  and  to 
be  as  a  Confcflion  of  our  Judgment  in  this  malignant  Age,  when  fome  Conformifh 
would  make  the  World  believe,  that  it  is  fome  menftruous  thing  compofed  of  Folly 
and  Sedition ,  which  the  Nonconforming  mean  by  a  Chrijlian  and  a  Godly  Man.  This 
Book  came  forth  when  I  was  in  Prifon,    being  long  before  refufed  by  Mr.  Crigg. 

§  1 38.  5.  A  Crijlian  Directory,  or  Summ  of  Piaftical  Divinity  in  Folio,  hath  lain 
finiftied  by  me,  many  years  -,  (and  fmce  twice  printed. 

§  1.39.  6.My  Bookfciler  deiiring  fome  Additions  to  my  Sermon  before  the  King  I 
added  a  large  Directory  of  the  whole  Life  of  Faith,  which  is  its  Title  which  is  pub- 
liflied.  "  * 

§  140.  7.  Abundance  of  Women  firft,  and  Men  next  growing  at  London,  into  fe- 
parating Principles  ;  Some  thinking  that  it  was  fin  to  hear  a  Conformift  •  and 
more,  That  it  is  a  fin  to  pray  according  to  the  Common  Prayer  with  them';  and 
yet  more,  That  it  is  a  fin  to  Communicate  with  them  in  the  Sacrament :  And  the  Con- 
fprmifts  abominating  their  Houfe-Meetings  as  Schifmatical  •  and  their  Diftance  and 
Paflions  daily  incrcaliug,  even  among  many,  to  earn  eft  defires  of  each  other's  Ruine,I 
thought  it  my  Duty  to  add  another  part  to  my  book  of  Directions  to  weak  Cbrijlians, 
being  Directions  what  courfe  they  muft  take  to  avoid  being  Dividers,  or  troublers  of 
the  Churches :  The  rather  becaufe  I  knew  what  thePapilcs  and  Infidels  would  gain  by 
our  Divilions,  and  of  how  great  neceffity  it  is  againft  them  both,  that  the  koneft  mo- 
derate part  of  the  Conformifts,  and  the  Nonconformifts,  be  reconciled,  or  at  leaft 
grow  not  into  mortal  Enmity  againft  each  other.  This  Book  was  offered  to  Mr. 
Sam.  Parker,  the  Archbiujop's  Chaplain  to  be  Licenfed,  but  he  refufed  it;  and  fo  I 
purpofed  to  caft  it  by  :  But  near  two'  years  after,  Mr.  Grove,  the  Bifhop  of  London's 
Chaplain  (without  whom  I  could  have  had  nothing  of  mine  Licenfed,  I  think)  did  Li- 
cenfe  it,  and  it  was  publifhed  •,  of  which  more  anon. 

§141.  8.  About  this  time  1  heard  Dr.  Owen  talked  very  yieldingly  of  a  Concord 
between  the  Independents  and  Presbyterians  (which  all  feemed  willing  of.)  I  had 
before,  about  1658.  written  fomewhatin  order  to  Reconciliation  ;  and  I  did  (by  the 
invitation  of  his  Speeches)  offer  it  to  Mr.  Geo.  Griffiths  to  be  confidered :  And  near 
a  twelve-month  after  he  gave  it  me  again,  without  taking  notice  of  any  thing  in  it: 
I  now  refojved  to  try  once  more  with  Dr.  Owen :  And  though  all  our  bufinefs  with 
each  other  had  been  contradiction:,  I  thought  it  my  Duty  without  any  thoughts  of  for- 
mer things,  to  go  to  him,  and  be  a  Seeker  of  Peace :  which  he  feemed  to  take  well, 
and  exprefled  great  defires  of  Concord,  and  alfo  many  moderate  Conceffions,  and 
how  heartily  he  would  concur  in  any  thing  that  tended  to  a  good  agreement.  I  told 
him,  That  \  muft  deal  freely  vvitq  him.  that  when  1  thought  of  what  he  had  done  for- 
merly, 1  was  much  afraid  left  one  that  had  been  fo  great  a  breaker,  would  not  be  made 
an  Iriftrument  in  healing  :  But  in  other  Refpe&s  I  thought  him  the  fitteft  man  in  Eng- 
land for  this  Work  s  partly  beeaufe  he  could  ucderftand  the  Cafe,  and  partly,  becaufe 


6n  IbeLlFEojthe  Van  Ul 


h is  Experience  of  the  Humours  of  Men,  and  of  the  mif-hiefs  of  dividing  Principles 
and  Pra&ifcs,  had  been  fo  very  great,  that  if  Expcrier.ce  fhould  make  any  man   i 
and  fit  for  an'healing  Work,  it  fhould  be  him:  And  that  a  book  which  he  had  lately 
written  (a  Catechifm  for  Independency;  ottenfive  to  others,  was  my  chief  Motive  to 
make  this  Motion  to  him  ^  becaufe  he  there giveth  up  two  of  the  worft  01  the  P. 
ciples  of  popularity  •,   acknowledging, 

i.  That  the  People  have  not  the  Power  of  the  Keys. 

2.  That  they  give  not  the  Power  of  the  Keys,  or  their  Office-Power  to  the  Pallors. 
I  told  him  that  I  had  before  this  driven  on  an  Agreement  between  the  Pre  by  eri  .m 
and  Independents,  in  another  manner,  but  that  I  plainly  few,  that  while  the  Lcrd 
Chancellor,  and  fuch  others,  were  ftill  talking  of  Plots  and  Confpi racier,  they  would 
be  fo  jealous  of  our  Union,  that  they  would  give  out,  that  we  were  ftrengthenbg 
our  felves  by  it,  as  a  Confederacy  againft  the  King^  and  it  would  have  tended  to 
the  fudden  increafe  of  our  Suffering.  He  anfwered  me,  That  for  his  part,  he  thought 
the  Work  fo  ne«elfary,  that  he  would  trufl  God,  and  over-look  fuch  dangers.  I 
told  him,  That  the  danger  being  fo  vifible,  Prudence  in  the  management  of  tha 
Work  was  our  Duty,  though  not  carnal  Policy  to  defert  it.  The  great  difficulty 
had  always  been  to  find  out  the  Terms  on  which  we  muft  be  United,  if  ever  it  be 
done:  This  was  it  which  could  not  be  done  in  the  AfTembly  at  Weftminfter,  nor  ia 
all  the  Years  of  our  Liberty  and  Difference  ever  fince.  And  this  is  a  thing  which  a 
few  Hands  may  difpatch,  much  better  than  many.  I  told  him  therefore,  that  my 
Opinion  was,  That  he  and  I  only  fhould  firft  try  whether  we  could  come  to  Agree- 
ment in  Principles  ;  and  that  none  living  might  know  of  our  Attempt  till  it  was  fini- 
iiifhed  j  that  if  we  could  not  agree,  the  notice  of  our  Failing  might  not  be  a  hindrance 
to  others,  nor  a  reproach  to  our  felves ;  but  if  we  did  agree,  it  were  eafie  to  make 
ufe  of  the  Terms  agreed  on,  when  ever  Prudence  fhould  tell  us  it  was  conducible  to 
our  Ends ;  and  to  get  two  or  three  of  a  fide  to  Subfcribe  it  firft,  till  it  were  fit  to 
make  it  publick  for  the  ufe  of  more. 

This  much  we  agreed  oil,  and  oir  next  Queftion  was  of  the  method.  I  told  him 
that  as  to  the  pofitive  Terms  of  Concord,  I  thought  that  thofe  EJfentials  of  Religion 
and  Communion,  which  are  the  Terms  that  all  Qttiftians  muft  agree  in,  muft  be  ours; 
and  that  we  had  not  any  new  Terms  to  devife^  but  only  fome  new  Means  to  bring 
us  to  confent  to  Communion  '"pen  tnofe  Terms.  To  wMch  end  I  thought  it  would 
be  a;  good  way  to  draw  up  a  Writing ,  containing  all  the  Points  of  Difcipline,  which 
the  two  Parties  are  really  agreed  in  f great  and  frna:i,)  that  while  the  World  feeth 
the  extent  of  their  Agreement,  the  few  things  which  they  differ  in  may  feem  fo 
fmall,  among  all  thofe,  and  not  to  be  lufFicient  to  hinder  the:.  Communion.  He 
approved  of  the  Motion,  and  delired  him  to  draw  it  up  ;  which  when  he  put  off,  I 
deiired  that  each  of  us  might  bring  in  a  Draught ;  but  he  would  needs  caft  it  on  me 
alone. 

When  I  had  drawn  up  abundance  ofThefes  as  the  Matter  of  our  common  Concord, 
and  left  them  with  him,  the  next  time  I  came  to  him,  he  commended  the  thing, 
but  faid,  that  they  were  too  many,  and  I  could  do  it  in  a  narrower  room.  I  per- 
ceived by  this,  that  his  Thoughts  were,  that  many  that  were  among  them,  would 
not  grant  all  thofe  Points,  and  fo  it  muft  be  wider  yet.  I  told  him,  that  if  he  chan- 
ged the  Dellgn,  we  muft  change  the  Means :  Ir  he  thought  it  the  better  way  to  draw 
up  only  thofe  Points  which  are  neceffary  to  our  Agreement,  then  we  muft  do  it  in 
as  narrow  a  cempafs  as  may  be  7  which  being  determined  of,  I  urged  him  again  in 
vain  to  do  it :  but  he  caft  it  upon  me,  and  I  brought  him  fpeedily  a  Draught  of  fo 
many  of  the  things  which  both  Presbyterians  and  Independents  are  agreed  in,  as  are  ne- 
ceflary  to  their  Prac~ticai  Concord  and  Communion,  with  refpeel  to  the  things  in" 
which  they  are,  or  feem  difagreed.  When  he  had  kept  them  a  few  Weeks,  I  wait- 
ed on  him  again  and  again  •,  and  -he  told  me,  that  it  was  the  faireft  Offer,  and  the 
ftkelieft  Means,  that  ever  he  yet  faw  :,  and  he  faw  nothing  yet  but  that  it  might  well 
conduce  to  the  End  intended.  I  defired  him  to  give  me  his  An imadver lions,  i .  Of 
all  that  he  took  to  be  falfe  or  unfound  in  it.  2.  Of  all  that  he  thought  the  two  Parties 
were  not  agreed  in.  3.  Of  all  that  he  thought  inconvenient  and  unapt  to  the  End  in- 
tended. 4.  Of  all  that  he  thought  unneceffary  :  which  he  confented  to,  and  inertly 
after  fent  me  this  Letter  fwhich  intimateth  his  purpofe  of  coming  to  me,  becaufe  I 
inviied  him  to  take  the  Country  Air  with  me,  in  a  Cold  that  he  had,  &c .) 

§142, 


I 


Part  III.  "Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter!  £7 


§  14^.     SIR, 

^//f  continuance  of  my  Cold,  which  yet.  holds  me,  with  the  feverity  of  the  Weather* 
h.ive  hitherto  hindrcd  me  from  anfwering  my  purpofc  of  coming  unto  you  at  A&on  • 
but  yet  I  hope  ere  long  to  obtain  the  advantage  of  enjoying  your  Company  there*  for  a  Seafon- 
In  the  mean  time  I  return  you  my  Thanh  for  the  Communication  of  your  Payers  •  andfhaft 
on  every  occafion  nianifeft,  that  you  have  no  occafion  f  queftion,  whether  I  Were  in  earned 
in  what  I  proofed,  in  reference  to  the  Concord  you  defign.  For  the  defire  of  it  it  continually 
upon  my  Heart,  and  to  exprefs  that  defire  on  all  occafion,  I  eftecm  one  part  of  that  Pro- 
fejfion  of  the  Gofpel  which  I  am  called  unto.  Could  I  contribute  any  thing  towards  the  Ac- 
complifhment  of  fo  holy,  fo  neceffary  a  Worky  I  fhould  willingly  fptnd  myfilf,  and  be /pent 
in  it.  For  what  you  defign  concerning  your  prefent  Ejfay,  J  like  it  very  well,  both  upon 
the  Reafons  you  mention  in  your  Letter,  as  alfo  that  all  thofe  who  may  be  willing  and  defi- 
rom  to  promote  fo  hleffed  a  Work,  may  have  Copies  by  them  to  prepare  their  Thoughts' in  re- 

rnce  to  the  whole. 

For  the  prefent,  upon  the  Liberty  granted  in  your  Letter  (  if  J  remember  it  aright  )  I 
/hall  tender  you  a  few  Quaeries  •,  which  if  they  are  ufelefs  or  needkfs,  deal  with  them  ac- 
cordingly. 

As  1.  Are  not  the  Sever als  propofed  or  infifted  on,  too  many  for  this  firft  Attempt  ? 
The  general  Heads  I  conceive  are  not  •  but  under  them,  very  many  Particulars  are  not 
only  included,  which  vs  unavoidable,  but  exprejjed  alfo,  which  may  too  much  dilate  the  ori- 
ginal Confideration  of  the  whole. 

2.  Tou  cxprefly  exclude  the  Papifts,  who  will  alfo  fure  enough  exclude  themfelves  and 
do,  from  any  fueh  Agreement :  But  have  you  done  the  fame  as  to  the  SocinianS  who  are 
numerous,  and  ready  to  include  themfelvcs  upon  our  Communion  t  The  Creed  as  expoun- 
ded in  the  Four  fir  ft  Councils  will  do  it. 

3.  Whether  fome  Exp)-efiions  fuited  to  prevent  future  Divifions  and  Separations  after  a 
Concord  vs  obtained,  may  not  at  prefent,  to  avoid  all  exafperation,  be  omitted  a\feeming 
refleclive  on  former  Atfings,  when  there  was  no  fuch  Agreement  among  us  as  it  now- 
aimed  at? 

4.  Whether  infifting  in  f articular,  on  the  power  of  the  Magiftrate,  efpecially  as  under 
civil  Coercition  and  Punfhment,  in  cafes  of  Error  or  Herefie,  be  neceffary  in  thvs  fir  ft  At- 
tempt ?  Thefe  Generals  occurred  to  my  Thoughts,  upon  my  fir  ft  reading  of  your  Propofals. 
I  will  now  read  them  again,  and  fit  down,  as  I  pafs  on,  -fuch  apprehenfions  in  particular  as 
I  have  of  the  Sever  als  of  them. 

To  the  fir  ft  Anfwer,  under  the  fir  ft  Queftion,  I  affent ;  fo  alfo  to  the  fir  ft  Propofal,  and 
the  Explanation  :  Likewlfe  to  the  fecond  and  third.  J  thought  to  have  proceeded  thus  through- 
out; but  I  fore- fee  my  fo  doing  would  be  tedious  and  ufelefs ;  I  fhall  therefore  mention  only 
what  at  prefen  ^  may  fiem  to  require  fecond  Thoug  hts.     j:s, 

1 .  To  Propof.  9.  by  thofe  Jnftances  {_  what  Words  to  ufe  in  Preaching,  in  what 
Words  to  Pray^  in  what  decent  Habit]  do  you  intend  Homilies,  prefcribed  Forms  of 
Prayer,  and  Habits  fu^er  added  to  thofe  of  vulgar  decent  ufe?  Prefent  Controverfies  will 
fuggeft  an  efptcial  Senfe  under  general  Etcprejfwns. 

2.  Vnder  Pof.  1  3.  Do  you  think  a  Man  may  not  leave  a  Church,  andjoyn  himfelfto 
another,  unlefs  it  be  for  fuch  a  Caufe  or  Reafon,  as  he  fuppofeth  fufficient  to  defiroy  the  Be- 
ing of  the  Church  ?  I  meet  with  this  now  anfwer  ed  in  your  18th.  Propof.  and  fo  fhall  for* 
bear  further  particular  Remarks,  and  pafs  on. 

In  your  Anfwer  to  the  Second  Qu.  Tour  10th.  Fofition  hath  in  it  fome-what  that  will 
admit  of  further  confideration,  as  J  think.  In  your  Anfwer  to  the  3d.  Qu.  have  you  fuf- 
ficiently  exprejjed  the  accountablenefs  of  Churches  mutually,  in  cafe  of  Offence  from  Male- 
Adminiftration  and  Church  Cenfures  ?  This  alfo  I  now  fee  in  part  anfvoered,  Prop.  5th. 
I  (hall  forbear  to  add  any  thing  as  under  your  anfwer  to  the  laft  Queftion,  about  the  power 
of  the  Magiftrate,  becaufe  I  fear,  that  in  that  matter  ofpunifhing^  I  fhall  fome-what  diffent 
from  you ;  though  as  to  meer  Coercion  I  fhall  in  fome  Cafes  agree.    ■ 

Upon  the  whole  Matter,  I  judge  your  Propofals  worthy  of  great  Confideration,  and  the 
rnoft  ypbable  medium  for  the  attaining  of  the  End  aimed  at,  that  yet  I  haveperufed.  If 
God  give  not  an  Heart  and  Mind  to  defire  Peace  and  Vnion,  every  Exprejfwn  will  be  difi 
piked,  under  pretence  of  Truth  and  Accuracy  :  But  if  thefe  things  have  a  place  in  us  an- 
frverabU  to  that  which  they  enjoy  in  the  Gofpel^  I  fie  no  reafon  why  all  the  true  Difciples  of 

Cbrift 


64  The  L  IFEoJ  the  Part  III 

Ckrtjl  might  not  upon  thefe,  and  the  like  Principles,  condefcend  in  Love  unto  the  lratticul 
Coward  and  Agreement,  which  not  one  of  them  dare  dtny  to  be  their  Duty  to  Aim  ui- 
Sir.  I  (hall  Pray  that  the  Lord  would  guide  and  profper  you  in  all  Studies  and  Endcavour*y 
for  the  Service  of  Chrift  in  the  World,  efptcially  in  this  your  Defire  and  Study  for  the  j**~ 
trodueing  of  the  Peace  and  Love  promifd  amongjt  them  that  Believe ,  and  d,  beg  you? 
Prayers. 

• 

Your  truly  affectionate  Brother, 

Jan.  25.  1 66$.  And  unworthy  Fellow-Servant, 

Hi  Ot»i>i. 

§  143.  For  the  Understanding  of  this,  you  muft  know  1.  That  the  way 
which  we  came  to  at  lait,  for  the  publication  of  the  Terms,  if  he  and  I  had  agreed 
fecretly,  mould  be,  That  as  I  had  Printed  fuch  a  thing  called  Vnivtrfal  Concordr 
1660.  which  was  neglected,  fo  I  would  Print  this  as  the  Second  Part  of  the  Vnivcrfai 
Concord,  that  it  might  lye  fome  time  expofed  to  view  in  the  Shops,  before  we  made 
any  further  ufc  of  it,  that  fo  the  State  might  not  fufpeft  us  for  our  Union,  as  if  we 
intended  them  any  ill  by  doing  our  Duty. :  which  courfe  he  approved.  2.  That  I 
oft  went  to  him,  and  he  had  written  this  Letter  ready  to  fend  me,  and  fo  gave  it 
me  into  my  hand  -,  but  we  firlt  debated  many  things  in  prefence,  in  ail  which  there 
remained  no  apparent  Difagreement  at  all,  fo  far  as  we  went :  And  in  particular, 
the  'great  Point  about  feparating  in  the  Cafes  enumerated,  he  objected  no  more  but 
what  I  anfwered,  and  he  feemed  to  acquiefce.  3.  But  1  fo  much  feared  that  it  would 
come  to  nothing,  that  I  ventured  to  tell  him  what  a  difficulty  I  feared  it  would 
be  to  him  to  go  openly  and  fully  according  to  his  own  Judgment,  when  the  Repu- 
tation of  former  A&ions,  and  prcfent  Intereft  in  many  that  would  cenfure  him,  if 
he  went  not  after  their  narrowed  Judgment,  did  lye  in  his  way,  and  that  I  feared 
thefe  Temptations  more  than  his  Ability  and  Judgment.  But  he  profefled  full  Re- 
folutions  to  follow  the  Bufmefs  heartily  and  unbyafledly,  and  that  no  Intereft  mould 
move  him.  And  fo  I  defired  him  to  go  over  my  Propofals  again,  and  fallen  upon 
every  Word  that  was  either  unfound,  or  hurtful,  or  unapt,  or  unneceiTary,  and 
every  fuch  Word  mould  be  altered  :  which  he  undertook  to  do  ;  and  fo  that  wis 
the  way  that  we  agreed  on:  but  when  I  came  home,  I  firft  returned  him  this  fol- 
lowing Anfwer  to  his  Letter  and  Exceptions. 


Feb.  16.  166$. 
S  I  i?. 


? 


UPon  the  perufal  of  Yours  when  I  came  home,  I  find  your  Exceptions  to  be  molt- 
ly  the  fame  which  you  fpeak ;  and  therefore  fhall  be  the  briefer  in  my  Anfwer, 
upon  Suppofition  of  what  was  faid. 

To  your  Firft  Qu.  1  anfwer,  I  am  as  much  for  Brevity  as  you  can  poflibly  wifli : 
fo  be  it  our  Agreement  be  not  thereby  frustrated,  and  made  infafficient  to  its  aids. 
I  would  defire  you  to  look  over  all  the  Particulars,  and  name  me  not  only  every 
one  that  you  think  unfound,  but  every  one  which  you  judge  unprofitable  or  needlefs. 
But  if  we  leave  out  that  which  mojl,  or  many  will  require,  and  none  have  any  thing 
againft,  it  will  but  flop  our  Work,  and  make  Men  judge  of  it,  as  you  did  of  the 
want  of  a  longer  Profeflion  than  the  Scriptures  againft  Socmianifm:  And  it  will  con- 
tradict the  Title,  The  Juft  Terms  of  .,  gresment :  For  our  Terms  will  be  infuffi- 
cicrft.  • 

And  as  to  your  Words  {the  firfl  attempt}  my  bufiriefs  is  to  difcover  thefufficient 
Terms  at  firfl,  that  fo  it  may  facilitate  Confent :  For  if  we  purpofely  leave  ont  any 
needful  part  as  for  [_a  fecond  aitcmpt "}  we  bring  contempt  upon  cur  firft  Efiay  -,  ayL 

before 


Part  II!.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  g- 

befcve  the  feccnd,  third,  and  perhaps  twentieth  Attempt  have  been  ufed  to  bring  us~~ 
to  Agreement,  by  Alterations,  and  crofs  Humours,  and  Apprehenfions  things 
will  go  as  they  have  done,  and  all  be  pulled  in  pieces.  Therefore  we  rnuft  if 
poflible,  find  out  the  fufficient  Terms  before  too  many  hands  be  ingaged  in  it.  Your 
own  Exceptions  here  fay,  That  if  too  many  Explications  had  not  afterward  occur- 
red, you  had  been  unfatisfied  in  that  which  went  before.  And  you  know  what  Mr 
Nye  is  wont  to  fay  againlt  drawing  a  Hofe  over  our  Differences  (though  for  my  part  I 
know  no  other  way  where  we  "agree  not  in  particulars,  but  to  take  up  with  an 
Agreement  in  Generals.)  But  where  indeed  we  do  agree  in  Particulars  1  know 
no  Reafon  why  we  mould  hide  it,  to  make  our  Difference  to  feem  greater  than 
it  is. 

2.  The  Reafons,  why  I  make  no  larger  a  ProfeJJion  neceffary  than  the  Creed  and 
Scriptures,  are,  becaufe  if  wc  depart  from  this  old  fufficient  Catholick  Rule,  we  narrow 
the  Church,  and  depart  from  the  old  Catholicifm :  And  we  (hall  never  know  where 
to  reft :  From  the  fame  Reafons  as  you  will  take  in  Four  Councils,  another  will  take 
in  Six,  and  another  Eight,  and  the  Papifts  will  fay,  Why  not  the  reft,  as  well  as 
thefe  ? 

3.  Becaufe  we  mould  Sin  againfl  the  Churches  1 200  Years  Experience,  which  hath 
been  torn  by  this  Conceit,  That  our  Rule  or  Profeflion  mutt  be  altered  to  obviate 
every  new  Hereiie.  As  if  you  could  ever  make  a  Creed  or  Law  which  no  Offender 
ftiall  mif-interpret,  nor  hypocritically  profefs.  By  this  means  the  Devil  may  drive 
us  to  make  a  new  Creed  every  Year,  by  Sowing  the  Tares  of  a  new  Hereiie  every 
Year.  Hilary  hath  faid  fo  much  againfl  this,  not  fparing  even  the  Nictne  Creed  it 
felf,  that  I  need  fay  no  more  than  he  hath  done  upon  that  Argument  of  Experience  ' 
but  only  that  if  30  or  40  Years  Experience  fo  much  moved  him  againlt  new  Cre^d- 
making,  what  mould  1 200  Years  do  by  us  ? 

4.  And  the  Means  will  be  certainly  Fruitlefs,  feeing  that  Hereticks  are  dually 
Men  of  wide  Confciences,  and  if  their  Intereft  require  it,  they  will  Equivocate  as 
Men  do  now  with  Oaths  and  Subfcriptions,  and  take  any  Words  in  their  own 
Scnfe. 

$.  And  the  Means  is  needlefs,  feeing  there  is  another  and  fitter  Remedy  againfl 
Herefie  provided,  and  that  is  not  making  a  new  Ru.lt  or  Law,  but  judging  Hereticks  by 
the  Law  of  Cod  already  made.  Either  they  are  Hereticks  only  in  Heart,  or  in 
Tongue  alfo,  and  ExpreCion  :  If  in  Heart  only,  we  have  nothing  to  do  to  Judge 
,  them.  Heart-Infidels  are  and  will  be  in  the  Churches.  If  they  be  proved  to  be  He- 
reticks in  Tongue,  then  it  is  either  before  they  are  taken  into  the  Communion  of  the 
Church,  or  after.  If  before,  you  are  to  ufe  them  as  in  cafe  of  proved  Wickednefs  j 
that  is,  call  them  to  publick  Repentance  before  they  be  admitted:  If  it  be  after , 
they  mint  be  admonifhed,  and  Rejected  after  the  firfl  and  fecond  contemned  Admo- 
nition :  And  is  not  this  enough  ?  And  is  not  this  the  certain  regular  way  ?  Is  it 
not  confufion  to  put  Law  for  'judgment,  and  fay  there  wants  a  new  Law  or  Rule,  when 
there  wants  but  a  due  Judgment  by  the  Rule  in  being. 

6.  Laflly,  We  fhall  never  have  done  with  the  Papijls,  if  we  let  go  the  Scripture- 
SufHciency.  And  it  is  a  double  Crime  in  us  to  do  it,  who  Difpute  with  them  fo  ve- 
hemently for  it.  And  wc  harden  and  juftifie  Church-Tyranny,  and  Impofitions  when 
we  will  do  the  like  our  felves. 

If  there  be  nothing  againfl  Socinianifm  in  the  Scripture,  it  is  no  Herefie :  If 
there  be  fas  fure  there  is  enough,  and  plain  enough)  Judge  them  by  that  Rule,  and 
make  not  new  ones. 

But  if  any  will  not  hold  to  this  truly  Catholick  Courfe,  I  fhall  next  like  your  Mo- 
tion very  well,  to  take  up  with;  the  Creed,  as  Expounded  in  the  4  Firfl  Councils, 
called  General :  which  I  can  readily  fubferibe  my  felf,  but  it's  better  let  them  all  alone, 
and  not  to  be  fo  fond  of  one  onely  Engine,  which  hath  torn  the  Church  for  about  1 20© 
Years.  1  mean  departing  from  the  Ancient  Rule,  and  making  new  Creeds  and  Forms 
•f  Communion. 

I  i  i  1  T© 


66  'I  be  LI F  b  oft, 

To  your  TljirdQti.  i.  I  fuppofe  yon  obfertfe  that  what  i 
not  under  the  third  head  (of  the  Concord  o!  I  Chunks*  but  andei  the 

faottfMead  of  the  Concord  of  Members  in  the  fame  i  :s)andw 

you  not  heretofore  at  Agreement  in  your  own  C  hurches  ?     And  js  it 
and  Jntereft  of  your  own  Churches  to  keep  Unity,  and  that  the  Meml 
unjuftly  whether  you  agree  with  other  Churches  or  not  ? 

2.  Either  what  I  fay  about  Separation 'is  that  which  we  aie  all  (  now  Uniting  ) 
agreed  in  or  not :  If  it  be,  it  honoureth  our  Brethren  to  prole!",  it,  r.nd  can  be  no 
Reproach'  or  Offence  to  them  to  declare  it :  If  any  have  finned  againft  their  own 
prefent  Judgment,  I  hope  they  are  not  fo  Impenitent,  as  to  delire  us  to  forbear 
agreeing  with  their  own  Judgments ,  becaufe  it  is  againft  their  former  fins.  And  here 
is  no  Word  faid  Hiftorically  to  upbraid  any  with  thefe  Sins  at  all.  But  if  we  are 
not  all  agreed  thus  far  againft  Separation,  I  deiire  you  to  name  the  Terms  which  we 
agree  not  in,  and  then  we  fhall  fee  whether  we  may  leave  them  out,  or  whether  it 
render  our  Concord  defperate  and  impoflible  ( of  which  anon.) 

To  your  Fourth  Qu.  The  Jealoufies  and  Errors  of  thefe  Times  do  make  it  neceilai  y 
to  our  Peace,  to  make  fome  Profeflion  of  our  Judgment  about  Magiftracy  •  and  I 
think  there  is  nothing  questionable  in  this.  I  am  fure  there  is  nothing  but  what 
many  of  the  Congregational-Party  do  allow -,  but  if  you  come  to  Particulars,  I  Ihaii 
confider  of  them  again. 

The  particular  Exceptions  which  you  Obliterate  not  your  felves'  are  but  thefe. 

I.  To  Qu.  Prop.  9.  Whether  I  mean  prefer ibed  Forms ,  an&Bomtltcs,  and  Habit x, 
by  the  Terms  [what  Words  to  ufein  Preaching  and  Prayer,  &c/]     jinfw.  That  which 
I  fay  as  plain  as  I  can  is,   1 .  That  a  determination  of  fuch  Circumftances  is  not  a 
finful  Addition  to  God's  Word,  nor  will  allow  the  People  therefore  to  avoid  the 
Churches /Communion.     2.  That  it  belongs  to  the  Pallor's  Office  to  determine  them 
(what  Words  he  fhall  Preach  and  Pray  in,  &c.)  Therefore  you  have  no  cuufeto  ask 
my  meaning  about  impofing  upon  him,  but  only  whether  he  may  fo  far  impofe  upon  the 
Flock,  as  to  ufe  his  own  Words  in  Preaching,  Prayer,  &c.     3.  That  yet  if  the  Paftof 
determine  thefe  Circumftances  dejlrWivcly,  the  People  have  their  Remedy.     And  is 
not  this  enough  ?    Why  muft  I  tell  you  whether  you  may  read  a  Sermon  (or  Home- 
ly') of  your  own  Writing,  or  another  Man's  unto  the  People  ?    Or  if  you  do,  whe- 
ther they  muft  feparate?    Or  elfe  if  you  read  a  Prayer,  &c.     Either  you  deter- 
mine'thefe  things  to  the  Churches  hurt,  or  not?    If  not,  why  mould  they  blame 
you,  or  Separate  ?    If  you  do,  they  have  their  Remedy.  But  whether  you  do  or  not, 
I  now  decide  not.    If  we  meddle  with  all  fuch  Particulars,  we  fhall  never  agree : 
more  than  thofe  muft  be  left  to  liberty.    You  think  our  Particulars  are  too  many 
already^  and  would  you  have  more?    And  if. the  Controverfiesofthe  Times  will 
tempt  any  to  Expound  our  General  Terms  of  Agreement  amifs,  we  muft  not  go 
from  Generals  for  that.   ' 

To  the  Tenth  Prop.  You  fay  there  is  fomething  that  will  admit  of  a  farther  Con- 
iideraticn  :  Whereupon  I  confidered  it,  and  have  added  [Suppofmg  it  le  a  pubhek  Pro- 
fejfwn  of  Chrifiianity  which  vs  made:~\  Becaufe,  though  the  People  are  not  bound  to 
try  the  Perfons  before-hand,  that  are  fo  to  be  received  to  Communion,  yet  they  may 
ordinarily  expect,  that  when  they  are  admitted,  their  ProfefTion  be  publick,  or  made 
known  to  the  Church,  .which  I  imply'd  before. 

And  now,  Sir,  I  pray  give  me  leave  to  fpeak  iome-what  freely  to  the  Caufe  it 
felf,  fafmring  you  1  fhall  patiently,  if  not  thankfully  receive  as  free  Language  from 
you  or  others.)  I  fhall  1 .  mention  what  it  is  that  we  have  to  do ;  and  2.  what  Reafons 
we  have  for  doing  it. 

Onr  Bufmefs  is  to  heal  Church-Divificrj,  and  PIcart-Divifions  •  therefore  you  muft 

•  e  us  leave  to  fay  much  againft  Divifions  or  Separations  which  are  unjuji,  becaufe 

this  is  our  end,  and  all  the  reft  is  but  the  means ;  and  if  you  would  have  us  leave  out 

that ,  it  is  all  one  as  to  fay  C  L&  us  agree  to  have  no  Agreement  or  Vnity  Q  or  [_  we  will 

he  healed,  fo  we  may  continue  to  be  unhealed:,  3  or,  L&°  but-excufe  us  from  Con-- 

cordy 


Part  111.  Keverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  67 

cord,  and  we  will 1  agree  with  youj  The  Reafoi*why,we  wo*id***r vwhotkrVif- 

/rttflcu,  is  bccauie  n?e  w«»&t  tear  w/tfc  tfo  *&/«*  of 'Unity,  Love  and  Peace    elfe  we 
may  let  all  go  to  Diviiions,  without  any  more  ado. 

And  the  great  things  which  hinder  the  Presbyterians  and  Moderate  Epifcopal  A  en 
from  doling  with  you,  are  principally  thefe.  ... 

1.  Becaufe  they  think  that  your  wav  tends  to  deftroy  the  Kingdom  of  Chrift  by 
dividing  it,  while  all  Excommunicate  Perfons,  or  Hereticks,  or  humorous  Perfons 
may  at  any  time  gather  a  Church  of  fuch  as  Separate  from  the  Church  which  they 
belonged  to,  though  it  be  on  the  account  of  Ungodlinefs,  or  Impatience  of  Difci- 
pline  &c.  and  then  may  ftand  on  equal  Terms  with  you  -  efpecially  when  you  are 
not  tor  the  conftant  Correfpondcncy  of  Churches  in  Synods,  by  which  they  may 
ftrengthen  themfclves  againft  them. 

2.  They  think,  while  you  feem  to  be  for  a  ftriaer  Difcipline  than  others,  that  your 
way  (or  ufual  Practice)  tendeth  to  extirpate  Godlinefs  out  of  the  Land  j  by  taking 
a  very  few  that  can  talk  more  than  the  reft,  and  making  them  the  Church,  and 
(hutting  out  more  that  are  as  worthy,  and  by  neglecting  the  Souls  of  all  the  Parifh 
elfe,  except  as  to  fome  publick  Preaching ;  againft  whicli  alfo  vou  prejudice  them 
by  unjuft  Rejeftions  •  and  then  think  that  you  may  warrantably  account  them  un- 
worthy :  becaufe  you  know  no  wortbinefs  by  them,  when  you  eftrange  your  felvcs 
from  them,  and  drive  them  away  from  you.  They  think  that  Parifh- Reformation 
tendeth  to  the  making  Godlinefs  univerfal,  and  that yottr  Separation  tendeth  to  dwin- 
dle it  to  nothing.  I  know  that  fome  of  you  have  fpoken  for  endeavouring  the  good  of 
all  ;  but  (pardon  my  plainnefs)  I  knew  fcarce  any  of  you  that  did  not  by  an  unjuft 
tfpoufing  of  your  few,  do  the  People  a  double  Injury,  one  by  denying  them  their 
Church-Rights,  without  any  regular  Church  Juftice,  and  the  other  by  lazily  omit- 
ting moft  that  fhould  have  been  done  for  their  Salvation.  In  our  Countrey  almoft 
all  the  reft  of  the  Ministers  agreed  to  deal  ferioufly  and  orderly  with  all  the  Families 
of  their  Parifhes  (which  fome  did  to  their  wonderful  benefit)  except  your  Party 
and  the  highly  Epifcopal,  and  they  ftood  off.  The  doubt  was  when  I  came  to  Ki- 
derminfter,  Whether  it  were  better  to  take  20  ProfefTors  for  the  Church,  and  leave 
a  Reader  to  head  and  gratifie  the  reft  ?  Or,  to  attempt  the  juft  Reformation  of  the 
Parifh f  The  Profeflbrs  would  have  been  belt  pleafed  with  the  firft,  and  I  was  for 
the  latter,  which  after  full  tryal,  hath  done  that  which  hath  fatisfied  all  the  Pro- 
feflbrs :  So  that  profefled  Piety,  and  Family- Worlhip  (in  a  way  of  Humility  and 
Unity)  was  fo  common,  that  the  few  that  differ  among  fome  Thoufands  are  moft- 
ly  alhamed  of  their  Difference  on  the  account  of  Singularity,  and  would  feem  to  be 
Godly  with  the  relt. 

The  lalt  Week   I    had  with   me  an    honeit  Scotchman,  and  one  of  my  Acton 
Neighbours,  and  I  asked  him  how  their  Nation  came  to  be  fo  unanimous  in 
the  approbation  of  Godlinefs  without  any  Sect.     And   he  told  me  that  dually 
they  had  twelve  Elders  in  a  Parifh,  and  every  one  took  their  Divifion  and  ob- 
ferved  the  manners  of  the  People,  and  if  any  Family  prayed  not,  &c.  They  ad- 
monifhed  them,  and  told  the  Paftor  ;  and  that  the  Paftor  then  went  to  them 
(though  many  Miles  off)  and  taught  them  to  Pray,  and  led  them  in  it,  and  fet  them 
upon  other  means  as  we  teach  Children  to  read  :  And  that  once  a  Week  they  had 
a  meeting  of  the  Elders,  to  confult  about  the  good  of  the  Parifh,    and  once  a 
Week  a  meeting  of  the  People  to  pray  and    confer,   and  receive   refolution  of 
Doubts,  before    the  Paftor,    and  every  Lord's  Day  after  Sermon,    they  ftayed 
to  difcourfe  of  the  things  Preached  of,  that  Objections  might  be '  anfwered,  and 
thofe  urged  to  their  duties  that  had  nothing  to  fay  againft  it.    This,  and  more, 
the   Scotchman  averred  to  me.     Ivfy  Acton  Neighbour  told  me,  that  there  is  now 
but  one  Perfon  (a  Woman)  in  all  this  Town  and  Parifh  that  was  here  admitted 
to  the  Sacrament,  and  that  the  reft  were  partly  by  this  courfe  ( and  other  rea- 
fons)  diftafted,  and  their  diflike  encreafed,  and  partly  neglected  and  left  to  them- 
felves :    That  of   rich  Families,  ( Mr.   Rous,  Major  Skippous,  Collonel  Sely,  and 
Mr.  Humphreys)  were  admitted  while  the  reft  were  refufed,   or  neglected  :  And 
that  one  furviving  Perfon  who  was  admitted,   it  but  a  Sojourner  here.    Where- 
as upon  a  little  Tryal,  I  am  able  to  fay,  that  there  are  comparatively  few  openly 
fcandalous  Perfons  in  the  Town-  that  there  are  many  who,  I  have  reafon  to  believe 
do  ferknifly  fear   God,  and  are   fit  for  Church-Communion :    That  almoft  the 
whole  Town  and  Parifh  (even  thofe  that  feemed  molt  averfe  )  are  defirous  and 

Ii  ii  2  diligent 


6*  '/Ac  LJ_P__E  of  the  r  rrli-I 

i  — - — — — — — ~~- ~*— ~- ~~~- ~— "— " ^— 

diligent  to   hear,  even  in  private,  andfeemtobe  defirous  of  Family- helps,   and 
defir'cgood  Books  to  read  in   their  F? mil ies.     And  lot  of  00c  Perfon  (01 

hardly  any  if  one)  that  fpeak  againft:  the  ftrideft  Godlineis,  but  commonly  rail 
take  part  with  thofethat  are  judged  to  fear  God. Even  the  very  Inns  and  AIe-1  Ot- 
fes  themfclves  do  fignifie  no  Oppo/ition  or  ill-mlk  In  a  word,  the  willingnefs  feem- 
eth  fo  great  and  common,  that  if  I  were  their  Paftor,  and  had  time  to  go  to  them 
in  private,  and  try,  and  promote  their  Knowledge  (winch  comes  not  at  once) 
I  fee  no  reafon  to  doubt  but  Godlincfc  might  become  the  mmmon  Complexion  of 
the  Parifh.  I  fpeak  thistofhew  you  (if  Experience  fignifie  any  thing  with  von,) 
that  y©ur  feparating  waytendeth  toLa7inefs,  and  the  grievous  hinderance  of  that 
Godlinefs  which  you  feera  to  be  more  zealous  for  trun  others,  and  that  the  way  of 
Reforming  Pariln- Churches ,  is  not  fo  hoy.elcfs  as  you  make  your  felves  believe 
it  is,Someone  wrote  lately  Exceptions  to  Mr.  Eiiot, upon  his  Propofals,in  which  he  ask- 
eth  him,  \What  fhalloiie,  or  two,  or  three  in  a  parifh  do,  whoufually  art  as  many  in 
moft,  or  many  Parifhes  as  are  fit  jor  Community  &c/]  Men  firft  eftrange  themfelves 
from  the  poor  People,  whom  they  mould  teach  with  tendernefs,  and  diligence, 
and  then  they  think  their  ignorance  of  the  People  ground  enough  to  Judge  them  ig- 
norant, and  talk  of  me  or  two  in  a  Parilh.  But  Chrift  will  find  many  more,  I  am 
paft  doubt,  even  Members  of  his  Myfiical  Church  ,  than  thefe  Men  can  do  of 
the  vifible  which  is  much  larger.  And  you  cannot  Fay,  if  there  be  any  difference 
of  Succefles,  that  it  is  only  from  the  difference  of  Per  fins,  and  not  pf  the  feve- 
ral  ways  :  For  here  where  1  live  were  two  of  the  worthieit  Perfons  of  your  way 
(Mr.  Nye,  and  Mr.  Elford)  whofe  ability  and  Piety  were  beyond  all  queftion, 
and  fo  was  their  great  advantage  then.  But  your  way  is  your  difadvantage,  and 
Chrift's  Friends  mould  fufoett  that  way  of  honouring  Godlinefs,  which  tendeth 
to  diminiih  it,  or  fupprefs  it. 

I  tell  youfomefewof  the  things  offenfive  to  your  Brethren,  that  you  may  fee 
wherein  our  Agreement  mult  give  Satisfaction.    The  reft  I  now  omit. 

I  had  thought  to  have  faidmoreof  the  Reafons  why  you  ihould  heartily  pro- 
mote it.  But  I  will  now  fay  but  thefe  two  things.  1.  That  he  that  can  confider 
what  the  effefts  of  our  Divifionshave  been  upon  Church  and  State,  and  the  Lives 
of  Ibrac,  and  the  Souls  of  Thou&nds,  both  of  the  openly  ungodly,  and  Profeflbrs, 
and  that  knows  how  great  a  Reproach  they  are  now  to  our  Profeflion,  and  harden- 
ing of  the  Wicked,  and  hinderance  to  that  good,  even  of  the  belt,  and  yet  doth 
not  thirft  to  fee  them  healed,  hath  (mail  fenfe  of  the  intereft  of  Chrifl,  and  Souls. 

2.  That  he,  that  coniidereth  what  it  was  to  continue  fuch  Divifions  unhcal'd  for 
20  Years,  under  fuch  Warnings  and  Calls  to  Unity  ;  and  to  do  what  we  have  done 
againft  our  felves  and  others,  after  fuch  fmart,  and  in  fuch  a  manner  to  the  laft,  is 
molt  dreadfully  impenitent,  if  Repentance  do  not  now  make  Lim  7ealous  for  a 
Cure.  And  in  particular,  if  you,  and  Mr.  Nye,  and  I,  be  not  extraordinary  zealous 
for  this  work,  there  are  fcarce  three  Men  to  be  found  in  the  World,  that  will  be 
more  hainoufly  guilty,  and  without  excufe :  (1  need  not  tell  you  why. J  And  truly, 
if  we  have  zjtal,  and  yet  not  sM  for  fuch  a  Cure,  (when  all  fay  that  the  People  are 
willinger  than  thePaltors)  It  will  be  a  Ihame  for  us  to  cry  out  on  them,  that  Silence 
us:  as  if  fuch  Shepherds  were  neceffary  to  the  Flock,  that  have  skill  to  Wound,  and 
none  to  Cure.  Therefore,  as  I  am  heartily  glad  01  your  forwardnefs  and  willing-, 
nefs  to  this  Work,  pardon  me  for  telling  you,  J  will  Judge  of  it  by  the  Effects.  I 
addrefs  my  felf  to  you  alone,  becaufe  I  know  that  Vnderfiar.dmg  and  Experience  are' 
great  Afiiftants*  (to  lead  on  Charity)  in  this  Work ;  and  there  is  no  dealing  with, 
them  that  underftand  not  the  Cafe.  And  I  will  hope  that  the  EfFed  will  Ihew,  that 
no  Humours  of  others  (Men  of  narrow  Minds,  and  Interefts,  and  injudicious  PaflSons) 
fliall  preval  with  you  againft  fo  great  a  work  of  Repentance,  and  Love  to  God  and 
Godlinefs,  and  the  Souls  of  Men.    Again,  Pardon  this  Freedom  ufed  by 

Tour  much  Homo/wring 

Jnd  Vnworthy  Brother, 

•  Rich.  Baxter^ 

§  144.  After 


Parr  HI  %sverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxr 


en 


9 


%  1 44.  After  this  I  waited  on  him  at  London  again,  and  he  came  once  to  me  to 
my  Lodgings,  when  I  was  in  Town  (near  him •  )  And  he  told  me,  that  he  receiv- 
ed my  chiding  Letter,  and  perceived  that  I  fr.fpcded  his  Realitv  in  the  Bufmefs  •  but 
he  was  io  hearty  in  it,  that  I  fhould  fee  that  he  really  meant  as  he  fpake,  concluding 
in  thefe  Woids  \_Tou.  Jhall  fee  it,  and  my  Praflice  {hall  reproach  your  Diffidence  1  1 
told  him,  That  if  I  fore-faw  his  Temptations,  and  were  willing  to  help  him  by 
Premonition  to  overcome  them,  I  meant  not  that  as  an  Accufation  :  but  I  thank'd 
him  for  his  Promife,  to  reproach  my  D.ffidencc  by  hit  Prattice,  and  fuch  an  Event  would 
be  his  Honour,  and  let  it  reproach  me  and  fpare  not,  fo  be  it  the  Work  were  done 
But  again,  I  defired  that  no  one  living  might  know  of  it,  till  he  and  I  hadfinifhed  our 
attempt.    And  thus  I  waited  for  his  Animadvcrfions. 

§  145.  About  a  Month  after  I  went  to  him  again,  and  he  had  done  nothing 
but  was  ftill  hearty  for  the  Work.  And  to  be  mort,  I  thus  waited  on  him  time 
after  time,  till  my  Papers  had  been  near  a  year  and  quarter  in  his  Hand,  and  then  I 
defired  him  to  return  them  to  me,  which  he  did, -with  thefe  Words,  £  /  am  ftill  a 
wcll-wtjher  to  thofe  Mathematicks ;]  without  any  other  Words  about  them  or  ever 
giving  me  any  more  Exception  againfl:  them.  And  this  was  the  iifue  of  my  third  At- 
tempt for  Union  with  the  Independents. 

§  146.    Having  long  (upon  the  Sufpenfion  of  my  Aphorifms)  been  purpofmg  to 
draw  up  a  Method  of  Theology,  I  now  began  it :    I  never  yet  faw  a  Scheme,  or 
Method  of  Phyficks  or  Theology,  which  gave  any  Satisfaction  to  my  Reafon :  Tho* 
many  have  attempted  to  exercife  more  accuratenefs  in  Diftribution,  than  all  others 
that  went  before-  them,  ( efpecially  Dud.ey,  Tenner,  Tuegedtne,  Sobniuf,  Gomarus 
JmefiiUy  Trekatitu,  Wollcbius,  &c.  and  our  prefent  bufie-boafter,  Dr.  Nick  Gibbon 
in  his  Scheme;  yet  1  could  never  yet  fee  any  whofe  Confufiorf,  or  great  Defeds,  I 
could  not  eafily  difcover,  but  not  fo  eafily  amend.    I  had  been  Twenty  Six  Years 
convinced  that  Dichotomizing  will  not  do  it  ^  but  that  the  Divine  Trinity  in  Unity 
hath  cxpreit  it  felf  in  the  whole  Frame  of  Nature  and  Morality :  And  I  had  fo  long 
been  thinking  of  a  true  Method,  and  making  fome  fmall  Attempts,  but  I  found  my 
felf  infufficient  for  it  j  and  fo  continued  only  thinking  of  it,  and  ftudying  it  all 
thefe  Years.  ^  Campanella  I  faw  had  made  the  faireft  Attempt  that  ever  I  law  made 
in  the  Principles  of  Nature  (  and  Commenius  after  him  •,)  but  yet  as  I  believe,  he  * 
quite  milt  it  in  his  firft  operative  Principles  of  Heat  and  Cold  (miftaking  the' na- 
ture of  Cold  and  Darknefs  -, )  fo  he  run  his  three  Principles,  which  he  calleth  Pri- 
malities,  into  many  fubfequent  Notions,  which  were  not  provable  or  coherent : 
Having  long  read  his  Pby]ich9  Metaphyfich,  de  Senfu  rerum,  and  Atheifmus  Tri- 
umpbatus,  I  found  him  mention  his  Theology,  which  put  me  in  hope,  that  he  had 
there  alfo  made  fome  Attempt,  but  I  could  never  hear  of  any  one  that  had  feen 
any  fuch  Book  of  his :     At  lait  Mr.  Geo.  Lavofon\  Theopolitica  came  out,  which  re- 
duced Theology  to  a  Method  more  Political  and-  lighter  in  the  main,  than  any  that 
I  had  feen  before  him :    But  he  had  not  hit  on  the  true  Method  of  the  Veftigia  Trini* 
tatvs ;  and  fome  long  Debates  by  Writing  between  him  and  me,  which  had  gone 
before   (  about  7  Years  )  had  engaged  him  to  make  good  his  firft  Papers,  in  thofe 
miftakes  about  the  Office  of  Faith  in  Juftification  (as  Juftifying  only  as  Chrift's  Pro- 
pitiation as  the  Object  of  it  :)  Of  which  in  that  Book  he  faith  fo  much  (to  the  pity 
rather  than  fatisfadion  of  the  Judicious :)  his  Book  being  otherwife  the  foundeft, 
and  molt  abounding  with  Light  of  any  one  that  I  have  feen.    But  the  very  necefTi- 
ty  of  explaining  the  Three  Articles  of  Baptifm,  and  the  Three  Summaries  of  Reli- 
gion ( the  Creed,  Lord's  Prayer,  and  Decalogue  )  hath  led  all  the  common  Cate- 
chifms  that  go  that  way  (of  which  Vrfine  Corrected  by  Paraus  is  the  chief)  into  a 
truer  Method,  than  any  of  our  exadeffc  Dichotomizers  have  hit  on,  (  not  excepting 
Treleatm,  Solinius,  or  Amefius,  which  are  the  beft.) 

§  147.  The  Nature  of  things  convinced  me,  That  as  Phyficks  are  prefuppofed 
in  Ethicks,  and  that  Morality  is  but  the  ordering  of  the  Rational  Nature  and  its 
Adions,  fo  that  part  of  Phyficks  and  Metaphyficks,  which  opened  the  Nature  of 
Man,  and  of  God,  which  are  the  Parties  contrading,  and  the  great  Subjeds  of 
Theology  and  Morality,  is  more  neerly  pertinent  to  a  Method  of  Theology,  and 
!      Should  have  a  larger  place  in  it,  than  is  commonly  thought  and  given  to  it :  Yet  I 

knew 


7o  The  LIFE  of  the  Parr  III 


knew  how  Uncouth  it  would  feemto  put  fo  much  of  theft  Doctrines  into  a  Body  of 
Divinity  :  But  the  three  firlt  Chapters  ofCenefis  allured  me,  '1  hat  it  was  the  Scri- 
pture-Method. And  when  I  had  drawn  up  one  Scheme  of  the  Creation,  and  Tent 
it  the  Lord  Chief  Baron  (becaufe  of  our  often  Communication  on  filch  Subjects,  and 
beinff  now  banifhed  from  his  Neighbourhood,  and  the  County  where  he  lived;  he 
received  it  with  fo  great  Approbation,  and  importuned  me  fo  by  Letters,  to  go  on 
with  that  work,  and  not  to  fear  being  too  much  on  Philofophy ,  as  added  tome* 
what  to  my  Inclinations  and  Refolutions.  And  through  the  great  Mercy  of  God, 
in  my  Retirement  at  Totteridge,  in  a  troublefome,  poor,  fmoaky,  fuffocating  Room 
in  the  midft  of  daily  pains  or  the  Sciatica,  and  many  worfc,  I  fet  upon,  and  finifhed 
all  the  Schemes,  and  half  the  Elucidations  in  the  end  of  the  Year  i66y.  and  the  be- 
ginning of  1670.  which  cofl  me  harder  Studies  than  any  thing  that  ever  1  had  before 
attempted. 

§  148.  In  the  fame  time  and  place,  I  alfo  wrote  a  large  Apology  for  the  Non- 
conformiits:  Partly,  to  prove  it  their  *Dnty  to  Exercifetheii  Mini/try  as  they  can 
when  they  are  Silenced  ^  and  partly  to  open  the  State  of  the  Prelacy,  the  Subfcriptions, 
Declarations,  &c.  which  they  1  efufe :  for  the  furious  Revilings  of  Men  did  fo  in- 
crcafe,  and  their  Provocations,  and  Accufations,  and  Infultings,  were  fo  many  and 
great,  that  it  drove  me  to  this  work  as  it  were  againft  my  will :  But  when  I  had 
done  it,  I  faw  that  the  Publication  of  it  would  (  by  Imprifonment  or  Banifhment) 
put  an  end  to  my  other  Labours,  which  made  me  lay  it  by  j  for  I  thought  that  the 
nnifhing  of  my  Methodus  Theologize  was  a  far  greater  work :  But  if  that  had  been  done, 
I  think  I  mould  have  publi  fired  it  whatever  it  had  coll  me. 

§   149.     This  Year  1670  my  forementioned  Cure  of  Church  Divifions  came  out. 
which  had  been  before  caft  by,  which  occafioned  a  florin  of  Obloquy  among  almoli 
all  the  feparating  Party  of  Profeffors,  and  filled  the  City  and  Couatry  with  mat- 
ters of  Difcourfe  :    which  fell  out  to  be  as  followeth.    I  had  long  made  ufe  of  two 
Bookfellers,  Mr.  Tyton,  and  Mr.  Sin  mom,  the  former,  lived  in  London  and  the 
later  in  Kiderminjler  :  But  the  latter  removing  to  London,  they  envyed  each  other, 
in  a  meer  defire  of  gain,  one  thinking  that  the  other  got  more  than  he  was  willing 
ftiould  go  befides  himfelf.    Mr.  Tyton  firft  refufed  an  equal  Co-partnerfhip  with  the 
other  :   Whereupon  it  fell  to  the  others  fhare  to  Print  my  Life  of  Faith,  and  Cure  of 
Church  Diviftons,  after  my  Direttions to  weak Chriftians,  together:  Which  occafioned 
Mr.  Tyton  to  tell  feveral  that  came  to  his  Shop,  that  the  Book,  as  he  heard,  was  a- 
gainfr.  private  Meetings,  at  leaft,  at  the  time  of  Publick,  and  made  thofe  Schimaticks 
that  ufed  them :   Mr.  Simmons  met  with  a  credible  Citizen  that  gave  it  him  under 
his  Hand,  that  Mr.  Tyton  faid  that  £  he  might  have  had  the  Printing  of  the  Book, 
but  would  not,  becaufe  it  fpake  againft  thofe  things  which  he  had  feen  mePradtife 
&c.  ;  2  which  were  all  grofs  Untruths :,  for  the  Book  was  never  offered  him,  nor 
had  he  never  feen  a  word  of  it,  or  ever  fpoken  with  any  one  that  had  feen  it,  and 
told  him  what  was  in  it.     Mr.  Tyton  being  a  Member  of  an  Independent  Church, 
this  fort  of  People  the  eafilier  believed  this  •  and  fo  it  was  carried  among  them  from 
one  to  one,  firft  that  I  wrote  againft  private  Meetings,  and  then  that /accufed  them 
allofSchifirij  and  then  that  /  wrote  for  Conformity,  andlaflly,  that  /conformed; 
fo  that  before  a  Line  of  my  Book  was  known,  this  was  grown  the  common  Fame  of 
the  City,  and  thence  of  all  the  Land,  and  fent  as  certain  into  Scotland  and  Ireland : 
yea,  they  named  the  Text  that  I  preached  my  Recantation  Sermon  on  before  the 
King,  as  flirring  him  up  to  Cruelty  againft  the  Nonconformifts.    So  common  was 
the  Sin  of  Back-biting  and  Slandering  among  the  Separating  Party,  fo  it  were  but 
done  at  the  fecond  hand ;  and  they  that  thought  themfelves  too  good  to  joyn  with 
the  Conformifts,  or  ufe  their  Liturgy,  or  Communion,  yet  never  fluck  at  the  com- 
mon carrying  of  all  thefe  Falfhoods,  becaufe  they  could  fay,  a  good  Man  told  it  me. 
So  that  Thoufands  made  no  bones  of  this,  that  would  not  have  defiled  themfelves 
with  a  Ceremony,  or  an  impofed  Form  of  Prayer,  by  any  means.     Yea,  the  Streets 
rang  with  Reproaches  againft  me  for  it,  without  any  more  proof. 

Some  faid  that  /took  part  with  the  Enemies  of  Godlinefs,  and  countenanced  their 
Church-Tyranny ;  and  fome  faid  that  I  fought  to  reconcile  my  felf  to  them,  for  fear 
of  further  Suffering:  And  thus  the  Chriftians  that  were  moll  tenderly  afraid  of  the 
Liturgy  and  Ceremonies,  were  fo  little  render  of  receiving  and  vending  the  moft  dif- 

mgenuous' 


Part  UL  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter 

ingenuous,  ^  as  if  they  had  been  no  matter  of  Scruple.     So  cafie  is  a  finful 

il,  and  lb  hardlj  is  ti  ue  Chriftian  Zeal  maintained.  - 

§  i  50.  At  the  fame  time  thei  e  fell  out  a  Cafe  which  tended  to  promote  the  Ca- 
lumny. The  old  Reading  Vicar  of  Kiderminfler  dyed,  about  the  Da  v  of  the  Da^e  0^ 
the  Aft  againfl  Conventicles)  Sir  Ralph  Clare,  his  chief  Friend,  and  my  Arplauder 
but  Remover,  being  dead  a  little  before-  the  old  Patron,  Collonel  Jtiht  Bridges 
Sold  the  Patronage  to  Mr.  Thomas  Foley  7  with  a  condition,  that  he  fliould  prefent 
me  next,  if  I  were  capable  h  which  he  promifed,  asalfo,  that  he  would  Prefent  no 
other  but  by  my  confent.  Becaufe  I  had  done  fo  much  before  to  have  continued  in 
that  place,  and  had  dented  to  Preach  there  but  as  a  Curate,  under  the  Reading  Vi- 
car, when  /  refufed  a  Bifhoprick,  and  the  Vicaridge  was  now  come  to  be  worth  200 
/.  per  Ann.  and  this  falling  void  at  the  fame  time,  when  the  Independent's  had  filled  the 
Land  with  the  Report  that  I  was  Writing  againft  them  for  Conformity  •  hereupon 
the  Bilhops  themielves  believed  it,  that  'the  love  of  Kiderminfter  would  make  me 
Conform ;  and  they  concurred  in  vending  the  Report,  infomuch  that  one  certainly 
told  me,  that  he  came  then  from  a  worthy  Miniftcr,  to  whom  the  Arch-bifhop  of 
Tork(  Sterne)  fpakc  thefe  Words,  [Take  it  on  my  Word,  Mr.  Baxter  doth  Conform 
and  vs  gone  to  his  Beloved  Kidcrminfter.^  And  10  both  Parties  concurred  in  the  falfe 
Report,  though  one  only  raifed  it. 

§151.  Another  Accident  fell  out  alfo,  which  promoted  it.  For  Mr.  Croftm 
having  a  Tryal,  (  as  I  hear  upon  the  Oxford  Aft  of  Confinement)  at  the  Kim's 
Bench,  Judge  Keelmg  faid,  Tou  need  not  be  fo  hafy,  for  I  hear  that  Mr.  Crofton^ 
about  to  Conform^  And  judge  Morton  faid,  [_  And  I  hear  that  Mr.  Baxter  hath  a 
Book  in  the  Frcfs  againft  their  private  Meetings  :  Judge  Ramsford  faid  forriewhat  that 
he  was  glad  to  hear  it^  and  Judge  Morton  again,  That  it  was  but  time  for  the 
Quakers  in  Buckingham-fare,  he  was  confident  were  Afted  by  the  Papifts  •  'for  they 
fpake  for  Purgatory  already .1  This  Talk  being  ufed  in  fo  high  a  Court  of  Juftice 
by  the  Grave  and  Reverend  Judges,  all  Men  thought  then  that  they  might  lawfully 
believe  it  and  report  it.  So  Contagious  may  the  Breath  of  one  Religious  Man  be  as 
to  infeft  his  Party  •  and  of  that  Religious  Party,,  as  to  infect  the  Land,  and  more 
than  one  Land,  with  the  belief  and/  report  of  fuch  ungrounded  Lies. 

§  1^2.  At  the  fame  time,  in  the  end  of  my  Life  of  Faith,  I  Printed  a  Revocation 
of  my  Book  called  Political  Aphorifms,  or  A  Holy  Common-wealth  •  which  exafperated 
thofe  who  had  been  for  the  Parliament's  War,  as  much  as  the  former  but  both  to- 
gether did  greatly  provoke  them.  Of  which  I  mud  give  the  Reader  tfiis  Advertife- 
ment.  I  wrote  that  Book  1 659.  by  the  provocation  of  Mr.  James  Harrington  the 
Author  of  Oceana  ;  and  next  by.  the  Endeavours  of  Sir  Hen.  Fane  for  a  Common- 
wealth :  Not  that  1  Enmity  to  a  well  ordered  Democracy  •,  but  1 . 1  knew 
that  Cromwell  and  the  Army,  were  rtfolved  againft  it,  and  it  would  not  be.  2. 
And  I  perceived  that  Harrington's  Common-wealth  was  fitted  to  Heathenifm  and 
Kane's  to  Fanaticifm  -,  and  neither  of  them  would  take  :  Therefore  I  thought  that 
the  improvement  of  our  Legal  Form  of  Government  was  belt  for  us :  And  by  Hat- 
ringtonh  Scorn  (Printed  in  a  half  Sheet  cfCibberifh)  was  then  provoked  to  write  that* 
Book.  But  the  madnefs  of  the  fevcral  Parties,  before  it  could  be  Printed,  pull'd 
down  Rich.  Cromwell, and  chang'd  the  Government  fo  oft  in  a  few  Months,  as  brought 
in  the  King,  contrary  to  the  hopes  of  his  clofeft  Adherents,  and  the  expectations  of 
almoft  any  in  the  Laud. 

And  ever  lince  the  King  came  in,  that  Book  of  mine,  was  preached  againft  before 
the  King,  fpoken  againft  in  the  Parliament,  and  wrote  againft  by  fuch  as  defired  my 
Ruine:  A'orley,  Bifliop  of  Worcefter^  and  many  after  him,  branded  it  with  Tresfon, 
and  the  King  was  ft  ill  told  that  I  would  not  retract  it,  but  was  ftill  of  the  fame  mind, 
and  ready  to  raife  another  War,  and  a  Perfon  not  to  be  indured.  New  Books  every 
Year  came  out  againft  it ;  and  even  Men  that  had  been  taken  for  Sober  and  Religious, 
when  they  had  a  mind  of  Preferment,  and  to  be  taken  notice  of  at  Court,  and  by 
the  Prelates,  did  fall  on  Preaching  or  Writing  againft  me^  and  fpecially  againft  that 
Book,  as  the  probableft  means  to  accompliih  their  Ends.  When  I  had  endured  this 
ten  Years,  and  found  no  ftop,  but  that  ftill  they  proceeded  to  make  me  odious  to 
the  King  and  Kingdom,  and  feeking  utter  ruine  this  way,  I  thought  it  my  Duty  to 
Xemove  this  ftuml:  ck  out  of  their  way,  and  without  recanting  any  particular 

Doctrine 


71 


?2  'J  be  L  I  EEojibe  Part  III 

Doctrine  in  it,  to  revoke  the  Book,  arid  to  difown  it,  and  dciire  il  e  Reader  to  take  it 
asnon  Scriptum,  and  to  tell  him  that  I  repented  of  the  writing  of  it  •  And  fo  I  did  : 
Yet  telling  him,  That  I  retraced  none  of  the  Doctrine  of  the  iirft  Part,  which  was 
to  prove  the  Monarch  of  God  ;  but  for  the  Hike  of  the  whole /  wt.  I  relented 

that  I  mote  it :     For  I  was  refolvcd  at  leaft  to  have  that  much  to  fay,  againft  all  that 
after  wrote,  and  preach'd,  and  talk'd  againft  it,  That  J  have4  revoked  that  Book,  and 
therefore  [hall  not  defend  it.     And  the  inceiTant  bloody  Malice  of  the  Reproachers, 
made  me  heartily  wifli,  on  two  or  three  accounts,  that  I  had  never  written  it.     i. 
Becaufe  it  was  done  juft  at  the  fall  of  the  Government,  and  was  buried  in  onr  mines 
and  never,  that  I  know  of,  did  any  great  good.  2.  Becaufe  I  find  it  bell  for  Minifters 
to  meddle  as  little  as  may  be  with  Mattel  s  of  Polity,  how  great  foever  their  Provo- 
cations may  be:  and  therefore  I  wifh  that  I  had  never  written  on  any  fuch  Subject. 
3.  And  1  repented  that  1  meddled  againft  Vane  and  Harrington  ( which  was  the  fe- 
Notthatcond  Part )  in  Defence  of  Monarchy,  feeing  that  the  Cbnfequents  had  been  no  better 
myjudg-  and  that  my  Reward  had  been  to  be  lilenced,  imprifoned,  turned  out  of  all,  and 
mentis      reproached  implacably,  and  incefiantly,  as  Criminal,  and  never  like  to  fee  an  end 
kwas for ^M* '  He,  that  had  wrote  for  fo  little, and  fo  great  difpleatfire,  might  be  tempted 
Monarchy,  as  well  as  I,  to  wifh  that  he  had  fat  flill,  and  let  GOD  and  Man  alone  with  Mat- 
But  I  am  ters  of  Civil  Policy.     Though  I  was  not  convinced  of  many  Errors  in  that  Book,  {o 

forry  that  ca]ied  by  fome  Accufers  to  recant,  yet  1  repented  the  nriung  of  it  as  an  infelicity,  and  as 
I  wrote  for    j  flich  did  nQ  gocd  but  hurt 

anv  Men  ° 

3  23.111 1* 

their  wills,  §  i  S3-  But  becaufe  an  Jppendix  to  that  Book  had  given  fcveral  Reafonsofmy 
and  to  adhering  to  the  Parliament  at  firlt,  many  thought  I  changed  my  Judgment  about  the 
their  dif-  firft;  part  0f  the  Parliament's  Caufe :  And  the  rather,  becaufe  /  difclaimed  the  Army's 
pleafure.  j^ebe|]jous  Overthrows  of  Government  (as  /  had  always  done.  J  /  knew  /  could  not 
they  revoke  the  Book,  but  the  bufie  pevifhnefs  of  cenforious  Profeflbrs  would  fall  upon  me 
fhould  as  a  Revolter :  And  /  knew  that  /  could  not  forbear  the  laid  Revocation,  without 
chufetheir  thofe  ill  Effects  which  /  fuppofed  greater.  And  which  was  worft  of  all,  /  had  no 
own  Ser-   p0ffirjie  Liberty  further  to  explain  my  Reafons. 

vants.  g  i  ^     When  my  Cure  of  Church  Divifions  came  out,  the  fober  Party  of  Minivers 

were  reconciled  to  it  ;  efpecially  the  Ancienter  fort,  and  thofe  that  had  feen  the 
Evils  of  Separation  :  But  fome  of  the  London  Minifters,  who  had  kept  up  Publick 
Alfemblies,  thought  it  fhould  have  been  lefs  fharp ;  and  fome  thought  becaufe  they 
were  under  the  Bifhop's  Severities,  that  it  was  unfeafonable.  For  the  Truth  is, 
moft  Men  judged  by  Senfe,  and  take  that  to  begood  or  bad,  which  they  feel  do  them 
good  or  hurt  at  the  prefent :  And  becaufe  the  People's  Alienation  from  the  Prelates 
and  Liturgy,  and  Parifh-Churches,  did  feem  to  make  againft  the  Prebtes,  and  to 
make  for  the  Nonconformiil's  Inter  eft,  they  thought  it  not  Prudence  to  gratifie  the 
Prelates  fo  far  as  to  gain-fay  it.  And  fo  they  confidered  not  from  whence  dividing 
Principles  come,  and  to  what  they  tend,  and  what  a  difgrace  they  are  to  our  Caufe, 
and  how  one  of  our  own  Errors  will  hurt  and  difparage  us  more,  than  all  the  cruelty 
of  onr  Adverfaries ;  and  that  fmful  means  is  feldom  bleiTed  to  do  good. 

§  155.  But  upon  fore-fight  of  the  tendernefs  of  Profeflbrs,  /  had  before  given 
my  Book  to  the  Perufal  of  Mr.  John  Corbet,  my  Neighbour,  (  accounted  one  of  the 
moll  Calm,  as  well  as  Judicious  Nonconformifts)  and  had  altered  every  Word  that 
he  wifhed  to  be  altered :  And  the  fame  /had  done  by  my  very  worthy  Faithfri  Friend, 
Mr.  Fichard  Fairclough,  who  Perufed  it  in  the  Prefs,  and  /  altered  elmoft  all  that  he 
wifhed  to  be  altered,  to  take  off  any  Words  that  feemed  to  be  too  fharp.  But  all  did 
not  fatisfie  the  guilty  and  impatient  Readers.  . 

§  156.  For  when  the  Book  came  out,  the  Separating  Party,  who  had  received 
before  an  odious  Chara&er  of  it,  did  part  of  tliem  read  and  interpret  it  by  the 
Spectacles  and  Commentary  of  their  Palfions  and  fore  Conceits^  and  the  moil  of  them 
would  not  read  it  all  j  but  took  all  that  they  heard  for  granted :  The  hotteft  that 
was  againft:  it  was  Mr.' Ed.  Bag/haw,  a  young  Man,  who  had  written  formerly  againft 
Monarchy,  had  afterward  written  for  me  againft  Biihop  Morley ;  and  being  of  a 
'  refolute  Roman  Spirit,  was  fent  firft  to  the  Tower,  and  then  laid  there  in  the  horrid 
Dungeon  (where  the  dam$  calling  him  into  the  Hemorrhoids,  the  Pain  caufed  that 
Sweat  which  faved  his  Life  :)  Thence  he  was  removed  to  Southbcy-Caftle,  near  Per  if- 
mouth  in  the  Sea,  where  he  lay  Prifoner  many  Years ;  where  Vivafor  Powel  (an  ho- 
neft  injudicious  Zealot  of  Wales)  being  his  Companion,  heightned  him  in  his  Opinions. 

He 


Pare  111.         Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  n7 

Hewfoteagamftme  a  Pamphlet  fo  full  of  Untruths  and  Spleen"   aad  fo .-Utile  perti-  " 

ncnt  to  the  Caufe,  as  that  I  never  met  with  a  Man  that  called  for  an  Anfwerto  it  - 
vet  the  1 1  Principles  ot  it  made  me  think,  that  it  needed  an  Anfwer,  whirh  I 
wrote.  But  I  found  that  Party  grown  fo  tender,  expecting  little  but  to  be  applau- 
ded forilieir  Godhnefs,  and  to  be  flattered,  while  they  expeftcd  that  others  mould 
be  moft  fharply  dealt  with,  and  indeed  to  be  fo  utterly  impatient  of  that  Language 
in  a  Confutation  which  had  any  fuitablenefs  to  the  defert  of  their  Writings  that  1 
purpofed  to  give  over  all  Controverfial  Writings  with  them,  or  any  other  without 
great  necemty  :  And  the  rather,  becaufe  my  own  Stile  is  apt  to  be  guilty  of  too  much 
freedom  and  (harpnels  in  Difputings. 

§  i  57.  The  next  to  Mr.  Bjfjhaw  (now  again  in  Prifon  for  not  taking  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance  it  felf,)  who  behind  my  Back  did  moft  revile  my  Book,  was  Dr  Owen- 
whether  out  of  Defign  or  Judgement,  I  cannot  tell  •  but  ordinarily  he  fpake  very 
bitterly  of  it ;  but  never  wrote  to  me  a  Word  againft  it :  He  alfo  divulged  his  diirent 
from  the  Propofals  tor  Concord,  which  I  offered  him,  though  he  would  fay  no  more 
againlt  them  to  my  felf,  than  what  I  have  before  exprelTed. 

§  i  58.  At  this  time  alfo  one  H'mklty  of  Nor field ,  near  Worcejler-Jhire,  defiling  to 
be  taken  notice  of,  wrote  a  virulent  Book  againft  the  Nonconforming,  and  particuhr- 
ly  fome  Falfhoods  againft  me,  and  a  vehement  Invitation  to  me  to  publifhthe  Reafons 
of  my  Nonconformity  •  when  he  could  not  be  fo  utterly  ignorant  as  not  to  know  that 
I  couhi  never  get  fuch  an  Apology  Licenfcd,  and  that  the  Law  forbad  me  to  Print 
it  unlicenfed,  and  that  he  himfclf  taketh  it  for  a  Sin  to  break  that  Law.  But  fuch  im- 
pudent Perfons  were  itiil  clamouring  againft  us. 

§  1 59.  By  this  time  my  own  old  Flock  at  Kiderminjlcr  began  (fome  of  them)  to 
Cenfure  me :  For  when  the  Bilhop,  and  Deans,  and  many  of  their  Curates,  had 
preached  long  to  make  the  People  think  me  a  Deceiver  ;  as  if  this  had  been  the  only 
way  to  their  Salvation,  the  Pec^le  were  hereby  fo  much  alienated  from  them,  that 
they  took  them  for  Men  unreafonable,  and  little  better  than  mad ;  infomuch  as  that 
they  grew  more  alienated  from  Prelacy  than  ever.  Alfo,  while  they  continued  to 
repeat  Sermons  in  their  Houfes  together,  many  of  them  were  laid  long  in  Jayls, 
(among  Thieves  and  common  Malefactors ;  winch  increafed  their  Exafperations  yet 
more.  They  continued  their  Meetings  whilft  their  Goods  were  Seifed  on,  and  they 
were  Fined  and  Punifhed  again  and  again.  Thefe  Sufferings  fo  increafed  their  Aver- 
fation,  that  my  Book  againft  Church-Divifions  coming  out  at  fuch  a  time,  and  a  Pre- 
face which  1  put  before  a  Book  of  Dr.  Aryan's,  in  which  I  do  but  excufe  his  Speaking 
againft  Separation,  they  were  many  of  them  offended  at  it  as  unfeafonable  ^  and  judg- 
ing by  feeling  Intereft  and  Tajjion,  were  angry  with  me  for  ftrengthening  the  Hands 
of  Perfecutors,  as  they  call  it  ^  whereas  if  I  had  called  the  Bifhops  all  that's  nought, 
I  am  confident  they  would  not  have  blamed  me.  And  they  that  fell  out  with  the  Bi- 
fhops for  calling  me  out,  and  fpeaking  ill  of  me,  were  (fome  of  them)  ready  to  fpeak 
ill  of  me,  if  not  to  caft  me  off,  becaufe  1  did  but  perfuade  them  of  the  Lawfulnefs 
of  Communicating  in  their  Parifh-Church,  with  a  Conformable  Minifter  in  the  Li- 
turgy. 

§  1 60.  At  this  time,  as  is  faid,  the  old  reading  Vicar  dying  it  was  call  on 
me  to  chufe  the  next :  But  the  Rdigious  People  (who  were  the  main  Body  of 
the  Town,  and  Parifh)  would  not  fo  much  as  chufe  a  Man,  when  they  might 
have  had  their  choice  :,  no,  nor  fo  much  as  write  or  fend  one  word  to  one  about 
it,  left  they  mould  feem  to  confent  to  his  Conformity,  or  to  be  obliged  to  him 
in  his  Office.  Whereupon  I  alfo  refufed  to  meddle  in  the  Choice  and  the  rather 
becaufe  fome  of  the  malignant  flanderous  Prelatifts  who  write  of  me,  as  Durel, 
Uftrange,  and  many  others  have  done,  would  in  likelyhood  have  faid,  that  I  con- 
tracted for  fome  Commodity  to  my  felf  ^  and  becaufe  Mr.  Foley  the  Patron  was  a 
truly  honeft  Religious  Man,  who,  I  knew  would  make  the  beft  choice  he 
could. 

§  161.  When  he  had  chofen  them  a  Minifter  (whom  they  themfelves  commend- 
ed for  an  honeft  Man  and  a  good  Preacher,  and  rather  wifhed  him  than  another) 
I  wrote  a  Letter  to  them  to  advife  them  to  join  with  the  faid  Minifter  in  Pray- 
ers and  Sacrament  -7  becaufe  I  had  before  advifed  them  not  to  own  the  Mini- 
ftry  of  Mr.  Dance,  for  his  utter  incapacity  and  infufficiency,  but  if  ever  they  had  a 

Rkkk  tolerable' 


74        "  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  Part  II I 

tolerable  Man,  to  own  him,  and  Communicate  with  him.     And  becaufe  he  • 
beft    that  the  Patron  by  i  heir  Confent,  could  chufe,  and  for  many  Read 
gave  them.     But  their  Suffi  A   fo  fat*  alienated  them  'from  the  P 

t  the  very  mniourofthis  Letter  was  tilktofasmy  Book  againft  DWilions  v. 
fo  that  it  was  neve*  fo  much  as  read  to  them. 

§  162.  And  here  it  is  worth  the  nothing,  how  far  Intcreft  fecretly  fwayeth 
the  judgments  of  the  belt.  A  few  Minifters,  who  have  a  more  taking  wa; 
Preaching  than  the  reft,  and  being  more  moving  and  affectionate,  are  fot  I 
way  now  which  moft  fuiteth  with  the  Inclination  of  the  People  who  mod  cftcem 
them,  which  is  to  go  far  enough  from  the  Conforroifts,  (  or  too  far)  but  the 
reft  who  arc  lefs  followed  by  "the  People,  arc  generally  more  for  Peace  and 
Moderation. 

§  163.  This  Year  the  Aft  againft  Conventicles  was  renewed,  and  made  more 
fevere  than  ever  :  And  (as  all  that  ever  I  fpake  with  of  it,  ftnrpofed)  with 
Eye  upon  my  Cafe,  they  put  in  divers  Games :  As  that  the  fault  of  the 
timus  ihould  not  difable  it  ;  that  all  doubtful  Claufcs  in  the  Act  fhould  be  in- 
terpreted, as  would  mofl  favour  the  fuppreffion  of  Conventicles  ^  that  the/  that 
fled  or  removed  their  Dwelling  into  another  County,  mould  be  purfucd  by  Exe- 
cution, (to  this  Senfe)  What  a  ftrait  is  a  Man  in  among  People  of  fuch  Ex- 
tremes? One  fide  purfucth  us  with  implacable  Wrath,  while  we  are  charg- 
ed with  nothing  but  Preaching  Chrift's  Gofpel  in  the  moft  peaceable  manner 
we  can:  And  the  other  cenfureth  us,  as  Compliers  with  Perfecntors  andy  Ene- 
mies to  Piety,  becaufe  we  defire  to  live  peaceable  with  all  Men,  and  to  fepa- 
rate  from  them  no  further  than  they  feparate  from  God. 

§164.  Their  own  Laws  againft  Conventicles  hinder  us  from  doing  their  own 
Wills.  They  write  and  clamour  againft  me  for  not  perfwading  the  People  to 
Conformity  :  And  when  1  would  draw  them  but  to  that  Communion,  which  I 
'  had  within  my  felf,  the  Law  difableth  me  to  Communicate  a  Letter  to  them 
feeing  no  more  than  four  muft  meet  together  •  wkich  way  among  many  hundred 
or  thoufand  Diffenters,  would  make  many  Years  work  of  Communicating  that 
one  part  of  my  Advice.    Thus  do  our  Shepherds  ufe  the  Flocks. 

§  165.  At  this  time  Mr.  Giles  Firmin,  a  worthy  Minifter  that  had  lived  in 
New-England,  writing  againft  fonte  Errors  of  Mr.  Hooker,  Mr.  Shepbtrd7  Mr. 
Daniel  Rogers,  and  Mr. Perkins,  gave  me  alfo  alfo  a  gentle  reproof,  for  tying 
Men  too  ftrictly  to  Meditatiou ;  whereto  I  wroteaihort  anfwer,  called,  A  Re- 
view  of  the  Doctrine  of  Meditation. 

§  1 66.  A  worthy  Lady  was  perverted  from  the  Lord's  Day  to  the  Saturday 
Sabbath,  defiring  my  Judgment,  and  Mr.  Francis  Bamfield,  a  Minfter,  who  hath 
lain  about  feven  Years  in  Dorcheftcr-GoaX  (the  Brother  of  Sfr*  John  Bamfield,  de- 
ceafed)  beiug  gone  to  the  fame  Opinion,  and  many  following  them,  I  wrote  by 
the  Perfwafion  of  fome  Friends,  a  fmall  Tractate  alfo  on  that  Subject,  to  prove 
the  divine  appointment  of  the  Lord*  s  Day,  and  the  ceifation  of  the  Jewifh  Sab- 
bath. 

§  167.  Dr.  Manton  (though  he  had  the  greateft  Friends,  and  promife  of  Fa- 
vour of  any  of  the  Presbyterians)  was  fent  Prifoner  to  the  Gatehoufe  for  Preach* 
ing  the  Gofpel  in  his  own  Houfe,  in  the  Parifh  where  he  had  been  called  formerly 
to  the  Miniftery,  and  for  not  taking  the  Oxford-Oath,  and  coming  wTithin  five  Miles 
of  a  Corporation ;  where  he  continued  fix  Months :  but  it  proved  convenient  to  his 
eafe,  becaufe  thofe  fix  Months  were  fpent  in  London,  in  a  hot  purfuitof  fiich  private 
Preaching,  by  Baads  of  Soldiers,  to  the  terrour  of  many,  and  the  death  of  fome. 

§  1 68.  Madam,  the  King's  Sifter  dyed  in  France,  when  Ihe  returned  from  vifiting 
His  Majeity  in  England,  to  his  very  great  grief. 

§  1 69.  Sir  John  Babor  talk'd  to  the  Lord  Arlington  of  our  late  Treaty  upon  the 
Lord  Keeper's  Invitation,  with  Bifhop  Wilkim  -,  whereupon  Dr.  Manton  fent  to  me, 
as  from  him,  to  Communicate  the  Terms  and  Papers.  But  they  were  at  Atton  from 
whence  they  had  driven  me,  and  I  had  medled  enough  in  fuch  Matters  only  to  my 
coft.  So  that  though  he  faid  the  King  was  to  fee  them,  I  could"  not  then  anfwer  his 
deiire,  aftd  I  heard  no  more  of  it, 

$  170. 


Pare   III.  ^Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


75 


§  170.     Upon  the  Publication  of  my  Book  againft  Divillons,  and  the  Rumour  of 

my  Conforming,  the  Earl  of  Lauderdale  invited  rac  to  fpeak  with  him :     Where  he 

ed  to  me  the  purpofe  of  taking  oil"  the  Oath  of  Canonical  Obedience,  and  all  Inv 

pofitions  of  Conformity  in  Scotland,  fave  only  that  it  mould  be  ncceifary  to  lit  in 

Presbyteries  and  Synods  with  the  Bifhops  and  Moderators  (there  being  already  no 

Liturgy,  Ceremonies,  or  Subfcription  fave  only  to  the  Do&rine  of  the  Church:) 

Hereupon  lie  carolled  his  great  Kitidnefs  to  mc,  and  told  me  he  had  the  King's 

Confcnt  to  fpeak  with  mc,and  being  going  into  Scotland^  offered  me  what  place  in 

Scotland  1  would  clioofe,  cither  a  Church,  or  a  Colledge  in  the  Univerfity,  or  a 

Bifhopricl; :  And  fhortly  after,  as  he  went  thither,  at  Btohet  he  fent  for  me  j  and 

;ehim  the  Anfwer  following  in  thefe  Papers,  befujes  what  I  gave  him  by  word 

he  fame  purpofe.     But  when  he  came  thither,  fuch  Acts  agamic  Conventicles 

were  presently  made,  as  are  very  well  worthy  the  Reader's  fcrious  Perufal,  who 

would  know  the  true  Con:  of  this  Age.  , 


Ay  Lord, 


BEing  deeply  fenlible  of  your  Lordfhljp's  favours,  and  in  fpecial  of  your  Liberal 
Offers  for  my  EnterCainmcnt  in  :  cotl.md,  1  humbly  return  you  my  very  hearty 
Thanks :  But  thefe  Conlidcraiions  forbid  me  to'  entertain  any  hopes  or  further 
thoughts  of  fuch  a  remove. 

1  The  Experience  of  my  great  Wcaknefs  and  decay  of  Strength,  andprticular- 
lv  of  this  lift  Winter's  Pain,  and  how  much'wbrfe  1  am  in  Winter  than  in  Summer, 
doth  fully  pcrfuademo,  That  1  (hall  live  but  a  little  while  in  Scotland,  and  that  ia 
a  difablcd,  ufclefs  Condition,  rather  keeping  my  Bed  than  the  Pulpit 

2  I  am  engaged  in  Writing  a  Book,  which  if  1  could  hope  to  live  to  nnifh,  is 
almoll:  all  the  SerVice  that  I  expeft  to  do  God  and  lias  Church  more  in  the  World, 
( A  Latin  Methodus  TbeologU  •)  And  1  can  hardly  hope  to  live  fo  long  (it  requiring 
vet  near  a  Years  labour  more.)  Now  ir1  mould  go  fpend  that  one  half  Year,  or 
Year  which  mould  finifh  that  Work  in  1  ravel,  and  the  trouble  of  fuch  a  Removal, 
and  then  having  intended  Work  undone,  it  would  difappoint  me  of  the  ends  of. my 
Life :'  (For  I  live  only  for  Work,  and  therefore  mould  remove  only  for  Work,  and  not 
for  Wealth  and  Honour,  ir"  ever  1  remove.) 

Ylf  1  were  there,  all  that  1  could  hope  for  were  liberty  to  Preach  the  Goipe  of 
Salvation  and  efpecially  in  frmsVtiivtrfity  among  young  Scholars.,  But  I  hear  that 
^utove'enough  already  for  this  Work,  that  are  like  to  do  it  better  than  I  can. 

ju  I  have  a  Familv,  and  in  it  a  Mother-in-Law  of  80  Years  of  Age,  ofHonour- 
Alt  Fxtraft  and  ereat  Worth,  whom  1  mull  not  neglecl,  and  who  cannot  Travel. 
Si  km  ch  1  one  as  1  fo  great  a  bufmefs  to  remove  a  Family,  and  all  our 
Good  "idBootio^r  ^  deterrlh  me  to  thinkof  it  (having  paid  fo  dear  for  Re- 
movals thefe  8  Years,  a's  1  have  done,  and  being  but  yefterday  fettled  in  ah oufe 

u'u\  11  ,  m.  u  f.,rn    and  that  with  creat  trouble  and  lofs  ot  time.)     And  if  I 

again. 

All  this  concurreth  to  deprive  me  of  this  Benefit  of  your  Lordmip's  Favour.  But, 

mv  Lord   there  are  other  Fruits  of  it,  which  1  am  not  altogether  hopelefs  of  Recei- 

^NV^nl  am  commanded  to  pray  for  Kings,  andall  in  Authority  I  am  albw- 

Uhe  Ambition  of  this  Preferment  (which  is  all  that  ever  I  afpired  after)  to  toe  a 

terojbrespacis. 
T  am  wearv  of  the  Noife  #  contentious  Revilers,  and  have  oft  ^Thoughts  to 


9  a  : ;  /  be  LIFE  of  the    ■  Van  1 II 


meddle  with  no- Body,  and  hope  the  World  will  forget  that  I  am  alive,  Court,  City, 
and  Country  is  (till  fill'd  with  Clamours  againft  me  -,  and  when  a  Preacher  wanteth 
Preferment,  his  way  is  to  Preach,  or  write  a  Book  agAinlt  the  Nonconformilts,  and 
me  by  Nam* :  So  that  the  Menflrua  of  the  Prefs  (and  Pulpits  of  fotne)  is  fome 
Bloody  Inve&ives  againfb  my  felf,  as  if  my  Peace  were  inconfiftcnt  with  the  King- 
dom's Happinefs :  And  never  did  my  Eyes  read  fuch  impudent  Untruths  in  Matter 
of  Fad,  as  thefe  Writings  contain ;  and  they  cry  out  for  Anfwers  and  Reafons  of 
my  Nonconformity,  while  they  know  the  Latf  forbiddeth  me  to  anfvyer  them  (Un- 
licenfed.  I  exped  not  that  any  Fav our  or  Juftice  of  my  .Super iourt,  mould  Cure  any 
of  this:  .But, 

i .  If  I  might  but  be  heard  fpeak  for  my  felf,  before  1  be  judged  by  them,  and  fuch 
things  believed.  (For  to  contemn  the  Judgment  of  my  Rulers,  is  to  difhonour 
them.) 

# 

2.  I  might  live  quietly  to  follow  my  private  Study,  and  might  once  again  have  the, 
ufe  of  my  Books  (  which  I  have  not  feen  thefe  ten  Years,  and  pay  for  a  Room  for 
their  ftanding  at  Kid&'minjler,  where  they  are  eaten  with  Worms  and  Rats,  having 
no  fecui  ity  for  mjfc  quiet  Abode  in  any  place,  enough  to  encourage  me  to  fend  for 
them :)  And  if  1  might  have  the  Liberty  thut  every  Beggar  hath,  to  Travel  from 
Town  to  Town,  I  mean,  but  to  London^  to  over.- ice  the  Prefs,  when  any  thing  of 
mine  is  Licenfed  for  it.    A  nd, 

3.  If  I  be  fent  to  Newgate  'for  Presetting Chriit's  Gofpel  ^  (For  I  dare  not  facri- 
legioufly  renounce  my  Calling  to  which  I  am  Gonfecrated,  per  Sacramentum  Ordirm) 
if  I  have  the  Favour  of  a  better  Prifo'n,  where  I  may  but  walk  and  write  0  Thefe 
I  mould  take  as  very  great  Favours,  and  acknowledge  your  Lordfhip  my  Benefador 
if  you  procure  them.  For  I  will  not  fo  much  injure  you  as  to  defire,  or  my  Reafon  as 
to  exped,  any  greater  Matters-  no  not  the  Benefit  of  the  Laft.  I  think  I  broke 
no  Law  in  any  of  the  Preachings  which  I  am  accufed  of  j  and  /mofb  confidently 
think,  that  no  Law  irnpofethon  me  the  Oxford-Oai\  any  more  than  any  Conform- 
able Minifter  ^  and  /  am  paft  doubting  the  prefent  Mittimus  for  my  /mprifonment  is 
quite  without  Law.  But  if  the  Juftices  think  otherwife  now,  or  at  any  time,  I  know 
no  Remedy,  /have  yet  a  Licenfe  to  Preach publickly  in  London-Diocds,  under  the 
Arch-bifhop's  own  Hand  and  Seal,  which  is  yet  valid  for  occafional  Sermons,  tho* 
not  for  Lectures  or  Cures :  But  I  dare  not  ufe  it,  becaufe  it  is  in  the  Bifhop's  power 
to  recall  it.  Would  but  the  Bifhop  (  who  one  would  think  mould  not  be  againfb 
the  Preaching  of  the  Gofpel  J  not  re-call  my  Licenfe,  I  could  preach  occafional- Ser- 
mons, which  would  abfolve  my  Confcience  from  all  Obligations  to  private  Preach- 
ing. For  'tis  not  Maintenance  that  I  exped :  I  never  received  a  Farthing  for  my 
Preaching,  to  my  Knowledge,  fince  May  1.  1662.  I  thank  God  /  have  Food  and 
Raiment  without  being  chargeable  to  any  Man^  which  is  all  that  /defire^  had  / 
but  leave  to  Preach  for  nothing  •,  and  that  only  where  there  is  a  notorious  Neceflity. 
/  humbly  Crave  your  Lordfhip's  Pardon  for  the  tedioufnefs  ^  and  again  return  you 
my  very  great  Thanks  for  your  great  Favours,  remaining 

My  Lord, 

Your  Lordlhip's  Humble, 


June  24.  1670.  Much  Obliged  Servant, 

Richard  Baxter. 

One 


Part  III.  Reverend  Mr.  Riclurd  Baxter. 


93 


One  Rcafon  more  alfo,  as  additional,  movcth  me,  That  the  People  of  Scotland 
Id  have  fuch  jealous  Thoughts  of  a  Strangtr,  efpecially  at  this  time,  when  Fame 
hath  rung  it  abroad  that  I  Conform,  that  I  ihould  do  little  good  among  them,  and 
efpecially  when  there  are  Men  enough  among  themfelves,  that  are  able,  if  Impedi- 
ments were  removed. 


Another  Letter  to  the  E.  ofLauderdale. 

I  Scarce  account  him  worthy  the  Name  of  a  Man,  much  lefs  of  an  Engilfh-man, 
and  leaft  of  all  of  a  Chrijtiart,  who  is  not  fenfible  of  the  great  Sinfulnefs  and  Ca- 
lamity of  our  divided  and  diftratted  Condition  in  his  Majefty's  Dominions.  The  Sin  is 
a  Compendium,  of* very  many  heinous  Crimes:  Thz  Calamity  is  i.  The  K&tjfs9  to 
have  the  trouble  and  peril  of  Governing  fuch  a  divided  People  :  2.  The  Kingdom's,  to 
be  as  Guelphes  and  Gibelines,  hating  and  reviling  one  another,  and  living  in  a  Heart- 
Waj,  and  a  Tongue-War,  which  are  the  Sparks  that  ufually  kindle  a  Hand-War  • 
and  1  tremble  to  think,  what  a  Temptation  it  is  to  Secret  and  to  Foreign  Enemies, 
to  make  Attempts  againft  our  Peace,  and  to  read  Infallibility  it  felf  pronouncing 
it,  a  Maxim  which  the  Devil  himfclf  is  practically  acquainted  with,  That  a  Houfe 
or  Kingdom  divided  againft  it  felf  cannot  Hand.  3.  The  Churches:  To  have  Pallors 
againft  Pallors,  and  Churches  againft  Churches,  and  Sermons  againft  Sermons,  and 
the  Bifhops  to  be  accounted  the  perfidioufeft  Enemies  of  the  People's  Souls, 'and  the 
Wolves  that  devour  the  Flock  of  Chrift-,  and  fo  many  of  the  People  tobeaccount- 
.  ed  by  Bilhops  to  be  Rebellious,  Schifmaticks,  and  FanatickSi  vvhofe  Religioufnefs 
and  Zeal  is  the  Plague  of  the  Church,  and  whofe  ruine  or  depreflion  is  the  Pallor's 
Intereft,  againft  whom  the  moft  vicious  may  be  imployed,  as  being  more  trufly  and 
obedient  to  the  Orders  .of  the  Church!  How  doleful  a  Cafe  is  it,  that  Chrijlian 
Love  and  delight  in  doing  good  to  one  another,  is  turned  almoft  every  where  into 
wrath  and  bitternefs,  and  a  longing  after  the  downful  of  each  other ;  and  to  hear  in 
moft  Companies,  the  edifying  Language  of  Love,  and  Chriftianity,  turned  into  molt* 
odious  Defcriptions  of  each  other,  and  into  the  pernicious  Language  of  Malice  and 
Calumny  ?  It  is  to  fober  Men  a  wonderful  fort  of  wickednefs,  that  all  this  is  fo  ob- 
ftinately  perfifted  in,  even  by  thofe  that  decry  the  evil  of  it  in  others :  And  to  one 
fort  all  feemeth  juftified,  by  faying,  that  others  are  their  Inferiours;  and  to  the 
other  by  faying,  that  they  arc  Perfecuted.  And  'tis  a  wonderful  fort  of  CaUmity, 
which  is  fo  much  loved,  that  in  the  face  of  fuch  Light,  and  in  the  fore-fight  of  fuch 
Dangers,  and  in  theprefent  Experience  of  fuch  great  ConcuffionsandConfufions,  the 
Peace-killers  win  not  hold  their  hands. 

My  Lord    Many  fober  Bv-ftandcrs  think,  That  this  Sin  might  ceafe,  and  this 
mifery  be  healed,  at  a  very  eaiieRate,  and  therefore  that  it  is  not  fo  much  Ignorance 
as  Intereft,  that  hindereth  the  Cure :  And  they  wonder  who  thofe  Perfons  are  who 
can  take  fuch  a  State  as  this  to  be  their  Intereft.    Sure  I  am,  That  Peace-maker  • 
(hall  be  BlefTed  as  the  Children  of  God ;  that  [aft  and  honefi  Terms ^  might  eafilybe 
found  out,  if  Men  were  impartial  and  willing ;  and  that  he  that  ihall  be  pur  Healer 
will  be  our  Deliverer:  and  if  your  Lordlhip  could  be  /nftrumental  therein,  it  would 
be  a  gfeater  honour  to  you  in  the  £ftimation  of  the  true  Friends  of  the  Kmg,  and 
Kingdom,  and  Church,  and  a"  greater  Comfort  to  your  Confcience   than  all  worldly 
Greatnefs  can  afford.    For  the  Means,  /  am  not  fo  vain  as  to  prefume  to  offer  you 
anv  other  Particulars,  than  to  tell  you,  that  I  am  perfuaded,  That  if  there  were 
firft  a  Command  from  His  Majefty  to  the  Bifhops  of  Chejter  and  Nonvteb  on  one  fide 
and  two  Peaceable  Men  on  the  other,  freely  to  Debate  and  offer  fuch  Expedients  as 
thev  think  moft  proper  to  heal  all  our  Divifions,  they  would  foon  agree :  And  when 
Sey  hadmade  that  Preparation,  iffome  more  fuch  Moderate pivmes  werejoyned 


7sT        ~ The  LIFE  of  the  Part  III 


to  them  ( as  Dr.  Stillingfleet,  Dr.Tillotfon,  Dr.Outram,  Dr,  V'ttlffm,  Dr.  Whtuhcot^ 
Dr.  J/ore,  Dr.  Woithington,  Dr.  WSi/fo,  Dr.  itar/«p,  Dr.  7ai/y,  Mr.  G///w^,  tec.  on 
one  fide^  and  Dr.  Conant,  Dr.  Dillingham,  Dr..  Langley,  and  many  moie  that  i 
could  Name  on  the  other  fide  •,)  they  would  rjuickly  fill  up,  and  Confirm  the  Con- 
cord. Aad  fuch  a  Preparation  being  made,  and  fhewed  Mis  Majell  y,  certakiiy  he 
would. foon  fee  that  the  Inconveniences  of  it,  will  he  lb  great,  as  the  Mi  (chiefs  of 
our  Divifions  are,  and  are*  like  to  be  (for  "the  further  they  go,  as  a  Torrent,  the 
more  they  will  fwcll,  and  Violence  will  not  end  them,  when  it  fecmetli  to  allay 
them.)  And  oh !  what  a  Pleafure  would  it  then  be  to  His  Mdjelty,  to  Govern  a 
Concordant  People,  and  to  feel  the  Affetlions  and  Strength  of  a  United  Kingdom  and 
to  have  Men's  Religious  Zeal  engage  them  in  a  Fervency  for  his  Love  and  Service ! 
And  what  a  Joy  would  it  be  to  the  Pallors  to  be  Beloved  of  their  Flocks !  And 
what  a  Joy  to  all  the  Honeft  Subjects,  to  live  in  fuch  a  Kingdom,  and  fuch  a  Church! 
And  that  thisWo.ik  may  notfeem  over-difficult  to  you,  when  your  «Lordihip  (hall 
Command  it,  I  Ihall  briefly  tell  you,  what  the  generality  of  the  Sober  Nontonfor- 
mifts  hold ;  and  what  it  is  that  they  defire,  and  what  it  is  that  they  refufeas  iinful 
that  when  they  are  understood,  it  may  appear  how  far  they  ace  fiom  bei^  intoler- 
able, either  in  the  Kingdom  or  the  Church.     My  Lord,  Pardon  irm  bpidneh  of 


June  24.   1 670.  2  om  Humble  Servant 

ich.  Baxter, 


To  the  Right  Honourable,  the  E.  of  Lauderdale, 
Hvs  Majejiys  Commifjioner  for  Scotland. 


§  172.  When  the  E.  of  Lauderdale  was%gorie  into  Scotland,  Sir  Rob.  Murrey, m  (a. 
worthy  Perfon,  and  one  of  6Ve/2fcwz-Colledge-Society,  and  the  Earl's  great  Confi- 
dent) fent  me  the  Frame  of  a  Body  of  Church-Difcipline*  for  Scotland,  and  defired 
jny  Animadverfions  on  it.  I  had  not  Power  to  Tranfcrib.e  them,  or  make  them 
known ;  but  you  may  Conjefture  what  they  were  by  my  Animadverfions."  Only  I 
may  fay,  That  the  Frame  was  very  handfomely  contrived,  and  much  Moderation 
was  in  it,  but  the  main  Power  ©f  Synods  was  contrived  to  be  in  the  King. 


To  the  Honourable  Sir  Rob.  Murrey,  thk  prefent. 

TN  General. 

I.  The  External  Government  of  the  Church,  is  fo  called,  1.  From  the  Object, 
becaufe  it  is  about  the  Body  ;  and  fo  it  belongeth  both  to  the  King,  and  to  the  Pa- 
ftor,  who  fpeak  to  Men  as  fenfible  and  corporeal.  2.  Or,  from  the  Ad  of  Go:  em- 
ning ;  and  fo  it  belongeth  alfo  to  both.  For  to  Preach,  and  Admonifh,  and  give  the 
Sacrament  of  Baptifm,  by  the  Key  of  Admilfion,  and  to  Excommunicate,  &c.  are 
outward  Ads.  3.  From  the  Matter  of  Punifhment,  when  it  is  tbe  Body  immedi- 
ately, or  the  Goods  that  are  meddled  with  by  Penalty  :  And  fo  the  Government  be- 
longeth to  the  King  and  Magistrates  alone.But  this  is  much  plainlier  and  fitlier  diftin- 
guiftied  fas  Bifhop  Bilfon  frequently,  and  Proteftante  ordinarily  do  )  by  theTerms 
of  Governing,  by  the  Sword,  andfcv  the  Word:  Or,  by  Co-aQive,  and  Spiritual  and  Pa- 
ft  oral  Government  (which  is  by  Authoritative  Perfuafion,  or  by  God's  Word  applied 
to  the  Cdnfcience. ) 

• 

II.  Though 


Pair  Hi  WwmriMt.  Richard  Baxt 


er. 


79 


II   Though  there  be  an  External  Government  in  the  two  firft  Senfcs,  given  bv 

imediately  to  the  Pallors  as  to  the  Prince,  (they  having  the  Keys  of  the 

Church,  as  mi mediately  committed  to  them,  as  the  Sword  is  to  the  Prince- )  yet  in 

erctfe  of  thw  Office    in  Preaching,  Sacraments  andDifcipline,  they  are  under 

the  Ctvtl  Government  of  the  King,  who  as  he  may  fee  that  Phyjktans,  and  all  others 

n  his  Kingdom,  do  their  Duties  without  grofs  abufe,  fo  may  he  do  by  Paftors  -  tha' 

he  cannot  either  affiime  to  himfelf  their  Office,  or  prohibit  it,  yet  he  Ly  tavern 

them  that  me  it,  and  fee  that  tney  do  it  according  to  Chrift's  Law  :    So  that  under 

lint  Pretence  he  take  not  their  proper  Work  into  his  own  hand 'nor  hinder  them  from 

the  true  Exercife. 

III.   Though  there  arc  many  things  in  the  Frame  Of  Canons  which  1  am  uncapable* 
of  judging  or,  as  concerning  another  Kingdom,  whofe  Cafe  and  Cuitoms  I  am  not 
perfectly  acquainted  with,  yet  I  may  fay  thefc  three  things  of  it  in  general. 

t.  That  I  am  very  glad  to  fee  no  enfnaring  Oaths,  Declarations,  Profeflions  or 
Subfcnptions  m  it  •  no  not  fo  much  as  a  Subfcription  to  thefe  Canons  themfelves, 
For  peaceable  Men  can  live  quietly  and  obediently  under  a  Government,  which  hath 
many  things  in  it  which  they  dare  not  juftine  or  approve  of.  It  is  our  Work  to 
obey  •  it  is  the  Mugrfratcs  Work,  and  not  ours  to  jujlifie  all  his  own  Commands  and 
Orders  before  God,  as  having  no  Errors :  Therefore  it  is  pity  to  fee  Subjects  fo  put 
upon  that  which  is  not  their  Work,  upon  the  terrible  Terms  as  fome-where  they 
arc. 

2.  I  conceive  that  this  Frame  will  make  a  Nation  happy  or  miferabk,  as  the  Men  are 
who  (hall  be  chofen  for  the  Work.  The  King  having  the  choice  of  all  the  Bifhops 
and  Moderators,  and  the  Commiffioners  having  the  Abfolute  Power  of  nullifying 
all,  if  Wife  and  Godly  Bifhops  and  Moderators  be  chofen,  and  moderate  Commiffi- 
oners, Pietv  will  be  much  promoted  by  thefe  Rules  of  Government.  But  if  con- 
trary, it  will  have  contrary  EfFe&s. 

3.  Therefore  fuppohng  a  choice  of  meet  Perfons,  though  the  mixtures  of  the  Ma- 
gijfratesm<\xhe  Churches  power  here,  befuch  as  I  cannot  juftifie  ( who  had  rather  they 
were  dijlinilly  managed)  yet  I  mould  be  thankful  to  God,  if  we  might  fee  but  as  good 
a  Frame  of  Canons  well  ufed  in  England,  and  mould  live  peaceably,  fubmiflively,  and 
gratefully  under  fuch  a  Government. 

To  the  Particulars. 

i.  The  Name  of  Bihhop  appropriated  to  the  Diocefane,  will  ftumble  fo  ne,  who 
have  learned  that  every  Church  hath  one  Bijhop  (faith  Ignatius)  Et  ubt  Epifcopus,  ibi 
Ecclefu,  faith  Cyprian :  Therefore  they  will  think  that  you  Un-Church  all  the  Churches 
of  the  Land,  fave  the  Diocefane.  And  I  could  wifli  that  the  Name  were  fitted 
to  the  thing,  to  avoid  Errour :  but  yet  I  think  that  none  Ihould  ftick  much  at  this, 
becaufe  it  is  but.  de  Nomine,  and  afterwards  you  feem  to  leave  a  true  Governing 
Toner,  not  only  in  the  Presbyters,  but  in  the  Paftors  and  Elders  of  the  Parifh- 
Churches. 

n.  Seeing  your  Moderators  are  truly  Biftwps,  as  defcribed  (  and  others  alfo,  if  the 
Parijhes  be  true  Churches)  why  is  Ordination  appropriated  to  the  Bifhops  fo  called  ? 
E>o  you  intend  that  he  fhall  do  it  by  Confent  of  his  Synod,  or  a  Presbytery ;  or  by 
his  own  Power  alone  ? 

2.  Is  he  to  fufpend,  depofe,  and  excommunicate  by  himfelf  alone  (as  this  Gene- 
ral feems  to  intimate)  or  only  in,  and  by  Confent  of  his  Synod,  or  Presbytery  ? 

3.  Hie  fame  alfo  1  ask  as  to  hi*  [Tranfilanting  Minifiers  as  he  fees  ufeful:~]  for 
if  he  may  do  ail  this  himfelf  ad  libitum,  it  may  difcourage  a  Man  from  meddling 
with  the  Miniftery,  when  after  all  his  Study  and  Labour,  it  is  at  the  Bifhop's  plea- 
sure whether  he  fhall  Preach,  or  be  Sufpended :  For  though  you  after  fay  for  what 
Faults  he  fhall  be  Sufpended,  yet  that  fignifieth  nothing  ifthe  Bifhop  be  Judge.  Of 
Appeals  as  a  dear  Remedy,  and  doubtful  Men  will  be  diffident.  And  Transplant- 
ing mav  uado  a  Minifter  at  the  Bifhop's  Pleafure.  And  I  doubt  the  abfolute  Depri- 
Yal  of  the  People  of  their  Power  of  Confent,  or  Diffent,  in  this  and  other  Cafes,  of 
Title  to  their  proper  Paftors,  will  be  found  i.  contrary  to  the  nature  of  the  Pafto-. 

rai 


8o  Ibe  LI  F  Eoftbe  Part  111 


ralWork-,  2.  to  the  Scripture ;  3.  and  to  all  Antiquity,  and  practice  of  the  Catho- 
lick  Church  for  many  Hundred  Years. 

1 5.  If  it  had  been  faid,  that  none  but  filch  Biihops  fhill  have  power  to  pronounce 
the  Major  Excommunication,  or  that  which  is  now  called  Excommunication  in  '  cot- 
land  to  which  Horning,  &c.  is  annexed,  it  would  have  lefs  founded  to  the  contra- 
diction of  Antiquity,  &c.  For  Sufpenfion  from  the  Communion,  which  you  allow  to 
particular  Churches  and  Presbyteries ,  is  called  by  many  the  minor  Fxcommunicat.cn, 
and  by  fome  a  Temporary  Conditional  Excommunication  ;  and  by  others,  (as Sir 
Wtl.  Morrice)  is  written  againft,  as  an  unlawful  thing,  'till  fome  juft  Excommuni- 
cation precede. 

22.  Might  but  the  Moderator  with  his  Presbytery  (byconfenrj  Ordain,  it  would 
more  fatisfie. 

24.  In  1  ranfplanting  both  Moderators  and  Pallors,  mould  not  either  their  own 
Content,  or  the  Presbyterfs,  or  People's  be  made  neceflary  ? 

31.  The  words  "of  the  Formula  of  Ordination  will  be  material,  astohoneft  Men's 
reception,  or  refufal  of  the  Office. 

32.  The  Office  of  a  Paftor  as  inftituted  in  Scripture,  is  not  only  to  Baptize,  and  , 
celebrate  the  Sacrament  of  Communion,  but  alfo  to  Judge  by  the  power  of  the 
Keys,  whom  to  Baptize,  and  to  whom  to  give  the  Sacrament  of  Communion,  that 
is,  in  Subordination  to  Chrift's  Prophetical,  Prieftly,  and  Kingly  Office,  to  be  his 
Minifter  in  Office  •  1.T0  teach  the  People  -7  2.  To  go  before  them  in  Worfhip  ^  3. 
To  guide  them  by  the  Keys  of  Difcipline.  And  he  is  no  true  Minifter  that  wanteth 
any  one  of  thefe  Powers,  however  he  may  be  hindered  from  the  Exercife. 

33.  At  leaft  1.  Neceffity  adfinem;  2.  Scripture •,  3.  And  the Catholick  Antiqui- 
ty, mould  be  fo  far  regarded  as  to  make  the  People's  Confsnt  neceflary,  though 
not  their  Election,  at  leaft  when  they  do  not  by  unreafonable  Denial  forfeit  this 
Priviledge. 

35.  If  this  be  a  limitation  of  Can.  7.  its  well. 

A.  3.  viz..  Suppoling  there  be  a  tolerable  Pallor  there,  and  no  notorious  neceffir 
ty  •,  for  fome  Parifhes  may  have  no  Pallor,  fome  worfe  than  none,  and  fome  with 
us  (as  many  in  ZtWow-Pariffies,  Stepney,  Giles,  Cripplegate,  Sepulchres,  Martins,  &c.) 
have  more  Souls  than  ten  Men  can  Teach  and  Over-fee^  who  muft  not  therefore 
be  forfaken  and  given  up  to  Satan,  what-ever  we  fuffer  tor  endeavouring  their  Sal- 
vation. 

47.  A  Biftiop,  if  he  pleafe,  may  thus  cauflefly  keep  moft  Miniflers  in  his  Diocefs 
from  Preaching  the  Gofpel,  for  the  moft  part  of  their  Lives.  1  had  rather  be  pu- 
nimed  as  a  Rogue  at  a  Whipping  Poll,  before  I  am  fully  heard  and  judged,  than 
have  innocent  Souls  deprived  of  the  ufual  means  of  their  Salvation  under  pretence  of 
Punifhing  me.  At  leaft,  let  no  Sufpenfion  be  valid,  longer  than  the  place  is  com- 
petently fupplied  by  another. 

48.  Will  no  Mulfts  or  Stripes  fatisfie  the  Law.  without  Silencing  Men,  and  for- 
bidding them  to  endeavour  Men's  Salvation  (before  their  Crimes  are  proved  fuch  as 
render  them  uncapable  of  that  work  ?  ) 

49.  But  hath  the  Synod  or  Presbytery  a  Negative  Voice  in  his  punimment,  or 
not? 

50.  For"  Treafon  and  Murder  there  is  reafon  for  it;  but  if  every  Man  muft  be 
depofed  from  the  Miniftery,  that  did  ever  Curfe,  Swear,  or  had  any  fcandalous 
Vice  from  his  Child-hood,  before  his  Ordination,  or  Converfion,  I  doubt  the  num- 
ber left  will  be  too  fmall. 

53.    The  old  Canons  diftinguiffied  :  Some  Crimes  left  fo  great  a  blot  as  made 
Men  uncapable  \  others  did  not  fo.    If  fuch  a  War  mould  break  out,  as  between 
the  Emperor  Henry  IV.  &c.  and  the  Pope  -0  or  between  the  Houfes  of  Tork  and  Lan- 
cafier,  the  prevailing  Party  will  force  the  Minifters  to  own  him }  and  if  the  other  , 
Party  after  prevail,  their  Crime  will  be  called  Treafon,  and  all  the  Churches  left 

defolate, 


Part  111.         Reverend  Mr.  R  ichard  Baxter.  8 1 

the  Kind's  pardoning  Power  much  retrained  incapacity  •   and 

Pem'en^noTf  *  *  "  t0  thC  ^^  ^  whetb€r  hc  wi»  «&™  fuch  a 

^•,rS?-1CnMcn  wiliconfent  thatno  Minifters  fhould  be  permitted  to  Preach 
or  ralkSeditioutty  a^ainft  even  thofc  Rules  of  Government  which  thev  do  no^m' 
prove.     But  this  Penalty  is  fo  high  and  fevere,  that  few  wortw  ^inte^ w?l) 
think  their  Station  fecure,  but  will  prepare  for  Banifhment      For 
i .  Thefc  Rules  are  many.  * 

2.  And  Derogatory  is  a  large  Word,  and  will  extend  far 
5.  And  there  are  few  worthy  Minifters  that  have  no  Drunkards,  Fornicators  &c 
for  their  Enemies  to  accufe  them.     F.  g.  if  I  lived  in  Scotland,  and  fhould  but  Wi 
Wondd  JejurvPlebi*  in  regimme  Ecclcfiajlico,  and  fay,  it  is  found  Doctrine,  and  this 
in  Difcourfe  at  my  own  Table,  I  might  be  thus  troubled,  and  banifhed    it  beine T 
rogatory  to  that  part .of  the  King's  Rules,  as  here  expreft,  which  deprive  the  People 
of  all  power  of  Confent    &c     Is  it  not  enough  that  this  Paper  of  Canons  be  fo  far 
equalled  with  Gods  Word,  yea,  with  the  very  Articles  of  our  Faith    as  that  the 
open  Oppugners  of  them  have  the  fame  Penalty  as  open  Hereticks  (who' of  old  were 
after  a  Brit  and  fecond  Admonition  to  be  avoided  •  )  And  furely  I  think  even  that 
this  is  too  much  •  and  yet  I  would  have  turbulent  Preaching  againft  the  Government 
or  Endeavours  openly  to  fubvert  it,  reftrained.     But  methinks  after  the  firit  and  fe- 
cond Admonition,  a  competent  Mulft  might  do  that  fufflciently,  till  Men  eo  fo  far  as 
to  be  turbulent  Incendiaries. 

63.  Shall  the  Presbytery  have  a  Negative  Voice  in  the  Ordination  or  be  Cy- 
phers'* '  ^ 

66.  It  is  well  that  the  Elders  Confent  is  required :  but  i  think  it  mould  be  the 
Congregation's :  And  what  if  the  Elders  difient  ?  Shall  that  hinder  the  Relation 
or  not  ? 

93.  The  number  of  chofen  Minifters  in  National  Synods,  jvill  be  inconfiderable  as 
to  the  reft. 

96.  The  ufe  of  a  National  Synod  (where  all  Bifhops  and  Moderators  are  chofen 
by  the  King,  and  the  Commiflioner  ruleth)  being  before-hand  refolved  to  be  Tto 
Compile  a  Liturgy,  and  Rules  for  all  Points  of  Divine  Worfhip,  with  the  Methods  Cir- 
cwnjiances,  and  Kites  to  be  obferved  therein -,~]  Many  knowing  what  Liturgy  'Sub- 
fcriptions,  Declarations,  and  Rites,  are  pleafing  to  Authority  in  England  will 
"imagine  them  in  fieri,  it  not  virtually  fet  up.already  in  Scotland,  when  thefe  Rules 
arc  fet  up. 

107.     Publick  Pennance And  why  not  ?  C  and  Suftmdon  from  Communion  till 

penitent  ConfeJJion  be  made.'}  But  I  know  not  why  Compenfations  fhould  ferve  hiftead 
of  ConfcJfio:i,  and  Promife  of  Reformation  (without  which  Money  will  not  make  a  Man 
a  Chriftian,  nor  fit  .for  Church-Communion : )  But  for  any  other  Pennance,  befides 
one  penitent  Confejfion ,  and  Promife  of  Amendment,  and  defire  of  the  Churches 
Prayers  for  Pardon,  I  know  nothing  of  it,  and  therefore  meddle  not  with  it. 

132.  C  No  A(l,  Order,  nor  Confitution~\  maybe  Expounded  to  reach  to  Scri- 
pture CGnftitutions  and  Orders,  and  the  proper  Ails  of  the  Minifterial  Office,  if  not 
better  explained. 

133.  The  Word  \_  Ecclefiajlical  Meeting  ~]  may  be  interpreted  of  particular  Sy- 
naxes  or  Congregations  of  a  Parifh  for  Worfhip,  if  not  limited,  which  Gonvoca- 
ting  of  the  People  is  part  of  the  Pallor's  proper  Office,  and  for  a  thoufand  Years 
was  fo  accounted  by  the  Catholick  Church.  And  if  in  cafe  of  Difcord  or  Herefie,  a 
few  Neighbour  Minifters  meet  for  a  Friendly  Conference,  to  cure  it,  it  feemeth 
hard  to  charge  them  with  Sedition. 

140.  If  the  Parties  be  able  to  come. 

143.  Many  of  thefe  Faults  fhould  be  Corrected  by  Mulcts,  before  Men  be  for- 
bidden to  Preach  the  Gofpel.  If  every  Man  be  Sufpended  (which  I  fuppofe  is  pro- 
hibiting him  to  Preach  and  Endeavour  Mens  Salvation)  who  ufeth  unfound  Speeches, 
Flattery,  or  Lightnefs,  I  doubt  fo  many  will  talk  themfelves  into  Silence,  that  a  fharp 
Profecution  will  leave  many  Churches  defola'te. 

145.  But  what  if  ther«  be  no  Preachers  to  be  had?  May  not  the  Sufpended 
Preach  ? 

LIU  ?4*Dtf» 


S'4t-  The  H   F  E  of  i  Par till 

146,  Di '.obedience  to  fomc  of  the  fmall  h 

Muldls     without  abfolutc  Silencing,  efpecially  when  able  Pri   1 

Shall  the  inftructingof  the  Peoples  Souls  fo  much  depend  on  every  Word  in  ail  1 

Canons  f But  oh,  that  you  would  in  id  in  Pi 

to  get  Euk/Jaftical  Preferment']  fhould  be  punimed,  if  it  were  with  h 
fition :  It  would  be  a  happy  Canon. 

147.  But  (hall  the  Synod,  or  frestytery  cai  ry  by  Vote,  or  not ? 

149.  Ii  every  Church-Scllion  have  this  power  of  Sufpenlion,  \  but  to 

fay  CRH»  declare  you  unfit  for  Communion  of  this  particular  Chunky  ttti  ym  repent ,j  it 
would  give  me  gi  eat  Satisfaction,  were  I  in  Scotland,  For  to  ipeak  freely,  I  take 
thefc  two  Things  to  be  of  Divine  Appointment.  1 .  That  each  particular  Church 
have  its  proper  Pallor,  who  have  the  Miniflcrial  Power  ofTeachin  flip, 

(Sacraments,  Prayer,  Praifc)  and  Difciplinc  •  and  I  delire  no  raor< 
you  here  grant,  that  is,  Sufpenfion  from  Communion  in  that  partkulai  Chi 
if  alfothe  Perfon  may  be  declared  unfit  fork  till  he  Repent.  2.  That  thefc  Pallors 
hold  fuch  Correfpondency  as  is  neccflary  to  the  Union  of  the  Churches  in  Faith  and 
Love.  And  3.  For  all  the  reft,  I  take  thorn  "to  be  Circumfhmces  of  fuch  prudential 
Determination,  that  I  would  eafily  fubmit  to  the  Magiftrates  determination  of  them, 
fo  they  be  not  deftruclive  to  the  Ends :  and  would  not  have  Minifters  take  too  much 
of  the  trouble  of  them  upon  themfelves,  without  necefiity. 

152.  But  then  you  feem  here  to  retraft  the  particular  Churches  Power  again : 
For  if  a  Man  may  be  debarred  the  Communion  for  once /inning  (by  Fornication, 
Drunkennefs,  &c.)  why  not  much  more  for  doing  again  after  Repentance  ?  IdifFer 
more  from  this  than  all  the  reft :  Is  it  not  enough  that  the  Party  may  appeal  to  the 
Presbytery  ?  And  that  the  Sellions  or  Pallor  be  rtjponfihk  for  Male- Adminiftraiion  or 
Injury,  if  proved  ?  This  one  Canon  would  drive  me  out  of  the  Mimicry  in  Scotland : 
I  would  never  be  a  Pallor,  where  I  muft  after  the  full  Crime,  ever  after  give  the 
Sacrament  to  every  flagitious  Offender,  till  the  Presbytery  fufpend  him  •  unlcfs  they  do 
it  very  quickly ;  which  perhaps  they  may  never  do. 

J53?  *S4«  No  doubt  but  Jure  Divino  every  true  particular  Church  hath  the 
power' of  Excommunicating  its  own  Members  out  of  that  particular  Church-Com- 
munion :  (  Delivering  up  to  Satan  is  a  doubtful  Phrafe  which  1  fhall  not  ftand  on.) 
But  an  Excommunication  which  fhall  bind  many  Churches  to  avoid  the  Sinner,  muft 
be  done,  or  Consented  to,  by  thofe  many  Churches.  Therefore  Excommunication 
fhould  be  diftinguifhed. 

1  $6.  Sure  fome  few  [EcckfiaJHcal.FMles  and  Proceedings^  maybe  fo  low  as  that- 
a  Contempt  of  them  may  be  eafilyer  punifhed  than  with  this  terrible  Excommunica- 
tion. 

Jmpenhency  muft  be  joyned  with  Scandalous  Sins,  or  elfe  they  make  not  the  Perfon 
Excommunicable,  as  is  imply ed  in  what  folio weth. 

1 62.  No  doubt  but  every  Church  may  abfolve  its  own  Members  from  that  fort  of 
Excommunication  which  it  felf  may  pafs'.-  And  fo  may  a  Presbytery.  But  if  the  Ma- 
giftrate  will  have  a  more  formidable,  Diocefane  or  National  Excommunication, 
*  and  an  anfwerable  Abfolution,  thofe  Circumftances  are  to  be  left  to  his  Prudence, 
fo  be  it,  he  deprive  not  each  particular  Pallor  and  Church,  of  their  proper  Power 
and  Pnviledge  plainly  found  in  Scripture,  and  ufed  many  hundred  Years  through 
the  Catholick  Ghurch. 

Honourable  Sir,  The  Copy  which  you  fent  me  goeth  no  further  than  to  the  Visi- 
tation of  the  Sick,  viz..  to  Can.  1 76.  And  fo  much  according  as  I  was  defired,  I 
have  freelv  and  faithfully  Animadverted.  And  in  general,  here  are  many  excellent 
Canons,  though  of  many  things  I  cannot  Judge,  and  thofe  few  Exceptions  I  humbly 
offer  to  your  Confederation,  craving  your  Pardon  for  this  boldnefs,  which  I  fhould 
not  have  been  guilty  of,  if  the  worthy  MefTenger  had  not  told  me,  that  it  was  your 
defire.    Sir,  I  reft 

July    22.1670.  Tow  Humble  Servant 

■      Rich.  Baxtz?. 


f 


Part  111.  "Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


tten  one  paliagc  in  the  former  War  of  great  remark  which 
jut  me  Litto  an  amn/cmcut :  The  Duke  or  Onwo«i,  and  Council  had  the  caufe 
of  the  Mai  quels  of  Antrim  before  them,  who  had  been  one  of  the  TW/fc  Rebels 
in  inning  of  that  War,  (wheniu  the  horrid  Maflacre  two  hundred  thou- 

fand  Proteftants  were  murthered  :)  His  Eftate  being  fequeftred    he  fought  his  re 
ftitution  of  it,  when  King  Charles  II.  was  reftored.     Ormond]  and   the  Council 
jiki  Mifl  him  as   one  of  the  Rebels:   He  brought  his   caufe  over  to  the 

King,  and  affirmed  that  what  he  did  was  by  his  Father's  Confent  and  Authori- 
ty. The  King  referred  it  to  fome  very  worthy  Members  of  his'  Privy-Council 
to  examine  what  he -had  to  flicw  :  Upon  Examination  they  reported  that  thev 
found  that  he  had  the  King's  Confent,  or  Letter  of  Inftruftions  for  what  he 
did  ,  which  amazed  many  :  Hereupon  His  Majefty,  Charles  II.  wrote  to  the  Duke 
of  Ormond  and  Council  to  reftore  his  Eftate ,  becaufe  it  appeared  to  thofe  ap- 
pointed to  examine  it,  that  what  he  did  was  by  his  Father's  Order  or  Confent" 
Upon  this  the  Parliament's  old  Adherents  grew  more  confident  than  ever  of  the" 
rightcoufnefs  of  their  Wars :  And  the  very  deftroyers  of  the.  King  (whom  the 
firft  Parliamentarians  called  Rebels)  did  prefume  alfo  to  juftihe  their  Caufe  and 
faid  that  the  Law  of  Nature  did  warrant  them. 

But  it   ftopt  not  here:  For  the    Lord  Mazarine,  and    others  of   Ireland   did 
fo    far  profecutc  the  Caufe,    as  that   the  Marqucfs  of  Antrim    was  forced  to 
produce  in   the  Parl/amcnt  of  I'ngland  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons    a    Letter  of 
the  King's,  (Cha  I.)  by  which  be  gave  him  order  for  his  taking  up  Arms :  Which 
being  read  in  the  Houfe,  did  put  them  into  a  Silence.     But,  yet  fo  egregious 
was  their  Loyalty  and  veneration  of  Majefty,  that  it  put  them'  not  at  all  one  ftep 
out  of  the  way  which  they  had  gone  in.  But  the  Feople  without   Doors   talked 
ftrangely :   Some  faid,  Did  you  not  perfwade  us  that  the  King  was  againft  the 
Jrifh  Rebellion  ?  And  that  the  Rebels  belied  him  ^when  they  faid  that  they  had 
his   Warrant  or  Commiffion  ?  Do  we  not  now  fee  with   what  Mind  he  would 
have  gone  himfelf  with  an  Army  into  Ireland  to  light  againft  them  ?    A  great 
deal  more  not  here  to  be  mentioned  was  vended  feditioufly  among   the  People 
the  Sum  of  which  was  intimated  in  a  Pamphlet  which  was  Printed,  called    Mmder*We 
will  out ;  in  which  they  publifhed  the  King's  Letter,  and  Animadverfions  on  it.  not  w^ct 
Some  that  were  ft  ill  Loyal  to  the  King  did  wifh,  that  the  King  that  now  is  hadJudSesof 
rather  declared,    that  his  Father    did  only  give  the  Marquefs  of  Antrim  Com-thercafons 
miflionto  raife   an  Army  as  to  have  helped  him  againft  the  Scots,  and  that  his°ft-hcSu* 
turning  againft  the   EnJU/h  Proteftants  in  Ireland,  and  the  murdering  of  fo  many  aftions" 
hundred     thoufand   there  ,#was    againft   his  Will:     But    quod  fcriptum  erat 
fcriptum    erat.  .And  though  the   old  Parliamentarians  expounded  the    Actions 
and  Declarations  both  of  the  then  King  and    Parliament,  by  the  Commentary  of 
this  Letter,  yet  fo  did  not   the  Loyal  Royalifts  •  or  at  leaft  thought  it  no  reafon 
to  make  any  change  in   their  Judgments,  or  flop  in  their  Proceedings  againft  the 
Engli/h  Presbyterians,  and  other,  Non-conformable  Proteftants, 

§  174.  In  the  beginning  of  December  1670.  The  Duke  of  Ormond,  as  he  was 
returning  home  to  Clarendon  Houfe    in  the  Night,  was  feized  on  by  fix  Men 
who  fet  him  on  Horfeback  to  have  carried  hirtr  away.    But  he  was  refened  before 
they  could  accomplilh  if. 

Shortly  after,  fome  of  his   Majefty's  Life-Guard  furprized.  *  Sir   John  Coven-  *  This 
trig,  a  Member  of  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  and  cut  his  Nofe,  which  occafioned  a  greatly 
gieat  heat  in  the  Houfe,  and  at  laft  that  Act  which  is  newly  pafled  for  prevent-  difpleafe^ 
ing  of  the  like.    Many  Murders  and  outrages,  and  cutting  of  Nofes  were  com-  mon?m* 
mitted  aifo  on  other  Perfons.     But  the  greateft  Noife  was*made  by   certain  Dukes 
and  Lords  that  went  in  a  torrent  of  Jovialty  to  a  defamed  Houfe  in  a  Street,  cal- 
led Wlxtftoyi'e-Park,  and  when  the  wretched  Women  cryed  for  help,   the  Beadle 
came  in  with  fome  Watchmen,  and  they  killed  him  prefently.    Whilft  fuch  things 
went   on,  the  Houfe  of  Commons  was  bufic  about  an  Aft  to  make  all  forbidden 
Meetings  for  God's  Worihip,  Preaching  and  Praying  by  the  fdenced  Minifters,  to 
be  feverclieryet  punifhed  as  Routs  and  Riots. 

L  Ml  7,  %  ijf.  ^ 


arc 


8  4  Ibe  L  lFEojtFe  Part  If  I 


§  t  75.  There  happened  a  great  rebuke  to  the  Nobility  and  Gentry  of  Vubtm 
in  Ireland,  which  is  related  in  their  Gazjette  in  thefe  words.  f  Dubl.  Dec.  27.  ct  Yc- 
"  fterday  happened  here  a  very  unfortunate  Accident:  Molt  of  the  Nobility  and 
"  Gentry  being  at  a  Play,  at  a  publick  Playhoufe,  the  upper  Galleries  on  a  fud- 
"  clea fell  all  down,  beating  down  the  fecond,  which  together  with  allthePeo- 
"  pie  that  were  in  them,  fell  into  the  Pit  and  lower  Boxe>:  His  Excellency, 
"  the  Lord  *  Lieutenant,  with  his  Lady,  happened  to  be  there,  but  thanks  be  to 
"  God  efcaped  the  Danger  without  any  harm,  part  of  the  Box  where  they  were 
"  remaining  firm,  and  io  refilling  tbe  Fall  from  above  ;  only  his  two  Sons  were 
".  found  quite  buried  under  the  Timber.  The  younger  had  received  but  little 
"  hurt,  but  the  eldeft  was  taken  up  dead  to  all  appearance,  but  having  prefent- 
tc.  ly  been  let  Blood,  &c.  recovered.  There  were  1  .  ingeroufly  hurt,  and 
u  feven  or  eight  killed  outright.^ 

So  far  the  Gazette.  About  feventecn  or  eighteen  died  then,  and  of  their  Wounds. 
The  firft  Letters" that  came  to  London  of  it,  filled  the  City  with  the  report,  that 
it  was  a  Play  in  fcorn '  of  Godlinefs,  and  that  1  was  the  Perfoh  acted  by  the 
Scarner,  as  a  Puritan,  and  that  he  that  reprefentcd  me  was  fet  in  the  Stocks, 
when  the  fall  was,  and  his  Leg  broke.  But  the  Play  was  Btn.  Jobnfon\  Bartholo- 
mew-Fair, with  a  fenfe  added  for  the  times,  in  the  which  the  Puritan  is  called 
a  Banbury  Man,  and  I  cannot  learn  that  I  was  named,  nor  medled  with  more 
than  others  of  my  Condition ,  unlefs  by  the  Actor's  drefs  they  made  any 
iuch  reflecting  Intimations. 

§  1 75.  The  Lord  Lucas ,  and"  the  Earl  of  Clare  made  two  vehemently  cutting 
Speeches  before  the  King  (who  now  came  frequently  to  the  Lord's  Houfe.) 
The  firft  declaring  the  fruftration  of  their  hopes,  and  the  addition  of  much 
more  to  their  fufferings,  Calamities,  and  dangers  itnee  the  King  came  in,  and 
aggravated  the  ftupendious  expence  of  Moneys^  and  the  of  the  Commons  in 
a  Bill  then  fent  up  for  giving  no  lefs  than  three  Millions  (faid  he)  at  once,  and 
provoking  the  Lords  to  ftop  their  Excefles :  The  other  was  againft  the  King's 
fitting  fo  ordinarily  in  the  Lord's  Hbufe,  and  that  without  his  Robes,  &c.  There 
were  Copies  of  the  Lord  Lucas's  Speech  given  out,  which  encreafed  the  offence; 
and  at  raft  it  was  burned  by  the  Hangman,  and  ere  long  he  died. 

§  r  77.  The  frifh  Men,  called  the  Rebels,  petitioned  the  King  by  the  hands  of 
Colonel  Richard  Talbot,  a  Papift,  Servant  to  the  Duke*  of  Turk),  for  a.  re-hear- 
ing againft"  the  former  Judgments  that  had  deprived  many  of  them  of  their  Lands; 
that  fo  they  might  be  reftored  to  them,  and  thc&tglflj  difpeifeifed ,  which  of- 
fended the  Houfe  of  Commons  as  well  as  the  Enghjh  Nation,  and  caufed  fome 
Votes,  which  fignified  their  Offence ,  and  the  King  at  prefent  call:  afide  their 
Petition. 

§  178.  Lamentable  Complaints  came  from  the  Proteftants  of  Trance  for  the  feve- 
rities  more  and  more  ufed  againft  them  ,  their  Churches  pulled  down,  and  af- 
ter Montaban,  their  other  Univerfity  of  Lamnors  decreed  to  be  prohibited. 

§  179.  In  the  latter  end  of  this  Year,  the  Bifhops  and  their  Agents  gave  out 
their  great  fears  of  Popery,  and  greatly  lamented  that  the  Dutchefsof  Tork  was 
turned  Papift:,  and  thereupon  gave  out  that  they  greatly  defired  that  fome  of  the 
Presbyterians  fas  they  called  even  the  Epifcopal  Nonconformifts)  might,  by  fome 
abatement  of  the  New  Oaths  and  Subfcriptions  have  better  invitation  to  conform 
in  other  things :  Bifhop  Morley,  Bifhop  Ward,  and  Bifhop  Dolbin  fpake  ordinari- 
ly their  defires  of  it  ;  but  after  long  talk  there  is  nothing  done,  wrgch 
maketh  Men  varioufly  interpret  their  Pretenfions,  which  time  at  laft  will  more 
certainly  expound.  "  Softie '  think  that  they  are  real  in  their  defires,  and  that  the 
hindrance  .is  from  the  Court:  And  others  fay,  they  would  never  have  teen  the 
prid  caur;:  0+  our  prefent  Cafe,  if  it  had  been  againft  their  Wills,  and  that  if 
y  are  yet  truly  willing,  of  any  healing,  they  will  fhew  it  by  more  ir^n  their 
difcourfes,  (as  a  Man  would  do  when  the  City  was  on  Fire*  that  had  a  mind 
to  quench  it  )  and  tjjiat»all  this  is  but  that  the  Odmm.  may  be  diverted  from  them- 
felves,  while  that  which  they  take  on  them  to  fear,  is  accompiiihed.  But  I  hope 
yet  they  are  not  fo  bad  as  this  Cenfur.e  doth  .  fuppofe.  But  it's  (hangs that  thofe 
fame  *  Men  that  fo  eafily  led  the  Parliament  to  what  is  done  {'when  they  had 

given 


Part  III.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  g- 


^iycn  the  hanks  for  his  Declaration  about  Ecclefiaftical  Affairs)  can  do 


-  not  yet  too 

late;  tor  Chanty  commanded!  us  to  take  nothing  of  others  minds  for  certain    til! 
wc   have  certain  Proof,  how  perilous  foever  our  Charitable  hopes  may  prove.  ' 

§  1 80.  Mr.  BjifljjK  wrote  a  Second  Book  againft  mv  Defence,  full  of  untruths 
which  the  furious,  temerarious  Man  did  utter,  or  the  ramnefs  of  his  Mind  which 
made  him  fo  little  heed  what  he  had  read,  and  anfwered,  as  that  one'  would 
fcarce  think  he  had  ever  read  my  Book  :  I  replied  to  him  in  an  Admonition  tel- 
ling him  of  hi?  miflakcs.  To  which  he  pretended  a  Rejoinder  in  a  third  Libel 
but  I  found  as  I  was  told,  that  his  defign  was  to  filence  almoft  all  that  I  faid' 
and  to  fay  all  that  he  thought  might  make  me  odious ,  becaufe  that  thofe' 
that  read  his  Books  would  not  read  mine,  and  fo  would  believe  him,  and  be  no 
whit  informed   by  my  anfwers  at  all. 

§181.  This  fame  year  1671.  I  was  defircd  by  my  Friend  and  Neighbour 
Mr.  'John  Corbet,  to  write  fomewhat  to  fatisfie  a  good  man  that  was  fallen  into' 
deep  mclancholly,  feeding  it  daily  with  the  thoughts  of  the  number  that  will 
be  damned,  and  tempted  by  it  to  conftant  Blafphemy  againft  the  goodnefs  of 
Gbd,  who  could  favc  them,  and  would  not,  but  decreed  their  damnation  :  And 
1  wrote  a  few  Sheets,  called,  The  vindication  of  God's  Gcodnefs ,  which  Mr. 
Corbet  with  a  prefixed  Epiftle  publifhcd. 

§  1 82.,  Alfo  Dr.  Ludov.  Molineus  was  fo  vehemently  fetupon  by  the  crying 
down  of  the  Papal,  and  Prelatical  Government,  that  he  thought  it  was  the  work 
that  he  was  fent  into  the  World  for,  to  convince  Princos  that  all  Government 
was  in  thcmfclves,  and  no  proper  Government,  but  only  Perfwafion  belonged 
to  the  Churches  •,  to  which  end  he  wrote  his  Parnenefis  contra  adificatores  Impe- 
rii in  Jmperio,  and  his  Papa  Vltrajetfinus  ,  and  other  Tractates,  and  thruft  them  on 
me,  to  make  me  of  his  mind  •,  and  at  laft  wrote  his  Jugulum  Caufa,  with  no  lefs 
than  feventy  Epiftles  before  it,  directed  to  Princes  and  men  of  Intercft,  among 
whom  he  was  plcafed  to  put  one  to  me.  The  good  Man  meant  rightly  in  the 
main,  but"  had  not  a  head  fufficiently  accurate  for  fuch  a  Controverfie,  and  fb 
could  not  perceive  that  any  thing  could  be  called  properly  Government ,  that 
was  no  way  coaQive  by  Corporal  Penalties  :  To  turn  him  from  the  Erajiian  Ex- 
treme, and  end  that  Controverfie  by  a  Reconciliation ,  I  published  an  Hundred 
Proportions  conciliatory,  and  of  the  difference  between  the  Magiftrate's  power, 
and  the  Pallor's. 

§  1  S3.  Alfo  one  Dr.  -f-  Edward  Fowler  (a  very  ingenious  fober  ConformiftJ  wrote^.  He  is 
two  Books:  One  an  Apology  for  the  Laxitudinarians,  as  they  were  then  ♦called-,  now  the 
the  other  .entitled,  Holynefs  the  defign  of  Ckrijlianianity  ;  in  which  he  fometimes  worthy 
put  in  the  Word  [only]  which  gave  offence,  and  the  Book  feemed  to  fome  to  have  ^p11!1* 
a  fcandalous    deiign,  to  obfeure  the  Glory  of  free  Jujtificatiott,  under  pretence  of^  ^ilef's 
extolling  Holinefs  as  the  only  defign   of  Man's  Redecmption  :     Which  occafion-  Cripplegue 
eda  few  Sheets  of  mine  on  the  faidBook  and  Queftion  for  reconciliation,  and  Church* 
clearing  up  of  the  Point :  Which  when  Mr  Fowler  faw,  he  wrote  to  me  to  tell 
me  that  he  was  of  my  Judgment,  only  he  had   delivered  that  more  generally 
which  I  opened  more,  particulary,  and  that  the  word  [only]  was  Hyperbolical- 
ly  fpoken,  as  I  had  faid  •  but  hefpake  feelingly  againft  thofe  qnarrclfome  men 
that  are  readier  to  cenfure  than  to  underftand.     I  returned  him  fome  advice  to 
take  heed,  left  their  weaknefs,  and  cenforioufnefs,  mould  make  him  too  angry  and  im- 
patient with   Religious  People  as  the  Prelates  are,  and  fo  run  into  greater  Sin 
than7  theirs,  and   favour  a    loofer   Party  becaufe  they  "are  lefs  cenforious.    To 
which  he  returned  me   fo  ingenious  and  hearty  thanks,   as  for  as  great  Kind- 
nefs  as  ever  was  {hewed   him ,   as  told  me  that  free  and  friendly  Counfel  to 
wife  and  good  men  is  not  loft. 

§  1 84.  I  was  troubled  this  Year  with  multitudes  of  melancholly  Perfons,  from 
feveral  Tarts  of  the  Land ,  fome  of  high  Quality,  fome  of  low,  fome  very 
exquifitely  learned,  fome  unlearned ;  (as  I  had  in  a  great  meafure  been  above 
twenty  years  before.)  I  know  not  how  it  came  to  pafs,  but  if  men  fell  m«- 
lancholly,  I  muft  hear  from  them  or  fee  them  (more  than  any  Phyfician  that  I 
know.)  Which  I  mention  only  for  thefe  three  ufes  to  the  Reader  •  that  out 
«f  all  their  Cafes  I  have  gathered,    1.   That  we    muft    very   much  take  hM 

m 


86  'the  LIFE  of  the  Part 


* 


left  wc  afcribe  Melancholy  Phantafms  and  Paflions  to   God's  Spirit:    for  they  arc 
ftrange  apprehenfions  that  Melancholy  can  caufe  (though  Ha^fhaw  revile  me  for  fuch 
an  intimation,  as  if  it  were  injurious  to  the  Holy  Ghofr.)     2.     I  would  warn  all 
young  Perfons  to  live  modeftly,  and  keep  at  a  fufficient  diftancefrom  Objecb  that 
tempt  them  to  carnal  Lull,  and  to  take  heed  of  wanton  Dalliance,  and  the  be 
nings  or  Approaches  of  this  Sin,  and  that  they  govern  their  1  noughts,: 
carefully.    For  I  can  tell  them  by  the  fad  Experience  of  many,  that  tencroi..  Crimes 
leaye  deep  wounds  in  the  Confcience^  and  that  thofe  that'were  never  guilty  of  For- 
nication, are  oft  call  into  long  and  lamentable  Troubles,  by  letting  Satan  once  into 
their  Pkantafies,  from  whence 'till  Objects  are  utterly  diftant,  he  is  hardly  got  out  5 
efpecially  when  they  are  guilty  of  voluntary  active  Self-pollution.    But  above  all  I 
warn  young  Students,  and   apprentices,  to- avoid  the.  beginnings  of  thefe  Sins:,  for 
their  Youthfulnefs  and  Idlenefs  are  oft  the  incentives  of  it,  when  poor  labouring 
Men  are  in  lefs  danger  ;  and  they  little  know  what  one  Spark  may  kindle.     3.     I 
advife  all  Men  to  take  heed  of  placing  Religion  too  much  in  Fears,  and  Tears,  and 
Scruples-,  or  in  any  other  kind  of  Sorrow,  but  fuch  as  tendeth  to  raife  us  to  a  high 
Eftimation  of  Chrift,  and  to  the  magnifying  of  Grace,  and  a  fwceter  tafte  of  die 
Love  of  God,  and  to  the  firmer  Refolution  againft  Sin:     And  that  Tears  and 
Grief  be  not  commended  inordinately  for  themfeives,  nor  as  meer  Signs  of  a  Con- 
verted Perfon  :  And  that  we  call  Men  more  to  look  after  Duty  than  after  Sign  as 
fuch  •,  fet  Self-love  on  Work  and  fpare  not  •,  fo  you  will  call  them  much  more  to  the 
Love  of  God,  and  let  them  know  that  that  Love  is  their  beft  fign,  but  yet  to  be  ex- 
ercifed  on  a  higher  Reafon,  than  as  a  fign  of  our  own  Hopes :  for  that  Motive  alone 
will  not  produce  true  Love  to  God.     And  as  the  s  nt'momians  too  much  exclude 
Humiliation  and  figns  of  Grace,  fo  too  many  of  late  have  made  their  Religion  to 
confift  too  much  in  the-feeking  of  .thefe  out  of  their  proper  time  and  place,  without 
referring  them  to  that  Obedience,  Love  and  Joy,  in  which  true  Religion  doth  prin- 
cipally confift. 

Reader ,  I  do  but  tranferibe  thefe  three  Counfels  for  thee,  from  a  Multitude  of 
Melancholy  Perfons  fad  Experiences. 

§  185.  This  Year  Salisbury -Diocefs  was  more  fiercely  driven  on  to  Conformity, 
by  Dr.  Seth  Ward,  their  Bifhop,  than  any  place  elfe,  or  than  all  the  Bifhops  in  Engp 
land  befides  did  in  theirs.  Many  Hundreds  were  Profecuted  by  him  with  great  In- 
duftry.  And  among  others,  that  learned,  humble,  holy  Gentleman,  Mr.  Tbowat 
Grove,  an  Ancient  Parliament-Man,  of  as  great  Sincerity  and  Integrity,  as  almofl 
any  Man  I  ever  knew :  He  ftood  it  out  a  while  in  a  Law-Suit,  but  was  over- 
thrown, and  fain  to  forfake  his  Countrey,  as  many  Hundreds  more  are  quickly  like 
to' do. 

§  186.  And  his  Name  remembreth  me,  that  Ingenuity  obligeth. me  to  Record 
my 'Benefactor.  A  Brother's  Son  of  his,  Mr.  Rob.  Grove ,  is  one  of  the  Bilhopof 
London's  Chaplains,  who  is  the  only  Man  that  Licenfeth  my  Writings  for  the  Pi  efs, 
(  fuppofmg  them  not  to  be  againft  Law,  which  elfe  I  could  not  expect  ; )  And  be- 
fides him  alone,  I  could  get  no  Licenfer  to  do  it.  And  becaufe  being  Silenced,  Wri- 
ting is  the  far  greateft  part  of  my  remaining  Service  to  God  for  his  Chureh,  and  with- 
out the  Prefs  my  Writings  would'be  in  vain,  I  acknowledge  that  I  owe  much  to  this 
Man,  and  one  Mr.  Cook,-  the  Arch-bifhop's  Chaplain  heretofore,  that  I  live  not  more 
in  vain. 

§  1 8-7.  '  And  while  I  am  acknowledging  my  Benefactors,  I  add,  that  this  Year 
died  Serjeant  John  Fountain,  the  only  Perfon  from  whom  I  received  an  Annual  Sum 
of  Mone^y  \  which  though  through  God's  Mercy  I  needed  not,  yet  1  could  not  in 
Civility  refufe  :  Pie  gave  me  10  /.  per  s'nn.  from  the  time  of  my  Silencing 'till  his 
.  Death  :  I  was  a  Stranger  to  him  before  the  King's  Return  •,.  fave  that  when  he  was 
judge  (before  he  was  one  of  the  Keepers  of  the  Great  Seal)  he  did  our  Countrey 
great  Service  againft  Vice.     He  was  a  Man  of  a  quick  and  found  Underftanding,  an 

righjt  impartial  Mind  and  Life,  of  too  much  teftinefs  in  his  weaknefs,  but  of  a 
mod  believing  ferious  Fervency  towards  God,  and  open  2.ealous  owming  of  true  Pie- 
ty and  Holinefs  (without  owning  the  little  Partialities  of  Sects)  as  moft  Men  that  ever 
I  c.-.me  near  in  Sicknefs :  When  he  lay  fick,  (which  was  almoft  a  Year)  he  lent  to  the 
Judges  and  Lawyers  that  fent  to  vifit  him,  fuch  Anfwers  as  thefe :  £  I  thank  your 
li  ord,  or  Mafter,  for  his  kindnefs:  Prefent  my  Service  to  him,  and  tell  him,  It  is  a 
:.\  great 


:  ill  'Reverend  Ml  Richard  "Baxter.  *    "    g 

great  Work  to  Die  well:  his  time  is  near;  all  worldly  Glory  mu  lb  comedown- 
unreal  him  to  keep  his  Integrity,  over-come  Temptations,  and  pleafe God  and 
|  He  deeply  bewailed  the  great  Sins  of  the  Times,  and  the  Proe- 
of  dreadful  things  which  he  thought  we  were  in  dancer  of-  And  though 
in  the  Wars  he  fuftered  Imprifonment  for  the  King's  Caufe^  towards  the  end  he 
came  i  i  om  them,  and  he  greatly  feared  an  inundation  of  Poverty,  Enemies  Poneiv 
.,iil  Infidelity.  •      i     J 

$  1 88..     The  great  Talk  this  Year  was  of  the  King's  Adjourning  the  Parliament 

in  for  about  a  Year  longer  ;  and  whether  we  fbovld  break  the  Triple  League 

and  defert  the  Hollanders;  &c.  •  *    ' 

§  189.    Before  they  were  Adjourned,  I  fecretly  directed  forte  Letters  to  the 
belt  of  the  Conforming  Miniiters,  telling  them  how  much  it  would  conduce  to  their 
own,  and  the  Churches  Intcreft,  if  they  that  might  be  heard,  would  become  Pe- 
titioners for  fuch  Abatements  in  Conformity,  as  might  let  in  the  Non-confoi  milts 
and  unite  us  •  feeing  two  things  would  do  it.     1.  The  removal  of  Oaths  and  Sub- 
fcriptions,  fave  our  Subfcription  to  Chriitianity,  the  Scriptures,  and  the  39  Arti- 
cles, and  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy.     2.  To  give  leave  to  them  that 
cannot  ufe  all  the  Liturgy  and  Ceremonies,  to  be  but  Preachers  in  thofe  Churches 
where  they  are  ufed  by  others-  fubmitting  to  Penalties  if  ever  they  be  proved  to 
Preach  againft  the  Doctrine,  Government,  or  Worlhip  of  the  Church,  or  to  do  any 
thing  againft  Peace,  or  the  Honour  of  the  King  and  Governours.    But  I  could  get 
none  to  offer  fuch  a  Petition.     And  when  1  did  but  mention  our  own  petitioning 
the  Parliament,  thofe  that  were  among  them,  and  familiar  with  them,  ftill  laught 
at  me  for  imagining  that  they  were  reafonable  Creatures,  or  that  Reafon  fignified 
any  thing  with  them  in  fuch  Matters.     And  thus  we  were  Silenced  every  way. 

§  1 90.  During  the  Mayoralty  of  Sir  Samuel  Sterling,  many  Jury's  Men  in  London 
were  Fined  and  Imprifoned  by  the  Judge,  for  not  "finding  certain  Quakers  guilty  of 
violating  the  Act.  againlt  Conventicles.  They  Appealed  and  fought  remedy.  The 
Judges  remained  about  a  Year  in  fufpenfe;  and  then  by  the  Lord  Chief  Juftice 
Vaugban  delivered  their  Refolution  againlt  the  Judge  for  the  Subjed's Freedom  from 
fuch  force  of  Fines,  that  when  he  had  in  a  Speech  of  two  or  three  Hours  long,  fpoke 
vehemently  to  that  purpofe,  never  thing,  fince  the  King's  Return,  was  received  with 
greater  Joy  aud  Applaufe  by  the  Teople  -7  and  the  Judges  ftill  taken  for  the  Pillars  of 
Law.and  Liberty. 

§  191.  The  Parliament  having  made  the  Laws  againft  Nonconformiits  Preaching, 
and  private  Religious  Meetings,  &c.  fo  grinding  and  terrible  as  aforefaid,  the  King 
f  who  confented  to  thofe  Laws)  became  the  folc  Patron  of  the  Nonconforming  Li- 
berties^, not  by  any  Abatements  by  Law,  but  by  his  own  Connivance  as  to  the  Exe- 
cution, the  Magiitrates  for  the  molt  part  doing  what  they  perceived  to  be  his  Will. 
So  that  Sir  Rich.  Ford,  all  the  time  of  his  Mayoralty  in  Jjonion  ( though  fuppofed  one 
of  their  greatelt  and  molt  knowing  Adverfai  ies)  never  dilturbed  them.    The  Mi- 
niiters in  feveral  Parties  were  oft  encouraged  to  make  their  Addrefles  to  the  King, 
only  to  acknow  ledge  his  Clemency  by  which  they  held  their  Liberties ,  and  to  pro- 
fefs  their  Loyalty:     Sir  John  Babor  introduced  Dr.  Manton,  and  fome  with  him; 
Mr.  Innvs,  a  Scotch  Non-conformift  by  Sir  Rob.  Murray,  introduced  Mr.  Whitt  tiers, 
Dr.  Anneflty,  Mr.  Watfon,  and  Mr.  Vincent\.    The  King  (  as  they  fay  themfelves  ) 
told  them,  That  though  fuch  Acts  were  made,  He  was  againft*  Perfecution,  and  ho- 
ped ere  long  to  Hand  on  his  own  Legs,  and  then  they  mould  fee  how  much  he  was 
againft  it.    By  this  means  many  fcore  Nonconforrnable  Minifters  in  London  kept  up 
Preaching  in  private  Houfes :  Some  50,  fome  ioo,  many  300,  and  many  1000,  or 
2000  at  a  Meeting,  by  which  for  the  prefent,  the  City's  Neceflities  were  much  fup- 
plied.  •  For  very  few  burnt  Churches  were  yet  built  up  again,  (about  3  or  4  in  the 
pity  J  which  yet  never  moved  the  Bilhops  to  relent,  and  give  any  Favour  to  the 
Preaching  of  Nonconforming.     And  though  the  belt  of  England  of  tlie'Conformifts, 
for  the  molt  part,  were  got  up  to  London,  alas !  they  were  but  few :  And  the  moft 
of  the  Religious  People  were  more  and  more  alienated  from  the  Prelates  and  their 
Churches. 

§  1 92.  Thofe  that  from  the  beginning  thought  they  faw  plainly  what  was  doing, 
lamented  all  this :  They  thought  that  it  was  not  without  great  Wit,  that  feeing  only 
a  Parliament  was  trulted  before  the  King  with  she  People's  Liberties,  and  could  raife 

a  War 


7 


88  The  LI  F  E  of  the  Part  111 


a  War  againft  him,  (  Intercft  ruling  the  World)  it  was  contrived  that  this  Parlia- 
ment fhould  make  the  fevcreft  Laws  againft  the  Nonconrormilts  to  grind  them  to 
duft  and  that  the  King  fhould  allay  the  Execution  at  his  pleafurc,  and  become  their 
Prote&or  againfl:  Parliaments^  and  they  that  would  not  confent  to  this  ftiould  dif- 
fer. And  indeed,  the  Minifters  themfelves  feemed  to  make  little  doubt  of  this : 
But  they  thought'  i .  That  if  Papifts  fhall  have  liberty,  it  is  as  good  for  them  al fo 
to  take  theirs  as  to  be  lhut  out :  2.  And  that  it  is  not  lawful  for  them  to  refufe 
their  prefent  Liberty,  though  they  were  fure  that  Evil  were  defign'd  in  granting  it. 
3.  And  that  before  Men's  defigns  can  come  to  ripenefs,  God  hath  many  ways  td 
fruftrate  them,  and  ly  drawing  one  Pin,  can  let  fall  the  belt  contrived  Fabrick.  But 
ftill  remember,  that  all  Attempts  to  get  any  Comprehenfion  (as  it  was  then  called) 
or  abatement  of  the  Rigour  of  the  Laws,  or  Legal  Liberty  and  Union,  were  molt 
effectually  made  void. 

§  193.  At  this  time  there  was  Printed  in  Holland,  the  Thefts,  or  Exercife  Per- 
formed at  the  Commencement,  for  the  Degree  of  Dr.  of  Law,  by  one  of  the  King's 
Subjects,  a  Scots-Man,  Rob.  Hamilton :  In  which  he  largely  proveth  the  Neceffity 
of  a  ftanding  Treafury  in  a  Kingdom,  and  the  power  of  the  King  to  raife  it,  and 
impofe  Tributes  without  the  People's  Confent,  and  Dedicating  it  to  the  King,  and 
largely  applying  it  to  England,  he  fheweth  that  Parliaments  have  no  Lcgillative 
Power  but  what  the  King  giveth  them,  who  may  take  it  from  them  when  He  feeth 
Caufe,  and  put  them  down,  and  raifc  Taxes  according  to  his  own  Difcretion,  with- 
out them :  And  that  Parliaments  and  Magna  Charta,  are  no  impediments  to  him, 
but  Toys ;  and  that  what  Charter  the  former  Kings  did  grant,  could  be  no  Band 
on  their  Succcfibrs  (forgetting  that  fo  he  would  alio  difoblige  the  People  from  the 
Agreements  made  by  their  Predeceflbrs  (  as  e.  g.  that  this  Family  fucceflively  fhall 
rule  them,  &c.)  with  much  more.  Whom  Fame  made  to  be  the  Animater  of  this 
Tractate,  I  pafs  by. 

§  194.    There  was  this  Year  a  Man  niuch  talk'd  of  for  his  Enterprifes,  one  Ma- 
jor Blood,  an  Englifh-man  of  Ireland.   This  Man  had  been  a  Soldier  in  the  Old  King^s 
Army  againfl:  the  Parliament,  and  feeing  the  Caufe  loft,  he  betook  himfelf  towards 
Ireland,  to  live  upon  his  own  Eftate.     In  his  way  he  fell  in  Company  with  the  Lan- 
cafhire  Minifters,  who  were  then  Writing  againft  the  Army,  and  againft  all  violence 
to  King  or  Parliament.     Blood  being  of  an  extraordinary  Wit,  falls  acquainted' with 
them,  and  not  thinking  that  the  Trcsbyterians  had  been  fo  true  to  the  King,  he  is 
made,  the  more  capable  of  their  Cou nfelj  fothat  in  fhorthe  became  a  Convert,  and 
married  the  Daughter  of  an  honelt  Parliament  Man  of  that  Countrey  :  And  after 
this  in  Irelandht  was  a  Jultice  of  Peace,  and  Famous  for  his  great  Parts  and  upright 
Life,  and  fuccefs  in  tinning  many  from  Popery.    When  the  King  was  Reftored,  and 
he  faw  the  old  Minifters  Silenced  in  the  Three  Kingdoms,  and  thofe  that  had  Sur- 
prized Dutltn-Caftle  for  the  King  from  the  Anahaptifls,  cait  afide,  and  all  things  go 
contrary  to  his  judgment  and  Expectation,  being  of  a  molt  bold  and  refolute  Spirit, 
he  was  one  that  plotted  the  Surprizing  of  the  D.  of  Ormond,  and  of  Dublin  Cafile. 
But  being  detected  and  prevented,  he  fled  into  Enghnd :  There  he  lived  difguifed, 
practiiing  Phyfick,  called  Dr.  Clarke,  at  Rumford     When  fome  Prifoners  were  car- 
ried to  be  put  to  Death  at  Tork,  for  a  Plot,  he  followed  and  Refcued  them,  and  fet 
them  free :     At  la  ft  it  was  found  to  be  He,  with  his  Son,  and  three  or  four  more, 
that  attempted  to  Surprize  the  D.  of  Ormond ;  and  to  have  earned  him  to  Holland, 
where  he  had  a  Bank  of  Money,  and  to  have  made  him  there  to  pay  his  Arrears. 
MifTing  of  that  Exploit,  he  made  a  bolder  Attempt,  even  to  fetch  the  King's  Crown 
and  Jewels  out  of  the  Tower ;  where  pretending  Friendfhip  to  the  Keeper  of  it,  He, 
with  two  more  (his  Son,  and  one  Perrot)  fuddenly  Gagg'd  the  old  Man,  and  when 
he  cryed  out,  he  ftruck  him  on  the  Head,  but  would  not  kill  him,  and  fo  went  away 
with  the  Crown.     But  as  foon  as  ever  they  were  gone,  the  Keeper's  Son  eometh 
in,  and  finds  his  Father,  and  heareth  the  Cafe,  and  runs  out  after  them,  and  Flood,' 
and  his  Son,  and  Perrot  were  taken.     Blood  was  brought  to  the  King,  and  expe&ed 
Death^  butane  fpake  fo  boldly  that  ail  admired  him :  telling  the  King,  How  many  of. 
his  Subjects  weredifobliged,  and  that  he  was  one  that  took  himfelf  to  be  in  a  State 
of  Hoftility :  and  that  he  took  not  the  Crown  as  a  Thief,  but  an  Enemy,  thinking 
that  lawful  which  was  lawful  in  a  War  ;  and  that  he  could  many  a  time  have  had 
the  King  in  his  power,  but  that  ke  thought  his  Life  was  better  for  them  than  his 

Death, 


Part  ]\l         lieverknd  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  8  a 

Death,  left  a  woffe  fuccced  him  -  and  that  the  number  of  Refolut^MeTdUfbblieed  " 

were  lo  ereat,  as  that  if  his  Life  were  taken  away,  it  would  be  revenged-  That 
he  intended  no  hurt  to  the  Perfon  of  the  D.  of  Ormond,  butbecaufe  he  had  taken 
his  Efface  from  him,  he  would  have  forced  him  to  reftore  the  value  in  Money  and 
rhat  he  never  Robb'd,  nor  fhed  Blood,  which  if  he  would  have  done  he 'could 
eafily  have  kill  d  Ormond,  and  eafily  have  carried  away  the  Crown.  In  a'word  he 
fo  behaved  himfelf,  rjiat  the  King  did  not  only  releafe  and  pardon  him  but  admit 
Mm  frequently  to  his  preferice.  Some  fay,  becaufe  his  Gallantry  took  much  with 
the  King,  having  been  a  Soldier  of  his  Father's :  Moft  fav,  That  he  put  the  King 
in  fear  of  his  Life,  and  came  off  upon  Condition  that  he  would  endeavour  td  keeo 
the  difcontcntcd  Party  quiet.  x 

§  1 95-  Mr.  Bagflmxo  (in  his  ram  and  ignorant  Zeal,  thinking  it  a  Sin  to  hear 
a  Conform  iff,  and  that  the  way  to  deal  with  the  Perfecutors  was  to  draw  all  the" 
People  as  far  from  them  as  we  could,  and  not  to  hold  any  Communion  with  any 
that  did  Conform)  having  Printed  his  Third  Reviling  Libel  againft  me  called  for 
my  Third  Reply,  which  I  Entitled  £The  Clyurch  told  of,  &c]  But  being  Printed 
without  Licenfc,  Lcftrange,  the  Searcher,  Surprized  part  of  it  in  the  Prefs  ( there 
being  lately  greater  Penalties  laid  on  them  that  Print  without  Licenfe,  than  ever 
before : )  And  about  the  Day  that  it  came  out,  Mr.  Bagfljaw  died  (-'a  Prifoner 
though  not  in  Prifon  .)  Which  made  it  grievous  to  me  to  think  that  I  mult  feem  to 
write  againft  the  Dead.  While  we  wrangle  here  in  the  dark,  we  are  dying  and 
pafiing  to  the  World  that  will  decide  all  our  Controverfies :  Arid  the  fafeft  PafTage 
thither  is  by  peaceable  Holinefs. 

§  196.  About  Jan.  1.  the  King  caufed  his  Exchequer  to  be  fhut  up:  So  that 
whereas  a  multitude  of  Merchants,  and  others,  had  put  their  Money  into  the  Ban- 
ker's hands,  and  the  Bankers  lent  it  to  the  King,  and  the  King  gave  Order  to  pay 
out  no  more  of  it,  of  a  Year  ,  the  murmur  and  complaint  in  the  City  was  very 
great,  that  their  Eftates  mould  be  (as  they  called  it)  fo  furprized :  And  the  ra- 
ther, becaufe  it  being  fuppofed  to  be  in  order  to  the  Aflifting  of  the  French  in  a  War 
againft  the  Dutch,  they  took  a  Year  to  be  equal  to  perpetuity,  and  the  flop  to  be  a 
lofs  of  all,  feeing  Wars  ufe  to  increafe  Neceflities,  and  not  to  fupply  them.  And 
among  others,  all  the  Money  (and  Eftate,  except  10  /.  per  Jinn,  for  11  or  12 
Years)  that  I  had  in  the  World  of  my  own  (not  given  away  to  others,  whom 
Charity  commanded  me  to  give  it  to  for  their  Maintenance,  before;  was  there : 
which  indeed  was  not  my  own  •  which  I  will  mention  to  Counfel  any  Man  that 
would  do  good,  to  do  it  fpeedily,  and  with  all  their  might.  I  had  got  in  all  my 
Life  the  juft  Sum  of  1 000  /.  Having  no  Child,  I  devoted  almoft  all  of  it  to  a  Chari- 
table life  (  a  Free-School,  6wc. )  1  ufed  my  belt  and  ableft  Friends  for  7  Years  with 
all  the  Skill  and  lndultry  I  could,  to  help  me  to  fome  Purchafe  of  Houfeor  Land  to 
lay  it  out  on,  that  it  might  be  accordingly  fetled :  And  though  there  were  never 
more  Sellers,  I  could  never  by  all  thefe  Friends  hear  of  any  that  Reafon  could  en- 
courage a  Man  to  lay  it  out  on  as  fecure,  and  a  tolerable  Bargain.-  So  that  I  told 
them,  I  did  perceive  the  Devil's,  Refiftance  of  it ;  and  did  verily  fufpect  that  he  would 
prevail,  and  I  mould  never  fettle,  but  it  would  be  loft :  So  hard  is  it  to  do  any 
good  when  a  Man  is  fully  refolved,  that  divers  fuch  Obfervations  verily  confirm 
me,  That  there  are  Devils  that  keep  up  a  War  againft  Goodnefs  in  the  World. 

§  1 97.  The  great  Preparations  of  the  French  to  invade  the  Vnited  Provinces, 
and  of  the  Lnglifh  to  aflift  them,  do  make  now  the  Proteftants  Hearts  to  tremble, 
and  to  think  that  the  Low  Countries  will  be  Conquered,  and  with  them  the  Proteftant 
Caufe  deeply  endangered :  (  Though  their  vicious  worldly  Lives  deferve  God's 
Judgments  on  themfelves ;  yet  they  arc  a  great  part  of  the  Proteftants  Humane 
Strength. )  But  the  IfTue  rnuft  expound  God's  purpbfes,  without  which  Men's  De- 
(igns  are  vain. 

§  1 98.  This  Year  a  new  Play-Houfe  being  built  in  Salisbury-Court  in  Fleet-Strett9 
called  the  Duke  of  Torts,  the  Lord  Mayor  (asisfaid)  defiredof  the  King,  that  it 
might  not  be  •,  the  Youth  of  the  City  being  already  fo  corrupted  by  Senfual  Pleafures  ; 
but  he  obtained  aot^his  defire :  And  this  Jan.  1 671 .  the  King's  Play-Houfe  in  Drury 

M  m.  m  m  Larte9 


9° 


The  L  I  F  E  of  the  Part  U I 


Lane  took  Fire,  and  was  burnt  down,  but  not  alone  ,  for  about  fifty   or  fixty 
Houfes  adjoyning,  by  Fire  and  blowing  up,  accompanied  it. 

§  1 99.  A  Stranger  ,calling  himfelf  Sam.  Herbert, vnotc  me  a  Letter  again  a  theChri- 
ftian  Religion,  and  the  Scriptures,  as  charging  them  with  Contradictions,  and 
urged  me  to  anfwer  them,  which  1  did :  And  his  Name  inviting  my  memory,  I 
adjoyned  an  Anfwer  to  the  Strength  of  a  Book  heretofore  written,  by  Edward  Lord 
Herbert  of  Cherbury,  fome-time  Ambaflador  in  France,  the  Author  of  the  Hiftory  of 
Henry  VII.  called  de  Veritate,  being  the  moft  powerful  Aflault  againft  the  Guiitian 
Religion,  placing  all  the  Religion  that's  certain,  in  the  Common  or  Natural  Notices : 
I  entitled  the  Book,  More  Reafons  for  the  Chrijlian  Religion,  and  none  agatnjl  it :  Or, 
a  Second  appendix  to  the  Rcafonfor  the  Chrijlian  Religion. 

§  200.  The  forefaid  Mr.  Hinkley  by  his  impertinent  Anfwer  to  my  former 
Letters,  extorted  from  me  a  large  Reply  ;  but  when  I  was  fending  it  him  in 
Writing  I  heard  that  he  intended  to  Print  fome  fcraps  of  it  with  his  Papers, 
the  better  to  put  them  off:  Whereupon  I  fent  him  word  he  mould  not  have 
them  till  he  fatisfied  me  that  he  would  not  fo  abufe  them,  &c.  The  rather 
becau'fc,  1 .  The  Subject  of  them  was  much  to  prove  that  the  War  was  raifed  in 
England  by  an  Epifcopal  Parliament,  jealous  of  other  Epifcopal  Men,  as  to  Po- 
t,c\y  and  Propriety.  2.  And  it  was  fo  much  againft:  Diocefanes,  and  their  new 
Oaths,  as  'would  much  difpleafe  them,  3.  And  inafharper  ftile  than  was  fit 
fof  publick  View  :  And  as  to  the  firftRcafon,  I  was  afraid  left  any  Papifts  would 
lay  hold  of  it,  to  make  any  Princes,  that  already  hate  the  the  Non-conformifts, 
and  Presbyterians,  to  hate  the  Conformifts  and  Prelatifts  alfo  j  and  fo  to  feem 
themfelves  the  moft  Loyal :  And  I  had  rather  they  hated,  and  cafe  ofF  the  Non- 
conformifts  alone,  than  both.    This  mindeth  me  to  add  that. 

§  201.  About  a  Year  ago  one  Henry  Fowlis,  Son  to  Sir  David  Fowlis,  an  Ox- 
ford Man,  who  had  wrote  againft  the  Presbyterians  with  as  filthy  a  Language  al- 
moft  as  a  Man  in  his  Wits  could  do,  having  written  alfo  againft  the  Papifts, 
His  Book  (after  his  Death)  wa"s  Printed  in  a  large  Folio,  fo  opening  the  Princi- 
ples and  Practices  of  Papifts  againft  Kings,their  Lives  and  Kingdoms,  by  multitudes 
of  moft  exprefs  Citations  from  their  own  Writers,  that  the  like  hath  not  be- 
fore been  done  by  any  Man  -7  nor  is  there  extant  fuch  another  Collection  on  that 
Subject  (though  he  left  out  the  Irijh  MafTacre  :  )  But  whereas  the  way  of  the  Pa- 
pifts is,  to  make  a  grievous  Complaint  againft  any  Book,  that  is  written  effectu- 
ally againft  them,  as  injurious  (as  they  did  againft  Pet.  Moulin'*  Anfwer  to  Phi- 
lanax  Anglicus,  and  againft  Dr.  Stillingfleet's  late  Book)  or  the  contrary  ;  this 
Book  being  copious  true  Citations  and  Hiftory,  is  fo  terrible  to  them,  that  their 
method  is  to  fay  nothing  of  it,  but  endeavour  to  keep  it  unknown  ;  for  of  late 
they  have  left  the  disputing  way ,  and  bend  all  their  endeavours  to  creep  into 
Houfes,  and  pervert  Perfons  in  fecret  ;  but  efpeciaily  to  infinuate  into  the  Houfes 
and  Familiarity  of  all  the  Rulers  of  the  World,  where  they  can  be  received. 

§  202.  The  Death  of  fome,  the  worthy  Labours,  and  great  Sufferings  of  others, 
maketh  me  remember  that  the  juft  characterizing  of  fome  of  the  Minifters  01 
Chrift,  that  now  iliffered  for  not  fwearing,  fubfeibing,  declaring,  conforming,  and 
for  refuting'  Re-ordination ,  is  a  duty  which  I  owe  to  the  honour  of  God's 
Graces  in  them.  But  becaufe  no  Man  can  expect  that  I  fhould  be  fo  volu- 
minous as  to  defcribe  particularly  all  the  Eighteen  hundred  filenced,  I  fhall 
but  tell  you  what  my  own  Neighbours  were,  not  fpeaking  by  hearfay,  but  per- 
gonal acquaintance  •  herein  imitating  Tkuams,  Micrelius,  and  many  others  in  the 
truth  and  brevity  of  the  Character ,  but  giving  you  nothing  of  any  unknown 
Perfon  by  bare  report. 

1 .  In  the  County  where  I  Iived,in  IVorccJler  City,  was  filenced  Mr.  Jofeph  Baker , 
born  in  Stourbridge(\vhok  Wifes  Funeral  Sermon  and  Life  I  printed.)He  was  a  Learn- 
ed Man,  of  a  blamelefs  Life,  Preaching  conftantly  Catechifing  the  People,  and 
conferring  with  the  feveral  Families  ( efpeciaily  before  he  firft  admitted  them  to 
the  Lord's  Supper  )  perfonally :  But  of  extraordinary  Prudence,  Calmnefs,  Pa- 
tience, Gravity,  and  Soundncfs  of  Judgment  •,  neither  for  Prelacy ,  Presbytery, 
nor  Independency  vas  then  formed  into  Parties-,  but  for  that  which  was  found  in  al). 
the  Parties,  and  lor  Concord  upon  fuch  Catholick  terms :  The  Parifh  of  St.  An- 
item,  where' he  was  Minifter,  had  but  about  fix  Pound  a  year  maintenance,  of 

which 


Part  ill.  'Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

9  — " 

which  he  took  none,  but  gave   it  to  a  Woman  to  teach  the"  poor  Children  of" 
thePanm  to  read,  living  upon  his  own,  and  fome   fmall  augmentation  granted 
by  the  Parliament. 

2.  At  theCathedral,  Mr.  Simon  Moor  was  fdenced,  an  old  Independent  whc. 
fomewhat  loft  the  Peoples  Love,  upon  Reafons  which  I  here  omit  ' 

3  In  the  fame  City  was  filenced  Mr  Juice,  fhis  Son-in-Lawj  a  moderate  Inde- 
pendent, and  a  fobcr,  grave,  ferious,  peaceable,  blamelefs,  able  Minifter 

4.  In  the  fame  City    was  filenced  Mr.  Fincher,  a  moderate  Independent    a  zea 
lous  able  Preacher,  of  a  good  Life.  ' 

5.  At  Kem[ey,w%  put  out   Mr.  Tho.  Bromwich,  an  ancient, reverend   able  Mi 
niftcr,  of  an  upright  Life  :  But  when  Bifiiop  Morky  was  there,  and  Mr.'  Collier  of 
Blockley  had  conformed,  he    was  over-perfvvaded  to  take  the  Declaration  •  But 
before  he  came  to  profefs  his  Aflent   and  Confent  openly,  and  fully  to  con 
form,  he  was  call  into  great  and  leng  diftrefs  of  Confcience,  and  went  no  far- 
ther: But  yet  by  Preaching  he  ufed  that  Liberty  that  he  had  fo  procured. 

6.  At  Vpton,  upon  Severn,  was  filenced  Mr.  Benjamin  Baxter,  Son  to  that  old 
holy,  reverend  Mr.  George  Baxter  ,  Pallor  at  little  Wenlock  in  Shropfhire  near  the 
Wrekon-Hill,  who  lived  there  till  about  eighty  fix  years  of  Age  ,  in  the  conftant 
faithful  Preaching  and  pracftfing  of  the  Gofpel.  His  Son-  now  mentioned  was  a 
Preacher  of  extraordinary  Skill,  efpecially  in  matter  and  method,  fo  that  few  that 
ever  I  heard  excelled  him :  He  lived  uprightly  to  near  fifty  feven  Years  of 
Age,  and  fuffered  much  by  the  lownefs  of  his  Eftate  by  his  Ejeftion,  who  be- 
fore had  lived  plentifully. 

7.  His  Brother,  Mr.  Stephen  Baxter,  though  below  him  in  utterance,  was  of  a 
folid  Underftanding,  and  a  calm,  peaceable  Spirit,  moft  humble,  and  blamelefs  in 
his  Life,  and  liveth  fince  his  filencing  in  the  pra&ife  of  Phyiick. 

8.  At  Eve/ham  was  filenced  Mr.  George  Hopkins,  Son  to  Mr.  William  Hopkins,  the 
moll  eminent,  wife,  and  truly  Religipus  magiftrate  of  Bewdley,  (my  old  dear 
Friend)  at  laft  a  member  of  the  long  Parliament.  This  his  Son,  having  long  been 
Pallor  at  Eve/ham,  was  many  Years  filenced ;  and  when  the  Oxford  Oath  came 
out,  he  was  over  perfwaded  to  take  it,  in  his  own  Sence,  andfo  not  to  be  forced 
five  miles  from  the  People :  But  he  died  either  on,  or  very  near  the  fame  day 
that  he  fhould  have  had  the  benefit  of  it :  He  was  a  very  judicious,  godly  mo- 
derate, peaceable,  and  upright  man  :  He  hath  one  Writing  extant,  called  Salva- 
tion from  Sin. 

q.  At  Martlcy  was  filenced  and  ejected  Mr.  Ambrofe  Sparry ,  heretofore  School- 
mailer  at  Stourbridge,  where  he  was  born ;  he  was  an  ancient  fober,  peaceable, 
moderate,  humble,  godly,  judicious  man  -,  formerly  for  the  Conformifts ,  but 
now  call  out  among  the  reft :  But  his  great  Prudence,  and  moderation,  and 
Learning,  and  the  chief  of  Stourbridge  being  his  Friends,  caufed  the  Chancellor  to 
connive  at  laft  at  his  teaching  the  School  at  Stourbridge  again,  where  he  had  been 
in  his  Youth,  where  he  is  yet  connived  at,  and  liveth  with  great  acceptance, 
though  he  was  a  while  malicioufly  laid  in  Goal. 

i  ©.  At  Beivdley  was  filenced  Mr.  Henry  Oatland,  the  moft  lively,  fervent,  moving 
Preacher  in  all  the  County,  of  an  honeft,  upright  Life+  who  rode  about,  from 
place  to  place  Preaching  fervently,  and  winning  many  Souls  to  God,  befides  all  his 
very  great  Labours  with  his  own  People,  publickly,  and  from  Houfe  to  Houfe : 
And  he  yet  continuetli  Preaching  up  and  down  privately  where  he  can  have 
opportunity,  with  Zealand  diligence:  And  though  thofethat  excelled  others  in 
zealous  Preaching  and  acceptance  with  the  People,  were  apter  to  be  carried  (in  my 
Judgment)  a  little  too  far  from  Conformity,  and  the  Prelate's  Indignation  againft 
the  Church-Tyranny,  but  not  at  all  forfaking  Orthodox,  and  found  Principles,, 
yet  fo  was  not  he. 

ii.  At  Stourbridge  was  filenced  Mr.  Jarvis  Bryan,  Brother  to  Dr.  Bryan  of 
Coventry,  a  moft  humble,  upright,  faithful  Minifter,  of  a  blameleft  Life,  and  found 
Do&rine. 

1 2.  At  Stcne  was  filenced  Mr.  Richard  Serjeant,  formerly  my  Affiftant,  a  man 
of  fuch  extraordinary  Prudence,  Humility,  Sincerity,  Self-denial,  Patience,  and 
blamelefsnefs  of  Life  •  that  I  know  not 'of  all  the  Years  that  he  affiled  me,  of 
any  one  perfon,  in  Town  or  Pariih,  that  was  againft  him,  or  that  ever  accufed 
him  of  faying  or  doing  any  thng  amifs.  So  that  though  many  excelled  him  in 
Learning  and  "utterance ,  yet  none  that  ever  I  knew,  as  far  as  I  could  Judge,  in 

Mm  mm  i  Innocency 


9i 


92  ibe  L  I  FEoj  the  Part  III 


_       -  _ 

Innocency  and  Sincerity  ;   which  made    him  beloved  of  all  above   many  abler 
Men. 

13.  At  Broom  was  filenced  Mr.  Humphrey  Waldern,  my  Afliftant  after  Mr.  Ser- 
jeant^ exactly  agreeing  in  the  fame  Character  I  gave  him,  in  the  next  decree  ;  of 
good  Learning  and  Utterance. 

1 4.  At  Wombornc  was  filenced  Mr.  Wtlsby,  an  ancient,  judicious,  peaceable, 
moderate  Divine  (who  had  long  kept  one  of  the  moft  learned  of  the  Prelat 

*  Birming-  in  his  Houfe. J  At  *  Bremicham,  where  heflived  privately,  he  was  troubled  by 
bam.  Sir  Robert  Holt ,  but  (under  many  Infirmities)  is  yet  alive,  a  man  of  humility, 
and  an  unb'lameable  Life.  I  mention  not  the  Judgment  of  any  of  thefe 
that  I  may  fay  of  all  together,  that  as  far  as  I  could  perceive,  they  were 
neither  for  Prelacy,  Presbytery,  or  Independency,  as  now  in  Parties,  but  as  I 
laid  of  them  before,  of  the  primitive  temper,  for  Concord,  on  the  Terms  that 
all  found  and  good  men  are  agreed  in,  and  for  the  practice  of  that,  rather  than 
contending  about  more :  And  of  the  primitive  extraordinary  Humility  and  In- 
nocencency. 

1 5.  The  fame  I  mull  fay  of  Mr.  Andrew  Tri/lram,  firft  of  Clent,  then  filenced  at 
Bridgnorth,  a  Man  of  more  than  ordinary  ability  in  Preaching  and  Prayer,  and 
of  an  upright  Life,  and  now  a  Phyfician. 

1 6.  The  fame  I  muft  fay  of  Mr.  John  Rcignolds,  filenced  at  Wolaerhamptom, 
a  Man  of  more  than  ordinary  Ability,  for  Learning  and  Preaching,  and  now  alfo 

aPhyfician. 

1 7.  At  Avely  was  filenced  Mr.  Lovel,  formerly  Schoolmafter  at  Walverlty,  who 
having  been  fuppofed  ftill  to  be  not  only  againft  the  Parliament's  Caule ,  but 
for  the  Prelates  and  Conformity,  and  never  coming  into  our  minifterial  Meetings, 
where  we  monthly  kept  up  difputations  and  Difcipline,  but  only  extraordinary 

^nftant  at  my  Lefture  at  Kiderminjler,  he  was  as  a  ftranger  to  us  all,  till  the 
filencing  time  came,  and  then  he  fuffereg.  with  the  moft  patient  and  refolved,  and 
hath  fince  appeared,  on  fuller  notice,  a  prudent  and  very  worthy  Man,  and  is  yet 
living  in  his  patient  Silence,   aged  about  iixty  two. 

18.  At  Bromsgrove  was  filenced  Mr.  John  Spilsburjr,  born  in  Bewdley,  a  man 
accounted  an  Independent,  but  of  extraordinary  worth,  for  moderation,  peacea- 
blenefs ,  ability,  and  minifterial  diligence,  and  an  upright  Life. 

1 9.  At  Whitley  was  filenced  Mr.  Jofefb  Read,  born  in  Kiderminfter,  aiid  fent 
by  me  to  Cambridge,  and  after  living  in  myHoufe,  and  for  one  Year  my  afliftant 
at  Kiderminjler,  a  man  of  great  fmcerity,  and  worth. 

20.  At  Churchil was caft  out  Mr.  Edward  Boucher,  another  young  man,  born 
in  Kiderminfter-?arift\, '  of  great  humility,  fincerity,  peaceablenefs,  and  good  mini- 
fterial parts  -,  Brother  to  James  Boucher,  a  Husbandman,  who  can  but  write 
his  Name,  and  is  of  as  good  underftanding  in  Divinity  as  many  Divines  of 
good  account,  and  more  able  in  Prayer  than  moft  Minifters  that  ever  I  heard. 
And  of  fo  calm  a  Spirit,  and  blamelefs  a  life,  that  I  never  faw  him  laugh,  or 
fad,  nor  ever  heard  him  fpeak  an  idle  Word,  nor  ever  heard  Man  accufe  him 
of  a  finful  Word  or  Deed  ,  which  I  note  with  Joy,  and  to  tell  the  Reader,  that 
he,  and  others  of  his  Temper,  in  Kiderminjler,  did  by  their  Example  exceedingly 
farther  my  fuccefs. 

21  At  Clent  was  filenced  Mr.  Tho.  Baldwin,  a  godly,  calm,  fober  Preacher,  of 
a  blamelefs  Life. 

22.  From  Chaddefley  was  caft  out  Mr.  Thomas  Baldwin,  Senior,  who  had  been 
Our  Schoolmafter  at  Kiderminjler,  fent  to  me  by  Mr.  Fines  from  Cambridge  -,  a 
good  Schollar,  a  fober,  calm  grave,  moderate,  peaceable  minifter,  whofe  Con- 
verfation  I  never  heard  one  Perfon  blame ,  for  any  one  Word  or  Deed  ; 
an  .extraordinary  Preacher :  Wherefore'  1  defired  when  1  was  driven  from  Kider- 
minjler, that  the  People  would  be  ruled  by  him  and  Mr.  Serjeant,  and  he  liveth 
yet  among  them,  and  teacheth  them  privately  from  Houfe  to  Houfe.  He  was 
prefent  with  me  when  I  had  Conference  with  Bifhop  Morley  when  he  filenced 
me,  and  the  witnefs  of  our  Difcourfe  ;  which,  with  the  imprifonment  of  the  moft 
Religious  and  blamelefs  of  the  Flock,  and  the  experience  of  the  Quality  of  fome 
Preachers  that  were  fent  to  the  People  in  my  ftead,  and  the  reft  of  the  havock 
made  in  the  Churclies,  did  alienate  him  fo  much  from  Prelacy,  and  Conformi- 
ty, and  the  People  with  him,  that  though  afterward  they  got  a  godly,  Conforma- 
ble Minifter,  1  could  not  get  tlaemto  Communicate  with  him,  though  1  got  them 
conftantly  to  hear  him.  On 


Part  III.  Reverend  Mr.  Ridiaxd  Baxter. 


93 


On  this  occahon  I  will  mention  the  great  Mercy  of  God  to  that  Town  and 
Country  in  the  railing  of  one  Man,  Mr.  Thomas  Foley ,  who,  from  almoft  nothing 
did  get  about  five  Thoofand  Pound  per  Annum,  or  more,  by  Iron-works  and 
that  with  fo  juft  and  blamelefs  Dealing,  that  all  Men  that  ever  he  had  to  do 
with,  that  ever  I  heard  of,  magnified  his  great  Integrity  and  Honefty,  which  was 
questioned  by  none:  And  being  a  Religious,  Faithful  Man,  he  purchafed  a- 
mong  other  Lands,  the  Patronage  of  feveral  great  places,  and  among  the  reft 
of  Stourbridge  and  Kidermmfler  ,  and  fo  chofe  the  belt  Conformable  Minifters  to 
them  that  could  be  got  :  And  not  only  fo,  but  placed  his  Eldeft  Son's  Habita- 
tion in  Kidcrmmjler,  which  became  a  great  Proteftion  and  Blefling  to  the 
Town}  having  placed  two  Families  more  elfewhere  of  his  two  other  Sons  all 
three  Religious  worthy  Men.  And  in  thankfulnefs  to  God  tor  his  Mercies  to 
him,  built  a  well-founded  Hofpital  near  Stourbridge,  to  teach  poor  children  to 
read  and  write,  and  then  fet  them  Apprentices,  and  endowed  it  with  about 
five  hund  Pounds  a  Year  per  Annum  :  Such  worthy  Perfons,  and  fuch  ftrange  Pro- 
fperity,  and  holy  ufe  of  it  are  fo  rare,  and  the  intercft  of  my  poor  Neigh- 
bours in  it  fo  great ,  that  I  thought  meet  to  mention  it  to  God's  Praife  and 
his. 

§  203.  There  were  more  Minifters  filencedof  that  Countrey,  but  1  will  not 
be  tedious  iu  naming  more  of  them.  A  word  of  the  other  places  where  I  my 
felf  had  lived.  In  Coventry,  both  the  Minifters  were'eaft  out.  1.  Dr.  John 
Bryan,  an  ancient  Learned  Divine,  of  a  quick  and  adlive  Temper,  very  humble, 
faithful,  and  of  a  Godly,  upright  Life,  who  had  fo  great  a  fitnefs  to  teach  and 
educate  Youth,  that  there  have  gone  out  of  his  Houfe  more  worthy  Minifters 
into  the  Church  of  God,  than  out  of  many  Colledges  in  the  Univerfity  in  that 
time.  And  he  had  three  Sons  that  were  all  worthy  Non- conformable  Mini- 
fters, all  filenced. 

2.  Dr.  Grew,  a  Man  of  a  different  natural  temper,  yet   both  Concordant  lo- 
vingly in  the  work  of  God,  a  calm,  Grave,  fober,  fedate  Divine,  more  retired, 
and  of  lefs  activity,  but  godly,  able,  and  faithful  in  his  Miniftry. 
f    3.  At  Birmingham  was  iilenced  Mr.  Wills,   a  fedate,  retired,  peaceable,  able 
Divine  alfo,  born  in  Coventry. 

4.  As  for  Mr.  Anthony  Surge fs  of  Sutton  Coldfield  (a  place  of  near  300/.  per 
.Annum,  which  he  left  J  I  need  not  defcribe  him,  he  was  fo  famoufly  known  in  the 
Anembly,  and  London,  and  by  his  many  Learned,  Godly  Writings,  for  a  Man  e- 
minently  Learned,  and  Pious  :  And  though  in  the  old  Conformity  he  was  be- 
fore a  Conformable  Man,  yet  he  was  fo  far  from  the  New  Conformity,  that  on 
his  Death-bed  he  profefled  great  fatisfa&ion  in  his  Mind  that  he  had  not  Con- 
formed. 

5.  From  Wal/baU  was  caft  out  Mr.  Burdall,  a  very  Learned  able  and  Godly 
Divine,  of  more  than  ordinary  parts  and  worth,  now  dead  alfo. 

\  6.  At  Wedgbury  was  filenced  Mr.  Fincher,  whoml  have  feen,  but  was  not  much 
acquainted  with,  but  he  was  reputed  a  very  Godly  Man,  and  a  good  Preacher. 
But  1   pafs   by  all  thofe  I  knew  not  my  felf. 

7.  From  Rowley  had  latelv  removed  Mr.  Jofeph  Rod,  and  was  filenced  ;  a  very 
calm,  humble,  fober,  peaceable ,  godlv,  and  blamelefs  Minifter,  -and  of  very 
good  Abilities  -  like  our  Worcefter(hire  Minifters  before  defcribed,  as  to  his  temper, 
and  judgment  of  Church-Government. 

8.  At  Kings-Norton  was  filenced  Mr.  Tho.  Hall,  an  ancient  Divine,  known  by 
his  many  Writings,  of  a  quick  Spirit,  a  Godly,  upright  man,  and  the  only  Pref- 
byterian  whom  I  knew  in  that  County. 

9..  At  Tippon,  Mr.  Hinks  was  filenced  ,  a  Godly  Preacher,  a  moderate  Inde- 
pendent. 

10.  At  Hales-Owen  was  filenced  Mr.  PaJlon,a  fober, moderate,  peaceable  Mi- 
nifter, of  a  godly,  upright  Life.  . 

11.  Near  Newcafile  was  filenced  Mr.  Sound,  an  ancient  Divine,  of  great  Learn- 
ing, moderation,  judgment,  and  calmnefs  of  Spirit ,  and  of  a  Godly ,  upright 
Life,  born  bylVorvile,  near  Bridgmrth,  known  to  me  about  thirty  years  ago,  who, 
though,  with  others,  he  was  of  old  a  Confbrmift,  is  far   enough  from  the  new 

Gonforraitv 

}  12,  At 


94  The  hi  FE  "of "the  ~~    Part  i  I  J. 

12.  At  Shrewsbwy  was  filenced  Mr.  Heath,  an  ancient,  grave  miniftcr,  mode- 
rate, fedate,  quiet,  religious,  eminent  for  his  Skill  in  the  Oriental  Langua- 
ges. 

13.  In  the  fame  Town  was  filenced  Mr.  Francis  Talents,  an  ancient  Fellow  of 
Magdalen  Colledge  in  Cambridge,  and  a  good  Schollar,  a  godly,  blamelefs  Divine, 
moft  eminent  for  extraordinary  Prudence,  and  moderation,  and  peaceablenefs  to- 
wards all,  who  in  our  Wars  lived  at  Saumours  in  France,  and  is  now  there  a- 

gain. 

14:  In  the  fame  Town  was  filenced  Mr.  Brian,  Son  to  Dr.  Brian,  a  Godly,  ar 
ble  Preacher,  of  a  quick  and  active  Temper,  but  very  humble. 

15.  At  Whitchurch  was  filenced  and  calt  out  Mr.  Porter  an  ancient,  grave  Di- 
vine of  great  integrity,  blamelefsnefs  and  Diligence,  and  fo  excellent  aPieach- 
er,  that  few  arrived  to  his  Degree  that  ever  I  have  heard. 

16.  At  Bafchurcb  was  call  out  and  filenced  Mr.  Lawrence,  a  folid,  calm,  pea- 
ceable, godly  man,  and  a  good  Preacher,  who  hath  wrote  a  Treatife  about 
Sicknefs :  He  was  lately  in  trouble,  and  his  Goods  taken  away  for  preaching 
in  a  private  Houfe,  where  but  four  Neighbours  were  prefent,  on  pretence  that 
a  little  Daughter  of  the  Houfe  that  came  newly  from  School,  and  another  Child 
made  the  Supernumeraries,  which  put  him  to  a  tedious  Suit  ■  Aud  Mr.  Powisy 
an  able  Lawyer  of  that  Country,  who  had  ever  before  carried  it  moderate- 
ly, and  foberly,  being  entertained  againft  him,  whether  pro  more,  or  why  I  know 
riot,  at  the  Bar  called  •him  a  Seditious  Fellow  (who  was  far  from  it)andfpake 
of  him  revilingly,  and  eagerly,  and  about  a  week  or  fortnight  after  dicdalmoft 
Suddenly. 

17.  At  Wetnm  was  filenced,  and  long  iniprifoned  in  the  Common  Goal,  Mr. 
Parfons,  a  moderate,  ancient  Minifter,  having  but  ufed  the  word  [.King]  in  his 
.Sermon,  relating  to  Chrift,  an  ignorant  profane  Enemy  witnelfed  that  he  faid 
fomewhat  againft  the  King,  for  which  he  fo  long  fuffered :  And  for  the  very  fame 
Caufe  Dr.  Brian  was  accufed,  and  Mr.  Field  before-mentioned,  kept  in  Prifoij 
in    the  Gatehoufe  till  he  there  died. 

18.  At  Ciun  was  filenced  Mr.  Froyfell,  an  ancient  Divine  ,  of  extraordinary 
worth,  for  Judgment,  moderation,Godlinefs,  blamelefs  living,  and  excellent  Preach- 
ing ;  who  (as  many  of  the  reft  J  hath  in  poverty,  and  Sicknefs,  and  great  Suffering 
continued  to  preferve  the  Peace  of  his  Confcience. 

1 9.  Many  more  worthy  men  in  that  County  were  caft  out  and  filenced.  Mr. 
Barnet ,  Mr.  Taylor ,  Mr.  Thomas ,  Mr.  Berry  ,  Mr.  Maiden  of  Newport , 
(a  very  Learned  Man)  Mr.  Champnan,  Mr.  Thomas  Wright  of  Kinnerfley,  ( a  Man 
of  extraordinary  Learning,  Ability,  and  Moderation,  and  Peaceablenefs)  and 
divers  others,  all  men  of  Godlinefs,  and  upright  Lives,  and  great  Minifterial 
Diligence,  thofe  of  them  that  furvive  living  in  great  Poverty,  moft  of  them  having 
nothing,  or  next  to  nothing,  of  their  own:  And  the  Charity  that  mould  main- 
tain them  and  their  Families,  is  clogg'd  with  fo  great  Poverty,  through  the  burn- 
ing of  London,  the  decay  of  Trade,  Taxes,  O'c.  that  alafs  their  Relief  is  very 
fmall. 

§  204.  To  give  any  Defcription  of  the  London  Minifters  fo  well  known,  would 
be  fnperfluous ;  vit.  1 .  Old  Mr.  Simon  Jft,  old  Mn  Arthur  Jack/on,  Mr.  Afal- 
ton,  all  dead:  (three,  Men  of  excellent  Humility,  and  fincere  Godlinefs,  and 
good  Abilities )  Mr.  Calamy,  Dr.  Seaman,  (of  great  Learning)  Mr.  Sheffield,  Mr. 
Cowpcr,  Mr.  Gouge,  (that  wonder  of  Charity,  Humility,  Sincerity,  and  moderati- 
on) Mr.  Wickins,  Mr.  Hawler,  Mr.  Cradacote,  Mr.  Peter  Fink,  Mr.  Blackmore,  Mr. 
Haviland,  Nix.  Samuel  Clark,  Mr.  Jenkins,  (that- Sententious  Elegant  Preacher  J  Dr. 
Bates,  (a  Learned,  judicious,  moderate  Divine  J  Mr.  Matthew  Pool,  (that  Learned 
moft  induftrious  Man  known  by  his  Abreviation  of  the  Criticks)  Mr.  Sangar,  Mr. 
Needier,  (two  very  humble,  grave,  peaceable  Divines)  Mr.  Rawlinfon  (an  ancient 
grave  Divine  of  great  Ability,)  Mr.  Jibn  Jackfon,  Mr.  Lie,  Mr.  Cafe,  (an  old 
faithful  Servant  of  God,  J  Dr,  Brake,  (that  wonder  of  .Humility  and  Sincerity, 
now  with  God)  Mr.  White,  (fuch  another,  now  with  him,)  Mr.  Crofion,  Mr. 
Woodcock,  (a  Man  of  great  ability,  and  readinefs)  Mr.  Hurft,  Mr.  Pledger,  Mr. 
Tatnall,  Mr.  Lee,  (known  by  his  Learned  Latin  Tract  on  the  Revelation ,)  Mr. 
Low,  (  an  ancient  grave  Divine,  whom  I  have  heard  at  Ludlow  forty  Years  a- 
go)  Mr.  Church,  (a  calm  worthy  man,  lately  dead,  that  had  abundance  of  Chil- 
dren 


Part  III  "Reverend  M,  RidiardR^ 

5rmK  Mr  1).^,  with    more  that  I  cannot  remember.    And  thofe  called  In 
dependents    Mr.  Nye  Mi    Caryll,  Mr.  G>#k,  Mr.  ^«iiKB,  Mr.  L?k  s    Mr 
WW,  Mr.  Rofe,    (an   humbe  Godly  man)  Mr!  ^,  Mr.  Barker,  and  Mr  *  Z'- 
nmg    (two  excellent  Preachers,  and  moderate  godly,  worthy  men-  Vfiefides 

Si&Jj Si  kno^n^?n^9e^ption  could  make  them)  Dr.  ^7*m/o«(  thence 
alfo(  Mr.  Colltns,&c.  john  Goodwin,  now  dead,  I  need  not  defcribe, 

§  205.  But   becaufe  there  are  fome  few  who  by  Preaching  more  openly  than 

r       yCA?nr     t0c  gJ*eatCr  Nllmber3>  arc  under  more  Men's  Sifpleafurc  and  cen- 
furc,  I  mall  fay  of  them  truly  but  what  I  know.     1.  Dr.Manton  (who  lately  lav 
fix  Months  in  Pnfon)  is  a  Man    of  great  Learning,   Judgment,   and   Integrity 
and  an  excellent,  moft  laborious,  unwearied  Preacher,  and  of  moderate  princi- 
ples. * 

2.  Dr.  Jacomb  is  known  to  be  a  Man  of  Gravity,  fober  and  moderate  Princi- 
ples, and  hath  dill  held  on  Preaching,  in  the  Houfe,  and  under  the  Protection 
of  the  excellent,  finccre,  humble  godly,  faithful  Lady,  the  Countefs  Dowager  of 
Exeter,  Daughter  to  the  Earl  of  Bridgcwate-f ,  to  the  utmolt  of  her  Power  a 
comfort  to  all  fuffenng,  faithful  Minifters  and  People,  and  in  all  this  excelling 
thofe  of  her  Rank  and  Generation. 

3.  Dr.  Jnnejley  is  a  moft  iincere,  godly,  humble  Man,  totally  devoted  to  God 
worthily  to  be  joyncd  with  his  two  great  intimate  Friends,  Dr.  Drake,  and  Mr.' 
Wlnte,  whofe  Preaching  in  thofe  two  greateft  Auditories ,  Giles's  Cripplcgate  and 
Faults  ChurcL,  did  very  much  good  till  he  was  filenced. 

4.  Mr.  Thomas  Vincent  is  a  ferious,  humble,  godly  Man,  of  fober  Principles, 
and  great  Zeal  and  Diligence ,  whofe  Experience  in  the  Plague  time  engaged 
him  in  the  work,  as  is  before  declared :  His  Brother  equal  to  him,  and  is  but 
lately  come  out  01  Prifon.  <m 

%.  Mr.  Jenoway  is  a  Maa  of  extraordinary  devotedneVs  to  God,  and  zeal  for  the 
good  of  Souls,  and  of  great  humility,  and  holinefs  of  Life ,  and  an  excellent 
Preacher. 

6.  Mr.  Wadsworth  is  an  able  judicious  man,  devoted  wholly  to  God ,  and  to 
do  good.  Before  he  was  cad  out,  he  preached  conftahtly,  and  zealoufly  taught 
all  his  People  alfo  Houfe  by  Houfe,  hired  another  to  help  in  that  work  ;  gave 
Bibles  to  the  poor  People  of  his  Parilh,  and  expended  not  only  his  time  and 
ftrcngth,  but  his  Eftate  on  thefe  Works,  with  much  alfo  which  he  got  from  o- 
thers  towards  it  :  Infomuch  that  when  he  was  turned  out,  the  Peoples  Lamen- 
tation might  have  melted  a  heart  that  had  any  Companion.  Since  then  he  preach- 
eth  ( through  the  Peoples  defire  and  neceflky  )  at  one  Congregation  there,  at 
Nevpington-Butts,  and  another  at  Theobalds  by  turns,  and  never  taketh  any  main- 
tenance from  either.     His  Afliftant.  Mr  Parfons,  I  before  named. 

7.  Mr.  Watfon  is  fo  well  known  in  London  for  his  Ability  and  Piety  that  I  need 
not  defcribe  him ,  however,  quarrelled  with  by  the  debate-maker. 

8.  Mr.  Thomas  Doolittle,  born  in  Kiderminfter  is  a  good  Schollar,  a  godly 
man,  of  an  upright  Life,  and  moderate  Principles,  and  a  very  profitable,  ferious 
Preacher. 

9.  Mr.  Chefter  is  a  man  of  a  very  fober,  calm,  peaceable  Spirit,  found  in  Do- 
Shine  and  Life,  and  a  grave  and  fruitful  Preacher. 

1  o.  Mr.  Turner  is  a  man  of  great  Sincerity  ,  and  extraordinary  humility,  and 
profitable  Labours  and  Induftry. 

11.  Old  Mr.  Stubbs ,  who  joineth  with  him,  is  one  of  a  Thoufand  ,  fbme- 
times  Minifter  at  Wells ,  and  laft  at  -  Durjley  in  Gloucefierjhire  ,  an  an- 
cient, grave  Divine,  wholly  given  up  to  the  Service  of  God,  who  hath  gone 
about  from  place  to  place  Preaching  with  unwearied  Labour  fince  he  was  filenced, 
and  with  great  Succefs,  being  a  plain,  moving,  fervent  Preacher  for  the  work  of 
converting  impenitent  Sinners  to  God  :  Arid  yet  being  fettled  in  peaceable  Prin-^ 
ciples  by  aged  Experience,  he  every  where  exprefleth  the  Spirit  of  Cenforiouf- 
nefs,  and  unjufb  Separations,  and  Preacheth  up  the  ancient  zeal  and  fincerity, 
with  a  Spirit  fuitable  thereunto. 

1 2.  Mr.  Whitaker,  Son  to  the  famous  Jeremy  Whitaker,  is  a  Man  of  great  calm- 
sefs,  Moderation,  peaceablenefs,  and  Souridnefs  in  Doctrine,  and  ia  Life. 

'  ' r  '  13.  Some 


Ibe  LI   F  L  of  the  Paittil 

J 

■     ~  •  — * 

1 3.  Some  others  there  are,  Mr.  Griwts,  Mr.  trankin,  Mr.  Patrkk,  Mr.  Weft^ 
&c.  whom  I  am  not  acquainted  with. 

§  zo6.   Bolides  thefe,  there   are  many   in  London  that  come  out  of  other  ( . 
tries.     I  will  name  but  fomc  few  that  I  can  fpeak  of  with  molt  afllirance.     1     Mr. 
John  Corbet,  fometimes   Preacher  in  Gloucejtcr,  and  after  at  Chtchefler,  and  ; 
at  a  place  in  fiamjfhire  (200/.   per  Jmwm,  which  he  left  to  keep  the  Peac 
hfe  Confcience,  )  liveth   privately  ,   and   quietly  •     a  Man    of    extraordii; 
Judgment ,    ftayedheft ,    moderation  ,    peaceable   Principles  ,   and     Llamelci* 
Life,  a  folid  Preacher ,   well  known  by  his  Writings,  (  the  intereft  of  England^ 
the  Hiftoryof  Cloucejler  War,  Rufiworttis  Collections,  which  were  much  of  his 
Compofure. 

2.  Mr.  Wilfon,  fometime  of  the  Cbarter-Houfe,  and  fince  of  Peterborough,  liath 
fuch  univerfal  Praifes  follow  him  from  all  the  Country  about  Peterborough,  of  hi< 
rare  Skill,  ability,  Piety,  diligence,  and  extraordinary  fuccefs ,  the  multitude  of 
People  there  that  he  did  good  to,  that  it  made  my  Heart  akc  to  think  that  our 
Sins  had  brought  us  under  fuch  Prelates  as  think  it  a  Service  acceptable  to  God 

deprive  Cities  and  Counti  ics  of  fuch  Men,  and  put  no  better  in  their  places 
than  they  have  done. 

3.  Mr.  Stancliff  from  Stanmore  an  Excellent  Man,  of  marvellous  fullnefs  arid 
apcuratenefs  in  Prayer,  and  it's  like  he  is  the  fame  in  Preaching,  though  I  never 
heard  him. 

4.  Mr.  Vaughan,  Minifter  of  Grantham,  where  he  was  laid  in  Goal  for  not 
Conforming,  and  thence  went  to  Barmudas  with  his  Family  ;  and  from  thence 
was  difcouraged  by  the  Quakers,  and  returned  to  England,  and  liveth  in  London^ 
obfeurely ,  and  in  a  very  low  Condition ;  an  able,  fober,  Godly,  Judicious,  mo- 
derate man,  and  of  great   worth. 

5.  Mr.  Silveflcr,  from  Nottinghamshire,  (Mr.  Truemans  Friend)  a  Man  of  ex- 
cellent meeknefs,  temper,  |^und,  and  peaceable  Principles,  godly  Life,  and  great- 
ability  in  the  minifterial  Work. 

6.  Mr.  Hodges, (living  lately  with  the  Lord  HoUis, )  a  grave,ancient,  Godly  >  mode- 
rate Divine,  who  anfwered  the  Debate -maker. 

7 .  Mr.  Richard  Fairclough,  a  Man  of  great  lincerity,  and  foundnefs  of  Judg- 
ment, moderate  Principles,  and  a  godly,  upright  Life,  and  of  great  quicknefs 
of  parts,  and  fervency,  and  diligence,  by  which  at  Mclls  in  Somerfetjhire ,  he  ex- 
celled molt  Men  in  excellent  Labours  and  fuccefs. 

8.  His  Brother,  a  very  folid,  judicious,  grave,  and  worthy  Minifter,  of  equal 
moderation,  and   peaceableneTs. 

9.  Mr.  Tobias  Ellis,  a  Man  of  great  finccrity  and  zeal,  and  delire  to  do  good, 
and  devotednefs  to  God,  (who  falling  into  the  Life  of  a  private  Schoolmafter) 
doth  follow  it  with  almoft  unimitable  diligence,living  with  very  little  Sleep,  lefs 
Food,  great  Labour,  and  delight  in  all,  by  which  he  hath  been  faved  better  than 
by  all  phyiick  from  a  Melancholly  Inclination. 

10.  Richard  Morton,  Dr.  of  Phyfick,  whom  I  (hould  have  named  as  Mini- 
fter of  Ktnvar,  near  Kiderminfter,  Son  to  my  old  Friend ,  Mr.  Robert  Morton  , 
Son-in-Law  to  Mr.  Whateley  of  Banbury,  minifter  at  Bewdley  •  Dr.  Norton  is  a 
Man  of  great  gravity,  calmnefs,  found  Principles,  of  no  Faction,  an  excellent 
Preacher,  of  an  upright  Life,  now  pra&ifing  Phyfick. 

11.  Mr.  Button,  though  not  a  Clergy-man  (being  never  ordained,  or  in  the 
Miniftry,  yet)  is  not  to  be  left  out :  Being  put  out  of  his  place  of  Canon  of 
Chrift -church  in  Oxford,  Orator  to  the  Univerfity,  an  Excellent  Scholar,  but  of 
a  greater  Excellency  ,  a  moft  humble  Man ,  of  a  plain ,  lincere  Heart,  and 
blamelefs,  and  a  great  Sufferer,  who,  befides  a  great  lofs  in  his  Eftate,  was  a- 
bout  fix  Months  in  Goal  for  teaching  privately  two  Knights  Sons,  who  per- 
fwadedhim  to  it:  Many  of  his  Neighbours  of  Brent for 'd  being  imprifoned  with 
him  for  ferving  God  privately,  by  Rofs,  the  Scottifh  Juftice,  who  imprifoned  me, 
which  they  chearfully  endured. 


But  there    are  fo  many  more  that  I  mult  proceed  no  further. 


§  207. 


Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter 


97 


5   207.  Befiucs  there    are  many  111  the    Villages    round   about   London   and 
that  were  thenee  caft  out.     As,    1.  Mr.  Clarkfon  from  Mortclack    a    Divine  of 
extraordinary  worth,  for  folid  Judgment,  healing,  moderate  Principles    acquain- 
Wlth   ll!  peat    Mirfitrerial  Abilities    ■  and  a    Godly  '  Upright 


tance 
Life. 


2.  Mr.     Samuel  Cradock,    Elder   Brother  to  Dr.  Cradock,  of   Greys-Inn     who 
left  a   place  m  Somerfctfhire  of  about  300/.  per  Annum  to  prefer ve  his  Conference 
a  Man  of  great  Solidity  and  Piety,  and   Minifterial  Ability  ,  but  extraordinary 
for  mecknels,  Humility,  Moderation,  and  Peaceablenefs,  known  by  his  ufeful  Wri 
tings. 

3.  Mr.  Pareman  put  out  at  Harrow  on  the  Hill  an  ancient,  grave  found  pious 
fober,  aud  peaceable  Divine.  5  *       ' 

4.  Mr.  Tavcrncr,  put  out  at  Vxbrtdge,  an  ancient,  grave,  peaceable  Divine  of 
,<n  unblamcd  Life..  ' 

5.  Dr.  Spur/tow  put  out  at  Hackney,  an  ancient,  calm,  reverend  Minifter  one  of 
the  Writers  of  the  Book  called,  Smetlymnuus.    . 

6.  Which  maketh  me  remember  Dr.  luckmy,  whom  his  Widow  married  •  an  an- 
cient Learned,  Godly  Divine,  fometime  Minifter  of  Bojlon  in  Lincolnfiire  then 
one  of  the*  Aflembly,  and  long  Regius  Profeflbr,  called  Do&or  of  the  Chair  in 
Cambridge,  which  place  he  performed  with  fo  good  acceptance,  as  that  I  need 
not  commend  his  ability  any  furtlicr:  Only  he  was  over  humble,  and  back- 
ward to  difputes,  and  to  put  out  himfelf  in  great  appearances,  notwithstanding 
that  place  ot  publick  Excrcife. 

I  would  further  mention  Dr.  Arthur  of  Clapham,  Mr.  Gilbert  of  Brentford  Mr. 
Perkins,  Mr.  Warrham  of  Henden,  and  many  more,  if  I  were  willing  to  go  beyond 
my  ocquaintance,  upon  reports. 

§  208.  And  though  it  cannot  be  thought  that  one  man  that  lived  fo  retiredly 
Ihonid  \  n  >w  very  many,  yet  1  could  name  you  excellent  men,  known  to  mc 
either  throughly,  or  in  fome  meafure,  whofc  Excellencies  make  their  Names  ve- 
ry precious  to  mc.    For  Inftance,    i.Mr.  Truman  lately  dead, 

1.  Mr.  John  Warren  of  Hatfield  Broadoke,  in  Effex,  a  man  of  great  Judgment, 
and  minifterial  Abilities-  moderation,  Piety,  and  Labour:  The  place  whence  he 
was  caft  out  hath  had  110  minifter  iince  to  this  day,  though  a  great  Town  and 
in  the  Bifhop  of  London's  Gift,  becaufe  the  means  is  fo  fmall  that  none  will 
take  it:  And  yet  he  cannot  "have  leave  to  preach  rather  than  none:  But  he 
gets  now  and  :hcn  one  by  his  Intereft  to  Preach  occasionally,  and  he  heareth  them 
in  publick,  rnd  then  himfelf  inftrudteth  the  People  in  private  as  far  as  he  can 
obtain  connivance. 

3.  Mr.  Peter  ince,  in  Wilt/hire,  a  folid,  grave, '  pious,  worthy,  able  minifter, 
Uvng  with  Mr.  Grove,  that  excellent,  humble,  holy,  Learned  Gentleman,  wlao 
himfelf  is  now  driven  out  of  his  his  Country  for  receiving,  and  hearing  fuch  in 
his  Houfe. 

4.  Mr.  John  How,  m?niftcr  of  Torrrington,  in  Devon/hire,  fometime  Houfhold  - 
Preacher  to  Oliver  Cromwell,  and  his  Son  Richard,  till  the  Army  pulled  him  down$ 
but  not  one  thatmedledin  his  Wars:  He  is  a  very  Learned,  judicious,  godly 
man,  of  no  Faction,  but  of  Catholick,  healing  Principles,  and  of  excellent  mini- 
fterial Ablities,  as  his  excellent  Treatife,  called,  The  BlefTednefs  of  the  Righteous, 
jheweth. 

5.  Mr.  Ford  of  Exeter,  is  a  man  of  great  Ability,  as  his  Book  called,  The  Sin- 
ner's Araignment  at  his  Bar,  (heweth  ;  a  Reverend  Divine,  of  great  efteem  for 
all  minifterial  worth,  with  the  generality  of. fober  men:  And  I  hear  a  high  Cha- 
racter of  Mr.  Clare,  near  him,  and  many  more  there  -,  but  I  know  not  thofe. 

6.  Mr.  Hughes  of  Plymouth,  a  very  Reverend,  Learned,  Ancient  Divine,long  ago  of 
London,  an  excellent  Expofitor  of  Scripture ,  was  in  his  Age  laid  fo  long  in 
Prifon  (for  lilericing  was  not  fuffering  enough  for  fo  excellent  a  Man)  that  he  fell  by 
it  into  the  Scurvy,  and  died  foon  after.  His  Treatife  of  the  Sabbath  is  Printed 
lince  his  Death* 

N  n  n  n  7-  Mr. 


98  The  LIFE  of the ■_ Part  111 

7.  Mr.  Berry  m  Devon/hire,  an  extraordinary  humble,  tender-confcicnced,  ferious? 
godly,  able  A  inifber. 

8.  ]Ylr.  toj.  Woodhr'ulge  of  Newbury,  who  came  out  or  New-England  to  fuccecd  Dr. 
T»*i^-  a  Man  of  great  Judgment,  Piety,  Ability,  and  moderate  Principles,  ad- 
dicted'to  no  Fa&ion,  but  of  a  Catholick  Spirit. 

9.  Mr.  Simon  King,  fome-time  of  Coventry,  fincc  near  Peterborough,  whofirft  En- 
tcrtain'd  me  at  Coventry  in  the  beginning  of  the  Wars,  when  I  was  forced  to"  fiy  from 
Home-  a  Man  of  a  folid  Judgment,  an  honeft  Heart  and  Life,  and  addicted  to  no 
Extremes,  and  an  able  Scholar  ( long  ago  chief  School-Mafter  at  Bridgnorth.) 

Divers  others  of  my  own  Acquaintance  I  could  defcribc,  in  Wales,  in  Derhy-fhire, 
Che/hire,  Tork-Jhtre,  and  other  Counties  ;  but  I  will  end  with  a  few  of  my  old  Neigh- 
bours that  1  had  forgotten. 

10.  Old  Mr.  Samuel  Hddcrfham,  about  80  Years  old,  only  Son  to  the  Famous 
Arthur  Hilder/ham  •  a  Conformift  formerly,  but  refolved  enough  againft  the  New 
Conformity  :  A  grave,  peaceable,  pious,  learned  Divine,  caft  out  of  Weljh-lelton 
in  Sbro£-fbtrt. 

n.  Mr.  TJjo.  Gilbert,  of  Edgmond  in  Shropfl)irc,  an  Ancient  Divine,  of  extraor- 
dinary Acutenefs,  and  Concifenefs  of  Stile,  and  a  moil:  pierciug  Head,  as  his  fmall 
Lat.  Trail,  of  the  necelTity  of  Chrift's  Satisfaction,  fheweth. 

12.  Mr.  Samuel  Fifher,  an  Ancient  Reverend  Divine ;  fome-time  of  Withington> 
then  of  Shrewsbury,  turned  out  with  Mr.  Blake,  for  not  taking  the  Engagement 
againft  King  and  Houfe  of  Lords ;  then  lived  in  Che/hire,  and  thence  caft  out  and 
Silenced :  a  very  able  Preacher,  and  of  a  godly  Life. 

13.  My  old  Friencl,  Mr.  Will.  Cook, % bred  up  under  Mr.  John  Ball,  a  Learned 
Man,  and  of  a  molt  godly  Life,  and  unwearied  Labour.  Like  the  firft  Preachers, 
he  can  go  in  poor  Clothing,  live  on  a  little,  travel  on  Foot,  Preach  and  /'ray  almoft 
all  the  Week,  if  he  have  opportunity,  in  Seafon,  and  out  of  Seafon,  trampling  on 
this  World  as  dirt,  and  living  a  mortified  laborious  Life.  Being  an  old  Noncon- 
formift  and  Presbyterian,  he  was  greatly  offended  at  the  Anabaptiits,  Separatiits,  and 
Sectaries,  and  CromwePs  Army,  for  Ditloyalty  to  the  King,  whom  they  Beheaded, 
and  this  King  whom  they  kept  out  •,  and  therefore  joyned  with  Sir  George  Booth,  now 
Lord  Delimere,  in  his  Rifing  to  have  brought  in  the  King :  And  being  then  Minifter 
in  Chcfter,  perfuaded  the  Citizens  to  deliver  up  the  "City  to  Him :  For  which  he  was 
brought  to  London,  and  long  Imprifoned :  But  all  this  would  not  procure  his  Liberty 
to  Preach  theGofpel  of  Chri ft,  without  the  Oaths,  Subfcriptions,  Declarations,  Re- 
ordination,  and  Conformity  required. 

1 4..  To  thefe.  I  may  fubjoyn  my  old  Friend  Mr.  Bigot,  chief  School-mafter  of 
Shrewsbury,    ' 

15.  And  in y  old  Friend  Mr.  Swaim,  fome-time  School-mafter  at  Bridgnorth,  and 
fmcea  godly  fervent  Preacher  in  Radnor-jhire :     But  I  mult  ftop. 

§  209.  Let  the  Reader  note,  That  there  is  not  one  of  all  thefe  that  was  put 
out  for  any  Scandal,  'but  meerly  not  Subfcribing,  &c.  and  Conforming  ;  nor  one 
of  them  all  that  ever  I  heard  any  Perfon  charge,  or  once  fufped  of  Wantonnefs, 
Idleneft,  Surfeiting,  Drunkennefs,  or  any  fcandalous  Sin.  And  of  thofeofthe 
■Prelatiits  that  were  Sequeftred  by  the  Parliament,  I  knew  not  one,  that  I  remem- 
ber, that  was  not  accufed  upon  Oath  of  Witneifes  of  Scandal^  though  doubtlefs 
ethers  knew  fome  fuch.  Not  including  the  fiding  in  the  Wars,  which  each  fide 
called  fcandalous  in  the  other  ;  and  which  yet  but  a  fmall  part  of  thefe  named  by  me, 
medled  in,  that  ever  I  could  learn. 

§  210.  Therefore  I  conclude,  That  we  that  know  not  the  Myfteries  of  God's 
Judgments,  faw  not  what  a  Mercy  it  was  that  God  took  to  Himfelf,  before  they 
were  Silenced,  fuch  Excellent  Men  as  Dr.  Twifs,  Dr.  Gouge,  Mr.  John  Ball,  Mr. 
Gataker,  Mr.  Jer.  IVhitakw,  Dr.  Arrow  Smith,  Dr.  Bill,  Mr.  Strong,  Mr.  Herbert 
Palmer,  and  molt  of  the  Aifembly,  with  many  more  fuch.  Nor  yet  that  God  took 
away  fuch  Men  as  Bifhop  bavent,  Bifhop  Hall,  Arch-Bifhop  Vjher,  Bifhop  Morton^ 
yea,  and  Dr.  Hammond,  before  they  were  under  a  Temptation  to  have  a  Hand  in 
the  calting  out  of  fo  many  excellent  worthy  Men  ( whieh  yet  I  am  confident  by  my 

own 


Part  1Ji-  /i^^r^iwf^f/-.  Riciiard  Baxter!  ~ 

own  pcifonal  Knowledge  of  him;   that  Vjkr^A^tA,  would  never~hTy7 

•  I;1!'    Jhis  Ye*r  the  King  began  the  War. upon  the  Dutch   in  March  &*» 
About  the  ,  6  or  1 7  Day  was  a  hot  Sea-fight,  while  our  Ships.  Aflau  ted  tbd    Crna 

W  A^rdr^  fUd  Sry  °ab0th  fldes  were  killed/which  was  n  oft  ha^was 
done.  And  about  the  iStk  Day  the  King  Publifhed  a  Proclamation  tor  War  bv 
Sea  and  I  and  :  The****,  the  Elector  of  Cologne;  and  the  Bifnop  of ]MunZ  be- 
ing with  dreadful  Preparations  to  invade  them  by  Land.  J     ' 

*  t  1 !  \  jNT-  °;imer  f?rth  a  Deda™tion  giving  fome  fuller  ExpoGtion  (to  thofe 
that  doubted  ot  it)  of  the  Tranfadions  of  thefe  Twelve  Years  kit,  vil  Hh  M? 
jcity,  by  Virtue  ot  His  Supreme  Power  in  Matters  Ecclefiaftical,  fufpendeth  all  pT 

2  k.^L  •eabu:lt'  and  Declar5th>  That  ^  will  grant  a  convenient  number  of 
PubUck  Meeting-Places  to  Men  of  all  forts  that  Conform  not  ;  fo  be  it, 

i.  The  Perfons  be  by  Him  approved. 

2.  That  they  never  meet  in  any  Place  not  approved  by  Him. 

3.  And  there  fet  open  the  Doors  to  all  Comers. 

4.  And  Preach  not  Seditioufly. 

S-  Noragainlt  the  Difcipline  or  Government  of  the  Church  of  England   laving 
that  the  Papijls  (hall  have  no  other  publick  Places,  but  their  Boufes  (any  where    un 
der  their  own  Government,)  without  Limitation  or  Reftri&ion,  to  any  number  of 
Places  or  Perfons,  or  any  neceffity  of  getting  Approbation  b  fo  that  they  are  im- 
mediately m  pofleflion  of  a  fecurer  and  fuller  Liberty,  than  the  Proteftant-Noncon- 
formifls  hope  for;  for  how,  or  when  they  will  get  Churches  built,  we  know  not 
till  that  be  done  they  are  more  terribly  reftrained  from  Meeting  than  before :  And 
who  will  build  Churches  that  have  no  Security  to  enjoy  them  one  Week,  time  will 
fhew :    And  all  this  is  faid  to  be  for  avoiding  the  danger  of  Conventicles  in  pri- 
vate, &c.  when  yet  the  Papijis  are  allowed  fuch  Conventicles  in  as  many  Houfes  as    ' 
they  pleafe. 

§  213.  A  Paper  fent  from  one  Mr.  Edwards,  a  Lawyer  of  Kingflony  received 
from  a  Papift,  (  Mr.  Langhorn  )  as  a  Challenge,  was  fent  to  me  as  by  him  with 
defires  of  an  Anfwer;  which  occafioned  my  Book,  called,  The  Certainty  of  tie  Pro- 
tectant Religion  without  Popery. 

§  214.  When  the  King's  Declaration  for  Liberty  was  out,  the  London  Noncon- 
formable  Minilters  were  incited  to  return  His  Majefty  their  Thanks.  At  their 
Meeting  Dr.  Seaman,  and  Mr.  Jenkins  (  who  had  been  till  then  moft  diftant  from 
the  Court)  were  for  aThankfgiving  in  fuch  high  applauding  Terms,  as  Dr.  Manton 
and  almoft  all  the  reft  diflented  from  ;  and  fome  were  for  avoiding  Terms  of  Appro- 
bation, left  the  Parliament  mould  fall  upon  them;  and  fome  becaufe  they  had  far 
rather  have  had  any  tolerable  ftate  of  Unity  with  the  publick  Miniftery,  than  a" 
Toleration  •,  fuppofing, 

i .  That  the  Toleration  was  not  chiefly  for  their  fakes,  but  for  the  Papijis,  and 
that  they  Ihould  hold  it  no  longer  than  that  Intereft  required  it,  which  is  incon- 
fiftent  with  the  Intereft  of  the  Proteftant's  Religion  and  the  Church  of  England: 
And  that  they  had  no  fecurity  of  it,  but  it  might  be  taken  from  them  at  any  time  in 
a  Day. 

2.  Becaufe  they  thought  that  it  tended  to  continue  our  Divifions,  and  to  weaken 
the  Protejiant  Miniftery  and  Church,  and  that  while  the  Body  of  the  Protejlant  People 
were  in  all  places  divided,  one  part  was  ftill  ready  to  be  ufed  againft  the  •ther,  and 
many  Sins  and  Calamities  kept  up.    And  the  prefent  Generation  of  Nonconforming 
like  to  be  foon  worn  out,  and  the  Publick  Aflemblies  to  be  lamentably  difadvan- 
taged  by  young,   raw     unqualified  Minilters,  that  were  likely  to  be  introduced. 
They  concluded  therefore  on  a  cautelous  and  moderate  Thankfgiving  for  the  King's 
•Gemency  and  their  own  Liberty:  And  when  they  could  not  come  to  Agreement 
about  their  Form,  the  Lord  Arlington  Introduced  them  to  a  verbal  Extemporate 
Thankfgiving,  and  fo  their  Difference  was  ended  as  to  that* 

N  an  fl'2  SiiS.  This 


99 


loo  J  he  11  F E  vj  the  Pat  .III 

5  ~r  5.  This  Qncftion,  Whether  Toleration  of  us  in  our  different  A  flemblics, 
fuch  an  Abatement  of  lmpoiltions  as  would  reftore  fome  Minifters  to  the  Fullick 
Affembl'ics  by  a  Law,  were  more  defireable  ?  was  a  great  Controveriie  then  among 
the  Nonconformifts ;  and  greater  it  had  been,  but  that  the  hopes  of  Abatement*, 
called  then  a  Comprehcnfton  )  were  fo  low  as  made  them  the  lefs  concerned  in  the 
Agitation  of  it :  But  when  ever  there  was  a  new  Seflion  of  Parliament,  which  pat 
them  in  fome  little  hope  of  Abatements,  the  Controveriie  began  to  revive,  accor- 
ding to  the  mcafme  of  thofe  Hopes;  The  Independents,  and  all  the  StQaries,  and 
fome  few  Presbyterians,  efpecially  in  London,  who  had  large  Co^gregations-.and 
Liberty  and  Encouragement,  were  rather  for  a  Toleration.  The  reft  of  the  Pres- 
byterians ^  and  the  Epvjcopal  Nonconformifts^  were  for  Abatement  .and  Comprehenfion. 
The  Reafons  of  the  former  were, 

1.  The  Parliament  will  abate  fo  'little,  as  will  tike  in  but  few. 

2.  \t  will  tempt  the  reft  to  ftretch  their  Consciences; 

3.  It  will  divide  us. 

It  will  leave  thofe  that  Conform  not  under  greater  Contempt  and  Severn 
5.  We  mall  have  much  purer  V/crihip  and  C -licipline  us  we  arc. 
0'.  What  Corruptions  are  not  now  removed  by  this  Ab  itement  will  be  the  fatter 
fettled,  and  the  Reformation  left  more  hopeiefs  :  The  groiTer  are  our  Church-Cor- 
ruptions, the  more  hope  of  a  Reformation. 


\Tr. 


Some*that  were  of  the  other  Mind  on  the  contrary  thus  ftated  their  Defircsl    V 
would  not  have  Abatements  alone,  but  befides  that  a  Toleration  of  all  that  are  7 
able :    And  when  they  zrsi  us,  What  Abatements  will.fathsfie  us,  and  procure  owVnim 
ivith-them?    We  will  truly  tell  them  in  feveral  Degrees,  [  i0  wwcJb  mil  fatvsfic  all, 
1  and  procure  a  perfect  Vnion  :    So  much  lefs  mil  take  in  mofi,  or  half;  and  fo  much 
■will  take  in  a  fere  :  And  roe  muft  take  that  meafure  which  you  will  grant  us^  in  whofe  power 
it  vs.     And  their  Reafons  were  fuch  as  aforefaid  for  this  Choice : 

' .  They  faid  that  it  is  the  Religion  which  obt.aineth  the  Publick  Churahes, 
arid  Maintenance  which  will  be  the  Religion  of  the  Land,  and  which  the  Body  of  the 
People  will  be  of. 

2.  If  we  are  fhut  out  wholly  thence,  fo  bad  a  fort  will  come  in,  as  will  be  ready 
to  ftrike  up  an  Agreement  with  the  Papifis,  and  let  them  in  on  pretence  of  Concord 
or  Moderation,  when  worldly  Intereft  ihall  require  it. 

3.  If  we  are  ihut  out  of  the  Publick  Churches,  we  Ihall  ftill  be  look'cl  on  as  their 
Enemies  with  jealoufie  and  ill  will,  and  as  Separatifts  with  Reproach. 

4.  Few  of  the  Rich  and  Rulers  will  joyn  with  us,  and  fo  we  Ihall  prepare  Parlia- 
ments and  Juftices  by  Alienation  to  further  Severities  againit  us. 

5.  The  work  of  Converfion  will  go  (lowly  on ;  for  we  Ihall  ipea1:  to  few  but  thofe 
that  are  already  Religious,  and  the  Conforrrrifts,  who  are  very  many  of  them  cold 
and  lifelefs,  muft  be  the  Preachers  to  the  Ignorant,  and  Vicious,  and  Ungodly: 
And  fo  the  Land  will  grow  worfe  and  worfe. 

6.  \\Tt  fliall  keep  open  a  Door  for  all  Seftts  and  Schifms,  and  the  Reproach  of  them 
all  will  be  ftft  on  us.  - 

7.  Wc  mail  be  ftill  uncertain  of  th«  continuance  of  our  Liberty  for  one  Week  : 
It  is  eafie  to  find  Reafons  to  caft  us  out  of  all,  when-ever  Intereft  or  Wrath  Ihall 
require  it. 

8.  We  are  a  hated  People  to  too  many  of  our  Superiours  ;  and  it  is  not  for  our  ' 
Sakes  that  Liberty  is  granted  us  •  we  (hall  hold  it  no  longer  than  the  Papifis  will  7 
for  whofe  fakes  we  have  it,  that  they  alfo  may  have  theirs :   And  that  they  will 
grant  it  us  no  longer  than  the  Intereft  and  Increafe  of  their  Religion  requireth  it : 

And 


Part  lij.  "Reverend  Mr.  R  ichard"  Ba^terT" 

AM  that  which  is  for  the  Intereft  and  Increafe  of  their  Religion,  is  eontrary^T 

9.  There  are  already  about  Soo  that  arc  dead,  arid  have  Conformed  linceouv 
aaencing ,  and  the  reft  will  all  be  quiekly  dead :  And  then  all  will  tall  qui  Uy  into 
K/otiS.  '  3nd  theChurdiesbe  more  ««1*  tta.  if  now  v?e  getYut  ° 

i  o.  And  it  (hall  be  no  Divifian  of  us,  to  have  half  taken  into  the  Publick  Churches  - 
for  we  rauft  love  each  other,  and  promote  the  Work  of  Chrift  in  each  others  hands" 
as  the  old  Godly  Conformifts  and  Nonconforming  did,  and  we  now  do  with  the 
Godly  Part  of  the  Conformifts :  Our  Work  is  not  to  keep  up  a  Combination  aeainft 
our  Supenours  nor  to  ftrengdien  a  Faction,  but  to  Combine  for  Godlinefs  and  to 
itrengthen  our  felves  in  the  proper  work  ot  the  Gofpel ;  which  we  mult  do  '  thoush 
fome  Conform,  and  fome  do  not.  '         6 

« 

1 1 .  And  our  Superiours  will  be  the  lefs  jealous  of  us  as  to  Sedition,  when  they 
fee  ns  fo  divided  in  Point  of  Conformity,  than  if  they  fee  us  ftrengthened  by  the 
Unity  of  a  diftinct  Party.  J 

12.  And  efpecially,  the  Unity  of  fuch  as  Conform,  with  the  prefent  Conformifts 
will  ftrengthen  the  Publick  Miniftcry  again  ft  Paptfts,  Jnfidels,  and  all  Vmodlinefs \ 
And  our  continued  Divifion  will  be  the  ftrengtfrofall  tnefe. 

I  3.  And  it  is  a  weighty  Coniideration,  that  the  keeping  up  of  the  different  Par- 
ties tempteth  all  the  People  of  the  Land,  to  continual  Ceniuring,  Uncharitablenefs 
and  contending,  and  unavoidably  •deftroyeth  Love  and  dbneord  j  and  fo  keepeth 
Men  in  conftant  Sin. 

On  all  thefe  Reafons  they  were  moft  for  as  much  Union  with  the  Pariih-Minifters 
and  joyning  with  them,  as  the  Parliament  would  allow  them. 

§  216.  But  now  they  found  that  there  was  little  hopes  of  obtaining  any  fuch 
thing  :  For  they  that  were  moft  for  Toleration  were  moft  againft  our  Comprehenfion 
by  Abatement  of  any  of  the  Impofitions  ?  and  they  were  many. 

1.  AW  the  Papifls,  and  their  fecret  Friends,  were  moft  oppoilteto  Abatements: 
For  it  was  their  Defign  from  the  beginning  to  get  our  Prefluresto  beaslharpas 
poffible,  that  fo  we  might  have  as  much  need  as  they  of  a  Toleration,  and  might  be 
forced  to  Petition  for  the  opening  of  the  Door,  by  which  they  might  come  in  or 
fpeed  at  leaft  no  worfe  than  the  Nonconformifts.  • 

2.  Thofe  that  were  for  the  Increafe  of  the  Regal  Power  and  Intereft,  did  very 
well  know,  that  the  ino;e  grievoufty  good  People  fand  fo  great  a  number)  were 
ufed  by  Parliaments  and  Laws,  the  more  certainly  Nature  and  Intereft  would  lead 
them,  to  fly  from  them  to  the  King,  for  eafe  and  refuge :  And  alfo,  that  when 
Men's  Religion  and  Liberties  are  in  the  Power,  and  at  the  Mercy  of  the  King  their 
Eftates  mult  be  fo  too :  For  who  will  not  rather  part  with  his  Money  than  his  1 i- 
berty  and  Religion  ?  Yea,  and  Men's  Hearts  will  be  more  with  him  that  faveth 
them,  than  with  thofe  that  deftinate  them  to  JaylsandBeggery. 

3.  And  the  Independents,  Separates ,  and  all  the  Sc&aries,  were  commonly  againft 
a  Comprehenfion,  for  the  Realbns  before  given.  Only  the  Vnible  Neceflities  of  the 
Nation  do  fo  ftrongly  work  towards  it,  that  doubtlefs  in  time,  they  will  prevail 
with  the  Wills  of  thofe  that  are  for  the  Proteftant  Religion,  and  for  Pro- 
perty •,  but  whether  Confent  and  Repentings  will  come  too  late,  God  only  knoweth, 
and  time  muit  tell  us. 

§  217.  In  the  end  of  May,  1672.  was  another  Sea-Fight  with  the  Dutch,  with 
like  Succefs  as  the  former.  The  Earl  of  Sandwich,  and  others  of  ours  loft,  and  they 
parted  without  any  notable  Victory  or  Advantage  of  either  Party,  but  that  they  had 
iull'd  one  another. 

§218.  • 


IOI 


me  .  the  L  1  F t  of  tb»  Part  III 


§  21 8.  lit  May  and  'June  the  Fr«fr^  fuddenly  took  abundance  of  the  A<fdb- 
Garrifons. 

§  219.  In  July  and  Angujlthz  Dutch-Kibble  tumultuoufly  rofc  up  agnnft  their 
Governours,  for  the  Prince  of  Orange,  and  murdered  De  Wit,  and  his  Brother. 

§  210.  In  Anfwer  to  a  Book  of  Dr.  Fulwood\  I  now  Publifhed  a  fmall  Book, 
without  my  Name,  againft  the  Defertton  of  our  Miniftry,  though  prohibited,  piovin& 
it  Sacriledge  to  Alienate  Confecrated  Perfons  from  the  Sacred  Office  to  winch  they 
arc  Devoted. 

§  221.     There  came  out  a  Poflhumous  Book  of  A.  Bifhop  Bromhalfs,  againftmy 
Book,  called,  7  he  Grotian  Religion:    In  which,  1.  He  palfeth  over  the  exprefs  words 
of  Grotitts,  which  I  had  cited,  which  undoubtedly  prove  what  I  faid  ,  yea,  though  I 
had  fince  largely  Englifhed  them,  and  recited  them  in  the  Second  Part  of  my  Ktyfor 
Catholicks,  with  a  full  Confirmation  of  my  Proofs.     2.  And  hefeigncth  me  to  make 
him  a  Grotian,  and  Confederate  in  his  Defign ;  when-as  I  (  not  only  had  no  fuch 
Word,  but*)  had  exprefly  excepted  him  by  Name,  as  imputing  no  fuch  thing  to  him. 
And  before  the  Book  was  a  long  Preface  of  Mr.  Pgrktr\  moft  vehement  againft  Dr. 
Owen,  and  fome-what  againft  my  fclfc .  To  which  Mr.  s  ndrew  Marvel,  a  Parliament 
Man,  Burgefs  for  Hull,  did  Publilh  an  Anfwer  fo  exceeding  Jocular,  as  thereby 
procured  abundance  of  Readers,  and  Pardon. to  the  Author,    Becaufe  1  perceived 
that  the  Delign  of  A.  Bifhop  BromhaW  Book  was  for  the  Uniting  of  Chrijlendom  un- 
der the  old  Patriarchs  of  fhe  Roman  Imperial  Church,*  and  fo  under  the  Pope,  as 
the  Wejlern  Patriarch,  and  Prinoipi'um  Vnitaivs,  I  had  thought  the  defign  and  this 
Publication  look  cl  dangeroufly,  and  therefore  began  to  write  an  Anfwer  to  it.  But 
Mr.  Simmons,  my  Bookfeller,  came  to  me,  and  told  me,  That  Roger  Lefirange,  the 
Over-feer  of  the  Printers,  fent  for  him,  and  told  him,  That  he  heard  I  was  An- 
fwering  Bifhop  BromhaW,  and  Swore  to  him  raoft  vehemently,  that  if  1  did  it,  he' 
would  ruin  him  and  me,  and  perhaps  my  Life  mould  be  brought  in  queftion :    And  I 
perceived  the  Bookfeller  durft  not  Print  it ;  and  fo  1  was  fain  to  caft  it  by  ^  which 
I  the  ealilier  did,  becaufe  the  main  Scope  of  all  the  Book  was  fully  anfwered  long  be- 
fore; iiirthe  fore-faid  Second  Part  of  my  Key  for  Cathglicks. 
§  222.  Many  Changes  in  Ireland  much  talk'd  of,  I  pafsover. 
$  223.  Dr.  Fulrvood  wrote  a  jocular  deriding  Anfwer  to  my  Tieatife,  againft  Sa- 
crilegious Defertion  of  the  Miniftry,  and  after  that  Printed  an'  Aflize   Sermon, 
againft  Separating  from  the  Parifh-Minifters.     Divers  called  on  me  to  Reply  to  the 
firft,  and  I  told  them  I  had  better  Work  to  do,  than  Anfwer  every  Script  againft 
me :  But  while  I  demurred,  Dr.  Fulwood  wrote  me  an  extraordinary  kind  Letter, 
offering  to  do  his  bell  to  the  Parliament  for  our  Union  and  Reiteration,  which  ended 
my  Thoughts  of  that-,  but  I  know  not  of  any  thing  to  purpofe  done. 

§  224.  Mr.  Giles  Firmin,  a  Silenced  Minifter,  writing  fome-what  againft  my  Me- 
thod and  Motions  for  Heavenly  Meditation  in  my  Saint's  Feft,  as  too  ftrid, 
and  I  having  Anfwered  him,  he  wrote  a  weak  Reply,  which  I  thought  not  worthy 
of  a  Rejoinder. 

§  225.  On  OBoh.  n.  I  fell  into  a  dangerous  Fit  of  Sicknefs,  which  God  in  his 
wonted  Mercy,  did  in  time  fo  far  remove,  as  to  return  me  to  fome  Capacity  of 
Service. 

§.226".  I  had  till  now  forborn,  for  feveval  Reafons,  to  feek  a  Licenfe  for 
Preaching  from  the  King,  upon  the  Toleration  :  But  when  all  others  had  taken 
theirs,  and  were  fettled  in  London,  and  other  places,  as  they  could  get  opportunity, 
I  delayed  no  longer,  .but  fent  to  feek  one,  on  condition  I  might  have  it  without  the 
Title  of  Independait,  Presbyterian,  or  any  other  Party,  but  only  as  a  Nonconformift : 
And  before  I  fent,  Sir  Thomas  Player,  Chamberlain  of  London,  had  procuredit  me 
fo,  wirhout  my  knowledg  or  endeavour.     I  fought  none  folong, 

1.  Becaufe  I  was  unwilling  to  be,  or  feem  any  Caufe  of  that  way  of  Liberty,  if  a 
'•r  might  have  been  had,  and  therefore  would  not  meddle  in  it. 

2.  I  Lived  ten  Miles  from  London,  and  thought  not  juft  to  come  and  fet  up  a  Con- 
gregation there,  till  the  Minifters  had  fully  fettled  theirs,  who  had  born  the  burden 
there  in  the  times  of  the  raging  Plague  and  Fire,  and  other  Calamities ;  left  I  mould 
draw  away  any  of  their  Auditors    and  hinder  their  Maintenance. 

3.  I 


• 


Part  III.  %everend  Mr.  Richard  Baxt 


3.  I  perceived  that  no  one  (that  ever  \  heard  of  till  mine;  could  get  a  Licenfe 
Ibme  Seft  m  *'  *  Presbyterian>  Independent,  Anabaptift,  or  of 

The  1 pt*.  of  Novemk  ( my  Baptifm-Dayj  was  the  nrft  Day  after  ten  Years  Si- 
lence, that  I  preached  in  a  tolerated  Publick  AlTembly  (thoogh  not  yet  tolerated 
in  any  Confecrated  Church)  but  only  (againft  Law)  in  my  own  Houfe. 

• 

§  227.  Some  Merchants  fct  up  a  Tuefd.i/s  Lecture  in  London  to  be  kept  by  fix 
Miniftcrs  at  Pinner  s-Hall,  allowing  them  20  j.  a  piece  each  Sermon  •  of  whom  tW 
chofe  me  to  be  one.  But  when  I  had  Preached  there  but  four  Sermons  I  found  ther 
Independents  fo  quarrelfome  with  what  I  faid,  that  all  the  City  did  ring  of  their 
back-bitings  and  falfe  Accufations :  So  that  had  I  but  preached  for  Unity  and  againft 
Divilion,  or  unnecelfary  with-drawing  from  each  other,  or  againft  unwarrantable 
narrowing  of  Chrift's  Church,  it  was  cryed  abroad,  that  I  preached  againft  the  Inde- 
pendents -,  efpeaaliv,  if  I  did  but  fay,  That  Man's  Will  had  a  Natural  Liberty 
though  a  iWbral  Thraldom  to  Vice,  and  that  /Ken.might  have  Chrift  and  Life  •  if 
they  were  truly  willing,  though  Grace  muft  make  them  willing-  and  that  Men 
have  power  to  do  better  than  they  do,  .It  was  cryed  abroad  among  all  the  Party  that 
I  Preached  up  Jrmmianifm,  and  Free- Will,  and  Man's  Power ,  and  O !  what  an 
odious  Crime  was  this. 

§  228.  January  24.  \6n).  I  began  a  Fridy- Letlure  at  Mr.  Turner's  Church  in 
New-Jlreet,  near  Fetter-Lane,  with  great  Convenience,  and  God's  encouraging  Blef- 
iing}  but  I  never  took  a  penny  of  Money  for  it  of  any  one.  And  on  the  Lord's 
Days  I  h3d  no  Congregation  to  preach  to  (  but  occafionally  to  any  that  defire  me  ) 
being  unwilling  to  fet  up  a  Church  and  become  the  Paftor  of  any,  or  take  Mainte- 
nance, in  this  diftrafted  and  unfettled  way,  unlefs  further  Changes  ihall  manifeft  it 
to  be  my  Duty :  Nor  did  I  ever  yet  give  the  Sacrament  to  any  one  Perfon,  but  to 
my  old  Flock  at  Kiderminfler.  I  fee  it  orFendeth  the  Conformifts,  and  hath  many 
other  Prefent  Inconveniencies,  while  we  have  any  hope  of  Reftoration  and  Concord 
from  the  Parliament. 

§  229.  About  this  time  Cornet-Caftle,  in  Jerfey,  was  by  Lightning  ftrange- 
ly  torn  to  pieces,  and  blown  up  which  was  attended  with  many  notable  Acci- 
dents, an  account   whereof  was  publilhed. 

230.  The  Parliament  met  again  in  February,  and  voted  down  the  King's  De- 
claration as  illegal.  And  the  King  promifed  them  that  it  mould  not  ;be  brought 
into  President.  And  thereupon  they  confulted  of  a  Bill  for  the  eafe  of  Non- 
coniormifts,  or  DilTcnters,  and  many  of  them  highly  profefTed  their  refolution 
to  carry  it  on :  But  when  they  had  granted  the  Tax,,  they  turned  it  off,  and 
left  it  undone  -  deftroying  our  flicker  of  the  King's  Declaration  ,  aud  fo  lea- 
ving us  to  the  Storm  of  all  their  fevere  Laws ,  which  fome  Country  Juftices 
tigorouQy  executed,  but  the  molt  forbore. 

§  231.  On  February  20.  I  took  my  Houfe  in  Bloomsbury  in  in  London,  and  re- 
moved thither  after  Eajler  with  my  Family :  God  having  mercifully  given  me 
three  years  great  Peace  among  quiet  Neighbours  at  Totteridge,  and  much  more 
Health  or  Eafe  than  I    expected,  and  fome  opportunity  to  ferve  him. 

$  1 32.  The  Parliament  fat  again,  and  talked  as  if  they  would  have  united  us  by 
abatement  of  fome  of  their  Impolltions  :  But  when  they  had  voted  down  the 
King's  Declaration  of  Toleration  as  Illegal,  and  he  had  promifed  them  that  it 
mould  never  be  drawn  into  a  Precedent,  and  that  they  had  gfanted  a  large  Tax, 
they  fruftrated  she  .hopes  they  had  raifed  in  fome  Credulous  Men,  and  left  all 
as  they  found  it. 

§  133.  Many  impudent  railing,  lying  Books  were  publimed  againft  the  Non- 
confotmifts  about  this  time  :  Sam.  Parker  Printed  one  againft  Mr.  Marvell,  and 
therein  tells  the  World,  what  wicked,  intolerable  Perfons  we  are  to  keep  up 
Diviilons  in  the  Church  about  things  which  we  our  felves  confefs  to  be  lawful  -, 
and  that  at  Worcefier- Houfe  (before  the  King,  as  he  was  told)  we  profefTed  that 
there  was  nothing  in  the  Liturgy,  which  we  took  to  be  unlawful  ,  but  that 
we  pleaded  only  for  tendernefs  or  forbearance  towards  others.3  Wherea%  1. 
There  was  no  mention  of  any  fuch  thing  as  Worcefter-Houfe,  or  before  the  King, 
2.  Our  Bufinefs  before  the  King  at  Worcester- Houfe  was  to  have  the  King's  De- 
claration 


io4 "  UehlJ  B'ofxbe  Pirt  IH 

claration  about  Eccleiiaftical  Affairs,  read,  and  both  ParVres  t-  it   they 

had  againft  it,  and  then  the  King  totefll  what  he  would  havepafs  in  the  draught. 
And  the  Lord    Chancellor  {j/HBt)  had  by  miftake  pin    foi  o).  that,  wl 

Parker  mentioneth  in  the  firft  Draught,  which  was    privately   (hewed  Ub   by  him, 
and  we  had  told  him  that  he  miftookus,  we  had  nevci  laid  any  fuch  thing :  We 
had  indeed   faid,  that    the  Work,    which  we  were  called  to  ,   was  not  to  tell 
how  much  we  our  felves   thought  to  be   Lawful  or  Unlawful  in   the  Govern- 
ment ,  Worfhip,    and  Ceremonies,  but  what  was  the  ncccflary  means    of  uniting 
all  his  Majefty'sProteftant  Subjects,  who  yet  were  not  of  the  feme  Apprehenfi- 
on  about  each  Ceremony  among  themielvcs  :    Whereupon  the  Lord    Chancellor 
had  blotted  out  that  pallagc  which  faid,  {.They  were  glad  to  find  us  tnroviHg  of 
the  Liturgy,  &c.^  and  only  put  in  {of  a  Liturgy ;~\  as   is  yet  to  be  feen  in  the 
Declaration  Publifhed,  and  in  the  firft  Draught  of  it,  (which  I  have  a  Copy  of.) 
And  it  was   after  at  the  Savoy,  where  the  Liturgy   was  treated     of  :    where, 
i.  We  gave  in  thofe  Exceptions  againft  many  things  in  the  Liturgy,  which  were 
Printed :  And  among  others,  againft  divers    Untruths,  fas  when  divers  Weeks 
after  Chrift's  Nativity-day,  Ekfier$  Whitfunday,  it  was  to  be  faid  in  the  Collects, 
that  {On  that  Day  thrift  was  born,  rofe,  the  Holy-Ghoft   came  down,  &x.~]    2.  We 
difputed  many  days  againft  an  Impofition  of  the  Liturgy,   as  Sinful.     3.  Being 
demanded  by  Bifhop  Coufins  (in  the  Chair)  by  a  Writing,  as  from   forae  great 
one,  (as  he  fpake)  that  we  mould  give  in  an   Enumeration    of  what  we  took 
to  be  flat    Sins  in  the  Liturgy,  as  diftind  from  mcer  Inconveniences,  I  brought 
in  ten  Particulars  the  next    Morning,  of  which  my  Brethren  put  out  two,  meer- 
ly  for  fear  of  angering  them,   and  the  other  eight  we  prefented  to  them,  and 
never   had  a  word  of  Anfwer,  but .  an  angry  rebuke  for   offering  to    charge  a 
whole  Church  with  Sin,' (as  they  fpake)    yet  doth  this  Man  tell  the  World  that 
we  profefled  our  felves  to  take  it  to  be  all  Lawful. 

And  what  if  we  had  done  fo  ?  Is  the  Liturgy  all  that  Nonconforming  flick 
at  ?  Is  the  Canonical  Subfcription  and  Oath  of  Obedience,  and  Re-ordination, 
&c.  no  more? 

And  dpth  not  the  Nation  know  that  it  was  only  the  old  Conformsty  which  ♦ 
was  then  queftioned,  and  that  the  new  was  not  in  being?  And  that  the  Ac~t 
of  Uniformity  was  fince  made,  wherein,  belides  ^e  ordination  ,  is  the  new  Declara- 
tion, and  new  Subfcription,  and  fince  that  the  new  Oxford  Oath  ?  Such  Impu- 
dency  it  was  that  ^lfaulted,  and  rendered  us  odious  to  rhe  ignorant,  contrary  to 
publick  notoriety  of  Fact,  yet  viable  in  Piintto  all  the  World. 

§  234.  Another  at  that  time  wrote  that  I  had  written,  that  the  Supre me  rower 
might  be  refijled  for  Religion  :  And  another,  (a  Papift,  writing  for  Toleration) 
that  I  wrote  that  the  Authority  of  any  of  the  Peers  might  warrant  Subjetts  to  take  up 
Arms  againft  the  K.ing7\  Things  that  I  never  wrote  or  thought,  or  any  thing 
like  them,  but  have  written  very  much  to  the  contrary :  But  it  is  cur  Lot  to 
fall  into  the  Hands  of  iuch  Men,  as  have  banilhedail  MDdefty  in  their  Calum- 
nies. 

^235.  About  the  beginning  oiMaym  my  Walk  in  the  Fields,  I  met  with 
Dr.  Gunning,  now  Bifhop  of  Chichefler,  (with  whom  I  had  the  contention  and  fierce 
Oppofition  to  all  the  motions  of  Peace  at  the  £  avoy,  )  and  at  his  Invitation 
went  after  to  his  Lodgings,  to  purfue  our  begun  Difcourfe :  which  he  ve- 
hemently profeifed  that  he  was  fure,  that  it  was  not  Confcietice  that  kept  us 
from  Conformity,  but  meerly  to  keep  up  cur  Reputation  with  the  People,  and 
we  defired  alterations  for  no  other  ends  •  and  that  we  loft  nothing  by  our  Non- 
conformity, but  were. fed  as  full,  and  lived  as  much  to  the  Pleaflire  of  the  Flefh 
in  Plenty,  as  the  Conformifts  did  :  And  let  me  know  what  odious  thoughts 
he  had  of  his  poor  Brethren,  upon  Grounds  fo  notoriouQy  falfe,  that'  I  had 
thought  few  Men  that  lived  in  England  could  have  been  fo  ignorant  of  fuch 
matters  of  Faft.  But  alas,  what  is  there  fo  falfe  and  odious  which  exafperated 
factious,  malicious  Minds  w  HI  not  believe  and  fay  of  others?  And  what  Evidence 
fo  notorious  which  they  will  not  out-face?  1  .told  him  that  he  was  a  ilranger 
to  the  Men  he  talked  of  •,  that  thofe  of  my  Acquaintance,  (whom  he  confef- 
fed  to  be  far  more  than  of  his)  were  generally  the  moft  Confcionable  Men  that 

I  could 


er. 


Virc   III,  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  B^ 

IVc  I  on  Earth :  That  he  might  eafily  ImovTRe^t^^ulT^rbe- 

the  thing  which  made  them  fuller  fo  much  Affliction;  becaufe  i.  many  of  them 
re  young  men    not  pre-engaged  in  point  of  Reputation  to  any  fide     2  tte 
knew  that  welofc  by  our   Nonconformity  ,   that  Worldly  Honour,  which  we 
were  a,  capable  of  as  he  and  others  :  We  did  not  fo  vilifie  the  King    Parliament 
Lords,  Bifiiops,  Knights,  and  Gentry,   who  were  moll  agaiiiHf    «  toS 
ft  a  P1ece  of  Worldly  Honour  to  be  vilified  by  them,  and  called'  Rogues    and 
fent  to  the  common  Goals  among  Rogues,  and  branded  to  the  World    as  we 
are  m   the  Oxford  Aft    of   Confinement,  and  banifhed  five  Miles  from  Cities 
and  Corporations  :  Our  Conferences  would  not  allow  us  to  fay    that  he    and  fuch 
as  he,  who  were  Clergy  Lords,  and  Parliament-Barons  did   conform  out*  of  Pride. 
£.  L°uVe  ^f  ^"tatl0n  i  ,anud  "£?  w,as  the  Mer  to  a  reafonable  Gonjefturo 
That  he  mould  be  moved  by  Pride  who  chufeth  the  way  of  worldly   Wealth 
and  Domination,  and  Honour,   giving  Laws  to  his  Brethren,  and  vilifying  them 
«nd  trampling  on  them  athw  Pleafure,  as  on  a  company  of  contemned    fcorn- 
ed  Wretches^  or  they  that    chufe  the  way   of  this  Contempt  and  Sc0rn  with 
Poverty  and  Corporal  Diftrefs  ?  Whofe  honour  is  it  that  fuch  Men  feek  ?  You 
account   their   Followers   the    refufc    of   the  World  as   you    do    them   '  And 
if  they  themfelvcs  think  better   of  them  ,    yet  they  will    know  that  they  are 
moftly  of  the  meaner  fort,  and  that  poor  Men  have  little  to  fpare  for  others - 
and  we  arc  not  fofordidly  dif- ingenious  as  not  to  be  fcnfible  that  to   be  beholden 
to  poor  Men  that  want   themfelves,  for  our  daily  Bread,   is  not  the  work  of 
Pride,  but  putteth  our  Humilty  to    it  to  the  utmoft.     It's  foolifh  Pride    which 
chufeth  the  hatred  and  fcorn  of  the  Great  Men  of  the  World,  inftead  of  Dig- 
nities and  Honour,  and  chufeth  to  fuffer  Scorn  and  Imprifoment  among  poor 
Men,  to  whom  we  mull  be  beholden  for  a  beggerly  Suftenance.     And  as  for  the, 
Plenty  and  fullnefs  which  they  upbraid  us  with,  it  telleth  us  that  there  is  nothing 
fo  immodeft  and  unreafonable  which  fome  Mens  Malice  will  not  fay.    Do  they  not 
know  into  what  Poverty  London  is  brought  by  the  late  Fire,  and  want  of  Trade  ? 
And  what'Complaints  do  fill  all  the  Land  ?  And  how  clofe-handed  almofl  all  Men  are 
that  arc  themfelves  in  want  ?     And  Minifters  are  not  fo  impudent  as  to  turn 
Berbers   without  Shame?  I  had  but  a  few  days  before  had  Letters  of  a  worthy 
Minifter,  who,  with  his  Wife  and  fix  Children,  had  many  Years  had  feldom  o- 
ther  food  than  brown,  Rye  Bread  and  Water,  and  was  then  turned  out  of  his 
Houfe,  and  had  none  to    go  to  :  And   of  another  that  was  fain  to  fpin  for  his 
Living:   And  abundance  I  know  that  have   Families,  and  nothing,  or  next  to 
nothing  of  their  own,    and  live  in  exceeding  want  upon  the  poor  Drops  of 
Charity  which  they  ftoop  to  receive  from  a  few  mean  People.     And  if  there  be 
here  and  there  a  rich  man  that  is  Charitable,  he  hath  fo  many  to  relieve,  that  % 
each  one   can  have  but  a  fmall  (hare.     Indeed,  about  a  dofen  or  twenty  Minifters   1 
about  London,  who  Ruck   to  the  People  in  the   devouring  Plague,  or  in  other 
rimes  -of  Diftrefs,  and  feared  no  Sufferings ,  have  fo   many  People  adhering  to 
them,  as  keep  them  from  Beggery,  or  great  want  ^  and  you  judge  of  all  the  reft 
by  thefe,  when  almoft  all  the  reil  througli  England,  who  have  not  fomething  of 
their  own  to  live  upon,  do  fuffer  fo  much  as  their  Scorners  willfcarce  believe.    It 
is  no  eafie  thing  to  have  the  Landlord  call  for  Rent,  and  the  Baker,  the  Brew- 
er, the  Butcher,    the  Taylor ,   the  Draper,  the  Shooemaker,  and   many  others 
cill  for  Money,  and  Wife  and  Children  call  for  Meat  and  Drink ,  and  Cloaths, 
and  a  Minifter   to    have    no   Anfwer      for  them,  but  /  have  none.    And  the 
Bifhdp  had  the  lefs  modefty  in  ftanding  confidently  to  my  Face  of  his  certain- 
ty or  our  lofing  nothing  by  our  Non-conformity,  when  he   himfelf  knew    that  I 
was  offered  a  Bifhoprick  in   i<5do.  and  he  got  not  his  Bifhoprick,   ffor  all  his 
extraordinary  way  of  Merit)  till  about  1671,  or  1672:  and  I  had  not  a  Groat 
of  the  Ecclefiaftical  Maintenance  fince  the  King  came  in  •  nor,  to  my  belt  re- 
membrance, ever  received  more  thsn  the  fonr  Pound  even  now  mentioned  ,  as  a 
Salary  for  Preaching  thefe  Eleven   Years;  nor  any  way  for  Preaching  the  Sum  of 
eight  Pound  in  all  thofe  Years  :  Yea,  on  this  occafion,  I  will  not  think  it  vain 
to  fay,   that  all  that  I  remember  that  ever  I  received  as  gifts  of  Bounty  from  a- 
ny  whofoever  fince  I  was  filenced  (till  after  An.  1672.)  amount  not  in  the  whole 
to  20/.  befides  ten  Pouud  per  Annum  which  I  received  from  Serjeant  Fountain  till 
he  died,   and  when  I  was  in  Prifon,  twenty  pieces  from  Sir  John  Bernard,  ten 
from  the  Countefs  of  Exeter^  and  five  from  Alderman  Bardy  and  no  more,  which 

O  0  o  o  juil 


g6     "    '■  neLlfkojib*  [I 

juit  paid  the  Lawyers,  and  my  Prifon  Charge  (bat  the  expencesx^  removinfcmy 
Habitation  was  greater:)  And  had  the  Bifhop's  Family  no  more  than  tfi»2 
In  film  I  told  the  Bimop  that  he,  that  cried  out  lb  vehemently  againft  fchifra, 
had  got  the  Spirit  of  a  Sectary  :  and  as  thofe  that  by  Prifons  and  other  fuf- 
ferin^s  were  too  much  exafperated  againlt  the  Bifhops,  could  hardly  chink  oi 
fpealf  well  of  them,  fo  his  crofs  lnterefts  had  fo  notorioully  fpoiled  him  ot  his 
Charity,  that  he  had  plainly  the  fame  temper  with  the  bittercft  of  the  Sccuw 
whom  he  fo  much  reviled.     Our  Doctrinal  Difcourfe  I  overpafs. 

§236.  This  May,  a  Book  was  Printed  and  cried  about,  defcribing  the  horrid 
Murther  of  one  Jqfiah  Baxter  in  New-England  by  the  Anabaptifis,  and  how  they 
tore  his  Flelh,  and  flead  him  alive  and  perfons,  and  time,  and  place  were  named: 
And  when  Mr.  Ktffcn,  fenlible  of  the  Injury  to  the  Anabayttfls,  fearcht  it  out> 
it  proved  'all  a  ftudicd  forgery  ^  Printed  by  a  Papift,  and  the  Book  Liojnied  by 
Dr.  Sam.  Pa  ker ,  the  Arch-bilhop's  Chaplain  ,  there  were  no  fucli  Perfons  in 
being  as  the  Book  mentioned  ,  nor  any  fiich  thing  ever  done :  Mr.  h  iffen 
accufed  Dr.  Parker  to  the  Kiug  and  Council  :  The  King  made  him  confers  his 
Fault,  and  fo  it  ended. 

§  237.  In  June  was  the  fecond  great  Tight  with  the  Dutch^  where  again  ma- 
ny were  killed  on  both  fides ,  and  to  this  day  it  is  not  known  which  Paatyjiad 
the  greater  Lofs. 

§  238.  The  Par'iament  grew  into  great  Jealoufies  of  the  prevalency  of  Popery  ; 
There  was  an  Army  railed,  which  lay  upon  Black-Heath  encamped,  as  for 
Service  againft  the  Dutch  :  They  faid  that  ib  many  of  the  Commanders  were 
Papifts  as  made  Men  fear  the  defign  was  worfc.  Men  feared  not  to  talk  open- 
ly that  the  Papifts  having  no  hope  of  getting  the  Parliament  to  fet  up  their 
Religion  by  Law,  did  defign  to  take  down  Parliaments,  and  reduce  the  Govern- 
ment to  the  French  Model,  and  Religion  to  their  State,  by  a  ftanding  Army  : 
Thefe  Thoughts  put  Men  into  difmal  Expectations,  and  many  wifh  that  the  Army, 
at  any  rate  might  be  disbanded.  The  Duke  of  York  was  General  :  The  Par- 
liament made  an  Aft  that  no  man  fhould  be  in  any  office  of  Trult,  who  wot  Id 
not  take  the  Oaths  of  Supremacy,  aud  Allegiance,  and  receive  the  Sacrament  ac- 
cording to  Order  of  the  Church  of  England ,  and  renounee  Tranfubftanftiati- 
on.  Many  fuppofed  Papifts  received  the  Sacrament,  and  renounced  Tranfub- 
ftantiation,  and  took  the  Oaths :  Some  that  were  known,  fold ,  or  laid  down 
their  Places :  The  Duke  of  York ,  and  the  new  Lord  Treafurer,  Clifford,  laid 
down  all:  It  was  faid,  they  did  it  on  fuppofrtion  that  the  Ad  left  the 
King  impowered  to  renew  their  Commiffions  when  they  had  laid  them  down  r 
But  the  Lord  Chancellor  told  the  King  that  it  was  not  fo  •  and  fo  they  were 
put  out  by  themfelves.  This  fettled  Men  in  the  full  belief  that  the  Duke  of  Yorky 
and  the  Lord  Clifford  were  Papifts  ;  and  the  Londoners  had  before  a  fpecial  ha- 
tred againft  the  Duke,  fmce  the  burning  of  London,  commonly  faying,  that  divers 
were  taken  cafting  Fire-balls,  and  brought  to  his  Guards  of  Soldiers  to  be  fe- 
cured,  and  he  let  them  go,  and  both  fe cured  and  concealed  them. 

239.  The  great  Counsellors  that  were  faid  to  do  all  with  the  King  in  all 
great  matters,  were  the  Duke  of  York,  the  Lord  Clifford,  the  Duke  of  Lauder- 
daile,  the  Lord  Arlington,  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  the  Lord  Chancellor  (that 
is,  Sr.  Anthony  Afhley-Cooper ,  Earl  of  Shaftsbury,  )    and  after  them  the    Earl  of 

nglcfey  (lately  Mr.  Anne/ley.)  Among  all  thefe,  the  Lord  Chanchellor  declared 
fo  much  Jealofie  of  Popery,  and  fet  hiir.felf  fo  openly  to  fecure  the  Proteftant 
Religion,  that  it  was  wondered  how  he  kept  in  as  he  did  •  bot  whatever  were 
liis  Principles  or  Motives,  it  is  certain  he  did  very  much  plead  the  Proteftant 
Caufe. 

§  240.  In  rjunc,Maftricht  was  taken  by  the  French,  but  with  much  lofs  •  where 
the  Duke  of  Monmouth  with  the  Englfh,  had  great  Honour  for  their  Valour. 

§  241.  In  Auguft,fom'  of  the  Dutch  E aft -India  Ships  fell  into  our  Hands,  and 
we  had  the  third  great  Sea-fight  with  them,  under  the  Command  of  Prince  Ru- 
pert, where  we  again  killed  each  other  with  equal  Lofs  :  But  the  Dutch  faid 
they  had  the  Victory  now,  (and  before,  and  kept  days  of  Thanksgiving  for 
it :  Sir  Edward  Sprag  was  killed,  whofe  death  the  Papifts  much  lamented,  ho- 
ping to  have  got  the  Sea-power  into  his  Hands.  But  Prince  Rupert ,  (who  de- 
clared huTfelf  openly  againft  Popery,  and    had  got  great  Intereft  in  the  Hearts 

of 


Vxt  1 1 1  %evemd  Mr.  R  ichard  Baxter. 


lo 


of  the  Soldiers)  ccrniplained  ftiarply  of  the  French  Admiral,  as  deferring  him  (to 
fay  noworfe:)  Andtho  iuccefsof  thefe  Fights  was  fuch  as  hindered  the  Trarf- 
portauon  of  the  Array  agamft  the  Dutch,  and  greatly  divided  the  Court-Par- 
ty, and  difcouraged  the  Grandees,  and  Commanding  Papifb    &c 

§  242  In  Member  I  being  out  of  Town,  my  Houfe  was  broke*  by  Thieves 
who  broke  open  my  Study -Doors  Clofets,  Locks,  fearcht  near  40  Tills  and 
Boxes,  and  found  them  all  foil  of  nothing  but  Papers,  and  mifs'd  that  little 
Money  I  had,  though  very  near  them  :  They  took  only  three  fmall  pieces  of 
Plate  and  rnedled  not  (confiderably)  with  any  of  my  Papers,  which  I  would 
not  have  loft  for  many  hundred  Pounds  .-  Which  made  me  fentible  of  Divine 
Protection,  and  what  a  Convenience  it  is  to  have  fuch  a  kind  of  Treafure  as 
other  men  have  no  mind  to  rob  us  of,  or  cannot.  ' 

§  343.  The  Duke  of  Fork  was  now  married  to  the  Duke  of  Modenah  Daughter  by 
Proxy,  the  Earl  of   Peterborough  being   fent  over  to  that  end. 

§241.  The  Lady  Clinton  having  a  Kinfwoman  (wife  to  Edward  Wray  Efq  ) 
who  was  a  Protectant,  aud  her  Husband  a  Papift  ■(  throughly  ftudied  'in  all 
their  Controverts,  and  oft  provoking  his  Wife  to  bring  any  one  to  difpute  with 
him;  defiled  me  to  perform  that  office  of  Conference :  They  differed  about  the 
Education  of  their  Children-  he  had  promifed  her,  (as  fhe  faid)  at  Marriage 
that  flie  mould  have  the  Education  of  them  all,  and  now  would  not  let  her  have 
the  Education  of  one,  but  would  make  them  Papifts  :  I  defired  that  either  our 
Conference  might  be  publick,  to  avoid  mif-reports  ,  or  elfe  utterly  fecret  be- 
fore no  one  but  his  Wife,  that  fo  we  might  not  feem  to  ftrive  for  the  Honour 
of  Victory,  nor  by  difhonour  bo  exafperated,  and  made  lefs  capable  of  benefit. 
The  latter  way  was  chofen  •  but  the  Lady  Clinton,  and  Mr.  Goodwin,  the  Lady 
Worfefs  Chaplain,  prevailed  to  be  prcfent  by  his  content,  He  began  upon  the 
point  of  Tranfubftantion ,  and  in  V'eron\  Method  would  have  put  me  to  prove 
the  Words  of  the  Article  of  the  Church  of  England,  by  exprefs  Words  of  Scri- 
pture, without  Expofition.  I  diftinguifhed  the  two  parts  of  the  Controverfie, 
1.  Whether  there  be  Bread  after  Confecration?  2.  Whether  there  be  Chrift's  Body: 
And  the  firft  I  proved  by  exprefs  Scripture,  and  I  thought  gave  him  enough : 
And  after  two  or  three  hours  he  brake  off  fairly ,  but  yielding  nothing.  He 
after  affirmed  that  a  Woman  was  but  a  Nurfe,  aud  no  Governour  to  her 
Children,  and  that  if  he  commanded  them  to  deny  Chrift,  they  were  bound  to 
obey  him  -y   elfe  Families  would  be  Confounded. 

§  245.  I  had  fourteen  Years  been  both  a  neceflary,  and  voluntary   ftranger 
at  the  Court  ;  but  at  this  time  by  another's  invitation  called  to  attend  the  Duke 
of  Lauder  d.iile,  who  ftill  profefled  fpecial  kindnefs  to  me,  and  fome  pious  Scots- 
men^ (being  under  fuffering,    one  abfeonding,  another  fequeltred  and   undone) 
and  craving  my  interpofition  for  them,  I  went  to  him,  and  defired  his  Pardon 
and  Clemency  for  them,  which  he  readily  granted.     And  being  to  reprint  my 
Key   for  Catholicks,  where  his  Name  was  in  too  low  a  manner  in  the  Epiftle 
(  he  being  then  a  Prifoner  in  WindforC  a/tie)  I  told  him  that  to  omit  it  might 
feem  a  Negle&,  and  fo  to  mention  him,  would  be  an  injurious  dilhonour,  and 
therefore  if  he  pleafed,  I  would  put  to  it  an  Epiftle  Dedicatory,  which  he  con- 
fented  to,  and  approved  of  the   Epiftle  before  it  was  Printed :  But  being  fain 
to  leave  out  the  fecond  part  of  the  Book,  and  much  of  the  firft,  that  the  reft 
might  be  licenfed,  I  printed  inftead  of  that  left  out,  anew  Treatife  on  the  Sub- 
ject, on  which  I  difputed  with  Mr.  Wray,  called,  Full  and  eafie  Satisfaction  ,  which  is 
the  true  Religion :  Wherein  Popery  is  brought  to  fence  of  the  meaneft  Wit.     But 
fome  were  offended  that  I  prefixed  the  Duke's  Name  •,  as  if  it  tended  to  ho- 
nour him  at  that  time  when  he  was  decried  as  a  clrief  Counfellour  for  abfolute 
Monarchy,  for  the  War  with  the  Dutch  ,    and  a  ftanding  Army :,  and  he  was 
threatned  as  foon  as  the  Parliament  fat ;  but  went  into  Scotland  as  Commiifioner, 
and  called  a  Parliament  there  •,  for  my  part  I  never  lookt  for  a  Farthing  Profit, 
by  any  great  Man,  nor  to  my  remembrance  ever  received  the  worth  of  a  far- 
thing from  any  of  them :  But  I  would   not   in  Pride  deny  any  Man   his  due 
honour,,  nor  be  fo  uncharitable  as  to   rcfufe  to   make  ufe  of  any  Man's  favour, 
for  Sufferers  in  their  diftrefs.    The  matters  of  their  State  Counfels  are  above 
my  reach. 

O  0  o  0  2  §  H& 


io8  The  LIFE  oj  tb*  Part  111 


§  246.  In  Oclober  the  Lord  Clifford  (called  the  chief  of  the  fecret  CouncilJ  ha- 
ving the  Summer  before  been  at  Tunbridge  Water,  fell  into  feveral  Diftcmpers, 
and  fhortly  after  died :  So  near  is  the  fall  of  the  greatell  to  his  Riling  ,  which 
was  a  great  blow  to  his  Party. 

§  247.  Mr.  Falkmer,  Minifter  of  Lin,  a  fober,  learned  Man,  wrote  a  book  for 
Conformity,  which  that  Party  greatly  boafted  of  as  unanfwerable  :  Indeed  he 
fpeaketh  plaufibly  to  many  of  the  Nonconformifts  fmalleft  Exceptions ,  againft 
fome  particular  words  in  the  Liturgy,  and  fome  Ceremonies  ;  but  as  to 
great  Matters,  the  Declaration,  and  the  Oxford' Oath,  and  Subfcription,  and  he- 
ordination,  and  the  Image  of  the  Crofs,  as  a  Symbol  of  Chriftianity,  and  dedi- 
cating fign  in  Baptifm,  the  Minifters  denying  Baptifm  to  thofe  that  fcraple  -Jie 
Crofs,  or  to  the  Children  of  thofe  that  dare  not  forbear  Covenanting,  lor  ticir 
own  Children  in  Baptifm,  and  lay  it  all  on  Godfathers,  the  rejecting  thofe 
from  the  Lord's  Supper,  that  dare  not  take  it  kneeling,  theThankfgivin^at  Bu- 
rials for  the  happinefs  of  notorious,  impenitent,  wicked  Men  ,  and  other  fuch 
like,  his  Defence  is  fo  poor  and  flight,  as  is  fit  to  fatisfie  no  Judicious  Man,  that 
is  not  prepared  for  Errour  by  Intereft  and  Will.     But,  pro  captu  Le&oris,  &c. 

§  248.  On  the  zotb.  of  Oclober  the  Parliament  met  again,  and  fuddenly  vo- 
ted that  the  King  mould  be  fent  to  about  the  Duke  of  Tork\  Marriage  with  an 
Italian  Papift  (a-kin  to  the  Pope)  and  to  defire  thatfit  might  be  ftopt  (  he 
being  not  yet  come  over.  J  And  asfoon  as  they  had  done  that,  the  King,  by  the 
Chancellour,  prorogued  them  till  Monday  following,  becaufe  it  is  not  ufual  for 
a  Parliament  to  grant    Money  twice  in  one  Seflion. 

§  249.  On  Monday,  when  they  met,  the  King  defired  fpeedy  Aid  of  Money 
againft  the  Dutch,  and  the  Lord  Chancellour  jet  forth  the  Reafcns,  and  the 
Dutch  unreafonablenefs.  But  the  Parliament  Hill  ftuck  to  their  former  refent- 
ment  of  the  Duke  of  Tort's  Marriage,  and  renewed  their  Meflage  to  the  King 
againft  it  -,  who  anfwered  them ,  that  it  was  debated  at  the  open  Council,  and 
refolvedthat  it  was  too  late  to  ftop    it. 

§  250.  Some  one  laid  in  the  Parliament-Houfe  (they  fay  near  the  Speaker's 
Ghair)  a  wooden  Shooe,  fuch  as  the  Peafants  wear  in  France,  with  fome  Beads, 
and  on  one  end  drawn  the  Arms  of  France,  and  on  the  other  the  Arms  of  Eng- 
land, and  written  between,  Vtrum  horum  mavis  accippe.  And  Henry  Stubbs  (now 
Phyfician,  once  under  Library-Keeper  in  Oxford,  who  was  accounted  an  Infidel, 
and  wr6te  againft  Monarchy  for  Sir  Henry  Vane,  and  againft  me,  perfwading 
the  Army,  and  Rump  to  queftion  me  for  my  Life,  and  after  wasdravn  by  the 
Court  to  write  againft  the  Dutch)  now  Printed  a  Half-Sheet  called,  The  Paris 
Garzette,  containing  many  Inftances,  where  Marriage  by  Proxy  had  been  broken  3 
for  which  he  was  fent  to  the  Tower. 

§  2$  1.  On  Friday,  Oft.  31.  The  Parliament  went  fo  high  as  to  pafs  a  Vote 
that  no  mote  Money  mould  be  given-  till  the  eighteen  Months  of  the  laft 
Tax  were  expired,  unlefs  the  Dutch  proved  obftinate,  and  unlefs  we  were  fe- 
cured  againft  the  danger  of  Popery,  and  Popifh  Counfellours,  and  their  Grievances 
were  redreued. 

252.  The  Parliament  Voted  to  ask  of  his  Majefty  a  day  of  Humiliation,  be- 
caufe of  the  Growth  of  Popery,  and  intended  folcmnly  to  keep  the  Powder-Plot, 
and  appointed  Dr.  Stillingfieet  to  Preach  to  them  (who  is  moft  engaged  by  wri- 
ting againft  Popery  :  )  but  on  the  day  before,  being  Nov.  4.  the  King  (to  their 
great  difcontent)  prorogued  the  Parliament  to  Jan.  7. 

§253.  Thefeventhof  January  the  Parliament  met  again,  and  voted  that 
their  firft  work  ihould  be  to  prevent  Popery,  redrefs  Grievances,  and  be  fecu- 
red  againft  the  Inftruments,  or  Counfellours  of  them.  And  they  fhortly  after 
voted  the  Dukes  of  Buckingham,  and  Lauderdale  unfit  for  truft  about  the  King, 
and  defired  their  Removal  :  But  when  they  came  to  the  Lord  Arlington,  and 
would  have  accordingly  Characterized  him  without  an  Impeachment,  it  was  car- 
ried againft  that  Attempt :  And  becaufe  the  Members  who  favoured  the  Non- 
conformifts (for  eonfiderable  Reafons)  were  againft  the  reft,  and  helped  off"  the 
Lord  Arlington,  the  reft  were  greatly  cxafperated  againft  him,  and  reported  that 
they  did  it  becaufe  he  had  furthered  the. Nonconformifts  Licenfei  for  tolerated 
Preaching. 

§  -54- 


Part  1IL  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  i0o 

§2s+.  Sir  Anthony  Afhley  Corvper  (  fometimes  one  of  Oliver's  Privy-Council) 
having  been  a  grcu:  Favourite  of  the  King  (for  great  Service  for  him)  and  made 
Earl  ot  Shaftshwy^  and  Lord  Chancellour,  and  great  in  the  fecreteft  Councils 
at  laft  openly  fct  againft  others  on  the  account  of  Religion,  •earneftly  declamine 
againft  Popery,  and  becoming  the  Head  of  the  Party  that  were  zealous  for  the 
Proteltant  Caufe,  and  awakened  the  Nation  greatly  by  his  Adivity  •  And  being 
quickly  put  out  of  his  place  of  Chancellourfhip,  he  by  his  bold  and  skillful  way 
of  fpeaking,  fo  moved  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  that  they  began  to  fpeak  higher 
againft  the  danger  oi  Popery  than  the  Commons,  and  to  pafs  feveral  Votes  ac" 
cordingly.  And  the  Earl  of  Shaftsbury  fpake  fo  plainly  ot  the  Duke  of  York 
as  much  offendcd,and  it  was  fuppofed  would  not  long  be  born.The  Earl  of  Clare  the 
Lord  Hollis,  the  Lord  Hallifax,  and  others  alfo  fpake  verv  freely  :  And  among  'the 
Biihops  only  (that  I  heard  of;  Sir  Herbert  Crofts  (who  liad  fometimes  been  a  pa- 
pift)  the  Bifhop  of  Hereford.  And  now  among  Lords  and  Commons,  and  Citi- 
zens, and  Clergy,  the  talk  went  uncontrolled  that  the  Duke  of  Tori  was  certainly 
a  Papift,  and  that  the  Army  lately  raifed,  and  encamped  at  Black-heathy  wasde- 
ligncd  to  do  their  Work,  who  at  once  would  take  down  Parliaments  and  fct  up 

Popery.     And  Sir Bucknall  told  them  in  the  Houfe  of  fuch  Words  that  he 

had  overheard  of  the  late  Lord  Treafurer  Clifford,  to  the  Lord  Arunddl^  as  feem- 
cd  to  increafe  their  Satisfaction  of  the  Truth  of  all  -0  but  common  obfervation  was 
the  fuUeft  fatisfaction.  In  a  word,  the  offence  and  boldnefs  of  both  Houfesgrew 
fo  high,  as  eafily  (hewed  men  how  the  former  War  began ,  aud  filenced  many 
that  laid  it  was  raifed  by  Nonconformifts,  and  Presbyterians. 

§  255.  The  third  of  February  was  a  publick  Fall  (againft  Popery)  the  firft  (as 
I  remember)  that  ( befides  the  Anniverfary  Falls)  had  ever  been  fince  this  Parlia- 
ment fate  (which  hath  now  fate  longer  than  that  called  the  long  Parliament 
did  before  the  major  part  were  call  out  by  Cromwell  : )  But  the  Preachers, 
Dr.  Cradock,  and  Dr.  Whitchcot,  medled  but  little  with  that  Bufmefs,  and  did  not 
pleafe  them  as  Dr.  StiUingflect  had  done,  who  greatly  animated  them,  and  all 
the  Nation  againft  Popery  by  his  open  and  diligent  endeavours  for  the  Prote- 
ltanl  Caufe. 

§256.  During  this  Seflion  the  Earl  of  Orery  defired  me  to  draw  him  up  in 
brief,  the  Terms  and  Means,  which  1  thoughtwould  fatisfie  the  Non-conformifts 
fo  far  as  to  unite  us  all  againft  Popery  ;  profefling  that  he  met  with  many 
Great  Men  that  were  much  for  it,  and  particulary  the  New  Lord  Treafurer,  Sir 
Thomas  Oiborn,  and  Dr.  Morley,  Bifhop  of  IVmcheJler,  who  vehemently  profefs'd  his 
defires  of  it  :  And  Dr.  Fullvrood,  and  divers  others  had  been  with  me  to  the  like 
purpofe,  teftifying  the  faid  Bifhop's  refolution  herein.  I  wifht  them  all  to  tell 
him  from  me,  that  he  had  donefo  much  to  the  contrary,  and  never  any  thing 
thh  way  fince  his  Profeflions  of  that  fort,  that  till  his  real  Endeavours  convinced 
Men,  it  would  not  be  believed  that  he  was  ferious.  But  when  I  had  given  the 
Earl  of  Orery  my  Papers,  he  returned  them  me  with  Bifhop  Morleyh  Strictures, 
or  Animadversions  (as  by  his  Words  and  the  Hand  I  had  reafon  to  be  confident) 
by  which  he  fully  made  me  fee  that  all  his  Profeflions  for  Abancment,  and .Concord, 
were  deceitful  Snares,  and  that  he  intended  no  fuch  thing  at  all.  And  becaufe  I 
have  inferted  before  fo"  much  of  fuch  tranfa&ions,  I  will  here  annex  my  Propo- 
fals,  with  his  Strictures,  and  my  Reply. 


To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Earl  of  Orery . 


My  Lord, 

I  Have  here  drawn  up  thofe  Terms  on  which  1  think  Minifters  may  berefto- 
red  to  the  Churches  Service,  and  much  union  and  quietnefs  be  procured  i 
But  I  muft  tell  you,  1 .  That  upon  fecond  Thoughts  I  forbore  to  diftnbute  them, 
as  Iintimated  to  you,  into  feveral  Ranks ;  but  only  offer  what  may  tend  to  a 
Concord  of  the  moft,  though  not  of  everv  man,    2.  That  I  have  done  this  only  on 


no  The  LI  F|  of  the  Part  111 

die  fuppolitions  that  wc  were  fain  to  go  upon  in   our    Confull  ./ith  Dr. 

WUkinsy  viz..  That  no  change  in  the  Frame  of  Chttrch-Government  will  bec./n- 
fented'  to  ;  Otherwife  I  mould  have  done  as  we  did  in  \6t 
Arch-bifhop  V/her\  Reduction  of  the  Government  to  the  primitive  flat* 
pifcopacy  •,  and  have  only  deliied  that  the  Lay-Chanccllours  have  not  the  Pow- 
er ot  the 'Keys,  and  that,  if  not  in  every  Parilh,  at  leaft  in  every  Kuial  Deau- 
ry  or  Market-Town,  with  the  adjacent  Villages,  the  Minifters  might  have 
Paftoral  power  of  the  Keys  fo  far  as  is  necclftry  to  guide  their  own  Admi- 
niftrations,  and  not  one  Bifhop,  or  Lay-Chancellour's  Court  to  have  more  to 
do  than  Multitudes  can  well  do,  and  thereby  caufealmoft  all  true  Difcipline  to 
be  omitted.  3.  I  have  forborn  to  enumerate  the  Particulars,  which  we  cannot 
fubferibe,  or  fwear  to,  or  praftifc,  becaufe  they  are  many,  and  I  fear  the  na- 
ming of  them,  will  be  difplealing  to  others,  as  feeming  to  accule  them,  while 
we  do  but  fay,  what  a  Sin  fuch  Conformity  would  be  in  our  felves :  But  if  ii  Ihould 
be  ufeful,  and  defired,  I  am  ready  to  do  it.  But  I  now  only  fay,  that  the  matter: 
are  far  from  being  things  doubtful,  or  indifferent,  or  little  Sins  in  our  Appre- 
henfions :,  of  which  we  are  ready  to  render  a  Reafon.  But  I  think  that  this 
bare  Propofal  of  the  Remedies,  is  the  bell,  and  fhorteft,  and  leaft  orlentive  way  . 
In  which  I  crave  your  Obfervation  of  thefe  two  Particular,  r.  That  it  U 
the  matter  granted,  if  it  be  even  in  our  own  Words,  that  will  belt  do  the  Cure  : 
For  while  other  men  word  it,  that  know  not  our  Scruples  or  Reafons,  they  aiifs  our 
Senceufually,  and  make  it  ineffectual.  2.  That  the  Reafon  why  I  crave  that  Mini- 
*■  ft ers  may  have  impunity,  whoufe  the  greateft  part  of  the  Liturgy  fur  the  Day  -7 

is  1.  To  fhorten  the  Accommodation,  that  we  may  not  be  put  to  delay  our  Con- 
cord till  the  Liturgy  be  altered,  to  the  Satisfaction  of  Diuenteis:,  which  we  have 
caufe  to  think,  will  not  be  done  at  all.  Nov/  this  will  hlently  and  quietly  heal  us  -y 
and  if  a  Man  omit  fome  one  Collect  or  Sentence  without  debate  or  noife,  it  will  not 
be  noted,  nor  be  a  matter  of  offence.  2.  And  he  is  unworthy  to  be  a  Minifter  that 
is  not  to  be  trufted  fo  much,  as  with  the  ufing  or  not  ufing  of  a  few  Sentences,  05 
words  in  all  his  Miniftration.  3.  And  almoft  every  Minifter  that  I  hear  all  the 
Year,  of  the  moft  Conformable,  do  every  day  omit  fome  part  or  other,  and  yet  arc 
not  Silenc'd,  nor  taken  notice  of  as  offenders  at  all :  And  may  not,  as  much  for  our 
Concord  be  granted  to  DifTenters  in  the  prefent  cafe.  He  that  thinks  that  thefe 
Concefhons  will  be  more  injurious  to  the  Church,  and  the  Souls  of  Men,  than  our 
Uncharitablenefs  and  Divifions  have  been  thefe  Eleven  Years,  and  are  yet  like  to  be, 
is  not  qualified  to  be  at  all  an  Healer. 

In  Conclufion,  I  muft  again  intreat  you  that  this  Offer  may  be  taken  but  as 
the  Anfwer  of  your  delire,  for  your  priyate  ufe,  and  that  no  Copy  be  given  of 
it,  nor  the  Author  made  known,  unlefs  we  have  encouragement  from  our 
Governours  to  confult  about  fuch  a  work  •  and  if  fo,  that  more  than  I  may  be 
confulted,  and  nothing  laid  on  me  alone.  I  am  confident,  were  but  Dr.  Stilling- 
fleet,  Dr.  Tillotfon,  or  any  fuch  moderate  Men  appointed  to  confult  with  two-' 
or  three  of  us,  on  the  fafe  and  needful  terms  of  Concord,  we  Ihould  agree  in 
a  Week's  time,  fuppofing  them  vacant  for  the  Bufincfs. 

Tour  humble  Servant, 
Decern.  1 5.  1673.  Richard  Baxter. 

The  means  of  uniting  the  Proteftant  Minifters  in  England,  and  healing  our 
lamentable  Divifions  •  fuppofing  Church-Government  may  not  be  altered. 

1 .  About  Engagements.  Let  no  other  Covenant ,  Promife,  Oath,  Declarati- 
on, or  fubfeription  be  neceffary  to  Minifters  for  Ordination ,  Inftitution,  In- 
duction, Miniftration,  or  Pofleflion  of  their  maintenance,  (  nor  to  Scholars  at 
the  Llniverfities,  except  the  ancient  Univerfity  Oath)  or  to  School-mafters,  be- 
fides  fche  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy,  and  the  fubferibing  the  Do- 
ftrine  and  Sacrameats  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  exprefied  in  the  thirty  nine 

Articles, 


Part  Hi.         KevererdMr.  RiehaSrd  Baxter- 

ill. 
and  the  common  "subfcriiT' 

or  againft  any Anthonzcd  by  his  Legal  Comnuffion  :.  And  'that  there  ill 
eth  no  Oblpuon  on  me,  or  any  other  of  his  Subjects,  from  the  Oath  com- 
monly called  the  folcmn  League  and  Covenant ,  to  en'deaveavonr  any  Chan™ 
of  ihepielent  Government  of  thefe  his  MajeuVs  Kingdoms,  nor  to  endeavour 
apy  Reformation  of  Church  or  State,  by  Rebellion,  Sedition,  era™  ote  t£ 
lawful  means.  »  3  l  ua 

II.  Became  the  Churches  arc  allftppofcd  to  have  Incumbents,  and  the  pre- 
ient  Non<ontormiIts  being  devoted  to  the  facred  Mmiitry,  do  holnk  high  Sa- 
crilcdgc  to  alienate  themfeives  therefrom  (to  Pafs  by  their  outward  wants  O 
rill  by  Prefentations  to  vacant  Churches  they  arc  better  provided  let  them  have 
liberty  to  be  School-matters,  or  afliitantsto  Incumbents,  or  to  preach  Lectures  in 
their  Churches,  fo  it  be  by  their  Confent  ,  whether  they  be  Lectures  already 
endowed  with  fomc  Maintenance,  or  fuch  as  the  People  arc  willing  to  maintain 
And  let  not  the  Incumbents  be  difcouraged  by  the  Bifhops  from  receiving 
them  :  And  let  fuch  places,  as,  being  convenient,  are  alreadv  pofiefled  by  them 
for  Gods  Publick  Worfhipbc  continued  to  that  ufe,  as  Chappels  till  they  can 
be  thus  received  into   Benefices  or  Lectures. 

• 

III.  Becaufe  the  Piety  of  Families  muft  keep  up  veiy  much  of  the  Intereft 
of  Religion  in  the  World,  and  Multitudes  (efpecially  in  the  Country)  that  can- 
not read,  can  do  little  or  nothing  of  it  in  their  own  Families,  and  may  be  great- 
ly helped  by  joyning  with  their  more  underftanding,  pious  Neighbours  •  let  it 
not  be  forbidden  to  any  who  attend  the  publick  AlTemblies  at  any  other  hours 
to  join  with  their  Neighbours  (being  of  the  fame  Pariih;  who  read  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  Licenfed ,  pious  Books,  and  repeat  the  publick  Sermons  and  Pray 
and  Praife  God  by  finging  Pfalms,  and  refufe  not  the  Infpeftion  of 'their  law- 
ful Pallors  herein  •  Nor  let  it  not  be  unlawful  for  any  itablifhed  Minifter  to  re- 
ceive his  People  in  fuch  Work,  or  for  the  Catechifing,  and  perfonal  inftruftine  of 
fiich  as  fhall  defirc  it. 

IV.  Concerning  the  Liturgy  and  publick  Communion,  i.  Let  no  Man  be 
punifhed  for  omitting  the  ufe  of  the  Liturgy,  if  in  the  Congregation  where 
he  is  incumbent  ,  the  greateft  part  of  it  appointed  for  that  time  be  fometimes 
(as  once  a  quarter,  or  half  a  Year,  as  the  Canon  requireth)  ufedby  himfelf  and 
every  Lord's  Day  ordinarily  (unlefs  when  fickneis  or  other  Ncceffity  hindreth) 
either  by  himfelf,  or  by  his  Curate  or  Aflifuant :  And  let  none  be  forced  to^ 
read  the  A^ocry^ha  publickly  for  Leflbns. 

2.  Let  no  meer  Lecturer  be  forced  to  read  the  the  Liturgy  himfelf  or  to 
procure  another  to  read  it,  feeing  it  is  the  Incumbent's  Charge ,  and  it  is 
iuppofed  it  will  be  done.  Or  if  this  may  not  be  granted,  let  the  Lecturer 
be  only  obliged  once  half  a  Year,  (which  is  the  time  limited  in  the  Canon) 
to  read  the  Greateft  part  of  it  appointed  for  that  time. 

3.  Let  not  Chriftian   Parents  be  forbidden  to  dedicate  their   Children  pub- 
lickly to  God,   by  entering  them  into  the  Chriftian  Covenant,    profeffing,  and 
undertaking  on  their  Behalf,  that  which  belongeth  to  Parents  in  that  Cafe.    And 
let    not  the  Parents   be  forced  to  get  fuch  Godfathers,  and  Godmothers,  as 
are  Atheifts,  Infidels,   Hereticks,  or  grofly  ignorant  what  Baptifm  and  Chriili- 
anity  is,  or  as,  for  their  wicked  Lives  are  themfeives  juftly  kept  from  the  Com- 
munion,   nor  fuch  as  they  know   have  no  intention  to  do  what  they  are  to  under- 
take.    And  if  any  Chriilian  Parent  can  get  no  better  to  undertake   that  Office 
(many  now  fcrupling  it,  arid  none  can  be  forced  to  it,  )  let  not  his  Child  be  de- 
nied Baptifm,  if  he  be   ready  to  do  the  Office  of  a  Parent  himfelf. 

4.  Seeing  fome  Mmilfcers  think  that   the  ufe  of  the  tranfient  Image    of  the 
Crofs,  as   a  Sacramental,  or   dedicating  Sign,.  In  the  Baptifmal  Covenant,  and  a 

Symbol' 


The  LIFE  of  the  Part  111 

Symbol  of  the  Chriftian  Prcfcflion,  is  a  breach  of  the  fecond  Commandment  : 
Let  not  fuch  be  forced  to  ufe  it:,  nor  to  id  ufe  to  baptize  the  Childicn  of  iuch 
Perfon's  without  it,  who  are  of    the  fame  Mind. 

5.  Let  no  Minifter  be  forced  againft  his  Judgment  to  baptize  any  Child, 
both  whofe  Parents  avoid,  or  are  juitly  denied  the  Communion  of  the  Church  -7 
unlets  fome  Perfonwho  communicateth  with  the  Church  do  take  the  Child  a >  his 
cwn    und  undertake  to  Educate  it  according  to  the  Chriftian  Covenant. 

6.  Let  none  be  forced  to  receive  the  Sacrament,  who  through  Infidelity, 
Herefie,  or  Prophanencfc,  is  unwil'ing,till  the hinderance  be  removed:  Nor  any 
who  by  Confcioufnefs,  or  fear  of  their  unfitnefs,  are  like  to  be  driven  by  fo  re- 
ceiving it,  into  diffraction  or  defperation. 

7.  Let  no  Minifter  be  forced  to  deliver  the  Sacrament  of  Chr/ft's  Body  and 
Blood,  to  any  who  is  unbaptized:  or  who  being  baptized  in  Infancy,  did  never 
yet  perfonally  to  the  Church,  or  Minifter,  own  his  Baptifmal  Covenant  by  an 
underftanding  Profelllcm  of  the  Chriftian  Faith.,  and  promife  of  Obedience  to  God 
the  Father,  Son,  and  Koly-Ghoft :,  and  who  alio  will  not  yet  make  fuch  apro- 
feflion  andpromifc  to  the  Church,  or  Minifter,  or  clfe  bring  a  valid  Certificate 
that  he  hath  forme ;ly  done  it  to  the  Bilhop,  or  fome  approved  Paftor,  under 
whom  he  lived  :  Nor  to  any,  who,  upon  accufation,  fame,  or  juft  fufpicion  of 
Atkeifrn,  Infidelity,  Herefie,  intolerable  Ignorance,,  or  grofs,  and  heinous  Sin,  doth 
refufe  to  come  fpeakwith  the  Minifter  for  his  fatisfa&ion,  and  his  Juftification, 
or  better  Information  ^  or  who  by  Proof,  or  ConfeGlon  is  found  guilty  of  any  of 
the  aforfaid  fcandalous  Evils,  until  he  have  profefled  ferious  Repentance  to  the 
faid  Minifter,  if  the  crime  be  notorious  j  and  if  he  refufe,  till  he  have  moreover 
amended  his  former  wicked  Life. 

8.  Let  no  Minifter  be  forced  to  publilh  an  Excommunication,  or  Abfoluti- 
on  of  any  againft  his  Confcience,  upon  the  decree  or  Sentence  of  a  Lay- 
Chancellour,  or  any  other :  But  let  them,  that  defire  it,  caufe  fuch  to  do  it 
whofe  Confcience  is  not  againft:   it. 

9.  When  there  are  Prefentments  or  Appeals  to  the  Chancellour's  Court,  or 
Bifhop's,  let  not  fickly,  weak  Minifters,  or  thofe  whofe  Parifhes  cannot  be  fo 
long  neglected,  be  put  to  travel  long  Journeys,  or  neglect  their  Studies,  and 
Minifterial  Work,  by  oft  or  long  Attendances,  in  bringing  WitnefTes  againft: 
thofe  to  whom  they  only  refufed  on  the  forefaid  Reafons  to  deliver  the  Sacra- 
ment. 

1  o.  Seeing  Minifters  who  live  among  them,  are  fuppofed  to  be  bell:  acquainted 
with  the  Penitence,  or  impenitence  of  their  People,  let  it  be  left  to  their 
Prudence,  whom  they  will  abfolve  in  Sicknefs,  and  privately  give  the  Sacrament 
to,  and  let  the  Sick  chufe  fuch  ConfcfTors,  as  they  think  belt,  for  themfelves : 
And  let  thofe  few  words  at  Burial  which  import  the  Juftification,  and  Salvation 
of  the  Deceafed,  be  left  to  the  Minifter's  Difcretion,  who  hath  known  the 
Perfon's  Life  and   Death. 

r  1 .  Let  no  Minifter  be  forced  to  deny  Chriftian  Communion  to  thofe  Per- 
fons  otherwife  found  and  Godly,  who  think  it  unlawful  to  kneel  in  taking  the 
Sacramental  Bread  and  Wine,  though  it  may  be  upon  caufelefs  Scruples. 

1 2.  Let  Minifters  have  leave  to  open  the  meaning  of  the  Catechifmy  and  not 
only  to  hear  the  Words  themfelves  ("And  it  is  much  co  be  wilhed  that  the 
Catechifm  were  amended.  )  And  let  him  have  leave  at  Baptifm  and  the  Euclia- 
rift  to  interpofe  fome  few  quickning  words  of  Exhortanion,  left  form  alone  do 
caft  them  into  a  cuftomary  dullnefs. 

1 3.  Let  the  ufe  of  the  Surplice  be  left  indifferent  in  the  Parifh -Churches,  or 
at  leaft  if  the  Curate  frequently  ufe  it,  let  it  fuffice. 

1 4 ..  If  any  live  under  a  Minifter  ehat  is  very  ignorant,  or  fcandalous,  or 
very  unsuitable  to  the  People,  or  to  his  Work,  let  them  not  be  punifhed  for- 
going often  to  hear  and  Communicate  where  they  can  better  profit,  in  any  Neigh- 
bour Church  of  the  fame  Diocefs  :  So  be  it,  they  pay  the  Incumbent  his 
Dues. 

V.  Let  not  thofe  who  are  ordained  by  Presbyters  be  put  to  renounce  their 
Ordination,  or  be  re-ordained  5  but  only  upon  proof  of  their  fitnefs  for  the 
Miniftry,  receive  by  word ,  or  a  written  Inftrument,  a  Legal  Authority  to  excr- 
cije  their  Miniftry  in  any  Congregation  in  his  Mqejly's  Dominions^  where  they  flutll  be 
Lawfully  called.  VI.  We 


Part  III  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  B 


axter.  i  j 

VI.  Wc  defirc  that  no  Excommunicate  Perfon,  as  fuch,  mavbe  imprifoned    *«A 
turned  in  his  Eftatc,  bit  only  fuch  whofe  Crimes,  in  thcmfelves  conficWed  dl 
ferve  it.  "     >      - 

VII.  As  wc  defire  all  this  Liberty  to  our  felves,  fo  it  is  our  Judgment  and 
Defire,  that  Chriihan  Lenity  be  ufcdto  all  truly  Confcientious  Diflenters    and  alfo 
the  Tolerable  may  be  Tolerated,  under  Laws  of  Peace  and  Safety  •  But'who  fhafl 
be  judged  Tolerable,  and  what  (hall  be  the  Laws  or  Terms  of  their  Toleration 
we  prefume  not  uncalled  to  make  our  felves  Counfellours  or  Judges.  ' 

But  for  avoiding  the  inconveniences,  which  the  forefaid  Gonceffions  to  our  felves 
may  feem  to  threaten  to  the  Church,  we  hope  it  will  fuffice,  if  there  be  a  Law  made 
for  the  Regulation  of  the  Bilhops,  the  Minifters  and  the  Flocks :  That  People  or 
Minifters  uncivilly  revile  not  one  another  :  That  no  Licens'd  Minifters  fhall  Preach 
againft  any  of  the  Doctrine  of  the  Church  ^  nor  againit  Epifcopacy,  Liturgy  or  the 
Eftablilhed  Ceremonies :  That  all  Magiftrates  be  excepted  from  all  open  p'erfonal 
Rebukes,  or  difgraceful  Cenfures,  or  Excommunications,  becaufe  (Cater'vs  Paribus) 
pofitive  Inftituted  Orders  give  place  to  Natural  morals,  iuch  as  the  Fifth  Command- 
ment containeth  •  That  all  negligent  or  fcandalous  Minifters  be  Punifhed  according 
to  the  Meafure  of  their  Fault :  And  the  omiffion  of  Preaching,  Liturgy  or  Sacra- 
ments, fhall  be  Punilh'd  (not  prefently  with  forbidding  them  to  do  any  thing  be- 
caufe they  do  not  enough,  but)  with  the  Secmeftration of  their  Church-maintenance 
viz..  That  they  lofe  a  month's  Profit  of  their  Benefice  for  a  month's  Omiffion  and  fo 
on  proportionably.  And  that  thofewhofe  Infufficiency,  Herefy  or  Crimes  are  fuch 
as  that  their  Miniftrv  doth  more  hurt  than  good,  be  totally  caft  out :  And  that  the 
Bifhops  may  not  Silence,  Sufpend,  Deprive  or  Excommunicate  any  Miniftcr  Arbitra- 
rily, but  by  a  known  Law,  and  in  cafe  of  Injuftice,  we  may  havefufficient  remedy 
by  Appeals.  And  that  no  former  Law  or  Canon,  which  is  contrary  to  any  of  this 
be  therein  in  force.  * 

r .  If  Sacraments  were  but  left  free  to  be  adminiftred,  and  received  by  none  but  Vo- 
lunteers. 2.  And  Liberty  granted  the  Minifters  to  Preach  in  thofe  Churches  where  the 
CommontPrayer  is  read  by  others,  I  think  it  would  take  in  all,  or  almoft  all  the  Inde- 
pendents alfo.  (3.  Suppofmg  the  Door  left  open,  according  to  the  firfb  Article) 
Thefe  three  would  unite  us  almoft  all  But  I  have  mentioned  the  reft,  beeaufc  the 
firft  of  thefe  will  not  be  granted. 


The  StriBures  returned  upon  thefe  Propo&ls,  with  the  Anfwers; 

My  Lord, 

y  Return  you  this  Paper  with  an  Anfwer  to  the  Striftures  •,  not  with  any  hopes  of 
*  Agreement  with  the  Author :  For  whoever  he  is,  I  foave  no  hope  of  Peace  or 
Healing  by  him  ;  or  by  his  confent,  according  to  the  Principles  and  Rigour  here  ex- 
prefled. 

I .  prop.  [Suppofmg  the  Church-Government  may  not  be  altered!^  Stritl.  (a)  [_j4U  the 
particulars  following  dodireftly,  or  indireclly,  either  overthrew  or  undermine  the  Church  Go- 
vernment. ■ 

Anfw.  /f  by  Cthe  Church  Government^  be  meant  (as  the  Propounder  did  mean) 
tne  Conftitution  containing  the  Diocefan  frame,  with  Deans,  Arch-Deacons,  Lay- 
Chancellours  as  Governing  by  Excommunication  and  Abfolution,  there  is  nothing 
in  thefe  Propofals  incompetent  with  that  Frame,  nor  motioning  any  alteration  of  it. 
(Tho  there  is  that  in  it,  which  our  Judgments  take  to  be  very  great  fin :  For  we  can 
quietly  live  under  a  Government  (infill,  while  we  are  not  put  to  fin  by  our  content- 
ing; to  the  fin  of  others.;  But  if  by  [the  Government^  be  meant  the  whole  Exerafe  of 
their  Government,  according  to  the  Ad  of  Uniformity  and  the  Canons,  we  confefs 
that  every  abatement  defired  by  us,  is  againft  it :  And  if  we  could  do  all  requir  d 
by  the  Governours,  we  were  full  Conformifts,  and  needed  none  or  tnis. 
1  Pppp  But 


114  "   The' LI   F  E  of  the  Part  111 

But  thj£ Prefatory  Progno/tick tells  u  whoever  intendeth 

our  Solemnity  andfni  >  And  if  a  Croft  be 

our  intended  \s  '  nder  it'  [Ovtrtbrtvfrs  andVndermimrs  of  the Government']  be 

the  Title  to  be  written  on  it. 

1.  Prop.  [Andthc'Subfcrih'mg  the Dothine  and  Sacraments,  be'] 

Stritt.  (b)  [So  they  may  not  be  required  to  Subfcrtbe  either  to  the  Government  or  Liturgy  - 
or  Rites  and  Ceremonies  of  our  Church.]  u 

Anfn.  i.  If  there  were  nothing  at  all  in  the  Diocefan  frame  in  Fngland,  Lay- 
Chancellours,  Spiritual  Government,  nor  any  other  part  of  the  Government,  and 
Word  in  the  Liturgy,  or  any  Ceremony  which  wc  do  not,  nor  dare  not  approve 
and  Juftify  by  a  Subfcription  ;  what  need  we  any  of  this  ado,  any  more  than  any 
Bifhops  or  Conformity  feeing  we  were  Conformable  already. 

2.  We  are  willing  to  Swear,  Subfcribe,  and  Covenant,  Allegiance  to  the  King, 
who  isaConftitutiveEfientiai  Part  of  the  Kingdom.     But  we  are  not  willing  ac- 
cordingly to  Swear,  Subfcribe,  or  Covenant   to  every  petty  Officer  in  the  King- 
dom, nor  to  approve  of  every  Law,  Cuflom  or  Exercif  of  Government  in  it ;  tho  we 
would  live  peaceably  under  what  we  approve  not.     And  if  a  Law  were  made  that 
he  ihall  be  Banifhed  as  an  Overthrosoer,  or  Vnderminer  of  the  Govern  >  eriti.  who  would 
not  fo  Covenant  or  Subfcribe,  Houfes  and  Lands  would  be  cheaper  than  they  are,  and 
the  King  have  fewer  Subjects  than  he  hath  :  For  I  am  not  acquainted  with  one  Con- 
fcionable  Man,  that  I  think  would  Subfcribe  it.     And  why   mould  all  the  King's 
Snbje&s  be  bound  more  ftrictly  to  the  Human  Fart  of  Church  Government,  than  of 
State  or  Civil  Government,  and  to  approve  of  Lay-Chancellours  than  of  Civil  Offi- 
cers ?    Or  of  the  matter  of  Canons ,  than  of  Civil  and  Common  and  Statute 
Laws  ? 

3.  If  it  be  a  Crime  to  \novo,  it  is  a  Crime  to  Judge,  or  to  ufe  our  Reafon  and  Ob- 
fervation.  If  it  be  not,  it  is  no  Crime  for  us  to  know  that  Clergy-Pride,  impofmg  a 
multitude  of  things  fmall  and  doubtful,  on  the  Churches  as  the  Conditions  of  Mi- 
niftry  and  Communion,  and  forcing  Magnates,  Minifters  and  People  to  confent 
to  many  unneceflary  things  in  their  Humane  part  of  Government ;  Liturgies  and 
Ceremonies  hath  been  fo  great  an  Engin  of  Schifyn  and  Blood  and  Confufrons  in  the 
Roman  Church,  as  aflurethus  that  it  is  no  definable  thing,  that  by  us  any  thing  like 
it  mould  be  confented  to.  ** 

4.  And  it  is  no  Crime  in  us  to  be  fure,  that  if  Subfcribing  to  all  the  prefent 
Church-Government,  Liturgy  and  Ceremonies,  be  the  thing  that  (hall  be  mceffary  to 
ourMiniftry,  and  Union  and  Communion,  our  prefent  Diilentions  and  Divilions 
will  not  be  healed,  u'nlefs  by  Killing  or  Banifhing  the  DilVenters,  and  as  Tertullian 
fpeaketh,  Making  folitude,  and  calling  it  Peace. 

I.  Prop.  [hfvs  Majeft/s]  Subjects — [Legal]  Commiflion---  any  other  [of  his  Sub- 
jetls].— 

Stic.  (c)[Deleatur.] 

_ 

s'nfr.  1.  We  did  not  think  that  it  had  been  your  meaning  that  we  mult  make 
our  felves  Judges  of  the  Cafe,not  only  of  all  his  Majeftie7s.kSubj*&s,  but  of  all  others 
in  the  World.     If  the  Judges  will  give  it  us  under  their  Hands,  that  it  is  not  law- 
ful upon  any  pretence  whatfoever,  for  the  Subje&s  of  any  Prince  on  Earth  to  take 
Arms  againft  any  King  of  England,  or  any  Commiflioned  by  him  ;  or  that  it  is  not 
,  poffible  for  any  War  againft  us  in  any  Age,  on  any  pretenfe  whatever,  to  be  Lawful ; 
or  elfe  that  they  are  fure  that  all  the  Kingdoms  on  Earth  are  fo  Conftituted,  as 
that  no  where  any  Subje&s  may  on  any  pretence  take  Arms  againft  their  Kings,  we 
ihall  accordingly  fubmit  to  their  Judgment.     But   feeing  Papifts  and  Protectants, 
Lawyers  and  Divines,  even  Monarchical  and  Conformable  fay  the  contrary,  it  were 
not  modefty  in  us  that  are  ignorant  of  Matters  of  Law,  to  fay  that  they  are  ail  mi- 
ftaken,  till  we  are  inftru&ed  to  know  it  to  be  fo.     For  our  parts  we  muft  profefsour 
felves  not  acquainted  with  the  Conftitution  of  every  Kingdom  in  the  World. 

2.,  If  [Legal]  mufti  be  obliterated,  we  Ihall  our  felves  quietly  fubmit  totheEi- 
ercife  accordingly ;  and  fuffer  from  any  one  that  faith,  he  is  Commiffioned  to  hurt  us, 
if  it  be  required  of  us :  But  we  are  not  skill'd  in  Law,  and  thefore  cannot  fay, 
that  all  others  are  bound  to  do  the  like.    To  deal  plainly,  feeing  [Legal]  mult  be 

oblite- 


Part  III.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


11 


atcd>  v ;  irK  ,not  wllat  the  word  [Commtjfion]  meaneth  :  Whtthcr  it 

muft  have  the  Kings  W-M  or  the  htfcr-fetl,  or  his  iWonly  :  Whether  the 
Commiflion  and  Seal  muft  be  fhewed  to  thofe  that  are  not  to  refill  •  or  proved  to  be 
Currant,  andhow?  Hut  that  which  caufeth  usto  forbear  fubferibine  is  i  We 
hive  token  the  Oath  of  Allegiance,  and  think  that  the  King's  Subject  are  bound  to 
defend  his  Lire  Crown  and  Dignity  •  And  we  fear  left  by  this  the  Lord  Chancel- 
loin  (it  not  others)  may  have  power  at  his  Pleafure  to  Dttofi  the  Km*    that  is    to 

al  Commiflioils  to  Confederates  to  take  PolTeflion  of  all  his  Navv   Forts    Ga'rri 
ions,  Arms,  if  not  his  Houfe  and  Perfon,  and  no  man  muft  refift  them      2  We  are 
not  certain  that  a  Commiflion  can  Repeal  all  that  Law  of  Nature    who  obliretha 
Man  to  prefcrve  the  Life  of  his  Parents  or  Children,  or  Neighbour     We  have  not 
indeed  any  rcafon  to  fear  that  our  King  mould  grant  fnch  a  Commiflion  •  But  who 
can  deny  but  that  it's  poflible  for  fome  King  or  other  to  do  it  ?     And  feeing  we  know 
not  when  a  Commiflion  is  counterfeit,  if  two  or  three  men  come  to  my  Houfe    and 
fay  they  have  a  Commiflion  to  Kill  my  Father,  Mother,  Wife  and  Children  andmv 
felf  (and  (hew  it )  •  or  if  they  Afluult  me  and  my  Company  on  the  High-way    and 
■w  a  Commiflion  to  take  onr  Purfes  and  Kill  us,  we  are  not  fure  that  God  will  ex- 
cufe  us  from  the  Duty  of  defending  the  Lives  of  our  Parents,  Children  and  Friends  - 
Or  if  halt  a  dozen  fhould  come  to  the  Parliament,  and  thew  a  Commiffion  prefent- 
ly  to  kill  them  all,  or  Burn  the  City,  and  Kill  all  the  Citizens,  or  Kingdom,  we  are 
not  wife  enough  to  know  that  neither  Parliament,  City,  nor  Kingdom,  may  refift 
them.     And  we  find  Parliaments  fo  conceited  that  they  have  Propriety  in  Life  and 
Goods,  ancj  that  none  may  at  pleafure  take  them  away,  and  lay  Taxes  without  their 
confent-  and  that  we  fear  if  we  fhould  plainly  fay,  that  whatever  Taxes  are  laid  or 
Eftatesor  Goods  or  Perfons  feiz'd  on,  or  Decrees  of  Judges  rejected  by  fuch  Exe- 
cution, it  were  unlawful  for  the  Sheriff,  or  any  others  to  refift,  they  would  trouble 
lis  for  fo  faying.    And  if  an  Admiral,  General,  or  Lieutenant  fhould  be  made  by 
Aft  of  Parliament,  Durante  Vita,  and  Authorized  to  refift  any  that  would  difpof- 
fefs  him,  we  are  not  fo  Wife  as  to  know  whether  he  may  not  refift  one  to  whom  the 
Chanccllour  Sealeth  a  Commiflion  to  difpoflefs  him:   And  though  we  are  confident 
that  the  Perfon  of  the  King  is  inviolable,  yet  if  King  John  did  deliver  up  his  King- 
dom to  the  Pope,  we  are  not  fure  that  the  Kingdom  might  not  have  refilled  any  of 
the  Popc's,(or  any  Foreign  Prince's)  Agents,  if  they  had  been  Commiflioned  by  the 
King  to  fcizc  upon  the  Kingdom  :  Or  that  no  Subjects  of  any  Foreign  Prince  may  be 
refilled,  if  they  fhould  come  againft  us,  by  fuch  a  Commiflion.     Had  we  the  Judg- 
ment of  the  Judges  in  this  Cafe,  we  fhould  fubmit  as  far  as  any  reafon  could  require 
us.     But  tho  we  juftify  not  Barclay,  6>v>t/W,Bifhop  Bilfon  and  others,  of  the  contrary 
mind,  we  muft  confefs  our  felves  not  wife  enough  to  Condemn  them. 

1 .  Prop.  [Nor  by  any  other  [unlawful"]  means  (to  endeavour  Reformation). 

Stric.  (d)  fDcleatur  [Unlawful.] 

Anf.  i .  Here  we  may  ice  how  many  minds  the  Conformifts  are  of  •,  or  how  un- 
juflly  all  that  1  have  debated  the  Cafe  of  Subfcription  with  do  affirm,  That  by  [not 
endeavouring]  any  Alteration,  is  meant  only  not  endeavouring  by  unlawful  meansfj 
which  is  here  contradicted  by  a  Btleatur  [unlawful] 
.     2.  I  crave  an  Anlwer  to  thefe  Queftions. 

1 .  Can  you  certainly  fay,  That  the  Church-Government  is  fo  purely  Divine  and' 
Perfect  as  that  no  Reformation  is  either neceffary  or  lawful?  Is  all  the  Diocefan 
Frame  fuch,   and  the  Lay-Chancellors  Power  of  the  Keys  alio  ? 

2.  If  there  be  need  of  any  Reformation,  is  it  not  a  Covenant  againft  Repentance 
and  Obedience  to  God,  to  covenant  never  to  endeavour  it  at  all  ? 

3.  What  if  the  King  fhould  by  Commiflion  require  fome  Alterations,  or  com- 
mand us  to  endeavour  it,  are  you  fure  that  we  are  all  bound  to  difobey  him  <* 

4.  What  if  a  Parliament-man  make  a  Speech,  or  pafs  a  Vote  for  it,  are  you  fure 
tfauhefmneth? 

5.  Are  you  fure  that  the  King  may  not  lawfully  endeavour  any  Reformation  ?  Or 
Was  his  Declararation  about  Eccleriaftical  Affairs  a  fin  ?  . 

<5.  What  if  any  humbly  petition  the  King  and  Parliament  for  any  fuch  Reforraa- 
lionVas  that  Laymen  may  not  have  the  Power  of  the  Keys  over  a  whole  Diocefs, 
and  all  the  Parochial  Paftors  be  denied  it)  •,  is  it  certainly  a  fin  ? 

?ppp3  ?•¥ 


1 1 6  The  LI  F  E  of  the  Part  II  1 

7.  If  a  man  Vow  (though  fmfully)  to  do  a  thing  which  lie  may  lawfully  do,  it 
lie  had  not  vowed  it,  are  you  fuve  it  is  a  lin  (and  not  1  >Uty)  to  keep  that  Vow  in  Ma- 
teria Licit  a  (which  he  thinkcth  Necefjaria)  ?     I  put  the  Queftion  as  de  futuro,  if  J 
Millions  Ihould  make  fuch  a  Vow  (culpably,  without  and  againft  the  Will  of  my 
perioursj  for  the  time  to  come,  are  you  fure  that  it  bindeth  no  man  of  them  all  ?    I 
believe,  that  no  private  arbitrary  Vow  can  foreftall  my  due  Obedience  1 1 
nours :  But  antecedent  Duty  fo  made  by  God  (as  Reforming  by  lawful  means  of  hndea- 
vour)^  it  is  fuppofed  they  do  not  forbid  :  For  every  Member  of  the  Church  is  in  Lis 
place  obliged  to  promote  the  Common  Good  by  lawful  means  :  as  they  might 
bid  us  all  to  exhort  or  admonifh  any  fmner,  or  to  pray,  or  preach,  or  difputea- 
gainft  fin,   as  well  as  to  petition  againft  it.     2.  And  'tis  fuppofed  tlv.it  every  Bifiop, 
or  Parliament-man,  or  Fuler,  is  not  forlidden  all  fueh  lawful  Endeavours  •,  and  lb  that 
a  Prohibition  rendereth  it  not  (to  them  at  leaf)  unlawful.     For  I  fpeak  of  no  other 
Cafe. 

But  how  fad  a  Cafe  is  that  Nation  in,  where  the  Clerpy  would  have  all  men- take 
them  for  fo  infallible  and  perfect,  without  the  fmalleft  Fault  or  Errour  in  their  Go- 
vernment, as  that  neither  Parliament-man,  Clergy-man,  nor  any  one  of  the  Peo- 
ple, may  by  lawful  means  endeavour  the  leaft  Reformation  of  them :  when  even 
the  Roman  Bifhop  of  Gloucefter,  Godfrey  Goodman,  writeth  fo  fharply  againft  the  Lay- 
Chancellor's  Power  of  the  Keys  ? 

2.  Prop.  The  Nonconformifls  hold  it  high  Sacriledge  [to  alienate  tbemfelves.~] 

Strict.  ( e)  But  what  if  they  be  fufptndcd,  or  filenced  by  Authority  ? 

Anf  I.  When  it  is  by  true  Authority,  doing  it  either  juftly,  or  elfe  unjujlty,  in  cafe 
their  preaching  be  unneceffary,  or  lefs  necejfary  than  Obedience  to  the  unjuft  tVokUtion, 
we  will  furceafe,  and  take  it  as  a  ficknefs  or  difablement.  But  if  ifbe  done  Sy  Vfur- 
fers^  like  Papal  Prelates,  or  by  our  Governours  unlawfully,  in  cafe  that  cur  preach- 
ing remain  more  necejfary  to  the  Publick  Good,  than  obedient  forbearance  ;  wc  will  exer- 
cife  our  Miniftry  till  Death,  Prifon,  or  other  Force  difable  us.  If  you  ask,  Who  /hall 
be  Judge  ?  I  anfwer,  i.  The  Magiftrate,  by  publick  Decifion,  in  Order  to  his  own  Ex- 
ecution,  and  if  he  do  it  unjuft  ly,  God  is  the  Avenger.  2.  And  the  Minifter  by  a  pri- 
vate Rational  Judgment  of  Difcretion,  difcerning  Duty  from  Sin ;  and  if  he  were, 
God  and  Man,  will  punilh  him  •,  if  not,  God  will  reward  him. 

2. 1  alfo  ask,  Were  not  Conftantius  and  Valens  (tho  Erroneous)  Lawful  Princes  ? 
And  did  not  the  holy  Bilhops  of  the  Baft,  refufe  to  furceafe  their  Miniftration  when 
they  prohibited  them  ?  And  do  not  Papifts,  and  other  Protefbants,  as  well  as  Bp. 
Bilfon  and  Andrews,  agree,  That  we  mult  do  the  like  upon  fuch  unjuft  Prohibitions  ? 
And  hath  our  Diocefan  more  power  to  fdence  us  than  the  King  !  Or  were  we  Confe- 
crated  to  the  Miniftry  in  our  Ordination,  on  that  Condition,  to  preach  till  forbidden 
unjuftly  ?  And  did  not  the  Apoftles  and  all  Paftors,  for  300  Years,  Exercife  theirMi- 
niftry  againft  the  Wills  of  Lawful  Magiftrates  (tho  Heathens.J 

2.  Prop.  fTo  preach  Lectures  with  the  Incumbent's  Confenr.3 

Strict.  (/)  \_Andwith  the  Allowance  of  the  Bifkop.~} 

Anf  And  that  is,  Let  King  and  Parliament  by  Law  allow  us  to  preach  Chrift's 
Gofpel,  if  the  Bifhop  will  allow  us  fo  to  do  •  and  let  the  Law  leave  it  to  his  power 
to  forbid  us :  And  what  Good  will  Laws  then  do  us  for  our  Miniftry,  when  thefe  E- 
leven  Years  have  already  told  us  what  wemufttruft  to  from  the  Bifhops  (fome  at 
leaft.)  Provide  fuch  fupply  for  the  Subjects  Souls,  as  their  Numbers  and  Necejftties 
require,  that  the  meaning  may  not  be  \Let  menbe  faved,  if  the  Bifhop  confenQ,  and 
for  my  part,  I'll  Joyfully  be  filent.  But  I  will  not  fo  far  deny  my  Senfe  and  Reafon 
fand  the  Senfe  of  the  Countrey  alfoj  as  to  believe  this  is  done,  if  another  will  but 
confidently  fay  it's  done,  or  fay  that  we  do  more  harm  than  good  3  no  more  than  I 
Will  believe  there  are  no  Englishmen  in  England. 

2.  Prop.  Let  not  the  Incumbent  be  difcouraged  by  the  Bifhop  from  receiving 
them ~] 

Strict,  (g)  So  they  will  conform.~] 

Anf.  So  they  will  conform  as  far  as  aforefaid,  or  as  in  the  Propofals :  But  other- 
wife,  if  it  be  prcfent,full  Conformity,  that  muft  ftill  be  necefliary,what  arewefpeak- 
ing  for?  This  was  written  border  to  our  Concord,  by  the  means  of  fome  Alterati- 
ons or  Abatements  of  Conformity,  becaufe  it  was  told  abroad  that  fome  Bifhops 

were 


Part  111  %evmnd  Mr.  Richard  Baxter 


ii 


willing  of  fuch  a  thing:  And  is  it  meant  that  if  we  Conform    they  will  abate 
us  fame  Conformity. 


3.  Prop.  Let  it  be  forbidden,  &c.  fabout  joyning  in  Family  Worfnirv--;] 


ring  each  other- 
tow  i  .vcn  be  Uonventiciing  •  the  Heathens  lb  called  the  Chriltian  Aflemblies 
ThisStri&ure  more  mortifyeth  our  hopes  of  healing,  than  any  of  the  reft:  Jfcorwe 
fee  here  that  the  Silencing  and  Imprifoning,  and  Undoing  of  the  Minifters,  will  not 
fatisfy  ;  the  People  alfo  mult  have  their  Crofs  and  Conventicles  mult  be  Written  on  it. 
One  would  think  the  Limitations  here  put  fhould  have  fatisfied  any  man  that  is 
for  Faith,  Hope  and  Charity.     1,  We  moved  it  for  none  but  thofe  that  attend  the 
Publick  Aflemblies.     2.  And  fo  it  be  not  at  the  Hours  of  Publick  Worfhip.     3.  And 
but  for  Neighbours  of  the  fameParifh  (becaufc  many  cannot  Read,  nor  remember 
what  they  have  Read,  nor  help  their  own  Families,  nor  underftand  themfelves  the 
Chriltian  Faith.)    4,  We  delired  this  Liberty  in  no  Exercifes,  but  reading  the 
Scriptures,  or  Licenfed  Pious  Books,  and  repeating  the  Publick  Sermons  of  their 
Pallors,  and  Praying  and  Singing Pfalmsj     5.  We  motioned  this  much  for  none  but 
thofe  that  herein  refufe  not  the  Infpeftion  of  their  Lawful  Pallors,  to  prevent  all 
ill  Effects.     6.  And  for  the  Minifter  himfelf  to  repeat  his  Sermon,  or  Catechize,  or 
Inftruct  his  People  that  will  come  to  him.     And  is  this  the  intolerable  Evil,  worthy 
to  be  avoided  at  the  rate  of  all  our  Calamities  ?     Are  all  our  Divifions  better  than 
the  enduring  of  this  ?     If  any   Limitations  neceflary   had  been  omitted,  I  might 
have  expected  to  have  found  them  named,  which  1  do  not.     But,  1.  No  Man's  de- 
nial can  make  us  ignorant  of  it,  that  too  great  a  Part  of  the  People  in  molt  places 
know  not  what  Baptifm,  Cbriftianity,  or  the  Catechifm  are  ;  and  many  hundred 
thoufands  cannot  Read.     2.  And  that  few  Minifters  fo  perfonally  inftruct  them  as 
their  need  requircth  (nor  can  do  for  fomany):  or  by  their  Inflation  they  have 
not  cured  them.     3.  That  to  go  to  their  Neighbours  on  the  Lord's  Day,  to  hear 
again  the  Sermon,  which  they  had  forgotten,  and  to  Prai'fe  God,  and  hear  the 
Scripture,  or  a  good  Book  that  is  Licensed,  read,  hath  done  great  good  to  many 
Souls.    4.  That  otherwife  fuch  Ignorant  Perfonsas  we  fpeak  of,  except  at  Church- 
time,  cannot  fpend  the  Lord's  Day  to  any  Edification  of  themfelves  or  Families. 
5.  Men  arc  not  hinder'd  from  Feafting,  Drinking,  Playing  together  frequently,  and 
in  greater  Numbers.    Why  then  (by  BifhopsJ  from  reading  the  Scripture,  or  a 
Licens'd  Book  or  Sermon  ?    6.  That  God  hath  Commanded  Provoke  one  another  fo 
Love  and  to  good  works :  And  exhort  one  another  daily ,  while  it  is  called  to  day,  left  any 
be  hat$fflcd  through  the  deceit fulnefs  of  fin  •,  Heb.  10.  24.  and  3.  13.  And  Cornelius 
had  his  Friends  with  him  in  his  Houfe  for  God's  Servics,  Ails  10.  and  Atts  12.  12. 
In  Mary's  Houfe  many  were  gathered  together  praying.     And  we  find  not  that  even  the 
Jews  were  ever  forbidden  it  by  the  Pharifees  themfelves  :  And   he  that  feeth  his 
Brother  have  (bodily  J  need,  and  fhuttcth  up  the  Bowels  of  his  Companion  from 
him,  how  dwelleth  the  Love  of  God  in  him  ?    And  the  need  of  Souls  is  more  com- 
mon, and  to  be  Compaffionated.     Rules  may  Regulate  Charity  in  both  cafes  ;  but  may 
forbid  it,  or  the  necellary  Exercifes  of  it  in  neither.     He  fhall  Perifh  as  guilty  of 
Murder  that  lets  the  Poor  Die  for  want  of  his  Relief,  tho  he  be  forbidden  to  relieve 
them,  unlefs  when  the  hurt  would  be  greater  than  the  good.     Love  and  M«rcy  are 
too  great  duties  for  a  Bilhoptonullordifpenfewith  :  We  put  no  private  Man  on 
Minilterial  A&ions,  but  in  his  own  place  to  fhew  mercy  to  Souls.     To  fay,  that  on 
this  pretence    Schifmatical  Meetings  will  be  held,  is  no  more  to  the  people  than  to 
fav,  that  all  Errours  and  Wickedhefs  may  be  kept  up  by  Pretences  of  Reafon,  Truth, 
J-'jc'fy,  Scripture,  Honefiy,    &c.  But  we  muft  not  therefore  fay,  Away  with  Reafon, 
Truth,  &c.    But  I  hope  God's  Servants  will  Die  rather  than  defert  their  Matter's 
Work. 

4.  Prop.  1.  [The  greatelt  part  of  it]—  {once  a  Quartv\—  (of  Reading  the  Li- 
turgv  by  Lectures.) 

Strift.  (i)  [}Vhy  net  all  as  well  as  the  greatejl  part  ?  Why  not  always  as  well  as  once 
a  Quarter^] 

Anfw.  1. 1  know  that  here  and  there  a  word  maybe  fcrupled  fas  the  reading  of 
Bell  and  the  Dragon,  or  fuch  like)  which  filently  paft  by,  raaketh  no  difturbance; 
And  I  think  the  Scrupling  of  fuch  a  word,  deferveth  not  that  all  the  Peoples  Souls 
.  be  Punifhed  for  it,  with  the  lofs  of  all  their  Teachers  Labours, 


1 1 8  'I  be  L  1  Ft  of  the  Part  III 


2.  I  never  hear  one  Conformift  that  faith  it  all :  And  why  may  not  one  be  for- 
born  as  well  as  another  ? 

3.  All  the  Liturgy  for  the  day  will  be  work  too  long  and  great ,  that  weak  Men 
that  have  no  Curates  cannot  Read  all,  and  Preach  or  Catechize  alfo.  If  you  fay 
that  Preaching  and  Catechizing  then  may  be  omitted  j  I  anfwer,  They  are  God', 
Ordinances,  and  needful  to  Men's  Souls  :  And  feeing  Prayer  and  Preaching  are 
both  Duties,  proportion  is  to  be  obferved  ,  that  neither  may  be  (hut  out :  If  you 
accougt  the  liturgy  better  than  Preaching,  yet  every  parcel  of  it  intirely  is  not 
fure  of  fo  great  worth,  as  to  caft  out  Preaching  for  it.  Rich  parfons,  that  have  Cu- 
rates, may,  between  them,  do  both ;  but  fo  cannot  poor  Countrey  Minifters  that 
are  alone,  and  are  iickly. 

And  as  to  the  [Always,"]  i .  The  Canon  limiteth  fome  but  to  once  in  half  a 
year,  f  which  is  lefs.  ) 

2.  The  Conformable  City-Preachers,  that  have  Curates,  very  rarely  Read  it. 

3.  Elfe  what  mould  Men  do  with  Curates ,  if  they  muft  always  Read  them- 
felves  ? 

4.  A  weak  Man  may  do  both  once  a  Quarter,  that  is  not  able  to  do  it  every 
day. 


U 


tc 

ct 


4.  Prop.  2.— It  is  fuppofed  it  will  be  done.  ]  — 

"  Stritf.  (£)  Yes,  once  a  Quarter,  for  you  would  have  no  Han  obliged  to  do  it  oftner  ; 

nor  all  of  it  then  neither. 

Anfw.  Read  and  believe  as  you  can.  The  words  were  \_  If  in  the  Congregation 
where  he  vs  Incumbent,  the  greatejl  part  of  it  appointed,  for  that  time  ,  be  fometimes  (as 
once  a  Quarter  )  ufed  by  himfelf,  and  every  Lerd^s-day  ordinarily  (unlefs  Sickmfs,  &c.  ) 
cither  by  himfelf,  or  by  h'vs  Curate  or  Affiftant :  ~]  Is  every  Lords-day  but  once  a  Quar- 
ter ?  Or  can  it  be  every  day  done,  and  no  one  obliged  to  do  it  ? 

4.  Prop.  3.  Let  not  Ghriftian  Parents  be  forbidden  to  dedicate  their  Children 
publickly,  &c 
"  StrtH.  (0  Chriftian  Parents  are  not  forbidden  to  prefent  their  Children  to  be 
Baptized  :  But  the  Church  in  favour  to  the  Infants,  appoints  others  (in  cafe  the 
Parents  ihould  die,  or  negled  their  duty)  to  have  a  Paternal  care  of  them,  ia 
"  order  to  their  Education,  for  the  performance  of  their  Baptifmal  Covenant : 
"  That  which  follows  is  not  worth  the  Animadverting,  being  nothing  elfe  but  an 
"  Uncharitable  and  Scandalous  Infinuation. 

Anf.  1.  Read  and  believe  what  is  forbidden.  C  then  fhall  the  Pricjt  ftMk  to  the 
Godfathers  and  Godmothers  on  this  wife;  Dearly  Beloved — this  Infant  muft  a\fo  faith- 
fully promt  fe  by  you  that  are  his  Sureties  (---  That  he  will  renounce  the  Devil,  &c.3  — / 
demand  therefore,  Doft  thou  in  the  name  of  this  Child  renounce,  &c.  ~\  The  Godfathers 
and  Godmothers  muft  fay,  /  renounce  them  all.  Doft  thou  believe,  &c.  Anfw.  J 11  this 
I  ftedfaftly  believe.  Quell.  Wilt  thou  be  Baptised  in  this  Faith  r  j  Anfw.  That  is  my 
defire.  Q.  Wilt  thou  obediently  keep,  &c.  Anfw.  /  will.  — They  are  after  to  Name 
the  Child.  After  the  Priejl  [hall  fay  to  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  —Forasmuch  as 
this  Child  hath  promifed  by  you  that  arc  his  Sureties  to  renounce —  — to  believe  in  God, 
and  to  ferve  him—  It  is  your  parts  and  duties  to  fee  that  this  Infant  be  taught  fo  foon 
as  he  fhall  be  able  to  learn,  what  a  Solemn  Vow,  Promife  and  Frofejfion  he  hath  here  made 
by  you,  &c.  3     See  the  reft. 

So  that  here,  All  the  Covenanting  Attton  on  the  Infant's  part,  is  made  the  proper 
work  of  his  Sureties,  called  Godfathers  and  Godmothers,  without  one  word  of  the  Pa- 
rents doing  it,  or  any  part  of  it :  And  then  cometh  the  Canon,  and  farther  faith, 
(  Can.  29.  )  {_  No  Parent  fljall  be  urged  to  be  prefent,  nor  be  admitted  to  anfwer  as  God- 
father for  his  own  Child ;  nor  any  Godfather  or  Godmother  fhall  be  fuffered  to  make  any 
other  Anfwer  or  Speech,  than  by  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  is  prefcribed  in  that  behalf.  ~} 
The  /.nfwering  forbidden,  is  the  Covenanting  in  the  Child's  Name.  This  is  exprefly 
forbidden  the  Parent  (  whole  and  part,)  and  left  it  mould  be  thought  that  he  is  one 
Agent  with  the  Sureties,  3$  he  is  not  to  fpeaky  fo  not  to  be  urged  to  be  prefent.  Yet 
he  is  not  forbidden  to  be  prefent  •  but  he  is  forbidden  to  {peak  any  Covenanting  Pro- 
mife  or  Word.  And  this  was  it  that  I  mentioned  ;  in  ftead  of  which,  you  fay,  he 
may  [  Prefent  the  Child  1  — Whatever  you  call  Prefenting,  \  .know  not,  but  1  talkt 
only  of  Covenanting. 

2.  And 


Part  HI,         Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 1 9 

2.  And  why  fry  you  it  is  Q  In  cafe  the  Parents  die,  or  ^Mfer^T^7 
the  Paicats  are  forbidden  (though  they  have  Sureties  with  them  )  fo  much  as  to 
promile  it  as  any  of  their  Duty,  or  to  fpeak  as  Promifmg-Parties  in  it. 

3.  Whether  this  ufe  be  [>  Uncharitable  and  ,  candahus  Infmuation  3  is  all  a  Cafe 
about  Matter  of  Fact-  And  the  Qjiefticn  is,  whether  the  Author  or  I  be  the  truer 
Hiltorian :     My  Narrative  which  I  Hand  to  is  this. 

i  God's  Law  and  Man's  requires  Parents  to  offer  Children  to  be  Baptized ;  and 
the  Rubnck  before  Private  Baptifme  forbids  deferring  it  longer  than  the  firfc  or 
fecond  Sunday. 

2.  They  may  not  be  Baptized  without  Godfathers  as  aforefaid. 

3.  No  Parent  can  force  any  to  be  a  Godfather  againft  his  Will. 

4.  Multitudes  tal  e  it  for  a  fin  to  be  Sureties  on  the  Terms  of  the  Liturgy  and 
therefore  will  and  do  refufe  it.  \ 

5.  Many  Thoufands  know  not  what  Chriftianity,  or  the  Baptifmal  Covenant  is 
as  we  know  by  Perfonal  Conference  with  our  Flocks  and  others,  where  we  have 
lived.     So  common  is  grofs  Ignorance  among  the  Vulgar. 

6.  Many  of  the  Learned  fort  difpute  with  us  frequently,  that  indeed  Baptifm  is 
not  to  Contain  any  Covenant,  or  Vow  at  all. 

7.  So  rare  is  it  for  Sureties  to  take  the  Child  for  their  oven,  or  intend  to  do  all 
in  his  Education  which  they  are  to  promife,  that,  to  my  belt  knowledge,  I  never 
knew  one  in  all  my  life  that  ever  fericufly  fignificd  to  the  Parents  fuch  an  Intent. 
But  they  ufually  think  that  they  are  but  Witneffe^  and  are  at  moll  but  to  give  the 
Parents  Counfel  to  do  what  they  promife  to  do  tbemfelnfes. 

8.  Were  but  all  People  told  ,  that  they  mufttake  the  Child  for  their  own,  as  far 
as  this  Animadvertcr  mentioneth,  and  folemnly  before  God  to  undertake  to  do  all 
that  themfelves  for  the  Child,  which  they  Promife  (  by  the  Book  )  I  ferioufly  pro- 
fefs,  that  I  cannot  fay,  that  ever  I  knew  one  Surety  that  feared  God,  that  I  had 
caufe  to  believe  had  undertaken  it,  unlefs  thofe,  that  indeed  took  home  the  Child 
of  dead  Parents  (  or  an  expofed  one  )  as  their  own.  The  Rich  never  injtend  to 
give  away  their  Children,  nor  that  the  Sureties  Educate  them.  And  few  would  be 
Sureties  for  the  Children  of  the  Poor,  if  they  muft  take  them  fo  for  their  own 
becaufe  of  the  Charge  of  keeping  them.  So  that  I  am  fully  perfwaded,  that  were 
the  Vow  and  Undertaking  thus  underftood,  not  one  of  Forty,  where-ever  I  have 
lived,  could  have  any  Godfathers  for  their  Children,  unlefs  they  will  take  fuch  as 
know  not  what  they  do,  or  make  no  Confcience  of  it ,  and  of  whom  the  Parents 
cannot  reafonably  believe  that  they  intend  any  %:h  thing. 

And,  de  jure,  its  plain,  that  it  is  not  lawful  to  draw  any  Many,  in  fo  great  and 
holy  a  Work,  to  do  that  which  he  underftandeth  not  at  all,  and  to  Promife  and  Un- 
dertake that  before  God  and  the  Churchy  which  our  Confidences  tell  us,  he  never 
intendeth  to  perform  ,  nor  do  the  Parents  intend  to  caft  it  pn  him. 

I  pafs  by  the  Difficulty  of  three  feveral  perfons  Educatiug  the  fame  Child. 

And  now  conlider  ,  whether  it  be  a  Scandalous  Infmuation,  for  a  Man  to 
befeech  the  Bifhop,  that  his  Child  may  not  be  retried,  and  be  Unbaptized  (  and  fo 
denyed  Chriftian  burial  if  he  die  ;  and  worfe  than  that,according  to  the  Liturgy) 
and  himfelf  punifhed  becaufe  he  brings  not  Sureties  -,  if  the  Man  will  there  profefs 
that  he  could  procure  no  Sureties,  who  underftood  what  they  are  to  do ,  and  ex- 
prefs  to  them  any  Serious  Purpofe  to  perform  it  ?  Is  this  an  Odious  or  Scandalous 
Requeft  ? 

4.  Prop.  n.  4.     Of  the  Image  of  the  Crofs,  asufed  in  Baptifme. 

"  Stritt.  (m)  If  any  think  the  Sign  of  tfie  Crofs  in  (or  rather  after)  Baptifm, 
"  to  be  a  Sacramental  Sign ;  they  may  as  well  think  fo  of  the  fame  Sign,  in  flags, 
u  or  {hips,  or  banners ;  for  we  afcribe  no  more  efficacy  to  one  than  to  the  other : 
"  whereas  it  is  the  formalis  ratio  of  a  Sacrament  to  be  a  Means  not  only  to  lignifie, 
"but  to  confer  Grace  nonponentibus  otor#w, which  our  Church  doth  not  afcribe  to  this, 
*'  or  any  other  Ceremony  of  Humane  Inltirution  •,  Or  that  the  Sign  of  the  Crofs  is 
"  any  Sacramental,  but  a'Teaching  Sign  only,  as  the  Surplice  is  -,  And  fuch  Teach- 
"  ing  Signs  Mr.  Baxter  grants  may  be  lawfully  appointed  by  the  Magiftrate,  and 
"  made  ufe  of  in  the  Service  of  God,  though  not  as  an  Elfential  part  thereof. 

Anf.  1 .  You  will  fay  (  after  Baptifm  :  )  For  you  make  it  not  part  of  Baptifm, 
but  a  third  Sacrament,  as  I  think. 


a.  As 


lao  '  1  be  LI  F  £  of  the  Part  III 

2.  As  to  your  Defcription  of  a  Sacrament,  the  Church  takcth  the  word  from 
the  old  Common  ufe,  where  (  as  Mart in: us  noteth  )  Sacr  amentum  was  an  Oath  or 
Covenant,  Quod  eoSacratur  homo  ad  rem  certtm,  ut  ad  Militiatn  :  ut  Feji.  of .-•;  7^- 
tiotiros  :  He  is  bound  by  a  Sacrament,  (2z/i  Sacratur  fide  interpoftta  ;  <ac  taw  S-t- 
cramento  dtcitur  interrogari  qu'idam :  See  the  Military  Sacrament  there  defcribed. 
And  the  Soldiers  had  their  Stigmata,  which  our  Crofs  doth  imitate ;  though  tran- 
siently. Without  this  Sacrament  they  were  no  Soldiers,  and  might  not  fight  again  ft 
the  Enemy  :  And  Tertullian  diflwadeth  ,  Ne  humanum  Sacr  amentum  Divino  Super- 
inducant ,  opening  the  Analogic  of  one  to  the  other.  In  the  laxcr  and  more  bor- 
rowed Senfes  it  conccrneth  us  not  (  as  Sacr  amentum  is  ipfa  ret  $acrata%  vel  ipfc  Mi- 
tes vcl  perfona>  nor  as  it  is  Quodvis  jur amentum,  or  San&a  (  obligatio  )  nor  yet  in 
thclargeft  Ecclcliaftical  Senfe,  as  it  is  the  Translation  of  pigt'ciov,  and  lignifieth  a 
Sacred  MylTerious  Doctrine,  or  Action.  But  in  the  Special  Church  ufe,  it  lignifi- 
eth either  more  largely  a  Solemn  Signal  Invettiture  in  any  Sacred  Relation-,  and 
fo  we  may  grant  the  Romanics  that  Ordination  is  a  Sacrament,  and  Matrimony,  as 
Sanctified,  &c.  Or  molt  ftrictly  for  the  Sacramental  Solemnizing  of  the  Cove- 
nant of  God,  which  is  our  prefent  Senfe.  And  to  this  it  is  necelTary  ,  That  1. 
it  be  a  fign  ufed  for  the  folemn  fignification  of  Mutual  Conftnt  ;  that  is,  of  Man's 
profeffed  Confent,  as  dedicated  to  Chyift,  and  of  ChrifPs  acceptance,  and  Collation  of  the 
Covenant-benefits ;  2.  And  that  hereupon  it  be  the  Teffera,  or  Symbol  of  our  Chrijli- 
anity.  But  that  it  operate  a  qualitative  change  on  the  Receiver's  mind  or  heart,  is 
not  necelTary  to  the  being  of  a  Sacrament,  nor  yet  that  it  be  inftituted  to  do  fo,  by 
Contact,  or  Phyilcal  Operation,  per  modum  Naturae,  without  Intellectual  Confederation, 
and  Moral  Operation. 

The  Firft  will  be  granted  (  that  the  effecting  of  fuch  Qualities  is  not  necelTary 
to  it. )  And  as  to  the  2d,  Obferve  that  we  grant  as  followeth;  1.  That  Sacra- 
ments, by  Inveltiture,  or  Delivery  of  Right,  as  Inftruments,  convey  all  that  Re- 
lative Grace,  which  the  Covenant  of  God  doth  give  immediately  to  Confenters.  2.  That 
it  Morally  worketh  alfo  Holy  Qualifications  by  Man's  Confidering- Improvement. 
3.  And  that  with  the  ufe  of  it,  though  not  by  the  Injirumentality  of  it,  God  may 
Fkyfically,  or  Miracuhufiy,  without  any  fecond  caufe,  give  qualitative  grace  to  Infant r, 
or  whom  he  pleafe,  in  a  way  to  us  unknown.  But  that  this  laft  is  not  ElTential  to 
a  Sacrament,  I  am  now  to  prove. 

1 .  All  that  is  elTential  to  a  Sacrament  is  found  in  the  Sacrament  as  ufed  by  the 
Adult.  (  Yea,  they  are  the  more  notable,  and  Excellent  Subjects,  to  whom  it  was 
firft  adminiftred  •  and  the  Cafe  of  Infants  is  more  obfeure ,  and  non  notum  per  ignoti- 
us,fed  i^notius  per  notius  probandum  eft.  )  But  the  Sacrament  as  adminiftred  to  (or 
ufed  by)  the  adult,  doth  neceflarily  contain  no  more  than ,  1 .  mutual  covenanting^ 
r  2.  The  Inftrumental  Conveyance ,  or  Confirmation  of  the  Relative  Grace  of  th« 
Covenant  (  or  Jus )  3.  Moral  Aptitude  to  work  holy  Qualities.  4.  And  that 
it  be  Symbolum  Ordinis,  id  eft,  Chriflianifmi. 

1.  This  is  proved  as  to  the  Baptifm  of  the  Adult.  1.  They  make  their  (b- 
lemn  fignal  ProfelTion  of  Federation,  Confent,  Reception,  &c.  1.  God  by  his 
Minifter  doth  invert:  the  Receiver  in  his  Right  of  fpecial  relation  to  God  the  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft ;  and  in  his  right  to  Pardon,  Reconciliation,  Juftification  and 
Adoption,  and  Right  to  Glory :  3.  It  is  a  Means  adapted  to  work  Morally  on 
the  Will,  by  the  juft  Confiderations  of  the  Underftanding.  4.  It  is  the  Symbol  of 
Chrifiianity,  called,  Our  Chriftening. 

2.  The  fame  I  fay  of  the  Lord's  Supper ;  and  therefore  crave  leave  not  to  re- 
peal them. 

1.  That  Sacraments  are  a&s  of  Solemn,  Mutual  Covenanting ,  none  deny,  that 
know  what  Chriftianity  is  :  The  Uninterrupted  Form  of  Baptizing,  in  all  Ages 
proveth  it. 

2.  That  God,  by  their  Inftrumentality,  delivereth  the  Adult,  their  Jus,  or  Rela- 
tive Grace,  or  right  to  prefent  Pardon,  &e.  is  not  denyed. 

3.  That  they  are  Moral  Inftruments  of  Holy  Ads,  and  foof  Habits  in  the  Ar 
dult,  neither  Papift,  Armlmans,  Lutherans  or  Calvinifls  deny.  And,  above  all,  the 
Armmians  mould  not  deny  it,  who,  I  think,  acknowledge  ho  means  but  Moral,  if  a- 
ny other  Operations  on  Man's  foul. 

s    4.   And  that  they  arc  Tclfer.e  vsl  Symbol*  Chriftian*  Religions,  none,  that !  know 
of,  do  denv. 

But 


Part  ill.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  1 2  j 

But  that  they  are  inftituted  to  operate  on  the  Adult  any  any  otherwife  thari 
Morally  and  this  Eflential  to  them  ^  I  deny  upon  three  Rcafons :  i.  There  is  no 
Scripture  that  afl'erteth  it  :  Ft  quod  Scriptum  non  eft  ,  Credcndum  non  eft 
about  fiuh  Matters.  2.  Elfe  not  only  the  Armenians  but  the  greateft  part  ot 
Chriftians  (houlddcny  the  Sacraments,  who  deny  fuch  ufc  and  operations  of  them  - 
And  fpecially  all  thofe  Proteftants  who  dealing  with  the  Papifts  opus  Operatum 
largely  write  to  prove  that  Sacraments  work  but  Morally.  3.  And  the  Nature  01* 
the  thing  fheweth  it  impoflible  without  a  Miracle.  For  the  Grace  to  be  conveyed 
is  the  Ail  or  Habit  or  Difpofition  of  Love  to  God  (  and  the  Conjunct  Graces)  with 
that  Antecedent  Light  of  knowledge  and  faith  which  muft  excite  it  .-  And  how  but 
A  iraculoufiy  Water  in  Baptifm  mould  be  an  Inflrument  of  conveying  holy  Love  or 
Knowledge,  no  Man  conceive.  For  1 .  Our  Love  of  God  is  not  put  into  the  Water, 
2.  If  it  were,  the  Water  doth  not  touch  the  Soul.  3.  If  it  did  •  Corporal  Contact' 
or  attingencie  would  not  caufe  Love.  The  fame  is  faid  of  the  Eucharift.  And  the  truth 
is  many  Papifts  are  by  Proteftants  miftaken  in  their  Doctrine  de  Opere  Operato  who 
fpeak  but  as  diftinguiming  it  ab  Opere  Operants.  And  when  they  have  puzled  them- 
fclvcs  to  tell  what  the  Indelible  Character  given  by  Ordination  is,  they  can  fatisfa&b- 
rily  carry  it  no  higher  than  with  Durandus  to  fay,  it  is  a  Relation  j  that  is,  *  fixed 
Relation  to  the  Vndtr taken  Work,  and  a  power,  right  and  obligation  to  it.  And  they  that 
tell  us  as  Jofeph  Anges,  &c. )  that  Ordination  is  a  true  Sacrament  (  though  finfully 
ufed  )  when  given  to  an  Infant  and  a  Bedlam,  and  that  none  hut  Duraridus  denieth  it 
(  a  falfe  Doctrine  no  doubt  quia  decjl  dtfpofitio  recipients  •  )  yet  can  tell  us  of  no 
more  that  it  doth  convey  to  the  Infant  or  Bedlam- Prieft,  or  Bifhop,  but  a  Relation. 
Nor  can  they,  that  fay  [_  Receive  the  Holy  Ghofi~\  afTureusthat  any  more  is  given 
by  Ordination.     And  fo  of  Baptifm. 

And  if  they  fay  that  Q  If  the  Water  be  not  the  Inflrument  of  given-grace  to  the  Adult, 
yet  it  may  be  to  me  other  means,  let  them  tell  us  if  they  can  what  they  mean ;  and 
what  means  befides  a  Moral  means  it  can  be. 

If  they  fay  that  if  God  give  not  grace  (qualitative  or  Atfive)  by  it  as  a  means • 
yet  he  giveth  grace  with  it,  without  any  fecond  caufe,  I  anfwer,  God  can  do  fo  no 
doubt :  He  can  give  grace  while  we  are  hearing^  though  inconfiderately,  without 
any  ufe  of  the  Word  heard  •,  And  fo  in  the  time  of  baptizing,  without  any  cau- 
fality  of  Baptifm  :  But  he,  that  will  aflert  as  in  any  Miracles  and  Immediate  Opera- 
tions, as  Sacraments,  mufl;  bring  very  clear  proof  of  his  aflertion. 

Sure  we  arc  that  Faith  and  Repentance  are  prerequifite  in  the  Adult,  and  therefore 
the  Sacrament  is  not  fo  much  as  the  Time  of  firft-giving  them  (  by  Inftitution :  ) 
And  we  are  all  agreed  that  in  the  Sacraments,  Sacred  truth  and  Goodnefs,  Chrift  and 
his  Gracious  benefits  arc  objectively  fet  before  us,  as  Moral  means  of  our  Information, 
Excitation  and  increafe  of  faith  and  hope  and  love.  And  when  we  are  fure  that  the 
Word  and  S.icramcnts  are  inftituted  for  one  way  of  giving  gracious  Afts  or  Qualities, 
he  that  will  add  another  muft  prove  it, 

4.  And  the  cafe  being  thus  with  she  Adult,thc  inftance  oflrtfants  will  riot  prove 
the  Sacraments,  no  Sacraments  to  the  Adult,  the  Nobleft  Subjects.  And  though 
God  may  immediatly  or  Miraculoufly  at  the  fame  time  give  holy  Habits  or  Acts 
to  Infants  •  yet  it  is  paft  Man's  Conception  how  Water  or  Words  mould  be  any  Caufe1 
of  them,  any  more  on  them;  than  on  the  Adult,  as  aforefaid.-  And  he  that  will  fay 
that  yct/o  it  is  though  We  know  not  how,  as  the  Papifts  do  about  Tranfubftanti-  * 
ation,  muft  firft  prove  that  it  is  fo  indeed.  We  grant  that  the  Parents  are  to  ufe  it 
Morally  in  dedicating  their  Children  to  God,  and  believing  and  Covenanting  for 
them  :  And  that  God  ufeth  it  as  his  invefling  or  delivering  fign,  morally  to  give  the 
Infant  all  the  Relative  Grace,  which  the  Covenant  as  the  Principal  Inflrument  giveth, 
that  is,  Right  and  Relation  to  the  Father,  Saviour  and  Sandtifier,  and  Right  to  par- 
don and  Adoption  and  the  Heavenly  Inheritance,  which,  fet  together,  axe  Relative 
Regeneration,  as  Judicious  Bifhop  Davenant  de  Bapt.  Infant,  well  openeth  it :  And 
that  it  is  the  badg  of  his  Chriflianity  •  and  an  apt  obje&ive  means  of  moral  Opera- 
tions on  him  as  he  cometh  to  the  ufe  of  Reafon.  When  you  have  told  us  what  more 
it  doth,  and  proved  it,  and  proved  that,  without  that,  it  is  no  Sacrament,  you  have  done 

fomething.  -  .   ,      >. 

Your  nonponenti  Obicem  is  no  Scripture  Notion,  ambiguous  11  not  uniouna.    11 
voumean  it  as  the  Words  found,  of  fome  pofitive  sM,   which  is  ponere  obwem,  it  is    _ 
certainly  falfe  as  to  the  Adult  ( to  whom  the  Sacraments  are  true  Sacraments. ) 
For  God  hath  made  their  pofitive  Confider ation,  perception.  Faith  and  Repentance,  a 

Q.qqq  neceflary 


i,a  7  be  LIFE  of  the  Part  J I  J. 

neceflary  Condition  of  their  Reception  of  the  benefit:  So  that  if  an  adult  perfon, 
as  to  Baptifm  or  the  Lord's  Supper,  mould  tuiclcfsly  be  aflcefa  or  not  think  what 
lie  is  about,  or  meerly  not-knoiv,  mt-bcheve,  not-repent,  you  can  (hew  no  pro- 
mile  of  your  miraculous  grace  to  him.  And  the  Sacrament  to  an  Infant  is  the 
fame  thing,  though  the  Act  of  believing  be  not  required  ot  himfdf,  but  of  another 
for  him. 

But  if  by  pawn?  obicem  you  mean  a  priva'ion,  that  is,non-preftare  conditioncm,  not 
to  believe,  repent,  &c.  then  it's  true,hwt  an  ambiguous  deceitful  phrafe.  To  belie  jc 
is  more  than  ho*  to  refiji  :  And  fo  to  be  the  Seed  of  the  Faithful  is. 

And  1  feppofe  (  by  your  new  Rubrick  )  you  will  fay,  that  every  Infant  in  the 
world,  of  Cannibals,  Heathens  or  Infidels  that  is  baptized  (jurewl  injuria,  though 
taken  by  Soldiers  violently  by  thoufands  againft  the  Parent's  Wills)  are  certainly 
Sanctified,  and  do  not  ponere  obicem  themfelves  and  that  the  Sacrament  to  them  is 
not  null ;  It  would  be  needful  to  our  fatisfaction  that  you  tell  us  what  internal 
Aelual,  or  habitual  Grace  it  is  that  all  thefe  have  ;  and  prove  it-,  and  prov  e  that 
elfe  it  were  no  Sacrament.     But  enough  of  this. 

Q.  Now  let  us  fee  what  you  afcribe  to  the  Crofs. 

The  Matter  of  it  is  an  Image,  though  Tranfient ;  of  which  God's  Jealoufy,  ex- 
preft  in  the  Second  Commandment  hath  made  us  Jealous,  in  his  Worfhip  :  As  to 
the  Form  and  Ufe.  i.  It  is  the  Covenant  of  Chriftianity  it  felf,  that  it  is  about : 
And  it  is  no  lefs  than  our  Solemn  Engaging,  Er  of  effing  and  Obliging  Sign,  that  we 
are  Refolved  Chriflians,  and  vii\\  keep  that  Coienant  ;  even  the  fame  Covenant  that  is 
folemnized  alfo  by  Baptifm.  All  the  Duties  of  the  Covenant  on  our  parts,  we 
thus  folemnly  bind  our  felves  to  perform  valiantly  to  the  Death,  in  Terms  like  the 
Sacr amentum  Militare.  The  Canon  30.  let  us  know  that  it  is  ufed  [to  dedicate  Chil- 
dren by  that  Badg  to  his  fervice,  whofe  henefits  be  flowed  on  them  in  Baptifm  the  Name  of  the 
Crofs  doth  reprefent :  ]  And  [_I?s  an  Honourable  badg  whereby  the  Infant  is  Dedicated  to 
the  Service  of  him  that  Died  on  the  Crofs. ~\  So  that  on  the  Receiver's  part ,  it  wants  no- 
thing of  a  Sacrament. 

2.  That  it  is  alfo  ufed  as  God's  Means  of  Delivering  us  the  Relative  6race  of  the 
Covenant,  I  conceive  for  thefe  Reafons. 

1 .  The  Adult  is  not  to  Sign  himfclf,  but  the  Hinifter  who  is  Chrift' s  Agent  (not  fo 
much  as  asking,  wilt  thou  be  figned  ?  )  doth_/^w  him  with  the  Sign  of  the  Crofs,  in  token 
that  he  ft hall  not  be  ajhamed  to  confefs  the  Faith  of  Chrift  Crucified,  and  manfully  to  Fight 
under  his  Banner,  againfl  Sin,  the  World  and  the  Devil,  and  to  continue  Chrift' s  faithful 
Servant  and  :  oldier  to  their  Live's  end.     Amen. 

2.  The  Crofs  and  the  "Benefits,  with  Chrift  Crucified,  are  hereby  Reprefcnted. 

3.  The  Churches  Publick  Profeifion,  that  this  is  their  Dedication  of  the  Child,  im- 
porteth  plainly  God's  Acceptance  of  him  that  is  Dedicated  :  For  who  dare  offer  that 
to  God  which  he  iuppofeth  not  that  God  Accepteth,  as  offered :  And  God's  ac- 
ceptance of  the  dedicated  perfon  into  the  State,  relation  and  benefits  of  Chriftanity, 
is  the  very  grace  on  God's  part,  which  is  effential  to  a  Divine  Sacrament  fkxi&Ay  taken. 
And  is  this  no  grant  of  federal  Grace} 

3.  And  that  to  the  Adult  the  Crofs  is  a  Moral  means  of  internal  and  Qualitative 
Grace  I  think  you  will  not  deny  A  Moral  means  operateth  ob\eHive\y,  by  Teaching  the 
JntdlecJ  :  by  repreftnting  the  moving-objetf,  and  by  Excitation  of  the  Will :  And  how 

•  eminently  is  all  this  here  intended  ?  In  General  the  Liturg.  (  of  Ceremony  )  faith 
£  They  are  fuch  as  are  apt  tofiir  up  the  dull  mind  of  Man  to  the  remembranoeofhis  Duty 
tc  God  by  fome  notable  and  fpecial  ftgnification  by  which  he  may  he  edified.  ~]  And  is  this 
no  Gracious  Work  ?  And  it  is  Chrift  Crucified,  and  his  henefits  that  by  the  Crofs  are  re- 
prefented  to  tins  ufe.  And  is  not  that  to  operate  morally  on  mind  and  will  ac- 
cordingly ?  And  the  Words  tell  us  particularly  that  it  is  to  ftir  us  up  and  oblige  us 
to  the  Actual  Manful  fighting  under  Chrift's  Banner,  againft  fin,  &c.  and  not  be 
afhamed  to  confefs  him.  And  is  not  this  a  moral  gracious  Operation?  When 
iris  the  Gofpel  vvoiketh  by  the  Ear,  fo  the  Crofs  by  the  Eye  and  Thought :  It  is  not 
Grace  that  the  Gofpel  is  to  work  ?  And  is  it  not  a  means  of  working  it,  as  well  as  the 
Sacraments ;  Yea  and  in  the  fome  fort  of  Caufality  ?  Doubtlefs  then  here  is  the  Grace 
of  the  Covenant  to  be  wrought,  as  well  as  the  Duty  of  it  promifed. 

4.  And  laftly  that  it  is  the  Symbol  and  Badge  of  our  Chriftianity  the  Canon  twice 
profefTeth. 

So  that  I  think  here  is  an  intire  third  Sacrament  of  the  Covenant  of  Grace  •,  in- 
vent itious  and  humane,  and  not  of  God's  making.  And  if  you  could  prove  (as  you 

never 


Pare  HI.         Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

never  can  )  that  fome  Miraculous  fort  of  Operation,  not  common  to  the  GofteToV 
the  Covenant  .t  felf  u  cikntial  to  a  Sacrament  for  new  Ads  or  Qualities  on  Infant 
or  othe«,I  would  ask  when  you  thus  crofi  the  Child.Do  yon  look That  God  mould  do 
any  more  for  n.Sonl  thereon,  than  it  you  did  it  not,  or  no  ?  If  you  do  (as  thev 
d.d  that  nfcd  the  Oofs  of  old  and  the  Papifts  now  )  then  you  expert  God'  inward 
Grace  upon  the  nfe  of  the  Crofs.     If  you  look  not  that  the  Child's  foul  be  ever  the 

soft  &&&  Kwd  be  *■>*  th-  *«  <«  « -*  *  ■,  -  s# 

But  had  it  but  fome  great  and  notable  facramentalufes  (as  the  fore-named)  thouch 
fwr  *ff,  I  din-It  not  prefume  on  fuch  an  inventitious  facramental  fi*n  I  have  ofr 
laid;  I  doubt  whether  the  King  would  not  think  his  Prerogative  invaded  if  anv 
fhould  prefume  to  inlhtute  a  new  Badg,befides  his  Garter  and  Star  of  the  Order  of 
the  Knights  of  the  Garter  •  much  more  a  Symbol  or  Bad-  for  all'his  Subjects-  and 
deny  them  the  Knighthood  or  Jus  Subditi  who  refufe  it.     But  too  long  of  this.  ' 

4.  Prop.  About  compelling  the  Unfit  to  receive  the  Lord's  Supper. 

Stria.  The  Church  doth  not  compel  any  to  receive  the  Sacrament  that  is  unfit  ■  but  tun 
nijheth  them  that  are  unfit,  and  negled  the  making  of  themfelves  fit  for  it   by  breaking  off 
their  Sins  by  Repentance.  '  *  JJ 

Jnfw.  Alas !  poor  Souls,  that  muft  have  fuch  a  Cure  !  It  feems  by  this  that  this 
Church  fuppofcth.     i .  That  all  Men  can  Cure  all  their  Unfitnefs  •  2.  And  that  a 
Prifon  is  the  way  to  make  them  willing.     We   Nonconformists  contrarily  think 
That,  1.  A  Willing  perfon  may  be  Uncured  of  fome  unfitnefles.     2.  And  that  a 
Prifon  is  no  fit  cure  for  fuch  •  nor  for  fome  others.     We  think  that  a  Melancholly 
or  Timcrous  Perfon  is  unfit,  who  would  be  like  to  be  difiratted  by  the  fear  of  un- 
worthy Receiving:  We  are  fure  that  all  that  we  can  fay  will  not  Cure  fuch  fears  in 
very  many  :  If  Conformifts  can  do  it,  and  will  not,  they  are  to  blame  :  We  know 
that  the  Perfon  himfelf,  though   willing,    cannot  do  it.    We  will  not  believe 
that  Chrift   would  have  them  laid    in  Goal  to  cure  them.     But  if  the  Bifhops 
will  take  that  courfe,  it  muft  be  frittered  :  We  judge  all  our   prefent   Infidels 
Sadducees,  and  Socinians  unfit,  if  not  the  Papifts  :  And    they  offer   their  Prote- 
ftations  that  they  cannot  change  their  Judgments :  We  think  a  Goal  unapt  to 
change   them  ;  but  rather  with  meeknefs  to  inftruct  Oppofers,  if   God    perhaps 
will  give  them  Repentance  to  the  acknowlegment  of  the  Truth,  2  Tim.  2.  25.  Yea 
though  after  the  Chancellour's  admonition  (or  better  means)  they  be  erroneous  (till 
Verily  if  your  way  were  throughly  pra&ifed,  and  fuch  Church-Laws  executed' 
and  all  dwelt  in  Goals,  that  arc  unfit  for  the  Sacrament  (after  your  teaching' 
and  admonition,  and  Excommunication)  the  Landlords  would  find  a  great  dimi- 
nution of  their  Tenants,  and  the  Goalers  would  have  more  Tenants  than  many 
Lords,  and    it  were  necefTary  to   have  a  Goal  in  every  Parifli.    This  is  your 
way  of  comforting  the  timerous ;    but  who  mould  there  maintain  them  all    I 
know  not.    But  if  Goalers  be  the  moft  effectual  Converters  of  -Souls,    I  think 
more  Clergy-Men  than  Non-conformifts    need  their  help,  that  obtain    it  not : 
And  they  may  pofiibly  put  in  for  the  Tythes  and  Church -Revenues. 

"  Strift.  Is  any  Minifter  required  to  give  the  Sacrament  of  Chrift's  Body  and 
"  Blood  to  any  unbaptized  Perfon?  Is  not  this  a  groundlefs, ^nd  flanderous  iri- 
"  finuation  ?  Nay,  is  any  Minifter  forced  or  required  to  give  the  Sacrament  to 
1  any  notorioufly  wicked,  or  prophane  Perfon  ?  See  the  Rubrick  before  the  Com- 
munion. That  which  follows  feems  to  aim  at  an  introducing  of  Auricular 
ConfefTion,  or  the  fetting  up  an  Independent,  Eedefiafticall' Jurisdiction  ine- 
very  Minifter  over  his  own  Parifli. 

Anf.  1.  Your  Charge  is  caufelefs  :  I  find  in  the  Canons  and  Rubrick,  thate- 
vcry  Parifhioner  muft  receive:  And thofe unbapaized  (as  many  born  of  Ana- 
baptifts  are)  I  find  not  defcribed  or  named,  as  excepted  in  the  Canon  or  Ru- 
brick, nor  that  any  at  age  aie  forced  to  be  Baptized,  and  yet  are  forced  by 
Penalty  to  Communicate :  So  that  I  confefs  I  am  fo  ignorant  as  not  to  know 
whether  I  fhould  be  punifhed  by  the  Bifhop,  if  I  refufed  an  un-baptized  Parifhi- 

Q.qqqi  oaeri 


122 


124 


The  L  I  FB  of  the  Part  III 


•i  •  But  vet  lverilv  think,  that  the  n  of   the    Makers  ], hur- 

ry and  Canon  was  othcrwife  ;  and  1  intended  no  more  but  to  enumerate  them  whom 
vvc  would  have  Power  not  to  give  the  Sacrament  to  •  q.  d.  Not  only  the  un- 
bailed (plainly  to  be  named)  but  alto  the  reft    Allowing 

2  [{ b\-r>otorioufly  wicked,  you  mean  thole  that  the  Bilhop  or  Chancel'/ 
hath  Excommunicated,  we  may  keep  them  away  :  Or  if  the  Congregation  will 
fay  that  they  arc  offended  by  their  Crimes ,  then  they  may  be  admonifhed  to 
forbear  •  but  if  they  will  not  forbear  upon  the  Admonition,  or  at  leaft  will  c- 
verytime  fay  that  they  are  fully  purpofed  to  amend  (as  moll  wicked  Men  will 
do  )  1  find  not  by  the "  Kubrick,  that  we  can  rclufc  them  ;  except  it  be  one 
that  is  obltinate  in  Malice,  when  (at  that  time)  defired  to  be  reconciled  ;  but  the 
Canon  feemeth  to  give  more  Power 

3    Our  Cafe  is  this :  We  know  that  many  are  protelled    Inhdels  ,  and  many 
und'erftand  not  what  Baptifm,  or  Chriftianky,   or  the  Lord's  Supper  are,  in  the* 
very  EflTentials  (in  many  Places  I  doubt  the  greater  part    of    the   Parim  : )  A 
ereat  number  live   in  heinous  Sins,  (Drunkennefs    Fornication,  Swearing,  flan- 
dering    &c  )  The  ignorant,  and  Infidels,  the  Minifter  world  inftrucl:,  but  they 
will  not  come  to  him  ,  nor  fpeak  to  him,  but  refufe  to  give  him  any  account 
or  anfwer.     Almoft  all  are  Baptized  in  infancy,  and  at  Age  come    to  Church 
and   never  owned,  that  the  Minifter  knowethof,  their  Baptifmal  Covenant  any 
otherwife.    We  know  not  that  we  have   Power    to  exclude  the  grofly  igno- 
rant :  If  we  had,    it  muft  be,  if  any  will  witnefs  that  his  Neighbours  are  fo  Ig- 
norant as  to  be'  uncapable  (which  what  private  Man  can    and  will    do  ? )   or 
elfe  if  they  will  come  and  fay  before  others,  I  am  fo   Ignorant ;  which  few  if 
any  ever  will,  till  God  do  humble  them :    And  who  will  come  and   offend  the 
fcandalous,  by  witnefiing  againft  them ,  unconstrained ,  though  they  will  openly 
report  it  to  one  another.    How  few  of  the  Infidels,  Sociniam,  grofs  Ignorants, 
or  fcandalous  here  in  London,  are  by  the  Wkneffes  accufed  to  the  Minifters  as 
fuch?  If  we  have  the  molt  credible  Report  that  half  our  Country  Parifhioners, 
or  a  quarter,  (more  or  lefs)  are  grofly  Ignorant  of  the   Eflcntials  of  Chrifti- 
anky  and  we  find  it  true  by  fo  many  of  the  fufpe&ed  as  will  talk  with  us ; 
we  muft  receive  all    the  reft,  with   all   the  Infidels,    and  wicked  Livers,  thac 
none  will  become  Accufers  of,  though  we  know   much  our  felves  to  confirm  re- 
port.   And  if  they  tell  us,  we  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  you  out    of  the 
Pulpit ,  we  will  give  you  no  account  of  our  knowledge  or  Faith  -,  nay,  we  take 
you  not  for  any  of  our  Paftors  :,  yet   muft  we  do   the  office  of  a  Paftor  to 
them,  and  gife  them  the  Sacrament,  and  we  are  fetting  up  Auricular  ConfeJfiony 
if  we  do  but,  as  their  Teachers,  require  on  juft  Sufpicion  any  account  of  their 
Knowledge,  or  Faith,  or  upon  our  Knowledge,  offer  firft  perfonally  to  inftrucl: 
them.     And    if  we  defire  elfe  but  to  fufpend  our  own  Act,  tho  they  have  their 
Appeal,  we  arrogate  Independent    Power.     No  wonder  if  under   fuch  Overfeers, 
our  Parifhes  be  but  what  they  are. 

4.  Prop.  n.  8.  [To  publifh  Excommunications —  againft  bis  Confcience. 


Strict.  [Ag ainft  his,  viz.  the  Minister's  Confcience.     Is  not  this  to  make  eve- 
'  ry  Minifter  an  Independent,  Ecclefiaftical  Judge  ?  And  that   not  only  exclu- 
sively to  Lay-Chancellours ,   bit  to   Biftiops  themfelves   alfo  •  as  appears  by 
the  words,  [or  any  other.] 


a 

a 


Jnfw.  1 .  No,  let  the  Indifferent  judge.  An  Ecclefiaftick  Judge  is  "judex  publicus ; 
but  here  is  nothing  but  Judicium  difiretionis  privatum,  fufpending  my  ownAcl, 
and  medling  with  no  Man's  elfe.  Doth  he  judge  Ecclefiaftically,  who  fpeaketh 
not  a  word,  nor  medleth  with  the  Caufe  any  more  than  any  one  in  the  Congre- 
gation ? 

2.  How  is  he  an  Independent  Judge  where  he  is  no  Judge  ?  Yea,  and  where  the 
Bifhop,  and  Chancellour  are  the  Judges,  and  none  refifteth  or  controlleth  them  ? 
He  had  not  been  Independent,  had  he  made  himfelf  Judge  ,  allowing  an  Jp- 
peal. 

3.  Serioufly,  do  you  take  it  to  be  each  Minifter's  Duty  to  pronounce  ail  Ex- 
communications, and  abfolutions  which  are  fent  them,  without  exception ,  or 
not  ?  If  yea,  then  if  Bifhops  again  Excommunicate  their  own  Kings  ( as  often 

they 


Part  III  cI(evercrJ  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  i2<- 

thcy  hay:  done)  we  muft  obey,  which  i  will  not  do.  Or  if  an  Arrim  Ex 
inranicate  the  Orthodox  •  or  a  Papift  a  Proteftant  as  fuch-  or  any  Biihoo 
in  Malice  or  on  falfc  Accufatibns  Excommunicate  the  Faithfulleft  of  the  Flock 
yea,  or  all  the  Panto  mult  we  obey?  For  my  part,  (call  me  as  you  pleafejif 
you  Excommunicate  the  wifeft,  and  molt  Religious,  and  (otherwife)  moft  obedi- 
ent ot  my  Flock,  tor  Covenanting  in  Baptifm  for  his  own  Child,  forrefufina 
the  Croft,  for  not  kneeling  at  the  reception  of  the  Sacrament,  for  reading 
a  Chapter  or  repeating  a  Sermon  to  hi?  Family,  while  his  Neighbours  hear 
him,  I  will  bear  your  lilencingand  Prifons,  rather  than  pronounce  that  Excom- 
munication. 

But  if  you  allow  any  Exceptions,  our  Con&iences  muft  be  the  difcernin? 
Judges,  whether   it  be  that  excepted  Cafe  or  not.     Elfe  it  is  no  Exception. 

But  O  what  Groans  befecm  poor  Minifters,  if  this  be  indeed  their  Cafe,  that 
juft,  or  unjuft,  whatever  Confcience  fay  againft  it,  we-muft  pronounce  all  Ex- 
communications and  Abfolutions  (and  confequently  do  all  fuch  other  things )  as 
a  Lay-Chanccllour,  or  Bilhop  (hall  command  us  •  unlefs  they  could  prove  to 
us  that  God  will  jultifie  our  abfolute  Obedience ,  how  heinous  foever  the  a- 
ftion  be  !  This  is  not  to  be  the  Minifters  of  Chrift,  no,  nor  of  Men ,  but  their 
abfolute  Slaves,  though  to  our  Damnation,  and  our  Brethren's  wrong.  If  you  have 
any  tendcrnefs  for  our  Confcienccs,  -when  you  have  enow  more  at  hand  to  pro- 
nounce your  Sentence,  would  you  not  fet  one  to  do  it  that  doth  not  fcruple 
it,  and  fpare  a  Minifter,  that  protefteth  he  dare  not  do  it  for  fear  of  Dam- 
nation ? 

4  Prop.  n.  9.  [To  travei  jong  journeys,  or  neglect,  their  Studies.  — - 

"  StrUt.  They  need  not,  for  they  may  appear  by  Pro&ors. "}  — 


Jnfw.  There  is  fome  Comfort  in  that :  But  if  I  have  a  Parifh  of"  five  Thou- 
fand,  or  ten  Thoufand  Souls  (more  or  lefs)  and  it  prove  that  the  tenth  part 
of  the  Parifh  be  either  grotty  ignorant  of  the  EfTentials  of  Chriftianity,  or  In- 
fidels, Papifts,  Hereticks,  Schifmaticks,  Drunkards,  Swearers,  Ribalds,  Railers, 
or  otherwife  fcandalous,  fuch  as  the  Canon  forbiddeth  me  to  give  the  Sacra- 
ment to,  and  I  prefent  each  of  thefe  to  the  ChanceUour's  Court ,  or  half  of 
them,  I  doubt  Pro&or's  Fees,  in  the  Profecution,  will  take  up  more  than  all  the 
Tythes  come  to,  and  leave  me  neither  Cloaths  nor  Bread.  If  you  lay,  it  is 
not  fo  with  others,  I  anfwer,  I  know  what  Men  are  among  whom  I  have  li- 
ved, in  all  places,  and  I  know  what  the  Canon  bids  me  do  ;  but  why  other 
Men  do  it  not,  and  fave  themfelvcs,  I  am  not  bound  to  give  an  account,  nor 
yet  to  imitate  them. 

And   whether    thefe   Pro&ors  will  fave  me  harmlefs,  and  plead  my  Gaufe  as 
the   Cafe   requircth,  I  cannot    tell. 

4  Prop.  n.  1  o.  Let  it  be  left  to  their  Prudence  whom  they  will  abfolve  in  Sick- 
nefs,  and  give  the  Sacrament  to  in  private.  3  — 


"  Stri&.  1 .   I  know  no  Law  that  enjoyns  the  contrary. 


Jnfv.  Ruhr.  £  After  which  Gonfeftlon  the  Prieft*  (hall  abfolve  him  (if  he  hum- 
bly and  heartily  defire  it )  after  this  fort  —  ~]  And  if  he  will  but  fay  thefe 
Words,  C  1  humbly  and  heartily  defire  it]  the  Minifter  hath  not  Power  to  for- 
bear an  abfolute  abfolution. 

"  Strift.  2.  I  am  glad  they  allow  the  giving  of  the  Sacrament  to  the  Sick : 
"  but  that  the  Sick~fhould  chufe  what  ConfefTors' they  pleafe,  and  confequent- 
"  ly  exclude  their  own  Minifters  from  the  exercife  of  the  moft  proper,  and 
"  molt  important  Ads  of  his  Minifterial  Function  •,  befides  that  it  feems  to 
"  interfere  with  what  is  faid  in  the  firft  word  of  this  Paragragph,  viz..  That 
"  their  own  Minifter  is  beft  acquainted  with  the  Penitence  or  Impenitence  of 
"  his  People-  befides  this,  I  fay,  It  feems  to  be  a  trick  to  draw  all  Confeflions  to 
"  themfelves,  as  the  Fryars  have  done  in  the  Church  of  Rome,  from  the  Secular 
"  Clergy,  or  Parifti-Prieft  in  that  Church, 


126  The  LI  F  E  of  the  Part  111 


Anfw.  i.  The  miflake  had  no  Caufe  in  the  Words:  There  was  no  ex- 
clufion  of  any  Parifh-Minifter  mentioned ,  who  is  willing ,  no,  nor  any  Excufe 
of  any  that  is  unwilling,  from  any  other  Office  in  Vifitation;  but  onlv  that  the 
unwilling  may  not  be  forced  to  abfolve  any  in  thofe  abfolute  Words  [\  abfolve 
thee  from  all  thy  Sins}  when  he  believeth  verily  that  the  Perfon  is  Impenitent. 
But  I  had    no  thought,  or  word  of  excluding  any  Prieft,  as  is  here  fufpedtcd. 

2.  But  as  the  Church  of  Rome  alloweth  Men  to  confefs  to  what  Prieft  they 
pleafe,  I  know  not  how  you  can  hinder  any  dying  Man  from  doin^  it,  with- 
out fetting  a  Guard  upon  his  Doors,  or  forbidding  any,  fave  the  Parim-Priefl, 
to  vifit  him,  which  is  inhumane.  This  day,  while  I  wis  writing  this,  a  Parifh- 
Minifter  came  to  me  to  lament  his  Sin,  and  told  mc  that  he  had'li^ec'  idly,  and 
wickedly  at  the  University,  and  ever  lince,  and  had  taken  the  Minilhy  on  him, 
without  any  regard  to  his  own  Soul,  and  the  People's,  and  had  no  Learning  or 
Knowledge  fcarce  of  the  Catechifm  ;  and  that  he  had  not  read  any  Divinity, 
in  Latin  or  Englifh,  but  only  out  of  two  or  three  EngUfo  Books,  patched  up 
fome  Sermons ^  not  underftanding  a  Latin  Author,  nor  having  read  others: 
I  asked  him  how  he  got  ordained:  He  faid,  that  was  eafie  by  Friends,  <fo\  And 
that  he  was  going  to  put  himfelf  into  a*  Playhotife,  becaufe  his  Living  was 
but  forty  Pound  per  Annum,  but  God  convinced  him  by  the  way.  Now  I  would 
know,  If  I  lie  dyinginfucha  Parifh,  muft  I  confefs  my  Sin  to  no  Man  but  fuch 
an  one  as  this?  Why  make  you  not  the  fame  Laws  about  Phylicians,  that  no 
Man  muft  take  any  other  than  fuch  a  Sot,  if  it  be  his  Lot  to  be  appointed 
him?  Why  may  not  I  confefs  my  Sins  to  more  than  one?  Yea,  to  my  Friend 
that  is  no  Prieft  ? 

Prop.  id.  Let  the  words  at  Burial  which  import  the  Juftification  and  Salvation  of 
the  Deceafedbe  left  to  the  Minifter's  difcretion,  who  hath  known  the  Perfon1* 
Life  and  Death. 

"  Strict.  As  to  leaving  the  Omiflion,  or  ufe  of  thefe  Words,  (which  they 
"  point  to)  in  the  Burial  of  the  Dead  to  the  difcretion  of  the  Minifter,  what 
"  is  it  but  to  give  him  Power  of  Sainting,  or  Damning  whom  he  plea- 
"  feth  ?  ] 

Anf  They  are    not  only  Chrift's  Minifters,  but  yours,  if  not  your  Cryers, 
or  Slaves,  if  they  may  not  be  trufted  with  the  fpeaking,  or  not  leaking  of  a 
Word,  in  fo  weighty  a   Cafe.    There  are,    I  ftill    fee,   greater    matters  than 
Ceremonies  that  we  differ  in.    The  Cafe  is  this — f There  {warm  among  us  now 
many  open  profeifed  Infidels,  that    openly  deride  Chrift  and  the  the  Scripture, 
and  plead  againft  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul ,   and   many  againft    the  Being 
of  God  :    There  are  many  Papifts,    Hereticks ,  Schifmaticks,   common   Adulte- 
rers, openly  owning  it,   Fornicators,  Drunkards,  Blafphcmers  ^  many  have  been 
Condemned  for   Treafon,    Murder,  Theft,  &c.   The     Conformifts    themfelves 
Preach,  and  write  that  fuch  cannot  be  faved  without  true  converting  Repent- 
ance :  We  are  commanded  at  the  Burial  of  all  Men  to  fay  thefe  Words  {Foras- 
much as  it  hath  pleafed  Almighty  God,  of  his  great  Mercy,  to  take  unto  himfelf  tlje 
Soul  of  our  dear  Brother  heri  departed  ~\   and  [we  give  thee  hearty  Thanks  for  that 
it  bath  pleafed  thee  to  deliver  this  our   Brother  out  of  &c.  and  {that  we  may  reft   in 
him,   as  our  Hope  is,  this  6ur  brother  doth :  3    Thefe    words   import  the   Perfon's 
Juftification,  and  Salvation.     We  arc  to  except  no    Perfon  from  this  form  of 
Burial,  except,    i.  Thofe  that  die    unbaptized  (though  the  Children   of  true 
Believers :  )  2.  The  Excommunicate  (though  for    not  paying  fees,    or  not  con- 
forming againft  Confcience.  )    3.  And   thofe  that  have  laid   violent  Hands  on 
themfelves,  (  though  true  Believers  in  a  Fever,   Frenzy,    or  Dilbraftion.  )  Some 
die  in  the  aft  of  Drunkennefs,  fome  murder  each  other  in  Duels,  and  that  in 
Drunkenncfs  (as    lately    was  done   near  my  Door,)  fome   fcorn  the   Minifter 
and  the  Gofpel  to  the  death  :    Now  we  muft  openly  pronounce  all  thefe  Saved, 
for    fear  of  having  Powef  to  Sainty  and  Damn  whom  we  will  :    But  we  appeal 
to  hnmanity  it  felf. 

Qu- 1. 


Pare   III  %everend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter 


*A   i.  Whether  I  damn  any  Traytor,  or  Murderer,  or  impenitent  Infidel 
meer  y  bj  nothing  of  Ins  Cafe,  or  not  pronouncing  him  to  be  faved       A*2 


yvhether  I  Saint  thofe  that  I  bury  in  their  own  prefcribed  words,  any  otherwife 
than  they  Saint  all  Men  ?  1U 

/.  2.  Whether  we  cxpofc  notour  Miniftry  to  the  febrh  of  every  Infidel 
and  Heretick,  and   Adulterer,  when  they  can  fay  tons,  [  What  Falfe  Deceivers 
are  yon,  to  Preach  and  Write   Damnation  againft  us,  and  proclaim  us  all  faved 
When  we  die.  ]] 

Qmft.  3-  Whether  any  thing  can  more  probably  debauch  the  World  and  keen 
Men  from  Repentance,  and  fo  fill  Hell,  and  damn  the  people,  than  to'  perfwade 
all  Men,  that  every  ignorant  perfon,  that  never  knew  what ■  Chriftianity  was  eve- 
ry-impenitent  Infidel,  Adulterer,  or  wicked  perfon,  is  faved  when  they  die  Doth 
not  this  give  the  Lie  to  all  our  Preaching  the  contrary  to  them  in  the  Pulpit  >  Do 
we  not  leach  them  not  to  believe  us?  Or  elfe  it  difableth  us  from  telling  them 
that  there  is  any  Hell  for  them  hereafter.  If  you  fay,  we  prefume  that  they 
Repent  ^  I  Anfwer,  If  it  be  prefumed  that  all  Men  repent  at  laft  and  are  fa- 
ved, even  they  that  make  no  profeflion  of  any  Repentance,  but  juftifie'their  Infide- 
lity, or  Herefie,  or  Schifm,or  die  in  the  Act,  or  in  utter  Ignorance  as  a  Heathen 
then  why  may  we  not  prefume  the  like  of  all  the  World,  and  fo  lay  by  the  Go' 
fpel,  and  all  our  talk  of  iufure  puni foment  ? 

Qucft.  4.  And  is  he  worthy  to  be  truftcd  with  the  Care  of  Souls,  as  a  Miniftff 
of  Chrift,  that  may  not  be  truftcd  (  I  fay  not,  to  /peak,  but  )  to  fufpend  one  word 
at  any  time,  which  is  thus  Written  for  him  to  fay?  Judge,  by  this  (with  the 
Offices  of  Baptifm,  Confirmation,  Communion  and  Abfolution  )  what  is  a  Pricft's 
Office  under  fuch  Bifhops,  and  whether  he  have  the  Pafloral  Power  either  inde- 
pendently, or  dependently  at  all. 

4.  Prop.  n.  1 1 .  Let  no  Minifter  be  forced  to  deny  the  Communion  to  godly 
perfons,  that  think  it  unlawful  to  kneel. 

"  Stritl.  L  Why  may  not  our  Church  forbid  the  giving  of  it  to  thofe  that  will 
"  not  kneel,  as  well  as  the  Presbyterians  here  and  in  Holland,  forbid  the  giving  of  it 
"  to  thofe  that  will  not  fit?  3 

Anfw.  1.  I  never  knew  one  Presbyterian  here  that  did  fo  :  And  their  Directory 
did  not  fo.  And  if  any  one  fhould  do  fo,  1  am  fure  it  is  a  rare  Perfon.  And 
the  Author  of  thefe  word*  is  no  liker  to  know  them  than  I.  This  therefore  was 
not  well  laid. 

•2.  Whether  they  in  Holland  do  fo,  I  know  not :  But  if  they  do,  Do  you  think 
it  well?  1  think  otherwife,  and  all  Nonconforming  that  I  converfe  with.  We 
take  not  a  gefture  to  be  crime  enough  to  cut  off  Men  from  Communion  with  the 
Church.  And  if  you  think  otherwife,  or  durft  Excommunicate  a  Man  for  being 
Lame,  or  having  the  Gout  in  his  knees, Why  muft  we  all  needs  practife  as  you  judge, 
and  execute  fo  cruel  a  Sentence,  any  more  than  kill  men  when-ever  you  bid  us  ? 
The  Canon  hath  no  Exception,  Can.  27.  [_No  Minifter,  when  he  celcbratetb  the  Com- 
munion, (hall  wittingly  admmifter  the  fame  to  any  but  to  fuch  as  kneel,  under  pain  ofSuf- 
pen  on.  3 


4.  Prop.  n.  12.  Let  Minifter s  have  leave  to  open  the  meaning  of  the  Cate- 
chifm —  (It  is  much  to  be  wifh'd  that  it  were  amended.  ) 

"  Strict.    1.  I  know  no  Law  which  forbids  them  to  do  {6.  ] 

Anfw.  1.  That  it  is  good  news :  fome  think  fo  :  And  others  think,  that  the 
Rubrick  and  Canon,  Commanding  them  to  Teach  perfons  the  Catechifm,  meaneth, 
that  we  muft  only  teach  them  the  words  :  And  I  remember  the  Articles  in  Par- 
liament, againft  Bilhop  Pierce,  contained,  that  among  other  things,  that  he  forbad 
Minifters  Expounding  the  Catechifrne  in  the  Afternoon,  faying,  it  was  as  bad  as 
Preaching.     And  the  Scnce,  as  to  us,  will  be,  what  pleafe  the  Bifhop. 

"  Strict.  2.  /  know  no  need  it  hath  of  mending  ,  nor  who  are  wife  enough  to  a- 
tc  mend  it. 

Anfw.  I  am  forry  for  it ;  but  cannot  help  it. 

4.  Prop.  id.  [_ — Some  few  quickening  words  of  Exhortation — 1 
"  Strict.  3.  The  words  prelcribed  both  in  Baptifm  and  the  Euchariil,  are  quick- 
ening  enough,  and  more  edifying  perhaps  and  fafe,  than  an  Extemporary  fancy 
"  can  add  unto  them.  ~|  **«/».  1.  You 


"i28  The  L  1  Ft  oj  the  lait  1JJ 

yinfvp.  i.  You  know  not  what  is  molt  quickening  and  edifying  to  all  other  men, 
fo  well,  as  fome  know  what  is  fo  to  themfclves. 

2.  All  that  know  Humane  Nature,  know,  that  Cuftomai  iiiei\  dulleth,  and  the  life 
of  words  many  hundred  times  over  ufually  atfert  lefs  than  when  theie  is  fomi 
riation  ;  though  it  were  to  be  wifht  it  were  not  fo. 

3.  Why  muft  an  Extemporary  fancy  needs  be  the  Author  ?  May  not  a  man  ;  rt  - 
meditate  a  few  fentences  as  well  as  a  fermon  ?  Or  if  it  were  ex  tempore^  is  he  fit  to  be 
a  Preacher  that  cannot  fpeak  a  few  fentences  on  fo  great  a  fubject,  with  fafe  and 
edifying  woids? 

4.  Is  it  unfafer  to  give  a  Preacher  leave  to  utter  a  few  Sentences  of  the  Sacra- 
ment at  the  Delivery,  than  to  Preach  a  whole  Sermon  of  it  ?  And  is  he  not'e- 
qnally  refponfible  for  both  ?     But  we  infill  not  on  this,  as  if  we  could  not  Admi- 

niftcr  without  it. 

/ 

Prop.  4.  n.  1 3.3    The  Surplice  indifferent  in  the  Parifh  Churches— ~] 
"  Strict.   1  had  rather  that,  or  any  other  of  the  Ceremonies  mould  be  takqn  a- 
"  way  quite,  than  left  indifferent :  for  that  would  be  to  cftablifh  Sdiifm  by  a  Law, 
"  and  to  bring  it  into  the  Church  inftead  of  excluding  it  out  of  the  Church  ^  which, 
"  of  two  Evils  is  much  the  leflcr.  ~\ 

Anf.  I  think  not  :  for  we  fee  things  left  indifferent  make  no  Schifm  :  One 
ufeth  the  Surplice  in  the  Pulpit,  and  another  not :  One  Praycth  before  Sermon, 
And  another  only  bids  them  Pray  :  One  Prayeth  after  Sermon,and  anothe;  not  One 
at  the  Singing  of  Pfalms  doth  fit,  another  Hand  ^  and  it  maketh  no  Schifm  And 
the  Convocatiou,  1640,  Commend  Indifferency  about  Bowing  towards  the  Altar: 
Therefore  that  Convocation  was  not  of  your  mind.    But  either  way  will  fervi 


Prop.  5.  — CNot  [to  renonuce  their  Ordination  ]  or  be  Re-ordain'd— "} 
cc  Strict.  They  are  not :  Neither  doth  their  Re-ordaining  imply  that  they  are  : 
ct  but  only  that  they  are  not  fufficiently  qualified  to  Officiate  in  our  Church,  j 

Anf.  What  Qualification  is  it  that  that  they  want?  Generals  here  decides 
not  the  Cafe.  If  it  be  only  the  Qualification  of  Legal  Authority ,  or  Licenfe ,  Why 
will  not  the  giving  of  that  qualifie  them?  Or  what  neceffity  is  thereof  Re-ordi- 
nation ?  But  when  you,  as  well  as  we,  profefs,  that  Re-ordination  ,  when  real,  is 
unlawful,  and  yet  you  require  their  Ordination  de  Nova,  which  they  call  Re-ordina- 
tion, Doth  not  this  tell  the  World  that,  you  take  the  firft  for  null  ? 

6.  Prop.  {_  No  Excommunicate  Perfon,  as  fuch,  to  be  Imprifon'd  and  Undone, 
but  fuch  whofe  Crimes  deferve  it. 

tc  Strict.  Contempt  of  Authority  is  one  of  the  greateft  Crimes,  and  for  that  it 
u  is  that  men  are  Excommunicated  firft,  and  afterwards  Imprifon'd.  Why  doth 
"  not  this  Exception  lie  againft  fuch  as  are  Outlawed  in  the  Chancery,  as  well  as  a- 
"  gain  ft  thofc  that  are  Excommunicated  ? 

Anfw.  Beciufe  the  Caufe  differeth.  E.  g.  I  believe  I  have  had  multitudes  with 
me  Conformable  as  well  as  others,  who  being  of  timerous,  or  melancholy  Confti- 
tutions,  and  under  Temptations  and  Trouble  of  Mind,  dare  not  receive  the  Sa- 
crament, for  fear  of  doing  it  unworthily,  and  of  eating  and  drinking  Damnati- 
on, and  the  Devil  eniring  into  them,  (  according  to  the  words  of  the  Liturgy  , 
which  affright  them  :  )  and  they  never  Communicated  in  their  Lives  (  at  above 
30  years  of  Age, )  and  have  oft  been  going,  and  never  durft  venture  :  One  of 
them  was  with  me  within  this  hour  :  Some  that  have  ventured  have  fain  Diffract- 
ed, and^  fome  near  it  by  Terror  and  Temptations  .•  You  can  tell  them  reafon  againft 
all  this  :  And  fo  can  I,  and  have  done  it  as  like  as  oft  as  moft  of  your  Curates : 
and  yet  they  are  Uncured.  And  I  muft  not  fay  how  little  is  done  in  too  many 
places  to  cure  their  Ignorance,  or  Timeroufnefs,  which  is  the  canfe.  And  are 
you  fure  that  all  thefe  poor  troubled  timerous  Souls  are  worthy  of  utter  ruine 
as  Contemners  of  Authority  ?  For  not  Communicating  they  muft  be  Excommuni- 
cated, and  after  Imprifon'd,  and  undone  in  the  World,  even  during  life,  unlefs 
they  can  be  changed  by  you.  Every  Man  deferveth  not  utter  ruin,  who  doth  not 
all  the  good  that  he  can  do.  But  can  fuch  a  perfon  change  their  own  winds  and 
fears,  becaufe  you  give  them  reafon  for  it  ?  I  know  they  cannot.  And  when 
Chrifb  tenderly  carrieth  his  Lambs  in  his  Arms ,  and  will  not  break  a  bruifed 
Reed  ^  Shall  I,  in  his  Name,  as  his  Minifter.  Excommunicate  them,  and  deliver 

them 


Part  III.       Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 


12 


them  up  (if  not  to  the  Devil  )  to  the  Magiftrate  to  be  Beggered,  and  perpetu- 
illy  Impnfoned  ?  Let  me  rather  bear  the  wrath  of  all  the  Prelates  on  earth    arid 
all  that  they  can  fay  or  do  againft  me.  ' 

Prop.  7.   But  who    fhall  be  judged  tolerable it  doth   not  become  us ., 

&c. —  3 

"  Strict.  As  it  doth  not  become  you  to  be  Judges  of  what  is,  or  what  is  not  to- 
lerable in  the  cafe  of  others-,  fo  it  doth  much  lefs  become  you  to  be  Judges  of 
"  what  is,  or  what  is  not  to  be  granted  in  your  own  cafe.  3 

Anf  We  never  arrogated  any  of  your  Power  over  our  Brethren  i  We  have 
formerly,  in  our  Folly,  hoped  that  we  might  prefume  to  be  Petitioners ,  though 
not  Judges  what  is  to  be  granted  us.  We  are  not  afhamed  to  confefs,  that  we 
did  defire  leave  to  Preach  ChrifPs  Gofpel ;  But  we  become  not  Judges  in  the 
Cafe  of  our  Superiours  Ads.  But  by  (  or  without )  your  leave,  we  mull:  be  de- 
cerning Judges  of  our  own  Duty  or  Sin,  whatever  it  coft  us.  And,  I  think,  no  fo- 
ber  Chriftian  will  give  the  contrary,  under  his  hand,  as  his  Judgment. 

Prop.  id.  C  That  no  Licenfed  Minifters  fhall  Preach  againft  any  of  the  Do- 
ctrine, <b'c..~] 

"'Strict.  It  fcems  Vnlicenfed  Minifters  maybe  allowed  tofpeak  for  or  againft 
"  what  they  lift. 

ynfw.  Out  Cafe  is  hard  with  you.  I  put  in  [Licenfed,  or  Vnlicenfed ;~\  And 
the  firft  Honourable  and  Learned  Perfon  that  faw  it,  thought  [Vnlicenfed]  mould 
be  put  out,  becaufe  it  was  unmeet  for  us  to  tell  His  Majefty  whom  hefhould  tole- 
rate, or  bow  far-  but  to  meddle  only  with  our  own  Cafe,  who  defired  Licenfes .- 
And  now  for  blotting  out  that  word,  and  not  medling  with  any  others,  we  are 
cenfured,  as  motioning,  that  the  Unlicenfed  may  fay  what  they  lift :  Thus  all 
our  Peace-making  motions  have  been  long  interpreted  by  fome. 

Prop.  id.  Q  That  all  Migiftrates  be  excepted  from  all  open  Perfonal  Re- 
bukes, and  difgraceful  Cenfures,  or  Excommunications,  becaufe,  &c. 

"  Strict.  We  take  Excommunication  to  be  an  Ordinance  of  God,  from  which 
**Magiftrates  are  not  to  be  exempted. 

• 

Snf.  i.  God  never* oi dained  that  a  Lay-ChanceKer  mould  Excommunicate 
them. 

2.  God  never  gave  power  to  any  to  excommunicate  a  King,  Prince,  or  other 
Ruler  (  if  any  at  all  )  but  that  particular  Paftor  to  whom  by  voluntary  Confent  he 
committeth  the  Charge  of  his  Soul.  The  Independents  that  think  as  you,  are  yet 
more  modelr  in  this,  in  that  they  fubjeft  the  Ruler  to  none  but  the  chofen  Paftor 
of  that  particular  Congregation  which  he  voluntarily  joyneth  himfelf  to, 

3.  Is  not  tie  World  much  abufed  when  they  are  told  that  it  is  the  Presbyterians, 
that  are  for  excommunicating  Princes,  and  not  the  Epifcopal  ?  For  my  part  I  am 
fully  of  the  mind  of  Bifhop  Eilfon,  and  Andrews  (  in  ,  ortura  Torti)  in  this ;  that 
to  an  Impenitent  wicked  Ruler,  I  would  fufpend  my  own  Ad  of  giving  him  the  Sa- 
crament, with  Cb-yfojfom's  refolution  rather  to  fuffer :  But  my  Judgment  is  that 
no  Bifhop  nor  Minifter  (  efpecially  one  that  is  not  his  proper  Paftor  )  may  lawfully 
ufe  any  open  perfonal  rebukes,  or  difgraceful  cenfures  or  Excommunications  againft  Kings, 
Judges  or  Honourable  Magiflrates :  And  my  Reafon,  no  Papift,  Prelate,  Presbyte- 
rian, or  Independent,  is  able  to  refel  ,  viz~.  from  the  fifth  Commandment.    The 
ftablifhed   perpetual  Law  of  God  Commandeth  us  to  honour  them.     Difgraceful 
Excommunication  is  not  accidentally,  but  pirpofedly  a  dishonouring  them  '  For  Men 
are  excommunicated  that  they  may   be  fhamed.    The  after-pofitive  Inftitution 
of  Excommunication  nulleth  not  this  antecedent  Moral  Law  :  but  muft  give  place 
to  it,  and  bindeth  not  againft  it.     I  farther  prove  that,  1.  Becaufe  all  Men  confefs 
that  this  laft  is  but  a  Law  of  Order,  and  that  Order  is  for  the  fake  of  the  end  and 
thing  Ordered,  and  that  it  oft  obl'igeth  not  when  it  ceafeth  to  be  a  means  to  that 
end,  or  would  deftroy  it  •  And  that  E,g.  If  you  knew  that  an  Excommunication 
ofaKingor  Judge  would  prove  the  Diflblution  of  that  Church,  it  were  not  Law- 
ful :  Therefore  neither  when  it  expofeth  the  Magiftrate  to  the  reproach  or  Con- 
tempt of  the  Subjects,  and  fo  fhaketh  the  very  frame  of  the  Kingdom,  or  Go- 
vernment.    The  Magiftrate's  honour  for  the  good  of  the  Kingdom  is  more 

r  r  x  r  neceflary 


130  I  he  Li  F  E   of  the  Part  III 

neccilary  than  his  Difhonour  and  fhaine  can  be  to  the  Older  of  that  ; 
Church. 

2.  And  a  fufpending  of  the  Pallor's  Act  of  delivering  him  the  Sacrament,  with 
an  humble  admonition,  may  better  attain  the  Lawful  end. 

3.  Ch rift  himfelf  hath  o±  taught  os  this  Expolition  of  his  Law.     Whc 

eat  with  Publicans  and  linncrs,   he  preferred  their  repentance,  bcfoie  the  poiitivc 
Order  of  not  being  famdiar  with  fuch,  as  being  never  intended  in  filth  a   ( 
When  the  Difciples  pluck't  the- Ears  of  Corn,  and  himfelf  cured  the  fiek  on  the 
Sabbath  day,  he  proveth  that  the  poiitivc  Law  of  Reft  was  intended   I  :,bce 

to  the  Moral  Law  of  Ncceflity  and  Charity,  and  proveth  it  by  the  inflance  of  David 
and  the  Officiating  Priefts-,  and  twice  fendeth  the  contrary  minded  Pharifees  to 
learn  what  that  meaneth,.  /  mil  have  mercy  (  a  Natural  Dv.ty  )  and  not  (  at  that 
time)  facrifice  (a  pofitive  inftitution  : )  And  they,  that  will  pretend  a  pofitive 
Law  of  Order  for  a  Congregation,  to  the  difhonouring  of  Jfrngs  and  Judges  and  Afa- 
giftratcs,  and  making  them  contemptible,  and  fo  unable  to  govern,  do  Pharifaically 
fet  up  Pofitives  againft  natural  moral  Duties.  By  which  means  Popes  and  Patri- 
archs and  other  Prelates,  have  wronged  Princes,  and  troubled  the  world  too  much 
already.  Do  you  no'  better  juftifre  the  Common  (lander,  how  much  the  Non- 
conformifts  are  againfb  the 'honour  of  Magiib-at.es  in  comparifon  of  the  Church 
of  England.  I  knowr  fome  Non-conformifb  thin^  as  you:  but  others  do'not.  .See 
the  old  Non-conformifts  judgment  againft  excommunicating  Kings  in  a  Latin 
Treat,  De  vera  &Gcriuin*  Chrift.*  Reltg.  Author e  Mmifiro  Anglo,  An.  161 8. 
pag.  280. 

4.  Moreover,  the  execution  of  the  fentence  of  Excommunication  on  Princes  and 
Rulers,  will  lefs  conftft  with  the  honour  that  is  due  to  them,  than  the  fentence  it. 
felf ;  For  to  avoid  them  that  they  may  he  afhamtd,  to  turn  away  from,  not  to  be  fami- 
liar with  them,  to  keep  them  out  of  the  Church  at  all  God's  fpecial  Church-worfhip, 
are  things  that  we  cannot  do,  without  neglect  of  much  of  our  duty  to  them  j  We 
muft  attend  them  and  obey  them  with  honour :  I  know  a  General  Council  hath 
forbidden  Bifhops  to  carry  themfelves  with  Lowlinefs  at  the  tables  and  in  the  pre- 
fence  of  Princes  and  great  men  j  And  I  know  that  fome  think  that  Excommunicate 
Princes  have  forfeited  their  honour  and  it  is  lawful  to  difhonour  them,  yea  and  all 
wicked  Princes  who  deferve  Excommunication  ;  and  I  know  Mr.  Hooker  in  bisEcdef. 
Polit.  faith,  that  >it  is  fuppofed  that  a  Prince  that  is  the  frlead  of  a  Chriftian  Church  be 
himfelf  a  Chriftian  :  But  an  thefe  are  Errours  tending  to'thefubverfion  of  Order 
and  Government ;  And  the  Higher  Powers  whom  God's  Spirit  commandeth  us  to 
honour  and  be  fubject  to,  were  Nero  and  the  Roman  Senate,  and  other  Enemies  of 
Chriftian ity  ;  even  Idolatrous  Heathens.  And  if  thefe  muft  be  honoured,  much 
more  a  Chriftian  King  or  Judge,  who  were  he  a  private  man,  might  deferve  an  Ex- 
communication. At  leaft  I  hope  that  the  Writ  de  Excommunicato  Capiendo  (hall 
not  be  ifliied  .out  againft  the  King  or  his  Judges,  (though  the  Canon  65.  command 
that  every  fix  months  in  Cathedrals,  and  Parifh-Churches  the  Excommunications  be 
declared,  of  thofe  that  obftinately  refufe  to  frequent  the  Divine  Service  eftabli- 
fhed  by  publick  Authority,  and  thofe  (  efpecially  of  the  better  fort  and  Condition  ) 
who  for  notorious  contumacy  ,  or  other  notable  Crimes  ftand  Excommuni- 
cate,^. 2  )  Though  the  Better  fort  are  fingled  out  efpecially  for  the  fentence  and 
flume,  yet  if  it  ftV  be  Judges  and  Sheriff,  who  (hall  Judge  and  apprehend 
them? 

Prop.  id.  [_  Not  fi    ice,  fufpend,  &c.  Arbitrary,  but  by  a  known  Law.  3 
"  Str'al.  No  R;n    ps  •do  or  can  do  fo  ^  Neither  is  there  any  Law  or  Canon  to 
"  that  purpofe  that  I  know  of. 

Anfw.  I  am  loth  to  Name  Inftances  left  it  provoke ;  Mr. Pot ter  is  dead  :  Dr.  Wilies 
of  Kmg/lon  now  Chaplain  to  the  King  ( they  fay, )  I  am  fure  hath  complained  much 
of  his  fufpenfion  at  Shadwell :  1  remember  Bifhop  Petghnolds  was  fo  fenfible  of  the 
neceffity  of  this  Provifion,  that  at  the  Savoy  Treaty,  he  was  moft  earneft  to  have 
it  inferred  and  infilled  on.  It  may  be  it  is  Minifter's  ignorance  in  the  Law,  that 
maketh  them  when  fufpended  not  know  where  to  feek  for  a  remedy  (  unlcfs  in  vain 
or  to  their  undoing.  ) 

Toftfcript,  If  Sacraments  were  left  free,  &c  It  would  take  in  the  Independents ,&c.*l 
u  Stria.  If  Independents  may  betaken  in  by  us  now,  why  did  not  you  take  them 

"  in 


Part  111,  «      Kevmitd  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

;;  in  when  you  were  in  power?  but  pveachln7~writ7fb~much  as  you  did  tri£ 

Toleration  of  them  ?  But  you  that  would  have  us  difpenfe  to  a  1  tSKi 
"  would  your  felves  difpenfe  with  nothing  then  ]  8  * 

jkfie.  itVpity  that  matters  of  publick  feft  mould  be  fo  much  unknoVn,  and  that 
when  fuch  inference  follow  !    i .  I  was  never  in  power  :  Nay  my  Lot  never  few 
to  be  of  any  tide  that  was  Vpperjmft  in  Church  matters,  nor  in  State-Ufurped  power 
but  1  always  was  of  the  under  lide.  k      puwer, 

2.  h  m$  the  Toleration  of  aUSeft  unlimitedly  that  I  wrote  and  preacht  aeainft 
and  not  (  that  I  remember  )  of  meer  Independents.  P  g        > 

3.  Thofe  that  did  oppofe  the  Toleration  of  Independents,  of  my  acquaintance 
did  not  deny  them  the  liberty  of  Independency,  but  oppofed  reparation  oi  thek 
Gathering  other  Churches  out  of  Parim-Churches  that  had  faithful  Minifbers    If 
they  would  have  taken  Parim-Churches  on  Independent  Principles  without  fern 
ration,  neither  I  nor  my  aquaintance  did  oppofe  them,  no  nor  their  Endeavours  to 
reform  fuch  Churches. 

4.  The  Cafe  preatly  differed  :  For  an  Independent  to  refufe  Parifh-Churches 
when  no  Ceremony,  no  Liturgie,  no  Oath  or  Subfcription  is  required  of  hira' 
which  he  fcrupleth,  is  not  like  his  refilling  Oaths,  Subfcriptions  Liturgie  Cere' 
monies,  &c.  &  » 

%.  But  in  a  Word,  Grant  us  but  a*  much,  and  take  us  but  in,  as  we  granted  to  and 
took  in  the  Independents  and  we  are  content.  Make  this  agreement  and  all  is  ended- 
we  delire  no  more  of  you.  We  never  denyed  the  Independents  the  liberty  or* 
preaching  Lectures,  as  often  as  they  would  :  Nor  yet  the  liberty  of  taking  Parilh- 
Churches  :  They  commonly  had Prefentations,  and  the  publick  Maintenance-  And 
no  Subfcription,  Declaration,  Liturgie,  or  Ceremony,  was  impofed  on  them'  A- 
gain  I  fay,  I  a$  you  no  more  Liberty  than  was  given  the  Independents  by  their 
brethren  called  Presbyterians.  Let  yonr  Grant  now  agree  but  with  your  inti- 
mations. 

6.  And  how  then  fay  you,  we  would  difpence  with  nothing  ?  For  my  part  and  thofe 
of  my  mind,we  never  impofed,  nor  endeavoured  to  impofe  any  thing  on  anjfcnan 
as  necefiary  to  Ordination,  Minifrry,  or  Communion,  but  £  The  Owning  of  the 
Scripture  Generally,  and  the  Creeds,  Lord's  Prayer,  and  Decalogue  and  Sacraments  par- 
ticulirly,  with  that  meafurc  of  under/landing  them,  and  ability  to  teach  them  which  is  ne- 
ceffary  to  a  Minifter,  and  fidelity  therein.  ]  i  never  fpake  for  liberty  herein  for  Epifco- 
pal,  Independents  yea  and  Anabaptifls  that  only  deny  Infant  Baptifm,  I  wrote 
that  hindering  men's  Minilrry  for  their  being  againft  the  Parliament.-  And  I  think 
I  kepi  many  and  many  thousands  from  taking  the  Covenant. 

7,  At  leaft  do  vou  deny  Liberty  to  none  but  thofe  that  denyed  it  to  others  and 
we  fiull  thankfully  acquielce. 

"  Strict.  I  cannot  think  the  maker  of  thefe  Propofals  could  imagin  that  any  much 
. u  lefs  all  of  them  would  or  could  be  agreed  to.  ~] 

v.   i.  Yon  fpeak  truly,  if  you  mean  C  by  thofe  men,  of  whom  upon  former 
tryal,  he  had  fo  great  Experience :  ]  It  were  great  weaknefs  in  him  to  have  expected 
it.     But  yet  he  is  fo  charitable  as  to  be  confident  ( though  net  certain  )  that  if 
thefe  Propofals  were  made  to  the  Conformable  London  Miniflers,  (fuch  as  Dr. 
IVhitchcot,  Dr.  StiUingfleet,  Mr.  Gifford,  Dr.  Tillotfon,   Dr.  Cradock;  Dr.  Outram 
Dr.  Ford7  and  many  more  fuch  Learned  worthy  peaceable  men,  in  this  City)  they 
would  either  grant  ail  that  is  here  defired,  or  abate  fo  little  as  mould  be  no  hinde- 
rance  to  our  prefent  Concord .-  And  though  I  have  no  great  acquaintance  with  any 
of  them,  yet  my  knowledge  of  them  by  fame  and  hearing  them  preach,  doth  render 
me  fo  fully  perfuaded,  that  if  we  could  get  the  Cafe  but  referred  to  their  Judgment 
and  Counfel,  infleadof  the  Interefled  Bifhops  who  brought  us  to  the  Hate  that  we 
are  in  I  mike  no  doubt  but  we  fhould  be  all  healed  in  a  few  weeks  time.     And  that 
you  may  not  think  rav  confidence  vain  take  this  proof:  Bifhop  IVilkins  was  no  fool 
norfanatick:  Thefe  men  are  much  of  his  fpirit  and  judgment,  (  who  was  a  Lover 
of  Mankind,  and  of  honefty,  peace  and  Impartiality  andjuftice. )  And  we  agreed 
with  him  upon  Terms  like  thefe,  (upon  the  Lord  Keeper  Bridgman\  Invitation  / 
fo  far,  that  bv  mutual  Confent  the  Agreement  was  drawn  up  into  the  form  of  an 
Aft,  to  have  been  offered  to  the  houfe,  fo  that  as  much  as  lay  in  him  and  us,  we 
were  all  agreed  and  healed.    And  why  fhould  I  fufped  that  any  of  thefe  worthy 
perfons  are  lefs  peaceable  ? 

Rrrr2  ,  i.  But 


:2       "  The  LIFE  of  the  Parr  IH 


.»    -*•■ 


2.  But  by  this  Conclufion,  thofe  many  perlba  ,whb  have  talk'i 
(ojnecreat  Clergy-men  arc  to  Condefceua,agrec  an  I  abate  all  I 
Unite  us  and  prevent  Popery,  may    now  fee    pall  ail  doubt,  the  very   truth  of 
the  Cafe.     This  Animadverter  you  fee,  woujd  not   nam   [  any  | 
Propofals  no  not  our  forbearance  of  an  Oath,  or  Subfcription  loCcretoony,  or  any 
piece  of  their  impofed  formalities,  nor  the  Lcayiug  out  of  a  word  of  the  Litur- 
rie  &c.  What  is  it  then  that  they  would  aba i       I        Dealing  will  nuke  men  I 
at  [aft. ' 

«  strict.  Or  that  if  the  Non-conformifls  were,   upon  fnch  Terms  as  thefe 

"  permitted  to  exetrife  their  Miniftry,  and  made  capable  of  Paftoral  charges  and 
"  other  Preferments  in  our  Church,  this  would  l)e  a  means  to  heal  our  lamentable 
"  Divifions  that  arc  new  among  us :  unlcfs  he  will  fay  that  the  belt  expedient  to 
"  fupprefs  S(  hifni,  is  to  embrace  and  cherifn  and  to  reward  Schifmaticks,  flill  pro- 
"  letting  and  revolving  to  be  fo  •  Or  that  it  is  better  and  lafer  for  the  Church  to 
"  have  a  fire  within  her  bowels  than  without  her  doois-  or  contraries  by  being 
"  mingled  together  would1  thereby  become  Icfs  contrary  or  deftructive  to  one  ano- 
ther: No  certainly:  And  therefore  if  they  will  itill  continue  Non-confor- 
"  mills  itis  better  and  fafer  for  the  Church  they  mould  be  itill  kept  out  than  taken 

"  into  it. 

Mjw.  i.  But 'tis  our  Opinion  (pardon  our  folly  )  that  if  the  Law  had  not  been 
made  which  forbad  Daniel  to  pray  to  God, 'or  commanded  the  worfhiping  of  the 
Golden  Image,  they  had  been  no  Inconformifls  that  kept  not  fuch  a  Law.  And 
that  if  the  Law  were  repeated  which  requircth  Corporations  to  deilare  (that wo 
man  is  bound  by  the  flemn  vorv  (  no  not  to  repent,  nor  againfl  Popery,  Schifm, 
or  Prophanefs  )  they  would  be  no  Inconformifls  that  did  not  fo  declare  :  And  that 
if  the  Laws  commanded  us  not  to  fwear,  fubferibe,  declare,  Crtfsy&cc.  We  were  no 
Inconformifls  or  Schifmaticks  if  we  did  them  not.  But  the  name  of  Schifmaticks  is 
by  fuch  Godfathers  as  Itbacius,  Idacius,  and  the  reft  of  the  Council  of  Bifbops  (from 
whom  Ambrofe  dilfended  )  pnt  upon  fuch  as  St.  Martin,  who  feparated  from  thera 
'  to  tne  death,  for  their  Church-Tyranny  and  wicked  Lives,  and  bringing  Godly 
people  into  the  fufpicion  and  reproach  of  Prifcillianifm,  if  they  did  but  meet  for 
mutual  edification  and  live  Religiouily.  AsGrotiiu  faith  that  by  a  Papifthe  meaneth 
one  that  approved  of  all  that  any  Pope  fhall  fay  or  do  (  and  I  hope  there  are  few  fuch  ; ) 
fo  with  fome  men,  a  Schifmatick  is  one  that  approveth  not  of  all  that  a  Pope  or 
Prelate  will  prefcribe.  And  if  all  theprefent  Non-conformifls  were  commanded 
to  Preach  with  horns  on  their  heads,  to  fignifie  the  conquering  power  of  the 
Church  or  Word,  they  were  Schifmaticks,  by  fuch  men's  nomination,  if  they  difo- 
beyed.  '  But  I  will  now  only  ask,  I.  Q^  Were  all  the  Apoftles,  and  the  Churches  m 
their  time  and  long  after  Schifmaticks,  who  knew  not  our  Oaths,  Declarations,  Stib- 
feriptions,  Liturgie,  Ceremonies,  tire. 

Q.  2.  Did  they  not  take  as  wife  a  ccurfe  for  the  Churehe's  concord  and  the  a- 
voiding  of  Schifm,  as  either  the  Engl'fo  or  Toman  Bifhops  take  ? 

Q.  3,  Had  not  the  OmilTion  of  the  Pomifh  Canons  about  Tranfubftantiation, 
Tradition,  and  fr.ch  like,  been  a  better  way  to  prevent  herefie,  than  the  obeying 
them?  And  may  it  not  be  fo  in  our  cafe  ?  Would  any  be  Schifmaticks  for  diilent- 
ing  from  Lay  men's  power  of  the  Keys,  from  Crofting,  frc.  if  there  were  no  fuch 
Laws  ?  And  did  not  Peter  and  Paul  pleafc  God  as  well  without  them  as  you  do 
with  them  ?  And  did  not  Peter  and  Paul  go  as  fafe  a  way  to  Heaven  as  you  ?  And 
is  he  that  confenteth  to  go  the  fame  way  to  heaven  as  they  did,  and  to  do  all  that 
the  Univcrfal  Church  impofed  for  an  hundred,  two  hundred  years  after  them  (at 
kafl)  yet  worthier  of  the  Name  of  a  Schifmatick,  than  the  New  Lords,  that  by  new 
Laws  do  make  and  call  all  Schifmaticks  that  live  as  the  Apoflles  did,  or  did  com-  . 
mand  them,  and  no  more  ? 

2.  You  have  tryed  your  Better  and  fafer  way  (by  filencing  i8co  Miniilers  of 
Chrift)  by  which  the  Flecks  arefcattered  and  divided,  and  we  are  as  Guelphes  and 
Gibclines'm  Contention  ;  And  if  yet  it  feem  bell  to  you,  a  few  years  (by  Death's  in- 
terpofition,  )  will  help  you  to  be  of  another  mind.  But,  alas,  mufl  the  fouls  of 
Millions  and  the  Nation  pay  fo  dear  for  your  miftake,  while  you  are  preparing 
for  the  too  late  Convictions  of  fad  Experience  ? 

"  Strict.  The  only  certain  and  fafe  way  of  healing  thefe  Divifions  (  as  I  conceive  )  .,. 

is. 


Part  III  %everend  Mi\  Richard  Baxter. 

^  6  5 

,  tor  all,    thai  arc  takefa  into  the  Church,  to  fubmit  to  one  and  the  fame  Rule 
L  a>  well  in  Jgcndit  as  Credendis,  as   well  in  circumftantials  and  ceremonials    as 
"  in  Sttbflrant wis  arid    Eflentials;  as  well  in  the  manner,  as  the  m*rr*>r  r,f  h2tX: 


c  ous  Worlhip 


i  ils  and    EHentiftls-,  as  well  in  the  manner,  as  the  matter  of  Religi- 


vrtr/:  t.  And  whofliall  make  that  flu le  ?  The  Bifhops  !  And  who  mail  be 
ilhops?  You!  And  ftoheSumis,  The  only  certain,  and  fafc  way  of  Healing  is 
for  no  Man  to  differ  from  our  Judgment  or  Will  in  our  Agendis.  or  CnderJvs 
Circumtrancc  or  Subftauce,  manner  or matter of  Worlhip,  nor  fay  a  Word  to 
God  in  publick,  but  what  we  write  down  for  him,  or  allow  him.  What  Sedary 
would  .not   be    fuch  a  Healer  ? 

2.  But  1  am  forry  that  any  Chriftian,  much  more  Pallors,  can  believe  that 
ever  all  the  Church  will  be  fuch  Idoli/.ers  of  Man,  as  to  flreich  their  Confci- 
ences  to  own  all  that  for  matter,  and  manner,  fubftancc,  or  Circumftancc  he  fliall 
prefcribc-  or  clfc  will  all  be  fo  ripe  in  Knowledge,  as  all  to  know  which  are 
the  right  Modes  and  Circumftanccs,  and  fo  come  to  be  of  one  mind.  The 
Church  of  Rome  had  not  needed  Inquilitions,  Flames,  and  Racks,  nor  loft  fo 
many  Kin  doms  ,  if  this  could  have  been  done.  But  if  ever  the  Church  be  heat- 
ed by  Men  of  your  Opinion,  by  this  which  you  account  the  only  way,  neither 
God  nor  ReafoiTtiav.e  herein  fpoken  by  me.  Wonderful!  that  near  one  Thou- 
fand  three  Hundred  Years  Experience  of  the  Churches  doth  not  convince  you,  and 
teach  you    better. 

14  Strict    For  though  an  Agreement  in  the  Eflentials  only  be  enough  to  make 

"   any  Man  a  Member  of  the    Carholick,  or  univerfal  Church,  yet  is  it   not  e- 

*'  nougli  to  make  a  Man  a  Member  of  this  or  that  particular  National  Church: 

tc  For  all  the  Reformed  Churches  agree  (as  appears  by   the  Corpus  ConfeJJionum) 

"  in  the  Eflentials  of  Faith  and  Worlhip  \  and  therefore  in  that   refpeft  they 

"  are  all  Members  of  the  Church-Catholick ,  but  they  do  not  agree,  either  in 

the  fame  form  of  Government,   or  in  the  fame  outward  form  of  Worfhip* 

or  in  the  fame  Ecclefiaftical  Discipline,  or  in  the  fame  Rites  and  Ceremonies : 

And  it  is  the  Agreement  in  fuch  things  as  thefe,  as  well  as  in   Eflentials, 

which  conftitutcs,  and  giveth  Denomination  to  the  feveral   National  Church- 

1  es  5  which,  all  of  them  taken  together,  do  make  up  the  Church  Catholick  : 

<e  Thus  to  make   up  one  Member  of  the  French,  Dutch,  or  any   other  Reform- 

<c  ed  Churches,  it  is  not    enough  to  be  a  Catholick,  no  nor    a  Proteftant-Ca- 

tholick  neither  ;  but   he  muft  fubferibe,  and  conform  ,  not  only  in  point  of 

Judgment  to  their  Confellion  of  Faith,  but  in   point  of  Practice  alfo  to   all 

their  Rules,  Orders,    and  Ufages,   in  Preaching,  Praying,  Adminiftration  of 

the  Sacraments,  and  all  External  Rites,  and  Ceremonies  prefcribed  by  publick 

Authority,  to  be  ufed  in  the  publick  Worlhip    of  God ,  for  the  more  fo- 

tC  lemn,  more  unanimous,  more  decent,  and  more  edifying  performance    of  the 

'•  fame  •,  which,  if  any  Man,  upon  any  pretence  whatfoever,  refufetodo,  hecan- 

tc  not  be  of  fuch  or  fuch  a  National  Church,  where  a  Conformity   to  all  fuch 

l<  things  is  indifpenfably  required  of  all  that  will  be  of,  or  continue  in  the  a- 

cc  forefaid  rofpective  Churches.     And    is  it  not  as  Lawful  and  reafonable  for  our 

"  Church  to  prefcribc  Conditions  of  her   Communion,  to  thofc  that  will  be  of 

"  it,  and  continue  in  it,  as  it  is  for  any  other  of  the  Reformed  Churches  to 

"  prefcribe  to  thofe   that  arc  of  theirs  ? 

Anf.  i.  It's  well  that  Chrift  is  more  merciful  than  Men:  His  eafie  Yoke  and 
light  Burden,  Mat.  it.  29.  and  the  neceiTary  things,  A&  15.  is  enough  to 
make  Men  Members  of  him,  and  his  Body  the  Church  Catholick,  that  they  may 
be  fave  1  :  But  he  that  will  be  of  a  National  Church  muft  bear  and  do  no  Man 
knows  what !  .        . . 

2.  But  how  will  this  ftand  with  Chrift's  Catholiek  Laws?  A  true  Catbohck  Clm- 
Jtian  (hall  be  faved :  But  he  that  is  no  more ,  with  you,  is  guilty  of  one  of 
the  greateft  Crimes,  viz..  Contempt  of  your  Authority-  and  can  he  then  be 
Saved ?  Chrift's  Catholick  Members  muft  love,  honour,  and  cherifh  each  other: 
But  with  you,  he  that  obevethyou  not  in  every  Word,  Mode,  and  circumftance, 
©r  ceremony,  is  to  be  filenced,  and  perfected.    Chrift's  Laws  are,   taat  he  that 


'I he  LI   F  E  of  the  Parr  III 


is  weak  even  in  the  Faith,  be  received,  but  not  to  doubtful  deputation*,  and 
that  for  finaller  difference  wc  neither  defpifenor  judge  each  other,  but  receive 
one  another  asChrift  received  us,  and  that  fo  far  as  we  have  attained,  we  walk  bj 
the  fame  Rule,  and  mind  the  fame  things,  and  if  in  any  thing  we  be  orherwife 
minded  God'  witt  reveal  even  this  unto  us :  And  that  we  mud  love  one  ano- 
ther with  a  pure  Heart,  fervently,  and  by  this  be  known  to  all  Men  to  be  Chrift's 
Dilciples  :  But  your  National  Procefs  carrieth  it  beyond  this  Line-  you  will 
firft  break  this  Catholick  Law  (  as  if  your  National  Church  were  not  part  of 
the  Univerfal)  and  make  Laws  for  judging  the  forcfaid  Diflenters ,  and  then 
plead  yours  againft  Chrift's  Laws,  and  fay,  he  meant  not  thofe  that  are  und<  3 
Law,  (while  he  forbad  fuch  Laws.)  Andfo  you  may  Bxcommunicate,  re'to-ch, 
avoid  imprifon,  undo,  and  fdence  thofe  that  Chrift  commanded  yon  tenderly  to 
Love,'  and  fay  they  are  Schifmaticks,  for  they  obey  us  not  in  every  Circumftance 
O!  how  much  caller  is  Chrift's  Yoke  than  yours? 

3.  But  what  is  this  National  Church  which  is  fo  contrary  to  Chrift's  Catho- 
lick Church  ?  If  it  be  all  the  Churches  and  Chriftian*  that  are  under  one  Chri- 
ftian Prince,  we  own  it  as  fuch  :  But  this  needs  no  fuch  conditions  as  you  name  : 
And  it  is  not  true  that  the  Catholick  Church  confifteth  only-  of  fuch  ;  for  the 
Subjects  of  the  Turks  and  Heathens  are  part  of  the  Catholick  Church :  If  it  be 
all  the  Churches  of  a  Kingdom  as  voluntarily  ajjocir.ted  for  Communion  or  Concord, 
I  repeat  the  fame  as  aforefaid.  But  if  you  mean  all  the  Churches  of  a  Kingdom, 
as  tinder  one  Conftitutive  Ecclefiaftical  Head,  2nd  Faftor,  few  Proteftants  will  fay 
that  it  is  of  God's  Inftitution  •,  (Bilfon  and  others  ufually  fay  Patriarchs,  Metro- 
politans, &c.  arc  humane  Creatures  :  )  And  verily  I  had  rather  be  no  Member  of 
a  Church  of  Man's  making  (till  I  better  know  the  Maker's  Authority)  than  re- 
nounce all  that  mutual  Love,  and  Brotherly  concord  and  forbearance,  and  kind* 
nefs,  and  all  Chrift's  Promifes  of  Salvation  to  fuch,  which  he  hath  fettled  upon 
his  Catholick  Members.  And  if  what  you  fay  be  true,  who  would  not  rather  far 
be  a  meet  Catholck  Chriftian,  out  of  all  National  Churches,  than  be  in  them  ? 
But!  yet  hold,  that  though  your  particular  Canon  bind  not  the  Church  uni- 
verfal, yet  Chrift's  univerfal  Laws  bind  all  particular  Churches  and  Chrifti- 
ans. 

4.  And  that  which  maketh  me  diflTent  is,  that  I    am  not  able  to  difcern  how 
all   Men  can  obey  fuch  Laws  as  you  mention,   and  live  in  any  concord  with  you, 
without  renouncing  all  Confcience,  Chriftianity,  and  Religion.    Not  that  I  nidge 
all  to  do  fo  tint  agree  with  you  :' For  thofe  that  agree  in  Judgment,    may  agree 
in  Prattice.     But  you  muft  make  me  mad,  or  unacquainted  with  Mankind,  before 
you  make  me  believe  that  a  whole   Kingdom  will  ever  be  fo  perfect  in  Judg- 
ment, or  fo  mnch  of  the  fame  temper,    Education,    condition,    converfe,    &c. 
as  to  be  all  of  one  Mind  in  every    word,   circumftance,  ceremony,  and  mode 
of  Worfhip,  and  Difcipline,  upon.  Chriftian,  confeientious  terms.     Either  they 
muft  abfolutcly  believe  as  the  Rulers  bid  them,  or  not.     If  yea,  then  mod  Turks, 
Heathens,  Papifh  are  in  the  right,  that  be  of  the  Religion  of  their  Rulers.     If 
not,  fome bound? and  Rules  muft  fhew  them  the  difference,  how  far  Obedience 
is  t©  be  given  :  And    the  Subjects    muft  be  the  Difcerners,    whether   the  Cafe 
falls   under  thofe  Qualificationt  or  not:   As  e.  g.  whether  it  be  Sin  againft  God. 
And  when  all  the  Men  and  Women  in  a  Kindom  have  a  Multitude  of  Wnds, 
circum  fiances,  and  ceremonies,  and  modes  to  try  by  fuch   Rules,  they  will  never 
be  of  one  Mind  about  them,  who  would  be  of  one  Mind  in  a  few  plain  things. 
And  then  you  come  and  make  their  Difobedience  to   be    one  of  the  greatcft 
Crimes,  deferving  Excommunication,  Imprifonment,  and  ruin  ;  fothat  you  make 
fuch  a  National  Church  to  be  a  trap  for  Men's  undoing  and  Damnation. 

5.  As  for  what  you  fay  of  the  Foreign  Churches,  their  Country-men  fay,  that 
it  is  not  all  one  to  impofethe  neceflfary  Difcharge  of  Men's  plain,  undeniable 
Duty,  and  to  imoofe  the  Humane  Work,  which  you  can  defcribe.  But  I  am  a 
ftranger  to  them,  aad  am  bound  to  receive  nothing  againft  another,  till  1  hear 
both  Parties  (peak  \  nor  :un  I  concerned  in  the  Cafe,  as  not  being  bound  to  infti- 
fie  them  any  more  than  you.  If  it  be  as  you  fay,  no  wonder  if  they  have  the 
diffractions  and  calamities,  and  Divifions,  which  render  them  the  objects  of  com- 
panion. The  Serpent,  that  beguiled  Eve,  hath  long  ago  tempted  almoft  all  the 
Churches  from  the  Ancient  Chriftian  Simplicity,  in  Doctrine,  Difcipline,  and  Wor- 
Ihip,  which  is  the  only  way  of  common  Concord. 

6.  But 


Pare   UL  'Reverend  Mr.  RirfildB^ 

6.  But   yet  bcfidcs  the    Cathclick  Chuich    we  hold  uartirui**  ri*,i  i      ia7~ 
Chriihan  ARmbUes,   to  be  of  drift's   Inftitucion      1m  1 1  i^Se^6 
toworftup  Ood   without  the  determination  of  many  Cira,m  W-  7'and  Wodes 
Scro-   Tranllauou,  lome  Metre  of  Malms   (bine  'nine    fnm..  Ti.„      j  S,"   ' 
lome  Palter,  «** 'litems,  mull  bechofen  :  AndL  32  "»fefe 
the  Common  choicn  Ciraimitanc£  departeth  therein  himfelf,  from ^d^™f 
■km  :      But  yet  iiuh  may  Jerve  God  acceptably  in  another  AitemMy   and  mayHve 
in  Chrilh  in  Love  and  Pea  e  though  they  Sing  not  in  the  famc  Time  o\  Ge^  e 
or  ufc not  every  Ceremony  alike.     And  tins  is  nothing  to  the  making  of  new 4m- 
bols,  OdthS  Subfcnptions,  or  other  things,  not  neceirarv  inhere   and  that  bv  the 
Officers .of  a  National  Humane  Church,  ted  this  not  only  to  be  'done    and  auietlv 
born  ,  but  approved  ,     Your  Way  is  th»  moil  proper  Engine  to  tear'  in  niece,  „H 
the  Churches  in  the  World  or  reduce  them  to  a  Sfani/h  Humane  Obedience    For 
if  a  particular  Parifh-Church  did  not  fo  much  as  tye  Men  to  a  Ceremony    but  mere 
Determination^  which  muft  lome  way  be  made  •  If  the  Prieft  ftood  at  the  Church 
door,  and  faid,  You  (hall  not  enter  ,  unlefs  you  will  Subfcribe,  or  Say  or  Swear 
that  we  are  infallible  in  all  that  we  do  •  or  that  there  is  no  Sin,  no  Fault  nothing 
contrary  to  God's  Will  and  Word  •  nothing  but  what  you  Aftent,  and' Content 
to,  in  all  our  1  ranllations  of  Scripture,  in  all  our  Verfions,  Tunes  Words  Ge- 
iturcs,  Ciraimftanccs,  I  would  never  enter  into  that  Church  •  though  I  will  dad 
ly  and  peaceably  joyn  with  them,  if  they  will  let  me  alone  without  fuch  Obligati- 
ons to  julhfie  all  they  do.     One  would  think  this  fhould  have  been  paft  Contro 
vcrfie  before  this  day,  among  the  Prudent  Paftors  of  the  Churches. 

"Strict.  Still  fuppofing,  that  neither  they,  nor  we,  require  any  thing  that  mav 
"  not  be  fubmitted  to  without  fin.  y 

Jtnfxo.  Upon  that  Suppofition  we  have  no  Controvert  with  you  •  Then  what 
need  any  of  this  adoe  ?  But  who  (hall  be  the  Judge  ?  If  you  mult  and  that  ab- 
folutely-  then  it  is  all  one  to  us  whether  it  be  fin  or  no  fin  :  for,  to  us  it  will  be 
none,  it  we  do  as  you  bid  us  .•  But  then  why  do  Protefhnts  condemn  Papifts 
who  do  as  they  are  bidden?  And  why  do  our  Articles  condemn  them  that  fay* 
AU  Men  may  be  faved  in  the  Religion  they  are  bred  in-,  when  they  all  do  a* 
they  are  bidden,  even  they  that  defie  Chrift.  But,  if  you  hold  not  to  this  what 
ihall  we  do  ?  Arc  we  our  felves  the  difcerning  Judges  ?  Then  we  proteft  be- 
fore God  and  Men,  that  we  take  the  things  that  We  deny  Conformity  to  to  be 
fins,and  very  heinous  fins,  and  very  far  from  things  indifferent :  If  you  fay  that 
we  muft  obey  you  till  we  are  paft  doubt,  and  certain  that  'tis  fin  •  I  Anfwer 
i .  It's  too  few  tin  it  Man's  Underftanding  reacheth  to  a  certainty  in  :   What 

if  I  verily  think,  that  I  fee  reafon  to  take  that  which  a  Biihop  or  Church  Com- 
manded, to  be  Blafphemy,  Perjury,  Treafon,  Murder,  Herefie,  &c.  but  I  am  not 
certain  and  paft  doubt :     Muft  I  then  do  it  ?    Then  a  Man  that  can  be  but  fuf- 
ficiently  ignorant,  or  doubtful,  may  ftick  at  no  Commanded  Wickednefs.     Some  other 
Rule  therefore  than  this  muft  be  found  out.     If  you  fay,  That  we  have  no  reafon 
tr>  take  any  thing  commanded  for  fin  ;  and  you  think  you  confute  all  our  Objections-  I  An- 
fwer ,     i .  So  all   Impofers  think,  or  moft  :    And  fo  we  are  as  confident  that 
our  Reafon  is  good,  and  that  we  fee  the  grofs  Errors  of  your  Anfwers :    And  all 
f  his  is  but  to  fay,  that  no  Man  is  to  be  Tolerated  in  your  Church,  that  is  not  in 
every  thing  in  the  Right  (  and  that  in  your  Judgments.  )    Suppofe  you  were  In- 
fallible ,  fo  are  not  all  the  Subjects  :     And  if  their  Reafon  be  bad,  and  yours 
good  ,  all  that  is  no  more  than  to  fay ,  That  They  Err,  or  are  Miftakcn  :    '  And 
o  Man  fhall  be  Tolerated  with  you  that  Erreth ,  and  that  in  as  great  a  Mat- 
ter as  a  Circumftance,  or  Ceremony  •  no  two  Men  in  the  World  muft  hold  Com- 
munion on  fuch  Terms.     I  am  confident  I  ftudy  as  hard  as  you :     I  am  confident  I 
am  as  impartial  and  willing  to  know  the  Truth  .•    I  have  far  lefs  than  you  to 
tempt  me  to  the  contrary.     And  yet  I  verily  think  Conformity  to  me  would  be 
a  heinous  Sin :     Nay,  I  am  paft  doubt  of  it,  if  that  will  ferve.    Give  us  but  leave 
to  publifh  our  Reafons  freely,  and  you  fhall  fee  whether  we  have  any  Reafon. 
But  if  yet  I  be  miftaken ,  Shall  your  National-ChUrch  have  never  a  Member  To- 
lerated that  is  as  ignorant  ahd  bad  as  I  ?    Hold  to  that,  and  try  the  Iflue,  whe- 
ther your  Church  will  be  as  numerous  as  you  arc 


*« 


Strict.  And 


7^6  'I be  L  1  FE  of  the       ^   Part  111 

"  Strict:  And  Chinches  abroad  both  have  been  and  will  be  on  Ccmpur  gators,  t 
"  I  wi(h  the  Frcsbytcicms  of  England  and  Scothnd  would  be  conteiU  to  lTand  to  ! 
"Judgment  of  all  the  Ircsbytcnan  Churches  abroad,  whethci  .    iy  not  vt 

"  out  fin  conform  to  ajl  that  (by  our  Church)  is  required  ot  them.  .  Nuy,  whethe. 
a  they  can  refufc  to  Conform  without  fin. 

,  nf.  Content :  I  and  all  of  my  mind  profefs,  that  we  will  accept  your  oflei  . 
But  we  wilh  as  fincerely  that  you  would  ftand  to  it.  Not  that  we  take  any  Men  for 
the  Lords  of  our  Faith.-  but  let  them  hear  us  fpeak,  and  if  they  fay,  that  it  is  lawful 
(or  not  a  heinous  lin  in  us  )  to  Conform,  we  will  acquicfee  and  never  more  accufe 
you  as  Perfecutors,  but  filently  undergo  all  the  Accufation  of  Sc  hifm.  But  then  by 
the  Churches,  you  mult  not  mean  any  od&pcrfons,  but  the  Churches  indeed. 

"  Strict.  EfpeciaUy  in  this  Conjuncture  of  time,  when  we  have  fo  great  rcafon  to 
"  fear  the  prevailing  of  the  Common  Enemy  againft  us  both  •,  and  confequently,  not 
"  only  the  Endangering,  but  the  utter  ruining  of  the  Proteftant  Religion,  and  that 
"  not  only  here,  but  perhaps  in  all  the  World  befides  ^  the  guilt  whereof  will  lie  e- 
"  fpecially  at  our  Doors  if  we  do  not  agree. 

nf.  i.  What  is  the  great  reafon  you  have  to  fear  the  prevailing  of  the  Common 
Enemy,  and  utter1  ruin  of  the  Proteftant  Religion.  Is  it  from  our  State  at  home  ? 
Or  from  abroad?  If  the  later,  we  underftand  it  not,  nor  who  is  the  Caufe.  If  the 
former ,  Where  lyeth  the  danger?  Is  it  in  the  increafe  of  Papifts,  as  to  Quality 
or  Number  of  perfons  ?  Did  not  you  caufe  the  Silencing  of  1 800  Minifters,  and  there- 
by (  and  otherwife  )  the  difaffecting  of  many  Hundred  thoufand  people  (I  think) 
who  would  have  loved  and  Served  you  t  Did  not  you  help  to  Banilh  them  Five 
Miles  from  (  not  the  Court  only  )  but  all  Cities  and  Corporations,  and  Places  of 
their  former  Miniftery  ?  Did  you  not  undertake  all  the  Minifterial  Work,  without 
them  j  And  fay,  you  could  do  it  better  without  them  than  with  them,  as  being  fuffi- 
cient.your  felves.  Did  not  one  of  you  tell  me,  that  you  thought  any  Congregation 
was  better  to  have  none,  then  fuch  as  I  ?  Do  you  not  ftill  here  conclude,  that  unlefs 
we  will  conform  to  every  Oath,  Subfcription,  Word,  &c.  It's  better  that  we  be  ow> 
of  your  Church  than  in  it  ?  And  do  you,  after  all  your  Undertakings  and  Sufficiency, 
now  bring  us  fo  fad  an  account  of  your  fuccefs  ?  Have  you  been  bringing  our  Reli- 
gion to  no  better  a  pafs  ?  Have  high  and  low  been  no  better  inftructed  and  prefer- 
red by  you  ?  Hath  Popery  been  no  better  refilled  by  you  in  .ihofe  Places  whence 
you  Banilhed  us  ?  Do  you  now  come  and  tell  us,  that  we  have  great  reafon  to  fear 
the  utter  ruin  of  the  Proteftant  Religion  ?  Is  this  your  account  of  your  underta- 
ken Stewardfhip  ?    What  hands  then  is  the  Church  fain  into,  if  it  be  fo  ufed  ? 

2.  O  let  us  all  hear  and  fear  what  Man  may  come  to  :  Would  our  Agreement 
do  any  thing  to  prevent  this  terrible  danger  which  youdefcribe  j  And  will  you  ftill 
tell  all  the  World,  That  rather  than  we  mall  not  be  compelled  againft  our  Confci- 
ences  (to  o;;v  damnation  if  we  obey)  to  Declare,  that  we  aflcnt  and  confent  to  eve- 
ry word,  yea,  a:id  ufe  every  word  in  all  your  Liturgy ,  to  Declare,  That  Million* 
whom  we  Know  not,  if  they  Vow  in  their  Places  and  Calling,  to  endeavour  a-Refor- 
mation  of  the  Church  (  were  it  but  in  Lay-Mtn's  power  of  the  Revs  )  are  not  ob- 
liged by  that  Vow :  rather  than  we  lhall  be  differed  not  to  Swe,;r  Obedience  to  the 
Bifhops  (though  we  arc  refponfible  to  the  Law  for  any  Difobedience^)  rather 
than  we  (hall  be  Suffered  to  forbear  the  Image  of  the  Crofs  in  Baptilm,  or  to  forbear 
to  pronounce  every  wicked  Man  faved  that  we  Bury,  or  tofufFer  a  Parent  to  Cove- 
nant in-Baptifm  tor  his  own  Child  -r  or  rather  than  we  (hall  be  endured  to  forbear 
turning  Godly  People  that  dare  not  kneel ,  from  Church-Communion,  and  pro- 
nouncing then  F.xcommunicate  every  fix  Months  if  the  Chancellor  Or  Biihop  bid 
us  •,  Rather  than  this  mail  be  granted  us,  we  fhall  have  no  Agreement,  the  Com- 
mon Enemy  lhall  prevail  ,  the  Proteftant  Religion  fhall  not  only  be  endangered, 
but  utterly  ruin'd  here,  and  throughout  the  World !  And  is  it  fo  indeed  ?  And 
yet  would  you  make  us  believe  that  you  are  againft  the  ruin  of  it  •,  who  will  not 
prevent  it  at  fo  eafie  a  rate  ?  What  good  doth  it  do  you  for  me  to  fubferibe  as  ex 
Jimma,  that  there  is  not  a  word  in  your  Liturgy  or  Ordination,  contrary  to  the 
Word  of  God  ,  and  that  I  alfent  and  confent  to  all  that  is  in  it  ?  When  I  am 
without  this  refponfible  for  all  Omiffion,  or  Oppofition  to  it.  We  offer,  if  ne- 
cefTary,  to  take  our  Oaths,  as  in  the  prefence  of  God  ,  the  Judge  of  all ,  that 
we  would  agree  with  you,  and  obey  you  too  in  anything,  except  that  which  we 
judge  to  be  forbidden  of  God :    We  offer  our  Reafons,  which  perfwade  us,  that 

yoiL 


Part  HI.  "Reverend  Mr.  R ichardlWrT 

X«v!TfT  obeycduwould  be  our  fin,  and  hcin^TfcTwc  arepalTdo^bT 
.hat  >our   Anfwers  to  them  are  frivolous.     You  dare  not  allow  us  to  bring  all 

o^hem  gw'  "^  t0  P  rint,  °Ur,  Cafe  and  Reafons> that  the  World  may  Jud  " 
or  them:  We  that  pay  fo  dear  for  cur  Difient,  are  as  likely  to  be  Unbiafled 
a,  you  that  have  the  Wealth  and  Honours  of  the  World  /  And  were  it  not  lfker' 
to  be  moved  by  our  Reputation  with  the  poorer  fort,  than  you  by  your  Reputa- 
tion with  the  Great  and  Honourable,  if  not  the  molt.  And  if  yet  we  be  mTfta- 
Ken,  o  wall  the  World  in  as  great  a  Matter,  as  moft  things  now  inQueftion 
You  call  them  Indifferent  :  We  think  them  not  fo  :  And  yet  flirt  Pmteftant 
Religion  be  ruin'd  in  ail  the  World  ,  rather  than  you  fhould  not  have  your  will 
in  our  obedience  to  yon  ,  in  every  prefcribed  Word  ,  Ceremony  ,  Covenant  or 
Oath,  after  all  this  ?  ' 

"  Strict-  And  at  Ours  indeed  of  the  Church-party,  if  we  require  what  cannot 

be  confented  to  without  fin.  ] 

j4nf.  Ex  ore  tuo  ■■-  What  you  required  of  old  we  debated  \66o  and  you 
never  gave  us  an  Anfwcr  to  what  we  largely  offered  you,  in  Confutatio'n  of  your 
Defence  :  And  how  then  did  you  think  we  fhould  know  we  Erred?  Not  by  what 
you  kept  fecret  in  your  thoughts.  And,  as  to  the  New  Conformity  we  never 
had  leave  to  give  our  Reafons  againft  it,  by  Word  or  Writing.  Grant  us  but 
that  leave,  and  if  we  do  not  openly  prove,  that  to  Conform  would  be  our  fin,  and 
very  heinous  fin  (  not  medling  with  any  Men's  Confcience  but  our  own  )  ca'll  us 
Schifmaticks,  and  go  on  to  ufc  us  as  you  have  done.  Which,  I  fay,  as  to  my  felf 
who  offer  to  affume  that  fuffering  ,  as  the  penalty  of  my  Error,  if  ferr  j  but  not 
to  juftifie  you,  if  it  were  fo,  who  are  no  more  allowed  by  Chrift  to  fhut  all  that 
err  out  of  the  Church,  than  to  Un-church  every  perfon  in  the  World. 

r  Strict.  But  at  theirs  that  refufe  to  come  in  to  us,  if  they  may,  without  fin 
fubmit  to  all  that  their  acknowledged  Superiours  require  of  them. 

sinf.  Which  they  are  moft  confident  tney  cannot  do  :  And  if  Quoad  Materi- 
*m,  they  fhould  miftake ,  I  think  yet  St.  Paul  miftook  not,  in  Ikying ,  He  that 

doukcth  is  condemned  if  be  eat,  becaufe  be  eatetb  not  in  Faith Jnd  him  that  is 

wtak  in  the  Faith  receive,  &c.  And  therefore  I  would  deny  your  Confequewce  com- 
paratively ;  There  are  various  degrees  of  Guilt :  If  you  made  a  Canon,  that 
all  the  prefent  Conformfts  mould  take  the  Pope,  with  Bifhop  BramhaU,  to  be  Pa- 
triarch of  the  Weft,  and  Pr'mcipum  Vnitatis  to  the  Univerfal  Church,  or  fhould 
own  the  Church  of  Rome,  the  Council  of  Trent,  and  the  reft,  as  far  as  Grotius  did ; 
or  fhould  fubferibe ,  that  the  Septuagint  is  to  be  preferred  before  the  Hebrew 
Text ;  Or  if  it  were  but  thefe ,  and  not  tbofe  of  all  the  various  Readings  are 
the  right  ;  or  that  there  is  not  a  word  faulty  in  our  Old  Tranflation  for  New)  or 
in  any  Book  that  ever  the  Convocation  approved  of  fas  well  as  the  Liturgy,  &c.) 
If  all  this  fhould  prove  lawful  (as  it  never  will )  and  they  fhould  turn  Nonconfor- 
mifts  to  your  Canon,  and  hereupon  they  fhould  all  be  filenced,  and  Popery  there- 
upon come  in  ,  Who  were  guilty  of  all  this  ?  They,  with  that  degree  of  guilt, 
which  all  Men  have,  in  that  they  are  imperfect  :  Or  you,  with  that  more  heinous 
Guilt,  which  is  incomparably  greater.  If  you  faid,  All  Minifters  fhall  be  Silen- 
ced, and  People  Excommunicated  that  have  any  Error  and  Sin  ;  Their  Error  and 
Sin  is  fome  Culpable  Caufe  of  the  Confcquent  ruin  of  the  Church  ,  but  nothing 
in  comparifon  of  Yours,  who  are  the  Grand  Caufe. 

"  Strict.  And  for  this,if  they  refufe  to  ftand  to  the  Judgment  of  Foreign  Churches, 
a  I  refer  them  to  Mr.  Baxter,  one  of  the  moft  Eminent  Divines  of  their  own  par- 
ct  ty,  who,  in  the  id.  Chapter  of  the  laft  of  his  5  Difjnitations,  having  enumerated 
u  the  Controverted  Ceremonies  {viz..  the  Surplice,  Kneeling  at  the  Lord's  Sup- 
a  per,  the  Rails,  and  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm  )  though  he  finds  fault  with  the  im- 
"  pofmg  of  them  (  which  the  Governours  are  to  anfwer  for  )  yet,  that  they  may 
<c  be  obeyed  without  fin  (  which  are  all  that  Subje&s  are  concerned  in  )  he  con- 
m  eludes  of  all,  but  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm  only  -,  which  he  would  not  have  except- 
"  ed  neither,  if  it  were  ufed  (  as  we  fay  it  is  J  as  a  Teaching,  or  a  Profefling 
Sign  only  ;  and  not  as  a  Sacramental,  as  he  miftaketh  it  to  be :  for  we  do  not 
ufe  it  as  a  means  to  confer  Grace,  which  is  the  formaUs  ratio  of  a  Sacramental- 
Sign  1  but  to  fignifie,  and  put  us  in  mind  of  Grace  oafy.    The  like  he  con- 

Sfff  "elude* 


J57 


cc 


it 


IbehlbE  oj  the  Part  I)i 

u  eludes  concerning  the  ufeof  the  tfturgv  :  And  as  for  the  Government:  the 
u  Propofer  doth  not  propofe  the  Alteration  of  it ,  and  confequcntly  imj .lycth  , 
u  it  may  be  fubmitted  to  as  it  is,  without  fin. 

Anf.  i .  You  fpeak  all  this  againfi:  your  fclf,  to  tell  the  Woi  Id  how  narrow 
your  Church,  and  how  (trait  your  Charity  is-  whilfl  he,  that  you  fay,  is  fo  much 
of  your  Mind,  is  judged  unworthy  to  be  permitted  to  Preach  the  Gofpclof  Chrift, 
and  worthier  to  lye  in  a  Common  Gaol  among  Thieves  and  Rogues-  yea,  that  it 
is  better  for  any  Congregation  to  have  no  Minifter  than  fiich.  AH  this  Com- 
plyance  with  you  is  as  good  as  none,  to  procure  him  but  leave  to  Preach  Repeu 
tance .-  For  he  offered  you  to  Preach  only  on  the  Creed,  and  Catcchifm,  a  id  <  ould 
not  prevail ,  though  refponfible  for  any  thing  faid  amifs.  And  he  cha.'engeth 
you  to  name  any  one  of  all  the  Complying  Principles  of  that  Boo1-  which  he  hath 
ever  receded  from,  or  contradicted. 

2.  They  refufe  not  to  Hand  to  the  Judgment  of  other  Protefhnt  Churches,  that 
ftiall  hear  themfelves  fpeak  for  themfelves. 

\  3.  Did  Mr.  Baxter  in  that  Book,  or  any  where  elfe  fay  ,  That  if  is  Lawful  to 
Subscribe  according  to  the  Canon,  ase*  /nimoy  that  there  is  nothing  in  .</'  your 
Liturgy,  or  Book  of  Ordination,  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God~*.  Or  that  the  Englilh 
Diocefan  Frame  may  be  Sworn  to  for  Obedience?  Or,  that  King  or  Parliament 
have  not  power  to  make,  or  Endeavour  any  alteration  of  your  Church -Govern- 
ment, if  they  had  fwornit?  no  nor  a  Lay -Chancellor's  Spiritual  Power ;  Nor  any 
fubiecl:  to  Petition,  or  any  way  endeavour  the  fame,  if  he  had  fworn  it,  &c  Did 
he  ever  fay  that  it  was  lawful  to  Excommunicate  as  many  of  Chrift's  faithful  Mem- 
bers, either  by  Pronunciation,  or  Rejecting  them  from  Communion  ,  as  the  Bi- 
fhops  or  Chancellor  will  command  him  ?  Or  to  deny  Baptifm  to  the  Children  of  all 
that  Scruple  Crofling  them  ,  or  that  infift  on  their  duty  of  Covenanting  in  their 
Children's  Name  themfelves  ?  Did  he  ever  fay,  that  your  New  Subfcription ,  De- 
claration ,  Oath ,  or  Re-ordination  are  Lawful  >.  I  think  not. 

4.  He  that  can  fubmit  to  your  Government ,  that  is ,  peaceably  obey  you  with- 
out fin ,  cannot  threfore  Subfcribe,  that  you  ftand  by  a  Divine  Right  or  that  all 
isfeultlefs,  and  nothing  alterable  in  your  Government.  He  would  have  aved 
peaceably  in  Ifrael  when  the  Priefrhood  was  Corrupted  ,  and  the  High-Places  not 
taken  down,  or  in  the  Greek  Church,  where  are  many  faults,  or  among  the  rme- 
nians^ov  JbaJJines  :,  but  he  would  have  lain  in  Gaol  rather  than  make  a  Co '-.nrnt 
(Contrary  to  part  of  his  Baptifmal  Vow  )  never  to  obey  God  in  endeavouri,;^  any 
reformation  of  thefe  in  his  place  and  Calling,  telling  all  others,  that  none  of  them 
are  bound  to  do  it,  no  not  if  they  had  Vowed  it  •,  Or  rather  than  he  womY.  have 
Subfcribed  his  Approbation  and  Confent  to  all,  and  Covenanted  to  live  and  dig  im- 
penitently  herein  :  He  taketh  not  thefe  for  things  indifferent.  But  we  find  th  it  you 
will  not  let  men  live  under  you  quietly  on  Terms  of  patient  fubmiffion,  uniefs 
they  be  fully  of  your  mind. 

You  lay  the  Propofer  propofeth  not  the  alteration  of  the  Government ;  There- 
fore it  may  be  fubmitted  to  without  fin.  3  He  propofeth  it  not  becaufc  he  know- 
eth  you  would  not  confent :  Bifhop  Vfherh  Primitive  Epifcopacy  was  the  Govern- 
ment defired  in  vain,  for  our  Healing,  1660.  But  again,  I  fay,  All ,  that  may 
be  fubmitted  to,  may  not,  by  Subfcriptions,  Covenants,  or  Oaths,  be  juftified  and 
approved. 

5.  Laftly,  As  to  the  Crofs,  he  then  thought,  and  thinks  ftill,  that  it  is  for- 
bidden by  the  Second  Commandment,  and  that  as  an  Image  and  Symbol  of  Chri- 
stianity, and  a  New  Humane  Sacrament,  of  which  before. 

If  poflibly  Light  may  have  any  Acceptance,  I  will  adjoyn  thefe  Queftiom  for 
the  Opponent  whofoever. 

Qu.  i.  Do  you  not  believe  in  your  Confcience,  that  Agreement  would  be  more 
eafie  and  common  on  our  Terms  of  Heer  Chriflianity,  and  Things  Necejfary,  than 
on  Yours,  by  adding  many  things  doubted  of,  and  needlefs  ?  Will  not  more  a- 
gree  in  the  Creedy  than  in  Aquinash  Sums,  if  it  were  all  true  ? 

Q^  2.  Doth  not  the  knowledge  of  Humane  Darknefs,  and  Variety  of  Educati- 
ons, Tempers,  Interefts,  Converfe,  &c.  and  the  Paucity  of  very  knowing  Men  con- 
vince you,  that  Concord  muft  be  in  few,  and  great,  and  evident  things  ? 

Q.  3.  D, 


Part  111.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  i  3 9 

g.  3-  Doth  not  the  Experience  of  all  Ages  prove  it  paft  doubt  ? 

C>  4.  Doth  not  the  Confcience  of  your  own  Frailty, and  imperfeft  Knowledge 
moderate  you  ?  Dare  you  fey,  That  you  are  not  ignorant  of  plainer  and  greater 
things  than  we  fairer  about  ?  &*^tci 

a  £n?"  P,°^un,0tfh0ld'  ^^rJf^  firftobeY^  and  none  againft  him? 
And  ihould  not  a  dcure  to  obey  God  firft  be  cherifhed  ?    And  do  you  cherifh  it 
by  faying  to  us,  [  Though  you  think  it  a  heinous  fin  to  conform,  yet  do  it  or  Suffer  for 
your  Dijfcnt  f  T       ni    J 

Q,  6.  Was  it  not  an  Aft  of  Chart's  Wifdom,  Mercy  and  Sovereignty  to 
make  the  Baptifmal  Covenant  (  which  the  Church  explained  by  the  Creed  )  to  be 
the  Stabhfhed  Umverfal  Teft  and  Badge  of  his  Difciples  and  Church-Members  > 
And  did  it  not  fecm  good  to  the  Koly  Ghoft,  and  theApoftles,  Jets  15  to  \m- 
pofe  only  necejfary  things  ?  And  is  it  not  a  Condemning ,  or  Contradi&ine  God 
needlefly,  to  take  a  Contrary  Courfe  ?  ° 

Q^  7.  Is  not  Chrift's  way,  and  the  firft  Churches,  moft  likely  to  fave  the  Peo- 
ple's Souls?  and  yours  to  damn  them  ?  For  you  will  confefs,  that  Chrifl's  few  evi- 
dent neceflary  Conditions  of  Chriftianity  would  fave  Men,  if  Bifhops  and  Rulers 
added  no  more.  But  if  a  multitude  more  (which  you  count  Lawful)  are  added 
then  the  Nonconforming  to  them  are  in  danger  of  Damnation,  for  the  Crime  of" 
Contempt  of  your  Authority  :  So  that  confequently  you  make  all  your  Impofiti- 
ons  needful  to  Salvation,  and  fo  make  it  far  harder  to  be  faved,  than  otherwise  it 
Would  have  been. 

Q^  8.  What  hindereth  any  debauched  Confcience  from  entering  into  your  Mi- 
niftry,  who  dare  Say,  or  Swear  any  thing-,  while  he  that  feareth  an  Oath,  or  a 
Lie,  may  be  kept  out?  And  againft:  which  of  thefe  mould  you  more  carefully 
fliut  the  Door  ? 

Q^  9.  If  Agreement  be  defirable ,  Which  fide  may  more  eafily ,  and  at  a 
cheaper  rate  yield  and  alter,  you  or  we  ?  If  you  forbear  Irapofing  an  Oath  Sub- 
fcription,  Declaration,  or  Ceremony,  it  would  not  do  you  a  Farthing's-worth  of 
hurt : If  we  Swear,  Subfcribe,  Declare,  Conform,  we  take  our  felves  to  be  heinous 
and  wilful  finners  againft  God  :  You  call  that  Indifferent,  which  we  believe  is  Sin. 

^10.  Do  you  not  confefs,  that  you  are  not  Infallible  ?  yea,  and  fubferibe,  that 
General-councils  arc  not }  even  in  matters  of  Faith  ?  And  yet  muft  we  fubferibe 
our  Aflent  to  every  word  in  thefe  Books,  or  elfe  be  Silenced,  or  Suffer  ?  Do 
thefe  we'll  coniift  ? 

Q^n.  Dare  you  deny,  that  many  of  your  Silenced  Brethren  Study  as  hard  as 
you  to  know  the  Truth,  and  have  as  good  Capacity  ?  And  are  they  not  as  like 
to  be  Impartial ,  who  fufFer  as  much  by  their  Judgment,  as  you  gain  by  yours  ? 
Judge  but  by  your  felves.  Doth  their  kind  of  Intereft  tempt  you  more  than 
your  own  to  partiality  ? 

Q  1 2.  Is  it  not  grofs  Uncharitablenefs,  and  Ufurpation  of  God's  Prerogative, 
to  fay,  That  they  do  it  not  out  of  Confcience ,  when  you  have  no  more  from 
the  nature  of  their  Caufe,  Motives,  or  Converfation,  to  warrant  fuch  a  Cenfure  ? 
And  they  are  ready  to  take  their  Oaths,  as  before  God,  that  were  it  not  for  fear  of 
finning ,  they  would  Conform. 

O.  1 3.  Do  your  Confciences  never  ftartle,  when  you  think  of  Silencing  1 800 
&clT~  Minifters  ?  and  depriving  fo  many  Thoufand  Souls  of  their  Miniftry  $ 
1  Thcfs.  2.  i5,i<5. 

Q.  14,  Can  you  hope  to  make  us  believe  while  we  dwell  in  England,  that  the 
People's  Ignorance  and  Vice  is  fo  far  Cured,  or  the  Confortnijis,  for  Number  and 

S  f  f  f  2  Quality^ 


4° 


The  LI  F  E  of  the  Part  11 1 


Quality,  are  fo  fufficicnt,  without  the  Nonconforming,  that  they  ihould  reft  Si] 
on  fuppofition,  their  Labours  are  unneceflary  ? 

Q^  15.  Is  not  the  lofs  of  a  Faithful  Teacher,  where,  through  Paucity  or 
qualityednefs  of  the  Conformable,  he  is  necelfary,  a  very  great  Affli&ion  to  the 
People  ?    And,  Do  the  Innocent  Flocks  deferve  to  fufter  in  their  Souls  for  our 
Nonconformity  ? 

£\  16.  Could  not  Men  of  your  great  Knowledge  find  out  fome  other  Punifh- 
ment  for  us  (  fuch  as  Drunkards,  Swearers,  Fornicators  have  )  which  may  not 
hurt  the  People's  Souls,  nor  hinder  the  Preaching  of  Chrift's  Gofpel  ? 

Q  17.  Seeing  at  Ordination,  we  profefs ,  that  all  things  neceflary  to  Salvation 
are  in  (  or  provable  by  )  the  Scripture ,  Do  you  not  confefs,  that  your  lnvtnti- 
uncuU  are  not  necelfary  to  Salvation  ?  And  is  the  Nonconformilt's  Miniftry  no 
more  neceflary  ? 

Q.  1 8.  How  fay  you,  That  only  Chriftianity  is  necelfary  to  a  Member  of  the 
llniverfal  Church,  and  fo  much  more  be  necelfary  to  the  Members  of  particular 
Churches,  and  the  llniverfal  confift  of  them  ? 

Q.  1 9.  Did  any  National  Church  Impofe  any  one  Liturgy,  or  Subfcription  be- 
fides  the  Creed,  or  any  Oath  of  Obedience  to  the  Bifhops,  for  300, 400,  500  years 
after  Chrift's  Nativity  t 

Q.  20.  Can  you  Read  Rom.  14.  and  15,  and  not  believe  that,  it  bindeth  the 
Church-Rulers  as  well  as  the  People  ? 

Q.  2i.  £>id  the  Ancient  Difcipline,  not  enforced  by  the  Sword  for  300  years ,' 
do  lefs  good  than  yours  ?  Or  was  any  Man  Imprifon'd  or  Punifh'd  by  the  Sword 
to  nomine,  becaufe  Excommunicate,  as  a  Contemner  of  Church-power  in  not  re- 
penting, for  many  Hundred  years  after  there  were  Chriftian  Magiftrates  f 

Q.  22.  Hath  not  the  making  falfe  Conditions  of  Communion,  and  making 
"Unneceflary  things  neceflary  thereto,  been  the  way,  by  which  the  Papifts  have 
Schifmatically  divided  Chriftians  ? 

Q.  23.  Should  not  Bifhops  be  the  moft  skilful  and  forward  to  heal,  and  the 
moft  backward  to  divide  or  perfecute  ? 

Q.  24.  Could  you  do  more  to  extirpate  Epifcopacy,  than  to  make  it  hateful 
to  the  People,  by  making  it  hurtful  ? 

25.  Would  you  do  as  you  do,  if  you  loved  your  Neighbour  as  your  felves,  and 
loved  not  Superiority  ? 

Qz  26.  Were  not  thofe,  that  Gildas  called  no  Miniflers,  fuch,  as  too  many  now> 
obtruded  on  the  People  ?  And  was  not  the  Cafe  of  the  Bifhops  that  St.  Martin 
feparated  from  to  the  Death,  like  yours,  or  much  fairer  ? 

§.  257.  A  little  after  fome  Great  Men  of  the  Houfe  of  Commons  drew  up  a 

Bill ,  as  tending  to  our  Healing  ,  to  take  off  our  Oaths ,  Subfcriptions  and  Decla- 

^  rations  ,  except  the  Oath  of  Supremacy  and  Allegiance  ,  and  Subfcriptions  to  the 

1  Dodtrine  of  the  Church  of  England,  according  to  the  1 3th.  of  Elt%.    But  Ihewing 

it  to  the  faid  Bfhop  of  Winchefter ,  he  caufed  them  to  forbear ,  and  broke  it  .•     And 

inftead  of  it  he  furthered  an  Ad  only  to  take  of  AfTent  and  Confent ,  and  the 

Renunciation  of  the  Government ;  which  would  have  been  but  a  Cunning  Snare  to 

make  us  more  remedilefs  and  do  no  good  •  feeing  that  the  fame  things  with  the 

repeated  Claufes  would  be  ftill  by  other  continued  Obligationr.  required  ,  as  may 

be  feen  in  the  Canon  for  .Subfcription,  Act,  2.  and  in  theOxford-Act,  for  the  Oath, 

and  confining  Refufers.    And  it's  credibly  averred,  that  when  moft  of  the  other 

v  Bifhops  were  againft  even  this  enfnaring  fhew  of  abatement ,  he  told  them  in  the 

Houfe 


Part  III  fyvennd  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  H 

Houfe  [that  had  it  been  but  to  abate  usa  Ceremony,  he  would  not  have  fpoken  m 
it :  But  he  knew  that  we  were  bound  to  the  fame  things  ftill,  by  other  Claufes  or 
Obligations ,  if  thefc  u  ere  Repealed.  ] 

§    258.  But  on  Feb    24.  all  thefe  things  were  Suddenly  ended,  the  King  earlv 
fuddenly  ,  and  unexpectedly  Proroguing  the  Parliament  till  November.    Whereby 
the  Minds  of  both  Houfes  were  much  troubled,  and  Multitudes  greatly  exafperated 
and  alienated  from  the  Court :  Of  whom  many  now  faw  that  the  Leading  Bifhops 
had  been  the  great  Caufcs  of  our  Diftraftions  ■  but  others  hating  the  Nonconfor- 
mills  more  •  were  lUll  as  hot  for  Prelacy  and  their  Violence  as  ever. 

§.  259.  All  this  while  the  afpiring  fort  of  Conformifts,  that  looked  for  Prefer- 
ment, and  the  Chaplains   that  lived  in  fullnefs  •  and  other  Malignant  Factious 
Clergymen,  did  Write  and  Preach  to  ftir  up  King,  Parliament,  and  others   to 
Violence   and  Cruelty  ,  againft  the  Liberty,  and  blood  of  the  Nonconformifts 
who  lived  quietly  by  them  in  Labour  and  Poverty  ,  and  medled  not  with  them' 
(  befides  their  neceilary  DifTent.    (  Some  railed  at  them  as  the  moil  intolerable 
Villains  in  the  World-  efpeically  S.  Parker  (jocularly  confuted  and  detected  by 
Mr.  Marvel  a  Parliament  Man,  ]  and  one  Hickermghill,  and  others,  came  near  him 
in  their  malignity  •  And  Papifts,  taking  the  advantage,  fetin  and  did  the  like.  One 
Wrote ,  Q  a  Sober  Enquiry  of  the  Reafons  why  the  Nonconformable  Minifters 
were  ftill  fo  valued  by  the  People ,  ~\  (  which  was  their  grievous  vexation,  J  And 
pretended  many  Caufes ,  I  know  not  whether  more  malignantly  or  foolilhly,  which 
none  could  believe  but  Strangers,   and  thofe  that  were  blinded  by  the'  Facti- 
on, Malignity,  or  Falfe  Reports.     One  Dr.  Jfheton,  Chaplain  to  the  Duke  of  Or- 
mond,  Wrote  a  Book,   1 .  To  pcrfwade  thofe  to  Subfcribe  who  held  it  lawful 
and  forbore  it  only  for  fear  of  offending  others  •  faltly  infinuating ,  that  this  was 
the  Nonconformifts  Cafe  ;  when  I  never  knew  one  Man  fuch  among  them  all  to 
this  day.     2.  To  ftir  up  Rulers  to  Violence,  to  Ruine  us,  perfwading  them  that  it 
is  no  Pcrfecution  :     And  the  Man  was  not  afraid  to  profefs  to  the  World  £  That 
as  he  tvm  going  to  meet  us  at  the  Bar  of  God,  the  Reafon  why  fo  many  Subscribed  not, 
ma*  Reputation  and  Jnterefb,  Pride  and  Covetoufnefs  •,  ]     And  that  he  might  not  feem 
Stark  Mad  With  Malice,  in  charging  Men  with  Covetoufnefs,  that  I  loft  all,and  lived 
fo  poorly  upon  the  Charity  of  others  (  moftly  poor  themfelves, )  he  giveth  you 
1  proofs  of  their  covetoufnefs.     1 .  That  by  Non-conformity  they  got  Living  for  their 
conformable  Sons.    2.  That  theylofi  notheng  by  their  Non-conformity  (  as  Bifhop  Gunning 
alfo  vehemently  told  me :  )  words  which  tell  the  world  that  Hiftory  is  no  more 
credible  to  Pofterity,  than  either  the  Concent  of  all  Parties,  or  the  notoreity  of 
fact,  or  the  honefty  of  the  Writer,  can  make  it  fo,  by  being  known  as  it's  evidence : 
Words  which  tell  you  that  it's  hard  to  devife  words,fo  falfe  and  impudent,befeeming 
the  Devil  himfelf  were  the  fpeaker,  which  Carnal  Clergy-men  may  not  be  drawn 
with  great    confidence  to  utter.    For  1.   of  the  1000,  or  2000.  Minifters  that 
were  Silenced,  1  have  not  yet  heard  of  thirty  in  all,  nor  of  twenty,  or  twelve 
yet  living,  that  have  Conformable  Sons  in  the  Miniftry.    And  of  thofe  I  know 
not   of  one  that  Conformed  by  his  father's  confent ,  And  why  mould  not  the 
father's  Conformity  be  the  liker  to  help  his  fon  to  a  Living  than  his  Non-confor- 
mity, when  the  far  greateft  part  of  the  Prefenters  or  Patrons  are  Conformifts  ? 
And  would  not  covetoufnefs  rather  make  both  father  and  fon  Conform,  that  both 
might  have  Livings,  than  the  fon  alone  ?  And  do  a  thoufand  or  1 600  Minifters, 
that  have  no  Conformable  fons  in  the  Miniftery,  refufe  Conformity,  that  20,  or 
40  of  other  Minifter's  fons  may  have  livings  ?  Did  I  not  confider  that,  among 
Strangers  and  MaMgnants,  any  thing  may  be  believed  that  is  bad,  I  mould  think  the 
Devil  a  fool  for  playing  his  game  fo  unskilfully.    2.  And  that  they  fc>fe  nothing, 
by  lofing  all  their  Church  maintenance  now  above  eleven  years  together,  is  a  thing 
hardly  to  be  believed  by  their  poor  families ,  or   neighbours,  who  know  that 
many  go  in  rags  and  want  bread,  and  even  in  London,  more  than  one  have  lately 
died  of  Colds  and  Difeafes,  contracted  by  poverty  and  want  of  the  neceffary 
Comforts  of  Life.     And  it  is  a  wonder  of  God's  mercy,  and  the  honour  of  cha- 
ritable People,  efpecially  in  London,  that  it  is  not  fo  with  a  very  great  number  of 
them. 

§  260.  This  Malignity  inviteth  me  once  more  to  recite  my  own  cafe :  I  have 
loft  not  only  the  Bifhoprick  which  they  offered  me  by  Non-conformity,  but  all  Mi-, 
nifterial  maintenance  thefe  eleven  years  now  near  24.  years  in  16S5.  I  have  thefe 
eleven  years  Preached  for  nothing  :  I  know  not  to  my  remembrance  that  I  have 

'     received 


H 


'I be  LI   F  E  of  the  Part  III 


received  a  gi  oat,  as  for  Preaching  thefe  eleven  years,  but  what  1  have  returned  (un- 
ieis  1  may  call  about  the  fum  of  ten  pounds  which  fome  perfons  gave  me  on  parti- 
cular occalions,  and  35  lb.  which  three  gave  gave  me  in  the  Jail  to  defray  my  Pri- 
fon-charges,  by  that  name,  or  ten  pounds  %tr  Ann.  which  Sergeant  Fountain  gave 
me  till  he  dyed,  to  whom  I  never  Preached,  nor  was  it  on  that  account  )  only  four 
pounds  I  received  for  Preaching  the  Merchant's  Letture,  and  6  lb.  more  was  offered 
me  as  my  due,and  fome  offered  me  fomewhat  after  a  year'sPreaching  at  Mr.  Turner's 
Church  :  but'l  fent  it  every  penny  back  to  them,  and  refolved  (  while  it  is  as  it  is) 
to  take  no  money  for  my  Preaching.  1 .  Becaufe  1  preach  but  in  other  men's  Churches, 
to  people  that  maintain  other  Minifters  already,  2.  Becaufe  I  want  not,  but  have 
to  give,  when  multitudes  are  in  great  neceility.  3.  Becaufe  I  will  be  under  no 
temptation  by  dependenre  or  obligation  which  may  hinder  me  from  dealing  plain- 
ly with  Diffenters  and  Offenders.  4.  Becaufe  1  perceive  that,  when  men's  puifes  arc 
fought  to,  it  tempteth  many  to  queltion  whether  we  fincerely  feek  the  good  of  their 
Souls.  On  all  which  Accounts  &  not  (1  think)  trom  proud  difdain,  I  have  fo 
long  lefufed  money  for  preaching.  And  whereas  they  fay  how  much  I  receive  for  my 
printed  bcoks,I  again  at  this  year  1 674.  profefs  tint  having  printed  about  7o.Books, 
no  one  Lord,  Knight,  or  any  perfon  to  whom  (  as  it's  called  )  any  of  them  were 
Dedicated  or  inferibed,  ever  offered  me  a  groat,  lave  the  City  of  Coventry  and  the 
Lady  Rous,  each  a  piece  of  Plate  of  about  4  lb.  value:  And  whereas  the  fifeenth 
Bcok  printed  is  my  due  from  the  Bookfeller,  which  I  ufe,  for  almoft  all  of  them,  to 
give  my  friends,which  amounteth  to  many  thoufands,I  remember  not  that  every  one 
perfon,  noble  or  ignoble  offered  me  one  groat  to  this  day,  for  any  book  I  gave ' 
them.  And  I  mention  all  this,  becaufe  I  am  not  capable  of  confuting  the  malicious 
calumniators  by  diltont  inftances  fo  well  as  by  my  own  cafe  -y  But  yet  that  the  Rea- 
ders may  partly  conje&ure,  at  the  cafe  of  many  of  my  Brethren,  by  my  own :  who 
yet  never  received  a  groat  from  my  Inheritance  or  Patrimony  (  my  poor  kindred 
having  much  more  than  all :  )  Were  not  malice  impudent,  thefe  Apologies  were 
needlefs,  for  men,  that  the  world  feeth  are  turned  out  or  all.  Yea  we  our  felves 
pay  conftantly  to  the  maintenance  of  the  Conformable  Minifters,  though  we  have  no 
part  our  felves. 

Arv!  1  can  truly  fay  that  I  have  offered  money  to  my  old  acquaintance,  who  live 
filenced  in  a  very  poor  and  hard  condition,  who  have  ftiffly  refufed  it  becaufe  they 
thought  it  unlawful  while  they  had  Bread  and  Drink,  to  take  money  while  many 
of  their  Brethren  were  in  greater  need. 

And  at  the  fame  time  while  thefe  envious  Preachers  cryed  out  againft  our  Preach- 
ing, and  perfwsded  men  how  fully  we  were  maintained,  they  laboured  for  Laws  to 
increafe  their  fetled  maintenance,  and  fome  of  them  in  my  hearing  Preached  how 
miferable  a  cafe  the  Clergy  were  in,  were  they  left  to  the  people's  kindnefs  and 
bounty :  And  yet  proclaim  our  fulnefs,  who  are  left  to  the  kindnefs  of  thofe  few 
(  who  alfo  pay  fully  their  Ty thes  to  the  Parilh  Minifters)  who,  thefe  Enyerrs  fay, 
are  but  the  fmaller  and  poorer  fort  in  the  Land ;  which  comparatively  is  true, 
(  though  by  this  time  I  think  the  far  greateft  part  are  grown  into  diflike  with  the 
prefent  Prelates,  who  yet  cleave  to  their  Church.  )  And  if  their  noble,  rich,  and 
numerous  followers  would  leave  them  in  want,  were  they  left  to  their  Charity,  it 
feems  they  take  their  Church  to  confift  of  men  much  more  covetous,  and  lefs  Reli- 
gious and  liberal  than  our  few  poor  men. 

§.  261.  The  Lord's  day, before  the  Parliament  was  diffolved,  one  of  thefe  Pre- 
latifts  Preached  to  them  to  perfwade  them  that  we  are  obftinate,  and  not  to  be  to- 
lerated, nor  cured  by  any  means,  but  Vengeance,  urging  them  to  fet  Fire  to  the  Fa- 
got, and  teaah  us  by  Scourges  or  Scorpions,  and  open  our  eyes  with  Gall.  Yet  none 
of  thefe  men  will  procure  us  leave  to  publifh,  or  offer  to  Authority  the  Reafons  of 
cur  Non-conformity.  But  this  is  not  the  firft  proof  that  a  carnal,  worldly,  proud, 
ungodly  Clergie,  who  never  were  ferious  in  their  own  profeffed  belief,  nor  felt  the 
power  of  what  they  Preach,  have  been,  in  moft  Ages  of  the  Church,  its  greateft 
plague,  and  the  greateft  hinderers  of  Holinefs  and  Concord  by  making  their  forma- 
lities and  Ceremonies  the  teft  of  Holinefs,  and  their  Worldly  Intereft  and  Domi- 
nation the  only  cement  of  Concord :  And  O  how  much  hath  Satan  done  againft 
Chrift's  Kingdom  in  the  World,  by  fetting  up  Paftorsand  Rulers  over  the  Churches, 
to  fight  againft  Chrift  in  his  own  name  and  livery,  and  to  deftroy  piety  and  peace,  by 
a  pretence  of  promoting  them  ! 

§.  262.  This  forefaid  Preacher  brings  to  my  remembrance  a  Silenced  Minifter 

who 


Parr  HI.  Rew^  jg^T 

who  heard  the  Scvmor L  Mr.  *fa  humphey,  a  man  not'  ftrait  and'SSiSElJDSdTnn 
Government  o.  Worthy    us  his  Books  fhew  for  the  middle  way,  abou   S 
Juftification,^   and  hi*  former  Wrings,  forgiving  the  Lord's  Suppert The  Z* 
godly  to  convert  them    and  Ins  own  Reordination,  and  writing  for  Reordination 
The  former  Seflions  of  Par uunen  he  printed  a  meet  for  Concord,  by  i^fcXe 
flnMd jMiRiflers   and  tolerant  others,  for  which  he  was  Imprifoncd  (Is  was 
Dr.  lMdov.cn  Molrn,*  M.  .  3   Son  to  old  Mff  for  writing  his  EgS  againftX 
Frelatifts :  but  delivered  by  the  Common  Ad  of  Pardon.  And  this  Seffion  the  laid 
Mr.  //iwiffcr?  again  printed  another  meet,  and  put  it  into  the  hands  of  manvPar- 
hament  men  >  which  thoircb  flighted,  and  fruit-rate  by  the   Prorogation  of  the 
Houfe    yet  I  think  hath   fo  much  rcafon  in  it,  that  I  (hall  beix  annex  it  though 
it  fpeak  not  at  all  to  the  righteoufnefs  of  our  Caufe,  and  the  Reifonsof  our  Non 
conformity,  that  the  Reader  may  fee  upon  what  Terms  we  food  •  But  the  truth 
js,  when  wc  were  once  contrived  into  the  Parliament's  Inquilition  and  perfecution 
it  was  refolved  that  wc  mould  be  Paved  by  the  King  or  not  at  all-  and  that  Parlia- 
ments and  Laws  mould  be  our  Tormenters,  and  not  our  Deliverers' any  more 


43 


Mr.  John  Humphrey's  Papers  given  to  the  Parliament-Men. 

Comprehenfion    with  Indulgence. 
Nihil  eft  jam  dittum  quod  non  fuit  diUum  prius.     Terence. 

IT  hath  pleafed  his  Majefty  by  feveral  gracious  Overtures  to  commend  a  Uni- 
on of  hi*  Proteftant  Subjetts  to  the  conlideration  of  a  Parliament.  A  de- 
fign  full  of  all  Princely  Wifdom,  Honefty,  and  Goodnefs.  In  this  Achievement 
there  is  a  double  Intereft  (I  apprehend)  to  be  diftinguiihed  and  weighed  •,  that 
of  Religion  it  felf,  and  that  of  the  Nation.  The  advance  of  Religion  doth  conlift 
much  in  the  Unity  of  its  Profeflors,  both  in  Opinion  and  Pratticc,  to  be  of  one 
Aftnd,  and  one  J-Ieart,  and  one  way  (in  Difcipline  and  Worlhip)  fo  far  as  may 
be  according,  to  the  Scriptures.  The  advance  of  the  Nation  does  lie  in  the 
freedom  and  tiouri  filing  of  Trade,  and  uniting  the  whole  Body  in  the  common 
Benefit,  and  dependence  on  the  Government.  The  one  of  thefe  befpeaks  an  £- 
JiehlifkedOrJa  and  Accommodation  •,  the  other  befpeaks  Indulgence^  Liberty  of  Con- 
fawce,  or  to'crjtion.  For  while  People  are  in  danger  about  Religion,  wc  dare 
not  launch  out  into  Trade  (fay  they)  but  we  muft  keep  our  Moneys,  be- 
ing  we  know  not  into  what  fixaits  we  (hall  be  driven  •,  and  when,  in  refe- 
rence to  their  Party,  they  are  held  under  feverity,  it  iseafie  for  thofe,  who  are 
deiuiuint;  Heads,  to  mould  them  into  Wrath  and  Faction }  which,  without  that  oc- 
ulion  w  ill  melt,  and  diflblre  it  felf  into  bare  DilTent  of  Opinion,  peaceably  re- 
jovcing  under  the  Enjoyment  of  Prote&ion. 

The  King  we  know  is  concerned,  as  Supreme  Govermur,  and  as  a  Chrifiian^  T'o- 
\eftant  Govern  ur.  As  he  is  Kingjxt  is  tofeek  the  welfare  of  the  Nation,  as  he  is  a 
Chriftiau  the  Flourifhing  of  Religion  ;  and  the  Proteftant  Religion  particularly 
is  his  Intereft,  as  this  Kingdom  doth  lie  in  Ballance  (he  being  the  chief  Party) 
with  its  Neighbour  Nations.  •        ^  .    ,._ 

The  judgment  now  of  fome  is  for  a  Comprehending  Ait,  which  may  take  in  thofe 
who  are  for  our  Parochial  Churches,  that  feverity  then  might  beufed  for  reclaim- 
ing; all  whofoever  feparate  from  them:  The  Judgment  of  fome  others  is,  for  a  free 
and  equal  M  of  Grace  to  all  indifferently  (the  Papilts  with  moft  excepted)  whether 
fcparatifts  or  others,  abhorring  Comprehenfion,  as  more  dangerous  to  them,  upon 
that  Account  mentioned,  than  all  the  A&s  that  have  paired.  Neither  of  thefe 
ludce  up  to  the  full  intereft  of  the  King  and  Kingdom,  as  is  propofed.  It  becomes 
not  the  Presbyterian  if  his  Principles  will  admit  him  to  own  our  Parochial  Church- 
es and  enjoy  a  Livinc,  to  be  willing  to  have  his  Brethren,  the  Independents^* 
ud  to  Perfecutu  n  :  And  it  becomes  not  the  Separatifi,  if  he  may  but  enjoy  his  Con- 
ference   to  Repine,  or  envy  at  the  Presbyterian  for  reaping  any  further  Emolument, 


144 


The  III  E  of  the'  Part  hi. 

feeing  both  of  them  (fuppofmg  the  later  may  do  fo)  have  as  much  at  the  bottom  as 
tan  be,  in  their  Capacities,  defircd  of  either.  It  is  an  Act  theieforeof  ami.tt 
O^mplexion,  providing  both  Corprchenfiori  and  Indulgence  for  the  different  Par- 
tics,  muft  ferve  our  Purpofe. 

And  to  this  end  (as  we  may  humbly  hope)  there  is  a  Bill  at  prefent  in  the  Houfe, 
A  Bill  for  the  eafe  of  the  Proteftant  Dijfenter  in  the  bufmefs  of  Reltgion.  Which  that 
(upon  this  prefent  Prorogation)  it  may  be  caft  into  this  Model,  I  muft  prefent  the 
fame,  yet  in  a  little  farther  Explication- 
There  are  two  forts  ( we  all  know)  of  the  Proteftant  Dtjfcnters,  one  that  own  th« 
Eftablimed  Miniftry,  and  our  Parifh  Congregations,  and  are  in  Capacity  of  Union 
upon  that  account,  defiring  it  heartily  upon  condefcenfion  to  them  in  fome  fmall 
matters:  The  other,  that  ownnotourChurch.es,  and  fo  arcuncapable  of  a  Con- 
junction, who  do  not,  and  cannot  defire  it,  or  feek  it. 


than  there  is  to  the  Parifhioner  to  be  a  Member  cf  a  Pariih  Church,  as  part  of  the 
National :  If  a  perfon  Baptifed  will  come  to  Church,  and  hear  Common-Prayer, 
and  receive  the  Sacrament,  and  does  nothing  worthy  of  Excommunication,  he  is,  he 
may,  he  muft  be  received  for  a  Parochial  Member  :  In  like  manner,  If  a  Minifter 
firft  ordained  (and  fo  Eptfcopally,  or  Claffically  approved  for  his  Abilities  far  that 
fun&ion)  will  but  read  the  book  of  Liturgy,  and  Adminifter  the  Sacraments  accord- 
ing to  it,  and  does  nothing  which  deferves  fufpenfion  (we  appeal  to  all  this  indiffc- 
lently  fober)  why  fhould  not  this  fuffice  a  Man,  for  the  enjoying  his  Living,  and  ex- 
ercifing  the  Office  unto  which  he  is  called  ? 

For  the  other,  there  is  indeed  nothing  can  be  done  to  bring  thofe  in,  and  joyn 
them  with  us  in  Parochial  Union ;  yet  is  there  this  to  be  propofed,  that  you  bear 
with  them,  and  not  let  any  be  perfecuted  meerly  for  their  Confciences  -  and  that 
we  call  Indulgence  or  Toleration.  If  the  Presbyterian  now  may  be  comprehended,  he 
will  befatisned,  to  aft  at  his  Miniftry  without  endeavouring  any  Alteration  other- 
wife  of  Epifcopacy  :  If  the  Congrefationalift  be  indulged,  he  will  be  fatisfyed  tho  he 
be  not  Comprehended,  for  that  he  cannot  fubmit  unto,  and  fo  /hall  there  be  no  Difo- 
bligation  put  on  any,  but  all  be  pleafed,  and  enjoy  the  eafe  of  this  Bill.  Let  but  th* 
Grounds  of  Comprehenfion  be  laid  wide  enough  to  take  in  all  who  can  own,  and  come 
into  the  publick  Liturgy  (which  we  fuppofe  as  yet  to  be  the  greater  weight  of  the 
Nation),  and  when  the  Countenance  of  Authority,  and  all  State-Emoluments  ar* 
caft  into  one  Scale,  and  others  let  alone  to  come  of  it,  without  perfecution  to  in- 
flame them,  or  preferment  to  encourage  them  (efpecially  if  one  Expedient  be  ufed, 
which  fhall  not  pafs  unmentioned  in  theclofe,  that  fuch  as  came  in  may  find  it  really 
better  to  them,  to  be  a  Prieft  to  a  Tribe,  than  a  Levite  to  a  Family)  we  need  not 
doubt  but  time  the  Miftrefs  of  the  Wife  and  Unwife,  will  difcover  the  peaceable 
I  flue  of  fuch  Counsels. 

And  here  let  me  paufe  a  little ;  for  methinks  I  fee  what  Iceftclcs  hang  on  the  F-eves 
of  the  Parliament -Houfe  at  this  Motion,  what  prejudices,  I  mean,  and  Imprefilons 
have  been  laid  on  the  Members  by  former  Acts.  There  was  a  fpeech  delivered  by 
the  then  Chancellour  in  Chrift-Church  Hall  in  Oxford,  to  the  Parliament  there,  and 
the  Schollars  airembled,  Wherein  the  Glory  or  contriving  the  Oxford-Oath,  and 
Confequently  of  the  like  former  Impofitions,  was  molt  magnificently,  as  well  as 
Jjitrfully  enough  arrogated  to  its  proper  Author.  It  was.  it  feems,  the  defigned 
Policy  of  that  Great  Man,  to  root  thofe  Principles  out  of  Men's  minds  upon  which 
the  late  Wars  fas  he  fuppofed)  were  builded,  and  he  would  do  it  by  this  Invention, 
to  wit,  the  Impofingupon  them  new  Declarations,  Oaths  and  Subfcriptions,  of  a  ftrain 
framed  contrary  to  thofe  Principles.  I  do  remember  now  the  fentence  of  Efdras 
f  o  the  Apologue  Of  the  Angel,  where  the  Woods  and  the  Seas  would  encounter  one 
another.  Pertly  (fays  hej  it  was  a  fooliffj purpefe ;  for  the  trees  could  not  comedown 
from  the  hills,  nor  the  Waves  get  up  from  the  fhoars.  I  muft  fay  the  fame  of  this 
Policy.  It  was  really  a  great  vanity  to  think  that  folk  fhould  be  made  to  fwear  away 
their  thoughts  and  beliefs.  Whatfoever  it  is  we  think  or  believe,  we  do  think  it, 
v/e  muft  think  it,  we  do  believe  it,  we  muft  believe  it,  notwithstanding  any  of  thefe 
outward  Impofitions.  The  honeft  Man  indeed  will  refufe  an  Injunction  againft  his 
Confcience,  the  knave  will  fwallow  it,  but  both  retain  their  Principles ;  which  the 
iai>  will  be  the  likelieft  to  put  any  villanous  Pratticc  on.    On  the  Contrary,  there  is- 

nothing 


er- 


Part  Ul.  Keverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxc 

nothing  could  be  advifed  more  certain,  to  k^Tthe  Covenant,  and  STi^riSS 

alive  m  Mens  heart  *,  and  memories  than  this  perpetual  injoyning  the  ««S2 
of  it     Nor  may  yen  wonder,  if  that  Leflbn  link  deep  into  Men's  flefh*  wSyo" 
will  trail  them  with  Brian  and  Thorns  as  Gtdeon  taught  the  Men  of  SucM     He 
fides,  it  is  the  molt  impolitick  thing  that  ever  could  have  been   for  fuch  Contents" 
as  are  of  that  daneerons  Confequencc  to  Majcfly  and  the  Government  to  have  them 
once  difputed,  or  brought  into  queftion,  to  be  put  into  theft  Declarations    Oaths 
•  and  Subfci  iptions,  which  ncceflitates  the  Examination  of  them  to  fo  many      It  was 
the  wifdom  of  the  Ancient  Church,  inftead  of  Contention  about  the  Jewim'ceremo 
nics,  to  take  care  they  might  have  an  honourable  burial  :  And  I  dare  lav  if  that 
great  Lord  Chancellor  had  but  put  off  his  Cap  to  the  Covenant,  and  bidden  it  a  fair 
Adieu  only,  he  mould  have  done  more  towards  its  Extirpation,  than  by  all  this  ite 
rated  trouble  to  Men's  Consciences.     And  if  it  mall  therefore  pleafe  the  fucceedine 
Minftcrs  of  our  State,  inftead  of  going  to  root  out  the  Principles  of  Innovation 
which  arc  got  into  people,  by  this  means  (which  is  no  means  to  do  it,  but  the  means 
to  rivet  them  more  in  us),  to  endeavour  rather  to  root  out  the  Caufes  from  us  which 
make  men  willing  to  entertain  fuch  Principles,  and  delire  Change:  I  fuppofe  their 
Policy  will  prove  the  founder.    The  way  to  cftabliih  the  Throne  of  the  King  is  this 
to  make  it  appear,  that  all  thofc  Grievances,  and  all  thofe  Good  things  which  the  Peo- 
ple in  the  late  times  expected  to  be  removed,  or  to  he  obtained,  by  a  Common  Wealth 
or  a  Change  of  the  Government,  may  be  more  effectually  accomplished  by  a  King 
in  the  Acts  of  his  Parliament.  to 

I  am  fcnliblc  how  my  Threm  rifcth  upon  me,  and  that  I  begin  to  fhoot  wide  • 
I  take  my  Aim  therefore  again,  and  two  things,  in  carnelt,  I  would  expect  from 
this  Bill,  as  the  fumm  of  what  is  necellary  to  the  end  of  it,  our  Eafe,  if  it  be  made 
to  ferve  the  turn,  The  one  is,  that  Bifhop  Laud  be  confined  to  his  Cathedrals :  and 
the  other,  that  Chancellour  Hide  be  totally  expelled  our  Acts  of  Parliament.  By 
the^r/?,  I  mean,  that  the  Ceremonies  in  the  ordinary  Pariih  Churches  be  left  to  the 
Liberty  of  the  Miniftcr,  to  ufe,  or  ufe  them  not,  according  to  his  Confcience  and 
P  rudence  toward  his  own  Congregation  :  And  by  the  latter,  that  all  thefe  new  de- 
vifed  Oaths,  Subfcriptions  and  Declarations  together  with  the  Canonical  Oath,  and  the 
Subfcription  in  the  Canons  be  fufpended  for  the  time  to  come.  If  that  be  too  much 
1  (hall  content  my  felf  with  a  modeller  motion,  that  whatfoever  thefe  Declarations 
be,  that  are  required  to  be  made,  fubferibed  or  fworn,  they  may  be  impofed  only  as  to 
the  Matter  and  End,  leaving  the  Takers  but  free  to  the  ufe  of  their  own  Exprefli- 
ons.  And  this  Expedient  I  gather  from  my  Lord  Cool:,  who  hath  providently  as 
it  were,  againft  fuch  a  feafon,  laid  in  this  obfervation  :  The  form  of  the  Subfcription 
Jet  down  in  the  Canons,  ratified  by  King  James,  was  not  exprejfed  in  the  1c?  of  the  i  %th 
of  Elizabeth.  Inftit.  p.  4.  c.  74.  And  Confequently  if  the  Clergy  injoyed  this  free- 
dom untill  then,  in  reference  to  the  particulars  therein  contained,  what  hinders 
why  they  might  not  have  the  fame  reftorcd,  in  reference  alio  to  others' 

It  is  true,  that  it  may  feem  hard  to  many  in  the  Parliament,  to  undo  any  thing 
themfelves  have  dfme  :  But  tho  this  be  no  Rule  for  Chrijliansy  who  are  fometimes  to 
repent  as  well  as  believe,  if  they  be  loth  to  repent  any  thing,  what  if  they  ihall  only  In- 
terpret or  Explain  ?  Let  us  fuppofe  then  fome  Claufe  in  this  B/7/,  or  fome  new  Act, 
for  Explanations.  If  anv  Nonconformist  cannot  come  up  to  the  full  meaning  and 
intent  of  thefe  Injunctions  rightly  Explained,  let  him  remain  in  ftatu  quo,  under 
the  Itate  only  of  Indulgence,  without  benefit  of  Comprehenfion  ;  for  fo  long  as  thofe, 
who  arc  not  Comprehended,  may  yet  injoy  that  eafe,  as  to  be  indulged  in  ibme  equal 
meafure  anfwcrablc  to  his  Majeftie's  Declaration,  whether  Co mprehenfion  be  large  or 
narrow,  fuch  Terms  as  we  obtain  are  pure  Advantage,  and  fuch  as  we  obtain  not, 
are  no  lofs :  But  if  any  does,  and  can  honeftly  agree  to  the  whole  fenfe  the  Parlia- 
ment intends  in  fuch  Impofitions,  why  mould  there  be  any  Obftrudtion  for  fuch  a 
Man,  tho  he  delivers  himfelf  in  his  own  words,  to  be  received  into  the  Eftablilhed 
order  with  others  ?  Unlefs  men  will  look  on  thefe  Injunctions  only  to  be  contrived 
for  Engines  of  Battery,  to  deltroy  the  Nonconforming :  And  not  as  InjlrumentsofV- 
uity}  to  edify  the  Church  of  God. 

I  will  not  leave  our  Congregational  Brethren  neither,  fo  long  as  I  have  fomething 
more  that  may  be  faid  for  them,  not  ordinarily  confidered  by  any.  It  is  this,  that 
tho  indeed  they  are  not,  and  cannot  feek  to  be  of  our  Churches  as  they  are  Parochial, 
under  the  Diocefs  or  Superintendency  of  the  Bifhops  •  yet  do  they  not  refufe,  but 
feek  to  be  comprehended  within  the  Church  as  National  under  his  Majefty.     I  will 

Tett 


H5- 


\46  IbeLl    F  E  of  the  Part  HI 

explain  my  fclf.  The  Church  may  be  conlidered  -dsV-nivcrfai,  and  fo  Chrift  alone  is 
ihe  head  of  it,  and  we  receive  our  Laws  from  him  •,  Or  as  Particular,  and  To  the 
paitors  are  Heads,  Guides,  or  Bilhops  over  their  refpc&ivc  flocks,  who  are  com- 
manded therefore  to  obey  them  in  the  Lord:  Or  as  National,  which  is  an  accidental 
and  external  refpect  to  the  Church  of  God,  wherein  the  King  is  to  be  acknowledg- 
ed the  fupreme  Head  of  it,  and  as  I  judge  no  otherwife  :  For  thus  alfo  runs  the 
ftatute  That  our  Sovereign  Lordjhall  be  taken  and  refuted  the  only  fupreme  Head  inF.arlb 
of  the  Church  of  England,  called  Ecclefia  Anglicma.  Now  if  it  fhould  pleafc  the  King 
and  Parliament,  to  allow  and  approve  thefe  Separate  Meetings,  and  Stated  Places 
for  IVorfhip,  by  a  Law,  as  His  Majefty  did  by  his  Declaration,  1  mult  piofefs  that,  as 
fuch  AiTemblies  by  this  means  mult  be  conftituted  immediately  integral  parts  of  the 
Church  as  National,  no  lefs  than  our  Parifh  Cougregations :  So  would  the  Congre- 
gate Churches  (at  lean:  thofe  that  underltand  themfelves)  own  the  King  for  Head 
over  them  in  the  fame  fenfe  as  we  own  him  Head  over  ours,  that  is  as  much  as  to 
fav  for  the  fupreme  coercive  Governour  of  all  (in  this  accidental  regard)  both  to 
keep  every  feveral  Congregation  to  that  Gofpel-order  themfelves  profef; ;  and  to 
fupeivife  their  Conltitutions  in  things  indifferent,  that  nothing  be  done  but  in  fu- 
bordination  to  the  peace  of  the  Kingdom. 

Well,  Let  us  fuppofethen  a  liberty  for  thefe  feparate  Aifcmblies  under  the  vifita- 
tion  of  his  Majefty  and  his  Jultices,  and  not  the  Bilhops ;  1  would  fain  know^  what 
were  the  Evil  you  can  find  in  them.  If  it  lie  in  any  thing,  it  mult  be  in  that  you 
call  Schifm:  Separation  then  let  us  know,  in  it  felf  limply  considered,  is  nothing, 
neither  good,  nor  Evil.  There  may  be  reafon  to  divide  or  ftpara:e  fome  Chrifti- 
ans  from  others  out  of  prudence,  as  the  Cathecbumens  of  old,  from  the  fully  inflmil- 
ed,  for  their  greater  Edification ;  and  as  a  Chappel  or  two  is  added  to  a  Parifh- 
Church  when  the  people  elfe  were  too  big  a  Congregation.  It  is  not  all  Divifion 
then  or  Separation  that  is  Schifm ;  but  finful  Divifion.  Now  the  fupreme  Authority 
as  National  Head,  having  appointed  the  Parochial  Meetings,  and  required  all  the 
Subjects  of  the  Land  to  frequent  them,  and  them  alone,  for  the  Acknowledging, 
Glorifying,  or  National  ferving  and  worihiping  the  only  true  God,  and  his  Son, 
whom  we  have  generally  received  :  And  this  Worlhip  or  Service,  in  the  nature  of 
it  being  intrinfecally  good,  and  the  external  Order  (fuch  as  that  of  time  and  place, 
and  the  like  Circumltances )  being  properly  under  his  Jurifdiction,  it  hath  feemed 
to  me  hitherto,  that  unlefs  there  was  fomething  in  that  order  or  way  prefcribed 
which  is  finful,  and  that  required  too  as  a  Condition  of  that  Communion,  there  is 
no  Man  could  refufe  his  attendance  on  thefe  Parochial  AiTemblies,  without  the  fin 
of  Difobedience,  and  confequently  his  feparation  thereby  becoming  finful,  proves 
Schifm :  But  if  the  Scene  be  altered  and  thefe  feparate  AiTemblies  made  Legal,  the 
Schifm,  in  reference  to  the  National  Church,  upon  the  fame  account,  does  vanifh. 
Schifm  is  a  feparation  from  that  Church  whereof  we  ought  or  are  bound  to  be  Mem- 
bers: if  the  fupreme  Authority  then  loofe  our  obligation  to  the  Parifh-Meeting,  fo 
that  we  are  bound  no  longer,  the  iniquity  (I  fay,  upon  this  account)  is  not  to  be  foundy 
and  the  Schifm  gone.  Lo  here,  a  way  opened  for  the  Parliament  (if  they  pleafe)  to 
rid  the  Trouble  and  Scruple  of  Schifm  (at  once)  out  of  the  Land.  If  they  pleafc 
not,  yet  is  there  fomething  to  be  thought  on  for  the  Separatift  in  a  way  of  forbear- 
ance^ that  the  innocent  Chriftian,  at  leaft,  as  it  was  in  the  time  of  Trajan,  may  not 
be  fought  out  unto  Punifhment :  Especially  when  fiich  a  toleration  only  is  defired,  as  is 
confiitent  with  the  Articles  of  Faith,  a  Good  Life,  and  the  Government  of  the  Nation. 

And  now  I  turn  me  to  the  Houfes.  My  Lords  and  Gentlemen !  1  will  fuppofe 
you  honeft  perfons,  that  would  do  as  you  would  be  done  unto  ;  that  would  not 
wrong  any;,  or  if  you  did,  would  make  them  recompence.  There  hath  been  very 
hard  Acts  parted,  which  when  the  Bills  were  brought  in,  might  haply  look  fmooth 
and  fair  to  you  ;  but  you  faw  not  the  Covert  Art,  fecret  Machination,  and  purpofe- 
ly  contrived  fnares  againft  one  whole  Party.  If  fuch  a  form  of  words  would  not, 
another  fhould  do  their  bufinefs.  By  this  means,  you  in  the  firft  place,  your  felves, 
fome  of  you  were  overftript :  Multitudes  difpoiieit  of  their  Livings  :  The  Vine- 
yard Let  out  to  others:TheLordJefus,the  Malter  of  it,deprived  of  many  of  his  faith- 
ful Labourers:  And  the  poor  iheep(what  had  they  done?)  bereft  of  their  accumitomed 
fpiritnal  food,  to  the  hazard  of  their  Eternal  Souls.  Among  many  Arguments 
therefore  for  Liberty  in  other  Papers,  from  Policy,  Convenience,  Reafon  of  State,  and 
Feafon  of  Religion,  I  have  this  one  to  offer  you  of  a  more  binding  Nature,  an  Argu- 
ment from  Juftue,  R.ighteoufnefs,  and  Reftitution  to  the  Difplaced.     It  is  true,  that 

the 


Part  III         %*r^^  x 

the  Places  they  once  had,  are  filled,  and  difpofed:  but  There  are  otheiTl^ST" 
There  are  many  of  thofe,  who  poffefs  theirs,  do  alfo  keep  their  own,  and  keep  more 
There  are  many  who  areCamns,  Deans,  Prebendaries,  that  are  alfo  Parfons  ReClors 
Vicars  •  who  have  Benefices  and  Honours  by  heaps,  and  by  the  bufhel  if  it  ftall 
pleafe  you  therefore  in  this  Bill  on  the  Anvil,  or  in  another,  to  take  Cognizance  of 
Pluralities,  that,,  for  the  preventing  an  Idle,  Scandalous,  Covetoufly  overgrown  un- 
profitable Miniftery,  every  Man  who  hath  more  than  one  Cure  of  Souls  or  one 
Dignity,  mall  give  them  up  into  a  publick  flock,  or  to  a  general  Diftribution  von 
fhall  do  the  Church  right,  and  the  Ejefted  right,  you  mall  give  fuch  Drones 'their 
Due,  and  God  his  Due  and  ftrew  the  way  by  this  means  for  the  making  your  Grace 
intended  in  this  Bill,  of  fignification.  In  the  Name  of  God,  Sirs,  let  me  move  you 
to  this,  if  it  were  only  Mac  vice,  for  a  prefent  needful  Conjunction  of  us  at  this  fea- 
fon.  We  fee  the  jaws  of  Popery,  and  the  Seftary  opening  upon  us,  if  the  fober 
Protefhnt  Intereft  be  not  united,  we  perifh.  I  know  who  will  be  ready  to  ftamp 
here  and  throw  duft  in  the  Air,  for  it  isthefe  Sons  of  the  Ho^fc-Leech,  whofe  voice  is 
ftill  Give  Give,  that  will  never  be  contented  with  a  finale  portion.  A  Dignity  there- 
fore with  a  Living  let  them  be  allowed :  but  one  Dignity  and  one  Cure  oj  Souls  mould 
be  all,  thothey  cut  themfelves  with  Lances.  It  is  this  damn'd  hard  objection  at  the 
bottom,  the  Priefts  Covetoufnefs  and  Corruption,  rather  than  their  Difpute  about 
things  indifferent,  that  really  hinders  the  Church's  peace  and  profperity. 

To  Conclude.  According  to  what  every  Man's  mind  is  moft  upon  fthe  Publick 
Intereft,  or  his  own)  fuch  is  his  value  more  or  lefs. 

$  263-  About  this  time  was  a  great  change  of  Affairs  in  Scotland-,  their  Parlia- 
ment concurring  with  this  of  England,  in  diftafting  the  prefent  Councils  and  Pro- 
ceedings fbut  not  fo  much  Proclaiming  the  danger  of  Popery,  as  Aggravating  the 
Burdens  and  Grievances  of  the  People  againft  the  great  Commiflioner  the  Duke  of 
Lauderdail :  )  So  that  Duke  Hamilton  became  the  Head  of  the  Oppofttion,  and  moft 
of  the  Nobility  and  Commons  adhered  to  him,  and  were  againft  D.  of  Lauderdail ; 
And  the  Parliament  went  fo  high  that  D.  Lauderdail  was  fain  to  Adjourn  them  ■ 
Whereupon  D.  Hamilton  came  to  England  with  their  Grievances  to  the  King 
(with  fome  of  the  Nobility).  But  the  king,  tho  he  gave  him  fair  refpeft,  fharply 
rebuked  him  and  their  Proceedings,  and  ftuck  clofe  to  D.  Lauderdail  againft  ail 
oppofition. 

§  254.  At  laft  D.  Lauderdail  fonnd  the  way  to  turn  their  own  Engin  againft 
themfelves,  and  whereas  many  of  their  Grievances  had  been  fettled  by  themfelves 
by  Ad  of  Parliament  (while  they  were  ruled  by  him),  he  acquainteth  the  King  how 
heavy  and  unfufterable  they  were,  and  fo  the  King,  by  a  Letter,  releafech  them : 
And  among  their  burdens  was  a  great  income  fettled  upon  D.  Hamilton  for  fome 
iervice,  Lofs  or  Loan  to  the  King,  by  his  Predeceffors,  which  he  that  had  complain- 
ed of  Grievances  was  now  to  lofe  by  the  King  removing  the  Grievances :  Where- 
upon he  profeffed  that  he  had  been  ftill  ready  to  remit  thofe  Revenues ;  but  he 
could  not  do  it  in  this  way  of  a  Letter  againft  a  Law, left  by  the  fame  way  another 
Letter  mould  take  away  the  reft  of  his  Eftate  :  And  he  got  the  hands  of  Lawyers 
to  tcftify  it  was  againft  Law,  and  lent  it  to  the  King,  who  in  difpleafure  rejected 
his  Narrative,  and  fo  the  Diflention  in  Scotland  increased. 

§  265.  At  this  time  (  April  1674.)  God  hath  fo  much  increafed  my  Languishing , 
and  laid  me  fo  low,  by  an  inceflant  inflation  of  my  head,  and  tranflation  of  my  x 
great  flatulency  thither  to  the  Nerves  and  Members,  jncreafing  thefe  ten  or  twelve 
weeks  to  greater  pains,  that  I  have  reafon  to  think  that  my  time  on  Earth  will  not 
be  long  :  And  O  how  Good  hath  the  Will  of  God  proved  hitherto  to  me  ?  And 
will  it  not  be  beft  at  laft  ?  Experience  caufeth  me  to  fay  to  his  praife,  Great  peace 
have  they  that  love  his  Law,  and  nothing  fhall  offend  them ;  And  tho  my  flefh  and 
heart  do  fail,  God  is  the  Rock  of  my  heart  and  my  portion  for  ever. 

§  266.  At  this  time  came  out  my  Book  called,  The  poor  Man's  Family  Book-,  which 
the  remembrance  of  the  great  ufe  of  Mr.  Dents  Plain  Afan's  path  way  to  Heaven 
(now  laid  by)  occaiioned  me  to  write,  for  poor  Countrey  Families  who  cannot  buy  or 
read  manv  Books. 

§  261.  I  will  not  here  pafs  by  the  Commemoration  of  one  among  many  of  the 
worthy  filenced  Minifters  of  London,  that  fuch  Examples  may  provoke  more  to 
fome  imitation,  viz..  Mr.  Thomas  Gouge :  He  is  the  eldeft  Son  of  old  Dr.  Wt'ham 
Gouge  Deceafed  :  He  was  Paftor  to  that  great  Parifh  called  Sepulchres ;  whence  he 

T 1 1 1  2  was 


148  The  L  I  FEoj  the  Part  I] 


was  ejected,   with  the  reft  of  his  brethren  at  the  time  when  the  rcftoicd  Prelaw 
acted  like  themfelves.     I  never  heard  any  one  perfon,  of  what  rank,  fort  or  feet  fo- 
ever,  fpeakone  word  to  his  Difhonour,  or  Name  any  fault  that  ever  they  charge*' 
on  his  Life  or  Doctrine,  no  not  the  Prelatilts  themfclves,fave  onlv  that  he  conform 
cd  not  to  their  Impositions,  and  that  he  did  fo  much  good  with  fo  great  Induil  1  j 
Godblefled  him  with  a  good  Eftate,  and  he  liberally  ufed  it  in  works  of  Chanty  . 
When  the  fire  confumed  much  of  it,  and  when  he  had  fettled  his  Children,  and  hit 
wife  was  taken  from  him  by  Death  ^  of  an  hundred  and  fifty  pound  a  year  that  lie 
had  left,  he  gave  an  hundred  of  it  to  charitable  ufes.     His  daily  work  is  to  do  all  the 
good  he  can,with  as  great  diligence  and  conftancy  as  other  Men  labour  at  thelrTrades: 
He  vifiteth  the  poor,  and  feeketh  after  them :  He  writeth  books  to  ftir  up  the  rich 
to  devote  (at  leaft)  the  tenth  part  of  their  Eftates  to  works  of  Charity :  He  goeth 
to  the  rich  toperfwade  and  urge  them-,  He  coYledteth  moneys  of  all  that  he  can 
prevail  with,  and travelleth  himfelf  (tho  between 60 and 70  years  old)  into  Waln7 
Winter  and  Summer,  and  difperfeth  the  money  to  the  poor  labouring  perfecuted 
Minifters :  He  hath  fettled  himfelf  in  the  chief  Towns  of  Wales  a  great  number  of 
Schools,  for  Women  to  teach  Children  to  read,  having  himfelf  undertaken  to  pay 
them  for  many  hundred  Children:  He  printeth  many  thoufands  of  his  own  practical 
Books,  and  giveth  them  freely  throughout  Wales,  (at  his  own  charge)  :  And  when  I 
do  fomething  of  the  like  by  mine,  he  undertaketh  the  Diftribution  of  them  :  He 
preacheth  in  Wales  himfelf  till  they  drive  him  from  place  to  place  by  perfection  • 
when  he  returneth  home,  he  vifiteth  the  Prifoners,  and  helpeth  them  to  books,  and 
preacheth  repentance  to  them  :  The  poor  and  the  ignorant  are  thofe  that  he  liveth 
for,  doing  good  to  Soul  and  Body  daily,  lave  that  he  Soliciteth  the  Rich  to  contri- 
bute to  fuchufes.     The  reading  of  Mr.  Jof  Men's  Life  hath  raifed  his  Refolution 
and  Activity  to  fuch  a  Courfe  of  Life,  which  was  far  higher  than  other  Mens 
before. 

§  268.  Mr.  Sherlock's  book  before  mentioned  making  a  great  noife,  and  he  and 
the  Author  of  the  fober  Inquiry,  and  others  of  them,  when  they  reproached  other 
Nonconformifts  being  pleafed  to  put  in  fome  Exceptions  of  me  by  Name6 1  thought 
my  felf  the  more  obliged  to  difown  their  Mifcarriages.  And  I  firft'in  Difcourfe 
fought  to  convince  Mr.  Sherlock  ;  and  left  he  mould  not  either  underftand  or  report 
me  aright  (Writings  being  furer  Vindications  than  Memory)  I  fent  him  fome  Ani- 
madverfions,  which  have  fince  been  Printed. 

§  169 .  My  old  friend  Dr.  Thomas  Good  now  publifhed  a  book  called,  Dubitantius 
and  ftrmianm,  againft  Atheifm,  Infidelity,  Popery,  and  then  Presbytery,  Indepen- 
dency, and  Anabaptiftry  •  very  fuperficial :  He  was  formerly  indeed  a  profeifed  Pre- 
latift,  but  moderate,  and  himfelf  never  hindered  from  his  Minifterial  work  and 
maintenance,  and  joyned  with  us  in  our  Difputations  at  Kederminfier,  and  our  Con- 
cord in  Worcejlcrfhire  among  the  difTenting  parties.  Yet  being  Canon  of  Hereford, 
and  Mr.  of  Baliol  CoUedge  in  Oxford  (tho  old,  waiting  for  more)  he  afierted  in  his 
Book,  that  they  were  confefled  things  indifferent  that  wc  refufed  Conformity  for, 
and  that  all  the  Nonconformifts  (without  Exception)  had  a  hand  in  the  late  King's 
Death,  one  way  or  other,  by  Confent,  &c.  The  Impudency  of  which  afTertion  mov- 
ed me  to  write  the  Contradiction  here  adjoined. 


To  my  Reverend  Friend  Dr.  Gooi,  Mr.  of  Baliol  Coledge 

in  Oxford, 

Reverend  and  Worthy  Sir, 

TT  is  now  about  a  Month  fince  I  received  a  Letter  from  you  for  the  furthering  of  a 
good  work,  which  I  fent  to  Mr.  Foley  by  his  Son  Mr.  Paul  F.  not  having  oppor- 
tunity my  felf  to  fee  him  :  I  have  ftayed  fo  long  for  an  Anfwer,  not  hearing  yet 
from  him,  that  I  think  it  not  meet  any  longer  to  forbear  -to  acquaint  you  with  the; 
Rcafons  of  the  delay  :  He  liveth  quite  at  the  other  end  of  London  from  me,  and  my 
weaknefs  and  bufinefs  keep  me  much  within  Doors,  and  it's  hard  to  find  him  within 
except  at  thofe  hours  when  I  am  conftrained  to  be  in  bed.    Bwt  I  have  rcafon  to 

Con- 


P^rtjll.       Reverend  Mr.  Pvichard  Baxter.  140 

Conjecture  that  his  Anfwcr  will  be  i.  That  the  Rich  nun  whofe  judgments  are  for 
Conformity,  are  far  more  Numerous  than  thofe  of  another  mind,  and  therefore 
fitter  to  promote  that  work  :  And  there  arc  fo  very  few  that  do  any  thing  for  the 
ejected  Mmifters,  that  fome  of  them  live  on  brown  bread  and  water,  which  hin- 
dereth  thefe  Gentlemen  from  other  kind  of  Charitable  works,  i.  And' I  mnft  crave 
your  patience  (  being  confident  ,  by  your  ancient  kindnefs  ,  of  your 
friendly  Interpretation  )  while  I  tell  you ,  that  this  day  I  heard  one  fay  we 
can  expett  that  Dr.  Good  do  make  his  Scholars  no  better  than  himfelf:  And  what 
reafon  have  we  to  maintain  and  breed  up  Men,  to  ufeus  as  he  hath  done  in  his  late 
Treatife.  I  got  the  book,  and  was  glad  to  find  much  good,  and  feveral  moderate 
paflagesin  it  (And  I  knew  you  fo  well,  that  I  could  not  but  expect  moderation)  : 
But  when  I  pcrufed  the  paflages  referred  to,  I  could  fay  no  more  for  them,  but  that 
I  would  write  to  you,  to  hear  your  Anfwer  about  them.  For  I  confefs  they  furpriz- 
ed  me — -Tho  at  the  fame  time  I  received  many  new  books  of  a  fanguine  Complexi- 
on from  other  hands  without  Admiration. 

I.  The  firft  pafTagc  referred  to  was  pag.  104.  {Which  are  cmfejfedly  things  indtffer- 
e»Q.  This  is  fpoken  indefinitely  of  the  Presbyterians  :  Where  have  I  lived  ?  I  know 
not  one  Presbyterian  living  that  dividcth  from  you  for  anything  which  he  confefTeth 
indifferent  :  I  crave  your  Anfwer  containing  the  proof  of  this-  At  leaft  to  name 
fome  one  of  them  that  we  may  reprove  him.  We  take  conformity  to  be  fofar 
from  indifferent,  that  we  forbear  to  tell  the  World  the  greatnefs  of  the  Sin  which 
we  think  to  be  in  it,  left  Men  cannot  bear  it,  and  left  it  mould  difaffect  the  people 
to  the  Miniftry  of  the  Conformifts. 

II.  Your  pag.  156.  I  pafsby:  The  main  matter  is  pag.  160.  itfi.  that  tho  {All 
the  Nonconformijls  were  not  in  ACiual  Arms  againft  the  King nor  did  they  all  as  natu- 
ral Agents  cut  off  his  head;  but  morally,  that  is,  very  finfully  and  wickedly,  they  had  their 
handftained  with  that  Royal  blood :  For  whofoever  did  Abet  thefe  Sons  of  Belial  in  their 
RebeUtons,  Treafons,  Murders  of  their  King  and  fellow  Subjecls,  either  by  confenting  to 
their  Villanies,  paying  for  their  Profperity,  praifing  God  for  their  Succeffes,  &c.  The 
Charge  is  high  :  If  it  be  not  true.  1 .  They  are  almoft  as  deeply  wronged  as  you  can 
wrong  them.  2.  Our  Rulers  are  wronged  by  being  fo  provoked  to  abhor  them,  Si- 
lence and  Deftroy  them.  3.   Polterity  is  wronged  by  a  mifinforming  Hiftory. 

I.  You  are  too  old  to  be  ignorant,  that  it  was  an  Epifcopal  and  Eraftian  Parlia- 
ment of  Conformifts,  that  firft  took  up  thofe  Arms  in  England  againft  the  King  ; 
The  Members  yet  living  profefs  that  at  that  time  they  knew  but  one  Presbyterian 
in  the  Houfe  of  Commons :  Intereft  forced  or  led  them  to  call  in  the  Scots,  and 
Presbytery  came  in  with  them.  If  you  doubt  of  it,  fee  the  Propolitions  to  tht 
King  at  Nottingham,  where  a  Limited  Epifcopacy  is  one. 

II.  The  Lord  Lieutenants  that  feized  on  the  Militia  were  far  moft  Conformifts, 
andfearce  any  Presbyterians  at  all. 

III.  The  General  Officers  and  Colonels  of  the  Earl  of  Effex  Army  were  ten  to 
one  Conformifts,  and  few,  if  any  Presbyterians,  fave  after,  deboift,  Mercenary 
Scots,  if  they  were  fuch,  which  I  know  not  :  And  the  General  Epifcopal 
himfelf. 

IV.  The  Major  Generals  of  the  Militia,  in  the  feveral  Countries  were  moftly 
Conformifts  and  Scarce  any  Prebyterians. 

V.  The  afTembly  at  Weftminfter,  when  they  went  thither  were  all  Conformifts, 
fave  about  8  or  9  and  the  Scots  Commiffioners. 

VI.  One  of  the  two  Arch-Bilhops  was  a  General  in  the  Parliament's  Army. 

VII.  Many  of  the  prefent  Conformable  Minifters  were  in  Arms  againft  the  King, 
and  fome  wrote  for  his  Death,  and  many  of  them  took  the  Covenant  and  En- 
gagement. 

VIII 


The  LI  F_  E  of  the  Part  111 

VIII.  The  moll  of  the  conformable  Gentry  of  my  acquaintance  that  were  put 
upon  it',  took  the  Engagement  againft  the  King  and  Houfe  of  Lords. 

IX.  The  Non-conformable  Minifters  of  Gloucefierfbicr  (  Mr.  Geery,  Mr.  CapeU7 
Mr.  A  arjhall,  &c. )  were  againft  the  Parliament's  War,  though  the  Parliament's 
Garrifon  was  over  them.  Mi".  Bampfield  (  who  hath  lam  6,  or  7  years  in  the 
common  Jail  for  Preaching  )  with  his  Brother  (  fometimes  Speaker  of  the  Houfe 
Of  Commons )  were  fo  much  againft.  the  Parliament's  Canfe,  that  to  this  day  (  even, 
while  he  lay  in  Jail )  he  moft  zealoufly  made  his  followers  renounce  it :  Many 
Non-conformifts  in  many  Counties  were  of  the  fame  mind. 

X.  Many  of  the  Non-conformifts  lived  in  the  King's  Quarters,  and  never  were 
drawn  the  other  way  •,  as  Dr.  Conant  (  lately  one  of  them  )  and  others  in  Oxford^ 
and  fo  in  other  parts. 

XI.  Some  of  the  Non-conformifts  were  in  the  King's  Army  :  Poor  Martin  of  Wee- 
den  loft  an  Arm  in  his  Army,  and  yet  the  other  Arm  lay  long  with  hhn  in  Warwick 
Jail  for  Preaching. 

XII.  Almoftallthe  Non-conformifts  of  my  acquaintance  in  England,  fave  Inde- 
pendents and  Sectaries,  refufed  the  Engagement,  and  took  Cromwell  and  the  Com- 
mon-wealth-Parliament  for  Ufurpers,  and  never  approved  what  they  did,  nor  ever 
kept  their  daies  of  Fafting  or  Thanksgiving.  (  To  tell  you  of  the  London  Mini- 
fters printed  Declarations  againft  the  intended  Death  of  the  King,  you  will  fay  is 
unfatisfa&ory,  becaufe  too  late. ) 

XIII.  Moft  of  the  Non-conformable  Minifters,  of  my  acquaintance,  were  either 
boys  at  School,  or  in  the  Univcrfity,  in  the  Wars,  or  never  medled  with  it :  fo 
that  I  muft  proofs  that  fetting  them  altogether,  I  do  not  think  that  one  in  ten 
throughout  the  Kingdom  can  be  proved  to  have  done  any  of  thefe  things  that  you 
name,  againft  the  King. 

XIV.  We  have  oft  with  great  men  put  it  to  this  trial.  Let  them  give  leave  but 
tofo  many  to  Preach  the  Gofpel,  as  cannot  be  proved  ever  to  have  had  any  hand  in 
the  Wars  againft  the  King,  and  we  will  thankfully  acquiefce,  and  bear  the  Silence  of 
the  reft  :  make  but  this  Match  for  us,  and  we  will  joyfully  give  you  thanks. 

XV.  Who  knoweth  not  that  the  greateft  Prelatifts  were  the  Matters  of  the 
Principles  that  the  War  was  raifed  on-,(£f(/&ff»7tm/,&c.)  (  and  Hooker  (quite  beyond 
them  all  ?  ) 

XVI.  But  becaufe  all  proof  muft  be  of  individuals,  I  intreat  you  as  to  our  own 
Countrey  where  you  were  acquainted,  tell  me  if  you  can,  I  fay  it  ferioufly  if  you 
can,  what  ever  was  done  or  faid  againft  the  King,  by  Mr.  A,nbrofe  Sparre,  Mr. 
Kimbe-'ley,  Mr.  LoifeU,  Mr.  Cowper,  Mr.  Reignalds,  Mr.  Hickman,  Mr.  Trujham,  Mr. 
Baldwin,  fenior,  Mr.  Baldwin,  junior,  Mr.  Sergeant,  Mr.  Waldern  (  dead,  )  Mr.  Jof. 
Baker,  (dead,)  Mr.  Wilsby,  Mr.  Brian,  Mr.  Stephen  Baxter,  Mr.  Badlayid,  Mr. 
Bulcher,  Mr.  Ecclejhall,  Mr.  Read,  Mr.  Rock,  Mr.  Fincber,  of  Wedbury,  Mr.  Wills  of 
Bre  ifham,  Mr.  Pafton,  &c.  I  pafs  by  many  more.  And  in  Sbropfhire  by  old  Mr. 
Sam.  Hilderfham,  old  Mr.  Sam.  Fifher,  Mr.  Talents,  Mr.  Brian  of  Shreusbury,  Mr. 
Barnet,  Mr.  Keeling,  Mr.  Berry,  Mr.  Maiden  of  Newport,  Mr.  Tho.  Wright  (  dead,  ) 
Mr.  Taylor,  &c. — Thefe  were  your  Neighbours  and  mine :  I  never  heard  to  my 
remembrance  of  any  one  of  them  that  had  any  thing  to  do  with  Wars  againft  the 
King.  It  is  true  (except  Ux.Fijhtr,  and  fome  few)  they  were  not  ejected,  but  enjoyed 
their  places  •,  And  did  not  you  as  well  as  they  ?  If  I  can  name  you  fo  many  of  your 
Neighbours  that  were  innocent,  will  you  tell  the  King  and  Parliament,  and  the 
Papifts,  and  Pofterity,  that  a*l  the  Non-conformifts  (  without  any  exception  )  had 
their  hands  ibained  with  the  Royal  blood  ?  What !  Mr.  Cooke  of  Chefler.,  and  Mr. 
Birch,  &c.  that  were  imprifoned  and  perfecuted  for  the  King  )  What !  Mr.  Geery 
that  died  at  the  news  of  the  King's  Dearh  ?  What !  Sir  Francis  Nethcrfolc,  and  Mr. 
Bell  his  Paftor  )  who  wrote  fomuch  againft  the  Parliament,  and  was  their  prifoner 

at 


Part  111.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  JBaxter. 

at  A  enelaorth  Gallic  almoft  all  the  Wars.     What  may  we  eirneft  fmm "™S c — 

Dr.  G«  lhall  do  thus---!  put  not  f„  any  l^^Zy^JS^t^Z 

be  you  mow  not  that  an  Ailcmbly  of  Divines  ( twice  met)  a  clS  , £ 
wnom  two  Dofiors  and  fomc  others  are  yet  living  )  firft  fent  me  inmthe  liv 
to  hazard  my  life  after  Nash  Fight  )  again*  The  Courfe  wlficn  we then  firft 
perceived  to  be  dehgned  agamft  the  King,  and  Kingdom  ;  nor  what  I  w*  r 
through  there  two  years  w  oppoGng  it,  and  drawing  the  Sold ie™  off  LVhow 
oft  I  Preached  agaiaft  Cro*^  the  Rump,  the  Engagement,  but  Ipec'iallv  their 
Wars,  and  Fafls,  and  Thankfgivings  :  Nor  what  I  faid  to  Cromml  for  the  Ki  Z 
(never  but  twice  ipeaking  with  him,;  of  which  a  Great  Privy  Counfellonr  to^? 
me  but  lately,  that  beme  an  Eai'-wirnrfs  nf  ir    1,,  w  .„u  ..:.  \,  " ""eiionr  told 


5 


K        ...  _  mt  LU  nTO  s  miicipies,  but  I  quicklv  faw 

thofc  Reafons ;  againft them,  which  I  have  fmce  publifhed.  His  Principles  were 
known  by  the  firft  Book,bcforc  the  laft  came  out,  And  I  have  a  friend  that  had  hk 
laft  m  M.  S  But  I  am  willing  unfeigncdly  to  to  be  one  of  thofe  that  (hall  contiuc 
Silenced,  it  you  can  but  procure  leave  to  Preach  Chrift's  Gofpel  only  for  thofe 
that  are  no  more  guilty  of  the  King's  blood,  than  your  felf,  and  that  no  longer 
than  there  is  real  need  of  their  Minifterial  Labour.  Reverend  Sir  If  vou  will  W 
fo  long  put  your  felf  as  in  our  Cafe,  I  lhall  hope  that  with  patience  you  will  read 
thefe  Lines,  and  pardon  the  necelTary  freedom  of  ' 

Your  truly  Loving  friend  and  obliged  Servant, 
London,  Feb.  10.  1673.  Ricb.  Baxterm 

§.  270.  Taking  it  to  be  my  duty  to  preach  while  Toleration  doth  continue  ^ 
I  removed  the  laft  Spring  to  London,  where  my  Difeafes  increafmg,  this  Winter* 
a  flatulent  conftant  Headach  added  to  the  reft,  and  continuing  ftrong  for  about 
half  a  year,  conftrained  me  to  ceafe  my  Fryday's  Lecture,  and  an  Afternoon  Ser- 
mon on  the  Lord's  daies  in  my  houfe,  to  my  grief-  and  to  Preach  only  one  Sermon 
a  week  at  St.  James's  Market-houfc,  where  fome  had  hired  an  inconvenient  Place 
But  I  had  great  encouragement  to  labour  there,  1.  Becaufe  of  the  notorious  Neceffity 
of  the  people  :  for  it  was  noted  for  the  habitation  of  the  moft  ignorant  Athciftical 
and  P  pifh  about  London,  and  the  greatnefs  of  the  Parifh  of  St.  Martins]  made  it  im- 
portable for  the  tenth  (  perhaps  the  twentieth  )  perfon  in  the  Parifh  to  hear  in  the  Pa- 
rifh-Church ;  And  the  next  Parifhes  St.Giles,  and  Clement  Dames/were  almoft  in  the 
like  cafe  j  Bcfides  that  the  Parfon  of  our  own  Parifh,  (  St.  Giles  )  where  I  lived 
Preached  not,  having  been  about  three  years  fufpended  by  the  Bifhop  ab  Officio  but 
not  a  beneficio,  upon  a  particular  Quarrel :  And  to  leave  ten  or  twenty  for  one 
untaught  in  the  Parifh,  while  moll  of  the  City  Churches  ■  alfo  are  burnt  down  and 
nnbuilt,  one  would  think,   fhould  not  be  juftified  by  Chriftians,     2.  Becaufe  be- 
yond my  cxpe&ation,  the  people  generally  proved  exceeding  willing  and  attentive 
and  tradable,  and  gave  me  great  hopes  of  much  fuccefs. 

§.  271.  Yet  at  this  time  did  fome  of  the  moll:  Learned  Conformifts  allault  me 
with  fharp  accufations  of  Schifm,  meerly  becaufe  I  ceafed  not  to  Preach  the  Gofpel 
of  Chrift  to  people  in  fuch  neceffity.      They  confefs  that  I  ought   not  to  take 
their  Oaths,  and  make  their  impofed  Covenants,  Declarations  and  Subfcriptions 
againft  my  Confcience ;  but  my  Preaching  is  my  lin  which  I  mull  forbear,  ( though 
they  accufe  me  not  of  one  word  that  I  fay.  )  They  confefs  the  forefaid  Matters  of 
fad,  (  that  not  one  of  a  multitude  can  poffibiy  hear  in  the  Parifh  Churches,  through 
the  greatnefs  of  fome  Parifhes,  the  lownefs  of  the  Minifter's  voices,  and  the  pau- 
city of  Churches  fince  the  burning  of  the  City :  )  And  they  confefs  that  the  know- 
ledge of  the  Gofpel  is  (  ordinarily  )  neceflary  to  falvation,  and  teaching  and  hear- 
ing neceflary  to  knowledge ;  and  that  to  leave  the  people  untaught  (  efpecialJy 
where  fo  many  are  fpeaking  for  Atheifm,  Beaftiality,  and  Infidelity  )  is  to  give 
them  up  to  Damnation  :  But  yet  they  fay  that  to  do  fo  is  my  duty,  becaufe  the 
Bifhop  is  againft  my  Preaching :  And  I  ought  to  reft  fatisfied  that  it  is  the  Bifhop, 
and  not  not  I,  that  muft  anfwer  for  their  Damnation.    Alas  poor  Souls !  Muft 
they  needs  be  damned  by  thoufands,  without  making  anyquefhon  of  it?  as  if  all 
the  queftion  were,  who  fliould  anfwer  for  it.    I  will  not  believe  fuch  cruel  men 

I 


t0  'I be  LI    F  E  of  the  Part  ill 

I  undertake  to  prove  to  them  to  them,    I.  That  our  FttgJifh  Species  of  Dioctfat 
Pickery  and  Lay  Chonccllours  rower  of  the  Keys,  is  contrary  to  God's  Word,  and 
(U-ihvcUve  of  true  Difcipline,  and  of  the  Church  form  and  Offices  inftituted  by 
Chilli      2    That  were  the  Offices  Lawful,  the  men  have  no  true  calling  to  it,  U 
not  chefen  or  confentedto  by  the  Clergy,  or  the  People.     3.  That  if  their  Calling 
were  ecctl    they  have  no  power  to  forbid  the  prefent  Silenced  Minifters  to  Pi  each 
the  Gofcel  (  but  thereby  they  ferve   Satan  againft  Chiift  and  Men's  falvation.  ) 
I'aul  himfelf  had  his  power  to  edification,  and  not  todeihuftion  :  And  CI. rile  the 
Saviour  of  the  World,  giveth  his  Minifters  only  a   faving  power,  and  to  none  a 
power  to  familh  and  damn  the  people's  Souls    4.  That  we  are  Dedicated  as  Mi- 
nifters to  the  Sacred  Office,  and  it  is  Sacriledge  in  our  felves  or  others,  to  alienate 
us  from  it  while  we  are  not  unfit  or  unable  for  it.     5.  That  we  are  Charged  (as 
well  islmwthy)  before  God  and  the  Lord  Jefus  Ch rift, who  (hall  judge  tlicqv.uk 
and  the  Dead  at  his  appearing,  that  we  Preach  the  Word,  and  be  in  feafon,  and 
cut  ef  feafon,  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort,  ckc.     6.  That  the  Ancient  Paftors   for 
many  Hundred  years  did  Preach  the  Gofpcl  againft  the  Wills  of  their  Lawful 
Princes  both  Heathens  and  Airians.     7-  That  the  Bifhop  hath  no  more  power  to 
forbid  us  to  Preach,  than  the  King  hath:  And  thefc  men  confefs  that  Minifters 
unjuftly  Silenced  may  Preach  againft  the  Will    of  Kings  (  but  not ,  fay  they 
ofBifhops.  )    8.  That  were  we  Lay-men  we  might  teach  and  exhort  fas  Lay- 
men  as  Origen  did  )  though  we  might  not  do  it  as  Paftors  much  more  being 
Ordained  the  Minifters  of  Chrift.     And  that  now  to  us  it  is  a  work  which  both 
the  Law  of  Nature  and  our  Office  or  Vow  do  bind  us  to,  even  a  Moral  Duty  : 
And  that  when  Chrift  judgeth  men  for  not  Feeding, Clothing,  Vifiting  his  Mem- 
bers it  will  not  excufe  us  to  fay  ;  that  the  Bifhop  forbad  us :  That  if  King,  or 
Bifhop  forbid  us  to  feed  our  Children,  or  to  fave  the  lives  of  drowning,  or  fa- 
mifhing  men,  we  muft  difobey  them,  as  being  againft  a  great  command  of  God  • 
Love  and  the  Works  of  Love  being  the  great  indifpenfable  Duties.     And  Souls 
being  greater  Objeds  of  Charity  than  Bodies.    9.  That  it  was  in  a  Cafe  of  Phari- 
faical  Church  Difcipline,  (  when  Chrift  avoided  not  converfe  with  finners  when 
their  good  required  it )  that  Chrift  fent  the  Pharifees  to  learn  what  this  meaneth, 
1  will  have  mercy  and  not  facrifice  :  and  at  two  feveral  times  repeateth  the  fame 
words.     10.  That  Order  is  for  the  thing  Ordered  and  it's  ends  •  and  a  power  of 
Ordering  Preachers  is  not  a  power  to  depefe  neceffary  Preaching  and  famifh 
Souls.     11.  And  1  fhewthem  that  I  my  felf  have  the  Licenfe  of  the  Bifhop  of  this 
Diocefs,  as  well  as  Epifcopal  Ordination ;  and  that  my  Licenfe  is  in  force  and  not 
recalled':  12.  And  that  1  have  the  King's  Licenfe.     13.  And  therefore  after  all 
this,  to  obey  thefe  Silencers  (  nay  no  Bifhop  doth  forbid  me,  otherwife  than  as  his 
Vote  is  to  the  Atts  of  Parliament,  which  is  as  Magiftrates,  )  and  to  fulfill  their 
will  that  will  be  content  with  nothing,  but  our  forfaking  of  poor  Souls,  and  ceaf- 
ing  to  Preach  Chrift,  this  were  no  better  than  to  end  my  Life  of  Comfortable 
Labours,  in  obeying   the  Devil  the  Enemy  of  Chrift  and  Souls  ^   which  God 
forbid. 

§,  271.  Yet  will  not  all  this  fatisfie  thefe  men,  but  they  cry  out  as  the  Papjisy 
Scmfm,Schifm,  urtlefs  we  will  ceafe  to  Preach  the  Gofpcl  :  And  have  little  to  fay 
for  all,  but  that  No  fockty  can  he  governed,  if  the  Rulers  be  not  the  "judge.  Yet  dare 
they  not  deny  but  a  judgment  of  difcermng  duty  from  fin,  belongeth  to  all  Subjects  ., 
or  elfe  we  are  Brutes,  or  muft  be  Atheifts,  Idolaters,  Blafphemcrs,  or  what  ever 
a  Bifhop  mail  command  us.  But  under  the  Cenfures  of  thefe  unreafonable  Men, 
who  take  our  greateft  Duties  for  our  heinous  fin,  muft  we  patiently  ferve  our  Lord : 
But  his  approbation  is  our  fall  reward. 

§.  273.  On  July  5th  (  1674. )  at  our  Meeting  over  St.  Jamfesh  Market-houle, 
See  more  God  vouchfafedus  a  great  Deliverance.  A  main  Beam  before  weakened  by  the 
of  this  weight  of  the  People  fo  cracked  that  three  times  they  ran  in  terrour  out  of  the 
in  my  room,  thinking  it  was  falling :  But  remembring  the  like  at  Dunfians  Weft,  I  rc- 
Wife's  proved  their  fear  as  caufelcfs.  But  the  next  day  taking  up  the  boards  we  found 
k*fc*  that  two  rends  in  the  Beam,  were  fo  great,  that  it  was  a  wonder  of  provi- 
dence that  the  floor  had  not  fain,  and  the  roof  with  it,  to  the  deftrudxion  of  mul- 
titudes.   The  Lord  make  us  thankful. 

§.  274* 


Part  III.       Reverend  Mr.  RichardBaxt^" 


153 


%  2\f  ^P^,fon  m^nownprofeffinglnftdeUty  (but  whether  an  Infidel  or  * 
jughng  Papilt,  1  know  not  ).fent  me  a  Manufcrrpt,  called  Examen  Scripture  cW 
ing  Saipture  v*th  Immorality,  Falfhoods,  and  Contradictions,  from  the  beiinninl" 
to  the  end  and  with  feemihg  Scrioulhcfs  and  Refpeclfulnefs  importuned  me  to  An 
fwer  him.  1  was  m  to  great  pain  and  weaknefs  (and  engaged  in  other  work)  that 
I  fent  him  word  that  I  had  not  time  or  ftrength  for  fo  long  a  Work  He  felefted 
about  a  Dozen  Inftances  and  defired  my  Anfwer  to  them  :  I  gave  him  an  Anfwer 
to  them  ,  and  to  lome  of  his  General  accufations >  but  told  him,  That  the  ratioual 
Order  to  be  followed  by  a  Lover  of  Truth,  is  firft  toconlider  of  the  proofs  brought 
for  Chriftiamty  ,  before  we  come  to  the  Objections  aganft  it :  And  I  proved  to 
him,  that  Chriftiamty  was  proved  true  many  years  before  any  of  the  New  Teftament 
was  Written  ,  and  that  io  it  may  be  Hill  proved  by  one  that  doubted  of  fome 
words  of  the  Scripture  •  and  therefore  the  true  order  is,  to  try  the  truth  of  the 
Cbnfiim  Religion  firft,  and  the  perfect  Verity  of  all  the  Scriptures  afterwards" 
And  thereiore  Importuned  him  firft  to  Anfwer  my  Book,  called  The  Rcafons  of 
the  Cbrtjlian  Religion  •  and  then  if  1  lived  ,  I  would  anfwer  his  Accufations  But  I 
could  not  at  all  prevail  with  him  ,  but  he  ftill  infilled  on  my  Anfwering  of  his 
Charge.  And  half  a  year  (  or  more  )  after  ,  he  fent  me  a  Reply  to  the  Anfwer 
which  1  had  haftily  given  him :  And  though  he  before  profeffed,  that  none  in  the 
World  but  I  and  his  fervant  knew  of  it ,  yet  accidentally,  by  fpeech  with  Dr.  Stil- 
lingficet ,  I  underltood  that  tbe  fame  .M.  S.  was  fent  to  him  :  Therefore  i  fent 
him  the  Reply  to  mine  •  and  delired  him,  feeing  he  had  more  ftrength  and  leifure 
to  anfwer  altogether  for  himfelf  and  me ,  and  then  I  need  not  do  the  fame.  ;        ' 

§.  275.  It  pleafed  God  to  give  me  marvellous  great  Encouragement  in  my 
Preaching  at  St.  James's :  The  Crack  having  frightened  away  molt  of  the  Richer 
fort  (  fpeically  the  Women,)  moil  of  the  Congregation  were  young  men ,  of  the 
moll  capable  age  who  heard  with  very  great  Attention  ,  and  many  that  had  not 
come  to  Church  of  many  years ,  received  fo  much,  and  manifefted  fo  great  a  Change 
(  fome  Papifts,  and  Divers  others  returning  publick  Thanks  to  God  for  their  Con- 
verfion)  as  made  all  my  Charge  and  Trouble  «afie  to  me.  Among  all  the  Popifh 
rude  and  ignorant  People  who  were  Inhabitants  of  thofe  parts,  we  had  fcarce  any 
that  opened  their  mouths  aganft  us ,  and  that  did  not  fpeak  well  of  the  Preaching 
of  the  Word  among  them  -,  though  when  1  came  firft  thither ,  the  moft  knowing 
Inhabitants  allured  me,  that  fome  of  the  fame  perfons  wilht  my  Death  •  Among 
the  ruder  fort ,  a  common  Reformation  was  notifyed  in  the  place ,  in  their  Con- 
verfation  as  well  as  in  their  Judgments. 

§,276.  But  Satan,  the  Enemy  of  God  and  Souls,  did  quickly  ufe  divers  means 
to  hinder  me:  1 .  By  Perfecution ,  2.  By  the  Charges  of  the  work ,  and  ,  3.  By 
the  troublefome,  Clamours  of  fome  that  were  too  much  inclined  to  Separation.  And 
firft  a  fellow,  that  made  a  Trade  of  being  an  Informer,  accufed  me  to  Sir  William 
P'oultney,  a  Juftice  near,  upon  the  Aft  againft  Conventicles :  Sir  William  dealt  fo 
wifely  and  fairly  in  the  bufinefs,  as  fruftratcd  the  Informer's  firft  attempts  (who 
offered  his  Oath  againft  me, )  And  before  he  could  make  a  fecond  Attempt , 
jsli. David  Lloyd(ihe  Earl  of  Sx.Jlban\  BaylifF)  and  other  Inhabitants,fo  fearch't  af- 
ter the  quality  of  the  Informer,  and  profecuted  him  ( to  fecure  the  Parifli  from 
his  Charge  of  Children  )  as  made  him  fly,  and  appear  no  more.  I  that  had  been 
the  firft  Silenced,  and  the  firft  fent  to  Gaol,  upon  the  Oxford-A&  of  Confine- 
ment, was  the  firft  profecuted  upon  the  Ad  of  Conventicles,after  the  Parliament's 
Condemning  the  King's  Declaration  and  Licenfes  to  Preach. 

§.  277.  But  (hortly  after  the  Storm  grew  much  greater :  The  great  Minifters 
of  State  had  new  Confultations :  The  Duke  of  Lauderdail,  the  Lord  Treafurer, 
(Sir  Thomas  Osborne,  made  Earl  of  Danbyy)  The  Lord  Keeper  (  Sir  Heritage  Finch,) 
the  Bilhop  of  Wtnchejler  (Dr.  Morley)  and  the  Bilhop  of  Salisbury  (  Dr.WardJlkc. 
were  the  Men  that  the  World  talk't  of,  as  the  Doers  of  the  Bufinefs :  The 
firft  thing,  that  appeared,  was,  That  His  Majefty  called  the  Bifhops  up  to  London, 
to  give  him  Advice  what  was  to  be  done  for  the  fecuringof  Religion,  &c.  The 
Bilhops,  after  divers  Meetings  and  Delays,  (  the  faid  Duke,  and  Lord  Treafurer, 
being  appointed  to  meet  with  them, )  at  laft  Advifed-  the  King  to  recall  His  Li- 
cenfes and  put  the  Laws  in  Execution.  Which  was  done  by  a  Declaration  and 
Proclamation,  Declaring  the  Licenfes  long  fince  void,  and  requiring  the  Executi- 
on of  the  Laws  againft  Papifts  (moft  largely  mentioned  )  and  Conventicles.  No 
fooner  was  this  Proclamation  publiihcd,  but  fpecial  Informers  wert  fet  on  Work 

Uuuu  to 


The  L  I  F  E  of  the  PurtlH 


to  Afcertain  the  Execution  ^  andl  muft  here  alfo  be  thc#fiifl  that  mud  be  Ac- 

cuied.  ; 

§.  278.  A  litle  before  the  King  had  Recalled  his  Licenfes,  knowing  on  what 
Accufations  they  would  proceed,  according  to  the  Act  of  Uniformity  •  I  did,  to 
Obviate  the  Accufation,  deliver,  in  Words  and  Writing,  this  following  Profefli- 
on>  \_  Tkugh  when  J  began  to  Preach  in  tbvs  place,  J  pubhdlyprofejftd  ,  That  it  wa*i 
the  notorious  Neceffity  of  the  People,  who  are  more  than  the  Parifh-Church  can  hold,  which 
moved  me  thereunto  ,  and  that  we  Meet  not  in  Oppofition  to,  or  Separation  from  the 
Publick  Churches ;  yet  perceiving  that  by  fome  we  are  mi fv.nder flood,  J  repeat  the  fame 
Profcjfion:  And  that  we  Meet  not  under  colour  or  pretence  of  any  Religious  Exerctfein 
other  manner ,  than  according  to  the  liturgy  and  Praclice  of  the  Church  of  England.- 
Ami  that  if  ere  I  able,  J  would  accordingly  Read  my  Self.  ~]  For  the  underftandmg  of 
this,  it  muft  be  known,  1.  That"  being  my  Self  unable  both  to  Read  and 
Preach,  I  had  an  Afliftant,  who  daily  Read  the  Scripture  -  Sentences ,  the  95th 
Pfalm  \  the  Pfahns  for  the  Day  ,  the  two  Chapters  for  the  Day,  Singing  the 
pfalms  appointed  for  Hymns,  ufing  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the  Creed,  and  the 
Decalogue  j  all  which  is  the  Greateft  part  of  the  Liturgy ,  though  none  of 
the  Common  Prayers  were  ufed.  2.  That  I  forbear  the  ufe  of  much  of  the 
Common  Prayer,  which  I  think  lawful  and  good,  meerly  becaufe  many  of  the 
Nonconforming  could  not  bear  it.  3.  That  the  Aft  againfl  Conventicles  pu- 
nifheth  none  but  f.  thofe  that  meet  on  colour  7  or  pretence  of  any  Religious  Excrcife  in 
other  manner  than  according  to  the  Liturgy  and  practice  of  the  Chtrch  of  England.  3 
4.  That  my  Judgment  was,  that  my  Meeting  was  not  fuch,  and  that  I  broke  no 
Law  :  And  therefore  I  made  this  open  Profeflion,  as  Preparatory  to  my  An- 
fwer  before  the  Magiftrate  ;  not  expe&ing  that  any  fuch  means  mould  free  mc 
from  fuffering  in  the  leaft  degree,  but  that  it  fhould  conduce  to  the  clearing  of 
my  Caufe  when  I  Suffered.  But,  upon  this  Paper,  thofe  that  are  unable,  or  un- 
willing to  fufpend  their  Cenfures,  till  they  underftand  the  Caufe  ,  and  that  can- 
not underftand  Words  in  their  plain  and  proper  fignification,  but  according  to 
their  own  Preconceptions,  did  prefently  divulge,  all  over  the  Land,  many  falfe 
Reports  of  it  and  me :  The  Separatifts  gave  out  prefently,  That  I  had  Conform- 
ed, and  openly  declared  my  AiTent  and  Confent,  &c.  And  fo  confidently  did 
they  affirm  it,  that  almoft  all  the  City  believed  it :  The  Prelatifts  again  took  the 
Report  from  them,  and  their  own  willingnefs  that  fo  it  fhould  be,  aud  reported 
the  fame  thing  :  In  one  Epifcopal  City  they  gave  Thanks  in  Publick  that  I  Con- 
formed :  In  many  Counties,  their  News  was,  That  I  moft  certainly  Conformed, 
and  was  thereupon  to  have  a  Bifh«prick  (  which,  if  I  fhould,  I  had  done  foolilh- 
ly  in  lofing  Thirteen  years  Lordfhip  and  Profit,  and  then  taking  it  when  I  am 
dying.  )  This  was  divulged  by  the  Conformifts  ,  to  fortifie  their  Party  in  the 
Conceits  of  their  Innocency,  and  by  the  Separatifts,  in  Spleen  and  Quarrelfomc 
Zeal!  But  confident  Lying  was  too  common  with  both.  And  yet  the  next  day, 
or  the  next  day  fave  one,  Letters  fled  abroad  on  the  contrary,  that  I  was  fent  to 
Gaol  for  not  Conforming. 

§.  279.  Not  long  before  this,  having  Preached  at  Pinner  s-Ha\\  for  Love  arid 
Peace,  divers  falfe  Reports  went  currant  among  the  Separatilis,  and  from  them  to 
other  Nonconformifts,  that  1  Preached  againft  the  Imputation  ot  Chrift's  Righte- 
oufnefs,  and  for  Juftification  by  our  own  Righteoufnefs,  and  that  the  Papifts  and 
Protectants  differ  but  in  Words,  &c.  So  that  I  was  conftrained  to  publifh  the 
truth  of  the  Cafo,  in  a  fheet  of  Paper,  called,  An  Appeal  to  the  Light,  Which , 
though  it  evinced  the  falfhood  of  their  Reports,  and  no  one  Man  did  ever  after 
juftine  them,  that  ever  I  could  hear  of,  yet  did  they  perfevere  in  their  General 
Accufation  ;  and  I  had  Letters  from  feveral  Countries,  that  the  London  Accufers 
had  Written  to  them,  that  I  h?d  both  in  the  Sermon,  and  in  that  Paper,  called, 
An  Appeal  to  the  Lhht,  done  more  to  ftrengthen  Popery,  than  ever  was  done  by  any  "Pa* 
pifis.  This  was  the  reward  of  all  my  Labours,  from  the  Separating  Indepen- 
dents. 

§.  280.  So  imfully  ready  are  Men  to  receive  falfe  Reports,  that  many  of  fobcr 
Principles,  and  fome  of  my  moft  intimate  Friends,  believed  them,  and  were  ready 
to  fecond  the  Defamation.-  But  when-ever  they  came  to  me,  and  debated  the 
Cafe,  and  heard  me  fpeak,  every  Man  of  them  confefied  their  Error,  and  Mifun- 
derftanding.  The  fecret  fomenters  of  the  Accufing  Reports  and  Quarrels,  did 
it  with  fuch  Privacy  and  Caution  as  befeemed  Wife  Men  :  But  the  open  Back- 
biters 


Part  III.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

biters  were  efpecially  fome  very  tew  mo7e~~Mini  Iters    ^nnnt^TZ n~ ~ 

Men:  But  t^Wornen,  and  ^fiSSS^  ^^ 
§.  18I.TWB  great  y  rcjoyced  the Perfecting  Prelatifts  •  and  i  The- hencv 
interred  That  the  Nonconforms  were  as  bad  a  People 'as  they  hid  repute? 
them,  and  that  whatever  was  thought  Judicious,  or  Moderate,  in  any  of  m? Wd- 
twgs.  Preaching  or  Convention,  the  Nonconformifts  had  no  rkht  to  ivlm 
putation  ot  it  or  Reputation  by  it,  beeanfe  i  was  one  that  they  difown  d  2  T  v 
would  hence  have  drawn  me  off  from  the  Nonconformifts  /  telling  me  That  J 
was  worfe  fpoken  of  and  ufed  by  fuch,  than  by  the  Prelatifts.  To  both  which 
anfwered  1.  That  they  knew  not  the  Nonconformifts  fo  well  as  I .-  and  t  h  a tho' 
the  Lo»<fo»-Separatifts,  and  a  few  other  weak  and  paffionate  perfons,  made  all  th?s 
noifc,  yet  the  generality  of  the  Minitters  and  fober  People  efneciallv  in  the 
Coimtrey ,  were  of  my  mind  :  2.  That  all  this  Cenfure  and  Clamour  was  a  ver? 
foall  thing ,  in  companfon  or  what  i  fuffered  by  the  Bifhops  who  had  thefe  i{ 
years  ,  it  not  more  ,  deprived  me  of  all  Minifterial  Maintenance,  and  alfo  forbid- 
den me  to  Preach  Chart's  Gofpel,  though  I  did  it  without  pay  -  and  had  fent  me 
among  Rogues,  to  the  Common  Gaol  •  and  had  deprived  me  much  of  the  end  of 
Life ,  which  is  more  to  me  than  Life  it  felf. 

§.  282.  While  1  was  thus   murmured  at  by  Backbiters,  Sectaries  and  Prelatifts 
when  the  King's  Licenfcs  were  recalled  as  aforefaid,  I  was  the  firft  that  was  appre! 
hended  by  Warrant  and  brought  before  the  Juftices  as  a  Conventicler.    One  Keting 
an  ignorant  fellow  ,  had  got  a  Warrant,  as  BaylifFand   Informer,  to  fearch  after 
Conventicles  (  Papifts  and  Proteftants  )  which  he  profecuted  with  great  animofity 
and  Violence:     Having  then  left  St.  prow's  ( the  Leafeof  theHoufe  being  out) 
1  Preached  only  on  Thurfdays  at  Mr.  Turner's ;  and  by  the  Ad  I  am  to  be  Judged 
by  a  Juftice  of  the  City,  or  Divilion  where  I  Preach  ,  but  to  be  diftreined  on  by- 
Warrant  from  a  Juftice  of  the  Divilion  or  County  where  I  live.  So  that  the  Preach- 
ing-place being  in  the  City  ,  only  a  City-Juftice  might  Judge  me :  Keting  went 
to  many  of  the  City-Juftices ,  and  none  of  them  would  grant  him  a  Warrant  a- 
gainft  me  5,  Therefore  he  went  to  the  Juftices  of  the  County,  who  lived  near  me, 
and  one  Sir  John  Medltcot,  and  Mr.  Bcnnet  (  Brother  to  the  Lord  Arlington)  igncn 
rant  of  the  Law  herein ,  gave  their  Warrant  to  apprehend  me ,  and  bring  me 
before  them ,  or  fome  other  of  His  Majefty's  Juftices :    The  Conftable  and  Infor- 
mer gave  me  leave  to  choofe  what  Juftices  I  would  go  to.    I  went  with  them  to 
leek  divers  of  the  beft  Juftices  ,  and  could  find  none  of  them  at  home  ,  and  fo 
fpent  that  day  (  in  a  cafe  of  pain  and  great  Weaknefs  )  in  being  carryed  up  and 
down  in  vain  :     But  I  ufed  the  Informer  kindly ,  and  fpake  that  to  him  ,  whieh 
his  Confcience  (  tho'  a  very  ignorant  fellow  )  did  not  well  digeft.    The  next  day 
I  went  with  the  Conftable  and  him  to  Sir  William  Poultney^  who  made  him  fhew  his 
Warrant ,  which  was  ligned  by  Henry  Mount  ague  (  Son  to  the  late  worthy  Earl 
of  Alancheftcr)  as  Bayliff  of  Weflminjler ,  Enabling  him  to  Search  after  Mafs- 
Pricfts    and    Conventiclers  ^     but  I   hear   of  no  Mafs-Priefts  fave  one   that 
was  ever  medlcd  with  to  this  Day  j  and  that  one  delivered  (  as  we  all  defired. ) 
Sir  William  fliewed  him,  arid  all  the  Company,  in  the  Aft,  that  none  but  a  City- 
Juftice  had  Power  to  Judge  me  for  a  Sermon  Preached  in  the  City  j  and  fo  the 
Informer  was  defeated  :    As  I  went  out  of  the  Houfe  I  met  the  Counters  of 
Warwick^  and  the  Lady  Lucy  Mount  ague ,  Sifter  to  the  dud  Mr.  Henry  Mountaguey 
and  told  them  of  the  Cafe  and  Warrant,  who  affured  me,  That  he  whole  Hand 
was  at  it,  knew  nothing  of  it^  and  fome  of  them  fent  to  him,  and  Kcting's  War- 
rant was  called  in  within  two  or  three  days.     But  it  proved  that  one  Mr.  Bar- 
wcll,  Sub-BaylifFof  Weftminjler,yra.s  he  that  fet  Keting  on  work, and  gave  him  his 
Warrant,  and  told  him,  How  good  a  Service  it  was  to  the  Church,  and  what 
he  might    gain  by  it  .•     And  BarrveU  (harply  Ghid  Keting  for  doing  his  work 
with  me  no  more  skilfully  :     And  the  Lord  of  Arlington  moft  fharply  Chid  his 
Brother  for  granting  his  Warrant :     And  within  2  few  days  Mr.  Barwell  riding 
•the  Circuit,  was  caft  by;Ms  Horfe,  arid  died  in  the  very  Fall.    And  Sir  John 
Medlicot,  and  his  Brother,  a  few  weeks  after,  lay  both  dead  in  his  Houfe  toge- 
ther.    Shortly  after  Keting  came  feveral  times  to  have  fpoken  with  Me,  to  ask 
me  Forgivenefs ,  and  not  meeting  with  me ,  went  to  my  Friends  in  the  City 
with  the  fame  Words  (when  a  little  before  he  had  boafted,  how  many  Hun- 
dred pounds  he  would  have  of  the  City-Juftices  for  refufmg  him  Juftice.    At 
faft  he  found  me  within ,  and  would  have  fal'n  down  on  his  knees  to  me,  and 

Uu  uil  '£  as^c 


55 


5  /       The  LI  F  E  of  the     '        ~    Paitin; 

askt  me  earneftly  to  forgive  him  :  Iaskthim  what  had  changed  his  mind:  He  told 
me  that  his  Conference  had  no  peace  from  the  hour  that  he  troubled  me  ^  And  that 
it  increafed  his  Difquiet  that  no  Juftice  would  hear,  nor  one  Conftable  of  forty  ex- 
ecute the  warrant,  and  all  the  people  cryed  out  againfl:  him  •,  But  that  which  fct 
home  was  Mr.  Rarwefs  Death  (for  Sir  John  Medlicoth  he  knew  not  of).  I  exhorted 
the  Man  to  an  Univcrfal  Repentance  and  Reformation  of  Life,  and  he  told  me  he 
would  never  meddle  in  fuch  Bufincffcs,  nor  trouble  any  Man,  and  promifed  to  live 
better  himfelf  than  he  had  done. 

§  283.  A  little  before  Dr.  Mantorts  Meeting  alfo  was  furpri/cd,  and  he  having 
notice  of  it  before,  was  abfent,  and  got  Mr.  Bedford  to  preach  for  him  :  For  it  was 
refolvedto  have  fent  him  to  the  Common Goal,  upon  the  Oxford  Act,  as  a  refufer 
of  the  Oath,  befides  the  penalty  of  a  Conventicle  .•  The  jufliccs  were  Mr.  Ball  (Bro- 
ther to  Dr.  Ball  Preacher  at  the  Temple)  the  violenteft  of  them,  and  Mr.  Fofs  and 
Mr.  Philips,  the  fame  two  Men  that  had  fent  me  to  the  Goal  four  years  before  j  They 
offered  Mr.  Bedford  the  Oath,  but  it  proved  that  he  had  taken  it  before,  and  fo  far 
defeated  them  :  But  he  was  fined  accordingly  to  the  Aft  in  20/.  (and  the  place  40/.) 
which  the  Lord  Wharton,  the  Countefles  of  Bedford,  Manchefier  and  CI  re,  and  other 
hearers  paid  :  But  two  of  the  Juftices  fwore  that  he  faid,  that  the  King  did  not  in 
good  earneft  defire  the  execution  of  this  Law  -,  which  he  profeflTed  he  never  faid)  ;  And 
for  this  the  King  fent  him  to  Prifon. 

§  284.  An  Accident  at  this  time  fell  out,  which  occafioncd  a  little  feemine  ftop 
of  my  trouble-,  which  I  will  relate  as  the  Duke  of  Lauderdail  told  it  me  himfelf,who 
was  prefent.  The  Lord  palcon-brigde  being  with  the  Bifhop  of  Salisbury  {Ward) 
after  reported  that  the  Bifhop  told  him,  that  it  was  nothing  of  the  Bilhops,  but  of 
the  Lord  Treafurer,  that  the  Aft  was  thus  Executed  :  The  Lord  Treafurer  char- 
ged it  as  an  injury  on  the  Bifhop :  The  Lord  High  Chamberlain  (E.  of  Lindfty)  told 
it  Bifhop  Morley,  who  told  it  Bifhop  Ward,  who  went  to  the  Lord  Treafurer  and 
Complained  of  it  as  a  falfe  injurious  report  of  the  Lord  Falconbridge ;  The  Lord 
Treafurer  took  him  to  the  King,  who  fent  for  the  Lord  Falconbridge,  who  (before  the 
King,  the  D.  of  Lauderdail,  the  Lord  Treafurer,  the  Lord  High  Chamberlain,  &c.) 
was  accufed  by  Bifhop  Ward  for  a  falfe  report  of  his  words :  The  Lord  Falconbridge 
could  not  make  it  good,  but  tho  he  fpake  not  thofe  very  words,  he  took  the  Scope 
of  his  Speech  to  be  of  that  Importance  :  The  King  (faid  the  Duke  to  me)  faid  £  / 
tnufi  tell  you  this  my  felf  :  /  called  the  Bifhop  to  give  me  their  advice,  what  was  to  be 
done  for  the  prefent  fecuring  of  the  Church,  and  the  Proteftant  Religion,  and  they  told  me, 
that  there  was  fomething  to  be  done,  but  they  thought  it  not  fafe  fo;'  them  to  give  advice  in 
it :  J  told  them  that  I  took  this  for  a  Libel ;  and  ash  them  who,  or  what  they  were  afraid 
of :  And  I  appointed  thefe  Lords  to  fee  them  give  their  Anfwer.  Among  other  paflaees 
the  Lord  Falconbridge  faid  that  the  Bifhop  called  the  Execution  of  the  Law  \_a  trkk~]  : 
The  Bilhop  Anfwered  [.I  faid  not  that  the  Execution  of  the  Law  was  a  trick  •  b*t  that  to 
begin  with  Mr.  Baxter  was  a  trick  of  fome,  $0  make  it  thought  that  we  are  unreconcilable 
to  the  moft  moderate  and  peaceable  Men."]  And  thus  they  were  drawn  in  to  c;ive  their 
feeming  Judgment  againfl  my  fuffering  (tho  there  was  great  reafon  to  think  that  Pa- 
pifts  and  Prelates  were  the  Contrivers  of  it.) 

§  285.  For  the  better  underftanding  of  many  of  thefe  matters,  it  mufl  be  known, 
that  at  2  or  3  of  the  laft  Seffions  of  Parliament,  Bifhop  Morley  had,  on  all  occafions  in 
the  Company  of  Lords,  Gentlemen  and  Divines,  cryed  out  of  the  danger  of  Pope- 
ry, and  talk:  much  for  abatements,  and  taking  in  the  Nonconforming,  or  elfe  we 
are  like  all  to  fall  into  the  Papifts  hands ;  fo  that  there  were  no  Lords  or  others  for 
agreement,  but  he  made  himfelf  the  head  of  their  Defign,  and  fo  got  an  Intereft  ftill 
in  the  work,  as  the  forwarded  defirer  of  it :  Dr.  Fulwood,  Mr.  Collyer,  and  Divers 
others,  came  to  me  to  advife  about  a  way  of  Concord,as  encouraged  by  this  Bifhop*s 
words  .-  I  fent  him  word  by  them  all,  that  I  had  heard  thefe  many  years  of  thefe 
agreeing  peacemaking  purpofes  and  defires  of  his  Lordfhip,  but  having  known  fo 
much  of  his  Endeavours  to  the  contrary  I  intreated  him  by  fome  Deeds  to  convince 
me  of  his  fincerity,  for  till  then  I  was  not  able  to  believe  it.  And  the  Event 
fhewed  that  my  incredulity  was  not  without  caufe. 

§  286.  At  this  Seffions  of  Parliament  approaching,  he  fet  upon  the  fame  Conrfe 
again,  and  Bifhop  Ward  as  his  fecond  and  chief  Coagent  joynecl  with  bim,  and  they 
were  famed  to  be  the  two  Bifhops  that  were  for  Comprehenfio^  and  Concord,  none 
fo  forward  as  they :  At  laft  Dr.  Bates  brings  me  a  meflage  from  Dr.  Tittotfon  Dean 
of  Canterbury,  that  he  and  Dr.  StiUingfleet  defired  a  Meeting  with  Dr.  Manton,  Dr. 

Sates 


Part   III.  "Reverend  Air.  Richard  Baxter. 

?*t",Mr.  Poland  me,  to  treat  of  an  Ad  of  Coarr^ehc^on  and  Un^7 
that  they  were  encouraged  to  it  by  fome  Lords  botfi  Spiritual  and  Temporal  *  wt 
metto  confider  whether  fuch  an  Attempt  was  fafe  and  pruderit    or  Xt  was  ™f 
offered  by  fome  Biinops,  as  a  fnare  to  us.-  I  told  them  my  opin  on  thTt  Ewfen^ 
would  not  fuffer  any  Charity  to  believe  any  better  of  fome  R  ZL    ^rlEl  i 
knew  Dr.  Stilling  and  Dr"  TrMfon  to  ^^1^^^^^ 
Agreement    ,f  fuch  a  thing  mould  be  attempted,  and  therefore  that  they  wo.ld 
make  themfelves  the  Mailers  of  it  to  defeat  it,  and  no  better  Hfoe  to  2  be  ex 
fefted as  from  them  :  But  yet  that  thefe  two  Dodors  were  Men  of  fo  much  Learn- 
ing Honefty  and  Intereft,  that  1  took  it  as  our  Duty,  to  accept  the  offer,  and  t0  rv 
with  them,  how  far  we  could  agree,  and  fo  try  them  firft  whether  they  would  mo 
mifeusfecrefy   unlefs  it  came  to  maturity  to  be  further  noticed  by  Confent  •  And 
that  we  might  hope  for  this  Succefs,  as  quickly  to  agree  with  thefe  two  Men    and 
in  time  it  might  be  fome  advantage  to  our  defired  Unity,  that  our  Terms  were  fuch 
as  thefe  two  worthy  Men  confented  to. 

§  287.  Accordingly  Dr.  Manton  and  I  were  defired  by  the  reft  to  try  them  • 
We  went  to  Dr.  Tillotfon,  who  promifed  Morky  and  Bifhop  Ward  that  had  fet  them 
on  work,  and  the  Earl  of  Carlile  and  Halifax  chiefly  who  encouraged  them  Here- 
upon we  agreed  to  meet  the  next  week  with  him  and  Dr.  Stillingfleet,  to  try  how  far 
we  could  agree  on  the  Terms.  I  had  before  drawn  up  the  form  of  an  Healing  Ad 
and  read  it  to  no  one  but  Mr.  Hampden  (who  told  me  it  would  never  pafs)  •  Be- 
fore the  next  Meeting  Dr.  Manton  was  fain  to  abfeond  at  the  Lord  Wharton's  being 
defigned  (as  is  aforefaid)  to  the  Common  Goal  (fuch  was  the  Treaty  which  we  were 
invited  to :  But  I  went  alone,  and  met  the  two  Doctors :  I  found  them  fincere  in  the 
bufinefs,  and  conceited  that  Bifhop  Morky  and  Ward  were  fo  alfo.  Upon  their  pro- 
mifcof  fecrecy,  I  freely  told  them  my  thoughts  of  the  Bifhop  of  Winchefter  and 
what  an  attempt  I  had  lately  made  with  him  (befides  all  heretofore)  at  the  requeft  of 
the  Earl  of  Orery,  and  that  after  his  Calls  for  Concord,  he  granted  me  no  one  abate- 
ment or  alteration  or  indulgence  defired :  I  (hewed  them  the  form  of  the  Ad  which 
1  had  prepared ;  They  defired  me  to  leave  it  with  them  to  confider  on.  Shortly  af- 
ter Dr.  Tillotfon  brought  me  a  Draught  with  feveral  omiflions  and  alterations :  I 
drew  up  my  own  again,  with  fome  little  alterations,  required  by  his  Draught :  This 
he  and  I  debated,  till  we  came  to  an  agreement  of  the  whole  :  I  was  then  defired  to 
Communicate  it  to  fome  Nonconforming  Brethren  :  Dr.  Manton  was  gone  into  the 
Countrey :  Dr.  Bates  was  lick :  I  Communicated  it  to  Mr.  'John  Corbet,  Mr.  alents 
Mr.  Poo/,  Dr.  Jacomb,  and  Mr.  Humphrey  :  When  we  had  made  fuch  further  final! 
Corrections  as  all  agreed  on,  Mr.  Pool  and  I  were  defired  to  meet  the  two  Doctors 
for  a  further  procedure.  They  met  us,  and  we  again  read  the  Draught,  but  wonld 
give  them  no  Copy  •,  and  agreed  with  them  that  they  mould  take  the  prefent  time 
while  Bifliop  Morley  was  out  of  Town  (as  likeft  to  fruftrate)  and  to  deli  re  Bifhop 
Ward,  and  Bifhop  Pierfon  of  Chcfter  (a  Learned  fober  Man)  to  meet  us,  and  to  hear 
what  we  had  agreed  on,  and  proraife  us  fecrecy  (Bifhop  Ward  once  came  in  upon  us, 
when  we  were  together,  but  withdrew.)  They  promifed  us  to  try  itfpeediiy.-  But 
when  they  had  only  in  General  told  Bifhop  Ward,  &c.  how  far  we  had  gone/and 
how  fair  we  were  for  Agreement,  and  told  them  fome  of  the  particular  Materials, 
there  was  a  full  end  of  all  the  Treaty  •,  The  Bifhopshad  no  farther  to  go  :  We  had 
already  carryed  it  too  far.  Hearing  no  more  of  the  Dodors,  we  fent  to  know  how 
the  Cafe  went,  and  underftood  by  them,  that  their  Hopes  and  Labours  were  at  an 
end.  I  fent  to  Dr.  Tillotfon  to  Know  whether  they  would  give  me  leave  to  tell  any 
to  promote  our  Concord,  how  far  they  agreed  with  us,  that  their  Names  might  be 
fome  advantage  to  the  work :  And  he  wrote  to  me  as  followeth. 

"  Jpr.  11.  1 675.  Sir,  I  took  the  firft  opportunity  after  you  were  with  us  to  fpeak 
u  to  the  Bifhop  of  S<*J. who  promifed  to  keep  the  matter  private,and  only  to  acqaint 
M  the  Bifhop  of  Ch.  with  it  in  order  to  a  Meeting :  But  upon  fome  General  Difcourfe 
"  I  plainly  perceived  feveral  things  could  not  be  obtained  :  However  he  promifed  to 
M  appoint  a  time  of  Meeting,  but  I  have  not  heard  from  him  fince  ;  1  am  unwilling 
"  my  Name  mould  be  ufed  in  this  Matter  -,  not  but  that  1  do  moft  heartily  defire 
"  an  Accommodation,  and  mall  always  endeavour  it :  But  I  am  fure  it  will  be  a 
"  prejudice  to  me,  and  fignify  nothing  to  the  effeding  of  the  thing,  which  as  Cir- 
ce  cumltances  are  cannot  pafs  in  either  Houfe,  without  the  Concurrence  of  a  conli- 
u  derablepart  of  the  Bifhops,  and  the  Countenance  of  His  Majefty ;  which  at  pre- 
"  fent  I  fee  little  reafon  to  exped.  I  am,  Your  affedionate  Brother  and  Servant, 
*  J&nTilktfon.  $  28& 


57 


,7"g~"  .     'Ybe  I  lb  E~o]  the  PartlJI. 

«  288  A  fhort  time  after  told  thefc  Doctors  what  thefe  fame  Bimopswere  even 
then  contriving  when  they  cryod  up  Agreement,  and  fet  them  on  this  work,  even 
to  brine  things  much  higher  than  they  were,  by  putting  an  Oath  on  the  Lords,  Com* 
raons  and  Ma^iftrates  1  of  which  more  anon.  But  hecaufe  feme  would  know 
the  Terms  which  we  agreed  on,  I  (hall  here  annex  the  Form,  to  a  word;  011- 
Iv  telling  them  that  would  underftand  it,  1.  That  it  is  not  what  we  wouldfcive, 
had  we  our  Choice,  but  what  wc  would  poflibly  hope  might  have  been  granted  i,s: 
We  had  not  the  leaft  hopes  of  more.  2.  That  we  did  not  fo  annex  the  latter  J 
ticulars  as  if  we  would  not  have  been  glad  of  the  former  alone,  could  no  more 
be  had  '  For  the  bare  opening  of  the  Door,  for  our  Entrance,  would  have  done 
fomethins;  for  a  prefent  fhift.  3.  That  the  paftage  that  Opening  Common  Prayen 
in  extraordinary  Cafes  flnuld  not  be  punifhable,  had  feveral  ufes,  which  unlefs  wc  had 
opportunity  here  to  open,  as  we  debated  it,  cannot  be  fuddenly  underftood  by  each 
Reader  :  And  many  will  fay  that  top  much  or  too  little  is  yielded,  that  know  net  our 
Circumftances  and  hear  riot  our  Re'afons :  But  it  may  fomewhat  fatisfy  confidcring 
Men  that  both  parties  did  agree  in  the  form  here  annexed  •  tho  the  Bifhops  had  ra- 
ther all  our  Diflra&ions  and  Miferies  were  by  the  greateft  Cruelty  continued. 


An  All  for  the  Healing  and  Concord  of  bis  Mayejiies  SubjeEfs  in 

matters  of  Religion. 

WHereas  the  Concord  and  Conjunct  Labours  of  all  able  Godly:  Minifters  of 
Chrift,  are  of  great  ufe  to  the  fafety  of  the  true  Religion,  and  peace  of  the 
Kingdom,  and  the  Salvation  of  their  Flocks,  and  Experience  proveth  that  this 
Concord  cannot  be  now  obtained,  without  feme  Abatement  of  the  terms  of  Uni- 
formity required  by  the  prefent  Laws,  Be  it  enacted  by  His  Majefty,  &c. 

I.  That  no  other  Oath,  Subfcription,  Declaration,  Covenant  or  promife,  fliall 
henceforth  be  necelfary  to,  or  required  of  any  Priefts  or  Deacons  for  their  Ordina- 
tion, Inftitution,  Induction,  Licenfe  to  preach  and  perform  their  Office,  nor  of  Stu- 
dents in  the  Univerfities,  nor  School-Mailers,  befides  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and 
Supremacy,  and  the  promifes  at  Ordination  of  Minifterial  fidelity  contained  in  the 
form  of  Ordination,  and  the  fubferibing  to  the  Doctrine  and  Sacraments  of  the 
Church  of  England  according  to  the  ftatute  of  &i%  1 3.  in  the  words  [  J.  A.  B.  do 
mfeigncdly  affmt  to  the  Dottrine  of  Faith,  and  Sacraments  of  the  Church  of  England,  as 
they  art  expre(fedin  the  Articles  of  the  Church~]  •  And  the  Oaths  for  the  proper  privi- 
leges of  the  Univerfities  and  Colledges ;  and  to  this  following  Declaration  againft 
Rebellion  and  DiQoyalty,  Q.  A.  B.  do  hold  that  it  is  not  lawful  for  any  of  his  Ma- 
jeftie's  Subjetts  upon  any  pretence  whatfoever,  to  take  Arms  againfi  the  King,  his  Perfon, 
Authority,  or  Rights  and  Dignity,  nor  again  ft  any  Authorised  by  his  Laws  or  Legal  Cm- 
miff  on  ;  and  that  there  lyeth  no  obligation  0*  me,  or  any  of  his  Alajeftics  SubjccJs  from 
the  Oath  compionfy  called  the  folemn  League  and  Covenant,  to  endeavour  any  Change  of 
the  prefent  Government  of  his  Majeftie's  Kingdoms,  nor  to  endeavour  any  reformation  or 
alteration  of  the  Church  Government  (as  it'  is  now  by  Law  cftabliflied)  by  Rebellion,  Sediti- 
on ,  or  any  other  unlawful  means. 

II.  And  be  it  enacted  by,  &c. — That  in  fuch  Churches  or  places  of  publick  wor- 
fliip  where  the  Liturgy  is  read,  and  the  Sacraments  of  Baptifm  and  the  Lord?s  Sup- 
per accordingly  adminiltred,  by  the  Incumbent,  or  the  Lecturer,  or  Curate,  or 
other  Minifter,  no  other  Ihall  be  pnnifhed  for  not  ufing  it  there,  or  for  not  bapti- 
sing, or  not  adminiftring  the  Lord's  Supper  •  provided  that  fuch' other  Minifter  be 
oft  prefent  at  the  reading  of  the  Liturgy,  and  that  he  read  it  himfclf  at  lead  twice 
a  year,  and  as  often  baptize  Children  (if  offered  thereto)  and  adminifter  the  Lord's 
Supper  according  to  the  Liturgy,  jif  he  have  cure  of  Souls.  Provided  that  no  Mi- 
nifter lhall  be  punifhed  as  guilty  of  Omiftion,  for  any  brevity  which  is  cav.fed  una- 
voidably by  ficknefs,  weaknefs,  or  any  juft  extraordinary  caufe  :  But  if  otherwife 
the  Liturgy  be  in  any  Church  difufed,  the  Incumbent  lhall  be  punifliable  as  is  already 
'  appointed  by  the  Law. 

Astd 


Part  III  %everend  Mi.  Richard  Baxter. 

And  Be  it  enafted----that  no  Parent  fhall  be  forbidden  to  enter  his  owrChlia~m^~ 
Covenant  with  God  in  baptifm,  by  fpeakingfnchpromifing  and  undertakingwords  av 
by  the  Liturgy  and  Canon  are  now  required  of  the  Godfathers  and  Godmothers  alone 
Nor  (hall  any  Mimfter  be  forced  agamft  his  Confciencc  to  baptize  anv  Child,  who 

lln°A -m  f  r  tQ  G°\  by ,°nC °/  *\ p*«».  <*  by.fuch  a  pro  parent  as  aketh 
the  Child  for  his  own,  andnndertaketkt  the  Chriftian  Education.  Be  it  alfo  Enaftcd 
that  no  perfon  Ihall  be  contained  againft  his  Confcicnceto  the  ufe  of  the  Crofs  in 
Baptifm,  or  of  the  Surplice,  nor  any  Minifter  to  deny  the  Lord's  Supper  to  any  for 
not  receiving  it  kneeling  •  nor  read  any  of  the  Apocrypha  for  Lefions  f  nor  to  punim 
any  Excommunication  or  Abfolution  againll  hisConfcience  •  but  the  Bifliop  or  Chan- 
cellor whodecrceth  it  (hall  caufe  fuch  to  publilh  it  as  are  not  diOatisfyed  fo  to  do 
or  fhall  only  affix'  it  on  the  Church-Door.  Nor  fliall  any  Minifter  be  conftrained  at  Bu! 
rial  to  fpeak  only  words  importing  the  falration  of  any  perfon,  who  within  a  year 
received  not  the  Sacrament  of  Communion,  or  was  fufpended  from  it  according  to 
the  Rubnckor  Canon,  and  fatisfyed  not  the  MiiSter  of  his  feiious  Repentance. 

4 

III.  And  whereas  many  pcrfons  having  been  ordained  as  Presbyters  by  Parochi- 
al Paftors  in  the  times  of  Ufurpation  and  Diftradion,  hath  occafioned  many  Difficul- 
ties- for  the  prefent  remedy  hereof,  be  it  Eaafted. — That  all  fuch  perfons  as  before 
this  time  have  been  ordained  as  Presbyters  by  Parochial  Paftors  only,  and  are  quali- 
fyed  for  that  Office  as  the  Law  requireth,  (hall  receive  power  to  exercife  it,  from  a 
Bifhop  by  a  written  inftrument  (which  every  Bifhop  in  his  Diocefs  is  hereby  im- 
powered  and  required  to  Grant;  in  thefe  words  and  no  other  [To  A.  B.'  •fC.  in  the 
Country  ofD.  Take  thou  Authority  to  exercife  the  Office  of  a  Presbyter ,  in  any  place  an4 
Congregation  in  the  King's  Dominions  whereto  thou  fhall  be  lawfully  tailed.'}  And  this 
practice  fufficing  for  prefent  Concord,  no  one  fhall  be  put  to  declare  his  Judgment, 
whether  This,  or  That  which  he  before  received,  fhall  be  taken  for  his  Ordmation,  nor 
fhall  be  urged  to  fpeak  any  words  of  fuch  fignification  -7  but  each  party  fhall  be  left 
to  Judge  as  they  fee  caufe. 

IV.  And  wh-rcas  the  piety  of  Families,  and  Godly  Converfc  of  Neighbours  is  a 
great  means  of  preferving  Religion  and  Sobriety  in  the  World,  and  left  the  Act  for 
fupprelling  feditious  Conventicles  mould  be  mif-interpreted  as  injurious  thereto,  be 
it  declared — that  it  is  none  of  the  meaning  of  the  faid  Aft,  to  forbid  any  fuch  Fa- 
mily Piety  or  Conrerfe,  tho  more  then  four  Neighbours  fhould  be  peaceably  pre- 
fent, at  the  Reading  of  the  Scriptures,  or  a  Licenfed  Book,  the  finging  of  a  Pfalm9 
repeating  of  the  publick  Sermons,  or  any  fuch  Exercife  which  neither  the  Laws  nor 
Canons  do  forbid,  they  being  pcrfomed  by  fuch  as  joyn  with  the  allowed  Church-  Af- 
femblies,  and  refufe  not  the  Infpeftion  of  the  Minifters  of  the  Pariflu  Efpecially 
where  perfons  that  cannot  read  arc  unable  to  do  fuch  things  at  borne,  as  py  Can.  1 3. 
isenjoyned. 

V.  And  whereas  the  form  of  the  Oath  and  Declaration,  impofedon  perfons  of 
Office  and  Truft  in  Corporations,  is  unfatisfa&ory  to  many  that  are  Loyal  and 
peaceable,  that  our  Concord  may  extend  to  Corporations  as  well  as  Churches,  Be 

it  Enatted That  the  taking  of  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy^  and  the 

Declaration  againft  Religion  and  Difloyalty,  here  before  prefcribed,  fhall  to  all  Ends 
and  purpofes  fuffice  inftcad  of  the  faid  Oath  and  Declaration. 

VI.  And  where-  Lhere  are  many  peaceable  Subjects,  who  hold  all  theEflentials 
of  the  ChriHian  r  aith,  but  conform  not  to  fo  much  as  is  required  to  the  Eftablifhci 

Miniftry  and  Ch-     ''-Communion,  Be  it  Enafted that  All  and  only  they  who 

fhall  publickly  take  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy,  before  fomc  Court  of 
Juftice,  or  at  the  open  Seffions  of  the  County  where  they  live,  and  that  then  and 
there  Sunfcribc  as  followeth.  £  /  A.  B.  do  unfeignedly  fland  to  my  Baptifm  4  Covenant , 
and  do  be.kvt  all  the  Articles  of  the  Creeds  called  the  'poftlesfhz,  Nicene,*^  Conftanti- 
nbpolitane  ;  and  the  truth  of  the  holy  Canonic  d  Scriptues,  and  do  renounce  all  that  ts 
contrary  hereto, 3  fhall  be  fo  far  tolerated  in  the  Excercife  of  their  Religion,  as  His 
Majefty,  with  the  advice  of  his  Parliament  or  Council,  fhall  from  time  to  time,  find 
confiftent  with  the  peace  and  fafety  of  his  Kingdoms. 


59 


VH. 


i6o  Ibe  L  1  FE  of  the.  Part  111 


VII.  And  left  this  A&  for  Concord,  fhould  occafion  Difcord,  by  emboldening 

unpcaceablc  and  unruly  or  heretical  men,  be  it  enacted that  if  any  cither  in 

the  allowed  or  thcTolcrated  Affcmblics  that  lhall  pray  or  Preach  Rebellion,  Sedition, 
or  againft  the  Government-  or  Liturgy  of  the  Church,  or  (hall  break  the  Peace  by 
tumults  or  otherwife,  or  ftir  up  unchriftian  hatred  and  ftrife,  or  fhall  preach  againft, 
or  otherwife  oppofe  the  Chriftan  verities  or  any  Article  of  the  facred  Doctrine 
which  they  fubferibe,  or  any  of  the  39.  Articles  of  Religion,  they  lhall  be  punifhed 
as  by  the  Laws  againft  fuch  Offences  is  already  provided. 

JwiU  here  alfo  Annex  the  Copies  offome  Petitions^  which  I  wot  put  to  draw  Up,  whuh 
never  were  presented. 

I.  The  firft  was  intended  whiUkthe  Parliament  was  fitting  to  have  been  offered  • 
but  wife  Parliament-Men  thoughRt  was  better  forbear  it. 

II.  The  fecond  wa*  thought  fit  for  fome  Citizens  to  have  offered  j  but  by  the 
fame  Counccl  it  was  forborn. 

III.  The  third  was  thus  occafioned :  Sir  'John  JBabor  told  Dr.  Manton  that  the , 
Scots  being  then  fufpected  of  fome  infurre&ion,  it  was  expected  that  we  renewed 
the  profeiTion  of  our  Loyalty,  to  fres  us  from  all  fufpicion  of  Confpiracy  with 
them.  We  faid  that  it  feemed  hard  to  us  that  we  fhould  fall  under  fufpicion,  and 
no  caufe  alledged  :  We  knew  of  no  occafion  that  we  had  given:  But  we  were 
ready  to  profefs  our  continued  Loyalty,  but  defired  that  we  might  with  it,  open 
our  juft  refentment  of  our  Cafe.  They  put  me  to  draw  it  up  :  but  when  it  was 
read,  it  Was  laid  by,  none  daring  to  plead  our  Caufe  fo  freely  and  fignify  any 
fenfe  of  our  hard  ufagc. 


I.  May  it  Pleafe  Your  Majefiy^  with  the  Lords  and  Commons 
AiTembled  in  Parliament. 

WHen  the  Common  prcfefTion  of  refolved  moderation  had  abated  Men's  fears 
of  a  Silencing   Prelacy -,   and  the  publifhed    Declarations   of  Nobilitie 
and  Gentry  againft  all  dividing  violence  and  revenge,1  had  helpt  t»  unite 
the  endeavours  of  Your  Subjects  which  profpered  for  Your  Majejtie\  defired  Re 
ftoration  -y  when  God's  wonderful  providence  had  difiblved  the  Military  Powers 
of  Ufurpers,  which  hindered  it-,  and  when  Your  welcome  appearance,  Your  A3  of 
Oblivion,  Your  Gracious  Declaration  about  Ecclefiafticar  Affairs  (  for  which  the 
Houfe  of  Commons  folemnly  gave  you  thanks  )  did  feem  to  have  done  much  to  the 
Cure  of  our  Divifions ,  we  had  fome  hopes  that  our  common  revived  Love  and 
Concord,  would  have  tended  to  Your  Majejly^s  and  our  common  joy,  in  the  har- 
mony, ftrength  and  profperity  of  Your  Kingdoms  •  and  that  we  might  among 
your  inferiour  Stibjedts  have  enjoyed  our  part  in  the  common  tranquility.     But  the 
year   1662.  difiblved  thofe  hopes,  fixing  our  old   Difficuties,  and  adding  more, 
which  fince  then  alfo  have  been  much  increafed :  Beeing  confecrated  and  vowed 
to  the  facred  Miniftry,  we  dare  not  defert  it,  left  we  fhortly  appear  before  1 
Judge,  in  the  guilt  of  facriledgc,  &  perfidioufnefs  againft  Chrift  and  the  people's 
Souls.     But  we  are  forbiden  to  exercife  it,  unlefs  we  will  do  that  which  we  profefs 
as  Men  that  are  pairing  to  our  final  Doom,  we  would  readily  do,  were  it  notfor 
fear  of  God's  difpleafurc  and  our  Damnation.     Deprivation  of  all  Minifterial  main- 
tenance, with  heavy  Mulfts  (  on  fuch  as  have  not  money  to  pay  )  and  long  Ira- 
prifonments  in  the  Common  Goals  with  Malefactors,  and  banifhment  ( to  thole 
that  fhall  furvive  them  )  and  that  into  remote  parts  of  the  W7orld,  were  the  pe- 
nalties appointed  for  us  by  your  Laws.     Voluminous  reproaches  are  publifhed  a- 
gainft  us ;  in  which   our  Superiours  and  the  World    are  told,   that    we  hold 
that  things  indifferent  are  made  unlawful  by  the  Commands  of  lawful  Gover- 

nours. 


I'lCUCC  wo 

And  did. 
that  the 


Faic   iJL "Reverend  Mr.  Richard "BaxtdT~~i 77 

WW*,  and    that  wc  arc  gwlty  of  Doctrines  inconfiftent  with  the^eate^wT^~~ 
cy  or  Societies      .ad  tl^t   wc  are  moved  by  Pride  and  Covctoufnefs     as  if  t 
were  proau  of    Men,   S,r.    and  covetous  of  fordid   Want  and  BeggeV  and 
fi ™fol       "     '  '^^^^^P^eable^Diiioya^Odiousafd  JirSt 

Left  we  Ihonjdfeemovci -querulous,  and  our  Petitions  themfelves  lhould  prove 
ofleniive  ,  we  have  been  Ulent  under  Twelve  years  Offering*'  (by  which  divers 
Learned  and  holy  Divine,  have  been  haftened  home  to  Glory  )  hoping  that  ExZ 
rould  have  effectually  fpoken  for  us,  when  we  may  not  Sneak  for  our  felvV 
1  webekevc  that  our  own  prclTures  were  the  greateft  confequent  Evil    and 
People  s  knowledge,  and  piety  , -and  the  allowed  Minifters  Number  Vuffi      s 
ciency  and  Diligence  ,  were  fuch  as  made  our  Labours  needle fs     ancLthat  the  Hi 
itoryof  our  Silence  and  Sufferings  would  be  the  future  Honour  ofthh  Aee  and 
the  future  Comfort  of  your  Souls,  and  theirs  that  inftigate  you  againft  us  before 
our  Common  Judge,  we  would  joyfully  be  filent,  and  accept  of  a  Difmiffio'n    But 
being  certain  ot  the  contrary,  wc  do  this  once  adventure,  humbly  to  tender  to 
Your  Majcfty,  and  Your  Parliament,  thefe  following  Requefb. 

i.  Became  God  faith,  That  he  that  hateth  his  Brother  is  a  Murderer  and  hath 
not  Eternal  Life  :  Wc  humbly  crave  leave  once  to  Print  and  Publifh  the  true 
State  and  Reafons  of  our  Nonconfoimity  to  the  World  j.  to  fave  Mens  Souls  from 
the  guilt  of  unjuft  Hatred  and  Calumny  :  And  if  we  err,  we  may  be  helped  to  Re- 
pentance by  a  Confutation,  and  the  Notoriety  of  our  fbame. 

2.  That  in  the  mean  time  this  Honourable  Houfe  will  appoint  a  Committee  to 
conlider  of  the  belt  means  for  the  Healing  our  Calamitous  Diviiions,  before  whom- 
we  may  have  leave  at  laft  to  fpeak  for  our  fclves. 

3.  That  thefc  annexed  Profeffions  of  our  Religion  and  Loyalty  may  be  recei- 
ved ,  as  from   Men  that  better  know  their"own  Minds  thau  their  Accufcrs  do 
and  who,  if  they  durft  deliberately  Lie,  fhoiild  be  no  Nonconformifts. 

4.  That  if  yet  we  muft  fuffer  as  Malefactors,  we  may  be  puniftied  but  as  Drun- 
kards, and  Fornicators  are,  with  fome  Penalty  which  will  confift  with  our  Preach- 
ing Chrift's  Gofpcl,  and  that  (hall  not  reach  to  the  hurt  or  danger  of  many  Tho'u- 
fand  Innocent  People's  Souls,  till  the  Re-building  of  the  Burnt -Churches,  the  lef-  ' 
fening  of  great  Pariflies,  where  one  of  very  many  cannot  hear  and  worlhip  God  • 
and  till  the  quality  and  number  of  the  Conformable  Minifters,  and  the  knowledge' 
piety,  and  fobriety  of  the  people  have  truly  made  our  Labours  needlefs  ;  and  then 

wc  fhail  gladly  obey  your  Silencing  Commands. 

And  whereas  there"  are  commonly  reckoned  to  be  in  the  Parifhes  without  the 
Walls,  above  Two  hundred  thoufand  perfons,  more  than  can  come  within  the 
Parifh  Churches,  they  may  not  be  compelled  in  a  Chriftian  Land  to  live  as  A- 
theifh,  and  worfc  thau  Infidels  and  Heathens,  who,  in  their  manner,  publickly 
worfhip  God. 

• 

The  Profejfwn  of  our  Religion. 

I  A.  B.  Do  willingly  profefs  my  continued  refolrcd  confent  to  the  Covenant  of 
Chriftianity  which  1  made  in  my  Baptifm,  with  God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghoft,  forfaking  the  Devil,  the  World,  and  the  fmful  Lulls  of  the  Flefh  :  And  I 
profefs  my  Belief  of  the  Ancient  Ghriftian  Creeds,  called,  The  Apofles  The  Nicene, 
and,  The  Confl.mtinopolitanc  ,and  the  Doctrine  of  the  BleJJed  Trinity,  fullier  opened 
in  that  afcribed  to  Athanafius :  And  my  Confent  to  The  Lord's  Prayer ,  as  the 
Summary  of  Holy  DeTires ,  and  to  The  Decalogue,  with  CbriJFs  Inftitutions,  as  the 
Summary  Rule  of  Chriftian  Practice  ■  And  to  all  the  Holy  Canonical  Scriptures, 
as  the  Word  of  God :  And  to  the  Doctrine  of  the  Church  of  England  profef- 
fed  in  the  39  Articles  of  Religion,  as  in  fence  agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God: 
And  I  renounce  all  Herelies,  or  Errours,  contrary  to  any  of  thefe ;  And  I'do  hold 
that  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  ,  and  of  Bifhops,  Priefts  and  Deacons,  contain- 
ed in  it  nothing  fo  difagreeable  to  the  Word  or  God,  as  maketh  it  unlawful  to 
live  in  the  Peaceable  Communion  of  the  Church  that  ufeth  it. 

X  x  x  x  the 


jg<b-  The  LI   F  E  of  the  Part  111 

7be  Frofeffon  of  cur  loyalty  end  Okedltne*. 

1  do  willingly,  and  without  Equivocation  and  Deceit' ?  take  the  Oaths  of  Allegi- 
ance and  the  King's  Supremacy,  and  hold  my  fell'  obliged  toperfoim  them/  I 
deteft  all  Doctrines  and  Practices  of  Rebellion  and  Sedition  :  1  hold  it  unlawful 
for  any  of  His  Majefty's  Subje&s,  upon  any  pretence  whatfoever,  to»take  Arrm 
againft  the  King,  HisPerfon,  Authority,  Dignity,  or  Rights,  or  againft'  any 
Authorized  by  his  Laws  or  Commiflions:  And  that  there  is  no  Obligation  on  me 
or  any  other  of  his  Subjects,  from  the  Oath  Commonly  called,  The  Solemn  League 
and  Covenant ,  to  endeavour  any  change  of  the  prefent  Government  of  thefc  His 
Majefty's  Kingdoms  \  nor  to  endeavour  any  Reformation  of  the  Church ,  by  Re- 
bellion ,  Sedition ,  or  any  other  unlawful  means. 

The  Overplus ,   as  a  remedy  agaittji  Sufiicim. 

We  believe  and  willingly  embrace  all  that  is  written  in  the  Holy  Scriptures  for 
the  power  of  Kings  and  the  Obedience  of  their  Subjects ,  and  the  linfulnels  of  Re- 
bellion and  Refiitance.  And  concerning  the  fame  we  confent  to  as  much  as  is  found 
in  any  General  Council ,  or  in  the  Confeflion  of  any  Chriftian  Churcn"  on  Earth 
(  not  refpe&ing  Obedience  to  the  Pope,  )  which  ever  yet  came  to  our  knowledg  ^ 
or  as  is  owned  by  the  Confent  of  the  Greater  part  of  Divines ,  Politicians ,  Law- 
yers or  Hiftorians  in  the  Chriftain  World ,  as  far  as  our  Reading  hath  acquainted 
us  therewith. 


II.  To  the  Kings  mofi  Excellent  Majesty;  The  Humble  Ye* 
tltion  of  feme  Citizens  of  London  ,  on  the  behalf  of  this 
City^  and  the  Adjoyning  Pariflies^  Sheweth^ 

THat  the  Calamitous  Fife  1 666,  with  our  Pioufes  and  Goods,  Burnt  down  near 
90  Churches,  few'  of  which  are  yet  Re-edifycd  -n  And  divers  Parifhes,  whofe 
Churches  yet  ftand  ,  are  fo  great,  that  it  is  but  a  ImaU  part  of  the  Inhabitants  * 
that  can  there  hear  :  •  whereby  great  Numbers  are  left  in  ignorance  ,  and  ay  prey 
to  Papifus  and  other  Seducers ,  and  which  is  worfe,  to  Atheifm  ,  Infidelity ,  and 
Irreligioufnefs :  And  if  many  of  their  ancient  ejected,  fiienccd  Paftors,  who,  for 
refufmg  certain  Subfcriptions  ,  Declarations ,  Promifes,  Oaths  and  Practices,  are 
called  Nonconformifts  ,  had  not  through  great  Difficulties  and  Sufferings  exer- 
cifed  their  Companion  to  the  people's  Souls,  in  Preaching  and  Viliting  the  Sick, 
they  had  been  yet  more  miferabie  destitute  and  forfaken. 

Your  Petitioners  being  fenfible,  that  Chriftians  profeffing  the  Belief  of  a  Life 
to  come ,  and  that  the  holy  Scriptures  fhould  not,  by  fuch  Judgments  ?  as  our 
Plagues  and  Flames  be  hardened  againft  God,  but  be  awakened  to  Repentance  and 
Hoiinefs  of  Life  ,  and  that  fo  Great  and  Honourable  a  City,  mould  not.  *fter  all, 
turn  worfe  than  iRtideh  and  Heathens,  who  arc  taught  by  Nature,  publicity  to 
Worfhip  God  ,  do  humbly  requeft ,  that  till  the  Great  Parifhes  have  Capacious 
Churches  or  Chappels,and  the  ruined  Churches  are  re-built,  and  furnifhed  with  able 
Conformable  Minilters,  thofe  Proteftant  Nonconformifts  wflo  will  Teach  the  peo- 
ple where  "ethers  do  not  ,  may  not  be  therefore  punifhed,  or  be  forbidden,  and 
the  Souls. of  many  Thoufands  which  are  halting  to  another  World,  be  deprived  of 
inch  neceiTary  helps,  the  Preachers  being  refponfiblc  for  whatever  they  fpeak  of 
do  amifs.  This  NeceiTary  Companion  to  this  famous  City ,  even  to  the  Souls  of 
Men  ,  which  we  humbly  crave  will  more  oblige  Your  Majefty's  Loyal  Subjects ,  6<J> 
Fray  for  the  Continuance  of  Your  Profperous  Reign. 


Hi.  to' 


Part  ill.       lieverend  Mr.  R ichard  Baxter.  1 6  • 


3 


III.  To  the  Kings  moft  Excellent Majefiy ,  The  humble  Profef 
fori  of  Gratitude  and  Subjetfion  of  fome  Ejeffed  ,  Silenced 
Mimfters  of  Clmft,  on  the  behalf  of  themfekes  and  many 
others. 

May  it  pleafe  Your  Majefty, 

WE  Your  Majefty's  Subjects,  Dedicated  to  the  Sacred  Office,  from  which  we 
muft  not  Perfidioully  aad  Sacrilegioufly  alienate  our  felves,  once  (vainly) 
hoped  that  the  Eftablifhcd  Publick  Miniftry  might  have  ^received  Men  of  our  Size 
of  Science  and  Conscience,  till  all  the  Churches  had  been  furnilhed  with  Wifer 
Better    Men :     But  God  (  for  our  Sins  and  Trial  )  and  Men  (  we  know  uot 
why)  have   otherwiie  decreed.     We  choofe  not  this  Calling  (  nor  our  coftly 
Nonconformity  )  as  the  way  of  Wealth  or  Worldly  Honour  ^  Nor  ever  expect- 
ed that  God  mould  make  us  a  Golden-Bridge  to  Heaven :,  Nor  defire  to  be  Lords 
over  God's  Hock  ,  or  Rule  them  by  Constraint,  remembring   who  faid,  C  &M 
vbitb  you  it  Jh.dl  not  be  fo  :~]     Gain  is  not  our  Godlmefs,  or  Church-Glory ,  but  G»dli- 
nefs  our  Gain  j   We  like   not  Dives\  Choice  fo  well  as  Maryh,  But  yet  could 
gladly  have   efcaped  both  Lazarus  and   Afartha's  ftraits,  and  have  ferved  God 
without  diffraction :     We  have  Hefh  that  is  not  in  love  with  Suffering,  nor  am- 
bitious to  live  on  Alms :    It  is  Divine  Relief  that  muft  keep  thofe  Men's  Con- 
ferences from  a  timerous  or  treacherous  furrender,  which  are  beficged  by  Sixteen 
years  Poverty  and  Reproach,  and  from  the  Prophanenefs  of  felling  their  Birth-right 
for  a  A/orfel :     But  ( though  Senfibility  of  our  Brethren's  Sufferings,  be  not  Im- 
patient Mwrmwr'mg,  yet  J  it  is  a  more  Grievous  Burden ,  which  conftraineth  us  at 
laft  to  Speak,  viz..  That  fo  great  a  part  of  our  rnatureft  Age  (  in  which,  by  the 
experienc*  of  good  and  evil,  our  own  and  others,  we  mould  have  been  far  wifer 
andfitter  to  ferve  God  in  his  Church,  than  we  W6re  in  unexperienced  Youth)  mould, 
be  fo  far  loll  as  it  hath  been,  as  to  the  Work  to  which  we  were  Ordained :  That 
(  Uaheard  )  we  mould  be  fuppofed  fo  Erroneous,  or  Criminal ,  as  that  no  Punifh- 
ment  of  our  Bodies  can  give  fatisfadtion  without  the  fuffering  of  the  Souls  of  Men, 
by  our  forbearing  to  Preach  the  Word  of  Life  !     That  while  with  grieved  Souls 
we  muft  fee  the  fad  Divifions  and  Sidings  that  Prevail,  and  the  doleful  advanta- 
ges that  Satan  hereby  getteth  ,  for  the  mine  of  Piety  ,  Love  and  Peace  ,  and  the 
increafe  of  Atheifm  ,  Infidelity  and   Malicioufnefs ,  and   Confufion  ,  and  every 
evil  work  ,  and  are  told  fo  loudly,  by  our  notorious  Necefllty,  that  all  our  Endea- 
vours conjunct  would  be  too  little :  When  we  have  forefeen  and  foretold  all  this, 
and  ufed  our  moft  earneft  Requefts  and  Endeavours  to  have  prevented  it ;  We  muft 
yet  be  defamed  by  Tongues  and  Prefs,  as  the  Authors  and  Fomenters  of  it,  and  as 
men  of  Unfociable  and  unruly  humours ,  and  of  Unpeaceable  -Schifmatical  and  fedi- 
tious  Principles  ^  That  bein^  thus  rendered  odious,  we  are  made  uncapable  of  Pub- 
lick  or  Private  ufe  to  Multitudes,  whofe  Lives  declare  their  need  of  help.     That 
many  whom  we  muft  lonour  and  reverence  ,  arc  hereby  drawn  into  the  guilt  of 
Calumny  and  Injury' to  the  Church  ;  as  well  as  to  us,  whofe  Cafe  and  Reafons 
(  as  to  the    New  Conformity  )  they   never   underftood  ,    or   heard.     That   fo 
many  Men's  minds,  and  Zeal  and  Parts  mould  be  fo  ill  imployed  on  all  fides,  as 
to  be  raking  in  the  bleeding  Wounds  which  they  are  obliged  to  the  uttermoft  of 
their  Diligence  to  heal :     That  while  Preachers  are  againft  Preachers,  and  Hea- 
venly Love  and  Joy  is  turned  into  Envying  and  Strife  ^    We  mould  go  for  the 
Men  that  blow  the  Coals,  and  rob  Your  Majefty  of  the  Honour  and  Joy  of  Ruling 
an  Unanimous  Miniftery,  and  a  Peaceable,  Loyal,  Unfufpedtcd  People  •  We  muft 
not  be  guilty  of  Jetting  fo  light  by  Your  Majejlfs  Inter  eft ,  and  Tour  judgment  of  us, 
and  Fxvour  to  us,  and  the  Inter  eft  of  the  Churchy  and  the  People's  Souls,  as  to  remain 
jftill  filent  under  all  this.     And,  with  greateft  reverence  of  God,  we  muft  profefs, 
That  if  the  faithful  fearch  of  our  Confciences  mould  (hew  us,  that  all  this  lscau- 
fed  by  anyXelf-feeking,  or  willful nefs  of  ours^  and  that  we  were  not  fhll   wil- 
liae  atthedeareft  rate  (  except  tinning,  which  is  noway  to  Peace  )  to  clofe  thefe 
Wounds,  but  preferred  any  Worldly  Intereft  before  the  Peace  and  Harmony  of 
Souls    we  (hould  take  it  to  be  Kin  to  Judcu>h  Sin,  and  mould  tremble  to  think , 

-    X  x  x  x  z  aQW 


564  The  L  IF  E  0}  tfo Part  III. 

how  quickly  a  revenging  Gcd   would    judge  us,  and   what    a  difmal    entrance 
upon  Eternity    fuch   guilty  Souls  are  like  to  have. 

But  tho  fenfe  and  confeience  thus  complain,  it  is  but  the  introduction  to  our  thank- 
ful acknowledgment  of  the  favours  which  your  Majcfty  hath  vouchfafed  us :  Your  Cle- 
mency, protection  and  forbearance  hath  levived  our  comforts,  which  conliftin  that 
work  which  is  the  bufinefs  of  our  Lives.     Our  Loyal  fidelity  (hall  exprefs  our  gratitude 
more  than  words  :  And  becaufe  fome  in  this  alfo  would  render  us  fufpefted,  we  take 
it  for  ourDuty  to  profefs,that  tho  we  take  not  and  digeft  not,as  eafily  as  is  expected, 
all  Subfcriptions,  Declarations  and  Oaths,  which  afe  of  late  impofed,  It  is  not  from 
any  Principle  of  Dijhyalty  :  For  we  firmly  hold  that  every  Soul  muft  be  fubjedt  to  the 
Higher  Powers,  not  only  for  Wrath\>x&  Confeience  lake :  And  that  Honour^  and  Obe- 
dience in  Lawful  things,  and  patience  under  wrongful  prefiures  is  our  Duty  to  our  Ru- 
lers •  In  fhort  we  know  not  of  one  word  in  Scripture,  one  Canon  of  any  General  Council , 
one  Confejfwn  of  any  Chrifiian  Church  on  Earth,  which  fpcaketh  more  for  fubjeffs  Sub- 
miJfion,an&  peaceable  obedience  10  Kings,  than  we  do  heartily  acknowledge  :  And  we  be- 
lieve that  no  vow  or  Co venant  of  our  own,  can  difobligeus  froin  any  part  of  this 
obedience,  or  warrant  us  to  Rebel.     We  would  not  have  the  King  of  Rome  (the 
pretended  vicar  of  the  King  of  Kings)  to  be  King  over  your  Majcfty  or  your  King- 
doms ;  The  world's  Experience  lowdly  telleth  us  that  Clergymen  are  fitter  to  be 
kept  by  the  Sword  in  Peace  and  Quietnefs,  than  to  be  trujled  with  the  Sword  •  and  we 
would  not  have  Kings  be  made  their  Executioners :  For  we  arc  pair,  doubt  that  the 
Controversies  and  Contentions  of  the  Worldly  Tyrannical,  and  the  felf-conceited  Clergy^ 
have  been  many  hundred  years  more  Calamitous  to  the  Chrifiian  World,  than  the  mofi 
bloody  Wars :  We  are  our  felves  fo  far  from  defiring  Grandeur  and  Dominion,  that 
we  would  not  be  fo  much  as  the  Pajlors  of  any  but  Confenters ;  and  wifh  that  the  Cler- 
trie's  State  were  fuch  as  neither  fiarved  or  firaitened  the   diligent  Labourers,  nor  fo 
tempted  and  invited  Ambitious  Worldly  minds,as  thzt  fuch,  being  the  feekers,  muft  ufual- 
ly  be  the  'Mafters  of  the  Church,  v/ho  are  likeft  to  be  Enemies  to  the  holy  Doctrine 
which  condemneth  them.     We  long,  we  pray,  we  groan  for  the  Concord  of  the  Chri- 
stian World:  And  we  are  fur  e  that  whoever  fnall  be  the  bleffed  and  honoured  Inftru- 
ments  of  that  work,  muft  do  it  by  breaking  dividing  Engines,  and  making  the  primitive 
fimplicity,  the  terms  of  Vnion  ;  even  a  few  plain,  certain,  necejfary  things ;  while  the 
Sword  of  the  Magiftrate  conftraineth  the  turbulent, to  peace  and  mutual  forbearance  in  the 
reft :  We  are  not  for  cruelty  to  any :  We  greatly  approve  of  your  Majefties  Averf- 
nefs  to  perfecution.     But  we  believe  that  it  is  the  Learning,  Godlinefsand  Con- 
cord of  the  Miniftry,  which  fhall  be  publick-ly  fettled  by  your  Laws,  which  muft  be 
the  chief  means  of  preferving  Religion,  Loyalty  and  Peace,  and  therefore  muft  deep- 
ly refent  it  that  we  are  rendered  fo  unferviceable  in  that  kind,  and  that  well  meaning 
men  fhould  fo  long  mifunderftand  our  caufe,  and  judge,  defame  and  ufc  us  as  if  we 
were  the  hinderers  of  that  fweet  agreement  which  our  Souls  moft  earneftly  defire, 
and  would  purchafe  by  any  Lawful  price.    In  fumm,  the  belief  of  the  Heavenly  Glcry 
through  Chrift,  kindling  the  Love  of  God  and  Man,  and  teaching  us  to  live  Soberly,  Righ- 
teoufly,  and  Godly,  and  the  Government  of  Magiftrates  keeping  all  in  peace  upon  thefe  terms , 
is  the  Religion  and  State  that  we  defire. 

And  the  grief  of  our  Souls  for  the  prefent  Divifions  doth  call  up  our  thankful 
remembrance,  that  once  by  your  Majefty's  favour,  we  were  Commijfioncd  to  fpeak  for 
our  fives  about  the  old  Conformity,  and  to  We  it  wither  Bifbops  for  fuch  Alterations  as 
were  necefl'ary  to  our  Concord :  And  that  your  Ma jefty  publifhed  fo  Gracious  a  De- 
claration of  Eccleftaftical  Affairs,  as,  had  ir  lived,  had  prevented  our  prefent fractions  - 
yea  that  your  Houfe  of  Commons  gave  your  Majefty  the  publick  Thanks  for  your 
healing  means  :  (Tho  now  fome  take  all  our  Divifions  and  Diftr actions,  to  be  a  fmaller 
evil,  than  the  Terms  of  that  your  Maiefty's  Declaration  would  be  J.  And  if  ever 
your  favour  allow  us  to  fpeak  for  our  felves  alfo  as  to  the  New  Conformity,  and  to  0- 
pen  to  the  world,the  matter  and  reafons  of  our  Nonconformity,  we  cannot  doubt  but 
it  would  much  abate  the  Cenfiires  and  Injuries  of  Multitudes  that  underftand  us  not, 
and  confequently  abate  their  guilt,  and  all  unbrotherly  Diftances  and  Schifms,  and  Men's 
unthankful  diflike  of  your  Majefty's  Clemency.  And  fo  far  as  God  by  your  Ma- 
jefty's favour  fhall  open  our  Lips,  that  our  mouths  may  fhew  forth  his  praife,  we. 
fhall  be  obliged  to  greater  thankfulnefs  to  your  Majefty,  and  to  pray  for  your  pious 
ind  profperous  Reign,  and  that  we  may  all  live  a  quiet  and  peaceable  Life  in  all 
Qodlinefs  and  Honefty,  as  becometh  your  Majefty's  Loyal  Subjects. 

§289. 


PartIIL       ~^^TMTKi^r^r.t       ,6 

$  289  While  the  laid  two  Kihops  ^fraudulently  femingloTeT^rr-r--— 
1  reaty,  their  caufe  required  them  outwardly  to  pretend  thsr  rhf »  ™  u  n,thls 
me  troubled;  hut  underftaiid  I  was  1KU  the  hXtr  llh  I  ™ouldnot  have 
cuted :  And  even  while  I  was  in  this  Treaty  tl,e,i  formers  Sw^  perfe- 
by  the  Bifhops)  were  wacehmg  my  ^"XSte*  1  d(m  with°df 
vers  convictions  and  hnes  at  once  :  And  they  found  an  a  1H  J -m™  t  <v  •     . 

Ward  where  I  preached,  fit  for  their  DefiVn one  Sir  A  man rJuftlce  e^en  ln  the- 
n.      a       ..  *u    i  u     '         »«i   Mii,n    jjcngii    one  Mi  lbomas  Davts    whn-nnrW- 

ftood  not  the  Law,  but  was  ready  to  fcrve  the  Prelates  in  their  own^ay  Mm 
Oath  was  made  againft  me,  and  the  place  where  I  preached,  as  for  two  SermoT 
which  came  to  threefcore  pounds  fane  to  me,  and  fourfcore  to  the  owne7of  the  place 
where  wc  aflembled :  But  I  only  was  fought  after  and  profecuted  P 

5  290  The  Reader  mult  here  underftand  the  prefent  cafe  of  the  City  as  to  fVh 
things :  The  Execution  ot  thefe  Laws,  that  were  to  mine  us  for  preaching  was  fo 
much  again  the  hearts  of  the  Citizens,  that  fcarce  any  could  be  found  to  e^cnte 
them:  Tho  the  Corporation  Oath  and  Declaration  had  new  moulded  the  City  (and  aS 

^  wSRSv?m  f  ^  I  u  CCpt  f°,me  fuW  fas  Ww>  &c>  which  were  ytteriy 
diifolvcd  by  it)  yet  were  the  Aldermen  for  the  moll  part  utterly  averfe  to  fuch  Im- 

ploymcnt,  fo  that  whenever  an  Informer  came  to  them,  tho  (they  forfeited  an  100/ 
every  time  that  they  rclufed  to  execute  their  Office,  yet  fome  fluffed  out  of  the  way ' 
and  fome  plainly  denyed  and  repulfed  the  Accufers,  and  one  was  fued  for  it  •  And 
Alderman  Forth  got  an  Informer  bound  to  the  behaviour  for  breaking  in  upon  him 
in  his  Chamber  againit  his  will.     Two  fellows  called  Strorvd  and  MarijhJ  became 
the  General  Informers  in  the  City,  and  fome  others  under  them.     In  sM  London 
notwithstanding  that  the   third  parts  of  thofe  great  Fines  might  be   givea  the 
Informers,  very  few    would  be  found  to  do  it:  And  thofe  two  were  prefently 
fallen  upon  by  their  Creditors  on  purpofe,  and  Marifhal  laid  in  the  Compter  for 
Debt,  where  he  remained  for  a  ccnliderable  time :  but  Strowd  (  keeping  a  Cof- 
fee-Houfe)  was  not  fo  deep  in  debt,  but  was  bailed.    Had  a  Stranger  of  another 
Land  come  into  London,  and  fecn  five  or  fix  poor  ignorant  forry  Fellows  (un- 
worthy to  have  been  infenour  Servants  to  an  Ordinary  Gentleman)  hunting  and 
infulting  over  the  ancient  Aldermen,  and  the  Lord  Mayor  himfelf,  and  all  the 
Reverend,  faithful  Miniflxrs  that   were  ejeftcd,   and  eighty  nine  Churches  were 
deftroyed  by  the  Fire,  and  in  many  Parifhcs  the  Churches  yet  ftanding  could  not 
hold  a  fixth,  or  tenth  part  of  the  People,  yet  thofe  that  Preached  iW  nothing 
were  profecuted  to  uttei^  ruin,  wich  fuch  unwearied    eagernefs,  fure   he  would 
have  wondered  what  thefe  Prelates  ami  Profecutors  are;   and    it    may  convince 
us  that  the  term  fi^om,   given  in    Scripture  to  fome  Men  (translated  falfc 
Accufers)  is  not  unmeet :  When  Men    pretending  to  be   the   Fathers   of   the 
Church  dare  turn  loofe  half  a  dofen  paltry,  filly   Fellows  that  know  not  what 
they    do,  to  be,  to  fo  many  Thoufand  Sober  Men ,  as  Wolves  among  the  Sheep, 
to  the  diffraction  of  fuch   a  City,  and  the  difturbance  of  fo  many  thoufand  for 
worfhipping   God.    How  lively  doth   this  tell  us,  that  Satan,  the  Prince   of  the 
Aereal  Powers  worketh  in  the  Children  of  Difobedience ,  and  that    his  King- 
dom   on  Earth  is  kin  to  Hell,  as  Chrift's  Kingdom    is  to  Heaven. 

§  291.  When  I  underllood  that  the  delign  was  to  ruin  me,  by  heaping  up 
Gonvi&ions,  before  1  was  heard  to  fpeak  for  my  felf,  I  went  to  Sir  Thomas 
Davis,  and  told  him  that  I  undertook  to  prove  that  I  broke  not  the  Law , 
and  defired  him  that  he  would  pafs  no  Judgment  till  I  had  fpoke  for  my  felt 
before  my  Accufers  •  But  I  found  him  fo  ignorant  of  the  Law,  as  to  be  fully 
perfwaded,  that  if  the  Informers  did  but  fwear  in  general  that  1  kept  [an  unlaw- 
ful meeting  in  Pretence  of  a  Religious  Exercife  in  other  manner  than  according  to  the 
Liturgy  and  prattice  of  the  Church  of  England]  he  was  bound  to  take  this  general 
Oath  for  Proof,  and  to  record  a  Judgment ;  and  fo  that  the  Accufers  were  in- 
deed the  Judges,  and  not  he  :  I  told  him  that  any  Lawyer  would  foon  tell  him 
the  contrary,  and  that  he  was  Judge  whether  by  particular  Proof  they  made 
good  their  general  Accufation,  (as  it  is  in  cafe  a  Man  be  accufed  of  Felony  or 
Treafon,  it  is  not  enough  that  Men  fwear  that  he  is  a  Felon  or  Tray  tor,  they 
tnufl:  name  what  his  Faft  was,  and  prove  him  guilty :  )  And  I  was  at  charge  in 
Feeing  Counfellors  to  convince  him,  and  others ;  and  yet  I  could  not  perfwade 
him  out  of  his  miltake  •  1  told  him  that  if  this  were  fo,  any  two  fuch  Fellows 
might  defame,  and  bring  to  Fines,  and  Punilhment,  himfelf,  and  all  the  Magi- 
Urates  and  Parliament-Men  themfelves,  and  all  that  meet  in  the  Pajiih-Church- 


\t>6  '  I  be  L  1  Ft- of  We  Part  Hi 


cs,  and  Men  had  no  Remedy.  At  lait  he  told  me  that  he  would  confult  with  other 
Aldermen  at  the  Seflions,  and  they  would  go  one  way  :  When  the  Seflions 
came  I  went  to  Guild- Hall ,  and  again  deliied  him  that  1  might  be  heard  before 
1  was  Judged :  But  though  the  other  Aldermen  (fave  two  or  three)  were  t- 
gainft  fuch  doings,  1  could  not  prevail  with  him,  but  (profefling  great  Kindn^fs) 
he  then  laid  all  onSirrMw  h'orte'.l,  the  Recorder,  faying,  that  it  was  his  Judg- 
ment, and  he  muft  follow  his  Advice.  I  defired  him,  and  Sir  Thomas  Men, 
that  they  would  defire  of  the  Recorder,  that  I  might  be  heard  before  I  was  Judg- 
ed, and  that  if  it  mull  pafs  by  his  Judgment,  that  he  would  hear  me  fpeak : 
But  1  could  not  procure  it-,  the  Recorder  would  not  fpeak  with  me:  When  I 
faw  their  Refolution,  I  told  Sir  Thomas  Davis, \i  1  might  not  be  heard,  I  would 
record  to  Fofterity  the  injuftice  of  his  Judgment,  and  Record :  But  1  perceived, 
that  he  had  already  made  the  Record,  but  not  yet  given  it  in  to  the  Seflions : 
At  laft,  upon  Confutation  with  his  Leaders,  he  granted  me  a  hearing,  and 
three  of  the  Informers  met  me  at  his  Hov.fc,  that  h:d  fworn  againft  me:  J 
told  them  my  particular  Cafe ,  and  asked  them  what  made  my  Preaching  a 
Breach  of  that  Law?  and  how  they  proved  their  Accufation?  They  fir  ft  faid, 
Becaufe  I  Preached  in  an  unconfecrated  Place:  1  told  them,  i.  That  the  Ad  only 
laid  it  on  the  manner  of  the  Exercife,  which  the  Place  was  nothing  to  :  And,  2. 
That  it  was  the  Pra&ice  of  the  Church  of  England  to  Preach  in  unconfecrated 
Places,  as  at  Stur bridge-Fair  ,  at  the  Spittle,  at  Whitehall-Court,  and  many  fuch 
like. 

They  next  faid,  [Becaufe  I  am  a,  Ncnconformijl.~]  I  eafily  convinced  them  that  I  am 
not  a  Nonconforming  in  Law-fence,  but  in  the  fame  cafe  with  a  Conformift  that  hath 
no  Benefice  (whatever  1  am  in  confeience),  the  Law  obliging  me  to  no  more  than  I 
do.  ♦  And  if  I  were,  that  is  nothing  to  the  manner  of  the  exercife. 

Their  laft  and  great  proof  was,  that  I  ufed  not  the  Common  Prayer.  I  under- 
took to  prove  to  them  that  Law  commandeth  the  ufe  of  the  Common 
Prayer  only  in  Church  Meetings,  and  not  in  every  other  fubordinate  or  by- 
Meeting  for  Religious  Exercifes,  fuch  as  ours  was :  And  that  it  was  not  the 
fenfe  of  the  Aft  that  Conformable  perfons  that  Communicate  in  the  Liturgy 
with  the  Parin\Churches,  mould  be  judged  Conventiclers,  whenever  above  four 
of  them  joyned  in  a  Religious  Exercife  without  the  Liturgy  :  For  elfe  all  Tu- 
tors w  the  Univeriity  fhould  be  punifhable,  and  all  School-mailers  that  teach 
their  Scholars  and  pray  with  them  (if  above  \6  years  of  age)  and  they  that 
inJrrudt  Liifoners  at  Newgate,  and  they  that  exhort  and  pray  and  ling  Pfalms 
with  them  at  the  Gallows,  with  many  fuch  Inibances  :  We  ought  not  to  judge 
fo  uncharitably  of  King  and  Parliament,  unconilrainec ,  as  to  think  that  they 
would  allow  Multitudes  to  meet  at  a  Play-houfe,  a  :'  .ck-houfe,  a  horfe-race, 
a  Bear-baiting,  or  Dancing,  or  any  game,  and  allow  many  to  meet  at  a  Coffee- 
houfe,  Ale-houfe,  or  Tavern,  or  in  any  private  houfe,  and  do,  on  pain  of  ut- 
ter ruine,  only  forbid  Conformable  perfons,  to  joyn  more  than  four,  in  fing- 
ing  a  Pfalm,  or  reading  a  Chapter  or  a  Licenfed  book,  or  in  praying  together, 
or  Conference  tending  to  Religious  Edification. 

In  Summ,  they  confeft  they  could  not  Anfwer  me,nor  prove  their  charge,but  they 
ftill  believed  that  I  was  guilty:' The  Juftice  was  fo  far  from  thinking  that  they  proved 
it, ,  that  he  motioned  to  them  to  Retraft  their  Oaths  (  or  elfe  ftill  he  thought  that 
he  muft  condemn  me:')  They  denye^  to  do  that,  and  laid,  That  the  Bifnop  a.Ture-i 
them ,  That;  it  was  a  Conventicle,and  I  was  guilty  :  I  defired  them,if  it  muft  all  lie' 
upon  the  Bifnop,  that  I  might  Speak  with  them  to  the  Bifhop  for  my  felf  .•  They  told 
me ,  That  it  was  the  Arch-Bilhop  of  Canterbury  ,  and  they  were  all  juft  now  going 
to  him  ,  and  promifed  to  bring  me  word  when  I  might  Speak  with  him  •,  Butt 
heard  no  more  of  them  of  that :  But  the  Juftice  retraced  not  his  Judgment ,  but 
delayed  a  Month  or  more,  to  give  out  his  Warrant  to  e'iftrein  ,  though  I  daily 
look  when  they  take  my  books  (  for  they  will  find  but  little  elfe :  )  Though  both 
Juftice  and  Accufers  have  before  witnefs  confelTed  that  they  cannot  prove  me  guilty, 
but  one  profefieth  to  go  on  the  belief  of  the  Recorder ,  and  the  other  of  the  Arch- 
biihop. 

§.  292.  But  God  hath  more  mercy  on  rhefe  ignorant  Informers ,  than  on  the 
Pharifaicai  Infdgators  of  them  :  For  thoic  repent ,  but  no  Prelate,  (  fave  one  ) 
that  I  hear  of,  doth  repent :  One  of  them  that  Swore  againft  me,  went  the  next 
Fait  to  Redriff,  to  Mr.  RofeweWs  Church ,  where  a  Faft  was  kept ,  where  hearing 

three 


halfdiftia&cd  Fellow  bad  Struck  mc  on  the  head  with  his  Staff,  and  furiouiiy  revi- 
led at  me  tor  Pic  .,         ,  with  the  titles  of  Rogue  ,  Villain,  Hypocrite     Traytor 
&c.   (  as  the  Prelatifrs  and  Papifcs  often  do.  )  '    .  . 


Part  lil  Rever&M  Mr.  Richard  Baxter, 

tjiree  Minifters  pray  and  preach ,  his  he.rt  was  meltcd7and  witlTfears  he  lament 
ed  *»  swfc ,  and  par  ciadai  iy  his  Accafmv  me ,  and  feemeth  refolvcd  for 

a  pew  reiormed  Courfe  of  Life,  and  is  retired  from  his  former  Company  to  that 
end.  b  And  a  Uurd  ( the  chief  )  .of  the  Informers  lately  in  the  Streets  with  great 
kindness  to  rac,  profelfed,  that  he  would  meddle  no  more  ( coming  by  when  a 

jriouily  rev 
e .  Trayto 

§.  293.  The  Parliament  meeting  Ap.  \  5,  they  fell nrftowtheip.  of  '  Lauder  daL 
renewing  then  dciire  to  the  King*  to  remove  him  from  all  publick  Enployment  anJ 
,'liuft.-  His  chief  accuiingWitnefs  was  Mr.  Burnet ,  late  Pnblick-Profeflbr  of  Tbeo- 
logie  at  Ola/cow,  who  laid,  That  he  askt  him  whether  the  Scots  Army  would  come 
into  England)  and  faid  ;  What  if  the  Diflenting  Scot*  fnould  Rife  ,  an  Jrifh  Army 
ihould  cut  their  T  hroats ,  &c.  ■  But  becaufe  Mr.  Burnet  had  lately  magnified  the 
faid  Duke  in  an  Epijiie  before  a  published  bock,  many  thought  his  witnefs  now  to 
be  more  unfavoury  and  revengefull :  Every  one  judging  as  they  were  -affected. 
But  the  King  fent  them  Anfwer,  That  the  words  were  fpoken  before  his  late  Adj 
of  pardon  ,  which  if  he  mould  Violate ,  it  might  caufe  jealoufies  in  his  Subjc<fts* 
that  he  might  do  i'o  alfo  by  the  Ad  of  Indemnity. 

§.  294.  Their  next  Affaultwas  againft  the  Lord  Treafurer  ,  who  found  more 
friends  in  the  Houfe  of  Commons,  who  at  lait  acquitted  him. 

§,  295.  But  the  great  work  was  in  the  Houfe  of  Lords,  where  an  Ad  was 
brought  in  toimpofe  fuchanOathon  Lords,  Commons,  and  Magiihatcs,  as  is 
Impofed  by  the  Oxford-  Act  of  Confinement  on  Minifters,  and  like  the  Corporation- 
Oath  (  of  which  more  anon.  )  It  was  now  fuppofed  that  the  bringing  the  Parlia- 
ment ^pder  this  Oath  and  Tell  was  the  great  work  which  the  Houfe  was  to  perform : 
The  Surnm  was ,  That  none  Commiffioned  by  the  King  may  be  by  Arms  refitted , 
and  that  thpy'  would  never  endeavour  any  alteration  of  the  Government  of  Church 
or  State.  Many  Lords  fpake  vehemently  againft  it,  as  deftructive  to  the  Privileges, 
of  their  Houfe ,  which  was  to  Vote  freely,  and  not  to  be  preobliged  by  an  Oath 'to 
the  Prelates :  The  Lord  Treafurer,  the  Lord  Keeper ,  with  Bilhop  Motley  and 
Bilhop  Ward, ,  were  the  great  Speakers  for  it ,  And  the  Earl  of  Shafubury  ,  Lord 
Hollis,  the  Lord  HaUifax ,  the  D.  of  Buckingham ,  the  Earl  of  Salisbury ,  the  • 
chief  Speakers  againft  it :  They  that  were  for  it,  being  the  Major  part,  many  of 
the  reft  Entered  their  Proreftation  againft  it.-  Tire  Protefters  the  firft  time  (for 
they  proteftcd  thrice  more  afterward)  were  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  the  Marquefs 
oflVmcbeJler,  the  Earls  of  Salisbury,  Briftol,  Bark/hire, 

§  296.  The  Frotcfting  Lords  having  many  days  ftriven  againft  the  Teft,  and  be-, 
ing  overvoted,  attempted  to  joynto  it  an  Oath  for  fionejly  and  Conference  in  thele 
words.  "  [I  do  fwcar  that  I  will  never  by  threats,  injunctions,  promifes,  or  invita- 
tc  tions,  by  or  from  any  perfon  whatfoever,  nor  horn  the  hopes  or  profpeds  of  any 
"  gift,  place,  of] ice,  or  truft  whatever,  give  my  vote,  other  than  according  to  my. 
tc  opinion  and  conscience,  as  I  mall  be  truly  and  really  perfwaded  upon  the  debate 
"  of  any  bulinefs  in  Parliament}  But  the  Bifoops  on  their  fide  did  cry  it  down' 
andcaftit  out.  t 

§  297.  The  Debating  of  this  Text  did  more  weaken  the  Interefh  and  Reputati- 
on of  the  Biihops  with  the  Nobles,  than  any  thing  that  ever  befelthem  fince  the 
King  came  in  ;  fo  much  doth  unquiet  overdoing  tend  to  undoing.  The  Lords  that 
wpuld  not  have  heard  a  Nonconformift  fay  half  ^0  much,  when  it  came  to  be  their 
own  cafe,  did  long  and  vehemently  plead  againft  that  Oath  and  Declaration  as  im- 
pofed onVnem,  'which  they  with  the  Commons  had  before  impofed  on  others.  And. 
they  exercifedVo  much  liberty  for  many  days  together  in  oppofing  the  Biihops,  and 
free  and  bold  fpecches  againft  their  Teft,  as  greatly  turned  to  the  Bifhops  Difpa- 
fagement,  efpecialiy  the  Earl  of  Shaftsbury,  the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  the  Earl  of 
Brifiol  the  Marquefs  of  Wtnchejler ,  the  Earl  of  Salisbury,  the  Lord  Mollis,  the 
Lord  h alii  fax,  and  the  Lord  of  Aleslury. 

Which  let  the  Tongues  of  Men  at  fo  much  liberty,  that  the  common  talk  was 
aeainft  the  Biihops' :  And  they  faid,  that  upon  Trial,  there  were  fo  few  found  a- 
mong  all  the  Biihops,  that  were  able  to  fpeak  to  purpofe  (  htihopMorley  of  Wm- 
ck/r<?r,  and  Bilhop  Ward  of  Salisbury  being  their  chief  Speakers  )  that  they  grew 
very  low  alfo  ,  as  to  the  Reputation  of  their  parts. 

#  29&  That 


1 68  The  LIFE  of  the  Part  ill. 

§.  298.  Atlaft,  though  the  Tcft  was  carried  by  the  Majority,  yet  thofe,  that 
were  againft  it,  with  others,  prevailed  to  make  fo  great  an  alteration  of  it,  as 
made  it  quite  another  thing,  and  turned  it  to  the  greateft  diiadvantage  of  the 
BHhops,  and  the  greatefr.  accommodation  of  the  Caufe  of  the  Nonconformists,  of 
any  thing  that  this  Parliament  hath  done  For  they  reduced  it  to  thefc  words,  ot 
a  Declaration  and  an  Oath. 


I'- 


ll"  I  A.  B.  do  declare ,  That  it  is  not  lawful,  on  any  pretence  whatfoever, 
to  take  Arms  againft  the  King ;  And  that  I  do  abhor  that  Traiterous  Pofition, 
u  of  taking  Arms,  by  His  Authority,  againft  His  Pcrfon,  or  againft  thofe  that 
u  are  Commlfljoncd  by  him  according  to  Law,  in  time  of  Rebellion  and  War,  in 
"  acting  in  purfuance  of  fuch  Commiflion. 

["  I  A.  B.  do  Swear,  that  I  will  not  endeavour  an  Altera;  ion  of  the  Prcte- 
"  ftant  Religion  now  eltablilhed  by  Law  in  the  Church  of  England:  nor  will  1 
c,  endeavour  any  Alteration  in  the  Government  of  this  Kingdom  in  Church  or 
"  State,  as  it  is  by  Law  Eftablilhed. 

§.  299.  This  Declaration  and  Oath  thus  altered,  was  fuch  as  the  Nonconfor- 
mifts  would  have  taken,  if  it  had  been  offered  them  in  ftead  of  the  Oxford- Oath, 
the  Subfcriptiqn  for  Uniformity,  the  Corporation  and  Veftry  Declaration :  But 
the  Kingdom  muft  be  Twelve  years  rackt  to  Diffraction,  and  1800  Minifters  for- 
bidden to  Preach  Chrift's  Gofpel,  upon  pain  of  utter  ruin,  and  Cities  and  Corpo- 
rations all  New -Modelled  and  Changed,  by  other  kind  or  Oaths  and  Covenants; 
aud  when  the  Lords  find  the  like  ©btruded  on  themfelves,  they  reject  it  as  into- 
lerable :  And  when  it  paft,  they  got  in  this  Provifo,  That  it  fhould  be  #0  hin- 
derance  to  their  Free-Speaking  and  Voting  in  the  Parliament:  Many  worthy 
Minifters  have  loft  their  Lives  by  Imprisonments ,  and  many  Hundred  their 
Maintenance  ,  and  Liberty,  and  that  opportunity  to  ferve  God  in  their  Callings, 
which  was  much  of  the  comfort  of  their  Lives,  and  moftly  for  refuting  what 
the  Lords  themfelves  at  laft  refufe,  with  fuch  another  Declaration.  Bfct  though 
Experience  teach  fome  that  will  no  otherwife  learn  -7  it  is  fad  with  the  World, 
when  their  Rulers  muft  learn  to  Govern  them  at  fo  dear  a  rate  ^  and  Coun- 
trcys,  Cities,  Churches,  and  the  Souls  of  Men,  muft  pay  fo  dear  for  their  Gover- 
nours  Experience. 

§.  300.  The  following  Explication  will  tell  you ,  That  there  is  nothing  in 
this  Oath  and  Declaration  to  be  refined.  1.  £1  do  declare,  That  it  is  not  law- 
fid  3  can  mean  no  more,  but  that  £  I  think  fo  3  and  not  that  I  pretend  to  In- 
fallible certainly  therein.  2.  [_  To  take  Arms  againft  the  King.~\  That  is,  either 
againft  his  Formal  Authority,  as  K ing ■,  or  againft  His  Ferfon  f  Life,  or  Liberty) 
or  againft  any  of  His  Rights  and  Dignity :  And  doubtlefs  the  Peifon  of  the 
King  is  inviolable,  and  fo  are  His  Authority  and  Rights  :,  not  only  by  the  Laws, 
but  by  the  very  Conftitution  of  the  Kingdom  :  For  every  Common-wealth  being 
eflentiaily  conftituted  of  the  Pars  Jmperans,  and  pars  fubdita  materially,  the  Uni- 
on of  thefc  is  the  Form  of  it,  and  the  Diflblution  is  the  Deat]^  cf  it :  AndHo- 
ftility  is  Difunion  and  DilTolution.  Therefore  no  Head  or  Soveraign  hath  power 
to  deftvoy,  or  fight  againft  his  Kingdom,  nor  any  Common- wealth  or  Kingdom 
againft  their  King  or  Soveraign  Rulers:  unlefs  in  any  cafe  the  Law  of  Nature 
and  Nations,  which  is  above  all  Humane  Pofitive  Laws,  fhould  make  the  diflblu- 
tion of  the  Republick.  to  become  a  Duty,  (  As  if  fome  Republick  fhould  caft  off 
the  EfTcntial  Principles  of  Society. )  By  Law,  neither  King  nor  Kingdom  may 
deftroy  or  hurt  each  other:  For  the  Governing  Laws  fuppofe  their  Union  (as 
the  Conftitution,  and  the  Common  good,  with  the  due  Welfare  of  the  Soveraign, 
is  the  end  of  Government,  which  none  have  power  againft. 

But  it  muft  be  noted,  that  the  words  are  [againft  the  Xing'}  and  not  \_againft 
the  King's  Will;  ~\  for  if  his  Will  be  againft  his  Welfare,  his  Kingdom,  or  his  Lam, 
though  that  Will  be  fignified  by  his  Commiflioners ,  the  Declaration  difclaimeth 
not  the  refilling  of  fuch  a  Will  by  Arms. 

3.  And  if  there  .be  any  that  ailert,  that  the  King's  Authority  giveth  them  right 
to  take  up  Arms  (  againft  hvs  Perfon,  or  Lawful  CommtJJions,  ~]  it  muft  needs  be  a 
Falfc  and  Traiterous  Aflertion :  For  if  his  Perfon  may  be  Hoftilcly  fought  a- 
gainft,  the  Common- wealth  may-  be  diifolvcd ,  which  the  Law  cannot  fuppofe  -9 

for  • 


■'— ■  ■        ■ 

P*rt  HI "Reverend  Mr.  Richard^^T^~7^ 

for  all  Laws  die  with  the  Common-wealth  :     And  it  iTTcom^rlittmn  +^Z  ' 

thorized by  him    to  triift  by  Arms  his  Commits,  which  ar      ccordine    » 

131*522  *utThor,mi  b-'  hl*  Jjjn,  or  CommiOions,  to  refift  hi  Laws    SX: 
nine,  that  his  Laws  are  contradidory    whea  by  one  we  malt  refift  another       But 
fo  far  as  they  are  contradictory    both  cannot  be  Laws,  or  Lawful  CommiiTions 
For  one  of  them  mall  needs  nulhne  the  other  (either  by  Fundamental  iS    J 
by  Poftenonty  ,  fignrfymg  a  Repeal  of  the  other.  )  ruomy,or 

And  it  rauft  be  noted ,  that  yet  the  Trayterous  Portion  medleth  not  with  the 
Qlieftion  of  C  tahng  AMra^Uk  Kings  Per fon,  or  Common  by  thcYaJ 
•/  God,  of  Nature,  or  of  Nations ,  bat  only  of  doing  it  by  his  own  Authority. 

4.  And  that  it  is  not  lawful  to  take  Arms  againft  any  Commifftoned  by  him  ac- 
cording to  Law,  m  time  of  Rebellion  and  War,  in  purfuance  of  fab  Commilfion  1  *  is  a 
Truth  fo  evident,  that  no  fooer  Perfons  can  deny  it :  The  Long  Parliament 
that  had  the  War,  did  vehemently  afTert  it,  and  therefore  gave  out  their  Com- 
millions  to  the  Earl  of  Effex  and  his  Soldiers,  to  fight  againft  Delinquent  Sub- 
jects, for  the  King  and  Parliament.  ^ 


5.  And  the  Oath  containeth   no  more ,  than  our  >not  endeavouring   to  Alter 
the    Proteftant   Religion    eftablifhed,  or  the    King's    Government    or   Monar- 


vil,  fo  far  as  they  fall  under  Coercive  Government. 


This  is  thus  proved  paft  denyal.  1.  The  word  t  Proteftant  Religion  as  eftalifhed 
in  the  Church  of  England  ~]  cannot  include  the  Prel-cy^  For,  1.  The  Proteftant 
Religion  is  eRentially  nothing,  but  the  Chriftian  Religion  as  fuch  with  the  dif- 
cUiming  of  Popery ,  and  fo  our  Divines  have  ftill  profefled :  But  our  Prelacy  is  no 
part  of  the  Chriftian  Religion. 

2.  The  Proteftant  Religion  is  common  to  us  with  many  Countreys  which  have 
no  Prelacy  :  And  it  is  the  fame  Religion  with  us  and  them. 

3.  The  words  of  the  Oath  diftiuguifh  the  Religion  of  the  Church  of  England,  from 
the  Church  of  England  it  felf ,  and  from  Goverment. 

4.  If  Epifcopacy  in  general  were  proved  part  of  the  Proteftant  Religion ,  the 
Englifh  Accidents  and  Corruptions  are  not  fo  :  They,  that  fay  that  Epifcopacy  is 
Jure  Divino  ,  and  unalterable ,  do  yet  fay,  that  National ,  and  Provincial  Churches 
are  lure  Hum.ino  \  and  that  fo  is  a  Diocefane,  as  it  is  diftinct  from  Parochial ,  con- 
taining many  Parifhes  in  it :  And  if  the  King  mould  fet  up  a  Bifhop  in  every  Mar- 
ket-Town ,  yea,  every  Parifh ,  and  put  down  Diocefanes ,  it  is  no  more  than  what 
he  may  do  :  And  if  by  Q  the  Proteftant  Religion  cftablifhed~\  mould  be  meant  every 
alterable  mode  or  circumftance,  then  King-James  changed  it  when  he  made  a  new 
Tranflation  of  the  Bible ,  and  both  he  and  our  late  Convocation  (  and  King  and 
Parliament  by  their  Advice  )  did  change  it  when  they  added  new  Forms  of  Prayer : 
And  then  this  Oath  bindeth  all  from  endeavouring  to  make  any  alteration  in  the 
Liturgie ,  or  mend  the  Tranflation ,  or  the  Metre  of  the  Pfalms,  &c.  or  to  take 
the  keys  of  Excommunication  and  Abfolution  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Lay-Chan- 
cellour's,  &c.  which  none  can  reafonably  fuppofe. 

2.  And  that  our  Prelacy  is  not  at  all  included  in  the  word  [Government  of  the 
Kingdom  in  Church  and  State  2  but  only  the  King's  Supreme  Government  in  all 
Caufes  Ecclefiaftical  and  Civil ,  is  moft  evident :  1 .  Becaufe  it  is  exprefsly  faid 
C  The  Government  of  the  Kingdom  ]  which  is  all  one  with  the  Government  of  the 
King.  For  a  Bifhop,  or  a  Juftice,  or  a  Mayor,  is  no  Governour  of  the  Kingdom,  but 
only  in  the  Kingdom ,  of  a  Particular  Church ,  City ,  Corporation,  or  Divifion  < 
The  fumrna  vote  ft  as  only  is  the  Government  of  the  Kingdom ;  as  a  Kingdom  • 
And  becaufe  forma  denomimt,  we  cannot  take  the  Kingdom  to  fignifie  only  a  Church 
or  City, 

Y  y  y  y  1.  Becaufe 


l7o  The  L  I  P_  E  of  the  Part  Hi 

2.  Becaufc  elfc  it  would  change  the  vc.  .  cpnltilutiofl  of  the  Kin^i'm,  by 
in  iKirigj  all  the  inferiour  Officers  ttrndtcraUe,  and  fo  to  be  etfential  coijXhii  ins ; 
Whereas  only  the  pars  Jmpcrans  and  pars  SuLutta  are  conftituiive  parts  of  e 
Kingdom,  or  Republick,  and  theCoaftitutive  pars  fmpcrabs  is  only  the  fumma  po- 
teftm  except  where  the  mixture  and  fundamental  Contraft  is  fuch,  as  that  Inferiour 
Officers  are  woven  fo  into  the  Conftitution,as  that  they  may  not  be  changed  without 
it'sPilToIuiion,  which  is  hardly  to  be  fuppofed,  even  at  Vmice.  The  Oaths  betv. 
the  fumma  poteftas  and  the  Subject,  are  the  bonds  of  the  Commonwealth  j  their 
Union  being  the  form,  that  muft  not  be  diflblved  :  But  to  make  Oaths  of  Jlkgtance, 
or  Unchangeablenefs,  reach  to  the  Inferiour  Magiftrates  or  Officers,  is  to  change  the 
Government  or  Conltitution. 

3.  Andfo  it  deftroyeth  the  Regal  power,  ia  one  of  it's  chief  properties  or  pre- 
rogatives, which  is  to  alter  inferiour  Officers  j  who  all  receive  their  \  rom 
the  Supreme,  and  are  alterable  by  him  (  evea  by  the  May  en  1-th  the 
Le "illative  powers.  )  And  this  would  take  away  all  1  \  to  alter  lo 
much  as  a  Mayor,  Juftice  or  Conftable.  For,  mark,  tliat  Govermncnt  of  the  K: 
dom  C  in  Chunh  and  State  1  are  fee  equally  together  without  a.. 

as  to  alteration  :  If  therefore  it  extend  to  any  but  the  Supreme,  even  to  i 
Officers  it  were  to  extend  to  them  as  Governing  the  State  '(  even  to  the  loweft )  as 
well  as  the  Church.    But  this  is  a  fuppoiition  to  be  Contemned. 

4.  And  if  the  Diftindioa  mould  be  meant  dc  ptrfonvs  Imperanttbw,  aod  mould 
intend  only  L  B'ifhops  and  King  ~]  by  [_  Church  and  State  ~]  1 .  It  would  fuppofe 
thet  King  and  Parliament  do  take  Q  Bjfhops  and  King  ]  for  two  coordinate  Heads, 
in  governing  the  Kingdom,  2,  And  that  they  fet  the  Bijbops  before  the  Xing  \  wluch 
is  not  to  be  fuppored. 

5.  And  to  put  all  out  ofqueftion,  the  Oath  is  but  Conform  to  former  Statutes, 
Oaths,  Articles  of  Religion  and  Canons,  1.  The  Statutes  which  declare  the  King 
to  be  only  Supreme  Governour  of  the  Church,  I  need  not  cite.  2.  The  Oath  of 
Supremacy  h  well  known  of  all.  3"  The  very  firft  Canon  is,  that  the  Arch-Bifhop 
of  Canterbury  and  all  Bifhops,  &c.  {hall  faithfully  keep,  aad  obferve  all  the  Laws  for 
the  King's  Supremacy  over  the  Church  of  England,  in  cants  Ecclefiaftical :  And  the 
2d.  Canon  is  to  condemn  the  dangers  of  it.  And  the  36.  Canon  obligeth  all  Mi- 
rujfters  to  fubferibe  that  the  King's  Majefty  under  God  is  the  only  Supreme  Govsrmur  §f 

this  Realm as  well  in  all  ftiritual  and  Ecclefiaftical  thirws  or  caufes  as  temporal. 

And  (  as  the  Parliament  are  called  the  Reprefentative  ofthe  People  or  Kingdom 
as  diftind  from  the  Head,fo)  the  1 39.  Canon  excommunicato  all  them  that  affirm 

f  that  the  Sacred  Synod  of  thus  Nation  Jn  the  Name  of  Chrift  and  by  the  King's  Authority 
Aftembkd  is  not  the  true  Church  of  England  by  Representation  :  So  that  they  claim  to 
be  but  the  Reprefentative  of  the  Church  as  it  is  the  Body  diftind  from  the  Head 
Chrift,  aud  the  King  as  their  chief  Governour.    4.  And  all  that  are  Ordained  are 
likewife  to  take  the  Oath  oi  Supremacy  \_u\  do  utterly  teftify  and  declare  in 
"  my  Confcience  that  the  King's  Highnefs  is  the  only  Supreme  Governour  of  this 
cc  Realm— as  well  in  all  Spiritual  or  Ecclefiaftical  things  or  Caufes,  as  Temporal,] 
5.  And  It  is  alfo  mferted  in  the  Articles  of  Religion,  Art.  35.  And  it  is  added 
exppfitor'ily  Q"  Where  we  attribute  to  the  Queen's  Majefty  the  Chief  Government 
cc  (  by  which  title  we  undcrftar.d  the  minds  of  fome  flanderous  folks  to  be  offended  ) 
"  we  give  not  to  our  Princes  the  Miniftring  either  of  God's  Word,  or  ofthe  Sa- 
u  craments — but  that  only  prerogative  which  we  fee  to  have  been  given  always 
L'  to  all  Godly  Princes  in  holy  Scriptures  by  God  himfelf,  that  ir,  that  they  mould 
"  rule  all  Eftates  and  Degrees  committed  to  their  Charge  by  God,  whether  they 
.  be  Ecclefiaftcal  or  Temporal,  and  reftrain  with  the  Gvil  Sword,  the  Stubborn 
"  and  evil  Doers.  ]  Here  it  is  to  be  noted,  that,  though,  no  doubt,  but  the  Keys  of 
Excommunication  and  abfolution  belong  to  the  Paftors,  and  to  the  Civil  Magi- 
itrate,  yet,  the  Law,  and  this  Article,  by  the  word  \_  Government  ~]  mean  only  £  Co- 
ercive  Government  by  the  Sword  3  and  do  include  the  power  of  the  Keys  under 
viie  title  of  Q  Miniftring  the  Word  and  Sacraments  f}  Church  Guidance  being  indeed 
nothing  elfe  but  the  Explication  and  Application  of  God's  word  to  Cafes  and  Con- 
sciences, and  adminiftring  the  Sacraments  accordingly.    So  that  as  in  the  very  Ar- 
ticle of  Religion,  Supreme  Government,  appropriated  to  the  King  only,  is  contra- 
diftinguifh'd  from  C  Miniftring  the  Word  and  Sacraments,  ~]  which  is  not  called  Go- 
vernment there,  fo  are  we  to  underftand  this  Law  and  Oath :  And  many  Learned 
Men  thinkj  that  Guidance  is  a  fitter  name  than  Government  for  the  Paftor's  Office ; 

Ana 


Part  III.       Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  ■tyt 


And  therefore  Grot'm  de  Imper.  Sum.  Pot.  would  rather  have  the  Name  Gjwohx  0r 
Rulers  ufed  than  Laws  as  to  their  Determinations  :  Though  r.o  doubt  but  the 
Name  £  Government/]  may  be  well  applyed  to  the  Paftor's  Part,  ibwe  diftinguifh 
as  Biljlon  and  other  judicious  men  ufc  to  do,  calling  one  [Government  by  God's  Word 
(upon  the  Confcience  )  and  the  other  Government  by  the  [word.  ]  (as  fecondm  ■ 
Precepts  with  enforcing  penalties  and  Mulcts.  )  '        *to 

§  301.  While  this  Teft  was  carrying  on  in  the  houfe  of  Lords,  and  500  pounds 
Voted  to  be  the  penalty  of  the  Rcfufers,  before  it  could  come  to  the  Commons  a 
difference  fell  between  the  Lords  and  Commons  about  their  priviledges,  by  occafion 
of  two  Suits  that  were  brought  before  the  Lords,  in  which  two  Members  of  the 
Commons  were  parties,  which  occafioned  the  Commons  to  fend  to  the  Tower 
Sir3|wj  FJgg  one  of  their  Members,  for  appearing  at  the  Lords  Bar  without  their 
confent,  and  four  Counfellours  (  Sir  John  Churchill,  Sergeant  Pemberton,  Sergeant 
Pccke,  and  another  )  for  pleading  there-,  And  the  Lords  Voted  it 

Illegal,  and  that  they  mould  be  relcafed :  Sir  John  Robinfon,  Lieutenant  of  the  Tower 
obeyed  the  Commons,  for  which  the  Lords  Voted  him  a  Delinquent ;  And  fo  far 
went  they  in  daily  Voting  at  each  other,  that  the  King  was  fain  to  Prorogue  the 
Parliament,  June  9.  till  Otlober  1 3.  there  appearing  no  hope  of  Reconciling  them. 
Which  rejoiced  many  that  they  rofe  without  doing  any  further  harm. 

§.  302.  June  9.  Keting,  the  Informer  being  commonly  detefted  for  profecuting 
me,  was  caft  in  Gaol  for  Debt,  and  wrote  to  me  to  endeavour  his  Deliverance 
which  1  did ;  and  in  his  Letters,  faith  Q  "  Sir,  I  allure  you  1  do  verily  believe 
"  that  God  hath  beltowed  all  this  affliction  on  me  becaufe  I  was  fo  vile  a  wretch 
as  to  trouble  you  :  And  I  aflure  you  I  never  did  a  thing  in  my  Life  that  hath 
fo  much  troubled  my  felf  as  that  did  :  I  pray  God  forgive  me  :  And  truly  I  do 
not  think  of  any  that  went  that  way  to  work  that  ever  God  would  favour  him 
with  his  mercy :  And  truly  without  a  great  deal  of  mercy  from  God ;  I  do  not 
think  that  ever  I  fhall  thrive  or  profper  :  And  I  hope  you  will  be  pleafed  to  pray 
"  to  God  for  me,  &cr\ 

§.  303.  A  while  before  another  of  the  chief  Informers  of  the  City  and  my  Ac- 
cufer  (  Marifhall )  died  in  the  Counter  where  his  Creditors  laid  him,  to  keep  him 
from  doing  more  harm : )  Yet  did  not  the  Bilhops  change  or  ceafe  :  Two  more  In- 
formers were  fet  on  work,  who  firft  aflfaulted  Mr.  Cafeh  Meeting,  and  next  got  in 
as  hearers  into  Mr.  Feud's  Meeting  where  I  was  Preaching  ;  And  when  they  would 
have  gone  out  to  fetch  Juftices  (for  they  were  known  J  the  doors  werelocktto 
keep  them  in  till  I  had  done,  and  one  of  them  (  fuppofed  to  be  fent  from  Fullum  ) 
ftayed  weeping :  Yet  went  they  ftraight  to  the  Juirices,  and  the  week  following 
heard  me  again  as  Informers  at  my  Lectures  -0  but  I  have  not  yet  heard  of  their 
Accuiation. 

§.  304,  But  this  week  ( June  9. )  Sir  Tham&s  Davis  ( notwithstanding  all  his 
forefaid  Warning*  and  Confeflions )  fent  his  Warrants  te  a  Jultice  of  the  E>ivifion 
where  I  dwell,  to  diftrein  on  me  (upon  two  Judgments)  for  50  pounds  ^  for 
Preaching  my  Lecture  in  New-fireet :  Some  Conformifts  are  paid  to  the  value  of 
20  pounds  a  Sermon  for  their  Preaching,  and  I  mnft  pay  20  pounds  and  40  pounds 
a  Sermon  for  Preaching  for  nothing  ;  6  what  Pallors  hath  the  Church  of  England, 
who  think  it  worth  all  their  unwearied  Labours,  and  all  the  odium  which  they 
contract  from  the  People,  to  keep  fuch  as  I  am,  from  Preaching  the  Gofpel  of 
Chrift,  and  to  undo  us  for  it  as  far  as  they  are  able,  though  thefc  many  years  they 
do  not  (for  they  cannot  )  accufc  me  for  one  word  that  ever  I  Preached  :  nor  one 
Action  clfe  that  I  have  done  :  While  the  greateft  of  the  Bifliop's  Preach  not  thrice 
a  year  (  as  their  Neighbours  fay  )  themfelves. 

§.  305.  The  dangerous  Crack  over  the  Market-houfe  at  St.  James's  put  many 
upondefiring  that  /had  a  larger  fafer  place  for  Meeting.  And  though  my  own 
dulnfs,  and  great  backwardnefs  to  troublefome  bufmefs  made  me  very  averfe  to  fo 
great  an  undertaking,  judging  that  it  being  in  the  face  of  the  Court,  it  would  sever 
be  endured,  yet  the  great  and  unceflant  importunity  of  many  (  out  of  a  fervent 
defire  of  the  good  of  Souls  )  did  conftrain  me  to  undertake  it :  And  when  it  was 
almoft  finifhed  (in  Oxenden-ftrtet  )  Mr.  Henry  Coventry,  one  of  his  Majefhcs prin- 
cipal Secretaries,  who  had  a  houfe  joyning  to  it,  and  was  a  Member  of  Parliament, 
fpake  twice  againft  it,  in  the  Parliament :  But  no  one  feconded  him. 

§    3o5   /think  meet  to  recite  the  names  and  liberality  of  fomtf  of  thoie  pious    ^ 
and  Charitable  perfons  who  contributed  towards  the  building  of  this  place  (The 

Y-y  v  y  3  money 


172 


7k   hll  /'.  <j  the  /  MtTlI 


money  was  all  put  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Iho.  Stanley  a  worthy  fifficient  Citizen  ia 

Bnad-ftrcet,  who  undertook  the  care  and  Disb^rlemerit,  1 
penny  of  it'my  felt",  nor  any  one  for  me:  Nor  did  /  t1  ke  a  publick 

Collection  for  it  in  the  place  where  /  Preached.  )  'I  he  Lady  /  r  on  her 

death-bed.  Sir  John  Miynerd-apX.  Mr.    Broolc   Brvl  uma  La\ 

Iwn-- 20 1.  (at  hrft  time.)  The  Conntefs  of  Clare—io  1,  The  Counters  of  Trt ■ 
colontl-6  1.  The  Lady  Clinton--^  1.  The  Lady  Eleanor  fidlis--^  1.  The  Counted 
of  W*nwcifc--2ol.  Mr.  jFVerwcb — and  Ur.Brandon  (  Non-conformable Mimftcrs):-2o  1. 
The  Lady  Richards-^  1.— Mr.  //«i/y  (a  Parliament  man)  5  L — Sir  Ldwxrd  Har- 
ky-\o  l.--Mr.  Rlch.rfd  Hambdon  and  Mr.  jTofew  his  Son--Sl»-- The  Lady  fitz.-Jamcs 
and  her  three  Daughters — 6\. — Sir  Richard  Chiverton-i  1.  Mrs  Rttgbnolds  1  1. 
Alderman  Henry  Sjhurft  and  his  Son-in-law  Mr.  Booth  (the. fult  Undertaker 
Golleded  among  all  their  City  Friends,  and  Ours  whom  they  thought  meet  to^iovc 

in  it. 

And  that  we  might  do  the  more  good,  my  Wife  urged  the  Building  of  another 
Meeting-place  in  Bloovsbury,  for  Mr.  Read  (to  be  furthered  ly  my  fometime  help- 
ing him  )  •  the  Neighbourhood  being  very  full  of  People,  Rich  and  Poor,  that 
could  not  come  into  the  Pariih-Church,  through  the  greatnefs  of  the  Parifh  (and 
Dr.  Bourman,  the  Parifh-Parfon,  having  not  Preached,  Prayed,  Read,  or  Admini- 
itred  Sacraments  thefe  Three  or  Four  Years. 

§307.  This  Week  (jun.  14.)  many  Bithops  were  with  the  King,  who,  they  fay, 
granted  them  his  Commands  to  put  the  Laws  againft  us  in  Execution  :  And  on 
Tuejday  about  Twelve  or  Thirteen  of  them  went  to  Dine  with  the  Sheriff  of 
London,  Sir  Nathanael  Heme  •,  where  the  bufmefs  being  mentioned,  he  told  them, 
that  they  could  not  Trade  with  their  Neighbours  one  Day,  and  fend  them  to 
Goal  the  next. 

§  308.  Dr.  Tufty,  by  his  book  called  Juftificatio  Paulina  confhained  me  to 
publilh  Two  Books  in  Vindication  of  the  Truth  and  my  felf,  viz..  Two  Dif- 
putations  of  Original  Sin,  andaTreatife  of  jnftifying  Righteoufnefs ;  in  which 
I  poblifhed  my  Old  Papers  to  Mr.  Chrifiopher  Cartwr'tght.  Dr.  Tully  prefently  fell 
fkk,  and  (to  our  common  Lofs)  ihortly  died. 

§  309.  I  was  fo  long  wearied  with  keeping  my  Doors  fhut  againft  them  that 
came  to  diftrcin  on  my  Goods  for  Preaching,  that  I  was  fain  to  go  from  my 
Houfe  ,  and  to  fell  all  my  Goods,  and  to  hide  my  Library  firft,  and  after- 
wards to  fell  it  •,  So  that  if  Books  had  been  my  Treafure,  fand  I  valued  little 
more  on  Earth  J  I  had  been  now  without  a  treafure.  About  Twelve  Years  I 
was  driven  an  Hundred  Miles  from  them  ,  and  when  I  had  paid  dear  for  the 
Carriage ,  after  Two  or  Three  Years  I  was  forced  to  fell  them.  And  the 
Prelates,  to  hinder  me  from  Preaching,  deprived  me  alfo  of  thefe  private  Com- 
forts: But  God  faw  that  they  were  my  Snare  :  We  brought  nothing  into  the 
World,  and  we  muft  carry  nothing  out.    The  Lofs  is  very  tolerable. 

§  310.  1  was  the  willinger  to  part  with  Goods,  Books,  and:  all,  that  I  might 
have  nothing  to  be  diftreined,  and  fo  go  on  to  Preach  :  And  accordingly  re- 
moving ray  Dwelling  to  the  New  Chappel  which  1  had  built,  I  purpofed  to  ven- 
ture there  to  Preach  (there  beiug  Forty  Thoufand  Perfons  in  the  Parifh  fas  is  fup- 
pofed)  paore  than  can  hear  in  the  Parifh-Church,  who  have  no  Place  to  go  to 
for  G  Lick  Worfhip :    So  that  I  fet  not  up  Church  againft  Chnrch,   but 

Preached  to  thofe  that  muft  elfe  have  none,  being  loth  that  London  mould  turn, 
Atheifts,  or  live  worfe  thau  Infidels.  But  when  I  had  Preached  there  but 
Once,  a  Refoktion  was  taken  to  furprize  me  the  next  Day,  and  fend  me  for 
Six  Months  to  the  Common  Goal,  upon  the  Aft  for  the  Oxford  Oath.  Not 
knowing  of  this,  it  being  the  hotteft  part  of  the  Year,  I  agreed  to  go  for  a 
few  Weeks  into  the  Countrey  ,  Twenty  Miles  off:  But  the  Night  before  I 
ihould  go,  1  fell  fo  ill,  that  I  was  fain  to  fend  to  difappoint  both  the  Coach 
and  my  intended  Companion  (Mr.  ^ylvefier  ) :  And  when  I  was  thus  fully  refol- 
ved  t?  ftay,  it  pleafed  God,  after  the  Ordinary  Coach-Hour,  that  Three  Men, 
from  Three  parts  of  the  City,  met  at  my  Houfe  accidentally ,  jult  at  the  fame 
time  (  -a  minute)  of  whom,  if  any  One  had  aot  been  there,  I  had  not 

gone  3  viz..  the  Coachman  again  to  urge  me,  Mr.  Sylvefter,  whom  I  had  put  off, 
and  Dr.  Coxe,  who  compelled  me,  and  told  me,  elfe  he  would  carry  me  into 
the  Coach.  It  proved  a  fpecial  merciful  Providence  of  God  ;  for  after  One 
Week  of  Languifhing  and  Pain  ,  I  had  Nine  Weeks  greater  Eafe  than  ever  I 

ex* 


! 


Fart  HI.  R^^d  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  , 

experted  in  this  World ,    and    greater"  Comfort   in  my  Work~lo7^; T" 

Fncnd  M**  B<r*f„\  EC;:,  Clerk  of  the  Excise ,  whofe  LS?*2 
drew  me  to  his  Honfe ,  feared  for  no  Colt,  Lab  ur  or  KindnefPfor  2 
Health  or  Serv.ce.  or  undemanding  of  which',  and  much  mo  e  in  theft  p/ 
pers,  feeing  I  record  l,ch  things  for  the  Notice  of  Students  and  Phyficians  that 
other  mens  Health  may  have  fome  advantage  by  my  Expe.icSces  and  Sorr'ovvf 

§311.  What  is  before  written,  hath  notified,  that  I  have  lain  in  abo-e  For 
ty  Years  cooft.nl  Weaves     and  almoft  conitant  Pains  ,     My    feef  J^ 
were  incredible  Inflamations  of   Stomach,    Bowels,    Back     Sides    Head   ThMvT 
as  ifl  had  Ween  daily  fill'd  with  Wind',    So  that  I  never Sew,    1 fieaWr 
re  id  II  any  man  that  had  near  fo  much.     Thirty  Phyikians  (at  leaft}  kircall- 
ed  it  nothing  but  Hypochondriack  Flatulency,    and   fomewhat  of  a  Scorbutica! 
Malady:   Great  bleeding  at  the  Nofe    alfo  did  emaciate  me,    and  keep   me  in 
a    Gnachecticd    Atropie.    The    particular   Symptoms    were    more  than  I   can 
number.     1  thought  my  felf,  that  my  Difeafe  was  almoft  all  from  Debility  of 
the  Stomach,    and   extrenm   Acrimony  of   Blood,  by    fome  Fault  of  the  Liver 
About  the  Year  165S.    finding  the  Inflation   much  in  the    Membranes    of  the 
Reins,    I  fufperted  the  Stone,  and  thought  that  one   of    my  extream  Leannefs 
might  poflibly  feel  it  .•    I  felt  both  my  Kidnies  plainly    indurate  like    Stone- 
But  never  having  had  a  Nephritick   Tit,    nor  Stone  came  Hm  me  in  my  Life' 
and  knowing  that  if  that  which  I  felt  was  Stone,  the  jreatnefs  prohibited  all' 
Medicine  that  tended  to  a  Cure  :     I  thought  therefore  th:c  it  was  beft  for  me 
to  be  ignorant  what  it  was  :    And   fo  far  was  I  from   melancholy,  that  I  foon 
forgot  that  1  had  felt  it,  even  for  about  Fifteen  Years.     But    my"  Inflations  be- 
ginning ufually  in  my  Reins,   and  all  my  Back,  daily  torn,  and  greatly  pain- 
ed  by  it,    1673.    it  turned  to  terrible  Suffocations   of  my    Brain   and  Lungs  ^ 
So  that  if  1  flept,   I  was  fuddenly  and  painfully   awakened  :    The  Abatement 
of  Urine  ,    and  conitant   Pain,   which  Nature  almoft  yielded  to  as  Victorious 
renewed  my  Sufpicion  of  the  Stone  ,  And  my  Old  Exploration :     And  feeling 
my  Lean^  Back ,   both  the  Kidneys   were  greatlier  indurate  than    before,    and 
the  Membrane  fo  fore  to  touch  ,  as  if  nothing  but  Stone  were  within  them : 
The  Phyikians  faid,  That  the  Stone   cannnot  be  felt  with   the  Hand  !     I  defi- 
red  Four  of  the  Chief  of   them   to   feel  them  :   They  all  concluded  that  it  is 
The  Kidneys  which   they  felt,    and  that  they  are  hard  (  like  Stone  or  Bone); 
but  what  it  is  they  could  not  tell  •,  but  they  thought,  if  both  the  Kidneys  had 
Stones  fo  big,  as  feemed  to  fuch  feeling,  it  was  impoflible  but  I  fljoutd  be  much 
worfe,  by  Vomiting  and  Torment,  and  not  able  to  Preach,  and  go  about.     1 
told  them  befidcs  what  Skenkius  and  many  Obfcrvators  fay  ^   That  I  co^ld  tel) 
ihem  of  many  of  late  times,  whofe  Reins  and  Gall  were  lull  of  Stone   (  great 
ones  in  the  Reins,  and  many  fmall  ones  in  the  Gall ),  who  had,  fome  of  them, 
never  ftifpeftcd  the  Stone,  and  fome  but  little  :    But  while  One  or  Two  of  the 
Phyficians  (as  they  ufe)  did  fay,  It  could  not  be ,  left  they  mould  (as  they  thou 5 he) 
dtfcvuxiigemz,  I  became  the  Common  Talk  of  the  City,  elyecially  the  Woitk:q5 
as  if  1  h  d  been  a  melancholy  Humourift,  that  conceited  my  Reins  were  petri- 
fied,   when   it  was  no  fuch  matter  ,   but  meer  Conceit.    And  fo  while  I  lay 
Night  and   Day  in  Pain,   my  fuppofed  Melancholy    (which,  I  thank  God,   all 
my  life  hath  been  extraordinary  free  from)  became ,  for  a  Year,  the  Pity,  01 
Derilion  of  the  Town.     But  the  Difcovery  of  my  Cafe  was  a  great  mercy  to 
my  Body  and  my  Soul  :     For, 

1.  Thereupon,  feeing  that  all  Phyficians  had  been  deceived,  and  perceiving 
that  all  my  Flatulency  and  Pains  came  from  the  Reins  by  Stagnation,  Regurgi- 
tation and'  A  crimen;,'  I  call  off  all  other  Medicine  and  Diet  ,  and  Twice  a 
Week  kept  clean  my  Inteftines  by  an  Eledruary  of  Caflia,  Terebinth.  Cypr. 
and  Rhab.  &c.  or  Pills  of  Rhab.  and  Terebinth.  Scio.  Ufing  alfo  Syrup  of  Mal- 
lows in  all  my  Drink  ^  and  God  hath  given  me  much  more  Abatements  and  In- 
termiffions  cf  Pain  this  Year  and  half,  than  in  my  former  overwhelming  Pains  I 
could  expect.  .,. 

2.  And  whether  it  be  a  Schyrrus ,  or  Stones  (  which  I  doubt  not  ol ))  1 
leave  to  them  to  tell  others,  who  fhall  difTed  my. Corps  :  But  fure  I  am 
that  1  have  wonderful  Caufe  of  Thankfulnefs  to  God ,  for  the  Eafe  which    I 

have 


73 


i74 


The  L  1  Ft  of  the  Part  1J 1 


have  had  thefe  Forty  Years.-  Being  fully  fatisficd  ,  that  (by  ill  Diet,  Old 
Cheefe,  Raw  Drinks  and  Salt  Meats  )  whatever  it  is,  I  contracted  it  before 
Twenty  Years  of  Age,  and  fince  Twenty  One  or  Twenty  'i  wo,  have  had  juft 
the  fame  Symptoms  as  bow  at  Sixty ,  faving  the  different  ilrength  of  Nature 
to  refill.  And  that  1  mould  in  Forty  Years  have  few  hours  without  pain  (to 
call  me  to  redeem  my  Time  ),  and  yet  not  one  Nephritick  Torment,  nor  A- 
crimony  of  Urine  (  fave  One  Day  of  Bloody  Urine )  nor  intolerable  kind  of 
Pain;  What  greater  Bodily  Mercy' could  I  have  had  t  How  merciful,  how 
iwtable  hath  this  Providence  been.  My  Pains  now  in  Reins,  Bowels  and  Sto- 
mach, &c.  are  almoft  conflant  ^  but  with  merciful  Alleviations  upon  the  forefaid 
means. 

§  312.  As  I  have  written  this  to  mind  Phyficians ,  to  fcarch  deeper  when 
they  ufe  to  take  up  with  the  General  Hiding  Names  of  hypbehondriacks  and 
Scorbutich ,  and  to  caution  Students  ^  fo  I  now  proceed  to  that  which  occafion- 
ed  it.  1  had  tried  Cow's  Milk,  Goats  Milk,  Breafl:  Milk,  and  laftly,  AiTes  Milk, 
and  none  of  them  agreed  with  me-,  But  having  Thhty  Years  ago  read  in 
many  great  Practitioners ,  That  for  Bloody  XJrine,  and  mecr  Debility  of  the 
Reins,  Sheep  Milk  doth  Wonders  (  fee  G&rdonius,  forejlus^  Schoubo,  &c.)  1  had 
long  a  defire  to  try  it,  and  never  had  Opportunity.  But  as  I  was  faying  this 
to  my  Friend?  a  Child  anfwered,  That  their  next  Neighbour  (  a  Quaker  )  did 
ilill  milk  their  Sheep  ( a  Quarter  of  a  Year  after  the  ufual  time,  or  near )  : 
Whereupon  I  procured  it  for  fix  Weeks,  to  the  great  eft  increafe  of  my  Eafe,  Strength 
and  Fleih,  of  any  thing  that  ever  I  had  tried. 

2.  And  at  the  fame  time  ,  being  driven  from  Home  ,  and  having  an  Old 
Licenfe  of  the  Bilhop's  yet  in  Force  ,  by  the  Countenance  of  that ,  and  the 
great  induftry  of  Mr.  Berbsford  ,  I. had  Leave  and  Invitation  for  Ten  Lord's 
Days  to  Preach  in  the  ParifhrChurches  round  about.  The  firft  Parifh  that  I 
Preach'd  in,  after  Thirteen  Years  Ejection  and  Prohibition,  was  Rickmerfwortb , 
and  after  that  at  Sarrat ,  at  Kings  Langley ,  at  Cheffam,  at  Chalford,  and  at  A- 
merjham,  and  that  often  Twice  a  Day :  Thofe  heard  that  had  not  come  to 
Church  of  Seven  Years  j  and  Two  or  Three  Thoufand  heard  where  fcarce  an 
Hundred  were  wont  to  come,  and  with  fo  much  Attention  and  Willingnefs,  as 
gave  me  very  great  Hopes  that  I  never  fpake  to  them  in  vain.  And  thus  Soul  and 
Body  had  thefe  fpecial  Mercies. 

§  313.  But  the  Cenfures  of  Men  purfued  me,  as  before  :  The  Envious  Sort 
of  the  Prelatiils  accufed  me  ,  as  if  I  had  intruded  into  the  Pariih- Churches 
too  boldly,  and  without  Authority  :  The  Qiiarrelfome  Sectaries,  or  Separa- 
tes, did  in  London  fpeak  againft  me,  for  drawing  People  to  the  Parifh-Chur- 
ches  and  the  Liturgy  ^  and  many  gave  out ,  That  I  did  Conform.  And  all 
my. Days  nothing  hath  been  charged  on  me  fo  much  as  my  Crimes,  as  my 
coftlieft  and  greatcft  Duties.  But  the  pleafing  of  God,  and  faving  Souls,  will  pay 
for  all. 

§314.  The  Countries  about  Rkkmerfworth  abounding  with  Quakers,  becaufe 
Mr.  W.  Pen^  their  Captain,  dwellcth  there,  I  was  defirous  that  the  Poor  Peo- 
ple fhould  Once  hear  what  was  to  be  faid  for  their  Recovery  •  Which  coming 
to  Mr.  Pen's  Ears,  he  was  forward  to  a  Meeting,  where  we  continued  fpeak* 
.  ing  to  Two  Rooms  full  of  People,  (  Falling)  from  Ten  a  Clock  till  Five 
(  One  Lord  and  Two  Knights,  and  Four  Conformable  Minifters,  belides  o- 
thers,  being  prefent,  fome  all  the  Time,  and  fome  part).  The  Succefs  gave  me 
Caufe  to  believe  that  it  was  not  labour  loll :  An  Account  of  the  Conference  may  be 
publifhed  erelong  (if  there  becaufe.) 

§315.  Whilftthis  was  my  Employment  in  the  Countrey,  my  Friends  at  home 
had  got  one  Mr.  Seddon,  a  Nonconforming  of  Derby/hire^  lately  come  to  the  Ci- 
ty as  a  Traveller,  to  Preach  the  Second  Sermon  in  my  New  Built  Chappel :  He 
was  told  ( and  over-told )  all  the  Danger  ^  and  defired  not  to  come ,  if  he 
feared  it :  I  had  left  word,  That  if  he  would  but  llep  into  my  Houfe,  through 
a  Door,  he  was  in  no  danger,  they  having  not  Power  to  break  open  any  but 
the  Meeting-houfe  :  While  he  was  Preaching ,  Three  Juflices ,  with  Soldiers 
( fuppofed  by  Secretary  Coventry's  fending )  came  to  the  Door  to  feize  the 
Preacher.  They  thought  it  had  been  I,  and  had  prepared  a  Warrant  upon  the  Ox- 
ford  Act,  to  lend  me  for  Six  Months  to  the  Common  Goal.    The  good  man  , 

and 


Fart  1 1 1  %everend  Ml  R  ichard  Baxter/  i  gg 

- . v *  7t> 

rvvo  Weak  honcfl  Perfons  intrufted  to  have  cUt-eded  him  ^5fthe~Hou5 "~~ 

Where  he  was  fafe,  and  thinking  to  pais  away,  caaae  to  the  luftices  and  Soldie- 
at  the  Door,  and  there  Hood  by  them,  till  fome  one  iaid/'7l>»  «  the  Preacher 
Ana  io  they  took  him,  and  blotted  my  Name  out  of  the  Warrant,  and  pat  in 
Ins  •  '1  hough  almoft  every  Word  fitted  to  my  Cafe ,  was  falfe  of  him  To 
the  Gatthoufe  he  was  carried,  where  lie  continued  almoft  Three  Months  of  the 
Six-,  and  being  earneftly  defirous  of  Deliverance,  1  was  put  to  Charges  to  accom- 
plifh  it,  andatlaft  (having  Righteous  judges,  and  the  Warrant  being  found  faulty) 
he  had  an  Hakas  Corpus,  and  was  freed  upon  Bonds  to  appear  again  the  nek 
Term. 

§  316.  By  this  means  my  Cafe  was  made  much  worfe  :    For,    1..  The '  Jufti- 
ces,  And  other  Profecutors,  were  the  more  exafperated  againft  me.     2.  And  they 
were*  now  taught  to  flop  every  Hole  in  the  next  Warrant  (to  which  I  was  ftitt 
liable  as  ever) :     So  that  I  had  now  no  Pro Lpeit  that  way  of  Efcape.     And 
yet  though  my  Charge,  Care  and  Trouble   had  been  great  for  his  Deliverance, 
and  Good  People  had  dealt  very  kindly  with  him,  my  uiual  Back-biters  (the  Pre- 
vails and  Separating)  talk  commonly  of  me,  as  one  that  had   unworthily  laved 
my  felf  from  Danger,  and  drawn  a  Stranger  into  the  Snare ;  and  therefore  defer- 
ved  to  bear  all  the  Charges  .•    Though,  as  is  faid,   1.  I  was  Twenty  Miles  off, 
Preaching  publickly.     2.  They  that  askt  him  to  Preach,  told  him  the  Worft.  3.  He 
went  into  Danger  from  Safety,  by  the  Conduct  of  fome  Perfons  of  that  cenforious  hu- 
mour. _  4.  My  Danger  was  lncreafed  by  it,  as  well  as  my  Charges.    But  Man's  Ap- 
probation is  a  Poor  Reward. 

§  317.  Juft  when  I  came  home,  and  was  beginning  to  feek  Mr.  Seddonh  De- 
liverance ,  Mr.  Rojfe  Died  ,  the  Fierceft  of  the  Juftices  ,  who  -had  fent  me 
to  Goal  before.  The  other  Two  are  one  Mr.  Grey,  and  Sir  Philip  Mat- 
thews. 

§  3 1 8.  The  Parliament  being  fate  again,  a  Letter  was  fecretly  printed,  con- 
taining ths  Hiflory  of  the  Debate  in  the  Lord's  Houfe  the  former  Scflions  a- 
bout  the  Tell,  and  it  was  Voted  to  be  burnt  by  the  Hangman,  but  the  more  de- 
fired,  and  read  it.  In  which  it  appeareth,  That  when  it  came  to  be  their  own  cafe, 
more  was  faid  by  the  Lords  for  the  Caufe  of  the  Nonconformifts,  than  ever  they  were 
permitted  to  fay  for  themfelves. 

§  3 1 9.  A  moft  Excellent  Book  was  written  for  the  Nonconforming  (for  Abatements, 
and  Forbearance,  and  Concord)  by  Dr.  Herbert  Crofts,  Bp.  of  Hereford,  without  his 
Name  ;  of  which,  more  afterward. 

§320.  The  Lords  and  Commons  Revived  their  Contefls  about  their  Powers 
and  Priviledges,  and  the  Lords  appointed  Four  Lawyers  to  plead  their  Caufe ; 
and  the  Commons  fet  up  Orders,  or  Votes,  to  forbid  them.  And  the  Duke  of 
Buckingham  made  a  Notable  Speech  againflt  Peffecution,  and  delired  the  Confent 
of  the  Lords,  that  he  might  bring  in  a  Bill  for  the  Eafe  of  His  Majefty's  Proteftant 
Subjects  in  matters  of  Religion  ^  but  while  it  was  preparing,  the  King,  on  Mon-  « 
day  ,  November  i\f.  Prorogued  the  Parliament ,  till  February  come  Twelve- 
month. 

§  321.  The  Speeches  of  the  Earl  of  Shaftsbury,  and  others,  about  the  Teft,  were 
fecretly  Printed,  and  a  Paper  of  Reafonsfor  Diflolving  this  Parliament,  and  Call- 
ing a  New  One,  which  were  given  in  the  Houfe  of  Lords:  And  the  Debates 
of  this  Teft  ( opening  a  little  of  the  Noncouformifts  Caufe  ,  as  to  the  Ox- 
ford Oath  )  together  with  what  the  Earl  of  Shaftsbury  hath  done  ,  with  Wit 
and  Refolution,  hath  alienated  many,  even  of  the  Conformifts,  from  the  prefent 
prevailing  Bifhops.  t 

§  322.  The  other  of  the  fierce  Juftices,  that  Subfcribed  a  Warrant  for  my  lm- 
prifonment,  died  fhortly  after  ;  m,  Colonel  Grey.  The  Death  of  Mr  Bar- 
well,  Sir  "John  Medlicot,  Mr.  Rofs  and  Mr.  Grey,  befides  the  Death  of  fome  Inform- 
ers, and  the  Repentance  of  others,  and  the  Death  of  fome  late  Oppofers  of  the  Cler- 
gy, made  me,  and  fome  others,  the  more  to  compaffionate  Perfecutors,  and  dread 
God's  Judgments. 

§  323.  The  Town  of  Northampt on  lamentably  burnt. 

§  324.  An  Earthquake  in  divers  Counties.  , 

.  §  52s.  My  Dear  Friend,  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  Lord  Chief  Juftice  of  the  Ktngs 
Bench,  falling  into  a  Languifhing  Difeafe,  from  which  he  is  not  like  to  Reco- 
ver, refolvedly  petitioned  for  a  DihWion,  and  gave  up  his  Place,  havinggone 


76  ~       Tbe'L  I  FE  of  the  Part  III. 

through  his  Employments,  and  gone  off  the  Stage  with  more  univcrfrl  love  and 
honour,  for  his  Skill,  Wifdom,  Piety,  and  refolved  Jrflicc,  than  ever  1  heard  ot 
read,  that  any  Englifh  Man  ever  did  before  him,  or  any  Magiftrate  in  the  World 
of  his  rank,  fince  the  days  of  the  Kings  of  Ifrarl.  lie  refolved,  in  his  weaJcnefs, 
that  the  place  mould  not  be  a  burden  to  him,  nor  lie  to  it.  And  after  all  his 
great  practice  and  places,  he  tells  me,  That  with  his  own  Inheritance  and  all, he 
is  not  now  worth  above  Five  hundred  Pounds  per  /nrum:  fo  little  for ighi  he  af- 
ter gain'.  He  may  molt  truly  be  called  [The  Pillar  and  Bafis,  or  Crcur,'  r  Ju- 
fiice~]  as  Paul  called  (not  the  ChurchJ  but  Timothy  (in  the  Church}  the'/ 
Bafts  of  Truth.  ~]  His  digefted  knowledge  in  1  aw  above  all  Men, 
Philofophy,  and  much  in  Theology,  was  very  great  j     His  ilncere  and 

humility  admirable :     His  Garb  and  Houfe,  and  Attendance  fo  very  mean  ><n$  ' 


andhefo  refolutcly  avoided  all  the  Diverfions  and  Vanities  of  the  v  <hat 

he  was  herein  the  Marvel  of  his  Age.     Some  made  it  a  Scandal,  Wifdom 

chofe  it  for  hit  Convenience,  that  in  his  Age  he  Vinrrycd  a  Wen  Ff>ate, 

fuitaWc  to  his  Difpofition,  to  be  to  him  as  a  Nurfe  :     He  fucceec'  e  of 

the  meaneft  Houfes  that  ever  I  had  lived  in,  and  there  hath  ever  Unc^  continued 
with  full  content  ^  till  now  that  he  is  going  to  his  Native  Countrey,  in  likely- 
hood  to  die  there  :  It  is  not  the  leaft  of  my  pleafure  that  I  have  lived  feme  years 
in  his  more  than  ordinary  Love  and  Friendfhip,and  that  we  are  new  w&itingwhfch 
fhall  be  firft  in  Heaven  :  Whither,  he  faith,  he  is  £oing  with  full  content  and  ac- 
quiefcence  in  the  Will  of  a  gracious  God  ,  and  doubts  not  but  vre  fhall  fhortly 
live  together.  O  what  a  blefled  World  were  this,  were  the  Generality  of  Ma- 
giftrates  fuch  as  he. 

§.  326.  Part  of  a  M.  S.  was  put  into  my  hand  to  perufe  by  a  Bookfeller  ,  as 
Written  by  one  that  greatly  valued  my  Judgment  ,  and  would  refer  his  Wri- 
tings to  my  Cenfure,  but  not  confent  to  have  them  Printed.-  Whereupon  I  va- 
luing them,  did  judge  them  worthy  to  be  publiihed,  but  made  feme  A  Iterations  in 
fome  phrafes  liable  to  Mifinterpretation,  in  the  Piece  called,  7 be  Right  Knowledge 
of  Ckrift  Crucifitd :  I  conjectured  not  who  the  Author  was,  and  not  long  after 
the  Book  was  Printed,  and  proved  to  be  the  forefaid  Lord  Chief  Jultice  Hale's, 
called,  Contemplations  Moral  and  Divine,  publifhed  by  a  Friend  of  his :  by  which 
he  will  Preach  when  he  is  dead  :  the  Books  prefently  all  bought  up  for  his  Name, 
and  being  ufeful  for  their  Spiritual,  Rational,  Serious,  and  Plain  Manner  of  Wri- 
ting, as  well  as  Acceptable  for  his  fake. 

.  $.  327.  When  I  had  been  kept  a  whole  Year  from  Preaching  in  the  Chappel 
which  I  Built,  on  the  16th  of  April,  \6q6.  I  began  in  another,  in  aTempeftuous 
time  ^  for  the  rieceffity  of  the  Parifh  of  St.  Martins,  where,  about  60000  Souls 
have  no  Church  to  go  to,  nor  any  Publick  Worfliip  of  God  !     Hop  long.  Lord—- ! 

§.  328.  About  Feb.  and  March  it  pleafed  the  King  importunately  to  Command 
and  Urge  the  Judges,  and  £ow<fo«-Juftices,  to  put  the  Laws  againft  Nonconfor- 
mifts  in  Execution;  But  the  Nation  grew  backward  to  it :  In  London  they  have 
been  oft  and  long  commanded  to  it ;.  and  Sir  Jofiph  Sheldon,  the  Arch-bifbop  of 
Canterbury's  near  Kinfman  being  Lord  Mayor  ^  on  April  $oth  the  Execution  be- 
gan :  They  required,  efpecially  to  fend  all  the  Minifters  to  the  Common  Gaols, 
for  Six  Months,  on  the  Oxford- A&,  for  not  taking  the  Oath,  and  dwelling  within 
Five  Miles.  This  day  Mr.  Jofeph  Read  was  fent  to  the  Gaol,  taken  out  of  the  Pul- 
pit, Preaching  in  a  Chapel  in  Bloomsbury,  in  the  Parifh  of  St.  Giles,  where  it  is 
thought,  that  20000,  or  30000  Souls  at  lead,  more  than  can  come  within  the 
Church ,  have  no  Publick  Worfhip  of  God,  or  Teaching :  He  is  a  Laborious 
Man,  (  whom  I  Educated,  and  fent  to  the  Univerfity,  )  and  did  fo  much  good  to 
the  Poor  Ignorant  People  that  had  no  other  Teacher,  that  Satan  did  owe  him  a 
Malicious  Difturbance.  He  built  the  Chappel  in  his  own  Honfe  (  with  the  help 
of  Friends, )  in  companion  to  thofe  People,  who,  as  they  Crowded  to  hear  him, 
fo  did  they  follow  him  to  the  Juftices,  and  to  the  Gaol  to  fhew  their  Affections : 
It  being  the  place  where  I  had  ufed  oft  to  Preach,  1  fnppofe  was  femewhat  the 
more  Maliced.  The  very  day  before,  I  had  new  fecret  hints  of  Men's  Deflres  of 
Reconciliation  and  Peace,  and  Motions  to  offer  fome  Propofals  towards  it,  as  if  the 
Bifhops  were  at  lalt  grown  Peaceable  :  To  which  (  as  ever  before )  I  yielded. 
and  did  my  part,  though  long  Experience  made  me  fufpeft  that  fome  Mifchief 
was  near,  and  fome  Suffering  prefently  to  be  expected  from  them.  The  forward- 
•ft  of  the  two  Jufticw  that  fent  him  to  the  Gaol,  was  one  P^r^a-Souldier  ,  one 

ef 


P*rt  III %tvermdMt.  ftiebard  Baxter.  x ?7 

of  them  that  was .  accufed  for  flitting  Sir  'Join  Cozrtntrn's  Nofe,  about  which  therT 
was  fo  great  a  ft,r  m  the  Honfe  of  Commons:  The  other ^oTtbtZ 
Bat  fince  then  fo  many  have  been  fent  to  the  Goals  for  the  fame  caufe  Sfl 
many  d,=d  there,  that  ,  mnft  forbear  part:cular  Inflances  and  Ennme S  f° 
§.  ,29  After  Nwtbamptm,  Bedford,  and  many  other  Towns,  i'JS'was 
Bnrned  (  between  «oo  and  ,000  Honfe,  )  the  People  fufpeaing  that  it  was 
done  by  Dehgn  :  And  one  taken  for  attempting  again  Jo  Bnrn  the  reft  of 
"-*»*»»  confeft  that  he  was  hired,  and  ZsLS  was  fo  B«  „t ;  whom 
Sir  John  Munfon  fent  hereupon  to  Goal.  '  muJUI 


Additions  of  the  Tears  1675,  1676,  1677,  l678>  &C. 

§.  1 .  AT  this  time  Mr.  Le  Blank  of  Sedan  fent  to  me  his  defire  that  I  would 
X  A.  pubiiih  here  his  Scatter'd  Thefts  in  one  Volume,  which  I  purpofed 
and  Wrote  an  Epijlle  to  it :  But  fome  Conformifts,  hearing  of  it,  would  not  have 
the  Publication  to  be  a  Nonconformifts  work,  and  fo  my  Bookfeller  took  50 
Books  for  his  Title  to  the  Copy  which  I  gave  him ,  and  quit  his  Intcreft  in  it  to  a 
Conformift :  But  U  Blank  fent  an  Epiftle  of  his  own  ,  to  prevent  the  Conformifts  • 
and  died  as  foon  as  it  was  Printed  and  Publifhed.  A  Work  fufficient  to  end  mofc 
of  the  Doctrinal  Controvcrfies  of  this  Age,  if  the  Readers  v/erc  but  capable  recei- 
vers of  the  evidence  which  he  giveth  irhem. 

§.  2.  In  June,  \6-j6.  Mr.  Jane  the  Bifhop  of  London's  Chaplain,  Preaching  to 
the  Lord  Mayor  and  Aldermen ,  turned  his  Sermon  againft  Calvin  and  Me ;  And 
my  charge  was,  That  I  had  fent  as  bad  men  to  Heaven,  as  fame  that  be  in  Hell ;]  be- 
caufe  in  my  Book,  called,  The  Saints  Reft  ;  I  had  faid,  that  I  thought  of  Heaven  with 
the  more  pieafurc ,  becaufe  I  mould  there  meet  with  Peter ,  Foul ,  Aufiin ,  Cbry- 
fofiom^  Jerom,  Wickliff,  Luther ,  Zuinglius ,  Calam,  Beui ,  Bullinger  ,  Zanchy , 
far  am  ,  Fifcator ,  Hooper ,  Bradford  Latimer ,  Clover ,  Sanders  ,  Fhilpot  y 
Reigndds ,  Whitaker  ,  Cartwright ,  Brightman  ,  Bayne  ,  Brad/haw  ,  Bolton  ,  Ball  ] 
Hilderfigm  ,  Pemble,  Twijfe ,  Ames,  Prejlon  ,  Si'Wh  ,  Brook ?  Pwj  ,  Hambden. 
Which  of  thefe  the  Man  knew  to  be  in  Hell,  1  cannot  conjecture :  It's  like 
thofc  that  differed  from  him  in  Judgment  •  But  till  he  prove  his  Revelation,  I  mall 
not  believe  him  :  the  need  which  I  prcceived  of  taking  away,  from  before  fuch  Men 
any  thing  which  they  might  ftumble  at,  had  made  me  blot  out  the  Names  of  the 
Lord  Brooke ,  Pirn ,  and  Hambden ,  in  all  the  Imprefllons  of  the  Book  (  which 
were  many)  yet  were  made  ever  fince  1659;  and  yet  this  did  not  fatisfie  the  Man : 
But  I  muft  tell  the  Reader,  that  I  did  it  not  as  changing  my  Judgment  of  the  per- 
fons ;  well  known  to  the  world  :  Of  whom  Mr.  John  Hambden  was  one  that  Friends 
and  Enemies  acknowledged  to  be  moft  Eminent,  for  Prudence,  Piety,  and  Peace- 
able Counfels  ,  having  the  moft  univcrfal  Praife  of  any  Gentleman  that  I  remem- 
ber of  that  Age.-  1  remember  a  moderate ,  prudent  aged  Gentleman,  far  from 
him  but  acquainted  with  him  ,  whom  I  have  heard  faying,  That  if  he  might  choofe 
what  pcrfon  he  would  be  then  ia  the  world ,  he  would  be  John  Hambden.  Yet 
thefe  Damning  Prelattfts  arc  the  Men  that  are  for  our  .Silencing,  Imprifonment, 
and  Ruin,  as  if  we  were  unworthy  ro  live  on  the  Earth,  becaufe  we  will  not  alTent 
and  confent  to  the  Liturgy,  by  which  we  arc  to  pronounce  all  Men  in  England 
faved,  except  three  forts,  viz.,  the  Excommunicate,  Unbaptized,  and.  Self-murder- 
ers •,  that  is,  of  every  one  of  the  reft,  we  mull  fay,  That  God  of  his  great  Mercy 
hath  taken  to  himfelf  the  Soul  of  this  our  dear  Bro:her  out  of  the  Miferies  of  this  Life± 
and  that  we  hope  to  be  with  him :  Were  it  Hobbs  himfelf ,  or  any  one  of  the 
Crowd  of  Atheifts,  Infidels,  Papifts,  Adulterers,  or  any  Villains  now  among 
us,  (  for  fuch  are  not  Excommunicate  )  thus  we  muft  falfly,  contrary  to  all  our 
Preaching,  Pronounce  them  all  faved,  or  forbidden  ever  to  Preach  God's  Word  : 
And  yet^  I  am  condemned  publickiy  for  fuppofing  fuch  Excellent  perfons  to  be 
Saved.  But  Errours  and  Sins  contradict,  themfelyes,  and  Fadtious  Damners,  that, 
for  Preferment,  Condemn  good  Men,  arc  ordinarily  felf-condemned. 

§.  3.  Thismaketh  me  remember  how  this  laftyear  one  Dr.  Mafon{a  great 
Preacher  againft  Puritanes)  Preached  againft  me  publickiy  in  London,  faying  That 
when  a  Juftice  was  fending  me  to  prifon,  and  offered  me  to  flay  till  Monday,  it 


The  LAP  E  of  the  Part  III. 

I  would  promifc  not  to  Preach  on  Sunday  :  I  anfwered,  [  //hall  not  ]  Equivocal- 
ly meaning  C  /  fall  not  ponvfc  3  when  he  thought  1  meant  f  JfaU  mt  Preach ;] 
C)'  tbefe  ,°fay  the  Malignants ,  are  your  holy  Men/  And  was  fuch  a  putid 
Fa'lihood  fit  for  a  Pulpit,  from  fuch  Men  that  never  fpake  one  word  to  my  face 
in  their  Lives?  The  whole  truth  is  this  \  The  forcfaid  Tho.Rofs,  with  Philips 
being  appointed  to  fend  me  to  prifon  for  Preaching  at  Brainford,  (hut  the  Cham- 
ber doors,  and  would  neither  {hew  or  tell  me  who  was  my  Accufer  or  Witncis , 
nor  let  any  one  living  be  prefent  but  themfelves :  Aud  it  being  Saturday ,  I 
a&kt  them  to  flay  at  home,  to  fet  my  Houfe  in  order  till  Monday :  Rofs  asked  me, 
Whether  J  would  promife  not  to  Preach  on  Sunday  ?  1  anfwered,  No ,  /  /hall  not : 
The  Man  not  underftanding  me,  laid,  Well,  you  Prcmife  not  to  Preach :  I  replv- 
ed  No  Sir  A  tell  you,I  mil  not  promife  any  fuch  thing:  If  you  hinder  me,  J  cannot  help  ity 
hut  I  will  not  othermfe  forbear.  Never  did  1  think  of  Equivocation.  This  was 
my  prefent  Anfwer,  and  I  went  ftrait  to  Prifon  upon  it  .•  Yet  did  this  Rofs  vent 
this  falfc  Story  behind  my  back  ^  and,  among  Courtiers  andPielatifts  it  paft  for 
currant,  and  was  worthy  Dr.  Mafonh  Pulpit-impudency :  Such  were  the  Men 
that  we  were  pcrfecuted  by ,  and  had  to  do  with .'  Dr.  Mafon  died  quickly 
after. 

§.  4.  Being  denied  forcibly  the  ufe  of  the  Chappelwhichlhad  built,  I  was  for- 
ced to  let  it  ftand  empty ,  and  pay  Thirty  pounds  per  Jnnum  for  the  Ground- 
Rent  my  felf,  and  glad  to  Preach  (for  nothing)  near  it,  at  a  Chappel  built  by  ano- 
ther formerly,  in  Swallow-ftreet ;  becaufe  it  was  among  the  fame  poor  people  that 
had  no  Preaching,  the  parifh  having  <5ocoo  Souls  in  it  more  than  the  Church  can 
hold  -0  when  I  had  Preached  there  a  while  ,  the  forefaid  Juftice  Parry  (  one  of 
them  that  was  accufed  for  flitting  Sir  John  Coventree's  Nofe, )  with  one  Sabbes , 
figned  a  Warrant  to  apprehend  me,  and  on  Nov.  9.  1 676.  fix  Conftables,  four 
Beadles,  and  many  Meflcngers,  were  fet  at  the  Chappel-doors  to  execute  it :  I 
forbare  that  day  ;and  after  told  the  Duke  of  Lauder  daile  of  it  •  and  asked  him,  What 
it  was  that  occafioned  their  wrath  againft  me :  He  defired  me  to  go  and  fpeak 
with  the  Bifho'p  of  London  (  Compton: )  1  did  ^  and  he  fpake  very  fairly,  and 
with  peaceable  words:  But  prefently  (he  having  fpoken  alfo  with  fome others) 
it  was  contrived  that  a  noife  wasraifed,  as  againft  the  Bilhop,  at  the  Court,  that 
he  was  Treating  of  a  Peace  with  the  Presbyterians :  But,  after  a  while  I  went  to 
him  again,  and  told  him,  It  was  fuppofed.  That  Juftice  Parry  was  eitner  fet  oa 
tvCih  by  him,  or  at  leaft  a  word  from  him  would  take  him  off}  I  defired  him 
therefore  to  fpeak  to  him,  or  provide  that  the  Conftables  might  be  removed  from 
mfy  Cl'.rppel-dccrs,  and  their  Warrant  called  in  ;  And  I  offered  him  to  refignrnv" 
tflwpptfl  in  Oxenden-flreet  to  a  Conformift,fo  be  it  he  would  procure  my  continued 
Liberty  in  Swallow-flrect,  for  the  fake  of  the  peor  multitude  that  had  no  Churcli 
to  go  to :  He  did  as  good  as  promife  me  ,  telling  me,  That  he  did  not  doubt  to 
do  it  \  and  fo  I  departed,  expecting  Quietnefs  the  next  Lord's-day  :  But,  in- 
ftcad  of  that,  the  Conftables  Warrant  was  continued  ,  though  fome  of  them 
btgg'd  to  be  excufed,  and,  againft  their  wills,  they  continued  guarding  the  Door 
for  above  Four  and  twenty  LordVdays  after  :  And  I  came  near  the  Bilhop  no 
more,  when  lhad  fo  tried  what  their  KindnefTes  and  Promifcs  fignifie. 

§.  5.  It  pleafed  God  to  take  away  (by  torment  of  the  Stone)  that  excellent 
faithful  Minifter  Mr.  Tbo.Wadfamh  in  Soutkwark  ,and  juft  when  I  was  thus  ktptout 
at  ' iv Alow -Str cet ,  his  Flock  invited  me  to  Southward,  where  (though  I  refufed  to 
be  their  Padtor)  I  Preached  many  Months  in  peace,  there  being  no  Juftice  wil- 
ling to  difturbus.     This  was  in  1677. 

$.  6.  When  Dr.  LaMptugh^  now  Bilhop  of  Exeter,  was  Paftcr  at  St.  Martin's  , 
pld  Mr.  San-gar  the  Minifter,  thence  put  out,  thought  it  his  duty  to  abide  in  the 
Farifh  with  tfoofe  of  his  ancient  flock  that  deiired  him.  and  to  vilit  fuch  as  defired 
him  in  ficknef  s  (becaufe  many  that  werte-' againft  our  Preaching,  pretended,  that  we 
might  find  work  enough  in  private  Vifitings  and  helps :)  An  old  Friend  of 
Mr\  Sangafs  being  fick  near  St.  Jamesh  Market-houfc  ,  fent  to  him 'to  vifit  her: 
By  that  time  he  had  a  while.  Prayed  by  her ,  Dr.  Lampleugh  came  in ,  and  when 
he  had  done  ,  came  fidrody  to  him  ,  faying  ,  Sir,  What  bufinefs  have  you  here  f 
Mr.  Sangar  anfwered  ,  To  vifit  and  Pray  with  my  fick  Friend  that  fent  for  me. 
The  Doftor  fiercely  laid  hold  of  his  breaft,  andthruft  him  toward  thsDoor, 
faying  ,  Get  you  out  of  the  Room,  Sir,  ~]  to  the  great  trouble  of  the  Woman  that 
lay  fick  in  Bed  by  them  ,  having  buried  her  Husband  but  a  little  before :  Had  this 

been 


Part  III.       Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  l?g 

been  done  to  any  other  than  to  fo  Ancient,  Grave ,  Reverend,  Peaceable ~Mo- 
derate  and  Calm  a  Man  as  Mr.  Sangar ,  who  had  been  lawfully  called  before  this 
Doftor  to  be  Paftor  of  the  Parifh ,  and  then  Preached  no  where  but  to  a  few  in 
his  own  fmall  Houfe,  it  had  been  more  cxcufablc  ;  Mr.  San^ar  oft  profeft  to  me 
the  truth  of  what  L  fay,  which  I  mention  to  filencethofc  our  Accufcrs  that  would 
have  us  give  over  Preaching  that  we  may  do  fuch  private  Work  ?  Wheras  i  I 
muft  be  a  year  fpeaking  that  to  people,  one  by  one,  which  publickly  I  may  tell 
them  all  in  one  day  :  And  he,  that  hcarcth  my  Exhortation  but  once  a  year  and 
heareth  Seducers ,  Swearers ,  Curfers  and  Railers  every  day ,  may  wifh  at  la'fl  he 
had  better  friends  than  thefe  pretenders  to  Peace  and  Obedience  ,  that  accufe  us 
2.  And  fuch  Inltances  fhew,  that  we  are  envyed  as  much  in  our  private  duty  as  in 
our  publick :  And  did  we  fpeak  only  in  private,  our  Perfecutors  would  then  vent 
their  Sufpicions  of  our  Do&rin  without  any  Confutation ,  and  would  fay  We  are 
they  that  creep  into  Houfes,  to  lead  the  filly  Women  captive.  O  what 'a  World 
is  this!  Where  Athcifts,  Infidels,  and  the  moft  Bcaftly  Sinners  are  Members  of 
the  Church  of  England}  When  did  we  hear  of  any  of  them  Excomunicate  ?  and 
God's  fatithfullcft  Servants  reprefented,  even  by  the  envious  Prelates,  and  publick- 
Priefh,  as  the  intolerable  Criminal  perfons  of  the  Land  for  Praying  and  Preaching 
when  they  forbid  them ,  and  the  neceffity  of  Thoufands  binds  them  to  it  befides 
their  Ordination  Vow. 

§.  7.  When  Dr.  Wi Uia m  Lloyd  became  Pallor  of  St.  Martin's  in  the  Fields ,  upon 
Lamplugh's  Preferment.,  I  was  encouraged  by  Dr.  Tillotfon  to  offer  him  my  Chappel 
in  Oxendcn-Street  for  Publick  Worfhip  ,  which  he  accepted ,  to  my  great  Satisfacti- 
on ,  and  now  there  is  conftant  Preaching  there ;  Be  it  by  Conformifts  or  Noncon- 
forming I  rejoice  that  Chrift  is  Preached ,  to  the  people  in  that  Parifh ,  whom  ten 
or  twenty  fuch  Chapels  cannot  hold. 

§.  8.  About  March  1 577.  fell  out  a  trifling  bufinefs ,  which  I  will  mention,  left 
the  fable  pafs  for  truth  when  I  am  dead.  At  a  Coffee-Houfe  in  Fuller's-Rents, where 
many  Papifts  and  Proteftants  ufed  to  meet  together,  one  Mr.  Dyet  (  Son  to  old 
Sir  Richard  Dyet,  Chief  Juftice  in  the  North,  and  Brother  to  a  deceafed  dear  Friend 
of  mine,  the  fome-time  Wife  of  my  old  dear  friend  Colonel  Sylvanus  Tailor, )  one 
that  profeft  himfelf  no  Papift ,  but  was  their  Familiar ,  faid  openly  ,  That  I  had 
killed  a  Man  with  my  oven  hand  in  cold  blood ;  that  it  was  a  Tinker,  at  my  door ,  that  be- 
saufe  he  beat  his  Kettle  and  diffurbed  me  in  my  Studies ,  /  went  down  and  PiJloPd  him : 
One  Mr.  Peters  occafioned  this  wrath  by  oft  challenging  in  vain  the  Papifts  to  dis- 
pute with  me :  or  anfwer  my  Books  againft  them.    Mr.  Peters  told  Mr.  Dyet,  That 
this  was  fo  lhamelefs  a  flander  that  he  fhould  anfwer  it.     Mr.  Dyet  told  him,  That  a 
hundred  Witnefles  would  tcftifie  that  it  was  true ,  and  I  was  tryed  for  my  Life  at 
Worcejter  for  it :  To  be  fhort ,  Mr.  Peters  ceafed  not  till  he  brought  Mr.  Dyet  to 
come  to  my  Chamber  and  confeft  his  fault ,  and  ask  me  forgivenefs ,  and  with  him 
came  one  Mr.  Tasbrook ,  an  cmiment ,  fober ,  prudent  Papift ,  I  told  him  that 
thefe  nfages  to  fuch  as  I ,  and  far  worfe ,  were  fo  ordinary ,  and  I  had  long  fufFered 
fo  much  more  than  words,  that  it  muft  be  no  difficulty  to  me  to  forgive  them  to 
any  man ,  but  efpecially  to  one  whofe  Relations  had  been  my  deareft  Friends  .•  and 
he  was  one  of  the  firft  Gentlemen  that  ever  fhewed  fo  much  ingenuity,  as  fo  to  con- 
fefs  and  ask  forgivenefs  ;  he  told  me ,  He  would  hereafter  confefs  and  un-fay  it,  and 
Vindicate  me  as  openly  as  he  had  wronged  me  :    I  told  him,  to  excufe  him,  that 
perhaps  he  had  that  Story  from  his  late  Paftor  at  St.  Giles's,  Dr.  Boreman,  who 
had  Printed  it,  that  fuch  a  thing  was  Reported ;  but  I  never  heard  before  the  par- 
ticulars  of  the  Fable.     Shortly  after,  at  the  fame  Coffee-houfe,  Mr.  Dyet  openly 
confefVd  his  Fault :  and  an  Ancient  Lawyer ,  one  Mr.  Giffard,  a  Papift,  Son  to  old 
Dr.  Giffard,  the  Papift  Phylician  (as  is  faid)  and  Brother  to  the  Lady  Aberga- 
veny  was  Angry  at  it,  and 'made  Mr.  Dyet  a  weak  Man,  that  would  make  fuch  a 
Confeflion :     Mr.  Peters  anfwered  him  ;  Sir,  Would  you  have  a  Gentleman  fo  dif- 
ingenuous '  as  not  to  right  one  that  he  hath  fo  wronged?    Mr.  Giffard  anfwered, 
That    the'  thing  was  True,  and  he  would  prove  it  by  an  Hundred  Witnefles : 
Mr  Peters  offered  him  a  great  Wager,  that  he  would  never  prove  it  by  any :  but 
ureing  him  hard  he  refufed  the  Wager :  He  next  offered,  that  they  would  lay  down 
but  five  Guinea's  to  be  laid  on't  on  an  Entertainment  there,  by  him  that  loft  the 
Wacer-  He  refufed  that  alfo,  Whereupon  Mr.  Peters  told  him,  He  would  came 
mv  friends ,  if  I  would  not  my  felf,  to  call  him  to  juftifie  it  in  Weflmmfier-Hall; 
referring  the   Judgment  of  Equity  to  the   Company  :    The    Papift   Gentle- 

Zzzz  2  mca 


~i8o  The  LIP  E  of  the  Part  III 

men  that  were  prefent,  it's  like  confidering  that  the  Calumny  ,  when  open- 
ed publickly,  would  be  a  Slur  upon  their  Party,  Voted,  That  if  Mr.  Cigar d  would 
not  confefs  his  Fault,  they  would  difown  him  out  of  their  Company  j  and  fo  he 
was  conftrained  to  yield,  but  would  not  come  to  my  Chamber  to  confefs  it  to 
me  :  Mr.  Peters  moderated  the  bufinefs ,  and  it  was  agreed,  that  he  Ihould  doit 
there  :  He  would  do  it  only  before  his  own  Party :  Mr.  Peters  laid  ,  Not  fo  ■ 
for  they  might  hereafter  deny  it :  So  it  was  agreed  ,  That  alfo  before  Mr.  Pe- 
ters and  Captain  Edmund  Hambden,  he  Ihould  confefs  his  Fault,  and  ask  forgivc- 
nefs:  which  he  did. 

§.  9.  Near  this  time,  my  Book,  called,  A  Key  for  Catwlicks,  was  to  be  Re- 
printed :  In  the  Preface  to  thefirft  Irapreflion,  I  had  mentioned  with  Praife  the 
Earl  of  Lauderdale,  as  then  Prifoner  by  Cromwell  in  Windfor-CaMt  \  (  from  whom 
I  had  many  Pious  and  Learned  Letters,  and  where  he  had  fo  much  Read  over  all 
my  Books ,  that  he  remembred  them  better,  as  I  thought,  than  I  did  my  felf  .) 
Had  1  now  left  out  that  mention  of  him,  it  would  have  feem'd  an  Injurious  Re- 
cantation of  my  kindnefs :  and  to  mention  him  now  a  Duke,  as  then  a  Prifoner  ' 
was  unmeet :  The  King  ufed  him  as  his  fpecial  Counfellour  and  Favourite :  The 
Parliament  had  let  themfclves  againft  him  :  He  ftill  profeifed  great  kindnefs  to 
me  and  1  had  reafon  to  believe  it  was  without  diffembling.  i.  Bccaufe 
he  was  accounted  by  all  to  be  rather  a  too  rough  Adverfary,  than  a  Flatteter  of 
one  fo  low  as  I.  2.  Bccaufe  he  fpake  the  fame  for  me  behind  my  back,  that  he 
did  to  my  face.  And  I  had  then  a  New  Piece  againft  Tranfubftantiation  to  add 
to  my  Book,  which  being  defirous  it  mould  be  Read,  I  thought  belt  to  joyn  it  with 
the  other,  and  prefix  before  both  an  Epiftle  to  the  Duke,  in  which  I  faid  not  a 
word  of  him  but  Truth  -,  And  I  did  it  the  rather ,  that  his  Name  might  draw 
fome  Great  Ones  toReac\,at  leaft,  that  Epiftle,  if  not  the  fhort  Additional  Tract- 
ate in  which  I  thought  I  laid  enough  to  open  the  Shame  of  Popery.  But  the  In- 
dignation that  Men  had  againft  the  Duke,  made  fome  blame  me,  as  keeping  up  the 
Reputation  of  one  whom  Multitudes  thought  very  ill  of:  Whereas  I  owned  none 
of  his  Faults,  and  did  nothing  that  I  could  well  avoid,  for  the  aforefaid  Reafons. 
Long  after  this  he  profeiTed  his  Kindnefs  to  me,  and  told  me  I  (hould  never 
want  while  he  was  able,  and  (  humbly  )  intreated  me  to  accept  Twenty  Guinea's 
from  him,  which  I  did. 

§.  10.  After  this  one  Mr.  Hutchmfon  (  another  of  the  Difputants  with  Dr.  Stil- 
ZJ»g/fcrt,and  Hx.Wrayh  Friend,  one  that  had  revolted  to  Popery  in  Cambridge  long 
ago  having  pious  Parents  and  Relation*  )  Wrote  two  Books  for  Popery,  one  for 
Tranfubftantiation,  and  another  in  which  he  made  the  Church  of  England  Confor- 
lrufts  to  be  Men  01  no  Confcience  or  Religion,  but  that  all  Serioufhefs  and  Confci- 
euce  was  in  the  Papift  and  Puritan,  and  fought  to  flatter  the  Puritans ,  as  he  call'd 
them  into  kindnefs  to  the  Papifts,  as  united  in  Confcience,  which  others,  hid 
not.  '  I  Anfwered  thefe  Books,  and  after  fell  acquainted  with  Mr.  Hutchmfon^  but 
could  never  get  Reply  from  him,  or  Difpute. 

§.  1 1 .  Two  old  Fricttds  that  I  had  a  hand  heretofore  in  turning  from  Ana- 
baptiftry  and  Separation  (  Mr.  Tho.  Lamb,  and  WiUiam  Allen,  that  followed  John 
Goodwin,  and  after  became  Paftorsof  an  Anabiptift  Church  )  though  butTradef- 
men  fell  on  Writing  againft  Separation  more  ftrongly  than  any  of  the  Confor- 
mable Clergy  \  But  in  Senfe  of  their  old  Errour ,  run  now  into  the  other  Ex- 
treme, efpecially  Mr.  Lamb,  and  Wrote  aganift  our  gathering  AfTemblies,  and 
Preaching  when  we  are  Silenced :  Againft  whofe  Miftaken  Endeavours  I  Wrote 
a  Book,  called  ,  The  Nonconfortniflh  Plea  for  Peace.  ] 

§.  12.  One  Mr.  Hollwwortb  alfo  Printed  a  Sermon  againft  the  Nonconformifts, 
and  there  tells  a  Story  of  a  Sectary,  that,  Treating  for  Concord,  with  one  after- 
ward a  Bilhop,  motion'd,  That  all  that  would  not  yield  to  their  Terms  Ihould 
be  Banifhed  ;  to  fhew,  that  the  Nonconformifts  are  for*  Severity  as  well  as  the 
Biftiops.  The  Reader  would  think  that  it  was  Me,  or  Dr.  Manton,,  or  Dr.  Bates, 
that  he  meant,  that  had  fo  lately  had  a  Treaty  with  Dr.  Wilkins,  and  Dr.  burton: 
I  Wrote  to  him ,  to  defire  him  to  tell  the  World  who  it  was,  that  by  naming 
none,  he  might  not  unworthily  bring  many  into  Sufpicion :  He  Wrote  me  an 
Anfvver  full  of  great  Eftimation  and  Kindnefs,  profeffing,  That  it  was  not  me  that 
he  meant,  nor  Dr.  JManton,  nor  Dr.  Bates,  nor  Dr.  Jacomb,  but  fome  Seftary  that 
he  would  by  no  means  Name,  but  feemed  to  caft  Intimations  towards  Dr.  Owen,  one 
unlikely  to  ufe  fuch  words,  and  I  verily  believe  it  was  all  a  meer  Fiftion. 

§."  13.  About 


Part  III.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxtu 

ranee  :   This  book  ffih  hithmo IV h   LuS  fate  of  ™  ffl  f  ^^ 
ten,  except  our  Reformed  Liturgy    not  to  be :  vcf' C™CL  11    V  *  l  ha/e  writ 
tradicted,Pwhen  1  U  tlg'bSh  f^w^  fe  SuLT^nTl 
do^t  not  but  fome  Wlll  do  fo  when  1  am  dead,  unlcfs  CalfmTtLTd  men^h  J 

§.  1 4.  Having  almoft  then  finifheda  Latin  Treatife,  called,  Method™  Tkeolori* 
containing  near  Seventy  Tables  or  Schemes  with   their  Elucidation7and  £mi 
Deputations  on  Schifm,  containing  the  Nature,    Order  and  Ends  of  all  Be  nS 
(  with  three  more  )  I  gave  my  Lord  Chief  Juftice  Hale  a  Specimen  of  it  with  mv 
forefaid  Caibohck  Theologte-  but  told  him  it  was  only  to  (hew  my  refpeds    but  de 
fired  him  in  his  weaknefs  to  read  things  more  dircftly  tending  to  prepare  for  death. 
But  yet  I  could  not  prevail  with  him  to  lay  thofe  by,  fo  much  as  1  defired  but  he 
oft  gave  me  fpccial  Thanks  above  all  the  reft  for  that  book  and  that  fcheml  ■  And 
while  he  continued  weak  Mr.  Stevens  his  fcmiliar  Friend  publilhed  two  Volume! 
of  his  own  Meditations,which,though  but  plain  thmgs,yet  were  fo  greedily  boueht 
up  and  read  for  his  fake,  even  by  fuch  as  would  not  have  read  fuch  things  of  others 
that  they  did  abundance  of  good.     And  fhortly  after,  he  publilhed  himfelf  in  Folio' 
a  Treatife  of  the  Origtnatton  of  Man,  to  prove  the  Creation  of  this  Wo'rld   very 
Learned,  but  large.    He  left  many  Manufcripts :  One  /  have  Ion*  ago  read    a 
$reat  Volumn  in  Folio,  to  prove  the  Deity,  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul  Chrifti- 
anity,  the  Truth  of  Scripture  in  General,  and  feveral  books  in  particular  •  folid- 
ly  <ione,   but  too  copious,  which  was  his  fault.    Two  or  three  fmal  Tractates 
written  for  me  I  have   publilhed  expreflmg  the  fimple  and  excellent  Nature  of 
true  Religion,  and  the  Corruption  and  great  evils  that  follow  Men's  Additaments 
called  wrongfully  by  the  Name  of  Religion  and  contended  for  above  it  and  a- 
gamft  it  ;  and  ihewing  how  mofl  Parties  are  guilty  of  this  fin.     /  hear  he  finifhed 
a  Treatife  of  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul,  a  little  before  he  dyed.    But  unhappily 
there  is  contcft  about  his  Manufcripts,  whether  to  Print  them  or  not,  becaufe  he 
put  a  claufe  into  his  Will  that  nothing  of  his  mould  be  Printed  but  what  he  gave 
out  himfelf  to  be  Printed  before  he  dyed. 

He  went  into  the  Common  Church-yard,  and  there  chofe  his  grave  and 
died  a  few  daics  after  (on  Chriirmaflday. )  Though  I  never /received  any  mo- 
ney from  him  (  fave  a  Quarter^  Rent  he  paid  when  I  removed  out  of  my 
houfe  at  AClon,  that  he  might  buy  it  and  fucceed  me)  yet  as  a  token  of  his  love 
he  left  me  )  forty  millings  in  his  Will,  with  which  to  keep  his  memory  I  bought  the 
greateft  Cambridge  Bible,  and  put  his  pi&ure  before  it,  which  is  a  Monument  to 
my  houfe.  But  waiting  for  my  own  Death  1  gave  it  Sir  William  Ellis  who  laid  out 
about  Ten  pounds,  to  put  it  into  a  more  curious  Cover,  and  keeps  it  for  a  Monu- 
ment in  bis  honour. 

§.  15.  I  found  by  the  people  of  London  that  many,  in  thefenfe  of  the  late  Con- 
fufions  In  this  Land,  had  got  an  apprehenfion  that  all  Schifmand  Difordercame 
from  Ministers  and  People's  refilling  the  Bifliops,  and  that  Prelacy  is  the  means  to 
cure  Schifm,  and  being  ignorant  what  Church  Tyranny  hath  done  in  the  World, 
they  fly  to  it  for  refuge  againft  that  mifchief  which  it  doth  principally  introduce : 
Wherefore  1  wrote  the  Hiftory  of  Prelacy,  or  a  Contraction  of  all  the  Hiftory  of 
the  Church,  efpecially  Binnius,  and  Baronius,  and  others  of  Councils ;  to  fhew  by 
the  teftimony  of  their  greateit  flatterers  what  the  Councils  and  Contentions  of 
Prelates  have  done.    But  the  Hiftory  even  as  delivered  by  Binnius  himfelf,  was 
fo  ugly  and  frightful  to  me  in  the  pcrufmg,  that  I  was  afraid  left  it  mould  prove 
when  opened  by  me,  a  temptation  to  fome  to  contemn  Chriftianity  it  felf,  for  the 
fake  and  Crimes  of  fuch  a  Clergy.    But  as  an  Antidote  I  prefixed  the  due  Com- 
mendation of  the  better  humble  fort  of  Paftors.    But  I  muft  profefs  that;  the  Hi- 
ftory of  Prelacy  and  Councils,  doth  aflure  me  that  all  the  Schifms  and  Confuilons 
that  have  been  caufed  by  Anab^tfis,  Separatifts,  or  any  of  the  Popular  unruly 
Sectaries,  have  been  but  as  ftea-bitings  to  the  Church,  in  comparifon  of  the  wounds 
that  Prelatical  Ufurpation,  Contention  and  Hereiies  have  caufed.    And  I  am  fo 
far  from  wondering  that  all  Baromus's  induftry  was  thought  neceflary  to  put  the 
belt  vifor  on  all  fuch  A&ions,  that  i  wonder  that  the  Papijis  have  not  ra- 
ther 


7^  ~       I      Ibe  L  I FE  of  the  it  J II 

thcr  employed  all  their  wit,  care  and  power,  to  get  all  the  Hiftories  of  Cou 
burnt  and  forgotten  in  the  World,  that  they  might  have  only  their  own  OraJ 
flexible  tradition  to  deliver   to  Mankind   what   their  iutcrcft  pro   re  nata  (hall 
require. 

Alas  how  final  was  the  hurt  that  the  very  Families,  the  Munfier  Fanaticks,  the 
very  Quakers,  or  "Ranters  have  done,  in  comparifon  of  what  fome  one  Tope,  or 
Age  or  Council  of  Carnal,  Tyrannical  Prelats  hath  done  .  The  Kingdom  of  S. 
is  kept  up  in  the  World,  next  to  that  Senfuality  that  is  born  in  all,  by  his  ufurping 
and  perverting  the  two  great  Offices  of  God's  ownmftitution,  Magiftracy  and  Mi- 
niftry,  and  wring  the  Sword  and  Word  againft  the  lnftitutor  and  proper  end  :  But 
God  is  juft. 

§.  i  tf.  Three  years  before  this  I  wrote  a  Treatife  to  end  our  common 
Controverfies,  in  Doftrinals,  about  Predeftination,  Redemption,  juftification,  af- 
furance,  perfeverance  and  fuch  like  -  being  a  Summary  of  Catholick  reconciling 
Theology. 

§.  T7.  In  November  1677.  Dyed  Dr.  Thomas  Manton  to  the  great  lofs  of 
London;  Being  an  able  judicious .  faithful  man;  and  one  that  lamented  the  in- 
temperance of  many  felf  conceited  Minifters  and  people,  that,  on  pretence  of  vin- 
dicating free  grace  and  providence,  and  of  oppofing  Arminianifm,  greatly  cor- 
rupted the  Chriftian  Doftrin,  and  Schifmatically  oppugned  Chriftian  love  and 
concord,  hereticating  and  making  odious  all  that  fpake  not  as  crronioufly  as  them- 
felves.  Many  of  the  Independents  inclining  to  half  Antinomianifm,  fuggefted 
fufpicions  againft  Dr.  Manton,  Dr.  Bates,  Mr.  Howe,  and  my  felf  and  fuch  others, 
as  if  we  were  half  Arminians.  On  which  occafion  /Preached  two  Sermons  on 
the  words  in  Jude  [They  fpeak  evil  of  what  they  under/land  not.']  Which  per- 
haps may  be  publifhed. 

§.  18.  This  year  1678.  dyed  Mr.  Gabriel  Sanger,  a  Reverend  faithful  Non- 
conform^, fometimes  Minifter  at  Martin's  in  the  fields..  And  this  day,  on  which 
I  write  this,  /  Preached  the  Funeral  of  Mr.  Stubbs  a  holy  Excellent  Man,  which  per- 
haps may  be  publifhed,  if  it  can  be  licenfed. 

$.  16.  Mr.  Long  of  Exeter,  wrote  a  book  againft  the  Non-conformifts,  asSchif- 
maticks,  on  pretenfe  of  confuting  Mr.  Hale's  book  of  Schifm ;  and  in  the  end 
cited  a  great  deal  of  my  writings  againft  Schifm,  and  let  fall  divers  pauages^ 
which  occafioned  me  to  write  the  Letter  to  him  which  is  inferted  in  the  Appen- 
dix. No.  5. 

§.  29.  Some  young  Gentlemen  wrote  me  a  Letter  defiring  me  publickly 
to  refolve  this  Cafe  :  The  King  ,  Laws  and  Canons  command  us  to  joyn  in 
the  publick  Parifh-Churches,  and  forbid  11s  to  joyn  in  private  Meetings,  or  unallow- 
ed with  Non-conformifis :  Our  parents  command  us  U  joyn  with  Non-conformifts  in 
their  Meetings,  and  forbid  us  to  hear  the  Conformijts  in  publick,  which  yet  we  think 
lawful  :  which  of  thefe  mufi  we  obey  ?  I  anfwered  the  Cafe  in  the  Pulpit,  and 
drew  it  up  in  writing,  and  have  inferted  it  amoag  other  papers  with  the 
end.  No.  6. 

§.21.  My  Bookfeller,  Nevil  Simons,,  broke,  which  occafioned  a  clamour 
againft  me,  as  if  I  had  taken  too  much  money  of  him  for  my  books :  When 
before,  it  was  thought  he  had  been  one  of  the  richeft  by  my  means,  and  I  fiip- 
pofed  I  had  freely  given  him  (  in  meer  charity  )  the  gains  of  above  500  pounds, 
if  not  above  1 000  pounds.  Whereupon  /  wrote  a  Letter  to  a  Friend  in  my  own 
necefiary  Vindication,  which  fee  alfo  at  the  end.  No.  7. 

§.  22.  The  controverfie  of  Predetermination  of  the  a&s  of  fin,  was  unhappily 
fhared  this  year  among  the  Non-conformifts  -,  on  the- occafion  of  a  fober  modeft 
book  of  Mr.  How's  to  Mr.  Boil  againft  an  '.objection  of  Atheiftical  men  :  And  two 
honeft  felf- conceited  Non-conformifts,  Mr.  Daufon  and  Mr.  Gale,  wrote  againft 
him  unworthily.  And  juft-now  a  fecond  book  of  Mr.  Gale's  is  come  out  whol- 
ly for  Predetermination ,  fuperficially  and  inperficially  touching  many  things, 
but  throughly  handling  nothing  -,  falfely  reporting  the  fenfe  of  Juguflin,  or 
at  leaft  of '  Profper  and  Fulgentius,  and  notorioufly  of  Janfenius,  &c.  and  pafling 
divers  inconsiderable  rene&ions  on  fome  words  in  my  Cash.  Theol.  Eipecially  oj»- 
$&&rif>Str>angffls,  and  the  excellent  Thefes  of  Le  B/rfwifc,  with  no  ftrength  or  regard- 
able  Argument.  Which  inclineth  me  (becaufe  hewfiteth  in  Engltfh)  to  publilh 
an  old  Difput  in  Englifh  againft  Predetermination  to  fin,  written  20  years  ago,  and 
thought  not-  fit  to  be  publifhed  in  Englifh ;  but  that  an  antidote  againft  the  poi-* 
r  fon 


-^— J-»-  -  '- 'I  '  ■— — —   .  '  

i^rt  HI.  "Reverend  Mr.  Richard^x^T         tfj~, 

of  Mr.  Gatft  Book,  and  the  fcandal  chat  falls  bv  it  oil  the  N^w^7~7T~r 1 — -~~~ 

S  Z4-  Continued  backbmngs  about  my  Judgment  concerning  juftification    occafT 


thirty  controvcrfics  unhappily  rais'd  about  it. 


itiaiiuu  •   wmui  i  uiunu  acnnon  on  I  Lor.  6      Is   ther?  not  *  .n,T»  *• 
you  ?  (which  is  loft  by  the  Bookfellerj.  '  *  ?*  Man  «»"* 

§  16   1  wrote  an  Anfwer  to  Mr.  Jobnfin  Alias  Terra  1  his  Rejoynder  agaiafl  mv 
book  of  the  Churehe's  vifibihty  •    ButMr.  Jam  the  Bifhop  of  London's  Chaplain  re 
filfcd  to  Licenfe  it.     But  at  laft  when  the  Papifts  grew  odious  he  Licenfed  it  and 
my  Metbodus  rbeoloy*  :    And  the  former  is  Printed,   but  by  the  Bookfeller^ 
means  in  a  Character  fcarce  legible. 

§  27.  About  on.   1578.    IclL  out  the  murder  of  Sir  Edmond  Berry  Godfrey' 
which  made  a  very  great  change  in  England.     One  Dr.  Titus  Oats  had  difco- 
vercd  a  Plot  of  the  Papifts,  of  which  he  wrote  out  the  particulars  very  large- 
ly 5  telling  how  they  fired  the  City,  and   contriving  to   bring  the    Kingdom 
to  Popery,  and  in  order  thereto  to  kill  the  King  ;  He  named  the  Lords  Jefu- 
its,  Pricfts,  and  others,  that  were  the  chief  contrivers  -y  and  faid  that  he  him- 
felf  had  delivered  to  feverai  of  the  Lord's  their  Commiffions  •    that  the  Lord 
Bella/is  was  to  be  General,  the  Lord  Peters  Lieutenant  General,  and  the  Lord 
Stafford  Major  General,  the  Lord  Poms  Lord  Chancellor,  and   the  Lord  Arundel 
of  Warder  (the  chief)  to  be  Lord  .Treafurer.    He  told  who  were  to  be  ArchBi- 
fhops,  Bifhops,  &c.   And  at  what  Meetings,   and   by  whom,   and  when  all  was 
contrived,  and  who  were  defigned  to  kill  the  King  :  He  firft  opened  all  this  to  Dr. 
Tongue,  and  both  of  them  to  the  King  and  Council  :    He  mentioned  a  multi- 
tude of   Letters  which  he  himfelf  had  carried,  and  feen,  or  heard  read    that 
contained   all  thefe  contrivances:  But  becaule  his  father  and  he  had  once  been 
Anabaptifts,  and   when  the  Biihops  prevailed  turned  to  be  Conformable  Mini- 
ft«rs,  and-- afterward  he  (the  Son)  turned  Papilt,  and  confeiTcd,   that  he   lon°- 
had  gone  on  with  them,  under  many  Oaths  of  Secrecy,  many    thought  that  a 
man  of  Vo  little  Confciencc  was  not  to  be  believed  :    But  his  Confeffions  we-sq 
received  by  fome  Juftices  of  the  Peace  ;  and  none  more  forward  jn  the  Search 
than  Sit-  Edmund  Bury  Godfrey,  an  Able,    Honeft.,  and  diligent  Juftice.     While 
he  was  following  this  Work,  he  was  fuddenly  miffing,  and  could  not  be  heard 
of :    Three  or  Four  Days  after   he  was  found  kill'd  near  Afarybone-Park  •    It 
was  plainly  found  that   he  was  murthered  :     The  Parliament  took   the  Alarm 
upon  it,    and  Oates  was  now  believed1:     And  indeed  all  his  large  Confeffions, 
in  every  part,   agreed  to  admiration.    Hereupon  the  King    Proclaimed  Pardon 
and  Reward  to  any    that  would  confefs ,   or   difcover  the  Murder.    One  Mr. 
Bedlow,   that  had  fled  to  Brifiow.  began,  and  confefled  that  he  knew    of  it,  and 
who  did  it,   and  named   fome  of  the  Men,    the   Place    and  Time  ^    It  was   at 
die  Queen's  Houfe,  called  Somerset-  Houfe,   by   Fitz.-Gerald  and  Kelley,   Two  Pa- 
pift  Priefts,    and  Four  others,   Berry  the  Porter,  Green,  Pranfe  and  HiU.     The 
Priefts  fled  ;    Pronfe.   Berry,  Green  and  Hill  were  taken  :     Pranfe  firjt  confefr.  all, 
and  difcovered   the  reft  aforefaid,  more  than  Bedlow  knew  of,  and  all  the  Cir- 
enmftances ;  and  how  he  was  carried  away,  and  by  whom :  and    alfo  how  the 
Plot  was  laid  to  Kill  the  King.     Thus  Oates's  Teftimony,  leconded  by  Sir  Ed- 
mund Bury  Godfrey's  Murder,  and  Bedlow  and  Pranfe'' s  Tefthnomes,  became  to  be 
generally  believed.    Ire\wd,  a  jefuit,  and  Two  more,  were  Condemned  ,  as  de- 
fining to  Kill  the  King  :     fM  ,   Berry    and  Green  were  Condemned  for  tho 
murder  of  Godfrey,  and  Executed :    But  Pranfe  was,  by  a  Papift,  firft   terrifi- 
ed into  a  Denyal  again  of  the  Plot  to  Kill  the  King  ,    and   took  on  him  to 
be  Diffracted  ;    But  quicklv  Recanted  of  this,  and  had  no  Quiet  till  he  told 
how    he    was   fo    Affrighted  ,    and.  Renewed  all   his  Teftimonj  and  Confef- 

tion. 

After  this  came  in  one  Mr.  Dugdale,  a  Papift,  and  confuted  the  fame  Plot,  and 
efpecially  the  Lord  Staff  or  d\  iutereftkiit :  And  after  him  more  and  more  Evidence 
fciLy  was  added.  Colenm, 


i8o 


The  LIFE  of  the  PartlH 


Coleman  the  Dutchefs  of  Tory's  Secretary,  (and  one  of  the  Papifts  great  Plot- 
ters  and  Difputcrs)  being  furprized  though  he  made  away  all  his  later  Pa- 
tters was  baneed  by  the  Old  Ones,  that  were  remaining,  and  by  Oatts  hisTc- 
ltimonv  But  the  Parliament  kept  off  all  Afperhons  from  the  Duke  :  The 
Hopes  of  fome,    and  the  Fears  of   others   of  his  Succeffion ,    prevailed  with 

m$  28  At  laft  the  Lord  Trcafurer  (Sir  Thomas  Osborne  made  Earl  of  Dan- 
by) 1  came  upon  the  ftagc  having  been  before  the  object  of  the  Parliament  and 
People's  jealoufy  and  hard  thoughts.  He  being  afraid  that  fomewhat  would  be 
done  againft  him,  knowing  that  Mr.  Montague  (his  Kinfman)  late  Ambafladour 
in  France  had  fome  Letters  of  his  in  his  keeping,  which  he  thought  might  en- 
danger him  got  an  order  from  the  King  to  fcixe  on  all  Mr.  Montagues  Let- 
ters who  fufpefting  fome  fuch  ufage,  had  conveyed  away  the  chief  Letters  < 
and'  telling  the  Parliament  where  they  were,  they  fent  and  fetcht  them,  and 
upon  the  reading  of  them  were  fo  inftigated  again!*  the  Lord  Treafurer  they 
impeached  him  in  the  Lords  Houfe  of  High  Treafon. 

But  not  long  after  the  King  difolved   the  long  Parliament  (which  he  had 
kept  up  about  17  or  18  years).     But  a  new  Parliament  is  promifed. 

§  29.  AboYe  40  Scots  men  (of  which  3  Preachers)  were  by  their  Council 
fentenced  to  be  not  only  bammed  but  fold,  as  fervants  (called  flaves)  to  the 
American  Plantations :  They  were  brought  by  (hip  to  London  :  Divers  Citizens 
offered  to  pay  their  ranfom  :  The  King  was  petitioned  for  them :  I  went  to 
the  D.  of  Lauderdale  •,  but  none  of  us  could  prevail  for  one  man  :  At  lailthe 
Ship-iyUfter  was  told  that  by  a  Statute  it  was  a  Capital  crime  to  Tranfport 
any  of  the  King's  Subjects  out  of  England  (where  now  they  were)  without 
their  confent,  and  fo  he  fet  them  on  fhoar  and  they  all  efcaped  for  nothing. 
§  30.  A  great  number  of  Hungarian  Minifters  had  before  been  fold  for 
Gaily  flaves,  by  the  Empcrour's  Agents,  but  were  releafed  by  the  Dutch  Admi- 
ral's Requeft,  and  fome  of  them  largely  relieved  by  Collections  in  London. 

§  31.  The' long  and  grievous  Parliament  (that  filenced  about  2000  Miniflers 
and  did  many  works  of  fuch  a  nature;  bciug  diflblved  as  aforefaid,  oa  Jan. 
25.  1678.  A  new  one  was  chofen  and  met  on  March  6  following  :  And  the 
;fcing  refufmg  their  chofen  fpeaker  (Mr.  Segmore)  raifed  in  them  a  greater  dif- 
pkafure  againft  the  Lord  Treafurer  thinking  him  the  caufe  -  and  after  fome 
days  thev  chofe  Serjeant  Gregory. 

§  32.  "The  Duke  of  York  a  little  before,  removed  out  of  England  by  tke  King'* 
Command  -7  who  yet  ftands  to  maintain  his  Succeffion. 

§  33.  The  Parliament  firft  impeached  theforefaid  Papift  Lords  for  the  Plot,  or 
Confpiracy  (the  Lord  BeVa/is,  Lord  Arundel,  Lord  of  Fowls,  Lord  Scafford,  and 
Lord  Peter")  •,  and  after  them  the  Lord  Treafurer.     ; 

34.  New  fires  breaking  out  enrage  the  People  agamic  the  Papifts :  A  great  part 
of  Southward  wTas  before  burnt,  and  the  Papifts  fcrongly  Injected  the  caufe.  Near 
half  the  buildings  of  the  Temple  were  burnt :  And  it  fas  greatly  fufpe&ed  to  be 
done  by  the  Papifts.  One  Mr.BJ/«7<fr  houfe  in  Bolbom  n  and  Dive  s  others  fo  fired 
(but  quenched)  as  made  it  very  probable  to  be  by  their  Confpiracy.  And  at  lait 
in  Fetter -Lane  it  fell  on  the  houfe  of  Mr.  Robert  Bird  (a  Man  employed  in  Law,  of 
great  Judgment  and  Piety)  who  having  more  wit  than  many  others  to  fearchi  it  out, 
found  that  it  was  done  by  a  new  Servant  Maid,  who  confefled  it  firft  to  him,  and 
then  to  a  Juftice,  and  after  to  the  Lords,  that  one  Nicholas  $iupbes&  Papift  having 
firft  madeherpromifetobe  a  Papift,  next  promifed  her  5  /.  to  fet  fir  ;  Ma- 

tter's houfe,tellingher  that  many  others  were  to  do  the  like,  and  %  Pi  oteftant  He- 
reticks  to  be  killed  by  the  middle  of  June  and  that  it  was  no  more  fin  to  do  it  than 
to  kill  a  Dog.  Stubbes  was  taken,  and  at  firft  vehemently  denyed,  but  after  confefled 
all,  and  told  them  that  one  Giffard  a  Prieft  and  his  Confeflbr  engaged  him  in  it,  and 
Divers  others,  and  told  them  all  as  aforefaid,  how  the  Firing  and  Plot  went  on,  and 
what  hope  they  had  of  a  French  Inyafion.  The  Houfe  of  Commons  defired  the 
King  to  pardon  the  woman  (Eli^.  Oxley)  and  Stubbes. 

§  35.  If  the  Papifts  have  not  Confidence  in  the  French  Invafion,  God  leaveth 
them  to  utter  madnefs  to  haften  their  mine  :  They  were  in  full  jun&nefs  through 
the  Land  and  the  noife  of  rage  was  by  their  defign  turned  againft  the  Nonconfor- 
ming •  But  their  hopes  did  caft  them  into  fuch  an  impatience  of  delay,  that  they 
could  no  longer  ftay,  but  muft  prefently  Reign  by  rage  of  blood.    Had  £hey  ftudi- 

ed 


Part  III  %everend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter:  Ijfe 

Ac  themfelvcs  odious  to  theTInd,  they  coirkfhTve  found  outTno  more  ef-  "" 
tc^ual  way;  than  by  1  n  mg,  Murder,  and  Plotting  to  kill  the  King  i  All  London  at 
day  is  in  fuch  tear  ot  them,  that  they  are  fam  to  keep  up  private  Watches  in  all 
ineets  (betides  the  Common  ones;  tofave  their  houfes  from  firing'-  Yea1  while  they 
find  that  it  mcreafeth  a  hatred  of  them,  and  while  many  of  them  are  already  handed 
they  lull  go  on  j  which  fheweth  either  their  confidence  in  Foreign  Aid  or  their 
utter  infatuation.  °  ' 

§  35.  Upon  Ea/lcrdxf  the  Km-  diflblved  his  privy  Council,  and  fettled  it  a 
new,  confuting  of  30  men  f  molt  ot  the  old  ones)  the  Earl  of  Shaft sbury  being  Preft- 
dent,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  People  then,  tho  lince  all  is  changed. 

§  37.  On  the  27th  of  A\>ril.  1679.    Tho  it  was  the  Lord's  Day  the  Parliament 
Sate,  excited  by  Stubbes  his  Confeflion  that  the  Firing  Plot  went  on,  and  the  French 
were  to  invade  us,  and  the  Proteftants  to  be  murdered  by  June  28,  and  they  voted 
that  the  Duke  of  York's  declaring  himfelf  a  Papift  was  the  caufe  of  all  our  dangers 
by  thefe  Plots,  and  fent  to  the  Lords  to  concur  in  the  fame  Vote. 

§  38.  But  the  King  that  week  by  himfelf  and  the  Chancellonr  acquainted  them, 
that  he  lhould  confent  to  any  thing  reafonable  to  fecure  the  Proteftant  Religion,  not 
alienating  the  Crown  from  the  Line  of  Succeffion,  and  Particularly  that  he  would 
confent  that  till  the  Succeffour  lhould  take  the  Teft,  he  lhould  exercife  no  Ads  of 
Government,  but  the  Parliament  in  being  mould  continue,  or  if  none  then  were,that 
which  laft  was,  lhould  be  in  power,  and  exercife  all  the  Government  in  the  Name 
of  the  King.3    This  offer  took  much  with  many  5  but  moft  faid  that  it  fignifyed 
nothing.     For  Papifts  have  eafily  Difpenfations  to  take  any  Tefts  or  Oaths,  and 
Queen  Mary's  cafe  (hewed  how  Parliaments  will  ferve  the  Prince's  will. 

§  39.  Divers  Papifts  turned  from  them  to  the  Proteftants,  upon  the  Dete&ion 
of  their  wickednefs  and  bloody  Principles  and  minds :  And  among  others  Mr. 
Hutchinfon,  that  called  himfelf  Berry ,  againft  whom  I  lately  wrote.     He  firft  wrote 
for  the  Oaths  of  Allegiance  and  Supremacy,  and  after  forfook  them  feemingly  for 
a  time. 

$  40.  When  I  had  written  my  Book  againft  Mr.  Gale's  Treatife  for  Predetermi- 
nation, and  was  intending  to  Print  it,  the  good  man  fell  lick  of  a  Confumption, 
and  I  thought  it  meet  to  fufpend  the  publication  ^left  I  mould  grieve  him  and  in- 
ereafe  his  ficknefs,  of  which  he  dyed.     And  that  I  might  not  obfeure  God's  Provi- 
dence about  fin,  I  wrote  and  preached  two  Sermons  to  mew  what  great  and  excellent 
things  God  doth  in  the  World  by  the  occaiion  of  Man's  fin  :  And  verily  it  is  wonder- 
ful to  obfervcthat  ^in  England,  all  Parties  (Prelatical  firft,  Independents,  Anabap- 
tifts,  efpecially  Papifts,  have  been  brought  down  by  themfclves,  and  not  by  the  wit 
and  ftrength  of  their  Enemies,  and  we  can  hardly  difcern  any  footfteps  of  any 
of  our  own  Endeavours,  wit  or  power  in  any  of  our  Late  Deliverances,  but  our 
Enemies  wickednefs  and  bloody  Defigns  have  been  the  occafion  of  almoft  all.    Yea, 
the  Presbyterians  themfelves  have  fuffered  more  by  the  dividing  effects  of  their  owm 
Covenant,  and  their  un^kilfulnefs  in  healing  the  Divifions  between  them  and  the 
Independents  and  Anabaptifts,  and  the  Epifcopal,  than  by  any  ftrength  that  brought 
them  down  j  tho  fince  men's  wrath  hath  troden  them  as  in  the  dirt. 

§  41.  In  April  I  finilhed  a  Treatife  of  the  only  way  of  Union  and  Concord, 
among  all  Chriftian  Churches:  In  three  parts.  1.   Of  the  Nature  and  Reafons  of 
Union  and  Concord.  2.    Of  the  true  and  only  Terms.  3.   Of  the  Nature  of  Schifra, 
and  the  falfe  Terms  on  which  the  Church  will  never  unite. 

§  42.  Two  years  ago  by  the  Confent  of  many  Minifters  I  Printed  one  Writing 
called  the  Judgment  of  Nonconforming,  concerning  the  Parts  or  Office  of  Reafon 
in  Religion-  which  having  good  acceptance,  by  the  fame  Men's  confent,  I  yielded 
to  the  Printing  of  three  more,  one  of  the  difference  between  Grace  and  Morality  -, 
Another  called  the  Nonconformifts  Judgment  about  things  indifferent  commanded 
by  Authority  :  And  another  What  Nonconformity  is  not,  disclaiming  feveral  falfe  im- 
putations ;  To  which  I  added  a  4th  of  Scandal.     But  when  they  were  Printed  fome 
of  ocr  Political  friends  in  Parliament  and  elfe  where,  were  againft  the  publifhing  of 
them,  laying,  they  would  increafe  our  fufferings  by  exafperating,  or  offend  fome 
Sedanes  that  diflike  fome  words :  And  fo  I  was  put  to  pay  (23  /.)  for  the  printing 
of  them  and  fupprefs  them.  .       ...    .& 

S  4.3    I  wrote  alfo  Divers  Treatifes  of  Nonconformity  :  One  opening  tneir  caic 
by  a  multitude  of  Quere's :  Another  by  way  of  Hiftory  and  Affertion.  fpeaally 

A  a  a  a  a  vmaicat- 


S6  The  LI "f'E  of  the  Part  III. 


vindicating  them  from  the  Charge  or  Schifm.     Another  to  .  luty 

to  continue. preaching  tho  forbidden,  &c. 

if  44.  The  Earl  of  Argyle  told  me  that  being  111  company  witli  tome 
great  men,  one  of  them  faid,  that  he  went  once  to  hear  Mr.  Baxter  pies 
and  he  faid  nothing  but  what  might  befeem  the  King's  Chappel  ;  and  conclud- 
ed that  it  was  his  Judgment  that  1  ought  to  be  beaten  with  many  firsts,  becaufe 
it  could  not  be  through  ignorance,  but  meer  faclwn  that  1  conformed  not  : 
And  the  Biihops  and  Clergy  to  this  day,  make  unftudied  Noble  Men  and  Gen- 
tlemen believe,  that  we  confefs  all  to  be  lawful,  and  meer  Inconvenience-: 
which  we  deny  Conformity  to  (O  inhumane  Impudence  !  A  Plot  of  Satan  to 
tempt  men  never  more  to  believe  Clergy  men's  Biftory  !  )  Hereupon  the 
faid  Earl  of  Argyle  (after  many  others)  dcfiring  me  to  write  down  the  points 
that  we  deny  Conformity  to,  I  wrote.  1.  The  cafe  of  the  NoncQtffovmifts  in 
a  brief  Hiftory.  2.  An  Index  of  about  40  or  50  of  the  points  that  we  can- 
not conform  to  :  but  barely  naming  them  without  proof  to  avoid  prolixity, 
which  may  expofe  them '  to  any  Pretender's  Confutation.  And  at  the  impor- 
tunity of  a  friend,  this  week  {May  2.)  I  pei  mined  the  fhewing  them  to  the 
Bifhop  of  Lincoln  Dr.  Barlow :  who  is  a  Man  firmly  zealous  againlt  Popery,  of 
great  Reading  and  Learning,  long  a  publick  Piofeifor  of  Divinity  in  Oxford, 
and  efteemed  of  as  equal  at  leait  with  the  belt  of  the  Bifhops  •,  And  yet  told 
my  friend  that  got  my  Papers  for  him,  that  he  could  hear  of  nothing  that  we 
judged  to  be  fin,  but  meer  inconveniences  :  When  as  above  1 7  years  ago ,  we 
publickly  endeavoured  to  prove  the  iinfulnefs  even  of  many  of  the  old  Imposi- 
tions ;  and  our  petition  for  peace  was  printed,  in  which  we  folemnly  profelTed 
that  nothing  fhould  hinder  us  from  Conformity ,  did  we  not  believe  it  to  be 
jin  againlt  God ,  and  endangering  our  falvation.  Yet  thus  talk  the  belt  and 
Learnedeft  of  them,  as  if  they  had  dwelt  a  thoufand  Miles  from  us,  and  had 
never  heard  our  Cafe.  Some  would  perfuade  us  that  they  are  all  meer  har- 
dened impudent  Worldlings  that  know  all  to  be  Lies,  nhich  they  thus  fpeak  : 
But  I  am  perfuaded  that  this  is  too  hard  Cenfure,  and  that  feme,  yea  many 
of  the  Clergy  think  as  they  thus  fpeak,  becaufe  the  Schifm  of  the  Age  doth 
make  them  meer  ftrangers  to  us,  knowing  little  more  of  our  minds  than  what 
they  hear  from  one  another  by  fuch  Reports  :  And  yet  we  never  had  leave  to 
fpeak  or  write  our  Cafe,  to  tell  men  what  it  is  that  we  think  fin  in  the  New- 
Conformity,  much  lefs  to  give  our  Reafons. 

§  45.  The  firing  fury  going  on  ftill  (God  leaving  the  Papiits  to  felf-deftroy- 
ing  madnefs)  on  Friday  night  May  9.  Some  Papilt  prifoners  bribing  the  Porter, 
they  fet  the  prifon  on  fire,  and  burnt  much  of  it  down  ;  the  Porter  and  they 
efcaping  together  :  which  put  the  Parliament  to  appoint  the  drawing  up  of  a 
ftricW  Law  to  prevent  more  firing  :  But  what  can  Laws  do  to  it  ? 

§  45.  On  the  Lord's  day  May  wth  1679.  The  Commons  fate  extraordinari- 
ly, and  agreed  in  two  Votes,  firft  that  the  Duke  of  Tc  k  was  uncapabie  of  fuc- 
eeeding  in  the  Imperial  Crown  of  England.  2.  That  they  would  ftand  by  the 
King  and  the  Proteftant  Religion  with  their  Lives  and  Fortunes,  and  if  the 
King  came  to  a  violent  Death,  which  God  forbid,  would  be  revenged  on 
the  Papiits. 

§  47.  The  Arch-Bimop  of  St.  Andrews  in  Scotland,  James  Sharf  was  Mur- 
dered this  Month.  The  A&ors  (a  Servant  hardly  ufed  by  him  (or  a  Te- 
nant) drew  in  fome  Confederates  )  fince  fuftered. 

$  48.  The  Parliament  fhortly  diffolved  while  they  infilled  on  the  r.ryal  of 
the  Lord  Treafurer. 

§  49.  The  Spots  being    forbidden  to  preach   and  Meet  in  the  open   Fields, 

ng  led  by  a  few  ralh  men,  at  a  Meeting  being  aflaulted  defended  them- 
fejves,  and  fo  were  many  drawn  into  refinance  of  the  Magiftrate,  and  were 
deftroyed. 

§  50.  There  came  from  among  the  Papiits  more  and  more  Converts  that 
d^teded  the  Plot  againlt  Religion  and  the  King:  After  Gates,  Bedim,  Eve- 
r^r.d,  Dugdale,  Tranfe  came  Jenrifon  acGeatkmast  of* <&tays-Inn  :  nyffc  a  Prieit, 
and  others:'  But  nothing  itopt  them  more  than  a. Plot  difcovefed  to  have 
turned  all  the  odium  on  the  Presbyterians  and  Proteftant  Adverfaries  cf  Po- 
,  :    They  hired  one   banger  field  to  manage  the  matter  %  but  by  the'  indu- 

ihy 


^-- — 1.    —  ■■  II .    -  1I_J_1 

Part IH.  1W^/ :Afr.  .Richard  B^         ^Z 

ftry  of  Colonel    Manfel  (  who  was  to  hiv#*  h«.*»n    «,«.   „    r  j  >. — T- — — -- 

W*r  the  rtotwasfoilyffi ™ > haTe  Wda tloS^K  *^ 
or  Diirente,,  and  many  great  Lord,.  ArtX^^^^?. 
Bueth  a  itedfaft  Convert  and  Proteftant  to  this  day  '  ntl" 

Lpiouily  brothers    that  theie  Vcd^oe  rfjgfflgS^ ^^S^ 
of  late  hath  afforded  matter  for  a  Volume  of  Lamentations.     Only  that  Poftel^ 
may  not  be  deluded  by  Credulity ,  I  (hall  truly  tell  them ,  That  Lyinl  SftS? 
pudently  in  Print,  againft  the  moft  notorious  Evidence  of  Truth    nth"  vend" 
ing  of  cruel  Malice  againft  Men  of  Confcience,  and  the  fear  of  God'  is  bVcom-  fo 
ordinary  a  Trade,  as  that  its  like  with  Men  of  Experience,  ere  long  to  pat  fo? 
a  good  Conclulion.     IDtOum  vtl  fcriptum  eft  (  a  Malign*)  Er,o%ir^J\ 
Many  of  the  Malignant  Clergy  and  Laity,  efpecially  Le  Strange  the  Obfe/vator  and 
fuch  others,  do  with  fo  great  Confidence  publifh  the  moft  Notorious  Falfhoods 
that  Imuft  confefs  it  hath  greatly  deprefled  myEfteemof  moft  Hiftory,  and  of 
Humane  Nature.     If  other  Hiftonans  be  like  fome  of  thefc  Times  their  AlTer 
tions,  when-ever  they  fpeak  of  fuch  as  they  diftafte,  are  to  be  Read  as  Hebrew 
backward  •  and  are  fo  far  from  fignifying  Truth,  that  many  for  one  are  down- 
right Lies.     It  s  no  wonder  Perjury  is  grown  fo  common,  when  the  moft  Impu- 
dent Lying  hath  fo  prepared  the  way. 

§.  52.  Having  publifhed  a  Confutation  of  Mr.  Dangers  about  Infant-baptifm 
one  Mr.  Hut  hinfon  an  Anabaptift  in  a  reproachful  Letter  called  me  to  review  what 
l  had  written  on  that  Subject :  And  in  a  few  meets  I  pubhfhed  it,  called  ZARevkv 
9fmy  thoughts  of  Jnfant-Baptijm  3  which,  I  think,  for  the  brevity,  and'perfpicuitv 
fitteft  for  the  ufc  of  ordinary  doubters  of  that  point :  And  Mr.  Band  hath  contra- 
ded  my  other  Books  of  it ,  in  certain  Quareh. 

§.  53.  The  aft  retraining  the  Prefs  being  expired,  I  publifhed  a  Book  that  lay 
by  me  to  open  the  cafe  of  Nonconformity ,  called,  A  Plea  for  Peace :  which  great- 
ly offended  many  Conformifts^  tko  I  ventured  no  farther  but  to  name  the  things 
that  we  durfl  not  conform  to :  Even  the  fame  Men  that  had  long  called  out  to  us 
to  tell  them  what  we  defired ;  and  faid  ,  We  had  nothing  to  fay ,  could  not  bear  it! 
TheBifhopof£/y,  Dr.  Gunning,  told  me,  He  would  petition  Authority  to  com- 
mand, us  to  give  the  reafons  of  our  Nonconformity ,  and  not  thus  keep  up  a  Schifm 
and  give  no  reafon  for  it.  The  Bifhop  of  London^ Dr.  Compton0  told  me,  That  the 
King  took  us  to  be  not  llucere ,  for  not  giving  the  reafons  of  our  diflent.  I  told 
them  both  ,  it  was  a  ftrange  Expe&ation ,  from  Men,  that  had  fo  folly  given  their 
reafon  againft  the  old  Conformity  in  our  Reply,  and  could  get  noAnfwer-  arid 
when  their  own  Laws  would  Excommunicate ,  Imprifon,  and  Ruin  us,  fordoing 
any  fuch  thing  as  they  demanded :  But  I  would  begg  it  on  my  knees ,  and  return 
them  moil;  hearty  thanks  if  they  would  but  procure  us  leave  to  do  it.  Yet  when 
it  was  but  half  done ,  it  greatly  provoked  them  •,  And  they  Wrote  and  faid,  That 
without  the  leaft  provocation  I  had  afTaulted  them :  Whereas  I  only  named  what 
weftuck  at,  profelfmg  to  accufe  none  of  them:  And  they  thought  Seventeen  years 
Silencing,  Profecuting ,  Imprifoning ,  Accufations  of  Parliament  men ,  Prelates , 
Priefts  and  People,  and  all  their  Calls  {What  would  you  have}  Why  do  you  not  tell  us 
what  you  ftick  at  f  3  to  be  no  provocation.  Yea,  Bifhops  and  Do&ors  had  long  told 
Great  Men  ,  That  I  my  felf  had  faid ,  That  it  was  only  things  inconvenient ,  and 
not  things  linful,  which  I  refufed  to  Conform  to ,  Whereas  I  had  given  them,  in  the 
Defcription  of  Eight  Particular  things  in  the  old  Conformity,  which  I  undertook 
to  prove  finful :,  and  at  the  Savoy  began  with  one  of  them  •,  And  in  the  Petition 
for  Peace,  offered  our  Oaths ,  that  we  would  refufe  Conformity  to  nothing  but 
what  we  took  to  be  fin.  And  now  when  I  told  them  what  the  Sins  were ,  O 
what  a  common  Storm  did  it  raife  among  them !  When  Heathens  wou/d  have  let 
Men  fpeak  for  themfelves  before  they  arc  Coademned ,  its  Criminal  in  us  to  do  it 
Seventeen  years  after. 

§.  54.  Dr.  Stillingfleet  being  made  Dean  of  Pauls  was  put  on  as  the  moil  plau- 
fible  Wrriter  to  begin  the  aifault  againft  us  ,  which  he  did  in  a  printed  Sermon 
proving  me  and  fuch  Others  Schifmaficks  and  Separatifts.  To  which  I  gave  an 
anfwer  which  l  thought  fatisfactory '(  Dr.  Owen  and  Mr.  Map  alfo  anfwered  him  ) 
To  all  which  he  wrote  fome  what  like  a  Reply. 

Aaaaa z  §<   ^S- 


m 


Tb8  The  L  1  FEojtbe  Part  III 

_ 

§•  55-  Againft  this  1  Wrote  a  fecond  Defence  ,  which  he  never  anfwered. 

§.  56.  One  Mr.  Cheny  (an  honeft  weak  Melancholy -Man  )  wrote  againft  my 
Plea  for  Peace ,  to  which  I  Publifhed  an  Anfwer. 

§.  57.  One  Mr.  Hinkley  Wrote  againft  me  long  ago  ,  which  occafioned  feme 
Letters  betwixt  us  -,  and  now  he  Publifhed  his  Part,  and  put  me  to  publifh  mine  j 
which  I  did,  witl\an  Anfwer  to  a  Book,  called  Reflexions,  &c.  and  another,  called, 
The  Impleadcr  ,  and  a  Re-joynder  to  Mr.  Cheny-Long  of  Exeter  was  one  of 
them. 

§.  58.  Becaufe  a  Book,  called,  The  Counter 'miner  •  Lt  Strangc,and  many  others, 
endeavoured  ftill,  as  their  Chief  Work,  to  perfwade  Rulers  and  all,  that  we  che- 
riflied  Principles  of  Rebellion,  and  were  preparing  for  Treafon,  Sedition,  or  a 
War :  I  much  defired  openly  to  publifh  our  Principles  about  Government  and 
Obedience,  but  our  Wife  Parliament-G*entlemen  were  againft  it,  faying,  You  can 
publifh  nothing  fo  truly,  or  warily,  but  Men  will  draw  Venom  out  of  it,  and 
riiake  ufc  of  it  againft  you.  But  having  been  thus  flopt  many  years,  it  faiisfied 
not  my  Confcience,  and  I  publifhed  all,  in  a  Book,  called,  A  ficond  Ilea  for  Peace. 
And  it  hath  had  the  ftsange  fate  of  Being  Unanfwcied  to  this  day  ;  nor  can  1  get 
them  to  take  notice  of  it :  Though  it  was  feared  it  would  have  been  but  Fewel 
to  their  Malice,  for  fome  ill  effect.  I  added  to  it,  The  Nonconformtfts  Judgn.ent 
about  things  indifferent ,  about  Scandal  ;  The  difference  between  Grace  and  Mora- 
lity ;  and  what  Nonconformity  is  not. 

§.  59.  Upon  Mr.  PI.  DodwelW  provocation  I  publifhed  a  Treatife  of  Epifcopa- 
cy  that  had  lain  long  by  me ;  which  fully  openeth  our  Judgment  about  the  diffe- 
rence between  the  old  Epifcopacy,  and  our  new  Diocefans,  and  Anfwereth  almofb 
all  the  Chief  Writers  which  have  Written  for  fuch  Prelacy ,  fpecially  Bifhop 
Downance,  Dr.  Hammond,  Saravia,  Spalatenfis^  Setavius,  &c.  1  think  I  may  freely 
fay,  it  is  Elaborate,  and  had  it  not  done  fomewhat  effectually  in  the  undertaken 
caufe,  fome  one  or  other  would  have  anfwered  it  ere  now.  It  makes  me  admire 
that  my  Cathol.  Theology ,  our  Reformed  Liturgy ,  my  Second  Plea  for  Peace,  ( that,  I 
fay,  not  the  firft  alfo  )  and  this  Treatife  of  Epifcopacy  could  never  procure  an  An- 
fwer from  any  of  thefe  fierce  Accufing  Men  ;  when  as  it  is  the  Subjects  of  thefe 
Four  ,  which  are  the  Controverfres  of  the  Age  (  and  Rage )  by  thefe  Men  fo 
much  infifted  on.  But  I  have  fince  found  fome  Explication  about  the  Englifh  Dio- 
cefanes  necelTary  ;  which  the  Separatifts  forced  me  to  publifh,  by  mifunderftand- 
ing  me. 

§.  60.  Mr.  Hinkley  grew  more  moderate,  and  Wrote  me  a  Reconciling  Letter ; 
lsut  Long  of  Exceter  (  if  Fame  mifreport  not  the  Anonimous  Author  )  Wrote 
fo  fierce  a  Book,  to  prove  me,  out  of  my  own  Writings  to  be  one  of  the  worffc 
Men  living  on  Earth  (  full  of  Falihoods,  and  old  retracted  Lines,  and  half  Sen- 
tences )  that  I  never  faw  any  like  it  •,  And  being  overwhelmed  with  V/ork  and 
Weaknefs,  and  Pains,  and  having  leaft  zeal  to  defend  a  Perfon  fo  bad  as  I  know 
my  felf  to  be^  I  yet  never  Anfwered  him,  it  being  none  of  the  matter  in  Con- 
troverfie,  whether  I  be  good  or  bad.     God  be  Merciful  to  me  a  Sinner. 

§.  61.  I  publifhed  alfo  an  Apology  for  the  Nonconformifts  Preaching,  proving 
it  their  duty  to  Preach,  though  forbidden,  while  they  can  •.  And  Anfwering  a 
Multitude  of  Objectors  againft  them,  Powlis,  Morley,  Gunning,  Parker,  Patrick^ 
Druell,  Saywell,  Afhton,  Good,  Dodwell,  &c.  With  Reafons  to  prove,  that  the  ho- 
neft Conformifts  fhould  be  for  our  Preaching. 

§.  62.  I  publifhed  a  few  Sheets,  caUed,  A  Moral  Prognojlicatio;: }  what  will  be- 
fall the  Churches,  as  gathered  only  from  Moral  Caufcs. 

§.  63.  Becaufe  the  accufation  of  Schifni  is  it  that  maketh  all  the  ncife  againft 
the  Nonconformifts,  in  the  Mouths  of  their  Perfecutors,  1  Wrote  a  lev/  Sheets , 
called,  A  fear ch  for  the  Englifh  Schifmatich,~]  comparing  the  Principles  and  Practi- 
ces of  both  Parties,  and  leaving  it  to  the  Reader  to  Judge,  who  is  the  Schifma- 
tick-,  (hewing,  that  the  Prelatifts  have  in  the  Canons  ipfo  fatto,  Excommunicated 
all  (  Nobility,  Gentry,  Clergy  and  People)  who  do  but  affirm,  that  there  is  any 
thing  finful  in  their  Liturgy,  Ceremonies,  or  Church-Government,  even  to  the 
loweft  Officer ;  And  their  Laws  caft  us  out  of  the  Miniftery  into  Goals,  and 
then  they  call  us  Schifmaticks  for  not  coming  to  their  Churches .-  Yea,  though 
we  come  to  them  conftantly,  as  I  have  done ,  if  we  will  not  give  over  Preaching 
our  felves  •  when  the  parimes  I  lived  in  ,  had  one  Fifty  thoufand  ,  the  other 
Twenty  thoufand  Souls  in  it,  more  than  can  come  within  the  Church-doors.  This 

Boole 


Part  IlL       Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  .,  g, 

Book  alio,  and  my  Prognoftication,  and,  (which  I  moftvalued)  my  True  jmd 
oKly  v:ay  of  Vtuvcrfal  Concord,  were  Railed  at,  but  never  Anfwered  (  that  I  know 
of,  )  no  more  than  thofc  fore-mentioned. 

t  «t  One  Mr  Mmrkfr  Chaplain  to  Arch-bifhop  Sandcroft,  Wrote  a  Learned 
and  Virulent  Book  againft  my  Abflratl  of  the  Htfory  of  Bifhops  and  Councils  •  and 
againft  a  fmajl  Book  of  Mr.  David  Clerkfon,  againft  the  Amawty  of  Bwcehnes  - 
I°^ll  Mr.  C/trV™  and  *  conjoyned  our  Anfvvers  5  In  mine,  I  Epitomized  ^ 
Ludolphm  Hiftory  otHabaffia  m  tht  Preface  ■  and,  1  think,  Efficiently  Vindicated 
my  Htftory  of  Councils    and  fo  think  they  that  were  greatly  taken  with  Mr.  J/or- 

b  s  book  till  they  faw  the  Anfwer.  And  Mr.  Clerk/on  hath  (hewn  himfelf  fo 
much  better  acquainted  with  Church  .Hiftory  than  they,  that  whether  they  will 
attempt  to  anfwer  his  Teftimonies  (  and  mine  in  my  Treatife  of  Epifcopacy  ) 
Which  difprove  the  Antiquity  of  Diocefanes ,  or  will  truft  only  to  pollijfion  pow- 
er and  noifc ,  I  know  not.  ' 

§.  65.  Mr.  H.  Dodwell,  and  Dr.  Sherlock,  by  publick  accufation ,  called  me  out  to 
publifli  a  Book ,  called  ,  An  Anfwer  to  Mr.  Dodwell  and  Dr.  Sherlock ,  confuting 
an  Vniverfal  Humane  Church-Sovereignty,  Ariftocratical  and  Monarchical' as  Church- 
Tyranny  and  Popery ,  and  defending  Dr.  Ifaac  Barrow's  Excellent  Treatife  againft  it. 
(  For  Dr.  Ttllotfon  had  newly  Publilhed  this  Excellent  Pofthumous-Treatife ,  and 
Sherlock  quarrel'd  with  it.)  In  this  1  confuted  Mr.  Dodwellh  Treatife  of  Schifm, 
and  many  of  his  Letters  and  Conferences  with  me  ,  which  I  think  he  will  pafs  by ' 
left  his  own  Reply  Ihould  make  thofe  know  him  who   read  not  mine. 

§.  66.  In  a  fhort  time  I  was  called  with  a  grieved  heart  to  Preach  and  Publifli 
many  Funeral  Sermons ,   on  the  Death  of  many  Excellent  Saints. 

Mr.  Stubbes  went  firft,  that  Humble  ,  Holy,  Serious  Preacher -,  long  a  blefling  to 
Glouceflcrfhire  and  Somerfttfhire ,  and  other  parts ,  and  laftly  to  London ,  I  had 
great  reaibn  to  lament  my  particular  Lofs ,  of  fo  holy  a  friend,  who  oft  told  me, 
That  for  very  many  years  he  never  went  to  God  by  folemn  Prayer ,  without  a 
particular  remembrance  of  me :  but  of  him  before. 

Next  died  Mrs.  Coxe ,  Wife  to  Dr.  Thomas  Coxe  (  now  Prefident  of  the  Col- 
ledge  of  Phyficians )  a  Woman  of  fuch  admirable  compofure  of  Humble,  Serious 
Godlincfs ,  meeknefs  ,  patience  ,  exa&nefs  of  Speech  and  all  behaviour ,  and 
great  Charity ,  that  all  that  I  have  faid  in  her  Funeral  Sermon  is  much  fhort  of 
her  worth. 

Next  died  my  mofc  intire  Friend  Alderman  Henry  Afhhurft,  commonly  taken 
for  the  molt  exemplary  Saint  that  was  of  publick  notice  in  this  City  -  fo  found  in 
Judgment,  of  fuch  admirable  Meeknefs,  Patience,  Univerfal  Charity,  Studious  of 
Good  Works,  and  large  therein ,  that  we  know  not  where  to  find  his  Equal.  Yet 
though  fuch  a  Holy  Man,  of  a  ftrong  Body,  God  tryed  his  patience  by  the  terrible 
Difeafe  of  the  Stone  in  the  Bladder  ;  And,  in  extremity  of  torment  he  endured  to 
be  Cut,  and  two  broken  Stones  taken  out  by  Thirty  pieces  and  more,  with  ad- 
mirable patience :  And  when  the  Wound  was  almoft  healed,  he  wts  fain  to  bo 
Cut  again  of  a  third  Stone  that  was  left  behind  -,  and  after  much  fuffering  and  pa- 
tience, died,  with  great  peace  and  quietnefs  of  Mind  -,  and  hath  left  behind  him 
the  perfume  of  a  moft  honoured  Name,  and  the  Memorials  of  a  moft  exemplary 
Life,  to  be  imitated  by  all  his  Dependents. 

Next  my  dear  Friend  Mr.  John  Corbet,  of  juft  tne  like  temper  of  Body  and  Soul, 
having  endured  at  Chkhejier  many  years  Torment  of  the  fame  Difeafe  ,  coming  up 
to  be  Cut,  died  before  they  could  Cut  him,  and  had  juft  three  fuch  Stones  in  his 
Bladder  as  Mr.  AfhurjFs  were:  his  worth  is  known  in  Gloucester,  Chichefier,  Lon- 
don, and  by  his  Writings  to  the  Land,  to  be  beyond  what  I  have  publiihed  of  him, 
in  his  Funeral  Sermon.  He  having  lived  in  my  Houfe  before,  and  greatly  honou- 
red by  my  Wife  •  She  got  not  long  after  his  excellent  Exemplary  Wife  (laugh- 
ter to  Dr.  Twifs )  to  be  her  Companion,  but  enjoyed  that  comfort  but  a  little 
while,  which  I  have  longer  enjoyed. 

§.  67.  Near  the  fame  time  died  my  Father's  fecond  Wife,  Mary,  the  Daughter 
of  Sir  'Thomas  Hunks  ■  and  Sifter  to  "sir  Fulkc  Hunks,  the  King's  Governour  of 
Shrewsbury  in  the  Wars :  Her  Mother,  the  old  Lady  Hunks;  died  at  my  Father  s 
Houfe  between  Eighty  and  One  hundred  years  old.  And  my  Mothcr-in-Law 
died  at  Ninety  fix  (  of  a  Cancer  )  in  perfeft  Underftanding,  having  lived  from  • 
kr  youth  in  the  greatqft  Mortification,  Aufterity  to  her  Body,  and  constancy  of 
frrayer  and  aU  Devotion,  of  any  one  that  ever  I  knew  :    la  the  hatred  of  all  trn^ 


i9o  The   L  11 '  E  oj  the  Part  III. 

ftri&nefsof  Univerfal  obedience,  and  for  Thirty  year,  loj  frith  Chi  ill  ; 

In  conflaRt   daily   acquired   infirniity  of  body    (  got  by  av<  ,il  E-ercife, 

and    long  fecret  prayer  in  the  eoldeft  Seafons,  and   fuch    like )   but  of  a  con- 
stitution' naturally   ftrong  :    afraid  of  recovering  when  ever   fl;c  was  ill  :   | 
fome  days  before  her  death  ihe  was  fo  taken  with  the  Niuty   firft  Pfalm,  thai 
(he  would    get  thofe  that  came    near  her  to    read  it  to  her   over    and  over ;' 
which  Pfalm  alfo  was  a  great  means  of  Comfoit  to  Old  BexM9  even  againft  his 
Death. 

§.  68.  5oon  after   dyed  'jane  Mattbtm  Seventy  fix,  My  Houfe-kceper 

fourteen  years  :  though  mean  of  quality,  very  eminent  m  kidcrminfter ,  and 
the  parts  about  for  Wifdom,  Piety,  and  a  hply,  Sober,  Righteous,  Exemplary 
Life. 

And  many  of  my  Old  Hearers  and  Flock  at  A  tdermmjter  dyed  not  long  before. 
Among  whom  a  mean  Freeholder  James  "butcher  of  Wannerton,  huh  left  few  equal 
to  him  for  all  that  feemethto  approach  perfe&ion  in  a  plain  Man":  O  how  many 
holy  Souls  are  gone  to  Chrift  out  of  that  one  Pariih  of  Kidcrminf.es  in  a  few  years, 
and  yet  the  Number  feeraeth  to  increafe. 

§.  69.  The  Book  which  I  publifhcd  called  The  Poor  A  fan's  Family  Book,  was  fo 
well  accepted,  that  I  found  it  a  ufeful  work  of  Charity  to  give  many  of  them 
(  with  the  Call  to  the  Unconverted )  abroad  in  many  Countries,  where  neither 
I,  nor  fuch  others  had  leave  to  Preach  (and  many  Hundreds  fince,  with  good 

fuceeft.  ) 

§.  70.  The  times  were  fo  bad  for  felling  Books,  that  I  was  fain  to  be  my  felf 
at  the  charge  of  Printing  my  Methodus  Theologia,  fome  frieads  contributed  about 
Eighty  pounds,  towards  it  ;  It  cofl  me  one  way  or  other  about  Five  hundred 
pounds :  About  Two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  I  received  from  thofc  Non-con- 
formifts  that  bought  them.  The  Contrary  party  fet  themfelves  to  hinder  the 
fale  of  it,  becaufe  it  was  mine,  tho'  elfe  the  Doctrine  of  it,  being  half  Philofo- 
phical,  and  half  Conciliatory  would  have  pleafed  the  Learned  part  of  them.  But 
mofb  lay  it  by  as  too  hard  for  them,  as  over  Scholaftical  and  exact.  I  wrote  it 
and  my  Englijh  Chriftiaa  Direttory  to  make  up  one  Compleat  Body  of  Theology, 
The  Latin  one  the  Theory,  and  the  Englijh  one  the  Practical  part.  And  the 
latter  is  commonly  accepted  becaufe  lefs  difficult. 

§.71.  My  fhort  piece  againft  Popery  called  The  Certainty  ofChrifiamtymtheut 
popery,  proved  of  ufe  againft  Infidels  as  well  as  Papifis.  But  moll  deceived  men  will 
not  be'  at  the  labour  to  ftudy  any  thing  that  is  diftinft  and  exact,  but  take  up  w  ith 
the  firft  appearances  of  things. 

§.  72.  The  Miferable  State  of  Youngmen  in  London,  was  a  great  trouble  to  my 
mindj  Efpecially  Rich  men's  Sons  and  Servants,  Merchants  and  Lawyers  Appren- 
tices and  Clarks,  carried  away  by  the  flelh,  to  drinking,  Gluttony,  Piays,  Gaming, 
Whoring,  Robbing  their  Matters,^.  I  wrote  therefore  a  fmalTractate  for  fuch, 
called  C»mpaJJionate  Counfel  to  Toung  men  :  Sir  Robert  'Jthns  contributed  towards 
the  charge  of  Printing  it,  and  I  gave  of  them  in  City  and  Country  One  thoufand 
five  hundred,  befides  what  the  Bookfellcr  fold:  But  few  will  read  it  r1   t  moil 

need. 

§.73.  About  this  time  dyed  my  dear  friend  Mr.Tfiomas  Gouge,  of  whofe  Life 
you  may  fee  a  little  in  Mr.  ClarKs  laft  book  of  Lives :  A  wonder  of  iincere  in- 
duftrie  in  works  of  Charity  }  It  would  make  a  Volume  to  recite  at  e,the  Chari- 
ty he  ufed  to  his  poor  Parilhioners  at  Sepulches  (before  he  was  Ejected  and  Silen- 
ced for  Non-conformity  -,  His  Conjunction  with  Alderman  Jjhurjr  and  fome  fuch 
others,  in  a  weekly  Meeting,  to  take  account  of  the  honed  poor  families  in  the 
City  that  were  in  great  want,  he  being  the  Treafurer  and  Viiiter  •  his  voluntary 
Catechizing  the  Chrift Y Church  boyes  when  he  might  not  preach:  The  many 
thoufand  Bibles  Printed  in  Weljh  that  he  difperfed  in  Wales  ;  'ihe  Practice  of 
Piety  The  Whole  Duty  of  Man,  My  Call,  and  many  thoufands  of  his  own  Wri- 
ting, given  fretly  all  over  Wales  -,  his  fetting  up  about  Three  hundred  or  Four  hun- 
dred Schools  in  Wales  to  teach  Children  only  to  read,  and  the  Catechifc,  his  in- 
dustry to  beg  money  for  all  this,  befides  moll  of  his  own  Eftate  laid  out  on  it  •, 
His  Travels  over  Wales  once  or  twice  a  year  to  vifite  his  Schools  and  fee  to  the 
Execution  :  This  was  true  Epifcopacy  of  a  filenced  Minifter  (  who  yet  went  con- 
ftantly  to  the  Pariih  Churches,  and  was  authorized  by  an  old  Univeriity  Licenfe 

to 


Part  ill.  %jvcrend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter;  j „ t 

toftWCh    occasionally    and  yet  for  fo  doing  was  ^^^1^1^^"  ' 
v.huc  he  was  doing  ail  this  good.  )  Hefcrved  God  thus  to  a  healthful  aae     s-re 
ty  four  or  feventy  fa)  1  never  fawhm,  fad,  bat  always  chearful.    Abfut  a  forf 
night  before  he  dyed  he  told  me  that  fomctime  in  the  night  fome  final  trouble  cSk 
to  his   heart,   he  knew  not  whaty   And  without  fickheTs,   or  pain    o°  "ear  of 
ith  they  heard  h,m  in  his  lleep  give  a  groan,  and  he  was  dead.    O  Lw  hodvanc- 
sidled  a  Life,  ana  how  cade  a  Death  i  y  ncl 


iLruv.i  uiw  rduuu^,  r-xpounamg,  nnt,  tne Law  ot  Nature:  Secondly  The  Fv 
dencc  ot  die  Gofpel :  Thirdly,the  Creed  :  Fourthly,the  Lord's  Prayer  •  Fifthlv  the 
Commandments :  Sixthly,  the  Mi.niftry  :  Seventhly,  Baptifm :  Eighthly  the  Lord^ 
Supper.  It  is  fuited  to  tkofe  that  are  Paft  the  common  little  Catechifm-  And 
I  think  thefc  two  Family-books  to  be  of  the  grcateft  Common  ufe  of  any  thaf  i 
havcpublilhcd  :  If  Houmoulders  would  but  do  their  parts  in  reading  good  books 
to  their  Houfholds,  it  might  be  a  great  Supply  where  the  Miniftry  is  defective' 
and  no  Miniftry  will  feive  iufficiently  without  Men's  own  Endeavours  for  them- 
felves  and  families. 

§.  75.  Having  been  for  retirement  in  the  Countrey  from  July  till  Atmft  i  < 
1682,  returning  in  great  weaknefs,  I  was  able  only  to  Preach  twice,  of  which  the 
lad  was  in  my  ulual  Lecture  in  New-flreet,  and  it  fell  out  to  be^«#2i  jult 
that  day  twenty  year,  that  I  (  and  near  Two  thoufar.d  more)  had  been  by  Law- 
forbidden  to  Preach  any  more.  I  was  fenfible  of  God's  wonderful  mercy  that 
had  kept  io  many  of  us  Twenty  years  in  fo  much  Liberty  and  Peace,  while  fo  many 
ievcre  Laws  were  in  force  againft  us,  and  fo  great  a  number  were  round  about  us 
who  wanted  neither  malice  nor  power  to  afflict,  us.  And  fo  I  took  that  day  my 
leave  of  the  Pulpit  and  publick  Work,  in  a  thankful  Congregation.  And  it  is  like. 
indeed  to  be  my  laft. 

§.  76.  But  after  this  when  I  had  ceafed  Preaching,  I  was  (  being  newly  rifen 
from  Extremity  of  pain  )  fuddenly  furprized  in  my  houfe  by  a  poor  violent  hir 
former,  and  many  Conftables  and  Officers,  who  rufht  in  and  apprehended  me  and 
ferved  on  me  one  Warrant  to  feize  on  my  perfon  for  coming  within  five  miles  of 
a  Corporation,  and  five  more  Warrants,  to  diftrain  for  an  Hundred  and  ninty 
pounds,  for  five  Sermons.  They  caft  my  Servants  into  fears,  and  were  about  to 
take  all  my  Books  and  Goods,  and  I  contentedly  went  with  them  towards  the  Juftice 
to  be  fent  to  Jail,  and  left  my  houfe  to  their  will :  But  Dr.  Thomas  Cox,  meeting 
me,  forced  me  in  again  to  my  Couch  and  bed,  and  went  to  five  Juftices  and  took 
his  Oath  (  without  my  knowledge  )  that  I  could  not  go  to  Prifon  without  danger 
.of  Death :  Upon  that  the  Juftices  delayed  a  day  till  they  could  fpeak  with  the 
King,  and  told  him  what  the  Doct or  had  fworn  ,  and  the  King  contented,  that  at 
the  prcfent  imprifonmcrit  mould  be  forborn,  that  I  might  die  at  home.  But  they 
Executed  all  their  Warrants  on  my  Books  and  Goods  ^  even  the  bed  that  I  lay  lid; 
on,  and  fold  them  all :  and  fome  friends  paid  them  as  much  money  as  they  were 
prized  at,  which  I  repayed,  and  was  fain  to  fend  them  away.  The  Warrant  againft 
my  perfon  was  figned  by  Mr.  Parrey  arid  Mr.  Phillips .-  The  five  Warrants  againft 
my  Goods  by  Sir  James  Smith  and  Sir  James  Butcher :  And  I  had  never  the 
leaft  notice  of  any  accufation,  or  who  were  the  Accufcrs  or,  WitnefTes,  much 
lefsdid  I  receive  any  Summons  to  appear,  or  anfwer  for  myfelf,  or  ever  law  the 
Juftices  or  Accufers.  But  the  Juftice  that  fign'd  the  Warrants  for  Execution  faid 
that  the  two  Hiltons  folicited  him  for  them,  and  one  Bucke  led  the  Conftables  that 
dift  reined 

But  though  I  fent  the  Juftice  the  written  Deeds  which  proved  that  the  Goods 
were  none  of  mine  (  nor  ever  were  )  and  fent  two  Witnefles  whofe  hands  were  to 
thofe  Conveyances,  I  offered  their  Oaths  of  it,  and  alfo  proved  that  the  books  I 
had  many  years  agoalienated  to  my  kinfman,  this  fignified  nothing  to  them,  but 
they  feized  and  fold  all  neverthelefs  •,  And  both  patience  and  prudence  forbad  us 
to  trie  the  Title  at  Law,  when  we  knew  what  Charges  had  been  lately  made  of 
Juftices,  and  Juries,  and  how  others  had  been  ufed  If  they  had  taken  only  my 
Cloak  they  mould  have  had  my  Coat  alfo,  and  if  they  had  taken  me  on  one  Cheek 
I  would  have  turned  the  other  :  for  I  knew  the  cafe  was  fuch  that  he  that  will  not 
put  up  one  blow,  one  wrong  or  flander^  mail  fuffer  two,  y«a  many  more. 


I92  The  L  I  F  E  of  the  i'artllJ 


But  when  they  had  taken  and  fold  all,  and  I  borrowed  fome  Bedi 
ceifaries  of  the  Buyer,  1   was  never  the  qnieter :  \-  tlireatned 

upon  me  again ,  and  take  all  as  mine,  whofefoever  it  was,  which  they  foon  I 
my  poflfeflfion  :     So  that   I  had  no  remedy,   but  utterly   to  forlakc  my  H 
and  Goods  and  all,  and  take  fecret  Lodgings  diftant   in  a  Granger's    Houfe. 
But  having  a  long  Lcafe  of  my  own  Houfe ,  which  binds  me  to  pay   a  gi cat- 
er Rent  than  now  it   is  worth  ,  whenever  I  go  1  mnft  pay  that  Rem 

The  reparation  from  my  Books  would  have  been  a  greater  part  of  my  fmall 
Affliction,  but  that  I  found  1  was  near  the  end  both  of  that  Work  and  Life 
which  needeth  Books  j  and  fo  I  eafily  let  go  all  :  Naked  came  I  into  the  World, 
and  naked  mult  I  go  out. 

But  1  never  wanted  lefs  (  what  Man  can  give  )  than  when  Men  had  taken  all : 
My  old  Friends  (and  Strangers  tome  )  were  fo  Liberal,  that  I  was  fain  to  re- 
ftrain  their  Bounty  :  Their  kindnefs  was  a  furer  and  larger  Revenue  to  me 
than  my  own. 

ButGcd  was  plcafed  quickly  to  put  me  pa  ft  all  fear  of  Man,  ancj  all  defire 
of  avoiding  fuffering  from  them  by  Concealment  ^  by  laving  on  me  more  him- 
felf  than  Man  can  do  .•  Their  Imprifonment,  with  tolerable  Health,  would  have 
fecmed  a  Palace  to  me  •  And  had  they  put  me  to  death  for  fuch  a  Duty  as  they 
Perfecute  me ,  it  would  have  been  a  joyful  end  of  my  Calamity.  But  day  and 
night  I  groan  and  languifh  under  God's  juft  affli&ing  hand  ^  The  pain  which 
before  only  tired  my  Reins,  and  tore  my  Bowels,  now  alfo  fell  upon  my  Blad- 
der, and  fcarce  any  part  or  hour  is  free.  As  Waves  follow  Waves  in  the  Tera- 
peftuous  Seas,  fo  one  pain  and  danger  followeth  another,  in  this  finfnl  miferable 
Flelh  :  I  die  daily,  and  yet  remain  alive :  God,  in  his  great  Mercy  ,  knowing 
my  dulnefs  in  health  and  eafe,  doth  make  it  much  eafier  to  repent  and  hate  my 
fin,  and  loath  my  felf,  and  contemn  the  World,  and  fubmit  to  the  Sentence  of 
death  with  willingnefs ,  than  otherwife  it  was  ever  like  to  have  been.  O  how 
little  is  it  that  wrathful  Enemies  can  do  againft  us,  in  comparifon  of  what  our 
fin,  and  the  Juftice  of  God  can  do  ?  And  O  how  little  is  it  that  the  beft  and 
kindeft  of  Friends  can  do,  for  a  pained  Body,  or  a  guilty  finful  Soul,  in  compari- 
fon of  one  gracious  look  or  word  from  God.  Woe  be  to  him  that  hath  no  better 
help  than  Man :    And  blefled  is  he  whofe  help  and  hope  is  in  the  Lord. 

But  I  will  here  tell  the  Reader  what  I  had  to  fay ,  if  I  had  been  allow'd  a 
hearing. 


■  ■ 


The   CASE  of  R.  B. 


§.  79.  TTAving  been  profecuted  as  offending  againft  the  Oxford  Confining- 

J7L  Act,  and  finding  that  my  ftlence  may  occafion  the  guilt  of  fuch  as 

underftand  not  my  Cafe ,  and  being  by  God's  hand  difabled  perfonally  to  appear 

and  plead  it ,  I  am  neceffitated  to  open  it  by  Writing,  to  undeceive  them  that 

miftake  it. 

1.  As  to  the  Sence  of  that  Law,  I  conceive  that  it  reacheth  to  none  but  Non- 
conformifts  •,  and  that  becaufe  they  are  fufpected  to  teach  Schifm  and  Rebellion. 
For  though  the  body  of  a  Law  fometeme  extend  further  than  the  Title ,  yet  when 
the  title  containeth  both  the  end  of  the  Law ,  and  the  Defcriptioft  of  the  perfbns 
meant  (  as  hear  it  doth  )  it  is  expofitory  to  the  Law  ;  Therefore  the  words  ]  all 
fitch']  in  the  third  Paragraph,  muft  mean  [all fuch  asaforefaid,  viz.  Nonconform 
mifls~\  and  not  \_all  fuch  others,  3  viz.  Conformifls  :    For, 

i.  The  Conformifls  are  fuppofed  to  be  from  under  the  Sufpicion. 

2.  And  elfe  it  may  ruin  many  Churches :  If  the  Curate  omit  the  Liturgy,  or 
part,  and  the  Incumbent  Preach,  it  will  be  made  an  Unlawful  Affembly,  by  the 

fame 


Part  111.         Reverend  Air.  Richard  BaxteT~         TcJJ 

lSme  rferfon  that  Houic-Meetings  are  ib  caHedTfoTwant  of  thcL^rev^loTrtir 
I  .aw  impofsth  the  Liturgy  en  Churches,  but  not  on  Houfes.  ' 

. 
3.  Many  Conforming  have  (till  ufecko  repeat  their  Sermons  in  their  Hotjfes  to 
more  than  four  Neighbours,  without  the  Liturgy:     And  if  any  fuch  thine*  be 
I  a  Conventicle,  to  Fine  the  Incumbent  Forty  pounds,  and  Banifh°him 
Frve  Miles  from  Ins  paiffh  ever  after  ,  feems  contrary  to  cur  Difcipline. 

II:  My  Cafe  is  this. 

I  am  no  Nonconform!!!  in  Law-Sence,  fand  my  Confciencc  hath  no  Judge 

Joel  :  )     For  I  Contorm  to  the  Liturgy  and  Sacrament,  as  far  as  the  Law  «i 

quireth  me  :     I  was  in  no  place  of  Ecclefiaitical  Promotion  on  May  the  ift  1662  • 

nor  ever  fmce  had  any,  nor  the  offer  of  any  :     And'  therefore  the  Law  impofeth 

m  me,  the  Declaration,  or  the  A  {lent  or  Confent,  no  more  than  on  Lawyers 

2.  I  have  the  Bifhop  of  London's  Licenfc  to  Preach  in  his  Diocefs,  which  fuppo- 
feth  me  no  Nonconformia  in  Law-fence  :.    And  I  have  the  Judgment  of  Lawyer? 
even  of  che  prefent  Lord  Chief  Juftice,  and  Mr.  PoUcxfcn,  that  by  that  Licenfe  I 
may  Preach  occafional  Sermons. 

■ 

3.  I  have  Epifcopal  Ordination,  and  judge  it  grofs  Sacriiedge  to  forfakc  my  Cal- 
ling. 

4.  I  am  jnftified  againft  fufpicion  of  Rebellious  Doctrine  many  ways.     1.  By 

my  publick  Retractation  of  any  old  accufed  words  or  writings.  2.  I  was 
chofen  alone  to  Preach  the  Publick  Thaakfgiving  at  St.  Paul's  for  Gene-, 
ral  Monk's  fuccefs.  3.  The  Commons  in  Parliament  chofe  me  to  Preach  to 
them  at  their  Publick  Fait  for  the  King's  Refloration,  and  calFd  him  home 
the  next  day.  4.  I  was  Sworn  Chaplain  inordinary  to  the  King.  5. 1: 
was  offered  a  Biihoprick.  6.  The  Lord  Chancellor  who  offered  it,  at- 
teflcd  under  his  hand,  His  Majefty's  Senfe  of  my  Defert,  and  His  Accep- 
tance.    7.  I  am  juftifyed  in  the  King's  Declaration  about  Ecclefiaitical  Af- 


Ecc 
ichc 


fairs  among  the  reft  there  mention'd.  8.  When  I  Preaffled  before  the 
King,  he  commanded  the  Printing  of  my  Sermon,  p.  To  which  may  be 
added  the  Act  of  Oblivion.  10.  And  having  publifhed  above  an  Hun- 
dred Books,  1  was  never  yet  convift  of  any  ill  Doctrine,  fince  any  of  the 
fa  id  \t\s  of  King,  Parliament  and  others  for  my  Difcharge  and  Juftifi- 
cation. 

<j.  I  have  oft  Printed  my  judgment  for  Communion  with  the  Parifh  Churches, 
and  exhorted  others  to  it :  And  kaving  built  a  Chappel ,  delivered  it  for  Pa- 
rifh  ufe. 

6.  1  was  never  lawfully  Convict  of  Preaching  in  an  unlawful  Aflfembly  ♦  for  I 
was  not  once  fummon'd  by  the  Juftices  that  granted  out  the  Five  Warrants  againft 
me  to  anfwer  for  my  felf,  nor  ever  told  who  was  my  Accufer,  or  who  WitneiTed 
againft  me.  And  1  have  it  under  the  hand  of  the  prefent  Lord  Chief  juftice,  that 
a  Lawful  Conviction  fuppofeth  Summons.  And  the  Lord  Chief  juftice  Vaughan, 
with  Judge  Tyrrel,  Archer  and  Wild,  did  long  ago  difcharge  me,  upon  their  decla- 
ring that  even  the  Warrant  of  my  Commitment  was  illegal,  became  no  Accufer 
or  Witnefs  was  named  ,  and  fo  I  was  left  remedilefs  in  cafe  of  falfe  Accufa- 
tion. 

7  As  far  as  I  underftand  it,  I  never  did  f  reach  in  any  unlawful  AfTembly, 
which  was  on  pretence  of  any  Exercife  of  Religion  contrary  to  Law.  I  Preach- 
ed in  Parifh  Churches  where  the  Liturgy  was  Read  as  oft  as  I  had  leave  and [invi- 
tation -  And  when  I  could  not  have  that  leave,  I  never  took  any  Paftoral  Charge, 
nor  Preached  for  any  Stipend,  but  not  darmg  perndicufly  to  defert  the  Calling 
Whi£h  I  was'  Ordained  and  Vowed  to,  I  Preacht  occafional  Sermons  in  other  Men  s 

BbbbV  Houfes, 


794  Tk  LI  F  E  of  the  1'artllJ. 

Houfcs  where  was  nothing  done,  that  I  know  of,  contrary  to  1 
nothing  done  but  Reading 'the  Pfalms,  and  Chapters,  and  the  Cmd,  Command- 
ments and  Lord's  Prayer,  and  Singing  Pfalms,  and  /V^/'*i£  and  Preaching  •  and  none 
of  this  is  forbidden  by  Law  :  The  Omiffion  of  the  reit  of  the  Liturgy,  is  v.  , 
but  a  not-acting,  and  therefore  is  no  pretendtd  Worjtip  according  to  Law.  But  wcic 
it  otherwife,  the  Law  doth  not  impofe  the  Liturgy  on  Families,  buioi 
Churches,  and  a  Family  is  not  forbidden  to  have  more  than  four  I 
faying  Grace,  or  Prayer,  nor  is  bound  to  give  over  Family -worfhip  ,  when  ever 
more  than  Four  come  in.  The  Aft  allovveth  Four  to  be  prefent  at  Unlawful 
Worfhip ,  but  forbids  not  more  to  be  prefent  at  Lawful  Worfhip.  And  Houfe- 
worlhip  without  the  Liturgy  is  lawful  worfhip.  And  yet  if  this  were  not  fo,  as 
the  Curate's  OmiiTion  of  the  Prayers  makes  not  the  Preacher  and  Ailembly  guil- 
ty ( fuppofe it  were  an  Aflize-Scrmon  that  for  hail  omitted  the  Liturgy;)  fo  the 
owner  of  the  Houfe,  by  omitting  the  Liturgy,  maketh  not  him  guilty  that  was 
not  bound  to  ufe  it,  nor  the  Meeting  unlawful  to  any  but  himfelt  Charity  and 
Loyalty  bind  us  to  believe,  that  our  King  and  Parliament,  who  allow  more  than 
manv  Four's  to  meet  at  a  Play-houfe,  Tavern,  or  Feail,  never  meant  to  forbid 
more  than  Four  to  be  together  in  a  Houfe  to  ling  a  Pfalm,  or  Pray,  or  Read  a 
licented  Book,  or  edifie  each  other  by  Godly  Conference,  while  no  Crime  is 
found  by  any  Man  in  the  Matter  of  their  Doctrine  or  Prayer  •  aad  no  Law  im- 
pofeth  the  Liturgy  on  any  but  Church-Meetings. 

If  after  many  years  Reproach,  once  Imprifonment,  and  the  late  Diflrcfs  and  Sale 
of  all  my  Books  and  Goods,  and  thofe  that  were  none  of  mine,  but  another's , 
and  this  by  five  or  fix  Warrants  for  prefent  Execution,  without  any  Summons  or 
Notice  of  Accufers  or  WitnefTes,  7  could  yet  have  leave  to  die  in  peace,  and 
had  not  been  again  perfecuted  with  new  Indiuments ,  J  had  not  prcfumed  thus 
to  plead  or  open  my  own  Caufe.  J  Pray^od  that  my  Profecutors  and  Judges 
may  be  fo  prepared  for  their  nea/  Account,  that  they  may  have  no  greater  fin 
laid  to  their  Charge,  than  keeping  my  Ordination-Vow  is,  and  not  Sacrilegiouily 
forfaking  my  Calling,  who  have  had  fo  good  a  Matter,  fo  good  a  Word ,  fo  good 
Succefs,  and  fo  much  Attention  from  King,  Parliament,  City,  and  Bifhops,  as  / 
have  had. 

If  they  ask  why  /Conform  not?  /fay,  /do,  as  far  as  any  Lawbindeth  me: 
If  they  ask  wfaui take  not  thisOatb,  /  fay,  Becaufe  /  neither  underftand  it,  nor 
can  prevail  wwRulersto  Explain  it.  And  if  have  a  good  fence,  /have  not  on- 
ly fubferibed  to  it,  but  to  much  more,  in  a  Book  called  ,  Thefecond  Pled  for  Peacey 
page  do,  61,  6i.  .  Where  alfo  /  have  profefled  my  Loyalty  much  further  than 
this  Oath  extendeth.  But  if  it  have  a  bad  fence,  /  will  not  take  it.  And /find 
the  Conformifts  utterly  difagreed  of  the  Sence,  and  molt  that  /  hear  of  renoun- 
cing that  fence  which  the  words  fignifie  in  their  common  ufe.  And  knowing  that 
Perjury  is  a  mortal  Enemy  to  the  Life  and  Safety  of  Kings,  and  the  Peace  of 
Kingdoms,  and  to  Converfe,  and  to  Man's  Salvation,  I  will  not  dally  with  fuch  a 
dangerous  Crime.  Nor  will  I  deceive  my  Rulers  by  Stretches  and  Equivocations; 
nor  do  I  believe  Lying  lawful  after  all  that  Grotius  de  Jure  Belli,  and  Bifhop  Tay- 
lor Duct.- Dub.  have  faid  for  it.  I  think  Oaths  impofed  are  to  be  taken  in  the  or- 
dinary fenfeof  the  words,  if  the  Impofers  put  not  another  on  them.  And  I  dare 
not  Swear  that  a  CommifTion  under  the  Broad-Seal  is  no  Ccmmiffion ,  till  I 
that  am  no  Lawyer  know  it  to  be  Legal :  Nor  yet  that  the  Lord  Keeper  may 
Depofe  the  King  without  refiftance,  by  Sealing  Ccmmiffioris  to  Traytors^to  feize 
on  his  Forts,  Navy,  Militia,  or  Treafure :  Nor  can  I  confent  to  make  all  the  pre- 
fent Church-Government  as  unalterable  as  the  Monarchy  -,  efpecially  when  the  Se- 
venth Canon  extendeth  it  to  an  &  catera,  to  Jrch-bifhops,  B;fhois,De.r/is,  Anb-deacons9 
and  the  reft  that  bear  Office  in  the  fame  ~]  not  excepting  Lay-Chancellor's  ufe  of  the 
Keys ;  (  &  ipfo  fatto  Excommunicateth  all,  Nobility,  Gentry,  Clergy  and  Com- 
mons, that  lay,  That  it  is  repugnant  to  theWord  of  God.  )  And  it's  time  to  take 
heed  what  we  Swear,  when  the  Ad  of  Uniformity,  the  Oxford- Aft,  the  Corpora- 
tion Ad,  the  Veftry  Ad,  the  Militia  Ad,  and  the  Oath  of  Supremacy,  do  bind  all 
the  Nation  by  Solemn  Oath,  not  to  endeavour  any  alteration  of  Government  in 
Church  or  State;  And  yet  moft  Reverend  Fathers,  who  moft  fharply  call  us  to 
Conformity,  do  Write  for  a  Foreign  Ecclefiaftical  Jurifdidion,  under  the  Name  of 
an  Universal  Colledge  of  Bifhops,  or  Council,  having  fuch  power  as  other  Courts, 


even 


Pare   III.  Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

even  Commanding,  Pretorian  LegiQative,  and  Judicial  to  aU~^huTcI^i^T" 
and  that  obedience  to  this  Foreign  Jmifdidion,  is  the  neceflary  waytoS 
Schilm  and  Damnation      And  if  it  be  no  alteration  of  Government  to  brinsK iS 
and  Kingom  to  be  fubjed  to  a  Foreign  Jurifdidion,  this  Oath,  and  the  Oath  of  Su 
premacy,  and  the  39  Articles  and  Canons,  andfeveral  Statutes,which  renounced  it" 
are  all  unintelligible  to  us.     We  renounce  all  fubjeihon  to  any  Foreign-  Chnrrh  & 
Power   but  not  Communion     We  have  Communion  with  the  Church  of  Romr\Z 
all   others  in  Chtfttamty,  but  not  in  their /;»•  and  we  are  not  vet  fo  dullVn* 
know  no  difference  between   foreigners  Government  of  us,  and  their  Communion 
nor  to  thin.:  that  Separation  from  a  Ufurped  Government  is  Separation  from  Chri' 
fhan  Communion  :     Korean  we  poflibly  believe  the  Capacity  of  Pope    or  Council 
ot  Colledge  of  Bifliops,  as  a  Monarchy,  or  Ariftocracy,  to  Govern  all  Jhe  World  in 
oneSoveraignty  Ecclefiaftical,  till  we  fee  one  Civil  Monarchy,  or  Ariftocracy  rule 
all  the  Earth.     Aud  we  dread  the  Dodrine  and  Example  of  fuch  Men  as  would 
introduce  any  Foreign  Jurifdidion,  while  they  are  for  Sweating  all  the  Land  a 
gainft  any  alteration  of  Church-Government ;  And  we  muft  deliberate  before  we 
thus  Conform,  while  fo  Great  Men  do  render  the  Oath  fo  doubtful  to  us   I  appeal 
to  the  fore-cited  Profeflion  of  my  Loyalty,  publifhed  many  years  ago,  as  being  far 
more  full  and  fatisfadory  to  any  that  queftioneth  it,  than  the  taking  of  this  doubt- 
ful controverted  Oath  would  be. 


*9 


A   true  Coty   of  the  "Judgment   of  Mr.  Saunders  now  Lord 
Chief  JuSlice  of  the  Kings-Bench^  given  me  March   the 
2  id,   167*. 

1 .  TF  he  hath  the  Bifhop's  Licenfe,  and  be  not  a  Curate,  Lecturer,  or  other 
I.  Promoted  Ecclefiaftical  Perfon,  mentioned  in  the  Ad,  I  conceive  he  may 
Preach  Occafional  Sermons  without  Conforming,  and  not  incur  any  Penalty  with- 
in this  Ad. 

The  due  Order  of  Law  requires,  that  the  Delinquent,  if  he  be  forth-coming, 
ought  to  be  fummon\l  to  appear  to  Anfwer  for  himfelf,  if  he  pleafes,  before  he 
be  Convided  .•  But,  in  cafe  of  his  withdrawing  himfelf,  or  not  appearing ,  he 
may  be  regulatly  Convided. 

Convidions  may  be  accumulated  before  the  Appeal  be  determined;  but  not  un« 
ducly :  nor  is  it  to  be  fuppofed  that  any  undue  Convidions  will  be  made, 

As  I  Conceive,  Edm.  Saunders. 

M.  day  22.     1<$7T. 


Mr.  Polixfen'x  Judgment  for  my  Preaching  Occafionally. 

A.  B.  before  the  Thirteenth  of  this  King  being  Epifcopally  Ordained  ,  and 
at  the  time  of  the  Ad  of  Uniformity  made  Car.  2.  hot  being  Incumbent  in  any 
Living,  or  having  any  Ecclefiaftical  Preferment,  before  the  Ad  of  Uniformity, 
ifkL.  25  Feb.  i$Car.  2.  obtains  a  Licenfe  of  the  then  Bifhop  of  London  ,  under 
his  Seal,  to  Preach  in  any  part  of  his  Diocefs,  aud  at  the  fame  time  fubjfefibes 
the  39  Articles  of  the  Church  of  England. 

Quefi.   Whether  Licenfes  Preceding  the  Ad  be  within  the  meaning  of  the 
Act> 

Sbbbbz  1  conceive 


lod  TAf  LI  F  £  o/fAg  Part  III 

1  conceive  they  are:  :  For  if  Licenfed  at  the  time  of  the  Aft  made,  what  need 
any  new  Licenfe  ?  That  were  but  atlum  agere,  and  the  Ciaufe  in  the  All  [tu 
be  be  Ltccnfid,&c  3  in  the  manner  of  penning  mews  that  Liccnfes,  that  tbca  were, 
were  Efficient  and  within  the  Provifion  :  And  the  following  Claufc  as  to  the 
Lecturers  is  Exprefs  [>ow  h,  or /hall  be  Lken/ed"]  The  former  part  of  the  Ml  as 
well  as  that  extends  to  Licenfes  that  then  were.  For  the  fame  Licenfe  that  enables 
a  man  to  Preach  a  Lecture  mud  enable  a  man  to  Preach. 

Q^  Whether  he  be  feftrained  by  the  Aft  o/Vni/ormity  to  Preach  a  Funeral  Ser- 
mon or  other  occafional  Sermon  ? 

I  Concede  that  he  is  not  retrained  by  this  Aft  to  Preach  any  Occafional  Ser- 
mon fo  as  it  be  within  the  Diocefs  wherein  he  is  Licenfed. 

Hen.  Pollex/en. 
Deccmb.  ip.     1682. 

t 

§  77.  While  1  continue  night  and  day  under  conitant  pain  ,  and  often 
ftrong,  and  under  the  fentence  of  approaching  death  by  an  uucurablc  difeafc  which 
age  and  great  debility  yields  to,  I  found  great  need  of  the  conftant  exercife  of  pa- 
tience by  obedient  fubmhTion  to  God  ;  and  writing  a  fmall  Tractate  of  it  for  my 
own  ufe,  1  faw  reafon  to  yield  to  them  that  defired  it  might  be  publick,  there  being 
(efpecially)  fo  common  need  of  obedient  patience. 

§  78.  Having  long  ago  written  a  Trcatife  againft  Coalition  with  Papifts,  by  in- 
troducing a  Foreign  Jurisdiction  of  Pope  or  Councils,  I  was  urged  by  the  Writings 
of  Mr.  Dogwel,  and  Dr.  Saywdl  to  publifh  it,  but  the  Printers  dare  not  Print  it-, 
Entitled  England  not  to  be  perjured  by  receiving  a  Foreign  Jurisdiction.  It  is  in 
two  Parts  :  The  firit  Hiftorical  Ihewing  who  have  endeavoured  to  introduce  a  Fo- 
reign Jurisdiction,  citing  Papifts,  Grotius,  Arch-Bilhop  BremhaU,  Arch-Bilhop 
Laud,  Thorndtke,  Dr.  Saywell,  Dodveell,  four  Letters  to  Biihop  Gutting,  and  others. 
The  2d  part  itridtly  Stating  the  Controverfy,  and  Confuting  a  Foreign  Jurisdiction, 
againlt  which  Change  or  Government  all  the  Land,  is  Sworn.  I  may  not 
Print  it. 

§  79.  When  1  faw  the  ftorm  of  Perfccution  arifing  by  the  Agitators  Hilton, 
Shad,Buck,  and  fuch  other,  and  faw  what  the  Jultices  were  at  leaft  in  prefent  dan- 
ger of,  and  efpecially  how  Le  Strange  and  other  weekly  Pamphleteers  bent  all  their 
wit  and  power  to  make  others  odious,  and  prepared  for  deftruction,  and  to  draw  as 
many  as  poffibly  they  could  to  hate  and  ruine  faithful  men,  and  how  Confcience  and 
ferious  piety  grew  with  many  into  fuch  hatred  and  reproach,  that  no  men  were  fo 
much  abhorred,  that  many  gloried  to  be  called  Tories ,tho  they  knew  it  was  the  name 
of  the  In/h  common  murdering  Thieves :  I  wrote  a  fmall  Book  called  Cain  and  Abel, 
in  two  parts :  The  firft  againft  malignant  Enmity  to  ferious  Godlinefs  -9  with  abun- 
dant Reafons  to  convince  Malignants.  The  fecond  againft  Perfecution,  by  way  of 
Quaere's.  I  wrote  a  third  part  fas  Impartial)  to  tell  Diffenters  why  (while  I 
was  able)  I  went  oft  to- the"  Parifh  Church  and  there  Communicated,  and  why 
they  mould  not  fuffer  as  Separatifts  or  Recufants,  left  they  fufFer  as  evil  do- 
ers :  But  wife  men  would  not  let  me  publifh  it.  And  the  two  firft,  the  Bookfd- 
)ers  and  Printers  durft  not  print  but  twice  refufed  them. 

§  80.  But  the  third  part  the  Reafons  of  my  Communion  with  Parifh  Churches, 
i  hat  have  honeft  able  Minifters,  I  fent  to  one  friend,  who  telling  others  of  it,  a 
Bookfeller  after  two  years  importuned  me  to  let  him  Print  it.  1 .  The  iharp  execu- 
tion of  the  Law  had  then  brought  Multitudes  into  Priibn  and  Poverty.  2.  Noncon- 
forrnifts  both  Presbyterians  and  Independents,  had  taken  the  Corporation  Oath 
and  Declaration ,  and  Communicated  in  the  Parifh  Churches,  for  to  make  them  ca- 
pable of  Truft  and  Office  in  the  City  ^  And  becaufe  it  feem'd  to  tend  to  their  pro- 
tection and  advantage,  we  heard  of  no  noife  made  againft  them  by  the  Independents ; 
but  they  admitted  them  as  their  Members  to  their  Communion  as  before.  I  was 
againlt  their  taking  the  Declaration,  but  not  againft  their  Communicating,  but  I 
medled  not  with  them.  At  laft  when  the  Earl  of  Sbaftsbury  was  broken  and  gone, 
mid  the  Citv  Power  and  Commoa  Council  fubducd  to  the  will  of  the  King,  the  fore- 

faid 


Part  lil-         Reverend  Mr.  Richard  Baxter.  j  9 ? 

faid Communion  in  publick  was  more  fredy  bh^d  by  the  I«depe7der5^dA^- ' 

bap  til  s,  and  fome  few  hot Scots :  Men.  And  the  private  Church  Meetings  were  fo 
much  (uppreft  and  the  prifons  fo  fulL  that  my  Confidence  began  to  tell  me,  that  I 
mould  be  guilty  of  injuring  the r  truth,  the  Church,  and  the  Souls  and  Bod  ly  vvel- 
tareo  my  brethren  rf  /mould  by  filence  harden  them  againft  publick  worfhip 
Specially  the  Cafe  of  the  Countrey  moved  me,wherein  a  greft  part  of  the  Kingdom. 
fearce  two  hundred  men  in  a  whole  Country,  can  have  the  liberty  of  any  true* 
Church  Worihip  bendes  Parochial.  I  remembred  the  Cafe  of  the  Old  Noncon- 
fQrrn^sa^inftthe^o^,  and  the  Writings  of  Mr.  J.  Ball,  Paget,  HHdcrJh™ 
Bradjhaw,  Gtfford,  Br  potman,  Ames,  &c.  I  could  not  but  remember  what  work  the 
ieparaung  party  had  made  in  England  and  Scotland,  ia  my  days  from  1 644.  till  1 660 
againft  Government,  Religion  and  Concord :  I  faw  what  I  long  forefaw  each  ex- 
treme party  growing  more  extreme,  and  going  further  frill  from  one  another-  And 
io  great  a  Change  is  grown  on  London,  that  the  Terms  which  we  offered  the  Biihops 
for  Concord  1660  are  now  abhorred  as  Antichriftian :  I  faw  multitudes  like  to  be 
Irapnfoned  and  Ruined  for  refuiing  their  Duty,  as  if  it  were  iin  and  difgracin? 
Religion  by  fathering  thefe  Errours  on  it.  TheConformifts,  feeing  the  Errour  of 
the  Separatifts,  derided  them  all,  and  were  confirmed  in  the  Juftification  of  all  their 
Conformity  ;  thinking  that  it  was  but  a  juft  differing  from  a  crazed  Company  of 
fttnaticks  :  Thofe  that  imprifoned  and  ruined  both  them  and  the  reft  of  the 
Nonconformists,  thought  they  did  God  fervicc  by  it,  againft  an  unruly  fort  of 
Men  :  The  Common  people  were  made  believe  that  this  was  the  true  Com- 
plexion of  all  the  Diffenters  from  whatever  the  Law  Commanded.  Thcdi- 
ftance  growing  wider,  and  great  fufferings  increasing  hard  thought's  of  thofe 
by  whom  Men  fuffered,  all  real  Love  did  feern  to  be  almoft  utterly  deftroy- 
ed ,  and  Neighbours  dwelt  together  like  unplacable  Enemies  :  And  worft  of 
all,  Men  were  frightened  to  think  that  they  muft  rather  give  over  all  Church 
Worfhip,  than  they  muft  Communicate  with  the  beft  Miniftry  in  the  Parifti 
Churches ;  and  fo  the  main  body  of  the  Land  would  live  like  Atheifts,  who 
can  hare  no  other  Church- Worihip  but  the  Parochial :  For  the  Nonconformifts 
Churches  were  in  almoft  all  Countries,  fo  fuppreued  that  no  confiderable 
Numbei'6  could  enjoy  them. 

And  by  this  means  the  Papifts  were  like  to  have  their  Wills.:  The  Pro- 
teftants  muft  be  told  that  Recufancy  is  all  their  Duties :  And  going  to  the 
Publick  Churches  a  fin  :  And  who  can  for  fhame  dpve  Papifts  to  fin  ?  And 
if  thus  they  could  draw  all  Proteftants  to  forfake  the  faid  Churches ,  they 
would,  like  a  deferted  City  and  Garrifon'd  Fort,  be  open  and  ready  for  their 
poffeflion.  And  while  the  Papifts  and  Malignants  are  ftudying  how  to  caft 
out  all  the  Godly  Conforming  Minifters,  that  the  Ductile  remainder  might  be 
prepared  for  Popery,  the  feparating  part  of  the  Independents  and  Anabap- 
tifts,  and  fome  few  hot  Scotch  Presbyterians,  go  before  them,  and  tell  all  the 
People  that  it  is  unlawful  to  hear  them,  and  to  own  thena  as  Minifters  or 
Churches,  and  to  have  Communion  with  them  in  the  Liturgy  or  Sacraments,, 
Even  when  the  rigour  of  Profecutors  hath  brought  it  to  that  pafs  that  they  muft 
have  fuch  or  none,  as  to  Church  worfhip. 

Seeing  fo  many  in  prifon,  for  this  Error,  to  the  dilhonour  of  God,  and  fo  many 
more  like  to  be  ruin'd  by  it,  and  the  feparating  party ,by  the  temptation  of  fuffering, 
had  fo  far  prevailed  with  the  moll  ftrict,  and  zealous  Chriftians,  that  a  great  Num- 
ber were  of  their  mind,  and  the  Non-conformable  Minifters,whofe  Judgment  was 
againft  this  reparation,  durft  not  publifh  their  diilike  of  it,  partly  becaufe  of  [harp 
and  bitter  Cenfures  of  the  Separatilb,and  who  took  them  for  Apoftates  or  Carnal 
Temporizers  that  communicated  in  publick,  and  partly  for  fear  of  Encouraging 
Perfecution  againft  the  Separatifts,  and  partly  for  fear  of  lofing  all  opportunity 
of  teaching  them  (  and  fome  that  had  no  hope  of  any  other  friends  ot  maintenance, 
or  Auditors  thought  they  might  be  filent,)  On  all  thefe  accounts,  I,  that  had  no 
gathered  Church,  nor  lived  on  the  Contribution  of  any  fuch,  and  was  going  out 
of  the  world  in  pain  and  Languor,  did  think  that  I  was  fitteft  to  bear  men's  Cen- 
fures and  to  take  that  reproach  on  my  felf,  which  my  brethren  were  lefs  fit  to 
bear '  who  might  live  for  farther  Service.  And  at  the  Importunity  of  the  Book- 
feUer  1  consented  to  publiih  the  Reafons  of  my  Communicating  in  the  Parilh- 
Churches  and  againft  Separation.    Which  when  it  was  coming  out,  a  Manufcript 


yS  7  be'  1 I  F  £  of  the"  Part  III. 

of  Dr.  Owen's  (who  was  lately  dead  )  containing  Twefve  Arguments  againft 
fncb  joynijfa  with  the  Liturgie,  and  publick  Churches,  was  lent  me,  as  that  which 
had  latisfyed  Multitudes  •  1  thought  that  if  this  were  unanfwered,  my  labour  would 
be  much  loft,  becaufe  that  party  would  ftill  fay  Dr.  Owen's  Tw  elve  Arguments  con- 
futed all:  Whereupon  I  haftily  anfwered  them,  but  found  after  that  it  had  been 
more  prudent  to  have  omitted  his  Name  :  For  on  that  account  a'fwarm  of  revilers 
in  the  City  poured  out  their  kceneft  Cenfures,  and  three  or  four  wrote  againft 
ir.c,vvhom  J  anfwered.  (  I  will  not  name  the  men  that  are  known,  and  two  of  them 
are' yet  unknown)  But  they  went  on  fcveral  Principles,  fome  Charged  all  Com- 
munion with  the  Liturgie,  with  Idolatry,  Antichriftianity,  and  perjury  and  back- 
fliding:  One  concealed  his  Judgment,  and  quarrel'd  at  by-words.  And  ano- 
ther— turned  my  Trcatife  of  Epifcopacy  againft  me,  and  faid  it  fully  proved  the 
Duty  of  Separation,  1  was  glad  that  hereby  I  was  called  to  explain  that  Treatife, 
left  it  fhould  do  hurt  to  miftakers  when  I  am  dead  ;  and  that  as  in  it  I  had  faid 
much  againft  one  cxtream,  I  might  leave  my  Teftimony  againft  the  other  I  called 
all  thefe  writings  together,  a  Defence  of  Catholick  Communion.  And  that  I  might 
be  Impartial  1  adjoyned  two  pieces  againft  Dr.  Sherlock  that  ran  quite  into  the  con- 
trary Extrcamcs,  unchurching  almoft  all  Chriftians  as  Schifmaticks.  I  confers 
1  wrote  fo  iharply  againlt  him  as  muft  needs  be  liable  to  blame  with  thofe 
that  know  not  the  man,  and  his  former  and  latter  Virulent  and  ignorant  Wri- 
tings. 

§.  8i.  About  this  time  one  Mr.  Robert  Mayot  of  Oxford,  a  very  Goldly  Man, 
that  devoted  all  his  Eftate  to  charitable  ufes,  a  Conformift,  whom  I  never  faw, 
dyed, and  belidcmany  greater  Gifts  to  JbbingtonjkQ.  gave  by  his  laft  Will  Six  hun- 
dred pounds  to  be  by  me  diftributed  to  Sixty  poor  Ejecled  Miniftcrs,  adding  that 
he  did  it  not,  becaufe  they  were  Non-oonformifts,  but  becaufe  many  fetch  uere  poor  and 
pout.  But  the  King's  Attourncy  Sir  Robert  Sawyer  Sued  for  it  in  the  Chanctry,  and 
the  Lord  Cceper  North  gave  it  all  to  the  King.  Which  made  many  refolve  to 
leave  nothing  to  charitable  ufes  after  theirDeath,  but  do  what  they  did  while  they 
lived. 

§.  82.  Under  my  daily  pains  I  was  drawn  to  a  work  which  I  had  never  the 
lealt  thoughts  of  (  and  is  like  to  be  the  laft  of  my  Life, )  to  write  a  paraphrafe 
on  the  New  Tewamcnt,  Mr.  John  Humphrey  having  long  importuned  me,  to  write 
a  paraphrafe  on  the  Epiftle  to  the  Romany  when  I  had  done  that,  the  ufefulnefs 
of  it  to  my  felf  drew  me  farther  and  farther  till  I  had  done  all.  But  having  con- 
fefled  my  ignorance  of  the  Revelations,  and  yet  loth  wholly  to  omit  it,  I  gave  but 
General  Notes,  with  the  Reafons  of  my  uncertainty  in  the  gr«ateft  difficulties  : 
which  I  know  will  fail  under  the  fharp  Cenfure  of  many.  But  Truth  is  more  va- 
luable than  fuch  men's  praifes.  1  fitted  the  whole  by  plainnefs  to  the  ufe  of  ordi- 
nary'Families. 

§.  83.  After  many  times  deliverance  from  the  Sentence  of  death,  on  Nwem- 
ber  Twenty,  One  thoufand  fix  hundred  eighty  four  j  in  the  very  Enteranceof  the 
Sevcntyeth  year  of  my  Age,  God  was  pleafed  fo  greatly  to  increafe  my  painful 
Difeafes,  as  to  pafs  on  me  the  Sentence  of  a  painful  death :  By  conftant  pain  by  an 
iucredible  quantity  of  flatulency  in  Stomach  and  all  the  Inteftines  and  Reins, 
from  all  that  1  eat  or  drink,  my  Stomach  not  able  to  difgeft  any  meat  or  drink, 
but  turning  all  to  tearing  pain  ;  Befides  the  pain  of  the  Stone  in  Reins  and 
oft  in  the  bladder  ^  aud  urine  black  like  dirt  and  mortified  blood.  But  God 
imncrii  it  to  my  good,  and  giveth  me  a  greater  willingnefs  to  die,  than  I 
once  thought  I  mould  ever  have  attained.  The  Lord  teach  me  more  fully  to 
Jove  his  Will,  and  reft  therein,  as  much  better  than  my  own,  that  oft  ftriveth  a- 
guinfc  it 

<)i  84.  A  little  before  this  while  I  lay  in  pain  and  languifhing,  the  Juftices 
of  Seltlons,  fent  Warrants  to  apprehend  me  (  about  a  Thoufand  more  being  m 
Catalogue  to  be  all  bound  to  the  good  behaviour.  I  thought  they  would  fend  me 
Si::  months  to  Prifonfor  not  taking  the  OxfordOzth,  and  dwelling  in  London,  and 
ft  1  refined  to  open  my  Chamber  door  to  them,  their  Warrant  not  being  to  break 
it-  open.    But  they    fet  fix  Officers  at   my  Study-door,   who  watcht  all  night, 

d  kept  me  from  my  bed  and  food,  fo  that  the  next  day  I  yielded  to  them  ;  who 
Carried  me  (  fcarce  able  fo  ftand  )  to  their  Seffions,  and  bound  me  in  Four  hundred 
poUnH  bond,  to  the  good  behaviour  :  I  defired  to  know  what  my  Crime  was,  and 

who* 


77 


them  I  had  ra?her  theywIuM  1X^1°^  £*  W°UM  UOt 
l0thir!Jy   b-|,^d  with  n^  inb^^^^^^P^- 


oV  for  if « m^^^fwlS1,  S^^ 

c  good  behaviour:  They  tojd  me*  E^tff Ley Tame^ 

,   unexpectedly,  and  not  to  a  fct  meeting  •  Nor  ver  if  w-  ^? 

rhiag  contrary  to  U,,  or  the  prattife  of  the  C^TS\^i^]^Z 

was  not  now  any  feumty  to  us  :  It  two  beggar  women  did  but  Hand  I  in  the  ft?~r 

liberty  were  at  tn  .  felt  lying  on  my  bed,  heard  Mr.  /.  tf.  Pre-h 

!n  *  <  ™X  Chamber,  and  yet  one  5,7*7  D^  and™ 

ltt0  (  :s  thiit  "  was  another  that  Preached  (  two  n^leraWe 

•men  that  made  a  Trade  Of  it,  and  had  thus  fworn  ATvv„ 
hy  perfons  m  ffahmyaud  eliewhere,  on  which  their  Good?  were'  feized  on 
tor  great  Muldts  or  Fifles.     But  to  all  this  I  had  no  Anfwer,  but  muft  give  bond 
when  they  knew  that  1  was  not  like  to  break  the  Behaviour,  unlefs  by  Kins  in  bed 
in  pain.  '  ;  3    b        u 

§.  8S.  But  all  this  is  fofmail  a  part  of  my  fuffering  in  companion  of  what  I 
bear  m  myflcfli  that  I  could  fcarcc  regard  it :  And  it's  final  in  compqrifon  of 
what  others  fuflcr  h  Many  excellent  perfons  die  in  Common  [ails  •  Thoufaiids 
ruin  d :  That  holy  humble  Man,  Mr.  Rofewell  is  now  under  a  verdict  for  death  as 
a  Traitor  for  Preaching  fome  Words,  on  the  witnefs,  and  Oath  of  Hilton's  Wife 
(  and  one  or  two  more  V/omen  )  whofe  Husband  liveth  profefledly  on  the  Trade 
tor  which  he  claimcth  many  Hundred  or  Thoufand  pounds,  And  not  only  the  man 
profefleth,  but  many  of  his  hearers  witnefs  that  no  fuch  words  were  fpoken  nor 
any  that  befeemed  not  a  loyal  prudent  man.  But  we  have  been  too  long  unthank- 
ful, when  all  our  Lives,  Eftatc^  and  Liberties,  are  in  the  power  of  any  Whores 
Beggars,  Enemies  or  malicious  Papifts,  that  will  but  fwear  that  we  are  guil- 
ty, that  God  hath  marvelloufly  fo  long  reftrained  them  :  and  that  forcing 
us  into  fecret  Meetings  out  of  our  publick ,  hath  fecurcd  the  Lives  of 
many. 

§.  86.  December  Eleventh,  1  was  forced  in  all  my  pain  and  weakness  to  be 
carried  to  the  Seflions-lnufe,  or  elfe  my  bonds  of  Four  hundred  pounds  would 
m  have  been  judged  forfeit :  And  the  more  moderate  Juftices  that  promifed  my 
'difcharge  would  none  of  them  be -there,  but  left  the  Work  to  Sir  William  Smith 
and  the  reft,  who  openly  declared  that  they  had  nothing  againft  me,  and  took 
me  for  Innocent,  but  yet  1  muft  continue  bound,  left  others  fhould  expect  to  be 
difcharged  alfo,  which  I  openly  refufed :  But  my  Sureties  would  be  bound,  left: 
1  mould  die  in  Gaol,  againft  my  declared  Will,  and  fo  1  muft  continue.  Yet 
they  difcharged   others  as  foon    as  I  was  gone.     I  was    told    that   they  did 

all  by  inftructions  from,  &c. and  that  the   main  end  was  to  reftrain    me 

from  writing :  Which  now  mould  I  do  with  greater!  Caution,  they  will  pick 
out  fome  thing  which  a  Jury  may  take  for  a  breach  of  my  bonds.  I  have  written 
againft  Popery  fo  much  already  that  my  Confcience  will  now  allow  me  filence : 
But  whereas'  one  Separatifb  hath  interpreted  my  Treatife  of  Epifcopacy  as  )ufti- 
tying  Separation,  and  Mr.  Faldo  hath  by  grofs  miftake  falfly  accufed  me  as  a  Lyer 
for  faying  that  his  Congregation  a  Church  worlhipped  many  years  without  fmging 
Pfalms  (  and  Sacraments )  (  forfpoth  becaufe  he  took  them  not  then  for  a  Church) 
1  muft  fufpend  my  Anfwer  to  them  and  all  fuch ;  tho'  I  know  the  Papifts  will 
take  it  for  a  Confutation  df  all  my  writings  againft  them,  to  fay  f_  his  own  brethren^ 
Proteftants  and  Dtjfenters  have  proved  htm  a  Lyer.  3  This  I  muft  bear  from  Sepa- 
rating Non-conformifts,  while  the  Juftices  that  bind  and  trouble  me,  openly  de- 
clare me  innocent.  And  I  am  told  that  the  Papifts  will  not  endure  me  to  write 
againft  the  Separatifts,  no  more  than  againft  themfelves,  becaufe  they  need  their 
help  to  pull  down  the  Godly  Parilh  Minifters. 

§.  87.  Many  French  Minifters  fentenced  to  Death  and  Banifhment,  fly  hither 
for  refuge :  And  the  Church  men  relieve  them  not  becaufe  they  are  not  for 
Eneliik  Diocefans  and  Conformity  ♦,  And  others  have  many  of  their  own  dif- 

trefled 


oo 


The  LI  F  E  of  the  Part  III 


Ted    Ministers  and    acquaintance   to    relieve,   that   few   .. 
Chief  that  now  lean  do  is  to  help  fuch,  and  the  Silences  Miniftf  and  the 

poor,  as    the    Almoner  of  a   few   Lihcral    friends    who   truit    me   with  ti 

Charity. 

kj.  88.  As  to  the  prcfent  State  of  England,  the  Plots,  the  Execution  of  Men 
High  and  Low,  the  Publick  Counfels  and  Defigns ,  the  Quality  and  Practice  of 
Judges  and  Bifhops,  the  Scflions  and  Juftices,  the  quality  of  the  Clergy,  and  the 
tlniverfities  and  Patrons,  the  Church-Government  by  the  Ka  Civilians, 

the  ufage  of  Minifters,  and  private  Meetings  for  Preaching  or  Prayer,  the  Ex- 
pectations of  what  is  next  to  be  done,  ider  muft  cxped  none  of 
this  fort  of  Hiflory  from  me  -7  No  will  be  many  Volumes 
of  it,  by  others  tranfmitted  to  pofterity  j  more  fully  j 
can  now  do. 

§.  89.     January  Seventeenth,  I  was  fore 
fions,  and  after  divers  daies  good  words  which  put  me  i  1 

dom,  when  I  was  gone,  one   Juliicc,  Sir -  DlctI. 

that  thefe  perfons  foliated  fo  for  my  liberty  that  they  might  come  to  hear 
in  Conventicles :  and  on  that  they  bound  me  again  in  Four  hundred  pound  bond, 
for  above  a  Quarter,  of  a  year  ('and  fo  it's  like  it  will  be  till  I  die,  or  worfe^ 
Tho'  no  one  ever  accufed  me  for  any  Conventicle  or  Preaching  fince  they  took 
all  my  Books  and  Goods  above  two  years  ago,  and- 1  for  the  mofl  part  keep 
my  bed. 

§.    90.      Mr.    Jenkins   dyed  in  Newgate  this  week   (  January    Nineteenth, 
i<5§?. )    as   Mr.    Bampfield,    Mr.   Rapbfon,  and  others   died  lately  before  him. 
The   Prifon   where    are-  fo  many   fufiocatcth    the    Spirits   of  aged  Minifh 
But  blefred    be  God  that  gave  them  fo  long  time  to  Preach  before,   at   chea- 
per rates. 

§.  61.  One  Richard  Baxter  a  Sabbatarian  jtndb'aptijt  was  fent  to  Gaol  for  re- 
futing the  Oath  of  Allegiance,  and  it  went  for  currant  that  it   was  I. 

§.  92.  Mr.  Rofewelt  did  fo  fully  plead  his  own  Cafe,  and  prove  his  innocency, 
and  prove  the  Confederacy,  incompetency,  and  falfhood  or  the  WitnefTes,  that 
tho'  ( alas  )  the  Jury  found  him  guilty  of  Treafon,  even  the  Chief  Jultice 
and  Judges  were  convinced  of  his  innocency,  and  at  laft  procured  his  Pardon 
and  deliverance  :  Innocency  with  humility  and  great  ability  were  his  advantages 
improved,  and  withall  that  he  had  few  Enemies 


A  P  P  E  N- 


Numb.  L 

APPENDIX. 

A  Reply  to  jome  Exceptions  againfl  our  Worcefter- 
(hire  Agreement  ,   and  my  Chriftian  Concord. 

Written  by   a    namelefs  Author  ,   and  fent   by  T)r  * 

Warmftrye. 

Worthy  Sir,     .  ■  . 

Salutcm  &Qficia  in  Chrifio  Jefu  Autore  Salutts. 

Except.  ~*  !*OR  Chriftian  Concord, Mr. Baxter  cannot  write  more  willingly,  nor 
Sett,  i .  If  you  be  more  ftrongly  inclined  to  meet  any  fuch  motion  ,  then  'you 
■  well  know  the  Hearts  of  very  many  of  your  Brethren,to  be  already 
-•*-  agreed  in  that.  And  I  believe  I  have  given  you  evidence  in  all  my 
former  Difcourfes  with  you  (uncontradicted  by  any  a&ion  of  minej  that  1  the 
meaneft  of  the  fervants  of  your  Order,do  make  it  the  butt  and  aime  of  all  my  weak 
Studies  and  Labours  in  order  to  the  glory  and  fervice  of  God,  and  Chrift  our  Lord 
who  hath  (b  nightly  injoyned  it.  2.  But  this  bars  us  not,  but  obliges  us  well  to  con- 
fider,  whether  this  Worcejler  Agreement  be  a  true  Union  in  Ecclefiaftical  Peace  or 
the  carrying  on  a  Schiimatical  Combination  ,  reaching  to  enclofe  in  the  Epifcopal 
Divines  alio.  5.  That  they  may  now  at  length  by  this  approve  of  the  Presbyters 
Declaration  to  the  World,  ,of  the  noneceflity  of  continuing  their  Canonical  Obe- 
dience to  their  Biftiops  in  Chrift,  (which  Was  the  firft  wheel  that  fet  a  work  this  fad 
Revolution,  the  ejecting  out  of  the  Church  (I  mean  out  of  their  principal  proper 
place  in  the  Church)  the  Bi/hopsandPaftois,  the  Succeifors  of  the  Apoftles  in  the 
Church)  whether  this  be  fo  or  no  j  I  fay,l  muft  requett  you  to  judge  by  confidering. 

Reply  to  SeB  1. 
I  /hall  not  unwillingly  believe  and  acknowledge  that  your  love  to  Concord  is  grea- 
ter than  mine,   when  I  fee  you  more  z,ealoujly  ftchng  it  ,    and  hear  of  your  Motions 
and  moderateRational  Attempts  to  that  end.  And  I  /hall  begin  to  hope  well  of  you, when 
you  are  but  willing  to  accept  fuch  motions  from  any  others ,  or  at  leaft  not  to  hinder 
the  Concord  of  your  Brethren.    2.  Schifmatical  Combinations  are  againft  the  U- 
ntted  Churches,  or  the  United  Members  of  one  particular  Church.  We  unite  or  combine 
againft  no  Juch  Churches  or  Members  ,    nor  againft  any  thing  but  prophanenefs  and 
wickednefs,  and  againft  the  diiiinion,  difcord,  and  alienation  of  Brethren,  and  the 
utter  neglect  or  the  Ordinances  of  Chrift.    Our  utmoft  care  and  endeavour  is  to 
heal  a  Scbtjm  ;  and  if  they  that  do  rheir  beft  to  heal  it,  lamenting  itdaily  as  the  great  fin 
and  calamity  of  the  Churches ,    and  making  it  the  chiefeff  part  of  their  Studies, 
with  unlatiable  longings  to  fee  it  accompli/hed,  looking  for  no  wordly  advantage  by 
the  work,  having  no  Lordly  Honours ,    nor  Dignities  of  their  own  to  engage  for, 
which  might  byafsthem  ;  nay  moft  prodigally  caftingaway  their  Reputation  with  ' 
all  the  contenders  of  every  Party  ,  accounting  nothing  in  this  world  dear  to  them 
for  the  healing  of  our  Divitions ,   and  waiting  on  God  in  earneft  Prayer  daily  for 
fuccefs,  (concerning  all  which  ,  the  Righteous  God  is  better  acquainted  with  my  . 
heart  and  ways  than  this  Contender)  I  fay  if  yet  we  are  not  only  Schifmaticks ,  but 
Schiimatical  in  thefe  very  attempts^  know  not  yet  how  we  /hall  efcape  that  fin.  I  hope 
God  will  not  impute  that  to  me  which  this  Writer  doth  ;    and  that  as  he  will  not 
impure  my  Prayers  and  Endeavours  againft  Drunkennefs,   Covetoufnefs  and  Con- 
tentions of  Neighbours,  to  be  indeed  Drunkennefs, Covetoufnefs,  or  Contention   io 
neither  will  he  impute  my  earneft  Prayers  and  endeavours  againft  Schifm  and  U\\- 
cord  to  be  Schifmatical.     But  Schifm  is  notthe  fame  thing  in  one  Mans  mouth  as  in 
anothers.     It  is  the  unhappinefsof  each  Party  or  Schifmatical  Fa^ion  ,  to  make  to 
themfeives  a  new  Center  of  union  which  God  never  made  ,  and  then  all  mult  pe 
Schi/maticks  with  them,  that  unite  not  in  their  Center,  or  at  leaft  be  not  tyeatou- 
nion  by  their  ligaments.    So  he  is  a  Schifinatick  to  a  Parf  that  Centers  not  in  be 


'"• 


AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.       Numb.  I, 


Vope  as  the  Principium  unit  at  is  y  and  vifible  Head  of  the  Church  ;     and  in  ihe  Roman 
Church  as  the  Heart  of  the  Church  Catholick  ,  denominating  the  whole,     i  le  is  a 
Schifmatick  with /owe  tf for*  that  owns  not  every  Order  or  Ceremony  which  ti 
maintain.    For  my  part  I  fhould  think  ,    that  he  that  centreth  in  Chrfft,  and  hoi-     . 
deth  the  found  and  wholfome  Do&rine  contained  in  the  Creeds  of  iheChurch,and 
maintaineth  love  and  unity  with  all  Chriftians,  to  the  utmoft  extent  of  his  natural 
capacity  even  with  all  that  he  is  capable  of  holding  Communion  with,  is  no  S  Jiif- 
matick    nor  his  attempts  for  that  end  Schiimatical  Combinations.     If  there  "wcie  a 
Bifhop 'in  this  Diocefs ,   and  he  fhould  go  one  way  (fuppofe  he  command  that  all 
Church  Affemblies  be  at  fuch  a  time,  and  all  worfhip  tn  Juch  a  form)  and  all  the  P  ef- 
bytersand  People  go  another  way  (whether  they  do  well  or  ill ,  (o  the  thing  it felf 
be  tollerable)  and  will  not  meet  at  the  time,  nor  worftiip  God  tn  the  form  which  he 
prefcribeth,  I  Ihould  think  I  were  guilty  of  Schifm  if  I   (eparated  from  all  t\>efe 
Churches ,  and  guilty  of  ungodlinefs  if  I  wholly  forfook  and  forbore  all  publick 
worfhip  of  God,becaufeIcould  have  none  according  to  the  Bifhops  corntnaridrng  .' 
Much  more  if  there  were  no  Bifhop  in  the  Diocefs  at  all.     This  teems  to  be  our 
cafe,  in  refpecT:  of  both  Worfhip  and  Discipline  (at  lead  for  the  mod  pare;.     It  eh* 
man  guilty  of  no  Schifme,  nor  Impiety ,  who  will  rather  have  no  Difcipiine  exer- 
ciied  at  all  on  the  profane  and  fcandalous,  but  all  Vice-go  without  comroul,  and  the 
rage  of  Mens  fins  provoke  Heaven  yet  more  againft  us,  who  will  rather  have  no 
Minifterial  Worfhip  of  God,  in  Prayer  or  Praife,  no  Sacraments,  no  Solemn  Aflem- 
blies to  this  end,  no  Minifterial  Teaching  of  the  peopfe,  but  have  all  Mens  Souls 
given  over  to  perdition,  the  bread  of  life  taken  from  their  mouths,  and  Go'  depj  i- 
vedof  all  his  Worfhip,  then  any  of  this  mould  be  donewithout  Bifhops?  Thathad 
rather  the  Church  doors  were  unit  up,  and  we  lived  like  Heathens,  than  we  ihould 
Worfhip  God  without  a  Bifhops  Commands  ?    and  that  when  we  have  none  to  com- 
mand us.  ....  rr 

3.  We  diftinguifh  of  the  neceflity  of  Bifhops ;  either  it  is  a  neceffity  ad  bene  ejjh 
for  the  right  ordering  of  the  Church  when  it  may  be  had  j  or  it  is  a  neceffity  ad 
ejje  tothe  very  king  of  a  Church,  or  of  Gods  Worfhip  ,  without  which  we  may  not 
offer  God  any  publick  Service,  or  have  any  Communion,  with  any  Congregation  that 
fb  doth.  The  former  we  leave  as  not  fit  for  our  determination;  and  therefore  we 
do  not  contradift  you  in  it,  nor  feek  to  draw  you  to  own  any  Declaration  againft  it. 
The  latter  we  do  deny  ;  there  is  no  fuch  neceffity  of  Bifhops,  as  that  God  can  have 
no  Church  without  them  ;  and  that  we  muft  rather  feparate  from  all  our  Aflemblies, 
and  never  offer  God  any  publick  Worfhip,  then  do  it  without  them,  (remembring 
ftil!,  that  we  fpeak  of  thole  Bifhops  whom  we  are  charged  with  rejecting  ,  and  not 
the  Paftors  of  particular  Congregations).  And  in  this  diftin&ion  of  ncceffity,and 
in  this  conclusion,  I  have  the  confent  of  the  generality  of  the  Protefhnr  Bilhops,  fb 
far  as  I  know  to  a  Man  ,  as  far  as  their  Writings  declare  to  us  their  Minds  j  and 
therefore  Epifcopal  Divines  may  confent. 

Except,  to  Seel.  2. 
1.  Whether  in  this  Worcefterjhire  Affociation,  whoever  will  enter  into  it  doth  not 
therein  oblige  himfelf  to  acknowledge  thofe  for  Presbyters  and  Paftors  of  Churches, 
who  profefs  themfelves  to  have  been  made  fuch  (in  a  Church  where  there  are  and 
were  Bifhops  that  never  denyedthem  Orders )  without  the  Hands,Confent,or  Know- 
ladge  of  the  Bifhop,  yea  in  a  time  when  Biflaops  were  ('without  any  accufation,  be- 
fore any  Ecclefiaftical  Superiour  Synod,  or  other,  (unheard)  eje&ed.laid  by,by  their 
own  fheep  and  Presbyters  that  owed  them  obedience  ? 

Reply  to  Sett.  2. 
To  your  firft  Queftion  I  anfwer,  1.  You  muft  diftinguifh  of  punijhing  andejetling 
Bifhops  that  deferve  it,  and  calling  out  their  Order.  2.  Between  cafting  out  the 
•  appurtenances  and  corruptions  which  made  uptheEnglifhfbrtof  Prelacie,  as  differ- 
ing from  the  Primitive ,  and  cafting  out  the  Order  and  Office  of  Bifhops  fimply  in 
itfelf.  3.  Between  thofe  Men  that  do  caft  them  out,  and  thofe  that  do  not.  ^Be- 
tween a  Church  that  hath  Bifhops,  and  one  that  hath  none.  y. Between  them  that 
can  have  Ordination  by  them,  and  thofe  that  cannot.  6.  Between  thofe  Minifters 
of  this  Affociation  that  were  Ordained  by  Bifhops,  and  thofe  that  were  not.  7.  Be- 
tween the  Irregularity  andfinfulnefs  or  Ordination,  and  the  nullity  thereof  j  and  fo 
between  a  Minifter  regularly  Ordained,  and  a  Minifter  Irregularly  Ordained,  who 
is  a  Minifter  ftill.  Hereupon  I  anfwer  further  in  thefe  conclufions.  $ .  That  too 
many  of  the  Bifhops  lately  ejected,  did  deferve  it,  is  beyond  difpute.  2.  Whether 
the  Parliament  in  the  ftate  that  they  were  in,  had  not  power  to  punifh  them  by  Iih- 
prifonment,  or  Ejection,  as  Solomon  did  Akiatkar,  without  an  Ecclefiaftical  Superior, 


or 


•  

Numb.  L       A  T  T  E  N  T>  IX. 

or  whether  the  Clergy  be  exempted  from  fuch  P^ifli^^ 
till  rhey  are  delivered  up  to  them  by  the  Ecclefiaftical  Head  ,    hath  been  S      * 
nouny  deputed  in  the  world  already.  .  Sutckffe,  BilfonJewel^^Zn^^ 
have  proved,  that  Kings  have  power  in  all  Gaufes  ,  and  over  all  Pe/fonT         u 
Ecclefiaftical  as  Civil ;  "and  that  the  Pope  hath  no  power   of  Jurisffi  t  ^ 

Z  'wl^l°v\i  ^V?™Qy  JUdger;  ^  if  ^Metropolitan  of  'CanteZryX 
he  h,ghett  Ecclefiaftical  Power  mifctrry      who  mall  reftrain  or  ejeft  them  but 
the  Civil  Power,  unlefs  we  go  to  the  Pope  ?    for  more  acceptable  witneffes  I  com 
mend  to  you  Spalatenfis,Grotius,  and  Saravia,  yea  Fr.  de  Victoria,  and  feveral  Panfian] 
The  two  former  one  *  Republ  Eeckfitbt  other  de  Impeno  jummarumpoteftatuJ^i 
never  be  well  anfwered.     If  it  be  faid  the  King  did  it  not.    I  anfwer,  I  think  Z 
Authority  by  whom  that  much  was  done,  that  we  now  fpeak  of,   will  be  acknow 
ledged  iufficient  by  moft  that  were  againft  the  fad,  and  that  fought  againft  the 
Parliament  that  underftood  the  Laws.     It  was  long  before  the  King  withdrew 
Many  of  thole  that  approved  of  the  Eje&ion  of  thofe  unworthy  men     yec  appro 
ved  not  of  the  dhTolution  of  the  Office  ;    and  fuch  may  be  many  (and  for  ought 
you  know  molt  or  all)  of  the  Minifters  here  Aflbciated.    (Though  1  fuppofe  rather 
il :  isotherwifej  yet  while  Men  do  for  peace  filence  their  opinions,  who  knows  what 
they  are  ?  And  fure  I  am,  many  among  us  had  no  hand  in  the  downfall  of  the  Bi- 
fhops ;  and  whether  any  at  all  be  lyable  in  this  to  your  Charge  befides  my  felf 
(whereof  more  anon)  I  know  not ;  moft  of  our  Affociation  were  in  the  Univerfi- 
ties,  in  the  Wars ;  and  the  reft  were  (fome  I  am  fure,  if  not  all  j  quiet  in  their  Ha- 
bitations, even  in  the  Kings  Quarters,  not  fomuch  as  taking  the  Covenant  •  fo  that 
I  know  not  how  you  can  except  againft  them  *as  cafting  out. the  Biinops/  What 
tell  you  them  of  other  Mens  Actions  ?  could  they  help  it  ?  what  if  it  be  in  a  time 
when  Bifhops  were  Co  Eje&ed,  when  you  cannot  prove  them  guilty  of  it  ?    4.  The 
Covenant  it  felf  doth  not  reject  all  Bifhops,  but  only  fuch  as  ftood  in  England  and 
fo  concatenated  to  Chancellors,  Deans,  &c.  and  with  fuch  an  Explication  Mr.Cole- 
man  gave  it  to  the  Houfe  of  Lords.    If  therefore  you  could  prove,  that  the  Affoci- 
ated Minifters  have  taken  the  Covenant ,  (which  you  have  not  done,)  yet  that 
proves  not  that  they  were  the  Eje&ors  of  the  Bifhops.    6.  There  is  no  Bifhop  (that 
we  know  of)  over  this  Diocefe.    7,  You  cannot  prove  that  thofe  that  were  Ordain- 
ed by  meer  Presbyters,  might  have  had  Epifcopai  Ordination  (of  which  more  a* 
non).    8.  It  is  not  the  Regularity  of  the  Ordination  that  we  defire  you  to  acknow- 
ledge, but  only  its  being*    fo  that  it  is  not  a  nullity.    So  that  you  may  fee  how  un- 
faithfully youftated  the  cafe  ;  which  is  rather  this  ,  Whether  when  the  Bijhop  of  this 
Diocefs  is  dead 3  and  the  reft  taken  down  by  the  Reigning  Power ,  and  we  know  not  where  to 
have  Epifcopai  Ordination,  or  at  haft,  without  the  great  fujfering  of  the  Bijhop  on  whom 
the  pre/en t  Powers  wiU  inflift  jo  great  a  penalty,  if  they  Ordain,  if  in  this  cafe  any  be  Or- 
dained by  meer  Presbyters,   are  we  bound  to  judge  them  no  Mtni/lers,  yea  and  to  refufe  Af 
fociattng  with  ethers  for  their  fakes  ?  Whether  our  Church  doors  muft  be  jhut  up,  and  Gods  pub" 
lick  Worjlnp  thrown  away,  till  the  Rulers  will  permit,  and  the  Presbyters  and  People  admit 
Bifhops  again  ;  and  Minifters  and  Churches  all  be  null  ?  yea  I  do  no  find  you  prove  that 
our  Agreement  requires  any  fuch  acknowledgment,    as  your  felf  intimateth  ,  of 
which  next. 

Except.  SeB.  % . 
Mr.  Baxter  himfelf  I  name  for  one  ,  a  Principal  of  this  Affociation,  and  prote- 
fting  it  one  end  of  this  Affociati6n,  that  they  may  be  acknowledged  for  true  Presby- 
ters and  Paftors  of  their  Churches,  by  all  who  enter  into  this  Agreement,  vid.p.  14, 
and  the  two  laft  lines,  and^>.  iy.  for  eight  lines ;  alfo  p.  14.  Reaf  n.  and  Reaf  ua 
p.  47.  mid.  and  p.  49.  fin. 

Reply  to  Seel.  3. 
For  my  felf  I  think  you  have  more  againft  me  than  any  other  Man  in  your^  Af- 
fociation. But  yet  1.  you  have  not  proved  ,  that  I  had  not  Epifcopai  Ordination, 
which  indeed  I  had.  2.  Nor  that  I  confented  to  the  removal  of  their  Calling.  If 
I  did  fb,  yec  til!  you  can  know  it,  you  have  no  juft  ground  for  your  alienation.  ^  3. 
If  I  did  confent,yet  thatnulleth  not  my  former  Call.  4.  You  know  not  if  I  did, 
whether  I  repent  or  not.  5.  No  man  muft  be  rejected  for  a  fault  fuppofed, without 
a  juft  Tryal,  in  all  Equity  you  Ihould  hear  me  fpeak  for  my  felf.  I  have  pubhckly 
offered  facisfacTiion  to  any  that  are  offended  with  me.  6.  What  if  I  only  were  faulty? 
would  that  warrant  you  to  feparate  from  all  the  reft  for  my  fake  ?  7.  But  what  do 
you  alledge  againft  me  ?  That  I  would  have  an  acknowledgment  that  we  are itruis 
Presbyters  and  Paftors  ?  A  heinous  Crime  ?  that  I  will  not  yield  to  have  Gods 
Church  among  us  unchurched  by  the  Papifts ,  and  his  Worfhip  caft  afide  for  want 


a 


— ■— >■■  II    I    11^— «— 

AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.      Numb.  1. 


of  true  Minifters?     8.  But  what  are  all  thefe  Words  of  mine  to  the  i- 
Thofeare  but  mine  own  Thoughts,  which  none  arc  defired  to  content  to.     You 
fhould  have  produced  fomewhat  from  our  Articles  of  Concord,  and  not  from   my 

Words. 

Except,  to  Sea.  4. 

Do  they  take  in  your  acknowledged  Grounds  of  all  parrs,  (Fpifcopal  and  all) 
who  would  have  us  acknowledge  them  Piesbyters  ordained  in  this  Church  with- 
out Bifrops,  not  by  neceffity  as  in  the  Churches  wherein  no  Proteftant  l;ifhop  could 
be  had  ?  unlefs  their  Christian  Charity  can  take  Countenance  to  lay  that  non 
our  Bijbops  were  Proteftants,  and  that  then  they  muft  have  had  no  Ordination  at  »\\, 
or  Ordination  by  Papifts    (requiring  of  them  the  Acknowledging  the  Pi 
Ecclefiaftial  Supremacy)  which  was  the  confeffed  Cafe  of  thole  Proteftants  beyond 
Seas,  from  whence  they  would  fain  borrow  a  Cloak  for  their  Fad  :    but  the  Co- 
vering is  too  fhort,  though  they  argue  while  the  World  endures,  there  is  a  vair 
ference  betwixt  neceffity  and  voluntary  Engaging  by  Covenant,  and  relinquifhing, 
calling  off,  and  laying  by  true  Catholick,  Proteltant  Bifhops. 

Reply  to  SeB.  4. 
Yes,  Sir;  I  am  confident  I  take  in  the  Grounds  of  the  Epifcopal  Proteftants : 
(But  I  dare  not  fay  yours,  for  1  do  not  know  you)  nor  are  you  able  to  manifeft  the 
contrary  ;  1.  Neceffity  may  juftify  fome  things,  that  elfe  were  unjuftifiable,  and  the 
abfenceof  fuch  Neceffity  may  prove  them  finful :  But  if  Presbyters  may  juftly  or- 
dain in  cafe  of  neceffity,  then  you  will  hardly  prove  our  Ordination  null,  for  want 
of  that  Neceffity,  though  you  fhould  prove  it  irregular.  It  feems  you  think  that  Lay 
Men  may  baptize  in  cafe  of  neceffity ;  if  fo,  you  may  prove  it  finful,  but  hardly 
mil,  where  Neceffity  x  not.  2.  It  is  an  incredible  Aflertion  againft  the  Sun,  that  all 
thofe  Proteftants  beyond  Sea,  had  fuch  a  Neceffity,  and  could  not  have  Proteftant 
Bifhops.  Put  out  Mens  Eyes,  and  then  tell  them  this.  Were  the  Low  Countries  fo 
far  from  England  that  they  could  not  poffibly  have  borrowed  a  Bifhop  to  Ordain  ? 
Was  not  Bilhop  Carleton  at  the  Synod  of  Don  with  them  ?  why  did  not  that  Synod 
defire  this  Curtefy  ?  It  is  faid,  he  protefted  for  Bifhops  in  the  open  Synod,  and 
that  he  took  their  Silence  for  Confent,  and  alfo,  that  lbme  after  told  him,  that 
they  would  have  them  if  they  could  j  as  if  Silence  were  any  Sign  of  Confent  againft 
their  own  eftablifhed  Difcipline. 

Who  knows  not  that  their  loathnefs  to  difpleafe  King  James,  of  whom  they  had 
then  fo  much  need,  might  well  caufe  them  to  keep  Silence,  about  that  which  was 
not  the  Bufinefs  of  the  AiTembly,  as  long  as  they  held  their  prefent  Government  ? 
and  if  fome  faid  they  would  have  Bifhops  if  they  could,  it  is  plain  it  was  but  few, 
for  if  mosl  had  been  willing,  what  hindered  them  ?   If  you  fay  the  Crvtl  Powers,  I 
anfwer,  1.  The  Ecclefiafticks  fo  taught  them  and  defired  the  Presbyterian  Govern- 
ment of  them.2.They  might  have  run  the  hazard  of  a  Perlecution  as  well  as  we  and 
the  civil  Rulers  of  this  Nation  are  as  much  at  leaft  againft  it  as  theirs :  So  fome  gather 
from  Moulin  %  Word  to  Bifhop  Andrews,  andfome  few  other  Mens,  that  the  French 
Churches  would  fain  have  Bifhops ;  as  alfo  they  are  faid  to  have  offered  Obedience 
to  the  Papift  Bifhops,  if  they  would  turn  Proteftants :  when  as  it  is  known  they  are 
againft  Bifhops,  and  if  any  particular  Perfons  are  for  it,  it  is  againft  the  Eftablifh- 
ment  of  their  Churches.    Perhaps  they  might  think  their  Form  of  Government 
not  of  fuch  Moment  as  to  reje<5t  Epifcopacy,  if  it  might  come  in  with  (uch  an  Ad- 
vantage as  the  turning  of  the  Papift  Bifhops  would  have  brought :  But  what  is  that 
to  prove  that  they  would  have  Bifhops  and  could  not  ?  Grotius  knew  France  as  well 
as  you,  whoever  you  are ;  and  he  tells  us  another  Story  of  them,  Difcuf.  Apologet. 
Rivet.  That  they  wilfully  caft  out  the  Order  of  Bifhops  as  far  as  their  Authority 
could  reach  ;  what  impoffibility  hath  their  been  thefe  hundred  Years  for  France^ 
Belgia,  Helvetia,  Geneva,  with  the  reft  of  the  Proteftant  Churches  to  have  had  Bi- 
fhops if  they  had  been  willing  ?  They  had  Hermannusoi  Colen,  Verger im  of  Ju(tinop. 
came  among  thtm,Spalatenfis  would  have  ordained  fome  in  his  PalTage ;  if  no  Englifh 
Bifhop  could  have  been  got  thither,how  eafy  had  it  been  to  have  fent  one  to  receive 
Epifcopal  Confecration  here,  and  then  to  have  gone  home  and  ordained  more  ?  It 
may  be  you  would  make  us  believe  the  like  of  the  Church  of  ,SW/Wtoo,that  they 
would  fain  have  Bifhops  and  could  not :  If  you  alledge  any  Inconvenience  that  ne- 
ceffitates  all  thefe  Proteftant  Churches  to  continue  without  Bifhops,  even  to  this 
Day  5  I  (ay,  ;.  Our  Neceffity  is  as  great  as  any  of  theirs  for  ought  you  can  mani- 
feft  to  the  contrary  ;  for  1.  Our  Rulers  are  as  much  againft  them.     2.  We  cannot 
exercife  publickly  our  Minifterial  Office,  unlefs  we  be  ordained  according  to  the 
Laws  of  the  prefent  Rulers.    3.  There  is  a  heavy  Penalty  ordained  to  all  Ordainers 

that 


Numb.  I.       A  <P  T  E 


urn  nun  Dimops  ordination  out  ot  their  Dioceifes      6   Wp-im*.  ~«««* 

two  Biftops  ^England,  nor  whereto  L  dS^ttat  «  hST.S  °f  a*"Ve 
thofe two  will  not  ordain.  7.  Divers  of  then,  were ^ /uWy  e  eaed' for  deTrov'" 
the  Church,  and  we  cannot  take  them  for  Bi/hops  8  We  are  bm  Snh,vl  y?g 
fmal.  part  of  the  Miniftry,  and  cannot  fet  up  BiLps  Longer  feve^ft/wU 


mtght  ,f  they  wou  d.  The  Cloak  which  you  fay  is  too  (hot,  is  indeed mucMa  ,er 
than  our  Cafe  requ.res:  If  our  Nation,  or  any  part  of  it,  did  voluntarily  calt  off 
B.lhops    fo  d.d  the  Proteftant  Churches,   and  continued  kee™  hem  out  m  tto 

ffi  ».U70U  cann.ot  P™«  *«  ?e  Minifters  "f  this  AiTociation  did  caft  fern 
oft     And  for  your  furmife  of  the  Countenance  of  our  Chriftian  Cnaritv  •  1  an 

Except,  to  Sett.  $. 

An  Argument  a  Forum  A\  Logick  admits  of,  but  I  never  heard  a  Sufpicion  ofany 
Fjrmnefs,  in  concluding >*  Irnbealkori,  thus :  Perhaps,  perhaps  I  fay,  and  as  many 
Moderns  would  charitably  think,  they  may  be  true  Presbyters,  who  were  ordained 
by  Presbyters  (where,  morally  to  fpeak,  and  as  to  confciential  poffibility)  there 
was  an  impoffibihty  of  procuring  Orders  from  any  Bifliops,  but  fuch  as  would  ob- 
lige them  to  betray  both  Presbyters  and  Bifliops  Authority  to  Papal  Ufumation 
and  arrogated  Supremacy;  therefore  we  alio,  who  might  have  had  Ordination  by 
Bifliops,  and  thole  fuch,  who  have  as  well  as  we  oft  hindred  that  papal  Usurpati- 
on yea,  had  renued  that  Duration  by  an  Oath  in  Synod ;  a  little  before  thefe  late 
fad  Schifms,  and  this  new  attempted  Ordination,  and  chofe  to  be  ordained  with- 
out them  contrary  to  all  the  Canons  of  the  Church  Univerfcl  of  all  Ages,  till  thefe 
laft  Ages  of  this  Cotroverfy.  We,  I  fay,  alfo  for  all  that,  are  true  Pallors  and 
Ptebycer*  and  we  will  be  acknowledged  for  fuch  in  this  Agreement,  and  others 
to  be  Popilh  Divines,  lurking  under  the  Name  of  Epifcopal  Divines.  Lo  here  a 
goodly  Confequcnce,  and  a  Chriftian  Presbyterian  Charity,  ' 

Reply  to  Seil.  $. 

i.  Our  Argument  is  not  only  a  pari,  but  a  fortiori,  as  is  manifefted.    2.  You 
give  us  rea(6n  here  to  fear  that  your  felf  are  one  of  thofe  Perions  whom  we  except 
againft,  and  that  it  is  your  own  Caufe  that  you  ftrive  for,  and  that  your  Guilt  is  it 
that  makes  you  angry,  for  you  feem  to  me  to  intimate  to  us,   that  you  own  not 
their  Opinion  that  make  the  Proteftant  Minilters  to  be  Minifters  indeed  (and  con- 
fequently their  Churches  true  organized  Churches)  for  all  the  neceffity  which  you 
pretend  they  had  for  you  make  it  but  a  [perhaps,]  and  your  double  that  [perhaps] 
that  we  may  fee  you  own  it  not,  and  you  fay  it  is  [as  many  would  think]  as  if  it 
were  but  their  Thought,  and  as  if  you  were  none  of  thofe  many  :  And  it  is  but 
[the  Moderns]  that  fo  think  as  if  you  intimated  that  Antiquity  judged  otherwile 
which  doubtlefs  you  prefer  before  the  Moderns ;  and  you  fay,  [they  would  think 
it]  intimating  that  ^///prevails  againft  Judgment,  or  Judgment  follows  not  that 
Will ;  [yea,  it  is  charitably]  that  they  would  think  it,  as  if  Affedion  milled  them: 
and  other  Paflages  afterward  do  yet  further  reveal  your  Mind  in  this,  though  you 
are  loath,  I  perceive,  to  fpeak  out,  becaufe  of  the  harfhnels  of  it  to  Protectants 
Ears ;  I  therefore  again  fay,  1.  Thole  churches  were  not,  nor  are  to  this  Day  un- 
der any  impoffibihty  of  having  Bifliops,  if  they  judged  them  necellary.  2.  That  you 
prove  not  what  you  fay,  that  they  in  this  Country  might  have  had  Ordination  by  a 
Bifliop,  who  were  ordained  by  Presbyters  only  :  We  leave  therefore  our  Gonle- 
quence,  and  our  Chriftian  Presbyterian  Charity  to  a  more  equal  Judge,  whether 
that  Man  be  like  to  be  a  Proteftant,  that  taketh  the  Church  of  Rome  for  a  true 
Churci,  and  all  the  reformed  Churches  (except  the  Epifcopal,  for  no  true  Church- 
es, and  that  taketh  their  Prielts  for  Lawful  Minifters,  and  all  the  Proteftant  Mini- 
fters for  none,  except  thofe  that  were  ordained  by  Bifliops  $   nay,  that  argue,  as 
here  you  do,  to  have  us  (and  confequently  all  fo  ordained)  difclaimed  by  Pallors 
and  People,  and  confequently  all  our  Churches  nullified,  and  publick  Wor/hip  for- 
faken.    Are  we  lb  blind  as  not  to  fee,  that  you  thus  not  only  prefer  the  Papifts  be- 
fore us  (as  much  as  a  true  Miniftry  before  no  Miniftry,  and  a  true  Church  before 
no  Crunch)  but  hereby  would  deliver  us  up  into  their  Hands  ?  If  we  difpute  with 
them  in  the  hearing  of  the  People,  and  confels  that  their  Church  is  true,  and  ours 
is  not;   may  not  the  People  eafily  fee  that  it's  better  join  with  them  than  with 
us  ?    and  would  not  you  your  felf  rather  fubmit  to  a  Mali  Prieft,  than  to  thole 
whom  you  take  for  no  Minifters  at  all  ?   If  you  fay  (you  would  have  us  fubmit  to 

neither 


JTTENVIX.       Numb.  I. 


neither,  but  to  the  Epifcopal)  yet  i.  It  follows  neverthelefs  that  the  Papifts  of  tkc 
two  are  to  be  preferred  as  true  Minifters,  before  them  that  are  none.  2.  And  if  we 
difpute  with  the  Papift,  which  is  the  true  Church,  and  kt  again  It  them  only  Eleven 
or  Twelve  (for  fo  many  you  reckon  on)  Englifh  Bifhops  (and  if  there  be  any  Irilh 
or  Scotifli)  with  thofe  of  the  Clergy  that  adhere  to  them  (Quality  and  Number 
confidered)  whom  the  People  know  not  where  to  find,  nor  can  enjoy,  what  Suc- 
cels  is  fuch  a  Difpute  like  to  have,  either  with  the  People,  or  with  the  Adverfary  ? 
will  they  not  tell  us,  our  Church  is  invifible,  efpecially  when  thefe  few  Bifhops  are 

dead  ?  :r j  "■' 

Except,  to  Sett.  6. 

2.  Whether  in  this  Worcefterjhire  Affociation,  wholbever  will  enter  into  it  doth 
not  therein  oblige  himfelf  to  acknowledge  that  Presbyters  (while  there  remain 
alive  fourteen,  or  thirteen,  or  twelve  Catholick  Proteftant  Bifhops)  may  proceed 
to  publick  Excommunications,  and  Abfolutions  in  fero  Eccleftajlico,  without  asking, 
thofe  Bifhops  Content,  allowance,  or  taking  any  notice  of  them.  See  Refolution 
12,  1 3, 14, 1  $•  and  the  Scope  of  the  whole  Book. 

Reply  to  Sett.  6. 

To  your  fecond  Queftion  I  anfwer,  The  Term  [Excommunication]  we  ufe  not. 
This  Term  is  ufed  to  fignify,  fometimes  a  delivering  up  to  Satan,  and  calling  ouc 
of  the  Catholick  Church,  fometimes  only  a  Minifterial  Declaration  that  fuch  a 
Perfon  fliould  be  avoided  by  the  People,  acquainting  them  with  their  Duty,  and 
requiring  them  to  perform  it :  fometimes  it  fignifies  the  Peoples  a&ual  Avoidance. 
In  the  former  Senfe  we  have  let  it  alone ;  and  that  which  you  call  your  Excommuni- 
cato Major  we  meddle  not  with,  much  lefs  do  we  ufurp  a  compelling  Power  for 
the  Execution.  The  other  we  know  to  be  confident  with  the  Principles  of  Epif- 
copal Proteftants  (if  not  alfo  with  Papifts)  yea,  even  when  there  is  a  Bifliop  refc 
dent  in  the  Dioceis,  it  being  but  part  of  our  teaching  and  guiding  Office  as  Presby- 
ters of  that  Congregation ;  but  1  have  faid  enough  of  this  in  my  Explicatidm 
already. 

2.  But  what  if  there  be  twelve  latent  Bifliops  in  England  (when  for  my  part  I 
I  hear  not  of  above  two  or  three)  have  they  Power  not  only  to  ordain,  but  alfo  to 
govern  other  Diocefles  which  have  no  Bifliops?  Yea,muft  they  needs  govern  them  ? 
1.  Woe  then  to  the  Churches  of  England,  that  muft  live  under  fuch  Guilt  devoid  of 
all  Government.  2.  Woe  to  the  Sinners  themfelves,  that  muft  be  left  without 
Chrift's  Remedy.  3.  Woe  to  particular  Chriftians  that  muft  live  in  the  continual 
Breach  of  Gods  known  Law,  that  faith  [with  fuch  go  not  to  eat,  &c7\  for  want 
of  a  Bifliop  to  Execute  it:  4.  Woe  to  the  few  Bifliops  that  be ;  for  if  all  the  Autho. 
rity  be  in  them,  then  the  Duty  and  Charge  of  executing  it  is  only  on  them ;  and 
then  they  are  bound  to  Impombilities,  one  Bifliop  muft  Excommunicate  all  the  Of- 
fenders in  a  great  part  of  the  Land,  when  he  is  not  fufficient  to  the  hundredth  part 
of  the  Work.  Then  when  all  the  Bifliops  in  England  are  dead,  fave  one  or  two, 
they  are  the  fole  Paftors  of  England,  and  all  Difcipline  muft  be  caft  away  for  want 
of  their  Sufficiency.  Then  it  feems  the  Death  of  one  Bifliop,  or  two  or  three, 
doth  actually  devolve  their  Charge  to  another,  and  who  knoweth  which  other  ? 
This  is  new  Canon.  Not  only  Proteftant  Bilhops,  but  fome  Papifts  confefs,  that 
when  a  Bifliop  is  dead,  the  Government  remains  in  the  Presbyters  till  another  be 
chofen :  fure  they  that  govern  (the  People  at  leaft)  with  him  whilft  he  is  living  (as 
is  confeffed)  need  not  look  on  it  as  an  alien,  fupereminent,  tranfeendent  Work, 
when  he  is  dead.  Bifhop  Bromhall  againft  Mil.  p.  127.  gives  People  a  Judg- 
ment of  Difcretion,  and  Paftors  a  Judgment  of  Direction,  and  to  the  chief  Pa- 
ftors a  Judgment  of  Jurifdiction.  You  may  go  well,  allow  us  by  a  Judgment  of 
Direction  to  tell  the  People  that  they  fliould  avoid  Communion  with  an  open  wick- 
ed Manx  even  while  a  Bifliop  is  over  us ;  Selden  de  Syne.  c.  8,  9,  io.  and  will 
tell  you  another  Tale  of  the  way  of  Antiquity  in  Excommunication  and  Abfolution 
than  you  do  hear :  But  of  this  enough  in  the  Books. 

Except,  to  Set!.  7. 

3.  Doth  not  he  oblige  himfelf  alfo  to  acknowledge  that  not  only  Presbyters  (in- 
communi  governing)  but  one  fingle  one  of  them,  may  proceed  to  Excommunicati- 
and  Abfolution  in  foro  Ecclefiaftico  ? 

Reply  to  SeB.  7. 

Your  third  Queftion  I  anfwer  by  a  Denial,  There  is  no  fuch  Obligation.    The 

Declaration  of  the  Peoples  Duty  to  avoid  fuch  an  one,  is  by  one ;    fo  is  every 

Sermon,  fo  is  your  Epifcopal  Excommunication.    Doth  not  one,    and  that  a 

Prcbyter  declare  or  publifh  it  ?  But  for  advifing  and  determining  of  it,  we  have 

tyed 


11        ■      M  .  — — „.— J  l      l  I '.-I 

Numb.  I.       ATT  EN  DTY. 

*  '  '  ~~'       ■■-■-■■■  —         'I  , 

tyed  our  felves  not  to  do  it  alone,  though  for  minTo^d^^^rrrT^ 
not  cafity  to  prove  that  one  fingle  Bimop  or  Paftor  hath  fe Po°e? of  ?hl  K^ 
and  may  do  all  that  we  agree  to  do.  ot  the  Kcvs> 

_,,  ■  Except,  to  Sett.  8. 

.4.  That  not  only  one  fingle  Presbyter ;  but  one  whofe  Ordination  was  Wv*,  ^ 
any  Bifhop  to  be  Presbyter,  (where  alfo  Bimops  were  that  migh h£  hlTf     J 
unto)  hath  that  Power  alfo  of  Excommunication,  &c.  §  **"  f°llsht 

..        c       ,   .        „         t.  Reply  to  SeB.  8. 

Except,  to  Sett.  9. 
Ifpeak  only  of  the  Effence  of  their  AlTociation  ;  not  infilling  on  what  Mr  B«*> 
ter  declares  to  the  WorW,  that  in  fome  Cafes  the  People  (not  (atlsfied  w  th  the  Bi 
mopsor  Presbyters  Ordination)  may  accept  or  take  a  Man  of  themfelves  w  hout 
any  Ordination  (by  BiPnops  or  Presbyters)  to  be  their  Paftor  and  Presbyter  whh 
Power  of  Excommunication  and  Abfolution  in  himfelf  alone  (without  the  People) 

Reply  to  Sett.  9. 

That  this  maybe  done  in  fomeCafes,!  have  lately  difputed  it  with  a  learned  Man 
ot  your  Party,  and  convinced  him.  And  methinks  Nature  mould  teach  vou  if 
you  were  (unordained,  but  qualified  by  Gifts)  caft  among  the  Indians,  that  vou 
mould  not  let  them  penm  for  want  of  that  publick,  conftant  teaching  which  is 
Miniftenal,  or  of  Sacraments  and  Difcipline  only  for  want  of  Ordination  •  that 
the  Subftance  of  Duty  mould  not  be  thrown  by  for  want  of  that  Order  which 
was  infiituted  for  its  Prefervation,  and  not  for  its  Deftru&ion.  You  dare  fcarce  o- 
penly  and  plainly  deny  that  Neceflity  warrants  the  Presbyters  of  the  Reformed 
Churches  to  ordain :  And  I  doubt  you  allow  it  them  then  on  no  other  grounds  then 
what  would  warrant  this  that  I  am  now  pleading 'for. 

Except,  to  Sett.  10. 

And'for  any^r«w  or  defire  of  fciJhop5,Proteft.Biihops  if  they  might  have  them.or 
accefs*  unto  them  (which  was  (6  oft  the  publick  avowed  Defire  of  the  chiefeft  Refor- 
mers and  Piotellants  beyond  Sea.much  unlike  theSpiritofourPresbyterians)fee  what 
Mr.  Baxter  gives  us  to  know,  p  8j.  where  (comparing  our  prefent  Bimops  with  a 
Leader  in  an  Army)  he  faith,  Nay,  it  is  hard  trulring  that  Man  again,  that  hath  be- 
trayed us  and  the  Church,  ibid.  Thefe  have  ib  apparently  faliified  their  Truft 
that  if  we  were  fully  refblved  for  Bimops,  yet  we  cannot  fubmit  to  them  for  Ordi- 
nation or  JurifJiftion,  and  then  he  proves  it  by  Canon  (he  thinks)  that  the  Presby- 
ters now  mould  not  •  lubmit  to  the  prefent  Bijhops  by  Canon  Concilii  Rhegien.  ut 
fcrverfi  ordtnatores  nullis  denuo  ordir.ationibus  interfunt,  and  lead  you  may  reply,  that 
he  ipeaks  not  this  of  all  our  prefent  Bimops,  he  immediately  fubjoins  thele  Words 
\Where  then  jhill  we  have  a  Bijhop  to  ordain  of  the  old  accufed  Tribe  ?J  Is  not  this  Chri- 
ihan  Filial  Duty  of  Presbyters  toward  the  Bimops  their  Fathers? 

Reply  to  Sett.  10. 

I,  For  that  Defire  you  again  mention  of  Bimops  in  the  Reformed  Churches,  it  is 
an  unproved,  vain  Affertion  againft  full  Evidence.  It  is  only  of  a  few  particular 
Peribns  in  thole  Churches  that  you  can  prove  it :  If  fo  many  Writings  againft  Bi- 
mops and  Conftitutions,  and  a&ual  Practice  will  not  prove  them  willing  to,  be 
without  them  ;  or  at  leaft ,  not  neceffitated  j  there  is  no  Proof  of  any  Man's  Will 


W<  J    \JM     HIV    VJUUl  Vllj        WiVlJ      IIIV      VJUI  XI  IJUIWftJV     \y»      JV    »         iUW       v.iiw       M.     uiu      JJ;\J»  v,  cuiM     vaii 

with  great  Eafe  and  Evidence  prove  it  more  fully.  3.  I  pray  you  do  not  perftade 
Men  that  by  [the  eld  accufed  Tribe]  I  meant  all  the  late  Englifli  Bimops,  they  were 
not  ail  accufed  Of  deftroying  or  betraying  the  Church,  that  I  ever  heard  of  Where 
be  the  Articles  that  were  put  in  againft  Ujher,  Hall,  Davenant,  ?otter3  Weftficld,  Pri- 
deaux,  &c.  AU'thofe  that  I  call  the  accufed  Tribe  you  may  find  Articles  againft  in 
Parliament,  for  their  Devaftations  or  Abufes.  Should  the  Arrians,  or  other  He- 
retick  Bifhops,  fay  to  thofe  that  forfook  them,  as  you  do  of  me  [is  not  this  Chri- 
ftian,  Filial  Duty  of  Presbyters  towards  the  Bifiiops  their  Fathers]  There  is  no 
Duty  to  any  Epifcopal  Father  that  will  hold  againft  God  and  his  Church.  Take 
heed  of  making  their  Sins  your  owa. 


Except* 


'I  »»  !.»■  I— ' 


8     .  AT  T  E  N  V  I  X       Numb.  I. 

Except.  Sett.  II.  ' 

And  elfewhere  by  Irony  ,  he  adds,  O  what  a  raft  thing  it  was  to  impnfon 
(though  when  he  was  imprifoned  ,  I  believe  it  was  by  the  Name  of  Dr.  Wren,  or 
Bijhop  Wren)  for  excommunicating,  depriving ,&v.  p.51.  and  p.  68.  (To  begin  at  home 
it  is  moft  certain,  according  to  many  ancient  Canons  (which  are  their  Laws;  our 
Englifh  Bifhops  were  incapable  of  ordaining  j  for  they  loft,  their  Authority  by  in- 
volving themfelves  in  fecular  and  publick  Adminiftrations,  Canon  80.  Apoflohg.) 
N.  B.  ThatCdwowis  ic.  beyond  the  Canons  Apoftolical,  for  even  the  Papiitsthem- 
felves  admit  but  of  fifty  genuine,  and  he  would  eject  all  our  Bifhops  by  the  80th 
Canon  Apoftolical  :  [Loft  their  Authority  alio  for  neglect  of  inftructing  theif 
Flocks,  moft  or  many  of  them,  and  many  more  for  non  Rejidencc,  &c. 

Reply  to  Sett.  1 1. 

And  why  not  [Wren]  without  any  further  Title  ,  as  well  as  Calvin,  Luther,  Beza, 
ZamhyfirctiMsj&c,  2.  Let  the  indifferent  Reader  perufe  all  my  words,  and  blame  me 
if  he  can.  What  ?  feems  it  fo  fmall  a  matter  in  your  eyes  to  expel  lb  many  thouland 
Chiiftian  Families,  and  filence  and  fufpend  and  deprive  fo  many  ab'e  Minifters,  in 
fb  fmall  a  room,  andfofhort  a  time  ?  as  that  it  is  difobedience  to  our  Fathers  not  to 
confent  to  their  punilhment  ?  It  feems  then  thefe  filly  Lambs  muft  be  devoured,not 
only  without  refiftance ,  but  without  complaint,  or  accufing  the  Wolves ;  becaufe 
they  fay,  they  were  our  Fathers  ?  God  never  fet  fuch  Saturnine  Fathers  over  his 
Church,  fo  as  to  authorize  them  in  this ,  or  to  prohibite  a  juft  remedy.  He  never 
gave  them  power  for  Deftruction  but  for  Edification.  3.  What  I  laid  of  our  Bi- 
fto'ps  incapacity  upon  that  reafbn  wasexprefly  ad  hominem,aga.inti  mine  own  Judge- 
ment, viz,,  upon  fuppofitionthatthofe  Canons  are  of  fuch  force  as  thofe  imagine 
againft  whom  I  difpute.  4-The  Canon  80  Apoft.  wasalfb  brought  ad  hominem ;  for 
though  it  be  confefled  not  of  equal  Antiquity  with  the  reft,  yet  for  that  Antiquity 
they  have,  it  is  known  how  much  ufe  thofe  men  make  of  their  fuppofedJAuthority. 
But  are  there  not  enough  others  that  may  evince  the  point  in  hand  befidesthat  ?you 
may  eafily  know  it,  and  in  m any Canons  that  null  their  Office  who  come  in  by  the 
Magiftracy. 

Exception  to  Sett.  I}. 

And  whereas  we  are  ready  to  make  good  againft  all  the  Papifts  in  trje  world,  that 
our  Eriglifli  Proteftant  Bifhops  had  due  Ordination  in  Queen  Eliz,.  and  King  Ed- 
wards time,  by  fuch  who  had  been  Ordained  in  King  Henry  the  Eighths  time  ;  Mr. 
Baxter  tells  us,  the  Popifh  Bifhops  who  Ordained  in  the  days  of  Hen.  8.  and  many 
.  Ages  before,  had  no  power  of  Ordination,  (and,  this  hefpeaks  as  his  own  judgment) 
not  only  from  theconfequencesof  his  Adverfaries  $  for  he  adds,this  I  prove,  in  that 
they  received  their  Ordination  from  no  other  Bifhops  of  the  Province  nor  Metropo- 
litan, but  only  fi  em  the  Pope  fingly  ?  yet  this  is  all  the  Argument  he  hath  to  over- 
throw (confequentially  upon  our  objections)  the  Ordination  of  thofe  Proteftant  Bi- 
fhops, which  himfelf  acknowledges  Learned,  Pious,  Reverend  Men ;  and  all  that 
Ordained  ,  or  were  Ordained ,  in  Hen.  8.  &  7.  and  many  Ages  before,  as  he  faith. 
And  indeed  if  his  Difcourfe  were  of  any  force,  not  only  in  our  Englifh  Church,  but 
alio  in  all  the  Churches  of  the  Weft,  Fravce,  Spain,  Polonia,  Swedland,  Denmark,  and 
throughout  the  Empire  of  Germany ,  for  thefe  and  thofe  many  Ages  before  which 
he  fpeaks  of,  and  all  this  that  our  new  Presbyterians  of  Enngland,  (Volunteers  in 
Ordaining,  and  being  Ordained  without  Bifhops,  without  pretence  of  neceffity,yea 
or  difficulty,  or  colour  of  difficulty,  except  what  themfelves  had  created  :  (wherein 
they  have  as  little  Communion  with  the  Proteftants  beyond  feas,  as  they  have  with 
the  Epifc'opal  Proteftants  of  the  true  Reformed  Church  of  "England)  maybe  ac- 
knowledged good  and  lawful  Presbyters  and  Paftors,  with  power  conjunttim  &  divi- 
Jim,  my  one  of  them  alone  (as  Mr. Baxter  thinks)  to  Excommunicate  and  Abfolve  in 
foro  Ecclefiafiico. 

Reply  to  Sett.izf 

The  word  [Due~]  may  fignifie  either  fuch  as  is  not  null,  or  elfefuch  as  is  fully  regular , 
or  elfe  fuch  as  they  had  Authority  to  perform,  who  did  ordain,  though  they  might  have 
fome  Faults  or  Irregularities :  If  you  take  it  in  thefirft  Senfe,many  will  yield  it,who 
yet  deny  kinthelaft,asfuppofing  in  lbme  Cafes  Ordination  Paffive  may  be  valid,and 
lb  due  in  the  Receiver  ;  when  yet  Ordination  Active,is  without  all  juftAuthority  in  the 
Ordainer  :  Though  this  may  feemftrange,  I  am  ready  to  give  fbme  Reafons  for  it. 
It  muft  be  in  the  laft  Senfe,  conjunct  with  the  firft,  that  you  muft  take  the  Word 
[D«e]  if  you  will  (peak  to  the  point  in  Hand.  2.  I  do  exprefly  fay  there  that  it  is 
[according  to  the  Doctrine  of  the  Objectors  confequentially]  that  I  affirm  this  (not 
-  affirming  or  denying  it  to  be  mine  own  Judgment)  and  to  that  end  bring  the  Proof 

which 


Numb.  I.       A  T  T  E  N  ©  /  X. 


my  own 
Suppqfmg  your 

thoritative  Ordination  is  neceflary  'abfolutely  ^S^S^fS^mi^Q^ 
ing  ;  I  doubt  not  but  all  the  unhappy  Confequences  will  be  unavoidable  Whiehvon' 
mention  concerning  the  Churches  of  all  the  Weft :  But  whether  it  be  you  or  I 
that  is  to  be  blamed  for  thofe  Confequences,  it  is  not  your  Word  only  that  muft  de- 
termine, and  I  am  willing  to  try  by  weight  of  Reafons. 

Except,  to  Sett.  ij. 

And  now  for  the  Proof  of  all  this,  the  whole  weight  is  laid  by  this  Book  r 
Upon  an  Argument  a  comparatu:  If  they,  the  Proteftants  beyond  Seas  are  lawful 
Paftors  and  Presbyters  (whofe  Neceffity  and  Plea  of  Neceffity  publickly  to  have 
been  made  by  thofe,  thefe  our  new  Presbyterians  cannot  deny)  then  our  new  or- 
dained ones  by  Presbyters,  are  Presbyters  al(b  (though  they  want  all  fuch  Pretence 
all  colour  of  Neceffity,  for  themfelves  were  the  firft  Authors  of  it,  to  thofe  that 
ejefted  them,  which  yet  did  not  bring  a  Neceffity  neither,  which  we  all  know) 
Jf  Neceffity  be  pleaded  to  be  above  Ecclefiaftical  Laws,  (as  fometimes  it  hath  difpen- 
fed  even  with  divine  pofitive  Laws  themfelves)  then  they  pro  imperio  will  be  above 
them  by  their  own  Magifterial  «VSa'JW  and  by  Confequence  if  they  will  take  this 
to  themfelves,  that  whatlbever  is  lawful  to  others  upon  neceffity,  is,  and  fliall  be 
lawful  to  themfelves  without  Neceffity,  they  may  in  the  next  place,  Pope-like, 
take  to  themfelves  to  difpenfe  with  divine  pofitive  Laws,  alfobecaufe  neceffity  has 
fometimes  difpenfed  with  them. 

Reply  to  Sett.  13. 

i.You  may  as  well  fay, we  dare  not  fay  the  Sun  Shineth,as  that  we  dare  not  deny 
the  Proteftant  Churches  to  have  been  without  Bifhops  to  this  day  through  neceffity 
againft  their  Wills ;  when  in  almoft  all  of  them  the* full  Power  Civil  and  Ecclefi- 
aftical is  fuppofed  to  be  among  themfelves  •  though  I  deny  not  but  fome  particu- 
lar Perfons  among  them  would  fain  have  Bifhops,  yet  I  think  very  few,  in 
companion  of  thofe  that  were  willing  to  be  rid  of  them,  when  they  were  recei- 
ved here.  2.  You  boldly  affirm  without  Proof  that  the  Minifters  of  this  County, 
who  were  not  ordained  by  Bifhops,  were  Ejeclors  of  them,  or  Authors  of  the  Ne- 
ceffity. ;.  I  fhewed  you  before  we  have  more  Neceffity  than  you  mention,  and 
beiides  a  Neceffity  whereof  we  are  not  guilty,  there  may  be  a  culpable  Neceffity  which 
yet  may  free  our  calling  from  a  nullity,  though  not  our  [elves  from  Sin.  What  if 
God  mould  permit  all  the  Churches  of  Ethiopia,  or  the  Greeks  to  deny  the  Jus  Di- 
<vinum  of  Epifcopacy,  (which  is  poffible,  as  well  as  to  permit  the  Reformed 
Churches  to  do  ir)  andfb  to  letup  Ordination  bymeer  Presbyters  ?  (while  1  fpeak 
to  you  on  your  own  Grounds)  I  iuppofe  this  to  be  their  Error,  and  fo  their  Sin: 
yet  would  you  prefently  unchurch  them  all,  and  rather  have  God's  Worfliip  for- 
botn,  as  to  the  Publick?  There  be  many  among  us,  who  are  againft  Diocefan  Bi- 
fhops, who  give  us  good  teftimony  of  a  fincere  Heart,  impartial  ftudying  of  the 
Point,  with  as  much  felf-denial  and  earneft  Prayer  for  Gods  Dire&ion,  as  afty  E= 
pifcopal  Man  that  ever  I  knew  ;  and  yet  remain  againft  Epifcopacy.  This  kind 
of  Neceffity  may  fure  free  their  Calling  from  the  Charge  of  Nullity  (which  needs 
not  this  Plea)  \  though  it  could  not  free  them  from  the  Charge  of  Error. 

Except,  to  Seel.  14. 

Inftead  of  anfwering  one  Word  to  Ignatius  (God's  Holy  Saint  and  Martyr,)  his  re- 
nowned Epiftles  (which  he  knew  lately  vindicated)  or  to  all  the  ancient  Fathers 
avowing  m  termmis  the  jus  divinum  of  Bifhops  above  Presbyters,  and  the  Bifhops 
ible  Power  of  ordaining;  or  producing  any  to  the  contrary,  he  fills  up  his  Books 
with  Citations  of  modern  Mens  Writings,  which  they  all  wrote  charitably  for  the 
Patronage  of  thole  poor  affli&ed  Proteftants,  who  had  no  Biihops  becaufe  they 
could  have  none  :  So  that  as  well  his  Authorities  as  his  Realbnsare  all  drawn  a  he? 
comparatorum,  arguing  weakly  from  the  Priviledge  of  neceffity,  to  their  licentiou£ 
nefs,  with,  or  without  Neceffity,  which  is  one  continued  Sophifm. 

Reply  to  SecJ.  1 4.  t       \  , 

1.  Though  Ignatius  were  both  a  Saint  and  Holy,  yet  I  know  not  what  call  I  had 
in  thofe  Papers  to  meddle  with  him :  Unlefs  I  muft  needs  difpute  the  point  of  E- 
pifcopacy,  which  I  did  difekim.  2.  As  I  would  not  undervalue  the  late  Xitviic^ 
cation  of  frnattus,  fo  I  would  not  have  you  fo  far  overvalue  it,  as  to  think  it  Jnould 
fo  eafily  and  potently  prevail  fi.)  With  all  thofe  that  fee  not^any  Cogency  in  the 
Arguments,  or  fufficiency  in  the  Anfwers  to  the  contrary  Ob/etfions;  (*•).  Qr  Wlt» 
hole  that  will  take  Scripture  only  for  the  Teft  of  this  Caufe.    (;.)  Or  with  thole 

jf  that 


io  AT  T  E  NT>  I  X»      Numb.  I. 

that  are  confident  that  you  can  never  prove  that  Jgnattm  fpeaks  of  fhocefan  Bifhop', 
but  only  of  the  Bifhops  of  particular  Churches.  3.  Your  talk  ot  [kf|  the  Ancient 
Fathers  avowing  in  termini*  the  Bifhops  fble  Power  of  ordaining  )  doth  but  difcredit 
the  reft  of  your  Words :  You  fuppoie  us  utter  Strangers  borh  to  thole  Fathers,  and 
the  Englifh  Bifhops,  who  maintain  that  Presbyters  muft  be  their  Coadjutors  in  Or- 
dination. 4.  What  if  I  fhould  grant  that  ail  the  Fathers  would  have  Bifhops  to 
have  the  fole  Power  of  Ordaining  ordinarily,  and  for  Order  Sake?  And  that  it 
is  a  Sin  of  Diforder  where  unneceiTarily  it  is  done  otherwife  ?  that's  nothing  to  the 
Queftion  that  I  had  in  hand  j  which  k,  whether  flich  Ordination  by  Presbyters  be 
not  only  irregular  but  null,  and  whether  an  uninterrupted  Succeflion  be  necefTary 
to  our  Office  ?  5*.  I  plainly  perceive  here  again,  that  you  are  loath  to  fpeak  out 
your  Mind ;  but  you  ieem  to  diflent  from  thele  charitable  Maincainers  of  the  Pro- 
teft  ants :  Why  elfe  do  you  fet  Ignttim  and  the  ancient  Fathers  as  the  Party  that  I 
fhould  have  refpected  inftead  of  thefe,  if  you  did  not  think  that  the  Fathers  and 
thefe  Men  were  contrary ?  6.  My  Bufinefs  was  to  prove  that  [according  to  the 
Principles  of  the  Proteltant  bifhops  in  England,  our  Ordination  was  not  null,  eo 
Nomine,  becaufe  without  a  Bifhop]  now  I  am  blamed  for  proving  this  by  Modern 
Writers,  and  not  Fathers.  If  you  will  drfclaim  the  Modern  Proteftant  Bifhops  do 
not  pretend  to  be  of  their  Party,  but  fpeak  plainly  :  If  I  (fill  up  my  Book  with 
fuch  Citations)  then  I  hope  I  was  not  deficient  in  bringing  the  Teftimonies  of  the 
Proteftant  Epifcopal  Divines,  and  yet  many  more  I  could  cite  to  that  end.  7.  To 
that  of  the  Proteltants  Neceffity  enough  is  faid,  till  your  Words  are  canonical,  or 
your  Proof  Itronger.  I  do  not  think  but  there  are  fbme  Proteflant  Bifhops  (fb 
called  at  leaf!)  in  France  and  Holland  now,  that  went  out  of  Britain  and  Ireland, 
why  cannot  they  ordain  them  Bifhops  in  their  extream  Neceffity  ?  Why  did  the 
angry  Bifhops  fo  revile  poor  Calvin,  Bez,a,  the  Churches  of  Geneva,  Scotland,  and 
many  others,  for  calling  out  Bifhops,  and  fetting  up  Presbytery,  if  all  were  done 
on  a  juftifiable  Neceffity  ?    But  enough  of  this. 

Except*  to  Sect.  I  5*. 
But  that  thefe  Authors  cited  by  him  may  be  authentical ;  all  the  Proteftant  Di- 
vines of  England,  are  branded  as  Popilh,  that  fince  the  Reformation  have  defended 
againft  the  Pope  that  Bifhops  are  jure  Dtvino  (for  fo  I  fay  it  was  direct  Popery 
that  firft  denied  Bifhops  to  be  jure  Divino,  witnefs  the  Pope's  and  Papelins  canvaf- 
fing  in  the  Council  of  Trent ,  to  opprefs  by  Force  and  Tyranny,  the  far  major  and 
more  learned  part  of  theCouncil  that  contended  for  fb  many  Months  withSufTrages, 
Arguments,  and  Proteftations,  Proteftant  hike,  to  have  it  defined,  that  Bifhops  were 
jure  Divino,  and  only  the  Pope  and  his  Titulars,  and  Courtiers  fufTered  it  not  to  be 
propounded,  leaft  it  fhould  be,  as  certainly  it  would  have  been,  defined ;  for  then 
Popes  and  Presbyterians  could  not  have  lorded  it  fo)  :  Thus  the  chiefeff,  and  moft 
pious,  and  learned  Bifhops  of  our  Englifh  Church  muft  be  branded  for  Popifh;  Bi- 
fhop Andrews,  Mountague,  White,  &c. 

Reply  to  Seel.  I  $. 
r.  If  you  deny  the  Authors  cited  by  me  to  be  authentick,  pretend  not  to  ad- 
here to  the  Epifcopal  Proteftants ;  for  fare  thefe  are  fuch.  2.  You  do  not  well  to 
fay  that  (all  the  Proteftant  Bifhops  are  branded  as  Popifh,  that  fince  the  Reforma- 
tion have  defended  againft  the  Pope,  that  Bifhops  are  jure  Divine)  either  fhew 
the  Words  where  I  fo  brand  them,  or  elfe  do  not  tell  us  that  your  Words  are  true 
(though  ina  matter  of  Fact  before  your  Eyes) ;  we  may  well  queftion  your  Argu- 
ment, when  we  find  you  fo  untrue  in  reporting  a  plain  Writing.  Indeed  our  late 
Bifhops  (and  thoie  moft  that  were  moft  fufpeded  to  be  Popifh)  did  ftand  moft  up- 
on the  jus  Divinum,  which  many  of  the  firft  did  either  difclaim  or  not  maintain: 
But  it  never  came  into  my  Thoughts  to  brand  all  for  Papifts  that  did  own  it.  Do 
I  not  eke  Downame,  and  others,  as  Proteftant  Bifhops,  who  yet  maintain  it  ?  yea, 
Bifhop  Andrews,  whom  you  name?  this  is  not  fair.  3.  As  for  the  Trent  Quar- 
rel about  Bifhops,  I  fay  but  this  ir'  the  Spanifh  Bifhops,  and  the  reft  that  flood  for 
*he  jus  Divinum  of  Epifcopacy  there,  were  no  Papifts,  then  thofe  that  I  (poke  of  in 
^  England  were  none  (  much  lefs ) :   And  I  muft  cry  you  mercy  for  fb  efteeming 

them. 

Except,  to  Sect.  16. 
The  3d  Argument  is  from  the  uncertainty  of  Suceeffion,  which  might  have  done 
the  Hereticks  good  Service  in  the  old  times,  when  St.  Irenam  and  TertuUian  mufter 
up  againft  them  Succeffionsof  Catholick  Bifhops  that  ever  taught  as  the  Church  then 
taught  againft  the  Hereticks. 

Reply 


dilution 
were  not 


Numb.  I.       A  T  T  E  N  2>TX 

Reply  to  Seel.  16. 
1.  It  feemsyou  are  confident  of  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion  of  authoritative  Or 
lation,  though  you  feem  to  think  none  authoritative  but  Epifcooal  ft.rf 
«  not  the  Proreftant  Bifhops,  who  took  the  Reformed  Churches  to  have  tr  e 
Mmifteis,  and  to  be  true  Churches,  when  yet  Epifcopa!  Ordination  is  intermp  ed 
with  them.  Such  are  all  thofe  with  whofe  Words,  you  %,  I  fill  my  ]££* 
whom  I  may  add  Men  (which  is  ftrange)  that  were  thought  nearer  your  own  wav 
AsBiinop  BrombaH  m  his  late  Anfwer  to  Miltterius,  who  yet  would  have  the  Pooe 
to  be  the  Vrmapium  Umtat*  to  the  Church,  and  the  Anfwer  to  Fontanm's  Letter 
(aid  to  be  Dr.  Stewards,  befides  Dr.  Fern  ;  yea,  if  you  were  one  of  thofe  that 
would  yield  that  Presbyters  may  ordain,  yet  I  am  Hill  unperfuaded  that  you  are 
able  to  prove  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion  of  Authoritative  Ordination,  and  if  you 
are  able  I  Ihould  heartily  thank  you  if  you  would  perform  it  :  and  feeing  it  is  fo 
Neceflary,  it  is  not  well  that  no  Epifcopal  Divine  will  perform  it :  If  you  are  not 
able,  methmks  you  Ihould  not  judge  itfo  neceflary;  at  leaft  except  you  know 
them  that  are  able:  If  you  caft  it  on  us  to  dtfprove  that  Succeffion,  I  refer  you  to 
our  Anlwer  to  BeUarmine  and  others  in  thofe  Papers,  as  to  that  point.  2  As  for 
TertuUian  zndlrenaus,  and  others  of  the  primitive  Ages,  pleading  fuch  Succeflion 
I  aniwer,  1.  It  is  one  thing  to  maintain  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion,  then  when 
and  where  it  was  certain,  and  another  to  maintain  it  now,  when  it  is  not.  2.  It 
is  one  thing  then  to  maintain  that  fuch  a  Succeffion  was  de  faclo,  and  another  to 
-affirm  that  it  muft  be,  or  would  be  to  the  end  of  the  World,  which  thofe  Fathers 
did  nor.  It  was  the  Scope  of  Irenaus  and  TertuUian  not  to  make  an  uninterrupted 
Succeffion  of  {landing  abfolute  neceffity  ad  ejje  Officii,  nor  to  prophecy  that  fo  it 
Ihould  itill  be,  and  the  Church  ihould  never  want  it;  but  from  the  prefent  certain- 
ty of  fuch  a  Succeffion  de  fablo,  to  prove  that  the  Orthodox  Churches  had  better 
Evidence  of  the  Soundnefs  of  their  Faith,  than  the  Hereticks  had.  If  this  be  not 
their  meaning,  I  cannot  underftand  them ;  it  was  eafy  then  to  prove  the  Succeffion, 
and  therefore  it  might  be  made  a  Medium  againft  Hereticks,  to  prove  that  the 
Churches  had  better  Evidence  than  they :  But  now  the  Cafe  is  altered,  both 
through  time  and  Sin.  It  might  have  been  proved  by  Tradition  without  Scrip- 
ture, what  was  found  Doclrine,  and  what  not,  before  the  Scripture  was  written  : 
An  Heretick  might  have  been  confuted  in  the  Days  of  the  Apoftles  without  their 
Writings,  and  perhaps  in  a  great  meafure  fome  time  after  :  but  it  follows  not  that 
they  may  be  fo  to  the  End  of  the  World.  Thofe  that  heard  it  from  the  Mouth  of 
the  Apottles,  could  tell  the  Church  what  Do&rine  they  taught  j  but  how  uncertain 
a  way  Tradition  would  have  been  to  acquaint  the  World  with  God's  Mind  by  that 
time  it  had  palled  through  the  puddle  of  depraved  Ages,  even  to  16$$.  God  well 
knew,  and  therefore  provided  us  a  more  certain  way.  So  is  it  aifo  in  this  Cafe  of 
Succeffion,  as  the  Fathers  pleaded  it  againft  the  Hereticks,  to  prove  the  Soundnefs 
of  the  Tradition  of  thole  Churches. 

Except,  to  Seel.  17. 
Againft  all  which,  a  Quirk  it  feems  lay,  that  if  (ecretly  any  of  them  had  had 
but  a  lecret  Canonical  Irregularity ,all  the  following  Succeffions  were  null :  But  the 
evident  Truth  is  much  otherwife  that  the  Church  never  anulled  the  A6ts  or  Ordi- 
nations made  by  Bifhops,  which  the  Catholick  Church  then  had  accepted  and  re- 
puted Catholick  Bifhops ;  though  afterwards  they  came  to  know  of  any  Secret  Ir- 
regularities, or  canonical  Difablings  had  they  then  been  urged  or  profecuted  by 
any,  againft  thole  Biihops,  and  then  they  Ihould  have  been  accepted  for  Bifhops 
by  the  Church  no  longer. 

Reply  to  Seel.  17. 
1.  I  have  proved,  and  more  can  do,  open  and  not  only  fecret  Irregularities  in 
the  Church  of  Rome's  Ordinations,  known  a  Friore,  and  not  only  after  the  Ordina- 
tions. The  Multitude  of  Proteftant  Writers,  even  Englim  Biihops  have  made  that 
evident  enough  againft  the  Pope,  which  you  call  a  Querk;  general  Councils  have 
condemned  Popes  as  Hereticks  and  Infidels,  and  yet  they  have  ordained  moiQ'  2. 
If  it  were  otherwile,  yet  all  your  Anfwer  would  only  prove,  that  we  muft  Ibme- 
times  take  them  for  Bifhops  who  were  none  (when  the  Nullity  is  lecret)  DUt  nojj 
that  they  are  Biihops  indeed,  or  have  Authority.  It  is  one  thing  to  fay  that  God 
will  make  their  Ads  as  ufeful  to  the  honeft  Receiver,  as  if  the  Ordainer  had  done 
it  by  juft  Authority  :  and  another  to  lay,  that  fuch  an  Ordainer  had  Authority, 
becaufe  his  Incapacity  was  not  known  or  judged ;  that  is  becaufe  it  was  not  then 
known  that  he  had  none.  2.  Moreover,  if  the  Catholick  Churches  Acceptation 
and  Reputation  ('which  you  mention  would  ferve  turn,  then  1.  It  were  well  worth 

D  2 


II 


12  JT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.       Numb.  I. 

the  knowing  what  you  mean  by  the  Catholick  Church,  do  you  mean  the  whole, 
or  only  a  Part  ?  If  the  whole,  then  few  Minifters  or  Bifhops  mud  be  lb  accepted, 
for  who  is  known  to  all  Chriftians  in  the  World  ?  If  a  Part,  then  what  Part  mult 
it  be  ?  what  if  one  Part  repute  him  a  true  Minifter  or  Bifhop,  and  the  other  a 
falfe  or  none,  which  is  very  common  ?  If  you  fay  it  is  the  People  over  whom  he 
is  Paftor  then  nothing  more  common  then  for  them  10  be  divided  in  their  Judg- 
ments :  If  you  fay  it  is  the  greater  part,  then  we  mall  be  at  utter  Uncertainties  for 
our  Succeffion,  as  little  knowing  what  the  gi  cater  part  of  the  People  thought  of  our 
Predeceffors ;  if  you  mean  the  Superior  Bifhops,  then  a  Metropolitan  it  feems  is 
the  Catholick  Church  when  a  Bifhop  is  to  be  judged  of,  and  ic  is  like  a  Patriarch 
for  a  Metropolitan,  and  the  Pope  for  him.  But  as  i.  We  know  not  how  thefe 
judged  of  our  Predeceffors.  2.  So  we  little  believe  that  thefe  Mens  Judgments  can 
make  a  Man  to  be  a  Bifhop  that  is  none,  or  make  him  have  a  Power  which  elfe  he 
had  not ;  this  is  worie  than  the  Doctrine  which  hangs  the  Efficacy  of  the  Sacra- 
ments on  the  Priefts  Intention  :  It's  like  the  Faith  of  fbme  that  think  to  make  a 
Falfehood  become  true  by  believing  it  true.  3.  And  you  know  it  is  the  Pope 
whole  Succeffion  we  are  queftioning  ;  and  which  is  the  Catholick  Church  that 
muft  accept  and  repute  him  a  true  Pope  ?  If  the  Council  of  Bafil  were  the  Catho- 
lick Church,  then  you  know  how  Eugenius  was  reputed ;  and  then  where  is  our 
Succeffion  ?  I  doubt  not  but  true  Chriftians  that  are  not  guilty  of  the  Nullity  of 
the  Ordination,  nor  knew  it,  may  have  the  Benefit  and  Bleffing  of  luch  a  Man's 
Adminiftrations,  and  they  may  be  valid  to  the  Receiver :  But  that  is  on  another 
ground  (which  I  have  lately  manifelted  to  another  in  debating  this  Caule)  and  not 
that  the  Adminiftrator  had  any  true  Minifterial  Authority  from  God.  Again,  I 
refer  you  to  my  Anfwer  to  Bellarmine  and  others  in  thole  Papers. 

Except,  to  Sett.  18. 
V.G.  Put  cafe  one  not  baptized  thought  to  have  been  baptized,had  (per  ignorantiam 
fafiti)  been  promoted  to  be  Bifhop,  Archbifhop  or  Patriarch,  yet  fo  long  as  the 
Church  knew  it  not,  nor  himfelf  perhaps,  but  did  accept  him  bona  Fide,  though 
ipfo  Fatlo  had  it  been  known,  fuch  had  been  uncapable  of  Epifcopal  Order,  yet 
being  fo  accepted  by  the  Catholick  Church,  Ordinations  done  by  him  were  not 
null,  nor  did  he  interrupt  the  Succeffion,  but  (latent e  omnidefetlu  baptifmi)  he  was 
a  true  Bifhop,  though  after  his  Death  by  any  Writing  they  had  come  to  difcoverit, 
for  the  Church  as  all  Judicatures  rightly  proceeds  fecundum  allegata  &  probata ;  the 
fame  I  fay  of  fecret  Symony    V.  S.  But  on  the  other  fide  to  fpeak  now  to  the  Prei- 

byterian  Cafe. 

Reply  to  Sect.  18. 

Nay  then  put  Cafe  the  Man  were  not  Ordained,  and  the  Church  took  him  to 
be  Ordained  :  you  fay  the  Church  mull  proceed  fecundur*  allegata  &  probata,  doth 
not  this  give  up  your  Caule,  and  yield  all  that  I  plead  for  ?  which  is,  that  an  au- 
thoritative Ordination,  and  fo  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion  is  not  limply  and  abfo- 
lutely  neceflary  to  the  being  of  the  Minift  ry  :  For  you  confels  your  Churches  Re- 
putation may  ferve  without  it.  By  the  way  take  head  leaft  you  either  make  the 
People  to  be  none  of  the  Catholick  Church,  or  at  leaft 5  you  give  a  Power  to  the 
People  to  make  Minifters  Bifhops  and  Popes  by  their  bare  Thoughts  without  Ordi- 
nation, or  fo  much  as  Election.  But  then  you  will  remember,  that  if  Reputation 
without  juft  Ordination  may  ferve  turn,  I  know  not  but  thole  among  us  may  be  Mi- 
nifters whom  you  dilclaim :  For  the  Paftors  and  People  of  all  the  Proteftant 
Churches  in  Europe  (except  your  felves  here)  do  take  fuch  for  Minifters  (fo  far  as  it 
is  poffible  by  Writings,  Profeffions,  and  Pra&ices  to  know  their  Minds)  and  I  hope 
they  are  as  good  a  part  of  the  Catholick  Church  as  the  Pope  and  his  ConfiMory  are. 
Iif  Reputation  then  will  make  Paftors  without  Ordination,  we  may  have  as  good 
a  Plea  as  thole  you  plead  for.  For  the  cafe  of  Symony  you  mention,  lee  what  I 
cited  out  of  Dr.  Hammond,  and  you  know  lure  that  many  Canons  make  Ordinati- 
ons null,  and  the  Office  null,  ipfo  Fatlo,  whether  ever  the  Party  be  queftioned  in 
Judgment  or  not :  fuch  Canons  and  Laws  are  equal  to  Sentences.  A  Cafe  alfo  may 
be  known  that  is  never  queftioned  and  Judged,  who  could  queftion  the  Sodomiti- 
cal  unclean  murderous  Popes,  though  it  was  commonly  known  ?  I  take  it  for  grant- 
ed therefore  that  the  Knowledge  degraded  them  without  a  Judgment  according  to 
your  own  Words  here  (unlefs  one  part  of  them  contradid  the  other.) 

Except,  to  St  ft.  19. 

The  fame  ancient  Church  which  did  make  void  and  annul  conftantly  all  Ordina- 
tions made  by  meer  Presbyters, whether  they  Schifmatically  arrogated  tothemfelves 
to  be  Bifhops  (and  were  not,  nor  ib  reputed  by  the  Church)  or  otherwife  upon 

any 


Numb,  h       AT 


any  Pretention  whatfoever  (for  at  that  time  no  neceirit^odrhT^r~~7r 
lour,  nor  was  pretended).  y  De  Wlth  any  Co 

Reply  to  SeB.  19. 
1.  But  is  it  the  Judgment  of  the  Ancient  Church  that  will  ferve  tn  «W    a 
nulla  Minifter  of  this  Age?   if  fb,   then  all  your  former  AiS^DuftJ 
For  though  your  Popes  had  none  to  Judge  them  Wicked  and  Uncaoab'e  then 
the  ancient  Church  before  them  did  make  void  and  null  the  Office  w  ri  a     '.^ 
of  fuch  as  they.    If  ft muft  be  a  prefent  Power  that  muft  c^^cn«SS 
been  called  to  any  Judicature  about  ir.     2.  Your  Parenthefis  feems  to  intimate  tha 
if  the  Presbyters  be  but  Reputed Bifhops  by  the  Church,  then  their  OrdinaTons  are 
not  null:   All's  well  on  our  fide  then,  except  you  only  ortheRnm^iT    l 
whole  Weftern  Church  :  For  not  onlyWors  and  People  S^oXtt^ 
to  be  Bifhops,  having  Power  of  Ordination,    but  fo  do  the  reft  of  the  Reform^ 
Churches,  or  at  lead  moft  of  them:    They  think  that  the  primitive  Bifhop  was^he 
Bilnop  of  one  particular  Church,   and  not  of  a  Diocefs,  or  many  Churches 
You  talk  of  neceffity  again,  but  you  would  not  fay,  that  neceffity  would  have  ex 
culed  them  then,  if  there  had  been  fuch ;   though  it  feems  you  would  be  thought" 
to  judge  of  the  Reformed  Churches  as  the  Proteftant  Bi/hops  do,  or  elfe  hide  von* 
Judgment  in  part.  y     * 

Except,  to  SeB.  20. 
Thefe  Three  Fallacies  are  the  Summ-of  all  his  Arguments,  rather  popular  Ca 
lumnies,  for  want  of  Argument  to  cry  out,  thefe  Men  are  not  Proteftants    at  Ieaft 
in  this,  fee  fag.  49.  fin.  thefe  are  Popiih  who  contend  for  Succeffion  of  Ordi 
nations.  Ui 

Reply  to  Set!.  20. 
I  fee  nothing  to  forbid  me  to  fay  that  thefe  few  frivolous  Exceptions,   and  the 
Name  of  Fallacies,  Sophifrrs,  &c.  is  the  Summ  of  your  Oppofition  -'and  how. 
far  you  manifeft  your  lelf  to  be  free  from  Popery,  Heave  to  others  to  judge  *  for  t 
will  not,  till  I  know  you.  ' 

Except,  to  SeB.  an. 
And  here  give  me  leave,  becaufe  there  is  a  Mask  of  ChrifKan  Concord  and  Cha- 
rity even  to  the  embracing  the  Epifcopal  Party  alfo,  pretended  in  this  Union,  let 
me  a  little  give  you  a  tafte  of  the  Spirit  of  this  Charity  of  theirs,  whether  it  be 
like  the  true  genuine  Chriftian  Spirit  and  Love  :  Befides  the  Charity  he  allows  to 
Bifhops  which  1  have  writ  out  unto  you  in  my  Second  Page,  to  which  you  may 
add,  that  of  />*#.  74.  [The  late  Bilhops,  even  in  the  Judgment  of  all  moderate 
Mem  that  ever  1  (poke  with,  did  very  many  of  them  deferve  to  be  put  down,  anc? 
More  reckons  four,  Wren,  Laudy  &c.  but  come  we  to  the  Charity  he  allows  £- 
piicopal  Divines  (a*  he  calls  them). 

.    Reply  to  SeB.  21. 
If  by  (a  Mask)  you  intimate  a  diffembling  Pretence,  he  that  better  knows  my 
Heart  than   you,  will  be  Judge  between  you  and  me  concerning  this,  but  I  dare 
noc  fay  that  my  Charity  is    of  as  high  a  Degree  as  theirs  that  have  more  of  that 
Chiiftian   Grace:    But  I  bewail  any   Uncharitablenefs ,    and    beg    Pardon   of 
God  and   Man.     2.  But  where  found  you  any  Mask  of- Concord  in  my  Book, 
as  with  any   Bilhops  but   the  Proteftant  Bifhops  and  their  Followers  ?    I  never 
extended  it  to  others :  Not  that  I  have  not  Charity  to  them,  or  wifh  not  Concord 
with    them,  but  that  it  is  impoffible  till  they  change  their  Minds.    And  here  I 
put  it  to  your  ielf,  and 'to  all  of  your  own  way,  to  tell  me,  what  you  would  have 
wilhed  me  and  all  the  Minifters  of  our  Affociation  to  have  done  for  Concord  with 
you  ?    and  whether  you  will  not  confefs  it  impoffible  till  one  party  change  their 
Minds  ?  for  the  prefent  Rulers  will  not  have  Epifcopal  Ordination,  nor  allow  any  in 
the  Pub'.ick  Exerciie  of  the  Miniftry,  butthofe  that  come  in  by  meer  Presbyters  (in 
your  Efteem).    Many  of  the  Minifters  after  earneft  ftudy  and  Prayer  cannot  be 
fatisfied  that  Epifcopacy  is  Jure  Vivinopr  lawful :  it  is  not  in  their  power  to  change 
their  own  Judgments.    Till  they  do  change  them  and  procure  Epifcopal  Ordinati- 
on, you  will  not  take  them  for  any  Minifters  at  all  ;    no  nor  joyn  in  the  Affocia- 
tion leaft  you  be  guilty  of  acknowledging  them  Minifters  •  what  means  then  have 
we  left  lor  Concord  with  fuch  as  you  ?    Only  this ,   Renounce  your  Miniftry  j  all 
muft  forbear  Preaching  and  Baptizing  ,  and  all  Minifterial  Duties:    all  forfake  the 
Congregations  of  Chrift  here  ,  and  throughout  England  that  are  in  the  ftme  cafe , 
and  then  you  will  be  at  concord   with  us ;    but  what  concord  ?   not  as  fellow  Pa- 
tters ;  that  cannot  be,  when  we  muft  firft  renounce  that  Office  ;  the  meaning  then 
of  your  defired  Concord  is  this ,  give  up  all  your  Offices  and  Churches  to  us ,  and 


fce 


H 


AT  T  E  N  <D  1  X.      Numb.  J. 


let  us  alone  to  have  oar  way,  and  do  all,  and  then  we  will  have  Concord  with  you 
as  our  people  whilft  you  obey  us.    Truly  we  have  found  your  Predeceffoi  s  ftep  Fa- 
thers, and  hard  Task-mafters  ;  yet  the  Lord  knows  my  he.irt,thatl  take  ic  far  more 
eafie'incorhparably,  and  in  itlelt  defirable  to  (iich  as  I,  to  be  Ruled  then  to  RuIe,to 
Obey  then  to  Command,  fo  be  it  we  be  not  commanded  to  finagainftGod,and  run 
into  HelJ.  But  when  we  have  all  forfaken  our  Churches  and  Offices  for  peace  with 
you,  is  all  the  work  done  ?     l.  How  {hall  we  do  for  peace  with  God  and  Conici- 
ence  for  over-running  his  work,  and  ftarving  Souls.     2.  How  ftiali  we  bear  the  cryes 
of  poor  People  for  the  Bread  of  Life  ?     3.   What  ihall  Gcd  s  Worihip  and  our  Con- 
gregations do  ?  Who  mail  fupply  our  Places  ?   are  there  able  faithful  Men  enou^Ji 
of  your  Way  ?  O  that  we  could  fee  them  !  It  is  not  two  or  three  or  ten  in  a  Coun- 
try  that  would  ferve  turn.     If  there  be  enough,  why  did  you  permit  fo  many 
drunken,  fdttiln  Readers,  and  fbmany  hundred  wicked  Livers,  which  the  Church 
is  rot  well  rid  of  yet?  See  the  Centuries  of  thofe  rejected  in  the  Beginning,  while 
Mr.  White  was  Chairman,  I  never  owned  the  carting  out  of  any  worthy  or  tollcra- 
ble  Man  for  Loyalty  ;  yet  what  Reproaches  did  he  and  others  undergo  for  catting 
out  fuch  a  pack  of  Swearers,  or  Drunkards,  or  Adulterers,  or  the  like?  is  there  no 
Concord  to  be  had  with  you  but  by  giving  up  our  poor  People  to  fuch  as  thefe 
again  ?  For  my  part  I  love  Charity  and  Peace  better  than  ever  I  did,  but  Charity 
hath  Eyes,  or  is  guided  by  Eyes.     I  am  not  a  Stranger  in  England,  1  knew  Multi- 
tudes of  the  old  Epifcopal  Clergy  that  weFe  ignorant  or  of  wicked  Lives,  and  the 
great  Hinderances  of  the  Salvation  of  their  People,  when  they  mould  leek  to  fave. 
1  knew  but  here  and  there  one  of  them  that  was  learned  and  godly  ferious  Preach- 
ers.    Thofe  Men  I  love  and  honour  according  to  their  Worth,as  much  as  any  Men 
of  any  party  :  Thele  only  did  we  defire  Concord  with  as  Minifters :  and  alas  if  it 
be  not  to  be  had  without  forfaking  all  our  Charges,  and  giving  up  a  whole  Coun- 
,  try  to  lb  few  of  thefe,  the  Will  of  the  Lord  be  done  ;  for  I  will  never  believethat 
this  is  his  Will  till  you  bring  other  Reafons  for  it  then  yet  any  of  you  all  have  pub- 
lickly  done.  And  I  warn  all  honeft  Epifcopal  Divines/. hat  they  take  heed  of  drawing 
your  Guilt  upon  them,  and  of  concurring  with  Men  of  fuch  dangerous  Principles 
as  you  are ;  your  way  to  Concord  mull:  be  like  the  Romania's  (the  greateft  Schif 
maticks  on  the  Face  of  the  Earth)  who  cry  up  Unity,  Unity,  but  themfelves  muft 
be  the  Centre,  or  it  muft  be  only  in  their  Way  and  on  their  Terms.     They  will 
unite  with  no  Chriftians  in  all  the  World  that  are  not  of  their  Party,  (for  a  Party 
they  are,  though  they  will  be  called  the-Catholick  Church)  and  do  not  you  go  this 
:way  too  far?  You  will  have  Concord  with  none  as  Minifters,  but  thofe  of  your  own 
Party,  all  the  reft  muft  be  no  Minifters  with  ycu,  nor  their  People  take  them  for 
fuch.     Durft  you  (whoever  you  are,  for  I  know  you  not)  be  bound  to  anfwer  for 
us,  and  bear  us  cut  before  God  in  Judgment,  if  we  mould  all  give  up  oar  Places 
or  preach  no  more  ?  durft  you  be.bound  upon  pain  of  Damnation  to  your  ielves  to 
fave* all  our  People  from  being  condemned  for  it  if  they  mould  all  renounce  and 
forfake  us,  and  all  the  Minilterial  Worihip  of  God  which  we  perform,  and  the 
Churches  we  guide  ?   Alas  it  is  not  your  telling  us,  that  the  Holy  Saint  Ignatius 
is  lately  vindicated,  that  will  fatisfy  our  Consciences  in  a  Cafe  of  this  Moment, 
even  to  leave  God  unworfhipped  Publickly,  and  ourPeople'untaught,  and  let  Satan 
raign,  and  Souls  perim  by  Thoufands  for  fear  of  faving  them  without  Epifcopal 
Ordination.    If  you  ft  ill  fay  that  we  ihould  be  of  your  Mind,  and  be  ordained  by 
Bifhops,  we  again  fay  our  judgments  are  not  at  our  Command  ;  we  cannot  believe 
what  we  lift,  I  know  multitudes  of  Anti-Epifcopal  Men  that  ftudy  as  faithfully  and 
feek  God's  Direction  as  heartily  as  any  of  you  all  (and  yet  cannot  fee  the  Juftnefs 
of  your  Gaufe;  (though  whether  it  be  juft  or  not,  I  purpofely  forbear  to  pafs 
my  Cenfure)  if  ft  ill  you  fay,  it  is  our  Wilfulnefs  or  Peeviihnefs  ;    I  leave  you,  as 
Ulurpers  of  God's  Prerogative-  and  pretending  to  that  Knowledge  of  our  Hearts 
which  is  a  Hep; above  the  Papal  Arrogationof  Infallability.  Nay,  feeing  I  have  gone 
fo  far,  I  will  add  this ;,  do  you  not  imitate  the  Papifts  in  the  main  Point  of  Recu- 
(anfy,  by  which  we  were  wont  to  know  them  in  England*   Nay,  we  had  many 
Church  Papiils  that  went  not  fo  far  ?  muft  not  you,  as  they,  have  People  difclaim 
our  MiniftiyandAfTemblies,  and  not  join  in  them  for  fear  of  owning  unordained 
JVIei?.     Be  not  too  angry  with  us,  I  pray  you,  if  we  call  not  fuch  Proteftants  ;   or 
at  ieaft  if  we  take  it  for  impoffible  to  have  Concord  with  them.     2.  I  muft  alfb 
tell  you  .that  are  offended  at  my  Saying,  that  thofe  particular  Bifhops  named,  defer- 
ved  to  be  caft  out,  that  if  ycu  be  one  that  dare  own  them  in  their  Ways,  or  would 
have  the  Church  have  fuch  as  they,  yea,  that  do  not  deteft  and  lament  their  MiP 
fca-nj.iges,  feem  to  your  felf  as  Pious  as  you  will,  you  are  no  Man  for  our  Com- 
pany 


Numb/L        A  T  T  E  N  V  I  _ 

pany  and  Concord.     Do  you  complain  of  me. tor  want  of  Chrim^  TT"- 

and  yet  would  you  have  the  Church  have  fuch  Bifhops  as  would  ciCn,  fi^k  £!?** 
fAmi,  Parker,  Barnes,  Bradjhav,  Dod,  UUAr/km,  with  MaHwte  nf  M"n 
H  able,  Godly  Men  as  the  World  knew,  and  leave  fo  B^nb,^1?* 
**xs  feme  (thereabouts)  Faggot  Makers  or  Rope  Makers,  n a^y  t *  did fifiS 
that  lately  whether  we  will  or  not ,  till  the  late  A%  get  their  uLg  by  ulS 
Marriages,  and  fuch  Courfes  as  is  a  Shame  to  Mention,  yea,  would  y^haS 
(hops  that  would  do  as  your  Bifhop  Wren,  Pierce,  and  the  others  did  vvhole  Accn 
iations  are  upon  Record.  For  my  part  I  think  fuch  Mens  defiroy in*  the A%** 
was  the  caufe  ot  all  our  wars  and  Mifery ;  and  he  that  dare  own  thefrfin  ic  after  i! 
this  isno  Man  for  our  Aflbciation:  I  love  no  Man  the  worfe  for  being  for  raiw 
but  tor  being  for  fuch  Bifhops  and  fuch  Prances  I  do.  They  7rl  let  alfv !*' 
quire  what  Men  Mr.  2W  and  Mr.  Turner  are,  who  were  the  Teachers  of  this 
Parifh,  and  what  the  People  were  then,  and  what  they  are  now  ?  Grant  but  Pie  f 
Love  and  Concord  to  be  better  than  Ignorance  and  Debauchery,  and  then  iurW 
ot  them.  J-"-lg'5 

Except,  to  Sett.  22. 
Page  64.  Speaking  of  Epifcopal  Divines  he  faith,  and  if  Liberty  of  Seel?  and  Se- 
parations be  publickly  granted  arfd  confirmed  to  all,  you  fhall  fbon  find  that  the 
Party  that  I  am  now  dealing  with,will  foon  by  their  Numbers  obfeure  all  other  Par- 
ties  that  now  trouble  our  Peace,  ibid.  pag.  64.  n.  13. 

Reply  to  Sett.  22. 
It  was  my  neceflary  care  to  diftinguifh  between  Proteftant  Bifhops  and  Popifh 
(of  Calenders  ftrain)  and  it  isydur-Care  with  all  fubtilty  to  obfeure  the  Diftin&iorj 
that  you  may  involve  the  honeft  Party  in  your  Guilt  and  Snares.  That  which  I 
there  (poke  "only  of  Popifh  Bifhops,  and  their  Party  (you  would  intimate  that  I 
lpake  of  the  Epifcopal  Proteftants  -}  then  which  nothing  lefs  is  true,  as  my  Words  ful- 
ly few.  I  tell  you  plainly,  fuch"  Bifhops  as  Ujher,  Hall,  Morton,  Jewel,  &c.  are 
twenty  fold  nearer  me  in  Judgment,  than  they  are  to  you,  if  you  be  one  of  the 
Cajfandrim  Papifts  that  there  I  (peak  againft  j  why  then  fhould  they  not  iboner 
join  with  us  than  with  you  ?  If  ever  God  fet  up  Epifcopal  Government  where  I 
live  (yea  though  I  were  unfatisfied  of  its  right)  I  will  obey  them  in  all  things  not 
againft  the  Word  of  God,  were  it  but  for  Peace  and  Unity. 

Except,  to  Sett.  23. 
They  would  have  all  the  People  take  us  for  no  Minifters,  &c.  and  Co  all  God's 
Worfhip  be  negleded  in  publick,  where  no  Bifhops  and  their  Miflionaries  are 
and  fo  when  all  others  are  difeafed  or  turned  out,  the  Papifts  may  freely  enter  * 
there  being  none  but  thefe  few  faithful  Friends  of  their  own  to  keep  them  out  • 
which  how  well  they  will  do,  you  may  by  thefe  conjedure  and  ».  1  y.  of  the  fame 
Page.  But  it  is  a  higher  Charge  than  Popery  that  thefe  Epifcopal  Do&ors  that  I 
now  (peak  of  are  liable  to,  &c. 

Reply  to  Sett.  2;. 
Is  not  this  true ;    How  much  of  it  do  you  plainly  maintain  in  this  Writing  ? 
I  had  rather  you  had  freed  your  (elves  of  the  Charge  then  called  it  Uncha* 
ritahle. 

Excep.  to  Sett.  24. 
Fag.  66.  N.  y.  Speaking  to  thofe  lame  Men  he  faith,  You  mutt  be  certain  thai; 
thole  fame  Men  had  Intentionem  Ordinations  (if  you  be  right  Papifts  indeed)  did 
ever  any  one  ever  hear  and  read  any  one  fingle  Englijh  Epifcopal  Do&or  require 
Intention  as  neceffary  to  Ordination  ?  If  not  call  you  that  Speech  of  Mr.  Baxters 
Chriftian  Charity. 

Reply  to  Sett.  24. 
Remember  this,  that  no  Proteftants,  (ay  Presbyters,  have  no  more  Power  than 
the  Ordainer  intended  them.  You  may  fee  by  that  that  I  (peak  to  Papifts,  why  then 
would  you  intimate  that  it  was  to  Proteftant  Bifhops  ? 

Except,  to  Sett.  2  $■; 
Pag.  67.  Do  not  thefe  Mens  Grounds  leave  it  certain  that  Chrift  hath  no  true 
Church  or  Miniftry,   or  Ordinances  or  Baptized  Chriftians  in  England,  nay  in  all 
the  Weftern  Church,  and  perhaps  not  in  the  whole  World  ?  and  then  fee  whether 
thefe  Popifh  Divines  muft  not  prove  Seekers. 

Reply  to  Sett.  2  f . 
O  that  you  would  vindicate  them  from  that  Charge  (though  heavy)  by  proving 
the  uninterrupted  canonical  Succeffion  from  the  Apoitles, 

Except 


t6  AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.      Numb.  I. 


Except,  to  Seel.  26. 

Pag.  47.  Speaking  of  fome  under  the  Name  of  Epifcopal  Divines  faith,  that 
they  withdraw  the  People  from  obeying  their  Pallors,  by  pretending  a  Neceffity 
of  Epifcopacy,  &c.  and  partly  inftil  into  them  fuch  Principles  as  may  prepare 
them  for  flat  Popery  ;  and  yet  in  the  next  Page  48.  faith,  that  thofe  lame  Men  do 
themfelves  (viz,.  Mr.  Cbifenball  againft  Vane,  Mr.  Waterhoufe  for  Learning,  Zealous 
Men  for  Epifcopacy)  publifh  to  the  World  what  a  pack  of  notorious,  ignorant, 
filly  Souls,  or  wicked  unclean  Perfons  thofe  are  that  are  turned  Papifts.  How  now 
can  Mr.  Baxter  call  thole  Men  that  fo  publifh,  &c  faithful  Friends  to  Rome  i  pag. 
64.  See  how  Uncharitablenefs  betrays  and  accufes  itfelf  in  its  bufy  Accuiations  of 
others  j  and  muft  juftify  them  per  Force  of  Truth  when  it  would  condemn. 

Reply  to  Seel  26. 

Why  what  is  the  Scope  of  this  your  Writing,  but  to  prove  that  we  are  not  Pa- 
ftors? and  would  you  not  then  draw  the  People  from  acknowledging  us  fuch  ? 
This  is  like  the  Man  that  fwears  he  never  fwore  in  his  Life  $  you  blame  me  with 
charging  you  with  what  you  contend  for.2.Butyou  do  with  as  little  Candor  as  ve- 
rity fay  that  in  the  next  Page  it  is  thofe  iame  Men  that  I  fpeak  of,  when  I  purpofe- 
ly  and  plainly  call  thefe  [Gentlemen  of  the  Epifcopal  Protejtant  Tarty]  as  diftincr.  From 
the  Caffandrian  Papifts,  and  as  helping  us  in  the  Difcovery  of  the  Danger.  But 
I  perceive  it  is  your  Defire  to  make  Men  believe  that  1  took  them  for  all  one.  But 
a  goodCaufe  needs  not  fuch  away  of  Defence  :  Did  you  think  that  the  learned  Do- 
ctor to  whom  you  wrote  would  believe  you  who  had  my  Book  at  hand,  and  could 
fee  that  your  Words  were  falfe  ?  And  is  it  not  ftrange  that  upon  fuch  a  difhoneft 
Foundation  you  can  build  fuch  a  triumphant  Exclamation  as  follows,  [Sec  bow  Un- 
cbaritablenefl  betrays  and  accufes  it  Jelf,~\  &c. 

Exception  to  Seel.  27. 

Pag.  f  0.  ».  4.  [If  thefe  that  I  diipute  with  will  fhew  themfelves  openly  to  be  Pa- 
pifts, and  plead  that  Women  or  Lay-Men  may  baptize  in  cafe  of  Neceffity,  &cj] 
See,  fee  his  Magifterial  canting  crying  out  Popery  upon  whatever  likes  him  not : 
Doth  he  know  whom  he  here  condemns  for  Papifts  ?  Yes  he  doth,  for  he  tells  us, 
fag.  81.  that  the  38th  Canon  Elibertini  Concilii  (and  he  tells  us  right)  decrees,  that  in 
cafe  of  neceffity  a  Lay  Man  may  baptize ;  well  an  ancient  Catholick  Council  held 
under  the  primitive  pure  Times,  whilft  Persecution  yet  exercifed  the  Church; 
more  ancient  than  the  Council  of  Nice,  and  whereof  Magnus  Ofius  Confeflbr  was 
a  part,  is  peacht  of  Popery  too,  together  with  us.  Enough  of  this,  I  might  add 
much  more.    All  this  within  the  compafs  of  twenty  Leaves,  from  fag.  45-.  tor 

Reply  to  Sell.  27. 

All  this  but  a  meer  Miftake  (whether  willing  or  unwilling)  :  I  never  took  this 
Point  alone  enough  to  denominate  a  Man  a  Papift;  but  becaufe  it  is  a  Point 
wherein  the  Papifts  generally  hold  one  way,  and  the  Proteftants  another,  I  take  it 
to  be  a  fuller  Difcovery  which  fide  the  forementioned  Perfons  are  of:  I  durft  not 
fay  that  the  Error  of  Purgatory,  or  praying  for  the  Dead,  Or  praying  to  Saints, 
no,  nor  Tranfiibftantiation  alone  is  fufficient  to  denominate  a  Man  a  Papift.  But 
yet  I  think  if  a  Man  would  degrade  our  Minifters,  and  unchurch  our  Churches, 
and  all  the  Reformed  Churches  that  have  not  Bifhops  and  maintain  the  Romifh  Or- 
dination, and  Church,  and  yet  fay  he  is  not  a  Papift  j  your  Addition  of  one  of  thefe 
would  further  the  Difcovery  :  I  am  not  ignorant  that  TertuUian  and  others  fpeak  of 
Lay  Mens  Baptizing  in  cafe  of  neceffity  (but.  not  for  Women,  though  Pamelm 
would  pervert  Tertullian's  Words  for  that  End). 

Except,  to  Seel.  28. 

To  give  you  a  Tafte  when  he  quotes  Fathers  as  he  quoted  above  the  80th  Canon 
Apoftolical  to  eject  our  Bifhops;  So  alfo  when  he  would  prove  that  the  ancient 
Church  held  it  lawful  for  Minifters  to  impofe  Hands  for  the  confirming  of  Parties 
baptifed,  pag.  5-8.  for  Proof  of  what  he  faith  he  pretends  to  but  Two  Authors, 
yiz,.  Ambrofe  in  Epbef.  4.  and  Auguflinquceft.  ex  vet.  &novo  Teftam.  mixt :  both  cer- 
tainly fpurious  Pieces,  and  the  latter  the  Work  of  an  Heretick. 

Reply  to  Seel.  28, 

You  go  the  farther  the  worfe :  I  quoted  Bifhop  Downame  as  one  of  the  Epifca- 
pal  Proteftants,  to  fhew  that  it  is  their  Judgment,  that  Minifters  ordained  without 
Bifhops  may  be  true  Minifters :  Now  becaufe  the  Bifhop  brings  thefe  two  Teftimo- 
nies  on  the  by  about  Confirmation  and  Reconciliation  of  Penitents,  you  do  (in 
my  Judgment  not  well).  1.  Feign  me  to  be  the  Speaker  of  thofe  Words,  and  the 
AHedger  of  thofe  Authors  when  it  was  a  Bifhop ;  and  his  Words  go  cited  becaufe 

a 


&umb.  I. 


Overfight.     But  where  you  talk  of  {but  two  Authors^  for  this  I  thought  you  had 
known  how  eafy  it  is  to  bring  more:,  For  if  it  be  the  Ceremony  of  few 
Hands  that  you  would  deny  to  the  Presbyters,  it  was  fo  far  from  being  denSdtr, 
anciently,  that  even  the  Englifli  Bifhops  allowed  it  them  in  Ordination,  vvhlc 
the  greater.    If  you  mean  the  Power  of  Confirming  and  Reconciling/  it's  Wv 
the  Bilhqps  might  delegate  Presbyters  to  it,  and  the  Gorepijcopi  ufcd  iti  yea    Pr-d 
J>yters  I  think  in  feme  Cafes.    And  for  Reconciliation^  Bifhop  Ulher  tells  you  in 
Words  I  cited,  that  even  Deacons  ufed  it  or  had  it :   Yet  ft  not  the  Teliimon 
thole  Authors  contemptible ;  that  alcribed  to  Ambrofe,  is  taken  by  E^&Vtt 
tnigius  or  Anftlme  ;  by  Maldonate  to  be  Remigim,  by  Bfuger.fis  and ' Beilarmine  to 
iMartus  Dtaconus.     And  well  might  Downame  alledge  them  againd  the  P.vpifts  vvi 
fiettarmine,  the  Rhemtjts,  Alan,  and  others  fo  efteem  them  and  quote  them, .  as 
Ambrofi  when  it  ferv'es  their  turns.  And  for  the  Book  ofgueji.  in  vet.  &  nop:Ta£i. 
The  Papifts  citing  it  (  Beilarmine,,  Harding,  Turriatt,  Eckms,  Cope,  Rbemifis    &c  ) 
Downame  might  well  cite  it  ad  Homtnem;    yea,  ad  Rem,  it  being  matter  of  Fa& 
that  he  fpeaks  to,  'ami  the  Author  fo  ancient,  that  Hierome  feems  to  take  notice  of 
him. 

Except,  to  Seel.  29. 
In  all  thisyou  fee  I  have  not  disputed  the  Cafe  with  him  (but  only  difcovered 
to  you  his  manner)  for  that  he  himlelf  profeifes  he  is  refolved  in  this  Book  to  for- 
bear the  Difpute,  p.  79.  prmcip.  &  pag.  77.  he  would  give  us  to  underftand  that  he 
hath  much  more  behind  that  he  can  fay  by  way  of  Argument  (for  this  is  only  cry- 
ing out,  Popery,  Popifh,  &c.)  for  Presbyters  Power  of  Governing,  Excommuni- 
cating, ordaining  without  a  Bifhop.  Let  him  be  intreated  to  do  it,  and  lay  afide 
his  poor  kind  of  calumniating  his  Adversary,  and  deal  Chriftianly  by  Arguments 
only,  and  he  (hall  fbori  be  anfwered,  I  believe.  For  the  prefent  he  may  know  his 
Papers  prevail  not,  but  only  provoke  thofe  he  writes  againff. 

Reply  to  Sect.  29. 

It's  ftrange  that  to  call  a  Papift  a  Papift  mould  be  accounted  Calumniation  !  I 
profeis  to  (peak  of  none  but  CaJJandrian  Papifts.  I  name  none.  They  that  are  not 
iuch,  have  no  rea(bn  to  (ay  that  I  calumniate  them,  when  I  profeffedly  accept,  and 
and  honour,  and  feek  Reconciliation  with  them.  They  that  are  fuch,  metninks,- 
{hould  not  be  afhanVed  of  it.  It's  an  ill  Religion  which  a  Man  muft  be  afliam'd  of  $ 
and  an  ill  Profeflion  that  is  afhamed  of  a  true  Religion.  2.  That  my  Papers  pre- 
vail not  but  provoke,  is  no  wonder;  1.  The  Papifts  I  expected  to  provoke  by  difc 
covering  their  Defigns,  and  attempted  not  to  prevail  with  them.  2.  The  Prote- 
ctants whom  I  fpoke  to  may  be  prevailed  with  for  ought  you  know  :  All  be  not  of 
one  Spirit  If  they  be  not,  I  have  Comfort  in  following  Peace  as  far  as  I  could, 
which  they  will  never  find  in  flying  from  it.  While  every  Man  muft  be  a  Pope.* 
and  reduce  all  the  World  to  his  infallible  Judgment  as  the  only  means  to  Peace,,  and 
will  agree  with  none  but  Men  of  his  own  Principles,  no  wonder  if  Pacificatory  At- 
tempts are  fruftrate.  Durauts,  Acentius,  Davenant,  Hall,  Melanblhon,  &c.  found  that 
better  Labours  than  mine  have  been  fruftrate,  for  Unity,  I  blefs  God,  my  Succefs 
is  far  more  than  ever  I  did  exped  ;  but  it  is  with  the  Sons  of  Peace. 

Excep.  to  SecJ.  30. 

Thefe  things  (hall  be  defended  againft  him  (through  God's  Grace) :  1.  That  if 
there  be  no  Bifhop  in  any  Diocefs,  yet  in  a  National  Church,  where  many  Bifhops 
had  united  themlelves  to  govern  parts  of  one  National  Church,  they  ought  to  have 
recourfe  to  (bme  neighbour  Bifhop. 

2.  That  if  Presbyters  (in  defe&  of  Bifhops)  might  Ordain,  Excommunicate  ;  yet 
not  one  fingle  Presbyter. 

;.  That  fuch  as  were  never  Ordained  by  Bifhops  where  they  might,  are  none  01 
of  thefe  Presbyters ;  none  at  all. 

Reply  to  SeB.  30. 

I  am  of  as  quarrelfom  a  Nature  as  others ;  but  yet  I  will  not  be  provoked  to  turn 
a  conciliatory  Defign  into  a  Contention,  and  if  I  would,  your  Queftions  are  ill  fit- 
ted to  our  ufe.  1.  The  Firft  will  neceflarily  carry  us  to  difpute  the  Jus  Divtnum 
of  Bifhops,  which  I  purpofely  avoid,  and  it  fhould  be  after  the  laft .    2.  The  Secmd 


1 8  ATT  E  N  T>  I  X.       Numb.  II. 

if  1  yield  it  you,  is  nothing  againft  our  Agreement.  3.  The  Third  \  cannot  dif- 
pute  well  till  1  know  what  you  will  yield  in  the  excepted  Cafe.  1  would  defire  ycu, 
as  a  moreorderly  and  effectual  way  to  our  Ends,  to  do  thefe  three  Things :  i .  Tell 
me  plainly  whether  ycu  take  the  Reformed  Churches  of  Holland,  France,  Scotland \ 
Helvetia,  Geneva,  &c.  for  true  organized  Churches,  and  their  Pafrors  for  true  Pa- 
ftors  and  Presbyters  ?  and  Ordination  by  Presbyters  to  be  valid  in  their  Cafe.  2. 
feeing  you  plainly  feem  to  take  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion  of  authoritative  Ordi- 
nation to  be  of  flat  Neceffity  to  the  being  of  the  Miniftry,  will  you  give  us  a 
clear  Proof  of  fuch  a  Succeffion  de  Facto,  either  to  your  felf,  or  any  Man  now  li- 
ving. I  earneftly  intreat  you  deny  me  not  this,  nor  fay  it  is  needlefs ;  I  have  told 
you  the  need  of  it  in  thofe  Papers.  Again  I  pray  you  put  it  not  off.  3.  Seeing 
you  profefs  to  be  for  Concord,  and  yet  reject  our  Terms,  as  a  Schlfmatical  Com- 
bination, will  you  propound  your  own  Terms,  the  loweft  condefcending  Terms 
which  you  can  poffibly  yield  to,  which  may  tend  to  our  Clofure  ?  If  you  only  con- 
tend againft  our  Way  and  will  not  find  a  better,  nor  ufe  any  Endeavours  of  your 
own  in  its  ftead,  what  Man  of  Reafon  will  believe  your  Profeffion  of  [the  ftrong 
Inclination  of  the  Heart  to  Concord  and  Peace]  ?  I  again  intreat  you  inftead  of 
contending,  to  perform  thefe  Three  things,  which  will  exceedingly  further  the 
much  defired  Work.  And  for  my  part,  though  you  and  Millions  of  Men  oppofe 
it,  I  am  refolved,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  to  defire,  pray,  and  labour  for  Peace  and 
the  Unity  of  the  Church,  upon  Honeftand  Poffible,  not  Romifhor  Sinful  Terms, 
while  I  am 

Dec.  23. 165;.  Rich.  "Baxter. 


N°.  II.     Mr.  JohnfonV  Fir/l  Letter  to  Mr.  Bax- 
ter^ about  the  Toint  of  Ordination. 

SIR, 

'  TT^  E  I  N  G  very  much  unfatisfied  in  the  reading  of  your  late  Difcourfe  con- 

*  g^  cerning  the  Interruption  of  the  Succeffion  of  the  Miniftry*,  I  thought  good 
r  JLJf  to  take  Advantage  from  your  own  Offec,  friendly  and  freely  to  debate  the 
'Queftion  with  you  :  And  I  (hall  lay  out  my  Thoughts  to  you  in  this  Method  ; 
'  1. 1  will  give  you  the  Realbns  which  makes  me  (if  it  be  Papiftical)  to  abet  thePa- 
'  pifrs  in  pleading  for  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion.  2.  I  will  reply  to  your  Argu- 
1  mencs,  whereby  you  difpute  the  Succeffion  of  the  Miniftry  of  England  to  be  inter- 
'  rupted.  3.  I  will  offer  you  ibme  Realbns  why  an  infallible  Proof  of  the  Point  is 
'  not  neceflary  in  the  Cafe.  4.  I  will  produce  fuch  Arguments  as  fhall  put  it  beyond 
'doubting,  and  fo  fhall  leave  indubitable,  though  not  infallible  Proof  of  the  Que- 
'  ftion  in  your  Hands. 

'  I.  Firft-,  I  fhall  give  you  the  Reafons  why  I  plead  Co  lerioufly  for  the  uninter- 
'  rupted  Succeffion,  and  I  fhall  do  this  in  the  firft  place,  becaule  all  the  reft  will  be 
4  Supervacaneous,  if  it  be  a  Matter  of  no  great  Confequence,  whether  there  be  a 
\  Succeffion  or  not.  If  therefore  you  can  fatisfy  my  Arguments  whereby  I  plead 
f  for  the  Ncceffity,  and  give  me  Reafon  enough  to  underftand,  that  an  Uninterrup- 

*  tion  of  the  Succeffion  is  not  much  material,  I  will  fave  my  felf  the  Trouble  of 
c  Confuting  what  you  have  faid  againft  it,  and  you  fome  Trouble  of  making  a  need- 

*  lefs  Reply. 

'  Now  the  firft  Reafon  which  induceth  me  to  believe  that  it  is  a  matter  of  much 
{  more  Confequence  than  you  talk  of,  is  the  Serioufnefs  of  our  Divines  in  their  En- 
'deavours  to  prove  that  the  Bifhops  in  Edward  VI.  and  Queen  Elizabeth's  Days 

*  were  Ordained  by  Bifhops,  againft  the  Calumnies  of  Sanders,  Kellifon,  Cbalmney, 
'  and  other  Jefuits,  who  in  their  Writings  would  have  bore  the  World  in  Hand,  that 
c  the  Succeffion  of  the  Miniftry  of  England  had  been  interrupted  at  the  Reformati- 

*  on,  becaufe  there  were  none  but  Popifh  Bifhops  to  Ordain  them,  and  they 
c  would  not,  and  fb  none  did.  But  as  you  know,  had  devifed  a  Story  of  the  Nag'j. 
f  Head  Ordination.    Now  you  alfo  know  there  hath  been  much  Endeavour  made 

•by 


Mumb.  II.       A  T  <P  E  WITTY. 

*  by  fearching  the  Arcbiva  at  Lambeth  to  clear  up  the  Ordi^ado7o7T^7fi^?TT^ 
mers,  that  thereby  they  might  invalidate  tr/papifts  Calumny  of  Z fuc^nW 

5fini|-,??Ted-  h  V}  luccfi0>}™  °ffic«  («*  Succeffion  in Doftdnel  nei' 
ther  ipeak  o£,  neither  did  they  plead  for)  be  a  matter  of  fo  fmall  a  ConfequenS 
our  learned  Country-Men  might  have  faved  themfelves  much  Labour  and^Tmu 
ble,  and  in  a  few  Words  have  told  the  Jefuits,  that  an  Uninterruption  of  SucS 
fion  was  a  thing  not  worth  pleading  for:  But  on  the  other  fide,  we  fee  them  at 
knowledge  Suction  in  Office  to  be  neceifary,  and  contend  that  therein 
1  been  no  iuch  Interaction  in  our  Miniftry.       : 

■  "•  The  Second  Argument  which  perfuades  me  to  believe  that  the  pleading  fof 

a  Succeffion  is  of  great  Moment,  is  this,  <**  That  without  this!  do  not  under- 

'ftandhow  we  that  are  now  Minifters  can  be  faid  to  have -our  Authority  from 

Chrift  :  For  we  muft  have  it  from  him  either  mediately,  or  immediately.  But  we 


*5> 


:havd 

ho  si 

»  interrupted,  we 

'cannot  have  it  from  any  Perfon  that  had  it  immediately  from  him,  or  his  Apo- 
Mes.    This  is  a  kind  of  Contradiction  in  adjetto,  and  therefore  we  cannot  have 

■  it  mediately  from  Chrift :   If  you  deny  the  Confequence,  and  fay,  that  we  may 

*  have  our  Authority  from  Chrift  mediately,  though  we  have  it  not  from  fbme 

■  Perfon  who  had  it  immediately  from  him.  I  demand  how  ;  if  you  fay  by  the 
t  Mediation  o£  his  written  Word.  I  anfwer,  that  the  written  Word  is  no  fit  me- 
f  dium  to  convey  the  Authority  of  the  Miniftry  now  a  days  upon  any  Men :  And 
c  that  upon  this  Account ;  The  giving  of  Authority  which  we  talk  of,  is  an  Adi- 
con  terminated  upon  /urn  indivtduum'm  this  Age.  But  the  Scriptures  meddle  not 
'  with  any  of  the  frdividuums  of  thefe  times,  and  therefore  it  cannot  give  any  Au* 
'  thority  unto  any  fingle  Perfon  now  a  days. 

cThe  Major  1  think  is  clear,  the  Minor  I  prove  thus:  If  the  Scripture  meddle 
e  with  any  of  the  Individuums  of  this  Age,  it  doth  it  either  quoad  Nomen,  or  quoad 
i  Adjuntfum  altudincomuntcabile,  or.  by  fbme  general  Difcription  which  may  be  per-i 
£  ibnally  and  particularly  applied  to  fbme  indvviduum.  But  I  am  confident  you  will 
'  not  lay  it  doth  either  of  the  two  former  ways,  neither  doth  it  (fay  I)  by  the  third 

*  way,  and  therefore  not  at  all.  That  it  doth  not  give  any  Authority  to  any  iin- 
'  gle  perfon  by  way  of  general  Dilcription  I  prove  thus :  If  it  doth,  it  muft  be 
5  in  fbme  fuch  Form  of  Words ,  cr  Words  of  equivalent  to  thefe.  They 
c  that  are  thus  and  thus  qualified  may  be  Minifters  of  the  Word  :  but  there  is  no 
'  iuch  Form  of  Words  in  Scripture.  There  is  I  confefs  fuch  a  Form  of  Words  iri 
«  the  Scripture  as  this,  They  that  preach  the  Word  ihall  be  thus  and  thus  quali- 
4  fied.  But  if  any  individuum  fhall  venture  upon  the  Application  of  this  Propofition^ 
'  to  take  the  Authority  of  the  Miniftry  upon  himfelf ;  The  Application  I  conceive 

*  muft  proceed  in  this  Form.    But  lam  thus,  and  thus,  and  thus  qualified  :  there- 

*  lore  I  may  preach  the  Word.  But  this  is  to  proceed  ex  omnibm  affirmative  in  the 
'fecond  Figure,  which  you  know  makes  a  wild  Conclu'fion.  If  you  fay  that 
'  there  is  fuch.a  Form  of  Words,  which  being  the  Major,  may  be  fo  accommodated 

*  to  any  fingle  Perfon  in  the  Minor,   as  he  may  thereby  infer  this  Conclufion  % 

*  Therefore  I,  M.  J.  or  I,  R.  B.  have  Authority  to  preach  the  Gofpel,  and  this 
'.without  refpect  to  any  Action,  to  be  performed  by  fome  Perfon,  quafi  mediant e; 
c  then  1  will  yield  that  1  have  been  beating  the  Air  all  this  while.  I  have  faid  no- 
'  thing  to  the  firft  Branch  of  the  firft  Propofition,  concerning  our  having  our  Au- 
'thority  immediately  from  Jefus  Chrift,  neither  do  I  intend  till  I  know  that  it  will 
■j  be  denied. 

'  Authority  I  conceive  to  be  far  different  from  either  Abilities  to  undergo  an  Ira- 
'  ployment,  or  a  willing  Mind  to  undertake  it,  or  Conveniency  of  Habitation  for 
'  the  Difcharge  of  it,  or  the  Defire  of  any  kind  of  Men  inviting  a  Man  to  it:  I 
?  %,  I  conceive  Authority  for  the  Difcharge  of  any  Office  to  be  very  far  wide 
'f.  feoni  any  one  of  thefe,  or  altogether:  For  a  Man  may  have  all  thefe,  and  yet 

*  want  Authority.    For  Example,  in  civil  Matters :    A  Gentleman  may  be  abun- 

*  dantly  qualified  to  be  a  Juftice  of  the  Peace,  he  may  have  a  willing  Mind  to  do  his 
f  Country  Service  in  that  way,  his  Habitation  for  fuch  an  Imployment  may  be  more 
'  than  Convenient,  he  may  be  put  upon  it,  and  invited  co  it  by  his  Country  Neigh- 


oours;  ana  vet  ior  an  uiib,  no  ivian  win  cano  nun  lui-au  v^uit.**  «* *..«»  ^ ..~.. 

<  wealth,  till  his  Name  be  in  the  Commiffion  from  theSupreme  Magiftrate,  and  he 
'taken  his  Oath  as  a  Stipulation  to  the  fupream  Magiftrate  on  his  Part,  for  his 

r  C  3  '  Faithful 


2o  AT  <P  E  N  T>  I  X.       Numb.  II. 

'Faithful  Difchargein  ir.    Neither  would  any  underftanding  Man  think  himfelf 

*  obliged  to  obey  his  Warrants,  if  hefhould  have  the  Confidence  to  ifTueout  any  be- 

*  fore  thele  compearing  Acts  be  done,  notwithstanding  all  the  former  Preparati- 

*  ons  towards  it. 

'  In  like  manner  to  the  thing  in  Hand  about  Ecclefiaft  ical  Officers :  A  Man,  I 
'  doubt  nor,  may  have  competent  Qualifications  for  the  Work  of  the  Miniitry,  he 
'  may  have  a  willing  Mind  to  the  Employment,  he  may  have  an  Habitation  fit  for 
c  the  Overfight  of  fuch  a  Congregation,  he  may  be  invited  by  them  to  undertake 

*  the  Care  and  Overfight  of  them  ;  and  yet,  for  all  this,  till  Jefus  Chriit,  the  Su- 
'  preme  Governor  of  his  Church,  mall  by  his  Vicanos  Epifcoj/os,  put  his  Name  into 
'  the  Commiflion  and  take  reciprocal  Security  from  him  for  his  faithful  Difcharge 
1  in  it  he  neither  can,  nor  ever  was  efteemed  a  Minifter  duly  authorized.  And 
'  therefore,  though  God  as  in  the  Cafe  of  a  Civil  Magiftrate,  may  very  fitly  and 
'  properly  be  faid  to  do  all  as  you  urge,  I  think  out  of  Spalatenfis :  So  he  may  be  laid 
'  in  the  Cafe  of  Ecclefiaftiacal  Officers  to  be  faid  properly  and  fitly  to  do  all;  yet  he 
r  doth  not  all  the  Work  wichout  the  Mediation  of  his  Vicegerents,  and  I  cannot 
f  fee  but  that  part  of  the  Work  which  he  hath  left  for  them  to  do,  is  as  necefTary  for 
'  the  compearing  and  perfecting  of  the  Work,  as  that  which  he  doth  without  their 
'  Mediation ;  and  by  confequence,  if  that  part  of  the  Work  be  left  undone, 
'  the  whole  Work  is  as  imperfect  and  incomplete,  as  if  this  had  been  don^,  but 
1  the  other  Parts  left  undone.  Here  is  in  thfc,  I  confefs,  fbme  thing  taken  fro  con- 
cfeJJo,  that  Jefus  Ghrift  hath  fome  Vice-gerents  here  on  Earth,  and  that  he  hath 
'  left  fome  part  of  this  Work  in  their  Hands  for  them  to  do :  Which  being  a  Mac- 
'  ter  of  Fad,  (hall  be  proved  when  I  know  it  is  denied. 

'  III.  But  Thirdly,  My  Third  Argument  is  this :  1  do  therefore  plead  for  an  un- 
'  interrupted  Succeffion,  becaufc  it  appears  to  me  that  mod  of  the  Invaders  and  In- 
truders upon  the  Minifterial  Office,  are  very  much  ftrengthened  and  juftified  in 
e  their  Schifm  and  Ufurpation,  if  Succeffion  be  not  material.  For  I  will  not  deny 
c  but  many  of  them  are  Men  competently  qualified,  and  all  of  them  willing  to  un- 
c  dertakethe  Work,  live  conveniently,  or  will  live  conveniently  to  discharge  the 

*  work,  arechofen  by  a  Number  of  Chiiftians  who  call  them  out  to  it :  Now  if  all 

*  this  make  them  Minifters  authorized,  why  do  we  clamour  againlt  them  i  why  do 

*  we  not  give  them  the  Right  Hand  cf  Fellowfhip  and  Brotherhood  in  the  Work 
'  of  the  Lord  ?  If  you  fay,  they  take  this  Couife  for  their  Call,  when  there  is  no 

*  neceffity  ;  if  you  lay,  this  is  a  Courie  only  to  be  ufed  in  extream  Neceffity  ;  when 
f  either  the  Parties  think  that  there  are  no  Church  Officers  in  being,  or  thole  that 
!  are  in  being  be  fo  corrupt  and  wicked,  as  either  they  will  not  give  them  Orders, 
1  or  they  dare  not  take  Orders  ft  om  them.  I  anfwer,  That  this  extreme  neceffity  is 
'  their  Cafe :  They  think  there  be  no  fuch  things  as  Chrifts  Church  Officers  now  in 
'  being  ;  or  if  they  be,  they  are  fuch  as  either  will  not  give  them  Orders,  or  fuch 
'  as  they  dare  take  no  Orders  from  :   And  therefore  they  are  (till  excufable  upon 

k  '  fuch  an  Hypothec's  as  you  propound.  Whereas,  do  but  grant  a  Succeffion  unin- 
c  terrupted  necefTary,  it  will  uncontroulably  follow,  that  they  are  therefore  no  Mi- 
*■  nifters  of  Chriir,  becaufe  they  have  not  been  let  a  part  by  fuch  who  at  length 

*  took  their  Authority  from  Chrift's  own  Hands. 

'  If  you  (ay  that  there  is  a  neceffity  of  a  Difpenfation  in  cafe  of  a  general  Apoftacy, 
c  although  the  difpenfing  with  Ordination  in  fuch  Extremity  doth  furnifh  Sectaries 
■  with  a  Foundation  to  build  their  Schifms  upon.    I  anfwer,  i.  That  we  fuppoie 

*  that  which  yet  neverfell  out,  nor  ever  is  likely  to  fall  our.  There  was  never  yet 
r  fuch  a  general  Apoftacy  but  Chrift  kept  fome  Church  Officers  in  being,  who 
'  might  from  Age  to  Age  continue  the  Propagation  of  the  Minifterial  Office  to  his 

*  Church.  Nay,  it  is  admirably  worth  our  Confideration,  that  when  God  ilirred 
'  up  the  dronzy  World  to  depart  from  Remes  Superftitions  and  Idolatries,  he  then 
1  bowed  the  Hearts  of  fome  of  the  Church-Officers  to  go  along  with  them,  who 
'  might  be  inftrumental  for  the  conveighing  of  the  Minifterial  Office  to  the  next 

*  Generation:  and  took  away  the  Subject  of  this  over  anxious  Enquiry,  whatmuft 
'  we  do  if  all  apoftatize?  what  God  did  then,  we  may  probably  hope  he  will  al- 
'  ways  do  in  the  like  Exigency.  But  if  you  Ihould  be  importunate,  and  demand 
'  frill  what  mull  be  done  in  fuch  a  general  Apoftacy.  I  anfwer,  I  cannot  tell  either 
'  what  Impiety  or  Abfurdity  would  follow,  if  I  fhould  affirm,  that  in  fuch  an  ex- 

*  traordinary  Difpenfation  of  Providence,  the  faithful  might  fafely  wait  for  fbme 
(  extraordinary  Revelation  of  God's  Mind  what  they  mould  do  in  fuch  an  unknown, 
{  unprefidented  Cafe.    And  if  this  be  to  turn  Seeker,  I  confefs  I  fomething  incline 

'to 


Numb.  1L       ATTEND  "fx. 

'  to  it,  and  fhould  much  more  if  1  thought  irTcould  indubitably  he  n™,,^   i/"~" 
■  the  Succeffion  hath  been  interrupted.  y  be  proved  *« 

<  IV.  My  Fourth  Argument  is  this ;  We  ought  therefore  to  contend  for  anu*;« 
•  terrupted  Succeffion,  becaufe  if  the  Succeffion  be  interrupted  :  then  that  P^f 
'  who  immediately  comes  into  the  Miniftry  after  the  Interruption,  mull  come  irim 
it  without  Impofition  of  Hands ;  and  fo  if  he  without  Impofition  of  Hand  te 
ftiil  a  lawful  Minifter,  then  it  will  follow,  that  Impofition  of  Hands  is  a  nVattS 
rather  of  Convenience  than  of  Neceffity.  But  Impofition  of  Hands  is  eOentia! 
to  Ordination.     I  know  there  are  fome  Schoolmen  that  contend  againft  this  • 

\  *?ut  %$Vt  -Pt^  T  ^*&*}*  any  M:0'5  waV  of  reafoning  a  Naturh  Ret  • 
'  For  itChnft  hath  declared,  that  it  is  his  Mind  any  Ordinance  lhall  be  performed 
alter  luch  or  fuch  a  Maner.  it  is  tno  much  r/infiHpnn.  frt-  -»„.,  \/r-_  _  £ 


21 


*  thing  done,  is  not  founded  in  Natura  Ret,  but  in  bene  flacito  inftitutntis.  Foraf- 
'  much  therefore  as  Chrift  hath  revealed  to  his  Church  that  it  is  his  Mind  or  Will 
'  that  his  Churches  Officers  Ihould  be  let  a  part  by  Impofition  of  Hands,  it  doth 
'  therefore  follow  that  Impofition  of  Hands  is  neceffary  and  eilential  to  their  Sepa- 
'  ration  :  If  you  ask  me  how  I  know  that  it  was  GhrifVs  Will  and  Mind  that  Im- 
'  pofition  of  Hands  Ihould  be  uied  in  the  Ordination  of  Minilters.  Ianfwer  firft 
c  That  if  you  expect  1  ihould  (hew  an  expreis  Command  for  it,  I  acknowledge*  there 
f  is  none  :  Or  any  implicite  Command,  I  acknowledge  1  know  none:  But  rejoin 
'  with  all,  that  the  Mind  and  Will  of  Chrift  may  be  otherwife  made  known.  Thole 
'  Sc;  iprui  es  where  Impofition  of  Hands  is  fpoken  of,  commented  upon  by  the  U"ni« 
'  verUl  Practice  at  the  Church  of  Chrift  from  the  firft  Age>  until  this  wild,  exor- 

*  birant,  la:t  Century,  leem  to  me  a  molt  clear  Evidence  what  the  Will  of  Chrift  is 
'  in  that  Paiticular,  and  will  ftill  appear  fo,  till  you  Ihew  me  a  better  way  how  to 
'  di  (cover  the  Mind  of  Chrift  in  luch  Cafes  as  thele  at  this  Diftance.  If  you  expect 
'  that  I  Ihould  prove  that  it  hath  been  the  conftant,  univerfal  Practice  of  the 
1  Church  of  God  :  I  «hall  likewifedo  that  when  I  know  that  it  is  required,  and  all 

*  the  reft  in  the  Ar^unteni  granted. 

'  And  now,  Sir,  A  this  Interruption  of  Succeffion,  being  yielded,  dothnecefta- 

*  rily  caft  out  fome  of  the  Elfentials  in  Ordination,  if  it  ftrengthens  the  Hands  of 
'  Intruders,  if  it  binders  ui  from  having  our  Authority  from  Chrift;  if  our  learned 

*  Counn  y-men  have  takc^n  fo  much  Pains  to  clear  up  an  Uninterruption,  then  I 
'  think  it  follows,  that  it  is  a  Matter  worth  the  pleading  for  ;    Which  is  the  only 

'omf  Um  <fc£<u  of  this  Paper.  * 

M.  Johnfon* 


Mr.  BaxterV  Reply  to  Mr.  John  Ion,  againft  the  abfolnte  Neceffity 
of  Ordination^  and  of  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion  thereof  from 
the  dpoftlesy  to  the  Being  of  the  Minijierial  Office. 

Brother, 

I  Return  you  this  Anfwer  to  yours,  but  on  this  Condition,  that  before  you  make 
any  Reply  to  it,  you  perform  the  other  Parts  of  your  undertaken  Task,  or  at 
leaft,  the  two  lalt ;  for  1  think  it  a  far  fafer  way  in  fuch  Cafes  as  this,  to  argue  a 
nonfafto  ad  non  infantum  (the  Church  hath  not  had  fuch  an  uninterrupted  Succefc 
lion  :  Ergo,  God  hath  not  made  it  abfolutely  riecelTary)  than  from  a  luppofed  In- 
stitution to  an  anlwerable  Event  (God  hath  made  it  abfolutely  neceffary  5  Ergtf, 
the  Church  hath  enjoined  it)  ;  becaufe  it  is  incomparably  more  eafy  to  difcern  the 
Matter  of  fuch  pubiick  Fa6t,  than  to  difcern  the  meaning  of  rhofe  Texts  which 
will  be  ailedged  b>  each  Party  in  theie  controverted  circumftantial  Points :  And 
you  know  we  mutt  a>  gue  a  notiore  ad  minus  notum,  and  not  contrarily.  I  could  wilfc 
the  Oueftion  had  been  exactly  fta«ed  by  joint  Content,  to  avoid  tedious  Explicate 
ons  and  Excurfions  We  muft  firft  diftinguifh  the  Succeffion  of  Office,  and  Suc- 
ceffion ot  Ordination  to  that  Office?  Our  Queftion  is  not  directly  of  the  former : 


22  J  T  TENT)  IX.      Numb.  II. 


for  even  the  Ufurper  fucceedeth  in  the  Office  as  a  Ufui  per,  and  it  is  part  of  our 
Controversy,  whether  the  later  (Succeffion  of  Ordination)  be  of  flat  Neceffity  to 
the  former  (Succeffion  in  Office).  It  being  then  the  Neceffity  of  an  uninterrupted 
Succeffion  of  Ordination  that  we  enquire  after,  itmuft  be  known  what  we  mean  by 
Ordination.  K*s»Vw^,  the  Word  commonly  ufed-is  but  Conftituo.:  Ordination  in 
General  then  is  any  Conftitution  of  a  Man  in  the  Office  of  the  Mihiftry.  Here 
we  mud  diftinguifh  between  the  Conftitution  it  felf,  and  the  Modum  Ccnftituendi : 
It's  one  thing  to  ask  whether  Ordination  be  neceffary  ;  and  another,  whether  Im- 
pofition  of  Hands,  or  prefent  Faffing  and  Prayer  be  neceffary  j  yea,  or  the  Pre- 
tence of  the  Perfon  Ordaining  ;  feeing  a  Man  may  be  Ordained,  Conftituted  or 
authorifed,  per  literas  abfentis,  and  not  only  per  manm  vel  verba  prafentts,  whether 
this  Mode  be  as  meet  as  any,  we  now  queftion  not.  Alio  its  one  thing  to  ask  whe- 
ther God's  Ordination  be  neceffary,  and  another,  whether  Man's  be  neceffary. 
Alfo  it  is  one  thing  to  enquire  of  the  Neceffity  of  the  Fad:  of  Ordaining  ;  and  ano- 
ther, of  the  Neceffity  of  a  juft  Authority  in  the  Ordainer  to  do  it ;  where  it 
will  be  needful  to  confider  what  is  of  Neceffity  to  the  Conftitution  of  fuch  Autho- 
rity, and  what  deft  roys  it :  Before  all  which  it  would  be  neceffary  to  know  what 
the  Ordainer's  Work  is,  and  to  what  and  how  far  his  Power  extends :  But  this  I 
am  not  now  to  meddle  in.  That  a  Divine  Ordination  is  of  Neceffity,  to  the  le- 
gitimation of  our  Calling  in  foro  Dei,  I  grant ;  as  alfb,  in  foro  Confcienti*  Mini- 
ftrantu.  That  authoritative  Ordination  of  Men,  is  neceffary  Ordints  Gratia,  when 
it  may  be  obtained,  and  where  God's  Providence  doth  not  make  it  naturally,  or 
morally  impoffible,  I  alfo  grant.  That  Impofition  of  Hands  with  folemn  Prayer, 
is  the  moft  convenient  manner,  and  neceffary  for  the  Ordainer  to  ufe,  Neceffitate 
Pracepti  &  Mediiad  bene  effe  Ordinationis,  I  alfb  grant.  That  the  Power  of  Ordain- 
ing is  ordinarily  only  in  the  Hands  of  Chrift's  Ecclefiaftical  Minifters,  I  acknow- 
ledge (whether  Bifhops  or  Presbyters  we  now  queftion  not)  and  that  it  is  not  di* 
volved  to  any  others,  but  in  Caie  of  Neceffity.  The  Things  thert  that  I  deny  are, 
that  Impofition  of  Hands,  or  prefent  Prayer,  or  the  Prefence  of  the  Ordainer  are 
of  Neceffity  to  our  Office.  That  the  true,  juft  Authority  of  an  Ecclefiaftical  Or- 
dainer is  of  Neceffity  to  the  being  ©f  our  Office  :  And  confequeottyj  that  an  unin- 
terrupted Succeffion  of  Juft,  Authoritative,  Ecclefiaftical  Ordination  from  the 
Apoftles,  is  of  abfolute  neceffity  to  the  being  of  our  Calling.  Nay,  that  any  Au- 
thoritative Human  Ordination  at  all,  befides  the  Peoples  meer  Confent  is  of  fuch 
abfolute,  indifpenfable  Neceffity  ad  effe  Officii ;  all  this  I  deny.  And  my  Opinion 
is,  that  in  Caie  of  a  failing  of  all  Ecclefiaftical  Authoritative  Ordination,  the  Ma- 
giftrates  Ordination  may  luffice  ad  eJJ'e  Officii :  And  in  cafe  both  fail,  the  Peoples 
meer  Acceptance,  Confent,  or  Election  may  fuffice,  fuppofing  the  Perfon  meetly 
qualified.  And  whether  you  will  call  this  act  of  the  People  a  Conftitution,  or  Or- 
dination, or  not,  I  am  indifferent.  Certainly  K<t$iwut  oft  fignifies  the  Conftitu- 
ting,  which  is  not  an  Act  of  Government,  or  fuperior  Authority.  But  no  Term 
hath  fo  much  need  of  Explication  as  the  Word  (Office)  or  (Miniftry)  which  is 
the  Terminus  of  Ordination.  An  Office  is  a  ftated  Power  or  Authority;  or  Facul- 
ty with  Duty  of  doing  certain  Works  to  certain  Ends.  The  Minifterial  Office  of 
a  Presbyter,  is  to  be  differenced  ah  objefto  &  a  fine.  The  Authority  and  the  Duty 
in  a  lawful  Officer  go  together  :  Such  a  one  only  is  in  fenfu  primxrio  &  proprio  an 
Officer :  But  he  that  is  a  Ufurper,  or  hath  no  lawful  Call,  may  yet  both  i.  Have 
all  the  Duty  of  that  Office  lying  upon  him,  and  by  his  own  Intrufion  oblige  him- 
felf  to  the  Performance,  and  yet  want  the  true  Authority  for  performing  it,  feeing 
he  came  in  without  God's  Call,  and  there  is  no  Power  but  of  God.  2.  And  he 
may  have  the  Name  of  an  Officer,  though  given  him  but  analogically,  or  in  fenfte 
fecundario  &  ecckfiafiico.  3.  And  the  Church  may  owe  him  that  Helped  and  Ob- 
fervance  due  to  a  lawful  Officer  (the  Reafbn  is,  becaufe  it  is  one  thing  to  know 
who  is  a  truly  lawful  Officer  ;  as  in  Matter  of  Memberfhip,  I  am  bound  to  ufe  ma- 
ny as  true  Chriftians,  even  all  that  have  the  Profeffion  of  fuch)  who  yet  are  not 
fuch  :  So  am  I  bound  to  take  all  thofe  for  lawful  Officers  that  have  the  external  To- 
kens of  fuch,  feeing  we  cannot  know  any  further ;  though  they  be  not  fuch  indeed). 
4.  And  all  that  Man's  Minifterial. Actions  are  valid  to  the  Church  that  doth  her 
Duty  in  obferving  him,  and  yet  they  are  all  null  or  unlawful,  and  fiat  Sins  to  the 
Performer.  The  Reafon  of  the  later  is,  both  becaufe  no  Man  can  lawfully  do  that 
which  he  hath  no  Authority  given  him  for,  and  becaufe  mmini  ex  proprio  crimine  de- 
betur  beneficium-y  and  Ergo,  his  Ufurpation  cannot  fecure  him.  The  Reafon  of  the 
former  is,  becaufe  Duty  and  Benefit  go  together,  and  therefore  the  Church  that  per- 
foxmeth  but  her  Duty  in  taking  thofe  to  be  truly  called  Paftors  that  feem  fo  to  be, 

having 


'  __^_ — . ■  

Numb.  II.       A  T  T  E  N  T>  I  x. 

having  thofe  Tokens  which  flie  is  bound  to  judge" bv  as  Drnhiki*  ~  a" — TT~^~ 
the  Benefit  of  his  Miniftry  in  their  way  of  Du?y  ;i   God ^tah  n"^  **? 
Win  :    As  alio  becaufe  mm*  debetur  plna  ex  atll  „/* ^       ?  -^P"  V° 
ther  we  lhall  difpute  de  necefiitate  ordsnattoms  ad  offic:umvaZelZta^       ^ 
^«^)»  9*  Or  only  as  5  Of^2j^J2£% 
mm*  proprte  in  foro  tantum  ecclefue  fie  dtfum?    is  to  be  confidcid.     liZtZt 
Senfe  will  concur  I  know  not,  but  in  relpedt  of  both  thefe  do  I  hoSl/y 
Negations.    Yet  further,  before  I  either  anfwer  yow  Argun,«ts    ndvllZTl 
the  Senfe  of  our  Queftion,  *  is  very  neceflary  that  the  end  of'nnr  pf™neuof 
underftood,  whichln  order  mult  goWore  ^^^^^J^^ 
you  do  not  difpute  this  queftion  as  neceffary  to  be  determined  :n ^ofdef  o^r'/% 
ciation,  before  you  can  join  with  theprefem  Miniftry  :  Or  yet  as  neceflarv tn  iul 
Determination  of  that  further  Queftion,  whether  thofe  are  trt  e  Minifl r ?A J$a 
not  Orda  ned  by  Bifhops  ?  and  thofe  true  Organized  Churches  t^S^m 
Mmifters^  lonl  I  thought  this  were  your  end,  I  would  difpute  many  cxherQue 
ftions  firft,  before  we  came  to  this ;  and  try  firft  whether  you  could  prove  thacThe 
Presbyterian  Churches  cannot  produce  a  Succeffion  of  true  Ordination    on  &l 
lame  Grounds  as  the  Epifcopal  for  the  main.    But  I  fuppofe  your  Ends  are  fome 
other,  and  in  fpecial  thofe  mentioned  in  your  Paper  :  I  conjedure  that  I  ftall  ne~r 
eft  approach  your  Senfe,  if  I  ftate  the  Queftion  thus  j   Whether  an  Ordination  by 
Ecclefiaftical  Men,  having  juft  Authority  thereto,  be  in  all  Times  and  Cafes  fince 
the  Apoflles  of  ablolute  Neceffity  to  the  very  being  of  the  Minifterial  Office   both 
coram  Veo,  &  coram  Ecclefia?  and  confequently  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion  of  fucfi 
Ordination  be  of  the  fame  Neceffity  ?  For  if  I  fhould  put  the  Queftion  about  Im- 
pofition  of  Hands,   or  de  modo  aliauo  ordinandi,  I  know  not  but  I  might  mifs  of  Vour 
Senfe  on  one  Side ;  and  on  the  other,  if  I  mould  extend  it  to  all  Ordination    Whe- 
ther by  Magiftntes  or  others*  > 

Ad  i"*.  Your  Firft  Argument  I  fuppofe  mould  be  forlnet  thus :  That  which  th* 
Englifh  Bifhops  thought  neceffary  to  prove  againft  the  Papifts,  that  is  neceffary  to 
be  proved  againft  them  ;    But  the  Engliih  Bilhops  thought  it  neceffary  againft  the 
Papifts  to  prove  the  Non-interruption  of  their  Succeffion  in  juft  Ordination  0*  Er- 
go, Rejp.  i.  Concedo  totum  :  It  was  neceffary  to  prove  it  againft  the  Papifts  arguing 
ad  Homincm,  becaufe  it  is  the  way  of  fuller  Convi&ion  and  Satisfa&ion  when  a  Man 
can  confute  an  Adverfary  on  his  own  Grounds.    It  will  much  fhorten  the  Difpute 
when  we  fhew  them,  that  though  we  fhould  grant  the  Neceffity  of  fuch  Succeffion 
yet  we  need  not  grant  the  Nullity  of  our  Calling,     a.  I  deny  that  theEnglim  Bi- 
fliops  much  lefs  the  Church  of  England  did  ever  judge  it  neceffary  any  farther  than 
ad  Hominem  :   i.  Becaufe  it  is  apparent  that  they  do  ordinarily  in  their  Writings 
fpeak  againft  the  Papifh  fuppofed  Neceffity  of  Ordination,  as  I  inftanced  out  of 
iome  of  them  in  my  Book.     It  is  known  to  be  a  Point  wherein  the  Proteftants  have 
commonly  oppofed  the  Papifts.     2.  It  is  known  to  be  but  the  later  declining  Gene- 
ration of  Bifhops,  fuch  as  Montague,  Laud,  and  their  Confederates,  moft  in  King 
Charleshis  Days,  very  few  in  King  James's,  and  fcarce  any  at  all  in  Queen  Eliza- 
beth's, that  do  join  with  the  Papiits  in  pleading  the  Neceffity  of  Succeffion  :  Everi 
filch  Men  as  were  as  zealous  againft  Queen  Elizabeth's  Epifcopal  Proteftants,  as 
againft  the  Papifts,  at  leaft  many  of  them.     ;.  The  reft  do  exprefly  mention  Suc- 
ceffion,   and  confute  the  Fable  of  the  Nag  s- Head  Ordination  in  Cheapfide,  to  prove 
tfhe  Papifts  Slanderers :  So  much  to  your  Minor,     g.  If  that  will  not  lerve,  I  deny 
your  Major :  All  is  not  neceffary  that  they  thought  neceffary  :  Proteftants  pretend 
not  to  Infallability  in  Controverfals.    'Many  more,  perhaps  ten  to  one  at  leaft,  of 
the  Englifh  Clergy  held  it  not  neceffary,  iinlefs  as  aforefaid. 

Ad  2™.  Your  fecond  Argument  hath  all  the  Strength  in  it,  or  rather  fh&w  of 
Strength  :  firft  we  muft  heeds  diftinguiih  of  your  Terms  (Mediately  and  Immedi- 
ately).    A  Conftitution  may  be  faid  to  be  from  Ghrift  mediately,  either  irj  Re-    • 
lpe<5t  to  a  mediating  Perfon,  or  to  fome  mediating.  Sign  only.    Alfo  it  may  be  faid 
to-be  rr.idiante  perfova;  i.  when  the  Perfon  is  the  caufa  totalis  fubordinata  confthu- 
ends,  as  having  nimfelf  received  the  Power  from  God,  and  being  as  from  himfelf 
to  convey  it  unto  Man.    2.  Or  when  the  Perfon  is  but  Caufa  per  accidens,    %.  Or 
when  he  is  only  Caufa  Jive  qua  non,    <vel  quatemto  impedementa  removit,  vel  tjuatenm 
tjm  At! tones  funt  conditiones  neceJJ'arie.     And  lb  I  anfwer,  r.  Immediately  in  the  firft 
abfblute  Senfe  &  excludendo  per  Jonas  &  res,  no  Man  ever  had  any  Right  communi- 
cated, or  Duty  impofed  on  him  by  God,  unleis  perhaps  the  immediate  Imprefs,  or 
fuper natural  Revelation  of  the  Hoty  Ghoft  to  fome  Prophet  Or  Apoftle  might  be  faid 
to  do  this.    Afo/«- himfelf  had  th§  Tess  Commandments  vvrittetfin  Stone,  which 

wer* 


23 


wei* 


24  AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.       Numb.  II. 

were  figna  mediant i a.    Thofe  that  heard  God  fpeak   (if  any  immediately  without 
Angelical  Interpofition)  did  receive  God's  Commands  medtante  uerborum  figno.     bO 
did  the  Apoftles  that  which  they  had  from  the  Mouth  of  Ghrift.    2.  God  h  fb  uL>- 
folutely  the  Fountain  of  al!  Power,  that  no  Man  can  either  have  or  give  any  Pow- 
er, but  derivatively  from  him,  and  by  his  Commiffion:    Man  being  no  farther  the 
Efficient  of  Power,  than  he  is  (6  conftituted  of  God ;  the  general  way  of  h;s  giving 
it,  muft  be  by  the  Signification  of  God's  Will;  and  fb  far  as  that  can  be  fiifficicntly 
difcovered,  there  needs  no  more  to  the  Conveyance  of  Power.     Whether  Men  be 
properly  efficient  Caufes  of  Church  Power  at  all,  is  a  very  hard  Qusltion,  efpeci- 
ally  as  to  thofe  over  whom  they  have  no  fuperior  governing  Power.  .  As  SpaLten- 
fis  hath  taken  great  pains  to  prove  that  Kings  or  other  Sovereigns  of  the  Common- 
wealth have  their  Commiffion.  and  Power  immediately  from  God,  though  the  Peo- 
ple fometimes  may  choofe  the  Man  (for  the  Power  was  not  given  to  the  People 
firft,  and  then  they  give  it  the  King  :    but  Gqd  lets  them  name  the  Man,  on 
whom  he  will  immediately  confer  it)    fo  poffibly  may  it  be  in   Oidination  of 
Church- Officers,     Three  ways  do  Men  mediate  in  the  Nomination  of  the  Perfon  ; 
1.  When  they  have  Authority  of  Regiment  over  others,  and  expUmtudme  poteflatv 
do  convey  efficiently  to  inferior  Officers  the  Power  that  thefe  have.    Thus  doth 
the  fupream  Rector  of  the  Commonwealth  to  his  Officers;  and  Ergo,  they  are  cai- 
ed  the  Kings  Officers,  and  he  hath  the  choice  of  the  very  Species,  as  well  as  of  the 
individual  Officers.    Now  this  way  of  mediating  is  not  always,  if  at  all  neceiTary 
or  poffible  in  the  Church  ;  for  the  Papifts  themielves  confefs,  that  the  Pops  is  Or- 
dained or  authorized  without  this  way  of  Efficiency  :  for  none  have  a  Papal  Pow- 
er to  convey  to  him  ;   His  Ordination  cannot  be  Alius  Superior**.    And  the  Coun- 
cil of  Trent  could  not  agree  whether  it  were  not  the  Cafe  of  all  Bifhops  to  hold 
theix  Office  immediately  from  Chrifr,  though  under  the  Pope,  or  whether  they 
had  their  Power  immediately  from  the  Pope  as  the  prime  Seat  on  Earth,    of  all 
Church  Power  who  is  lb  dfenvey  their  Parts  to  others.    How  the  Spanifh  Biinops 
held  up  their  Caufe  is  known  :    And  it  was  the  old  Doctrine  of  the  Church,  that 
all  Bifhops  wereequal,  and  had  no  Power  one  over  another,  but  all  held  their  Powr 
er  directly  fiom  Chrifr,  as  Cyprian  told  them  in  the  Council  of  Carthage.     Add  to 
this,  that  the  true  old  Apoftolical  Epifcopacy  was  in  each  particular  Church,  and 
not  over  many  Churches  together  (I  fpeak  of  fixed  Bifhops)  till  the  matter  beco- 
ming too  big  to  be  capable  of  the  oid  Form,  Corruptio  umus  fuit  generatio  alttrius  : 
and  they  that  upon  the  increafe  of  Chriftians,  fhould  have  helpt  the  Swarm  into  a 
new  Hive,  did,  through  natural  Ambition  of  ruling  over  many,   retaine  divers 
Churches  under  their  Charge,  and  then*  ceafed  to  be  of  the  Primitive  fort  of  Bi- 
fhops :  Non  eadem  fuit  res,  non  munm  idem  ;   etiamfi  idem  nomen  retinerent.     So  that 
truly  our  Parifh  Minifters,   who  are  fole  or  chief  Paftors  of  that  Church  are  the 
old  fort  of  Bifhops ;  for  as  Ambrofe,  and  after  him,  Grotius  argues,  qui  ante  fe  alte- 
rum  non  habebat,  Epifcopus  erat :    That  is,  in  eadem  Eccle/ia  qui  fuperiorem  non  habet). 
So  that  not  only  all  Diocefan  Bifhops,  but  alfb  all  Parochial  Bifliops  are  Ordained 
per  pares,  and  fo  not  by  a  governing  Communication  of  Power  ;  which  is  that  fe- 
cond  way  of  Ordination,  when  men  that  are  of  equal  Authority  have  the  Nomi- 
nation of  the  Perfbn.    Now  whether  or  no  he  that  ordaineth  an  Inferior  as  a  Dea- 
con, or  any  other,  do  convey  Authority  by  a  proper  Efficiency,  as  having  that  firft 
in  himfelf  which  he  doth  Convey ;  yet  in  the  Ordination  of  Equals,  it  Teems  not 
to  be  fo,  for  they  have  no  Government  over  the  particular  Perfbns  whom  they  Or- 
dain, or  Churches  to  whom  they  Ordain  them  ;  nor  could  they  themielves  exercile 
that  governing  Power  over  that  other  Congregation,  which  they  appoint  another 
to  ;  fb  that  they  feerrr  to  be  but  Caufie  Morales,  or  fine  quibus  non,  as  he  that  fets  the 
Wood  to  the  Fire  is  of  its  burning,  or  as  he  that  openeth  you  the  Door  is  of  your 
bringing  any  thing  into  the  Houfe  :  So  that  if  you  will  callthe  Ordainer  of  an  Infe- 
rior caufam  equivocam,  and  the  Ordainer  of  an  Equal,  caufam  univocam,  yet  it  is  but  as 
they  morally  and  improperly  caufe.    The  Third  way  of  Mediating  in  the  Nomi- 
nation of  the  Perfon,  is  by  the  meer  Election  of  Inferiors,  as  the  Apoftles  did  bid 
the  Church  of  Hierufalem  choofe  out  feven  Men  whom  they  might  conftitute  Dea- 
cons.   I  have  been  tedious,  perhaps,  without  need  on  this ;  but  the  Summ  is  this, 
that  a  fubordinate  efficient  Caufe  is  no  necefTary  Medium  for  the  conveyance  of 
Power,  if  at  all,  yet  not  always  (I  mean  a  Perfbn)  but  the  Mediatio  Signi  Voluntatis 
Divina,  may  oft  ferve  without  any  more ;   or  plainly  in  feveral  Cafes,  mediatio 
legis  cum  perfona  qualification  may  fuffice,  fine  mediations  judicis.     But  to  come  clofer, 
where  you  fay  (the  written  Word  is  no  fit  .Medium)  I  anfwer,  1.  The  written 
Word  in  cafe  of  a  failing  of  Ordainers  is  a  fufficient  mediate  Inftrument ;   but 

though 


Numb.  11.      ~A  T  <P  E  N  ©T~X     ~ ~ 

though  in  fuo  genere  it  be  fufficient,  yet  other  things  muir7r^71Tnr^~rT~T7/- 

t:  h/c'  ^^VS  >  ^  >    -her?o?0UneT he'  ^of  Nat    °e 
Arc    and  Grace,  that  ,s  Abilities :  another  of  the  Spirit,  that  is  WiiWni   1;  h 
may  alfo  be  moved  by  other  Caufes  5  and  the  third  of  Providence   ?C 
nicy     2.  Magiftrates  Conftitution  in  the  faid  Cafe  of  Minifteria \i\ fa   if, f 
cher  Medium  diftind  from  Scripture.    So  that  if  Minifte Ts  fc  ,  Mafc   re  the 

ment  of  Ddcretion  hath  a  fufficient  Objed  and  Difcovery  of  God  s  efficient  Coriftl 
tution  i.  In  the  Law  which  is  then  the  inftrumental  Efficient.  Tlnthzfl 
fons  Abilities.  3  His  Wilhngnefs.  4.  The  Peoples  own  Willingnef  c  OddoJ 
tunity.  You  add  (the  giving  of  Authority  which  we  talk  of  is  an  Aftion  teffi" 
ted  upon  an  hdividuum  m  this  Age :  But  the  Scripture  meddles  not  with  any  of  the 
hJividivms  of  thefe  Times :  Ergo)  I  fuppoie  by  (meddles  not  with)  you  mean  fog 
minateth  it  not  on).  The  Minor,  which  you  knew  I  would  deny,  you  prove  thus 
III  it  do,  either  quoad  nomen,  or  quoad  adjunclum  aliud  incommunicable,  or  per  defer -ip- 
ttontm)  I  anlwer,  per  defenpttonem  ab  adjuncts,  but  it  is  not  always  neceffary  that 
that  they  be  incommunicable,  at  lead  moft  of  them  ;  for  God  may  poffibly  pro 
pound  to  the  People  more  than  one  or  two  that  may  feem  fit,  and  leave  them  to 
chooie,  and  fo  their  Choice  fliall  be  the  thing  that  makes  the  difference,  and  God 
thereupon  convey  the  Power.  You  add  (if  the  Word  do  it  by  description,  it  muft 
be  byiome  fuch  Form  of  Words ;  They  that  are  thus  and  thus  qualified  may  be 
Minifters  of  the  Word  :  But  there  is  no  fuch  Form  :  Ergo)  I  anfwer,  I  fuppofe 
that  by  (Form)  you  mean,  quoad  fenfum,  and  not  quoad  verba.  And  then  I  fay 
there  is  fuch  a  Sentence  in  the  Law  as  this,  If  by  (thus  and  thus  Qualified)  you  in- 
clude all  the  Signs  that  were  before  exprefled.  And  becaufe  we  are  now  at  the 
Quick,  I  will  not  put  you  off  with  the  bare  part  of  a  Refpondent,  but  give  you  the 
Reafons  of  my  denying  your  Minor.  I  firft  fuppofe  it  granted,  that  God  hath  in 
his  Law  determined  1.  De  genere,  that  there  fhall  be  Ministers.  2.  De  facie,  that 
thereihall  be  fuch  forts  of  Minifters  in  his  Church,  and  that  not  only  quoad  nomen, 
but  quoad  definittonem,^  &  differentiam  confiitutivam,  that  is  the  Nature  of  their  Work 
and  Power,  the  Objed  about  which,  and  the  end  to  which  it  is  to  be  employed. 
3.  That  the  Perfons  are  defcribed  from  their  neceffary  Qualifications,  who  fhall  be 
bubjecls  of  this  Form,  1  Tim.  %.  Tit.  1.  and  in  other  Places.  4.  That  ail  that  is 
now  lefc  to  be  done  is  but  to  judge  and  determine  of  the  particular  Pe.fon,  who  is 
moit  capable  of  this  Form,  and  ib  far  to  be  the  Medium  of  his  receiving  the  Pow- 
er, y.  That  this  Judging  and  Determination  muft  be  per  figna,  irom  the  Perfons 
Qualifications,  agreeing  to  the  Rule.  6.  That  God  hath  made  Ecclefiaftical  Offi- 
cers die  ordinary  authoritative  Judges  of  this  Queftion,  Who  is  the  qualified  Per- 
ibn  ?  Thus  much  I  conje&ure  that  we  are  agreed  in ;  Co  that  the  Form  in  the  Law 
is  not  only,  [They  that  Preach  the  Word,  mall  be  thus  and  thus  qualified,]  but 
[Men  thus  and  thus  qualified  JImB  be  appointed  to  Preach  the  Word  :1  Now  that, 
which  I  am  to  prove  is,  that  the  firft  part  of  the  Conftitution  remains  in  force 
(that  there  fiati  be  Minifters  thus  qualified)  though  the  other  Part,  concerning  the 
way  of  their  Ordination  may  ceafe:  and  that  Magiftrates  Designation,  or  Peo- 
.ples  Election  upon  the  difcerning  of  the  Qualifications  is  a  diffident  Nomination  of 
the  Perfon :  and  (b  God  doth  by  his  Law  convey  the  Power  as  truly  to  the  Perfbn 
thus  Nominated,  as  he  doth  to  the  Perfbn  Nominated  by  a  Bifhop  ordinarily  : 
The  fame  Law  being  God's  only  Inftrument  of  this  Conveyance,  whoever  nomi- 
nates. To  this  end  I  (hall  lay  down  divers  Arguments,  and  though  I  conclude  not 
frill  the  fame  thing,  you  (hall  fee  chat  all  doth,  ad  eundem  fcopum  collimare  ;  and 
that  either  the  Obligation  to  regular  minifterial  Ordination  may  ceafe,  or  that  all 
ways  ceafe  not  when  that  ceafeth,  or  that  the  other  ways  are  fufficient  for  Nomina- 
tion of  the  individual  Perfbn,  and  fo  of  preferring  the  Exiftence  of  the  Species, 
for  thefe  three  are  the  things  to  be  proved. 

1.  CejJ'ante  materia  cejjat  obligatto,  fed  hie  vel  ceJJ'at  vel  ceJJ'are  potefi  materia  :  Ergo, 
The  Major  is  paft  queftion  :  The  Minor  is  proved,  1.  From  the  Silence  of  Scrip- 
ture ;  God  hath  no  where  obliged  hirnfelf  to  give  all  Churches  the  Opportunity  of 
regular  Minifterial  Ordination.  2.  From  undeniable  Experience  of  many  Places 
that  could  not  have  Regular  Ordination,  not  only  through  the  Imperfection  of 
their  own  Understandings,  not  able  after  utmoft  Induftry,  to  know  which  was  the 
regular  Way,  (for  that  1  flick  not  on)  but  alfb  the  moral  or  natural  Impoflibility  of 
the  thing  ;  fome  living  where  they  could  have  no  Ordination,  but  upon  finful 
Terms,  as  by  wicked  Oaths  or  Profeflions  ;  as  it  is  throughout  the  Romim  Church, 
and,  Ergo,  There  is  a  moral  fmpoflibiiity  j   for  turpe  &  inhonefium  efi  impojjibtk, 

D  faith 


25 


26  It  t  e  n_©_/_z     Nuriio.  ii. 

faith  the  Law.  Some  being  caft  in  moft  remote  parts  of  the  World,  vv.eic  no 
Minifters  are,  and  many  where  no  Bithops  arc,  nor  can  be  had  in  .my  competent 
time,  and  uncertain,  whether  at  all  And  the  Poflibility  of  fiich  a  thin?,  is  evident 
in  Nature,  though  it  never  had  been  till  this  Day. 

2.  Ceflatite  JmeceJJat  Obligation  fed  hie  cejj'at  vel cejjafe  fotcfl  fixis  :  Ergo,  The  Miner 
only  is  to  be  proved.  The  End  why  I  am  obliged  to  feek  Ordination  rather  from  an 
EcclefiaiHcal  Officer,  than  from  a  Magiltrate,  or  to  take  the  other  fore  mentioned 
Courfes,  it  is  becaufe  God  hath  appointed  him,  Or  din  is  gratia,  as  one  that  ought  to 
be  the  fitted  to  do  ir,  leaft  bv  Mens  voluntary  Intrusion,  or  the  Co.ii'ritution  of 
ethers  lefs  able  to  judge,  the  Church  fhould  be  wronged.  Now  in  cafe  the  regular 
Ordainers  do  prove  unfufficient  or  wicked,  thefe  Ends  fail,  as  in  the  Church  of 
Rome,  where  none  mail  be  admitted  thar  will  not  fwear  to  do  wick  dly,  ;-nd  tofilfe 
Ways.  And  in  the  great  Arrian  Defection,  when  fcarce  Six  or  Seven  Bilhops  were 
to  be  found  that  did  not  turn  Artidns,  among  whom,  the  Bifhop  of  Rome  was  one 
that  revolted  ;  and  they  would  ordain  none  but  thofe  that  would  be  of  their  Way, 
and  (6  would  engage  Men  againft  Chriff.  God  did  not  give  them  Power  to  de- 
Ilroy  the  Church,  but  to  prelerve  Order  and  propagate  it.  They  can  do  nothing 
(by  any  Power  from  God)  againft  the  Truth,  but  for  the  Truth :  When  Ergo, 
They  will  not  ordain  to  the  Prefervation,  but  to  the  apparent  Deftruc'tion  of  the 
Church,  we  are  not  obliged  to  receive  their  Ordination  :  And  that  the  tailing  of 
regular  Minifterial  Ordination  doth  not  deftroy  the  Ordination  or  Law  of  God  dt 
Spuieconfirzanda,  and  that  it  was  never  the  Will  of  God,  that  theie  Ihould  be  no 
Miniftry  at  all  longer  than  they  might  be  fo  regularly  Ordained,  appears  thus  j 
i.  The  Office  of  the  Miniftry  is  of  (tending  Neceflity  to  the  very  Being  of  a  Poli- 
tical Church,  whereas  the  Ecclefiaftical  Authoritative  Ordination  is  buc  neceffary 
to  the  well  being  and  ordering  of  it.  Ergo,  the  failing  of  the  later  caufcth  not  a 
failing  of  the  former.  The  Reafon  of  the  Confequence  may  appear  in  that  God 
hath  oft  fulfered  his  Church  in  all  Ages,  to  fall  into  Diforders  and  Diltempers, 
when  yet  he  hath  preferved  the  Being.  2.  God  hath  not  infeparably  tyed  a  necef- 
fary certain  End,  to  one  only  mutable,  uncertain  means.  But  the  Office  of  the 
Miniftry  is  the  neceffary,  certain  End  of  Regular  Ecclefiaftical  Ordination  (m. 
by  one  in  Juft  Power)  and  this  is  a  mutable,  uncertain  means :  Ergo,  God  hath  not 
tyed  the  Office  of  the  Miniftry  to  this  alone.  The  Neceflity  of  the  Miniftry  and 
the  certain  Continuance  of  ir  to  the  Church,  I  luppofe,  will  be  granted  ;  even  to 
every  Church,  while  it  lemains  a  Church  Political.  The  Uncertainty  and  Muta- 
bility of  that  means  is  before  proved.  3.  God  hath  not  put  it  into  the  Power  of 
Bilhops  (or  other  Ordainers)  to  deftroy  his  Church  for  ever ;  but  if  the  Miniftry 
were  infeparably  annexed  to  their  autht  ritative  Ordination,  it  would  be  fb  :  Ergo, 
h  i- in  the  Power  of  their  Wills,  whether  they  will  ordain  any  other  Bifhops  to 
fucceed  them  ;  which  if  they  mould  not  do,  the  Succeflion  is  interrupted,  and  the 
Office  muft  for  ever  fail :  If  you  fay,  it  is  not  to  be  fuppofed  that  all  will  deny  to 
Ordain  others.  I  anfwer  1.  What  Promife  or  Certainty  of  the  contrary  ?  2.  It  is 
not  poffibie  their  own  Judgments  may  be  turned  againft  Bilhops,  and  fo  renounce 
that  Calling  ;  or  may  they  not  turn  moft  of  them  Heretical,  and  fb  will  ordain  none 
that  will  not  be  fo  too.  As  it  was  a&ually  when  the  whole  World  turned  Arrian  j 
except  fix  or  feven  Bifhops,  there  were  none  left,  and  a  tenth  Part,  nay  the  Hun- 
dredth part  of  the  Church  could  not  have  recourfe  to  fix  or  ieven  perfecuted 
Bifhops,  hidden  in  WildernelTes  or  Corners,  or  Fugitives  that  Men  knew  not  where 
to  find.  And  that  it  was  then  unlawful  to  havefubmitted  to  the  Arrians  Ordination, 
on  their  Terms,  I  fuppofe  wiil  not  be  denied.  And  the  few  that  do  not  turn  He- 
icticks,  may  yet  clo^g  their  Ordinations  with  fuch  unlawful  Impofitions  and  En- 
gagements, as  that  no  Man  fearing  God  may  juftly  fubmit  to  them,  which  is,  at 
beft,  the  Cafe  of  all  the  Romifh  Church  (as  is  faid).  So  that  if  all  Men  elle  obey 
God,  they  muff  not  be  Ordained  by  thefe  Men,  and  confequently  thefe  Men  have 
Power  to  deliroy  the  Church,  which  if  it  were  affirmed  but  of  the  Churches  in  one 
Nation,  is  not  true:  No,  nor  of  one  Congregation ;  for  the  Senfe  of  the  Precept 
for  Ordination-is  this,[_That  the  Churches  may  be  edified  and  well  guided,  and  my 
Woilhip  rightly  performed,  do  you  ordain  Elders,  &c.~\  4.  God  hath  made  it  in- 
tiifpenfably  neceffary  to  his  People  to  the  World's  End,  toalfemble  in  folemn  Con- 
gregations, and  then  to  perform  his  publick  Worfhip,  <viz,.  In  Prayer,  Praifes,  Sa- 
craments, Preaching  and  Hearing,  &c.  But  without  the  Mmiitry  this  cannot  be 
performed  :  Ergo,  he  hath  made  it  indifpenfably  neceffary  that  they  have  a  Mini- 
ftry :  and  confequently  the  failing  of  Authoritative,  Ecclefiaftical  Ordination  doth 
rice  deftroy  the  Miniftry.    Both  by  neceflity  of  Precspt,  and  of  Means,  is  Publick 

Worihip 


ing 


Numb.  11.       ATT  ~E~nWTx. 

Worfhip  neceflary  to  the  World's  End     OrdinanT^T^ r^~T7~~ 

the  Mouth  of  theWpleinPraifingGod,  £d  fflntt6«^b,ick,y  ^  ^ 
fing  the  People,  &c.  are  MinifteriS  Adions     wS  ^  mdb^ 
Hon  or  Country  where  fuch  Ordination  fails  i»7?o*&l$£teTlT  "&* 
Anions)  durft  you  abfolve  alhhe  Churches  from  d^toWKkWoM$i*hZ 
Vouhaveiaid, to  whole  Countries,  Never  ^n^^^^^ 
I>ra,fes ;    Never  baptize  any  5   Never  communicate  in  the  Lord's  luprerY  ?ht 
were?to  contract  a  Precept  in  Force,  that  binds  them  to  do  whafyou  Jbid 
them,  and  it  were  to  deftroy  their  Souls,  and  bid  them  forfike  God    and  quench 
his  Graces :  For  without  Gods  Publick  Minifterial  Ordinances!  G?ace  and  C^  i 
niamty  11 .felt  could  not  be  long  continued,  at  Ieaft ,  ordinarily,  'and  in  many   W t- 
ncfstheUnchnftianingof  theyaft  Kingdom  of  Nuha,  forwa^of  MinE  If  you 
would  have  foch  to  appoint  Private  Men  to  do.th^  Things  pro  tell ore   in  \hl 
Cafe  of  Neceffity,  that  is,  to  grant  all j  for  then thePeopledo make S'e Private 
Men  Mmifters,  pro  tempore-,  whether  they  g,ve  then,  that  name  or  not,  for  the  Of- 
fice is  butPoWer  to  do  thofe  Works  which  belqng-  thereto  j  and  if  they  have  Pow- 
er to  do  the  Work    they  have :  the .Office.    The  like  may  be  faid  of  thofe  Reform- 
ed Chnftians  that  live 1  under  the  Romim  Power  ,•   if  they  muft  have  no  Minitfers 
they  muft  have  no  Wor/hip  or  Sacraments,  which  Ministers  are  to  perform    -If 
they  muft  have  Mimfters  either  Romifh  o  Reformed..  Not  Romifli,  for  they  can 
not  follow  them,  or  join  with  them,  but. by,  known  finning  in  wicked  Engage- 
ments and  wicked  Adipns^   Not  Reformed  if  there-  be  a  Neceffity  of  Authorita- 
tive O.  dination :  For-  the  Romifh  Bifhops  (if  they  have  Authority)  will  not  Ordain 
without  forcing  Men  to  open  Sin  j  nor  may  any  Pious  Man  fubmit  to  their  Ordina- 
tions on  theirTerms :  and  many  People  cannot  have  Reformed  Bi/hopsfno  nor  Pres- 
byters) to  ordain  them.  j.The  Law  of  Nature,  and  the  exprefs,  unchangable   writ- 
ten  Word  agreeing  thereto,  do  require  Men  to  do  the  Offices  of  Minifters  who 
have  a  fitnefe  for  it,  and  where  there  is  an  undeniable  Neceffity  of  $heir  Help  But 
the  failing  of  Authoritative,  Ecclefiaftical  Ordination  will  not  difpence  with  the 
Law  of  Nature,  and  the  exprefs  moral  written  Law  agreeing  therewith:  Ergo   It 
will  not  difpeofe  with  fuch  Men  for  the  negledt  of  fuch  Minifterial  Works;    I 
think  none  will  qucfticn  the  Minor.    For  the  Major,  underftand,  that  thofe  whom 
I  call  fit,  are  they  that  have  the  Qualifications  which  I  mentioned  before.    Here  I 
take  it  as  undenyable,  that  Duty  and  Power  to  perform  it,  fo  go  together,  that- 
God  never  calleth  Man  to  Duty  but^he  gives  him  this  fort  of  Power,  that  iV  Au- 
thority ;  for  the  very  Command  to  'do  the  Work  doth  give  Authority  to  do  ic : 
Man  may  oblige  himleif  without  a  Call,  and  lb,  have  no  Authority  •  but  whofoever 
is  required  of  God  to  do  it,  hath  eo  Nomine,  Authority  to  do  it.     And  the  Office 
of  the  Miniftiy  is  but  the  Duty  and  Authority  of  performing  the  Works  of  the 
Miniftry.  Moreover,  the  Power  is  for  the  Work's  fake,  and  not  the  Work  for  the 
Powers  fake  as  the  End  :   So  that  if  I  prove  once  that  the  Duty  is  required  of  un- 
ordained  Men,  I  do  thereby  prove  that  the  Power  is  given  them.    Now  that  that 
Duty  is  required  appears  thus :  The  greateft  Works  of  Mercy  to  Mens  Souls,  and 
of  glorifying  God,  are  fuch  as  Men  are  obliged  to  by  the  Law  of  Nature,  if  they 
have  Ability' and  Opportunity,  and  there  be  a  Nece$ty,     But  the  Works  of  tha 
Miniftry  are  the  'greateft  Works  of  Mercy  to  Mens  Souls,  and  Glory  to  God  2  Ergo^ 
The  Minor  is  proved  by  the  Parts.    The  Publick  Preaching  of  the  Lord  Jefus  to  a 
Heathen  People,  as  the  Jefuits  have  long  been  doing  in  thei»^,jand  the.Difcipling 
Men  to  Chrift,  and  baptizing  them,  is  the  greateft  Work  of  Mercy  -imaginable; 
Whereto  add,  the  teaching  them  to  obferve  all  things  whatibever  Chrift  hath  com- 
manded j  and  it  makes  up  the  whole  abfolutely  neceflary  in  all  its  Parts :    1.  The 
Greatnefs  appears,  in  that  Men  cannot  be  laved  ordinarily  without  ip  It  istofave 
Men  from  Everlafting  Torments,  and  help  them  to  Everlafting  Glory.    2.  It  is 
that  which  Chrift  himleif  did  ;   yea,  made    his  Office  to  leek  and  to  lave  that 
which  was  loft.     ;.  It  is  that  which  he  ordained  the  Miniftry  for  ;   yea,  giveth  us 
his  Gifts  for;    yea,  upholds  all  things  for,  and  makes  other  Mercies  fubordinate 
to.    And  that  it  is  as  conducible  to  that  Honour  that  he  will  have  by  the  Gofpei4 
and  Mens  Salvation  is  as  clear.    For  the  Major  ;   Note,  that  I  luppofe  Ability  an4 
Opportunity,  for  elfe  they  cannot  be  obliged.     Alfo  I  fuppole,  Neceffity,  that  is, 
that  there  be  not  Ordained  Men  (Authoritatively)  enough,  competently  to  do  it. 
And  then  that  it  muft  be  done  without  fuch  Ordination,  rather  than  not  at  all,  is 
fo  plain  in  the  Law  of  Nature,  that  it  needs  no  Proof.    To  do  good  to  our  Pow- 
er, efpecially  in  fo  great  Neceffities  and  weighty  Cafes,  is  a  Principle  in  Nature, 
that  he  who  is  a  Man  doth  find  in  himfelf    A  Fortiore,  it's  proved  that  in  lefler  Cz- 

D  2  w 


28  AT  <P  E  N  V  I  X.       Numb.  II. 

feswe  are  bound  to  do  thus ;   much  more  in  thefe  ib  great.    If  a  Man  be  li:. 
perilh  through  Hunger,  or  Nakednefc,  he  that  is  no  Taylor  muft  make  hitn  Cloaths 
if  he  can  ;  and  he  that  is  no  Baker  muft  make  him  Bread  :  Or  if  a  Man  come  into 
a  Country  infected  with  the  Plague,  or  other  Epidemical  Difeafe,    which  he  hath 
Skill  in  Curing,  he  is!a  Murderer  if  he  will  not  do  it,  though  he  be  no  Phyfician, 
while  there  is  no  Phyfician  there  that  can.    Every  Man  that  is  able  is  a  lawful  phy- 
fician  in  cafe  of  defperate  Neceffity.     If  thefe  Inftances  ierve  not,  we  miy  go  high- 
er :  In  cafe  of  an  unexpe&ed  Onflaught  of  the  Enemy  when  the* Commanders  are 
afleep,  every  Souldier  may  do  his  Office :  In  cafe  a  General  be  flain  inch*;  Field,  or 
a  Coll'onel,  or  a  Captain,  the  next  Officer  may  take  his  Place  j  yea,a  common  Soul- 
dier may  do  it  in  Neceffity  :  Or  if  the  Commander  turn  Traytor,  the  next  Officer 
may  take  his  Place,  and  command  the  Souldier?  agaihft  him.     Salus  populi  (uprerra 
lexefto,  is  God's  own  Law.  And  Solus  Ecclefi<e  fuprcma'Lex  efto,  is  no  lefs  his,  and  un- 
changable,  as  to  all  Church- Works  (ftill  looking  at  his  Glory  herein,  asthehigheft 
abfolutely).    He  that  mould  fay,  I  would  cure  thefe  Sick  Men,  but  that  I  am  not 
in  Office  a  Phyfician;    or  I  would  do  this  or  that  Work  to  fave  the  City,  or  the 
Army,  but  it  is  not  my  Office,  or  I  have  no  Commiffion,  were  not  excufable : 
Yet  far  more  than  he  that  would  lay,  I  would  Preach  Chrift  to  thefe  People,  and 
Baptize  them,  and  acquaint  them  wich  his  Laws,  to  fave  them  from  Damnation, 
but  that  I  am  not  Ordained  :  Durft  you  warrant  that  Man  from  being  condemned 
for  his  Neglect?    Nay,  durft  you  encourage  him  to  neglect  it  ?    Nay,  durft  you 
adventure  to  neglect  it  your  felf  ?    What  mould  the  People  in  New -England  do, 
if  there  were  not  Minifters  among  the  Indians  ?  If  there  were  Proteftants  caft  into 
China^nd  had  theOpportunity  as  the  Jefuits  have,what  fhould  they  do  ?  To  forbear 
the  Minifterial  Work  till  they  had  a  lawful  Ordination,  were  no  lefs  rhan  Soul- 
murder  :  It  would  in  probability  never  be  had  ;  for  if  they  travail'd  foi  it  to  thofe 
parts  of  the  World  where  it  might  be  had,  there  were  no  great  probability  of  their 
Return.    If  you  fay,  they  may  teach  and  baptize  as  private  Men  :  I  aniwer,  If 
they  do  but  What  private  Men  here  are  allowed  do,  viz,.  (6  Teach  but  privately  and 
occaiionally,  it  would  be  ftill  unnatural,  bloody  Soul-murder :   To  foeak  the  Do- 
drine  of  Redemption  to  two  or  three  in  a  Houfe,  when  they  might  fpeak  to  Mul- 
titudes, and  to  ceach  now  and  then  occafionally,  when  they  might  do  it  ordinarily, 
is  cruel  deftroying  of  the  moft.     And  to  Baptize  is  no  private  Man's  Work.     If 
you  would  have  them  Teach  both  publickly  and  ordinarily,  and  Baptize,  then  you 
would  have  them  be  Minifters  under  the  Name  of  Private  Men  j   yea,  to  do  the 
Work  of  Apoftles  or  EvangeKfts. 

Certainly  the  Law  of  Nature  is  God's  Law,  and  Evangelical  Ceremonies,  and 
points  of  meer  Order  do  give  Place  to  it,  as  well  as  either  Mofaical  or  Secular. 
God  hath  as  ftreightly  commanded  Obedience  to  Secular  Power  as  to  Ecclefiaftical : 
If  therefore  Matter  of  Order  in  Secular  Things  ;muft  ftoop  to  Matters  ofSubftance 
and  Neceffity,  and  the  Law  of  Corporations  to  the  Law  of  Nature,  fo  it  muft  do 
here.  The  Gofpel  Ctoflethnot,  nor  obliterateth  Natural  Principles :  And  to  love 
our  Neighbours  as  our  felf,  and  do  him  good,  etpecially  to  the  Everlafting  Saving 
of  fvs  Soul,  are  too  deep  in  Nature  to  be  questioned,  or  to  ftoop  to  a  Point  of  meer 
O.der.  If  you  fay,  That  the  fame  God  that  requires  us  to  do  it,  doth  require 
that  we  do  it  in  his  Order  and  way.  I  anfwer,  No  doubt  of  it ;  where  that  Order 
may  be  obforved  :  But  where  it  cannot,  God's  way  revealed  to  Nature  is  to  do  it 
without,  as  hath  been  mewed.  And  Scripture  feconds  Nature  in  this  j  Chrift  tells 
us.  That  this  is  the  fecond  great  Commandment*,  Thou  jhalt  love  thy  Neighbour  as  thy  felf, 
and  on  this,  with  the  Love  of  God,  hang  all  the  Law  and  the  Prophets.  To  do  good  to 
cur  utmoft  Power,  is  a  Charge  laid  on  all,  Pfal.  34. 14.  and  37.  27.  Gal.  6.  10. 
Ecd  9.  10.  As  every  Man  hath  received  the  Gift,  fo  muft  he  as  a  good  Steward 
of  God's  manifold  Grace  adminifter  it,  iPet.  4.  10.  The  Manifeftation  of  the  Spirit 
is  given  to  everymanto  profit  withal,  1  Cor.  12.  7.  AH  Members  of  the  Body  muft  have  the 
fame  care  one  of  another,  verfe  2J.  And  if  one  Member  fujfer,  the  reft  mu(b  fuffer  with 
it,  verfe  26.  and  Ergo,  do  their  beft  to  relieve  them'.  Every  good  Man  is  a  pub- 
lick  Good ;  &  bonum  quo  communius  eo  melius.  God's  Gifts  are  fo  many  Talents  that 
muft  be  accounted  for,  Matth.  25-.  and  he  that  hath  beft  improved  them  for  his 
Lord,  will  have  the  moft  comfortable  Reckoning.  Thefe  Generals  tying  Men  to 
do  all  the  Good  they  can,  doth  tye  them  that  have  Abilities  and  Opportunities  for 
the  Miniitry  to  ufe  them  where  there  is  need,  and  that  in  Order,  as  being  ordained 
thereto,  where  it  may  be  had,  and  out  of  Order  where  it  may  not,  and  there  is 
neceffity :  even  as  P*«/bids  Timothy  Preach  out  of  Se'afon  ;  you  will  acknowledge 
that  they  that  have  Abilities,  where  the  Church  is  in  neceffity,  may,  and  muft  feek 

a 


Numb.  IL 


r  Tim. 


a  right  way  to  ufe  them ;  and  fo  feeks  an  Ordinatio^o~d^^^ 
ll  *'  Hethat  definth  the  Office  of  a  Bijhop,  defireth  a  good  tlf  °& 
gives  no  Gifts  in  vain,  fo  he  lets  Man  upon  no  vain  Endeavours  T W  ^  hs 
that  are  bound  to  feek  to  be  Minifters,  are  not  bound  to vam  Fnnf  ?«** 
therefore  there  is  a  poffibility  of  Succeeding  :  But  there  s  Jerv  o?  r^rl^ 
of  Authoritative  Ecclefiaftical  Ordination  :  Ergo,  There  3  bLnJf^H 
lucceeding  fome  other  way  ;  for,  nemo  tenetur  alimp^l  ™  God?  Gifts  of  r!  £f 
are  not  to  be  put  under  a  Bufhel.  While  I  live  where  my  Pains  m,v  t  r  Sa 
and  others  enough  may  competently  fupply  my  Room  lw\\ }  3  Tn^&  Jf*?*' 
ly  nor  without  luthority  from  ulsZils  belongs  Jo  t^  t0  SMfefc 
they  that  havePower  filence  me,  I  will  be  fifcnr.  But  if  I  live  ZhZ  7  '-and  lt 
fihle  Ne.r.*(T„v  of  wtf  t  ^„~  i  '  :n  u„  «:SJV;_.     r  ?. L  live  whero  there  is  a  vi- 


before  God  to  the  Charge  oFdoing  GoodT^nd  M^*^7^^ 
pofition  of  Hands,  or  Human  Appointment,  than  the  Charge  of  hiding  mt  TV 
tent  as  a  flothful,  evil  Servant,  and  of  letting  Men  go  to  Hell,  and  rSfa  ChSf 
tor  want  of  a  Cnmmiffion  from  Man  to  hinSer  them!  for  I  knowZTth^ 
•vertetb   a  Sinner  from   the   Error  of  ft   way,  hath  faved  his  Soul  from  deablnd 
coveted  a  multitude   of   Bins       Jam.  S.  20.     6,  Chrift   himfelf  hath   tauX  us  in 
benpture  fo  to  interrupt  Ins  Laws,  as  that  Ceremonials  and  nicer  Poiitives   do  p>S 
way  "to  natural  Morals  and  Subftantials  •  and  that  when  two  Duties  come  together 
and  cannot  both  be  performed,  the  greater  muft  be  chofen  :    and  therefore  Si  S 
in  our  prefent  Cafe.     1.  Even  under  the  Law  this  is  oft  manifefted  ;   to  inltance 
but  inone  •  Circumcifion  it  felf,which  wasfo  far  neceffary  as  to  be  called  God's  Co 
venant,  and  he  that  neglected  it  was  to  be  cut  off  from  the  People,  yet  in  tha  Wil 
dernefs  for  forty  Years  together  is  difpenfed  with,  and  gives  place  to  greater  natu- 
ral Duties.     2.  Much  more  under  the  Gofpel,  when  God  placeth  Iefs  in  Externals 
as  choofing  fhch  Worshippers  as  will  worfliip  him  in  Spirit  and  in  Truth      Chrift 
often  healeth  on  the  Sabbath  Day,  and  tells  them  it  is  lawful  to  do  Good  '(viz   ne 
cefTary  Good)  en  that  Day.    He  tells  them  that  David,  when  he  was  Hungry   and 
they  that  were  with  him,  did  eat  the  Shew-bread  which  was  not  lawful  (viz  with 
out  fuch  Neceffity)  for  him  to  eat,  but  only  for  the  Priefts :    And  that  the  Priefts 
in  the  Temple  do  break  the  Sabbath,  and  are  blamelefs,  arid  therefore  juftifies  his 
Difciples  for  rubbing  the  Eares  of  Corn.     If  the  Prophet  I/aiab  under  the  Law 
could    tell     them,    that   This   was   the  Fajt   -which  the  Lord  hath  chofen  to  loofs  the 
Bands   of   TVtckednefs ,'    to    undoe    the    heavy    Burdens ,    and   to    let    the   Opprefed  eo 
Free,    and  to   break    every  Yoke,    If.  y8.  6,  7.     And  the  Holy  Ghoft  faith,  1  will  not 
reprove  thee  for  thy  Sacrifices,  or  thy  Burnt  Offerings  to  have  been  continually  before  me 
Vfal.  f  0.  8.  How  much  more,  under  the  Gofpel,  would  God  have  Externals  and 
Modals  ftoop  to  the  Subftance  ?  He  that  tells  us  there  is  Joy  among  the  Angels  in 
Heaven  over  one  Sinner  that  repenteth,  would  not  have  that  Office  that  calleth 
them  to  Repentance  laid  by,    nor  Men  forbear  the  Worjis  of  it,  for  -want  of  a 
Man  rightly  ordained  himfelf  to  fay,  Goe.    There  is  fome  great  Moment  in  that 
LeiTon  whicfl  Chrift  calls  the  Pharifes  fo  emphatically  to  learn,  Mat;  9.  ij.  But  eo 
yt  nov^  and  learn  what  that  meaneth,  I  will  have  Mercy  and  not  Sacrifice :  Nor  is  Chrift 
very  forward  to  fatlsfie  their  Demand,  By  what  Authority  dofi  thou  thefe  things  ?  Mat, 
ft,  24,  27.  Nay,  he  flatly  refufed.    7.  An  Ordained  Minifter  may  havefufficient 
caufe  to  give  over  his  Calling,   without  the  Will  of  the  Ordainer,  or  any  in  his 
place;  therefore  he  may  have  fiifficient  Caufe  to  affume  it,    without  the  Will  of 
nn  Ordainer.    The  Antecedent  is  doubtlefs •  Nay,  it  may  be  his  Duty  to  give  over  j 
as  if  the  People  do  generally  refed  him,  or  if  he  be  called  to  an  Employment 
where  he  may  be  certainly  more  ferviceable,  or  is  fitter  for  j  or  when  there  are  ma- 
ny abler  to  fupply  his  Place  if  he  remove,  &c.  For  the  Conlequence,  perhaps  you 
will  fay,  It  follows  not,  becaufe  all  mart  concurto  a  Man's  Call  to  the  Work :    But 
one  thing  wanting  may  call  him  from  it.'  But  Ianfwer,  The  Strength  of  the  Con- 
lequence is  here ;    in   that  as  clear  a  Call  at  leaft  is  neceffary  to  take  a  Man  off 
a  Courfe  of  Duty  in  Co  needful  an  Employment,  as  to  put  him  on :  And  therefore 
let  us  fuppofe  a  Parity  in  other  Refpe<2s,  and  look  only  at  that  one  Reafon,  The 
Good  of  the  Church  :  It  is  certain,   that  if  I  knew  I  were  a  great  Wrong  to  the 
Church  by  my  Continuance  (as  by  keeping  out  one  far  better,  or  the  like)  Iwcrtf 
bound  to  give  over,  though  without  the  Ordainers  Content,  or  againft  it,  if  it  can* 
not  be  had  :  Therefore  it  follows,  that  if  my  exercifmg  that  Office  be  undoubtedly 
ConfideratJs  confiderandis  to  the  great  Good  of  the  Church,  I  may  do  it  without  an 

Ordain  et1 


.'.*«L« 


3° 


AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.      Numb.  II. 


Ordainer,  if  Ordination  cannot  be  had  :  It  is  the  Onus  and  Labor,  that  is,  the  fiift 
and  chief  thing  considerable  in  the  Miniftry,  and  the  Bonos  and  Power  is  but  in  or- 
der to  that.     8.  If  Secular  Power  may  be  derived  from  God,  at  leaft,  ib  far  as  to 
oblige  the  Subjects  to  Obedience,   and  to  give  them  the  Benefits  of  that  Power, 
and  this  without  any  regular  authoritative  Conveyance  from  Man,  then  fo  may 
Ecclefiaftical  Power  alfb.     But  the  Antecedent  is  true :    Ergo,  The  Antecedent-  is 
proved,     i.  In  that  Scripture  commands  us  to  obey  fuch  as  the  Roman  Emperors 
then  were,  Rom.  15.  who  had  no  fuch  Conveyance.     2.  Life  it  would  be  hard  ro 
know  what  Power  to  acknowledge  :  For  what  Nation  is  there  where  the  Line  tf 
Succeffion,  as  to  a  lawful  Conveyance,  hath  not  been  interrupted?   Wittiam  the 
Conqueror's  Title  being  bad,  fomuft  all  that  hold  from  him.     King  Stephen's 
vvorfe.    The  Houfes  of  York  and  Lane  after  had  rather  neither  of  them  a  good  Title, 
than  both.     What  Nation  is  there  that  mult  not  acknowledge  the  Original  from 
the  Sword  ?  I  (hall  not  need  to  anfwer  the  Arguments  drawn  from  the  Peoples  Pow- 
er to  convey  it,  to  any  that  approveth  of  the  Arguments  lately  ufed  in  England 
againft  the  Parliaments  Cauie.     And  I  think  if  it  were  proved  that  the  People  i 
the  Power  of  making  a  King,  it  would  foon  be  proved,  that  that  way  of  Succef* 
fion  hath  been  oft  enough  interrupted.     And  for  the  Sword  of  unjuft  War,  if  Vi- 
olence gives  right  in  one  cafe,  why  not  in  another  ?  but  this  will  not,  I  fuppofe,  be 
owned.    Moreover,  if  an  Interruption  of  the  Succeffion  of  Legitimate  Convey- 
ance of  Power,  do  leave  us  uncapable  of  any  juft  Succeffion  hereafter,  or  any  true 
Power,  then  either  all  Commonwealths,  or  moft  are  diflblved  for  ever,  or  ouis  at 
leaft,  till  God  immediately  ihall  choofe  a  new.     But  that  is  not  true  :    It  being  a 
Conclufion  deftructive  to  all  Civil  Government,  and  all  Obedience  of  Subjects  to 
the  World's  End.    The  Confequence  is  proved  in  that  there  is  the  (ame  Neceflity 
*  of  uninterrupted  Succeffion  in  Legitimate  Conveyance  of  Secular  Power,  as  is  of 
the  forefald  Conveyance  of  Ecclefiaflical  Power ;   for  there  is  no  Power  but  of 
God.    And  therefore  I  would  have  you  here  anfwer  all  your  own  Queftions,  whe- 
ther King  Charles  did  receive  his  Power  immediately  from  God,  or  mediately  :   if 
mediately,  then  whether  by  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion  of  Legitimate  Conveyance, 
or  by  fome  Scripture  Mediation  ?  And  how  Scripture  which  meddles  not  with  the 
indwidua  mould  confer  Power  on  him  as  a  fit  Medium?    For  my  part,  I  fha!l  an- 
fwer this  as  I  do  the  other,  I  think  Providence  doth  Signare  individuum.     9.  If  un- 
deniable Ufurpation  did  not  null  the.  Minifterial  Actions  of  the  Priefts  before  Ghrift's 
Death,  then  want  of  Authoritative  Ecclefiaftical  Ordination  in  cafe  of  Neceflity 
will  not  null  the  Actions  of  Church- Governors  now.    At  <uerum  prim:    Ergo,  and 
confequently  if  their  Actions  be  not  null,  then  their  Ordinations  are  not  null.  That 
the  Priefts  then  came  not  in  God's  way  (which  wastofiicceed  by  Birth  from  Aaron) 
but  that  the  Priefthood  was  ufu;  ped  by  others ;  yea,  commonly  bought  with  Mo- 
ney of  the  Romans,  and  became  at  laft  but  annual,  if  not  two  at  once,  is  known 
beyond  doubt.     That  their  Actions  were  not  null,  as  to  others,  appears  by  Chrift's 
teaching  Men  to  fubmit  to  them,  and  make  ufeof  them,  as  he  did  the  Lepers,  and 
by  many  other  Paffages.,   The  Reafbn  of  the  Confequence  lyeth  in  the  equal  ne- 
ceffity  of  uninterrupted  Succeffion  then  and  now  :  Yea,  the  neceflity  then  was  far 
more  apparent,  in  that  God  had  more  clearly  fixed  it  to  the  Tribe  of  Levi,  and 
the  Line  of  Aaron,  than  he  hath  done  now  to  Ecclefiaftical  Legitimate  Ordination, 
andbecaufe  under  that  Law  of  Ceremqpies  (whereof  the  High-Priefthood  was  the 
Top#f  typifying  Chrift,   &c. )  God  would  not  Ib  eaftly  difpenfe   with  them  as 
now.    10.  When  God  tyes  his  People  to  Duty,  there  he  is  ready  to  give  them  the 
Bleffing  which  is  its  end,  if  they  obey  :  But  God  tyeth  his  People  to  fubmit  to  the 
Minifterial  Actions  of  fome  Ufurpers :  Ergo,  he  is  ready  to  give  them  the  Bleffings 
which  are  the  end  of  thole  Actions ;  and  confequently  they  are  not  null  to  them; 
and  confequently  Ordination  is  not  null  to  fuch ;  which  is  one  Action.    The  Ma- 
jor  is  proved  before,  and  indeed  needs  no  Proof.    For  the  Minor,  God  tyes  us  to 
fubmit  to  the  Minifterial  Actions  of  him  that  is  in  fede  (at  leaft)  if  we  know  him 
not  to  be  an  Ufurper ;  but  many  may  be  Ufurpers  in  fede,  whom  yef.  we  know 
not  to  be  fuch  (nor  can  well  know :)  Yea,  many  fuch  have  been  already  :   Ergo, 
If  the  Major  be  denyed,  all  peoples  Ecclefiaftical  Obedience  is  unavoidably  over- 
thrown.   The  Minor  is  apparent 5  1.  In  that  it  is  not  the  Peoples  Duty  fo  much  as 
narrowly  to  pry  into  his  Call,  whom  they  find  in  fed*  ;  fb  as  to  require  Satisfaction 
as  to  his  Juft  Ordination,  if  they  find  him  fit  for,  and  faithful  in  the  Minifterial 
Work.    2.  In  that  the  People  cannot  know  it :  There  is  not  one  of  Ten  Thoufand 
in  England  could  know  whether  their  Bilhops  were  truly  Confecrated  at  all,  much 
lels ;  whether  juftly,   much-lefj,  whether  from  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion  of  juft 

Ordination 


Numb.  IL        A  T  ?P  E  N  tTFx~~      "~^~ 

Ordination.     No  nor  do  they  know  whether  their  Miniiters  were  ever  ou\v^J7~~ 
not  :  And  it  hath  been  known  that  many  have  proved  Ufurpers  refpecwllv  n     *   ? 
which  the  Common  People  could  not  know  j   and  therefore  could  not  LI 
Knowledge  be  difobliged.     n.  If  the  Adminiitrations  of  all  Ufurpers  were  rn\\ 
(and  io  the  Ordination  of  fuch)  then  innocent  Perfons  and  Churches  fhouid  fiS 
(yea,  Ruine  it  felf)  meerly  through  other  Mens  Faults.     Bw  no  Man  is  to  X, 
for  other  Mens  Faults  meerly  :  Er^The  Minor  is  evident.  The  Maior  is  as  ev*J -n!  > 
i.  It  is  none  of  (he  Churches  Fault,  or  at  leaff,   not  of  each  Member    thaii 
Ulurper  iecretly  intrudeth  and  deceiveth  them,  pretending  right  when  he  hath  none 
At  leaft  it  is  not  always  and  in  all  Cafes  their  Fault  :    And  yet  that  the  Church 
would  luffer  by  it,  yea,  Ruine  it  felf,  is  apparent  i  in  that  all  the  Ordination  tf 
luch  Men  would  be  null,    and  lb  all  their  Churches  would  be  no  true  Organize 
Political  Churches  but  meer  Communities,  and  all  the  Baptifm  and  other  AdmTni 
ftrations  of  all  fuch  Ordained  Men  would  be  null.     Moreover,  ir  is  evidently 
againft  common  Equity.    If  the  Deputy  of  Ireland,  or  the  Pro-re'x  of  Naples  wer* 
dead,  and  one  mould  fo  counterfeit  the  King's  Hand  and  Seal,  as  that  the  Nobles 
and  People  could  not  difcern  it,  and  Ihould  annex  this  to  a  Grant  for  th&  Place,  and 
flicw  it  the  People,  and  claim  the  Power  by  it  :   If  this  Man  continue  the  exerciio 
of  this  Power  for  a  Year  before  the  King  difplace  him,  or  the  Deceit  be  difco- 
vered,    all  his  Actions  muft  be  valid  as  to   the  Benefit  of  the  Commonweath 
though  they  are  Treafonable  to  himfelf :  And  he  conveys  Power  from  the  King  to 
inferior  Orhceis,   who  yet  never  received  any  himfelf:  So  is  it  in  this  prefent  Cafe 
12.  If  the  Ordination  of  Magiftrates  did  ferve  turn  in  cafe  of  a  failing  in  the  regu- 
lar way  belore  Chrifl's  Incarnation,  then  it  may  do  lb  now.    But  tliQ  former  is 
true  :  Ergo,  TheReafonof  the  Confluence  is,  both  that  God  was  as  Mrict  in  Po- 
sitives then  as  now,  and  that  there  was  as  great  Neceffity  then  of  an  uninterrupted 
Succeflion  for  derivation  from  God,  as  now  there  is.  Solomon  put  out  Abimhat  from 
being  High-Priefr,  and  put  Zadock'm  his  ltead,  I  King.  2. 27,  35.  David  and  the  Cap- 
tains of  the  Hojfs-  ftparated  to  God's  Service  thefe  of  the  Sons  of  Afaph,  and  of  Htman 
and  of  Jedutbun,  ivho  jhould  propbefie  with  Harps ,  &c.    1  Chrcn.  2  :.  t,  6.  They  "wtrc 
for  the  Service  of  the  Houfi  of  God,  according  to  the  King's  Order,  fo  i  Chron.  16.  4.  fo 
did  Solomon,  2  Chron,  8.  14,  1  y.     The  Magiltrates  Power  in  Church  Matters  was 
no  Ceremony  or  Temporary  Thing.     1 3.  When  any  Officers  of  the  Temple  were 
discovered  to  have  no  juff.  Title,  and  thereupon  were  put  out  ,•    yet  none  of  their 
Action;  while  they  were  in  Place,  were  cenfured  null :  Ergo,  if  now  any  be  dilco- 
Vered  to  have  n>  juil  Title,  his  former  Actions  are  not  to  be  judged  null.     The 
Reafon  of  the  Onfequence  lyeth  in  the  Equality  of  the  Cafe.     The  Antecedent  is 
proved  from  Ezra  2.  6z.  Neb.  7.  64,  C%.   They  fought  their  Regifter  among  tbofe  that 
were  reckoned  by  Genealogy ,  but  they  were  not  found  :    therefore  "were  they  as  polluted  put 
from  the  Pruflbood,     So  Neb,  13.  29,  30.  And  therefore  the  Ordination  done  before 
fuch  Ejeftrori,  is  not  null. 

And  that  the  individual  Perfon  to  receive  this  Power,  may  be  determined  of  in 
cafe  of  neeettity,  without  an  Ecclefiaffical  Authoritative  Determination,  may  fur- 
ther appear  thos  :     1.  If  the  individual  Perfbn  may  be  determined  of  ordinarily, 
or  fometimes  by  the  peoples  Election  to  be  prefenred  to  the  Miniilers  for  their  Or- 
dination, or  Confirmation,  then  may  the  individual  Perfon  be  determined  of  by  the 
People  to  be  preiented  to  God  immediately,  for  his  Ordination,  in  cafe  there  be 
no  Oi  dainers  to  be  had.     But  the  Antecedent  is  true  :  Ergo,  the  Antecedent  is  pro- 
ved, 1.  From  the  ApohMes  lnftructicn  to  the  Church  of  Jerufalem,  Aft.  6.3.   Cboofe 
you,    t  r  lock  you  out  ftven  Men  of  honeft  Report,  full  of  the  Holy  Gho{i  and  Wifdom, 
•si-hem  -we  may  appoint  over  this  Bufwefs.     They  defcribe  the  Men,  and  leave  them  to 
nominate  them  that  were  iuch.     And  if  the  Church  can  do  this  to  prefent  to  the 
Apoilies,  then  it  feems  they  are  competent  Difcerners  of  Such.    If  the  Apoflles 
had  faid,  (We  do  appoint  and  authorize  the  (even  Men  whom  you  fhall  choofe,  io 
that  they  be  fuch  and  fuch  Men)  the  Ordination  had  been  as  valid,  on  Suppo/ltion 
of  fich  an  Election,    as  it  was  when  it  followed  the  Election.     And  if  the  Apo- 
ftks  migftt  have  fo  done,  no  dcubt,  God  may  fb  do  by  his  Law  :   For  he  doth  the 
fame,  v&.  defcribe  the  Perfons,  and  confer  thePower,  particularly,  and  on  an  ln- 
divtdm.rn  vczum,  and  fometimes  quafi  fignatum  ',  and  if  popular  Election  can  make 
it  an  hdividnum  determinate,  then  all  is  done.  2.  And  the  Church  hath  continued 
this  Cuiiom  fo  far,  that  Councils  decreed  Ordinations  invalid  without  Elections  of 
the  People  j  yea,  if  chey  were  but  afrighted  and  over-awed,  and  did  it  nctfieely. 
Infomuch  that  Capriati  faith,  Vlsbs   maximam  habet,  pste/latem,   <vel  dignos  Sacerdotts 
thgendi,  vd  tndigms  recufandi :    Till  the  bloody  bout  in  the  choice  of  Damafm,  it 


31 


32  AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.      Numb.  11; 

is  known  that  the  Peoples  Election  was  the  principle  Determiner  of  the  individual 
Perfon,  or  at  lead  did  much  in  it.    For  the  Confequence,  the  Reafon  of  it  lyes 
here  ;   in  that  Scripture  may  apparently  fuffice  for  all,  except  the  Nomination  of 
the  Individual,  as  you  leem  to  intimate  in  laying  the  ftrefs  of  all  your  Argument 
upon  this,  that  it  meddles  with  no  lndrvuluum  ot  thefe  times.     The  Law  gives  Au- 
thority   to   that  individual  Perfon  that  is    jufHy  nominated  or  determined  of. 
But  a    right   qualified  Man  ,    chofen  only   by   the  People ,    in  cafe   there  be 
no  Ordainer ,    is   jurtly  determinated    of  or    nominated  :    Ergo  ,    The   Law 
gives  Authority  to  i'uch.     Where  note,  that  the  Law  needs  no  other  Condition  to 
the  actuating  of  its  Conveyance,  but  only  the  Determination  of  the  recipient  Per- 
ibn.    Then  note,  that  regularly  Officers  and  People  are  to  join  in  this  Determinati- 
on of  the  Perfon  :  The  People  fometime  being  in  electing,  and  the  Officers  con- 
clufively  determine  :    and  (ometimes  the  Officers  begin,  and  the  People  after  con- 
lent;  but  both  muft  concur,  and  all  that  both  can  do  is,  to  determine  of  the  Man, 
whom,  God  by  his  Law  mall  authorize  ;  though  the  very  determination  it  fell,  as 
by  the  Officers,  is  an  Act  of  Authority.     Now  whenever  two  Parties  are  made 
Con-caufes,  or  are  to  concur  in  fuch  Determinations,  when  one  Party  faileth,  the. 
Power  and  Duty  is  folely  in  the  other.    At  leaft,  it  is  hence  apparent,  that  there 
is  a  poffible  way  left  for  the  determining  of  Indtviduums  in  this  Age.    2.  If  the  Law 
do  fo  far  defcribe  the  Peribns  to  receive  Power,  as  that  a  Bifhop  can  nominate  the 
Perlbns  by  the  Light  of  that  Defcription,  then  it  doth  fo  far  defcribe  the  Perfbns  as 
that  others  may  nominate  them  by  the  Light  of  that  Defcription.     But  the  Ante- 
cedent is  true :  Ergo,  The  Antecedent  you  will  own ;   or  elfe  farewell  all  Epifco- 
pal  Ordination  :  The  Confequence  is  plain,  in  that  others  may  be  able  to  fee  that 
which  a  Bifhop  can  lee ;  and  in  neceflity,  at  leaft  may  do  it.    This  therefore  who], 
ly  anfwers  your  Argument  againft  the  Law  being  a  fufficient  Medium  eo  nomine , 
becaufe  it  meddles  not  with  lndi-viduums ;   for  it  meddles  with  none  of  the  Indivi- 
duals, which  Bifhops  determine  of ;  and  yet  it  is  the  Law  that  conveys  the  Power 
when  the  Bifhop  hath  determined  of  the  Perfon  to  receive  it  (as  Spalattnfis  hath 
largely  proved  of  Kings).    Law  is  God's  Inftrument  of  conveying  Right,  and  im- 
pofing  Duty  ;  though  Men  may  be  the  Media  Applkationis.     The  Law  is  to  be  con- 
ceived as  in  this  Form   [I  do  authorize  the  Perfons  that  Jhall  be  jufily  determined  of  ac- 
cording to  this  Defcription]  And  becaufe  Minifterial  Determinations  are  the  ordinary 
regular  way,  with  the  Peoples  Confent,  it  is,  q.  d.  [Ordinarily,  I  do  authorize  the 
Perfons  whom  Ecclefiafrical  Power  Jhall  determine  of  according  to   this  Defcription]  :    So 
that  it  is  God  by  his  Law,   that  gives  the  Power  :    As  when  a  Corporation  is  to 
choofe  their  Bailiff  or  Major;  it  is  the  Law  or  Charter  that  is  the  immediate  Inftru- 
ment  of  effective  Conveyance  of  the  Power,  though  the  Choofers  are  the  Media 
Applications ;  and  perhaps  fome  capital  BurgefTes  may  have  the  chief  Power  in 
choofing  him  ordinarily.     3.  If  the  People  may  per  Judicium  Difcretionis,  difcern 
whether  a  Bifhop  have  ordained  them  one  agreeable  to  the  Scripture  Defcription, 
then  may  they  alio  difcern,  whether  a  Man  be  agreeable  to  it,  though  unordained. 
But  the  antecedent  is  true :  Ergo,  Were  not  the  People  to  judge  of  this,  then  they 
muft  receive  any  Heretick  or  Infidel  without  Tryal,  if  ordained  their  Bifhop.    But 
that  is  not  true.    Though  the  Officers  contradict  it,  yet  the  People  of  themfelves 
are  bound  to  reject  a  Heretick  Bifhop.     1.  It  is  a  general  Precept,  A  Man  that  is  a 
Heretick  avoid  ;    and  with  fuch  no   not  to  eat.    If  a  Bifhop  ordain  over  this 
Church,  a  common  unreformed  Drunkard,  Rayler,  &c.  The  Holy  Ghoft  bids  us 
not  to  eat,  1.  c.  have  Communion  with  him.     2.  Cyprian  determines  it,  that  Plebs 
obfequens  precept  is  Dominicis  &  Deum  metuem  a  Peccatore  prapefito  feparare  fe   debet, 
necje  ad  facrile^i  facer  dot  is  Sacraficia  mifcere.  4.  If  the  Cale  may  be  fb  plain,  who  the 
Perfon  is  that  God  would  have,  as  that  there  is  no  room  for  a  Controverfy  about  it, 
then  it  may  poflibly  be  determined  by  the  meer  Light  of  the  Law,  without  a  Judge. 
But  the  Cafe  may  be  fb  plain :  Ergo,  The  Antecedent  is  proved  thus :  When  thefe 
things  following  vifibly  concur,  then  the  cafe  is  fo  piain  :•  1.  When  the  Perfon  is 
vifibiy  qualified,  with  Abilities,  and  Piety,  and  a  Righteous  Convcrfation  to  Men. 
2.  When  he  hath  a  Will  to  it.     3.  When  he  hath  Opportunity,  as  having  Liberty 
from  fecular  Power,  Proximity,  a  known  Language,  Vacancy  from  other  Engage- 
jneots  and  Employments  of  more  neceffity,  &c.    4.  When  the  Peoples  Hearts  are 
moved  towards  him.     $.    And  when  there  is  no  Competitor,  or  none  who  equal- 
leth  him,  or  not  fo  many  but  that  all  may  be  chofen,  when  thefe  concur  there  is  no 
controverfy  who  mould  be  the  Man  ;  if  you  fay  there  may  be  many  fuch,  and  who 
knows  then  which  to  choofe :   I  Anfwer  1.  Congregations  fhould  have  many  Pa- 
llors 


Numb.  II,        A  T>  T  E  N  V  I  X. 

50"  ordinarily:    2.  Providence anfwereth  that  Obje&ion  for~r^~T~ — 

hard  to  find  half  enough  that  are  competent,  tod  hafh not  ii^'^h^ 
more  than  they  need-  but  contrarily,  there  is  need  of  manv mZ \  u  h2rc? 
given.  It  is  therefore  all  Mens  Dutie ,  that  have  Ability and kw  ^  hC  ^ 
Preachers,  if  they  be  not  taken  up  with  Employments rf^^£S!$.to  ? 

is  poffible    and  not  be  their  own  Judges  of  their  fitnefi,    where  the"e  am  Mher 
Judges  of  God  s  appointment  :    Chrift  bids  us  to  pray  the  Lord  of  the  Harveft    to 
fend  forth  Labourers  into  theHarveft,  becaufe  the  Harveft  is  Preat   and  thTrlL 
rersfew.    It  is  yifibly  true,  in  a  great  meafure,  to  this  da f  whir  wt  mufe 
for,  that  we  muft  endeavour,   that  the.Labourers  may  in  Number  be  proportioned 
to  the   Work ;    and  we  are  like  to  have ufe for  that  Prayer  frill      2    I? ? °ni° ", 
ways  that  there  are  too  many  fo  apparently  fit :   And  therefore  at  leaft  when  it  is 
not  lo,  the  determination  of  the  Individual  Perfon  is  eafie.    4  As  the  Bisons  D- 
termination  of  one  among  many  is  valid,  fo  is  the  Determination  of  others  in 
cafe  of  Necefficy.     The  Law  of  Nature,  and  well  brdered  Common-wealths  do  h 
require,   that  every  Ignorant  Man  that  thinks  himfelf  Skilful,  mould  not  play  the 
Phyfician,  leaft  he  kill  Men  5  nor  the  School- mailer,    leaft  he  delude  andcorrupt 
them  :  And  therefore   that  there  ihould  be  fome  able  Men  appointed  to  try  and 
judge  who  are  fit,  before  they  are  admitted.    I  think  God's  Law  of  Nature  requi 
reth  this  as  evidently,  as  the  written  Law  requireth,  that  none  be  Minifters  without 
fccclefialtical  Ordination,  or  Approbation  ;  and  in  cafe  there  be  many  of  equa'  fit- 
nels,  all  muft  be  admitted,  except  they  be  too  many  (which  is  norfeen  there  neither 
tor  Nature  multiplied  not  the  moft  noble  Parts,  as  it  doth  the  the  Fingers    or  the' 
Hairs,  &c.)  And  if  there  be  too  many,  the  Judges  muft  Determine  who  fta'll  be  the 
Man.  Yet  the  fame  Law  of  God  in  nature  doth  as  evidently  teach,  that  if  either  the 
Tryers  and  Judges  be  all  dead  or  gone,  or  envioufly  refolve  to  approve  of  none 
but  iuch  as  are  Ignorant  or  Wicked,   that  would  Poyfon  and  Kill  the  People    it  is 
Lawful  and  the  indifpenfible  Duty  of  men  as  are  able,    to  offer  themfelves  for 
Pra&ife  to  the  People  without  the  Judges  Confent,  rather  then  the  Peftilence  mould 
fweep  them  away  for  want  of  a  Remedy.    And  there  hath  fcarce  yet  been  found 
fuch  an  Enemy  to  Mankind,   that  would  forbid  fuch  Men  to  five  Mens  Lives   for 
want  of  Approbation  :    Or  if  there  were  many  at  once  in  an  Infe&ed  City' that 
were  thus  able,  they  would  rather  let  all  Pra&iie  that  have  opportunity,   or  let  the 
People  go  to  whom  they  pleafe,   then  to  forbid  all ,   under  pretence  of  the  difficul- 
ty <  of     difcerning     the    fitted.      As    fcarce   any   thing   is    more     Inhumane 
againft  Nature,  then  to  prefer  a  Conimiffion  or  other  Formality,  or  point  of  Or- 
der, before  Mens  Lives   and  Common  Good  ;    (which  is  finis  Reipublica)   fo  it  is 
yet  more  Inhumane,  as  well  as  Unchriftian,  and  againft  the  evident  Law  of  Nature 
and  the  main  fcope  of  Chrift's  Merciful  Dodrine  and  Example,  (who  often  neg- 
lected Formalities  to  fave  Mens  Lives  and  Souls,   though  to  the  Difpleafirre  of  the 
Pharifes)  for  a  Man  to  prefer  a  Formality  or  point  of  Order,  before  the  Saving  of 
Mens  Souls,   and  the  publick  Good  and  Safety  of  the  Church,  but  of  this  before. 
f .  If  in  cafe  of  the  want  of  a  lawful  Magiftrate,  or  of  fuch  as.  they  may  law- 
fully ufe  for  Judgments,  the  People  may  determine  of  an  individual  Perfon,  whom 
God  mall  Authorize,  though  Scripture  Name  no  Individual  of  this  Age,  then  they 
may  do  lb  alfo  in  regard  of  the  Miniftry.     But  the  former  is  true.    Ergo,  1.  Elfe 
we  Ihould  have  no  Magiftrates  in  the  World  fcarce,  but  by  violent intrufion,  which 
is  worfe  than    popular  Election.     2.  1  Qor.  6.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5.     Paul  would  have 
the  Corinthians  to  choofefome  of  the  Church  of  the  Saints,  to  judge  between  man 
and  man  concerning  the  things  of  this  Life,  whereabout  they  were  wont  to  go  to 
Law  before  Heathen  Judges.    This  is  plainly  to  the  Office  of  a  Magiftrate,  at  Jeaff, 
quoad  partem  Judicialem,  tho  not  quoad  violentam  executionem.     They  were  to  choofe 
a  wile  Man,    that  fhould  be  able  to  judge  between  his  Brethren,  verfe  y.   The  con- 
fequence  is  grounded  on  this,   that  the  Scripture  meddles  no  more  with  the  Indivi- 
duals for  Magiftracy,  then  for  Miniftry  j  nor  gives  ordinarily  the  power  of  choofing 
Soveraigns  to  the  People  in  the  Common-wealth,  then  the  Power  of  Ordaining  Mini- 
ftersto  the  People  of  a  particular  Church,  and  the  People  may  determine  of  one  as 
well  (though  not  foealily)  as  of  the  other  ;  but  I  fpoke  fbmewhae  of  rhis  alfo  before 
to  another  Point.     I  have  tranigrefled  the-lirnks  of  the  part  of  a  Refpondent  on 
tiias  point ,  1.  Becaufe  I  know  ic  is  Light,  and  not  Formality  of  Proceeding  that 
you  exped  (though  it  be  formality  before  Light  and  Safety  that  you  plead  for.-J 
2.  Becaufe  1  know  that  the  whole  ftrefs  of  your  Caufe  lyeth  on  this  Point ;    and 
I  doubt  not  to  fay.  that  if  I  anfwer  you  well  in  this  one  Argument,  which  you  make 

E  y&ur 


33 


34 


A  <P T  E  N  V  I  X.       Numb.  {I. 


your  Second,  Ieafily  carry  the  whole  Caufe.  To  what  you  add  concerning  Autho- 
rity, I  confefs,  that  it  is  not  thefame  thing  with  Fitnels,  &c.  but  1  lay,  it  may  be 
conveyed  fine  vicariu  Epifcopis.  2.  I  deny  that  any  Church-Guides  are  in  point  of 
Government  vicarii  Cbrijtt.  They  are  neareft  it  as  Nuncii,  and  Co  may  Befeech  and 
Require  in  Chrift's  Name  and  Stead;  but  they  are  no  more  h  is  vicarii,  den  (he 
Magiftrate  is  of  the  Soveraign.  They  are  not  Troreges ;  nor  do  they  reprefent  h.is 
Perfon.  They  have  not  that  Power  which  they  convey  to  others,  firft  in  them- 
felves  to  convey  (at  leaft  in  ordinandi*  pares)  but  are  only  media  applicandi  legem  ad 

perfonam. 

Ad  2m.  To  your  Third  Argument  I  anfwer,  Invaders  of  the  Minifterial  Office 
may  unjuftly  take  Encouragement  hence-,  but  no  juft  Encouragement  is  given  them. 
The  belt  things  are  Occafions  of  encouraging  Men  in  Sin,  e.g.  Gods  Mercifulness, 
Chrift's  Satisfaction,   the  Preaching  of  Free-Grace,  &c.    To  your  Queftion,  if 
this  be  fufficient,  why  do  we  not  give  them  the  Right  Hand  of  Fellowlhip  ?  I  an- 
fwer, They  defpife  orneglect  God's  Order,  and  therefore  deferve  not  the  Hand  of 
Fellowlhip.    If  God  bid  them  (go  and  work  in  his  Vineyard)  but  for  Order's  fake 
(go  in  at  this  Door,)  he  that  will  not  go  in  at  this  Door  is  a  difbbedient  Servant, 
and  not  to  be  owned  till  he  reform.     But  if  God  himfelf  do  nail  up  this  Door, 
there  needs  no  exprefs  Difpenfation  for  our  not  going  in  at  it ;    for  nemo  tenetur  ad 
impojjibtle  (nifi  ipfe  fit  Cau/a  culpabilts  impoffibilitatts  :)    Nor  is  it  necclfary  that  it  be 
exprefled  that  (we  go  in  at  another  Door)  for  the  Command  of  going  to  labour 
in  the  Vineyard  is  not  abrogated  by  the  locking  up  of  that  Door  ;    feeing  as  it  was 
opened  nonut  fiat  opus  directly,  fed  ut  fie  fiat  \  16  it  is   nailed   up  non  ne  fiat,  fed  ne 
fie  fiat ;  and  therefore  the  Command  requires  us  to  go  in  at  another.    If  by  Law 
every  Phyfician  that  Pradiceth  in  London,  mult  be  approved  by  the  Colledge,  he 
defervesto  be  puniihr,  and  not  taken  for  a  Phyfician,  that  will  profefs  and  pra&ice 
it  without  the  Approbation  of  the  Colledge  j  and  every  wife  Patient  will  fear  leaft 
he  be  Confcious  of  fuch  Unworthinefs,  as  that  he  dares  not  venture  a  Tryal,  or  at 
the  belt,  he  is  a  difobedient  Subjecl.    But  if  the  Colledge  of  Phyficians  be  dead  or 
diflblved,  any  worthy  Man  may  profefs  and  practice  without  their  Approbation, 
and  as  the  Law  of  Nature  binds  him  to  do  Good,  fo  the  Obligation  that  limited  him 
is  ipfio  facto  dilfolved,  cejfknte  materia;  where  you  fay  that  (this  exrream  neceffity  is 
their  Cafe).     I  sniwer,  Nothing  more  untrue  :  They  flight  and  defpile  Ordination  ; 
they  may  be  ordained  if  they  would  fiibmit  themfeives  to  tiyal,  if  they  be  found 
fit  :  But  they  will  not.    Their  falfe  Imaginations  create  no  neceffity ;    but  a  necef- 
fity of  laying  them  by,  and  receiving  the  Truth,  which  is  impofedon  them  by  God  ; 
or  if  they  will  ca'l  it  a  Neceffity  th  it  is  impoled  on  them  by  their  Error,  it  is  but  a 
Neceffity  of  not  being  ordained  while  they  judge  it  finful  (which  yet  is  none,  be- 
caufe  they  are  ftill  bound  to  lay  by  that  Conceit)  but  not  a  Neceffity  of  being  Mi- 
fjifters  in  the  mean  time  without  it  :  Befides  that,  as  it  is  a  Neceffity  of  Sufpenfion 
and  Forbearance,  and  not  of  Acting,  io  it  is  themfelves  that  are  the  culpable  Caufe 
of  it :  andexcuha  propria  nemini  debet nr  commodum.     If  Vaux  think  he  muft  blow  up 
the  Parliament,  and  Kavailliack  that  he  muft  Itab  a  King,    doth  this  neceffitate 
them  ?  Such  a  Neceffity  as  every  wicked  Man  brings  on  himfelf  of  finning  by  a 
Cuftom  in  Sin,   which  aggravates,  and  not  excufeth  his  Fault,  which  is  evident 
when  the  Gafe  is  made  plain  by  God,  and  only  their  Negligence,  or  finful  Prejudice 
hindcreth  them  from  Recovery  out  of.  their  Error  :  For  the  (Grant)  that  youdefire, 
I  fav  I  am  loath  to  yield  thatChriit  hath  no  known  Miniftry  on  Earth,  that  I  may 
keep  out  Invaders.    To  your  Cafe  about  Apoftacy,  I  anfwer,  There  are  many 
other  Cafes  that  may  neceffitate  an  Entrance  into  the  Miniftry  without  Ordinati- . 
on;  belicies  univerfal  Apoftacy.     1.  So  great  an  Apoftacy  as  was  in  the  Arrian  Pre- 
vaiency.     2.  Such  unlawful  Ingredients  as  are  in  the  Rornifh  Ordination.     3.  The 
Dearh,  or  the  violent  Prolcriprion  of  the  Ord^iners  in  one  Kingdom.    For  if  all 
that  are  found  to  work  in  the  Vineyard,  to  fcxercile  the  Miniftry,  muft  but  go  to 
another  Land  for  ir,  Poverty,  Weaknefs,  Magiftrates  Prohibition  may  fo  reftrain 
them,  that  not  oneof  a  Hundred  could  enrer  when  God  doth  by  the  Churches  Ne- 
ceffity caii  to  it.     Much  lets  could  ail  the  World  travail  for  Orcfaination  to  fbme 
Corner  of  the  Earth.     As  for  the  Churches  Officers  which  you  mention,  that  went 
along  in  Reformation,  it's  true  of  Presbyters  ;  they  were  the  Leaders ;  but  fo  few 
„,Bi&ops  our  of  England,  that  the  Reformed  Churches  were  forced  to  go  on,  with- 
out their  Ordination.  But  to  this  Day,  there  is  a  neceffity  of  Preaching  without  Or- 
dination, by  legitimate  Church  Guides,  in  many  Parts  of  the  World  ;  and  I  doubt 
not,  but  it  is  the  great  Sin  of  many  that  it  is  negle&ed.    I  fuppofe  did  you  confider 
well  but  the  Sence  of  the  Law  Natural,  and  Supernaturally  revealed,  you  would 
f  not 


Numb,  ii.       A  <P  <P  E  NV-1  X.  '■■/ 

not  be  io  inclinable  to  turn  Seeker,  nor  to  -ex  peel  new  Miracles  Aortic  fotoT 
relations  upon  the  Suppofition  you  make ;  and  for  all  your  Words  if  k  came  m 
the  Practice,  I  do  not  believe  that  you  have  io  hard  a  Heart,  fo  unmerciful*  N? 
ture,  as  to  leave  this  one  Nation  much  lcfi  ail  che  World,  to  that  apparent  daneer 
ot  Everlafting  Damnation,  and  God's  publick  Worfliip  to  be  utterly  caft  out  iff 
can  but  prove  that  the  Succeffion  of  Legitimace Church  Ordination  is  interrupted 

r  •  4r;TT0,y°S"r  F(?U,rth  £r§ument>  l  anlwer>  I  am  as  far  from  believing  Impo- 
fition of  Hands  eiiential  to  Ordination,  as  any  of  the  reft.  The  Bi/hop  that  was 
laft  lave  one  in  this  Diocefc  was  io  lame  of  the  Gout,  that  he  could  not  move  his 
Hand  to  ones  Head,  and  though  his  Chaplain  did  hisbeft  to  help  him  yec  1  could 
not  well  tell  whether  I  might  call  it  Impofition  of  Hands  when  I  faw  it  •  Yet  I 
never  heard  any  on  that  Ground,  iufped:  a  nullity  in  his  Ordination  J  Not  do  I 
think  thafca  Bilhoplofeth  all  his  Power  of  Ordination  if  he  lofe  his  Hands,  or  the 
Motion  of  them.  i.  Impofition  of  Hands  was  an  old  Currom  in  a  Superiors  A£t 
of  Benediction,  or  fetting.a  part  to  Office  and  conveying  Power,  and  not  newly 
inftituted  by  Chrift,  but  continued  as  a  well  known  Sign,  and  therefore  not  of  fucn 
Neceffity  as  you  imagin.  2.  The  End  will  (hew  much  the  degree  of  Neceffity. 
If  it  be  evident  that  the  End  was  but  the  Solemnizing  of  the  Work  by  a  convenient 
Ceremony,  then  it  is  not  eilential  to  Ordination  or  Authorizing  :  But,  &e.  Ergo, 
2-.  God  did  not  lay  fuch  a  i^reO  on  Ceremonies,  no  not  under  the  Ceremonial  Law' 
no  not  on  the  great  initiating  Sign  and  Seal  of  Circumciiion,  without  which,  Men 
were  entered,  and  continued  in  his  Church  for  Forty  Years -in  the  WilderneiL 
Your  Argument  is,  (Chrift  hath  revealed  to  his  Church  that  it  is  his  Mind  or  Will 
that  his  Church's  Officers  be  fet  apart  by  Impofition  of  Hands :  Ergo,  It  iollow- 
eth  that  Impofition  of  Hands  is  neceifary  and  eftential  to  their  Separation).  Anlw. 
Negatur  feqmla  :  It  follows  a  pracepto,  only  that  it's  neceifary  Necejfuate  'pracepti, 
and  if  you  will,  Necejjitate  tnsdu,  if  you  fpeak  not  of  abfblute  Neceffity  adeJfeOrdi- 
nationu,  but  a  lower  Neceffity,  as  of  a  mutable  means,  and  ad  bane  ejje.  Do  you 
think  this  is  good  arguing  ?  (The  Holy  Ghoft  hath  revealed  it  to  be  the.  Will  of 
Chiift,  that  a  Biihop  muft  be  blamdefs,  and  having  faithful  Children,  and  be  not 
loon  angry,  Jit.  1.  6,  7.  One  that  ruhth  well  his  own  Houfe,  having  his  Children  in  ftib- 
jtBion  with  all  Gravity,  1  Tim.  3.  4,  f,  6.  Ergo,  It  is  eilential  to  a  Biihop,  to  have 
faithful  Children  to  be  blamelei^not  to  be  (don  angry,eK.)  O,  whit  an  interrupti- 
on then  is  made  in  the  Succeffion  !  or  is  chis  good  arguing?  (!t  is  the  Will  of  Chrift 
that  a  Chriilian  mould  not  ipcak  an  Idle  Word  :  Ergo,  He  that  fpeaks  an  idle  Word 
is  not  a  Chriilian).  .Next  you  iuppofe  your  felf  queftioned  (How  you  know  that  ie 
was  Chrift's  Mind  and  Will,that  Impolltion  of  Hands  fhould  be  u fed  in  the  Ordina- 
tion of  Miniiters?)  and  you  confeis,  1.  That  you  (have  neither  expreis,  nor  im- 
plicite  Command  for  it.)  2.  But  conclude,  that  Chrift's  Mind  may  be  otherwiie 
known  ;  I  confefs,  I  like  this  PaiTage  worfe  than  all  the  reft  of  your  Writing.  1. 
I  can  find  both  implicite,  end  in  a* large,  fenfe  explicate  Commands  for  it  in  the 
Word  of  God,  1  Jim.  5.  22.  Heb.  6.  2.  \~Tim.  4. 14.  at  leaft  an  implicite,  that  is 
unqueftionably  plain.  2.  If  you  had  confefled  as  readily  only  this,  that  there  was 
no  Word  of  God  implicite,  or  explicite  to  prove  the  Eftentiality  of  Impofition  of 
Hands  to  Ordination,  then  I  mould  have  believed  you:  But  you  will  needs  do 
more,  and  do  much  to  deftroy  the  very  Duty  of  Impofition,  while  you  are  plead- 
ing ic  fo  effential  (fo  unhappy  are  extream  Gourfes,  and  fo  Jure  a  way  is  overdoing 
to  undoing)  :  Yet  with  me  you  give  n"p  the  Caufe  of  the  fuppofed  Eflentiality  in 
difclaiming  Scripture  Precept,  implicite.  3.  I  perceive  it  is  your  Judgment  that 
there  are  Duties  effential  to  Ordination,  and  confequently  without  which,  in  your 
Judgment,  there  is  no  Miniftry,  and  no  Church,  which  have  no  Command  in 
Scripture,  no  not  fo  much  as  implicite  :  And  confequencly,  tbac*  Scripture  is  not 
God's  only  Word  for  revealing  fupernaturally,  or  his  iufficient  Law  for  obliging  to 
Duties  of  univerfal  (landing  neceffity  ;  but  he  hath  another  Word  called  Traditi- 
on, which  revealeth  one  part  of  his  Mind  as  the  Scripture  doth  the  other,  and  ano- 
ther Law  obliging  as  aforefaid.  This  is  the  great  Mafter  Difference  between  the 
Reformed  Churches  and  the  Romanifts ;  of  which  fo  much  is  (aid  by  Whittakcr, 
Chamier,  Baronius,  and  Multitudes  more ;  that  it's  meerly  vain  for  me  to  meddle 
with,  it :  For  I  take  it  for  granted,  that  you  would  not  venture  to  di/claim  the  Re- 
formed Churches  in  this  Point,  till  you  had  well  read  the  chief  of  their  Writers : 
That  were  to  venture  your  Peace  and  Safety,  to  fave  you  a  Labour :  At  leaft,  I 
hope  you  have  read  Chillwgwortb.  Yet  I  muft  tell  you,  that  fome  moderate  Papifts 
confeis,  that  the  written  Word  containeth  all  things  of  abfolute  neceffity  to  Salva- 
tion :  but  I  doubt  you  do  not  fo;  for  I  think  you  will  fay  that  ordinarily  there  is 
'  J  E  2  no 


35 


$6  AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.       Numb.  II. 

no  Salvation  vMthoat  the  Church  and  Miniftry,  and  no  Miniftry  without  Ordina- 
tion, and  no  Ordination  without  Impofition  of  Hands,  and  nolmpoiition  of  Hands 
by  any  Scripture  Command,  fo  much  as  implicice.  Yea,  it  leems  you  take  not  up 
this  Courfe  on  any  ftrongly-apparent  Necoliuy,  when  iiich  Cafes  as  this  will  put 
you  on  it ;  and  you  are  fb  willing  to  make  the  Scripture  fi'.ent,  where  itipeaks  plain- 
ly, that  you  rnayprove  a  neceffity  of  another  Word.  I  do  confefs  the  neceffity  of 
Tradition  to  deliver  us  fafe  the  Scripture  it  (elf,  the  Cabinet  with  the  Treasure,  and 
the  certainty  of  Tradition  infeconding  Scripture  by  handing  down  to  us  the  Arti- 
cles of  our  Creed,  and  Subftance  of  Chriftianity,  in  and  againft  which,  the  Church 
cannot  err  in  fenju  compofito,  becaufe  fb  erring  unchurcheth  it:  But  this  will  not 
prove  the  neceffity  of  another  Law  befuies  the  written  Law,  for  it  is  opus  Jubordma- 
tum  :  'It  is  not  the  part  of  a  Law,  nor  belongs  to  it's  iufficiency  to  publilh,  pro- 
mulgate, or  conferve  it  felf.  But  it  belongs  to  it's  Sufficiency  to  conuin  all  the 
ifanding  matter  of  Duty,  in  Specie,  where  the  Species  is  permanently  due,  and  in 
gewrs'only  with  Directions  for  determining  of  the  Species,  when  the  (aid  Species 
is  of  uncertain,  unconftant,  mutable  Duenels :  He  that  (aith  a  Duty  of  fb  great 
and  ftanding  neceffity,  is  not  fo  much  as  implicitely  commanded  in  Scripture, 
doth  plainly  fey,  that  befides  the  Scripture,  which  is  iniufficienr,  God  hath  either 
another  more  perfect  Law  for  Supernatural,  or  elfe,  another  part  to  add  to  the 
Scripture  to  make  it  perfect.  Your  Addition  mollifieth  the  Matter  in  Terms,  bu*t 
I  doubt  fcarce  in  Senle,  for  when  you  fay  that  (the  Texts  where  Impofition  of  Hands 
is  fpoken  of  commented  upon  by  the  univerfal  Pra&iceof  the  Church  from  the  firft 
Age,  till  this  wild  exorbitant  lail  Century,  feems  a  clear  Evidence  what  the  Will  of 
Chrift  is,  &c)  I  very  much  like  the  Words  and  Senfe  which  they  in  propriety  ex- 
prefs,  viz,.  That  in  a  Matter  of  Fad,  where  Scripture  is  obfeure,  the  Practice  of 
the  firft,'  fecond,  or  third  Centuries  may  be  an  excellent  Commentary;  that  is,  a 
help  to  underftand  them;  much  more  the  Practice  of  the  univerfal  Church  in  all 
Ages.  But  I  muft  tell  you,  that  it  is  not  the  Work  of  a  Commentary  on  the  Laws 
exprefly  to  add  fucfa  Piecepts,  about  matters  of  fuch  very  great  Concernment,  as  is 
the  very  being  of  the  Republick/  which  are  neither  exprefly,  or  implicitly  in  the 
Law  it  felf,  I  muft  judge  therefore,  that  you  make  the  Churches  Practice  a  real 
Law,  though  you  thought  meet  to  give  it  but  the  Title  of  a  Comment.  And  I  fcarce 
approve  of  your  comparative  Terms  of  the  Centuries  as  bad  as  this  is  ?  What !  hath 
this  Century,  which  hath  been  the  only  reforming  Age,  been  worfe  than  that 
before  it ,  whole  Corruptions  it  reformed  ?  and  worfe  than  that  of  which 
Beliarmine  faith,  Hoc  feculo  nullum  extitit  indotltus  vel  mfxlicim  quo  qui  Mathema- 
tics aut  Vhtlofophia  operam  dabat,  Magm  -vulgo  putabatur :  and  that  of  which  Ef* 
pencam  faith,  that  Grace  nojee  fujpeclum  fuerity  Hebraicum  propi  Hotreticum  ?  What 
worfe  than  the  four  or  five  foregoing  Centuries,  wherein  Murderers,  Traytors, 
common  Whoremongers,  Sodomites,  Heceticks  were  the  pretended  Heads  of  the 
Church,  ant!  grofly  ignorant,  fuperftitious  and*  wicked  ones  were  the  confpicuous 
part  of  the  Body.  Will  you  appeal  from  this  Century  to  thole?  Did  you  not  even 
now  confers,  that  (it  is  admirably  worth  ourConfideration  that  when  God  ftirred 
up  the  drowzy  World  to  depart  from  Howe's  Superftitions  and  Idolatries,  he  bowed 
the  Hearts  of  fcme  of  the  Church- Officers  to  go  along  With  them)  Rome  then  was 
idolatrous.  We  departed  from  it,  God  ftirred  Men  up,  and  bowed  their  Hearts 
thereto:  I  confefs  you  may  fay  as  much  for  the  proving  of  the  Univerfal  Churches 
Practice,  In  this  Point,  as  in  moft,  it  bcing'of  conftant  and  folemn  ufe,  and  none 
that  I  know  of,  that  ever  oppofed  it.  But  if  you  hold  this  univerfal  Practice  to  be 
the  other  part  of  Gods  Law,  and  do  lay  any  thing  much  on  it  in  other  Points, 
efpsciaily  in  Doclrinals,  I  would  advife  you  to  get  better  Proof  of  the  Univerfali- 
ty  than  others  ufe"  to  bring,  who  go  that  way.  As  the  Romilh  Church  is  not  the 
the  Univerfal,  nor  the  Romifh  and  Greek  together,  fo  the  Opinion  of  four  or  five, 
or  more  Fathers  is  no  Evidence,  of  the  Judgment  of  the*  univerfal  Church  :  Till 
they  are  better  agreed  with  themfelves  and  one  another  ;  it  is  hard  taking  a  view  of 
the  Judgment  of  the  Church  univerfal  in  them,  in  controverted  Points.  Till  Ori- 
gen,  Tertullian,  &c.  ceafe  to  be  accounted  Hereticks  ;  till  Firmilianus,  Cyprian,  and 
the  Council  of  Carthage  be  better  agreed  with  Stephen  Bifhop  of  Rome,  till  Kuffinus 
ceafe  to  be  a  Heretick  to  Hierom,  and  nnny.  the  like  Difcords ;  it's*  hard  feeing 
the  Face  of  the  Church  univerfal  in  this  Glafs.  I  was  but  even  now  reading  in 
Hierom.  where  he  tells  Aufim,  that  the  e  were  qua  Jam  Haretica  in  his  Writings 
againft  hg»r ;  when  yet  ro  the  impartial  Reader,  the  an<*ry  Man,  that  morofus  Senex, 
had  the  unfbunder  Caufe.  As  long  as  tTie  Writings  of  Clem,  Alexandr.  Origen,  Tati- 
anm.t  pretended  Djom(it4sy  Latlantius,  with  fb  many  more,  do  tot  erroribus  fcatere, 
as  long  as  many  Councils  have  fo  erred,  and  Council  is  a  great  Council,  and  (ome 

things 


Numb.  IL        A  T  T  E  N  T>  I  X. 

things  are  impofed  by  them,   under  the  terrible  Pennak7nf  A„    w' — "T. 

which  Rome  it  felf  doth  take  unlawful  to  be  obferved,  thefe are  Jt  r  "JatJZing> 
of  the  Mind  of  Chrifr  or  the  univerfal  C^^i^^^**** 
what  abundance  of  Errors  in  Hiftory  he  chargeth  upon  Epptn^Zd  JZ  V 
I  fuppofe  you  to  have  read  DailU,  and  the  Lord  Die*,  on  this-  vet  thh.k  n  i ^t 
<  would  deleft  from  the  ducEftimarionof  the  F«h£f  or  CouncUs  or  & >£*  * 
ceffity  of  Tradition  to  the  ufe  which  I  have  expreffed  in  th ^Pr  f^to Te  t^ 
part  or  my  Book  of  Refi.    But  1  know  not  well  in  the  matter  of  NTnr  ?      ,.Second 

m'T  in  Z  thK6  5T  ?*'  N,0t  rftad|^  *  "Boo\Tof  He ^3?°^ 
Man  Ihould  obey  both  the  former  Councils,  and  the  prefent  Church  of  Wk 
felf;  yea,  or  how  in  matter  of  giving  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  tc Tin 

ants,  and  other  things  the  prefent  Church  and  the  former  do  agree     And  I  LnW 
know,  whether  it  was  not  the  Praaice  of  that  which  you  call  the  u'nivtrfal  Chur  h 
then,  which  the  following  Ages  did  alter  and  contradici:.    But  all  this  part  of  the 
Anlwer  is  but  occafiohal  as  to  your  Amplifications,  and  not  to  the  matter  under  de 
bate.    I  further  anfwer  you  therefore,  that  the  univerfal  Practice  of  the  Church 
doth  prove  no  more  but  that  it  was  done,  and  therefore  by  them  judged  a  Evitv 
to  be  done,  and  fo  not  to.be  omitted  while  they  could  ufe  it:   all  which  I  grant 
you.     I  am  not  one  that  would  have  Ordination  ufed  without  Impofition    but  in 
caleot  neceffity:  But  it  follows  not  from  all  this,  that  it  is  effential  to  Ordination  • 
luppole  a  Church  mfhtute  a  new  Ceremony,  that  every  Bifhop  ordained  fhall  have 
a  Helmet  on,  to'  fignify  that  he  muff  fight  valiantly  as  a  Captain  under  Chrift    and 
the  Ordainer  mutt  lay  his  Hands  on  this  :    If  I  can  prove  that  it  hath  been  the 
univerfal  Praaice  of  the  Church  in  nudum  apertum  caput  manus  imponere,  doth  it  fol- 
low that  this  is  effential,and  the  contrary  null  ?If  you  ask, what  neceffity  'there  can  be 
of  Ordination  fine  manum  lmpofitione  ?  I  anfwer,  very  great  and'  ordinary  :  viz,  ut 
abfentes  ordtnentur  ;  for  want  of  which  the  Church  hath  PufFered,  and  may  "fuffer Ve- 
ry much.     When  a  Man  is  in  remote  Parts  of  the  World,  and  perhaps  too  fcrupel- 
ous  of  playing  the  Bifhop  without  Ordination,  if  he  mult  travel  over  Land  and  Sea 
for  Ordination,  his  Life  may  be  gone,  or  moft  of  it  fpenr,  while  he  is  feeking. Au- 
thority to  ufe  it  for  his  Matter.    If  a  few  only  of  the  Ordainers  wese  left  in  a 
Country,  or  in  many  Nations,  and'thofe  imprifoned  or  forced  to  hide  themfelves, 
they  might  by  an  Inft rument  under  their  Hands  Ordain*  when  they  could  not  at 
all,  or  to  one  of  a  hundred  by  Impofition  of  Hands.    Bat  yet  all  this  is  but  the 
leaft  necelfary   part  of  my  Anfwer  to  your  Argument.    To  your  Confequence 
therefore,  I  anfwer  by  denying  it :  If  the  Succeffion  be  interrupted,  what  neceffity 
is  there  that  the  next  muft  come  in  without  Impofition  of  Hands, what  fhew  offuch 
a  Confequence  ?  May  not  the  illegitimate  Ordainer  imponere  manus  ?  Or  may  he  not 
h'imfelf  enter  by  I  npofition  of  Hands,  and  yet  be  illegitimate,  and  his  Calling  null? 
If  you  think  not  only  Impofition  to  be  effential,  but  alfo  that  nothing  elfe  is  effen- 
tial, or  that  all  are  true  Minifters  that  are  ordained  by  a  lawful  Bifhop  per  manum 
impojitionem,  then  do  you  egrioufly  ttbi  tpfi  imponere.  Suppofe  a  lawful  Bifhop  fhould 
ordain  a  Man  into  an  unlawful  Office,  as  to  be  the  univerfal  Bifhop  ;  or  mould  or- 
dain a  known  Heathen  to  be  a  Bifhop  by  Impofition  of  Hands ;  were  not  this  null? 
Yea,  and  many  a  lower  cafe  (as  in  cafe  of  Symony,  &c.)  if  Councils  be  of  any 
Authority.    Here'then  the  Succeffion  is  interrupted,  and  yet  this  Man' may  Ordain 
others  by  Impofition  of  Hands :  Suppofe  in  the  cafe  of  Pope  Joney  the  Succeffion 
interrupted  tor  want  of  a  capable  Sex,  and  yet  fhe  might  Ordain  by  Impofition  of 
Hands.    Lafily,  I  anfwer,  This  Argument  can  pretend  to  prove  no  mope  than  the 
former,  That  Ordination  is  effential  to  the  Call  of  the  Miniftry :   Ergo,  So  far  as 
that  is  diiproved,  ib  far  is  this.    And  indeed,  it  had  been  ftronger  arguing  a  Ne- 
ceffitate  Ordmationis  ad  necejfitatem  impofitionis  manuum3  than  e  contra  j  becaufe  all  Argu- 
ing fhould  be  a  Notiore ':'  But  fure  the  Neceffity  of  Impofition  of  Hands  is  minus  no- 
turn,  then  the  neceffity  of  Ordination:  Many  a  Thoufand  will  yield  that  Ordinati- 
on is  effential  (I  believe)  that  will  not  yield  it  of  that  Impofition. 

Having  done  with  all  that  I  find  in  this  Paper,  I  add*  this  crofs  Argument  for  the 
enervating  of  all  (or  if  you  will  of  your  Second,  which  is  all).  If  your  Argu- 
ments do  tend  as  well  to  prove  the  abfolute  Neceffity  of  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion 
quoad  modum,  as  to  every  Mode  and  Circumftance  in  Ordination,  which  the  Apo- 
itles  have  required  as  due,  without  exprefs  Difpenfation  for  Omiffion,  as  of  legi- 
timate Ecclefiaftical  Ordination  it  felf ;  then  they  are  unfound.  At  <verum  prim  : 
Ergo,  The  Antecedent  is  proved  thus :  The  full  Strength  of  all  your  Arguments  is 
here.  Chriit  or  his  Apoitles  (or  the  Church  fince)  have  mentioned  no  other  way 
of  Conveying  Minifterial  Power,   but  by  Ordination  and  Impofition  of  Hands : 

Ergok 


37 


tf 


AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.      Numb.  II. 

Erioy  There  is  no  other  way  ;  and  this  is  neceftary  ad  cff  Often  ;  As  irrongly 
may' we  argue  for  any  Mode  or  convenient  Circumftance  (b  required  or  uled.  As 
Chrift  or  his  Apofties  mention  no  way  of  Ordination  or  of  conveying  the  ivlinitte- 
rial  Power,  but  with  Prayer  conjunct,  or  but  with  Impofitionof Hands  on  ttye  bare 
Head,  or  but  in  the  Syriack,  Hebrew,  Greek,  or  Latin  Tongues,  or  hut  on  a  Man 
that  is  vigilant,  fober,  and  of  good  Behaviour,  &c.  Ergo,  There  is  no  other  way  :  * 
Ergo  This  is  of  abfolute  Neceffity,  ad  ejje  Officii.  But  this  is  no  good  arguing ;  Er- 
go No  more  is  yours.  It  is  as  bad  as  if  one  had  thus  argued  with  the  ijraelites  in 
the  Wildernefc.  (God  hath  mentioned  no  other  way  of  Covenant  Engagement, 
or  Church  Entrance,  but  by  Circumcifion  :  Ergo,  there  is  no  other.  Ergo,  this  is 
neceffary  ad  ejje  feeders  in  Ecckfia.)  They  are  no  good  Juris  Conjulti  Chrijliam}  t.  e. 
Theology  that  know  not  that  fome  Cafes  muft  be  judged,  and  (ome  Laws  in- 
tei  preted,  *$  wmxepp,  whidh  yet  is  but  according  to  the  true  Senfe  of  that  Law ; 
as.  Chrift  taught  the  Pharifes  in  the  Cale  of  David,  the  Priefts,  and  hisDifciples 
rubbing  the  Ears  of  Corn.  .   ..  j    ,       ±  ,  / 

1  conclude  all  as  1  begun,  defiring  that  if'  this  latisiy  you  not,  you  would  perform 
ihdirther  Parts  of  your  Undertaking,  before,  or  with  your  Reply  to  this,  and 
Mime  not  me,  who  am  pait  all  doubt  of  an  Interruption  of  Succeffion  in  a  great 
part  of  the  Churches,  efpecially  of  the  Romifli,  and  uncertain  of  a  Non-interrup- 
tion in  any  Church  on  Earth,  and  defpair  of  ever  I  ing  certain,  to  be  as  loath  to 
yield  that  Chiift  hath  no  Church  Ministry  or  Minifterial  Ordinances,  or  at  leaft 
none  in  fo  large  a  part  of  the  prcfefled  Church,  or  that  we  are  uncertain  whether  he 
hath  any  at  all ;  as  you  are  loath  to  yield  to  the  immediate  fVuthorizing  Efficacy  of 
the  Law,  or  to  the  Sufficiency  of  the  Magiftrates,  or  Peoples  Mediation  in  cafe  of 
neceffity,  or  to  an  Occafion  of  encouraging  Ufurpers  of  the.  Miniftry. 

•Tertullian  de  Baptifmo,  Cap.  17. 

Superefi  ad  comludcndam  ma$eriolam  de  obfervatione  quoque  dandi  &  accipiendi  Baptif- 
mum  commonefacerp.  Dandi  quidem  jus  habet  fummtts  Sacerdos,  qui  efi  Epifcopus  :  De- 
hinc  Fresbyteri  &  Diaconi  j  non  tamen  fine  Eptfcopi  authoritate  propter  ecclefi*  bonorem  : 
quo  falvo, '  falva  pax  efi.  Alioquin  etiam  laicts  jus  efi.  Quod  enim  ex  aquo  accipitttr, 
ex  aquo  dari  potefi,  niJiEpifcopi  jam  aut  Fresbyteri,  aut  Diaconi  vocanter,  dicentes,  Domi- 
ni [ermonon  debet  abjcondi  ab  ulio.  Vromde  &  baptifmtn  eequh  Dei  cenjust  ab  omnibus  ex- 
erceri  potefi  :  Jed  quanto  majis  Laicis  dijciplina  verecundih  &  modefita  incumbit,  qum  ea 
■  majcribtts  competat,  ne  Jibi  adfumant  dicatum  Epifcofi  officium  Epifcopaius.  vs£mulatio 
(chifmatum  matur  :  Omnia  lifcere  dixit  JantliJJimus  Apoftolus,  Jed  non  omnia  expedite. 
Sufficiat  fcilicet  in  neceffitatibus",  ut  Maris,,  Jicubi3  aut  loci,  aut  temporis,  aut  per/on*  con- 
ditio compellit.  Tunc  enim  confiantia  fuccurrentis  excipkur,  quant  urget  circumftantia  perr- 
cl'itantis.  Quoniarn  rem  erit  perditi  homints  Ji  fupcr  federit  prafiare  quod  libere  potuit. 
Tetulantia  autem  mulitrum  qua  ujurpavit  docere,  utiq\  non  etiam  tingendi  jus  Jibi  parieta 
&c  Had  there  been  here  no  mention  of  the  Epifcopal  Office  or  of  teaching,  the 
Arguments  would  hold  for  it  a  fortiore.  Chrift  hath  put  Baptizing  in  the  Apofto- 
Hcal  commiffion,  appropriating  that  to  them,  as  much  as  the  reft.  Yet  whether 
all  this  of  Tertullian  be  approvable  I  now  difpute  not.  But  here  you  fee  the  way  of 
Antiquity,  vide  Pamelii.  annotat.  in  he.  v.bi  fimilia  citantur  ex  Ambroji,  Clem.  Confiitut. 
Hieronymoj  Efjlario,  Jfulcro.  And  it  is  not  only  the  Papifts  that  are  ftill  for  Womens 
baptizing  in  cafe  of  Neceffity  (Pameliu*  would  force  Tertullian  to  their  Senfe,  con- 
trary to  the  whole  Scope  of  his  Words)  but  many  other,  and  that  very  long  ago, 
and  Lay- men  were  wont  to  preach  in  the  Church  then,  how  much  more  (as<ts£de- 
fius  and  Frumentius)  among  Infidels,  Concil.  Carthag.  4.  alias  5.  Can.  98.  Laicus  pr£- 
fentibus  clericis  niji  ipfis  rogantibm  Docere  non  audiat.  Origen  did  ufually  expound  the 
Scriptures  publickly,  before  he  was  ordained,  and  was  encouraged  in  it  by  the  Bi- 
shops themlelves,  of  which  Baronius  himfelf  fpeaks  in  thefe  Words  (ad  annum  Chri- 
Jti  250.  pag.  3 77 .)  Licet  nondum  Presbyterii  gradu  potius,  ab  Epifcopis  qui  ibi  erant,  non 
ad  dtfyutandum  Jolumt  fed  ad  Scripturas  etiam  apperiendas,  magnopere  in  cemmuni  Eccle- 
fia  confejju  rogatus  efi.  Quod  quidem  poterit  ejje  perjjncuum  ex  its  qua  Alexander  Hierofe- 
lymorum  Epijcopus  &  TheoBi/lus  Epifcopus  Cafari*  ad  demetrium  in  Origenis  defenfione  Jic 
fere  refj)ondebant.  Quod  autem  in  litiris  adjunxeris,  nunquam  antea  auditum,  neque  jam 
ufurpatum  ut  Laid  prafentibus  Epijcopis  dtfputarent,  Scripturafq'y  exponerent ;  in  eo  mibi 
nefc.10  quomodo  widens  perjpicue  falfa  dixijje.  Nam  ubi  idonei  &  habiles  reperiuntur,  qui 
Fratribus  i§  verbo  Dei  adjumento  Jint,  a  Janclis  Epijcopis  rogantur,  ut  Populum  in  verb 0 
infiituant :  ficnt  Larandis  Evclpts  a  .Neone,  Iconii  Paulmus  a  Celfo,'&  apud  Synados  Tbeo- 
dorus  ab  Attico,  qui  omms  beati  &  pii  Ft  aires  erant.     At  verifimik  eft  quamvis  nobis  ob- 

fcurum 


Numb.  II.      ~A  T  T  E  N  tTTx 


fcurum  &  mtntmi  cognitum  fit  illud  item  in  a  I  us  locis  fieri)  ha  ilU 

might  expound  Scriptures,  and  teach  publickly  and  ordinarily  in  the  Prefei 

the  Biihop    and  baptize  in  cafe  of  neceOity  (as  Tend.)  how  much  more  mav  they 


39 


neceflity.  This  is  the  confident  Opinion  of  the  generality  of  Proteftams.  The 
Lutherans,  Helvetians,  and  many  others  fay,  a  regular  Call  is  by  Magiftrates,  Mini- 
iters  and  People;  yet  that  it's  valid,  ifonepartf.il:  Lege  Forb's  Defence  of CaL  L 
28.  fag.  60.  voet.  defperat  cauf.  fag.  266,  267.  Johan.  Dartis  de  Hierarch.  Ecclef.  p. 
10.  To  conclude,  as  it  feems  Matthias  and  the  other  Apoftles  were  ordained  with- 
out Impofition  of  Hands,  (6  Gregory  Thaumaturgus  was  ordained  by  Phadimus  both 
againft  his  Will,  and  when  he  was  diftant  three  Days  Journey  ;  as  Gregory  Nyfen 
faith  in  his  Orat.  de  Vita  Thaumat.  when  Gregory  avoided  the  Hands  of  the  Biftop, 
he  by  Prayer  an \  folemn  Words  fets  him  a  part  to  the  Priefthood,  &  Leo  Minn's 
lmpofitionis  Gregorio  adhibet  Sermonemf  Deo  Conferens  eum  qui  Corf  ore  coram  non  adeffet, 
&  iliam  et  Civ  it  at  em  deft  mans  atque  attribuens  quamcontigerat,  &c-)  This  NyJJ'en  fpeaks 
of  as  true  Ordination,  and  the  Form  fhews  that  it  was  a  conffiruting  him  in  thac 
Office,  Biihop  of  Neocafarea:  though  Baronius  finding  this  Pinch  upon  his  Caufe, 
would  fain  perfuade  us  that  this  could  yet  be  no  Ordination  till  afterwards  when  he 
came  in  and  (iibmitted  to  the  Solemnities  (Baron,  in  An,  23;.  p.  407, 408 .)  we  wilt 
not  contend  about  the  Word  Ordination,  but  it  was  an  authoritative  Coniecration 
to  God  as  a  Biihop,  and  a  Conftitutine  him  over  that  Church  by  Prayer  and  fo 
lemn  Words  of  Coniecration.  And  it  ieems  Apollos,  and  many  others  preached  in 
the  Apoftles  Days  without  Ordination.  But  our  Divines  having  dealt  fo  much  with 
the  pa  pills  on  this  Subject,  I  fuppoieyou  may  iee  more  in  their  Writings,  than  you 
can  expert  from 

Sept.  9.  16^3  Tour  Brother 

and  Fellow  Servant, 

Rich.  *Baxtei\ 


Mr.  Johnfons  Second  Letter  to  Mr.  Baxter. 
S  I  R, 

I  Have  hereenclofed  fent  you  back  the  Papers  which  I  borrowed  of  you,  and  I  have  been  fa 
fcrupelous  in  fending  them  back  exatlly  the  fame  as  they  were  firft  fer.t  to  you,  that  1 
Lave  not  fo  much  as  mmded  fome  Errata  which  I  obferved  (in  the  Copying  them  over)  to 
have  fiipt  my  Pen  when  I  wrote  them  firft, 

I  have  fince  I  received  my  own  Papers,  perused  the  Anfwet  which  you  make  to  them^ 
hut  what  I  am  like  to  return,  I  cannot  guefs :  Fur  I  cannot  yet  tell  whether  you  have  fat  if. 
fied  my  Arguments  or  'act.  This  I  know,  and  jhall  not  be  afhamed  to  confefs,  that  if  you 
have,  I  have  not  yet  V/it  enough  to  under  ft  and  you.  But  before  I  will  fay  you  have  n0t, 
I  will  a  little  more  confider  your  Anfwer,  and  try  my  own  Reafon  a  little  farther.  Only 
this  I  will  venture  to  fay  in  the  mean  time,  that  if  I  can  any  whit  fudge  of  my  own  Heart, 
I  never  etnytired  more  mbiaffedly  after  any  Truth,  than  I  do  after  this  prefent  Queftion  J  and 
therefore  1  do  not  doubt,  but  if  Light  be  before  me,  I  fhall  at  length  .fee  it,  though  for 
the  vrefent  it  be  hid  f rem  me  :  For  as  I  faid  (if  I  know  my  own  Heart)  lean  ftneerely  fay, 
that  in  this  Queftion  I  could  be  well  ar.tent  to  find  the  Truth,  though  it  ran  crofs  againft 
every  Line  in  my  own  Papers.  Bui  1  mu/t  needs  confefs,  if  1  have  Truth  on  my  fide  m  thus 
Qucjtion,  and  after  the  moft  diligent  Examination  which  I  can  make,  it  fhall  (till  appear 
that  to  plead  for  an  uninterrupted  ^itcc^ijhn  be  of  abfolute  neceffity  for  the  juftifyitig  of  our 
Mmifiry,  I  (hall  never  dilute  the  other  Matters  with  the  like  indifferency.  For  in  this 
combat  I  could  be  content  to  take  a  foyl,  and  it  is  in  a  manner  all  one  to  me,  whither  of  us 
get  the  better.  But  in  the  other  matters  which  I  am  after  to  proceed  upon,  I  have  many  temp- 
tations before  me  to  be  afraid  of  owning  Truth,  if  I  (hould  meet  wtth  her  out  of  my  own 

Quarters, 


"  .  1 1      II  ,     I 

40  AT  T  EN  V  IX.       Numb.  II. 

m  1  ■  -        -  -      .  —  1  ■        

Quarters.  And  therefore  befide  the  Fains  which  it  will  cofi  me  to  discharge  the  Task,  the 
very  Fear  which  I  JhaU  be  tn  leaft  Ijhould  mifcarry  in  the  Managing,  makes  me  more  than 
willing  to  take  a  Superfedeas  here.  But  if  this  cannot  be  done,  you  Jhall  have  the  reft 
which  1  promifed,  performed  in  the  fame  order  as  your  felf  have  ftipulatedt  viz.  before  I 
make  any  Reply  to  yours,  I  jhall  endeavour  to  difcharge  the  three  other  Particulars  which  re- 
mainhhind,  and  all  in  due  time  from, 

SI  R, 

Wamborn,  OM.  6.  Your  Fellow-labourer, 

1653. 

and  Enquirer  after  Truth, 

M .  Johnfoti* 

For  my  Reverend,  &c.  very  worthy  Friend,  Mr.  Baxter,  Minifter 
of  the  Word  at  Kidderminiftert  Thefe. 


Mr.  Johnfon'j*  Third  Letter  to  Mr.  Baxter. 

SIR, 

<|N  my  late  Letter  which  I  fent  you,  I  told  you,  That  I  could  not  refblve  my 
'1  felf  whether  you  had  anfwered  my  Arguments  or  not,  but  intended  to  try  my 
c  own  Reafon  a  little  farther,  before  I  would  lay  pofitively  that  you  had  not.    And 

*  now  upon  further  Confideration,  I  return  you  this  to  your  whole  Difcourfe  :  1. 
c  Whereas  you  fay  to  my  firft  Argument  that  it  was  neceffary  for  our  Englifh  Bi- 
c  jhops  to  prove  an  interrupted  Succeffion  againft  the  Papifts,  becaufe  they  might 
'  thereby  argue  ad  hominem  more  ftrongly  againft  them.  I  anfwer,  That  fuch  learn- 
«  ed  Men  as  I  have  had  the  luck  to  meet  withal,  do  not  intend  their  Arguments  or 
'  their  Pains  to  any  fuch  end,  and  I  prove  that  fufficiently  thus.  Becaufe  they  that 
'  do  ufe  fiich  kind  of  Replies  do  ufually  frame  their  Anfwers  thus :  1.  That  there  is 
'  no  neceffity  of  fuch  a  Succeffion.  But,  Secondly  s  If  there  was  a  neceffity,  yet  the 
'nullity  of  our  Calling  would  not  follow,  becaufe  we  can  prove  fuch  a  Succeffion. 
1  But  fay  I,  the  learned  Authors  which  I  have  hitherto  met  withal,  have  no  fuch 
r  Conceffions :  And  becaufe  you  feem  often  to  hint  fome  fuch  thing,  I  defire  you 

*  would  point  me  out  to  fbme  Englilh  Bilhop,  who  having  written  about  this  Sub- 
'  jecT:,  do  concede,  that  a  Succeffion  in  Office,  or  a  Succeffion  of  legitimate  Ordi- 

*  nation  is  not  neceffary.  And  I  do  the  more  confidently  require  this  from  you,  be- 
*Dr.jZai>*  caufe  I  have  it  from  *  one  who  is  much  better  acquainted  with  Authors  than  my 
mond  in  hisc  felf,  that  the  Socinian  Faction  were  the  firft  that  ever  owned  that  Affertion.  And 
six  flue-  t  }$•  ^e  ^  able  to  make  good  what  he  faith,  you  gain  as  little  Credit  by  abetting  fuch 
"M».P-3*7.c  a  Faction  as  they  are,  in  your  AfTertions,   as  we  get  by  abetting  the  Papifts,  while 

*  we  plead  for  the  quite  contrary. 

*  But  Secondly,  Whereas  you  deny  the  Confequence,  and  tell  me  that  all  which 
'  they  thought  neceffiary  is  not  neceffary,  they  being  not  infallible.  I  anfwer,  that 
'  you  lay  more  ftrefs  upon  my  firft  Argument  than  I  intended  :  For  I  never  intend- 
'  ed  to  argue  thus :  That  therefore  it  was  infallably  neceffary  becaufe  they  thought 

*  it  neceffary,  but  that  it  was  a  good  inducing  Motive  to  perfuade  that  it  was  a 
'  matter  of  more  cojnfequence  than  your  Papers  made  of  it,  flnce  learned  Men 
4  took  fo  much  Pains  about  it:  And  though  this  indeed  will  not  extend  to  a  De- 
'  monftration,  yet  it  may  ferve  as  far  as  I  intended  it,  viz,,  as  far  as  an  Argument 
1  will  reach,  drawn  only  from  that  inartificial  Topick  a  Teftimonio,  which  you  know 
'  in  all  contefts  is  familiarly  ufed,  and  not  to  be  rejected  if  the  Teftees  be  Men  of 

*  Worth  and  Learning.    And  if  fo,  then  this  Argument  will  Hand  good  fo  far  as 

*  it  will  ferve,  or  was  intended,  notwithftanding  any  thing  that  hath  been  (aid  to 
e  the  Contrary. 

'To 


JNumb.  U.       jpP  TEN  ©TX"  — 

«  To  the  Second  Argument,  Whereas  you  doubt  notTolaTTTnTtT^oT^^ 
me  wel  ,n  this,  you  carry  the  whole  Caufe  afore  you.  I  ihail  fo  k  JSfr  vo, 
as  to  acknowledge  that  you  have  fufficiently  anfwered  it,  th,ugh  I  mK>  oro 
fefs  that  I  cannot  find  wherein  you  have  given  a  formal  an4r  to  it  X*£ 
Apex,  or  the  Quick  of  the  Argument  (as  you  are  pleafed  to  phrafe  it)  was  hid 
down  ,n  this  Propnfition  [That  there  is  no  where  in  Scripture  fuch  a  Form  £ 
Words  as  thefe.  [That  they  that  are  thus  and  thus  qualified  may.  Preach  the 
Word.]  Now  to  this  you  anfwer,  That  there  is  ^oadfenfum.  -And  I  reply* 
That this  willfervemy  turn,  if  you  do  bur  make  it  our ;  Butlfay,  that  I  cannot 
find  ,t  in  your  Papers  You  urge  fix  Particulars  prefently*  from  whence,  I  fuPPofe, 
.you  intend  to  do  ir.  But  at  length,  yourfelf  fall  bef.de  the  Queftion  in  the  wind- 
r£2  them  UP«,  F°r  whereasyou  lay,  that  .the  Form  in  the  Law  was  not  onfehus  • 
LI  hat  they  that  Preach  the  Word  muff  be  thus  and  thus  qualified  ;]  hue  [That 
they  that  are  thus  and  thus  qualified  may  be  appointed  to  Preach  the  Word  ]  i 
think  you  are  befide  the  Qfteff  ion.  For  I  did  not  engage  you  to  prove  that  thee 
were  in  Scriptuie  fuch  a  Form  of  Words  as  this :  [Bur:  rimy  tnat  are  thus  and  tjius 
Qualified  Ih^ll  he  appointed  to  Preach]  but  [  That  Men  thu>  and  thus  qualified  mav 
Preach  the  Word,  or  have  in  being  lo  qualified,  Autho.  ity  to  preach  the  Word.'] 
betwixt  which  two  Propositions  1  conceive  there  h  much  Difference;  it  is 
one  thing  to  fay,  [That  they  that  are  thus  and  thus '' quaiiii.-d  may  be  appoint- 
ed, that  is,  may  have  Authority  given  themao  preach  <he  Word.],  And  it  is  a 
far  different  thing  to  fay,  [That  they  that  are  thus  and  thus  qualified  may  p.;  each 
or  have  de  facto  Authority  to  Preach,  b^ing  ib  qualified,  j  And  b-i-g  uied  as 
Mediums  in  a  Syllogifm  will  produce  very  deferent  Conditions.  For  Example, 
Suppofe  we  could  find  fuch  a  Form  of  Words  in  Scriptuie  as  thefe,  [That  they 
that  are  thus  and  thus  qualified  may  preach  the  Word  :]  And  make  this  ihs  Major  \n 
the  SyllogifmThen  any  fingle  Perfon  or  InAvvUuum  as  couid  infallibly  trame  himfeif 
into  the  AlTumption  thus,  [But  1  am  tbuf  and  thus  qualified  j  might  infallably  al- 
io make  out  his  Commiflion  to  preach  into  this  Condufion:  Ergo.,  I  have  Autho- 
rity to  preach  the  Word.  .  And  without  any  thing  to  do  with  further  Ordination 
might  piefently  go  about  the  Work:  The  Word  giving  him  his  Commitfion,  and 
I  confefs  were  there  fuch  a  Form,  would  be  a  (ufficient  Medium  to  convey  Au- 
thority as  a  fufficient  Difcovererof  the  Will  of  God  concerning  fuch  an  Individu- 
um.  But  then,  if  there  be  only  fuch  a  Form  as  this ;  [They  that  are  thus  and 
thus  qualified  mall  be  appointed  to  Preach  the  Word  :]  Then  any  fingle  Perfon  or 
InJtviJuu?rj,  having  fidr  fitted  himfelr  incothe  Minor  thus,  [But  1  amthusandthus 
qualified]  could  make  no  other  Conclufion  but  this :  Ergo,  1  may  be  appointed  to 
Pi  each  the  Word  ;  which  Conclufion,  as  I  never  did  deny,  fo  it  is  little  Advan- 
tage for  you  to  have  proved  :  For  the  QiiefHon  is  not  whether  the  Word  doth  di- 
rect whofhail  be  appointed  to  Preach:  But  whether  the  Word  doth  immediately, 
by  an  immediate  Application  of  fbmething  immediately,  by  an  immediate  Appli- 
cation of  fbmething  in  its  felf  to  an  Indwiduum,  conveigh  Authority  into  that  ln- 
etwiduum  to  Preach,  fo  as  there  mall  be  no  need  of  further  appointing  or  commit 
fioning  from  Church- Officers :  which  it  would  have  done  if  there  had  be.m  fuch  a 
Senie  in  the  Word  as  1  required.  But  no  fuch  matter,  though  there  ihould  be 
fuch  a  Senfe  as  you  produce  :  For  I  cannot  yield  that  which  you  conceive  we  are 
both  agreed  in;  viz,.  That  when  the  Word  hath  defcribed  the  Qualifications  of 
the  Minifter,  that  then  there  is  no  more  to  do  but  to  difcern  or  judge  who  is  the 
the  Man  that  hath  thofe  Qualifications;  for  though  the  Bi (hop  Ihould  judge  fuch 
or  fuch  an  Indivtduum  to  be  fitly  qualified  for  the  Miniiiry,  as  difcerning  the 
Qualifications  which  the  Word  requires  in  him  ;  ,yet  till  he  hath  by  Impofition  of 
Flands,  Faffing  and  Prayer,  let  him  a  part  for  the  Work,  he  is  yet  no  Miniirerto 
my  underftanding,  whatever  he  may  be  to  yours. 

4  But,  Sir,  1  confefs,  though  you  have  not  formalitur  anfvvered  this  Argument, 
yet  you  have  given  me  fb  much  Light  from  your  moft  excellent  Difcou-fe  which 
you  make  from  your  tjuinto  to  the  End  of  this  Second  Arguments  Reply,  that  I 
can  anfwer  it  my  felf.  And  therefore  I  fhall,  as  Ifaid  at  the  beginning,  acknow- 
ledge that  you  have  both  fatisfied  it,  and  my  own  fcrupuious  Mind  about  this 
Queftion .:  And  I  do  fully  confent  with  you,  that  though  the  Succeflion  of  Or- 
dination might  be  interrupted,  yet  we  may  draw  cur  Authority  from  Chrifl  by 
the  Mediation  of  the  written  Word,  or  indeed  by  the  very  Law  of  Nature,  *hich 
was  a  thing  I  confefs  I  had  not  (as  your  felf  feems  to  tax  me)  duely  cWidered. 
But  now,  having  well  weighted  what  Strefs  both  Laws  lay  upon  all  Men  to  do 
what  aood  they  can  when  they  have  an  Opportunity  and  there  be  a  neceflny  of 
&  F  '  their 


4i 


42  ATTENVIX.       Numb.  II. 

*  their  Help.  I  do  not  doubt  but  a  Man  may  have  a  fi.ifn.ient  Difcovery  of  the 
«  Will  of  Chrift  calling  him  out  to  Duty,  and  by  Confluence  giving  him  iiiflici- 
«  ent  Authority  For  that  Work,  though  he  may  want  the  regular  entrance  into  it. 

*  And  therefore  lince  I  fee  a  way  to  juftify  the  Miniftry,:mdto  derive  our  Authori- 

*  ty  fromChrift,though  the  Succeflion  mould  be  interrupted  (though  alfb  irf the  mean 

*  I  think  allthe^Men  alive  may  be  defied  to  make  full  Proof  either  that  the  Succei- 
'fionever  was,  or  ever  fhall  be  interrupted)  i  fhall  neither  trouble  you  nor  my 

*  felf  any  farther  about  a  bufinefs  to  fb  little  purpofe.     But  fuperceding  from  all 

*  the  reft  of  my  promifejj  Task  fhall  only  add  lomeching  concerning  your  Reply  to 

■  my  thirdArgument ;  and  that  is  this  :To  myQueftion  that  I  make  in  the  Behalf  of 

*  the  Invaders  of  our  Office,  why  we  Clamour  16  much  againft  them,  why  we  give 
c  them  not  the  Right  Hand  of  Fellowfhip  ?  you  anfwer,  We  do  not,  we  may  not 
c  give  them  the  Right  Hand  of  Fellowfhip,  becaufe.they  come  not  into  the  Vine- 
c  yard  by  the  Door.  But  I  Reply  from  your  own  Principles  that  it  is  for  them 
c  morally  impoflible  to  come  in  by  the  Door,  the  Door  to  them  being  by  Provi- 

.      c  dence  nailed  up:    The  Men  which  you  call  Church  Officers  being  either  fuch  as 
'  will  not  give  them  a  Commiffion,  or  fuch  as  they  dare  not  take  a  Commiffion 

*  from  as  conceiving  them  not  lawful  Minifters,  and  becaufe  they  cannot  have 
'  their  Orders  from  them  falvci  conjeientia,  it  becomes  impoflible  to  them,  quia  orn- 

*  ne  turpe  &  inhoneflum  eft  impojfibile.  And  fo,  though  you  fay,  nothing  is  more  un- 
'  true,  yet  to  me,  nothing  feems  more  evident,  than  that  the  cafe  of  extream  Ne- 
'cefluy  is  their  cafe.  The  Anabaptilr  for  Example;  he  cannot  be  ordained  by  a 
'  Biihop,  he  dare  nor,  becaufe  he  judges  the  very  Order  to  be  Antichriftian  :  The 

*  Presbytery,  if  he  have  any  better  Opinion  of  them,  yet  they  think  fb  ill  of  him, 

*  that  they  will  not  give  him  Orders.     Either  therefore,  though  he  be  never  fo  well 

*  qualified  for  the  Work,   he  muff  take  his  Call  from  the  Company  of  Brethren, 

*  or  he  mull  take  it  upon  his  own  dimming  the  Qualifications  in  himfelf,  or  he 

*  mult  not  Preach  at  all,  though  he  feerthe  Church  of  Chrift  have  never  fb  much 

*  need  of  his  Heip.Now  if  you  fay  that  in  fuch  a  Cafe  a  Man  may  not  bury  hisTa- 

■  lent  when  the  Church  hath  need  of  his  Help,  and  he  an  Opportunity  to  give  it; 
'  but  he  may  either  take  it  upon  himfelf,  or  the  People  may  be  the  Judges  to  call 

*  him  out  to  it,  or  the  Magiftrate  either.  Then  they  have  the  fame  Authority 
f  which  we  muft  have  if  the  Succeflion  be  interrupted,  and  the  Door  of  the  Vine- 
1  yard  nailed  up  by  Providence:  and  fo  their  Authority  feems  built  upon  your  owa 
'  Principles.    Now  to  all  this  if  you  fay,  that  it  is  their  Error  to  be  Anabaptifts,  and 

*  it  is  their  Error  to  Judge  the  vifible  Miniftry^f  England  to  be  no  Church- Offices, 

*  and  that  it  is  their  Duty  to  quit  themfelves  of  thele  Errors,  that  they  may  be  in  a 
(  r.,™™™  rrt  rpreivp  Ordinations,   and  the  Presbvterv  in  a  Caoacitv  to  Ordain 


1  being  faid,  doth  not  abfoive  them  from  the  cafe  of  extream  Neceflity  which  I 
r  (peak  of.  An  erroneous  Confcie nee  binding  as  ftrongly  as  a  found  ;  and  an  Er- 
'  ror  appearing  Truth,  lays  as  great  a  Neceflity  upon  the  Party  to  frame  his  Pra- 
'  ftife  to  it  as  Truth  :  And  fo  the  Neceflity  becomes  ffili  as  importunate.  Me- 
'  thinks   this  Anfwer  which  you  give  may    be  made   by  Papifts  to  us  Prote- 

•  ft an<s,  and  by  the  Epifcopal  Party  to  you  Presbyteries,  when  we  tell  the  Papifts, 
f  that  we  dare  not  take  Orders  from  them,  or  the  Presbyterian  tells  the  Epifcopacy 

*  that  they  dare  not  take  Orders  from  them  :  How  eafily  may  the  Papifts  fay  to  us, 


.  jje&  that  Neceflity  which 
f  lies  upon  us  of  refufing  Orders  from  the  Papifts :  or  if  the  Presbyterian  cannot  re- 
1  jecTc  the  Impoflibility  that  lies  before  them  of  taking  Orders  from  the  Prelates 

*  whilft  their  Conciences  tells  them  they  may  not.     Why  may  not  the  Se&ary  upon 

*  as  good  Ground,  and  as  juftifiable  Principles  refufe  Orders  from  the  Presbyterian, 
f  and  plead  as  ftrongly  a  moral  Impoflibility  and  a  nailing  up  the  Vineyards  Door 

*  by  Providence,  whilft  their  Confciences  tells  them  they  may  not;  and  fo  baulking 
'  thofe  that  we  call  Church- Officers  enter  as  regularly  into  the  Miniftry,  or  at  leaf): 

*  as inconfutably  as  any  other  Men,  if  theSucceflinn  be  interrupted ?   And  there- 

*  fore  I  cannot  think  that  you  have  anfwered  this  Argument,  except  the  two  firfl 
'  Lines  contains  it ;  where  you  fay,  Thar  the  beft  things  may  be  made  ufe  of  asOc- 
f  canons  to  encourage  Men  in  Sin,  &c.  becaule  I  think  that  there  is  much  Truth  in 
'  that,  and  that  the  Inconvenience  which  this  Argument  hath  hanged  upon  that  Af- 
f  fertion,  is  but  iucommodum  per  accident,  which  nuy  be  fattened  upon  mod  of  the 
'  Truths  of  God  ;  I  faperfede  likewiie  in  that-Anfwer  to  my  third  Argument.    As 

lfox 


Numb.  II.       ATTEN  TTTJt 

<  for  my  Fourth  Argument,  I  confefs  it  w» sfrivoloufly  ^R^i^i^Q^^ 

*  on,  and  I  have  wondered  at  my  felf  how  I  came  to  hook  it  in  under  the  or*efent 

*  Debate  ;  and  therefore  I  will  return  you  nothing  to  what  you  havefaid  againft  it  • 

*  But  giving  you  many  Thanks  for  that  Help  which  you  have  held  out  to  my  Un- 
■  demanding  towards  that  weighty  Queftion  of  jultifying  the  Calling  of  the  Mini- 
c  ftry  ;  I  befeech  the  Almighty  long  continue  your  Life  to  the  Advantage  of  his 
c  Church.  And  this  done,  without  further  Ceremony,  I  bid  you  farewell,  and  reft 


Wamborne,  Nov.  9. 


Tour  Fellow  Labourer 

in  the  G$el  of  Chrift, 


M.  Johnfori 

For  my  Reverend,  &c.  very  worthy  Friend,  Mr.  Baxter,  Minifter 
of  the  Word  at  Kidderminifier,  Theie. 


43 


Mr.  Baxter*/  Second  Letter  to  Mr.  Johnfon. 

Reverend  Brother, 

r  Know  not  whether  I  am  more  glad  of  your  Satisfaction,  or  forrowful  that 
'  1  you  will  needs  fupercede  the  Task  which  you  undertook.    I  Confefs  it  is  a  La- 

*  bour  which  I  apprehend  would  be  ufeful  to  me  many  ways  j  but  a  ftrong  Conceit 
f  of  the  Impoffibility  of  performing  it,  did  flack  my  Defires :   But  now  you  tanta- 

*  lize  me,  expreffing  here  a  higher  Confidence  of  the  Feafeablenefs  of  your  Work 
r  than  before,  (in  your  defying  all  the  World  on  the  contrary)  :  So  that  I  mull  again 

*  renew  my  fuit  to  you,  that  you  would  perform  that  Work,  and  prove  de  fatfo  an 

*  uninterrupted  Succeffion.    I  profefs,  it  is  for  my  own  Edification  that  1  defire  it  j 

*  and  if  you  fufpect  whether  it  be  to  cavil,  or  enter  a  Quarrel  with,  you  miftake 

*  me.    Such  a  Difcovery  would  difpatch  leveral  Difficulties  with  me  in  feveral 

*  ControVerfies. 

'  As  for  your  Animadverfions  laft  fent,  I  mail  reply  to  the  fubftance  of  them  in 
'  brief.  1.  The  Firft  I  conceive  little  worth  the  infilling  on,  becaufe  firft  you  con- 
c  fels  it  is  but  a  Motive  to  induce  you  to  think  there  is  weight  in  the  Point.    2.  Be- 

*  cauie  if  there  were  any  thing  in  it,  the  contrary  Judgments  of  all  the  Learned  Di- 
c  vines  of  France^  Bet^ia  ,  upper  Germany ,  Helvetia ,  Denmark,  Sweeden,  Scot- 
1  land,  Tranfilvania,  Hungary,  with  a  great  part  of  the  Englifh,  who  are  againft 
r  the  neceffity  of  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion ,  is  as  ftrong  a  motive  to  an 
'  unprejudiced  Man,    as  is  the  Judgment  of  the  Bifhops  of  England  alone.    But 

1 1.  It  is  a  known  Cafe  paft  all  doubt,  that  the  Englifh  Bifhops  oppofed  the  Pa- 

*  pifts  in  this  Point,  till  of  later  Years ;   and  to  name  you  more,    what  need  I, 

*  when  you  know  I  named  you  (o  many  in  my  Book  ?  To  all  which  add,  That  even 

*  the  late  exafperated  Epifcopal  Divines,  whereof  forrie  haVebeen  fiffpecied  of  halt- 

*  ing,  do  yet  confefs  the  Truth  of  the  Reformed  Churches  and  Miniftry  that  have 

*  no  Bifhops ;  as  doth  Dr.F<r»,Dr.  Stewart's,  Anfwer  to  Fountain's  Letter,Bi(hop  Brom- 
'  ball  againft  Militerius,  who  yet  would  have  the  Pope  to  be  principium  Unitatis  to 
■  all  the  Church.  I  do  not  think  you  can  find  one  of  twenty  that  wrote  againft  the 
1  Papifts  before  the  late  King's  Reign,  or  the  Treaty  of  the  Spanifh  Match,  but  were 

*  all  againft  the  Papifts  in  this  Point  of  the  neceffity  of  uninterrupted  Succefllon 
'  (if  they  medled  with  the  Point). 

?  Ad  21"".  The  Realbn  why  you  faw  not  a  Formal  Anfwer  in  my  Words,  I  con- 
'  ceive  was  yourOverfight,  you  took  no  notice  of  the  Force  of  my  Anfwer.  You, 
c  required  this  Proportion  to  be  proved  from  Scripture  [They  that  are  thus  and 
cthus  qualified  may  preach  the  Word]  I  told  you  it  is  contained  in  this  which  is 
'  in  Scripture  [  Men  thus  and  thus  qualified  {hall  be  appointed  to  preach 
( the  Word.]  Here  you  overlook  the  Strength  of  my  Anfwer,  which  is  in  the 
'  Word  [(hall,']  and  you  not  only  obfcure  the  Emrihafis,  but  change  the  Word 
c  and  put  [may]  for  [{hall.]  Here  is  contained  a  Precept  comprehen five  both  of 
'the  Preacher's  Work,  and  the  Ordainers  conjunctly.     Now  all  my  Bufinefs  was  to 

*  fhew  you  that  as  in  this  there  are  more  Precepts  than  onc/o  that  fecandum  materiom 
'  fubiellam\tey  have  not  the  fame  Degree  of  Obligation  ;  and  that  though  God  do 

•'    \  F  2  '  lay 


44  "'"  AT  y  £  N  £>  f  X       Nmi)  >.  li. 

lay  down  together  his  Lfiw.both  de  re  &  de  modopf  theWork^and  the  Order  of  en- 


*  obliged  by  riie  other  part :  So  that  while  Ordination  may  be  had,  this  ties  fuch 
'  to  fiibmit  to  it,  and  makes  it  neceftary  as  Gods  Order ;  and  then  the  whole  Pre- 
'  cept  comprehenfive  obligeth  :  But  when  it  cannot  be  had,  or  the  Ordainer  will 
e  not  obey  his  part  of  the  Precept,  the  other  ftands  in  force  nevertheleis  to  the  other 

i  Party; 

4  The  Words  [Men  thus  qualified  Jhall  be  ordained]  hath  thefe  two  Precepts  in  it. 
'The  Firft  in  Order  and  Weight  is  [Men  thus  qualified  JhaU  preach  the  Word.] 

*  The  Second  fubfervient  is,  [They  fhail  (or  Jims  gratia)  be  ordained  hereto]  He  that 
f  is  wilfully  the  firft  Divider  of  thefe  Conjunct  Precepts  finneth.  Either  the  Man 
c  that  will  Preach  without  fubmitting  to  Ordination,  when  it  may  be  had  ;  or  the 
'  Ordainers  that  will  not  Ordain  the  Orthodoxy  otherwife  well  qualified.Eut  feeing 
f  the  Word  [Jhalf]  in  the  forelaid  Precept,  doth  create  a  double  Neceflity,  but  far 
c  unequal,  [there  JhaU  be  Preaching]  and  [Ergo,  there  JhaU  be  Ordaining]  ic  fol- 
'  loweth  from  the  inequality,  that  when  one  cealeth,  the  other  doth  not  ergo  ceafe ; 
'  and  (b  when  Ordination  cannot  be  had,  the  Proposition  which  you  expected,  re- 
'  maineth  alone,  which  before  was  conjunct  with  another.  [Men  thus  qualified  JhaU 
'  Preach :]  This  was  the  Summ  of  my  Aniwer,  which  I  do  repeat  verbos*  mrmum 

*  becaufe  you  overlooked  it  the  laft  time. 

'  But  you  add,  [I  cannot  yield  that  which  you  conceive  we  are  both  agreed  in  ;* 
'  viz,.  That  when  the  Word  hath  defcribed  the  Qualifications  of  the  Miniiier,  that 
'there  is  no  more  to  do ,  but  to  difcern  and  judge  who  is  the  Man  that  hath 

*  thefe  Qualifications :  For"  though  the  Bifliop  mould  judge  iiich  a  Man  fit  for  the 
'Miniftry,  as  difcerning  the  Qualifications  which  the  Word  requires  in  him,  yet 
«  till  he  hath  by  Impofition  of  Hands,  Falling  and  Prayer,  fet  him  apart  for 

*  that  Work,  he  is  yet  no  Minifter  to  my  Underltanding,  whatever  he  may  be  to 

*  yours.]  To  this  I  reply  j  i.  I  take  the  Form  of  Ordination  to  lye  in  the  Au- 
'  thoricative  Appointment ;  and,  God  having  defcribed  the  Perlbn  by  his  Quali- 
f  fications,  I  take  the  formal  nature  of  this  Appointment  to  lye  only  in  [the  deter- 
'  mining  judgment]  who  ihall  be  the  Man  :  For  [whether  there  mall  be  a  Man  ap- 
'  pointed  or  not]  God  hath  not  left  to  Man's  Judgment ;  nor  yet  [what  manner  of 
e  Man,  for  Qualifications,  he  (hall  be] :  If,  Ergo,  the  lawful  Ordainers  fay,  [We 
f  do  by  the  Authority  given  us  of  God  judge,  i.  e.  fentence  or  determine  ,  that 
«  confideratu,  confidtrandu,  this  is  the  Man  that  is  qualified,  and  fo  called  of  God  to 
f  be  the  Pallor  of  this  Church  ;  and  Ergo,  require  you  in  the  Name  of  Chrift,  to 
f  accept  him,and  fubmit  to  him  ;]chis  Man  is  ordained  my  Judgment,yea,though  this 
«  Determination  be  but  in  Writing.  So  if  it  be  direded  to  the  Miniiier  himfelf : 
f  (which  goes  firft)  [we  do  by  the  Authority  given  us  of  God,  Judge  thee  called  to 
'  he  Ofhce  of  the  Miniftry ;  and  Ergo,  require  thee  to  undertake  ic]  By  called  I 
c  mean  ex  pane' Dei,  by  Qualification,  Confent,  Opportunity,  &c.  which  go  be- 
'  fore  Ordaining. 

'  Now  what  do  you  yet  want  ad  ejje  Mimfiri  ?  You  mention  but  two  things,  i. 
c  Impofuion  of  Honu?.  2.  Fafting  and  Prayer:  (For  fetting  a  part  is  done  by  the 
'  former  Authoritative  Determination)  But  i.  Impofuion  you  anon  deny  to  be  fo 
'  neceflary,  in  disclaiming  your  laft  Argument ;  which  you  feem  here  to  forget. 
'  2.  Faffing  and  Prayer  is,  no  doubt  a  mean  Accident,  or  Duty  fitly  conjoined,  but 

*  nor  of  the  ElTence  of  Ordination!  think  few  Men  living  will  fay,that  if  the  Law- 
1  Ej  &dainer  do  all  the  reft  of  the  Work' befides  Prayer,  that  it  is  no  Ordination  ; 
'  Pra\  er  is  one  thing  (requifite  ad  bene  e£e)  and  Ordination  another.  And  forFaft- 
'  mg,  I  cou(d  not  learn  tliat  thofe Bifhops  that  I  knew  did  always  obferve it  ;^but 

*  whea  the  Ordination  was  before  dinner  time  (as  it  ufually  was)  and  the  Bifliop 
'  went  prefently  from  Ordination  to  his  Feaft  ;  that  was  not  the  Fafting,  I  think, 
''which  jyou.meafc.  But  how  are  you  fatisfied  that  we  may  derive  our  Authority 
f 'immediately  from  the  Law,  if  there  were  no ,  Succeffion  ?  and  yet  think  him  no 
<  Minider  ingc  liath  the  determinating  Sentence  of  the  Ordainer's.  Appointing  him  to 

*  the  Work,  for  want  of  Impofition  of  Hands,  Prayer  and  Fafting. 

c  Ad  i™.  I  marvel,  that  on  fo  very  flight  Grounds,  you  think  that  [nothing  is 
r  more  evident,  than  that  the  cafe  of  extream  Neceflity  is  their  cafe]  who  invade 

*  the  Miniftry  among  us  now  !    I  told  you  that 'N«wi»i  debitur  Comma dum  ex  propria 

*  culpa,  (as  the  Civil  Law  faich)  I  diftinguifhed  between  moral  Impoffibility  vicious 

*  and  culpable,  and  inculpable  ;  and  between  neceffitating  to  Sin,  and  neceffitating 


to, 


Numb.  II,       A  T  T  B  N  T> 


4%. 


°r    lrlV  o/i 

them  to fin/that'is,  mSi£S^^^^^^^^  neceffi"?e 
'but  it  can  never  warrant  them  in  obeying  it.     This  was   Vh7  «°  °r  not  do  > 
Speech   though  not  the  Word,    To  explain* Uich/l  defii  y^^  of  "*' 
^  </  ,x c«y&  i»^r*    at Ieau>*J ^««,  if  noc^ Qradus.    So  th"  r  !! 
require*  to  a  virtuous  Acftion  which  fhall  be  properly  and  plemr  !v  Mnra      °d 
'  voluntary,  i.  That  it  be  made  due  by  hisown  Precept  or  la  J/     J  %i     ■  b  k  '' 
'  prehended  fiich  by  the  Intellect  and  fo  by  the  Will  el^ed   and  eSf  ^  h%  T 
;  So  that  where  Confciencetakes  that  to  bebuty  which  f  n^tt^th  b"  & 
urn  apparent,  &  non  vcrum  ;  it  catcheth  a  Shadow,  apprehending  a  Durv  wh£f  t 
no  Duty*   fo  there  may  be  interpretative  a  kind  of  formal  R^H    fT 
;  dience  in  the  Will  (the  Guided  Faculty)  in  that  it  £  SSSSS^R  *<£ 
fented  to  it  as  due,  but   there  wants  the  Matter  and  the  Form  of  OfarfSE 
quoad  hommem   who  is  intelligent  alfo  :   yea,  here  you  muft  diitinguilh  between 
Ignorance  culpable,  (and  fuperable)  and  inculpable  :   For  when  the  Ignorance  C 
culpable,*  cannot  be :  fed  that  the  guilty  Will  doth  proper*  ^,becauiTwal  I 
caufe  of  its  own  miMeading  by  the  intellect :    And  in  q^r Cafe,  that  SkmwSpU 
;  always  culpable    I  do  wonder    Ergo,  that  you Should  Ay,  (and  lay  all  on  that  MU 
f  take)  that   an  erroneous  Confcience  binds  as  ftrongly  as  a  found]  for  the  Obligati- 
on ot  Confcience  is  fubordmate  to  God's  Preceptive  Obligation.    God  m»WDu 
« ty,  and  Confcience  doth  but  apprehend  Duty  :  So  that  an  erring  Confcienre  can" 
'not  make  Duty  entirely  and  materially  :  We  muft  not  make  a  God  of  an  errine 
Confcience,  much  lefs  can  it  make  that  no  Sin,  which  God  hath  made  Sin  •  vea 
'  make  that  Duty,   which  God  made  Sin.     Gods  Precepts  lye  thus :    Ti  'Thou 
'  flialt  not  run  before  thou  art  fent ']  This  is  to  the  whole  Man;    and  no  Error  of 
1  Manscan  repeal  it.     Then   [2.  The  Will  muft  follow  the  right  guiding  Intellect  1 

*  This  is  natural,  and  excufeth  not  the  following  of  an  erring  Judgment.  Then 
'  [3.  That  the  Will  follow  the  practical  Intelled  whether  right  or  wrong]  that  is 
4  no  Precept,  but  the  Nature  of  the  Soul  in  its  acting,  'becaufe~thar  WiU  is  men- 
1  ttntia  ceca,  non  nata,  ad  tnteUigendum,  fed  ad  volendum  vel  nokndum  intefa&um :  So 
■  that  it  is  a  molt  intolerable  thing  to  grant  that  Man's  Error  can  make  Duty  no 
'  Duty,  or  Sin  no  Sin.  If  Man  muft  will  bonum  apprchenfum,  he  may  neceffitate 
1  himfelf  to  fin  in  his  choice,  by  mifapprehending  ;  becaufe  then,  though  Bonum 
'  be  ftill  Bonum,  yet  it  is  apprebenfum  frtb  Rat  tone  malt,  &  e  contra,  and  fo  one  of  the 

*  two  iNjeceifaries  to  right  fViUtng  is  wanting ;  but  apprehending  malum  to  be  bonum 
c  duth  not  make  it  fo  j  and  Ergo,  then  the  greater  NecelTary  is  wanting  to  the  erring 

*  Confcience,  vtz,.  God's  Conftitution  :  So  that  whether  you  fay  as  Durandus,  that 
'  Con(citntia  en  am  Ligat  at  non  obligat,  or  whether  you  fay,  as  others,  that  ligare  and 
'  obligate  are  all  one  ;  yet  ftill  the  cafe  is  plain,  that  [an  erring  Confcience  may  en- 
'  tangle  us  in  Sin,  whether  we  obey  or  not  obey  it ;  but  it  cannot  free  us  from  Sin; 
'"or  from  Duty,  except  where  the  cafe  is  fuch  that  God's  Law  hath  made  one  and 
'the  fame  thing  to  be  fin  or  no  fin,  according  to  Mens  Knowledge  or  Ignorance; 
'  which  never  tails  out  but  when  the  Ignorance  is  inculpable,  which  is  never  in  our 
'  Cafe.]    Even  while  the  Perfon  erreth,  he  iyeth  under  a  double  Obligation :    1, 

*  To  do  the  Duty,  or  avoid  the  Sin.    2.  To  judge  rightly  of  Sin  and  Duty,  and 

*  apprehend  them  as  they  are  j  and  fo  to  lay  down  his  Error :  So  that  all  your 
1  Worda  import  but  this. ;  [An  erring  Man  cannot  choofe  but  err;  or,  cannot  pver- 
4  come  it :]  But  not  [he  is,  ergo,  innocent  ;T  For  it  is  his  own  Fault  that  brought 
'  him  to  it,  and  cominueth  him  in  it.    He  that  is  accuffoined  to  do  evil,  is  notin- 

*  nocent,   becaufe  he  can  no  more  learn  to  do  well,   than,  a .  Blackamore  can 

*  change  his  Skin,  &c.         \  ,■„.„ 

'  2.  This  Anfwer  of  yours  /eems  again  to  me,  to  be  inconfiftent  with  your  pro- 
'  feffed  Conviction.  For  if  you  do  indeed  think  1.  That  in  cafe  of  necefliry  the 
1  SuccefKon  is  not  neeeftaryi  2.  And  that  nothing  is  more  evident  than  that 
'  thefe  iVlen  have  fuch  Neceility  :]  then  you  muft  think  that  thefe  Men  are  lawful 
'  Mini/lets ;  which  I  know  you  do  not. .  Where  the  Flaw  is,  and  what  Link  of  this 
'  Chain  you  will  break,  I  cannot  tell. 

f  3.  And  when  you  fay,  that  (the  Papifts  may  fay  as  eafily  to  us,  as  we  to  the 
'  Sedaiies,  that  it  is  our  Error,  &c.  (and  fo  the  Epifcopal.  Party)  that  we  will  not 
f  take  Orders  from  them.]  I  reply,  They  may  fay  it]  as. eafily,  but  if  as  truly,  they 
«  conclude  us  under  Guilt,,  and  carry  the  Caufe.  Twenty  Parties  may  fay  they  an* 
f  all  in  the  right;  doth  it  follow  that  they  are  all  fot-  becaufe  they  make  the  fame  Pre 


f?nG<?: 


\6 


AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.      Numb.  II. 


f  tenceto  it  ?  Many  Parties  may  Plead  one  Medium,  one  Scripture,  lor  contrary 
'  Opinions :  Are  they,  Ergo,  alike  found  and  juftifiable  ?  Thus  the  Scepticks  and 
«  Libertines  ufe  to  fay,  [You  fay,  you  are  in  the  right,  and  Papifts  and  Anabaptifts 
clay,  they  are  in  the  right:  Ergo,  (What  then?  Why)  they  may  be  in  the  right, 

*  or  at  leaft,  (hould  have  Liberty  as  well  as  you.]     But  it  is  not  he  that  faith  he  is 

*  in  the  right,  but  he  that  is  fo  indeed,  that  fhould  be  countenanced  by  the  Magi- 
'  ftrate :  So  it  is  not  he  that  hath  the  fame  Pretence,  but  the  juftifiable  Caufe  that 
r  muft  carry  it:  Elfe  what  are  Judges  for,  if  each  Man  have  right  that  pretends  to 
r  it  ?  If  our  erroneous  Conciences  make  us  grope  in  the  Dark,  and  fuppofe  the 
r  Papifts  have  nailed  up  the  Door,  when  they  have  not,  then  the  Sin  Jyeth  on  us: 
«  But  if  indeed  the  Papifts,  do  by  wicked  Oaths,  and  Engagements  to  Papal  Ty- 
c  ranny,  and  to  falfe  Do&rines,  fupernumerary  Articles  of  Faith,  and  wicked  Pra- 

*  ctices,  (hut  up  the  Door  of  Ordination,  that  no  Man  can  lawfully  enter  at  it, 
'  among  them,  then  is  the  Sin  theirs,  and  God  will  judge  them  for  the  Divifions, 

*  Diftra&ions,  Confufions,  Corruptions,  and  Deflations,  which  they  have  brought 
f  upon  the  Churches  of  Chrift. 

*  Ad.  4"*.  I  need  fay  nothing. 

'  Sir,  let  me  conclude  as  I  begun,  with  a  requeft  that  you  would  prove  the  un- 
'  interrupted  Succeffion,  for  the  Information  of 

Nov.  1 8.  i^H-  *°ttr  Brother> 

Rich.  Baxter. 

To  my  Reverend  Brother t  Mr.  Johnlbn,  Treacher  af  the  Gofjiel  at 
Womborne,    This. 


Mr.  JohnfonV  Fourth  Letter  to  Mr.  Baxter. 

SIR, 

e    A   Lthough  I  had  purpofed  wholly  to  have  fuperceded  from  my  former  Under- 

*  wTJL  rakings,  as  conceiving  them  a  fruitlefs  Speculation  in  regard  the  Miniftry  may 
c  be  juftified  without  them  ;  yet,  forafmuch  as  I  did  dene  all  Men  alive  to  make 
r  full  Proof  that  the  Succeffion  ever  hath,  of  ever  fhall  be  interrupted  ;  and  upon 
'  the  Occafion  of  this  Defiance,  you  do  rather  invite  me,  than  challenge  me  to  re- 
c  new  my  Purpofe  :  I  cannot  tell  how  I  can  avoid  fb  much  as  my  own  Defiance 
'  hath  engaged  me  to.  And  therefore,  though  very  unwillingly,  I  fhall  endeavour, 
c  fb  far  as  my  Defiance  hath  engaged  me,  to  fatisfie  your  Defire.    And  becaufe  I 

*  herein  ftand  upon  the  Defenfive,  and  by  confequence  muft  find  fbme  Man  that 
'  pretends  to  make  full  Proof  of  the  Queftion,  before  I  can  difcharge  that  which 

*  now  I  undertake  j  I  cannot  tell  ,  where  to  meet  with  fiich  an  one ,  unlefs  it 
€  be  your  (elf  in  your  late  Book :  And  therefore  I  fhall  apply  my  (elf  to 
f  examine  your  Argument,  whereby  you  endeavour  to  prove  that  the  Succeffion 
e  hath  been  already  interrupted :  But  before  I  come  to  that  I  fhall  return  you  fbme- 

*  thing  to  what  you  fay  in  the  laft  Papers.  And  Firfi,  whereas  you  tell  me  to  my 
'  Demand,  that  you  have  inftanced  in  many  Englifn  Writers,  who  do  all  plead 
c  againft  the  Papifts  the  No-neceffity  of  an  uninterrupted  Succeffion,  I  anfwer,  that 
'  anion'gft  thofe  Authors  which  you  quote,  I  have  none  by  me  but  Bifhop  Jewel, 
'  and  fo  far  as  I  can  difcern  from  the  lock  aUegatis  ant  alibi,  he  (peaks  nothing  at  all 
c  to  the  Queftion ;  what  the  other  do,  I  mail  examine  hereafter  as  I  meet  with 
'  them. 

1  Ad  2ra.  Whereas  you  tell  me  that  my  not  feeing  a  formal  Anfwer  to  my  Se- 
'  cond  Argument  proceeded  from  an  overfight  of  the  Word  [jhalf]  and  a  Not-ob- 
'  fervation  of  the  Emphafis  in  it.  To  this  I  anfwer,  that  it  is  indeed  true,  that  I 
c  did  not  take  heed  enough  to  the  Word,  for  if  I  had,  I  fhould  not  fo  indifferently 

*  have  fbmetimes  ufed  it,  and  fometimes  put  an  other  Word  in  its  room  (which  may 
c  make  it  plain  that  the  Word  was  changed  through  inanimadvertencey  rather  than 
J  by  defign);  But  it  was  not  the  Not-obfervation  of  the  Word,but  the  Not-underftand- 

'tog 


Numb.  II.       A  T 


ingof  the  what  the  Word  contained  in  it  that  made  theE™ 
'  derftood  that  it  contained  two  Propofitions :  i.  That  Men  IZl     I L'  l  had  un" 
'  fall  preach  the  Word,  or  it  is  the  Duty  of  Men  thu   ,n^lw '^J15  ^ualified 
;  the  Word.     And  then'*.  That  [Men  thus  Z  rfh^qTateS  ?J     *  '°  P^ch 

be  fe,  apart  t0  it>  or   ft,,,,  beL        imed        ££& alJ hed ^™(,     ft,  „ 

Amnudverfipn,  but  Ihould  have  acknowledged  a  formal  Anfwer  •    R„?>  *  ?is 

ftood  it  only  thus,   that  Men  thus  and  thus  qn.hfiedXl  be  aldnted   rh"^" 

'  it  ,s  thetr  Duty,  being  lo  and  fo  qualified  to  («k  for  Ord nation %  ;  •  \  ^r>'S' 

'<y  being  fo  and  fo  qualified  to  be  appomtfed^ TthV^Wk-wti^  ri&Sf 

«  might  be  true,  and  yet  they  no  Minifters  till  they  wveTfL\  Zl     Inthoaghc 

'  very  well  undemanding,  that  it  may  well  b^ZthpX^t^'^u  ft 

coming  up  dofe  to  rf&ueftkm  in'hand,   I  «»ll^nKSXnihf  ** 

upon  that  Pomt,  and  acknowledge  a  formal  AnfwerV  whi  h  I   h  nk  my 


Hands 
'  drawn 


^o  deny  Impo/idon  o 
to  be  of  neceffity  to  legitimate  Ordmat.on.     I  fa  id  indeed,  an  Argument 
from  thence  a^inft  the  Qtieftion  in  Hand  was  frivolous.     Bik  I  did  not  in 
tend  to  difparage  the  thing  it  fell  any  farther  than  Relatively  to  the  Qu-ftion  th-n 
in  debate.    And  whereas  you  (ay,    that  Falling  w^s  not  uied  ;    Ilnfwer   that 
there  never  was  any  Ordination  but  Fatting  was  previous  to  it  by  the  Appoint 
4  ment  of  the  Church  in  Ember-Weeks,  which  were  conttanrly  kept  by  the  Sons  of 
'  the  Church,  though  negle&ed  by  others,  and  this  I  think  might  ferve    though  it 
'  was  not  the  fame  Day,  and  I  believe  you  will  fay  in  too.     But  in  thefe'things  nei- 
ther will  I  be  boifterous  till  I  am  better  informed  what  may  be  the  fubftantial  or 
'elTential  Parts  of  Chrift's  Ordinances,  and  what  not-;  which  Iconfefs  I  have  not 

■  yetfuch  an  Idea  of;   So  as  to  (ay  in  every  Ordinance  what  is  elTential,  and  what 
'  not. 

*  Ad.  ;•"".  Whereas  you  wonder  that  upon  fuch  flight  Grounds  I  mould  fo  re- 
1  nacioufly  ftand  to  part  of  my  third  Argument.  I  anfwer,  that  I  did  not  intend 
'  to  inforce  that  the  Cafe  of  extream  inculpable  neceffity  was  the  Sectaries  Cafe* 
c  Cut  fuch  a  Neceffity  as  did  inevitably  intangle  them  in  their  Invafion  of  the  Mi- 
r  niftry,  which  though  it  doth  no  ways  make  them  lawful  Minifters,  yet  it  makes 
1  them  inconfutably  lawful  Minitters,  till  the  Opinions  which  firft  made  them  lepa- 

*  rate  be  proved  to  them  to  be  erroneous ;  my  meaning  is  this :  I  think  if  this  Hy- 

*  pothefis  be  true  [that  in  cafe  of  extream  Neceffity  Men  may,  and  fome  mutt  en- 

■  rer  irregularly  into  the  Miniftry]  it  is  not  poffible  to  convince  an  Anabaptift  that 
'  his  Invafion  of  the  Minifterial  Work  is  unlawful,  till  we  can  firft  convince  him  that 
1  Anabpcifm  is  erroneous.  Now  hereupon  I  thought  their  Hands  was  much 
c  ftrengthened  over  what  it  would  have  been  had  that  Hypothefis  been  falfe.  For 
'  then  we  could  incontroulably  have  cleared  their  Invafion  of  the  Work,  though 
'  they  had  in  the  mean  time  remained  unconvinced  of  their  erroneous  Opinion. 

*  But  now  if  we  cannot  convince  them  of  their  Error,   but  their  way  fiiil  ap- 
'  pear  Truth  to  them,  then  they  need  do  no  more  to  juftifie  their  Practice  to  them- 

*  (elves,  but  borrow  our  Principle;  and  that  lets  them  right,  and  (b  their  Invafion 
'  is  inconfutable  from  what  they  borrow  from  our  (elves.  And  fo  though  they  do 
'not  juftifie  themfelves  to  us,  becaufe  we  think  their  Neceffity  culpable,  and 
'  through  their  own  default,  yet  they  fo  far  juftifie  by  this  very  Principle  their  Pra- 
1  ctice  to  themfelves,  that  it  renders  them  unconfutably  lawful,  till  we  can  prove 
'  and  make  it  out  plain  to  them,  that  their  very  Opinions  are  erroneous:  So  that 
'  you  miftook  while  you  thought  that  I  intended  to  prove  their  Practice  lawful, 
'  whereas  all  that  I  intended  was  to  (hew  that  upon  fuch  a  Principle  their  Invafion 

'  became-  lefs  confutable  ;  and  their  Hands  fomething  ftrengthned  over  they  could    , 
'  have  been  upon  the  contrary  Hypothefis ;  by  which  you  may  perhaps  fee  what 
'  Link  of  your  Chain  I  intended  to  break.    But  enough  of  this,  I  /hall  now  come 
'  to  the  Bufinefs  I  firft  fpake  of. 

1  Firft  therefore  ycu  lay  down  the  Epifcopal  Principles,  fag.  65.  viz,.  That  no 

•  Church  is  a  true  Church  without  Minifters  ;  and  no  Man  a  Minifter  that  is  not 
1  Ordained  by  a  Bilhop,  and  no  Man  a  Bifhop  that  is  not  ordained  by  a  Bifhop 

*  lawfully  called,  and  not  deprived  again  of  his  Power  :  And  this  Bifhop  m'uft  bs 
1  Ordained  by  a  former  Bifhop,  and  he  by  a  former,  and  (b  the  Succeffion  muft 
'  be  followed  up  to  the  Apoftles. 

'  Having 


4.8  A  T  T  E  hi  VJt  X. Numb.  II. 

'  Having  done  thus,  you  catechize  thefe  Seekers,  as  you  ■-•all  ibefe  Doctors :  And 
c  then  proceed  to  prove  that  thefe  Rcveiend,  learned,  Pious  Bifhops,  which  you 
'■  acknowledge  to  be  now  in  this  Nation,  are  no  lawful  Bifhops  upon  the  Principles 
'  laid  down ;  becaufe  they  wene  ordained  by  fuch  as  had  no  Authority  to  ordain. 
c  This  you  prove  becaufe  they  were  Ordained  at  length  by  the  Popilh  Bifhops  in 
(  Hen.  VIII.  Time,,  who  had  no  Authority  to  Ordain  ;  this  you  prove,  becaufe 
c  they  derived  their  Authority  from  the  Pope,  who  had  no  Authoiity  to  give 
c  them  any.  That  the  Pope  had  no  Authority  you  prove  by  an  Interruption  of 
?  Succeflion  of  lawful  Bifhops  in  that  Chair.  That  there  hath  been  an  Interruption 
c  in  that  Chair  you  prove  by  the  Inftances  of  Libertus,  Honorias,  Dame  J  one,  and 
'  many  others,  as  you  fay,  out  of  Bifhop  Jewel.  The  Strength  of  tneie  Inftances 
'  depend  upon  that  Hypothefis,  that  Herely  or  notorious  Impiety  doth  evacuate  ho- 
f  ly  Orders. 

'  Now  if  it  can  be  infallably  proved  that  Herefy  or  Impiety  doth  not  eyacuate 
'  Holy  Orders;    or  rather,  if  you  cannot  infallably  prove  as  it  is  my  part  at  this 

*  time  to  deny  (I  being  upon  the  defenfive)  that  Impiety  or, Herefy  doth  evacuate 
'Holy  Orders,  then  it  will  not  follow  that  there  was  an  Interruption,  though  Li- 
r  beritts  was  an  Heretick. ,  And  if  no  Interruption,  then  Pope  Clement  the  Incum- 
'  bent  at  "Rome  in  Henry  VIII.  Days,  was,  notwithstanding  what  is  urged,  in  full 
'  Power  to  Ordain  :  And  then  if  he  had  Authoiity,  then  mc  PopiJh  Bifhops  which 
'  derived  from  him  had  full  Authority  ;  and  if  they  had,then  our  Bifhops  who  at  length 

*  derive  from  them  have  alfo  full  Athorny  :  and  Co  the  whole  Structure  will  fall  at  ence 

*  if  that  Hypothefis,  which  is  the  Foundation  of  all,  Ihall  chance  to  /hake.  And 
'  therefore,  Sir,  in  the  firlr  place,  I  pray  you  take  notice,  that  I  deny  that  Herefy 
'  or  Impiety  doth  evacuate  Holy  Orders;  and  exptel  the  Proof  of  it. 

1  But  then  fuppofel  fhould  grant  this  (which  1  never  intend)  I  may,  I  conceive, 

*  fairly  debate,  that  though  there  fhould  be  an  Interruption  in  the  Succeflion  of 
'  the  Chair  at  Rome,  yet  the  Pope  that  now  is}  or  the  Pope  that  fat  at  Rome  in  Hen. 

*  VIII.  Days  were  fully  authorized  to  ordain,  if  they  were  but  ordained  by  fuch, 
'  who  neither  were  Heretical  or  Impious:  For  the  (Authority  or  Power. of  Ordina- 
f  tion,  I  conceive,  doth  not  come  to  any  Bifhop  by  Venue  drawn  from  his  Prede- 

*  ceflor  in  fede,  but  by  Vertue  derived  horn  him  who  laid  Hands   upon  him  at  his 

*  Confecration.     For  Example,  that   you  may  underftand  my  meaning  ;   fuppofe 

*  Dr.  Wtnneffe,  the  late  Bifhop  of  Lincoln,  was  confecrated'  by  the  Impofition  of  the 
'  Bifhop  of  Worcefiors  Hand  :  I  conceive  it  is  unreafonable  to  affirm,  that  this  Do- 
1  &or  received  his  Epifcopal  Orders  rather  from  Dr.  Williams,  his  PredeceiTor  in  the 
f  Chair  at  Lincoln,  than  from  the  Bifhop  of  Worcester,  who  is  fuppofed  to  lay  Hands 
4  upon  him  at  his  Confecration.  Or  if  the  Queftion  be  whether  he  was  a  lawful  Bi- 
'  Ihop  that  gave  him  Orders;  I  conceive  that  it  is  equally  unreafonable  that  we 
c  fhoiiid  go  and  inquire  rather  after  Dr.Williams  h;s  Authoiity  who  was  his  Predecef 
'  for  in  fede,  than  after  the  Bilhop  of  IVorcefier,  who  was,  or  is  fuppofed  in  the 
1  Cafe  to  be  his  Confecrator.  Or  if  John  Williams  i  who  was  his  Predeceffor,  fhould 
'  have  de  faclo,  proved  an  Arrian  or  a  Conjurer  while  he  fat  in  the  Diocefan  Chair 
f  at  Lincoln,  I  think  it  is  every  whit  as  unreafonable  to  affirm,  that  therefore  Dr. 
i  Wtnneffe,  who  fucceeded  him  in  that  Seat,  fhould  lofe  his  Epifcopal  Authority, 
(  when  as  his  Confecrator  can  have  no  fuch  thing  fattened  upon  him.    In  like  man- 

*  ner,  though  Liberius  was  an  Arrian  while  he  fat  in  the  Pontifical  Chair  at  Rome  ; 
h  yet  it'  that  Bifhop,  whoever  he  was,  (and  look  you  to  that)  who  confecrated  Pope 
c  Chment  were  Orthodox,  andfb  forward  till  we  come,  to  the  Apoftles,  his  Authori- 
'  ty  was  good  enough,  though  one,  or  more  of  his  Predccefibvs  infede  were  Hereti- 
'  ca'.lt  you  lhall  fay  that  the  Cafe  is  not  alike  betwixt  the  Succeflion  of  Popes  and 
'  other  Bifhops  :  I  ask,  where's  the  difference  ?  If  you  fay  that  the  difference  is  in 
'  this,  that  the  Pope  claims  not  his  Authority  from  his  Confecrator,  but  from  his 
'  Predeceifor.l  anfwer,  That  it  is  very  probable  that  he  doth  do  fb:  But  let  him  and 
c  the  Popifh  Doclors  therefore  fee  how  they  can  quit  their  Hands,  of  this  Interruption: 
c  For  our  parts  we  conceive  we  need  not  be  engaged  in  this  Controverfyrlt  is  enough 
'  for  us  to  reply  to  this  afferted  Difference.     ThacrheQueftion  is  not  what  they  lay 

*  claim  to,  but  what  they  ought  dejure,  to  lay  claim  to.  If  you  fay,  That  de  jure, 
'  thev  do  challenge  their  Authority  from  their  Predeceffors,  I  expeel:  that  you  mult 
'  prove  it,  before  I  will  promiie  >ou  that  I  will  believe  it.  But  if  you  fay,  that  the 
f  Difference  is  only  this,  That  they  do  de  faclo  claim  their  Authority  afcer  another 
1  manner  than  other  Bifhops;  then  I  rejoyn,  that  ir  do'.h  not  follow,  that  they 
'  have  their  Authority  after  another  manner  than  other  Bifhops ;  becaufe  they  fay 
'they  have.  If  therefore  the  facuhas  Ordinandi  doth  not  come  from  the  Bifhop's 
'  PredecefTor  in  fede,  but  from  the  Bifhop  who  is  the  Confecrator.     Thsn,  Sir, 

1  you 


Numb.  II."      A  T  9  EN~tT1'X. 

'you  muft  prove  that  (ome  of  thofe  Biftops who Contoated"p^Tc^^riT 
bucccffion  reach  the  Apoftles  were  Hereticks :  It  little  avails  to  prove  that  Torre  of 
'his  Prcdeceffors  in  Cathedre  was  fuch,  at  leaft  to  me;  who  are  un willing  to  he 
c  thought  a  Proteftant.  b 

'  But  then  Thirdly,  Suppofe  we  fhould  grant  this  (which  we  likewife  never  in>end) 
6  how  will  you  make  it  appear  that  our  Biftops  in  Hen-  VIII.  Time  had  their  Au- 
'  thonty  from  the  then  incumbing  Pope,  if  you  fay,  they  went  over  to  him  for 
'  Impohcion  of  Hands,  that's  improbable  ;  if  you  fay  he  came  over  to  them  that's 
'  intolerable  ;  if  you  fay,  that  he  did  delegate  his  Authority  to  fome  of  our  Engl 
'  lifh  Biihops,  or  fent  a  Deputy,  or  Nuncio  authorized  to  thofe  Ends :  I  anfwer 
<  that  it  may  be  true  that  he  did  ib.  '  But  then  the  Queftion  will  again  be,  whether 
\  our  Englilh  Bifliops  had  not  full  Authority  to  have  done  all  this  without  his  Know- 
ledge ;  or  whether  rather  an  Expectation  of  a  Commiffion  from  him  were  not 


U 


'  fuch  Univerfality.  I  ask  therefo^,  muft  we  acknowledge  the  Pope  to  be  univer- 
« fal  Bifliop;  or  muft  we  not?  if  w#  muft,  why  do  we!  not?  If  we  muft  not,  why 
c  fhould  any  Man  urge  tjiat  Practice  in  his  own  Defence,  which  he  himfelf  judgeth 
'  to  be  erroneous  :  I  fpeak  plainlier,  if  the  Bifhops  in  Hen.  VIII.  Time  had  their 
'  Authority  from  the  Pope,  then  this  muft  be  pretended,  I  think,  upon  others 
'  Grounds;  either  becauie  the  Bifhops  had  indeed  no  Power  to  Ordain  without  his 
'  Commiffion,  or  becaufe  they  thought  they  had  none,  or  becaufe  they  could  not 
«  exercife  that  Power  which  they  both  had,  and  knew  they  had,  without  his  leave, 
«  If  you  fay  they  had  indeed  no  Power  to  Ordain  without  his  Commiffion  *  I  fay] 
« that  you  are  more  than  a  Cajfandrian  Papift.  If  you  fay  they  had  no  Power  be- 
.  « caufe  they  judged  they  had  none.  I  deny  the  Confequence,  and  expeft  you 
1  fhould  prove  it.  Or  ;.  If  you  fay  they  had  their  Authority  from  him  becaufe  they 
« could  not  exercife  it  without  his  leave.    I  fhall  only  propound  this  Cafe  in  anfwer 

*  to  you  :  Suppofe  General  Cromwell  fhould  put  in  Co  between  you  and  the  Exer- 
<  cife  of  your  Miniftry  that  without  his  leave  you  fhould  not  preach  or  adminlfter 

*  the  Sacraments,,  would  you  fay,  if  you  had  leave  from  him,  that  you  derived 
«  your  Authority  from  him,  becauie  the  external  Exercife  of  your  Authority  depends 

*  upon  his  Leave?  I  think  you  would  not. 

1  Well,  Sir,  I  mail  now  only  rehearfe  what  I  expect  you  fhould  prove.    And  th^ 

*  firft  thing  that  is  expected  is  this  :  That  Herefy  or  Impiety  doth  evacuate  Holy 
c  Orders.  2.  That  the  Power  of  Ordination  is  derived  from  the  Predeceflbr  in  fe« 
c  de.  $.  That  fbme  of  Pope  Clement's  Gonfecrators  e're  his  Line  reach  the  Apbftle^ 
c  were  heretical  or  impious.  4.  You  muft  prove  that  the  Bifhops  in  Hen.  VIIL 
f  Time  did  not  only  judge  that  they  had  dependance  upon  the  Pope  for  Autho- 
'  rity,  but  that  indeed  they  had  no  Authority  but  what  they  derived  from  him.  If 
i  you  can  indeed  make  good  all  this,  then  I  fhall  confefsthat  the  Interruption  of  Sue- 
t  ceffion  is  made  good  alfo.  But  till  then,  I  mail  Jirixev.  Yet  in  the  mean  time 
i  fhall  be  a  very  great  Admirer  of  your  Worth,  and  Lover  of  your  Induftfy, 

\j  M.  John/on* 

Wmhwi  Deed.  165;. 

Fpr  my  Reverend  and  very  Worthy  Friend ,  Mr.  Baxter, 
Minitier  of  the  Word  at  Kidderminjtcr,    Thefe. 


- 


Mr 


5° 


AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.       Numb.  II 


T 


e 


Mr.  Jobnfons  Fifth  Letter  to  Mr.  Baxter. 
S  I  R, 

H  E  Quejtion,  as  1  remember,  was  flated  between  us  thus  :  Whether  an  infallible 
Knowledge  that  our  Or  darner  i  have  full  Authority  to  ordain,  be  necejjary  to  make  tts 
have  true  Peace  of  Confcience  in  the  Exercife  of  our  Mimllry.  To  -which  Queflion,  before 
J  give  any  Anfwer,  I  Jhall  fir  ft  willingly  yield  thefe  two  Propo fit  ions,  i.  that  an  infal- 
libly lawful  Ordination  is  necejjary  to  make  us  infallibly  lawful  Minivers.  2.  That  an  in- 
fallible  Proof  that  we  have  been  lawfully  ordained  ts  necejjary  to  make  us  infallibly  know 
that  we  have  been  lawfully  Ordained.  But  I  deny  that  an  infallible  Knowledge  that  we  have 
been  lawfully  Ordained  n  necejjary  to  make  us  lawful  Mtnifters.  Or  that  an  infallible 
Knowledge  that  we  have  been  lawfully  ordained }u  necejjary  togive  us  true  Peace  m  the  exercife 
of  our  Miniftry.  The  former  Negative  tsfo  clear  from  the  extrinjical  Nature  of  Knowledge  to 
the  Ejjences  of  the  things  known,  and  the  Pofteriority^pf  the  Nature  of  Sciential  a  re  Scibi- 
lis,  that  it  is  altogether  fuperfiuous  to  fay  any  thin%  in  order  to  the  Proof  of  it.  But  the 
other  being  indeed  the  thing  you  doubt  of  I  jhall  offer  you  what  ts  upon  my  own  Under- 
Standing,  and  what  it  is  that  per juades  me  to  take  the  negative  part.  Aid  my  Reajon  ts 
this  :  I  do  therefore  think  that  an  infallible  Knowledge  that  his  Ordamers  had  full  Authori- 
ty is  not  necejjary  to  give  a  Man  true  Peace  in  the  Exerctje  of  his  Miniftry  :  Becaufe  true 
Peace,  according  to  Gofjel  Equity  is  not  founded  upon  exacinefs,  but  upon  utmojt  dtltgepce 
and  jincere  Endeavours.  And  particularly  in  punt  of  Knowledge  or  in  the  Quejtion  [What 
ts  .our  Duty  to  know]  True  Peace  is  not  founded  upon  exact  or  infallible  Knowledge,  but  upon 
an  utmojt  Diligence,  or  jincere  Endeavour  to  know.  And  therefore  if  we  can  but  truly  fay, 
that  we  do  uje  our  utmojt  Diligence  to  know,  we  have  the  Foundation  of  true  Peace,  though  . 
we  be  in  the  mean  time  in  much  Ignorance  about  the  thing  we  enquire  after.  And  to  the 
Quejtion  in  hand,  if  we  can  truly  fay+  that  we  have  ujed  our  utn.ofl  Endeavours  to  know 
whether  our  Ordainers  had  full  Power  to  Ordain  ;  we  n»y  have  true  Peace in  the  Exerctje 
of  our  Miniftry  though  in  the  mean  time  we  cannot  infallibly  prove,  and  by  conference  can- 
not infallibly  know  that  they  had  any  juch  Authority.  True  Peace,  according  to  Gojfiel  mea~ 
fure,    Very  -well  agreeing  with  inculpable  Ignorance. 

And  the  Truth  is,  if  it  were  not  thus  in  other  things,  I  do  not  fee  how  any  Man  could 
with  Peace  of  Confcience  enjoy  thofe  things  which  we  call  their  Inheritances.  For  it  can  ne- 
ver be  infallibly  proved,  nor  they  by  conjequence  infallibly  know,  that  they  have  juft  Right 
and  Title  to  them.  If  they  be  not  lawfully  begotten,  thsy  have  no  juft  claim  to  their  Inbe* 
ntances.  Now  if  they  do  not,  or  indeed  cannot  infallibly  know  that  they  have  been  lawful" 
ly  begotten,  they  cannot  know  infallibly  that  they  have  a  juft  claim  to  their  Inheritances. 
But  they  can  never  come  to  an  infallible  Knowledge  that  they  have  been  lawfully  begotten, 
•aid  by  conjequence  upon  fueh  Principles  as  theje,  can  never,  with  Peace  of  Conjcience,  enjoy 
that  which  all  Men  ujually  call  their  due  Inheritances. 
■  And  I  conceive  upon  the  fame  Grounds,  The  Levites  and  Jewijh  Priefthood  could  never, 
v  with  any>-feacf  of  Confcience  t  have  exercijed  their  Sacred  Offices,  in  regard  they  could  never 
come  to' an  infallible  certainty  that  they  did  defend  from  Aaron,  upon  which  account  only 
they,  bad  their  juft  claim  to  thofe  holy  Employments.  Tea,  and  all  the  Princes  in  the  World, 
wttiSerive  by  dijj'ent  their  Titles  to  their  Crowns,  would  upon  fuch  a  Principle  as  this,  fit 
either  very  loofe,  or  with  little  eafe  in  their  imperial  Chairs,  being  never  able  ufon  infalli- 
ble Proof  to  make  good  that  they  were  the  true  legitimate  Heirs  to  their  Predecejjors.  Which 
Conjideratiom  a  pofterioris,  (as  the  Argument  alledged  doth  a  priori)  over-rule  my  Judg- 
ment to  determine  that  an  infallible  Knowledge  that  our  Ordainers  had  full  Authority  to 
Ordain,  is  not  necejjary  to  give  us  true  Peace  in  the  Exercife  of  our  Miniftry  ;  which  was 
the  only  thing  intended  at  the  prejent 

Wambom,  Vecemb.  26.  By  Your  Fellow-labourer, 

16J3. 

and  Enquirer  after  Truth, 

Af.  Jobnfon. 


Numb. 


Numb.  III.       A  <P  T  E  N  tTTx 


Numb.   III.       Letters  between  Mr.  Baxter 

and  Mr.  Lambe. 

Mr.  LambeV  Letter  to  Mr.  Baxter. 

SIR, 

PER  H  AP  S  my  Boldnefs  may  feem  much  in  thi*  Addrefs  to  one  un 
known  by  Face ;    but  want  of  that  is  no  fufficient  Plea  to  reftSn  me 
knowing  it  s  no  Impediment  to  the  Communion  of  Saints.    Thefe  Lines 
are  wnt  out  of  much  Afflidion  of  Heart,  and  in  many  Tears  which have  ru* 
over  at  the  Throne  of  Grace  many  a  time  about  the  Cafe  prefented.    The  Rea 
\°tf,  F5     ^       to  y°.uf '  ratheru  th*n  ™Y  other,  is  becaufe  of  fbme  ConvU 
\  h*V\h/d  T    rU^WiK.,nScS'  7her?by  *  JQdge  y°n  «>  have  the  Tongue  of  the 
Learned    to  fpeak  a  Word  in  Seafon,  being  experienced  your  felf  in  Spiritual  Af-" 
iTi?1  dJemPtat'on^  fhe  irnmediate  Cauie  of  this  Addrefs  was  my  reading  your' 
laft  Diredion  in  the  Book  of  Getting  and  keeping  Peace  and  Comfort 

The  Caie  is  mine  only,  as  it  is  the  Cafe  of  one  who  is  my  felt'  in  the  dear  Re- 
lation of  a  Husband  ;   it  is  an  unufual  one,  and  therefore  will  require   I  doubt 
you  more  Pains  to  reach  it    and fo is  themore boldnefs  in  me,  but  from  you  will 
be  the  more  Service  toChnft  Jefus ;  if  you  engage  in  it  I  would  be  briefbur  muft  of 
neceffity  declare  Circumftances.This  dear  Husband  of  mine,  Mr. Lambe,  is  one  that 
hath  been  devoted  to  God's  Fear  from  his  Youth  up,  and  hath  defired  exceedingly 
and  delighted  greatly  to  ferveChrift  Jefus  our  Lord ;  the  Miniftry  he  was  nourished 
and  bred  up  in  was,  Mr.  John  Goodwins,  for  Twelve  or  Thirteen  Years    where 
he  joined  a  Member,  and  afterward  by  common Confent,  and  Prayer,  andFaft- 
ing  was  ordained  an  Elder  over  that  Flock,  and  did  labour  In  the  Word  and  Do- 
arine  then  with  greafrdelight,  ftriving  to  adorn  the  Gofpel  in  all  Afts  of  Love; 
Righteoufnefs  and  Mercy.    Going  on  thus  widi  Joy,  about  Five  Years  ago  the 
great  Cont  rover fion  of  Baptifm  had  fome  accefi  into  his  Judgment  through  the 
means  of  another  Member  of  that  Body,  Mr.  Allen,  a  very  Holy  and  good  Man, 
who. having  had  long  doubts  about  Infant  Baptifm,  was  carried  to  the  other^  by 
means  of  Mr.  F(/kr,fince  Quaker ;  by  thefe  Arguments  prefented,  Wiv.Lambe  wsstz- 
ken  in  his  Judgment,  and  in  Confcience  of  his  Duty  did  pra&ice  accordingly, 
not  thinking  then,  but  frill  to  hold  communion  with  the  Church  notwithstanding' 
but  then  fuddenly  was  led  farther,    namely,  to  love  the  Communion  of  that 
Church,  and  finding  not  where  to  find  any  Society  in  that  Engagement  where 
they  could  have  fuch-  means  of  Edification  as  they   had  left,   they  were  indu- 
ced to  join  in  a  Body. with. fome  others,  about.  Twenty  that  came  off  by  their 
means  from  the  fame  Fellowship,  and  fo  for  Five  Years  have  gone  on  till  there  ij> 
an  Additionof  about  an  Hundred.    Pray,  Sir,  pardon  my  troubling  of  you  with 
this  Story  ;  but  that. which  follows  cannot  fo  well  be  understood  without  it.' 
'Which  is,  That  now  about  Nine  Months  laft  paft,  by  fome  Experiences  and 
Sights  of  the  Faults  of  fome,  particularly  that  of Fibers,  and  dilrelilhing  the  Pra- 
ctices., and  A ifertions  .of; (ome,  in  unchurching  all  befides  themfelves,  he  began 
to  be  provoked  and  preffed  much  in  Spirit  to  confider  the  Grounds  of  feparating 
upon  the.  account  of  Baptifm,  and  in  that  Survey  (till  their  Weaknels,  which  ap- 
peared die  more  by  reading  yours,  Mr.  rJo.  Goodwin,   and  Homes  Books  of  Bap- 
tifm, begot  in  him  nob  only  a  Sight  of  Weaknels  in  his  Grounds  about  Separating, 
but  weakened  his  Confidence  as  to  the  oppoling  of  Infant  Baptifm  :  In  this  time, 
as  things  appeared  to  him  (he  being  frej  and  open  Hearted)  was  ready  to  exprefs 
his  Thoughts  to  thofe  he  cooyerfed  with;  who  being  rigid  about  Separation,  ftill 
periuaded  him  thefe  new.  1  noughts  were  Satan's  Temptations,  to  hinder  him  in* 
the  Lord's  Work  :    WliicU -©ccafioned  much  Prayer,  and  Falling  and  Prayer  ; 
that  if  thefe. Thoughts  were  not  of  God's  Holy  Spirit,   they  might  dye  from  hi; 
Soul.    "But  ftill  they  increafed  and  came  with  foch  Light  and  Power,  argumenta- 
tive from  Scripture,  deterging,  his  former  Principles  as  to  Separation.    In  this  in- 
terim he  converted  with  divers-  Minifters  in  Tavvn,  as  Mr.  Goodwin's  Book,  Mr. 
Manton,  Dr.  Reynolds  about  tbe.meaning  of  i  Cor,  12.  15,   &c.  his  thoughts  ftilf 
carryiijjfrhim  on,  till  he  had  formed  them  into  three  Sheets  of  Paper  j   but  all  the 

G  2  [  way 


52  A  <P  T  E  N  T>  I  X.       Numb.  Ill- 

f  way  it  was  a  Fight  with  Temptations,  as  often  is  declared  ;  yet  his  Light  plainly 
c  evincing  the  evil  of  Saints  dividing  upon  the  account  of  Baptjfm,  although  it 
c  fhould  itand  gcod,  Baptifm  fhould  belong  only  to  Believers :  And  3s  I  conceive 
'thofe  Temptations  partly  occafionetj  by  Fiiends,  who  out  of  their  Love  would 
c  charge  him  to  take  heed,  for  fome  Root  of  Bittcffteisor  other  was  the  Ground  of 
'thefe  Thoughts,  and  fome  Carnal  end  he  had,  and  was  weary  of  Chriits  Yoke, 
c  and  the  Woes  to  Backfliders  would  be  his  Portion,  &c  and  that  never  any  owned 

*  thefePrinciples  that  forfook  them,but  they  became  fadObje&s  of  God'sDifpleafurej 
'  Satan  fitting  in  when  thefe  did  occafion  great  Diff  refs,  and  Searchings  of  Heart, 
1  many  Fears,  Prayers,  and  Tears,  fore  Temptations  that  he  was  not  fincere, 
*'  which  was  heightened  by  one  Thought  that  he  had  efpied  in  his  Heart  when  he 
'  was  amidft  thefe  thoughts ;  namely,  that  to  break  the  Neck  of  thole  ftrait  Pryi- 
f  ciples  which  would  not  permit  any  to  Marry  but  to  thole  in  their  own  way,would 
4  be  a  Freedom  in  relpectof  his  Daughters  in  their  Marriages  (who  are  but  now  Ten 

*  and  Eleven  Years  of  Age)  the  Fears  leaft  the  having  of  this  in  his  Thoughts  fhould 
'  in  anfwer  to  this,  argue  the  Predominancy  of  the  interefl  of  the  Flejh,  hath  filled  bis 

*  Soul  -with  great  dijlrefi,,  which  I  declare  to  you  as  a  fpiritual  Phyfician,  that  you  may 
c  know  the  whole  Cafe.  After  feeking  God,  a  little  help  was  attained  in  this :  and 
f  he  received  fome  Teftimony  of  Conlcience  that  this  Thought  was  not  the  mo- 
'  ving  Caufe  of  his  change  of  Mind,  or  any  predominant  end,  only  an  after 
c  Thought  which  had  fome  encouragement  in  it.  When  this  Temptation  was 
'  over,  then  as  bitter  Fears  about  apoftacy,  all  thole  Texts  feeming  to  apply  them- 
'  felves  to  him  as  (peaks  of  an  evil  Heart  of  unbelief  in  departing  from  God,  of 
'  being  call  out  as  a  withered  Branch  ;  and  thefe,  attended  with  Tears0  and  wound- 
%  ings  of  Spirit :  If  he  did  ceafe  from  drawing  up  his  Arguments,  then  he  (hould  have 
'  eafe  j  but  the  Lighc  of  them  was  (6  prefling  upon  his  Mind,  that  he  could  not 

*  forbear :   This  hath  been  his  Life  for  thefe  Eight  or  Nine  Months,  having  decla- 

*  red  his  Arguments,  the  People  to  whom  he  is  Elder,  they  grow  offended  and  di- 
'  fturbed  ;  if  he  have  any  thought  of  returning  to  Mr.  Goodwins  Church  again, 
r  then  nothing  but  Horror  and  as  it  were  a  flaming  Sword  in  his  Spirit  :    is  not  that  a 

*  Ground  that  he  ought  not  return  thither  ?  He  finds  rnoft  eafe  in  his  tender  and 
c  fair  Intreaties  of  the  People  he  is  now  with,  to  keep  theht  from  Separating  to  the 
'  further  prejudice  of  their  Souls::  Having  a  little  eafe  about  the  Fear  of  Apofta- 
'  cy,  by  finding  by  Experience  that  his  Soul  never  went  out  in  fuch  Itrong  Defires 
'  and  high  Praifings  of  Jefus  Chiift,  and  earned:  Defires  toferve  him  in  his  Gofpel, 
f  and  having  in  this  time  more  abundantly  »han  ever  found  his  Soul  emptied  of  felf- 
'  efteem,  and  fence  of  his  need  of  ChrifVs  Nourishing  and  Gheriftiing.  After  this, 
r  the  next  Temptation  which  now  he  wrefHes  with  is',  hard  thoughts  of  God}  asifhe 
'  were  hard;  nor  eafy  to  be  intreated,  &c.  Thefe  fore  Temptations  hath  made  him 
c  ready  to  faint,  laying  fometimes,  O  that  he  were  fetled  in  his  former  Thoughts 
*jagainft  Infant  Baptifm,  and  could  practice  with  a  good  Goncience  as  he  had -done 
'the  other,  to  this  it's  fuggelted,  no  now  it  Ihall  be  hid  from  him,  he  received  not 
' the  Truth  in  the  Love.of  it,  &c.  and  Heb.  12.  17.  made  ufe  of  to  wound  him 
c  thatihe  obtained  notthe  Bleffing  though  he  fought  it  carefully  with  Tears:  Thefe 
f  Thoughts  occafioned  strong  Cryes,  aqd  Tears,  and  great  Diftrefs  of  Soul.  >  Yet 
1  Sir,  take  notice  that  all  this  while  his  how  Arguments  to  one  Communion  with  all 
'  Saints,  as  Saints,  are  never  que ftiohed  in  his  Judgment,  but  all  admitted  to  Him  j 
<  nay,  all  that  have  feen  them,  who  are  divers  of  the  Re-taptifm,  have  notaiw  of 

*  tr^em  as  yet  offered  any  thing  to  deteft  them,*  but  contrary  wife,-  they  have-had 

*  their  force  in  the  Minds:  of  fome.  ' 

•.:  ftfotfr,  dear.  Sir,  I  hope  you  underft and  my  Scriblings,  the  end  of  all  is  to  intreat 

*  your  help  as  one  that  Chrift  hath  fet  in  his  Church  for  ihe  edifying  andeftablifli* 
ring  of  his  Members ;  judging  you  faithful,  and  one  of  a  Thoufand  in  experience, 
c  I  have  taken  the  boldnefs  to  intreat  your  Anfwer  to  the  following  Particulars. 

1  1.  Whether  God  doth  ufe  to  leave  my  of  his  Servants  to  fitch  bitter  Temptations  when 
?  they  are  about  a  Service  acceptable' to  him  ?  If  lb,  what  his-Ends  may  be  in  it? 
•    '  2.  Whethepthefe  Diftreffes  o$;bpirit  can  be  any  Demonff  ration  that  his  former 

*  Practices  a^d  frrinciples  about' reftraining  Communion  to  after: Baptifm,  nor  more 

*  ^leafing:  to  God's  Spirit,  Which  hath  feemed  to  be  proved,  and  fo  Dependant : 
f  Thefe  latter  Arguments  about  iaiigenefs  in  that  kind,    noni 

*  5.  Whether- con fidering  his  former  Relation  to  Mr.  Goodwin's  Congregation, 
'  from  whom  he  withdrew  upon,  the  Thought  he  had  of  uniawfulnefs  to  communi- 

*  cate  with unbapti fed  Perfons,  which  now  he  fees  the  Vanity  of,  it  be  not  now  his 
'  Duty  to  return,  thithsr,  arid  if  fo,  then  1.  What  fhould  be  the  Reafon  that  his 

Confcience, 


Numb.  III.       AT  T  E  N  <D  l~X. 

:S^^ thatw^ fuchTerrors<  S^SSrtlSS 

f  4.  Whether,  having  been  an  Inftrument  to  drawfo  many  together  into  thfi  la 
it  be  not  rather  his  Duty  to  continue  with  them,  applying  hirnfelf  in  all  w  -h 
'Love  and  Forbearance  to  inlarge their  Spirits,  which  he  iudees  his  Dutv  KpJS  r 
'  he  finds  a  fenfible  ea(e  in  his  Soul,  upon  fuch  Refolutions  and  Application! ;  ? 
5.  Inalmuch  as  he  (lands  an  Elder  over  them,  and  is  weakened  in  his  ConF 
dence  againft  Infant  Baptifm  (which  they  are  fo  confident  againft)  and  alfo  can" 

c  n?i,^PriZe  ?6lieVer  °<he™[{$  *»»  <?  ^  thdr  ScrUPle  of  Coafcience  that 
mall  defire  it  out  of  doubt  of  the  Defed  ,s  in  their  Infant  Baptifm,  and  with 


53 


*  tion,  on,  as  fome  fay,  rather  be  Quakers  than  fo  indifferent,  or  as  one  of  them 
f  fays,  he  would  join  with  the  Church  of  Rome,  if  he  thought  that  true  which 
1  Mr.  Lambe  fays,  namely,  That  he  may  have  Communion  with  Perfons  not  fo 
'baptized;  whether  con  fidering  their  Danger  he  ought  not  hjde,  or  ceafe  to  defift 
'  on  his  Senfe,  or  what  he  ought  to  do  > 

f  6.  Confidering  his  prefent  Temptations  and  Aflaults  to  his  Faith  and  Senfe'  of 
1  God's  Love,  it  be  his  prefent  Work  to  ftudy  to  be  fetled  in  a  full  Perfuafion  one 
f  way  or  other  about  Baptifm  :  But  to  mind  his  Ipiritual  Defence  againft  thefe  Vi- 
■  olent  Aflaults,  which  makes  him  fay,  O  that  he  were  in  his  late  confidence  again,  and 
' (b  is  refolved  to  ftudy  the  Arguments  that  are  againft  Infant  Baptifm  :  And  he  is 
1  directed  to  your  Twenty  Arguments  in  the  Book  about  right  to  Sacraments,  about  the 
r  necejfity-of  Faith  to  inter  eft  in  Baptifm. 

'  Now,  fweet  Mr;  Baxter,  fliall  I  -have  fo  much  Grace  in  your  Sight,  as  to  have 

*  your  diftincT:  Anfwer  to  thefe  Particulars ;  truly,  it  will  be  Service  to  jefus  Chrift 

*  whom  we  have  defired  toferve  in  all  finglenefs  of  Heart  from  our  Youth  up,  and 
•'Jiave  no  defire  in  this  World  like  to  this,  to  know  his  Will  and  do  ic,  whole  Love 

*  and  the  Light  of  whole  Countenance,  is  better  than  Life  to  our  Souls,  having 
'  no  Defign  but  to  ferve  our  Lord  upon  the  beft  Terms,  who  hath  dealt  bountifully 
'  with  us,  whole  Mercy  and  Faithfulnefs  we  have  often  experienced. 

'  I  truft  it  is  of- God  that  put  it  into  my  Heart  to  write  to  you>  and  I  will  wait 
1  that  the  Son  of  Righteoufnefs  may  mine  through  you,  a  Star  id  his  Right  Hand, 
'  to  our  Guidance  in  this  Night  of  our  Temptation.  I  acquaint  none  that  I  do  it, 
'  were  it  known,  it  might  occafion  me  fbme  farther  Tryals :    Therefore  I  intr eat  your 

*  Secrecy  in  it.     My  Husband  hath  indeed  fometimes  faid,  he  would  write  to  you  s 

*  but  hath  (aid  again,  Mr.  Baxter  will  not  regard  me*  and  indeed  he  hath  fcarce 
c  freedom  of  Mind  to  any  Bufinefs,  he  mould  rake  a  Journey  to  Worcefter,  which 

*  if  he  do,  he  fays  he  will  come  to  you  :  I  do  not  acquaint  him  with  this,  but  your 
c  Advice  I  know  I  Ihall  be  able  to  help  him  by.  Now  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  who 
'fiill  giveth  Gifts  to  Men,  and  doth  continue  Means  in  his  Church,  fufficient  to 

*  the  "help  of  aH  his  poor  Servants,  be  your  Helper  to  us  ward,  with  craving  Par- 
'  don  for  my  great  BoldneG,  I  take  -leave/  and  remain 

{?»,'  in  Great  St.Barsholomewsy  TO  U  R  S 

:hof  Auguft,  i6^3. 

in  our  Lord  Jefus j 

Barbara  Lambe. 

J  Lye,  ipdofed  fwP-*,C°U  °f  the^mevUmd.  Argument  st    which,  pray  perufe,  and  keep 

-£tfj4v4tfire  what  yoi^wrUe  in  anfwer  to  me  mhy  be  inclofed  in  a  Cover 3  toMr.James 
JylajqfhaJ  i»  Friday -§tr«et 'at  the  Half  Moon,  who  is  my  Son  in  Law,  and  fo  1  JhaS 

bavili&wtib  privacy,  'j.ffall  long  to  know  tfyi.theje  come  fafe  to  your  Hands. 

In 


FoV'lylr.  Rich  Baxter,  Minifter  of  theGoJ^el  in  KMrmi^erl 
Jrlefe  prefent  _.' 


Dmc 


54 


AT  T  EN  T>  I  X.      Numb.  Ill 


Dear  Mrs.  Lambe, 

'  TjO  W  true  did  I  feci  it  in  the  reading  of  your  Husband's  Lines  and  yours 
«  JlI  which  you  fay  in  the  beginning,  that  unacquaintednefs  with  the  Face  is  no 
'  hindrance  to  the  Communion  of  the  Saints :  So  much  of  Chrift  and  his  Spi- 
c  rit  appeared  to  me  in  both  your  Writings,  that  my  Soul  in  the  reading  of  them 
c  was  drawn  out  into  as  ftrong  a  Stream  of  Love,  and  clofing  Unity  of  Spirit,  as 
'  almoft  ever  I  felt  it  in  my  Life.    There  is  a  Connaturality  of  Spirit  in  the  Saints 

*  that  will  work  by  Sympathy,  and  by  clofing  uniting  Inclinations,  through  greater 
<  Differences  and  Impediments  than  the  external  Ad:  of  Baptifm  :  As  a  Load-ftone 
c  will  exercife  its  attractive  Force  through  a  Stone  Wall.  I  have  an  inward  Senle 
f  in  my  Soul,  that  told  me  lb  feelingly  in  the  reading  of  your  Lines,  that  your 
c  Husband,  and  you,  and  I  are  one  in  our  dear  Lord,  that  if  all  the  felf-conceited 

*  Dividers  in  the  World  mould  contradid  it  on  the  account  of  Baptiim,  I  could  not 
'  believe  them. 

'  About  a  Year  ago  Sir  Henry  Herbert  gave  me  one  of  your  Husband's  Books 
'  about  Baptifm,    which  when  1  had  read,  I  told  him  that  the  Author  and  I  were 

*  one  in  Love,  though  not  of  one  Opinion,  and  that  he  wrote  in  the  moft  favory, 
'  honeft,  moderate  Style  of  any  of  that  Mind  that  ever  I  read.  But  truly  the  per- 
'  ufal  of  thefe  Arguments  perfuade  me  yet  to  higher  Thoughts  of  him,  much  more 
?  may  be  faid  than  he  hath  faid  in  that  great  and  weighty  Cafe ;  but  yet 
1 1  have  met  with  none  that  hath  faid  fo  much  in  ib  fmall  a  room.  It  delighteth 
'  me  to  feel  the  workings  of  a  Catholick  Spirit  in  his  Lines.    Nothing  hath  more 

*  undone  us  (except  flat  Ungodlynefs)  than  the  lofs  of  Catholick  Principles  and 
f  Affections  among  Chriftians ;  (few  are  more  void  of  them  than  the  Papifts  that 
'  boaft  of  them  :)  It  muft  be  this  loving  a  Chriftian  as  a  Chriftian  that  mutt  hold 
'  when  all  is  done:  He  that  loveth  Chrift  in  Chriftians,  will  love  all  Chriflians 
|  where  Chrift  appears.  Should  not  Dividers  fear  lead  Chrift  fay  to  them  that  caftoff 
c  inoft  of  his  Holy  Members  for  thisOpinion  fcke,7<r  did  it  unto  me  1 1s  Chrift  in  thefe 

*  Saints,  or  his  he  not  ?  What !  a  Saint,  and  Chrift' not  in  him  !  that  cannot  be : 
f  And  is  he  in  them,  and  fhall  he  be  ufed  fo  unkindly,  fo  uncharitably,  as  to  be 
'  caft  by  ?  Oh  dear  Mrs.  Lambe,  the  Lamb  of  God  hath  reconciled  greater  Diffe- 
'  rences,  and  doled  greater  Differences  than  thefe  :  and  his  .render  Bowels  yearn 
c  over  thofethat  we  fullenly  reject.  He  that  (aid  to  his  fluggifh  followers  [The  Spi- 
frit  is  willing,  but  the  Flejh  u  weak  f\  and  that  fent  fo  kind  a  Meffage  to  Peter  (that 
'  lately  denyed  him)  as  fqon  as  he  was  rifen,  and  that  ftill  mewed  fuch  matchlefs 
c  Companions  to  the  weak,  will  give  little  Thanks  to  dividing  Spirits  that  caft 
€  out  his  poor  Servants  whom  he  himielf -doth  not  caft  out.     I  know  not  Mr.  Lambe 

*  by.  face,  but  Mr.  Allen  I  know  ;  could  he  find  in  his  Heart  to  deny  me  Brotherly 
c  Communion  if  I  defired  it  of  him,  and  protected  that  I  would  be  of  his  Opinion 
fi and. Practice  if  I-durft,  and  my  contradicting  Judgment  did  not  hinder  me:  I 
' ..havetoid  thePaftorsof  the  Re-baptized  Churchss  here,  that  if  any  of  their  Judg- 
r  ment  and  Practice  will  fatisne  themieives  with  being  again  Baptized,  and  will  live 
f  .in  peaceable  Communion  with  us,  they  fhall  be  as  dear  to  us  as  any  other ;  and 
r  that  if  I  were  a  Member  of  Mr.  Tombas  Church,  if  he  would  permit  me,  I  would 
'  live  obediently  under  his  Miniftry  (allowing  me  the  Liberty  of  my  Conference):  I 
'  hope  God  is  working  for  our  Unity  and  Peace.    I  have  been  long  preaching  of 

*  the  Unity  of  the  "Catholick  Church,  containing  all  true  Chriftians  as  Members ; 
eand-tfoe1aft  W^ekfaveone,  Mr.Tombes  ams  to  the  Re-baptized  Church  at  Bewd- 
1  ky,  arid  preacht  on  the  fame  Subbject,  and  fo  excellently  well  (as  I  hear)  for 
•Unity  among  ail  true  Chriftians, .  to  the  fame  purpole  with  your  Husband's  Argu- 
'  merits,  that  I  much  rejoiced  to  hear  of  it  (though  I  hear  fome  of  his  People  were 

*  offended).  And"  now  that  this  mould  be  feconded  with  your  Husband's  peaceable 
'  Arguments, , puts  np  in  fome  Hopes  of  a  little  more  healing.    I  have  ftrong  Hopes 

tu-lwerc  livLmaon  I  mould  perfuade  fuch-  as  your  Husband,   and-  Mr.  John 

*  GW^^vandnianj.an-l\oneft  Presbyterian  Minifter  (as  great  a  diftance  as  feems 

y^le^^vsen  dieni  all)  t6  come  yet  together,  and  live  in  HoTy  Communion, 

M3Bt"be*{un?  Qoa  will  drive  ii's  together  before  he  hath  done  with  us :  Living  Mem- 

'  bers  will  fmait  by'diftanee,  and  bHrnpatient  till  the  WoWd  beciofedy  what  a 

'*■  £>amp..is  upon  the  Spirits -of  thofe.. Chriftians  that  can  feparate  (inrerpretatively) 

"*Yrom I' a 'tlioufani  parts  (to  one)  of  me  Church  of  Chrift."   The  Papifts  would  de- 

'  fire  no  better  fport  (nor  the  Infidels  neither)  than  to  reduce  the  Church  of  Chrift 

;  to  the  Antipade  Baptifts,  or  the  baptized  at  Age,  and  fo  to  deny  him  to  have  had 

rany 


Numb.  III.       A  T  T  E 


'  any  vifible  Church  in  the  World  (that  we  canorovel  for  fr.  '^ZTZ' ^ 

they  have  held  Communion  with  the  Catholic^ Chlch  ^"Z&fdY  ^ 

gcther,  or  would  thev  not  (if  they  had  lived  in  thofe  times  V  if  Z        Y?f*  co~ 

<  why  not  with  us  alfo  th.tare  of  the  fame  Judgment     wTs     a  DutZT^  & 

unlawful  now  ?  or  are  they  Refpetes  of  Perfons     If  they  wouKn  £i  '  r 

Ages  have  held  Communion  with  the  vifible  Church,  wh/t  wTl I  thev  Lt  *& 

but  feparated  from  the  Body,  and  fo  from  the  Head    and caToff  Chrift        In- 

Members,  and  taken  him  to  be  a  Head  without  a  Body    wh  ch  iw/ol,  a/   ^ 

fc  no  Chrift,  what  would  they  havedone  but  denied  hi'  Power,  Ind^e'  "and 

c  Truth,  and  confequently  his  Redemption,  and  his  Office*   Harh  h?  ™  °    '  T 

>  end  of  Four  Thoufind  Years  (fmce  the  C  eation)  c Redeem  the World  £  \  t  ty 

'long  in  D.rknefs,  and  hath  he  made  fuch  ^^^^^^^l 

;    y^s  Life  and  Miracles,  and  Blood  and  Spirit,  }l  2SS&ffifi38 

dom    and  bis  Dominion  endureth  from  Generation  to  Generation :    and  yet  after  all  this 
'?   lheria/u  a  Church  (eVen  aS  the  Ssek8rs  fay)  but  f°r  ™  Age  or  two  'For 

<  k°  ?f  (tAh°'  Wh£re  Heathens  Were  the  Nei§^ours  of  the  Church,  many*  were 
bapt.ied  at  Age,  yet)  no  Man  can  name  or  prove  a  Society  (or  1  think  a  Perfoni 

<  T^i  int\m  6aP<ilm /^°"e  Thoufand  Two  Hundred  Years  at  leaft?  if  not  One 
f  Ihoufand  Four  Hundred:   And  for  many  Ages  no  other  ordinarily  baptized  but 

intants.     It  Chrift  had  no  Church,  then  where  was  his  Wiitfom,  his  Love    and 

.  his  l>ower  ?  What  was  become  of  the  Glory  of  his  Redemption,  and  his  Catho- 

<  'r.aLUrf'  that  was/°  cominue  to  the  End'  That  Man  that  can  believe  that 
Chnlt  had  no  Church  for  fo  long  time,  or  any  one  Age  fince  his  Afcenfion  rauft 
turn  an  Infidel  and  deny  him  to  be  Chrift,  if  he  be  a  rational  Man.    Did  all  the 

«  Golp-1  Precepts  of  Love  and  Holy  Communion  ceafe,  as  foon  as  Infant  Baptifm 
■  prevailed  2  doubtlels  (though  it  be  be  his  Ordinance)  Chrift  never  laid  fo  great 
.  a  ftrels  on  the  outward  Warning  as  Dividers  do.  Whenever  Baptifm  is  men- 
|  tioned  in  Scripture,  it  means  ["The  Engagement  of  the  Perfon  to  Jefus  Chrift 
*by  folemn  Covenant,  which  Washing  is  appointed  to  Solemnize]  and  i  Cor.  12, 
'  ;•  doth  plainly  mean  [That  one  Holy  Spirit,  which  is  ufually  given  to  the  Bap- 
tized, cither  in  or  neir  their  outward  Baptifm,  doth  inwardly  animate  all  the  Bo- 
c  dy,  and  unite  them  and  afltmilate  them  and  prove  them  Members].     Cohfiahtine 

*  die  Great  was  the  Glory  of  the  Church  in  his  Generation,  maintaining  Holinefs* 
'and  Peace,  when  the  Pastors  were  lome  Corrupters,  and  feme  Dividers  and 
f  would  have  broken  all  in  Pieces  but  for  him  :  He  ordinarily  Preached,  (or  made 
"  Holy  Prayers  and  Speeches  in  Mcetings)and  yet  was  never  baptized  all  this  while 
'  ii:l  near  Death,  and  none  ever  fcrupuled  his  Communion.  I  would  know  of  the 
'iirvidors  why  they  mould  think  Baptifm  more  necelfary  to  be  believed  than  the 
'  "other  S-scrament,  the  Supper  of  the  Lord  :  Yet  it  is  certain  that  all  the  ancient 
4  Church  did  purpoiely   conceal  the  Lord's  Supper  from  the  Knowledge  of  the 

*  Carechumens  j  by  which  it  appears  they  judged  not  the  Belief  of  it  effential  to 
'  a  Church  Member :  Yet  I  know  the  great  thing  meant  by  the  Word  Baptifm  in 

*  Scriptute  is  eifcneial  to  the  Church- Member/hip  of  the  Adult ;  that  is,  the  giving 
f  up  our  fdves  to  God  the"  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft  in  Covenant ;  but  the  Sign 

*  is  only  hecefTary  as  a  Duty,  but  not  as  a  means  without  which  the  thing  cannot  be 

*  had.  This  is  voluminously  proved  againft  the  Papifts,  with  whom  the  contrary 
'  minded  do  comply.  Circumcifion  in  the  Wildernefs  was  feparated  from  Church- 
c  Member /hip  and  Communion.  And  is  the  outward  part  of  Baptifm  more  necefc 
c  fary  under  the  Gofpel,  which  fetteth  lels  by  Externals,  and  where  God  that  is  a 
'  Spirit  Will  be  worshipped  in  Sprit  andinTruth  ;  and  where  neither  Circumcifion  nor  Un- 
c  Uncircumcifion  availeth  any  thing,  bat  a  nav  Creature,  and  Faith  that  worketh  by 
'Love. 

'  But  our  main  Argument  againft  them  is,  That  no  true  Definition  can  be  given 

*  of  Baptifm  that  will  not  agree  with  Infant- Baptifm,  if  it  were  granted  to  be"  un- 
c  lawful,  were  it  proved  an  unmeet  Age,  it  will  never  prove  the  Baptifm  null.  But 
'  I  do  but  go  befides  your  Expectation,  I  fuppofe  in  all  this;  which  is  occasioned 
'  by  your  Husbands  Paper  and  the  main  Caufe.  I  /hall  therefore  come  at  laft  to 
c  your  Cafe. 

f  But  will  Mr.  Lambe  regard  the  Judgment  of  one  that  differeth  from  him  as  I 
c  do  ?You  know  according  to  my  Judgment  what  I  muft  advifehim  to:  but  though 


tf 


AT  <P  E  N  T>  I  X.      Numb.  III. 


r  anfweryour  particular  Queftions.  To  the  two  firft  1  anfwer  :  i.  Wc  have  a  lure 
c  Word  to  fly  to  for  Direction,  and  many  great  and  evident  Principles  (as  here  the 
c  Nature  of  the  Catholick  Church,  &c)  to  give  us  Light  in  the  darker  Points  that 
1  depend  upon  them  :  and  in  fuch  a  Cale  it  is  dangerous  gathering  our  lnformati- 

*  ons  about  Truth  or  Duty,  or  Sin  from  dark  and  doubtful  Providences,  which  are 
e  not  our  Rule,  but  only  fome  Effects  of  the  Will  of  God,  that  as  to  Events  aie 
c  clear,  but  as  to  Truth  and  Duty  can  tell  us  nothing  or  very  little,  but  in  full  Sub- 
'  ordination  to  our  Rule,  from  which  they  muft  receive  their  Light.  And  of  all 
c  Providences  few  are  darker  than  Motions  and  Troubles  from  our  own  Thoughts, 
rfomany,  and  fecret,  and  powerful  Caufes  are  there  within  us,  and  about  us  of 
f  Mifapprehenfions  and  milled  Paflions,  that  its  very  dangerous  boldly  to  Judge  of 
'the  Mind  of  God  by  our  own  difturbed  Minds  j  when  it  is  our  Duty  to  judge  our 

*  own  Minds  by  God's,  and  God's  Mind  by  his  Word;  his  particular  Providences 
c  being  moftly  but  to  help  the  Word  in  working  in  a  Subordination  to  it.  2.  I 
c  cannot  be  fure  that  know  him  not,  but  I  fulpect  by  the  Narrative,  that  this  is 
c  Mr.  L.'s  Cafei  1.  His  Heart  being  upright  in  what  he  had  before  done,  God  in 
'  Mercy  gave  into  his  Mind,  that  Light  concerning  Catholicilm  and  Brotherly 
'  Love,  and  other  Truths  contained  in  his  Papers,  which  tended  to  his  Satisfaction 
'  and  Recovery.  2.  Upon  the  fight  of  this  much  Truth,  it  muft  needs  raife  fome 
'  Trouble  in  his  Mind,  that  he  had  acted  contrarily  before,  and  yet  the  Words  of 
f  the  contrary  Minded  holding  him  in  fufpence,  and  unrefolved  about  his  future 
'  Practice,  at  leaft,  increafed  his  Trouble  (an  unrefolved  Mind  in  great  Matters 
c  being  a  Burden  to  it  felf).     3.  And  the  terrible  Threats  and  hard  Prognofticks 

*  of  thefe  Diffenters  and  their  Cenfures  of  him,  might  yet  fink  deeper.  For  it  is  the 
'  way  of  fome  to  fall  upon  our  Paflions  inftead  of  our  Judgments,  and  ftir  up 
c  Fears  in  us,  inftead  of  convincing  us.  As  the  Papifts  win  abundance  by  telling 
c  them,  that  no  others  can  be  faved  (as  if  we  mould  be  frightened  to  the  Party  that 

*  will  be  moil  uncharitable,  when  Charity  is  the  Chriftians  Badge).    So  I  doubt 

*  too  many  do,  that  we  have  now  to  fpeak  of.  4.  The  Apprehenfion  of  his  Peo- 
f  pies  Difcontent,  and  fome  bad  Confequents  to  them  and  himfclf,  that  he  Appre- 
c  hended  would  follow  his  Return,  did  yet  make  the  difturbance  more.  5.  The 
c  long  and  ferious  Study  of  the  Matter  with  much  Intention,  might  yet  go  farther. 
'  6.  And  by  all  thefe  means,  I  conjecture  he  is  fbmewhat  furprized  with  Melancho- 

*  ly.  7.  And  then  (if  that  prove  fo)  its  very  hard  to  gather  the  Mind  of  God  from 
'  his  Difturbances ;  for  they  will  follow  the  Impreffes  on  his  own  difturbed  Mind. 

*  But  all  thele  are  but  my  diftant  Conjectures  from  what  you  write.  But  to  come 
f  nearer. 

*  3.  Whether  he  have  contracted  any  Melancholy  or  no,  this  is  my  Judgment 
r  of  the  Caufes  of  his  Changes.     1.  God  caufed  his  Light  and  Convictions  in  much 

*  Mercy,  that's  evident  by  the  Conformity  of  his  Affertions  here  to  the  Word  of 
r  God,  and  the  Principles  of  Chriftianity.  2.  Satan  envyed  him  and  others  the 
r  Mercy  that  was  given  in  :  and  therefore  I  verily  think  he  is  the  caufe  of  his  Hor- 
r  rors  and  Troubles,  when  he  thinks  of  returning  to  Unity  with  others,  and  whol- 

*  ly  withdrawing  himfelf  from  theSchifm:  My  Reafons  are,  1.  Becaufe  I  know 
c  that  the  Work  is  of  God,  and  Ergo,  who  but  Satan  mould  be  againft  it.  2.  Be- 
c  caufe  that  Troubling,  and  Terrifying,  and  Difturbing  the  Paflions  is  ufually  his 
'  Work ;  Specially  when  it  is  againft  God's  Light.  God  worketh  by  Light,  and 
c  drawing  the  Heart  to  Truth  and  Goodnefs :  But  Satan  ufually  worketh  by  ftir- 

*  ring  in  the  Paflions  to  muddy  the  Judgment.  3.  Common  Experience  tells  us", 
c  That  it  is  his  ordinary  .way,  where  once  he  hath  got  Power,  to  give  quiet  in  Sin, 

*  and  to  trouble  and  terrify  upon  Thoughts  of  Recovery.     Quefi.  But  how  mould 

*  he  have  fuch  Power  with  a  Servant  of  God  ?  This  leadeth  me  more  particularly 
c  to  anfwer  your  firft  Queftion.  God  frequently  giveth  him  fuch  Power  over  his 
c  own  Servants,  1.  When  the  Service  we  are  upon  is  a  recovering  Work,  which  ihi- 

*  plyeth  our  former  Guilt.     It  was  no  fmall  Sin  (though  ignorantly  committed  by 

*  an  honeft  Heart)  for  Mr.  L.  to  feparate  and  draw  fo  many  with  him,  and  put  fo 
r  much  Credit  and  Countenance  upon  a  Caufe,  that  hath  made  fuch  fad  and  mife- 
c  rable  work  among  the  Saints :    O  !    What  Churches  might  we  have  had  by  this 

*  time  in  England,  if  the  Enemy  had  not  made  ufe  of  our  dividing  Friends  to  his 
c  Advantage,  and  to  do  his  Work. 

c  Now  you  muft  not  marvel  if  the  Accufer  and  Executioner  have  feme  Power  gi- 
c  ven  him  to  be  a  Vexation  to  a  Godly  Man  after  iiich  Guilt.  And  indeed  (b  few 
'  look  back  that  fall  into  Divifions,  that  Mr.L.  mould  not  grudge  at  a  little  Perplex- 
6  itythat  meets  him  in  the  way  of  fo  great  a  Mercy.    An  ingenuous  Mind  would 

'not 


Numb.  HI.       A  T  T  E  N  T>  I  x. 

'not  come  out  of  fo  great  a  Sin  whithout  fomemoderate  Tr^H.  e    ■  ,    ~. 

tt«  mcntorioudy,  and  (hould  be  intentionally);  i  EfpecXif  1°/,"  W*  "' 
•  h.m  advantage,  Satan  (that  commonly  worketh  by  that me™  t}T*°h  *ive 
'  may  do  Wonders.  ,.  And  I  (hall  tell  you  of  fome  o  her  TnT;„  ??  ln^SD0 
'  that  I  conjeSure  at.  }  0ther  ends  m  the  conclufion, 

'  To  your  Second  Queftion  I  fay,  it  feems  to  me   a«  U  RIa    .  i     j  ,  • 
'  impoffible  to  judge  of  his  Caufe  by  thefe  his  rX'ns     t?\£      £  ^  'Je>- 
'  far,  that  tfais-Diftrefs  of  Spirit  is  for  his  former  S  n?nVenara  m,  r-  1"**%)* 


1  that  yet  he  knows  not  of.     ,  °  *-—«*  *or  lome  turther  Good, 


5-7 


' Church  for  the  ends  in  the  Conclusion  mentioned     7  Tha   when  trT^'u 

<  he  fliouM  preach  the  Gofpel  on  the  Terms  in  the  end     3    Thlt if  he  mT^ 

*  private  Member,  he  mould  rather  go  to  Mr.  Goodwin's  Church  than  anoh        f  * 

*  be  rightly  confuted,  (becaufe  he  Thence  removed) :   ^Ui^d&X    * 

*  theredoUtof  many  Paries  without  Neceffity,  were  I  in  his  ^tSSS^& 
join  with  another  Church,   and  that  in  the  Parifh  where  he  lives   if  there  £  1 

,  n   ^ChuthaT 1S  fitS  -  j0in-e?  WKh  5  if  not'  *  would  "move  my  Dwells  to  the 
;  ?"  .     n    *  WOuld  *oin  Wlth ;  Cohabitation  is  the  Aptitude  require  to  Church 

*  Memberfhip.    To  Your  Queftion,  Why  his  Conference  fee?  not  this  D^v" 

<  I  know  not,  unleis  providence  mean,  as  I JJ13II  fpeak  anon.    But  I  marvel  if  he  f4k 
'not  the  Sin  of  his  Separation. 

e  To  your  Fourth,  I  anfwer :  Having  drawn  fo  many  into  a  Schifm,  It  is  hk  great 

*  unquefbonable  Duty  to  do  all  that  he  can  to  get  them  out  of  it :   and  if  he  can 
■  not   to  leave  them,  and  partake  no  longer  in  their  Sins  ;  yea,  and  do  more  than 
'  this  for  his  Recovery  and  theirs. 

f  To  your  Fifth  Queftion :  It  is  anfwered  in  the  former ;  he  ought  openly  to 
'  difbwn  the  Sin  of  Separation.  J 

f  To  the  Sixth :  If  he  be  Melancholy,  let  him  forbear  Studies;  if  not,  he  mould 
'  impartially  fearch  after  the  Truth  by  Study,  but  with  Patience,  not  fetting  God  a 
'  time  for  his  Refolution.  Ai  for  my  Twenty  Arguments,  which  you  fay  he  is  re- 
'  fened  to,  I  partly  confidered  what  they  made  for,  before  I  fet  them  down.  They 
'  prove  a  Neceffity  of  Profeflion  of  Confent  in  all  adult  Covenanters :  But  yet  Pa- 
c  rents  may  profefs  their  Confent  to  their  Chikhens  Covenanting  or  Engagement: 

*  The  lPipejiis  are  the. Believers  and  the  Confenters,  and  Ergo,  muft  be  the  Profef- 
«  for s.     i'hey.  have  Power  of  devoting,  and  giving  up,  and  engaging  their  Children 

*  to  God.     1  would  Mr.  L.  could  tell  me    {When  the  Privilege  and  Duty  of  Parents 

*  tntiring,  their  Children  into  the  Holy  Covenant  with  God3  and  folemnizing  this  did  ceafe  ?1 

*  Let  him  anfwer  me  but  that  one  Queftion  well,  and  prove  it,  and  I  will  be  of  his 
c  mind  (but  tl  lis  is  bcfides  my  Intent)  :  It  will  not  prove  that  Infants  are  not  laved 

1  becaufe  it  is  (aid  fo  oft,  That  16c  that  believeth  foall  not  perijh  :  and  he  that  believetb 
(  not,  is  condemned  already  >  and  jhall  be  damned ,  &c.  No  more  will  it  prove  that  Jn- 
'  fants  that  profefs  not,"  and  believe  not,  may  not  be  entered  by  profefling  Parents 
'  into  Covenant  with  God,  (as  undoubtedly  till  Chrift's  Time  they  were)  became 
'.  Profeflion  is  necelTary  to  the  adult.  As  the  Parents  Will  difpofeeh  of  them  (for 
4  their  good)  fo  the  Parents  Profeflion  is  enough.    But  I  come  to  my  Conclufion. 

'  I  am  no  Prophet ;  but  I  hope  God  hath  given  Mr.  L.  his  Light  and  his  Tryafc, 
c  yet  for  higher  ends ;  and  fiifFered  him  to  delay  his  Relinquifhrrient  of  the  Schifm, 
r  that  he  may  be  more  ferviceable  to  the  Church,  in  helping  to  heal  the  common 
'  Breach.-  To  which  End  I  make  this  Motion  to  him,  and  tell  him  from  me,  I 
f  think  it  is  of  God,  and  will  produce  his  Comfort. 

'  1.  If  he  defire  it,  I  will  prefently  fend  him  a  Model  of  Agreement  between  the 
'Churches  of  the  Pcedobaptifts  and  Anabaptifts(as  commonly  called)  in  order  to  their 
'  charitable  brotherly  Communioh,and  the  prefervation  of  the  common  Truth,that  it 

•  fuffer  not  by  our  Divifions :  This  he  and  I  will  fubferibe  to,  and  then  I  doubt  not 

•  to  get  Mr.  fombes  to  fubferibe  it ;  and  next  I  will  get  all  our  AfTociation  to  fub- 
ffcribe  it  i  and  next  let  Mr.T.  and  he  get  what  other  of  the  Re-baptifed  to  fubferibe 

•  it  that  will.  If  none  but  he  and  I  do  it,  we  will  publifh  it,  and  fhame  the  World 
s  into  a  Peace,  or  do  our  parts.  And  raethinks  I  forefee  great  Benefits  that  will  en- 
rfue  (more  than  this  Paper  will  hold  to  enumerate).  2.  When  this  Agreement  is 
c  Publifhed, Mr.  L.  fliall  alfo  Publifh  his  Arguments,  and  I  my  Reafons  for  our  Agree- 
r  ment.'    2.  When  this  is  done,  let  Mr.  L.  become  the  Paftor  of  a  Church  that's 

*  H  ( mixt 


58  JT  <P  E  N  T>  1  X.      Nurr 


r  raixtof  the  Baptized  and  Re-baptized,  if  it  may  be;  if  not,  at  leafl  a  Publick 
c  Preacher  in  a  convenient  Station :  For  I  fee  that  Light  in  his  Argumentation,  that 
'he  may  not  hide,  and  that  God  will  never  Suffer  him  to  caft  off  and  go  againfl 

•  but  at  his  Peril  (which  I  cannot  fear).  Dear  Mrs.  L.  receiving  your  Letcer  near 
'Bedtime  on  Saturday  Night,  I  thought  it  no  Sin  to  make  it  part  of  this  Lords 

*  Day's  Work  to  return  you  this  Anfwer,  which  I  defire  you  to  accept  from  (and 
'  pray  for) 

Aug.  22.  i6j8.  To"?  Brother, 

in  the  Covenant 

and  Spirit  of  Chrift, 

Rich.   Baxter. 

If  Mr.  L.  look  into  my  Book  for  Infant  Bapttfm,  let  him  know  that  I  much  repent  of  the 
harp)  Language  in  ity  but  not  of  the  mam  matter. 


London,  the  16th  of  Sept.  i6$S. 

Honoured  Sir, 

*  T  Perceive  my  Wife  hath,  unknown  to  me,  lent  you  my  Papers  touching  Free 
<  1  Communion  with  all  Saints,  which  God  knoweth  my  Heart  and  Soul  is  in ; 
1  and  fince  the  Matter  is  fo  well  received  by  you,  as  appeareth  by  your  kind  an- 
'  fwer,  and  my  own  particular  Cafe  fo  affectionately  tendred  by  you,  I  am  encou- 
'  raged  to,  further  Converfe,  and  indeed  do  welcome  your  Overtures  of  a  loving 
'  Correfpondency  with  many  Thanks  both  to  God  and  your  felf :  'Tis  a  rare  thing 

*  to  find  Men  of  Parts,  Learning,  and  great  Abilities ,    cloathed  with  Bowels  of 

*  Mercies,  or  Humblenefsof  Mind,  Ffat.  113.  y,  6.  The  Prophet  fpeaketh  in  the 
'  Praife  of  the  Almighty  ;  That  though  he  vjos  high,  yet  humbled  bimfelft'o  confider  the 
1  things  on  Earth  ;    yea,    even  the  poor  on  the  Dunghil  fitting  in  Duft  ;    God's 

*  Heighth  hindereth  not  him,  but  Mens  doth  them  ordinarily,  though  not  in  it 
'  felf:  Not  as  a  Caufe,  but  as  an  Occafion  through  the  Corruption  that  is  in  the 
'  Heart  of  the  beft.     It  may  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  whom 

*  I  have  fought  with  Falling,  Prayers  and  Tears  j  hath  appointed  you  to  interpret 
' c  his  wonderful  dealing  with  me,  and  to  mew  me  my  Uprightnew.    I  mean  what 

«  he  will  account  fo.  He  that  could  do  fo,  would  be  an  Interpreter  one  of  a  Thou- 
1  fand  to  me  that  walk  in  Darknefi,  and  fee  little  Light :  O,  that  I  knew  the  Mind 

*  and  Will  of  God  in  my  difficult  Cafe  !  happy  fhould  I  be :    I  have  this  Comfort 

*  in  my  Affliction,  that  my  Will  is  perfectly  fubdued  to  God's :  I  would  go  his  way 
■  if  I  could  tell  where  it  lay :  But  alas !   I  cannot  find  it :  I  make  my  moan  to  the 

*  Almighty,   but  he  feemeth  to  carry  it  feverely  towards  me,  inftead  of  making 

*  ftreight  Paths  for  my  Feet :  Upon  my  earneft  Solicitations,  he  leaveth  me  in  the 
'  Hand  of  Tormenting  Fears.  That  you  may  the  better  know  what  to  fay  to  me, 
'  I  fhall  as  briefly  as  I  can,  tell  you  my  cafe. 

f  My  Underftanding  being  enlightned  that  all  Saints,  as  Saints,  ought  to  hold 
x  Church  Communion  againft  what  I  have  foolifhly  printed  (for  which  I  loath  my 
f  felf,  and  abhor  the  Sight  of  it)  :  I  fet  my  felf  to  confider  other  Events  that  lead 

*  me  to  that  narrownefs  of  Spirit,  at  lair  come  to  doubt  whether  God  be  pleafed 

*  with  Re-baptizing,  to  the  Rejection  of  Infants  out  of  the  Vifible  Church  :  But 
'  am  out  of  doubt  in  this,  that  to  rebaptize  any  now,  do  denominate  their  vifible 
'  Saintfhip.  or  give  right  to  Church  Fellowfhip,  and  fo  to  part  them  from  all  the 
t  Believers  in  Chrift  not  fo  Baptized  as  the  World,  as  not  of  the  vifible  Church  of 
'  God,  is  a  moft  pernicious  Error,  and  a  great  Evil ;  further,  I  found  fault  with 
'  Popular  Government  in  the  Church,  as  it  confounds  the  Definition  of  Governour 
c  and  Governed.  Alfo  that  in  the  fetled  State  of  the  Church,  no  Man  ought  to 
1  take  a  Perfonal  Charge  but  Perfons  both  able,  and  wholly  devoted  to  the  Work. 

*  That  to  be  a  Merchant  and  a  Minifter  doth  not  agree,  except  in  Cafes  of  invin- 

rcible 


Numb.  III.       JTTENDlx. 

•  cible  Neceffity  :  That  in  the  Ltoitkal  Order  appointed  bv~Gr^    ,h»  „'  •  ' 

•  equity  refpeding  the  Minifters  of  the  Gofpel,  both  Separation i  to  ,h,  «/  \m"tal 

•  and  Maintenance  in  it ;  and  however  People  may  Imagine Ted  ,        »'•  a"d 

•  pies  and  Prances  prove  difnonourable  to  £od,  2CT^«?5Sl*rtW" 
'  In  the  multitude  of  thele  Thoughts  I  began  to  conclude   that  it  wJT™?     tn., 

;  for  me  to  hold  my  Relation  to  the'people  f  now  ierve,  and  «oJ5ffl 
*  me  in  thefe  things  on  ournofe  tn  annear  .-ioa;nftrhp»,    —a  i~~ i  -..         wlu£^eneci 


c  TrUthxiS.'  asIube«a"  to  widen  from  che  Church  I  relate  to,  rny  Soul  fank'no 

<  deep  Mire,  where  there  was  no  ftanding,  into  a  horrible  Pit     the  Arrows  of  rh- 

Lord  (luck  faft  in  me,  and  his  Hand  prefled  me  fore,  the  Poyfon  of  them  drunk 


'  Temptations  to  dofpair  of  God's  Love  to  me,  and  much  ado  to  keep  mv  Heart 

*  above  Water.  r     J  wv"t" 

c  Whereupon  I  humbled  my  /elf  under  the  mighty  Hand  of  God,  and  ftopt  mv 
prelent  Profecutions  of  my  Purpofes,  which  was  to  have  burnt  my  Books  •  to  have 
returned  to  Mr.  Goodwin's  again  ;  to  have  provided  my  Papers  with  fome  Additi- 

*  ons,  and  a  folemn  Addrefs  to  all  the  Churches  under  that  Form  :  But  meeting 
€  with  this  wonderful  Opposition  from  God,  my  Hand  hangeth  down,  and  my 
rKneetceble,  I  am  in  an  amaze,  not  knowing  what  to  fay,  think,  or  do:  But  this 
«  I  have  found,  That  as  widening  from  the  People  I  am  with  brought  us  great  di- 

*  ftrefs,  fo  joining  with  them  again  alTuageth  the  Waters  of  my  Affliction  upor* 
c  thefe  Terms  I  (land  not  daring  to  ftir  from  them,  nor  do  any  thing  to  prejudice 
'  my  efteem  with  them  :  But  yet  not  fatisfied  neither  through  Fear,  lead  by  going 

*  on  the  way  I  am  engaged  in,  I  mould  countenance  a  By  way  not  pleafingto  God 
'  And  thus  by  degrees,  I  have  opened  to  you  the  perfect  State  of  my  Cafe,  but  it 
'  was  becaufe  you  would  ask  me  what  matter  the  Enemy  (if  it  were  the  Enemy) 
1  wrought  on  to  make  me  fo  great  Affliction  upon  it,  one  thing  was  fome  Thoughts 
rof  Heart  that  I  had  had  concerning  my  Children  :    That  made  it  indeed  a  mat- 

*  ter  defirable  to  me  to  be  out  of  tfiis  way  ;  but  my  Confcience  telleth  me  the 
'  Thoughts  was  lawful  and  good,  and  that  they  had  not  the  lead  influence  in  the 
c  change  of  my  Judgment.  Another  thing  is,  the  way  we  are  in  is  a  very  narrow 
'  way,  and  we  have  fome  Chriffians,  my  dear  and  intimate  Friends,  that  walk  in 

*  it,  that  excell  in  holinefs,  and  aie  gone  fome  what  farther  out  of  the  World  with 
'  their  Hearts,  through  their  Faith  and  Senfeof  future  things  than  ordinarily  Chri- 
t  (Hans  go;   thefe  ali  frown'd  on  me.     And  then  3.  The  way  I  mould  return  to 

*  was  more  open,  and  the  Peiibns  lefsfenfible  (Oh,;  Sir,  there  is  abundance  have 
r  Knowledge,  but  there  is  but  a  few  have  a  rich  Senfe)    4.  I  mould  leave  the  Poor 
■  and  go  among  the  Rich,   that  minded  more  the  adorning  of  the  outward  Man 

*  than  the  glorious  Gofpel  of  Chrift  ordinarily  ;  whereas  my  Spirit  is  much  fetagainfl 
1  gay  Apparel  and  following  of  Fafhions ;  not  but  that  Mr-  Goodwins  Church  is  as 
c  lbber  as  mdft,  I  think  as  any ,  But  the  Trudi  is,  it  is  a  Sin  in  my  Apprehenfion 
'  at  leaft)  that  few  are  fufficiently  fenfible  of.     f.  My  Confcience  telleth  me,   that 

*  as  for  Parifhes,  there  is  no  proceedings  in  Parifhes  that  are  worthy  the  Name  of 
c  Church-Proceedings  ordinarily.  There  is  indeed  in  fome  few  an  able  Man  to 
r  Preach,  and  the  People  go  to  hear,  but  asTor  watching,  vifiting,  and  nouriming, 
'and  (uch  like  faithful  Proceedings  for  the  Health  of  Souls,  there  are  but  few  lay 
s  any  fuch  things  to  Heart  -y  fo  that  the  Parilnes,  for  the  moft  part,  are  but  like  a 
c  dead  Corps  without  Life.  The  living  Stones  are  gone  into  one  gathered  Church  or 
c  other,  but  I  con re(s,  I  do  not  find  them  bleifed  after.  6.  Another  thing  was  the 
'  Danger  that  the  Souls  of  our  Friends  would  be  in  upon  my  leaving  them.  7.  The 
'  making  of  thoufands  of  Hearts  fad,  who  have  their  Eyes  upon  me. 

c  I  perceive  your  Propositions  at  .the  end  of  your  Letter,  /Has  for  me,  I  (hall  be 
'  fit  for  nothing,  except  God  be  pieafcd  to  heal  my  wounded  Spirit  j  that  is  my 
f  great  Care  for  the  prefcnt,  how  t6  behave  my  (elf  to  obtain  the  Light  of  his 
'  Countenance.  If  God  would  go  before  me,  and  lead  me,  I  would  do  any  thing, 
'  the  Joy  of  the  Lord  is  our  Strength  j  but  however  I  thank  God*  that  enableth  me 
c  to  hold  out  waiting  ;  I  am  fure  my  Soul  hungereth  and  thirfteth  after  Righteou£ 
r  nefs  more  than  all  Riches,  and  therefore  I  am  under  the  Promife  of  being  fill'd  &t 
'  laff  :  I  have  indeed  coveted  co  ferve  God,  and  fecretly  plotted  how  to  call  my  Af- 

H   2  '  fair? 


59 


<jo  ~     A  <P  T  E  N  T>  I  X.       Numb.  III. 

'    «  fairs,  fo  that  I  might  be  free  for  it,  I  have  in  order  to  tie  Devotion  or  my  Soul 

*  to  the  Word  and  Prayer,  wholly  taken  my  felf  off  all  Converge  with  the  World, 
<  and  fuppofing  I  mould  not  long  flay  where  1  am,  I  was  confidering  where  I  might 
'  be  ufeful :  At  laft  I  thought  of  going  into  fome  Country,  with  the  leave  of  Mr. 
'  Goodwins  Church,  where  there  was  much  People,  and  no  means,  and  there  to  (eat 

*  my  felf,  having  a  good  Eftate  of  my  own,  by  which  I  could  not  only  ferve  freely, 
'  but  do  much  good.  This  I  thought  would  have  been  pleafing  to  God,  I  refolved 
«  not  to  meddle  with  the  Point  of  Baptii'm  one  way  or  other,  but  have  ftriven  the 
c  Conversion  of  Souls  to  Jefiis  Chrift  :  But  his  late  Frowns  on  me  maked  me  fear 
c  he  will  take  no  delight  in  me  :    But  however,  fince  I  call  him  Father,  it  is  fit  I 

*  mould  fay  Thy  wiU  be  done ;  even  fo  Father  let  it  be.     Amen,  Amen. 

c  If  you  would  draw  up  fuch  a  Model  of  Agreement  as  you  write  of,    I  know 
c  not  how  much  it  may  conduce  to  the  Glory  of  God  :   I  believe  fome  here  would 

*  fubfcribe  it,  I  hope  many  :   I  propounded  it  to  Mr.  Manton ;    he  (aid,  he  mould 
.   « like  fuch  a  thing  very  well. 

c  The  Lord  preferve  your  Life,  Health,  and  Strength,  that  you  may  live  to  do 

*  God  more  Service  -y  your  Zeal  provoketh  many  :  1  am  fully  perfuaded,  and,  I 
'  think,  upon  good  Grounds,  that  had  the  Minifters  taken  the  Couife,  that  I  hear 

*  you  take  at  Kidderminfter \,  it  hati  prevented  Separation.  The  good  Lord  fill  you 
c  with  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  enable  you  to  do  yet  more  abundantly.  Dear  Sir,  I  in* 
r  treat  you  to  ufe  your  Intereft  in  Heaven  for  me,  that  my  Faith  may  be  ftrength- 

*  ned,  which  the  Enemy  layeth  at  daily  ;  to  enlighten  my  Understanding ;  to  give 
4  me  good  knowledge  and  good  Judgment ;  to  deliver  my  Confcience  from  unne- 
*cefTary  Scruples;  to  manifeft  his  Love  to  me,  and  increafe  my  Love  to  him-  and, 
c  if  it  be  his  Will,  to  ufe  and  comfort  me  in  his  Service,  which  he  knoweth  is  Meat 
c  and  Drink  to  me,  who  am 


Tour  affectionate  Friend 
J  hope  fiortly  to  hear  from  you. 

and  Brother  in  Chrift  Jeftu, 

Tho.  Lambe. 


I 


Dear  Mr.  Baxter, 

Do  return  my  many  Thanks  for  your  excellent  Letter  which  1  have  received  with  the  en- 
H  clofed ;  wishing  I  knew  how  to  requite  your  Love}  and  anfwer  that  Favour  I  found 
with  you  in  ypur  large  Letter ,  which  is  not  in  vain  to  us-wardt  hut  of  much  ufe$  the 
Lord  requite  your  Labour  of  Love.  1  only  redouble  my  Requeft  for  an  Intereft  in  your  Fray- 
ers,  that  God  would  deliver  my  dear  Husband  from  all  his  Fears,  and  guide  him  by  his  Light  j 
our  God  will  hear,  who  keepeth  Covenant  and  Mercy  for  ever  with  thoft  that  fear 
him,     I  reft, 

S  I  R, 

Your  Sifter 
Sept  20.  1658. 

and  Lover  in  our  Lord  Jefus. 

For  Mr..  Rich  Brftfttr^Wiaifter  at  Kiddemninfter. 

Dear 


Numb.  II. 


Dear  Brother, 

AS  mre  as  Love  is  a  Fruit  of  the  Spirit,  the  Character  of  a  Saint-  vea    rhP 
more  excellent  way,  and  as  terminated  on  him  whom  we  love  in  the  &i«rf 
is  the  moft  high  and  noble  Grace,  as  being  the  Beginning  and  End,  the  Spring  of 
all  other  Holy  Affections  and  Adions,  and  the  enjoyning  Adt  that's  next  §0,  r 
fcnd,  lo  tar  is  that  State  to  you  a  growing  State,   in  which  you  increafe  in  Holy 
Love,  and  io  iure  was  that  a  declining  State  in  which  your  Charity  was  (freight 
ned  and  dimimfhed:  and  as  fare  is  that  Doftrine  of  Chrift  that  leaded  to  an 
univerfal  Love  of  Saints;  and  that  againft  Chrift,  which  is  againft  it.    It  is  not 
the  lealt  Grief  of  my  own  Soul,  that  in  the  eager  Defence  of  that  which  (till  I 
judge  to  be  the  Truth,  I  have  done  any  thing  prejudicial  to  my  own  or  Brethrens- 
Charity.     Upon  perufal  I  now  find  that  many  of  my  Speeches  in  my  Book  of  In- 
fant  Baptifm  have  been  too  provoking,  of  which  I  heartily  repent,  though  I  dar^ 
not  of  the  Dcclrine.    The  Frame  of  our  Affe&ions  doth  much  advantage  W 
difadvantage  our  Judgments,  and  Experience  is  a  help  to  both.    This  I  perceiv? 
you  have  found  as  well  as  1 :  All  Holy  Truths  muft  be  entertained  with  mixt  A£ 
factions  $  with  Sorrow  for  any  thing  that  we  havedon^  sgaxnft  them  5  and  with 
Love,  and  Joy,  and  Gratitude  to  the  bountiful  Revealer  Kf  diem.    Thefe  that 
you  here  enumerate,  as  revealed  to  you,  are  very  weighty,  becaufe  of  fach  a  pra- 
ctical Nature,    and  publick  ule  ;    and  Ergo,  you  muft  be  true  to  them,  and  ufe 
them  accordingly  :  they  arefuch  as  leave  no  room  for  Doubting,  as  bearing  dieir 
Teltimony  fo  legible  in  their  Forehead  t   This  being  concluded  that  they  are  cer- 
tain Truths,  it  may  much  help  you  ro  judge  of  your  following  Troubles     I  /hall 
reduce  all  that  I  have  to  fay  for  Refolution  to  thefe  Propositions,     r.  The  Word 
of  God,  and  not  the  Troubles  of  your  own  Spirit,  is  the  Handing  Rule  by  which 
you  muit  judge  of  Duty  and  Sin  :  You  cannot  know  either  by  your  Troubles  im- 
mediately, but  as  they  awaken  or  help  you  to  underftand  that  Word.    2.  It  is  Er- 
go, moft  certain  that  none  of  your  Troubles  mould  in  the  leaft  meafure,  move 
you  from  the  certain  Truths,  which  by  the  Light  of  this  Word  hath  been  made 
•known  to  you.     All  the  Troubles  in  the  World  will  not  alter  Scripture,  and  make 
Truth  10  be  no  Truth  :  You  muft  not  once  offer  to  try  Scripture  Truths  by-  your 
Feeling?,  but  your  Feelings  by  thefe  Truths.     3.  You  muft  therefore  firft  fee 
whether  you  obey  the  Truth  revealed  to  you  ;    which  plainly  requireth  you  firft 
to  manifcft  Repen-ance  for  fo  much  breach  of  Truth  or  Unity,  or  Charity  as  you. 
have  feen  your  (elf  Guilty  of.     2.  And  to  be  Guilty  of  the  fame  no  more.    Now 
whether  you  live  in  that  Sin,  or  out  of  it,  I  leave  to  you  to  judge.     And  no  doubt 
but  it  is  your  Duty  to  do  your  utmoft,   to  draw  all  thofe  out  of  ir,  whom  yoii 
have  encouraged  in  it,  and  as  many  more  as  you  can.    There  are  but  thefe  two 
Queftions  then  before  you  ;  What  is  the  Caufe  of  your  Trouble  ?   and  how  you 
i~hou  d  difpoie  of  you-  fetf  for  the  future.     And  to  the  firit  I  anfwer  in  this  fourth 
Prop^irion:    Though  we  know  in  general  that  Sin  is  the  deferving  Caufe,  and 
God's  Wifdom  and  Love  the  t'ilpofing  Caufe  ;    yet  it  is  not  eafy  to  find  out  the 
particular  Sins,  nor  the  particular  Defign  of  Love  :    but  the  former  is  the  more 
eafy  by  the  help  of  Scripture,  which  fHeweth  us  our  Sin  more  fully  than  God's 
future  intended  VVotks.  ^.But^as  it  is  certain  that  no  Providence  is  to  be  interpreted 
againft  a  Precept  j  f  >,  as  far  as  I  can  conjecture  at  this  diftance,your  Trouble  is  moft 
likely  to  arilefrom  thefe  connexed  Cauies:  i.Froin  fome  Melancholy  that  hath  got 
Advantage  of  your  Head,  by  the  Thoughtfulne!'s,Perplexity,  and  the  firft  act :11a!  Di£ 
quiecrnents.2.From  Satans  Temptations  working  on  this  Advantage ;  but  of  the  firft 
1  am  no  competent  Judge,  becauie  ciiftant  :    But  I  ftrongly  fufpe&  it  (by  long 
Experience  in  Multitudes  of  that  Diftcmper,  who  few  of  them  will  believe  thae 
they  have  it  themfelves).    But  of  the  fecond  I  3m  more  confident :   Satan  cannot 
trouble  lis  when  he  will,  but   1.  When  Sin  hath  procured  him  a  Permiffion  :  and 
2.  When  fbme  Melancholy  or  Difquietments  have  given  him  an  Advantage.     I 
have:mec  with  few  Ptvihni-  that"  ever  fell  into  any  Calamity  by  Sin,  but  Satan  did 
vert  much  trouble  them  when  they  atempted  the  means  of  their  Recovery.     The 
Difquietments  and  Honors  hat  idiz^uport  moft  ungodly  Perfons,  when  they  are 
about  coming  home  by  Chrift,  may  be  from  God  principally,  bat  from  Satan  as 
the  Instrument  of  his  Wrath,   and  as  permitted  ro  try  them.     Whenever  any 
efcape  any  notable  Snare  of  Satan  (in  State  or  Fad)  uftally  Satan  roareth  and  ra- 
if  pofible,  till  the  efcape  is  made,  and  then  God  meeteth 


geth  to  hinder  them, 
shem  with  further  I  i 


hr  and  Love  r  Thmob  follows  them  into  the  Red  Sea,  an* 


AT  T  E  NV  IX.       Numb.  III. 


'God  receives  them,  and  puts  a  Song  of  Praife  into  their  Mouths  on  the  dry 
'Land. 

4  But  this  firft  Queftion  is  not  fuch  as  you  need  much  to  flick  at :  You  may  eafily 
c  fee  for  what  Sin  its  like  you  mould  have  this  Affliction  ;  or  it  you  could  not  (after 
'  a  faithful  Search)  get  rid  of  all  and  fweep  as  clean  as  poflibly  you  can,  and  then 
'  you  will  remove  that  Sin  with  the  reft.  The  refolving  of  the  next  Queftion  is 
f  your  principal  Bufinefs,  which  is,  to  know  now  where  your  Duty  lyeth  lor  the 
'  time  to  come  :  For  when  once  you  are  fetled  in  the  way  of  Duty,  Peace  will  re- 
'turn    and  the  dark  Face  of  your  now  difconfolate  Soul  be  cleared  up  (unlefs  any 

*  deep  Melancholy,  or  unuiual  Providence  mould  continue  your  Trouble)  and  in- 
'  deed  it  is  not  very  eafy  to  lee  the  way  of  your  Ducy  to  the  end ;  but  part  of  it  is 
'  very  eafy  :  i.  That  you  ihould  obey  the  Light  that  God  hath  manifefted  to  you, 
e  and  help  to  communicate  Catholick  Principles  and  Affections  to  all  your  People, 

*  to  the  utmoft  of  your  Power,  this  is  certain  ;  and  do  all  that  you  are  able  to  cure 
iuncharitable  dividing  Principles  or  Difpofitions.    2.  That  you  may  not  live  in  a 

tjfc^ractice  contrary  to  your  Doctrine  is  as  plain  ;  and  Ergo,  may  not  be  guilty  of 
continuing  a  divided  Church  ;  though  you  may  prudently  obferve  the  fitted  man- 
ner and  Seafbn  of  your  coming  off:  Therefore  it  feems  to  me  your  Duty,  freely, 
lovingly,  compaff  onately  to  communicate  your  Reafons  to  your  Auditors :  if  they 
can  prove  them  unfound,  (which  I  am  fure  they  cannot  in  the  main)  then  yield 
to  them  ;  if  they  cannot,  then  beg  their  Pardon  for  mifguiding  them,  and  befeech 
them  to  return,  not  to  any  Sin  againft  God,  but  to  the  Love  of  the  Saints,  and 


ful  Communion  j  yea,  or  if  I  could  live  in  fuch  a  Parifh,  1  would  not  be  a  Mem- 
ber of  a  Church  gathered  out  of  many  Parilhes,  in  fuch  a  Place  as  London  :  Co-ha-' 
bitation  is  in  Nature  and  Scripture  Example,  made  the  neceffary  Difpofition  of 
the  Materials  of  a  Church.  4.  My  Thoughts  frill  are,  that  you  mould  Preach  the 
Goipel  in  fome  Congregation  moft  fuitable  to  you. 

'  But  I  am  very  glad  that  you  give  me  the  Reafons  of  your  Trouble ;  for  it  is  a 
fad  kind  of  Work  for  you  or  another  to  plead  againft  Troubles  in  the  dark,  which 
a  Man  can  give  no  Reafon  for.  1 .  Your  Firft  I  need  fay  nothing  to  :  If  you  had 
ever  had  a  Temptation  to  thruft  in  a  wrong  Motive  info  a  good  Caufe,  it  neither 
proves  the  Caufe  bad,  (elfe  all  our  Preaching  were  too  bad)  or  your  Heart  bad  ; 
as  you  fee  your  Sin,  I  hope  you  fee  your  fufficient  Remedy.  2.  The  Second  is 
carnal,  .to  refift  fo  great  a  Truth  and  Du'y,  left  good  People  be  difpleafed  j  what! 
are  they  your  God  ?  God  muft  be  enough  for  you,  if  ever  you  will  have  enough; 
and  it  muft  fatisfie  you  that  he  is  pleated,  if  ever  you  will  be  faiisfied.  Tell  thofe 
Chriflians,  you  will  not  ceafe  to  Love  them,  by  Loving  more ;  nor  ceafe  any 
due  Communion  with  them,  by  having  Communion  with  more :  Keep  in  with 
them  by  Love  and  Correfpondency,  even  whether  they  will  or  no,  even  when 
you  have  left  their  Separation.  Do  not  reproach  them  when  you  leave  them,  but 
enjoy  the  Good  of  their  Communion  (till,  as  you  have  Opportunity.  God's 
Houfe  hath  many  Manfions ;  if  your  Friends  think  that  their  Clofet  is  all  the 
Houfe.convince  them  of  their  Miftake,and  confine  your  felf  to  that  Clofet  no  lon- 
ger but  yet  renounce  it  not ;  it  may  be  a  part  (though  finfully  divided)  though  it 
be  not  the  whole.  3.  The  way  that  you  are  called  to  is  God's  High  way :  and 
though  the  Churches  have  many  in  them  that  are  dead,  yet  have  they  with  them 
as  many  living  Members  as  yours,  and  many  more,  if  thefe  parts  may  be  Witnef- 
fes :  I  would  not  be  a  Member  of  that  Church  willingly  that  is  compofed  of  none 
but  not  able  Ghriiiians ;  though  I  moft  Love  the  belt,  and  delight  moft  in  their 
Feliowfhip,  and  wiih  that  all  were  fuch,  yet  when  I  fee  a  Church  fo  gathered,  I 
eafily  find  it  is  a  wrong  Conftitution,  and  not  according  to  the  Mind  of  Chrift. 
I  will  never  join  with  them  that  will  have  but  one  Form  in  Chrift's  School.  I 
would  have  the  ABC  there  taught  as  well  as  the  profoundeft.Myfteries.  'Tis  no 
Sign  of  the  Family  of  God  to  have  no  Children  (what  iflfaid  Infants)  in  it,  but 
ftrong  Men  only  :  Nor  of  the  Hofpital  of  Chrift  to  have  none  Sick  >  nor  of  his 
Net  to  have  no  Filh,  but  Good;  nor  of  his  Field  to  have  no  Tares  :  Flefh  and 
Blood  hath  ticed  me  oft  to  Separation,  for  Eafe ;  but  its  too  eafy  a  way  to  be  of 
God  :  I  undergo  another  kind  of  Life  ;  you  are  extreamly  miftaken  if  you  think 
that  you  are  put  on  fo  much  Duty  and  Self-denial,  by  many  Degrees,  among  your 
Hundred  Profeffors,  as  we  muft  undergo  :  Your  Work  is  Idlenefs  to  ours  j  how 
then  is  yours  the  ftrcighter  way?    4.  For  Riches  and  gay  Apparel,  you  may  help 

to 


Numb.  HI.       J  <P  <P  E  N  T>  i  x. 

to  cure  Excefs  where  you  find  it:    What !  a  Phv/icianf)vK^,.,iii.-  r,  ' — 
Sick !  O  that  we  had  no  forer  Difeafes  to  encoun^  a' e 

godly  Chnftians,  that  are  as  bare,  and  Poor  as  you  would  Wiih,  and  need  ^ 
much  as  you  can  give  them  or  procure  them;  that  fcarce  lofe  a  DaVs  Work  S 
Sicknds,  but  the  Church  mult  maintain  them.  And  I  could  (end  you  to  Sixty 
Families  that  are  as  poor,  and  yet  fo  Ignorant  as  more  to  need  your  ipiritual  Help 

22?S«S  hr^blmCt0beif  '"j^my  Chamber,  they  fomerimes leaTe 
the  Lice  fo  plentitull  that  we  are  ftqred  with  them  for  a  competent  (pace  of  time 
Never  keep  in  a  Separated  Church  to  avoid  Riches  and  fine  Cloaths,  and  for  fear 
left  you  cannot  meet  with  the  Poor.    1  warrant  you  a  Cure  of  that  Melancholy 
Fear  in  moil  places  in  England,     j.  The  next  is  the  great  Block,    i.  If  You  ga- 
ther out  the  choiceit  Members  that  fhouLi  help  the  reft,  and  then  complain  of  Pa- 
rilhes   when  you  have  marr'd  them,  you  do  not  juftly.    2.  If  you  will  not  do 
your  Duty  in  a  Parifh,  becaufefome  MinifVersdo  not  theirs,  your  excufeis  frivo- 
lous. 3  li  I  durft  have  gathered  a  leparated  Church  here,!  could  have  had  one  large 
and  numerous  enough,  or  fuch  as  would  allow  me  eafe  ;  but  I  think  Parifh  Work 
the  belr.     We  here  agree  on  theie  four  Heads,  i.  To  teach  all :    In  which  Work 
in  my  Parifh,  I  could  find  Work  for  Ten  Minifters,\if  I  could  maintain  them 
a.  To  admit  none  as  adult  Members,  without  a  perfonal  credible  Profeffion  of 
Faith  and  Holfneis  (of  which  I  refer  you  to  my  Treatife  of  Confirmation).     % 
To  exeicife  Diicipline  with  theie.     4.  To  hold  Communion  of  Churches  by  Af- 
fociations  and  Affemblies  of  the  Officers :  And  I  blefs  God,   I  find  not  my  Parifh 
fiich  a  dead  Body  as  you  fpeak  of.     Among  Eight  Hundred  Families,  Six  Hun- 
dred Ferfons  aie  Church- Members  :  I  hope  there  is  not  very  many  of  thefe  with- 
out fuch  a  Profeffion  as  gi|j|th  us  good  Hopes  of  their  Sincerity  ;  and  none  whofe 
Profeffion  I  am  able  any  way  to  di(prove,and  this  fatisfieth  me  as  God's]  Way?;  and 
many  (I  hope  Scores;  there  be  of  thofe  that  join  not  with  us  (on  divers  Accounts) 
that  I  hope  fear  God  :  If  you  have  Charity  to  judge  that  ourParifhes  have  Chfifti- 
ans,  you  may  have  Charity  to  judge  that  they  have  Life,  and  fome  fit  for  Com- 
munion.   How  tender  is  Chrift  of  his  weakeft  Members?  and  fhall  not  I  imitate 
him  ?    yea,  mail  I  judge  them  that  am  fo  bad  my  felf,  and  pluck  them  from  his 
Arms ,   that  defigneth  it  as  his  higheft  Honour,   to  be  admired  and  glorified 
in  the  freenefs  and  fulnels  of  his  Grace  and  Love  to  the  Unworthy.     6.  Your  Fol- 
lowers Souls  are  by  you  endangered,  while  you  leave  them  in  their  Sin  ,*  will  it  en- 
danger them  to  tell  them  of  that  Danger,  and  help  them  out  ?    What!  to  lead 
Men  to  Holy  Love  and  Unity  with  theCatholick  Church  of  Chrift  ?  fuchdanger 
will  be  but  by  Accident ;  as  every  neceflfary  Duty  hath  its  Danger;    A  loving, 
melting  Lamentation  for  that  Violation  of  Charity,  which  your  Own,  and  their 
Divifion  hath  been  guilty  of,  is  like  to  profit  humble  Souls  that  love  the  Truth  : 
and  if  they  are  fuch  as  will  not  indure  the  Dodrine  of  Love  and  tJnity,  whatare 
they  better  than  our  Parifhes  ?    7.  None  will  be  fad  for  the  Return  of  a  Brother 
to  Unity  or  Love,  but  thofe  that  grieve  for  your  Felicity,  not  knowing  what  they 
do.     You  would  not  forbear  a  Return  to  God  from  any  grofs  Sin,  for  fear  of 
grieving  Men  :    Is  not  Schifm  a  grofs  Sin  ?  Are  they  not  great  that  are  directly 
againft  Love  and  Unity,  the  Soul  and  Life  of  the  Church  of  Chrift  ?   and  were 
you  no  whit  partial,  you  would  think  that  Twenty  Hearts  made  glad  at  your  Re- 
covery, for  one  that's  made  fad,  mould  at  leaft  here  leave  the  Ballance  even.     A 
Publifh'd  Exhortation  from  you  (fuch  as  it  feems  yon  intended)  to  draw  your  Par- 
ty to  Unity  and  Communion  with  all  true  Chriftians,  and  difTuade  them  hereafter 
from  Cenforioufhefs,  oppofition  to  the  Miniftry,  and  Separation  upon  the  Ac- 
count of  fo  difficult  a  Point,  and  fb  far  from  the  Heart  of  the  new  Man,  might 
do  more  good  than  your  overfeeing  that  Church  an  Hundred  Years,  it  is  not  a 
Trifle  to  hold  an  Opinion  that  would  warrant  a  Man  to  have  denied,  or  feparated 
from  the  univerfal  vifible  Church,  for  fo  many  Hundred  Years  $  even  for?  almoft 
all  the  time  of  its  Exiftence  fince  Chrift-.     1  forbear  fending  you  the  Form  of  Con- 
cord mentioned  till  you  are  readier  for  it,  and  fhall  defire  it,  as  judging  it  ufeful, 
and  then,  God  willing,  I  fhall  fend  it.    The  Lord  I  hope  will  dear  up  to  you  his 
Mind  concerning  the  way  in  which  he  would  have  you  walk,  and  in  the  way  of 
5  Duty  give  you  the  Peace,  which  you  defire  and  expecTr.    I  reft 

Sept.  29.    1658.  fyw  unworthy  Brother ', 

Rich.  Baxter 

To  Mi-.'Lzmh?.  1 

Dm 


6% 


ATTENDIX.       Numb.  Ill 


London)  the  15th  fc'f  January ,  i6y8. 

Dear  Sir, 

THESE  are  td  return  you  many  Thanks  for  your  two  Letters,  which 
have  been  a  very  great  Comfort  to  me  in  my  Ami&ion  and  Warfare  that  i 
am  now  ingaged  in.  Sir,  I  thought  good  to  be  filent  a  while,  and  not  to  trouble 
you  with  any  more  Letters  till  I  had  fome  new  thing  to  lay  to  you  :  Now  what 
I  have  to  lay  is  reducible  to  Three  Heads ;  1.  I  would  inform  you  what  God 
hath  done  for  me  fince  my  laft.  2.  What  I  have  done,  I  hope,  in  his  Strength; 
and  that  I  may  not  doubt  to  (ay  'tis  for  him  in  the  Point  of  Union.  And  3.  Trje 
prelent  Frame  of  my  Spirit  and  State. 

c  1.  For  God's  dealing  with  me.  Sir,  after  waiting  on  the  Lord  in  his  way,  figh- 
ing  for  Light,  and  panting  after  him  for  refrefhing  ;  as  the  Heart  fanttfb  after  the 
Water  Brook :  My  Light  hath  broke  forth  as  the  Morning  :  Ic  hath  ro/e  in  objcunty  : 
and  my  Darknefs  became  as  the  Noon  Day.  I  fee  by  Experience,  chat  though  I  am 
dark,God  is  Light  jandthough  1  am  poor,heis  Rich  ;  and  1  believe  there  is  nothing 
1  want,  but  Heaven  is  full  of  it.  The  right  Notion  of  God's  Univerfal  Church, 
and  the  Unity  he  would  have  amongft  the  Members ;  and  indeed,  the  necellity 
thereof  upon  the  Penalty  of  infinite  Dammage  to  the  moft  excellent  Body  of 
Chrift  is,  that  God  hath  bleft  me  with  the  Sght  of,  and  fhewn  me  as  in  a  Glafs, 
the  Condition  of  all  our  Congregations  that  refule  Communion  with  other 
Churches  of  Chrift,  ftanding  off  from  the  main  body  of  the  Church  militant, 
as  Chriffs  Part  of  that  Body,  as  Antichriftian  ;  and  fo  refufing  to  give  or  take  In* 
fluences  for  their  Comfort  and  Succour :  It  healeth^ie  whole,  but  dreadfully  en- 
dangereth  thole  fmall  Parts  fo  divided  :  Juft  as  it  would  endanger  a  Troop  or 
Company  that  mould  ftand  off  from  the  main  Body  of  a  great  Army  that  hath  a 
potent  Enemy  engaged  in  the  Field  againft  them.  By  this  Light  I  perceive  our 
Cafe,  namely,  that  we  are,  as  you  fay,  guilty  of  Schifm.  The  Light  in  this 
Matter  being  clear  to  me,  I  now  begin  to  be  fatisfied  that  the  Lord  hath  vifited  me 
from  an  high  m  Mercy,  and  that  all  my  inward  Oppofitions,  and  outward  too, 
from  my  Friends,  are  of  Satan  to  ftop  me  in  a  bleffed  Work.  I  praife  God  I  am 
now  help'd  to  bear  the  Reproaches  of  my  dear  Friends  that  pour  Contempt  upon 
me  daily,  as  a  moft  dreadful  Apoftate,  a  Judas ,  one  that  it  had  been  good  for  ne- 
ver to  have  been  born ;  one,  that  though  I  were  as  the  Signet  on  God's  Right 
Hand,  I  fhould  be  pluck'd  from  thence ,  others  wifhing  they  had  followed  me 
to  my  Grave  when  they  went  with  me  to  Baptifm.  '  But  it  ftirreth  me  not  much  ; 
for  though  their  Zeal  for  God  and  his  Truth,  and  their  Love  to  Chrift  and  Ho- 
linefs,  and  Ability  to  fufTer  for  Chrift  be  more  than  mine,  yet  my  Confcience  tel- 
leth  me  they  are  in  an  Error,  and  that  I  am  fincere  in  all  I  do,  not  fwayed  by 
carnal  Conn* derations,  in  which  I  am  fo  manifeft  to  their  Confciences,  that 
are  more  troubled  with  me  for  that  things  fake.  Oh,  Sir,  I  admire  how  a  Man 
without  the  Breft-plate  of  Righteoufnefs  holdeth  up  his  Head  in  fuch  a  Day  :  Buc 
withal,  I  experience  the  Worth  and  Excellency  thereof.  By  the  Grace  of  Gcd, 
my  Righteoujnefi  I  will  hold  faft,  and  my  Heart  JhaU  not  reprove  me  all  my  Days :  My 
confcience  telleth  me  '(which  is  my  great  Comfort)  that  I  have  not  wickedly  de- 
parted from  my  God>  that  I  would  not  break  the  leaft  of  his  Laws  willingly,  to 
gain  a  Thoufand  Worlds :  That  the  Love  I  bear  to  my  Saviour,  and  his  moft  ex- 
cellent Body,  the  Church,  is  the  chief  thing  that  infpireth  me  in  all  I  do. 

*  Now  z.Touching  what  I  have  done  towards  Union  fince  I  wrote  laft,  it  is  as  fol- 
loweth:  1. 1  have  been  at  Mr.G.'s  Congregation,  from  whom  I  departed,to  acknow- 
ledge my  Sin  in  feparatingfrom  them  upon  iuch  filly  Grounds,and  have  offered  my 
felf  to  break  bread  with  them  if  they  pleafed :  But  withal,  told  the  whole  Church, 
that  for  two  Reafons  I  could  not  come  fb  clofe  to  them  as  heretofore,  1.  be- 
caufe  of  my  Relation  to  the  poor  People  I  now  ferve,  being  not  yet  well  lodged  in 
fbmefafe  Place.  And  2.  becauie  of  fome  Scruples  in  my  Mind,  whether  Inde- 
pendency did  not  infer  Schifm  in  the  Church  Univerfal :  As  that  Independency 
upon  the  narrow  foot ;  I  mean,  that  which  divideth  Communion  with  Saints,  as 
Saints  doth,  fb  my  refufing  Communion  with  them,  m^de  me  guilty  of  Schifm, 
in  refpeft  of  that  particular,  I  do  not  doubt  it,  and  our  Anabaptifts  are  their  natu- 
ral Offspring.  But  how  to  determine  my  Duty,  in  refpe<5t  of  Mr  Goodwin  3 
Church,  from  whom  I  feparated,  and  with  whom  I  was  for  many  Years  joined, 
I  know  not,  confidering  their  Principles  are  larger  for  Communion  than  others. 

'2.  Amongft 


Numb.  IIL       AT  T  E  N^dTx.        ~~~ 

,  de^bf  m0"glt  °Ur  ibWeS  l  haVC  Private,y  UrSed>  c°  my  Fiiemls  enlargingl^T 

1  ;.  I  have  my  felf  with  my  Family  frequented  the  publick  tenures 
1  4.  In  the  Strength  of  God  taken  Courage  to  preach  to  the  rnno'^^v     l 
-  Dodrine  of  the  Church  Univerfal,  and  its  Unity,  from  1  Cor.  r : ?  K" X 
■  thence  to  (hew  them  the  Schifmatical  ftate  wherein  we  aje:   which  Sermons  h^ 
'  brought  the  Anabaptifts  about  my  Ears  from  other  Parts.    Four  or  five  of  them 
'  oppofcd  me  thelaft  firft  day  after  my  Sermon,  and  becaufe  of  what  I  had  preach 
«  ed  the  Day  before,  half  my  own  Congregation  never  came  to  hear  me  •   Their" 
Hearts  are  quite  gone  from  me  :  Not  any  of  the  Church  cometh  to  fee  me    or 
ask  me  any  Qiieition. 


Now   3.  and  Laftly,  As  to  the  prefent  frame  of  my  Spirit  and  State  it  is  thus. 


£$ 


^ccu  aDouc  ir,  Dut  1   nave  lately  Deen  lorely  troubled  with  one   Tempt 
'  What  mould  I  preach,  or  write  any  thing  for,  concerning  Religion?    I   cai 
-endure  Torments  for  Chrift  if  I  mould  be  tried  ,•  'tis  not  for  fuch  fainthearted 

*  Creatures  as  I  to  meddle  in  fuch  Work  :  Now  the  Confcience  of  this,  that  indeed 
'  I  am  a  poor  Creature,  weak  both  in  Faith  and  Spirit,  hath  made' way  for  this 
c  Temptation  to  feize  upon  me,  to  the  faddening  of  my  Soul,  and  to  the  enfeebling 
'  of  me  to  fo  great  a  Degree,  that  for  this  two  or  three  Days  I  have  not  been  able 
rto  do  any  thing.    As  for  my  prefent  State  in  refpecl:  of  the  Church,  I  am  frill 

*  with  them,  and  purpofe,  God  willing,  to  Morrow  to  apply  what  I  have  preach- 
'  ed  about  Schifm.  The  next  Wednefday  is  appointed  to  debate  things  •  our  Friends 
'  call  in  the  Heads  of  other  Churches  to  their  Afliirance,and  I  hear  thofe'  from  abroad 
'  intend  to  ftir  up  our  Friends  to  call  me  out  of  the  Church,  what  the  IlTue  will  be 
'  God  knoweth,  and  what  to  do  with  my  felf  afterwards  I  know  not  I  know  I 
c  /hall  be  forely  befet  by  the  Enemy  ;  but  my  hope  is  in  God,  that  he  will  hot  fuf- 
'  fer  me  to  be  tempted  above  that  I  am  able,  and  that  my  merciful  Redemer  and 
'HighPriefl  will  be  touched  with  the  Feeling  of  my  Infirmities,   himfelf  being 

*  tempted,  he  knoweth  how  to  fuccour  thofe  that  are  tempted.  Heb.  4.  16.  faith, 
c  Grace  bath  a  Throne  :  and  J.  20,  21.  faith,  Grace  reigneth :  Oh  blefTed  be  God  ! 
'  1  Epbef.  faith,  he  hath  given  him  to  be  Head  over  all  things  to  the  Church  •  not  to  go- 
'  vern  it  only,  but  to  influence  it  with  all  neceflary  Supplies,  to  fill  all  in  all  He 
'fuppofed  while  we  are  here,    we  mail  be  in  an  indigent  Condition  divers  ways : 

*  but  at  that  Throne  where  Grace  Reigneth,  there  is  Grace  enough  to  fupply  all 

*  our  Wants.  Therefore  1  Job.  Of  hu  fulnefi  We  have  aU  received  Grace  for  Crace. 
r  and  becaufe  fuch  poor  Creatures  as  I,  fenfible  of  much  Unworthinefs,  are  very 
'  apt  to  doubt  our  Entertainment,  and  fear  where  no  fear  is,  blefTed  Jefus  calleth  us 
'  to  come  boldly. 

*  Sir,  when  I  Ihall  have  done  my  Work  where  I  am,  which  I  believe  will  be 
r  mortly,  I  could  be  content  to  return  to  Mr.  Goodwins,  if  God  would  like  itj 
r  and  that  my  Re-union  with  that  Church  would  not  hinder  my  main  Work. 
'  They  have  of  their  own  accord  made  a  Vote  to  receive  me  when  my  Spirit  mould 
'  be  free  to  return,  and  indeed  always  have  manifefted  much  Love  to  me  ;  but  the 

*  Truth  is,  I  am  fo  clog'd  with  Scruples  about  popular  Government,  and  fuch  like 
r  things,  that  though  to  Will  be  prefent  with  me,  to  perform  I  find  not.  Mr.  Good- 
'  win  never  renounced  his  Ordination  to  take  it  from  the  People,  and  is  for  Free 
r  Communion,  and  faith,  will  join  in  fuch  a  Uniting  Draught  as  I  hope  you  will 
'now  draw  up  and  profecute  prefently,  and  which  I  will  labour  in.God  willing,  to. 
'  promote  when  it  cometh  here :  That  which  mainly  fticketh  with  me  in  refpedtof 

*  returning  to  Mr.  Goodwins  is,  that  when  I  mall  publifh  what  is  in  my  Heart  about 
c  the  Caufes  of  the  Churches  Malady  in  England,  I  (hall  refled  upon  the  Indepen- 

*  dant  Principles  exceedingly.  Now  my  fear  is,  that  my  Relation  to  them,  will  be 
'  a  Curb  to  me.  I  know  not  what  to  do,  but  my  Eye  is  up  towards  God.  I  am 
'  fure  I  have  reaped  Benefit  by  your  Counfel,  and  hope  I  have  had  an  Interefr  in 
•your  Prayers,  which  I  frill  beg/  being  confident  God  will  hear  you,  Sir,  the 
c  Lord  preferve  your  Life  and  blefs  your  Labours.  I  hope  it  will  not  be  long  e're  I 
'  /hall  hear  from  you,  who  am 

From  my   Houfe  in  Tour  affeBionate  Friend 

Great  St.  Bartholomews,  and  Brotber  m  Qhr^  ?ef« 

My  Wife  prefentsher  Love,  with  many  Thanks  to  you.  Tho.  Lambe. 

lo  hu  very  -worthy  Friend,  Mr*  R.  Baxter,  Preacher  of  God's  Word  at  Kidderminfter 
in  Worcefterfhire,  *  Dcar 


66  J  <P  T  E  N  V  I  X.       Numb.  III. 


1 


Dear  Brother, 

F  I  under fi  and  any  thing  of  the  Ways  of  the  Love  of  God,  and  can  perceive  hy  tht  Ef- 
fects below,  what  Souls  the  Light  of  hu  Countenance  doth  fhine  upon,  you  owe  much  to 
his  Love  and  are  ufed  by  him  as  he  ujeth  the  dearefl  of  hu  own  ;  what  a  Mercy  u  hu  Il- 
lumination ?  and  how  much  greater  hu  quickening  Life,  that  poffeffeth  you  with  Love  to 
God  and  Man  ?  0  did  we  but  know  when  we  feel  one  Spark  of  Love  to  God  and  hu  Ser- 
vants in  our  Soulsy  from  what  an  infinite  Love  it  comes,  and  to  what  it  finds,  and  what 
it  fignifieth,  furely  there  would  be  more  ftudymg  comparatively,  for  Charity  that  edifieth, 
than  for  the  Knowledge  that  fuffeth  up.  If  your  Work  for  God  dtdcofi  you  nothmg.it  would 
not  be  fo  comfortable  to  you  fjmptvmatically  or  effectively. 

Though  1  confefs  it  is  harder  to  bear  the  Ctnfures  of  Godly  Men  than  of  the  World,  yet  tht 
higtr  the  Tryal,   the  fuller  will  be  the  Evidence  of  Sincerity  in  Submiffwn,  and  the  greater 
that  Grace  and  Peace  that  is  ufed  to  be  given  in  for  Encouragement  or  Reward.     And  yet 
I  mufi  tell  you,  that  your  Tryal  here  is  not  of  the  greatift,  whin  your  Rectvery  is  like  to 
procure  you  the  E(leem  of  Ten,  if  not  an  Hundred  of  God's  Strvants,  for  one  that  you  are 
like  to  lofe  ;  and  I  am  glad  that  you  give  your  Cenfurers  fo  good  a  Dejcnption :  for  if  they 
are  fuch  as  you  defcribe  them,  1  am  perfuaded  many  of  thim  will  come  after  you  m  time. 
And  is  it  not  a  great  Encouragement  to  you,  that  your  Brother  and  Fellow-labourer  comes 
ever  with  you,  and  fo  your  Hands  are  firengthned,  and  half  your  Oppofition  taken-  off  and 
turned  into  Comfort.     For  though  1  never  told  him  of  your  Letters  to  me,  nor  you  of  hu, 
yet  I  take  it  for  granted  that  you  know  each  others  Minds  and  ways  ;    and  yet  you  know 
that  he  is  fatisfied  and  refolved  for  Catholick  Communion.     I  pray  you  go  together,  and  do 
what  you  do  as  one  Man,  while  you  have  one  Mind  and  Heart.     1  perceive  the  Signs  of 
judgment  and  Charity  alfo  in  him.     I  befeech  you  alfo  both  to  hold  on  your  Charity,  even 
to  them  that  are  offended  with  you;  fofar  as  Chrifi  appeareth  in  them,  let  them  have  your 
fbecial  Love.     The  Dependencies  you  mention  are  unreafonable  :  Will  you  conclude  you  can- 
not fuffer,  before  you  arc  called  to  Suffering  ?  Deny  the  Baits  of  fie(hly  Pleafure,  vain  Glo- 
ry and  worldly  Gam,  and  live  fmcerely  to  God  m  your  Projfenty,  and  I  dare  fay,  you  may 
boldly  expeel  his  confirming  fufiaming  Grace  if  he  call  you  to  Adverfity.     I  had  almofifaid, 
that  (with  mcfi  Men)  it  reyuireth  greater  Grace  to  overccme  theltmptations  of  Profpenty, 
and  to  contemn  a  flattering  World  for  Chrifi,  than  to  die  for  him.     At  lea(t  the  one  will 
prove  you  pojfejfed  with  his  Spirit,  and  an   Heir  ,ef  Promife,  as  well  as  the  other  :    And 
therefore  the  Spirit  and  Promife  that  enable  you  now  to  live  to  God,  would  enable  you  to 
die  for  him  if  he  required  it.     Lock  you  to  your  prefent  Work,  and  trufi  God  for  Strength 
for  what  he  calls  you  to.     If  my  Advice  be  worth  your  regard,  it's  this  $    i.  That  you  do 
as  you  have  done ;  offer  Communion  to  other  Churches,  but  forbear  yet  a  while  to  join  your 
felt  as  a  Member  to  any.     2.  That  if  you  like  the  Propofals  I  (hall  fend,  and  Mr.  Good- 
win like  them,  you  both,  with  him,   do  fignifie  fo  much,  and  I  will  take  Jome  courfe  that 
they  may  be  the  Introduction  to  a  more  general  Agreement.     ;.  And  that  at  the  time  when 
we  publifh  fuch  Agreement,  you  and  your  Fellow- labourer  join  in  publijhing  your  Reafons 
for  Catholick  Communion :  lor,  I  thank  him,  he  hath  communicated  hu  and  yours  fet  to- 
gether* will  give  much  Evidence  in  the  Cauje.     But  1  mufi  a  little  while  crave  your  Pa~ 
tience,  before  J  fend  my  Papers,  by  reafon  of  a  Crowd  of pr  effing  Bufineffes:  But  the  Sweet - 
tiefi  of  the  work  will  draw  me  from  all  wilfulDclays  (Tour  Brother  alfo  1  perceive  is  not  yet 
ready  for  my  Propofals).     1  refb 

Jan.  22.  i6j8.  Your  unworthy  Fellow  Servant, 

Rich.   Baxter. 

To  Mr.  Lam  be. 


Numb. 


Numb.  IV.       A  T  T  E  N  T>  I  X. 

Numb.  IV.       Letters  and  Papers  between 
Mr.  'Baxter,  and  Mr.  Men. 

Dear  Brother, 

IBleJtthe  Lord  for  the  great  Confolation  I  had  in  the  perufal  of  your  Papers:  Attthe  Mo- 
tions and  Operations  of  Holy  Love  are  lovely.     That  u  the  way  of  God  that  »  the  way 

J  1      u\  *\   nl'il   ,rcb  f'fy*'*  that  nemM  %     What  «  fi  ™ch  predica- 
ted through  all  the  Gotfel?  Above  all  other  ways,  what  a  mellow  fweetneS  doth  the  way  of 

Love  communicate  to  all  the  Duties  and  Converfmgs  of  tbofe  that  are  abounding  in  this 
Grace?  And  it  is  the  Manhood  and  Maturity  of  Chrifiianity.  The  Infancy  of  the  Law 
kadlefiofit  than  the  full  Age  of  the  Gcjfel:  And  young  Chrifiians  ufually  are  like  young- 
Fruit,  aujtere  and  unpleajant,  whom  Age  and  Holy  Experience  mufi  mellow  by  the  tfowtb 
of  Love,  produced  by  the  Sun-frine  of  Heavenly  Love.  I  had  thought  to  have  prejently  re- 
turned you  my  Anfwer  to  your  Reafons  about  Infant  Baptifm:  but  when  1  had  read  your  other 
Tapers,  I  could  not  find  in  my  Heart,  haft  Diluting  Jhould  in  any  Meafure  abate  in  the 
Love  that  God  was  kindling  :  Yet  Jhortly,  (if  I  can  find  the  leaft  leifure)  1  Jhall  give  ymt 
a  few  Words  to  them  {if  God  will)  when  that  which  hath  a  Jhew  of  contending  will  be  mora 
feafonable.  Tour  Arguments  for  Communion  are  very  weighty.  My  next  Work  to  tbeje  Ends 
frail  be  to  perfuadefome  godly  Minifters  that  differ  from  you,  to  a  more  charitable  Judgment, 
and  walking  towards  them  of  your  Opinion ;  and  (if  I  live  fo  long)  to  perfuade  our  Parlia- 
ment Men  agawfi  excejfive  Rigour  and  BitternejS  againft  them.  Do  you  do  the  like  with 
thofe  of  your  way.  If  Love  reign  in  m,  it  mujl  command  our  Tongues  to  plead  its  Caufe, 
and  to  endeavour  the  promoting  of  it  in  the  World.  And  when  Love  frail  Reign  among  the 
Nations,  the  Lord  Jhall  Reign  in  a  way  of  Love :  And  this  is  the  way  to  thofe  glorious 
Times  that  fome  expett  by  other  Ways.  And  at  the  abounding  of  Iniquity  and  the  cooling  of 
Love  are  coupled  by  Chrifi  as  Caufe  and,  Effect^  Jo  will  the  abounding  of  Love„  and  the 
decay  of  Iniquity  be  conjoined.  The  God  of  Love  carry  on  this  blefied  Work  in  our  frozen 
Souls,  and  in  all  the  Churches,  by  keeping  us  under  the  Light  of  his  Countenance 3  and  the 
the  Sunfime  of  his  mo(l  glorious  Love.     I  remain 

x     Jan.  7.  i6j8,  Your  Brother, 

Rich,  Baxter,, 

To  Mr.  William  Allen. 


The  Cafe  of  Separation, 

Que  ft.  I.IT7  Htther  Particular  Churches  be  of Divine  Infiitution  ? 

W  Anfw.  Yea  ;  that  is  Chriftians  affociated  for  Perfonal  Communi- 
on in  Doftrine,  Worlhip  and  Discipline,  under  the  lame  Paftors  (one  or  more)  are  a 
Church  of  Divine  Inftitution.  Proved  Act.  14.  23.  Titus  1.  j.  iTim. —  Phil.  1. 
1,  2.  iTbef.$.  16,  17.  Heb.  ij.  17.  24.  and  many  other  Texts. 

Queft.  2.  Whether  the  PariJJj  Ajjemblies  are  fuch  ? 

Anfw.  Parifh-Aflemblies  are  not  of  one  ibrt;  fome  are  not  flich,  that  is,  Pariili 
Aflemblies  which  deny  the  Eflentials  of  Chriftianity,  and  are  Hereticks,  or  deny 
Church  Eflentials,  or  that  have  no  Paftors,  or  fuch  as  want  fome  Eflentials  of  the 
Office,  as  vifible  to  Man's  Judgment. 

But  Parifh  Aflemblies  are  true  particular  Churches,  who  profefs  the  Eflentials  of 
Chriftianity,  and  of  Churches,  and  have  Paftors  who  vifibly  want  not  any  thing 
eflential  to  their  Office  (  though  otherwife  faulty  )L  2.  Churches  are  called 
true,  1.  In  point  of  Eflence  (as  aforefaid).  2.  In  point  of  Soundnefs  and  Integri- 
ty (as  a  fick  Man,  or  a  maimed  Man,  or  a  Thief,  is  a  true  Man  in  Eflence  5  but 
not  in  Soundnefs,  in  Integrity  and  Honefty). 

The  Parifli  Churches,  as  conftituted  by  our  Laws,  Articles,  Ordination  ana  Ca- 
nons, are  true  Churches  ?s  to  Eflence  ,*  but  not  without  fome  Wants  and  Difeafes 

*hat  need  a  cure.  ?       , 

I  2  *  Churches 


68  ATTENVIX.      Numb.  IV. 


%.  Churches  may  be  called  True,  i.  In  their  ConlHtutions :  Or,  2.  Jn  their  Ad- 
minift ration.  Oars  in  England,  as  afore  defcribed,  are  true  in  their  Gonftitution; 
But  in  the  Administration  fome  a*e  excellent,  fome  are  laudable,  fome  are  to!m  a- 
ble,  and  perhaps  fome  have  Minifters  intolerable ;  as  the  Paribns  differ. 

4.  The  Society  called  the  Church  of  England  hath  Paftors  of  feveral  Minds ;  mod 
I  hope,  hold  all  that  is  Effential  to  Chriftianity,  Miniftry  and  Communion:  But 
fome  late  Innovators  and  Corruptors,  feem  to  deny  ibmewhat  Effential  to  particular 
Churches  and  Miniftry ;  but  thefe  impeach  no  Mens  Miniftry  but  their  own ; 
againft  thefe  I  wrote  in  my  Treaties  of  Epifcopacy. 

5.  Diftinguifh  between  the  Office  as  inftituted  by  Chrift,  and  owned  by  the 
Church  of  England,  and  the  Exercife  of  the  Office,  as  reftrained  and  hindred  by 
Canons  and  by  Laws,  the  Parifh  Minifters  and  Churches  are  true  Minifters  and 
Churches  as  described  by  Ordination,  and  the  Church  Do&rine,  but  many  Canons 
and  fome  Laws  dolefully  fetter  them,  and  hinder  the  Exercife  of  their  Office  on 
pretence  of  governing  them;  but  neither  do  nor  can  deftroy  the  Effence  of  the 
Office  it  felf :  The  Minifters  have  all  effential  Qualifications  and  the  Content  of 
the  People  (though  not  the  firft  Choice)  and  the  People  are  profeffed  Chriftians. 

6.  A  Parifh  and  a  Parifti- Church  are  not  the  fame,  all  are  not  of  the  Church 
that  are  in  the  Parifh  ;  there  are  three  forts  of  the  Parifh,  1.  Communicants,  and 
thofe  are  the  Church.  2.  Meer  Hearers  and  Catechical  Perfons,  and  thefe  are 
Candidates.  3.  Aliens,  Atheifts,  Infidels  and  Papifts,  Hereticks,  Men  of  no 
Church  or  other  Churches;  Parifh-Churches  as  combined  parts  of  a  Chriftian 
Kingdom,  or  National  Church  thus  diftinguifhed  from  Aliens,  Auditors,  and  not 
only  tolerated  ,  but  orderly  combined,  maintained,  encouraged,  are  the  moft  re- 
gular Churches  agreeable  to  Scripture,  Reafon,  and  Antiquity. 

Queft.  5.  Suff ofe  the  Parijh- Churches  (hould  be  no  true  Churches ,  is  it  deftruftive  to  f ar- 
ticular Churches  to  join  "with  the  PariJh-AJJemblies  ? 

Anfw.  No  ;  who  can  dream  that  Families,  and  Neighbours,  and  occafional  Meet- 
ings may  not  Worfhip  God ;  or,,  that  fuch  Worfhip  deftroys  Churches.  Did  Cor- 
neltus's  Meeting,  AEls  18.  or  thofe  Aclsiz.  1%.  or  thefe  \S\z.tAEts  20.  prayed  at  an 
Oratory,  nor  the  Water  deftroy  the  Church  ?  2.  Occafion  Communicants  are  not 
bound  to  try  the  Call  of  the  Minifters  where  they  come,  and  have  no  Vote  but  to 
take  them  according  to  vifible  Profeffion  and  Poffeffion,  and  if  the  Minifters  mould 
prove  uncalled,  the  Lois  would  be  to  themielves,  and  not  to  the  Faithful  that  are 
blamelefs  and  have  right  to  the  Childrens  Bread,  though  a  Judas  or  a  Pharifee  di- 
ftribute  it. 

But  the  Separating  Objecl:,  that  pretended  Churches  which  are  not  true,  are 
worfe  than  occafional  Aflemblies  that  pretend  it  not.  Anfw.  1.  whether  they  are 
worie  or  better,  is  nothing  to  this  Queftion  of  deftroying  Churches.  2.  The  liker 
they  are  to  true  Churches,  the  liker  they  are  to  be  better  than  thofe  that  are 
unlike  them.  3.  The  Officiating  of  a  true  Minifter  may  make  that  a  true  tempo- 
rary Church,  which  is  not  a  conftant  fetled  Church.  4.  It  is  far  liker  that  many 
Separating  Congregations  will. prove  no  true  lawful  Churches,  for  want  of  true  Mi- 
nifters, and  other  Caufes ;  and  yet  it  will  not  follow  that  all  that  join  with  them 
deftroy  true  Churches ;  Jfor  fome  under  Government  may  do  it  blamelefly  ;  and 
they  that  do  it  finfully  may  yet  own  true  Churches,  every  Sin  deftroys  not  other 
Churches,  j.  It  is  a  Duty  for  Members  of  a  Church  to  get  what  good  they  can 
by  all  Chriftians,  whether  they  be  regular  Churches  or  not. 

Queft.  4.  Suppofe  the  Varifh-AJfemblies  to  be  particular  Churches,  are  the  Corruptions  in 
them  fo  great  as  that  we  muft  Jefarate  from  them,  or  would  it  not  be  Schifm  fo  to  do? 

Anfw.  There  are  many  (brts  of  Separation :  It  is  Schifm  to  call  them  (no  true 
Churches  of  Chrift)  or  (fuch  as  it  is  not  lawful  to  hold  Communion  with)  and  to 
feparate  on  that  account,  and  this  I  have  oft  proved  in  Print  fo  fully,  that  I  mud 
not  now  repeat  it.  . 

But  there  are  many  Occafions  which  may  warrant  and  neceflitate  a  meer  local 
Separation,  as  I  have  fully  proved  in  many  Treatifes ;  as  if  any  Sin  be  impofed 
and  Communion  denied  to  thofe  that  will  not  Sin,  thole  Men  do  not  feparate,  but 
are  driven  out  by  Separatifts  or  Tyrants,  and  muft  not  give  over  all  Church  Worfhip 
of  God  becaule  Tyrants  forbid  it  them.  Many  other  Inftances  of  lawful  local  Sepa- 
ration, I  have  publifhed,  which  I  cannot  find  any  have  confuted,  no,  nor  denyed. 

Queft.  y.  Whether  there  are  not  in  congregational  Churches  fuch  things  which  are  not 
plainly  inftituted  in  Scripture  ? 

Anfw.  Congregational  is  a  fbrry  Word  as  here  ufed  in  diftin&ion  from  Parifh- 
Churches,  Parim- Churches  are  Congregational,  they  confift  of  Paftors  and  Chri- 
ftian 


Numb.  IV.       A  <F  <p  E  N  ©TX 

ftian  Communicants  joined  for  Perfbnal  Commu^otT~^drZCr~7~      ~> 

m  much  differ,  many  Independants  are  agaTft Sa  ion  tf ?nU  w  ^  5?^" 
ifts,  both  Presbyterians  and  Independants  ^Tx^^^^^^Tl 
colerableMinifterstobe  true  durches ;  and  'Sg^S^^ 

fant  Church-Memberin,P  and  Covenant  Grace,  and  fome  againft  t  j  fome  ^  for' 
felf-made  Covenants  and  Terms  of  Church-entrance  and  Communion-  a^d  fori 
Peoples  Power  of  the  Keys,  and  againft  Ordination  and  many  other  Errors-  wh ich 
others  do  renounce.  And  remember  it  is  one  thing  to  be  Independants.  by  Agac 
ment,  as  Neighbour  Churches,  and  another  thing  to  be  dependant  aTLbjeds  on 
governing  Churches :  And  it  is  one  thing  to  be  Independant  on  equal  Ne  ghhou" 
Churches ;  and  another  thing  to  be  independant  on  a  fuperior  Miniftry  *  The 
Churches  or  Rome  Corinth,  Galatta,  Efhefus,  and  the  reft,  were  independent  on 
each  other,  as  to  Government ;  but  they  were  dependant  on  the  Apoftles  and 
Evangehits  (Paul,  Barnabas,  Luke,  Mark,  Si!*,  Timothy,  Titus,  and  Apollos,  &c  ) 
as  to  OverHght  and  dependant  on  other  Churches  as  Fellow-members  of  the  fame  U- 
niverfal  Body,  as  the  Members  of  our  Bodies  are.  3.  I  know  no  Churches  10  hap. 
py  as  to  have  nothing  that  is  not  particularly  (yea,  or  generally)  inftituted  in 
Scripture;  yea,  and  that  obtruded  on  the  People.  O!  when  will  God  make  them 
wifer?  fome  Independant  Minifters  and  Churches  have  Catholick,  Charitable 
Uniting  Principles.  But  the  feparating  part  who  are  they  that  have  fo  many  and 
great  Defefts  and  Faults  as  I  have  in  my  former  Writing  enumerated,  and  need  not 
here  again  recite,  but  advife  you  impartially  to  review  them. 

Queft.d.  Whether  every  Perfon  who  doth  join  with  fuch  a  Church  doth  not  become  as  *uil- 
ty  of  the  Sin  of  fuch  a  Church,  as  tbofe  do  that  join  with  the  Church  of  England  j3  * 

Anfw.  This  Queftion  intimateth  that  you  know  not  what  the  Church  of  England 
is :  It  is  nothing  but  a  Chriftian  Kingdom,  confining  of  a  Chriftian  fupreme  Pow- 
er, and  combined  Chriftians  and  Churches  governed  by  that  Power ;  it  is  not  Li- 
turgies nor  Ceremonies  that  effentiate  the  Church  of  England  •  Orthodox,  Godly 
Presbyterians,  and  Independants  who  deny  not  a  Chriftian  Kingdom  of  Chriftian 
Churches  (though  differing  in  many  things)  are  all  parts  of  the  true  Church  of  Eng- 
land: But  I  fuppofe  you  mean  the  Conformiffs  (which  are  but  a  part). 

2.  One  is  guilty  of  the  Faults  of  the  Conformiffs  by  their  bare  Prefence  and 
Communion,  who  do  not  confent  to  thole  Faults,  and  if  bare  Prefence  fignified 
Content,  we  muft  avoid  Communion  with  all  Churches  on  Earth,  for  who  are  Sin- 
lefs  ?  And  all  muft  avoid  us ;  and  how  fhall  we  avoid  our  (elves,  who  fin  in  all 
we  do  ? 

3.  But  when  People  caulelefly  leparate  and  unchurch  other  Churches  far  founder 
than  their  own,  and  falfely  accufe  them  ,*  yea,  and  almoft  all  Chrift's  Churches 
thefe  Fifteen  Hnndred  Years,  as  thofe  now  called  Separatifts  ufuaily  do,  I  think 
your  ordinary  joining  with  fuch,  when  you  may  have  founder  Communion  is  a 
finful  Encouragement  of  them  in  their  Sehifm,  juftly  leaveth  you  under  the  Im- 
putation of  Sehifm,  and  requireth  great  Humiliation  and  Reformation,  being 
greater  than  fome  great  private  Sins,  as  publick  Cafes  are  more  important  than  pri- 
vate ;  but  I  am  loath  to  lay  all  that  I  judge  true  againft  the  prefent  feparating  Way, 
left  I  be  miftaken,  as  if  I  would  render  thern  odious,  or  be  againft  the  neceifary 
Toleration  of  the  Week. 

I  have  truly  told  the  World  near  Forty  Years  ago,  that  I  am  paft  doubt  that  nei- 
ther the  Epifcopal  Presbyterian  nor  Independant  way  alone,  will  well  fettle  the 
Church :  But  that  each  of  the  three  Parties  (and  thofe  called  ErajHans)  havefbme- 
what  of  the  Truth  in  peculiar,  and  fomewhat  of  Faultinefs,  and  if  ever  the  Church 
be  well  (etled,  it  muft  be  by  taking  the  beft,  and  leaving  out  the  worft  of  every 
party,  and  till  that  can  be  done,  we  muft  bear  with  what  we  cannot  amend. 

Octobo.s.  1688. 


Mr.  J- — -, 

BEcaufe  your  Friend  refufeth  Conference,  though  I  promifed  fecrefie,  and  a  fo- 
vine  Debate,  I  will  for  your  fake  anfwer  your  Queftions  my  lelf,  which  I 
take  to  be  thefe  Two  i  I.  Whether  you  ought  not  prefently  to  fix  your  lelf  in  a 
particular  Church,   and  not  continue  any  longer  occafional  Communion  witrr 

many*  -  it  Wkr. 


7Q>  ATTENVIX.       Numb'lV- 

II.  What  Church  you  mould  be  a  fixed  Communicant  in. 

1.  As  to  the  Firft,  I  know  not  well  what  is  meant  by  fixed  Memberfrip  by  the  Au- 
thor of  the  Writing  which  you  fhewed  me ;  you  muft  be  a  fixed  Member  of  Chrift, 
and  the  Church  Univerfal,  or  elfe  you  are  no  fixed  ChrifHan  :  But  as  to  particu- 
lar Paftors  and  Congregations,  Order,  and  Concord,  and  Edification  are  the  general 
Rules  which  tell  you  where  to  fix  and  how  far. 

i.  You  ought  not  to  commit  any  real  Sin  for  Communion  with  any  Church. 

2.  Though  you  may  and  mult  join  with  faulty  AiTemblies  and  Worfhip;  yet  you 
muft  not  juftifie  their  Faults,  nor  profefs  your  Confent  to  them,  nor  promife  that 
you  will  never  endeavour  any  Amendment  of  them. 

3.  There  muft  be  no  Self-obliging  unnecelTarily  :  Liberty  is  not  fo  contemptible 
a  thing  that  we  mould  caft  it  away  for  nought  ;  much  lefs  muft  you  bind  your  felf 
contrary  to  God's  Providence,  or  without  excepting  Alterations  by  it. 

4.  Your  Church-Memberfhip,  as  to  particular  Congregations  muft  have  no  great- 
er fixednefs  than  your  Habitation  and  other  Obligations :  You  may  remove  your 
Congregational  Relation  when  you  remove  your  Dwelling  ;  and  none  can  hinder 
you  from  removing  both ,  when  your  Intereft  requireth  it.  Sufped  them  that 
would  make  you  their  Propriety. 

II.  As  to  the  Second  (where  you  mould  fix) : 

r.  You  are  in  your  Father's  Houfe,  under  his  Government,  and  muft  obey  him 
sn  all  lawful  things  5  and  muft  not  go  againft  his  Confent. 

2.  You  are  a  Member  of  a  Chriftian  Family  ;  and  no  Scripture  tells  us  of  the 
Members  of  one  Chriftian  Family  being  of  divers  Churches,  nor  alloweth  it. 

%.  Scripture  knoweth  no  particular  Churches,  but  what  were  bounded  by  Neigh- 
bourhood and  Cohabitation ;  except  Hereticks :  There  were  never  Churches  ga- 
thered out  of  Churches  then ;  nor  two  approved  Ghurches  of  the  fame  Language 
in  the  fame  Bounds. 

1.  I  do  hereby  undertake  to  prove  againft  any  Difputer,  that  there  is  no  Form 
To  agreeable  to  God's  Word,  as  this  following  :  1.  A  Chriftian  Kingdom  confirm- 
ing of  a  Chriftian  King  (or  fupreme  Power)  and  particular  confederate  Churches 
being  the  Burgefles,  and  peaceable  Unbelievers  that  tolerated  Aliens  or  Catechu- 
mens. 2.  A  reformed  Epifcopacy  SuccelTors  to  the  Evangelifts,  that  (without  the 
Sword  or  Force)  had  the  Care  of  many  Churches.  3.  Reformed  Pari  fh- Churches, 
confiding  of  Godly  Paftors,  and  proleffed  Chriftian  Cohabitants,  the  incapable 
being  Catechumens ;  which  made  the  old  Nonconforming  declare  that  they  were 
fo  far  from  being  againft  Parifli-Churches,  that  their  Lives  -would  be  a  burden  to  them 
if  they  were  not  reft  or ed  to  them. 

The  firft  Church  State  that  Chrift  himfelf  made,  was  the  Platform  of  a  Chriftian 
Kingdom  Church,  offering  to  make  Judaa  ftich,  fetting  Twelve  Apoftles  over  the 
Twelve  Tribes,  and  Seventy  two  Difciples,  the  Number  of  their  great  Council, 
and  fo  would  have  gathered  all  Jerufalems  Children  to  himlelf,  as  a  Hen  gatheretb 
her  Chickens,  Mat.  23.  which  they  refufing  he  declared  that  the  Kingdom  of- God 
fhouldbe  taken  from  them,  and  given  to  a  Nation  that  would  bring  forth  the  fruit 
thereof ;  and  lb  they  were  cut  off  for  their  Unbelief,  and  we  graffed  in  (to  the 
fame  Olive  or  political  State,  the  Mofaical  Law  only  changed  for  Chrift's  Law): 
And  as  all  the  Prophets  foretold  this,  that  Chrift's  Church  mould  be  a  Davidical 
Kingdom  ;  fo  after  Two  Hundred  Ninety  Four  Years  Tryal  it  was  fet  up,  and 
the  Pagan  Empire,  Babylon,  did  fall,  and  Chrift  reigned  by  Chriftian  Emperors, 
and  his  enemies  were  made  his  Footftool,  and  the  Kingdoms  of  the  World  became 
the  Kingdoms  of  the  Lord  and  of  his  Chrift,  confiding  of  Churches  confederate 
for  Unity  •  and  the  Nations  brought  in  their  Glory  to  it ;  and  the  Fulnefs-  of  the 
Gentiles  came  in,  and  all  the  IJrael  of  God  were  faved,  Judaa  becoming  the  moll 
Chriftian  Nation  in  the  World  :  And  Heaven  and  Earth  rejoiced  at  the  Fall  of  Ba- 
bylon, and  this  new  Jerufalem's  initial  State  :  And  fare  it  is  fuch  a  Kingdom-Church 
which  thofe  expert  that  talk  of  the  future  Thoufand  Years  Reign  of  Chrift.  As 
Teachers  are  under  him  as  Prophet,  and  Priefts  as  he  is  Prieft  ;  fo  are  Chriftian 
Kings  as  he  is  King  j  and  bad  Kings  are  no  more  Reafon  againft  his  Inftitution  than 
bad  Teachers  and  Priefts. 

2.  There  are  Three  Sorts  of  Paftors  or  Bilhops  in  Chrift's  Church  : 

I.  Such  as  were  to  gather  many  Churches  (out  of  Infidels)  and  to  fet  Elders  or 
fixed  Bilhops  over  them,  and  then  overfee  both  the  Elders  and  People :  Such  Chrift 
made  the  Apoftles,  whofe  Office  was  partly  extraordinary  and  temporary,  and  is  Co 

far 


Numb.  IV.       A  T  <p  R  JV  ©Tx — " 

and  by  the  Apoftles  to  gather  and  overfee  many  Chu^e^pl^  ££  ^ 
Tttus    timothy    Luke Mark    Barnabas,  Silas,  and  many  more.     God  never  r ell 
t!t^£SS^  ^anyfay  hedid,  k^^^J^ 

II.  The  Second  Sort  were  the  fixed  Elders  which  thefe  ordained  in  everv 
Church :  who  were  all  Bifhops  over  the  Flocks,  and  (o  called :  but  under  the  gene- 
ral Minifters  (who  yet  had  none  of  them  any  forcing  Power  by  the  Sword)  thefe 
two  God  lnlhtuted.  '  '    JW  c 

•  *?  TheThird  Sort  (between  thefe  Two)  was  a  Prefident  Paftor  in  every  par- 
ticular Church,  like  the  Prefident  of  a  Colledge,  who  had  fome  moderating  guid- 
ing  Power  among  the  reft  of  the  Elders :  This  was  fet  up  to  avoid  Divifion  among 
the  Elders  (every  Church  having  ufually  many)  and  received  even  in  fome  of  the 
Apoftles  Days,  and  never  rejeded  for  a  Thoufand  Years 

;.  Particular  Churches  in  Scripture  Times  were  diftinguifhed  by  the  places  of 
their  Neighbourhood,  as  I  faid  before ;  and  there  were  never  two  Churches  in  the 
fame  Bounds,  except  Hereticks,  and  Men  of  divers  Languages. 

From  this  it  is  plain,  that  the  moft  Divine  Form  of  Government  is  i.  A  Chri- 
ftian kingdom.  2.  With  (Reformed)  General  Minifters.  3.  And  (Reformed)  Pa- 
rifh Churches,  having  fixed  Paftors  (and  where  it  may  be  our  Chief )  &c  More- 
over (as  to  your  fixing)  the  Churches  in  Queftion  with  you,  I  fuppofe,  are  not  the 
Papifts,  the  Quakers,  the  Families,  &c.  But  the  Epifcopal,  the  Presbyterian,  the 
Independent  and  the  Separatift  (if  not  the  Anabaptifts  aHb). 

I.  The  Epifcopal  are  of  Two  Sorts,  Conformifts  and  Nonconforming  The 
Epifcop;il  Conformifts  are  of  Two  Sorts ;  fome  lately  fprung  up,  that  follow  Arch- 
biihop  Laud  and  Dr.  Hammond,  hold  that  there  are  no  Political  Churches  lower 
than  Diocefan,  becaufe  there  are  no  Bifhops  under  them  5  and  fo  that  the  Parilh- 
Churches  are  no  Churches,  properly,  but  part  of  Churches ;  nor  the  IncumbantS 
true  Bifhops,  but  Curates  under  Bifhops ;  nor  the  Foreigners  true  Minifters  or 
Churches  that  have  no  Diocefan  Bifhops.  This  Party  called  themfelves  the  Church 
of  England,  1658,  165-9.  When  we  knew  but  of  Four  or  Five  Bifhops  left  alive 
(who  Dr.  Hammond  faid  (with  that  Party  of  the  Clergy)  were  of  his  Mind):  And 
thefe  feemed  uppermoft  in  i66o,and  1661.  and  were  the  men  whom  I  difputed  with 
in  my  Treatife  oi  Epifcopacy. 

The  other  Epifcopal  Conformifts  are  they  that  follow  the  Reformers, 
and  hold  the  Dodrrine  of  the  Scripture  as  only  fufficient  to  Salvation  , 
and  as  explicatory  of  it,  the  Thirty  Nine  Articles,  the  Homilies ,  Liturgy, 
Book  of  Ordination,  Apology,  &c.  Thefe  take  the  Parifh-Paftors  for  true  Redors^ 
and  the  Parifh-Churches  for  true  Churches,  but  fubordinate  to  the  Diocefans,  and 
to  be  ruled  by  them.  But  the  Laws  have  impofed  on  them  fome  Declarations  and 
Subf:ri  prions,  which  they  think  they  may  put  a  good  Senfe  on,  though  by  ftretch- 
ing  the  Words  from  their  ufual  Signification.  The  Bifhops  and  Deans  are  chofen 
by  the  King  indeed,  and  by  the  Prebends  in  jiieiv.  The  Incumbant  are  chofen  by 
Patrons  ordained  by  Diocefans  with  Presbyters,  and  accepted  by  Confent  of  the 
Communicants  or  the  Parifh.  The  Epifcopal  Government  is  managed  partly  by 
the  Biihops,  and  partly  by  Lay-Civilians  and  Surrogates. 

The  Epifcopal  Nonconformifts  are  for  true  Parifh- Churches  and  Minifters,  re- 
formed, without  fwearing,  promifing,  declaring,  or  fubferibing  to  any  but  fure, 
clear,  neceiTary  things  ;  defiring  that  the  Scripture  may  be  their  Canons,  disown- 
ing all  perfecting  Canons,  taking  the  capable  in  each  Parifh  for  the  Communi- 
cant and  Church,  and  the  reft  for  Hearers  and  Catechized  Perfons :  de/iring  that 
the  Magi  ft  rate  be  Judge,  whom  he  will  maintain,  approve,  and  tolerate,  and  the 
Ordainers  Judges  whom  they  will  ordain,  and  the  People  be  free  Confenters  to 
whofe  Paftoral  Care  they  will  truft  their  Souls ;  defiring  that  every  Presbyter  bean 
Overfeer  of  the  Flock,  and  every  Church  that  bath  many  Elders  have  one  Incum- 
bent Pieiident  for  Unity  and  Order  ;  and  that  Godly  Diocefcns  may  (without  the 
Sword  or  Force)  have  the  Overfight  of  many  Minifters  and  Churches,-  and  all  thefe 
be  confederate  and  under  the  Government  of  a  Chriftian  King,  but  under  no  Fo- 
reign Jurifdiaion  ;  though  in  as  much  Concord  as  is  poflible  with  all  the  Chriftian 
World :  And  they  wouid  have  the  Keys  of  Excommunication  and  Abiolution  ta- 

Ken 


71 


TsT,  AT  CP  E  N  V  I  X       Numb.  IV. 

,  ■ — ■ — 1 —  ' 

ken  out  of  the  Hands  of  Lay-Men  (Chancellors  or  Lay  Brethren)  ;  and  the  Diocc- 
lans  to  judge  in  the  Synods  of  the  Presbyters,  in  Cafes  above  Parochial  Power. 

That  this  was  the  Judgment  of  the  Nonconforming  that  treated  for  Peace  in 
1660.  and  1 66 1.  is  to  be  ieen  in  their  printed  Propofals,  in  which  they  defired 
Archbimop  Ufiers  Model  of  the  Primitive  Epifcopacy  joined  with  the  Synods  of 
Presbyters. 

II.  The  Presbyterians  are  for  Parifli-Churches  asaforefaid,  guided  by  Elders,  fome 
teaching,  and  fome  only  ruling,  and  thefe  under  Synods  of  the  like  Clafs,  without 
Diocefan  or  Parochial  Superiors ;  and  all  under  a  National  Affembly  of  the  fame, 
as  the  Supreme  Church  Power. 

III.  The  Independants  are  for  every  Congregation  to  have  all  Church  Power  in 
it  felf,  without  any  fuperior  Church-Government  over  them,  whether  Bifhops  or 
Synods,  yet  owning  Synods  for  voluntary  Concord. 

Of  thefe  fome  are  againft  local  Communion  with  theaforefaid  Churches,  and  for 
avoiding  them  by  Separation  ;  fbme  as  if  they  were  no  Churches,  and  had  no  true 
Minifters ;  fbme  for  Forms  of  Prayer,  fome  for  faulty  Communicants,  fbme  for 
Epifcopal  Ordination,  and  fome  for  fubfcibing,  and  fome  for  all  thefe,  and  many 
other  pretended  Reafons. 

But  fome  Independants  are  for  occafional  Communion  with  the  other  Churches, 
and  fbme  alfo  for  ftated  Communion  in  the  Parifh-Churches,  for  which  you  may 
read  Mr.  Tomess  the  chief  of  the  Anabaptifts  in  a  full  Treatife,  and  Dr.  Thomas 
Goodwin  on  the  firft  of  the  Ephe/ians,  earned  againft  Separation  (as  the  old  Noncon- 
formifts  were).  t 

Now  which  of  all  thefe  mould  you  join  with  ?  I  affirm,  that  all  thefe  except  the 
Separatifts  are  parts  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  it  is  truly  efTentiated  by  a  Chri- 
ftian Magiftracy,  and  confederate  Chriftian  particular  Churches.  All  are  not 
equally  found  and  pure,  but  all  are  parts  of  the  Church  of  England :  Liturgies,  and 
Ceremonies,  and  Canons  and  Chancellors  are  not  eiTential  to  it,  as  a  Church,  or 
Chriftian  Kingdom  :  But  it  is  now  a  Medly,  left  concordant  than  is  defirable  :  but 
you  are  not  put  upon  any  fuch  Difputes ;  whether  you  will  call  the  prefent 
Church  of  England  Roman,  as  denominated  from  the  King  that  is  the  Head  ;  or 
whether  you  will  fay  that  King  and  Parliament  conjunct  are  that  Head,  and  fo  it  is 
yet  Proteftant,becaufe  the  Laws  are  fo  >  or  whether  you  will  denominate  it  materi- 
ally Proteftant,  becaufe  the  Clergy  and  Flocks  are  fo  ;  your  Doubt  is  only^for  Con- 
gregation  to  join  with,  f 

I  anfwer,  That  which  all  your  Circumftances  fet  together,  make  it  moft  conve- 
nient to  the  publick  good  and  your  own. 

Though  I  hold  not  Minifterial  Conformity  lawful,  I  take  Lay-Communion  in  any 
of  thefe  except  the  Separatifts,  to  be  lawful  to  fome  Perfons,  whofe  cafe  maketh  it 
fitted  :  But  I  judge  it  unlawful  for  you  to  confine  your  Communion  to  any  one  of 
them ;  fo  as  to  refufe  occafional  Communion  with  all  fave  them. 

1.  The  Pariih-Churches  have,  the  Advantage  of  Authority,  Order  and  Confede- 
racy, and  the  Proteftant  Intereft  is  chiefly  caft  upon  them,  therefore  I  will  not  (e- 
parate  from  Lay-Communion  with  them,  though  they  need  much  Reformation. 

2.  You  muft  not  go  againft  your  Father's  Will,  no,  nor  divide  the  Family, 
without  neceflity  :  The  fame  I  fay  of  your  Husband  when  you  are  married. 

3.  The  Nonconforming  Epifcopal  and  Presbyterians  have  not  fuch  Churches  as 
they  defire,  but  only  temporarily  keep  Meetings  like  to  Chappels,  as  Affiftants  to 
others,  till  Parifhes  are  reformed. 

4.  I  think  it  a  ftated  finful  Schifm  to  fix  as  a  Member  of  fuch  a  Church  and  Pa- 
ftor  as  is  of  the  Principles  of  the  Writing  which  you  fhewed  me. 

I.  Becaufe  they  grievoufly  flander  the  ParifhChurches  and  Minifters  as  none, 
and  their  Worfhip  and  Government  as  far  worfe  than  it  is. 

II.  Becaufe  they  Renounce  local  Communion  with  almoft  all  the  Body  or  Church 
of  Chrift  on  Earth,  by  renouncing  it  on  aReafon  common  to  almoft  all. 

III.  Becaufe  they  feparate  from  fuch  Churches  as  Chrift  and  his  Apoftles  joined 
with,  and  fo  feem  to  condemn  Chrift  and  his  Apoftles  as  Sinners.  Chrift  ordina- 
rily joined  with  the  Jews  Church  in  Synagogues  and  Temple  Offices  5  when  the 
High-Prieft  bought  the  Place  of  Heathens,  and  the  Priefts,  Pharifees  and  Rulers 

were 


.Numb.  IV.       A  <P  <P  E  N  T>  I  X. 

wcie  wicked  Periecutors,  and  the  Sadduccs  Hereticks  orw^~hT(^r^~j "~ 

Apoftle,  when  he  knew  him  to  be  a  Theif  era  Devil  '  ™  Jud"  aSan 

The  Apoftles  neither  feparated  nor  allowed  Separation  from  fuch  Churchec  ac 
Lonntb,  Galtatia,  Ephefus    Smyrna,  Sarats,  Laodkea3&c.  defiled  with  odious  Grime 
and  Errors  j  though  God  command  chefh  to  reform.  meS 

IV.  Becatife  hereby  they  tempt  Men  to  infidelity,  when  they  hear  that  Chrift 
hath  no  greater  a  Body  and  Church  than  they  with  which  Men  may  lawfully  com* 
municate ;  and  rob  him  of  almoft  his  Kingdom. 

V.  By  fclfe  accufihg  the  Prayers  of  almoft  all  ChrifVs  Church,  and  renouncing 
Communion  with  them,  they  forfeit  their  Intereft  in  the  Benefit  of  their  PraVers^ 
and  ot  the  Communion  of  Saints.  y     ' 

VI.  Who  but  Satan  would  have  all  the  People  of  England  and  all  Nations  to  live 
without  any  publick  Church-worftiip,  till  they  can  have  better  than  fuch  as  is  in 
our  Panih-Churches  5  as  if  none  were  better. 

VII.  With  whom  would  thefe  Men  have  held  Communion  if  they  had  lived  in 
any  Age  till  two  hundred  Years  ago  ?  when  as  far  as  ever  I  could  find,  there  was 
not  one  Congregation  of  Chriftians  or  Hereticks  in  all  the  World  that  was  againft 
lorms  of  Worfhtp,  or  Bifhops,  or  all  Ceremonies ;  let  them  name  one  if  they  can, 
what  then  will  they  fay  to  the  Queftion,Where  was  vour  (new)  Church  before  the 
two  laft  Ages  ?  Had  Chrift  no  Church  for  One  Thoufand  Two  Hundred  Years 
in  all  the  World,  that  a  Chriftian  ought  to  join  with  in  local  Communion?  Did 
Chrift  difown  them  all,  and  yet  was  he  their  Head,  and  they  his  Body  ?  Or  are 
thele  Men  as  much  ftri&er  than  Chrift,  as  the  Pharifees  were  about  his  Converie 
and  the  Sabbath  ? 

VIII.  They  condemn  themfelves  by  their  own  Practice,  while  fome  of  them 
cry  down  Communion  with  impofed  Forms  of  Liturgy  j  they  fing  Pfalms  impofed 
by  the  Pafior  or  Clerk,  which  are  the  chief  part  of  impofed  Liturgies  :  They  fing 
them  in  new  Verhpns,  Metre,  and  Tunes,  different  from  the  Apoftles  Churches 
(and  yet  better  for  us)  :  They  ufe  impofed  Tranflations of  the  Scripture:  The  Pa- 
ftor  impofeth  his  Words  of  Prayer,  as  a  Forme  which  the  People  ruuft  all  join 
with  :  This  is  but  a  different  Mode  of  Liturgies. 

IX.  Charity  (or  Chriftian  Love)  and  Unity  are  the  great  vital  Graces  of  the 
Chriftian  Church:  And  oh,  how  wofully  do  thefe  Men  violate  and  deftroy  it? 
when,  as  is  laid,  they  renounce  Communion  for  a  Thoufand  or  Twelve  Hundred 
Years  at  leaft,  with  all  known  Churches  on  Earth,  as  unlawful  in  point  of  local 
Pretence.  2.  They  bind  all  Chriftians  that  will  hear  them,  to  do  the  like  tu  this 
Day,  to  almoft  all  the  Churches  on  Earth.  3.  Their  Principles  and  Reafons  make 
it  finful  to  have  Communicated  with  the  Reformers,  the  Waldenfes,  WickUffe,  Luther, 
Ahlanctbon,  Z-w'tngliw,  Calvin,  Bucer,  and  the  reft.  4.  And  they  condemn  Com- 
munion with  the  Martyrs,  both  under  Heathens,  and  of  later  Times,  who  made  or 
valued  and  ufed  Liturgies.  <;.  They  condemn  local  Communion  with  all  the  late 
and  former  holy  excellent  Bilhops  and  Conformifts ;  fuch  as  Archbifhops  Parker, 
GrwdaS,  Abbot,  UJher,  &c.  Bifhops,  Hall,  Morton,  Pilkinton,  Downame,  Davenant, 
and  many  fuch:  AH  that  glorious  Tribe  of  Conformifts;  Prefion,  Sibbs,  Bolton, 
IVhatdy  ,  Crook,  Jo.  Downame ,  St  ought  on ,  &c.  Oh,  how  great  a  Number 
and  how  excellent,  almoft  matchlefs  Men  ?  Almoft  all  the  late  Wefiminfier  Aflem- 
bly.  6.  And  all  the  excellent  old  Nonconforming  that  were  againft  Separation  ; 
Bearing,  Greenbam,  Perkins,  Bayn,  Reignolds,  Dod,  Hielderjham,'  Bradjhaw,  Ball, 
and  Multitudes  of  fuch  of  greateft  Piety  and  Parts.  7.  All,  or  near  all  the  Re- 
formed. Churches.  8.  All  the  meer  Independants  that  were  againft  their  Separati- 
on ;  luch  as  Dr.  Tho.  Goodwin  aforefaid,  and  many  of  his  Mind.  $.  Yea,  they  con- 
demn the  Old  Brownifls,  who  Printed  their  Profeffion  of  Communion  with  many 
Pariih-Churches,  and  with  Liturgies.  10.  And  they  utterly  condemn  all  local 
Communion  with  the  meer  Nonconformifts  of  this  Age,  who  offered  Terms  ot 
Obncotd  in  Liturgy  and  Epifcopacy,  1661.  ,  None  of  all  thefe  are  good  enough  for 
thefe  Men  (efpscially  their  Women  and  Lads)  to  have  any  prefent  Communion 
with. 


73 


Do 


74  AT  T  E  NT>  I  X.       Numb,  IV, 

Do  they  know  how  little  radical  Difference  there  is  between  laying,  as  Pei  (ecu- 
tors,  Al  thefe  are  Hereticks  ;  and  as  Separatifls,  All  thefe  are  unworthy  of  Chrijtian 
Communion :  Yea,  the  Pope  rejedeth  Communion  but  with  two  or  three  parts  of 
the  Chriftian  World,  and  thefe  Men  renounce  local  Communion  with  almoft  all : 
Is  this  the  wayof  Love  and  Unity  in  the  Body  of  Ghrift  ? 

X.  Is  Provoking,  Excommunicating  them  the  way  to  reconcile  the  Puhlick  Mi- 
hitters  and  Churches?  Or  is  this  a  time  to  join  with  the  Enemies  of  the  Proreftant 
Religion,  to  draw  all  the  People  to  forfake  them  ?  That  fo  the  Reformation  here 
may  have  only  private  Toleration  as  we  have,  till  fome  Diforder  is  faid  to  forfeit 
it  ?  the  King  promifeth  to  defend  them,  and  fhall  feparating  Proteftants  pull  them 
down? 

XI.  The  Weaknefs  of  thefe  Mens  Judgments  and  Dealings,  bring  all  the  Noncon- 
formifts  into  Contempt  and  Scorn  with  Multitudes  of  undiltinguifhing  Men,  as  if 
we  were  all  of  the  fame  Temper,  and  hardeneth  Thoufands  in  hatred  to  them  all, 
and  maketh  them  long  to  be  perfecting  us  again,  and  keepeth  them  from  repent- 
ing of  the  Evil  they  have  done  :  Offence  muft  come,  but  woe  to  them  by  whom  it 
cometh. 

XII.  God  hath  molt  exprefly  decided  this  Controverfy  in  Scripture,  and  thefe 
Men  feeming  Adherents  to  Scripture  cannot  fee  it,  Rom.  14.  and  1  j.  and  16. 
17.  Job.  17.  22,  24.  Phil.  2.  Eph.  4.  In  a  Word,  in  all  thofe  Texts  that  plead  for, 
Church  Unity  and  Love ;  and  all  thofe  that  fpeak  of  the  finfulnefs  of  Schifm,  and 
that  a  kingdom  divided  cannot  fiand  ^  and  all  thofe  that  condemn  Dividers,  and  all 
that  command  mutual  forbearance,  &c.  Do  you  think  that  [receive  one  another  as 
Chrifi  received  us~\  even  them  that  are  "weak  in  Faith  it  felf~\  doth  mean  no  more  than 
Tdo  not  filence  them,  or  imprifon,  or  murder  them  :]  No  doubt  but  it  meaneth,  receive 
them  to  Church-Communion, 

5CIII.  What  a  great  Sin  is  unjuft  filencing  worthy  Preachers.  And  do  not  thefe 
Men  endeavour  to  filence  more  thoufands  than  the  Ad  of  Uniformity,  or  Bifhops 
did,  when  they  tell  all  that  it's  a  Sin  to  hear  them. 

XIV.  If  it  be  unlawful  to  join  with  others  that  are  no  worfe  than  they,  it  muff  be 
unlawful  to  join  with  them :  If  I  be  guilty  of  all  that  is  faid  or  done  amifs  in  the  Pa- 
rim- Churches,  I  fhall  be  more  guilty  if  I  join  with  the  Separatifls. 

I  am  not  defirous  to  accufe  any,  but  to  cover  their  Faults  as  far  as  I  can«  But  I 
cannot  refolve  your  Queftion  without  telling  you  that  I  take  their  Church-State  to 
be  fo  far  different  from  the  Rule,  and  in  many  Refpe&s  worfe  than  the  Parifh- 
Churches,  as  that  to  join  with  them  as  fixed  covenanted  Members,  will  be  a  ftate 

of  Sin. 

1.  Scripture- fixed  Minifters,  or  Elders  were  all  ordained  by  fuperior  general  Paftors,  ei- 
ther alone,  or  with  Presbyteries :  So  are  not  theirs  (if  by  any  at  all). 

2.  Scripture-flocks  were  ruled  by  their  Pafiors,  Heb.  1 ;.  7,  17,  24.  1  Thef  J.  13, 14. 
1  Pet.  j.  1  Tim.  3,  &c.  But  many  of  their  Flocks  are  the  Rulers  of  themfelves  and 
Paftors. 

3.  Scripture  particular  Churches  were  all  diffinguifhed  by  the  Limits  of  their  Habita- 
tion or  Proximity  ;  ib  that 'there  was  never  two  Churches  in  the  fame  City  or  Bounds, 
fave  Hereticks,  and  Men  of  divers  Tongues  (at  leaft  where  one  could  hold  them  all) 
But  it's  otherwife  with  the  Separatifts. 

4.  No  lawful  Church  in  Scripture,  was  gathered  out  of  a  true  Gofpel-Church : 
But  theirs  are. 

y.  Scripture  Churches  had  fixed  known  Tefts  to  know  qualified  Members  by ; 
which  was  content  to  the  Baptifmal  Covenant,  explained  in  the  Creed,  Lords-Pray- 
er and  Commandments :  So  that  all  Churches  had  the  fame  Tefl  and  Terms  of  Qua- 
lification, and  fo  had  one  Profeflion.  But  thefe  Men  leave  this  Arbitrary  to  the 
Paffor  (or  People)  to  try  whether  Men  are  converted  by  uncertain  Terms  and 
Words  devifed  by  every  Miniff  er  ;  fo  that  the  Terms  are  unknown  and  not  agreed 
on  among  their  Churches,  and  may  be  as  various  as  Minifters. 

6.  Scripture-Churches  never  divided  the  Chriftians  of  the  fame  Family,  fome  to 
one  Church,  and  fome  to  another :  But  thefe  Men  do  fo,  to  great  Confufion. 

7-  They 


Numb.IV.     A  <P  y  E~WWTx. 

7.  They  are  not  agreed  on  any  Form  of  Doctrine  to~be~a  Teft  cFo^TaZ^' 
ment  with  other  Churches  with  whom  they  will  have  Communion  If  thef  f^J 
that  the  Scribe  is  that  Te^  I  anfwer,  General  Belief  that  Scr^l  llZllf 
God,  is  neither  fuffic.entto  Sanation,  nor  to  Communion:  Many  have  this  £h« 
deny  the  Effentials  o>  Chriftianity  :  And  a„  explicite  Under/landing  and  Bdiefof 
every  Text,  no  Man  hath  Thoufands  of  Texts  are  not  underftood  by  moft  Chri 
ftians  or  Teachers ;  therefore  there  maft  be  fome  Colleton  of  the  Effentials  in  a 
Creed  or  e He  there  can  be  no  certain  Notice  whether  Co  much  of  Scripture  Truth 
be  exphcitely  believed  as  is  neceffary  to  Salvation.  And  if  fingle  Paftors  require 
more  it  mutt  be  only  in  order  to  Growth  and  Edification,  and  not  as  a  neceffary 
<^italirication  for  Memberfhip,  or  Communion  of  Churches. 

I  have  great  Caofc  to  know  what  I  (ay  of  them.    AParliament  once  chofe  Four 
teen  Miniiters  to  draw  up  thej?undamemals  of  Religion;  as  a  Teft  of  fuch   as  were 


75 


they  had  drawn  up  Fourteen  or  Fif- 


teen Articles  all  in  new  Terms  of  their  own,  and  fome  neither  Effential,  nor 
I  told  them  that  we  were  not  to  make  a  new  Chriftianity  or  Creed,  but'mufi 


true: 

..aft  own 
that  which  the  Chriittan  Church  was  known  by  in  all  Ages :  But  I  could  not  be 
heard,  though  Mr.  Vines  and  Mr.  Mont  on  joined  with  me.  At  laft  they  wrote  this 
lor  a  Fundamental  ;  [That  they  that  allowed  themfehes  or  others  in  any  known  Sin,  can- 
not be  faved.']  I  told  them  that  though  I  could  not  be  heard  by  them,  I  durft  fay, 
that  I  would  make  them  prefcntly  folipt  it  out.  They  bid  me,  do  it  if  I  could.  I 
(aid,  [The  Parliament  taketh  Independence ',  Separation,  Anabaptiftry,  and  Antinomianifm 
for  Sin :  And  they  will  fay,  Jbeje  Divines  pronounce  us  all  Damned  if  we  allow 
them^] 

They  faid  not  a  Word,  but  threw  away  their  Fundamental.  The  reft  of  them 
they  printed  :  But  the  Parliament  were  glad  with  filence  to  pa(s  by  all  their  Works, 
and  take  no  notice  of  it,  left  it  Ihould  be  a  publick  Reproach  that  we  could  not  agree 
on  the  Fundamentals.  And  I  am  glad  that  I  hindered  fuch  an  Agreement  as  they 
would  have  made,  inftead  of  the  old  Creeds  which  they  would  not  reft  in.  And 
can  fuch  Churches  be  of  any  known  Confiftency  or  Concord  ?  If  you  join  with 
them,  how  know  you  what  Religion  they  are  of?  Or  how  know  they  what  other 
particular  Churches  are  in  their  Communion  ?  (for  I  hope  they  hold  a  Communi- 
on of  Churches.)  Amans  and  Socinians  lay  they  believe  the  Scripture:  No  Man 
underftandeth  all  the  Scripture :  The  neceffary  (elected  Articles  they  have  no 
known  Agreement  in  :  If  they  fay  that  they  own  the  fame  Creed  that  we  do,  why 
then  do  they  not  ufe  it  as  the  Teft  of  Chriftian  Profeflion,  but  inftead  of  it  leave 
every  Paftor  to  make  one  in  Terms  that  is  only  his,  and  no  two  Churches  have  the 
fame:  To  agree  in  Independency  or  Separation,  is  not  to  agree  in  Chriftianity : 
There  are  abundance  of  Books  written  for  very  falfe  Doctrines  by  men  called  Inde- 
pendents (its  odious  to  name  them.)  Are  all  the  Author  of  their  Communion  or 
not?  The  AfTembly  could  never  get  them  to  tell  whom  they  would  take  co  be  of 
their  Communion,  and  whom  not. 

8.  Therefore  their  Churches  are  not  compaginate  nor  confederate  fo  as  the  Mem- 
bers of  our  Body  mould  be,  and  as  Scripture-Churches  were,  and  as  Chrift  would 
have  bad  the  Jewifh  National  Church  to  be. 

9.  They  have  no  Certainty  and  Concord  in  their  Church- tVor(hip,  which  they 
have  little  mOre  than  fuch  Preaching  and  Praying,  which  cannot  be  known  for 
true  or  falfe,  found  or  mjound  till  the  Words  are  paft :  And  it  may  juftly  be  expected 
that  Separatifts,  fVntinomians,  Anabaptifts,  Socinians,  and  all  erroneous  Men 
fliould  put  their  Errors  info  their  Sermons  and  Prayers,  and  (infully  father  them  all 
on  God :  And  fo  all  God's  Worfhip  muft  be  contiually  uncertain  to  the  Flocks  5 
and  of  as  many  different  Strains  as  the  Preachers  differ  in  Parts  and  Wifdom  :  And 
it  muft  be  low,  and  poor,  and  confufed,  wherever  the  Minifters  are  young,  raw, 
erroneous  or  ignorant. 

They  once  met  at  the  Savoy,  and  drew  up  an  Agreement  of  many  Paftors :  But 
in  that  they  differ  from  many  other  Churches  called  Independancs,  and  from  the 
Anabaptifts.  And  they  exprefly  contradid  the  Scripture,  1.  In  faying  that  [we 
have  no  Rigkeoufnefs  but  Chrift" s  which  is  imputed  to  us]  when  as  Scripture  many 
Hundred  times  msntioneth  alfo  another  perfonal,  inherent,  or  aded  Kighteoulnels. 

K  &  *•  They 


n6  AT  T  E  NT>  I  X.      Numb.lV 


2.  They  lay  that  \Vaith  is  not  imputed  for  Right  eoufnef\.  I  think  they  mean  well: 
But  they  jhould  rather  expound  Scripture  than  flatly  deny  or  contradttl  what  it  faith; 
and  after,  defame  thole  falfly  that  would  help  them  more  diftinclly  to  underftand  it. 
Their  People  are  taught  to  ipeak  evil  of  what  they  underftand  not,  and  to  reprefent 
Men  as  dangerous  or  odious,  who  think  not  of  many  wordy  Controverfies  as  con- 
fufedly  and  ignoramly  as  they.  Their  Churches  are  too  uiually  conftituted  of  fiich 
Novices  in  Knowledge  of  both  Sexes,  as  are  like  a  School  where  the  Boys  call  their 
Teacher  a  Deceiver  tor  every  word  by  which  he  would  deliver  them  from  their 
Errours,  and  teach  them  more  than  they  knew  before. 

io.  They  lazily  gather  a  few  that  feem  fb  much  better  than  the  reft ,  as  will  put 
them  to  no  great  labour  in  Teaching  and  Difcipline.  But  if  all  the  reft  of  the  Pa- 
rimes  lye  in  Ignorance,  how  little  are  we  beholden  to  thefe  Separatifts  for  the  Cure. 
When  I  came  to  Kidderminfter,  fome,  inclined  that  way,  importuned  to  me  to  take 
a  few  Profeffors  of  Zeal  for  my  Flock,  and  let  the  reft  follow  their  ignorant  Rea- 
ders. But  when  I  renounced  their  Counfel,  and  after  my  own  and  my  Affiftants 
long  Catechizing  them,  and  perfwading  all  the  Families,  Houfe  by  Houfe,  they  faw 
the  Body  of  Town  and  Parim  in  love  with  ferious  Religion ,  they  told  me  they  had 
been  undone  if  I  had  followed  their  Counfel :  Wtlliam  Allen,  who  ,  with  Mr.  Lam'a^ 
were  Paftors  of  an  Anabaptiit  Arminian  Church,  firft  feparated  from  the  Parifh- 
Churches,  and  next  from  the  Independents,  was  turned  from  Independency  much, 
by  feeing  ( being  our  Kidderminfier  Factor)  that  Parifh- Churches  may  be  made  as  ho- 
ly as  feparated  ones,  and  the  People  not  left  by  lazy  Separatifts  to  the  Devil :  So 
that  this  Experience  made  him  and  his  Companion  more  againft  Independency  than 
I  am. 

ii.  They  abufethe  People  in  indulging  them  in  works  that  they  were  never  cal- 
led to,  nor  are  capable  pf,  norcan  give  any  comfortable  account  of  to  God  -y  that 
is,  To  be  the  Judges  of  Perfbns  admitted  to  Communion,and  of  Mens  Repentance 
and  Fitnefs  for  the  Sacrament,  &c.  whenas  God  hath  put  this  Power,  called  The 
Church  Keys,  into  the  Paftors  and  Rulers  hands,  (the  not  over- forced  Men,  but  Vo- 
luntiers).  Baptiiin  is  the  true  Churches  Entrance,  and  the  Baptizer  is  the  Judge  of 
the  Capacity  of  the  Baptized  :  no  more  but  Content  to  particular  Church  Relation 
and  Duty,  is  neceffary  to  Memberlhip  of  Neighbour  Chriftians  in  particular  Chur- 
ches. And  nothing  but  proved  nullifying  the  Baptifmal  Covenant  by  Herefie,  or 
Sin  impenitently  maintained  or  contained  in,  doth  forfeit  their  vifible  right  to  Com- 
munion. And  if  the  People  muft  judge  of  all  thefe,  they  muft  have  their  Callings 
to  examine  every  Perfon,  and  they  muft  grow  wifer  and  abler,  then  many  of  their 
Leaders  are. 

12.  Their  Churches  have  among  them  no  probable  way  of  Concord;  but  they 
are  as  a  heap  of  Sand,  that  upon  every  Commotion  fall  in  pieces.  The  Experience 
of  it  in  Holland  broke  them  to  nothing  :  And  it  fb  affecled  the  Sober  in  New-Eng- 
land, that  in  1660.  or  166  r.  Mr.  Jjl)  and  I  were  fain  to  diflwade  Mr.  Norton  and 
Mr.  Broadftreet,  whom  they  lent  hither  as  Commiffioners ,  from  inclining  to  our 
Englifh  Epifcopacy  (foretelling  them  what  was  doing  and  we  have  feen  )  io  deeply 
were  they  afraid  of  being  received  by  that  Peoples  uncurable  Separation  from  their 
ableft  Paftors,  whenever  any  earneft  erroneous  Teachers  would  feduce  them.  Their 
Building  wanteth  Cement. 

1;.  God  hath  fo  wonderfully  by  his  Providences  difbwned  the  way  of  Schifrn 
and  Separation  (on  how  good  pretences  foever)  that  I  mould  be  too  like  Pharaoh  in 
hardnefs,  if  I  mould  defpife  his  warnings.     For  Inftance, 

1  .In  the  Apoftles  days  all  are  condemned  that  feparated  from  the  fetled Churches, 
even  when  thofe  Churches  had  many  heinous  Scandals,  and  St.  Paul  faith,  That  all 
they  in  Mis.  were  turned  from  him.  The  Authority  and  Miracles  of  the  Apoftles  did 
not  ferve  to  keep  Men  from  Separation  and  raifing  Schifms. 

2.  Even  when  the  Church  lay  under  Heathen  Perfecutors  for  294  years ,  yet 
Swarms  of  Condemned  Sects  arofe,  to  fo  great  a  number,  as  that  the  naming  and 
confuting  them  filleth  great  Volumes  ,  to  the  great  Reproach  of  the  Chriftian 
Churches,  and  Scandal  of  the  Heathens. 

3.  As  foon  as  Confiantine  delivered  the  Churches  from  the  Flames  of  cruel  Perfecu- 
tion,  and  fet  up  Chriftians  in  Power  and  Wealth,  feparating  Se&s  grew  greater 
than  before,  each  Party  crying  up  their  feveral  Bifhops  and  Teachers,  and  grew 
worfe  by  Divifioro,  till  thereby  they  tempted  the  Papal  Clergy  to  unite  Men  car- 
nally by,  force. 

4,  At 


Num~b.lV.    A '?  T  E  N  WTxT~ 

4.  Ac  Luthers  Reformation  Swarms  of  Separatifts  arofTin GermanTlS^Jlp'' 
land,  &c.  to  the  great  diihonour  of  the  Proteftant  Caufe  h  '  ?°" 

S  -Here  m  England  it  hath  been  ill  in  Queen  Elizabeth's  time,  by  the  Families 
and  Separates  5  and  far  worfe  fince  :  It  wasfuchas  Quartern  and  ^3? 
ther  Separates  that  drew  Tumults  and  Crowds  down  to  Wejtmmficr ,  to  draw  the 
Parliament  to  go  beyond  their  own  Judgment,and  thereby  divided  the  Parliament 
men,  and  drove  away  the  King,  which  was  the  beginning  of  our  odious  War  It 
was  the  Separating  Party  that  all  over  the  Land  fet  up  Anti-Churches  in  the  Town* 
that  had  able  godly  Minifters,  when  they  had  nothing  impoied  on  them  to  excufe 
it,  neither  Bifliops,  liturgies,  nor  Ceremonies.  So  that  Churches  became  like 
Cockpits,  or  Fencing-Schools,  to  draw  afunder  the  Body  of  Chrift.  It  was  the 
Separating  Party  that  got  under  Cromwell  into  the  Army,  and  became  the  common 
Scorners  of  a  godly  able  Miniftry,  by  the  Names  of  the  Prieft-byters,  the  Driviners, 
the  Weflmmfter-fmners,  the  Diffembly-men,  as  Malignant  Drunkards  did  ,  and  worfe* 
It  was  thefe  that  thought  Succefs  had  made  them  Rulers  of  the  Land  ,  that  caufed 
the  disbanding  of  all  the  Soldiers  that  difliked  their  Spirit  and  Way,and  then  pull'd 
down,  firft  eleven,  and  then  the  major  part  of  the  Parliament,  imprifoning  and 
turning  out  Men  of  eminent  Piety  and  Worth,  and  making  a  Parliament  of  the 
minor  part,  and  their  killing  the  King,  and  afterward  with  fcorn  turning  out  that 
minor  part  that  had  done  their  work  ,  and  to  whom  they  had  oft  profeft  them- 
felves  Servants :  It  was  thefe  Men  that  fet  up  a  Ufurper ;  that  made  a  thing 
called  a  Parliament,  all  of  his  and  his  Armies  nomination..  If  this  mould  ever  be 
imitated,  whom  may  we  thank.  It  was  thefe  Men  that  fet  up  the  Military  Go- 
vernment of  Major-Generals:  h  was  they  that  fet  up  and  pulld  down  fo  many 
feigned  Supream  Powers  in  a  few  years ,  as  made  themfelves  the  Scorn  of  the 
World,  and  by  a  dreadful  warning  of  Divine  Juftice,  all  their  victorious  Army  and 
Power  dropt  in  pieces  like  Sand,  as  they  would  have  ufed  the  Church,  and  was 
dilfolved  without  one  Battle  or  drop  of  Blood  ,  fave  the  after-Blood  of  their  Lea- 
ders that  were  hang'd,  drawn,  and  quartered  by  Parliament  Sentence.  It  is  thele 
Men  and  thefe  doings  that  have  hardened  thoufands  againft  Reformation,  and  turn- 
ed all  that  was  done  for  it  (  O  what  did  it  coft,  and  what  railed  hopes  had  many  of 
the  Succefs)  into  Reproach,  quieted  the  Confciences  ofthofe  that  have  thought 
they  ferved  God  by  filencing,  hating  and  perlecuting  thofe  that  they  thought  had 
been  of  this  guilty  Sect.  In  a  word,  the  fpirit  and  way  of  caufelefs  Separation, 
whether  by  violent  Prelatifts  Puriiuts  and  Excommunications,  or  by  felf- conceited 
Sectaries,  was  never  owned  or  bleft  by  God. 

If  any  fay  (truly  or  falfly)  You  haw  had  a  hand  infome  fuch  thing  your  [elf. 

I  aniwer,  Jf  I  had  I  will  hate  it,  and  write  againft  it  fo  much  the  more. 

To  thruft  ones  felf  into  a  way  lb  difowned  by  God,  by  fuch  a  courfe  of  fearfuJ 
warnings,  is  to  run  with  Vharaoh  into  the  Red-Sea ;  efpecially  when  Impenitence 
fo  fixeth  the  guilt  on  them  that  cannot  endure  to  hear  of  it,  as  may  make  us  fear 
that  the  worit  is  behind,  and  Sin  and  Judgments  yet  continue. 

The  Sum  of  what  is  faid  to  you  on  the  other  fide,  is  that  the  Church  of  England 
and  the  Paiifh  Churches  have  no  true  Miniftry,  and  therefore  are  no  true  Chur- 
ches: That  they  confefs  there  is  no  Church  without  a  Bifhop,  and  no  Biftiop  be- 
low the  Diocefan,  and  (b  no  Church  below  the  Diocefan  Church  :  That  thofe  are 
no  Scripture  Bilhops  and  Churches ;  and  Men  cannot  be  Paftors  againft  their  wills, 
and  the  will  of  their  Diocefans.  That  I  contradict  my  Treatife  of  Epifcopacy  in 
denying  this :  With  more  like  this. 

To  which  I  fay,  I.  If  the  Parilh  Congregation  were  but  part  of  a  Church,  you 
might  joyn  with  it  as  a  part,  as  well  as  with  part  of  an  Independent  Church.  And 
they  that  can  hear  a  Lay-man  with  the  Separatifts,  might  hear  the  Minifters  there, 

II.  Whether  I  contradict  my  felf,  or  not,  is  nothing  to  your  Caufe  and  Cort- 
fcience;  I  undertook  not,  when  I  wrote,  that  none  mould  wilfully  or  ignorantly 
fnifunderftand  me :  The  formal  Notion  of  a  National  Church  is  nothing  but  a 
Chriftian  Kingdom:  The  Matter  is  Chriftian  Rulers  and  Subjects,  and  as  ordered 
Confederate  particular  Churches :  England  hath  been  fuch  for  many  Ages,  tjere 
from  the  Reformation  they  owned  the  Sovereign  Power  as  the  Head  ottne  1  oiiti- 
cal  National  Church,  as  Chrift  is  of  the  Univerfal,  (  under  hirr .).  T^  °^ 
Parim-Churches under  Diocefans,  and  true  Mmiftcn  therein  :TJe»]^ksIhew 
their  Judgment,  their  Articles,  Apology,  Homehes ;,  Liturgy,  °^™™*> i^"ons' 
&c  Thefe  Books  are  (till  owned  by  the  Church :  But  at  laft  a  new  fort  of  Bimop 
rofe  up  that  would  have  made  the  Parifo  Churches  to  be  no  proper  Churches,  W 


77 


78     "  A  T  T  B ■  N  T>  1  X.     NumblV. 


likeChappsls  under  the  Dioceian  :  Thefc  called  ihtmfelves  the  Church  of  England, 
when  there  were  but  about  four  or  five  Bifliops  leit  alive,  who  Dr.  Hammond  laid 
were  of  his  mind.  Some  fuch  domineered  after  ward,  and  would  have  fet  up  that 
way,  but  never  prevailed  either  to  rctracl:  the  Churches  Books  and  Laws,  nor  to 
geo  the  major  part  of  the  Clergy  to  own  them.  Now  all  the  vain  queftion  here  is, 
Which  of  thefe  two  Parties  fhall  be  called  The  Church  of  England  ?  Neither  of  them 
alone  :  They  are  two  difagreeing  parts  of  it  :  I  argued  againft  the  laft,  profeffing 
not  to  do  it  againft  the  firit ;  which  your  Counfeller  would  take  no  notice  ofc  And 
what's  all  this  to  you?  If  you  will  not  be  of  the  National  or  Dioceian  Church,  you 
may  be  of  a  Parifli  Church. 

III.  I  proved  that  if  all  the  Bifhops  and  Parliament  had  faid,  The  PariJh  Mini* 
fters  are  no  true  Paftors,  this  would  not  have  made  them  none,  (though  they 
might  be  guilty  of  depofing  them  as  far  as  they  could:,)  no  more  than  it  would 
make  the  Nonconforming  Miniftersand  Churches  to  be  none  :  Becauie  we  all  take 
the  Office  as  inftituted  by  Ghrift,  and  Men. to  be  but  inverting  Servants  to  hilttj  ha- 
ving no  power  to  alter  it :  And  as  in  the  Marriage  the  Husband  fhall  have  power  o- 
ver  the  Wife  though  he  that  marry  them  fry  Nay  5  ib  /hall  an  ordained  Elder  be  a 
true  Paftor  though  the  Ordainer  fay  Nay. 

IV.  I  proved  that  the  old  Church  Books  and  Do&tine  are  in  force  ftill  by  Law, 
and  the  Kingdom  and  Church  are  fworn  or  bound,  not  to  endeavour  any  alteration 
in  the  Government  of  the  Church  :  Therefore  not  to  put  down  the  Parifh  Mini- 
ftry  and  Churches.  Therefore  this  is  the  Sence  of  the  Church  of  England,  though 
not  of  the  new  Faction  that  ufurped  that  Name. 

: 

V.  Though  a  Man  cannot  be  a  Paftor  againft  his  will,  yet  he  may  be  one 
without  his  knowledge,  if  by  Errour  he  think  he  is  none.  For  he  may  content  to 
all  the  Office,  while  he  thinks  it  is  not  all,and  denieth  the  Name.  If  a  Man  think 
that  a  Deacon  may  do  all  elTential  to  a  Paftor,  and  fo  that  he  is  but  a  Deacon,  he 
is  neverthelefs  a  Paftor  if  he  confented  to  the  Work.  Many  thoufands  are  Chrifti- 
ans  that  think  they  are  not,  and  do  truly  confent  to  Ghriftianity,  while  they  think 
they  do  not.    And  why  may  it  not  be  lb  alfo  to  the  Miniftry  ? 

VI.  But  our  Cafe  need^th  none  of  thefe  Reafons.  For  where  there  is  all  that  is 
effential  to  true  Paftors  and  Churches,  there  are  true  Paftors  and  Churches  :  But 
by  God's  great  mercy,  in  many  thoufandParifhes  in  England,  there  is  all  that  is  ef 
iential  to  true  Paftors  and  Churches  :  Therefore  they  are  fuch.  When  you  will  call 
metodifpute  it  with  any  Denier,  I  will  fully  prove  to  you  ,  (  That  there  is  great 
need  of  Reformation). 

i.  That  the  Church  of  England,  as  it  is  a  Chriftian  Kingdom,  containing  Con- 
federate Churches  under  a  Chriftian  King  and  Laws,  is  that  very  Form  that  Chrift 
offered  to  fettle  in  Judea,  and  did  fettle  by  Confiantme. 

2..  That  if  theDiocefans  be  good  Men,  and  lawfully  choien,  as  they  are  meer  Suc- 
ceffours  of  Timothy  and  Titus,  and  others  that  had  the  .overfight  of  many  Churches 
and  Paftors  (by  the  Word)  they  are  righter  than  the  Oppofers. 

2.  That  the  Incumbents  of  the  Parifh- Churches  have  a  valid  Ordination  by  fuch 
Bilnops  and  Presbyters,  righter  than  the  Dividers. 

4.  That  many  thoufands  of  fuch  Paftors  are  Men  of  competent  Abilities:  and 
many  of  greater  Minifterial  Abilities  than  moft  of  us  Nonconformifts :  yea,  that 
no  known  Nation  under  Heaven,  hath,  in  fb  fmall  a  compafs/o  many  able  Mini  fters 
as  England.     And  that  to  deny  it  and  feparate,  is  great  ingratitude  towards  God. 

5.  That  Parifh  Bounds  are  a  laudable  t)iftribution  of  Churches;  the  capable 
Members  being  Communicants,  and  the  reft  Catechumens. 

6  That  the  ordinary  Communicants  in  multitudes  of  Parifhes,  are  Membrsthat 
have  all  that  -is  eftential  to  Church-Memberfhip. 

7/  That  the  Paftors  have  power  from  God  for  all  their  Work,  and  Mens  denial 
(even  the  Ordainers)  nullifieth  not  that  Power,  when  they  are  in  general  ordained 
Presbyters. 

8:  That  by  the  Law  of  the  Land  they  have  all  Power  eftential  to  Paftors :  They 
may  keep  from  Communion  all  that  are  not  Confirmed,  and  there  have  owned  their 
Baptifrnal  Covenant,  or  are  ready  and  defirous  fo  to  do,  and  therefore  may  try  their 
readinefs:  This  is  required  by  the  Liturgy  :  And  they  may  deny  the  Sacrament  to 

ail 


Numb.  IV.       AT  T  E  N  T>  I  x. 


all  that  live  in  fcandalous  Sin :  And  they  muft  wofecute  fuch^h7RWKT~7~ 
ThelawcalleththemS^  (Rulers),  and  they  own  tbemS^  t  TuT^ 
even  the  Qmons  f  that  are  their  worft  reftraints)  do  own  th ?  fame  •  and  (?h  A  f 
reft  of  the  Church-Books  and  Laws,  that  they  all  fubferibe  to  and'  Diom£,  th" 
alter  :  Ask  them  whether  they  take  not  themfelves  for  true  Paftors  J  °you  Zm 
know  whether  they  confent  to  be  fuch.  '      you  Would 

9.  Though  fome  late  Innovators,  that  called  themfelves  The  Church  of  En*!^ 
would  as  tar  as  they  could,  have  nullified  in  fome  part  the    Parifh  Miniftrv  and 
PoweCr   ;/har  thr6  ^nons    the^ves  d°  «  limit    the  Exercife  of'thSr 
Power   (the  Caufe  of  our  Calamities;,  yet  this  nullified  not   the  Office  and 

2T^heS  ;a  h  -  Eff^tial  PorwernbeLng  fetlfd  b0th  by  God's  L™s  ^  the  Caches 
and  the  reftraint  of  Exercife  nulleth  not  the  Power.  J 

10.  That  to  Exclude  any  from  Communion  that  are  Baptized  and  at  Ape 
n^OV!Td  theirCf?riftianity>  and  are  not  proved  by  fufficient  witnelTes  to  have 

nullified  that  Profeffion  by  Apoftafie,  Herefie,  or  a  wicked  or  fcandalous  Life  * 
Church  Tyranny  and  Injuftice  ;  of  which  all  are  guilty  that  do  it  or  defire  it  ' 
r  JI»v7'narJ.if  this  DifciPline  be  negleded  by  the  Minifters  finful  Sloth,  or  by  the 
finlruIOmiffion  of  the  People,  that  will  not  (firft  privately,  and  then  before  wit- 
nels,  and  then  to  the  Church  or  Paftor)  admonifh  the  Offenders ,  this  is  the  Sin  of 
Paftors  and  People,  but  nullifieth  not  the  Church  or  Office. 

12.  Through  God's  great  Mercy  the  Doctrine  profeffed  by  the  Church  of  Eng. 
land,  and  ufiially  preached  in  many  thoufand  Parifh  Churches  ,  is  found ,  and  as 
well  preached  as  in  any  other  known  Kingdom  on  Earth  (  though  Minifters  have 
had  their  Sins  which  we  frill  fmart  for  and  by). 

1 3.  There  is  nothing  in  the  Liturgy-  wor/hip  which  the  Laity  jn  the  Congregation 
are  ordinarily  to  perform  or  joyn  in,  which  they  may  not  lawfully  do  or  joyn  in 
or  be  prefent  at :  (moft  that  needeth  Reformation  being  in  Rubricks  and  By-Offi- 
ces, Baptizing,  Confirmation,  Excommunications,  Ablolutions,  Burials,  and  in  the 
Minifters  part). 

14.  The  Minifters  have  all  the  three  parts  that  can  be  accounted  by  any  party 
neceffary  to  an  outward  Call.  i.They  have  the  Magiftrates  Content  (by  his  Law) 
who  is  Judge  whom  he  will  maintain  and  tolerate.  2.  They  have  the  Ordainers 
Confent  and  Million  (Bifhops  and  Presbyters)  who  are  Judges  whom  to  Ordain. 
3.  They  have  the  Communicants  Confent  exprefied  in  their  conftant  Attendance 
and  Communicating  ;  who  are  the  discerning  Judges  to  whom  to  commit  the  Pa- 
ftoral  Care  and  Conduct  of  their  own  Souls :  And  though  more,  be  defirable ,  no' 
more  is  of  neceflity. 

if.  The  Confederate  Parifh-Churches  of  England  that  have  able  godly  Paftors 
want  nothing,  which  CHRIST  or  his  APOSTLES,  or  theUNI  VER- 
SA L  CHURCH  of  Chrift  for  Six  hundred  years  (  yea  or  to  this  day)  did 
ever  make  or  judge  neceffary  to  the  being  of  Minifters  or  Church,  Nor  have  the 
(aid  Churches  any  Errour  or  Sin  in  Do&rine,  Worfhip  or  Government,  which  ei- 
ther Chrift  or  his  Apoftles,  or  the  Univerfal  Church,  for  Six  hundred  years  after 
Chrift,  did  judge  inconfiftent  with  the  being  of  a  valid  Minifter  ,  and  true  vifible 
Churches. 

The  large  proof  of  thefe  Fifteen  Propofitions  I  offer,  though  too  long  now  to 
perform  j  which  though  they  will  not  juftifie  fuch  Minifterial  Conformity  as  I  have 
been  urged  to,  yet  you  may  eafily  fee  by  them,  1.  What  Church-Frame  is  moft 
agreeable  to  Scripture.  2.  And  what  to  judge  of  the  falfe  Accufersof  the  Church. 
3.  How  far  Separation  is  finful  Divifion,  and  contrary  to  Chriftian  Love  and  U- 
nion.  , 

I  know  the  Dividers  fay,  l.  That  I  am  turned  Conformifi.  2.iAnd  -why  do  I  not  Con- 
form, if  I  think  fo  well  of  the  Tar i(h  Churches  and  Liturgy.  And  3.  Why  have  I  loft  a- 
bove  Twenty  thoufand  pounds  in  Five  and  twenty  years t  by  refufing  a  Bifhoprick  and  other 
Freferments. 

To  whom  I  anfwer  5  If  our  printed  Propofals,  Difputes,  and  Petitions  for  Peace 
in  166 1.  and  my  firft,  fecond,  and  third  Plea  for  Peace,  and  many  more  fuch  Wri- 
tings, and  my  Cure  of  Church  Divifions,  and  my  Book  for  the  true  and  only  way 
of  Church  Concord,  and  my  Confutation  of  many  that  made  me  a  Separating 
while  I  Communicated  in  my  Parifh  Church,  and  never  gathered  a  Church  meerly 
becaufe  I  forfook  not  my  Miniftry,  but  gratu  preached  a  Le<fture  ,  and  my  Book 
againft  Sacrilegious  Defertion  of  the  Miniftry  ;  I  fay,  if  all  thele  Books  will  not  fi- 
lence  thefe  ignorant  Objedors,  nor  reftrain  them  from  (peaking  evil  of  that  which 
ihey  underftand  not.  I  owe  them  no  more,  nor  can  hops  to  cure  their  quarrelfome 

Ignorance, 


19 


jjo  A  9  <1>  E  N  V  1  X       Numb.  IV. 

Ignorance,  mould  I  lay  or  write  never  fo  much  more.  They  have  contemned  Qt 
many  excellent  Rulers,  and  Paftors,  (ingle  and  AJJcmblies,  far  wil'er  than  I,  and  fo  cen- 
ibrioufly  condemn  almoft  all  the  Body  or  Church  of  Chrift  on  Earth,  that  I  am 
not  (o  vain  as  to  expeft  to  efcape  their  Cenfure.  Even  in  New- England ,  not  only 
Mv.Wtijon,  Mr.  Norton,  and  (uch  other  fingle  Independent  Minifters,  lived  and  died 
in  lamented  Separation,  and  warning  the  Land  againft  it  as  their  danger  ,  but  their 
Synods  have  been  at  much  trouble  thereby,  and  left  their  Healing  Determinations 
and  Teftimony  againft  that  Dividing  Spirit  and  Way. 


They  that  would  lee  more,  may  read  a  fmall  Book  of  Mr.  Philip  Nye  for  Hearing 
the  Parifh  Preachers;  and  a  bigger  Book  of  Mr.  John  Tomhes  (the  greareft  and  mclr 
learned  Writer  againft  Infant-Baptifm  )  vindicating  the  Lawfulneis  and  Duty  of 
joyning  in  ordinary  Communion  in  Word,  Prayer,  and  Sacrament  with  the  Parifa- 


Dr.  Thomas  Goodwin  on  Ephef.  i.  Serm.j(5.  pag.  488.  explain- 
ing fome  Words  in  the  foregoing  Sermon. 

IT  was  underftood  as  if  I  faid,  That  all  Parijh  Churches  and  Minifters  generally  "were 
Churches  and  Minifters  of  Chrift,  fitch  as  with  whom  Communion  might  be  held.  I 
laid  not  Co  :  I  was  wary  in  my  Expreffions.  I  will  only  fay  this  to  you  about  it. 
There  is  no  Man  that  defireth  Reformation  in  this  Kingdom  (as  the  generality  of 
all  godly  People  do)  but  will  acknowledge  and  fay,  That  multitudes  of  Pari/hes, 
where  Ignorance  and  Prophanenefi  overwhelmeth  the  Generality,  Scandaloufneft  and  Si- 
mony the  Ministers  themfelves,  that  thefe  are  not  Churches  and  Minifters  fit  to  be 
held  Communion  with.  Only  this ;  The  Ordinances  that  have  been  adminiftred 
by  them  (  fo  far  we  mull  acknowledge  them,  that  they  )  are  not  to  be  recalled  or 
repeated  again. 

But  here  lyeth  the  Queftion,  my  Brethren,  and  my  meaning  :  Whereas  now  in 
fome  Parifhes  in  this  Kingdom,  there  are  many  godly  Men  that  do  conftantly  gi-vt 
themfelves  up  to  the  fVorjhip  of  God  in  publick,  and  meet  together  in  one  place  to  that  end  , 
in  a  conftant  way,  under  a  godly  Minifter,  whom  they  themfelves  have  chofen  to 
cleave  to,  ( though  they  did  not  choofe  him  at  firft  )  Thefe  ,  notwithstanding  their  mix- 
ture and  want  of  Discipline,!  never  thought  for  my  part,but  that  they  were  true  Chur- 
ches of  Chrift,  and  Sifter-Churches,  and  fo  ought  to  be  acknowledged :  And  the  con- 
trary was  the  Errour  that  I  fpake  againft. 

Secondly,  For  holding  Communion  with  them,  I  fay,  as  Silver-Churches,  occajionally 
as  Strangers,  Men  might  hold  Communion  with  them :  And  it  is  acknowledged  by  all 
Divines,  that  there  is  not  that  Obligation  lying  upon  a  Stranger,  that  is  not  * 
Member  of  a  Sifter-Church,  to  find  fault  in  that  Church,  or  in  a  Member  of  it,  as  doth 
on  the  Church  it  felf,  to  which  one  belongeth. 

I  will  give  you  my  Reafons  that  moved  me  to  fpeak  lb  much.  It  was  not  fimply 
to  vent  my  own  Judgment,  or  fimply  to  clear  my  felf  from  that  Errour  :  but  the 
Reafons,  or  rather  the  Motives  and  Confiderations  that  ftirred  me  in  it ,  were 
thefe. 

Firft,  If  we  fhould  not  acknowledge  thefe  Churches,  thus  ftated,  to  be  true 
Churches  of  Chrift,  and  their  Minifters  true  Minifters,  and  their  Order  fuch^  and  hold 
Communion  with  them  too,  in  the  Sence  fpoken  of,  we  muft  acknowledge  No 
Church  in  all  the  Reformed  Churches  ;  None  of  all  the  Churches  in  Scotland,  nor  in 
Holland,  nor  in  Germany  j  for  they  are  All  as  full  of  mixture  as  ours :  And  to  deny 
that  to  our  own  Churches,  which  we  do  not  to  the  Churches  abroad,  nothing  can  be 
more  abfiird  :  And  it  will  be  very  hard  to  think  that  there  hath  been  no  Church 
fince  the  Reformation. 

Secondly,  I  know  nothing  tendeth  more  to  the  peaceable  Reformation  among 
us,  than  to  break  down  This  Partition-Wall:  for  there  is  nothing  provokes  more 
than  this  doth,  to  deny  fuch  Churches  to  be  true  Churches  of  Chriit.  For  do  but 
trrink  with  your  felves,  and  I  will  give  you  a  familiar  Example:  You  come  to  a 
Man  whom  you  think  to  be  a  godly  Man ;  you  tell  hima  He  hath  thefe  and  thefe 
Sins  in  him,  and  they  are  great  ones :  It  is  as  much  as  he  can  bear,  though  you  tell 

him 


Numb.  IV.       A  T~T~E~WWl~x 

him  he  is  a  Saint,  and  acknowledge  him  fo :  but  if  you  come  r„  i,;_        .  r — T~~ 
fides  this,  You  are  a  Limb  of  the  Devil,  and  you  have  no  Srace  L  i  "°d  u?' be" 
Voketh  all  in  a  Man,  when  there  is  any  Ground  in  himfelf  7o think  1°°'  *"  pr°" 
ther  to    udge  him  fo;    fo  it  is  here  :    Come  to  Church  and  fiv    Y™,  h    M  t"?" 

Tour  Churches  and  your  Mincers  are  Anttchnfiian  and  come  from  Babylon    there  8.  « 

trgr\fuKmre-  Therefr ifjhere,be a Truth & * c* 5 wilt's 

Men  fliould  be  Zealous  to  exprefs  it :  For  this  is  the  great  Partition  Wall   that  bin 
dtreth  of  twain  making  one.  om" 

Then  again,  This  is  that  which  I  confider,  and  it  is  a  great  Confideration  alfn 
I  know  that  Jefus  Chrift  hath  given  his  People  Light  in  Matte* 'of %£ tl^byt 
grecs.    Thoufands  of  good  Souls  that  have  been  bred  up  and  born  in  our  Aflem 
Hies,  and  enjoy  the  Ordinances  of  God,  and  have  done  it  comfortably    cannot 
luddenly  take  in  other  Principles  :  You  mud  wait  on  Chrift  to  do  it. 

In  this  Cafe  Men  are  not  to  be  wrought  off  by  Faljhoods,  God  hath  no  need  of 
them  ;  no,  rather  till  Men  do  take  in  Light,  you  fliould  give  them  all  that  is  com. 
tortable,  in  the  Condition  they  are  in  ;  we  mould  acknowledge  every  good  thing  in 
every  Man,  in  every  Church,  in  every  thing ;  and  that  is  a  way  to  work  upon 
Men  and  to  prevail  with  them,  as  it  is  Philem.  v.  6.  That  the  Communication  of 
thy  Faith  may  become  effectual  acknowledgment  of  every  good  thing  -which  is  in  you  in 
Chrijt  Jefus.  It  is  that  Which  buildeth  Men  up,  by  acknowledgment  of  every  good 
thing  that  is  in  them. 

Lafily,  The  laft  Inconvenience  is  this,  It  doth  deprive  Men  of  all  thofe  Gifts  that 
are  found  amongft  our  Minifters,  and  in  this  Kingdom,  that  they  cannot  hold  any 
Communion  or  fellow/hip  with  them. 

So  that  I  profefs  my  ielf  as  zealous  in  this  Point, as  in  any  other  1  know.  And  for  mv 
part,  this  I  lay,  and  I  fay  it  with  much  Integrity  :  I  never  yet  took  up  Religion  by 
Parties  in  the  Lump.  I  have  found  by  tryal  of  things  that  there  is  fbme  truth  on 
all  Sides :  I  have  found  Holinefs  where  you  would  little  think  it,  and  fo  likewife 
Truth.  And  I  have  learned  this  Principle,  which  I  hope  I  ftall  never  lay  down 
till  I  am  (wallowed  up  of  Imortality,  and  that  is,  that  which  I  laid  before,  To  ac- 
knowledge every  good  thing,  and  hold  Communion  with  it,  in  Men,  in  Churches,  er  what- 
foever  el/e.  I  learn  this  from  Paul,  I  learn  this  from  Jefus  Chrift  himfelf :  He  filieth 
All  in  All :  He  is  in  the  Hearts  of  his  People,  and  filieth  them  in  his  Ordinances  to 
this  Day :  And  where  Jefus  Chrift  filieth,  why  fliould  we  deny  an  Acknowledg- 
ment, and  a  right  Hand  of  Fellowfhip  and  Communion  ? 

My  Brethren,  this  Rule  that  I  have  now  mentioned  (which  I  profeisl  have  lived 
by,  and  fhall  do  while  I  live)  I  know  I  /hall  never  pleafe  Men  in  it :  Why  ?  It  is 
plain ;  for  this  is  the  Nature  and  Condition  of  all  Mankind,  if  a  Man  diffents 
from  others  in  one  thing,  he  iofeth  himfelf  in  all  the  reft  :  And  therefore  if  a  Man* 
do  take  what  is  good  of  all  fides  j  he  is  apt  to  lole  them  all :  But  he  pleafeth  Chrift 
by  it,  and  fo  I  will  for  this  particular. 

Thus  far  Dr.  T.  Goodwin  prefaced  and  commended  by  thankful  Owen,  and  James 
Barron,  worthy  and  peaceable  Men,  deceafed. 

The  Tranfcriber  craveth  judicious  Refolutions  of  thefe  two  Queftions : 
i.  Whether  it  be  lawful  to  be  a  fixed  Member  of  a  grofly  Schifmatical  Churchy 
that  is  guilty  of  fuch  feparating  from  flandering  almoft  all  others,  as  is  here  repro- 
ved, when  Communion  with  better  may  be  had  ? 

Que  ft.  2.  How  far  others  are  bound  to  reprove  and  Teftify  againft  fiich  dividing 
Principles,  Minifters  and  Churches,  efpecially  after  and  under  doleful  Experience 
of  their  finful  calamitous  Effe&s? 


8  i 


Dear  Brother, 

6  f  Have  felt  that  in  my  own  Soul,  and  feen  that  upon  my  Brethren  for  thefe  two 
c  1  or  three  Years  laft  paft,  which  perfuadeth  me  that  God  is  about  the  healing  of 
c  our  Wounds,  having  communicated  more  healing  Principles  and  AfFe&ions,  and 
'  poured  out  more  of  the  Spirit  of  Catholick  Love  and  Peace  than  I  have  perceived 
'  heretofore.  Love  is  arifen  and  fhineth  upon  the  Children  of  the  Day,  and  your 
e  congealed  Stiffnefs  begins  to  vanifh,  and  a  Chriftian  Tendernefs  to  fucceed.  The 
°  °  L  *  Prince 


82  AT  T  E  NT>  I  X.      Numb.lV 


*  Prince  of  Peace  ere&s  his  Banner,  and  the  Sons  of  Peace  flock  in  apace.     It  is  a 

*  fhame  to  be  the  laft,  but  a  mifery  to  be  none.God  will  bring  his  divided,di (traded 
f  Servants  nearer  together  ;  and  it  is  Pity  he  fhould  be  put  to  bear  down  any  refitting 
c  Saints  among  the  Inftruments  of  Satan,  and  that  any  of  their  Carcaftes  fhould  be 
«  found  on  the  Ground  when  he  conquereth  the  Enemies  of  Peace.  The  Lord  is 
«  about  revealing  to  his  Servants  the  Error  of  their  Cenforioufneis,  Harfhnefs,  Un- 
'  charitablenefs,  and  Divifions,  and  how  grievoufly  they  have  wronged  him  and 
r  themfelves  by  departing  fo  far  from  Chriftian  Love  and  Unity  .He  will  let  them  lee 

*  how  much  of  the  Gaufewas  (ecretand  undifcerned  j  Pride  and  Self-con  ceitednefs 
«  and  want  of  Holy  Ghriftian  Love,    while  little  was  pretended  or  difcerned  but 

*  Stri&nefs  and  Obedience.  He  will  fliew  them  more  fully  wherein  the  true  Na- 
« tureof  Grace  and  Holy  Obedience  doth  confift,  and  teach  them  by  the  Imprefs 
'  of  his  Spirit,  what  he  fo  emphatically  commanded  them  by  his  Word,  to  go 
c  learn  what  that  meaneth,   1  will  have  Mercy,  and  not  Sacrifce  :    It's  pity  we  fhould 

*  not  underftand  the  meaning  of  Words  fo  plain  ;  but  it's  Sin  and  Shame  as  well  as 
'  Pity  that  we  have  ftudied  them  no  better,  after  fuch  a  Memorandum  and  Gom- 
c  mand  as  this.  But  many  of  God's  Servants  have  in  the  Points  of  Unity  and  Peace 
'  been  like  thofe  miferable  Souls,  that  are  defcribed  to  have  Eyes  and  fee  not^  Ears  and 
'  bear  not,  Hearts  and  underjtand  nott  (thefe  bleffed  Precepts  of  Love  and  Unity, 
'  though  none  more  plain ,  and  frequent ,  and  urgent )  for  the  time  was 
e  not  come  that  they  fhould  be  recovered  and  healed  ;  though  this  Defection  be 
1  not  in  the  Effence  of  Chriftianity,but  the  Degrees ;  nor  for  Perpetuity, but  a  Time  ; 
'  yet  it's  fad  that  fuch  a  Spirit  of  deadnefs  fhould  fb  far  preyail,  that  Men  inquifi- 
'  tive  after  Truth,  and  zealous  of  Holinefs,  fhould  leaft  underftand  the  plaineft, 
f  nearer},  frequent  Precepts,  and  fo  little  feel  their  Obligations  to  fuch  weighty  Du- 
f  ties,  that  the  Lord  is  pleafed  toftir  upon  their  Spirit  among  others,  is  a  great  re- 
* joicing  to  me.     And  I  hope  I  may  tell  you,  that  it  is  in  vain,  as  I  am  fure  I  may 

*  tell  you  it  is  no  fmall  Sin  any  more  to  refift  and  ftrive  again  ft  him.  If  the  Hand 
'  of  our  dear  and  tender  Lord  be  letting  you  in  joint  again,  fhrink  not  on  account 
r  ofprefent  pain,  (much  lefs  fhould  you  fear  the  Reproach  of  being  in  Communion 
'with  the  Body)  but  impartially  hearken  unto  him  and  yield  ;  but  lay  by  all  Tumults 
1  of  Spirits  and  Paflions,  and  get  out  of  the  Noife  of  vulgar  Clamours ;  for  the 
?  Voice  of  Peace  is  a  flill  Voice,  and  in  Calmnels  muft  be  attended  unto  :  And 
'  when  you  are  reftored,  if  you  find  not  the  Sweetnels  and  Advantages  of  Peace 
1  (if  you  are  indeed  reftored  in  Mind  as  well  as  Practice)  the  Lord  hath  not  fpoken 

*  in  this  by  me.  I  can  hardly  think  that  he  that  hath  raifed  thefe  Thoughts  with- 
'  in  you,  and  begun  thefe  Convictions,  will  let  them  die.  In  order  to  the  Endsde- 
1  fired  and  hoped  for,  I  fhall  offer  you  fo  much  of  my  prefent  Thoughts,  as  your 
'  defcribed  Cafe  requires.  And  i.  though  I  defire  not  to  difpute  the  Cafe  of  In- 
c  fant  Baptifm  with  you  now,  yet  I  may  fay,  we  believe  you  live  in  a  conftant 
'  Sin  againft  the  Lord,  in  neglecting,  denying  and  oppofing  it,  and  that  if  you 
1  will  by  one  erroneous  Suppofition  draw  on  a  Chain  of  hurtful  Confequences,  you 
'  are  theCaufeof  your  own  Difbrders.  At  a  fitter  Seafon  I  fhould  defire  you  but 
r  to  anfwer  me  this  one  Argument :  All  that  fhould  be  facramentally  or  fblemnly 
'  inticed  into  the  Holy  Covenant  with  God,  as  his  People,  fhould  be  Baptized  (or 
c  at  leaft  be  taken  as  true  Members  of  the  Church,  and  their  Entrance  juft)  but  the 

*  Infants  of  believing  Parents  fhould  be  facramentally  and  folemnly  entred  into  Cove- 

*  nam  with  God  or  his  People ;  Ergo,  &c.  The  Minor  we  give  you  the  abundant 
r  Proof  of  Law  and  Promife  for,  before  Chrift.    It  was  Abrahams  Duty  and  Pri- 

*  viledge  according  to  the  Tenour  of  the  Promife  which  was  made  with  him  be- 
«  fore  the  Law  ,  to  enter  his  Children  facramentally  and  folemnly  into  the  holy 
c  Covenant.  It  was  all  the  Churches  Duty  after  both  Jews  and  Profely  tes ;  both 
1  the  uncircumcifed  Females,  and  the  circumcifed  Males,  and  all  the  uncircumcifed 
'  Church  in  the  Wildernefs,  Deut.  29,  &c.  Tell  me  now  how  I  fhould  anfwer  it  be- 

*  fore  the  Lord,  if  I  tell  Parents  that  they  are  abfblved  from  this  Duty  of  folemn 

*  entring  their  Children  into  the  Covenant,  and  are  diverted  of  the  bleffed  Privi- 
c  ledge ;  efpecially  when  you  here  tell  me  well,  that  you  know  of  none  but  his  Bo- 

*  dy  that  Chrift  is  the  Saviour  of,  and  that  the  Church  is  this  Body  ;  Ergo,  you 
f  know  of  no  Salvation  for  Infants  if  they  be  not  of  the  Church  i  Ergo,  Exclusion 
c  would  be  a  heavy  Cafe,  fhall  I  fay  that  Chrift  hath  recalled  this  Law  and  Grant  ? 

*  but  how  fhould  I  prove  it?  I  fhew  you  the  Law  and  Grant;  do  you  fhew  me  the 
f  Repeal,  and  we  have  done.  Chrift  never  fpeaks  a  word  to  repeal  it,  nor  any  of 
'  his  Apoftles.  Entring  our  Children  into  the  holy  Covenant,  is  not  a  Ceremony. 
'  If  God  fay  to  a  Father,  why  didft  thou  not  dedicate  this   Child   to    me,  and 

*  fblemnly 


Numb.  IV.       A  <P  <p  e"nWTx. 


x.  $4 


;folemnly  enter  him  into  Covenant  withTnd?  what  ~^Tt^^~~ 
Prom,fe  and  teg  Practice  were  plain  ;  was  the  Repeal  alfo  plain i  Yes     fitbl 


3 


«  *     &a% hfenhei^^d.BaP^.^ndexercifed  it  firft  upon  the  adult,  thatle 

•ZZ\tt  n"?  *"h  ?C?  Pif  hTtCSr:   And  £r^  "hen  he  did  in  that  no  more 

than  hey  did  that  yet  admitted the  Infants  of  Ghurch-Members,  his  baptizing^ 

Adult  could  no  more  fignify  his  Denial  of  Infants  to  be  baptized,  than  the %i 

baptizing  the  Adult  could  figrtify  it,  who  at  that  time  baptized  Infants  alfo  r  nor 

.could  the  Maples  interpret  Ghrift's  Doftrine  and  Will  to  be  contrary  to  rhe'fa*' 

S  when  his  Practice  was  no  more  than  theirs ;  And  when  he  never  uttered  a  Svlft- 

•/Me  to  intimate  a  Repeal  of  that  great  Mercy  and  Duty  of  entring  Infants  folemnlv 

Kffita  the  Covenant  which  by  God's  Appointment  had  continued  fo  long     And 

the  Covenant  was,  I  will  be  thy  God,  and  thou  Jhalt  be  my  People.     But  all  this  falls 

in  befides  my  firft  intent,  and  therefore  I  rather  exped  your  Pardon  than  your  re- 

gard  of  it  at  the  prefent  j  though  time  may  mew  you  Llfcht  in  that  which  now 

9  ieems  Darknef . 

-*  2.  But  if  our  Infant  Baptifm  were  irregular,  how  will  you  prove  it  a  Nullity? 
^  never  by  any  found  Argument ;  every  Irregularity  is  not  a  Nullity.    Whether  you 

take  the  Word  as  fignify  ing  Redus  Sacrament  ale,  a  Sacramental  Covenant  (as 
9  Scripture  commonly  doth,  more  notably  intending  the  Covenant  than  the  out- 
f  w.ird  A&)  or  SacramentumFasderale  a  Federal  Sacrament  or  A&ion,  (moft  notably 
1  liquifying  the  Sign  or  A61)  it's  all  one  to  oUr  purpofe,  for  Infants  are  capable  of 
c  both  the  Covenant,  and  the  outward  Sign,  and  of  all  that  is  elleritial  to  Baptifm. 
9  That  they  are  capable  of  being  entred  into  Covenant,  i.  Nature  tells  us,  we 
«  commonly  enter  them  under  Princes  as  their  Subje&s,  and  into  private  Contracts 
'  with  Landlords  for  PolTeffions.  2.  The  ancient  Law,  Promife  and  Practice  of* 
9  the  Church  before  Chrift  tells  us,  for  then  it  was  a&ually  done  by  God's  Gom- 
c  niand.  And  that  they  are  capable  of  the  outward  Sign  is  undeniable.  Prove  it  a 
9  Nullity  if  you  can,  though  it  were  a  Sin. 

*  3.  But  if  both  were  granted,  the  Sin  and  Nullity,  I  come  now  to  give  you  my 
.'  Reaibns  why  it  warrants  you  not  to  deny  Communion  with  the  Churches  that 
9  were  thus  Baptized  in  Infancy.  And  1.  I  befeech  you  note  that  Baptifm  is  as 
9  neceffary,  if  not  much  more,  to  the  AdmiiTion  of  Men  into  the  univerfal  vifible 
9  Church  as  fuch,  or  into  a  particular  Church  :  Ergo,  If  Men  may  be  admitted  into 
9  the  univerial  vifible  Church  without  adult  Baptifm,  then  he  may  be  admitted  into 
'  a  particular  Church  withoufit :  But  yet  here  grant  that  he  may  be  a  Member  of 
■  the  univerfal  Church  without  it :  Ergo,  Baptifm  is  indeed  appointed  to  be  our  re- 
9  gular  entrance  by  way  of  Sacramental  Covenant  and  InVeftiture  into  the  Church 

*  Univerfal,and  not  into  a  particular  Church  neceffarily,though  it  may  be  into  both, 
'  yet  it  is  but  indirectly  into  the  particular  Church.  The  Eunuch,  and  all  that  were 
4  baptized  firft  in  any  place  by  the  Apoftles,  were  baptized  only  into  the  Church 
9  univerfal ,  and  afterward  fetled  in  Order  under  Pallors  in  particular  Churches. 
'  Baptifm,  as  fuch,  as  it  was  called  our  Chriftening,  doth  only  lift  Men  under 
'  Chrift  as  Chriftians,  and  if  it  do  any  more  as  to  the  thing  in  Queftion,  it  is  acci- 
c  dentally,  and  not  always,  nor  neceltarily  :  We  are  not  (directly  fure)  baptized  to 
c  our  Paftors,  and  fb  not  to  that  Particular  Church,  nothing  then  is  more  plain 
9  in  Scripture  than  that  Baptifm  was  appointed  for  our  Entrance  upon  our  State  of 
1  Difciples  in  general  :  And  Ergo,  if  a  Man  may  be  a  vifible  Difciple  without  it, 
9  where  it  feemeth  moft  neceffary,  then  much  more  may  he  be  admitted  into  a 
'  particular  Church  afterward  without  it,  when  at  leaft  it  is  no  more  neceffary,  and 
c  indeed  much  lefs,  and  not  at  all,  fave  only  as  univerial  Church-Member,  this  is 
1  pre-requifite  to  particular.  The.Miniftersof  Chrift  Baptized  2000  without  ask- 
c  ing  the  Confent  of  any  particular  Church.    2.  They  that  are  under  both  a  Pre- 

*  cept  making.the  ufe  of  inftituted  Ordinances  their  Duty,  and  a  Promiie  of  Ac- 
c  ceptance  in  the  Performance,  muft  perform  thefe  Duties  with  belief  of  their  Ac- 

*  ceptance  :  But  fuch  are  thefe  that  you  account  unbaptized :   Ergo,  That  they  are 

*  under  a  Command  is  plain.  All  the  Precepts  for  Chriftian  Communion,  and  not 
« forfaking  the  affemblfng  of  our  felves  and  obeying  thofe  that  rule  over  us,  e^are 
'  made  to  the  whole  vifible  Church,  that  hath  Opportunity  for  fuch  Communion, 
'  you  will  not  think  that  our  Sin  (as  you  take  it)  can  except  us  from  an  Obligation 
f  to  Du:y.  But  all  the  Queftion  is,  whether  fuch  Duty  will  be  accepted  if  per- 
'formed  by  the  unbaptized  (as  you  now  fuppofe  them;  and  this  you  grant,  protei- 

3  L  2  i  ''ing 


84  A  T  T  E  NV  I  X.     Numb.lV. 


«  fmg  your  felf  that  you  are  out  of  doubt  that  we  are  very  well  accepted  of  God, 
«  and  you  think  that  it  is  accounted  for  Baptifm  to  us.  And  if  you  yield  both  that 
(  we  are  bound  to  the  Duty,  and  fhall  have  Acceptance  in  particular  Church  Com- 
c  munion,  what  is  it  then  befides  the  regularity  that  you  deny  ?  Do  you  not  grant 
f  i he  Caufe  in  Hand  ?  And  we  have  many  Promifes  of  Acceptance  of  Believers  in 
c  their  fincere  Endeavours,  and  all  things  ate  pure  to  the  Pure.  And  if  involunta 
'  ry  unavoidable  Miftakes  fhall  hinder  our  Acceptance  when  we  are  fincere,  then 
'we  Can  never  be  fure  that  we  are  accepted.  3.  It  is  but  vifibility  that  is  requifite 
'  in  a  Church  or  Member  to  make  them  capable  of  our  Communion^  If  it  be  a 
'  Communion  of  Chriftians  as  Chriftians,  or  Saints  as  Saints  that  particular 
<  Churches  are  to  hold  withal,  that  confent  and  are  Members  of  their  Churches, 
c  then  Chriftianity  or  vifible  San&ity  in  fuch  Confenters  is  all  that  is  of  Neceflit^ 
r  to  fuch  Communion  :  But  the  Antecedent  is  plain  :    As  it  is  as  Chriftians  that  wj 

*  muft  inwardly  love  one  another,  fo  it  is  as  Chriftians,  that  we  muft  manifeft  that 
'  Love  in  holy  Communion.    Communion  is  the  Demonftration  of  Love ;  and  all 

*  Men  muft  know  us  to  be  Chrift's  Difciples  by  our  loving  one  another;  and  there- 
c  fore  if  any  Man  be  but  a  vifible  Chriftian,  it's  plain  that  he's  capable  of  your 
'  Communion  (if  he  cohabits  and  confent)  elfe  it  were  not  fortnalitur  a  Communi- 
c  on  of  Saints  or  Chriftians,  but  of  ibmething  elfe  :  Now  youconfefs  that  Men  are 

*  vifible  Chriftians  that  are  (to  you)  unbaptized. 

c  4.  There  is  no  fuch  thing  as  a  univeiial  vifible  Church  that  is  not  to  ufe  Eu- 

*  chariftical  Communion,  nor  any  parts  of  it  that  have  opportunity.  Your  fimili- 
4  tude  of  Corporations  in  a  Republick  holds  in  fome  things,  but  hath  this  difljmili- 
c  tude,  that  all  Chrift's  Republick  mould  confift  of  fuch*  Corporations,  except  a 
'  Perfon  that  is  a  Merchant  Traveller, Embaffado^or  by  fome  extraordinary  Neceffi- 
c  ty  is  denied  Opportunity  :  which  Rarities  are  not  here  of  Confideration.  And 
1  whereas  in  Republicks%  it  may  be  as  commodious  for  rural  Villages  to  be  not  in- 
'  corporate,  as  for  Cities  to  be  incorporate,  and  the^r  Priviledges  in  their  Nation 
'•may  be  as  great ,  and  they  are  not  obliged  to  incorporate ,  none  of  this 
'is  fb  in  our  Cafe :  But  every  vifible  Chriftian  ('not  hindered  by  Neceffity) 
'  is  bound  to  incorporate,  and  charged  not  to  forfake  the  AiTemblies ;    but  all  to 

*  join  and  fpeak  the  fame  things  and  Glorify  God  with  one  Mouth,  &c.    And  he 

*  that  is  not  a  vifible  Chriftian,  hath  no  vifible  Right  to  our  Chriftian  Communion  1 
c  And  he  that  is  a  vifible  Chriftian  and  depriveth  himfelf  of  this  Communion  fin- 
c  neth,  and  wrongeth  his  own  Soul,  and  as  it  were,  out-laws  himfelf,  and  is  not  as 
c  you  fuppofe  in  your  Companion  of  the  not-incorporate  :   But  though  in  fome 

*  Cafes  fuch  may  be  faved,  as  deny  inftituted  Communion  and  Worfhip,  or  neglect 
1  it,  yet  they  do  fo  far  put  themfelves  into  the  State  of  thofe  without. 

'  c.  Your  Opinion  fets  up  a  new  kind  of  Church,  or  Chriftian  AfTemblies  and 
c  Communion  of  fuch  as  may  only  hear  and  Pray,  and  not  have  Euchariftical 
c  Communion  and  be  under  Church- Guidance  :  Shew  us  any  fuch  in  Scripture  if 
c  you  can. 

c  6.  Heathens  or  Infidels  are  called  to  a  natural  Worfhip  of  God  :  Ergo,  vifible 
c  Chriftians  are  called  to  more. 

*  7.  Faith  it  felf  hath  its  Office  formally  by  Inftitution,  though  its  aptitude  there-' 
c  to  be  in  the  Nature  of  the  thing.  And  if  the  Gofpel  it  felf  be  fupernatural,  and 
e  our  Chriftianity  and  Faith  an  inftituted  thing,  as  well  as  Sacrament  and  Gover- 
'  nors,  and  fo  the  univerfal  vifible  Church  an  Inftitution  as  well  as  a  particular, 

*  then  certainly  want  of  Baptifm  will  no  more  keep  a  vifible  Chriftian  out  of  the 
1  particular  inftituted  Church,  than  out  of  the  univerfal ;  becaufe  as  to  the  Point  of 
c  Inftitution  there  is  no  fuch  Reafon  as  can  make  a  Difference. 

'  8.  The  great  and  excellent  part  of  Church  Communion  is  that  which  you 
1  call  natural  Worfhip  as  performed  by  Believers,  in  the  loving  God  in  Chrift  and 
'  admiring  and  magnifying  his  Love,  in  the  Riches  of  the  Grace  of  Redemption, 
e  and  feeking  with  all  Saints  to  comprehend  it,  hearing  his  Gounfels  and  Commands, 
r  praying  for  his  Grace  and  Glory,  and  praifiog  and  magnifying  him  in  Faith,  and 
'  Hope,  and  Love,  with  our  Eye  upon  the  fecond  Coming  of  our  Lord.  And 
1  that  which  you  call  Inftituted  Order  and  Worfhip,  is  but  the  means  to  this,  and 
'  without  this  but  a  Shell :  It  is  fubfervient  to  it.    And  therefore 

'  1.  They  that  are  capable  of  the  greater,  are  capable  of  the  Iefs.    Heathens  are 

*  bound  to  meer  natural  Worfhip,  and  their  Hearing  and  Praying  is  another  thing* 
1  and  Obligation  and  Capacity  differ, 

6  z.  They 


Numb.IV.     A  T  <P  E  N  TTTXj 

t    '*•  They  that  muft  do  the  work,  muft  do  it  in  G^dW^T^TZr^rT^^" 
The  great  internal  Worfhip  is  as  the  Soul,  and  the  external J'>?i  I  a"  "I?1?" 

wf°  bfehdi^uifhed>.  but  ™  feparated.'    MtftoVe^of  ttri^^ 

Soul  of  holy  Communion  without  the  Body,  and  carry   the  Knife  Sm      $e 

c  you  deny  them  the  Sheath  ?  J  e  naked'  wh,le 

i  I*9'-}!?  M^mber  °^  th<l  Um>erfal  vifiW*  Church,  as  fuch,  is  pro  tempore  to  be 
admitted  to  Communion  in  all  Ordinances,  with  any  particular^  ChSh  where 
they  come,  then  thefe  that  you  acknowledge  fuch  vifible  Members  S  by  you 
be  (o  admitted  and  fo  are  capable  of  Communion  in  inftituted  O  dhianeei f  but 
the  Antecedent  is  true  beyond  Difpute.  None  of  the  Apoftles  wer  MemSrs  of 
particular  Churches,  but  were  as  Itinerants  to  do  their  work  in  m  ny  Co^nt  L 
fo  was  it  with  abundance  of  Itinerant  Preachers  of  thole  time"ca!le7tto  Com' 
pamons  and  Fellow  Labourers  and  Helpers :  as  *****„,  J&    j^l   £1*%- 

r  ""PA  l"Z>  EP*Ph">d«»*>  ^poUos,  &c.  When  Paul  came  to  Troas,  Ads  20  he 
and  all  his  Company  are  admitted  among  the  Difciples  in  breaking  Bread  'and 
that  not  as  Members  of  any  particular  Church,  but  as  Chriftians.  Some  Chri- 
lhans  are  lawfully  excufed,  and  neceilarily  deprived  of  Mated  Church-Member- 
Jmp  in  a  particular  Church  (  as  Princes  Ambaffadors,  that  may  fpend  their  Lived 
in  motion  and  action  in  feveral  places,  &c.)  And  lhall  all  thefe  Chriftians  be  de- 
pnved  or  a&ual  Communion,  Sacraments,  &c.  in  the  Places  where  they  com* 
becauie  they  are  uncapable  of  any  fixed  ftation.  Yea,  when  perhaps  it  may  be 
the  Work  or  Caufe  of  God  that  is  the  Caufe  of  their  unfettlednefs. 
'  10.  Dare  you  undertake  to  exempt  all,  but  thole  that  you  judge  Baptized,  from 
the  frequent  Precepts  of  knowing  thofe  that  are  ovtr  them  tn  the  Lord,  and  fub- 

*  mitting  themfelves,  and  efteeming  them  highly  in  love  for  their  work  Yake    and 

<  being  at  peace  among  themfelves,  i  Theff.  j.  12,  1.3.  and  from  giving  double  honour 
to  the  Elders,  1  Ttm.  5-.  17.  and  obeying  thole  that  rule  over  them,  &c.    Hebr.  r?. 

1  li  \7*  All  Chriftians  that  have  opportunity  are  bound  to  fubmit  to  and  obey 
■  their  Guides  and  Paftors,  and  that  cannot  be  ftatedly,  but  in  a  particular 
4  Church.  And  then  if  you  look  to  the  beneficial  parr,  it's  plain,that  when  Chrift: 
'  afcended  up  on  high,  and  gave  gifts  to  men,  it  was  for  the  perfecting  of  the  Saints, 

*  and  the  work  of  the  Miniftry,  and  edifying  of  the  Body  of  Chrift,  even  that 
r  Paftors  and  Teachers  were  given,  till  we  all   come  in  the  unity  of  the  faith,  and  t U 

*  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God  to  a  perfect  Man,  Ephef  4. 9,  1  r,  1 2,1  3.  And  will  you 
c  exclude  twenty,  if  not  five  hundred  parts  of  the  Church  from  this  (all  this)  beoe- 

*  fitpf  Paftors  and  Teachers,  when  Chrift  provided  them  for  all  ?  Confider  what 

*  you  do  ?  . 

c  li..  The  Unity  of  the  Catholick  Body,  and  their  commanded  correfpondency 

*  requireth  a  Fellow/hip  with  all  the  Parts  according  to  opportunity.     From  Chrift 

<  the  whole  Body  fitly  joyned  together  for  jointed  ,  which  is  by  Officers,  Order, 

*  and  Love,)  and  compacted  by  that  which  every  joynt  fupplieth  ,  according  to  the 
1  effectual  working  in  the  meafure  of  every  part,  (when  you  exclude  a  hundred,  or 

*  many  hundred  parts  from  their  Communion)  maketh  increafe  of  the  Body  to  the 
c  edifying  of  it  felf  in  love,  (not  only  fecret,  unknown  love  ,  but  love  appearing  in 
'  Communion  J  Ephef.  4.  16. 

*  12.  Excommunication  out  of  particular  Church-Communion  ,  in  inftituted 
'  Ordinances,  is  a  grievous  Cenfure,  and  never  inflicted  on  the  holy  Servants  of 
r  Chrift,  that  never  wilfully  refift  or  reject  his  Truth  or  Precepts.  No  nor  on  Of- 
'  fenders,  but  for  impenitency,  or  grievous  Crimes.     Durft  you  Excommunicate 

*  me  out  of  your  Church,  if  1  were  in  it,  and  profeffing  my  owning  of  Baptifm, 

*  and  my  hearty  longing  to  know  and  obey  the  will  of  Chrift.  There  is 
c  many  an  honeft  humble  Chriftian  in  this  Town  ( that  I  conje&ure  you   may 

*  know  and  deal  for )  that  if  you  mould  caft  out,  on  fuch  an  account,  I  am  confi- 
'  dent  infinite  Love  would  beoffended  with  you,  and  fay  you  have  touchc  the  Apple 
c  of  mine  Eye.  Inafmuch  as  you  cafi  out  thefe  my  Members,  you  did  that  which  was  too 
'  hke  cafiing  out  me.  And  fure  you  muft  caft  them  out  upon  your  grounds,  'd  they 
f  were  in  your  Church,  becauie  you  judge  them  uncapable  of  a  /ration  and  com- 

*  munion  with  you,  and  judge  your  felves  bound  to  (eparate  from  fuch. 

'  1 2.  You  feem  to  exalt  an  outward  Ad  even  when  the  heart  difclaims  it,  before 
■  a  heart  that  is  right  with  God,  without  the  A&.    For  if  you  had  one  tw; 

*  thrice  Baotized  in  your  Church  that  afterward  difclaimed  it   and  owned 


85 


one  twice  or 
none 


. 


g6  AT  T  E  N  ©  /  X.      Numb.  IV. 


'  Entrance,  which  you  fuppofe  right,  to  be  enough  in  Fact  and  Exigence,  but  you 
4  think  a  belief  of  itsNeceffity  neceffary,  and  to  you  put  it  among  the  Crtdenda, 
e  and  not  the  Agenda  only,  when  it  was  never  in  the  Churches  Creed.  For  if  it  be  a 
c  neceffary  Article  of  Faith,  they  mult  pcrilh  that  reject  it. 

'  14.  Paul,  and  other  Penmen  of  the  Scripture,  telling  us  of  many  greater  Er- 

*  rours  than  the  thing  you  oppofe,  doth  not  require  an  avoiding  of  the  Communi- 

*  on  of  the  Erroneous,  yea  commandeth  us  to  receive  them  that  are  weak  in  the  faith, 
'  hut  not  to  doubtful  Dijfutations,  Rom.  14.  10.  and  dare  you  reject  a  ftrong  Believer 
c  upon  a  doubtful  Dilputation  ? 

'  1 5*.  Search,  obferve,  and  judge  whether  the  abundant  earneft  Precepts  (or  Spe- 

*  cial  Love,  and  Company,  and  Endearednefs  of  Saints,  as  Saints,  (I  could  loon  fill 
<  a  Sheet  with  pertinent  Citations)  will  poffibly  confift  with  your  rejecting'  them 
'  from  fpecial  Communion  and  Separating  from  them.  Is  this  the  appearance  of 
'  your  honouring  them  that  fear  the  Lord,  Pfal.  1  j.  and  your  Loving  the  Brethren, 

*  and  that  with  a  pure  heart  fervently.  Can  all  Men  know  you  by  this  to  beChrift's 
'  Difciples  ?  Communion  is  but  the  expreffion  of  this  fpecial  Love ,  and  holy  Im- 
{  provement  of  each  other  for  God  and  our  mutual  Benefit.  As  he  contradicts 
c  himfelf  that  faith,  He  loveth  God  and  hateth  his  Brother,  fo  doth  he  that  faith  he  lo- 

*  veth  his  Brother  and  yet  feparateth  from  him,  or  rejecteth  him  (  and  molt  men  on 

*  Earth)  for  an  unavoidable  infirmity.If  you  that  are  ft  rong  (or  think  fbj  are  bound 

*  to  bear  the  Infirmities  of  the  weak,  then  not  to  Excommunicate  them,  Rom.  15-. 
c  1.  Though  this  Body  hath  (bme  Parts  which  we  think  lefs  honourable,  yet  mult 
'  there  be  no  Schifm  in  it ,  but  the  Members  mult  have  the  fame  care  one  of  ano- 
'  the r  as  Suffering,  being  honoured  and  rejoycing  together,  1  Cor.  12.  24,25,26.  nor 
'  muft  one  part  fay  to  another^  I  have  no  need  of  thee  ,  nor  cut  it  oft  from  the  Com- 
c  munion  of  the  Body.  The  general  command  of  Love,  Company,  Familiarity  , 
'  Edifying,  and  Admonifhing  one  another,  comprehends  the  Means  in  which  this 
'  Communion  muft  be  held,  or  will  not  be  fulfilled  in  rejecting  fuch  Perfons. 

*  16.  When  you  are  in  doubt  between  two  Difficulties,  the  cleareft  and  greateft 
'  Truth  mould  prevail  againft  the  left.  But  much  more  when  on  one  fide  there  is 
'  great  weight  and  no  difficulty  ;  and  on  the  other,  much  difficulty  and  far  lefs 
r  weight  5  the  uncertain  fmaller  Point  mould  give  place  to  the  greater,  and  more 

*  certain.  But  it  is  of  cleareft  certainty  and  greateft  weight ,  that  we  dearly  love 
'  the  Saints  as  Saints,  and  ufe  them  as  Saints,  and  have  Communion  with  them  as 
e  Saints :  But  you  are  not  fo  fare  that  you  muft  not  reject  almoft  all  the  Saints  on 
c  Earth  for  want  of  your  feafon  of  Baptifm,  nor  hath  God  laid  weight  by  Promife 
c  upon  fuch  a  Duty,  or  by  a  Threatnjng  driven  you  to  it,  (but  contrarily  condiwn- 
e  ned  it  as  a  fin). 

f  17.  Doth  not  your  Caufe  plainly  bear  an  Image  contrary  to  that  of  God  ?  Love 
'  is  likeft  him  that  is  Love.     Charity  covereth  infirmities  ,  and  thinketh  no  evil,  and 

*  fhall  we  find  them  (and  make  them)  in  our  Brethren  ?  Chrift  gathereth,  and  will 
'youtcatter?  he  reconcileth and uniteth,  and  will  you  divide?  he  juftifieth,  and 
<  will  you  be  he  that  fhall  condemn  ?  Even  them  that  are  in  Chrift  Jefus  ?  who  walk 
cnot  after  the  Flejh,  hut  after  the  Spirit  ;  and  all  for  want  of  delaying  Baptifm  till  your 
'  time,  when  in  Chrift  Jefus  neither  circumcifion' availeth  nothing  nor  uncircumcifion,  hut 
'  the  New  Creature  and  Faith  thatworketh  by  Love.  Have  you  markd  how  Unity  and 
'  Love  is  inculcated  in  the  New  Teftament,  and  that  as  Omnipotency  is  moft  emi- 
r  nently  engraven  upon  the  Creation,  and  Wifdom  on  the  Laws  of  God,  fo  Good- 
c  nefs  is  moft  eminently  engraven  on  the  Redeemer,  and  that  in  this  Glafs  the  Fa- 
'  therin  his  Love  and  Goodneis  muft  be  known,  and  hereby  the  Imprefs  and  I- 
'  mage  of  Love  muft  be  made  upon  our  Souls.     They  that  are  leaft  for  Love  and 

*  holy  Unity,  are  leaft  like  God,  and  leaft  for  him,  and  moft  like  his  Enemy  and 
'  ours. 

c  18.  Chrift  is  both  King,  Prophet,  and  Prieft,  and  no  one  is  fincerely  related 
c  unto  him  in  any  of  thefe  refpects,  but  is  related  to  him  in  all :  And  Ergo,  all 
c  Chriftians  are  to  be  under  his  Church-Government  and  Protection  in  his  Family, 
f  as  well  as  under  his  Teaching.  If  they  are  by  your  own  confeflion  Fellow  Citizens 
'  of  the  Saints,  and  of  the  houjhold  of  God,  do  not  disfranchife  them,  nor  deny  them  ■ 
'  their  Priviledges. 

*  19.  Will  not  your  Principles  lead  to  narrownefs  of  holy  Charity  in  Communi- 
'  cation  of  worldly  Goods,  and  deftroy  Chriftian  Communion  in  this  ?  Thole  that 
'  were  in  the  Apoftles  Doctrine  and  Fellowfhip  in  breaking  of  Bread  and  Prayer , 
1  (  not  through  levelling,  but  charitable  CommunityJ  had  all  things  as  common  : 

*  lure  you  will  refufe  this  when  you  refute  Communion  in  Sacrament ;  you  will  on 

'the 


Numb. IV.    IPp  TEN  VTY. 

«  the  fame  grouncTthink  that  thofe  few  only  of  your  O^ml^^^"^^^^ 
•  Special  Communication  :  For  the  Reafon  is  the  fame.  P    take  °f  this 

the 


the 

c  ^ru  a\/f  f"~  "  V\7tm7,  "  1Wo*  w  UUICU  uau  communion  witriout  Circumcifinn 
«  The  Males  m  the  Wildernefs  did  hold  all  holy  Communion,  even  in  he  pX 
«  over,  without  C.rcumcifion.    To  all  this ,  let  me  add  theft  few  Queftions  to 

/  i.  Do  you  think,  in  the  moft  humble  frame  of  your  Soul,  that  you  have  no  fail- 

*  bne8reTeIreTfor  k°?     ?P      **  mK'timln&  of  0ur  BaPti(m  t0  be/  and  would  you 

<  r r2r  -S  ^"^ownefs  of  fpecial loving  Communion  anfwerable to  the  Principles 
ot  Univerlal  Redemption  and  Grace,  wherein  I  fufpeft  you  go  beyor.d  m-  > 
t  u-  3»  •  Vf  y2L  WrH  confidered  ^at  God's  Unity  is  the  firft  of  his  Attributes  next 
his  tfeing  i  The  Lord  our  God  is  one  God.  And  fo  the  Unity  of  the  Church  is 
nexttheveryEffenceofit,  fo  to  be  regarded  and  maintained:  The  Unity  can- 
not  be  dettroyed  without  deftroying  the  Effance ;  and  therefore  many  Truths  and 
Duties  mull  be  put  behind  the  Churches  Unity ,  when  accidentally  the  ufe  of 
them  is  made  inconfiftent  with  it. 

1  4.  It  hath  been  the  common  frame  of  the  Church  fince  the  Apoftlesdays,  till  of 
late,  to  confift  of  a  mixture:  one  half  baptized  at  Age,  (  being  converted  at  Age 
Mrom  Infidelity,  and  their  Baptifm  before  negle&ed)  and  the  other  half  that  were 
s  born  of  Ghriftian  Parents  baptized  in  Infancy :  And  both  forts  lived  in  Peace  and 
'  Love  :  and  no  Church  Hiftory,  that  ever  Tread,  doth  give  us  any  the  leaft  inti- 
'  niation  that  ever  theft  two  Sorts  difagreed  hereupon,  or  accufed  one  anothers  way, 
1  or  made  it  any  occafion  of  a  Divifion.  And  will  you  advance  Knowledge  and 
c  Holinefs  in  the  end  of  the  World,  by  advancing  Uncharitablenefs  and  Divi- 
c  fion. 

*  y.  Bethink  you  with  fobriety,  as  before  the  Lord,  if  you  had  lived  in  the 
1  Church  in  the  fecond,  third ,  fourth ,  fifth ,  fixth  ,  feventh,  eighth,  ninth  and 
c  tenth  Century,  or  lower,  in  all  which  (though  many  were  baptized  at  Age,  be- 

*  ing  not  Chriftians  by  any  Infant  Covenant  yetj  no  Writer  that  ever  I  faw  doth 
1  tell  us  of  one  Church,  or  one  Paftor,  no  nor  of  one  Man  that  was  a  Catholick 

*  Chriftian,  (  no  nor  of  one  Heretick  that  I  remember)  that  was  againft  the  law- 
c  fulnefs  of  Infant  Baptifm ;  I  fay,  if  you  had  then  lived  ,  would  you  have  fepara- 

*  ted  from  all  the  Churches  on  Earth  ?  What !  from  the  Univerfal  Church  in  your 
'  Communion  ?  or  would  you  have  had  all  theft  Ages  have  laid  by  all  indicated 
c  Church  Order  and  Worfhip  ?  The  confequences  of  this  would  rift  fo  high,  that 
'  I  will  not  name  them  to  you.    Only  I  would  further  ask  you, 

'  6.  If  you  think  their  Baptifm  a  Nullity  ?  and  confequently  the  inflituted 
1  Churches,  Miniftry,  Order,  Sacraments,  Nullities,  that  were  ufed  in  all  thoft  A- 

*  ges  (the  feventh,  eighth,  ninth,  tenth,  &c.)  when  almoft  none  but  fuch  as  were 
'  baptized  in  Infancy  were  Church  Members  j  how  far  then  do  you  differ  from  the 

*  Seekers  that  tell  us,  All  tbefe  were  loft  in  the  Afofiacy  ?  2.  And  how  eafily  will  a 
'  Papift  trample  you  in  the  dirt,  and  laugh  you  tofcorn,  when  he  puts  you  to  prove 
1  Sueceffive  Church,  and  Ordinances,  and  Miniftry?  3.  And  what  advantage  give 
'  you  the  Infidels,  and  our  own  Remnants  of  Infidelity ,  to  deny  the  Head  by  fo 
'  far  denying  the  Body  ? 

'  7.  Would  you  have  a  Unity,  and  do  you  ever  exped  fuch  a  thing  or  not  ? 

<  If  not If  you  do,  on  what  terms  do  you  exped  it  ?  You  can  never  with 

«  the  leaft  Encouragement  of  Reafon  exped  that  all  mould  deny  Infant  Baptifm,and 
'come  to  you.  Theft  late  years  have  given  you  as  much  advantage  as  you  can 
'  well  exped,and  yet  you  fee  the  moft  of  the  Godly  dare  not  come  to  you.  If  there- 
'  fore  you  will  neither  come  to  them  in  Judgment,  nor  yet  cloft  in  Communion 
*  with  Chriftians  of  different  Judgment,  what  do  you  but  give  up  Unity  as  defpe- 
'  rate,  and  fix  in  your  divided  State. 

'  8.  And  will  you  give  the  Papift  Difputants  fo  much  Encouragement,  as  to  con* 
e  fefs  to  them,  that  among  us  there  is  not  any  hopes  of  Unity,  or  loving  Chrifti- 
'  an  Church  Communion.    I  have  been  longer  than  I  intended  upon  thele  Realbn- 


co  your  Objections,  which  ihould  have  been  my 

s  make  lure  the  Iffue. 

A  ad 


88  '  JT  T  E  N  V  I  X.       Numb.  IV. 

*  And  i.  to  your  firft  Argument,  I  anlwer,  i.  It  is  againft  you,  and  overthrows 
'  your  Caufe:  for  as  ordinarily  Women  were  admitted  to  the  Paflbver,  without 
e  Circumcifion,  but  not  without  the  Covenant :  and  as  in  extraordinary  Cafes  of- 
'  i'ered  (  as  of  all  Ifrael  40  years  in  the  Wildernefs )  the  Males  alfo  were  admitted 
'  uncircumcifed,  lb  much  more  may  it  be  now  in  cafe  of  Baptifm. 

*  2.  Either  the  Ordinances  and  Examples  of  the  Jews  about  Circumcifion  \  af- 
'  ford  us  Arguments  for  regulating  our  Baptifm  and  Communion,  or  not:  If  not, 
'  then  you  urge  them  in  vain  :  If  they  do,  then  they  prove  the  Duty,  if  not  the 
'  Neceflfity  of  Infant  Baptifm. 

i  j.  Ceremonies  have  notfo  much  laid  on  them  under  the  Gofpel,  as  under  the 
'  Law.    Mercy  before  Sacrifice  is  the  Gofpel  Canon. 

'  Ad  im ,  2.  That  Command  Matth.  28.  commandeth  the  baptizing  of  Difciples : 
r  I  doubt  not  but  it  commandeth  thereby  the  baptizing  of  Infants,  who  are  Difci- 
'  pies,  and  made  Difciples,  while  profelyted  Parents  enter  them  into  the  Covenant 
s  of  God,  according  to  his  exprefs  unrepealed  Law  and  Promife. 

e  2.  But  fuppofe  it  did  not  command  Infant- Baptifm  j  nay,  fuppofe  it  had  con- 
ff  /equentially  forbidden  it,  it  proves  no  more  than  that  it  is  a  fin ,  not  a  nullity. 

2.  But  fuppofe  it  had  made  it  a  Nullity,  how  are  you  guilty  of  other  mens  o- 
r  million  of  Baptifm  by  holding  Communion  with  them,  when  you  may  at  your 
c  Enterance  declare  your  difTent  from  them  in  that  point.  Your  Argument  would 
e  lead  you  to  avoid  Communion  with  all  Churches  in  the  World,  even  the  re-bap  - 
'  tized,  that  held  not  all  that  you  take  to  be  the  Inftitutions  of  Chrift :  becaufe  you 
'  are  bound  to  hold  them.  But  when  you  have  leave  to  do  your  own  Duty,  if  you 
t  will  ihun  all  that  you  think  do  not  theirs,  you  will  abhor  Catholicifm. 

1  Ad  ;w,  1.  As  to  John  3.  j.  doubtlefs  that  Text  fpeaks  of  more  than  the  vifible 

*  Church,  even  the  Myftical  and  the  Triumphant.  And  therefore  if  you  will  from 
c  thence  exclude  Infants  from  Baptifm,  and  the  vifible  Church,  you  muft  needs 
c  fhut  them  all  out  of  Heaven  3  but  Chnfto  dijjentiente,  you  fhallhave  none  of  Chrift's 

*  content. 

c  2.  It  is  both  Water  as  the  fign,  and  the  holy  Covenant  and  Cleanfing  of  the 
'  Soul,  as  the  thing  fignified,  that  are  convincingly  meant  in  the  Text.  But 
c  how  ?  one  only  as  a  fign,  and  the  other  as  the  thing  fignified  :  and  therefore  not 
'  as  equally  neceflary  in  point  of  means,  though  equally  commanded.  Alas,  how 
'  eafily  underftand  we  fuch  Speeches  among  Men.  If  a  General  fay  to  the  Rebels 
'  ( I  will  fpare  none  of  you  that  will  not  come  and  lift  himfelf  under  me)  every  Bo- 
'  dy  will  underftand,  that  becoming  a  Soldier  (and  the  Military  Engagement  or  Sa- 
'  crament,  as  the  Oath  was  anciently  called  )  is  the  thing  here  fignified  to  be  ab- 

*  fblutely  neceflary  :  and  the  Lifting  or  Colours,  but  as  a  fign  for  Order,  and  in 
c  Cafes  of  Neceffity  difpenfable,  and  regarded  but  in  order  unto  the  thing  fignified. 
c  Your  Arguments  from  perfbnal  Inconveniencies  are  none. 

*  Ad  im,  1.  Do  not  you  ftartle  to  hear  the  Catholick  Church  called  the  World? 
'  and  a  retirement  into  its  Communion,  called  a  Returning  to  the  World  ?  I  have 
4  read  (Come  out  from  among  them)  that  is,  the  World ;  but  not  (  Come  out  of  the 

*  Catholick  Church;. 

c  2.  And  do  you  not  ftartle  to  hear  them  call  their  way  Stritfmfi,  and  the  other 

*  Loofnefi  ?  If  they  mean  a  finful  ftridnefs,fo  every  Vice,  or  many,  may  have  a  ftrift- 
'  nefs.  Malice  hath  a  ft ri&iiefs,  and  Covetoufnefs  and  Oppreffion  hath  a  ftri&nefs, 
'  and  Superftition  hath  a  ftri&nefs.  But  if  they  mean  it  of  a  holy  ftridnefs,  are 
f  not  they  the  ftfi&eft  that  are  likeft  to  Chrift,  and  moft  conformable  to  his  Will, 

*  and  moft  accurate  in  their  Obedience?  And  is  not  Love  the  new  and  great  Com- 

*  mandment  ?  Are  not  your  People  loofe  that  are  fo  far  from  holy  Love  and  Catho- 
c  lick  Cpmmunion.     God  is  Love^  and  he  that  dweUeth  in  love  dweUeth  in  God.    They 

*  are  ftrid  then  in  oppofing  God,  and  the  Unity  or  fweet  Communion  of  the 
4  Members  of  the  Lord.  Is  it  an  honour  to  be  ftricl:  Sinners  and  Deftroyers  of  the 
c  Church  and  Holy  Love  ?  Let  fome  take  heed,  leaft  they  be  tooftricr.  to  come  in- 
c  to  Heaven  among  io  many  Millions  of  Souls  that  never  owned  any  but  Infant 
'  Baptifm  (  which  is,  I  think,  fince  Chrift  many  hundred  to  one ,  that  is  there, 
f  .that  never  were  againft  Infant  Baptifm)  whether  do  you  think  Chrift  or  the  Pha- 
'  rifees  were  the  ftrider,  when  they  condemned  him  for  eating  "with  Publicans  and 

*  Sinner s3  and  his  Difciples  for  breaking  the  ears  of  Corn,  and  him  for  Sabbath-breaking, 
( &c.  Sure  he  more  accurately  obferved  his  Father's  will,  even  the  blefled  Rule  of 
1  Love  and  Mercy,  though  they  were  more  fuperftitiousand  ftricl:,  was  it  the  weak, 
c  or  the  ftrong  Chriftians,  Rom.  14.  &  15-.  that  were  the  ftrifter  about  meats,  and 
f  drinks,  and  days  ?  The  weak  fuperftitioufly,  but  the  ftrong  did  more  ftri&ly  ad- 

f  here 


Numb.IV.     A  <P  T~ElTvTx.  ~~~ 

'  ^3rer°  ^if  ^  °r    Chrift'     Do  y°u  think  th«'Man  that  fhail  fay  ChriF~diecT 
but  tor  halt  the  Saints  themfelves,  to  be  ever  the  better  for  that  itrid  Opinion  > 

c  It  you  are  tor  fuch  forbidden  ft  ri&nefs  of  Pra&ice,  why  do  you  not  anfwer  it 

1  in  your  Opinions  about  Grace  ?  &c. 
*  2.  You  have  caufe  to  be  much  humbled  before  the   Lord  for  bringing  your 

^  People  into  this  Snare  and  Mifconceit  ,  and  ergo  fhduld  not  be  guilty  of  continu- 

'  tag  them  in  it,  nor  make  the  fruit  of  your  Sin  an  Argument  to  go  on  impeni- 

'  tently. 

'  ?.  So  great  a  Truth  and  Duty  as  Ghriftian  Catholick  Love  and  Communion,  is 
'  not  to  be  bawked  for  fear  of  danger.  Tell  you  of  it  plainly,  and  truft  God  with 
c  the  Iflue.  It's  doubt,  thofe  that  will  turn  Quakers,  that  is  Infidels,  or  near,  rather 
'  than  be  reduced  to  Catholick  Love  and  Communion,  are  never  like  to  come  to 
'  good,  if  you  keep  them  where  they  are.  It's  a  fearful  thing  that  any  Man  Ihould 
c  think  the  better  of  his  Spiritual  ftate,   becaufe  he  flieth  furthest  from  the  CatholicR 

*  Love1  and  Communion  of  Saints,  that  is,  from  the  Church  ,  ftoni  Chrilt,  from 
'  God,  from  Heaven. 

Atl^  2  m ,  Your  Communion  with  differing  Sainrs,  is  not  a  finning  againft  your 

*  Opinion  about  Baptifm,  nor  a  leaving  your  ftation,  You  may  own  your  way, 
'  and  yet  own  Catholick  Communion. 

'  Dear  Brother,  I  think  the  Lord  of  Love  and  Peace  is  laying  hands  on  you,  and 

*  will  have  you  away  out  of  your  dangerous  Schifms  into  the  Paths  of  Love  and 
r  Peace.     It  is  Uncharitablenefs  and  Separation  that  hath  made  the  Reba'ptized  fo 

*  odious  throughout  the  World.     Love   breedeth  Love,  as  Ileat  breedeth  Heat, 

*  The  Chriftian  Charity  that  appeareth  in  your  Lives,  I  fenlibly  feel  draws  out  my 

*  own  Heart  in  love  to  you.     All  God's  Saints  will  love  you,  if  you  will  but  turn 

*  into  the  way  of  Love.  I  hear  that  the  Rebaptized  in  Ireland,  that  grew  to  the 
'  reputation  of  Turbulent  in  their  height,  begin  now  to  be  thought  more  peace- 
'  able  and  tolerable  than  fome  others  there,  that  being  lately  in  the  Saddle,  poflef- 
'  fed  their  Profperity  and  unquietnefs.  O !  if  days  of  Perfection  come,  it  will 
1  cut  your  hearts  to  think  how  you  have  refuled  Communion  with  your  Brethren  in 
'  days  of  Peace.    If  we  all  lay  our  Heads  and  Hearts  and  Hartds  together  for  Gocfs 

*  Church  and  Caufe  ,  it  will  be  too  little.  My  motion  to  you  is,  1  hat  you  will 
'  joyn  with  us  for  a  Brotherly  Agreement  between  the  Men  of  your  mind  and  ours : 

*  The  Articles  (hall  be  but  thefe  three. 

c  i.  That  all  that  can,  being  fatisfied  in  Confcience  with  their  being  Rebapti- 
€  zed,  mail  continue  loving  Communion  in  the  Church. 

c  2.  That  thofe  that  cannot  be  brought  to  this,  but  will  hold  fepafated  Churches, 
«  mall  acknowledge  us  true  Churches,  and  profefs  their  Brotherly  Love  and  diftant 
€  Communion. 

f  ;.  That  we  all  agree  on  fome  Rules  for  the  peaceable  management  of  our 
c  Differences,  without  hardning  the  Wicked,  enfnaring  the  Weak,  hindering  the 
'  Gofpel,  and  wronging  the  common  Truths  which  we  are  agreed  in.  If  this  mo- 
r  tion  take  with  you,  I  will  fend  you  a  Form  of  fuch  Agreement :  and  get  as  ma- 
c  ny  as  you  can  of  your  way  to  Subfcribeit;  and  the  AlTociated  Mimfters  of  this 
c  County,  I  doubt  not,  will  Subfcribe  it  •  and  we  will  do  our  parts  to  lead  ths 
'  World  to  Peace.    Seek  God's  direcliort,  and  return  your  Refolution  to 

Your  faithful  Brother, 
Novemb.  6.  1658. 

Rich.Baxter. 


ma 


To  Mr.  William  Allen. 


y^  Worth 


9° 


J<P  T  E  NT>  I  X.      Numb.IV. 


Worthy  Str, 

1  Received  yours  of  the  9th  paft,  wherein  you  are  pleafed  to  endeavour  my  Sa- 
tisfaction touching  the  PalTages  in  your  Ac/,  which  I  wrote  about,  as   if  I 
had  taken  Offence  at  them.     1  do  acknowledge  I  was  a  little  troubled  ;    But  I 
can  truly  fay,  fo  far  as  I  know  my  own  Mind,  I  was  not  troubled  fo  much  for 
my  own  fake,  as  for  the  fake  of  others,  who  I  was  afraid  would  make  worfe  ufe 
thereof,  than  ever  1  am  like  to  do,  and  fb  receive  more  prejudice  thereby  :  For  I 
am  not  thereby  fet  back  a  Hair's  Breadth  in  my  earneft  defire  to  general  Commu- 
nion ;  but  do  fear  the  general  Inclinations  of  (bme  others  thereto  are  weakened 
thereby,  and  an  Advantage  taken  by  fuch  who  have  a  mind  to  oppofe  an  Agree- 
ment ;  and  the  Minds  of  many  prejudiced  againft  your  worthy  Propofals  for  Go- 
vernment, and  the  reading  of  them.    As  for  Example,  I  was  within  thefe  five 
Days,  commending  your  wholly  Common-wealth  (and  truly  1  defire  with  all  my 
Heart  a  Government  exa&ly  calculated  to  your  practical  Model)  and  there  was 
one  in  Company,  who  is  Author  of  a  fmall  Piece,  called,  A  fiber  Word  to  a  feriom 
People>  that  took  occafion  to  give  a  dafh  to  my  Commendation,  and  to  weaken  the 
Reputation  of  your  Writings,    as  if  you  were  eafy  in   fuggefting  and  afferting 
things  upon  Surmifes,  or  very  flender  Information.    Inftancing  what  you  fay  of 
himtelf,  in  p.  352.  of  your  Key>  as  infinuating  him  to  be  fuch  an  one  as  did  not 
think  as  he  wrote,  but  to  be  a  Defigning  Jeiuit  :    When  as  all  that  know  him, 
and  have  known  him  a  Tradefman  here  in  London,  and  in  publick  Imployment 
for  many  Years,  would  be  ready  to  acquit  him  in  their  Thoughts,  from  any  fuch 
thing  ;  'which  indeed  I  believe  :    And  I  am  informed  that  one  Stubbs  of  Oxford^ 
(who  is  faid  to  have  written  Sir  H.  V.  Vindication,  &c.  how  true  it  is  I  know  not) 
is  imployed  to  fcrape  together  fuch  things  out  of  your  Writings,  as  may  any  wife 
refleel:  Difparagement.     The  which  things  I  frill  inform  you  of,  for  no  worfe  end 
than  that  you  might  avoid  occafiori  towards  thofe  that  fcek  occafion,  and!  that  the 
Devil  may  have  no  Opportunity  given  him  to  hinder  the  Propagation  and  Fruit  of 
your  worthy  Labours. 

'  As  for  Sir  H.  V.  I  did  not  intend  to  interefs  my  felf  in  the  Vindication  of  his 
Principles  by  that  touch  of  him  in  my  Letter,  for  I  do  not  know  but  that  I  am  at 
as  great  a  diftance  from  them  as  you  may  be,  and  am  heartily  glad  to  hear  that  his 
Intereft  and  fway  in  the  prefent  Houfe  is  much  fallen.  I  am  not  without  a  deep 
Senfe  of  our  Danger,  and  that  the  preventing  of  near  approaching  Confufion  and 
Blood,  under  God,  depends  much  upon  the  fpeedy  and  well  Settlement  of  the 
Militia  through  the  Nation,  if  it  be  not  too  late.  I  cannot  but  have  a  jealous  Eye 
upon  the  Quakers,  as  well  as  the  C.  and  Popim  Party,  &c. 
■  '  Sir,  I  fuppole  my  Brother  Lambe  will  fuddenlv  be  with  you,  if  he  be  not  al- 
ready, and  therefore  I  fhall  earneftly  intreat  you  to  caution  him  againft  Extremes, 
to  which  his  temper  doth  much  addict  him.  I  hear  Mr. Gunning  (and  what  he  is 
I  prefume  you  knowj  giveth  out  that  Mr.  Lambe  is  come  over  to  them.  And 
my  Brother  Lambe  hath  been  too  apt  to  let  fall  odd  Expreffions,  fhewing  how  far 
his  Thoughts  incline  him  to  hold  Communion  with  Papifrs,  as  thofe  that  wifh 
him  well  do  affirm.  And  he  hath  oft  been  fpsaking  to  me,  how  hard  a  thing  it  is 
to  juffify  our  Separation  from  Rome,  and  to  condemn  it  among  our  felves.  I 
thought  good  to  give  you  this  hint,  as  being  perfuaded  you  may  improve  it  for 
his  good,  who  I  hope  will  much  regard  your  Advice. 

(  AH  againft  Infant  Baptifm,  are  not  efteemed  fVnabaptifts ;  for  then  Turks  and 
Jews  would.  Nor  could  you  intend  it  in  that  Senfe  about  King-killing  ;  for  then 
there  would  have  been  no  place  for  the  Vanifts  to  have  bean  another  Party  diftin& 
from  them.  Nor  does  an  after  owning  of  their  Ad  who  took  off  the  King, 
prove  them  to  be  Agents  in  it,  that  had  no  Hand  in  it  when  it,  was  done. 
Thefe  times  have  discovered  as  abundance  of  Wickednefs  in  fome,  fo  of  Weak- 
nefs  in  all  forts  of  good  Men  in  one  kind  or  other.  O  that  God  would  pardon 
what's  paft,  and  reduce  his  Pefeple  into  right  Order. 

'Pray,  Sir,  excufe  thefe  confuted  Lines,  the  Fruit  of  Haffe  and  Diverfion  of 
Thoughts.  I  had  left  at  my  Houfe  this  Day,  a  large  Manufcript,  Intituled  Ro- 
manifm  difcujjed ;  or,  An  Anfwe/>  to  the  Nine  firft  Articles  of  H.  T.  hts  Manual  of 
Controverts,  &C.  Written  by  Mr.  Jo.  Tembes.  The  Printer  that  left  it  with  my 
Wife  in  mv  Abfence  told  her,  that  Mr.  Tombes  deface]  me  to  write  to  you,  to  pre- 
fix an  Epiftle  to  it:  but  I  have  not  fpoke  with  Mr.Tcmbes.nor  the  Printer  about  iti 

'or 


JNufab.  IV.       A  9  T  E  N  ^T| 

'acceptable  it  would  be  to  you.    Sir,  the  good  Lord  keep  you  and  him  S 

,      ,        _  ,  TOURS, 

London,  July  12. 

16 19'  dffeftionately  to  ferve  you, 

Will.  Allen. 

To  his  very  Worthy ,  Good  Friend,  Mr,  Rich.  Baxter,  in  Kidderminfter. 


Dear  Brother, 


my  Heart,  and  the  truth  of  my  meaning.  The  Author  of  the  Sober  Word  I  com- 
c  mended  :  I  never  talkt  of  his  being  a  Jefuit :  His  Affertion  forced  me  to  conclude, 
'that  either  he  was  of  a  very  lamentable  Underftanding,  or  elfe  he  wrote  not  as  he 

*  thought :  One  of  the  two  muft  needs  be  true.  Judge  you  whether  a  Chriftian  of 
J  good  Underftanding  can  believe  that  Chrift  came  ac  the  end  of  Four  Thoufand 
'  Years  to  gather  him  a  Church,  and  fettle  Miniftry  and  Ordinances  for  Eighty  or 
■  a  Hundred  Years  only,  and  fo  to  permit  them  to  be  extinguifhed  !  Is  not  this  the 
c  next  Step  to  Flat  Infidelity  ?  Is  not  a  Chrift  that  comes  on  fo  low  a  Defign,  and 
c  fettlesa  Church  of  fo  narrow  a  Space  and  fhort  Continuance  next  to  no  Church? 
'  I  muft  profefs,  if  I  believed  this  to  Day,  I  mould  be  an  Infidel  to  Morrow :  Be  - 
r  fides  the  plainneis  of  Scripture  againft  it.  But  that  this  Author  is  no  Dullard,  is 
c  apparent  by  his  ingenuous  Writing  :  I  meet  with  few  that  err  lb  far,  that  write  in 
K  io  clear  and  judicious  a  Stile  ;  So  that  I  ftill  profefs,  be  he  what  he  will,  I  much 
c  value  the  clearnefs  of  the  Author.  Being  then  in  a  neceffity  of  Judging  him  ei- 
e  ther  lamentably  weak(and  worfe)or  elfe  to  be  one  that  thinks  better  than  he  writes, 
c  Reafbn  andCharity  commanded  me  to  judge  the  latter  to  be  more  likely :  And  that 
'  likelihood  is  all  that  I  have  afierted.    But  if  he  had  rather  that  I  judged  much 

*  worfe  of  him  (v iz,.  that  he  hath  as  contemptible  Thoughts  of  the  Kingdom  and 

*  Defign  of  Chrift  as  he  exprefleth)  if  I  may  know  his  Mind  I  mall  content.  Will 
c  you  do  me  the  Favour  as  to  tell  me  his  Name  ? 

'  To  your  other  Obje&ions  :    1.  Not  Infidels,  but  yet  all  Chriftians  with  us* 
'  that  deny  Infant  Baptifm  are  commonly  called  Anabaptifts,  and  in  that  Senfe  I 
« did  intend  it :  But  fo  as  that  I  diftinguim  between  Anabaptifts  and  meer  Anabap- 

<  tifts ;    fome  are  only  Anabaptifts,  and  thoie  I  diftinguifh  from  other  Parties  of 

*  their  Mind  ;  fome  are  Anabaptifts  and  more,  and  thofe  are  commonly  denomina- 
'  ted  from  the  greateft  Differences.    The  greater  Error  in  the  Denomination  is  to 

*  cany  it  before  the  lels.  And  yet  (E.  G.)  a  Quaker  pleading  againft  Infant-Bap- 
r  tifm,  ceafeth  not  to  be  an  Anabaptift,  becaufe  he  is  a  Quaker,  but  yet  is  to  been- 
r  ticuled  from  theworft.  And  this  diftinguiftied  from  meer  Anabaptifts:  This  all 
c  know  is  the  common  Cuftom  of  Speech,  and  a  Man  mould  not  be  well  under- 
«  ftood  that  departs  from  it. 

'  2.  An  after  owning  proveth  guilty,  though  not  Agents :    But  1^  know  well  of 

*  abundance  in  the  Army  (more  than  you  mention  that  pleaded  againft  Infant  Bap- 

*  tifm  before,  and  I  can  eafily  prove  that  (even  the  beft  that  ever  I  knew  of)  the 
«  Anabaptift  Churches  petitioned  for  Juftice  on  the  King,  and  laboured  for  Hands 
c  from  others  to  it.  I  am  loath  to  Name  Men  publicly,  and  ftir  in  this,  leaft  it 
c  occafion  Offence  :  But  I  intreat  you  freely  give  me  your  Advice  in  it.  I  purpo- 
'  fed  not  to  have  anfwered  Stuhis  Vindication,  and  the  Minifters  commonly  were 
r  the  Caufe  by  diffuading  me,  faying  none  regarded  it,  and  that  I  fliould  exalperate 

*  Sir  H.  V.  againft  them  all  for  my  lake.    But  now  I  am  told  that  fome  very  honeft 

<  Anabaptifts  take  it  for  granted,  that  I  have  written  Untruths  of  Sir  H.V.  and 

<  that  I  owe  him  a  Recantation,  and  they  queftion  Hittory  that  (peaks  againft  them 
'  for  my  fake.  Hereupon  I  have  changed  my  purpofe,  and  writ  a  plain  Contuta- 
[  tion  of  Stubh  Vindication.    Now  I  crave  your  Advice  in  Three  ^g^- 


92  AT  T  E  N T>  IX.     Numb.lV. 

'  Whether  indeed  it  be  beft:  publiil*  the  Aniwer  I  have  prepared  ornoc  (ftppofing  it 

*  true  and  fatisfa&ory).  2.  Whether  I  were  beft  take  any  Notice  ot  the  Offence  of 
'  the  Author  of  the  Sober  Word,  and  fay  as  much  to  him  only  as  I  have  here  done  ? 
'  ;.  Whether  I  weiebelr  takenoticeof  the  Anabaptiffs  Offence?  I  pray  deal  freely 
e  with  me,  and  if'  it  may  be  by  the  next  Poli  ;  for  I  fhall  delay  for  your  Advice, 
■  becaufe  you  know  the  Minds  of  thefe  People  better  than  I.  My  own  Thoughts 
'are,  1.  TopubKlhthat  againft  Stubs,  as  neceflary.  2.  To  fay  nothing'about  the 
'  Anabaptilrs  becaufe  I  mult  name  Payors  and  People  that  petitioned  for  the  King's 
c  Death,  and  liich  things  that  are  utterly  unfavoury  to  me  and  unfeafonable,  and  will 
c  increafe  Difpleafure ;  and  I  had  father  bear  their  Difpleafure  as  it  is,  than  increafe 
f  it.     3.  And  as  to  the  Sober  Word,  I  am  indifferent. 

'  I  received  yours  but  a  little  before  Mr.  Lambe's  Departure  ,*  but  my  own 
'  Thoughts  had  led  me  to  harp  on  the  fame  String  that  you  directed  me  to.  I  was 
c  very  glad  to  find  you  jealous  of  that  Extreme  (that  is  in  it  (elf  much  worfe  than 
c  Ariabaptifm  in  our  Thoughts  that  diffent  from  both) :  But  I  hope  yet  that  he  hath 

*  no  liking  of  Popery  or  Formality,  but  only  Charity  for  the  Men.  I  told  him  not 
f  of  any  thing  concerning  him  in  your  Letters,  but  only  afterwards  I  told  him  that 
f  I  heard  Mr.  Gunning  judged  him  of  his  Mind,    but  told  him  nothing  whence  t 

*  had  it. 

'  As  to  Mr.  Tombes  Book,   I  fhall  much  refer  it  to  your  Advice.     1.  I  refolvcd 

*  not  to  meddle  with  it  unleis  he  fignify  his  Defire  (for  it  would  be  an  abufeof  hini 
f  to  meddle  with  his  Works  without  his  Confent ;  I  mould  not  take  it  well  my  felf:} 
'  nor  unlets  1  firft  fee  the  printed  Sheets  (which  we  ordinarily  fee  befoie  we  write 
'  EpifMes)  but  on  thefe  two  Suppofiticns  I  fnould  do  it,  not  only  willingly,  but 
'  gladly  :  1,  Becaufe  1  would  further  any  Work  againft  Popery  that  is  fbllid  ;  and 
(  am  troubled  that  no  more  turn  their  Studies  and  Labours  that  way.     2.  Becaufe  I 

*  would  have  the  World  fee  that  Mr.  'Tombes  and  I  can  agree  againft  the  common 
'  Adverfary,  and  for  the  common  Truths.  But  one  thing  only  a  little  icruples  me 
'  (which  1  charge  you  to  conceal  from  him  and  all  Men)  A  great  Scandal  hath 


c  made  it  very  publick,  and  told  it  the  Commiffioners  for  Approbation,  who  great- 
c  ly  refent  it,  &c.  If  you  know  not  of  it,  you  fhall  know  no  more  for  me.  Now 
'  whether  under  the  heat  of  this  Scandal,  the  prefacing  to  his  Book  will  favour  well, 
'  and  do  more  good  or  harm,  is  a  thing  that  I  am  willing  to  be  advifed  and  ruled  by 
'  you  in  ;  (fiippofing  that  he  defires  the  thing  and  hears  not  of  this  my  Scruple  ; 
'  which  you  mould  not  have  heard  from  me,  but  that  it's  publick).  My  Confi- 
c  dence  of  your  Fidelity  makes  me  thus  free  and  bold  with  you. 

cO,  Brother!  Muft  we  be  all  divided  in  this  Day  of  Peril,  when  we  are  ready 
*  to  beaffaulted  by  the  common  Enemy  ?  O  pray,  and  ftrive  for  Love  and  Unity; 
c  and  if  my  Ignorance  and  Raftinefs  hath  done  any  thing  againft  it,  pray  that  I  may 
'  have  Pardon  and  more  Grace.    I  reft 

July  18.  Tours,  unf eigne  dlyt 

Rich.  Baxter, 

7o  my  Loving  Friend,  Mr.  William  Allen  in  London. 


Worthy  Sir, 

«  T  Received  yours  of  the  18th  Inftant,  and  was  very  glad  to  fee  you  took  fo  well 
<  JL  that  which  I  looked  on  as  fomewhat  rude  in  my  ielf,  and  was  troubled  after  the 
9  Letter  was  out  of  my  Hands,  that  I  mould  give  you  any  occafion  of  Trouble, 
c  by  medling  fo  far  as  in  my  Letter  I  had  done.  As  to  Advife  in  the  Particulars 
c  you  mention  ;  I  count  my  felf  very  incompetent  for  fuch  Confutations',  and  do 
'know  you  are  lo  well  able  to  make  Judgment  in  fuch  Cafes,  thac  if  I  ihould  under- 
*  take  to  gratify  your  Defire,  it  would  fignify  little.  As  for  your  anfw«ring  the 
'  Vindication,  I  do  acknowledge  Your  Refolution  herein  is  attended  with  Difficul- 
r  ties  on  berth  Sides.    If  you  do  it  nor,  you  lye  under  fome  Imputation,  and  it  will 

'be 


Numb. IV]     ATT  E~Wt> 


by  what  you  were  induced  fo  to  write,  as  in  your  Ky youLvSl1  n*"'^ 
thought  is  you  had  better  never  attempt  it  than  not  to  carrv I  \i x      *at?l 
•you  do  that   I  coifcfi  it  wil|  be  more  than  I  dW  expeft       *      dear'y  5  and  if 
And  on  the  other  hand,  whether  your  Confutation  he  full  ■'/«.  &&»   ..u      . 
comes  abroad,  it  will  provoke  both  the  Princ  S  hi  A  ih  *     hen  " 

whom  are  honeft  Indents  and^^K^^^f 

•  fc in^f  V'f  !n  grea!  Pait}  for  hisS:eat  Accom'phftments  br  CM  Ififa  *£ 
fc  ndilpofe  them  to  conhder  and  receive  your  many  worthy  pVopofaS  L)T 
recttons   tending  to  gather  iuch  as  were  too  much  Scattered7  Anahowfaf  vou 

'may  byfuch  a  thinR  exalperate  him  and  his  Confederates  a=ain(i  not  nnlv  J 
but  other  Godly  Minifterfforyour fak?  (the  thing youS" i confeble 
But  then  agatn  ,    it  OialJ  be  fuppcfed  that  he  is  that  way  difpofed  and  "n  Refoht' 
lution  ingaged  to  the  length  of  his  aim  already,  and  whether  he  be  or  no  I  can 
not  lay,  1  would  hope  otherwiie)  then  it  will  be  confiderable  whether  it  will  not 

•  ,n„„frf  P'e,ce5 ServiLce  to WMken  his  Intereft  fofar  as  relateth  to  his  Counfels 

<  *b°u'Ulurdl  AA!l;!»s>  by  difcovering  his  weaknefs  and  unfoundneG  in  things  of 

<  mat  Nature.    And  now  tar  your  intermedling  this  way  (I  mean  in  relation  to  his 
tinioundnelsj  in  your  own  Vindication,  may  draw  on  you  a  Suspicion  of  Unch. 
nttblenefi  (if  you  Inoukl  do  it)  is  hard  to  fay.    He  is  now  in  place  of  Powt 


1         -» 

<do  acknowledge  alfo  chat,  a  grc.it  deal  of  GaS  an3  Xendernefe  dTdue tetara  to 
*  the  i  >n  of  your  Peribn  and  Nimein  relation  to  your  place  and  Officein 

( the  Church,  as  well  as  it  does  to  another  in,  relpect  of  his  place  in  the  Common- 
'  wealth.  So  diat  if  you  could  heal  the  Wound  which  the  Author  of  the  Vindicati- 
c  on  hath  endeavoured  to  make,  without  wounding  the  Name,  or  touching  the 
'  publick  Authority  now  veiled  in  him  (Sir  H.  V.)  I  think  the  cafe  would  be  clear. 
■  But  then  this  I  think  would*  be  without  difpute,  that  if  you  find  caufe  to  print, 
c  that  then  you  carry  things  with  all  Chriftian  Sweetnefs,  evidencing  your  Tender- 

*  nefs  to  the  Names  of  Men  fo  far  as  may  poffibly  conlivt  with  your  Faithfulnefsco 
f  a  greater  !r.  And  I  have  heard  the  Author  of  the  Vindication 
'  blamed  b  of  Sit  H.  V.  his  Friends,  for  his  Edge  and  Bitrernefs.  The 
r  left  of  that  appeared,  the  more  is  gained  in  any  Perfonal  Cornells :  I  ihali  pray 
«  the  Lord  to  direct  your  Thoughts,  but  do  not  think  my  felf  wife  enough  to  be 

*  poiltive  in  this  Advi-.e.  As  for  that  which  concerns  the  Anabaptiffs  Offence,  I 
f  incline  much  to  think  the  (afed  will  be  not  to  meddle  in  it  for  the  prelent :  And 
f  if  you  think  good  to  Communicate  your  Knowledge  of  the  Churches  of  the  Ana- 
c  baptifts  ,•  t  irioning  for  Jufiice  to  be  done  upon  the  late  King,  I  fhall  as  I 
c  have  Opportunity,  acquaint  them  what  you  have  in  readinefs  to  make  good  your 
c  quarrelled  Ailertion,  but  that  tendcinefs  to  them,  and  Chriftian  Peace,  huh  i'oc 

*  the  prefent  bound  your  Bands. 

(  As  for  the  Author  of  the  Sober  Word,  whole  Name  is  Mr.  John  Jackfon,  for- 
€  merly  Grand  Treasurer  for  the  Excife,  I  think  from  the  beginning  of  it  to  the 
c  Change  of  Government,  and  now  in  Commrflion  for  bringing  in  all  Arrears  of 

*  Excife,  &c.   you  will  not  need,  I  think  to  do  any  thing  publickly,   I  meeting 

*  him  laft  Night  at  the  Militia  (where  he  and  I  had  occafion  to  be)  I  thought  good 
r  to  acquaint  him  with  fo  much  of  your  Letter  as  concerned  him  :  And  in  return 
'  he  hath  promised  me  a  piece  of  his,  which  he  will  d^fire  me  to  fend  to  you  for 
r  your  further  Satisfaction  touching  him  as  to  be  no  jefuirical  Defigner  :  I  think  it's 
'  made  againil  the  Quaki 

c  For  that  which  concerns  Mr.Tombcs  his  Name,  I  had  heard  of  it  more  particu- 
'  larly  than  you  expref ;  and  am  troubled  that  ft  little  hath  been  done  by  himfelf 
'  towards  his  own  Vindication,  unlels  more  hath  been  done  than  hath  come  to  my 

*  Ear.  I  queftion  whether  he  will  make  it- known  fo  as  to  be  communicated  to  you 
c  to  be  his  dedre  that  you  mould  write  an  EpifHe,  &c.  If  he  iliould,  a  Workof  that 

*  nature  may  receive  vour  Countenance  and Atteftation,tf  it  deferve  it,without  con- 
r  cernir.g  your  felf  in  his  Mora!?.  You  have  (if  my  Intelligence  be  right)  in  youi 
c  County,  and  in  the  County  of  .GJofiejter,  amied  Defignes  brought  almoft  to  the 
c  Birth,  and  are  like  to  put  you  fuddenly  into  Trouble,  if  not  made  Abortive 
€  Endeavour  are  on  foot  for  Prevention  :   ibme  Referve  oi  Horle  and  new  Arms 

have 


94- 


AT  T  E  N  Tf  I  X.      Numb.  IV. 


■  have  been  made.  I  believe  it  concerns  you,  and  fuch  as  you,  to  be  mindful  of 
e  your  own  Security,  by  contributing  your  help  towards  the  Maintenance  of  the 
'  Publick  Peace.  If  things  are  bad  now,  I  believe  they  are  like  to  be  much  worfc 
*  if  a  turn  mould  come  by  the  Hand  of  War.  Sir,  Narrownefs  of  Opportunity 
'  hath  produced  the  too  much  undigeftednefs  of  thefe  Lines.  That  the  Lord 
1  may  preferve  you,  and  fill  you  with  the  Spirit  of  Wifdom  and  of  Power  ,  is  the 
f  fincere  defire  of 

London,  July  23.  Tours  faithfully  tngaged  in  true 

l6S9- 

1  Affettton  tofervc  you , 

Will.  Allen. 
To  the  Reverend  and  his  worthy  good  Friend  Mr.  Rich.  Baxter  in  Kidderminfter. 


S  1  R, 

'  T  Thank  you  for  yours  of  the  13  th  currant,  which  I  have:  and  I  do  confefs 
■  JL  that  the  feveral  Tempers  and  Interefts  of  Profeflbrs  of  different  Perfwafions 

*  confidered,  a  wife  Man  can  have  no  great  hopes  (whatever  his  defires  be)  of  any 
c  General  Accord.  And  to  anfwer  your  defire  in  fome  account  of  the  progrefs  of 
'  the  Meeting  on  foot  for  Agreement.    Be  plealed  to  underftand,  that  however  the 

*  Work  went  on  merrily  whillr  Generals  only  were  dwelt  on,  yet  it's  almoft  put  to 
1  a  Hand  when  we  come  to  lbme  Particulars  which  were  thought  neceffary  to  be 
r  defcended  to.  That  which  hath  troubled  us  moll,  hath  been  about  fending  forth, 
c  or  fwrnifhing  the  Nation  with  Preachers  of  the  Gofpel.  Though  we  all  agree, 
c  1.  That  it's  all  our  Duties  to  promote  fuch  a  work :    And  2.  That    the  Perfbns 

*  imployed  in  it,  mult  be  godly,  found  in  the  Faith  ,  and  apt    to   teach  :    And 

*  3.  that  they  ought  to  pafs  under  fome  trial  for  Approbation  ;  And  4.  that  a  con- 
r  venient  Maintenance  for  them  mould  by  all  meet  means  be  procured  j  yet  by 
'  whom  and  how  they  mould  be  fo  approved,  as  to  be  made  capable  of  holding 
4  the  Parifh  pkces,  vve  cannot  hitherto  agree.  It  was  propounded  at  the  Meeting 
'  this  Afternoon,  as  an  Expedient  toiffue  this  bufinels,  that  confidering  that  Patrons 
cof  Pariih.  Livings  claim  a  Right  of  Prefentation,  the  People  of  Ele&ion,  theMa- 
c  giftrate  of  Approbation,  and  the  Elderfhip  of  Churches,  or  Churches  themfelves 

*  by  them,  and  Power  of  Million  and  Ordination :  And  that  fince  the  Magiftrate 
c  hath  been  ftill  wont  to  betruft  his  Claim  of  Approbation  in  the  Hands  of  Presby- 
'  ters  of  one  kind  or  other ;  and  Presbyters  of  all  Perfwafions  hold  themfelves  ob- 

*  liged  to  further  the  propagation  of  the  Gofpel  abroad,  and  claim  a  fhare  in  fend- 

*  ing  Preachers  for  that  end ;  I  fay,  thefe  Things  confidered  ,  and  to  fatisfie  all 
'  Claims,  and  yet  to  make  a  competent  Provifion  for  the  fpreading  of  the  Gofpel  in 
c  all  iheParifhes,  it  was  propofed,  1.  That  the  Magiftrate  might  be  defired  to  be- 

*  truft  his  Claim  of  Approbation  in  the  Hands  of  a  convenient  Number  of  Presby- 
'  ters  of  the  three  denominations  indifferently,  in  feveral  places  of  the  Common- 

*  wealth,  that  none  might  be  bound  up  by  the  Power  being  ingroffed  by  one  or 
c  two  Parties.  2.  That  no  Perfon  prefented  by  a  Patron,  or  chofen  by  the  Peo- 
c  pie,  mould  officiate  as  a  publick  Preacher,  in  any  Parifh,  without  an  Inft rument 
c  of  Approbation  firft  obtained  under  the  Hand  and  Sealx)f  at  leaft  three  or  more 
e  of  eke  Presbyters  aforefaid.  3.  That  fuch  an  Inftrument  obtained  mould  invert 
f  the  Preacher  with  power  to  receive  fiich  Maintenance  as  is  or  mail  be  fettled  by 
x  the  State,  or  raifed  by  voluntary  Contribution  of  the  People.  But  alas ,  it  was 
'  thought  by  lbme,  that  to  interefs  the  Magiftrate  in  fuch  a  Claim,  will    not  be 

*  found  in  the  Scriptures ',  and  to  have  a  Hand  in  the  inverting  of  a  Preacher  with 
'  power  to  fue  for  7;  dies  (  whether  it  were  known,  whether  he  would  fb  ufe  it  or 
f  no  )  is  a  thing  not  to  be  indured.  And  I  doubt  the  Party  that  propounded  this 
'  Expedient,  is  like  to  be  looked  fhie  on  by  his  Brethren  the  Anabapijis  for  his  la- 
'  bour,  as  fie  rather  to  be  ranked  among  the  ?re$bytmms  t  as  hath  been  hinted  to 
!  him. 

'The 


Mumb.lVT^y  TEN  WTX      ~~~~~ 

C  The,  b^fin^]  of  Maintenance  was  moved  by  the  Presbyterians  again  and~I^iiT 
to  be  laid  afide,  they  would  truft  the  Providence  of  God  with  that  and  that 
lomethmg  might  be  refolved  on  about  the  Magiftrates  Approbation  in  which  we 
might  agree,  without  which  it  was  not  thought  probable  to  procure  ib  much  as 
opportunity  of  a  fixed  abode  to  preach  in  moft  places,  nor  if  there  could  would 
the  Churches  be  able  to  fupply  the  want  of  the  Magiliraces  Countenance  or  Pow- 
er, in  procuring  Maintenance.  I  may  not  enlarge  to  acquaint  you  what  was  of- 
fered on  the  by  for  the  Magiftrates  Power  (theDifpute  of  it  hath  hitherto  been 
declined)  only  fomething  was  hinted,  That  if  Ch  rift  is  King  of  Nations,  as  well 
as  of  Saints,  then  thofe  that  rule  the  Nations  for  him,  are  as  fuch  charged  with 
the  care  of  his  Intereft,  and  fo  with  his  Minifters  as  thofe  in  fpecial,  by  whom  it 
is  to  be  promoted.  There  were  fome  pretty  large  Conceffions  at  laft  made  by 
fome  of  the  Anabaptifts,  who  1  coniels  were  not  fo  fteady  in  their  Debate  ,  as 
would  have  been  wiihed,  unlefs  it  were  in  too  much  fhienefs  of  granting  too 
much.  And  the  unhappinefs  is,  that  fome  not  lcaftly  crochical  among  the  Ana- 
baptifts, nor  molt  peaceable,  do  interefs  themfelves  moft  in  the  management  of 
this  Treaty.  Indeed  this  Meeting  was  almoft  brought  to  a  period  this  Night 
without  any  good  Conclufion;  but  my  Lord  Goff  (as  fome  call  him)  and  fome 
others,  did  earneftly  move  that  that  wherein  they  had  agreed,  might  be  impro- 
ved for  common  benefit  ;  and  (which  was  agreed  to)  that  three  or  four  of  each 
Perfwafion  mould  meet  privately,  to  fee  what  could  further  be  done,  and  that 
there  mould  be  no  further  Publick  Meetings,  till  they  were  in  a  readinels  to  call 
them.  I  muft  acknowledge  to  you  that  I  am  many  times  fadly  affeded,  to  hear 
and  fee  the  ftrange  Confufions  that  fwarm  in  this  City  about  things  both  Civil  and 
Divine ;  and  the  height  and  confidence  of  many  is  wonderful ,  that  I  am  ready 
to  wilh  with  him  for  the  wings  of  a  Dove  to  flee  into  the  JVtldernefivo  be  at  reft.  And 
truly,  by  feveral  hints  which  I  have  picked  up,  I  cannot  but  expect  the  acting 
of  fome  further  force  to  fome  Alteration  or  other ,  and  what  will  be  the  end  of 
thefe  things  !  It  will  become  fuch  as  have  any  true  fence  of  the  Intereft  of  Reli- 
gion, to  be  incouraging  and  ftirring  up  one  another  to  ftand  together,  and  to  bear 
up  againft  the  feveral  AlTaults  which  on  every  hand  almoft  are  made  againft  it, 
chat  if  it  be  poftible  to  prevent  that  no  Man  take  our  Crown. 

'  Sir,  I  was  defired  feveral  Weeks  fince  by  Mr.  Jackfon ,  Author  of  The  Serious 
Word,  to  fend  you  a  couple  of  his  Books  againft  the  Quakers,  that  you  might  fee 
(  I  think  )  how  Orthodox  he  is,  ancf  far  from  Jefuitifm.  I  have  now  perform- 
ed his  defire  by  the  hand  of  Mr.  Tearfatt,  by  whom  alfo  I  have  lent  you  Mr.  Ro- 
gers  and  Needham's  piece  ;  and  a  Copy  of  my  Retraction,  which  I  muft  thankful- 
ly acknowledge  was  helped  on  much  by  your  hand ,  and  therefore  if  any  good 
redound  by  his  Publication,  you  are  like  to  have  a  large  fhare  in  the  reward. 
You  will,  Sir,  I  hope,  excufe  my  prolixnefs ;  I  mall  now  put  you  to  no  further 
trouble,  but  beg  your  Prayers  for  Wifdom  how  to  carry  it  towards  thofe,  that  at 
leaft  at  fir  ft  will  be  fome  what  provoked  againft  me,  for  attempting  the  raifing  of 
the  Wall  of  Separation,  though  I  have  done  it  with  as  much  moderation  and  care 
to  prevent  olfence,  as  I  well  knew  how,  and  have  very  much  Peace  and  Satisfa- 
ction in  my  own  Spirit  in  what  I  have  done. 

SIR, 


9$ 


Sept.$o.  1659. 


I  am  entirely  yours, 

Will.  Allen. 


To  the  Reverend  and  his  worthy  good  Friend,  Mr.  Richard  Baxter,  Minijler  of  tht  Go- 
.  Jfrel  in  Kidderminfter. 


SIR 


$6 


AT  <P  E  NCD  I  X.       Numb.IV. 


SIR, 


Since  I  faw  you,  I  have  perilled  Mr.  Rutherford's  Piece  upon  the  Covenant ; 
which  minifters  yet  further  occafion,  as  I  apprehend,  to  iecond  my  former 
motion  to  you  of  handling  the  Do&rine  of  the  Covenants  in  a  more  diftind  man- 
ner, then  hath  been  done  by  any  I  have  yet  met  withal.  For  if  that  which  is 
proper  to  each  Covenant  were  handled  apart  by  itielf,  and  the  appropriate  de- 
sign, end  and  ufe  of  each  of  them  refpe6tively,  were  but  plainly  (et  forth  lb  far 
as  the  Scripture  will  guide  therein  ;  1  cannot  but  think  it  would  be  of  as  great  ufe 
as  any  one  thing  you  can  undertake ;  and  it  is  not  my  opinion  alone.  For  want 
of  which  it  hath  happened,  that  Men  have  interwoven  and  confounded  one  Co- 
venant with  another,  and  great  Miftakes  have  thereby  been  committed  by  many 
in  ftating  the  Terms  of  the  New  Covenant,  and  the  true  Notion  of  /unifica- 
tion by  Faith :  and  through  fuch  Miftakes  a  great  part  of  the  Apoftles  Epiftles 
have  been  obfeured,  inftead  of  being  expounded.  As  for  inftance ;  Whereas  there 
may  be  a  fixfold  oppofition  eailly  obferved  in  the  Apoftles  Writings  ,  in  reference 
to  the  Do&rine  of  Juftification,  (which  being  attended  to  the  fcope  and  meaning 
of  them,  will  plainly  appear)  there  hath  been  aleventh  moft  infifted  on ;  which 
is  not,  I  think,  there  to  be  found.  And  this  hath  come  to  pafs  for  want  of  un- 
derft anding  the  difference  between  the  two  Covenants ,  and  for  want  of  a  di- 
ftincl:  confideration  of  the  feveral  falfe  Opinions  of  the  then  prefent  Jews  about 
Juft ification,  which  the  Apoftles  in  their  Writings  engage  againft.  The  Oppofi- 
tions  I  mean,  are  thefe : 

'■  i.  As  the  promife  of  Juft  ification  and  Eternal  Life  upon  condition  of  Faith  in 
the  Promife  relating  to  the  Meflias  before  he  came,  is  oppofed  to  the  Promife  of 
Temporal  Felicity  upon  condition  of  a  due  Obfervation  of  the  Law  of  Afofis, 
Gal.  3.  11,  12. 

'  2.  As  the  Promife  of  Juftiflcation  and  Life  upon  condition  of  Faith  in  the  Pro- 
mife to  Abraham,  is  oppoled  to  the  Errour  of  the  Jews ,  who  held  that  Promile 
to  be  made  to  Abraham  upon  condition  of  Circumcifion,  and  to  them  as  his  Seed 
upon  condition  of  a  Litteral  Obfervation  of  the  Law  of  Mo[est  Rom.  2,  3,  and  4th 
Chapters,  Gal.  2,  $,and  4th  Chapters. 

4  5.  As  the  Promife  of  Juftiflcation  and  Life  upon  condition  of  Faith  in  Chrift 
as  crucified,  is  oppoled  to  the  Errour  of  the  Unbelieving  Jews ,  who  held  it  pro- 
mifed  to  their  Litteral  Obfervation  of  the  Law  of  Moj'es,  without  Faith  in  the 
Death  of  Chrift,  Heb.  8,  9,  and  10  Chapters. 

4  4.  As  the  Promife  of  Juftification  and  Life  upon  condition  of  Faith  and  Go- 
fpel  Obedience  only,  is  oppoled  to  the  Opinion  of  fome  Judaizing  Chriftians, 
who  held  the  fame  to  be  promiled  upon  condition  of  Faith  in  Chrift,  and  a  Lit- 
teral Obfervation  of  the  Law  of  Mojes,  jointly,  Gal.  y.  Ails  15-.  1,  j. 
'  5.  As  the  Promile  made  to  Abraham's  Spiritual  Seed,  is  oppofed  to  the  Opini- 
on of  the  unbelieving  Jews,  who  held  it  made  to  his  Natural  Seed  as  fuch  :  Or 
which  is  much  the  fame ;  as  the  Promife  made  to  PerfonS  (6  and  (o  qualified,  is 
oppoled  to  the  Jewifh  Opinion  of  an  ablblute  and  unconditionate  Promife  made 
to  them  in  Perlon,  as  they  were  the  Offspring  of  Abraham  ,  Rom.  9.  6,  7, 8-  Rom. 
2.28,29. 

*  6.  As  Juftification  by  Faith,  accompanied  with  Gofpel  Obedience,  is  oppofed 
to  the  Opinion  of  fome  Profeffors  of  Chriftianity,  Gnofticks  or  other  Solifidians, 
who  held  Juftification  by  Faith  alone,  without  reference  to  or  neceffity  of  a  holy 
Life,-  James  2.  1  Epift.  John,  Jude  ;,  4,  &c.  Thefe  are  the  things  to  which  the 
Controverfal  Part  of  the  Apoftles  Writings  in  reference  to  the  Point  of  Juftifica- 
tion, do  relate. 

c  But  befide  thefe,  there  is  another  infifted  on,  as  if  it  were  ftill  included  andin- 
tended  in  the  Apoftles  realbnings  againft  Juftification  by  Works  of  the  Law,  and 
that  is  an  Oppofition  between  Faith  and  all  Works  in  reference  to  Juftificati- 
on, as  well  fuch  as  confift  in  Gofpel  Obedience  as  the  effeel:  of  Faith  ltridly  ta- 
ken, as  thofe  which  are  properly  Works  of  the  Mofaical  Law.  Whereas  fuch  an 
Oppofition  feems  to  be  not  only  without,  but'  againft  Scripture  Evidence.  For 
Gofpel  Obedience ,  •  as  an  inleparable  effed:  of  Saving  Faith,  is  as  well  as  Faith,and 
together  with  Faith,  oppofed  to  the  Works  of  Mofes's  Law  in  point  of  Juftificati- 
on. For  fo  I  take  it  to  be,  where  it  is  faid,  Circumcifion  (which  by  a  Synecdoche 
is  put  for  the  Works  of  the  Law)  availeth  nothing,  but  faith  which  worketh  by  love: 
c  which  is  as  much  as  to  fay,  which  worketh  by  keeping  the  Commandments  of 

!  Goda 


JNumb.1V.     AT  T  jfWWl  X.    '~~~ 

c  -        , . 

,  God,  and  by  fulfilling  the  Law  :  for  fo  Love  is  faid  to  be.  Yea  Ev^icTTcT 
tbedience  (  as  comprehending  Faith,  no  doubt)  is  by  the  fame  figure  of  Sp  ech 
,  as  be  ore,  oppofed  to  the  Works  of  Mofess  Law  ;  where  it  is  faid  That  clcZaZ 
h  u*o$t>tWandUnM&m$o*0n<ffl^}  bat  the  keeping  the  Commandment*  of  God 
I  he  like  Oppofition  again  is  made  between  the  Works  of  the  Law  and  the  New 
]  Creature  ,•  which  con  lifts  in  a  new  frame  of  Spirit,  and  cannot  be  confidered 
t  without  new  Obedience,  in  will  and  refolution  at  leaft,  Gal.  6.  i  c.  This  Oppo 
)  fielon  which  fome  make  between  Faith  and  Gofpel  Obedience' in  the  Point  of 
t  Juftification,  ieems  like  unto  that  ( if  not  the  fame  in  Jude )  which  was  made  by 
f  the  C.nolhcks,  and  which  James  oppofcth  in  his  Epiffle,  rather  than  any  which 
:  the  Scnwwe  any  where  maketh.  And  truly  this  Opinion,  together  with  another 
t  as  p/curtdtefs  as  this,  iiath,  I  fear,  been  a  great  Underminer  of  the  Power  of  Re- 
^  hgion  in  the  Hearts  and  Lives  of  Men,  and  a  Betrayer  of  the  Souls  of  many  i 
^  and  that  k,  that  by  Faith  without  Works  the  Righteoufnefs  or  Obedience  of 
^  Chrift  is  not  only  virtually,  ( which  we  all  hold)  but  formally  imputed  to  m  for  righ- 
i'  ttoufntfl:  fo  that  we  arc  reckoned  to  have  obeyed  in  his  Obedience.  Which  ,  I 
|  think,  hath  not  been  the  Doctrine  of  a  few  called  Antinomiam  only,  but  of  fo  ma- 

*  ny,  that  not  long  fince  he  could  hardly  be  counted  Orthodox,  that  did  not  hold 
^  ibtoo.  And  it  is  to  be  feared  that  many  that  have  been  of  thefe  Opinions,  have 
,  r,hnu£ht  tnemfelves  good  Chriifians,  and  in  a  juftified  ftate,  though  otherwile  of 
t  iii. Tempers  and  or  bad  Lives.  Whereas  did  they  underftand  that  the  defign  of 
'  the  New  Covenant  is.tareftore  the  Humane  Nature  gradually  to  that  rectitude 
J  and  perfection  from  which  it  fell »  and  that  the  terms  of  it  are  fo  laid,  that  no 
r  Man  can  have  any  ground  of  confidence  of  enjoying  the  Saving  Benefits  of  it, 
'  further  rhen  he  knows  that  he  fincerely  endeavours  in  the  ufe  of  means  to  recover 
'  that  rectitude,  aqd  to;  be  perfecting  bolinefiin  the  fear  of  God ;  they  would  be  deli-' 
'veredfrom  that  delufive  Confidence,  and  confequently  be  put  upon  fuch  fincerc 
'  endeavours;  or  be  deprived  of  the  comfort  of  that  delufive  Confidence,  by  which 

*  white  they  are  under  if,  they  fiipport  themfelves.  All  which  confidered,  (  if  re- 
'  ally  true  as  I  apprehend  them  to  be)  what  I  have  humbly  moved  to  you,  cannot 
c  but  be  a  molt  worthy  Work ,  and  of  great  acceptation  to  very  many,  as  well  as 
«  of  general  and  of  moft  important  ufe  unto  all.    And  in  cafe  you  reiolve  on  it ,  I 

*  think  to  uie  as  much  brevity  as  will  confift  with  plainnefs,  and  as  much  plainnefs 
f  as  the  nature  of  the  thing  will  bear,  will  be  generally  nioft  acceptable  and  moft 
<  profitable,  and  the  more  inviting  to  be  read. 

c  I  have  made  bold  herewith  to  fend  you  fome  Papers,  which  fometime  fince  were 
4  written  for  private  ufe,  and  for  trial  of  what  might  fairly  be  made  out  touching 
'  the  Subject  Matter  of  them.    To  the  end  you  may  by  them  fee  fome  of  the  things 

*  more  fully  expreft,  which  are  but  hinted  in  this  Letter :  as  alfo  to  defire  your 
'  Judgment,  Whether  the  main  fcope  of  them  be  Matter  of  Truth,   or  Matter  of 

*  Errour  ?  And  in  particular  I  defire  your  Thoughts,  -Whether  that  perfect  Obedi- 
'ence  which  Mr.  7>«w«w  infifts  on,  or  that  fincere  Obedience  mentioned  in  thefe 
'  Papcis,  was  the  Condition  of  the  firft  Covenant  ?  And  whether  the  firft  Cove- 
r  nant,  as  fuch,  did  threaten  Eternal  Punifliment  to  the  Tranfgreffors  of  it  j  and 
'  the  Curfe  of  what  Covenant  it  was  that  Chrift  redeemed  us  from,  in  being  made  a 
'  Curfe  form?  For  touching  thefe  things,  I  confefs  my  felf  not  well  refblved.  The 
r  hanging  on  the  Tree  was  but  a  Temporal  Curfe,  and  was  not  all  that  Chrift  re- 
«  deemed  us  from.  And  when  you  have  a  fitting  Opportunity  ,  I  pray  you  return 
'  them  to 

London,  May  27.  Your  obliged  Servant, 

l6~1'  Will.  Allen. 

c  Thofe  of  the  Separation  that  are  more  moderate  do  blame  Mr.  Bag/haw,  and 
'  think  you  need  not  anfwer  him ;  and  his  Temper  is  to  have  the  laft  word.  If  you 
[  think  otherwife,  a  calm  Anfwer  will  be  beft. 


$  Seat 


91 


5>8  A  T  T  E  N  V  I  X.       Numb.1V. 

Dear  Sir, 

1  Received  your  Preface,  by  which  you  have  been  pleafed  to  add  unto  all  for- 
mer Obligations  wherein  I  ftand  bound.     I  have    moved  Mr.  Simmons  about 
printing  the  Copy  acquainting  him  with  your  Preface,but  not  with  the  Author 
of  the  Papers:  but  I  perceive  he  hath  no  mind   to  undertake  it;  fmce   when  I 
have  not  ipoken  to  any  other.     Sir,  It  hath  been  lbmetimes  on  my  thoughts  to 
draw  up  fome  thing  againft  Separation   more  then   what  is  in  my  Retractation, 
at  leaft  to  be  published  after  my  death,  iffurviving  Friends  mould  think  fit,  but 
have  forborn  to  publifh  any  thing  of  that  nature  hitherto,  partly  to  avoid  fufpi- 
tion  of  ftrengthening  the  hand  of  Severity  againft  the  Separates,  to  the  doing 
of  hurt  to  whom  1  would  not  be  in  the  leaft  acceffary  :    and  likewile  to  avoid  the 
fiifpition  of  being  acted  therein  by  Carnal  Motives.     However  fomething  I  have 
now  prepared,  and  herewith  fent  you,  prefuming  yet  once  more  to  give  you  the 
trouble  at  your  leifure  of  cafting  your  eye  upon  it.     And  do  pray  that  you   will 
pleafe  to  coned:,  or  dire£t  me  to  correft  what  needs  correction  :  and  to  give  me 
advice,  whether  it  will  be  beft  to  make  it  publick,  or  to  forbear.     1  confeis,I  have 
been  induced  to  do  what  I  have  done  at  this  time,upon  occafion  of  the  Indulgence, 
as  conceiving  it  not  lefs  neceflary  nor  leis  ieafbnable  (to  (ay  no  more)  than  it  was 
before.     And  your  motion  of  reprinting  my  Retractation ,  had  its  (hare  in  incli- 
ning me  to  this  prefent  Undertaking.     As  I  have  been  taken  in  the  Snare  of  Sepa- 
ration for  a  time,  fb  1  was  in  that  of  Antinomiamfm,  about  37  or  38  years  ago,  not 
long  after  my  firft  coming  to  London;  as  not  being  able  to  withftand  the  Infinuati- 
ons  of  it,  and  yet  to  retain  the  Opinion  of  the  Imputation  of  Chriit's  Righteouf- 
nefs  in  that  Notion  of  it,  in  which  I  had  been  inftru&ed  ;  and  never  fully   reco- 
vered my  felf  till  I  heard  Mr.  John  Goodwin.    The  Experience  of  what  I  fuffered 
my  felf,  and  occafioned  others  to  fuffer  by  my  running  into  thofe  Errours,  hath 
put  me  upon  doing  more  to  warn  others  againft  them ,  or  recover  them  out  of 
them,  then  otherwife  I  mould  have  thought  fit  for  me  to  have  done.     You  may- 
perceive  in  part  how  frail  my  memory  was,  by  my  often  blottings  and  interlining?. 
Excufe  me  for  this  time,  and  you  are  never  like  to  be  troubled  with  any  of  my 
Papers  more,  whether  I  live  or  die.     The  good  God  that  hath ,  out  of  good  will 
to  the  World,  made  you  ib  meet  to  be  ferviceable  to  it ,  continue  you  long  in  it, 
and  ftill  ftrengthen  you  to  fucceed,  and  profper  you  in  his  Word  :  So  prays 

London,  June  29.  Tour  very  much  obliged 

l6j2. 

Servant t 

Will.  Allen. 

■  I  live  next  the  Green-Man  in  Prince 's-fireet  by  Stocks- Market,  and  not  at  the  Bottle 
'  in  the  Voultrey. 


Dear  Friend, 

•  I"  This  Day  received  and  read  your  Book  and  knowing  fo  well  the  Author's  Ex- 
'  JL-  perience,  Judgment,  and  Sincerity,  it  hath  made  a  great  change  upon  my 
'  Judgment  ;  vi&  Whereas  I  once  thought  that  fome  Mens  Ufage  of  this  poor 
'  Kingdom  and  Chrift's  Minifters,  and  the  falfe  Reports  and  Reprefentations  made 
r  of  them,  did  mew  not  only  Charity,  but  common  Honefty  and  Humanity,  by 
c  which  the  civil  differ  from  others,  to  be  with  fuch  Men  very  low  ;  I  find  now  my 
c  better  Thoughts  of  thole  Men  much  revived,  by  finding  that  fo  good  a  Man  as 

*  you,  can  in  any  Meafure  in  fuch  a  time  and  place  fo  far  miftake  the  cafe  as  you 
c  have  done.  But  long  Experience  hath  acquainted  me  with  more  of  the  Caufe 
c  than  perhaps  you  have  obferved  your  felf:  That  is,  1.  All  Mens  Capacities  are 
'  narrow,  and  we  cannot  look  every  way  at  once  :  Our  thoughts  are  like  a  Stream 
r  of  Water  which  will  run  but  one  way  at  once,  and  carry  down  all  that's  moveable 
'  in  that  Stream.    When  you  were  for  Anabaptiftry  and  Separation,  it's  like  the 

'  Stream 


Numb.  IV,       ATT  E~WWj~Y 

— ■ "*^» 

•  Stream  of  your  Thoughts,  run  all  that  wa^^f^mSeT^; T 

you,  than  what  was  againft  you  :  and  now  the  SeL  of  yoUr  TZ  ^l WaS  for 

'your  Thoughts  the  contrary  Way,   I  may  judge  by  the  Fffe£    ?k      th  tUrned 

more  what  may  be  faid  againft  Nonconformity  than whaf ntv  £WVhink 

'2.  And  Experience  makes  me  take  it  for  granted    thatrn  i,?^  V,    [air  fof  k 

•  fully  underftand  or  hear  the  Caufe,  is  t&^^^^^^^ff 

•  celled,  which  few  are  cured  of  in  any  great  Degree  I  ™u  1  h^f  In~ 
it  while  f  blame  it,  if  my  Frailty  can  avoid  it,  ^Mnl^mtFf1^ 
you  have  more  Reafons  for  what  you  fay,  that  I  yet  wSaftand "  anW?  $F 

■  as  a  Learner,  defire  you  to  help  me  to  underftand  them  '  na"  0nI? 

«  And  i.  Seeing  almoft  all  your  Book  is  againft  Anabaptifiry  and  Separate  I  A, 
fire  you  to  acquaint  me  why  you  entkuled  it,  An  ^ItT^N^^lh 
when  it  is  certain  that  the  ignorant  Multitude,  who  have  fome  fuch  T. Tf   Tfis? 

;  ready,will  hence  be  more  pelfuaded^  that  the  ^^^^^^  £ 
parationjwhich  being aCaIumny,Ifuppofe you  thus indirectly  propagate  kfor  fome 
Reafon  which  I  know  not.    Falftiood  and  Hatred  are  fo  befriended  by comZl 

CVXf  uimQ>  that  'H  n6cd  "°  ,B°0ks  to  be  written  ">  encouragTthem     li 
a  Philofopher  wrote  againft  Manicheifm  and  called  it  An  Addrefs  to  the  Ctoftiam- 
Or  a  Papift  wrote  againft  Anabaptiftry  and  Separation,  and  called  it  An  Addrefs  tl 
c  the  Vroteftants,  the  Intimation  were  unjuft.  J 

'Qf'fi-*:  Will  not    the  Conformifts  think  that  you  prevaricate,  in  pretending 

to  oX^io^Nattonal  Church,  p.  icr.  and  when  you  explain  your  felf  fpcak  but 

<  of  a  [Church  ^orgamcal]  that  is  equivocally  and  ineptly  fo  called :  feeing  forma  d* 

'nomwat,  and  the .Word  Church  in  the  common  Controverfy  about  [National  Pro- 

xvincial>  Dtocefan  Churches^  is  taken  for  an  Ecclefiaftical  Polity  and  Society    and 

c  Tu  f°,r  aJmCCr  S^IT^  :.  uAFam)!.y  With0JUt  a  Mafter*  a  School  without  a 
Schoolmafter,  a  Kingdom  without  a  King,  and  a  Church  without  a  Paftoral  Re 

'  giment,  are  equivocaUmproper  Denominations  a  materia^,  when  you  knew  that 

*  the  Nonconformifts  have  long  asked  which  is  the  true  conftitutive  Ecclefiaftical 

*  Head  of  this  National  Church  ?  When  you  were  upon  the  Sub/eel:  it  would  have 
■  done  well  to  have  told  them  ;  for  an  accidental  Head  (the  King)  they  confefs  as 
c  much  as  others. 

■  Queft.  3.  When  you  plead  fo  much  for  Pari/h- Churches,  are  you  therein  a  Non- 
?  conformift,  and  is  your  Addrefs  to  your  felf?  or  do  you  take  the  Word  [Church'] 
c  there  alfo  equivocally  and  improperly  ?  If  fo,  you  mould  have  faid  fo.  The  Pre- 
'  latifts  grant  with  Cyprian,  that  ubi  Epifcopits  ibi  Ecclefia  ;  and  with  Ignatius,  that  to 
'every  church  there  is  one  Bi/hop  with  his  Presbyters,  &c.  No  King,  no  Kingdom  • 
c  no  Mafter,  no  School  nor  Family ,•  no  Bi/hop,  no  Church  :  Therefore  the  Pre- 
'  latifts  hold  that  we  have  no  true  proper  Church  below  a  Diocefan,  and  that  Pa- 
c  rifhes  are  not  Churches  but  Chappels,  or  parts  of  a  Church,  and  this  is  not  the 

*  leaft  part  of  our  Nonconformity,  who  hold  that  Pariihes  are,  or  /hould  be  true 
c  Churches,  and  not  only  parts  of  a  Church  in  fini  or  dints,  without  any  proper  Bi- 

*  /hop.    Tell  me  better  I  pray,  which,  fide  you  here  intend  to  take; 

*  Queft.  4.  Seeing  p.  in.  &c.  you  very  well  plead  for  the  Power  of  Kings  in 
r  Determination  of  Pari/h-Bounds,  and  Church  Orders,  as  under  the  Jewi/h  Po- 
c  lity,  and  the  new  way  of  the  Conformifts  is  fo  far  contrary,  as  that  they  hold 
'  that  if  a  Bi/hop  command  one  Time,  one  Place,  One  Translation,  Metre,  Cere- 
'  mony,  Utenfil,  &c.  and  the  King  another  5  that  the  Bi/hop  is  to  be  obeyed  be- 
'  fore  the  King,  becaufe  it  belongs  not  to  him,  but  to  the  Church.    Is  it  the  New 

*  Conformity  in  this  that  you  are  for,  or  for  the  old,  and  the  Nonconforming  who 

*  in  this  Agree. 

'Queft.  j.  Some  Words  p.  124,  12  y.  move  me  to  ask  you,  whether  fuch  Anabap- 

*  tifts  as  you  formerly  taught  and  joined  with,  or  the  ignorant  irreligious  vulgar,  as 
4  you  then  accounted  them,  were  the  better  People  ?  If  the  Religion  of  them  that 
'  mind  little  of  God  or  Life  Eternal,  further  than  to  join  with  the  Church,  be  the 

*  true  State  of  Regeneration  and  Holinels,  were  it  not  more  worth  your  Labour  to 

*  write  a  Book  againft  that  which  now  we  take  for  Holinels  (feeking  firjt  God's  King- 

*  dom  and  Righteoufnefs) :   But  if  other  Wile  and  Pious  Se&aries  be  better  than  im- 

*  pious  Churchmen,  were  tho/e  times  fo  much  better  than  thele  as  you  defcribe 

*  them,  in  which  there  was  not  one  counted  Religious  (e.  g.  from  i6ay<  till  1637.J 
cfor  Three  that,  I  fay  not  for  Ten  or  Twenty,  that  are  now  in  moft  places  that  I 

'  have  known.  _, 

c  Queft.  6.  And  I  add,  hath  not  Scotland  kept  out  Sefts  without  our  Conformity, 

e  more  effectually  than  Conformity  here  kept  them  out  ? 

N  2  Q*"ft- 


99 


joo 


AT  T  E  NT)  IX.    Numb.JV. 


*  Quefi.  7.  P.  129.  Had  you  nothing  but  [Sufpicion]  and  [Ofiniori]  to  oppugn  ? 
and  muft  that  be  granted  you  ?  and  yet  have  lived  (6  long  where  you  live. 

'  Quefi.  %.  Becaufe  you  talk  fo  much  of  [Shifm  fmful  in  it  felf~\  without  ever 
telling  us  exactly  how  to  know  it,  I  pray  tell  me  if  Mr.  Sangart  Dr.  Manton,  and 
(uch  others  (hould  fay  to  thefe  Parifhioneis  [we  are  in  the  Relations  which  w& 
were  truly  and  juftly  ftated  in,  andbecaufe  the  Magiftrate  hath  given  others  the 
ParihVGhurches  and  the  Tythes  you  (eparate  from  us,  and  come, not  to  our  Aflem- 
blies  j  therefore  you  (et  up  a  finful  Schifm,  as  fame  did  in  the  Churches  of  the 
Roman  Empire,  who  adhered  to  Pallors  put  in  by  the  £mperors,  while  the  Peo- 
pie  adhered  to  their  former  Paftors]  How  {hall  I  anfwer  them  better  than  they  da 
you. 

'  Qucfi-  9-  Your  Queftion  f  1  $7.  moveth  me  to  put  you  to  think  it  over  again, 
whether  you  think  indeed  as  your  Words  import,  if  all  the  People  of  England 
thefe  fourteen  Years  pad  had  heard  no  Sermon  but  in  the  Parilh-Churches,  and 
fo  had  heard  none  of  the  2000  Nonconformifts  (or  neer/  that  were  filenced  even 
in  all  thofe  Parifhes,  where  the  reading  of  the  Liturgy  is  the  far  bell  and  likelieft 
means  of  the  Peoples  Good,  and  in  ali  thofe  PaiLlhes,  where  not  one  of  very 
many  hath  any  Church  to  hear  in  ;  I  fay,  do  you  think  that,  there  would  have 
been  more  Perfons  truly  converted  and  laved  by  this  means  ?.'  If  you  think  that  all 
thefe  1800,  or  2000  Mens  Preaching  hathdpne,  and  doth  more  harm  than  good, 
had  it  not  been  a  direte  way  to  have  written  to  them  to  convince  them  of  it, 
that  they  might  ceafe  ?    of  which  more  anpn. 

*  fag.  161.  You  fay,  [If  infiead  of  this  each  Chrifiian  of  you  had  kef t  to  Paroc&iaJ 
Communion,  and  each  outtd  Minifter  bad  kept  their  Kefidence  among  them,  and  Commu- 
nion with  them  as  -private  Members  in  the  Par/J}}  way,  and  bad  aljo  in  a  private  Capacity 
joined  with  thofe  Minifiers  which  have  fucceeded  them  iji  doing  all  the  Good  they  could  in 

the  Pari(b>  as  by  a  private  Application  and  Improvement  of  the  publick  Labours  of  their 
Minijler,  together  with  Catechising  and  other  perfonal  hfiruclton  and  Exhort  at  i' 
on  privately  adminifired  to  the  fever al  Families  m  thex  Parifl),  fccj 

*  Quefi.  10.  Will  you  do  us  the  Favour  as  to  anfwer  firft  thofe  Books  that  be  Writ- 
ten to  prove our'Obligation  to  Preach  (uch  as  Jof.  Aliens  Call  to  Archippus,  and 
my  Sacrilegious  Dijfertion,  &c.  was  not  mat  to  have  gone  before  fuch  Advifes  as 
this?  If  you  (ay  Dr.  Fullwood  hat^h  done  it,  I  beg  of  you,  to  tell  me  what  Argu- 
ments of  his  you  think  have  done  it(whib  He  yields  cbe  contrary). 

'  Quefi.  11.  Would  you  have  a\\  thofe  Minifters  take  this  courfe  that  muft  lye  in  the 
Common  Goal  if  they  come  within  five  Miles  of  the  Place  ?  can  they  do  it  in 
Newgate  ?  If  you  fay  that'  the  AA  of  Confinement,  had  not  been  made  but  fos 
Conventicles, '  we  have  no  Proof  of  that,  nor  is  thsOccafion  now  any  Remedy 
for  the  future.  ,., 

*  Quefi.  12.  Do  you  not  know  that  Coqfor miffs  will  not  endure  us  in  this  private 
Diligence  which  you  (peak  of?  J  will  give  you  in.  the  ehc}  an  Inffance  from  the 
Pari (h  where  I  live.  * 

c  Quefi.  1;.  Do  you  well  know  what  fort  of  Minifies  a.re  in  too  many  "Parifhes  of 
England*  I  will  not  irptate .  the  Ghfcejter  Coblsr  in  gathering  up  their  Faults; 
but  only  ask  you  if  for  Inftanc?1  Mr.  Corbet  that  was  turned  out  of  Bfohffbut,  had 
(fayed  there  where  Mr.  Hook  the  Patron,  hath  often  told  me,  that  ttyejr  Preaches 
was  formerly  an  Ale-feller,,  and.  was  (b  common  a  Drunkard  that  he  would  be 
drunk  in  the  Pulpit,  could,  you  have  adyifcdhkn  to  do  nothing  but  apply  this, 
Man's  Sermons  as  you  (ay  ?  When  I  was  young  the  fireplace  I  lived- in' had  four 
Readers  fucceffively,  fome  Drunkards,  all. my  Mafteis.;  the  next  place  had  in  my 
time  an  old  Reader  that  never  preached,  (  as  had  moft  of  the  Churches  round 
about  us)  his  Curates  were  fuccefliyely  thfjeej^qaders,  of  which  one  never  Preach- 
ed, one  Preached  and  was  a  Stage-Playe?,  another  (my  Matter  alfo)  a  common 
Drunkard,  never  preached  but  once,  an*3  then  he.  wis  (lark  drunk  :  when  the 
Old  Man's  Eyefight  failed  (that  was  the  chief  Incumbent)  he  faid  Comman-Pray- 
er  by  rote,  and  one  Year  a  Day  Labourer,  and  another' Year  a  Toy/of  "read  the 
Scriptures,  and  we  had  no  more.  What  Mr.  Dance  and  Mr.  Turner  were  at  Kid' 
derminfter  and  Mitton  Chappel,  I  fuppofe  you  know. 

'  j(J«e/?.  14.  Would  you  have  thofeMiniiters  take  theCourfe  which  youdefcribe,intha 
Parifhes,  where  the  generality  of  the  People  muft  be  then  untaught?  You  know, 
I  fuppofe,  that  a  Man  that  muft  go  but  from  Houfe  to  Houfe  can  fpeak.but  to  few 
Perfons  in  a  Year  :  1.  If  all  Families  were  ready  and  willing,  how  little  a  part  of 
great  Parifhes  would  be  taught?  2.People  are  commonly  poor,  and  from  Morning 
to  Night  about  their  hard  Labour,  and  cannot  hear  us.  3.  They  are  unwilling  that 

*  we 


Numbly]     A  T  T~E  N  T> 

1  we  mould  come  into  their  Houfes  and  fee  the\r  T\\{^aL    ^77; ■ — " — : 

nefi.  4.  Many  Minillers  are  fo  vffita r £  the  £2feg  *nd  Uo*">- 
che.rHe.lth  to  talk  with  them  there  but  a„ Hour ■  * S  tS ££%  "St**"* 
continually  fpeaking,  and  he  that  can  preach  on  Jortwi  t a V'^  ^moft 
four  or  five  times  every  Day,  withou?  whiohTwoulTtenS^r  "»* 
may  preach  to  Two  Thoufand  at  once  in  P^blick  when  m  fi,.,?^'118  :^e 
Two  Thoufand  by  One  or  by  Four  at  a  t ££ ma Ttake  tt*f^** 

'  6.  By  this  means  Minifters  (were  there  Bodie  abM  3n ■  j    {*'"^d  Serhions. 

;  whereas  moft  have  little  or  no  ™in«^^)ow^wte,^fvii1,?, 
low  them  to  labour  with  their  Hands  to  get  Bread  W  *„';,  n    4    =   ^.yoa  al" 

'  their  Rents  and  Charges  be  paid  4  Or  ifthev  muft  be^.^"1' KS  L  -Ww  ** 

'  where  lhall  they  have  it,  if  Ly  take  you  cX>  ?  O^SSStS^' 
wil  re  eve  them ;  if  they  (jay  from  CiL  and  SSSSSSSBfcSS  Vi7 
lages  few  are  able,  if  willing  to  relieve  them.  Some  that  have  <wr W  L" 
Preached  too,   have  yet  been  pttt  to  keep  Wife  and^W  &^n  tittlf  hJ'df 

'  brown  Rye  Bread  and  Water  Bv  what  r  ,i»  ;s  iwh    ^""w4»™  «pn  ittfle  befides 

Marnns,  Sec.  it  is  but  a  fraall  par*  of  .he  People  that  can-hear  in  tub Sck  J  f n' 
■  pole  there  may  be  Twenty  or  Thirty  Thoufand  untaught  in  the  Pa  it 'wL^ 
Mr.  Read  is  gone  to ,  Goalefor  teaching.  The  P.oplAyth^;!^^^ 
Fouricoce  Thouiand  Souls ;  fuppofe.it  ;be  lefe,,  when  fa* J  K^fhKgffiS 
hear  well  in  the  Church.     Are  you  rifen  up  n5>wfo:W  the  $f£ft]i titfSttM 


TOI 


■  am  not  yet  grown  fo  deiperate  a  'GimeSer]Ts  Wf^im^SS^S^l 

fhould  Preachers  be  lent  to  the  Amtoseans  rather  than  to  St.  ftfoWi  St  gS*   and 
'  fuch  JikepUces  ?  '.  \ 

■  *Quefi.  iy.  How  .will  you  abiblve  us  from  our  Ordination  Vow?  even  Papiirs 
4  fay  the.  Chaiader  is.-indelible  :  wve  were  not  ordajned  pro  tempore,  Or  on  Tryal  *  If 
«a  Man  may  forbid,^  preaching  to  all,  fave  four  among  a  Thoufand  ,  or  Forty 
c  Thouiand,  or  Fowrfctire  Thouiand,  .why  not  alio,  to  chafe  Four  ?  If  to  all  Corpo. 
I  rations  and  Cities  (where  Churches  only  were  planted  at  n>ft>^hy  not  alio  tothe 
'•Villages?  If  whereSouls  need  the  Number  of  Twenty  or  Ten  3>achers,  all  may 
«  be  forbidden  lave  qrie,  why  not  that  one  alio  ?  How  many  ^dred  Years  did 
f  prohibited  Pafiors  teach  and  guide  the  Churches?  I  befeechyoH  clearly  fatlsfy  us 

1  what  it  is  chats  uiiobligeth  us  all  front  G^d's  dreadful  Charge,  2  Jiip. 4.  u  2.  Before 
'God  md  the  Lord  JejurChrtft,  -who  Jhatt  judge  the^i^md  the  deed  at  his  appearing 
I  and  bu  Kingdom  to  preach  the  tffyr4,\h  in  ft  ant  «j  (eafon^  out  rf  jeajm,  &c.  And 
jj  why  we  may  not  .as.  well  be  difotyiged  by  jMatfs- Prohibition  from relieving-the 
(  Poor  chat  elie  wijLpefiili  ?  Yeay  our  own  Children  ? 

1  QueJiLi6.  Might  not  Darnel  tf>en  have  forbora '.-I^aying,  and' may  not,  yea 
1  ou^r  riot  you  if  forbidden,  forbear  praying  in  your,  Houie;,  reading  the  Scrip- 
'  tare,  or  exhorting,  and  admonH&ing,  and:  teaching  others  in  your  place  and 
iConverle?  •"-_,' 

4  '  Qte(}.  17.  Is  it  likely  to  be<>f  God  whicliisfopleafingto  theFJefiij  the  Papi0s 
'•and  the  Devil,  as  our  ceafing  to  preach  the -.Gofpel-  wouid  be  .^ 

'  Quefk- 18.  Is  it  not  the  great  Mark  to  know  all  falfe  Ss&s  and ^  Sedmafrers 'ijy 
'  that  chjjy'  are  ftill  for  that  which  hindereth  the  Gofpel^  and  hurteth  Soujs.  Tl^a 
'  grievousrrWblves,  though  in  Sheeps  Cloathing,  devour  theFlocksfrhe  Thorns  and 
^Thiilles  have  Pricks  inftead  of  Grapes  and  Figs :  And  if  the  filencing  one  faiths 
:ful  Minifter  in  the  Churches ;Necefl|cy  be  a  heinous  Crime,  what  are  you  rurnqd 


102 


AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.       Numb.  IV 


have  hazarded  my  Life  for  many  a  fingle  Sermon  now  repent  of  all  ?  what  then 
can  I  take  Comfort  in  of  all  my  Life? 

'  Qtitft.  20.  Is  it  not  as  finful  to  Write  and  Coun (el  when  prohibited;  as  to  Preach  ? 
and  muft  we  repent  of  all  our  prohibited  Writings  to?  if  God  blef  our  Preach- 
ing and  Writing  to  the  good  of  many  Souls,  doth  it  not  forbid  us  to  repent,  or 
at  leaft  make  it  very  hard  to  us  ?  can  I  honeftly  wifh  all  undone  again  ? 

'  I  pray  you  haften  your  convincing  Reafons  to  keep  me  out  of  Prifbn,  and  fur- 
ther Guilt  if  this  be  criminal. 

*  Pag.  19%  198,  &c.  You  fpeak  principally  to  me,  which  bids  me  further  ask 
you,  Queft.  21.  Whether  we  did  profefs  that  our  private  catechizing  alone  did  all 
that  Good,  without  our  publick  preaching  or  rather  with  it  ?  If  not,  whether  you 
did  not  unhappily  hence  colled  our  Unhappinefs  ? 

'  Quejt.  22.  If  I  were  able  in  this  Parifh,  or  the  laft  I  lived  in  (or  the  eje&ed 
Paftor  who  liveth  near  me)  to  go  from  Houfe  to  Houfe,  it  would  be  many  Years 
before  be  or  Icould  go  over  half  the  Parifh.  And  do  you  think  that  to  be  taught 
once  a  Year,  or  in  many  Years,  is  enough  to  counterwork  Sin,the  Devil  and  hisln- 
ftruments  ?  Would  you  have  no  more,  except  for  Two  or  Three  Thoufand  of  all 
the  Parifli. 

f  Queft.  23.  But  are  you  not  too  fufpicious  when  you  <alk  of  flwewdly  fufpetfing 
(p.  198,  199.)  thole  that  fupport  the  Minifters,  unlefs  they  would  do  it  to  them 
that  ceafe  Preaching  ?  You  muft  needs  know  that  in  molt  Country  Parifhes  the 
People  cannot  fupport  them  ;  and  others  far  off  are  left  apt  to  feel  the  Wants  of 
diftant  Perlbns ;  and  Charity  would  have  gathered  but  this:  It  is  their  Supporters 
Judgment  and  their  own,  that  not  the  Loyterer,  but  the  Labourer  is  worthy 
of  his  Meat  (at  leaft) ;  and  that  to  ceafe  Preaching  till  Mens  neceffity  ceafe  is  a 
heinous  Sin :  and  a  Man  may  forbear  rewarding  and  encouraging  heinous  Sins, 
without  the  Guilt  that  you  feem  to  fufpect. 

r  Queft.  24.  Why  do  you  think  that  the  Minifters  do  not  do  their  beft  in  private 
(as  well  as  in  publick)  to  thofe  that  will  receive  them  !  Read  Jof.  Aliens  Lite,  en- 
quire better  in  London  whether  Mr.  Sangar,  Mr.  Caugbton,  Mr.  Reed,  Mr.  Doelittle, 
Mr. Turner,  Dr.  Anejly,  Mr.  Vincent,  and  fuch  others,  do  not  labour  as  well  in  Pri- 
vate as  in  Publick  ?  for  my  part,  I  am  not  now  able,  muft  I  therefore  do  nothing? 
is  it  a  Sin  to  fpeak  to  Two  Thoufand  at  once,  and  a  Duty ;  to  fpeak  to  them  one 
by  one,  doing  that  a  whole  Year,  which  lean  do  in  an  Hour  ? 

*  You  fay,  p»  205:.  you  (peak  not  to  all  alike,  but  to  all  in  their  federal  meafure  you 
fpeak :  And  you'll  fay  all  Parifhes  be  not  fo  great,  nor  all  Minifters  fo  bad  as  fome 
in  publick,  nor  fo  unable,  &c  I  anfwer,  1.  Nor  do  we  behave  our  ielves  in  aU 
places  alike  :  Not  only  I,  but  other  more  eminent  Minifters  of  London  (many) 
go  to  the  Parilh-Churches,  elpecially  in  the  Country,  and  countenance  honeft 
publick  Minifters  to  the  utmoft,  and  communicate  ordinarily  with  them.  And 
many  Minifters  in  the  Country  do  as  you  advife,  in  living  in  great  Love  and 
Communion  with  the  Parifh-Minifters,  fave  that  they  ceafe  not  Preaching  as  you 
would  have  them,  and  they'gather  not  diftin&  Congregations ;  but  muft  thefame 
courfe  be  taken  in  London,  where  the  Fire  hath  burnt  the  Churches,  and  half  and 
more  of  the  People  have  no  Churches  to  go  to,  through  the  greatnefs  of  the  Pa- 
rifhes :  Should  fuch  a  famous  City  be  Paganifed  by  the  Perfuafions  of  Godly  Men, 
as  for  the  promoting  of  Unity  and  Godlinefs  ?  If  you  fay,  that  moft  Minifters 
fettle  where  the  Churches  are  not  full,  and  not  in  the  great  Parifhes.  I  an- 
ITwer,  1.  That  is  becaufe  they  are  driven  out  of  the  great  Parifhes  by  force.  2. 
And  People  cannot  come  out  of  the  great  Parifhes  to  them,  where  they  are,  or 
elfe  to  the  publick  Churches  the  better  when  their:  Abfence  maketh  room. 

*  Pag.  182.  You  (ay  If  thofe  formerly  or  more  lately  whodefired  fbme  Altera- 
tion in  the  external  Form  of  Adminiftration  ufed  in  our  Church  had  not  run  fa 
high  as  to  aflert  things  unlawful,  which  by  all  their  Mediums  they  could  never 
prove  to  be  fo,  &c.  Quefi.  25.  Why  then  did  not  their  Charity  or  yours  fheiv 
the  weaknefs  of  what  we  took  for  Proofs,  nor  ever  anfwer  our  three  laft  large 
Writings  given  in  to  them  ? 

*  Quefi.  26.  You  (truly,)  contradiA  many  Writings  of  the  (unanfwerable)  Con- 
forming, who  fay  that  at  Worcefler  Houfe,  or  in  that  Treaty  we  profeffed  all  that 
we  oppofed  to  be  lawful,  and  only  inconvenient  ?  which  of  you  (hall  the  ignorant 
believe  ? 

c  Quejt.  27.  Know  you  not  how  much  is  added  fince  ?  Will  you  join  with  them 
that  build  up  a  double  Wall  of  Separation,  and  will  by  no  intreaty  take  down 

one  Stone  of  it,  and  then  cry  [Sshtfm,  and  Separation]. 

i  Qut(t. 


Numb.lV^  A  <P~W~E~NWTY.  103 

;  .he  eight  Points tlCat  teS^ZJ^S&'Z^^Vj*..* 
'that  1  take  for  heinous  Sins  /fh™,M  I  ,°      •    P'ovegrea  tS.ns,  and  of  Thirty 

Word  heretofore  ?  Are  you  certain  now?  O  th~*  Y*i  ce"ain  or  this  by  Gods 
;  Proof,  May  noC  a  Ma?  be  fflWft  &£?£&  A&ff«  f  g? 
.  if  he  believe  it  fo  far  as  to  Venture  Life  and  Soul,  and  allupon  it  ?       P  m&i 

v  ~  Vu  2-  Z10^  Prove  >'ou  that  l  maY  affent  and  confent  chat  no  Parent  ff.aii  h~ 

nn°,Wh!f  f°rrDiSC.hrild'  "V^  h™  *  *»  i*o  God's  Svc„JTfri1> 
<  n?^ »       f  "T*  °^  undertaking  Cnor  faith  the  Canon  may  he  be  u^fd  tob| 

■  »^°  rfr^  thf  °nly  Covenantin8  Undertakers  or  Promifers ihall  beo^r  G0d 

•  ££?   /    ,     0d^°^u^xWho  P-erfideouAy  Promife  w4,at  not  one  of  thoufand 

•  Hon  ,"  ?f  "^  thC  Phlld)  eAver*ake  a«y  Man  believe  that  they  have  any  Jmen 
r,on  to  perform  and  ternpt  Anabaptifts  to  take  us  all  to  be  unbaptized,  as™  be 
ing  covenanted  for  by  any  that  had  Authority  to  do  it  by  God's  Law 

■  *,  «$'}'  ffn  you  ic  -!f wful  to  ^*f  and  Co*M  t0  de«Y  Chriftendom 
to  all  Infants  whofe  Parents  will  not  have  them  dedicated  to  God  by  the  Tran? 
ent  Image  of  the  Crols }  or  will  not  have  fuch  God-fathers  the  fole Undertaking 
Covenanters,  but  will  openly  enter  their  own  Children  into  that  Covenant  them 
felves  ?  efpecially  when  the  Liturgy  faith,  ,.  That  thefe  Infants  are  cerrainly  and 
undoubtedly  faved,  if  baptized.  2.  And  denyeth  them  Chriftian  Burial  i/thev 
dye  unbaptized.     Prove  that  a  Mihifter  may  AlTentand  Conlent  to  deny  them 

^  Chnitendom  and  certain  Salvation,   becaufe  of  this  Judgment  of  Godly  Pa-' 

f  Qmfi.  4.  Prove  it  lawful  to  deny  Chriftian  Communion  to  all  Chriftians  that 
dare  not  receive  Kneeling,  or  that  are  Excommunicate  for  not  paying  the  Fees  of 
the  Court,  or  all  that  a  lay-Chancellor  ufing  the  Power  of  the  Keys  doth  Excom- 
'municate  ;  and  to  alfent  and  confent  fo  to  do  (to  the  firft  at  leaft). 
'£*«/•  J;  How  prove  you  it  lawful  to  affcnt  and  confent  to  deny  Chriftian 
Communion  to  all  that  are  not  Confirmed  by  the  Bishop,  or  willing  to  be  fo  ?  though 
'  he  were  never  fo  willing  to  own  his  Baptifmal  Covenant,  and  do  all  that  a  Chri- 
c  ftian  Man  mould  do   When  the  Reformed  Churches  have  written  fo  much  againft 
e  the  necefltty  of  fuch  Confirmation. 

'  Quefi.  6.  How  prove  you  it  lawful  to  affent  and  confent  that  all  the  Atheifts,  In- 
c  fidels,  Hereticks,  and  Wicked  Men,  yea,  every  individual  Perfon  in  England'  ex- 
'  cept  the  Unhaptifed,  Excommunicate  and  Self  murderers  Inall  at  their  Burial  be  Mi- 
f  nifterially  pronounced  Sajred ;  <&&,  That  God  of  his  Mercy  hath  taken  unto  him/elf 
1  the  Soul  of  this  our  dear  Brother  out  of  the  Mijeries;  &c.  as  you  read.t  And  when  we 
c  are  ftifled  in  a  Goale  our  lelves  as  Schii'inaticks,  unlefra  Man  (ufually)  excommuni- 
lcate*us,  they  will  pronounce  us  laved. 

'  Quefi.  7.  How  prove  you  it  lawful  deliberately  to  publifh  your  Ajjent  and  Con- 
'  fent  to  that  little  grofs  Falfhood,  the  Rule'  to  find  out  Eafier-day. 

'  I  will  trouble  you  with  none  of  the  many  greater  things.  If  you  fay  that  you 
c  mean  not  to  juftify  all  thefe  and  fuch  like,  1.  Will  not  common  Reafpn  think  fo 
c  by  your  Words,  do  they  not  imply  it  ?  2.  If  you  think  our  Nonconformity 
'  our  Duty,  what  meaneth  your  Addreis  to  us  as  fuch,  and  your  Counlels  afore- 
y  mentioned  ?  and  how  cometh  our  Silence  and  forfakirtg  the  Preaching  of  the  Go- 
f  fpel  to  be  our  Duty  during  the  need  of  lb  many  Thoufand  Souls  ? 

f  As   for    unwarrantable    Separation  and  Accufation   of  the  Parifh-Churches 
c  and  Liturgy,  we  are  many  of  us  as  truly  (though  not  as  far)  from  them  as  you. 
*  If  what  I  have  written  difpleafe  you,   it  will  but  tell  you  that  I  prefer  Truth  and 
'  Confcencc  and  the  Churches  Good  before  my  very  dear  and  much  valued  Friends 
c  Opinion  or  Will ;   and  the  Welfare  and  Peace  of  his  own  Soul,  before  the  plea- 
'  fing  of  him  :    I  am  paft  doubt  that  you  do  in  Sincerity  feek  the  fame  thing  that  I 
c  and  others   do,  that  is,  the  healing  of  a  divided  People,  .and  the  Cure  of  thole 
x  Diftempers  which  have  drawn  many  to  finful  Separations.     Three  f  »rts  of  Schifln 
c  we  disclaim  as  well  as  you  :    r.  Making  Factions  and  Parties  in  a  Church  to  the 
c  Hindrance  of  Love,  Peace,  and  Concord.     2.  Separating  from  a  Church  on  rhe 
1  Account  that  its  Communion  is  unlawful,  when  it  is  not  id.     5.  Much  more  fe- 

'  parating 


io4  A  Jj  T  E  N  V  I  X.      JNumblV. 

c  parating  from  a  Church  as  no  Church,  and  a  Minilrry  as  none,  when  it  is  nor  to. 

*  in  none  of  thel'erefpectsdowe  feparate  or  divide  from  the  Church  or  Churches 
1  that  we  mould  hold  Communion  with.  i.  We  feparate  from  the  Catholick 
r  Church  ;  2.  Nor  from  the  Church  of  England^  accidentally  headed  by  the  King. 
1  3.  Nor  as  a  number  of  Churches  aifociated  for  Concord  ;  4.  Noras  a  meer  Com- 
1  munity,  part  of  the  Church  Univerfal ;  5.   We  feparate   not   from   the  Parifh- 

*  Churches  that  have  true  Pallors,  either  as  no  Churches,  or  as  holding  Commu- 
'nion  with  them  inordinary  publick  Worfliip  to  be  fimply  or  commonly  finfuj  : 
'  6.  Nor  would  we  make  any  Divifion  in  the  Churches  by  unjuff  contention  ;  but 
'  that  there  are  Separatist  that  do  lb,  and  deferve  all  your  reproof,  and  need  all  you* 
'  Admonitions  we  doubt  not :  But  by  overdoing  (  the  ordinary  way  of  undoing  )  I 
'  doubt  you  have  loft  your  labour,  and  much  worfe.  Not  but  that  all  of  us  have 
c  great  caufe  to  thank  you,  if  truly  you  do  detect  any  guilt  of  ours,as  well  as  others: 
'  but  if  youhavedone  much  toincreale  the  Schifm,  and  made  your  felf  guilty  ofjft 
'  you  have  croft  your  own  end,  notwithftanding  youf  good  meaning. 

c  1.  We  are  not  for  building  up  any  Walls  of  Separation ;  fome  Mailers  of  Schifm 

*  are.  3 

*  2.  ,We  think  that  no'Humane  Churches  have  power  to  abrogate  the  Priviledges 
c  or  Duties  of  the  Churches  of  Chrift's  own  infticution.  Some  Schifmaticks  think 
f  otherwife. 

'  3.  We  hold  that  Chriftians  fhould  live  in  holy  Love  and  Peace,  when  tolerable 
'  Differences  of  Opinion  placeth  them  in  divers  Congregations :  but  force  Schif- 
c  maticks  think  otherwife,  and  make  fuch  a  peevifh  unrealbnable  noife  againft  all 
'  that  do  not  meet  with  them,  and  fubjecl:  themfelves  to  theni,  as  that  their  Cla- 
'  mour  is  the  fcandal  to  the  Infidels ,  Atheifts,  and  Papifts  ,*  making  them  believe 
*•  that  we  are  mad,or  all  in  pieces,when  we  differ  but  in  little  things:  and  ib  they  re- 
'  proach  the  Frailty  of  Humane  Nature  and  the  common  Imperfection  of  Believers 
'  with  calumniating  Cenfures  and  Accufations^  as  if  they  were  a  greater  evil  than 
c  they  are. 

6  4.  We  hold  that  Love  and  Tendernefs  and  Self-denial  fliould  pardon  honeft 
e  Chriftians,  for  chbofing  fuch  Paftours,  as  are  really  mod  ferviceable  to  their  Sal- 
'  vation,  and  their  own  Experience  find  to  he  fo  ,  rather  than  u'nfuiuble  Men. 
(  to  fay  no  worfe,)  that  are  thruft  ori  them  againft  their  wills:  and  that  other  Mini- 
•c  ffers  mould  be  glad,  if  they  will  live  peaceably  under  others,  and  profit  by  them, 
e  though  they  choofe  not  them:  but  fome  turbulent  Self- feekers  are  of  another  mind 

*  and  way. 

'  f.  We  think  (as  is  faid)  that  the  Parifhes  are  or  fhould  be  true  Churches,  and 

*  we  hold  Communion  with  them  as  fuch  :  but  fome  Conformifts  un-Church  them, 
'  and  make  them  but  parts  of  a  Church,  and  hold  no  Communion  with  them  o- 

*  therwife. 

'  6.  We  go  upon  certain  and  plain  grounds  in  determining  what  Schifm  is  (  as 

*  the  three  forts  e.  g.  aforefaid)  but  lb  do  not  many  Schifmaticks  that  yet  cry  down 
c  Schifm. 

(  1.  Some  of  them  make  it  Schifm  not  to  obey  the  Pope  as  Univerfal  Monarch. 

c  2.  Some  make  it  Schifm  not  to  be  fubject  to  a  true  Univerfal  Council,  as  the 
e  Collective  Head  of  the  Church,  when  there  neither  was,  is ,  or  ever  will  be  fuch 
a  thing  in  the  World  ;  much  lefs  the  rightful  Head  of  the  Church. 

'  5.  Some  (with  Bifhop  Bromball  and  his  Advocates,  and  others)  would  have  the 
c  Pope  to  be  Vrincipium  Unitatv,  and  Patriarch  of  the  Weft,  and  io  it  fhall  be  Schifm 
'not  thus  to  fubmit  to  him. 

'  4.  Some  (as  Mr.  Thomdike)  would  have  thefe  Councils  and  Canons  to  rule  us 
c  for  Concord  which  were  till  the  time  of  Charles  the  Great. 

'  5-.  Some  are  for  Concord  on  the  reception  of  the  four  firft  Councils ,  fome  of 
e  fix,  fome  of  eight,  Grotius  of  all  well  expounded. 

'  6.  Some  hold  that  its  Schifm  to  difobey  the  King's  Church  Orders,  and  to  refufe 
c  any  Bilhop  or  Minifter  that  the  King  or  a  Patron  choofe  for  us. 

(  7.  Some  hold  that  it's  Schifm  to  obey  the  King  in  the  circa  facra,  asaforefaid  (in 
J  '  choice  of  Paftours,  Time,  Place,  Tranflation,  Meetre,  &c.  if  the  Bilhops  or  Bi- 

*  (hop  be  againft  it,  and  command  the  contrary ;  and  that  thefe  muft  rather  be  o- 
'  beyed. 

■  8.  Shme  hold  that  it's  Schifm  to  feparate  from  a  Parilh  Church  as  no  Church  : 
1  others  think  it  none. 

e  9.  If  the  Archbifhop  command  one  thing  ,  and  the  Bifhop  another,  and  the 

*  Parifli  Paftor  another,  and  a  Parent  another,  (  as  when  to  Communicate,  and  in 

(  what 


Numb.IV.    AT  T  E  JsTTTTx. 

write  them  down  ;  or  if  &  obey'not  a  Uop  never  Sly  chofen Z  Ifr 
or  the  People  even  in  every  commanded  Form  and  (Sony       ^  *•  0aO 

'fog'™^ 

» i.'.  '  J'  uSom?  fa,y  !t  !s  Sc!lifm  !f  we  Preach  without  the  Bilhops  licence,  thoueh  wa 
have  the  King's,  or  at  leaft  be  Ordained  even  by  the  Bilhops  g 

'  unlicensed  ft  **  *  We  be  liCenCed'  k'S  Schifm  t0  Preach't0  abwe  f™  k  « 

'  «ne,Lmle„f^rayerPerr°n  ^  *'**  *"  liCe"Ced "  "  "  Schifm  t0  preach  without 

«  Lit  S.ome&y>  tha'  ifthe  Bilbop  command  us  rebm  fie  fiamibm  to  preach  or 

meetony  at  midnight,  or  twenty  miles  off,  or  but  once  a  month,  or  if  thev 

forbid  all  God's  Publick  Worlhip  (  which  yet  Mahometans  offer  him  fome  )  it  is 

bchilm  not  to  obey.  ' 

c  r?u^ if  theBifhopdobutfay  the  word,  we  may  meet  daily  without  Schifm- 
and  the  Place,  Perfon,  Exercife  that  before  was  Schifmatical,  if  he  do  but  licence" 
them,  are  prefently  lawful.    So  that  the  Bifhop's  word  againft  the  King's  Cyea 

'  againft  God's  command  to  preach  infeafin  and  out)  can  make  a  thing  Schifm  and  his 

'  word  can  make  it  none  again  in  a  moment. 

c  17.  Whether  it  be  Schifm  to  go  to  a  better  Minifter  in  another  Parift1  in  the 

<  fame  Diocefs,  though  we  feparate  from  no  Church  ( in  their  fenfe ,  the  Diocefan 

*  being  the  loweft  proper  ChurchJ  is  not  well  agreed  on. 

•  F«igning  Schifms  is  making  Schifm  by  turbulent  noife  and  falfe  Accufation?. 
r  We  that  impofe  on  no  Man,  and  that  obey  them  in  lawful  things  that  We 

*  for  Univerfal  Love  and  Peace,  even  with  that  meet  in  different  Affemblies ,  and 
'  in  different  Forms ;  we  that  hold  Communion  with  all  true  Churches  as  afore- 
'  faid ,  and  yet  becaufe  we  can  be  but  in  one  place,at  once  do  choofe  the  Deft,  obey- 

*  ing  God's  Command,  £  Let  all  things  be  done  to  edification]  and  knowing  beft  what 
r  edifieth  our  felves,  we  iiippofe  are  farther  from  Schifm,  than  thofe  that  as  from 

*  the  Throne  of  Authority  pronounce  Schifm,  and  never  help  us  to  underftand  the 
'  fenfe  and  reafon  of  their  words  -y  but  ufe  it  as  for  the  advantage  of  their  Gaufe : 

*  And  as  one  lately  writeth,    Have  led  that  Bear  fo  long  about  the  fireetst  till  the  Boys 
1  l*y  h  fear>  an<L  d°  but  laugh  at  it.     Nor  are  there  many  more  effedual  Caules  of 
c  Schifm,  and  that  harden  true  Schifmaticks  againft  all  Convidion ,  then  when  it  is 
c  feen  ,  that  Men  of  Contention,  Pride,and  Worldly  Intereft,firft  make  the  Schifm 
'  by  finful  or  impoflible  terms  of  Unicy,and  next  falfly  call  the  moft  Innocent,  that  0- 

'  bey  not  their  Domination,  Schifmaticks,  and  the  greateft  Duties  (  even  Preach-       / 

*  ing  where  many  and  many  thoufands  have  no  Preaching,  nor  no  Publick  Worfhip 

*  of  God)  by  the  Name  of  Schifm,  as  if  we  muft  let  London  turn  Heathens  for  fear 
'  of  being  Schifmaticks.  Dear  Friend,  though  thefe  things  have  thefe  Forty  years 
'  had  my  deep,  and  I  hope  impartial  thoughts,  and  I  dare  not  for  a  thoufand  Worlds 
'  think  to  do  othcrwife  than  I  do  in  the  main,  yet  I  {nail  heartily  thank  you  if  by 
'  true  light  you  help  me  to  fee  any  Errour  which  I  yet  perceive  not. 

c  And  feeing  Experience  hath  juftly  taught  you  to  dread  Anabaptiftry  and  Sepa- 
'  ration,  think  further,  1.  Whether  they  that  forbid  Parents  to  enter  their  Children 
'  into  Covenant  with  God  in  Baptifm,  and  lay  all  that  Office  on  thofe  that  have  no 
'  power  to  covenant  in  their  names,  nor  fhew  any  purpofe  to  perform  what  they 
'  promife  ,  and  deny  Baptifm,  as  aforelaid,  to  the  Children  of  fuch  as  fubrait  not  to 

*  this  and  the  Crofs,  be  not  quantum  in  fe  De ft royers  of  Infant  Baptifm  (which  is  no 

*  Baptifm  if  there  be  no  Covenant,). 

<  2.  (Again;  Whether  they  be  not  Separatifts  that  both  un-Church  all  the  Parifn- 
'  Churches  quantum  in  fe,  and  alfo  deny  Communion  with  the  Nonconformifts 
«  Churches,  as  null  or  unlawful,  even  when  they  had  his  Majefties  Licence?  Be  im- 
« partial  againft  Antipedobaptifts  and  Separatifts.    I  conftantly  heard  and  communi- 

*  cated  with  the  Parifh-Church  where  I  lived;  but  the  Conforaufts  ufually  fly  from 

O  ' tne 


io*  AT  <P  EN  T>  I  X.      Numb.  IV. 


'  the  Nonconformifts  AfTemblies  as  unlawful:  but  if  both  fides  were  heard  in  their 
t  Charge  againft  the  other ,  I  know  which  would  have  the  more  to  fay.  Accept 
i  this  freedom  from  the  unfeigned  Lore  of 

May  IJ.  1626.  Tour  much  obliged  Friend, 

Rich.Baxtcr. 


The  Inftances  promi/ed  you. 


I.  TT"7Hen  I  was  caft  out  at  Kidderminfier,  (and  you  know  what  a  Miniftcr  was 
W  there)  I  offered,  while  the  Indulgence  of  the  King's  Declaration  conti- 
nued, to  have  been  the  Reading  Vicar's  Curate,  and  to  have  preached  for  nothing, 
and  could  not  prevail :  I  was  by  the  Bilhop  forbidden  to  preach  in  his  Diocefs ;  and 
when  1  offered  him  to  preach  only  Catechiftical  Principles  to  fome  poor  Congre- 
gation that  elfe  muft  have  none,  he  told  me,  It  was  better  they  had  none  than  we.  My 
pretence  at  Kidderminfier  was  thought  fb  dangerous,  that  Force  was  afligned  to  have 
apprehend  me,and  had  I  frayed  it  muft  have  been  in  the  Jail,and  many  another  for 
my  fake.  When  I  was  forced  away,at  Venner's  Rifing  I  wrote  but  a  Letter  to  my  Mo- 
ther-in-Law,  and  it  was  way-laid  ,  intercepted  ,  opened,  andfentupto  theCourt, 
though  there  was  nothing  concerning  them  in  it,  but  fome  fharp  Invectives  againft 
the  Rebellion,  which  my  Lord  Chancellour  acknowledging,  caufed  my  Lord  Wind- 
far  perfbnally  to  bring  me  back  my  Letter  :  fo  that  I  durft  not  write  to  them  of 
many  years.  My  Neighbours  I  had  perfwaded  to  do  as  you  advife,  to  joyn  in  the 
Publick  Church,  and  help  each  other  as  private  Men,  and  for  fb  doing,  (repeating 
Sermons,  and  praying  and  finging  a  Pfalm)  many  of  them  lay  long  among  Rogues 
in  the  Common  Jail,  and  others  of  them  impoveriflied  by  Fines. 

II.  When  I  came  to  live  at  AElon,  I  drew  all  the  People  conftantly  to  Church 
that  were  averfe  ;  fometime  I  repeated  the  Parfons  Sermon  ,  and  fometimes  taught 
fuch  as  came  to  my  Houfe,  between  the  Sermons.     When  the  Reverend  Parfbn  faw 

them  come  into  Church,    he  would  fall  upon  them,  &c. And  not  being  able  to 

bear  my  little  Endeavours  for  their  Inftru&ion,  he  caufed  me  to  be  fent  to  the 
Common  Jail,  (not  one  Witnefs  or  Perfon  being  fuffered  to  come  into  the  Room 
while  I  was  examined  and  committed.) 

III.  lam  now  in  a  Parifh  where  fome  Neighbours  fay  that  there  are  Fourfcore 
thoufand  Souls;  fuppofe  they  be  fewer:  Not  above  Two  thoufand  of  all  thefe  can 
hear  in  the  Parifn Church:  fo  that  it's  like  above  Sixty  thoufand  have  no  Church  to 
go  to,no  not  fo  much  as  to  hear  the  Scripture  or  the  Common- Prayer.  Here  I  need 
not  tell  you  what  Prohibitions  I  have  had,  and  what  my  Endeavours  to  teach  a  few 
Publickly,  have  loft  me  and  others :  And  lately,  becaufe  one  that  preached  for  me 
did  (without  my  knowledge)  at  the  importunity  of  a  Parent,  Baptize  a  poor  man's 
Child,  when  they  told  him  it  was  in  danger  of  death ,  the  Curate  of  the  Parifh 
came  to  my  Houfe  to  expoftulate  the  matter  :  when  yet  many  are  baptized  by  Pa- 
piffPriefts,  for  want  of  others  to  do  it,  as  they  fay.  I  never  my  felf  Baptized  a 
Child,  or  adminiftred  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  thefe  fifteen  years,  but 
ordinarily  received  it  in  the  Parifh  Church  at  Totterridge,  and  elfe  where,  (one  of  the 
firft  times  that  I  received  it  in  private,  a  Bullet  was  fhot  into  the  Room  among  us, 
and  came  near  to  the  Heads  of  divers  of  us).  I  never  gathered  any  Church  from 
among  them ;  and  yet  have  been  ufually  the  firft  fought  after  to  be  imprifbned  or 
ruined  in  each  aflauk  :  and  was  put  to  fell  my  Goods  and  Books  to  fave  them  from 
Diftrefs.  Near  me,  in  the  fame  Parifh,  liveth  Mr.  Gabriel  Sanger ,  the  late  Incum- 
bent Paftor  of  the  Parilh,  a  Man  of  Age  and  Gravity,  great  Moderation  and  Peace- 
ablenefs,  and  far  from  Faction  or  Turbulency  ;  who  preacheth  but  to  a  few  in  his 
own  Houfe :  And  where  fhould  he  ufe  his  Miniftry,  if  not  in  fo  vaft  a  Parifh  where 
fb  many  Thoufands  are  untaught,  and  where  he  is  not  fure  that  his  old  relation  is 
diflblYed,  though  the  Tythes  and  Temple  be  given  to  another  ?  One  Mr.  Grove 

(that  • 


Niimb.IV.     A  T  T  E  N  "D'TxT 

(that  oft  heard  "me")  being  lately  dead,  and  his  Wid^fidTn^T^ 
grtoviuther,  whoaftera  fiiort  Inftruaion  prayed  wi  h i  her  ••  wh;£\  *" 

Prayer,  Dean  Lampley  the  P.rfon  for  Vicar)  oV  £  Prffc  can  e  in," and  ^LShim 
at  Prayer,  fraying  till  he  had  done  in  an  outer  Room,  and  asfoon  iShchSd^? 
asMrWaffirmetli l,  came  in  upon  him ,  and  fiercely  askc  ^^^^5 
there  ?  He  told  him,  Nothing  but  what  befeemed  a  Minifter  of  the  Gofp  1  "Jlf 
fit  the  Sick  when  he  was  fent  for.  And  to  the  fecond  Exportation,  told  h'm  Thll 
he  thought  he  mould  be  thankful  to  him  for  helping  him  in  fuch  a  ParSb  To 
which  the  Doftor  anfwered,  That  then  he  mould  have  done  it  accr  rdir»  to  the  U 
turgy  :  fiercely  adding,  Get  pu  out  of  the  Room.  At  which  when  he  demurred  hi 
more  fiercely  took  him  by  the  breaft,  and  thruft  him,  and  faid,  Get  you  out  of  the 
Room:  which  to  avoid  unpeaceablenefs  he  forthwith  did.  I  faw  not  this  but! 
think  no  Man  that  knowech  Mr.  Sanger  will  queftion  the  Truth  of  his  deliberate 
Affirmation  of  it. 

In  whatPaiimof  England  mould  a  Man  expecl:  leave  to  vifit  the  Sick  when 
lent  for,  rather  than  in  St.  Martins  ?  From  what  Minifter  in  England  mould  one  ra- 
ther expect  leave  than  from  Dr.  Lamfley,  who  hath  fo  many  Thouiands  more  than 
he  and  his  Curate  and  Le&urer  canfuffice  to  teach  and  vifit?  and  who,  I  bear,  is  a 
very  worthy  Man,  and  a  Teacher  of  more  than  ordinary  diligence,  artd  efpecially 
excelleth  almofl  all  that  I  hear  of  in  Conftancy  in  the  needful  Work  of  Catechifing 
for  which,  though  I  know  him  not,  I  do  much  honour  him.  And  what  Minifter 
in  England  may  expecl:  leave  to  vifit  the  Sick,  or  privately  help  the  People  ,  if  not 
Mr.  Sanger ,  who  was  lately  the  Publick  Incumbent  himfelf,  and  is  a  man  as*  unlike- 
ly to  ftir  up  any  Man  to  Envy  or  Wrath,  as  mod  that  ever  I  knew :  I  will  not 
parallel  my  own  Cafe  with  his :  If  I  be  unworthy  of  fuch  liberty,  might  not  fuch 
as  he  be  tolerated  ib  far  ? 

This  being  our  Cafe,  will  you  be  the  Man  that  mail  tell  tfs  and  the  world,  that 
we  fhould  have  kept  our  Refidence,  and  joyned  with  the  fucceeding  Minifters  in 
private  helps,  and  how  well  we  and  Religion  had  then  fped,  as  if  you  had  not  li- 
ved in  England  ?  to  make  Men  think  that  the  Parifli  Minifters  are  willing  of  this. 
Yet  I  will  again  fay ,  Neceflity  is  laid  upon  me,  and  wo  be  to  me  if  I  preach 
not  the  Gofpel,  though  Men  forbid  it.  And  if  I  either  give  but  to  one  poor 
Man,  when  I  might  give  to  a  thoufand,  or  teach  but  one  ignorant  Sinner,  when 
I  might  teach  a  thouland,  how  mall  I  look  my  Judge  in  the  Face,  who  gave  me 
that  terrible  warning,  2.  Tim.  4.  1,  2.  as  well  as  Mattb.  2$.  And  did  I  think  that 
€vcr  you  would  have  been  one  that  fhould  publickly  have  perfwaded  us  to  this,; 
When  it  is  the  grand  Work  of  Satan  to  Silence  the  Preachers  of  the  Go/pel,  and 
the  great  Character  of  all  forts  of  his  Agents  (  one  way  or  other,  on  their  Vari- 
ous pretences )  to  efTed  it :  Papifts  would  filence  me:  Prelatifts  would  filence 
me :  Quakers,  Anabaptift s,  Antinomians  and  Separatifts  would  filence  me !  and 
would  my  dear  and  judicious  and  experienced  Friends  filence  me  alio  .'  Alas ,  how 
many  Difficulties  have  we  to  overcome!  while  otir  weary  Flefh,  and  too  cold 
Love ,  and  the  Relicks  of  Sloth  and  Selfifhnefs ,  which  loveth  not  a  laborious 
fuffering  Life,  dpth  hinder  us  more  than  all  the  reft.  But  the  Judge  is  at  the 
Door. 

7«  Adr.W.  Allen. 


107 


O  %  Number 


io8  ATTENVIX.        Numb.  V. 


Number  V. 


SIR, 


'  "W"  Find  that  in  a  Book  of  yours,  defending  Schifm  againft  Mr.  Halts,  on  pre- 

*  tence  of  oppofing  it,  you  were  pleafed  to  think  many  Paflages  in  my  Wri- 
f  JL  tings  worthy  of  your  Recital  to  your  ends :  I  thank  you  that  you  chofe  any 
'Words  for  Peace,  which  fome  may  make  a  better  ufe  of  than  your  felf :  But  I 

*  think  if  you  had  referred  Men  to  my  own  Books  to  read  them  with  what  goeth 
'  before  and  after,  they  would  have  been  more  eafily  underftood.  I  underftand  by 
'your  Book  that  you  think  that  you  are  in  the  Right ;  which  is  the  moil  that  I  have 

*  yet  learned  out  of  it,  unlefs  it  be  alio  that  you  think  the  Nonconform ifts  be  not  yec 
'  hated  and  affli&ed  enough;  or  that  he  thzxjw  ear  eth, mutt,  afcendby  treading  upon 
'  him  that  feareth  an  Oath.  I  am  in  fome  doubt  leaft  you  have  wronged  our 
c  Prelacy  by  lb  openly  proclaiming  the  Enmity  of  i'o  great  a  Man  as  Hales  againft 
'  them,  and  by  enticing  Men  by  your  Noife  to  read  his  Book  which  you  contra- 

*  did  ;  which  if  they  do,  I  doubt  your  Confutation  will  not  fave  them  from  the 
'Light.  But  the  Realbn  of  my  troubling  you  with  thefe  Lines,  is  only  to  crave 
r  fome  Satisfaction  about  two  or  three  Matters  of  Fad  in  your  Book,  which  would 
ffeem  ftrange  to  me,  did  I  not  find  fiich  things  too  common  in  Inve&ives 
■  againft  the  filenced  Minifters,  and  did  I  not  know  that  is  part  of  Satan's  Work 
'  to  perfuade  the  World  that  no  Hiftory  hath  any  certainty  of  Truth,  that  fo  ft- 
'  cred  Hiftory  may  be  difadvantaged. 

c  I.  One  is  in  thefe  Words,  p.  101.  When  they  had  in  the  gand  Debate  given  in  their1 
'  Objections  to  the  Liturgy,  fome  of  the  Brotherhood  bad  prepared  another  Form%  hut  a  great 
f  part  of  their  Brethren  objected  many  things  againft  that  \  and  never  as  yet  did  (as  1  hear 
'  °f)  airee  uton  anJ  other,  nor  I  think  ever  will.  I  crave  the  Juftice  of  you  to  tell  us, 
'  which  was  that  you  call  the  Grand  Debate,  and  who  thofe  were  that  diflented  2 
e  or  what  Proof  you  have  of  any  fuch  thing  :  Either  you  knew  what  you  fay,  or 

*  not :  if  not ,  and  publifh  it  in  fuch  a  manner,  while  you  are  accufing  others  of  Sin  ? 
'  What  is  this  to  be  called  if  you  did,  it  is  yet  far  worfe  ;  either  you  fpeak  of  the 
c  Weftminfter  AiTembly,  which  made  the  Directory,  or  of  the  Commiflioners  in 
'  1660.  Not  the  firft  lure,  for  none,  I  think,  was-yet  ever  vain  enough  to  pretend 
'  that  they  thus  drew  up  another  Liturgy.  It  niuft  needs  then  be  the  latter  :  Of 
c  which  this  is  paft  denyal  by  any  but  the-— 

'  1.  That  the  King's  Commiflion  under  the  Broad-Seal  authorizing  to  make 
f  fome  [Additional  Forms'], 

f  2.  The  late  Archbifhop  of  Canterbury,  Dr.  Sheldon,  when  we  came  according  to 
f  appointment,  to  try  by  Friendly  Conference,  what  Alterations  each  Party  might 
(  yield  to  for  our  defired  Concord,  without  any  injury  to  their  Confciences,  began 
f  with  a  Declaration,  that  we  being  the  Plaintiffs,  they  would  no  farther  proceed 
'  or  treat  with  us,  till  we  had  given  them  in  entirely  in  Writing,  1.  What  we  bla- 
'  med  in  the  Liturgy,  and  our  Reafons  of  it.  2.  And  what  we  defired  as  better. 
c  Mr.  Calamy  and  others  faid,  [This  was  plainly  to  deny  the  Conference  which  we 
c  were  commiffioned  for]  and  they  would  there  have  broke  off,  had  it  not  been  for 
c  me  who  requefted  them  rather  to  yield  and  undertake  it,  than  give  them  occafion 

*  to  charge  us  with  Tergiverfation  and  Refufal  of  any  lawful  thing  ;  though  I  eafily 
'  faw  that  the  Motioner  thought  thereby  to  break  us  as  difagreeing  when  we  came 
'  to  perform  the  Undertaking  :  While  others  drew  up  their  Exceptions  againft  the 

*  Liturgy,  they  appointed  me  to  draw  up  the  Additional  Fornu  :  But  remembring 
e  the  Bifhops  Words  [What  we  defired  infiead~\  I  drew  up  a  Liturgy.  It  muft  needs 
'  be  very  imperfed,  being  done  (in  necelTary  hafte)  in  Eight  Days :  Dr.  Reignolds 
1  only  thought  that  we  fhould  be  blamed  for  offering  a  whole  Liturgy  inftead  of 
r  Additional  Forms^  I  told  him,  1.  It  was  but  to  be  added  to  the  old  if  reformed. 
c  2.  And  they  might  cut  off  all  that  they  thought  iuperfluous  upon  debates,  even 
*.  all  that  the  Bifhops  fhould  except  juftly  againft  ;  for  we  did  but  offer  it  to  them, 
e  profcffing  we  were  ready  to  alter  any  thing  upon  their  Reafons :  Hereupon 
'  Dr.  Reignolds  yielded,  and  it  was  oft  read  over  among  us,  only  the  Prayer  for  the 
1  King  being  thought  too  long,  Dr.  WaUis  was  appointed  to  draw  up  a  fhorter  ; 

v '  which  he  did,  all  the  reft  ftanding  as  I  wrote  it :  It  was  agreed  to  without  one 
'  dhTenting  Vote  ;  nor  had  we  one  Objedion  fent  us  in  by  any  other.  I  was  ap- 
'  pointed  at  a  meeting  with  the  Bifhops  at  the  Savoy,  at  once  to  deliver  them 

•  them 


Numb.  V.        AT  T  B  N <D  I  f. 

'  them  this  Liturgy,  A  Reply  to  their  Anfwer  to  c^E^i^TZJ~7^ — 

W  CW„l  which  they  had  appointed  me  toC  u^  idf  7^  *~ 

«  and  confented  to.    We  waited  for  an  Anfwer  to  all   and  nJL  ?  ,,had  f  «mined 

any  one  of  them  ;  but  they  kept  them  and  fa  d  nothTng  of  Them  •  V  AnHet  t0 

ally  defirous  to  have  heard  their  Exceptionsagainft^^ourLLrLr^  *was,efP<*'- 

we  would  have  diiagrecd  among  ourselves)  and  urged  fomf  of  th,      y  ?,0U8ht 

'  could  never  get  a  Word  ot  Anfwer,  or  Exceotion Zh°,T    j    sm  t0  "•  a«d 

•  well  knowing  ••  How  very  willing  Ce So  have  found  ft  fault  """"j  as 

how  hard  it  is  in  neceflitated  haftefo  write  fuch  a  thing  MS, nn ?L  ,\F* 

many  Exceptions :  Yea,  when  Roger  L'Strange  afier^SSh?  h.^JV0 

'  tie  at  all  againfhhe  Liturgy,  fave  that  we  left  Men  at  rnA™,^  r"i    S'  he  filth  '"" 

;  we  then  faid,  That  impcfng  and  reftraming  ^tT^ott^Vlt^ 

who  we  fuppoled  upon  Debate,  would  haveToo  much  done T'N„w  if  tolTi 

Concord,  and  no  Anfwer  or  Excepiom  from  them  that  extorted  rhi«  W   I  e      * 

'  II.  Another  PafTage  is  P.  293.  JNfeyB^,/  Act  being  required  to  make  mimd^l  r» 
\formity  unlawful   frbich  if  there  had  Jn,  they  or  foL  oLsZ7/In7^        fZ 

«ltTS^2ijK  '^^  ttW0UUh  ^^^^'^W2 

c  ^TQa1?*T^  -°  fadsfy  '"  AinLa  fe*things;  '•  When  even  our  Publick  Re- 
'ply  and  forefaid  Pennon,  againft  the  old  Conformity  were  never  anfwerVd  to 

r     !SPa,['iS  "n"!?110?-  t0  takC  th,S  f°!r   Confutation>  barely  thus  to  fay  [it  I 
not  done] ^fliould  I  fay  [,*  »*»  »«»■,*  difcovered  that  Epifcotacy  *  law full 'would 
you  not  have  called  me— -as  long  as  a™™,  5i//w,  i^r,c4  are  unanswered  > 
r  r  r ',  Dr  yo?  ~ot  k,now  what  abundance  of  old  have  thought  they  difqovered  the 
finfulnefioi   Conformity    (BraJJhaw,  Nicolas,  Ante*,  Parker,   Jacob,    Cartwrirht 
8CC.)   and  what  Aloundel,  Salma/tus,  Gerfom,  Bucer,  Didoclave,  &c.    have  wri'ten 
<  againft  Prelacy,   and  fame  of  late  againft  our  Conformity,  (c«ik  Hickman 
and  others,  yet  unanfwered)  :    And  is  this  your  dry  Denyal  a  rational  Confu- 
tat  ion  r 

(  5.  Would  not  your  Words  make  the  ignorant  believe  that  we  have  the  Liberty 
c  of  the  Preis,  and  may  do  it  if  we  will  ?  and  do  not  the  Aa  of  Parliament  and 
"  the  fevere  Searches  of  the  Prefs,  and  the  Printers  Refufai  faew  how  falfe  fuch  an 
« Intimation  is :  It  may  be  ibme  fmall  Pamphlet  may  with  much  a  do  creep  out  • 
c  but  fo  cannot  any  thing  that  is  full  and  fatisfa&ory :  Our  Caufe  is  a  meer  Stranger 
« to  our  Accufers ;  (it  feems  even  to  fuch  as  you)  becaufe  we  cannot  have  leave  to 
r  print  it :  A  few  have  heretofore  when  the  watch  was  lefs  ftricl:  got  fomewhat  out, 

*  to  little  purpofe  (Mr.  Hickman's  was  beyond  SeaJ:    But  nothing  that  may  make 
'  us  well  underftood.     And  is  it  fit  work  for  a  Minifter  to  blame  Men  thus  Pub- 

*  lickly  for  not  doing  Impoffibilities. 

1  4.  It  muft  be  fuppofed  that  you  know  thefe  things,  1.  That  tne  Law  forbids  us 
'  to  deprave  or  (peak  againft  the  Liturgy  upon  grievous  Penalties.  2.  That  the  Ca- 
r  non  excommunicateth  us  iffo  facto,  that  is,  fine  Sententia  Judicu,  if  we  do  but  lay 
c  that  there  is  any  thing  that  a  Man  may  not  with  a  good  Confcience  conform  to. 

*  ;.  And  that  our  prefent  Governors  are  againft  it.    4.  And  that  for  doing  it  we 

*  are  fare  by  Conformifts  to  be  called  disobedient  to  Authority,  and  Seditious,  j. 
'  And  that  we  are  fo  accuied  by  you  commonly  for  Preaching  when  forbidden, 
f  which  is  as  much  our  vowed  Duty  fare  as  Writing.  And  do  you  now  tell  us  that 
c  ive  ought  to  difcover  it  if  there  be  any  finful  AH  Commanded :  Will  you  warrant  us 
c  againit  the  Charge  of  Difobedience,  or  do  you  drive  us  on  that,  which  if  we  do, 
c  you  know  we  are  already  judged  to  excommunicated  Jailes  and  Ruine.  We  have 
'  long  beg'd  of  Parliament  men  that  we  might  but  once  have  leave  to  ipeak,  for 
'  our  falves  (which  we  never  yet  had  as  to-^^jaew  Conformity  to  this  Day)  ;  and 

*  yet  we  might  petition  for  fuch  leave  ;  and  they  tell  us  thefe  Fifteen  Years  almoft, 

*  there  is  no  hope,  it  will  but  ruine  you.  I  have  offered  two  of  the  moft  eminent 
f  Biftiops  to  beg  it  of  them  or  any  on  my  Knees,  that  we  might  but  once  pubiim 

*  the  C^-le  and  Reafons  of  our  diifent.     And  is  it  not  enough  to  be  Fifteen  or  Six- 

*  teen  Years  ejected,  filenced,  fcorned,  accufed,  as  unworthy  to  be  endured,  and 
•'  to  be  filently  Patient,  and  never  anfwer  for  our  felves,  nor  have  the  common 
t  Juftice  of  being  heard,  but  we  muft  have  the  additional  Abufe,  to  be  told  that 


no  A  T  T  E  NT>  /  X     Numb.  V. 


1  we  ought  to  do  it:  Yea,  many  of  the  Conformifts  (O,  with  what  a  lace.')  have 
«  publiihcd  to  the  World,  that  we  take  not  the  things  which  we  refufe  for  SinsJ  or 
■  dare  not  %  fb  of  them  ;  when  even  the  far  ealyer  Conformity  1660.  We  did  by 

*  Word  and  Writing  declare  to  be  P.nful,  and  in  our  Petition  for  Peace  (Printed  ) 
s  protefted  that  did  we  not  take  it  to  be  finful,  and  hazarding  our  Souls,  &c.  We 

*  fhould  never  have  (tuck  at  Conformity  to  them.  And  it  is  no  (mall  Number  of 
'  Sins  fo  heinous  which  we  fuppofe  (ince  impoied,  that  we  dare  not  fo  much  as 
c  name  them,  leaft  we  difpleafe  you,  and  make  you  fay  that  we  render  the  Con- 

*  formifts  fuch  heinous  Sinners !    But  I  will  alledge  your  Authority  when  any  of  us 

*  are  next  blamed  for  difcovering  the  heinous  Sinfulnefs  of  Conformity,  as  we  yet 
'  believe  it  would  be  to  us. 

'  If  you  fay  that  the  Licenfers  would  licence  our  Writings,  if  we  did  it  with  So- 

*  brlety  :  1.  You  know  that  the  Canon  and  Law  is  againft  it.  2.  I  (hall  then  in 
f  Juffice  challenge  you  to  make  it  good,  and  here  promife  you  an  account  of  my 
f  Nonconformtiy  whenever  you  will  procure  it  licenfed. 

f  6,  And  which  way  got  you  (b  ft rong  a  Faith  as  to  be  paft  doubt  that  did  we  dt[- 
1  cover  any  Jinfulnefs,  it  would  by  Authority  have  been  taken  away.~]  Make  this  true  yet 
c  (after  neer  Two  Thouiand  Minilfers  have  been  neer  Sixteen  Years  ejected  and  fi- 
c  lenced,  and  many  killed  by  Imprifbnment,  and  the  People  of  the  Land  divided 
c  and  diftra&ed  by  the  training  Engines)  and  you  (hall  have  the  Honour  of  being 
'  the  greateft  healer  of  our  Breaches,  that  ever  rofe  in  the  Days  of  my  Remem- 
( brance  :  But  if  it  be  not  true 

'  III.  The  Third  PafTage  is  p.  69,  70.  throughout ;  Thefe  are  great  things  to  be 
c  fpoken  fo  boldly  :   1 .  Do  you  iuppole  your  Reader  one  that   never  read  Church- 

*  Hiftory  ?  What  Work  the  Bifhops  made  for  Arriamfm,  for  Nefjtorianifm,  for  the 
c  Eutychians,  and  Acepbalttes,  againft:  Naz,ianz*en,  Chryfoftom,  &c.  for  the  Monothe- 
'  lites,  about  t\\Q  tria  Capitula  fir  Images,  againft  Emperois  and  Kings,  fettingup  the 
'  Pope,  and  decreed  the  Depofition  of  all  Princes  that  obey  him  not,  and  making 
'  Loyalty  to  be  Here/is  Henriciana  :    How  the  River  Oronte  at  Antioch  hath  been  co- 

*  loured  with  the  Blood,  and  the  Graves  of  the  Monks  and  People  that  fought  it  out 

*  in  the  Streets  for  the  feveral  Bifliops,  what  work  they  made  at  the  firft  Council 
e  at  Conftance,  the  firft  and  the  (econd  of  Epbefusy  the  Council  at  Calcedon,  and  many 

*  another  ?  How  many  Ages  they  were,  and  yet  are  the  Army  of  the  Pope,  to  fub- 
f  due  Princes  and  Nations,  Truth  and  Juftice,  and  fst  up  the  Evil  that  now  reign- 
r  eth  in  the  Chriftian  World.  How  even  againft  the  Popes  Will,  they  made  the 
'  beft  King  and  Emperor,  Ludovicus  Vitts,  as  a  Pennance,  refign  his  Crown  and 
f  Scepter  on  the  Altar,  to  a  Rebel  Son,  and  (ent  him  to  Prifon.  He  that  ever  read 
'  but  Baronmsy  Binnius ,  or  other  Epifcopal  Hiftory  will  pity  you,  can  you  name  one 
'  Presbyter  for  very  many  Bifliops  that  have  been  the  Heads  or  Fomenters  of 
'  Herefie,  Schifm,  or  Rebellion  ?  and  yet  Presbyters  were  more  in  Number  than 

<  Bifhops  ?  Innumerable  Bijhops  faith  Binnius,  were  in  the  Monothelite  Council  under 
'  Philiptcm.  Of  all  things  that  ever  befel  the  Cbrtfttan  Church,  I  fcarce  know  any 
c  thing  comparable  in  Shame  and  Mifchievous  Effe&s,  to  the  horrid  perfideoumefs, 
1  Contention,  Schifm  and  Pride  of  Bifliops;  Curfing  one  Year  by  Hundreds  all  that 
c  were  of  one  Opinion,  and  another  Year  all  that  were  of  the  contrary,  as  the 

*  times  and  Intereft,  and  Emperor  changed.     And  if  Arius  or  Novatus,  Aerius  and 

*  Donatus  (  which  are  all  you  name  were  the  Beginners  of  any  Schifm,  how  many 
c  hundred  Bifliops  were  the  Promoters  of  them  all,  fave  that  of  Aerius  againft  them- 
c  felves.     And  is  it  any  honour  to  Epifcopacy  that  Arius,  and  Aerius  (  an  Arian  ) 

*  were  not  Bifhops  when  they  were  faid  to  be  Seekers  of  Biihopricks,  and  to  divide 

*  becaufe  they  could  not  obtain  them.  Sure  they  were  Prelatical  Presbyters :  what 
'  honour  were  it  to  Epifcopacy  that  you  are  no  Bilhop,  if  all  thefe,  and  fuch  things^ 
'  were  vended  by  you  in  hope  of  a  Biflioprick  or  fome  Preferment.  /  will  never 
1  whilfl  I  breathe  truft  a  Presbyter  that  Jets  himfelf  to  get  Preferment,  no  more  than  I  will 
1  truft  a But  did  you  know,  or  did  you  not  ,  that  as  for  Novatus  and  Novati- 

<  an,  one  of  them  was  an  ill-chofcfr>JH(hop  of  Rome,  and  the  other  a  Promoter  of 
1  his  Prelacy  ?  and  that  as  for  Donatus 'there  were  two  of  them,  one  of  them  a  Bi- 

*  (hop  ;  and  that  the  Donatifts  Schifm  was  meerly  and  baiely  Prelatical,  even  whe- 
c  ther  their  Bifliop  or. Cecilianus  (hould  carry  it  ?  and  that  their  Re-baptizing  and 
c  Re-ordaining  and  Schifm  was  becaufe  they  took  none  to  have  power  that  had  it 

*  not  from  their  Bi(hop,as  being  their  right,  (like  our  Reordainers).  And  are  thele 
i  Inffonces  to  prove  what  you  aflert  ? 

fWere 


Numb.  VI.       AT  <p  e  tpD~TY, 

;  King  ?  ,.  Whether  the  Genera  and  S  nder  ofT  Armv  */  againft  "* 
'  were  not  Confo.  mifts?  4.  Whether  theErrl  h.  Army  twenty  to  one, 
'not  almoft  all  Epilcopal  c2 fts*      fTh Pl£l  ^  ^r'™  We™ 

bifbop ,  of  1**  were  not  the  Parliaments  Major  General?    7.  Whether  the  Eoff 

P- \\    -n  t0  b?  ^JT*™*  «*J  Nonconformifts  ?    9.  Whether  he  P  eTbvte 
«  nan  Mm.rters  of  W?  and  x-w^.  did  not  write  more  againft  the  Regidde 

And  Vh"Ton'I,pndrl,edare  ^f  th?"'  than  a» the  Conforms,  o    afmuehl 
.  i  ^  h!  £2*  Pa*a"M«  TaS  f°[Ced'  and  moft  of then»  ctfont  before  the  King 
t?nn      li SW !     "i,WhTn  ?2  were«ft°^,  it  made  way  for  his  Reftora? 
«    .(  £  ,  r    7Ar«  ^"..LorfM^yor,  and  the  City  of  W„„,  inviting  Ge- 
neral Monk  from  the  Rump  into  the  City,  and  joyningwith  him  ,  was  the  very 
Day  that  turned  the  Scales  tor  the  King.    But  all  thefe  are  Matters  fitter  for  your 
'  better  Confideration  than  our  Debate.    I  reft 

Jul}  26.  i<78.  Yw  Strvm 

™,Long,/Exete,  Rich.  Baxter." 


Numb.  VI.  A  Kefolution  of  this  Cafe  j  JfWx  £0  ^ 
done  when  the  Law  of  the  Land  commands  Verjons  to 
go  to  their  Varifb-Church,  and  Varents  require  to  go 
to  private  Meetings. 

Qiieft.  THE  Law  of  the  Land  commandeth  me  to  go  to  the  Publick  Churches  ;  the 
I  Canon  commandeth  me  to  go  to  my  own  Panjh-Church  ,  and  not  to  another 
Parijlj :  Both  forbid  me  to  go  to  Conventicles  and  filenced  Preachers.  My  Father  and  Mother 
forbid  me  to  go  to  the  Publick  Churches,  and  command  me  to  go  confiantly  to  a  filenced  Mi' 
nifier  in  Meetings  forbidden  by  the  Law  1  But  Jfecially  not  to  go  to  my  Parifh  Prieft ,  (faying 
he  is  an  inefficient  and  drunken  Railer  )  but  to  a  Neighbour  Parifh,  if  1  will  not  obey  their 
firfi  Command  1  Am  I  now  bound  to  obey  my  Parents,  or  the  Law,  and  Canon  ? 

Anfw.  It  is  an  hard  Task  to  a  Minifter  of  Chrift,  either  fo  to  pra&ice  or  fo  to 
fpeak,  as  mall  feem  to  accuie  his  Rulers  and  the  Laws ;  but  when  the  laving  of  our 
own  or  other  Mens  Souls  requireth  it,  there  is  no  remedy.     Our  own  filenee,  if  wa 
ceafed  Preaching,  and  our  practice  contrary  to  the  Law  in  Preaching  or  Praying, 
which  is  forbidden,  do  againft  our  wills  unavoidably  intimate  that  we  fuppoie  great 
fins  to  be  commanded  us :  And  whether  we  preach  or  be  filent,  while  we  Subfcribe 
net 3  Declare  not,  Covenant  not,  and  Swear  not,  and  Praclice  not,  all  that  is  required  of 
us,  this  cannot  be  hid  :  Though  our  cauteloufnefs  and  fear  of  accufing  our  Gover- 
nors or  the  Conforming  Minifters,  have  given  fbme  Men  occafion  to  affirm,  That 
we  take  not  Conformity  for  a  (in  :  or  that  no  confiderable  perfons  among  us  dare  jay  fo  (  we 
fpare  the  Authors,  whofe  publifhed  Names  are  difhonoured  by  themielves,  when 
prefixed  to  fuch  words,  as  he  that  will  but  read  our  Petition  for  Peace,  and  our  Reply 
(  unanfwered  )  delivered  to  the  commiffioned  Biftiops  1660.  will  fay  did  ill  befeem 
a  Doctor,  a  Preacher,  a  Chriftian,  or  a  Man).     We  profeis  from  the^  rirft   to   this 
day,  that  it  is  a  great  fin  in  us  to  forbear  our  Miniftry,  or,  to  exercife  it  in  a  forbidden 
manner,  efpecially  when  fuch  doleful  Divifions  and  Calamities  follow  it,  if  it  be  not 
fin,  that  is  required  or  us :  and  if  it  be  not,  many  and  heinous  fins,  our  peace  in  fuffer- 

ing  will  have  fome  lefs  reafon  to  that,  than  we  have  thought  it  had. 

There- 


1 1 2  AT  <P  E  NT>  I  X.      Numb.  VI. 

Therefore  being  urged,  I  cannot  in  Confcience  deny  a  plain  Anfwer  to  this  Que- 
flion.But  I  deipair  of  fatisfying  thofe  Men  that  muft  have  that  v/hich Augufiint  (aid  he 
hated,  viz.  A  (hort  Anfwer  to  a  long  and  hard  Que(tion  j  and  that  cannot  away  with 
diftinction,  when  diftind:  matters  muft  be  fpoken  to.  Let  fuch  Readers  caft  this  An- 
fwer aiide,  as  being  not  fuited  to  their  Wits  and  Difpofitions. 

i.  We  muft  diftinguifh  between  an  Infant  or  Child  in  the  Parents  Family ,  and 
one  that  is  at  Age,  or  gone  out  of  the  Family. 

2.  Between  a  thing  that  is  eit her  Duty  or  Sin  or  Indifferent  >  in  it  ielf  by  the  Law  of 
God,  and  Mens  thinking  it  to  be  fo,  or  not  lb. 

3.  And  particularly  between  a  Minifter  jufily  filenced  t  and  People  jufily  prohibited 
to  meet,  and  thole  that  are  unjuftly  filenced  and  forbidden. 

4.  Between  the  Prohibition  or  Command  of  the  Civil  Magiftrate,  and  of  the  Bi- 
flops. 

j.  Between  the  Command  of  Laws  or  Parents,  to  hear  fuch  and  fuch  Minifters, 
and  their  Prohibition  not  to  hear  others,  nor  joyn  in  fuch  Affemblies. 

6.  Between  an  Act  of  Formal  Obedience  to  a  Command,  and  an  Aft  of  Prudence 
moved  by  the  good  or  hurt  that  will  follow. 

7.  Between  guilt  of  Divine  Revenge,  and  guilt  of  Humane  Pumjhment. 

I  make  ufe  of  all  thefe  diftinc"tions  in  relolving  your  Doubt  Dy  criefe  following 
Propofitions. 

I.  There  is  no  Power  but  of  God,  and  none  above  God,  nor  againft  him,  or  a- 
liy  of  his  Laws.  All  Laws  are  null  to  Confcience,  as  oeing  no  Ads  of  true  Au- 
thority thereto,  that  are  againft  the  Laws  of  God,  in  Nature  or  Scripture. 

II.  Though  only  Rulers  be  Judges  publickly  to  decide  Controverfies ,  and  puni/h 
Offenders,  every  rational  Man  muft  judge  difcerningly  of  his  Duty ,  what  God's 
Law  and  Man's  require :  elfe  we  were  not  governed  as  Men  but  as  Beans,  nor  were 
accountable  for  our  A&ions  to  God,  any  further  than  whether  we  obeyed  Men : 
And  elfe  all  under  Heathens,  Mahometans,  Papifts,  Hereticks,  muft  be  of  the  Kings 
Religion.  And  then  if  the  King  and  a  Ufurper  ftrive  for  the  Crown  ,  we  muft 
not  be  Judges  whofe  part  we  muft  take  :  Ail  which  are  intolerable  Confequents. 

III.  Every  true  Minifter  of  Chrift  is  in  his  Ordination  devoted  and  confecrated 
to  that  Sacred  Office  during  Ability  and  Life :  And  it  is  from  the  Law  of  Chrift 
that  their  Authority  immediately  arifeth  ;  as  the  Lord  Mayor's  from  the  King's 
Charter ;  though  Men  deft,  and  the  Ordainers  invert  them  in  it  by  deliver/.  And 
as  he  that  crowneth  the  King  cannot  depofe  him,  or  he  that  marrieth  Perfons  can- 
not unmarry  them,  no  more  can  any  depofe  a  Paftor,  and  diflblve  his  Obligations 
to  his  Office,  but  in  cafe  of  liich  Crimes  as  God's  Law  depofeth  him  for,  and  ena- 
bled! them  to  do  it :  Of  which  Bifhop  Bilfon  of  Obedience  fpeaketh  foundry ,too  large 
to  be  here  recited. 

IV.  For  a  Minifter  of  Chrift  to  forfake  his  Calling  or  Work,  while  hit  Vow  and 
the  true  necejfity  of  Souls  continue  his  Obligation,  and  this  meerly  becaufe  he  is  unjufi- 
ly  forbidden  by  Man,  is  to  be  odioufly  perfidious  and  facrilegious,  and  a  Deferter  of  his 
great  Lord  and  Mafter's  Work,  and  a  Murderer  of  the  Souls  which  he  neglecteth,  as 
verily  as  Parents  murder  their  Children  whom  they  give  not  food  to.  And  no  Mur- 
derer hath  Eternal  Ltfe,  were  it  but  of  the  Body  or  Temporal  Life  5  fuch  being  as 
Cainy  of  him  that  was  a  Murderer  from  the  beginning  ;  and  contrary  to  Chrift  ,  who 
came  to  feek  and  fave  the  loft. 

V.  The  unjuft  forbidding  Chrift's  Minifters  to  preach  his  Gofpel,  is  a  fin  fo  ex- 
ceeding heinous,  as  that  no  Chriftian  fhould  either  concur  in  the  Guilt,  or  be  fo 
fcandalous  as  to  feem  to  do  it*  Had  I  lived  in  Germany  when  many  hundred  Mini- 
fters were  ejected,  and  thereby  the  Churches  caft  into  divifion  and  confufion  ,  and 
Proteftant  Preachers  turned  againft  each  other,  about  the  Form  or  Book  called  the 
Interim ,  while  Melanchthon  and  fbme  good  Men  partly  conformed  to  fave  the  Chur- 
ches from  ruine,  and  Illyricus  and  more  were  Nonconforming,  I  would  not  for  all 
the  Riches  of  the  World  appear  before  God  in  the  Guilt  of  thofe  three  Men  that 
did  Compile  that  Book  {Julius  Pfiug,  Sidonius,  and  Ifiebius  Agricola)  or  of  thofe  that 
for  it  filenced  or  banifhed  Ghrift's  Minifters.  2  Tim.  4.  1,  2.  1  charge  thee  before  God 
and  the  Lord  J  ejus  Chrift ,  whojhall  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead  ,  at  his  appearing  and 
bis  Kingdom,  Preach  the  word,  be  infant,  injeafon,  out  of  feafon,  reprove,  rebuket  exhort, 

with 


Numb. VI.     A  T  T  E  N  V  l~X, 


*"'*  " S  %/*/<»^  and  doSrme.  i  Theft.  2.  it,  16.  Who  Jo7h~liiiJ~J~r~T^7~ 
and  tbe.r  o„n  Vrophet,,  and  have  perfected  m ;  aid  the,  phaf  not  GJ  it  *"*  Jtfi" 
,0  all  men,  forhtddtng  u,  ,.  fiuk  to  'the  G»4  that  thly  LgL  flL'i  '"*»  TtP 
fi*>  alwap,  for  the  wrath  u  come  upon  them  to  the  uttermofi      Whmtha  21   ,P       " 

rail,  for  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  in  the  Da,  of  Judgment  ,L  for  that  C,,r   Mml 7i\ t 
-  y  •  2nQ  21.22.  '  t* 

VI.  God  hath  fet  up  more  Governments^  the  World  than  one ,  and  each  hath  it, 
proper  works  and  bounds ;  and  one  may  not  deftroy  the  other.  There  is  tZ2 
Self- Government,  Family. Government,  Church-Government,  and  Civil- Government  -  earh 
have  their  proper  Ends  Mo,  though  all  have  one  common  End,  the  pleafing  of  God 
11 ne  King  in  his  manner  and  mea/ure  and  to  his  Ends  (the  Publick  Good)  is  the  Rn  W 
of  all  Perfons  all  Families,  all  Paftors  and  Churches,  all  Phyficians,  siool-mafterV 
that  is,to  iee  all  thefe  do  their  own  duty ;  but  not  to  take  their  Work  from  them 
upon  himlelf ;  not  to  take  all  Men  from  Self-government  of  their  Tongues  Paffions 
Anions:  not  to  take  on  him  the  part  of  Parents,  Paftors,  dv.  And  no'  Prince's 
Laws  will  acquit  a  Man  before  God  from  his  Duty  in  any  of  thefe  Relations  while 
he  is  in  them. 

VI.  God  hath  much  conjoyned  htereft  and  Duty  ;  No  Man  is  fo  much  concern- 
ed   whether  I  be  Javed  or  damned,  as  lam  my  Jelf  :  And  therefore  my  own  Choice  and 
Self-government  is  firft  and  chiefly  to  be  uled  for  the  favingof  my  own  Soul,  with- 
out which  no  Man  elfe  can  Cave  me.  Therefore  I  am  more  concerned  than  any  Ma- 
gistrate is,  to  the  Counfel  and  ConducT:  of  what  Pa(l»r  I  commit  my  Soul,  and  I 
have  the  near  eft  and  firfi  power  in  the  Choice.    There  is   great  Controverfie  'in  the 
World,  Whether  Subjects  have  a  Propriety  in  their  I. rates,  which  is  not  at  the  will 
of  Princes?     And  it  is  commonly  affirmed,  That  Proprietf  is  anticedent  to  Regiment 
which  is  but  to  order  it  for  common  good,  and  not  to  deftroy  it.    But  I  had  ra- 
ther quit  my  Claim  to  Propriety  in  all  my  Worldly  Eftate,  than  of  my  Salvation, 
or  the  necejjary  means  thereto.    If  the  Law  commanded  me  but  to  ufe  a  Phyhcian 
that  I  thought  unskilful  in  my  Difeafe,and  his  Medicines  pernicious,  I  would  choofe 
a  better  if  I  could,  though  the  King  and  Laws  forbad  me ,  and  I  would  refufe  the 
obtruded  Phyfician  and  his  Medicine  :    fo  I  would. do  if  they  commanded  me  to 
marry  an  utterly  unfuitable  Wife:  And  I  fhould  judge  that  as  thefe  matters  are  more 
my  Intereft  than  theirs,  lb  they  belong  to  my  Self-governing  power,  and  not  to  their 
Civil  Government.     And  next  my  felf,  while  I  am  young,  my  Parents  being   na- 
turally indued  with  ftronger  love  to  me,  than  Magiftrates  are,  the  Choice  in  fach 
Cafes  more  belongeth  to  their  power  than  to  the  Magiftrates. 

VII.  Accordingly  it  was  for  Seven  hundred,  if  not  a  Thoufand  years,  the  cur- 
rant Judgment  oi  the  Chriftian  Churches,  that  a  Bifhop  muft  be  fet  over  a  particu- 
lar Church,  by  the  Election  or  Con/ent  of  all  the  Clergy  and  all  the  People,  and  that  he 
was  no  juftly  called  Biiliop  that  came  not  in  by  the  common  confent  of  the  Flock  :  This 
is  not  only  proved  in  the  ancienteft  Writers,  even  Clemens  ad  Corinth,  and  others 
commonly  >  but  by  many  Canons,  and  even  the  Popes  Decretals,  for  many  hun- 
dred years,  and  the  contrary  is  an  undoubted  Innovation. 

VIII.  It  is  certain  that  neither  Civil  nor  Ecclefiaftical  Rulers  have  their  Power  for 
deftrubhon,  but  for  edification,  2  Cor.  10.  8.  and  13.  10.  Rom.  13.  1,2,  3,4.  Even 
Parents  that  give  life  and  being  to  their  Children,  are  juftly  deftroyed  if  they  de- 
ftroy them.  It  is  no  Angularity  of  Mr.  Humphrey ,  that  hath  lately  written  ,  That 
Lawsagainft  the  Common  Good  bind  not  in  Confclence  to  Obedience :  It  is  the 
Judgment  of  the  greateft  Cafuifts;  GrcgJ  Sayrus ,  Fragofus,&c.  in  whom  you  may 
lee  many  others :  The  terminus  entereth  the  definition  of  relations.  It  is  not  Au- 
thority (Jus  regendi )  which  is  not  for  the  Ends  of  Government,  the  Common 
Good.  The  Magiftratemay  order  the  preaching  of  the  Gofpel,  and  other  means 
of  Salvation;  but  not  forbid  them,  and  deftroy  them.  If  he  do  this,  it  is  not  by 
Authoriry  received  from  God;  as  Bifhop  Bilfon  afore-cited  often  fheweth,  and  Bi- 
fhop Andrews  in  Tortura  Torti.  1  have  more  power  from  God  to  ufe  needful 
means  of  my  own  Salvation,  than  any  Man  hath  to  forbid  me  the  ufing  of 
them. 

D  IX.   It 


ii4 A  *  T  E  N  V  1  X.      Numb.  Vi 

IX.  It  is  not  another  Man's  faying,  [That  much  preaching  or  fraying  ts  not  needful 
tome^]  that  will  make  or  prove  it  fo,  or  excufe  me  from  it.  And  there  is  fo  vaft 
a  difference  between  a  found,  skilful,  and  experienced  lively  Teacher,  and  one  that 
is  ignorant,  heretical,  a  meer  artift,  dead  or  dull,  that  readeth  a  Cento  is  a  Boy 
faith  his  Leffon,  that  no  Man  can  make  it  my  Duty  to  commit  the  Pafioral  Care  oi 
my  Soul  to  the  latter,  when  the  former  may  be  had  without  a  greater  hurt  than 
the  benefit  will  compenfate.  Nor  will  other  Mens CrofTes,  Opinions,  or  Appetite 
herein,  fuffice  to  fatisfie  me  againft  my  Senie,  Reafon  ,  and  my  own  and  other 
Mens  Experience. 

X.  Yet  a  tolerable  left  muft  be  born  rather  than  publick  Order  violated.  And  fee- 
ing our  Laws  and  Ghurch-Canons  allow  any  Man  when  he  will  to  change  his  Bi- 
ihop  or  Paftor  or  Congregation,  if  he  will  but  change  his  Dwelling,  the  loffes  of 
this  muft  rather  be  born,  than  any  greater  real  detriment  to  our  Souls  or  to  the 
Publick  Good.  But  Wives,  Children,  and  fbme  others,  cannot  remove  their  Ha- 
bitations. 

XI.  An  Infant  or  Child  in  minority  in  his  Parents  Houfe,  as  he  is  not  to  be  lup- 
poled  to  understand  the  Laws,  So  c&teris  paribus  he  feemeth  to  me  to  bs  more  obli- 
ged to  hear  the  Teacher  that  his  Parents  choofe  for  him,  than  one  that  is  chofen  by 
the  Magiftrates.  As  in  his  Diet,  and  the  choice  of  a  Phyfician  when  h«  is  fick,  fo 
here.  The  Magistrate  is  an  Officer  of  Power,  Wifdom,  and  Love ,  hut  principally 
of  Power.  The  Paftor  is  an  Officer  of  Power ,  tVifdom,  and  Love,  but  eminently  of 
Wifdom.  The  Parent  is  an  Officer  of  Tower,  Wifdom,  and  Love,  but  eminently  of 
Love :  And  the  works  of  Love  to  his  Children  eminently  belong  to  his  Care  and  Go- 
vernment. 

XII.  Yet  when  Children  have  the  true  uie  of  Reafon,  to  difcern  what  God  and 
Man  command  them,  they  muft  obey  neither  Parents  nor  Princes  againft  God. 

XIII.  In  the  circa  facra  or  Circumstantials  of  Religion  ,  (b  much  as  mould  be 
commonly  agreed  on  by  all  or  moft  Churches  for  the  Common  Good,  the  Prince 
by  the  Counlel  of  the  Paftors,  is  the  Judge  of",  and  is  to  be  obeyed  before  the  Bi- 
fhops;  unlefs  he  leave  it  only  to  the  Paftors  own  Confent  ,  and  then  their  Confent 
in  Synods  muft  be  much  regarded  :  (  of  which  Grotim  de  Imperio  Sum.  PoteH.  hath 
written  excellently,  notwithstanding  Bifhop  Brumhalls  difcommendation).  But  in 
the  Circumftances  that  are  not  to  be  univerfally  agreed  on,  but  belong  to  the  Pafto- 
ral  Office  to  vary  pro  re  nata,  the  prefent  officiating  Paftor  is  the  Judge,  and  to  be 
followed* 

XIV.  Rules  are  to  be  obeyed  in  all  lawful  things  belonging  to  their  Office  to 
command :  but  all  lawful  things  belong  not  to  their  Office.  Whether  I  Shall  eat 
once  or  twice  a  day,  or  once  in  two  days  ?  what  Meat  I  (hall  eat,  and  how  much  ? 
what  Horfe  I  Shall  ride  on?  what  Wife  I  Shall  marry?  what  Phyfician,  or  Teaeher 
I  Shall  truft,  and  what  Medicine  I  Shall  take,c£v.  belongeth  more  to  my  felf,  as  is 
faid. 

XV.  Intolerable  Minifters  juftly  forbidden  to  preach  are  bound  to  obey,  and  the 
People  forbidden  to  hear  them,  Should  forbear:  But  it  no  more  follows  that  the 
Cafe  is  the  fame  to  all  others,  than  that  a  true  Man  may  be  hang'd  becaufe  a  Thief 
may:  If  we  be  unjultly  forbidden  to  Preach  while  Ability  and  Mens  need  continu- 
ed, we  muft  neither  obey,  nor  rebel. 

XVI;  A  Man  may  go  further  in  obeying  the  Civil  Power  that  only  fets  up  Pub- 
lick  Teachers  or  Catecbiz,ers,  if  they  be  un worthy ,than  thofe  that  Setup  Church  Paftors > 
to  whom  we  muft  commit  the  Paftoral  Care  of  our  Souls ,  ( if  they  be  unfit )  and 
receive  the  Sacraments  from  them  :  Of  which  Mr.  Philip  Nye's  Papers  now  printed 
may  fatisfie  you. 

XVII.  On  (bme  occafions  it  is  lawful  to  hear  an  unmeet  Minister ;  And  his  Sa- 
cramental Administrations  may  not  be  Nullities,  or  invalid  to  the  Innocent  Recei- 
ver :  We  Jofe  not  our  right,  when  he  IoSeth  his  reward  :  But  it  is  not  lawful  to  en- 
courage any  intolerable  Perfbn  in  his  ufurping  of  the  Ministry,  either  by  ordinary 

attending 


Numb. VI.    jlT  <P  E  WWTx~ 

rn^ni1!;?^^]-3-^^^^1011  hoW  far  other  VI«s  difoblige  us  from  fab 
m  itting  to  fiict 1  a  Mimftry ,  e.  *  P,w ,  Jte,,*^,  Reformations*  Zltlt' 

irmihL7^n7kT^  Ukmh  and  fS.Ch  Hk«  5  y«  "-He  that  can  wlthX "  f 
ermilchief  than  benefit,  have  a  better,  fhould  undoubtedly  prefer  him.     2.  And  * 

&!*  f^ethatheneed  of J*  batter  to  his  own  Soul,  and  knoweth  how  much  a 
Scandalous  Mimftry  wrongeth  Chrift  and  the  Church,  is  very  unfit  to  be  perfected 
or  troubled  for  preferring  his  Soul's  benefit  before  a  Humane  Parilh  oSer  For 
Cyprian  and  an  African  Council,  in  the  Cafe  of  two  Portugal  Bifhops,  have  laboured 
to  prove  out  of  Scripture,  That  A  Ubellajike,  and  fo  fuchlike  fcandalous  SinnTTslt 
capable  of  being  sBiJhof  or  Pafror,  andougbt  to  be  forfaken  by  the  People,  though  the  Neigh- 
bour Bijhopsow*  htm  2.  Pope  Nicholas,  and  the  Canons  of  fome  Councils,  Command 
tbatnoonehearMafiofaPrteHthatlivetbm  known  Fornication.  And  may  not  a 
Chnman  bs  tolerated^  in  being  but  as  Arid  againft  Vice  as  the  Papifis  and  Councils  are  - 
and  being  of  the  opinion  of  fo  holy  a  Martyr  as  Cyprian  :  and  erring  ( if  he  err  ) 
but  as  he  and  that  African  Council  did.  J 

XIX    All  this  is  but  Preparatory  :  To  the  Cafe,  I  fay,  you  muft  diftinguifh  be- 
tween  the  Command  and  the  Prohibition  of  your  Rulers  and  your  Parents. 

i.  The  Command  of  your  Prince  is  the  Command  of  a  lawful  Power ;  and  to  hear 
honeft  tolerable  Minifters  (fuch  as  we  have  many)  in  the  Pubiick  Affemblies,  is  a 
lawful  Command  (  whatever  fome  fay  without  profit  againft  it )  and  therefore*  you 
ought  to  obey  it.  And  your  Parents  are  a  lawful  Power  (for  the  many  Realbris  which 
I  publickly  named)  exprefiy  mentioned  rather  than  Princes,  in  the  fourch  Com- 
mandment :  And  to  Hear  and  Communicate  in  the  AJJemblies  of  Orthodox  godly  Chri- 
ftians unlawfully  prohibited  by  Man,  is  a  lawful  Command,  and  ought  to  be  obeyed.  Both 
the  Powers  are  lawful,  and  both  the  Commands  lawful,  and  both  muft  be  obeyed 
as  far  as  you  can,  at  feveral  feafons :  But  you  cannot  be  in  two  places  at  once. 

2.  Intending  no  dishonour  to  Authority,  I  muft  not  betray  Truth  and  Souls, 
while  it  is  my  Office  to  refolve  their  Doubts  propofed  ;  with  fubmiffion  to  better 
Information,  I  am  paft  doubt,  that  both  the  Prohibitions  in  your  Gale  here  are  lawful, 
and  neither  of  them  to  be  formally  obeyed.     That  is,  in  general  to  take  any  true  Mini- 
fters of  Chrift  forno  Minifters,  or  Chriftians  for  no  Chriftians,  and  Churches  for 
no  Churches,  and  (o  to  avoid  them,  or  to  take  their  Communion  for  finful  when  it  is 
not,  is  a  heinous  fin:  He  that  thus  avoiderh  lawful  Communion  as  unlawful,  re- 
proacheth  the  People  and  Worfhip  of  the  Lord,  and  in  a  degree  doth  as  it  were 
Excommunicate  all  thofe  Churches,  judging  them  unworthy  of  Communion.  And 
if  it  be  a  great  fin  raflily  to  Excommunicate  one  Chriftian,  what   is  it  fo  to  Ex- 
communicate whole  Parifhes,  Cities,  Counties,  or  Congregations?     Your  Parents 
forbid  you  to  hear  in  Publick  :  It  is  an  unlawful  Prohibition  of  a  lawful  thing  com- 
manded by  the  King  and  Laws,  and  you  are  not  to  obey  it.    You  (ay  the  Laws 
forbid  you  to  joyn  with  any  Nonconformable  Minifters  and  Chriftians  in  other  Affem- 
blies  than  the  Parilh  Churches:  If  they  do  fo,  I  humbly  conceive  that  it  is  an  un- 
lawful Prohibition  of  a  thing  that  God  to  fome  commandeth,  and  therefore  is  not 
to  be  formally  obeyed.    God  commandeth  us  not  to  forfake  the  afTembling  of  our 
felves,  Hebr.  10.     He  chargeth  all  true  Minifters,  to  preach  his  Word,  and  be  in- 
ftant,  infeafin  and  out  of  jeafon  ;  and  woe  be  to  them  that  are  truly  called  ,  and  not 
lawfully  depoled,  if  they  preach  not  the  Gojpel,  when  there  is  need.     He  that  ^  fhall 
fay,  That  now  in  England  there  is  not  true  need  of  the  joynt  Labours  of  all  faithful 
Minifters  of  Chrift,  Conformifts  and  Nonconformifts,  will  but  mew  that  ignorance 
or  unconfcionable  indifference  in  the  Matters  of  Salvation,  as  will  warrant  all  wile 
Men  to  fufpecT:  his  Counfel,  and  all  that  know  the  Falfliood  to  reje<5t  it.    Chrift: 
requireth  all  his  Servants  to  live  in  purity,  love  and  peace ;  and  confequently  not  to 
reject  Communion  with  each  other  as  unlawful,  when  it  is  not  fo,  nor  to  go  any 
further  from  each  other  than  they  needs  muft ;  nor  unjuftly  to  judge  one  Man,much 
lefs  Chriftian  Societies.    He  that  in  the  days  of  the  Emperours  of  various  Opinions 
(Confrantius,  Valens,  Theodofius Junior,  Zeno,  Anaftafius,  the  ^  and  others,  that 
were  fome  for  Images,  and  fome  againft  them,  would  have  called  the  Paftors  and 
A&mblics  unlawful  and  unfit  for  Communion,  becaufe   they   were  forbidden    would 
have  been  z  guilty  SeparatiH.    And  fo  may  he  be  thitfeparawh  from  forbidden  AJJem- 

J»         mi  h 


\i6  A  9  T  E  NT>  I  X7  "Numb. VI. 

Hies,  as  well  as  he  that  ieparateth  from  commanded  ones  (by  men).  And  if  God  com- 
mand Love  and  Communion  of  all  Chriftians,  as  they  have  occafion,  as  being  one 
Bread  and  one  Body,  what  God  commandeth  and  conjoyneth,  no  Man  may  for- 
bid or  put  afunder.  Therefore  I  conceive  you  owe  Obedience  to  both  the  pfutvt 
Commands,  but  to  neither  of  the  general  Prohibitions  of  Communion. 

XX.  But  you  cannot  obey  both  at  once:  I  anfwer  ;  Obey  both  as  far  as  you  can.j 
and  obey  neither  when  it  tendeth  to  your  deftruftion.  If  Parents  bid  you  joya 
with  Hereticks  or  Rebels,  obey  them  not.  If  others  bid  you  commit  the  Paftoral 
Care  of  your  Souls  to  intolerable  Men,  obey  them  not.  But  where  formal  Obedi- 
ence ceafeth,  Prudence  muft  direcT:  you  about  material  Obedience.  It  is  Obedience 
when  we  do  it  in  Confcience  to  the  Authority  :  It  is  Prudence  when  we  gather  our 
Duty  from  the  End.  Avoid  that  mod  that  bringeth  the  moft  intolerable  Conie- 
quents,  and  prefer  that  which  tendeth  to  the  greeted  Good.  Some  dwell  where 
there  is  no  Competition,  all  the  Minifters  being  only  of  one  way  :  Some  when  the 
ill  Conlequents  are  more  on  one  fide,  and  fome  where  they  are  more  on  the  other. 
And  Rituals  give  place  to  Morals :  Go  learn  -what  that  meaneth,  I  will  have  mercy  and 
not  faenfice.  You  mail  anlWer  for  your  own  Souls :  Neither  Parents  nor  Princeshave 
an  ablbluteor  a  deltroying  Power  over  them,  nor  any  that  divefteth  you  of  the 
Charge  or  Government  of  your  felves.  Prudence  therefore  in  iuch  Cafes  muft  look 
to  Order,  to  Publick  Good,  and  to  your  own  Edification,  and  prefer ve  all  as  far  as  you 
are  able  ;  and  God  will  accept  you  if  you  do  your  belt,  though  interefs'd  Factions 
be  offended  with  you. 

XXI.  It  is  a  great  Doubt  among  Caluifts,  Whether  and  when  the  Breach  of  Hu* 
mane  Laws  oblige  Men  to  any  other  than  Humane  Penalties  ?  So  far  as  God  is  of- 
fended and  his  Law  broken  by  the  breach  of  Mans,  fo  far  Punifliment  from  God 
alio  is  defei  ved  ;  but  no  further.  And  a  Council  at  Toktum  hath  an  exprefs  Ca- 
non, that  left  Subjects  by  the  Churches  Laws  fliould  have  their  Souls  enfnared  in 
Guilt  towards  God,  it  is  declared  that  their  Provincial  Canons  bind  only  adf<znamB 
non  ad  cutyam,  to  bear  the  Penalty,  but  not  to  conclude  men  Sinners.  TheExprefc 
lions  want  skill,  but  the  Meaning  is  manifeft. 

XXIJ.  The  Per&ns  belief  that  an  evil  £ourfe  is  lawful,  maketh  it  not  lawful  to 
him  :  The  ejje'xs  before  the fcire :  If  God's  Law  have  forbidden  or  commanded;, 
Alan's  Errour  may  enfhare  himfelf  in  fin  ,  but  cannot  change  the  Law  os 
God. 

XXIII.  Some  that  I  love  and  honour,  that  have  heretofore  been  enfnared  in  A- 
nabaptiftry  and  Separation,  in  thefenle  of  their  Errour  (as  is  ufualj  warp  to  the 
contrary  Extream,  and  fear  not  the  dreadful  guilt  of  prfwadmg  Chrifi's  faithful  Mi- 
mfters  to  lay  by  the  Sacred  Office  which  they  are  devoted  to  ;  yea  ,  and  would  blind  pis  to 
believe  there  ts  no  need,  lave  only   to   fpeak  to  particular  ferfons    privately  •  whereby 
they  mould  be  a  year  in  fpeaking  to  thofe  whom  they  may  (peak  to  in  an  hour,  and 
few  be  able  to  do  it,   and  perhaps  be  thruft  out  with  wrath  by  the  Parim  Mini* 
ftefs,  as  creeping  into  Houfes  to  [educe  (illy  women,  or  reproached  and  fufpected  for  it. 
They  fay  truly,  that  he  that  hath  gone  their  former  way  of  unjuft  Separation,  is  like 
onethat-in  travel  feeth  here  a  Leg  and  their  an  Arm  lye  in  his  way,  and  therefore 
Ihould  fear  to  go  on  in  danger.    But  I  tell  them  further,  he  that  readeth  Church  Hi- 
(lory  and  Councils,  what  work  Church  Tyranny  and  driving  to  be  greateft,  hath  made 
with  Kings  and  Kingdoms,  Churches  and  Families,  and   the  Blood  of  an  hundred 
thoufand  Chriftians,  for  about  a  thoufand  years  at  leaft,  is  like  one  that  in  his  tra- 
vel feeth  here  a  hundred  Carkafles,  and  there  an  hundred,  and   there  a  ftream  of 
Blood,  and  there  a  City  ruined,  and  there  a  good  King  (urrendring  his  Crown  as 
an  A£fc  of  Penance  (asLudovicm  Pius  did),  and  there  the  Streets  covered  with  the 
Blood  and  CarkafTes  of  Monks  and  others,  and  then  caft  into  theRivers,by  the  wars 
and  broils  of  contending  Bifhops  (as  atAntioch,  Sec}  and  if  this  Man  will  go  op,  he 
overcometh  another  kind  of  warning  than  [here  a  Leg  and  there  an  Arm  ]..    Read  but 
the  Hiftory  throughly,  and  judge.    But  what  will  not  Ignorance  make  men  fay  i 

XXIV.  Some  think  that  if  Sacramental  Communion  only  were  left  free,it  would 
alone  heal  moft  of  our  Englifh  differences.  1  coniefs,  I  that  think  Men  may  be  for- 
ced to  hear  and  be  catechized ,  do  think  the  great  Priviledges  of  Sacramental 
Communion,  and  a  lealed  Pardon,  ikould  be  given  to  none  byQrammwg  ,  or  as  av 

Drench^ 


Numb.  VII.    A  <P  T  E  N  T>  I  X 

Drench  ;  I  mean,  to  none  againft  their  wills  •  none~h^  v«i.    .  7T 

ters  being  capable  of  fo  greafBenefits  accoTd  ng  to  ChrHt  the  Don^  °r.C/n^ 
thisrequireth  many  Cautions,  and  belongeth  no8t  to  the  Cafe ir! ?Z±    ***  But 


Numb.  VII.     A  Letter  of  Mr.  Baxters  about  the 
Cafe  of  Nevil  Symmons. 

SIR, 

\\  ™"k. not  *e  Confuting  of  any  of  the  Calumnies  that  are  caft  upon  me  bv 
A  Backbiters  (  whether  from  Ignorance  or  Envy  )  worth  any  great  care  or  la 
bour,  were  it  not  for  the  fake  of  the  Guilty  themfelves ,  and  others  whom  they 

■  may  draw  into  the  fame  Guilt,  or  hinder  from  profiting  by  my  Labours,  in  the 
'  Calling  that  God  hath  placed  me  in.  But  I  will  not  defpife  all  thefe  fo  much  as 
r  not  to  think  them  worthy  the  labour  of  a  few  Lines.  '  ' 

'  It  is  not  long  fince  fome  Gentlemen  at  a  CofTee-Houfe  affirmed ,  That  I  had 

■  kill'd  a  Man  in  cold  Blood  with  my  own  Hand,  that  is,  a  Tinker  beating  his 
c  Kettle  at  my  Door,  and  difttubing  me  in  my  Studies  ,  I  piftoll'd  him  ,  and  was 
r  tried  at  Worcejier  for  my  Life.  But  thefe  Gentlemen  were  fo  ingenuous  as  to  ask 
1  Forgivenefs,  and  confefs  their  Fault,  and  one  of  them  openly  to  my  Vindication. 
c  Though  Dr.  Borcman,  Parfon  of  St.  Gileses  in  the  Fields,  that  in  a  printed  Pam- 

■  phlet  led  the  way,  never  did  fo.  (  Yet  lived  three  or  four  years  Sufpended ,  or 
%  fuppofing  himfelf  Sufpended  ,  and  fo  died  ).  Another  (  oaraclerized  James \. ) 
'  reporteth  that  I  am  fo  hot  a  Difputant,  that  at  a  Gentleman's  Table,  I  threw  the 
'  Plate  at  him  that  I  difputed  with.  The  whole  Story  feigned  $  nor  did  I  ever 
r  know  the  leaft  occafion  for  the  Report.  The  greateft  Reproach  that's  laid  on  me, 
'  is  by  Conformifrs  for  not  Conforming  ,  or  not  giving  over  my  Preaching  and 
'  Miniftry  :  And  if  they  accufe  me  for  not  turning  Papift,  and  for  not  giving  o- 
'  ver  Prayer  as  they  did  Darnel ,  it  would  have  the  fame  effeft  with  me. 

1  But  now  come?  a  new  one  (  my  Sufferings  are  my  Crimes)  my  Bookfeller, 

*  Nevil  Symmons,  is  broken,  and  it  is  reported  that  I  am  the  Caule,  by  the  excef 
c  five  Rates  that  I  took  for  my  Books  of  him  ;  and  a  great  Dean  (  whom  I  much 

*  value  )  foretold  that  1  would  undo  him.    Of  all  Crimes  in  the  World  I  leaft  ex-  L-r 
4  peeked  to  be  accufed  of  Covetoufnefs.    Satan  being  the  Mafrer  of  this  Defign,  tofT 

*  hinder  the  Succefs  of  my  Writings  when  I  am  dead,  it  is  part  of  my  warfare  un- 

*  der  Chrift  to  refill  him.    I  tell  you  therefore  truly  all  my  Covenants  and  Deal- 

*  ings  with  Bookfellers  to  this  day. 

c  When  I  firfl  ventured  upon  the  publication  of  my  Thoughts,  I  knew  nothing 

*  of  the  Art  of  Bookfellers.     I  did  as  an  ad  of  meer  kindnefs,  offer  my  Book  cal- 

*  led  The  Saints  Reft  to  Thomas  Underbill  and  Francis  Tyton  to  print  ,  leaving  the 
'  Matter  of  Profit  without  any  Covenants  to  their  Ingenuity.  They  gave  me  Ten 
', pounds  for  the  firft  Impreffion,  and  Ten  pounds  apiece ,  that  is,  Twenty  pounds 
c  for  every  after  Impreffion  till  1665.  I  had  in  the  mean  time  altered  the  Book  by 
'  the  Addition  of  divers  Sheets :  Mr.  Underbill  dieth  ;  his  Wife  is  poor:  Mr  Tyton 
c  hath  Loffes  by  the  Fire  1666.  They  never  gave  me  nor  offered  me  a  Farthing 
c  for  any  Impreffion  after,  nor  fo  much  as  one  of  the  Books,  but  I  was  fain,  out 
1  of  my  own  Purfe  ,  to  buy  all  that  I  gave  to  any  Friend  or  poor  Perfbn  that  ask- 

'  ed  it. 

<  This  loofening  me  from  Mr.  Tyton,  Mr.  Symmons  ftept  in,  and  told  me,  That 
4  Mr.  Tyton  faid  he  had  never  got  Three  pence  by  me;  and  brought  witnels. 
■  Hereupon  I  uted  Mr.  Symmons  only.  When  I  lived  at  Kiddermwfier  iome  had 
«  defamed   me  of  a  covetous  getting  many  hundred  pounds  by  the  Bookie  Hers. 

<  I  had  till  then  taken  of  Mr.  Underbill,  Mr.  Tyton  and  Mr.  Symmons  (tor  all  lave 

<  the  Saints  Reft )  the  fifteenth  Book,  which  ufually  I  gave  away  ;  but  if  any  th.ng 

•  for  Second  Impreffions  were  due,  I  had  little  in  Money  from  them,  but  m  fuch 

•  Book  as  Iwanted  at  their  Rates.    But  when  this  Report  of  my  great  Gain ^ame 


— 


i.i  8  AT  T  E  N  T>  I  X.    Numb.  VII. 

abroad,  and  took  notica  of  it  in  print,  and  told  the  World  that  I  intended  to 
take  more  hereafter;  and  ever  fince,  I  took  the  fifteenth  Book  (  tor  my  friends 
and  felt)  and  Eighteen  pence  more  for  every  Rheam  of  the  other  JoLrteen  ; 
which  I  deftinated  to  the  Poor.  With  this,  while  I  was  at  Kiddermmjier  ,  I 
bought  Bibles  to  give  to  all  the  poor  Families :  And  I  got  Three  hundred  or  Four 
hundred  pounds,  which  I  deftinated  all  to  Charitable  Uies  :  At  lair ,  at  London, 
it  increaled  to  Eight  hundred  and  thirty  pounds,  which  delivering  to  a  worthy 
Friend  ,  he  pat  it  into  the  Hands  of  Sir  Robert  Vmer  (  with  an  Hundred  pounds 
of  my  Wives )  where  it  lyeth  fetled  on  a  Charitable  Ufe  afcer  my  Death,  as  from 
the  firft  I  refolved :  If  it  fails  I  cannot  help  it.  I  never  received  more  of  any 
Bookfeller  than  the  fifteenth  Book ,  and  this  Eighteen  pence  a  Rheam.  And  if 
for  after  Impreffions  I  had  more  of  thofe  Fifteenths  than  I  gave  away ,  1  took 
about  two  third  parts  of  the  common  price  of  the  Bookfeller  (or  little  more)  and 
oft  left :  And  (bmetimes  I  paid  my  ielf  for  the  printing  many  Hundreds  to  give 
away,  and  fometimes  I  bought  them  of  the  Bookfeller  ,  above  my  number,  and 
and  fometimes  the  Gain  was  my  own  neceflary  Maintenance  ;  but  I  refolved  ne- 
ver to  lay  up  a  Groat  of  it  for  any  but  the  Poor. 

c  Now,  Sir,  my  own  Condition  is  this :  Of  my  Patrimony  or  fmall  Inheritance, 
never  took  a  Penny  to  my  felf ,  my  poor  Kindred  needing  much  more.  I  am 
fifteen  or  16  years  divefted  of  all  Ecclefiaftical  Maintenance  :  1  never  had  any 
Church  or  Lecture  that  I  received  Wages  from  :  But  within  thele  three  or  lour 
years,  much  againft  my  Difpofition,  I  am  put  to  take  Money  of  the  Bounty  of 
fpecial  particular  Friends  ;  my  Wives  Eftate  being  never  my  Propriety ,  nor 
much  more  than  half  our  yearly  Expence.  If  then  it  be  any  way  unfit  for  me 
to  receive  fuch  a  Proportion  as  aforefaid,  as  the  Fruit  of  my  own  long  and  hard 
Labour,  for  my  NeceiTary  and  Charitable  Ufes ;  and  if  they  that  never  took 
pains  for  it,  have  more  right  than  I ,  when  every  Labourer  is  Mafter  of  his 
own,  or  if  I  may  not  take  fome  part  with  them  ,  I  know  not  the  reafon  of  any 
of  this.  Men  grudge  not  at  a  Cobler,  or  a  Tailor  ,  or  any  Day-labourer ,  for 
living  on  his  Labours :  And  why  an  ejected  Minifter  of  Chrifr,  giving  freely 
five  parts  to  a  Bookfeller,may  not  take  the  fixth  to  himfel£  or  to  the  Poor,  I  know 
nor.    But  what  is  the  Thought  or  Word  of  Man  ? 

c  Dr.  Bates  now  tells  me,  that  for  his  Book  called  the  Divine  Harmony \  he  had 
above  an  Hundred  pounds,  (yet  referving  the  Power  for  the  future  to  him  felf  )  : 
For  divers  Impreffions  of  the  Saints  Reft ,  almoft  twice  as  big  ,  I  have  not  had  a 
Farthing :  For  no  Book  have  I  had  more  than  the  fifteenth  Book  to  my  felf  and 
Friends,  and  the  Eighteen  pence  a  Rheam  for  the  Poor  and  Works  of  Charity, 
which  the  Devil  (o  hateth,  that  I  find  it  a  matter  pair  my  power ,  to  give  my 
own  to  any  Good  Ufe ;  he  fo  robs  me  of  it ,  or  maketh  Men  call  it  a  Scandalous 
Thing.  Verily,  fince  I  devoted  all  to  God ,  I  have  found  it  harder  to  Give  it 
(when  I  do  my  bed)  than  to  get  it :  Though  I  fubmit  of  late  to  him  partly  upon 
Charity,  and  am  fo  far  from  laying  up  a  Groat,  that  (though  I  hate  Debt)  I  am 
long  in  Debt,  &c.  &c.  &c 

SIR, 

Yours, 

R.  B. 


Numb. 


Numb.  Vlll.    if?  E  N  T>  I  JC 


1*9 


Numb.  VIII.   The  general  defence  of  my  Accufed 
Writings,    called  Seditious  and  Schifmatical. 

1  ]V|AMCr0f  ^S1*0*111101132  determined  without  foreknowing  the  following 

'*  T^Cue.aS  atl  Enraity  and  War>  trough  all  the  Earth,  between  Chrift  and  Sa- 
tan :    Chrift  and  his  Soldiers  ftrive  for  Light ,  Love  and  Mercy  or   Beneficence. 
Satan  fighteth  for  Darknefs  againft  Light,  and  for  Hatred  againft  Love,  and  for 
Hurting  and  Deftroying  againft  Mercy  and  Good  Works.    All  Chriftians  in  Bap- 
tiim  are  Vowed  and  Lifted  in  this  Warfare  to  Chrift  againft  Satan  :  All  Minifters 
are  vowed  in  their  Ordination  to  be  Leaders  in  Chrift's  Army ,  and  to  preach 
the  Gofpel  according  to  the  Holy  Scriptures.    In  all  Ages  and  Nations  Satan  hath 
wotully  prevailed   againft  this  Light,  Love  and  Mercy,  by   hindering  Preachers, 
partly  by  Perfecution,  and  mofily  by  Corrupting  them.    Till   Chrift  came  as  the 
Light  of  the  World,  the  Darknefs  of  Ignorance  and  Idolatry  overfpread  the  Earth, 
Three  hundred  years  all  Princes  were  againft  the  Gofpel :  when  Confiantine  owned 
it,  the  reft  of  the  Empires  of  the  World  long  refifted  ;  and  to  this  day,  all  that  re- 
ceive it  are  but  a   fixth  part  of  the  World.    And  in  the  Chriftian  Empire  and 
Churches,  the  erroneous  and  corrupt  Princes  and  Bifliops  took  up  Saran's  Silence- 
ing  Work:  Conflantim  and  Valens  and  the  Arrian  Bifhops   almoft  extinguished  the 
Orthodox  Light :  The  Gothes  did  the  like.     The  Macedonians  ,  Nejlorians ,  Eutychi- 
am,  and  the  Parties  for  and  againft  the  Council  of  Ephefus ,  of  Cake/Ion,  the  Tria 
Capitulay  the  Monothdites,  the  Adoration  and  Ufe  of  Images,  and  the  Councils  for 
and  againft  Pbotius  and  Ignatius,  &c.  left  but  few    Biihops  of  Note  in  the  Eafrern 
Empire  that  were  not  by  turns  Condemned  and  Depofed  by  the  contrary  fide  when 
it  was  uppermoft.     The  Pope  himfelf  was  an  hundred  years  at  once,  renounced  by  a 
great  part  of  Italy. 

II.  But  the  corrupt  fort  of  Popes  out  did  all  others:  They  Silenced  the  Chri- 
fffans  that  reproved  their  Crimes,  and  murdered  ((ay  Hiftoriansj  above  a  Million, 
calling  them  Hereticks.  Hunnericus  and  the  Gothtfh  Arrians  had  before  kill'd  many, 
and  cut  the  Tongues  of  fome  that  after  fpake  by  miracle  :  but  the  Pope  made 
more  general  Defolation.  In  the  Wars  between  many  Emperours  and  Popes,  Bi- 
fhops that  were  for  the  Emperours  were  damned  as  Henrkian  Hereticks ,  and  de- 
creed by  Councils  to  be  burnt  when  dead.  General  Councils  decreed  to  Excom- 
municate and  Depofe  all  Temporal  Lords  that  would  not  Exterminate  as  Hereticks, 
all  that  were  againft  Tranlubftantiation,and  fuch  like.Divers  Popes  did  fonotorioufly 
do  Satan's  Work,  that  they  interdicted  the  Preaching  of  the  Gofpel ,  and  all  Pub- 
lick  Worfhip  of  God,  to  England,  France,  and  other  whole  Nations,  for  a  Quar- 
rel with  the  King.  Robert  Grofthead,  the  holy  Bifhop  of  Lincoln,  wrote  to  Innocent 
the  Fourth,  That  the  hindering  of  the  preaching  of  the  Gojpel  was  next  the  Sin  of 
Lucifer  and  Antichrist  ,  the  greateft  in  the  World,  and  not  to  be  obeyed  by  a- 
ny  Chriftian,  whoever  commanded  it.  As  Reforming  Light  arofe,  Papal  Silence- 
ing  and  Cruelty  increafed  ,  till  Inquifitions,  Flames,  Maflacres,  in  Spain,  Low- 
Countries,  Bohemia,  Germany,  France,  Ireland,  and  England,  had  made  thole  Mur- 
ders and  Devastations,  which  no  true  Chriftian  dare  own. 

III.  At  this  day  ,  the  Light  of  clear  found  Doctrine  is  obfeured,  and  fuch 
Preaching  filenced  or  ceafed  in  moft  of  the  Chriflian  Churches  on  Earth:  Befides 
the  bloody  Perfecution?  which  met  thofe  honeft  Jefuits  and  Fryars  that  preached 
in  Congo,  Japan,  China,  and  other  Heathen  Lands :  In  Abatfia,  Egypt ,  Syria  ,  Ajfi- 
ria,  Armenia,  there  is  very  little  Preaching  at  all ;  yea,  want  of  Printing  keepeth 
them  without  the  holy  Scripture,  which  is  rare  and  in  few  hands.  Turkijh  Op- 
preftion  hath  fo  debafed  the  Greek  Church,  that  found  Preaching  is  rare  among 
fnem  IH  all  the  Empire  of  Mufiovy  Preaching  is  long  ago  put  down,  left  Men 
ihould  preach  Sedition.  Among  moft  Papifts  and  Pro '.eftants  beyond  Sea,  it  is  turn- 
ed  too  much  into  Invectives  againft  one  another.  This  is  the  Succets  ot  Satan  s 
War. 

IV.  Being 


*2°  AT  <P  E  NV  I  X.~  Numb!"  VIII. 

IV.  Being  vowed  doubly  to  Chrift  (  in  my  Baptifin  and  Ordination)  I  had 
been  a  perjured  Traytor  againft  him,  if  I  had  not  hated  this  Sin,  and  done  my 
part  in  my  place  againft  it.  There  is  no  Age  or  Land  16  good,  where  Chrift  and 
Satan,  Light  and  Darknefs  have  not  this  War  :  and  Secular  Intereits  or  Quarrels 
are  made  Satan's  Advantages,  who  pretendeth  to  great  Power  in  Difpofing  of  the 
Riches  and  Honours  of  the  World.  This  War  ended  not  in  England  with  Queen 
Marfs  Reign.  The  unhappy  Differences  of  Frankford  came  over  with  the  Exiles : 
One  Party  running  into  Extreams  againft:  Epifcopacy  and  the  Liturgy  ,  and  the  o- 
ther  foi  bidding  not  only  them,  but  all  Ordained  Minifters,  to  preach  or  expound 
any  Doctrine  or  Matter  in  the  Church  or  elfewhere  ,  without  further  Licence.  I 
lived  to  fee  fb  much  of  the  Effects  of  thefe  Differences  as  grieved  my  Soul :  Excel- 
lent Preachers,  and  of  Holy  Lives ,  miftakingly  cenfbrious  againft  fome  lawful 
Things,  and  Silenced  for  it ;  fome  flying  to  America,  and  fome  abiconding  here. 
I  faw  the  difeafed  Paflions  and  Divifions  thus  caufed  j  and  how  much  it  extinguifh- 
ed  Chriftian  Love  :  At  laft  we  all  faw  it  break  out  into  the  Flames  of  an  odious 
War.  And  even  the  Uliirpers,  that  by  Silencers  pretended  their  Provocation,  fell 
into  the  Crime  which  they  Accufed ;  and  caft  out  many  Learned  Bifhops,  Do- 
ctors and  Preachers,  for  refufing  their  Covenant,  and  their  Engagement,  and  their 
Way  of  Worfhip,  and  for  being  againft  their  War.  Thus  Satan's  Silencing  work 
went  on. 

When  Experience  and  Smart  brOtight  mod  Men  to  their  Wits,  and  they  had 
found  that  a  divided  Kingdom  cannot  ftand,  and  that  returning  to  Love  and  Uni- 
ty muft  be  our  Recovery  ;  I  laboured  with  Minifters  of  each  fide  with  all  my 
power  for  Agreement,  on  fuch  Terms  as  we  were  then  capable  of :  and  that  was 
to  joyn  in  the  amicable  practice  of  all  that  they  were  agreed  in,  and  to  bear  with, 
one  another  in  the  reft  (  which  were  no  neceffary  things)  :  On  thefe  Terms  Wor- 
cefferjhire  and  feven  or  eig^t  other  Ccunti^s quickly  agreed:  Ireland profeft confent ; 
More  were  clofing  :  But  the  Divifions  of  the  Ujurpers,  and  the  begun  Reconciliation  of 
the  Peace- makers  (or  Pretenders)  prefently  reftored  the  King. 

Men  were  then  varioufly  affected,  between  hope  of  Unity  and  fear  of  Difcord, 
and  of  the  old  Silencing  dividing  Work.  That  we  had  one  lawful  King  to  Unite 
in  who  promifed  his  help  hereunto,  and  declared  his  Judgment  for  neceffary  In- 
dulgence, and  that  Lords  and  Knights  printed  their  profeffed  Renunciation  of  Re- 
venge, and  Doctors  profeffed  Moderation,  did  greatly  raife  Mens  hopes  that  there 
would  be  no  more  fuch  Divifions,  as  mould  Silence  faithful  Minifters.  But  they 
that  knew  how  hardly  Love  and  Moderation  are  reftored,  after  the  Exafperati- 
ons  of  fb  odious  a  War,  and  how  few  conquer  Worldly  Intereft  and  old  Opini- 
ons, and  do  as  they  would  be  done  by,  feared  that  ftill  the  Silencing  Work  would 
be  carried  on.  I  was  certain  that  good  Men  would  not  be  united  by  coming  all 
over  to  the  Opinions  of  each  other:  which  Party  foever  was  in  the  right  in  all  the 
Points  called  Indifferent  by  fome,  and  Sinful  by  others,  I  knew  the  Difference 
would  continue  :  And  it  doth  fb.  1  knew  chat  thofe  that  were  moft  obedient  co 
God,  would  not  do  that  which  they  judged  he  forbad  them.  I  knew  that  if  for 
this  they  were  forbidden  to  Worfhip  God  in  Church- Worfhip,  they  would  not 
forbear,  till  Suffering  difabled  them.  I  knew  that  there  were  fo  many  fuch,  and 
the  Suffering  that  difabled  them  muft  be  fb  great  ,  that  the  Land  thereby  muft 
needs  be  divided  into  the  Afflicting  and  Afflicled  Parties :  And  the  more  confeiona- 
ble  the  moreconftant  would  they  be:  It  were  well  if  moft  underftood  all  things 
neceffary  :  But  that  all  mould  underftand  all  indifferent  things  ( that  might  be  com- 
manded )  to  be  indifferent,  I  knew  would  never  be,  if  all  the  Land  were  Doctors. 
It  was  eafie  to  know  what  Exafperations  of  Mind  all  this  would  caufe  ,  and  what 
a  Conqueft  Satan  would  make  here,  againft  Light ,  Love  and  Mercy ,  that  is  againft 
Chrift. 

In  the  deep  Senfe  of  this  Danger  I  fet  my  felf  to  try  ,  whether  Terms  of  Poffl- 
ble  Concord  might  be  obtained  :  The  London  Minifters  joyned  :  The  King  greacly 
encouraged  us ;  Firft  by  his  Declaration  at  Breda ,  and  that  againft  Debauchery. 
Next  by  Perlbnal  Engaging  us  in  a  Treaty  with  the  Bifhops,  and  his  Promife 
that  he  would  draw  them  to  meet  us ,  if  we  would  come  as  near  them  as  we  could. 
Then  by  his  gracious  Declaration,  and  the  Teftimony  there  given  of  our  Loyalty 
and  Moderation.  Then  by  his  Commiffion  to  treat  for  Alterations  of  the  Liturgy ; 
But  the  Bifhops  denied  the  Need  of  any  Alterations,  and  dafht  all  our  Hopes:  And 
the  Convocation  and  Parliament  caft  by  the  King's  Indulgence  j  and  iffued  all  in 
the  Act  of  Uniformity. 


Numb.  VIII.    d  <P  <P  ^WWTXT 

I  was  the  more  earneft  to  have  prevented  this   becTST^  1™ 7*  ~:""~ 

moft  of  the  whole  Miniftry  of  the- Kingdom  mfehVSro  L«  Tt  ""J"?  <hat 
day  :  I  knew  whaC  was  faiJlagainft  muJt^U^^^^^  ohe 
Ten  thoufand  Miniftershad  Conformed  to  what  the  Parliament  had  iml  ??  neai 
moft  taken  the  Covenant,  and  ufed  the  Diredory  and  not The  ^mm^n  £'  "* 
And  how  knew  I  that  only  Two  thoufand  would  flick  at  die  New  Wuionf  ^ 
Seven  thoufand  obey  them  (and  Aflentand  Confent  to  the  NwlXS'Zl 
(moftly )  never  faw,  it  coming  not  out  of  the  Prefs  till  too  latej.  y 

V.  While  I  was  engaged  in  this  Treaty  by  the  King,  the  Bifhops  denied  ,11 
further  Debates  with  us,  till  we  had  given  them  in  Writmg  all  fhe  Faults  thai  wi 
found  m  the  Liturgy  and  all  that  wedefired  in  ftead,  oris  Additions:  So  tht  we 
did  by  Authority  and  Demand,  write  and  deliver  (  as  our  Propofal  before  fo)  our 
Defires  and  Reafons  of  the  mentioned  Alterations,  and  a  long  and  humble'Petition 
to  prevent  the  forefeen  Breach,  and  our  Reformed  Liturgy,  and  Reply  to  their  con 
trary  Reafons :  which  fome  Scribes  for  gain  after  printed :  I  knew  not  who  with 
abundance  of  Errata.  * 

VI.  After  this  1663.  the  King  revived  our  hope  in  part  by  a  Declaration  of  hi* 
Judgment  and  Purpole  for  our  Leave  to  Preach  and  Worfhip  God. 

VII.  In  this  Cafe  I  continued  Silent  as  to  any  further  Suit  or  Plea,  keeping  con- 
ftantly  in  the  Communion  of  the  Parilh  Churches  where  I  lived,  till  in  1 668.1  was 
imprifoned  for  Teaching  a  few  ignorant  Neighbours,  whom  thereby  I  drew*  with 
me  into  the  Church,  and  was  delivered  by  righteous  Judges. 

VIII.  The  Lord  Keeper  Bridgman  near  that  time,  called  fome  of  us  as  by 
the  King's  pleafure,  to  Receive  and  Treat  of  fome  Propofals  offered  for  Gompre- 
henfion  and  Indulgence  ;  and  appointed  Bifhop  Wilkins  and  Dr.  Burton \  to  Treat 
with  D  r  Manton,  and  Dr.  Bates  and  me,  which  required  that  we  opened  to  them 
our  C  1  We  came  to  a  full  Agreement,  which  Judge  Bale,  then  Lord  Chief 
Baron,  greatly  approving  it,  drew  up  in  an  Ad  to  be  offered  the  Commons  5 
who  Voted  to  receive  Ho  fuch  Aft :  and  defeated  the  King's  Offer  and  our 
Hopes. 

IX.  In  1672.  the  King  again  declared  not  only  his  Judgment,  but  Reiblution 
for  our  Leave  to  Preach,  and  gave  us  a&ually  Licenies:  But  many  Church-men 
oppofed  it,  and  called  it  Scbifm^  and  diffwaded  us  from  ufing  our  granted  Liberty, 
an  t  (aid  we  were  bringing  in  Popery  by  it:  And  the  Parliament  was  againft  it, 
and  caufed  the  King  to  reverie  his  Licenfes.  And  in  this  .time  I  wrote  my  Books 
againft  our  Silencing  in  Defence  of  the  Liberty  granted  by  the  King,  though  they 
were  after  printed. 

X.  After  this,  Bifhop  Gunning  of  Ely  urged  me  to  declare  the  Reafons  of  our 
Nonconformity ;  and  laid,  He  would  Petition  the  King  to  force  us  to  it ,  that  we 
might  be  Anfwered,  and  not  keep  up  a  Schifm,  and  not  tell  for  what.  I  told  him, 
1  would  beg  leave  to  do  it  on  my  knees,  butdurftnot,  left  they  that  called  for  it 
could  not  bear  it. 

XI.  And  the  Right  Reverend  Bifhop  of  London  urged  me  to  the  lame;  and  faid, 
That  the  King  took  us  as  not  Sincere,  becaufe  we  fo  long  forbore  Conforming,  and 
declared  not  our  Reafons.    To  whom  I  gave  the  fame  Anfwer. 

XII.  The  Earl  of  Orery  told  me  Bifhop  Morhy  propofed  fome  Terms  for  Con- 
cord to  keep  out  Popery,  and  urged  me  to  draw  up  for  the  faid  Bifhop  what  we 
muft  have  granted :  which  I  did,  and  had  the  Bifliops  fruftrating  Anfwer. 

XIII.  Another  time  Dean  Ttfotfonznd  Dr.  StiOingfleet  moved  us  to  *  Treaty  for 
Concord,  as  encouraged  by  Bifhop  Morley  and  others:  And  we  gave  them  all  our 
Defires  tn  termin*  ;  which  they  feem'd  to  confent  to,  if  the  Bifliop  had  not  reje^ 


iizi 


e&  it. 


XIV.  After  this  I  wrote  a  Book  of  the  True  way  ofUniverfal  C^f|f"d.d]^d 
ittotoBLPM^aiidBifhoPG«^,  as  the  Men  that  I  meant  that  hadjfru. 


122  AT<P  E  NV  I  X.     Numb.  V  Hi. 

ftrated  our  hopes.  On  which  Bifhop  Gunning  fent  Dr.  Crowther  to  invite  me  to  a 
Conference  ;  and  our  Debate  three  days  was  ,  Which  u  the  true  way  of  Untvtrfal 
Concord  ?  which  he  maintained  to  be  by  Obedience  to  the  Legtflattve  and  Judicral  Go- 
verning of  the  Colledge  of  Paftors.  I  drew  up  the  Sum  in  three  Letters  to  him,  main- 
taining Univerfal  Co mmunion,  but  denying  all  Forretgn  JurifdtBion,  and  the  poffibili- 
ty  of  fine  Humane  Soveraignty,  Monarchical  or  Ariflocrattcal,  ever  all  Kings  and  Churche* 
and  all  the  World. 

XV.  After  and  under  all  this  Difcourfe,  Pulpits  and  Prefs,  by  Men  not  to  be 
defpifed,  openly  accufed  us  as  Contriving  and  Defignwg  a  Rebellion, by  continuing  Non- 
conformist when  we  had  nothing  to  fay  for  W  So  that  now  our  Silence  paft  almoft  in- 
to zfeemmg  Confeffion  of  an  intended  Rebellion. 

Now  I  appeal  to  Reafon  and  Conference,  to  Chriftianity  and  Humanity , 
Whether  all  thefe  Calls  of  Kings  and  Bifhops,  Friends  and  Accufers,  juftifie  not 
a  Serious  Account  of  our  Cafe  ,  after  Fourteen  or  Seventeen  Years  accufed  Si- 
lence. 

. 

XVI.  Yet  after  all  this  I  durfi  not,  1  did  not  write  either  any  Juftification  of  our 
Scruple*,  or  any  Reafons  to  prove  the  Impofitims  finful  (five  that  I  gave  the  Rcafbns 
for  our  not  ceajing  to  preach' ,  and  againlt  a  fpurious  fort  of  Diocefanes  of  fbme  In- 
novators Defcription)  But  only  barely  named  de  faclo,  what  it  was  that  we  feared  as 
fin,  proteffing  over  and  over  not  to  accufe  the  Law  or  the  Gonformifts. 

XVII.  And  that  which  on  all  thefe  Provocations  I  have  done  in  many  Books, 
is  but  thefe  two  things : 

i.  To  beg  for  Concord,  and  prove,  and  it  never  was  nor  will  be  had,  by  forcing  all 
to  profefs  confent  to  numerous,  dubious,  unneceffary  Things,  but  only  on  Terms 
few,  plain,  and  necejfary,  in  which  all  found  Chriftians  are  agreed. 

2.  To  beg  for -mercy  (not  fo  much  to  many  hundred  fuffering  Minifters,  and  ma- 
ny Thoufand  diflenting  godly  Chriftians' (-Nuchas  no  Nation  under  Heaven,  out  of 
his  Majefty's  Dominion,  hath  better  that  I  can  hear  of),  but  fpecially  for  many 
fcore  thoufand  needy,  ignorant,  untaught  Souls :  For  I  wrote  with  wiped  ,  i.  To 
the  Cafe  of  the  whole  Land,  before  I  knew  that  Seven  thouland   of  th&  former  In- 
cumbents wouldftay  in.     2.  To  the  Cafe  of  London  in  the  dreadful  Plague,  when  in- 
fe&ed  Men  cried  for  help,  and  had  no  Teachers,  the  Paftors  being  fled  ,  and  the 
Nonconforming  prohibited  :  And  about  a  dozen  that  ventured  (  and  as  Grofihead 
(pake,  obediently  difobeyed  )  Taw  wondrous  Succeis  of  their  Labours  in  the  Penitence 
of  the  affrighted  humbled  Crowds.     ;.  To  the  Cafe  of  the  Fire  that  the  next  year 
burnt  City  and  Churches,  and  many  years  but  few  Capacious  Tabernacles  were  built, 
fo  that  Publlck  Worfhip  moftly  ceafed  :   And  hundred  Thoufands  of  undone  Per- 
fbns  fhould  then  have  had  fpeciai  Comfort  and  Counfel:  But  the  Nonconforming 
were  forbidden  ftill.    4.  I  had  fpeciai  refped  to  the  Cafe  of  Great  Parijhes,  fuch   as 
Martins,  Giles,  Stepney,  and  many  more  ,  where  Ten  ,  Twenty ,  Forty  thoufand 
perfons  have  no  room  in  their  Parifh  Churches,  and  Mahomet  am  ufe  fome  Publick 
Worftiipj.    And  what  mall  all  thefe  Perfons  do  ?  who  by  Cuftom  excufed  by  Ne- 
ceflity,  grow  to  live  willingly  like  Atheifts.     In  my  Poverty  I  built  a  Tabernacle 
in  Martins  Parifh,  and  though  I  have  the  Biftiops  Licenfe  to  preach  in  London  Dio- 
cefs,  I  could  not  be  fufFered  to  ufe  it,  though  I  would  have  had  the  Liturgy  there 
uied  :  And  I  thankfully  and  gladly  accepted  of  Dr.  Lloyd's  Confent  to  take  it  for 
the  Parifh  ufe.     5.  I  never  beg'd  leave  for  any  to  preaeh,  but  loyal,  found,  peace- 
able Men;  and  that  only  where  there  was  plain  Necefltty,  and  for  nothing  of  Sala- 
ry, and  only  under  Government  and  Laws  of  Peace.     And  I  thank  God  that  all 
the  Paflions,  Provocations,  Temptations  and  Trials  that  have  rifen,  have  drawn  to 
Plots,  or  Rebellion,  or  Difioyalty,  no  one  Perfonthat  I  can  hear  of,  of  all  thofe 
that  I  was  acquainted  with,  and  for  whom  I  then  beg'd  for  Liberty  and  Mercy. 
And  molt  of  them  are  gone  out  of  a  Malignant  World  ,  to  their  Everlafting 
Reft, 

XVIII.  The  contrary- minded,  while  they  cried  down  Divifion  as  well  as  I,  left 
us  but  thefe  three  impoffible  ways  to  cure  them. 

r.  To  make  all  Men  and  Women  lb  much  wifer  than  themfelves,  as  to  know  all 
their  Things  called  Lawful  to  be  fo  indeed  :  (when  we  can  get  too  few  to  undcrftand 
their  Catechifm). 

2.  Or 


Numb.VHl"^  T  y  B  N  T>  Z~X  l23 


c    uS'Z     ^  get  a11  that  fear  God  to  obey  Men  in  d°i«g  w'«at  the7~^fTGn7 
formddeth    and  leaving  undone  what  they  think  he  commanded,       Y  d 

3.  Or  elfeto  punimthofe  that  will  not  do  this,  to  utter  Difablement   Extirtrti 
on,  or  Death.     The  two  firft  ways  I  was  fure  would  never  prevail :  And  I  knew 
that  the  third  would  coftfo  dear,  as  that  no  Ceremonies,  Forms  ,  or  unnecelTarv 
Oaths  or  Covenants,  would  finally  bear  the  Charges  of  it:  The  Blood  of  the  faith 
tul  is  ot  hard  digeftion,  and  Judas  his  Conference  hath  an  awakening  Day    when 
his  Companions  in  Guilt  will  caft  him  off:  And  God  efteemeth  fuch  Blood  pre- 
cious: And  when  the  Jobb  is  done  by  it,  it  leaveth  an  Everlafting  Odium  on  the 
Doers,  and  Shame  upon  their  Caufe :  And  their  own  Succeifors  difbwn  it,  and  fay 
IF  we  had  lived  in  the  days  of  our  Fathers,  we  would  not  have  been  Partakers  with 
them  in  this  Blood  :  And  they  build  their  Sepulchres  whom  their  Fathers  flew,  and 
Saint  them  that  were  defpifed  pas  Martin,  &c)  And  the  Moderate  muft  come  af- 
ter to  heal  all,  by  crying  Shame  on  the  Cruelty  of  their  Predeceflbrs ,  as  Saknan, 
Clemangis,  Erafmus,  Ejpencaus,  Caffander,  Grotim,  and  fuch  others  do  j  and  fay  as 
Tertullian,  Solitudinemfaciunt  &  pacem  vacant.     But  the  final  Reckoning   will  pay   - 
for  all.  r  J 

Some  (ay,  We  and  other  Countries  have  lived  in  Peace  on  the  Terms  that  you 
call  impoffible. 

Anfw.  It  s  true,  of  fbme  kind  of  Peace  :  So  they  do  in  Spain  ,  Italy,  Turky,  Mof 
eovy,  &c.  keep  Men  fo  ignorant,  that  they  ihall  not  know  Duty  from  Sin,  nor 
trouble  their  Heads  about  God's  Law,  and  in  Satan's  Darknefs  you  may  keep  Men 
in  his  Peace  ;  and  they  will  venture  their  Souls  on  the  Opinion  of  them  ths,  can 
hurt  their  Bodies.  But  when  Chrift  battereth  this  Garrifon  of  Satan,  he  breaks  this 
Peace.  And  I  knew  that  in  England  many  fcore  Tboufands  would  never  return  to 
this  ignorant  Peace. 

XIX.  As  I  was  fure  that  there  was  no  hopes  of  Peace ,  in  any  but  the  way  of 
plain  Chriftianity,  fo  I  found  that  all  the  wifeft,  and  famoufteft  Lights  of  the 
Church,  and  greateft  Peace-makers,  had  ftillbeenof  the  fame  mind.  The  Pri- 
mitive Churches  for  Three  hundred  years  did  lay  their  Unity  on  this  ground  •  and 
by  Degrees  Divifions  grew  up  as  needlefs  Impofitions  grew.  Naz,ianz,en,  Hillary, 
Vincentius  Lertn,  &C.  and  fincc  Erafmus,  Ferus,  CaJJender  ,  Grottus,  Aconttus,  Bergius, 
Junius,  Ufier,  Hall,  Davenant,  Cbillingworth,  Hales,  8cc.  go  ail  this  neceftary  way. 
And  when  my  deareft  Friend,  the  Lord  Chief  Juftice  Hale,  was  not  tar  from  death, 
I  wrote  to  him  to  leave  his  Judgment  in  Writing  to  the  World,  of  the  true  way  to 
Heal  our  prefent  Breaches :  And  he  left  for  me  to  that  u(e  three  (mall  Tractates  be- 
fore written,,  which  I  publifhed  ;  Ihewing  that  all  our  Divifions  and  Calamities 
come,  by  making  that  to  feem  part  of  Religion  which  is  none,  and  that  to  be  ne- 
ceffary  which  is  not  fo. 

XX.  But  left  any  racked  words  of  mine  (hould  be  interpreted  to  be  for  Se- 
dition or  Schtjm,  thefe  being  the  things  that  my  Soul  abhorreth,  I  wrote  near  Twen- 
ty Books  almoft  wholly  againft  Schifm  and  Sedition  ,  and  all  the  Principles  and 
Realonings  that  favour  them  ;  on  all  Extreams :  I  was  dtfeouraged  a  while  to  find 
that  the  Stream  of  Philofophies,  Politicks,  Canonifts,  Cafuirts ,  Papifts  and  Pro- 
tettants,  and  the  greateft  Lawyers  that  I  could  meet  with,  agreed  that  the  People 
are  the  Fountain  of  Civil  Power,  and  give  the  Soveraign  what  he  hath;  and  many 
fuch  Notions:  I  feared  to contradict  fuch  a  ftream  as  this.  But  being  fatisfied,  I 
firft  confuted  it  in  Harrington  i6yg.  and  then  pundually  in  Richard  Hooker  ('though 
dedicated  by  a  Bifliop  to  the  King)  and  then  in  many  others  of  all  forts.  And 
for  Church- Concord,  no  Man  living  hath  written  half  fo  much  as  I.  And  now 
after  all.  I  am  fingled  out  as  accufed  for  that  which  I  have  written  near  Twenty 
Books  purpofely  againft,  and  above  an  Hundred  in  which  this  Doctrine  ot  Love, 
Unity  and  Subje&ion  hath  its  due  part.       ^ 

XXI.  The  words  which  are  mifintarpreted  as  Seditious,  by  feigning  me  to 
mean  worfethan  Ifpeak,  leave  me  and  all  Writers  to  the  mercy  of  Mil  takers, 
which  are  moft  that  have  ignorance  and  ill-will.  I  mean  no  more  than  I  _  peak 
If  other  Menfay  that  my  words  fignifie  more,  they  thereby  make  thern  ^  and 
not  mm:  God  only  is  the  Judge  of  fecret  Thoughts.  *^**^^{ 
made  thefe  Rules  of  Expofition  :  Firft,  That  words  be  taken  in .the  ^™£ 
Men  that  Treat  on  the  Subject  that  they  handle ,  unlet  the  Speaker  oth-rwHe ex 
pound  them.    Secondly,  That  the  whole  Scope  and  Context  muft  «P<™*  P£r 


124  J  T  T  E  N  (D  I  X.     Numb. V III. 

ticular  words.     Thirdly,  That  an  odd  (trained  word  is  not  to  be  taken  contrary 
to  the  Author's  Declaration  of  his  Judgment  in  many  whole  Copious  Volu 
fiich  as  I  have  written  againft  Difloyalty  andSchifm. 

XXIL  Almoft  all  the  mod  approved  Writers  fpeak  far  more  fharply  without  Se- 
dition. The  words  of  Naz,ianz>en,  Eufibius,  Chryfoftom,  Hillary,  Salvian ,  and  ma- 
ny Fathers:  the  words  of  Petrarch,  Clemangu,  Alvartti  Pelagius,  Erafmus,  Janfenius, 
Glandav.  Grotius,  Jewels  Btlfon,  I  am  ready  to  cite,  far  more  fharply  fpeaking  of 
the  Sins  of  Civil  and  Church  Rulers  than  ever  I  did  :  befides  fuch  as  Gildas,  Grosl- 
head,  &c. 

XXIII.  By  fuch  Accufers  meafures  I  am  condemnable  if  I  fay  but  the  Lord's 
Prayer,  or  the  Common  Prayer  when  I  am  commanded.  ■  They  may  fay  that  I  ac- 
c  cufe  the  Church,  when  I  fay,  that  [  we  have  left  undone  the  things  that  we  ought 
4  to  have  done,  and  done  the  things  that  we  ought  not  to  have  done  j  and  there  is 

*  no  health  in  us.]  And  that  I  mean  Rulers,  when  I  fay  [  Deliver  us  from  Evil  } 
'  and  [  Forgive  our  Enemies,  Perfecutors,  and  Slanderers,  and  turn  their  Hearts  J 
r  and  £  From  our  Enemies  defend  us,  O  Chrift ;  Gracioufly  look  upon  our  A£ 
c  Mictions :  That  we  thy  Servants  being  hurt  by  no  Perfecution,  may  evermore 

*  &c  That  God  will  defend  us  in  all  the  AiTaults  of  Our  Enemies  j  That  the  E- 
f  vils  which  the  Craft  or  Subtilty  of  the  Devil  or  Man  worketh  againft  us  be 
'  brought  to  nought].  If  at  the  Sacrament  a  Minifter  fay,  [  If  any  be  a  hinderer 
1  of  God's  Word Repent,  or  come  not  to  this  Holy  Table,  left  the  Devil  en- 

*  ter  into  you  as  he  did  into  Judas,  and  fill  you  full  of  all  Iniquities,  and  bring 
c  you  to  Deftruction  of  Body  and  Soul].  What  Remedy  have  1,  if  any  will  fay- 
that  I  mean  Rulers  by  thefe  words  as  Silencers  and  Persecutors  ?  Yea,  or  when  I 
read  all  the  dreadful  PafTages  againft  Perfecutors  in  the  Gofpel.  There  is  bound  up 
with  our  Bibles  and  Liturgies  a  Prayer  for  Families,  which  faith,  f  'Confound  Satan 
'  and  Antichrift,  with  all  Hirelings  and  Papifts  whom  thou  haft  already"  caft  off 
'  into  a  reprobate  fenfe,  that  they  may  not  by  Sects,  Schifms,  Herefies,  and  Errours 
c  difquiet  thy  little  Flock.     And  becaufe,  O  Lord,  we  be  fdl'n  into  the  latter  days 

*  and  dangerous  times,  wherein  Ignorance  hath  got  the  upper  hand  ,  and  Satan  by 
'  his  Minifters  feeks  by  all  means  to  quench  the  Light  of  thy  Gofpel,  we  befeech 
'  thee  to  maintain  thy  Caufe  againft  thofe  ravening  Wolves,  and  frrengthen  all  thy 
c  Servants  whom  they  keep  in  Prifon  and  Bondage.  Let  not  thy  Long-fuflering  be 
'  an  occafion  to  increafe  their  Tyranny,  or  to  difcourage  thy  Children,^.].  The 
Homilies  have  many  PafTages  liable  to  hard  Interpretations.  The  ufe  of  none  of  thefe 
is  Sedition.. 

XXIV.  From  i6?o.  to  1660.  I  had  Controversies  by  Manufcript  with  fome 
great  Doctors  that  took  up  with  Dr.  Hammond's  and  Petavius's  new  fjngular  way  of 
Pleading  for  Epifcopacy,  which  utterly  betrayed  it.  They  held  that  in  Scripture 
time  all  called  Presbyters  were  Diocefan  Bifliops,  and  that  there  was  no  fuch 
thing  as  our  Subject  Presbyters,  and  yet  that  every  Congregation  had  a  Diocefan 
Bifhop,  and  that  it  was  no  Church  that  had  not  fuch  a  Bifhop,  and  that  there 
are  no  more  Churches  than  there  are  fuch  Bifliops :  And  fb  when  DiocefTes  were 
enlarged  as  ours,  the  Pariihes  were  no  Churches ,  for  no  Bifhop  had  more  than 
one  :  And  that  Subject  Presbyters  are  fince  made,  and  are  but  Curates  that  have 
no  more  power  than  the  Bifhop  pleafeth  to  give  them.  Dr.  Hammond  in  his  Vin- 
dication faith,  That  as  far  as  he  knoweth,  all  that  owned  the  fame  Caufe  with  him 
againft  the  Presbyterians,  were  come  to  be  of  his  mind  herein.  And  we  know 
not  of  four  Bifliops  then  in  England.  And  the  Et  catera  Oath  and  Canons  of 
1640.  and  the  Writers  that  nullified  the  Reformed  Churches  Ordination  and  Mi- 
niftry,  and  pleaded  for  a  Forreign  Ecclefiaftical  Jurifdi&ion,  and  for  our  Re-ordi- 
nation, all  looking  the  fame  way,  I  thought  they  knew  the  Judgment  of  the  few 
remaining  Bifliops  better  than  I  did,  and  fometime  called  it ,  The  Judgment  of  the 
prefent  Church  here,  that  is,  of  thefe  Church-men  ,  and  the  Englifh  Diocefans :  but 
proved  that  the  Laws  and  Doctrine  ftill  owned  as  the  Churches  was  contrary  to 
them,  and  took  the  Parifhes  for  true  Churches,  and  the  Incumbents  true  Paftors, 
and  the  Diocefans  to  be  over  many  Churches ,  and  not  one  alone :  whereas  the 
Men  that  I  gainfayed  overthrew  the  whole  Sacred  Miniftry  among  us,  and  all  our 
Churches  as  of  Divine  Inftitution  :  for  our  Presbyters ,  they  fay  ,  were  not  in 
Scripture  times :  Our  Parifhes  are  no  Churches  for  want  of  Bifliops :  out  Diocefans 
are  no  SuccefTors  of  fuch  Apoftolick  Men  as  were  over  many  Churches,  ours  ha- 
ving 


in  my  7>«/,/e  »/£»,/„.„„    and  other  Bnnf       n      £    c    -LThefe  Men  I  c°nf«^ 
my  Direction,  to  put  mlfTie  71  iSSft  v  Y  *e  Scr.be  or  Printer  omitting 

Reader  notice  of  it  in  theP  e&ce  «d  Titled''  ^V*  f"**'  and.  ^  the 
ChurchofE^/Whereftom  ag'     d  haVe  ***  vind'"ted  the 

<  BAvKft*  Aath-fu  ^  *nd  earneftly  pleaded  for  Chanty  S    as  no" 
Babvlomfh  or  Antichriftian,  mould  be  the  firft  that  ftould  ruffer  bv  them    SS 

coftLwl^  Providence:  that  Erroor  hath 

tteib&nJJZv  n  i-b£  pUt  ?„*?*  ^  them  -  *  M  not  "P«"  of  any  of 
thole  Concilia tory  Doftrines  and  Endeavours ;  I  have  reviewed  my  Writings    and 

Seffii^K1?-  l  ffer  r  f°r  runnin^  int°either  Extream,  n"r  £r  any 
ialfe  Doar  ne,  Rebellion,  Treafon,  or  grofs  Sin;  but  that  I  have  fpent  my  La- 

my  Teihmony  againft  both to  Pofterity  ;  and  for  what  could  I  more  comfortably 

E^fi.1  pwftj  C5Tng  thrQlr-  PerLfecution  a"d  Cruelty  that  I  have  angred  the 
hurtful  Papifts,  and  by  confuting  their  grols  undoubted  Crimes,  more  equally 
than  you  do  by  the  Name  of  Antichrist,  Babylon,  and  the  Whore:  And  if  their 
Cruelty  on  me  mould  prove  my  Charge  againft  them  true,  I  /hall  not  be  guilty  of 
ir.  Nor  will  their  Sin  abrogate  God's  great  Law  of  Love,  even  to  Enemies,  and  if 
tt  fa  poffM,*  much  as  in  you  fyetbjive  peaceably  with  all  men }  follow  peace  with  all  men: 
blejjed  are  the  peace-makers,    &c. 

The  diforderly  tumultuous  Cries  and  Petitions  of  fuch  ignorant  Zealots  for  Ex- 
treams  under  the  Name  of  Reformation,  and  crying  down  all  moderate  Motions  a- 
bout  Epiicopacy  and  Liturgies,  and  ruining  fiercely  into  a  War,  and  young  Lads 
and  Apprentices  and  their  like,  pricking  forward  Parliament  Men,  had  fo  great  a 
part  in  our  Sin  and  Mifery  from  1641.  till  1660.  as  Imuft  give  warning  to  Pofte- 
rity to  avoid  the  like,  and  love  Moderation.  I  repent  that  I  no  more  difcouraged 
ignorant  Raflinefs,  in  1662.  and  166;.  but  I  repent  not  of  any  of  my  Motions  for 
Peace. 

XXVI.  I  am  fure  that  my  Writings  (  befides  Humane  Imperfedion  )  have  no 
guilt  of  what  they  areaccufed,  unlefs  other  Men  put  their  fenfe  on  my  words , 
and  call  it  mine :  and  fay,  I  meant  the  Rulers  when  I  fpake  of  Popilh  Interdi&s,  Si- 
iencings  and  Perfecutions*  And  by  that  meafure ,  no  Minifter  muft  ipeak  againft 
any  Sin,  till  he  be  fure  that  the  Rulers  are  neither  guilty  ,  nor  defamed  of  ir,  left 
he  be  thought  to  mean  them  :  and  fo  our  Office  is  at  an  end.  If  the  Text  and  trie 
general  Corruption  of  the  World  lead  me  to  fpeak  againft  Fornication  ,  Perjury  ^ 
Calumny,  Lying,  Murder,  Cruelty,  or  any  Vice,  muft  I  tell  Men  whom  I  mean 
by  Name  ?  I  mean  all  in  the  World  that  are  guilty :  And  why  muft  my  meaning 
be  any  more  confined  when  I  with  the  Text  fpeak  againft  Perfection,  and  unjuft 
Silencing  the  faithful  Minifters  of  Chrift,  while  I  fay,  that  Rulers  may  juftly  Silence 
all  that  forfeit  their  Commiflion,  and  do  more  hurt  than  good. 

XXVII.  Can  any  Man  that  hath  read  Church-Hiftory ,  Fathers  and  Councils, 
be  ignorant  how  dolefully  Satan  hath  corrupted  and  torn  the  Church,  by  the  Am- 
bition and  Tyranny  of  many  Popes,  Patriarchs  and  Metropolitans,  while  the 
humble  fort  of  Bi/hops  and  Pallors  have  kept  up  the  Life  and  Power  of  Chriftia- 
nity  ?    Or  can  any  Man  that  maketh  not  Chrift  and  his  Church  a  meer  Servant 
to  Worldly  Intereft,  think  that  this  mould  not  by  all  true  Chriftians  be  lamented  ? 
Let  fuch  read  Nazianzen's  fad  Defcription  of  the  Bifhops  of  his  time,  in  ftriving  for 
the  higheft  Seats,  and  his  wifh  that  they  were  equal :  And  the  fame  wifli  of  IJidore 
Telufiota  ;  and  the  (harp  Reproof  hereof  by  Qhryfopm :  Great   Grotius  expoundeth 
Matth.  24.  29.  of  the  Towers  of  Heaven  Jhaken,  thus,  [  '  It  is  the  Chriftian  Laity , 
•  who  after  the  Apoftles  times  began  to  be  marvelloufly  ftaken,  by  the  Tyranny  of 
■  the  Prelates  who  loved  Pre-eminence,  and  to  Lord  it  over  the  Clergy  by  rails 

1  Ex- 


126  AT  T  E  N~T>  I  X.     Numb.VUi 

• 

1  Excommunications,  and  a  daily  increafe  of  Schifms.  He  that  will  fee  the  Examples 

*  of  Tyranny  and  rafh  Excommunicationjet  him  read  Johns  Epi  (He  to  Diotrepbes,  and 

*  the  pious  Admonitions  of  Irenaus  to  Vtclor :  The  Examples  of  Schifms  we  have 
'  in  others,  not  a  few  ;  To  which  Optatus  Mele-v.  prudently  afcribeth  three  Caufes, 
1  Wrath,  Ambition,  and  Covetoufnefs],  But  how  many  fcore  Canons,  Interdicts 
and  Bloody  Wars  do  prove  all  this. 

XXVIII.  And  had  not  thefe  Vices  conquered  Common  Reafon  with  Chriftia- 
nity  in  fuch  men,  it  were  a  Wonder  that  fo  unprofitable  and  caufelefs  a  thing,  as 
forcing  all  Chriftians  to  Unite  on  the  profefi  Approbation  and  Pratfice  of  all  the 
needlefs  Things  which  fuch  impofe,  and  denying  them  Communion  and  Peace  on 
the  Terms  that  Chrift  prefcribed,  for  all  his  Servants  to  own  and  love  each  other 
on,  mould  be  thought  a  fufficient  Juftification  of  all  that  Dividing  Cruelty  of 
which  it  hath  been  guilty.  And  that  Church-Grandees  fhould  make  fuch  Schifms, 
as  are  yet  in  Eaft  and  Weft,  and  then  hate  and  perfecute  the  Sufferers  as  Schifma- 
ticks :  Saith  Grotius  on  Luke  6.  22.  Scitum  tfl  Veterum  Judaorum  cujus  Maimonides 
meminit,  fiquis  Innocentem  a  Communione  arcuerit,  ipfum  exciderejure  Communionis  : 
And  Dr.  Stillingfleet  on  Archbifhop  Laud,  and  before  him  Chilling-worth  ,  conclude, 
That  if  a  Church  deny  Communion  to  her  Members,  on  thofe  Terms  that  give 
them  Right  to  Communion  with  the  Church  Univerfal,  that  Church  is  guilty  of 
the  Schifm.  Were  it  not  more  Chriftian-like,  eafie  and  fweet,  to  joyn  all  in  the 
practice  of  the  Laws  of  Chrift,  by  which  we  (hall  be  judged,  with  the  needful  ufe 
of  edifying  Order  and  Circumftances  ,  that  all  Sizes  and  Ages  of  Chriftians 
might  live  in  Unity  and  Love,  than  to  caft  out  all  that  cannot  Unite  on  Terms 
fo  far  beyond  meer  Chriftianity ,  as  moft  Churches  on  Earth  require.  When 
the  Volume  of  Councils  and  Canons  were  unknown,  and  plain  Familiar  Difci- 
pline  was  ufed  in  the  open  Church-Meetings ,  Chriftians  were  lefs  divided  : 
(  faith  Grotius  in  Luc.  6.  22.  [  Apud  Chrtfiianos  Vetera  prafidente  quidem  Epifcopo  & 
Senioribus,  fed  Confcia  &  Confentiente  Fratrum  ■multitudtne  morum  judicia  exerceban- 
tur  ).  If  Chriftians  be  partial  hear  an  impartial  Heathen  ,  Ammianus  MarceUu 
nus ,  who,  fcahdalized  with  the  murder  of  Men  kill'd  in  the  Church  for  the  E- 
leftion  of  Pope  Damafus ,  concludeth  how  well  it  would  have  gone  with  Chri- 
ftianity ,  if  thole  great  Roman  Prelates ,  had  lived  like  the  poor ,  humble ,  in- 
feriour  Bifhops:  See  his  words.  But  if  Paul's  full  Decifion  on  Romans  14. 
will  not  bring  us  to  neceffary  forbearance,  no  Plainnefs  nor  Authority  will 
feive. 


Numb. 


Numb.IX.      A  T  T^FN~^~f~X. 


N T bi3l  An  u&  for  Concord  &  Reforming 

1  anih  Churches  j    and  Regulating  Toleration 

^/Dissenters. 

L  r?    "^HE    Qualification  requifite  to  Baptifm  in  the  Adult  for  themfelw* 

and  in  one  Parent  at  leaft  or  Pro-Parents  for  Infant     ^ttlnt^ 
A       IT       fi^/mg  Confent  to,  the  Baptifmal  Covenant ,  in  which   hev  arefnlZZ 
devoted  to  God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft   as   their  GnH I  !L v  / ™  aP 

they  are  adverfe  :  And  the  require  Qualification  of  the  Adult  for  proner  Ghnr.l 
Pnviledges,  and  Communion  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  is,  That  hev  Se  not  £ 
faid  Covenant  orChr^amt,  ,  but  publickly  ovJ^it  not  rende  "4  *SprS£ 
mrilid  by  any  Dodrme  or  PraAice  mconfiftent  therewith.  And^h^  y  under 
ftandmgly  dehre  the  faid  Communion.  y        er 

II.  The  Chriiii^n  Churches  have  univerfally  taken  the  Creed  ,  the  Lord's  Prav 
"'•£ ndfhe  Ten  Commandments,  as  delivered  by  Chrift,  for  the  Summary  of  the 
Chnftian  Belief,  Defiie  and  Pradice,  expounding  the  Matter  of  the  BaDtifmal 
Covenant :  Therefore  all  Paftors  fhall  Exhort  all  Houfholders  to  learn  theSves 
and  teach  their  Families  the  words  4nd meaning  of  the  Baptifmal  Covenant' 
and  of  the  Creed  ,  Lords  Prayer,  and  Ten  Commandments  :  And  /hall  alfo 
thus  Catechize  men  themfelves  as  need  their  help,  as  far  as  they  (or  their  AffiC 
ltants)  can  do  it.  J  v  "r? 

HI.  No  Minifter  (hall  Baptize  any  Perfon  ,  Adult  or  Infant ,  till  the  Adult  for 
themlelves,  and  the  Parent,  or  Pro-Parent,  (  who  undertaketh  the  Education  of 
the  Child  as  his  own  )  have  there  profefled  their  Belief  of  the  Chriftian  Faith,  and 
their  fore  deicnbed  Confent  to  the  Chnftian  Covenant,  in  which  they  are  to  be 
iolemnly  devoted  to  God  :  And  iuch  they  mall  not  refufe.    Nor  fhall  the  Paftors 
admit  any  to  the  proper  Priviledges  of  Church  Communion  and  partaking  of  the 
Sacrament  of  the  Body  and  Blood  of  Chrift,  but   thofe  who  have  made  ProfeC 
iion  that  they  refolvediy  ftand  to  their  Baptifmal   Covenant ,  in  the  forefaid  Be- 
lief of  the  Chriftian  Faith,  and  Deiire,  and  Obedience  to  Chrift.     Which  Profef- 
fion  mall  be  made  in  the  Church,  or  to  the  Paftor  before  fuflicient  Wknefs,  or  to 
the  Diocefan  or  fome  other  Paftor,  who   mall  give  Teftimonial  of  it.    And  if 
any  mall  go  from  the  Parifh-Church  Paftor  to  be  Confirmed  by  the  Bi'hop,  or 
received  by  any  other  Minifter,  without  the  Certificate  or  Confent  of  his  own 
Pariih  Paftor,  the  faid  Paftor  mall  not  be  obliged  to  admit  him  to  Communi- 
on ,  till  to  him  alfo,  before  Witnefs,  he  have  made  the  faid  Profeffion. 

IV.  Becaufe  in  great  Pariflies,  and  Cities,  where  Perfons  live  unknown,  and  as 
Lodgers  are  tranfient,  and  too  great  a  Number  defire  not  Communion  ,  and  ma- 
ny Communicate  only  w#h  other  Churches ,  and  it  is  needful  for  Order  that  all 
Paftors  knowitheir  Communicating  Flock  from  the  reft,  the  Paftor  may,  for  his 
memory,  keep  a  Regifter  of  the  ftated  Communicants  of  his  Parifh  ;  and  put  out 
the  Names  of  thofe  that  deny  or  remove,  or  are  lawfully  Excommunicate  ,  or  that 
wilfully  forbear  Communion  above  fix  Months,  not  rendering  to  the  Paftor  a  Sa- 
tisfactory Excufe.  But  occafionally  he  ought  not  to  refufe  any  Stranger  who  hath 
Teftimony  of  his  Communion  with  any  other  approved  Chriftian  Church. 

V.  If  by  the  Paftor's  knowledge,  or  by  fuft  accufation  or  fame,  any  Communi- 
cant be  ftrongly  fufpe&ed  of  Atheifm,  Infidelity,  or  denying  any  Eflentiai  part 
of  Chriftian  Faith,  Hope,  or  Practice,  or  to  live  in  any  heinous  Sin  ,  the  Paftor 
/hall  fend  for  him,  and  enquire  of  the  Truth  ;  and  if  he  be  proved  Guilty,  gently 
inftruft  him  and  admonifh  him ,  and  skilfully  labour  to  bring  him  to  Repentance  ; 
And  if  he  prevail  not ,  fhall  again  fend  for  him  ,  and  do  the  fame  before  ibme  Wit- 
neffes :  And  if  he  yet  prevail  not,  or  if  he  wilfully  refufe  to  come,  or  to  anfwer 
him  ,  fhali  [open  htt  Cafe  before  the  Church  Veftry,  or  Neighbour  Paftors;  and  if  he  be 
prefent  there  >  admonifh  him >  and  pray  for  his  Repentance.     And  if  yet  he  prevail  not   to 

bring 


1^8  AT  T  E  NT>  I  X.    Numb.IX 


bring  bim  to  the  profejfion  of  ferious  Repentance,  be  fiaU  declare  that  be  judgetb  him  a 
Perjon  unmeet  for  Church  Communion  ttll  he  Repent -y  and  Jhall  till  then  2  forbear  to  give 
him  the  Sacrament :  But  when  he  profeffeth  ferious  Repentance,  fhall  receive  him. 
But  if  after  fuch  oft  Profeflions  he  continue  in  fuch  heinous  Sin,  he  fhall  not  again 
receive  him,  till  actual  Amendment  for  a  fumcient  time  to  make  valid  his  Pro- 
feffion. 

VI.  Ordination  to  the  Priefthood  fhall  be  a  valid  Licenfe  to  Preach  :  And  every 
juft  Incumbent  being  the  Paftor,  Overfeer,  or  Rector  of  hisParifli  Church,  fhall 
as  fuch  have  power  to  Preach  to  them  without  any  further  Licenfe  ,  and  to  judge 
according  to  God's  Word,  to  whom  and  how  to  perform  the  proper  Work  of 
his  Office ;  on  what  Text  and  Subject  to  Preach  ,  in  what  Words  and  Order  to 
Teach  and  Pray.  But  if  Canons  alfo  be  made  a  Rule  ,  they  fhall  not  oblige 
him  againft  the  Word  of  God :  And  if  for  Uniformity ,  or  fome  Mens  difabili- 
ty ,  he  be  tyed  to  ule  the  Words  of  prefcribed  Forms,  called  a  Liturgy,  he  fhall 
not  be  fo  fervilely  tyed  to  them,  as  to  be  punifhable  for  every  Omiflion  of  any 
Collect,  Sentence  or  Word,  while  at  leaft  the  greateft  part  of  the  Service  appoint- 
ed for  the  Day  is  there  read  ;  and  the  Subftance  and  Neceflary  Parts  ot  the  Offi- 
ces be  there  performed  ;  no,  though  he  omit  the  Crofs  in  Baptifm,  and  the  Sur- 
plice, and  deny  not  Communion  to  thofe  that  dare  not  receive  it  kneeling.  And  if 
any  worthy  Minifter  fcruple  to  ufe  the  Liturgy ,  but  will  be^  prefent ,  and  not 
Preach  againft  it,  he  fhall  be  capable  notwithftandingof  preaching  as  a  Lecturer  or 
Affiftant,  if  the  Incumbent  Paftor  do  Content. 

VII.  No  Oath,  Subfcription,  Covenant,  Profeffion  or  Promife  fhall  be  made 
Neceflary  to  Minifters  or  Candidates  for  the  Miniftry,  befides  the  Oath  of  Alle- 
giance and  Supremacy,  and  Subscribing  to  the  Sacred  Canonical  Scriptures,  and 
to  the  ancient  Creeds,  or  at  the  moft  to  the  Articles  of  the  Church  (  excepting 
to  them  that  fcruple  the  Twentieth,  Thirty  fourth  and  Thirty  fixth,  as  they  (peak 
only  of  Ceremonies,  Traditions,  and  Bifhops),  and  the  neceflary  Renunciation  of 
Herefie,  Popery,  Rebellion  and  Ufurpation :  and  the  Promife  of  Minifterial  Fi- 
delity according  to  the  Word  of  God :  Or  at  leaft  none  but  what  the  Reformed 
Churches  are  commonly  agreed  in. 

And  let  none  be  capable  of  Benefices  and  Church-Dignities,  or  Government  in 
the  Univerfities,  or  Free-Schools,  who  hath  not  taken  the  faid  wOaths,  Subfcriptions 
and  Renunciations. 

VIII.  Let  none  have  any  Benefice  with  Cure  of  Souls,  who  is  not  Ordained 
to  the  Sacred  Miniftry  by  fiich  Bifhops  or  Paftors  as  the  Law  fhall  thereto  appoint 
for  the  time  to  come :  But  thole  that  already  are  otherwife  Ordained  by  other 
Paftors,  fhall  not  be  difabled ,  or  required  to  be  Ordained  again.  And  let  no 
Paftor,  by  Patrons  or  others,  be  impofed  on  any  Parifh  Church,  without  the  con- 
lent  of  the  greater  number  of  the  ftated  Communicants.  And  at  his  Entrance, 
let  fome  Neighbour  MinifteJs  in  that  Congregation  declare  him  their  Paftor  as  fo 
Confented  to  and  Ordained,  and  preach  to  them  the  Duty  of  the  Paftor  and  Flock, 
and  pray  for  his  Succefs. 

IX.  If  any  Paftor  beaccufed  of  Tyranny ,  Injury ,  or  Mai- administration,  he 
fhall  be  refponfible  to  the  next  Synod  of  Neighbour  Paftors ,  or  to  the  Diocefan 
and  his  Synod ,  or  to  the  Magiftrate  ,  or  whomfoever  the  Law  fhall  appoint  ; 
and  if  guilty  and  unreformed  after  a  firft  and  fecond  Admonition,  fhall  be  punifh- 
ed  as  his  Offence  defervethj  but  only  in  a  Courfe  of  Juftice  according  to  the  Laws, 
and  not  Arbitrarily  :  Nor  fo  as  to  be  forbidden  his  Minifterial  Labours,  till  he  be 
proved  to  do  more  hurt  than  good.  And  if  the  fuppofed  Injury  to  any  who  is 
denied  Communion  be  doubtful,  or  but  to  one,  or  few,  let  not,  for  their  fake,  the 
Church  be  deprived  of  their  Paftor  ;  but  let  the  Perfon,  if  proved,  injured,  have 
power  to  forbear  all  his  Payments  and  Tythes,  to  the  Paftor,and  to  Communicate 
elfewhere. 

X.  Becaufe  Patrons,  who  choofe  Paftors  for  all  the  Churches,  are  of  fo  different 
Minds  and  Drfpofitions,  that  there  is  no  certainty  that  none  fhall  be  by  them  Pre- 
fented,  and  by  Bifhops  Inftituted  and  Inducted  ,  to  whom  godly  Perfbns  may  juft- 
ly  Icj  uple  to  commit  the  Paftoral  Conduct  of  their  Souls,  whofe  Safety  is  more  to 
them  than  all  the  World :  And  becaufe  there  may  be  fome  things  left  in  the  Li- 
turgy, 


NumKDCj^Pjp  E  N  T>~Tx.  I2 

Liturgy,  Church  Government  and  Orders,  which  after  th^i7hPi>  r  Z~  T""" 
judged  finfu!  by  fuch  godly  and  peaceable  Chrima^  yel'c^^S  * 
,^-n.nd  aU  thaC  the  AP°ftles  and  their  Churches  praaSed?  And  t  W°rd 
and  Chnftianity  abhor  Perfection;  arid  Human  Darkne  "and  gr*ea^ D'&ZT% 
Apprehenfions  is  fuch,  as  leaveth  us  in  Defpair  of  Variety  and  Concord  „T^V°f 
and  unneceirary  Things  ;  Let  fuch  Perfons  be  allowed  »  afcmbk ^forComm     ' 

p^eedWorfliip  of  God>  under  fuch  paftors  and  in  r-h  °^ «  S5te?s 

i.  That  their  Paftors  and  Teachers  do  take  all  the  forefaid  Oaths,  Profeffiom 
and  Subfcnptions,  before  fome  Court  of  Judicature,  or  Juftices  at  Seffion s  of^he 
Diocefan  as  fall  be  by  Law  appointed  .  who  thereupon  (hall  give  dim  a  T^ 
monial  thereof,  or  a  written  Licenfe  of  Toleration. 

2.  That  they  be  refponfible  for  their  Dodrineand  Miniftration,  and  punifliable 
according  to  the  Laws  if  they  preach  or  practice  any  thing  inconfiftent  with  to 
forefaid  ProfefTion  of  Faith,  and  Obedience,  or  of  Chriftian  Love  and  Peace 

a.  That  their  Communicants  pay  all  Dues  to  the  Parifh  Minifters  and  Churches 
where  they  live.  vaupmia 

And  if  fuch  People  as  live  where  the  Incumbent  is  judged  by  them  unfit  for  the 
Truft  and  Condud  of  their  Souls,  (hall  hold  Communion  with  a  Neighbour  Pa 
nfli  Church,  they  fliall  not  be  punifhable  for  it ;  They  paying  their  Parifh  Dues  ac 
home:  Nor  (hall  private  Perfons  be  forbidden  peaceably  to  pray  or  edifle  each 
other  in  their  Houfes. 

XI.  Chriftian  Priviledges  and  Church  Communion  being  unvaluable  Benefits 
and  juft  Excommunication  a  dreadful  Punifhment ,  no  unwilling  Perfon  hath  right 
to  the  faid  Benefits  j  Therefore  none  mall  be  driven  by  Penalties  to  fay  that  he  is  a 
Chriftian,  or  to  be  Baptized,  or  to  have  Communion  in  the  Lord's  Supper:  Nor 
fhall  any  be  Fined,  Imprifoned,  or  Corporally  and  Pofitively  punifhed  by  the  Sword 
meerly  as  a  Non-Communicant,  or  Excommunicate  and  Reconciled,  but  as  the 
Magiitrate  /hall  judge  the  Crimesof  themfelves  deferve. 

But  if  Non-Communicants  be  denied  all  Publick  Truft  in  Churches,  Universities 
or  Civil  Government ,  it  is  more  properly  the  Securing  of  the  Kingdom ,  Church 
and  Souls,  then  a  punifhingof  them. 

But  all  Parifhioners  at  Age  fhall  be  obliged  to  forbear  reproaching  Religion,  and 
profaning  the  Lord's  Day,  and  fhall  hear  publick  Preaching  in  fome  allowed  or  to- 
lerated Church  ,•  and  flnll  not  refute  to  be  Catechized,  or  to  confer  for  their  In- 
struction, with  the  Parifh  Minifter ;  and  fhall  pay  him  all  his  Tythes  and  Church 
Dues. 

XII.  The  Church  Power  above  Pari/h  Churches,  Diocefan ,  Synodical ,  Chan- 
cellors, Officials,  Commiflaries,  &c.  we  prefume  not  to  meddle  with  :  But  3  were 
it  reduced  to  the  Primitive  State,  or  to  Archbifhop  Ufoer's  Model  of  the  Primitive 
Government;  yea,  or  but  to  the  Kings  Defcription  in  his  Declaration  1660.  about 
Ecclefiaftical  Affairs,  and  if  alfo  the  Bifhops  were  chofen  as  of  old  (  for  Six  hun- 
dred years  and  more,)  it  would  be  a  Reformation  of  great  Benefit  to  the  Kingdom, 
and  the  Churches  of  Chrift  therein :  But  if  we  have  but  Parifh  Reformation,  Reli- 
gion will  be  preferved  without  any  wrong  or  hurt  to  either  the  Diocefans  or  the 
Tolerated  :  And  if  Diocefans  be  good  Men,  promoting  ferious  Godlinels,  and  the 
Sword  or  Force  ufed  only  by  theMagiftrate,  Diffent  will  turn  to  Love  and  Con- 
cord. 

But  if  they  may  Sufpe'nd,  Silence,  or  Excommunicate,  Arbitrarily ,  or  accord- 
ing to  their  prefent  Canons  (which  Excommunicate  */^ /*#<>,  all  Men,  Magiftrates, 
Minifters,  and  People,  who  do  but  affirm  that  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer  con- 
tained any  thing  repugnant  to  the  Scriptures,  or  that  there  is  any  thing  unlawful 
to  be  Sublcribedin  the  Thirty  nine  Articles;  or  Ceremonies,  or  that  there  is  any 
thine  repugnant  to  the  Word  of  God  in  the  Church  Government ,  by  Arcbbtjhofs, 
Bi(bfps,  Deans,  Arch- Deacons ,  and  THE  REST  THAT  BEAR  OFFICE  IN  THE 
SAME\  without  excepting  fo  much  as  Lay-Chancellor's  ufe  ot  the  Keys)  And  it 
Men  Excommunicate  muft,  as  continuing  fuch,  be  undone  and  laid  in  Pnion,  we 
muft  be  content  with  our  Peace  with  God  and  Confcience,  and  good I  Men  and  that 
we  did  our  beft  for  more,  and  mourn  under  the  calamitous  Effect  of  the  Publick  E- 
nemies  of  Peace,  whom  the  God  of  Peace  will  fhortly  judge. 

R  Z* 


i3o  ATTENVIX.     Numb.IX. 


To  the  Right  Worfhipful  Sir  E.  H. 


SIR, 


*  TpHE  Healing  of  Chriftians  endangered  as  we  are  by  our  own  Difeafes,  is 
4  X  one  of  the  greateft  Works  in  this  World,  and  therefore  not  to  be  marred  by 
'  hafte,  or  for  want  of  due  Confultation  and  Advice.  Three  ways  are  now  pleaded 
'  for  among  us :  Of  which  two  are  Extreams,  and  much  of  our  Difeafe. 

*  I.  One  is  by  the  forcing  Prelates,  who  would  have  all  forced  to  full  Confor- 
'  mity  to  their  Canons,  and  other  Impofitions ;  and  none  endured,  be  they  never 

*  fo  wife,  or  godly,  or  peaceable,  who  think  any  thing  in  them  to  be  finful.    This 

*  way  was  long  tried  heretofore  ;  and  thefe  laft  Twency  years,  it  hath  (hewed  us 
'  what  it  will  effecl: :  The  Shepherds  have  been  (mitten,  and  the  Flocks  fcattered, 
'  about  Two  thouland  godly  Minifters  Silenced  ,  aJjudged  to  lye  in  Jail  with 

*  Rogues,  and  to  utter  Ruine  by  paying  Twenty  and  Forty  pound  a  Sermon,  &c. 
c  The  People  hereby  imbittered  againft  the  Prelates,  and  alienated  from  their  Par- 
'  ty  as  malignant  Perfecutors,  and  as  Gnelpbes  and  Gtbelinej,  all  in  difcontent  and 
'  dangerous  contention,and  on  both  fides  growing  worfe  and  worfe.  Anu  is  this  the 

*  only  healing  way  ? 

'ILThe  other  Extream  is  thofe  that  are  too  far  alienated  into  unlawful  Separati- 
e  ons;  whofe  talk  is  earneft  againft  that  which  is  called  a  Comfrebevfion,  that  is, 
r  fuch  a  Reformation  of  the  Parifh  Churches  as  may  there  unite  the  main  Body  of 
'  the  faithful  Minifters :  And  they  had  rather  the  things  which  we  cannot  there 

*  content  to,  were  continued  unreformed,  that  ib  the  beft  Peop  e  might  be  ftill  ali- 
e  nated  from  them,  and  driven  all  into  their  Tolerated  Churches.  Concerning 
■  this  way,  I  offer  to  your  Confideration, 

*  i.  Is  it  the  part  of  good  Men  thus  to  be  guilty  of  that  which  themfelves  ac- 
r  count  intolerable  Sin,  and  that  in  many  Hundred  thousands,  defiring  it  might  not 

*  be  reformed,  and  this  on  pretence  of  promoting  Godlinels ;  when  once  their  Lea- 

*  ders  drew  it  up  as  a  Fundamental,  That  \he  that  allowetb  others  in  known  fin  cannot 
'  befaved]. 

*  2.  It  is  certain  that  there  is  no  way  fo  orderly  and  advantageous  to  the  com- 
'  mon  Intereft  of  Chriftianity,  as  Reformed  Parifh  Churches. 

*  3.  The  moft  of  the  People  that  molt  need  the  Miniftry,  will  come  to  the  Pa- 

*  rifh  Churches,  and  will  grow  worfe  and  worfe  if  they  have  not  faithful  Teachers ; 

*  and  we  (hall  pleafe  a  few  good  People  till  they  are  worn  out,  and  for  want  of  a 
c  ferious  believing  converting  Miniftry,  a  Generation  of  ignorant  Maiignants  will 

*  fucceed  them.     And  we  mall  come  mort  of  the  main  end  of  the  Miniftry. 

*  4.  So  many  good  and  fcrupulous  People  will  leave  the  Parifh  Churches,  as 

*  willfet  the  Nation  (or  rather  London)  in  an  even  balance,  and  increale  the  envy 
c  of  the  other  part ,  and  one  fide  will  talk  more  contemptuoufly  of  the  Parifh 
e  Churches,  and  the  Parifh  Pulpits  will  daily  ring  with  Reproach  againft  them,  fo 

*  that  the  Common  People,  who  will  be  in  the  Parifh  Churches,  will  increafe  their 
« hatred  againft  the  Tolerated,  and  they  will  live  in  a  mutual  and  wordy  War. 

c  $.  The  violent  Prelatifts  will  by  this  have  their  ends,and  will  triumph  over  them 
'  in  thele  Confullons,  and  (ay,  Did  not  we  tell  you  what  would  be  the  Effe&  of 
'  Alteration  and  Toleration  ? 

«  6.  When  it  is  intended  that  this  be  but  the  Introduction  of  a  better  Settlement , 

*  the  next  Attempt  will  by  this  be  difabled,  and  they  will  fay,  You  fee  that  they 
'  are  never  fatisfied,  but  are  ftill  changing,  and  know  not  where  to  reft. 

c  7.  The  next  Parliament  having  Experience  of  thefe  Confufions  will  recall  and 

*  and  abrogate  all  their  Tolerations.  Thefe  things  are  eafily  forefeen.  And  you  that 
'  were  One  of  the  Eleven  excluded  Members,  know  what  fuch  Hands  have  former^ 
f  ly  done. 

*  III.  The  middle  true  way  therefore  is  Parochial  Reformation.  This  is  neceffary 
c  in  it  felf :  This  is  cpnfiftent  with  the  Intereft  of  thole  that  juftly  defire  Toleration. 

*  In  a  well  conftituted  Chriftian,  Nation,  tolerated  Churches  mould  bs  but  as  Houfes 

'of 


Numb.lX.  ~~Tt  T  E  N  ©  I  X. 

of '  Charity &noJocbiai Hofpitals for  the  Aged, Weak,La^e,Blind andSidTlr is cr^n 
fifknc  w.ch  the  juft  Epifcopal  Intereft,  and  iAdeed  is  its  ^nS^  fip^ 
tor  want  of  which  a  Succeffion  of  godly  Adverfaries  will  be  againft  it  to  the  cnrf  • 
Let  us  have  Chrift's  true  Dodrine,  Worlhip  and  Church-Communion,  and  let 
General  Birtiops  over  us  keep  their  Baronies,  Lordfhips,  Wealth,  and  Honour  And 
we  wm  be  refponfible  to  them  or  any  Rulers  for  our  Mai-  Administration.  But  let 
them  have  no  Power  as  Bifhops,  but  of  the  Church-Keys ,  Et  valeat  quantumvahn 
potejt :  Let  them  teach  and  reprove  us,  and  if  they  do  injurioufly  pronounce  us, 
Excommunicate,  we  will  bear  it :  But  keep  the  Sword  only  in  the  hand  of  Ma- 
gistrates, and  be  not  the  Liclors  of  Anathematizers  and  Homers  by  your  Writs 
de  Excommunicato  capiendo.  The  Truth  is,  Civil  and  Church  Government  wM  be' 
well  done,  if  we  knew  how  to  get  ftill  good  Men  to  ufe  ir.  And  the  chief  Point 
of  Political  Wifdom  is  to  fecure  a  Succeffion  of  fueh  Men.  Give  us  but  fuch  Dio- 
cefans  as  Grindal,  Jewel,  Ujher,  &c.  and  let  them  be  but  Paftors ,  and  not  armed 
with  the  Sword,  and  who  will  expect  that  they  ftould  hurt  us?  If  Kings,  that 
choofe  Bifhops,  and  Patrons,  that  choofe  Incumbents,  fhould  be  always  certainly 
wife  and  holy  Men,  and  lovers  of  all  fuch,  they  would  choofe  us  fuch:  But  if 
they  be  not  (  and  Chrift  tells  you  how  hardly  the  Rich  are  faved)  they  will  moft- 
ly  choofe  fuch  as  are  of  their  mind,  or  as  Favourites  obtrude  *  and  bad  Bifhops 
and  Priefts  are  the  mortal  Difeafe  of  the  Church :  And  if  I  tell  King  and  Patrons 
that  the  Clergy  and  Communicants  mould  have  a  Confenting  or  Diffenting  Vote, 
and  lb  the  Door  mould  have  three  Locks,  (  the  Confent  of  the  Ordainers,  Com- 
municants, and  Magiftratesj  I  cannot  hope  that  they  ftould  regard  me.  But  1 
will  repeat  what  Mr.  Thomdike  faith,  (a  Man  as  far  as  moft  from  the  Noncohfor- 
mifls)  Treatife  of  Forbearance,  [  It  is  to  no  purpofe  to  talk  of  Reformation  in  the  Church 
unto  Regular  Government,  without  restoring  the  Libert)  of  choofing  Bifoops,  and  the  Pri- 
viledge  of  enjoying  them  in  the  Synods,  Clergy  and  People  of  each  Diocefi «  Jo  evident  is 
the  right  of  Synods,  Clergy  and  People  in  the  making  of  thofe  of  whom  they  confifi,  and  by 
whom  they  are  to  be  Governed ,  that  I  need  make  no  other  reafon  of  the  neglect  ofEpi/copacy 
than  the  negleB  of  it  J] 

'  As  for  them  that  mud  needs  have  all  our  Cure  difpatcht  in  fewer  words  than 
this  half  Sheet  of  Paper  containeth,  they  are  unfit  Men  to  do  fo  great  a  Work.and 
will  do  it  accordingly,  if  at  all:  Statute  Books  and  Councils  are  much  greater. 
Sir,  though  Experience  deprefs  my  Hopes,  the  Cafe  exciteth  my  Defires,  which  I 
here  offer  you ;  not  for  my  felf,  who  am  not  capable  of  any  Kindnefs  from  King, 
Parliament,  or  Prelates  that  I  know  of,  unlefs  it  be  to  do  me  no  harm,  (and  much 
I  am  lure  they  cannot  do  me)  but  for  Publick  Good,  which  is  the  great  Defire 
of 

Nov.  9.  1680.  Your  Servant, 

Richard  Baxter., 


131 


The  Rea/ons  of  thefe  Jeveral  Articles. 

I.  TT?  E  cannot  treat  of  the  Government  and  Concord  of  Chriftians,  till  we  i- 
W    gree  what  a  Chriftian  is,  and  who  they  are  who  are  the  Subjedfo    So  for 
the  IR 

III.  1.  If  Minifters  be  commanded  to  Baptize  thofe  Children  who  are  brought  by 
ho  Parent,  or  Pro-parent,  who  taketh  the  Child  as  his  own,  and  undertaken  his  E- 
ducation,  it  will  caft  out  Multitudes  of  faithful  Minifters,  who  know  no  right  that 
the  Children  of  Atheifts  and  Infidels,  as  fuch,  have  no  Baptifm.  -      .         . 

2.  This  Article  for  owning  the  Baptifmal  Covenant  is  but  what  the  J-iturgy 
pleads  for:  But  when  it  is  faid  \We  Jhall  admit  none  to  the  Sacrament  but  thoje  that  are 
Confirmed,  or  defire  ;f]  it  fuppoleth  that  they  muft  give  us  notice  ot  it. 

IV.  This  is  only  for  a  liberty  to  help  memory  in  great  Parito  {•jjg^J*^ 
poffible  to  remember  all  the  Communicants;  and  avoid  conmfion  by  the  unknown. 


1 32  A  T  <P  E  NT>  I  X.     Numb.JX. 


V.  Without  this  much  power  in  theParilh  Minilrer,  the  thing  mult  be  undone, 
it  being  impofltble  for  the  Diocefan  alone  to  do  it  ;  and  the  ancient  Difcipline  will 
be  unavoidably  caft  out  of  the  Church  :  But  if  the  Bi (hops  will  not  yield  to  this 
much,  that  will  inftead  of  an  Appeal  from  the  Incumbent,  take  the  whole  Work  of 
Publick  Admonition  and  Cenfureon  themfelves.  We  /hall  fubmit  to  the  Oblitera- 
tion of  all  thole  underlined  Words,  and  thankfully  ufe  the  Power  ofSufpending  our 
own  Ads,  and  that  alio  under  the  Government  and  Correction  after  mentioned. 

VI.  i.  How  is  he  by  Office  a  Teacher,  who  hath  not  Authority  to  Teach  ? 

2.  We  ask  none  of  the  Bifhop's  Office  for  him,  but  his  own  :  We  leave  him  under 
Government,  and  refponfible  for  his  Mal-adminiftration. 

3.  No  .Man's  Miniftiy  isfafe,  if  he  may  be  Sufpended  for  not  faying  hisLelTon  as 
prefcribed  juft  to  a  Sentence. 

4.  This  will  make  no  Alteration  in  the  Publick  Offices  of  the  Churches. 

1 

VII.  Chrift  hath  made  the  Symbols  of  ChrifHanity  and  Communion :  And  he 
that  in  thele  Things  ierveth  Chrift  is  acceptable  to  God  ,  and  approved  of  (  wile  ) 
Men,  Rom.  14.  18. 

2.  Needlefs  Oaths  and  Covenants  and  Profeflions  are  mors  ufeful  to  Satan,  as  En- 
gines to  tear,  than  to  the  Church  as  means  to  Concord. 

3.  But  if  under  the  Pretenfes  of  Renouncing  Herefie,  Popery,  Rebellion  and 
Uliirpation,  Men  will  draw  up  enfnaring  words,  againft  the  Law  of  Nature  or 
Scripture,  it  is  no  fuch  Snares  that  will  heal  the  Churches.  To  fay  [  I  renounce 
all  contrary  to  this  Profeflion]is  enough.To  the  Renunciation  of  Popery  there  needs 
no  more  than  the  Oath  of  Supremacy  it  feif,  if  to  the  renunciation  of  [Forreign  Ju- 
rifliftion]  were  but  added  [Civil  or  Eccle/iafiieaQ.  / 

4.  If  the  Church  Articles  were  more  exact  it  were  better. 

VIII.  1.  Thole  that  cannot  fubmit  to  a  Legal  Ordination,  mult  be  content  with 
Toleration. 

2.  The  queftioning  of  thofe  already  Ordained,  need  not  make  a  breach,  as  long 
as  no  Patron  is  forced  to  prelent  fuch,  nor  the  major  part  of  Communicants  for- 
ced to  accept  them;  nor  the  minor, if  they  dilTent,  forbidden  their  Communion 
elfewhere.  And  this  quarrelling  at  each  others  Ordination  is  endlefs.  As  the  Bi- 
fhopsfay  on  one  fide,  [None  fhould  be  Ordained  without  a  Bi/hop];  (6  they  fay- 
on  the  other  fide,  [1.  The  chief  Minifter  of  every  Church  is  a  Biihop:  Ipecially  of 
a  City  Church.  2.  That  Ordination  is  valid  which  is  better  than  the  Papifts ; 
(  For  1.  we  Re-ordain  them  not  :  2.  Our  Bilhops  claim  Succeffion  from  them :  ) 
But  the  Ordination  ufed  here  after  1646.  is  better  than  the  Papifts:  For  1.  Theirs 
is  to  an  unlawful  Office,  tobeMafs-Priefts :  2.  It  is  into  a  falfe  Church  (that  is,  as 
headed  by  a  pretended  Univerfal  Head),  3.  And  it  is  from  the  Pope,  who  as  fuch 
hath  no  power :  They  profefs  themfelves  his  Subjects.  4.  And  the  Roman  Seat 
hath  had  oft  and  long  Intercilions.  j.  They  fay  that  Ordination  is  valid  which  is 
better  than  the  Enghjh  Diocefans :  But,  &c.  i.The  English  Diocefahs  is  derived  from 
Rome,  which  wanted  power,  and  was  as  aforefaid,  falfe  and  interrupted.  2.  They 
have  neither  the  Election  or  known  Confent  of  the  Clergy  or  People,  but  are  cho- 
fen  by  the  King.     And  the  old  Canons  for  many  Hundred  years  null  fuch  Bilhops. 

3.  It  is  meet  that  the  Temples,  Tythes,  and  Paftoral  Office  go  together  to  the 
fame  Men  :  and  therefore  that  the  Patron,  Communicants,  and  Ordainers  do  all 
agree;  But  if  they  cannot  agree,  the  Patron  or  Magiftrates  Judge  who  fhall  have  the 
Temples  and  Tythes. 

Memorandum,  Here  wants  the  Reafons  of  the  reft  of  the  Articles :  if  not  fomething 
more  to  the  Eighth  Article. 


f  1  n  1  s. 


ELISHAS     CRY 


AFTER 


ELIJAHS  GO 

Confider'd  and  Apply  d, 

With  Reference  to  the  D  E CE  A  S  E  of  the  late  Reverend 

Mr.  Richard  Baxter. 

Who  left  this  Life  Decemb.  %tb,   1691. 

And  Preach'd  in  Part  on  Decemk  1  %th ,   An.  Eod. 
Being  the  L  0  R  DVD  A  T, 

At  Ruthnd-Houfe  in  Cbarter-boufe^Tard ,  LONDON. 


By  Matthew  Sylvepr,  His  unworthy  Fellow-Labourer  in 
the  Go/pff/  there,  for  near  Four  of  the  laft  Years  of  His 
Life  and  Labours. 


And  there  wm  much  Murmuring  Among  the  People  concerning  him  i  for 
fome  faid ,  He  is  a  Good  Man  .  Others  faid,  nay ;  but  he  deceiveth  the  Peo- 
ple.    Toll.  vii.  12.  _      ,  v  .  ;.*    L  ij 

But  thou  hafifuBy  known  my  Doctrine,  Manner  of  Life,  Purpoje,  taitb^ 
Lon^fuferin^  Charity,  Patience,  Perfections,  Afflictions,  2  Tim.  in.  1 6,1 1. 

The  Law  of  Truth  was  in  his  Mouth,  and  Iniquity  was  not  found in  his  Lips: 
He  walked  with  me  in  Peace  and  Equity,  and  did  turn  many  away  from  Iniqui- 

*  M^ Fatter !  my  Father !  the  Chariot  oflfrael,and  the  Horfemen  thereof ! 

And  he  Caw  him  no  more :     2  King.  ii.  14*  .  .    „ 

Qu  scohortari  ad  virtutem  ardentius;  qui*  a  vims  acnus  revocare;Qu* 
vturerare  Improbos  afperirc,  Qui*  Laudare  bonos  ornanus,  Quis 
™Sm  vehementius  fran|ere  accufando  poteft  ?  Qiysmcerorem 
levare  mitiss  confolando  ?    Cicer.  De  Or*t.  lib.  2. 


LONDON, 

Printed  for  T.  Parkburft,  J.  Robinfon,  J.  Lawtence,  and 

y.  Dunton.      1696. 


E  L  I  S  H  A"  S     C   R  Y 

A  F  T  E  R 


'2  King.  ii.   14. 

life      0      Geo;    *HA<V     app^? 

JKW*?  w  ^  IW  Goi  o/*  Elijah  ? 

TH  I  S  Day  is  a  great  and  Solemn  Day  indeed,  made  fuch  by  Pofttive 
Initiation,  and  by  Providential  Difpe nfation.  Fintfhed  Creation  : 
Compleatcd  redemption  by  the  Refunettion  of  our  Lord  :  To  which  we  may 
add  the  Effufion  of  God's  Blefjtd  Spirit  in  thofe  Gifts  and  Graces ,  the 
Fruits  whereof,  we  fee  and  reap  in  the  Stated  AlTemblies  of  fuch  days, 
are  now  to  have  their  Solemn  Celebrations.  And  the  Execution  of  a  broken  Law 
exemplify  ed  in  the  Diffolution  of  our  deceafed  Prophet,  the  Fever  end  Mr.  Richard  Bax- 
ter is  this  day  to  be  coniidered  and  improved,  by  this  great  and  mournful  Affem- 
blv  Nature  through  Man's  Apoftacy,  is  labouring  and  groaning  under  its  heavy 
Curfe  •  and  in  its  Afpe&s,  Ufes  and  Effe&s,  it  bears  the  Charaders  and  clear  In- 
timations of"  God's  difpleafure  towards  Revolted  us.  r  Man  (once  Lord  of  all)  by 
his  Apoftacy  from  God,  finds  all  in  Arms  agamft  himfelf.  He  falls  by  Death,  and 
is  refolved  into  his  Original  Dull  .•  Bis  Countenance  vs  changed,  and  he  vsfent  away : 
the  body  dies,  and  rots,  and  mull  be  buried  out  of  fight  and  his  Soul  goes  to  its  eter- 
nal State  •  Either  to  Heaven  or  Hell ;  even  to  which  it  lhall  be  found  molt  at- 
tempered' by  its  difpofition  and  deportment  whilft  it  was  in  this  World  and  Bo- 
dv  The  Death  was  penal  h  and  nothing  but  compleated  mifery  had  been  the 
rprtain  conference  thereof  i  had  not  Grace  interpofed.  But  Cbrifi  has  redeemed 
TZi  tieZTofthe  Lai,  by  be,ng  made  himfelf  a  Curfe  for  us .-  and  by ^  Me- 
ntion he  opens  our  way  to  Heaven>rough  Faith,  Hope  in  him,  and  Hohnefs  be- 
fo?  him  And  God,  for  ChrilVs  fake,  gave  very  early  difcovenes,  and  comforta- 
Me  tiles  of  Grace-  and  early  inftances  and  pledges  ol  our  entire  Tranflation  in 
c  1  Tiww  to  the  Heavenly  Stare.  Enoch  and  Elias  efcaped  Death  by  a  peculi- 
a^utence7  SS^^iy  and  Undeferved  Grace  of  God     Chrift  £ 

dJ^^^O^ti :  Raifes  fome  from  the  Dead  before  he  Dies,  and, by 
dergoes  anu  uonquci  and  p        f     t0  Raife  his  Fa_ 

h1S  Perlona    ^^l ™- *  ^r  al  Stateof  Blifs  and  Glory':     And  (having 
vourites  and  Members  to  a ^  In ™™  he  ^  ^  haftc  tl  at  ^ 

a  defire  to  fee  his ow iin their  ^omP  ^     '       fe  of  his  heart   iB  bringing 

Oeconomv  of  Affairs^  ^  for  H 

mA^0r}^^bTmS^^  fo?  thofe  molt  Wed  Regions  whereto  he 
and  framed  up  byma»n      h    Providence  of  this  day  concerns  us  all    and 


ElifliaV  C  cl 


on  for  you  and  me  ythis  Text  tble  Sprizhtftil^eis  and  Vigour : 

affecting  fo  much  my  own  heart,  as  &o  fix  my  purpofe  to  infift  upon  it.  And  the 
Lordallift  me  to  difcovcr  fuchTruths,  to  draw  fuch  Parallels,  to  make  fuch  Infe- 
rences ,  and  enter  fuch  Memorials,  as  may  b  fi  and  fcrve  the  truly  ufefal 
ends  and  purpofes  of  this  Day's  Providence  and  Text,  in  their  belt  References,  to 
the  benefit  of  you,  my  fell,  and  others,  (a.) 

The  Claufe  now  read  is  fo  impregnated  with  Senfe  and  Reach,  as  that  to  form  it 
into  a  Doctrinal  Proportion,  would  be  prejudicial  to  my  tnoughts  and  purpofe  : 
there  being  fo  much  weight,  and  fuch  a  7r.<!3.  s  even  in  every  word.  Whether  you 
conlidcr  (  i.  )  the  God  enquired  after  -,  or  (  2.  )  the  Perfon,  to  whom  God  was  fo 
evidently ,  fo  eminently,  and  fo  avouchedly  relared .-  Or  (  3.  )  the  mquifitivB 
Prophet,  fo  fenfiblc  of  the  abfolute  neceflity  of  the  Prcfence  of  Elijah's  God  with 
him  :  Or  (  4.  )  The  Time  and  Caufe  of  this  Pathetical  Inquiry  after  God  :  Or 
(  5. )  the  Parallel  which  this  day's  Providence  hath  drawn  herewith  :  Or  (  6. )  the 
Memorials  which  God  thus  enters  as  things  of  great  importance  to  us  ;  and  requi- 
ring our  anfwerable  notice  of  them  :  Or  (  7.  )  the  fit  Improvement  to  be  made 
hereof,  by  (1.)  all  in  General :  (for  it  is  a  Publick  Stroke  and  Lofs,  and  hath  its 
General  Voice  and  Call :)  And  (2.)  by  this  Congregation  and  my  Self  more 
clofely  and  particularly. 

Now  feeing  the  Text  it  felf  lies  as  the  Heart  and  Central  Point  of  the  whole 
Context^  we  mull  accordingly  confider  it.  And  while  we  infift  upon  it,  the 
things  to  be  delivered  to  you,  mall  be  reduced  and  confined  to  thefe  following 
Heads. 

I.  The  Transited  Prophet. 

I.  It  was  Elijah,  2  King.  ii.  1.  one  of  th«  Inhabitants  (Hebr.  Zo'jv inters)  oiGile- 
*d.  A  Man  of  God,  as  to  his  place  and  work.  A  perfon  of  Eminent  Function  and 
Employment.  A  Man  that  was  to  fpeak  from  God ,  and  for  God  ,  to  deliver  the 
mind  of  God  to  Men,  and  to  prefent  their  Cafe  and  Hearts  to  him .  A  Man  Confe- 
crated  to  extraordinary  work ,  and  to  acquaint  the  people  with  what  related  to 
them ,  as  to  their  Duty  and  Coneerns.  He  had  his  CommifTion  from  on  high ,  his 
Office  and  Fund  ion  did  import  both  his  Authority  and  his  Obligation  to  Special  work 
and  Service.  He  was  a  Man  alfo  after  God ,  as  to  the  genuine  temper  and  propen- 
fions  of  his  heart.  He  was  imprincipled  for  God ,  and  moved  in  his  moft  delight- 
full  Element ,  when  bufied  about  the  things  of  God.  He  was  a  trufty  perfon,  and? 
like  a  Faithfull  Steward ,  he  naturally  minded  the  affairs  and  Intereft  of  that  God 
that  fent  him.  And  he  was  a  Man  for  God,  as  to  his  Refolutions ,  Endeavours,  and 
Defignes.  A  Man  he  was  of  a  Prophetick  Spirit ,  acquainted  with  his  Matter's 
Mind  and  Purpofe ,  as  to  feveral  Events ,  concerning  them  with  whom  he  had  to 
do ,  of  which  he  had  no  indications  or  probable  prefages  from  Second  Caufes.  And 
he  was  one  of  wonderfully  prevailing  power  with  his  God  by  Prayer  •,  Witnefsthat 

— — . 

C  a  )  There  is  one  difficulty  in  the  Text  not  eafily  to  be  refolved :     And  that  is  the  Import  of  the 
Words,  NHH     SK    which  the  70  Render  &*$»  ,  or  i^f.    Theodoret  ^^d,  i  xpu>i©-  «f- 
hIjJ*%  x?  #  UAitiv  r  *^«r  ifntwAwt.     It:  fce™s  hereby  that  he  and  others  took  it  to  im- 
port fomething  hidden,  or  occuli.    The  Interlineary  render  it,  Etiam  ipfe,  Euen  Be :    See  Hcinfms, 
Prolog,  in  Atiftarcb.    The  Accent  AtbiAcb,  under  the  Word  IHi^H  Teems  to  put  a  period  t©  that 
claufe  ,    Where  is  the  Lord  God  of  Elijah  ?    And  then  1  in  Q^'"1    being  not  Copulative,  but  Con- 
verfive  ,  refers  thofe  dark  words  to  the  following  Claufe ;  and  fo  Read  them,  Even  he  fmote  the 
Waters,  u  e.  Elijka.    They  that  judge  otherwife,  think,  NJin  SH  to  be  Emphatically  expreffirc 
of  a  Solicitous  and  Concerned  Mind,  in  Thoughtful  Agonies :    Cur  non  dividuntur  aqua,  cum  eundetx 
colo  Deum  Ac  Elias?  Vatab.    The  70,  by  their  Tranflating  ^a  ,  were  either  ignorant  of  the  fig- 
nification  of  what  they  rendered  thus ;  or  apprehenfive  of  Pome  Myftery  therein,  or  of  fome  Senfe 
and  reach  thereof,  which  they  either  were  unable,  or  thought  not  fit  to  tell  : 
Ah,  Domine  Deux  domini  mei  Ely*.    Syr. 
Sujeipe  Petitionem  meam  Domine  Deus  Eliah,  etim  ipje.    Targ. 
Deprecationem  meam  0  Deus,  Deus  Elia,  Arab. 
Etiam  ipfi  i.  e.  ingratiam  Elia,  (vel  Elife  yt  alii)  ut  Senfus  fit-  etiam  ipfe  percuffn  a- 

quit.    Munft. 
Vbi  Dens  Hi*,  etiam  Ipfe  ?  quifemper  Idem  efifidelis,  Omnipatcns,  C?  Invoc antes  fe  exAu- 
diens.  Lav.  non  dubitat  de  prafentia ,  tut  peterttia  Dei ,  fed  miratur,  queritnrque  Ami- 
ce de  negttA  fibi  ccelefti  ope.     T. 
to  let  tbis  b*  difmift  without  any  further  Notice. 

Inftance 


After  Elijah'/  God. 


dnrlDto  God  te^r"?' S  S?^w^.was  nwertfrfpon  Ms  fo.fe^s^" 

.  to  uoa  tor  hci  .xvu.  so-— 2'      See  alfo  *a^n  v  ",-,   ,Q 

ry  i Krf  S?S Mm  by  Vn!  ^rs^ b  ^  ?tt"ss^i 

i  /  pt  the  Ravens  unto  his  Bodily  Neeeflkies,  i  Jtfow  xvu.  6     But  more 
a  Man  of  Knowledge, *»*faaa> the  Loixf  imparted  the  t£nS 
that  :e  ooth  to  his  Soul  and  Function.     He  underftood  his  God,  Himfelf 

X?J  ■  '  -A   feneration  \  and  was  every  way  tit  and  formfeed  to  acquaint 

them  W]  Maladies,  their  Remedies,  and  their  Duty.     He  was  a  Man  of 

Courage,  and great  Magnanimity,  fit  to  enterprise  and  encounter  the  ereateft  Dif- 
Mtics     whereto  his  God,  by  Providence,  call'd  or  exposed  him.    He  feared  no 
Mans  face  whom  he  w«s  orderel  to  Reprove.   He  dreaded  no  Man's  wrath,  that 
any  way  oppofed  God.     He  valued  not  his  life  unto  the  death,  mi*ht  he  but  fulfill 
bis  Mmtfiery,  and  b-s  Courfi  vrith  joy.     He  would  Hun,  Act,  Speak,  Warn   Urge    or 
Plead  w-tn  any  Man  •  and  valued  no  Man's  Friend  Slip  or  Protection,'  upon  'any 
terms .di  (honourable  to  his  Carle  and  God.     He  was  a  Man  of  very^mtf  Severities 
as  to  Temperance  and  Conversion.    He  valued  not  his  fiefh  to  Serve  his  God  •  he 
could  be  M  or  empty,  naked  or  clothed,  in  houfe  or  field  :  and  would  not  cherifli  an 
,^mJn\  ™vJamPered  fiefh  is  no  better  ;  tho',  yet  he  would  not  ftarve  a  Friend 
This  jlcjb)  fo  far  as  it  might  be  ferviceabie  unto  God.     He  was  a  zealous  perfon  for 
Gods  Intereft,  againft  the  fierce  and  univerfai  oppofitions  of  his  degenerate  Age, 
i  Ktngs  xix.  10.     He  was  all  Spiv  in,  Life  and  Zeal  for  God.     And  what  is  Zeal, 
but  the  Fervour  of  Lo-ve,  working  bv  Anger,  when  what  the  heart  is  moft  intent 
upon,  and  moft  affc&ed  with,  is  either  rivaPd  or  ajfaulted  ?  He  is  truly  called  the 
Tj/bbite,  i  Kings  xvii.  i .  or  the  Converter,  as  the  word  imports  •  whence  that  Ex- 
preflion  •   Behold  I  will  fend  you  Elijah  the  Prophet  before  the  coming  of  the  great  and 
dreadful  day  of  the  Lord.     And  he  (hall  turn  the  heart  of  the  Fathers  to  the  Children, 
and  the  heart  of  the  Children  to  their  Fathers  ,   left  I  come  and  finite  the  Earth  with  a 
Curfe.     Whence  alfo  the  Evangelift  thus  reprefents  John  the  Baptift,  as  going  be- 
fore the  Lord  Jefus  in  the  fpirit  and  power  of  lit  as ,  to  turn  the  hearts  of  the  Fathers  to 
the  Children  ,  and  the  dtfohedient  to  the  wifdom  of  thejuft ,  to  make  ready  a  people  prepared 
for  the  Lord ,  Mai.  iv.  4.  5.  with  Luk.  i.  1 7.     And  how  deep  and  Faithful  his  heart 
was  in  his  work ,  may  be  difcerned  from ,  1  King,  xviii.  36,  37.  where  he  thus 
breaths  his  fervent  heart-,  Lord  God  of  Abraham,  Jfaac ,  and  of  Ifrael,  let  it  be 
known  this  day  that  thou  art  God  in  Ifrael ,  and  that  I  am  thy  fervant ,  and  that  I  have 
done  all  theft  things  at  thy  word.     Hear  me,  0  Lord,  hear  me ,  that  this  people  may 
know  that  thou  art  the  Lord  God,  and  that  thou  haft  turned  their  hearts  back  again.     His 
Function  as  a  Prophet ,  his  Unction  as  an  infpired  and  accomplished  Prophet ,  his 
diligent,  fervent,  conftant  management  of  his  Undertakings,  were  things  confpi- 
cuous  in  his  day  -,  and  are  as  fuch  upon  Record  with  us.    Nor  did  his  Spirit  and 
power  want  their  full  work  and  Teft ,  and  in  him  we  may  fee  fuch  things  as 
thefe. 

fi.)  God's  Provident  Care  to  fit  Men  for  the  work  he  calls  them  to.  For  they 
(hall  not  want  their  clear  Call ,  their  full  Commiffion ,  their  Competent  Unction, 
and  Accomplifhments ,  their  great  Encouragements ,  and  their  meet  Affiftanccs. 
They  Avail  not  run  before  they  are  fent ;  they  fhall  be  Authorized  to  do  their  work  -y 
and  all  the  Abilities  requifite  to  their  work ,  fuch  as  Knowledge,  and  Utterance, 
they  (hall  not  want :  Nor  fhall  they  be  deftitute  of  what  may  teftifie  unto  them 
God's  prefence  with  them,  his  Concern  for  them,  his  Delight  in  them ,  and  his 
helping  hand  to  Suit  them  to ,  Support  them  under,  and  carry  them  through  what 
they  are  fent  about.  Elijah,  when  fent  out  was  both  par  negotio  &  oneri  ferendo. 
His  work  did  not  exceed  his  Qualifications  for  it ,  nor  was  his  Enterprize  unequal 
to  his  Strength. 

(2.)  The  Colt  and  Difficulties  of  Prophetick  Work.  Elijah  had  the  Royal 
Throne,  the  PrieftSy-Robe,  and  the  rude  multitude  fet  againft  him ;  and  all  that 
ftefh  could  any  way  refent ,  to  make  his  Undertaking  frightful  and  uneafie  to  him 
every  way.  Hardened  Idolaters ,  Apoftates ,  and  TranfgrefTors  are  the  nerceft 
Enemies  againft  the  Prophets  of  the  Lord :  And  it  is  not  eafy  for  every  one  to 
encounter  them ;  Nor  was  that  Cdunfel  impertinent  or  ufelefs ,  that  the  Apoftle 
thought  fit  to  back  with  fuch  Enforcements  and  Encouragements ;  as  we  find  in 
a  Tim.  ii.  ?  -u.     And  what  fort  of  Perfons  the  Prophets  of  the  Lord  are  like  to 

hare 


4  Elifha'j     C  K   1 


have  to  do  with  :,  the  fame  Apofll<  iii.  i.—  <*.     Where  he  alfo 

Ihcvvs  his   own  evident  Aaompliftiments.,  1  and  Bxperienx,  fir/  io.—  - 

n.     See  alfo  Chap.iv.  I. — 8. 

(3.)  The  Unconquerablenefs  of  Sanc"tif/ed   :  OB,  Co/,  i.  29.     2  Cor.  xii 

7.  — 11.  Rom.  viii.  31. --39.  Nothing  cpuld  daunt  this  Prophet  j  no  man,  nor 
thing  fubdued  his  Spirit.  He  well  conlidci'd  the  God  that  fent  hirn,  the  Perfons 
he  was  fent  unto,  the  Work  he  was  fent  about,  and  die  Divine  Hand  that  would 
attend  him  ;  and  having  the  grateful  piofpec't  of  what  comfortable  things  would 
end  and  crown  his  faithful  Conftancy,  he  valued  nothing  that  could  any  way  en- 
counter or  rehit  him  in  his  Undertaking.  This  fixed  and  admirable  Spirit  we  find 
Exemplifyed  and  aggrandized  in  that  Great  Apoftle  of  the  Gentiles,  in  jltts  xx -7 
24 — 27.  xxi.  13.  ilim.i.-]. — 12.  Holy  Men  of  God,  and  perfons  fent  a- 
bout  his  Work  and  Embattles ,  look  not  at  things  that  are  feen ,  but  at  things  that 
arenotfien-0  and  taking  things  into  their  intimate,  comparative,  and  impartial 
thoughts,  they  quickly  fee  what's  fit  to  turn  theballancej  and  what  is  moit  wor- 
thy of  their  Vigorous  (though  perhaps  very  coftly  )  profecution  ^  and  therefore 
are  they  the  more  reconcil'd  to  all  their  detei  mined  Difficulties  ^  becaufe  of  their 
promis'd  and  expedled  Recompenfe  of  Reward. 

II.  His  Perfonal  Tranflation  therefore,  both  in  Soul  and  Body  unto  Heaven,  was 
his  glorious  end  and  recompence ,  2.  King.  ii.  11.  Angels  conveyed  the  intire 
Man ,  Soul  and  Body ,  to  his  God.  This  was  miraculous  indeed  ^  a  moft  inftrudt- 
ive  inftance  of  Majeftick  Providence  every  way.  It  is  appointed  for  all  men  once 
to  die.  And  had  that  Sentence  had  it's  Execution  according  to  it's  inftituted 
Courfe ,  the  Prophet's  Soul  and  Body  muft  have  parted :,  but  he  that  binds  us  unto 
this  Punifhment  by  Law ,  will  not  yet  part  with  his  Prerogative.  He  that  deter- 
mines what's  our  due ,  when  we  tranfgrefs  his  Laws,  does  not,  de  nomine^  abfolutc- 
ly  bind  hinfelf  to  execute  that  threatening,  wherewith  he  guards  his  Law.  The 
Law-giver  thinks  it  not  his  wifdom  to  multiply  difpenfings  with  the  determined 
punifhment,  though  now  and  then  he  may  pafs  by  a  few  (  as  here  he  did  excufe 
this  Prophet,  as  he  had  done  Enoch  before  him  )  from  undergoing  Death.  And 
the  Tranflation  of  this  Prophet  hence,  manifefts  and  imports  fuch  things  as  thefe 
tons. 

(  1.  )  That  we  have  no  continuing  City  here,  Heh.  xiii.  14.  1  Cor.  vii.  29—31. 
'tis  but  a  Pilgrimage  that  we  are  in  ^  a  Howling  Wildernefs,  a  Theatre  of  Agonies ,  and 
of  Succeflive  Exercifes,  and  Appearances,  to  entertain  Beholders  with  various 
Scenes  of  Spirits,  Actions,  and  Conclufions  ^  and  neither  Reft,  nor  Troubles,  Eafe 
nor  Pains,  Sorrows  nor  Joys,  Fulnefs  nor  Emptinefs,  can  be  long-liv'd.  Eliah\ 
Courfe  was  fill'd  with  divers  and  formidable  turns  of  Providence  .•  But  now  the 
tasdioufnefs  of  his  Work  and  Perfections ,  is  all  over.  He  hath  left  thefe  Stor- 
my Regions  ^  and  he  is  no  more  to  be  as  the  Toft  Ship  upon  th«  proud  Surges  of 
a  broken  Sea :  Nor  has  he  any  Tempeftuous  Weather  to  work  in.  We  fee,  in 
htm^  that  whatever  this  World  may  exercife,  or  vex  us  with  at  prefentj  that 
cannot  affect  us  when  remov'd  elfewhere.  We  leave  all  this  behind,  when  we  go 
hence  >  and  the  Tranflation  of  this  Prophet  exalted  him  above  the  reach  of  Va- 
nity and  Rage .-  all  that  could  trouble  him  is  now  below  him. 

(  2.  )  There's  another  State  of  things  and  beings  better  than  this,  Heb.  xi.  1 5. 
For  who  can  think  that  Elijah  was  thus  fetchtaway  to  be  deftroyed  by  Miracle ; 
or  to  be  lhamed  by  a  defeated  expectation  of  a  more  Glorious  State  ?  He  was 
taken  from  thefe  courfe,  inconftant,  and  difturbed  Regions,  with  great  Solemnity 
and  State  ^  and  carry'd  to  far  better  Manlions,  Company,  and  Employments.  And 
he  is  now  placed  where  God,  his  God,  is  all  in  all  •,  and  where  Theocracy  is  moft 
compleat,  moft  evident,  and  illuftrious,  and  delightful.  There's  a  vaft  difference 
betwixt  Heaven  and  Earth  :,  and,  what  annoy'd  him  here,  he  meets  with  nothing  of 
above  :  There  are  no  dark,  confined,  miftaken  appreheniions  -7  no  deceitful  repre- 
fentations  of  what  concerns  him  and  becomes  him  -0  no  fordid  fpirits,  no  diffolute 
and  courfe  tempers,  no  bruitifti  Appetites,  no  worldly  principles  and  propenfions, 
no  vile  defigns,  and  no  unworthy  ends  and  aims  .•  Nothing  but  regent  wifdom, 
holinefs  and  joy.     All  there  is  orderly,  fuitable,  and  to  great  fatisfadtion  ^  verry 

expreflive 


After  ElijahV   God. 


exprefiive  of  God,  beneficial  to  himfelf,  and  beautiful  in  the  eyes  of  all  How 
clearand  excellent  a  Mirrour  are  the  Conftitutions,  Admmiftrations,  Entertain- 
ments and  Employments  of  the  Heavenly  State,  of  God  himfelf  !  No  wonder  that 
the  Apoftle  faid  ( though  in  an  Extafic,  wherein  the  Reprefentations  of  the  Hea- 
venly Glory,  though  excellent  and  taking,  were  far  inferiour  to  what  this  Prophet 
now  beholds )  that  he  heard  words  unwordable  (  <:#KTflt  gViuotfa  )  which 
not  lawful  (  or  poflible  )  for  a  Man  to  utter. 

j  OO  That  Humane  Nature  is  receptive  of,  and  determin'd  to  obtain  pre.it 
Jhings,  when  its  great  End  and  Author  pleafes.  Heb.  xi.  5.  This  World  (  \ 
taken _  at  the  belt  ^  Much  more  when  it  is  fo  courfe  and  bad  )  is  thought  too  mean 
and  little  for  the  Sons  of  God;  for  his  peculiar  Favourites.  It  is  highly  proba- 
ble, that  this  Tranfiated  Prophet,  as  he  went  up,  was  gradually  renn'd-  and  fo  at* 
tempered  unto  the  Regions  through  which  he  was  to  pafs  fuccellively  •  until  at 
length  he  was  connaturaliz'd  to  his  Glorious  State  and  Manlion  in  the  Heavens. 
What  entertain'd  him  by  the  way,  we  know  not,  nor  what  a  preparatory  enter- 
tainment the  Conversion  of  thofe  Angels  was  to  him,  who  came  by  a  Divine 
Commiflion  to  fetch  him  up  to  Glory.  And  we  as  little  know  what  influence  his 
fo  tranfported  Soul  (  with  this  high  favour  from  his  God)  might  have  upon  that 
Body  which  he  took  up  with  him,  in  order  to  its  convenient  Change.  We  know 
how  Stephen's  Countenance  was  chang'd,  when  he  beheld  through  the  cloven  Hea- 
vens, Cbrijl  at  his  Father's  Right-hand,  in  fuch  a  vifible  pofture  ready  to  own  him, 
to  afeet  his  caufe  he  fuffered  for,  and  to  receive  that  Soul  that  did  in  Martyrdom 
fo  willingly  give  up  its  Body.  And  Sacred  Record  tells  us  of  chriJPs  Transfigu- 
ration in  the  Mount,  when  pleafed  fo  greatly  with  his  Father's  pretence  and  tefti- 
mony,  and  with  the  Converfe  that  he  had  with  Mofes,  and  with  this  Tranilated 
Prophet,  when  converfant  with  him,  like  Citizens  of  that  ^blefled  World  above; 
But  thefc  things  I  refer  to  more  judicious  thoughts  and  heads. 

(  4.  )  That  Humane  Nature  is  very  dear  to  God.  1  Job.  iii.  2.  Though  it  b& 
doom'd  to  all  that  fitly  may  exprefs  and  aggravate  God's  anger  to  us  5  and  to 
what  fully  may  extort  the  teftimony  of  our  Senfes  thereunto :,  yet  God  from  Hea- 
ven now  fmilcs  upon  us  ^  and  fends  us  thence  both  who  and  what  lhall  greatly  prove 
our  dearnefs  to  himfelf.  That  iuch  vile  Flelh,  and  guilty  Spirits  ihould  thus  be 
taken  up,  chang'd  and  glorified  ;  this  fpeaks  and  proves  us  very  dear  to  God  in- 
deed. 

(  5. )  What  early  Infrances,  and  lively  Emblems  of  the  Refurre&ion-ftate  God 
gave  to  Men  ,  to  raife  up  their  Hearts,  Aims,  and  Expectation.  Enoch  and  Elijah 
thus  Tranflated,  told  Men  from  Heaven  betimes,  That  Earth  is  not  all  that  is  in- 
tended for  them  5  would  they  be  but  true  to  God,  and  duly  provident  for  them- 
felves  in  time.  Elifha,  and  the  50  Men  of  the  Sons  of  the  Prophets,  that  were  by 
Providence  Witnefles  of  this  Tranllation  of  the  Prophet  unto  Heaven,  were  now 
convine'd  (  or  might  be  fo  )  that  there  is  another  and  a  better  World  than  this  y 
and  they  might  all  of  them  eafily  infer,  from  what  they  faw,  that  there  was  room 
in  Heaven  for  more  than  Enoch  and  Elijah,  aiid  that  they  two  were  not  the  only 
perfons  that  Heaven  mould  have  from  hence. 

(  €. )  What  Special  Notice  God  will  take  of  fpecial  zeal,  and  faithful  fervice , 
1  Cor,  xv.  58.  1  Pet.  v.  8.  — 10.  Rev.  ii.  10.  2  Tim.  iv.  6. — 8.  Elijah  is  exalt- 
ed like  himfelf  ^  God's  heart  as  warm  towards  him,  as  ever  his  heart  could  be  to- 
wards God  r  Whilft  he  was  here  below,  he  really  was  (  and  Eli/ha  own'd  him  to 
be  )  as  the  Chariot  of  Ifrael,  and  the  Horfimen  thereof;  all  ufefulnefs,  activity,  zeal, 
and  faithfulnefs  in  his  day  :  And  having  fpent  his  time  and  ftrength,  as  in  the 
fervours  of  warm  and  bufie  Love  to  God  and  Souls  ■  and  in  Zealfor  truth  and  a- 
oa;nft  Idolatry  h  So  what  more  anfwerable  to  this  fervent  temper  than  the  nery 
Chariot  and  Horfes  to  mount  him  from  hence  to  Heaven. 

II.  God's  avouched  Relation  to  this  Prophet. 

I.  That  God  which  call'd  him  to  be  what  he  was.  ^^f^ff^^ 
God,Z?^r.Xviu.is.    And  he  calls  himfelf  aProphet  of  the  Lord,  1  Km$.  xvm.22. 


Elifhav    CUT 


He  did  not  act  without  Commiflion.  Had  he  run  of  his  own  head,  where  had  been 
his  Help,  his  Peace,  his  Succouror  ,  his  Confident?  He  was  not  any  way  defect- 
ive in  his  Prophetick  Unction:  he  knew  his  Errand,  and  what  he  was  to  fay:,  he 
knew  the  God  that  fent  him  ^  he  knew  to  whom  he  was  to  fpeak  ;,  he  knew  how 
to  fpeak  pertinently,  clearly,  pungently,  cogently,  and  bodly  ^  and  all  this  Spirit 
that  was  infpired  into  him,  came  from  above  •,  from  the  Father  of  Lights  ^  and 
from  the  Original  and  End  of  every  good  and-  perfect  gift.  What  had  he,  that 
he  had  not  received  ?  and  what  he  had  received,  was  eminently  Divine,  both  in 
the  nature,  meafure,  and  deligns  thereof.  Had  not  his  Spirit  been  large  and  great, 
and  his  Tongue  touch'd  as  with  a  Coal  from  God's  Altar  ^  he  had  been  daunted 
by  his  Enemies,  and  itraitened  in  his  own  Bowels :  but  he  was  like  that  other  Pro- 
phet ,  full  of  power  by  the  Sprit  of  the  Lord0  of  Judgment  and  of  fldigbi^  to  tell  Tranf- 
grejfers  of  their  iniquities  andfms^  Micah  iii.  8. 

II.  That  God,  whofe  Intereit  and  Glory  he  defign'd,  and  purfu'd,  in  his  whole 
Prophetick  Courfe.  i  King,  xviii.  36,  37.  He  neither  baulked  nor  rlatter'd  any. 
He  did  not  fear  the  frowns  or  rage  either  of  armed  or  enrobed  Dult :  nor  did  he 
court  the  fmiles,  protections,  gifts,  or  honours  of  the  Enemies  of  God  upon  dilho- 
nourable  and,  mean  Termes.  He  did  not  talk,nor  act  deceitfully  for  God.  He  did 
not  feek  himfelf  in  what  he  appeared,  and  profefled  to  do  for  God.  God  was  the 
Lord  his  God  •  as  being  molt  intirely  minded,  molt  highly  valued,  molt  through- 
ly ferved,  molt  intimately  trufted,  molt  clofely  followed,  and  molt  abfolutely  de- 
lighted in  by  him.  And  his  whole  care,  purpofc  and  work  was  this  j  that  all  he 
was,  and  did,  in  Spirit,  Speech,  and  Practice,  might  reach  and  witnefs  his  devoted- 
nefs  and  faithfulnefs  to  God.  His  whole  felf  was  a  daily  Offering  to  God  ;  and  to 
the  Concernments  of  God's  Government  and  Name ,  he  moft  intirely  and  faithful- 
ly facrifie'd  his  all :  as  if  he  had  known  before,  the  urgency,  and  import  of  that 
Charge  and  Counfel,  given  long  after,  in  Rom.  xii.  1,  2.  He  knew  the  narrow- 
nefsand  meannefs^  the  infignificancy  ,  enrptinefs,  contemptiblenefs,  and  danger  of 
that  Soul  that  is  not  more  for  God  than  for  its  felf  ^  and  that  it  was  not  worth 
his  while,  to  live  and  act,  were  not  his  all  devoted,  and  directed  to  that  end,  which 
is  infinitely  better  than  its  felf.  He  thought  God's  glory  needful  ^  but  not  his  own 
Intereit,  or  Being  j  fave  to  this  end. 

III.  The  God  which  own'd  him  conftantly  and  greatly,  in  what  he  did  for  God. 
God  kept  his  Spirit  up,  and  would  not  quench  that  Sacred  Fire  which  he  had  kind- 
led in  his  Brealt.     God  lteel'd  his  Countenance,  and  rendred  it  incapable  of  be- 
ing daunted,  by  either  the  loftieft,  or  molt  furly  Looks.      He  feared  not  the  face 
of  y'hab  j  neither  could  Jezebel  cut  him  off,  nor  daunt  him  by  her  threats  or  great  - 
nefs:     And  all  her  Prophets,  under  her  Countenance  and  Protection,  could  not 
prevent  their  own  Deftruction  at  this  Prophet's  Order.     God  preferv'd  his  Life  and 
Perfon  molt  miraculoully^  and  indeed,  faithful  Prophets,  under  Divine  Protection, 
are  Immortal  till  their  Work  be  done.     Rather  than  this  Elijah  mould  want  Food, 
the  Ravens  lhall  fnpply  him  :     Nor  fhall  the  Crufe  of  Water  fail,  until  this  Pro- 
phet be  refrelh'd.    The  power  and  prevalence  of  this  Prophet's  Prayers  want  not 
their  Inltances  and  Illuftrations.    Such  as  the  Widow's  Son  rais'd  by  him  from 
death  •,  and  the  Drought  and  Rain  that  were  fo  anfwerable  to  his  Defires  j  together 
with  that  Fire  that  came  from  Heaven,  which  fo  affected  all  about  him,  as  that  Er 
lijatfs  Order  more  influenced  the  People  to  deftroy  Baafs  Prophets,  than  aU  their 
Intereit  in,  and  Relation  to,  and  Patronage  from,  that  Idolatrous  Court,  could 
countervail  or  hinder.Should  weinfift  upon  the  Miniftry  of  an  Angel  j  or  on  God's 
own  fo  awful,  and  yet  fo  appofite  appearance  to  him  j  or  on  his  Executed  Doom 
upon  Ahazjah  and  his  MeiTengers  ^  or  upon  his  Wonder-working  Mantle  dropt  up- 
on Elifha,  after  he  was  taken  up  from  him  \  all  this  would  evidently  fhow,  how; 
much  Elijah  had  God's  Eye,  Ear,  Heart,  and  Hand,  to  fecond  him  in  all  that  he 
fpake  and  did  for  God.     God  left  him  not,  when  he  thought  all  the  Seed  of  God 
cut  off,  and  no  Prophet  left  behind,  but  his  own  felf  to  do  the  work  of  God. 
Indeed,  his  Life  was  fill'd  with  wonders-  and  his  own  Experienced  Deliverances 
and  Prefervations  were  fo  manifold ,  feafonable,  and  wonderful,  as  if  God's  Pro- 
vidence, towards  him,  determined  to  be  a  Senfiblc  Comment  upon  his  own 
Name. 

IV.  That 


After  Elijahs  God. 

ThZ'r^l^  Wi°uf°  ?iraculoufly  took  him  up  to  himfelf  at  lait  Heb  xi  6 
more  \tt  ^  ^  f°r  Heaven>a»d  ™&  him  value  faithfulni'  £i  3u» 
on?d  /nV1,!  hmg,J  atukn§th  rcm0V'd  himto  himfdf>  and  P^d  him  whefe  he 
0^§L!/  T?0-1^  t0  bC-  We  afe  t0ld>  that  God  h™  *  *&  ^  the  rvorhof  £ 
l^ehit  W'nrl  X1V'^-  ,Which  PaffaSe  feeras  t0  intimate/as  if  God  lon/d  to 
Kti|m  ^determined  perfedion  .  efpecially  his  Favourites,  wrought 
wh.r  S?  and  P°Wer'  2  Cor-  V'  5-  t0  fuch  a  glorious  ilate  as  Heaven.     And 

7^F^rCOrng\m?^nA  exPeftableby  Divine  Conilitution  and Inddeeace  than 
that  ZV,  s  God  who  was  his  end,  mould  be  his  reft,  and  his  Eternal  ^joy  >'  plj 

wla«:  r1 ! V        W  m?ch  of  Miracle  was  in  this  thing,  no  Man  can  tell.    This 

would M^v  f'  f  °nC'  b?t  G°d'  J°uld  d0  this  for  an?  i  and  nonc  but  £^'s  God 
would  do  it  for  him,  Heb.  xi.  1 1 ,  1 6. 

III.  Tfo  Inquifitivt  Prophet  after  Elijah's  Sod. 

I.  It  was  £/j0w.  One  whom  Elijah  found  at  the  Plow  :  and  whom  God  or- 
dered to  fucceed  his  Matter  in  his  Prophetick  Work,  i  KmP.Xix.  16,19.  Whence 
ieveral  things  may  be  obferved  •  as, 

(  i .  J  Men  lofe  nothing  by  diligent  attending  upon  their  Calling.  David  was 
minding  Sheep  ,  when  he  was  fent  for  to  be  Anointed  King  :  The  Shepherds 
were  m  the  Fields,  when  the  Angelick  Holt  faluted  them  with  fuch  joyful  ty- 
pings, and  were  diligently  looking  alter  their  Flocks  there.  Amos  the  Prophet 
was  among  the  Herdmen  of  Tetoah,  when  God  reprefented  to  him  Jerufalem's 
Doom.  The  Eunucii  was  on  his  way  returning  to  his  Miftrefs  the'  Ethiopian 
Queen,  when  Philip  met  him,  by  the  Spirit's  order,  Convinc'd,  Converted ,  and 
Baptiz'd  him.  And  this  Prophet  was  about  his  bufinefs  when  God  conferr'd  this 
honour  upon  him,  to  fucceed  his  Matter  in  his  Prophetick  Unction  and  Employ- 
ment. x    J 

(  2.  )  God  ehufes  whom  he  pleafes  to  ferve  the  purpofes  of  his  Church  and  King- 
dom.    Ail  are  alike  to  him,  who  needeth  none.    All  the  Aceompliihments  Men 
have  (  though  wonderfully  various  and  great )  they  have  from  him.    He  doth  not 
find  his  Inftruments  fit,  but  makes  them  fo,  to  ferve  his  mind  and  purpofe.     Wit- 
nefs  his  After-Prophets,  Apoftles  and  other  Minilters.    He  can  clear  the  dulleit 
Eye ;  open  the  clofdt  Ear  ^  and  fet  at  liberty- the  Stammering  Tongue  -7  and  or- 
dain great  Strength  for  Babes  and  Sucklings.     Mofes  his  backwardnefs  to  his  ap- 
pointed Embafly,  was  founded  upon  but  a  trivial  excufe^  when  he  pretended  that  he 
was  r.ot  Eloquent^  but  flow  of  Speech  and  Tongue :   nor  could  his  excufe  abide  the 
Teft,  nor  fatisfie  himfelf  ^  when  he  was  told  who  it  was  that  made  Man's  Mouth  ^ 
and  that  the  Lord  that  fent  him  was  he  that  makes  the  Dumb,  the  Deaf,  the  Seeing, 
and  the  Blind  •  and  when  he  was  allured  that  God  himfelf  would  be  with  his 
Mouth,  and  teach  him  what  he  was  to  fay ,  he  then  provoked  God  to  anger,  by 
being  too  folicitous  about  his  own  inabilities,  when  he  had  been  Commiffionated  to 
go,  by  God,  Exod.  iv.  ic.  — 16.    And  when  another  Prophet  complained  that  he 
could  not  fpeak,  in  that  he  was  a  Child ;  God  told  him  how  unfit  it  was,  for  him 
to  fay  fo,  feeing  God  allured  him  of  his  own  prefence  with  him,  Jer*  i.  6. — 8. 

(  3. )  God  takes  great  care  to  fill  up  all  the  Vacancies  which  he  makes  by  Pro- 
vidence, when  it  may  be  ferviceable  to  his  own  Defigns.  Elijah  goes  to  Heaven, 
but  Elifba  rifes  up,  to  do  the  Tranflated  Prophet's  Work.  Thus  Mofes  dies,  but 
there  rifes  up  a  jofhua  to  fucceed  him.  Nadab  and  Abihu  are  carried  off,  but  Elea- 
zjxt  and  Ithamar  come  up  in  their  ftead.  Whilft  God  has  work  to  do  for  Pro- 
phets •  when  Sins  are  neceflarily  to  be  reproved  ,  and  Souls  to  be  inform'd  con- 
verted, edifyed,  and  faved  h  when  Solemn  Worfhip  is  to  be  preferved  in  Exercife  - 
and  when  People  need  their  Guides  -7  God  takes  care  in  all  SuccelEve  Ages  ,  to 
fend  torth  Labourers  (  yea,  to  thruft  them  forth  )  into  the  Harveft. 

II.  It  was  endear"  d  Eli/ha  to  his  Matter,  by  that  Mantle  which  fell  from  Etijab 
upon  him,  according  to  his  hearts  defire,  2  King.il  9.  — 1.4»  £ W*  lov  d  him 
dearly,  and  expected  great  things  from  him :    Whence  we  may  further  note. 


7 


8  ElifhaV  C  %  T 


(i.)  Any  thing  wins  the  heart  which  j  inted   thereto  by  God  •  Word, 

Look,  Touch,  or  Sign.  God  openeth  the  heart  as  he  ices  lit.  Any  thing  does 
every  thing,  when  it  comes  forth  as  in  the  Word  Lord.     .  Mantle 

caft  upon  Elifna,  flrangely  ftolc  his  heart  away.  Something  was  done$  Elifha 
knew  not  what  \  and  Elijah  feem'd  to  wonder  arthe  thing  ■,  Go  back  .gam  (  faith 
he  )  for  what  have  I  done  to  thee?  So  much  was  done,  as  that  El /ha  had  no  power 
to  mind  his  other  work,  favc  to  attend  Elijah,  an*'  ,  wg.xix. 

IP.— 21.  Where  is  that  heart  that  can  with'ftand  God,  when  God  has  a  mind 
to  work  it  over  to  his  Minifters,  Members,  Service,  or  himfelf  ? 

(2.)  Hearts  toucht  and  won  by  God  cleave  fait  to  him,and  flick  at  nothing.  ZF/^bj, 
he  left  all  ^  his  Kindrcd,Flocks,and  Intereft,to  Miniftet  and  cleave  umo  his  Mafter. 
So  did  the  Apoftles,  St.  Paul,  and  others,  who  have  profefs'd  th  ;s  to  be 

Conftrained  by  Love.  How  urgently  did  Elijah  prefs  Elifha  to  be  gone  from  him  ? 
2  King.  ii.  2-— 6,  But  he  clave  fafter  to  him.  How  urgently  were  the  two  Daugh- 
ters in  Law  of  Naomi  preft  to  return  each  of  them  to  their  Mothers  houfe?  And 
yet  how  loth  were  they  to  leave  her.?  but  afterward  Onah  kift  her  only:,  bur. 
Ruth  clave  to  her,  and  warmly  told  her  ,  that  whitherfoever  me  went,  fhe  would 
go  with  her ;  the  fame  Lodging  mould  ferve  them  both  ,  and  that  Naomi's  God 
and  people  mould  be  her  God  and  People  too  -0  that  where  (he  d/d,  there  would 
her  Daughter  alio  dye,  and  there  would  fhe  be  bury'd;  and  bound  it  with  an 
Oath,  that  nothing  elfe  but  Death  mould  part  them,  Puth.  i.  1 1 .  — 18.  and  Ruth 
loft  nothing  by  it.  God  makes  the  fafteft  Friends  and  Friendlhip  :  it  is  his  work 
to  joyn  our  hearts  too  clofe  together  to  admit  divorce  :  nor  is  it  in  Man's  power 
to  make  one  fall  Friend  to  himfelf.  And  as  nothing  binds  fo  ftiongly  as  genuine 
and  fervent  love  •,  fo  is  it  in  God's  power  to  quench  or  kindle  Mens  Aife&ions :, 
and  fo  to  eftablilh  or  diiTolve  all  Friendlhip. 

f  3.)  Engaged  hearts  to  Divine  Services  and  Enlargements,  look  quite  beyond 
all  Secular  Relations  and  Concerns,  Gal.  i.  15,  16.  Mafter  (fay  the  Difciples)  \re 
have  left  all  and  followed  thee.  Chrift  tells  us  plainly,  That  we  can  be  his  Difci- 
ples ,  upon  no  other  termes  than  thefe ,  viz..  That  Father  and  Mother,  &c.  and 
all  Secular  Entertainments,  and  Concerns  be  left  for  htm,  Mat.  x.  37. — 39.  xix.  21, 
27.  —29.  No  Man  (  faith  Chrift  )  having  put  hit  hand  to  the  Plow,  and  looking  back, 
is  ft  for  the  Kingdom  of  God,  Luk.  ix.  62.  How  eminent  an  Inftance,  and  Exem- 
plar, of  this  thing,  was  the  Great  Apoftle  of  the  Gentiles,  A&s  xx.  24.  Phil.  iii. 
7.-— 11.     See  alfo  2  Cor.  iv.  16. — 18.     Hcb.  10.  34. 

111.  It  was  Exercifed  Elifhah ;  under  great  Apprehenfions  of  his  mofl  difficult 
Employment,  and  of  the  want  of  fuch  a  publick  help  and  treafure,  as  Elijah  was , 
and  might  have  been  to  him,  2  King.  ii.  12.  The  Mantle  in  his  hand  j  the  Pro- 
phet in  his  thoughts  •,  his  great  work  upon  his  heart ,  and  the  great  difficulties 
of  that  work  before  his  eyes  -,  thefe  all  awakened  him  to  this  Concerned,  and  So- 
licitous Enquiry  after  Elijah's  God.  He  well  remembred  what  Mountainous  Dif- 
ficulties (  indeed  infuperable,  without  Divine  Afiiftanco)  Elijah  had  broke  through 
to  his  thus  Exalted  State  :  and  in  whofe  ftrength  all  this  was  done :  and  the  great 
Intereft  that  Prayer  and  Zealous  Faithfulnefs  had  in  God.  And  hence  he  well  con- 
lidered ,  how  little  Elijah's  Mantle,  in  his  hand,  imported  to  him,  without  the 
prefence  of  Elijah's  God.  Eli/ha  could  not  think  his  own  work  likely  to  be  eafi- 
er  than  Elijah's  was  ;  nor  that  either  Prince. or  People  would  be  more  kind  to 
him  than  they  had  been  to  his  Predeceffor ;  he  knew  himfelf  to  be  but  flefh  and 
blood,  and  not  fo  different  from  his  Mafter,  in  the  Character  of  being ,  a  Man 
fubjett  to  lih  Pajfwns  (  and  Infirmities  )  with  the  reft  of  Men ,  as  lefs  to  need 
God's  help  and  prefence  than  Elijah  did.  We  may  well  conceive  him  to  be  full 
of  thought,  and  great  Solicitudes  about  the  Reverfions  of  his  Work  and  Tryals : 
and  that  his  Spirit  mould  be  equal  thereunto ,  was  more  than  he  durft  prcmife  to 
himfelf,  or  truft  to,  unlefs  he  could  engage  the  Prophet's  God  to  help  him. 

IV.  It  was  Solicitous  Ehfha,  to  imitate  and  equal  the  Spirit  and  Performances  of 
his  Tranllated  Mafter,  2  King.  ii.  9.  Elijah's  Offer  had  been  kind  :  Elijha's  De- 
li res  prove  as  large :  and  his  Neceilities  feem  as  great ;  but  the  requeft  feems  ve- 
ry difficult  to  be  obtained :    But  the  thing  at  laft  is  granted,  and  an  Experiment 

quickly 


After  Elijah' j-  God. 


9 


quickly  made  as_  to  the  Virtue  of  the  received  Mantle.     This  good  Mm  thought 

mmiclt  greatly  mferiour  tohisMafter^  and  his  cafe  more  deplorable,  through 

the  removal  of  fo  great  a  Perfon.     He  knew  he  had  great  work  to  do  -  and  potent 

enemies  to  contend  with  ,  and  a  degenerate  Generation  to  reduce  to  Cod     He 

Knew  that  proportionable  wifdom,  diligence,  and  fervour,  vigour  and  patience 

Hereunto,    was  of  neceflity  to  be  had  and  exercifed.     And  no  Pattern  had  he 

Known,  more  Exemplary  and  Succefsful  than  this  Elijah  was.     And  very  loth  he 

vvas  to  Come  behind  him.     Nothing  did  prefs  fo  urgently  upon  his  heai  t  a^ 

that  bvs  own  Perfonul  Excellencies^  and  Performances  might  be  fuck  a*  that  the  mk  qF 

God  thereby  be  Vniform.     And  though  the  gift  of  Miracles  was  probably  more 

immediately  in  his  Eye^  Yet  was  not  this  his  ultimate  Deftre  and  Defigji  ■,  but, 

rather  to  have  all  advantages  for  a  Reformation-work,  by  gaining   greater'  and 

more  effectual  Credit  to  his  Miniftry.     He  would  not  culpably  come"  behind  his 

Mailer,  nor  be  defective  in  any  thing  ordinable  and  advantageous  unto  the  bull- 

nefs  of  his  then  prefent  Day  and  Funftion. 

V.  It  was  Concerned  Eltjha  to  come  off  well  at  laft,  Ads  xx.  24.  iTim.lv. 
£• — 8.  He  coveted  fo  to  fulfil  his  Courfe  and  Function,  as  to  attain  the  mod  a-, 
bundant  entrance  into  that  State  whereto  he  faw  his  Matter  pafs.  Great  indeed 
was  the  inflance  which  he  lately  had  of  God's  Regard  to  Excellent  Elijah  :  and 
though  he  could  not  hope  for  being  excufed  from  Death  (nor  was  he,  as  we  find, 
2  King.  xiii.  14,  20.  )  yet  might*  he  covet,  aim  at,  and  prepare  for,  dying  in  the 
Lord,  and  living  with  him  in  that  State  which  Elijah's  being  thus  lifted  up  Prefi- 
gured. Elijah  had  born  his  ample  teftimony  to  the  Name  and  Caufe  of  God ,. 
when  the  Baalitical  Jpojlacy  had  grown  fo  great.  And  he  had  God's  Miraculous 
Teftimony  to  his  Zeal  and  Faithfulnefs :  And  this  might  well  provoke  Elijhar% 
heart,  to  be  folicitous  about  that  prefence  of  Elijah's  God,  which  might  fecure  his 
perfeverance,  and  conftant  fulfilling  after  God  j  and  his  moll:  feafonable  and  de- 
lightful entrance  into  Elijah's  State  of  Heavenly  Joys,  and  Glory  £  for  like  his  Ma- 
tter he  coveted  to  be,  both  in  this  World,  and  in  the  next. 

VI.   It  was  Encouraged  Eli/ha  to  expect  great  things  from  God,  2  King.ii,  9,  —  1 2. 
Great  Men  of  God  know  how  to  take  their  helps  and  hints  for  boldnefs  in  their 
applications  to  him,  both  from  Indulgence  and  Experience^  Sam.  vii.  27—29. 
Pfal.ix.  10.     Hab.  iii.  2. — 19.     The  great  Experiences  of  Elijah ,  were  grateful 
Explications  of  this  Significant  Relation  •,  and  fmart  Temptations,  and  Incentives 
to  this  Prophet's  Praver  and  Hope.    He,  that  knew  Elijah^  and  had  feen  what  Spi- 
rit acted  him,  what  Power  attended  him,  what  Providence  wrought  for  and,  by 
him,  how  all  Spirits  and  Difficulties  melted  down  before  him  ,  how  great  an  Ho- 
nour and  Preferment  was  vouchfafed  to  him,  in  being  thus  carried  up  to  Heaven : 
he  that  was  called,  and  charmed  to  his  Function  and  Employment  by  Divine  Or- 
der, and  Eltflja's  Mantle  :  he  that  law  the  late  Miracle  which  this  Mantle  wrought, 
ill  2  King.  ii.  8.  he  that  had  the  Sign  given  him  of  being  gratified  in  his  defired 
favour  from  Elijah :  he  that  fo  throughly  confider'd  what  a  Publick  Treafure  God 
had  made  Elijah  unto  ifiael  •  and  that  had  fuch  reafon  and  propenfion  to  believe 
God's  generous  kindnefs  to  his  devoted  ones  j  Yea,  he  that  (  laftly  )Telt  fuch  E- 
ncrgies  in  his  own  holy  Principles  and  Appetites,  could  not  be  deftitute  of  En- 
couragements, tQ  expect  that  God  would  own  him  and  aflift  him  in  all  that  he 
had  cill'd  him  to  •  a  Parallel  to  all  which  we  feem  to  have  in  Jer.  i.  5.  — 1  o.    All 
good  Men  love  to  know  their  Errand,  and  their  Warrant,  when  they  foil icit  for 
Great  things  from  Heaven.    Fancy's  are  but  weak  Foundations  for  great  Expecta- 
tions to  be  built  upon.    Had  not  Eli/ha  been  thus  Conntenanc'd  by  his  Mailer, 
to  ask  (as  it  were)  at  large  5  he  had  been  more  modeft  in  his  Suit.-  but  when  the 
Prophet  bid  him  ask  (though  his  Requeft  feem'd  hard)  yet  did  not  that  much 
difcouiage  him  from  expecting  what  he  long'd  and  begg'd  for. 

JtV.  Elijah'*  ghat  Enquiry  and^  Concern. 

1  God's  Prefence  was  the  thing  enquired  after,-  and  requeued;  and  nothing 
can  be  done  without  it.  See  Exod.  xxxiii.  1 2.  ~i  7-  We  need  God's  pretence, 
with  our  Spirits,  with  our  Perfons,  and  our  Enterprizes.  Our  Spirits  mult  pe 
upheld,  ftirnifhed,  fortified,  and  encouraged >  and  every  way  P"^  *£»  J™1 
even  with,  and  kept  clofe  to  the  bufinefs  of  their  Day.    Our  Perfons  mult  b*  pro. 

B  1 


io  Elifha>x  CRT 


— — —  ■■■■  ■ i^ 

te&ed  and  maintained  in  their  ufefulnefs  and  fafety,  till  their  work  be  done.  And 
our  Enterprises  muft  be  fmiled  upon,  and  attended  with  that  Providential  Prefence 
which  fhall  accommodate  it  felf  to  all  Affairs,  that  are,  and  ought  to  be  Com  pleat- 
ed by  our  Miniftry.  God's  influencing  Operative  Prefence  (  call'd  his  hand  )  mult 
be  upon  us,  with  us,  and  for  us.  There  muft  be  in  us  holy  Wifdom,  Courage  , 
Patience,  Confidence,  and  Chearfulnefs ;  and  there  muft  be  fuch  a  Providence  as 
to  make  Second  Caufes  to  ferve  or  yield  to  us,  and  fpeak  for  us. 

2.  It  was  the  Prefence  of  Elijah's  God.  A  Prefence  fuited  to  a  Prophet's  work, 
2  Cor.  x.  4,  5.  There  will  be  Enemies  upon  their  Thrones,  in  Arms,  in  Confultati- 
ons  •  fighting  againft  God  and  his  Eltfha's,  with  their  Thoughts,  Tongues,  Pens , 
and  Intereft.  And  Prophets  muft  encounter  and  endure  all,  Eyhef.  vi.  12.  — 18. 
Earth  and  Hell  combine  againft  them  ;  and  thefe  want  not  Inftruments ,  Engines, 
Methods,  and  Pretences  ^  to  Patronize,  Propagate,  and  Encourage  Idolatries,  In- 
fidelity, Immoralities,  and  Cruelties ,  and  all  forts  of  Mifchief.  And  can  thefe 
be  grapled  with  and  Conquer'd  without  Elijah's  God  ?  The  Spirit  of  Elijah  muft 
reft  upon  Elifha :  How  otherwife  can  the  Waters  part,  which  are  fo  obftruttive 
to  his  Dutiful  and  Profperous  Motions?  2  Kings  ii.  14, 1 5.  Or  the  unwholefom 
Springs  of  Waters  he  heal'd  ;  fo  as  that  neither  Death ,  nor  Barreanefs  refult 
therefrom?  Ferf.  21.  Or  the  early  (almoft  Infant)  Eru&ations  of  Malignity 
and  Scorn  be  check'd  and  punilhed?  J  erf.  23,  24.  Or  the  good  King  Jehofapbat 
be  refrefh'd  and  profper'd  ?  2  King.  iii.  1 1.— 25.  Or  the  Widow's  Oyl  be  mul- 
tiplyed,  as  the  miraculous  owning  of  her  former  Husband's  Godlinefs  ?  Chap.  iv. 

j. 7#'   Or  the  Shunamite's  Son  reftor'd  to  Life?  Verf.%.  — 37.    Or  Death  re- 

mov'd  from  the  Pot?  Vcrfi^. — 41.  Or  an  Hundred  Men  miraculoufiy  Fed? 
Verf.  43  44.  Or  a  Naiman  cured  of,  and  a  GebazA  fmitten  with  the  Leprofy ? 
Chap.  v. '  Or  the  Syrians  Chamber-Politicks  detected ,  and  all  his  Army  Con- 
quer'd ?  Chap.  vi.  Or  Plenty  brought  to  otherwife  Starv'd  Samaria  ,  beyond 
expectation  ?  Yea,  or  this  Elifha  live  fo  defirably,  and  die  fo  honourably  and  k- 
mentedly  as  he  did  ,  2  King.  xiii.  14. — 19.  A  Prophet's  Work  and  Province 
needs  that  Unction,  Prefence,  and  Encouraging  reward,  which  none  but  an  E- 
lijah\  God  can  give,  1  King.xvm.  36.  with  2,  3,  14 — 25.  This  makes  a  Pro- 
phet mighty  both  in  Word  and  Deed,  with  God  and  Man,  Ezr.  vif.  6, 9, 10.  Neb. 
ii.  8.  Ez.ck.  iii.  8.  — 11.  Jer.i.  18, 19.  And  who  can  ftand  before  a  Prophet 
and  his  God  ? 

3.  This  prefence  muft  be  evidently  fuch  to  others.  Let  it  be  known  this  day 
(  faith  this  Elijah,  whofc  God  Elifha  is  now  enquiring  after  )  that  thou  art  God  in 
Jfrael    and  thM  I  am  thy  Servant ,  and  that  I  have  done  all  thefe  things  at  thy  word. 

Hear  ''me  0  Lord,  hear  nte,  that  thvs  People  may  know Then  the  Fire  of  the  Lord 

fell   and  con  fumed And  when  the  People  were  Convinced  that  God  thus 

fhev/d  himfelf,  and  own'd  $5  Prophet,  then  fell  Elijah  to  his  ordering  of  Baafs 
Prophets  to  be  deftroy'd,  1  King,  xviii.  36.  — 40.  And  fuch  a  Prefence  was  £- 
lifha  concerned  to  obtain,  when  as  the  matter  might  require  it  .•  And  fuch  con- 
cernednefs  we  find  elfewhere,  as  Pfal.  cix.  26,27.  Exod.  iv.  i.~ 5.  This  his 
Enquiry  feems  to  import  thus  much  ;  Be  thou  fe  much  with  me,  as  to  conftrain  thofe 
perfons  to  whom  J  am  to  Propbefie,  to  fay,  No  Man  could  Propheftt,  AH,  and  Live,  and 
thus  fulfil  hvs  Charge,  and  Miniflry,  unlefs  Elijah'*  God  was  with  him.  See  Job. 111.2. 
1  Cor.  ii.  4,  ii.  3,  7.  Heb.  ii.  4.  O  Let  Gifts,  Grace,  Power,  Performances,  and 
Succcfs  bear  teftimony  tome,  that  Elijah's  God  is  ever  v/ith  me. 

V.  The  Genuine  Spirit  of  this  Spetcb. 

I.  Elijah  was  yet  greatly  in  Elijhfs  thoughts ;  they  were  but  newly  parted. 
What  frefh  remembrances  had  this  remaining  Prophet  •,  both  of  the  Perfon,  Office, 
Excellencies,  and  endearing  Converfation ,  of  his  retired  and  Exalted  Mafter ! 
The  fhape  and  features  of  his  Perfon  •,  the  Excellency  of  his1  Temper  •  the  Com- 
pofures  of  his  grave  Countenance^  the  weightinefs of  his  Words ^  the  manner  of 
his  Converfation ;  the  Severities  of  his  Life  •,  the  undauntednefs  of  his  Spirit ; 
the  freedom  of  his  Conferences:  the  power  of  his  Prayers ^  the  exemplarinefs 
of  his  Life  •  the  miraculoufnefs  of  his  Experiences  and  Performances ;  and  his  ex- 
traordinary pafling  from  hence  to  Heaven  -7  witji  all  the  good  vftich  had,  and 

might 


After  Elijah'/  God. 


PronW  ™ i?,ed,fi:ora  hS  and  b«" derived  to  hta^lf^do^rTi^tTZ" 
Fropnet  continued  here  longer  amoneft  Men-  whth;n<r.  I?  „  the 
affect  his  heart,  and  exercife  lis  thougls,  even  at  ^^nSfu!^^ 
te*«*«  of  their  forrfer  iWimacLjaS  ^^  oclf  ^^ 
EWfe  was  the  bather,  Friend,  and  Mailer  of  E/^'and  flood  in  near  ReLtion  t0 
his  God  -  and  he  was  thought  on.  by  the  Prophet,  as  being  greatly  privUedaed  bv 

E/L  >  Thn :  °therwifc>.  why  novthe  Lord  ^  ^  »  ™«  -  M^ 

EVfc  ?     This  Man  was  written  on  his  heart.     Such  are  nmembnd  by  their  Inti- 
mates when  not  feen  -  'twas  not  in  heart,  but  perfon,  that  they  were  parted 

II.  Elijah's  God  was ;  now  very  powerfully  upon  Bijha's  heart.  Elifhah  'thoughts 
were  deep  and  bufy  about  great  things,  confidered  by  him  as  in  reference  to  Eli- 
jab  He  frequently  and  intimately  confider'd,  to  what  his  God  had  called  EUiab  • 
what  he  had  made  him  •  a  Man  •  a  good  Man,  and  a  Prophet :  What  an  Unction 
he  had  beftowd  upon  him-,  what  Encouragements  he  afforded  him:  what  readv 
Audience  he  gave  his  Prayers  •  how  he  protected  him  from  what  he  feared  •  how 
he  enabled  him  to  do  what  he  did  ;  how  he  fupported  him  under  what  he'felt- 
howneown'dhimpublicklyinwhat  he  went  about-  how  he  had  tranflated  him 
to  what  he  long  d  for  -,  and  how  he  had  placed  him  at  lafl  amongft  thofe  that  he 
had  fiuted  him  unto  :  He  alfo  thought  what  a  God,  this  God  will  be  to  others 
that  was  expenene'd  to  be  fuch  to  his  Mafler.  O  how  did  thefe  things  work 
upon  EUJha's  heart !  Who  would  not  be  ambitious  of  the  Saving  Powerful 
Knowledge  of  this  God ;  of  Covenant-Relations  to  him  •  of  all  Engagements  in 
his  Service,  and  of  all  Endearments  to  his  Heart !  No  greater  Wifdom  Power 
Faithfulnefs,  and  Kindnefs,  can  be  coveted,  and  relied  on,  than  God's. 

III.  Elijah's  blefled  State  was  moft  affe&ingly  in  Elifha's  profpeft  •  even  in  its 
place  and  meafure  much  what  like  that  in  Luk.  xxiv.  52, 53.    Elijah  taken  up  thus 
vifibly  in  Solemn  State  to  Heaven,  and  this  too  by  the  Lord  his  God,  2  King.  ii. 
5,u.  cannot  but  minifter  to  great  thoughts,  even  fuch  as  thefe ;  (1.  J -What 
cannot  God  do  if  he  pleafes  ?  Exod.  xv.  11.    Vfal.cn.  1. — 5.  exxxv.  6.  cxv. 
Bafe  Earth,  and  fluggifh  Fleih  mount  up  ^  Fire  and  Angels,  they  defcend  -0  Mor- 
tals become  Immortal  ,  the  Living  Rife  ;  the  Dead  are  Raifed  up-,  and  a  Favou- 
rite fhall  be  iingled.out  from  amongft  Men  to  be  indemnified  from  the  flroke  of 
Death,  and  from  the  Inclofures  of  a  cold  Grave.    (  2.  )  What  will  not  God  do 
for  his  Faithful  Zealots  in  his  Service  ?  he  w  not  afhamed  to  be  called  their  God,  ha- 
ving prepaid  for  them  a  City  •   and  promis'd  and  engaged  for  their  Tranflation 
thither.  Heb.  xi.  1 6.    What  the  Earth  cannot  entertain  them  with,  the  Heavens 
fhall.    (  3 .  )  Nothing  can  be  thought  too  much  for  God,  nor  any  thing  loft  indeed, 
nor  counted  great,  that  we  are  call'd  to  hazard,  lofc,  endure,  or  do  for  him. 
Heb.  x.  4.    2  Cor.  iv.  17, 18.    Elijah's  Afliimption  into  Heaven  fobn  made  amends 
abundantly,  for  all  his  Sufferings,  Pains  and  Lofles.    (4.  )  Elijah's  God  is  all  in 
all  below  to  them,  who  have  him  for  their  God  indeed  ,  2  Tim.  xiv.  17,  18. 
Heb.  xiii.  6.     Pf.  Ixxiii.  24. — 29.     Eli/hah  thought,  that  he  who  had  born  Elijah 
through  all  his  Agonies,  Toils,  Fatigues  and  Fears  to  Heaven,  could  do  as  much 
for  him ;  and  why  not  therefore  to  be  ferved,  eyed  and  trufted  by  him?  (  5. ) 
What  fo  meet  and  needful ,  as  an  Heavenly  Expectation,  Mind  and  Life  ?  Col.  iii. 
2.    Matt.  vi.  19. — 21.     xvii.  3, 4.    We  cannot  think  Elijah  carry'd  up  unto 
that  State ,  which  never  had  his  thoughts  and  heart :  he  never  could  imagine 
that  this  World  and  Body  could  be  his  refting  place,  in  that  they  were  fo  much 
polluted :    Therefore  it  was  the  Heavenly  Gountrey  that  he  made  the  greateft 
•reckoning  of  ;  and  whence  and  whither  he  was  carry'd  by  the  Lord  hit  God,  with 
all  his  delicate  Entertainments  there  (and  perhaps  by  the  way  as  he  afcended 
up  )  could  not  but  fix  Eli/bo's  thoughts ;  fire  his  heart  -,  confirm  him  in  his  holy 
purpofes ;  quicken  his  endeavours  to  fulfil  his  Miniftry  ;  and  thereby  ripen  him 
for  his  moft  abundant  entrance  into  the  Heavenly  State,  by  bearing  his  Spirit  up 
in  hope,  and  drawing  forth  many  a  ferious  ,  quickening  ,  and  heart-refrefhing 
thought.    By  what  Eli/ha  faw,  he  could  not  but  expeft  great  things  from  God  -, 
and  mufe  upon  fwith  great  delight )  what  the  Lord,£/«>fc's  G»d,  at  laft,  would 
Miake  him,  and  whither  he  would  bring  him. 


II 


12  Eliftia'r    CRY 


IV.  Elijah's  Work  now  wholly  lies  upon  tH/ha's  hands ,  i  / w/.  xix.  16.  He 
mult  now  Prophecy,  lnftruft,  Reprove,  Rebuke,  Exhort  Reform,  Endure,  En- 
counter, and  Engage  againft  all  that  (hall  rival  or  pppole  God :  All  which  is 
now  confidered  by  him,  as  quite  above  his  ftrength  and  skill,  unlefs  E(i]  ib's  God 
be  with  him.  Men  of  thede'epeft  thought,  of  the  greateft  reach,  and  even  of  the 
nobleft  refolution  to  do  their  utmoft  to  promote  God's  Inter  eft  in  the  World,yet 
tremble  at  their  Work,  when  they  confider  the  import  of  it,  and  the  difficulties 
that  attend  it  :  and  it  fends  them  often  to  their  Prayers  und  Tears,  that  God 
would  not  defert  them,  and  leave  them  to  themfelves.  St.  l\iuly  that  Great  Apo- 
ftle,  had  been  no  ft  ranger  to,  nor  Trifier  in  his  Work-,  nor  unacquainted  with 
the  Severities  of  Martyrdom:,  nor  of  Small  Proficiency,  in  the  Vigours  and  Ex- 
periences of  Chriftian  Godlinefs  j  when  yet  in  the  profpect  of  approaching  trou- 
bles ,  he  fo  concernedly  addreft  himfelf  to  Heaven  by  Prayer,  2  Cor.  xii.  7.  —9. 
And  it  was  from  the  Divine  Promife  ,  and  not  from  any  thing  in  himfelf,  that  he 
deriv'd  his  hopes  of  Perfeverance  to  the  end  j  and  fortifyed  his  Courage  to  with- 
ftand  all  Enemies,  and  Obftaclcs  in  his  Courft.  This  was  the  Armour  he  ran, 
and  Fought  in  (  might  I  allude  to  that  Olympick  Game  which  they  called  Iff  Kirs 
AflJ/u®-,  whereto  this  fame  Apoftle  feems  to  allude  in  A&.  xx.  14.  2  77m  iv.  7.) 
'Tis  no  fuch  eafie  thing  to  dcmolifh  the  ftrong  holds  of  Satan,  to  call  down  all 
the  Reafonings,  and  Imaginations  that  lie  fo  oppotite  to  God's  Intereft,  in  the 
Idolatrous,  and  Profeffing  Chriftian  World  ^  nor  to  tread  down  every  thing  that 
exalts  its  felf  againft  the  Knowledge  of  God,  and  Chriftian  Intereft  j  and  to  bring 
into  Captivity  every  thought,  to  the  Obedience  of  God  and  Chrift :  and  the  wea- 
pons of  this  warfare  muft  not  be  carnal  •  for  then  they  would  prove  to  be  too  weak  : 
and  if  they  be  mighty  and  fuccefsful,  it  muft  be  through  God :  as  2  Cur.  x.  4,  5. 
Such  thoughts  as  thefe  may  well  afted  LHJha,  whcii  he  had  no  Elijah  at  his  hand  to 
help  him. 

VI.  Tht  Errand  and  Memorials  of  this  Text  and  Day. 

1 .  As  this  Day  is  now  our  Sabbath-day  ^  fo  let  us  remember  the  Lord  Elijah's 
God,  as  refting  from  Creation-work,  and  calling  us  to  the  Commemoration  both 
of  the  Monuments  of  his  vifible  Power,  of  the  pleafure  that  he  took  therein,  and 
of  the  Signatures  of  his  moft  reverend  and  Holy  Name  impreft  thereon ,  Exod. 
xx.  8. —  n.  1  Chron.  xxix.  10. — 13.  Nekem.  ix.  5,  6.  Deaf.  x.  14.  Jonahi.9. 
This  vaft  Fabrick  is  fo  expreffive  of  God's  Name,  fo  worthy  of  his  Providence  , 
and  fo  adapted  to  the  purpofes  and  ufes,  whereto  he  had  contrived  and  confign'd 
it,  as  that  it  deferves  to  be  Commemorated  with  very  great  Solemnity  and  Re- 
verence. The  Univerfe  being  vaftly  great,  (hould  be  confider'd  as  the  Produft  of 
his  Almighty  word  and  thought:  for  it  declares  the irtatnefs  of  his  Power  ,  and 
yet  it  is  comparatively  but  a  faint  hint  of  what  he  is  able  to  produce  and  do,  by 
his  own  Powerful  Word  *.  The  wife  contrivance ,  and  apt  harmony  of  this 
Stately  Fabrick,  fhews  the  great  wifdom,  and  All-comprehending-thought  of  its 
fo  glorious  Builder,  Pfal.  civ.  24.  Prov.  iii.  19,  20.  Jer.x.  12.  O  what  a  va- 
riety of  Spheres,  Regions,  Globes,  and  Vortices  •  of  Animate  and  Inanimate  Crea- 
tures (  to  fay  nothing  of  thofe  Innumerable  Myriads  of  Spirits  above  )  with 
their  refpe&ive  Situations ,  Afpefts,  Diftances,  Influences,  Furniture,  and  Mu- 
tual Dependences,  hath  Infinite  Power  produced  under  the  Conduct  or  that  Wif- 
dom,  which  hath  fo  Accurately,  and  llluftrioully  fhew'd  it  felf,  in  fuch  abundant 
Variegatiorts,  as  may  challenge  and  endure  even  our  fevereft  fearch  and  obliga- 
tion, to  Admiration  and  Amazement !  Again,  the  Furniture  and  Provifions  of 
this  World,  and  of  all  the  parts  thereof,  are  equally  Demonftrative  of  the  Riches 
of  God's  goodnefs  thereunto,  Pf.  civ.  24. — 28.  All  the  Chambers  and  Apart- 
ments of  this  Edifice ,  are  filled  with  precious  and  pleajant  Riches  ,  Prov.  xxiv.  4. 


*   Tct  $  etof«t7«  aVt*  turn  tfigtos  KoffXQV  to7<  voiUfXttft  rov^ra,  totfofOCrgj,  »t£  ctf//- 

Upm.  i.  20.  How  fit  a  Parapbrafe  this  Text  may  be  of  pfal.  civ.  2.  let  the  Judicious  and  Learn- 
ed Judge  as  they  fee  caufe,  upon  deliberate  and  mature  thought. 

Pfal 


After  Elijah'/   God. 

Ff. exit,  is,  16.  All  parts  are  hclpfull  each  to  other-  and  every  thine  at- 
tributes r  fmtably  to  its  Capacity,  place  and  meafure  >  fomewhat  to  the  advantage 
otthc  whole,  and  every  thing  derives  more  benefit  -from  the  whole  than  it  can 
communicate :  thereto.  And  O  what  apt  applications,  accomodations,  and  addreifes 
doth  Umverfal  Providence  make  of  its  Concerned  and  Communicative  Self  both 
to  the  entire  Carnages  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  and  to  the  Capacity  and  Concerns  of 
every  part  thereof !  At  laft  comes  Man  to  be  the  Lord  and  Pofiefior  of  thefc  things  • 
but  yet  as  under  Law  to  Ged  •  as  the  Dijcerner  of  Cod/?,  Eminence,  as  a  Notary  to  his 
Wtll  •  and  as  the  recipient  of  God's  Comunicattve  goodmfs.  God  makes  him  apj 
henfive,  feniible,  and  ufefull,  intelligent,  Voluntary,  and  active-,  (i  )  That  he 
might  difcern  the  Charac7ers,<m&  Imprjjh  of  his  God,  upon  the  Viiible  World,  and 
his  own  felt-,  and  his  Relations  and  obligations  unto  that  God  who  made 'him 
and  all  the  World  about  bim  -,  and  the  true  reference  of  all  Things  and  Beings,  and' 
ofhimfelf,  to  their  great  Original  and  End.  (2.  )  That  he  might  fee  and  reliih 
Gods  goodnefs  to  him,  in  thofc  vaft  Capacities  and  Appetites  which  God  had  given 
him,  and  for  the  due  Satisfaction  whereof  God  had  fo  abundantly  provided.  (  3.  ) 
That  Man  might  know,  to  and  with  whom  he  is  to  live  *  and  how  he  is  accommo- 
dated for  his  full,  Pradical  Devotednefs,  and  Faithfull  fervice  to  his  God :  And 
as  God  made  him  an  Embody ed  Spirit  •  and  thereby  Capable  of  manifold  fenfations 
for  the  fuller  Entertainment,  Tryal,  and  Employment  of  his  Soul  *  fo  he  had  a 
glorious  and  well  furnifhed  World  to  Miniiler  feniibly  to  the  improvement  of  his 
mind,  the  Eftablimment  and  Refrefhment  of  his  heart,  and  the  full  Exercife  of  all 
thofe  Energy's  and  Vigours  which  were  rooted  in  his  Soul  •,  and  were  to  be  drawn 
out  unto  their  fit  Explications,  and  Engagements  of  themfelves,  by  proper  objects 
and  occurrences  to  that  purpofe :  And  then  God  makes  a  Woman  for^him,  out  of 
his  own  fide .-  and  having  given  her  to  him  in  marriage  he  lays  Foundations  for 
Fellowfhip  and  Social  Converfation ;  for  Government*  for  Propagation*  and  fot 
Family-Religion  and  Concerns.  All  this,  and  much  more  doth  this  day  mind  us 
of,  as  a  Sabbatical  memorial  of  the  God  of  Nature,  finning  forth  in  the  Viiible 
Creation :  Though  by  the  Miniftry  of  Angels  unto  Adam  ,  an  higher  State  and 
Ordc-  of  Beings  was  more  than  hinted.  And  for  a  (hare  in  all  the  benefits,  fervice, 
and  pleafure,  of  this  fo  well  formed  and  furnifhed  World,  Comes  in  EU)ah  in  his 
proper  Courfe.  The  Body  and  Spirit  of  %li\ah  *  the  Earth  wherein  he  fojourn'd * 
the  Heavens  through  and  to  which  he  went  •,  the  Heavens  of  Heavens  (  fo  ancient ) 
whereupon  God  rides,  and  wherein  EH)ah  dwells  -,  all  things  and  beings  that  mini- 
ftrcd  to  Elijah's  fatisfrdtion,  and  advantage  here;,  the  Angels  who  convey'd  him 
hence  ■  (  fee  Pf  lxviii.  17.  )  and  all  the  /Etherial  (  or  what  ever  ether  )  Materials 
of  that  Chariot,  and  thofe  horfes  which  carryed  him  on  high  *  with  all  thofe  many, 
many  Mvriads  of  pure  and  unembodyed  Spirits *  and  all  the  glorious  and  delight- 
full  treasures  which  entertain  him  there*  O  Let  all  thefe  be  thought  on,  as  the 
Works  and  Products,  and  glorious  Memorials  of  Eli)ah\  God.  Thus  may  we  re- 
pi  cfent  him  like  himfelf  to  us,  fo  as  to  Engage  Acknowledgments,  and  Improve- 
ments of  his  own  for  him ;  for  it  is  of,  and  through,  and  to,  Eli]ah\  God  that  all 
things  are. 

2.  As  this  Day  is  the  />A-Day*  So  let  Elijah's  Friend  and  Anti-type  be  re-' 
membred  *  even  the  raifed  Lord  of  Life  -,  O  let  him  have  your  livelieft  and  molt 
thankfull  thoughts,  Ff.  cxviii.  az— 24.  Ephef.  i.  19—23.  *  Pet.  i.  3—21.  He 
(  even  Elijah  )  may  thank  God  for  Jefus  Cbrift.,  and  he  may  thank  Chriji  (  though 
before  he  was  Tranfiated,  he  might  know  but  little  of  him  )  for  all  that  Providence, 
grace,  and  power,  that  wrought  and  hrmght  him  fo  eifeaually  and  miracv.loufiy  to 
his  Heavenly  State  and  Glory  -,  and  fo  may  we.  Hek  vi.  1 7—20.  Biuk  knew  not 
then  fo  well  as  now  be  doth  (  nor  as  perhaps  we  know  )  by  whom  and  how  he  was 
thus  to  be  privilcdged,  Col.  i.  26,  27.  Epk  iii.  9—".  thrift  Rifen  from  the 
Dead,  broaeht  ad  the  Springs  of  Life,  peace  joy  and  hope ;  he  open'd  all  the  Trea- 
fures  from  whence  our  Succours  and  Accomplilhroents  muft  be  derived.  1  he  up- 
per Springs  ifiued  through  Chrift  upon  all  his  Minifters  and  Members*  but  ieeing 
'tis  mah  as  a  Prophet,  which  we  are  here  confidering  •,  fo  may  we  well  Conuder 
our  raifed  Lord  and  Head,  as  one  by  whom  all  Miniftersand  Prophets  arc :  over- 
fliadowed  from  on  high,  in  order  to  their  furniture  and  power  for  the  Diicnarge 
of  their  great  Truft,and  Workbetow:  for  we  are  all  by  the  fame  Lord  gifted 
(  though  not  equally  )  for  the  great  things  that  we  are  fent  about *  and  we^all 


1 4  Eliftia*/    CRT 


actuated  by  the  fame  hope  of  the  fame  bleffed  State  above,  as  our  Encouragement 
to  periift  in  what  we  undertake .-  and  all  this  by  the  fame  Redctmcr.  Chrift  yet 
abides  the  fame,  and  will  take  Care,  that  all  his  Faithful  Minifters  want  not  that 
Un&ion,  nor  that  meafure  of  it,  which  their  important  Function  calls  for.  O  Let 
this  therefore  fhame  and  Check  our  immoderate  Refentments  of  the  recefs  of  fuch 
as  this  Elijah  was,  though  Excellent  and  ufeful  Prophets.  And  (  rather  than  pour 
out  our  Tears  abundantly  upon  the  Hearfe,  and  Memory  of  retired  Prophets  to 
their  Eternal  home)  let  us  rejoyce  that  Chrift  is  gone  to  Heaven  ;  that  our  remo- 
ved Prophets  arc  now  with  him:  and  that  Chrift  himfelf  e're  long  will  bring  and 
keep  us  altogether  with  himfelf,  2  Cor.  iv.  14,  15.  1  Thlgf.  iv.  13—18. 
xiv.  1—  -3.  and,  Ver.i%.  Wherein  we  find  Chrift  pleading,  dofely,  and  reproving 
their  immoderate  Griefs  for  his  Departure,  in  thefc  words,  Ye  have  heard  how  J 
find  to  you,  J  go  away  and  come  agam  to  you.  If  ye  loved  we,  ye  would  rtjoyce  btcaufe  J 
faid,  I  go  to  the  Father,  for  my  Father  is  greater  than  I.  Chrift  hereby  tries  the  tem- 
per of  their  Love,  and  minds  them  of  the  regular  management  of  that  Central 
Grace,  and  tacitly  upbraids  them  with  the  undifcerned  coarfnefs  of  their  love  to 
him.  They  were  to  walk  by  Faith  ;  and  to  be  more  folicitous  about  the  future 
than  the  prefent  ftate  of  things ,  ard  about  their  accommodations  for  their  ap- 
proaching Work  and  Tryals,  than  for  the  pleafures  that  refulted  from  a  prefent 
friend  on  Earth,  though  it  were  Chrift  himfelf  in.  Flem.  And  one  would  think, 
the  Apoftle  Paul  -himfelf  was  more  thau  toucht  with  the  fenfe  and  favour  of  this 
paflage,  by  what  he  has  left  upon  Record  in  ii  Coy.  v.  16.  Where  he  thus  Vents 
himfelf;,  Wherefore  (faith  he)  bettcefortb  know  we  no  man  after  the  FUjh  -,yea  tJwugh 
we  have  known  Chrift  after  the  Fief b,  yet  now  henceforth  know  we  him  no  mo  e ;  The  In- 
forcements  of  which  Charge  and  Counft!  you  have  iu  V&.  17— 1  y. 

3.  As  this  is  a  Providential  Day  for  Funeral  Thoughts  and  Sorrows,bccaufe  of 
God's  heavy  hand  upon  the  World  and  Church,  my  Self  and  7ok,  by  the  Removal  of 
JLtijatfs  lively  Image,  The  Reverend  and  Excellent  Mr.  Richard  Baxter :  So  wc 
have  to  excretfe  our  prefent  thoughts,  (  1.  )  The  Prophet's  Character  and  Exit. 
(  2.)  God  s  Voice  to  us  thereby.  (  3. )  Our  Great  Concern  to  have  God's  pre- 
sence with  you,  and  the  Prophet's  Mantle  with  me  (  if  fuch  a  thing  can  be  Expect- 
ed by  me  )  to  our  beft  benefit  and  advantage. 

(  1. )  As  to  the  Character  of  that  Prophet,  whofe  Soul  is  gone  from  us  to 
Heaven  :  Mr.  Richard  Baxter  was  a  perfon  defervedly  of  great  Fame  and  Cha- 
racter in  his  Day.  He  feem'd  to  be  a  Tranfcript  of  what  is  left  upon  Record  con- 
cerning St.  Paul,  Sylv amis  ,  and  Timothy,  in  1  Theff,u.  1. — 12.  'Tis  evident 
he  was  a  Man  of  God ,  a  Gofpel- Prophet.  He  was  furniQied  for  ,  fervent  in, 
painful  about,  and  faithful  to  his  Minifterial  Truft  and  Work  :  And  extraordi- 
nary in  the  evident  acceptance  and  fuccelfes  of  his  Minifterial  Labours.  A  Man  of 
clear,  deep,  fixed  thoughts  ;  a  Man  of  copious  and  well-digefted  Reading  ;  a  Man 
pf  ready,  free,  and  very  proper  Elocution ;  and  aptly  expreffive  of  bis  own  thoughts 
and  fentiments*  He  was  moft  intent  upon  the  weightieft  and  moft  ufeful  parts  of 
Learning  •  yet  a  great  lover  of  all  kinds  and  degrees  thereof.  He  could,  in 
Preaching,  Writing,  Conference,  accommodate  himfelf  to  all  Capacities  -,  and  an- 
fwer  his  Obligations  to  the  Wife  and  Unwife :  He  had  a  moving  ira/0os ,  and 
ufeful  Acrimony  in  his  words ;  neither  did  his  Expreffions  want  their  Emphatical 
Accent,  as  the  Matter  did  require.  And  when  he  fpake  of  weighty  Soul-Concerns, 
you  might  find  his  very  Spirit  Drench'd  therein*  He  was  pleafingly  converfible , 
lave  in  his  Study ing-hours,  wherein  he  could  not  bear  with  trivial  difrurbances. 
He  was  fparingiy  facetious  \  but  never  light  or  frothy.  His  heart  was  warm, 
plain  fixed  ;  his  Life  was  Blamelefs,  Exemplary,  Uniform.  He  was  immoveable, 
where  apprehenfive  of  his  Duty ;  yet  Affable  and  Condefcending  where  likelihood 
of  doing  good  was  in  his  project.  His  Perfonal  Abftinence,  Severities  and  La- 
bours, were  exceeding  great :  He  kept  his  Body  at  an  under  j  and  always  fear'd 
pampering  his  Fleth  too  much .  He  diligently,  and  with  great  pleafure  minded 
his  Matter's  Work  within  doors  and  without,  whilft  he  was  able.  His  Charity 
was  very  great ;  greatly  proportionable  to  his  Abilities :  his  Purfe  was  ever  open 
to  the  Poor  •,  and,  where  the  Cafe  requir'd  it,  he  never  thought  great  Sums  too 
much  :  he  rather  gave  Cumulatim  than  Denariatim  7  and  fuited  what  he  gave  to 
the  Neceflities  and  Characters  of  thofe  he  gave  to  :    Nor  was  his  Charity  con- 

fin'd 


After  Elijah'/  God. 


he  was  feldom  without  pain,  or  iicknefs  ( Xt  nolHv u i„ \   ™ '  SM  ll0ugh 

aD^Hnq?h    r^f'bCmf  H1  the  Extremity°f  Pain  (and  that  fo  exnuiHte  as    o 
£     th,e  fudden  and  great  Change,  of  his  Countenance  )  rais'd  Self  from 
hrs  Couch  whereon  he  had  laid  himfelf-  and  thus  exprelt  himfelf '    Wha Ivl 7 
2"  *  **  /  «*  ^ulyfay    thai  I  bavffervedlod  "^7Jn 
and  that  I  never  Spake  anything  that  I  took  not  to  be  7  ruth,  and  at  (hat  in      at 

Z  t5?M  HC  "?  n  VVayS  cflandeltinely  ri^,  or  cenfonous  as  to  others  When 
he  told  Men  to  their  faces  of  their  faults,  he  would  hear  what  they  had  to  faTand 

t tITTm  thT  T\  aS  §1'eat  PUn&ency  aS  he  thouS^  their  fault  deferv^but 
co  Id  ,i  vMen\baCkS-  \e  WaS  alwayS  ready  t0  believe  the bcft  4  a**  whatever  he 
truth  th.5  °l that  ^t  extenuate  their  Crime  •  if  there  was  any  likelyhood  of 

verv M»T>  ^  7°^  hQ  ^  t0  f^T  ^at :     So  §reat  a  Frie»d  was  he  to  e 
very  Man  s   ufeful   Reputation.     As  to  himfelf,  even  to  the  laft,  I  never  could 
perceive  his  Peace  and  Heavenly  Hopes  afTaulted  or  difturbed.     I  have  often  heard 
him  greatly  lament  himfelf,  in  that  he  felt  no  greater  Livelinefs  in  what  appear'd 
lo  great  and  clear  to  him,  and  fo  very  much  defir'd  by  him.     As  to  the  influence 
thereof  upon  his  Spirit,  in  order  to  the  fenfible  refreshments  of  it,  he  clearly  faw 
what  ground  he  had  to  rejoyce  in  God  •  he  doubted  not  of  his  Right  to  Heaven  - 
He  told  me,  He  knew  it  fhould  be  well  with  him  when  he  was  gone    •  He  won- 
dred  to  hear  others  fpeak  of  their  fo  fenfible  Paffionately  ftrong  Defires  to  Die 
and  of  their  tranfports  of  Spirit  when  fenfible  of  their  approaching  Death  .•  when* 
as  he  himfelf  thought  he  knew  as  much  as  they  -,  and  had  as  rational  fatisfadion 
as  they  could  have,  that  his  Soul  was  fafe  :  and  yet  could  never  feel  their  Senfible 
Confolations.     And  when  I  asked  him ,  Whether  much  of  this-was  not  to  be  re- 
folved  into  Bodily  Conftitution  >    He  did  indeed  tell  me ,  That  he  thought  it 
might  be  fo.    But  I  have  often  thought,  that  God  wifely  made  him  herein  fas  in 
many  other  things  ;  conformable  to  his  Great  Mafter  Jefits  Chrift  ;  whofe  Joys 
we  find  Commonly  the  fruit  of  deep  and  clofe- thought.  Chrift  argu'd  himfelf  into 
his  own  Comforts.    Which  thing  is  evident  from  Scriptures  not  a  few  ;  Take  for 
atafte,  Pf.  xvi.  8— u.     Heb.  xii.  2.    The  teftimony  of  his  Confciencs  was  ever 
his  rejoycing  :  like  that  in  2  Cor.  i.  1 2.     He  ever  kept  that  tender  -and, gave  fuch 
diligence  to  run  his  race,  fulfil  his  Miniftry,  and  fo  to  make  his  Calling  and  Election 
firm  and  clear,  as  that  I  cannot  but  conclude  an  Entrance  was  miniftred  abundantly 
to  his  departed  Spirit  into  the  Everlafting  Kingdom  of  (  Elijah^  and  )  his  God  and 
Saviour  ;  and  that  it  will  be  more  abundant  to  his  raifed  perfon  when  the  Lord 
appears.    The  Heavenly  State  coft  him  feverc  and  daily  thoughts,  and  Solemn  Con- 
templations}  for  he  fet  fome  time  apart  every  day  for  that  weighty  work.    He 
knew  that  neither  Grace  nor  Duty  could  be  duly  actuated  without  pertinent  and 
ferious  meditation.     What  can  be  done  without  thought  ?     And  as  he  was  a  Scribe 
mftruBcd  to  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven,  fo  he  both  could  and  did  draw  forth  out  of  his 
Treafures  things  new  and  old,  to  his  own  fatisfaction  and  advantage,  as  well  as  to  the 
benefit  of  others.     Self-unconcernednefs  (  be  it  in  Study,  Preaching,  Prayer  or  Con- 
fercnce  )  difpirits  and  dilates  expreflions  and  performances,  as  to  others  or  our 
own  felves.    To  enquire  Speculatively  after  God  •,  to  Speak  to  God  or  for  him , 
without  ferious  thinking  how  to  do  it  well ;  how  little  does  it  fignifie  to  Minifters  t 
How  little  he  efteem'dthe  World ;  orFlelh  or  Men  (faveas  they  are  of,  and 
under,and  for  God)is  every  way  too  evident  to  need  infilling  on.He  neither  valued 
nor  fear'd  any  man  fo  much  as  to  be  influenced  into  Sinful  Distances  from,  or  Com- 
pliances with  them,  in  wrong  to  God,  and  to  Soul-Concerns.    But  I  muft  not  be 
too  Copious  here,  left  it  be  thought  that  my  relations,  or  afk&ions  to  him  have 
deceiv'd  or  brib'd  my  Judgment. 

Aftqr  much  Labour  in  his  work,  and  troubles  from  Informers,  who  caus'd  him  to 
be  Convicted,  diftrain'd  upon  and  imprifon'd,  becawfe  he  durft  not  negleft  what 
he  thought  God  had  bound  him  to :  when  Liberty  was  granted  to  Diflenteis,  and 
he  himfelf  was  fetcht  from  prifon;  after  his  injurious  Confinement  thereunto  for 
his  book  call'd  His  Paraphrafe  on.  the  Nc*  Teftammtjkie  fetled  in  Charterhoufe-rardy 

C  m 


5 


6  ElifluV  C  %T 


in  Rutland- Houfc  ("where  I  then  lived,  and  hail  gotten  it  to  be  Litenfed  .  .  h- 

ing-work  )  and  beftowed  his  MinifteriaJ-Aififtance  gratis  upon  me.  Iheicupon 
he  attended  every  LordVDay  in  the  Morning  :,  and  every  oilier  Thurfduy  Morn- 
ing at  a  Weekly  Lecture.  Thus  were  we  yoked  together  in  our  Minifterial  W<< 
and  Truft,  to  our  great  Mutual  Satisfaction  :  and  becaufe  his  Refpects  to  me  Li- 
ving and  Dying  were  very  great  ;  I  cannot  but  the  more  refent  the  Lofs.  I  had 
the  benefit  and  pleafure   of  always  froe  accefs  to  him,  and  inltant  O  .ion 

with  him  •,  And  by  whom  could  I  profit  more  thairby  hjmfelf  ?  So  ready  was  he 
to  Communicate  his  Thoughts  to  me,  and  fo  clearly  would  he  reprefent  them,  as 
that  I  may  truly  fay,  it  was  greatly  my  own  fault,  if  lie  left  me  not  wifer  than 
he  found  me  at  all  times. 

When  after  about  four  years  and  a  half  he  had  continu'd  with  me,  he  was  then 
difabledfrom  going  forth  any  more  to  his  Minifterial  Work  ■  fo  that  what  he 
did,  he  perform'd  it  all  the  refidue  of  his  Life,  in  bit  own  Hired-houfe .  where  I 
open'd  his  Doors  Morning  and  Evening  every  day  to  ail  that  would  come  to  joyn 
in  Family- Worlhip  with  him :  to  whom  he  Read  the  HoJy  Scriptures,  from  whence 
be  Preached  the  Kingdom  of  God,  and  Taught  thofe  things  vrbich  concern  the  Lord  Jcfus 
Chrifl  with  all  confidence,  no  man  forbidding  him  ;  even  as  one  greater  than  himfelt 
had  done  before  him,  All.  xxviii.  30,31.  But  alas  his  growing  Diftempers  and 
Infirmities  took  him  alfo  off  from  this,  confining  him  rirlt  to  his  Chamber,  and  af- 
ter to  his  Bed.  There,  though  pain  (  for  he  had  a  very  great  Stone  in  his  Kid- 
ney )  and  f'kknefs,  his  Body  waited  :,  but  his  Soul  abode  rational,  ftrong  in  Faith 
and  Hope,  arguing  it  felf  into,  and  prefer v in g  it  felf  in,  that  Patience,  Hope,  and 
Joy,  through  Grace,  which  gave  him  great  Support,  and  kept  out  Doubts  and 
Fears  concerning  his  Eternal  Welfare. 

On  Tuefday  Morning  about  Four  of  the  Clock,  Dectmb.  8.  i6yt,  he  Expired  ; 
though  he  expected  anddefired  liis  Diflblution  to  have  been  on  the  Lord's  Day  be- 
fore, which  with  Joy,  to  me,  he  call'd  an  High  Day,  becaufe  of  his  defired  Change 
Expected  then  by  him.  He  had  frequently  before  his  Death,  own'd  to  me,  his 
continuance  in  the  fame  Sentiments  that  he  had  difcover'd  to  the  World  before,  in 
his  Polemical  Difcourfes,  efpecially  about  Juftification  ,  and  the  Covenants  of 
Works  and  Grace,  &c.  And  being  ask'd  at  my  requeft,  whether  he  had  changed 
his  former  thoughts  about  thofe  things  •,  his  Anfwer  was,  77  at  he  had  told  the 
World  fujfciently  h'vs  "judgment  concerning  them  by  Words  and  Writing,  and  thither  he 
refer  fd  Men.  And  then  lifting  up  his  eyes  to  Heaven,  he  uttered  thefe  words  j 
Lord,  pity,  pity,  pity  the  Ignorance  of  this  poor  City. 

On  Monday  the  day  before,  about  Five  in  the  Evening,  Death  fent  his  Har- 
binger to  Summon  him  away.  A  great  trembling  and  coldnefs  avvaken'd  Nature, 
and' extorted  Strong  Cries  from  him  for  Pity  and  Redrefs  from  Heaven  :  which 
Cries  and  Agony  continu'd  for  fome  time,  till  at  length  he  ccas'd  thofe  Cries : 
and  fo  lay  in  an  Obfervant,  Patient  Expectation  of  his  Change.  And  being  once 
asked  by  a  Grave  Matron,  and  his  Faithful  Friend,  and.Conftant  Attendant  upon 
him  in  his  Weaknefs  (Worthy  and  Faithful  Mrs.  Bufhel  his  Houfe  keeper  )  Whe- 
ther he  knew  her  or  no,  Requeuing  fome  Signification  of  it  if  he  did :  he  foftly 
Cryed  ,  Death,  Death  :  And  now  he  felt  the  benefit  of  his  former  Preparations 
for  fuch  a  Trying-Time  as  this.  And  indeed,  the  laft  words  that  he  fpake  to 
me  (  being  inform'd  that  I  was  come  to  fee  him  )  were  thefe ,  0  I  thank  him,  I 
thank  him  :  and  turning  his  Eye  to  me,  he  faid,  The  Lord  teach  you  to  dye.  He,  a 
.  few  days  before ,  had  thus  expreft  his  heart  to  me :  Sir,- 1  have  done  what  I 
could  for  you.  Should  I  recover  (  which  I  expect,  not )  I  mould  Statedly  give 
my  Tains  to  none  before  you.  He  ( truly  )  judg'd  my  Flock  to  be  Sober,  Peacea- 
ble, and  Loving,  and  far  from  Factioufnefs  and  Cenforioufnefs. 

Thus  Liv'd  and  Dy'd  this  Excellent,  and  Holy  Perfon :  fo  eminently  furnifh'd 
for,  fervent  in,  intent  upon,  and  faithful  to,,  his  Minifterial  Truft  and  Work: 
Wherein  his  Labours  and  Succefs  were  very  great.  His  Perfon  was  Tall  and  Slen- 
der, and  ftooped  much  :  his  Countenance  Compos'd  and  Grave,  fomewhat  incli- 
ning to  Smile.  .  He  had  a  piercing  Eye,  a  very  Articulate  Speech,  and  his  Deport- 
ment rather  Plain  than  Comple mental.  He  had  a  great  Command  over  his 
Thoughts.  He  had  that  happy  faculty,  fo  as  to  anfwer  the  Character  that  was 
given  cf  hup  by  a  Learned  Man  Diffenting  from  him,  'after  Difcourfe  with  him  - 
which  was,  that,£ft  could  fay  what  he  would,and  he  could  prove  what  hefaid.He  was  moft 

intent 


After  EiijahV   God. 


intent  upon  the  neceflary  things.   Rational  Learning  he  raoft  valued  an 
traordmary  Mafter  of.  And  as  to  his  Expreffive  Faculty,he  fpake  properlv   plainly 
pertinently,  and  pathetically.     He  could  fpeak  fuitaWy,  both  to  Me  as  Q?raafics 
and  to  the  things  indited  on.     He  was  a  Perfon  wonderful  at  Extern porate  Pre 
ing  •  for  having  once  left,  his  Notes  behind  him,  he  was  furpriz'd  into  Exter 
rate  thoughts  upon  (  a$  I  remember)    Heb.   iv.  15.  For  we  have  not  art  . 

Prteft Whereon  he  Preach'd  to  very  great  fatisfaction  unto  all  that  h« 

him  :     And  when  he  came  down  from  the  Pulpit,  he  asked  me  ,  If  J  m 

1  faid,  Wtth  what?     He  laid,  With  \m  Extemporate  Difcourfc'.     I  told  h 
7  hut  had  he  not  declared  it,  I  believe  none  could  have  di  [cover' d  it :     ■ 
was ,  That  he  thought  it  very  nc-edful  for  a  Minijler  to  have  a  Body  . 
head. 

(2.)  As  to  God's  Providence,  in  removing  him,  God^s  Voice  is  Loud;  from 
Heaven  to  us.     And  what  the  Voice  is,  and  what  it  fpeaks  in  the  General, 
may  partly  difcern  from  thefe  following  paiTages  of  Scripture,  Zach.  i.  5.  •  Heb. 
xiii.  7. — 9.     Rev.  iii.  3.     \  Thef.  iv.  1.     Jam.v.%.- — 11.     Mt.  xx:i8.~- - 
and  32.     Such  thoughts  as  thefe  are  very  pertinent  unto  the  Vilitation '  of 
day.     Have  we  been  mindful  of  him.?    Have  we  been  thankful  for  him  ?    Have 
we  been  faithful  to,  and  fruitful  under,  the  Advantages  of  his  Minifterial-Day  ? 
1  Thefs.i.  3.  — 10.    Should  you  not  bemoan  your  ignorance,  heedlefsnefs, 
barrennefs  ?     Should  you  not  take  up  new  refolutions  to  improve  the  M: 
which  he  hath  left  behind  him  ;  and  to  prepare  your  felves  to  meet  Elijah  an.1 
his  God}  Mr.  Baxter,  and  his  returning  Lord  in  Peace,  2 Pet.  in.  11. — 14.  You 
have  known  the  genuine,  conftant  tendencies  of  his  Labours,  Prayers  and  Spirit  j 
all  looked  towards,  and  much  refembled  what  ye  find  recorded  in  1  Thejs.  iii. 
12,13.     You   have  had  in  him,  whilft  with  you  (  who  was  longer  a  Preacher 
unto  you,  than  Chrifi  was  to  the  Jews  )  one  of  the  belt  of  Cafuifts,  Preachers,  Pat- 
terns, Supplicants,  and  Companions  in  the  World.     And  have  we  Sinn'd  him  from 
us,!  his  Death  tells  us,  we  muft  riot  be  ordinary  in  our  Acknowledgments,  Im- 
provements, and  Attainments :  nor  always  think  that  it  will  be  day  with  us. 


1  j. 


Excellent  Gifts,  and  Graces.  And  as  to  You  and  Me  -,  the  fpecial  Prefence  of  Elijah** 
God  is  greatly  needful  with,  and  for  us.  EUJha  in  feveral  things  out -went  his 
Matter  •  (  fo  muft  not  I  )  but  he  was  not  Tranilatcd  as  Elijah  was :  For  he  after- 
ward fell  lick  and  Dy'd,  2  Kings,  xiii.  14.  But  yet  with  very  ample  teftimony  of 
God's  peculiar  refpe&s  to  him.  But  I  am  not  Eli/fa.  And  may  I  ftand  amongft 
the  meaneft  of  God's  Faithful  Prophets,  l'fhall  account  it  great.  And  though  I 
cannot  look  to  be  Elijah,  Elifhct,  or  like  to  him  that's  lately  gone  :  Yet  all  that 
Uncfion,  Countenance,  and  Special  Prefence  which  ray  Soul-Work,  and  Miniffry 
doth  require,  let  it  this  dav  (  and  ever,  whilft  we  live  )  become  your  joynt  Con- 
cern and  Cry  with  me,  to  God,  that  1  may  have  it,  and  that  you  may  reap  great 
benefit  thereby.  As  to  us  all:  O  how  deiirable  is  the  Prefence  of  the  Lord  God 
of  £li)ah  with  us !  That  fo  the  Prophet's  Prayers  and  Labours  be  not  loft  upon  us, 
nor  his  God  fet  againft  us,  nor  his  Heaven  be  deny'd  us,  nor  himfclf  at  laft  call  d 
out  to  teftify  againft  us  when  Chrift  Sits  in  Solemn  judgment  upon  us. 

And  for  niy  Self;  if  any  of  the  Prophet's  Friends  forfake  me,  may  I  but  have  the 
Powerfhll  and  Gracious  Prefence  of  his  Efc>fc's  God,  it  will  Suffice  me.  My  prefeut 
Circumftances  as  to  Employments,  Infirmities,  Exercifes,  and  Concerns,  muft 
need  extort  fuch  Cryes  and  thoughts  as  thefe.from  my  Solicitous  and  anxious  Soul : 

(  1  ')  Where  was  our  Wi]ah  once  ?  Was  he  net  in  his  Mother's  Womb,  retire 
from 'human  View  and  knowledge?  .  Was  he  not  after  in  his  State  of  ignorant 
Infancy  and  Childhood  ?  Was  he  not  in  a  mortal  body,  and  uncomfortable  World;' 
Was  he  not  once  as  little  furnifh'd  with  knowledg  Godlynefs,  and  utterance 
ttnfton  and  ufefolnefs  as  my  felf  ?  (  2. )  Whence  had  our  EU)ah  a  his  Gifts  and 
Graces  Amftances,Encouragemnts  and  Succefies  ?  Were  they  not  all  derived  from 
the  ftme  God  with  whom  I  have  to  do  ?  (  3.  )  Where  is  our  E//)*fc  now  ?  Is  he 
not^hGodrnHeaven,  to  whom  the  Spirit's  of  Good  men  have  been  gathered 


C  % 


18  Elifhav   CRT,  &c 


to  this  day?    And  (hall  not  our  Souls  (  a  n4  Bodies  as  his  hath 

done?  (4.)  Where  hath  he  \ekEHfhal  Even  in  this  World  and  Body,  and 
under  obligations  to  his  Minifterial  Work  (but  fai  I  ilities  and 

grace  for  fervice)  and  in  bis  Militant,  and  Pilgrim-ftate,  whilil  here.  (3.)  Where 
is  our  Elijah's  God  ?  Not  out  of  all  fight  and  hearing.  Not  where  he  may  not  be 
addreftunto  nor  Commun'd  and  pervailcd  with,  about  aj  d  ft  r  thinj  s  needful  for 
an  Indigent  and  Craving  Prophet.  (6.)  What  mult  1  do  to  n  1  thoogjibnta 
fragment  or  fomc  fmall  corner  of )  our  \LU)ah\  Mantle  ?     ^  extraordi- 

nary meafures  for  fpecial  fervice  can,  or  do  1  look  for.     I  Meditation, 

Prayer,  and  Faithfulnefs  through  the  Mediation  of  his  great  fri  mine  (Quilt 

at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father)  fo  much  may  bedehred,  endeavoured  after,  and 
expected  (through  grace)  as  may  eaable  me  falely  to  train  1  p  !  ouls  for  God. 
2  Ttm.  ii.  15.  (  7. )  What  muft  1  do  to  meet  with  our  E/zj^f,  and  hi  God  in  peace  ? 
2  Tim.  iv.  1 — 5.  1.  iv.  14 —  16.  Stf.  xx.  18 — 31.  What  is  the  Courfe  that 
I  muft  take?  Muft  not  my  Eye  be  inward,  upward,  forward ,  backward,  round 
about?  Muft  I  not  endeavour  to  know  my  Errand,  Warrant,  Difficulties,  Duties 
and  Encouragements  ?  Muft  I  not  know  what  1  fay  ?  Confi'dei  what  I  know  ?  be- 
lieve what  I  confider  /  tell  what  1  believe?  Prove  what  1  i  llert  ?  Practice  what  I 
Preach  ?  And  promote  the  Chriftian  Intereft  with  all  wifdom,  diligence,  and  faith- 
fulnefs j  as  my  Predecefibr  did  before  me?  Let  me  then  beg  your  Prayers  to 
God  for  me,  as  the  Great  Apoftle  did  for  him,  Co/,  iv.  3,4.  .K0w.xv.3o — 32. 
Eph.  vi.  19.  Your  Prayers,  and  the  Supply  of  the  Spirit  in  thofe  great  Inftances, 
in  2  Tim.  1 .  7.  will  do  my  Work  to  purpofe. 


F    I     N    I    S 


^Alhabetical  Index«0/p£rsons 

and  I  HINGS;  an  Account  whereof  is  to  be  met  with 
mthis  NARRATIVE. 

The  fin  Number  intimates  the  Part;  theficondthe  Page. 


A. 


Sir  Thomas  Allen  i.iCy 

Mr.  William  Allen,2.i8o.  ;.i8o.Letters 
between  him  and  Mr.  Baxter,    appen- 
dix Numb.4. 
Mr.  Jofeph  Allen  2.412 

Dr.  Richard  AUejtree  t.% 

Anabaptifis  I.41.  2.140,141 

Whether  it  be  our  Duty  to  feek  Peace  with 
them  ?  2.18 1.  How  a  Pacificatory  attempt 
with  them  might  be  mod  fuccefsfully  ma- 
naged 2.185 
Their    Infolence  after   Cromwell's   Death 

2.206 

Dr.  Annejley,  5.19.  His  Character  3.  9^ 

Marquis  of  Antrim.    A  particular  Account 

of  his  Commiffion  from  King  Charles  the 

Firft,  for  what  he  did  in  the  Irijb  Rebellion 

Judge  Archer  3.59 

Army.  Of  the  new  modelling  the  Parlia- 
ments Army,  1.  47,  &c.  of  the  Temper 
and  Principles  which  prevailed  amongft 
them  in  164^.  when  Mr.  Baxter  firft  came 
to  them,  i.jo,&:c.  how  he  came  to  go  in- 
to the  Army,  and  fettle  there  as  Chaplain 
to  Col.  Wbattefs  Regiment,  i.%i.  and  how 
he  behaved  himfelf  there,  p. 5-3.  how  it  was 
turn'd  almoll  entirely  into  an  Army  of 
Sectaries,  1.  59.  the  King  hook'd  in  by 
them,  1.60.  and  their  treatment  of  him, 

p.61 
Of  the  ftrange  fall  of  the  Parliaments  Ar- 
my at  laft  i.ioy.  2.214 
Mr.  Arthur  %>  12 
Mr.  Simeon^,  1.42.  2.  214,  229,230,231, 
276,307.  His  Death  and  Character  2.430. 

394 
Alderman  AJhhurft,  2.  290,  302.  3.  17. 3.189 
Ajjembly  of  Divines  at  Wefiminfter :   an  Ac- 
count of  them  i«7? 
Of  Mr.  Baxter's  Preface  to  their  Works  up- 
on a  new  Edition  of  them                 1.12a 
Mr.  Atkins                                          2-373 

B. 

MR.  Edward  Bazgjbaw,  2.  378.  3.  72,8 f, 
89 
Mr.  Jofeph  Baker.  His  Chara&er  .  ;.po 
Earl  of  Balcarres  and  his  Lady  r.  1 2 1 

Mr,  Thomas  Baldwin  Senior,  2.  374'  %ls- 

3-9* 


3.92 

2.214,4^2 

2.432.3.74 

3-9  \ 

2.276 

3.13 


Mr. Thomas  Baldwin  Junior 
Mr.  Thomas  Bampfield 
Mr.  Francis  Bampfield 
Mr.  Barker 
Mr.  Barnet 
Dr.  Bar-wick 
Mr.  Bafiwick 
Mr.  Batcbeler 

Dr.  Bates,  2.  214,  229,283, 303, jof#6} 
34o;346.  3.13.  A  Letter  of  his  to  Mr. 
ter  about  the  caking  the  Oxford  Oath  by  Se- 
veral Nonconfcrmifts  3.14.  3.94 
Mr.  Benjamin  Baxter.  His  Character  *  391 
Mr.  Stephen  Baxter  ibid. 
Major  Beake                                           2.207 
Alderman  Beard                                       3.60 
Col.  Bedding  field                                       2.290 
The  Behmemfis                                           j.jy 
Sir  John  Bernard                                    3 ,60 
Dr.  Bernard                                            2.218 
Major  General  Berry.  An  Account  and  Cha- 
racter of  him                                *-?7>97 
Mr.  Berry                                                   3.98 
Mr.  Biddle                                                  1.79 
Mr.  A.doniram  Bifieid                           1.42 
Col.  Birch                                              2.281 
The  Bifhops.    The  Proceedings  againft  them 
in  the  Long  Parliament,  1.26,27.  trie  Cau- 
fes  of  the  Averfion  of  ferious  People  a- 
gainft  them,  at  the  beginning  of  the  Civil 
War                                       \            1.33 
Their  carriage  to  the  Minifters  at  the  Sa- 
voy Conference,  2.  30^,3 3 ^,3 3 7,363. ~—» 
of  their  advifing  King  Charles  the  Second 
to  call  in  his  Licenfes,  and  rigoroufly  to  ex- 
ecute the  Laws  made  againft  Proteftant 
Diffenters                                       3.1^3 
Major  Blood.    An  Account  of  him  j  and  of 
his  dealing  the  Crown                      3.88 
BOOKS.  Mr. Baxter's  Account  ofhisfeveral 

Books  and  Writings. 
His  Aphorifms  of  Juftification  and  die  Cove- 
nants r-I07 
His  Saints  Everlafting  Reft                 1. J  08 
His  plain  Scripture  proof  for  Infants  Church- 
memberfliip  and  Baptifm  ibid. 
The  right  Method  for  Peace  of  Confcience, 
and  Spiritual  Comfort,  in  32  Directions, 

1.109 
His  Judgment  about  the  Perfeverance  of  Be- 
lievers 1.  no 
His  two  Affize  Sermons  *bid. 
His  Apology  «W< 
His  Confcflion  of  Faith  1.1  ft 
M                      Directions 


The  1  ABLE. 


Directions  for  Church    Reformation    and 

Peace  i.  in 

His  Sermon  againft  making  light  of  Chrift, 

ibid. 

His  Sermon  of  Judgment  i .  1 1 2 

His  Sermon  of  Catholick  Unity  ibid. 

The  true  Catholick    and    the    Catholick 
Church  defcribd  ibid. 

His  Chriftian  Concord  ;  or  the  fVorcefierJbire 
Agreement  ibid. 

The  Grottan  Religion  difcovered  at  the  Invi- 
tation of  Mr.  Thomas  Fierce  1 .  n  ; 

Five  Difputations  about  a  Right   to  Sacra- 
ments ibid. 

Four  Difputations  of  Juftification         1. 1 14 

A  Treadle  of  Converfion  ibid. 

A  Call  to  the  Unconverted  ibid. 

Directions  and  Perfwafions  to  a  found  Con- 
verfion 1.  ny 

A  Catechifm  ibid. 

Gildas  Salvianusy  or  the  Reformed  Paftor,i£;W. 

The  Worcefierfhtre  Petition  and  defence  of  it, 

ibid. 

The  Quakers  Catechifm  1.1 16 

The  Safe  Religion  ibid. 

The  Unreafonablenefs  of  Infidelity         ibid. 

A  Treatife  of  Crucifying  the  World  by  the 
Crofs  of  Chrift  ibid. 

One  Sheet  againft  the  Quakers  ibid. 

A  Winding  Sheet  for  Popery  ibid. 

One  Sheet  for  the  Miniftry,  againft  Malig- 
nants  of  all  forts  1.  117 

A  fecond  Sheet  for  the  Miniftry  ibid. 

Directsons  for  Juftices  of  the  Peace,  efpecial- 
ly  in  Corporations,  for  the  Discharge  of 
their  Duties  to  God  ibid. 

A  Letter  to  Mr.  Dury  for  Pacification     ibid. 

A  Treatife  of  Confirmation  ibid. 

A  Difcourfe  of  Saving  Faith  ibid. 

A  Treatife  of  Self-denial  ibid. 

Five  Difputations  about  Church  Government 

ibid. 

A  Key  for  Catholicks  1 .  1 1 8 

His  Holy  Commonwealth  ;  the  occafion  of 
writing  it,  its  Reception,^,  ibid. 

A  Difputation  of  the  perpetual  vifibility  of 
the  Church  1.  119 

His  Univerfal  Concord  ibid. 

A  Sermon  of  Repentance  1 . 1 20 

A  Sermon  of  right  Rejoycing  ibid. 

A  Sermon  of  the  Life  of  Faith  ibid. 

A  Believer's  laft  Work  ibid. 

A  Treatife  of  Death  ibid. 

The  vain  Religion  of  the  Formal  Hypocrite 

ibid. 

A  Saint  or  a  Bruit  ibid. 

The  Mifchiefs  of  Self-ignorance,  and  Benefits 
of  Self- acquaintance  ibid. 

The  Divine  Life  ibid. 

The  Treaty  at  the  Savoy  1.121 

An  half  Sheet  for  thofe  that  are  fick  or  in  dan- 
ger of  the  Plague  ibid. 

Two  Sheets  for  poor  Families  1. 122 

His  Chriftian  Directory  ibid. 


Directions  for  weak  Chriftians  1.123 

A  Deputation  of  Univerfal  Redemption,  ib. 
Divers  Treadles  then  unpublifhed  1.12} 
His  Rcafons  of  the  Chriftian  Religion  3,61 
His  Directions  for  weak  Chriftians ,  Lite  of 
Faith,  and  divers  other  Treadles  ibid* 
His  Methodm  Theologia  3.69,181,190 

His  Apology  for  the  Nonconforming     3.70 
His  Cure  of  Church  Divisions  ibid. 

The  Revocation  of  his  Political  Aphorifms,or 
Holy  Commonwealth  3.  71 

His  more  Reafons  for  the  Chriftian  Religion 

3  90 
The  Nonconformifts  Plea  for  Peace  3. 1 80 
His  Catholick  Theology  2.  181 

His  Hiftory  of  Councils  ibid. 

Of  feveral  other  of  his  Writings  ;.i8f 

His  fecond  Plea  for  Peace  3.188 

His  Moral  Prognoftication  ibid. 

His  Search  for  the  Engliln  Schifmatick     ibid. 
The  poor  man's  Family- Book  3. 190 

The  certainty  of  Chriftianity  without  Pope- 
ry ibid. 
Companionate  Counfel  to  young  men  ibid. 
The  Catechizing  of  Houfholds  2.  i9r 
A  Treatife  againft  a   Forreign  Jurifdiction 

2. 196 
Cain  and  Abel  ibid. 

His  Defence  of  Catholick  Communion,;.!  98 
Mr.  Baxter's  general   Cenfiire  of  his  own 
Works  and  Writings  1 . 1 24 

Dr.  Boreman  2,377 

Mr.  Edward  Boucher  3.92 

James  Boucher.  The  Husbandman  ibid. 

Mr. Edward  Bowles  1.56.  2.284 

Mr.  William  Bridge  1.73,103 

Col. John  Bridges  I.  88,1  oy.  3.71 

Sir  Orlando  Bridgeman.  His  Character, 3. 2 2 
Mr.Thomas  Bromwicb.  His  Character,  3.91 
Sir  Robert  Brooks  3.  18 

Mr.  Brooks  3.19 

Bifhop  Broumrigg^.172 .  His  Judgment  about 
Church  Government  in  a  Letter  to  Mr. 
Baxter  2**7$ 

Dr.  Bryan,  1.44.  His  Character  3.93 


Mr.  Jarvis  Bryan 

The  Duke  of  Buckingham 

Mr.  Burdall 

Dr.  Burges 

Mr.  Anthony  Burgefl 

Mr.  Jeremiah  Burroughs 

Mr.  Burton 

Mr.  Button,  3.36. 


3.9c 

3.2I,22,&C. 

3-9? 

1.42.  2.26J 

1.44,107.3.93 

1.73,103 

3.24 

3.96 


His  Character 
C. 

MR.Calamy,  1.63, ioj.  2.  214,217,218, 
229,i3o,232,265-,274, 276, 277, 278, 
281,283,303,307,333,336,384.  hisimpri- 
fbnmenc386.  3.94 

Mr.  Cary  3.13 

Mr.  Caryl  3.19 

Mr.  Criftopher  Cartwright  1. 1 07 

Mr.CaJe,  2.  229,303,307.  3.^4 

Mr.  Caughton  1.67.2.431 

Ceremonies.    Propofals  made  to  K.  Charles  II. 

about 


The  TA<BLE. 


abouc  them  by  the  Presbyterian  Minifters 

Mr.  Chadwick  2*  2*5 

Chaplains  to  the  feveral  Regiments  of  theParlJ 
aments  Army, when  they  firft  fateout.1.42. 
to  King  Charles  the  Second  immediately 
alter  his  Reftauration  2.  22? 

King  Charles  I.  His  treatment  after  his  deli- 
vering himfelf  up  to  the  Scots,  till  he  was 
forced  to  fly  to  the  Ift  of  Wight,  1.  60,  61. 
His  Trial  and  Execution  (,  3 

Of  his  Letter  to  the  Marquis  of  Antrim,  gi- 
ving him  order  to  take  up  Arms  in  Ireland 

King  Charles  II.    Of  his  having  the  Covenant 

impofed  on  him  in  Scotland,before  he  could 

be  admitted  to  the  Succeffion,  1. 65.     Mr. 

Baxter's  Cenfure  upon  it,  66.     His  march 

with  an  Army  out  of  Scotland  into  England, 

and  his  Defeat  at  Worcefter,\.6%,6<).  His  Re- 

ftauration,  2.217,218.    His  treatment  of 

the  Minifters  upon  their  addieffing  them- 

ielves  to  him  prefently   after   his  Return, 

2.  251.     His  Declaration  concerning  Ec- 

clefiaftical  Affairs,  2.  2^9,  &c.    His  Com- 

miffion  for  the  Savoy  Conference,  2. 3  o2,&c. 

Mr.  Cbefier  3. 2, 19,95-. 

Dr.  Cbeynell  2.  197 

Mr.  Church  2.  94 

Church  Government. 

The  feveral  Controverfies  about  it  in  the 
late  times,  2.139.  the  faults  of  the  Dio- 
cefan  form  of  it,  2.  141.  the  faults  of  the 
Presbyterian  way,  2.  142.  the  faults  of  the 
Independant  or  Congregational  way,2.i4; 
Archbilhop  Ujhers  Model' for  a  Tempera- 
ment, 2.238.  a  Letter  of  Mr.  Vmes's  to 
Mr.  Baxter  about  Church  Government, 
2.  r47-  a  Letter  of  Bifhop  Brownriggs  to 
Mr.  Baxter,  containing  his  Judgment  a- 
boutit,  2.175".  Propofals  about  it  made 
to  King  Charles  the  II.  quickly  after  his 
Return  by  the  Presbyterian  Minifters,  2. 

23; 
Sir  Ralph  Clare  1.94.  2.1^7,298,299,300 

Mr.  Samuel  Clark  2.  30 3, 3 of, 3 07.  3.13 

Mr.  Clark/on  3.  97 

Dr.  Collins  23°3 

Common  Prayer.  See  Prayer. 
Of  a  Comprehenfton,  2.434.  Propofals  in  or- 
der to  it,  made  by  Mr.  Baxter  and  others, 
to  the  Lord  Keeper  Bridgman  ,  3.  24.  A 
Treaty  about  it  ,  with  Dr.  Tillotfon,  Dr. 
Stillingfleet  and  others,  3.1  J7.  An  A  A  for 
Healing  and  Concord  then  agreed  on,  3. 

158 

Dr.  Compton  Bifhop  of  London  3  I7& 

Br.Conant  2-? 03.  3.13 

Gonformtfls.     Their  feveral   Principles  and 

Pleas  for  them  2.388,&c. 

Conformity.     Mr.  Baxter  firft  ftudies  the  Con- 

troveifies  relating  thereto,  at  Twenty  years 

of  Age  ,  i.ij,&c 

Convocatton.ThQ  choice  of  it  in  1 66 1*    2.333 


Mr.  C^ofRoxhall  .6lf7 

Mr.  Richard  Cook  of  Kinver  1  g  r 

Mr.  Cook  of  Cbefier  2.432.  iiog 

Jf*  rTr  2.3-03,305.  Ill 

Mr.  John  cW,  3.72,8y.    His  Character, 
3-96.    His  Death  3>l8' 

Dr.  Cofins  Bifhop  of  Durham,  2.274,276,277, 
t>.     c        ,  505,340,357  562 

1  ne  bcotch  Covenant.  The  Jud  gment  of  the 
Aflembly  of  Divines  about  the  word  Pre- 
lacy in  it,  1.48.  how  'twas  explain'd  when 
taken  by  the  Lords  and  Commons,  1.  40 
it  grows  out  of  date,  1. 64.  King  Charles  II. 
isforcd  to  take  it  in  Scotland  ,  1.  65-,  66— 
about  the  obligation  of  it,  on  all  that  took 

rpu  2.4o8,&:c. 

The  Court.     Mr.  Baxter  went  thither  when 

he  was  young,  and  what  heobferv'd  there, 

Mrs.  Coxe  ;•  189 

Mr.  Cradock  3-97 

Mr.  Crandon  I.  no 

Dr.  Crztghtm  filenc'd  in  the  Pulpit  by  a  fur- 
prizing  aftonifhment  3. 36 
Mr.  Crofton                                     2.288.  3.  71 
Oliver  Crom-wel.    What  hand  he  had  in  get- 
ting the  Earl  of  Ejjex  laidafide  by  the  Par- 
liament, 1.  47.  his  Intereft  in  the  new 
modell'd  Army,  1.49.  he  invites  Mr. Bax- 
ter to  be  Chaplain  and  Paftour  to  his  Re- 
giment when  he  was  forming  it  into  d. 
Church,  1. 5-1.  his  fubtle  management  of 
the  Army  under  Fairfax,  r.  57.    a  further 
Account  of  his  Intreagues  as  to  the  Army, 
1.  59,  60.   how  he  endeavoured  to  delude 
the  Parliament  by  a  defigned  Falfity,  5-9. 
he  turns  all  out  of  the  Pat  liament  by  main 
force  that  were  for  an  Agreement  with  the 
King  on  honourable  Terms ,  1.  63.  and 
brings  the  King  to  his  Trial  by  a  pretend- 
ed Court  of  Juftice,  ibid.    How  he  carried 
it  about  the  time  of  the  Kings  Execution, 
ibid,  of  the  impediments  to  his  ambitious 
defigns  after  the  King  was  taken  off,  1.  65. 
He  marches  into  Scotland,  1.67.    His  fuc- 
ceffes  there,  68.    He  returns  into  England, 
and  defeats  the  King  at  fforceffer,  69.    He 
difdainfully  turns  off  the  Rump  Parliament 
when  he  had  no  further  ends  to  ferve  by 
them,  70.     His  further  Intreagues  to  (idle 
himfelf  into  the  Supreme .  Government, 
70,7  r.  at  length  he  becomes  Protectour, 
1.72.    His  carriage  after  wards,  1.74.     His 
Death  and  Charader              1  98,99,100 
Difcourfe  between  him  and  Mr.  Baxter  in 
private,  after  he  had  preach'd  before  him, 

2.20.5 

Richard  Crom-wel  fucceeds  his  Father,   1. 100. 

anAccountof  his  Deposition  1.  101 

Henry  Cromwel  T-  74 

Mr.  John  Crofi,  aMinifter,falfly  accufedof  a 

defign  to  Ravifh  a  Woman.  The  Villany 

was  dete&sd  *  24 

Mr,  Cn>/?  died  of  the  Plague  t* 

D.  Mr. 


'I  be  1  A<B  LE. 


V. 


Mil.  Davuf  2.378 

Mr.  Dell,  1.J6.    His  Character  1.64 
Remarkable  Deliverances  Mr.Baxter  met  with 
in  the   courfe  of  his  Life ;  as  from  the 
Temptations  of  a  Life  about  the  Court  5 
and  horn  being  ran  over  by  a  Waggon ; 
and  in  a  Fall  from  an  Horfe,  and  from  the 
Temptations  of  Gamrng,  1.11,12.  from 
the  malice  of  the  Rabble  of  Kidderminfier, 
1.24,40.  from  under  great  weaknefs,  from 
fudden  Accidents,  and  dangers  of  threat- 
ning  Diirempers,i.8o,8  1,82.  from  a  threat- 
ning  Accident  at  St.  DunHans  Church,   2. 
301.  f.om  a  Musket  Bullet,  mot  into  the 
Room  where  he  was:,  2.441.  from  another 
threatning  Accident  over  St.  James's  Mar- 
ket-Houie,  &c.  31*2 
Diocefan.  An  Account  of  the  Diocelan  frame 
of  Government  as  fettled  in  England,z.^6 
the  Execution  of  it,  397.     Reflections  up- 
on it                                                 2.3^8 
Mr.  Thomas  Doolittle                        3-I9»95' 
.Spiritual  Doubts  that  exercifed  Mr.Baxter  ma- 
ny years;  with  their  proper  Solutions,  1.6 
Dr.  Calibute  Downing  1.42 
Dr.  Drake                             l.  67.  2.303.  3.94 
Dunfian's  Church.     A  fudden  Coniternation 
amongft  the  People  when  Mr.  Baxter  was 
once  preaching  there                       2. 30 1 
Mr.  John  Dury                                       1.  1 17 
The  Dutch.    Of  our  War  with  them  in 
1666.  3.16.  of  their  burning  our  Ships  at 
Chatham^  3.  20.  of  our  fecond  War  with 


them 


3-  99 


E. 


DR.  Earls.  His  falfe  Report  concerning 
Mr.  Baxter,  2.  381.  his  Letter  to  him 

by  way  of  Excufe  382 

EdgehiU  Fight  1.43 

Mr.  John  Elliot  of  New-England,   2.  290.    a 

Letter  of  his  to  Mr.Baxter  2.293 

Mr.  Tobias  ERis  2.96 

The  Engagement.  Or  Oath  of  Fidelity  to  the 

Rump  1.64 

The  Erafiians.  A  Cenfure  of  them,2.i  39,141 
Earl  of  Ejjex*    Of  his  being  laid  afide  by  the 

Parliament  1.47 

Captain  Everard  I.  78 

The  Countefs  Dowager  of  Exeter ,3.60.    Her 

Character  3.95* 

Mr.  Eyres  of  Salisbury  1 .  1 1 1 


F. 


Vf  R.  Richard  Fairclougb,  3.72.  His  Chara- 

*y*"  aer  3.96 

Sir  Thomas  Fairfax.    His  Character       1.48 

his  great  Perplexity,  1.63.  and  refignati- 

on  64 


Mr.  Falkener  3.  IG8 

Of  the  Farewel  Sermons  of  the  filenc'd  Mi- 
nifiers  2.303 

Dr.  Daniel  Featly  1 . 7  3 

Mr.  William  Fenner  j,  ij 

Mr.  Fmchtr  3.91 

Of  the  Ftre  of  London  3.16 

Mr.  Giles  Firmm  3.74,102 

Mr.  Samuel  Fifier  3.98 

Mr.  Richard  Foley  1.13 

Mr.  Thomas  Foley,  3.71.  a  Character  of  him, 

3-92 
Mr.  Ford  of  Exeter  ?•  97 

Serjeant  Fountain.    His  kindnefs  to  Mr.  Bax- 
ter 3.86 
Dr.Fowler                                                  V%5 
Mr.  Henry  Foivlis  3.90 
Mr.  Franklin                                            3  2j*9 
Dr.  Frewen  ArchbifllOpof  lark              2.  3 of 
Mr.  Froyjell                                                3.  94 
Dr.  Fulwood                                           3.  102 
Fundamentals.    A  Committee  of  Divines  cho- 
fen  in  Oliver's  time,to  determine  the  num- 
ber, and  fix  the  limits  of  them,  2.197.  Mr- 
Baxter's  Judgment  about  them  in  fhort,  ib. 
&tp.  198.  the  Proceedings  of  that  Com- 
mittee                                        i99,&c. 
Funeral  A  remarkable  Funeral  Sermon  preach'c 
by  Mr.  Baxter  at  Bridgnorth                1.  20 


G. 


JkA  R.  Francis  Garbett  j.  $ 

•tVA  Dr.  Gaudenfiiftiop  of  Exeter,  2  2 1 7,2 1 8, 

Dr.  Cell  1.78 

Dr.  Gibbon  1.78.  2.20  f 

Mr.  Thomas  Gilbert  3.98 

Mr.  Joleph  Glanvile  2.  378 

Dr.  Thomas  Good,  2. 149.  a  Letter  of  Mr. 

Baxters  to  him  2**48 

Dr.  Thomas  Geodwin     1.73,103.  2.197.  l-l9 
Church  Government.     See  Church. 
Mr.  Thomas  Gouge,  3. 17, 94.  a  Character  of 

him,  3.147,148.    His  Death  3.  190 

Dr.  Grew  of  Coventry,  1.44.    His  Character, 

3-9; 

Mr.  George  Griffith  2.193.  3.19 

Mr.  Grimes  3.  2,  19 

Mr.  Thomas  Grove  3. 86 

Mr.  Grunman  3.  1 

Dr.  Gunning,  afterward  Bifhop  of  Ely,  2. 276, 

277>337'346,349J3^,3?7>363>364-  aPri* 
vate  Conference  between  him  and  Mr. 

Baxter,  3. 104 


H. 


DR.  Hackett  2276 

Sir  Matthew  H*/*.    His  Character,  3. 

47,177,181 
Mr.  Hall,  alias  Church  313 

Mr.  Thomas  Hall  3. 9  J 

Mr.  John  Hampden  I. s 7.  3. 177 

Mr. 


nPrJWTE. 


Mr.  Richard  Hampden  ,  A.R 

Mr.  Robe,  t  Hamilton  %   gg 

Dr.  Hammond,  1.62,73.  2149-  a  Treaty'be- 

tween  him  and  Mr.  Baxter,  aboiit  an  A- 

greement  with  the  Eoifcopal  Party    jufr 

before  the  return  of  K.Cbarles  II2.208  &c 

Col.  Edward  Harley  \      ' 

Major  General  Harrifin.    His  Character,  1. 

Mr.  Heath  *7'7°'£[ 

Sir  Nathaniel  Heme  J'Z\ 

Mr.  Samuel  Hilderjljam  \.9% 

Dr.  Hmchman,  Bifhop  of  Salisbury ,2.274,276, 

277>278;3°y»?6: 
Mr.  Hinckley  oi  Norfield  j 

Mr.  Hmks  *'" 

Mr.  «,£„  |.^g 

Dr.  Hold/worth  I>72 

Mr.  HoUingwortk  5.180 

Mr.  Hooker  5#I- 

Mr.  William  Ho}khu.     His  Charader     3.91 
Dr.  //tfrr<w  2.303,307 

Mr.  Htfr?o»  *^ 

Mr.  John  Hove  '*^^1 

Mr.  Hughes  of  Plimouth  3 .  97 


D 


R.  Jacomb,  l.iofi  2.197,214,  30;,  505-, 
3°7>337>346-  3  13,19   His  Ghara&er, 

39J 

Mr.  Arthur  Jackfon,     1.  67.  2.  218,303.  3.94 
Mr.  Henry  Jack/oft  2383 

Dr.  j^zwe  3-177 

Mr.  Janewiy,  3.2,19.     His  Character     3.95" 
Mr.  Jenkyns,  1.67.  2.229.  3  94 

Mr.  Peter  7«rc  2.432.3.97 

Independants.     Their  Character,  1.102,103. 
104.  2.140,143.387.  a  fruiciels  attempt  of 
Union  with  them,  managed  with  Mr.Ny<?, 
218.    Another  of  the  fame  kind  with  Dr. 
Owen,  3.6i,62j&c. 
Infidelity.  Mr.  Baxters  Temptations  to  it,  i  .21 
Mr.  Martin  J obnjon ^.11 9.    Letters  between 
him  and  Mr.  Baxter,  about  theNecefltty  or 
no  Neceffity  of  Epifcopal  Ordination,  and 
an  uninterrupted  Succeflion  in  the  Church, 
appendix  Numb. 2. 
Mr.  William  Jobnfm ,   the  Papift.    An  Ac- 
count of  the  .Difference  between  him  and 
Mr.  Baxter  2.2i8,&c. 

Mr.  Juice  3-  91 

Dr.  Juxton,  Archbiftop  of  Canterbury,     i.aj 

2.433 


K. 


XT' Ederminfter.  Mr.  Baxters  firfr.  feitle- 
JLV  ment  there,  1.20.  of  the  Sequeftration 
of  the  Living  there,  1.  79.  Mr.  Baxter's 
great  Pains  and  eminent  Succefs  in  that 
Town,  1.83,84,85.  the  Difcipline  that  he 
kept  up  there,  1.91.  His  fruitless  endea- 
vours to  return  thither,after  his  Ejedment, 


2.2s?8i&c.  He  goes  down  thithenbut  could 

notbealWdtofhythere,2.37;howche 

PoorPeopletherefaredafte;wardt37r576 

lome  of  them  grew  very  hot  and  fiery ■  ,  4, 

Dr.  Kendal.  His  Character         ,  r  10  2  2o^ 

Dr.  King  Bifhop  of  Rochefter  "* 

Mr.  Simon  King  \]°\ 


J^R.  L<h»*,2.i8o.  3.180.     Letters  between 

him  and  Mr.  Baxter.  Jppend.Numb  * 
Dr.  Lxmplugh,  Bifhop  of  Exeter  ,  ,?g 

Dr.  Lany,  Bifhop  of  Peterborough,  2.30  jfj  ;;, 

Mr.Laptborn  *\0 

Mr.  Edward  Lawrence  *  94 

Mr.  George  Law/on  x*jA 

The  Letters  contained  in  this  Volume,  are 
thefe  following  : 

One  from  Mr.  Vines  to  Mr.  Baxter,  2.  147. 
One  from  an  unknown  hand  to  Sir  Ralph 
Clare,  containing  certain  Queries,  the  So- 
lution whereof  was  de fired  trom  Mr.  Bax- 
ter, 2. 1 5 1.  Mr.  Baxter's  Anfwer,  if  3,  &c. 
A  Letter  of  Mr.  Baxters  Co  Sir  Ralph  Clare, 
2.1 57.  a  Letter  from  the  Minifters  t&Weft- 
moreland  and  Cumberland  to  thole   of  Wor- 
cefierfhire,  162.  their  Anfwer  to  it,  164. 
a  Letter  from  the  Irijh  to  the  Worcefterjhire 
Minifters,  169.  their  Anfwer,  170.    A  fe- 
cond  from  the  Irifh  Minifters,  171.     One 
of  Mr.  Baxters  to  Bifhop  Brownrigg, 2.172. 
His  Reply,  174  ,&c.    One  of  Mr.  Baxter  i 
to  Mr.  Nye,  2.188.  two  of  Mr,  Baxter's  to 
the  Lady  Anne  Lindfey,  2.  22 1 ,  &c.    one  cf 
Mr.  Baxters  to  the  Lord  Chancellour,  2. 
282.  One  to  Mr.  Baxter,  from  the  Court 
and  Government  of  New  England,  2.  291. 
Another  from  Mr.  Norton,  292.     Another 
from  Mr.  Elliot,  293.  Mr.  Baxters  Anfwer 
to  Mr.  Elliot,  295".   One  of  my  Lord  Chan- 
cellour  Hyde's  to  Sir  Ralph  Claretahom  Mr. 
Baxters  return  to  Kederminftcr,2.2y<).  One 
of  Mr.  Baxters  to  Dr.  Earls'  about   a   falfe 
Afperfion,  2.382.     One  of  his  to  an  ho- 
nourable Peribn  about  a  Comprehenfion, 
and  Indulgence,  2.434.  a  Letter  to  Mr. 
Baxter  from  Monfieur  Amyraut,  and  ano- 
ther  from    MortfieUr  Sollicoffer,  2.  442.  a 
Letter  from  my  Lord  Afliley  to    Sir  John 
Trevor,  with  a  Cafe  of  Conference,  to  be 
folv'd  by  Mr.  Baxter,  2.4.4.$.     Mr.  Baxter's 
Reply,  ibid.  A  Letter  from  Dr.  Bates  to  Mr. 
Baxter ,  about  the  Affair  of  the    Oxford 
Oath,  3.14.  One  from  Dr.  Manton  to  Mr. 
Baxter  about  anAddrefs  from  the  Presbyte- 
rian Minifters  to  the  King, 3. 3 6.  One  horn 
Dr. Owen  to  Mr. Bdxter  about  the  Terms  of 
Agreement  with  the   Independants,;.^;. 
One  from  Mr.  £*x;<;r  to  the  Earl  of  Lau- 
derdale, 3-7f-  a  fecond  to  the  Earl  of  Lau- 
derdale^.jj.  One  of  his  to  Sir  Robert  Mur- 
T  rey, 


•i 


The  TABLE. 


rey,  78.  One  of  his  to  the  Eail  ot  Orery  a- 
bouc  a  general  Union  of  Proteibnts^.109. 
One  ot  his  to  Dr.  Good  Mailer  of  Baltol 
Colledge  in  Oxford,  3.  148.  One  t'rom  Dr. 
Ttllotjon  to  Mr.  Baxter,  3  1 77:  Letters  be- 
tween Mr.  Baxter  and  Mv.johnjon,  Append. 
N.2.  — between  Mr.  Baxter  and  Mi. Lamb, 

Append.  N.;. between  Mr. Baxter  and 

Mr.  Allen,  Append.N.4.  a  Letter  o\Mr.Bax- 

ter  to   Mr.  Long    of  Exeter  ,  Ap.  p.  108.  a 

Letter  of  his  to  a  Friend,  about  the  Gale  of 

Nevil  Symmons  the  JSookfsller,    Ap.  p.  117. 

a  Le.rer  of  his  to  the  Right  Worfhipful  Sir 

E.  H.  about  General  Concord,  Ap.  p.  130. 

The  Levellers.  Their  temper  and  rife,   1.54. 

their  Infurre&ion  and  SupprefTion         61 

Mr.  Lewis  313 

Dr.  Light foot  2.303, 30^307 

The  Lady  Anne  Lindfey.    Her  Sedu&ion  by 

the  Papifts,  2.  219.  Two  Letters  of  Mr. 

Baxter  to  her  2.  2  2 1 ,  &c. 

The  Liturgy.    Propofrtls  of  the  Presbyterian 

Minifters  to  King  Charles  IJ.about  11,2.234. 

More  Objections  againft  it  2.  25-4 

Mr.  Long  of  Exeter.  A  Letter  of  Nit. Baxter  to 

him,  Ap.  N  5". 
Dr.  Wiftiam  Lloyd  3.  179 

Mc.Lood  3.  13 

Mr.  Ghriflopher  Love  i.67 

Mr.  Lovel 
The  Lord  Lucas 


392 

384 


M. 


M1 


'R.  William  Madfard  of  Bridgnorth  I.  I  $■ 
Vli    Maiden  ojf  Newport  3.  94 

Earl  of  Mancbefter  i.rof .  2.  276,289,&c. 
Dr.  Mantkn,  2.: 97.2 14,  218,  229,  230,276, 

283,303,30^  319.  a  Letter  of  his  to  Mr. 

Baxter  aiiout  an  Add.efe  of  the    Minifters 

to  the  King,  3  37.     His  Imptifonmenr,  3. 

74.  His  Character,  3.95.  His  Death,3.i82 
Mr.  Stephen  Marjhal  1.42,62.  2.197 

Dr.  Ada/on  3.  177 

Mr.  /k/<*/o  3.  13 

Mr.  Robert  Mayot.  His  Legacy  of  600 1.  to 

Nonconform  ill  Mini  Iters  2. 198 

Melancholy.     Some  Advice  to  fuch  Perions  as 


are  troubled  with  it 


3.8^,86 


Militia.  The  Controverfie  about  it  between 
KingCharles  I.  and  his  Parliament       1.30 

The  Silenced  Mmifter^  in  great  hopes  ot  an 
Indulgence  or  Comprenenfion  in  1663. 
2.435,  now  bafely  they  were  difappointed 
2.4  3  y .  fbme  of  them  preach  in  the  City 
Churches  in  the  time  of  the  Sicknefs,  3.2. 
Twenty  of  fhem  take  the  Oxford  Oath,  3. 
13.  they  firfl  open  their  feparate  Meetings 
prefently  alter  the  Fire,  when  moil  of  the 
ChurChes  were  burnt  down,  3.19.  they 
are  conniv'd  at  in  their  Meetings  for  a 
while,  3.  22.  they  make  an  Addrefs  of 
Thanks  to  the  King  for  his  Clemency, 
2.36,  &c.  fome  of  them  privately  wait  on 


his  Ma  jelly,  3.87.     Oura&ersef  tfiveuof 
them,  3.9o;&c\  to  98.  .thev   have  Liberty 
given  them  in  1672.  by  the  King's  Decla- 
ration, 3.99.  tl  eir  Liccnles  are  call'd  in, 
and  the  Laws  required  to  be  put  iim  Execu- 
tion againfl  them  i  1S4 
The  Filth  Monarchy  men.     Tlicir  Insurrecti- 
on                                                    2501 
Major  General  Monk               1  69.105.2.214 
Mr.  Moor  i.^x 
Mr.  Simon  Moor  3.9 1 
Dr.  Morley,  firft  Bifhop  of  Worcdflm^   af 
wards  of  Wine heftery  2.2  1 8, 274, 2*7/^  277, 
27839o^337>??8,3 39  340,34^34^347* 

Sir  William  Morrice  l.ioj- 

Mr.  Morton  1.4* 

Dr.  Morton  l-9^ 

Louis  Du  Moulin,  1.  no.  hit  JwgJum  Can f* 

3.8y 

K 

\/PR-  James  Naltont  1.42,67.  H&Hteath,  and 
"*-  -*•  Charafter  -a4}1-  3 -94 

Mr.  Nanfen  2-%l% 

N.ifby  Fight  1.  50 

James  Nayler.     The  Ringleader  'dftthe.  Quar 

kers  il.  -^ 

Mr.  Needier  %&$ 

N^-England.     An  Account  of  t'he  ibMaits 

of  that  Plantation  2a.  290 

Mr.  Matthew  Newcomtn,  2.232,2c;  ,303,307 
Mi.  Newton  01  Taunt  on  3-r$ 

Nonconformists.    Their  (everal  Princjjlfitamfl 

Pleas  -a^949  &c. 

Mr.  Norman  of  Bridgwater  ^Hlff* 

Mr.  Philip  JV/«,  1.73, 10  r,  104.  2.n^,_,4g$n. 

3.19.  a  Debate  between  him  and  'jflr.Biux- 

ter  about  an  Union  with  the  Indqaanlam^, 

2.i«4,n%^. 


M1 


O. 


R.  Oafland  of  Bewdley}  1.95".  2$£g.    Ms 

Character  59581 

Oathi.Oi  the  Etcatera  Oath  impofedimn%jpa. 

Reafons  for  and  againft  thetakingaffin,  a. 

i$-,&c.  of  the  0^-6  to  the  Rurqp  aailldl 

the  Engagement,  1-64.  of  the  Oa&affiQa- 

nonical  Obedience,  2.  42.5'.  of  ^rhe  (Skffmril 

Oath.     Reafons  againft  it  2}.$j 

Orders.  Mr.  Baxter  EpifcopaHy  ordamtfjyiiEg 

Mi^Overton  %tJ$ 

Dr.  Owen3  1.64,101,103.2.197.  4.119,^22.  aa 

Treaty  between  him  and  Mr.  Baxtmdhout 

an  Union  between  the  Presbytenians^md 

Independants,  3.61,62.  a  Letter- of lhisrto 

Mr.  Baxter  about  that  matter,^.  fhefffTiffi 

of  this  Treaty  3 .69. 3577$ 


IP.Sii 


The  TAILS' 


p. 

r  Tji!'  T  Their  hand  in  th«  Death  of 
K.  Ck/«  I.  2 

Whether  it  be  lawful  for  a  Proteftant  to 
marry  a  Papifr  ?  2.44y,&c. 

Ineir  carnage  prefently  after  the  Fire  of 
London,  3.20.  great  fears  of  them  in  1672. 
3.106.  their  Plot  in  1678.  2  185 

Mr.  Parker  '  3'™| 

Dr.  Samuel  Parker.   His  Ecclefiaftical  Policy, 

3.41,42 

Parliament.    The  Proceedings  of  Jie  Long 

Parliament,  1.18.  the  different  tempers  of 

the  Members  of  it,  and  a  further  Account 

of  their  Proceedings  1,25- ,&c. 

Mr.  Parjons  %.pA 

Mr.  Paflon  2.92 

Mr.  Pateman  2.  97 

Dr.  Patrick.    His  Friendly  Debate         3.39 

William  Pen.    A   Conference  between  him 

and  Mr.  Baxter  3  174 

Mr.  Perkins  I.42 

Sir  Francis  Peter  %. 1 8 

Dr.  Pierce.  His  filfe  Aceufation  of  Mr.  Baxter, 

2  279.    His  Character,  2  280  — 344, 345-, 

246 

Mr.  Pigot  ^98 

Dr.  P«r/o»,  2.3:7.346,347,249  357,364 

Pinners- Hall  Lecture     The  quareUbinneis  of 

the  [ndependants  there  at  its  firft  erection, 

3  103.  Mr.  Baxter  horribly  defamV!  by  the 
i  actio uu  on  the  Account  of  his  Sermons 
there  3.15-4 

Mr.  Pitt  2376 

The  Ptegue  in  the  Year  1665".         2448.  2.1 
Mr.  Matthew  Fool  3.13  94 

Dr.  Vvrdage  and  his  Family  1.77 

Mr.  Porter  of   Whitchurch.     A  Character  of 
him  3  94 

Mr.  Vavafbr  p.ore/  3.72 

Prayer.     Remarkable  Anfwers  of  it         1.80 
Common  Prayer.  Exceptions  againft  it,2  308 
Exceptions  3gainit  ic  that  were  delivcr'd 
in  by  the  Difienting  Minifters  to  the  Com- 
miffioners  at  the  Savoy  Conference,  2.316 
Presbyterian  Minitrers.     Their  trouble  on  the 
Account  of  their  fidelity  to  K.Charles,  1. 6 7 
Some  of  them  made  the  King's  Chaplains 
upon  his  Re(ioration,2.229.  their  waiting 
upon  his  Majefty,  and  treatment  by  him, 
2.230,23  uheir  ririr  Propofals  to  the  King 
'    about  Concod,  2.232.  leveral  of  them  re- 
fufe  Biihopricks  and  other  Preferments,  2. 
283,  284.1  they   preient    an    Addrefs    of 
Thanks  to  the  King,  for  his  Declaration 
concerning  Lcdeliaftical  Affairs,  284, &c. 
they  hold  a  Conference  at  the  Savoy  wich 
the  Biihops,  and  feveral  of  their  Divines, 
2  "cc  &c.  their  Petition  to  the  King  alter 
that  Conference,  2.  366.     Multitudes  of 
them  filencd  on  Bartholomew  Day    1662. 


2.384.     See  filenc'd  Ministers. 
blihop  Prideaux 

4 


1.7: 


F  the  Quakers,  i.77.  their  Refolution 
under  Sufferings  2,^6 


R. 


D  ^Rainbow  l6 

1  he  Ranters  2  y£ 

Mr.Rawlinfon  2,  3o^|oj;.r94 

Mr.  Joleph  Read,  3.92.  his  Imprifonrthnt, 

Ul  Re- ordination,  2.422.  Reafons  agaiRlt  con- 
fenring  to  it,  3  30  [faifly  pag'd  38J. 

Dr.  Edward  Reigwld's,  1.64.  2229,230,232, 
267,274,276,278,281,282.  he  accepts  a 
Bifhoprick,    2  283,303,305,307,33^364 

Mr.  John  Reignolds  2  92 

Mr.  Reyner    '  2.19? 

Mr.  Roberts  ■  «z 

Mr.  Jofeph  Rock  3.92 

Mr.  Ro/a  -  ,» 

Mr.  Ro/e  2  ^5- 

\   M  R.  Sacheverill  2,432 

iVJ    Mr.  Jo.  ,W/<t.  1.64 

Mr.  Saltmarjh  1.56 

Mr.  Sangar,     394^78.     His  Death     3.182 
Dr.  Saunderfon,    Biihop  of  Lincoln  2. 3 Of, 3  77, 

36a 
The  &zwy  Conference.     A  large  Account  of 
it,  2.303  ,&c.  Of  the  furreptitious  publica- 
tion of  ic  2.379 
Scotland.    The  Diflatisfaclibns  there  in  King 
Charles  the  Firft's  time  ,   1.  16.     Cromwel's 
march  thither  ,    I.  68.   a  great  change  of 
Affairs  there  in  King  Charles  the  Seconds 
time                                                   3.147 
The  Scots.     Of  their  firft  coming  into  Eng- 
land, 1. 17.  of  their  coming  a  fecond  time 
into  England  ro  help  the  Parliament,  1.  40 
of  their  adherence  to  King  Charles  the  Se- 
cond upon  the  taking  oft  of  King  Charlei 
the  Ffrfl                                      1.65,66 
Sectaries  in  the  Army,  1.  53.    in  the  Parlia- 
ment,   1.63.     Obfervations  about  their 
growth  3  1.  97.    An  whole  days   Difpute 
maintained  wich  (ome  of  them  by  Mr. Bax- 
ter at  Agmondetymrh                                1.  6$ 
Seekers  1 .76 
Dr.  Lazarus  Seaman,       1.  62.  2.229.  3r3>94 
Mr.  Obadiah  Sedgwick                            1.4Z 
Mr.  John  Sedgwick                                     ibid. 
The  Learned  Selden,  no  Hobbift              3.48 
Mr,  Richard  Serjeant,  1.  7?>  88.  a  Character 
ofhirrMj                                            3-9i 
The  EarlTf  Shaft sbury                           $.\o<y 
Mr.  $b\geU                                            l*% 
Dr.  Sheldon  ,  firft  Bifhop  of  London,  then  ot 

I 


'I  be  1  AB  LE. 


Canterbury  r.  62.  2.276, 305* 

The  Sicktufi  In  the  year  1665.      2.  418.  3. 1 
Silenc'dM'm\i\ers.     See  Mimjters. 
Mr.  Sihefhr  ?•  </' 

Mr.  Smith  3*3 

Mr.  Samuel  Sw/7A  1.$ 

Mr.Scrfs  misfortune  when  preaching  before 

the  King  2.380 

The  Earl  of  Southampton  %  ■  3 

Mr.  SoW.  A  Character  of  him  3.  93- 

Dr.  Sparrow  *-337>346 

Mr.  Ambrofe  S/wrry,  2.38;.    His  Character, 
•  3.91 

Mr.  John  Salisbury  3  9* 

Dr.Spurftowj  1.  42.  2. 229,230,276, 30;, joy. 

3-97 
Mr.  Stanchffe  3M>96 

Mr.  James  StamfieU  2-373 

Dr.  Sftrmr,  Biihop  of  Car///?* ,  afterwards  of 

ftr*  23°?>338 

Mr.  Peter  Sterry.  Sir  Benjamin  Rudiard's  Cha- 

rafter  of  him.  I-75" 

Mr.  Stoope  .  2-38° 

Mr.  5r*^j.     A  Character  of  him,  3.9 J.  His 

Death  3189 

Mr.  Nevil  Symmons.   The  Cafe  between  him 

and  Mr.  &i*ttr   dated  hi  a   Letter   to  a 

Friend,  Jp.N.j. 
Mr.  Swaine  3.98 

Mr.  Sidrach  S/w^»        '•  64,  7 3, 10;. 2. 197 


1. 


TV/I'R.  Francis  7*/e»f  j.     A  Chara&er  of  him 

Mr.  Ta*verner  3-3^97 

The  7*/?.  Debates  about  in  Parliament^.  167 
Mr.  William  Thomas  3.13 

Mr.  Thorndike  *•  3  64 

Mr.  John  7*;»*m,  1.88.  The  difference  that 
arofs  between  him  and  Mr.  Baxter ,  and 
their  Difpute  at  Beivdley  1  96 

3.  92 
1.72 

2-3°;>30,i3-97 
3.48 

1.73 
3-59 


Mr.  Vaughan  3.96 

Vernier  2.30I 

Mr.  Vamtng  i.pf 

Mr.  RicliaidK;»«,  £.44,62,64.  A  Letter  of 
his  to  Mr./fax/^r  2,47-  2.197 

Mr.  Thomas  Vincent 9  3-2,£9.  His  Chara&er, 

3-9* 
Mr.  Narhaniel  Vincent  3.19 

Archbilhop  l//J;er  1.27,62,73.2.197 

Of  Mr.Ztexrer's  acquaintance  with  him,  2. 
206.  His  Judgment  about  Univerfal  Re- 
demption ;  and  about  the  validity  ofPres- 
byters  Ordination,  ibid.  His  Reduction 
of  Epifcopacy,  or  Model  of  Church  Go- 
vernment at  large,  2.2  3  8.  This  wasoffer'd 
King  Charles  the  Firft  at  the  IJle  of  Wigbt9 
1.62.  and  offer'd  to  King  Charles  the  Se- 
cond upon  his  return,  by  the  Presbyteri- 
an Mini(lers,as  a  Handing  Form  of  Church 
Government  2234 


W. 


A/f  R  Wadfwwth,  3.  19.    His  Character,  3. 

LX  9J,i78 

Mr.  Humphrey  Waldern  188,92 

Dr.  Walla,   1.  107.  2.  229,230,276,277,303, 

3°y>3°7 
Ralph  Wattu,  the  Cobler  ofGlocefter        3.23 

Dr.  Walton  Bifhop  of  Chefler  2.307,340 

War.     Occafions  of  the  Civil  War  between 

King  and  Parliament,  r  26.  the  firft  Dutch 

War,  3.16.  the  fecond  Dutch  War      3.99 


Mr.  Andrew  Triftram 

The  Triers  of  Miniiters 

Dr.  Tuckney 

Sir  William  Turner 

Mr.  Turner 

Dr.  William  Twiffe 

Judge  Tyrell 


V.    U. 

Q\v  Henry  Vane.  His  Character,^  7.  His 
O  Bravoury  at  the  time  of  his  Death,  1,76 
The  Vanijls.    His  Followers  1.74 

The  Lord  Chief  Juftice  Vaughan  .  1 9 


Mr.  John  Warren 

Dr.  WarmeBry 

Mr.  Thomas  Watt  [on 

Bifliop  Wexford 

Col.  Whalley 

Mr.  John  White 

Mr.  Whttaker 

Mr.  Richard  Wickfiead 

Judge  Wild 

Mr.  Wtld»2> 

Dr.  mlkMF 

Mr.  Witts 

Mr.  Wilfon.    His  Character 

Mr.  Willsby 

Dr.  Wtncop 

The  Lord  Wind/or 

Dr.  Winter 

Mr.  Benjamin  Woodbridge 

Mr.  Woodcock 

Dr.  /^or^ 

Mr.  Woodward 

Mr.  Thomas  JfWg&f  of  Kmmrfkj 


1.107.  3-97 

2.307,149 

1.67.  3.19,95 

1.72 

1. 19 

3-9r 
14,11 

3-J9 

3-i? 
3.24 

3-9? 
396 
3.92 
1.7; 

2-377 
2.169 

2.303,307.  3.98 

3-94 
2.232 

3.36 
3-94 


•FINIS. 


T.hk  Table  is  to  be  placed  lafl  of  ally  and  the  firft  Signature  ftouid  be  S. 


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