A search for the English schismatick by the case and characters : I. Of the diocesan canoneers ; II. Of the present meer nonconformists ; Not as an accusation of the former, but a necessary defence of the later, so far as they are wrongfully accused and persecuted by them

Mnvopolitm torarg

READING ROOMS.

81 GREAT QUEEN STREET,
LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS,

LONDON.

The leaves not to be turned down or written on.

PRINCETON, N. J. ***

Collection of Puritan Literature.

Division

Section

Number

Iu3D

SEARCH

FOR THE

Englifh Sdiifmatick:

By the CASE and CHARACTERS,

I. Of the Diocefan Canoneers.

II. Of the Prefent Meer Nonconflrmfts,

Not as an Avcnfation of the former, but* Neceflafy
Defence of the later, Co far as they are wrongfully
Accufed and Persecuted -by them.

; 7

By Richard Baxter, One of the Accufed.

■»«*•

LONDON:

Printed for Ne<viU Simmons, at the Sigh /of the three

Golden Cockf at the Weft-end of St. fanh

Church- Yard. % 6% i.

Si .

flk

Jm^ ^mo^P

FT J

•b.

r.l 1& IxttOttmifc

I

POSTSCRIPT.

THEfirivings of Parliaments fince Archbifj.p Laud V Go*
vernment, againji Innovations, Popery and Arbitrary over*
t of ping Law,and their jealoufies of the dejigns andprogrefs,
while they themfelves were of the Old Church of 'England,
do callus to thinkwhat the difference was between the OldandNew^

HE that would know what
the Old Church of Eng-
land is, let him read,

I. The 39 , Articles.

II. The Homilies.

III. The Apology, with Jewels
defence.

lV..Nowc\YsCateckifii<

V. Dem&Kex (all owned
by the Church*).

VI. ' Hookers Ecckfiafiical
Polity, in 8 Boohj.

1 VII. ' Bifhop Billon of Chri-
Jtian oubjeajon.

VIII. Bifhop Downham de
Antichrifto.

IX. The great Writers a-
gainji Popery, as Dr.Whi taker,
Dr. Reynplds, Dr. Willet,
Dr.SutlifF, Dr.White,Dr.Airy,
Dr. Humphrey, Dr. Fulk, Dr.
Prideaux, Dr. R. Abbot, Dr.
Crakenthorp, Dr. Challoner,
Dr. Hall, Bifhop Ufher, Dr.
Davenant,5//%> Carlton,Chil-
lingworth,JJ//% Morton, &c.

HE that would know what
is the New Church of
Englandfince Bifhop Laud dif-
fers from the Old, let him read ,

I. Dr. Heylin'j- Writings,
Dr. Pocklingtons, -Mr.Dows,
Sybthorps and Mainwarings.

II. HeylinVLT/e^/JBLLaud,
particularly his description of the
deftgned-reconciliation with the
Papifis.

III. Mr. Thorndike s Jufi
weights and meafures, and for-
bear an ce of Penalties.

IV. Archbifl?op BramhaH\f

book^againfi me, explaining the

new way in thefe particulars^

I. To abhor Popery. 2. That we

all come under a Foreign Jurif-

diUion, obeying the Pope as the

Wejlern Patriarch, and alfo as\

the Principium unitatis to the

univerfal Church, Govetning by

[the Cations. 3. That Diff enters

from this be accounted Schifma-

ticks* 4. That we yield to what

the Greeks have yielded, and be

A - of

X. The Writings agawft Bi+
Jhop Laud, viz. Bifiop Hall/
Epiftle to D. L. Archbifhop G.
Abbots, and Bijkop R. Abbot V
judgment of him, and kisTryal,
with what was there charged
agawft him.

XI. The Harmony of Con-
fejjions, and the Synod p/Dort.

XI L King James'/ Works*

i

of their Religion. 5. ThatGro-
tius was a Proteftant for the
Church of England.

V. Dr. Parkers Preface to
that book^ and Dr. Pierce's de-
fence of Grotim.

VI. Grotius his Volume and
Notes on Cafcn&er, jpeciaffphis^
Difcuffio Apologetici Rivefta-
ni 5 in which he profeffetb, 1 .That
Rome is the Mifiris-Church.
2. Sound in faith.^Thathe finds

Protefiant s can never unite, but by uniting with Rome, 4. He
owns the DoBrin* of she Councils, even that of Trent. 5. The
Pope to govern by the Canons of the Councils, and not arbitrarily.
6. Nor mufi invade the rights of Kings or Bifhops. 7. That if the
curiojiths of the School-men,andthe ill lives of the Clergy be difi
owned and amended, this much is enough to fiber men. 8. And
he faith that the Englith Bijhops were many of his mind, tho* the
Separatifis were not.

VII. The Earl <?f Clarendon V Defence of Dr. Stillingflect, J*y-
ing the nature of Popery in their injury to Princes.

VIII. Guil. Forbes, Bifiop of Edenborough his Irenhotu

IX. Mr. Dodweir/ book again ft Schifm, and the fame <lo-
.. Urine maintained by others who nullifie Minifiry and (hurches^

whofeEptftopal Ordination hath not come down from the Apo files
uninterrupted.

X. The Brjhops endeavours ftnee \66o, to filence, fine, imfri-
fin, banijh,and drive five miles from all Corporations, &c. dU
fuch as receive not the Impofitions. Together with the reft of the
true Hiftory of theft laft Twenty years.

The particulars are not now to be recited.

«. > ;

S E A R C H

FOR. THE

ENQLISH SCHISMATIC^:

O R,

The True Chara&ers of the feveral
Accufed Parties, by which they
may be difcerned.

• -

CHAP. I.
The Parties Accufed.

The Parties queftioned are, I. the Papijis.
II. The Diocefan-Militants, or Canoneers. III. The
Pajjive peaceable Conformijis. IV. The Meer Non-
conformijis. V. The SeBarian Chnrch-Appropriators^
and Caufelefs Separatijis and Dividers.

H E R E is no Seft of Chriftians
which maketh fo great ufe of their
pretence to Unity, and crying
down Herefie, Schifrn and Separa-
tion, as the Papifts do 3 and yet
are the greateft Schifmaticks and
Dividers, as thus appeareth.
1. They have a felf-made humane univerfal Church,

B feigning

CO

feigning the Pope to be the rightful Head of all the
Chriftian World.

2. They exclude all from Chrifts Chuch, who are not
the Popes Subje&s, though at ther Antipodes, where he
never came nor fent.

3. They prefume to make univerfal Laws for all the
World.

4. They Curfe mea from Chrift by Excommunicati-
ons, who refute fuch fubjeftion and obedience to theft
Laws.

5. They hav»e introduced many new Articles of Faith,
on pretence of declaring and expounding Faith.

6. They have multiplied corrupting additions in the
Chriftian Worfhip.

7. Their regular obje&ive Religion now confifteth
in fo great a number of the Decrees of Councils, as no
Chriftians can well underftand, while they accufe Cods
Laws as unintelligible.

8. They can give us no certainty which of theft
Councils are obligatory to us, while they contradift
each other.

9. They agree not of the Effence of Chriftianity, or
neceffary truths } but refolve all into the uncertainty
of [_fnfickt7t Propofals*]*

10. They damn men as Hereticks that deny not all
humane fenfe, believing there is no Bread and Wine,
when they fee and tafte them.

u. They burn fuch as Hereticks, and are for tor-
menting Inquifitions to deftroy them.

12. They bind Temporal Lords to exterminate all fuch,
and to fwear to do it } and this on pain of Excommuni-
cation, Depofition and Damnation ^ So that a Proteftant
Kingdom under a true Papifl: King, hath a King that is

thus

C 3 )

thus bound to exterminate his SubjeSs, if he be able ;
and profeffeth to do it on theft three penalties, his Sal-
vation lying on it.

13. They decree the giving of his Dominions to ano-
ther, and abfolving his Subje&s from their Oaths of Fide-
lity, if he obey not.

14. They decree, that it's Herefie to hold that a King
hath the power of Invefting Bilhops, and that he is not
thus fubje& to the Pope.

15. They tokrate their chief Dodors to write, that
a Heretick is no King, at leaft if Excommunicate, and
may lawfully be killed.

1 6. Their Canons exempt the Clergy from being Go-
verned and Taxed by Kings.

1 7. They forbid the reading of the Scriptures tran£
lated, without a Licenfe.

1 8. They fay that we cannot well believe the Gofpel,
but on the credit of their Church : As if we mud firft
know that the Pope and Council are authorized by
Chrift, before we believe in Chrift himfelf.

19. They renounce 'Repentance by pretending to In-
fallibility.

20. They cherifh a numerous Clergy and Se&s, to
carry on all this in the World, and perfwade high and
low, that to promote their Church and Caufe, is merito-
rious of Salvation.

II. By the Pajjhe Conformiji, I mean both fuch as go
on the grounds of Mr. Sprint, and think a Reformation
very defirable, but Conformity lawful to efcape filen-
cing and mine 5 and fuch as like Conformity for it Ctlf,
and wi(h all others did Conform, but like not unchari-
table cenfures, or (ilencings, or violence againft confcio-

B 2 nable

(4)

nable Diffenters, nor the compulfions which have caufed
our Church-convulfions. Though the Nonconformifts
muft needs judge thefe to partake in Schifm, fo far as they
own the Schifmaticat dividing terms of Communion,
which are the greateft hinderance of our Concord, and
will be ftill inconfiftent with it 3 yet as they reproach
not Diffenters as Schifmaticks, fo neither are they ac-
counted Schifmaticks by the Diffenters, foecaufe they are
found and peaceable brethren, and defire to live as fuch
with others, and Schifm is not their difpofition nor pre-
dominant. We would live in greater Love and Concord
with fuch as thefe, than the differing Cpnformifts have
with one another.

III. The names of Se&aries and Separates are of no
fixed fignification, but vary according to the mind of
the fpeaker. But I now ufe them for thofe, 1. Who
appropriate the Church to fome narrow Seff or Party % which
denieth alhothers to be true Churches, or to have true
Minifters and Sacraments. 2. And next to thofe, that
though they own others as true Churches or Minifters,
yet hold their Communion unlawful, when it is not (b,
and renounce Communion with them on thefe grounds.

Such befidesPapifts, are too many Prelatifts, that deny
the Miniftry, Sacraments and Communion of the Refor-
med Churches, which are not fuch as they 5 yea of all
Churches that have not anEpifcopacy by uninterrupted
Succeffion of Epifcopal Ordination from the Apoftles,
and that excommunicate all that do but fay that ther>e
are any true Churches in Englatid. but. their own. And
fuch are fome Anabaptiftsy fome.called Brovwifts, or Se-
parates heretofore, &c. And the Seekers are much worfe,
that deny a!L Churches 5. aad the guahrs and Ranttrs^

who

(5)

who revile the foundeft 5 and all true Hereticks, who fe-
parate by denying fome Effential of Chriftianity. All
thefe are Schifmaticks in the judgment of all found and
fober Chriftians.

IV. By Active Canonical Conformifls, I mean thofe
that are for the prefent frame of Ecclefialtical Govern-
ment, with the Liturgy and Canons, and the Laws which
enforce them (who call ufually for the Execution of
thofe Laws-}.

V. By the tneer prefent Nonconformijls, I mean fuch
as are guilty of no other punifhable errors or fins, but
fuch as the Aft of Uniformity doth ejeft and filence us
for 5 and who declared openly their judgments about
Doftrine^WorfhipandDifcipline,in 1660, after a Con>
mon meeting at 5/^-Colledge, and another at the Savoy,
which is publifhed in Print } That is, the Reconcilers, or
Peacemakers, who then laboured and beg'd for Peace and
Unity in vain 5 who tye themfelves.to the judgment of
none called Nonconformifts heretofore, Presbyterians,
Independents,^, but to the Word of God, and the ex-
ample of the true Primitive Churches, and are not for
Concord only with a Se&, or a dividing-party, High or
Low r but for that Catholick_Church and Communion of
Saint j, which are in our Creed.

Schifm being a culpable rending of ChrifHans from
each other, hath a great number of degrees (as it is by
Apoftalie from the Univerfal Church totally, or by de-
nying a fundamental, by Herefie 3 or as it is but by deny- ,
ing Integrals, or but Accidents 5 as it is but from a parti-
cular Church, a Church of Gods forming, or of mans. 3
As it is from a Church, as if it were no Church, or a cor-
rupt

*r

(.6)

rupt Church falfly fa id, or only a lefs defirable $ as it is
from a Parifh-Church, a Diocefan, a National, &c. As
it is total or partial, or but in fbme accidents frot^ that
particular Church, holding Communion in all the reft$
As it is mental, or but caufelefs local 5 As it is from a
Church, or only from fome perfbns in a Church- Paftor,
or others 3 As it is by driving men by finful Impofmons
from a Church, or too eafie departing 5 with many the
like differences elfewhere opened.) So that as all men have
fbme degree of ignorance, pride, hypocrifie, &c. and yet
are not to be denominated ignorant, proud hypocrites,
where it is not predominant 3 fo all aredefeftive in Love
and Union, and few Churches on earth are noway guilty
of Schifm, and yet are not to be called Schifmaticks,
where it is not predominant.

Almoft all Churches on earth accufe each other of
Schifm 5 the Papifls Co accufe the Creeks, Proteftants,
and all others 5 the Greeks fo accufe the Papifts and
Proteftants (as the Patriarch Jeremiah fliews usj, and
both the Abajfines, Jacobins, Nejicrians, &c. The Luthe-
rans fo call the Calvinijls, and they many Lutherans $ the
Epilcopal,Presbyterians, and Independents fo accufe each
other : Sober and peaceable men muft confefi that moft
are guilty of fome degree.

Laying by the reft, our Queftion now is of Two Par-
ties here, the Canoneer Diocefan Conformifls, and the
Prefent meer Conformijls , which are the ENGLISH
SCHISMATICKS.

CHAP.

\ / s

CHAP. II.

The Cafe of the Diocefan-Canoneers, or Zealots
for Impofition of Conformity.

i.-*TT*Hey agree not of the Effentiating Head of their
| own National Church 5 whether it be Lay, or
Clergy, King or Bifhops (and fo are indeed of divers
Churches), no nor whether it have any conjiitutive Head,
or none.

'2. Some hold Bijlwps neceffary to the Being of a
Church, and fome only to the well-being of it 5 and fo
agree not neither what a particular Church is.

3. The former unchurch the Parifh-Ckurckes, and make
them only parts of a proper Church, the Diocefan being
the loweft in a politick fenfe.

4. They make the Parifh-Priefts, but half Priefts or
Paftors, denying them the Power of the Keys over their
flock, fave in a little part.

5. Thefe deny the Reformed Churches, which have
no Biftiops, to be true proper Churches, and their
Miniftration and Sacraments to be valid : But others c£
them hold the contrary, and fo differ in their Commu-
nion with the Proteftant Churches.

6. Some of them fay, that none are true Minifiers of
Chrift that have not Epifcopal Ordination by uninter-
rupted fucceffion from the Apoftles: And that their
flocks have no title to Salvation, becaufe they have it hot
by Oods Covenant feakd by fuch a Minijirj of the Sa-
craments. 7. They

i » ;

7. They hold twice Ordination finful 5 and yet Re-
ordain thole who were ordained by meer Presbyters, or
Redtors of Parith (City) Churches.

8. Some Leaders grant that there were no Subjeft-
Presbyters in Scripture*times, nor Bilhops that had more
than one ftated Aflfembly and Altar, which others are
againft.

.9. They agree not of the fenfe of the words [Presby-
ter and Bifljops*] in the Scripture.

10. Some of them reproach the Reformation of other
Churches, .as the Papifts do, as the effeft of fury and re-
bellion i and feek to render it odious as a crime.

1 1. Yea and the Reformation of England by K. H. 8.
as the produft of his filthy luftand cruelty : And reckon
the death of K. Edv>. 6. for a mercy. Infomuch, that otit
of Dr. Heylin, and fbme others, a Papift hath gathered
in termink, the mod: odious defcription of our Reforma-
tion, called Hiflorical Collections.

12. They dilagree about the points called Arminiatt.
Whitgift the Mawl of the Nonconformifts, with others,
drawing up the high Lambeth- Articles for abfolute Re-
probation,&c. and others, with Laud, as hot againft
them.

13. Thefe cenfure K. James for being againft Arminia-
mjm, and fending men to that end to the Synod of Dort9
though they were all moderating-men.

14. Though we had there fix excellent Divines, fbme
think we are not obliged by that Synod, and fome that
we are ("when we had not fo many in moft General
Councils).

1 5. Thofe that followed Laud, being few, durft not
long commit their Caufe to a Convocation : And Heylin
tells u?5 that the Convocations of England and Ireland

were

C9 J

were againft them: and the Convocations are called The Re*
prefentative-Church.

16. Thefe divided from the reft, drove who fhould prevail
m Power: A. B. Grindall fir ft, and A. B. Abbot next being caft
but, and both reproached by Dr. Utjlin (Land's Pen-man)
as the Heads of one Party \n'E»gland9and B.Vfter'm Ireland:
and Biftiop Land is praifedasthe Leader of the other fide, Re-
forming the fpoiled Reformation, which the Univerfitks and
Bifhops had fpoiled by Calvinifm.

1 7. Thefe two Parties differed in their2cal againft the Non-
conformists : Grinduh 'being for Love and Lenity, and Lcftu're-
Exercifes to breed up Preachers, and Abbot by Heylin made a
Mifchief to the Church for being popular : but Laud's Party
being for more feverity againft them, which was exercifed
accordingly.

18. Thefe two Parties alfo differed in their way and defigns
towards the Papifts. A.B. G. Abbot, E. Rob. Abbot, Halt and
others fufpe&ing Laud as Poptfb, and being themfelves againft
Toleration of Popery : But B. Laud (faith Dr. Heylin) at-
tempting by alterations and abatements,and reconciling means
to open our Church-door fo wide, that we might again all joyn
together, as in the beginning of Queen Elizabeths Reign.

19. Thefetwo Partiesdiffered about Prerogative,Laws and
Property \ A. B. Abbot writeth, that he was call: down for de-
nying toLicenfe Sybthrop's Book for the Kings r'ower to raife
money, and the peoples obligation to pay it. And his Narra-
tive (which you may read in RuJIworth) intimateth that B.
Lavd was the chief means of this Impofition on him, toLicenfe
Sjbthrop's Book, and foof his Sufferings : The two greateft
Writers for Prelacy and Conformity are Bifhop Bilfon and
Hooker (to the reading of whom B. Morley referred me for
inftruftion, when he forbid me Preaching in Wonejier Dioceli,
and) whom we are ufually challenged to anfwer. Bifhop Bil-
fon faith (Chrrf. Subjefr, pag. 520. Q " If a Prince (hould go

C « about

(10)

" about to fub}e& hisKingdom to a Forreign Realro^ or change
" the form of the Common Wealth from Impery to Tyranny,
cc or negleftthe Laws eftablifhed by common confent of Prince
u and People, to execute his own pleafure 5 In thefe and
** other fuch cafes which might be named, if the Nobles and
u Commons joyn together to defend their ancient and accu-
Cc ftomed Liberty, Regiment and Laws, they may not well be
" counted Rebels.] See more pag. 381, 382. Grotius dejure
<c Belli goeth much farther. Ri, Booker faith [That it is no
<6 better than Tyranny for any Prince or Potentate of what
" kind foever to exercife Law-making of himfelf, and not ei-
" ther by expreft Commiffion received immediately and per-
<c fonally from God, or elfe by authority derived at firft from
<c their confent, upon whole perfons they impofe it, EvcLPol.
" /. 1. $. ic. />. 21. And that in Kingdoms of this quality (as
H ours) the HigheftGovernour hath indeed univerlal Domi-
" nion, but with dependancy on that whole entire body over
" the feveral parts whereof he hath dominion : So that it
" ftandeth for an axiom in this cafe, The King is Singulis Ma-
Cijor, univerjis Minor, Lib. 8. p. 193. and p. 194. [Neither
"can any man with Reafon think, but that the firft inftitution
"of Kings (a fufficient confideration, wherefore their power
<c (hould always depend on that from which it did always flow)
cc by original influence of power from the body into the King,
" is the caufe of Kings dependency in power on the body :
" By dependancy we mean Subordination and Subjection.]
<c The Axioms of our Regal Government are thefe: Lex faci t
u Regent — Rex nihilpoteji nifi quod jure poteft — Pag. 2 1 8,2 2 1,
"223,224. Againft all equity it were that a man fhouldfuffer
" detriment at the hands of men for not obferving that which
" he never did either by himfelf or others mediately or imme-
ec diately agree to — What Power the King hath, he hath it by
cc Law 5 the bounds and limits of it are known. The entire
" Community giveth order, &c. as for them that exercife

" power

cc

cc

<c

cc

( «« )

c< power altogether againft order, though the kind of power
cc which they have may be of God, yet is their exercife there-
" of againftGod, and therefore not ofGod,otherwifethanby
"^rmi(Tion,asallinjufticeis. Page 22$. Ufurpers of Power,
" (whereby we do not mean them that by violence have afpi-
c red to places of higheft authority, but them that ufe more
c authority than ever they did receive in form and manner
" above-mentioned) fuch Ufurpers thereof as in the exercife
" of their power, do more than they have been authorized to

do, cannot in confeience bind any to obedience]: Thus

Hooker.

" Hotfingftead (a Minifter) maketh Parliaments fo mighty,

as to take down the greateft Kings.

"Bifhop Jewel defendeth the defenfive arms of the French

Proteftants, as Bilfon and others do.

On the other fide (bme held, that [it is unlawful on any pre-
tence whatfoever to take Arms again ft the King, or any Commis-
sioned by him in furfuartcc of that Commiffion. ] And thus the
Clergy were then divided about fuch things, which progno-
fticated much that followed.

20. The Laity, Lords and Commons were divided after
thefe two Parties : And the Parliaments ftill adhered to the
(then) major part againft Laud's Party, and infifted on Grie-
vances, viz. i. Increafe and favour of Popery. 2. Arminia-
nifm. 3. About their Property and Liberty, Taxing and Im-
prifbning, &c. as Rujhvporth and Heylin {hew at large of di-
vers Parliaments.

21. By this unhappy breach Parliaments ftill harping on
the fame, and theKing diflblving them, and Jbbot^nd Richard
Hooker , and the moft being for the one fide, and Btfhop Land,
AWe, Howfon, Corbet, Buckeridge and Mont ague for the others
the Court and Parliaments came to the unhappy jealoufies and
diftrufts, which at laft broke out into a miferable War. In
which the A.B. of Canterbury (Laud)vras on one fide, and was

C 2 put

I 12 J.

put to death (the Hiftory and Articles are known ) and the
other A.B. {Williams of York:) was on the other fide, and
became a Commander \n North-Wales for the Parliament 5 and
their Clergy were accordingly divided : one part of the Con-
formifts adhering to theKing,and the other to the Parliament 5
many of which made up the We ftminJier-Sy nod.

22, This War thus begun between the two Parties of the
Epifcopal Laity and Clergy (in England), after drew in the
Scots to help the Parliament, and many Papifts to help the
King, neither of them being the firft Parties, but Auxiliaries,
(though in Scotland and Ireland it was other wife begun).

25. Thefe Auxiliaries of the Parliament would not help
them, but on the terms of the Covenant, and fo Church-altera-
tions came on , and the Parliament thought it was better have
noBi(hops,than fuch as did prevail againft them.

24; When Wars and Mifery had tired both fide?, and made
them long for reconciliation, and this endeavour had called
home the King, and masy Biftiops and Doftors had promifed
to be forConcord upon neceffary healing-terms, and the Lords,
Knights and Gentlemen had printed many Proteftations for
Peace, and againft Pvevcnge 5 and the King had Comcniffioned
us to treat with the Biftiops for Concord, and told us, They
fhould meet us, if we would come as near as we could to them %y
When the Kings Declaration fee used to have almoft healed us,
the Commiffioned Bifhops ftood to it, that no abatements
were neceffary $ and though we foretold them the impoilibili-
ty of Common concord, without abating fbme things which
did them no good, but harm,, and the advantage which Schifm,
Contention and Popery .would unavoidably get, which they
might eafily and cheaply prevent 3 we pleaded, we bcg'd by.
a long Petition 5 but all in vain : nothing would move themr
but when we only foretold them of the Djvifions that muft
needs follow, when Thoufands were forced a'gainft their.Con-
feienccs, they took it asjf we threatned Sedition, and.turned'

C l3J

ourPetitions and Arguments for the common peace and con-
cord (as if it had been a crime) againft both it and ue.

25. And the Convocation caft away the Rings Declaration,
and drew up the changes in the Liturgy, which added to our
burden, and drew the Parliament to confirm it all 5 and in
the Aft of Uniformity much more unprafticable by us, is im-
pofed, which made our breach what fince it is.

26. No man now mud be in Truft and Office in any fity °r
Corporation, who will not declare, that [there is no obligation
on him, or any other per fon from the Covenant'] not excepting
[again jl Popery, Schifm or Prophanenefs\ though he would con-
fefs it unlawfully impofed and taken, and renounce all obliga-
tion to rebellion, or any evil

27. No adult perfon or Infant muft be admitted to Chri-
ftendom by baptifm, without the tranfient Image of a Croft,. .
as a dedicating, engaging Covenant ing-fign and fymbol, or
badg of Chriflianity.

28. No Infant muft be Chriftened, without Godfather?,
who are his Covenant-fureties, and undertake his pious edu-
cation, though the Parents can get none that will ferioufly .
tell them they intend to perform it : The Parents being not
allowed to (peak one offering or Covenanting- word 5 nor •
muft be urged to be prefent.

29. No perfoa muft be admkteJ to Sacramental Commu-
nion, who thinketh it a fin to receive it kneeling, left it ftiould.
be fceming compliance with Popifti adoration.^

30. No perfons muft be admitted toCommunion*, who have-
not Confirmation by Epifcopal Impofition of hands, or are de-
firous of it 5 though they fear it is made a Popifti Sacrament^
by the addition [Z)pon whom, after tie example of the holy Apa-
files, we have vow laid onr >hancls, to certifle them El THIS
SION of thy favour and gracious goodnefs towards them?]

31. Though they will not tellus what the Church of En-
gland is, that is, /// Effentiatingform and Head, Lay or Clergy,^

yet.

vet every man mnft be ipfo faclo, excommunicate who faith,
It is not an Apofioliial Church as cftablified by Law.

32. Every one is excommunicate^ fatlo, who faith, that
[the form cf Worfhip ejiabli/hed by Law, contained in the Bool^of
Common-prayer, is corrupt ; or unlawful , or containeth ANT
THING in 7t that is repugnant to the Scriptures.

33. All are excommunicate ipfofaBo, who fay, That any of
the 3 9 Articles are in any part, fuch as he may not with a good
conference fuhferibe to \ though it be but that of the Churches
power to impofe Ceremonies : And yet divers Conformifts are
ogainft the Do&rine about Free- well, Heathens damnation,^-.

34. All are ipfo fatto excommunicate, who fay that [the Rites
and Ceremonies of the Church of England are fitperfiitious, or fuch
as godly men may not with a good confidence approve, ufe, and on
occafion fubfcribe7\ See Can. 3,4, 5,6. So that not only Mini-
fters, but all men and women that differ but of the Lawful-
nefs of any one of their Ceremonies, and fay fo, are excommu-
nicate already ipfo faff 0.

35. All are ipfo fatio excommunicate that fay, that the Go*
vernment of the Church of England under his Majefly, by Arch*
b?fi<?ps,BiJbops,Deans, Archdeacons, and THE REST that hear
Office in the fame, is repugnant to the wofd of God."] So that if
one were for Archbiftiops, Bifhops, and Priefts, and Deacons,
and thought but Deans or Archdeacons un(cr\pti\vd\ and finful,
he is excommunicate yyea or Lay-Chancellours decretive power
of the Keys 3 for [the reft that bear Office'] muft needs include
them : And yet many Bifhops themlelves are againft them.

36. All are excommunicate ipfo fatlo, who fay that the form
and manner of making and Con fee rating Bifiops, Priefts or Dea-
cons, hath any thing repugnant to the word of God, C. 8.

37. They are to be excommunicate that fay, Minijiers re-
futing to fubferibe, may truly take the name of another Church not
efiablifjed byLaj»,<kc, And yet the Church of Rome is faid to
be a true, though faulty Chmch^by manys and a faulty Church

may

Ci5)

may be a Church : And (they fay thatj the 'Dutch and French
Churches here, ftand but by the Aft of King and Council.

38. All are to be excommunicated that fev, that there are
within this Realm other Congregations of the Kings born Sub-

jecfs, thanfach as are allowed by Law, who may rightly take the
name of true and lawful Churches 7] E.g. If Gloucefler, that had
a PapiftBifhop,G<W#A*//,had chofen themfelves a Bifhop, and
called themfelves a true Church, &c.

39. They Command all to keep the Lords day, and other
Holy-days, accordsng to Gods holy Will in hearing the Word of
God read and taught^ in private and public/sprayer'] , and yet
fafpended and ruined many Conformable Minifters for not
reading a book for dancing and playing on that day.

40. And where many thou(ands in a Paiifh cannot come
within their Church-doors, noi have any Conformift elfe-
where in the Parifh to teach them,they forbid them on great
penalties to hear Nonconformifts, and call them Separatifts
and Schifmaticks, unlefs they forbear like Savages all publick
Learning and Worfhip of God, rather than hear 2nd joyn
with Nonconformifts.

41. Yet they Swear the Church- Wardens toprefent all that
come not to Church, and punifh them for not coming, when
fbme PariQies have 4000c, fome 3 coco, fome iccco that can
have no room, and the Church- Wardens cannot know them.

42. Yet if they go to other Parities oft for Communion,
they muft not be admitted, but forbidden and fent home.

43. No Minifter in regard of Preaching, or any other re-
fpeft may diminifh Orders, Rites/Ceremonies or Prayers, nor
add any thing in the matter or form, C. 14.

44. Though many melancholy perfons dare not communi-
cate in the Sacrament, and many other are fecretly conlcious
of Atheifm, Infidelity, or wickedne(s,they muft be compelled
to receive thrice a year.

45. The Minifter is to be fufpended who givetb the Sacra-

ment

fi6J

-raerrtto any that kneel not, or that fpeak againft the borik
• of Common-prayer, Ceremonies, &c.

46. No one may be made a Minifter, or permitted to ex-
ercife that Office, who will not fubfcnbe, that the book of
"Common- prayer and Ordination containeth in it nothing con-
trary to the word of God, and that he will ufe that form and no
other. And that will not declare publickly in the Church his
\jin feigned Affent and fonfent to All and every thing contained
and prefer ibid in and by that book^

47. He muft be cart out and filenced that doth not Affent
that [It is certain by Gods Word, that children which are bap-
tized, dying before they commit alitial fin, are undoubtedly faved]^
not excepting thofe whofe Parents are Jews, Infide!s,Heathens,
or •Atheifts, and whofe Godfathers are Atheifts, Hobbifts or
Impious.

48. They muft Affent, Qn fen t to, and Practice, figning In-
fants at Baptifm with the £Vtf/f, to dedicate them by that badg
to his fervice, whofe benefits bejiowed on them in baptifm, the
name of the*Crofs doth reprefent, in token that he Jhall not be
afl)Amed to profefe the faith of Chr/fi crucified, and manfully to
fight under his banner, &c. which feemeth to us to be thus made
a Sacrament.

49. They muft deny to Chriften all that refufe this.

50. They muft content to deny baptifm to all that have
not fuch undertaking Godfathers, as aforefiid, though the Pa-
rents would enter them into the Covenant, who are forbid-
den to be Godfathers, or fp^ak a Covenanting-word.

5 1. They muft profefs Confent to deny the Sacrament to
all that dare not take it kneeling: I (peak all this as impofed
on Minifters, and before as on the people.

52. They muft profets, confent and pra&ice to pronounce
all that they bury to be taken to God in mercy, where we hope
tocomej&c. (except only the excommunicate, unbaptized and
(elf murderers) were they Atheifts or profane.

53. They

f>7J

5?. They muft declare Affent to a filfe rule For "finding
E<f/fer-day,and content to keep two Eajiers often, yea though
it bo confcfled falfe.

54. They muft confent to read [the firji Lejjbn~) out of To-
bit, Judith, Bel and the Dragon^ and other Apocryphal- books
for moft of two month?.

55. None mult be fuffered toPreacb,that will not fubicribe
{That it is not lawful on any pretence whatfotver to ta{e Arms a-
gainfi thofe that are Commijjionated by the King"] while we un-
derftand not, whether the Law be not above his Commiffion,
and in fome cafes allow not the Sheriff to refill; it, and whe»
ther that be his Commiffion which is contrary to Law, if it
have his Seal 3 and fo the keeper of the Seal may Coramiflion
men to feize on his ftrength and trealiire, and to let in an ene-
my, or consequently depofe the King: No words can more
exclude exceptions, than the exclufion of [any pretence what*
foever.~)

5 3. None muft preach that fubferibeth not, that [There
lyeth ns clligation from the Oath, called the Coter.ant, on him or
ANT OTHER perfon to endeavour any change cr alteration of
Church-Government : Though many Hundred thoufonds took
that Oath, whom we know not, nor their fenfe 5 and many
Parliament- men that impofed it : And fo all Reformation of
Church-Covernment is made unlawful and impoflihle*
though vowed.

57. This Church Government by Decretive Excommuni-
cation and Abfolution is exercifed by Lay-Chancel/trs; and all
muft fub(cribe againft all endeavour?,though vowed to amend
it, though fome Eiftiops confefs it to be ev.l.

58. TheParifhes, as is aforelaid, are made by many no true
CLurckes, but parts of the loweft Church : And Parifti-difci-
pline is excluded: The Prieft hath no Power of the exterior
Keys, but to execute the decrees of the Biftiop or Chancellor.

59. Some Diocefles have above icoo Parilbes, fome many

D hundreds j

(t8)

hundreds } by which Chrifts true Discipline deferibed, Mat.
18.15. iCor.$.i. 1^^.5.12,13.^.13.7,24.1^^.5.25,
26. Tit. 3.10, 8tc. is as impoflible as for one Schoolmafter to
be the (bleGovernour of many (core or hundreds of Schools,
having Teachers only under him. And none that Vow'd it
may endeavour to mend this, and render true Ghurch-difci-
pline again a poffible thing.

60. The Souls of men have great need ofPaftors near them,
and able to refolve their Cafes of Confcience, and comfort
them and help them in manifold ftraits : And many Parilhes

.are fb great, that the Priefts cannot do fuch Offices for one of
many hundred a nor do they do it } nor know the people :
And other Parilhes (too many J have Priefts that are raw un-
skilful men, utterly unfit for fuch Paftoral helps : And the
Bithop is far off, and muft have hundreds with him at once,
ftiould he do that work : fb that it is moftly undone. And yet
thofe are punifhed that chufe Paftors to do it in fuch need.

61. If aPari'ftihavea Prieft fo drunken, that his own fami-
ly can fcarce live with him, or fo inefficient, that he never
preacheth, becaufe he cannot, or will not, and the people Icru*
pie encouraging fuch a one in his ill undertaking of the Mini,
ftry, and dare not take him for their Paftoral Guide, they are
forbidden to go from him, and to communicate in the next
Parifh 5 and the Minifter that recciveth them, or baptizeth
their Children, though conformable, is fufpended, C. 57.

62+ No Minifter muft Preach in a private houfe, fave in
times of neceffity, through ficknefs, nor may they on any
cccafionof ficknefs, or the like, keep any Fafts in their Chur-
ches, or in any private houfe, nor be prefent at them, which
are not appointed by Authority, C.61,62. Nor may they hold .
meetings for Sermons or Exercifes.

63. Ordination enableth no man to preach without far^
ther licenfe.

64^ They Excommunicate all Minifters that voluntarily

re-

(>9)

. •reFimjuifh their callings, and ufe themfelves as Lay-men. And
yet thoufands muft do both, if the Biftiops filence them.

65 He that preacbeth to more than four, not of his fatal-
ly, if he conform not, muft be fined 40 /. a Sermon (and he
that owneth the ground 20/.) and the Preacher Imprifbncd
Six months in the Common Jayl: and the Rearers fined, And
if he fvvears not never to endeavour an) alteration (or amend-
mentj of their Government, he muft be baniihcd Five miles
from Cities, Corporations, and all places where he lately-
preached 5 or lie Six months in Jayl if he come nearer 3 though
the Law fay that the Pari(h muft keep him in his want.

66. The Parilh-Prieft muft publifti Excommunications,
though againft hisconfcience,againft godly men for not Con-
forming, &c . while thoufands that never come to Church or
Sacraments, and Swearers and Atheifts, Hobbifts and wicked
men are members of their Church,from year to year continued .

67. The Canon 139 excommunicateth all that fay, that
the Synod of this Nation, in the name of Chrift^and by the Kings
authority afiembled, is not the true Church of England by repre-
fentatwn. By which they feem to make the King no part of
the Church, nor any of the Laity, or elfe that they repre-
sent King and Laity : and they intimate that all the Clergy is
the Church-real, and the Synod the Reprefentative.

68. They brought in new Canons, and the et c&tera Oath
in 1 640, without the Parliament, which were condemned.

6$. From the beginning of Queen Elizabeth, till now, they
have profecuted and filenced Proteftants that durft not con-
form : even their fellow Exiles in Queen Maries days were
filenced, and multitudes after in King James's days, and even
Conformiftsfufpended about the Dancing- book, and troubled
about Altars, Bowing, Afternoon-Sermons and Leftures,which
were forbidden } and about 2000 ejefted and filenced at once
1662 : And mult it udes of Families driven to Holland and Neve-
England. Though we offer them our Oaths3that we will gladly

D 2 COR*

f 20j

conform, if by any ftudy we can but fee that it will not involve
us in the guilt of hying, erring the Perjury of mahitudes un-
known to us, corrupt irg the C lurch ardQodsWcrft:)ip, Covenant-
ing deliberaitly again fi needfulRefcrmation cfthe fturch-Gozerx-
Kient by Lay fhancellows and uncapalle Diocejaj-s, and many
other crimes, with dreadful aggravations recited in our firft
Pica for Peace,

70. They feparate from us and our Congregations as un-
lawful to be joyned with.

71. Though it was the judgment of the ancient Churches,
expreft in many Canons, that he was ro Brficp that had not
the peoples eleftion or confent, they make it Schifm not to
obey fuch, and allow the people no fuch power.

72. They fuppofe that God hath entrufted the King to
chufe for all his Subje&s whom they fhall commit theconduft
of their Souls to as their Paftors and Bifhops^ though he be
not trufted to chufe our Phyficians, our Wives, our Dyet,<^r.
And fo they would make the King anfvverable for all ill-chofen
Paftors. And if a Papift, Heretick, or a hater of Paftoral holi-
nefe (hould ever be King,in how fad a cafe are the peoples fouls.

73. Yea, they hold that Patrons,be they never fo ignorant
or ungodly, muft chufe all that (hall have the Parochial truft
of Souls (As to the pofTeflion of Temples and Tythes, we
yield it) 5 they fay, The people muft have no other,than what
the Patrons chufe and impofe on them.

74. Excommunication ofDiffenters feemeth little to them,
but they by the writ de Excommunicato Capiendo, lay them in
Jayl till death, unlets they change their Judgment, which it is
sot in their power to do.

7 5. Though we publifti our abhorrence of all Do&rines of
Rebellion, and difown even fo much popularity, as their
Richard Hoofer, and moft Politicks own, many of them go on
to charge Nonconformifts with fulpicions of R.ebellion,and to
provoke the King againft them, as difloyal.

76. They

j 6. They frint and preach to provoke Mngiftrates to exe-
cute the fjrefaid fevere Laws, to (ilence and ruinc them, and
accufe them f >r not doing it.

77. They ftir up the people to take them for intolerable
{editions Schifnaticks, to the deftru&ion of Chriftian Love,
and ciufmg m:n to hate etch other.

78. By ihefe" means families are diftrafled 5 Husbands againft
Wives, Parents againft Children:, feme cafting them ojt, if
they do but hear a Nxiconfu-mift Pteacher, while fenfuality
corrupteth youth, and needeth more reftraint.

79. When the Kings Clemency Licenfed our Meetings,
they grudged at it, and neverthelfs feparatcd from us, though
they defcribe Separation to be Meetings held againft autho-
rity D* and thereby (hewed that it is fomewhat el(e than the
Kings authority that they contend for, and fomething more
than our want of Licenfe which caufeth their fervent oppo-
fition.

80. Though we beg of them in vain to prevent thePapifts
advantage by our divifions $ and though they (eem refolved to
let Popery it felfcomein, rather than either reftore us or to-
lerate us, and abate what we count fin, and they call Indiffer-
ent 3 yet do they perfwade people that we are bringing in Po-
pery, if we obey not all theirlmpofitions 5 and talk as if either
no Drflenters were tollerable ( when all men differ, and they
among themfelves in as great matters as from us) or All were
tolerable : both which are abominable : And as if he that were
unwuiing to bedeftroyed by PrelatifL, were introducing Po-
pery : Should a manchufe rather to be faved by a Papift, than .
hanged by a Prelatift, who were more to be fufpefted of Po-
pery, He that made that choice, or he that put it upon him.

8 1. Befides the reconciling treaty with the Papifts,aflei ted
by Dr. Berlin ; fome chief Doctors proR-fs that they would-
have the Church in the fame ftate, as when i\\zGreehj and La-
f///edid divide3 and grant what the Greeks grant 5 not denying

the

( 94 )

riif Pope to be Privapium uvitatk^ and pleading (otGrctiu*
as a Protectant of our Churches mind, who was for the Coun-
cil of Ireland all the reft} defiring no more for our Concord
with the Church of JtWe, but that as by the Mifttfs Church
they may rule by the Canons, and not abfolutely, fecuring the
Rights of Rings and Bifhops, and reforming Scholaftick curio-
fities, and the Clergies lives.

82. Under all the new Impofitions, we were never allowed
to (peak for our felves,nor durft once Petition the Parliament
that ejefted us, or any fince, for relief or audience, left fuch
boldnefs (hould more incenfe our affii&ers,

83. There is no furer way to deftroy their own Church-
pomp and grandure, and root out Epifcopacy more than we
defire, than toufe it for Satan againft faithful Minifters, and
againft the Souls of men, and againft thehonour and innocency
of Princes, and againft the property and liberty of Subjects,
even againft God and man, and fo to make it odious to man-
kindly making it intolerable : Till they that cannot tolerate
a differing-word do weary the world by their intolerable
pride, and caft down themfelves, and then blame others.

84. To this day, while they accufe thole of Schifm that
dare not iubfcri be, declare, fwear, and do the things aforefaid,
and plead againft the enduring of them, to preach or folemn-
ly worth? p God, they difagree in Do&rines, and many great
matters among themfelves, and take not themfelves for Schi£
maticks : Of which fee our 2d Plea, pag. 158, 159.

85. Some of them are for Original fin, according to the
fubferibed Articles : Bifhop Jcr. Taylor and others were againft
it $ and Bifhop IVarxer hath writ againft him.

86. Some of them preach for the Imputation of Chrifts
Righteoufnefs : Mr. Thorndiht, Mr. Sherlocliand others differ }
and many of them fharply accufe and preach againft each other
thereabout 5 yea with high accufations,,as heretical.

87. Some of them preach up Gods Eternal Decrees of Ele-

ction

(2?>

ftion and Derele&ion, or Reprobation, in that fort, as others
of them preach againft asblafphemy againft God, and deftru-
ftive to the piety and peace of man.

88. Some of them preach for univerfal Redemption as a ne«
ceffary point of faith, which others cry down as Armimamfm.

89. Some of them make Juftifying faith to contain Obedi-
ence, and others cry it down as Popery and Socimanifm.

90. Some of them fay that God hath given to all men fijffi-
cient grace to falvation (yea fay fome, and efficient), which
others call Arminiatiifm.

91. Some of them fay that it is Gods Grace that maketh
the faithful to differ from others, and others fay it is their
own Wills: And about the parts of Grace and Free-will they
preach and write againft each other.

92. Some of them preach that all the juftified perfevere.
And others preach it down as a dangerous errour. I have try-
ed to reconcile all thefe, but they go on.

93. Some of them are only for Bidding prayer in the Pulpit,
as ifall other were forbidden by the Canon (as Heylin) :- others
ufe prayer there.

94. Some there pray in their own words, and fbme only in>
the words of the Liturgy : fome ufe the fame words,and others
vary them.

95. Their Cathedral Worlhip much differeth from the Pa-
rochial, and fbme Churches Ufe Organs, and others have none.

96. One writeth for the Religious ufe of Lcut (as Bifhop
Gumng\ others as Bi(hop Taylor (and Dr. More\fkc. are a-
gainft their principles and ufe ;- yea and againft many other
things of Church- Government and (igniticant Ceremonies
which the other party hold. See Taylor cited Q^Plea for Peace.

97. Some of them are for the Divine right of the Lords
Day, and the Morality of the fourth Commandment : which
Heylin and many others vehemently deny.

98. One is for Altars, and Rails, and others againft them,
and others for indifferency. 99. In

y$. Tn preaching they ufe very different Methods : And
; Tome Churches of them begin to ufe new Verfions of the fing-
ing Pfalm?.

ico. Some following Grctius de Jure Belli : and Dr. Tay*
hrs Dutlor Dubitantium are for ufeful lying, which injureth
not others (and therefore no doubt for doubtful Confor-
mity ). But others are againft it.

10 r. But they no-where more differ, than in their Con for*
-mity it (elf, one taking the words in one fenfe, and another in
another^fo that their Conformity is not the fame thing^though
the L etters and (bund of voice be the fame. One by his Affent
andCorijent to all things in the three books meaneth plainly ^ and
another meaneth, but that he may and will ufe fo much as con-
ccrneth him: One by [Not refifling by Arms any Commifloned
by the King] meaneth as he fpeaketh. Another limitei h in to
[Lawfully Commijfioned] } One by (on any pretence what fever)
meaneth as he faith: Another excepteth as Bilfon aforciaid,
and fuch cafe as King Johns, who gave up his Kingdom to the
Pope, and woulel have done to the Morocco -Mahometan \ and
many other fuch inftances(as Killing the Parliament^City.^)
One that fubferibeth never to endeavour any Alteration of
Church-Government, meaneth as he fpeaketh : Another ex-
cepteth Lay-Chancel!ours ufe of the Key?, Deans ar.dCi p-
ters, Archdeacon?, &c* if the King would change thim. One
by; any endeavour"] meaneth as he faith : Another mc ° *bonly
[unlawful endeavour)^ one by [nothing contrary t >Qods a*>rd~]
in Can. 36. meaneth plainly : Another meaneth (xot ling which
maketh Communion unlawful]: One takeib ail the impofed
fnbfcriptions to be but a promife of fubmiilion and peace,
which others abhor, and are for the Truth of all that they
fiibfcribe ailent to. In a word,forne are for the common Rule
ok taking all the words in the ufual fenfe, except the Impofers
declare a different fenfe : And others are for neceffary fuppo-
fing, that the Impofers meant well, whatever they (aid , and

there*

(*5)

therefore our Charity and honouring them bindeth us to put
no fenfe on their words which is contrary to Gods Law, the
Law of the Land, or Common Right $ and fuppofing them
true and good, whatever they are, who can doubt but they
may be fwornor fubferibed.

102. Dr. Hammond and his party thought that it doth not
appear that there were any fubjeft Presbyters in Scripture-
times, and fo that every fingle Congregation had a Bilhop
prefent in worfhipping God. But Dr. Stillingfleet faith p. 269.
While the Apo files livedo it is probable there were no fixed Bi/hops,
or but few. And fo the world had but 1 2 or 13 indefinite Bi-
(hops, who are not proved to have any peculiar determinate
Dioceffes.

103. Mr.Dodwell^ndlthmk moft of them,take the Church
of England to be a Political fbciety, and many think we over-
throw Church and Order, if we deny Churches to be formed
by a Conftitutive Government. But Dr. Stillingfleet not only
holdeth that the Church of England is but the Paftors and
people contenting by Parliaments to live under the fame Laws
about Religion, without any Conftitutive Church-Head (one
or many)} but alfo peremptorily concludeth, that to maintain
fuch a Conftitutive Supreme Church-power -will neceffarily
infer Popery 3 and fo maketh all the Conformifts neceffarily
to lead in Popery, who are for fuch Political Churches, and
Conftitutive Governours.

J04. Mr. Cheny faith, That to make Churches by Cove-
nants, confederacies or confent,befides baptifm,istobeguilty
of blafphemy, impiety, irreligioufnefi, infidelity 5 and one
fhould rather die than yield to it. But Dr. Stillingfleet faith
•theChurch of England is one Church, made by fuch confent.

But fuch Schifms among themfelves are too many to be
here numbered. And no wonder when they differ fo much as
they do with their own Sentiments, in one and the fame
book, faying and unfaying, as the argument in hand requireth.

(i6)

E.g. Dr. StilliffgJJeet thinketh that the (even Churches of
Afia, being Metropolitan, prove Diocefan or Metropolitan-
Bithops, then in being : And yet, that while the Apoftles
lived, it's probable there were no fixed Bifhops, or bat few.
And (b either feven Apoftles were the Angek of the (kvGti
Churches of Afia^ reproved fo much for their (in and back-
fliding, or the Angels fignified not the Bifhops*

While we are all Schifmaticks for difobeying, fay fbme,
and holding Nonconforming Aflemblies, fay others, from the
Church of England^ yet this Church is no proper Political
Church, and hath no Conftitutive chief Government, faith
Dr. St. and therefore hath no authority to make Canons to
command us*

He no lefs than threatneth us with damnation ("not in the
retraced Iremcum, but in his late book againft Popijh Idola-
try*) if we chufe not the purcft Church : and the Papift grant*
ethit, and faith as he 5 And yet it is the fubftance of his
%itrtreafonabk books to prove us Schifmaticks, if we depart
from their Church, or fo much as preach to other Afiem-
bltes* on the account of purer worflrip^ and greater edifica*
tivn, 8cc. And he had the wit to pais by this citation in the
Epiftte of a book againft him.

As for Mr. Cheny^ and divers other fuch,, another book
openeth their Contradi&ions*

They often tell us of the Nullity of the Miniftry, or Power
which is not received frorn Epifcopal Superiors } Efpecially
Biftiop Gunning and Mr. Dodwell, hence draw difmal degra-
ding-and unchurching Confequences. And yet thus they
condemn both the Enghjh^ and R oman, and Univerfal Church,
If Church-power be given by Inferiors, the Independents
are not to be confuted : If from equals, as Generation is, as
men generate men, and Phyficians make Phyficians, &c*
then Presbyters may make Presbyters. If it mull be by Supe-
rior Power , then who maketh Arehbifiops in England^ or

jRopes>

r 27 ■)

Popes at Rome, who have no Superiors, and Co (by them)
no authority ? So much for the Hiftorical Characters of the
Canonical Conformifts.

But afcer all this, we grant, that there is fome tye and uni-
on among them 5 Thq^ all own Archbifhops, Bifhops, Deans
and Chapters, Archdeacons, with an Et cetera 5 the rcji as
the Canon fpeaketh : They all agree to declare and fub-
(cribe the words impofed, and promife or Covenant accord-
ingly, and fwear Obedience to their Ordinaries. E. g.
Though fuch as Mr. Bull and Dr. Tutiy write againft each
other, of Juftification as by Faith or Works $ though many
are very much againft the Do&rine of Mr. Thorndikd
Mr. Parser, Mr. Sherlock and fuch other, yet they all fub-
fcribe the fame Articles about Juftification, Free-will, Pre-
deftination. And I doubt not but there are very many not
only Learned, but Pious men among them, who yet by
ftrong prejudice and paffion, through education, converfe,
crois interefts, and unacquaintedneis with Diffenters , and
the many (candals that have rifen, and the extremes
which many have run into, are poffeft with a conceit, that
the ruine, imprifohment, banifhment or filencing of Non-
conformifts, is neceflar'y to the prolperity of their party,
called by them The Chitrck.

And to do the Papifts right, they agree to be members of
one fiurch, and to be for the Dignities, Wealth and Power
of their Clergy, and take the fame Oaths, and are under
the (am? Canjns, &c. though they differ about the Supre-
macy it (elf, as between the Pope and the Prelates in Ge-
neral Councils \> and about fwearing, forfwearing, lying,
murder, depofin^ and killing Kings, fornication, and manv
fuch as the Janfenifls have opened at large : Air thefe dif-
ferences they can bear with, snd the many different Setts of

E 2 Fryers,

(*8)

Fryers, fitted to the feveral humours- of men, a* long us
they are for one Common fociety and intereft : And doubt-
lefs many of ftri& lives do think it a fervice to the Church,
and (b to God, to kill, burn and deltroy others that are
againft them, as they d<x

There is fome one (-with what mind I know not) that
hath written a book called The Catholkk^Hierarchy , plead-
ing like an Independent againft humane lMpofitioxs ; But in
a Digreffion fo diligently labouring to prove, that the
Diocefans Subordination .of Churches will unavoidably, in-
fer a Pope or Uoiverfel Head, that I take it to be a dange-
rous book 5- while it ftalleth the (aid Dwcefansy whether im-
prudently or fraudulently as a Prevaricator,- I know not 5
he faith more for 3 Pope, without any antidote, than is or-
dinarily, to be elfewhere found, and then mod heads are
able to anfwer 5 though the main conclufion is fully con-
futed in, my laft book againft John/on, alias. Tenet, the
Papift,,

G-HA.P.

- 4 . -»'

CHAP, in;

The Meer TSonconformijl.

jvT^Y the prefent Meer Nonconform! (fr, we mean thole
fj that 1660, by the Kings Conceflion made their pro
pofals for Reformation and Concord, and as are of (he Judg-
ment then by them profeflcd. I meddle not with others Un-
known*

2. Their profeft Religion is Meer Ckriftiamty, effentially
contained in the Sacramental Covenant, explained in the
Creed, Lords-prayer and Decalogue, and integrally in the
facred Scripture.

3. Yet as Chriftians are accidentally called Protejiants^ be-
caufe they renounce Popery } fo we are Catholicks-> as re-
nouncing all Schifmatical Sefts$ and Nonconforwijis, becaufe
we dare not Conform to all that is impofed on us.

4. We hold that all Chriftians (hould Love each other as
themfelves, and do them all the good they can, and no hurt.

5. We hold that all baptized in Infancy fhould folemnly at
agereaewand own that Covenant, as adult members.

6. And that all that do fo, not nullifying their profeffion
by inconfiftent herefie or fin, (bould be received in Commu-
nion.

7. That fuch as renew it not, or are proved to fotfake it,
or heinoufly fin againft it, (hould be reproved, and after
fufficient admonition, if impenitent, be declared unfit for
Church-Communion, and accordingly avoided;

8. That God hath appointed that there be ftated AfTem-
bliesof Chriftians, efpeciaily on the Lords-days, where he (hall
be worlhipped, Men iaftrufted, and Communion exerciled.

9. That thefe Congregations (hould have known ftated

Paftors,

Paftors, to be their Teachers and Guides in worCbipand
holy living.

10. That thefe Paftors by Office have the power of the
Church- keys, to judge whom to take in by Baptifm, and

■whom to "admonifh as Criminal, to reject as impenitent, and
to abfolve and receive agaia as penitent in their proper
charge.

1 1 . That Baptifm and the Eucharift being a Gift of a fealed
pardon, and of Chrift, and life, no unbelieving nor unwilling
perfon is capable of them: Therefore none but believing Con*
[enters, or Volunteers and their Infants, (hould be baptized,
and Volunteers only admitted to the Lords-Supper.

12. And though Magiftrates (hould promote the facred
Work, and Rule the Churches, and keep peace and order by
the Sword, and fee that all have competent Teacher?, and
hinder the intollerable} yet may they not invade the Paftors
office, or peoples right, nor force men to truft their Souls to
the Paftoral Care of unable or -wit-nifty men, nor hinder
them from chufing better for themielves, any more than they
may confine them to untrufty Phyficians, Servants or Wives.

13. That becaufe the Paftoral Office cannot be exercifed
either by, or on the unwilling ^ mutual confent is neceflfary
to the Relation of Paftor and Flock.

14. That it is part of the Paftors Office to word his own
Sermons and Prayers : But yet if to avoid difcord or errour
fome common forms be agreed on, not overthrowing the
Paftors office, they may be fitly ufed, till by accident they do
more hurt than good.

15. The Laws of Magiftrates Circa Sacra, and the confent
and cuftom of Churches fhould not in lawful things be crofted
by humorous dividing Singularity.

16. .No-one Liturgy wasimpofedon any National Church,
or any Patriarchate for many hundred years after the Apoftles
days ( yea and after Co/tjlantine') : But every Bifhop or

Paftor

Paftor was the chufer of his Words and Practice.

17. Chriftians (hould all live in Love, and walk peaceably
by the Divine Scripture-Rule, fo far as they have atcained ,
fo waiting for increnfe of grace.

18. We muft receive the weak in the faith, and fuch as
differ tolerably from us, even as drift rectiveth us; and no
Cbriftian (bould be excommunicated, but for impenitency in
fins, fubverting faith, or holy living.

19. Nor muft Chrifts Minifters be forbid to preach the
Cofpel, becaufe of tollerable differences.

20. And thofe that through differences and fcruples can-
not comfortably worfhip God under one Paftor, or in the
Words or Ceremonies of one Church, fhould have leave to
do it in another, keeping found Doctrine, Love and Peace.

21. The number and need of the people muft determine
^whether a particular Church (hall have one Paftor or more.

22. If one for Concord be Prefident to the reft, and the
Senior Paftors be guides to the younger, we are not againft it.

23. Nor yet if the Magiftrate or Churches by confent ap-
point fbme of the Graver to be vifitors of many Churches,
and to inftruft and keep the younger in peace.

24. Nor will we quarrel againft the Names of Bifhops, or
Archbifhops, or their Wealth and Honour, while Faith, Wor •
ihip, Difcipline and Love are preferred.

25. If by a National Church, they mean either a C^rijlian
.Kingdom] or\_aB the Churches of a Nation as under one Prince]
or [as ajjcciated for QwcorcP\ we deny none fuch.

26. For we hold that all Chriftians (hould live in as much
Concord as they can, and that Synods are ufeful to that end.

27. We muft honour our Rulers, though they affiift us.

28. We hold that we muft feparate from no Church or
Chriftian farther than they feparate from Chiift, though we
muft not fin againft God for communion with any. We take
k for a great fin for any party to appropriate the Church

only

* <mly to themfelves : We own no Church but as part of the
•Catholick (or univerfal) Church, and we hold all our Affern-

t blies as in union and communion with All the true Churches
ron earth, and put up our prayers and praifes as in conjun&ion
-with theirs, not owning their failings (or our own) but their
.duties : And we will be members of no particular Church,
which alloweth us not occafional Communion with others 3
•but take fuch for Se&aries.

29. The welfare of Souls is of (b great concernment, that
we cannot think any Chriftian fhould be indifferent to whom
as a Paftor he committeth the care and conduct of his Soul,
any more than what Phyfician he chufeth for his body. And
the difference between the/ignorant and the wife, and wicked
and the godly, the negligent and the faithful, is of grand im-
portance.

30. We think that all Chriftians ttioiild prefer a faithfirt
Paftor, before an unfaithful or inefficient one 5 and a purer
Church before a more corrupt, as far as they are free, with-
out doing more hurt than good. But we will hold occafional
communion with more faulty Churches, fo they compel us
not to fin.

31. We take not all the faults of the Paftor, flock or fer-
vice, to be made ours meerly by our prefence: Nor do we
think that all faults (or many and great ones confident with
the neceffaries to communion) will allow us to feparate, that
is, either from a true Church, as none, or from lawful com-
munion as unlawful : For Natural diftance is not Moral Se-
pa;atiorv

32. We take the Magifterial impofing of unnecrfTary Oaths,
Profeflions, Subfcriptions, Pra&ices, much more finful ones,
as neceffary terms of communion, and filencing and cafting
out Chrifts faithful Servants that obey them not, to be the
grand and common caufes of Schifm, which have, through the
pride of a Domineering-Clergy, broken moft of the Churches
on Earth for above icoo years. 33* We

53. We hate the fpirit of pride and envy in Preacher*,
who cannot endure to fee others, at leaft that differ from
them, preferred before them «, and if any do but go from
them, to others, or worfhipGod in another place, or in other
words or circumftances, do frighten the people by their loud
allarm and cry of jJchifm .5 as if all were of a different Reli-
gion or fpecies of Communion, that differ from their book
in Word or Ceremonies 5 And by that blinding name of Dif-
ferent Communions, alienate the hearts of the ignorant, and
make them think of the Dutch, French, and others that only
differ from them in accidents, as the Papifts do of us that are
called by them Hereticks.

34. We take him not to have the Wifdom and Love of a
found Chriftian, who cannot love and bear with his fellow
Chriftians, who differ but in fuch tollerable things.

35. Yet we think not that all {hould preach and gather
Churches that will, and that the intolerable muft be tole-
rated, and that it muft be All or none: And the Magiftrate
b Judg whom he will tolerate : but he muft judg aright.

36. We hold the Parifti-Divifions to be of great conve-
nience 5 Not taking all in the Parifti for the Church, but
confining Minifters to their proper bounds.

37.* And whatever differing Churches the Magiftrate tole-
rateth, he mult force them to live peaceably, and modeftly
towards others.

38. Were every Church reduced to fuch a number, as that
all might in feafon have local, perfonal communion, like great
Parifhes that have Chappels } and E.g. every Churchof 6000
Souls have fix Paftors con-jundt, or every Corporation or
Market-Town (of old called Cities ) with the Neighbour*
Villages, be one Church 5 and one among thefe Paftors to be
a Prefident Bifhop, we (hould think it moft like the ancient
Government. But we can live in peace, where we cannot have
all which we juftly with for.

F 59. Though

%f. Though fome preach not Chrift fincerely, but in env}
and ftrife to add to our aftli&ion, we rejoyce that Chrift is
preached.

40. We hold all, that for the power of Kings,1 the obedi-
ence of the Subjects, and againft rebellion, which the Scrip-
ture fpeaketh, and which the Chriftian Churches, Politicks,
Lawyers, as far as we know them,commonly hold 5 and more
than divers chief Con formifts : (Bifhop Bilfotts book o£Sub-
jdiion, and Grotins de Imperio Sum. Pat. fullieft fpeak my
thoughts in the greateft part. J

41. Asthefe are the meer Nonconformifts principles, fo
their pra&ice is accordingly : They pray for the King, and
all in authority 5 not for preferment, but that we may live a
quiet and peaceable life in all godlinefs and honefty : And
they pray and feek for the publick fafety, and live peaceably
towards others.

42. They fought reconciliation with the Diocefansbzfoie
the Kings return, and affociating upon uniting terms.

49.: What the Nonconform ills in City, Countrey, Monks
Army, and the next Parliament did far the Kings restoration,
k known. .

44. They offered but Bilhop Ufiers form of Primitive
Government (or Epifcopacy) for reconciliation and concord
with the Biftiops.

45., They gave publick thanks for the Kings Declaration
about Ecclefiaftical affairs, which had healed us, had it not
been caft away: In which he declareih their moderation.

46. They never made one motion for Presbytery, Lay-
Elders, Independency: Nor againft Pari (h- Churches, nor
againft the Bifhops Lord (hips, or place in Parliament, or
Wealth. 5 Though, I confefs, they defired better than they
{jlw fit to ask.

47. They didas much with the Bifhops, as if it had been
for. their lives, by Condefcention, R.eafon and Petition, to

have

have prevented the forefeen divifions, and were the feekers
of Peace.

48. The Liturgy which they offered, had not one word
of exception returned by the Biihops $ nor were their Reply
or Petition anfwered by them to this day.

49. They offered their folemneft Proteftation or Oaths,
that if was to avoid fin that they refufed Conformity 5 and
yet many reported that we held all for indifferent, except
renouncing the Covenant.

50. The New Liturgy came out of the Prefs fo near' the
penal Bartholomew-day , that in almoft all Counties of Eng-
land, they were turned out for not declaring Affent to a
book which they never faw, or could fee 5 and the Confor-
med there owned it before they faw it*

5 1. The Nonconformifts knowing that the Magiftrate hath
the power of the Temples and Tytbes, never pretended any
right to them when they were caft out : But knowing that
they were juftly poffefled of their Paftoral relation to their
flocks, they believed not that the meer will of the Magiftrate
difobligeth them. Yet they believe that when the continuance
will do more hurt than good, they and t he flock ihould part
by content.

52. We never heard that any of the qcco ejefted Mini-
fters were caft out for any crime or falfe doftrine, but meer-
\y for not Conforming by Declaration, Subscription and
Pra&ice.

53. Nor have we heard that any, or many in all thefe
times of tryal have been convifted of herefie or drunkenneft,
fwearing, curfing, deceiving, fornication, or any fuch immo-
rality.

54. I am fure they have oft requefted that Laws may be
made to Conftrain them to live peaceably, to abufe none, and
to punifh them as much as others, if any of them be found
guilty of any fuch crime 5 and that fuch Laws may bring it

Fa to

(3«>

to- the tryal, who they be that are of fcandalous lire*.

55. They have been thankful for bare connivence and
opportunity to preach for nothing; fav& what they receive
from the hearers charity* thefe 18 years : : Some that could
live without it have preached freely 5 and the reft, could
they have lived and their families without bread, had rather
have been no burden to any } They are naturally no more in
love with a beggarly fordid life than other*: The Confor-
mists would be loth to live on Charity : Many hundreds have
long had nothing, or next to nothing pf their own, and Wives
and many Children to maintain, Houfe-rent to pay , Meat,
Drink, Cloaths^v. to buy : and nothing but mens Charity
to defray all this. And in the Countreys Money is fcarce,
Charity too cold, and moft of the Rich are taught by the
€lergy to condemn them : And ifohey come to great Towns,
the Clergy reproach them.

56. Many have dyed in prifon* many eateht their death
there ^ many had their goods and books taken away 5 and
many endured long: imprisonments*, and the profecution go«?
eth on.

57. The Magiftfates of Louden, and other places, have
been vexed, and fued by Informers for not profecuting them.

58. They preached moftly privately to few about London^
for fear of -giving -offence, till the people in the dreadful
Plague, which killed about 100000 were left as fheep with-
out (hepherds, crouding into another world, and the Noncon-
form! fts durft not forbear to teach them : And God fo great-
ly bleft their labours, that the People and Preachers, who
had been thus; awakened by devouring. death, refolved no
more for fear of man to neglefl: the care and intereft *)f
Souls.. O who - could be (ilent when thoulands that lookt
for fpeedy death did Croud for help in their neceffary prepa-
ration. This firft drew the London Nonconformifts into-
more open exercift of their .office,.' which encouraged thofe

ki

C?7)

in the Countrey to imitation. And it is not their judgment
that they are bound to preach, when by oppofing violence,
4>r the offending of Rulers it is like to do more hurt than
good, and once preaching~to deprive them of all the ufeful-
nefs of their lives: The fpitit of the Prophets is fubjtft to
the Prophets ("to Reafon and Prudence in the ufe of gift?, as
Dr. Hammond expoundeth it) : But whatever it coft them,
when there is true Neceffity and Opportunity, making the
good like to be greater than the hurt, they judgthat they
muft ufe the N4iniftry which they are vowed and ordained to.

59. When the Plague was over, fome thought once again
to retire 5 and the fire burning down the Churches, and the
people being deftitute; conftrained them ("though forbidden)
to go on. O'what is man ! What were the Clergy that
took upon them the Charge of Souls, that they durft be againft
(iich mens Preaching of the Gofpel in fuch a City, when fuch
a Plague, and fuch flames had declared the neceffity.

60. Even when the Plague was raging, and the Court and
Parliament fled from' it to Oxford, they there were making
the Oxford-Oath, and Aft of Confinement, to banifh the Non-
conformifts from the defolate City, and all Corporations, &c.
And they that before purpoftd to come to the Parifh* Chur-
ches, durft not come, left the Congregation being witnefs of
their being An the City,€^. they (hould be lent to the Jay].-

61. Moft that we hear of in the Countreys, and lome about
London, preach not at the time of publick worfhipt, but go
themfelves to the publick Churches, when they have honeft
tolerablemen : I and others here, do ordinary hear and com-
municate in our Parilh-Churches (when even the \zfcWhit-
ftmdayl do not think there were above roc Communicants
inaParitfc* that its thought hath 20000 'Souls-,1 and yet all
the reft are not hunted as Schifmaticks). And (chvht Sch'ifm
is not for withdrawing from the Parifrt-Churche<v but for
communicating alfo with others (which we avow) : As if ic

were

were greater Schifm to feparate front nom^ than to JepateU
from all fave the Diocefan Conformists, who appropriate the
Church to themfelves. k

62. We take it to be our duty to do our bed to keep up
the reputation of honeft peaceable Conformifts, left our Con-
cord and the peoples edification be hindered.

63. When we thought it a fervice to the Conformifts, to
help them in teaching fome of their Parilhes, which are ex-
ceedingly too great to hear them, and to enjoy all their Pa-
ftoral helps, and we preach, as they confefs, the fame do&rine
as they, yet we never asked or expe&ed the leaft part of their
maintenance (much left Preferments, Prebends, Deaneries or
BifhopricksJ, but would have been thankful to have leave to
be their helpers for nothing} but cannot have their content.

64. Thofe of us that preach at the hours of publick wor-
ship, do it for the moft part, where their hearers knowing that
they cannot have the juft benefit of the Parilh-Paftors office
in publick and private, find it neceffary ftatedly to chufe
other helps 5 and other hours would greatly diforder their
family-duties: Befides the Independents that have long had
their gathered Churches.

65. Though our judgment be againft Pluralities and Non-
refidences, we fay little againft it, left we (hould be thought
to defire part of the prey, or to envy their riches.

66. Though we feared, that if we conformed to the Pro-
fefiions, Subfcriptions, Oaths, Covenants and Practices before-
named 5 and this deliberately, and on pretence of keeping
our Liberty to preach againft the fins of others, we (hould
be guilty of all the fin and its aggravations, which we named
in thefirft PJea for Peaces yet knowing how various repre-
fenrations make mens judgments to ditfer, we became not
herein Accufers of the Confoimifts, but disavowed it, lea-
ving them to their proper judg, and medling with no mens
mattters but our own.

67. And

C'39J

67. And left it fhould feem to refleft on them as guilty, or
exafperate our affiifters, we have moftly forborn thefe 17 or
18 years, fo much as to open the matters and reafons of our
Nonconformity, and filcndy undergone reproach.

68. Yea when great Bifhops have told our Superiors, that
we judged nothing but renouncing the Covenant unlawful,
and have called to us, and fet Parliament- men to call out,
[What it k that we would have], and never would give us
leave to tell them 5 we have patiently been filent : And when
great Bifhops kave told me that our Rulers took us as not fin-
cere, for not giving our reafons, and that they would Petiti-
on that we might no longer be fuffered to keep up a Schifm,
and give no reafon for it : I have offered them to beg it on my
knees, if there were any hope to obtain liberty but once to
render our reafons of not conforming.

69. And when the Ad ceafed which reftrained the Prefs,
we ftill forbore, till they gave o\rt,[Thatnow it teas clear, that

for our baffled canfe we had no defence, but went on to (in again ft
our conferences'], which conftrained me at laft to open (bme-
what of our cafe, at which yet they are difpleafed.

7c. Though multitudes of Books have been written againft
us, charging us with Schifm, and calling for execution of the
Law againft us, yea perfwading King and People, as the Plot-
ters do, that we are cheriihing principles of rebellion 5 we
thought it beftto imitate Chrift, and filently to bear all, and
let our Lives and Works, rather than our Apologies, anfwer
for us 5 till conftrained, I publithed a full account of our Prin-
ciples of Government and Obedience, left continued filence
pa(s for guilt.

71. Their conftant iaft accufation is about the late Wars :
When-as 1. not one of very many of the prefent Nonconfor-
mifts ever mealed with them. 2. And we offer them thanks
to filence only the guilty. 3. And many Conformi(ts(and one
A-Fehbi(hopJ were in Arms for the Parliament. 4. And we

have

i 4* )

«&ave not requited them till of late, with tellingthem that it
-,was the Conformifts here that began the War.

72. Whenfome fay that they requite us forcaftir^goutthe

' Conformifts heretofore $ we offer them a thoufand thanks if

they will caft out none but thole that caft out them, I confefe

I took it for a great mercy to have»grofly ignorant, drunken

.Readers and Priefts caft out, of what opinion foever, and bet- ,

-ter put in : But I and others wrote againft putting out any ,

* worthy and tolerable man. for being againft the Parliament,

or for Prelacy.

73. Whereas fome cheat the ignorant, by telling them, that
\We would have every Minifler be a Pope inbk own Parifl) ]}.
1. A Pope is one that arrogateth the Government over all
other Paftors, even of the whole world : Whereas we would
govern no Paftors at all, nor any people, but our particular
Socks. 2. And thefe we would have only to be Volunteers :
And is not he liker to a Tyrant, that will be a Paftor to thou*
fands againft their wills, than he that will take charge of none
but Confenters ? 3. Specially the Independents, who are ac-
cufed as giving the power to the people, and depending on
their charity, do not like tyrants compel any to obey them.

74. Some are taught to make the Presbyterians odious, by
the rigor of their Discipline, and the (tool of Repentance,
which the licentious fear. But 1. our judgment is, that none
but willing Confenters fhould be Church- members, and as
fuch come under Difcipline. 2. And that none be excommu-
nicate for any fins (ordinarily) un-lefi after due warning and
patience he refufe to repent. 3- And God hath made Repen-
tance neceflary to comforting-aBfolution, pardon .and falva-
tion. 4. And it's a thouiand pities that any (hould be fo mad
in fin, as to think Repentance too dear for pardon.

75. Some fay that we are for Excommunicating Kings.:
What other men have been, is nothing to us: We take not
our judgments on truft from any party 3 but the Scripture is

our

f4>J

our Rule, and the Primitive Churcbwir patterfi. Some o£us
have written againft the lawfulnefs of diihor.ouf ing Prii.. k
and Rulers by proper excommunications, as being ^gauifc .
fifth Command 5 and Rituals give place-to Morals.: And fomc
of the greateft Church -men that have caft- us Qujr^havc been
for Rulers Excommunication: We are not i: . -...
Treafons and Domination not only the Pope but the Coun-
cils of Bi(hops,(even without the Pope as in the cafe 0/ Ln-
dovicusPitt*£n<\ , others)haveexercifed over Princes and King-
doms by excommunications,and curled curjingpen fromCbrift.

76. We find that.w/aenm 'the ( cant^tio'i^ bctweeivthe
Popes and the Emperours, the Clergy familiarly foore.ox foil}

fides as intereft moved them } and as Albas ZJrjpergenfos faith,
Perjury was the common brand qfPrkjl an4pej?ple^\t was far from
PF,9Ying a cure ofSehifm, though it was pretended for that ufe.

77. As the Law iorbiddeth us, (b we profefs to intend
nothing here written as an accufation of 'the Government,
La<^, Liturgy, or Conformi(lsrbut only as a defcription

Cons of our own Nonconformity. But if it fhould
prove true that Cities, Corporations,. Bifhops and I^riefts are
guilty but of half the evil againit God, Trujh, Conscience,
theGofpel, the Church, the fouls of men, the good of the
King anp Subjects, which we fear We fhould, be; guilty of if
we did conform, I had rather be a Gave than that Clergy-
man that fhould encourage them in it.

78. And if it fliould prove that any of them are under
Juch guilt, in the end it> will prove but an uneffeftual de-
fence, to accufe the innocent and reprovers, and fo to divert
them, by keeping them on the defenfive part 5 while they
are accuifed of odious fin for not finning, and called intoler-
able for refufmg to concur in wickednefs.

79-Ever fince we we;re caft outand fi!eheed,we have thank-
fully accepted all motions ^nd overtures for concord.We h^ve
been feveral times fince the firft Treaty, called to new Trea-
ties, in one Dr. Manton and others offered thankfully to ac-
cept leave to preach for nothing in the Parith Churches

C\ whip re

(40
where the Minifters defire it, and when the Common-Prayer
is ufed. Another time being called by the Lord Keeper Bridg-
man we agreed with Bifhop W likens and Dr. Burton, and it
was drawn up in an Aft of Concord by Judg Hale, but vo-
ted by the Commons not to be brought in. Since then we
were invited to treat with Dr. Tillotfon and Dr. StiUivgfleet^
who deemed to confent to the terms of the form of an heal-
ing Aft which we offered them} but they found that the Bi-
Ihops would not confent. By all which we have (till fhewed,
that we have never ceafed to feek for peace.

80. We have never (hunned to read or hear all that can be
faid, to prove that we need not fear all the guilt of Lying,
Perjury, falfe Covenanting againft duty, and all the other fins,
with their many and heinous aggravations, which we fear be-
ing guilty o£ if we (hould conform : Nor did we ever refute
to give the. reafon of our fears, to the Learned'ft man that
dotfTacCufe us.

81. As is aforefaid, we never to this day put up our Peti-
tion to any Parliament, fince we were filenced for relief com-
paflipn, or to be heard 5 which may fcem ftrange to thofe that
know our long accufations and fufferings.

82. So far are we from loving Schifm, that we take Unity
to be effential to the univerfal and particular Churches } and
that divifion is- deftruftion, though every difference is not
fuch divifion. And the chief of my ftudies and labours in the
World j$,How to reconcile and unite divided Chriftians. And
having fully proved in a Treatife of the only terms of com*
mon concord, that it will never be attained but on the terms
of Primitive fimplicity,prefcribed by Chrift,and praftifed by
rhe firft Churches 5 it is becaufeour Conformity is inconfiftent
with fuch terms of common concord, and fuch as we think but
S^arixin fthifm?thatwe are Nonconformifts. Let him that is
fbr dividing thephild, betaken for no true mother of it*

S3..; We are .not againft all Lttatrife#5 "tfur Litany hath not
lefs but more than theirs t We hearfrty fay, From Atheifm,
Infidelity and Popery front prophanenef^ ferfearihn and of-

C4?)

preffton, from all /edition, privy con/piracy and rebellion, from
fal/e doSrine, herefie and/chi/m $ from an ignorant, proud, and
worldly domineering Clergy, from malignant hatred of Gods
holy Image andfervants, andferious worjbip, and from contempt
of his word and commandments, Good Lord deliver us.

Jam. 3. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. Who is a wife man and en*
dtted with knowhdg among yon, let him Jl)cw out of a good con-
versation his works with meefyrefs of WiJ^cm.Bttt if ye have bit-
ter envying and fir if e in your hearts (rtruch more fitencing per-
(ecutton) glory not, and lye not againfl the truth. This wijdom
defcendeth not from above, but is earthly, fenfual, devihfi. For
where envying and ftrife is, there is confufwn, and every evil
worl^ But thewifdom that is from above is fir jl pure, then peace-
Me&entle and t a fie to be intreated,full of mercy and good fruits^
Without partiality, and without hypocrifte. And the fruit ofrigh-
teoufntfs is fown in peace of them that make peace. I Thef 2. 15,
16. Who both killed the Lordjefus and their own Prophets,
and have perfecuted us. And they pleaje not God, and are con-
trary to all men, forbidding us to /peak, to the Gentiles that
they might befaved, to fill up their Jin always. For the wrath is
come upon them to the utmpit.

\ determine not in all tht^ Who is the Schifmatic^ but
make a pair of Spe&acles for the purblind to difcern it.

But, Reader, I muft eameftly intreat thee, as thou loveft
thy Soul, to remember, that as toys, and plays, and luft, and
pride, and drunkennefi, and gluttony, and ambition, and co-
vetoufhefs, are the Devils nets by which he taketh the moft
of the world 5 fo he hath aiecond fort for thole that are above
theft things, and that is, the delights of wit in the vain un-
profitable part of Learning: And for thofe that yet are above
this, one of his hftfadTesfc Religious wraigling 5 turning faith
and godline(s into opinions, ftdwgs,formalilies and perverje dif
pntings, efpecially with men of corrupt minds, that take gain
for God 1 mete, and think that Reputation and Money will coin
any thing that^k for them, into Truth and Goodnefs.

I conclude therefore, That if thou would'ft efcape that

Schifm

C 44 J

Schifm an^^nngcrous fin, which Contenders charge on one
another*, the way is (hort and plain.

I. Underftand,and ftand to thy Baptifmal-Vow,and fee that
thy Beliefs Love and Practice of known Chriftianity, accord-
ing to our Creed, Lords-Prayer and Decalogue, in Love to
,God, thy Soul and thy -Neighbour, in Codlbefi,CharityJufticc
and Sobriety, be (erious and fincere^ and then thou art cer-
tainly of that Catholick Church, which Chrift is the Head of,
and will fove.

II. Love all Chriftians as fuch, according to the meafures of
• their goodnels^, and remembering thy own weaknefo, pity and

bear with- the infirmities of the weak 5 and when others wran-
gle againft them,and abuie them, ftudy thou to do them good,

III. Look on all particular Churches as members of the
univerfal afore defcribed^ and chufe the bell thou canft for
thy ordinary communion and good, (bit be not to a greater
hurt by accident : But deny not. occasional communion \vjth
any (though acculed by others) further than they force thee
to fin,orthan they feparate from Chrift: Thy preience maketh
thee not guilty of the tolerable faults which thou canft not
amend.Take them for Sectaries ' and Separatifis,who forbid thee
communion with all that %re riot of their mind and way iij to-
lerable differences.

IV. Take heed of negle&ing any truth or duty, or living
in any fin, which all good Chriftians,even the Contenders are
agreed about : And in thefe thou wilt find enough for peace
of Confcience and Salvation.

V. Be fure that thou approve thy felf to God, and takehis
Law for thy Rule, and his Love and the heavenly Glory for
thy portion, hope and All } and let not the flefti, nor worldly
intereft cheat thee into juftly fufpe&ed fin , nor the Threats,
or Flatteries, or Bribes of men/ either Drive, Allure or Hire
thcA. t£ be falfojip thy Confcience, thy Saviour and God} nor
pvof^^^^Efau, to fell thy. Birthright for a niorfel, or
hazard thy parslw Heaven for a trarfitory befooling dream

. and fhadow of profit, honour or delight. v

F I N I S.